www.freeclassicebooks.com

"Yes?" said Julius. The perspiration stood on his forehead.

Tuppence relented suddenly.

"You great idiot!" she said. "What on earth induced you to do it? I could see at the

time you didn't care a twopenny dip for me!"

"Not at all. I had--and still have--the highest sentiments of esteem and respect--

and admiration for you----"

H'm!" said Tuppence. "Those are the kind of sentiments that very soon go to the

wall when the other sentiment comes along! Don't they, old thing?"

"I don't know what you mean," said Julius stiffly, but a large and burning blush

overspread his countenance.

"Shucks!" retorted Tuppence. She laughed, and closed the door, reopening it to

add with dignity: "Morally, I shall always consider I have been jilted!"

What was it?" asked Jane as Tuppence rejoined her.

Julius."

What did he want?"

Really, I think, he wanted to see you, but I wasn't going to let him. Not until to-

night, when you're going to burst upon every one like King Solomon in his glory!

Come on! WE'RE GOING TO SHOP!"

To most people the 29th, the much-heralded "Labour Day," had passed much as

any other day. Speeches were made in the Park and Trafalgar Square. Straggling

processions, singing the Red Flag, wandered through the streets in a more or less

aimless manner. Newspapers which had hinted at a general strike, and the

inauguration of a reign of terror, were forced to hide their diminished heads. The

bolder and more astute among them sought to prove that peace had been effected

by following their counsels. In the Sunday papers a brief notice of the sudden

death of Sir James Peel Edgerton, the famous K.C., had appeared. Monday's

paper dealt appreciatively with the dead man's career. The exact manner of his

sudden death was never made public.

Tommy had been right in his forecast of the situation. It had been a one-man

show. Deprived of their chief, the organization fell to pieces. Kramenin had made

246

The Secret Adversary