The Dolores star., 1923-10-05
CHAPTER vi

IN her new duties. The daughters of
The archdeacon were well grounded
In household tasks. Mrs. Vandemeyer's
cook puzzled her. She evidently went
In deadly terror Of her mistress. The
girl thought It probable that the other
woman had some hold over her. For
the rest, she cooked like a chef as
Iuppence had an opportunity of judg-
ing that evening. Mrs. Vandemeyer
was expecting guest to dinner, and
Iuppence accordingly laid the beauti-
fuily polished table for two. She was
little exercised In her own mind as
to this visitor. 1t was highly possible
that 1t might prove to be Wilmington.
Although she felt fairly confident that
ne would not recognize her, yet she
would have been better pleased had
the guest proved to be a total
| stranger.
AT few minutes past eight the
front door bell rang. and Tuppence
went to answer 1t with some inward
trepidation. She was relieved to see
that the visitor was the second of the
two men whom Tommy had taken
upon himself to follow.
He gave his name as Count Stepa-
nov. Tuppence announced him, and
Mrs. Vandemeyer rose from her seat
on low dlvan with quick murmur
or pleasure. He bowed low over her
hand.
Tuppence returned to the kitchen.
Count Stepanov, or some such"
she remarked. and affecting a frank
and unvarnished curiosity: "Who's
her"
"a Russian gentleman, I believe"
Come here much?"
"Once in while. What d'you want
| to know fori'
"Fancied he might be sweet on the
missus, that's ALL" explained the girl.
adding with an appearance of sulki-
ness: "How you do take one up"
"Tm not quite easy in my mind
about the soufIle," explained the other.
"You know something" thought Tup-
pence.
Whilst waiting nt table, Tuppence
listened closely to all that was said.
She remembered that this was one of
the men Tommy was shadowing when
she had last seen him. Already, al
though she would hardly admit 1t, she
was becoming uneasy about her part
ner. Where was he? Why had no
word of any kind come from him? She
had arranged before leaving the Ritz
to have all letters or messages sent
on at once by special messenger to a
small stationer's shop near at hand,
where Albert was to call In frequently.
True, 1t was only yesterday morning
that she had parted from Tommy. and
she told herself that any anxiety on
his behalf would be absurd. Still, it
was strange that he had sent no word
Of any kind.
versation presented no clue. Boris
and Mrs. Vandemeyer talked on pure
ly Indifferent subjects Tuppence
brought in the coffee and liqueurs and
unwillIngly retired.
She cleared away and washed up
with breathless speed acquired in
hospital. Then she slipped quietly
back to the boudoir door. Thu cook.
more leisurely, was still busy In the
kitchen. and, If she missed the other.
would only suppose her to be turning
down the beds.
Alas! The conversation inside was
being carried on in too low a tone to
permit hearing anything Of 1t. She
dared not reopen the door, however
gently. Mrs. Vnndemeyer was sitting
almost facing 1t, and Tuppence re-
spected her mistress lynx-eyed powers
Of observation.
Nevertheless. she felt she would
give a good deal to overhear what
was going on. Possibly. If anything
unforeseen had happened, she might
get news Of Tommy. For some mo-
ments she reflected desperately, then
her face frightened. She went quick
ly along the passage to Mrs. Vande-
meyers bedroom. which had long
French windows leading onto a bal
cony that ran the length Of the fiat.
Slipping quickly through the window,
Tuppence crept noiselessly along till
she reached the boudoir window. AS
she had thought. 1t stood a little ajar,
and the voices within were plainly
audible.
Tuppence listened attentively, but
there was no mention Of anything that
could be twisted to apply to Tommy.
Mrs. vandemeyer and the Russian
seemed to be at variance over some
matter and finally the latter ex-
claimed bitterly:
You are going about everywhere
with Peel Edgerton. Not only Is he,
perhaps, the most celebrated kings
counsel In England. but his special
hobby Is criminology! 1t y mad
ness !"
I know that his eloquence has
saved untold men from the gallows."
said Mrs vandemeyer calmly. What
of it3 l may need his assistance In
.~.,col$ soma dov II 1n how