He—he wants me to drive down to Playford on Sunday night and bring the money to his bungalow. He says he won’t give me the letter otherwise.”

“Playford? You mean that little place on the river?”

Sheila nodded.

“But what’s the idea? Why can’t you meet him in London?”

“I don’t know. I expect he’s afraid I might go to the police, and he thinks he’ll be quite safe down there.”

Sally remained silent for a moment.

“What time was this precious appointment for?” she demanded.

“Half-past ten, he said. You see how impossible it is? Suppose someone I know saw me going in there and went and told Julian.”

“I imagine he’d be a trifle vexed.”

“He’d never speak to me again. Besides, what would be the good of it, anyway? That beast Granville knows I’m frightened of him, and if I only brought five hundred he’d just say that there was nothing doing. Now if it were you—”

“What’s the name of the bungalow?” asked Sally curtly.

“It’s called Sunny Bank, and it’s the last one you come to going towards Thames Ferry. It’s some way from any of the others—a small, white place with a red roof and a green fence in front.”

“Gosh!” said Sally. “It only wants pink curtains to make it the Ideal Home!”

Sheila stared blankly for a moment, and then a sudden gleam of hope leaped into her eyes.

“You mean you’ll do it? You will really?”

“I suppose I’d better.” Sally shrugged. “Can’t say I feel wildly enthusiastic. I still think the right thing would be to tell Mr. Sutton to go to Hell, and then let Julian know all about it. If he had any decency he’d tear up the letter without reading it.”

“He’s not that sort.” Sheila shook her head decisively.

“Well, you know him best. What I want to make quite clear, though, is that if I agree to tackle the job I’m going to do it in my own way.”

“How do you mean?”

“I shall tell Sutton you’ll pay five hundred and not a farthing more. He can either accept that and bring the letter here, or if he prefers to go without the money and gratify his spite he can hand it over to Julian as soon as he likes. I don’t intend to haggle with the swine.”

“Oh, but suppose—”

“No use supposing,” continued Sally firmly. “It’s the only way to deal with a blackmailer unless you’re prepared to go to the police. From all I’ve heard about Mr. Granville Sutton, I’ll bet you a shilling that he’ll accept my offer.”

“ ‘Pr’aps you’re right: I hope you are.” The other paused unhappily. “Anyhow, I’ll take the necklace round to Hink’s this afternoon and collect the cash. Would you like me to leave it here, or—”

“No, I don’t want it at present. Pay it into your bank and wait till you hear what’s happened.”

“I will come round early on Monday morning.” Opening her bag and producing a miniature compact, Sheila began to powder her nose. “Of course I’m fearfully grateful, darling. It’s terribly decent of you to do all this, and I—”

“Don’t start thanking me now: it will be time enough when you’ve got the letter.” Sally rose from the couch and glanced at the various articles strewn about the floor. “I’m sorry I’m so busy, but I simply must finish this job before lunch. You go and fix up about the necklace and leave the rest to me. I’ll talk to the beauty, and unless he’s more of a fool than I take him for I’m pretty certain I’ll manage to pull it off.” She smiled encouragingly. “Anyway, I’ll do my damnedest, so hope for the best and keep your chin up.”

***

“Well, what was it all about?” Leaning back and putting her hands behind her head, Ruth looked inquiringly at her partner.

“I don’t think I ought to tell you.” Sally came forward from the top of the staircase and perched herself on the arm of a chair alongside the desk.

“That means that she’s landed herself into some fresh trouble and that you’ve promised to get her out of it.”

“How did you guess?”

“My sweet child, I’m not halfwitted. When she came in I could see that she was worried stiff, and when she walked out she looked as sleek and pleased with herself as a cat that’s just pinched the milk. I expect you’ve promised to do something desperately idiotic.”

“That’s what you’d call it, and I suppose you’d be right.” Sally stroked her nose thoughtfully. “Perhaps I’d better ‘come clean’, as they say in the films.