The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-07-06
By AGATHA CHRISTIE

''Nominal-purely nominal. A pleas.
ure trip. that Is all"
"Where tor
Mr.. Wilmington smiled again.
"Parfs-"
"Oh" said Tuppencs thoughtfully,
To herself she said: "Of course, II
father heard that he would have At
But somehow I don't see Mr.. Whit.
tington In the role Of the gay de-
ceiver."
"Yes," continued Wilmington.
'What could be more delightful? To
put the clock back a few years.
very few, am sure-and re-enter one
Of those charming pensionnats de
jeunes filles with which Paris
abounds-'
Tuppence interrupted him.
| "A pensionnatY
| Exactly. Madame Colombier's IN
the Avenue de Neuilly."
| Tuppence knew the name well
Nothing could have been more select
She had had several American friends
there. She was more than evel
puzzled.
"You want me to 60 to Madame Co
lombier's? For how long7"
"That depends. Possibly thret
months"
"And that is allf There are nt
other conditioner
"None whatever. BY the way, yor
are English, are you notr
Eyes"
yet you speak with a slight Ameri
can accent"
'My great pal In hospital was &
little American girl. dare say
picked 1t up from her. I can soon ge
out of II again."
"On the contrary. II might be sim
pier for you to pass as an American
Details about your past life In Eng
land might be more difficult to sustain
Yes, think that would be decided.
better. Then" .
zone moment. Mr.. Wilmington
You seem to be taking my consent TO
granted"
Wilmington looked surprised.
Surely you are not thinking Of re
fusing7 can assure you that Ms
dame Colombier's is a most high-clas
and orthodox establishment. And tn
terms are most liberal"
Exactly" said Tuppence. THAT
Just 1t. The terms are almost to
liberal, Mr.. Wilmington. I cannot sc
any way in which can be worth tina
amount Of money to you"
"NoY' said Wilmington softly
"well. I will tell you. could doubt
less obtain someone else for yer
much less. What am willing to pa
for is young lady with sufficient II
telligencs and presence Of mind I
sustain her part well, and also on
who will have sufficient discretion no
to ask too many questions"
Tuppence smiled little. She fe
that Wilmington had scored.
There's another thing. so far ther
has been no mention of Mr.. Bere
ford. Where does he come int"
"Mr. BeresfordT
my partner" said Tuppence wit
dignity. "You saw us together yeste
day."
"Ah. yes. But I'm afraid we shan
require his services"
"Then it's off" Tuppehce ros
TITS both or neither. Sorry-but that
how 1t is. Good morning, Mr.. Will
tington."
"Wait a minute. Let us see II som
thing can't be managed. Sit dow
again. Miss He paused interrog
lively.
Tuppence's conscience gave her
passing twinge as she remembered Il
archdeacon. She seized hurriedly q
the first name that came into her hea
"Jane Finn" she said hastily; ar
then paused open-mouthed at Il
effect Of those two simple words.
All the geniality had faded out
Whittington's face. 1t was purp
with rage, and the veins stood out {
his forehead. And behind It all the
lurked a sort Of incredulous disma
He leaned forward and Kissed ga
agely:
$50 that's your little game. Is It
Tuppence, though utterly take
aback, nevertheless kept her hea
She had not the faintest comprehe
sion Of his meaning, but she was nat
rally Quick-witted, and felt II imper
tive to keep her end up" a. sl
phrased It.
Wilmington went on:
"Been playing with me. have 70
all the time, like q cat and nous
Knew all the time what wanted y,
for. but kept up the comedy. II tn
1t, chr He was cooling down. T.
red color was sbbing out Of his FAC
He eyed here keenly. "who's be-
blabbing7 Ritar
Tuppence shook her head. She W
doubtful a. to how long she cou
sustain this Illusion, but she realiz
:, the Importance Of not dragging
!, unknown Rita into 1T.
: "No," she replied with perfs
truth. Rita knows nothing about m,
How much DO you known he ri
J. out.
d every little Indeed" answered IT
nonce and was pIpased I'm note m