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The Secret Adversary, a fiction by Agatha Christie |
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Chapter XV - Tuppence Receives a Proposal |
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_ JULIUS sprang up. "What?" "I thought you were aware of that." "When did she leave?" "Let me see. To-day is Monday, is it not? It must have been "That evening? Before, or after?" "Let me see--oh yes, afterwards. A very urgent message arrived Julius sank back again into his chair. "Nurse Edith--left with a patient--I remember," he muttered. "My Dr. Hall looked bewildered. "I don't understand. Is the young lady not with her aunt, after Tuppence shook her head. She was about to speak when a warning "I'm much obliged to you, Hall. We're very grateful for all The doctor shook his head. "We've not heard from her, as it happens. I understood she was "That remains to be seen," said Sir James gravely. The other hesitated. "You do not think I ought to go to the police?" "No, no. In all probability the young lady is with other The doctor was not completely satisfied, but he saw that Sir "How maddening," cried Tuppence. "To think that Julius must have "I was a darned idiot," muttered Julius gloomily. "You couldn't know," Tuppence consoled him. "Could he?" She "I should advise you not to worry," said the latter kindly. "No "The great thing is what to do next," added Tuppence the Sir James shrugged his shoulders. "You might advertise for the nurse who accompanied the girl. That "Nothing?" said Tuppence blankly. "And--Tommy?" "We must hope for the best," said Sir James. "Oh yes, we must go But over her downcast head his eyes met Julius's, and almost "You must let me know if anything further comes to light. Letters Tuppence stared at him blankly. "You are going away?" "I told you. Don't you remember? To Scotland." "Yes, but I thought----" The girl hesitated. Sir James shrugged his shoulders. "My dear young lady, I can do nothing more, I fear. Our clues His words gave Tuppence an extraordinarily desolate feeling. "I suppose you're right," she said. "Anyway, thank you very much Julius was bending over the car. A momentary pity came into Sir "Don't be too disconsolate, Miss Tuppence," he said in a low Something in his tone made Tuppence glance up sharply. He shook "No, I shan't say any more. Great mistake to say too much. He strode away. Tuppence stared after him. She was beginning to Her meditations were interrupted by Julius, who adjured her to "You're looking kind of thoughtful," he remarked as they started Tuppence opened her mouth impulsively, and then shut it again. "Nothing particular," she replied. She felt rather than saw Julius throw a sideways glance at her. "Say, shall we go for a spin in the park?" "If you like." For a while they ran on under the trees in silence. It was a "Say, Miss Tuppence, do you think I'm ever going to find Jane?" Julius spoke in a discouraged voice. The mood was so alien to "That's so. I'm getting down and out over the business. Sir Tuppence felt rather uncomfortable, but clinging to her belief "He suggested advertising for the nurse," she reminded him. "Yes, with a 'forlorn hope' flavour to his voice! No--I'm about "Oh no!" cried Tuppence. "We've got to find Tommy." "I sure forgot Beresford," said Julius contritely. "That's so. "Yes?" "You and Beresford. What about it?" "I don't understand you," replied Tuppence with dignity, adding "Not got a sort of kindly feeling for one another?" "Certainly not," said Tuppence with warmth. "Tommy and I are "I guess every pair of lovers has said that sometime or another," "Nonsense!" snapped Tuppence. "Do I look the sort of girl that's "You do not. You look the sort of girl that's mighty often "Oh!" said Tuppence, rather taken aback. "That's a compliment, I "Sure. Now let's get down to this. Supposing we never find "All right--say it! I can face facts. Supposing he's--dead! "And all this business fiddles out. What are you going to do?" "I don't know," said Tuppence forlornly. "You'll be darned lonesome, you poor kid." "I shall be all right," snapped Tuppence with her usual "What about marriage?" inquired Julius. "Got any views on the "I intend to marry, of course," replied Tuppence. "That is, "I never despise business instinct," said Julius. "What "Figure?" asked Tuppence, puzzled. "Do you mean tall or short?" "No. Sum--income." "Oh, I--I haven't quite worked that out." "What about me?" "You?" "Sure thing." "Oh, I couldn't!" "Why not?" "I tell you I couldn't." "Again, why not?" "It would seem so unfair." "I don't see anything unfair about it. I call your bluff, that's "I can't," gasped Tuppence. "Because of Beresford?" "No, no, NO!" "Well then?" Tuppence merely continued to shake her head violently. "You can't reasonably expect more dollars than I've got." "Oh, it isn't that," gasped Tuppence with an almost hysterical "I'd be obliged if you'd do me the favour to think it over until "It's no use." "Still, I guess we'll leave it like that." "Very well," said Tuppence meekly. Neither of them spoke again until they reached the Ritz. Tuppence went upstairs to her room. She felt morally battered to "Fool," murmured Tuppence at length, making a grimace. "Little As if in answer to her own question, her eyes fell on a small "Oh, Tommy, Tommy," she cried, "I do love you so--and I may never At the end of five minutes Tuppence sat up, blew her nose, and "That's that," she observed sternly. "Let's look facts in the Tuppence shook her head sadly, as she reviewed her backsliding. "I don't know what to say to Julius, I'm sure. Oh, what a fool I Tuppence's meditations went off on another tack. She reviewed Suddenly she gave a great start--the colour faded out of her "Impossible," she murmured. "Impossible! I must be going mad Monstrous--yet it explained everything.... After a moment's reflection she sat down and wrote a note, A small page-boy was waiting outside her own door when she "Telegram for you, miss." Tuppence took it from the salver, and tore it open carelessly. |