retraced her steps, feeling infinitely better for the fresh air
and exercise. It was not so easy to follow Sir James's advice,
and put the possible events of the evening out of her head. As
she drew nearer and nearer to Hyde Park corner, the temptation to
return to South Audley Mansions was almost irresistible.

At any rate, she decided, it would do no harm just to go and LOOK
at the building. Perhaps, then, she could resign herself to
waiting patiently for ten o'clock.

South Audley Mansions looked exactly the same as usual. What
Tuppence had expected she hardly knew, but the sight of its red
brick stolidity slightly assuaged the growing and entirely
unreasonable uneasiness that possessed her. She was just turning
away when she heard a piercing whistle, and the faithful Albert
came running from the building to join her.

Tuppence frowned. It was no part of the programme to have
attention called to her presence in the neighbourhood, but Albert
was purple with suppressed excitement.

"I say, miss, she's a-going!"

"Who's going?" demanded Tuppence sharply.

"The crook. Ready Rita. Mrs. Vandemeyer. She's a-packing up,
and she's just sent down word for me to get her a taxi."

"What?" Tuppence clutched his arm.