www.freeclassicebooks.com

"You must let me know if anything further comes to light. Letters will always be

forwarded."

Tuppence stared at him blankly.

You are going away?"

I told you. Don't you remember? To Scotland."

Yes, but I thought----" The girl hesitated.

Sir James shrugged his shoulders.

"My dear young lady, I can do nothing more, I fear. Our clues have all ended in

thin air. You can take my word for it that there is nothing more to be done. If

anything should arise, I shall be glad to advise you in any way I can."

His words gave Tuppence an extraordinarily desolate feeling.

"I suppose you're right," she said. "Anyway, thank you very much for trying to

help us. Good-bye."

Julius was bending over the car. A momentary pity came into Sir James's keen

eyes, as he gazed into the girl's downcast face.

Don't be too disconsolate, Miss Tuppence," he said in a low voice. "Remember,

holiday-time isn't always all playtime. One sometimes manages to put in some

work as well."

Something in his tone made Tuppence glance up sharply. He shook his head with

a smile.

No, I shan't say any more. Great mistake to say too much. Remember that. Never

tell all you know--not even to the person you know best. Understand? Good-bye."

He strode away. Tuppence stared after him. She was beginning to understand Sir

James's methods. Once before he had thrown her a hint in the same careless

fashion. Was this a hint? What exactly lay behind those last brief words? Did he

mean that, after all, he had not abandoned the case; that, secretly, he would be

working on it still while----

Her meditations were interrupted by Julius, who adjured her to "get right in."

132

The Secret Adversary