The Saint Meets His Match (She was a Lady)

"Not yet," said Teal. "I just wanted to see whether I was right or not."

"And now you either know or you don't," said the Saint.

He picked up a small black notebook from the table and stuffed it into the detective's breast pocket.

"You can have that," he said. "It's an exact transcrip­tion of a book that the late lamented Essenden lost in Paris. You may have heard the story. Personally decoded and annotated by Simon Templar. There are about twen­ty-five names and addresses there, with full records and enough evidence to hang twenty-five archangels—all the main squeezes in the organization that Waldstein and Essenden were running. You may have it with my bless­ing, Claud. I'd have dealt with it myself once, but life is getting too short for these diversions now. Take it home with you, old dear, and don't tell anyone how you got it; and if you play your cards astutely you may make some mug believe you always were a real detective, after all. And I'm going back to bed."

Teal followed him into the bedroom.

"Templar," said Teal drowsily, "are you still sure it wouldn't be worth your while to come across?' "

"Quite sure," said the Saint, closing his eyes.

Teal masticated thoughtfully.         

"You're taking on a lot," he said. "You've been lucky so far, but that doesn't say it's going on for ever. And sooner or later, if you keep on this way, you're going to find a big hunk of trouble waiting for you round the corner. I'm not looking forward to anything like that happening. I'll admit you've scored off me more than once, but I'm ready to call that quits if you are."

"Thanks," yawned the Saint. "And now do you mind shutting your face?"

"You're clever," said Teal, "but there are other bright people in the world besides you, and——"

"I know," drawled the Saint. "You're a bright boy yourself. That bit of sleuthing over the mud in the car was real hot dog. I'll send the chief commissioner an un­solicited testimonial to your efficiency one day. Good­night."

 

2

 

Teal departed gloomily.