The Secret Adversary. Agatha Christie

of diamond necklaces?’

      ‘That was only an illustration. Let’s have a—what do you call it in book-keeping?’

      ‘Don’t know. Never did any.’

      ‘I have—but I always got mixed up, and used to put credit entries on the debit side, and vice versa—so they fired me out. Oh, I know—a joint venture! It struck me as such a romantic phrase to come across in the middle of musty old figures. It’s got an Elizabethan flavour about it—makes one think of galleons and doubloons. A joint venture!’

      ‘Trading under the name of the Young Adventurers, Ltd.? Is that your idea, Tuppence?’

      ‘It’s all very well to laugh, but I feel there might be something in it.’

      ‘How do you propose to get in touch with your would-be employers?’

      ‘Advertisement,’ replied Tuppence promptly. ‘Have you got a bit of paper and a pencil? Men usually seem to have. Just like we have hairpins and powder-puffs.’

      Tommy handed over a rather shabby green notebook, and Tuppence began writing busily.

      ‘Shall we begin: “Young officer, twice wounded in the war—”’

      ‘Certainly not.’

      ‘Oh, very well, my dear boy. But I can assure you that that sort of thing might touch the heart of an elderly spinster, and she might adopt you, and then there would be no need for you to be a young adventurer at all.’

      ‘I don’t want to be adopted.’

      ‘I forgot you had a prejudice against it. I was only ragging you! The papers are full up to the brim with that type of thing. Now listen—how’s this? “Two young adventurers for hire. Willing to do anything, go anywhere. Pay must be good.” (We might as well make that clear from the start.) Then we might add: “No reasonable offer refused”—like flats and furniture.’

      ‘I should think any offer we get in answer to that would be a pretty unreasonable one!’

      ‘Tommy! You’re a genius! That’s ever so much more chic. “No unreasonable offer refused—if pay is good.” How’s that?’

      ‘I shouldn’t mention pay again. It looks rather eager.’

      ‘It couldn’t look as eager as I feel! But perhaps you are right. Now I’ll read it straight through. “Two young adventurers for hire. Willing to do anything, go anywhere. Pay must be good. No unreasonable offer refused.” How would that strike you if you read it?’

      ‘It would strike me as either being a hoax, or else written by a lunatic.’

      ‘It’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.

      ‘Shall we really try it?’ he said at last. ‘Shall we, Tuppence? Just for the fun of the thing?’

      ‘Tommy, 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.

      ‘Here’s to our joint venture, and may it prosper!’

      ‘The Young Adventurers, Ltd.!’ responded Tommy.

      They put down the cups and laughed rather uncertainly. Tuppence rose.

      ‘I must return to my palatial suite at the hostel.’

      ‘Perhaps it is time I strolled round to the Ritz,’ agreed Tommy with a grin. ‘Where shall we meet? And when?’

      ‘Twelve o’clock tomorrow. Piccadilly Tube station. Will that suit you?’

      ‘My time is my own,’ replied Mr Beresford magnificently.

      ‘So long, then.’

      ‘Goodbye, 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 half-way across St James’s Park, when a man’s voice behind her made her start.

      ‘Excuse me,’ it said. ‘But may I speak to you for a moment?’

       CHAPTER 2

       Mr Whittington’s Offer

      Tuppence 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:

      ‘I 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.

      ‘Well, what is it?’ she asked.

      The man smiled.

      ‘I happened to overhear part of your conversation with the young gentleman in Lyons’.’

      ‘Well—what of it?’

      ‘Nothing—except that I think I may be of some use to you.’

      Another inference forced itself into Tuppence’s mind.

      ‘You followed me here?’

      ‘I took that liberty.’

      ‘And 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:

      ‘If you will call upon me tomorrow morning at eleven o’clock, I will lay the details of my proposition before you.’

      ‘At eleven o’clock?’ said Tuppence doubtfully.

      ‘At eleven o’clock.’

      Tuppence made up her mind.

      ‘Very well. I’ll be there.’

      ‘Thank 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.

      ‘The adventures have begun,’ she murmured to herself. ‘What does he want me to do, I wonder? There’s something about you, Mr Whittington, that I don’t like at all. But, on the other hand, I’m not the least bit afraid of you. And as I’ve said before, and shall doubtless say again, little Tuppence can look after herself, thank you!’

      And with a short, sharp nod of her head she walked briskly onward. As a result of further meditations, however, she turned aside from the direct route and entered a post office. There she pondered for some moments, a telegraph form in her hand. The thought of a possible five shillings spent unnecessarily spurred her to action, and she decided to risk the waste of ninepence.

      Disdaining the spiky pen and thick, black treacle which a beneficent