www.freeclassicebooks.com

and I are very unimportant." She paused for breath.

Tommy?" queried Sir James, looking across at the American.

"No, that's Julius," explained Tuppence. "I'm rather nervous, and that makes me

tell it badly. What I really want to know is what you meant by what you said to

me the other day? Did you mean to warn me against Mrs. Vandemeyer? You did,

didn't you?"

"My dear young lady, as far as I recollect I only mentioned that there were equally

good situations to be obtained elsewhere."

Yes, I know. But it was a hint, wasn't it?"

Well, perhaps it was," admitted Sir James gravely.

Well, I want to know more. I want to know just WHY you gave me a hint."

Sir James smiled at her earnestness.

Suppose the lady brings a libel action against me for defamation of character?"

"Of course," said Tuppence. "I know lawyers are always dreadfully careful. But

can't we say 'without prejudice' first, and then say just what we want to."

Well," said Sir James, still smiling, "without prejudice, then, if I had a young

sister forced to earn her living, I should not like to see her in Mrs. Vandemeyer's

service. I felt it incumbent on me just to give you a hint. It is no place for a young

and inexperienced girl. That is all I can tell you."

"I see," said Tuppence thoughtfully. "Thank you very much. But I'm not REALLY

inexperienced, you know. I knew perfectly that she was a bad lot when I went

there--as a matter of fact that's WHY I went----" She broke off, seeing some

bewilderment on the lawyer's face, and went on: "I think perhaps I'd better tell

you the whole story, Sir James. I've a sort of feeling that you'd know in a minute

if I didn't tell the truth, and so you might as well know all about it from the

beginning. What do you think, Julius?"

"As you're bent on it, I'd go right ahead with the facts," replied the American, who

had so far sat in silence.

"Yes, tell me all about it," said Sir James. "I want to know who Tommy is."

The Secret Adversary