Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-11-24

y AGATHA CHRISTIE

Copyright Dodd. Mead q Company

"Fire ahead. I gLess you've had
some few adventures"
"One or two" replied Tommy MOD
estly, and plunged into his recital.
Julius listened spell-bound. At the
end he heayed a long sigh.
"Buly for you. Reads Ike a dime
novelP'
He, in his turn, assumed the role
Of narrator. Beginning with his IN
successful reconnoitering at Bourne
mouth, he passed on TO his return to
London, the buying of the car. the
growing anxieties OF Tuppence. tho
can upon Sir james, and the sensa-
tional occurrences of the previous
night.
"But who killed herr" asked
Tommy. Il don't quite understand"
'The doctor kidded himself she took
1t herself" replied Julius dryly.
and Sir James2 What did he
Think"
Being a legal lumlnary, he is like
wise human oyster" replied julius.
Il should say he reserved judg-
ment.'" He went on to detail the
events Of the morning.
Lost her memory chr" said Tommy
with interest. "By Jove, that explains
why they looked at me so queerly
when / spoke of questioning her Bit
Of slip on my part, that But 1t
wasn't the sort Of thing a fellow
would be likely to guess"
There was moments pause, and
then Tommy reverted to Mrs. Vande-
meyers death.
'"There's no doubt 1t was chloral1
Let's go round to the scene of the
crime. wish we could get hold of
Tuppence. The Ritz would enjoy the
spectacle of the glad reunion"
Inquiry at the office revealed thu
fact that Tuppence had not yet re-
| turned.
"All the same, guess I'll have g
look round upstairs" said julius
"She might be in my sltting-room."
He disappeared.
Suddenly a dlminutive boy spoke At
Tommy's elbow:
THE young lady-shes gone away
by train. l think, sir" he murmurei
shyly
"whatH" Tommy wheeled round
upon him.
The taxi. sir. heard her tell the
driver Charing Cross and to look
sharp"
Tommy stared at him, his eyes
opening wide in surprlHe. Emboldened,
the small boy proceeded. 80
! thought. having asked for an AB.O
and a Bradshaw"
Tommy interrupted him:
when did she ask for an AB.Q
and a Bradshaw
'When took her the telegram. sir"
"A telegram
''Yes, sir"
"When was thatT~
"About half-past twelve, sir"
At that moment julius came bach.
He held an open letter in his hand.
Il say, Hershelmmer" Tommy
turned to him-"Tuppence has gone
off sleuthing on her own"
"Shucksl"
ayes, she has. She went OF IN q
taxi to Chsring Cross In the deuce Of
a hurry after getting a telegram" His
eye fell on the letter in julius hand
"Oh; she left note for you. That's
all right. Where's she Off top
Almost unconsciously, he held out
his hand for the letter, hut julius
folded 1t up and placed 1t in his pocket
lie seemed a trife embarrassed.
81 guess this is nothing TO do with
It. It's about something else-soms-
thing l asked her that she was to let
me know about See here, I'd better
put you wise. | asked Miss Tuppencs
to marry me this morning"
"Oh!" said Tommy mechanically,
He felt dazed. julius words were
totally unexpected. For the moment
they benumbed his brain.
I'D like TO tell you" continued
Julius. that before suggested any
thing Of the kind to Miss Tuppence, 1
made it clear that / didn't want to
butt In in any way between her and
you"
Tommy reused himself.
That's all right" he said quickly.
"Tuppence and l have been pals for
years. Nothing more" He lit a Gig
arctic with hand that shook ever %
little That's quite all right. Tup
-