III
Tuppence was nothing if not thorough. Although she had no wish to goto London, she judged it wise to do exactly as she had said she was goingto do. If she merely made an excursion somewhere for the day, somebodymight see her and the fact would get round to Sans Souci.
No, Mrs. Blenkensop had said she was going to London, and to Londonshe must go.
She purchased a third return, and was just leaving the booking-officewindow when she ran into Sheila Perenna.
“Hallo,” said Sheila. “Where are you off to? I just came to see about aparcel which seems to have gone astray.”
Tuppence explained her plans.
“Oh, yes, of course,” said Sheila carelessly. “I do remember you sayingsomething about it, but I hadn’t realised it was today you were going. I’llcome and see you into the train.”
Sheila was more animated¹ than usual. She looked neither bad-temperednor sulky. She chatted quite amiably² about small details of daily life atSans Souci. She remained talking to Tuppence until the train left the sta-tion.
After waving from the window and watching the girl’s figure recede,Tuppence sat down in her corner seat again and gave herself up to seriousmeditation.
Was it, she wondered, an accident that Sheila had happened to be at thestation just at that time? Or was it a proof of enemy thoroughness? DidMrs. Perenna want to make quite sure that the garrulous³ Mrs. Blenkensopreally had gone to London?
It looked very much like it.

下一页  尾页