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"Shucks!" said Julius thoughtfully. "I'd almost forgotten about the 29th. I've been

thinking of nothing but Tuppence."

"So have I. At least, I hadn't forgotten about the 29th, but it didn't seem to matter

a damn in comparison to finding Tuppence. But to-day's the 23rd, and time's

getting short. If we're ever going to get hold of her at all, we must do it before the

29th--her life won't be worth an hour's purchase afterwards. The hostage game

will be played out by then. I'm beginning to feel that we've made a big mistake in

the way we've set about this. We've wasted time and we're no forrader."

I'm with you there. We've been a couple of mutts, who've bitten off a bigger bit

than they can chew. I'm going to quit fooling right away!"

What do you mean?"

I'll tell you. I'm going to do what we ought to have done a week ago. I'm going

right back to London to put the case in the hands of your British police. We

fancied ourselves as sleuths. Sleuths! It was a piece of damn-fool foolishness! I'm

through! I've had enough of it. Scotland Yard for me!"

"You're right," said Tommy slowly. "I wish to God we'd gone there right away."

"Better late than never. We've been like a couple of babes playing 'Here we go

round the Mulberry Bush.' Now I'm going right along to Scotland Yard to ask

them to take me by the hand and show me the way I should go. I guess the

professional always scores over the amateur in the end. Are you coming along

with me?"

Tommy shook his head.

What's the good? One of us is enough. I might as well stay here and nose round

a bit longer. Something MIGHT turn up. One never knows."

"Sure thing. Well, so long. I'll be back in a couple of shakes with a few inspectors

along. I shall tell them to pick out their brightest and best."

But the course of events was not to follow the plan Julius had laid down. Later in

the day Tommy received a wire:

"Join me Manchester Midland Hotel. Important news--JULIUS."

175

The Secret Adversary