The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-06-15
CHAPTER vi


Enter Sir James Peel Edgerton.
Tuppence betrayed no awkwardness
in her new duties. The daughters OF
the archdeacon were well grounded
In household tasks Mrs. Vandemeyer's
cook puzzled her. She evidently went
in deadly terror of her mistress. The
girl thought 1t probable that the other
woman had some hold over her. For
the rest, she cooked like chef. as
Tuppence had an opportunity of judg-
ing that evening Mrs. Vandemeyer
was expecting guest to dinner, and
Tuppence accordingly laid the beauti-
fully polished table for two. She was
little exercised In her own mind as
TO this visitor. 1t was highly possible
that 1t might prove to be Wilmington.
Although she felt fairly confident that
he would not recognize her, yet she
would have been better pleased had
the guest proved to be a total
stranger.
At a few minutes past eight the
front door bell rang and Tuppence
went to answer 1t with some inward
trepidation. She was relieved to see
that the visitor was the second Of the
two men whom Tommy had taken
upon himself to follow.
He gave his name as Count Stepa-
nov. Tuppence announced him. and
Mrs. vandemeyer rose from her seat
on low divan with q quick murmur
Of pleasure. He bowed low over her
hand.
Tuppence returned to the kitchen
Count Stepanov, or some SUCH"
she remarked, and affecting q frank
and unvarnished curiosity: "Who's
hep
"a Russian gentleman, believe"
"Come here muchY
"Once In while. What d'you want
to know forT
"Fancied he might be sweet on the
missus. that's ALL" explained the girl.
adding with an appearance of sulki-
ness: How you do take one upr'
I'm not quite easy In my mind
about the souffle," explained the other.
you know something" thought Tup-
pence
Whilst waiting at table. Tuppence
listened closely to all that was said.
She remembered that this was one Of
the men Tommy was shadowing when
she had last seen him. Already, al
though she would hardly admit 1t, she
was becoming uneasy about her part
ner. Where was he? Why had no
word of any kind come from him? She
had arranged before leaving the Ritz
to have all letters or messages sent
on at once by special messenger to a
small stationer's shop near at hand,
where Albert was to call In frequently.
True, 1t was only yesterday morning |
that she had parted from Tommy. and |
she told herself that any anxiety on
his behalf would be absurd STILL 1t |
of any kind.
But, listen as she might, the con-
versation presented no clue. Boris |
and Mrs. Vandemeyer talked on pure
ly Indifferent subjects. Tuppence
brought In the coffee and liqueurs and
unwillingly retired.
She cleared away and washed up
with a GREATNESS speed acquired in
hospital. Then she slipped quietly
back to the boudoir door. The cook,
more leisurely, was still busy in the
and, If she missed the other,
would only suppose her to be turning
down the beds.
Alas The conversation inside was
being carried on in too low tone to
permit hearing anything of It. She
dared not reopen the door, however
gently. Mrs. Vandemeyer was sitting
almost facing it. and Tuppence re-
spected her mistress lynx-eyed powers
Of observation.
Nevertheless, she felt she would
give a good deal to overhear what
was going on. Possibly, If anything
had happened, she might
get news of Tommy. For some mo-
nents she reflected desperately, then
ler face frightened. She went quick
Y along the passage to Mrs. Vande-
meyers bedroom, which had long
French windows leading onto a bal
'ony that ran the length of the fat
Slipping quickly through the window,
ruppence crept noiselessly along till
he reached the boudoir window. AS
he had thought 1t stood little ajar
md the voices within were plainly |
hubble.
Tuppence listened attentively, but {
here was no mention of anything that
ould be twisted to apply to Tommy.
FRS. Yandemeyer and the Russian I
eemed to be at variance over some :
natter, and finally the latter ex-
laimed bitterly:
You are going about everywhere +
18th Peel Edgerten. Not only Is he. h
erhaps, the most celebrated kings
ounsel In England, but his special
obby is criminologyl 1t is mad n
essl'
Il know that his eloquence has II
wed untold men from the gallows." II
aid Mrs vandemeyer calmly. what
I 1t? l may need his assistance In II
a.