paused, wrinkling her brows.
“Yes?” said Tommy, inquiringly.
“I have got a sort of an idea,” said Tuppence. “It hasn’t quite come yet but it’s coming.” She rose resolutely. “I think I shall go and buy that hat I told you about.”
“Oh God!” said Tommy. “Another hat!”
“It’s a very nice one,” said Tuppence with dignity.
She went out with a resolute look on her face.
Once or twice in the following days Tommy inquired curiously about the idea. Tuppence merely shook her head and told him to give her time.
And then, one glorious morning, the first client arrived, and all else was forgotten.
There was a knock on the outer door of the office and Albert, who had just placed an acid drop between his lips, roared out an indistinct “come in.” He then swallowed the acid drop whole in his surprise and delight. For this looked like the Real Thing.
A tall young man, exquisitely and beautifully dressed, stood hesitating in the doorway.
“A toff, if ever there was one,” said Albert to himself. His judgment in such matters was good.
The young man was about twenty-four years of age, had beautifully slicked-back hair, a tendency to pink rims round the eyes, and practically no chin to speak of.
In an ecstasy, Albert pressed a button under his desk,