They were shown to a table, albeit in the back of the walnut-paneled tearoom, by a maitre d' who was obviously impressed by Penelope and disgusted with her companion. After ordering the tea and savories, Penelope again asked, "Where is Veronica?"

"She's fine, but you know I can't turn her over until the green crosses my palm," Chongx said.

Grimacing at such greed, she dug into her purse and placed five thousand dollars in the hand of the ape.

A flash of light and a laugh and an all-too-familiar voice cried "I have photographic proof of the decline of the Rutledge family!"

Penelope turned and saw Hector Ballsworthy, camera in hand, smirking at the next table. She said, ice in her voice, "Give me that camera, Ballsworthy. Now!!

"Oh, no, dear lady," said Ballsworthy. "You see, I now have proof...." The bullet from the little Beretta made a third eye socket between his two eyes and, looking utterly surprised by the turn of events, Hector Ballsworthy slumped to the floor, the back of his head missing.

"That tears it!" exclaimed Chongx, and clutching the money in a tight fist made for the exit just three steps behind Penelope.

Fortunately for them, the events had so shocked those in the tearoom that there was no alarm, no immediate pursuit. And, fortunately for Penelope, she had had the presence of mind to place the gun back in her handbag and snatch the camera from Ballsworthy's not-quite-dead-yet hands.

At the ground floor, as if by mutual consent, they slowed their pace to that of casual shoppers and gradually made their way outside.

When they were far enough away, Chongx said admiringly, "You're pretty handy with that rod. You ain't no hoity-toity chickadee, are you?"

"I am Penelope Rutledge, of a very old line of English aristocrats," she replied. "But do not for a moment think that that prevents us from being schooled in the use of weapons." Her voice was frosty, now that reaction was setting in. "When can I obtain my neice?"

"Okay, okay! I'll call you and tell you were and when. It'll be tomorrow. I gotta make some arrang...you okay?" Chongx asked as Penelope slid down the wall of a building beside the alley through which they were walking.

From her position sitting on the ground, Penelope blinked into the big brown eyes gazing at her. "Sorry. I was all taken about for a moment. You see, no matter how much I wanted to, I've never actually killed anyone before."

"You'll git used to it," Chongx assured her. "I take it that guy needed killing?"

"Very much so, and I'm quite glad I did it," replied Penelope. "A blight has been removed from the Earth."

"And you even thought to ditch the rod and snatch the camera! You're a smart skirt, you know that?"

Penelope pulled herself up with the help of a large, strong, simian hand. "Do you think you might summon a taxi for me?" she asked.

"Sure. Consider it done."

(More to come!!!!)

Ch