The Saint Meets His Match

by Charteris Leslie

And then she saw him again.

"Do you know, you're the last partner I ever thought I should have," she said; and the Saint inhaled gently.

"I shouldn't be surprised."

"And yet… you remember when you reminded me of that boy of mine back in the States?" The golden eyes absorbed his smile. "That was a mean crack… I suppose I deserved it."

"You did."

"It made a difference."

Simon raised his eyebrows; but the mockery was without malice.

"After which," he murmured, "you shot Stephen Weald."

"Wouldn't you have done the same?"

"I should. Exactly the same. And that's the point. You might have left it to me, but I stood aside because I figured he was your onion… Which was half-witted, if you come to think of it, because if we'd kept him we could have made him squeal. But who am I to spoil sport."