The Secret Adversary

, old

ce, old

locked the Dover Street Tube exit in doing so. The adjective "old" was mi

e are you off to? Come and chew a bun with me. We're getting a bit

tarted walking down Dover

id Tommy, "whe

astute ears of Miss Prudence Cowley, known to her intimate frien

you're

lared Tommy unconvinci

did once persuade Sister Greenbank that the doctor had ordered you be

chuc

und out? Not that she was a bad sort really, old Mother Greenba

nce s

You

y no

month

?" hinted

pe

Tom

luck! The cost of living-ordinary plain, or garden l

ow about the cost of living. Here we are at Lyons', and we will each

bout looking for a table, catching odds

couldn't have the flat after all." "It was simply a bargain

ssed two Johnnies in the street to-day talking about so

and collected parcels, and Tuppence deftly

buns. Tuppence ordered

es in separate teapot

ed hair. His face was pleasantly ugly-nondescript, yet unmistakably the face of a gentlema

face, with its determined chin and large, wide-apart grey eyes that looked mistily out from under straight, black brows. She wore a small bright green toque over her

ence, rousing herself from a f

bun, "let's get up-to-date. Remember, I haven't

: Promoted one floor up to duties of wardmaid with mop and pail. Sixth month: Promoted to waiting at table. Seventh month: Pleasing appearance and nice manners so striking that am promoted to waiting on the Sisters! Eighth month: Slight check in career. Sister Bond ate Sister Westhaven's egg! Grand row! Wardmaid clearly to blame! Inattention in such important matters cannot be too highly censured. Mop and pail again! How are the mighty fallen! Ninth month: Promoted to sweeping out wards, where I found a friend of my childhood in Lieutenant Tho

ckening the way those brass hats drove from the War Off

joyable tea parties. I had intended to become a land girl, a postwoman, and a bus conductress by way of rounding off my career-but the Armistice intervened! I clu

d for the second time, and went into hospital out there. Then I got stuck in Egypt till the Armistice happened, kicked my heels there some time longer, and, as I told you, finally got demo

nodded

he colonies?"

hook hi

nies-and I'm perfectly cer

rela

my shook

not even a

who's more or less roll

y n

dopt me once

it," said Tuppence slowly. "You

y fl

As you know, I was all she had. Old boy hated her-w

d, isn't she?" sai

y no

rge grey eyes

sort, Tommy. I

"Well, that's my position

swered advertisements. I've tried every mortal blessed thing. I've scr

you w

ian view that short skirts and smoking are immoral. You can imagine what a thorn in the flesh I am to him! He just heaved a sigh of relief when the war took me off. You see, the

y. There was a silence, a

ey morning, noon and night! I dare say

agreed Tommy

. I haven't got any rich elderly relatives. Any relatives I have are in homes for decayed gentlewomen! I always help old ladies over crossings, and pick up parcels

was a

arry money when I was quite young. Any thinking girl would! I'm not sentimental, y

tily. "No one would ever think of

it all right. Well, there it is! I'm ready and willing-but I never

he general?"

of peace," explained Tuppence. "No, there

ou. I don't

see a man in a fur coat come out of the Ritz I can't rush up t

should do that to a s

erchief, or something like that. If she thinks you want to k

y manly charms,

naire would probably run for his life! No-marriage

, and failed," To

yes. But suppose we try the unorth

d Tommy cheerfully.

make ourselves known, people might

mmy. "Especially coming fr

mine. You must admit that there's a difference between stealin

he least difference

I shouldn't be cau

s your besetting s

, shall we really? Shall we

r the stealing of

ion. Let's have a-what do y

ow. Never

me out. Oh, I know-a joint venture! It struck me as such a romantic phrase to come across in the middle of musty

he Young Adventurers, Ltd.?

augh, but I feel there m

get in touch with you

u got a bit of paper and a pencil? Men usually seem

habby green notebook, and Tu

ung officer, twice w

ainly

g might touch the heart of an elderly spinster, and she might adopt you,

want to b

ing. Now listen-how's this? 'Two young adventurers for hire. Willing to do anything, go anywhere. Pay must be good.' (We

get in answer to that would b

o much more chic. 'No unreasonable off

on pay again. It l

ght through. 'Two young adventurers for hire. Willing to do anything, go anywhere. Pay

ither being a hoax, or e

Boy.'" She tore out the leaf and handed it to Tommy. "There you are. Times, I think. Reply

per thoughtfully. His fa

id at last. "Shall we, Tuppence

be! Let's drink to success." She poured

oint venture, an

nturers, Ltd.!"

and laughed rather unce

my palatial suit

to the Ritz," agreed Tommy with a g

w. Piccadilly Tube stati

" replied Mr. Beres

ong,

ye, old

ce's hostel was situated in what was charitably called South

ames's Park, when a man's voi

. "But may I speak t