www.freeclassicebooks.com

start.

Have we arrived? I never thought we should!"

Oh, I thought we'd get to London all right. If there's going to be any fun, now is

when it will begin. Quick, get out. We'll nip into a taxi."

In another minute they were passing the barrier, had paid the necessary fares,

and were stepping into a taxi.

King's Cross," directed Tuppence. Then she gave a jump. A man looked in at the

window, just as they started. She was almost certain it was the same man who

had got into the carriage next to them. She had a horrible feeling of being slowly

hemmed in on every side.

"You see," she explained to Jane, "if they think we're going to Sir James, this will

put them off the scent. Now they'll imagine we're going to Mr. Carter. His country

place is north of London somewhere."

Crossing Holborn there was a block, and the taxi was held up. This was what

Tuppence had been waiting for.

Quick," she whispered. "Open the right-hand door!"

The two girls stepped out into the traffic. Two minutes later they were seated in

another taxi and were retracing their steps, this time direct to Carlton House

Terrace.

"There," said Tuppence, with great satisfaction, "this ought to do them. I can't

help thinking that I'm really rather clever! How that other taxi man will swear!

But I took his number, and I'll send him a postal order to-morrow, so that he

won't lose by it if he happens to be genuine. What's this thing swerving----Oh!"

There was a grinding noise and a bump. Another taxi had collided with them.

In a flash Tuppence was out on the pavement. A policeman was approaching.

Before he arrived Tuppence had handed the driver five shillings, and she and

Jane had merged themselves in the crowd.

It's only a step or two now," said Tuppence breathlessly. The accident had taken

place in Trafalgar Square.

228

The Secret Adversary