The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1923-07-20
By AGATHA CHRISTIE

Coryrigh, Dodd. Mead & Company


ure trip. that is all"
where TOT"
Mr.. Wilmington smiled again.
Paris"
"Ohr' said Tuppence thoughtfully.
To herself she said: "Of course, II
father heard that he would have a fit
But somehow l don't see Mr.. Whit
tington In the role Of the gay de-
c~eiver."
"Yes," continued Wilmington.
"What could be more delightful? To
put the clock back a few years-a
of those charming pensiOnnats de
jeunes files with which Paris
abOunds-"
Tuppence interrupted him.
"a pensionnat?"
Exactly. Madame Colombler'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 ever
puzzled.
you want me to go to Madame Co
lombier's? For how long,"
THAT depends. Possibly three
months"
And that Is all? There are no
other conditioner
None whatever. BY the way, you
are English, are you not?"
"Yes."
yet you speak with a slight Ameri-
can a%ccent?"
"My great pal In hospital was a
little American girl. l dare say !
picked II up from her. ! can soon get
out Of ii again"
ION the contrary, IL might be SIM
pier for you 10 pass as an American.
Details about your past life In Eng
land might be more difficult to sustain.
Yes, l think that would be decidedly
better. Then"
zone moment, Mr.. Wilmington 4!
You seem to be taking my consent for
granted"
Wilmington looked surprised.
Surely you are not thinking OF re-
fusingi ! can assure you that Ma
dame Colombier's Is a most hlgh-class
and orthodox establishment. And the
terms are most liberal"
Exactly" said Tuppence. That's
just 1t. The terms are almost too
liberal, Mr.. Wilmington. I cannot see
any way In which I can be worth that
amount Of money to you"
"No!" said Wilmington softly.
well, / will tell you. / could doubt
less obtain someone else for very
much less. What am willing to pay
for Is a young lady with sufficient in
telligence and presence Of mind to
sustain her part well, and also one
who VIII have sufficient discretion not
to ask too many questions"
Tuppence 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 inT'
mir. Beresford?"
MY partner" said Tuppence with
dignity. "You saw Us together yester-
day.
"Ah. yes. But I'm afraid we shan't
require his services"
Then It's off" Tuppence rose.
It's both or neither. S%orry-but that's
how Ii Is. Good morning, Mr.. Whit.
tington."
Walt a minute. Let us see If some
thing can't be managed. Sit down
again. Miss" He paused ~interroga-
lively.
Tuppence's conscience gave her q
passing twinge as she remembered the
a~rchdeacon. She seized hurrledly on
the frss name that came into her head.
Jane Finn" she said hastily and
then paused open-mouthed at the
effect OF those two simple words.
All the geniality had faded out of
W~hittington's face. 1t was purple
with rage, and the veins stood out on
his forehead. And behind 1t all there
lurked a sort of i%ncredulous dlsmay.
He leaned forward and Missed saw
agely:
$50 that's your little game, Is itY'
Tuppence, though utterly taken
aback, nevertheless kept her head.
She had rot the faintest comprehcn-
sion of his meaning, but she was natu-
rally q~ulck-witted. and felt 1t impera-
tive to keep her end up" as she
phrased II.
Wilmington went on:
Been playing with me, have you.
all the time. like q cat and mouse3
Knew all the time what'I wanted you
for, but kept up the comedy. Il that
II, ehT" He was cooling down. The
red color was ebbing out Of his face.
He eyed here keenly. "Who's been
blabblng? Ritay"
Tuppence shook her head. Size was
doubtful as to how long she could
sustain this Illusion. but she realized
the Importance OF not dragging an