The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-08-24
BY AGATHA CHRISTIE

were equally good situations to be OBJ
tained elsewhere"
"Yes. I know. But 1t was q hint
wasn't itT'
swell. perhaps II was" admitted
Sir James gravely.
swell, / want to know more.
want to know just why you gave me
q hint"
Sir James smiled at her earnest.
ness.
"Well, without prejudice, then, II
had young sister forced to earn her
living, / should not like to see her in
Mrs. Vandemeyer's service. 1t Is NO
place for. young and inexperienced
girl. That is all can tell you"
II see." said Tuppence thoughtfully.
THANK you very much. But I'm not
really inexperienced, you know.
knew perfectly that she was bad lot
when went there-as q matter of
fact that's why went" She broke
of, seeing some bewilderment on the
lawyers face, and went on: Il think
perhaps I'd better tell you the whole
story, Sir James. I've q sort of feel
ing that you'd know In a minute II
didn't tell the truth, and so you
might as well know all about 1t from
the beginning"
'.Yes, telr me all about It." said Sir
James.
Thus encouraged, Tuppence plunged
into her tale, and the lawyer listened
with close attention.
Every interesting" he said, when
she finished. "A great deal Of what
you tell me, child, is already known
to me. I've had certain theories OF
my own about this Jane Finn. You've
done extraordinarily well so far. but
It's rather too bad of-what do you
know him aseMr. Carter to pitch
fork you two young things into ar
affair of this kind. BY the way, wher,
did Mr.. Hershelmmer come in origi
nally? You didn't make that clear.
julius answered for himself.
'Tm James first cousin" he ex
planned, returning the lawyers keel
gaze.
"Ahi"
"Oh, Sir James," broke out Tup
pence, "what do you think has be
come of Tommy"
'H'm." The lawyer rose, an,
paced slowly up and down. "whel
you arrived, young lady, I was Jus
packing up my traps. Going to Scot
land by the night train for few days
fishing. But there are different kind
Of fishing. I've a good mind to stay
and see If we can't get on the tract
Of that young chap"
"Oh" Tuppence clasped her hand
ecstatically.
"All the same, as said before, IL.
too bad of-of Carter to set you tw,
babies on a Job like this. Now, dom
get offended, Miss-er-"
"Cowley. Prudence Cowley. Blu
my friends call me Tuppence."
swell, Miss Tuppence, then, as Tn
certainly going to be a friend. Now
about this young Tommy of yours
Frankly. things look bad for him
He's been butting in somewhere wher
he wasn't wanted. Not q doubt of II
But don't give up hope"
"And you really will help Us
There, julius! He didn't want me I,
come" she added by way Of explans
tion.
"H'm." said the lawyer. favorinI
julius with another keen glance. "An,
why was thatr
II reckoned II would be no goo,
worrying you with petty little busi
ness like this"
~ see." He paused q moment
"This petty little business, AZ you cal
1t, bears directly on very big bus
ness, bigger, perhaps, than either 20
or Miss Tuppence know. II this bo
Is alive, he may have very valuabl
information to give us. Therefore, W
must find him. There's one perso
quite near at hand who In all prof
ability knows where he is, or at al
events where he Is likely to be-Mri
vandemeyer."
eyes. but she'd never tell u.s."
| "Ah, that Is where 1 come in.
think II quite likely that I shall b
able to make Mrs. vandemeyer tel
me what I want to know"
| "HowY' demanded Tuppence, oper
ing her eyes very wide.
"Oh, just by asking her ques
tions," replied Sir James easily
"That's the way we do II, you know.
| He tapped with his finger on tn
table, and Tuppence felt again the II
tense power that radiated from tn
man.
.And If she won't tellr. aske
Julius suddenly.
'T think she will. have one q
two powerful levers. Still, In this
unlikely event, there IL always Ii
possibility Of bribery"
"Sure. And that's whore I com
ini" cried Julius, bringing his a,
down on the table with bang. "Yo
can count on me, II necessary, fc
one million dollarA Yes, SIR. on
million dollarsi"
Sir James sat down and subjecte
Julius to q long scrutiny. ~
/ "Mr. Hersheimmer." he said at las
shat 10 very large sum. At II
present rate Of exchange Il amount
to considerably over two hundre