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Tuppence.' Go and look after your cousin. Tuppence is my girl! I've always loved

her, from the time we played together as kids. We grew up and it was just the

same. I shall never forget when I was in hospital, and she came in in that

ridiculous cap and apron! It was like a miracle to see the girl I loved turn up in a

nurse's kit----"

But Julius interrupted him.

A nurse's kit! Gee whiz! I must be going to Colney Hatch! I could swear I've seen

Jane in a nurse's cap too. And that's plumb impossible! No, by gum, I've got it! It

was her I saw talking to Whittington at that nursing home in Bournemouth. She

wasn't a patient there! She was a nurse!"

"I dare say," said Tommy angrily, "she's probably been in with them from the

start. I shouldn't wonder if she stole those papers from Danvers to begin with."

I'm darned if she did!" shouted Julius. "She's my cousin, and as patriotic a girl

as ever stepped."

"I don't care a damn what she is, but get out of here!" retorted Tommy also at the

top of his voice.

The young men were on the point of coming to blows. But suddenly, with an

almost magical abruptness, Julius's anger abated.

"All right, son," he said quietly, "I'm going. I don't blame you any for what you've

been saying. It's mighty lucky you did say it. I've been the most almighty

blithering darned idiot that it's possible to imagine. Calm down"--Tommy had

made an impatient gesture--"I'm going right away now--going to the London and

North Western Railway depot, if you want to know."

"I don't care a damn where you're going," growled Tommy.

As the door closed behind Julius, he returned to his suit-case.

That's the lot," he murmured, and rang the bell.

Take my luggage down."

Yes, sir. Going away, sir?"

I'm going to the devil," said Tommy, regardless of the menial's feelings.

199

The Secret Adversary