“What makes you think that?”

“I don’t know,” said the girl truthfully. “But I’m sure.”

Mrs. Vandemeyer stared in front of her for a long time.

“Yes,” she said hoarsely, at last, “ I know. I was beautiful, you see⁠—very beautiful⁠—”

“You are still,” said Tuppence with admiration.

Mrs. Vandemeyer shook her head. There was a strange gleam in her electric-blue eyes.

“Not beautiful enough,” she said in a soft dangerous voice. “Not⁠—beautiful⁠—enough! And sometimes, lately, I’ve been afraid.⁠ ⁠… It’s dangerous to know too much!” She leaned forward across the table. “Swear that my name shan’t be brought into it⁠—that no one shall ever know.”