www.freeclassicebooks.com

he did, his admiration was unbounded.

"Blest if I'd have known you! That rig-out's top-hole."

Glad you like it, Albert," replied Tuppence modestly. "By the way, am I your

cousin, or am I not?"

"Your voice too," cried the delighted boy. "It's as English as anything! No, I said as

a friend of mine knew a young gal. Annie wasn't best pleased. She's stopped on

till to-day--to oblige, SHE said, but really it's so as to put you against the place."

Nice girl," said Tuppence.

Albert suspected no irony.

She's style about her, and keeps her silver a treat--but, my word, ain't she got a

temper. Are you going up now, miss? Step inside the lift. No. 20 did you say?"

And he winked.

Tuppence quelled him with a stern glance, and stepped inside.

As she rang the bell of No. 20 she was conscious of Albert's eyes slowly

descending beneath the level of the floor.

A smart young woman opened the door.

I've come about the place," said Tuppence.

"It's a rotten place," said the young woman without hesitation. "Regular old cat--

always interfering. Accused me of tampering with her letters. Me! The flap was

half undone anyway. There's never anything in the waste-paper basket--she

burns everything. She's a wrong 'un, that's what she is. Swell clothes, but no

class. Cook knows something about her--but she won't tell--scared to death of

her. And suspicious! She's on to you in a minute if you as much as speak to a

fellow. I can tell you----"

But what more Annie could tell, Tuppence was never destined to learn, for at that

moment a clear voice with a peculiarly steely ring to it called:

"Annie!"

The smart young woman jumped as if she had been shot.

The Secret Adversary