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What day do you usually go out, Prudence?"

Friday's my usual day, ma'am."

Mrs. Vandemeyer lifted her eyebrows.

"And to-day is Friday! But I suppose you hardly wish to go out to-day, as you only

came yesterday."

I was thinking of asking you if I might, ma'am."

Mrs. Vandemeyer looked at her a minute longer, and then smiled.

I wish Count Stepanov could hear you. He made a suggestion about you last

night." Her smile broadened, catlike. "Your request is very--typical. I am satisfied.

You do not understand all this--but you can go out to-day. It makes no difference

to me, as I shall not be dining at home."

"Thank you, ma'am."

Tuppence felt a sensation of relief once she was out of the other's presence. Once

again she admitted to herself that she was afraid, horribly afraid, of the beautiful

woman with the cruel eyes.

In the midst of a final desultory polishing of her silver, Tuppence was disturbed

by the ringing of the front door bell, and went to answer it. This time the visitor

was neither Whittington nor Boris, but a man of striking appearance.

Just a shade over average height, he nevertheless conveyed the impression of a

big man. His face, clean-shaven and exquisitely mobile, was stamped with an

expression of power and force far beyond the ordinary. Magnetism seemed to

radiate from him.

Tuppence was undecided for the moment whether to put him down as an actor or

a lawyer, but her doubts were soon solved as he gave her his name: Sir James

Peel Edgerton.

She looked at him with renewed interest. This, then, was the famous K.C. whose

name was familiar all over England. She had heard it said that he might one day

be Prime Minister. He was known to have refused office in the interests of his

profession, preferring to remain a simple Member for a Scotch constituency.

The Secret Adversary