The Devil's Cocktail Read Online Free PDF Page A

hour.’
    â€˜Do you mean that awfully nice man, who is so famous in the Intelligence Department?’
    He nodded.
    â€˜Yes! You’ve met him once or twice, haven’t you?’
    â€˜You know I have at the Foreign Office “at ‘home’s” and parties. I adore Mrs Brien – But what have you been talking to him about. Surely you haven’t been trying to get into the Secret Service now, have you?’
    He grinned.
    â€˜I have an awful confession to make, old girl,’ he said.
    â€˜Then you have?’
    â€˜I have been in the Secret Service for quite a long time—’
    She looked at him in astonishment.
    â€˜Is that true, Hugh?’
    â€˜Absolutely! Now you know why I have been rather secretive on occasions.’
    There was a pause for a full minute before she spoke, then:
    â€˜But how perfectly amazing!’ she said. ‘My Hugh a Secret Service man. And are you actually working under that wonderful Sir Leonard Wallace?’
    â€˜I am!’
    â€˜Oh, Hugh! Why didn’t you tell me before?’
    â€˜Well, you see dear, I thought it wiser to keep quiet about it. This morning Major Brien rather made me see that I ought to tell you, in case misunderstandings ever arose between us.’
    She caught hold of his arm, and pressed it.
    â€˜Misunderstandings could never arise between us, dear old boy,’ she said. ‘I have suspected something for a long time, but couldn’t exactly place my suspicions. I am glad Major Brien made you tell me. Would you never have told me if he hadn’t suggested it?’
    â€˜I don’t think so!’
    â€˜Didn’t you trust me then?’
    â€˜Of course! Only you see—’
    â€˜You felt so important and so secretive that you wanted to keep it to yourself! I suppose you have been going into all sorts of dangers, and I didn’t know. Hugh, that was rather unkind of you, wasn’t it? We have never had any secrets from each other before.’
    â€˜I know, Joan; but this was rather different, wasn’t it?’
    â€˜How long have you been in the Secret Service?’ she asked, ignoring his question.
    â€˜Nearly two years!’
    â€˜Two years! And I never guessed!’ She looked at him with admiration. ‘You must be cleverer than I thought,’ she said.
    â€˜Thank you!’ he said, bowing.
    â€˜Then you are not going to India as a professor?’
    â€˜I am – very much so! You saw my appointment. I shall take up the job as professor, and, I hope, do everything that is required of me. At the same time I have a mission from the Intelligence Department.’
    â€˜How exciting! What is it?’
    â€˜I cannot tell you any more, Joan. You must be satisfied with what I have told you.’
    â€˜Of course I am. I’ll never question you in any way, and you shall tell me just as much, or just as little as you like for the future.’
    â€˜That’s sporting of you, dear. You must be very careful never to give away by word or sign that I am not altogether what I seem.’
    â€˜Of course not!’ she replied indignantly.
    â€˜One of our men is coming out with us to help me. He is an awfully good fellow and you’ll like him once you get used to him.’
    â€˜Is he very difficult then?’
    â€˜No; but he takes a lot of understanding. He has been my valet for a good many years, and I hadn’t the heart to leave him behind, when he pleaded to come, in spite of the expense.’
    She stared at him with wide-open eyes.
    â€˜Hugh, what are you talking about?’
    He grinned.
    â€˜That is the tale for other people,’ he said, ‘and we shall have to get it so much into our minds that we’ll believe it ourselves.’
    â€˜How thrilling it all sounds!’ she said with sparkling eyes.
    â€˜Forget the thrills, dear! Remember that I am a dry-as-dust professor of English Literature from now on!’
    â€˜I’ll