“Excuse me, Miss, I’m sure,” said the gaunt female.
“Do you work here?” asked Tuppence.
“Yes, Miss, I come daily.”
“What time do you get here in the morning?”
“Nine o’clock is my time, Miss.”
Tuppence slipped a hurried half crown into the gaunt female’s hand.
“Was Miss Drake here last Tuesday morning when you arrived?”
“Why yes, Miss, indeed she was. Fast asleep in her bed and hardly woke up when I brought her in her tea.”
“Oh, thank you,” said Tuppence and went disconsolately down the stairs.
She had arranged to meet Tommy for lunch in a small Restaurant in Soho and there they compared notes.
“I have seen that fellow, Rice. It is quite true he did see Una Drake in the distance