The Dolores star., 1923-11-02
By AGATHA CHRISTIE
CHAPTER VIlI.-Continued.
Copyright Dodd. Mead 4 Co

Ii was absurd, this giving way to
nerves! Slowly she went out of the
room. Julius and Sir James were
talking in low voice. Sir James
turned to her.
Lock the door on the outside,
please. Miss Tuppence. and take out
the key. There must be no chance of
anyone entering that room"
The gravity of his manner impressed
them, and Tuppence felt less ashamed
OF her attack of nerves"
Now, Miss Tuppence," said Sir
James. you know this place better
than l do. Where do you suggest we
should take up our quarters?'
Tuppence considered for moment
or two.
II think Mrs. Vandemeyer's boudolr
would be the most comfortable" she
said AT last, and led the way there.
Sir James looked round approvingly.
This will do very well, and now,
my dear young lady, do go to bed and
get some sleep"
Tuppence shook her head resolutely.
Il couldn't, thank you, Sir James. l
should dream of Mr.. Brown all night !"
But you'll be SO tired, child"
mo, I shan't I'd rather stay up
really"
The lawyer gave in.
Tuppencs related her adventures.
There's one thing l don't get clear
ly." said Julius. what put her up to
clearing out7"
Il don't know" confessed Tuppence.
t. To
fully.
THE room was in great disorder.
That looks as though her flight was
unprecedented. Almost as though
got a sudden warning to go from
some one"
Mr.. Brown, suppose" said Julius
scofingly.
The lawyer looked at him deliberate
ly for a minute or two.
why not?" he said. Remember,
you yourself have once been worsted
by him
Julius flushed with vexatlon.
Il feel Just mad when l think of
how l handed out James photograph
TO him like a lamb. Gee, II ever lay
hands on 1t again, I'll freeze on to it
uke-like h-lI
That contingency is likely to be a
remote one," said the other dryly.
Il guess you're right" said julius
frankly. And. in any case, it's the
original I'm out after. Where do you
think she can be, Sir Jamesf"
The lawyer shook his head.
Impossible to say. But I've n very
good Idea where she has been. At the
scene of your nocturnal adventures,
the Bournemouth hospital"
There? impossible l asked"
NO, my dear sir. you asked If any
one of the name of Jane Finn had been
there. Now, II the girl had been placed
there 1t would almost certainly be un-
der an assumed name"
Perhaps the doctors in 1t too," sug-
gested Tuppence.
Julius shook his head.
81 don't think So l took TO him at
once. No, I'm pretty sure Doctor Halls
all right"
Hall. did you say?" asked Sir
James. That is curious-really very
curious"
"WhyT' demanded Tuppence.
Because l happened TO meet him
this morning. I've known him slight
ly on and off for some years. and this
morning I ran across him in the street.
Staying at the Metropole, he told me-"
He turned to julius. Didn't he tell
you he was coming up to town.
julius shook his head.
Curious" unused Sir James. you
did not mention his name this after
noon, or l would have suggested your
going to him for further information,
with my card as Introduction"
II guess I'm a mutt" said Julius,
with unusual humility. Il ought to
have thought of the false name stunt"
A silence settled down over the
party. Little by little the magic of
the night began to gain hold on
them. There were sudden creaks in
the furniture, imperceptible rustlings
in the curtains. Suddenly Tuppence
sprang up with a cry.
II can't help it. l know Mr.. Browns
somewhere in the flat! l can feel
him."
Sure, Tuppence how could he be?
could have come in by the front door
without our seeing and hearing him."
II can't help 1t. l feel he's here!"
She looked appealingly at S!r James,
who replied gravely:
with due Difference to your feel
ings, Miss Tuppence (and mine as
well, for that matter), 1 do not see
how 1t is humanity possible for anyone
to be in the fiat without our knowl-
edge
The girl was a little comforted by
his words.
Sitting up at night is always rather
jumpy," she confessed.
The hours drew on. With the first
faint slimmerings of dawn, Sir James
drew aside the curtains. Somehow,
with the coming of the Iipht tho droo dc