"I didn't want to disappoint you, old thing, by telling you right off. It's too bad. Good money wasted." He signed. "Still, there it is. The advertisement has appeared, and—there are only two answers!"
"Tommy, you devil!" almost screamed Tuppence. "Give them to me. How could you be so mean!"
"Your language, Tuppence, your language! They're very particular at the National Gallery. Government show, you know. And do remember, as I have pointed out to you before, that as a clergyman's daughter"
"I ought to be on the stage!" finished Tuppence with a snap.
"That is not what I intended to say. But if you are sure that you have enjoyed to the full the reaction of joy after despair with which I have kindly provided you free of charge, let us get down to our mail, as the saying goes."
Tuppence snatched the two precious envelopes from him unceremoniously, and scrutinized them carefully.
"Thick paper, this one. It looks rich. We'll keep it to the last and open the other first."
"Right you are. One, two, three, go!"
Tuppence's little thumb ripped open the envelope, and she extracted the contents.
"Dear Sir,
"Referring to your advertisement in this morning's paper, I may be able to be of some use to you. Perhaps you could call and see me at the above address at eleven o'clock to-morrow morning.
