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.