“Stacks of twenty-pound notes,” he whispered, putting a finger to the side of his nose. “And things to blackmail people with.”

“Well, I never!” she said in dismay. “Is she up to no good?”

“Mrs. Bainbridge is up to the greatest good,” he reassured her. “Thank you for your assistance.”

“Good luck, sir,” she said.

He loaded the boxes onto the front of a delivery bike, which looked like a child’s when he got on it. He looked back at Millie, touched his fingers to his cap, and pedaled off.

“What was that all about?” asked Prudence when Millie passed her.

“I can’t tell you,” said Millie.

Iris glanced out the restaurant window. Across the street, a man stood in a doorway, reading a newspaper.

“He’s a very slow reader,” she commented. “He hasn’t turned the page the whole time we’ve been in here.”

“Should we send him a cup of coffee or something?” asked Gwen. “I’m starting to feel sorry for him.”

“Coffee would be cruel,” said Iris. “He’s been watching the entire day. His bladder wouldn’t survive the extra pressure.”

They paid their bill and left.

“Let’s use those telephone boxes on the corner,” suggested Iris.

They each stepped into a box, dropped their coins in their respective slots, and began to dial.

The Brigadier’s secretary answered the call.

“Is Mr. Petheridge, blah, blah, blah,” said Sparks. “I’m bored with protocol, Sylvia, and I don’t feel like walking. Would you mind putting him on?”

“But—”

“Oh, never mind. Write this location down. Seven o’clock on the dot, just him and the driver, no one following.”

“But—”

“Corner of Norbiton Road and Salmon Lane. That’s in Limehouse. Have you got it?”

“I’ve got it, but—”

The line went dead.

Sylvia finished scribbling down the location, then tore the leaf from her pad. She walked to the Brigadier’s door and knocked.

“Sir,” she said hesitantly. “Miss Sparks called.”

Mrs. Fisher answered when Gwen called.

“Catherine Prescott calling,” said Gwen. “Is she there?”

“One moment,” replied Mrs. Fisher.

After a brief interval, Lady Matheson’s voice came on the line.

“What is it?” she asked.

“We’ve got hold of the letters,” said Gwen.

“What? That’s marvelous!” exclaimed Lady Matheson. “How on earth did you manage it?”

“No questions,” said Gwen. “Now, we need to turn them over tonight, and we don’t want to do it at the office. It isn’t safe. Here’s what you have to do…”

Torgos answered the call himself.

“Yes? One moment.”

He took out his pen.

“Proceed. Seven o’clock. I understand.”

He jotted down an address, then hung up.

“Yes?” asked Tadeo from across the office.

“You and me, no one else,” said Torgos. “Unarmed.”

“I don’t like it,” said Tadeo.

“Neither do I,” said Torgos. “Which is why we’ll be armed.”

Iris and Gwen emerged from their building at five. A car pulled up immediately, and they clambered into the rear. By the time Williams had flagged down his partner, they had already made the turn at the end of the block.