her away.”
Tuppence flung herself upon Hannah, but the woman managed to set fire to the curtains of the bed before Tuppence could get the torch from her and stamp on it.
Tommy, however, had rushed in from the landing outside. He tore down the bed hangings and managed to stifle the flames with a rug.
Then he rushed to Tuppence’s assistance and between them they subdued Hannah just as Dr. Burton came hurrying in.
A very few words sufficed to put him au courant of the situation.
He hurried to the bedside, lifted Miss Logan’s hand, then uttered a sharp exclamation.
“The shock of fire has been too much for her. She’s dead. Perhaps it is as well under the circumstances.”
He paused and then added, “There was Ricin in the cocktail glass as well.”
“It’s the best thing that could have happened,” said Tommy when they had relinquished Hannah to the doctor’s care, and were alone together. “Tuppence, you were simply marvellous.”
“There wasn’t much Hanaud about it,” said Tuppence.
“It was too serious for play acting. I still can’t bear to think of that girl. I won’t think of her. But, as I said before, you were marvellous. The honors are with you. To use a familiar quotation, ‘It is a great advantage to be intelligent and not to look it.’ ”
“Tommy,” said Tuppence. “You’re a beast.”