Reading Help Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie. Ch.I-XIII
Tuppence, though utterly taken aback, nevertheless kept her head. `
` She had not the faintest comprehension of his meaning, but she `
` was naturally quick-witted, and felt it imperative to "keep her `
` end up" as she phrased it. `
` `
` Whittington went on: `
` `
` "Been playing with me, have you, all the time, like a cat and `
` mouse? Knew all the time what I wanted you for, but kept up the `
` comedy. Is that it, eh?" He was cooling down. The red colour `
` was ebbing out of his face. He eyed her keenly. "Who's been `
` blabbing? Rita?" `
` `
` Tuppence shook her head. She was doubtful as to how long she `
` could sustain this illusion, but she realized the importance of `
` not dragging an unknown Rita into it. `
` `
` "No," she replied with perfect truth. "Rita knows nothing about `
` me." `
` `
` His eyes still bored into her like gimlets. `
` `
` "How much do you know?" he shot out. `
` `
` "Very little indeed," answered Tuppence, and was pleased to note `
` that Whittington's uneasiness was augmented instead of allayed. `
` To have boasted that she knew a lot might have raised doubts in `
` his mind. `
` `
` "Anyway," snarled Whittington, "you knew enough to come in here `
` and plump out that name." `
` `
` "It might be my own name," Tuppence pointed out. `
` `
` "It's likely, isn't it, then there would be two girls with a name `
` like that?" `
` `
` "Or I might just have hit upon it by chance," continued Tuppence, `
` intoxicated with the success of truthfulness. `
` `
` Mr. Whittington brought his fist down upon the desk with a bang. `
` `
` "Quit fooling! How much do you know? And how much do you want?" `
` `
` The last five words took Tuppence's fancy mightily, especially `
` after a meagre breakfast and a supper of buns the night before. `
` Her present part was of the adventuress rather than the `
` adventurous order, but she did not deny its possibilities. She `
` sat up and smiled with the air of one who has the situation `
` thoroughly well in hand. `
` `
` "My dear Mr. Whittington," she said, "let us by all means lay our `
` cards upon the table. And pray do not be so angry. You heard me `
` say yesterday that I proposed to live by my wits. It seems to me `
` that I have now proved I have some wits to live by! I admit I `
` have knowledge of a certain name, but perhaps my knowledge ends `
` there." `
` `
` "Yes--and perhaps it doesn't," snarled Whittington. `
` `
` "You insist on misjudging me," said Tuppence, and sighed gently. `
` `
` "As I said once before," said Whittington angrily, "quit fooling, `
` and come to the point. You can't play the innocent with me. You `
` know a great deal more than you're willing to admit." `
` `
` Tuppence paused a moment to admire her own ingenuity, and then `
` said softly: `
` `
` "I shouldn't like to contradict you, Mr. Whittington." `
` `
` "So we come to the usual question--how much?" `
` `
` Tuppence was in a dilemma. So far she had fooled Whittington `
` with complete success, but to mention a palpably impossible sum `
` might awaken his suspicions. An idea flashed across her brain. `
` `
` "Suppose we say a little something down, and a fuller discussion `
` of the matter later?" `
` `
` Whittington gave her an ugly glance. `
` `
` "Blackmail, eh?" `
` `
` Tuppence smiled sweetly. `
` `
` "Oh no! Shall we say payment of services in advance?" `
` `
` Whittington grunted. `
` `
` "You see," explained Tuppence still sweetly, "I'm so very fond of `
` money!" `
` `
` "You're about the limit, that's what you are," growled `
` Whittington, with a sort of unwilling admiration. "You took me `
` in all right. Thought you were quite a meek little kid with just `
` enough brains for my purpose." `
` `
` "Life," moralized Tuppence, "is full of surprises." `
` `
` "All the same," continued Whittington, "some one's been talking. `
` You say it isn't Rita. Was it----? Oh, come in." `
` `
` The clerk followed his discreet knock into the room, and laid a `
` paper at his master's elbow. `
` `
` "Telephone message just come for you, sir." `
` `
` Whittington snatched it up and read it. A frown gathered on his `
` brow. `
` `
` "That'll do, Brown. You can go." `
` `
` The clerk withdrew, closing the door behind him. Whittington `
` turned to Tuppence. `
` `
` "Come to-morrow at the same time. I'm busy now. Here's fifty to `
` go on with." `
` `
` He rapidly sorted out some notes, and pushed them across the `
` table to Tuppence, then stood up, obviously impatient for her to `
` go. `
` `
` The girl counted the notes in a businesslike manner, secured them `
` in her handbag, and rose. `
` `
` "Good morning, Mr. Whittington," she said politely. "At least, au `
` revoir, I should say." `
` `
` "Exactly. Au revoir!" Whittington looked almost genial again, a `
` reversion that aroused in Tuppence a faint misgiving. "Au revoir, `
` my clever and charming young lady." `
` `
` Tuppence sped lightly down the stairs. A wild elation possessed `
` her. A neighbouring clock showed the time to be five minutes to `
` twelve. `
` `
` "Let's give Tommy a surprise!" murmured Tuppence, and hailed a `
` taxi. `
` `
` The cab drew up outside the tube station. Tommy was just within `
` the entrance. His eyes opened to their fullest extent as he `
` hurried forward to assist Tuppence to alight. She smiled at him `
` affectionately, and remarked in a slightly affected voice: `
` `
` "Pay the thing, will you, old bean? I've got nothing smaller `
` than a five-pound note!" `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER III `
` `
` A SET BACK `
` `
` THE moment was not quite so triumphant as it ought to have been. `
` To begin with, the resources of Tommy's pockets were somewhat `
` limited. In the end the fare was managed, the lady recollecting a `
` plebeian twopence, and the driver, still holding the varied `
` assortment of coins in his hand, was prevailed upon to move on, `
` which he did after one last hoarse demand as to what the `
` gentleman thought he was giving him? `
` `
` "I think you've given him too much, Tommy," said Tuppence `
` innocently. "I fancy he wants to give some of it back." `
` `
` It was possibly this remark which induced the driver to move `
` away. `
` `
` "Well," said Mr. Beresford, at length able to relieve his `
` feelings, "what the--dickens, did you want to take a taxi for?" `
` `
` "I was afraid I might be late and keep you waiting," said `
` Tuppence gently. `
` `
` "Afraid--you--might--be--late! Oh, Lord, I give it up!" said Mr. `
` Beresford. `
` `
` "And really and truly," continued Tuppence, opening her eyes very `
` wide, "I haven't got anything smaller than a five-pound note." `
` `
` "You did that part of it very well, old bean, but all the same `
` the fellow wasn't taken in--not for a moment!" `
` `
` "No," said Tuppence thoughtfully, "he didn't believe it. That's `
` the curious part about speaking the truth. No one does believe `
` it. I found that out this morning. Now let's go to lunch. How `
` about the Savoy?" `
` `
` Tommy grinned. `
` `
` "How about the Ritz?" `
` `
` "On second thoughts, I prefer the Piccadilly. It's nearer. We `
` shan't have to take another taxi. Come along." `
` `
` "Is this a new brand of humour? Or is your brain really `
` unhinged?" inquired Tommy. `
` `
` "Your last supposition is the correct one. I have come into `
` money, and the shock has been too much for me! For that `
` particular form of mental trouble an eminent physician recommends `
`
` She had not the faintest comprehension of his meaning, but she `
` was naturally quick-witted, and felt it imperative to "keep her `
` end up" as she phrased it. `
` `
` Whittington went on: `
` `
` "Been playing with me, have you, all the time, like a cat and `
` mouse? Knew all the time what I wanted you for, but kept up the `
` comedy. Is that it, eh?" He was cooling down. The red colour `
` was ebbing out of his face. He eyed her keenly. "Who's been `
` blabbing? Rita?" `
` `
` Tuppence shook her head. She was doubtful as to how long she `
` could sustain this illusion, but she realized the importance of `
` not dragging an unknown Rita into it. `
` `
` "No," she replied with perfect truth. "Rita knows nothing about `
` me." `
` `
` His eyes still bored into her like gimlets. `
` `
` "How much do you know?" he shot out. `
` `
` "Very little indeed," answered Tuppence, and was pleased to note `
` that Whittington's uneasiness was augmented instead of allayed. `
` To have boasted that she knew a lot might have raised doubts in `
` his mind. `
` `
` "Anyway," snarled Whittington, "you knew enough to come in here `
` and plump out that name." `
` `
` "It might be my own name," Tuppence pointed out. `
` `
` "It's likely, isn't it, then there would be two girls with a name `
` like that?" `
` `
` "Or I might just have hit upon it by chance," continued Tuppence, `
` intoxicated with the success of truthfulness. `
` `
` Mr. Whittington brought his fist down upon the desk with a bang. `
` `
` "Quit fooling! How much do you know? And how much do you want?" `
` `
` The last five words took Tuppence's fancy mightily, especially `
` after a meagre breakfast and a supper of buns the night before. `
` Her present part was of the adventuress rather than the `
` adventurous order, but she did not deny its possibilities. She `
` sat up and smiled with the air of one who has the situation `
` thoroughly well in hand. `
` `
` "My dear Mr. Whittington," she said, "let us by all means lay our `
` cards upon the table. And pray do not be so angry. You heard me `
` say yesterday that I proposed to live by my wits. It seems to me `
` that I have now proved I have some wits to live by! I admit I `
` have knowledge of a certain name, but perhaps my knowledge ends `
` there." `
` `
` "Yes--and perhaps it doesn't," snarled Whittington. `
` `
` "You insist on misjudging me," said Tuppence, and sighed gently. `
` `
` "As I said once before," said Whittington angrily, "quit fooling, `
` and come to the point. You can't play the innocent with me. You `
` know a great deal more than you're willing to admit." `
` `
` Tuppence paused a moment to admire her own ingenuity, and then `
` said softly: `
` `
` "I shouldn't like to contradict you, Mr. Whittington." `
` `
` "So we come to the usual question--how much?" `
` `
` Tuppence was in a dilemma. So far she had fooled Whittington `
` with complete success, but to mention a palpably impossible sum `
` might awaken his suspicions. An idea flashed across her brain. `
` `
` "Suppose we say a little something down, and a fuller discussion `
` of the matter later?" `
` `
` Whittington gave her an ugly glance. `
` `
` "Blackmail, eh?" `
` `
` Tuppence smiled sweetly. `
` `
` "Oh no! Shall we say payment of services in advance?" `
` `
` Whittington grunted. `
` `
` "You see," explained Tuppence still sweetly, "I'm so very fond of `
` money!" `
` `
` "You're about the limit, that's what you are," growled `
` Whittington, with a sort of unwilling admiration. "You took me `
` in all right. Thought you were quite a meek little kid with just `
` enough brains for my purpose." `
` `
` "Life," moralized Tuppence, "is full of surprises." `
` `
` "All the same," continued Whittington, "some one's been talking. `
` You say it isn't Rita. Was it----? Oh, come in." `
` `
` The clerk followed his discreet knock into the room, and laid a `
` paper at his master's elbow. `
` `
` "Telephone message just come for you, sir." `
` `
` Whittington snatched it up and read it. A frown gathered on his `
` brow. `
` `
` "That'll do, Brown. You can go." `
` `
` The clerk withdrew, closing the door behind him. Whittington `
` turned to Tuppence. `
` `
` "Come to-morrow at the same time. I'm busy now. Here's fifty to `
` go on with." `
` `
` He rapidly sorted out some notes, and pushed them across the `
` table to Tuppence, then stood up, obviously impatient for her to `
` go. `
` `
` The girl counted the notes in a businesslike manner, secured them `
` in her handbag, and rose. `
` `
` "Good morning, Mr. Whittington," she said politely. "At least, au `
` revoir, I should say." `
` `
` "Exactly. Au revoir!" Whittington looked almost genial again, a `
` reversion that aroused in Tuppence a faint misgiving. "Au revoir, `
` my clever and charming young lady." `
` `
` Tuppence sped lightly down the stairs. A wild elation possessed `
` her. A neighbouring clock showed the time to be five minutes to `
` twelve. `
` `
` "Let's give Tommy a surprise!" murmured Tuppence, and hailed a `
` taxi. `
` `
` The cab drew up outside the tube station. Tommy was just within `
` the entrance. His eyes opened to their fullest extent as he `
` hurried forward to assist Tuppence to alight. She smiled at him `
` affectionately, and remarked in a slightly affected voice: `
` `
` "Pay the thing, will you, old bean? I've got nothing smaller `
` than a five-pound note!" `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER III `
` `
` A SET BACK `
` `
` THE moment was not quite so triumphant as it ought to have been. `
` To begin with, the resources of Tommy's pockets were somewhat `
` limited. In the end the fare was managed, the lady recollecting a `
` plebeian twopence, and the driver, still holding the varied `
` assortment of coins in his hand, was prevailed upon to move on, `
` which he did after one last hoarse demand as to what the `
` gentleman thought he was giving him? `
` `
` "I think you've given him too much, Tommy," said Tuppence `
` innocently. "I fancy he wants to give some of it back." `
` `
` It was possibly this remark which induced the driver to move `
` away. `
` `
` "Well," said Mr. Beresford, at length able to relieve his `
` feelings, "what the--dickens, did you want to take a taxi for?" `
` `
` "I was afraid I might be late and keep you waiting," said `
` Tuppence gently. `
` `
` "Afraid--you--might--be--late! Oh, Lord, I give it up!" said Mr. `
` Beresford. `
` `
` "And really and truly," continued Tuppence, opening her eyes very `
` wide, "I haven't got anything smaller than a five-pound note." `
` `
` "You did that part of it very well, old bean, but all the same `
` the fellow wasn't taken in--not for a moment!" `
` `
` "No," said Tuppence thoughtfully, "he didn't believe it. That's `
` the curious part about speaking the truth. No one does believe `
` it. I found that out this morning. Now let's go to lunch. How `
` about the Savoy?" `
` `
` Tommy grinned. `
` `
` "How about the Ritz?" `
` `
` "On second thoughts, I prefer the Piccadilly. It's nearer. We `
` shan't have to take another taxi. Come along." `
` `
` "Is this a new brand of humour? Or is your brain really `
` unhinged?" inquired Tommy. `
` `
` "Your last supposition is the correct one. I have come into `
` money, and the shock has been too much for me! For that `
` particular form of mental trouble an eminent physician recommends `
`