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CHAPTER XI. JULIUS TELLS A STORY

DRESSED appropriately, Tuppence duly sallied forth for her "afternoon out."

Albert was in temporary abeyance, but Tuppence went herself to the stationer's to

make quite sure that nothing had come for her. Satisfied on this point, she made

her way to the Ritz. On inquiry she learnt that Tommy had not yet returned. It

was the answer she had expected, but it was another nail in the coffin of her

hopes. She resolved to appeal to Mr. Carter, telling him when and where Tommy

had started on his quest, and asking him to do something to trace him. The

prospect of his aid revived her mercurial spirits, and she next inquired for Julius

Hersheimmer. The reply she got was to the effect that he had returned about half

an hour ago, but had gone out immediately.

Tuppence's spirits revived still more. It would be something to see Julius.

Perhaps he could devise some plan for finding out what had become of Tommy.

She wrote her note to Mr. Carter in Julius's sitting-room, and was just addressing

the envelope when the door burst open.

"What the hell----" began Julius, but checked himself abruptly. "I beg your

pardon, Miss Tuppence. Those fools down at the office would have it that

Beresford wasn't here any longer--hadn't been here since Wednesday. Is that so?"

Tuppence nodded.

"You don't know where he is?" she asked faintly.

"I? How should I know? I haven't had one darned word from him, though I wired

him yesterday morning."

I expect your wire's at the office unopened."

But where is he?"

I don't know. I hoped you might."

I tell you I haven't had one darned word from him since we parted at the depot

on Wednesday."

What depot?"

The Secret Adversary