"Now, my dear young lady, let us come to business."  His large
face broadened into a smile.  "You want work?  Well, I have work
to offer you. What should you say now to L100 down, and all
expenses paid?" Mr. Whittington leaned back in his chair, and
thrust his thumbs into the arm-holes of his waistcoat.

Tuppence eyed him warily.

"And the nature of the work?" she demanded.

"Nominal--purely nominal.  A pleasant trip, that is all."

"Where to?"

Mr. Whittington smiled again.

"Paris."

"Oh!" said Tuppence thoughtfully.  To herself she said: "Of
course, if father heard that he would have a fit! But somehow I
don't see Mr. Whittington in the role of the gay deceiver."

"Yes," continued Whittington.  "What could be more delightful? To
put the clock back a few years--a very few, I am sure--and
re-enter one of those charming pensionnats de jeunes filles with
which Paris abounds----"

Tuppence interrupted him.

"A pensionnat?"

"Exactly.  Madame Colombier's in the Avenue de Neuilly."

Tuppence knew the name well.  Nothing could have been more
select. She had had several American friends there.  She was more
than ever puzzled.

"You want me to go to Madame Colombier's? For how long?"

"That depends.  Possibly three months."

"And that is all?  There are no other conditions?"

"None whatever.  You would, of course, go in the character of my
ward, and you would hold no communication with your friends. I
should have to request absolute secrecy for the time being. By
the way, you are English, are you not?"

"Yes."

"Yet you speak with a slight American accent?"

"My great pal in hospital was a little American girl. I dare say
I picked it up from her.  I can soon get out of it again."

"On the contrary, it might be simpler for you to pass as an
American.  Details about your past life in England might be more
difficult to sustain.  Yes, I think that would be decidedly
better.  Then----"

"One moment, Mr. Whittington!  You seem to be taking my consent
for granted."

Whittington looked surprised.

"Surely you are not thinking of refusing?  I can assure you that
Madame Colombier's is a most high-class and orthodox
establishment. And the terms are most liberal."

"Exactly," said Tuppence.  "That's just it.  The terms are almost
too liberal, Mr. Whittington.  I cannot see any way in which I
can be worth that amount of money to you."

"No?" said Whittington softly.  "Well, I will tell you. I could
doubtless obtain some one else for very much less. What I am
willing to pay for is a young lady with sufficient intelligence
and presence of mind to sustain her part well, and also one who
will have sufficient discretion not to ask too many questions."

Tuppence smiled a little.  She felt that Whittington had scored.

"There's another thing.  So far there has been no mention of Mr.
Beresford.  Where does he come in?"

"Mr. Beresford?"

"My partner," said Tuppence with dignity.  "You saw us together
yesterday."

"Ah, yes.  But I'm afraid we shan't require his services."

"Then it's off!"  Tuppence rose.  "It's both or neither. 
Sorry--but that's how it is.  Good morning, Mr. Whittington."

"Wait a minute.  Let us see if something can't be managed. Sit
down again, Miss----" He paused interrogatively.

Tuppence's conscience gave her a passing twinge as she remembered
the archdeacon.  She seized hurriedly on the first name that came
into her head.