Chapter III. A Set Back

by Agatha Christie

　　The moment was not quite so triumphant as it ought to have been.To begin with, the resources of Tommy's pockets were somewhatlimited. In the end the fare was managed, the lady recollecting aplebeian twopence, and the driver, still holding the variedassortment of coins in his hand, was prevailed upon to move on,which he did after one last hoarse demand as to what thegentleman thought he was giving him?"I think you've given him too much, Tommy," said Tuppenceinnocently. "I fancy he wants to give some of it back."It was possibly this remark which induced the driver to moveaway."Well," said Mr. Beresford, at length able to relieve hisfeelings, "what the--dickens, did you want to take a taxi for?""I was afraid I might be late and keep you waiting," saidTuppence gently."Afraid--you--might--be--late! Oh, Lord, I give it up!" said Mr.Beresford."And really and truly," continued Tuppence, opening her eyes verywide, "I haven't got anything smaller than a five-pound note.""You did that part of it very well, old bean, but all the samethe fellow wasn't taken in--not for a moment!""No," said Tuppence thoughtfully, "he didn't believe it. That'sthe curious part about speaking the truth. No one does believeit. I found that out this morning. Now let's go to lunch. Howabout the Savoy?"Tommy grinned."How about the Ritz?""On second thoughts, I prefer the Piccadilly. It's nearer. Weshan't have to take another taxi. Come along.""Is this a new brand of humour? Or is your brain reallyunhinged?" inquired Tommy."Your last supposition is the correct one. I have come intomoney, and the shock has been too much for me! For thatparticular form of mental trouble an eminent physician recommendsunlimited Hors d'oeuvre, Lobster a l'americane, Chicken Newberg,and Peche Melba! Let's go and get them!""Tuppence, old girl, what has really come over you?""Oh, unbelieving one!" Tuppence wrenched open her bag. "Lookhere, and here, and here!""Great Jehosaphat! My dear girl, don't wave Fishers aloft likethat!""They're not Fishers. They're five times better than Fishers,and this one's ten times better!"Tommy groaned."I must have been drinking unawares! Am I dreaming, Tuppence, ordo I really behold a large quantity of five-pound notes beingwaved about in a dangerous fashion?""Even so, O King! Now, will you come and have lunch?""I'll come anywhere. But what have you been doing? Holding up abank?""All in good time. What an awful place Piccadilly Circus is.There's a huge bus bearing down on us. It would be too terribleif they killed the five-pound notes!""Grill room?" inquired Tommy, as they reached the oppositepavement in safety."The other's more expensive," demurred Tuppence."That's mere wicked wanton extravagance. Come on below.""Are you sure I can get all the things I want there?""That extremely unwholesome menu you were outlining just now? Ofcourse you can--or as much as is good for you, anyway.""And now tell me," said Tommy, unable to restrain his pent-upcuriosity any longer, as they sat in state surrounded by the manyhors d'oeuvre of Tuppence's dreams.Miss Cowley told him."And the curious part of it is," she ended, "that I really didinvent the name of Jane Finn! I didn't want to give my ownbecause of poor father--in case I should get mixed up in anythingshady.""Perhaps that's so," said Tommy slowly. "But you didn't inventit.""What?""No. I told it to you. Don't you remember, I said yesterday I'doverheard two people talking about a female called Jane Finn?That's what brought the name into your mind so pat.""So you did. I remember now. How extraordinary----" Tuppencetailed off into silence. Suddenly she aroused herself. "Tommy!""Yes?""What were they like, the two men you passed?"Tommy frowned in an effort at remembrance."One was a big fat sort of chap. Clean shaven, I think--anddark.""That's him," cried Tuppence, in an ungrammatical squeal. "That'sWhittington! What was the other man like?""I can't remember. I didn't notice him particularly. It wasreally the outlandish name that caught my attention.""And people say that coincidences don't happen!" Tuppence tackledher Peche Melba happily.But Tommy had become serious."Look here, Tuppence, old girl, what is this going to lead to?""More money," replied his companion."I know that. You've only got one idea in your head. What I meanis, what about the next step? How are you going to keep the gameup?""Oh!" Tuppence laid down her spoon. "You're right, Tommy, it isa bit of a poser.""After all, you know, you can't bluff him forever. You're sure toslip up sooner or later. And, anyway, I'm not at all sure thatit isn't actionable--blackmail, you know.""Nonsense. Blackmail is saying you'll tell unless you are givenmoney. Now, there's nothing I could tell, because I don't reallyknow anything.""Hm," said Tommy doubtfully. "Well, anyway, what are we going todo? Whittington was in a hurry to get rid of you this morning,but next time he'll want to know something more before he partswith his money. He'll want to know how much you know, and whereyou got your information from, and a lot of other things that youcan't cope with. What are you going to do about it?"Tuppence frowned severely."We must think. Order some Turkish coffee, Tommy. Stimulatingto the brain. Oh, dear, what a lot I have eaten!""You have made rather a hog of yourself! So have I for thatmatter, but I flatter myself that my choice of dishes was morejudicious than yours. Two coffees." (This was to the waiter.)"One Turkish, one French."Tuppence sipped her coffee with a deeply reflective air, andsnubbed Tommy when he spoke to her."Be quiet. I'm thinking.""Shades of Pelmanism!" said Tommy, and relapsed into silence."There!" said Tuppence at last. "I've got a plan. Obviously whatwe've got to do is to find out more about it all."Tommy applauded."Don't jeer. We can only find out through Whittington. We mustdiscover where he lives, what he does--sleuth him, in fact! Now Ican't do it, because he knows me, but he only saw you for aminute or two in Lyons'. He's not likely to recognize you. Afterall, one young man is much like another.""I repudiate that remark utterly. I'm sure my pleasing featuresand distinguished appearance would single me out from any crowd.""My plan is this," Tuppence went on calmly, "I'll go aloneto-morrow. I'll put him off again like I did to-day. It doesn'tmatter if I don't get any more money at once. Fifty pounds oughtto last us a few days.""Or even longer!""You'll hang about outside. When I come out I shan't speak toyou in case he's watching. But I'll take up my stand somewherenear, and when he comes out of the building I'll drop ahandkerchief or something, and off you go!""Off I go where?""Follow him, of course, silly! What do you think of the idea?""Sort of thing one reads about in books. I somehow feel that inreal life one will feel a bit of an ass standing in the streetfor hours with nothing to do. People will wonder what I'm upto.""Not in the city. Every one's in such a hurry. Probably no onewill even notice you at all.""That's the second time you've made that sort of remark. Nevermind, I forgive you. Anyway, it will be rather a lark. What areyou doing this afternoon?""Well," said Tuppence meditatively. "I had thought of hats! Orperhaps silk stockings! Or perhaps----""Hold hard," admonished Tommy. "There's a limit to fifty pounds!But let's do dinner and a show to-night at all events.""Rather."The day passed pleasantly. The evening even more so. Two of thefive-pound notes were now irretrievably dead.They met by arrangement the following morning and proceededcitywards. Tommy remained on the opposite side of the road whileTuppence plunged into the building.Tommy strolled slowly down to the end of the street, then backagain. Just as he came abreast of the building, Tuppence dartedacross the road."Tommy!""Yes. What's up?""The place is shut. I can't make anyone hear.""That's odd.""Isn't it? Come up with me, and let's try again."Tommy followed her. As they passed the third floor landing ayoung clerk came out of an office. He hesitated a moment, thenaddressed himself to Tuppence."Were you wanting the Esthonia Glassware?""Yes, please.""It's closed down. Since yesterday afternoon. Company beingwound up, they say. Not that I've ever heard of it myself. Butanyway the office is to let.""Th--thank you," faltered Tuppence. "I suppose you don't knowMr. Whittington's address?""Afraid I don't. They left rather suddenly.""Thank you very much," said Tommy. "Come on, Tuppence."They descended to the street again where they gazed at oneanother blankly."That's torn it," said Tommy at length."And I never suspected it," wailed Tuppence."Cheer up, old thing, it can't be helped.""Can't it, though!" Tuppence's little chin shot out defiantly."Do you think this is the end? If so, you're wrong. It's justthe beginning!""The beginning of what?""Of our adventure! Tommy, don't you see, if they are scaredenough to run away like this, it shows that there must be a lotin this Jane Finn business! Well, we'll get to the bottom of it.We'll run them down! We'll be sleuths in earnest!""Yes, but there's no one left to sleuth.""No, that's why we'll have to start all over again. Lend me thatbit of pencil. Thanks. Wait a minute--don't interrupt. There!"Tuppence handed back the pencil, and surveyed the piece of paperon which she had written with a satisfied eye:"What's that?""Advertisement.""You're not going to put that thing in after all?""No, it's a different one." She handed him the slip of paper.Tommy read the words on it aloud:"Wanted, any information respecting Jane Finn. Apply Y.A."