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Whittington hesitated, but for hardly a moment.

"You have orders--from HIM?"

"Naturally! Should I be here otherwise? Hurry! There is no time to be lost. The

other little fool had better come too."

Whittington turned and ran back into the house. The agonizing minutes went by.

Then--two figures hastily huddled in cloaks appeared on the steps and were

hustled into the car. The smaller of the two was inclined to resist and Whittington

shoved her in unceremoniously. Julius leaned forward, and in doing so the light

from the open door lit up his face. Another man on the steps behind Whittington

gave a startled exclamation. Concealment was at an end.

"Get a move on, George," shouted Julius.

The chauffeur slipped in his clutch, and with a bound the car started.

The man on the steps uttered an oath. His hand went to his pocket. There was a

flash and a report. The bullet just missed the taller girl by an inch.

"Get down, Jane," cried Julius. "Flat on the bottom of the car." He thrust her

sharply forward, then standing up, he took careful aim and fired.

Have you hit him?" cried Tuppence eagerly.

Sure," replied Julius. "He isn't killed, though. Skunks like that take a lot of

killing. Are you all right, Tuppence?"

"Of course I am. Where's Tommy? And who's this?" She indicated the shivering

Kramenin.

Tommy's making tracks for the Argentine. I guess he thought you'd turned up

your toes. Steady through the gate, George! That's right. It'll take 'em at least five

minutes to get busy after us. They'll use the telephone, I guess, so look out for

snares ahead--and don't take the direct route. Who's this, did you say,

Tuppence? Let me present Monsieur Kramenin. I persuaded him to come on the

trip for his health."

The Russian remained mute, still livid with terror.

"But what made them let us go?" demanded Tuppence suspiciously.

221

The Secret Adversary