In about a quarter of an hour the bell rang, and Tuppence
repaired to the hall to show the visitor out. He had given her a
piercing glance before. Now, as she handed him his hat and
stick, she was conscious of his eyes raking her through. As she
opened the door and stood aside to let him pass out, he stopped
in the doorway.

"Not been doing this long, eh?"

Tuppence raised her eyes, astonished. She read in his glance
kindliness, and something else more difficult to fathom.

He nodded as though she had answered.

"V.A.D. and hard up, I suppose?"

"Did Mrs. Vandemeyer tell you that?" asked Tuppence suspiciously.

"No, child. The look of you told me. Good place here?"

"Very good, thank you, sir."

"Ah, but there are plenty of good places nowadays. And a change
does no harm sometimes."

"Do you mean----?" began Tuppence.

But Sir James was already on the topmost stair. He looked back
with his kindly, shrewd glance.