The Dolores star., 1923-08-31

MI " lllil2Il-tlu slllltl h-All-
Paris"
oh" said Tuppence thoughtfully.
To herself she said: "Of course, IL
father heard that he would have fit!
But somehow l don't see Mr.. Whit
tlngton In the role Of the gay de
celver."
yes" continued NhittInEton.
"What CCuld be more CaliGhtfulf To
put the clock back few years-a
very few, am sure-snd re-enter one
OF those charming penslonnats de
5eunes files with which Paris
lbOunls-''
Tuppence interrupted him.
"A pensionnatT"
Exactly. Madame C0lombiers In
the Avenue de Neuilly."
Tuppence knew the name well.
Nothing could have been more select.
Size had had several American friends
there. She was more than ever
puzzled.
"You want me to 20 to Madame Co
lomb'er'sf For how loaGf"
That depends. Possibly three
months"
And that is su2 There are no
other conlItIonsT
None whatever. Ey the way, YOU
are English, are yor not?'
Yes"
Yet you speak with slight Amerl-
can acccrtf"
My great pal in hospital was
little American EirI. l dare say l
picked 1t up from her. can soon get
out OF it again"
"On the contrary. It might be sim
pier for you e. pass es an American.
Details about your past lie in Eng
land might be more difficult to sustain.
Yes, | think that would be decidedly
better Then"
"One moment. MIR. Whittfngton,
You seem to be taking my consent for
granted"
Wilmington looked surprised.
Surely you are not thinking OF re-
fusingf l eau assure you that Ma
dame Colomhier's Is most high-class
and orthodox establishment And the
terms are most liberal"
Exactly said Tuppence That's
just IT. The terms are almost too
liberal, Mr.. Wilmington. 1 cannot see
any way in which | can be worth that
amount of money to you"
MOP said Wilmington softly
well. I will tell you. l could doubt
less obtain someone else for very
much less. What | am willing to pay
for Is young lady with sufficient in
telligence and presence OF mind to
sustain her Fart well. and also one
who Will have sufficient discretion not
to ask too many questions"
Iuppence smiled a little. She felt
that Wilmington had scored.
There's another thing. So far there
has been no mention OF Mr.. Beres-
ford. Where does he come in?"
"Mr. Beresford?"
hy partner" said Tuppence with
dignity. You saw US together yester-
day"
"Ah, yes. But Tn afraid we shan't
require his services"
Then It's orr Tuppence rose
It's both or neither. Sorry-but that's
no" 1t is. Good morning, Mr.. Whit
tington."
Wait minute. Let us see If some
thing cant be managed. Sit down
again, Miss" He paused interroga-
lively.
TuppenCe's conscience gave her
passing twinge a. she remembered the
archdeacon. She seized hurriedly on
the first name that came into her head
Jane Finn" she said hastily; and
then paused oQen-mouthed at the
effect Of those two simple words.
All the geniality had faded out Of
Nhittington's face. 1t was purple
with rage, and the veins stood out on
his forehead. And behind it all there
lurked a sort OF increlulous dismay.
He leaned forward and Kissed saw
agely:
so that's your little game, is it?'
Tuppence. though utterly taken
aback, nevertheless kept her head
She had not the falntest comprehen-
sion Of his meaning. but she was natu.
rally quick-witted. and felt it impera-
tive to keep her end up" as she
phrased it,
WhittingtOn went on:
Been playing with me. have Won,
all the time, Ike cat and mouse,
Knew all the time what I wanted Won
for but kept up the comedy. Is that
it. eht" He was cooling down. The
red color was ebbing out of his face,
He eyed here keeny. "Who's been
blabblng? Ritaf"
Tuppence shook her head. She WAS
doubtful as to how long she could
sustain this Illusion, but she realized
the Importance of not dragging an
unknown Rita into it.
NO she replied with perfect
truth. Rita knows nothing about me"
How much do you know" he shot
out.
Very little Indeed" answered Tim.
pence. and was pleased to note that
Whittington's uneaslness was oup.
mpntph instead of aI1,,o.t