The Complete Tommy & Tuppence Collection Read Online Free PDF Page B

anywhere. Pay must be good. No unreasonable offer refused.’ How would that strike you if you read it?”
    â€œIt would strike me as either being a hoax, or else written by a lunatic.”
    â€œIt’s not half so insane as a thing I read this morning beginning ‘Petunia’ and signed ‘Best Boy.’ ” She tore out the leaf and handed it to Tommy. “There you are. The Times, I think. Reply to Box so-and-so. I expect it will be about five shillings. Here’s half a crown for my share.”
    Tommy was holding the paper thoughtfully. His face burned a deeper red.
    â€œShall we really try it?” he said at last. “Shall we, Tuppence? Just for the fun of the thing?”
    â€œTommy, you’re a sport! I knew you would be! Let’s drink to success.” She poured some cold dregs of tea into the two cups.
    â€œHere’s to our joint venture, and may it prosper!”
    â€œThe Young Adventurers, Ltd.!” responded Tommy.
    They put down the cups and laughed rather uncertainly. Tuppence rose.
    â€œI must return to my palatial suite at the hostel.”
    â€œPerhaps it is time I strolled round to the Ritz,” agreed Tommy with a grin. “Where shall we meet? And when?”
    â€œTwelve o’clock tomorrow. Piccadilly Tube station. Will that suit you?”
    â€œMy time is my own,” replied Mr. Beresford magnificently.
    â€œSo long, then.”
    â€œGood-bye, old thing.”
    The two young people went off in opposite directions. Tuppence’s hostel was situated in what was charitably called Southern Belgravia. For reasons of economy she did not take a bus.
    She was halfway across St. James’s Park, when a man’s voice behind her made her start.
    â€œExcuse me,” it said. “But may I speak to you for a moment?”

Two
    M R. W HITTINGTON’S O FFER
    T uppence turned sharply, but the words hovering on the tip of her tongue remained unspoken for the man’s appearance and manner did not bear out her first and most natural assumption. She hesitated. As if he read her thoughts, the man said quickly:
    â€œI can assure you I mean no disrespect.”
    Tuppence believed him. Although she disliked and distrusted him instinctively, she was inclined to acquit him of the particular motive which she had at first attributed to him. She looked him up and down. He was a big man, clean-shaven, with a heavy jowl. His eyes were small and cunning, and shifted their glance under her direct gaze.
    â€œWell, what is it?” she asked.
    The man smiled.
    â€œI happened to overhear part of your conversation with the young gentleman in Lyons’.”
    â€œWell—what of it?”
    â€œNothing—except that I think I may be of some use to you.”
    Another inference forced itself into Tuppence’s mind.
    â€œYou followed me here?”
    â€œI took that liberty.”
    â€œAnd in what way do you think you could be of use to me?”
    The man took a card from his pocket and handed it to her with a bow.
    Tuppence took it and scrutinized it carefully. It bore the inscription “Mr. Edward Whittington.” Below the name were the words “Esthonia Glassware Co.,” and the address of a city office. Mr. Whittington spoke again:
    â€œIf you will call upon me tomorrow morning at eleven o’clock, I will lay the details of my proposition before you.”
    â€œAt eleven o’clock?” said Tuppence doubtfully.
    â€œAt eleven o’clock.”
    Tuppence made up her mind.
    â€œVery well. I’ll be there.”
    â€œThank you. Good evening.”
    He raised his hat with a flourish, and walked away. Tuppence remained for some minutes gazing after him. Then she gave a curious movement of her shoulders, rather as a terrier shakes himself.
    â€œThe adventures have begun,” she murmured to herself. “What does he want me to do, I wonder? There’s something about you, Mr. Whittington,