The Secret Adversary. Агата Кристи

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       CHAPTER 3

       A Setback

      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 unlimited hors d’oeuvre, lobster à l’américaine, chicken Newberg, and pêche Melba! Let’s go and get them!’

      ‘Tuppence, old girl, what has really come over you?’

      ‘Oh, unbelieving one!’ Tuppence wrenched open her bag. ‘Look here, and here, and here!’

      ‘My dear girl, don’t wave pound notes aloft like that!’

      ‘They’re not pound notes. They’re five times better, and this one’s ten times better!’

      Tommy groaned.

      ‘I must have been drinking unawares! Am I dreaming, Tuppence, or do I really behold a large quantity of five-pound notes being waved about in a dangerous fashion?’

      ‘Even so, O King! Now, will you come and have lunch?’

      ‘I’ll come anywhere. But what have you been doing? Holding up a bank?’

      ‘All in good time. What an awful place Piccadilly Circus is. There’s a huge bus bearing down on us. It would be too terrible if they killed the five-pound notes!’

      ‘Grill room?’ inquired Tommy, as they reached the opposite pavement in safety.

      ‘The other’s more expensive,’ demurred Tuppence.

      ‘That’s mere wicked wanton extravagance. Come on below.’

      ‘Are you sure I can get all the things I want there?’

      ‘That extremely unwholesome menu you were outlining just now? Of course you can—or as much as is good for you, anyway.’

      ‘And now tell me,’ said Tommy, unable to restrain his pent-up curiosity any longer, as they sat in state surrounded by the many hors d’oeuvre of Tuppence’s dreams.

      Miss Cowley told him.

      ‘And the curious part of it is,’ she ended, ‘that I really did invent the name of Jane Finn! I didn’t want to give my own because of poor father—in case I should get mixed up in anything shady.’

      ‘Perhaps that’s so,’ said Tommy slowly. ‘But you didn’t invent it.’