The Complete Tommy & Tuppence Collection by Agatha Christie Read Free Book Online

busy now. Here’s fifty to go on with.”
    He rapidly sorted out some notes, and pushed them across the table to Tuppence, then stood up, obviously impatient for her to go.
    The girl counted the notes in a businesslike manner, secured them in her handbag, and rose.
    â€œGood morning, Mr. Whittington,” she said politely. “At least au revoir, I should say.”
    â€œExactly. Au revoir! ” Whittington looked almost genial again, a reversion that aroused in Tuppence a faint misgiving. “ Au revoir, my clever and charming young lady.”
    Tuppence sped lightly down the stairs. A wild elation possessed her. A neighbouring clock showed the time to be five minutes to twelve.
    â€œLet’s give Tommy a surprise!” murmured Tuppence, and hailed a taxi.
    The cab drew up outside the Tube station. Tommy was just within the entrance. His eyes opened to their fullest extent as he hurried forward to assist Tuppence to alight. She smiled at him affectionately, and remarked in a slightly affected voice:
    â€œPay the thing, will you, old bean? I’ve got nothing smaller than a five-pound note!”

Three
    A S ETBACK
    T he moment was not quite so triumphant as it ought to have been. To begin with, the resources of Tommy’s pockets were somewhat limited. In the end the fare was managed, the lady recollecting a plebeian twopence, and the driver, still holding the varied assortment of coins in his hand, was prevailed upon to move on, which he did after one last hoarse demand as to what the gentleman thought he was giving him?
    â€œI think you’ve given him too much, Tommy,” said Tuppence innocently. “I fancy he wants to give some of it back.”
    It was possibly this remark which induced the driver to move away.
    â€œWell,” said Mr. Beresford, at length able to relieve his feelings, “what the—dickens, did you want to take a taxi for?”
    â€œI was afraid I might be late and keep you waiting,” said Tuppence gently.
    â€œAfraid—you—might—be—late! Oh, Lord, I give it up!” said Mr. Beresford.
    â€œAnd really and truly,” continued Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide, “I haven’t got anything smaller than a five-pound note.”
    â€œYou did that part of it very well, old bean, but all the same the fellow wasn’t taken in—not for a moment!”
    â€œNo,” said Tuppence thoughtfully, “he didn’t believe it. That’s the curious part about speaking the truth. No one does believe it. I found that out this morning. Now let’s go to lunch. How about the Savoy?”
    Tommy grinned.
    â€œHow about the Ritz?”
    â€œOn second thoughts, I prefer the Piccadilly. It’s nearer. We shan’t have to take another taxi. Come along.”
    â€œIs this a new brand of humour? Or is your brain really unhinged?” inquired Tommy.
    â€œYour last supposition is the correct one. I have come into money, and the shock has been too much for me! For that particular form of mental trouble an eminent physician recommends unlimited hors d’oeuvre, lobster à l’américaine, chicken Newberg, and pêche Melba! Let’s go and get them!”
    â€œTuppence, old girl, what has really come over you?”
    â€œOh, unbelieving one!” Tuppence wrenched open her bag. “Look here, and here, and here!”
    â€œMy dear girl, don’t wave pound notes aloft like that!”
    â€œThey’re not pound notes. They’re five times better, and this one’s ten times better!”
    Tommy groaned.
    â€œI must have been drinking unawares! Am I dreaming, Tuppence, or do I really behold a large quantity of five-pound notes being waved about in a dangerous fashion?”
    â€œEven so, O King! Now, will you come and have lunch?”
    â€œI’ll come anywhere. But what have you been doing? Holding up a bank?”
    â€œAll in good time. What an awful place