Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-10-13
By AGATHA CHRISTIE
Copyright Dodd. Mead q COmpany)

were equally good situations to be OBJ
talned elsewhere"
yes, / know. But 1t was a hint,
wasn't it7"
well perhaps It was" admitted
Sir James gravely.
"Well, I want to know more.
want to know just why you gave me
a hint"
Sir James smiled at her earnest
ness
"Wen, without prejudice, then, II !
had young sister forced to earn her
| living, / should not Ike to see her in
Mrs. Vandemeyer's service. 1t is no
place for a young and inexperienced
girl. That Is all can tell you"
81 see" said Tuppence thoughtfully.
THANK you very much. But I'm not
really inexperienced, you know. l
knew perfectly that she was bad lot
when ! went there-as a matter OF
fact that's why | went" She broke
Off, seeing some bewIlderment on the
lawyers face, and went on: Il think
perhaps I'd better tell you the whole
story, Sir James. I've a sort OF feel
ing that you'd know In q minute II
didn't tell the truth, and so you
might as well know all about 1t from
the beginning"
yes. telr me all about IT," said Sir
James.
Thus encouraged, Tuppence plunged
| into her tale. and the lawyer listened
with close attention.
Very interesting" he said, when
she finished. "A great deal of what
you tell me, child, is already known
to me. I've had certain theories Of
my own about this Jane Finn. You've
done extraordinarily well so far, but
It's rather too bad of--what do you
know him asa-Mr. Carter to pitch
fork you two young things into an
affair Of this kind BY the way, where
did Mr.. Hershemmer come in Orlgl-
nally? You didn't make that clear"
Julius answered for himself
I'm James first cousin" he ex-
planned, returning the lawyers keen
gaze.
"Ah!"
"Oh, Sir James" broke out Tup-
pence, what do you think has be-
come Of Tommy"
HIN" The lawyer rose, and
paced slowly up and down. "When
you arrived, young lady, I was Just
packing up my traps. Going to Scot
land by the night train for a few days.
fishing But there are different kinds
of fishing I've a good mind 10 stay,
and see II we can't get on the track
of that young chap"
"Ohi" Tuppence cIasped her hands
ecstatcally
"All the same, as I said before. it's
too bad of-of Carter to set you two
babies on Job like this. Now, don't
get offended, Mlss-er--"
"Cowley, Prudence Cowley. But
my friends call me Tuppence."
swell, Miss Tuppence, then, as I'm
certainly going to be a friend. Now.
about this young Tommy OF yours.
Frankly things look bad for him.
He's been buttlng in somewhere where
he wasn't wanted. Not a doubt Of IL
But don't give up hope"
and you really will help us7
There, julius He didn't want me TO
come" she added by way Of explana-
tIon.
Him." said the lawyer, favoring
Julius with another keen glance. "And
why was that7"
81 reckoned II would be no good
worrying you with a petty little bust
ness like this"
Il see" He paused a moment.
This petty little business, as you call
Il, bears directly on a very big bust.
ness, bigger, perhaps. than either You
or Miss Tuppence know. II this boy
Is alive, he may have very valuable
Information to give US Therefore, we
must find him. There's one person
quite near at hand who In all prob
ability knows where he is or az ali
events whore he is likely to be-Mrs.
| VRndemeyer."
yes, but she'd never tell US"
"Ah, that is where come in. I
think Il quite likely that / shall be
able TO make Mrs Vandemeyer tell
me what want TO know"
"How?' demanded Tuppence. open
| ing her eyes very wide
"Oh, Just by asking her cues
| tons" replied Sir James easily.
That's the way we DO II. you know"
He tapped with his finger on the
table. and Tuppence felt agala the in
tense power that radlated from the
/ man
And II she won't tellY asked
| Julius suddenly.
81 think she viii. have one or
two powerful levers. SIN. in tina,
unlikely event there is always the
possibility OF bribery
"Sure And that's where I come
in, cried Julius, bringing his fist
down on the table with a bang. "You
can count on me, II necessary. for
one million dollars Yes. sir, one
million dollars {"
Sir James sat down and subjected
Julius to long scrutiny.