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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1155 ***
+
+THE SECRET ADVERSARY
+
+By Agatha Christie
+
+
+
+                   TO ALL THOSE WHO LEAD
+                   MONOTONOUS LIVES
+                   IN THE HOPE THAT THEY MAY EXPERIENCE
+                   AT SECOND HAND
+                   THE DELIGHTS AND DANGERS OF
+                   ADVENTURE
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+PROLOGUE
+
+CHAPTER I.   THE YOUNG ADVENTURERS, LTD.
+
+CHAPTER II.   MR. WHITTINGTON’S OFFER
+
+CHAPTER III.   A SET BACK
+
+CHAPTER IV.   WHO IS JANE FINN?
+
+CHAPTER V.   MR. JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER
+
+CHAPTER VI.   A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN
+
+CHAPTER VII.   THE HOUSE IN SOHO
+
+CHAPTER VIII.   THE ADVENTURES OF TOMMY
+
+CHAPTER IX.   TUPPENCE ENTERS DOMESTIC SERVICE
+
+CHAPTER X.   ENTER SIR JAMES PEEL EDGERTON
+
+CHAPTER XI.   JULIUS TELLS A STORY
+
+CHAPTER XII.   A FRIEND IN NEED
+
+CHAPTER XIII.   THE VIGIL
+
+CHAPTER XIV.   A CONSULTATION
+
+CHAPTER XV.   TUPPENCE RECEIVES A PROPOSAL
+
+CHAPTER XVI.   FURTHER ADVENTURES OF TOMMY
+
+CHAPTER XVII.   ANNETTE
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.   THE TELEGRAM
+
+CHAPTER XIX.   JANE FINN
+
+CHAPTER XX.   TOO LATE
+
+CHAPTER XXI.   TOMMY MAKES A DISCOVERY
+
+CHAPTER XXII.   IN DOWNING STREET
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.   A RACE AGAINST TIME
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.   JULIUS TAKES A HAND
+
+CHAPTER XXV.   JANE’S STORY
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.   MR. BROWN
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.   A SUPPER PARTY AT THE _SAVOY_
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.     AND AFTER
+
+
+
+PROLOGUE
+
+IT was 2 p.m. on the afternoon of May 7, 1915. The _Lusitania_ had been
+struck by two torpedoes in succession and was sinking rapidly, while
+the boats were being launched with all possible speed. The women and
+children were being lined up awaiting their turn. Some still clung
+desperately to husbands and fathers; others clutched their children
+closely to their breasts. One girl stood alone, slightly apart from
+the rest. She was quite young, not more than eighteen. She did not seem
+afraid, and her grave, steadfast eyes looked straight ahead.
+
+“I beg your pardon.”
+
+A man’s voice beside her made her start and turn. She had noticed the
+speaker more than once amongst the first-class passengers. There had
+been a hint of mystery about him which had appealed to her imagination.
+He spoke to no one. If anyone spoke to him he was quick to rebuff the
+overture. Also he had a nervous way of looking over his shoulder with a
+swift, suspicious glance.
+
+She noticed now that he was greatly agitated. There were beads of
+perspiration on his brow. He was evidently in a state of overmastering
+fear. And yet he did not strike her as the kind of man who would be
+afraid to meet death!
+
+“Yes?” Her grave eyes met his inquiringly.
+
+He stood looking at her with a kind of desperate irresolution.
+
+“It must be!” he muttered to himself. “Yes--it is the only way.” Then
+aloud he said abruptly: “You are an American?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“A patriotic one?”
+
+The girl flushed.
+
+“I guess you’ve no right to ask such a thing! Of course I am!”
+
+“Don’t be offended. You wouldn’t be if you knew how much there was at
+stake. But I’ve got to trust some one--and it must be a woman.”
+
+“Why?”
+
+“Because of ‘women and children first.’” He looked round and lowered his
+voice. “I’m carrying papers--vitally important papers. They may make all
+the difference to the Allies in the war. You understand? These papers
+have _got_ to be saved! They’ve more chance with you than with me. Will
+you take them?”
+
+The girl held out her hand.
+
+“Wait--I must warn you. There may be a risk--if I’ve been followed. I
+don’t think I have, but one never knows. If so, there will be danger.
+Have you the nerve to go through with it?”
+
+The girl smiled.
+
+“I’ll go through with it all right. And I’m real proud to be chosen!
+What am I to do with them afterwards?”
+
+“Watch the newspapers! I’ll advertise in the personal column of the
+_Times_, beginning ‘Shipmate.’ At the end of three days if there’s
+nothing--well, you’ll know I’m down and out. Then take the packet to
+the American Embassy, and deliver it into the Ambassador’s own hands. Is
+that clear?”
+
+“Quite clear.”
+
+“Then be ready--I’m going to say good-bye.” He took her hand in his.
+“Good-bye. Good luck to you,” he said in a louder tone.
+
+Her hand closed on the oilskin packet that had lain in his palm.
+
+The _Lusitania_ settled with a more decided list to starboard. In answer
+to a quick command, the girl went forward to take her place in the boat.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I. THE YOUNG ADVENTURERS, LTD.
+
+“TOMMY, old thing!”
+
+“Tuppence, old bean!”
+
+The two young people greeted each other affectionately, and momentarily
+blocked the Dover Street Tube exit in doing so. The adjective “old”
+ was misleading. Their united ages would certainly not have totalled
+forty-five.
+
+“Not seen you for simply centuries,” continued the young man. “Where are
+you off to? Come and chew a bun with me. We’re getting a bit unpopular
+here--blocking the gangway as it were. Let’s get out of it.”
+
+The girl assenting, they started walking down Dover Street towards
+Piccadilly.
+
+“Now then,” said Tommy, “where shall we go?”
+
+The very faint anxiety which underlay his tone did not escape the astute
+ears of Miss Prudence Cowley, known to her intimate friends for some
+mysterious reason as “Tuppence.” She pounced at once.
+
+“Tommy, you’re stony!”
+
+“Not a bit of it,” declared Tommy unconvincingly. “Rolling in cash.”
+
+“You always were a shocking liar,” said Tuppence severely, “though you
+did once persuade Sister Greenbank that the doctor had ordered you beer
+as a tonic, but forgotten to write it on the chart. Do you remember?”
+
+Tommy chuckled.
+
+“I should think I did! Wasn’t the old cat in a rage when she found
+out? Not that she was a bad sort really, old Mother Greenbank! Good old
+hospital--demobbed like everything else, I suppose?”
+
+Tuppence sighed.
+
+“Yes. You too?”
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+“Two months ago.”
+
+“Gratuity?” hinted Tuppence.
+
+“Spent.”
+
+“Oh, Tommy!”
+
+“No, old thing, not in riotous dissipation. No such luck! The cost of
+living--ordinary plain, or garden living nowadays is, I assure you, if
+you do not know----”
+
+“My dear child,” interrupted Tuppence, “there is nothing I do _not_ know
+about the cost of living. Here we are at Lyons’, and we will each of us
+pay for our own. That’s it!” And Tuppence led the way upstairs.
+
+The place was full, and they wandered about looking for a table,
+catching odds and ends of conversation as they did so.
+
+“And--do you know, she sat down and _cried_ when I told her she couldn’t
+have the flat after all.” “It was simply a _bargain_, my dear! Just like
+the one Mabel Lewis brought from Paris----”
+
+“Funny scraps one does overhear,” murmured Tommy. “I passed two Johnnies
+in the street to-day talking about some one called Jane Finn. Did you
+ever hear such a name?”
+
+But at that moment two elderly ladies rose and collected parcels, and
+Tuppence deftly ensconced herself in one of the vacant seats.
+
+Tommy ordered tea and buns. Tuppence ordered tea and buttered toast.
+
+“And mind the tea comes in separate teapots,” she added severely.
+
+Tommy sat down opposite her. His bared head revealed a shock
+of exquisitely slicked-back red hair. His face was pleasantly
+ugly--nondescript, yet unmistakably the face of a gentleman and a
+sportsman. His brown suit was well cut, but perilously near the end of
+its tether.
+
+They were an essentially modern-looking couple as they sat there.
+Tuppence had no claim to beauty, but there was character and charm in
+the elfin lines of her little face, with its determined chin and large,
+wide-apart grey eyes that looked mistily out from under straight, black
+brows. She wore a small bright green toque over her black bobbed hair,
+and her extremely short and rather shabby skirt revealed a pair of
+uncommonly dainty ankles. Her appearance presented a valiant attempt at
+smartness.
+
+The tea came at last, and Tuppence, rousing herself from a fit of
+meditation, poured it out.
+
+“Now then,” said Tommy, taking a large bite of bun, “let’s get
+up-to-date. Remember, I haven’t seen you since that time in hospital in
+1916.”
+
+“Very well.” Tuppence helped herself liberally to buttered toast.
+“Abridged biography of Miss Prudence Cowley, fifth daughter of
+Archdeacon Cowley of Little Missendell, Suffolk. Miss Cowley left the
+delights (and drudgeries) of her home life early in the war and came up
+to London, where she entered an officers’ hospital. First month: Washed
+up six hundred and forty-eight plates every day. Second month: Promoted
+to drying aforesaid plates. Third month: Promoted to peeling potatoes.
+Fourth month: Promoted to cutting bread and butter. Fifth month:
+Promoted one floor up to duties of wardmaid with mop and pail. Sixth
+month: Promoted to waiting at table. Seventh month: Pleasing appearance
+and nice manners so striking that am promoted to waiting on the Sisters!
+Eighth month: Slight check in career. Sister Bond ate Sister Westhaven’s
+egg! Grand row! Wardmaid clearly to blame! Inattention in such important
+matters cannot be too highly censured. Mop and pail again! How are the
+mighty fallen! Ninth month: Promoted to sweeping out wards, where I
+found a friend of my childhood in Lieutenant Thomas Beresford (bow,
+Tommy!), whom I had not seen for five long years. The meeting was
+affecting! Tenth month: Reproved by matron for visiting the pictures in
+company with one of the patients, namely: the aforementioned Lieutenant
+Thomas Beresford. Eleventh and twelfth months: Parlourmaid duties
+resumed with entire success. At the end of the year left hospital in a
+blaze of glory. After that, the talented Miss Cowley drove successively
+a trade delivery van, a motor-lorry and a general! The last was the
+pleasantest. He was quite a young general!”
+
+“What blighter was that?” inquired Tommy. “Perfectly sickening the way
+those brass hats drove from the War Office to the _Savoy_, and from the
+_Savoy_ to the War Office!”
+
+“I’ve forgotten his name now,” confessed Tuppence. “To resume, that was
+in a way the apex of my career. I next entered a Government office. We
+had several very enjoyable tea parties. I had intended to become a
+land girl, a postwoman, and a bus conductress by way of rounding off
+my career--but the Armistice intervened! I clung to the office with the
+true limpet touch for many long months, but, alas, I was combed out at
+last. Since then I’ve been looking for a job. Now then--your turn.”
+
+“There’s not so much promotion in mine,” said Tommy regretfully, “and a
+great deal less variety. I went out to France again, as you know. Then
+they sent me to Mesopotamia, and I got wounded for the second time,
+and went into hospital out there. Then I got stuck in Egypt till the
+Armistice happened, kicked my heels there some time longer, and, as I
+told you, finally got demobbed. And, for ten long, weary months I’ve
+been job hunting! There aren’t any jobs! And, if there were, they
+wouldn’t give ‘em to me. What good am I? What do I know about business?
+Nothing.”
+
+Tuppence nodded gloomily.
+
+“What about the colonies?” she suggested.
+
+Tommy shook his head.
+
+“I shouldn’t like the colonies--and I’m perfectly certain they wouldn’t
+like me!”
+
+“Rich relations?”
+
+Again Tommy shook his head.
+
+“Oh, Tommy, not even a great-aunt?”
+
+“I’ve got an old uncle who’s more or less rolling, but he’s no good.”
+
+“Why not?”
+
+“Wanted to adopt me once. I refused.”
+
+“I think I remember hearing about it,” said Tuppence slowly. “You
+refused because of your mother----”
+
+Tommy flushed.
+
+“Yes, it would have been a bit rough on the mater. As you know, I was
+all she had. Old boy hated her--wanted to get me away from her. Just a
+bit of spite.”
+
+“Your mother’s dead, isn’t she?” said Tuppence gently.
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+Tuppence’s large grey eyes looked misty.
+
+“You’re a good sort, Tommy. I always knew it.”
+
+“Rot!” said Tommy hastily. “Well, that’s my position. I’m just about
+desperate.”
+
+“So am I! I’ve hung out as long as I could. I’ve touted round. I’ve
+answered advertisements. I’ve tried every mortal blessed thing. I’ve
+screwed and saved and pinched! But it’s no good. I shall have to go
+home!”
+
+“Don’t you want to?”
+
+“Of course I don’t want to! What’s the good of being sentimental?
+Father’s a dear--I’m awfully fond of him--but you’ve no idea how I worry
+him! He has that delightful early Victorian view that short skirts and
+smoking are immoral. You can imagine what a thorn in the flesh I am to
+him! He just heaved a sigh of relief when the war took me off. You see,
+there are seven of us at home. It’s awful! All housework and mothers’
+meetings! I have always been the changeling. I don’t want to go back,
+but--oh, Tommy, what else is there to do?”
+
+Tommy shook his head sadly. There was a silence, and then Tuppence burst
+out:
+
+“Money, money, money! I think about money morning, noon and night! I
+dare say it’s mercenary of me, but there it is!”
+
+“Same here,” agreed Tommy with feeling.
+
+“I’ve thought over every imaginable way of getting it too,” continued
+Tuppence. “There are only three! To be left it, to marry it, or to make
+it. First is ruled out. I haven’t got any rich elderly relatives. Any
+relatives I have are in homes for decayed gentlewomen! I always help old
+ladies over crossings, and pick up parcels for old gentlemen, in case
+they should turn out to be eccentric millionaires. But not one of them
+has ever asked me my name--and quite a lot never said ‘Thank you.’”
+
+There was a pause.
+
+“Of course,” resumed Tuppence, “marriage is my best chance. I made up my
+mind to marry money when I was quite young. Any thinking girl would!
+I’m not sentimental, you know.” She paused. “Come now, you can’t say I’m
+sentimental,” she added sharply.
+
+“Certainly not,” agreed Tommy hastily. “No one would ever think of
+sentiment in connection with you.”
+
+“That’s not very polite,” replied Tuppence. “But I dare say you mean it
+all right. Well, there it is! I’m ready and willing--but I never meet
+any rich men! All the boys I know are about as hard up as I am.”
+
+“What about the general?” inquired Tommy.
+
+“I fancy he keeps a bicycle shop in time of peace,” explained Tuppence.
+“No, there it is! Now _you_ could marry a rich girl.”
+
+“I’m like you. I don’t know any.”
+
+“That doesn’t matter. You can always get to know one. Now, if I see a
+man in a fur coat come out of the _Ritz_ I can’t rush up to him and say:
+‘Look here, you’re rich. I’d like to know you.’”
+
+“Do you suggest that I should do that to a similarly garbed female?”
+
+“Don’t be silly. You tread on her foot, or pick up her handkerchief, or
+something like that. If she thinks you want to know her she’s flattered,
+and will manage it for you somehow.”
+
+“You overrate my manly charms,” murmured Tommy.
+
+“On the other hand,” proceeded Tuppence, “my millionaire would probably
+run for his life! No--marriage is fraught with difficulties. Remains--to
+_make_ money!”
+
+“We’ve tried that, and failed,” Tommy reminded her.
+
+“We’ve tried all the orthodox ways, yes. But suppose we try the
+unorthodox. Tommy, let’s be adventurers!”
+
+“Certainly,” replied Tommy cheerfully. “How do we begin?”
+
+“That’s the difficulty. If we could make ourselves known, people might
+hire us to commit crimes for them.”
+
+“Delightful,” commented Tommy. “Especially coming from a clergyman’s
+daughter!”
+
+“The moral guilt,” Tuppence pointed out, “would be theirs--not mine. You
+must admit that there’s a difference between stealing a diamond necklace
+for yourself and being hired to steal it.”
+
+“There wouldn’t be the least difference if you were caught!”
+
+“Perhaps not. But I shouldn’t be caught. I’m so clever.”
+
+“Modesty always was your besetting sin,” remarked Tommy.
+
+“Don’t rag. Look here, Tommy, shall we really? Shall we form a business
+partnership?”
+
+“Form a company for the stealing of diamond necklaces?”
+
+“That was only an illustration. Let’s have a--what do you call it in
+book-keeping?”
+
+“Don’t know. Never did any.”
+
+“I have--but I always got mixed up, and used to put credit entries on
+the debit side, and vice versa--so they fired me out. Oh, I know--a
+joint venture! It struck me as such a romantic phrase to come across in
+the middle of musty old figures. It’s got an Elizabethan flavour about
+it--makes one think of galleons and doubloons. A joint venture!”
+
+“Trading under the name of the Young Adventurers, Ltd.? Is that your
+idea, Tuppence?”
+
+“It’s all very well to laugh, but I feel there might be something in
+it.”
+
+“How do you propose to get in touch with your would-be employers?”
+
+“Advertisement,” replied Tuppence promptly. “Have you got a bit of paper
+and a pencil? Men usually seem to have. Just like we have hairpins and
+powder-puffs.”
+
+Tommy handed over a rather shabby green notebook, and Tuppence began
+writing busily.
+
+“Shall we begin: ‘Young officer, twice wounded in the war----’”
+
+“Certainly not.”
+
+“Oh, very well, my dear boy. But I can assure you that that sort of
+thing might touch the heart of an elderly spinster, and she might adopt
+you, and then there would be no need for you to be a young adventurer at
+all.”
+
+“I don’t want to be adopted.”
+
+“I forgot you had a prejudice against it. I was only ragging you!
+The papers are full up to the brim with that type of thing. Now
+listen--how’s this? ‘Two young adventurers for hire. Willing to do
+anything, go anywhere. Pay must be good.’ (We might as well make
+that clear from the start.) Then we might add: ‘No reasonable offer
+refused’--like flats and furniture.”
+
+“I should think any offer we get in answer to that would be a pretty
+_un_reasonable one!”
+
+“Tommy! You’re a genius! That’s ever so much more chic. ‘No unreasonable
+offer refused--if pay is good.’ How’s that?”
+
+“I shouldn’t mention pay again. It looks rather eager.”
+
+“It couldn’t look as eager as I feel! But perhaps you are right. Now
+I’ll read it straight through. ‘Two young adventurers for hire. Willing
+to do anything, go anywhere. Pay must be good. No unreasonable offer
+refused.’ How would that strike you if you read it?”
+
+“It would strike me as either being a hoax, or else written by a
+lunatic.”
+
+“It’s not half so insane as a thing I read this morning beginning
+‘Petunia’ and signed ‘Best Boy.’” She tore out the leaf and handed it
+to Tommy. “There you are. _Times_, I think. Reply to Box so-and-so.
+I expect it will be about five shillings. Here’s half a crown for my
+share.”
+
+Tommy was holding the paper thoughtfully. His faced burned a deeper red.
+
+“Shall we really try it?” he said at last. “Shall we, Tuppence? Just for
+the fun of the thing?”
+
+“Tommy, you’re a sport! I knew you would be! Let’s drink to success.”
+ She poured some cold dregs of tea into the two cups.
+
+“Here’s to our joint venture, and may it prosper!”
+
+“The Young Adventurers, Ltd.!” responded Tommy.
+
+They put down the cups and laughed rather uncertainly. Tuppence rose.
+
+“I must return to my palatial suite at the hostel.”
+
+“Perhaps it is time I strolled round to the _Ritz_,” agreed Tommy with a
+grin. “Where shall we meet? And when?”
+
+“Twelve o’clock to-morrow. Piccadilly Tube station. Will that suit you?”
+
+“My time is my own,” replied Mr. Beresford magnificently.
+
+“So long, then.”
+
+“Good-bye, old thing.”
+
+The two young people went off in opposite directions. Tuppence’s hostel
+was situated in what was charitably called Southern Belgravia. For
+reasons of economy she did not take a bus.
+
+She was half-way across St. James’s Park, when a man’s voice behind her
+made her start.
+
+“Excuse me,” it said. “But may I speak to you for a moment?”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II. MR. WHITTINGTON’S OFFER
+
+TUPPENCE turned sharply, but the words hovering on the tip of her tongue
+remained unspoken, for the man’s appearance and manner did not bear out
+her first and most natural assumption. She hesitated. As if he read her
+thoughts, the man said quickly:
+
+“I can assure you I mean no disrespect.”
+
+Tuppence believed him. Although she disliked and distrusted him
+instinctively, she was inclined to acquit him of the particular motive
+which she had at first attributed to him. She looked him up and down. He
+was a big man, clean shaven, with a heavy jowl. His eyes were small and
+cunning, and shifted their glance under her direct gaze.
+
+“Well, what is it?” she asked.
+
+The man smiled.
+
+“I happened to overhear part of your conversation with the young
+gentleman in Lyons’.”
+
+“Well--what of it?”
+
+“Nothing--except that I think I may be of some use to you.”
+
+Another inference forced itself into Tuppence’s mind:
+
+“You followed me here?”
+
+“I took that liberty.”
+
+“And in what way do you think you could be of use to me?”
+
+The man took a card from his pocket and handed it to her with a bow.
+
+Tuppence took it and scrutinized it carefully. It bore the inscription,
+“Mr. Edward Whittington.” Below the name were the words “Esthonia
+Glassware Co.,” and the address of a city office. Mr. Whittington spoke
+again:
+
+“If you will call upon me to-morrow morning at eleven o’clock, I will
+lay the details of my proposition before you.”
+
+“At eleven o’clock?” said Tuppence doubtfully.
+
+“At eleven o’clock.”
+
+Tuppence made up her mind.
+
+“Very well. I’ll be there.”
+
+“Thank you. Good evening.”
+
+He raised his hat with a flourish, and walked away. Tuppence remained
+for some minutes gazing after him. Then she gave a curious movement of
+her shoulders, rather as a terrier shakes himself.
+
+“The adventures have begun,” she murmured to herself. “What does he want
+me to do, I wonder? There’s something about you, Mr. Whittington, that I
+don’t like at all. But, on the other hand, I’m not the least bit afraid
+of you. And as I’ve said before, and shall doubtless say again, little
+Tuppence can look after herself, thank you!”
+
+And with a short, sharp nod of her head she walked briskly onward. As a
+result of further meditations, however, she turned aside from the direct
+route and entered a post office. There she pondered for some moments,
+a telegraph form in her hand. The thought of a possible five shillings
+spent unnecessarily spurred her to action, and she decided to risk the
+waste of ninepence.
+
+Disdaining the spiky pen and thick, black treacle which a beneficent
+Government had provided, Tuppence drew out Tommy’s pencil which she had
+retained and wrote rapidly: “Don’t put in advertisement. Will explain
+to-morrow.” She addressed it to Tommy at his club, from which in one
+short month he would have to resign, unless a kindly fortune permitted
+him to renew his subscription.
+
+“It may catch him,” she murmured. “Anyway, it’s worth trying.”
+
+After handing it over the counter she set out briskly for home, stopping
+at a baker’s to buy three penny-worth of new buns.
+
+Later, in her tiny cubicle at the top of the house she munched buns and
+reflected on the future. What was the Esthonia Glassware Co., and what
+earthly need could it have for her services? A pleasurable thrill of
+excitement made Tuppence tingle. At any rate, the country vicarage had
+retreated into the background again. The morrow held possibilities.
+
+It was a long time before Tuppence went to sleep that night, and, when
+at length she did, she dreamed that Mr. Whittington had set her to
+washing up a pile of Esthonia Glassware, which bore an unaccountable
+resemblance to hospital plates!
+
+It wanted some five minutes to eleven when Tuppence reached the block
+of buildings in which the offices of the Esthonia Glassware Co. were
+situated. To arrive before the time would look over-eager. So Tuppence
+decided to walk to the end of the street and back again. She did so. On
+the stroke of eleven she plunged into the recesses of the building.
+The Esthonia Glassware Co. was on the top floor. There was a lift, but
+Tuppence chose to walk up.
+
+Slightly out of breath, she came to a halt outside the ground glass door
+with the legend painted across it “Esthonia Glassware Co.”
+
+Tuppence knocked. In response to a voice from within, she turned the
+handle and walked into a small rather dirty outer office.
+
+A middle-aged clerk got down from a high stool at a desk near the window
+and came towards her inquiringly.
+
+“I have an appointment with Mr. Whittington,” said Tuppence.
+
+“Will you come this way, please.” He crossed to a partition door with
+“Private” on it, knocked, then opened the door and stood aside to let
+her pass in.
+
+Mr. Whittington was seated behind a large desk covered with papers.
+Tuppence felt her previous judgment confirmed. There was something wrong
+about Mr. Whittington. The combination of his sleek prosperity and his
+shifty eye was not attractive.
+
+He looked up and nodded.
+
+“So you’ve turned up all right? That’s good. Sit down, will you?”
+
+Tuppence sat down on the chair facing him. She looked particularly small
+and demure this morning. She sat there meekly with downcast eyes whilst
+Mr. Whittington sorted and rustled amongst his papers. Finally he pushed
+them away, and leaned over the desk.
+
+“Now, my dear young lady, let us come to business.” His large face
+broadened into a smile. “You want work? Well, I have work to offer
+you. What should you say now to £100 down, and all expenses paid?” Mr.
+Whittington leaned back in his chair, and thrust his thumbs into the
+arm-holes of his waistcoat.
+
+Tuppence eyed him warily.
+
+“And the nature of the work?” she demanded.
+
+“Nominal--purely nominal. A pleasant trip, that is all.”
+
+“Where to?”
+
+Mr. Whittington smiled again.
+
+“Paris.”
+
+“Oh!” said Tuppence thoughtfully. To herself she said: “Of course,
+if father heard that he would have a fit! But somehow I don’t see Mr.
+Whittington in the role of the gay deceiver.”
+
+“Yes,” continued Whittington. “What could be more delightful? To put the
+clock back a few years--a very few, I am sure--and re-enter one of those
+charming _pensionnats de jeunes filles_ with which Paris abounds----”
+
+Tuppence interrupted him.
+
+“A _pensionnat?_”
+
+“Exactly. Madame Colombier’s in the Avenue de Neuilly.”
+
+Tuppence knew the name well. Nothing could have been more select. She
+had had several American friends there. She was more than ever puzzled.
+
+“You want me to go to Madame Colombier’s? For how long?”
+
+“That depends. Possibly three months.”
+
+“And that is all? There are no other conditions?”
+
+“None whatever. You would, of course, go in the character of my ward,
+and you would hold no communication with your friends. I should have
+to request absolute secrecy for the time being. By the way, you are
+English, are you not?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Yet you speak with a slight American accent?”
+
+“My great pal in hospital was a little American girl. I dare say I
+picked it up from her. I can soon get out of it again.”
+
+“On the contrary, it might be simpler for you to pass as an American.
+Details about your past life in England might be more difficult to
+sustain. Yes, I think that would be decidedly better. Then----”
+
+“One moment, Mr. Whittington! You seem to be taking my consent for
+granted.”
+
+Whittington looked surprised.
+
+“Surely you are not thinking of refusing? I can assure you that Madame
+Colombier’s is a most high-class and orthodox establishment. And the
+terms are most liberal.”
+
+“Exactly,” said Tuppence. “That’s just it. The terms are almost too
+liberal, Mr. Whittington. I cannot see any way in which I can be worth
+that amount of money to you.”
+
+“No?” said Whittington softly. “Well, I will tell you. I could doubtless
+obtain some one else for very much less. What I am willing to pay for
+is a young lady with sufficient intelligence and presence of mind to
+sustain her part well, and also one who will have sufficient discretion
+not to ask too many questions.”
+
+Tuppence smiled a little. She felt that Whittington had scored.
+
+“There’s another thing. So far there has been no mention of Mr.
+Beresford. Where does he come in?”
+
+“Mr. Beresford?”
+
+“My partner,” said Tuppence with dignity. “You saw us together
+yesterday.”
+
+“Ah, yes. But I’m afraid we shan’t require his services.”
+
+“Then it’s off!” Tuppence rose. “It’s both or neither. Sorry--but that’s
+how it is. Good morning, Mr. Whittington.”
+
+“Wait a minute. Let us see if something can’t be managed. Sit down
+again, Miss----” He paused interrogatively.
+
+Tuppence’s conscience gave her a passing twinge as she remembered the
+archdeacon. She seized hurriedly on the first name that came into her
+head.
+
+“Jane Finn,” she said hastily; and then paused open-mouthed at the
+effect of those two simple words.
+
+All the geniality had faded out of Whittington’s face. It was purple
+with rage, and the veins stood out on the forehead. And behind it all
+there lurked a sort of incredulous dismay. He leaned forward and hissed
+savagely:
+
+“So that’s your little game, is it?”
+
+Tuppence, though utterly taken aback, nevertheless kept her head. She
+had not the faintest comprehension of his meaning, but she was naturally
+quick-witted, and felt it imperative to “keep her end up” as she phrased
+it.
+
+Whittington went on:
+
+“Been playing with me, have you, all the time, like a cat and mouse?
+Knew all the time what I wanted you for, but kept up the comedy. Is that
+it, eh?” He was cooling down. The red colour was ebbing out of his face.
+He eyed her keenly. “Who’s been blabbing? Rita?”
+
+Tuppence shook her head. She was doubtful as to how long she could
+sustain this illusion, but she realized the importance of not dragging
+an unknown Rita into it.
+
+“No,” she replied with perfect truth. “Rita knows nothing about me.”
+
+His eyes still bored into her like gimlets.
+
+“How much do you know?” he shot out.
+
+“Very little indeed,” answered Tuppence, and was pleased to note that
+Whittington’s uneasiness was augmented instead of allayed. To have
+boasted that she knew a lot might have raised doubts in his mind.
+
+“Anyway,” snarled Whittington, “you knew enough to come in here and
+plump out that name.”
+
+“It might be my own name,” Tuppence pointed out.
+
+“It’s likely, isn’t it, then there would be two girls with a name like
+that?”
+
+“Or I might just have hit upon it by chance,” continued Tuppence,
+intoxicated with the success of truthfulness.
+
+Mr. Whittington brought his fist down upon the desk with a bang.
+
+“Quit fooling! How much do you know? And how much do you want?”
+
+The last five words took Tuppence’s fancy mightily, especially after a
+meagre breakfast and a supper of buns the night before. Her present part
+was of the adventuress rather than the adventurous order, but she did
+not deny its possibilities. She sat up and smiled with the air of one
+who has the situation thoroughly well in hand.
+
+“My dear Mr. Whittington,” she said, “let us by all means lay our cards
+upon the table. And pray do not be so angry. You heard me say yesterday
+that I proposed to live by my wits. It seems to me that I have now
+proved I have some wits to live by! I admit I have knowledge of a
+certain name, but perhaps my knowledge ends there.”
+
+“Yes--and perhaps it doesn’t,” snarled Whittington.
+
+“You insist on misjudging me,” said Tuppence, and sighed gently.
+
+“As I said once before,” said Whittington angrily, “quit fooling, and
+come to the point. You can’t play the innocent with me. You know a great
+deal more than you’re willing to admit.”
+
+Tuppence paused a moment to admire her own ingenuity, and then said
+softly:
+
+“I shouldn’t like to contradict you, Mr. Whittington.”
+
+“So we come to the usual question--how much?”
+
+Tuppence was in a dilemma. So far she had fooled Whittington with
+complete success, but to mention a palpably impossible sum might awaken
+his suspicions. An idea flashed across her brain.
+
+“Suppose we say a little something down, and a fuller discussion of the
+matter later?”
+
+Whittington gave her an ugly glance.
+
+“Blackmail, eh?”
+
+Tuppence smiled sweetly.
+
+“Oh no! Shall we say payment of services in advance?”
+
+Whittington grunted.
+
+“You see,” explained Tuppence still sweetly, “I’m so very fond of
+money!”
+
+“You’re about the limit, that’s what you are,” growled Whittington, with
+a sort of unwilling admiration. “You took me in all right. Thought you
+were quite a meek little kid with just enough brains for my purpose.”
+
+“Life,” moralized Tuppence, “is full of surprises.”
+
+“All the same,” continued Whittington, “some one’s been talking. You say
+it isn’t Rita. Was it----? Oh, come in.”
+
+The clerk followed his discreet knock into the room, and laid a paper at
+his master’s elbow.
+
+“Telephone message just come for you, sir.”
+
+Whittington snatched it up and read it. A frown gathered on his brow.
+
+“That’ll do, Brown. You can go.”
+
+The clerk withdrew, closing the door behind him. Whittington turned to
+Tuppence.
+
+“Come to-morrow at the same time. I’m busy now. Here’s fifty to go on
+with.”
+
+He rapidly sorted out some notes, and pushed them across the table to
+Tuppence, then stood up, obviously impatient for her to go.
+
+The girl counted the notes in a businesslike manner, secured them in her
+handbag, and rose.
+
+“Good morning, Mr. Whittington,” she said politely. “At least, au
+revoir, I should say.”
+
+“Exactly. Au revoir!” Whittington looked almost genial again, a
+reversion that aroused in Tuppence a faint misgiving. “Au revoir, my
+clever and charming young lady.”
+
+Tuppence sped lightly down the stairs. A wild elation possessed her. A
+neighbouring clock showed the time to be five minutes to twelve.
+
+“Let’s give Tommy a surprise!” murmured Tuppence, and hailed a taxi.
+
+The cab drew up outside the tube station. Tommy was just within the
+entrance. His eyes opened to their fullest extent as he hurried forward
+to assist Tuppence to alight. She smiled at him affectionately, and
+remarked in a slightly affected voice:
+
+“Pay the thing, will you, old bean? I’ve got nothing smaller than a
+five-pound note!”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III. A SET BACK
+
+THE moment was not quite so triumphant as it ought to have been. To
+begin with, the resources of Tommy’s pockets were somewhat limited. In
+the end the fare was managed, the lady recollecting a plebeian twopence,
+and the driver, still holding the varied assortment of coins in his
+hand, was prevailed upon to move on, which he did after one last hoarse
+demand as to what the gentleman thought he was giving him?
+
+“I think you’ve given him too much, Tommy,” said Tuppence innocently. “I
+fancy he wants to give some of it back.”
+
+It was possibly this remark which induced the driver to move away.
+
+“Well,” said Mr. Beresford, at length able to relieve his feelings,
+“what the--dickens, did you want to take a taxi for?”
+
+“I was afraid I might be late and keep you waiting,” said Tuppence
+gently.
+
+“Afraid--you--might--be--late! Oh, Lord, I give it up!” said Mr.
+Beresford.
+
+“And really and truly,” continued Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide,
+“I haven’t got anything smaller than a five-pound note.”
+
+“You did that part of it very well, old bean, but all the same the
+fellow wasn’t taken in--not for a moment!”
+
+“No,” said Tuppence thoughtfully, “he didn’t believe it. That’s the
+curious part about speaking the truth. No one does believe it. I found
+that out this morning. Now let’s go to lunch. How about the _Savoy?_”
+
+Tommy grinned.
+
+“How about the _Ritz?_”
+
+“On second thoughts, I prefer the _Piccadilly_. It’s nearer. We shan’t
+have to take another taxi. Come along.”
+
+“Is this a new brand of humour? Or is your brain really unhinged?”
+ inquired Tommy.
+
+“Your last supposition is the correct one. I have come into money, and
+the shock has been too much for me! For that particular form of mental
+trouble an eminent physician recommends unlimited _Hors d’œuvre_,
+Lobster _à l’américane_, Chicken Newberg, and Pêche Melba! Let’s go
+and get them!”
+
+“Tuppence, old girl, what has really come over you?”
+
+“Oh, unbelieving one!” Tuppence wrenched open her bag. “Look here, and
+here, and here!”
+
+“Great Jehosaphat! My dear girl, don’t wave Fishers aloft like that!”
+
+“They’re not Fishers. They’re five times better than Fishers, and this
+one’s ten times better!”
+
+Tommy groaned.
+
+“I must have been drinking unawares! Am I dreaming, Tuppence, or do I
+really behold a large quantity of five-pound notes being waved about in
+a dangerous fashion?”
+
+“Even so, O King! _Now_, will you come and have lunch?”
+
+“I’ll come anywhere. But what have you been doing? Holding up a bank?”
+
+“All in good time. What an awful place Piccadilly Circus is. There’s a
+huge bus bearing down on us. It would be too terrible if they killed the
+five-pound notes!”
+
+“Grill room?” inquired Tommy, as they reached the opposite pavement in
+safety.
+
+“The other’s more expensive,” demurred Tuppence.
+
+“That’s mere wicked wanton extravagance. Come on below.”
+
+“Are you sure I can get all the things I want there?”
+
+“That extremely unwholesome menu you were outlining just now? Of course
+you can--or as much as is good for you, anyway.”
+
+“And now tell me,” said Tommy, unable to restrain his pent-up curiosity
+any longer, as they sat in state surrounded by the many _hors d’œuvre_
+of Tuppence’s dreams.
+
+Miss Cowley told him.
+
+“And the curious part of it is,” she ended, “that I really did invent
+the name of Jane Finn! I didn’t want to give my own because of poor
+father--in case I should get mixed up in anything shady.”
+
+“Perhaps that’s so,” said Tommy slowly. “But you didn’t invent it.”
+
+“What?”
+
+“No. _I_ told it to you. Don’t you remember, I said yesterday I’d
+overheard two people talking about a female called Jane Finn? That’s
+what brought the name into your mind so pat.”
+
+“So you did. I remember now. How extraordinary----” Tuppence tailed off
+into silence. Suddenly she aroused herself. “Tommy!”
+
+“Yes?”
+
+“What were they like, the two men you passed?”
+
+Tommy frowned in an effort at remembrance.
+
+“One was a big fat sort of chap. Clean shaven, I think--and dark.”
+
+“That’s him,” cried Tuppence, in an ungrammatical squeal. “That’s
+Whittington! What was the other man like?”
+
+“I can’t remember. I didn’t notice him particularly. It was really the
+outlandish name that caught my attention.”
+
+“And people say that coincidences don’t happen!” Tuppence tackled her
+Pêche Melba happily.
+
+But Tommy had become serious.
+
+“Look here, Tuppence, old girl, what is this going to lead to?”
+
+“More money,” replied his companion.
+
+“I know that. You’ve only got one idea in your head. What I mean is,
+what about the next step? How are you going to keep the game up?”
+
+“Oh!” Tuppence laid down her spoon. “You’re right, Tommy, it is a bit of
+a poser.”
+
+“After all, you know, you can’t bluff him forever. You’re sure to slip
+up sooner or later. And, anyway, I’m not at all sure that it isn’t
+actionable--blackmail, you know.”
+
+“Nonsense. Blackmail is saying you’ll tell unless you are given
+money. Now, there’s nothing I could tell, because I don’t really know
+anything.”
+
+“Hm,” said Tommy doubtfully. “Well, anyway, what _are_ we going to do?
+Whittington was in a hurry to get rid of you this morning, but next time
+he’ll want to know something more before he parts with his money. He’ll
+want to know how much _you_ know, and where you got your information
+from, and a lot of other things that you can’t cope with. What are you
+going to do about it?”
+
+Tuppence frowned severely.
+
+“We must think. Order some Turkish coffee, Tommy. Stimulating to the
+brain. Oh, dear, what a lot I have eaten!”
+
+“You have made rather a hog of yourself! So have I for that matter, but
+I flatter myself that my choice of dishes was more judicious than yours.
+Two coffees.” (This was to the waiter.) “One Turkish, one French.”
+
+Tuppence sipped her coffee with a deeply reflective air, and snubbed
+Tommy when he spoke to her.
+
+“Be quiet. I’m thinking.”
+
+“Shades of Pelmanism!” said Tommy, and relapsed into silence.
+
+“There!” said Tuppence at last. “I’ve got a plan. Obviously what we’ve
+got to do is to find out more about it all.”
+
+Tommy applauded.
+
+“Don’t jeer. We can only find out through Whittington. We must discover
+where he lives, what he does--sleuth him, in fact! Now I can’t do it,
+because he knows me, but he only saw you for a minute or two in Lyons’.
+He’s not likely to recognize you. After all, one young man is much like
+another.”
+
+“I repudiate that remark utterly. I’m sure my pleasing features and
+distinguished appearance would single me out from any crowd.”
+
+“My plan is this,” Tuppence went on calmly, “I’ll go alone to-morrow.
+I’ll put him off again like I did to-day. It doesn’t matter if I don’t
+get any more money at once. Fifty pounds ought to last us a few days.”
+
+“Or even longer!”
+
+“You’ll hang about outside. When I come out I shan’t speak to you in
+case he’s watching. But I’ll take up my stand somewhere near, and when
+he comes out of the building I’ll drop a handkerchief or something, and
+off you go!”
+
+“Off I go where?”
+
+“Follow him, of course, silly! What do you think of the idea?”
+
+“Sort of thing one reads about in books. I somehow feel that in real
+life one will feel a bit of an ass standing in the street for hours with
+nothing to do. People will wonder what I’m up to.”
+
+“Not in the city. Every one’s in such a hurry. Probably no one will even
+notice you at all.”
+
+“That’s the second time you’ve made that sort of remark. Never mind, I
+forgive you. Anyway, it will be rather a lark. What are you doing this
+afternoon?”
+
+“Well,” said Tuppence meditatively. “I _had_ thought of hats! Or perhaps
+silk stockings! Or perhaps----”
+
+“Hold hard,” admonished Tommy. “There’s a limit to fifty pounds! But
+let’s do dinner and a show to-night at all events.”
+
+“Rather.”
+
+The day passed pleasantly. The evening even more so. Two of the
+five-pound notes were now irretrievably dead.
+
+They met by arrangement the following morning and proceeded citywards.
+Tommy remained on the opposite side of the road while Tuppence plunged
+into the building.
+
+Tommy strolled slowly down to the end of the street, then back again.
+Just as he came abreast of the building, Tuppence darted across the
+road.
+
+“Tommy!”
+
+“Yes. What’s up?”
+
+“The place is shut. I can’t make anyone hear.”
+
+“That’s odd.”
+
+“Isn’t it? Come up with me, and let’s try again.”
+
+Tommy followed her. As they passed the third floor landing a young clerk
+came out of an office. He hesitated a moment, then addressed himself to
+Tuppence.
+
+“Were you wanting the Esthonia Glassware?”
+
+“Yes, please.”
+
+“It’s closed down. Since yesterday afternoon. Company being wound up,
+they say. Not that I’ve ever heard of it myself. But anyway the office
+is to let.”
+
+“Th--thank you,” faltered Tuppence. “I suppose you don’t know Mr.
+Whittington’s address?”
+
+“Afraid I don’t. They left rather suddenly.”
+
+“Thank you very much,” said Tommy. “Come on, Tuppence.”
+
+They descended to the street again where they gazed at one another
+blankly.
+
+“That’s torn it,” said Tommy at length.
+
+“And I never suspected it,” wailed Tuppence.
+
+“Cheer up, old thing, it can’t be helped.”
+
+“Can’t it, though!” Tuppence’s little chin shot out defiantly. “Do you
+think this is the end? If so, you’re wrong. It’s just the beginning!”
+
+“The beginning of what?”
+
+“Of our adventure! Tommy, don’t you see, if they are scared enough to
+run away like this, it shows that there must be a lot in this Jane Finn
+business! Well, we’ll get to the bottom of it. We’ll run them down!
+We’ll be sleuths in earnest!”
+
+“Yes, but there’s no one left to sleuth.”
+
+“No, that’s why we’ll have to start all over again. Lend me that bit of
+pencil. Thanks. Wait a minute--don’t interrupt. There!” Tuppence handed
+back the pencil, and surveyed the piece of paper on which she had
+written with a satisfied eye:
+
+“What’s that?”
+
+“Advertisement.”
+
+“You’re not going to put that thing in after all?”
+
+“No, it’s a different one.” She handed him the slip of paper.
+
+Tommy read the words on it aloud:
+
+“WANTED, any information respecting Jane Finn. Apply Y. A.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV. WHO IS JANE FINN?
+
+THE next day passed slowly. It was necessary to curtail expenditure.
+Carefully husbanded, forty pounds will last a long time. Luckily the
+weather was fine, and “walking is cheap,” dictated Tuppence. An outlying
+picture house provided them with recreation for the evening.
+
+The day of disillusionment had been a Wednesday. On Thursday the
+advertisement had duly appeared. On Friday letters might be expected to
+arrive at Tommy’s rooms.
+
+He had been bound by an honourable promise not to open any such letters
+if they did arrive, but to repair to the National Gallery, where his
+colleague would meet him at ten o’clock.
+
+Tuppence was first at the rendezvous. She ensconced herself on a red
+velvet seat, and gazed at the Turners with unseeing eyes until she saw
+the familiar figure enter the room.
+
+“Well?”
+
+“Well,” returned Mr. Beresford provokingly. “Which is your favourite
+picture?”
+
+“Don’t be a wretch. Aren’t there _any_ answers?”
+
+Tommy shook his head with a deep and somewhat overacted melancholy.
+
+“I didn’t want to disappoint you, old thing, by telling you right off.
+It’s too bad. Good money wasted.” He sighed. “Still, there it is. The
+advertisement has appeared, and--there are only two answers!”
+
+“Tommy, you devil!” almost screamed Tuppence. “Give them to me. How
+could you be so mean!”
+
+“Your language, Tuppence, your language! They’re very particular at the
+National Gallery. Government show, you know. And do remember, as I have
+pointed out to you before, that as a clergyman’s daughter----”
+
+“I ought to be on the stage!” finished Tuppence with a snap.
+
+“That is not what I intended to say. But if you are sure that you have
+enjoyed to the full the reaction of joy after despair with which I have
+kindly provided you free of charge, let us get down to our mail, as the
+saying goes.”
+
+Tuppence snatched the two precious envelopes from him unceremoniously,
+and scrutinized them carefully.
+
+“Thick paper, this one. It looks rich. We’ll keep it to the last and
+open the other first.”
+
+“Right you are. One, two, three, go!”
+
+Tuppence’s little thumb ripped open the envelope, and she extracted the
+contents.
+
+“DEAR SIR,
+
+“Referring to your advertisement in this morning’s paper, I may be able
+to be of some use to you. Perhaps you could call and see me at the above
+address at eleven o’clock to-morrow morning.
+
+“Yours truly,
+
+“A. CARTER.”
+
+“27 Carshalton Gardens,” said Tuppence, referring to the address.
+“That’s Gloucester Road way. Plenty of time to get there if we tube.”
+
+“The following,” said Tommy, “is the plan of campaign. It is my turn to
+assume the offensive. Ushered into the presence of Mr. Carter, he and I
+wish each other good morning as is customary. He then says: ‘Please take
+a seat, Mr.--er?’ To which I reply promptly and significantly: ‘Edward
+Whittington!’ whereupon Mr. Carter turns purple in the face and gasps
+out: ‘How much?’ Pocketing the usual fee of fifty pounds, I rejoin you
+in the road outside, and we proceed to the next address and repeat the
+performance.”
+
+“Don’t be absurd, Tommy. Now for the other letter. Oh, this is from the
+_Ritz!_”
+
+“A hundred pounds instead of fifty!”
+
+“I’ll read it:
+
+“DEAR SIR,
+
+“Re your advertisement, I should be glad if you would call round
+somewhere about lunch-time.
+
+“Yours truly,
+
+“JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER.”
+
+“Ha!” said Tommy. “Do I smell a Boche? Or only an American millionaire
+of unfortunate ancestry? At all events we’ll call at lunch-time. It’s a
+good time--frequently leads to free food for two.”
+
+Tuppence nodded assent.
+
+“Now for Carter. We’ll have to hurry.”
+
+Carshalton Terrace proved to be an unimpeachable row of what Tuppence
+called “ladylike looking houses.” They rang the bell at No. 27, and a
+neat maid answered the door. She looked so respectable that Tuppence’s
+heart sank. Upon Tommy’s request for Mr. Carter, she showed them into
+a small study on the ground floor where she left them. Hardly a minute
+elapsed, however, before the door opened, and a tall man with a lean
+hawklike face and a tired manner entered the room.
+
+“Mr. Y. A.?” he said, and smiled. His smile was distinctly attractive.
+“Do sit down, both of you.”
+
+They obeyed. He himself took a chair opposite to Tuppence and smiled at
+her encouragingly. There was something in the quality of his smile that
+made the girl’s usual readiness desert her.
+
+As he did not seem inclined to open the conversation, Tuppence was
+forced to begin.
+
+“We wanted to know--that is, would you be so kind as to tell us anything
+you know about Jane Finn?”
+
+“Jane Finn? Ah!” Mr. Carter appeared to reflect. “Well, the question is,
+what do _you_ know about her?”
+
+Tuppence drew herself up.
+
+“I don’t see that that’s got anything to do with it.”
+
+“No? But it has, you know, really it has.” He smiled again in his tired
+way, and continued reflectively. “So that brings us down to it again.
+What do _you_ know about Jane Finn?
+
+“Come now,” he continued, as Tuppence remained silent. “You must know
+_something_ to have advertised as you did?” He leaned forward a little,
+his weary voice held a hint of persuasiveness. “Suppose you tell me....”
+
+There was something very magnetic about Mr. Carter’s personality.
+Tuppence seemed to shake herself free of it with an effort, as she said:
+
+“We couldn’t do that, could we, Tommy?”
+
+But to her surprise, her companion did not back her up. His eyes were
+fixed on Mr. Carter, and his tone when he spoke held an unusual note of
+deference.
+
+“I dare say the little we know won’t be any good to you, sir. But such
+as it is, you’re welcome to it.”
+
+“Tommy!” cried out Tuppence in surprise.
+
+Mr. Carter slewed round in his chair. His eyes asked a question.
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+“Yes, sir, I recognized you at once. Saw you in France when I was with
+the Intelligence. As soon as you came into the room, I knew----”
+
+Mr. Carter held up his hand.
+
+“No names, please. I’m known as Mr. Carter here. It’s my cousin’s house,
+by the way. She’s willing to lend it to me sometimes when it’s a case of
+working on strictly unofficial lines. Well, now”--he looked from one to
+the other--“who’s going to tell me the story?”
+
+“Fire ahead, Tuppence,” directed Tommy. “It’s your yarn.”
+
+“Yes, little lady, out with it.”
+
+And obediently Tuppence did out with it, telling the whole story from
+the forming of the Young Adventurers, Ltd., downwards.
+
+Mr. Carter listened in silence with a resumption of his tired manner.
+Now and then he passed his hand across his lips as though to hide a
+smile. When she had finished he nodded gravely.
+
+“Not much. But suggestive. Quite suggestive. If you’ll excuse my saying
+so, you’re a curious young couple. I don’t know--you might succeed where
+others have failed ... I believe in luck, you know--always have....”
+
+He paused a moment, and then went on.
+
+“Well, how about it? You’re out for adventure. How would you like
+to work for me? All quite unofficial, you know. Expenses paid, and a
+moderate screw?”
+
+Tuppence gazed at him, her lips parted, her eyes growing wider and
+wider.
+
+“What should we have to do?” she breathed.
+
+Mr. Carter smiled.
+
+“Just go on with what you’re doing now. _Find Jane Finn_.”
+
+“Yes, but--who _is_ Jane Finn?”
+
+Mr. Carter nodded gravely.
+
+“Yes, you’re entitled to know that, I think.”
+
+He leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, brought the tips of his
+fingers together, and began in a low monotone:
+
+“Secret diplomacy (which, by the way, is nearly always bad policy!) does
+not concern you. It will be sufficient to say that in the early days of
+1915 a certain document came into being. It was the draft of a secret
+agreement--treaty--call it what you like. It was drawn up ready for
+signature by the various representatives, and drawn up in America--at
+that time a neutral country. It was dispatched to England by a special
+messenger selected for that purpose, a young fellow called Danvers. It
+was hoped that the whole affair had been kept so secret that nothing
+would have leaked out. That kind of hope is usually disappointed.
+Somebody always talks!
+
+“Danvers sailed for England on the _Lusitania_. He carried the precious
+papers in an oilskin packet which he wore next his skin. It was on that
+particular voyage that the _Lusitania_ was torpedoed and sunk. Danvers
+was among the list of those missing. Eventually his body was washed
+ashore, and identified beyond any possible doubt. But the oilskin packet
+was missing!
+
+“The question was, had it been taken from him, or had he himself
+passed it on into another’s keeping? There were a few incidents that
+strengthened the possibility of the latter theory. After the torpedo
+struck the ship, in the few moments during the launching of the boats,
+Danvers was seen speaking to a young American girl. No one actually
+saw him pass anything to her, but he might have done so. It seems to me
+quite likely that he entrusted the papers to this girl, believing that
+she, as a woman, had a greater chance of bringing them safely to shore.
+
+“But if so, where was the girl, and what had she done with the papers?
+By later advice from America it seemed likely that Danvers had been
+closely shadowed on the way over. Was this girl in league with his
+enemies? Or had she, in her turn, been shadowed and either tricked or
+forced into handing over the precious packet?
+
+“We set to work to trace her out. It proved unexpectedly difficult.
+Her name was Jane Finn, and it duly appeared among the list of the
+survivors, but the girl herself seemed to have vanished completely.
+Inquiries into her antecedents did little to help us. She was an orphan,
+and had been what we should call over here a pupil teacher in a small
+school out West. Her passport had been made out for Paris, where she
+was going to join the staff of a hospital. She had offered her services
+voluntarily, and after some correspondence they had been accepted.
+Having seen her name in the list of the saved from the _Lusitania_, the
+staff of the hospital were naturally very surprised at her not arriving
+to take up her billet, and at not hearing from her in any way.
+
+“Well, every effort was made to trace the young lady--but all in vain.
+We tracked her across Ireland, but nothing could be heard of her after
+she set foot in England. No use was made of the draft treaty--as might
+very easily have been done--and we therefore came to the conclusion that
+Danvers had, after all, destroyed it. The war entered on another phase,
+the diplomatic aspect changed accordingly, and the treaty was never
+redrafted. Rumours as to its existence were emphatically denied. The
+disappearance of Jane Finn was forgotten and the whole affair was lost
+in oblivion.”
+
+Mr. Carter paused, and Tuppence broke in impatiently:
+
+“But why has it all cropped up again? The war’s over.”
+
+A hint of alertness came into Mr. Carter’s manner.
+
+“Because it seems that the papers were not destroyed after all, and that
+they might be resurrected to-day with a new and deadly significance.”
+
+Tuppence stared. Mr. Carter nodded.
+
+“Yes, five years ago, that draft treaty was a weapon in our hands;
+to-day it is a weapon against us. It was a gigantic blunder. If its
+terms were made public, it would mean disaster.... It might possibly
+bring about another war--not with Germany this time! That is an extreme
+possibility, and I do not believe in its likelihood myself, but that
+document undoubtedly implicates a number of our statesmen whom we cannot
+afford to have discredited in any way at the present moment. As a party
+cry for Labour it would be irresistible, and a Labour Government at this
+juncture would, in my opinion, be a grave disability for British trade,
+but that is a mere nothing to the _real_ danger.”
+
+He paused, and then said quietly:
+
+“You may perhaps have heard or read that there is Bolshevist influence
+at work behind the present Labour unrest?”
+
+Tuppence nodded.
+
+“That is the truth. Bolshevist gold is pouring into this country for the
+specific purpose of procuring a Revolution. And there is a certain man,
+a man whose real name is unknown to us, who is working in the dark for
+his own ends. The Bolshevists are behind the Labour unrest--but this
+man is _behind the Bolshevists_. Who is he? We do not know. He is always
+spoken of by the unassuming title of ‘Mr. Brown.’ But one thing is
+certain, he is the master criminal of this age. He controls a marvellous
+organization. Most of the Peace propaganda during the war was originated
+and financed by him. His spies are everywhere.”
+
+“A naturalized German?” asked Tommy.
+
+“On the contrary, I have every reason to believe he is an Englishman. He
+was pro-German, as he would have been pro-Boer. What he seeks to attain
+we do not know--probably supreme power for himself, of a kind unique in
+history. We have no clue as to his real personality. It is reported that
+even his own followers are ignorant of it. Where we have come across his
+tracks, he has always played a secondary part. Somebody else assumes
+the chief rôle. But afterwards we always find that there has been some
+nonentity, a servant or a clerk, who has remained in the background
+unnoticed, and that the elusive Mr. Brown has escaped us once more.”
+
+“Oh!” Tuppence jumped. “I wonder----”
+
+“Yes?”
+
+“I remember in Mr. Whittington’s office. The clerk--he called him Brown.
+You don’t think----”
+
+Carter nodded thoughtfully.
+
+“Very likely. A curious point is that the name is usually mentioned. An
+idiosyncrasy of genius. Can you describe him at all?”
+
+“I really didn’t notice. He was quite ordinary--just like anyone else.”
+
+Mr. Carter sighed in his tired manner.
+
+“That is the invariable description of Mr. Brown! Brought a telephone
+message to the man Whittington, did he? Notice a telephone in the outer
+office?”
+
+Tuppence thought.
+
+“No, I don’t think I did.”
+
+“Exactly. That ‘message’ was Mr. Brown’s way of giving an order to his
+subordinate. He overheard the whole conversation of course. Was it after
+that that Whittington handed you over the money, and told you to come
+the following day?”
+
+Tuppence nodded.
+
+“Yes, undoubtedly the hand of Mr. Brown!” Mr. Carter paused. “Well,
+there it is, you see what you are pitting yourselves against? Possibly
+the finest criminal brain of the age. I don’t quite like it, you know.
+You’re such young things, both of you. I shouldn’t like anything to
+happen to you.”
+
+“It won’t,” Tuppence assured him positively.
+
+“I’ll look after her, sir,” said Tommy.
+
+“And _I_‘ll look after _you_,” retorted Tuppence, resenting the manly
+assertion.
+
+“Well, then, look after each other,” said Mr. Carter, smiling. “Now
+let’s get back to business. There’s something mysterious about this
+draft treaty that we haven’t fathomed yet. We’ve been threatened with
+it--in plain and unmistakable terms. The Revolutionary element as good
+as declare that it’s in their hands, and that they intend to produce it
+at a given moment. On the other hand, they are clearly at fault about
+many of its provisions. The Government consider it as mere bluff
+on their part, and, rightly or wrongly, have stuck to the policy of
+absolute denial. I’m not so sure. There have been hints, indiscreet
+allusions, that seem to indicate that the menace is a real one. The
+position is much as though they had got hold of an incriminating
+document, but couldn’t read it because it was in cipher--but we know
+that the draft treaty wasn’t in cipher--couldn’t be in the nature of
+things--so that won’t wash. But there’s _something_. Of course, Jane
+Finn may be dead for all we know--but I don’t think so. The curious
+thing is that _they’re trying to get information about the girl from
+us_.”
+
+“What?”
+
+“Yes. One or two little things have cropped up. And your story, little
+lady, confirms my idea. They know we’re looking for Jane Finn. Well,
+they’ll produce a Jane Finn of their own--say at a _pensionnat_ in
+Paris.” Tuppence gasped, and Mr. Carter smiled. “No one knows in the
+least what she looks like, so that’s all right. She’s primed with a
+trumped-up tale, and her real business is to get as much information as
+possible out of us. See the idea?”
+
+“Then you think”--Tuppence paused to grasp the supposition fully--“that
+it _was_ as Jane Finn that they wanted me to go to Paris?”
+
+Mr. Carter smiled more wearily than ever.
+
+“I believe in coincidences, you know,” he said.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V. MR. JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER
+
+“WELL,” said Tuppence, recovering herself, “it really seems as though it
+were meant to be.”
+
+Carter nodded.
+
+“I know what you mean. I’m superstitious myself. Luck, and all that sort
+of thing. Fate seems to have chosen you out to be mixed up in this.”
+
+Tommy indulged in a chuckle.
+
+“My word! I don’t wonder Whittington got the wind up when Tuppence
+plumped out that name! I should have myself. But look here, sir, we’re
+taking up an awful lot of your time. Have you any tips to give us before
+we clear out?”
+
+“I think not. My experts, working in stereotyped ways, have failed.
+You will bring imagination and an open mind to the task. Don’t be
+discouraged if that too does not succeed. For one thing there is a
+likelihood of the pace being forced.”
+
+Tuppence frowned uncomprehendingly.
+
+“When you had that interview with Whittington, they had time before
+them. I have information that the big _coup_ was planned for early in
+the new year. But the Government is contemplating legislative action
+which will deal effectually with the strike menace. They’ll get wind of
+it soon, if they haven’t already, and it’s possible that that may bring
+things to a head. I hope it will myself. The less time they have to
+mature their plans the better. I’m just warning you that you haven’t
+much time before you, and that you needn’t be cast down if you fail.
+It’s not an easy proposition anyway. That’s all.”
+
+Tuppence rose.
+
+“I think we ought to be businesslike. What exactly can we count upon you
+for, Mr. Carter?” Mr. Carter’s lips twitched slightly, but he replied
+succinctly: “Funds within reason, detailed information on any point,
+and _no official recognition_. I mean that if you get yourselves into
+trouble with the police, I can’t officially help you out of it. You’re
+on your own.”
+
+Tuppence nodded sagely.
+
+“I quite understand that. I’ll write out a list of the things I want to
+know when I’ve had time to think. Now--about money----”
+
+“Yes, Miss Tuppence. Do you want to say how much?”
+
+“Not exactly. We’ve got plenty to go with for the present, but when we
+want more----”
+
+“It will be waiting for you.”
+
+“Yes, but--I’m sure I don’t want to be rude about the Government if
+you’ve got anything to do with it, but you know one really has the devil
+of a time getting anything out of it! And if we have to fill up a blue
+form and send it in, and then, after three months, they send us a green
+one, and so on--well, that won’t be much use, will it?”
+
+Mr. Carter laughed outright.
+
+“Don’t worry, Miss Tuppence. You will send a personal demand to me here,
+and the money, in notes, shall be sent by return of post. As to salary,
+shall we say at the rate of three hundred a year? And an equal sum for
+Mr. Beresford, of course.”
+
+Tuppence beamed upon him.
+
+“How lovely. You are kind. I do love money! I’ll keep beautiful accounts
+of our expenses all debit and credit, and the balance on the right side,
+and red line drawn sideways with the totals the same at the bottom. I
+really know how to do it when I think.”
+
+“I’m sure you do. Well, good-bye, and good luck to you both.”
+
+He shook hands with them, and in another minute they were descending the
+steps of 27 Carshalton Terrace with their heads in a whirl.
+
+“Tommy! Tell me at once, who is ‘Mr. Carter’?”
+
+Tommy murmured a name in her ear.
+
+“Oh!” said Tuppence, impressed.
+
+“And I can tell you, old bean, he’s IT!”
+
+“Oh!” said Tuppence again. Then she added reflectively,
+
+“I like him, don’t you? He looks so awfully tired and bored, and yet you
+feel that underneath he’s just like steel, all keen and flashing. Oh!”
+ She gave a skip. “Pinch me, Tommy, do pinch me. I can’t believe it’s
+real!”
+
+Mr. Beresford obliged.
+
+“Ow! That’s enough! Yes, we’re not dreaming. We’ve got a job!”
+
+“And what a job! The joint venture has really begun.”
+
+“It’s more respectable than I thought it would be,” said Tuppence
+thoughtfully.
+
+“Luckily I haven’t got your craving for crime! What time is it? Let’s
+have lunch--oh!”
+
+The same thought sprang to the minds of each. Tommy voiced it first.
+
+“Julius P. Hersheimmer!”
+
+“We never told Mr. Carter about hearing from him.”
+
+“Well, there wasn’t much to tell--not till we’ve seen him. Come on, we’d
+better take a taxi.”
+
+“Now who’s being extravagant?”
+
+“All expenses paid, remember. Hop in.”
+
+“At any rate, we shall make a better effect arriving this way,” said
+Tuppence, leaning back luxuriously. “I’m sure blackmailers never arrive
+in buses!”
+
+“We’ve ceased being blackmailers,” Tommy pointed out.
+
+“I’m not sure I have,” said Tuppence darkly.
+
+On inquiring for Mr. Hersheimmer, they were at once taken up to his
+suite. An impatient voice cried “Come in” in answer to the page-boy’s
+knock, and the lad stood aside to let them pass in.
+
+Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer was a great deal younger than either Tommy or
+Tuppence had pictured him. The girl put him down as thirty-five. He
+was of middle height, and squarely built to match his jaw. His face was
+pugnacious but pleasant. No one could have mistaken him for anything but
+an American, though he spoke with very little accent.
+
+“Get my note? Sit down and tell me right away all you know about my
+cousin.”
+
+“Your cousin?”
+
+“Sure thing. Jane Finn.”
+
+“Is she your cousin?”
+
+“My father and her mother were brother and sister,” explained Mr.
+Hersheimmer meticulously.
+
+“Oh!” cried Tuppence. “Then you know where she is?”
+
+“No!” Mr. Hersheimmer brought down his fist with a bang on the table.
+“I’m darned if I do! Don’t you?”
+
+“We advertised to receive information, not to give it,” said Tuppence
+severely.
+
+“I guess I know that. I can read. But I thought maybe it was her back
+history you were after, and that you’d know where she was now?”
+
+“Well, we wouldn’t mind hearing her back history,” said Tuppence
+guardedly.
+
+But Mr. Hersheimmer seemed to grow suddenly suspicious.
+
+“See here,” he declared. “This isn’t Sicily! No demanding ransom or
+threatening to crop her ears if I refuse. These are the British Isles,
+so quit the funny business, or I’ll just sing out for that beautiful big
+British policeman I see out there in Piccadilly.”
+
+Tommy hastened to explain.
+
+“We haven’t kidnapped your cousin. On the contrary, we’re trying to find
+her. We’re employed to do so.”
+
+Mr. Hersheimmer leant back in his chair.
+
+“Put me wise,” he said succinctly.
+
+Tommy fell in with this demand in so far as he gave him a guarded
+version of the disappearance of Jane Finn, and of the possibility of her
+having been mixed up unawares in “some political show.” He alluded to
+Tuppence and himself as “private inquiry agents” commissioned to find
+her, and added that they would therefore be glad of any details Mr.
+Hersheimmer could give them.
+
+That gentleman nodded approval.
+
+“I guess that’s all right. I was just a mite hasty. But London gets my
+goat! I only know little old New York. Just trot out your questions and
+I’ll answer.”
+
+For the moment this paralysed the Young Adventurers, but Tuppence,
+recovering herself, plunged boldly into the breach with a reminiscence
+culled from detective fiction.
+
+“When did you last see the dece--your cousin, I mean?”
+
+“Never seen her,” responded Mr. Hersheimmer.
+
+“What?” demanded Tommy, astonished.
+
+Hersheimmer turned to him.
+
+“No, sir. As I said before, my father and her mother were brother and
+sister, just as you might be”--Tommy did not correct this view of their
+relationship--“but they didn’t always get on together. And when my aunt
+made up her mind to marry Amos Finn, who was a poor school teacher out
+West, my father was just mad! Said if he made his pile, as he seemed
+in a fair way to do, she’d never see a cent of it. Well, the upshot was
+that Aunt Jane went out West and we never heard from her again.
+
+“The old man _did_ pile it up. He went into oil, and he went into steel,
+and he played a bit with railroads, and I can tell you he made Wall
+Street sit up!” He paused. “Then he died--last fall--and I got the
+dollars. Well, would you believe it, my conscience got busy! Kept
+knocking me up and saying: What about your Aunt Jane, way out West? It
+worried me some. You see, I figured it out that Amos Finn would never
+make good. He wasn’t the sort. End of it was, I hired a man to hunt her
+down. Result, she was dead, and Amos Finn was dead, but they’d left a
+daughter--Jane--who’d been torpedoed in the _Lusitania_ on her way to
+Paris. She was saved all right, but they didn’t seem able to hear of her
+over this side. I guessed they weren’t hustling any, so I thought I’d
+come along over, and speed things up. I phoned Scotland Yard and the
+Admiralty first thing. The Admiralty rather choked me off, but Scotland
+Yard were very civil--said they would make inquiries, even sent a man
+round this morning to get her photograph. I’m off to Paris to-morrow,
+just to see what the Prefecture is doing. I guess if I go to and fro
+hustling them, they ought to get busy!”
+
+The energy of Mr. Hersheimmer was tremendous. They bowed before it.
+
+“But say now,” he ended, “you’re not after her for anything? Contempt of
+court, or something British? A proud-spirited young American girl might
+find your rules and regulations in war time rather irksome, and get up
+against it. If that’s the case, and there’s such a thing as graft in
+this country, I’ll buy her off.”
+
+Tuppence reassured him.
+
+“That’s good. Then we can work together. What about some lunch? Shall we
+have it up here, or go down to the restaurant?”
+
+Tuppence expressed a preference for the latter, and Julius bowed to her
+decision.
+
+Oysters had just given place to Sole Colbert when a card was brought to
+Hersheimmer.
+
+“Inspector Japp, C.I.D. Scotland Yard again. Another man this time. What
+does he expect I can tell him that I didn’t tell the first chap? I hope
+they haven’t lost that photograph. That Western photographer’s place was
+burned down and all his negatives destroyed--this is the only copy in
+existence. I got it from the principal of the college there.”
+
+An unformulated dread swept over Tuppence.
+
+“You--you don’t know the name of the man who came this morning?”
+
+“Yes, I do. No, I don’t. Half a second. It was on his card. Oh, I know!
+Inspector Brown. Quiet, unassuming sort of chap.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI. A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN
+
+A veil might with profit be drawn over the events of the next half-hour.
+Suffice it to say that no such person as “Inspector Brown” was known to
+Scotland Yard. The photograph of Jane Finn, which would have been of
+the utmost value to the police in tracing her, was lost beyond recovery.
+Once again “Mr. Brown” had triumphed.
+
+The immediate result of this set-back was to effect a _rapprochement_
+between Julius Hersheimmer and the Young Adventurers. All barriers went
+down with a crash, and Tommy and Tuppence felt they had known the young
+American all their lives. They abandoned the discreet reticence of
+“private inquiry agents,” and revealed to him the whole history of
+the joint venture, whereat the young man declared himself “tickled to
+death.”
+
+He turned to Tuppence at the close of the narration.
+
+“I’ve always had a kind of idea that English girls were just a mite
+moss-grown. Old-fashioned and sweet, you know, but scared to move round
+without a footman or a maiden aunt. I guess I’m a bit behind the times!”
+
+The upshot of these confidential relations was that Tommy and Tuppence
+took up their abode forthwith at the _Ritz_, in order, as Tuppence put
+it, to keep in touch with Jane Finn’s only living relation. “And put
+like that,” she added confidentially to Tommy, “nobody could boggle at
+the expense!”
+
+Nobody did, which was the great thing.
+
+“And now,” said the young lady on the morning after their installation,
+“to work!”
+
+Mr. Beresford put down the _Daily Mail_, which he was reading, and
+applauded with somewhat unnecessary vigour. He was politely requested by
+his colleague not to be an ass.
+
+“Dash it all, Tommy, we’ve got to _do_ something for our money.”
+
+Tommy sighed.
+
+“Yes, I fear even the dear old Government will not support us at the
+_Ritz_ in idleness for ever.”
+
+“Therefore, as I said before, we must _do_ something.”
+
+“Well,” said Tommy, picking up the _Daily Mail_ again, “_do_ it. I
+shan’t stop you.”
+
+“You see,” continued Tuppence. “I’ve been thinking----”
+
+She was interrupted by a fresh bout of applause.
+
+“It’s all very well for you to sit there being funny, Tommy. It would do
+you no harm to do a little brain work too.”
+
+“My union, Tuppence, my union! It does not permit me to work before 11
+a.m.”
+
+“Tommy, do you want something thrown at you? It is absolutely essential
+that we should without delay map out a plan of campaign.”
+
+“Hear, hear!”
+
+“Well, let’s do it.”
+
+Tommy laid his paper finally aside. “There’s something of the simplicity
+of the truly great mind about you, Tuppence. Fire ahead. I’m listening.”
+
+“To begin with,” said Tuppence, “what have we to go upon?”
+
+“Absolutely nothing,” said Tommy cheerily.
+
+“Wrong!” Tuppence wagged an energetic finger. “We have two distinct
+clues.”
+
+“What are they?”
+
+“First clue, we know one of the gang.”
+
+“Whittington?”
+
+“Yes. I’d recognize him anywhere.”
+
+“Hum,” said Tommy doubtfully, “I don’t call that much of a clue. You
+don’t know where to look for him, and it’s about a thousand to one
+against your running against him by accident.”
+
+“I’m not so sure about that,” replied Tuppence thoughtfully. “I’ve often
+noticed that once coincidences start happening they go on happening in
+the most extraordinary way. I dare say it’s some natural law that we
+haven’t found out. Still, as you say, we can’t rely on that. But there
+_are_ places in London where simply every one is bound to turn up sooner
+or later. Piccadilly Circus, for instance. One of my ideas was to take
+up my stand there every day with a tray of flags.”
+
+“What about meals?” inquired the practical Tommy.
+
+“How like a man! What does mere food matter?”
+
+“That’s all very well. You’ve just had a thundering good breakfast. No
+one’s got a better appetite than you have, Tuppence, and by tea-time
+you’d be eating the flags, pins and all. But, honestly, I don’t think
+much of the idea. Whittington mayn’t be in London at all.”
+
+“That’s true. Anyway, I think clue No. 2 is more promising.”
+
+“Let’s hear it.”
+
+“It’s nothing much. Only a Christian name--Rita. Whittington mentioned
+it that day.”
+
+“Are you proposing a third advertisement: Wanted, female crook,
+answering to the name of Rita?”
+
+“I am not. I propose to reason in a logical manner. That man, Danvers,
+was shadowed on the way over, wasn’t he? And it’s more likely to have
+been a woman than a man----”
+
+“I don’t see that at all.”
+
+“I am absolutely certain that it would be a woman, and a good-looking
+one,” replied Tuppence calmly.
+
+“On these technical points I bow to your decision,” murmured Mr.
+Beresford.
+
+“Now, obviously this woman, whoever she was, was saved.”
+
+“How do you make that out?”
+
+“If she wasn’t, how would they have known Jane Finn had got the papers?”
+
+“Correct. Proceed, O Sherlock!”
+
+“Now there’s just a chance, I admit it’s only a chance, that this woman
+may have been ‘Rita.’”
+
+“And if so?”
+
+“If so, we’ve got to hunt through the survivors of the _Lusitania_ till
+we find her.”
+
+“Then the first thing is to get a list of the survivors.”
+
+“I’ve got it. I wrote a long list of things I wanted to know, and sent
+it to Mr. Carter. I got his reply this morning, and among other things
+it encloses the official statement of those saved from the _Lusitania_.
+How’s that for clever little Tuppence?”
+
+“Full marks for industry, zero for modesty. But the great point is, is
+there a ‘Rita’ on the list?”
+
+“That’s just what I don’t know,” confessed Tuppence.
+
+“Don’t know?”
+
+“Yes. Look here.” Together they bent over the list. “You see, very few
+Christian names are given. They’re nearly all Mrs. or Miss.”
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+“That complicates matters,” he murmured thoughtfully.
+
+Tuppence gave her characteristic “terrier” shake.
+
+“Well, we’ve just got to get down to it, that’s all. We’ll start with
+the London area. Just note down the addresses of any of the females who
+live in London or roundabout, while I put on my hat.”
+
+Five minutes later the young couple emerged into Piccadilly, and a few
+seconds later a taxi was bearing them to The Laurels, Glendower Road,
+N.7, the residence of Mrs. Edgar Keith, whose name figured first in a
+list of seven reposing in Tommy’s pocket-book.
+
+The Laurels was a dilapidated house, standing back from the road with
+a few grimy bushes to support the fiction of a front garden. Tommy paid
+off the taxi, and accompanied Tuppence to the front door bell. As she
+was about to ring it, he arrested her hand.
+
+“What are you going to say?”
+
+“What am I going to say? Why, I shall say--Oh dear, I don’t know. It’s
+very awkward.”
+
+“I thought as much,” said Tommy with satisfaction. “How like a woman! No
+foresight! Now just stand aside, and see how easily the mere male
+deals with the situation.” He pressed the bell. Tuppence withdrew to a
+suitable spot.
+
+A slatternly looking servant, with an extremely dirty face and a pair of
+eyes that did not match, answered the door.
+
+Tommy had produced a notebook and pencil.
+
+“Good morning,” he said briskly and cheerfully. “From the Hampstead
+Borough Council. The new Voting Register. Mrs. Edgar Keith lives here,
+does she not?”
+
+“Yaas,” said the servant.
+
+“Christian name?” asked Tommy, his pencil poised.
+
+“Missus’s? Eleanor Jane.”
+
+“Eleanor,” spelt Tommy. “Any sons or daughters over twenty-one?”
+
+“Naow.”
+
+“Thank you.” Tommy closed the notebook with a brisk snap. “Good
+morning.”
+
+The servant volunteered her first remark:
+
+“I thought perhaps as you’d come about the gas,” she observed
+cryptically, and shut the door.
+
+Tommy rejoined his accomplice.
+
+“You see, Tuppence,” he observed. “Child’s play to the masculine mind.”
+
+“I don’t mind admitting that for once you’ve scored handsomely. I should
+never have thought of that.”
+
+“Good wheeze, wasn’t it? And we can repeat it _ad lib_.”
+
+Lunch-time found the young couple attacking a steak and chips in an
+obscure hostelry with avidity. They had collected a Gladys Mary and a
+Marjorie, been baffled by one change of address, and had been forced to
+listen to a long lecture on universal suffrage from a vivacious American
+lady whose Christian name had proved to be Sadie.
+
+“Ah!” said Tommy, imbibing a long draught of beer, “I feel better.
+Where’s the next draw?”
+
+The notebook lay on the table between them. Tuppence picked it up.
+
+“Mrs. Vandemeyer,” she read, “20 South Audley Mansions. Miss Wheeler, 43
+Clapington Road, Battersea. She’s a lady’s maid, as far as I remember,
+so probably won’t be there, and, anyway, she’s not likely.”
+
+“Then the Mayfair lady is clearly indicated as the first port of call.”
+
+“Tommy, I’m getting discouraged.”
+
+“Buck up, old bean. We always knew it was an outside chance. And,
+anyway, we’re only starting. If we draw a blank in London, there’s a
+fine tour of England, Ireland and Scotland before us.”
+
+“True,” said Tuppence, her flagging spirits reviving. “And all expenses
+paid! But, oh, Tommy, I do like things to happen quickly. So far,
+adventure has succeeded adventure, but this morning has been dull as
+dull.”
+
+“You must stifle this longing for vulgar sensation, Tuppence. Remember
+that if Mr. Brown is all he is reported to be, it’s a wonder that he has
+not ere now done us to death. That’s a good sentence, quite a literary
+flavour about it.”
+
+“You’re really more conceited than I am--with less excuse! Ahem! But it
+certainly is queer that Mr. Brown has not yet wreaked vengeance upon us.
+(You see, I can do it too.) We pass on our way unscathed.”
+
+“Perhaps he doesn’t think us worth bothering about,” suggested the young
+man simply.
+
+Tuppence received the remark with great disfavour.
+
+“How horrid you are, Tommy. Just as though we didn’t count.”
+
+“Sorry, Tuppence. What I meant was that we work like moles in the dark,
+and that he has no suspicion of our nefarious schemes. Ha ha!”
+
+“Ha ha!” echoed Tuppence approvingly, as she rose.
+
+South Audley Mansions was an imposing-looking block of flats just off
+Park Lane. No. 20 was on the second floor.
+
+Tommy had by this time the glibness born of practice. He rattled off
+the formula to the elderly woman, looking more like a housekeeper than a
+servant, who opened the door to him.
+
+“Christian name?”
+
+“Margaret.”
+
+Tommy spelt it, but the other interrupted him.
+
+“No, _g u e_.”
+
+“Oh, Marguerite; French way, I see.” He paused, then plunged boldly. “We
+had her down as Rita Vandemeyer, but I suppose that’s incorrect?”
+
+“She’s mostly called that, sir, but Marguerite’s her name.”
+
+“Thank you. That’s all. Good morning.”
+
+Hardly able to contain his excitement, Tommy hurried down the stairs.
+Tuppence was waiting at the angle of the turn.
+
+“You heard?”
+
+“Yes. Oh, _Tommy!_”
+
+Tommy squeezed her arm sympathetically.
+
+“I know, old thing. I feel the same.”
+
+“It’s--it’s so lovely to think of things--and then for them really to
+happen!” cried Tuppence enthusiastically.
+
+Her hand was still in Tommy’s. They had reached the entrance hall. There
+were footsteps on the stairs above them, and voices.
+
+Suddenly, to Tommy’s complete surprise, Tuppence dragged him into the
+little space by the side of the lift where the shadow was deepest.
+
+“What the----”
+
+“Hush!”
+
+Two men came down the stairs and passed out through the entrance.
+Tuppence’s hand closed tighter on Tommy’s arm.
+
+“Quick--follow them. I daren’t. He might recognize me. I don’t know who
+the other man is, but the bigger of the two was Whittington.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII. THE HOUSE IN SOHO
+
+WHITTINGTON and his companion were walking at a good pace. Tommy started
+in pursuit at once, and was in time to see them turn the corner of the
+street. His vigorous strides soon enabled him to gain upon them, and by
+the time he, in his turn, reached the corner the distance between them
+was sensibly lessened. The small Mayfair streets were comparatively
+deserted, and he judged it wise to content himself with keeping them in
+sight.
+
+The sport was a new one to him. Though familiar with the technicalities
+from a course of novel reading, he had never before attempted to
+“follow” anyone, and it appeared to him at once that, in actual
+practice, the proceeding was fraught with difficulties. Supposing, for
+instance, that they should suddenly hail a taxi? In books, you simply
+leapt into another, promised the driver a sovereign--or its modern
+equivalent--and there you were. In actual fact, Tommy foresaw that it
+was extremely likely there would be no second taxi. Therefore he
+would have to run. What happened in actual fact to a young man who ran
+incessantly and persistently through the London streets? In a main road
+he might hope to create the illusion that he was merely running for a
+bus. But in these obscure aristocratic byways he could not but feel that
+an officious policeman might stop him to explain matters.
+
+At this juncture in his thoughts a taxi with flag erect turned the
+corner of the street ahead. Tommy held his breath. Would they hail it?
+
+He drew a sigh of relief as they allowed it to pass unchallenged. Their
+course was a zigzag one designed to bring them as quickly as possible
+to Oxford Street. When at length they turned into it, proceeding in an
+easterly direction, Tommy slightly increased his pace. Little by little
+he gained upon them. On the crowded pavement there was little chance of
+his attracting their notice, and he was anxious if possible to catch
+a word or two of their conversation. In this he was completely
+foiled; they spoke low and the din of the traffic drowned their voices
+effectually.
+
+Just before the Bond Street Tube station they crossed the road, Tommy,
+unperceived, faithfully at their heels, and entered the big Lyons’.
+There they went up to the first floor, and sat at a small table in the
+window. It was late, and the place was thinning out. Tommy took a seat
+at the table next to them, sitting directly behind Whittington in case
+of recognition. On the other hand, he had a full view of the second man
+and studied him attentively. He was fair, with a weak, unpleasant face,
+and Tommy put him down as being either a Russian or a Pole. He was
+probably about fifty years of age, his shoulders cringed a little as he
+talked, and his eyes, small and crafty, shifted unceasingly.
+
+Having already lunched heartily, Tommy contented himself with ordering
+a Welsh rarebit and a cup of coffee. Whittington ordered a substantial
+lunch for himself and his companion; then, as the waitress withdrew, he
+moved his chair a little closer to the table and began to talk earnestly
+in a low voice. The other man joined in. Listen as he would, Tommy could
+only catch a word here and there; but the gist of it seemed to be some
+directions or orders which the big man was impressing on his companion,
+and with which the latter seemed from time to time to disagree.
+Whittington addressed the other as Boris.
+
+Tommy caught the word “Ireland” several times, also “propaganda,” but
+of Jane Finn there was no mention. Suddenly, in a lull in the clatter of
+the room, he got one phrase entire. Whittington was speaking. “Ah, but
+you don’t know Flossie. She’s a marvel. An archbishop would swear she
+was his own mother. She gets the voice right every time, and that’s
+really the principal thing.”
+
+Tommy did not hear Boris’s reply, but in response to it Whittington said
+something that sounded like: “Of course--only in an emergency....”
+
+Then he lost the thread again. But presently the phrases became distinct
+again whether because the other two had insensibly raised their voices,
+or because Tommy’s ears were getting more attuned, he could not tell.
+But two words certainly had a most stimulating effect upon the listener.
+They were uttered by Boris and they were: “Mr. Brown.”
+
+Whittington seemed to remonstrate with him, but he merely laughed.
+
+“Why not, my friend? It is a name most respectable--most common. Did
+he not choose it for that reason? Ah, I should like to meet him--Mr.
+Brown.”
+
+There was a steely ring in Whittington’s voice as he replied:
+
+“Who knows? You may have met him already.”
+
+“Bah!” retorted the other. “That is children’s talk--a fable for the
+police. Do you know what I say to myself sometimes? That he is a fable
+invented by the Inner Ring, a bogy to frighten us with. It might be so.”
+
+“And it might not.”
+
+“I wonder ... or is it indeed true that he is with us and amongst us,
+unknown to all but a chosen few? If so, he keeps his secret well. And
+the idea is a good one, yes. We never know. We look at each other--
+_one of us is Mr. Brown_--which? He commands--but also he serves. Among
+us--in the midst of us. And no one knows which he is....”
+
+With an effort the Russian shook off the vagary of his fancy. He looked
+at his watch.
+
+“Yes,” said Whittington. “We might as well go.”
+
+He called the waitress and asked for his bill. Tommy did likewise, and a
+few moments later was following the two men down the stairs.
+
+Outside, Whittington hailed a taxi, and directed the driver to go to
+Waterloo.
+
+Taxis were plentiful here, and before Whittington’s had driven off
+another was drawing up to the curb in obedience to Tommy’s peremptory
+hand.
+
+“Follow that other taxi,” directed the young man. “Don’t lose it.”
+
+The elderly chauffeur showed no interest. He merely grunted and jerked
+down his flag. The drive was uneventful. Tommy’s taxi came to rest at
+the departure platform just after Whittington’s. Tommy was behind him at
+the booking-office. He took a first-class single ticket to Bournemouth,
+Tommy did the same. As he emerged, Boris remarked, glancing up at the
+clock: “You are early. You have nearly half an hour.”
+
+Boris’s words had aroused a new train of thought in Tommy’s mind.
+Clearly Whittington was making the journey alone, while the other
+remained in London. Therefore he was left with a choice as to which he
+would follow. Obviously, he could not follow both of them unless----
+Like Boris, he glanced up at the clock, and then to the announcement
+board of the trains. The Bournemouth train left at 3.30. It was now ten
+past. Whittington and Boris were walking up and down by the bookstall.
+He gave one doubtful look at them, then hurried into an adjacent
+telephone box. He dared not waste time in trying to get hold of
+Tuppence. In all probability she was still in the neighbourhood of South
+Audley Mansions. But there remained another ally. He rang up the _Ritz_
+and asked for Julius Hersheimmer. There was a click and a buzz. Oh, if
+only the young American was in his room! There was another click, and
+then “Hello” in unmistakable accents came over the wire.
+
+“That you, Hersheimmer? Beresford speaking. I’m at Waterloo. I’ve
+followed Whittington and another man here. No time to explain.
+Whittington’s off to Bournemouth by the 3.30. Can you get there by
+then?”
+
+The reply was reassuring.
+
+“Sure. I’ll hustle.”
+
+The telephone rang off. Tommy put back the receiver with a sigh of
+relief. His opinion of Julius’s power of hustling was high. He felt
+instinctively that the American would arrive in time.
+
+Whittington and Boris were still where he had left them. If Boris
+remained to see his friend off, all was well. Then Tommy fingered his
+pocket thoughtfully. In spite of the carte blanche assured to him, he
+had not yet acquired the habit of going about with any considerable sum
+of money on him. The taking of the first-class ticket to Bournemouth
+had left him with only a few shillings in his pocket. It was to be hoped
+that Julius would arrive better provided.
+
+In the meantime, the minutes were creeping by: 3.15, 3.20, 3.25, 3.27.
+Supposing Julius did not get there in time. 3.29.... Doors were banging.
+Tommy felt cold waves of despair pass over him. Then a hand fell on his
+shoulder.
+
+“Here I am, son. Your British traffic beats description! Put me wise to
+the crooks right away.”
+
+“That’s Whittington--there, getting in now, that big dark man. The other
+is the foreign chap he’s talking to.”
+
+“I’m on to them. Which of the two is my bird?”
+
+Tommy had thought out this question.
+
+“Got any money with you?”
+
+Julius shook his head, and Tommy’s face fell.
+
+“I guess I haven’t more than three or four hundred dollars with me at
+the moment,” explained the American.
+
+Tommy gave a faint whoop of relief.
+
+“Oh, Lord, you millionaires! You don’t talk the same language! Climb
+aboard the lugger. Here’s your ticket. Whittington’s your man.”
+
+“Me for Whittington!” said Julius darkly. The train was just starting
+as he swung himself aboard. “So long, Tommy.” The train slid out of the
+station.
+
+Tommy drew a deep breath. The man Boris was coming along the platform
+towards him. Tommy allowed him to pass and then took up the chase once
+more.
+
+From Waterloo Boris took the tube as far as Piccadilly Circus. Then he
+walked up Shaftesbury Avenue, finally turning off into the maze of mean
+streets round Soho. Tommy followed him at a judicious distance.
+
+They reached at length a small dilapidated square. The houses there had
+a sinister air in the midst of their dirt and decay. Boris looked round,
+and Tommy drew back into the shelter of a friendly porch. The place was
+almost deserted. It was a cul-de-sac, and consequently no traffic passed
+that way. The stealthy way the other had looked round stimulated Tommy’s
+imagination. From the shelter of the doorway he watched him go up the
+steps of a particularly evil-looking house and rap sharply, with a
+peculiar rhythm, on the door. It was opened promptly, he said a word or
+two to the doorkeeper, then passed inside. The door was shut to again.
+
+It was at this juncture that Tommy lost his head. What he ought to have
+done, what any sane man would have done, was to remain patiently where
+he was and wait for his man to come out again. What he did do was
+entirely foreign to the sober common sense which was, as a rule, his
+leading characteristic. Something, as he expressed it, seemed to snap in
+his brain. Without a moment’s pause for reflection he, too, went up the
+steps, and reproduced as far as he was able the peculiar knock.
+
+The door swung open with the same promptness as before. A
+villainous-faced man with close-cropped hair stood in the doorway.
+
+“Well?” he grunted.
+
+It was at that moment that the full realization of his folly began to
+come home to Tommy. But he dared not hesitate. He seized at the first
+words that came into his mind.
+
+“Mr. Brown?” he said.
+
+To his surprise the man stood aside.
+
+“Upstairs,” he said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder, “second door
+on your left.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII. THE ADVENTURES OF TOMMY
+
+TAKEN aback though he was by the man’s words, Tommy did not hesitate.
+If audacity had successfully carried him so far, it was to be hoped
+it would carry him yet farther. He quietly passed into the house and
+mounted the ramshackle staircase. Everything in the house was filthy
+beyond words. The grimy paper, of a pattern now indistinguishable,
+hung in loose festoons from the wall. In every angle was a grey mass of
+cobweb.
+
+Tommy proceeded leisurely. By the time he reached the bend of the
+staircase, he had heard the man below disappear into a back room.
+Clearly no suspicion attached to him as yet. To come to the house and
+ask for “Mr. Brown” appeared indeed to be a reasonable and natural
+proceeding.
+
+At the top of the stairs Tommy halted to consider his next move. In
+front of him ran a narrow passage, with doors opening on either side of
+it. From the one nearest him on the left came a low murmur of voices.
+It was this room which he had been directed to enter. But what held
+his glance fascinated was a small recess immediately on his right,
+half concealed by a torn velvet curtain. It was directly opposite the
+left-handed door and, owing to its angle, it also commanded a good view
+of the upper part of the staircase. As a hiding-place for one or, at a
+pinch, two men, it was ideal, being about two feet deep and three feet
+wide. It attracted Tommy mightily. He thought things over in his usual
+slow and steady way, deciding that the mention of “Mr. Brown” was not a
+request for an individual, but in all probability a password used by
+the gang. His lucky use of it had gained him admission. So far he had
+aroused no suspicion. But he must decide quickly on his next step.
+
+Suppose he were boldly to enter the room on the left of the passage.
+Would the mere fact of his having been admitted to the house be
+sufficient? Perhaps a further password would be required, or, at any
+rate, some proof of identity. The doorkeeper clearly did not know all
+the members of the gang by sight, but it might be different upstairs.
+On the whole it seemed to him that luck had served him very well so far,
+but that there was such a thing as trusting it too far. To enter
+that room was a colossal risk. He could not hope to sustain his part
+indefinitely; sooner or later he was almost bound to betray himself, and
+then he would have thrown away a vital chance in mere foolhardiness.
+
+A repetition of the signal knock sounded on the door below, and Tommy,
+his mind made up, slipped quickly into the recess, and cautiously drew
+the curtain farther across so that it shielded him completely from
+sight. There were several rents and slits in the ancient material which
+afforded him a good view. He would watch events, and any time he chose
+could, after all, join the assembly, modelling his behaviour on that of
+the new arrival.
+
+The man who came up the staircase with a furtive, soft-footed tread was
+quite unknown to Tommy. He was obviously of the very dregs of society.
+The low beetling brows, and the criminal jaw, the bestiality of the
+whole countenance were new to the young man, though he was a type that
+Scotland Yard would have recognized at a glance.
+
+The man passed the recess, breathing heavily as he went. He stopped at
+the door opposite, and gave a repetition of the signal knock. A voice
+inside called out something, and the man opened the door and passed in,
+affording Tommy a momentary glimpse of the room inside. He thought there
+must be about four or five people seated round a long table that took up
+most of the space, but his attention was caught and held by a tall man
+with close-cropped hair and a short, pointed, naval-looking beard,
+who sat at the head of the table with papers in front of him. As the
+new-comer entered he glanced up, and with a correct, but curiously
+precise enunciation, which attracted Tommy’s notice, he asked:
+
+“Your number, comrade?”
+
+“Fourteen, gov’nor,” replied the other hoarsely.
+
+“Correct.”
+
+The door shut again.
+
+“If that isn’t a Hun, I’m a Dutchman!” said Tommy to himself. “And
+running the show darned systematically too--as they always do. Lucky I
+didn’t roll in. I’d have given the wrong number, and there would have
+been the deuce to pay. No, this is the place for me. Hullo, here’s
+another knock.”
+
+This visitor proved to be of an entirely different type to the last.
+Tommy recognized in him an Irish Sinn Feiner. Certainly Mr. Brown’s
+organization was a far-reaching concern. The common criminal, the
+well-bred Irish gentleman, the pale Russian, and the efficient German
+master of the ceremonies! Truly a strange and sinister gathering! Who
+was this man who held in his finger these curiously variegated links of
+an unknown chain?
+
+In this case, the procedure was exactly the same. The signal knock, the
+demand for a number, and the reply “Correct.”
+
+Two knocks followed in quick succession on the door below. The first man
+was quite unknown to Tommy, who put him down as a city clerk. A quiet,
+intelligent-looking man, rather shabbily dressed. The second was of the
+working classes, and his face was vaguely familiar to the young man.
+
+Three minutes later came another, a man of commanding appearance,
+exquisitely dressed, and evidently well born. His face, again, was not
+unknown to the watcher, though he could not for the moment put a name to
+it.
+
+After his arrival there was a long wait. In fact Tommy concluded that
+the gathering was now complete, and was just cautiously creeping out
+from his hiding-place, when another knock sent him scuttling back to
+cover.
+
+This last-comer came up the stairs so quietly that he was almost abreast
+of Tommy before the young man had realized his presence.
+
+He was a small man, very pale, with a gentle almost womanish air. The
+angle of the cheek-bones hinted at his Slavonic ancestry, otherwise
+there was nothing to indicate his nationality. As he passed the recess,
+he turned his head slowly. The strange light eyes seemed to burn through
+the curtain; Tommy could hardly believe that the man did not know he was
+there and in spite of himself he shivered. He was no more fanciful than
+the majority of young Englishmen, but he could not rid himself of the
+impression that some unusually potent force emanated from the man. The
+creature reminded him of a venomous snake.
+
+A moment later his impression was proved correct. The new-comer knocked
+on the door as all had done, but his reception was very different. The
+bearded man rose to his feet, and all the others followed suit. The
+German came forward and shook hands. His heels clicked together.
+
+“We are honoured,” he said. “We are greatly honoured. I much feared that
+it would be impossible.”
+
+The other answered in a low voice that had a kind of hiss in it:
+
+“There were difficulties. It will not be possible again, I fear. But one
+meeting is essential--to define my policy. I can do nothing without--Mr.
+Brown. He is here?”
+
+The change in the German’s voice was audible as he replied with slight
+hesitation:
+
+“We have received a message. It is impossible for him to be present
+in person.” He stopped, giving a curious impression of having left the
+sentence unfinished.
+
+A very slow smile overspread the face of the other. He looked round at a
+circle of uneasy faces.
+
+“Ah! I understand. I have read of his methods. He works in the dark and
+trusts no one. But, all the same, it is possible that he is among us
+now....” He looked round him again, and again that expression of fear
+swept over the group. Each man seemed eyeing his neighbour doubtfully.
+
+The Russian tapped his cheek.
+
+“So be it. Let us proceed.”
+
+The German seemed to pull himself together. He indicated the place he
+had been occupying at the head of the table. The Russian demurred, but
+the other insisted.
+
+“It is the only possible place,” he said, “for--Number One. Perhaps
+Number Fourteen will shut the door?”
+
+In another moment Tommy was once more confronting bare wooden panels,
+and the voices within had sunk once more to a mere undistinguishable
+murmur. Tommy became restive. The conversation he had overheard had
+stimulated his curiosity. He felt that, by hook or by crook, he must
+hear more.
+
+There was no sound from below, and it did not seem likely that the
+doorkeeper would come upstairs. After listening intently for a minute or
+two, he put his head round the curtain. The passage was deserted. Tommy
+bent down and removed his shoes, then, leaving them behind the curtain,
+he walked gingerly out on his stockinged feet, and kneeling down by
+the closed door he laid his ear cautiously to the crack. To his intense
+annoyance he could distinguish little more; just a chance word here and
+there if a voice was raised, which merely served to whet his curiosity
+still farther.
+
+He eyed the handle of the door tentatively. Could he turn it by degrees
+so gently and imperceptibly that those in the room would notice nothing?
+He decided that with great care it could be done. Very slowly, a
+fraction of an inch at a time, he moved it round, holding his breath in
+his excessive care. A little more--a little more still--would it never
+be finished? Ah! at last it would turn no farther.
+
+He stayed so for a minute or two, then drew a deep breath, and pressed
+it ever so slightly inward. The door did not budge. Tommy was annoyed.
+If he had to use too much force, it would almost certainly creak.
+He waited until the voices rose a little, then he tried again. Still
+nothing happened. He increased the pressure. Had the beastly thing
+stuck? Finally, in desperation, he pushed with all his might. But the
+door remained firm, and at last the truth dawned upon him. It was locked
+or bolted on the inside.
+
+For a moment or two Tommy’s indignation got the better of him.
+
+“Well, I’m damned!” he said. “What a dirty trick!”
+
+As his indignation cooled, he prepared to face the situation. Clearly
+the first thing to be done was to restore the handle to its original
+position. If he let it go suddenly, the men inside would be almost
+certain to notice it, so, with the same infinite pains, he reversed his
+former tactics. All went well, and with a sigh of relief the young man
+rose to his feet. There was a certain bulldog tenacity about Tommy that
+made him slow to admit defeat. Checkmated for the moment, he was far
+from abandoning the conflict. He still intended to hear what was going
+on in the locked room. As one plan had failed, he must hunt about for
+another.
+
+He looked round him. A little farther along the passage on the left was
+a second door. He slipped silently along to it. He listened for a moment
+or two, then tried the handle. It yielded, and he slipped inside.
+
+The room, which was untenanted, was furnished as a bedroom. Like
+everything else in the house, the furniture was falling to pieces, and
+the dirt was, if anything, more abundant.
+
+But what interested Tommy was the thing he had hoped to find, a
+communicating door between the two rooms, up on the left by the window.
+Carefully closing the door into the passage behind him, he stepped
+across to the other and examined it closely. The bolt was shot across
+it. It was very rusty, and had clearly not been used for some time. By
+gently wriggling it to and fro, Tommy managed to draw it back without
+making too much noise. Then he repeated his former manœuvres with the
+handle--this time with complete success. The door swung open--a crack,
+a mere fraction, but enough for Tommy to hear what went on. There was a
+velvet _portière_ on the inside of this door which prevented him from
+seeing, but he was able to recognize the voices with a reasonable amount
+of accuracy.
+
+The Sinn Feiner was speaking. His rich Irish voice was unmistakable:
+
+“That’s all very well. But more money is essential. No money--no
+results!”
+
+Another voice which Tommy rather thought was that of Boris replied:
+
+“Will you guarantee that there _are_ results?”
+
+“In a month from now--sooner or later as you wish--I will guarantee you
+such a reign of terror in Ireland as shall shake the British Empire to
+its foundations.”
+
+There was a pause, and then came the soft, sibilant accents of Number
+One:
+
+“Good! You shall have the money. Boris, you will see to that.”
+
+Boris asked a question:
+
+“Via the Irish Americans, and Mr. Potter as usual?”
+
+“I guess that’ll be all right!” said a new voice, with a transatlantic
+intonation, “though I’d like to point out, here and now, that things
+are getting a mite difficult. There’s not the sympathy there was, and
+a growing disposition to let the Irish settle their own affairs without
+interference from America.”
+
+Tommy felt that Boris had shrugged his shoulders as he answered:
+
+“Does that matter, since the money only nominally comes from the
+States?”
+
+“The chief difficulty is the landing of the ammunition,” said the Sinn
+Feiner. “The money is conveyed in easily enough--thanks to our colleague
+here.”
+
+Another voice, which Tommy fancied was that of the tall,
+commanding-looking man whose face had seemed familiar to him, said:
+
+“Think of the feelings of Belfast if they could hear you!”
+
+“That is settled, then,” said the sibilant tones. “Now, in the matter
+of the loan to an English newspaper, you have arranged the details
+satisfactorily, Boris?”
+
+“I think so.”
+
+“That is good. An official denial from Moscow will be forthcoming if
+necessary.”
+
+There was a pause, and then the clear voice of the German broke the
+silence:
+
+“I am directed by--Mr. Brown, to place the summaries of the reports
+from the different unions before you. That of the miners is most
+satisfactory. We must hold back the railways. There may be trouble with
+the A.S.E.”
+
+For a long time there was a silence, broken only by the rustle of papers
+and an occasional word of explanation from the German. Then Tommy heard
+the light tap-tap of fingers, drumming on the table.
+
+“And--the date, my friend?” said Number One.
+
+“The 29th.”
+
+The Russian seemed to consider:
+
+“That is rather soon.”
+
+“I know. But it was settled by the principal Labour leaders, and we
+cannot seem to interfere too much. They must believe it to be entirely
+their own show.”
+
+The Russian laughed softly, as though amused.
+
+“Yes, yes,” he said. “That is true. They must have no inkling that we
+are using them for our own ends. They are honest men--and that is their
+value to us. It is curious--but you cannot make a revolution without
+honest men. The instinct of the populace is infallible.” He paused, and
+then repeated, as though the phrase pleased him: “Every revolution has
+had its honest men. They are soon disposed of afterwards.”
+
+There was a sinister note in his voice.
+
+The German resumed:
+
+“Clymes must go. He is too far-seeing. Number Fourteen will see to
+that.”
+
+There was a hoarse murmur.
+
+“That’s all right, gov’nor.” And then after a moment or two: “Suppose
+I’m nabbed.”
+
+“You will have the best legal talent to defend you,” replied the
+German quietly. “But in any case you will wear gloves fitted with the
+finger-prints of a notorious housebreaker. You have little to fear.”
+
+“Oh, I ain’t afraid, gov’nor. All for the good of the cause. The streets
+is going to run with blood, so they say.” He spoke with a grim relish.
+“Dreams of it, sometimes, I does. And diamonds and pearls rolling about
+in the gutter for anyone to pick up!”
+
+Tommy heard a chair shifted. Then Number One spoke:
+
+“Then all is arranged. We are assured of success?”
+
+“I--think so.” But the German spoke with less than his usual confidence.
+
+Number One’s voice held suddenly a dangerous quality:
+
+“What has gone wrong?”
+
+“Nothing; but----”
+
+“But what?”
+
+“The Labour leaders. Without them, as you say, we can do nothing. If
+they do not declare a general strike on the 29th----”
+
+“Why should they not?”
+
+“As you’ve said, they’re honest. And, in spite of everything we’ve
+done to discredit the Government in their eyes, I’m not sure that they
+haven’t got a sneaking faith and belief in it.”
+
+“But----”
+
+“I know. They abuse it unceasingly. But, on the whole, public opinion
+swings to the side of the Government. They will not go against it.”
+
+Again the Russian’s fingers drummed on the table.
+
+“To the point, my friend. I was given to understand that there was a
+certain document in existence which assured success.”
+
+“That is so. If that document were placed before the leaders, the result
+would be immediate. They would publish it broadcast throughout England,
+and declare for the revolution without a moment’s hesitation. The
+Government would be broken finally and completely.”
+
+“Then what more do you want?”
+
+“The document itself,” said the German bluntly.
+
+“Ah! It is not in your possession? But you know where it is?”
+
+“No.”
+
+“Does anyone know where it is?”
+
+“One person--perhaps. And we are not sure of that even.”
+
+“Who is this person?”
+
+“A girl.”
+
+Tommy held his breath.
+
+“A girl?” The Russian’s voice rose contemptuously. “And you have not
+made her speak? In Russia we have ways of making a girl talk.”
+
+“This case is different,” said the German sullenly.
+
+“How--different?” He paused a moment, then went on: “Where is the girl
+now?”
+
+“The girl?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“She is----”
+
+But Tommy heard no more. A crashing blow descended on his head, and all
+was darkness.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX. TUPPENCE ENTERS DOMESTIC SERVICE
+
+WHEN Tommy set forth on the trail of the two men, it took all Tuppence’s
+self-command to refrain from accompanying him. However, she contained
+herself as best she might, consoled by the reflection that her reasoning
+had been justified by events. The two men had undoubtedly come from the
+second floor flat, and that one slender thread of the name “Rita” had
+set the Young Adventurers once more upon the track of the abductors of
+Jane Finn.
+
+The question was what to do next? Tuppence hated letting the grass grow
+under her feet. Tommy was amply employed, and debarred from joining him
+in the chase, the girl felt at a loose end. She retraced her steps
+to the entrance hall of the mansions. It was now tenanted by a small
+lift-boy, who was polishing brass fittings, and whistling the latest air
+with a good deal of vigour and a reasonable amount of accuracy.
+
+He glanced round at Tuppence’s entry. There was a certain amount of the
+gamin element in the girl, at all events she invariably got on well
+with small boys. A sympathetic bond seemed instantly to be formed. She
+reflected that an ally in the enemy’s camp, so to speak, was not to be
+despised.
+
+“Well, William,” she remarked cheerfully, in the best approved
+hospital-early-morning style, “getting a good shine up?”
+
+The boy grinned responsively.
+
+“Albert, miss,” he corrected.
+
+“Albert be it,” said Tuppence. She glanced mysteriously round the hall.
+The effect was purposely a broad one in case Albert should miss it. She
+leaned towards the boy and dropped her voice: “I want a word with you,
+Albert.”
+
+Albert ceased operations on the fittings and opened his mouth slightly.
+
+“Look! Do you know what this is?” With a dramatic gesture she flung back
+the left side of her coat and exposed a small enamelled badge. It was
+extremely unlikely that Albert would have any knowledge of it--indeed,
+it would have been fatal for Tuppence’s plans, since the badge in
+question was the device of a local training corps originated by the
+archdeacon in the early days of the war. Its presence in Tuppence’s coat
+was due to the fact that she had used it for pinning in some flowers a
+day or two before. But Tuppence had sharp eyes, and had noted the corner
+of a threepenny detective novel protruding from Albert’s pocket, and the
+immediate enlargement of his eyes told her that her tactics were good,
+and that the fish would rise to the bait.
+
+“American Detective Force!” she hissed.
+
+Albert fell for it.
+
+“Lord!” he murmured ecstatically.
+
+Tuppence nodded at him with the air of one who has established a
+thorough understanding.
+
+“Know who I’m after?” she inquired genially.
+
+Albert, still round-eyed, demanded breathlessly:
+
+“One of the flats?”
+
+Tuppence nodded and jerked a thumb up the stairs.
+
+“No. 20. Calls herself Vandemeyer. Vandemeyer! Ha! ha!”
+
+Albert’s hand stole to his pocket.
+
+“A crook?” he queried eagerly.
+
+“A crook? I should say so. Ready Rita they call her in the States.”
+
+“Ready Rita,” repeated Albert deliriously. “Oh, ain’t it just like the
+pictures!”
+
+It was. Tuppence was a great frequenter of the cinema.
+
+“Annie always said as how she was a bad lot,” continued the boy.
+
+“Who’s Annie?” inquired Tuppence idly.
+
+“‘Ouse-parlourmaid. She’s leaving to-day. Many’s the time Annie’s said
+to me: ‘Mark my words, Albert, I wouldn’t wonder if the police was to
+come after her one of these days.’ Just like that. But she’s a stunner
+to look at, ain’t she?”
+
+“She’s some peach,” allowed Tuppence carelessly. “Finds it useful in her
+lay-out, you bet. Has she been wearing any of the emeralds, by the way?”
+
+“Emeralds? Them’s the green stones, isn’t they?”
+
+Tuppence nodded.
+
+“That’s what we’re after her for. You know old man Rysdale?”
+
+Albert shook his head.
+
+“Peter B. Rysdale, the oil king?”
+
+“It seems sort of familiar to me.”
+
+“The sparklers belonged to him. Finest collection of emeralds in the
+world. Worth a million dollars!”
+
+“Lumme!” came ecstatically from Albert. “It sounds more like the
+pictures every minute.”
+
+Tuppence smiled, gratified at the success of her efforts.
+
+“We haven’t exactly proved it yet. But we’re after her. And”--she
+produced a long-drawn-out wink--“I guess she won’t get away with the
+goods this time.”
+
+Albert uttered another ejaculation indicative of delight.
+
+“Mind you, sonny, not a word of this,” said Tuppence suddenly. “I guess
+I oughtn’t to have put you wise, but in the States we know a real smart
+lad when we see one.”
+
+“I’ll not breathe a word,” protested Albert eagerly. “Ain’t there
+anything I could do? A bit of shadowing, maybe, or such like?”
+
+Tuppence affected to consider, then shook her head.
+
+“Not at the moment, but I’ll bear you in mind, son. What’s this about
+the girl you say is leaving?”
+
+“Annie? Regular turn up, they ‘ad. As Annie said, servants is some one
+nowadays, and to be treated accordingly, and, what with her passing the
+word round, she won’t find it so easy to get another.”
+
+“Won’t she?” said Tuppence thoughtfully. “I wonder----”
+
+An idea was dawning in her brain. She thought a minute or two, then
+tapped Albert on the shoulder.
+
+“See here, son, my brain’s got busy. How would it be if you mentioned
+that you’d got a young cousin, or a friend of yours had, that might suit
+the place. You get me?”
+
+“I’m there,” said Albert instantly. “You leave it to me, miss, and I’ll
+fix the whole thing up in two ticks.”
+
+“Some lad!” commented Tuppence, with a nod of approval. “You might say
+that the young woman could come in right away. You let me know, and if
+it’s O.K. I’ll be round to-morrow at eleven o’clock.”
+
+“Where am I to let you know to?”
+
+“_Ritz_,” replied Tuppence laconically. “Name of Cowley.”
+
+Albert eyed her enviously.
+
+“It must be a good job, this tec business.”
+
+“It sure is,” drawled Tuppence, “especially when old man Rysdale backs
+the bill. But don’t fret, son. If this goes well, you shall come in on
+the ground floor.”
+
+With which promise she took leave of her new ally, and walked briskly
+away from South Audley Mansions, well pleased with her morning’s work.
+
+But there was no time to be lost. She went straight back to the _Ritz_
+and wrote a few brief words to Mr. Carter. Having dispatched this, and
+Tommy not having yet returned--which did not surprise her--she started
+off on a shopping expedition which, with an interval for tea and
+assorted creamy cakes, occupied her until well after six o’clock, and
+she returned to the hotel jaded, but satisfied with her purchases.
+Starting with a cheap clothing store, and passing through one or two
+second-hand establishments, she had finished the day at a well-known
+hairdresser’s. Now, in the seclusion of her bedroom, she unwrapped
+that final purchase. Five minutes later she smiled contentedly at her
+reflection in the glass. With an actress’s pencil she had slightly
+altered the line of her eyebrows, and that, taken in conjunction with
+the new luxuriant growth of fair hair above, so changed her appearance
+that she felt confident that even if she came face to face with
+Whittington he would not recognize her. She would wear elevators in her
+shoes, and the cap and apron would be an even more valuable disguise.
+From hospital experience she knew only too well that a nurse out of
+uniform is frequently unrecognized by her patients.
+
+“Yes,” said Tuppence aloud, nodding at the pert reflection in the glass,
+“you’ll do.” She then resumed her normal appearance.
+
+Dinner was a solitary meal. Tuppence was rather surprised at Tommy’s
+non-return. Julius, too, was absent--but that to the girl’s mind was
+more easily explained. His “hustling” activities were not confined
+to London, and his abrupt appearances and disappearances were fully
+accepted by the Young Adventurers as part of the day’s work. It
+was quite on the cards that Julius P. Hersheimmer had left for
+Constantinople at a moment’s notice if he fancied that a clue to his
+cousin’s disappearance was to be found there. The energetic young
+man had succeeded in making the lives of several Scotland Yard men
+unbearable to them, and the telephone girls at the Admiralty had learned
+to know and dread the familiar “Hullo!” He had spent three hours in
+Paris hustling the Prefecture, and had returned from there imbued with
+the idea, possibly inspired by a weary French official, that the true
+clue to the mystery was to be found in Ireland.
+
+“I dare say he’s dashed off there now,” thought Tuppence. “All very
+well, but this is very dull for _me!_ Here I am bursting with news, and
+absolutely no one to tell it to! Tommy might have wired, or something. I
+wonder where he is. Anyway, he can’t have ‘lost the trail’ as they say.
+That reminds me----” And Miss Cowley broke off in her meditations, and
+summoned a small boy.
+
+Ten minutes later the lady was ensconced comfortably on her bed,
+smoking cigarettes and deep in the perusal of _Garnaby Williams, the Boy
+Detective_, which, with other threepenny works of lurid fiction, she had
+sent out to purchase. She felt, and rightly, that before the strain
+of attempting further intercourse with Albert, it would be as well to
+fortify herself with a good supply of local colour.
+
+The morning brought a note from Mr. Carter:
+
+“DEAR MISS TUPPENCE,
+
+“You have made a splendid start, and I congratulate you. I feel, though,
+that I should like to point out to you once more the risks you are
+running, especially if you pursue the course you indicate. Those people
+are absolutely desperate and incapable of either mercy or pity. I feel
+that you probably underestimate the danger, and therefore warn you
+again that I can promise you no protection. You have given us valuable
+information, and if you choose to withdraw now no one could blame you.
+At any rate, think the matter over well before you decide.
+
+“If, in spite of my warnings, you make up your mind to go through with
+it, you will find everything arranged. You have lived for two years with
+Miss Dufferin, The Parsonage, Llanelly, and Mrs. Vandemeyer can apply to
+her for a reference.
+
+“May I be permitted a word or two of advice? Stick as near to the truth
+as possible--it minimizes the danger of ‘slips.’ I suggest that you
+should represent yourself to be what you are, a former V.A.D., who has
+chosen domestic service as a profession. There are many such at the
+present time. That explains away any incongruities of voice or manner
+which otherwise might awaken suspicion.
+
+“Whichever way you decide, good luck to you.
+
+“Your sincere friend,
+
+“MR. CARTER.”
+
+Tuppence’s spirits rose mercurially. Mr. Carter’s warnings passed
+unheeded. The young lady had far too much confidence in herself to pay
+any heed to them.
+
+With some reluctance she abandoned the interesting part she had sketched
+out for herself. Although she had no doubts of her own powers to sustain
+a role indefinitely, she had too much common sense not to recognize the
+force of Mr. Carter’s arguments.
+
+There was still no word or message from Tommy, but the morning post
+brought a somewhat dirty postcard with the words: “It’s O.K.” scrawled
+upon it.
+
+At ten-thirty Tuppence surveyed with pride a slightly battered tin trunk
+containing her new possessions. It was artistically corded. It was with
+a slight blush that she rang the bell and ordered it to be placed in a
+taxi. She drove to Paddington, and left the box in the cloak room.
+She then repaired with a handbag to the fastnesses of the ladies’
+waiting-room. Ten minutes later a metamorphosed Tuppence walked demurely
+out of the station and entered a bus.
+
+It was a few minutes past eleven when Tuppence again entered the hall
+of South Audley Mansions. Albert was on the look-out, attending to his
+duties in a somewhat desultory fashion. He did not immediately recognize
+Tuppence. When he did, his admiration was unbounded.
+
+“Blest if I’d have known you! That rig-out’s top-hole.”
+
+“Glad you like it, Albert,” replied Tuppence modestly. “By the way, am I
+your cousin, or am I not?”
+
+“Your voice too,” cried the delighted boy. “It’s as English as anything!
+No, I said as a friend of mine knew a young gal. Annie wasn’t best
+pleased. She’s stopped on till to-day--to oblige, _she_ said, but really
+it’s so as to put you against the place.”
+
+“Nice girl,” said Tuppence.
+
+Albert suspected no irony.
+
+“She’s style about her, and keeps her silver a treat--but, my word,
+ain’t she got a temper. Are you going up now, miss? Step inside the
+lift. No. 20 did you say?” And he winked.
+
+Tuppence quelled him with a stern glance, and stepped inside.
+
+As she rang the bell of No. 20 she was conscious of Albert’s eyes slowly
+descending beneath the level of the floor.
+
+A smart young woman opened the door.
+
+“I’ve come about the place,” said Tuppence.
+
+“It’s a rotten place,” said the young woman without hesitation. “Regular
+old cat--always interfering. Accused me of tampering with her letters.
+Me! The flap was half undone anyway. There’s never anything in the
+waste-paper basket--she burns everything. She’s a wrong ‘un, that’s what
+she is. Swell clothes, but no class. Cook knows something about her--but
+she won’t tell--scared to death of her. And suspicious! She’s on to you
+in a minute if you as much as speak to a fellow. I can tell you----”
+
+But what more Annie could tell, Tuppence was never destined to learn,
+for at that moment a clear voice with a peculiarly steely ring to it
+called:
+
+“Annie!”
+
+The smart young woman jumped as if she had been shot.
+
+“Yes, ma’am.”
+
+“Who are you talking to?”
+
+“It’s a young woman about the situation, ma’am.”
+
+“Show her in then. At once.”
+
+“Yes, ma’am.”
+
+Tuppence was ushered into a room on the right of the long passage. A
+woman was standing by the fireplace. She was no longer in her first
+youth, and the beauty she undeniably possessed was hardened and
+coarsened. In her youth she must have been dazzling. Her pale gold hair,
+owing a slight assistance to art, was coiled low on her neck, her eyes,
+of a piercing electric blue, seemed to possess a faculty of boring into
+the very soul of the person she was looking at. Her exquisite figure was
+enhanced by a wonderful gown of indigo charmeuse. And yet, despite her
+swaying grace, and the almost ethereal beauty of her face, you felt
+instinctively the presence of something hard and menacing, a kind of
+metallic strength that found expression in the tones of her voice and in
+that gimlet-like quality of her eyes.
+
+For the first time Tuppence felt afraid. She had not feared Whittington,
+but this woman was different. As if fascinated, she watched the long
+cruel line of the red curving mouth, and again she felt that sensation
+of panic pass over her. Her usual self-confidence deserted her. Vaguely
+she felt that deceiving this woman would be very different to deceiving
+Whittington. Mr. Carter’s warning recurred to her mind. Here, indeed,
+she might expect no mercy.
+
+Fighting down that instinct of panic which urged her to turn tail and
+run without further delay, Tuppence returned the lady’s gaze firmly and
+respectfully.
+
+As though that first scrutiny had been satisfactory, Mrs. Vandemeyer
+motioned to a chair.
+
+“You can sit down. How did you hear I wanted a house-parlourmaid?”
+
+“Through a friend who knows the lift boy here. He thought the place
+might suit me.”
+
+Again that basilisk glance seemed to pierce her through.
+
+“You speak like an educated girl?”
+
+Glibly enough, Tuppence ran through her imaginary career on the lines
+suggested by Mr. Carter. It seemed to her, as she did so, that the
+tension of Mrs. Vandemeyer’s attitude relaxed.
+
+“I see,” she remarked at length. “Is there anyone I can write to for a
+reference?”
+
+“I lived last with a Miss Dufferin, The Parsonage, Llanelly. I was with
+her two years.”
+
+“And then you thought you would get more money by coming to London,
+I suppose? Well, it doesn’t matter to me. I will give you
+£50--£60--whatever you want. You can come in at once?”
+
+“Yes, ma’am. To-day, if you like. My box is at Paddington.”
+
+“Go and fetch it in a taxi, then. It’s an easy place. I am out a good
+deal. By the way, what’s your name?”
+
+“Prudence Cooper, ma’am.”
+
+“Very well, Prudence. Go away and fetch your box. I shall be out to
+lunch. The cook will show you where everything is.”
+
+“Thank you, ma’am.”
+
+Tuppence withdrew. The smart Annie was not in evidence. In the hall
+below a magnificent hall porter had relegated Albert to the background.
+Tuppence did not even glance at him as she passed meekly out.
+
+The adventure had begun, but she felt less elated than she had done
+earlier in the morning. It crossed her mind that if the unknown Jane
+Finn had fallen into the hands of Mrs. Vandemeyer, it was likely to have
+gone hard with her.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X. ENTER SIR JAMES PEEL EDGERTON
+
+TUPPENCE betrayed no awkwardness in her new duties. The daughters of the
+archdeacon were well grounded in household tasks. They were also experts
+in training a “raw girl,” the inevitable result being that the raw girl,
+once trained, departed elsewhere where her newly acquired knowledge
+commanded a more substantial remuneration than the archdeacon’s meagre
+purse allowed.
+
+Tuppence had therefore very little fear of proving inefficient. Mrs.
+Vandemeyer’s cook puzzled her. She evidently went in deadly terror of
+her mistress. The girl thought it probable that the other woman had some
+hold over her. For the rest, she cooked like a _chef_, as Tuppence had
+an opportunity of judging that evening. Mrs. Vandemeyer was expecting a
+guest to dinner, and Tuppence accordingly laid the beautifully polished
+table for two. She was a little exercised in her own mind as to this
+visitor. It was highly possible that it might prove to be Whittington.
+Although she felt fairly confident that he would not recognize her, yet
+she would have been better pleased had the guest proved to be a total
+stranger. However, there was nothing for it but to hope for the best.
+
+At a few minutes past eight the front door bell rang, and Tuppence went
+to answer it with some inward trepidation. She was relieved to see that
+the visitor was the second of the two men whom Tommy had taken upon
+himself to follow.
+
+He gave his name as Count Stepanov. Tuppence announced him, and Mrs.
+Vandemeyer rose from her seat on a low divan with a quick murmur of
+pleasure.
+
+“It is delightful to see you, Boris Ivanovitch,” she said.
+
+“And you, madame!” He bowed low over her hand.
+
+Tuppence returned to the kitchen.
+
+“Count Stepanov, or some such,” she remarked, and affecting a frank and
+unvarnished curiosity: “Who’s he?”
+
+“A Russian gentleman, I believe.”
+
+“Come here much?”
+
+“Once in a while. What d’you want to know for?”
+
+“Fancied he might be sweet on the missus, that’s all,” explained the
+girl, adding with an appearance of sulkiness: “How you do take one up!”
+
+“I’m not quite easy in my mind about the _soufflé_,” explained the
+other.
+
+“You know something,” thought Tuppence to herself, but aloud she only
+said: “Going to dish up now? Right-o.”
+
+Whilst waiting at table, Tuppence listened closely to all that was said.
+She remembered that this was one of the men Tommy was shadowing when she
+had last seen him. Already, although she would hardly admit it, she was
+becoming uneasy about her partner. Where was he? Why had no word of any
+kind come from him? She had arranged before leaving the _Ritz_ to have
+all letters or messages sent on at once by special messenger to a small
+stationer’s shop near at hand where Albert was to call in frequently.
+True, it was only yesterday morning that she had parted from Tommy, and
+she told herself that any anxiety on his behalf would be absurd. Still,
+it was strange that he had sent no word of any kind.
+
+But, listen as she might, the conversation presented no clue. Boris and
+Mrs. Vandemeyer talked on purely indifferent subjects: plays they had
+seen, new dances, and the latest society gossip. After dinner they
+repaired to the small boudoir where Mrs. Vandemeyer, stretched on the
+divan, looked more wickedly beautiful than ever. Tuppence brought in the
+coffee and liqueurs and unwillingly retired. As she did so, she heard
+Boris say:
+
+“New, isn’t she?”
+
+“She came in to-day. The other was a fiend. This girl seems all right.
+She waits well.”
+
+Tuppence lingered a moment longer by the door which she had carefully
+neglected to close, and heard him say:
+
+“Quite safe, I suppose?”
+
+“Really, Boris, you are absurdly suspicious. I believe she’s the cousin
+of the hall porter, or something of the kind. And nobody even dreams
+that I have any connection with our--mutual friend, Mr. Brown.”
+
+“For heaven’s sake, be careful, Rita. That door isn’t shut.”
+
+“Well, shut it then,” laughed the woman.
+
+Tuppence removed herself speedily.
+
+She dared not absent herself longer from the back premises, but she
+cleared away and washed up with a breathless speed acquired in hospital.
+Then she slipped quietly back to the boudoir door. The cook, more
+leisurely, was still busy in the kitchen and, if she missed the other,
+would only suppose her to be turning down the beds.
+
+Alas! The conversation inside was being carried on in too low a tone
+to permit of her hearing anything of it. She dared not reopen the
+door, however gently. Mrs. Vandemeyer was sitting almost facing it, and
+Tuppence respected her mistress’s lynx-eyed powers of observation.
+
+Nevertheless, she felt she would give a good deal to overhear what was
+going on. Possibly, if anything unforeseen had happened, she might get
+news of Tommy. For some moments she reflected desperately, then her
+face brightened. She went quickly along the passage to Mrs. Vandemeyer’s
+bedroom, which had long French windows leading on to a balcony that ran
+the length of the flat. Slipping quickly through the window, Tuppence
+crept noiselessly along till she reached the boudoir window. As she
+had thought it stood a little ajar, and the voices within were plainly
+audible.
+
+Tuppence listened attentively, but there was no mention of anything
+that could be twisted to apply to Tommy. Mrs. Vandemeyer and the Russian
+seemed to be at variance over some matter, and finally the latter
+exclaimed bitterly:
+
+“With your persistent recklessness, you will end by ruining us!”
+
+“Bah!” laughed the woman. “Notoriety of the right kind is the best way
+of disarming suspicion. You will realize that one of these days--perhaps
+sooner than you think!”
+
+“In the meantime, you are going about everywhere with Peel Edgerton.
+Not only is he, perhaps, the most celebrated K.C. in England, but his
+special hobby is criminology! It is madness!”
+
+“I know that his eloquence has saved untold men from the gallows,” said
+Mrs. Vandemeyer calmly. “What of it? I may need his assistance in that
+line myself some day. If so, how fortunate to have such a friend at
+court--or perhaps it would be more to the point to say _in_ court.”
+
+Boris got up and began striding up and down. He was very excited.
+
+“You are a clever woman, Rita; but you are also a fool! Be guided by me,
+and give up Peel Edgerton.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer shook her head gently.
+
+“I think not.”
+
+“You refuse?” There was an ugly ring in the Russian’s voice.
+
+“I do.”
+
+“Then, by Heaven,” snarled the Russian, “we will see----”
+
+But Mrs. Vandemeyer also rose to her feet, her eyes flashing.
+
+“You forget, Boris,” she said. “I am accountable to no one. I take my
+orders only from--Mr. Brown.”
+
+The other threw up his hands in despair.
+
+“You are impossible,” he muttered. “Impossible! Already it may be too
+late. They say Peel Edgerton can _smell_ a criminal! How do we know what
+is at the bottom of his sudden interest in you? Perhaps even now his
+suspicions are aroused. He guesses----”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer eyed him scornfully.
+
+“Reassure yourself, my dear Boris. He suspects nothing. With less than
+your usual chivalry, you seem to forget that I am commonly accounted a
+beautiful woman. I assure you that is all that interests Peel Edgerton.”
+
+Boris shook his head doubtfully.
+
+“He has studied crime as no other man in this kingdom has studied it. Do
+you fancy that you can deceive him?”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer’s eyes narrowed.
+
+“If he is all that you say--it would amuse me to try!”
+
+“Good heavens, Rita----”
+
+“Besides,” added Mrs. Vandemeyer, “he is extremely rich. I am not one
+who despises money. The ‘sinews of war,’ you know, Boris!”
+
+“Money--money! That is always the danger with you, Rita. I believe you
+would sell your soul for money. I believe----” He paused, then in a
+low, sinister voice he said slowly: “Sometimes I believe that you would
+sell-- _us!_”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
+
+“The price, at any rate, would have to be enormous,” she said lightly.
+“It would be beyond the power of anyone but a millionaire to pay.”
+
+“Ah!” snarled the Russian. “You see, I was right!”
+
+“My dear Boris, can you not take a joke?”
+
+“Was it a joke?”
+
+“Of course.”
+
+“Then all I can say is that your ideas of humour are peculiar, my dear
+Rita.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer smiled.
+
+“Let us not quarrel, Boris. Touch the bell. We will have some drinks.”
+
+Tuppence beat a hasty retreat. She paused a moment to survey herself in
+Mrs. Vandemeyer’s long glass, and be sure that nothing was amiss with
+her appearance. Then she answered the bell demurely.
+
+The conversation that she had overheard, although interesting in that
+it proved beyond doubt the complicity of both Rita and Boris, threw very
+little light on the present preoccupations. The name of Jane Finn had
+not even been mentioned.
+
+The following morning a few brief words with Albert informed her that
+nothing was waiting for her at the stationer’s. It seemed incredible
+that Tommy, if all was well with him, should not send any word to her.
+A cold hand seemed to close round her heart.... Supposing.... She choked
+her fears down bravely. It was no good worrying. But she leapt at a
+chance offered her by Mrs. Vandemeyer.
+
+“What day do you usually go out, Prudence?”
+
+“Friday’s my usual day, ma’am.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer lifted her eyebrows.
+
+“And to-day is Friday! But I suppose you hardly wish to go out to-day,
+as you only came yesterday.”
+
+“I was thinking of asking you if I might, ma’am.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer looked at her a minute longer, and then smiled.
+
+“I wish Count Stepanov could hear you. He made a suggestion about
+you last night.” Her smile broadened, catlike. “Your request is
+very--typical. I am satisfied. You do not understand all this--but
+you can go out to-day. It makes no difference to me, as I shall not be
+dining at home.”
+
+“Thank you, ma’am.”
+
+Tuppence felt a sensation of relief once she was out of the other’s
+presence. Once again she admitted to herself that she was afraid,
+horribly afraid, of the beautiful woman with the cruel eyes.
+
+In the midst of a final desultory polishing of her silver, Tuppence was
+disturbed by the ringing of the front door bell, and went to answer it.
+This time the visitor was neither Whittington nor Boris, but a man of
+striking appearance.
+
+Just a shade over average height, he nevertheless conveyed the
+impression of a big man. His face, clean-shaven and exquisitely mobile,
+was stamped with an expression of power and force far beyond the
+ordinary. Magnetism seemed to radiate from him.
+
+Tuppence was undecided for the moment whether to put him down as an
+actor or a lawyer, but her doubts were soon solved as he gave her his
+name: Sir James Peel Edgerton.
+
+She looked at him with renewed interest. This, then, was the famous K.C.
+whose name was familiar all over England. She had heard it said that he
+might one day be Prime Minister. He was known to have refused office in
+the interests of his profession, preferring to remain a simple Member
+for a Scotch constituency.
+
+Tuppence went back to her pantry thoughtfully. The great man had
+impressed her. She understood Boris’s agitation. Peel Edgerton would not
+be an easy man to deceive.
+
+In about a quarter of an hour the bell rang, and Tuppence repaired to
+the hall to show the visitor out. He had given her a piercing glance
+before. Now, as she handed him his hat and stick, she was conscious of
+his eyes raking her through. As she opened the door and stood aside to
+let him pass out, he stopped in the doorway.
+
+“Not been doing this long, eh?”
+
+Tuppence raised her eyes, astonished. She read in his glance kindliness,
+and something else more difficult to fathom.
+
+He nodded as though she had answered.
+
+“V.A.D. and hard up, I suppose?”
+
+“Did Mrs. Vandemeyer tell you that?” asked Tuppence suspiciously.
+
+“No, child. The look of you told me. Good place here?”
+
+“Very good, thank you, sir.”
+
+“Ah, but there are plenty of good places nowadays. And a change does no
+harm sometimes.”
+
+“Do you mean----?” began Tuppence.
+
+But Sir James was already on the topmost stair. He looked back with his
+kindly, shrewd glance.
+
+“Just a hint,” he said. “That’s all.”
+
+Tuppence went back to the pantry more thoughtful than ever.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI. JULIUS TELLS A STORY
+
+DRESSED appropriately, Tuppence duly sallied forth for her “afternoon
+out.” Albert was in temporary abeyance, but Tuppence went herself to the
+stationer’s to make quite sure that nothing had come for her. Satisfied
+on this point, she made her way to the _Ritz_. On inquiry she learnt
+that Tommy had not yet returned. It was the answer she had expected, but
+it was another nail in the coffin of her hopes. She resolved to appeal
+to Mr. Carter, telling him when and where Tommy had started on his
+quest, and asking him to do something to trace him. The prospect of
+his aid revived her mercurial spirits, and she next inquired for Julius
+Hersheimmer. The reply she got was to the effect that he had returned
+about half an hour ago, but had gone out immediately.
+
+Tuppence’s spirits revived still more. It would be something to see
+Julius. Perhaps he could devise some plan for finding out what
+had become of Tommy. She wrote her note to Mr. Carter in Julius’s
+sitting-room, and was just addressing the envelope when the door burst
+open.
+
+“What the hell----” began Julius, but checked himself abruptly. “I beg
+your pardon, Miss Tuppence. Those fools down at the office would have it
+that Beresford wasn’t here any longer--hadn’t been here since Wednesday.
+Is that so?”
+
+Tuppence nodded.
+
+“You don’t know where he is?” she asked faintly.
+
+“I? How should I know? I haven’t had one darned word from him, though I
+wired him yesterday morning.”
+
+“I expect your wire’s at the office unopened.”
+
+“But where is he?”
+
+“I don’t know. I hoped you might.”
+
+“I tell you I haven’t had one darned word from him since we parted at
+the depot on Wednesday.”
+
+“What depot?”
+
+“Waterloo. Your London and South Western road.”
+
+“Waterloo?” frowned Tuppence.
+
+“Why, yes. Didn’t he tell you?”
+
+“I haven’t seen him either,” replied Tuppence impatiently. “Go on about
+Waterloo. What were you doing there?”
+
+“He gave me a call. Over the phone. Told me to get a move on, and
+hustle. Said he was trailing two crooks.”
+
+“Oh!” said Tuppence, her eyes opening. “I see. Go on.”
+
+“I hurried along right away. Beresford was there. He pointed out the
+crooks. The big one was mine, the guy you bluffed. Tommy shoved a ticket
+into my hand and told me to get aboard the cars. He was going to sleuth
+the other crook.” Julius paused. “I thought for sure you’d know all
+this.”
+
+“Julius,” said Tuppence firmly, “stop walking up and down. It makes me
+giddy. Sit down in that armchair, and tell me the whole story with as
+few fancy turns of speech as possible.”
+
+Mr. Hersheimmer obeyed.
+
+“Sure,” he said. “Where shall I begin?”
+
+“Where you left off. At Waterloo.”
+
+“Well,” began Julius, “I got into one of your dear old-fashioned
+first-class British compartments. The train was just off. First thing I
+knew a guard came along and informed me mighty politely that I wasn’t
+in a smoking-carriage. I handed him out half a dollar, and that settled
+that. I did a bit of prospecting along the corridor to the next coach.
+Whittington was there right enough. When I saw the skunk, with his big
+sleek fat face, and thought of poor little Jane in his clutches, I felt
+real mad that I hadn’t got a gun with me. I’d have tickled him up some.
+
+“We got to Bournemouth all right. Whittington took a cab and gave the
+name of an hotel. I did likewise, and we drove up within three minutes
+of each other. He hired a room, and I hired one too. So far it was all
+plain sailing. He hadn’t the remotest notion that anyone was on to him.
+Well, he just sat around in the hotel lounge, reading the papers and so
+on, till it was time for dinner. He didn’t hurry any over that either.
+
+“I began to think that there was nothing doing, that he’d just come on
+the trip for his health, but I remembered that he hadn’t changed for
+dinner, though it was by way of being a slap-up hotel, so it seemed
+likely enough that he’d be going out on his real business afterwards.
+
+“Sure enough, about nine o’clock, so he did. Took a car across the
+town--mighty pretty place by the way, I guess I’ll take Jane there for
+a spell when I find her--and then paid it off and struck out along those
+pine-woods on the top of the cliff. I was there too, you understand.
+We walked, maybe, for half an hour. There’s a lot of villas all the way
+along, but by degrees they seemed to get more and more thinned out, and
+in the end we got to one that seemed the last of the bunch. Big house it
+was, with a lot of piny grounds around it.
+
+“It was a pretty black night, and the carriage drive up to the house was
+dark as pitch. I could hear him ahead, though I couldn’t see him. I
+had to walk carefully in case he might get on to it that he was being
+followed. I turned a curve and I was just in time to see him ring the
+bell and get admitted to the house. I just stopped where I was. It was
+beginning to rain, and I was soon pretty near soaked through. Also, it
+was almighty cold.
+
+“Whittington didn’t come out again, and by and by I got kind of restive,
+and began to mouch around. All the ground floor windows were shuttered
+tight, but upstairs, on the first floor (it was a two-storied house) I
+noticed a window with a light burning and the curtains not drawn.
+
+“Now, just opposite to that window, there was a tree growing. It was
+about thirty foot away from the house, maybe, and I sort of got it into
+my head that, if I climbed up that tree, I’d very likely be able to see
+into that room. Of course, I knew there was no reason why Whittington
+should be in that room rather than in any other--less reason, in fact,
+for the betting would be on his being in one of the reception-rooms
+downstairs. But I guess I’d got the hump from standing so long in the
+rain, and anything seemed better than going on doing nothing. So I
+started up.
+
+“It wasn’t so easy, by a long chalk! The rain had made the boughs mighty
+slippery, and it was all I could do to keep a foothold, but bit by bit I
+managed it, until at last there I was level with the window.
+
+“But then I was disappointed. I was too far to the left. I could only
+see sideways into the room. A bit of curtain, and a yard of wallpaper
+was all I could command. Well, that wasn’t any manner of good to me, but
+just as I was going to give it up, and climb down ignominiously, some
+one inside moved and threw his shadow on my little bit of wall--and, by
+gum, it was Whittington!
+
+“After that, my blood was up. I’d just _got_ to get a look into that
+room. It was up to me to figure out how. I noticed that there was a long
+branch running out from the tree in the right direction. If I could only
+swarm about half-way along it, the proposition would be solved. But it
+was mighty uncertain whether it would bear my weight. I decided I’d
+just got to risk that, and I started. Very cautiously, inch by inch, I
+crawled along. The bough creaked and swayed in a nasty fashion, and it
+didn’t do to think of the drop below, but at last I got safely to where
+I wanted to be.
+
+“The room was medium-sized, furnished in a kind of bare hygienic way.
+There was a table with a lamp on it in the middle of the room, and
+sitting at that table, facing towards me, was Whittington right enough.
+He was talking to a woman dressed as a hospital nurse. She was sitting
+with her back to me, so I couldn’t see her face. Although the blinds
+were up, the window itself was shut, so I couldn’t catch a word of what
+they said. Whittington seemed to be doing all the talking, and the nurse
+just listened. Now and then she nodded, and sometimes she’d shake
+her head, as though she were answering questions. He seemed very
+emphatic--once or twice he beat with his fist on the table. The rain had
+stopped now, and the sky was clearing in that sudden way it does.
+
+“Presently, he seemed to get to the end of what he was saying. He got
+up, and so did she. He looked towards the window and asked something--I
+guess it was whether it was raining. Anyway, she came right across and
+looked out. Just then the moon came out from behind the clouds. I
+was scared the woman would catch sight of me, for I was full in the
+moonlight. I tried to move back a bit. The jerk I gave was too much for
+that rotten old branch. With an almighty crash, down it came, and Julius
+P. Hersheimmer with it!”
+
+“Oh, Julius,” breathed Tuppence, “how exciting! Go on.”
+
+“Well, luckily for me, I pitched down into a good soft bed of earth--but
+it put me out of action for the time, sure enough. The next thing I
+knew, I was lying in bed with a hospital nurse (not Whittington’s one)
+on one side of me, and a little black-bearded man with gold glasses,
+and medical man written all over him, on the other. He rubbed his hands
+together, and raised his eyebrows as I stared at him. ‘Ah!’ he said. ‘So
+our young friend is coming round again. Capital. Capital.’
+
+“I did the usual stunt. Said: ‘What’s happened?’ And ‘Where am I?’ But
+I knew the answer to the last well enough. There’s no moss growing on
+my brain. ‘I think that’ll do for the present, sister,’ said the little
+man, and the nurse left the room in a sort of brisk well-trained way.
+But I caught her handing me out a look of deep curiosity as she passed
+through the door.
+
+“That look of hers gave me an idea. ‘Now then, doc,’ I said, and tried
+to sit up in bed, but my right foot gave me a nasty twinge as I did so.
+‘A slight sprain,’ explained the doctor. ‘Nothing serious. You’ll be
+about again in a couple of days.’”
+
+“I noticed you walked lame,” interpolated Tuppence.
+
+Julius nodded, and continued:
+
+“‘How did it happen?’ I asked again. He replied dryly. ‘You fell, with
+a considerable portion of one of my trees, into one of my newly planted
+flower-beds.’
+
+“I liked the man. He seemed to have a sense of humour. I felt sure that
+he, at least, was plumb straight. ‘Sure, doc,’ I said, ‘I’m sorry about
+the tree, and I guess the new bulbs will be on me. But perhaps you’d
+like to know what I was doing in your garden?’ ‘I think the facts do
+call for an explanation,’ he replied. ‘Well, to begin with, I wasn’t
+after the spoons.’
+
+“He smiled. ‘My first theory. But I soon altered my mind. By the way,
+you are an American, are you not?’ I told him my name. ‘And you?’ ‘I am
+Dr. Hall, and this, as you doubtless know, is my private nursing home.’
+
+“I didn’t know, but I wasn’t going to put him wise. I was just thankful
+for the information. I liked the man, and I felt he was straight, but
+I wasn’t going to give him the whole story. For one thing he probably
+wouldn’t have believed it.
+
+“I made up my mind in a flash. ‘Why, doctor,’ I said, ‘I guess I feel
+an almighty fool, but I owe it to you to let you know that it wasn’t
+the Bill Sikes business I was up to.’ Then I went on and mumbled out
+something about a girl. I trotted out the stern guardian business, and a
+nervous breakdown, and finally explained that I had fancied I recognized
+her among the patients at the home, hence my nocturnal adventures. I
+guess it was just the kind of story he was expecting. ‘Quite a romance,’
+he said genially, when I’d finished. ‘Now, doc,’ I went on, ‘will you
+be frank with me? Have you here now, or have you had here at any time,
+a young girl called Jane Finn?’ He repeated the name thoughtfully. ‘Jane
+Finn?’ he said. ‘No.’
+
+“I was chagrined, and I guess I showed it. ‘You are sure?’ ‘Quite sure,
+Mr. Hersheimmer. It is an uncommon name, and I should not have been
+likely to forget it.’
+
+“Well, that was flat. It laid me out for a space. I’d kind of hoped
+my search was at an end. ‘That’s that,’ I said at last. ‘Now, there’s
+another matter. When I was hugging that darned branch I thought I
+recognized an old friend of mine talking to one of your nurses.’ I
+purposely didn’t mention any name because, of course, Whittington might
+be calling himself something quite different down here, but the doctor
+answered at once. ‘Mr. Whittington, perhaps?’ ‘That’s the fellow,’ I
+replied. ‘What’s he doing down here? Don’t tell me _his_ nerves are out
+of order?’
+
+“Dr. Hall laughed. ‘No. He came down to see one of my nurses, Nurse
+Edith, who is a niece of his.’ ‘Why, fancy that!’ I exclaimed. ‘Is he
+still here?’ ‘No, he went back to town almost immediately.’ ‘What a
+pity!’ I ejaculated. ‘But perhaps I could speak to his niece--Nurse
+Edith, did you say her name was?’
+
+“But the doctor shook his head. ‘I’m afraid that, too, is impossible.
+Nurse Edith left with a patient to-night also.’ ‘I seem to be real
+unlucky,’ I remarked. ‘Have you Mr. Whittington’s address in town?
+I guess I’d like to look him up when I get back.’ ‘I don’t know his
+address. I can write to Nurse Edith for it if you like.’ I thanked him.
+‘Don’t say who it is wants it. I’d like to give him a little surprise.’
+
+“That was about all I could do for the moment. Of course, if the girl
+was really Whittington’s niece, she might be too cute to fall into the
+trap, but it was worth trying. Next thing I did was to write out a wire
+to Beresford saying where I was, and that I was laid up with a sprained
+foot, and telling him to come down if he wasn’t busy. I had to be
+guarded in what I said. However, I didn’t hear from him, and my foot
+soon got all right. It was only ricked, not really sprained, so to-day I
+said good-bye to the little doctor chap, asked him to send me word if
+he heard from Nurse Edith, and came right away back to town. Say, Miss
+Tuppence, you’re looking mighty pale!”
+
+“It’s Tommy,” said Tuppence. “What can have happened to him?”
+
+“Buck up, I guess he’s all right really. Why shouldn’t he be? See here,
+it was a foreign-looking guy he went off after. Maybe they’ve gone
+abroad--to Poland, or something like that?”
+
+Tuppence shook her head.
+
+“He couldn’t without passports and things. Besides I’ve seen that man,
+Boris Something, since. He dined with Mrs. Vandemeyer last night.”
+
+“Mrs. Who?”
+
+“I forgot. Of course you don’t know all that.”
+
+“I’m listening,” said Julius, and gave vent to his favourite expression.
+“Put me wise.”
+
+Tuppence thereupon related the events of the last two days. Julius’s
+astonishment and admiration were unbounded.
+
+“Bully for you! Fancy you a menial. It just tickles me to death!” Then
+he added seriously: “But say now, I don’t like it, Miss Tuppence, I sure
+don’t. You’re just as plucky as they make ‘em, but I wish you’d keep
+right out of this. These crooks we’re up against would as soon croak a
+girl as a man any day.”
+
+“Do you think I’m afraid?” said Tuppence indignantly, valiantly
+repressing memories of the steely glitter in Mrs. Vandemeyer’s eyes.
+
+“I said before you were darned plucky. But that doesn’t alter facts.”
+
+“Oh, bother _me!_” said Tuppence impatiently. “Let’s think about what
+can have happened to Tommy. I’ve written to Mr. Carter about it,” she
+added, and told him the gist of her letter.
+
+Julius nodded gravely.
+
+“I guess that’s good as far as it goes. But it’s for us to get busy and
+do something.”
+
+“What can we do?” asked Tuppence, her spirits rising.
+
+“I guess we’d better get on the track of Boris. You say he’s been to
+your place. Is he likely to come again?”
+
+“He might. I really don’t know.”
+
+“I see. Well, I guess I’d better buy a car, a slap-up one, dress as a
+chauffeur and hang about outside. Then if Boris comes, you could make
+some kind of signal, and I’d trail him. How’s that?”
+
+“Splendid, but he mightn’t come for weeks.”
+
+“We’ll have to chance that. I’m glad you like the plan.” He rose.
+
+“Where are you going?”
+
+“To buy the car, of course,” replied Julius, surprised. “What make do
+you like? I guess you’ll do some riding in it before we’ve finished.”
+
+“Oh,” said Tuppence faintly, “I _like_ Rolls-Royces, but----”
+
+“Sure,” agreed Julius. “What you say goes. I’ll get one.”
+
+“But you can’t at once,” cried Tuppence. “People wait ages sometimes.”
+
+“Little Julius doesn’t,” affirmed Mr. Hersheimmer. “Don’t you worry any.
+I’ll be round in the car in half an hour.”
+
+Tuppence got up.
+
+“You’re awfully good, Julius. But I can’t help feeling that it’s rather
+a forlorn hope. I’m really pinning my faith to Mr. Carter.”
+
+“Then I shouldn’t.”
+
+“Why?”
+
+“Just an idea of mine.”
+
+“Oh; but he must do something. There’s no one else. By the way, I forgot
+to tell you of a queer thing that happened this morning.”
+
+And she narrated her encounter with Sir James Peel Edgerton. Julius was
+interested.
+
+“What did the guy mean, do you think?” he asked.
+
+“I don’t quite know,” said Tuppence meditatively. “But I think that, in
+an ambiguous, legal, without prejudishish lawyer’s way, he was trying to
+warn me.”
+
+“Why should he?”
+
+“I don’t know,” confessed Tuppence. “But he looked kind, and
+simply awfully clever. I wouldn’t mind going to him and telling him
+everything.”
+
+Somewhat to her surprise, Julius negatived the idea sharply.
+
+“See here,” he said, “we don’t want any lawyers mixed up in this. That
+guy couldn’t help us any.”
+
+“Well, I believe he could,” reiterated Tuppence obstinately.
+
+“Don’t you think it. So long. I’ll be back in half an hour.”
+
+Thirty-five minutes had elapsed when Julius returned. He took Tuppence
+by the arm, and walked her to the window.
+
+“There she is.”
+
+“Oh!” said Tuppence with a note of reverence in her voice, as she gazed
+down at the enormous car.
+
+“She’s some pace-maker, I can tell you,” said Julius complacently.
+
+“How did you get it?” gasped Tuppence.
+
+“She was just being sent home to some bigwig.”
+
+“Well?”
+
+“I went round to his house,” said Julius. “I said that I reckoned a car
+like that was worth every penny of twenty thousand dollars. Then I told
+him that it was worth just about fifty thousand dollars to me if he’d
+get out.”
+
+“Well?” said Tuppence, intoxicated.
+
+“Well,” returned Julius, “he got out, that’s all.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII. A FRIEND IN NEED
+
+FRIDAY and Saturday passed uneventfully. Tuppence had received a brief
+answer to her appeal from Mr. Carter. In it he pointed out that the
+Young Adventurers had undertaken the work at their own risk, and had
+been fully warned of the dangers. If anything had happened to Tommy he
+regretted it deeply, but he could do nothing.
+
+This was cold comfort. Somehow, without Tommy, all the savour went out
+of the adventure, and, for the first time, Tuppence felt doubtful of
+success. While they had been together she had never questioned it for
+a minute. Although she was accustomed to take the lead, and to pride
+herself on her quick-wittedness, in reality she had relied upon Tommy
+more than she realized at the time. There was something so eminently
+sober and clear-headed about him, his common sense and soundness of
+vision were so unvarying, that without him Tuppence felt much like a
+rudderless ship. It was curious that Julius, who was undoubtedly much
+cleverer than Tommy, did not give her the same feeling of support. She
+had accused Tommy of being a pessimist, and it is certain that he
+always saw the disadvantages and difficulties which she herself was
+optimistically given to overlooking, but nevertheless she had really
+relied a good deal on his judgment. He might be slow, but he was very
+sure.
+
+It seemed to the girl that, for the first time, she realized the
+sinister character of the mission they had undertaken so lightheartedly.
+It had begun like a page of romance. Now, shorn of its glamour, it
+seemed to be turning to grim reality. Tommy--that was all that mattered.
+Many times in the day Tuppence blinked the tears out of her eyes
+resolutely. “Little fool,” she would apostrophize herself, “don’t
+snivel. Of course you’re fond of him. You’ve known him all your life.
+But there’s no need to be sentimental about it.”
+
+In the meantime, nothing more was seen of Boris. He did not come to the
+flat, and Julius and the car waited in vain. Tuppence gave herself over
+to new meditations. Whilst admitting the truth of Julius’s objections,
+she had nevertheless not entirely relinquished the idea of appealing to
+Sir James Peel Edgerton. Indeed, she had gone so far as to look up his
+address in the _Red Book_. Had he meant to warn her that day? If so,
+why? Surely she was at least entitled to demand an explanation. He had
+looked at her so kindly. Perhaps he might tell them something concerning
+Mrs. Vandemeyer which might lead to a clue to Tommy’s whereabouts.
+
+Anyway, Tuppence decided, with her usual shake of the shoulders, it was
+worth trying, and try it she would. Sunday was her afternoon out. She
+would meet Julius, persuade him to her point of view, and they would
+beard the lion in his den.
+
+When the day arrived Julius needed a considerable amount of persuading,
+but Tuppence held firm. “It can do no harm,” was what she always came
+back to. In the end Julius gave in, and they proceeded in the car to
+Carlton House Terrace.
+
+The door was opened by an irreproachable butler. Tuppence felt a little
+nervous. After all, perhaps it _was_ colossal cheek on her part. She
+had decided not to ask if Sir James was “at home,” but to adopt a more
+personal attitude.
+
+“Will you ask Sir James if I can see him for a few minutes? I have an
+important message for him.”
+
+The butler retired, returning a moment or two later.
+
+“Sir James will see you. Will you step this way?”
+
+He ushered them into a room at the back of the house, furnished as a
+library. The collection of books was a magnificent one, and Tuppence
+noticed that all one wall was devoted to works on crime and criminology.
+There were several deep-padded leather arm-chairs, and an old-fashioned
+open hearth. In the window was a big roll-top desk strewn with papers at
+which the master of the house was sitting.
+
+He rose as they entered.
+
+“You have a message for me? Ah”--he recognized Tuppence with a
+smile--“it’s you, is it? Brought a message from Mrs. Vandemeyer, I
+suppose?”
+
+“Not exactly,” said Tuppence. “In fact, I’m afraid I only said that to
+be quite sure of getting in. Oh, by the way, this is Mr. Hersheimmer,
+Sir James Peel Edgerton.”
+
+“Pleased to meet you,” said the American, shooting out a hand.
+
+“Won’t you both sit down?” asked Sir James. He drew forward two chairs.
+
+“Sir James,” said Tuppence, plunging boldly, “I dare say you will think
+it is most awful cheek of me coming here like this. Because, of course,
+it’s nothing whatever to do with you, and then you’re a very important
+person, and of course Tommy and I are very unimportant.” She paused for
+breath.
+
+“Tommy?” queried Sir James, looking across at the American.
+
+“No, that’s Julius,” explained Tuppence. “I’m rather nervous, and that
+makes me tell it badly. What I really want to know is what you meant by
+what you said to me the other day? Did you mean to warn me against Mrs.
+Vandemeyer? You did, didn’t you?”
+
+“My dear young lady, as far as I recollect I only mentioned that there
+were equally good situations to be obtained elsewhere.”
+
+“Yes, I know. But it was a hint, wasn’t it?”
+
+“Well, perhaps it was,” admitted Sir James gravely.
+
+“Well, I want to know more. I want to know just _why_ you gave me a
+hint.”
+
+Sir James smiled at her earnestness.
+
+“Suppose the lady brings a libel action against me for defamation of
+character?”
+
+“Of course,” said Tuppence. “I know lawyers are always dreadfully
+careful. But can’t we say ‘without prejudice’ first, and then say just
+what we want to.”
+
+“Well,” said Sir James, still smiling, “without prejudice, then, if I
+had a young sister forced to earn her living, I should not like to see
+her in Mrs. Vandemeyer’s service. I felt it incumbent on me just to give
+you a hint. It is no place for a young and inexperienced girl. That is
+all I can tell you.”
+
+“I see,” said Tuppence thoughtfully. “Thank you very much. But I’m not
+_really_ inexperienced, you know. I knew perfectly that she was a bad
+lot when I went there--as a matter of fact that’s _why_ I went----” She
+broke off, seeing some bewilderment on the lawyer’s face, and went on:
+“I think perhaps I’d better tell you the whole story, Sir James. I’ve a
+sort of feeling that you’d know in a minute if I didn’t tell the truth,
+and so you might as well know all about it from the beginning. What do
+you think, Julius?”
+
+“As you’re bent on it, I’d go right ahead with the facts,” replied the
+American, who had so far sat in silence.
+
+“Yes, tell me all about it,” said Sir James. “I want to know who Tommy
+is.”
+
+Thus encouraged Tuppence plunged into her tale, and the lawyer listened
+with close attention.
+
+“Very interesting,” he said, when she finished. “A great deal of what
+you tell me, child, is already known to me. I’ve had certain theories
+of my own about this Jane Finn. You’ve done extraordinarily well so
+far, but it’s rather too bad of--what do you know him as?--Mr. Carter to
+pitchfork you two young things into an affair of this kind. By the
+way, where did Mr. Hersheimmer come in originally? You didn’t make that
+clear?”
+
+Julius answered for himself.
+
+“I’m Jane’s first cousin,” he explained, returning the lawyer’s keen
+gaze.
+
+“Ah!”
+
+“Oh, Sir James,” broke out Tuppence, “what do you think has become of
+Tommy?”
+
+“H’m.” The lawyer rose, and paced slowly up and down. “When you arrived,
+young lady, I was just packing up my traps. Going to Scotland by the
+night train for a few days’ fishing. But there are different kinds of
+fishing. I’ve a good mind to stay, and see if we can’t get on the track
+of that young chap.”
+
+“Oh!” Tuppence clasped her hands ecstatically.
+
+“All the same, as I said before, it’s too bad of--of Carter to set you
+two babies on a job like this. Now, don’t get offended, Miss--er----”
+
+“Cowley. Prudence Cowley. But my friends call me Tuppence.”
+
+“Well, Miss Tuppence, then, as I’m certainly going to be a friend. Don’t
+be offended because I think you’re young. Youth is a failing only too
+easily outgrown. Now, about this young Tommy of yours----”
+
+“Yes.” Tuppence clasped her hands.
+
+“Frankly, things look bad for him. He’s been butting in somewhere where
+he wasn’t wanted. Not a doubt of it. But don’t give up hope.”
+
+“And you really will help us? There, Julius! He didn’t want me to come,”
+ she added by way of explanation.
+
+“H’m,” said the lawyer, favouring Julius with another keen glance. “And
+why was that?”
+
+“I reckoned it would be no good worrying you with a petty little
+business like this.”
+
+“I see.” He paused a moment. “This petty little business, as you call
+it, bears directly on a very big business, bigger perhaps than either
+you or Miss Tuppence know. If this boy is alive, he may have very
+valuable information to give us. Therefore, we must find him.”
+
+“Yes, but how?” cried Tuppence. “I’ve tried to think of everything.”
+
+Sir James smiled.
+
+“And yet there’s one person quite near at hand who in all probability
+knows where he is, or at all events where he is likely to be.”
+
+“Who is that?” asked Tuppence, puzzled.
+
+“Mrs. Vandemeyer.”
+
+“Yes, but she’d never tell us.”
+
+“Ah, that is where I come in. I think it quite likely that I shall be
+able to make Mrs. Vandemeyer tell me what I want to know.”
+
+“How?” demanded Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide.
+
+“Oh, just by asking her questions,” replied Sir James easily. “That’s
+the way we do it, you know.”
+
+He tapped with his finger on the table, and Tuppence felt again the
+intense power that radiated from the man.
+
+“And if she won’t tell?” asked Julius suddenly.
+
+“I think she will. I have one or two powerful levers. Still, in that
+unlikely event, there is always the possibility of bribery.”
+
+“Sure. And that’s where I come in!” cried Julius, bringing his fist down
+on the table with a bang. “You can count on me, if necessary, for one
+million dollars. Yes, sir, one million dollars!”
+
+Sir James sat down and subjected Julius to a long scrutiny.
+
+“Mr. Hersheimmer,” he said at last, “that is a very large sum.”
+
+“I guess it’ll have to be. These aren’t the kind of folk to offer
+sixpence to.”
+
+“At the present rate of exchange it amounts to considerably over two
+hundred and fifty thousand pounds.”
+
+“That’s so. Maybe you think I’m talking through my hat, but I can
+deliver the goods all right, with enough over to spare for your fee.”
+
+Sir James flushed slightly.
+
+“There is no question of a fee, Mr. Hersheimmer. I am not a private
+detective.”
+
+“Sorry. I guess I was just a mite hasty, but I’ve been feeling bad about
+this money question. I wanted to offer a big reward for news of Jane
+some days ago, but your crusted institution of Scotland Yard advised me
+against it. Said it was undesirable.”
+
+“They were probably right,” said Sir James dryly.
+
+“But it’s all O.K. about Julius,” put in Tuppence. “He’s not pulling
+your leg. He’s got simply pots of money.”
+
+“The old man piled it up in style,” explained Julius. “Now, let’s get
+down to it. What’s your idea?”
+
+Sir James considered for a moment or two.
+
+“There is no time to be lost. The sooner we strike the better.” He
+turned to Tuppence. “Is Mrs. Vandemeyer dining out to-night, do you
+know?”
+
+“Yes, I think so, but she will not be out late. Otherwise, she would
+have taken the latchkey.”
+
+“Good. I will call upon her about ten o’clock. What time are you
+supposed to return?”
+
+“About nine-thirty or ten, but I could go back earlier.”
+
+“You must not do that on any account. It might arouse suspicion if you
+did not stay out till the usual time. Be back by nine-thirty. I will
+arrive at ten. Mr. Hersheimmer will wait below in a taxi perhaps.”
+
+“He’s got a new Rolls-Royce car,” said Tuppence with vicarious pride.
+
+“Even better. If I succeed in obtaining the address from her, we can
+go there at once, taking Mrs. Vandemeyer with us if necessary. You
+understand?”
+
+“Yes.” Tuppence rose to her feet with a skip of delight. “Oh, I feel so
+much better!”
+
+“Don’t build on it too much, Miss Tuppence. Go easy.”
+
+Julius turned to the lawyer.
+
+“Say, then. I’ll call for you in the car round about nine-thirty. Is
+that right?”
+
+“Perhaps that will be the best plan. It would be unnecessary to have two
+cars waiting about. Now, Miss Tuppence, my advice to you is to go and
+have a good dinner, a _really_ good one, mind. And don’t think ahead
+more than you can help.”
+
+He shook hands with them both, and a moment later they were outside.
+
+“Isn’t he a duck?” inquired Tuppence ecstatically, as she skipped down
+the steps. “Oh, Julius, isn’t he just a duck?”
+
+“Well, I allow he seems to be the goods all right. And I was wrong about
+its being useless to go to him. Say, shall we go right away back to the
+_Ritz?_”
+
+“I must walk a bit, I think. I feel so excited. Drop me in the park,
+will you? Unless you’d like to come too?”
+
+“I want to get some petrol,” he explained. “And send off a cable or
+two.”
+
+“All right. I’ll meet you at the _Ritz_ at seven. We’ll have to dine
+upstairs. I can’t show myself in these glad rags.”
+
+“Sure. I’ll get Felix help me choose the menu. He’s some head waiter,
+that. So long.”
+
+Tuppence walked briskly along towards the Serpentine, first glancing at
+her watch. It was nearly six o’clock. She remembered that she had had no
+tea, but felt too excited to be conscious of hunger. She walked as
+far as Kensington Gardens and then slowly retraced her steps, feeling
+infinitely better for the fresh air and exercise. It was not so easy to
+follow Sir James’s advice, and put the possible events of the evening
+out of her head. As she drew nearer and nearer to Hyde Park corner, the
+temptation to return to South Audley Mansions was almost irresistible.
+
+At any rate, she decided, it would do no harm just to go and _look_
+at the building. Perhaps, then, she could resign herself to waiting
+patiently for ten o’clock.
+
+South Audley Mansions looked exactly the same as usual. What Tuppence
+had expected she hardly knew, but the sight of its red brick stolidity
+slightly assuaged the growing and entirely unreasonable uneasiness
+that possessed her. She was just turning away when she heard a piercing
+whistle, and the faithful Albert came running from the building to join
+her.
+
+Tuppence frowned. It was no part of the programme to have attention
+called to her presence in the neighbourhood, but Albert was purple with
+suppressed excitement.
+
+“I say, miss, she’s a-going!”
+
+“Who’s going?” demanded Tuppence sharply.
+
+“The crook. Ready Rita. Mrs. Vandemeyer. She’s a-packing up, and she’s
+just sent down word for me to get her a taxi.”
+
+“What?” Tuppence clutched his arm.
+
+“It’s the truth, miss. I thought maybe as you didn’t know about it.”
+
+“Albert,” cried Tuppence, “you’re a brick. If it hadn’t been for you
+we’d have lost her.”
+
+Albert flushed with pleasure at this tribute.
+
+“There’s no time to lose,” said Tuppence, crossing the road. “I’ve got
+to stop her. At all costs I must keep her here until----” She broke off.
+“Albert, there’s a telephone here, isn’t there?”
+
+The boy shook his head.
+
+“The flats mostly have their own, miss. But there’s a box just round the
+corner.”
+
+“Go to it then, at once, and ring up the _Ritz Hotel_. Ask for Mr.
+Hersheimmer, and when you get him tell him to get Sir James and come on
+at once, as Mrs. Vandemeyer is trying to hook it. If you can’t get him,
+ring up Sir James Peel Edgerton, you’ll find his number in the book, and
+tell him what’s happening. You won’t forget the names, will you?”
+
+Albert repeated them glibly. “You trust to me, miss, it’ll be all right.
+But what about you? Aren’t you afraid to trust yourself with her?”
+
+“No, no, that’s all right. _But go and telephone_. Be quick.”
+
+Drawing a long breath, Tuppence entered the Mansions and ran up to the
+door of No. 20. How she was to detain Mrs. Vandemeyer until the two men
+arrived, she did not know, but somehow or other it had to be done, and
+she must accomplish the task single-handed. What had occasioned this
+precipitate departure? Did Mrs. Vandemeyer suspect her?
+
+Speculations were idle. Tuppence pressed the bell firmly. She might
+learn something from the cook.
+
+Nothing happened and, after waiting some minutes, Tuppence pressed the
+bell again, keeping her finger on the button for some little while.
+At last she heard footsteps inside, and a moment later Mrs. Vandemeyer
+herself opened the door. She lifted her eyebrows at the sight of the
+girl.
+
+“You?”
+
+“I had a touch of toothache, ma’am,” said Tuppence glibly. “So thought
+it better to come home and have a quiet evening.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer said nothing, but she drew back and let Tuppence pass
+into the hall.
+
+“How unfortunate for you,” she said coldly. “You had better go to bed.”
+
+“Oh, I shall be all right in the kitchen, ma’am. Cook will----”
+
+“Cook is out,” said Mrs. Vandemeyer, in a rather disagreeable tone. “I
+sent her out. So you see you had better go to bed.”
+
+Suddenly Tuppence felt afraid. There was a ring in Mrs. Vandemeyer’s
+voice that she did not like at all. Also, the other woman was slowly
+edging her up the passage. Tuppence turned at bay.
+
+“I don’t want----”
+
+Then, in a flash, a rim of cold steel touched her temple, and Mrs.
+Vandemeyer’s voice rose cold and menacing:
+
+“You damned little fool! Do you think I don’t know? No, don’t answer. If
+you struggle or cry out, I’ll shoot you like a dog.”
+
+The rim of steel pressed a little harder against the girl’s temple.
+
+“Now then, march,” went on Mrs. Vandemeyer. “This way--into my room. In
+a minute, when I’ve done with you, you’ll go to bed as I told you to.
+And you’ll sleep--oh yes, my little spy, you’ll sleep all right!”
+
+There was a sort of hideous geniality in the last words which Tuppence
+did not at all like. For the moment there was nothing to be done, and
+she walked obediently into Mrs. Vandemeyer’s bedroom. The pistol never
+left her forehead. The room was in a state of wild disorder, clothes
+were flung about right and left, a suit-case and a hat box, half-packed,
+stood in the middle of the floor.
+
+Tuppence pulled herself together with an effort. Her voice shook a
+little, but she spoke out bravely.
+
+“Come now,” she said. “This is nonsense. You can’t shoot me. Why, every
+one in the building would hear the report.”
+
+“I’d risk that,” said Mrs. Vandemeyer cheerfully. “But, as long as you
+don’t sing out for help, you’re all right--and I don’t think you will.
+You’re a clever girl. You deceived _me_ all right. I hadn’t a suspicion
+of you! So I’ve no doubt that you understand perfectly well that this
+is where I’m on top and you’re underneath. Now then--sit on the bed. Put
+your hands above your head, and if you value your life don’t move them.”
+
+Tuppence obeyed passively. Her good sense told her that there was
+nothing else to do but accept the situation. If she shrieked for help
+there was very little chance of anyone hearing her, whereas there was
+probably quite a good chance of Mrs. Vandemeyer’s shooting her. In the
+meantime, every minute of delay gained was valuable.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer laid down the revolver on the edge of the washstand
+within reach of her hand, and, still eyeing Tuppence like a lynx in case
+the girl should attempt to move, she took a little stoppered bottle from
+its place on the marble and poured some of its contents into a glass
+which she filled up with water.
+
+“What’s that?” asked Tuppence sharply.
+
+“Something to make you sleep soundly.”
+
+Tuppence paled a little.
+
+“Are you going to poison me?” she asked in a whisper.
+
+“Perhaps,” said Mrs. Vandemeyer, smiling agreeably.
+
+“Then I shan’t drink it,” said Tuppence firmly. “I’d much rather be
+shot. At any rate that would make a row, and some one might hear it. But
+I won’t be killed off quietly like a lamb.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer stamped her foot.
+
+“Don’t be a little fool! Do you really think I want a hue and cry for
+murder out after me? If you’ve any sense at all, you’ll realize that
+poisoning you wouldn’t suit my book at all. It’s a sleeping draught,
+that’s all. You’ll wake up to-morrow morning none the worse. I simply
+don’t want the bother of tying you up and gagging you. That’s the
+alternative--and you won’t like it, I can tell you! I can be very rough
+if I choose. So drink this down like a good girl, and you’ll be none the
+worse for it.”
+
+In her heart of hearts Tuppence believed her. The arguments she had
+adduced rang true. It was a simple and effective method of getting her
+out of the way for the time being. Nevertheless, the girl did not take
+kindly to the idea of being tamely put to sleep without as much as one
+bid for freedom. She felt that once Mrs. Vandemeyer gave them the slip,
+the last hope of finding Tommy would be gone.
+
+Tuppence was quick in her mental processes. All these reflections
+passed through her mind in a flash, and she saw where a chance, a very
+problematical chance, lay, and she determined to risk all in one supreme
+effort.
+
+Accordingly, she lurched suddenly off the bed and fell on her knees
+before Mrs. Vandemeyer, clutching her skirts frantically.
+
+“I don’t believe it,” she moaned. “It’s poison--I know it’s poison.
+Oh, don’t make me drink it”--her voice rose to a shriek--“don’t make me
+drink it!”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer, glass in hand, looked down with a curling lip at this
+sudden collapse.
+
+“Get up, you little idiot! Don’t go on drivelling there. How you ever
+had the nerve to play your part as you did I can’t think.” She stamped
+her foot. “Get up, I say.”
+
+But Tuppence continued to cling and sob, interjecting her sobs with
+incoherent appeals for mercy. Every minute gained was to the good.
+Moreover, as she grovelled, she moved imperceptibly nearer to her
+objective.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer gave a sharp impatient exclamation, and jerked the girl
+to her knees.
+
+“Drink it at once!” Imperiously she pressed the glass to the girl’s
+lips.
+
+Tuppence gave one last despairing moan.
+
+“You swear it won’t hurt me?” she temporized.
+
+“Of course it won’t hurt you. Don’t be a fool.”
+
+“Will you swear it?”
+
+“Yes, yes,” said the other impatiently. “I swear it.”
+
+Tuppence raised a trembling left hand to the glass.
+
+“Very well.” Her mouth opened meekly.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer gave a sigh of relief, off her guard for the moment.
+Then, quick as a flash, Tuppence jerked the glass upward as hard as she
+could. The fluid in it splashed into Mrs. Vandemeyer’s face, and during
+her momentary gasp, Tuppence’s right hand shot out and grasped the
+revolver where it lay on the edge of the washstand. The next moment
+she had sprung back a pace, and the revolver pointed straight at Mrs.
+Vandemeyer’s heart, with no unsteadiness in the hand that held it.
+
+In the moment of victory, Tuppence betrayed a somewhat unsportsmanlike
+triumph.
+
+“Now who’s on top and who’s underneath?” she crowed.
+
+The other’s face was convulsed with rage. For a minute Tuppence thought
+she was going to spring upon her, which would have placed the girl in an
+unpleasant dilemma, since she meant to draw the line at actually letting
+off the revolver. However, with an effort Mrs. Vandemeyer controlled
+herself, and at last a slow evil smile crept over her face.
+
+“Not a fool, then, after all! You did that well, girl. But you shall pay
+for it--oh, yes, you shall pay for it! I have a long memory!”
+
+“I’m surprised you should have been gulled so easily,” said Tuppence
+scornfully. “Did you really think I was the kind of girl to roll about
+on the floor and whine for mercy?”
+
+“You may do--some day!” said the other significantly.
+
+The cold malignity of her manner sent an unpleasant chill down
+Tuppence’s spine, but she was not going to give in to it.
+
+“Supposing we sit down,” she said pleasantly. “Our present attitude is
+a little melodramatic. No--not on the bed. Draw a chair up to the table,
+that’s right. Now I’ll sit opposite you with the revolver in front of
+me--just in case of accidents. Splendid. Now, let’s talk.”
+
+“What about?” said Mrs. Vandemeyer sullenly.
+
+Tuppence eyed her thoughtfully for a minute. She was remembering several
+things. Boris’s words, “I believe you would sell-- _us!_” and her
+answer, “The price would have to be enormous,” given lightly, it was
+true, yet might not there be a substratum of truth in it? Long ago,
+had not Whittington asked: “Who’s been blabbing? Rita?” Would Rita
+Vandemeyer prove to be the weak spot in the armour of Mr. Brown?
+
+Keeping her eyes fixed steadily on the other’s face, Tuppence replied
+quietly:
+
+“Money----”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer started. Clearly, the reply was unexpected.
+
+“What do you mean?”
+
+“I’ll tell you. You said just now that you had a long memory. A long
+memory isn’t half as useful as a long purse! I dare say it relieves your
+feelings a good deal to plan out all sorts of dreadful things to do to
+me, but is that _practical?_ Revenge is very unsatisfactory. Every one
+always says so. But money”--Tuppence warmed to her pet creed--“well,
+there’s nothing unsatisfactory about money, is there?”
+
+“Do you think,” said Mrs. Vandemeyer scornfully, “that I am the kind of
+woman to sell my friends?”
+
+“Yes,” said Tuppence promptly. “If the price was big enough.”
+
+“A paltry hundred pounds or so!”
+
+“No,” said Tuppence. “I should suggest--a hundred thousand!”
+
+Her economical spirit did not permit her to mention the whole million
+dollars suggested by Julius.
+
+A flush crept over Mrs. Vandemeyer’s face.
+
+“What did you say?” she asked, her fingers playing nervously with a
+brooch on her breast. In that moment Tuppence knew that the fish was
+hooked, and for the first time she felt a horror of her own money-loving
+spirit. It gave her a dreadful sense of kinship to the woman fronting
+her.
+
+“A hundred thousand pounds,” repeated Tuppence.
+
+The light died out of Mrs. Vandemeyer’s eyes. She leaned back in her
+chair.
+
+“Bah!” she said. “You haven’t got it.”
+
+“No,” admitted Tuppence, “I haven’t--but I know some one who has.”
+
+“Who?”
+
+“A friend of mine.”
+
+“Must be a millionaire,” remarked Mrs. Vandemeyer unbelievingly.
+
+“As a matter of fact he is. He’s an American. He’ll pay you that
+without a murmur. You can take it from me that it’s a perfectly genuine
+proposition.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer sat up again.
+
+“I’m inclined to believe you,” she said slowly.
+
+There was silence between them for some time, then Mrs. Vandemeyer
+looked up.
+
+“What does he want to know, this friend of yours?”
+
+Tuppence went through a momentary struggle, but it was Julius’s money,
+and his interests must come first.
+
+“He wants to know where Jane Finn is,” she said boldly.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer showed no surprise.
+
+“I’m not sure where she is at the present moment,” she replied.
+
+“But you could find out?”
+
+“Oh, yes,” returned Mrs. Vandemeyer carelessly. “There would be no
+difficulty about that.”
+
+“Then”--Tuppence’s voice shook a little--“there’s a boy, a friend of
+mine. I’m afraid something’s happened to him, through your pal Boris.”
+
+“What’s his name?”
+
+“Tommy Beresford.”
+
+“Never heard of him. But I’ll ask Boris. He’ll tell me anything he
+knows.”
+
+“Thank you.” Tuppence felt a terrific rise in her spirits. It impelled
+her to more audacious efforts. “There’s one thing more.”
+
+“Well?”
+
+Tuppence leaned forward and lowered her voice.
+
+_“Who is Mr. Brown?”_
+
+Her quick eyes saw the sudden paling of the beautiful face. With an
+effort Mrs. Vandemeyer pulled herself together and tried to resume her
+former manner. But the attempt was a mere parody.
+
+She shrugged her shoulders.
+
+“You can’t have learnt much about us if you don’t know that _nobody
+knows who Mr. Brown is_....”
+
+“You do,” said Tuppence quietly.
+
+Again the colour deserted the other’s face.
+
+“What makes you think that?”
+
+“I don’t know,” said the girl truthfully. “But I’m sure.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer stared in front of her for a long time.
+
+“Yes,” she said hoarsely, at last, “_I_ know. I was beautiful, you
+see--very beautiful----”
+
+“You are still,” said Tuppence with admiration.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer shook her head. There was a strange gleam in her
+electric-blue eyes.
+
+“Not beautiful enough,” she said in a soft dangerous voice.
+“Not--beautiful--enough! And sometimes, lately, I’ve been afraid....
+It’s dangerous to know too much!” She leaned forward across the table.
+“Swear that my name shan’t be brought into it--that no one shall ever
+know.”
+
+“I swear it. And, once’s he caught, you’ll be out of danger.”
+
+A terrified look swept across Mrs. Vandemeyer’s face.
+
+“Shall I? Shall I ever be?” She clutched Tuppence’s arm. “You’re sure
+about the money?”
+
+“Quite sure.”
+
+“When shall I have it? There must be no delay.”
+
+“This friend of mine will be here presently. He may have to send cables,
+or something like that. But there won’t be any delay--he’s a terrific
+hustler.”
+
+A resolute look settled on Mrs. Vandemeyer’s face.
+
+“I’ll do it. It’s a great sum of money, and besides”--she gave a curious
+smile--“it is not--wise to throw over a woman like me!”
+
+For a moment or two, she remained smiling, and lightly tapping her
+fingers on the table. Suddenly she started, and her face blanched.
+
+“What was that?”
+
+“I heard nothing.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer gazed round her fearfully.
+
+“If there should be some one listening----”
+
+“Nonsense. Who could there be?”
+
+“Even the walls might have ears,” whispered the other. “I tell you I’m
+frightened. You don’t know him!”
+
+“Think of the hundred thousand pounds,” said Tuppence soothingly.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer passed her tongue over her dried lips.
+
+“You don’t know him,” she reiterated hoarsely. “He’s--ah!”
+
+With a shriek of terror she sprang to her feet. Her outstretched hand
+pointed over Tuppence’s head. Then she swayed to the ground in a dead
+faint.
+
+Tuppence looked round to see what had startled her.
+
+In the doorway were Sir James Peel Edgerton and Julius Hersheimmer.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII. THE VIGIL
+
+SIR James brushed past Julius and hurriedly bent over the fallen woman.
+
+“Heart,” he said sharply. “Seeing us so suddenly must have given her a
+shock. Brandy--and quickly, or she’ll slip through our fingers.”
+
+Julius hurried to the washstand.
+
+“Not there,” said Tuppence over her shoulder. “In the tantalus in the
+dining-room. Second door down the passage.”
+
+Between them Sir James and Tuppence lifted Mrs. Vandemeyer and carried
+her to the bed. There they dashed water on her face, but with no result.
+The lawyer fingered her pulse.
+
+“Touch and go,” he muttered. “I wish that young fellow would hurry up
+with the brandy.”
+
+At that moment Julius re-entered the room, carrying a glass half full of
+the spirit which he handed to Sir James. While Tuppence lifted her head
+the lawyer tried to force a little of the spirit between her closed
+lips. Finally the woman opened her eyes feebly. Tuppence held the glass
+to her lips.
+
+“Drink this.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer complied. The brandy brought the colour back to her
+white cheeks, and revived her in a marvellous fashion. She tried to sit
+up--then fell back with a groan, her hand to her side.
+
+“It’s my heart,” she whispered. “I mustn’t talk.”
+
+She lay back with closed eyes.
+
+Sir James kept his finger on her wrist a minute longer, then withdrew it
+with a nod.
+
+“She’ll do now.”
+
+All three moved away, and stood together talking in low voices. One
+and all were conscious of a certain feeling of anticlimax. Clearly any
+scheme for cross-questioning the lady was out of the question for the
+moment. For the time being they were baffled, and could do nothing.
+
+Tuppence related how Mrs. Vandemeyer had declared herself willing
+to disclose the identity of Mr. Brown, and how she had consented to
+discover and reveal to them the whereabouts of Jane Finn. Julius was
+congratulatory.
+
+“That’s all right, Miss Tuppence. Splendid! I guess that hundred
+thousand pounds will look just as good in the morning to the lady as it
+did over night. There’s nothing to worry over. She won’t speak without
+the cash anyway, you bet!”
+
+There was certainly a good deal of common sense in this, and Tuppence
+felt a little comforted.
+
+“What you say is true,” said Sir James meditatively. “I must confess,
+however, that I cannot help wishing we had not interrupted at the minute
+we did. Still, it cannot be helped, it is only a matter of waiting until
+the morning.”
+
+He looked across at the inert figure on the bed. Mrs. Vandemeyer lay
+perfectly passive with closed eyes. He shook his head.
+
+“Well,” said Tuppence, with an attempt at cheerfulness, “we must wait
+until the morning, that’s all. But I don’t think we ought to leave the
+flat.”
+
+“What about leaving that bright boy of yours on guard?”
+
+“Albert? And suppose she came round again and hooked it. Albert couldn’t
+stop her.”
+
+“I guess she won’t want to make tracks away from the dollars.”
+
+“She might. She seemed very frightened of ‘Mr. Brown.’”
+
+“What? Real plumb scared of him?”
+
+“Yes. She looked round and said even walls had ears.”
+
+“Maybe she meant a dictaphone,” said Julius with interest.
+
+“Miss Tuppence is right,” said Sir James quietly. “We must not leave the
+flat--if only for Mrs. Vandemeyer’s sake.”
+
+Julius stared at him.
+
+“You think he’d get after her? Between now and to-morrow morning. How
+could he know, even?”
+
+“You forget your own suggestion of a dictaphone,” said Sir James dryly.
+“We have a very formidable adversary. I believe, if we exercise all due
+care, that there is a very good chance of his being delivered into our
+hands. But we must neglect no precaution. We have an important witness,
+but she must be safeguarded. I would suggest that Miss Tuppence should
+go to bed, and that you and I, Mr. Hersheimmer, should share the vigil.”
+
+Tuppence was about to protest, but happening to glance at the bed she
+saw Mrs. Vandemeyer, her eyes half-open, with such an expression of
+mingled fear and malevolence on her face that it quite froze the words
+on her lips.
+
+For a moment she wondered whether the faint and the heart attack had
+been a gigantic sham, but remembering the deadly pallor she could hardly
+credit the supposition. As she looked the expression disappeared as by
+magic, and Mrs. Vandemeyer lay inert and motionless as before. For a
+moment the girl fancied she must have dreamt it. But she determined
+nevertheless to be on the alert.
+
+“Well,” said Julius, “I guess we’d better make a move out of here any
+way.”
+
+The others fell in with his suggestion. Sir James again felt Mrs.
+Vandemeyer’s pulse.
+
+“Perfectly satisfactory,” he said in a low voice to Tuppence. “She’ll be
+absolutely all right after a night’s rest.”
+
+The girl hesitated a moment by the bed. The intensity of the expression
+she had surprised had impressed her powerfully. Mrs. Vandemeyer lifted
+her lids. She seemed to be struggling to speak. Tuppence bent over her.
+
+“Don’t--leave----” she seemed unable to proceed, murmuring something
+that sounded like “sleepy.” Then she tried again.
+
+Tuppence bent lower still. It was only a breath.
+
+“Mr.--Brown----” The voice stopped.
+
+But the half-closed eyes seemed still to send an agonized message.
+
+Moved by a sudden impulse, the girl said quickly:
+
+“I shan’t leave the flat. I shall sit up all night.”
+
+A flash of relief showed before the lids descended once more. Apparently
+Mrs. Vandemeyer slept. But her words had awakened a new uneasiness in
+Tuppence. What had she meant by that low murmur: “Mr. Brown?” Tuppence
+caught herself nervously looking over her shoulder. The big wardrobe
+loomed up in a sinister fashion before her eyes. Plenty of room for a
+man to hide in that.... Half-ashamed of herself, Tuppence pulled it open
+and looked inside. No one--of course! She stooped down and looked under
+the bed. There was no other possible hiding-place.
+
+Tuppence gave her familiar shake of the shoulders. It was absurd, this
+giving way to nerves! Slowly she went out of the room. Julius and Sir
+James were talking in a low voice. Sir James turned to her.
+
+“Lock the door on the outside, please, Miss Tuppence, and take out the
+key. There must be no chance of anyone entering that room.”
+
+The gravity of his manner impressed them, and Tuppence felt less ashamed
+of her attack of “nerves.”
+
+“Say,” remarked Julius suddenly, “there’s Tuppence’s bright boy. I guess
+I’d better go down and ease his young mind. That’s some lad, Tuppence.”
+
+“How did you get in, by the way?” asked Tuppence suddenly. “I forgot to
+ask.”
+
+“Well, Albert got me on the phone all right. I ran round for Sir James
+here, and we came right on. The boy was on the look out for us, and was
+just a mite worried about what might have happened to you. He’d been
+listening outside the door of the flat, but couldn’t hear anything.
+Anyhow he suggested sending us up in the coal lift instead of ringing
+the bell. And sure enough we landed in the scullery and came right along
+to find you. Albert’s still below, and must be just hopping mad by this
+time.” With which Julius departed abruptly.
+
+“Now then, Miss Tuppence,” said Sir James, “you know this place better
+than I do. Where do you suggest we should take up our quarters?”
+
+Tuppence considered for a moment or two.
+
+“I think Mrs. Vandemeyer’s boudoir would be the most comfortable,” she
+said at last, and led the way there.
+
+Sir James looked round approvingly.
+
+“This will do very well, and now, my dear young lady, do go to bed and
+get some sleep.”
+
+Tuppence shook her head resolutely.
+
+“I couldn’t, thank you, Sir James. I should dream of Mr. Brown all
+night!”
+
+“But you’ll be so tired, child.”
+
+“No, I shan’t. I’d rather stay up--really.”
+
+The lawyer gave in.
+
+Julius reappeared some minutes later, having reassured Albert and
+rewarded him lavishly for his services. Having in his turn failed to
+persuade Tuppence to go to bed, he said decisively:
+
+“At any rate, you’ve got to have something to eat right away. Where’s
+the larder?”
+
+Tuppence directed him, and he returned in a few minutes with a cold pie
+and three plates.
+
+After a hearty meal, the girl felt inclined to pooh-pooh her fancies of
+half an hour before. The power of the money bribe could not fail.
+
+“And now, Miss Tuppence,” said Sir James, “we want to hear your
+adventures.”
+
+“That’s so,” agreed Julius.
+
+Tuppence narrated her adventures with some complacence. Julius
+occasionally interjected an admiring “Bully.” Sir James said nothing
+until she had finished, when his quiet “well done, Miss Tuppence,” made
+her flush with pleasure.
+
+“There’s one thing I don’t get clearly,” said Julius. “What put her up
+to clearing out?”
+
+“I don’t know,” confessed Tuppence.
+
+Sir James stroked his chin thoughtfully.
+
+“The room was in great disorder. That looks as though her flight was
+unpremeditated. Almost as though she got a sudden warning to go from
+some one.”
+
+“Mr. Brown, I suppose,” said Julius scoffingly.
+
+The lawyer looked at him deliberately for a minute or two.
+
+“Why not?” he said. “Remember, you yourself have once been worsted by
+him.”
+
+Julius flushed with vexation.
+
+“I feel just mad when I think of how I handed out Jane’s photograph to
+him like a lamb. Gee, if I ever lay hands on it again, I’ll freeze on to
+it like--like hell!”
+
+“That contingency is likely to be a remote one,” said the other dryly.
+
+“I guess you’re right,” said Julius frankly. “And, in any case, it’s the
+original I’m out after. Where do you think she can be, Sir James?”
+
+The lawyer shook his head.
+
+“Impossible to say. But I’ve a very good idea where she _has_ been.”
+
+“You have? Where?”
+
+Sir James smiled.
+
+“At the scene of your nocturnal adventures, the Bournemouth nursing
+home.”
+
+“There? Impossible. I asked.”
+
+“No, my dear sir, you asked if anyone of the name of Jane Finn had been
+there. Now, if the girl had been placed there it would almost certainly
+be under an assumed name.”
+
+“Bully for you,” cried Julius. “I never thought of that!”
+
+“It was fairly obvious,” said the other.
+
+“Perhaps the doctor’s in it too,” suggested Tuppence.
+
+Julius shook his head.
+
+“I don’t think so. I took to him at once. No, I’m pretty sure Dr. Hall’s
+all right.”
+
+“Hall, did you say?” asked Sir James. “That is curious--really very
+curious.”
+
+“Why?” demanded Tuppence.
+
+“Because I happened to meet him this morning. I’ve known him slightly on
+and off for some years, and this morning I ran across him in the street.
+Staying at the _Métropole_, he told me.” He turned to Julius. “Didn’t
+he tell you he was coming up to town?”
+
+Julius shook his head.
+
+“Curious,” mused Sir James. “You did not mention his name this
+afternoon, or I would have suggested your going to him for further
+information with my card as introduction.”
+
+“I guess I’m a mutt,” said Julius with unusual humility. “I ought to
+have thought of the false name stunt.”
+
+“How could you think of anything after falling out of that tree?” cried
+Tuppence. “I’m sure anyone else would have been killed right off.”
+
+“Well, I guess it doesn’t matter now, anyway,” said Julius. “We’ve got
+Mrs. Vandemeyer on a string, and that’s all we need.”
+
+“Yes,” said Tuppence, but there was a lack of assurance in her voice.
+
+A silence settled down over the party. Little by little the magic of
+the night began to gain a hold on them. There were sudden creaks of the
+furniture, imperceptible rustlings in the curtains. Suddenly Tuppence
+sprang up with a cry.
+
+“I can’t help it. I know Mr. Brown’s somewhere in the flat! I can _feel_
+him.”
+
+“Sure, Tuppence, how could he be? This door’s open into the hall. No
+one could have come in by the front door without our seeing and hearing
+him.”
+
+“I can’t help it. I _feel_ he’s here!”
+
+She looked appealingly at Sir James, who replied gravely:
+
+“With due deference to your feelings, Miss Tuppence (and mine as well
+for that matter), I do not see how it is humanly possible for anyone to
+be in the flat without our knowledge.”
+
+The girl was a little comforted by his words.
+
+“Sitting up at night is always rather jumpy,” she confessed.
+
+“Yes,” said Sir James. “We are in the condition of people holding a
+séance. Perhaps if a medium were present we might get some marvellous
+results.”
+
+“Do you believe in spiritualism?” asked Tuppence, opening her eyes wide.
+
+The lawyer shrugged his shoulders.
+
+“There is some truth in it, without a doubt. But most of the testimony
+would not pass muster in the witness-box.”
+
+The hours drew on. With the first faint glimmerings of dawn, Sir James
+drew aside the curtains. They beheld, what few Londoners see, the slow
+rising of the sun over the sleeping city. Somehow, with the coming
+of the light, the dreads and fancies of the past night seemed absurd.
+Tuppence’s spirits revived to the normal.
+
+“Hooray!” she said. “It’s going to be a gorgeous day. And we shall find
+Tommy. And Jane Finn. And everything will be lovely. I shall ask Mr.
+Carter if I can’t be made a Dame!”
+
+At seven o’clock Tuppence volunteered to go and make some tea. She
+returned with a tray, containing the teapot and four cups.
+
+“Who’s the other cup for?” inquired Julius.
+
+“The prisoner, of course. I suppose we might call her that?”
+
+“Taking her tea seems a kind of anticlimax to last night,” said Julius
+thoughtfully.
+
+“Yes, it does,” admitted Tuppence. “But, anyway, here goes. Perhaps
+you’d both come, too, in case she springs on me, or anything. You see,
+we don’t know what mood she’ll wake up in.”
+
+Sir James and Julius accompanied her to the door.
+
+“Where’s the key? Oh, of course, I’ve got it myself.”
+
+She put it in the lock, and turned it, then paused.
+
+“Supposing, after all, she’s escaped?” she murmured in a whisper.
+
+“Plumb impossible,” replied Julius reassuringly.
+
+But Sir James said nothing.
+
+Tuppence drew a long breath and entered. She heaved a sigh of relief as
+she saw that Mrs. Vandemeyer was lying on the bed.
+
+“Good morning,” she remarked cheerfully. “I’ve brought you some tea.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer did not reply. Tuppence put down the cup on the table
+by the bed and went across to draw up the blinds. When she turned, Mrs.
+Vandemeyer still lay without a movement. With a sudden fear clutching
+at her heart, Tuppence ran to the bed. The hand she lifted was cold as
+ice.... Mrs. Vandemeyer would never speak now....
+
+Her cry brought the others. A very few minutes sufficed. Mrs. Vandemeyer
+was dead--must have been dead some hours. She had evidently died in her
+sleep.
+
+“If that isn’t the cruellest luck,” cried Julius in despair.
+
+The lawyer was calmer, but there was a curious gleam in his eyes.
+
+“If it is luck,” he replied.
+
+“You don’t think--but, say, that’s plumb impossible--no one could have
+got in.”
+
+“No,” admitted the lawyer. “I don’t see how they could. And yet--she is
+on the point of betraying Mr. Brown, and--she dies. Is it only chance?”
+
+“But how----”
+
+“Yes, _how!_ That is what we must find out.” He stood there silently,
+gently stroking his chin. “We must find out,” he said quietly, and
+Tuppence felt that if she was Mr. Brown she would not like the tone of
+those simple words.
+
+Julius’s glance went to the window.
+
+“The window’s open,” he remarked. “Do you think----”
+
+Tuppence shook her head.
+
+“The balcony only goes along as far as the boudoir. We were there.”
+
+“He might have slipped out----” suggested Julius.
+
+But Sir James interrupted him.
+
+“Mr. Brown’s methods are not so crude. In the meantime we must send for
+a doctor, but before we do so, is there anything in this room that might
+be of value to us?”
+
+Hastily, the three searched. A charred mass in the grate indicated
+that Mrs. Vandemeyer had been burning papers on the eve of her flight.
+Nothing of importance remained, though they searched the other rooms as
+well.
+
+“There’s that,” said Tuppence suddenly, pointing to a small,
+old-fashioned safe let into the wall. “It’s for jewellery, I believe,
+but there might be something else in it.”
+
+The key was in the lock, and Julius swung open the door, and searched
+inside. He was some time over the task.
+
+“Well,” said Tuppence impatiently.
+
+There was a pause before Julius answered, then he withdrew his head and
+shut to the door.
+
+“Nothing,” he said.
+
+In five minutes a brisk young doctor arrived, hastily summoned. He was
+deferential to Sir James, whom he recognized.
+
+“Heart failure, or possibly an overdose of some sleeping-draught.” He
+sniffed. “Rather an odour of chloral in the air.”
+
+Tuppence remembered the glass she had upset. A new thought drove her to
+the washstand. She found the little bottle from which Mrs. Vandemeyer
+had poured a few drops.
+
+It had been three parts full. Now-- _it was empty_.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV. A CONSULTATION
+
+NOTHING was more surprising and bewildering to Tuppence than the ease
+and simplicity with which everything was arranged, owing to Sir James’s
+skilful handling. The doctor accepted quite readily the theory that Mrs.
+Vandemeyer had accidentally taken an overdose of chloral. He doubted
+whether an inquest would be necessary. If so, he would let Sir James
+know. He understood that Mrs. Vandemeyer was on the eve of departure for
+abroad, and that the servants had already left? Sir James and his young
+friends had been paying a call upon her, when she was suddenly stricken
+down and they had spent the night in the flat, not liking to leave
+her alone. Did they know of any relatives? They did not, but Sir James
+referred him to Mrs. Vandemeyer’s solicitor.
+
+Shortly afterwards a nurse arrived to take charge, and the other left
+the ill-omened building.
+
+“And what now?” asked Julius, with a gesture of despair. “I guess we’re
+down and out for good.”
+
+Sir James stroked his chin thoughtfully.
+
+“No,” he said quietly. “There is still the chance that Dr. Hall may be
+able to tell us something.”
+
+“Gee! I’d forgotten him.”
+
+“The chance is slight, but it must not be neglected. I think I told you
+that he is staying at the _Métropole_. I should suggest that we call
+upon him there as soon as possible. Shall we say after a bath and
+breakfast?”
+
+It was arranged that Tuppence and Julius should return to the _Ritz_,
+and call for Sir James in the car. This programme was faithfully carried
+out, and a little after eleven they drew up before the _Métropole_.
+They asked for Dr. Hall, and a page-boy went in search of him. In a few
+minutes the little doctor came hurrying towards them.
+
+“Can you spare us a few minutes, Dr. Hall?” said Sir James pleasantly.
+“Let me introduce you to Miss Cowley. Mr. Hersheimmer, I think, you
+already know.”
+
+A quizzical gleam came into the doctor’s eye as he shook hands with
+Julius.
+
+“Ah, yes, my young friend of the tree episode! Ankle all right, eh?”
+
+“I guess it’s cured owing to your skilful treatment, doc.”
+
+“And the heart trouble? Ha ha!”
+
+“Still searching,” said Julius briefly.
+
+“To come to the point, can we have a word with you in private?” asked
+Sir James.
+
+“Certainly. I think there is a room here where we shall be quite
+undisturbed.”
+
+He led the way, and the others followed him. They sat down, and the
+doctor looked inquiringly at Sir James.
+
+“Dr. Hall, I am very anxious to find a certain young lady for the
+purpose of obtaining a statement from her. I have reason to believe
+that she has been at one time or another in your establishment at
+Bournemouth. I hope I am transgressing no professional etiquette in
+questioning you on the subject?”
+
+“I suppose it is a matter of testimony?”
+
+Sir James hesitated a moment, then he replied:
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“I shall be pleased to give you any information in my power. What is
+the young lady’s name? Mr. Hersheimmer asked me, I remember----” He half
+turned to Julius.
+
+“The name,” said Sir James bluntly, “is really immaterial. She would be
+almost certainly sent to you under an assumed one. But I should like to
+know if you are acquainted with a Mrs. Vandemeyer?”
+
+“Mrs. Vandemeyer, of 20 South Audley Mansions? I know her slightly.”
+
+“You are not aware of what has happened?”
+
+“What do you mean?”
+
+“You do not know that Mrs. Vandemeyer is dead?”
+
+“Dear, dear, I had no idea of it! When did it happen?”
+
+“She took an overdose of chloral last night.”
+
+“Purposely?”
+
+“Accidentally, it is believed. I should not like to say myself. Anyway,
+she was found dead this morning.”
+
+“Very sad. A singularly handsome woman. I presume she was a friend of
+yours, since you are acquainted with all these details.”
+
+“I am acquainted with the details because--well, it was I who found her
+dead.”
+
+“Indeed,” said the doctor, starting.
+
+“Yes,” said Sir James, and stroked his chin reflectively.
+
+“This is very sad news, but you will excuse me if I say that I do not
+see how it bears on the subject of your inquiry?”
+
+“It bears on it in this way, is it not a fact that Mrs. Vandemeyer
+committed a young relative of hers to your charge?”
+
+Julius leaned forward eagerly.
+
+“That is the case,” said the doctor quietly.
+
+“Under the name of----?”
+
+“Janet Vandemeyer. I understood her to be a niece of Mrs. Vandemeyer’s.”
+
+“And she came to you?”
+
+“As far as I can remember in June or July of 1915.”
+
+“Was she a mental case?”
+
+“She is perfectly sane, if that is what you mean. I understood from Mrs.
+Vandemeyer that the girl had been with her on the _Lusitania_ when
+that ill-fated ship was sunk, and had suffered a severe shock in
+consequence.”
+
+“We’re on the right track, I think?” Sir James looked round.
+
+“As I said before, I’m a mutt!” returned Julius.
+
+The doctor looked at them all curiously.
+
+“You spoke of wanting a statement from her,” he said. “Supposing she is
+not able to give one?”
+
+“What? You have just said that she is perfectly sane.”
+
+“So she is. Nevertheless, if you want a statement from her concerning
+any events prior to May 7, 1915, she will not be able to give it to
+you.”
+
+They looked at the little man, stupefied. He nodded cheerfully.
+
+“It’s a pity,” he said. “A great pity, especially as I gather, Sir
+James, that the matter is important. But there it is, she can tell you
+nothing.”
+
+“But why, man? Darn it all, why?”
+
+The little man shifted his benevolent glance to the excited young
+American.
+
+“Because Janet Vandemeyer is suffering from a complete loss of memory.”
+
+_“What?”_
+
+“Quite so. An interesting case, a _very_ interesting case. Not so
+uncommon, really, as you would think. There are several very well known
+parallels. It’s the first case of the kind that I’ve had under my own
+personal observation, and I must admit that I’ve found it of absorbing
+interest.” There was something rather ghoulish in the little man’s
+satisfaction.
+
+“And she remembers nothing,” said Sir James slowly.
+
+“Nothing prior to May 7, 1915. After that date her memory is as good as
+yours or mine.”
+
+“Then the first thing she remembers?”
+
+“Is landing with the survivors. Everything before that is a blank. She
+did not know her own name, or where she had come from, or where she was.
+She couldn’t even speak her own tongue.”
+
+“But surely all this is most unusual?” put in Julius.
+
+“No, my dear sir. Quite normal under the circumstances. Severe shock to
+the nervous system. Loss of memory proceeds nearly always on the same
+lines. I suggested a specialist, of course. There’s a very good man in
+Paris--makes a study of these cases--but Mrs. Vandemeyer opposed the
+idea of publicity that might result from such a course.”
+
+“I can imagine she would,” said Sir James grimly.
+
+“I fell in with her views. There is a certain notoriety given to these
+cases. And the girl was very young--nineteen, I believe. It seemed
+a pity that her infirmity should be talked about--might damage her
+prospects. Besides, there is no special treatment to pursue in such
+cases. It is really a matter of waiting.”
+
+“Waiting?”
+
+“Yes, sooner or later, the memory will return--as suddenly as it
+went. But in all probability the girl will have entirely forgotten the
+intervening period, and will take up life where she left off--at the
+sinking of the _Lusitania_.”
+
+“And when do you expect this to happen?”
+
+The doctor shrugged his shoulders.
+
+“Ah, that I cannot say. Sometimes it is a matter of months, sometimes
+it has been known to be as long as twenty years! Sometimes another shock
+does the trick. One restores what the other took away.”
+
+“Another shock, eh?” said Julius thoughtfully.
+
+“Exactly. There was a case in Colorado----” The little man’s voice
+trailed on, voluble, mildly enthusiastic.
+
+Julius did not seem to be listening. He had relapsed into his own
+thoughts and was frowning. Suddenly he came out of his brown study,
+and hit the table such a resounding bang with his fist that every one
+jumped, the doctor most of all.
+
+“I’ve got it! I guess, doc, I’d like your medical opinion on the plan
+I’m about to outline. Say Jane was to cross the herring pond again, and
+the same thing was to happen. The submarine, the sinking ship, every one
+to take to the boats--and so on. Wouldn’t that do the trick? Wouldn’t it
+give a mighty big bump to her subconscious self, or whatever the jargon
+is, and start it functioning again right away?”
+
+“A very interesting speculation, Mr. Hersheimmer. In my own opinion, it
+would be successful. It is unfortunate that there is no chance of the
+conditions repeating themselves as you suggest.”
+
+“Not by nature, perhaps, doc. But I’m talking about art.”
+
+“Art?”
+
+“Why, yes. What’s the difficulty? Hire a liner----”
+
+“A liner!” murmured Dr. Hall faintly.
+
+“Hire some passengers, hire a submarine--that’s the only difficulty, I
+guess. Governments are apt to be a bit hide-bound over their engines of
+war. They won’t sell to the first-comer. Still, I guess that can be got
+over. Ever heard of the word ‘graft,’ sir? Well, graft gets there every
+time! I reckon that we shan’t really need to fire a torpedo. If every
+one hustles round and screams loud enough that the ship is sinking, it
+ought to be enough for an innocent young girl like Jane. By the time
+she’s got a life-belt on her, and is being hustled into a boat, with
+a well-drilled lot of artistes doing the hysterical stunt on deck,
+why--she ought to be right back where she was in May, 1915. How’s that
+for the bare outline?”
+
+Dr. Hall looked at Julius. Everything that he was for the moment
+incapable of saying was eloquent in that look.
+
+“No,” said Julius, in answer to it, “I’m not crazy. The thing’s
+perfectly possible. It’s done every day in the States for the movies.
+Haven’t you seen trains in collision on the screen? What’s the
+difference between buying up a train and buying up a liner? Get the
+properties and you can go right ahead!”
+
+Dr. Hall found his voice.
+
+“But the expense, my dear sir.” His voice rose. “The expense! It will be
+_colossal!_”
+
+“Money doesn’t worry me any,” explained Julius simply.
+
+Dr. Hall turned an appealing face to Sir James, who smiled slightly.
+
+“Mr. Hersheimmer is very well off--very well off indeed.”
+
+The doctor’s glance came back to Julius with a new and subtle quality in
+it. This was no longer an eccentric young fellow with a habit of falling
+off trees. The doctor’s eyes held the deference accorded to a really
+rich man.
+
+“Very remarkable plan. Very remarkable,” he murmured. “The movies--of
+course! Your American word for the kinema. Very interesting. I fear we
+are perhaps a little behind the times over here in our methods. And you
+really mean to carry out this remarkable plan of yours.”
+
+“You bet your bottom dollar I do.”
+
+The doctor believed him--which was a tribute to his nationality. If an
+Englishman had suggested such a thing, he would have had grave doubts as
+to his sanity.
+
+“I cannot guarantee a cure,” he pointed out. “Perhaps I ought to make
+that quite clear.”
+
+“Sure, that’s all right,” said Julius. “You just trot out Jane, and
+leave the rest to me.”
+
+“Jane?”
+
+“Miss Janet Vandemeyer, then. Can we get on the long distance to your
+place right away, and ask them to send her up; or shall I run down and
+fetch her in my car?”
+
+The doctor stared.
+
+“I beg your pardon, Mr. Hersheimmer. I thought you understood.”
+
+“Understood what?”
+
+“That Miss Vandemeyer is no longer under my care.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV. TUPPENCE RECEIVES A PROPOSAL
+
+JULIUS sprang up.
+
+“What?”
+
+“I thought you were aware of that.”
+
+“When did she leave?”
+
+“Let me see. To-day is Monday, is it not? It must have been last
+Wednesday--why, surely--yes, it was the same evening that you--er--fell
+out of my tree.”
+
+“That evening? Before, or after?”
+
+“Let me see--oh yes, afterwards. A very urgent message arrived from Mrs.
+Vandemeyer. The young lady and the nurse who was in charge of her left
+by the night train.”
+
+Julius sank back again into his chair.
+
+“Nurse Edith--left with a patient--I remember,” he muttered. “My God, to
+have been so near!”
+
+Dr. Hall looked bewildered.
+
+“I don’t understand. Is the young lady not with her aunt, after all?”
+
+Tuppence shook her head. She was about to speak when a warning glance
+from Sir James made her hold her tongue. The lawyer rose.
+
+“I’m much obliged to you, Hall. We’re very grateful for all you’ve
+told us. I’m afraid we’re now in the position of having to track Miss
+Vandemeyer anew. What about the nurse who accompanied her; I suppose you
+don’t know where she is?”
+
+The doctor shook his head.
+
+“We’ve not heard from her, as it happens. I understood she was to remain
+with Miss Vandemeyer for a while. But what can have happened? Surely the
+girl has not been kidnapped.”
+
+“That remains to be seen,” said Sir James gravely.
+
+The other hesitated.
+
+“You do not think I ought to go to the police?”
+
+“No, no. In all probability the young lady is with other relations.”
+
+The doctor was not completely satisfied, but he saw that Sir James was
+determined to say no more, and realized that to try and extract
+more information from the famous K.C. would be mere waste of labour.
+Accordingly, he wished them goodbye, and they left the hotel. For a few
+minutes they stood by the car talking.
+
+“How maddening,” cried Tuppence. “To think that Julius must have been
+actually under the same roof with her for a few hours.”
+
+“I was a darned idiot,” muttered Julius gloomily.
+
+“You couldn’t know,” Tuppence consoled him. “Could he?” She appealed to
+Sir James.
+
+“I should advise you not to worry,” said the latter kindly. “No use
+crying over spilt milk, you know.”
+
+“The great thing is what to do next,” added Tuppence the practical.
+
+Sir James shrugged his shoulders.
+
+“You might advertise for the nurse who accompanied the girl. That is
+the only course I can suggest, and I must confess I do not hope for much
+result. Otherwise there is nothing to be done.”
+
+“Nothing?” said Tuppence blankly. “And--Tommy?”
+
+“We must hope for the best,” said Sir James. “Oh yes, we must go on
+hoping.”
+
+But over her downcast head his eyes met Julius’s, and almost
+imperceptibly he shook his head. Julius understood. The lawyer
+considered the case hopeless. The young American’s face grew grave. Sir
+James took Tuppence’s hand.
+
+“You must let me know if anything further comes to light. Letters will
+always be forwarded.”
+
+Tuppence stared at him blankly.
+
+“You are going away?”
+
+“I told you. Don’t you remember? To Scotland.”
+
+“Yes, but I thought----” The girl hesitated.
+
+Sir James shrugged his shoulders.
+
+“My dear young lady, I can do nothing more, I fear. Our clues have all
+ended in thin air. You can take my word for it that there is nothing
+more to be done. If anything should arise, I shall be glad to advise you
+in any way I can.”
+
+His words gave Tuppence an extraordinarily desolate feeling.
+
+“I suppose you’re right,” she said. “Anyway, thank you very much for
+trying to help us. Good-bye.”
+
+Julius was bending over the car. A momentary pity came into Sir James’s
+keen eyes, as he gazed into the girl’s downcast face.
+
+“Don’t be too disconsolate, Miss Tuppence,” he said in a low voice.
+“Remember, holiday-time isn’t always all playtime. One sometimes manages
+to put in some work as well.”
+
+Something in his tone made Tuppence glance up sharply. He shook his head
+with a smile.
+
+“No, I shan’t say any more. Great mistake to say too much. Remember
+that. Never tell all you know--not even to the person you know best.
+Understand? Good-bye.”
+
+He strode away. Tuppence stared after him. She was beginning to
+understand Sir James’s methods. Once before he had thrown her a hint
+in the same careless fashion. Was this a hint? What exactly lay
+behind those last brief words? Did he mean that, after all, he had not
+abandoned the case; that, secretly, he would be working on it still
+while----
+
+Her meditations were interrupted by Julius, who adjured her to “get
+right in.”
+
+“You’re looking kind of thoughtful,” he remarked as they started off.
+“Did the old guy say anything more?”
+
+Tuppence opened her mouth impulsively, and then shut it again. Sir
+James’s words sounded in her ears: “Never tell all you know--not even
+to the person you know best.” And like a flash there came into her mind
+another memory. Julius before the safe in the flat, her own question and
+the pause before his reply, “Nothing.” Was there really nothing? Or
+had he found something he wished to keep to himself? If he could make a
+reservation, so could she.
+
+“Nothing particular,” she replied.
+
+She felt rather than saw Julius throw a sideways glance at her.
+
+“Say, shall we go for a spin in the park?”
+
+“If you like.”
+
+For a while they ran on under the trees in silence. It was a beautiful
+day. The keen rush through the air brought a new exhilaration to
+Tuppence.
+
+“Say, Miss Tuppence, do you think I’m ever going to find Jane?”
+
+Julius spoke in a discouraged voice. The mood was so alien to him that
+Tuppence turned and stared at him in surprise. He nodded.
+
+“That’s so. I’m getting down and out over the business. Sir James to-day
+hadn’t got any hope at all, I could see that. I don’t like him--we don’t
+gee together somehow--but he’s pretty cute, and I guess he wouldn’t quit
+if there was any chance of success--now, would he?”
+
+Tuppence felt rather uncomfortable, but clinging to her belief that
+Julius also had withheld something from her, she remained firm.
+
+“He suggested advertising for the nurse,” she reminded him.
+
+“Yes, with a ‘forlorn hope’ flavour to his voice! No--I’m about fed up.
+I’ve half a mind to go back to the States right away.”
+
+“Oh no!” cried Tuppence. “We’ve got to find Tommy.”
+
+“I sure forgot Beresford,” said Julius contritely. “That’s so. We must
+find him. But after--well, I’ve been day-dreaming ever since I started
+on this trip--and these dreams are rotten poor business. I’m quit of
+them. Say, Miss Tuppence, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”
+
+“Yes?”
+
+“You and Beresford. What about it?”
+
+“I don’t understand you,” replied Tuppence with dignity, adding rather
+inconsequently: “And, anyway, you’re wrong!”
+
+“Not got a sort of kindly feeling for one another?”
+
+“Certainly not,” said Tuppence with warmth. “Tommy and I are
+friends--nothing more.”
+
+“I guess every pair of lovers has said that sometime or another,”
+ observed Julius.
+
+“Nonsense!” snapped Tuppence. “Do I look the sort of girl that’s always
+falling in love with every man she meets?”
+
+“You do not. You look the sort of girl that’s mighty often getting
+fallen in love with!”
+
+“Oh!” said Tuppence, rather taken aback. “That’s a compliment, I
+suppose?”
+
+“Sure. Now let’s get down to this. Supposing we never find Beresford
+and--and----”
+
+“All right--say it! I can face facts. Supposing he’s--dead! Well?”
+
+“And all this business fiddles out. What are you going to do?”
+
+“I don’t know,” said Tuppence forlornly.
+
+“You’ll be darned lonesome, you poor kid.”
+
+“I shall be all right,” snapped Tuppence with her usual resentment of
+any kind of pity.
+
+“What about marriage?” inquired Julius. “Got any views on the subject?”
+
+“I intend to marry, of course,” replied Tuppence. “That is, if”--she
+paused, knew a momentary longing to draw back, and then stuck to her
+guns bravely--“I can find some one rich enough to make it worth my
+while. That’s frank, isn’t it? I dare say you despise me for it.”
+
+“I never despise business instinct,” said Julius. “What particular
+figure have you in mind?”
+
+“Figure?” asked Tuppence, puzzled. “Do you mean tall or short?”
+
+“No. Sum--income.”
+
+“Oh, I--I haven’t quite worked that out.”
+
+“What about me?”
+
+_“You?”_
+
+“Sure thing.”
+
+“Oh, I couldn’t!”
+
+“Why not?”
+
+“I tell you I couldn’t.”
+
+“Again, why not?”
+
+“It would seem so unfair.”
+
+“I don’t see anything unfair about it. I call your bluff, that’s all. I
+admire you immensely, Miss Tuppence, more than any girl I’ve ever met.
+You’re so darned plucky. I’d just love to give you a real, rattling good
+time. Say the word, and we’ll run round right away to some high-class
+jeweller, and fix up the ring business.”
+
+“I can’t,” gasped Tuppence.
+
+“Because of Beresford?”
+
+“No, no, _no!_”
+
+“Well then?”
+
+Tuppence merely continued to shake her head violently.
+
+“You can’t reasonably expect more dollars than I’ve got.”
+
+“Oh, it isn’t that,” gasped Tuppence with an almost hysterical laugh.
+“But thanking you very much, and all that, I think I’d better say no.”
+
+“I’d be obliged if you’d do me the favour to think it over until
+to-morrow.”
+
+“It’s no use.”
+
+“Still, I guess we’ll leave it like that.”
+
+“Very well,” said Tuppence meekly.
+
+Neither of them spoke again until they reached the _Ritz_.
+
+Tuppence went upstairs to her room. She felt morally battered to the
+ground after her conflict with Julius’s vigorous personality. Sitting
+down in front of the glass, she stared at her own reflection for some
+minutes.
+
+“Fool,” murmured Tuppence at length, making a grimace. “Little fool.
+Everything you want--everything you’ve ever hoped for, and you go and
+bleat out ‘no’ like an idiotic little sheep. It’s your one chance. Why
+don’t you take it? Grab it? Snatch at it? What more do you want?”
+
+As if in answer to her own question, her eyes fell on a small snapshot
+of Tommy that stood on her dressing-table in a shabby frame. For a
+moment she struggled for self-control, and then abandoning all presence,
+she held it to her lips and burst into a fit of sobbing.
+
+“Oh, Tommy, Tommy,” she cried, “I do love you so--and I may never see
+you again....”
+
+At the end of five minutes Tuppence sat up, blew her nose, and pushed
+back her hair.
+
+“That’s that,” she observed sternly. “Let’s look facts in the face. I
+seem to have fallen in love--with an idiot of a boy who probably doesn’t
+care two straws about me.” Here she paused. “Anyway,” she resumed, as
+though arguing with an unseen opponent, “I don’t _know_ that he does.
+He’d never have dared to say so. I’ve always jumped on sentiment--and
+here I am being more sentimental than anybody. What idiots girls are!
+I’ve always thought so. I suppose I shall sleep with his photograph
+under my pillow, and dream about him all night. It’s dreadful to feel
+you’ve been false to your principles.”
+
+Tuppence shook her head sadly, as she reviewed her backsliding.
+
+“I don’t know what to say to Julius, I’m sure. Oh, what a fool I feel!
+I’ll have to say _something_--he’s so American and thorough, he’ll
+insist upon having a reason. I wonder if he did find anything in that
+safe----”
+
+Tuppence’s meditations went off on another tack. She reviewed the events
+of last night carefully and persistently. Somehow, they seemed bound up
+with Sir James’s enigmatical words....
+
+Suddenly she gave a great start--the colour faded out of her face. Her
+eyes, fascinated, gazed in front of her, the pupils dilated.
+
+“Impossible,” she murmured. “Impossible! I must be going mad even to
+think of such a thing....”
+
+Monstrous--yet it explained everything....
+
+After a moment’s reflection she sat down and wrote a note, weighing each
+word as she did so. Finally she nodded her head as though satisfied, and
+slipped it into an envelope which she addressed to Julius. She went
+down the passage to his sitting-room and knocked at the door. As she had
+expected, the room was empty. She left the note on the table.
+
+A small page-boy was waiting outside her own door when she returned to
+it.
+
+“Telegram for you, miss.”
+
+Tuppence took it from the salver, and tore it open carelessly. Then she
+gave a cry. The telegram was from Tommy!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI. FURTHER ADVENTURES OF TOMMY
+
+FROM a darkness punctuated with throbbing stabs of fire, Tommy dragged
+his senses slowly back to life. When he at last opened his eyes, he was
+conscious of nothing but an excruciating pain through his temples. He
+was vaguely aware of unfamiliar surroundings. Where was he? What had
+happened? He blinked feebly. This was not his bedroom at the _Ritz_. And
+what the devil was the matter with his head?
+
+“Damn!” said Tommy, and tried to sit up. He had remembered. He was in
+that sinister house in Soho. He uttered a groan and fell back. Through
+his almost-closed lids he reconnoitred carefully.
+
+“He is coming to,” remarked a voice very near Tommy’s ear. He recognized
+it at once for that of the bearded and efficient German, and lay
+artistically inert. He felt that it would be a pity to come round too
+soon; and until the pain in his head became a little less acute, he felt
+quite incapable of collecting his wits. Painfully he tried to puzzle out
+what had happened. Obviously somebody must have crept up behind him as
+he listened and struck him down with a blow on the head. They knew
+him now for a spy, and would in all probability give him short shrift.
+Undoubtedly he was in a tight place. Nobody knew where he was, therefore
+he need expect no outside assistance, and must depend solely on his own
+wits.
+
+“Well, here goes,” murmured Tommy to himself, and repeated his former
+remark.
+
+“Damn!” he observed, and this time succeeded in sitting up.
+
+In a minute the German stepped forward and placed a glass to his lips,
+with the brief command “Drink.” Tommy obeyed. The potency of the draught
+made him choke, but it cleared his brain in a marvellous manner.
+
+He was lying on a couch in the room in which the meeting had been held.
+On one side of him was the German, on the other the villainous-faced
+doorkeeper who had let him in. The others were grouped together at a
+little distance away. But Tommy missed one face. The man known as Number
+One was no longer of the company.
+
+“Feel better?” asked the German, as he removed the empty glass.
+
+“Yes, thanks,” returned Tommy cheerfully.
+
+“Ah, my young friend, it is lucky for you your skull is so thick. The
+good Conrad struck hard.” He indicated the evil-faced doorkeeper by a
+nod. The man grinned.
+
+Tommy twisted his head round with an effort.
+
+“Oh,” he said, “so you’re Conrad, are you? It strikes me the thickness
+of my skull was lucky for you too. When I look at you I feel it’s almost
+a pity I’ve enabled you to cheat the hangman.”
+
+The man snarled, and the bearded man said quietly:
+
+“He would have run no risk of that.”
+
+“Just as you like,” replied Tommy. “I know it’s the fashion to run down
+the police. I rather believe in them myself.”
+
+His manner was nonchalant to the last degree. Tommy Beresford was one
+of those young Englishmen not distinguished by any special intellectual
+ability, but who are emphatically at their best in what is known as a
+“tight place.” Their natural diffidence and caution fall from them like
+a glove. Tommy realized perfectly that in his own wits lay the only
+chance of escape, and behind his casual manner he was racking his brains
+furiously.
+
+The cold accents of the German took up the conversation:
+
+“Have you anything to say before you are put to death as a spy?”
+
+“Simply lots of things,” replied Tommy with the same urbanity as before.
+
+“Do you deny that you were listening at that door?”
+
+“I do not. I must really apologize--but your conversation was so
+interesting that it overcame my scruples.”
+
+“How did you get in?”
+
+“Dear old Conrad here.” Tommy smiled deprecatingly at him. “I hesitate
+to suggest pensioning off a faithful servant, but you really ought to
+have a better watchdog.”
+
+Conrad snarled impotently, and said sullenly, as the man with the beard
+swung round upon him:
+
+“He gave the word. How was I to know?”
+
+“Yes,” Tommy chimed in. “How was he to know? Don’t blame the poor
+fellow. His hasty action has given me the pleasure of seeing you all
+face to face.”
+
+He fancied that his words caused some discomposure among the group, but
+the watchful German stilled it with a wave of his hand.
+
+“Dead men tell no tales,” he said evenly.
+
+“Ah,” said Tommy, “but I’m not dead yet!”
+
+“You soon will be, my young friend,” said the German.
+
+An assenting murmur came from the others.
+
+Tommy’s heart beat faster, but his casual pleasantness did not waver.
+
+“I think not,” he said firmly. “I should have a great objection to
+dying.”
+
+He had got them puzzled, he saw that by the look on his captor’s face.
+
+“Can you give us any reason why we should not put you to death?” asked
+the German.
+
+“Several,” replied Tommy. “Look here, you’ve been asking me a lot of
+questions. Let me ask you one for a change. Why didn’t you kill me off
+at once before I regained consciousness?”
+
+The German hesitated, and Tommy seized his advantage.
+
+“Because you didn’t know how much I knew--and where I obtained that
+knowledge. If you kill me now, you never will know.”
+
+But here the emotions of Boris became too much for him. He stepped
+forward waving his arms.
+
+“You hell-hound of a spy,” he screamed. “We will give you short shrift.
+Kill him! Kill him!”
+
+There was a roar of applause.
+
+“You hear?” said the German, his eyes on Tommy. “What have you to say to
+that?”
+
+“Say?” Tommy shrugged his shoulders. “Pack of fools. Let them ask
+themselves a few questions. How did I get into this place? Remember what
+dear old Conrad said-- _with your own password_, wasn’t it? How did I
+get hold of that? You don’t suppose I came up those steps haphazard and
+said the first thing that came into my head?”
+
+Tommy was pleased with the concluding words of this speech. His only
+regret was that Tuppence was not present to appreciate its full flavour.
+
+“That is true,” said the working man suddenly. “Comrades, we have been
+betrayed!”
+
+An ugly murmur arose. Tommy smiled at them encouragingly.
+
+“That’s better. How can you hope to make a success of any job if you
+don’t use your brains?”
+
+“You will tell us who has betrayed us,” said the German. “But that shall
+not save you--oh, no! You shall tell us all that you know. Boris, here,
+knows pretty ways of making people speak!”
+
+“Bah!” said Tommy scornfully, fighting down a singularly unpleasant
+feeling in the pit of his stomach. “You will neither torture me nor kill
+me.”
+
+“And why not?” asked Boris.
+
+“Because you’d kill the goose that lays the golden eggs,” replied Tommy
+quietly.
+
+There was a momentary pause. It seemed as though Tommy’s persistent
+assurance was at last conquering. They were no longer completely sure of
+themselves. The man in the shabby clothes stared at Tommy searchingly.
+
+“He’s bluffing you, Boris,” he said quietly.
+
+Tommy hated him. Had the man seen through him?
+
+The German, with an effort, turned roughly to Tommy.
+
+“What do you mean?”
+
+“What do you think I mean?” parried Tommy, searching desperately in his
+own mind.
+
+Suddenly Boris stepped forward, and shook his fist in Tommy’s face.
+
+“Speak, you swine of an Englishman--speak!”
+
+“Don’t get so excited, my good fellow,” said Tommy calmly. “That’s the
+worst of you foreigners. You can’t keep calm. Now, I ask you, do I look
+as though I thought there were the least chance of your killing me?”
+
+He looked confidently round, and was glad they could not hear the
+persistent beating of his heart which gave the lie to his words.
+
+“No,” admitted Boris at last sullenly, “you do not.”
+
+“Thank God, he’s not a mind reader,” thought Tommy. Aloud he pursued his
+advantage:
+
+“And why am I so confident? Because I know something that puts me in a
+position to propose a bargain.”
+
+“A bargain?” The bearded man took him up sharply.
+
+“Yes--a bargain. My life and liberty against----” He paused.
+
+“Against what?”
+
+The group pressed forward. You could have heard a pin drop.
+
+Slowly Tommy spoke.
+
+“The papers that Danvers brought over from America in the _Lusitania_.”
+
+The effect of his words was electrical. Every one was on his feet.
+The German waved them back. He leaned over Tommy, his face purple with
+excitement.
+
+“_Himmel!_ You have got them, then?”
+
+With magnificent calm Tommy shook his head.
+
+“You know where they are?” persisted the German.
+
+Again Tommy shook his head. “Not in the least.”
+
+“Then--then----” angry and baffled, the words failed him.
+
+Tommy looked round. He saw anger and bewilderment on every face, but his
+calm assurance had done its work--no one doubted but that something lay
+behind his words.
+
+“I don’t know where the papers are--but I believe that I can find them.
+I have a theory----”
+
+“Pah!”
+
+Tommy raised his hand, and silenced the clamours of disgust.
+
+“I call it a theory--but I’m pretty sure of my facts--facts that are
+known to no one but myself. In any case what do you lose? If I can
+produce the papers--you give me my life and liberty in exchange. Is it a
+bargain?”
+
+“And if we refuse?” said the German quietly.
+
+Tommy lay back on the couch.
+
+“The 29th,” he said thoughtfully, “is less than a fortnight ahead----”
+
+For a moment the German hesitated. Then he made a sign to Conrad.
+
+“Take him into the other room.”
+
+For five minutes, Tommy sat on the bed in the dingy room next door. His
+heart was beating violently. He had risked all on this throw. How would
+they decide? And all the while that this agonized questioning went on
+within him, he talked flippantly to Conrad, enraging the cross-grained
+doorkeeper to the point of homicidal mania.
+
+At last the door opened, and the German called imperiously to Conrad to
+return.
+
+“Let’s hope the judge hasn’t put his black cap on,” remarked Tommy
+frivolously. “That’s right, Conrad, march me in. The prisoner is at the
+bar, gentlemen.”
+
+The German was seated once more behind the table. He motioned to Tommy
+to sit down opposite to him.
+
+“We accept,” he said harshly, “on terms. The papers must be delivered to
+us before you go free.”
+
+“Idiot!” said Tommy amiably. “How do you think I can look for them if
+you keep me tied by the leg here?”
+
+“What do you expect, then?”
+
+“I must have liberty to go about the business in my own way.”
+
+The German laughed.
+
+“Do you think we are little children to let you walk out of here leaving
+us a pretty story full of promises?”
+
+“No,” said Tommy thoughtfully. “Though infinitely simpler for me, I
+did not really think you would agree to that plan. Very well, we must
+arrange a compromise. How would it be if you attached little Conrad here
+to my person. He’s a faithful fellow, and very ready with the fist.”
+
+“We prefer,” said the German coldly, “that you should remain here.
+One of our number will carry out your instructions minutely. If the
+operations are complicated, he will return to you with a report and you
+can instruct him further.”
+
+“You’re tying my hands,” complained Tommy. “It’s a very delicate affair,
+and the other fellow will muff it up as likely as not, and then where
+shall I be? I don’t believe one of you has got an ounce of tact.”
+
+The German rapped the table.
+
+“Those are our terms. Otherwise, death!”
+
+Tommy leaned back wearily.
+
+“I like your style. Curt, but attractive. So be it, then. But one thing
+is essential, I must see the girl.”
+
+“What girl?”
+
+“Jane Finn, of course.”
+
+The other looked at him curiously for some minutes, then he said slowly,
+and as though choosing his words with care:
+
+“Do you not know that she can tell you nothing?”
+
+Tommy’s heart beat a little faster. Would he succeed in coming face to
+face with the girl he was seeking?
+
+“I shall not ask her to tell me anything,” he said quietly. “Not in so
+many words, that is.”
+
+“Then why see her?”
+
+Tommy paused.
+
+“To watch her face when I ask her one question,” he replied at last.
+
+Again there was a look in the German’s eyes that Tommy did not quite
+understand.
+
+“She will not be able to answer your question.”
+
+“That does not matter. I shall have seen her face when I ask it.”
+
+“And you think that will tell you anything?” He gave a short
+disagreeable laugh. More than ever, Tommy felt that there was a
+factor somewhere that he did not understand. The German looked at
+him searchingly. “I wonder whether, after all, you know as much as we
+think?” he said softly.
+
+Tommy felt his ascendancy less sure than a moment before. His hold had
+slipped a little. But he was puzzled. What had he said wrong? He spoke
+out on the impulse of the moment.
+
+“There may be things that you know which I do not. I have not pretended
+to be aware of all the details of your show. But equally I’ve got
+something up my sleeve that _you_ don’t know about. And that’s where I
+mean to score. Danvers was a damned clever fellow----” He broke off as
+if he had said too much.
+
+But the German’s face had lightened a little.
+
+“Danvers,” he murmured. “I see----” He paused a minute, then waved to
+Conrad. “Take him away. Upstairs--you know.”
+
+“Wait a minute,” said Tommy. “What about the girl?”
+
+“That may perhaps be arranged.”
+
+“It must be.”
+
+“We will see about it. Only one person can decide that.”
+
+“Who?” asked Tommy. But he knew the answer.
+
+“Mr. Brown----”
+
+“Shall I see him?”
+
+“Perhaps.”
+
+“Come,” said Conrad harshly.
+
+Tommy rose obediently. Outside the door his gaoler motioned to him to
+mount the stairs. He himself followed close behind. On the floor above
+Conrad opened a door and Tommy passed into a small room. Conrad lit a
+hissing gas burner and went out. Tommy heard the sound of the key being
+turned in the lock.
+
+He set to work to examine his prison. It was a smaller room than the
+one downstairs, and there was something peculiarly airless about the
+atmosphere of it. Then he realized that there was no window. He walked
+round it. The walls were filthily dirty, as everywhere else. Four
+pictures hung crookedly on the wall representing scenes from Faust.
+Marguerite with her box of jewels, the church scene, Siebel and his
+flowers, and Faust and Mephistopheles. The latter brought Tommy’s mind
+back to Mr. Brown again. In this sealed and closed chamber, with its
+close-fitting heavy door, he felt cut off from the world, and the
+sinister power of the arch-criminal seemed more real. Shout as he would,
+no one could ever hear him. The place was a living tomb....
+
+With an effort Tommy pulled himself together. He sank on to the bed
+and gave himself up to reflection. His head ached badly; also, he was
+hungry. The silence of the place was dispiriting.
+
+“Anyway,” said Tommy, trying to cheer himself, “I shall see the
+chief--the mysterious Mr. Brown and with a bit of luck in bluffing I
+shall see the mysterious Jane Finn also. After that----”
+
+After that Tommy was forced to admit the prospect looked dreary.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII. ANNETTE
+
+THE troubles of the future, however, soon faded before the troubles of
+the present. And of these, the most immediate and pressing was that of
+hunger. Tommy had a healthy and vigorous appetite. The steak and
+chips partaken of for lunch seemed now to belong to another decade. He
+regretfully recognized the fact that he would not make a success of a
+hunger strike.
+
+He prowled aimlessly about his prison. Once or twice he discarded
+dignity, and pounded on the door. But nobody answered the summons.
+
+“Hang it all!” said Tommy indignantly. “They can’t mean to starve me
+to death.” A new-born fear passed through his mind that this might,
+perhaps, be one of those “pretty ways” of making a prisoner speak, which
+had been attributed to Boris. But on reflection he dismissed the idea.
+
+“It’s that sour-faced brute Conrad,” he decided. “That’s a fellow I
+shall enjoy getting even with one of these days. This is just a bit of
+spite on his part. I’m certain of it.”
+
+Further meditations induced in him the feeling that it would be
+extremely pleasant to bring something down with a whack on Conrad’s
+egg-shaped head. Tommy stroked his own head tenderly, and gave himself
+up to the pleasures of imagination. Finally a bright idea flashed
+across his brain. Why not convert imagination into reality? Conrad
+was undoubtedly the tenant of the house. The others, with the possible
+exception of the bearded German, merely used it as a rendezvous.
+Therefore, why not wait in ambush for Conrad behind the door, and when
+he entered bring down a chair, or one of the decrepit pictures, smartly
+on to his head. One would, of course, be careful not to hit too hard.
+And then--and then, simply walk out! If he met anyone on the way down,
+well---- Tommy brightened at the thought of an encounter with his fists.
+Such an affair was infinitely more in his line than the verbal encounter
+of this afternoon. Intoxicated by his plan, Tommy gently unhooked the
+picture of the Devil and Faust, and settled himself in position. His
+hopes were high. The plan seemed to him simple but excellent.
+
+Time went on, but Conrad did not appear. Night and day were the same
+in this prison room, but Tommy’s wrist-watch, which enjoyed a certain
+degree of accuracy, informed him that it was nine o’clock in the
+evening. Tommy reflected gloomily that if supper did not arrive soon
+it would be a question of waiting for breakfast. At ten o’clock hope
+deserted him, and he flung himself on the bed to seek consolation in
+sleep. In five minutes his woes were forgotten.
+
+The sound of the key turning in the lock awoke him from his slumbers.
+Not belonging to the type of hero who is famous for awaking in full
+possession of his faculties, Tommy merely blinked at the ceiling and
+wondered vaguely where he was. Then he remembered, and looked at his
+watch. It was eight o’clock.
+
+“It’s either early morning tea or breakfast,” deduced the young man,
+“and pray God it’s the latter!”
+
+The door swung open. Too late, Tommy remembered his scheme of
+obliterating the unprepossessing Conrad. A moment later he was glad that
+he had, for it was not Conrad who entered, but a girl. She carried a
+tray which she set down on the table.
+
+In the feeble light of the gas burner Tommy blinked at her. He decided
+at once that she was one of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen.
+Her hair was a full rich brown, with sudden glints of gold in it as
+though there were imprisoned sunbeams struggling in its depths. There
+was a wild-rose quality about her face. Her eyes, set wide apart, were
+hazel, a golden hazel that again recalled a memory of sunbeams.
+
+A delirious thought shot through Tommy’s mind.
+
+“Are you Jane Finn?” he asked breathlessly.
+
+The girl shook her head wonderingly.
+
+“My name is Annette, monsieur.”
+
+She spoke in a soft, broken English.
+
+“Oh!” said Tommy, rather taken aback. _“Française?”_ he hazarded.
+
+“Oui, monsieur. Monsieur parle français?”
+
+“Not for any length of time,” said Tommy. “What’s that? Breakfast?”
+
+The girl nodded. Tommy dropped off the bed and came and inspected the
+contents of the tray. It consisted of a loaf, some margarine, and a jug
+of coffee.
+
+“The living is not equal to the _Ritz_,” he observed with a sigh. “But
+for what we are at last about to receive the Lord has made me truly
+thankful. Amen.”
+
+He drew up a chair, and the girl turned away to the door.
+
+“Wait a sec,” cried Tommy. “There are lots of things I want to ask you,
+Annette. What are you doing in this house? Don’t tell me you’re Conrad’s
+niece, or daughter, or anything, because I can’t believe it.”
+
+“I do the _service_, monsieur. I am not related to anybody.”
+
+“I see,” said Tommy. “You know what I asked you just now. Have you ever
+heard that name?”
+
+“I have heard people speak of Jane Finn, I think.”
+
+“You don’t know where she is?”
+
+Annette shook her head.
+
+“She’s not in this house, for instance?”
+
+“Oh no, monsieur. I must go now--they will be waiting for me.”
+
+She hurried out. The key turned in the lock.
+
+“I wonder who ‘they’ are,” mused Tommy, as he continued to make inroads
+on the loaf. “With a bit of luck, that girl might help me to get out of
+here. She doesn’t look like one of the gang.”
+
+At one o’clock Annette reappeared with another tray, but this time
+Conrad accompanied her.
+
+“Good morning,” said Tommy amiably. “You have _not_ used Pear’s soap, I
+see.”
+
+Conrad growled threateningly.
+
+“No light repartee, have you, old bean? There, there, we can’t always
+have brains as well as beauty. What have we for lunch? Stew? How did I
+know? Elementary, my dear Watson--the smell of onions is unmistakable.”
+
+“Talk away,” grunted the man. “It’s little enough time you’ll have to
+talk in, maybe.”
+
+The remark was unpleasant in its suggestion, but Tommy ignored it. He
+sat down at the table.
+
+“Retire, varlet,” he said, with a wave of his hand. “Prate not to thy
+betters.”
+
+That evening Tommy sat on the bed, and cogitated deeply. Would Conrad
+again accompany the girl? If he did not, should he risk trying to make
+an ally of her? He decided that he must leave no stone unturned. His
+position was desperate.
+
+At eight o’clock the familiar sound of the key turning made him spring
+to his feet. The girl was alone.
+
+“Shut the door,” he commanded. “I want to speak to you.” She obeyed.
+
+“Look here, Annette, I want you to help me get out of this.” She shook
+her head.
+
+“Impossible. There are three of them on the floor below.”
+
+“Oh!” Tommy was secretly grateful for the information. “But you would
+help me if you could?”
+
+“No, monsieur.”
+
+“Why not?”
+
+The girl hesitated.
+
+“I think--they are my own people. You have spied upon them. They are
+quite right to keep you here.”
+
+“They’re a bad lot, Annette. If you’ll help me, I’ll take you away from
+the lot of them. And you’d probably get a good whack of money.”
+
+But the girl merely shook her head.
+
+“I dare not, monsieur; I am afraid of them.”
+
+She turned away.
+
+“Wouldn’t you do anything to help another girl?” cried Tommy. “She’s
+about your age too. Won’t you save her from their clutches?”
+
+“You mean Jane Finn?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“It is her you came here to look for? Yes?”
+
+“That’s it.”
+
+The girl looked at him, then passed her hand across her forehead.
+
+“Jane Finn. Always I hear that name. It is familiar.”
+
+Tommy came forward eagerly.
+
+“You must know _something_ about her?”
+
+But the girl turned away abruptly.
+
+“I know nothing--only the name.” She walked towards the door. Suddenly
+she uttered a cry. Tommy stared. She had caught sight of the picture
+he had laid against the wall the night before. For a moment he caught a
+look of terror in her eyes. As inexplicably it changed to relief. Then
+abruptly she went out of the room. Tommy could make nothing of it. Did
+she fancy that he had meant to attack her with it? Surely not. He rehung
+the picture on the wall thoughtfully.
+
+Three more days went by in dreary inaction. Tommy felt the strain
+telling on his nerves. He saw no one but Conrad and Annette, and the
+girl had become dumb. She spoke only in monosyllables. A kind of dark
+suspicion smouldered in her eyes. Tommy felt that if this solitary
+confinement went on much longer he would go mad. He gathered from Conrad
+that they were waiting for orders from “Mr. Brown.” Perhaps, thought
+Tommy, he was abroad or away, and they were obliged to wait for his
+return.
+
+But the evening of the third day brought a rude awakening.
+
+It was barely seven o’clock when he heard the tramp of footsteps outside
+in the passage. In another minute the door was flung open. Conrad
+entered. With him was the evil-looking Number 14. Tommy’s heart sank at
+the sight of them.
+
+“Evenin’, gov’nor,” said the man with a leer. “Got those ropes, mate?”
+
+The silent Conrad produced a length of fine cord. The next minute Number
+14’s hands, horribly dexterous, were winding the cord round his limbs,
+while Conrad held him down.
+
+“What the devil----?” began Tommy.
+
+But the slow, speechless grin of the silent Conrad froze the words on
+his lips.
+
+Number 14 proceeded deftly with his task. In another minute Tommy was a
+mere helpless bundle. Then at last Conrad spoke:
+
+“Thought you’d bluffed us, did you? With what you knew, and what you
+didn’t know. Bargained with us! And all the time it was bluff! Bluff!
+You know less than a kitten. But your number’s up now all right, you
+b---- swine.”
+
+Tommy lay silent. There was nothing to say. He had failed. Somehow
+or other the omnipotent Mr. Brown had seen through his pretensions.
+Suddenly a thought occurred to him.
+
+“A very good speech, Conrad,” he said approvingly. “But wherefore the
+bonds and fetters? Why not let this kind gentleman here cut my throat
+without delay?”
+
+“Garn,” said Number 14 unexpectedly. “Think we’re as green as to do you
+in here, and have the police nosing round? Not ‘alf! We’ve ordered the
+carriage for your lordship to-morrow mornin’, but in the meantime we’re
+not taking any chances, see!”
+
+“Nothing,” said Tommy, “could be plainer than your words--unless it was
+your face.”
+
+“Stow it,” said Number 14.
+
+“With pleasure,” replied Tommy. “You’re making a sad mistake--but yours
+will be the loss.”
+
+“You don’t kid us that way again,” said Number 14. “Talking as though
+you were still at the blooming _Ritz_, aren’t you?”
+
+Tommy made no reply. He was engaged in wondering how Mr. Brown had
+discovered his identity. He decided that Tuppence, in the throes of
+anxiety, had gone to the police, and that his disappearance having been
+made public the gang had not been slow to put two and two together.
+
+The two men departed and the door slammed. Tommy was left to his
+meditations. They were not pleasant ones. Already his limbs felt cramped
+and stiff. He was utterly helpless, and he could see no hope anywhere.
+
+About an hour had passed when he heard the key softly turned, and the
+door opened. It was Annette. Tommy’s heart beat a little faster. He had
+forgotten the girl. Was it possible that she had come to his help?
+
+Suddenly he heard Conrad’s voice:
+
+“Come out of it, Annette. He doesn’t want any supper to-night.”
+
+“Oui, oui, je sais bien. But I must take the other tray. We need the
+things on it.”
+
+“Well, hurry up,” growled Conrad.
+
+Without looking at Tommy the girl went over to the table, and picked up
+the tray. She raised a hand and turned out the light.
+
+“Curse you”--Conrad had come to the door--“why did you do that?”
+
+“I always turn it out. You should have told me. Shall I relight it,
+Monsieur Conrad?”
+
+“No, come on out of it.”
+
+“Le beau petit monsieur,” cried Annette, pausing by the bed in the
+darkness. “You have tied him up well, _hein?_ He is like a trussed
+chicken!” The frank amusement in her tone jarred on the boy; but at
+that moment, to his amazement, he felt her hand running lightly over
+his bonds, and something small and cold was pressed into the palm of his
+hand.
+
+“Come on, Annette.”
+
+“Mais me voilà.”
+
+The door shut. Tommy heard Conrad say:
+
+“Lock it and give me the key.”
+
+The footsteps died away. Tommy lay petrified with amazement. The object
+Annette had thrust into his hand was a small penknife, the blade open.
+From the way she had studiously avoided looking at him, and her action
+with the light, he came to the conclusion that the room was overlooked.
+There must be a peep-hole somewhere in the walls. Remembering how
+guarded she had always been in her manner, he saw that he had probably
+been under observation all the time. Had he said anything to give
+himself away? Hardly. He had revealed a wish to escape and a desire
+to find Jane Finn, but nothing that could have given a clue to his
+own identity. True, his question to Annette had proved that he was
+personally unacquainted with Jane Finn, but he had never pretended
+otherwise. The question now was, did Annette really know more? Were her
+denials intended primarily for the listeners? On that point he could
+come to no conclusion.
+
+But there was a more vital question that drove out all others. Could he,
+bound as he was, manage to cut his bonds? He essayed cautiously to
+rub the open blade up and down on the cord that bound his two wrists
+together. It was an awkward business, and drew a smothered “Ow” of pain
+from him as the knife cut into his wrist. But slowly and doggedly he
+went on sawing to and fro. He cut the flesh badly, but at last he felt
+the cord slacken. With his hands free, the rest was easy. Five minutes
+later he stood upright with some difficulty, owing to the cramp in his
+limbs. His first care was to bind up his bleeding wrist. Then he sat on
+the edge of the bed to think. Conrad had taken the key of the door, so
+he could expect little more assistance from Annette. The only outlet
+from the room was the door, consequently he would perforce have to wait
+until the two men returned to fetch him. But when they did.... Tommy
+smiled! Moving with infinite caution in the dark room, he found and
+unhooked the famous picture. He felt an economical pleasure that his
+first plan would not be wasted. There was now nothing to do but to wait.
+He waited.
+
+The night passed slowly. Tommy lived through an eternity of hours, but
+at last he heard footsteps. He stood upright, drew a deep breath, and
+clutched the picture firmly.
+
+The door opened. A faint light streamed in from outside. Conrad went
+straight towards the gas to light it. Tommy deeply regretted that it was
+he who had entered first. It would have been pleasant to get even with
+Conrad. Number 14 followed. As he stepped across the threshold, Tommy
+brought the picture down with terrific force on his head. Number 14 went
+down amidst a stupendous crash of broken glass. In a minute Tommy had
+slipped out and pulled to the door. The key was in the lock. He turned
+it and withdrew it just as Conrad hurled himself against the door from
+the inside with a volley of curses.
+
+For a moment Tommy hesitated. There was the sound of some one stirring
+on the floor below. Then the German’s voice came up the stairs.
+
+“Gott im Himmel! Conrad, what is it?”
+
+Tommy felt a small hand thrust into his. Beside him stood Annette. She
+pointed up a rickety ladder that apparently led to some attics.
+
+“Quick--up here!” She dragged him after her up the ladder. In another
+moment they were standing in a dusty garret littered with lumber. Tommy
+looked round.
+
+“This won’t do. It’s a regular trap. There’s no way out.”
+
+“Hush! Wait.” The girl put her finger to her lips. She crept to the top
+of the ladder and listened.
+
+The banging and beating on the door was terrific. The German and another
+were trying to force the door in. Annette explained in a whisper:
+
+“They will think you are still inside. They cannot hear what Conrad
+says. The door is too thick.”
+
+“I thought you could hear what went on in the room?”
+
+“There is a peep-hole into the next room. It was clever of you to guess.
+But they will not think of that--they are only anxious to get in.”
+
+“Yes--but look here----”
+
+“Leave it to me.” She bent down. To his amazement, Tommy saw that she
+was fastening the end of a long piece of string to the handle of a big
+cracked jug. She arranged it carefully, then turned to Tommy.
+
+“Have you the key of the door?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Give it to me.”
+
+He handed it to her.
+
+“I am going down. Do you think you can go halfway, and then swing
+yourself down _behind_ the ladder, so that they will not see you?”
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+“There’s a big cupboard in the shadow of the landing. Stand behind it.
+Take the end of this string in your hand. When I’ve let the others out--
+_pull! _”
+
+Before he had time to ask her anything more, she had flitted lightly
+down the ladder and was in the midst of the group with a loud cry:
+
+“Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! Qu’est-ce qu’il y a?”
+
+The German turned on her with an oath.
+
+“Get out of this. Go to your room!”
+
+Very cautiously Tommy swung himself down the back of the ladder. So
+long as they did not turn round ... all was well. He crouched behind the
+cupboard. They were still between him and the stairs.
+
+“Ah!” Annette appeared to stumble over something. She stooped. “Mon
+Dieu, voilà la clef!”
+
+The German snatched it from her. He unlocked the door. Conrad stumbled
+out, swearing.
+
+“Where is he? Have you got him?”
+
+“We have seen no one,” said the German sharply. His face paled. “Who do
+you mean?”
+
+Conrad gave vent to another oath.
+
+“He’s got away.”
+
+“Impossible. He would have passed us.”
+
+At that moment, with an ecstatic smile Tommy pulled the string. A crash
+of crockery came from the attic above. In a trice the men were pushing
+each other up the rickety ladder and had disappeared into the darkness
+above.
+
+Quick as a flash Tommy leapt from his hiding-place and dashed down the
+stairs, pulling the girl with him. There was no one in the hall. He
+fumbled over the bolts and chain. At last they yielded, the door swung
+open. He turned. Annette had disappeared.
+
+Tommy stood spell-bound. Had she run upstairs again? What madness
+possessed her! He fumed with impatience, but he stood his ground. He
+would not go without her.
+
+And suddenly there was an outcry overhead, an exclamation from the
+German, and then Annette’s voice, clear and high:
+
+“Ma foi, he has escaped! And quickly! Who would have thought it?”
+
+Tommy still stood rooted to the ground. Was that a command to him to go?
+He fancied it was.
+
+And then, louder still, the words floated down to him:
+
+“This is a terrible house. I want to go back to Marguerite. To
+Marguerite. _To Marguerite!_”
+
+Tommy had run back to the stairs. She wanted him to go and leave her.
+But why? At all costs he must try and get her away with him. Then his
+heart sank. Conrad was leaping down the stairs, uttering a savage cry at
+the sight of him. After him came the others.
+
+Tommy stopped Conrad’s rush with a straight blow with his fist. It
+caught the other on the point of the jaw and he fell like a log. The
+second man tripped over his body and fell. From higher up the staircase
+there was a flash, and a bullet grazed Tommy’s ear. He realized that
+it would be good for his health to get out of this house as soon as
+possible. As regards Annette he could do nothing. He had got even with
+Conrad, which was one satisfaction. The blow had been a good one.
+
+He leapt for the door, slamming it behind him. The square was deserted.
+In front of the house was a baker’s van. Evidently he was to have been
+taken out of London in that, and his body found many miles from the
+house in Soho. The driver jumped to the pavement and tried to bar
+Tommy’s way. Again Tommy’s fist shot out, and the driver sprawled on the
+pavement.
+
+Tommy took to his heels and ran--none too soon. The front door opened
+and a hail of bullets followed him. Fortunately none of them hit him. He
+turned the corner of the square.
+
+“There’s one thing,” he thought to himself, “they can’t go on shooting.
+They’ll have the police after them if they do. I wonder they dared to
+there.”
+
+He heard the footsteps of his pursuers behind him, and redoubled his own
+pace. Once he got out of these by-ways he would be safe. There would be
+a policeman about somewhere--not that he really wanted to invoke the aid
+of the police if he could possibly do without it. It meant explanations,
+and general awkwardness. In another moment he had reason to bless his
+luck. He stumbled over a prostrate figure, which started up with a yell
+of alarm and dashed off down the street. Tommy drew back into a doorway.
+In a minute he had the pleasure of seeing his two pursuers, of whom the
+German was one, industriously tracking down the red herring!
+
+Tommy sat down quietly on the doorstep and allowed a few moments to
+elapse while he recovered his breath. Then he strolled gently in the
+opposite direction. He glanced at his watch. It was a little after
+half-past five. It was rapidly growing light. At the next corner he
+passed a policeman. The policeman cast a suspicious eye on him. Tommy
+felt slightly offended. Then, passing his hand over his face, he
+laughed. He had not shaved or washed for three days! What a guy he must
+look.
+
+He betook himself without more ado to a Turkish Bath establishment which
+he knew to be open all night. He emerged into the busy daylight feeling
+himself once more, and able to make plans.
+
+First of all, he must have a square meal. He had eaten nothing since
+midday yesterday. He turned into an A.B.C. shop and ordered eggs and
+bacon and coffee. Whilst he ate, he read a morning paper propped up
+in front of him. Suddenly he stiffened. There was a long article on
+Kramenin, who was described as the “man behind Bolshevism” in Russia,
+and who had just arrived in London--some thought as an unofficial envoy.
+His career was sketched lightly, and it was firmly asserted that he,
+and not the figurehead leaders, had been the author of the Russian
+Revolution.
+
+In the centre of the page was his portrait.
+
+“So that’s who Number 1 is,” said Tommy with his mouth full of eggs and
+bacon. “Not a doubt about it, I must push on.”
+
+He paid for his breakfast, and betook himself to Whitehall. There he
+sent up his name, and the message that it was urgent. A few minutes
+later he was in the presence of the man who did not here go by the name
+of “Mr. Carter.” There was a frown on his face.
+
+“Look here, you’ve no business to come asking for me in this way. I
+thought that was distinctly understood?”
+
+“It was, sir. But I judged it important to lose no time.”
+
+And as briefly and succinctly as possible he detailed the experiences of
+the last few days.
+
+Half-way through, Mr. Carter interrupted him to give a few cryptic
+orders through the telephone. All traces of displeasure had now left his
+face. He nodded energetically when Tommy had finished.
+
+“Quite right. Every moment’s of value. Fear we shall be too late anyway.
+They wouldn’t wait. Would clear out at once. Still, they may have left
+something behind them that will be a clue. You say you’ve recognized
+Number 1 to be Kramenin? That’s important. We want something against him
+badly to prevent the Cabinet falling on his neck too freely. What about
+the others? You say two faces were familiar to you? One’s a Labour man,
+you think? Just look through these photos, and see if you can spot him.”
+
+A minute later, Tommy held one up. Mr. Carter exhibited some surprise.
+
+“Ah, Westway! Shouldn’t have thought it. Poses as being moderate. As for
+the other fellow, I think I can give a good guess.” He handed another
+photograph to Tommy, and smiled at the other’s exclamation. “I’m right,
+then. Who is he? Irishman. Prominent Unionist M.P. All a blind, of
+course. We’ve suspected it--but couldn’t get any proof. Yes, you’ve done
+very well, young man. The 29th, you say, is the date. That gives us very
+little time--very little time indeed.”
+
+“But----” Tommy hesitated.
+
+Mr. Carter read his thoughts.
+
+“We can deal with the General Strike menace, I think. It’s a
+toss-up--but we’ve got a sporting chance! But if that draft treaty turns
+up--we’re done. England will be plunged in anarchy. Ah, what’s that?
+The car? Come on, Beresford, we’ll go and have a look at this house of
+yours.”
+
+Two constables were on duty in front of the house in Soho. An inspector
+reported to Mr. Carter in a low voice. The latter turned to Tommy.
+
+“The birds have flown--as we thought. We might as well go over it.”
+
+Going over the deserted house seemed to Tommy to partake of the
+character of a dream. Everything was just as it had been. The prison
+room with the crooked pictures, the broken jug in the attic, the meeting
+room with its long table. But nowhere was there a trace of papers.
+Everything of that kind had either been destroyed or taken away. And
+there was no sign of Annette.
+
+“What you tell me about the girl puzzled me,” said Mr. Carter. “You
+believe that she deliberately went back?”
+
+“It would seem so, sir. She ran upstairs while I was getting the door
+open.”
+
+“H’m, she must belong to the gang, then; but, being a woman, didn’t feel
+like standing by to see a personable young man killed. But evidently
+she’s in with them, or she wouldn’t have gone back.”
+
+“I can’t believe she’s really one of them, sir. She--seemed so
+different----”
+
+“Good-looking, I suppose?” said Mr. Carter with a smile that made Tommy
+flush to the roots of his hair. He admitted Annette’s beauty rather
+shamefacedly.
+
+“By the way,” observed Mr. Carter, “have you shown yourself to Miss
+Tuppence yet? She’s been bombarding me with letters about you.”
+
+“Tuppence? I was afraid she might get a bit rattled. Did she go to the
+police?”
+
+Mr. Carter shook his head.
+
+“Then I wonder how they twigged me.”
+
+Mr. Carter looked inquiringly at him, and Tommy explained. The other
+nodded thoughtfully.
+
+“True, that’s rather a curious point. Unless the mention of the _Ritz_
+was an accidental remark?”
+
+“It might have been, sir. But they must have found out about me suddenly
+in some way.”
+
+“Well,” said Mr. Carter, looking round him, “there’s nothing more to be
+done here. What about some lunch with me?”
+
+“Thanks awfully, sir. But I think I’d better get back and rout out
+Tuppence.”
+
+“Of course. Give her my kind regards and tell her not to believe you’re
+killed too readily next time.”
+
+Tommy grinned.
+
+“I take a lot of killing, sir.”
+
+“So I perceive,” said Mr. Carter dryly. “Well, good-bye. Remember you’re
+a marked man now, and take reasonable care of yourself.”
+
+“Thank you, sir.”
+
+Hailing a taxi briskly Tommy stepped in, and was swiftly borne to the
+_Ritz_, dwelling the while on the pleasurable anticipation of startling
+Tuppence.
+
+“Wonder what she’s been up to. Dogging ‘Rita’ most likely. By the way,
+I suppose that’s who Annette meant by Marguerite. I didn’t get it at the
+time.” The thought saddened him a little, for it seemed to prove that
+Mrs. Vandemeyer and the girl were on intimate terms.
+
+The taxi drew up at the _Ritz_. Tommy burst into its sacred portals
+eagerly, but his enthusiasm received a check. He was informed that Miss
+Cowley had gone out a quarter of an hour ago.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII. THE TELEGRAM
+
+BAFFLED for the moment, Tommy strolled into the restaurant, and ordered
+a meal of surpassing excellence. His four days’ imprisonment had taught
+him anew to value good food.
+
+He was in the middle of conveying a particularly choice morsel of Sole
+à la Jeanette to his mouth, when he caught sight of Julius entering
+the room. Tommy waved a menu cheerfully, and succeeded in attracting the
+other’s attention. At the sight of Tommy, Julius’s eyes seemed as though
+they would pop out of his head. He strode across, and pump-handled
+Tommy’s hand with what seemed to the latter quite unnecessary vigour.
+
+“Holy snakes!” he ejaculated. “Is it really you?”
+
+“Of course it is. Why shouldn’t it be?”
+
+“Why shouldn’t it be? Say, man, don’t you know you’ve been given up
+for dead? I guess we’d have had a solemn requiem for you in another few
+days.”
+
+“Who thought I was dead?” demanded Tommy.
+
+“Tuppence.”
+
+“She remembered the proverb about the good dying young, I suppose. There
+must be a certain amount of original sin in me to have survived. Where
+is Tuppence, by the way?”
+
+“Isn’t she here?”
+
+“No, the fellows at the office said she’d just gone out.”
+
+“Gone shopping, I guess. I dropped her here in the car about an hour
+ago. But, say, can’t you shed that British calm of yours, and get down
+to it? What on God’s earth have you been doing all this time?”
+
+“If you’re feeding here,” replied Tommy, “order now. It’s going to be a
+long story.”
+
+Julius drew up a chair to the opposite side of the table, summoned a
+hovering waiter, and dictated his wishes. Then he turned to Tommy.
+
+“Fire ahead. I guess you’ve had some few adventures.”
+
+“One or two,” replied Tommy modestly, and plunged into his recital.
+
+Julius listened spellbound. Half the dishes that were placed before him
+he forgot to eat. At the end he heaved a long sigh.
+
+“Bully for you. Reads like a dime novel!”
+
+“And now for the home front,” said Tommy, stretching out his hand for a
+peach.
+
+“We-el,” drawled Julius, “I don’t mind admitting we’ve had some
+adventures too.”
+
+He, in his turn, assumed the rôle of narrator. Beginning with his
+unsuccessful reconnoitring at Bournemouth, he passed on to his return
+to London, the buying of the car, the growing anxieties of Tuppence,
+the call upon Sir James, and the sensational occurrences of the previous
+night.
+
+“But who killed her?” asked Tommy. “I don’t quite understand.”
+
+“The doctor kidded himself she took it herself,” replied Julius dryly.
+
+“And Sir James? What did he think?”
+
+“Being a legal luminary, he is likewise a human oyster,” replied Julius.
+“I should say he ‘reserved judgment.’” He went on to detail the events
+of the morning.
+
+“Lost her memory, eh?” said Tommy with interest. “By Jove, that explains
+why they looked at me so queerly when I spoke of questioning her. Bit of
+a slip on my part, that! But it wasn’t the sort of thing a fellow would
+be likely to guess.”
+
+“They didn’t give you any sort of hint as to where Jane was?”
+
+Tommy shook his head regretfully.
+
+“Not a word. I’m a bit of an ass, as you know. I ought to have got more
+out of them somehow.”
+
+“I guess you’re lucky to be here at all. That bluff of yours was the
+goods all right. How you ever came to think of it all so pat beats me to
+a frazzle!”
+
+“I was in such a funk I had to think of something,” said Tommy simply.
+
+There was a moment’s pause, and then Tommy reverted to Mrs. Vandemeyer’s
+death.
+
+“There’s no doubt it was chloral?”
+
+“I believe not. At least they call it heart failure induced by an
+overdose, or some such claptrap. It’s all right. We don’t want to
+be worried with an inquest. But I guess Tuppence and I and even the
+highbrow Sir James have all got the same idea.”
+
+“Mr. Brown?” hazarded Tommy.
+
+“Sure thing.”
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+“All the same,” he said thoughtfully, “Mr. Brown hasn’t got wings. I
+don’t see how he got in and out.”
+
+“How about some high-class thought transference stunt? Some magnetic
+influence that irresistibly impelled Mrs. Vandemeyer to commit suicide?”
+
+Tommy looked at him with respect.
+
+“Good, Julius. Distinctly good. Especially the phraseology. But it
+leaves me cold. I yearn for a real Mr. Brown of flesh and blood. I think
+the gifted young detectives must get to work, study the entrances and
+exits, and tap the bumps on their foreheads until the solution of the
+mystery dawns on them. Let’s go round to the scene of the crime. I wish
+we could get hold of Tuppence. The _Ritz_ would enjoy the spectacle of
+the glad reunion.”
+
+Inquiry at the office revealed the fact that Tuppence had not yet
+returned.
+
+“All the same, I guess I’ll have a look round upstairs,” said Julius.
+“She might be in my sitting-room.” He disappeared.
+
+Suddenly a diminutive boy spoke at Tommy’s elbow:
+
+“The young lady--she’s gone away by train, I think, sir,” he murmured
+shyly.
+
+“What?” Tommy wheeled round upon him.
+
+The small boy became pinker than before.
+
+“The taxi, sir. I heard her tell the driver Charing Cross and to look
+sharp.”
+
+Tommy stared at him, his eyes opening wide in surprise. Emboldened, the
+small boy proceeded. “So I thought, having asked for an A.B.C. and a
+Bradshaw.”
+
+Tommy interrupted him:
+
+“When did she ask for an A.B.C. and a Bradshaw?”
+
+“When I took her the telegram, sir.”
+
+“A telegram?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“When was that?”
+
+“About half-past twelve, sir.”
+
+“Tell me exactly what happened.”
+
+The small boy drew a long breath.
+
+“I took up a telegram to No. 891--the lady was there. She opened it
+and gave a gasp, and then she said, very jolly like: ‘Bring me up a
+Bradshaw, and an A.B.C., and look sharp, Henry.’ My name isn’t Henry,
+but----”
+
+“Never mind your name,” said Tommy impatiently. “Go on.”
+
+“Yes, sir. I brought them, and she told me to wait, and looked up
+something. And then she looks up at the clock, and ‘Hurry up,’ she says.
+‘Tell them to get me a taxi,’ and she begins a-shoving on of her hat in
+front of the glass, and she was down in two ticks, almost as quick as I
+was, and I seed her going down the steps and into the taxi, and I heard
+her call out what I told you.”
+
+The small boy stopped and replenished his lungs. Tommy continued to
+stare at him. At that moment Julius rejoined him. He held an open letter
+in his hand.
+
+“I say, Hersheimmer”--Tommy turned to him--“Tuppence has gone off
+sleuthing on her own.”
+
+“Shucks!”
+
+“Yes, she has. She went off in a taxi to Charing Cross in the deuce of a
+hurry after getting a telegram.” His eye fell on the letter in Julius’s
+hand. “Oh; she left a note for you. That’s all right. Where’s she off
+to?”
+
+Almost unconsciously, he held out his hand for the letter, but
+Julius folded it up and placed it in his pocket. He seemed a trifle
+embarrassed.
+
+“I guess this is nothing to do with it. It’s about something
+else--something I asked her that she was to let me know about.”
+
+“Oh!” Tommy looked puzzled, and seemed waiting for more.
+
+“See here,” said Julius suddenly, “I’d better put you wise. I asked Miss
+Tuppence to marry me this morning.”
+
+“Oh!” said Tommy mechanically. He felt dazed. Julius’s words were
+totally unexpected. For the moment they benumbed his brain.
+
+“I’d like to tell you,” continued Julius, “that before I suggested
+anything of the kind to Miss Tuppence, I made it clear that I didn’t
+want to butt in in any way between her and you----”
+
+Tommy roused himself.
+
+“That’s all right,” he said quickly. “Tuppence and I have been pals for
+years. Nothing more.” He lit a cigarette with a hand that shook ever
+so little. “That’s quite all right. Tuppence always said that she was
+looking out for----”
+
+He stopped abruptly, his face crimsoning, but Julius was in no way
+discomposed.
+
+“Oh, I guess it’ll be the dollars that’ll do the trick. Miss Tuppence
+put me wise to that right away. There’s no humbug about her. We ought to
+gee along together very well.”
+
+Tommy looked at him curiously for a minute, as though he were about
+to speak, then changed his mind and said nothing. Tuppence and Julius!
+Well, why not? Had she not lamented the fact that she knew no rich men?
+Had she not openly avowed her intention of marrying for money if she
+ever had the chance? Her meeting with the young American millionaire
+had given her the chance--and it was unlikely she would be slow to avail
+herself of it. She was out for money. She had always said so. Why blame
+her because she had been true to her creed?
+
+Nevertheless, Tommy did blame her. He was filled with a passionate and
+utterly illogical resentment. It was all very well to _say_ things
+like that--but a _real_ girl would never marry for money. Tuppence was
+utterly cold-blooded and selfish, and he would be delighted if he never
+saw her again! And it was a rotten world!
+
+Julius’s voice broke in on these meditations.
+
+“Yes, we ought to gee along together very well. I’ve heard that a girl
+always refuses you once--a sort of convention.”
+
+Tommy caught his arm.
+
+“Refuses? Did you say _refuses?_”
+
+“Sure thing. Didn’t I tell you that? She just rapped out a ‘no’ without
+any kind of reason to it. The eternal feminine, the Huns call it, I’ve
+heard. But she’ll come round right enough. Likely enough, I hustled her
+some----”
+
+But Tommy interrupted regardless of decorum.
+
+“What did she say in that note?” he demanded fiercely.
+
+The obliging Julius handed it to him.
+
+“There’s no earthly clue in it as to where she’s gone,” he assured
+Tommy. “But you might as well see for yourself if you don’t believe me.”
+
+The note, in Tuppence’s well-known schoolboy writing, ran as follows:
+
+“DEAR JULIUS,
+
+“It’s always better to have things in black and white. I don’t feel I
+can be bothered to think of marriage until Tommy is found. Let’s leave
+it till then.
+
+“Yours affectionately,
+
+“TUPPENCE.”
+
+Tommy handed it back, his eyes shining. His feelings had undergone a
+sharp reaction. He now felt that Tuppence was all that was noble and
+disinterested. Had she not refused Julius without hesitation? True, the
+note betokened signs of weakening, but he could excuse that. It read
+almost like a bribe to Julius to spur him on in his efforts to find
+Tommy, but he supposed she had not really meant it that way. Darling
+Tuppence, there was not a girl in the world to touch her! When he saw
+her----His thoughts were brought up with a sudden jerk.
+
+“As you say,” he remarked, pulling himself together, “there’s not a hint
+here as to what she’s up to. Hi--Henry!”
+
+The small boy came obediently. Tommy produced five shillings.
+
+“One thing more. Do you remember what the young lady did with the
+telegram?”
+
+Henry gasped and spoke.
+
+“She crumpled it up into a ball and threw it into the grate, and made a
+sort of noise like ‘Whoop!’ sir.”
+
+“Very graphic, Henry,” said Tommy. “Here’s your five shillings. Come on,
+Julius. We must find that telegram.”
+
+They hurried upstairs. Tuppence had left the key in her door. The room
+was as she had left it. In the fireplace was a crumpled ball of orange
+and white. Tommy disentangled it and smoothed out the telegram.
+
+“Come at once, Moat House, Ebury, Yorkshire, great developments--TOMMY.”
+
+They looked at each other in stupefaction. Julius spoke first:
+
+“You didn’t send it?”
+
+“Of course not. What does it mean?”
+
+“I guess it means the worst,” said Julius quietly. “They’ve got her.”
+
+_“What?”_
+
+“Sure thing! They signed your name, and she fell into the trap like a
+lamb.”
+
+“My God! What shall we do?”
+
+“Get busy, and go after her! Right now! There’s no time to waste. It’s
+almighty luck that she didn’t take the wire with her. If she had we’d
+probably never have traced her. But we’ve got to hustle. Where’s that
+Bradshaw?”
+
+The energy of Julius was infectious. Left to himself, Tommy would
+probably have sat down to think things out for a good half-hour before
+he decided on a plan of action. But with Julius Hersheimmer about,
+hustling was inevitable.
+
+After a few muttered imprecations he handed the Bradshaw to Tommy as
+being more conversant with its mysteries. Tommy abandoned it in favour
+of an A.B.C.
+
+“Here we are. Ebury, Yorks. From King’s Cross. Or St. Pancras. (Boy must
+have made a mistake. It was King’s Cross, not _Charing_ Cross.) 12.50,
+that’s the train she went by. 2.10, that’s gone. 3.20 is the next--and a
+damned slow train too.”
+
+“What about the car?”
+
+Tommy shook his head.
+
+“Send it up if you like, but we’d better stick to the train. The great
+thing is to keep calm.”
+
+Julius groaned.
+
+“That’s so. But it gets my goat to think of that innocent young girl in
+danger!”
+
+Tommy nodded abstractedly. He was thinking. In a moment or two, he said:
+
+“I say, Julius, what do they want her for, anyway?”
+
+“Eh? I don’t get you?”
+
+“What I mean is that I don’t think it’s their game to do her any harm,”
+ explained Tommy, puckering his brow with the strain of his mental
+processes. “She’s a hostage, that’s what she is. She’s in no immediate
+danger, because if we tumble on to anything, she’d be damned useful to
+them. As long as they’ve got her, they’ve got the whip hand of us. See?”
+
+“Sure thing,” said Julius thoughtfully. “That’s so.”
+
+“Besides,” added Tommy, as an afterthought, “I’ve great faith in
+Tuppence.”
+
+The journey was wearisome, with many stops, and crowded carriages. They
+had to change twice, once at Doncaster, once at a small junction. Ebury
+was a deserted station with a solitary porter, to whom Tommy addressed
+himself:
+
+“Can you tell me the way to the Moat House?”
+
+“The Moat House? It’s a tidy step from here. The big house near the sea,
+you mean?”
+
+Tommy assented brazenly. After listening to the porter’s meticulous
+but perplexing directions, they prepared to leave the station. It was
+beginning to rain, and they turned up the collars of their coats as they
+trudged through the slush of the road. Suddenly Tommy halted.
+
+“Wait a moment.” He ran back to the station and tackled the porter anew.
+
+“Look here, do you remember a young lady who arrived by an earlier
+train, the 12.50 from London? She’d probably ask you the way to the Moat
+House.”
+
+He described Tuppence as well as he could, but the porter shook his
+head. Several people had arrived by the train in question. He could not
+call to mind one young lady in particular. But he was quite certain that
+no one had asked him the way to the Moat House.
+
+Tommy rejoined Julius, and explained. Depression was settling on him
+like a leaden weight. He felt convinced that their quest was going to
+be unsuccessful. The enemy had over three hours’ start. Three hours was
+more than enough for Mr. Brown. He would not ignore the possibility of
+the telegram having been found.
+
+The way seemed endless. Once they took the wrong turning and went nearly
+half a mile out of their direction. It was past seven o’clock when a
+small boy told them that “t’ Moat House” was just past the next corner.
+
+A rusty iron gate swinging dismally on its hinges! An overgrown drive
+thick with leaves. There was something about the place that struck a
+chill to both their hearts. They went up the deserted drive. The leaves
+deadened their footsteps. The daylight was almost gone. It was like
+walking in a world of ghosts. Overhead the branches flapped and creaked
+with a mournful note. Occasionally a sodden leaf drifted silently down,
+startling them with its cold touch on their cheek.
+
+A turn of the drive brought them in sight of the house. That, too,
+seemed empty and deserted. The shutters were closed, the steps up to
+the door overgrown with moss. Was it indeed to this desolate spot
+that Tuppence had been decoyed? It seemed hard to believe that a human
+footstep had passed this way for months.
+
+Julius jerked the rusty bell handle. A jangling peal rang discordantly,
+echoing through the emptiness within. No one came. They rang again and
+again--but there was no sign of life. Then they walked completely round
+the house. Everywhere silence, and shuttered windows. If they could
+believe the evidence of their eyes the place was empty.
+
+“Nothing doing,” said Julius.
+
+They retraced their steps slowly to the gate.
+
+“There must be a village handy,” continued the young American. “We’d
+better make inquiries there. They’ll know something about the place, and
+whether there’s been anyone there lately.”
+
+“Yes, that’s not a bad idea.”
+
+Proceeding up the road, they soon came to a little hamlet. On the
+outskirts of it, they met a workman swinging his bag of tools, and Tommy
+stopped him with a question.
+
+“The Moat House? It’s empty. Been empty for years. Mrs. Sweeny’s got the
+key if you want to go over it--next to the post office.”
+
+Tommy thanked him. They soon found the post office, which was also a
+sweet and general fancy shop, and knocked at the door of the cottage
+next to it. A clean, wholesome-looking woman opened it. She readily
+produced the key of the Moat House.
+
+“Though I doubt if it’s the kind of place to suit you, sir. In a
+terrible state of repair. Ceilings leaking and all. ‘Twould need a lot
+of money spent on it.”
+
+“Thanks,” said Tommy cheerily. “I dare say it’ll be a washout, but
+houses are scarce nowadays.”
+
+“That they are,” declared the woman heartily. “My daughter and
+son-in-law have been looking for a decent cottage for I don’t know how
+long. It’s all the war. Upset things terribly, it has. But excuse me,
+sir, it’ll be too dark for you to see much of the house. Hadn’t you
+better wait until to-morrow?”
+
+“That’s all right. We’ll have a look around this evening, anyway. We’d
+have been here before only we lost our way. What’s the best place to
+stay at for the night round here?”
+
+Mrs. Sweeny looked doubtful.
+
+“There’s the _Yorkshire Arms_, but it’s not much of a place for
+gentlemen like you.”
+
+“Oh, it will do very well. Thanks. By the way, you’ve not had a young
+lady here asking for this key to-day?”
+
+The woman shook her head.
+
+“No one’s been over the place for a long time.”
+
+“Thanks very much.”
+
+They retraced their steps to the Moat House. As the front door swung
+back on its hinges, protesting loudly, Julius struck a match and
+examined the floor carefully. Then he shook his head.
+
+“I’d swear no one’s passed this way. Look at the dust. Thick. Not a sign
+of a footmark.”
+
+They wandered round the deserted house. Everywhere the same tale. Thick
+layers of dust apparently undisturbed.
+
+“This gets me,” said Julius. “I don’t believe Tuppence was ever in this
+house.”
+
+“She must have been.”
+
+Julius shook his head without replying.
+
+“We’ll go over it again to-morrow,” said Tommy. “Perhaps we’ll see more
+in the daylight.”
+
+On the morrow they took up the search once more, and were reluctantly
+forced to the conclusion that the house had not been invaded for some
+considerable time. They might have left the village altogether but for
+a fortunate discovery of Tommy’s. As they were retracing their steps to
+the gate, he gave a sudden cry, and stooping, picked something up from
+among the leaves, and held it out to Julius. It was a small gold brooch.
+
+“That’s Tuppence’s!”
+
+“Are you sure?”
+
+“Absolutely. I’ve often seen her wear it.”
+
+Julius drew a deep breath.
+
+“I guess that settles it. She came as far as here, anyway. We’ll make
+that pub our head-quarters, and raise hell round here until we find her.
+Somebody _must_ have seen her.”
+
+Forthwith the campaign began. Tommy and Julius worked separately and
+together, but the result was the same. Nobody answering to Tuppence’s
+description had been seen in the vicinity. They were baffled--but not
+discouraged. Finally they altered their tactics. Tuppence had certainly
+not remained long in the neighbourhood of the Moat House. That pointed
+to her having been overcome and carried away in a car. They renewed
+inquiries. Had anyone seen a car standing somewhere near the Moat House
+that day? Again they met with no success.
+
+Julius wired to town for his own car, and they scoured the neighbourhood
+daily with unflagging zeal. A grey limousine on which they had set high
+hopes was traced to Harrogate, and turned out to be the property of a
+highly respectable maiden lady!
+
+Each day saw them set out on a new quest. Julius was like a hound on
+the leash. He followed up the slenderest clue. Every car that had passed
+through the village on the fateful day was tracked down. He forced his
+way into country properties and submitted the owners of the motors to
+a searching cross-examination. His apologies were as thorough as his
+methods, and seldom failed in disarming the indignation of his victims;
+but, as day succeeded day, they were no nearer to discovering Tuppence’s
+whereabouts. So well had the abduction been planned that the girl seemed
+literally to have vanished into thin air.
+
+And another preoccupation was weighing on Tommy’s mind.
+
+“Do you know how long we’ve been here?” he asked one morning as they
+sat facing each other at breakfast. “A week! We’re no nearer to finding
+Tuppence, _and next Sunday is the_ 29_th!_”
+
+“Shucks!” said Julius thoughtfully. “I’d almost forgotten about the
+29th. I’ve been thinking of nothing but Tuppence.”
+
+“So have I. At least, I hadn’t forgotten about the 29th, but it didn’t
+seem to matter a damn in comparison to finding Tuppence. But to-day’s
+the 23rd, and time’s getting short. If we’re ever going to get hold of
+her at all, we must do it before the 29th--her life won’t be worth an
+hour’s purchase afterwards. The hostage game will be played out by then.
+I’m beginning to feel that we’ve made a big mistake in the way we’ve set
+about this. We’ve wasted time and we’re no forrader.”
+
+“I’m with you there. We’ve been a couple of mutts, who’ve bitten off a
+bigger bit than they can chew. I’m going to quit fooling right away!”
+
+“What do you mean?”
+
+“I’ll tell you. I’m going to do what we ought to have done a week ago.
+I’m going right back to London to put the case in the hands of your
+British police. We fancied ourselves as sleuths. Sleuths! It was a piece
+of damn-fool foolishness! I’m through! I’ve had enough of it. Scotland
+Yard for me!”
+
+“You’re right,” said Tommy slowly. “I wish to God we’d gone there right
+away.”
+
+“Better late than never. We’ve been like a couple of babes playing ‘Here
+we go round the Mulberry Bush.’ Now I’m going right along to Scotland
+Yard to ask them to take me by the hand and show me the way I should go.
+I guess the professional always scores over the amateur in the end. Are
+you coming along with me?”
+
+Tommy shook his head.
+
+“What’s the good? One of us is enough. I might as well stay here and
+nose round a bit longer. Something _might_ turn up. One never knows.”
+
+“Sure thing. Well, so long. I’ll be back in a couple of shakes with a
+few inspectors along. I shall tell them to pick out their brightest and
+best.”
+
+But the course of events was not to follow the plan Julius had laid
+down. Later in the day Tommy received a wire:
+
+“Join me Manchester Midland Hotel. Important news--JULIUS.”
+
+At 7.30 that night Tommy alighted from a slow cross-country train.
+Julius was on the platform.
+
+“Thought you’d come by this train if you weren’t out when my wire
+arrived.”
+
+Tommy grasped him by the arm.
+
+“What is it? Is Tuppence found?”
+
+Julius shook his head.
+
+“No. But I found this waiting in London. Just arrived.”
+
+He handed the telegraph form to the other. Tommy’s eyes opened as he
+read:
+
+“Jane Finn found. Come Manchester Midland Hotel immediately--PEEL
+EDGERTON.”
+
+Julius took the form back and folded it up.
+
+“Queer,” he said thoughtfully. “I thought that lawyer chap had quit!”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX. JANE FINN
+
+“MY train got in half an hour ago,” explained Julius, as he led the way
+out of the station. “I reckoned you’d come by this before I left London,
+and wired accordingly to Sir James. He’s booked rooms for us, and will
+be round to dine at eight.”
+
+“What made you think he’d ceased to take any interest in the case?”
+ asked Tommy curiously.
+
+“What he said,” replied Julius dryly. “The old bird’s as close as an
+oyster! Like all the darned lot of them, he wasn’t going to commit
+himself till he was sure he could deliver the goods.”
+
+“I wonder,” said Tommy thoughtfully.
+
+Julius turned on him.
+
+“You wonder what?”
+
+“Whether that was his real reason.”
+
+“Sure. You bet your life it was.”
+
+Tommy shook his head unconvinced.
+
+Sir James arrived punctually at eight o’clock, and Julius introduced
+Tommy. Sir James shook hands with him warmly.
+
+“I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Mr. Beresford. I have heard
+so much about you from Miss Tuppence”--he smiled involuntarily--“that it
+really seems as though I already know you quite well.”
+
+“Thank you, sir,” said Tommy with his cheerful grin. He scanned the
+great lawyer eagerly. Like Tuppence, he felt the magnetism of the
+other’s personality. He was reminded of Mr. Carter. The two men, totally
+unlike so far as physical resemblance went, produced a similar effect.
+Beneath the weary manner of the one and the professional reserve of the
+other, lay the same quality of mind, keen-edged like a rapier.
+
+In the meantime he was conscious of Sir James’s close scrutiny. When the
+lawyer dropped his eyes the young man had the feeling that the other had
+read him through and through like an open book. He could not but wonder
+what the final judgment was, but there was little chance of learning
+that. Sir James took in everything, but gave out only what he chose. A
+proof of that occurred almost at once.
+
+Immediately the first greetings were over Julius broke out into a flood
+of eager questions. How had Sir James managed to track the girl? Why had
+he not let them know that he was still working on the case? And so on.
+
+Sir James stroked his chin and smiled. At last he said:
+
+“Just so, just so. Well, she’s found. And that’s the great thing, isn’t
+it? Eh! Come now, that’s the great thing?”
+
+“Sure it is. But just how did you strike her trail? Miss Tuppence and I
+thought you’d quit for good and all.”
+
+“Ah!” The lawyer shot a lightning glance at him, then resumed operations
+on his chin. “You thought that, did you? Did you really? H’m, dear me.”
+
+“But I guess I can take it we were wrong,” pursued Julius.
+
+“Well, I don’t know that I should go so far as to say that. But it’s
+certainly fortunate for all parties that we’ve managed to find the young
+lady.”
+
+“But where is she?” demanded Julius, his thoughts flying off on another
+tack. “I thought you’d be sure to bring her along?”
+
+“That would hardly be possible,” said Sir James gravely.
+
+“Why?”
+
+“Because the young lady was knocked down in a street accident, and has
+sustained slight injuries to the head. She was taken to the infirmary,
+and on recovering consciousness gave her name as Jane Finn. When--ah!--I
+heard that, I arranged for her to be removed to the house of a
+doctor--a friend of mine, and wired at once for you. She relapsed into
+unconsciousness and has not spoken since.”
+
+“She’s not seriously hurt?”
+
+“Oh, a bruise and a cut or two; really, from a medical point of view,
+absurdly slight injuries to have produced such a condition. Her state is
+probably to be attributed to the mental shock consequent on recovering
+her memory.”
+
+“It’s come back?” cried Julius excitedly.
+
+Sir James tapped the table rather impatiently.
+
+“Undoubtedly, Mr. Hersheimmer, since she was able to give her real name.
+I thought you had appreciated that point.”
+
+“And you just happened to be on the spot,” said Tommy. “Seems quite like
+a fairy tale.”
+
+But Sir James was far too wary to be drawn.
+
+“Coincidences are curious things,” he said dryly.
+
+Nevertheless Tommy was now certain of what he had before only suspected.
+Sir James’s presence in Manchester was not accidental. Far from
+abandoning the case, as Julius supposed, he had by some means of his own
+successfully run the missing girl to earth. The only thing that puzzled
+Tommy was the reason for all this secrecy. He concluded that it was a
+foible of the legal mind.
+
+Julius was speaking.
+
+“After dinner,” he announced, “I shall go right away and see Jane.”
+
+“That will be impossible, I fear,” said Sir James. “It is very unlikely
+they would allow her to see visitors at this time of night. I should
+suggest to-morrow morning about ten o’clock.”
+
+Julius flushed. There was something in Sir James which always stirred
+him to antagonism. It was a conflict of two masterful personalities.
+
+“All the same, I reckon I’ll go round there to-night and see if I can’t
+ginger them up to break through their silly rules.”
+
+“It will be quite useless, Mr. Hersheimmer.”
+
+The words came out like the crack of a pistol, and Tommy looked up with
+a start. Julius was nervous and excited. The hand with which he raised
+his glass to his lips shook slightly, but his eyes held Sir James’s
+defiantly. For a moment the hostility between the two seemed likely to
+burst into flame, but in the end Julius lowered his eyes, defeated.
+
+“For the moment, I reckon you’re the boss.”
+
+“Thank you,” said the other. “We will say ten o’clock then?” With
+consummate ease of manner he turned to Tommy. “I must confess, Mr.
+Beresford, that it was something of a surprise to me to see you here
+this evening. The last I heard of you was that your friends were in
+grave anxiety on your behalf. Nothing had been heard of you for
+some days, and Miss Tuppence was inclined to think you had got into
+difficulties.”
+
+“I had, sir!” Tommy grinned reminiscently. “I was never in a tighter
+place in my life.”
+
+Helped out by questions from Sir James, he gave an abbreviated account
+of his adventures. The lawyer looked at him with renewed interest as he
+brought the tale to a close.
+
+“You got yourself out of a tight place very well,” he said gravely. “I
+congratulate you. You displayed a great deal of ingenuity and carried
+your part through well.”
+
+Tommy blushed, his face assuming a prawnlike hue at the praise.
+
+“I couldn’t have got away but for the girl, sir.”
+
+“No.” Sir James smiled a little. “It was lucky for you she happened
+to--er--take a fancy to you.” Tommy appeared about to protest, but Sir
+James went on. “There’s no doubt about her being one of the gang, I
+suppose?”
+
+“I’m afraid not, sir. I thought perhaps they were keeping her there by
+force, but the way she acted didn’t fit in with that. You see, she went
+back to them when she could have got away.”
+
+Sir James nodded thoughtfully.
+
+“What did she say? Something about wanting to be taken to Marguerite?”
+
+“Yes, sir. I suppose she meant Mrs. Vandemeyer.”
+
+“She always signed herself Rita Vandemeyer. All her friends spoke of
+her as Rita. Still, I suppose the girl must have been in the habit of
+calling her by her full name. And, at the moment she was crying out to
+her, Mrs. Vandemeyer was either dead or dying! Curious! There are one
+or two points that strike me as being obscure--their sudden change
+of attitude towards yourself, for instance. By the way, the house was
+raided, of course?”
+
+“Yes, sir, but they’d all cleared out.”
+
+“Naturally,” said Sir James dryly.
+
+“And not a clue left behind.”
+
+“I wonder----” The lawyer tapped the table thoughtfully.
+
+Something in his voice made Tommy look up. Would this man’s eyes have
+seen something where theirs had been blind? He spoke impulsively:
+
+“I wish you’d been there, sir, to go over the house!”
+
+“I wish I had,” said Sir James quietly. He sat for a moment in silence.
+Then he looked up. “And since then? What have you been doing?”
+
+For a moment, Tommy stared at him. Then it dawned on him that of course
+the lawyer did not know.
+
+“I forgot that you didn’t know about Tuppence,” he said slowly. The
+sickening anxiety, forgotten for a while in the excitement of knowing
+Jane Finn was found at last, swept over him again.
+
+The lawyer laid down his knife and fork sharply.
+
+“Has anything happened to Miss Tuppence?” His voice was keen-edged.
+
+“She’s disappeared,” said Julius.
+
+“When?”
+
+“A week ago.”
+
+“How?”
+
+Sir James’s questions fairly shot out. Between them Tommy and Julius
+gave the history of the last week and their futile search.
+
+Sir James went at once to the root of the matter.
+
+“A wire signed with your name? They knew enough of you both for that.
+They weren’t sure of how much you had learnt in that house. Their
+kidnapping of Miss Tuppence is the counter-move to your escape. If
+necessary they could seal your lips with a threat of what might happen
+to her.”
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+“That’s just what I thought, sir.”
+
+Sir James looked at him keenly. “You had worked that out, had you? Not
+bad--not at all bad. The curious thing is that they certainly did not
+know anything about you when they first held you prisoner. You are sure
+that you did not in any way disclose your identity?”
+
+Tommy shook his head.
+
+“That’s so,” said Julius with a nod. “Therefore I reckon some one put
+them wise--and not earlier than Sunday afternoon.”
+
+“Yes, but who?”
+
+“That almighty omniscient Mr. Brown, of course!”
+
+There was a faint note of derision in the American’s voice which made
+Sir James look up sharply.
+
+“You don’t believe in Mr. Brown, Mr. Hersheimmer?”
+
+“No, sir, I do not,” returned the young American with emphasis. “Not
+as such, that is to say. I reckon it out that he’s a figurehead--just a
+bogy name to frighten the children with. The real head of this business
+is that Russian chap Kramenin. I guess he’s quite capable of running
+revolutions in three countries at once if he chose! The man Whittington
+is probably the head of the English branch.”
+
+“I disagree with you,” said Sir James shortly. “Mr. Brown exists.” He
+turned to Tommy. “Did you happen to notice where that wire was handed
+in?”
+
+“No, sir, I’m afraid I didn’t.”
+
+“H’m. Got it with you?”
+
+“It’s upstairs, sir, in my kit.”
+
+“I’d like to have a look at it sometime. No hurry. You’ve wasted a
+week”--Tommy hung his head--“a day or so more is immaterial. We’ll deal
+with Miss Jane Finn first. Afterwards, we’ll set to work to rescue Miss
+Tuppence from bondage. I don’t think she’s in any immediate danger. That
+is, so long as they don’t know that we’ve got Jane Finn, and that
+her memory has returned. We must keep that dark at all costs. You
+understand?”
+
+The other two assented, and, after making arrangements for meeting on
+the morrow, the great lawyer took his leave.
+
+At ten o’clock, the two young men were at the appointed spot. Sir
+James had joined them on the doorstep. He alone appeared unexcited. He
+introduced them to the doctor.
+
+“Mr. Hersheimmer--Mr. Beresford--Dr. Roylance. How’s the patient?”
+
+“Going on well. Evidently no idea of the flight of time. Asked this
+morning how many had been saved from the _Lusitania_. Was it in the
+papers yet? That, of course, was only what was to be expected. She seems
+to have something on her mind, though.”
+
+“I think we can relieve her anxiety. May we go up?”
+
+“Certainly.”
+
+Tommy’s heart beat sensibly faster as they followed the doctor upstairs.
+Jane Finn at last! The long-sought, the mysterious, the elusive Jane
+Finn! How wildly improbable success had seemed! And here in this house,
+her memory almost miraculously restored, lay the girl who held the
+future of England in her hands. A half groan broke from Tommy’s lips.
+If only Tuppence could have been at his side to share in the triumphant
+conclusion of their joint venture! Then he put the thought of Tuppence
+resolutely aside. His confidence in Sir James was growing. There was
+a man who would unerringly ferret out Tuppence’s whereabouts. In the
+meantime Jane Finn! And suddenly a dread clutched at his heart. It
+seemed too easy.... Suppose they should find her dead ... stricken down
+by the hand of Mr. Brown?
+
+In another minute he was laughing at these melodramatic fancies. The
+doctor held open the door of a room and they passed in. On the white
+bed, bandages round her head, lay the girl. Somehow the whole scene
+seemed unreal. It was so exactly what one expected that it gave the
+effect of being beautifully staged.
+
+The girl looked from one to the other of them with large wondering eyes.
+Sir James spoke first.
+
+“Miss Finn,” he said, “this is your cousin, Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer.”
+
+A faint flush flitted over the girl’s face, as Julius stepped forward
+and took her hand.
+
+“How do, Cousin Jane?” he said lightly.
+
+But Tommy caught the tremor in his voice.
+
+“Are you really Uncle Hiram’s son?” she asked wonderingly.
+
+Her voice, with the slight warmth of the Western accent, had an almost
+thrilling quality. It seemed vaguely familiar to Tommy, but he thrust
+the impression aside as impossible.
+
+“Sure thing.”
+
+“We used to read about Uncle Hiram in the papers,” continued the girl,
+in her low soft tones. “But I never thought I’d meet you one day. Mother
+figured it out that Uncle Hiram would never get over being mad with
+her.”
+
+“The old man was like that,” admitted Julius. “But I guess the new
+generation’s sort of different. Got no use for the family feud business.
+First thing I thought about, soon as the war was over, was to come along
+and hunt you up.”
+
+A shadow passed over the girl’s face.
+
+“They’ve been telling me things--dreadful things--that my memory went,
+and that there are years I shall never know about--years lost out of my
+life.”
+
+“You didn’t realize that yourself?”
+
+The girl’s eyes opened wide.
+
+“Why, no. It seems to me as though it were no time since we were being
+hustled into those boats. I can see it all now.” She closed her eyes
+with a shudder.
+
+Julius looked across at Sir James, who nodded.
+
+“Don’t worry any. It isn’t worth it. Now, see here, Jane, there’s
+something we want to know about. There was a man aboard that boat with
+some mighty important papers on him, and the big guns in this country
+have got a notion that he passed on the goods to you. Is that so?”
+
+The girl hesitated, her glance shifting to the other two. Julius
+understood.
+
+“Mr. Beresford is commissioned by the British Government to get those
+papers back. Sir James Peel Edgerton is an English Member of Parliament,
+and might be a big gun in the Cabinet if he liked. It’s owing to him
+that we’ve ferreted you out at last. So you can go right ahead and tell
+us the whole story. Did Danvers give you the papers?”
+
+“Yes. He said they’d have a better chance with me, because they would
+save the women and children first.”
+
+“Just as we thought,” said Sir James.
+
+“He said they were very important--that they might make all the
+difference to the Allies. But, if it’s all so long ago, and the war’s
+over, what does it matter now?”
+
+“I guess history repeats itself, Jane. First there was a great hue
+and cry over those papers, then it all died down, and now the whole
+caboodle’s started all over again--for rather different reasons. Then
+you can hand them over to us right away?”
+
+“But I can’t.”
+
+“What?”
+
+“I haven’t got them.”
+
+“You--haven’t--got them?” Julius punctuated the words with little
+pauses.
+
+“No--I hid them.”
+
+“You _hid_ them?”
+
+“Yes. I got uneasy. People seemed to be watching me. It scared
+me--badly.” She put her hand to her head. “It’s almost the last thing I
+remember before waking up in the hospital....”
+
+“Go on,” said Sir James, in his quiet penetrating tones. “What do you
+remember?”
+
+She turned to him obediently.
+
+“It was at Holyhead. I came that way--I don’t remember why....”
+
+“That doesn’t matter. Go on.”
+
+“In the confusion on the quay I slipped away. Nobody saw me. I took a
+car. Told the man to drive me out of the town. I watched when we got on
+the open road. No other car was following us. I saw a path at the side
+of the road. I told the man to wait.”
+
+She paused, then went on. “The path led to the cliff, and down to the
+sea between big yellow gorse bushes--they were like golden flames. I
+looked round. There wasn’t a soul in sight. But just level with my head
+there was a hole in the rock. It was quite small--I could only just get
+my hand in, but it went a long way back. I took the oilskin packet from
+round my neck and shoved it right in as far as I could. Then I tore off
+a bit of gorse--My! but it did prick--and plugged the hole with it so
+that you’d never guess there was a crevice of any kind there. Then I
+marked the place carefully in my own mind, so that I’d find it again.
+There was a queer boulder in the path just there--for all the world
+like a dog sitting up begging. Then I went back to the road. The car was
+waiting, and I drove back. I just caught the train. I was a bit ashamed
+of myself for fancying things maybe, but, by and by, I saw the man
+opposite me wink at a woman who was sitting next to me, and I felt
+scared again, and was glad the papers were safe. I went out in the
+corridor to get a little air. I thought I’d slip into another carriage.
+But the woman called me back, said I’d dropped something, and when I
+stooped to look, something seemed to hit me--here.” She placed her hand
+to the back of her head. “I don’t remember anything more until I woke up
+in the hospital.”
+
+There was a pause.
+
+“Thank you, Miss Finn.” It was Sir James who spoke. “I hope we have not
+tired you?”
+
+“Oh, that’s all right. My head aches a little, but otherwise I feel
+fine.”
+
+Julius stepped forward and took her hand again.
+
+“So long, Cousin Jane. I’m going to get busy after those papers, but
+I’ll be back in two shakes of a dog’s tail, and I’ll tote you up to
+London and give you the time of your young life before we go back to the
+States! I mean it--so hurry up and get well.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX. TOO LATE
+
+IN the street they held an informal council of war. Sir James had drawn
+a watch from his pocket. “The boat train to Holyhead stops at Chester at
+12.14. If you start at once I think you can catch the connection.”
+
+Tommy looked up, puzzled.
+
+“Is there any need to hurry, sir? To-day is only the 24th.”
+
+“I guess it’s always well to get up early in the morning,” said Julius,
+before the lawyer had time to reply. “We’ll make tracks for the depot
+right away.”
+
+A little frown had settled on Sir James’s brow.
+
+“I wish I could come with you. I am due to speak at a meeting at two
+o’clock. It is unfortunate.”
+
+The reluctance in his tone was very evident. It was clear, on the other
+hand, that Julius was easily disposed to put up with the loss of the
+other’s company.
+
+“I guess there’s nothing complicated about this deal,” he remarked.
+“Just a game of hide-and-seek, that’s all.”
+
+“I hope so,” said Sir James.
+
+“Sure thing. What else could it be?”
+
+“You are still young, Mr. Hersheimmer. At my age you will probably have
+learnt one lesson. ‘Never underestimate your adversary.’”
+
+The gravity of his tone impressed Tommy, but had little effect upon
+Julius.
+
+“You think Mr. Brown might come along and take a hand? If he does, I’m
+ready for him.” He slapped his pocket. “I carry a gun. Little Willie
+here travels round with me everywhere.” He produced a murderous-looking
+automatic, and tapped it affectionately before returning it to its
+home. “But he won’t be needed this trip. There’s nobody to put Mr. Brown
+wise.”
+
+The lawyer shrugged his shoulders.
+
+“There was nobody to put Mr. Brown wise to the fact that Mrs. Vandemeyer
+meant to betray him. Nevertheless, _Mrs. Vandemeyer died without
+speaking_.”
+
+Julius was silenced for once, and Sir James added on a lighter note:
+
+“I only want to put you on your guard. Good-bye, and good luck. Take
+no unnecessary risks once the papers are in your hands. If there is any
+reason to believe that you have been shadowed, destroy them at once.
+Good luck to you. The game is in your hands now.” He shook hands with
+them both.
+
+Ten minutes later the two young men were seated in a first-class
+carriage _en route_ for Chester.
+
+For a long time neither of them spoke. When at length Julius broke the
+silence, it was with a totally unexpected remark.
+
+“Say,” he observed thoughtfully, “did you ever make a darned fool of
+yourself over a girl’s face?”
+
+Tommy, after a moment’s astonishment, searched his mind.
+
+“Can’t say I have,” he replied at last. “Not that I can recollect,
+anyhow. Why?”
+
+“Because for the last two months I’ve been making a sentimental idiot of
+myself over Jane! First moment I clapped eyes on her photograph my heart
+did all the usual stunts you read about in novels. I guess I’m ashamed
+to admit it, but I came over here determined to find her and fix it all
+up, and take her back as Mrs. Julius P. Hersheimmer!”
+
+“Oh!” said Tommy, amazed.
+
+Julius uncrossed his legs brusquely and continued:
+
+“Just shows what an almighty fool a man can make of himself! One look at
+the girl in the flesh, and I was cured!”
+
+Feeling more tongue-tied than ever, Tommy ejaculated “Oh!” again.
+
+“No disparagement to Jane, mind you,” continued the other. “She’s a real
+nice girl, and some fellow will fall in love with her right away.”
+
+“I thought her a very good-looking girl,” said Tommy, finding his
+tongue.
+
+“Sure she is. But she’s not like her photo one bit. At least I suppose
+she is in a way--must be--because I recognized her right off. If I’d
+seen her in a crowd I’d have said ‘There’s a girl whose face I know’
+right away without any hesitation. But there was something about that
+photo”--Julius shook his head, and heaved a sigh--“I guess romance is a
+mighty queer thing!”
+
+“It must be,” said Tommy coldly, “if you can come over here in love with
+one girl, and propose to another within a fortnight.”
+
+Julius had the grace to look discomposed.
+
+“Well, you see, I’d got a sort of tired feeling that I’d never find
+Jane--and that it was all plumb foolishness anyway. And then--oh, well,
+the French, for instance, are much more sensible in the way they look at
+things. They keep romance and marriage apart----”
+
+Tommy flushed.
+
+“Well, I’m damned! If that’s----”
+
+Julius hastened to interrupt.
+
+“Say now, don’t be hasty. I don’t mean what you mean. I take it
+Americans have a higher opinion of morality than you have even. What I
+meant was that the French set about marriage in a businesslike way--find
+two people who are suited to one another, look after the money affairs,
+and see the whole thing practically, and in a businesslike spirit.”
+
+“If you ask me,” said Tommy, “we’re all too damned businesslike
+nowadays. We’re always saying, ‘Will it pay?’ The men are bad enough,
+and the girls are worse!”
+
+“Cool down, son. Don’t get so heated.”
+
+“I feel heated,” said Tommy.
+
+Julius looked at him and judged it wise to say no more.
+
+However, Tommy had plenty of time to cool down before they reached
+Holyhead, and the cheerful grin had returned to his countenance as they
+alighted at their destination.
+
+After consultation, and with the aid of a road map, they were fairly
+well agreed as to direction, so were able to hire a taxi without more
+ado and drive out on the road leading to Treaddur Bay. They instructed
+the man to go slowly, and watched narrowly so as not to miss the path.
+They came to it not long after leaving the town, and Tommy stopped the
+car promptly, asked in a casual tone whether the path led down to the
+sea, and hearing it did paid off the man in handsome style.
+
+A moment later the taxi was slowly chugging back to Holyhead. Tommy and
+Julius watched it out of sight, and then turned to the narrow path.
+
+“It’s the right one, I suppose?” asked Tommy doubtfully. “There must be
+simply heaps along here.”
+
+“Sure it is. Look at the gorse. Remember what Jane said?”
+
+Tommy looked at the swelling hedges of golden blossom which bordered the
+path on either side, and was convinced.
+
+They went down in single file, Julius leading. Twice Tommy turned his
+head uneasily. Julius looked back.
+
+“What is it?”
+
+“I don’t know. I’ve got the wind up somehow. Keep fancying there’s some
+one following us.”
+
+“Can’t be,” said Julius positively. “We’d see him.”
+
+Tommy had to admit that this was true. Nevertheless, his sense of
+uneasiness deepened. In spite of himself he believed in the omniscience
+of the enemy.
+
+“I rather wish that fellow would come along,” said Julius. He patted his
+pocket. “Little William here is just aching for exercise!”
+
+“Do you always carry it--him--with you?” inquired Tommy with burning
+curiosity.
+
+“Most always. I guess you never know what might turn up.”
+
+Tommy kept a respectful silence. He was impressed by little William. It
+seemed to remove the menace of Mr. Brown farther away.
+
+The path was now running along the side of the cliff, parallel to the
+sea. Suddenly Julius came to such an abrupt halt that Tommy cannoned
+into him.
+
+“What’s up?” he inquired.
+
+“Look there. If that doesn’t beat the band!”
+
+Tommy looked. Standing out half obstructing the path was a huge boulder
+which certainly bore a fanciful resemblance to a “begging” terrier.
+
+“Well,” said Tommy, refusing to share Julius’s emotion, “it’s what we
+expected to see, isn’t it?”
+
+Julius looked at him sadly and shook his head.
+
+“British phlegm! Sure we expected it--but it kind of rattles me, all the
+same, to see it sitting there just where we expected to find it!”
+
+Tommy, whose calm was, perhaps, more assumed than natural, moved his
+feet impatiently.
+
+“Push on. What about the hole?”
+
+They scanned the cliff-side narrowly. Tommy heard himself saying
+idiotically:
+
+“The gorse won’t be there after all these years.”
+
+And Julius replied solemnly:
+
+“I guess you’re right.”
+
+Tommy suddenly pointed with a shaking hand.
+
+“What about that crevice there?”
+
+Julius replied in an awestricken voice:
+
+“That’s it--for sure.”
+
+They looked at each other.
+
+“When I was in France,” said Tommy reminiscently, “whenever my batman
+failed to call me, he always said that he had come over queer. I never
+believed it. But whether he felt it or not, there _is_ such a sensation.
+I’ve got it now! Badly!”
+
+He looked at the rock with a kind of agonized passion.
+
+“Damn it!” he cried. “It’s impossible! Five years! Think of it!
+Bird’s-nesting boys, picnic parties, thousands of people passing! It
+can’t be there! It’s a hundred to one against its being there! It’s
+against all reason!”
+
+Indeed, he felt it to be impossible--more, perhaps, because he could not
+believe in his own success where so many others had failed. The thing
+was too easy, therefore it could not be. The hole would be empty.
+
+Julius looked at him with a widening smile.
+
+“I guess you’re rattled now all right,” he drawled with some enjoyment.
+“Well, here goes!” He thrust his hand into the crevice, and made a
+slight grimace. “It’s a tight fit. Jane’s hand must be a few sizes
+smaller than mine. I don’t feel anything--no--say, what’s this? Gee
+whiz!” And with a flourish he waved aloft a small discoloured packet.
+“It’s the goods all right. Sewn up in oilskin. Hold it while I get my
+penknife.”
+
+The unbelievable had happened. Tommy held the precious packet tenderly
+between his hands. They had succeeded!
+
+“It’s queer,” he murmured idly, “you’d think the stitches would have
+rotted. They look just as good as new.”
+
+They cut them carefully and ripped away the oilskin. Inside was a small
+folded sheet of paper. With trembling fingers they unfolded it. The
+sheet was blank! They stared at each other, puzzled.
+
+“A dummy?” hazarded Julius. “Was Danvers just a decoy?”
+
+Tommy shook his head. That solution did not satisfy him. Suddenly his
+face cleared.
+
+“I’ve got it! _Sympathetic ink!_”
+
+“You think so?”
+
+“Worth trying anyhow. Heat usually does the trick. Get some sticks.
+We’ll make a fire.”
+
+In a few minutes the little fire of twigs and leaves was blazing
+merrily. Tommy held the sheet of paper near the glow. The paper curled a
+little with the heat. Nothing more.
+
+Suddenly Julius grasped his arm, and pointed to where characters were
+appearing in a faint brown colour.
+
+“Gee whiz! You’ve got it! Say, that idea of yours was great. It never
+occurred to me.”
+
+Tommy held the paper in position some minutes longer until he judged the
+heat had done its work. Then he withdrew it. A moment later he uttered a
+cry.
+
+Across the sheet in neat brown printing ran the words: WITH THE
+COMPLIMENTS OF MR. BROWN.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI. TOMMY MAKES A DISCOVERY
+
+FOR a moment or two they stood staring at each other stupidly, dazed
+with the shock. Somehow, inexplicably, Mr. Brown had forestalled them.
+Tommy accepted defeat quietly. Not so Julius.
+
+“How in tarnation did he get ahead of us? That’s what beats me!” he
+ended up.
+
+Tommy shook his head, and said dully:
+
+“It accounts for the stitches being new. We might have guessed....”
+
+“Never mind the darned stitches. How did he get ahead of us? We hustled
+all we knew. It’s downright impossible for anyone to get here quicker
+than we did. And, anyway, how did he know? Do you reckon there was a
+dictaphone in Jane’s room? I guess there must have been.”
+
+But Tommy’s common sense pointed out objections.
+
+“No one could have known beforehand that she was going to be in that
+house--much less that particular room.”
+
+“That’s so,” admitted Julius. “Then one of the nurses was a crook and
+listened at the door. How’s that?”
+
+“I don’t see that it matters anyway,” said Tommy wearily. “He may have
+found out some months ago, and removed the papers, then----No, by Jove,
+that won’t wash! They’d have been published at once.”
+
+“Sure thing they would! No, some one’s got ahead of us to-day by an hour
+or so. But how they did it gets my goat.”
+
+“I wish that chap Peel Edgerton had been with us,” said Tommy
+thoughtfully.
+
+“Why?” Julius stared. “The mischief was done when we came.”
+
+“Yes----” Tommy hesitated. He could not explain his own feeling--the
+illogical idea that the K.C.’s presence would somehow have averted the
+catastrophe. He reverted to his former point of view. “It’s no good
+arguing about how it was done. The game’s up. We’ve failed. There’s only
+one thing for me to do.”
+
+“What’s that?”
+
+“Get back to London as soon as possible. Mr. Carter must be warned. It’s
+only a matter of hours now before the blow falls. But, at any rate, he
+ought to know the worst.”
+
+The duty was an unpleasant one, but Tommy had no intention of shirking
+it. He must report his failure to Mr. Carter. After that his work was
+done. He took the midnight mail to London. Julius elected to stay the
+night at Holyhead.
+
+Half an hour after arrival, haggard and pale, Tommy stood before his
+chief.
+
+“I’ve come to report, sir. I’ve failed--failed badly.”
+
+Mr. Carter eyed him sharply.
+
+“You mean that the treaty----”
+
+“Is in the hands of Mr. Brown, sir.”
+
+“Ah!” said Mr. Carter quietly. The expression on his face did not
+change, but Tommy caught the flicker of despair in his eyes. It
+convinced him as nothing else had done that the outlook was hopeless.
+
+“Well,” said Mr. Carter after a minute or two, “we mustn’t sag at the
+knees, I suppose. I’m glad to know definitely. We must do what we can.”
+
+Through Tommy’s mind flashed the assurance: “It’s hopeless, and he knows
+it’s hopeless!”
+
+The other looked up at him.
+
+“Don’t take it to heart, lad,” he said kindly. “You did your best. You
+were up against one of the biggest brains of the century. And you came
+very near success. Remember that.”
+
+“Thank you, sir. It’s awfully decent of you.”
+
+“I blame myself. I have been blaming myself ever since I heard this
+other news.”
+
+Something in his tone attracted Tommy’s attention. A new fear gripped at
+his heart.
+
+“Is there--something more, sir?”
+
+“I’m afraid so,” said Mr. Carter gravely. He stretched out his hand to a
+sheet on the table.
+
+“Tuppence----?” faltered Tommy.
+
+“Read for yourself.”
+
+The typewritten words danced before his eyes. The description of a green
+toque, a coat with a handkerchief in the pocket marked P.L.C. He looked
+an agonized question at Mr. Carter. The latter replied to it:
+
+“Washed up on the Yorkshire coast--near Ebury. I’m afraid--it looks very
+much like foul play.”
+
+“My God!” gasped Tommy. “_Tuppence!_ Those devils--I’ll never rest till
+I’ve got even with them! I’ll hunt them down! I’ll----”
+
+The pity on Mr. Carter’s face stopped him.
+
+“I know what you feel like, my poor boy. But it’s no good. You’ll waste
+your strength uselessly. It may sound harsh, but my advice to you is:
+Cut your losses. Time’s merciful. You’ll forget.”
+
+“Forget Tuppence? Never!”
+
+Mr. Carter shook his head.
+
+“So you think now. Well, it won’t bear thinking of--that brave little
+girl! I’m sorry about the whole business--confoundedly sorry.”
+
+Tommy came to himself with a start.
+
+“I’m taking up your time, sir,” he said with an effort. “There’s no need
+for you to blame yourself. I dare say we were a couple of young fools to
+take on such a job. You warned us all right. But I wish to God I’d been
+the one to get it in the neck. Good-bye, sir.”
+
+Back at the _Ritz_, Tommy packed up his few belongings mechanically,
+his thoughts far away. He was still bewildered by the introduction of
+tragedy into his cheerful commonplace existence. What fun they had
+had together, he and Tuppence! And now--oh, he couldn’t believe it--it
+couldn’t be true! _Tuppence--dead!_ Little Tuppence, brimming over with
+life! It was a dream, a horrible dream. Nothing more.
+
+They brought him a note, a few kind words of sympathy from Peel
+Edgerton, who had read the news in the paper. (There had been a large
+headline: EX-V.A.D. FEARED DROWNED.) The letter ended with the offer
+of a post on a ranch in the Argentine, where Sir James had considerable
+interests.
+
+“Kind old beggar,” muttered Tommy, as he flung it aside.
+
+The door opened, and Julius burst in with his usual violence. He held an
+open newspaper in his hand.
+
+“Say, what’s all this? They seem to have got some fool idea about
+Tuppence.”
+
+“It’s true,” said Tommy quietly.
+
+“You mean they’ve done her in?”
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+“I suppose when they got the treaty she--wasn’t any good to them any
+longer, and they were afraid to let her go.”
+
+“Well, I’m darned!” said Julius. “Little Tuppence. She sure was the
+pluckiest little girl----”
+
+But suddenly something seemed to crack in Tommy’s brain. He rose to his
+feet.
+
+“Oh, get out! You don’t really care, damn you! You asked her to marry
+you in your rotten cold-blooded way, but I _loved_ her. I’d have given
+the soul out of my body to save her from harm. I’d have stood by without
+a word and let her marry you, because you could have given her the sort
+of time she ought to have had, and I was only a poor devil without a
+penny to bless himself with. But it wouldn’t have been because I didn’t
+care!”
+
+“See here,” began Julius temperately.
+
+“Oh, go to the devil! I can’t stand your coming here and talking about
+‘little Tuppence.’ Go and look after your cousin. Tuppence is my girl!
+I’ve always loved her, from the time we played together as kids. We
+grew up and it was just the same. I shall never forget when I was in
+hospital, and she came in in that ridiculous cap and apron! It was like
+a miracle to see the girl I loved turn up in a nurse’s kit----”
+
+But Julius interrupted him.
+
+“A nurse’s kit! Gee whiz! I must be going to Colney Hatch! I could swear
+I’ve seen Jane in a nurse’s cap too. And that’s plumb impossible! No,
+by gum, I’ve got it! It was her I saw talking to Whittington at that
+nursing home in Bournemouth. She wasn’t a patient there! She was a
+nurse!”
+
+“I dare say,” said Tommy angrily, “she’s probably been in with them from
+the start. I shouldn’t wonder if she stole those papers from Danvers to
+begin with.”
+
+“I’m darned if she did!” shouted Julius. “She’s my cousin, and as
+patriotic a girl as ever stepped.”
+
+“I don’t care a damn what she is, but get out of here!” retorted Tommy
+also at the top of his voice.
+
+The young men were on the point of coming to blows. But suddenly, with
+an almost magical abruptness, Julius’s anger abated.
+
+“All right, son,” he said quietly, “I’m going. I don’t blame you any for
+what you’ve been saying. It’s mighty lucky you did say it. I’ve been
+the most almighty blithering darned idiot that it’s possible to imagine.
+Calm down”--Tommy had made an impatient gesture--“I’m going right away
+now--going to the London and North Western Railway depot, if you want to
+know.”
+
+“I don’t care a damn where you’re going,” growled Tommy.
+
+As the door closed behind Julius, he returned to his suit-case.
+
+“That’s the lot,” he murmured, and rang the bell.
+
+“Take my luggage down.”
+
+“Yes, sir. Going away, sir?”
+
+“I’m going to the devil,” said Tommy, regardless of the menial’s
+feelings.
+
+That functionary, however, merely replied respectfully:
+
+“Yes, sir. Shall I call a taxi?”
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+Where was he going? He hadn’t the faintest idea. Beyond a fixed
+determination to get even with Mr. Brown he had no plans. He re-read Sir
+James’s letter, and shook his head. Tuppence must be avenged. Still, it
+was kind of the old fellow.
+
+“Better answer it, I suppose.” He went across to the writing-table.
+With the usual perversity of bedroom stationery, there were innumerable
+envelopes and no paper. He rang. No one came. Tommy fumed at the
+delay. Then he remembered that there was a good supply in Julius’s
+sitting-room. The American had announced his immediate departure, there
+would be no fear of running up against him. Besides, he wouldn’t mind if
+he did. He was beginning to be rather ashamed of the things he had said.
+Old Julius had taken them jolly well. He’d apologize if he found him
+there.
+
+But the room was deserted. Tommy walked across to the writing-table,
+and opened the middle drawer. A photograph, carelessly thrust in face
+upwards, caught his eye. For a moment he stood rooted to the ground.
+Then he took it out, shut the drawer, walked slowly over to an
+arm-chair, and sat down still staring at the photograph in his hand.
+
+What on earth was a photograph of the French girl Annette doing in
+Julius Hersheimmer’s writing-table?
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII. IN DOWNING STREET
+
+THE Prime Minister tapped the desk in front of him with nervous fingers.
+His face was worn and harassed. He took up his conversation with Mr.
+Carter at the point it had broken off. “I don’t understand,” he said.
+“Do you really mean that things are not so desperate after all?”
+
+“So this lad seems to think.”
+
+“Let’s have a look at his letter again.”
+
+Mr. Carter handed it over. It was written in a sprawling boyish hand.
+
+“DEAR MR. CARTER,
+
+“Something’s turned up that has given me a jar. Of course I may be
+simply making an awful ass of myself, but I don’t think so. If my
+conclusions are right, that girl at Manchester was just a plant. The
+whole thing was prearranged, sham packet and all, with the object of
+making us think the game was up--therefore I fancy that we must have
+been pretty hot on the scent.
+
+“I think I know who the real Jane Finn is, and I’ve even got an idea
+where the papers are. That last’s only a guess, of course, but I’ve a
+sort of feeling it’ll turn out right. Anyhow, I enclose it in a sealed
+envelope for what it’s worth. I’m going to ask you not to open it until
+the very last moment, midnight on the 28th, in fact. You’ll understand
+why in a minute. You see, I’ve figured it out that those things of
+Tuppence’s are a plant too, and she’s no more drowned than I am. The way
+I reason is this: as a last chance they’ll let Jane Finn escape in
+the hope that she’s been shamming this memory stunt, and that once she
+thinks she’s free she’ll go right away to the cache. Of course it’s
+an awful risk for them to take, because she knows all about them--but
+they’re pretty desperate to get hold of that treaty. _But if they know
+that the papers have been recovered by us_, neither of those two girls’
+lives will be worth an hour’s purchase. I must try and get hold of
+Tuppence before Jane escapes.
+
+“I want a repeat of that telegram that was sent to Tuppence at the
+_Ritz_. Sir James Peel Edgerton said you would be able to manage that
+for me. He’s frightfully clever.
+
+“One last thing--please have that house in Soho watched day and night.
+
+“Yours, etc.,
+
+“THOMAS BERESFORD.”
+
+The Prime Minister looked up.
+
+“The enclosure?”
+
+Mr. Carter smiled dryly.
+
+“In the vaults of the Bank. I am taking no chances.”
+
+“You don’t think”--the Prime Minister hesitated a minute--“that it would
+be better to open it now? Surely we ought to secure the document, that
+is, provided the young man’s guess turns out to be correct, at once. We
+can keep the fact of having done so quite secret.”
+
+“Can we? I’m not so sure. There are spies all round us. Once it’s known
+I wouldn’t give that”--he snapped his fingers--“for the life of those
+two girls. No, the boy trusted me, and I shan’t let him down.”
+
+“Well, well, we must leave it at that, then. What’s he like, this lad?”
+
+“Outwardly, he’s an ordinary clean-limbed, rather block-headed young
+Englishman. Slow in his mental processes. On the other hand, it’s quite
+impossible to lead him astray through his imagination. He hasn’t got
+any--so he’s difficult to deceive. He worries things out slowly, and
+once he’s got hold of anything he doesn’t let go. The little lady’s
+quite different. More intuition and less common sense. They make a
+pretty pair working together. Pace and stamina.”
+
+“He seems confident,” mused the Prime Minister.
+
+“Yes, and that’s what gives me hope. He’s the kind of diffident youth
+who would have to be _very_ sure before he ventured an opinion at all.”
+
+A half smile came to the other’s lips.
+
+“And it is this--boy who will defeat the master criminal of our time?”
+
+“This--boy, as you say! But I sometimes fancy I see a shadow behind.”
+
+“You mean?”
+
+“Peel Edgerton.”
+
+“Peel Edgerton?” said the Prime Minister in astonishment.
+
+“Yes. I see his hand in _this_.” He struck the open letter. “He’s
+there--working in the dark, silently, unobtrusively. I’ve always felt
+that if anyone was to run Mr. Brown to earth, Peel Edgerton would be the
+man. I tell you he’s on the case now, but doesn’t want it known. By the
+way, I got rather an odd request from him the other day.”
+
+“Yes?”
+
+“He sent me a cutting from some American paper. It referred to a man’s
+body found near the docks in New York about three weeks ago. He asked me
+to collect any information on the subject I could.”
+
+“Well?”
+
+Carter shrugged his shoulders.
+
+“I couldn’t get much. Young fellow about thirty-five--poorly
+dressed--face very badly disfigured. He was never identified.”
+
+“And you fancy that the two matters are connected in some way?”
+
+“Somehow I do. I may be wrong, of course.”
+
+There was a pause, then Mr. Carter continued:
+
+“I asked him to come round here. Not that we’ll get anything out of him
+he doesn’t want to tell. His legal instincts are too strong. But there’s
+no doubt he can throw light on one or two obscure points in young
+Beresford’s letter. Ah, here he is!”
+
+The two men rose to greet the new-comer. A half whimsical thought
+flashed across the Premier’s mind. “My successor, perhaps!”
+
+“We’ve had a letter from young Beresford,” said Mr. Carter, coming to
+the point at once. “You’ve seen him, I suppose?”
+
+“You suppose wrong,” said the lawyer.
+
+“Oh!” Mr. Carter was a little nonplussed.
+
+Sir James smiled, and stroked his chin.
+
+“He rang me up,” he volunteered.
+
+“Would you have any objection to telling us exactly what passed between
+you?”
+
+“Not at all. He thanked me for a certain letter which I had written to
+him--as a matter of fact, I had offered him a job. Then he reminded
+me of something I had said to him at Manchester respecting that bogus
+telegram which lured Miss Cowley away. I asked him if anything untoward
+had occurred. He said it had--that in a drawer in Mr. Hersheimmer’s room
+he had discovered a photograph.” The lawyer paused, then continued: “I
+asked him if the photograph bore the name and address of a Californian
+photographer. He replied: ‘You’re on to it, sir. It had.’ Then he went
+on to tell me something I _didn’t_ know. The original of that photograph
+was the French girl, Annette, who saved his life.”
+
+“What?”
+
+“Exactly. I asked the young man with some curiosity what he had done
+with the photograph. He replied that he had put it back where he found
+it.” The lawyer paused again. “That was good, you know--distinctly
+good. He can use his brains, that young fellow. I congratulated him. The
+discovery was a providential one. Of course, from the moment that the
+girl in Manchester was proved to be a plant everything was altered.
+Young Beresford saw that for himself without my having to tell it
+him. But he felt he couldn’t trust his judgment on the subject of
+Miss Cowley. Did I think she was alive? I told him, duly weighing the
+evidence, that there was a very decided chance in favour of it. That
+brought us back to the telegram.”
+
+“Yes?”
+
+“I advised him to apply to you for a copy of the original wire. It
+had occurred to me as probable that, after Miss Cowley flung it on the
+floor, certain words might have been erased and altered with the express
+intention of setting searchers on a false trail.”
+
+Carter nodded. He took a sheet from his pocket, and read aloud:
+
+“Come at once, Astley Priors, Gatehouse, Kent. Great
+developments--TOMMY.”
+
+“Very simple,” said Sir James, “and very ingenious. Just a few words
+to alter, and the thing was done. And the one important clue they
+overlooked.”
+
+“What was that?”
+
+“The page-boy’s statement that Miss Cowley drove to Charing Cross. They
+were so sure of themselves that they took it for granted he had made a
+mistake.”
+
+“Then young Beresford is now?”
+
+“At Gatehouse, Kent, unless I am much mistaken.”
+
+Mr. Carter looked at him curiously.
+
+“I rather wonder you’re not there too, Peel Edgerton?”
+
+“Ah, I’m busy on a case.”
+
+“I thought you were on your holiday?”
+
+“Oh, I’ve not been briefed. Perhaps it would be more correct to say I’m
+preparing a case. Any more facts about that American chap for me?”
+
+“I’m afraid not. Is it important to find out who he was?”
+
+“Oh, I know who he was,” said Sir James easily. “I can’t prove it
+yet--but I know.”
+
+The other two asked no questions. They had an instinct that it would be
+mere waste of breath.
+
+“But what I don’t understand,” said the Prime-Minister suddenly, “is how
+that photograph came to be in Mr. Hersheimmer’s drawer?”
+
+“Perhaps it never left it,” suggested the lawyer gently.
+
+“But the bogus inspector? Inspector Brown?”
+
+“Ah!” said Sir James thoughtfully. He rose to his feet. “I mustn’t keep
+you. Go on with the affairs of the nation. I must get back to--my case.”
+
+Two days later Julius Hersheimmer returned from Manchester. A note from
+Tommy lay on his table:
+
+“DEAR HERSHEIMMER,
+
+“Sorry I lost my temper. In case I don’t see you again, good-bye. I’ve
+been offered a job in the Argentine, and might as well take it.
+
+“Yours,
+
+“TOMMY BERESFORD.”
+
+A peculiar smile lingered for a moment on Julius’s face. He threw the
+letter into the waste-paper basket.
+
+“The darned fool!” he murmured.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII. A RACE AGAINST TIME
+
+AFTER ringing up Sir James, Tommy’s next procedure was to make a call
+at South Audley Mansions. He found Albert discharging his professional
+duties, and introduced himself without more ado as a friend of
+Tuppence’s. Albert unbent immediately.
+
+“Things has been very quiet here lately,” he said wistfully. “Hope the
+young lady’s keeping well, sir?”
+
+“That’s just the point, Albert. She’s disappeared.”
+
+“You don’t mean as the crooks have got her?”
+
+“They have.”
+
+“In the Underworld?”
+
+“No, dash it all, in this world!”
+
+“It’s a h’expression, sir,” explained Albert. “At the pictures the
+crooks always have a restoorant in the Underworld. But do you think as
+they’ve done her in, sir?”
+
+“I hope not. By the way, have you by any chance an aunt, a cousin,
+a grandmother, or any other suitable female relation who might be
+represented as being likely to kick the bucket?”
+
+A delighted grin spread slowly over Albert’s countenance.
+
+“I’m on, sir. My poor aunt what lives in the country has been mortal bad
+for a long time, and she’s asking for me with her dying breath.”
+
+Tommy nodded approval.
+
+“Can you report this in the proper quarter and meet me at Charing Cross
+in an hour’s time?”
+
+“I’ll be there, sir. You can count on me.”
+
+As Tommy had judged, the faithful Albert proved an invaluable ally. The
+two took up their quarters at the inn in Gatehouse. To Albert fell the
+task of collecting information. There was no difficulty about it.
+
+Astley Priors was the property of a Dr. Adams. The doctor no longer
+practiced, had retired, the landlord believed, but he took a few private
+patients--here the good fellow tapped his forehead knowingly--“balmy
+ones! You understand!” The doctor was a popular figure in the village,
+subscribed freely to all the local sports--“a very pleasant, affable
+gentleman.” Been there long? Oh, a matter of ten years or so--might be
+longer. Scientific gentleman, he was. Professors and people often came
+down from town to see him. Anyway, it was a gay house, always visitors.
+
+In the face of all this volubility, Tommy felt doubts. Was it possible
+that this genial, well-known figure could be in reality a dangerous
+criminal? His life seemed so open and aboveboard. No hint of sinister
+doings. Suppose it was all a gigantic mistake? Tommy felt a cold chill
+at the thought.
+
+Then he remembered the private patients--“balmy ones.” He inquired
+carefully if there was a young lady amongst them, describing Tuppence.
+But nothing much seemed to be known about the patients--they were seldom
+seen outside the grounds. A guarded description of Annette also failed
+to provoke recognition.
+
+Astley Priors was a pleasant red-brick edifice, surrounded by
+well-wooded grounds which effectually shielded the house from
+observation from the road.
+
+On the first evening Tommy, accompanied by Albert, explored the grounds.
+Owing to Albert’s insistence they dragged themselves along painfully on
+their stomachs, thereby producing a great deal more noise than if
+they had stood upright. In any case, these precautions were totally
+unnecessary. The grounds, like those of any other private house after
+nightfall, seemed untenanted. Tommy had imagined a possible fierce
+watchdog. Albert’s fancy ran to a puma, or a tame cobra. But they
+reached a shrubbery near the house quite unmolested.
+
+The blinds of the dining-room window were up. There was a large company
+assembled round the table. The port was passing from hand to hand. It
+seemed a normal, pleasant company. Through the open window scraps of
+conversation floated out disjointedly on the night air. It was a heated
+discussion on county cricket!
+
+Again Tommy felt that cold chill of uncertainty. It seemed impossible
+to believe that these people were other than they seemed. Had he been
+fooled once more? The fair-bearded, spectacled gentleman who sat at the
+head of the table looked singularly honest and normal.
+
+Tommy slept badly that night. The following morning the indefatigable
+Albert, having cemented an alliance with the greengrocer’s boy, took the
+latter’s place and ingratiated himself with the cook at Malthouse.
+He returned with the information that she was undoubtedly “one of
+the crooks,” but Tommy mistrusted the vividness of his imagination.
+Questioned, he could adduce nothing in support of his statement except
+his own opinion that she wasn’t the usual kind. You could see that at a
+glance.
+
+The substitution being repeated (much to the pecuniary advantage of the
+real greengrocer’s boy) on the following day, Albert brought back the
+first piece of hopeful news. There _was_ a French young lady staying
+in the house. Tommy put his doubts aside. Here was confirmation of
+his theory. But time pressed. To-day was the 27th. The 29th was the
+much-talked-of “Labour Day,” about which all sorts of rumours were
+running riot. Newspapers were getting agitated. Sensational hints of a
+Labour _coup d’état_ were freely reported. The Government said nothing.
+It knew and was prepared. There were rumours of dissension among the
+Labour leaders. They were not of one mind. The more far-seeing among
+them realized that what they proposed might well be a death-blow to the
+England that at heart they loved. They shrank from the starvation and
+misery a general strike would entail, and were willing to meet the
+Government half-way. But behind them were subtle, insistent forces at
+work, urging the memories of old wrongs, deprecating the weakness of
+half-and-half measures, fomenting misunderstandings.
+
+Tommy felt that, thanks to Mr. Carter, he understood the position fairly
+accurately. With the fatal document in the hands of Mr. Brown,
+public opinion would swing to the side of the Labour extremists and
+revolutionists. Failing that, the battle was an even chance. The
+Government with a loyal army and police force behind them might
+win--but at a cost of great suffering. But Tommy nourished another and
+a preposterous dream. With Mr. Brown unmasked and captured he
+believed, rightly or wrongly, that the whole organization would crumble
+ignominiously and instantaneously. The strange permeating influence
+of the unseen chief held it together. Without him, Tommy believed an
+instant panic would set in; and, the honest men left to themselves, an
+eleventh-hour reconciliation would be possible.
+
+“This is a one-man show,” said Tommy to himself. “The thing to do is to
+get hold of the man.”
+
+It was partly in furtherance of this ambitious design that he had
+requested Mr. Carter not to open the sealed envelope. The draft
+treaty was Tommy’s bait. Every now and then he was aghast at his own
+presumption. How dared he think that he had discovered what so many
+wiser and clever men had overlooked? Nevertheless, he stuck tenaciously
+to his idea.
+
+That evening he and Albert once more penetrated the grounds of Astley
+Priors. Tommy’s ambition was somehow or other to gain admission to the
+house itself. As they approached cautiously, Tommy gave a sudden gasp.
+
+On the second floor window some one standing between the window and
+the light in the room threw a silhouette on the blind. It was one Tommy
+would have recognized anywhere! Tuppence was in that house!
+
+He clutched Albert by the shoulder.
+
+“Stay here! When I begin to sing, watch that window.”
+
+He retreated hastily to a position on the main drive, and began in a
+deep roar, coupled with an unsteady gait, the following ditty:
+
+
+          I am a Soldier
+          A jolly British Soldier;
+          You can see that I’m a Soldier by my feet....
+
+It had been a favourite on the gramophone in Tuppence’s hospital days.
+He did not doubt but that she would recognize it and draw her own
+conclusions. Tommy had not a note of music in his voice, but his lungs
+were excellent. The noise he produced was terrific.
+
+Presently an unimpeachable butler, accompanied by an equally
+unimpeachable footman, issued from the front door. The butler
+remonstrated with him. Tommy continued to sing, addressing the butler
+affectionately as “dear old whiskers.” The footman took him by one arm,
+the butler by the other. They ran him down the drive, and neatly out
+of the gate. The butler threatened him with the police if he intruded
+again. It was beautifully done--soberly and with perfect decorum. Anyone
+would have sworn that the butler was a real butler, the footman a real
+footman--only, as it happened, the butler was Whittington!
+
+Tommy retired to the inn and waited for Albert’s return. At last that
+worthy made his appearance.
+
+“Well?” cried Tommy eagerly.
+
+“It’s all right. While they was a-running of you out the window opened,
+and something was chucked out.” He handed a scrap of paper to Tommy. “It
+was wrapped round a letterweight.”
+
+On the paper were scrawled three words: “To-morrow--same time.”
+
+“Good egg!” cried Tommy. “We’re getting going.”
+
+“I wrote a message on a piece of paper, wrapped it round a stone, and
+chucked it through the window,” continued Albert breathlessly.
+
+Tommy groaned.
+
+“Your zeal will be the undoing of us, Albert. What did you say?”
+
+“Said we was a-staying at the inn. If she could get away, to come there
+and croak like a frog.”
+
+“She’ll know that’s you,” said Tommy with a sigh of relief. “Your
+imagination runs away with you, you know, Albert. Why, you wouldn’t
+recognize a frog croaking if you heard it.”
+
+Albert looked rather crest-fallen.
+
+“Cheer up,” said Tommy. “No harm done. That butler’s an old friend of
+mine--I bet he knew who I was, though he didn’t let on. It’s not their
+game to show suspicion. That’s why we’ve found it fairly plain sailing.
+They don’t want to discourage me altogether. On the other hand, they
+don’t want to make it too easy. I’m a pawn in their game, Albert, that’s
+what I am. You see, if the spider lets the fly walk out too easily,
+the fly might suspect it was a put-up job. Hence the usefulness of that
+promising youth, Mr. T. Beresford, who’s blundered in just at the right
+moment for them. But later, Mr. T. Beresford had better look out!”
+
+Tommy retired for the night in a state of some elation. He had
+elaborated a careful plan for the following evening. He felt sure that
+the inhabitants of Astley Priors would not interfere with him up to
+a certain point. It was after that that Tommy proposed to give them a
+surprise.
+
+About twelve o’clock, however, his calm was rudely shaken. He was told
+that some one was demanding him in the bar. The applicant proved to be a
+rude-looking carter well coated with mud.
+
+“Well, my good fellow, what is it?” asked Tommy.
+
+“Might this be for you, sir?” The carter held out a very dirty folded
+note, on the outside of which was written: “Take this to the gentleman
+at the inn near Astley Priors. He will give you ten shillings.”
+
+The handwriting was Tuppence’s. Tommy appreciated her quick-wittedness
+in realizing that he might be staying at the inn under an assumed name.
+He snatched at it.
+
+“That’s all right.”
+
+The man withheld it.
+
+“What about my ten shillings?”
+
+Tommy hastily produced a ten-shilling note, and the man relinquished his
+find. Tommy unfastened it.
+
+“DEAR TOMMY,
+
+“I knew it was you last night. Don’t go this evening. They’ll be lying
+in wait for you. They’re taking us away this morning. I heard something
+about Wales--Holyhead, I think. I’ll drop this on the road if I get a
+chance. Annette told me how you’d escaped. Buck up.
+
+“Yours,
+
+“TWOPENCE.”
+
+Tommy raised a shout for Albert before he had even finished perusing
+this characteristic epistle.
+
+“Pack my bag! We’re off!”
+
+“Yes, sir.” The boots of Albert could be heard racing upstairs.
+Holyhead? Did that mean that, after all---- Tommy was puzzled. He read
+on slowly.
+
+The boots of Albert continued to be active on the floor above.
+
+Suddenly a second shout came from below.
+
+“Albert! I’m a damned fool! Unpack that bag!”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+Tommy smoothed out the note thoughtfully.
+
+“Yes, a damned fool,” he said softly. “But so’s some one else! And at
+last I know who it is!”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV. JULIUS TAKES A HAND
+
+IN his suite at Claridge’s, Kramenin reclined on a couch and dictated to
+his secretary in sibilant Russian.
+
+Presently the telephone at the secretary’s elbow purred, and he took up
+the receiver, spoke for a minute or two, then turned to his employer.
+
+“Some one below is asking for you.”
+
+“Who is it?”
+
+“He gives the name of Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer.”
+
+“Hersheimmer,” repeated Kramenin thoughtfully. “I have heard that name
+before.”
+
+“His father was one of the steel kings of America,” explained the
+secretary, whose business it was to know everything. “This young man
+must be a millionaire several times over.”
+
+The other’s eyes narrowed appreciatively.
+
+“You had better go down and see him, Ivan. Find out what he wants.”
+
+The secretary obeyed, closing the door noiselessly behind him. In a few
+minutes he returned.
+
+“He declines to state his business--says it is entirely private and
+personal, and that he must see you.”
+
+“A millionaire several times over,” murmured Kramenin. “Bring him up, my
+dear Ivan.”
+
+The secretary left the room once more, and returned escorting Julius.
+
+“Monsieur Kramenin?” said the latter abruptly.
+
+The Russian, studying him attentively with his pale venomous eyes,
+bowed.
+
+“Pleased to meet you,” said the American. “I’ve got some very important
+business I’d like to talk over with you, if I can see you alone.” He
+looked pointedly at the other.
+
+“My secretary, Monsieur Grieber, from whom I have no secrets.”
+
+“That may be so--but I have,” said Julius dryly. “So I’d be obliged if
+you’d tell him to scoot.”
+
+“Ivan,” said the Russian softly, “perhaps you would not mind retiring
+into the next room----”
+
+“The next room won’t do,” interrupted Julius. “I know these ducal
+suites--and I want this one plumb empty except for you and me. Send him
+round to a store to buy a penn’orth of peanuts.”
+
+Though not particularly enjoying the American’s free and easy manner
+of speech, Kramenin was devoured by curiosity. “Will your business take
+long to state?”
+
+“Might be an all night job if you caught on.”
+
+“Very good, Ivan. I shall not require you again this evening. Go to the
+theatre--take a night off.”
+
+“Thank you, your excellency.”
+
+The secretary bowed and departed.
+
+Julius stood at the door watching his retreat. Finally, with a satisfied
+sigh, he closed it, and came back to his position in the centre of the
+room.
+
+“Now, Mr. Hersheimmer, perhaps you will be so kind as to come to the
+point?”
+
+“I guess that won’t take a minute,” drawled Julius. Then, with an abrupt
+change of manner: “Hands up--or I shoot!”
+
+For a moment Kramenin stared blindly into the big automatic, then, with
+almost comical haste, he flung up his hands above his head. In that
+instant Julius had taken his measure. The man he had to deal with was an
+abject physical coward--the rest would be easy.
+
+“This is an outrage,” cried the Russian in a high hysterical voice. “An
+outrage! Do you mean to kill me?”
+
+“Not if you keep your voice down. Don’t go edging sideways towards that
+bell. That’s better.”
+
+“What do you want? Do nothing rashly. Remember my life is of the utmost
+value to my country. I may have been maligned----”
+
+“I reckon,” said Julius, “that the man who let daylight into you would
+be doing humanity a good turn. But you needn’t worry any. I’m not
+proposing to kill you this trip--that is, if you’re reasonable.”
+
+The Russian quailed before the stern menace in the other’s eyes. He
+passed his tongue over his dry lips.
+
+“What do you want? Money?”
+
+“No. I want Jane Finn.”
+
+“Jane Finn? I--never heard of her!”
+
+“You’re a darned liar! You know perfectly who I mean.”
+
+“I tell you I’ve never heard of the girl.”
+
+“And I tell you,” retorted Julius, “that Little Willie here is just
+hopping mad to go off!”
+
+The Russian wilted visibly.
+
+“You wouldn’t dare----”
+
+“Oh, yes, I would, son!”
+
+Kramenin must have recognized something in the voice that carried
+conviction, for he said sullenly:
+
+“Well? Granted I do know who you mean--what of it?”
+
+“You will tell me now--right here--where she is to be found.”
+
+Kramenin shook his head.
+
+“I daren’t.”
+
+“Why not?”
+
+“I daren’t. You ask an impossibility.”
+
+“Afraid, eh? Of whom? Mr. Brown? Ah, that tickles you up! There is such
+a person, then? I doubted it. And the mere mention of him scares you
+stiff!”
+
+“I have seen him,” said the Russian slowly. “Spoken to him face to face.
+I did not know it until afterwards. He was one of a crowd. I should not
+know him again. Who is he really? I do not know. But I know this--he is
+a man to fear.”
+
+“He’ll never know,” said Julius.
+
+“He knows everything--and his vengeance is swift. Even
+I--Kramenin!--would not be exempt!”
+
+“Then you won’t do as I ask you?”
+
+“You ask an impossibility.”
+
+“Sure that’s a pity for you,” said Julius cheerfully. “But the world in
+general will benefit.” He raised the revolver.
+
+“Stop,” shrieked the Russian. “You cannot mean to shoot me?”
+
+“Of course I do. I’ve always heard you Revolutionists held life cheap,
+but it seems there’s a difference when it’s your own life in question.
+I gave you just one chance of saving your dirty skin, and that you
+wouldn’t take!”
+
+“They would kill me!”
+
+“Well,” said Julius pleasantly, “it’s up to you. But I’ll just say this.
+Little Willie here is a dead cert, and if I was you I’d take a sporting
+chance with Mr. Brown!”
+
+“You will hang if you shoot me,” muttered the Russian irresolutely.
+
+“No, stranger, that’s where you’re wrong. You forget the dollars. A
+big crowd of solicitors will get busy, and they’ll get some high-brow
+doctors on the job, and the end of it all will be that they’ll say my
+brain was unhinged. I shall spend a few months in a quiet sanatorium, my
+mental health will improve, the doctors will declare me sane again, and
+all will end happily for little Julius. I guess I can bear a few months’
+retirement in order to rid the world of you, but don’t you kid yourself
+I’ll hang for it!”
+
+The Russian believed him. Corrupt himself, he believed implicitly in the
+power of money. He had read of American murder trials running much on
+the lines indicated by Julius. He had bought and sold justice himself.
+This virile young American, with the significant drawling voice, had the
+whip hand of him.
+
+“I’m going to count five,” continued Julius, “and I guess, if you let me
+get past four, you needn’t worry any about Mr. Brown. Maybe he’ll send
+some flowers to the funeral, but _you_ won’t smell them! Are you ready?
+I’ll begin. One--two--three--four----”
+
+The Russian interrupted with a shriek:
+
+“Do not shoot. I will do all you wish.”
+
+Julius lowered the revolver.
+
+“I thought you’d hear sense. Where is the girl?”
+
+“At Gatehouse, in Kent. Astley Priors, the place is called.”
+
+“Is she a prisoner there?”
+
+“She’s not allowed to leave the house--though it’s safe enough really.
+The little fool has lost her memory, curse her!”
+
+“That’s been annoying for you and your friends, I reckon. What about the
+other girl, the one you decoyed away over a week ago?”
+
+“She’s there too,” said the Russian sullenly.
+
+“That’s good,” said Julius. “Isn’t it all panning out beautifully? And a
+lovely night for the run!”
+
+“What run?” demanded Kramenin, with a stare.
+
+“Down to Gatehouse, sure. I hope you’re fond of motoring?”
+
+“What do you mean? I refuse to go.”
+
+“Now don’t get mad. You must see I’m not such a kid as to leave you
+here. You’d ring up your friends on that telephone first thing! Ah!” He
+observed the fall on the other’s face. “You see, you’d got it all fixed.
+No, sir, you’re coming along with me. This your bedroom next door here?
+Walk right in. Little Willie and I will come behind. Put on a thick
+coat, that’s right. Fur lined? And you a Socialist! Now we’re ready. We
+walk downstairs and out through the hall to where my car’s waiting. And
+don’t you forget I’ve got you covered every inch of the way. I can shoot
+just as well through my coat pocket. One word, or a glance even, at one
+of those liveried menials, and there’ll sure be a strange face in the
+Sulphur and Brimstone Works!”
+
+Together they descended the stairs, and passed out to the waiting car.
+The Russian was shaking with rage. The hotel servants surrounded them.
+A cry hovered on his lips, but at the last minute his nerve failed him.
+The American was a man of his word.
+
+When they reached the car, Julius breathed a sigh of relief. The
+danger-zone was passed. Fear had successfully hypnotized the man by his
+side.
+
+“Get in,” he ordered. Then as he caught the other’s sidelong glance,
+“No, the chauffeur won’t help you any. Naval man. Was on a submarine in
+Russia when the Revolution broke out. A brother of his was murdered by
+your people. George!”
+
+“Yes, sir?” The chauffeur turned his head.
+
+“This gentleman is a Russian Bolshevik. We don’t want to shoot him, but
+it may be necessary. You understand?”
+
+“Perfectly, sir.”
+
+“I want to go to Gatehouse in Kent. Know the road at all?”
+
+“Yes, sir, it will be about an hour and a half’s run.”
+
+“Make it an hour. I’m in a hurry.”
+
+“I’ll do my best, sir.” The car shot forward through the traffic.
+
+Julius ensconced himself comfortably by the side of his victim. He kept
+his hand in the pocket of his coat, but his manner was urbane to the
+last degree.
+
+“There was a man I shot once in Arizona----” he began cheerfully.
+
+At the end of the hour’s run the unfortunate Kramenin was more dead than
+alive. In succession to the anecdote of the Arizona man, there had been
+a tough from ‘Frisco, and an episode in the Rockies. Julius’s narrative
+style, if not strictly accurate, was picturesque!
+
+Slowing down, the chauffeur called over his shoulder that they were just
+coming into Gatehouse. Julius bade the Russian direct them. His plan was
+to drive straight up to the house. There Kramenin was to ask for the two
+girls. Julius explained to him that Little Willie would not be tolerant
+of failure. Kramenin, by this time, was as putty in the other’s hands.
+The terrific pace they had come had still further unmanned him. He had
+given himself up for dead at every corner.
+
+The car swept up the drive, and stopped before the porch. The chauffeur
+looked round for orders.
+
+“Turn the car first, George. Then ring the bell, and get back to your
+place. Keep the engine going, and be ready to scoot like hell when I
+give the word.”
+
+“Very good, sir.”
+
+The front door was opened by the butler. Kramenin felt the muzzle of the
+revolver pressed against his ribs.
+
+“Now,” hissed Julius. “And be careful.”
+
+The Russian beckoned. His lips were white, and his voice was not very
+steady:
+
+“It is I--Kramenin! Bring down the girl at once! There is no time to
+lose!”
+
+Whittington had come down the steps. He uttered an exclamation of
+astonishment at seeing the other.
+
+“You! What’s up? Surely you know the plan----”
+
+Kramenin interrupted him, using the words that have created many
+unnecessary panics:
+
+“We have been betrayed! Plans must be abandoned. We must save our own
+skins. The girl! And at once! It’s our only chance.”
+
+Whittington hesitated, but for hardly a moment.
+
+“You have orders--from _him?_”
+
+“Naturally! Should I be here otherwise? Hurry! There is no time to be
+lost. The other little fool had better come too.”
+
+Whittington turned and ran back into the house. The agonizing minutes
+went by. Then--two figures hastily huddled in cloaks appeared on the
+steps and were hustled into the car. The smaller of the two was inclined
+to resist and Whittington shoved her in unceremoniously. Julius leaned
+forward, and in doing so the light from the open door lit up his face.
+Another man on the steps behind Whittington gave a startled exclamation.
+Concealment was at an end.
+
+“Get a move on, George,” shouted Julius.
+
+The chauffeur slipped in his clutch, and with a bound the car started.
+
+The man on the steps uttered an oath. His hand went to his pocket. There
+was a flash and a report. The bullet just missed the taller girl by an
+inch.
+
+“Get down, Jane,” cried Julius. “Flat on the bottom of the car.” He
+thrust her sharply forward, then standing up, he took careful aim and
+fired.
+
+“Have you hit him?” cried Tuppence eagerly.
+
+“Sure,” replied Julius. “He isn’t killed, though. Skunks like that take
+a lot of killing. Are you all right, Tuppence?”
+
+“Of course I am. Where’s Tommy? And who’s this?” She indicated the
+shivering Kramenin.
+
+“Tommy’s making tracks for the Argentine. I guess he thought you’d
+turned up your toes. Steady through the gate, George! That’s right.
+It’ll take ‘em at least five minutes to get busy after us. They’ll use
+the telephone, I guess, so look out for snares ahead--and don’t take the
+direct route. Who’s this, did you say, Tuppence? Let me present Monsieur
+Kramenin. I persuaded him to come on the trip for his health.”
+
+The Russian remained mute, still livid with terror.
+
+“But what made them let us go?” demanded Tuppence suspiciously.
+
+“I reckon Monsieur Kramenin here asked them so prettily they just
+couldn’t refuse!”
+
+This was too much for the Russian. He burst out vehemently:
+
+“Curse you--curse you! They know now that I betrayed them. My life won’t
+be safe for an hour in this country.”
+
+“That’s so,” assented Julius. “I’d advise you to make tracks for Russia
+right away.”
+
+“Let me go, then,” cried the other. “I have done what you asked. Why do
+you still keep me with you?”
+
+“Not for the pleasure of your company. I guess you can get right off now
+if you want to. I thought you’d rather I tooled you back to London.”
+
+“You may never reach London,” snarled the other. “Let me go here and
+now.”
+
+“Sure thing. Pull up, George. The gentleman’s not making the return
+trip. If I ever come to Russia, Monsieur Kramenin, I shall expect a
+rousing welcome, and----”
+
+But before Julius had finished his speech, and before the car had
+finally halted, the Russian had swung himself out and disappeared into
+the night.
+
+“Just a mite impatient to leave us,” commented Julius, as the car
+gathered way again. “And no idea of saying good-bye politely to the
+ladies. Say, Jane, you can get up on the seat now.”
+
+For the first time the girl spoke.
+
+“How did you ‘persuade’ him?” she asked.
+
+Julius tapped his revolver.
+
+“Little Willie here takes the credit!”
+
+“Splendid!” cried the girl. The colour surged into her face, her eyes
+looked admiringly at Julius.
+
+“Annette and I didn’t know what was going to happen to us,” said
+Tuppence. “Old Whittington hurried us off. _We_ thought it was lambs to
+the slaughter.”
+
+“Annette,” said Julius. “Is that what you call her?”
+
+His mind seemed to be trying to adjust itself to a new idea.
+
+“It’s her name,” said Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide.
+
+“Shucks!” retorted Julius. “She may think it’s her name, because her
+memory’s gone, poor kid. But it’s the one real and original Jane Finn
+we’ve got here.”
+
+“What?” cried Tuppence.
+
+But she was interrupted. With an angry spurt, a bullet embedded itself
+in the upholstery of the car just behind her head.
+
+“Down with you,” cried Julius. “It’s an ambush. These guys have got busy
+pretty quickly. Push her a bit, George.”
+
+The car fairly leapt forward. Three more shots rang out, but went
+happily wide. Julius, upright, leant over the back of the car.
+
+“Nothing to shoot at,” he announced gloomily. “But I guess there’ll be
+another little picnic soon. Ah!”
+
+He raised his hand to his cheek.
+
+“You are hurt?” said Annette quickly.
+
+“Only a scratch.”
+
+The girl sprang to her feet.
+
+“Let me out! Let me out, I say! Stop the car. It is me they’re after.
+I’m the one they want. You shall not lose your lives because of me. Let
+me go.” She was fumbling with the fastenings of the door.
+
+Julius took her by both arms, and looked at her. She had spoken with no
+trace of foreign accent.
+
+“Sit down, kid,” he said gently. “I guess there’s nothing wrong with
+your memory. Been fooling them all the time, eh?”
+
+The girl looked at him, nodded, and then suddenly burst into tears.
+Julius patted her on the shoulder.
+
+“There, there--just you sit tight. We’re not going to let you quit.”
+
+Through her sobs the girl said indistinctly:
+
+“You’re from home. I can tell by your voice. It makes me home-sick.”
+
+“Sure I’m from home. I’m your cousin--Julius Hersheimmer. I came over to
+Europe on purpose to find you--and a pretty dance you’ve led me.”
+
+The car slackened speed. George spoke over his shoulder:
+
+“Cross-roads here, sir. I’m not sure of the way.”
+
+The car slowed down till it hardly moved. As it did so a figure climbed
+suddenly over the back, and plunged head first into the midst of them.
+
+“Sorry,” said Tommy, extricating himself.
+
+A mass of confused exclamations greeted him. He replied to them
+severally:
+
+“Was in the bushes by the drive. Hung on behind. Couldn’t let you know
+before at the pace you were going. It was all I could do to hang on. Now
+then, you girls, get out!”
+
+“Get out?”
+
+“Yes. There’s a station just up that road. Train due in three minutes.
+You’ll catch it if you hurry.”
+
+“What the devil are you driving at?” demanded Julius. “Do you think you
+can fool them by leaving the car?”
+
+“You and I aren’t going to leave the car. Only the girls.”
+
+“You’re crazed, Beresford. Stark staring mad! You can’t let those girls
+go off alone. It’ll be the end of it if you do.”
+
+Tommy turned to Tuppence.
+
+“Get out at once, Tuppence. Take her with you, and do just as I say.
+No one will do you any harm. You’re safe. Take the train to London. Go
+straight to Sir James Peel Edgerton. Mr. Carter lives out of town, but
+you’ll be safe with him.”
+
+“Darn you!” cried Julius. “You’re mad. Jane, you stay where you are.”
+
+With a sudden swift movement, Tommy snatched the revolver from Julius’s
+hand, and levelled it at him.
+
+“Now will you believe I’m in earnest? Get out, both of you, and do as I
+say--or I’ll shoot!”
+
+Tuppence sprang out, dragging the unwilling Jane after her.
+
+“Come on, it’s all right. If Tommy’s sure--he’s sure. Be quick. We’ll
+miss the train.”
+
+They started running.
+
+Julius’s pent-up rage burst forth.
+
+“What the hell----”
+
+Tommy interrupted him.
+
+“Dry up! I want a few words with you, Mr. Julius Hersheimmer.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV. JANE’S STORY
+
+HER arm through Jane’s, dragging her along, Tuppence reached the
+station. Her quick ears caught the sound of the approaching train.
+
+“Hurry up,” she panted, “or we’ll miss it.”
+
+They arrived on the platform just as the train came to a standstill.
+Tuppence opened the door of an empty first-class compartment, and the
+two girls sank down breathless on the padded seats.
+
+A man looked in, then passed on to the next carriage. Jane started
+nervously. Her eyes dilated with terror. She looked questioningly at
+Tuppence.
+
+“Is he one of them, do you think?” she breathed.
+
+Tuppence shook her head.
+
+“No, no. It’s all right.” She took Jane’s hand in hers. “Tommy wouldn’t
+have told us to do this unless he was sure we’d be all right.”
+
+“But he doesn’t know them as I do!” The girl shivered. “You can’t
+understand. Five years! Five long years! Sometimes I thought I should go
+mad.”
+
+“Never mind. It’s all over.”
+
+“Is it?”
+
+The train was moving now, speeding through the night at a gradually
+increasing rate. Suddenly Jane Finn started up.
+
+“What was that? I thought I saw a face--looking in through the window.”
+
+“No, there’s nothing. See.” Tuppence went to the window, and lifting the
+strap let the pane down.
+
+“You’re sure?”
+
+“Quite sure.”
+
+The other seemed to feel some excuse was necessary:
+
+“I guess I’m acting like a frightened rabbit, but I can’t help it. If
+they caught me now they’d----” Her eyes opened wide and staring.
+
+“_Don’t!_” implored Tuppence. “Lie back, and _don’t think_. You can be
+quite sure that Tommy wouldn’t have said it was safe if it wasn’t.”
+
+“My cousin didn’t think so. He didn’t want us to do this.”
+
+“No,” said Tuppence, rather embarrassed.
+
+“What are you thinking of?” said Jane sharply.
+
+“Why?”
+
+“Your voice was so--queer!”
+
+“I _was_ thinking of something,” confessed Tuppence. “But I don’t want
+to tell you--not now. I may be wrong, but I don’t think so. It’s just
+an idea that came into my head a long time ago. Tommy’s got it too--I’m
+almost sure he has. But don’t _you_ worry--there’ll be time enough for
+that later. And it mayn’t be so at all! Do what I tell you--lie back and
+don’t think of anything.”
+
+“I’ll try.” The long lashes drooped over the hazel eyes.
+
+Tuppence, for her part, sat bolt upright--much in the attitude of a
+watchful terrier on guard. In spite of herself she was nervous. Her eyes
+flashed continually from one window to the other. She noted the exact
+position of the communication cord. What it was that she feared, she
+would have been hard put to it to say. But in her own mind she was
+far from feeling the confidence displayed in her words. Not that she
+disbelieved in Tommy, but occasionally she was shaken with doubts as to
+whether anyone so simple and honest as he was could ever be a match for
+the fiendish subtlety of the arch-criminal.
+
+If they once reached Sir James Peel Edgerton in safety, all would be
+well. But would they reach him? Would not the silent forces of Mr. Brown
+already be assembling against them? Even that last picture of Tommy,
+revolver in hand, failed to comfort her. By now he might be overpowered,
+borne down by sheer force of numbers.... Tuppence mapped out her plan of
+campaign.
+
+As the train at length drew slowly into Charing Cross, Jane Finn sat up
+with a start.
+
+“Have we arrived? I never thought we should!”
+
+“Oh, I thought we’d get to London all right. If there’s going to be any
+fun, now is when it will begin. Quick, get out. We’ll nip into a taxi.”
+
+In another minute they were passing the barrier, had paid the necessary
+fares, and were stepping into a taxi.
+
+“King’s Cross,” directed Tuppence. Then she gave a jump. A man looked in
+at the window, just as they started. She was almost certain it was the
+same man who had got into the carriage next to them. She had a horrible
+feeling of being slowly hemmed in on every side.
+
+“You see,” she explained to Jane, “if they think we’re going to Sir
+James, this will put them off the scent. Now they’ll imagine we’re going
+to Mr. Carter. His country place is north of London somewhere.”
+
+Crossing Holborn there was a block, and the taxi was held up. This was
+what Tuppence had been waiting for.
+
+“Quick,” she whispered. “Open the right-hand door!”
+
+The two girls stepped out into the traffic. Two minutes later they were
+seated in another taxi and were retracing their steps, this time direct
+to Carlton House Terrace.
+
+“There,” said Tuppence, with great satisfaction, “this ought to do them.
+I can’t help thinking that I’m really rather clever! How that other taxi
+man will swear! But I took his number, and I’ll send him a postal order
+to-morrow, so that he won’t lose by it if he happens to be genuine.
+What’s this thing swerving----Oh!”
+
+There was a grinding noise and a bump. Another taxi had collided with
+them.
+
+In a flash Tuppence was out on the pavement. A policeman was
+approaching. Before he arrived Tuppence had handed the driver five
+shillings, and she and Jane had merged themselves in the crowd.
+
+“It’s only a step or two now,” said Tuppence breathlessly. The accident
+had taken place in Trafalgar Square.
+
+“Do you think the collision was an accident, or done deliberately?”
+
+“I don’t know. It might have been either.”
+
+Hand-in-hand, the two girls hurried along.
+
+“It may be my fancy,” said Tuppence suddenly, “but I feel as though
+there was some one behind us.”
+
+“Hurry!” murmured the other. “Oh, hurry!”
+
+They were now at the corner of Carlton House Terrace, and their spirits
+lightened. Suddenly a large and apparently intoxicated man barred their
+way.
+
+“Good evening, ladies,” he hiccupped. “Whither away so fast?”
+
+“Let us pass, please,” said Tuppence imperiously.
+
+“Just a word with your pretty friend here.” He stretched out an unsteady
+hand, and clutched Jane by the shoulder. Tuppence heard other footsteps
+behind. She did not pause to ascertain whether they were friends or
+foes. Lowering her head, she repeated a manœuvre of childish days,
+and butted their aggressor full in the capacious middle. The success of
+these unsportsmanlike tactics was immediate. The man sat down abruptly
+on the pavement. Tuppence and Jane took to their heels. The house they
+sought was some way down. Other footsteps echoed behind them. Their
+breath was coming in choking gasps as they reached Sir James’s door.
+Tuppence seized the bell and Jane the knocker.
+
+The man who had stopped them reached the foot of the steps. For a moment
+he hesitated, and as he did so the door opened. They fell into the hall
+together. Sir James came forward from the library door.
+
+“Hullo! What’s this?”
+
+He stepped forward, and put his arm round Jane as she swayed
+uncertainly. He half carried her into the library, and laid her on the
+leather couch. From a tantalus on the table he poured out a few drops of
+brandy, and forced her to drink them. With a sigh she sat up, her eyes
+still wild and frightened.
+
+“It’s all right. Don’t be afraid, my child. You’re quite safe.”
+
+Her breath came more normally, and the colour was returning to her
+cheeks. Sir James looked at Tuppence quizzically.
+
+“So you’re not dead, Miss Tuppence, any more than that Tommy boy of
+yours was!”
+
+“The Young Adventurers take a lot of killing,” boasted Tuppence.
+
+“So it seems,” said Sir James dryly. “Am I right in thinking that the
+joint venture has ended in success, and that this”--he turned to the
+girl on the couch--“is Miss Jane Finn?”
+
+Jane sat up.
+
+“Yes,” she said quietly, “I am Jane Finn. I have a lot to tell you.”
+
+“When you are stronger----”
+
+“No--now!” Her voice rose a little. “I shall feel safer when I have told
+everything.”
+
+“As you please,” said the lawyer.
+
+He sat down in one of the big arm-chairs facing the couch. In a low
+voice Jane began her story.
+
+“I came over on the _Lusitania_ to take up a post in Paris. I was
+fearfully keen about the war, and just dying to help somehow or other. I
+had been studying French, and my teacher said they were wanting help in
+a hospital in Paris, so I wrote and offered my services, and they were
+accepted. I hadn’t got any folk of my own, so it made it easy to arrange
+things.
+
+“When the _Lusitania_ was torpedoed, a man came up to me. I’d noticed
+him more than once--and I’d figured it out in my own mind that he
+was afraid of somebody or something. He asked me if I was a patriotic
+American, and told me he was carrying papers which were just life or
+death to the Allies. He asked me to take charge of them. I was to watch
+for an advertisement in the _Times_. If it didn’t appear, I was to take
+them to the American Ambassador.
+
+“Most of what followed seems like a nightmare still. I see it in my
+dreams sometimes.... I’ll hurry over that part. Mr. Danvers had told me
+to watch out. He might have been shadowed from New York, but he didn’t
+think so. At first I had no suspicions, but on the boat to Holyhead I
+began to get uneasy. There was one woman who had been very keen to look
+after me, and chum up with me generally--a Mrs. Vandemeyer. At first I’d
+been only grateful to her for being so kind to me; but all the time I
+felt there was something about her I didn’t like, and on the Irish
+boat I saw her talking to some queer-looking men, and from the way they
+looked I saw that they were talking about me. I remembered that she’d
+been quite near me on the _Lusitania_ when Mr. Danvers gave me the
+packet, and before that she’d tried to talk to him once or twice. I
+began to get scared, but I didn’t quite see what to do.
+
+“I had a wild idea of stopping at Holyhead, and not going on to London
+that day, but I soon saw that that would be plumb foolishness. The only
+thing was to act as though I’d noticed nothing, and hope for the best.
+I couldn’t see how they could get me if I was on my guard. One thing
+I’d done already as a precaution--ripped open the oilskin packet and
+substituted blank paper, and then sewn it up again. So, if anyone did
+manage to rob me of it, it wouldn’t matter.
+
+“What to do with the real thing worried me no end. Finally I opened it
+out flat--there were only two sheets--and laid it between two of the
+advertisement pages of a magazine. I stuck the two pages together
+round the edge with some gum off an envelope. I carried the magazine
+carelessly stuffed into the pocket of my ulster.
+
+“At Holyhead I tried to get into a carriage with people that looked all
+right, but in a queer way there seemed always to be a crowd round me
+shoving and pushing me just the way I didn’t want to go. There was
+something uncanny and frightening about it. In the end I found myself in
+a carriage with Mrs. Vandemeyer after all. I went out into the corridor,
+but all the other carriages were full, so I had to go back and sit down.
+I consoled myself with the thought that there were other people in the
+carriage--there was quite a nice-looking man and his wife sitting just
+opposite. So I felt almost happy about it until just outside London. I
+had leaned back and closed my eyes. I guess they thought I was asleep,
+but my eyes weren’t quite shut, and suddenly I saw the nice-looking man
+get something out of his bag and hand it to Mrs. Vandemeyer, and as he
+did so he _winked_....
+
+“I can’t tell you how that wink sort of froze me through and through. My
+only thought was to get out in the corridor as quick as ever I could. I
+got up, trying to look natural and easy. Perhaps they saw something--I
+don’t know--but suddenly Mrs. Vandemeyer said ‘Now,’ and flung something
+over my nose and mouth as I tried to scream. At the same moment I felt a
+terrific blow on the back of my head....”
+
+She shuddered. Sir James murmured something sympathetically. In a minute
+she resumed:
+
+“I don’t know how long it was before I came back to consciousness. I
+felt very ill and sick. I was lying on a dirty bed. There was a
+screen round it, but I could hear two people talking in the room. Mrs.
+Vandemeyer was one of them. I tried to listen, but at first I couldn’t
+take much in. When at last I did begin to grasp what was going on--I was
+just terrified! I wonder I didn’t scream right out there and then.
+
+“They hadn’t found the papers. They’d got the oilskin packet with the
+blanks, and they were just mad! They didn’t know whether _I_‘d changed
+the papers, or whether Danvers had been carrying a dummy message,
+while the real one was sent another way. They spoke of”--she closed her
+eyes--“torturing me to find out!
+
+“I’d never known what fear--really sickening fear--was before! Once
+they came to look at me. I shut my eyes and pretended to be still
+unconscious, but I was afraid they’d hear the beating of my heart.
+However, they went away again. I began thinking madly. What could I do?
+I knew I wouldn’t be able to stand up against torture very long.
+
+“Suddenly something put the thought of loss of memory into my head. The
+subject had always interested me, and I’d read an awful lot about it.
+I had the whole thing at my finger-tips. If only I could succeed in
+carrying the bluff through, it might save me. I said a prayer, and drew
+a long breath. Then I opened my eyes and started babbling in _French!_
+
+“Mrs. Vandemeyer came round the screen at once. Her face was so wicked I
+nearly died, but I smiled up at her doubtfully, and asked her in French
+where I was.
+
+“It puzzled her, I could see. She called the man she had been talking
+to. He stood by the screen with his face in shadow. He spoke to me in
+French. His voice was very ordinary and quiet, but somehow, I don’t know
+why, he scared me worse than the woman. I felt he’d seen right through
+me, but I went on playing my part. I asked again where I was, and
+then went on that there was something I _must_ remember--_must_
+remember--only for the moment it was all gone. I worked myself up to
+be more and more distressed. He asked me my name. I said I didn’t
+know--that I couldn’t remember anything at all.
+
+“Suddenly he caught my wrist, and began twisting it. The pain was awful.
+I screamed. He went on. I screamed and screamed, but I managed to shriek
+out things in French. I don’t know how long I could have gone on, but
+luckily I fainted. The last thing I heard was his voice saying: ‘That’s
+not bluff! Anyway, a kid of her age wouldn’t know enough.’ I guess he
+forgot American girls are older for their age than English ones, and
+take more interest in scientific subjects.
+
+“When I came to, Mrs. Vandemeyer was sweet as honey to me. She’d had her
+orders, I guess. She spoke to me in French--told me I’d had a shock
+and been very ill. I should be better soon. I pretended to be rather
+dazed--murmured something about the ‘doctor’ having hurt my wrist. She
+looked relieved when I said that.
+
+“By and by she went out of the room altogether. I was suspicious still,
+and lay quite quiet for some time. In the end, however, I got up and
+walked round the room, examining it. I thought that even if anyone
+_was_ watching me from somewhere, it would seem natural enough under
+the circumstances. It was a squalid, dirty place. There were no windows,
+which seemed queer. I guessed the door would be locked, but I didn’t
+try it. There were some battered old pictures on the walls, representing
+scenes from _Faust_.”
+
+Jane’s two listeners gave a simultaneous “Ah!” The girl nodded.
+
+“Yes--it was the place in Soho where Mr. Beresford was imprisoned. Of
+course, at the time I didn’t even know if I was in London. One thing was
+worrying me dreadfully, but my heart gave a great throb of relief when
+I saw my ulster lying carelessly over the back of a chair. _And the
+magazine was still rolled up in the pocket!_
+
+“If only I could be certain that I was not being overlooked! I looked
+carefully round the walls. There didn’t seem to be a peep-hole of any
+kind--nevertheless I felt kind of sure there must be. All of a sudden I
+sat down on the edge of the table, and put my face in my hands, sobbing
+out a ‘Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu!’ I’ve got very sharp ears. I distinctly heard
+the rustle of a dress, and slight creak. That was enough for me. I was
+being watched!
+
+“I lay down on the bed again, and by and by Mrs. Vandemeyer brought me
+some supper. She was still sweet as they make them. I guess she’d been
+told to win my confidence. Presently she produced the oilskin packet,
+and asked me if I recognized it, watching me like a lynx all the time.
+
+“I took it and turned it over in a puzzled sort of way. Then I shook my
+head. I said that I felt I _ought_ to remember something about it, that
+it was just as though it was all coming back, and then, before I could
+get hold of it, it went again. Then she told me that I was her niece,
+and that I was to call her ‘Aunt Rita.’ I did obediently, and she told
+me not to worry--my memory would soon come back.
+
+“That was an awful night. I’d made my plan whilst I was waiting for her.
+The papers were safe so far, but I couldn’t take the risk of leaving
+them there any longer. They might throw that magazine away any minute.
+I lay awake waiting until I judged it must be about two o’clock in the
+morning. Then I got up as softly as I could, and felt in the dark along
+the left-hand wall. Very gently, I unhooked one of the pictures from its
+nail--Marguerite with her casket of jewels. I crept over to my coat and
+took out the magazine, and an odd envelope or two that I had shoved in.
+Then I went to the washstand, and damped the brown paper at the back
+of the picture all round. Presently I was able to pull it away. I had
+already torn out the two stuck-together pages from the magazine, and now
+I slipped them with their precious enclosure between the picture and its
+brown paper backing. A little gum from the envelopes helped me to
+stick the latter up again. No one would dream the picture had ever been
+tampered with. I rehung it on the wall, put the magazine back in my
+coat pocket, and crept back to bed. I was pleased with my hiding-place.
+They’d never think of pulling to pieces one of their own pictures. I
+hoped that they’d come to the conclusion that Danvers had been carrying
+a dummy all along, and that, in the end, they’d let me go.
+
+“As a matter of fact, I guess that’s what they did think at first, and,
+in a way, it was dangerous for me. I learnt afterwards that they nearly
+did away with me then and there--there was never much chance of their
+‘letting me go’--but the first man, who was the boss, preferred to keep
+me alive on the chance of my having hidden them, and being able to tell
+where if I recovered my memory. They watched me constantly for weeks.
+Sometimes they’d ask me questions by the hour--I guess there was nothing
+they didn’t know about the third degree!--but somehow I managed to hold
+my own. The strain of it was awful, though....
+
+“They took me back to Ireland, and over every step of the journey again,
+in case I’d hidden it somewhere _en route_. Mrs. Vandemeyer and another
+woman never left me for a moment. They spoke of me as a young relative
+of Mrs. Vandemeyer’s whose mind was affected by the shock of the
+_Lusitania_. There was no one I could appeal to for help without
+giving myself away to _them_, and if I risked it and failed--and Mrs.
+Vandemeyer looked so rich, and so beautifully dressed, that I felt
+convinced they’d take her word against mine, and think it was part of my
+mental trouble to think myself ‘persecuted’--I felt that the horrors in
+store for me would be too awful once they knew I’d been only shamming.”
+
+Sir James nodded comprehendingly.
+
+“Mrs. Vandemeyer was a woman of great personality. With that and her
+social position she would have had little difficulty in imposing her
+point of view in preference to yours. Your sensational accusations
+against her would not easily have found credence.”
+
+“That’s what I thought. It ended in my being sent to a sanatorium at
+Bournemouth. I couldn’t make up my mind at first whether it was a sham
+affair or genuine. A hospital nurse had charge of me. I was a special
+patient. She seemed so nice and normal that at last I determined to
+confide in her. A merciful providence just saved me in time from falling
+into the trap. My door happened to be ajar, and I heard her talking to
+some one in the passage. _She was one of them!_ They still fancied it
+might be a bluff on my part, and she was put in charge of me to make
+sure! After that, my nerve went completely. I dared trust nobody.
+
+“I think I almost hypnotized myself. After a while, I almost forgot
+that I was really Jane Finn. I was so bent on playing the part of Janet
+Vandemeyer that my nerves began to play me tricks. I became really
+ill--for months I sank into a sort of stupor. I felt sure I should
+die soon, and that nothing really mattered. A sane person shut up in a
+lunatic asylum often ends by becoming insane, they say. I guess I was
+like that. Playing my part had become second nature to me. I wasn’t even
+unhappy in the end--just apathetic. Nothing seemed to matter. And the
+years went on.
+
+“And then suddenly things seemed to change. Mrs. Vandemeyer came down
+from London. She and the doctor asked me questions, experimented with
+various treatments. There was some talk of sending me to a specialist in
+Paris. In the end, they did not dare risk it. I overheard something that
+seemed to show that other people--friends--were looking for me. I
+learnt later that the nurse who had looked after me went to Paris,
+and consulted a specialist, representing herself to be me. He put her
+through some searching tests, and exposed her loss of memory to be
+fraudulent; but she had taken a note of his methods and reproduced
+them on me. I dare say I couldn’t have deceived the specialist for a
+minute--a man who has made a lifelong study of a thing is unique--but
+I managed once again to hold my own with them. The fact that I’d not
+thought of myself as Jane Finn for so long made it easier.
+
+“One night I was whisked off to London at a moment’s notice. They took
+me back to the house in Soho. Once I got away from the sanatorium I felt
+different--as though something in me that had been buried for a long
+time was waking up again.
+
+“They sent me in to wait on Mr. Beresford. (Of course I didn’t know
+his name then.) I was suspicious--I thought it was another trap. But he
+looked so honest, I could hardly believe it. However, I was careful in
+all I said, for I knew we could be overheard. There’s a small hole, high
+up in the wall.
+
+“But on the Sunday afternoon a message was brought to the house. They
+were all very disturbed. Without their knowing, I listened. Word had
+come that he was to be killed. I needn’t tell the next part, because
+you know it. I thought I’d have time to rush up and get the papers from
+their hiding-place, but I was caught. So I screamed out that he was
+escaping, and I said I wanted to go back to Marguerite. I shouted the
+name three times very loud. I knew the others would think I meant
+Mrs. Vandemeyer, but I hoped it might make Mr. Beresford think of the
+picture. He’d unhooked one the first day--that’s what made me hesitate
+to trust him.”
+
+She paused.
+
+“Then the papers,” said Sir James slowly, “are still at the back of the
+picture in that room.”
+
+“Yes.” The girl had sunk back on the sofa exhausted with the strain of
+the long story.
+
+Sir James rose to his feet. He looked at his watch.
+
+“Come,” he said, “we must go at once.”
+
+“To-night?” queried Tuppence, surprised.
+
+“To-morrow may be too late,” said Sir James gravely. “Besides, by
+going to-night we have the chance of capturing that great man and
+super-criminal--Mr. Brown!”
+
+There was dead silence, and Sir James continued:
+
+“You have been followed here--not a doubt of it. When we leave the house
+we shall be followed again, but not molested, _for it is Mr. Brown’s
+plan that we are to lead him_. But the Soho house is under police
+supervision night and day. There are several men watching it. When we
+enter that house, Mr. Brown will not draw back--he will risk all, on the
+chance of obtaining the spark to fire his mine. And he fancies the risk
+not great--since he will enter in the guise of a friend!”
+
+Tuppence flushed, then opened her mouth impulsively.
+
+“But there’s something you don’t know--that we haven’t told you.” Her
+eyes dwelt on Jane in perplexity.
+
+“What is that?” asked the other sharply. “No hesitations, Miss Tuppence.
+We need to be sure of our going.”
+
+But Tuppence, for once, seemed tongue-tied.
+
+“It’s so difficult--you see, if I’m wrong--oh, it would be dreadful.”
+ She made a grimace at the unconscious Jane. “Never forgive me,” she
+observed cryptically.
+
+“You want me to help you out, eh?”
+
+“Yes, please. _You_ know who Mr. Brown is, don’t you?”
+
+“Yes,” said Sir James gravely. “At last I do.”
+
+“At last?” queried Tuppence doubtfully. “Oh, but I thought----” She
+paused.
+
+“You thought correctly, Miss Tuppence. I have been morally certain of
+his identity for some time--ever since the night of Mrs. Vandemeyer’s
+mysterious death.”
+
+“Ah!” breathed Tuppence.
+
+“For there we are up against the logic of facts. There are only two
+solutions. Either the chloral was administered by her own hand, which
+theory I reject utterly, or else----”
+
+“Yes?”
+
+“Or else it was administered in the brandy you gave her. Only three
+people touched that brandy--you, Miss Tuppence, I myself, and one
+other--Mr. Julius Hersheimmer!”
+
+Jane Finn stirred and sat up, regarding the speaker with wide astonished
+eyes.
+
+“At first, the thing seemed utterly impossible. Mr. Hersheimmer, as the
+son of a prominent millionaire, was a well-known figure in America. It
+seemed utterly impossible that he and Mr. Brown could be one and the
+same. But you cannot escape from the logic of facts. Since the thing
+was so--it must be accepted. Remember Mrs. Vandemeyer’s sudden and
+inexplicable agitation. Another proof, if proof was needed.
+
+“I took an early opportunity of giving you a hint. From some words of
+Mr. Hersheimmer’s at Manchester, I gathered that you had understood and
+acted on that hint. Then I set to work to prove the impossible possible.
+Mr. Beresford rang me up and told me, what I had already suspected,
+that the photograph of Miss Jane Finn had never really been out of Mr.
+Hersheimmer’s possession----”
+
+But the girl interrupted. Springing to her feet, she cried out angrily:
+
+“What do you mean? What are you trying to suggest? That Mr. Brown is
+_Julius?_ Julius--my own cousin!”
+
+“No, Miss Finn,” said Sir James unexpectedly. “Not your cousin. The man
+who calls himself Julius Hersheimmer is no relation to you whatsoever.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI. MR. BROWN
+
+SIR James’s words came like a bomb-shell. Both girls looked equally
+puzzled. The lawyer went across to his desk, and returned with a small
+newspaper cutting, which he handed to Jane. Tuppence read it over
+her shoulder. Mr. Carter would have recognized it. It referred to the
+mysterious man found dead in New York.
+
+“As I was saying to Miss Tuppence,” resumed the lawyer, “I set to work
+to prove the impossible possible. The great stumbling-block was the
+undeniable fact that Julius Hersheimmer was not an assumed name. When I
+came across this paragraph my problem was solved. Julius Hersheimmer set
+out to discover what had become of his cousin. He went out West, where
+he obtained news of her and her photograph to aid him in his search. On
+the eve of his departure from New York he was set upon and murdered. His
+body was dressed in shabby clothes, and the face disfigured to prevent
+identification. Mr. Brown took his place. He sailed immediately for
+England. None of the real Hersheimmer’s friends or intimates saw him
+before he sailed--though indeed it would hardly have mattered if they
+had, the impersonation was so perfect. Since then he had been hand and
+glove with those sworn to hunt him down. Every secret of theirs has been
+known to him. Only once did he come near disaster. Mrs. Vandemeyer knew
+his secret. It was no part of his plan that that huge bribe should ever
+be offered to her. But for Miss Tuppence’s fortunate change of plan, she
+would have been far away from the flat when we arrived there. Exposure
+stared him in the face. He took a desperate step, trusting in his
+assumed character to avert suspicion. He nearly succeeded--but not
+quite.”
+
+“I can’t believe it,” murmured Jane. “He seemed so splendid.”
+
+“The real Julius Hersheimmer _was_ a splendid fellow! And Mr. Brown is
+a consummate actor. But ask Miss Tuppence if she also has not had her
+suspicions.”
+
+Jane turned mutely to Tuppence. The latter nodded.
+
+“I didn’t want to say it, Jane--I knew it would hurt you. And, after
+all, I couldn’t be sure. I still don’t understand why, if he’s Mr.
+Brown, he rescued us.”
+
+“Was it Julius Hersheimmer who helped you to escape?”
+
+Tuppence recounted to Sir James the exciting events of the evening,
+ending up: “But I can’t see _why!_”
+
+“Can’t you? I can. So can young Beresford, by his actions. As a last
+hope Jane Finn was to be allowed to escape--and the escape must be
+managed so that she harbours no suspicions of its being a put-up job.
+They’re not averse to young Beresford’s being in the neighbourhood, and,
+if necessary, communicating with you. They’ll take care to get him out
+of the way at the right minute. Then Julius Hersheimmer dashes up and
+rescues you in true melodramatic style. Bullets fly--but don’t hit
+anybody. What would have happened next? You would have driven straight
+to the house in Soho and secured the document which Miss Finn would
+probably have entrusted to her cousin’s keeping. Or, if he conducted the
+search, he would have pretended to find the hiding-place already rifled.
+He would have had a dozen ways of dealing with the situation, but the
+result would have been the same. And I rather fancy some accident would
+have happened to both of you. You see, you know rather an inconvenient
+amount. That’s a rough outline. I admit I was caught napping; but
+somebody else wasn’t.”
+
+“Tommy,” said Tuppence softly.
+
+“Yes. Evidently when the right moment came to get rid of him--he was too
+sharp for them. All the same, I’m not too easy in my mind about him.”
+
+“Why?”
+
+“Because Julius Hersheimmer is Mr. Brown,” said Sir James dryly. “And it
+takes more than one man and a revolver to hold up Mr. Brown....”
+
+Tuppence paled a little.
+
+“What can we do?”
+
+“Nothing until we’ve been to the house in Soho. If Beresford has still
+got the upper hand, there’s nothing to fear. If otherwise, our enemy
+will come to find us, and he will not find us unprepared!” From a drawer
+in the desk, he took a service revolver, and placed it in his coat
+pocket.
+
+“Now we’re ready. I know better than even to suggest going without you,
+Miss Tuppence----”
+
+“I should think so indeed!”
+
+“But I do suggest that Miss Finn should remain here. She will be
+perfectly safe, and I am afraid she is absolutely worn out with all she
+has been through.”
+
+But to Tuppence’s surprise Jane shook her head.
+
+“No. I guess I’m going too. Those papers were my trust. I must go
+through with this business to the end. I’m heaps better now anyway.”
+
+Sir James’s car was ordered round. During the short drive Tuppence’s
+heart beat tumultuously. In spite of momentary qualms of uneasiness
+respecting Tommy, she could not but feel exultation. They were going to
+win!
+
+The car drew up at the corner of the square and they got out. Sir James
+went up to a plain-clothes man who was on duty with several others, and
+spoke to him. Then he rejoined the girls.
+
+“No one has gone into the house so far. It is being watched at the back
+as well, so they are quite sure of that. Anyone who attempts to enter
+after we have done so will be arrested immediately. Shall we go in?”
+
+A policeman produced a key. They all knew Sir James well. They had also
+had orders respecting Tuppence. Only the third member of the party was
+unknown to them. The three entered the house, pulling the door to behind
+them. Slowly they mounted the rickety stairs. At the top was the ragged
+curtain hiding the recess where Tommy had hidden that day. Tuppence had
+heard the story from Jane in her character of “Annette.” She looked at
+the tattered velvet with interest. Even now she could almost swear it
+moved--as though _some one_ was behind it. So strong was the illusion
+that she almost fancied she could make out the outline of a form....
+Supposing Mr. Brown--Julius--was there waiting....
+
+Impossible of course! Yet she almost went back to put the curtain aside
+and make sure....
+
+Now they were entering the prison room. No place for anyone to hide
+here, thought Tuppence, with a sigh of relief, then chided herself
+indignantly. She must not give way to this foolish fancying--this
+curious insistent feeling that _Mr. Brown was in the house_.... Hark!
+what was that? A stealthy footstep on the stairs? There _was_ some one
+in the house! Absurd! She was becoming hysterical.
+
+Jane had gone straight to the picture of Marguerite. She unhooked it
+with a steady hand. The dust lay thick upon it, and festoons of cobwebs
+lay between it and the wall. Sir James handed her a pocket-knife, and
+she ripped away the brown paper from the back.... The advertisement
+page of a magazine fell out. Jane picked it up. Holding apart the frayed
+inner edges she extracted two thin sheets covered with writing!
+
+No dummy this time! The real thing!
+
+“We’ve got it,” said Tuppence. “At last....”
+
+The moment was almost breathless in its emotion. Forgotten the faint
+creakings, the imagined noises of a minute ago. None of them had eyes
+for anything but what Jane held in her hand.
+
+Sir James took it, and scrutinized it attentively.
+
+“Yes,” he said quietly, “this is the ill-fated draft treaty!”
+
+“We’ve succeeded,” said Tuppence. There was awe and an almost wondering
+unbelief in her voice.
+
+Sir James echoed her words as he folded the paper carefully and put it
+away in his pocket-book, then he looked curiously round the dingy room.
+
+“It was here that our young friend was confined for so long, was
+it not?” he said. “A truly sinister room. You notice the absence of
+windows, and the thickness of the close-fitting door. Whatever took
+place here would never be heard by the outside world.”
+
+Tuppence shivered. His words woke a vague alarm in her. What if there
+_was_ some one concealed in the house? Some one who might bar that door
+on them, and leave them to die like rats in a trap? Then she realized
+the absurdity of her thought. The house was surrounded by police who,
+if they failed to reappear, would not hesitate to break in and make a
+thorough search. She smiled at her own foolishness--then looked up with
+a start to find Sir James watching her. He gave her an emphatic little
+nod.
+
+“Quite right, Miss Tuppence. You scent danger. So do I. So does Miss
+Finn.”
+
+“Yes,” admitted Jane. “It’s absurd--but I can’t help it.”
+
+Sir James nodded again.
+
+“You feel--as we all feel-- _the presence of Mr. Bown_. Yes”--as
+Tuppence made a movement--“not a doubt of it-- _Mr. Brown is here_....”
+
+“In this house?”
+
+“In this room.... You don’t understand? _I am Mr. Brown_....”
+
+Stupefied, unbelieving, they stared at him. The very lines of his face
+had changed. It was a different man who stood before them. He smiled a
+slow cruel smile.
+
+“Neither of you will leave this room alive! You said just now we had
+succeeded. _I_ have succeeded! The draft treaty is mine.” His smile grew
+wider as he looked at Tuppence. “Shall I tell you how it will be? Sooner
+or later the police will break in, and they will find three victims of
+Mr. Brown--three, not two, you understand, but fortunately the third
+will not be dead, only wounded, and will be able to describe the attack
+with a wealth of detail! The treaty? It is in the hands of Mr. Brown. So
+no one will think of searching the pockets of Sir James Peel Edgerton!”
+
+He turned to Jane.
+
+“You outwitted me. I make my acknowledgments. But you will not do it
+again.”
+
+There was a faint sound behind him, but, intoxicated with success, he
+did not turn his head.
+
+He slipped his hand into his pocket.
+
+“Checkmate to the Young Adventurers,” he said, and slowly raised the big
+automatic.
+
+But, even as he did so, he felt himself seized from behind in a grip of
+iron. The revolver was wrenched from his hand, and the voice of Julius
+Hersheimmer said drawlingly:
+
+“I guess you’re caught redhanded with the goods upon you.”
+
+The blood rushed to the K.C.’s face, but his self-control was
+marvellous, as he looked from one to the other of his two captors. He
+looked longest at Tommy.
+
+“You,” he said beneath his breath. “_You!_ I might have known.”
+
+Seeing that he was disposed to offer no resistance, their grip
+slackened. Quick as a flash his left hand, the hand which bore the big
+signet ring, was raised to his lips....
+
+“‘_Ave, Cæsar! te morituri salutant_,’” he said, still looking at
+Tommy.
+
+Then his face changed, and with a long convulsive shudder he fell
+forward in a crumpled heap, whilst an odour of bitter almonds filled the
+air.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII. A SUPPER PARTY AT THE _SAVOY_
+
+THE supper party given by Mr. Julius Hersheimmer to a few friends on the
+evening of the 30th will long be remembered in catering circles. It took
+place in a private room, and Mr. Hersheimmer’s orders were brief and
+forcible. He gave carte blanche--and when a millionaire gives carte
+blanche he usually gets it!
+
+Every delicacy out of season was duly provided. Waiters carried bottles
+of ancient and royal vintage with loving care. The floral decorations
+defied the seasons, and fruits of the earth as far apart as May and
+November found themselves miraculously side by side. The list of guests
+was small and select. The American Ambassador, Mr. Carter, who had taken
+the liberty, he said, of bringing an old friend, Sir William Beresford,
+with him, Archdeacon Cowley, Dr. Hall, those two youthful adventurers,
+Miss Prudence Cowley and Mr. Thomas Beresford, and last, but not least,
+as guest of honour, Miss Jane Finn.
+
+Julius had spared no pains to make Jane’s appearance a success. A
+mysterious knock had brought Tuppence to the door of the apartment she
+was sharing with the American girl. It was Julius. In his hand he held a
+cheque.
+
+“Say, Tuppence,” he began, “will you do me a good turn? Take this, and
+get Jane regularly togged up for this evening. You’re all coming to
+supper with me at the _Savoy_. See? Spare no expense. You get me?”
+
+“Sure thing,” mimicked Tuppence. “We shall enjoy ourselves. It will be a
+pleasure dressing Jane. She’s the loveliest thing I’ve ever seen.”
+
+“That’s so,” agreed Mr. Hersheimmer fervently.
+
+His fervour brought a momentary twinkle to Tuppence’s eye.
+
+“By the way, Julius,” she remarked demurely, “I--haven’t given you my
+answer yet.”
+
+“Answer?” said Julius. His face paled.
+
+“You know--when you asked me to--marry you,” faltered Tuppence, her
+eyes downcast in the true manner of the early Victorian heroine, “and
+wouldn’t take no for an answer. I’ve thought it well over----”
+
+“Yes?” said Julius. The perspiration stood on his forehead.
+
+Tuppence relented suddenly.
+
+“You great idiot!” she said. “What on earth induced you to do it? I
+could see at the time you didn’t care a twopenny dip for me!”
+
+“Not at all. I had--and still have--the highest sentiments of esteem and
+respect--and admiration for you----”
+
+“H’m!” said Tuppence. “Those are the kind of sentiments that very soon
+go to the wall when the other sentiment comes along! Don’t they, old
+thing?”
+
+“I don’t know what you mean,” said Julius stiffly, but a large and
+burning blush overspread his countenance.
+
+“Shucks!” retorted Tuppence. She laughed, and closed the door, reopening
+it to add with dignity: “Morally, I shall always consider I have been
+jilted!”
+
+“What was it?” asked Jane as Tuppence rejoined her.
+
+“Julius.”
+
+“What did he want?”
+
+“Really, I think, he wanted to see you, but I wasn’t going to let him.
+Not until to-night, when you’re going to burst upon every one like King
+Solomon in his glory! Come on! _We’re going to shop!_”
+
+To most people the 29th, the much-heralded “Labour Day,” had passed much
+as any other day. Speeches were made in the Park and Trafalgar Square.
+Straggling processions, singing the _Red Flag_, wandered through the
+streets in a more or less aimless manner. Newspapers which had hinted at
+a general strike, and the inauguration of a reign of terror, were forced
+to hide their diminished heads. The bolder and more astute among
+them sought to prove that peace had been effected by following their
+counsels. In the Sunday papers a brief notice of the sudden death of Sir
+James Peel Edgerton, the famous K.C., had appeared. Monday’s paper
+dealt appreciatively with the dead man’s career. The exact manner of his
+sudden death was never made public.
+
+Tommy had been right in his forecast of the situation. It had been a
+one-man show. Deprived of their chief, the organization fell to pieces.
+Kramenin had made a precipitate return to Russia, leaving England early
+on Sunday morning. The gang had fled from Astley Priors in a panic,
+leaving behind, in their haste, various damaging documents which
+compromised them hopelessly. With these proofs of conspiracy in their
+hands, aided further by a small brown diary taken from the pocket of the
+dead man which had contained a full and damning résumé of the whole
+plot, the Government had called an eleventh-hour conference. The Labour
+leaders were forced to recognize that they had been used as a cat’s
+paw. Certain concessions were made by the Government, and were eagerly
+accepted. It was to be Peace, not War!
+
+But the Cabinet knew by how narrow a margin they had escaped utter
+disaster. And burnt in on Mr. Carter’s brain was the strange scene which
+had taken place in the house in Soho the night before.
+
+He had entered the squalid room to find that great man, the friend of
+a lifetime, dead--betrayed out of his own mouth. From the dead man’s
+pocket-book he had retrieved the ill-omened draft treaty, and then
+and there, in the presence of the other three, it had been reduced to
+ashes.... England was saved!
+
+And now, on the evening of the 30th, in a private room at the _Savoy_,
+Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer was receiving his guests.
+
+Mr. Carter was the first to arrive. With him was a choleric-looking old
+gentleman, at sight of whom Tommy flushed up to the roots of his hair.
+He came forward.
+
+“Ha!” said the old gentleman, surveying him apoplectically. “So you’re
+my nephew, are you? Not much to look at--but you’ve done good work, it
+seems. Your mother must have brought you up well after all. Shall we
+let bygones be bygones, eh? You’re my heir, you know; and in future I
+propose to make you an allowance--and you can look upon Chalmers Park as
+your home.”
+
+“Thank you, sir, it’s awfully decent of you.”
+
+“Where’s this young lady I’ve been hearing such a lot about?”
+
+Tommy introduced Tuppence.
+
+“Ha!” said Sir William, eyeing her. “Girls aren’t what they used to be
+in my young days.”
+
+“Yes, they are,” said Tuppence. “Their clothes are different, perhaps,
+but they themselves are just the same.”
+
+“Well, perhaps you’re right. Minxes then--minxes now!”
+
+“That’s it,” said Tuppence. “I’m a frightful minx myself.”
+
+“I believe you,” said the old gentleman, chuckling, and pinched her ear
+in high good-humour. Most young women were terrified of the “old bear,”
+ as they termed him. Tuppence’s pertness delighted the old misogynist.
+
+Then came the timid archdeacon, a little bewildered by the company in
+which he found himself, glad that his daughter was considered to have
+distinguished herself, but unable to help glancing at her from time
+to time with nervous apprehension. But Tuppence behaved admirably. She
+forbore to cross her legs, set a guard upon her tongue, and steadfastly
+refused to smoke.
+
+Dr. Hall came next, and he was followed by the American Ambassador.
+
+“We might as well sit down,” said Julius, when he had introduced all his
+guests to each other. “Tuppence, will you----”
+
+He indicated the place of honour with a wave of his hand.
+
+But Tuppence shook her head.
+
+“No--that’s Jane’s place! When one thinks of how she’s held out all
+these years, she ought to be made the queen of the feast to-night.”
+
+Julius flung her a grateful glance, and Jane came forward shyly to the
+allotted seat. Beautiful as she had seemed before, it was as nothing to
+the loveliness that now went fully adorned. Tuppence had performed her
+part faithfully. The model gown supplied by a famous dressmaker had been
+entitled “A tiger lily.” It was all golds and reds and browns, and out
+of it rose the pure column of the girl’s white throat, and the bronze
+masses of hair that crowned her lovely head. There was admiration in
+every eye, as she took her seat.
+
+Soon the supper party was in full swing, and with one accord Tommy was
+called upon for a full and complete explanation.
+
+“You’ve been too darned close about the whole business,” Julius accused
+him. “You let on to me that you were off to the Argentine--though I
+guess you had your reasons for that. The idea of both you and Tuppence
+casting me for the part of Mr. Brown just tickles me to death!”
+
+“The idea was not original to them,” said Mr. Carter gravely. “It was
+suggested, and the poison very carefully instilled, by a past-master in
+the art. The paragraph in the New York paper suggested the plan to him,
+and by means of it he wove a web that nearly enmeshed you fatally.”
+
+“I never liked him,” said Julius. “I felt from the first that there was
+something wrong about him, and I always suspected that it was he who
+silenced Mrs. Vandemeyer so appositely. But it wasn’t till I heard that
+the order for Tommy’s execution came right on the heels of our interview
+with him that Sunday that I began to tumble to the fact that he was the
+big bug himself.”
+
+“I never suspected it at all,” lamented Tuppence. “I’ve always thought
+I was so much cleverer than Tommy--but he’s undoubtedly scored over me
+handsomely.”
+
+Julius agreed.
+
+“Tommy’s been the goods this trip! And, instead of sitting there as dumb
+as a fish, let him banish his blushes, and tell us all about it.”
+
+“Hear! hear!”
+
+“There’s nothing to tell,” said Tommy, acutely uncomfortable. “I was an
+awful mug--right up to the time I found that photograph of Annette, and
+realized that she was Jane Finn. Then I remembered how persistently she
+had shouted out that word ‘Marguerite’--and I thought of the pictures,
+and--well, that’s that. Then of course I went over the whole thing to
+see where I’d made an ass of myself.”
+
+“Go on,” said Mr. Carter, as Tommy showed signs of taking refuge in
+silence once more.
+
+“That business about Mrs. Vandemeyer had worried me when Julius told me
+about it. On the face of it, it seemed that he or Sir James must have
+done the trick. But I didn’t know which. Finding that photograph in the
+drawer, after that story of how it had been got from him by Inspector
+Brown, made me suspect Julius. Then I remembered that it was Sir James
+who had discovered the false Jane Finn. In the end, I couldn’t make up
+my mind--and just decided to take no chances either way. I left a note
+for Julius, in case he was Mr. Brown, saying I was off to the Argentine,
+and I dropped Sir James’s letter with the offer of the job by the desk
+so that he would see it was a genuine stunt. Then I wrote my letter to
+Mr. Carter and rang up Sir James. Taking him into my confidence would
+be the best thing either way, so I told him everything except where I
+believed the papers to be hidden. The way he helped me to get on the
+track of Tuppence and Annette almost disarmed me, but not quite. I kept
+my mind open between the two of them. And then I got a bogus note from
+Tuppence--and I knew!”
+
+“But how?”
+
+Tommy took the note in question from his pocket and passed it round the
+table.
+
+“It’s her handwriting all right, but I knew it wasn’t from her because
+of the signature. She’d never spell her name ‘Twopence,’ but anyone
+who’d never seen it written might quite easily do so. Julius _had_ seen
+it--he showed me a note of hers to him once--but _Sir James hadn’t!_
+After that everything was plain sailing. I sent off Albert post-haste to
+Mr. Carter. I pretended to go away, but doubled back again. When Julius
+came bursting up in his car, I felt it wasn’t part of Mr. Brown’s
+plan--and that there would probably be trouble. Unless Sir James was
+actually caught in the act, so to speak, I knew Mr. Carter would never
+believe it of him on my bare word----”
+
+“I didn’t,” interposed Mr. Carter ruefully.
+
+“That’s why I sent the girls off to Sir James. I was sure they’d fetch
+up at the house in Soho sooner or later. I threatened Julius with the
+revolver, because I wanted Tuppence to repeat that to Sir James, so that
+he wouldn’t worry about us. The moment the girls were out of sight I
+told Julius to drive like hell for London, and as we went along I told
+him the whole story. We got to the Soho house in plenty of time and met
+Mr. Carter outside. After arranging things with him we went in and hid
+behind the curtain in the recess. The policemen had orders to say, if
+they were asked, that no one had gone into the house. That’s all.”
+
+And Tommy came to an abrupt halt.
+
+There was silence for a moment.
+
+“By the way,” said Julius suddenly, “you’re all wrong about that
+photograph of Jane. It _was_ taken from me, but I found it again.”
+
+“Where?” cried Tuppence.
+
+“In that little safe on the wall in Mrs. Vandemeyer’s bedroom.”
+
+“I knew you found something,” said Tuppence reproachfully. “To tell you
+the truth, that’s what started me off suspecting you. Why didn’t you
+say?”
+
+“I guess I was a mite suspicious too. It had been got away from me once,
+and I determined I wouldn’t let on I’d got it until a photographer had
+made a dozen copies of it!”
+
+“We all kept back something or other,” said Tuppence thoughtfully. “I
+suppose secret service work makes you like that!”
+
+In the pause that ensued, Mr. Carter took from his pocket a small shabby
+brown book.
+
+“Beresford has just said that I would not have believed Sir James Peel
+Edgerton to be guilty unless, so to speak, he was caught in the act.
+That is so. Indeed, not until I read the entries in this little book
+could I bring myself fully to credit the amazing truth. This book will
+pass into the possession of Scotland Yard, but it will never be publicly
+exhibited. Sir James’s long association with the law would make it
+undesirable. But to you, who know the truth, I propose to read certain
+passages which will throw some light on the extraordinary mentality of
+this great man.”
+
+He opened the book, and turned the thin pages.
+
+“... It is madness to keep this book. I know that. It is documentary
+evidence against me. But I have never shrunk from taking risks. And I
+feel an urgent need for self-expression.... The book will only be taken
+from my dead body....
+
+“... From an early age I realized that I had exceptional abilities. Only
+a fool underestimates his capabilities. My brain power was greatly above
+the average. I know that I was born to succeed. My appearance was
+the only thing against me. I was quiet and insignificant--utterly
+nondescript....
+
+“... When I was a boy I heard a famous murder trial. I was deeply
+impressed by the power and eloquence of the counsel for the defence.
+For the first time I entertained the idea of taking my talents to that
+particular market.... Then I studied the criminal in the dock.... The
+man was a fool--he had been incredibly, unbelievably stupid. Even
+the eloquence of his counsel was hardly likely to save him. I felt
+an immeasurable contempt for him.... Then it occurred to me that the
+criminal standard was a low one. It was the wastrels, the failures, the
+general riff-raff of civilization who drifted into crime....
+Strange that men of brains had never realized its extraordinary
+opportunities.... I played with the idea.... What a magnificent
+field--what unlimited possibilities! It made my brain reel....
+
+“... I read standard works on crime and criminals. They all confirmed my
+opinion. Degeneracy, disease--never the deliberate embracing of a career
+by a far-seeing man. Then I considered. Supposing my utmost ambitions
+were realized--that I was called to the bar, and rose to the height of
+my profession? That I entered politics--say, even, that I became Prime
+Minister of England? What then? Was that power? Hampered at every turn
+by my colleagues, fettered by the democratic system of which I should
+be the mere figurehead! No--the power I dreamed of was absolute! An
+autocrat! A dictator! And such power could only be obtained by working
+outside the law. To play on the weaknesses of human nature, then on the
+weaknesses of nations--to get together and control a vast organization,
+and finally to overthrow the existing order, and rule! The thought
+intoxicated me....
+
+“... I saw that I must lead two lives. A man like myself is bound to
+attract notice. I must have a successful career which would mask my true
+activities.... Also I must cultivate a personality. I modelled myself
+upon famous K.C.’s. I reproduced their mannerisms, their magnetism. If I
+had chosen to be an actor, I should have been the greatest actor living!
+No disguises--no grease paint--no false beards! Personality! I put it
+on like a glove! When I shed it, I was myself, quiet, unobtrusive, a man
+like every other man. I called myself Mr. Brown. There are hundreds of
+men called Brown--there are hundreds of men looking just like me....
+
+“... I succeeded in my false career. I was bound to succeed. I shall
+succeed in the other. A man like me cannot fail....
+
+“... I have been reading a life of Napoleon. He and I have much in
+common....
+
+“... I make a practice of defending criminals. A man should look after
+his own people....
+
+“... Once or twice I have felt afraid. The first time was in Italy.
+There was a dinner given. Professor D----, the great alienist, was
+present. The talk fell on insanity. He said, ‘A great many men are
+mad, and no one knows it. They do not know it themselves.’ I do not
+understand why he looked at me when he said that. His glance was
+strange.... I did not like it....
+
+“... The war has disturbed me.... I thought it would further my plans.
+The Germans are so efficient. Their spy system, too, was excellent.
+The streets are full of these boys in khaki. All empty-headed young
+fools.... Yet I do not know.... They won the war.... It disturbs me....
+
+“... My plans are going well.... A girl butted in--I do not think she
+really knew anything.... But we must give up the Esthonia.... No risks
+now....
+
+“.... All goes well. The loss of memory is vexing. It cannot be a fake.
+No girl could deceive ME!...
+
+“...The 29th.... That is very soon....” Mr. Carter paused.
+
+“I will not read the details of the _coup_ that was planned. But there
+are just two small entries that refer to the three of you. In the light
+of what happened they are interesting.
+
+“... By inducing the girl to come to me of her own accord, I have
+succeeded in disarming her. But she has intuitive flashes that might be
+dangerous.... She must be got out of the way.... I can do nothing with
+the American. He suspects and dislikes me. But he cannot know. I fancy
+my armour is impregnable.... Sometimes I fear I have underestimated
+the other boy. He is not clever, but it is hard to blind his eyes to
+facts....”
+
+Mr. Carter shut the book.
+
+“A great man,” he said. “Genius, or insanity, who can say?”
+
+There was silence.
+
+Then Mr. Carter rose to his feet.
+
+“I will give you a toast. The Joint Venture which has so amply justified
+itself by success!”
+
+It was drunk with acclamation.
+
+“There’s something more we want to hear,” continued Mr. Carter. He
+looked at the American Ambassador. “I speak for you also, I know. We’ll
+ask Miss Jane Finn to tell us the story that only Miss Tuppence has
+heard so far--but before we do so we’ll drink her health. The health of
+one of the bravest of America’s daughters, to whom is due the thanks and
+gratitude of two great countries!”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII. AND AFTER
+
+“THAT was a mighty good toast, Jane,” said Mr. Hersheimmer, as he and
+his cousin were being driven back in the Rolls-Royce to the _Ritz_.
+
+“The one to the joint venture?”
+
+“No--the one to you. There isn’t another girl in the world who could
+have carried it through as you did. You were just wonderful!”
+
+Jane shook her head.
+
+“I don’t feel wonderful. At heart I’m just tired and lonesome--and
+longing for my own country.”
+
+“That brings me to something I wanted to say. I heard the Ambassador
+telling you his wife hoped you would come to them at the Embassy right
+away. That’s good enough, but I’ve got another plan. Jane--I want you to
+marry me! Don’t get scared and say no at once. You can’t love me right
+away, of course, that’s impossible. But I’ve loved you from the very
+moment I set eyes on your photo--and now I’ve seen you I’m simply crazy
+about you! If you’ll only marry me, I won’t worry you any--you shall
+take your own time. Maybe you’ll never come to love me, and if that’s
+the case I’ll manage to set you free. But I want the right to look after
+you, and take care of you.”
+
+“That’s what I want,” said the girl wistfully. “Some one who’ll be good
+to me. Oh, you don’t know how lonesome I feel!”
+
+“Sure thing I do. Then I guess that’s all fixed up, and I’ll see the
+archbishop about a special license to-morrow morning.”
+
+“Oh, Julius!”
+
+“Well, I don’t want to hustle you any, Jane, but there’s no sense in
+waiting about. Don’t be scared--I shan’t expect you to love me all at
+once.”
+
+But a small hand was slipped into his.
+
+“I love you now, Julius,” said Jane Finn. “I loved you that first moment
+in the car when the bullet grazed your cheek....”
+
+Five minutes later Jane murmured softly:
+
+“I don’t know London very well, Julius, but is it such a very long way
+from the _Savoy_ to the _Ritz?_”
+
+“It depends how you go,” explained Julius unblushingly. “We’re going by
+way of Regent’s Park!”
+
+“Oh, Julius--what will the chauffeur think?”
+
+“At the wages I pay him, he knows better than to do any independent
+thinking. Why, Jane, the only reason I had the supper at the _Savoy_ was
+so that I could drive you home. I didn’t see how I was ever going to
+get hold of you alone. You and Tuppence have been sticking together
+like Siamese twins. I guess another day of it would have driven me and
+Beresford stark staring mad!”
+
+“Oh. Is he----?”
+
+“Of course he is. Head over ears.”
+
+“I thought so,” said Jane thoughtfully.
+
+“Why?”
+
+“From all the things Tuppence didn’t say!”
+
+“There you have me beat,” said Mr. Hersheimmer. But Jane only laughed.
+
+In the meantime, the Young Adventurers were sitting bolt upright,
+very stiff and ill at ease, in a taxi which, with a singular lack of
+originality, was also returning to the _Ritz_ via Regent’s Park.
+
+A terrible constraint seemed to have settled down between them. Without
+quite knowing what had happened, everything seemed changed. They were
+tongue-tied--paralysed. All the old _camaraderie_ was gone.
+
+Tuppence could think of nothing to say.
+
+Tommy was equally afflicted.
+
+They sat very straight and forbore to look at each other.
+
+At last Tuppence made a desperate effort.
+
+“Rather fun, wasn’t it?”
+
+“Rather.”
+
+Another silence.
+
+“I like Julius,” essayed Tuppence again.
+
+Tommy was suddenly galvanized into life.
+
+“You’re not going to marry him, do you hear?” he said dictatorially. “I
+forbid it.”
+
+“Oh!” said Tuppence meekly.
+
+“Absolutely, you understand.”
+
+“He doesn’t want to marry me--he really only asked me out of kindness.”
+
+“That’s not very likely,” scoffed Tommy.
+
+“It’s quite true. He’s head over ears in love with Jane. I expect he’s
+proposing to her now.”
+
+“She’ll do for him very nicely,” said Tommy condescendingly.
+
+“Don’t you think she’s the most lovely creature you’ve ever seen?”
+
+“Oh, I dare say.”
+
+“But I suppose you prefer sterling worth,” said Tuppence demurely.
+
+“I--oh, dash it all, Tuppence, you know!”
+
+“I like your uncle, Tommy,” said Tuppence, hastily creating a diversion.
+“By the way, what are you going to do, accept Mr. Carter’s offer of
+a Government job, or accept Julius’s invitation and take a richly
+remunerated post in America on his ranch?”
+
+“I shall stick to the old ship, I think, though it’s awfully good of
+Hersheimmer. But I feel you’d be more at home in London.”
+
+“I don’t see where I come in.”
+
+“I do,” said Tommy positively.
+
+Tuppence stole a glance at him sideways.
+
+“There’s the money, too,” she observed thoughtfully.
+
+“What money?”
+
+“We’re going to get a cheque each. Mr. Carter told me so.”
+
+“Did you ask how much?” inquired Tommy sarcastically.
+
+“Yes,” said Tuppence triumphantly. “But I shan’t tell you.”
+
+“Tuppence, you are the limit!”
+
+“It has been fun, hasn’t it, Tommy? I do hope we shall have lots more
+adventures.”
+
+“You’re insatiable, Tuppence. I’ve had quite enough adventures for the
+present.”
+
+“Well, shopping is almost as good,” said Tuppence dreamily. “Think of
+buying old furniture, and bright carpets, and futurist silk curtains,
+and a polished dining-table, and a divan with lots of cushions.”
+
+“Hold hard,” said Tommy. “What’s all this for?”
+
+“Possibly a house--but I think a flat.”
+
+“Whose flat?”
+
+“You think I mind saying it, but I don’t in the least! _Ours_, so
+there!”
+
+“You darling!” cried Tommy, his arms tightly round her. “I was
+determined to make you say it. I owe you something for the relentless
+way you’ve squashed me whenever I’ve tried to be sentimental.”
+
+Tuppence raised her face to his. The taxi proceeded on its course round
+the north side of Regent’s Park.
+
+“You haven’t really proposed now,” pointed out Tuppence. “Not what our
+grandmothers would call a proposal. But after listening to a rotten one
+like Julius’s, I’m inclined to let you off.”
+
+“You won’t be able to get out of marrying me, so don’t you think it.”
+
+“What fun it will be,” responded Tuppence. “Marriage is called all sorts
+of things, a haven, and a refuge, and a crowning glory, and a state of
+bondage, and lots more. But do you know what I think it is?”
+
+“What?”
+
+“A sport!”
+
+“And a damned good sport too,” said Tommy.
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1155 ***
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+<body>
+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1155 ***</div>
+
+<div class="fig" style="width:60%;">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="cover " />
+</div>
+
+<h1>The Secret Adversary</h1>
+
+<h2 class="no-break">by Agatha Christie</h2>
+
+<hr />
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p class="center">
+TO ALL THOSE WHO LEAD<br/>
+MONOTONOUS LIVES<br/>
+IN THE HOPE THAT THEY MAY EXPERIENCE<br/>
+AT SECOND HAND<br/>
+THE DELIGHTS AND DANGERS OF<br/>
+ADVENTURE
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2>Contents</h2>
+
+<table summary="" style="">
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#prol01">PROLOGUE</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap01">CHAPTER I. THE YOUNG ADVENTURERS, LTD.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap02">CHAPTER II. MR. WHITTINGTON&rsquo;S OFFER</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap03">CHAPTER III. A SET BACK</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap04">CHAPTER IV. WHO IS JANE FINN?</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap05">CHAPTER V. MR. JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap06">CHAPTER VI. A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap07">CHAPTER VII. THE HOUSE IN SOHO</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap08">CHAPTER VIII. THE ADVENTURES OF TOMMY</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap09">CHAPTER IX. TUPPENCE ENTERS DOMESTIC SERVICE</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap10">CHAPTER X. ENTER SIR JAMES PEEL EDGERTON</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap11">CHAPTER XI. JULIUS TELLS A STORY</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap12">CHAPTER XII. A FRIEND IN NEED </a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap13">CHAPTER XIII. THE VIGIL</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap14">CHAPTER XIV. A CONSULTATION</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap15">CHAPTER XV. TUPPENCE RECEIVES A PROPOSAL</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap16">CHAPTER XVI. FURTHER ADVENTURES OF TOMMY </a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap17">CHAPTER XVII. ANNETTE</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap18">CHAPTER XVIII. THE TELEGRAM</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap19">CHAPTER XIX. JANE FINN</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap20">CHAPTER XX. TOO LATE</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap21">CHAPTER XXI. TOMMY MAKES A DISCOVERY</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap22">CHAPTER XXII. IN DOWNING STREET</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap23">CHAPTER XXIII. A RACE AGAINST TIME</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap24">CHAPTER XXIV. JULIUS TAKES A HAND</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap25">CHAPTER XXV. JANE&rsquo;S STORY</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap26">CHAPTER XXVI. MR. BROWN</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap27">CHAPTER XXVII. A SUPPER PARTY AT THE <i>SAVOY</i></a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap28">CHAPTER XXVIII. AND AFTER</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+</table>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="prol01"></a>PROLOGUE</h2>
+
+<p>
+It was 2 p.m. on the afternoon of May 7, 1915. The <i>Lusitania</i> had been
+struck by two torpedoes in succession and was sinking rapidly, while the boats
+were being launched with all possible speed. The women and children were being
+lined up awaiting their turn. Some still clung desperately to husbands and
+fathers; others clutched their children closely to their breasts. One girl
+stood alone, slightly apart from the rest. She was quite young, not more than
+eighteen. She did not seem afraid, and her grave, steadfast eyes looked
+straight ahead.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I beg your pardon.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A man&rsquo;s voice beside her made her start and turn. She had noticed the
+speaker more than once amongst the first-class passengers. There had been a
+hint of mystery about him which had appealed to her imagination. He spoke to no
+one. If anyone spoke to him he was quick to rebuff the overture. Also he had a
+nervous way of looking over his shoulder with a swift, suspicious glance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She noticed now that he was greatly agitated. There were beads of perspiration
+on his brow. He was evidently in a state of overmastering fear. And yet he did
+not strike her as the kind of man who would be afraid to meet death!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo; Her grave eyes met his inquiringly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He stood looking at her with a kind of desperate irresolution.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It must be!&rdquo; he muttered to himself. &ldquo;Yes&mdash;it is the
+only way.&rdquo; Then aloud he said abruptly: &ldquo;You are an
+American?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A patriotic one?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl flushed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess you&rsquo;ve no right to ask such a thing! Of course I
+am!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be offended. You wouldn&rsquo;t be if you knew how much
+there was at stake. But I&rsquo;ve got to trust some one&mdash;and it must be a
+woman.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because of &lsquo;women and children first.&rsquo;&rdquo; He looked
+round and lowered his voice. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m carrying papers&mdash;vitally
+important papers. They may make all the difference to the Allies in the war.
+You understand? These papers have <i>got</i> to be saved! They&rsquo;ve more
+chance with you than with me. Will you take them?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl held out her hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wait&mdash;I must warn you. There may be a risk&mdash;if I&rsquo;ve been
+followed. I don&rsquo;t think I have, but one never knows. If so, there will be
+danger. Have you the nerve to go through with it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl smiled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go through with it all right. And I&rsquo;m real proud to be
+chosen! What am I to do with them afterwards?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Watch the newspapers! I&rsquo;ll advertise in the personal column of the
+<i>Times</i>, beginning &lsquo;Shipmate.&rsquo; At the end of three days if
+there&rsquo;s nothing&mdash;well, you&rsquo;ll know I&rsquo;m down and out.
+Then take the packet to the American Embassy, and deliver it into the
+Ambassador&rsquo;s own hands. Is that clear?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quite clear.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then be ready&mdash;I&rsquo;m going to say good-bye.&rdquo; He took her
+hand in his. &ldquo;Good-bye. Good luck to you,&rdquo; he said in a louder
+tone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her hand closed on the oilskin packet that had lain in his palm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The <i>Lusitania</i> settled with a more decided list to starboard. In answer
+to a quick command, the girl went forward to take her place in the boat.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap01"></a>CHAPTER I.<br/>
+THE YOUNG ADVENTURERS, LTD.</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy, old thing!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tuppence, old bean!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two young people greeted each other affectionately, and momentarily blocked
+the Dover Street Tube exit in doing so. The adjective &ldquo;old&rdquo; was
+misleading. Their united ages would certainly not have totalled forty-five.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not seen you for simply centuries,&rdquo; continued the young man.
+&ldquo;Where are you off to? Come and chew a bun with me. We&rsquo;re getting a
+bit unpopular here&mdash;blocking the gangway as it were. Let&rsquo;s get out
+of it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl assenting, they started walking down Dover Street towards Piccadilly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now then,&rdquo; said Tommy, &ldquo;where shall we go?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The very faint anxiety which underlay his tone did not escape the astute ears
+of Miss Prudence Cowley, known to her intimate friends for some mysterious
+reason as &ldquo;Tuppence.&rdquo; She pounced at once.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy, you&rsquo;re stony!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not a bit of it,&rdquo; declared Tommy unconvincingly. &ldquo;Rolling in
+cash.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You always were a shocking liar,&rdquo; said Tuppence severely,
+&ldquo;though you did once persuade Sister Greenbank that the doctor had
+ordered you beer as a tonic, but forgotten to write it on the chart. Do you
+remember?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy chuckled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I should think I did! Wasn&rsquo;t the old cat in a rage when she found
+out? Not that she was a bad sort really, old Mother Greenbank! Good old
+hospital&mdash;demobbed like everything else, I suppose?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence sighed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. You too?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Two months ago.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gratuity?&rdquo; hinted Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Spent.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Tommy!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, old thing, not in riotous dissipation. No such luck! The cost of
+living&mdash;ordinary plain, or garden living nowadays is, I assure you, if you
+do not know&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My dear child,&rdquo; interrupted Tuppence, &ldquo;there is nothing I do
+<i>not</i> know about the cost of living. Here we are at Lyons&rsquo;, and we
+will each of us pay for our own. That&rsquo;s it!&rdquo; And Tuppence led the
+way upstairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The place was full, and they wandered about looking for a table, catching odds
+and ends of conversation as they did so.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And&mdash;do you know, she sat down and <i>cried</i> when I told her she
+couldn&rsquo;t have the flat after all.&rdquo; &ldquo;It was simply a
+<i>bargain</i>, my dear! Just like the one Mabel Lewis brought from
+Paris&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Funny scraps one does overhear,&rdquo; murmured Tommy. &ldquo;I passed
+two Johnnies in the street to-day talking about some one called Jane Finn. Did
+you ever hear such a name?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But at that moment two elderly ladies rose and collected parcels, and Tuppence
+deftly ensconced herself in one of the vacant seats.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy ordered tea and buns. Tuppence ordered tea and buttered toast.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And mind the tea comes in separate teapots,&rdquo; she added severely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy sat down opposite her. His bared head revealed a shock of exquisitely
+slicked-back red hair. His face was pleasantly ugly&mdash;nondescript, yet
+unmistakably the face of a gentleman and a sportsman. His brown suit was well
+cut, but perilously near the end of its tether.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were an essentially modern-looking couple as they sat there. Tuppence had
+no claim to beauty, but there was character and charm in the elfin lines of her
+little face, with its determined chin and large, wide-apart grey eyes that
+looked mistily out from under straight, black brows. She wore a small bright
+green toque over her black bobbed hair, and her extremely short and rather
+shabby skirt revealed a pair of uncommonly dainty ankles. Her appearance
+presented a valiant attempt at smartness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The tea came at last, and Tuppence, rousing herself from a fit of meditation,
+poured it out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now then,&rdquo; said Tommy, taking a large bite of bun,
+&ldquo;let&rsquo;s get up-to-date. Remember, I haven&rsquo;t seen you since
+that time in hospital in 1916.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very well.&rdquo; Tuppence helped herself liberally to buttered toast.
+&ldquo;Abridged biography of Miss Prudence Cowley, fifth daughter of Archdeacon
+Cowley of Little Missendell, Suffolk. Miss Cowley left the delights (and
+drudgeries) of her home life early in the war and came up to London, where she
+entered an officers&rsquo; hospital. First month: Washed up six hundred and
+forty-eight plates every day. Second month: Promoted to drying aforesaid
+plates. Third month: Promoted to peeling potatoes. Fourth month: Promoted to
+cutting bread and butter. Fifth month: Promoted one floor up to duties of
+wardmaid with mop and pail. Sixth month: Promoted to waiting at table. Seventh
+month: Pleasing appearance and nice manners so striking that am promoted to
+waiting on the Sisters! Eighth month: Slight check in career. Sister Bond ate
+Sister Westhaven&rsquo;s egg! Grand row! Wardmaid clearly to blame! Inattention
+in such important matters cannot be too highly censured. Mop and pail again!
+How are the mighty fallen! Ninth month: Promoted to sweeping out wards, where I
+found a friend of my childhood in Lieutenant Thomas Beresford (bow, Tommy!),
+whom I had not seen for five long years. The meeting was affecting! Tenth
+month: Reproved by matron for visiting the pictures in company with one of the
+patients, namely: the aforementioned Lieutenant Thomas Beresford. Eleventh and
+twelfth months: Parlourmaid duties resumed with entire success. At the end of
+the year left hospital in a blaze of glory. After that, the talented Miss
+Cowley drove successively a trade delivery van, a motor-lorry and a general!
+The last was the pleasantest. He was quite a young general!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What blighter was that?&rdquo; inquired Tommy. &ldquo;Perfectly
+sickening the way those brass hats drove from the War Office to the
+<i>Savoy</i>, and from the <i>Savoy</i> to the War Office!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve forgotten his name now,&rdquo; confessed Tuppence. &ldquo;To
+resume, that was in a way the apex of my career. I next entered a Government
+office. We had several very enjoyable tea parties. I had intended to become a
+land girl, a postwoman, and a bus conductress by way of rounding off my
+career&mdash;but the Armistice intervened! I clung to the office with the true
+limpet touch for many long months, but, alas, I was combed out at last. Since
+then I&rsquo;ve been looking for a job. Now then&mdash;your turn.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s not so much promotion in mine,&rdquo; said Tommy
+regretfully, &ldquo;and a great deal less variety. I went out to France again,
+as you know. Then they sent me to Mesopotamia, and I got wounded for the second
+time, and went into hospital out there. Then I got stuck in Egypt till the
+Armistice happened, kicked my heels there some time longer, and, as I told you,
+finally got demobbed. And, for ten long, weary months I&rsquo;ve been job
+hunting! There aren&rsquo;t any jobs! And, if there were, they wouldn&rsquo;t
+give &lsquo;em to me. What good am I? What do I know about business?
+Nothing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded gloomily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about the colonies?&rdquo; she suggested.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shouldn&rsquo;t like the colonies&mdash;and I&rsquo;m perfectly
+certain they wouldn&rsquo;t like me!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Rich relations?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again Tommy shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Tommy, not even a great-aunt?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got an old uncle who&rsquo;s more or less rolling, but
+he&rsquo;s no good.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wanted to adopt me once. I refused.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think I remember hearing about it,&rdquo; said Tuppence slowly.
+&ldquo;You refused because of your mother&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy flushed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, it would have been a bit rough on the mater. As you know, I was all
+she had. Old boy hated her&mdash;wanted to get me away from her. Just a bit of
+spite.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your mother&rsquo;s dead, isn&rsquo;t she?&rdquo; said Tuppence gently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence&rsquo;s large grey eyes looked misty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re a good sort, Tommy. I always knew it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Rot!&rdquo; said Tommy hastily. &ldquo;Well, that&rsquo;s my position.
+I&rsquo;m just about desperate.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So am I! I&rsquo;ve hung out as long as I could. I&rsquo;ve touted
+round. I&rsquo;ve answered advertisements. I&rsquo;ve tried every mortal
+blessed thing. I&rsquo;ve screwed and saved and pinched! But it&rsquo;s no
+good. I shall have to go home!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you want to?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course I don&rsquo;t want to! What&rsquo;s the good of being
+sentimental? Father&rsquo;s a dear&mdash;I&rsquo;m awfully fond of
+him&mdash;but you&rsquo;ve no idea how I worry him! He has that delightful
+early Victorian view that short skirts and smoking are immoral. You can imagine
+what a thorn in the flesh I am to him! He just heaved a sigh of relief when the
+war took me off. You see, there are seven of us at home. It&rsquo;s awful! All
+housework and mothers&rsquo; meetings! I have always been the changeling. I
+don&rsquo;t want to go back, but&mdash;oh, Tommy, what else is there to
+do?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head sadly. There was a silence, and then Tuppence burst out:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Money, money, money! I think about money morning, noon and night! I dare
+say it&rsquo;s mercenary of me, but there it is!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Same here,&rdquo; agreed Tommy with feeling.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve thought over every imaginable way of getting it too,&rdquo;
+continued Tuppence. &ldquo;There are only three! To be left it, to marry it, or
+to make it. First is ruled out. I haven&rsquo;t got any rich elderly relatives.
+Any relatives I have are in homes for decayed gentlewomen! I always help old
+ladies over crossings, and pick up parcels for old gentlemen, in case they
+should turn out to be eccentric millionaires. But not one of them has ever
+asked me my name&mdash;and quite a lot never said &lsquo;Thank
+you.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a pause.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; resumed Tuppence, &ldquo;marriage is my best chance. I
+made up my mind to marry money when I was quite young. Any thinking girl would!
+I&rsquo;m not sentimental, you know.&rdquo; She paused. &ldquo;Come now, you
+can&rsquo;t say I&rsquo;m sentimental,&rdquo; she added sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly not,&rdquo; agreed Tommy hastily. &ldquo;No one would ever
+think of sentiment in connection with you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s not very polite,&rdquo; replied Tuppence. &ldquo;But I dare
+say you mean it all right. Well, there it is! I&rsquo;m ready and
+willing&mdash;but I never meet any rich men! All the boys I know are about as
+hard up as I am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about the general?&rdquo; inquired Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I fancy he keeps a bicycle shop in time of peace,&rdquo; explained
+Tuppence. &ldquo;No, there it is! Now <i>you</i> could marry a rich
+girl.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m like you. I don&rsquo;t know any.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That doesn&rsquo;t matter. You can always get to know one. Now, if I see
+a man in a fur coat come out of the <i>Ritz</i> I can&rsquo;t rush up to him
+and say: &lsquo;Look here, you&rsquo;re rich. I&rsquo;d like to know
+you.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you suggest that I should do that to a similarly garbed
+female?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be silly. You tread on her foot, or pick up her
+handkerchief, or something like that. If she thinks you want to know her
+she&rsquo;s flattered, and will manage it for you somehow.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You overrate my manly charms,&rdquo; murmured Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;On the other hand,&rdquo; proceeded Tuppence, &ldquo;my millionaire
+would probably run for his life! No&mdash;marriage is fraught with
+difficulties. Remains&mdash;to <i>make</i> money!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve tried that, and failed,&rdquo; Tommy reminded her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve tried all the orthodox ways, yes. But suppose we try the
+unorthodox. Tommy, let&rsquo;s be adventurers!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; replied Tommy cheerfully. &ldquo;How do we
+begin?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the difficulty. If we could make ourselves known, people
+might hire us to commit crimes for them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Delightful,&rdquo; commented Tommy. &ldquo;Especially coming from a
+clergyman&rsquo;s daughter!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The moral guilt,&rdquo; Tuppence pointed out, &ldquo;would be
+theirs&mdash;not mine. You must admit that there&rsquo;s a difference between
+stealing a diamond necklace for yourself and being hired to steal it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There wouldn&rsquo;t be the least difference if you were caught!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps not. But I shouldn&rsquo;t be caught. I&rsquo;m so
+clever.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Modesty always was your besetting sin,&rdquo; remarked Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t rag. Look here, Tommy, shall we really? Shall we form a
+business partnership?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Form a company for the stealing of diamond necklaces?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That was only an illustration. Let&rsquo;s have a&mdash;what do you call
+it in book-keeping?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t know. Never did any.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have&mdash;but I always got mixed up, and used to put credit entries
+on the debit side, and vice versa&mdash;so they fired me out. Oh, I
+know&mdash;a joint venture! It struck me as such a romantic phrase to come
+across in the middle of musty old figures. It&rsquo;s got an Elizabethan
+flavour about it&mdash;makes one think of galleons and doubloons. A joint
+venture!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Trading under the name of the Young Adventurers, Ltd.? Is that your
+idea, Tuppence?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s all very well to laugh, but I feel there might be something
+in it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How do you propose to get in touch with your would-be employers?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Advertisement,&rdquo; replied Tuppence promptly. &ldquo;Have you got a
+bit of paper and a pencil? Men usually seem to have. Just like we have hairpins
+and powder-puffs.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy handed over a rather shabby green notebook, and Tuppence began writing
+busily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shall we begin: &lsquo;Young officer, twice wounded in the
+war&mdash;&mdash;&lsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly not.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, very well, my dear boy. But I can assure you that that sort of thing
+might touch the heart of an elderly spinster, and she might adopt you, and then
+there would be no need for you to be a young adventurer at all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to be adopted.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I forgot you had a prejudice against it. I was only ragging you! The
+papers are full up to the brim with that type of thing. Now
+listen&mdash;how&rsquo;s this? &lsquo;Two young adventurers for hire. Willing
+to do anything, go anywhere. Pay must be good.&rsquo; (We might as well make
+that clear from the start.) Then we might add: &lsquo;No reasonable offer
+refused&rsquo;&mdash;like flats and furniture.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I should think any offer we get in answer to that would be a pretty
+<i>un</i>reasonable one!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy! You&rsquo;re a genius! That&rsquo;s ever so much more chic.
+&lsquo;No unreasonable offer refused&mdash;if pay is good.&rsquo; How&rsquo;s
+that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shouldn&rsquo;t mention pay again. It looks rather eager.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It couldn&rsquo;t look as eager as I feel! But perhaps you are right.
+Now I&rsquo;ll read it straight through. &lsquo;Two young adventurers for hire.
+Willing to do anything, go anywhere. Pay must be good. No unreasonable offer
+refused.&rsquo; How would that strike you if you read it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It would strike me as either being a hoax, or else written by a
+lunatic.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not half so insane as a thing I read this morning beginning
+&lsquo;Petunia&rsquo; and signed &lsquo;Best Boy.&rsquo;&rdquo; She tore out
+the leaf and handed it to Tommy. &ldquo;There you are. <i>Times</i>, I think.
+Reply to Box so-and-so. I expect it will be about five shillings. Here&rsquo;s
+half a crown for my share.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy was holding the paper thoughtfully. His faced burned a deeper red.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shall we really try it?&rdquo; he said at last. &ldquo;Shall we,
+Tuppence? Just for the fun of the thing?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy, you&rsquo;re a sport! I knew you would be! Let&rsquo;s drink to
+success.&rdquo; She poured some cold dregs of tea into the two cups.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Here&rsquo;s to our joint venture, and may it prosper!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The Young Adventurers, Ltd.!&rdquo; responded Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They put down the cups and laughed rather uncertainly. Tuppence rose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I must return to my palatial suite at the hostel.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps it is time I strolled round to the <i>Ritz</i>,&rdquo; agreed
+Tommy with a grin. &ldquo;Where shall we meet? And when?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Twelve o&rsquo;clock to-morrow. Piccadilly Tube station. Will that suit
+you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My time is my own,&rdquo; replied Mr. Beresford magnificently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So long, then.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good-bye, old thing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two young people went off in opposite directions. Tuppence&rsquo;s hostel
+was situated in what was charitably called Southern Belgravia. For reasons of
+economy she did not take a bus.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was half-way across St. James&rsquo;s Park, when a man&rsquo;s voice behind
+her made her start.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Excuse me,&rdquo; it said. &ldquo;But may I speak to you for a
+moment?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap02"></a>CHAPTER II.<br/>
+MR. WHITTINGTON&rsquo;S OFFER</h2>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence turned sharply, but the words hovering on the tip of her tongue
+remained unspoken, for the man&rsquo;s appearance and manner did not bear out
+her first and most natural assumption. She hesitated. As if he read her
+thoughts, the man said quickly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can assure you I mean no disrespect.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence believed him. Although she disliked and distrusted him instinctively,
+she was inclined to acquit him of the particular motive which she had at first
+attributed to him. She looked him up and down. He was a big man, clean shaven,
+with a heavy jowl. His eyes were small and cunning, and shifted their glance
+under her direct gaze.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, what is it?&rdquo; she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man smiled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I happened to overhear part of your conversation with the young
+gentleman in Lyons&rsquo;.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well&mdash;what of it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing&mdash;except that I think I may be of some use to you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Another inference forced itself into Tuppence&rsquo;s mind:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You followed me here?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I took that liberty.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And in what way do you think you could be of use to me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man took a card from his pocket and handed it to her with a bow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence took it and scrutinized it carefully. It bore the inscription,
+&ldquo;Mr. Edward Whittington.&rdquo; Below the name were the words
+&ldquo;Esthonia Glassware Co.,&rdquo; and the address of a city office. Mr.
+Whittington spoke again:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If you will call upon me to-morrow morning at eleven o&rsquo;clock, I
+will lay the details of my proposition before you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At eleven o&rsquo;clock?&rdquo; said Tuppence doubtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At eleven o&rsquo;clock.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence made up her mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very well. I&rsquo;ll be there.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you. Good evening.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He raised his hat with a flourish, and walked away. Tuppence remained for some
+minutes gazing after him. Then she gave a curious movement of her shoulders,
+rather as a terrier shakes himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The adventures have begun,&rdquo; she murmured to herself. &ldquo;What
+does he want me to do, I wonder? There&rsquo;s something about you, Mr.
+Whittington, that I don&rsquo;t like at all. But, on the other hand, I&rsquo;m
+not the least bit afraid of you. And as I&rsquo;ve said before, and shall
+doubtless say again, little Tuppence can look after herself, thank you!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And with a short, sharp nod of her head she walked briskly onward. As a result
+of further meditations, however, she turned aside from the direct route and
+entered a post office. There she pondered for some moments, a telegraph form in
+her hand. The thought of a possible five shillings spent unnecessarily spurred
+her to action, and she decided to risk the waste of ninepence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Disdaining the spiky pen and thick, black treacle which a beneficent Government
+had provided, Tuppence drew out Tommy&rsquo;s pencil which she had retained and
+wrote rapidly: &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t put in advertisement. Will explain
+to-morrow.&rdquo; She addressed it to Tommy at his club, from which in one
+short month he would have to resign, unless a kindly fortune permitted him to
+renew his subscription.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It may catch him,&rdquo; she murmured. &ldquo;Anyway, it&rsquo;s worth
+trying.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After handing it over the counter she set out briskly for home, stopping at a
+baker&rsquo;s to buy three penny-worth of new buns.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Later, in her tiny cubicle at the top of the house she munched buns and
+reflected on the future. What was the Esthonia Glassware Co., and what earthly
+need could it have for her services? A pleasurable thrill of excitement made
+Tuppence tingle. At any rate, the country vicarage had retreated into the
+background again. The morrow held possibilities.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was a long time before Tuppence went to sleep that night, and, when at
+length she did, she dreamed that Mr. Whittington had set her to washing up a
+pile of Esthonia Glassware, which bore an unaccountable resemblance to hospital
+plates!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It wanted some five minutes to eleven when Tuppence reached the block of
+buildings in which the offices of the Esthonia Glassware Co. were situated. To
+arrive before the time would look over-eager. So Tuppence decided to walk to
+the end of the street and back again. She did so. On the stroke of eleven she
+plunged into the recesses of the building. The Esthonia Glassware Co. was on
+the top floor. There was a lift, but Tuppence chose to walk up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Slightly out of breath, she came to a halt outside the ground glass door with
+the legend painted across it &ldquo;Esthonia Glassware Co.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence knocked. In response to a voice from within, she turned the handle and
+walked into a small rather dirty outer office.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A middle-aged clerk got down from a high stool at a desk near the window and
+came towards her inquiringly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have an appointment with Mr. Whittington,&rdquo; said Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Will you come this way, please.&rdquo; He crossed to a partition door
+with &ldquo;Private&rdquo; on it, knocked, then opened the door and stood aside
+to let her pass in.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Whittington was seated behind a large desk covered with papers. Tuppence
+felt her previous judgment confirmed. There was something wrong about Mr.
+Whittington. The combination of his sleek prosperity and his shifty eye was not
+attractive.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked up and nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So you&rsquo;ve turned up all right? That&rsquo;s good. Sit down, will
+you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence sat down on the chair facing him. She looked particularly small and
+demure this morning. She sat there meekly with downcast eyes whilst Mr.
+Whittington sorted and rustled amongst his papers. Finally he pushed them away,
+and leaned over the desk.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now, my dear young lady, let us come to business.&rdquo; His large face
+broadened into a smile. &ldquo;You want work? Well, I have work to offer you.
+What should you say now to £100 down, and all expenses paid?&rdquo; Mr.
+Whittington leaned back in his chair, and thrust his thumbs into the arm-holes
+of his waistcoat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence eyed him warily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And the nature of the work?&rdquo; she demanded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nominal&mdash;purely nominal. A pleasant trip, that is all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where to?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Whittington smiled again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Paris.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tuppence thoughtfully. To herself she said: &ldquo;Of
+course, if father heard that he would have a fit! But somehow I don&rsquo;t see
+Mr. Whittington in the role of the gay deceiver.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; continued Whittington. &ldquo;What could be more delightful?
+To put the clock back a few years&mdash;a very few, I am sure&mdash;and
+re-enter one of those charming <i>pensionnats de jeunes filles</i> with which
+Paris abounds&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence interrupted him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A <i>pensionnat?</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Exactly. Madame Colombier&rsquo;s in the Avenue de Neuilly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence knew the name well. Nothing could have been more select. She had had
+several American friends there. She was more than ever puzzled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You want me to go to Madame Colombier&rsquo;s? For how long?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That depends. Possibly three months.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And that is all? There are no other conditions?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;None whatever. You would, of course, go in the character of my ward, and
+you would hold no communication with your friends. I should have to request
+absolute secrecy for the time being. By the way, you are English, are you
+not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yet you speak with a slight American accent?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My great pal in hospital was a little American girl. I dare say I picked
+it up from her. I can soon get out of it again.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;On the contrary, it might be simpler for you to pass as an American.
+Details about your past life in England might be more difficult to sustain.
+Yes, I think that would be decidedly better. Then&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One moment, Mr. Whittington! You seem to be taking my consent for
+granted.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington looked surprised.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Surely you are not thinking of refusing? I can assure you that Madame
+Colombier&rsquo;s is a most high-class and orthodox establishment. And the
+terms are most liberal.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Exactly,&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s just it. The terms
+are almost too liberal, Mr. Whittington. I cannot see any way in which I can be
+worth that amount of money to you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No?&rdquo; said Whittington softly. &ldquo;Well, I will tell you. I
+could doubtless obtain some one else for very much less. What I am willing to
+pay for is a young lady with sufficient intelligence and presence of mind to
+sustain her part well, and also one who will have sufficient discretion not to
+ask too many questions.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence smiled a little. She felt that Whittington had scored.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s another thing. So far there has been no mention of Mr.
+Beresford. Where does he come in?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Beresford?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My partner,&rdquo; said Tuppence with dignity. &ldquo;You saw us
+together yesterday.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, yes. But I&rsquo;m afraid we shan&rsquo;t require his
+services.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then it&rsquo;s off!&rdquo; Tuppence rose. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s both or
+neither. Sorry&mdash;but that&rsquo;s how it is. Good morning, Mr.
+Whittington.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wait a minute. Let us see if something can&rsquo;t be managed. Sit down
+again, Miss&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; He paused interrogatively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence&rsquo;s conscience gave her a passing twinge as she remembered the
+archdeacon. She seized hurriedly on the first name that came into her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Jane Finn,&rdquo; she said hastily; and then paused open-mouthed at the
+effect of those two simple words.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+All the geniality had faded out of Whittington&rsquo;s face. It was purple with
+rage, and the veins stood out on the forehead. And behind it all there lurked a
+sort of incredulous dismay. He leaned forward and hissed savagely:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So that&rsquo;s your little game, is it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence, though utterly taken aback, nevertheless kept her head. She had not
+the faintest comprehension of his meaning, but she was naturally quick-witted,
+and felt it imperative to &ldquo;keep her end up&rdquo; as she phrased it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington went on:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Been playing with me, have you, all the time, like a cat and mouse? Knew
+all the time what I wanted you for, but kept up the comedy. Is that it,
+eh?&rdquo; He was cooling down. The red colour was ebbing out of his face. He
+eyed her keenly. &ldquo;Who&rsquo;s been blabbing? Rita?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence shook her head. She was doubtful as to how long she could sustain this
+illusion, but she realized the importance of not dragging an unknown Rita into
+it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; she replied with perfect truth. &ldquo;Rita knows nothing
+about me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His eyes still bored into her like gimlets.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How much do you know?&rdquo; he shot out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very little indeed,&rdquo; answered Tuppence, and was pleased to note
+that Whittington&rsquo;s uneasiness was augmented instead of allayed. To have
+boasted that she knew a lot might have raised doubts in his mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Anyway,&rdquo; snarled Whittington, &ldquo;you knew enough to come in
+here and plump out that name.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It might be my own name,&rdquo; Tuppence pointed out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s likely, isn&rsquo;t it, then there would be two girls with a
+name like that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Or I might just have hit upon it by chance,&rdquo; continued Tuppence,
+intoxicated with the success of truthfulness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Whittington brought his fist down upon the desk with a bang.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quit fooling! How much do you know? And how much do you want?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The last five words took Tuppence&rsquo;s fancy mightily, especially after a
+meagre breakfast and a supper of buns the night before. Her present part was of
+the adventuress rather than the adventurous order, but she did not deny its
+possibilities. She sat up and smiled with the air of one who has the situation
+thoroughly well in hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My dear Mr. Whittington,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;let us by all means lay
+our cards upon the table. And pray do not be so angry. You heard me say
+yesterday that I proposed to live by my wits. It seems to me that I have now
+proved I have some wits to live by! I admit I have knowledge of a certain name,
+but perhaps my knowledge ends there.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes&mdash;and perhaps it doesn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; snarled Whittington.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You insist on misjudging me,&rdquo; said Tuppence, and sighed gently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As I said once before,&rdquo; said Whittington angrily, &ldquo;quit
+fooling, and come to the point. You can&rsquo;t play the innocent with me. You
+know a great deal more than you&rsquo;re willing to admit.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence paused a moment to admire her own ingenuity, and then said softly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shouldn&rsquo;t like to contradict you, Mr. Whittington.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So we come to the usual question&mdash;how much?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence was in a dilemma. So far she had fooled Whittington with complete
+success, but to mention a palpably impossible sum might awaken his suspicions.
+An idea flashed across her brain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Suppose we say a little something down, and a fuller discussion of the
+matter later?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington gave her an ugly glance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Blackmail, eh?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence smiled sweetly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh no! Shall we say payment of services in advance?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington grunted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You see,&rdquo; explained Tuppence still sweetly, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m so
+very fond of money!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re about the limit, that&rsquo;s what you are,&rdquo; growled
+Whittington, with a sort of unwilling admiration. &ldquo;You took me in all
+right. Thought you were quite a meek little kid with just enough brains for my
+purpose.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Life,&rdquo; moralized Tuppence, &ldquo;is full of surprises.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All the same,&rdquo; continued Whittington, &ldquo;some one&rsquo;s been
+talking. You say it isn&rsquo;t Rita. Was it&mdash;&mdash;? Oh, come in.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The clerk followed his discreet knock into the room, and laid a paper at his
+master&rsquo;s elbow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Telephone message just come for you, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington snatched it up and read it. A frown gathered on his brow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;ll do, Brown. You can go.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The clerk withdrew, closing the door behind him. Whittington turned to
+Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come to-morrow at the same time. I&rsquo;m busy now. Here&rsquo;s fifty
+to go on with.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He rapidly sorted out some notes, and pushed them across the table to Tuppence,
+then stood up, obviously impatient for her to go.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl counted the notes in a businesslike manner, secured them in her
+handbag, and rose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good morning, Mr. Whittington,&rdquo; she said politely. &ldquo;At
+least, au revoir, I should say.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Exactly. Au revoir!&rdquo; Whittington looked almost genial again, a
+reversion that aroused in Tuppence a faint misgiving. &ldquo;Au revoir, my
+clever and charming young lady.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence sped lightly down the stairs. A wild elation possessed her. A
+neighbouring clock showed the time to be five minutes to twelve.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s give Tommy a surprise!&rdquo; murmured Tuppence, and hailed
+a taxi.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The cab drew up outside the tube station. Tommy was just within the entrance.
+His eyes opened to their fullest extent as he hurried forward to assist
+Tuppence to alight. She smiled at him affectionately, and remarked in a
+slightly affected voice:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pay the thing, will you, old bean? I&rsquo;ve got nothing smaller than a
+five-pound note!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap03"></a>CHAPTER III.<br/>
+A SET BACK</h2>
+
+<p>
+The moment was not quite so triumphant as it ought to have been. To begin with,
+the resources of Tommy&rsquo;s pockets were somewhat limited. In the end the
+fare was managed, the lady recollecting a plebeian twopence, and the driver,
+still holding the varied assortment of coins in his hand, was prevailed upon to
+move on, which he did after one last hoarse demand as to what the gentleman
+thought he was giving him?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think you&rsquo;ve given him too much, Tommy,&rdquo; said Tuppence
+innocently. &ldquo;I fancy he wants to give some of it back.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was possibly this remark which induced the driver to move away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Mr. Beresford, at length able to relieve his feelings,
+&ldquo;what the&mdash;dickens, did you want to take a taxi for?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I was afraid I might be late and keep you waiting,&rdquo; said Tuppence
+gently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Afraid&mdash;you&mdash;might&mdash;be&mdash;late! Oh, Lord, I give it
+up!&rdquo; said Mr. Beresford.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And really and truly,&rdquo; continued Tuppence, opening her eyes very
+wide, &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t got anything smaller than a five-pound
+note.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You did that part of it very well, old bean, but all the same the fellow
+wasn&rsquo;t taken in&mdash;not for a moment!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Tuppence thoughtfully, &ldquo;he didn&rsquo;t believe
+it. That&rsquo;s the curious part about speaking the truth. No one does believe
+it. I found that out this morning. Now let&rsquo;s go to lunch. How about the
+<i>Savoy?</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy grinned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How about the <i>Ritz?</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;On second thoughts, I prefer the <i>Piccadilly</i>. It&rsquo;s nearer.
+We shan&rsquo;t have to take another taxi. Come along.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is this a new brand of humour? Or is your brain really unhinged?&rdquo;
+inquired Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your last supposition is the correct one. I have come into money, and
+the shock has been too much for me! For that particular form of mental trouble
+an eminent physician recommends unlimited <i>Hors d&rsquo;&oelig;uvre</i>,
+Lobster <i>à l&rsquo;américane</i>, Chicken Newberg, and Pêche Melba!
+Let&rsquo;s go and get them!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tuppence, old girl, what has really come over you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, unbelieving one!&rdquo; Tuppence wrenched open her bag. &ldquo;Look
+here, and here, and here!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Great Jehosaphat! My dear girl, don&rsquo;t wave Fishers aloft like
+that!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They&rsquo;re not Fishers. They&rsquo;re five times better than Fishers,
+and this one&rsquo;s ten times better!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy groaned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I must have been drinking unawares! Am I dreaming, Tuppence, or do I
+really behold a large quantity of five-pound notes being waved about in a
+dangerous fashion?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Even so, O King! <i>Now</i>, will you come and have lunch?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll come anywhere. But what have you been doing? Holding up a
+bank?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All in good time. What an awful place Piccadilly Circus is.
+There&rsquo;s a huge bus bearing down on us. It would be too terrible if they
+killed the five-pound notes!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Grill room?&rdquo; inquired Tommy, as they reached the opposite pavement
+in safety.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The other&rsquo;s more expensive,&rdquo; demurred Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s mere wicked wanton extravagance. Come on below.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you sure I can get all the things I want there?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That extremely unwholesome menu you were outlining just now? Of course
+you can&mdash;or as much as is good for you, anyway.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And now tell me,&rdquo; said Tommy, unable to restrain his pent-up
+curiosity any longer, as they sat in state surrounded by the many <i>hors
+d&rsquo;&oelig;uvre</i> of Tuppence&rsquo;s dreams.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Miss Cowley told him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And the curious part of it is,&rdquo; she ended, &ldquo;that I really
+did invent the name of Jane Finn! I didn&rsquo;t want to give my own because of
+poor father&mdash;in case I should get mixed up in anything shady.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps that&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; said Tommy slowly. &ldquo;But you
+didn&rsquo;t invent it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No. <i>I</i> told it to you. Don&rsquo;t you remember, I said yesterday
+I&rsquo;d overheard two people talking about a female called Jane Finn?
+That&rsquo;s what brought the name into your mind so pat.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So you did. I remember now. How extraordinary&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+Tuppence tailed off into silence. Suddenly she aroused herself.
+&ldquo;Tommy!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What were they like, the two men you passed?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy frowned in an effort at remembrance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One was a big fat sort of chap. Clean shaven, I think&mdash;and
+dark.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s him,&rdquo; cried Tuppence, in an ungrammatical squeal.
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s Whittington! What was the other man like?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t remember. I didn&rsquo;t notice him particularly. It was
+really the outlandish name that caught my attention.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And people say that coincidences don&rsquo;t happen!&rdquo; Tuppence
+tackled her Pêche Melba happily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Tommy had become serious.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Look here, Tuppence, old girl, what is this going to lead to?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;More money,&rdquo; replied his companion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know that. You&rsquo;ve only got one idea in your head. What I mean
+is, what about the next step? How are you going to keep the game up?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; Tuppence laid down her spoon. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re right,
+Tommy, it is a bit of a poser.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;After all, you know, you can&rsquo;t bluff him forever. You&rsquo;re
+sure to slip up sooner or later. And, anyway, I&rsquo;m not at all sure that it
+isn&rsquo;t actionable&mdash;blackmail, you know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nonsense. Blackmail is saying you&rsquo;ll tell unless you are given
+money. Now, there&rsquo;s nothing I could tell, because I don&rsquo;t really
+know anything.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hm,&rdquo; said Tommy doubtfully. &ldquo;Well, anyway, what <i>are</i>
+we going to do? Whittington was in a hurry to get rid of you this morning, but
+next time he&rsquo;ll want to know something more before he parts with his
+money. He&rsquo;ll want to know how much <i>you</i> know, and where you got
+your information from, and a lot of other things that you can&rsquo;t cope
+with. What are you going to do about it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence frowned severely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We must think. Order some Turkish coffee, Tommy. Stimulating to the
+brain. Oh, dear, what a lot I have eaten!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You have made rather a hog of yourself! So have I for that matter, but I
+flatter myself that my choice of dishes was more judicious than yours. Two
+coffees.&rdquo; (This was to the waiter.) &ldquo;One Turkish, one
+French.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence sipped her coffee with a deeply reflective air, and snubbed Tommy when
+he spoke to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Be quiet. I&rsquo;m thinking.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shades of Pelmanism!&rdquo; said Tommy, and relapsed into silence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There!&rdquo; said Tuppence at last. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got a plan.
+Obviously what we&rsquo;ve got to do is to find out more about it all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy applauded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t jeer. We can only find out through Whittington. We must
+discover where he lives, what he does&mdash;sleuth him, in fact! Now I
+can&rsquo;t do it, because he knows me, but he only saw you for a minute or two
+in Lyons&rsquo;. He&rsquo;s not likely to recognize you. After all, one young
+man is much like another.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I repudiate that remark utterly. I&rsquo;m sure my pleasing features and
+distinguished appearance would single me out from any crowd.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My plan is this,&rdquo; Tuppence went on calmly, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go
+alone to-morrow. I&rsquo;ll put him off again like I did to-day. It
+doesn&rsquo;t matter if I don&rsquo;t get any more money at once. Fifty pounds
+ought to last us a few days.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Or even longer!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;ll hang about outside. When I come out I shan&rsquo;t speak to
+you in case he&rsquo;s watching. But I&rsquo;ll take up my stand somewhere
+near, and when he comes out of the building I&rsquo;ll drop a handkerchief or
+something, and off you go!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Off I go where?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Follow him, of course, silly! What do you think of the idea?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sort of thing one reads about in books. I somehow feel that in real life
+one will feel a bit of an ass standing in the street for hours with nothing to
+do. People will wonder what I&rsquo;m up to.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not in the city. Every one&rsquo;s in such a hurry. Probably no one will
+even notice you at all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the second time you&rsquo;ve made that sort of remark.
+Never mind, I forgive you. Anyway, it will be rather a lark. What are you doing
+this afternoon?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tuppence meditatively. &ldquo;I <i>had</i> thought of
+hats! Or perhaps silk stockings! Or perhaps&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hold hard,&rdquo; admonished Tommy. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a limit to
+fifty pounds! But let&rsquo;s do dinner and a show to-night at all
+events.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Rather.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The day passed pleasantly. The evening even more so. Two of the five-pound
+notes were now irretrievably dead.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They met by arrangement the following morning and proceeded citywards. Tommy
+remained on the opposite side of the road while Tuppence plunged into the
+building.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy strolled slowly down to the end of the street, then back again. Just as
+he came abreast of the building, Tuppence darted across the road.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. What&rsquo;s up?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The place is shut. I can&rsquo;t make anyone hear.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s odd.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t it? Come up with me, and let&rsquo;s try again.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy followed her. As they passed the third floor landing a young clerk came
+out of an office. He hesitated a moment, then addressed himself to Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Were you wanting the Esthonia Glassware?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, please.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s closed down. Since yesterday afternoon. Company being wound
+up, they say. Not that I&rsquo;ve ever heard of it myself. But anyway the
+office is to let.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Th&mdash;thank you,&rdquo; faltered Tuppence. &ldquo;I suppose you
+don&rsquo;t know Mr. Whittington&rsquo;s address?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Afraid I don&rsquo;t. They left rather suddenly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you very much,&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;Come on, Tuppence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They descended to the street again where they gazed at one another blankly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s torn it,&rdquo; said Tommy at length.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And I never suspected it,&rdquo; wailed Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Cheer up, old thing, it can&rsquo;t be helped.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t it, though!&rdquo; Tuppence&rsquo;s little chin shot out
+defiantly. &ldquo;Do you think this is the end? If so, you&rsquo;re wrong.
+It&rsquo;s just the beginning!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The beginning of what?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of our adventure! Tommy, don&rsquo;t you see, if they are scared enough
+to run away like this, it shows that there must be a lot in this Jane Finn
+business! Well, we&rsquo;ll get to the bottom of it. We&rsquo;ll run them down!
+We&rsquo;ll be sleuths in earnest!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, but there&rsquo;s no one left to sleuth.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, that&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;ll have to start all over again. Lend me
+that bit of pencil. Thanks. Wait a minute&mdash;don&rsquo;t interrupt.
+There!&rdquo; Tuppence handed back the pencil, and surveyed the piece of paper
+on which she had written with a satisfied eye:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&rsquo;s that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Advertisement.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re not going to put that thing in after all?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, it&rsquo;s a different one.&rdquo; She handed him the slip of paper.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy read the words on it aloud:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;WANTED, any information respecting Jane Finn. Apply Y. A.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap04"></a>CHAPTER IV.<br/>
+WHO IS JANE FINN?</h2>
+
+<p>
+The next day passed slowly. It was necessary to curtail expenditure. Carefully
+husbanded, forty pounds will last a long time. Luckily the weather was fine,
+and &ldquo;walking is cheap,&rdquo; dictated Tuppence. An outlying picture
+house provided them with recreation for the evening.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The day of disillusionment had been a Wednesday. On Thursday the advertisement
+had duly appeared. On Friday letters might be expected to arrive at
+Tommy&rsquo;s rooms.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had been bound by an honourable promise not to open any such letters if they
+did arrive, but to repair to the National Gallery, where his colleague would
+meet him at ten o&rsquo;clock.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence was first at the rendezvous. She ensconced herself on a red velvet
+seat, and gazed at the Turners with unseeing eyes until she saw the familiar
+figure enter the room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; returned Mr. Beresford provokingly. &ldquo;Which is your
+favourite picture?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be a wretch. Aren&rsquo;t there <i>any</i> answers?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head with a deep and somewhat overacted melancholy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t want to disappoint you, old thing, by telling you right
+off. It&rsquo;s too bad. Good money wasted.&rdquo; He sighed. &ldquo;Still,
+there it is. The advertisement has appeared, and&mdash;there are only two
+answers!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy, you devil!&rdquo; almost screamed Tuppence. &ldquo;Give them to
+me. How could you be so mean!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your language, Tuppence, your language! They&rsquo;re very particular at
+the National Gallery. Government show, you know. And do remember, as I have
+pointed out to you before, that as a clergyman&rsquo;s
+daughter&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I ought to be on the stage!&rdquo; finished Tuppence with a snap.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is not what I intended to say. But if you are sure that you have
+enjoyed to the full the reaction of joy after despair with which I have kindly
+provided you free of charge, let us get down to our mail, as the saying
+goes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence snatched the two precious envelopes from him unceremoniously, and
+scrutinized them carefully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thick paper, this one. It looks rich. We&rsquo;ll keep it to the last
+and open the other first.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Right you are. One, two, three, go!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence&rsquo;s little thumb ripped open the envelope, and she extracted the
+contents.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;DEAR SIR,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Referring to your advertisement in this morning&rsquo;s paper, I may be
+able to be of some use to you. Perhaps you could call and see me at the above
+address at eleven o&rsquo;clock to-morrow morning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yours truly,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A. CARTER.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;27 Carshalton Gardens,&rdquo; said Tuppence, referring to the address.
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s Gloucester Road way. Plenty of time to get there if we
+tube.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The following,&rdquo; said Tommy, &ldquo;is the plan of campaign. It is
+my turn to assume the offensive. Ushered into the presence of Mr. Carter, he
+and I wish each other good morning as is customary. He then says: &lsquo;Please
+take a seat, Mr.&mdash;er?&rsquo; To which I reply promptly and significantly:
+&lsquo;Edward Whittington!&rsquo; whereupon Mr. Carter turns purple in the face
+and gasps out: &lsquo;How much?&rsquo; Pocketing the usual fee of fifty pounds,
+I rejoin you in the road outside, and we proceed to the next address and repeat
+the performance.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be absurd, Tommy. Now for the other letter. Oh, this is from
+the <i>Ritz!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A hundred pounds instead of fifty!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll read it:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;DEAR SIR,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Re your advertisement, I should be glad if you would call round
+somewhere about lunch-time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yours truly,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ha!&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;Do I smell a Boche? Or only an American
+millionaire of unfortunate ancestry? At all events we&rsquo;ll call at
+lunch-time. It&rsquo;s a good time&mdash;frequently leads to free food for
+two.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded assent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now for Carter. We&rsquo;ll have to hurry.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Carshalton Terrace proved to be an unimpeachable row of what Tuppence called
+&ldquo;ladylike looking houses.&rdquo; They rang the bell at No. 27, and a neat
+maid answered the door. She looked so respectable that Tuppence&rsquo;s heart
+sank. Upon Tommy&rsquo;s request for Mr. Carter, she showed them into a small
+study on the ground floor where she left them. Hardly a minute elapsed,
+however, before the door opened, and a tall man with a lean hawklike face and a
+tired manner entered the room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Y. A.?&rdquo; he said, and smiled. His smile was distinctly
+attractive. &ldquo;Do sit down, both of you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They obeyed. He himself took a chair opposite to Tuppence and smiled at her
+encouragingly. There was something in the quality of his smile that made the
+girl&rsquo;s usual readiness desert her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As he did not seem inclined to open the conversation, Tuppence was forced to
+begin.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We wanted to know&mdash;that is, would you be so kind as to tell us
+anything you know about Jane Finn?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Jane Finn? Ah!&rdquo; Mr. Carter appeared to reflect. &ldquo;Well, the
+question is, what do <i>you</i> know about her?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence drew herself up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see that that&rsquo;s got anything to do with it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No? But it has, you know, really it has.&rdquo; He smiled again in his
+tired way, and continued reflectively. &ldquo;So that brings us down to it
+again. What do <i>you</i> know about Jane Finn?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come now,&rdquo; he continued, as Tuppence remained silent. &ldquo;You
+must know <i>something</i> to have advertised as you did?&rdquo; He leaned
+forward a little, his weary voice held a hint of persuasiveness. &ldquo;Suppose
+you tell me....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was something very magnetic about Mr. Carter&rsquo;s personality.
+Tuppence seemed to shake herself free of it with an effort, as she said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We couldn&rsquo;t do that, could we, Tommy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But to her surprise, her companion did not back her up. His eyes were fixed on
+Mr. Carter, and his tone when he spoke held an unusual note of deference.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I dare say the little we know won&rsquo;t be any good to you, sir. But
+such as it is, you&rsquo;re welcome to it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy!&rdquo; cried out Tuppence in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter slewed round in his chair. His eyes asked a question.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir, I recognized you at once. Saw you in France when I was with
+the Intelligence. As soon as you came into the room, I
+knew&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter held up his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No names, please. I&rsquo;m known as Mr. Carter here. It&rsquo;s my
+cousin&rsquo;s house, by the way. She&rsquo;s willing to lend it to me
+sometimes when it&rsquo;s a case of working on strictly unofficial lines. Well,
+now&rdquo;&mdash;he looked from one to the other&mdash;&ldquo;who&rsquo;s going
+to tell me the story?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Fire ahead, Tuppence,&rdquo; directed Tommy. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s your
+yarn.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, little lady, out with it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And obediently Tuppence did out with it, telling the whole story from the
+forming of the Young Adventurers, Ltd., downwards.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter listened in silence with a resumption of his tired manner. Now and
+then he passed his hand across his lips as though to hide a smile. When she had
+finished he nodded gravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not much. But suggestive. Quite suggestive. If you&rsquo;ll excuse my
+saying so, you&rsquo;re a curious young couple. I don&rsquo;t know&mdash;you
+might succeed where others have failed ... I believe in luck, you
+know&mdash;always have....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He paused a moment, and then went on.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, how about it? You&rsquo;re out for adventure. How would you like
+to work for me? All quite unofficial, you know. Expenses paid, and a moderate
+screw?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence gazed at him, her lips parted, her eyes growing wider and wider.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What should we have to do?&rdquo; she breathed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter smiled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just go on with what you&rsquo;re doing now. <i>Find Jane
+Finn</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, but&mdash;who <i>is</i> Jane Finn?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter nodded gravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, you&rsquo;re entitled to know that, I think.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, brought the tips of his fingers
+together, and began in a low monotone:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Secret diplomacy (which, by the way, is nearly always bad policy!) does
+not concern you. It will be sufficient to say that in the early days of 1915 a
+certain document came into being. It was the draft of a secret
+agreement&mdash;treaty&mdash;call it what you like. It was drawn up ready for
+signature by the various representatives, and drawn up in America&mdash;at that
+time a neutral country. It was dispatched to England by a special messenger
+selected for that purpose, a young fellow called Danvers. It was hoped that the
+whole affair had been kept so secret that nothing would have leaked out. That
+kind of hope is usually disappointed. Somebody always talks!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Danvers sailed for England on the <i>Lusitania</i>. He carried the
+precious papers in an oilskin packet which he wore next his skin. It was on
+that particular voyage that the <i>Lusitania</i> was torpedoed and sunk.
+Danvers was among the list of those missing. Eventually his body was washed
+ashore, and identified beyond any possible doubt. But the oilskin packet was
+missing!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The question was, had it been taken from him, or had he himself passed
+it on into another&rsquo;s keeping? There were a few incidents that
+strengthened the possibility of the latter theory. After the torpedo struck the
+ship, in the few moments during the launching of the boats, Danvers was seen
+speaking to a young American girl. No one actually saw him pass anything to
+her, but he might have done so. It seems to me quite likely that he entrusted
+the papers to this girl, believing that she, as a woman, had a greater chance
+of bringing them safely to shore.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But if so, where was the girl, and what had she done with the papers? By
+later advice from America it seemed likely that Danvers had been closely
+shadowed on the way over. Was this girl in league with his enemies? Or had she,
+in her turn, been shadowed and either tricked or forced into handing over the
+precious packet?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We set to work to trace her out. It proved unexpectedly difficult. Her
+name was Jane Finn, and it duly appeared among the list of the survivors, but
+the girl herself seemed to have vanished completely. Inquiries into her
+antecedents did little to help us. She was an orphan, and had been what we
+should call over here a pupil teacher in a small school out West. Her passport
+had been made out for Paris, where she was going to join the staff of a
+hospital. She had offered her services voluntarily, and after some
+correspondence they had been accepted. Having seen her name in the list of the
+saved from the <i>Lusitania</i>, the staff of the hospital were naturally very
+surprised at her not arriving to take up her billet, and at not hearing from
+her in any way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, every effort was made to trace the young lady&mdash;but all in
+vain. We tracked her across Ireland, but nothing could be heard of her after
+she set foot in England. No use was made of the draft treaty&mdash;as might
+very easily have been done&mdash;and we therefore came to the conclusion that
+Danvers had, after all, destroyed it. The war entered on another phase, the
+diplomatic aspect changed accordingly, and the treaty was never redrafted.
+Rumours as to its existence were emphatically denied. The disappearance of Jane
+Finn was forgotten and the whole affair was lost in oblivion.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter paused, and Tuppence broke in impatiently:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But why has it all cropped up again? The war&rsquo;s over.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A hint of alertness came into Mr. Carter&rsquo;s manner.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because it seems that the papers were not destroyed after all, and that
+they might be resurrected to-day with a new and deadly significance.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence stared. Mr. Carter nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, five years ago, that draft treaty was a weapon in our hands; to-day
+it is a weapon against us. It was a gigantic blunder. If its terms were made
+public, it would mean disaster.... It might possibly bring about another
+war&mdash;not with Germany this time! That is an extreme possibility, and I do
+not believe in its likelihood myself, but that document undoubtedly implicates
+a number of our statesmen whom we cannot afford to have discredited in any way
+at the present moment. As a party cry for Labour it would be irresistible, and
+a Labour Government at this juncture would, in my opinion, be a grave
+disability for British trade, but that is a mere nothing to the <i>real</i>
+danger.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He paused, and then said quietly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You may perhaps have heard or read that there is Bolshevist influence at
+work behind the present Labour unrest?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is the truth. Bolshevist gold is pouring into this country for the
+specific purpose of procuring a Revolution. And there is a certain man, a man
+whose real name is unknown to us, who is working in the dark for his own ends.
+The Bolshevists are behind the Labour unrest&mdash;but this man is <i>behind
+the Bolshevists</i>. Who is he? We do not know. He is always spoken of by the
+unassuming title of &lsquo;Mr. Brown.&rsquo; But one thing is certain, he is
+the master criminal of this age. He controls a marvellous organization. Most of
+the Peace propaganda during the war was originated and financed by him. His
+spies are everywhere.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A naturalized German?&rdquo; asked Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;On the contrary, I have every reason to believe he is an Englishman. He
+was pro-German, as he would have been pro-Boer. What he seeks to attain we do
+not know&mdash;probably supreme power for himself, of a kind unique in history.
+We have no clue as to his real personality. It is reported that even his own
+followers are ignorant of it. Where we have come across his tracks, he has
+always played a secondary part. Somebody else assumes the chief rôle. But
+afterwards we always find that there has been some nonentity, a servant or a
+clerk, who has remained in the background unnoticed, and that the elusive Mr.
+Brown has escaped us once more.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; Tuppence jumped. &ldquo;I wonder&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I remember in Mr. Whittington&rsquo;s office. The clerk&mdash;he called
+him Brown. You don&rsquo;t think&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Carter nodded thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very likely. A curious point is that the name is usually mentioned. An
+idiosyncrasy of genius. Can you describe him at all?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I really didn&rsquo;t notice. He was quite ordinary&mdash;just like
+anyone else.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter sighed in his tired manner.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is the invariable description of Mr. Brown! Brought a telephone
+message to the man Whittington, did he? Notice a telephone in the outer
+office?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence thought.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, I don&rsquo;t think I did.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Exactly. That &lsquo;message&rsquo; was Mr. Brown&rsquo;s way of giving
+an order to his subordinate. He overheard the whole conversation of course. Was
+it after that that Whittington handed you over the money, and told you to come
+the following day?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, undoubtedly the hand of Mr. Brown!&rdquo; Mr. Carter paused.
+&ldquo;Well, there it is, you see what you are pitting yourselves against?
+Possibly the finest criminal brain of the age. I don&rsquo;t quite like it, you
+know. You&rsquo;re such young things, both of you. I shouldn&rsquo;t like
+anything to happen to you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It won&rsquo;t,&rdquo; Tuppence assured him positively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll look after her, sir,&rdquo; said Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And <i>I</i>&rsquo;ll look after <i>you</i>,&rdquo; retorted Tuppence,
+resenting the manly assertion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, then, look after each other,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter, smiling.
+&ldquo;Now let&rsquo;s get back to business. There&rsquo;s something mysterious
+about this draft treaty that we haven&rsquo;t fathomed yet. We&rsquo;ve been
+threatened with it&mdash;in plain and unmistakable terms. The Revolutionary
+element as good as declare that it&rsquo;s in their hands, and that they intend
+to produce it at a given moment. On the other hand, they are clearly at fault
+about many of its provisions. The Government consider it as mere bluff on their
+part, and, rightly or wrongly, have stuck to the policy of absolute denial.
+I&rsquo;m not so sure. There have been hints, indiscreet allusions, that seem
+to indicate that the menace is a real one. The position is much as though they
+had got hold of an incriminating document, but couldn&rsquo;t read it because
+it was in cipher&mdash;but we know that the draft treaty wasn&rsquo;t in
+cipher&mdash;couldn&rsquo;t be in the nature of things&mdash;so that
+won&rsquo;t wash. But there&rsquo;s <i>something</i>. Of course, Jane Finn may
+be dead for all we know&mdash;but I don&rsquo;t think so. The curious thing is
+that <i>they&rsquo;re trying to get information about the girl from
+us</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. One or two little things have cropped up. And your story, little
+lady, confirms my idea. They know we&rsquo;re looking for Jane Finn. Well,
+they&rsquo;ll produce a Jane Finn of their own&mdash;say at a <i>pensionnat</i>
+in Paris.&rdquo; Tuppence gasped, and Mr. Carter smiled. &ldquo;No one knows in
+the least what she looks like, so that&rsquo;s all right. She&rsquo;s primed
+with a trumped-up tale, and her real business is to get as much information as
+possible out of us. See the idea?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then you think&rdquo;&mdash;Tuppence paused to grasp the supposition
+fully&mdash;&ldquo;that it <i>was</i> as Jane Finn that they wanted me to go to
+Paris?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter smiled more wearily than ever.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I believe in coincidences, you know,&rdquo; he said.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap05"></a>CHAPTER V.<br/>
+MR. JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tuppence, recovering herself, &ldquo;it really seems
+as though it were meant to be.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Carter nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know what you mean. I&rsquo;m superstitious myself. Luck, and all that
+sort of thing. Fate seems to have chosen you out to be mixed up in this.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy indulged in a chuckle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My word! I don&rsquo;t wonder Whittington got the wind up when Tuppence
+plumped out that name! I should have myself. But look here, sir, we&rsquo;re
+taking up an awful lot of your time. Have you any tips to give us before we
+clear out?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think not. My experts, working in stereotyped ways, have failed. You
+will bring imagination and an open mind to the task. Don&rsquo;t be discouraged
+if that too does not succeed. For one thing there is a likelihood of the pace
+being forced.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence frowned uncomprehendingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When you had that interview with Whittington, they had time before them.
+I have information that the big <i>coup</i> was planned for early in the new
+year. But the Government is contemplating legislative action which will deal
+effectually with the strike menace. They&rsquo;ll get wind of it soon, if they
+haven&rsquo;t already, and it&rsquo;s possible that that may bring things to a
+head. I hope it will myself. The less time they have to mature their plans the
+better. I&rsquo;m just warning you that you haven&rsquo;t much time before you,
+and that you needn&rsquo;t be cast down if you fail. It&rsquo;s not an easy
+proposition anyway. That&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence rose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think we ought to be businesslike. What exactly can we count upon you
+for, Mr. Carter?&rdquo; Mr. Carter&rsquo;s lips twitched slightly, but he
+replied succinctly: &ldquo;Funds within reason, detailed information on any
+point, and <i>no official recognition</i>. I mean that if you get yourselves
+into trouble with the police, I can&rsquo;t officially help you out of it.
+You&rsquo;re on your own.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded sagely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I quite understand that. I&rsquo;ll write out a list of the things I
+want to know when I&rsquo;ve had time to think. Now&mdash;about
+money&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, Miss Tuppence. Do you want to say how much?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not exactly. We&rsquo;ve got plenty to go with for the present, but when
+we want more&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It will be waiting for you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, but&mdash;I&rsquo;m sure I don&rsquo;t want to be rude about the
+Government if you&rsquo;ve got anything to do with it, but you know one really
+has the devil of a time getting anything out of it! And if we have to fill up a
+blue form and send it in, and then, after three months, they send us a green
+one, and so on&mdash;well, that won&rsquo;t be much use, will it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter laughed outright.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t worry, Miss Tuppence. You will send a personal demand to me
+here, and the money, in notes, shall be sent by return of post. As to salary,
+shall we say at the rate of three hundred a year? And an equal sum for Mr.
+Beresford, of course.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence beamed upon him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How lovely. You are kind. I do love money! I&rsquo;ll keep beautiful
+accounts of our expenses all debit and credit, and the balance on the right
+side, and red line drawn sideways with the totals the same at the bottom. I
+really know how to do it when I think.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure you do. Well, good-bye, and good luck to you both.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He shook hands with them, and in another minute they were descending the steps
+of 27 Carshalton Terrace with their heads in a whirl.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy! Tell me at once, who is &lsquo;Mr. Carter&rsquo;?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy murmured a name in her ear.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tuppence, impressed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And I can tell you, old bean, he&rsquo;s IT!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tuppence again. Then she added reflectively,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I like him, don&rsquo;t you? He looks so awfully tired and bored, and
+yet you feel that underneath he&rsquo;s just like steel, all keen and flashing.
+Oh!&rdquo; She gave a skip. &ldquo;Pinch me, Tommy, do pinch me. I can&rsquo;t
+believe it&rsquo;s real!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Beresford obliged.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ow! That&rsquo;s enough! Yes, we&rsquo;re not dreaming. We&rsquo;ve got
+a job!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And what a job! The joint venture has really begun.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s more respectable than I thought it would be,&rdquo; said
+Tuppence thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Luckily I haven&rsquo;t got your craving for crime! What time is it?
+Let&rsquo;s have lunch&mdash;oh!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The same thought sprang to the minds of each. Tommy voiced it first.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Julius P. Hersheimmer!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We never told Mr. Carter about hearing from him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, there wasn&rsquo;t much to tell&mdash;not till we&rsquo;ve seen
+him. Come on, we&rsquo;d better take a taxi.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now who&rsquo;s being extravagant?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All expenses paid, remember. Hop in.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At any rate, we shall make a better effect arriving this way,&rdquo;
+said Tuppence, leaning back luxuriously. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure blackmailers
+never arrive in buses!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve ceased being blackmailers,&rdquo; Tommy pointed out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not sure I have,&rdquo; said Tuppence darkly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On inquiring for Mr. Hersheimmer, they were at once taken up to his suite. An
+impatient voice cried &ldquo;Come in&rdquo; in answer to the page-boy&rsquo;s
+knock, and the lad stood aside to let them pass in.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer was a great deal younger than either Tommy or
+Tuppence had pictured him. The girl put him down as thirty-five. He was of
+middle height, and squarely built to match his jaw. His face was pugnacious but
+pleasant. No one could have mistaken him for anything but an American, though
+he spoke with very little accent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get my note? Sit down and tell me right away all you know about my
+cousin.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your cousin?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing. Jane Finn.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is she your cousin?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My father and her mother were brother and sister,&rdquo; explained Mr.
+Hersheimmer meticulously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; cried Tuppence. &ldquo;Then you know where she is?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No!&rdquo; Mr. Hersheimmer brought down his fist with a bang on the
+table. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m darned if I do! Don&rsquo;t you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We advertised to receive information, not to give it,&rdquo; said
+Tuppence severely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess I know that. I can read. But I thought maybe it was her back
+history you were after, and that you&rsquo;d know where she was now?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, we wouldn&rsquo;t mind hearing her back history,&rdquo; said
+Tuppence guardedly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Mr. Hersheimmer seemed to grow suddenly suspicious.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;See here,&rdquo; he declared. &ldquo;This isn&rsquo;t Sicily! No
+demanding ransom or threatening to crop her ears if I refuse. These are the
+British Isles, so quit the funny business, or I&rsquo;ll just sing out for that
+beautiful big British policeman I see out there in Piccadilly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy hastened to explain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We haven&rsquo;t kidnapped your cousin. On the contrary, we&rsquo;re
+trying to find her. We&rsquo;re employed to do so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Hersheimmer leant back in his chair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Put me wise,&rdquo; he said succinctly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy fell in with this demand in so far as he gave him a guarded version of
+the disappearance of Jane Finn, and of the possibility of her having been mixed
+up unawares in &ldquo;some political show.&rdquo; He alluded to Tuppence and
+himself as &ldquo;private inquiry agents&rdquo; commissioned to find her, and
+added that they would therefore be glad of any details Mr. Hersheimmer could
+give them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That gentleman nodded approval.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess that&rsquo;s all right. I was just a mite hasty. But London gets
+my goat! I only know little old New York. Just trot out your questions and
+I&rsquo;ll answer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For the moment this paralysed the Young Adventurers, but Tuppence, recovering
+herself, plunged boldly into the breach with a reminiscence culled from
+detective fiction.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When did you last see the dece&mdash;your cousin, I mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never seen her,&rdquo; responded Mr. Hersheimmer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo; demanded Tommy, astonished.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Hersheimmer turned to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, sir. As I said before, my father and her mother were brother and
+sister, just as you might be&rdquo;&mdash;Tommy did not correct this view of
+their relationship&mdash;&ldquo;but they didn&rsquo;t always get on together.
+And when my aunt made up her mind to marry Amos Finn, who was a poor school
+teacher out West, my father was just mad! Said if he made his pile, as he
+seemed in a fair way to do, she&rsquo;d never see a cent of it. Well, the
+upshot was that Aunt Jane went out West and we never heard from her again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The old man <i>did</i> pile it up. He went into oil, and he went into
+steel, and he played a bit with railroads, and I can tell you he made Wall
+Street sit up!&rdquo; He paused. &ldquo;Then he died&mdash;last fall&mdash;and
+I got the dollars. Well, would you believe it, my conscience got busy! Kept
+knocking me up and saying: What about your Aunt Jane, way out West? It worried
+me some. You see, I figured it out that Amos Finn would never make good. He
+wasn&rsquo;t the sort. End of it was, I hired a man to hunt her down. Result,
+she was dead, and Amos Finn was dead, but they&rsquo;d left a
+daughter&mdash;Jane&mdash;who&rsquo;d been torpedoed in the <i>Lusitania</i> on
+her way to Paris. She was saved all right, but they didn&rsquo;t seem able to
+hear of her over this side. I guessed they weren&rsquo;t hustling any, so I
+thought I&rsquo;d come along over, and speed things up. I phoned Scotland Yard
+and the Admiralty first thing. The Admiralty rather choked me off, but Scotland
+Yard were very civil&mdash;said they would make inquiries, even sent a man
+round this morning to get her photograph. I&rsquo;m off to Paris to-morrow,
+just to see what the Prefecture is doing. I guess if I go to and fro hustling
+them, they ought to get busy!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The energy of Mr. Hersheimmer was tremendous. They bowed before it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But say now,&rdquo; he ended, &ldquo;you&rsquo;re not after her for
+anything? Contempt of court, or something British? A proud-spirited young
+American girl might find your rules and regulations in war time rather irksome,
+and get up against it. If that&rsquo;s the case, and there&rsquo;s such a thing
+as graft in this country, I&rsquo;ll buy her off.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence reassured him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s good. Then we can work together. What about some lunch?
+Shall we have it up here, or go down to the restaurant?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence expressed a preference for the latter, and Julius bowed to her
+decision.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Oysters had just given place to Sole Colbert when a card was brought to
+Hersheimmer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Inspector Japp, C.I.D. Scotland Yard again. Another man this time. What
+does he expect I can tell him that I didn&rsquo;t tell the first chap? I hope
+they haven&rsquo;t lost that photograph. That Western photographer&rsquo;s
+place was burned down and all his negatives destroyed&mdash;this is the only
+copy in existence. I got it from the principal of the college there.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+An unformulated dread swept over Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&mdash;you don&rsquo;t know the name of the man who came this
+morning?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I do. No, I don&rsquo;t. Half a second. It was on his card. Oh, I
+know! Inspector Brown. Quiet, unassuming sort of chap.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap06"></a>CHAPTER VI.<br/>
+A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN</h2>
+
+<p>
+A veil might with profit be drawn over the events of the next half-hour.
+Suffice it to say that no such person as &ldquo;Inspector Brown&rdquo; was
+known to Scotland Yard. The photograph of Jane Finn, which would have been of
+the utmost value to the police in tracing her, was lost beyond recovery. Once
+again &ldquo;Mr. Brown&rdquo; had triumphed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The immediate result of this set-back was to effect a <i>rapprochement</i>
+between Julius Hersheimmer and the Young Adventurers. All barriers went down
+with a crash, and Tommy and Tuppence felt they had known the young American all
+their lives. They abandoned the discreet reticence of &ldquo;private inquiry
+agents,&rdquo; and revealed to him the whole history of the joint venture,
+whereat the young man declared himself &ldquo;tickled to death.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He turned to Tuppence at the close of the narration.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always had a kind of idea that English girls were just a mite
+moss-grown. Old-fashioned and sweet, you know, but scared to move round without
+a footman or a maiden aunt. I guess I&rsquo;m a bit behind the times!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The upshot of these confidential relations was that Tommy and Tuppence took up
+their abode forthwith at the <i>Ritz</i>, in order, as Tuppence put it, to keep
+in touch with Jane Finn&rsquo;s only living relation. &ldquo;And put like
+that,&rdquo; she added confidentially to Tommy, &ldquo;nobody could boggle at
+the expense!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nobody did, which was the great thing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And now,&rdquo; said the young lady on the morning after their
+installation, &ldquo;to work!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Beresford put down the <i>Daily Mail</i>, which he was reading, and
+applauded with somewhat unnecessary vigour. He was politely requested by his
+colleague not to be an ass.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dash it all, Tommy, we&rsquo;ve got to <i>do</i> something for our
+money.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy sighed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I fear even the dear old Government will not support us at the
+<i>Ritz</i> in idleness for ever.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Therefore, as I said before, we must <i>do</i> something.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tommy, picking up the <i>Daily Mail</i> again,
+&ldquo;<i>do</i> it. I shan&rsquo;t stop you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You see,&rdquo; continued Tuppence. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been
+thinking&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was interrupted by a fresh bout of applause.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s all very well for you to sit there being funny, Tommy. It
+would do you no harm to do a little brain work too.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My union, Tuppence, my union! It does not permit me to work before 11
+a.m.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy, do you want something thrown at you? It is absolutely essential
+that we should without delay map out a plan of campaign.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hear, hear!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, let&rsquo;s do it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy laid his paper finally aside. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s something of the
+simplicity of the truly great mind about you, Tuppence. Fire ahead. I&rsquo;m
+listening.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To begin with,&rdquo; said Tuppence, &ldquo;what have we to go
+upon?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Absolutely nothing,&rdquo; said Tommy cheerily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wrong!&rdquo; Tuppence wagged an energetic finger. &ldquo;We have two
+distinct clues.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What are they?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;First clue, we know one of the gang.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Whittington?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. I&rsquo;d recognize him anywhere.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hum,&rdquo; said Tommy doubtfully, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t call that much
+of a clue. You don&rsquo;t know where to look for him, and it&rsquo;s about a
+thousand to one against your running against him by accident.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not so sure about that,&rdquo; replied Tuppence thoughtfully.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve often noticed that once coincidences start happening they go
+on happening in the most extraordinary way. I dare say it&rsquo;s some natural
+law that we haven&rsquo;t found out. Still, as you say, we can&rsquo;t rely on
+that. But there <i>are</i> places in London where simply every one is bound to
+turn up sooner or later. Piccadilly Circus, for instance. One of my ideas was
+to take up my stand there every day with a tray of flags.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about meals?&rdquo; inquired the practical Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How like a man! What does mere food matter?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all very well. You&rsquo;ve just had a thundering good
+breakfast. No one&rsquo;s got a better appetite than you have, Tuppence, and by
+tea-time you&rsquo;d be eating the flags, pins and all. But, honestly, I
+don&rsquo;t think much of the idea. Whittington mayn&rsquo;t be in London at
+all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s true. Anyway, I think clue No. 2 is more promising.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s hear it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s nothing much. Only a Christian name&mdash;Rita. Whittington
+mentioned it that day.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you proposing a third advertisement: Wanted, female crook, answering
+to the name of Rita?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am not. I propose to reason in a logical manner. That man, Danvers,
+was shadowed on the way over, wasn&rsquo;t he? And it&rsquo;s more likely to
+have been a woman than a man&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see that at all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am absolutely certain that it would be a woman, and a good-looking
+one,&rdquo; replied Tuppence calmly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;On these technical points I bow to your decision,&rdquo; murmured Mr.
+Beresford.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now, obviously this woman, whoever she was, was saved.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How do you make that out?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If she wasn&rsquo;t, how would they have known Jane Finn had got the
+papers?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Correct. Proceed, O Sherlock!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now there&rsquo;s just a chance, I admit it&rsquo;s only a chance, that
+this woman may have been &lsquo;Rita.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And if so?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If so, we&rsquo;ve got to hunt through the survivors of the
+<i>Lusitania</i> till we find her.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then the first thing is to get a list of the survivors.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got it. I wrote a long list of things I wanted to know, and
+sent it to Mr. Carter. I got his reply this morning, and among other things it
+encloses the official statement of those saved from the <i>Lusitania</i>.
+How&rsquo;s that for clever little Tuppence?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Full marks for industry, zero for modesty. But the great point is, is
+there a &lsquo;Rita&rsquo; on the list?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s just what I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; confessed Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t know?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. Look here.&rdquo; Together they bent over the list. &ldquo;You see,
+very few Christian names are given. They&rsquo;re nearly all Mrs. or
+Miss.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That complicates matters,&rdquo; he murmured thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence gave her characteristic &ldquo;terrier&rdquo; shake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, we&rsquo;ve just got to get down to it, that&rsquo;s all.
+We&rsquo;ll start with the London area. Just note down the addresses of any of
+the females who live in London or roundabout, while I put on my hat.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Five minutes later the young couple emerged into Piccadilly, and a few seconds
+later a taxi was bearing them to The Laurels, Glendower Road, N.7, the
+residence of Mrs. Edgar Keith, whose name figured first in a list of seven
+reposing in Tommy&rsquo;s pocket-book.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Laurels was a dilapidated house, standing back from the road with a few
+grimy bushes to support the fiction of a front garden. Tommy paid off the taxi,
+and accompanied Tuppence to the front door bell. As she was about to ring it,
+he arrested her hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What are you going to say?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What am I going to say? Why, I shall say&mdash;Oh dear, I don&rsquo;t
+know. It&rsquo;s very awkward.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought as much,&rdquo; said Tommy with satisfaction. &ldquo;How like
+a woman! No foresight! Now just stand aside, and see how easily the mere male
+deals with the situation.&rdquo; He pressed the bell. Tuppence withdrew to a
+suitable spot.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A slatternly looking servant, with an extremely dirty face and a pair of eyes
+that did not match, answered the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy had produced a notebook and pencil.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good morning,&rdquo; he said briskly and cheerfully. &ldquo;From the
+Hampstead Borough Council. The new Voting Register. Mrs. Edgar Keith lives
+here, does she not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yaas,&rdquo; said the servant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Christian name?&rdquo; asked Tommy, his pencil poised.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Missus&rsquo;s? Eleanor Jane.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Eleanor,&rdquo; spelt Tommy. &ldquo;Any sons or daughters over
+twenty-one?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Naow.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you.&rdquo; Tommy closed the notebook with a brisk snap.
+&ldquo;Good morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The servant volunteered her first remark:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought perhaps as you&rsquo;d come about the gas,&rdquo; she observed
+cryptically, and shut the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy rejoined his accomplice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You see, Tuppence,&rdquo; he observed. &ldquo;Child&rsquo;s play to the
+masculine mind.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t mind admitting that for once you&rsquo;ve scored
+handsomely. I should never have thought of that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good wheeze, wasn&rsquo;t it? And we can repeat it <i>ad lib</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lunch-time found the young couple attacking a steak and chips in an obscure
+hostelry with avidity. They had collected a Gladys Mary and a Marjorie, been
+baffled by one change of address, and had been forced to listen to a long
+lecture on universal suffrage from a vivacious American lady whose Christian
+name had proved to be Sadie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; said Tommy, imbibing a long draught of beer, &ldquo;I feel
+better. Where&rsquo;s the next draw?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The notebook lay on the table between them. Tuppence picked it up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mrs. Vandemeyer,&rdquo; she read, &ldquo;20 South Audley Mansions. Miss
+Wheeler, 43 Clapington Road, Battersea. She&rsquo;s a lady&rsquo;s maid, as far
+as I remember, so probably won&rsquo;t be there, and, anyway, she&rsquo;s not
+likely.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then the Mayfair lady is clearly indicated as the first port of
+call.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy, I&rsquo;m getting discouraged.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Buck up, old bean. We always knew it was an outside chance. And, anyway,
+we&rsquo;re only starting. If we draw a blank in London, there&rsquo;s a fine
+tour of England, Ireland and Scotland before us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;True,&rdquo; said Tuppence, her flagging spirits reviving. &ldquo;And
+all expenses paid! But, oh, Tommy, I do like things to happen quickly. So far,
+adventure has succeeded adventure, but this morning has been dull as
+dull.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You must stifle this longing for vulgar sensation, Tuppence. Remember
+that if Mr. Brown is all he is reported to be, it&rsquo;s a wonder that he has
+not ere now done us to death. That&rsquo;s a good sentence, quite a literary
+flavour about it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re really more conceited than I am&mdash;with less excuse!
+Ahem! But it certainly is queer that Mr. Brown has not yet wreaked vengeance
+upon us. (You see, I can do it too.) We pass on our way unscathed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps he doesn&rsquo;t think us worth bothering about,&rdquo;
+suggested the young man simply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence received the remark with great disfavour.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How horrid you are, Tommy. Just as though we didn&rsquo;t count.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sorry, Tuppence. What I meant was that we work like moles in the dark,
+and that he has no suspicion of our nefarious schemes. Ha ha!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ha ha!&rdquo; echoed Tuppence approvingly, as she rose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+South Audley Mansions was an imposing-looking block of flats just off Park
+Lane. No. 20 was on the second floor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy had by this time the glibness born of practice. He rattled off the
+formula to the elderly woman, looking more like a housekeeper than a servant,
+who opened the door to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Christian name?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Margaret.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy spelt it, but the other interrupted him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, <i>g u e</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Marguerite; French way, I see.&rdquo; He paused, then plunged
+boldly. &ldquo;We had her down as Rita Vandemeyer, but I suppose that&rsquo;s
+incorrect?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s mostly called that, sir, but Marguerite&rsquo;s her
+name.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you. That&rsquo;s all. Good morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Hardly able to contain his excitement, Tommy hurried down the stairs. Tuppence
+was waiting at the angle of the turn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You heard?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. Oh, <i>Tommy!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy squeezed her arm sympathetically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know, old thing. I feel the same.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s&mdash;it&rsquo;s so lovely to think of things&mdash;and then
+for them really to happen!&rdquo; cried Tuppence enthusiastically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her hand was still in Tommy&rsquo;s. They had reached the entrance hall. There
+were footsteps on the stairs above them, and voices.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly, to Tommy&rsquo;s complete surprise, Tuppence dragged him into the
+little space by the side of the lift where the shadow was deepest.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What the&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hush!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Two men came down the stairs and passed out through the entrance.
+Tuppence&rsquo;s hand closed tighter on Tommy&rsquo;s arm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quick&mdash;follow them. I daren&rsquo;t. He might recognize me. I
+don&rsquo;t know who the other man is, but the bigger of the two was
+Whittington.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap07"></a>CHAPTER VII.<br/>
+THE HOUSE IN SOHO</h2>
+
+<p>
+Whittington and his companion were walking at a good pace. Tommy started in
+pursuit at once, and was in time to see them turn the corner of the street. His
+vigorous strides soon enabled him to gain upon them, and by the time he, in his
+turn, reached the corner the distance between them was sensibly lessened. The
+small Mayfair streets were comparatively deserted, and he judged it wise to
+content himself with keeping them in sight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The sport was a new one to him. Though familiar with the technicalities from a
+course of novel reading, he had never before attempted to &ldquo;follow&rdquo;
+anyone, and it appeared to him at once that, in actual practice, the proceeding
+was fraught with difficulties. Supposing, for instance, that they should
+suddenly hail a taxi? In books, you simply leapt into another, promised the
+driver a sovereign&mdash;or its modern equivalent&mdash;and there you were. In
+actual fact, Tommy foresaw that it was extremely likely there would be no
+second taxi. Therefore he would have to run. What happened in actual fact to a
+young man who ran incessantly and persistently through the London streets? In a
+main road he might hope to create the illusion that he was merely running for a
+bus. But in these obscure aristocratic byways he could not but feel that an
+officious policeman might stop him to explain matters.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At this juncture in his thoughts a taxi with flag erect turned the corner of
+the street ahead. Tommy held his breath. Would they hail it?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He drew a sigh of relief as they allowed it to pass unchallenged. Their course
+was a zigzag one designed to bring them as quickly as possible to Oxford
+Street. When at length they turned into it, proceeding in an easterly
+direction, Tommy slightly increased his pace. Little by little he gained upon
+them. On the crowded pavement there was little chance of his attracting their
+notice, and he was anxious if possible to catch a word or two of their
+conversation. In this he was completely foiled; they spoke low and the din of
+the traffic drowned their voices effectually.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just before the Bond Street Tube station they crossed the road, Tommy,
+unperceived, faithfully at their heels, and entered the big Lyons&rsquo;. There
+they went up to the first floor, and sat at a small table in the window. It was
+late, and the place was thinning out. Tommy took a seat at the table next to
+them, sitting directly behind Whittington in case of recognition. On the other
+hand, he had a full view of the second man and studied him attentively. He was
+fair, with a weak, unpleasant face, and Tommy put him down as being either a
+Russian or a Pole. He was probably about fifty years of age, his shoulders
+cringed a little as he talked, and his eyes, small and crafty, shifted
+unceasingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Having already lunched heartily, Tommy contented himself with ordering a Welsh
+rarebit and a cup of coffee. Whittington ordered a substantial lunch for
+himself and his companion; then, as the waitress withdrew, he moved his chair a
+little closer to the table and began to talk earnestly in a low voice. The
+other man joined in. Listen as he would, Tommy could only catch a word here and
+there; but the gist of it seemed to be some directions or orders which the big
+man was impressing on his companion, and with which the latter seemed from time
+to time to disagree. Whittington addressed the other as Boris.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy caught the word &ldquo;Ireland&rdquo; several times, also
+&ldquo;propaganda,&rdquo; but of Jane Finn there was no mention. Suddenly, in a
+lull in the clatter of the room, he got one phrase entire. Whittington was
+speaking. &ldquo;Ah, but you don&rsquo;t know Flossie. She&rsquo;s a marvel. An
+archbishop would swear she was his own mother. She gets the voice right every
+time, and that&rsquo;s really the principal thing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy did not hear Boris&rsquo;s reply, but in response to it Whittington said
+something that sounded like: &ldquo;Of course&mdash;only in an
+emergency....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then he lost the thread again. But presently the phrases became distinct again
+whether because the other two had insensibly raised their voices, or because
+Tommy&rsquo;s ears were getting more attuned, he could not tell. But two words
+certainly had a most stimulating effect upon the listener. They were uttered by
+Boris and they were: &ldquo;Mr. Brown.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington seemed to remonstrate with him, but he merely laughed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why not, my friend? It is a name most respectable&mdash;most common. Did
+he not choose it for that reason? Ah, I should like to meet him&mdash;Mr.
+Brown.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a steely ring in Whittington&rsquo;s voice as he replied:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who knows? You may have met him already.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Bah!&rdquo; retorted the other. &ldquo;That is children&rsquo;s
+talk&mdash;a fable for the police. Do you know what I say to myself sometimes?
+That he is a fable invented by the Inner Ring, a bogy to frighten us with. It
+might be so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And it might not.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wonder ... or is it indeed true that he is with us and amongst us,
+unknown to all but a chosen few? If so, he keeps his secret well. And the idea
+is a good one, yes. We never know. We look at each other&mdash; <i>one of us is
+Mr. Brown</i>&mdash;which? He commands&mdash;but also he serves. Among
+us&mdash;in the midst of us. And no one knows which he is....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With an effort the Russian shook off the vagary of his fancy. He looked at his
+watch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Whittington. &ldquo;We might as well go.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He called the waitress and asked for his bill. Tommy did likewise, and a few
+moments later was following the two men down the stairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Outside, Whittington hailed a taxi, and directed the driver to go to Waterloo.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Taxis were plentiful here, and before Whittington&rsquo;s had driven off
+another was drawing up to the curb in obedience to Tommy&rsquo;s peremptory
+hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Follow that other taxi,&rdquo; directed the young man.
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t lose it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The elderly chauffeur showed no interest. He merely grunted and jerked down his
+flag. The drive was uneventful. Tommy&rsquo;s taxi came to rest at the
+departure platform just after Whittington&rsquo;s. Tommy was behind him at the
+booking-office. He took a first-class single ticket to Bournemouth, Tommy did
+the same. As he emerged, Boris remarked, glancing up at the clock: &ldquo;You
+are early. You have nearly half an hour.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Boris&rsquo;s words had aroused a new train of thought in Tommy&rsquo;s mind.
+Clearly Whittington was making the journey alone, while the other remained in
+London. Therefore he was left with a choice as to which he would follow.
+Obviously, he could not follow both of them unless&mdash;&mdash; Like Boris, he
+glanced up at the clock, and then to the announcement board of the trains. The
+Bournemouth train left at 3.30. It was now ten past. Whittington and Boris were
+walking up and down by the bookstall. He gave one doubtful look at them, then
+hurried into an adjacent telephone box. He dared not waste time in trying to
+get hold of Tuppence. In all probability she was still in the neighbourhood of
+South Audley Mansions. But there remained another ally. He rang up the
+<i>Ritz</i> and asked for Julius Hersheimmer. There was a click and a buzz. Oh,
+if only the young American was in his room! There was another click, and then
+&ldquo;Hello&rdquo; in unmistakable accents came over the wire.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That you, Hersheimmer? Beresford speaking. I&rsquo;m at Waterloo.
+I&rsquo;ve followed Whittington and another man here. No time to explain.
+Whittington&rsquo;s off to Bournemouth by the 3.30. Can you get there by
+then?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The reply was reassuring.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure. I&rsquo;ll hustle.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The telephone rang off. Tommy put back the receiver with a sigh of relief. His
+opinion of Julius&rsquo;s power of hustling was high. He felt instinctively
+that the American would arrive in time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington and Boris were still where he had left them. If Boris remained to
+see his friend off, all was well. Then Tommy fingered his pocket thoughtfully.
+In spite of the carte blanche assured to him, he had not yet acquired the habit
+of going about with any considerable sum of money on him. The taking of the
+first-class ticket to Bournemouth had left him with only a few shillings in his
+pocket. It was to be hoped that Julius would arrive better provided.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the meantime, the minutes were creeping by: 3.15, 3.20, 3.25, 3.27.
+Supposing Julius did not get there in time. 3.29.... Doors were banging. Tommy
+felt cold waves of despair pass over him. Then a hand fell on his shoulder.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Here I am, son. Your British traffic beats description! Put me wise to
+the crooks right away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s Whittington&mdash;there, getting in now, that big dark man.
+The other is the foreign chap he&rsquo;s talking to.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m on to them. Which of the two is my bird?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy had thought out this question.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Got any money with you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius shook his head, and Tommy&rsquo;s face fell.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess I haven&rsquo;t more than three or four hundred dollars with me
+at the moment,&rdquo; explained the American.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy gave a faint whoop of relief.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Lord, you millionaires! You don&rsquo;t talk the same language!
+Climb aboard the lugger. Here&rsquo;s your ticket. Whittington&rsquo;s your
+man.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Me for Whittington!&rdquo; said Julius darkly. The train was just
+starting as he swung himself aboard. &ldquo;So long, Tommy.&rdquo; The train
+slid out of the station.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy drew a deep breath. The man Boris was coming along the platform towards
+him. Tommy allowed him to pass and then took up the chase once more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Waterloo Boris took the tube as far as Piccadilly Circus. Then he walked
+up Shaftesbury Avenue, finally turning off into the maze of mean streets round
+Soho. Tommy followed him at a judicious distance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They reached at length a small dilapidated square. The houses there had a
+sinister air in the midst of their dirt and decay. Boris looked round, and
+Tommy drew back into the shelter of a friendly porch. The place was almost
+deserted. It was a cul-de-sac, and consequently no traffic passed that way. The
+stealthy way the other had looked round stimulated Tommy&rsquo;s imagination.
+From the shelter of the doorway he watched him go up the steps of a
+particularly evil-looking house and rap sharply, with a peculiar rhythm, on the
+door. It was opened promptly, he said a word or two to the doorkeeper, then
+passed inside. The door was shut to again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was at this juncture that Tommy lost his head. What he ought to have done,
+what any sane man would have done, was to remain patiently where he was and
+wait for his man to come out again. What he did do was entirely foreign to the
+sober common sense which was, as a rule, his leading characteristic. Something,
+as he expressed it, seemed to snap in his brain. Without a moment&rsquo;s pause
+for reflection he, too, went up the steps, and reproduced as far as he was able
+the peculiar knock.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The door swung open with the same promptness as before. A villainous-faced man
+with close-cropped hair stood in the doorway.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well?&rdquo; he grunted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was at that moment that the full realization of his folly began to come home
+to Tommy. But he dared not hesitate. He seized at the first words that came
+into his mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Brown?&rdquo; he said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To his surprise the man stood aside.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Upstairs,&rdquo; he said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder,
+&ldquo;second door on your left.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap08"></a>CHAPTER VIII.<br/>
+THE ADVENTURES OF TOMMY</h2>
+
+<p>
+Taken aback though he was by the man&rsquo;s words, Tommy did not hesitate. If
+audacity had successfully carried him so far, it was to be hoped it would carry
+him yet farther. He quietly passed into the house and mounted the ramshackle
+staircase. Everything in the house was filthy beyond words. The grimy paper, of
+a pattern now indistinguishable, hung in loose festoons from the wall. In every
+angle was a grey mass of cobweb.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy proceeded leisurely. By the time he reached the bend of the staircase, he
+had heard the man below disappear into a back room. Clearly no suspicion
+attached to him as yet. To come to the house and ask for &ldquo;Mr.
+Brown&rdquo; appeared indeed to be a reasonable and natural proceeding.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the top of the stairs Tommy halted to consider his next move. In front of
+him ran a narrow passage, with doors opening on either side of it. From the one
+nearest him on the left came a low murmur of voices. It was this room which he
+had been directed to enter. But what held his glance fascinated was a small
+recess immediately on his right, half concealed by a torn velvet curtain. It
+was directly opposite the left-handed door and, owing to its angle, it also
+commanded a good view of the upper part of the staircase. As a hiding-place for
+one or, at a pinch, two men, it was ideal, being about two feet deep and three
+feet wide. It attracted Tommy mightily. He thought things over in his usual
+slow and steady way, deciding that the mention of &ldquo;Mr. Brown&rdquo; was
+not a request for an individual, but in all probability a password used by the
+gang. His lucky use of it had gained him admission. So far he had aroused no
+suspicion. But he must decide quickly on his next step.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suppose he were boldly to enter the room on the left of the passage. Would the
+mere fact of his having been admitted to the house be sufficient? Perhaps a
+further password would be required, or, at any rate, some proof of identity.
+The doorkeeper clearly did not know all the members of the gang by sight, but
+it might be different upstairs. On the whole it seemed to him that luck had
+served him very well so far, but that there was such a thing as trusting it too
+far. To enter that room was a colossal risk. He could not hope to sustain his
+part indefinitely; sooner or later he was almost bound to betray himself, and
+then he would have thrown away a vital chance in mere foolhardiness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A repetition of the signal knock sounded on the door below, and Tommy, his mind
+made up, slipped quickly into the recess, and cautiously drew the curtain
+farther across so that it shielded him completely from sight. There were
+several rents and slits in the ancient material which afforded him a good view.
+He would watch events, and any time he chose could, after all, join the
+assembly, modelling his behaviour on that of the new arrival.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man who came up the staircase with a furtive, soft-footed tread was quite
+unknown to Tommy. He was obviously of the very dregs of society. The low
+beetling brows, and the criminal jaw, the bestiality of the whole countenance
+were new to the young man, though he was a type that Scotland Yard would have
+recognized at a glance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man passed the recess, breathing heavily as he went. He stopped at the door
+opposite, and gave a repetition of the signal knock. A voice inside called out
+something, and the man opened the door and passed in, affording Tommy a
+momentary glimpse of the room inside. He thought there must be about four or
+five people seated round a long table that took up most of the space, but his
+attention was caught and held by a tall man with close-cropped hair and a
+short, pointed, naval-looking beard, who sat at the head of the table with
+papers in front of him. As the new-comer entered he glanced up, and with a
+correct, but curiously precise enunciation, which attracted Tommy&rsquo;s
+notice, he asked:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your number, comrade?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Fourteen, gov&rsquo;nor,&rdquo; replied the other hoarsely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Correct.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The door shut again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If that isn&rsquo;t a Hun, I&rsquo;m a Dutchman!&rdquo; said Tommy to
+himself. &ldquo;And running the show darned systematically too&mdash;as they
+always do. Lucky I didn&rsquo;t roll in. I&rsquo;d have given the wrong number,
+and there would have been the deuce to pay. No, this is the place for me.
+Hullo, here&rsquo;s another knock.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This visitor proved to be of an entirely different type to the last. Tommy
+recognized in him an Irish Sinn Feiner. Certainly Mr. Brown&rsquo;s
+organization was a far-reaching concern. The common criminal, the well-bred
+Irish gentleman, the pale Russian, and the efficient German master of the
+ceremonies! Truly a strange and sinister gathering! Who was this man who held
+in his finger these curiously variegated links of an unknown chain?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In this case, the procedure was exactly the same. The signal knock, the demand
+for a number, and the reply &ldquo;Correct.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Two knocks followed in quick succession on the door below. The first man was
+quite unknown to Tommy, who put him down as a city clerk. A quiet,
+intelligent-looking man, rather shabbily dressed. The second was of the working
+classes, and his face was vaguely familiar to the young man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Three minutes later came another, a man of commanding appearance, exquisitely
+dressed, and evidently well born. His face, again, was not unknown to the
+watcher, though he could not for the moment put a name to it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After his arrival there was a long wait. In fact Tommy concluded that the
+gathering was now complete, and was just cautiously creeping out from his
+hiding-place, when another knock sent him scuttling back to cover.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This last-comer came up the stairs so quietly that he was almost abreast of
+Tommy before the young man had realized his presence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He was a small man, very pale, with a gentle almost womanish air. The angle of
+the cheek-bones hinted at his Slavonic ancestry, otherwise there was nothing to
+indicate his nationality. As he passed the recess, he turned his head slowly.
+The strange light eyes seemed to burn through the curtain; Tommy could hardly
+believe that the man did not know he was there and in spite of himself he
+shivered. He was no more fanciful than the majority of young Englishmen, but he
+could not rid himself of the impression that some unusually potent force
+emanated from the man. The creature reminded him of a venomous snake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A moment later his impression was proved correct. The new-comer knocked on the
+door as all had done, but his reception was very different. The bearded man
+rose to his feet, and all the others followed suit. The German came forward and
+shook hands. His heels clicked together.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We are honoured,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We are greatly honoured. I much
+feared that it would be impossible.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other answered in a low voice that had a kind of hiss in it:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There were difficulties. It will not be possible again, I fear. But one
+meeting is essential&mdash;to define my policy. I can do nothing
+without&mdash;Mr. Brown. He is here?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The change in the German&rsquo;s voice was audible as he replied with slight
+hesitation:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We have received a message. It is impossible for him to be present in
+person.&rdquo; He stopped, giving a curious impression of having left the
+sentence unfinished.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A very slow smile overspread the face of the other. He looked round at a circle
+of uneasy faces.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah! I understand. I have read of his methods. He works in the dark and
+trusts no one. But, all the same, it is possible that he is among us
+now....&rdquo; He looked round him again, and again that expression of fear
+swept over the group. Each man seemed eyeing his neighbour doubtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian tapped his cheek.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So be it. Let us proceed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German seemed to pull himself together. He indicated the place he had been
+occupying at the head of the table. The Russian demurred, but the other
+insisted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is the only possible place,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;for&mdash;Number
+One. Perhaps Number Fourteen will shut the door?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In another moment Tommy was once more confronting bare wooden panels, and the
+voices within had sunk once more to a mere undistinguishable murmur. Tommy
+became restive. The conversation he had overheard had stimulated his curiosity.
+He felt that, by hook or by crook, he must hear more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was no sound from below, and it did not seem likely that the doorkeeper
+would come upstairs. After listening intently for a minute or two, he put his
+head round the curtain. The passage was deserted. Tommy bent down and removed
+his shoes, then, leaving them behind the curtain, he walked gingerly out on his
+stockinged feet, and kneeling down by the closed door he laid his ear
+cautiously to the crack. To his intense annoyance he could distinguish little
+more; just a chance word here and there if a voice was raised, which merely
+served to whet his curiosity still farther.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He eyed the handle of the door tentatively. Could he turn it by degrees so
+gently and imperceptibly that those in the room would notice nothing? He
+decided that with great care it could be done. Very slowly, a fraction of an
+inch at a time, he moved it round, holding his breath in his excessive care. A
+little more&mdash;a little more still&mdash;would it never be finished? Ah! at
+last it would turn no farther.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He stayed so for a minute or two, then drew a deep breath, and pressed it ever
+so slightly inward. The door did not budge. Tommy was annoyed. If he had to use
+too much force, it would almost certainly creak. He waited until the voices
+rose a little, then he tried again. Still nothing happened. He increased the
+pressure. Had the beastly thing stuck? Finally, in desperation, he pushed with
+all his might. But the door remained firm, and at last the truth dawned upon
+him. It was locked or bolted on the inside.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment or two Tommy&rsquo;s indignation got the better of him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;m damned!&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;What a dirty
+trick!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As his indignation cooled, he prepared to face the situation. Clearly the first
+thing to be done was to restore the handle to its original position. If he let
+it go suddenly, the men inside would be almost certain to notice it, so, with
+the same infinite pains, he reversed his former tactics. All went well, and
+with a sigh of relief the young man rose to his feet. There was a certain
+bulldog tenacity about Tommy that made him slow to admit defeat. Checkmated for
+the moment, he was far from abandoning the conflict. He still intended to hear
+what was going on in the locked room. As one plan had failed, he must hunt
+about for another.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked round him. A little farther along the passage on the left was a
+second door. He slipped silently along to it. He listened for a moment or two,
+then tried the handle. It yielded, and he slipped inside.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The room, which was untenanted, was furnished as a bedroom. Like everything
+else in the house, the furniture was falling to pieces, and the dirt was, if
+anything, more abundant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But what interested Tommy was the thing he had hoped to find, a communicating
+door between the two rooms, up on the left by the window. Carefully closing the
+door into the passage behind him, he stepped across to the other and examined
+it closely. The bolt was shot across it. It was very rusty, and had clearly not
+been used for some time. By gently wriggling it to and fro, Tommy managed to
+draw it back without making too much noise. Then he repeated his former
+man&oelig;uvres with the handle&mdash;this time with complete success. The door
+swung open&mdash;a crack, a mere fraction, but enough for Tommy to hear what
+went on. There was a velvet <i>portière</i> on the inside of this door which
+prevented him from seeing, but he was able to recognize the voices with a
+reasonable amount of accuracy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Sinn Feiner was speaking. His rich Irish voice was unmistakable:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all very well. But more money is essential. No
+money&mdash;no results!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Another voice which Tommy rather thought was that of Boris replied:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Will you guarantee that there <i>are</i> results?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In a month from now&mdash;sooner or later as you wish&mdash;I will
+guarantee you such a reign of terror in Ireland as shall shake the British
+Empire to its foundations.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a pause, and then came the soft, sibilant accents of Number One:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good! You shall have the money. Boris, you will see to that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Boris asked a question:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Via the Irish Americans, and Mr. Potter as usual?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess that&rsquo;ll be all right!&rdquo; said a new voice, with a
+transatlantic intonation, &ldquo;though I&rsquo;d like to point out, here and
+now, that things are getting a mite difficult. There&rsquo;s not the sympathy
+there was, and a growing disposition to let the Irish settle their own affairs
+without interference from America.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy felt that Boris had shrugged his shoulders as he answered:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Does that matter, since the money only nominally comes from the
+States?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The chief difficulty is the landing of the ammunition,&rdquo; said the
+Sinn Feiner. &ldquo;The money is conveyed in easily enough&mdash;thanks to our
+colleague here.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Another voice, which Tommy fancied was that of the tall, commanding-looking man
+whose face had seemed familiar to him, said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Think of the feelings of Belfast if they could hear you!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is settled, then,&rdquo; said the sibilant tones. &ldquo;Now, in
+the matter of the loan to an English newspaper, you have arranged the details
+satisfactorily, Boris?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is good. An official denial from Moscow will be forthcoming if
+necessary.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a pause, and then the clear voice of the German broke the silence:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am directed by&mdash;Mr. Brown, to place the summaries of the reports
+from the different unions before you. That of the miners is most satisfactory.
+We must hold back the railways. There may be trouble with the A.S.E.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a long time there was a silence, broken only by the rustle of papers and an
+occasional word of explanation from the German. Then Tommy heard the light
+tap-tap of fingers, drumming on the table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And&mdash;the date, my friend?&rdquo; said Number One.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The 29th.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian seemed to consider:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is rather soon.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know. But it was settled by the principal Labour leaders, and we
+cannot seem to interfere too much. They must believe it to be entirely their
+own show.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian laughed softly, as though amused.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, yes,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;That is true. They must have no inkling
+that we are using them for our own ends. They are honest men&mdash;and that is
+their value to us. It is curious&mdash;but you cannot make a revolution without
+honest men. The instinct of the populace is infallible.&rdquo; He paused, and
+then repeated, as though the phrase pleased him: &ldquo;Every revolution has
+had its honest men. They are soon disposed of afterwards.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a sinister note in his voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German resumed:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Clymes must go. He is too far-seeing. Number Fourteen will see to
+that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a hoarse murmur.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right, gov&rsquo;nor.&rdquo; And then after a moment or
+two: &ldquo;Suppose I&rsquo;m nabbed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You will have the best legal talent to defend you,&rdquo; replied the
+German quietly. &ldquo;But in any case you will wear gloves fitted with the
+finger-prints of a notorious housebreaker. You have little to fear.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I ain&rsquo;t afraid, gov&rsquo;nor. All for the good of the cause.
+The streets is going to run with blood, so they say.&rdquo; He spoke with a
+grim relish. &ldquo;Dreams of it, sometimes, I does. And diamonds and pearls
+rolling about in the gutter for anyone to pick up!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy heard a chair shifted. Then Number One spoke:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then all is arranged. We are assured of success?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&mdash;think so.&rdquo; But the German spoke with less than his usual
+confidence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Number One&rsquo;s voice held suddenly a dangerous quality:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What has gone wrong?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing; but&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But what?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The Labour leaders. Without them, as you say, we can do nothing. If they
+do not declare a general strike on the 29th&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why should they not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As you&rsquo;ve said, they&rsquo;re honest. And, in spite of everything
+we&rsquo;ve done to discredit the Government in their eyes, I&rsquo;m not sure
+that they haven&rsquo;t got a sneaking faith and belief in it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know. They abuse it unceasingly. But, on the whole, public opinion
+swings to the side of the Government. They will not go against it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again the Russian&rsquo;s fingers drummed on the table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To the point, my friend. I was given to understand that there was a
+certain document in existence which assured success.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is so. If that document were placed before the leaders, the result
+would be immediate. They would publish it broadcast throughout England, and
+declare for the revolution without a moment&rsquo;s hesitation. The Government
+would be broken finally and completely.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then what more do you want?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The document itself,&rdquo; said the German bluntly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah! It is not in your possession? But you know where it is?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Does anyone know where it is?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One person&mdash;perhaps. And we are not sure of that even.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who is this person?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A girl.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy held his breath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A girl?&rdquo; The Russian&rsquo;s voice rose contemptuously. &ldquo;And
+you have not made her speak? In Russia we have ways of making a girl
+talk.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This case is different,&rdquo; said the German sullenly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How&mdash;different?&rdquo; He paused a moment, then went on:
+&ldquo;Where is the girl now?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The girl?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She is&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Tommy heard no more. A crashing blow descended on his head, and all was
+darkness.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap09"></a>CHAPTER IX.<br/>
+TUPPENCE ENTERS DOMESTIC SERVICE</h2>
+
+<p>
+When Tommy set forth on the trail of the two men, it took all Tuppence&rsquo;s
+self-command to refrain from accompanying him. However, she contained herself
+as best she might, consoled by the reflection that her reasoning had been
+justified by events. The two men had undoubtedly come from the second floor
+flat, and that one slender thread of the name &ldquo;Rita&rdquo; had set the
+Young Adventurers once more upon the track of the abductors of Jane Finn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The question was what to do next? Tuppence hated letting the grass grow under
+her feet. Tommy was amply employed, and debarred from joining him in the chase,
+the girl felt at a loose end. She retraced her steps to the entrance hall of
+the mansions. It was now tenanted by a small lift-boy, who was polishing brass
+fittings, and whistling the latest air with a good deal of vigour and a
+reasonable amount of accuracy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He glanced round at Tuppence&rsquo;s entry. There was a certain amount of the
+gamin element in the girl, at all events she invariably got on well with small
+boys. A sympathetic bond seemed instantly to be formed. She reflected that an
+ally in the enemy&rsquo;s camp, so to speak, was not to be despised.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, William,&rdquo; she remarked cheerfully, in the best approved
+hospital-early-morning style, &ldquo;getting a good shine up?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The boy grinned responsively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Albert, miss,&rdquo; he corrected.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Albert be it,&rdquo; said Tuppence. She glanced mysteriously round the
+hall. The effect was purposely a broad one in case Albert should miss it. She
+leaned towards the boy and dropped her voice: &ldquo;I want a word with you,
+Albert.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert ceased operations on the fittings and opened his mouth slightly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Look! Do you know what this is?&rdquo; With a dramatic gesture she flung
+back the left side of her coat and exposed a small enamelled badge. It was
+extremely unlikely that Albert would have any knowledge of it&mdash;indeed, it
+would have been fatal for Tuppence&rsquo;s plans, since the badge in question
+was the device of a local training corps originated by the archdeacon in the
+early days of the war. Its presence in Tuppence&rsquo;s coat was due to the
+fact that she had used it for pinning in some flowers a day or two before. But
+Tuppence had sharp eyes, and had noted the corner of a threepenny detective
+novel protruding from Albert&rsquo;s pocket, and the immediate enlargement of
+his eyes told her that her tactics were good, and that the fish would rise to
+the bait.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;American Detective Force!&rdquo; she hissed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert fell for it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Lord!&rdquo; he murmured ecstatically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded at him with the air of one who has established a thorough
+understanding.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Know who I&rsquo;m after?&rdquo; she inquired genially.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert, still round-eyed, demanded breathlessly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One of the flats?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded and jerked a thumb up the stairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No. 20. Calls herself Vandemeyer. Vandemeyer! Ha! ha!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert&rsquo;s hand stole to his pocket.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A crook?&rdquo; he queried eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A crook? I should say so. Ready Rita they call her in the States.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ready Rita,&rdquo; repeated Albert deliriously. &ldquo;Oh, ain&rsquo;t
+it just like the pictures!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was. Tuppence was a great frequenter of the cinema.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Annie always said as how she was a bad lot,&rdquo; continued the boy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who&rsquo;s Annie?&rdquo; inquired Tuppence idly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;&lsquo;Ouse-parlourmaid. She&rsquo;s leaving to-day. Many&rsquo;s the
+time Annie&rsquo;s said to me: &lsquo;Mark my words, Albert, I wouldn&rsquo;t
+wonder if the police was to come after her one of these days.&rsquo; Just like
+that. But she&rsquo;s a stunner to look at, ain&rsquo;t she?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s some peach,&rdquo; allowed Tuppence carelessly. &ldquo;Finds
+it useful in her lay-out, you bet. Has she been wearing any of the emeralds, by
+the way?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Emeralds? Them&rsquo;s the green stones, isn&rsquo;t they?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s what we&rsquo;re after her for. You know old man
+Rysdale?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Peter B. Rysdale, the oil king?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It seems sort of familiar to me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The sparklers belonged to him. Finest collection of emeralds in the
+world. Worth a million dollars!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Lumme!&rdquo; came ecstatically from Albert. &ldquo;It sounds more like
+the pictures every minute.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence smiled, gratified at the success of her efforts.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We haven&rsquo;t exactly proved it yet. But we&rsquo;re after her.
+And&rdquo;&mdash;she produced a long-drawn-out wink&mdash;&ldquo;I guess she
+won&rsquo;t get away with the goods this time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert uttered another ejaculation indicative of delight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mind you, sonny, not a word of this,&rdquo; said Tuppence suddenly.
+&ldquo;I guess I oughtn&rsquo;t to have put you wise, but in the States we know
+a real smart lad when we see one.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll not breathe a word,&rdquo; protested Albert eagerly.
+&ldquo;Ain&rsquo;t there anything I could do? A bit of shadowing, maybe, or
+such like?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence affected to consider, then shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not at the moment, but I&rsquo;ll bear you in mind, son. What&rsquo;s
+this about the girl you say is leaving?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Annie? Regular turn up, they &lsquo;ad. As Annie said, servants is some
+one nowadays, and to be treated accordingly, and, what with her passing the
+word round, she won&rsquo;t find it so easy to get another.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Won&rsquo;t she?&rdquo; said Tuppence thoughtfully. &ldquo;I
+wonder&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+An idea was dawning in her brain. She thought a minute or two, then tapped
+Albert on the shoulder.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;See here, son, my brain&rsquo;s got busy. How would it be if you
+mentioned that you&rsquo;d got a young cousin, or a friend of yours had, that
+might suit the place. You get me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m there,&rdquo; said Albert instantly. &ldquo;You leave it to
+me, miss, and I&rsquo;ll fix the whole thing up in two ticks.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Some lad!&rdquo; commented Tuppence, with a nod of approval. &ldquo;You
+might say that the young woman could come in right away. You let me know, and
+if it&rsquo;s O.K. I&rsquo;ll be round to-morrow at eleven
+o&rsquo;clock.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where am I to let you know to?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;<i>Ritz</i>,&rdquo; replied Tuppence laconically. &ldquo;Name of
+Cowley.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert eyed her enviously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It must be a good job, this tec business.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It sure is,&rdquo; drawled Tuppence, &ldquo;especially when old man
+Rysdale backs the bill. But don&rsquo;t fret, son. If this goes well, you shall
+come in on the ground floor.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With which promise she took leave of her new ally, and walked briskly away from
+South Audley Mansions, well pleased with her morning&rsquo;s work.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But there was no time to be lost. She went straight back to the <i>Ritz</i> and
+wrote a few brief words to Mr. Carter. Having dispatched this, and Tommy not
+having yet returned&mdash;which did not surprise her&mdash;she started off on a
+shopping expedition which, with an interval for tea and assorted creamy cakes,
+occupied her until well after six o&rsquo;clock, and she returned to the hotel
+jaded, but satisfied with her purchases. Starting with a cheap clothing store,
+and passing through one or two second-hand establishments, she had finished the
+day at a well-known hairdresser&rsquo;s. Now, in the seclusion of her bedroom,
+she unwrapped that final purchase. Five minutes later she smiled contentedly at
+her reflection in the glass. With an actress&rsquo;s pencil she had slightly
+altered the line of her eyebrows, and that, taken in conjunction with the new
+luxuriant growth of fair hair above, so changed her appearance that she felt
+confident that even if she came face to face with Whittington he would not
+recognize her. She would wear elevators in her shoes, and the cap and apron
+would be an even more valuable disguise. From hospital experience she knew only
+too well that a nurse out of uniform is frequently unrecognized by her
+patients.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Tuppence aloud, nodding at the pert reflection in the
+glass, &ldquo;you&rsquo;ll do.&rdquo; She then resumed her normal appearance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dinner was a solitary meal. Tuppence was rather surprised at Tommy&rsquo;s
+non-return. Julius, too, was absent&mdash;but that to the girl&rsquo;s mind was
+more easily explained. His &ldquo;hustling&rdquo; activities were not confined
+to London, and his abrupt appearances and disappearances were fully accepted by
+the Young Adventurers as part of the day&rsquo;s work. It was quite on the
+cards that Julius P. Hersheimmer had left for Constantinople at a
+moment&rsquo;s notice if he fancied that a clue to his cousin&rsquo;s
+disappearance was to be found there. The energetic young man had succeeded in
+making the lives of several Scotland Yard men unbearable to them, and the
+telephone girls at the Admiralty had learned to know and dread the familiar
+&ldquo;Hullo!&rdquo; He had spent three hours in Paris hustling the Prefecture,
+and had returned from there imbued with the idea, possibly inspired by a weary
+French official, that the true clue to the mystery was to be found in Ireland.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I dare say he&rsquo;s dashed off there now,&rdquo; thought Tuppence.
+&ldquo;All very well, but this is very dull for <i>me!</i> Here I am bursting
+with news, and absolutely no one to tell it to! Tommy might have wired, or
+something. I wonder where he is. Anyway, he can&rsquo;t have &lsquo;lost the
+trail&rsquo; as they say. That reminds me&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; And Miss Cowley
+broke off in her meditations, and summoned a small boy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ten minutes later the lady was ensconced comfortably on her bed, smoking
+cigarettes and deep in the perusal of <i>Garnaby Williams, the Boy
+Detective</i>, which, with other threepenny works of lurid fiction, she had
+sent out to purchase. She felt, and rightly, that before the strain of
+attempting further intercourse with Albert, it would be as well to fortify
+herself with a good supply of local colour.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The morning brought a note from Mr. Carter:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;DEAR MISS TUPPENCE,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You have made a splendid start, and I congratulate you. I feel, though,
+that I should like to point out to you once more the risks you are running,
+especially if you pursue the course you indicate. Those people are absolutely
+desperate and incapable of either mercy or pity. I feel that you probably
+underestimate the danger, and therefore warn you again that I can promise you
+no protection. You have given us valuable information, and if you choose to
+withdraw now no one could blame you. At any rate, think the matter over well
+before you decide.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If, in spite of my warnings, you make up your mind to go through with
+it, you will find everything arranged. You have lived for two years with Miss
+Dufferin, The Parsonage, Llanelly, and Mrs. Vandemeyer can apply to her for a
+reference.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;May I be permitted a word or two of advice? Stick as near to the truth
+as possible&mdash;it minimizes the danger of &lsquo;slips.&rsquo; I suggest
+that you should represent yourself to be what you are, a former V.A.D., who has
+chosen domestic service as a profession. There are many such at the present
+time. That explains away any incongruities of voice or manner which otherwise
+might awaken suspicion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Whichever way you decide, good luck to you.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your sincere friend,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;MR. CARTER.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence&rsquo;s spirits rose mercurially. Mr. Carter&rsquo;s warnings passed
+unheeded. The young lady had far too much confidence in herself to pay any heed
+to them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With some reluctance she abandoned the interesting part she had sketched out
+for herself. Although she had no doubts of her own powers to sustain a role
+indefinitely, she had too much common sense not to recognize the force of Mr.
+Carter&rsquo;s arguments.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was still no word or message from Tommy, but the morning post brought a
+somewhat dirty postcard with the words: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s O.K.&rdquo; scrawled
+upon it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At ten-thirty Tuppence surveyed with pride a slightly battered tin trunk
+containing her new possessions. It was artistically corded. It was with a
+slight blush that she rang the bell and ordered it to be placed in a taxi. She
+drove to Paddington, and left the box in the cloak room. She then repaired with
+a handbag to the fastnesses of the ladies&rsquo; waiting-room. Ten minutes
+later a metamorphosed Tuppence walked demurely out of the station and entered a
+bus.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was a few minutes past eleven when Tuppence again entered the hall of South
+Audley Mansions. Albert was on the look-out, attending to his duties in a
+somewhat desultory fashion. He did not immediately recognize Tuppence. When he
+did, his admiration was unbounded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Blest if I&rsquo;d have known you! That rig-out&rsquo;s top-hole.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Glad you like it, Albert,&rdquo; replied Tuppence modestly. &ldquo;By
+the way, am I your cousin, or am I not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your voice too,&rdquo; cried the delighted boy. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s as
+English as anything! No, I said as a friend of mine knew a young gal. Annie
+wasn&rsquo;t best pleased. She&rsquo;s stopped on till to-day&mdash;to oblige,
+<i>she</i> said, but really it&rsquo;s so as to put you against the
+place.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nice girl,&rdquo; said Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert suspected no irony.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s style about her, and keeps her silver a treat&mdash;but, my
+word, ain&rsquo;t she got a temper. Are you going up now, miss? Step inside the
+lift. No. 20 did you say?&rdquo; And he winked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence quelled him with a stern glance, and stepped inside.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As she rang the bell of No. 20 she was conscious of Albert&rsquo;s eyes slowly
+descending beneath the level of the floor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A smart young woman opened the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve come about the place,&rdquo; said Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a rotten place,&rdquo; said the young woman without
+hesitation. &ldquo;Regular old cat&mdash;always interfering. Accused me of
+tampering with her letters. Me! The flap was half undone anyway. There&rsquo;s
+never anything in the waste-paper basket&mdash;she burns everything.
+She&rsquo;s a wrong &lsquo;un, that&rsquo;s what she is. Swell clothes, but no
+class. Cook knows something about her&mdash;but she won&rsquo;t
+tell&mdash;scared to death of her. And suspicious! She&rsquo;s on to you in a
+minute if you as much as speak to a fellow. I can tell you&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But what more Annie could tell, Tuppence was never destined to learn, for at
+that moment a clear voice with a peculiarly steely ring to it called:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Annie!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The smart young woman jumped as if she had been shot.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who are you talking to?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a young woman about the situation, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Show her in then. At once.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence was ushered into a room on the right of the long passage. A woman was
+standing by the fireplace. She was no longer in her first youth, and the beauty
+she undeniably possessed was hardened and coarsened. In her youth she must have
+been dazzling. Her pale gold hair, owing a slight assistance to art, was coiled
+low on her neck, her eyes, of a piercing electric blue, seemed to possess a
+faculty of boring into the very soul of the person she was looking at. Her
+exquisite figure was enhanced by a wonderful gown of indigo charmeuse. And yet,
+despite her swaying grace, and the almost ethereal beauty of her face, you felt
+instinctively the presence of something hard and menacing, a kind of metallic
+strength that found expression in the tones of her voice and in that
+gimlet-like quality of her eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For the first time Tuppence felt afraid. She had not feared Whittington, but
+this woman was different. As if fascinated, she watched the long cruel line of
+the red curving mouth, and again she felt that sensation of panic pass over
+her. Her usual self-confidence deserted her. Vaguely she felt that deceiving
+this woman would be very different to deceiving Whittington. Mr. Carter&rsquo;s
+warning recurred to her mind. Here, indeed, she might expect no mercy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Fighting down that instinct of panic which urged her to turn tail and run
+without further delay, Tuppence returned the lady&rsquo;s gaze firmly and
+respectfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As though that first scrutiny had been satisfactory, Mrs. Vandemeyer motioned
+to a chair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You can sit down. How did you hear I wanted a house-parlourmaid?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Through a friend who knows the lift boy here. He thought the place might
+suit me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again that basilisk glance seemed to pierce her through.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You speak like an educated girl?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Glibly enough, Tuppence ran through her imaginary career on the lines suggested
+by Mr. Carter. It seemed to her, as she did so, that the tension of Mrs.
+Vandemeyer&rsquo;s attitude relaxed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I see,&rdquo; she remarked at length. &ldquo;Is there anyone I can write
+to for a reference?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I lived last with a Miss Dufferin, The Parsonage, Llanelly. I was with
+her two years.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And then you thought you would get more money by coming to London, I
+suppose? Well, it doesn&rsquo;t matter to me. I will give you
+£50&mdash;£60&mdash;whatever you want. You can come in at once?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, ma&rsquo;am. To-day, if you like. My box is at Paddington.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Go and fetch it in a taxi, then. It&rsquo;s an easy place. I am out a
+good deal. By the way, what&rsquo;s your name?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Prudence Cooper, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very well, Prudence. Go away and fetch your box. I shall be out to
+lunch. The cook will show you where everything is.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence withdrew. The smart Annie was not in evidence. In the hall below a
+magnificent hall porter had relegated Albert to the background. Tuppence did
+not even glance at him as she passed meekly out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The adventure had begun, but she felt less elated than she had done earlier in
+the morning. It crossed her mind that if the unknown Jane Finn had fallen into
+the hands of Mrs. Vandemeyer, it was likely to have gone hard with her.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap10"></a>CHAPTER X.<br/>
+ENTER SIR JAMES PEEL EDGERTON</h2>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence betrayed no awkwardness in her new duties. The daughters of the
+archdeacon were well grounded in household tasks. They were also experts in
+training a &ldquo;raw girl,&rdquo; the inevitable result being that the raw
+girl, once trained, departed elsewhere where her newly acquired knowledge
+commanded a more substantial remuneration than the archdeacon&rsquo;s meagre
+purse allowed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence had therefore very little fear of proving inefficient. Mrs.
+Vandemeyer&rsquo;s cook puzzled her. She evidently went in deadly terror of her
+mistress. The girl thought it probable that the other woman had some hold over
+her. For the rest, she cooked like a <i>chef</i>, as Tuppence had an
+opportunity of judging that evening. Mrs. Vandemeyer was expecting a guest to
+dinner, and Tuppence accordingly laid the beautifully polished table for two.
+She was a little exercised in her own mind as to this visitor. It was highly
+possible that it might prove to be Whittington. Although she felt fairly
+confident that he would not recognize her, yet she would have been better
+pleased had the guest proved to be a total stranger. However, there was nothing
+for it but to hope for the best.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At a few minutes past eight the front door bell rang, and Tuppence went to
+answer it with some inward trepidation. She was relieved to see that the
+visitor was the second of the two men whom Tommy had taken upon himself to
+follow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He gave his name as Count Stepanov. Tuppence announced him, and Mrs. Vandemeyer
+rose from her seat on a low divan with a quick murmur of pleasure.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is delightful to see you, Boris Ivanovitch,&rdquo; she said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And you, madame!&rdquo; He bowed low over her hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence returned to the kitchen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Count Stepanov, or some such,&rdquo; she remarked, and affecting a frank
+and unvarnished curiosity: &ldquo;Who&rsquo;s he?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A Russian gentleman, I believe.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come here much?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Once in a while. What d&rsquo;you want to know for?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Fancied he might be sweet on the missus, that&rsquo;s all,&rdquo;
+explained the girl, adding with an appearance of sulkiness: &ldquo;How you do
+take one up!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not quite easy in my mind about the <i>soufflé</i>,&rdquo;
+explained the other.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You know something,&rdquo; thought Tuppence to herself, but aloud she
+only said: &ldquo;Going to dish up now? Right-o.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whilst waiting at table, Tuppence listened closely to all that was said. She
+remembered that this was one of the men Tommy was shadowing when she had last
+seen him. Already, although she would hardly admit it, she was becoming uneasy
+about her partner. Where was he? Why had no word of any kind come from him? She
+had arranged before leaving the <i>Ritz</i> to have all letters or messages
+sent on at once by special messenger to a small stationer&rsquo;s shop near at
+hand where Albert was to call in frequently. True, it was only yesterday
+morning that she had parted from Tommy, and she told herself that any anxiety
+on his behalf would be absurd. Still, it was strange that he had sent no word
+of any kind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But, listen as she might, the conversation presented no clue. Boris and Mrs.
+Vandemeyer talked on purely indifferent subjects: plays they had seen, new
+dances, and the latest society gossip. After dinner they repaired to the small
+boudoir where Mrs. Vandemeyer, stretched on the divan, looked more wickedly
+beautiful than ever. Tuppence brought in the coffee and liqueurs and
+unwillingly retired. As she did so, she heard Boris say:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;New, isn&rsquo;t she?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She came in to-day. The other was a fiend. This girl seems all right.
+She waits well.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence lingered a moment longer by the door which she had carefully neglected
+to close, and heard him say:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quite safe, I suppose?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Really, Boris, you are absurdly suspicious. I believe she&rsquo;s the
+cousin of the hall porter, or something of the kind. And nobody even dreams
+that I have any connection with our&mdash;mutual friend, Mr. Brown.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;For heaven&rsquo;s sake, be careful, Rita. That door isn&rsquo;t
+shut.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, shut it then,&rdquo; laughed the woman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence removed herself speedily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She dared not absent herself longer from the back premises, but she cleared
+away and washed up with a breathless speed acquired in hospital. Then she
+slipped quietly back to the boudoir door. The cook, more leisurely, was still
+busy in the kitchen and, if she missed the other, would only suppose her to be
+turning down the beds.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Alas! The conversation inside was being carried on in too low a tone to permit
+of her hearing anything of it. She dared not reopen the door, however gently.
+Mrs. Vandemeyer was sitting almost facing it, and Tuppence respected her
+mistress&rsquo;s lynx-eyed powers of observation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nevertheless, she felt she would give a good deal to overhear what was going
+on. Possibly, if anything unforeseen had happened, she might get news of Tommy.
+For some moments she reflected desperately, then her face brightened. She went
+quickly along the passage to Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s bedroom, which had long
+French windows leading on to a balcony that ran the length of the flat.
+Slipping quickly through the window, Tuppence crept noiselessly along till she
+reached the boudoir window. As she had thought it stood a little ajar, and the
+voices within were plainly audible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence listened attentively, but there was no mention of anything that could
+be twisted to apply to Tommy. Mrs. Vandemeyer and the Russian seemed to be at
+variance over some matter, and finally the latter exclaimed bitterly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;With your persistent recklessness, you will end by ruining us!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Bah!&rdquo; laughed the woman. &ldquo;Notoriety of the right kind is the
+best way of disarming suspicion. You will realize that one of these
+days&mdash;perhaps sooner than you think!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In the meantime, you are going about everywhere with Peel Edgerton. Not
+only is he, perhaps, the most celebrated K.C. in England, but his special hobby
+is criminology! It is madness!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know that his eloquence has saved untold men from the gallows,&rdquo;
+said Mrs. Vandemeyer calmly. &ldquo;What of it? I may need his assistance in
+that line myself some day. If so, how fortunate to have such a friend at
+court&mdash;or perhaps it would be more to the point to say <i>in</i>
+court.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Boris got up and began striding up and down. He was very excited.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are a clever woman, Rita; but you are also a fool! Be guided by me,
+and give up Peel Edgerton.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer shook her head gently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think not.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You refuse?&rdquo; There was an ugly ring in the Russian&rsquo;s voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I do.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then, by Heaven,&rdquo; snarled the Russian, &ldquo;we will
+see&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Mrs. Vandemeyer also rose to her feet, her eyes flashing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You forget, Boris,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I am accountable to no one. I
+take my orders only from&mdash;Mr. Brown.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other threw up his hands in despair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are impossible,&rdquo; he muttered. &ldquo;Impossible! Already it
+may be too late. They say Peel Edgerton can <i>smell</i> a criminal! How do we
+know what is at the bottom of his sudden interest in you? Perhaps even now his
+suspicions are aroused. He guesses&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer eyed him scornfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Reassure yourself, my dear Boris. He suspects nothing. With less than
+your usual chivalry, you seem to forget that I am commonly accounted a
+beautiful woman. I assure you that is all that interests Peel Edgerton.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Boris shook his head doubtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He has studied crime as no other man in this kingdom has studied it. Do
+you fancy that you can deceive him?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s eyes narrowed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If he is all that you say&mdash;it would amuse me to try!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good heavens, Rita&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Besides,&rdquo; added Mrs. Vandemeyer, &ldquo;he is extremely rich. I am
+not one who despises money. The &lsquo;sinews of war,&rsquo; you know,
+Boris!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Money&mdash;money! That is always the danger with you, Rita. I believe
+you would sell your soul for money. I believe&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; He paused,
+then in a low, sinister voice he said slowly: &ldquo;Sometimes I believe that
+you would sell&mdash; <i>us!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The price, at any rate, would have to be enormous,&rdquo; she said
+lightly. &ldquo;It would be beyond the power of anyone but a millionaire to
+pay.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; snarled the Russian. &ldquo;You see, I was right!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My dear Boris, can you not take a joke?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Was it a joke?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then all I can say is that your ideas of humour are peculiar, my dear
+Rita.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer smiled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let us not quarrel, Boris. Touch the bell. We will have some
+drinks.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence beat a hasty retreat. She paused a moment to survey herself in Mrs.
+Vandemeyer&rsquo;s long glass, and be sure that nothing was amiss with her
+appearance. Then she answered the bell demurely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The conversation that she had overheard, although interesting in that it proved
+beyond doubt the complicity of both Rita and Boris, threw very little light on
+the present preoccupations. The name of Jane Finn had not even been mentioned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The following morning a few brief words with Albert informed her that nothing
+was waiting for her at the stationer&rsquo;s. It seemed incredible that Tommy,
+if all was well with him, should not send any word to her. A cold hand seemed
+to close round her heart.... Supposing.... She choked her fears down bravely.
+It was no good worrying. But she leapt at a chance offered her by Mrs.
+Vandemeyer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What day do you usually go out, Prudence?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Friday&rsquo;s my usual day, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer lifted her eyebrows.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And to-day is Friday! But I suppose you hardly wish to go out to-day, as
+you only came yesterday.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I was thinking of asking you if I might, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer looked at her a minute longer, and then smiled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wish Count Stepanov could hear you. He made a suggestion about you
+last night.&rdquo; Her smile broadened, catlike. &ldquo;Your request is
+very&mdash;typical. I am satisfied. You do not understand all this&mdash;but
+you can go out to-day. It makes no difference to me, as I shall not be dining
+at home.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence felt a sensation of relief once she was out of the other&rsquo;s
+presence. Once again she admitted to herself that she was afraid, horribly
+afraid, of the beautiful woman with the cruel eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the midst of a final desultory polishing of her silver, Tuppence was
+disturbed by the ringing of the front door bell, and went to answer it. This
+time the visitor was neither Whittington nor Boris, but a man of striking
+appearance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just a shade over average height, he nevertheless conveyed the impression of a
+big man. His face, clean-shaven and exquisitely mobile, was stamped with an
+expression of power and force far beyond the ordinary. Magnetism seemed to
+radiate from him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence was undecided for the moment whether to put him down as an actor or a
+lawyer, but her doubts were soon solved as he gave her his name: Sir James Peel
+Edgerton.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She looked at him with renewed interest. This, then, was the famous K.C. whose
+name was familiar all over England. She had heard it said that he might one day
+be Prime Minister. He was known to have refused office in the interests of his
+profession, preferring to remain a simple Member for a Scotch constituency.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence went back to her pantry thoughtfully. The great man had impressed her.
+She understood Boris&rsquo;s agitation. Peel Edgerton would not be an easy man
+to deceive.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In about a quarter of an hour the bell rang, and Tuppence repaired to the hall
+to show the visitor out. He had given her a piercing glance before. Now, as she
+handed him his hat and stick, she was conscious of his eyes raking her through.
+As she opened the door and stood aside to let him pass out, he stopped in the
+doorway.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not been doing this long, eh?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence raised her eyes, astonished. She read in his glance kindliness, and
+something else more difficult to fathom.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He nodded as though she had answered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;V.A.D. and hard up, I suppose?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Did Mrs. Vandemeyer tell you that?&rdquo; asked Tuppence suspiciously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, child. The look of you told me. Good place here?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very good, thank you, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, but there are plenty of good places nowadays. And a change does no
+harm sometimes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you mean&mdash;&mdash;?&rdquo; began Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Sir James was already on the topmost stair. He looked back with his kindly,
+shrewd glance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just a hint,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence went back to the pantry more thoughtful than ever.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap11"></a>CHAPTER XI.<br/>
+JULIUS TELLS A STORY</h2>
+
+<p>
+Dressed appropriately, Tuppence duly sallied forth for her &ldquo;afternoon
+out.&rdquo; Albert was in temporary abeyance, but Tuppence went herself to the
+stationer&rsquo;s to make quite sure that nothing had come for her. Satisfied
+on this point, she made her way to the <i>Ritz</i>. On inquiry she learnt that
+Tommy had not yet returned. It was the answer she had expected, but it was
+another nail in the coffin of her hopes. She resolved to appeal to Mr. Carter,
+telling him when and where Tommy had started on his quest, and asking him to do
+something to trace him. The prospect of his aid revived her mercurial spirits,
+and she next inquired for Julius Hersheimmer. The reply she got was to the
+effect that he had returned about half an hour ago, but had gone out
+immediately.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence&rsquo;s spirits revived still more. It would be something to see
+Julius. Perhaps he could devise some plan for finding out what had become of
+Tommy. She wrote her note to Mr. Carter in Julius&rsquo;s sitting-room, and was
+just addressing the envelope when the door burst open.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What the hell&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; began Julius, but checked himself
+abruptly. &ldquo;I beg your pardon, Miss Tuppence. Those fools down at the
+office would have it that Beresford wasn&rsquo;t here any
+longer&mdash;hadn&rsquo;t been here since Wednesday. Is that so?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t know where he is?&rdquo; she asked faintly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I? How should I know? I haven&rsquo;t had one darned word from him,
+though I wired him yesterday morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I expect your wire&rsquo;s at the office unopened.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But where is he?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. I hoped you might.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I tell you I haven&rsquo;t had one darned word from him since we parted
+at the depot on Wednesday.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What depot?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Waterloo. Your London and South Western road.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Waterloo?&rdquo; frowned Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why, yes. Didn&rsquo;t he tell you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t seen him either,&rdquo; replied Tuppence impatiently.
+&ldquo;Go on about Waterloo. What were you doing there?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He gave me a call. Over the phone. Told me to get a move on, and hustle.
+Said he was trailing two crooks.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tuppence, her eyes opening. &ldquo;I see. Go on.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I hurried along right away. Beresford was there. He pointed out the
+crooks. The big one was mine, the guy you bluffed. Tommy shoved a ticket into
+my hand and told me to get aboard the cars. He was going to sleuth the other
+crook.&rdquo; Julius paused. &ldquo;I thought for sure you&rsquo;d know all
+this.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Julius,&rdquo; said Tuppence firmly, &ldquo;stop walking up and down. It
+makes me giddy. Sit down in that armchair, and tell me the whole story with as
+few fancy turns of speech as possible.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Hersheimmer obeyed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Where shall I begin?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where you left off. At Waterloo.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; began Julius, &ldquo;I got into one of your dear
+old-fashioned first-class British compartments. The train was just off. First
+thing I knew a guard came along and informed me mighty politely that I
+wasn&rsquo;t in a smoking-carriage. I handed him out half a dollar, and that
+settled that. I did a bit of prospecting along the corridor to the next coach.
+Whittington was there right enough. When I saw the skunk, with his big sleek
+fat face, and thought of poor little Jane in his clutches, I felt real mad that
+I hadn&rsquo;t got a gun with me. I&rsquo;d have tickled him up some.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We got to Bournemouth all right. Whittington took a cab and gave the
+name of an hotel. I did likewise, and we drove up within three minutes of each
+other. He hired a room, and I hired one too. So far it was all plain sailing.
+He hadn&rsquo;t the remotest notion that anyone was on to him. Well, he just
+sat around in the hotel lounge, reading the papers and so on, till it was time
+for dinner. He didn&rsquo;t hurry any over that either.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I began to think that there was nothing doing, that he&rsquo;d just come
+on the trip for his health, but I remembered that he hadn&rsquo;t changed for
+dinner, though it was by way of being a slap-up hotel, so it seemed likely
+enough that he&rsquo;d be going out on his real business afterwards.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure enough, about nine o&rsquo;clock, so he did. Took a car across the
+town&mdash;mighty pretty place by the way, I guess I&rsquo;ll take Jane there
+for a spell when I find her&mdash;and then paid it off and struck out along
+those pine-woods on the top of the cliff. I was there too, you understand. We
+walked, maybe, for half an hour. There&rsquo;s a lot of villas all the way
+along, but by degrees they seemed to get more and more thinned out, and in the
+end we got to one that seemed the last of the bunch. Big house it was, with a
+lot of piny grounds around it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was a pretty black night, and the carriage drive up to the house was
+dark as pitch. I could hear him ahead, though I couldn&rsquo;t see him. I had
+to walk carefully in case he might get on to it that he was being followed. I
+turned a curve and I was just in time to see him ring the bell and get admitted
+to the house. I just stopped where I was. It was beginning to rain, and I was
+soon pretty near soaked through. Also, it was almighty cold.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Whittington didn&rsquo;t come out again, and by and by I got kind of
+restive, and began to mouch around. All the ground floor windows were shuttered
+tight, but upstairs, on the first floor (it was a two-storied house) I noticed
+a window with a light burning and the curtains not drawn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now, just opposite to that window, there was a tree growing. It was
+about thirty foot away from the house, maybe, and I sort of got it into my head
+that, if I climbed up that tree, I&rsquo;d very likely be able to see into that
+room. Of course, I knew there was no reason why Whittington should be in that
+room rather than in any other&mdash;less reason, in fact, for the betting would
+be on his being in one of the reception-rooms downstairs. But I guess I&rsquo;d
+got the hump from standing so long in the rain, and anything seemed better than
+going on doing nothing. So I started up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t so easy, by a long chalk! The rain had made the boughs
+mighty slippery, and it was all I could do to keep a foothold, but bit by bit I
+managed it, until at last there I was level with the window.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But then I was disappointed. I was too far to the left. I could only see
+sideways into the room. A bit of curtain, and a yard of wallpaper was all I
+could command. Well, that wasn&rsquo;t any manner of good to me, but just as I
+was going to give it up, and climb down ignominiously, some one inside moved
+and threw his shadow on my little bit of wall&mdash;and, by gum, it was
+Whittington!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;After that, my blood was up. I&rsquo;d just <i>got</i> to get a look
+into that room. It was up to me to figure out how. I noticed that there was a
+long branch running out from the tree in the right direction. If I could only
+swarm about half-way along it, the proposition would be solved. But it was
+mighty uncertain whether it would bear my weight. I decided I&rsquo;d just got
+to risk that, and I started. Very cautiously, inch by inch, I crawled along.
+The bough creaked and swayed in a nasty fashion, and it didn&rsquo;t do to
+think of the drop below, but at last I got safely to where I wanted to be.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The room was medium-sized, furnished in a kind of bare hygienic way.
+There was a table with a lamp on it in the middle of the room, and sitting at
+that table, facing towards me, was Whittington right enough. He was talking to
+a woman dressed as a hospital nurse. She was sitting with her back to me, so I
+couldn&rsquo;t see her face. Although the blinds were up, the window itself was
+shut, so I couldn&rsquo;t catch a word of what they said. Whittington seemed to
+be doing all the talking, and the nurse just listened. Now and then she nodded,
+and sometimes she&rsquo;d shake her head, as though she were answering
+questions. He seemed very emphatic&mdash;once or twice he beat with his fist on
+the table. The rain had stopped now, and the sky was clearing in that sudden
+way it does.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Presently, he seemed to get to the end of what he was saying. He got up,
+and so did she. He looked towards the window and asked something&mdash;I guess
+it was whether it was raining. Anyway, she came right across and looked out.
+Just then the moon came out from behind the clouds. I was scared the woman
+would catch sight of me, for I was full in the moonlight. I tried to move back
+a bit. The jerk I gave was too much for that rotten old branch. With an
+almighty crash, down it came, and Julius P. Hersheimmer with it!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Julius,&rdquo; breathed Tuppence, &ldquo;how exciting! Go on.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, luckily for me, I pitched down into a good soft bed of
+earth&mdash;but it put me out of action for the time, sure enough. The next
+thing I knew, I was lying in bed with a hospital nurse (not Whittington&rsquo;s
+one) on one side of me, and a little black-bearded man with gold glasses, and
+medical man written all over him, on the other. He rubbed his hands together,
+and raised his eyebrows as I stared at him. &lsquo;Ah!&rsquo; he said.
+&lsquo;So our young friend is coming round again. Capital. Capital.&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I did the usual stunt. Said: &lsquo;What&rsquo;s happened?&rsquo; And
+&lsquo;Where am I?&rsquo; But I knew the answer to the last well enough.
+There&rsquo;s no moss growing on my brain. &lsquo;I think that&rsquo;ll do for
+the present, sister,&rsquo; said the little man, and the nurse left the room in
+a sort of brisk well-trained way. But I caught her handing me out a look of
+deep curiosity as she passed through the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That look of hers gave me an idea. &lsquo;Now then, doc,&rsquo; I said,
+and tried to sit up in bed, but my right foot gave me a nasty twinge as I did
+so. &lsquo;A slight sprain,&rsquo; explained the doctor. &lsquo;Nothing
+serious. You&rsquo;ll be about again in a couple of days.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I noticed you walked lame,&rdquo; interpolated Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius nodded, and continued:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;&lsquo;How did it happen?&rsquo; I asked again. He replied dryly.
+&lsquo;You fell, with a considerable portion of one of my trees, into one of my
+newly planted flower-beds.&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I liked the man. He seemed to have a sense of humour. I felt sure that
+he, at least, was plumb straight. &lsquo;Sure, doc,&rsquo; I said,
+&lsquo;I&rsquo;m sorry about the tree, and I guess the new bulbs will be on me.
+But perhaps you&rsquo;d like to know what I was doing in your garden?&rsquo;
+&lsquo;I think the facts do call for an explanation,&rsquo; he replied.
+&lsquo;Well, to begin with, I wasn&rsquo;t after the spoons.&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He smiled. &lsquo;My first theory. But I soon altered my mind. By the
+way, you are an American, are you not?&rsquo; I told him my name. &lsquo;And
+you?&rsquo; &lsquo;I am Dr. Hall, and this, as you doubtless know, is my
+private nursing home.&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know, but I wasn&rsquo;t going to put him wise. I was
+just thankful for the information. I liked the man, and I felt he was straight,
+but I wasn&rsquo;t going to give him the whole story. For one thing he probably
+wouldn&rsquo;t have believed it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I made up my mind in a flash. &lsquo;Why, doctor,&rsquo; I said,
+&lsquo;I guess I feel an almighty fool, but I owe it to you to let you know
+that it wasn&rsquo;t the Bill Sikes business I was up to.&rsquo; Then I went on
+and mumbled out something about a girl. I trotted out the stern guardian
+business, and a nervous breakdown, and finally explained that I had fancied I
+recognized her among the patients at the home, hence my nocturnal adventures. I
+guess it was just the kind of story he was expecting. &lsquo;Quite a
+romance,&rsquo; he said genially, when I&rsquo;d finished. &lsquo;Now,
+doc,&rsquo; I went on, &lsquo;will you be frank with me? Have you here now, or
+have you had here at any time, a young girl called Jane Finn?&rsquo; He
+repeated the name thoughtfully. &lsquo;Jane Finn?&rsquo; he said.
+&lsquo;No.&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I was chagrined, and I guess I showed it. &lsquo;You are sure?&rsquo;
+&lsquo;Quite sure, Mr. Hersheimmer. It is an uncommon name, and I should not
+have been likely to forget it.&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, that was flat. It laid me out for a space. I&rsquo;d kind of hoped
+my search was at an end. &lsquo;That&rsquo;s that,&rsquo; I said at last.
+&lsquo;Now, there&rsquo;s another matter. When I was hugging that darned branch
+I thought I recognized an old friend of mine talking to one of your
+nurses.&rsquo; I purposely didn&rsquo;t mention any name because, of course,
+Whittington might be calling himself something quite different down here, but
+the doctor answered at once. &lsquo;Mr. Whittington, perhaps?&rsquo;
+&lsquo;That&rsquo;s the fellow,&rsquo; I replied. &lsquo;What&rsquo;s he doing
+down here? Don&rsquo;t tell me <i>his</i> nerves are out of order?&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dr. Hall laughed. &lsquo;No. He came down to see one of my nurses, Nurse
+Edith, who is a niece of his.&rsquo; &lsquo;Why, fancy that!&rsquo; I
+exclaimed. &lsquo;Is he still here?&rsquo; &lsquo;No, he went back to town
+almost immediately.&rsquo; &lsquo;What a pity!&rsquo; I ejaculated. &lsquo;But
+perhaps I could speak to his niece&mdash;Nurse Edith, did you say her name
+was?&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But the doctor shook his head. &lsquo;I&rsquo;m afraid that, too, is
+impossible. Nurse Edith left with a patient to-night also.&rsquo; &lsquo;I seem
+to be real unlucky,&rsquo; I remarked. &lsquo;Have you Mr. Whittington&rsquo;s
+address in town? I guess I&rsquo;d like to look him up when I get back.&rsquo;
+&lsquo;I don&rsquo;t know his address. I can write to Nurse Edith for it if you
+like.&rsquo; I thanked him. &lsquo;Don&rsquo;t say who it is wants it.
+I&rsquo;d like to give him a little surprise.&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That was about all I could do for the moment. Of course, if the girl was
+really Whittington&rsquo;s niece, she might be too cute to fall into the trap,
+but it was worth trying. Next thing I did was to write out a wire to Beresford
+saying where I was, and that I was laid up with a sprained foot, and telling
+him to come down if he wasn&rsquo;t busy. I had to be guarded in what I said.
+However, I didn&rsquo;t hear from him, and my foot soon got all right. It was
+only ricked, not really sprained, so to-day I said good-bye to the little
+doctor chap, asked him to send me word if he heard from Nurse Edith, and came
+right away back to town. Say, Miss Tuppence, you&rsquo;re looking mighty
+pale!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s Tommy,&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;What can have happened to
+him?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Buck up, I guess he&rsquo;s all right really. Why shouldn&rsquo;t he be?
+See here, it was a foreign-looking guy he went off after. Maybe they&rsquo;ve
+gone abroad&mdash;to Poland, or something like that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He couldn&rsquo;t without passports and things. Besides I&rsquo;ve seen
+that man, Boris Something, since. He dined with Mrs. Vandemeyer last
+night.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mrs. Who?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I forgot. Of course you don&rsquo;t know all that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m listening,&rdquo; said Julius, and gave vent to his favourite
+expression. &ldquo;Put me wise.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence thereupon related the events of the last two days. Julius&rsquo;s
+astonishment and admiration were unbounded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Bully for you! Fancy you a menial. It just tickles me to death!&rdquo;
+Then he added seriously: &ldquo;But say now, I don&rsquo;t like it, Miss
+Tuppence, I sure don&rsquo;t. You&rsquo;re just as plucky as they make
+&lsquo;em, but I wish you&rsquo;d keep right out of this. These crooks
+we&rsquo;re up against would as soon croak a girl as a man any day.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you think I&rsquo;m afraid?&rdquo; said Tuppence indignantly,
+valiantly repressing memories of the steely glitter in Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s
+eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I said before you were darned plucky. But that doesn&rsquo;t alter
+facts.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, bother <i>me!</i>&rdquo; said Tuppence impatiently.
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s think about what can have happened to Tommy. I&rsquo;ve
+written to Mr. Carter about it,&rdquo; she added, and told him the gist of her
+letter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius nodded gravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess that&rsquo;s good as far as it goes. But it&rsquo;s for us to
+get busy and do something.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What can we do?&rdquo; asked Tuppence, her spirits rising.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess we&rsquo;d better get on the track of Boris. You say he&rsquo;s
+been to your place. Is he likely to come again?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He might. I really don&rsquo;t know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I see. Well, I guess I&rsquo;d better buy a car, a slap-up one, dress as
+a chauffeur and hang about outside. Then if Boris comes, you could make some
+kind of signal, and I&rsquo;d trail him. How&rsquo;s that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Splendid, but he mightn&rsquo;t come for weeks.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll have to chance that. I&rsquo;m glad you like the
+plan.&rdquo; He rose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where are you going?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To buy the car, of course,&rdquo; replied Julius, surprised. &ldquo;What
+make do you like? I guess you&rsquo;ll do some riding in it before we&rsquo;ve
+finished.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; said Tuppence faintly, &ldquo;I <i>like</i> Rolls-Royces,
+but&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure,&rdquo; agreed Julius. &ldquo;What you say goes. I&rsquo;ll get
+one.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But you can&rsquo;t at once,&rdquo; cried Tuppence. &ldquo;People wait
+ages sometimes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Little Julius doesn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; affirmed Mr. Hersheimmer.
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you worry any. I&rsquo;ll be round in the car in half an
+hour.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence got up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re awfully good, Julius. But I can&rsquo;t help feeling that
+it&rsquo;s rather a forlorn hope. I&rsquo;m really pinning my faith to Mr.
+Carter.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then I shouldn&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just an idea of mine.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh; but he must do something. There&rsquo;s no one else. By the way, I
+forgot to tell you of a queer thing that happened this morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And she narrated her encounter with Sir James Peel Edgerton. Julius was
+interested.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What did the guy mean, do you think?&rdquo; he asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t quite know,&rdquo; said Tuppence meditatively. &ldquo;But
+I think that, in an ambiguous, legal, without prejudishish lawyer&rsquo;s way,
+he was trying to warn me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why should he?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; confessed Tuppence. &ldquo;But he looked
+kind, and simply awfully clever. I wouldn&rsquo;t mind going to him and telling
+him everything.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Somewhat to her surprise, Julius negatived the idea sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;See here,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;we don&rsquo;t want any lawyers mixed
+up in this. That guy couldn&rsquo;t help us any.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I believe he could,&rdquo; reiterated Tuppence obstinately.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you think it. So long. I&rsquo;ll be back in half an
+hour.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Thirty-five minutes had elapsed when Julius returned. He took Tuppence by the
+arm, and walked her to the window.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There she is.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tuppence with a note of reverence in her voice, as she
+gazed down at the enormous car.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s some pace-maker, I can tell you,&rdquo; said Julius
+complacently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How did you get it?&rdquo; gasped Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She was just being sent home to some bigwig.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I went round to his house,&rdquo; said Julius. &ldquo;I said that I
+reckoned a car like that was worth every penny of twenty thousand dollars. Then
+I told him that it was worth just about fifty thousand dollars to me if
+he&rsquo;d get out.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well?&rdquo; said Tuppence, intoxicated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; returned Julius, &ldquo;he got out, that&rsquo;s
+all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap12"></a>CHAPTER XII.<br/>
+A FRIEND IN NEED</h2>
+
+<p>
+Friday and Saturday passed uneventfully. Tuppence had received a brief answer
+to her appeal from Mr. Carter. In it he pointed out that the Young Adventurers
+had undertaken the work at their own risk, and had been fully warned of the
+dangers. If anything had happened to Tommy he regretted it deeply, but he could
+do nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was cold comfort. Somehow, without Tommy, all the savour went out of the
+adventure, and, for the first time, Tuppence felt doubtful of success. While
+they had been together she had never questioned it for a minute. Although she
+was accustomed to take the lead, and to pride herself on her quick-wittedness,
+in reality she had relied upon Tommy more than she realized at the time. There
+was something so eminently sober and clear-headed about him, his common sense
+and soundness of vision were so unvarying, that without him Tuppence felt much
+like a rudderless ship. It was curious that Julius, who was undoubtedly much
+cleverer than Tommy, did not give her the same feeling of support. She had
+accused Tommy of being a pessimist, and it is certain that he always saw the
+disadvantages and difficulties which she herself was optimistically given to
+overlooking, but nevertheless she had really relied a good deal on his
+judgment. He might be slow, but he was very sure.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It seemed to the girl that, for the first time, she realized the sinister
+character of the mission they had undertaken so lightheartedly. It had begun
+like a page of romance. Now, shorn of its glamour, it seemed to be turning to
+grim reality. Tommy&mdash;that was all that mattered. Many times in the day
+Tuppence blinked the tears out of her eyes resolutely. &ldquo;Little
+fool,&rdquo; she would apostrophize herself, &ldquo;don&rsquo;t snivel. Of
+course you&rsquo;re fond of him. You&rsquo;ve known him all your life. But
+there&rsquo;s no need to be sentimental about it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the meantime, nothing more was seen of Boris. He did not come to the flat,
+and Julius and the car waited in vain. Tuppence gave herself over to new
+meditations. Whilst admitting the truth of Julius&rsquo;s objections, she had
+nevertheless not entirely relinquished the idea of appealing to Sir James Peel
+Edgerton. Indeed, she had gone so far as to look up his address in the <i>Red
+Book</i>. Had he meant to warn her that day? If so, why? Surely she was at
+least entitled to demand an explanation. He had looked at her so kindly.
+Perhaps he might tell them something concerning Mrs. Vandemeyer which might
+lead to a clue to Tommy&rsquo;s whereabouts.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anyway, Tuppence decided, with her usual shake of the shoulders, it was worth
+trying, and try it she would. Sunday was her afternoon out. She would meet
+Julius, persuade him to her point of view, and they would beard the lion in his
+den.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the day arrived Julius needed a considerable amount of persuading, but
+Tuppence held firm. &ldquo;It can do no harm,&rdquo; was what she always came
+back to. In the end Julius gave in, and they proceeded in the car to Carlton
+House Terrace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The door was opened by an irreproachable butler. Tuppence felt a little
+nervous. After all, perhaps it <i>was</i> colossal cheek on her part. She had
+decided not to ask if Sir James was &ldquo;at home,&rdquo; but to adopt a more
+personal attitude.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Will you ask Sir James if I can see him for a few minutes? I have an
+important message for him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The butler retired, returning a moment or two later.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sir James will see you. Will you step this way?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He ushered them into a room at the back of the house, furnished as a library.
+The collection of books was a magnificent one, and Tuppence noticed that all
+one wall was devoted to works on crime and criminology. There were several
+deep-padded leather arm-chairs, and an old-fashioned open hearth. In the window
+was a big roll-top desk strewn with papers at which the master of the house was
+sitting.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He rose as they entered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You have a message for me? Ah&rdquo;&mdash;he recognized Tuppence with a
+smile&mdash;&ldquo;it&rsquo;s you, is it? Brought a message from Mrs.
+Vandemeyer, I suppose?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not exactly,&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;In fact, I&rsquo;m afraid I
+only said that to be quite sure of getting in. Oh, by the way, this is Mr.
+Hersheimmer, Sir James Peel Edgerton.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pleased to meet you,&rdquo; said the American, shooting out a hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Won&rsquo;t you both sit down?&rdquo; asked Sir James. He drew forward
+two chairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sir James,&rdquo; said Tuppence, plunging boldly, &ldquo;I dare say you
+will think it is most awful cheek of me coming here like this. Because, of
+course, it&rsquo;s nothing whatever to do with you, and then you&rsquo;re a
+very important person, and of course Tommy and I are very unimportant.&rdquo;
+She paused for breath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy?&rdquo; queried Sir James, looking across at the American.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, that&rsquo;s Julius,&rdquo; explained Tuppence. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m
+rather nervous, and that makes me tell it badly. What I really want to know is
+what you meant by what you said to me the other day? Did you mean to warn me
+against Mrs. Vandemeyer? You did, didn&rsquo;t you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My dear young lady, as far as I recollect I only mentioned that there
+were equally good situations to be obtained elsewhere.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I know. But it was a hint, wasn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, perhaps it was,&rdquo; admitted Sir James gravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I want to know more. I want to know just <i>why</i> you gave me a
+hint.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James smiled at her earnestness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Suppose the lady brings a libel action against me for defamation of
+character?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;I know lawyers are always
+dreadfully careful. But can&rsquo;t we say &lsquo;without prejudice&rsquo;
+first, and then say just what we want to.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Sir James, still smiling, &ldquo;without prejudice,
+then, if I had a young sister forced to earn her living, I should not like to
+see her in Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s service. I felt it incumbent on me just to
+give you a hint. It is no place for a young and inexperienced girl. That is all
+I can tell you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I see,&rdquo; said Tuppence thoughtfully. &ldquo;Thank you very much.
+But I&rsquo;m not <i>really</i> inexperienced, you know. I knew perfectly that
+she was a bad lot when I went there&mdash;as a matter of fact that&rsquo;s
+<i>why</i> I went&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; She broke off, seeing some bewilderment
+on the lawyer&rsquo;s face, and went on: &ldquo;I think perhaps I&rsquo;d
+better tell you the whole story, Sir James. I&rsquo;ve a sort of feeling that
+you&rsquo;d know in a minute if I didn&rsquo;t tell the truth, and so you might
+as well know all about it from the beginning. What do you think, Julius?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As you&rsquo;re bent on it, I&rsquo;d go right ahead with the
+facts,&rdquo; replied the American, who had so far sat in silence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, tell me all about it,&rdquo; said Sir James. &ldquo;I want to know
+who Tommy is.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Thus encouraged Tuppence plunged into her tale, and the lawyer listened with
+close attention.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very interesting,&rdquo; he said, when she finished. &ldquo;A great deal
+of what you tell me, child, is already known to me. I&rsquo;ve had certain
+theories of my own about this Jane Finn. You&rsquo;ve done extraordinarily well
+so far, but it&rsquo;s rather too bad of&mdash;what do you know him
+as?&mdash;Mr. Carter to pitchfork you two young things into an affair of this
+kind. By the way, where did Mr. Hersheimmer come in originally? You
+didn&rsquo;t make that clear?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius answered for himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m Jane&rsquo;s first cousin,&rdquo; he explained, returning the
+lawyer&rsquo;s keen gaze.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Sir James,&rdquo; broke out Tuppence, &ldquo;what do you think has
+become of Tommy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;H&rsquo;m.&rdquo; The lawyer rose, and paced slowly up and down.
+&ldquo;When you arrived, young lady, I was just packing up my traps. Going to
+Scotland by the night train for a few days&rsquo; fishing. But there are
+different kinds of fishing. I&rsquo;ve a good mind to stay, and see if we
+can&rsquo;t get on the track of that young chap.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; Tuppence clasped her hands ecstatically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All the same, as I said before, it&rsquo;s too bad of&mdash;of Carter to
+set you two babies on a job like this. Now, don&rsquo;t get offended,
+Miss&mdash;er&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Cowley. Prudence Cowley. But my friends call me Tuppence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, Miss Tuppence, then, as I&rsquo;m certainly going to be a friend.
+Don&rsquo;t be offended because I think you&rsquo;re young. Youth is a failing
+only too easily outgrown. Now, about this young Tommy of
+yours&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo; Tuppence clasped her hands.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Frankly, things look bad for him. He&rsquo;s been butting in somewhere
+where he wasn&rsquo;t wanted. Not a doubt of it. But don&rsquo;t give up
+hope.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And you really will help us? There, Julius! He didn&rsquo;t want me to
+come,&rdquo; she added by way of explanation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;H&rsquo;m,&rdquo; said the lawyer, favouring Julius with another keen
+glance. &ldquo;And why was that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I reckoned it would be no good worrying you with a petty little business
+like this.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I see.&rdquo; He paused a moment. &ldquo;This petty little business, as
+you call it, bears directly on a very big business, bigger perhaps than either
+you or Miss Tuppence know. If this boy is alive, he may have very valuable
+information to give us. Therefore, we must find him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, but how?&rdquo; cried Tuppence. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve tried to think of
+everything.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James smiled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And yet there&rsquo;s one person quite near at hand who in all
+probability knows where he is, or at all events where he is likely to
+be.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who is that?&rdquo; asked Tuppence, puzzled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mrs. Vandemeyer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, but she&rsquo;d never tell us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, that is where I come in. I think it quite likely that I shall be
+able to make Mrs. Vandemeyer tell me what I want to know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How?&rdquo; demanded Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, just by asking her questions,&rdquo; replied Sir James easily.
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the way we do it, you know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He tapped with his finger on the table, and Tuppence felt again the intense
+power that radiated from the man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And if she won&rsquo;t tell?&rdquo; asked Julius suddenly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think she will. I have one or two powerful levers. Still, in that
+unlikely event, there is always the possibility of bribery.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure. And that&rsquo;s where I come in!&rdquo; cried Julius, bringing
+his fist down on the table with a bang. &ldquo;You can count on me, if
+necessary, for one million dollars. Yes, sir, one million dollars!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James sat down and subjected Julius to a long scrutiny.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Hersheimmer,&rdquo; he said at last, &ldquo;that is a very large
+sum.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess it&rsquo;ll have to be. These aren&rsquo;t the kind of folk to
+offer sixpence to.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At the present rate of exchange it amounts to considerably over two
+hundred and fifty thousand pounds.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so. Maybe you think I&rsquo;m talking through my hat, but I
+can deliver the goods all right, with enough over to spare for your fee.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James flushed slightly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There is no question of a fee, Mr. Hersheimmer. I am not a private
+detective.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sorry. I guess I was just a mite hasty, but I&rsquo;ve been feeling bad
+about this money question. I wanted to offer a big reward for news of Jane some
+days ago, but your crusted institution of Scotland Yard advised me against it.
+Said it was undesirable.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They were probably right,&rdquo; said Sir James dryly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But it&rsquo;s all O.K. about Julius,&rdquo; put in Tuppence.
+&ldquo;He&rsquo;s not pulling your leg. He&rsquo;s got simply pots of
+money.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The old man piled it up in style,&rdquo; explained Julius. &ldquo;Now,
+let&rsquo;s get down to it. What&rsquo;s your idea?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James considered for a moment or two.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There is no time to be lost. The sooner we strike the better.&rdquo; He
+turned to Tuppence. &ldquo;Is Mrs. Vandemeyer dining out to-night, do you
+know?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I think so, but she will not be out late. Otherwise, she would have
+taken the latchkey.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good. I will call upon her about ten o&rsquo;clock. What time are you
+supposed to return?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;About nine-thirty or ten, but I could go back earlier.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You must not do that on any account. It might arouse suspicion if you
+did not stay out till the usual time. Be back by nine-thirty. I will arrive at
+ten. Mr. Hersheimmer will wait below in a taxi perhaps.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He&rsquo;s got a new Rolls-Royce car,&rdquo; said Tuppence with
+vicarious pride.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Even better. If I succeed in obtaining the address from her, we can go
+there at once, taking Mrs. Vandemeyer with us if necessary. You
+understand?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo; Tuppence rose to her feet with a skip of delight. &ldquo;Oh,
+I feel so much better!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t build on it too much, Miss Tuppence. Go easy.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius turned to the lawyer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say, then. I&rsquo;ll call for you in the car round about nine-thirty.
+Is that right?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps that will be the best plan. It would be unnecessary to have two
+cars waiting about. Now, Miss Tuppence, my advice to you is to go and have a
+good dinner, a <i>really</i> good one, mind. And don&rsquo;t think ahead more
+than you can help.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He shook hands with them both, and a moment later they were outside.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t he a duck?&rdquo; inquired Tuppence ecstatically, as she
+skipped down the steps. &ldquo;Oh, Julius, isn&rsquo;t he just a duck?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I allow he seems to be the goods all right. And I was wrong about
+its being useless to go to him. Say, shall we go right away back to the
+<i>Ritz?</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I must walk a bit, I think. I feel so excited. Drop me in the park, will
+you? Unless you&rsquo;d like to come too?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I want to get some petrol,&rdquo; he explained. &ldquo;And send off a
+cable or two.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All right. I&rsquo;ll meet you at the <i>Ritz</i> at seven. We&rsquo;ll
+have to dine upstairs. I can&rsquo;t show myself in these glad rags.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure. I&rsquo;ll get Felix help me choose the menu. He&rsquo;s some head
+waiter, that. So long.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence walked briskly along towards the Serpentine, first glancing at her
+watch. It was nearly six o&rsquo;clock. She remembered that she had had no tea,
+but felt too excited to be conscious of hunger. She walked as far as Kensington
+Gardens and then slowly retraced her steps, feeling infinitely better for the
+fresh air and exercise. It was not so easy to follow Sir James&rsquo;s advice,
+and put the possible events of the evening out of her head. As she drew nearer
+and nearer to Hyde Park corner, the temptation to return to South Audley
+Mansions was almost irresistible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At any rate, she decided, it would do no harm just to go and <i>look</i> at the
+building. Perhaps, then, she could resign herself to waiting patiently for ten
+o&rsquo;clock.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+South Audley Mansions looked exactly the same as usual. What Tuppence had
+expected she hardly knew, but the sight of its red brick stolidity slightly
+assuaged the growing and entirely unreasonable uneasiness that possessed her.
+She was just turning away when she heard a piercing whistle, and the faithful
+Albert came running from the building to join her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence frowned. It was no part of the programme to have attention called to
+her presence in the neighbourhood, but Albert was purple with suppressed
+excitement.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I say, miss, she&rsquo;s a-going!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who&rsquo;s going?&rdquo; demanded Tuppence sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The crook. Ready Rita. Mrs. Vandemeyer. She&rsquo;s a-packing up, and
+she&rsquo;s just sent down word for me to get her a taxi.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo; Tuppence clutched his arm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s the truth, miss. I thought maybe as you didn&rsquo;t know
+about it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Albert,&rdquo; cried Tuppence, &ldquo;you&rsquo;re a brick. If it
+hadn&rsquo;t been for you we&rsquo;d have lost her.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert flushed with pleasure at this tribute.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no time to lose,&rdquo; said Tuppence, crossing the road.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got to stop her. At all costs I must keep her here
+until&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; She broke off. &ldquo;Albert, there&rsquo;s a
+telephone here, isn&rsquo;t there?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The boy shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The flats mostly have their own, miss. But there&rsquo;s a box just
+round the corner.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Go to it then, at once, and ring up the <i>Ritz Hotel</i>. Ask for Mr.
+Hersheimmer, and when you get him tell him to get Sir James and come on at
+once, as Mrs. Vandemeyer is trying to hook it. If you can&rsquo;t get him, ring
+up Sir James Peel Edgerton, you&rsquo;ll find his number in the book, and tell
+him what&rsquo;s happening. You won&rsquo;t forget the names, will you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert repeated them glibly. &ldquo;You trust to me, miss, it&rsquo;ll be all
+right. But what about you? Aren&rsquo;t you afraid to trust yourself with
+her?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, no, that&rsquo;s all right. <i>But go and telephone</i>. Be
+quick.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Drawing a long breath, Tuppence entered the Mansions and ran up to the door of
+No. 20. How she was to detain Mrs. Vandemeyer until the two men arrived, she
+did not know, but somehow or other it had to be done, and she must accomplish
+the task single-handed. What had occasioned this precipitate departure? Did
+Mrs. Vandemeyer suspect her?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Speculations were idle. Tuppence pressed the bell firmly. She might learn
+something from the cook.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nothing happened and, after waiting some minutes, Tuppence pressed the bell
+again, keeping her finger on the button for some little while. At last she
+heard footsteps inside, and a moment later Mrs. Vandemeyer herself opened the
+door. She lifted her eyebrows at the sight of the girl.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I had a touch of toothache, ma&rsquo;am,&rdquo; said Tuppence glibly.
+&ldquo;So thought it better to come home and have a quiet evening.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer said nothing, but she drew back and let Tuppence pass into the
+hall.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How unfortunate for you,&rdquo; she said coldly. &ldquo;You had better
+go to bed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I shall be all right in the kitchen, ma&rsquo;am. Cook
+will&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Cook is out,&rdquo; said Mrs. Vandemeyer, in a rather disagreeable tone.
+&ldquo;I sent her out. So you see you had better go to bed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly Tuppence felt afraid. There was a ring in Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s
+voice that she did not like at all. Also, the other woman was slowly edging her
+up the passage. Tuppence turned at bay.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then, in a flash, a rim of cold steel touched her temple, and Mrs.
+Vandemeyer&rsquo;s voice rose cold and menacing:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You damned little fool! Do you think I don&rsquo;t know? No, don&rsquo;t
+answer. If you struggle or cry out, I&rsquo;ll shoot you like a dog.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The rim of steel pressed a little harder against the girl&rsquo;s temple.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now then, march,&rdquo; went on Mrs. Vandemeyer. &ldquo;This
+way&mdash;into my room. In a minute, when I&rsquo;ve done with you,
+you&rsquo;ll go to bed as I told you to. And you&rsquo;ll sleep&mdash;oh yes,
+my little spy, you&rsquo;ll sleep all right!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a sort of hideous geniality in the last words which Tuppence did not
+at all like. For the moment there was nothing to be done, and she walked
+obediently into Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s bedroom. The pistol never left her
+forehead. The room was in a state of wild disorder, clothes were flung about
+right and left, a suit-case and a hat box, half-packed, stood in the middle of
+the floor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence pulled herself together with an effort. Her voice shook a little, but
+she spoke out bravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come now,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;This is nonsense. You can&rsquo;t
+shoot me. Why, every one in the building would hear the report.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d risk that,&rdquo; said Mrs. Vandemeyer cheerfully. &ldquo;But,
+as long as you don&rsquo;t sing out for help, you&rsquo;re all right&mdash;and
+I don&rsquo;t think you will. You&rsquo;re a clever girl. You deceived
+<i>me</i> all right. I hadn&rsquo;t a suspicion of you! So I&rsquo;ve no doubt
+that you understand perfectly well that this is where I&rsquo;m on top and
+you&rsquo;re underneath. Now then&mdash;sit on the bed. Put your hands above
+your head, and if you value your life don&rsquo;t move them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence obeyed passively. Her good sense told her that there was nothing else
+to do but accept the situation. If she shrieked for help there was very little
+chance of anyone hearing her, whereas there was probably quite a good chance of
+Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s shooting her. In the meantime, every minute of delay
+gained was valuable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer laid down the revolver on the edge of the washstand within
+reach of her hand, and, still eyeing Tuppence like a lynx in case the girl
+should attempt to move, she took a little stoppered bottle from its place on
+the marble and poured some of its contents into a glass which she filled up
+with water.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&rsquo;s that?&rdquo; asked Tuppence sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Something to make you sleep soundly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence paled a little.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you going to poison me?&rdquo; she asked in a whisper.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps,&rdquo; said Mrs. Vandemeyer, smiling agreeably.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then I shan&rsquo;t drink it,&rdquo; said Tuppence firmly.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d much rather be shot. At any rate that would make a row, and
+some one might hear it. But I won&rsquo;t be killed off quietly like a
+lamb.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer stamped her foot.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be a little fool! Do you really think I want a hue and cry
+for murder out after me? If you&rsquo;ve any sense at all, you&rsquo;ll realize
+that poisoning you wouldn&rsquo;t suit my book at all. It&rsquo;s a sleeping
+draught, that&rsquo;s all. You&rsquo;ll wake up to-morrow morning none the
+worse. I simply don&rsquo;t want the bother of tying you up and gagging you.
+That&rsquo;s the alternative&mdash;and you won&rsquo;t like it, I can tell you!
+I can be very rough if I choose. So drink this down like a good girl, and
+you&rsquo;ll be none the worse for it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In her heart of hearts Tuppence believed her. The arguments she had adduced
+rang true. It was a simple and effective method of getting her out of the way
+for the time being. Nevertheless, the girl did not take kindly to the idea of
+being tamely put to sleep without as much as one bid for freedom. She felt that
+once Mrs. Vandemeyer gave them the slip, the last hope of finding Tommy would
+be gone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence was quick in her mental processes. All these reflections passed
+through her mind in a flash, and she saw where a chance, a very problematical
+chance, lay, and she determined to risk all in one supreme effort.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Accordingly, she lurched suddenly off the bed and fell on her knees before Mrs.
+Vandemeyer, clutching her skirts frantically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t believe it,&rdquo; she moaned. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s
+poison&mdash;I know it&rsquo;s poison. Oh, don&rsquo;t make me drink
+it&rdquo;&mdash;her voice rose to a shriek&mdash;&ldquo;don&rsquo;t make me
+drink it!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer, glass in hand, looked down with a curling lip at this sudden
+collapse.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get up, you little idiot! Don&rsquo;t go on drivelling there. How you
+ever had the nerve to play your part as you did I can&rsquo;t think.&rdquo; She
+stamped her foot. &ldquo;Get up, I say.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Tuppence continued to cling and sob, interjecting her sobs with incoherent
+appeals for mercy. Every minute gained was to the good. Moreover, as she
+grovelled, she moved imperceptibly nearer to her objective.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer gave a sharp impatient exclamation, and jerked the girl to her
+knees.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Drink it at once!&rdquo; Imperiously she pressed the glass to the
+girl&rsquo;s lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence gave one last despairing moan.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You swear it won&rsquo;t hurt me?&rdquo; she temporized.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course it won&rsquo;t hurt you. Don&rsquo;t be a fool.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Will you swear it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, yes,&rdquo; said the other impatiently. &ldquo;I swear it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence raised a trembling left hand to the glass.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very well.&rdquo; Her mouth opened meekly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer gave a sigh of relief, off her guard for the moment. Then,
+quick as a flash, Tuppence jerked the glass upward as hard as she could. The
+fluid in it splashed into Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s face, and during her
+momentary gasp, Tuppence&rsquo;s right hand shot out and grasped the revolver
+where it lay on the edge of the washstand. The next moment she had sprung back
+a pace, and the revolver pointed straight at Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s heart,
+with no unsteadiness in the hand that held it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the moment of victory, Tuppence betrayed a somewhat unsportsmanlike triumph.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now who&rsquo;s on top and who&rsquo;s underneath?&rdquo; she crowed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other&rsquo;s face was convulsed with rage. For a minute Tuppence thought
+she was going to spring upon her, which would have placed the girl in an
+unpleasant dilemma, since she meant to draw the line at actually letting off
+the revolver. However, with an effort Mrs. Vandemeyer controlled herself, and
+at last a slow evil smile crept over her face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not a fool, then, after all! You did that well, girl. But you shall pay
+for it&mdash;oh, yes, you shall pay for it! I have a long memory!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m surprised you should have been gulled so easily,&rdquo; said
+Tuppence scornfully. &ldquo;Did you really think I was the kind of girl to roll
+about on the floor and whine for mercy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You may do&mdash;some day!&rdquo; said the other significantly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The cold malignity of her manner sent an unpleasant chill down Tuppence&rsquo;s
+spine, but she was not going to give in to it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Supposing we sit down,&rdquo; she said pleasantly. &ldquo;Our present
+attitude is a little melodramatic. No&mdash;not on the bed. Draw a chair up to
+the table, that&rsquo;s right. Now I&rsquo;ll sit opposite you with the
+revolver in front of me&mdash;just in case of accidents. Splendid. Now,
+let&rsquo;s talk.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about?&rdquo; said Mrs. Vandemeyer sullenly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence eyed her thoughtfully for a minute. She was remembering several
+things. Boris&rsquo;s words, &ldquo;I believe you would sell&mdash;
+<i>us!</i>&rdquo; and her answer, &ldquo;The price would have to be
+enormous,&rdquo; given lightly, it was true, yet might not there be a
+substratum of truth in it? Long ago, had not Whittington asked:
+&ldquo;Who&rsquo;s been blabbing? Rita?&rdquo; Would Rita Vandemeyer prove to
+be the weak spot in the armour of Mr. Brown?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Keeping her eyes fixed steadily on the other&rsquo;s face, Tuppence replied
+quietly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Money&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer started. Clearly, the reply was unexpected.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you. You said just now that you had a long memory. A
+long memory isn&rsquo;t half as useful as a long purse! I dare say it relieves
+your feelings a good deal to plan out all sorts of dreadful things to do to me,
+but is that <i>practical?</i> Revenge is very unsatisfactory. Every one always
+says so. But money&rdquo;&mdash;Tuppence warmed to her pet
+creed&mdash;&ldquo;well, there&rsquo;s nothing unsatisfactory about money, is
+there?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you think,&rdquo; said Mrs. Vandemeyer scornfully, &ldquo;that I am
+the kind of woman to sell my friends?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Tuppence promptly. &ldquo;If the price was big
+enough.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A paltry hundred pounds or so!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;I should suggest&mdash;a hundred
+thousand!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her economical spirit did not permit her to mention the whole million dollars
+suggested by Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A flush crept over Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What did you say?&rdquo; she asked, her fingers playing nervously with a
+brooch on her breast. In that moment Tuppence knew that the fish was hooked,
+and for the first time she felt a horror of her own money-loving spirit. It
+gave her a dreadful sense of kinship to the woman fronting her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A hundred thousand pounds,&rdquo; repeated Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The light died out of Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s eyes. She leaned back in her
+chair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Bah!&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;You haven&rsquo;t got it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; admitted Tuppence, &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t&mdash;but I know
+some one who has.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A friend of mine.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Must be a millionaire,&rdquo; remarked Mrs. Vandemeyer unbelievingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As a matter of fact he is. He&rsquo;s an American. He&rsquo;ll pay you
+that without a murmur. You can take it from me that it&rsquo;s a perfectly
+genuine proposition.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer sat up again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m inclined to believe you,&rdquo; she said slowly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was silence between them for some time, then Mrs. Vandemeyer looked up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What does he want to know, this friend of yours?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence went through a momentary struggle, but it was Julius&rsquo;s money,
+and his interests must come first.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He wants to know where Jane Finn is,&rdquo; she said boldly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer showed no surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not sure where she is at the present moment,&rdquo; she
+replied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But you could find out?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, yes,&rdquo; returned Mrs. Vandemeyer carelessly. &ldquo;There would
+be no difficulty about that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then&rdquo;&mdash;Tuppence&rsquo;s voice shook a
+little&mdash;&ldquo;there&rsquo;s a boy, a friend of mine. I&rsquo;m afraid
+something&rsquo;s happened to him, through your pal Boris.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&rsquo;s his name?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy Beresford.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never heard of him. But I&rsquo;ll ask Boris. He&rsquo;ll tell me
+anything he knows.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you.&rdquo; Tuppence felt a terrific rise in her spirits. It
+impelled her to more audacious efforts. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s one thing
+more.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence leaned forward and lowered her voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<i>&ldquo;Who is Mr. Brown?&rdquo;</i>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her quick eyes saw the sudden paling of the beautiful face. With an effort Mrs.
+Vandemeyer pulled herself together and tried to resume her former manner. But
+the attempt was a mere parody.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She shrugged her shoulders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You can&rsquo;t have learnt much about us if you don&rsquo;t know that
+<i>nobody knows who Mr. Brown is</i>....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You do,&rdquo; said Tuppence quietly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again the colour deserted the other&rsquo;s face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What makes you think that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; said the girl truthfully. &ldquo;But
+I&rsquo;m sure.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer stared in front of her for a long time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; she said hoarsely, at last, &ldquo;<i>I</i> know. I was
+beautiful, you see&mdash;very beautiful&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are still,&rdquo; said Tuppence with admiration.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer shook her head. There was a strange gleam in her electric-blue
+eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not beautiful enough,&rdquo; she said in a soft dangerous voice.
+&ldquo;Not&mdash;beautiful&mdash;enough! And sometimes, lately, I&rsquo;ve been
+afraid.... It&rsquo;s dangerous to know too much!&rdquo; She leaned forward
+across the table. &ldquo;Swear that my name shan&rsquo;t be brought into
+it&mdash;that no one shall ever know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I swear it. And, once&rsquo;s he caught, you&rsquo;ll be out of
+danger.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A terrified look swept across Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shall I? Shall I ever be?&rdquo; She clutched Tuppence&rsquo;s arm.
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re sure about the money?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quite sure.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When shall I have it? There must be no delay.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This friend of mine will be here presently. He may have to send cables,
+or something like that. But there won&rsquo;t be any delay&mdash;he&rsquo;s a
+terrific hustler.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A resolute look settled on Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll do it. It&rsquo;s a great sum of money, and
+besides&rdquo;&mdash;she gave a curious smile&mdash;&ldquo;it is not&mdash;wise
+to throw over a woman like me!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment or two, she remained smiling, and lightly tapping her fingers on
+the table. Suddenly she started, and her face blanched.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What was that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I heard nothing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer gazed round her fearfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If there should be some one listening&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nonsense. Who could there be?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Even the walls might have ears,&rdquo; whispered the other. &ldquo;I
+tell you I&rsquo;m frightened. You don&rsquo;t know him!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Think of the hundred thousand pounds,&rdquo; said Tuppence soothingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer passed her tongue over her dried lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t know him,&rdquo; she reiterated hoarsely.
+&ldquo;He&rsquo;s&mdash;ah!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With a shriek of terror she sprang to her feet. Her outstretched hand pointed
+over Tuppence&rsquo;s head. Then she swayed to the ground in a dead faint.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence looked round to see what had startled her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the doorway were Sir James Peel Edgerton and Julius Hersheimmer.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap13"></a>CHAPTER XIII.<br/>
+THE VIGIL</h2>
+
+<p>
+Sir James brushed past Julius and hurriedly bent over the fallen woman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Heart,&rdquo; he said sharply. &ldquo;Seeing us so suddenly must have
+given her a shock. Brandy&mdash;and quickly, or she&rsquo;ll slip through our
+fingers.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius hurried to the washstand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not there,&rdquo; said Tuppence over her shoulder. &ldquo;In the
+tantalus in the dining-room. Second door down the passage.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Between them Sir James and Tuppence lifted Mrs. Vandemeyer and carried her to
+the bed. There they dashed water on her face, but with no result. The lawyer
+fingered her pulse.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Touch and go,&rdquo; he muttered. &ldquo;I wish that young fellow would
+hurry up with the brandy.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At that moment Julius re-entered the room, carrying a glass half full of the
+spirit which he handed to Sir James. While Tuppence lifted her head the lawyer
+tried to force a little of the spirit between her closed lips. Finally the
+woman opened her eyes feebly. Tuppence held the glass to her lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Drink this.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer complied. The brandy brought the colour back to her white
+cheeks, and revived her in a marvellous fashion. She tried to sit up&mdash;then
+fell back with a groan, her hand to her side.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s my heart,&rdquo; she whispered. &ldquo;I mustn&rsquo;t
+talk.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She lay back with closed eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James kept his finger on her wrist a minute longer, then withdrew it with a
+nod.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;ll do now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+All three moved away, and stood together talking in low voices. One and all
+were conscious of a certain feeling of anticlimax. Clearly any scheme for
+cross-questioning the lady was out of the question for the moment. For the time
+being they were baffled, and could do nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence related how Mrs. Vandemeyer had declared herself willing to disclose
+the identity of Mr. Brown, and how she had consented to discover and reveal to
+them the whereabouts of Jane Finn. Julius was congratulatory.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right, Miss Tuppence. Splendid! I guess that hundred
+thousand pounds will look just as good in the morning to the lady as it did
+over night. There&rsquo;s nothing to worry over. She won&rsquo;t speak without
+the cash anyway, you bet!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was certainly a good deal of common sense in this, and Tuppence felt a
+little comforted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What you say is true,&rdquo; said Sir James meditatively. &ldquo;I must
+confess, however, that I cannot help wishing we had not interrupted at the
+minute we did. Still, it cannot be helped, it is only a matter of waiting until
+the morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked across at the inert figure on the bed. Mrs. Vandemeyer lay perfectly
+passive with closed eyes. He shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tuppence, with an attempt at cheerfulness, &ldquo;we
+must wait until the morning, that&rsquo;s all. But I don&rsquo;t think we ought
+to leave the flat.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about leaving that bright boy of yours on guard?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Albert? And suppose she came round again and hooked it. Albert
+couldn&rsquo;t stop her.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess she won&rsquo;t want to make tracks away from the
+dollars.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She might. She seemed very frightened of &lsquo;Mr. Brown.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What? Real plumb scared of him?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. She looked round and said even walls had ears.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Maybe she meant a dictaphone,&rdquo; said Julius with interest.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Miss Tuppence is right,&rdquo; said Sir James quietly. &ldquo;We must
+not leave the flat&mdash;if only for Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s sake.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius stared at him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You think he&rsquo;d get after her? Between now and to-morrow morning.
+How could he know, even?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You forget your own suggestion of a dictaphone,&rdquo; said Sir James
+dryly. &ldquo;We have a very formidable adversary. I believe, if we exercise
+all due care, that there is a very good chance of his being delivered into our
+hands. But we must neglect no precaution. We have an important witness, but she
+must be safeguarded. I would suggest that Miss Tuppence should go to bed, and
+that you and I, Mr. Hersheimmer, should share the vigil.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence was about to protest, but happening to glance at the bed she saw Mrs.
+Vandemeyer, her eyes half-open, with such an expression of mingled fear and
+malevolence on her face that it quite froze the words on her lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment she wondered whether the faint and the heart attack had been a
+gigantic sham, but remembering the deadly pallor she could hardly credit the
+supposition. As she looked the expression disappeared as by magic, and Mrs.
+Vandemeyer lay inert and motionless as before. For a moment the girl fancied
+she must have dreamt it. But she determined nevertheless to be on the alert.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Julius, &ldquo;I guess we&rsquo;d better make a move
+out of here any way.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The others fell in with his suggestion. Sir James again felt Mrs.
+Vandemeyer&rsquo;s pulse.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perfectly satisfactory,&rdquo; he said in a low voice to Tuppence.
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;ll be absolutely all right after a night&rsquo;s rest.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl hesitated a moment by the bed. The intensity of the expression she had
+surprised had impressed her powerfully. Mrs. Vandemeyer lifted her lids. She
+seemed to be struggling to speak. Tuppence bent over her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t&mdash;leave&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; she seemed unable to
+proceed, murmuring something that sounded like &ldquo;sleepy.&rdquo; Then she
+tried again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence bent lower still. It was only a breath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr.&mdash;Brown&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; The voice stopped.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the half-closed eyes seemed still to send an agonized message.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Moved by a sudden impulse, the girl said quickly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shan&rsquo;t leave the flat. I shall sit up all night.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A flash of relief showed before the lids descended once more. Apparently Mrs.
+Vandemeyer slept. But her words had awakened a new uneasiness in Tuppence. What
+had she meant by that low murmur: &ldquo;Mr. Brown?&rdquo; Tuppence caught
+herself nervously looking over her shoulder. The big wardrobe loomed up in a
+sinister fashion before her eyes. Plenty of room for a man to hide in that....
+Half-ashamed of herself, Tuppence pulled it open and looked inside. No
+one&mdash;of course! She stooped down and looked under the bed. There was no
+other possible hiding-place.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence gave her familiar shake of the shoulders. It was absurd, this giving
+way to nerves! Slowly she went out of the room. Julius and Sir James were
+talking in a low voice. Sir James turned to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Lock the door on the outside, please, Miss Tuppence, and take out the
+key. There must be no chance of anyone entering that room.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The gravity of his manner impressed them, and Tuppence felt less ashamed of her
+attack of &ldquo;nerves.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say,&rdquo; remarked Julius suddenly, &ldquo;there&rsquo;s
+Tuppence&rsquo;s bright boy. I guess I&rsquo;d better go down and ease his
+young mind. That&rsquo;s some lad, Tuppence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How did you get in, by the way?&rdquo; asked Tuppence suddenly. &ldquo;I
+forgot to ask.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, Albert got me on the phone all right. I ran round for Sir James
+here, and we came right on. The boy was on the look out for us, and was just a
+mite worried about what might have happened to you. He&rsquo;d been listening
+outside the door of the flat, but couldn&rsquo;t hear anything. Anyhow he
+suggested sending us up in the coal lift instead of ringing the bell. And sure
+enough we landed in the scullery and came right along to find you.
+Albert&rsquo;s still below, and must be just hopping mad by this time.&rdquo;
+With which Julius departed abruptly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now then, Miss Tuppence,&rdquo; said Sir James, &ldquo;you know this
+place better than I do. Where do you suggest we should take up our
+quarters?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence considered for a moment or two.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s boudoir would be the most
+comfortable,&rdquo; she said at last, and led the way there.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James looked round approvingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This will do very well, and now, my dear young lady, do go to bed and
+get some sleep.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence shook her head resolutely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t, thank you, Sir James. I should dream of Mr. Brown all
+night!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But you&rsquo;ll be so tired, child.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, I shan&rsquo;t. I&rsquo;d rather stay up&mdash;really.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The lawyer gave in.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius reappeared some minutes later, having reassured Albert and rewarded him
+lavishly for his services. Having in his turn failed to persuade Tuppence to go
+to bed, he said decisively:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At any rate, you&rsquo;ve got to have something to eat right away.
+Where&rsquo;s the larder?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence directed him, and he returned in a few minutes with a cold pie and
+three plates.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a hearty meal, the girl felt inclined to pooh-pooh her fancies of half an
+hour before. The power of the money bribe could not fail.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And now, Miss Tuppence,&rdquo; said Sir James, &ldquo;we want to hear
+your adventures.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; agreed Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence narrated her adventures with some complacence. Julius occasionally
+interjected an admiring &ldquo;Bully.&rdquo; Sir James said nothing until she
+had finished, when his quiet &ldquo;well done, Miss Tuppence,&rdquo; made her
+flush with pleasure.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s one thing I don&rsquo;t get clearly,&rdquo; said Julius.
+&ldquo;What put her up to clearing out?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; confessed Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James stroked his chin thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The room was in great disorder. That looks as though her flight was
+unpremeditated. Almost as though she got a sudden warning to go from some
+one.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Brown, I suppose,&rdquo; said Julius scoffingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The lawyer looked at him deliberately for a minute or two.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why not?&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Remember, you yourself have once been
+worsted by him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius flushed with vexation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I feel just mad when I think of how I handed out Jane&rsquo;s photograph
+to him like a lamb. Gee, if I ever lay hands on it again, I&rsquo;ll freeze on
+to it like&mdash;like hell!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That contingency is likely to be a remote one,&rdquo; said the other
+dryly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess you&rsquo;re right,&rdquo; said Julius frankly. &ldquo;And, in
+any case, it&rsquo;s the original I&rsquo;m out after. Where do you think she
+can be, Sir James?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The lawyer shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Impossible to say. But I&rsquo;ve a very good idea where she <i>has</i>
+been.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You have? Where?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James smiled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At the scene of your nocturnal adventures, the Bournemouth nursing
+home.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There? Impossible. I asked.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, my dear sir, you asked if anyone of the name of Jane Finn had been
+there. Now, if the girl had been placed there it would almost certainly be
+under an assumed name.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Bully for you,&rdquo; cried Julius. &ldquo;I never thought of
+that!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was fairly obvious,&rdquo; said the other.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps the doctor&rsquo;s in it too,&rdquo; suggested Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think so. I took to him at once. No, I&rsquo;m pretty sure
+Dr. Hall&rsquo;s all right.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hall, did you say?&rdquo; asked Sir James. &ldquo;That is
+curious&mdash;really very curious.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why?&rdquo; demanded Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because I happened to meet him this morning. I&rsquo;ve known him
+slightly on and off for some years, and this morning I ran across him in the
+street. Staying at the <i>Métropole</i>, he told me.&rdquo; He turned to
+Julius. &ldquo;Didn&rsquo;t he tell you he was coming up to town?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Curious,&rdquo; mused Sir James. &ldquo;You did not mention his name
+this afternoon, or I would have suggested your going to him for further
+information with my card as introduction.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess I&rsquo;m a mutt,&rdquo; said Julius with unusual humility.
+&ldquo;I ought to have thought of the false name stunt.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How could you think of anything after falling out of that tree?&rdquo;
+cried Tuppence. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure anyone else would have been killed right
+off.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I guess it doesn&rsquo;t matter now, anyway,&rdquo; said Julius.
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got Mrs. Vandemeyer on a string, and that&rsquo;s all we
+need.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Tuppence, but there was a lack of assurance in her
+voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A silence settled down over the party. Little by little the magic of the night
+began to gain a hold on them. There were sudden creaks of the furniture,
+imperceptible rustlings in the curtains. Suddenly Tuppence sprang up with a
+cry.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t help it. I know Mr. Brown&rsquo;s somewhere in the flat! I
+can <i>feel</i> him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure, Tuppence, how could he be? This door&rsquo;s open into the hall.
+No one could have come in by the front door without our seeing and hearing
+him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t help it. I <i>feel</i> he&rsquo;s here!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She looked appealingly at Sir James, who replied gravely:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;With due deference to your feelings, Miss Tuppence (and mine as well for
+that matter), I do not see how it is humanly possible for anyone to be in the
+flat without our knowledge.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl was a little comforted by his words.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sitting up at night is always rather jumpy,&rdquo; she confessed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Sir James. &ldquo;We are in the condition of people
+holding a séance. Perhaps if a medium were present we might get some marvellous
+results.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you believe in spiritualism?&rdquo; asked Tuppence, opening her eyes
+wide.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The lawyer shrugged his shoulders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There is some truth in it, without a doubt. But most of the testimony
+would not pass muster in the witness-box.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The hours drew on. With the first faint glimmerings of dawn, Sir James drew
+aside the curtains. They beheld, what few Londoners see, the slow rising of the
+sun over the sleeping city. Somehow, with the coming of the light, the dreads
+and fancies of the past night seemed absurd. Tuppence&rsquo;s spirits revived
+to the normal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hooray!&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s going to be a gorgeous day.
+And we shall find Tommy. And Jane Finn. And everything will be lovely. I shall
+ask Mr. Carter if I can&rsquo;t be made a Dame!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At seven o&rsquo;clock Tuppence volunteered to go and make some tea. She
+returned with a tray, containing the teapot and four cups.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who&rsquo;s the other cup for?&rdquo; inquired Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The prisoner, of course. I suppose we might call her that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Taking her tea seems a kind of anticlimax to last night,&rdquo; said
+Julius thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, it does,&rdquo; admitted Tuppence. &ldquo;But, anyway, here goes.
+Perhaps you&rsquo;d both come, too, in case she springs on me, or anything. You
+see, we don&rsquo;t know what mood she&rsquo;ll wake up in.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James and Julius accompanied her to the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where&rsquo;s the key? Oh, of course, I&rsquo;ve got it myself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She put it in the lock, and turned it, then paused.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Supposing, after all, she&rsquo;s escaped?&rdquo; she murmured in a
+whisper.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Plumb impossible,&rdquo; replied Julius reassuringly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Sir James said nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence drew a long breath and entered. She heaved a sigh of relief as she saw
+that Mrs. Vandemeyer was lying on the bed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good morning,&rdquo; she remarked cheerfully. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve brought
+you some tea.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer did not reply. Tuppence put down the cup on the table by the
+bed and went across to draw up the blinds. When she turned, Mrs. Vandemeyer
+still lay without a movement. With a sudden fear clutching at her heart,
+Tuppence ran to the bed. The hand she lifted was cold as ice.... Mrs.
+Vandemeyer would never speak now....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her cry brought the others. A very few minutes sufficed. Mrs. Vandemeyer was
+dead&mdash;must have been dead some hours. She had evidently died in her sleep.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If that isn&rsquo;t the cruellest luck,&rdquo; cried Julius in despair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The lawyer was calmer, but there was a curious gleam in his eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If it is luck,&rdquo; he replied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t think&mdash;but, say, that&rsquo;s plumb
+impossible&mdash;no one could have got in.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; admitted the lawyer. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see how they could.
+And yet&mdash;she is on the point of betraying Mr. Brown, and&mdash;she dies.
+Is it only chance?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But how&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, <i>how!</i> That is what we must find out.&rdquo; He stood there
+silently, gently stroking his chin. &ldquo;We must find out,&rdquo; he said
+quietly, and Tuppence felt that if she was Mr. Brown she would not like the
+tone of those simple words.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius&rsquo;s glance went to the window.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The window&rsquo;s open,&rdquo; he remarked. &ldquo;Do you
+think&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The balcony only goes along as far as the boudoir. We were there.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He might have slipped out&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; suggested Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Sir James interrupted him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Brown&rsquo;s methods are not so crude. In the meantime we must send
+for a doctor, but before we do so, is there anything in this room that might be
+of value to us?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Hastily, the three searched. A charred mass in the grate indicated that Mrs.
+Vandemeyer had been burning papers on the eve of her flight. Nothing of
+importance remained, though they searched the other rooms as well.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s that,&rdquo; said Tuppence suddenly, pointing to a small,
+old-fashioned safe let into the wall. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s for jewellery, I
+believe, but there might be something else in it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The key was in the lock, and Julius swung open the door, and searched inside.
+He was some time over the task.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tuppence impatiently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a pause before Julius answered, then he withdrew his head and shut to
+the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing,&rdquo; he said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In five minutes a brisk young doctor arrived, hastily summoned. He was
+deferential to Sir James, whom he recognized.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Heart failure, or possibly an overdose of some sleeping-draught.&rdquo;
+He sniffed. &ldquo;Rather an odour of chloral in the air.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence remembered the glass she had upset. A new thought drove her to the
+washstand. She found the little bottle from which Mrs. Vandemeyer had poured a
+few drops.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It had been three parts full. Now&mdash; <i>it was empty</i>.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap14"></a>CHAPTER XIV.<br/>
+A CONSULTATION</h2>
+
+<p>
+Nothing was more surprising and bewildering to Tuppence than the ease and
+simplicity with which everything was arranged, owing to Sir James&rsquo;s
+skilful handling. The doctor accepted quite readily the theory that Mrs.
+Vandemeyer had accidentally taken an overdose of chloral. He doubted whether an
+inquest would be necessary. If so, he would let Sir James know. He understood
+that Mrs. Vandemeyer was on the eve of departure for abroad, and that the
+servants had already left? Sir James and his young friends had been paying a
+call upon her, when she was suddenly stricken down and they had spent the night
+in the flat, not liking to leave her alone. Did they know of any relatives?
+They did not, but Sir James referred him to Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s solicitor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Shortly afterwards a nurse arrived to take charge, and the other left the
+ill-omened building.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And what now?&rdquo; asked Julius, with a gesture of despair. &ldquo;I
+guess we&rsquo;re down and out for good.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James stroked his chin thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; he said quietly. &ldquo;There is still the chance that Dr.
+Hall may be able to tell us something.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gee! I&rsquo;d forgotten him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The chance is slight, but it must not be neglected. I think I told you
+that he is staying at the <i>Métropole</i>. I should suggest that we call upon
+him there as soon as possible. Shall we say after a bath and breakfast?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was arranged that Tuppence and Julius should return to the <i>Ritz</i>, and
+call for Sir James in the car. This programme was faithfully carried out, and a
+little after eleven they drew up before the <i>Métropole</i>. They asked for
+Dr. Hall, and a page-boy went in search of him. In a few minutes the little
+doctor came hurrying towards them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can you spare us a few minutes, Dr. Hall?&rdquo; said Sir James
+pleasantly. &ldquo;Let me introduce you to Miss Cowley. Mr. Hersheimmer, I
+think, you already know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A quizzical gleam came into the doctor&rsquo;s eye as he shook hands with
+Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, yes, my young friend of the tree episode! Ankle all right,
+eh?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess it&rsquo;s cured owing to your skilful treatment, doc.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And the heart trouble? Ha ha!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Still searching,&rdquo; said Julius briefly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To come to the point, can we have a word with you in private?&rdquo;
+asked Sir James.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly. I think there is a room here where we shall be quite
+undisturbed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He led the way, and the others followed him. They sat down, and the doctor
+looked inquiringly at Sir James.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dr. Hall, I am very anxious to find a certain young lady for the purpose
+of obtaining a statement from her. I have reason to believe that she has been
+at one time or another in your establishment at Bournemouth. I hope I am
+transgressing no professional etiquette in questioning you on the
+subject?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I suppose it is a matter of testimony?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James hesitated a moment, then he replied:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shall be pleased to give you any information in my power. What is the
+young lady&rsquo;s name? Mr. Hersheimmer asked me, I
+remember&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; He half turned to Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The name,&rdquo; said Sir James bluntly, &ldquo;is really immaterial.
+She would be almost certainly sent to you under an assumed one. But I should
+like to know if you are acquainted with a Mrs. Vandemeyer?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mrs. Vandemeyer, of 20 South Audley Mansions? I know her
+slightly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are not aware of what has happened?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You do not know that Mrs. Vandemeyer is dead?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dear, dear, I had no idea of it! When did it happen?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She took an overdose of chloral last night.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Purposely?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Accidentally, it is believed. I should not like to say myself. Anyway,
+she was found dead this morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very sad. A singularly handsome woman. I presume she was a friend of
+yours, since you are acquainted with all these details.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am acquainted with the details because&mdash;well, it was I who found
+her dead.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed,&rdquo; said the doctor, starting.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Sir James, and stroked his chin reflectively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This is very sad news, but you will excuse me if I say that I do not see
+how it bears on the subject of your inquiry?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It bears on it in this way, is it not a fact that Mrs. Vandemeyer
+committed a young relative of hers to your charge?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius leaned forward eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is the case,&rdquo; said the doctor quietly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Under the name of&mdash;&mdash;?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Janet Vandemeyer. I understood her to be a niece of Mrs.
+Vandemeyer&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And she came to you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As far as I can remember in June or July of 1915.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Was she a mental case?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She is perfectly sane, if that is what you mean. I understood from Mrs.
+Vandemeyer that the girl had been with her on the <i>Lusitania</i> when that
+ill-fated ship was sunk, and had suffered a severe shock in consequence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;re on the right track, I think?&rdquo; Sir James looked round.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As I said before, I&rsquo;m a mutt!&rdquo; returned Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctor looked at them all curiously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You spoke of wanting a statement from her,&rdquo; he said.
+&ldquo;Supposing she is not able to give one?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What? You have just said that she is perfectly sane.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So she is. Nevertheless, if you want a statement from her concerning any
+events prior to May 7, 1915, she will not be able to give it to you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They looked at the little man, stupefied. He nodded cheerfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a pity,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;A great pity, especially as I
+gather, Sir James, that the matter is important. But there it is, she can tell
+you nothing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But why, man? Darn it all, why?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The little man shifted his benevolent glance to the excited young American.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because Janet Vandemeyer is suffering from a complete loss of
+memory.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<i>&ldquo;What?&rdquo;</i>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quite so. An interesting case, a <i>very</i> interesting case. Not so
+uncommon, really, as you would think. There are several very well known
+parallels. It&rsquo;s the first case of the kind that I&rsquo;ve had under my
+own personal observation, and I must admit that I&rsquo;ve found it of
+absorbing interest.&rdquo; There was something rather ghoulish in the little
+man&rsquo;s satisfaction.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And she remembers nothing,&rdquo; said Sir James slowly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing prior to May 7, 1915. After that date her memory is as good as
+yours or mine.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then the first thing she remembers?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is landing with the survivors. Everything before that is a blank. She
+did not know her own name, or where she had come from, or where she was. She
+couldn&rsquo;t even speak her own tongue.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But surely all this is most unusual?&rdquo; put in Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, my dear sir. Quite normal under the circumstances. Severe shock to
+the nervous system. Loss of memory proceeds nearly always on the same lines. I
+suggested a specialist, of course. There&rsquo;s a very good man in
+Paris&mdash;makes a study of these cases&mdash;but Mrs. Vandemeyer opposed the
+idea of publicity that might result from such a course.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can imagine she would,&rdquo; said Sir James grimly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I fell in with her views. There is a certain notoriety given to these
+cases. And the girl was very young&mdash;nineteen, I believe. It seemed a pity
+that her infirmity should be talked about&mdash;might damage her prospects.
+Besides, there is no special treatment to pursue in such cases. It is really a
+matter of waiting.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Waiting?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sooner or later, the memory will return&mdash;as suddenly as it
+went. But in all probability the girl will have entirely forgotten the
+intervening period, and will take up life where she left off&mdash;at the
+sinking of the <i>Lusitania</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And when do you expect this to happen?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctor shrugged his shoulders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, that I cannot say. Sometimes it is a matter of months, sometimes it
+has been known to be as long as twenty years! Sometimes another shock does the
+trick. One restores what the other took away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Another shock, eh?&rdquo; said Julius thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Exactly. There was a case in Colorado&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; The little
+man&rsquo;s voice trailed on, voluble, mildly enthusiastic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius did not seem to be listening. He had relapsed into his own thoughts and
+was frowning. Suddenly he came out of his brown study, and hit the table such a
+resounding bang with his fist that every one jumped, the doctor most of all.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got it! I guess, doc, I&rsquo;d like your medical opinion on
+the plan I&rsquo;m about to outline. Say Jane was to cross the herring pond
+again, and the same thing was to happen. The submarine, the sinking ship, every
+one to take to the boats&mdash;and so on. Wouldn&rsquo;t that do the trick?
+Wouldn&rsquo;t it give a mighty big bump to her subconscious self, or whatever
+the jargon is, and start it functioning again right away?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A very interesting speculation, Mr. Hersheimmer. In my own opinion, it
+would be successful. It is unfortunate that there is no chance of the
+conditions repeating themselves as you suggest.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not by nature, perhaps, doc. But I&rsquo;m talking about art.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Art?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why, yes. What&rsquo;s the difficulty? Hire a liner&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A liner!&rdquo; murmured Dr. Hall faintly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hire some passengers, hire a submarine&mdash;that&rsquo;s the only
+difficulty, I guess. Governments are apt to be a bit hide-bound over their
+engines of war. They won&rsquo;t sell to the first-comer. Still, I guess that
+can be got over. Ever heard of the word &lsquo;graft,&rsquo; sir? Well, graft
+gets there every time! I reckon that we shan&rsquo;t really need to fire a
+torpedo. If every one hustles round and screams loud enough that the ship is
+sinking, it ought to be enough for an innocent young girl like Jane. By the
+time she&rsquo;s got a life-belt on her, and is being hustled into a boat, with
+a well-drilled lot of artistes doing the hysterical stunt on deck,
+why&mdash;she ought to be right back where she was in May, 1915. How&rsquo;s
+that for the bare outline?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dr. Hall looked at Julius. Everything that he was for the moment incapable of
+saying was eloquent in that look.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Julius, in answer to it, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not crazy. The
+thing&rsquo;s perfectly possible. It&rsquo;s done every day in the States for
+the movies. Haven&rsquo;t you seen trains in collision on the screen?
+What&rsquo;s the difference between buying up a train and buying up a liner?
+Get the properties and you can go right ahead!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dr. Hall found his voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But the expense, my dear sir.&rdquo; His voice rose. &ldquo;The expense!
+It will be <i>colossal!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Money doesn&rsquo;t worry me any,&rdquo; explained Julius simply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dr. Hall turned an appealing face to Sir James, who smiled slightly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Hersheimmer is very well off&mdash;very well off indeed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctor&rsquo;s glance came back to Julius with a new and subtle quality in
+it. This was no longer an eccentric young fellow with a habit of falling off
+trees. The doctor&rsquo;s eyes held the deference accorded to a really rich
+man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very remarkable plan. Very remarkable,&rdquo; he murmured. &ldquo;The
+movies&mdash;of course! Your American word for the kinema. Very interesting. I
+fear we are perhaps a little behind the times over here in our methods. And you
+really mean to carry out this remarkable plan of yours.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You bet your bottom dollar I do.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctor believed him&mdash;which was a tribute to his nationality. If an
+Englishman had suggested such a thing, he would have had grave doubts as to his
+sanity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I cannot guarantee a cure,&rdquo; he pointed out. &ldquo;Perhaps I ought
+to make that quite clear.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure, that&rsquo;s all right,&rdquo; said Julius. &ldquo;You just trot
+out Jane, and leave the rest to me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Jane?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Miss Janet Vandemeyer, then. Can we get on the long distance to your
+place right away, and ask them to send her up; or shall I run down and fetch
+her in my car?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctor stared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I beg your pardon, Mr. Hersheimmer. I thought you understood.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Understood what?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That Miss Vandemeyer is no longer under my care.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap15"></a>CHAPTER XV.<br/>
+TUPPENCE RECEIVES A PROPOSAL</h2>
+
+<p>
+Julius sprang up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought you were aware of that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When did she leave?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let me see. To-day is Monday, is it not? It must have been last
+Wednesday&mdash;why, surely&mdash;yes, it was the same evening that
+you&mdash;er&mdash;fell out of my tree.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That evening? Before, or after?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let me see&mdash;oh yes, afterwards. A very urgent message arrived from
+Mrs. Vandemeyer. The young lady and the nurse who was in charge of her left by
+the night train.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius sank back again into his chair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nurse Edith&mdash;left with a patient&mdash;I remember,&rdquo; he
+muttered. &ldquo;My God, to have been so near!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dr. Hall looked bewildered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t understand. Is the young lady not with her aunt, after
+all?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence shook her head. She was about to speak when a warning glance from Sir
+James made her hold her tongue. The lawyer rose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m much obliged to you, Hall. We&rsquo;re very grateful for all
+you&rsquo;ve told us. I&rsquo;m afraid we&rsquo;re now in the position of
+having to track Miss Vandemeyer anew. What about the nurse who accompanied her;
+I suppose you don&rsquo;t know where she is?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctor shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve not heard from her, as it happens. I understood she was to
+remain with Miss Vandemeyer for a while. But what can have happened? Surely the
+girl has not been kidnapped.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That remains to be seen,&rdquo; said Sir James gravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other hesitated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You do not think I ought to go to the police?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, no. In all probability the young lady is with other
+relations.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctor was not completely satisfied, but he saw that Sir James was
+determined to say no more, and realized that to try and extract more
+information from the famous K.C. would be mere waste of labour. Accordingly, he
+wished them goodbye, and they left the hotel. For a few minutes they stood by
+the car talking.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How maddening,&rdquo; cried Tuppence. &ldquo;To think that Julius must
+have been actually under the same roof with her for a few hours.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I was a darned idiot,&rdquo; muttered Julius gloomily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You couldn&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; Tuppence consoled him. &ldquo;Could
+he?&rdquo; She appealed to Sir James.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I should advise you not to worry,&rdquo; said the latter kindly.
+&ldquo;No use crying over spilt milk, you know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The great thing is what to do next,&rdquo; added Tuppence the practical.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James shrugged his shoulders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You might advertise for the nurse who accompanied the girl. That is the
+only course I can suggest, and I must confess I do not hope for much result.
+Otherwise there is nothing to be done.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing?&rdquo; said Tuppence blankly. &ldquo;And&mdash;Tommy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We must hope for the best,&rdquo; said Sir James. &ldquo;Oh yes, we must
+go on hoping.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But over her downcast head his eyes met Julius&rsquo;s, and almost
+imperceptibly he shook his head. Julius understood. The lawyer considered the
+case hopeless. The young American&rsquo;s face grew grave. Sir James took
+Tuppence&rsquo;s hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You must let me know if anything further comes to light. Letters will
+always be forwarded.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence stared at him blankly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are going away?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I told you. Don&rsquo;t you remember? To Scotland.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, but I thought&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; The girl hesitated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James shrugged his shoulders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My dear young lady, I can do nothing more, I fear. Our clues have all
+ended in thin air. You can take my word for it that there is nothing more to be
+done. If anything should arise, I shall be glad to advise you in any way I
+can.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His words gave Tuppence an extraordinarily desolate feeling.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I suppose you&rsquo;re right,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Anyway, thank you
+very much for trying to help us. Good-bye.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius was bending over the car. A momentary pity came into Sir James&rsquo;s
+keen eyes, as he gazed into the girl&rsquo;s downcast face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be too disconsolate, Miss Tuppence,&rdquo; he said in a low
+voice. &ldquo;Remember, holiday-time isn&rsquo;t always all playtime. One
+sometimes manages to put in some work as well.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Something in his tone made Tuppence glance up sharply. He shook his head with a
+smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, I shan&rsquo;t say any more. Great mistake to say too much. Remember
+that. Never tell all you know&mdash;not even to the person you know best.
+Understand? Good-bye.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He strode away. Tuppence stared after him. She was beginning to understand Sir
+James&rsquo;s methods. Once before he had thrown her a hint in the same
+careless fashion. Was this a hint? What exactly lay behind those last brief
+words? Did he mean that, after all, he had not abandoned the case; that,
+secretly, he would be working on it still while&mdash;&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her meditations were interrupted by Julius, who adjured her to &ldquo;get right
+in.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re looking kind of thoughtful,&rdquo; he remarked as they
+started off. &ldquo;Did the old guy say anything more?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence opened her mouth impulsively, and then shut it again. Sir
+James&rsquo;s words sounded in her ears: &ldquo;Never tell all you
+know&mdash;not even to the person you know best.&rdquo; And like a flash there
+came into her mind another memory. Julius before the safe in the flat, her own
+question and the pause before his reply, &ldquo;Nothing.&rdquo; Was there
+really nothing? Or had he found something he wished to keep to himself? If he
+could make a reservation, so could she.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing particular,&rdquo; she replied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She felt rather than saw Julius throw a sideways glance at her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say, shall we go for a spin in the park?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If you like.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a while they ran on under the trees in silence. It was a beautiful day. The
+keen rush through the air brought a new exhilaration to Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say, Miss Tuppence, do you think I&rsquo;m ever going to find
+Jane?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius spoke in a discouraged voice. The mood was so alien to him that Tuppence
+turned and stared at him in surprise. He nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so. I&rsquo;m getting down and out over the business. Sir
+James to-day hadn&rsquo;t got any hope at all, I could see that. I don&rsquo;t
+like him&mdash;we don&rsquo;t gee together somehow&mdash;but he&rsquo;s pretty
+cute, and I guess he wouldn&rsquo;t quit if there was any chance of
+success&mdash;now, would he?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence felt rather uncomfortable, but clinging to her belief that Julius also
+had withheld something from her, she remained firm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He suggested advertising for the nurse,&rdquo; she reminded him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, with a &lsquo;forlorn hope&rsquo; flavour to his voice!
+No&mdash;I&rsquo;m about fed up. I&rsquo;ve half a mind to go back to the
+States right away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh no!&rdquo; cried Tuppence. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got to find
+Tommy.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I sure forgot Beresford,&rdquo; said Julius contritely.
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so. We must find him. But after&mdash;well, I&rsquo;ve been
+day-dreaming ever since I started on this trip&mdash;and these dreams are
+rotten poor business. I&rsquo;m quit of them. Say, Miss Tuppence, there&rsquo;s
+something I&rsquo;d like to ask you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You and Beresford. What about it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t understand you,&rdquo; replied Tuppence with dignity,
+adding rather inconsequently: &ldquo;And, anyway, you&rsquo;re wrong!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not got a sort of kindly feeling for one another?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly not,&rdquo; said Tuppence with warmth. &ldquo;Tommy and I are
+friends&mdash;nothing more.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess every pair of lovers has said that sometime or another,&rdquo;
+observed Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nonsense!&rdquo; snapped Tuppence. &ldquo;Do I look the sort of girl
+that&rsquo;s always falling in love with every man she meets?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You do not. You look the sort of girl that&rsquo;s mighty often getting
+fallen in love with!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tuppence, rather taken aback. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a
+compliment, I suppose?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure. Now let&rsquo;s get down to this. Supposing we never find
+Beresford and&mdash;and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All right&mdash;say it! I can face facts. Supposing
+he&rsquo;s&mdash;dead! Well?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And all this business fiddles out. What are you going to do?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; said Tuppence forlornly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;ll be darned lonesome, you poor kid.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shall be all right,&rdquo; snapped Tuppence with her usual resentment
+of any kind of pity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about marriage?&rdquo; inquired Julius. &ldquo;Got any views on the
+subject?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I intend to marry, of course,&rdquo; replied Tuppence. &ldquo;That is,
+if&rdquo;&mdash;she paused, knew a momentary longing to draw back, and then
+stuck to her guns bravely&mdash;&ldquo;I can find some one rich enough to make
+it worth my while. That&rsquo;s frank, isn&rsquo;t it? I dare say you despise
+me for it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I never despise business instinct,&rdquo; said Julius. &ldquo;What
+particular figure have you in mind?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Figure?&rdquo; asked Tuppence, puzzled. &ldquo;Do you mean tall or
+short?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No. Sum&mdash;income.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I&mdash;I haven&rsquo;t quite worked that out.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<i>&ldquo;You?&rdquo;</i>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I couldn&rsquo;t!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I tell you I couldn&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Again, why not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It would seem so unfair.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see anything unfair about it. I call your bluff,
+that&rsquo;s all. I admire you immensely, Miss Tuppence, more than any girl
+I&rsquo;ve ever met. You&rsquo;re so darned plucky. I&rsquo;d just love to give
+you a real, rattling good time. Say the word, and we&rsquo;ll run round right
+away to some high-class jeweller, and fix up the ring business.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t,&rdquo; gasped Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because of Beresford?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, no, <i>no!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well then?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence merely continued to shake her head violently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You can&rsquo;t reasonably expect more dollars than I&rsquo;ve
+got.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, it isn&rsquo;t that,&rdquo; gasped Tuppence with an almost
+hysterical laugh. &ldquo;But thanking you very much, and all that, I think
+I&rsquo;d better say no.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d be obliged if you&rsquo;d do me the favour to think it over
+until to-morrow.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s no use.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Still, I guess we&rsquo;ll leave it like that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; said Tuppence meekly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Neither of them spoke again until they reached the <i>Ritz</i>.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence went upstairs to her room. She felt morally battered to the ground
+after her conflict with Julius&rsquo;s vigorous personality. Sitting down in
+front of the glass, she stared at her own reflection for some minutes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Fool,&rdquo; murmured Tuppence at length, making a grimace.
+&ldquo;Little fool. Everything you want&mdash;everything you&rsquo;ve ever
+hoped for, and you go and bleat out &lsquo;no&rsquo; like an idiotic little
+sheep. It&rsquo;s your one chance. Why don&rsquo;t you take it? Grab it? Snatch
+at it? What more do you want?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As if in answer to her own question, her eyes fell on a small snapshot of Tommy
+that stood on her dressing-table in a shabby frame. For a moment she struggled
+for self-control, and then abandoning all presence, she held it to her lips and
+burst into a fit of sobbing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Tommy, Tommy,&rdquo; she cried, &ldquo;I do love you so&mdash;and I
+may never see you again....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the end of five minutes Tuppence sat up, blew her nose, and pushed back her
+hair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s that,&rdquo; she observed sternly. &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s look
+facts in the face. I seem to have fallen in love&mdash;with an idiot of a boy
+who probably doesn&rsquo;t care two straws about me.&rdquo; Here she paused.
+&ldquo;Anyway,&rdquo; she resumed, as though arguing with an unseen opponent,
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t <i>know</i> that he does. He&rsquo;d never have dared to
+say so. I&rsquo;ve always jumped on sentiment&mdash;and here I am being more
+sentimental than anybody. What idiots girls are! I&rsquo;ve always thought so.
+I suppose I shall sleep with his photograph under my pillow, and dream about
+him all night. It&rsquo;s dreadful to feel you&rsquo;ve been false to your
+principles.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence shook her head sadly, as she reviewed her backsliding.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know what to say to Julius, I&rsquo;m sure. Oh, what a
+fool I feel! I&rsquo;ll have to say <i>something</i>&mdash;he&rsquo;s so
+American and thorough, he&rsquo;ll insist upon having a reason. I wonder if he
+did find anything in that safe&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence&rsquo;s meditations went off on another tack. She reviewed the events
+of last night carefully and persistently. Somehow, they seemed bound up with
+Sir James&rsquo;s enigmatical words....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly she gave a great start&mdash;the colour faded out of her face. Her
+eyes, fascinated, gazed in front of her, the pupils dilated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Impossible,&rdquo; she murmured. &ldquo;Impossible! I must be going mad
+even to think of such a thing....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Monstrous&mdash;yet it explained everything....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a moment&rsquo;s reflection she sat down and wrote a note, weighing each
+word as she did so. Finally she nodded her head as though satisfied, and
+slipped it into an envelope which she addressed to Julius. She went down the
+passage to his sitting-room and knocked at the door. As she had expected, the
+room was empty. She left the note on the table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A small page-boy was waiting outside her own door when she returned to it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Telegram for you, miss.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence took it from the salver, and tore it open carelessly. Then she gave a
+cry. The telegram was from Tommy!
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap16"></a>CHAPTER XVI.<br/>
+FURTHER ADVENTURES OF TOMMY</h2>
+
+<p>
+From a darkness punctuated with throbbing stabs of fire, Tommy dragged his
+senses slowly back to life. When he at last opened his eyes, he was conscious
+of nothing but an excruciating pain through his temples. He was vaguely aware
+of unfamiliar surroundings. Where was he? What had happened? He blinked feebly.
+This was not his bedroom at the <i>Ritz</i>. And what the devil was the matter
+with his head?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Damn!&rdquo; said Tommy, and tried to sit up. He had remembered. He was
+in that sinister house in Soho. He uttered a groan and fell back. Through his
+almost-closed lids he reconnoitred carefully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He is coming to,&rdquo; remarked a voice very near Tommy&rsquo;s ear. He
+recognized it at once for that of the bearded and efficient German, and lay
+artistically inert. He felt that it would be a pity to come round too soon; and
+until the pain in his head became a little less acute, he felt quite incapable
+of collecting his wits. Painfully he tried to puzzle out what had happened.
+Obviously somebody must have crept up behind him as he listened and struck him
+down with a blow on the head. They knew him now for a spy, and would in all
+probability give him short shrift. Undoubtedly he was in a tight place. Nobody
+knew where he was, therefore he need expect no outside assistance, and must
+depend solely on his own wits.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, here goes,&rdquo; murmured Tommy to himself, and repeated his
+former remark.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Damn!&rdquo; he observed, and this time succeeded in sitting up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In a minute the German stepped forward and placed a glass to his lips, with the
+brief command &ldquo;Drink.&rdquo; Tommy obeyed. The potency of the draught
+made him choke, but it cleared his brain in a marvellous manner.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He was lying on a couch in the room in which the meeting had been held. On one
+side of him was the German, on the other the villainous-faced doorkeeper who
+had let him in. The others were grouped together at a little distance away. But
+Tommy missed one face. The man known as Number One was no longer of the
+company.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Feel better?&rdquo; asked the German, as he removed the empty glass.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, thanks,&rdquo; returned Tommy cheerfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, my young friend, it is lucky for you your skull is so thick. The
+good Conrad struck hard.&rdquo; He indicated the evil-faced doorkeeper by a
+nod. The man grinned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy twisted his head round with an effort.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;so you&rsquo;re Conrad, are you? It strikes
+me the thickness of my skull was lucky for you too. When I look at you I feel
+it&rsquo;s almost a pity I&rsquo;ve enabled you to cheat the hangman.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man snarled, and the bearded man said quietly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He would have run no risk of that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just as you like,&rdquo; replied Tommy. &ldquo;I know it&rsquo;s the
+fashion to run down the police. I rather believe in them myself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His manner was nonchalant to the last degree. Tommy Beresford was one of those
+young Englishmen not distinguished by any special intellectual ability, but who
+are emphatically at their best in what is known as a &ldquo;tight place.&rdquo;
+Their natural diffidence and caution fall from them like a glove. Tommy
+realized perfectly that in his own wits lay the only chance of escape, and
+behind his casual manner he was racking his brains furiously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The cold accents of the German took up the conversation:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have you anything to say before you are put to death as a spy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Simply lots of things,&rdquo; replied Tommy with the same urbanity as
+before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you deny that you were listening at that door?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I do not. I must really apologize&mdash;but your conversation was so
+interesting that it overcame my scruples.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How did you get in?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dear old Conrad here.&rdquo; Tommy smiled deprecatingly at him. &ldquo;I
+hesitate to suggest pensioning off a faithful servant, but you really ought to
+have a better watchdog.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Conrad snarled impotently, and said sullenly, as the man with the beard swung
+round upon him:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He gave the word. How was I to know?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; Tommy chimed in. &ldquo;How was he to know? Don&rsquo;t
+blame the poor fellow. His hasty action has given me the pleasure of seeing you
+all face to face.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He fancied that his words caused some discomposure among the group, but the
+watchful German stilled it with a wave of his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dead men tell no tales,&rdquo; he said evenly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah,&rdquo; said Tommy, &ldquo;but I&rsquo;m not dead yet!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You soon will be, my young friend,&rdquo; said the German.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+An assenting murmur came from the others.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy&rsquo;s heart beat faster, but his casual pleasantness did not waver.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think not,&rdquo; he said firmly. &ldquo;I should have a great
+objection to dying.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had got them puzzled, he saw that by the look on his captor&rsquo;s face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can you give us any reason why we should not put you to death?&rdquo;
+asked the German.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Several,&rdquo; replied Tommy. &ldquo;Look here, you&rsquo;ve been
+asking me a lot of questions. Let me ask you one for a change. Why didn&rsquo;t
+you kill me off at once before I regained consciousness?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German hesitated, and Tommy seized his advantage.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because you didn&rsquo;t know how much I knew&mdash;and where I obtained
+that knowledge. If you kill me now, you never will know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But here the emotions of Boris became too much for him. He stepped forward
+waving his arms.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You hell-hound of a spy,&rdquo; he screamed. &ldquo;We will give you
+short shrift. Kill him! Kill him!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a roar of applause.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You hear?&rdquo; said the German, his eyes on Tommy. &ldquo;What have
+you to say to that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say?&rdquo; Tommy shrugged his shoulders. &ldquo;Pack of fools. Let them
+ask themselves a few questions. How did I get into this place? Remember what
+dear old Conrad said&mdash; <i>with your own password</i>, wasn&rsquo;t it? How
+did I get hold of that? You don&rsquo;t suppose I came up those steps haphazard
+and said the first thing that came into my head?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy was pleased with the concluding words of this speech. His only regret was
+that Tuppence was not present to appreciate its full flavour.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is true,&rdquo; said the working man suddenly. &ldquo;Comrades, we
+have been betrayed!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+An ugly murmur arose. Tommy smiled at them encouragingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s better. How can you hope to make a success of any job if
+you don&rsquo;t use your brains?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You will tell us who has betrayed us,&rdquo; said the German. &ldquo;But
+that shall not save you&mdash;oh, no! You shall tell us all that you know.
+Boris, here, knows pretty ways of making people speak!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Bah!&rdquo; said Tommy scornfully, fighting down a singularly unpleasant
+feeling in the pit of his stomach. &ldquo;You will neither torture me nor kill
+me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And why not?&rdquo; asked Boris.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because you&rsquo;d kill the goose that lays the golden eggs,&rdquo;
+replied Tommy quietly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a momentary pause. It seemed as though Tommy&rsquo;s persistent
+assurance was at last conquering. They were no longer completely sure of
+themselves. The man in the shabby clothes stared at Tommy searchingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He&rsquo;s bluffing you, Boris,&rdquo; he said quietly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy hated him. Had the man seen through him?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German, with an effort, turned roughly to Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you think I mean?&rdquo; parried Tommy, searching desperately in
+his own mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly Boris stepped forward, and shook his fist in Tommy&rsquo;s face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Speak, you swine of an Englishman&mdash;speak!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t get so excited, my good fellow,&rdquo; said Tommy calmly.
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the worst of you foreigners. You can&rsquo;t keep calm.
+Now, I ask you, do I look as though I thought there were the least chance of
+your killing me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked confidently round, and was glad they could not hear the persistent
+beating of his heart which gave the lie to his words.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; admitted Boris at last sullenly, &ldquo;you do not.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank God, he&rsquo;s not a mind reader,&rdquo; thought Tommy. Aloud he
+pursued his advantage:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And why am I so confident? Because I know something that puts me in a
+position to propose a bargain.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A bargain?&rdquo; The bearded man took him up sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes&mdash;a bargain. My life and liberty against&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; He
+paused.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Against what?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The group pressed forward. You could have heard a pin drop.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Slowly Tommy spoke.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The papers that Danvers brought over from America in the
+<i>Lusitania</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The effect of his words was electrical. Every one was on his feet. The German
+waved them back. He leaned over Tommy, his face purple with excitement.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;<i>Himmel!</i> You have got them, then?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With magnificent calm Tommy shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You know where they are?&rdquo; persisted the German.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again Tommy shook his head. &ldquo;Not in the least.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then&mdash;then&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; angry and baffled, the words failed
+him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy looked round. He saw anger and bewilderment on every face, but his calm
+assurance had done its work&mdash;no one doubted but that something lay behind
+his words.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know where the papers are&mdash;but I believe that I can
+find them. I have a theory&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pah!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy raised his hand, and silenced the clamours of disgust.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I call it a theory&mdash;but I&rsquo;m pretty sure of my
+facts&mdash;facts that are known to no one but myself. In any case what do you
+lose? If I can produce the papers&mdash;you give me my life and liberty in
+exchange. Is it a bargain?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And if we refuse?&rdquo; said the German quietly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy lay back on the couch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The 29th,&rdquo; he said thoughtfully, &ldquo;is less than a fortnight
+ahead&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment the German hesitated. Then he made a sign to Conrad.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Take him into the other room.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For five minutes, Tommy sat on the bed in the dingy room next door. His heart
+was beating violently. He had risked all on this throw. How would they decide?
+And all the while that this agonized questioning went on within him, he talked
+flippantly to Conrad, enraging the cross-grained doorkeeper to the point of
+homicidal mania.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At last the door opened, and the German called imperiously to Conrad to return.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s hope the judge hasn&rsquo;t put his black cap on,&rdquo;
+remarked Tommy frivolously. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s right, Conrad, march me in. The
+prisoner is at the bar, gentlemen.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German was seated once more behind the table. He motioned to Tommy to sit
+down opposite to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We accept,&rdquo; he said harshly, &ldquo;on terms. The papers must be
+delivered to us before you go free.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Idiot!&rdquo; said Tommy amiably. &ldquo;How do you think I can look for
+them if you keep me tied by the leg here?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you expect, then?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I must have liberty to go about the business in my own way.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German laughed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you think we are little children to let you walk out of here leaving
+us a pretty story full of promises?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Tommy thoughtfully. &ldquo;Though infinitely simpler for
+me, I did not really think you would agree to that plan. Very well, we must
+arrange a compromise. How would it be if you attached little Conrad here to my
+person. He&rsquo;s a faithful fellow, and very ready with the fist.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We prefer,&rdquo; said the German coldly, &ldquo;that you should remain
+here. One of our number will carry out your instructions minutely. If the
+operations are complicated, he will return to you with a report and you can
+instruct him further.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re tying my hands,&rdquo; complained Tommy. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s
+a very delicate affair, and the other fellow will muff it up as likely as not,
+and then where shall I be? I don&rsquo;t believe one of you has got an ounce of
+tact.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German rapped the table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Those are our terms. Otherwise, death!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy leaned back wearily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I like your style. Curt, but attractive. So be it, then. But one thing
+is essential, I must see the girl.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What girl?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Jane Finn, of course.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other looked at him curiously for some minutes, then he said slowly, and as
+though choosing his words with care:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you not know that she can tell you nothing?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy&rsquo;s heart beat a little faster. Would he succeed in coming face to
+face with the girl he was seeking?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shall not ask her to tell me anything,&rdquo; he said quietly.
+&ldquo;Not in so many words, that is.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then why see her?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy paused.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To watch her face when I ask her one question,&rdquo; he replied at
+last.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again there was a look in the German&rsquo;s eyes that Tommy did not quite
+understand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She will not be able to answer your question.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That does not matter. I shall have seen her face when I ask it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And you think that will tell you anything?&rdquo; He gave a short
+disagreeable laugh. More than ever, Tommy felt that there was a factor
+somewhere that he did not understand. The German looked at him searchingly.
+&ldquo;I wonder whether, after all, you know as much as we think?&rdquo; he
+said softly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy felt his ascendancy less sure than a moment before. His hold had slipped
+a little. But he was puzzled. What had he said wrong? He spoke out on the
+impulse of the moment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There may be things that you know which I do not. I have not pretended
+to be aware of all the details of your show. But equally I&rsquo;ve got
+something up my sleeve that <i>you</i> don&rsquo;t know about. And that&rsquo;s
+where I mean to score. Danvers was a damned clever fellow&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+He broke off as if he had said too much.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the German&rsquo;s face had lightened a little.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Danvers,&rdquo; he murmured. &ldquo;I see&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; He paused
+a minute, then waved to Conrad. &ldquo;Take him away. Upstairs&mdash;you
+know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wait a minute,&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;What about the girl?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That may perhaps be arranged.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It must be.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We will see about it. Only one person can decide that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who?&rdquo; asked Tommy. But he knew the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Brown&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shall I see him?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come,&rdquo; said Conrad harshly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy rose obediently. Outside the door his gaoler motioned to him to mount the
+stairs. He himself followed close behind. On the floor above Conrad opened a
+door and Tommy passed into a small room. Conrad lit a hissing gas burner and
+went out. Tommy heard the sound of the key being turned in the lock.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He set to work to examine his prison. It was a smaller room than the one
+downstairs, and there was something peculiarly airless about the atmosphere of
+it. Then he realized that there was no window. He walked round it. The walls
+were filthily dirty, as everywhere else. Four pictures hung crookedly on the
+wall representing scenes from Faust. Marguerite with her box of jewels, the
+church scene, Siebel and his flowers, and Faust and Mephistopheles. The latter
+brought Tommy&rsquo;s mind back to Mr. Brown again. In this sealed and closed
+chamber, with its close-fitting heavy door, he felt cut off from the world, and
+the sinister power of the arch-criminal seemed more real. Shout as he would, no
+one could ever hear him. The place was a living tomb....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With an effort Tommy pulled himself together. He sank on to the bed and gave
+himself up to reflection. His head ached badly; also, he was hungry. The
+silence of the place was dispiriting.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Anyway,&rdquo; said Tommy, trying to cheer himself, &ldquo;I shall see
+the chief&mdash;the mysterious Mr. Brown and with a bit of luck in bluffing I
+shall see the mysterious Jane Finn also. After that&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After that Tommy was forced to admit the prospect looked dreary.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap17"></a>CHAPTER XVII.<br/>
+ANNETTE</h2>
+
+<p>
+The troubles of the future, however, soon faded before the troubles of the
+present. And of these, the most immediate and pressing was that of hunger.
+Tommy had a healthy and vigorous appetite. The steak and chips partaken of for
+lunch seemed now to belong to another decade. He regretfully recognized the
+fact that he would not make a success of a hunger strike.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He prowled aimlessly about his prison. Once or twice he discarded dignity, and
+pounded on the door. But nobody answered the summons.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hang it all!&rdquo; said Tommy indignantly. &ldquo;They can&rsquo;t mean
+to starve me to death.&rdquo; A new-born fear passed through his mind that this
+might, perhaps, be one of those &ldquo;pretty ways&rdquo; of making a prisoner
+speak, which had been attributed to Boris. But on reflection he dismissed the
+idea.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s that sour-faced brute Conrad,&rdquo; he decided.
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s a fellow I shall enjoy getting even with one of these days.
+This is just a bit of spite on his part. I&rsquo;m certain of it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Further meditations induced in him the feeling that it would be extremely
+pleasant to bring something down with a whack on Conrad&rsquo;s egg-shaped
+head. Tommy stroked his own head tenderly, and gave himself up to the pleasures
+of imagination. Finally a bright idea flashed across his brain. Why not convert
+imagination into reality? Conrad was undoubtedly the tenant of the house. The
+others, with the possible exception of the bearded German, merely used it as a
+rendezvous. Therefore, why not wait in ambush for Conrad behind the door, and
+when he entered bring down a chair, or one of the decrepit pictures, smartly on
+to his head. One would, of course, be careful not to hit too hard. And
+then&mdash;and then, simply walk out! If he met anyone on the way down,
+well&mdash;&mdash; Tommy brightened at the thought of an encounter with his
+fists. Such an affair was infinitely more in his line than the verbal encounter
+of this afternoon. Intoxicated by his plan, Tommy gently unhooked the picture
+of the Devil and Faust, and settled himself in position. His hopes were high.
+The plan seemed to him simple but excellent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Time went on, but Conrad did not appear. Night and day were the same in this
+prison room, but Tommy&rsquo;s wrist-watch, which enjoyed a certain degree of
+accuracy, informed him that it was nine o&rsquo;clock in the evening. Tommy
+reflected gloomily that if supper did not arrive soon it would be a question of
+waiting for breakfast. At ten o&rsquo;clock hope deserted him, and he flung
+himself on the bed to seek consolation in sleep. In five minutes his woes were
+forgotten.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The sound of the key turning in the lock awoke him from his slumbers. Not
+belonging to the type of hero who is famous for awaking in full possession of
+his faculties, Tommy merely blinked at the ceiling and wondered vaguely where
+he was. Then he remembered, and looked at his watch. It was eight
+o&rsquo;clock.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s either early morning tea or breakfast,&rdquo; deduced the
+young man, &ldquo;and pray God it&rsquo;s the latter!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The door swung open. Too late, Tommy remembered his scheme of obliterating the
+unprepossessing Conrad. A moment later he was glad that he had, for it was not
+Conrad who entered, but a girl. She carried a tray which she set down on the
+table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the feeble light of the gas burner Tommy blinked at her. He decided at once
+that she was one of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen. Her hair was a
+full rich brown, with sudden glints of gold in it as though there were
+imprisoned sunbeams struggling in its depths. There was a wild-rose quality
+about her face. Her eyes, set wide apart, were hazel, a golden hazel that again
+recalled a memory of sunbeams.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A delirious thought shot through Tommy&rsquo;s mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you Jane Finn?&rdquo; he asked breathlessly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl shook her head wonderingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My name is Annette, monsieur.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She spoke in a soft, broken English.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tommy, rather taken aback.
+<i>&ldquo;Française?&rdquo;</i> he hazarded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oui, monsieur. Monsieur parle français?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not for any length of time,&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;What&rsquo;s that?
+Breakfast?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl nodded. Tommy dropped off the bed and came and inspected the contents
+of the tray. It consisted of a loaf, some margarine, and a jug of coffee.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The living is not equal to the <i>Ritz</i>,&rdquo; he observed with a
+sigh. &ldquo;But for what we are at last about to receive the Lord has made me
+truly thankful. Amen.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He drew up a chair, and the girl turned away to the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wait a sec,&rdquo; cried Tommy. &ldquo;There are lots of things I want
+to ask you, Annette. What are you doing in this house? Don&rsquo;t tell me
+you&rsquo;re Conrad&rsquo;s niece, or daughter, or anything, because I
+can&rsquo;t believe it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I do the <i>service</i>, monsieur. I am not related to anybody.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I see,&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;You know what I asked you just now.
+Have you ever heard that name?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have heard people speak of Jane Finn, I think.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t know where she is?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Annette shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s not in this house, for instance?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh no, monsieur. I must go now&mdash;they will be waiting for me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She hurried out. The key turned in the lock.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wonder who &lsquo;they&rsquo; are,&rdquo; mused Tommy, as he continued
+to make inroads on the loaf. &ldquo;With a bit of luck, that girl might help me
+to get out of here. She doesn&rsquo;t look like one of the gang.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At one o&rsquo;clock Annette reappeared with another tray, but this time Conrad
+accompanied her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good morning,&rdquo; said Tommy amiably. &ldquo;You have <i>not</i> used
+Pear&rsquo;s soap, I see.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Conrad growled threateningly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No light repartee, have you, old bean? There, there, we can&rsquo;t
+always have brains as well as beauty. What have we for lunch? Stew? How did I
+know? Elementary, my dear Watson&mdash;the smell of onions is
+unmistakable.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Talk away,&rdquo; grunted the man. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s little enough time
+you&rsquo;ll have to talk in, maybe.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The remark was unpleasant in its suggestion, but Tommy ignored it. He sat down
+at the table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Retire, varlet,&rdquo; he said, with a wave of his hand. &ldquo;Prate
+not to thy betters.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That evening Tommy sat on the bed, and cogitated deeply. Would Conrad again
+accompany the girl? If he did not, should he risk trying to make an ally of
+her? He decided that he must leave no stone unturned. His position was
+desperate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At eight o&rsquo;clock the familiar sound of the key turning made him spring to
+his feet. The girl was alone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shut the door,&rdquo; he commanded. &ldquo;I want to speak to
+you.&rdquo; She obeyed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Look here, Annette, I want you to help me get out of this.&rdquo; She
+shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Impossible. There are three of them on the floor below.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; Tommy was secretly grateful for the information. &ldquo;But
+you would help me if you could?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, monsieur.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl hesitated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think&mdash;they are my own people. You have spied upon them. They are
+quite right to keep you here.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They&rsquo;re a bad lot, Annette. If you&rsquo;ll help me, I&rsquo;ll
+take you away from the lot of them. And you&rsquo;d probably get a good whack
+of money.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the girl merely shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I dare not, monsieur; I am afraid of them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She turned away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wouldn&rsquo;t you do anything to help another girl?&rdquo; cried Tommy.
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s about your age too. Won&rsquo;t you save her from their
+clutches?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You mean Jane Finn?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is her you came here to look for? Yes?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl looked at him, then passed her hand across her forehead.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Jane Finn. Always I hear that name. It is familiar.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy came forward eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You must know <i>something</i> about her?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the girl turned away abruptly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know nothing&mdash;only the name.&rdquo; She walked towards the door.
+Suddenly she uttered a cry. Tommy stared. She had caught sight of the picture
+he had laid against the wall the night before. For a moment he caught a look of
+terror in her eyes. As inexplicably it changed to relief. Then abruptly she
+went out of the room. Tommy could make nothing of it. Did she fancy that he had
+meant to attack her with it? Surely not. He rehung the picture on the wall
+thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Three more days went by in dreary inaction. Tommy felt the strain telling on
+his nerves. He saw no one but Conrad and Annette, and the girl had become dumb.
+She spoke only in monosyllables. A kind of dark suspicion smouldered in her
+eyes. Tommy felt that if this solitary confinement went on much longer he would
+go mad. He gathered from Conrad that they were waiting for orders from
+&ldquo;Mr. Brown.&rdquo; Perhaps, thought Tommy, he was abroad or away, and
+they were obliged to wait for his return.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the evening of the third day brought a rude awakening.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was barely seven o&rsquo;clock when he heard the tramp of footsteps outside
+in the passage. In another minute the door was flung open. Conrad entered. With
+him was the evil-looking Number 14. Tommy&rsquo;s heart sank at the sight of
+them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Evenin&rsquo;, gov&rsquo;nor,&rdquo; said the man with a leer.
+&ldquo;Got those ropes, mate?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The silent Conrad produced a length of fine cord. The next minute Number
+14&rsquo;s hands, horribly dexterous, were winding the cord round his limbs,
+while Conrad held him down.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What the devil&mdash;&mdash;?&rdquo; began Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the slow, speechless grin of the silent Conrad froze the words on his lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Number 14 proceeded deftly with his task. In another minute Tommy was a mere
+helpless bundle. Then at last Conrad spoke:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thought you&rsquo;d bluffed us, did you? With what you knew, and what
+you didn&rsquo;t know. Bargained with us! And all the time it was bluff! Bluff!
+You know less than a kitten. But your number&rsquo;s up now all right, you
+b&mdash;&mdash; swine.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy lay silent. There was nothing to say. He had failed. Somehow or other the
+omnipotent Mr. Brown had seen through his pretensions. Suddenly a thought
+occurred to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A very good speech, Conrad,&rdquo; he said approvingly. &ldquo;But
+wherefore the bonds and fetters? Why not let this kind gentleman here cut my
+throat without delay?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Garn,&rdquo; said Number 14 unexpectedly. &ldquo;Think we&rsquo;re as
+green as to do you in here, and have the police nosing round? Not &lsquo;alf!
+We&rsquo;ve ordered the carriage for your lordship to-morrow mornin&rsquo;, but
+in the meantime we&rsquo;re not taking any chances, see!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing,&rdquo; said Tommy, &ldquo;could be plainer than your
+words&mdash;unless it was your face.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Stow it,&rdquo; said Number 14.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;With pleasure,&rdquo; replied Tommy. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re making a sad
+mistake&mdash;but yours will be the loss.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t kid us that way again,&rdquo; said Number 14.
+&ldquo;Talking as though you were still at the blooming <i>Ritz</i>,
+aren&rsquo;t you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy made no reply. He was engaged in wondering how Mr. Brown had discovered
+his identity. He decided that Tuppence, in the throes of anxiety, had gone to
+the police, and that his disappearance having been made public the gang had not
+been slow to put two and two together.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two men departed and the door slammed. Tommy was left to his meditations.
+They were not pleasant ones. Already his limbs felt cramped and stiff. He was
+utterly helpless, and he could see no hope anywhere.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+About an hour had passed when he heard the key softly turned, and the door
+opened. It was Annette. Tommy&rsquo;s heart beat a little faster. He had
+forgotten the girl. Was it possible that she had come to his help?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly he heard Conrad&rsquo;s voice:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come out of it, Annette. He doesn&rsquo;t want any supper
+to-night.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oui, oui, je sais bien. But I must take the other tray. We need the
+things on it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, hurry up,&rdquo; growled Conrad.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Without looking at Tommy the girl went over to the table, and picked up the
+tray. She raised a hand and turned out the light.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Curse you&rdquo;&mdash;Conrad had come to the door&mdash;&ldquo;why did
+you do that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I always turn it out. You should have told me. Shall I relight it,
+Monsieur Conrad?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, come on out of it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Le beau petit monsieur,&rdquo; cried Annette, pausing by the bed in the
+darkness. &ldquo;You have tied him up well, <i>hein?</i> He is like a trussed
+chicken!&rdquo; The frank amusement in her tone jarred on the boy; but at that
+moment, to his amazement, he felt her hand running lightly over his bonds, and
+something small and cold was pressed into the palm of his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come on, Annette.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mais me voilà.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The door shut. Tommy heard Conrad say:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Lock it and give me the key.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The footsteps died away. Tommy lay petrified with amazement. The object Annette
+had thrust into his hand was a small penknife, the blade open. From the way she
+had studiously avoided looking at him, and her action with the light, he came
+to the conclusion that the room was overlooked. There must be a peep-hole
+somewhere in the walls. Remembering how guarded she had always been in her
+manner, he saw that he had probably been under observation all the time. Had he
+said anything to give himself away? Hardly. He had revealed a wish to escape
+and a desire to find Jane Finn, but nothing that could have given a clue to his
+own identity. True, his question to Annette had proved that he was personally
+unacquainted with Jane Finn, but he had never pretended otherwise. The question
+now was, did Annette really know more? Were her denials intended primarily for
+the listeners? On that point he could come to no conclusion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But there was a more vital question that drove out all others. Could he, bound
+as he was, manage to cut his bonds? He essayed cautiously to rub the open blade
+up and down on the cord that bound his two wrists together. It was an awkward
+business, and drew a smothered &ldquo;Ow&rdquo; of pain from him as the knife
+cut into his wrist. But slowly and doggedly he went on sawing to and fro. He
+cut the flesh badly, but at last he felt the cord slacken. With his hands free,
+the rest was easy. Five minutes later he stood upright with some difficulty,
+owing to the cramp in his limbs. His first care was to bind up his bleeding
+wrist. Then he sat on the edge of the bed to think. Conrad had taken the key of
+the door, so he could expect little more assistance from Annette. The only
+outlet from the room was the door, consequently he would perforce have to wait
+until the two men returned to fetch him. But when they did.... Tommy smiled!
+Moving with infinite caution in the dark room, he found and unhooked the famous
+picture. He felt an economical pleasure that his first plan would not be
+wasted. There was now nothing to do but to wait. He waited.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The night passed slowly. Tommy lived through an eternity of hours, but at last
+he heard footsteps. He stood upright, drew a deep breath, and clutched the
+picture firmly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The door opened. A faint light streamed in from outside. Conrad went straight
+towards the gas to light it. Tommy deeply regretted that it was he who had
+entered first. It would have been pleasant to get even with Conrad. Number 14
+followed. As he stepped across the threshold, Tommy brought the picture down
+with terrific force on his head. Number 14 went down amidst a stupendous crash
+of broken glass. In a minute Tommy had slipped out and pulled to the door. The
+key was in the lock. He turned it and withdrew it just as Conrad hurled himself
+against the door from the inside with a volley of curses.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment Tommy hesitated. There was the sound of some one stirring on the
+floor below. Then the German&rsquo;s voice came up the stairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gott im Himmel! Conrad, what is it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy felt a small hand thrust into his. Beside him stood Annette. She pointed
+up a rickety ladder that apparently led to some attics.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quick&mdash;up here!&rdquo; She dragged him after her up the ladder. In
+another moment they were standing in a dusty garret littered with lumber. Tommy
+looked round.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This won&rsquo;t do. It&rsquo;s a regular trap. There&rsquo;s no way
+out.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hush! Wait.&rdquo; The girl put her finger to her lips. She crept to the
+top of the ladder and listened.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The banging and beating on the door was terrific. The German and another were
+trying to force the door in. Annette explained in a whisper:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They will think you are still inside. They cannot hear what Conrad says.
+The door is too thick.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought you could hear what went on in the room?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There is a peep-hole into the next room. It was clever of you to guess.
+But they will not think of that&mdash;they are only anxious to get in.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes&mdash;but look here&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Leave it to me.&rdquo; She bent down. To his amazement, Tommy saw that
+she was fastening the end of a long piece of string to the handle of a big
+cracked jug. She arranged it carefully, then turned to Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have you the key of the door?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Give it to me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He handed it to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am going down. Do you think you can go halfway, and then swing
+yourself down <i>behind</i> the ladder, so that they will not see you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a big cupboard in the shadow of the landing. Stand behind
+it. Take the end of this string in your hand. When I&rsquo;ve let the others
+out&mdash; <i>pull! </i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Before he had time to ask her anything more, she had flitted lightly down the
+ladder and was in the midst of the group with a loud cry:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! Qu&rsquo;est-ce qu&rsquo;il y a?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German turned on her with an oath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get out of this. Go to your room!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Very cautiously Tommy swung himself down the back of the ladder. So long as
+they did not turn round ... all was well. He crouched behind the cupboard. They
+were still between him and the stairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; Annette appeared to stumble over something. She stooped.
+&ldquo;Mon Dieu, voilà la clef!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German snatched it from her. He unlocked the door. Conrad stumbled out,
+swearing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where is he? Have you got him?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We have seen no one,&rdquo; said the German sharply. His face paled.
+&ldquo;Who do you mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Conrad gave vent to another oath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He&rsquo;s got away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Impossible. He would have passed us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At that moment, with an ecstatic smile Tommy pulled the string. A crash of
+crockery came from the attic above. In a trice the men were pushing each other
+up the rickety ladder and had disappeared into the darkness above.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Quick as a flash Tommy leapt from his hiding-place and dashed down the stairs,
+pulling the girl with him. There was no one in the hall. He fumbled over the
+bolts and chain. At last they yielded, the door swung open. He turned. Annette
+had disappeared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy stood spell-bound. Had she run upstairs again? What madness possessed
+her! He fumed with impatience, but he stood his ground. He would not go without
+her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And suddenly there was an outcry overhead, an exclamation from the German, and
+then Annette&rsquo;s voice, clear and high:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ma foi, he has escaped! And quickly! Who would have thought it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy still stood rooted to the ground. Was that a command to him to go? He
+fancied it was.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And then, louder still, the words floated down to him:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This is a terrible house. I want to go back to Marguerite. To
+Marguerite. <i>To Marguerite!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy had run back to the stairs. She wanted him to go and leave her. But why?
+At all costs he must try and get her away with him. Then his heart sank. Conrad
+was leaping down the stairs, uttering a savage cry at the sight of him. After
+him came the others.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy stopped Conrad&rsquo;s rush with a straight blow with his fist. It caught
+the other on the point of the jaw and he fell like a log. The second man
+tripped over his body and fell. From higher up the staircase there was a flash,
+and a bullet grazed Tommy&rsquo;s ear. He realized that it would be good for
+his health to get out of this house as soon as possible. As regards Annette he
+could do nothing. He had got even with Conrad, which was one satisfaction. The
+blow had been a good one.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He leapt for the door, slamming it behind him. The square was deserted. In
+front of the house was a baker&rsquo;s van. Evidently he was to have been taken
+out of London in that, and his body found many miles from the house in Soho.
+The driver jumped to the pavement and tried to bar Tommy&rsquo;s way. Again
+Tommy&rsquo;s fist shot out, and the driver sprawled on the pavement.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy took to his heels and ran&mdash;none too soon. The front door opened and
+a hail of bullets followed him. Fortunately none of them hit him. He turned the
+corner of the square.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s one thing,&rdquo; he thought to himself, &ldquo;they
+can&rsquo;t go on shooting. They&rsquo;ll have the police after them if they
+do. I wonder they dared to there.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He heard the footsteps of his pursuers behind him, and redoubled his own pace.
+Once he got out of these by-ways he would be safe. There would be a policeman
+about somewhere&mdash;not that he really wanted to invoke the aid of the police
+if he could possibly do without it. It meant explanations, and general
+awkwardness. In another moment he had reason to bless his luck. He stumbled
+over a prostrate figure, which started up with a yell of alarm and dashed off
+down the street. Tommy drew back into a doorway. In a minute he had the
+pleasure of seeing his two pursuers, of whom the German was one, industriously
+tracking down the red herring!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy sat down quietly on the doorstep and allowed a few moments to elapse
+while he recovered his breath. Then he strolled gently in the opposite
+direction. He glanced at his watch. It was a little after half-past five. It
+was rapidly growing light. At the next corner he passed a policeman. The
+policeman cast a suspicious eye on him. Tommy felt slightly offended. Then,
+passing his hand over his face, he laughed. He had not shaved or washed for
+three days! What a guy he must look.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He betook himself without more ado to a Turkish Bath establishment which he
+knew to be open all night. He emerged into the busy daylight feeling himself
+once more, and able to make plans.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+First of all, he must have a square meal. He had eaten nothing since midday
+yesterday. He turned into an A.B.C. shop and ordered eggs and bacon and coffee.
+Whilst he ate, he read a morning paper propped up in front of him. Suddenly he
+stiffened. There was a long article on Kramenin, who was described as the
+&ldquo;man behind Bolshevism&rdquo; in Russia, and who had just arrived in
+London&mdash;some thought as an unofficial envoy. His career was sketched
+lightly, and it was firmly asserted that he, and not the figurehead leaders,
+had been the author of the Russian Revolution.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the centre of the page was his portrait.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So that&rsquo;s who Number 1 is,&rdquo; said Tommy with his mouth full
+of eggs and bacon. &ldquo;Not a doubt about it, I must push on.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He paid for his breakfast, and betook himself to Whitehall. There he sent up
+his name, and the message that it was urgent. A few minutes later he was in the
+presence of the man who did not here go by the name of &ldquo;Mr.
+Carter.&rdquo; There was a frown on his face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Look here, you&rsquo;ve no business to come asking for me in this way. I
+thought that was distinctly understood?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was, sir. But I judged it important to lose no time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And as briefly and succinctly as possible he detailed the experiences of the
+last few days.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Half-way through, Mr. Carter interrupted him to give a few cryptic orders
+through the telephone. All traces of displeasure had now left his face. He
+nodded energetically when Tommy had finished.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quite right. Every moment&rsquo;s of value. Fear we shall be too late
+anyway. They wouldn&rsquo;t wait. Would clear out at once. Still, they may have
+left something behind them that will be a clue. You say you&rsquo;ve recognized
+Number 1 to be Kramenin? That&rsquo;s important. We want something against him
+badly to prevent the Cabinet falling on his neck too freely. What about the
+others? You say two faces were familiar to you? One&rsquo;s a Labour man, you
+think? Just look through these photos, and see if you can spot him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A minute later, Tommy held one up. Mr. Carter exhibited some surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, Westway! Shouldn&rsquo;t have thought it. Poses as being moderate.
+As for the other fellow, I think I can give a good guess.&rdquo; He handed
+another photograph to Tommy, and smiled at the other&rsquo;s exclamation.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m right, then. Who is he? Irishman. Prominent Unionist M.P. All
+a blind, of course. We&rsquo;ve suspected it&mdash;but couldn&rsquo;t get any
+proof. Yes, you&rsquo;ve done very well, young man. The 29th, you say, is the
+date. That gives us very little time&mdash;very little time indeed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; Tommy hesitated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter read his thoughts.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We can deal with the General Strike menace, I think. It&rsquo;s a
+toss-up&mdash;but we&rsquo;ve got a sporting chance! But if that draft treaty
+turns up&mdash;we&rsquo;re done. England will be plunged in anarchy. Ah,
+what&rsquo;s that? The car? Come on, Beresford, we&rsquo;ll go and have a look
+at this house of yours.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Two constables were on duty in front of the house in Soho. An inspector
+reported to Mr. Carter in a low voice. The latter turned to Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The birds have flown&mdash;as we thought. We might as well go over
+it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Going over the deserted house seemed to Tommy to partake of the character of a
+dream. Everything was just as it had been. The prison room with the crooked
+pictures, the broken jug in the attic, the meeting room with its long table.
+But nowhere was there a trace of papers. Everything of that kind had either
+been destroyed or taken away. And there was no sign of Annette.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What you tell me about the girl puzzled me,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter.
+&ldquo;You believe that she deliberately went back?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It would seem so, sir. She ran upstairs while I was getting the door
+open.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;H&rsquo;m, she must belong to the gang, then; but, being a woman,
+didn&rsquo;t feel like standing by to see a personable young man killed. But
+evidently she&rsquo;s in with them, or she wouldn&rsquo;t have gone
+back.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t believe she&rsquo;s really one of them, sir.
+She&mdash;seemed so different&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good-looking, I suppose?&rdquo; said Mr. Carter with a smile that made
+Tommy flush to the roots of his hair. He admitted Annette&rsquo;s beauty rather
+shamefacedly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;By the way,&rdquo; observed Mr. Carter, &ldquo;have you shown yourself
+to Miss Tuppence yet? She&rsquo;s been bombarding me with letters about
+you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tuppence? I was afraid she might get a bit rattled. Did she go to the
+police?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then I wonder how they twigged me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter looked inquiringly at him, and Tommy explained. The other nodded
+thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;True, that&rsquo;s rather a curious point. Unless the mention of the
+<i>Ritz</i> was an accidental remark?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It might have been, sir. But they must have found out about me suddenly
+in some way.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter, looking round him, &ldquo;there&rsquo;s
+nothing more to be done here. What about some lunch with me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thanks awfully, sir. But I think I&rsquo;d better get back and rout out
+Tuppence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course. Give her my kind regards and tell her not to believe
+you&rsquo;re killed too readily next time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy grinned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I take a lot of killing, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So I perceive,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter dryly. &ldquo;Well, good-bye.
+Remember you&rsquo;re a marked man now, and take reasonable care of
+yourself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Hailing a taxi briskly Tommy stepped in, and was swiftly borne to the
+<i>Ritz</i>, dwelling the while on the pleasurable anticipation of startling
+Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wonder what she&rsquo;s been up to. Dogging &lsquo;Rita&rsquo; most
+likely. By the way, I suppose that&rsquo;s who Annette meant by Marguerite. I
+didn&rsquo;t get it at the time.&rdquo; The thought saddened him a little, for
+it seemed to prove that Mrs. Vandemeyer and the girl were on intimate terms.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The taxi drew up at the <i>Ritz</i>. Tommy burst into its sacred portals
+eagerly, but his enthusiasm received a check. He was informed that Miss Cowley
+had gone out a quarter of an hour ago.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap18"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.<br/>
+THE TELEGRAM</h2>
+
+<p>
+Baffled for the moment, Tommy strolled into the restaurant, and ordered a meal
+of surpassing excellence. His four days&rsquo; imprisonment had taught him anew
+to value good food.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He was in the middle of conveying a particularly choice morsel of Sole à la
+Jeanette to his mouth, when he caught sight of Julius entering the room. Tommy
+waved a menu cheerfully, and succeeded in attracting the other&rsquo;s
+attention. At the sight of Tommy, Julius&rsquo;s eyes seemed as though they
+would pop out of his head. He strode across, and pump-handled Tommy&rsquo;s
+hand with what seemed to the latter quite unnecessary vigour.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Holy snakes!&rdquo; he ejaculated. &ldquo;Is it really you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course it is. Why shouldn&rsquo;t it be?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why shouldn&rsquo;t it be? Say, man, don&rsquo;t you know you&rsquo;ve
+been given up for dead? I guess we&rsquo;d have had a solemn requiem for you in
+another few days.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who thought I was dead?&rdquo; demanded Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tuppence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She remembered the proverb about the good dying young, I suppose. There
+must be a certain amount of original sin in me to have survived. Where is
+Tuppence, by the way?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t she here?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, the fellows at the office said she&rsquo;d just gone out.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gone shopping, I guess. I dropped her here in the car about an hour ago.
+But, say, can&rsquo;t you shed that British calm of yours, and get down to it?
+What on God&rsquo;s earth have you been doing all this time?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If you&rsquo;re feeding here,&rdquo; replied Tommy, &ldquo;order now.
+It&rsquo;s going to be a long story.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius drew up a chair to the opposite side of the table, summoned a hovering
+waiter, and dictated his wishes. Then he turned to Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Fire ahead. I guess you&rsquo;ve had some few adventures.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One or two,&rdquo; replied Tommy modestly, and plunged into his recital.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius listened spellbound. Half the dishes that were placed before him he
+forgot to eat. At the end he heaved a long sigh.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Bully for you. Reads like a dime novel!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And now for the home front,&rdquo; said Tommy, stretching out his hand
+for a peach.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We-el,&rdquo; drawled Julius, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t mind admitting
+we&rsquo;ve had some adventures too.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He, in his turn, assumed the rôle of narrator. Beginning with his unsuccessful
+reconnoitring at Bournemouth, he passed on to his return to London, the buying
+of the car, the growing anxieties of Tuppence, the call upon Sir James, and the
+sensational occurrences of the previous night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But who killed her?&rdquo; asked Tommy. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t quite
+understand.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The doctor kidded himself she took it herself,&rdquo; replied Julius
+dryly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And Sir James? What did he think?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Being a legal luminary, he is likewise a human oyster,&rdquo; replied
+Julius. &ldquo;I should say he &lsquo;reserved judgment.&rsquo;&rdquo; He went
+on to detail the events of the morning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Lost her memory, eh?&rdquo; said Tommy with interest. &ldquo;By Jove,
+that explains why they looked at me so queerly when I spoke of questioning her.
+Bit of a slip on my part, that! But it wasn&rsquo;t the sort of thing a fellow
+would be likely to guess.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They didn&rsquo;t give you any sort of hint as to where Jane was?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head regretfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not a word. I&rsquo;m a bit of an ass, as you know. I ought to have got
+more out of them somehow.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess you&rsquo;re lucky to be here at all. That bluff of yours was
+the goods all right. How you ever came to think of it all so pat beats me to a
+frazzle!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I was in such a funk I had to think of something,&rdquo; said Tommy
+simply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a moment&rsquo;s pause, and then Tommy reverted to Mrs.
+Vandemeyer&rsquo;s death.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no doubt it was chloral?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I believe not. At least they call it heart failure induced by an
+overdose, or some such claptrap. It&rsquo;s all right. We don&rsquo;t want to
+be worried with an inquest. But I guess Tuppence and I and even the highbrow
+Sir James have all got the same idea.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Brown?&rdquo; hazarded Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All the same,&rdquo; he said thoughtfully, &ldquo;Mr. Brown hasn&rsquo;t
+got wings. I don&rsquo;t see how he got in and out.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How about some high-class thought transference stunt? Some magnetic
+influence that irresistibly impelled Mrs. Vandemeyer to commit suicide?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy looked at him with respect.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good, Julius. Distinctly good. Especially the phraseology. But it leaves
+me cold. I yearn for a real Mr. Brown of flesh and blood. I think the gifted
+young detectives must get to work, study the entrances and exits, and tap the
+bumps on their foreheads until the solution of the mystery dawns on them.
+Let&rsquo;s go round to the scene of the crime. I wish we could get hold of
+Tuppence. The <i>Ritz</i> would enjoy the spectacle of the glad reunion.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Inquiry at the office revealed the fact that Tuppence had not yet returned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All the same, I guess I&rsquo;ll have a look round upstairs,&rdquo; said
+Julius. &ldquo;She might be in my sitting-room.&rdquo; He disappeared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly a diminutive boy spoke at Tommy&rsquo;s elbow:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The young lady&mdash;she&rsquo;s gone away by train, I think,
+sir,&rdquo; he murmured shyly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo; Tommy wheeled round upon him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The small boy became pinker than before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The taxi, sir. I heard her tell the driver Charing Cross and to look
+sharp.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy stared at him, his eyes opening wide in surprise. Emboldened, the small
+boy proceeded. &ldquo;So I thought, having asked for an A.B.C. and a
+Bradshaw.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy interrupted him:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When did she ask for an A.B.C. and a Bradshaw?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When I took her the telegram, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A telegram?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When was that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;About half-past twelve, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tell me exactly what happened.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The small boy drew a long breath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I took up a telegram to No. 891&mdash;the lady was there. She opened it
+and gave a gasp, and then she said, very jolly like: &lsquo;Bring me up a
+Bradshaw, and an A.B.C., and look sharp, Henry.&rsquo; My name isn&rsquo;t
+Henry, but&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never mind your name,&rdquo; said Tommy impatiently. &ldquo;Go
+on.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir. I brought them, and she told me to wait, and looked up
+something. And then she looks up at the clock, and &lsquo;Hurry up,&rsquo; she
+says. &lsquo;Tell them to get me a taxi,&rsquo; and she begins a-shoving on of
+her hat in front of the glass, and she was down in two ticks, almost as quick
+as I was, and I seed her going down the steps and into the taxi, and I heard
+her call out what I told you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The small boy stopped and replenished his lungs. Tommy continued to stare at
+him. At that moment Julius rejoined him. He held an open letter in his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I say, Hersheimmer&rdquo;&mdash;Tommy turned to
+him&mdash;&ldquo;Tuppence has gone off sleuthing on her own.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shucks!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, she has. She went off in a taxi to Charing Cross in the deuce of a
+hurry after getting a telegram.&rdquo; His eye fell on the letter in
+Julius&rsquo;s hand. &ldquo;Oh; she left a note for you. That&rsquo;s all
+right. Where&rsquo;s she off to?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Almost unconsciously, he held out his hand for the letter, but Julius folded it
+up and placed it in his pocket. He seemed a trifle embarrassed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess this is nothing to do with it. It&rsquo;s about something
+else&mdash;something I asked her that she was to let me know about.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; Tommy looked puzzled, and seemed waiting for more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;See here,&rdquo; said Julius suddenly, &ldquo;I&rsquo;d better put you
+wise. I asked Miss Tuppence to marry me this morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tommy mechanically. He felt dazed. Julius&rsquo;s words
+were totally unexpected. For the moment they benumbed his brain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to tell you,&rdquo; continued Julius, &ldquo;that before
+I suggested anything of the kind to Miss Tuppence, I made it clear that I
+didn&rsquo;t want to butt in in any way between her and
+you&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy roused himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right,&rdquo; he said quickly. &ldquo;Tuppence and I
+have been pals for years. Nothing more.&rdquo; He lit a cigarette with a hand
+that shook ever so little. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s quite all right. Tuppence always
+said that she was looking out for&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He stopped abruptly, his face crimsoning, but Julius was in no way discomposed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I guess it&rsquo;ll be the dollars that&rsquo;ll do the trick. Miss
+Tuppence put me wise to that right away. There&rsquo;s no humbug about her. We
+ought to gee along together very well.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy looked at him curiously for a minute, as though he were about to speak,
+then changed his mind and said nothing. Tuppence and Julius! Well, why not? Had
+she not lamented the fact that she knew no rich men? Had she not openly avowed
+her intention of marrying for money if she ever had the chance? Her meeting
+with the young American millionaire had given her the chance&mdash;and it was
+unlikely she would be slow to avail herself of it. She was out for money. She
+had always said so. Why blame her because she had been true to her creed?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nevertheless, Tommy did blame her. He was filled with a passionate and utterly
+illogical resentment. It was all very well to <i>say</i> things like
+that&mdash;but a <i>real</i> girl would never marry for money. Tuppence was
+utterly cold-blooded and selfish, and he would be delighted if he never saw her
+again! And it was a rotten world!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius&rsquo;s voice broke in on these meditations.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, we ought to gee along together very well. I&rsquo;ve heard that a
+girl always refuses you once&mdash;a sort of convention.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy caught his arm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Refuses? Did you say <i>refuses?</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing. Didn&rsquo;t I tell you that? She just rapped out a
+&lsquo;no&rsquo; without any kind of reason to it. The eternal feminine, the
+Huns call it, I&rsquo;ve heard. But she&rsquo;ll come round right enough.
+Likely enough, I hustled her some&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Tommy interrupted regardless of decorum.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What did she say in that note?&rdquo; he demanded fiercely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The obliging Julius handed it to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no earthly clue in it as to where she&rsquo;s gone,&rdquo;
+he assured Tommy. &ldquo;But you might as well see for yourself if you
+don&rsquo;t believe me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The note, in Tuppence&rsquo;s well-known schoolboy writing, ran as follows:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;DEAR JULIUS,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s always better to have things in black and white. I
+don&rsquo;t feel I can be bothered to think of marriage until Tommy is found.
+Let&rsquo;s leave it till then.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yours affectionately,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;TUPPENCE.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy handed it back, his eyes shining. His feelings had undergone a sharp
+reaction. He now felt that Tuppence was all that was noble and disinterested.
+Had she not refused Julius without hesitation? True, the note betokened signs
+of weakening, but he could excuse that. It read almost like a bribe to Julius
+to spur him on in his efforts to find Tommy, but he supposed she had not really
+meant it that way. Darling Tuppence, there was not a girl in the world to touch
+her! When he saw her&mdash;&mdash;His thoughts were brought up with a sudden
+jerk.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As you say,&rdquo; he remarked, pulling himself together,
+&ldquo;there&rsquo;s not a hint here as to what she&rsquo;s up to.
+Hi&mdash;Henry!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The small boy came obediently. Tommy produced five shillings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One thing more. Do you remember what the young lady did with the
+telegram?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Henry gasped and spoke.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She crumpled it up into a ball and threw it into the grate, and made a
+sort of noise like &lsquo;Whoop!&rsquo; sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very graphic, Henry,&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;Here&rsquo;s your five
+shillings. Come on, Julius. We must find that telegram.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They hurried upstairs. Tuppence had left the key in her door. The room was as
+she had left it. In the fireplace was a crumpled ball of orange and white.
+Tommy disentangled it and smoothed out the telegram.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come at once, Moat House, Ebury, Yorkshire, great
+developments&mdash;TOMMY.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They looked at each other in stupefaction. Julius spoke first:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You didn&rsquo;t send it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course not. What does it mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess it means the worst,&rdquo; said Julius quietly.
+&ldquo;They&rsquo;ve got her.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<i>&ldquo;What?&rdquo;</i>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing! They signed your name, and she fell into the trap like a
+lamb.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My God! What shall we do?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get busy, and go after her! Right now! There&rsquo;s no time to waste.
+It&rsquo;s almighty luck that she didn&rsquo;t take the wire with her. If she
+had we&rsquo;d probably never have traced her. But we&rsquo;ve got to hustle.
+Where&rsquo;s that Bradshaw?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The energy of Julius was infectious. Left to himself, Tommy would probably have
+sat down to think things out for a good half-hour before he decided on a plan
+of action. But with Julius Hersheimmer about, hustling was inevitable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a few muttered imprecations he handed the Bradshaw to Tommy as being more
+conversant with its mysteries. Tommy abandoned it in favour of an A.B.C.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Here we are. Ebury, Yorks. From King&rsquo;s Cross. Or St. Pancras. (Boy
+must have made a mistake. It was King&rsquo;s Cross, not <i>Charing</i> Cross.)
+12.50, that&rsquo;s the train she went by. 2.10, that&rsquo;s gone. 3.20 is the
+next&mdash;and a damned slow train too.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about the car?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Send it up if you like, but we&rsquo;d better stick to the train. The
+great thing is to keep calm.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius groaned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so. But it gets my goat to think of that innocent young
+girl in danger!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded abstractedly. He was thinking. In a moment or two, he said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I say, Julius, what do they want her for, anyway?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Eh? I don&rsquo;t get you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What I mean is that I don&rsquo;t think it&rsquo;s their game to do her
+any harm,&rdquo; explained Tommy, puckering his brow with the strain of his
+mental processes. &ldquo;She&rsquo;s a hostage, that&rsquo;s what she is.
+She&rsquo;s in no immediate danger, because if we tumble on to anything,
+she&rsquo;d be damned useful to them. As long as they&rsquo;ve got her,
+they&rsquo;ve got the whip hand of us. See?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing,&rdquo; said Julius thoughtfully. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s
+so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Besides,&rdquo; added Tommy, as an afterthought, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve great
+faith in Tuppence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The journey was wearisome, with many stops, and crowded carriages. They had to
+change twice, once at Doncaster, once at a small junction. Ebury was a deserted
+station with a solitary porter, to whom Tommy addressed himself:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can you tell me the way to the Moat House?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The Moat House? It&rsquo;s a tidy step from here. The big house near the
+sea, you mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy assented brazenly. After listening to the porter&rsquo;s meticulous but
+perplexing directions, they prepared to leave the station. It was beginning to
+rain, and they turned up the collars of their coats as they trudged through the
+slush of the road. Suddenly Tommy halted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wait a moment.&rdquo; He ran back to the station and tackled the porter
+anew.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Look here, do you remember a young lady who arrived by an earlier train,
+the 12.50 from London? She&rsquo;d probably ask you the way to the Moat
+House.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He described Tuppence as well as he could, but the porter shook his head.
+Several people had arrived by the train in question. He could not call to mind
+one young lady in particular. But he was quite certain that no one had asked
+him the way to the Moat House.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy rejoined Julius, and explained. Depression was settling on him like a
+leaden weight. He felt convinced that their quest was going to be unsuccessful.
+The enemy had over three hours&rsquo; start. Three hours was more than enough
+for Mr. Brown. He would not ignore the possibility of the telegram having been
+found.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The way seemed endless. Once they took the wrong turning and went nearly half a
+mile out of their direction. It was past seven o&rsquo;clock when a small boy
+told them that &ldquo;t&rsquo; Moat House&rdquo; was just past the next corner.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A rusty iron gate swinging dismally on its hinges! An overgrown drive thick
+with leaves. There was something about the place that struck a chill to both
+their hearts. They went up the deserted drive. The leaves deadened their
+footsteps. The daylight was almost gone. It was like walking in a world of
+ghosts. Overhead the branches flapped and creaked with a mournful note.
+Occasionally a sodden leaf drifted silently down, startling them with its cold
+touch on their cheek.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A turn of the drive brought them in sight of the house. That, too, seemed empty
+and deserted. The shutters were closed, the steps up to the door overgrown with
+moss. Was it indeed to this desolate spot that Tuppence had been decoyed? It
+seemed hard to believe that a human footstep had passed this way for months.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius jerked the rusty bell handle. A jangling peal rang discordantly, echoing
+through the emptiness within. No one came. They rang again and again&mdash;but
+there was no sign of life. Then they walked completely round the house.
+Everywhere silence, and shuttered windows. If they could believe the evidence
+of their eyes the place was empty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing doing,&rdquo; said Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They retraced their steps slowly to the gate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There must be a village handy,&rdquo; continued the young American.
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;d better make inquiries there. They&rsquo;ll know something
+about the place, and whether there&rsquo;s been anyone there lately.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, that&rsquo;s not a bad idea.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Proceeding up the road, they soon came to a little hamlet. On the outskirts of
+it, they met a workman swinging his bag of tools, and Tommy stopped him with a
+question.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The Moat House? It&rsquo;s empty. Been empty for years. Mrs.
+Sweeny&rsquo;s got the key if you want to go over it&mdash;next to the post
+office.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy thanked him. They soon found the post office, which was also a sweet and
+general fancy shop, and knocked at the door of the cottage next to it. A clean,
+wholesome-looking woman opened it. She readily produced the key of the Moat
+House.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Though I doubt if it&rsquo;s the kind of place to suit you, sir. In a
+terrible state of repair. Ceilings leaking and all. &lsquo;Twould need a lot of
+money spent on it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thanks,&rdquo; said Tommy cheerily. &ldquo;I dare say it&rsquo;ll be a
+washout, but houses are scarce nowadays.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That they are,&rdquo; declared the woman heartily. &ldquo;My daughter
+and son-in-law have been looking for a decent cottage for I don&rsquo;t know
+how long. It&rsquo;s all the war. Upset things terribly, it has. But excuse me,
+sir, it&rsquo;ll be too dark for you to see much of the house. Hadn&rsquo;t you
+better wait until to-morrow?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right. We&rsquo;ll have a look around this evening,
+anyway. We&rsquo;d have been here before only we lost our way. What&rsquo;s the
+best place to stay at for the night round here?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Sweeny looked doubtful.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s the <i>Yorkshire Arms</i>, but it&rsquo;s not much of a
+place for gentlemen like you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, it will do very well. Thanks. By the way, you&rsquo;ve not had a
+young lady here asking for this key to-day?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The woman shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No one&rsquo;s been over the place for a long time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thanks very much.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They retraced their steps to the Moat House. As the front door swung back on
+its hinges, protesting loudly, Julius struck a match and examined the floor
+carefully. Then he shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d swear no one&rsquo;s passed this way. Look at the dust. Thick.
+Not a sign of a footmark.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They wandered round the deserted house. Everywhere the same tale. Thick layers
+of dust apparently undisturbed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This gets me,&rdquo; said Julius. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t believe Tuppence
+was ever in this house.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She must have been.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius shook his head without replying.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll go over it again to-morrow,&rdquo; said Tommy.
+&ldquo;Perhaps we&rsquo;ll see more in the daylight.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On the morrow they took up the search once more, and were reluctantly forced to
+the conclusion that the house had not been invaded for some considerable time.
+They might have left the village altogether but for a fortunate discovery of
+Tommy&rsquo;s. As they were retracing their steps to the gate, he gave a sudden
+cry, and stooping, picked something up from among the leaves, and held it out
+to Julius. It was a small gold brooch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s Tuppence&rsquo;s!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you sure?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Absolutely. I&rsquo;ve often seen her wear it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius drew a deep breath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess that settles it. She came as far as here, anyway. We&rsquo;ll
+make that pub our head-quarters, and raise hell round here until we find her.
+Somebody <i>must</i> have seen her.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Forthwith the campaign began. Tommy and Julius worked separately and together,
+but the result was the same. Nobody answering to Tuppence&rsquo;s description
+had been seen in the vicinity. They were baffled&mdash;but not discouraged.
+Finally they altered their tactics. Tuppence had certainly not remained long in
+the neighbourhood of the Moat House. That pointed to her having been overcome
+and carried away in a car. They renewed inquiries. Had anyone seen a car
+standing somewhere near the Moat House that day? Again they met with no
+success.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius wired to town for his own car, and they scoured the neighbourhood daily
+with unflagging zeal. A grey limousine on which they had set high hopes was
+traced to Harrogate, and turned out to be the property of a highly respectable
+maiden lady!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Each day saw them set out on a new quest. Julius was like a hound on the leash.
+He followed up the slenderest clue. Every car that had passed through the
+village on the fateful day was tracked down. He forced his way into country
+properties and submitted the owners of the motors to a searching
+cross-examination. His apologies were as thorough as his methods, and seldom
+failed in disarming the indignation of his victims; but, as day succeeded day,
+they were no nearer to discovering Tuppence&rsquo;s whereabouts. So well had
+the abduction been planned that the girl seemed literally to have vanished into
+thin air.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And another preoccupation was weighing on Tommy&rsquo;s mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you know how long we&rsquo;ve been here?&rdquo; he asked one morning
+as they sat facing each other at breakfast. &ldquo;A week! We&rsquo;re no
+nearer to finding Tuppence, <i>and next Sunday is the</i> 29<i>th!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shucks!&rdquo; said Julius thoughtfully. &ldquo;I&rsquo;d almost
+forgotten about the 29th. I&rsquo;ve been thinking of nothing but
+Tuppence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So have I. At least, I hadn&rsquo;t forgotten about the 29th, but it
+didn&rsquo;t seem to matter a damn in comparison to finding Tuppence. But
+to-day&rsquo;s the 23rd, and time&rsquo;s getting short. If we&rsquo;re ever
+going to get hold of her at all, we must do it before the 29th&mdash;her life
+won&rsquo;t be worth an hour&rsquo;s purchase afterwards. The hostage game will
+be played out by then. I&rsquo;m beginning to feel that we&rsquo;ve made a big
+mistake in the way we&rsquo;ve set about this. We&rsquo;ve wasted time and
+we&rsquo;re no forrader.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m with you there. We&rsquo;ve been a couple of mutts,
+who&rsquo;ve bitten off a bigger bit than they can chew. I&rsquo;m going to
+quit fooling right away!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you. I&rsquo;m going to do what we ought to have done a
+week ago. I&rsquo;m going right back to London to put the case in the hands of
+your British police. We fancied ourselves as sleuths. Sleuths! It was a piece
+of damn-fool foolishness! I&rsquo;m through! I&rsquo;ve had enough of it.
+Scotland Yard for me!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re right,&rdquo; said Tommy slowly. &ldquo;I wish to God
+we&rsquo;d gone there right away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Better late than never. We&rsquo;ve been like a couple of babes playing
+&lsquo;Here we go round the Mulberry Bush.&rsquo; Now I&rsquo;m going right
+along to Scotland Yard to ask them to take me by the hand and show me the way I
+should go. I guess the professional always scores over the amateur in the end.
+Are you coming along with me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&rsquo;s the good? One of us is enough. I might as well stay here
+and nose round a bit longer. Something <i>might</i> turn up. One never
+knows.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing. Well, so long. I&rsquo;ll be back in a couple of shakes with
+a few inspectors along. I shall tell them to pick out their brightest and
+best.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the course of events was not to follow the plan Julius had laid down. Later
+in the day Tommy received a wire:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Join me Manchester Midland Hotel. Important news&mdash;JULIUS.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At 7.30 that night Tommy alighted from a slow cross-country train. Julius was
+on the platform.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thought you&rsquo;d come by this train if you weren&rsquo;t out when my
+wire arrived.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy grasped him by the arm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What is it? Is Tuppence found?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No. But I found this waiting in London. Just arrived.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He handed the telegraph form to the other. Tommy&rsquo;s eyes opened as he
+read:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Jane Finn found. Come Manchester Midland Hotel immediately&mdash;PEEL
+EDGERTON.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius took the form back and folded it up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Queer,&rdquo; he said thoughtfully. &ldquo;I thought that lawyer chap
+had quit!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap19"></a>CHAPTER XIX.<br/>
+JANE FINN</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My train got in half an hour ago,&rdquo; explained Julius, as he led the
+way out of the station. &ldquo;I reckoned you&rsquo;d come by this before I
+left London, and wired accordingly to Sir James. He&rsquo;s booked rooms for
+us, and will be round to dine at eight.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What made you think he&rsquo;d ceased to take any interest in the
+case?&rdquo; asked Tommy curiously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What he said,&rdquo; replied Julius dryly. &ldquo;The old bird&rsquo;s
+as close as an oyster! Like all the darned lot of them, he wasn&rsquo;t going
+to commit himself till he was sure he could deliver the goods.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wonder,&rdquo; said Tommy thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius turned on him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You wonder what?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Whether that was his real reason.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure. You bet your life it was.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head unconvinced.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James arrived punctually at eight o&rsquo;clock, and Julius introduced
+Tommy. Sir James shook hands with him warmly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Mr. Beresford. I have heard so
+much about you from Miss Tuppence&rdquo;&mdash;he smiled
+involuntarily&mdash;&ldquo;that it really seems as though I already know you
+quite well.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, sir,&rdquo; said Tommy with his cheerful grin. He scanned the
+great lawyer eagerly. Like Tuppence, he felt the magnetism of the other&rsquo;s
+personality. He was reminded of Mr. Carter. The two men, totally unlike so far
+as physical resemblance went, produced a similar effect. Beneath the weary
+manner of the one and the professional reserve of the other, lay the same
+quality of mind, keen-edged like a rapier.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the meantime he was conscious of Sir James&rsquo;s close scrutiny. When the
+lawyer dropped his eyes the young man had the feeling that the other had read
+him through and through like an open book. He could not but wonder what the
+final judgment was, but there was little chance of learning that. Sir James
+took in everything, but gave out only what he chose. A proof of that occurred
+almost at once.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Immediately the first greetings were over Julius broke out into a flood of
+eager questions. How had Sir James managed to track the girl? Why had he not
+let them know that he was still working on the case? And so on.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James stroked his chin and smiled. At last he said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just so, just so. Well, she&rsquo;s found. And that&rsquo;s the great
+thing, isn&rsquo;t it? Eh! Come now, that&rsquo;s the great thing?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure it is. But just how did you strike her trail? Miss Tuppence and I
+thought you&rsquo;d quit for good and all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; The lawyer shot a lightning glance at him, then resumed
+operations on his chin. &ldquo;You thought that, did you? Did you really?
+H&rsquo;m, dear me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But I guess I can take it we were wrong,&rdquo; pursued Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I don&rsquo;t know that I should go so far as to say that. But
+it&rsquo;s certainly fortunate for all parties that we&rsquo;ve managed to find
+the young lady.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But where is she?&rdquo; demanded Julius, his thoughts flying off on
+another tack. &ldquo;I thought you&rsquo;d be sure to bring her along?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That would hardly be possible,&rdquo; said Sir James gravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because the young lady was knocked down in a street accident, and has
+sustained slight injuries to the head. She was taken to the infirmary, and on
+recovering consciousness gave her name as Jane Finn. When&mdash;ah!&mdash;I
+heard that, I arranged for her to be removed to the house of a doctor&mdash;a
+friend of mine, and wired at once for you. She relapsed into unconsciousness
+and has not spoken since.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s not seriously hurt?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, a bruise and a cut or two; really, from a medical point of view,
+absurdly slight injuries to have produced such a condition. Her state is
+probably to be attributed to the mental shock consequent on recovering her
+memory.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s come back?&rdquo; cried Julius excitedly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James tapped the table rather impatiently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Undoubtedly, Mr. Hersheimmer, since she was able to give her real name.
+I thought you had appreciated that point.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And you just happened to be on the spot,&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;Seems
+quite like a fairy tale.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Sir James was far too wary to be drawn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Coincidences are curious things,&rdquo; he said dryly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nevertheless Tommy was now certain of what he had before only suspected. Sir
+James&rsquo;s presence in Manchester was not accidental. Far from abandoning
+the case, as Julius supposed, he had by some means of his own successfully run
+the missing girl to earth. The only thing that puzzled Tommy was the reason for
+all this secrecy. He concluded that it was a foible of the legal mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius was speaking.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;After dinner,&rdquo; he announced, &ldquo;I shall go right away and see
+Jane.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That will be impossible, I fear,&rdquo; said Sir James. &ldquo;It is
+very unlikely they would allow her to see visitors at this time of night. I
+should suggest to-morrow morning about ten o&rsquo;clock.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius flushed. There was something in Sir James which always stirred him to
+antagonism. It was a conflict of two masterful personalities.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All the same, I reckon I&rsquo;ll go round there to-night and see if I
+can&rsquo;t ginger them up to break through their silly rules.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It will be quite useless, Mr. Hersheimmer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The words came out like the crack of a pistol, and Tommy looked up with a
+start. Julius was nervous and excited. The hand with which he raised his glass
+to his lips shook slightly, but his eyes held Sir James&rsquo;s defiantly. For
+a moment the hostility between the two seemed likely to burst into flame, but
+in the end Julius lowered his eyes, defeated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;For the moment, I reckon you&rsquo;re the boss.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; said the other. &ldquo;We will say ten o&rsquo;clock
+then?&rdquo; With consummate ease of manner he turned to Tommy. &ldquo;I must
+confess, Mr. Beresford, that it was something of a surprise to me to see you
+here this evening. The last I heard of you was that your friends were in grave
+anxiety on your behalf. Nothing had been heard of you for some days, and Miss
+Tuppence was inclined to think you had got into difficulties.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I had, sir!&rdquo; Tommy grinned reminiscently. &ldquo;I was never in a
+tighter place in my life.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Helped out by questions from Sir James, he gave an abbreviated account of his
+adventures. The lawyer looked at him with renewed interest as he brought the
+tale to a close.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You got yourself out of a tight place very well,&rdquo; he said gravely.
+&ldquo;I congratulate you. You displayed a great deal of ingenuity and carried
+your part through well.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy blushed, his face assuming a prawnlike hue at the praise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t have got away but for the girl, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No.&rdquo; Sir James smiled a little. &ldquo;It was lucky for you she
+happened to&mdash;er&mdash;take a fancy to you.&rdquo; Tommy appeared about to
+protest, but Sir James went on. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s no doubt about her being
+one of the gang, I suppose?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m afraid not, sir. I thought perhaps they were keeping her there
+by force, but the way she acted didn&rsquo;t fit in with that. You see, she
+went back to them when she could have got away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James nodded thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What did she say? Something about wanting to be taken to
+Marguerite?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir. I suppose she meant Mrs. Vandemeyer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She always signed herself Rita Vandemeyer. All her friends spoke of her
+as Rita. Still, I suppose the girl must have been in the habit of calling her
+by her full name. And, at the moment she was crying out to her, Mrs. Vandemeyer
+was either dead or dying! Curious! There are one or two points that strike me
+as being obscure&mdash;their sudden change of attitude towards yourself, for
+instance. By the way, the house was raided, of course?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir, but they&rsquo;d all cleared out.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Naturally,&rdquo; said Sir James dryly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And not a clue left behind.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wonder&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; The lawyer tapped the table thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Something in his voice made Tommy look up. Would this man&rsquo;s eyes have
+seen something where theirs had been blind? He spoke impulsively:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wish you&rsquo;d been there, sir, to go over the house!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wish I had,&rdquo; said Sir James quietly. He sat for a moment in
+silence. Then he looked up. &ldquo;And since then? What have you been
+doing?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment, Tommy stared at him. Then it dawned on him that of course the
+lawyer did not know.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I forgot that you didn&rsquo;t know about Tuppence,&rdquo; he said
+slowly. The sickening anxiety, forgotten for a while in the excitement of
+knowing Jane Finn was found at last, swept over him again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The lawyer laid down his knife and fork sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Has anything happened to Miss Tuppence?&rdquo; His voice was keen-edged.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s disappeared,&rdquo; said Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A week ago.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James&rsquo;s questions fairly shot out. Between them Tommy and Julius gave
+the history of the last week and their futile search.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James went at once to the root of the matter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A wire signed with your name? They knew enough of you both for that.
+They weren&rsquo;t sure of how much you had learnt in that house. Their
+kidnapping of Miss Tuppence is the counter-move to your escape. If necessary
+they could seal your lips with a threat of what might happen to her.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s just what I thought, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James looked at him keenly. &ldquo;You had worked that out, had you? Not
+bad&mdash;not at all bad. The curious thing is that they certainly did not know
+anything about you when they first held you prisoner. You are sure that you did
+not in any way disclose your identity?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; said Julius with a nod. &ldquo;Therefore I
+reckon some one put them wise&mdash;and not earlier than Sunday
+afternoon.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, but who?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That almighty omniscient Mr. Brown, of course!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a faint note of derision in the American&rsquo;s voice which made Sir
+James look up sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t believe in Mr. Brown, Mr. Hersheimmer?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, sir, I do not,&rdquo; returned the young American with emphasis.
+&ldquo;Not as such, that is to say. I reckon it out that he&rsquo;s a
+figurehead&mdash;just a bogy name to frighten the children with. The real head
+of this business is that Russian chap Kramenin. I guess he&rsquo;s quite
+capable of running revolutions in three countries at once if he chose! The man
+Whittington is probably the head of the English branch.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I disagree with you,&rdquo; said Sir James shortly. &ldquo;Mr. Brown
+exists.&rdquo; He turned to Tommy. &ldquo;Did you happen to notice where that
+wire was handed in?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, sir, I&rsquo;m afraid I didn&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;H&rsquo;m. Got it with you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s upstairs, sir, in my kit.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to have a look at it sometime. No hurry. You&rsquo;ve
+wasted a week&rdquo;&mdash;Tommy hung his head&mdash;&ldquo;a day or so more is
+immaterial. We&rsquo;ll deal with Miss Jane Finn first. Afterwards, we&rsquo;ll
+set to work to rescue Miss Tuppence from bondage. I don&rsquo;t think
+she&rsquo;s in any immediate danger. That is, so long as they don&rsquo;t know
+that we&rsquo;ve got Jane Finn, and that her memory has returned. We must keep
+that dark at all costs. You understand?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other two assented, and, after making arrangements for meeting on the
+morrow, the great lawyer took his leave.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At ten o&rsquo;clock, the two young men were at the appointed spot. Sir James
+had joined them on the doorstep. He alone appeared unexcited. He introduced
+them to the doctor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Hersheimmer&mdash;Mr. Beresford&mdash;Dr. Roylance. How&rsquo;s the
+patient?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Going on well. Evidently no idea of the flight of time. Asked this
+morning how many had been saved from the <i>Lusitania</i>. Was it in the papers
+yet? That, of course, was only what was to be expected. She seems to have
+something on her mind, though.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think we can relieve her anxiety. May we go up?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy&rsquo;s heart beat sensibly faster as they followed the doctor upstairs.
+Jane Finn at last! The long-sought, the mysterious, the elusive Jane Finn! How
+wildly improbable success had seemed! And here in this house, her memory almost
+miraculously restored, lay the girl who held the future of England in her
+hands. A half groan broke from Tommy&rsquo;s lips. If only Tuppence could have
+been at his side to share in the triumphant conclusion of their joint venture!
+Then he put the thought of Tuppence resolutely aside. His confidence in Sir
+James was growing. There was a man who would unerringly ferret out
+Tuppence&rsquo;s whereabouts. In the meantime Jane Finn! And suddenly a dread
+clutched at his heart. It seemed too easy.... Suppose they should find her dead
+... stricken down by the hand of Mr. Brown?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In another minute he was laughing at these melodramatic fancies. The doctor
+held open the door of a room and they passed in. On the white bed, bandages
+round her head, lay the girl. Somehow the whole scene seemed unreal. It was so
+exactly what one expected that it gave the effect of being beautifully staged.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl looked from one to the other of them with large wondering eyes. Sir
+James spoke first.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Miss Finn,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;this is your cousin, Mr. Julius P.
+Hersheimmer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A faint flush flitted over the girl&rsquo;s face, as Julius stepped forward and
+took her hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How do, Cousin Jane?&rdquo; he said lightly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Tommy caught the tremor in his voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you really Uncle Hiram&rsquo;s son?&rdquo; she asked wonderingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her voice, with the slight warmth of the Western accent, had an almost
+thrilling quality. It seemed vaguely familiar to Tommy, but he thrust the
+impression aside as impossible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We used to read about Uncle Hiram in the papers,&rdquo; continued the
+girl, in her low soft tones. &ldquo;But I never thought I&rsquo;d meet you one
+day. Mother figured it out that Uncle Hiram would never get over being mad with
+her.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The old man was like that,&rdquo; admitted Julius. &ldquo;But I guess
+the new generation&rsquo;s sort of different. Got no use for the family feud
+business. First thing I thought about, soon as the war was over, was to come
+along and hunt you up.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A shadow passed over the girl&rsquo;s face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They&rsquo;ve been telling me things&mdash;dreadful things&mdash;that my
+memory went, and that there are years I shall never know about&mdash;years lost
+out of my life.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You didn&rsquo;t realize that yourself?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl&rsquo;s eyes opened wide.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why, no. It seems to me as though it were no time since we were being
+hustled into those boats. I can see it all now.&rdquo; She closed her eyes with
+a shudder.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius looked across at Sir James, who nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t worry any. It isn&rsquo;t worth it. Now, see here, Jane,
+there&rsquo;s something we want to know about. There was a man aboard that boat
+with some mighty important papers on him, and the big guns in this country have
+got a notion that he passed on the goods to you. Is that so?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl hesitated, her glance shifting to the other two. Julius understood.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Beresford is commissioned by the British Government to get those
+papers back. Sir James Peel Edgerton is an English Member of Parliament, and
+might be a big gun in the Cabinet if he liked. It&rsquo;s owing to him that
+we&rsquo;ve ferreted you out at last. So you can go right ahead and tell us the
+whole story. Did Danvers give you the papers?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. He said they&rsquo;d have a better chance with me, because they
+would save the women and children first.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just as we thought,&rdquo; said Sir James.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He said they were very important&mdash;that they might make all the
+difference to the Allies. But, if it&rsquo;s all so long ago, and the
+war&rsquo;s over, what does it matter now?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess history repeats itself, Jane. First there was a great hue and
+cry over those papers, then it all died down, and now the whole
+caboodle&rsquo;s started all over again&mdash;for rather different reasons.
+Then you can hand them over to us right away?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But I can&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t got them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&mdash;haven&rsquo;t&mdash;got them?&rdquo; Julius punctuated the
+words with little pauses.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No&mdash;I hid them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You <i>hid</i> them?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. I got uneasy. People seemed to be watching me. It scared
+me&mdash;badly.&rdquo; She put her hand to her head. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s almost
+the last thing I remember before waking up in the hospital....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Go on,&rdquo; said Sir James, in his quiet penetrating tones.
+&ldquo;What do you remember?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She turned to him obediently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was at Holyhead. I came that way&mdash;I don&rsquo;t remember
+why....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That doesn&rsquo;t matter. Go on.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In the confusion on the quay I slipped away. Nobody saw me. I took a
+car. Told the man to drive me out of the town. I watched when we got on the
+open road. No other car was following us. I saw a path at the side of the road.
+I told the man to wait.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She paused, then went on. &ldquo;The path led to the cliff, and down to the sea
+between big yellow gorse bushes&mdash;they were like golden flames. I looked
+round. There wasn&rsquo;t a soul in sight. But just level with my head there
+was a hole in the rock. It was quite small&mdash;I could only just get my hand
+in, but it went a long way back. I took the oilskin packet from round my neck
+and shoved it right in as far as I could. Then I tore off a bit of
+gorse&mdash;My! but it did prick&mdash;and plugged the hole with it so that
+you&rsquo;d never guess there was a crevice of any kind there. Then I marked
+the place carefully in my own mind, so that I&rsquo;d find it again. There was
+a queer boulder in the path just there&mdash;for all the world like a dog
+sitting up begging. Then I went back to the road. The car was waiting, and I
+drove back. I just caught the train. I was a bit ashamed of myself for fancying
+things maybe, but, by and by, I saw the man opposite me wink at a woman who was
+sitting next to me, and I felt scared again, and was glad the papers were safe.
+I went out in the corridor to get a little air. I thought I&rsquo;d slip into
+another carriage. But the woman called me back, said I&rsquo;d dropped
+something, and when I stooped to look, something seemed to hit
+me&mdash;here.&rdquo; She placed her hand to the back of her head. &ldquo;I
+don&rsquo;t remember anything more until I woke up in the hospital.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a pause.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, Miss Finn.&rdquo; It was Sir James who spoke. &ldquo;I hope
+we have not tired you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, that&rsquo;s all right. My head aches a little, but otherwise I feel
+fine.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius stepped forward and took her hand again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So long, Cousin Jane. I&rsquo;m going to get busy after those papers,
+but I&rsquo;ll be back in two shakes of a dog&rsquo;s tail, and I&rsquo;ll tote
+you up to London and give you the time of your young life before we go back to
+the States! I mean it&mdash;so hurry up and get well.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap20"></a>CHAPTER XX.<br/>
+TOO LATE</h2>
+
+<p>
+In the street they held an informal council of war. Sir James had drawn a watch
+from his pocket. &ldquo;The boat train to Holyhead stops at Chester at 12.14.
+If you start at once I think you can catch the connection.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy looked up, puzzled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is there any need to hurry, sir? To-day is only the 24th.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess it&rsquo;s always well to get up early in the morning,&rdquo;
+said Julius, before the lawyer had time to reply. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll make
+tracks for the depot right away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A little frown had settled on Sir James&rsquo;s brow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wish I could come with you. I am due to speak at a meeting at two
+o&rsquo;clock. It is unfortunate.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The reluctance in his tone was very evident. It was clear, on the other hand,
+that Julius was easily disposed to put up with the loss of the other&rsquo;s
+company.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess there&rsquo;s nothing complicated about this deal,&rdquo; he
+remarked. &ldquo;Just a game of hide-and-seek, that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I hope so,&rdquo; said Sir James.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing. What else could it be?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are still young, Mr. Hersheimmer. At my age you will probably have
+learnt one lesson. &lsquo;Never underestimate your adversary.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The gravity of his tone impressed Tommy, but had little effect upon Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You think Mr. Brown might come along and take a hand? If he does,
+I&rsquo;m ready for him.&rdquo; He slapped his pocket. &ldquo;I carry a gun.
+Little Willie here travels round with me everywhere.&rdquo; He produced a
+murderous-looking automatic, and tapped it affectionately before returning it
+to its home. &ldquo;But he won&rsquo;t be needed this trip. There&rsquo;s
+nobody to put Mr. Brown wise.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The lawyer shrugged his shoulders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There was nobody to put Mr. Brown wise to the fact that Mrs. Vandemeyer
+meant to betray him. Nevertheless, <i>Mrs. Vandemeyer died without
+speaking</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius was silenced for once, and Sir James added on a lighter note:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I only want to put you on your guard. Good-bye, and good luck. Take no
+unnecessary risks once the papers are in your hands. If there is any reason to
+believe that you have been shadowed, destroy them at once. Good luck to you.
+The game is in your hands now.&rdquo; He shook hands with them both.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ten minutes later the two young men were seated in a first-class carriage <i>en
+route</i> for Chester.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a long time neither of them spoke. When at length Julius broke the silence,
+it was with a totally unexpected remark.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say,&rdquo; he observed thoughtfully, &ldquo;did you ever make a darned
+fool of yourself over a girl&rsquo;s face?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy, after a moment&rsquo;s astonishment, searched his mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t say I have,&rdquo; he replied at last. &ldquo;Not that I can
+recollect, anyhow. Why?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because for the last two months I&rsquo;ve been making a sentimental
+idiot of myself over Jane! First moment I clapped eyes on her photograph my
+heart did all the usual stunts you read about in novels. I guess I&rsquo;m
+ashamed to admit it, but I came over here determined to find her and fix it all
+up, and take her back as Mrs. Julius P. Hersheimmer!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tommy, amazed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius uncrossed his legs brusquely and continued:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just shows what an almighty fool a man can make of himself! One look at
+the girl in the flesh, and I was cured!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Feeling more tongue-tied than ever, Tommy ejaculated &ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No disparagement to Jane, mind you,&rdquo; continued the other.
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s a real nice girl, and some fellow will fall in love with her
+right away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought her a very good-looking girl,&rdquo; said Tommy, finding his
+tongue.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure she is. But she&rsquo;s not like her photo one bit. At least I
+suppose she is in a way&mdash;must be&mdash;because I recognized her right off.
+If I&rsquo;d seen her in a crowd I&rsquo;d have said &lsquo;There&rsquo;s a
+girl whose face I know&rsquo; right away without any hesitation. But there was
+something about that photo&rdquo;&mdash;Julius shook his head, and heaved a
+sigh&mdash;&ldquo;I guess romance is a mighty queer thing!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It must be,&rdquo; said Tommy coldly, &ldquo;if you can come over here
+in love with one girl, and propose to another within a fortnight.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius had the grace to look discomposed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, you see, I&rsquo;d got a sort of tired feeling that I&rsquo;d
+never find Jane&mdash;and that it was all plumb foolishness anyway. And
+then&mdash;oh, well, the French, for instance, are much more sensible in the
+way they look at things. They keep romance and marriage
+apart&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy flushed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;m damned! If that&rsquo;s&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius hastened to interrupt.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say now, don&rsquo;t be hasty. I don&rsquo;t mean what you mean. I take
+it Americans have a higher opinion of morality than you have even. What I meant
+was that the French set about marriage in a businesslike way&mdash;find two
+people who are suited to one another, look after the money affairs, and see the
+whole thing practically, and in a businesslike spirit.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If you ask me,&rdquo; said Tommy, &ldquo;we&rsquo;re all too damned
+businesslike nowadays. We&rsquo;re always saying, &lsquo;Will it pay?&rsquo;
+The men are bad enough, and the girls are worse!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Cool down, son. Don&rsquo;t get so heated.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I feel heated,&rdquo; said Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius looked at him and judged it wise to say no more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+However, Tommy had plenty of time to cool down before they reached Holyhead,
+and the cheerful grin had returned to his countenance as they alighted at their
+destination.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After consultation, and with the aid of a road map, they were fairly well
+agreed as to direction, so were able to hire a taxi without more ado and drive
+out on the road leading to Treaddur Bay. They instructed the man to go slowly,
+and watched narrowly so as not to miss the path. They came to it not long after
+leaving the town, and Tommy stopped the car promptly, asked in a casual tone
+whether the path led down to the sea, and hearing it did paid off the man in
+handsome style.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A moment later the taxi was slowly chugging back to Holyhead. Tommy and Julius
+watched it out of sight, and then turned to the narrow path.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s the right one, I suppose?&rdquo; asked Tommy doubtfully.
+&ldquo;There must be simply heaps along here.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure it is. Look at the gorse. Remember what Jane said?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy looked at the swelling hedges of golden blossom which bordered the path
+on either side, and was convinced.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They went down in single file, Julius leading. Twice Tommy turned his head
+uneasily. Julius looked back.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What is it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. I&rsquo;ve got the wind up somehow. Keep fancying
+there&rsquo;s some one following us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t be,&rdquo; said Julius positively. &ldquo;We&rsquo;d see
+him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy had to admit that this was true. Nevertheless, his sense of uneasiness
+deepened. In spite of himself he believed in the omniscience of the enemy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I rather wish that fellow would come along,&rdquo; said Julius. He
+patted his pocket. &ldquo;Little William here is just aching for
+exercise!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you always carry it&mdash;him&mdash;with you?&rdquo; inquired Tommy
+with burning curiosity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Most always. I guess you never know what might turn up.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy kept a respectful silence. He was impressed by little William. It seemed
+to remove the menace of Mr. Brown farther away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The path was now running along the side of the cliff, parallel to the sea.
+Suddenly Julius came to such an abrupt halt that Tommy cannoned into him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&rsquo;s up?&rdquo; he inquired.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Look there. If that doesn&rsquo;t beat the band!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy looked. Standing out half obstructing the path was a huge boulder which
+certainly bore a fanciful resemblance to a &ldquo;begging&rdquo; terrier.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tommy, refusing to share Julius&rsquo;s emotion,
+&ldquo;it&rsquo;s what we expected to see, isn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius looked at him sadly and shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;British phlegm! Sure we expected it&mdash;but it kind of rattles me, all
+the same, to see it sitting there just where we expected to find it!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy, whose calm was, perhaps, more assumed than natural, moved his feet
+impatiently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Push on. What about the hole?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They scanned the cliff-side narrowly. Tommy heard himself saying idiotically:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The gorse won&rsquo;t be there after all these years.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And Julius replied solemnly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess you&rsquo;re right.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy suddenly pointed with a shaking hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about that crevice there?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius replied in an awestricken voice:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s it&mdash;for sure.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They looked at each other.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When I was in France,&rdquo; said Tommy reminiscently, &ldquo;whenever
+my batman failed to call me, he always said that he had come over queer. I
+never believed it. But whether he felt it or not, there <i>is</i> such a
+sensation. I&rsquo;ve got it now! Badly!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked at the rock with a kind of agonized passion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Damn it!&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s impossible! Five years!
+Think of it! Bird&rsquo;s-nesting boys, picnic parties, thousands of people
+passing! It can&rsquo;t be there! It&rsquo;s a hundred to one against its being
+there! It&rsquo;s against all reason!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Indeed, he felt it to be impossible&mdash;more, perhaps, because he could not
+believe in his own success where so many others had failed. The thing was too
+easy, therefore it could not be. The hole would be empty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius looked at him with a widening smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess you&rsquo;re rattled now all right,&rdquo; he drawled with some
+enjoyment. &ldquo;Well, here goes!&rdquo; He thrust his hand into the crevice,
+and made a slight grimace. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a tight fit. Jane&rsquo;s hand
+must be a few sizes smaller than mine. I don&rsquo;t feel
+anything&mdash;no&mdash;say, what&rsquo;s this? Gee whiz!&rdquo; And with a
+flourish he waved aloft a small discoloured packet. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the goods
+all right. Sewn up in oilskin. Hold it while I get my penknife.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The unbelievable had happened. Tommy held the precious packet tenderly between
+his hands. They had succeeded!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s queer,&rdquo; he murmured idly, &ldquo;you&rsquo;d think the
+stitches would have rotted. They look just as good as new.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They cut them carefully and ripped away the oilskin. Inside was a small folded
+sheet of paper. With trembling fingers they unfolded it. The sheet was blank!
+They stared at each other, puzzled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A dummy?&rdquo; hazarded Julius. &ldquo;Was Danvers just a decoy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head. That solution did not satisfy him. Suddenly his face
+cleared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got it! <i>Sympathetic ink!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You think so?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Worth trying anyhow. Heat usually does the trick. Get some sticks.
+We&rsquo;ll make a fire.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In a few minutes the little fire of twigs and leaves was blazing merrily. Tommy
+held the sheet of paper near the glow. The paper curled a little with the heat.
+Nothing more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly Julius grasped his arm, and pointed to where characters were appearing
+in a faint brown colour.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gee whiz! You&rsquo;ve got it! Say, that idea of yours was great. It
+never occurred to me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy held the paper in position some minutes longer until he judged the heat
+had done its work. Then he withdrew it. A moment later he uttered a cry.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Across the sheet in neat brown printing ran the words: WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF
+MR. BROWN.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap21"></a>CHAPTER XXI.<br/>
+TOMMY MAKES A DISCOVERY</h2>
+
+<p>
+For a moment or two they stood staring at each other stupidly, dazed with the
+shock. Somehow, inexplicably, Mr. Brown had forestalled them. Tommy accepted
+defeat quietly. Not so Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How in tarnation did he get ahead of us? That&rsquo;s what beats
+me!&rdquo; he ended up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head, and said dully:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It accounts for the stitches being new. We might have guessed....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never mind the darned stitches. How did he get ahead of us? We hustled
+all we knew. It&rsquo;s downright impossible for anyone to get here quicker
+than we did. And, anyway, how did he know? Do you reckon there was a dictaphone
+in Jane&rsquo;s room? I guess there must have been.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Tommy&rsquo;s common sense pointed out objections.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No one could have known beforehand that she was going to be in that
+house&mdash;much less that particular room.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; admitted Julius. &ldquo;Then one of the nurses
+was a crook and listened at the door. How&rsquo;s that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see that it matters anyway,&rdquo; said Tommy wearily.
+&ldquo;He may have found out some months ago, and removed the papers,
+then&mdash;&mdash;No, by Jove, that won&rsquo;t wash! They&rsquo;d have been
+published at once.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing they would! No, some one&rsquo;s got ahead of us to-day by an
+hour or so. But how they did it gets my goat.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wish that chap Peel Edgerton had been with us,&rdquo; said Tommy
+thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why?&rdquo; Julius stared. &ldquo;The mischief was done when we
+came.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; Tommy hesitated. He could not explain his own
+feeling&mdash;the illogical idea that the K.C.&lsquo;s presence would somehow
+have averted the catastrophe. He reverted to his former point of view.
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s no good arguing about how it was done. The game&rsquo;s up.
+We&rsquo;ve failed. There&rsquo;s only one thing for me to do.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&rsquo;s that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get back to London as soon as possible. Mr. Carter must be warned.
+It&rsquo;s only a matter of hours now before the blow falls. But, at any rate,
+he ought to know the worst.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The duty was an unpleasant one, but Tommy had no intention of shirking it. He
+must report his failure to Mr. Carter. After that his work was done. He took
+the midnight mail to London. Julius elected to stay the night at Holyhead.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Half an hour after arrival, haggard and pale, Tommy stood before his chief.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve come to report, sir. I&rsquo;ve failed&mdash;failed
+badly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter eyed him sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You mean that the treaty&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is in the hands of Mr. Brown, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; said Mr. Carter quietly. The expression on his face did not
+change, but Tommy caught the flicker of despair in his eyes. It convinced him
+as nothing else had done that the outlook was hopeless.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter after a minute or two, &ldquo;we
+mustn&rsquo;t sag at the knees, I suppose. I&rsquo;m glad to know definitely.
+We must do what we can.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Through Tommy&rsquo;s mind flashed the assurance: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s hopeless,
+and he knows it&rsquo;s hopeless!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other looked up at him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t take it to heart, lad,&rdquo; he said kindly. &ldquo;You did
+your best. You were up against one of the biggest brains of the century. And
+you came very near success. Remember that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, sir. It&rsquo;s awfully decent of you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I blame myself. I have been blaming myself ever since I heard this other
+news.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Something in his tone attracted Tommy&rsquo;s attention. A new fear gripped at
+his heart.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is there&mdash;something more, sir?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m afraid so,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter gravely. He stretched out
+his hand to a sheet on the table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tuppence&mdash;&mdash;?&rdquo; faltered Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Read for yourself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The typewritten words danced before his eyes. The description of a green toque,
+a coat with a handkerchief in the pocket marked P.L.C. He looked an agonized
+question at Mr. Carter. The latter replied to it:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Washed up on the Yorkshire coast&mdash;near Ebury. I&rsquo;m
+afraid&mdash;it looks very much like foul play.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My God!&rdquo; gasped Tommy. &ldquo;<i>Tuppence!</i> Those
+devils&mdash;I&rsquo;ll never rest till I&rsquo;ve got even with them!
+I&rsquo;ll hunt them down! I&rsquo;ll&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The pity on Mr. Carter&rsquo;s face stopped him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know what you feel like, my poor boy. But it&rsquo;s no good.
+You&rsquo;ll waste your strength uselessly. It may sound harsh, but my advice
+to you is: Cut your losses. Time&rsquo;s merciful. You&rsquo;ll forget.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Forget Tuppence? Never!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So you think now. Well, it won&rsquo;t bear thinking of&mdash;that brave
+little girl! I&rsquo;m sorry about the whole business&mdash;confoundedly
+sorry.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy came to himself with a start.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m taking up your time, sir,&rdquo; he said with an effort.
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no need for you to blame yourself. I dare say we were a
+couple of young fools to take on such a job. You warned us all right. But I
+wish to God I&rsquo;d been the one to get it in the neck. Good-bye, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Back at the <i>Ritz</i>, Tommy packed up his few belongings mechanically, his
+thoughts far away. He was still bewildered by the introduction of tragedy into
+his cheerful commonplace existence. What fun they had had together, he and
+Tuppence! And now&mdash;oh, he couldn&rsquo;t believe it&mdash;it
+couldn&rsquo;t be true! <i>Tuppence&mdash;dead!</i> Little Tuppence, brimming
+over with life! It was a dream, a horrible dream. Nothing more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They brought him a note, a few kind words of sympathy from Peel Edgerton, who
+had read the news in the paper. (There had been a large headline: EX-V.A.D.
+FEARED DROWNED.) The letter ended with the offer of a post on a ranch in the
+Argentine, where Sir James had considerable interests.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Kind old beggar,&rdquo; muttered Tommy, as he flung it aside.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The door opened, and Julius burst in with his usual violence. He held an open
+newspaper in his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say, what&rsquo;s all this? They seem to have got some fool idea about
+Tuppence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s true,&rdquo; said Tommy quietly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You mean they&rsquo;ve done her in?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I suppose when they got the treaty she&mdash;wasn&rsquo;t any good to
+them any longer, and they were afraid to let her go.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;m darned!&rdquo; said Julius. &ldquo;Little Tuppence. She
+sure was the pluckiest little girl&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But suddenly something seemed to crack in Tommy&rsquo;s brain. He rose to his
+feet.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, get out! You don&rsquo;t really care, damn you! You asked her to
+marry you in your rotten cold-blooded way, but I <i>loved</i> her. I&rsquo;d
+have given the soul out of my body to save her from harm. I&rsquo;d have stood
+by without a word and let her marry you, because you could have given her the
+sort of time she ought to have had, and I was only a poor devil without a penny
+to bless himself with. But it wouldn&rsquo;t have been because I didn&rsquo;t
+care!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;See here,&rdquo; began Julius temperately.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, go to the devil! I can&rsquo;t stand your coming here and talking
+about &lsquo;little Tuppence.&rsquo; Go and look after your cousin. Tuppence is
+my girl! I&rsquo;ve always loved her, from the time we played together as kids.
+We grew up and it was just the same. I shall never forget when I was in
+hospital, and she came in in that ridiculous cap and apron! It was like a
+miracle to see the girl I loved turn up in a nurse&rsquo;s
+kit&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Julius interrupted him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A nurse&rsquo;s kit! Gee whiz! I must be going to Colney Hatch! I could
+swear I&rsquo;ve seen Jane in a nurse&rsquo;s cap too. And that&rsquo;s plumb
+impossible! No, by gum, I&rsquo;ve got it! It was her I saw talking to
+Whittington at that nursing home in Bournemouth. She wasn&rsquo;t a patient
+there! She was a nurse!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I dare say,&rdquo; said Tommy angrily, &ldquo;she&rsquo;s probably been
+in with them from the start. I shouldn&rsquo;t wonder if she stole those papers
+from Danvers to begin with.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m darned if she did!&rdquo; shouted Julius. &ldquo;She&rsquo;s
+my cousin, and as patriotic a girl as ever stepped.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t care a damn what she is, but get out of here!&rdquo;
+retorted Tommy also at the top of his voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The young men were on the point of coming to blows. But suddenly, with an
+almost magical abruptness, Julius&rsquo;s anger abated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All right, son,&rdquo; he said quietly, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m going. I
+don&rsquo;t blame you any for what you&rsquo;ve been saying. It&rsquo;s mighty
+lucky you did say it. I&rsquo;ve been the most almighty blithering darned idiot
+that it&rsquo;s possible to imagine. Calm down&rdquo;&mdash;Tommy had made an
+impatient gesture&mdash;&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going right away now&mdash;going to
+the London and North Western Railway depot, if you want to know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t care a damn where you&rsquo;re going,&rdquo; growled
+Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As the door closed behind Julius, he returned to his suit-case.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the lot,&rdquo; he murmured, and rang the bell.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Take my luggage down.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir. Going away, sir?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to the devil,&rdquo; said Tommy, regardless of the
+menial&rsquo;s feelings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That functionary, however, merely replied respectfully:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir. Shall I call a taxi?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Where was he going? He hadn&rsquo;t the faintest idea. Beyond a fixed
+determination to get even with Mr. Brown he had no plans. He re-read Sir
+James&rsquo;s letter, and shook his head. Tuppence must be avenged. Still, it
+was kind of the old fellow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Better answer it, I suppose.&rdquo; He went across to the writing-table.
+With the usual perversity of bedroom stationery, there were innumerable
+envelopes and no paper. He rang. No one came. Tommy fumed at the delay. Then he
+remembered that there was a good supply in Julius&rsquo;s sitting-room. The
+American had announced his immediate departure, there would be no fear of
+running up against him. Besides, he wouldn&rsquo;t mind if he did. He was
+beginning to be rather ashamed of the things he had said. Old Julius had taken
+them jolly well. He&rsquo;d apologize if he found him there.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the room was deserted. Tommy walked across to the writing-table, and opened
+the middle drawer. A photograph, carelessly thrust in face upwards, caught his
+eye. For a moment he stood rooted to the ground. Then he took it out, shut the
+drawer, walked slowly over to an arm-chair, and sat down still staring at the
+photograph in his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+What on earth was a photograph of the French girl Annette doing in Julius
+Hersheimmer&rsquo;s writing-table?
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap22"></a>CHAPTER XXII.<br/>
+IN DOWNING STREET</h2>
+
+<p>
+The Prime Minister tapped the desk in front of him with nervous fingers. His
+face was worn and harassed. He took up his conversation with Mr. Carter at the
+point it had broken off. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t understand,&rdquo; he said.
+&ldquo;Do you really mean that things are not so desperate after all?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So this lad seems to think.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s have a look at his letter again.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter handed it over. It was written in a sprawling boyish hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;DEAR MR. CARTER,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Something&rsquo;s turned up that has given me a jar. Of course I may be
+simply making an awful ass of myself, but I don&rsquo;t think so. If my
+conclusions are right, that girl at Manchester was just a plant. The whole
+thing was prearranged, sham packet and all, with the object of making us think
+the game was up&mdash;therefore I fancy that we must have been pretty hot on
+the scent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think I know who the real Jane Finn is, and I&rsquo;ve even got an
+idea where the papers are. That last&rsquo;s only a guess, of course, but
+I&rsquo;ve a sort of feeling it&rsquo;ll turn out right. Anyhow, I enclose it
+in a sealed envelope for what it&rsquo;s worth. I&rsquo;m going to ask you not
+to open it until the very last moment, midnight on the 28th, in fact.
+You&rsquo;ll understand why in a minute. You see, I&rsquo;ve figured it out
+that those things of Tuppence&rsquo;s are a plant too, and she&rsquo;s no more
+drowned than I am. The way I reason is this: as a last chance they&rsquo;ll let
+Jane Finn escape in the hope that she&rsquo;s been shamming this memory stunt,
+and that once she thinks she&rsquo;s free she&rsquo;ll go right away to the
+cache. Of course it&rsquo;s an awful risk for them to take, because she knows
+all about them&mdash;but they&rsquo;re pretty desperate to get hold of that
+treaty. <i>But if they know that the papers have been recovered by us</i>,
+neither of those two girls&rsquo; lives will be worth an hour&rsquo;s purchase.
+I must try and get hold of Tuppence before Jane escapes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I want a repeat of that telegram that was sent to Tuppence at the
+<i>Ritz</i>. Sir James Peel Edgerton said you would be able to manage that for
+me. He&rsquo;s frightfully clever.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One last thing&mdash;please have that house in Soho watched day and
+night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yours, etc.,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;THOMAS BERESFORD.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Prime Minister looked up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The enclosure?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter smiled dryly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In the vaults of the Bank. I am taking no chances.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t think&rdquo;&mdash;the Prime Minister hesitated a
+minute&mdash;&ldquo;that it would be better to open it now? Surely we ought to
+secure the document, that is, provided the young man&rsquo;s guess turns out to
+be correct, at once. We can keep the fact of having done so quite
+secret.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can we? I&rsquo;m not so sure. There are spies all round us. Once
+it&rsquo;s known I wouldn&rsquo;t give that&rdquo;&mdash;he snapped his
+fingers&mdash;&ldquo;for the life of those two girls. No, the boy trusted me,
+and I shan&rsquo;t let him down.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, well, we must leave it at that, then. What&rsquo;s he like, this
+lad?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Outwardly, he&rsquo;s an ordinary clean-limbed, rather block-headed
+young Englishman. Slow in his mental processes. On the other hand, it&rsquo;s
+quite impossible to lead him astray through his imagination. He hasn&rsquo;t
+got any&mdash;so he&rsquo;s difficult to deceive. He worries things out slowly,
+and once he&rsquo;s got hold of anything he doesn&rsquo;t let go. The little
+lady&rsquo;s quite different. More intuition and less common sense. They make a
+pretty pair working together. Pace and stamina.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He seems confident,&rdquo; mused the Prime Minister.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, and that&rsquo;s what gives me hope. He&rsquo;s the kind of
+diffident youth who would have to be <i>very</i> sure before he ventured an
+opinion at all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A half smile came to the other&rsquo;s lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And it is this&mdash;boy who will defeat the master criminal of our
+time?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This&mdash;boy, as you say! But I sometimes fancy I see a shadow
+behind.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Peel Edgerton.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Peel Edgerton?&rdquo; said the Prime Minister in astonishment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. I see his hand in <i>this</i>.&rdquo; He struck the open letter.
+&ldquo;He&rsquo;s there&mdash;working in the dark, silently, unobtrusively.
+I&rsquo;ve always felt that if anyone was to run Mr. Brown to earth, Peel
+Edgerton would be the man. I tell you he&rsquo;s on the case now, but
+doesn&rsquo;t want it known. By the way, I got rather an odd request from him
+the other day.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He sent me a cutting from some American paper. It referred to a
+man&rsquo;s body found near the docks in New York about three weeks ago. He
+asked me to collect any information on the subject I could.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Carter shrugged his shoulders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t get much. Young fellow about thirty-five&mdash;poorly
+dressed&mdash;face very badly disfigured. He was never identified.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And you fancy that the two matters are connected in some way?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Somehow I do. I may be wrong, of course.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a pause, then Mr. Carter continued:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I asked him to come round here. Not that we&rsquo;ll get anything out of
+him he doesn&rsquo;t want to tell. His legal instincts are too strong. But
+there&rsquo;s no doubt he can throw light on one or two obscure points in young
+Beresford&rsquo;s letter. Ah, here he is!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two men rose to greet the new-comer. A half whimsical thought flashed
+across the Premier&rsquo;s mind. &ldquo;My successor, perhaps!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve had a letter from young Beresford,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter,
+coming to the point at once. &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve seen him, I suppose?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You suppose wrong,&rdquo; said the lawyer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; Mr. Carter was a little nonplussed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James smiled, and stroked his chin.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He rang me up,&rdquo; he volunteered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Would you have any objection to telling us exactly what passed between
+you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not at all. He thanked me for a certain letter which I had written to
+him&mdash;as a matter of fact, I had offered him a job. Then he reminded me of
+something I had said to him at Manchester respecting that bogus telegram which
+lured Miss Cowley away. I asked him if anything untoward had occurred. He said
+it had&mdash;that in a drawer in Mr. Hersheimmer&rsquo;s room he had discovered
+a photograph.&rdquo; The lawyer paused, then continued: &ldquo;I asked him if
+the photograph bore the name and address of a Californian photographer. He
+replied: &lsquo;You&rsquo;re on to it, sir. It had.&rsquo; Then he went on to
+tell me something I <i>didn&rsquo;t</i> know. The original of that photograph
+was the French girl, Annette, who saved his life.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Exactly. I asked the young man with some curiosity what he had done with
+the photograph. He replied that he had put it back where he found it.&rdquo;
+The lawyer paused again. &ldquo;That was good, you know&mdash;distinctly good.
+He can use his brains, that young fellow. I congratulated him. The discovery
+was a providential one. Of course, from the moment that the girl in Manchester
+was proved to be a plant everything was altered. Young Beresford saw that for
+himself without my having to tell it him. But he felt he couldn&rsquo;t trust
+his judgment on the subject of Miss Cowley. Did I think she was alive? I told
+him, duly weighing the evidence, that there was a very decided chance in favour
+of it. That brought us back to the telegram.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I advised him to apply to you for a copy of the original wire. It had
+occurred to me as probable that, after Miss Cowley flung it on the floor,
+certain words might have been erased and altered with the express intention of
+setting searchers on a false trail.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Carter nodded. He took a sheet from his pocket, and read aloud:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come at once, Astley Priors, Gatehouse, Kent. Great
+developments&mdash;TOMMY.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very simple,&rdquo; said Sir James, &ldquo;and very ingenious. Just a
+few words to alter, and the thing was done. And the one important clue they
+overlooked.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What was that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The page-boy&rsquo;s statement that Miss Cowley drove to Charing Cross.
+They were so sure of themselves that they took it for granted he had made a
+mistake.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then young Beresford is now?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At Gatehouse, Kent, unless I am much mistaken.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter looked at him curiously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I rather wonder you&rsquo;re not there too, Peel Edgerton?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, I&rsquo;m busy on a case.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought you were on your holiday?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I&rsquo;ve not been briefed. Perhaps it would be more correct to say
+I&rsquo;m preparing a case. Any more facts about that American chap for
+me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m afraid not. Is it important to find out who he was?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I know who he was,&rdquo; said Sir James easily. &ldquo;I
+can&rsquo;t prove it yet&mdash;but I know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other two asked no questions. They had an instinct that it would be mere
+waste of breath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But what I don&rsquo;t understand,&rdquo; said the Prime-Minister
+suddenly, &ldquo;is how that photograph came to be in Mr. Hersheimmer&rsquo;s
+drawer?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps it never left it,&rdquo; suggested the lawyer gently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But the bogus inspector? Inspector Brown?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; said Sir James thoughtfully. He rose to his feet. &ldquo;I
+mustn&rsquo;t keep you. Go on with the affairs of the nation. I must get back
+to&mdash;my case.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Two days later Julius Hersheimmer returned from Manchester. A note from Tommy
+lay on his table:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;DEAR HERSHEIMMER,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sorry I lost my temper. In case I don&rsquo;t see you again, good-bye.
+I&rsquo;ve been offered a job in the Argentine, and might as well take it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yours,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;TOMMY BERESFORD.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A peculiar smile lingered for a moment on Julius&rsquo;s face. He threw the
+letter into the waste-paper basket.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The darned fool!&rdquo; he murmured.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap23"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.<br/>
+A RACE AGAINST TIME</h2>
+
+<p>
+After ringing up Sir James, Tommy&rsquo;s next procedure was to make a call at
+South Audley Mansions. He found Albert discharging his professional duties, and
+introduced himself without more ado as a friend of Tuppence&rsquo;s. Albert
+unbent immediately.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Things has been very quiet here lately,&rdquo; he said wistfully.
+&ldquo;Hope the young lady&rsquo;s keeping well, sir?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s just the point, Albert. She&rsquo;s disappeared.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t mean as the crooks have got her?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They have.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In the Underworld?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, dash it all, in this world!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a h&rsquo;expression, sir,&rdquo; explained Albert. &ldquo;At
+the pictures the crooks always have a restoorant in the Underworld. But do you
+think as they&rsquo;ve done her in, sir?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I hope not. By the way, have you by any chance an aunt, a cousin, a
+grandmother, or any other suitable female relation who might be represented as
+being likely to kick the bucket?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A delighted grin spread slowly over Albert&rsquo;s countenance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m on, sir. My poor aunt what lives in the country has been
+mortal bad for a long time, and she&rsquo;s asking for me with her dying
+breath.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded approval.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can you report this in the proper quarter and meet me at Charing Cross
+in an hour&rsquo;s time?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be there, sir. You can count on me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As Tommy had judged, the faithful Albert proved an invaluable ally. The two
+took up their quarters at the inn in Gatehouse. To Albert fell the task of
+collecting information. There was no difficulty about it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Astley Priors was the property of a Dr. Adams. The doctor no longer practiced,
+had retired, the landlord believed, but he took a few private
+patients&mdash;here the good fellow tapped his forehead
+knowingly&mdash;&ldquo;balmy ones! You understand!&rdquo; The doctor was a
+popular figure in the village, subscribed freely to all the local
+sports&mdash;&ldquo;a very pleasant, affable gentleman.&rdquo; Been there long?
+Oh, a matter of ten years or so&mdash;might be longer. Scientific gentleman, he
+was. Professors and people often came down from town to see him. Anyway, it was
+a gay house, always visitors.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the face of all this volubility, Tommy felt doubts. Was it possible that
+this genial, well-known figure could be in reality a dangerous criminal? His
+life seemed so open and aboveboard. No hint of sinister doings. Suppose it was
+all a gigantic mistake? Tommy felt a cold chill at the thought.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then he remembered the private patients&mdash;&ldquo;balmy ones.&rdquo; He
+inquired carefully if there was a young lady amongst them, describing Tuppence.
+But nothing much seemed to be known about the patients&mdash;they were seldom
+seen outside the grounds. A guarded description of Annette also failed to
+provoke recognition.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Astley Priors was a pleasant red-brick edifice, surrounded by well-wooded
+grounds which effectually shielded the house from observation from the road.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On the first evening Tommy, accompanied by Albert, explored the grounds. Owing
+to Albert&rsquo;s insistence they dragged themselves along painfully on their
+stomachs, thereby producing a great deal more noise than if they had stood
+upright. In any case, these precautions were totally unnecessary. The grounds,
+like those of any other private house after nightfall, seemed untenanted. Tommy
+had imagined a possible fierce watchdog. Albert&rsquo;s fancy ran to a puma, or
+a tame cobra. But they reached a shrubbery near the house quite unmolested.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The blinds of the dining-room window were up. There was a large company
+assembled round the table. The port was passing from hand to hand. It seemed a
+normal, pleasant company. Through the open window scraps of conversation
+floated out disjointedly on the night air. It was a heated discussion on county
+cricket!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again Tommy felt that cold chill of uncertainty. It seemed impossible to
+believe that these people were other than they seemed. Had he been fooled once
+more? The fair-bearded, spectacled gentleman who sat at the head of the table
+looked singularly honest and normal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy slept badly that night. The following morning the indefatigable Albert,
+having cemented an alliance with the greengrocer&rsquo;s boy, took the
+latter&rsquo;s place and ingratiated himself with the cook at Malthouse. He
+returned with the information that she was undoubtedly &ldquo;one of the
+crooks,&rdquo; but Tommy mistrusted the vividness of his imagination.
+Questioned, he could adduce nothing in support of his statement except his own
+opinion that she wasn&rsquo;t the usual kind. You could see that at a glance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The substitution being repeated (much to the pecuniary advantage of the real
+greengrocer&rsquo;s boy) on the following day, Albert brought back the first
+piece of hopeful news. There <i>was</i> a French young lady staying in the
+house. Tommy put his doubts aside. Here was confirmation of his theory. But
+time pressed. To-day was the 27th. The 29th was the much-talked-of
+&ldquo;Labour Day,&rdquo; about which all sorts of rumours were running riot.
+Newspapers were getting agitated. Sensational hints of a Labour <i>coup
+d&rsquo;état</i> were freely reported. The Government said nothing. It knew and
+was prepared. There were rumours of dissension among the Labour leaders. They
+were not of one mind. The more far-seeing among them realized that what they
+proposed might well be a death-blow to the England that at heart they loved.
+They shrank from the starvation and misery a general strike would entail, and
+were willing to meet the Government half-way. But behind them were subtle,
+insistent forces at work, urging the memories of old wrongs, deprecating the
+weakness of half-and-half measures, fomenting misunderstandings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy felt that, thanks to Mr. Carter, he understood the position fairly
+accurately. With the fatal document in the hands of Mr. Brown, public opinion
+would swing to the side of the Labour extremists and revolutionists. Failing
+that, the battle was an even chance. The Government with a loyal army and
+police force behind them might win&mdash;but at a cost of great suffering. But
+Tommy nourished another and a preposterous dream. With Mr. Brown unmasked and
+captured he believed, rightly or wrongly, that the whole organization would
+crumble ignominiously and instantaneously. The strange permeating influence of
+the unseen chief held it together. Without him, Tommy believed an instant panic
+would set in; and, the honest men left to themselves, an eleventh-hour
+reconciliation would be possible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This is a one-man show,&rdquo; said Tommy to himself. &ldquo;The thing
+to do is to get hold of the man.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was partly in furtherance of this ambitious design that he had requested Mr.
+Carter not to open the sealed envelope. The draft treaty was Tommy&rsquo;s
+bait. Every now and then he was aghast at his own presumption. How dared he
+think that he had discovered what so many wiser and clever men had overlooked?
+Nevertheless, he stuck tenaciously to his idea.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That evening he and Albert once more penetrated the grounds of Astley Priors.
+Tommy&rsquo;s ambition was somehow or other to gain admission to the house
+itself. As they approached cautiously, Tommy gave a sudden gasp.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On the second floor window some one standing between the window and the light
+in the room threw a silhouette on the blind. It was one Tommy would have
+recognized anywhere! Tuppence was in that house!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He clutched Albert by the shoulder.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Stay here! When I begin to sing, watch that window.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He retreated hastily to a position on the main drive, and began in a deep roar,
+coupled with an unsteady gait, the following ditty:
+</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+I am a Soldier<br/>
+A jolly British Soldier;<br/>
+You can see that I&rsquo;m a Soldier by my feet....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It had been a favourite on the gramophone in Tuppence&rsquo;s hospital days. He
+did not doubt but that she would recognize it and draw her own conclusions.
+Tommy had not a note of music in his voice, but his lungs were excellent. The
+noise he produced was terrific.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Presently an unimpeachable butler, accompanied by an equally unimpeachable
+footman, issued from the front door. The butler remonstrated with him. Tommy
+continued to sing, addressing the butler affectionately as &ldquo;dear old
+whiskers.&rdquo; The footman took him by one arm, the butler by the other. They
+ran him down the drive, and neatly out of the gate. The butler threatened him
+with the police if he intruded again. It was beautifully done&mdash;soberly and
+with perfect decorum. Anyone would have sworn that the butler was a real
+butler, the footman a real footman&mdash;only, as it happened, the butler was
+Whittington!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy retired to the inn and waited for Albert&rsquo;s return. At last that
+worthy made his appearance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well?&rdquo; cried Tommy eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s all right. While they was a-running of you out the window
+opened, and something was chucked out.&rdquo; He handed a scrap of paper to
+Tommy. &ldquo;It was wrapped round a letterweight.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On the paper were scrawled three words: &ldquo;To-morrow&mdash;same
+time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good egg!&rdquo; cried Tommy. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re getting going.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wrote a message on a piece of paper, wrapped it round a stone, and
+chucked it through the window,&rdquo; continued Albert breathlessly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy groaned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your zeal will be the undoing of us, Albert. What did you say?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Said we was a-staying at the inn. If she could get away, to come there
+and croak like a frog.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;ll know that&rsquo;s you,&rdquo; said Tommy with a sigh of
+relief. &ldquo;Your imagination runs away with you, you know, Albert. Why, you
+wouldn&rsquo;t recognize a frog croaking if you heard it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert looked rather crest-fallen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Cheer up,&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;No harm done. That butler&rsquo;s an
+old friend of mine&mdash;I bet he knew who I was, though he didn&rsquo;t let
+on. It&rsquo;s not their game to show suspicion. That&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;ve
+found it fairly plain sailing. They don&rsquo;t want to discourage me
+altogether. On the other hand, they don&rsquo;t want to make it too easy.
+I&rsquo;m a pawn in their game, Albert, that&rsquo;s what I am. You see, if the
+spider lets the fly walk out too easily, the fly might suspect it was a put-up
+job. Hence the usefulness of that promising youth, Mr. T. Beresford,
+who&rsquo;s blundered in just at the right moment for them. But later, Mr. T.
+Beresford had better look out!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy retired for the night in a state of some elation. He had elaborated a
+careful plan for the following evening. He felt sure that the inhabitants of
+Astley Priors would not interfere with him up to a certain point. It was after
+that that Tommy proposed to give them a surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+About twelve o&rsquo;clock, however, his calm was rudely shaken. He was told
+that some one was demanding him in the bar. The applicant proved to be a
+rude-looking carter well coated with mud.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, my good fellow, what is it?&rdquo; asked Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Might this be for you, sir?&rdquo; The carter held out a very dirty
+folded note, on the outside of which was written: &ldquo;Take this to the
+gentleman at the inn near Astley Priors. He will give you ten shillings.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The handwriting was Tuppence&rsquo;s. Tommy appreciated her quick-wittedness in
+realizing that he might be staying at the inn under an assumed name. He
+snatched at it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man withheld it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about my ten shillings?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy hastily produced a ten-shilling note, and the man relinquished his find.
+Tommy unfastened it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;DEAR TOMMY,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I knew it was you last night. Don&rsquo;t go this evening. They&rsquo;ll
+be lying in wait for you. They&rsquo;re taking us away this morning. I heard
+something about Wales&mdash;Holyhead, I think. I&rsquo;ll drop this on the road
+if I get a chance. Annette told me how you&rsquo;d escaped. Buck up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yours,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;TWOPENCE.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy raised a shout for Albert before he had even finished perusing this
+characteristic epistle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pack my bag! We&rsquo;re off!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo; The boots of Albert could be heard racing upstairs.
+Holyhead? Did that mean that, after all&mdash;&mdash; Tommy was puzzled. He
+read on slowly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The boots of Albert continued to be active on the floor above.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly a second shout came from below.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Albert! I&rsquo;m a damned fool! Unpack that bag!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy smoothed out the note thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, a damned fool,&rdquo; he said softly. &ldquo;But so&rsquo;s some
+one else! And at last I know who it is!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap24"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.<br/>
+JULIUS TAKES A HAND</h2>
+
+<p>
+In his suite at Claridge&rsquo;s, Kramenin reclined on a couch and dictated to
+his secretary in sibilant Russian.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Presently the telephone at the secretary&rsquo;s elbow purred, and he took up
+the receiver, spoke for a minute or two, then turned to his employer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Some one below is asking for you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who is it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He gives the name of Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hersheimmer,&rdquo; repeated Kramenin thoughtfully. &ldquo;I have heard
+that name before.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;His father was one of the steel kings of America,&rdquo; explained the
+secretary, whose business it was to know everything. &ldquo;This young man must
+be a millionaire several times over.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other&rsquo;s eyes narrowed appreciatively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You had better go down and see him, Ivan. Find out what he wants.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The secretary obeyed, closing the door noiselessly behind him. In a few minutes
+he returned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He declines to state his business&mdash;says it is entirely private and
+personal, and that he must see you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A millionaire several times over,&rdquo; murmured Kramenin. &ldquo;Bring
+him up, my dear Ivan.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The secretary left the room once more, and returned escorting Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Monsieur Kramenin?&rdquo; said the latter abruptly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian, studying him attentively with his pale venomous eyes, bowed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pleased to meet you,&rdquo; said the American. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got
+some very important business I&rsquo;d like to talk over with you, if I can see
+you alone.&rdquo; He looked pointedly at the other.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My secretary, Monsieur Grieber, from whom I have no secrets.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That may be so&mdash;but I have,&rdquo; said Julius dryly. &ldquo;So
+I&rsquo;d be obliged if you&rsquo;d tell him to scoot.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ivan,&rdquo; said the Russian softly, &ldquo;perhaps you would not mind
+retiring into the next room&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The next room won&rsquo;t do,&rdquo; interrupted Julius. &ldquo;I know
+these ducal suites&mdash;and I want this one plumb empty except for you and me.
+Send him round to a store to buy a penn&rsquo;orth of peanuts.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Though not particularly enjoying the American&rsquo;s free and easy manner of
+speech, Kramenin was devoured by curiosity. &ldquo;Will your business take long
+to state?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Might be an all night job if you caught on.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very good, Ivan. I shall not require you again this evening. Go to the
+theatre&mdash;take a night off.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, your excellency.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The secretary bowed and departed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius stood at the door watching his retreat. Finally, with a satisfied sigh,
+he closed it, and came back to his position in the centre of the room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now, Mr. Hersheimmer, perhaps you will be so kind as to come to the
+point?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess that won&rsquo;t take a minute,&rdquo; drawled Julius. Then,
+with an abrupt change of manner: &ldquo;Hands up&mdash;or I shoot!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment Kramenin stared blindly into the big automatic, then, with almost
+comical haste, he flung up his hands above his head. In that instant Julius had
+taken his measure. The man he had to deal with was an abject physical
+coward&mdash;the rest would be easy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This is an outrage,&rdquo; cried the Russian in a high hysterical voice.
+&ldquo;An outrage! Do you mean to kill me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not if you keep your voice down. Don&rsquo;t go edging sideways towards
+that bell. That&rsquo;s better.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you want? Do nothing rashly. Remember my life is of the utmost
+value to my country. I may have been maligned&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I reckon,&rdquo; said Julius, &ldquo;that the man who let daylight into
+you would be doing humanity a good turn. But you needn&rsquo;t worry any.
+I&rsquo;m not proposing to kill you this trip&mdash;that is, if you&rsquo;re
+reasonable.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian quailed before the stern menace in the other&rsquo;s eyes. He
+passed his tongue over his dry lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you want? Money?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No. I want Jane Finn.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Jane Finn? I&mdash;never heard of her!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re a darned liar! You know perfectly who I mean.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I tell you I&rsquo;ve never heard of the girl.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And I tell you,&rdquo; retorted Julius, &ldquo;that Little Willie here
+is just hopping mad to go off!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian wilted visibly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You wouldn&rsquo;t dare&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, yes, I would, son!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Kramenin must have recognized something in the voice that carried conviction,
+for he said sullenly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well? Granted I do know who you mean&mdash;what of it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You will tell me now&mdash;right here&mdash;where she is to be
+found.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Kramenin shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I daren&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I daren&rsquo;t. You ask an impossibility.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Afraid, eh? Of whom? Mr. Brown? Ah, that tickles you up! There is such a
+person, then? I doubted it. And the mere mention of him scares you
+stiff!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have seen him,&rdquo; said the Russian slowly. &ldquo;Spoken to him
+face to face. I did not know it until afterwards. He was one of a crowd. I
+should not know him again. Who is he really? I do not know. But I know
+this&mdash;he is a man to fear.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He&rsquo;ll never know,&rdquo; said Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He knows everything&mdash;and his vengeance is swift. Even
+I&mdash;Kramenin!&mdash;would not be exempt!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then you won&rsquo;t do as I ask you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You ask an impossibility.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure that&rsquo;s a pity for you,&rdquo; said Julius cheerfully.
+&ldquo;But the world in general will benefit.&rdquo; He raised the revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Stop,&rdquo; shrieked the Russian. &ldquo;You cannot mean to shoot
+me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course I do. I&rsquo;ve always heard you Revolutionists held life
+cheap, but it seems there&rsquo;s a difference when it&rsquo;s your own life in
+question. I gave you just one chance of saving your dirty skin, and that you
+wouldn&rsquo;t take!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They would kill me!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Julius pleasantly, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s up to you. But
+I&rsquo;ll just say this. Little Willie here is a dead cert, and if I was you
+I&rsquo;d take a sporting chance with Mr. Brown!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You will hang if you shoot me,&rdquo; muttered the Russian irresolutely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, stranger, that&rsquo;s where you&rsquo;re wrong. You forget the
+dollars. A big crowd of solicitors will get busy, and they&rsquo;ll get some
+high-brow doctors on the job, and the end of it all will be that they&rsquo;ll
+say my brain was unhinged. I shall spend a few months in a quiet sanatorium, my
+mental health will improve, the doctors will declare me sane again, and all
+will end happily for little Julius. I guess I can bear a few months&rsquo;
+retirement in order to rid the world of you, but don&rsquo;t you kid yourself
+I&rsquo;ll hang for it!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian believed him. Corrupt himself, he believed implicitly in the power
+of money. He had read of American murder trials running much on the lines
+indicated by Julius. He had bought and sold justice himself. This virile young
+American, with the significant drawling voice, had the whip hand of him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to count five,&rdquo; continued Julius, &ldquo;and I
+guess, if you let me get past four, you needn&rsquo;t worry any about Mr.
+Brown. Maybe he&rsquo;ll send some flowers to the funeral, but <i>you</i>
+won&rsquo;t smell them! Are you ready? I&rsquo;ll begin.
+One&mdash;two&mdash;three&mdash;four&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian interrupted with a shriek:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do not shoot. I will do all you wish.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius lowered the revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought you&rsquo;d hear sense. Where is the girl?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At Gatehouse, in Kent. Astley Priors, the place is called.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is she a prisoner there?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s not allowed to leave the house&mdash;though it&rsquo;s safe
+enough really. The little fool has lost her memory, curse her!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s been annoying for you and your friends, I reckon. What
+about the other girl, the one you decoyed away over a week ago?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s there too,&rdquo; said the Russian sullenly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s good,&rdquo; said Julius. &ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t it all panning
+out beautifully? And a lovely night for the run!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What run?&rdquo; demanded Kramenin, with a stare.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Down to Gatehouse, sure. I hope you&rsquo;re fond of motoring?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you mean? I refuse to go.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now don&rsquo;t get mad. You must see I&rsquo;m not such a kid as to
+leave you here. You&rsquo;d ring up your friends on that telephone first thing!
+Ah!&rdquo; He observed the fall on the other&rsquo;s face. &ldquo;You see,
+you&rsquo;d got it all fixed. No, sir, you&rsquo;re coming along with me. This
+your bedroom next door here? Walk right in. Little Willie and I will come
+behind. Put on a thick coat, that&rsquo;s right. Fur lined? And you a
+Socialist! Now we&rsquo;re ready. We walk downstairs and out through the hall
+to where my car&rsquo;s waiting. And don&rsquo;t you forget I&rsquo;ve got you
+covered every inch of the way. I can shoot just as well through my coat pocket.
+One word, or a glance even, at one of those liveried menials, and
+there&rsquo;ll sure be a strange face in the Sulphur and Brimstone
+Works!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Together they descended the stairs, and passed out to the waiting car. The
+Russian was shaking with rage. The hotel servants surrounded them. A cry
+hovered on his lips, but at the last minute his nerve failed him. The American
+was a man of his word.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When they reached the car, Julius breathed a sigh of relief. The danger-zone
+was passed. Fear had successfully hypnotized the man by his side.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get in,&rdquo; he ordered. Then as he caught the other&rsquo;s sidelong
+glance, &ldquo;No, the chauffeur won&rsquo;t help you any. Naval man. Was on a
+submarine in Russia when the Revolution broke out. A brother of his was
+murdered by your people. George!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir?&rdquo; The chauffeur turned his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This gentleman is a Russian Bolshevik. We don&rsquo;t want to shoot him,
+but it may be necessary. You understand?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perfectly, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I want to go to Gatehouse in Kent. Know the road at all?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir, it will be about an hour and a half&rsquo;s run.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Make it an hour. I&rsquo;m in a hurry.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll do my best, sir.&rdquo; The car shot forward through the
+traffic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius ensconced himself comfortably by the side of his victim. He kept his
+hand in the pocket of his coat, but his manner was urbane to the last degree.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There was a man I shot once in Arizona&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; he began
+cheerfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the end of the hour&rsquo;s run the unfortunate Kramenin was more dead than
+alive. In succession to the anecdote of the Arizona man, there had been a tough
+from &lsquo;Frisco, and an episode in the Rockies. Julius&rsquo;s narrative
+style, if not strictly accurate, was picturesque!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Slowing down, the chauffeur called over his shoulder that they were just coming
+into Gatehouse. Julius bade the Russian direct them. His plan was to drive
+straight up to the house. There Kramenin was to ask for the two girls. Julius
+explained to him that Little Willie would not be tolerant of failure. Kramenin,
+by this time, was as putty in the other&rsquo;s hands. The terrific pace they
+had come had still further unmanned him. He had given himself up for dead at
+every corner.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The car swept up the drive, and stopped before the porch. The chauffeur looked
+round for orders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Turn the car first, George. Then ring the bell, and get back to your
+place. Keep the engine going, and be ready to scoot like hell when I give the
+word.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very good, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The front door was opened by the butler. Kramenin felt the muzzle of the
+revolver pressed against his ribs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now,&rdquo; hissed Julius. &ldquo;And be careful.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian beckoned. His lips were white, and his voice was not very steady:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is I&mdash;Kramenin! Bring down the girl at once! There is no time to
+lose!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington had come down the steps. He uttered an exclamation of astonishment
+at seeing the other.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You! What&rsquo;s up? Surely you know the plan&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Kramenin interrupted him, using the words that have created many unnecessary
+panics:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We have been betrayed! Plans must be abandoned. We must save our own
+skins. The girl! And at once! It&rsquo;s our only chance.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington hesitated, but for hardly a moment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You have orders&mdash;from <i>him?</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Naturally! Should I be here otherwise? Hurry! There is no time to be
+lost. The other little fool had better come too.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington turned and ran back into the house. The agonizing minutes went by.
+Then&mdash;two figures hastily huddled in cloaks appeared on the steps and were
+hustled into the car. The smaller of the two was inclined to resist and
+Whittington shoved her in unceremoniously. Julius leaned forward, and in doing
+so the light from the open door lit up his face. Another man on the steps
+behind Whittington gave a startled exclamation. Concealment was at an end.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get a move on, George,&rdquo; shouted Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The chauffeur slipped in his clutch, and with a bound the car started.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man on the steps uttered an oath. His hand went to his pocket. There was a
+flash and a report. The bullet just missed the taller girl by an inch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get down, Jane,&rdquo; cried Julius. &ldquo;Flat on the bottom of the
+car.&rdquo; He thrust her sharply forward, then standing up, he took careful
+aim and fired.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have you hit him?&rdquo; cried Tuppence eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure,&rdquo; replied Julius. &ldquo;He isn&rsquo;t killed, though.
+Skunks like that take a lot of killing. Are you all right, Tuppence?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course I am. Where&rsquo;s Tommy? And who&rsquo;s this?&rdquo; She
+indicated the shivering Kramenin.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy&rsquo;s making tracks for the Argentine. I guess he thought
+you&rsquo;d turned up your toes. Steady through the gate, George! That&rsquo;s
+right. It&rsquo;ll take &lsquo;em at least five minutes to get busy after us.
+They&rsquo;ll use the telephone, I guess, so look out for snares
+ahead&mdash;and don&rsquo;t take the direct route. Who&rsquo;s this, did you
+say, Tuppence? Let me present Monsieur Kramenin. I persuaded him to come on the
+trip for his health.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian remained mute, still livid with terror.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But what made them let us go?&rdquo; demanded Tuppence suspiciously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I reckon Monsieur Kramenin here asked them so prettily they just
+couldn&rsquo;t refuse!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was too much for the Russian. He burst out vehemently:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Curse you&mdash;curse you! They know now that I betrayed them. My life
+won&rsquo;t be safe for an hour in this country.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; assented Julius. &ldquo;I&rsquo;d advise you to
+make tracks for Russia right away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let me go, then,&rdquo; cried the other. &ldquo;I have done what you
+asked. Why do you still keep me with you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not for the pleasure of your company. I guess you can get right off now
+if you want to. I thought you&rsquo;d rather I tooled you back to
+London.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You may never reach London,&rdquo; snarled the other. &ldquo;Let me go
+here and now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing. Pull up, George. The gentleman&rsquo;s not making the return
+trip. If I ever come to Russia, Monsieur Kramenin, I shall expect a rousing
+welcome, and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But before Julius had finished his speech, and before the car had finally
+halted, the Russian had swung himself out and disappeared into the night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just a mite impatient to leave us,&rdquo; commented Julius, as the car
+gathered way again. &ldquo;And no idea of saying good-bye politely to the
+ladies. Say, Jane, you can get up on the seat now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For the first time the girl spoke.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How did you &lsquo;persuade&rsquo; him?&rdquo; she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius tapped his revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Little Willie here takes the credit!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Splendid!&rdquo; cried the girl. The colour surged into her face, her
+eyes looked admiringly at Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Annette and I didn&rsquo;t know what was going to happen to us,&rdquo;
+said Tuppence. &ldquo;Old Whittington hurried us off. <i>We</i> thought it was
+lambs to the slaughter.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Annette,&rdquo; said Julius. &ldquo;Is that what you call her?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His mind seemed to be trying to adjust itself to a new idea.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s her name,&rdquo; said Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shucks!&rdquo; retorted Julius. &ldquo;She may think it&rsquo;s her
+name, because her memory&rsquo;s gone, poor kid. But it&rsquo;s the one real
+and original Jane Finn we&rsquo;ve got here.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo; cried Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But she was interrupted. With an angry spurt, a bullet embedded itself in the
+upholstery of the car just behind her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Down with you,&rdquo; cried Julius. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s an ambush. These
+guys have got busy pretty quickly. Push her a bit, George.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The car fairly leapt forward. Three more shots rang out, but went happily wide.
+Julius, upright, leant over the back of the car.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing to shoot at,&rdquo; he announced gloomily. &ldquo;But I guess
+there&rsquo;ll be another little picnic soon. Ah!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He raised his hand to his cheek.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are hurt?&rdquo; said Annette quickly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Only a scratch.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl sprang to her feet.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let me out! Let me out, I say! Stop the car. It is me they&rsquo;re
+after. I&rsquo;m the one they want. You shall not lose your lives because of
+me. Let me go.&rdquo; She was fumbling with the fastenings of the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius took her by both arms, and looked at her. She had spoken with no trace
+of foreign accent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sit down, kid,&rdquo; he said gently. &ldquo;I guess there&rsquo;s
+nothing wrong with your memory. Been fooling them all the time, eh?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl looked at him, nodded, and then suddenly burst into tears. Julius
+patted her on the shoulder.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There, there&mdash;just you sit tight. We&rsquo;re not going to let you
+quit.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Through her sobs the girl said indistinctly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re from home. I can tell by your voice. It makes me
+home-sick.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure I&rsquo;m from home. I&rsquo;m your cousin&mdash;Julius
+Hersheimmer. I came over to Europe on purpose to find you&mdash;and a pretty
+dance you&rsquo;ve led me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The car slackened speed. George spoke over his shoulder:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Cross-roads here, sir. I&rsquo;m not sure of the way.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The car slowed down till it hardly moved. As it did so a figure climbed
+suddenly over the back, and plunged head first into the midst of them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sorry,&rdquo; said Tommy, extricating himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A mass of confused exclamations greeted him. He replied to them severally:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Was in the bushes by the drive. Hung on behind. Couldn&rsquo;t let you
+know before at the pace you were going. It was all I could do to hang on. Now
+then, you girls, get out!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get out?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. There&rsquo;s a station just up that road. Train due in three
+minutes. You&rsquo;ll catch it if you hurry.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What the devil are you driving at?&rdquo; demanded Julius. &ldquo;Do you
+think you can fool them by leaving the car?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You and I aren&rsquo;t going to leave the car. Only the girls.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re crazed, Beresford. Stark staring mad! You can&rsquo;t let
+those girls go off alone. It&rsquo;ll be the end of it if you do.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy turned to Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get out at once, Tuppence. Take her with you, and do just as I say. No
+one will do you any harm. You&rsquo;re safe. Take the train to London. Go
+straight to Sir James Peel Edgerton. Mr. Carter lives out of town, but
+you&rsquo;ll be safe with him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Darn you!&rdquo; cried Julius. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re mad. Jane, you stay
+where you are.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With a sudden swift movement, Tommy snatched the revolver from Julius&rsquo;s
+hand, and levelled it at him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now will you believe I&rsquo;m in earnest? Get out, both of you, and do
+as I say&mdash;or I&rsquo;ll shoot!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence sprang out, dragging the unwilling Jane after her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come on, it&rsquo;s all right. If Tommy&rsquo;s sure&mdash;he&rsquo;s
+sure. Be quick. We&rsquo;ll miss the train.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They started running.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius&rsquo;s pent-up rage burst forth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What the hell&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy interrupted him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dry up! I want a few words with you, Mr. Julius Hersheimmer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap25"></a>CHAPTER XXV.<br/>
+JANE&rsquo;S STORY</h2>
+
+<p>
+Her arm through Jane&rsquo;s, dragging her along, Tuppence reached the station.
+Her quick ears caught the sound of the approaching train.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hurry up,&rdquo; she panted, &ldquo;or we&rsquo;ll miss it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They arrived on the platform just as the train came to a standstill. Tuppence
+opened the door of an empty first-class compartment, and the two girls sank
+down breathless on the padded seats.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A man looked in, then passed on to the next carriage. Jane started nervously.
+Her eyes dilated with terror. She looked questioningly at Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is he one of them, do you think?&rdquo; she breathed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, no. It&rsquo;s all right.&rdquo; She took Jane&rsquo;s hand in hers.
+&ldquo;Tommy wouldn&rsquo;t have told us to do this unless he was sure
+we&rsquo;d be all right.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But he doesn&rsquo;t know them as I do!&rdquo; The girl shivered.
+&ldquo;You can&rsquo;t understand. Five years! Five long years! Sometimes I
+thought I should go mad.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never mind. It&rsquo;s all over.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The train was moving now, speeding through the night at a gradually increasing
+rate. Suddenly Jane Finn started up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What was that? I thought I saw a face&mdash;looking in through the
+window.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, there&rsquo;s nothing. See.&rdquo; Tuppence went to the window, and
+lifting the strap let the pane down.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re sure?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quite sure.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other seemed to feel some excuse was necessary:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess I&rsquo;m acting like a frightened rabbit, but I can&rsquo;t
+help it. If they caught me now they&rsquo;d&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; Her eyes
+opened wide and staring.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;<i>Don&rsquo;t!</i>&rdquo; implored Tuppence. &ldquo;Lie back, and
+<i>don&rsquo;t think</i>. You can be quite sure that Tommy wouldn&rsquo;t have
+said it was safe if it wasn&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My cousin didn&rsquo;t think so. He didn&rsquo;t want us to do
+this.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Tuppence, rather embarrassed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What are you thinking of?&rdquo; said Jane sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your voice was so&mdash;queer!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I <i>was</i> thinking of something,&rdquo; confessed Tuppence.
+&ldquo;But I don&rsquo;t want to tell you&mdash;not now. I may be wrong, but I
+don&rsquo;t think so. It&rsquo;s just an idea that came into my head a long
+time ago. Tommy&rsquo;s got it too&mdash;I&rsquo;m almost sure he has. But
+don&rsquo;t <i>you</i> worry&mdash;there&rsquo;ll be time enough for that
+later. And it mayn&rsquo;t be so at all! Do what I tell you&mdash;lie back and
+don&rsquo;t think of anything.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll try.&rdquo; The long lashes drooped over the hazel eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence, for her part, sat bolt upright&mdash;much in the attitude of a
+watchful terrier on guard. In spite of herself she was nervous. Her eyes
+flashed continually from one window to the other. She noted the exact position
+of the communication cord. What it was that she feared, she would have been
+hard put to it to say. But in her own mind she was far from feeling the
+confidence displayed in her words. Not that she disbelieved in Tommy, but
+occasionally she was shaken with doubts as to whether anyone so simple and
+honest as he was could ever be a match for the fiendish subtlety of the
+arch-criminal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+If they once reached Sir James Peel Edgerton in safety, all would be well. But
+would they reach him? Would not the silent forces of Mr. Brown already be
+assembling against them? Even that last picture of Tommy, revolver in hand,
+failed to comfort her. By now he might be overpowered, borne down by sheer
+force of numbers.... Tuppence mapped out her plan of campaign.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As the train at length drew slowly into Charing Cross, Jane Finn sat up with a
+start.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have we arrived? I never thought we should!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I thought we&rsquo;d get to London all right. If there&rsquo;s going
+to be any fun, now is when it will begin. Quick, get out. We&rsquo;ll nip into
+a taxi.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In another minute they were passing the barrier, had paid the necessary fares,
+and were stepping into a taxi.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;King&rsquo;s Cross,&rdquo; directed Tuppence. Then she gave a jump. A
+man looked in at the window, just as they started. She was almost certain it
+was the same man who had got into the carriage next to them. She had a horrible
+feeling of being slowly hemmed in on every side.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You see,&rdquo; she explained to Jane, &ldquo;if they think we&rsquo;re
+going to Sir James, this will put them off the scent. Now they&rsquo;ll imagine
+we&rsquo;re going to Mr. Carter. His country place is north of London
+somewhere.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Crossing Holborn there was a block, and the taxi was held up. This was what
+Tuppence had been waiting for.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quick,&rdquo; she whispered. &ldquo;Open the right-hand door!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two girls stepped out into the traffic. Two minutes later they were seated
+in another taxi and were retracing their steps, this time direct to Carlton
+House Terrace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There,&rdquo; said Tuppence, with great satisfaction, &ldquo;this ought
+to do them. I can&rsquo;t help thinking that I&rsquo;m really rather clever!
+How that other taxi man will swear! But I took his number, and I&rsquo;ll send
+him a postal order to-morrow, so that he won&rsquo;t lose by it if he happens
+to be genuine. What&rsquo;s this thing swerving&mdash;&mdash;Oh!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a grinding noise and a bump. Another taxi had collided with them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In a flash Tuppence was out on the pavement. A policeman was approaching.
+Before he arrived Tuppence had handed the driver five shillings, and she and
+Jane had merged themselves in the crowd.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s only a step or two now,&rdquo; said Tuppence breathlessly.
+The accident had taken place in Trafalgar Square.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you think the collision was an accident, or done deliberately?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. It might have been either.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Hand-in-hand, the two girls hurried along.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It may be my fancy,&rdquo; said Tuppence suddenly, &ldquo;but I feel as
+though there was some one behind us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hurry!&rdquo; murmured the other. &ldquo;Oh, hurry!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were now at the corner of Carlton House Terrace, and their spirits
+lightened. Suddenly a large and apparently intoxicated man barred their way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good evening, ladies,&rdquo; he hiccupped. &ldquo;Whither away so
+fast?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let us pass, please,&rdquo; said Tuppence imperiously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just a word with your pretty friend here.&rdquo; He stretched out an
+unsteady hand, and clutched Jane by the shoulder. Tuppence heard other
+footsteps behind. She did not pause to ascertain whether they were friends or
+foes. Lowering her head, she repeated a man&oelig;uvre of childish days, and
+butted their aggressor full in the capacious middle. The success of these
+unsportsmanlike tactics was immediate. The man sat down abruptly on the
+pavement. Tuppence and Jane took to their heels. The house they sought was some
+way down. Other footsteps echoed behind them. Their breath was coming in
+choking gasps as they reached Sir James&rsquo;s door. Tuppence seized the bell
+and Jane the knocker.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man who had stopped them reached the foot of the steps. For a moment he
+hesitated, and as he did so the door opened. They fell into the hall together.
+Sir James came forward from the library door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hullo! What&rsquo;s this?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He stepped forward, and put his arm round Jane as she swayed uncertainly. He
+half carried her into the library, and laid her on the leather couch. From a
+tantalus on the table he poured out a few drops of brandy, and forced her to
+drink them. With a sigh she sat up, her eyes still wild and frightened.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s all right. Don&rsquo;t be afraid, my child. You&rsquo;re
+quite safe.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her breath came more normally, and the colour was returning to her cheeks. Sir
+James looked at Tuppence quizzically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So you&rsquo;re not dead, Miss Tuppence, any more than that Tommy boy of
+yours was!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The Young Adventurers take a lot of killing,&rdquo; boasted Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So it seems,&rdquo; said Sir James dryly. &ldquo;Am I right in thinking
+that the joint venture has ended in success, and that this&rdquo;&mdash;he
+turned to the girl on the couch&mdash;&ldquo;is Miss Jane Finn?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jane sat up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; she said quietly, &ldquo;I am Jane Finn. I have a lot to
+tell you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When you are stronger&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No&mdash;now!&rdquo; Her voice rose a little. &ldquo;I shall feel safer
+when I have told everything.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As you please,&rdquo; said the lawyer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He sat down in one of the big arm-chairs facing the couch. In a low voice Jane
+began her story.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I came over on the <i>Lusitania</i> to take up a post in Paris. I was
+fearfully keen about the war, and just dying to help somehow or other. I had
+been studying French, and my teacher said they were wanting help in a hospital
+in Paris, so I wrote and offered my services, and they were accepted. I
+hadn&rsquo;t got any folk of my own, so it made it easy to arrange things.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When the <i>Lusitania</i> was torpedoed, a man came up to me. I&rsquo;d
+noticed him more than once&mdash;and I&rsquo;d figured it out in my own mind
+that he was afraid of somebody or something. He asked me if I was a patriotic
+American, and told me he was carrying papers which were just life or death to
+the Allies. He asked me to take charge of them. I was to watch for an
+advertisement in the <i>Times</i>. If it didn&rsquo;t appear, I was to take
+them to the American Ambassador.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Most of what followed seems like a nightmare still. I see it in my
+dreams sometimes.... I&rsquo;ll hurry over that part. Mr. Danvers had told me
+to watch out. He might have been shadowed from New York, but he didn&rsquo;t
+think so. At first I had no suspicions, but on the boat to Holyhead I began to
+get uneasy. There was one woman who had been very keen to look after me, and
+chum up with me generally&mdash;a Mrs. Vandemeyer. At first I&rsquo;d been only
+grateful to her for being so kind to me; but all the time I felt there was
+something about her I didn&rsquo;t like, and on the Irish boat I saw her
+talking to some queer-looking men, and from the way they looked I saw that they
+were talking about me. I remembered that she&rsquo;d been quite near me on the
+<i>Lusitania</i> when Mr. Danvers gave me the packet, and before that
+she&rsquo;d tried to talk to him once or twice. I began to get scared, but I
+didn&rsquo;t quite see what to do.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I had a wild idea of stopping at Holyhead, and not going on to London
+that day, but I soon saw that that would be plumb foolishness. The only thing
+was to act as though I&rsquo;d noticed nothing, and hope for the best. I
+couldn&rsquo;t see how they could get me if I was on my guard. One thing
+I&rsquo;d done already as a precaution&mdash;ripped open the oilskin packet and
+substituted blank paper, and then sewn it up again. So, if anyone did manage to
+rob me of it, it wouldn&rsquo;t matter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What to do with the real thing worried me no end. Finally I opened it
+out flat&mdash;there were only two sheets&mdash;and laid it between two of the
+advertisement pages of a magazine. I stuck the two pages together round the
+edge with some gum off an envelope. I carried the magazine carelessly stuffed
+into the pocket of my ulster.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At Holyhead I tried to get into a carriage with people that looked all
+right, but in a queer way there seemed always to be a crowd round me shoving
+and pushing me just the way I didn&rsquo;t want to go. There was something
+uncanny and frightening about it. In the end I found myself in a carriage with
+Mrs. Vandemeyer after all. I went out into the corridor, but all the other
+carriages were full, so I had to go back and sit down. I consoled myself with
+the thought that there were other people in the carriage&mdash;there was quite
+a nice-looking man and his wife sitting just opposite. So I felt almost happy
+about it until just outside London. I had leaned back and closed my eyes. I
+guess they thought I was asleep, but my eyes weren&rsquo;t quite shut, and
+suddenly I saw the nice-looking man get something out of his bag and hand it to
+Mrs. Vandemeyer, and as he did so he <i>winked</i>....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t tell you how that wink sort of froze me through and
+through. My only thought was to get out in the corridor as quick as ever I
+could. I got up, trying to look natural and easy. Perhaps they saw
+something&mdash;I don&rsquo;t know&mdash;but suddenly Mrs. Vandemeyer said
+&lsquo;Now,&rsquo; and flung something over my nose and mouth as I tried to
+scream. At the same moment I felt a terrific blow on the back of my
+head....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She shuddered. Sir James murmured something sympathetically. In a minute she
+resumed:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know how long it was before I came back to consciousness.
+I felt very ill and sick. I was lying on a dirty bed. There was a screen round
+it, but I could hear two people talking in the room. Mrs. Vandemeyer was one of
+them. I tried to listen, but at first I couldn&rsquo;t take much in. When at
+last I did begin to grasp what was going on&mdash;I was just terrified! I
+wonder I didn&rsquo;t scream right out there and then.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They hadn&rsquo;t found the papers. They&rsquo;d got the oilskin packet
+with the blanks, and they were just mad! They didn&rsquo;t know whether
+<i>I</i>&rsquo;d changed the papers, or whether Danvers had been carrying a
+dummy message, while the real one was sent another way. They spoke
+of&rdquo;&mdash;she closed her eyes&mdash;&ldquo;torturing me to find out!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d never known what fear&mdash;really sickening fear&mdash;was
+before! Once they came to look at me. I shut my eyes and pretended to be still
+unconscious, but I was afraid they&rsquo;d hear the beating of my heart.
+However, they went away again. I began thinking madly. What could I do? I knew
+I wouldn&rsquo;t be able to stand up against torture very long.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Suddenly something put the thought of loss of memory into my head. The
+subject had always interested me, and I&rsquo;d read an awful lot about it. I
+had the whole thing at my finger-tips. If only I could succeed in carrying the
+bluff through, it might save me. I said a prayer, and drew a long breath. Then
+I opened my eyes and started babbling in <i>French!</i>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mrs. Vandemeyer came round the screen at once. Her face was so wicked I
+nearly died, but I smiled up at her doubtfully, and asked her in French where I
+was.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It puzzled her, I could see. She called the man she had been talking to.
+He stood by the screen with his face in shadow. He spoke to me in French. His
+voice was very ordinary and quiet, but somehow, I don&rsquo;t know why, he
+scared me worse than the woman. I felt he&rsquo;d seen right through me, but I
+went on playing my part. I asked again where I was, and then went on that there
+was something I <i>must</i> remember&mdash;<i>must</i> remember&mdash;only for
+the moment it was all gone. I worked myself up to be more and more distressed.
+He asked me my name. I said I didn&rsquo;t know&mdash;that I couldn&rsquo;t
+remember anything at all.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Suddenly he caught my wrist, and began twisting it. The pain was awful.
+I screamed. He went on. I screamed and screamed, but I managed to shriek out
+things in French. I don&rsquo;t know how long I could have gone on, but luckily
+I fainted. The last thing I heard was his voice saying: &lsquo;That&rsquo;s not
+bluff! Anyway, a kid of her age wouldn&rsquo;t know enough.&rsquo; I guess he
+forgot American girls are older for their age than English ones, and take more
+interest in scientific subjects.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When I came to, Mrs. Vandemeyer was sweet as honey to me. She&rsquo;d
+had her orders, I guess. She spoke to me in French&mdash;told me I&rsquo;d had
+a shock and been very ill. I should be better soon. I pretended to be rather
+dazed&mdash;murmured something about the &lsquo;doctor&rsquo; having hurt my
+wrist. She looked relieved when I said that.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;By and by she went out of the room altogether. I was suspicious still,
+and lay quite quiet for some time. In the end, however, I got up and walked
+round the room, examining it. I thought that even if anyone <i>was</i> watching
+me from somewhere, it would seem natural enough under the circumstances. It was
+a squalid, dirty place. There were no windows, which seemed queer. I guessed
+the door would be locked, but I didn&rsquo;t try it. There were some battered
+old pictures on the walls, representing scenes from <i>Faust</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jane&rsquo;s two listeners gave a simultaneous &ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; The girl
+nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes&mdash;it was the place in Soho where Mr. Beresford was imprisoned.
+Of course, at the time I didn&rsquo;t even know if I was in London. One thing
+was worrying me dreadfully, but my heart gave a great throb of relief when I
+saw my ulster lying carelessly over the back of a chair. <i>And the magazine
+was still rolled up in the pocket!</i>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If only I could be certain that I was not being overlooked! I looked
+carefully round the walls. There didn&rsquo;t seem to be a peep-hole of any
+kind&mdash;nevertheless I felt kind of sure there must be. All of a sudden I
+sat down on the edge of the table, and put my face in my hands, sobbing out a
+&lsquo;Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu!&rsquo; I&rsquo;ve got very sharp ears. I distinctly
+heard the rustle of a dress, and slight creak. That was enough for me. I was
+being watched!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I lay down on the bed again, and by and by Mrs. Vandemeyer brought me
+some supper. She was still sweet as they make them. I guess she&rsquo;d been
+told to win my confidence. Presently she produced the oilskin packet, and asked
+me if I recognized it, watching me like a lynx all the time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I took it and turned it over in a puzzled sort of way. Then I shook my
+head. I said that I felt I <i>ought</i> to remember something about it, that it
+was just as though it was all coming back, and then, before I could get hold of
+it, it went again. Then she told me that I was her niece, and that I was to
+call her &lsquo;Aunt Rita.&rsquo; I did obediently, and she told me not to
+worry&mdash;my memory would soon come back.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That was an awful night. I&rsquo;d made my plan whilst I was waiting for
+her. The papers were safe so far, but I couldn&rsquo;t take the risk of leaving
+them there any longer. They might throw that magazine away any minute. I lay
+awake waiting until I judged it must be about two o&rsquo;clock in the morning.
+Then I got up as softly as I could, and felt in the dark along the left-hand
+wall. Very gently, I unhooked one of the pictures from its
+nail&mdash;Marguerite with her casket of jewels. I crept over to my coat and
+took out the magazine, and an odd envelope or two that I had shoved in. Then I
+went to the washstand, and damped the brown paper at the back of the picture
+all round. Presently I was able to pull it away. I had already torn out the two
+stuck-together pages from the magazine, and now I slipped them with their
+precious enclosure between the picture and its brown paper backing. A little
+gum from the envelopes helped me to stick the latter up again. No one would
+dream the picture had ever been tampered with. I rehung it on the wall, put the
+magazine back in my coat pocket, and crept back to bed. I was pleased with my
+hiding-place. They&rsquo;d never think of pulling to pieces one of their own
+pictures. I hoped that they&rsquo;d come to the conclusion that Danvers had
+been carrying a dummy all along, and that, in the end, they&rsquo;d let me go.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As a matter of fact, I guess that&rsquo;s what they did think at first,
+and, in a way, it was dangerous for me. I learnt afterwards that they nearly
+did away with me then and there&mdash;there was never much chance of their
+&lsquo;letting me go&rsquo;&mdash;but the first man, who was the boss,
+preferred to keep me alive on the chance of my having hidden them, and being
+able to tell where if I recovered my memory. They watched me constantly for
+weeks. Sometimes they&rsquo;d ask me questions by the hour&mdash;I guess there
+was nothing they didn&rsquo;t know about the third degree!&mdash;but somehow I
+managed to hold my own. The strain of it was awful, though....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They took me back to Ireland, and over every step of the journey again,
+in case I&rsquo;d hidden it somewhere <i>en route</i>. Mrs. Vandemeyer and
+another woman never left me for a moment. They spoke of me as a young relative
+of Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s whose mind was affected by the shock of the
+<i>Lusitania</i>. There was no one I could appeal to for help without giving
+myself away to <i>them</i>, and if I risked it and failed&mdash;and Mrs.
+Vandemeyer looked so rich, and so beautifully dressed, that I felt convinced
+they&rsquo;d take her word against mine, and think it was part of my mental
+trouble to think myself &lsquo;persecuted&rsquo;&mdash;I felt that the horrors
+in store for me would be too awful once they knew I&rsquo;d been only
+shamming.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James nodded comprehendingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mrs. Vandemeyer was a woman of great personality. With that and her
+social position she would have had little difficulty in imposing her point of
+view in preference to yours. Your sensational accusations against her would not
+easily have found credence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s what I thought. It ended in my being sent to a sanatorium
+at Bournemouth. I couldn&rsquo;t make up my mind at first whether it was a sham
+affair or genuine. A hospital nurse had charge of me. I was a special patient.
+She seemed so nice and normal that at last I determined to confide in her. A
+merciful providence just saved me in time from falling into the trap. My door
+happened to be ajar, and I heard her talking to some one in the passage. <i>She
+was one of them!</i> They still fancied it might be a bluff on my part, and she
+was put in charge of me to make sure! After that, my nerve went completely. I
+dared trust nobody.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think I almost hypnotized myself. After a while, I almost forgot that
+I was really Jane Finn. I was so bent on playing the part of Janet Vandemeyer
+that my nerves began to play me tricks. I became really ill&mdash;for months I
+sank into a sort of stupor. I felt sure I should die soon, and that nothing
+really mattered. A sane person shut up in a lunatic asylum often ends by
+becoming insane, they say. I guess I was like that. Playing my part had become
+second nature to me. I wasn&rsquo;t even unhappy in the end&mdash;just
+apathetic. Nothing seemed to matter. And the years went on.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And then suddenly things seemed to change. Mrs. Vandemeyer came down
+from London. She and the doctor asked me questions, experimented with various
+treatments. There was some talk of sending me to a specialist in Paris. In the
+end, they did not dare risk it. I overheard something that seemed to show that
+other people&mdash;friends&mdash;were looking for me. I learnt later that the
+nurse who had looked after me went to Paris, and consulted a specialist,
+representing herself to be me. He put her through some searching tests, and
+exposed her loss of memory to be fraudulent; but she had taken a note of his
+methods and reproduced them on me. I dare say I couldn&rsquo;t have deceived
+the specialist for a minute&mdash;a man who has made a lifelong study of a
+thing is unique&mdash;but I managed once again to hold my own with them. The
+fact that I&rsquo;d not thought of myself as Jane Finn for so long made it
+easier.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One night I was whisked off to London at a moment&rsquo;s notice. They
+took me back to the house in Soho. Once I got away from the sanatorium I felt
+different&mdash;as though something in me that had been buried for a long time
+was waking up again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They sent me in to wait on Mr. Beresford. (Of course I didn&rsquo;t know
+his name then.) I was suspicious&mdash;I thought it was another trap. But he
+looked so honest, I could hardly believe it. However, I was careful in all I
+said, for I knew we could be overheard. There&rsquo;s a small hole, high up in
+the wall.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But on the Sunday afternoon a message was brought to the house. They
+were all very disturbed. Without their knowing, I listened. Word had come that
+he was to be killed. I needn&rsquo;t tell the next part, because you know it. I
+thought I&rsquo;d have time to rush up and get the papers from their
+hiding-place, but I was caught. So I screamed out that he was escaping, and I
+said I wanted to go back to Marguerite. I shouted the name three times very
+loud. I knew the others would think I meant Mrs. Vandemeyer, but I hoped it
+might make Mr. Beresford think of the picture. He&rsquo;d unhooked one the
+first day&mdash;that&rsquo;s what made me hesitate to trust him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She paused.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then the papers,&rdquo; said Sir James slowly, &ldquo;are still at the
+back of the picture in that room.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo; The girl had sunk back on the sofa exhausted with the strain
+of the long story.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James rose to his feet. He looked at his watch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;we must go at once.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To-night?&rdquo; queried Tuppence, surprised.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To-morrow may be too late,&rdquo; said Sir James gravely.
+&ldquo;Besides, by going to-night we have the chance of capturing that great
+man and super-criminal&mdash;Mr. Brown!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was dead silence, and Sir James continued:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You have been followed here&mdash;not a doubt of it. When we leave the
+house we shall be followed again, but not molested, <i>for it is Mr.
+Brown&rsquo;s plan that we are to lead him</i>. But the Soho house is under
+police supervision night and day. There are several men watching it. When we
+enter that house, Mr. Brown will not draw back&mdash;he will risk all, on the
+chance of obtaining the spark to fire his mine. And he fancies the risk not
+great&mdash;since he will enter in the guise of a friend!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence flushed, then opened her mouth impulsively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But there&rsquo;s something you don&rsquo;t know&mdash;that we
+haven&rsquo;t told you.&rdquo; Her eyes dwelt on Jane in perplexity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What is that?&rdquo; asked the other sharply. &ldquo;No hesitations,
+Miss Tuppence. We need to be sure of our going.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Tuppence, for once, seemed tongue-tied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s so difficult&mdash;you see, if I&rsquo;m wrong&mdash;oh, it
+would be dreadful.&rdquo; She made a grimace at the unconscious Jane.
+&ldquo;Never forgive me,&rdquo; she observed cryptically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You want me to help you out, eh?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, please. <i>You</i> know who Mr. Brown is, don&rsquo;t you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Sir James gravely. &ldquo;At last I do.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At last?&rdquo; queried Tuppence doubtfully. &ldquo;Oh, but I
+thought&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; She paused.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You thought correctly, Miss Tuppence. I have been morally certain of his
+identity for some time&mdash;ever since the night of Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s
+mysterious death.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; breathed Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;For there we are up against the logic of facts. There are only two
+solutions. Either the chloral was administered by her own hand, which theory I
+reject utterly, or else&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Or else it was administered in the brandy you gave her. Only three
+people touched that brandy&mdash;you, Miss Tuppence, I myself, and one
+other&mdash;Mr. Julius Hersheimmer!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jane Finn stirred and sat up, regarding the speaker with wide astonished eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At first, the thing seemed utterly impossible. Mr. Hersheimmer, as the
+son of a prominent millionaire, was a well-known figure in America. It seemed
+utterly impossible that he and Mr. Brown could be one and the same. But you
+cannot escape from the logic of facts. Since the thing was so&mdash;it must be
+accepted. Remember Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s sudden and inexplicable agitation.
+Another proof, if proof was needed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I took an early opportunity of giving you a hint. From some words of Mr.
+Hersheimmer&rsquo;s at Manchester, I gathered that you had understood and acted
+on that hint. Then I set to work to prove the impossible possible. Mr.
+Beresford rang me up and told me, what I had already suspected, that the
+photograph of Miss Jane Finn had never really been out of Mr.
+Hersheimmer&rsquo;s possession&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the girl interrupted. Springing to her feet, she cried out angrily:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you mean? What are you trying to suggest? That Mr. Brown is
+<i>Julius?</i> Julius&mdash;my own cousin!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, Miss Finn,&rdquo; said Sir James unexpectedly. &ldquo;Not your
+cousin. The man who calls himself Julius Hersheimmer is no relation to you
+whatsoever.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap26"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.<br/>
+MR. BROWN</h2>
+
+<p>
+Sir James&rsquo;s words came like a bomb-shell. Both girls looked equally
+puzzled. The lawyer went across to his desk, and returned with a small
+newspaper cutting, which he handed to Jane. Tuppence read it over her shoulder.
+Mr. Carter would have recognized it. It referred to the mysterious man found
+dead in New York.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As I was saying to Miss Tuppence,&rdquo; resumed the lawyer, &ldquo;I
+set to work to prove the impossible possible. The great stumbling-block was the
+undeniable fact that Julius Hersheimmer was not an assumed name. When I came
+across this paragraph my problem was solved. Julius Hersheimmer set out to
+discover what had become of his cousin. He went out West, where he obtained
+news of her and her photograph to aid him in his search. On the eve of his
+departure from New York he was set upon and murdered. His body was dressed in
+shabby clothes, and the face disfigured to prevent identification. Mr. Brown
+took his place. He sailed immediately for England. None of the real
+Hersheimmer&rsquo;s friends or intimates saw him before he sailed&mdash;though
+indeed it would hardly have mattered if they had, the impersonation was so
+perfect. Since then he had been hand and glove with those sworn to hunt him
+down. Every secret of theirs has been known to him. Only once did he come near
+disaster. Mrs. Vandemeyer knew his secret. It was no part of his plan that that
+huge bribe should ever be offered to her. But for Miss Tuppence&rsquo;s
+fortunate change of plan, she would have been far away from the flat when we
+arrived there. Exposure stared him in the face. He took a desperate step,
+trusting in his assumed character to avert suspicion. He nearly
+succeeded&mdash;but not quite.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t believe it,&rdquo; murmured Jane. &ldquo;He seemed so
+splendid.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The real Julius Hersheimmer <i>was</i> a splendid fellow! And Mr. Brown
+is a consummate actor. But ask Miss Tuppence if she also has not had her
+suspicions.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jane turned mutely to Tuppence. The latter nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t want to say it, Jane&mdash;I knew it would hurt you. And,
+after all, I couldn&rsquo;t be sure. I still don&rsquo;t understand why, if
+he&rsquo;s Mr. Brown, he rescued us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Was it Julius Hersheimmer who helped you to escape?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence recounted to Sir James the exciting events of the evening, ending up:
+&ldquo;But I can&rsquo;t see <i>why!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t you? I can. So can young Beresford, by his actions. As a
+last hope Jane Finn was to be allowed to escape&mdash;and the escape must be
+managed so that she harbours no suspicions of its being a put-up job.
+They&rsquo;re not averse to young Beresford&rsquo;s being in the neighbourhood,
+and, if necessary, communicating with you. They&rsquo;ll take care to get him
+out of the way at the right minute. Then Julius Hersheimmer dashes up and
+rescues you in true melodramatic style. Bullets fly&mdash;but don&rsquo;t hit
+anybody. What would have happened next? You would have driven straight to the
+house in Soho and secured the document which Miss Finn would probably have
+entrusted to her cousin&rsquo;s keeping. Or, if he conducted the search, he
+would have pretended to find the hiding-place already rifled. He would have had
+a dozen ways of dealing with the situation, but the result would have been the
+same. And I rather fancy some accident would have happened to both of you. You
+see, you know rather an inconvenient amount. That&rsquo;s a rough outline. I
+admit I was caught napping; but somebody else wasn&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy,&rdquo; said Tuppence softly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. Evidently when the right moment came to get rid of him&mdash;he was
+too sharp for them. All the same, I&rsquo;m not too easy in my mind about
+him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because Julius Hersheimmer is Mr. Brown,&rdquo; said Sir James dryly.
+&ldquo;And it takes more than one man and a revolver to hold up Mr.
+Brown....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence paled a little.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What can we do?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing until we&rsquo;ve been to the house in Soho. If Beresford has
+still got the upper hand, there&rsquo;s nothing to fear. If otherwise, our
+enemy will come to find us, and he will not find us unprepared!&rdquo; From a
+drawer in the desk, he took a service revolver, and placed it in his coat
+pocket.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now we&rsquo;re ready. I know better than even to suggest going without
+you, Miss Tuppence&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I should think so indeed!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But I do suggest that Miss Finn should remain here. She will be
+perfectly safe, and I am afraid she is absolutely worn out with all she has
+been through.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But to Tuppence&rsquo;s surprise Jane shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No. I guess I&rsquo;m going too. Those papers were my trust. I must go
+through with this business to the end. I&rsquo;m heaps better now
+anyway.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James&rsquo;s car was ordered round. During the short drive
+Tuppence&rsquo;s heart beat tumultuously. In spite of momentary qualms of
+uneasiness respecting Tommy, she could not but feel exultation. They were going
+to win!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The car drew up at the corner of the square and they got out. Sir James went up
+to a plain-clothes man who was on duty with several others, and spoke to him.
+Then he rejoined the girls.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No one has gone into the house so far. It is being watched at the back
+as well, so they are quite sure of that. Anyone who attempts to enter after we
+have done so will be arrested immediately. Shall we go in?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A policeman produced a key. They all knew Sir James well. They had also had
+orders respecting Tuppence. Only the third member of the party was unknown to
+them. The three entered the house, pulling the door to behind them. Slowly they
+mounted the rickety stairs. At the top was the ragged curtain hiding the recess
+where Tommy had hidden that day. Tuppence had heard the story from Jane in her
+character of &ldquo;Annette.&rdquo; She looked at the tattered velvet with
+interest. Even now she could almost swear it moved&mdash;as though <i>some
+one</i> was behind it. So strong was the illusion that she almost fancied she
+could make out the outline of a form.... Supposing Mr.
+Brown&mdash;Julius&mdash;was there waiting....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Impossible of course! Yet she almost went back to put the curtain aside and
+make sure....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Now they were entering the prison room. No place for anyone to hide here,
+thought Tuppence, with a sigh of relief, then chided herself indignantly. She
+must not give way to this foolish fancying&mdash;this curious insistent feeling
+that <i>Mr. Brown was in the house</i>.... Hark! what was that? A stealthy
+footstep on the stairs? There <i>was</i> some one in the house! Absurd! She was
+becoming hysterical.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jane had gone straight to the picture of Marguerite. She unhooked it with a
+steady hand. The dust lay thick upon it, and festoons of cobwebs lay between it
+and the wall. Sir James handed her a pocket-knife, and she ripped away the
+brown paper from the back.... The advertisement page of a magazine fell out.
+Jane picked it up. Holding apart the frayed inner edges she extracted two thin
+sheets covered with writing!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+No dummy this time! The real thing!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got it,&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;At last....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The moment was almost breathless in its emotion. Forgotten the faint creakings,
+the imagined noises of a minute ago. None of them had eyes for anything but
+what Jane held in her hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James took it, and scrutinized it attentively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; he said quietly, &ldquo;this is the ill-fated draft
+treaty!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve succeeded,&rdquo; said Tuppence. There was awe and an almost
+wondering unbelief in her voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James echoed her words as he folded the paper carefully and put it away in
+his pocket-book, then he looked curiously round the dingy room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was here that our young friend was confined for so long, was it
+not?&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;A truly sinister room. You notice the absence of
+windows, and the thickness of the close-fitting door. Whatever took place here
+would never be heard by the outside world.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence shivered. His words woke a vague alarm in her. What if there
+<i>was</i> some one concealed in the house? Some one who might bar that door on
+them, and leave them to die like rats in a trap? Then she realized the
+absurdity of her thought. The house was surrounded by police who, if they
+failed to reappear, would not hesitate to break in and make a thorough search.
+She smiled at her own foolishness&mdash;then looked up with a start to find Sir
+James watching her. He gave her an emphatic little nod.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quite right, Miss Tuppence. You scent danger. So do I. So does Miss
+Finn.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; admitted Jane. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s absurd&mdash;but I
+can&rsquo;t help it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James nodded again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You feel&mdash;as we all feel&mdash; <i>the presence of Mr. Bown</i>.
+Yes&rdquo;&mdash;as Tuppence made a movement&mdash;&ldquo;not a doubt of
+it&mdash; <i>Mr. Brown is here</i>....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In this house?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In this room.... You don&rsquo;t understand? <i>I am Mr.
+Brown</i>....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Stupefied, unbelieving, they stared at him. The very lines of his face had
+changed. It was a different man who stood before them. He smiled a slow cruel
+smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Neither of you will leave this room alive! You said just now we had
+succeeded. <i>I</i> have succeeded! The draft treaty is mine.&rdquo; His smile
+grew wider as he looked at Tuppence. &ldquo;Shall I tell you how it will be?
+Sooner or later the police will break in, and they will find three victims of
+Mr. Brown&mdash;three, not two, you understand, but fortunately the third will
+not be dead, only wounded, and will be able to describe the attack with a
+wealth of detail! The treaty? It is in the hands of Mr. Brown. So no one will
+think of searching the pockets of Sir James Peel Edgerton!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He turned to Jane.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You outwitted me. I make my acknowledgments. But you will not do it
+again.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a faint sound behind him, but, intoxicated with success, he did not
+turn his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He slipped his hand into his pocket.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Checkmate to the Young Adventurers,&rdquo; he said, and slowly raised
+the big automatic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But, even as he did so, he felt himself seized from behind in a grip of iron.
+The revolver was wrenched from his hand, and the voice of Julius Hersheimmer
+said drawlingly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess you&rsquo;re caught redhanded with the goods upon you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The blood rushed to the K.C.&lsquo;s face, but his self-control was marvellous,
+as he looked from one to the other of his two captors. He looked longest at
+Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You,&rdquo; he said beneath his breath. &ldquo;<i>You!</i> I might have
+known.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Seeing that he was disposed to offer no resistance, their grip slackened. Quick
+as a flash his left hand, the hand which bore the big signet ring, was raised
+to his lips....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;&lsquo;<i>Ave, Cæsar! te morituri salutant</i>,&rsquo;&rdquo; he said,
+still looking at Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then his face changed, and with a long convulsive shudder he fell forward in a
+crumpled heap, whilst an odour of bitter almonds filled the air.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap27"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.<br/>
+A SUPPER PARTY AT THE <i>SAVOY</i></h2>
+
+<p>
+The supper party given by Mr. Julius Hersheimmer to a few friends on the
+evening of the 30th will long be remembered in catering circles. It took place
+in a private room, and Mr. Hersheimmer&rsquo;s orders were brief and forcible.
+He gave carte blanche&mdash;and when a millionaire gives carte blanche he
+usually gets it!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Every delicacy out of season was duly provided. Waiters carried bottles of
+ancient and royal vintage with loving care. The floral decorations defied the
+seasons, and fruits of the earth as far apart as May and November found
+themselves miraculously side by side. The list of guests was small and select.
+The American Ambassador, Mr. Carter, who had taken the liberty, he said, of
+bringing an old friend, Sir William Beresford, with him, Archdeacon Cowley, Dr.
+Hall, those two youthful adventurers, Miss Prudence Cowley and Mr. Thomas
+Beresford, and last, but not least, as guest of honour, Miss Jane Finn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius had spared no pains to make Jane&rsquo;s appearance a success. A
+mysterious knock had brought Tuppence to the door of the apartment she was
+sharing with the American girl. It was Julius. In his hand he held a cheque.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say, Tuppence,&rdquo; he began, &ldquo;will you do me a good turn? Take
+this, and get Jane regularly togged up for this evening. You&rsquo;re all
+coming to supper with me at the <i>Savoy</i>. See? Spare no expense. You get
+me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing,&rdquo; mimicked Tuppence. &ldquo;We shall enjoy ourselves.
+It will be a pleasure dressing Jane. She&rsquo;s the loveliest thing I&rsquo;ve
+ever seen.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; agreed Mr. Hersheimmer fervently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His fervour brought a momentary twinkle to Tuppence&rsquo;s eye.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;By the way, Julius,&rdquo; she remarked demurely,
+&ldquo;I&mdash;haven&rsquo;t given you my answer yet.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Answer?&rdquo; said Julius. His face paled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You know&mdash;when you asked me to&mdash;marry you,&rdquo; faltered
+Tuppence, her eyes downcast in the true manner of the early Victorian heroine,
+&ldquo;and wouldn&rsquo;t take no for an answer. I&rsquo;ve thought it well
+over&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo; said Julius. The perspiration stood on his forehead.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence relented suddenly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You great idiot!&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;What on earth induced you to do
+it? I could see at the time you didn&rsquo;t care a twopenny dip for me!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not at all. I had&mdash;and still have&mdash;the highest sentiments of
+esteem and respect&mdash;and admiration for you&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;H&rsquo;m!&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;Those are the kind of sentiments
+that very soon go to the wall when the other sentiment comes along! Don&rsquo;t
+they, old thing?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know what you mean,&rdquo; said Julius stiffly, but a
+large and burning blush overspread his countenance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shucks!&rdquo; retorted Tuppence. She laughed, and closed the door,
+reopening it to add with dignity: &ldquo;Morally, I shall always consider I
+have been jilted!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What was it?&rdquo; asked Jane as Tuppence rejoined her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Julius.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What did he want?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Really, I think, he wanted to see you, but I wasn&rsquo;t going to let
+him. Not until to-night, when you&rsquo;re going to burst upon every one like
+King Solomon in his glory! Come on! <i>We&rsquo;re going to shop!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To most people the 29th, the much-heralded &ldquo;Labour Day,&rdquo; had passed
+much as any other day. Speeches were made in the Park and Trafalgar Square.
+Straggling processions, singing the <i>Red Flag</i>, wandered through the
+streets in a more or less aimless manner. Newspapers which had hinted at a
+general strike, and the inauguration of a reign of terror, were forced to hide
+their diminished heads. The bolder and more astute among them sought to prove
+that peace had been effected by following their counsels. In the Sunday papers
+a brief notice of the sudden death of Sir James Peel Edgerton, the famous K.C.,
+had appeared. Monday&rsquo;s paper dealt appreciatively with the dead
+man&rsquo;s career. The exact manner of his sudden death was never made public.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy had been right in his forecast of the situation. It had been a one-man
+show. Deprived of their chief, the organization fell to pieces. Kramenin had
+made a precipitate return to Russia, leaving England early on Sunday morning.
+The gang had fled from Astley Priors in a panic, leaving behind, in their
+haste, various damaging documents which compromised them hopelessly. With these
+proofs of conspiracy in their hands, aided further by a small brown diary taken
+from the pocket of the dead man which had contained a full and damning résumé
+of the whole plot, the Government had called an eleventh-hour conference. The
+Labour leaders were forced to recognize that they had been used as a
+cat&rsquo;s paw. Certain concessions were made by the Government, and were
+eagerly accepted. It was to be Peace, not War!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the Cabinet knew by how narrow a margin they had escaped utter disaster.
+And burnt in on Mr. Carter&rsquo;s brain was the strange scene which had taken
+place in the house in Soho the night before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had entered the squalid room to find that great man, the friend of a
+lifetime, dead&mdash;betrayed out of his own mouth. From the dead man&rsquo;s
+pocket-book he had retrieved the ill-omened draft treaty, and then and there,
+in the presence of the other three, it had been reduced to ashes.... England
+was saved!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And now, on the evening of the 30th, in a private room at the <i>Savoy</i>, Mr.
+Julius P. Hersheimmer was receiving his guests.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter was the first to arrive. With him was a choleric-looking old
+gentleman, at sight of whom Tommy flushed up to the roots of his hair. He came
+forward.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ha!&rdquo; said the old gentleman, surveying him apoplectically.
+&ldquo;So you&rsquo;re my nephew, are you? Not much to look at&mdash;but
+you&rsquo;ve done good work, it seems. Your mother must have brought you up
+well after all. Shall we let bygones be bygones, eh? You&rsquo;re my heir, you
+know; and in future I propose to make you an allowance&mdash;and you can look
+upon Chalmers Park as your home.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, sir, it&rsquo;s awfully decent of you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where&rsquo;s this young lady I&rsquo;ve been hearing such a lot
+about?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy introduced Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ha!&rdquo; said Sir William, eyeing her. &ldquo;Girls aren&rsquo;t what
+they used to be in my young days.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, they are,&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;Their clothes are different,
+perhaps, but they themselves are just the same.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, perhaps you&rsquo;re right. Minxes then&mdash;minxes now!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s it,&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m a frightful minx
+myself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I believe you,&rdquo; said the old gentleman, chuckling, and pinched her
+ear in high good-humour. Most young women were terrified of the &ldquo;old
+bear,&rdquo; as they termed him. Tuppence&rsquo;s pertness delighted the old
+misogynist.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then came the timid archdeacon, a little bewildered by the company in which he
+found himself, glad that his daughter was considered to have distinguished
+herself, but unable to help glancing at her from time to time with nervous
+apprehension. But Tuppence behaved admirably. She forbore to cross her legs,
+set a guard upon her tongue, and steadfastly refused to smoke.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dr. Hall came next, and he was followed by the American Ambassador.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We might as well sit down,&rdquo; said Julius, when he had introduced
+all his guests to each other. &ldquo;Tuppence, will you&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He indicated the place of honour with a wave of his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Tuppence shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No&mdash;that&rsquo;s Jane&rsquo;s place! When one thinks of how
+she&rsquo;s held out all these years, she ought to be made the queen of the
+feast to-night.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius flung her a grateful glance, and Jane came forward shyly to the allotted
+seat. Beautiful as she had seemed before, it was as nothing to the loveliness
+that now went fully adorned. Tuppence had performed her part faithfully. The
+model gown supplied by a famous dressmaker had been entitled &ldquo;A tiger
+lily.&rdquo; It was all golds and reds and browns, and out of it rose the pure
+column of the girl&rsquo;s white throat, and the bronze masses of hair that
+crowned her lovely head. There was admiration in every eye, as she took her
+seat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Soon the supper party was in full swing, and with one accord Tommy was called
+upon for a full and complete explanation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;ve been too darned close about the whole business,&rdquo;
+Julius accused him. &ldquo;You let on to me that you were off to the
+Argentine&mdash;though I guess you had your reasons for that. The idea of both
+you and Tuppence casting me for the part of Mr. Brown just tickles me to
+death!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The idea was not original to them,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter gravely.
+&ldquo;It was suggested, and the poison very carefully instilled, by a
+past-master in the art. The paragraph in the New York paper suggested the plan
+to him, and by means of it he wove a web that nearly enmeshed you
+fatally.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I never liked him,&rdquo; said Julius. &ldquo;I felt from the first that
+there was something wrong about him, and I always suspected that it was he who
+silenced Mrs. Vandemeyer so appositely. But it wasn&rsquo;t till I heard that
+the order for Tommy&rsquo;s execution came right on the heels of our interview
+with him that Sunday that I began to tumble to the fact that he was the big bug
+himself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I never suspected it at all,&rdquo; lamented Tuppence. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve
+always thought I was so much cleverer than Tommy&mdash;but he&rsquo;s
+undoubtedly scored over me handsomely.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius agreed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy&rsquo;s been the goods this trip! And, instead of sitting there as
+dumb as a fish, let him banish his blushes, and tell us all about it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hear! hear!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s nothing to tell,&rdquo; said Tommy, acutely uncomfortable.
+&ldquo;I was an awful mug&mdash;right up to the time I found that photograph of
+Annette, and realized that she was Jane Finn. Then I remembered how
+persistently she had shouted out that word &lsquo;Marguerite&rsquo;&mdash;and I
+thought of the pictures, and&mdash;well, that&rsquo;s that. Then of course I
+went over the whole thing to see where I&rsquo;d made an ass of myself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Go on,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter, as Tommy showed signs of taking refuge in
+silence once more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That business about Mrs. Vandemeyer had worried me when Julius told me
+about it. On the face of it, it seemed that he or Sir James must have done the
+trick. But I didn&rsquo;t know which. Finding that photograph in the drawer,
+after that story of how it had been got from him by Inspector Brown, made me
+suspect Julius. Then I remembered that it was Sir James who had discovered the
+false Jane Finn. In the end, I couldn&rsquo;t make up my mind&mdash;and just
+decided to take no chances either way. I left a note for Julius, in case he was
+Mr. Brown, saying I was off to the Argentine, and I dropped Sir James&rsquo;s
+letter with the offer of the job by the desk so that he would see it was a
+genuine stunt. Then I wrote my letter to Mr. Carter and rang up Sir James.
+Taking him into my confidence would be the best thing either way, so I told him
+everything except where I believed the papers to be hidden. The way he helped
+me to get on the track of Tuppence and Annette almost disarmed me, but not
+quite. I kept my mind open between the two of them. And then I got a bogus note
+from Tuppence&mdash;and I knew!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But how?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy took the note in question from his pocket and passed it round the table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s her handwriting all right, but I knew it wasn&rsquo;t from
+her because of the signature. She&rsquo;d never spell her name
+&lsquo;Twopence,&rsquo; but anyone who&rsquo;d never seen it written might
+quite easily do so. Julius <i>had</i> seen it&mdash;he showed me a note of hers
+to him once&mdash;but <i>Sir James hadn&rsquo;t!</i> After that everything was
+plain sailing. I sent off Albert post-haste to Mr. Carter. I pretended to go
+away, but doubled back again. When Julius came bursting up in his car, I felt
+it wasn&rsquo;t part of Mr. Brown&rsquo;s plan&mdash;and that there would
+probably be trouble. Unless Sir James was actually caught in the act, so to
+speak, I knew Mr. Carter would never believe it of him on my bare
+word&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; interposed Mr. Carter ruefully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s why I sent the girls off to Sir James. I was sure
+they&rsquo;d fetch up at the house in Soho sooner or later. I threatened Julius
+with the revolver, because I wanted Tuppence to repeat that to Sir James, so
+that he wouldn&rsquo;t worry about us. The moment the girls were out of sight I
+told Julius to drive like hell for London, and as we went along I told him the
+whole story. We got to the Soho house in plenty of time and met Mr. Carter
+outside. After arranging things with him we went in and hid behind the curtain
+in the recess. The policemen had orders to say, if they were asked, that no one
+had gone into the house. That&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And Tommy came to an abrupt halt.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was silence for a moment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;By the way,&rdquo; said Julius suddenly, &ldquo;you&rsquo;re all wrong
+about that photograph of Jane. It <i>was</i> taken from me, but I found it
+again.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where?&rdquo; cried Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In that little safe on the wall in Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s
+bedroom.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I knew you found something,&rdquo; said Tuppence reproachfully.
+&ldquo;To tell you the truth, that&rsquo;s what started me off suspecting you.
+Why didn&rsquo;t you say?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess I was a mite suspicious too. It had been got away from me once,
+and I determined I wouldn&rsquo;t let on I&rsquo;d got it until a photographer
+had made a dozen copies of it!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We all kept back something or other,&rdquo; said Tuppence thoughtfully.
+&ldquo;I suppose secret service work makes you like that!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the pause that ensued, Mr. Carter took from his pocket a small shabby brown
+book.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Beresford has just said that I would not have believed Sir James Peel
+Edgerton to be guilty unless, so to speak, he was caught in the act. That is
+so. Indeed, not until I read the entries in this little book could I bring
+myself fully to credit the amazing truth. This book will pass into the
+possession of Scotland Yard, but it will never be publicly exhibited. Sir
+James&rsquo;s long association with the law would make it undesirable. But to
+you, who know the truth, I propose to read certain passages which will throw
+some light on the extraordinary mentality of this great man.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He opened the book, and turned the thin pages.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... It is madness to keep this book. I know that. It is documentary
+evidence against me. But I have never shrunk from taking risks. And I feel an
+urgent need for self-expression.... The book will only be taken from my dead
+body....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... From an early age I realized that I had exceptional abilities. Only
+a fool underestimates his capabilities. My brain power was greatly above the
+average. I know that I was born to succeed. My appearance was the only thing
+against me. I was quiet and insignificant&mdash;utterly nondescript....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... When I was a boy I heard a famous murder trial. I was deeply
+impressed by the power and eloquence of the counsel for the defence. For the
+first time I entertained the idea of taking my talents to that particular
+market.... Then I studied the criminal in the dock.... The man was a
+fool&mdash;he had been incredibly, unbelievably stupid. Even the eloquence of
+his counsel was hardly likely to save him. I felt an immeasurable contempt for
+him.... Then it occurred to me that the criminal standard was a low one. It was
+the wastrels, the failures, the general riff-raff of civilization who drifted
+into crime.... Strange that men of brains had never realized its extraordinary
+opportunities.... I played with the idea.... What a magnificent
+field&mdash;what unlimited possibilities! It made my brain reel....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... I read standard works on crime and criminals. They all confirmed my
+opinion. Degeneracy, disease&mdash;never the deliberate embracing of a career
+by a far-seeing man. Then I considered. Supposing my utmost ambitions were
+realized&mdash;that I was called to the bar, and rose to the height of my
+profession? That I entered politics&mdash;say, even, that I became Prime
+Minister of England? What then? Was that power? Hampered at every turn by my
+colleagues, fettered by the democratic system of which I should be the mere
+figurehead! No&mdash;the power I dreamed of was absolute! An autocrat! A
+dictator! And such power could only be obtained by working outside the law. To
+play on the weaknesses of human nature, then on the weaknesses of
+nations&mdash;to get together and control a vast organization, and finally to
+overthrow the existing order, and rule! The thought intoxicated me....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... I saw that I must lead two lives. A man like myself is bound to
+attract notice. I must have a successful career which would mask my true
+activities.... Also I must cultivate a personality. I modelled myself upon
+famous K.C.&lsquo;s. I reproduced their mannerisms, their magnetism. If I had
+chosen to be an actor, I should have been the greatest actor living! No
+disguises&mdash;no grease paint&mdash;no false beards! Personality! I put it on
+like a glove! When I shed it, I was myself, quiet, unobtrusive, a man like
+every other man. I called myself Mr. Brown. There are hundreds of men called
+Brown&mdash;there are hundreds of men looking just like me....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... I succeeded in my false career. I was bound to succeed. I shall
+succeed in the other. A man like me cannot fail....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... I have been reading a life of Napoleon. He and I have much in
+common....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... I make a practice of defending criminals. A man should look after
+his own people....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... Once or twice I have felt afraid. The first time was in Italy. There
+was a dinner given. Professor D&mdash;&mdash;, the great alienist, was present.
+The talk fell on insanity. He said, &lsquo;A great many men are mad, and no one
+knows it. They do not know it themselves.&rsquo; I do not understand why he
+looked at me when he said that. His glance was strange.... I did not like
+it....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... The war has disturbed me.... I thought it would further my plans.
+The Germans are so efficient. Their spy system, too, was excellent. The streets
+are full of these boys in khaki. All empty-headed young fools.... Yet I do not
+know.... They won the war.... It disturbs me....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... My plans are going well.... A girl butted in&mdash;I do not think
+she really knew anything.... But we must give up the Esthonia.... No risks
+now....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;.... All goes well. The loss of memory is vexing. It cannot be a fake.
+No girl could deceive ME!...
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;...The 29th.... That is very soon....&rdquo; Mr. Carter paused.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I will not read the details of the <i>coup</i> that was planned. But
+there are just two small entries that refer to the three of you. In the light
+of what happened they are interesting.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... By inducing the girl to come to me of her own accord, I have
+succeeded in disarming her. But she has intuitive flashes that might be
+dangerous.... She must be got out of the way.... I can do nothing with the
+American. He suspects and dislikes me. But he cannot know. I fancy my armour is
+impregnable.... Sometimes I fear I have underestimated the other boy. He is not
+clever, but it is hard to blind his eyes to facts....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter shut the book.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A great man,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Genius, or insanity, who can
+say?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was silence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then Mr. Carter rose to his feet.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I will give you a toast. The Joint Venture which has so amply justified
+itself by success!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was drunk with acclamation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s something more we want to hear,&rdquo; continued Mr.
+Carter. He looked at the American Ambassador. &ldquo;I speak for you also, I
+know. We&rsquo;ll ask Miss Jane Finn to tell us the story that only Miss
+Tuppence has heard so far&mdash;but before we do so we&rsquo;ll drink her
+health. The health of one of the bravest of America&rsquo;s daughters, to whom
+is due the thanks and gratitude of two great countries!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap28"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.<br/>
+AND AFTER</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That was a mighty good toast, Jane,&rdquo; said Mr. Hersheimmer, as he
+and his cousin were being driven back in the Rolls-Royce to the <i>Ritz</i>.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The one to the joint venture?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No&mdash;the one to you. There isn&rsquo;t another girl in the world who
+could have carried it through as you did. You were just wonderful!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jane shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t feel wonderful. At heart I&rsquo;m just tired and
+lonesome&mdash;and longing for my own country.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That brings me to something I wanted to say. I heard the Ambassador
+telling you his wife hoped you would come to them at the Embassy right away.
+That&rsquo;s good enough, but I&rsquo;ve got another plan. Jane&mdash;I want
+you to marry me! Don&rsquo;t get scared and say no at once. You can&rsquo;t
+love me right away, of course, that&rsquo;s impossible. But I&rsquo;ve loved
+you from the very moment I set eyes on your photo&mdash;and now I&rsquo;ve seen
+you I&rsquo;m simply crazy about you! If you&rsquo;ll only marry me, I
+won&rsquo;t worry you any&mdash;you shall take your own time. Maybe
+you&rsquo;ll never come to love me, and if that&rsquo;s the case I&rsquo;ll
+manage to set you free. But I want the right to look after you, and take care
+of you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s what I want,&rdquo; said the girl wistfully. &ldquo;Some
+one who&rsquo;ll be good to me. Oh, you don&rsquo;t know how lonesome I
+feel!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing I do. Then I guess that&rsquo;s all fixed up, and I&rsquo;ll
+see the archbishop about a special license to-morrow morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Julius!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I don&rsquo;t want to hustle you any, Jane, but there&rsquo;s no
+sense in waiting about. Don&rsquo;t be scared&mdash;I shan&rsquo;t expect you
+to love me all at once.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But a small hand was slipped into his.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I love you now, Julius,&rdquo; said Jane Finn. &ldquo;I loved you that
+first moment in the car when the bullet grazed your cheek....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Five minutes later Jane murmured softly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know London very well, Julius, but is it such a very long
+way from the <i>Savoy</i> to the <i>Ritz?</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It depends how you go,&rdquo; explained Julius unblushingly.
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;re going by way of Regent&rsquo;s Park!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Julius&mdash;what will the chauffeur think?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At the wages I pay him, he knows better than to do any independent
+thinking. Why, Jane, the only reason I had the supper at the <i>Savoy</i> was
+so that I could drive you home. I didn&rsquo;t see how I was ever going to get
+hold of you alone. You and Tuppence have been sticking together like Siamese
+twins. I guess another day of it would have driven me and Beresford stark
+staring mad!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh. Is he&mdash;&mdash;?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course he is. Head over ears.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought so,&rdquo; said Jane thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;From all the things Tuppence didn&rsquo;t say!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There you have me beat,&rdquo; said Mr. Hersheimmer. But Jane only
+laughed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the meantime, the Young Adventurers were sitting bolt upright, very stiff
+and ill at ease, in a taxi which, with a singular lack of originality, was also
+returning to the <i>Ritz</i> via Regent&rsquo;s Park.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A terrible constraint seemed to have settled down between them. Without quite
+knowing what had happened, everything seemed changed. They were
+tongue-tied&mdash;paralysed. All the old <i>camaraderie</i> was gone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence could think of nothing to say.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy was equally afflicted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They sat very straight and forbore to look at each other.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At last Tuppence made a desperate effort.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Rather fun, wasn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Rather.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Another silence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I like Julius,&rdquo; essayed Tuppence again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy was suddenly galvanized into life.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re not going to marry him, do you hear?&rdquo; he said
+dictatorially. &ldquo;I forbid it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tuppence meekly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Absolutely, you understand.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He doesn&rsquo;t want to marry me&mdash;he really only asked me out of
+kindness.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s not very likely,&rdquo; scoffed Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s quite true. He&rsquo;s head over ears in love with Jane. I
+expect he&rsquo;s proposing to her now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;ll do for him very nicely,&rdquo; said Tommy condescendingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you think she&rsquo;s the most lovely creature you&rsquo;ve
+ever seen?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I dare say.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But I suppose you prefer sterling worth,&rdquo; said Tuppence demurely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&mdash;oh, dash it all, Tuppence, you know!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I like your uncle, Tommy,&rdquo; said Tuppence, hastily creating a
+diversion. &ldquo;By the way, what are you going to do, accept Mr.
+Carter&rsquo;s offer of a Government job, or accept Julius&rsquo;s invitation
+and take a richly remunerated post in America on his ranch?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shall stick to the old ship, I think, though it&rsquo;s awfully good
+of Hersheimmer. But I feel you&rsquo;d be more at home in London.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see where I come in.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I do,&rdquo; said Tommy positively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence stole a glance at him sideways.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s the money, too,&rdquo; she observed thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What money?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to get a cheque each. Mr. Carter told me so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Did you ask how much?&rdquo; inquired Tommy sarcastically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Tuppence triumphantly. &ldquo;But I shan&rsquo;t tell
+you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tuppence, you are the limit!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It has been fun, hasn&rsquo;t it, Tommy? I do hope we shall have lots
+more adventures.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re insatiable, Tuppence. I&rsquo;ve had quite enough
+adventures for the present.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, shopping is almost as good,&rdquo; said Tuppence dreamily.
+&ldquo;Think of buying old furniture, and bright carpets, and futurist silk
+curtains, and a polished dining-table, and a divan with lots of
+cushions.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hold hard,&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;What&rsquo;s all this for?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Possibly a house&mdash;but I think a flat.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Whose flat?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You think I mind saying it, but I don&rsquo;t in the least! <i>Ours</i>,
+so there!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You darling!&rdquo; cried Tommy, his arms tightly round her. &ldquo;I
+was determined to make you say it. I owe you something for the relentless way
+you&rsquo;ve squashed me whenever I&rsquo;ve tried to be sentimental.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence raised her face to his. The taxi proceeded on its course round the
+north side of Regent&rsquo;s Park.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You haven&rsquo;t really proposed now,&rdquo; pointed out Tuppence.
+&ldquo;Not what our grandmothers would call a proposal. But after listening to
+a rotten one like Julius&rsquo;s, I&rsquo;m inclined to let you off.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You won&rsquo;t be able to get out of marrying me, so don&rsquo;t you
+think it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What fun it will be,&rdquo; responded Tuppence. &ldquo;Marriage is
+called all sorts of things, a haven, and a refuge, and a crowning glory, and a
+state of bondage, and lots more. But do you know what I think it is?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A sport!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And a damned good sport too,&rdquo; said Tommy.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1155 ***</div>
+</body>
+
+</html>
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+
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+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #1155 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1155)
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Secret Adversary, by Agatha Christie
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
+most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
+whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
+of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
+www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you
+will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before
+using this eBook.
+
+Title: The Secret Adversary
+
+Author: Agatha Christie
+
+Release Date: January, 1998 [eBook #1155]
+[Most recently updated: October 29, 2022]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+Produced by: Charles Keller and David Widger
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SECRET ADVERSARY ***
+
+
+
+
+THE SECRET ADVERSARY
+
+By Agatha Christie
+
+
+
+                   TO ALL THOSE WHO LEAD
+                   MONOTONOUS LIVES
+                   IN THE HOPE THAT THEY MAY EXPERIENCE
+                   AT SECOND HAND
+                   THE DELIGHTS AND DANGERS OF
+                   ADVENTURE
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+PROLOGUE
+
+CHAPTER I.   THE YOUNG ADVENTURERS, LTD.
+
+CHAPTER II.   MR. WHITTINGTON’S OFFER
+
+CHAPTER III.   A SET BACK
+
+CHAPTER IV.   WHO IS JANE FINN?
+
+CHAPTER V.   MR. JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER
+
+CHAPTER VI.   A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN
+
+CHAPTER VII.   THE HOUSE IN SOHO
+
+CHAPTER VIII.   THE ADVENTURES OF TOMMY
+
+CHAPTER IX.   TUPPENCE ENTERS DOMESTIC SERVICE
+
+CHAPTER X.   ENTER SIR JAMES PEEL EDGERTON
+
+CHAPTER XI.   JULIUS TELLS A STORY
+
+CHAPTER XII.   A FRIEND IN NEED
+
+CHAPTER XIII.   THE VIGIL
+
+CHAPTER XIV.   A CONSULTATION
+
+CHAPTER XV.   TUPPENCE RECEIVES A PROPOSAL
+
+CHAPTER XVI.   FURTHER ADVENTURES OF TOMMY
+
+CHAPTER XVII.   ANNETTE
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.   THE TELEGRAM
+
+CHAPTER XIX.   JANE FINN
+
+CHAPTER XX.   TOO LATE
+
+CHAPTER XXI.   TOMMY MAKES A DISCOVERY
+
+CHAPTER XXII.   IN DOWNING STREET
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.   A RACE AGAINST TIME
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.   JULIUS TAKES A HAND
+
+CHAPTER XXV.   JANE’S STORY
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.   MR. BROWN
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.   A SUPPER PARTY AT THE _SAVOY_
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.     AND AFTER
+
+
+
+PROLOGUE
+
+IT was 2 p.m. on the afternoon of May 7, 1915. The _Lusitania_ had been
+struck by two torpedoes in succession and was sinking rapidly, while
+the boats were being launched with all possible speed. The women and
+children were being lined up awaiting their turn. Some still clung
+desperately to husbands and fathers; others clutched their children
+closely to their breasts. One girl stood alone, slightly apart from
+the rest. She was quite young, not more than eighteen. She did not seem
+afraid, and her grave, steadfast eyes looked straight ahead.
+
+“I beg your pardon.”
+
+A man’s voice beside her made her start and turn. She had noticed the
+speaker more than once amongst the first-class passengers. There had
+been a hint of mystery about him which had appealed to her imagination.
+He spoke to no one. If anyone spoke to him he was quick to rebuff the
+overture. Also he had a nervous way of looking over his shoulder with a
+swift, suspicious glance.
+
+She noticed now that he was greatly agitated. There were beads of
+perspiration on his brow. He was evidently in a state of overmastering
+fear. And yet he did not strike her as the kind of man who would be
+afraid to meet death!
+
+“Yes?” Her grave eyes met his inquiringly.
+
+He stood looking at her with a kind of desperate irresolution.
+
+“It must be!” he muttered to himself. “Yes--it is the only way.” Then
+aloud he said abruptly: “You are an American?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“A patriotic one?”
+
+The girl flushed.
+
+“I guess you’ve no right to ask such a thing! Of course I am!”
+
+“Don’t be offended. You wouldn’t be if you knew how much there was at
+stake. But I’ve got to trust some one--and it must be a woman.”
+
+“Why?”
+
+“Because of ‘women and children first.’” He looked round and lowered his
+voice. “I’m carrying papers--vitally important papers. They may make all
+the difference to the Allies in the war. You understand? These papers
+have _got_ to be saved! They’ve more chance with you than with me. Will
+you take them?”
+
+The girl held out her hand.
+
+“Wait--I must warn you. There may be a risk--if I’ve been followed. I
+don’t think I have, but one never knows. If so, there will be danger.
+Have you the nerve to go through with it?”
+
+The girl smiled.
+
+“I’ll go through with it all right. And I’m real proud to be chosen!
+What am I to do with them afterwards?”
+
+“Watch the newspapers! I’ll advertise in the personal column of the
+_Times_, beginning ‘Shipmate.’ At the end of three days if there’s
+nothing--well, you’ll know I’m down and out. Then take the packet to
+the American Embassy, and deliver it into the Ambassador’s own hands. Is
+that clear?”
+
+“Quite clear.”
+
+“Then be ready--I’m going to say good-bye.” He took her hand in his.
+“Good-bye. Good luck to you,” he said in a louder tone.
+
+Her hand closed on the oilskin packet that had lain in his palm.
+
+The _Lusitania_ settled with a more decided list to starboard. In answer
+to a quick command, the girl went forward to take her place in the boat.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I. THE YOUNG ADVENTURERS, LTD.
+
+“TOMMY, old thing!”
+
+“Tuppence, old bean!”
+
+The two young people greeted each other affectionately, and momentarily
+blocked the Dover Street Tube exit in doing so. The adjective “old”
+ was misleading. Their united ages would certainly not have totalled
+forty-five.
+
+“Not seen you for simply centuries,” continued the young man. “Where are
+you off to? Come and chew a bun with me. We’re getting a bit unpopular
+here--blocking the gangway as it were. Let’s get out of it.”
+
+The girl assenting, they started walking down Dover Street towards
+Piccadilly.
+
+“Now then,” said Tommy, “where shall we go?”
+
+The very faint anxiety which underlay his tone did not escape the astute
+ears of Miss Prudence Cowley, known to her intimate friends for some
+mysterious reason as “Tuppence.” She pounced at once.
+
+“Tommy, you’re stony!”
+
+“Not a bit of it,” declared Tommy unconvincingly. “Rolling in cash.”
+
+“You always were a shocking liar,” said Tuppence severely, “though you
+did once persuade Sister Greenbank that the doctor had ordered you beer
+as a tonic, but forgotten to write it on the chart. Do you remember?”
+
+Tommy chuckled.
+
+“I should think I did! Wasn’t the old cat in a rage when she found
+out? Not that she was a bad sort really, old Mother Greenbank! Good old
+hospital--demobbed like everything else, I suppose?”
+
+Tuppence sighed.
+
+“Yes. You too?”
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+“Two months ago.”
+
+“Gratuity?” hinted Tuppence.
+
+“Spent.”
+
+“Oh, Tommy!”
+
+“No, old thing, not in riotous dissipation. No such luck! The cost of
+living--ordinary plain, or garden living nowadays is, I assure you, if
+you do not know----”
+
+“My dear child,” interrupted Tuppence, “there is nothing I do _not_ know
+about the cost of living. Here we are at Lyons’, and we will each of us
+pay for our own. That’s it!” And Tuppence led the way upstairs.
+
+The place was full, and they wandered about looking for a table,
+catching odds and ends of conversation as they did so.
+
+“And--do you know, she sat down and _cried_ when I told her she couldn’t
+have the flat after all.” “It was simply a _bargain_, my dear! Just like
+the one Mabel Lewis brought from Paris----”
+
+“Funny scraps one does overhear,” murmured Tommy. “I passed two Johnnies
+in the street to-day talking about some one called Jane Finn. Did you
+ever hear such a name?”
+
+But at that moment two elderly ladies rose and collected parcels, and
+Tuppence deftly ensconced herself in one of the vacant seats.
+
+Tommy ordered tea and buns. Tuppence ordered tea and buttered toast.
+
+“And mind the tea comes in separate teapots,” she added severely.
+
+Tommy sat down opposite her. His bared head revealed a shock
+of exquisitely slicked-back red hair. His face was pleasantly
+ugly--nondescript, yet unmistakably the face of a gentleman and a
+sportsman. His brown suit was well cut, but perilously near the end of
+its tether.
+
+They were an essentially modern-looking couple as they sat there.
+Tuppence had no claim to beauty, but there was character and charm in
+the elfin lines of her little face, with its determined chin and large,
+wide-apart grey eyes that looked mistily out from under straight, black
+brows. She wore a small bright green toque over her black bobbed hair,
+and her extremely short and rather shabby skirt revealed a pair of
+uncommonly dainty ankles. Her appearance presented a valiant attempt at
+smartness.
+
+The tea came at last, and Tuppence, rousing herself from a fit of
+meditation, poured it out.
+
+“Now then,” said Tommy, taking a large bite of bun, “let’s get
+up-to-date. Remember, I haven’t seen you since that time in hospital in
+1916.”
+
+“Very well.” Tuppence helped herself liberally to buttered toast.
+“Abridged biography of Miss Prudence Cowley, fifth daughter of
+Archdeacon Cowley of Little Missendell, Suffolk. Miss Cowley left the
+delights (and drudgeries) of her home life early in the war and came up
+to London, where she entered an officers’ hospital. First month: Washed
+up six hundred and forty-eight plates every day. Second month: Promoted
+to drying aforesaid plates. Third month: Promoted to peeling potatoes.
+Fourth month: Promoted to cutting bread and butter. Fifth month:
+Promoted one floor up to duties of wardmaid with mop and pail. Sixth
+month: Promoted to waiting at table. Seventh month: Pleasing appearance
+and nice manners so striking that am promoted to waiting on the Sisters!
+Eighth month: Slight check in career. Sister Bond ate Sister Westhaven’s
+egg! Grand row! Wardmaid clearly to blame! Inattention in such important
+matters cannot be too highly censured. Mop and pail again! How are the
+mighty fallen! Ninth month: Promoted to sweeping out wards, where I
+found a friend of my childhood in Lieutenant Thomas Beresford (bow,
+Tommy!), whom I had not seen for five long years. The meeting was
+affecting! Tenth month: Reproved by matron for visiting the pictures in
+company with one of the patients, namely: the aforementioned Lieutenant
+Thomas Beresford. Eleventh and twelfth months: Parlourmaid duties
+resumed with entire success. At the end of the year left hospital in a
+blaze of glory. After that, the talented Miss Cowley drove successively
+a trade delivery van, a motor-lorry and a general! The last was the
+pleasantest. He was quite a young general!”
+
+“What blighter was that?” inquired Tommy. “Perfectly sickening the way
+those brass hats drove from the War Office to the _Savoy_, and from the
+_Savoy_ to the War Office!”
+
+“I’ve forgotten his name now,” confessed Tuppence. “To resume, that was
+in a way the apex of my career. I next entered a Government office. We
+had several very enjoyable tea parties. I had intended to become a
+land girl, a postwoman, and a bus conductress by way of rounding off
+my career--but the Armistice intervened! I clung to the office with the
+true limpet touch for many long months, but, alas, I was combed out at
+last. Since then I’ve been looking for a job. Now then--your turn.”
+
+“There’s not so much promotion in mine,” said Tommy regretfully, “and a
+great deal less variety. I went out to France again, as you know. Then
+they sent me to Mesopotamia, and I got wounded for the second time,
+and went into hospital out there. Then I got stuck in Egypt till the
+Armistice happened, kicked my heels there some time longer, and, as I
+told you, finally got demobbed. And, for ten long, weary months I’ve
+been job hunting! There aren’t any jobs! And, if there were, they
+wouldn’t give ‘em to me. What good am I? What do I know about business?
+Nothing.”
+
+Tuppence nodded gloomily.
+
+“What about the colonies?” she suggested.
+
+Tommy shook his head.
+
+“I shouldn’t like the colonies--and I’m perfectly certain they wouldn’t
+like me!”
+
+“Rich relations?”
+
+Again Tommy shook his head.
+
+“Oh, Tommy, not even a great-aunt?”
+
+“I’ve got an old uncle who’s more or less rolling, but he’s no good.”
+
+“Why not?”
+
+“Wanted to adopt me once. I refused.”
+
+“I think I remember hearing about it,” said Tuppence slowly. “You
+refused because of your mother----”
+
+Tommy flushed.
+
+“Yes, it would have been a bit rough on the mater. As you know, I was
+all she had. Old boy hated her--wanted to get me away from her. Just a
+bit of spite.”
+
+“Your mother’s dead, isn’t she?” said Tuppence gently.
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+Tuppence’s large grey eyes looked misty.
+
+“You’re a good sort, Tommy. I always knew it.”
+
+“Rot!” said Tommy hastily. “Well, that’s my position. I’m just about
+desperate.”
+
+“So am I! I’ve hung out as long as I could. I’ve touted round. I’ve
+answered advertisements. I’ve tried every mortal blessed thing. I’ve
+screwed and saved and pinched! But it’s no good. I shall have to go
+home!”
+
+“Don’t you want to?”
+
+“Of course I don’t want to! What’s the good of being sentimental?
+Father’s a dear--I’m awfully fond of him--but you’ve no idea how I worry
+him! He has that delightful early Victorian view that short skirts and
+smoking are immoral. You can imagine what a thorn in the flesh I am to
+him! He just heaved a sigh of relief when the war took me off. You see,
+there are seven of us at home. It’s awful! All housework and mothers’
+meetings! I have always been the changeling. I don’t want to go back,
+but--oh, Tommy, what else is there to do?”
+
+Tommy shook his head sadly. There was a silence, and then Tuppence burst
+out:
+
+“Money, money, money! I think about money morning, noon and night! I
+dare say it’s mercenary of me, but there it is!”
+
+“Same here,” agreed Tommy with feeling.
+
+“I’ve thought over every imaginable way of getting it too,” continued
+Tuppence. “There are only three! To be left it, to marry it, or to make
+it. First is ruled out. I haven’t got any rich elderly relatives. Any
+relatives I have are in homes for decayed gentlewomen! I always help old
+ladies over crossings, and pick up parcels for old gentlemen, in case
+they should turn out to be eccentric millionaires. But not one of them
+has ever asked me my name--and quite a lot never said ‘Thank you.’”
+
+There was a pause.
+
+“Of course,” resumed Tuppence, “marriage is my best chance. I made up my
+mind to marry money when I was quite young. Any thinking girl would!
+I’m not sentimental, you know.” She paused. “Come now, you can’t say I’m
+sentimental,” she added sharply.
+
+“Certainly not,” agreed Tommy hastily. “No one would ever think of
+sentiment in connection with you.”
+
+“That’s not very polite,” replied Tuppence. “But I dare say you mean it
+all right. Well, there it is! I’m ready and willing--but I never meet
+any rich men! All the boys I know are about as hard up as I am.”
+
+“What about the general?” inquired Tommy.
+
+“I fancy he keeps a bicycle shop in time of peace,” explained Tuppence.
+“No, there it is! Now _you_ could marry a rich girl.”
+
+“I’m like you. I don’t know any.”
+
+“That doesn’t matter. You can always get to know one. Now, if I see a
+man in a fur coat come out of the _Ritz_ I can’t rush up to him and say:
+‘Look here, you’re rich. I’d like to know you.’”
+
+“Do you suggest that I should do that to a similarly garbed female?”
+
+“Don’t be silly. You tread on her foot, or pick up her handkerchief, or
+something like that. If she thinks you want to know her she’s flattered,
+and will manage it for you somehow.”
+
+“You overrate my manly charms,” murmured Tommy.
+
+“On the other hand,” proceeded Tuppence, “my millionaire would probably
+run for his life! No--marriage is fraught with difficulties. Remains--to
+_make_ money!”
+
+“We’ve tried that, and failed,” Tommy reminded her.
+
+“We’ve tried all the orthodox ways, yes. But suppose we try the
+unorthodox. Tommy, let’s be adventurers!”
+
+“Certainly,” replied Tommy cheerfully. “How do we begin?”
+
+“That’s the difficulty. If we could make ourselves known, people might
+hire us to commit crimes for them.”
+
+“Delightful,” commented Tommy. “Especially coming from a clergyman’s
+daughter!”
+
+“The moral guilt,” Tuppence pointed out, “would be theirs--not mine. You
+must admit that there’s a difference between stealing a diamond necklace
+for yourself and being hired to steal it.”
+
+“There wouldn’t be the least difference if you were caught!”
+
+“Perhaps not. But I shouldn’t be caught. I’m so clever.”
+
+“Modesty always was your besetting sin,” remarked Tommy.
+
+“Don’t rag. Look here, Tommy, shall we really? Shall we form a business
+partnership?”
+
+“Form a company for the stealing of diamond necklaces?”
+
+“That was only an illustration. Let’s have a--what do you call it in
+book-keeping?”
+
+“Don’t know. Never did any.”
+
+“I have--but I always got mixed up, and used to put credit entries on
+the debit side, and vice versa--so they fired me out. Oh, I know--a
+joint venture! It struck me as such a romantic phrase to come across in
+the middle of musty old figures. It’s got an Elizabethan flavour about
+it--makes one think of galleons and doubloons. A joint venture!”
+
+“Trading under the name of the Young Adventurers, Ltd.? Is that your
+idea, Tuppence?”
+
+“It’s all very well to laugh, but I feel there might be something in
+it.”
+
+“How do you propose to get in touch with your would-be employers?”
+
+“Advertisement,” replied Tuppence promptly. “Have you got a bit of paper
+and a pencil? Men usually seem to have. Just like we have hairpins and
+powder-puffs.”
+
+Tommy handed over a rather shabby green notebook, and Tuppence began
+writing busily.
+
+“Shall we begin: ‘Young officer, twice wounded in the war----’”
+
+“Certainly not.”
+
+“Oh, very well, my dear boy. But I can assure you that that sort of
+thing might touch the heart of an elderly spinster, and she might adopt
+you, and then there would be no need for you to be a young adventurer at
+all.”
+
+“I don’t want to be adopted.”
+
+“I forgot you had a prejudice against it. I was only ragging you!
+The papers are full up to the brim with that type of thing. Now
+listen--how’s this? ‘Two young adventurers for hire. Willing to do
+anything, go anywhere. Pay must be good.’ (We might as well make
+that clear from the start.) Then we might add: ‘No reasonable offer
+refused’--like flats and furniture.”
+
+“I should think any offer we get in answer to that would be a pretty
+_un_reasonable one!”
+
+“Tommy! You’re a genius! That’s ever so much more chic. ‘No unreasonable
+offer refused--if pay is good.’ How’s that?”
+
+“I shouldn’t mention pay again. It looks rather eager.”
+
+“It couldn’t look as eager as I feel! But perhaps you are right. Now
+I’ll read it straight through. ‘Two young adventurers for hire. Willing
+to do anything, go anywhere. Pay must be good. No unreasonable offer
+refused.’ How would that strike you if you read it?”
+
+“It would strike me as either being a hoax, or else written by a
+lunatic.”
+
+“It’s not half so insane as a thing I read this morning beginning
+‘Petunia’ and signed ‘Best Boy.’” She tore out the leaf and handed it
+to Tommy. “There you are. _Times_, I think. Reply to Box so-and-so.
+I expect it will be about five shillings. Here’s half a crown for my
+share.”
+
+Tommy was holding the paper thoughtfully. His faced burned a deeper red.
+
+“Shall we really try it?” he said at last. “Shall we, Tuppence? Just for
+the fun of the thing?”
+
+“Tommy, you’re a sport! I knew you would be! Let’s drink to success.”
+ She poured some cold dregs of tea into the two cups.
+
+“Here’s to our joint venture, and may it prosper!”
+
+“The Young Adventurers, Ltd.!” responded Tommy.
+
+They put down the cups and laughed rather uncertainly. Tuppence rose.
+
+“I must return to my palatial suite at the hostel.”
+
+“Perhaps it is time I strolled round to the _Ritz_,” agreed Tommy with a
+grin. “Where shall we meet? And when?”
+
+“Twelve o’clock to-morrow. Piccadilly Tube station. Will that suit you?”
+
+“My time is my own,” replied Mr. Beresford magnificently.
+
+“So long, then.”
+
+“Good-bye, old thing.”
+
+The two young people went off in opposite directions. Tuppence’s hostel
+was situated in what was charitably called Southern Belgravia. For
+reasons of economy she did not take a bus.
+
+She was half-way across St. James’s Park, when a man’s voice behind her
+made her start.
+
+“Excuse me,” it said. “But may I speak to you for a moment?”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II. MR. WHITTINGTON’S OFFER
+
+TUPPENCE turned sharply, but the words hovering on the tip of her tongue
+remained unspoken, for the man’s appearance and manner did not bear out
+her first and most natural assumption. She hesitated. As if he read her
+thoughts, the man said quickly:
+
+“I can assure you I mean no disrespect.”
+
+Tuppence believed him. Although she disliked and distrusted him
+instinctively, she was inclined to acquit him of the particular motive
+which she had at first attributed to him. She looked him up and down. He
+was a big man, clean shaven, with a heavy jowl. His eyes were small and
+cunning, and shifted their glance under her direct gaze.
+
+“Well, what is it?” she asked.
+
+The man smiled.
+
+“I happened to overhear part of your conversation with the young
+gentleman in Lyons’.”
+
+“Well--what of it?”
+
+“Nothing--except that I think I may be of some use to you.”
+
+Another inference forced itself into Tuppence’s mind:
+
+“You followed me here?”
+
+“I took that liberty.”
+
+“And in what way do you think you could be of use to me?”
+
+The man took a card from his pocket and handed it to her with a bow.
+
+Tuppence took it and scrutinized it carefully. It bore the inscription,
+“Mr. Edward Whittington.” Below the name were the words “Esthonia
+Glassware Co.,” and the address of a city office. Mr. Whittington spoke
+again:
+
+“If you will call upon me to-morrow morning at eleven o’clock, I will
+lay the details of my proposition before you.”
+
+“At eleven o’clock?” said Tuppence doubtfully.
+
+“At eleven o’clock.”
+
+Tuppence made up her mind.
+
+“Very well. I’ll be there.”
+
+“Thank you. Good evening.”
+
+He raised his hat with a flourish, and walked away. Tuppence remained
+for some minutes gazing after him. Then she gave a curious movement of
+her shoulders, rather as a terrier shakes himself.
+
+“The adventures have begun,” she murmured to herself. “What does he want
+me to do, I wonder? There’s something about you, Mr. Whittington, that I
+don’t like at all. But, on the other hand, I’m not the least bit afraid
+of you. And as I’ve said before, and shall doubtless say again, little
+Tuppence can look after herself, thank you!”
+
+And with a short, sharp nod of her head she walked briskly onward. As a
+result of further meditations, however, she turned aside from the direct
+route and entered a post office. There she pondered for some moments,
+a telegraph form in her hand. The thought of a possible five shillings
+spent unnecessarily spurred her to action, and she decided to risk the
+waste of ninepence.
+
+Disdaining the spiky pen and thick, black treacle which a beneficent
+Government had provided, Tuppence drew out Tommy’s pencil which she had
+retained and wrote rapidly: “Don’t put in advertisement. Will explain
+to-morrow.” She addressed it to Tommy at his club, from which in one
+short month he would have to resign, unless a kindly fortune permitted
+him to renew his subscription.
+
+“It may catch him,” she murmured. “Anyway, it’s worth trying.”
+
+After handing it over the counter she set out briskly for home, stopping
+at a baker’s to buy three penny-worth of new buns.
+
+Later, in her tiny cubicle at the top of the house she munched buns and
+reflected on the future. What was the Esthonia Glassware Co., and what
+earthly need could it have for her services? A pleasurable thrill of
+excitement made Tuppence tingle. At any rate, the country vicarage had
+retreated into the background again. The morrow held possibilities.
+
+It was a long time before Tuppence went to sleep that night, and, when
+at length she did, she dreamed that Mr. Whittington had set her to
+washing up a pile of Esthonia Glassware, which bore an unaccountable
+resemblance to hospital plates!
+
+It wanted some five minutes to eleven when Tuppence reached the block
+of buildings in which the offices of the Esthonia Glassware Co. were
+situated. To arrive before the time would look over-eager. So Tuppence
+decided to walk to the end of the street and back again. She did so. On
+the stroke of eleven she plunged into the recesses of the building.
+The Esthonia Glassware Co. was on the top floor. There was a lift, but
+Tuppence chose to walk up.
+
+Slightly out of breath, she came to a halt outside the ground glass door
+with the legend painted across it “Esthonia Glassware Co.”
+
+Tuppence knocked. In response to a voice from within, she turned the
+handle and walked into a small rather dirty outer office.
+
+A middle-aged clerk got down from a high stool at a desk near the window
+and came towards her inquiringly.
+
+“I have an appointment with Mr. Whittington,” said Tuppence.
+
+“Will you come this way, please.” He crossed to a partition door with
+“Private” on it, knocked, then opened the door and stood aside to let
+her pass in.
+
+Mr. Whittington was seated behind a large desk covered with papers.
+Tuppence felt her previous judgment confirmed. There was something wrong
+about Mr. Whittington. The combination of his sleek prosperity and his
+shifty eye was not attractive.
+
+He looked up and nodded.
+
+“So you’ve turned up all right? That’s good. Sit down, will you?”
+
+Tuppence sat down on the chair facing him. She looked particularly small
+and demure this morning. She sat there meekly with downcast eyes whilst
+Mr. Whittington sorted and rustled amongst his papers. Finally he pushed
+them away, and leaned over the desk.
+
+“Now, my dear young lady, let us come to business.” His large face
+broadened into a smile. “You want work? Well, I have work to offer
+you. What should you say now to £100 down, and all expenses paid?” Mr.
+Whittington leaned back in his chair, and thrust his thumbs into the
+arm-holes of his waistcoat.
+
+Tuppence eyed him warily.
+
+“And the nature of the work?” she demanded.
+
+“Nominal--purely nominal. A pleasant trip, that is all.”
+
+“Where to?”
+
+Mr. Whittington smiled again.
+
+“Paris.”
+
+“Oh!” said Tuppence thoughtfully. To herself she said: “Of course,
+if father heard that he would have a fit! But somehow I don’t see Mr.
+Whittington in the role of the gay deceiver.”
+
+“Yes,” continued Whittington. “What could be more delightful? To put the
+clock back a few years--a very few, I am sure--and re-enter one of those
+charming _pensionnats de jeunes filles_ with which Paris abounds----”
+
+Tuppence interrupted him.
+
+“A _pensionnat?_”
+
+“Exactly. Madame Colombier’s in the Avenue de Neuilly.”
+
+Tuppence knew the name well. Nothing could have been more select. She
+had had several American friends there. She was more than ever puzzled.
+
+“You want me to go to Madame Colombier’s? For how long?”
+
+“That depends. Possibly three months.”
+
+“And that is all? There are no other conditions?”
+
+“None whatever. You would, of course, go in the character of my ward,
+and you would hold no communication with your friends. I should have
+to request absolute secrecy for the time being. By the way, you are
+English, are you not?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Yet you speak with a slight American accent?”
+
+“My great pal in hospital was a little American girl. I dare say I
+picked it up from her. I can soon get out of it again.”
+
+“On the contrary, it might be simpler for you to pass as an American.
+Details about your past life in England might be more difficult to
+sustain. Yes, I think that would be decidedly better. Then----”
+
+“One moment, Mr. Whittington! You seem to be taking my consent for
+granted.”
+
+Whittington looked surprised.
+
+“Surely you are not thinking of refusing? I can assure you that Madame
+Colombier’s is a most high-class and orthodox establishment. And the
+terms are most liberal.”
+
+“Exactly,” said Tuppence. “That’s just it. The terms are almost too
+liberal, Mr. Whittington. I cannot see any way in which I can be worth
+that amount of money to you.”
+
+“No?” said Whittington softly. “Well, I will tell you. I could doubtless
+obtain some one else for very much less. What I am willing to pay for
+is a young lady with sufficient intelligence and presence of mind to
+sustain her part well, and also one who will have sufficient discretion
+not to ask too many questions.”
+
+Tuppence smiled a little. She felt that Whittington had scored.
+
+“There’s another thing. So far there has been no mention of Mr.
+Beresford. Where does he come in?”
+
+“Mr. Beresford?”
+
+“My partner,” said Tuppence with dignity. “You saw us together
+yesterday.”
+
+“Ah, yes. But I’m afraid we shan’t require his services.”
+
+“Then it’s off!” Tuppence rose. “It’s both or neither. Sorry--but that’s
+how it is. Good morning, Mr. Whittington.”
+
+“Wait a minute. Let us see if something can’t be managed. Sit down
+again, Miss----” He paused interrogatively.
+
+Tuppence’s conscience gave her a passing twinge as she remembered the
+archdeacon. She seized hurriedly on the first name that came into her
+head.
+
+“Jane Finn,” she said hastily; and then paused open-mouthed at the
+effect of those two simple words.
+
+All the geniality had faded out of Whittington’s face. It was purple
+with rage, and the veins stood out on the forehead. And behind it all
+there lurked a sort of incredulous dismay. He leaned forward and hissed
+savagely:
+
+“So that’s your little game, is it?”
+
+Tuppence, though utterly taken aback, nevertheless kept her head. She
+had not the faintest comprehension of his meaning, but she was naturally
+quick-witted, and felt it imperative to “keep her end up” as she phrased
+it.
+
+Whittington went on:
+
+“Been playing with me, have you, all the time, like a cat and mouse?
+Knew all the time what I wanted you for, but kept up the comedy. Is that
+it, eh?” He was cooling down. The red colour was ebbing out of his face.
+He eyed her keenly. “Who’s been blabbing? Rita?”
+
+Tuppence shook her head. She was doubtful as to how long she could
+sustain this illusion, but she realized the importance of not dragging
+an unknown Rita into it.
+
+“No,” she replied with perfect truth. “Rita knows nothing about me.”
+
+His eyes still bored into her like gimlets.
+
+“How much do you know?” he shot out.
+
+“Very little indeed,” answered Tuppence, and was pleased to note that
+Whittington’s uneasiness was augmented instead of allayed. To have
+boasted that she knew a lot might have raised doubts in his mind.
+
+“Anyway,” snarled Whittington, “you knew enough to come in here and
+plump out that name.”
+
+“It might be my own name,” Tuppence pointed out.
+
+“It’s likely, isn’t it, then there would be two girls with a name like
+that?”
+
+“Or I might just have hit upon it by chance,” continued Tuppence,
+intoxicated with the success of truthfulness.
+
+Mr. Whittington brought his fist down upon the desk with a bang.
+
+“Quit fooling! How much do you know? And how much do you want?”
+
+The last five words took Tuppence’s fancy mightily, especially after a
+meagre breakfast and a supper of buns the night before. Her present part
+was of the adventuress rather than the adventurous order, but she did
+not deny its possibilities. She sat up and smiled with the air of one
+who has the situation thoroughly well in hand.
+
+“My dear Mr. Whittington,” she said, “let us by all means lay our cards
+upon the table. And pray do not be so angry. You heard me say yesterday
+that I proposed to live by my wits. It seems to me that I have now
+proved I have some wits to live by! I admit I have knowledge of a
+certain name, but perhaps my knowledge ends there.”
+
+“Yes--and perhaps it doesn’t,” snarled Whittington.
+
+“You insist on misjudging me,” said Tuppence, and sighed gently.
+
+“As I said once before,” said Whittington angrily, “quit fooling, and
+come to the point. You can’t play the innocent with me. You know a great
+deal more than you’re willing to admit.”
+
+Tuppence paused a moment to admire her own ingenuity, and then said
+softly:
+
+“I shouldn’t like to contradict you, Mr. Whittington.”
+
+“So we come to the usual question--how much?”
+
+Tuppence was in a dilemma. So far she had fooled Whittington with
+complete success, but to mention a palpably impossible sum might awaken
+his suspicions. An idea flashed across her brain.
+
+“Suppose we say a little something down, and a fuller discussion of the
+matter later?”
+
+Whittington gave her an ugly glance.
+
+“Blackmail, eh?”
+
+Tuppence smiled sweetly.
+
+“Oh no! Shall we say payment of services in advance?”
+
+Whittington grunted.
+
+“You see,” explained Tuppence still sweetly, “I’m so very fond of
+money!”
+
+“You’re about the limit, that’s what you are,” growled Whittington, with
+a sort of unwilling admiration. “You took me in all right. Thought you
+were quite a meek little kid with just enough brains for my purpose.”
+
+“Life,” moralized Tuppence, “is full of surprises.”
+
+“All the same,” continued Whittington, “some one’s been talking. You say
+it isn’t Rita. Was it----? Oh, come in.”
+
+The clerk followed his discreet knock into the room, and laid a paper at
+his master’s elbow.
+
+“Telephone message just come for you, sir.”
+
+Whittington snatched it up and read it. A frown gathered on his brow.
+
+“That’ll do, Brown. You can go.”
+
+The clerk withdrew, closing the door behind him. Whittington turned to
+Tuppence.
+
+“Come to-morrow at the same time. I’m busy now. Here’s fifty to go on
+with.”
+
+He rapidly sorted out some notes, and pushed them across the table to
+Tuppence, then stood up, obviously impatient for her to go.
+
+The girl counted the notes in a businesslike manner, secured them in her
+handbag, and rose.
+
+“Good morning, Mr. Whittington,” she said politely. “At least, au
+revoir, I should say.”
+
+“Exactly. Au revoir!” Whittington looked almost genial again, a
+reversion that aroused in Tuppence a faint misgiving. “Au revoir, my
+clever and charming young lady.”
+
+Tuppence sped lightly down the stairs. A wild elation possessed her. A
+neighbouring clock showed the time to be five minutes to twelve.
+
+“Let’s give Tommy a surprise!” murmured Tuppence, and hailed a taxi.
+
+The cab drew up outside the tube station. Tommy was just within the
+entrance. His eyes opened to their fullest extent as he hurried forward
+to assist Tuppence to alight. She smiled at him affectionately, and
+remarked in a slightly affected voice:
+
+“Pay the thing, will you, old bean? I’ve got nothing smaller than a
+five-pound note!”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III. A SET BACK
+
+THE moment was not quite so triumphant as it ought to have been. To
+begin with, the resources of Tommy’s pockets were somewhat limited. In
+the end the fare was managed, the lady recollecting a plebeian twopence,
+and the driver, still holding the varied assortment of coins in his
+hand, was prevailed upon to move on, which he did after one last hoarse
+demand as to what the gentleman thought he was giving him?
+
+“I think you’ve given him too much, Tommy,” said Tuppence innocently. “I
+fancy he wants to give some of it back.”
+
+It was possibly this remark which induced the driver to move away.
+
+“Well,” said Mr. Beresford, at length able to relieve his feelings,
+“what the--dickens, did you want to take a taxi for?”
+
+“I was afraid I might be late and keep you waiting,” said Tuppence
+gently.
+
+“Afraid--you--might--be--late! Oh, Lord, I give it up!” said Mr.
+Beresford.
+
+“And really and truly,” continued Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide,
+“I haven’t got anything smaller than a five-pound note.”
+
+“You did that part of it very well, old bean, but all the same the
+fellow wasn’t taken in--not for a moment!”
+
+“No,” said Tuppence thoughtfully, “he didn’t believe it. That’s the
+curious part about speaking the truth. No one does believe it. I found
+that out this morning. Now let’s go to lunch. How about the _Savoy?_”
+
+Tommy grinned.
+
+“How about the _Ritz?_”
+
+“On second thoughts, I prefer the _Piccadilly_. It’s nearer. We shan’t
+have to take another taxi. Come along.”
+
+“Is this a new brand of humour? Or is your brain really unhinged?”
+ inquired Tommy.
+
+“Your last supposition is the correct one. I have come into money, and
+the shock has been too much for me! For that particular form of mental
+trouble an eminent physician recommends unlimited _Hors d’œuvre_,
+Lobster _à l’américane_, Chicken Newberg, and Pêche Melba! Let’s go
+and get them!”
+
+“Tuppence, old girl, what has really come over you?”
+
+“Oh, unbelieving one!” Tuppence wrenched open her bag. “Look here, and
+here, and here!”
+
+“Great Jehosaphat! My dear girl, don’t wave Fishers aloft like that!”
+
+“They’re not Fishers. They’re five times better than Fishers, and this
+one’s ten times better!”
+
+Tommy groaned.
+
+“I must have been drinking unawares! Am I dreaming, Tuppence, or do I
+really behold a large quantity of five-pound notes being waved about in
+a dangerous fashion?”
+
+“Even so, O King! _Now_, will you come and have lunch?”
+
+“I’ll come anywhere. But what have you been doing? Holding up a bank?”
+
+“All in good time. What an awful place Piccadilly Circus is. There’s a
+huge bus bearing down on us. It would be too terrible if they killed the
+five-pound notes!”
+
+“Grill room?” inquired Tommy, as they reached the opposite pavement in
+safety.
+
+“The other’s more expensive,” demurred Tuppence.
+
+“That’s mere wicked wanton extravagance. Come on below.”
+
+“Are you sure I can get all the things I want there?”
+
+“That extremely unwholesome menu you were outlining just now? Of course
+you can--or as much as is good for you, anyway.”
+
+“And now tell me,” said Tommy, unable to restrain his pent-up curiosity
+any longer, as they sat in state surrounded by the many _hors d’œuvre_
+of Tuppence’s dreams.
+
+Miss Cowley told him.
+
+“And the curious part of it is,” she ended, “that I really did invent
+the name of Jane Finn! I didn’t want to give my own because of poor
+father--in case I should get mixed up in anything shady.”
+
+“Perhaps that’s so,” said Tommy slowly. “But you didn’t invent it.”
+
+“What?”
+
+“No. _I_ told it to you. Don’t you remember, I said yesterday I’d
+overheard two people talking about a female called Jane Finn? That’s
+what brought the name into your mind so pat.”
+
+“So you did. I remember now. How extraordinary----” Tuppence tailed off
+into silence. Suddenly she aroused herself. “Tommy!”
+
+“Yes?”
+
+“What were they like, the two men you passed?”
+
+Tommy frowned in an effort at remembrance.
+
+“One was a big fat sort of chap. Clean shaven, I think--and dark.”
+
+“That’s him,” cried Tuppence, in an ungrammatical squeal. “That’s
+Whittington! What was the other man like?”
+
+“I can’t remember. I didn’t notice him particularly. It was really the
+outlandish name that caught my attention.”
+
+“And people say that coincidences don’t happen!” Tuppence tackled her
+Pêche Melba happily.
+
+But Tommy had become serious.
+
+“Look here, Tuppence, old girl, what is this going to lead to?”
+
+“More money,” replied his companion.
+
+“I know that. You’ve only got one idea in your head. What I mean is,
+what about the next step? How are you going to keep the game up?”
+
+“Oh!” Tuppence laid down her spoon. “You’re right, Tommy, it is a bit of
+a poser.”
+
+“After all, you know, you can’t bluff him forever. You’re sure to slip
+up sooner or later. And, anyway, I’m not at all sure that it isn’t
+actionable--blackmail, you know.”
+
+“Nonsense. Blackmail is saying you’ll tell unless you are given
+money. Now, there’s nothing I could tell, because I don’t really know
+anything.”
+
+“Hm,” said Tommy doubtfully. “Well, anyway, what _are_ we going to do?
+Whittington was in a hurry to get rid of you this morning, but next time
+he’ll want to know something more before he parts with his money. He’ll
+want to know how much _you_ know, and where you got your information
+from, and a lot of other things that you can’t cope with. What are you
+going to do about it?”
+
+Tuppence frowned severely.
+
+“We must think. Order some Turkish coffee, Tommy. Stimulating to the
+brain. Oh, dear, what a lot I have eaten!”
+
+“You have made rather a hog of yourself! So have I for that matter, but
+I flatter myself that my choice of dishes was more judicious than yours.
+Two coffees.” (This was to the waiter.) “One Turkish, one French.”
+
+Tuppence sipped her coffee with a deeply reflective air, and snubbed
+Tommy when he spoke to her.
+
+“Be quiet. I’m thinking.”
+
+“Shades of Pelmanism!” said Tommy, and relapsed into silence.
+
+“There!” said Tuppence at last. “I’ve got a plan. Obviously what we’ve
+got to do is to find out more about it all.”
+
+Tommy applauded.
+
+“Don’t jeer. We can only find out through Whittington. We must discover
+where he lives, what he does--sleuth him, in fact! Now I can’t do it,
+because he knows me, but he only saw you for a minute or two in Lyons’.
+He’s not likely to recognize you. After all, one young man is much like
+another.”
+
+“I repudiate that remark utterly. I’m sure my pleasing features and
+distinguished appearance would single me out from any crowd.”
+
+“My plan is this,” Tuppence went on calmly, “I’ll go alone to-morrow.
+I’ll put him off again like I did to-day. It doesn’t matter if I don’t
+get any more money at once. Fifty pounds ought to last us a few days.”
+
+“Or even longer!”
+
+“You’ll hang about outside. When I come out I shan’t speak to you in
+case he’s watching. But I’ll take up my stand somewhere near, and when
+he comes out of the building I’ll drop a handkerchief or something, and
+off you go!”
+
+“Off I go where?”
+
+“Follow him, of course, silly! What do you think of the idea?”
+
+“Sort of thing one reads about in books. I somehow feel that in real
+life one will feel a bit of an ass standing in the street for hours with
+nothing to do. People will wonder what I’m up to.”
+
+“Not in the city. Every one’s in such a hurry. Probably no one will even
+notice you at all.”
+
+“That’s the second time you’ve made that sort of remark. Never mind, I
+forgive you. Anyway, it will be rather a lark. What are you doing this
+afternoon?”
+
+“Well,” said Tuppence meditatively. “I _had_ thought of hats! Or perhaps
+silk stockings! Or perhaps----”
+
+“Hold hard,” admonished Tommy. “There’s a limit to fifty pounds! But
+let’s do dinner and a show to-night at all events.”
+
+“Rather.”
+
+The day passed pleasantly. The evening even more so. Two of the
+five-pound notes were now irretrievably dead.
+
+They met by arrangement the following morning and proceeded citywards.
+Tommy remained on the opposite side of the road while Tuppence plunged
+into the building.
+
+Tommy strolled slowly down to the end of the street, then back again.
+Just as he came abreast of the building, Tuppence darted across the
+road.
+
+“Tommy!”
+
+“Yes. What’s up?”
+
+“The place is shut. I can’t make anyone hear.”
+
+“That’s odd.”
+
+“Isn’t it? Come up with me, and let’s try again.”
+
+Tommy followed her. As they passed the third floor landing a young clerk
+came out of an office. He hesitated a moment, then addressed himself to
+Tuppence.
+
+“Were you wanting the Esthonia Glassware?”
+
+“Yes, please.”
+
+“It’s closed down. Since yesterday afternoon. Company being wound up,
+they say. Not that I’ve ever heard of it myself. But anyway the office
+is to let.”
+
+“Th--thank you,” faltered Tuppence. “I suppose you don’t know Mr.
+Whittington’s address?”
+
+“Afraid I don’t. They left rather suddenly.”
+
+“Thank you very much,” said Tommy. “Come on, Tuppence.”
+
+They descended to the street again where they gazed at one another
+blankly.
+
+“That’s torn it,” said Tommy at length.
+
+“And I never suspected it,” wailed Tuppence.
+
+“Cheer up, old thing, it can’t be helped.”
+
+“Can’t it, though!” Tuppence’s little chin shot out defiantly. “Do you
+think this is the end? If so, you’re wrong. It’s just the beginning!”
+
+“The beginning of what?”
+
+“Of our adventure! Tommy, don’t you see, if they are scared enough to
+run away like this, it shows that there must be a lot in this Jane Finn
+business! Well, we’ll get to the bottom of it. We’ll run them down!
+We’ll be sleuths in earnest!”
+
+“Yes, but there’s no one left to sleuth.”
+
+“No, that’s why we’ll have to start all over again. Lend me that bit of
+pencil. Thanks. Wait a minute--don’t interrupt. There!” Tuppence handed
+back the pencil, and surveyed the piece of paper on which she had
+written with a satisfied eye:
+
+“What’s that?”
+
+“Advertisement.”
+
+“You’re not going to put that thing in after all?”
+
+“No, it’s a different one.” She handed him the slip of paper.
+
+Tommy read the words on it aloud:
+
+“WANTED, any information respecting Jane Finn. Apply Y. A.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV. WHO IS JANE FINN?
+
+THE next day passed slowly. It was necessary to curtail expenditure.
+Carefully husbanded, forty pounds will last a long time. Luckily the
+weather was fine, and “walking is cheap,” dictated Tuppence. An outlying
+picture house provided them with recreation for the evening.
+
+The day of disillusionment had been a Wednesday. On Thursday the
+advertisement had duly appeared. On Friday letters might be expected to
+arrive at Tommy’s rooms.
+
+He had been bound by an honourable promise not to open any such letters
+if they did arrive, but to repair to the National Gallery, where his
+colleague would meet him at ten o’clock.
+
+Tuppence was first at the rendezvous. She ensconced herself on a red
+velvet seat, and gazed at the Turners with unseeing eyes until she saw
+the familiar figure enter the room.
+
+“Well?”
+
+“Well,” returned Mr. Beresford provokingly. “Which is your favourite
+picture?”
+
+“Don’t be a wretch. Aren’t there _any_ answers?”
+
+Tommy shook his head with a deep and somewhat overacted melancholy.
+
+“I didn’t want to disappoint you, old thing, by telling you right off.
+It’s too bad. Good money wasted.” He sighed. “Still, there it is. The
+advertisement has appeared, and--there are only two answers!”
+
+“Tommy, you devil!” almost screamed Tuppence. “Give them to me. How
+could you be so mean!”
+
+“Your language, Tuppence, your language! They’re very particular at the
+National Gallery. Government show, you know. And do remember, as I have
+pointed out to you before, that as a clergyman’s daughter----”
+
+“I ought to be on the stage!” finished Tuppence with a snap.
+
+“That is not what I intended to say. But if you are sure that you have
+enjoyed to the full the reaction of joy after despair with which I have
+kindly provided you free of charge, let us get down to our mail, as the
+saying goes.”
+
+Tuppence snatched the two precious envelopes from him unceremoniously,
+and scrutinized them carefully.
+
+“Thick paper, this one. It looks rich. We’ll keep it to the last and
+open the other first.”
+
+“Right you are. One, two, three, go!”
+
+Tuppence’s little thumb ripped open the envelope, and she extracted the
+contents.
+
+“DEAR SIR,
+
+“Referring to your advertisement in this morning’s paper, I may be able
+to be of some use to you. Perhaps you could call and see me at the above
+address at eleven o’clock to-morrow morning.
+
+“Yours truly,
+
+“A. CARTER.”
+
+“27 Carshalton Gardens,” said Tuppence, referring to the address.
+“That’s Gloucester Road way. Plenty of time to get there if we tube.”
+
+“The following,” said Tommy, “is the plan of campaign. It is my turn to
+assume the offensive. Ushered into the presence of Mr. Carter, he and I
+wish each other good morning as is customary. He then says: ‘Please take
+a seat, Mr.--er?’ To which I reply promptly and significantly: ‘Edward
+Whittington!’ whereupon Mr. Carter turns purple in the face and gasps
+out: ‘How much?’ Pocketing the usual fee of fifty pounds, I rejoin you
+in the road outside, and we proceed to the next address and repeat the
+performance.”
+
+“Don’t be absurd, Tommy. Now for the other letter. Oh, this is from the
+_Ritz!_”
+
+“A hundred pounds instead of fifty!”
+
+“I’ll read it:
+
+“DEAR SIR,
+
+“Re your advertisement, I should be glad if you would call round
+somewhere about lunch-time.
+
+“Yours truly,
+
+“JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER.”
+
+“Ha!” said Tommy. “Do I smell a Boche? Or only an American millionaire
+of unfortunate ancestry? At all events we’ll call at lunch-time. It’s a
+good time--frequently leads to free food for two.”
+
+Tuppence nodded assent.
+
+“Now for Carter. We’ll have to hurry.”
+
+Carshalton Terrace proved to be an unimpeachable row of what Tuppence
+called “ladylike looking houses.” They rang the bell at No. 27, and a
+neat maid answered the door. She looked so respectable that Tuppence’s
+heart sank. Upon Tommy’s request for Mr. Carter, she showed them into
+a small study on the ground floor where she left them. Hardly a minute
+elapsed, however, before the door opened, and a tall man with a lean
+hawklike face and a tired manner entered the room.
+
+“Mr. Y. A.?” he said, and smiled. His smile was distinctly attractive.
+“Do sit down, both of you.”
+
+They obeyed. He himself took a chair opposite to Tuppence and smiled at
+her encouragingly. There was something in the quality of his smile that
+made the girl’s usual readiness desert her.
+
+As he did not seem inclined to open the conversation, Tuppence was
+forced to begin.
+
+“We wanted to know--that is, would you be so kind as to tell us anything
+you know about Jane Finn?”
+
+“Jane Finn? Ah!” Mr. Carter appeared to reflect. “Well, the question is,
+what do _you_ know about her?”
+
+Tuppence drew herself up.
+
+“I don’t see that that’s got anything to do with it.”
+
+“No? But it has, you know, really it has.” He smiled again in his tired
+way, and continued reflectively. “So that brings us down to it again.
+What do _you_ know about Jane Finn?
+
+“Come now,” he continued, as Tuppence remained silent. “You must know
+_something_ to have advertised as you did?” He leaned forward a little,
+his weary voice held a hint of persuasiveness. “Suppose you tell me....”
+
+There was something very magnetic about Mr. Carter’s personality.
+Tuppence seemed to shake herself free of it with an effort, as she said:
+
+“We couldn’t do that, could we, Tommy?”
+
+But to her surprise, her companion did not back her up. His eyes were
+fixed on Mr. Carter, and his tone when he spoke held an unusual note of
+deference.
+
+“I dare say the little we know won’t be any good to you, sir. But such
+as it is, you’re welcome to it.”
+
+“Tommy!” cried out Tuppence in surprise.
+
+Mr. Carter slewed round in his chair. His eyes asked a question.
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+“Yes, sir, I recognized you at once. Saw you in France when I was with
+the Intelligence. As soon as you came into the room, I knew----”
+
+Mr. Carter held up his hand.
+
+“No names, please. I’m known as Mr. Carter here. It’s my cousin’s house,
+by the way. She’s willing to lend it to me sometimes when it’s a case of
+working on strictly unofficial lines. Well, now”--he looked from one to
+the other--“who’s going to tell me the story?”
+
+“Fire ahead, Tuppence,” directed Tommy. “It’s your yarn.”
+
+“Yes, little lady, out with it.”
+
+And obediently Tuppence did out with it, telling the whole story from
+the forming of the Young Adventurers, Ltd., downwards.
+
+Mr. Carter listened in silence with a resumption of his tired manner.
+Now and then he passed his hand across his lips as though to hide a
+smile. When she had finished he nodded gravely.
+
+“Not much. But suggestive. Quite suggestive. If you’ll excuse my saying
+so, you’re a curious young couple. I don’t know--you might succeed where
+others have failed ... I believe in luck, you know--always have....”
+
+He paused a moment, and then went on.
+
+“Well, how about it? You’re out for adventure. How would you like
+to work for me? All quite unofficial, you know. Expenses paid, and a
+moderate screw?”
+
+Tuppence gazed at him, her lips parted, her eyes growing wider and
+wider.
+
+“What should we have to do?” she breathed.
+
+Mr. Carter smiled.
+
+“Just go on with what you’re doing now. _Find Jane Finn_.”
+
+“Yes, but--who _is_ Jane Finn?”
+
+Mr. Carter nodded gravely.
+
+“Yes, you’re entitled to know that, I think.”
+
+He leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, brought the tips of his
+fingers together, and began in a low monotone:
+
+“Secret diplomacy (which, by the way, is nearly always bad policy!) does
+not concern you. It will be sufficient to say that in the early days of
+1915 a certain document came into being. It was the draft of a secret
+agreement--treaty--call it what you like. It was drawn up ready for
+signature by the various representatives, and drawn up in America--at
+that time a neutral country. It was dispatched to England by a special
+messenger selected for that purpose, a young fellow called Danvers. It
+was hoped that the whole affair had been kept so secret that nothing
+would have leaked out. That kind of hope is usually disappointed.
+Somebody always talks!
+
+“Danvers sailed for England on the _Lusitania_. He carried the precious
+papers in an oilskin packet which he wore next his skin. It was on that
+particular voyage that the _Lusitania_ was torpedoed and sunk. Danvers
+was among the list of those missing. Eventually his body was washed
+ashore, and identified beyond any possible doubt. But the oilskin packet
+was missing!
+
+“The question was, had it been taken from him, or had he himself
+passed it on into another’s keeping? There were a few incidents that
+strengthened the possibility of the latter theory. After the torpedo
+struck the ship, in the few moments during the launching of the boats,
+Danvers was seen speaking to a young American girl. No one actually
+saw him pass anything to her, but he might have done so. It seems to me
+quite likely that he entrusted the papers to this girl, believing that
+she, as a woman, had a greater chance of bringing them safely to shore.
+
+“But if so, where was the girl, and what had she done with the papers?
+By later advice from America it seemed likely that Danvers had been
+closely shadowed on the way over. Was this girl in league with his
+enemies? Or had she, in her turn, been shadowed and either tricked or
+forced into handing over the precious packet?
+
+“We set to work to trace her out. It proved unexpectedly difficult.
+Her name was Jane Finn, and it duly appeared among the list of the
+survivors, but the girl herself seemed to have vanished completely.
+Inquiries into her antecedents did little to help us. She was an orphan,
+and had been what we should call over here a pupil teacher in a small
+school out West. Her passport had been made out for Paris, where she
+was going to join the staff of a hospital. She had offered her services
+voluntarily, and after some correspondence they had been accepted.
+Having seen her name in the list of the saved from the _Lusitania_, the
+staff of the hospital were naturally very surprised at her not arriving
+to take up her billet, and at not hearing from her in any way.
+
+“Well, every effort was made to trace the young lady--but all in vain.
+We tracked her across Ireland, but nothing could be heard of her after
+she set foot in England. No use was made of the draft treaty--as might
+very easily have been done--and we therefore came to the conclusion that
+Danvers had, after all, destroyed it. The war entered on another phase,
+the diplomatic aspect changed accordingly, and the treaty was never
+redrafted. Rumours as to its existence were emphatically denied. The
+disappearance of Jane Finn was forgotten and the whole affair was lost
+in oblivion.”
+
+Mr. Carter paused, and Tuppence broke in impatiently:
+
+“But why has it all cropped up again? The war’s over.”
+
+A hint of alertness came into Mr. Carter’s manner.
+
+“Because it seems that the papers were not destroyed after all, and that
+they might be resurrected to-day with a new and deadly significance.”
+
+Tuppence stared. Mr. Carter nodded.
+
+“Yes, five years ago, that draft treaty was a weapon in our hands;
+to-day it is a weapon against us. It was a gigantic blunder. If its
+terms were made public, it would mean disaster.... It might possibly
+bring about another war--not with Germany this time! That is an extreme
+possibility, and I do not believe in its likelihood myself, but that
+document undoubtedly implicates a number of our statesmen whom we cannot
+afford to have discredited in any way at the present moment. As a party
+cry for Labour it would be irresistible, and a Labour Government at this
+juncture would, in my opinion, be a grave disability for British trade,
+but that is a mere nothing to the _real_ danger.”
+
+He paused, and then said quietly:
+
+“You may perhaps have heard or read that there is Bolshevist influence
+at work behind the present Labour unrest?”
+
+Tuppence nodded.
+
+“That is the truth. Bolshevist gold is pouring into this country for the
+specific purpose of procuring a Revolution. And there is a certain man,
+a man whose real name is unknown to us, who is working in the dark for
+his own ends. The Bolshevists are behind the Labour unrest--but this
+man is _behind the Bolshevists_. Who is he? We do not know. He is always
+spoken of by the unassuming title of ‘Mr. Brown.’ But one thing is
+certain, he is the master criminal of this age. He controls a marvellous
+organization. Most of the Peace propaganda during the war was originated
+and financed by him. His spies are everywhere.”
+
+“A naturalized German?” asked Tommy.
+
+“On the contrary, I have every reason to believe he is an Englishman. He
+was pro-German, as he would have been pro-Boer. What he seeks to attain
+we do not know--probably supreme power for himself, of a kind unique in
+history. We have no clue as to his real personality. It is reported that
+even his own followers are ignorant of it. Where we have come across his
+tracks, he has always played a secondary part. Somebody else assumes
+the chief rôle. But afterwards we always find that there has been some
+nonentity, a servant or a clerk, who has remained in the background
+unnoticed, and that the elusive Mr. Brown has escaped us once more.”
+
+“Oh!” Tuppence jumped. “I wonder----”
+
+“Yes?”
+
+“I remember in Mr. Whittington’s office. The clerk--he called him Brown.
+You don’t think----”
+
+Carter nodded thoughtfully.
+
+“Very likely. A curious point is that the name is usually mentioned. An
+idiosyncrasy of genius. Can you describe him at all?”
+
+“I really didn’t notice. He was quite ordinary--just like anyone else.”
+
+Mr. Carter sighed in his tired manner.
+
+“That is the invariable description of Mr. Brown! Brought a telephone
+message to the man Whittington, did he? Notice a telephone in the outer
+office?”
+
+Tuppence thought.
+
+“No, I don’t think I did.”
+
+“Exactly. That ‘message’ was Mr. Brown’s way of giving an order to his
+subordinate. He overheard the whole conversation of course. Was it after
+that that Whittington handed you over the money, and told you to come
+the following day?”
+
+Tuppence nodded.
+
+“Yes, undoubtedly the hand of Mr. Brown!” Mr. Carter paused. “Well,
+there it is, you see what you are pitting yourselves against? Possibly
+the finest criminal brain of the age. I don’t quite like it, you know.
+You’re such young things, both of you. I shouldn’t like anything to
+happen to you.”
+
+“It won’t,” Tuppence assured him positively.
+
+“I’ll look after her, sir,” said Tommy.
+
+“And _I_‘ll look after _you_,” retorted Tuppence, resenting the manly
+assertion.
+
+“Well, then, look after each other,” said Mr. Carter, smiling. “Now
+let’s get back to business. There’s something mysterious about this
+draft treaty that we haven’t fathomed yet. We’ve been threatened with
+it--in plain and unmistakable terms. The Revolutionary element as good
+as declare that it’s in their hands, and that they intend to produce it
+at a given moment. On the other hand, they are clearly at fault about
+many of its provisions. The Government consider it as mere bluff
+on their part, and, rightly or wrongly, have stuck to the policy of
+absolute denial. I’m not so sure. There have been hints, indiscreet
+allusions, that seem to indicate that the menace is a real one. The
+position is much as though they had got hold of an incriminating
+document, but couldn’t read it because it was in cipher--but we know
+that the draft treaty wasn’t in cipher--couldn’t be in the nature of
+things--so that won’t wash. But there’s _something_. Of course, Jane
+Finn may be dead for all we know--but I don’t think so. The curious
+thing is that _they’re trying to get information about the girl from
+us_.”
+
+“What?”
+
+“Yes. One or two little things have cropped up. And your story, little
+lady, confirms my idea. They know we’re looking for Jane Finn. Well,
+they’ll produce a Jane Finn of their own--say at a _pensionnat_ in
+Paris.” Tuppence gasped, and Mr. Carter smiled. “No one knows in the
+least what she looks like, so that’s all right. She’s primed with a
+trumped-up tale, and her real business is to get as much information as
+possible out of us. See the idea?”
+
+“Then you think”--Tuppence paused to grasp the supposition fully--“that
+it _was_ as Jane Finn that they wanted me to go to Paris?”
+
+Mr. Carter smiled more wearily than ever.
+
+“I believe in coincidences, you know,” he said.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V. MR. JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER
+
+“WELL,” said Tuppence, recovering herself, “it really seems as though it
+were meant to be.”
+
+Carter nodded.
+
+“I know what you mean. I’m superstitious myself. Luck, and all that sort
+of thing. Fate seems to have chosen you out to be mixed up in this.”
+
+Tommy indulged in a chuckle.
+
+“My word! I don’t wonder Whittington got the wind up when Tuppence
+plumped out that name! I should have myself. But look here, sir, we’re
+taking up an awful lot of your time. Have you any tips to give us before
+we clear out?”
+
+“I think not. My experts, working in stereotyped ways, have failed.
+You will bring imagination and an open mind to the task. Don’t be
+discouraged if that too does not succeed. For one thing there is a
+likelihood of the pace being forced.”
+
+Tuppence frowned uncomprehendingly.
+
+“When you had that interview with Whittington, they had time before
+them. I have information that the big _coup_ was planned for early in
+the new year. But the Government is contemplating legislative action
+which will deal effectually with the strike menace. They’ll get wind of
+it soon, if they haven’t already, and it’s possible that that may bring
+things to a head. I hope it will myself. The less time they have to
+mature their plans the better. I’m just warning you that you haven’t
+much time before you, and that you needn’t be cast down if you fail.
+It’s not an easy proposition anyway. That’s all.”
+
+Tuppence rose.
+
+“I think we ought to be businesslike. What exactly can we count upon you
+for, Mr. Carter?” Mr. Carter’s lips twitched slightly, but he replied
+succinctly: “Funds within reason, detailed information on any point,
+and _no official recognition_. I mean that if you get yourselves into
+trouble with the police, I can’t officially help you out of it. You’re
+on your own.”
+
+Tuppence nodded sagely.
+
+“I quite understand that. I’ll write out a list of the things I want to
+know when I’ve had time to think. Now--about money----”
+
+“Yes, Miss Tuppence. Do you want to say how much?”
+
+“Not exactly. We’ve got plenty to go with for the present, but when we
+want more----”
+
+“It will be waiting for you.”
+
+“Yes, but--I’m sure I don’t want to be rude about the Government if
+you’ve got anything to do with it, but you know one really has the devil
+of a time getting anything out of it! And if we have to fill up a blue
+form and send it in, and then, after three months, they send us a green
+one, and so on--well, that won’t be much use, will it?”
+
+Mr. Carter laughed outright.
+
+“Don’t worry, Miss Tuppence. You will send a personal demand to me here,
+and the money, in notes, shall be sent by return of post. As to salary,
+shall we say at the rate of three hundred a year? And an equal sum for
+Mr. Beresford, of course.”
+
+Tuppence beamed upon him.
+
+“How lovely. You are kind. I do love money! I’ll keep beautiful accounts
+of our expenses all debit and credit, and the balance on the right side,
+and red line drawn sideways with the totals the same at the bottom. I
+really know how to do it when I think.”
+
+“I’m sure you do. Well, good-bye, and good luck to you both.”
+
+He shook hands with them, and in another minute they were descending the
+steps of 27 Carshalton Terrace with their heads in a whirl.
+
+“Tommy! Tell me at once, who is ‘Mr. Carter’?”
+
+Tommy murmured a name in her ear.
+
+“Oh!” said Tuppence, impressed.
+
+“And I can tell you, old bean, he’s IT!”
+
+“Oh!” said Tuppence again. Then she added reflectively,
+
+“I like him, don’t you? He looks so awfully tired and bored, and yet you
+feel that underneath he’s just like steel, all keen and flashing. Oh!”
+ She gave a skip. “Pinch me, Tommy, do pinch me. I can’t believe it’s
+real!”
+
+Mr. Beresford obliged.
+
+“Ow! That’s enough! Yes, we’re not dreaming. We’ve got a job!”
+
+“And what a job! The joint venture has really begun.”
+
+“It’s more respectable than I thought it would be,” said Tuppence
+thoughtfully.
+
+“Luckily I haven’t got your craving for crime! What time is it? Let’s
+have lunch--oh!”
+
+The same thought sprang to the minds of each. Tommy voiced it first.
+
+“Julius P. Hersheimmer!”
+
+“We never told Mr. Carter about hearing from him.”
+
+“Well, there wasn’t much to tell--not till we’ve seen him. Come on, we’d
+better take a taxi.”
+
+“Now who’s being extravagant?”
+
+“All expenses paid, remember. Hop in.”
+
+“At any rate, we shall make a better effect arriving this way,” said
+Tuppence, leaning back luxuriously. “I’m sure blackmailers never arrive
+in buses!”
+
+“We’ve ceased being blackmailers,” Tommy pointed out.
+
+“I’m not sure I have,” said Tuppence darkly.
+
+On inquiring for Mr. Hersheimmer, they were at once taken up to his
+suite. An impatient voice cried “Come in” in answer to the page-boy’s
+knock, and the lad stood aside to let them pass in.
+
+Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer was a great deal younger than either Tommy or
+Tuppence had pictured him. The girl put him down as thirty-five. He
+was of middle height, and squarely built to match his jaw. His face was
+pugnacious but pleasant. No one could have mistaken him for anything but
+an American, though he spoke with very little accent.
+
+“Get my note? Sit down and tell me right away all you know about my
+cousin.”
+
+“Your cousin?”
+
+“Sure thing. Jane Finn.”
+
+“Is she your cousin?”
+
+“My father and her mother were brother and sister,” explained Mr.
+Hersheimmer meticulously.
+
+“Oh!” cried Tuppence. “Then you know where she is?”
+
+“No!” Mr. Hersheimmer brought down his fist with a bang on the table.
+“I’m darned if I do! Don’t you?”
+
+“We advertised to receive information, not to give it,” said Tuppence
+severely.
+
+“I guess I know that. I can read. But I thought maybe it was her back
+history you were after, and that you’d know where she was now?”
+
+“Well, we wouldn’t mind hearing her back history,” said Tuppence
+guardedly.
+
+But Mr. Hersheimmer seemed to grow suddenly suspicious.
+
+“See here,” he declared. “This isn’t Sicily! No demanding ransom or
+threatening to crop her ears if I refuse. These are the British Isles,
+so quit the funny business, or I’ll just sing out for that beautiful big
+British policeman I see out there in Piccadilly.”
+
+Tommy hastened to explain.
+
+“We haven’t kidnapped your cousin. On the contrary, we’re trying to find
+her. We’re employed to do so.”
+
+Mr. Hersheimmer leant back in his chair.
+
+“Put me wise,” he said succinctly.
+
+Tommy fell in with this demand in so far as he gave him a guarded
+version of the disappearance of Jane Finn, and of the possibility of her
+having been mixed up unawares in “some political show.” He alluded to
+Tuppence and himself as “private inquiry agents” commissioned to find
+her, and added that they would therefore be glad of any details Mr.
+Hersheimmer could give them.
+
+That gentleman nodded approval.
+
+“I guess that’s all right. I was just a mite hasty. But London gets my
+goat! I only know little old New York. Just trot out your questions and
+I’ll answer.”
+
+For the moment this paralysed the Young Adventurers, but Tuppence,
+recovering herself, plunged boldly into the breach with a reminiscence
+culled from detective fiction.
+
+“When did you last see the dece--your cousin, I mean?”
+
+“Never seen her,” responded Mr. Hersheimmer.
+
+“What?” demanded Tommy, astonished.
+
+Hersheimmer turned to him.
+
+“No, sir. As I said before, my father and her mother were brother and
+sister, just as you might be”--Tommy did not correct this view of their
+relationship--“but they didn’t always get on together. And when my aunt
+made up her mind to marry Amos Finn, who was a poor school teacher out
+West, my father was just mad! Said if he made his pile, as he seemed
+in a fair way to do, she’d never see a cent of it. Well, the upshot was
+that Aunt Jane went out West and we never heard from her again.
+
+“The old man _did_ pile it up. He went into oil, and he went into steel,
+and he played a bit with railroads, and I can tell you he made Wall
+Street sit up!” He paused. “Then he died--last fall--and I got the
+dollars. Well, would you believe it, my conscience got busy! Kept
+knocking me up and saying: What about your Aunt Jane, way out West? It
+worried me some. You see, I figured it out that Amos Finn would never
+make good. He wasn’t the sort. End of it was, I hired a man to hunt her
+down. Result, she was dead, and Amos Finn was dead, but they’d left a
+daughter--Jane--who’d been torpedoed in the _Lusitania_ on her way to
+Paris. She was saved all right, but they didn’t seem able to hear of her
+over this side. I guessed they weren’t hustling any, so I thought I’d
+come along over, and speed things up. I phoned Scotland Yard and the
+Admiralty first thing. The Admiralty rather choked me off, but Scotland
+Yard were very civil--said they would make inquiries, even sent a man
+round this morning to get her photograph. I’m off to Paris to-morrow,
+just to see what the Prefecture is doing. I guess if I go to and fro
+hustling them, they ought to get busy!”
+
+The energy of Mr. Hersheimmer was tremendous. They bowed before it.
+
+“But say now,” he ended, “you’re not after her for anything? Contempt of
+court, or something British? A proud-spirited young American girl might
+find your rules and regulations in war time rather irksome, and get up
+against it. If that’s the case, and there’s such a thing as graft in
+this country, I’ll buy her off.”
+
+Tuppence reassured him.
+
+“That’s good. Then we can work together. What about some lunch? Shall we
+have it up here, or go down to the restaurant?”
+
+Tuppence expressed a preference for the latter, and Julius bowed to her
+decision.
+
+Oysters had just given place to Sole Colbert when a card was brought to
+Hersheimmer.
+
+“Inspector Japp, C.I.D. Scotland Yard again. Another man this time. What
+does he expect I can tell him that I didn’t tell the first chap? I hope
+they haven’t lost that photograph. That Western photographer’s place was
+burned down and all his negatives destroyed--this is the only copy in
+existence. I got it from the principal of the college there.”
+
+An unformulated dread swept over Tuppence.
+
+“You--you don’t know the name of the man who came this morning?”
+
+“Yes, I do. No, I don’t. Half a second. It was on his card. Oh, I know!
+Inspector Brown. Quiet, unassuming sort of chap.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI. A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN
+
+A veil might with profit be drawn over the events of the next half-hour.
+Suffice it to say that no such person as “Inspector Brown” was known to
+Scotland Yard. The photograph of Jane Finn, which would have been of
+the utmost value to the police in tracing her, was lost beyond recovery.
+Once again “Mr. Brown” had triumphed.
+
+The immediate result of this set-back was to effect a _rapprochement_
+between Julius Hersheimmer and the Young Adventurers. All barriers went
+down with a crash, and Tommy and Tuppence felt they had known the young
+American all their lives. They abandoned the discreet reticence of
+“private inquiry agents,” and revealed to him the whole history of
+the joint venture, whereat the young man declared himself “tickled to
+death.”
+
+He turned to Tuppence at the close of the narration.
+
+“I’ve always had a kind of idea that English girls were just a mite
+moss-grown. Old-fashioned and sweet, you know, but scared to move round
+without a footman or a maiden aunt. I guess I’m a bit behind the times!”
+
+The upshot of these confidential relations was that Tommy and Tuppence
+took up their abode forthwith at the _Ritz_, in order, as Tuppence put
+it, to keep in touch with Jane Finn’s only living relation. “And put
+like that,” she added confidentially to Tommy, “nobody could boggle at
+the expense!”
+
+Nobody did, which was the great thing.
+
+“And now,” said the young lady on the morning after their installation,
+“to work!”
+
+Mr. Beresford put down the _Daily Mail_, which he was reading, and
+applauded with somewhat unnecessary vigour. He was politely requested by
+his colleague not to be an ass.
+
+“Dash it all, Tommy, we’ve got to _do_ something for our money.”
+
+Tommy sighed.
+
+“Yes, I fear even the dear old Government will not support us at the
+_Ritz_ in idleness for ever.”
+
+“Therefore, as I said before, we must _do_ something.”
+
+“Well,” said Tommy, picking up the _Daily Mail_ again, “_do_ it. I
+shan’t stop you.”
+
+“You see,” continued Tuppence. “I’ve been thinking----”
+
+She was interrupted by a fresh bout of applause.
+
+“It’s all very well for you to sit there being funny, Tommy. It would do
+you no harm to do a little brain work too.”
+
+“My union, Tuppence, my union! It does not permit me to work before 11
+a.m.”
+
+“Tommy, do you want something thrown at you? It is absolutely essential
+that we should without delay map out a plan of campaign.”
+
+“Hear, hear!”
+
+“Well, let’s do it.”
+
+Tommy laid his paper finally aside. “There’s something of the simplicity
+of the truly great mind about you, Tuppence. Fire ahead. I’m listening.”
+
+“To begin with,” said Tuppence, “what have we to go upon?”
+
+“Absolutely nothing,” said Tommy cheerily.
+
+“Wrong!” Tuppence wagged an energetic finger. “We have two distinct
+clues.”
+
+“What are they?”
+
+“First clue, we know one of the gang.”
+
+“Whittington?”
+
+“Yes. I’d recognize him anywhere.”
+
+“Hum,” said Tommy doubtfully, “I don’t call that much of a clue. You
+don’t know where to look for him, and it’s about a thousand to one
+against your running against him by accident.”
+
+“I’m not so sure about that,” replied Tuppence thoughtfully. “I’ve often
+noticed that once coincidences start happening they go on happening in
+the most extraordinary way. I dare say it’s some natural law that we
+haven’t found out. Still, as you say, we can’t rely on that. But there
+_are_ places in London where simply every one is bound to turn up sooner
+or later. Piccadilly Circus, for instance. One of my ideas was to take
+up my stand there every day with a tray of flags.”
+
+“What about meals?” inquired the practical Tommy.
+
+“How like a man! What does mere food matter?”
+
+“That’s all very well. You’ve just had a thundering good breakfast. No
+one’s got a better appetite than you have, Tuppence, and by tea-time
+you’d be eating the flags, pins and all. But, honestly, I don’t think
+much of the idea. Whittington mayn’t be in London at all.”
+
+“That’s true. Anyway, I think clue No. 2 is more promising.”
+
+“Let’s hear it.”
+
+“It’s nothing much. Only a Christian name--Rita. Whittington mentioned
+it that day.”
+
+“Are you proposing a third advertisement: Wanted, female crook,
+answering to the name of Rita?”
+
+“I am not. I propose to reason in a logical manner. That man, Danvers,
+was shadowed on the way over, wasn’t he? And it’s more likely to have
+been a woman than a man----”
+
+“I don’t see that at all.”
+
+“I am absolutely certain that it would be a woman, and a good-looking
+one,” replied Tuppence calmly.
+
+“On these technical points I bow to your decision,” murmured Mr.
+Beresford.
+
+“Now, obviously this woman, whoever she was, was saved.”
+
+“How do you make that out?”
+
+“If she wasn’t, how would they have known Jane Finn had got the papers?”
+
+“Correct. Proceed, O Sherlock!”
+
+“Now there’s just a chance, I admit it’s only a chance, that this woman
+may have been ‘Rita.’”
+
+“And if so?”
+
+“If so, we’ve got to hunt through the survivors of the _Lusitania_ till
+we find her.”
+
+“Then the first thing is to get a list of the survivors.”
+
+“I’ve got it. I wrote a long list of things I wanted to know, and sent
+it to Mr. Carter. I got his reply this morning, and among other things
+it encloses the official statement of those saved from the _Lusitania_.
+How’s that for clever little Tuppence?”
+
+“Full marks for industry, zero for modesty. But the great point is, is
+there a ‘Rita’ on the list?”
+
+“That’s just what I don’t know,” confessed Tuppence.
+
+“Don’t know?”
+
+“Yes. Look here.” Together they bent over the list. “You see, very few
+Christian names are given. They’re nearly all Mrs. or Miss.”
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+“That complicates matters,” he murmured thoughtfully.
+
+Tuppence gave her characteristic “terrier” shake.
+
+“Well, we’ve just got to get down to it, that’s all. We’ll start with
+the London area. Just note down the addresses of any of the females who
+live in London or roundabout, while I put on my hat.”
+
+Five minutes later the young couple emerged into Piccadilly, and a few
+seconds later a taxi was bearing them to The Laurels, Glendower Road,
+N.7, the residence of Mrs. Edgar Keith, whose name figured first in a
+list of seven reposing in Tommy’s pocket-book.
+
+The Laurels was a dilapidated house, standing back from the road with
+a few grimy bushes to support the fiction of a front garden. Tommy paid
+off the taxi, and accompanied Tuppence to the front door bell. As she
+was about to ring it, he arrested her hand.
+
+“What are you going to say?”
+
+“What am I going to say? Why, I shall say--Oh dear, I don’t know. It’s
+very awkward.”
+
+“I thought as much,” said Tommy with satisfaction. “How like a woman! No
+foresight! Now just stand aside, and see how easily the mere male
+deals with the situation.” He pressed the bell. Tuppence withdrew to a
+suitable spot.
+
+A slatternly looking servant, with an extremely dirty face and a pair of
+eyes that did not match, answered the door.
+
+Tommy had produced a notebook and pencil.
+
+“Good morning,” he said briskly and cheerfully. “From the Hampstead
+Borough Council. The new Voting Register. Mrs. Edgar Keith lives here,
+does she not?”
+
+“Yaas,” said the servant.
+
+“Christian name?” asked Tommy, his pencil poised.
+
+“Missus’s? Eleanor Jane.”
+
+“Eleanor,” spelt Tommy. “Any sons or daughters over twenty-one?”
+
+“Naow.”
+
+“Thank you.” Tommy closed the notebook with a brisk snap. “Good
+morning.”
+
+The servant volunteered her first remark:
+
+“I thought perhaps as you’d come about the gas,” she observed
+cryptically, and shut the door.
+
+Tommy rejoined his accomplice.
+
+“You see, Tuppence,” he observed. “Child’s play to the masculine mind.”
+
+“I don’t mind admitting that for once you’ve scored handsomely. I should
+never have thought of that.”
+
+“Good wheeze, wasn’t it? And we can repeat it _ad lib_.”
+
+Lunch-time found the young couple attacking a steak and chips in an
+obscure hostelry with avidity. They had collected a Gladys Mary and a
+Marjorie, been baffled by one change of address, and had been forced to
+listen to a long lecture on universal suffrage from a vivacious American
+lady whose Christian name had proved to be Sadie.
+
+“Ah!” said Tommy, imbibing a long draught of beer, “I feel better.
+Where’s the next draw?”
+
+The notebook lay on the table between them. Tuppence picked it up.
+
+“Mrs. Vandemeyer,” she read, “20 South Audley Mansions. Miss Wheeler, 43
+Clapington Road, Battersea. She’s a lady’s maid, as far as I remember,
+so probably won’t be there, and, anyway, she’s not likely.”
+
+“Then the Mayfair lady is clearly indicated as the first port of call.”
+
+“Tommy, I’m getting discouraged.”
+
+“Buck up, old bean. We always knew it was an outside chance. And,
+anyway, we’re only starting. If we draw a blank in London, there’s a
+fine tour of England, Ireland and Scotland before us.”
+
+“True,” said Tuppence, her flagging spirits reviving. “And all expenses
+paid! But, oh, Tommy, I do like things to happen quickly. So far,
+adventure has succeeded adventure, but this morning has been dull as
+dull.”
+
+“You must stifle this longing for vulgar sensation, Tuppence. Remember
+that if Mr. Brown is all he is reported to be, it’s a wonder that he has
+not ere now done us to death. That’s a good sentence, quite a literary
+flavour about it.”
+
+“You’re really more conceited than I am--with less excuse! Ahem! But it
+certainly is queer that Mr. Brown has not yet wreaked vengeance upon us.
+(You see, I can do it too.) We pass on our way unscathed.”
+
+“Perhaps he doesn’t think us worth bothering about,” suggested the young
+man simply.
+
+Tuppence received the remark with great disfavour.
+
+“How horrid you are, Tommy. Just as though we didn’t count.”
+
+“Sorry, Tuppence. What I meant was that we work like moles in the dark,
+and that he has no suspicion of our nefarious schemes. Ha ha!”
+
+“Ha ha!” echoed Tuppence approvingly, as she rose.
+
+South Audley Mansions was an imposing-looking block of flats just off
+Park Lane. No. 20 was on the second floor.
+
+Tommy had by this time the glibness born of practice. He rattled off
+the formula to the elderly woman, looking more like a housekeeper than a
+servant, who opened the door to him.
+
+“Christian name?”
+
+“Margaret.”
+
+Tommy spelt it, but the other interrupted him.
+
+“No, _g u e_.”
+
+“Oh, Marguerite; French way, I see.” He paused, then plunged boldly. “We
+had her down as Rita Vandemeyer, but I suppose that’s incorrect?”
+
+“She’s mostly called that, sir, but Marguerite’s her name.”
+
+“Thank you. That’s all. Good morning.”
+
+Hardly able to contain his excitement, Tommy hurried down the stairs.
+Tuppence was waiting at the angle of the turn.
+
+“You heard?”
+
+“Yes. Oh, _Tommy!_”
+
+Tommy squeezed her arm sympathetically.
+
+“I know, old thing. I feel the same.”
+
+“It’s--it’s so lovely to think of things--and then for them really to
+happen!” cried Tuppence enthusiastically.
+
+Her hand was still in Tommy’s. They had reached the entrance hall. There
+were footsteps on the stairs above them, and voices.
+
+Suddenly, to Tommy’s complete surprise, Tuppence dragged him into the
+little space by the side of the lift where the shadow was deepest.
+
+“What the----”
+
+“Hush!”
+
+Two men came down the stairs and passed out through the entrance.
+Tuppence’s hand closed tighter on Tommy’s arm.
+
+“Quick--follow them. I daren’t. He might recognize me. I don’t know who
+the other man is, but the bigger of the two was Whittington.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII. THE HOUSE IN SOHO
+
+WHITTINGTON and his companion were walking at a good pace. Tommy started
+in pursuit at once, and was in time to see them turn the corner of the
+street. His vigorous strides soon enabled him to gain upon them, and by
+the time he, in his turn, reached the corner the distance between them
+was sensibly lessened. The small Mayfair streets were comparatively
+deserted, and he judged it wise to content himself with keeping them in
+sight.
+
+The sport was a new one to him. Though familiar with the technicalities
+from a course of novel reading, he had never before attempted to
+“follow” anyone, and it appeared to him at once that, in actual
+practice, the proceeding was fraught with difficulties. Supposing, for
+instance, that they should suddenly hail a taxi? In books, you simply
+leapt into another, promised the driver a sovereign--or its modern
+equivalent--and there you were. In actual fact, Tommy foresaw that it
+was extremely likely there would be no second taxi. Therefore he
+would have to run. What happened in actual fact to a young man who ran
+incessantly and persistently through the London streets? In a main road
+he might hope to create the illusion that he was merely running for a
+bus. But in these obscure aristocratic byways he could not but feel that
+an officious policeman might stop him to explain matters.
+
+At this juncture in his thoughts a taxi with flag erect turned the
+corner of the street ahead. Tommy held his breath. Would they hail it?
+
+He drew a sigh of relief as they allowed it to pass unchallenged. Their
+course was a zigzag one designed to bring them as quickly as possible
+to Oxford Street. When at length they turned into it, proceeding in an
+easterly direction, Tommy slightly increased his pace. Little by little
+he gained upon them. On the crowded pavement there was little chance of
+his attracting their notice, and he was anxious if possible to catch
+a word or two of their conversation. In this he was completely
+foiled; they spoke low and the din of the traffic drowned their voices
+effectually.
+
+Just before the Bond Street Tube station they crossed the road, Tommy,
+unperceived, faithfully at their heels, and entered the big Lyons’.
+There they went up to the first floor, and sat at a small table in the
+window. It was late, and the place was thinning out. Tommy took a seat
+at the table next to them, sitting directly behind Whittington in case
+of recognition. On the other hand, he had a full view of the second man
+and studied him attentively. He was fair, with a weak, unpleasant face,
+and Tommy put him down as being either a Russian or a Pole. He was
+probably about fifty years of age, his shoulders cringed a little as he
+talked, and his eyes, small and crafty, shifted unceasingly.
+
+Having already lunched heartily, Tommy contented himself with ordering
+a Welsh rarebit and a cup of coffee. Whittington ordered a substantial
+lunch for himself and his companion; then, as the waitress withdrew, he
+moved his chair a little closer to the table and began to talk earnestly
+in a low voice. The other man joined in. Listen as he would, Tommy could
+only catch a word here and there; but the gist of it seemed to be some
+directions or orders which the big man was impressing on his companion,
+and with which the latter seemed from time to time to disagree.
+Whittington addressed the other as Boris.
+
+Tommy caught the word “Ireland” several times, also “propaganda,” but
+of Jane Finn there was no mention. Suddenly, in a lull in the clatter of
+the room, he got one phrase entire. Whittington was speaking. “Ah, but
+you don’t know Flossie. She’s a marvel. An archbishop would swear she
+was his own mother. She gets the voice right every time, and that’s
+really the principal thing.”
+
+Tommy did not hear Boris’s reply, but in response to it Whittington said
+something that sounded like: “Of course--only in an emergency....”
+
+Then he lost the thread again. But presently the phrases became distinct
+again whether because the other two had insensibly raised their voices,
+or because Tommy’s ears were getting more attuned, he could not tell.
+But two words certainly had a most stimulating effect upon the listener.
+They were uttered by Boris and they were: “Mr. Brown.”
+
+Whittington seemed to remonstrate with him, but he merely laughed.
+
+“Why not, my friend? It is a name most respectable--most common. Did
+he not choose it for that reason? Ah, I should like to meet him--Mr.
+Brown.”
+
+There was a steely ring in Whittington’s voice as he replied:
+
+“Who knows? You may have met him already.”
+
+“Bah!” retorted the other. “That is children’s talk--a fable for the
+police. Do you know what I say to myself sometimes? That he is a fable
+invented by the Inner Ring, a bogy to frighten us with. It might be so.”
+
+“And it might not.”
+
+“I wonder ... or is it indeed true that he is with us and amongst us,
+unknown to all but a chosen few? If so, he keeps his secret well. And
+the idea is a good one, yes. We never know. We look at each other--
+_one of us is Mr. Brown_--which? He commands--but also he serves. Among
+us--in the midst of us. And no one knows which he is....”
+
+With an effort the Russian shook off the vagary of his fancy. He looked
+at his watch.
+
+“Yes,” said Whittington. “We might as well go.”
+
+He called the waitress and asked for his bill. Tommy did likewise, and a
+few moments later was following the two men down the stairs.
+
+Outside, Whittington hailed a taxi, and directed the driver to go to
+Waterloo.
+
+Taxis were plentiful here, and before Whittington’s had driven off
+another was drawing up to the curb in obedience to Tommy’s peremptory
+hand.
+
+“Follow that other taxi,” directed the young man. “Don’t lose it.”
+
+The elderly chauffeur showed no interest. He merely grunted and jerked
+down his flag. The drive was uneventful. Tommy’s taxi came to rest at
+the departure platform just after Whittington’s. Tommy was behind him at
+the booking-office. He took a first-class single ticket to Bournemouth,
+Tommy did the same. As he emerged, Boris remarked, glancing up at the
+clock: “You are early. You have nearly half an hour.”
+
+Boris’s words had aroused a new train of thought in Tommy’s mind.
+Clearly Whittington was making the journey alone, while the other
+remained in London. Therefore he was left with a choice as to which he
+would follow. Obviously, he could not follow both of them unless----
+Like Boris, he glanced up at the clock, and then to the announcement
+board of the trains. The Bournemouth train left at 3.30. It was now ten
+past. Whittington and Boris were walking up and down by the bookstall.
+He gave one doubtful look at them, then hurried into an adjacent
+telephone box. He dared not waste time in trying to get hold of
+Tuppence. In all probability she was still in the neighbourhood of South
+Audley Mansions. But there remained another ally. He rang up the _Ritz_
+and asked for Julius Hersheimmer. There was a click and a buzz. Oh, if
+only the young American was in his room! There was another click, and
+then “Hello” in unmistakable accents came over the wire.
+
+“That you, Hersheimmer? Beresford speaking. I’m at Waterloo. I’ve
+followed Whittington and another man here. No time to explain.
+Whittington’s off to Bournemouth by the 3.30. Can you get there by
+then?”
+
+The reply was reassuring.
+
+“Sure. I’ll hustle.”
+
+The telephone rang off. Tommy put back the receiver with a sigh of
+relief. His opinion of Julius’s power of hustling was high. He felt
+instinctively that the American would arrive in time.
+
+Whittington and Boris were still where he had left them. If Boris
+remained to see his friend off, all was well. Then Tommy fingered his
+pocket thoughtfully. In spite of the carte blanche assured to him, he
+had not yet acquired the habit of going about with any considerable sum
+of money on him. The taking of the first-class ticket to Bournemouth
+had left him with only a few shillings in his pocket. It was to be hoped
+that Julius would arrive better provided.
+
+In the meantime, the minutes were creeping by: 3.15, 3.20, 3.25, 3.27.
+Supposing Julius did not get there in time. 3.29.... Doors were banging.
+Tommy felt cold waves of despair pass over him. Then a hand fell on his
+shoulder.
+
+“Here I am, son. Your British traffic beats description! Put me wise to
+the crooks right away.”
+
+“That’s Whittington--there, getting in now, that big dark man. The other
+is the foreign chap he’s talking to.”
+
+“I’m on to them. Which of the two is my bird?”
+
+Tommy had thought out this question.
+
+“Got any money with you?”
+
+Julius shook his head, and Tommy’s face fell.
+
+“I guess I haven’t more than three or four hundred dollars with me at
+the moment,” explained the American.
+
+Tommy gave a faint whoop of relief.
+
+“Oh, Lord, you millionaires! You don’t talk the same language! Climb
+aboard the lugger. Here’s your ticket. Whittington’s your man.”
+
+“Me for Whittington!” said Julius darkly. The train was just starting
+as he swung himself aboard. “So long, Tommy.” The train slid out of the
+station.
+
+Tommy drew a deep breath. The man Boris was coming along the platform
+towards him. Tommy allowed him to pass and then took up the chase once
+more.
+
+From Waterloo Boris took the tube as far as Piccadilly Circus. Then he
+walked up Shaftesbury Avenue, finally turning off into the maze of mean
+streets round Soho. Tommy followed him at a judicious distance.
+
+They reached at length a small dilapidated square. The houses there had
+a sinister air in the midst of their dirt and decay. Boris looked round,
+and Tommy drew back into the shelter of a friendly porch. The place was
+almost deserted. It was a cul-de-sac, and consequently no traffic passed
+that way. The stealthy way the other had looked round stimulated Tommy’s
+imagination. From the shelter of the doorway he watched him go up the
+steps of a particularly evil-looking house and rap sharply, with a
+peculiar rhythm, on the door. It was opened promptly, he said a word or
+two to the doorkeeper, then passed inside. The door was shut to again.
+
+It was at this juncture that Tommy lost his head. What he ought to have
+done, what any sane man would have done, was to remain patiently where
+he was and wait for his man to come out again. What he did do was
+entirely foreign to the sober common sense which was, as a rule, his
+leading characteristic. Something, as he expressed it, seemed to snap in
+his brain. Without a moment’s pause for reflection he, too, went up the
+steps, and reproduced as far as he was able the peculiar knock.
+
+The door swung open with the same promptness as before. A
+villainous-faced man with close-cropped hair stood in the doorway.
+
+“Well?” he grunted.
+
+It was at that moment that the full realization of his folly began to
+come home to Tommy. But he dared not hesitate. He seized at the first
+words that came into his mind.
+
+“Mr. Brown?” he said.
+
+To his surprise the man stood aside.
+
+“Upstairs,” he said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder, “second door
+on your left.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII. THE ADVENTURES OF TOMMY
+
+TAKEN aback though he was by the man’s words, Tommy did not hesitate.
+If audacity had successfully carried him so far, it was to be hoped
+it would carry him yet farther. He quietly passed into the house and
+mounted the ramshackle staircase. Everything in the house was filthy
+beyond words. The grimy paper, of a pattern now indistinguishable,
+hung in loose festoons from the wall. In every angle was a grey mass of
+cobweb.
+
+Tommy proceeded leisurely. By the time he reached the bend of the
+staircase, he had heard the man below disappear into a back room.
+Clearly no suspicion attached to him as yet. To come to the house and
+ask for “Mr. Brown” appeared indeed to be a reasonable and natural
+proceeding.
+
+At the top of the stairs Tommy halted to consider his next move. In
+front of him ran a narrow passage, with doors opening on either side of
+it. From the one nearest him on the left came a low murmur of voices.
+It was this room which he had been directed to enter. But what held
+his glance fascinated was a small recess immediately on his right,
+half concealed by a torn velvet curtain. It was directly opposite the
+left-handed door and, owing to its angle, it also commanded a good view
+of the upper part of the staircase. As a hiding-place for one or, at a
+pinch, two men, it was ideal, being about two feet deep and three feet
+wide. It attracted Tommy mightily. He thought things over in his usual
+slow and steady way, deciding that the mention of “Mr. Brown” was not a
+request for an individual, but in all probability a password used by
+the gang. His lucky use of it had gained him admission. So far he had
+aroused no suspicion. But he must decide quickly on his next step.
+
+Suppose he were boldly to enter the room on the left of the passage.
+Would the mere fact of his having been admitted to the house be
+sufficient? Perhaps a further password would be required, or, at any
+rate, some proof of identity. The doorkeeper clearly did not know all
+the members of the gang by sight, but it might be different upstairs.
+On the whole it seemed to him that luck had served him very well so far,
+but that there was such a thing as trusting it too far. To enter
+that room was a colossal risk. He could not hope to sustain his part
+indefinitely; sooner or later he was almost bound to betray himself, and
+then he would have thrown away a vital chance in mere foolhardiness.
+
+A repetition of the signal knock sounded on the door below, and Tommy,
+his mind made up, slipped quickly into the recess, and cautiously drew
+the curtain farther across so that it shielded him completely from
+sight. There were several rents and slits in the ancient material which
+afforded him a good view. He would watch events, and any time he chose
+could, after all, join the assembly, modelling his behaviour on that of
+the new arrival.
+
+The man who came up the staircase with a furtive, soft-footed tread was
+quite unknown to Tommy. He was obviously of the very dregs of society.
+The low beetling brows, and the criminal jaw, the bestiality of the
+whole countenance were new to the young man, though he was a type that
+Scotland Yard would have recognized at a glance.
+
+The man passed the recess, breathing heavily as he went. He stopped at
+the door opposite, and gave a repetition of the signal knock. A voice
+inside called out something, and the man opened the door and passed in,
+affording Tommy a momentary glimpse of the room inside. He thought there
+must be about four or five people seated round a long table that took up
+most of the space, but his attention was caught and held by a tall man
+with close-cropped hair and a short, pointed, naval-looking beard,
+who sat at the head of the table with papers in front of him. As the
+new-comer entered he glanced up, and with a correct, but curiously
+precise enunciation, which attracted Tommy’s notice, he asked:
+
+“Your number, comrade?”
+
+“Fourteen, gov’nor,” replied the other hoarsely.
+
+“Correct.”
+
+The door shut again.
+
+“If that isn’t a Hun, I’m a Dutchman!” said Tommy to himself. “And
+running the show darned systematically too--as they always do. Lucky I
+didn’t roll in. I’d have given the wrong number, and there would have
+been the deuce to pay. No, this is the place for me. Hullo, here’s
+another knock.”
+
+This visitor proved to be of an entirely different type to the last.
+Tommy recognized in him an Irish Sinn Feiner. Certainly Mr. Brown’s
+organization was a far-reaching concern. The common criminal, the
+well-bred Irish gentleman, the pale Russian, and the efficient German
+master of the ceremonies! Truly a strange and sinister gathering! Who
+was this man who held in his finger these curiously variegated links of
+an unknown chain?
+
+In this case, the procedure was exactly the same. The signal knock, the
+demand for a number, and the reply “Correct.”
+
+Two knocks followed in quick succession on the door below. The first man
+was quite unknown to Tommy, who put him down as a city clerk. A quiet,
+intelligent-looking man, rather shabbily dressed. The second was of the
+working classes, and his face was vaguely familiar to the young man.
+
+Three minutes later came another, a man of commanding appearance,
+exquisitely dressed, and evidently well born. His face, again, was not
+unknown to the watcher, though he could not for the moment put a name to
+it.
+
+After his arrival there was a long wait. In fact Tommy concluded that
+the gathering was now complete, and was just cautiously creeping out
+from his hiding-place, when another knock sent him scuttling back to
+cover.
+
+This last-comer came up the stairs so quietly that he was almost abreast
+of Tommy before the young man had realized his presence.
+
+He was a small man, very pale, with a gentle almost womanish air. The
+angle of the cheek-bones hinted at his Slavonic ancestry, otherwise
+there was nothing to indicate his nationality. As he passed the recess,
+he turned his head slowly. The strange light eyes seemed to burn through
+the curtain; Tommy could hardly believe that the man did not know he was
+there and in spite of himself he shivered. He was no more fanciful than
+the majority of young Englishmen, but he could not rid himself of the
+impression that some unusually potent force emanated from the man. The
+creature reminded him of a venomous snake.
+
+A moment later his impression was proved correct. The new-comer knocked
+on the door as all had done, but his reception was very different. The
+bearded man rose to his feet, and all the others followed suit. The
+German came forward and shook hands. His heels clicked together.
+
+“We are honoured,” he said. “We are greatly honoured. I much feared that
+it would be impossible.”
+
+The other answered in a low voice that had a kind of hiss in it:
+
+“There were difficulties. It will not be possible again, I fear. But one
+meeting is essential--to define my policy. I can do nothing without--Mr.
+Brown. He is here?”
+
+The change in the German’s voice was audible as he replied with slight
+hesitation:
+
+“We have received a message. It is impossible for him to be present
+in person.” He stopped, giving a curious impression of having left the
+sentence unfinished.
+
+A very slow smile overspread the face of the other. He looked round at a
+circle of uneasy faces.
+
+“Ah! I understand. I have read of his methods. He works in the dark and
+trusts no one. But, all the same, it is possible that he is among us
+now....” He looked round him again, and again that expression of fear
+swept over the group. Each man seemed eyeing his neighbour doubtfully.
+
+The Russian tapped his cheek.
+
+“So be it. Let us proceed.”
+
+The German seemed to pull himself together. He indicated the place he
+had been occupying at the head of the table. The Russian demurred, but
+the other insisted.
+
+“It is the only possible place,” he said, “for--Number One. Perhaps
+Number Fourteen will shut the door?”
+
+In another moment Tommy was once more confronting bare wooden panels,
+and the voices within had sunk once more to a mere undistinguishable
+murmur. Tommy became restive. The conversation he had overheard had
+stimulated his curiosity. He felt that, by hook or by crook, he must
+hear more.
+
+There was no sound from below, and it did not seem likely that the
+doorkeeper would come upstairs. After listening intently for a minute or
+two, he put his head round the curtain. The passage was deserted. Tommy
+bent down and removed his shoes, then, leaving them behind the curtain,
+he walked gingerly out on his stockinged feet, and kneeling down by
+the closed door he laid his ear cautiously to the crack. To his intense
+annoyance he could distinguish little more; just a chance word here and
+there if a voice was raised, which merely served to whet his curiosity
+still farther.
+
+He eyed the handle of the door tentatively. Could he turn it by degrees
+so gently and imperceptibly that those in the room would notice nothing?
+He decided that with great care it could be done. Very slowly, a
+fraction of an inch at a time, he moved it round, holding his breath in
+his excessive care. A little more--a little more still--would it never
+be finished? Ah! at last it would turn no farther.
+
+He stayed so for a minute or two, then drew a deep breath, and pressed
+it ever so slightly inward. The door did not budge. Tommy was annoyed.
+If he had to use too much force, it would almost certainly creak.
+He waited until the voices rose a little, then he tried again. Still
+nothing happened. He increased the pressure. Had the beastly thing
+stuck? Finally, in desperation, he pushed with all his might. But the
+door remained firm, and at last the truth dawned upon him. It was locked
+or bolted on the inside.
+
+For a moment or two Tommy’s indignation got the better of him.
+
+“Well, I’m damned!” he said. “What a dirty trick!”
+
+As his indignation cooled, he prepared to face the situation. Clearly
+the first thing to be done was to restore the handle to its original
+position. If he let it go suddenly, the men inside would be almost
+certain to notice it, so, with the same infinite pains, he reversed his
+former tactics. All went well, and with a sigh of relief the young man
+rose to his feet. There was a certain bulldog tenacity about Tommy that
+made him slow to admit defeat. Checkmated for the moment, he was far
+from abandoning the conflict. He still intended to hear what was going
+on in the locked room. As one plan had failed, he must hunt about for
+another.
+
+He looked round him. A little farther along the passage on the left was
+a second door. He slipped silently along to it. He listened for a moment
+or two, then tried the handle. It yielded, and he slipped inside.
+
+The room, which was untenanted, was furnished as a bedroom. Like
+everything else in the house, the furniture was falling to pieces, and
+the dirt was, if anything, more abundant.
+
+But what interested Tommy was the thing he had hoped to find, a
+communicating door between the two rooms, up on the left by the window.
+Carefully closing the door into the passage behind him, he stepped
+across to the other and examined it closely. The bolt was shot across
+it. It was very rusty, and had clearly not been used for some time. By
+gently wriggling it to and fro, Tommy managed to draw it back without
+making too much noise. Then he repeated his former manœuvres with the
+handle--this time with complete success. The door swung open--a crack,
+a mere fraction, but enough for Tommy to hear what went on. There was a
+velvet _portière_ on the inside of this door which prevented him from
+seeing, but he was able to recognize the voices with a reasonable amount
+of accuracy.
+
+The Sinn Feiner was speaking. His rich Irish voice was unmistakable:
+
+“That’s all very well. But more money is essential. No money--no
+results!”
+
+Another voice which Tommy rather thought was that of Boris replied:
+
+“Will you guarantee that there _are_ results?”
+
+“In a month from now--sooner or later as you wish--I will guarantee you
+such a reign of terror in Ireland as shall shake the British Empire to
+its foundations.”
+
+There was a pause, and then came the soft, sibilant accents of Number
+One:
+
+“Good! You shall have the money. Boris, you will see to that.”
+
+Boris asked a question:
+
+“Via the Irish Americans, and Mr. Potter as usual?”
+
+“I guess that’ll be all right!” said a new voice, with a transatlantic
+intonation, “though I’d like to point out, here and now, that things
+are getting a mite difficult. There’s not the sympathy there was, and
+a growing disposition to let the Irish settle their own affairs without
+interference from America.”
+
+Tommy felt that Boris had shrugged his shoulders as he answered:
+
+“Does that matter, since the money only nominally comes from the
+States?”
+
+“The chief difficulty is the landing of the ammunition,” said the Sinn
+Feiner. “The money is conveyed in easily enough--thanks to our colleague
+here.”
+
+Another voice, which Tommy fancied was that of the tall,
+commanding-looking man whose face had seemed familiar to him, said:
+
+“Think of the feelings of Belfast if they could hear you!”
+
+“That is settled, then,” said the sibilant tones. “Now, in the matter
+of the loan to an English newspaper, you have arranged the details
+satisfactorily, Boris?”
+
+“I think so.”
+
+“That is good. An official denial from Moscow will be forthcoming if
+necessary.”
+
+There was a pause, and then the clear voice of the German broke the
+silence:
+
+“I am directed by--Mr. Brown, to place the summaries of the reports
+from the different unions before you. That of the miners is most
+satisfactory. We must hold back the railways. There may be trouble with
+the A.S.E.”
+
+For a long time there was a silence, broken only by the rustle of papers
+and an occasional word of explanation from the German. Then Tommy heard
+the light tap-tap of fingers, drumming on the table.
+
+“And--the date, my friend?” said Number One.
+
+“The 29th.”
+
+The Russian seemed to consider:
+
+“That is rather soon.”
+
+“I know. But it was settled by the principal Labour leaders, and we
+cannot seem to interfere too much. They must believe it to be entirely
+their own show.”
+
+The Russian laughed softly, as though amused.
+
+“Yes, yes,” he said. “That is true. They must have no inkling that we
+are using them for our own ends. They are honest men--and that is their
+value to us. It is curious--but you cannot make a revolution without
+honest men. The instinct of the populace is infallible.” He paused, and
+then repeated, as though the phrase pleased him: “Every revolution has
+had its honest men. They are soon disposed of afterwards.”
+
+There was a sinister note in his voice.
+
+The German resumed:
+
+“Clymes must go. He is too far-seeing. Number Fourteen will see to
+that.”
+
+There was a hoarse murmur.
+
+“That’s all right, gov’nor.” And then after a moment or two: “Suppose
+I’m nabbed.”
+
+“You will have the best legal talent to defend you,” replied the
+German quietly. “But in any case you will wear gloves fitted with the
+finger-prints of a notorious housebreaker. You have little to fear.”
+
+“Oh, I ain’t afraid, gov’nor. All for the good of the cause. The streets
+is going to run with blood, so they say.” He spoke with a grim relish.
+“Dreams of it, sometimes, I does. And diamonds and pearls rolling about
+in the gutter for anyone to pick up!”
+
+Tommy heard a chair shifted. Then Number One spoke:
+
+“Then all is arranged. We are assured of success?”
+
+“I--think so.” But the German spoke with less than his usual confidence.
+
+Number One’s voice held suddenly a dangerous quality:
+
+“What has gone wrong?”
+
+“Nothing; but----”
+
+“But what?”
+
+“The Labour leaders. Without them, as you say, we can do nothing. If
+they do not declare a general strike on the 29th----”
+
+“Why should they not?”
+
+“As you’ve said, they’re honest. And, in spite of everything we’ve
+done to discredit the Government in their eyes, I’m not sure that they
+haven’t got a sneaking faith and belief in it.”
+
+“But----”
+
+“I know. They abuse it unceasingly. But, on the whole, public opinion
+swings to the side of the Government. They will not go against it.”
+
+Again the Russian’s fingers drummed on the table.
+
+“To the point, my friend. I was given to understand that there was a
+certain document in existence which assured success.”
+
+“That is so. If that document were placed before the leaders, the result
+would be immediate. They would publish it broadcast throughout England,
+and declare for the revolution without a moment’s hesitation. The
+Government would be broken finally and completely.”
+
+“Then what more do you want?”
+
+“The document itself,” said the German bluntly.
+
+“Ah! It is not in your possession? But you know where it is?”
+
+“No.”
+
+“Does anyone know where it is?”
+
+“One person--perhaps. And we are not sure of that even.”
+
+“Who is this person?”
+
+“A girl.”
+
+Tommy held his breath.
+
+“A girl?” The Russian’s voice rose contemptuously. “And you have not
+made her speak? In Russia we have ways of making a girl talk.”
+
+“This case is different,” said the German sullenly.
+
+“How--different?” He paused a moment, then went on: “Where is the girl
+now?”
+
+“The girl?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“She is----”
+
+But Tommy heard no more. A crashing blow descended on his head, and all
+was darkness.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX. TUPPENCE ENTERS DOMESTIC SERVICE
+
+WHEN Tommy set forth on the trail of the two men, it took all Tuppence’s
+self-command to refrain from accompanying him. However, she contained
+herself as best she might, consoled by the reflection that her reasoning
+had been justified by events. The two men had undoubtedly come from the
+second floor flat, and that one slender thread of the name “Rita” had
+set the Young Adventurers once more upon the track of the abductors of
+Jane Finn.
+
+The question was what to do next? Tuppence hated letting the grass grow
+under her feet. Tommy was amply employed, and debarred from joining him
+in the chase, the girl felt at a loose end. She retraced her steps
+to the entrance hall of the mansions. It was now tenanted by a small
+lift-boy, who was polishing brass fittings, and whistling the latest air
+with a good deal of vigour and a reasonable amount of accuracy.
+
+He glanced round at Tuppence’s entry. There was a certain amount of the
+gamin element in the girl, at all events she invariably got on well
+with small boys. A sympathetic bond seemed instantly to be formed. She
+reflected that an ally in the enemy’s camp, so to speak, was not to be
+despised.
+
+“Well, William,” she remarked cheerfully, in the best approved
+hospital-early-morning style, “getting a good shine up?”
+
+The boy grinned responsively.
+
+“Albert, miss,” he corrected.
+
+“Albert be it,” said Tuppence. She glanced mysteriously round the hall.
+The effect was purposely a broad one in case Albert should miss it. She
+leaned towards the boy and dropped her voice: “I want a word with you,
+Albert.”
+
+Albert ceased operations on the fittings and opened his mouth slightly.
+
+“Look! Do you know what this is?” With a dramatic gesture she flung back
+the left side of her coat and exposed a small enamelled badge. It was
+extremely unlikely that Albert would have any knowledge of it--indeed,
+it would have been fatal for Tuppence’s plans, since the badge in
+question was the device of a local training corps originated by the
+archdeacon in the early days of the war. Its presence in Tuppence’s coat
+was due to the fact that she had used it for pinning in some flowers a
+day or two before. But Tuppence had sharp eyes, and had noted the corner
+of a threepenny detective novel protruding from Albert’s pocket, and the
+immediate enlargement of his eyes told her that her tactics were good,
+and that the fish would rise to the bait.
+
+“American Detective Force!” she hissed.
+
+Albert fell for it.
+
+“Lord!” he murmured ecstatically.
+
+Tuppence nodded at him with the air of one who has established a
+thorough understanding.
+
+“Know who I’m after?” she inquired genially.
+
+Albert, still round-eyed, demanded breathlessly:
+
+“One of the flats?”
+
+Tuppence nodded and jerked a thumb up the stairs.
+
+“No. 20. Calls herself Vandemeyer. Vandemeyer! Ha! ha!”
+
+Albert’s hand stole to his pocket.
+
+“A crook?” he queried eagerly.
+
+“A crook? I should say so. Ready Rita they call her in the States.”
+
+“Ready Rita,” repeated Albert deliriously. “Oh, ain’t it just like the
+pictures!”
+
+It was. Tuppence was a great frequenter of the cinema.
+
+“Annie always said as how she was a bad lot,” continued the boy.
+
+“Who’s Annie?” inquired Tuppence idly.
+
+“‘Ouse-parlourmaid. She’s leaving to-day. Many’s the time Annie’s said
+to me: ‘Mark my words, Albert, I wouldn’t wonder if the police was to
+come after her one of these days.’ Just like that. But she’s a stunner
+to look at, ain’t she?”
+
+“She’s some peach,” allowed Tuppence carelessly. “Finds it useful in her
+lay-out, you bet. Has she been wearing any of the emeralds, by the way?”
+
+“Emeralds? Them’s the green stones, isn’t they?”
+
+Tuppence nodded.
+
+“That’s what we’re after her for. You know old man Rysdale?”
+
+Albert shook his head.
+
+“Peter B. Rysdale, the oil king?”
+
+“It seems sort of familiar to me.”
+
+“The sparklers belonged to him. Finest collection of emeralds in the
+world. Worth a million dollars!”
+
+“Lumme!” came ecstatically from Albert. “It sounds more like the
+pictures every minute.”
+
+Tuppence smiled, gratified at the success of her efforts.
+
+“We haven’t exactly proved it yet. But we’re after her. And”--she
+produced a long-drawn-out wink--“I guess she won’t get away with the
+goods this time.”
+
+Albert uttered another ejaculation indicative of delight.
+
+“Mind you, sonny, not a word of this,” said Tuppence suddenly. “I guess
+I oughtn’t to have put you wise, but in the States we know a real smart
+lad when we see one.”
+
+“I’ll not breathe a word,” protested Albert eagerly. “Ain’t there
+anything I could do? A bit of shadowing, maybe, or such like?”
+
+Tuppence affected to consider, then shook her head.
+
+“Not at the moment, but I’ll bear you in mind, son. What’s this about
+the girl you say is leaving?”
+
+“Annie? Regular turn up, they ‘ad. As Annie said, servants is some one
+nowadays, and to be treated accordingly, and, what with her passing the
+word round, she won’t find it so easy to get another.”
+
+“Won’t she?” said Tuppence thoughtfully. “I wonder----”
+
+An idea was dawning in her brain. She thought a minute or two, then
+tapped Albert on the shoulder.
+
+“See here, son, my brain’s got busy. How would it be if you mentioned
+that you’d got a young cousin, or a friend of yours had, that might suit
+the place. You get me?”
+
+“I’m there,” said Albert instantly. “You leave it to me, miss, and I’ll
+fix the whole thing up in two ticks.”
+
+“Some lad!” commented Tuppence, with a nod of approval. “You might say
+that the young woman could come in right away. You let me know, and if
+it’s O.K. I’ll be round to-morrow at eleven o’clock.”
+
+“Where am I to let you know to?”
+
+“_Ritz_,” replied Tuppence laconically. “Name of Cowley.”
+
+Albert eyed her enviously.
+
+“It must be a good job, this tec business.”
+
+“It sure is,” drawled Tuppence, “especially when old man Rysdale backs
+the bill. But don’t fret, son. If this goes well, you shall come in on
+the ground floor.”
+
+With which promise she took leave of her new ally, and walked briskly
+away from South Audley Mansions, well pleased with her morning’s work.
+
+But there was no time to be lost. She went straight back to the _Ritz_
+and wrote a few brief words to Mr. Carter. Having dispatched this, and
+Tommy not having yet returned--which did not surprise her--she started
+off on a shopping expedition which, with an interval for tea and
+assorted creamy cakes, occupied her until well after six o’clock, and
+she returned to the hotel jaded, but satisfied with her purchases.
+Starting with a cheap clothing store, and passing through one or two
+second-hand establishments, she had finished the day at a well-known
+hairdresser’s. Now, in the seclusion of her bedroom, she unwrapped
+that final purchase. Five minutes later she smiled contentedly at her
+reflection in the glass. With an actress’s pencil she had slightly
+altered the line of her eyebrows, and that, taken in conjunction with
+the new luxuriant growth of fair hair above, so changed her appearance
+that she felt confident that even if she came face to face with
+Whittington he would not recognize her. She would wear elevators in her
+shoes, and the cap and apron would be an even more valuable disguise.
+From hospital experience she knew only too well that a nurse out of
+uniform is frequently unrecognized by her patients.
+
+“Yes,” said Tuppence aloud, nodding at the pert reflection in the glass,
+“you’ll do.” She then resumed her normal appearance.
+
+Dinner was a solitary meal. Tuppence was rather surprised at Tommy’s
+non-return. Julius, too, was absent--but that to the girl’s mind was
+more easily explained. His “hustling” activities were not confined
+to London, and his abrupt appearances and disappearances were fully
+accepted by the Young Adventurers as part of the day’s work. It
+was quite on the cards that Julius P. Hersheimmer had left for
+Constantinople at a moment’s notice if he fancied that a clue to his
+cousin’s disappearance was to be found there. The energetic young
+man had succeeded in making the lives of several Scotland Yard men
+unbearable to them, and the telephone girls at the Admiralty had learned
+to know and dread the familiar “Hullo!” He had spent three hours in
+Paris hustling the Prefecture, and had returned from there imbued with
+the idea, possibly inspired by a weary French official, that the true
+clue to the mystery was to be found in Ireland.
+
+“I dare say he’s dashed off there now,” thought Tuppence. “All very
+well, but this is very dull for _me!_ Here I am bursting with news, and
+absolutely no one to tell it to! Tommy might have wired, or something. I
+wonder where he is. Anyway, he can’t have ‘lost the trail’ as they say.
+That reminds me----” And Miss Cowley broke off in her meditations, and
+summoned a small boy.
+
+Ten minutes later the lady was ensconced comfortably on her bed,
+smoking cigarettes and deep in the perusal of _Garnaby Williams, the Boy
+Detective_, which, with other threepenny works of lurid fiction, she had
+sent out to purchase. She felt, and rightly, that before the strain
+of attempting further intercourse with Albert, it would be as well to
+fortify herself with a good supply of local colour.
+
+The morning brought a note from Mr. Carter:
+
+“DEAR MISS TUPPENCE,
+
+“You have made a splendid start, and I congratulate you. I feel, though,
+that I should like to point out to you once more the risks you are
+running, especially if you pursue the course you indicate. Those people
+are absolutely desperate and incapable of either mercy or pity. I feel
+that you probably underestimate the danger, and therefore warn you
+again that I can promise you no protection. You have given us valuable
+information, and if you choose to withdraw now no one could blame you.
+At any rate, think the matter over well before you decide.
+
+“If, in spite of my warnings, you make up your mind to go through with
+it, you will find everything arranged. You have lived for two years with
+Miss Dufferin, The Parsonage, Llanelly, and Mrs. Vandemeyer can apply to
+her for a reference.
+
+“May I be permitted a word or two of advice? Stick as near to the truth
+as possible--it minimizes the danger of ‘slips.’ I suggest that you
+should represent yourself to be what you are, a former V.A.D., who has
+chosen domestic service as a profession. There are many such at the
+present time. That explains away any incongruities of voice or manner
+which otherwise might awaken suspicion.
+
+“Whichever way you decide, good luck to you.
+
+“Your sincere friend,
+
+“MR. CARTER.”
+
+Tuppence’s spirits rose mercurially. Mr. Carter’s warnings passed
+unheeded. The young lady had far too much confidence in herself to pay
+any heed to them.
+
+With some reluctance she abandoned the interesting part she had sketched
+out for herself. Although she had no doubts of her own powers to sustain
+a role indefinitely, she had too much common sense not to recognize the
+force of Mr. Carter’s arguments.
+
+There was still no word or message from Tommy, but the morning post
+brought a somewhat dirty postcard with the words: “It’s O.K.” scrawled
+upon it.
+
+At ten-thirty Tuppence surveyed with pride a slightly battered tin trunk
+containing her new possessions. It was artistically corded. It was with
+a slight blush that she rang the bell and ordered it to be placed in a
+taxi. She drove to Paddington, and left the box in the cloak room.
+She then repaired with a handbag to the fastnesses of the ladies’
+waiting-room. Ten minutes later a metamorphosed Tuppence walked demurely
+out of the station and entered a bus.
+
+It was a few minutes past eleven when Tuppence again entered the hall
+of South Audley Mansions. Albert was on the look-out, attending to his
+duties in a somewhat desultory fashion. He did not immediately recognize
+Tuppence. When he did, his admiration was unbounded.
+
+“Blest if I’d have known you! That rig-out’s top-hole.”
+
+“Glad you like it, Albert,” replied Tuppence modestly. “By the way, am I
+your cousin, or am I not?”
+
+“Your voice too,” cried the delighted boy. “It’s as English as anything!
+No, I said as a friend of mine knew a young gal. Annie wasn’t best
+pleased. She’s stopped on till to-day--to oblige, _she_ said, but really
+it’s so as to put you against the place.”
+
+“Nice girl,” said Tuppence.
+
+Albert suspected no irony.
+
+“She’s style about her, and keeps her silver a treat--but, my word,
+ain’t she got a temper. Are you going up now, miss? Step inside the
+lift. No. 20 did you say?” And he winked.
+
+Tuppence quelled him with a stern glance, and stepped inside.
+
+As she rang the bell of No. 20 she was conscious of Albert’s eyes slowly
+descending beneath the level of the floor.
+
+A smart young woman opened the door.
+
+“I’ve come about the place,” said Tuppence.
+
+“It’s a rotten place,” said the young woman without hesitation. “Regular
+old cat--always interfering. Accused me of tampering with her letters.
+Me! The flap was half undone anyway. There’s never anything in the
+waste-paper basket--she burns everything. She’s a wrong ‘un, that’s what
+she is. Swell clothes, but no class. Cook knows something about her--but
+she won’t tell--scared to death of her. And suspicious! She’s on to you
+in a minute if you as much as speak to a fellow. I can tell you----”
+
+But what more Annie could tell, Tuppence was never destined to learn,
+for at that moment a clear voice with a peculiarly steely ring to it
+called:
+
+“Annie!”
+
+The smart young woman jumped as if she had been shot.
+
+“Yes, ma’am.”
+
+“Who are you talking to?”
+
+“It’s a young woman about the situation, ma’am.”
+
+“Show her in then. At once.”
+
+“Yes, ma’am.”
+
+Tuppence was ushered into a room on the right of the long passage. A
+woman was standing by the fireplace. She was no longer in her first
+youth, and the beauty she undeniably possessed was hardened and
+coarsened. In her youth she must have been dazzling. Her pale gold hair,
+owing a slight assistance to art, was coiled low on her neck, her eyes,
+of a piercing electric blue, seemed to possess a faculty of boring into
+the very soul of the person she was looking at. Her exquisite figure was
+enhanced by a wonderful gown of indigo charmeuse. And yet, despite her
+swaying grace, and the almost ethereal beauty of her face, you felt
+instinctively the presence of something hard and menacing, a kind of
+metallic strength that found expression in the tones of her voice and in
+that gimlet-like quality of her eyes.
+
+For the first time Tuppence felt afraid. She had not feared Whittington,
+but this woman was different. As if fascinated, she watched the long
+cruel line of the red curving mouth, and again she felt that sensation
+of panic pass over her. Her usual self-confidence deserted her. Vaguely
+she felt that deceiving this woman would be very different to deceiving
+Whittington. Mr. Carter’s warning recurred to her mind. Here, indeed,
+she might expect no mercy.
+
+Fighting down that instinct of panic which urged her to turn tail and
+run without further delay, Tuppence returned the lady’s gaze firmly and
+respectfully.
+
+As though that first scrutiny had been satisfactory, Mrs. Vandemeyer
+motioned to a chair.
+
+“You can sit down. How did you hear I wanted a house-parlourmaid?”
+
+“Through a friend who knows the lift boy here. He thought the place
+might suit me.”
+
+Again that basilisk glance seemed to pierce her through.
+
+“You speak like an educated girl?”
+
+Glibly enough, Tuppence ran through her imaginary career on the lines
+suggested by Mr. Carter. It seemed to her, as she did so, that the
+tension of Mrs. Vandemeyer’s attitude relaxed.
+
+“I see,” she remarked at length. “Is there anyone I can write to for a
+reference?”
+
+“I lived last with a Miss Dufferin, The Parsonage, Llanelly. I was with
+her two years.”
+
+“And then you thought you would get more money by coming to London,
+I suppose? Well, it doesn’t matter to me. I will give you
+£50--£60--whatever you want. You can come in at once?”
+
+“Yes, ma’am. To-day, if you like. My box is at Paddington.”
+
+“Go and fetch it in a taxi, then. It’s an easy place. I am out a good
+deal. By the way, what’s your name?”
+
+“Prudence Cooper, ma’am.”
+
+“Very well, Prudence. Go away and fetch your box. I shall be out to
+lunch. The cook will show you where everything is.”
+
+“Thank you, ma’am.”
+
+Tuppence withdrew. The smart Annie was not in evidence. In the hall
+below a magnificent hall porter had relegated Albert to the background.
+Tuppence did not even glance at him as she passed meekly out.
+
+The adventure had begun, but she felt less elated than she had done
+earlier in the morning. It crossed her mind that if the unknown Jane
+Finn had fallen into the hands of Mrs. Vandemeyer, it was likely to have
+gone hard with her.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X. ENTER SIR JAMES PEEL EDGERTON
+
+TUPPENCE betrayed no awkwardness in her new duties. The daughters of the
+archdeacon were well grounded in household tasks. They were also experts
+in training a “raw girl,” the inevitable result being that the raw girl,
+once trained, departed elsewhere where her newly acquired knowledge
+commanded a more substantial remuneration than the archdeacon’s meagre
+purse allowed.
+
+Tuppence had therefore very little fear of proving inefficient. Mrs.
+Vandemeyer’s cook puzzled her. She evidently went in deadly terror of
+her mistress. The girl thought it probable that the other woman had some
+hold over her. For the rest, she cooked like a _chef_, as Tuppence had
+an opportunity of judging that evening. Mrs. Vandemeyer was expecting a
+guest to dinner, and Tuppence accordingly laid the beautifully polished
+table for two. She was a little exercised in her own mind as to this
+visitor. It was highly possible that it might prove to be Whittington.
+Although she felt fairly confident that he would not recognize her, yet
+she would have been better pleased had the guest proved to be a total
+stranger. However, there was nothing for it but to hope for the best.
+
+At a few minutes past eight the front door bell rang, and Tuppence went
+to answer it with some inward trepidation. She was relieved to see that
+the visitor was the second of the two men whom Tommy had taken upon
+himself to follow.
+
+He gave his name as Count Stepanov. Tuppence announced him, and Mrs.
+Vandemeyer rose from her seat on a low divan with a quick murmur of
+pleasure.
+
+“It is delightful to see you, Boris Ivanovitch,” she said.
+
+“And you, madame!” He bowed low over her hand.
+
+Tuppence returned to the kitchen.
+
+“Count Stepanov, or some such,” she remarked, and affecting a frank and
+unvarnished curiosity: “Who’s he?”
+
+“A Russian gentleman, I believe.”
+
+“Come here much?”
+
+“Once in a while. What d’you want to know for?”
+
+“Fancied he might be sweet on the missus, that’s all,” explained the
+girl, adding with an appearance of sulkiness: “How you do take one up!”
+
+“I’m not quite easy in my mind about the _soufflé_,” explained the
+other.
+
+“You know something,” thought Tuppence to herself, but aloud she only
+said: “Going to dish up now? Right-o.”
+
+Whilst waiting at table, Tuppence listened closely to all that was said.
+She remembered that this was one of the men Tommy was shadowing when she
+had last seen him. Already, although she would hardly admit it, she was
+becoming uneasy about her partner. Where was he? Why had no word of any
+kind come from him? She had arranged before leaving the _Ritz_ to have
+all letters or messages sent on at once by special messenger to a small
+stationer’s shop near at hand where Albert was to call in frequently.
+True, it was only yesterday morning that she had parted from Tommy, and
+she told herself that any anxiety on his behalf would be absurd. Still,
+it was strange that he had sent no word of any kind.
+
+But, listen as she might, the conversation presented no clue. Boris and
+Mrs. Vandemeyer talked on purely indifferent subjects: plays they had
+seen, new dances, and the latest society gossip. After dinner they
+repaired to the small boudoir where Mrs. Vandemeyer, stretched on the
+divan, looked more wickedly beautiful than ever. Tuppence brought in the
+coffee and liqueurs and unwillingly retired. As she did so, she heard
+Boris say:
+
+“New, isn’t she?”
+
+“She came in to-day. The other was a fiend. This girl seems all right.
+She waits well.”
+
+Tuppence lingered a moment longer by the door which she had carefully
+neglected to close, and heard him say:
+
+“Quite safe, I suppose?”
+
+“Really, Boris, you are absurdly suspicious. I believe she’s the cousin
+of the hall porter, or something of the kind. And nobody even dreams
+that I have any connection with our--mutual friend, Mr. Brown.”
+
+“For heaven’s sake, be careful, Rita. That door isn’t shut.”
+
+“Well, shut it then,” laughed the woman.
+
+Tuppence removed herself speedily.
+
+She dared not absent herself longer from the back premises, but she
+cleared away and washed up with a breathless speed acquired in hospital.
+Then she slipped quietly back to the boudoir door. The cook, more
+leisurely, was still busy in the kitchen and, if she missed the other,
+would only suppose her to be turning down the beds.
+
+Alas! The conversation inside was being carried on in too low a tone
+to permit of her hearing anything of it. She dared not reopen the
+door, however gently. Mrs. Vandemeyer was sitting almost facing it, and
+Tuppence respected her mistress’s lynx-eyed powers of observation.
+
+Nevertheless, she felt she would give a good deal to overhear what was
+going on. Possibly, if anything unforeseen had happened, she might get
+news of Tommy. For some moments she reflected desperately, then her
+face brightened. She went quickly along the passage to Mrs. Vandemeyer’s
+bedroom, which had long French windows leading on to a balcony that ran
+the length of the flat. Slipping quickly through the window, Tuppence
+crept noiselessly along till she reached the boudoir window. As she
+had thought it stood a little ajar, and the voices within were plainly
+audible.
+
+Tuppence listened attentively, but there was no mention of anything
+that could be twisted to apply to Tommy. Mrs. Vandemeyer and the Russian
+seemed to be at variance over some matter, and finally the latter
+exclaimed bitterly:
+
+“With your persistent recklessness, you will end by ruining us!”
+
+“Bah!” laughed the woman. “Notoriety of the right kind is the best way
+of disarming suspicion. You will realize that one of these days--perhaps
+sooner than you think!”
+
+“In the meantime, you are going about everywhere with Peel Edgerton.
+Not only is he, perhaps, the most celebrated K.C. in England, but his
+special hobby is criminology! It is madness!”
+
+“I know that his eloquence has saved untold men from the gallows,” said
+Mrs. Vandemeyer calmly. “What of it? I may need his assistance in that
+line myself some day. If so, how fortunate to have such a friend at
+court--or perhaps it would be more to the point to say _in_ court.”
+
+Boris got up and began striding up and down. He was very excited.
+
+“You are a clever woman, Rita; but you are also a fool! Be guided by me,
+and give up Peel Edgerton.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer shook her head gently.
+
+“I think not.”
+
+“You refuse?” There was an ugly ring in the Russian’s voice.
+
+“I do.”
+
+“Then, by Heaven,” snarled the Russian, “we will see----”
+
+But Mrs. Vandemeyer also rose to her feet, her eyes flashing.
+
+“You forget, Boris,” she said. “I am accountable to no one. I take my
+orders only from--Mr. Brown.”
+
+The other threw up his hands in despair.
+
+“You are impossible,” he muttered. “Impossible! Already it may be too
+late. They say Peel Edgerton can _smell_ a criminal! How do we know what
+is at the bottom of his sudden interest in you? Perhaps even now his
+suspicions are aroused. He guesses----”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer eyed him scornfully.
+
+“Reassure yourself, my dear Boris. He suspects nothing. With less than
+your usual chivalry, you seem to forget that I am commonly accounted a
+beautiful woman. I assure you that is all that interests Peel Edgerton.”
+
+Boris shook his head doubtfully.
+
+“He has studied crime as no other man in this kingdom has studied it. Do
+you fancy that you can deceive him?”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer’s eyes narrowed.
+
+“If he is all that you say--it would amuse me to try!”
+
+“Good heavens, Rita----”
+
+“Besides,” added Mrs. Vandemeyer, “he is extremely rich. I am not one
+who despises money. The ‘sinews of war,’ you know, Boris!”
+
+“Money--money! That is always the danger with you, Rita. I believe you
+would sell your soul for money. I believe----” He paused, then in a
+low, sinister voice he said slowly: “Sometimes I believe that you would
+sell-- _us!_”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
+
+“The price, at any rate, would have to be enormous,” she said lightly.
+“It would be beyond the power of anyone but a millionaire to pay.”
+
+“Ah!” snarled the Russian. “You see, I was right!”
+
+“My dear Boris, can you not take a joke?”
+
+“Was it a joke?”
+
+“Of course.”
+
+“Then all I can say is that your ideas of humour are peculiar, my dear
+Rita.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer smiled.
+
+“Let us not quarrel, Boris. Touch the bell. We will have some drinks.”
+
+Tuppence beat a hasty retreat. She paused a moment to survey herself in
+Mrs. Vandemeyer’s long glass, and be sure that nothing was amiss with
+her appearance. Then she answered the bell demurely.
+
+The conversation that she had overheard, although interesting in that
+it proved beyond doubt the complicity of both Rita and Boris, threw very
+little light on the present preoccupations. The name of Jane Finn had
+not even been mentioned.
+
+The following morning a few brief words with Albert informed her that
+nothing was waiting for her at the stationer’s. It seemed incredible
+that Tommy, if all was well with him, should not send any word to her.
+A cold hand seemed to close round her heart.... Supposing.... She choked
+her fears down bravely. It was no good worrying. But she leapt at a
+chance offered her by Mrs. Vandemeyer.
+
+“What day do you usually go out, Prudence?”
+
+“Friday’s my usual day, ma’am.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer lifted her eyebrows.
+
+“And to-day is Friday! But I suppose you hardly wish to go out to-day,
+as you only came yesterday.”
+
+“I was thinking of asking you if I might, ma’am.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer looked at her a minute longer, and then smiled.
+
+“I wish Count Stepanov could hear you. He made a suggestion about
+you last night.” Her smile broadened, catlike. “Your request is
+very--typical. I am satisfied. You do not understand all this--but
+you can go out to-day. It makes no difference to me, as I shall not be
+dining at home.”
+
+“Thank you, ma’am.”
+
+Tuppence felt a sensation of relief once she was out of the other’s
+presence. Once again she admitted to herself that she was afraid,
+horribly afraid, of the beautiful woman with the cruel eyes.
+
+In the midst of a final desultory polishing of her silver, Tuppence was
+disturbed by the ringing of the front door bell, and went to answer it.
+This time the visitor was neither Whittington nor Boris, but a man of
+striking appearance.
+
+Just a shade over average height, he nevertheless conveyed the
+impression of a big man. His face, clean-shaven and exquisitely mobile,
+was stamped with an expression of power and force far beyond the
+ordinary. Magnetism seemed to radiate from him.
+
+Tuppence was undecided for the moment whether to put him down as an
+actor or a lawyer, but her doubts were soon solved as he gave her his
+name: Sir James Peel Edgerton.
+
+She looked at him with renewed interest. This, then, was the famous K.C.
+whose name was familiar all over England. She had heard it said that he
+might one day be Prime Minister. He was known to have refused office in
+the interests of his profession, preferring to remain a simple Member
+for a Scotch constituency.
+
+Tuppence went back to her pantry thoughtfully. The great man had
+impressed her. She understood Boris’s agitation. Peel Edgerton would not
+be an easy man to deceive.
+
+In about a quarter of an hour the bell rang, and Tuppence repaired to
+the hall to show the visitor out. He had given her a piercing glance
+before. Now, as she handed him his hat and stick, she was conscious of
+his eyes raking her through. As she opened the door and stood aside to
+let him pass out, he stopped in the doorway.
+
+“Not been doing this long, eh?”
+
+Tuppence raised her eyes, astonished. She read in his glance kindliness,
+and something else more difficult to fathom.
+
+He nodded as though she had answered.
+
+“V.A.D. and hard up, I suppose?”
+
+“Did Mrs. Vandemeyer tell you that?” asked Tuppence suspiciously.
+
+“No, child. The look of you told me. Good place here?”
+
+“Very good, thank you, sir.”
+
+“Ah, but there are plenty of good places nowadays. And a change does no
+harm sometimes.”
+
+“Do you mean----?” began Tuppence.
+
+But Sir James was already on the topmost stair. He looked back with his
+kindly, shrewd glance.
+
+“Just a hint,” he said. “That’s all.”
+
+Tuppence went back to the pantry more thoughtful than ever.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI. JULIUS TELLS A STORY
+
+DRESSED appropriately, Tuppence duly sallied forth for her “afternoon
+out.” Albert was in temporary abeyance, but Tuppence went herself to the
+stationer’s to make quite sure that nothing had come for her. Satisfied
+on this point, she made her way to the _Ritz_. On inquiry she learnt
+that Tommy had not yet returned. It was the answer she had expected, but
+it was another nail in the coffin of her hopes. She resolved to appeal
+to Mr. Carter, telling him when and where Tommy had started on his
+quest, and asking him to do something to trace him. The prospect of
+his aid revived her mercurial spirits, and she next inquired for Julius
+Hersheimmer. The reply she got was to the effect that he had returned
+about half an hour ago, but had gone out immediately.
+
+Tuppence’s spirits revived still more. It would be something to see
+Julius. Perhaps he could devise some plan for finding out what
+had become of Tommy. She wrote her note to Mr. Carter in Julius’s
+sitting-room, and was just addressing the envelope when the door burst
+open.
+
+“What the hell----” began Julius, but checked himself abruptly. “I beg
+your pardon, Miss Tuppence. Those fools down at the office would have it
+that Beresford wasn’t here any longer--hadn’t been here since Wednesday.
+Is that so?”
+
+Tuppence nodded.
+
+“You don’t know where he is?” she asked faintly.
+
+“I? How should I know? I haven’t had one darned word from him, though I
+wired him yesterday morning.”
+
+“I expect your wire’s at the office unopened.”
+
+“But where is he?”
+
+“I don’t know. I hoped you might.”
+
+“I tell you I haven’t had one darned word from him since we parted at
+the depot on Wednesday.”
+
+“What depot?”
+
+“Waterloo. Your London and South Western road.”
+
+“Waterloo?” frowned Tuppence.
+
+“Why, yes. Didn’t he tell you?”
+
+“I haven’t seen him either,” replied Tuppence impatiently. “Go on about
+Waterloo. What were you doing there?”
+
+“He gave me a call. Over the phone. Told me to get a move on, and
+hustle. Said he was trailing two crooks.”
+
+“Oh!” said Tuppence, her eyes opening. “I see. Go on.”
+
+“I hurried along right away. Beresford was there. He pointed out the
+crooks. The big one was mine, the guy you bluffed. Tommy shoved a ticket
+into my hand and told me to get aboard the cars. He was going to sleuth
+the other crook.” Julius paused. “I thought for sure you’d know all
+this.”
+
+“Julius,” said Tuppence firmly, “stop walking up and down. It makes me
+giddy. Sit down in that armchair, and tell me the whole story with as
+few fancy turns of speech as possible.”
+
+Mr. Hersheimmer obeyed.
+
+“Sure,” he said. “Where shall I begin?”
+
+“Where you left off. At Waterloo.”
+
+“Well,” began Julius, “I got into one of your dear old-fashioned
+first-class British compartments. The train was just off. First thing I
+knew a guard came along and informed me mighty politely that I wasn’t
+in a smoking-carriage. I handed him out half a dollar, and that settled
+that. I did a bit of prospecting along the corridor to the next coach.
+Whittington was there right enough. When I saw the skunk, with his big
+sleek fat face, and thought of poor little Jane in his clutches, I felt
+real mad that I hadn’t got a gun with me. I’d have tickled him up some.
+
+“We got to Bournemouth all right. Whittington took a cab and gave the
+name of an hotel. I did likewise, and we drove up within three minutes
+of each other. He hired a room, and I hired one too. So far it was all
+plain sailing. He hadn’t the remotest notion that anyone was on to him.
+Well, he just sat around in the hotel lounge, reading the papers and so
+on, till it was time for dinner. He didn’t hurry any over that either.
+
+“I began to think that there was nothing doing, that he’d just come on
+the trip for his health, but I remembered that he hadn’t changed for
+dinner, though it was by way of being a slap-up hotel, so it seemed
+likely enough that he’d be going out on his real business afterwards.
+
+“Sure enough, about nine o’clock, so he did. Took a car across the
+town--mighty pretty place by the way, I guess I’ll take Jane there for
+a spell when I find her--and then paid it off and struck out along those
+pine-woods on the top of the cliff. I was there too, you understand.
+We walked, maybe, for half an hour. There’s a lot of villas all the way
+along, but by degrees they seemed to get more and more thinned out, and
+in the end we got to one that seemed the last of the bunch. Big house it
+was, with a lot of piny grounds around it.
+
+“It was a pretty black night, and the carriage drive up to the house was
+dark as pitch. I could hear him ahead, though I couldn’t see him. I
+had to walk carefully in case he might get on to it that he was being
+followed. I turned a curve and I was just in time to see him ring the
+bell and get admitted to the house. I just stopped where I was. It was
+beginning to rain, and I was soon pretty near soaked through. Also, it
+was almighty cold.
+
+“Whittington didn’t come out again, and by and by I got kind of restive,
+and began to mouch around. All the ground floor windows were shuttered
+tight, but upstairs, on the first floor (it was a two-storied house) I
+noticed a window with a light burning and the curtains not drawn.
+
+“Now, just opposite to that window, there was a tree growing. It was
+about thirty foot away from the house, maybe, and I sort of got it into
+my head that, if I climbed up that tree, I’d very likely be able to see
+into that room. Of course, I knew there was no reason why Whittington
+should be in that room rather than in any other--less reason, in fact,
+for the betting would be on his being in one of the reception-rooms
+downstairs. But I guess I’d got the hump from standing so long in the
+rain, and anything seemed better than going on doing nothing. So I
+started up.
+
+“It wasn’t so easy, by a long chalk! The rain had made the boughs mighty
+slippery, and it was all I could do to keep a foothold, but bit by bit I
+managed it, until at last there I was level with the window.
+
+“But then I was disappointed. I was too far to the left. I could only
+see sideways into the room. A bit of curtain, and a yard of wallpaper
+was all I could command. Well, that wasn’t any manner of good to me, but
+just as I was going to give it up, and climb down ignominiously, some
+one inside moved and threw his shadow on my little bit of wall--and, by
+gum, it was Whittington!
+
+“After that, my blood was up. I’d just _got_ to get a look into that
+room. It was up to me to figure out how. I noticed that there was a long
+branch running out from the tree in the right direction. If I could only
+swarm about half-way along it, the proposition would be solved. But it
+was mighty uncertain whether it would bear my weight. I decided I’d
+just got to risk that, and I started. Very cautiously, inch by inch, I
+crawled along. The bough creaked and swayed in a nasty fashion, and it
+didn’t do to think of the drop below, but at last I got safely to where
+I wanted to be.
+
+“The room was medium-sized, furnished in a kind of bare hygienic way.
+There was a table with a lamp on it in the middle of the room, and
+sitting at that table, facing towards me, was Whittington right enough.
+He was talking to a woman dressed as a hospital nurse. She was sitting
+with her back to me, so I couldn’t see her face. Although the blinds
+were up, the window itself was shut, so I couldn’t catch a word of what
+they said. Whittington seemed to be doing all the talking, and the nurse
+just listened. Now and then she nodded, and sometimes she’d shake
+her head, as though she were answering questions. He seemed very
+emphatic--once or twice he beat with his fist on the table. The rain had
+stopped now, and the sky was clearing in that sudden way it does.
+
+“Presently, he seemed to get to the end of what he was saying. He got
+up, and so did she. He looked towards the window and asked something--I
+guess it was whether it was raining. Anyway, she came right across and
+looked out. Just then the moon came out from behind the clouds. I
+was scared the woman would catch sight of me, for I was full in the
+moonlight. I tried to move back a bit. The jerk I gave was too much for
+that rotten old branch. With an almighty crash, down it came, and Julius
+P. Hersheimmer with it!”
+
+“Oh, Julius,” breathed Tuppence, “how exciting! Go on.”
+
+“Well, luckily for me, I pitched down into a good soft bed of earth--but
+it put me out of action for the time, sure enough. The next thing I
+knew, I was lying in bed with a hospital nurse (not Whittington’s one)
+on one side of me, and a little black-bearded man with gold glasses,
+and medical man written all over him, on the other. He rubbed his hands
+together, and raised his eyebrows as I stared at him. ‘Ah!’ he said. ‘So
+our young friend is coming round again. Capital. Capital.’
+
+“I did the usual stunt. Said: ‘What’s happened?’ And ‘Where am I?’ But
+I knew the answer to the last well enough. There’s no moss growing on
+my brain. ‘I think that’ll do for the present, sister,’ said the little
+man, and the nurse left the room in a sort of brisk well-trained way.
+But I caught her handing me out a look of deep curiosity as she passed
+through the door.
+
+“That look of hers gave me an idea. ‘Now then, doc,’ I said, and tried
+to sit up in bed, but my right foot gave me a nasty twinge as I did so.
+‘A slight sprain,’ explained the doctor. ‘Nothing serious. You’ll be
+about again in a couple of days.’”
+
+“I noticed you walked lame,” interpolated Tuppence.
+
+Julius nodded, and continued:
+
+“‘How did it happen?’ I asked again. He replied dryly. ‘You fell, with
+a considerable portion of one of my trees, into one of my newly planted
+flower-beds.’
+
+“I liked the man. He seemed to have a sense of humour. I felt sure that
+he, at least, was plumb straight. ‘Sure, doc,’ I said, ‘I’m sorry about
+the tree, and I guess the new bulbs will be on me. But perhaps you’d
+like to know what I was doing in your garden?’ ‘I think the facts do
+call for an explanation,’ he replied. ‘Well, to begin with, I wasn’t
+after the spoons.’
+
+“He smiled. ‘My first theory. But I soon altered my mind. By the way,
+you are an American, are you not?’ I told him my name. ‘And you?’ ‘I am
+Dr. Hall, and this, as you doubtless know, is my private nursing home.’
+
+“I didn’t know, but I wasn’t going to put him wise. I was just thankful
+for the information. I liked the man, and I felt he was straight, but
+I wasn’t going to give him the whole story. For one thing he probably
+wouldn’t have believed it.
+
+“I made up my mind in a flash. ‘Why, doctor,’ I said, ‘I guess I feel
+an almighty fool, but I owe it to you to let you know that it wasn’t
+the Bill Sikes business I was up to.’ Then I went on and mumbled out
+something about a girl. I trotted out the stern guardian business, and a
+nervous breakdown, and finally explained that I had fancied I recognized
+her among the patients at the home, hence my nocturnal adventures. I
+guess it was just the kind of story he was expecting. ‘Quite a romance,’
+he said genially, when I’d finished. ‘Now, doc,’ I went on, ‘will you
+be frank with me? Have you here now, or have you had here at any time,
+a young girl called Jane Finn?’ He repeated the name thoughtfully. ‘Jane
+Finn?’ he said. ‘No.’
+
+“I was chagrined, and I guess I showed it. ‘You are sure?’ ‘Quite sure,
+Mr. Hersheimmer. It is an uncommon name, and I should not have been
+likely to forget it.’
+
+“Well, that was flat. It laid me out for a space. I’d kind of hoped
+my search was at an end. ‘That’s that,’ I said at last. ‘Now, there’s
+another matter. When I was hugging that darned branch I thought I
+recognized an old friend of mine talking to one of your nurses.’ I
+purposely didn’t mention any name because, of course, Whittington might
+be calling himself something quite different down here, but the doctor
+answered at once. ‘Mr. Whittington, perhaps?’ ‘That’s the fellow,’ I
+replied. ‘What’s he doing down here? Don’t tell me _his_ nerves are out
+of order?’
+
+“Dr. Hall laughed. ‘No. He came down to see one of my nurses, Nurse
+Edith, who is a niece of his.’ ‘Why, fancy that!’ I exclaimed. ‘Is he
+still here?’ ‘No, he went back to town almost immediately.’ ‘What a
+pity!’ I ejaculated. ‘But perhaps I could speak to his niece--Nurse
+Edith, did you say her name was?’
+
+“But the doctor shook his head. ‘I’m afraid that, too, is impossible.
+Nurse Edith left with a patient to-night also.’ ‘I seem to be real
+unlucky,’ I remarked. ‘Have you Mr. Whittington’s address in town?
+I guess I’d like to look him up when I get back.’ ‘I don’t know his
+address. I can write to Nurse Edith for it if you like.’ I thanked him.
+‘Don’t say who it is wants it. I’d like to give him a little surprise.’
+
+“That was about all I could do for the moment. Of course, if the girl
+was really Whittington’s niece, she might be too cute to fall into the
+trap, but it was worth trying. Next thing I did was to write out a wire
+to Beresford saying where I was, and that I was laid up with a sprained
+foot, and telling him to come down if he wasn’t busy. I had to be
+guarded in what I said. However, I didn’t hear from him, and my foot
+soon got all right. It was only ricked, not really sprained, so to-day I
+said good-bye to the little doctor chap, asked him to send me word if
+he heard from Nurse Edith, and came right away back to town. Say, Miss
+Tuppence, you’re looking mighty pale!”
+
+“It’s Tommy,” said Tuppence. “What can have happened to him?”
+
+“Buck up, I guess he’s all right really. Why shouldn’t he be? See here,
+it was a foreign-looking guy he went off after. Maybe they’ve gone
+abroad--to Poland, or something like that?”
+
+Tuppence shook her head.
+
+“He couldn’t without passports and things. Besides I’ve seen that man,
+Boris Something, since. He dined with Mrs. Vandemeyer last night.”
+
+“Mrs. Who?”
+
+“I forgot. Of course you don’t know all that.”
+
+“I’m listening,” said Julius, and gave vent to his favourite expression.
+“Put me wise.”
+
+Tuppence thereupon related the events of the last two days. Julius’s
+astonishment and admiration were unbounded.
+
+“Bully for you! Fancy you a menial. It just tickles me to death!” Then
+he added seriously: “But say now, I don’t like it, Miss Tuppence, I sure
+don’t. You’re just as plucky as they make ‘em, but I wish you’d keep
+right out of this. These crooks we’re up against would as soon croak a
+girl as a man any day.”
+
+“Do you think I’m afraid?” said Tuppence indignantly, valiantly
+repressing memories of the steely glitter in Mrs. Vandemeyer’s eyes.
+
+“I said before you were darned plucky. But that doesn’t alter facts.”
+
+“Oh, bother _me!_” said Tuppence impatiently. “Let’s think about what
+can have happened to Tommy. I’ve written to Mr. Carter about it,” she
+added, and told him the gist of her letter.
+
+Julius nodded gravely.
+
+“I guess that’s good as far as it goes. But it’s for us to get busy and
+do something.”
+
+“What can we do?” asked Tuppence, her spirits rising.
+
+“I guess we’d better get on the track of Boris. You say he’s been to
+your place. Is he likely to come again?”
+
+“He might. I really don’t know.”
+
+“I see. Well, I guess I’d better buy a car, a slap-up one, dress as a
+chauffeur and hang about outside. Then if Boris comes, you could make
+some kind of signal, and I’d trail him. How’s that?”
+
+“Splendid, but he mightn’t come for weeks.”
+
+“We’ll have to chance that. I’m glad you like the plan.” He rose.
+
+“Where are you going?”
+
+“To buy the car, of course,” replied Julius, surprised. “What make do
+you like? I guess you’ll do some riding in it before we’ve finished.”
+
+“Oh,” said Tuppence faintly, “I _like_ Rolls-Royces, but----”
+
+“Sure,” agreed Julius. “What you say goes. I’ll get one.”
+
+“But you can’t at once,” cried Tuppence. “People wait ages sometimes.”
+
+“Little Julius doesn’t,” affirmed Mr. Hersheimmer. “Don’t you worry any.
+I’ll be round in the car in half an hour.”
+
+Tuppence got up.
+
+“You’re awfully good, Julius. But I can’t help feeling that it’s rather
+a forlorn hope. I’m really pinning my faith to Mr. Carter.”
+
+“Then I shouldn’t.”
+
+“Why?”
+
+“Just an idea of mine.”
+
+“Oh; but he must do something. There’s no one else. By the way, I forgot
+to tell you of a queer thing that happened this morning.”
+
+And she narrated her encounter with Sir James Peel Edgerton. Julius was
+interested.
+
+“What did the guy mean, do you think?” he asked.
+
+“I don’t quite know,” said Tuppence meditatively. “But I think that, in
+an ambiguous, legal, without prejudishish lawyer’s way, he was trying to
+warn me.”
+
+“Why should he?”
+
+“I don’t know,” confessed Tuppence. “But he looked kind, and
+simply awfully clever. I wouldn’t mind going to him and telling him
+everything.”
+
+Somewhat to her surprise, Julius negatived the idea sharply.
+
+“See here,” he said, “we don’t want any lawyers mixed up in this. That
+guy couldn’t help us any.”
+
+“Well, I believe he could,” reiterated Tuppence obstinately.
+
+“Don’t you think it. So long. I’ll be back in half an hour.”
+
+Thirty-five minutes had elapsed when Julius returned. He took Tuppence
+by the arm, and walked her to the window.
+
+“There she is.”
+
+“Oh!” said Tuppence with a note of reverence in her voice, as she gazed
+down at the enormous car.
+
+“She’s some pace-maker, I can tell you,” said Julius complacently.
+
+“How did you get it?” gasped Tuppence.
+
+“She was just being sent home to some bigwig.”
+
+“Well?”
+
+“I went round to his house,” said Julius. “I said that I reckoned a car
+like that was worth every penny of twenty thousand dollars. Then I told
+him that it was worth just about fifty thousand dollars to me if he’d
+get out.”
+
+“Well?” said Tuppence, intoxicated.
+
+“Well,” returned Julius, “he got out, that’s all.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII. A FRIEND IN NEED
+
+FRIDAY and Saturday passed uneventfully. Tuppence had received a brief
+answer to her appeal from Mr. Carter. In it he pointed out that the
+Young Adventurers had undertaken the work at their own risk, and had
+been fully warned of the dangers. If anything had happened to Tommy he
+regretted it deeply, but he could do nothing.
+
+This was cold comfort. Somehow, without Tommy, all the savour went out
+of the adventure, and, for the first time, Tuppence felt doubtful of
+success. While they had been together she had never questioned it for
+a minute. Although she was accustomed to take the lead, and to pride
+herself on her quick-wittedness, in reality she had relied upon Tommy
+more than she realized at the time. There was something so eminently
+sober and clear-headed about him, his common sense and soundness of
+vision were so unvarying, that without him Tuppence felt much like a
+rudderless ship. It was curious that Julius, who was undoubtedly much
+cleverer than Tommy, did not give her the same feeling of support. She
+had accused Tommy of being a pessimist, and it is certain that he
+always saw the disadvantages and difficulties which she herself was
+optimistically given to overlooking, but nevertheless she had really
+relied a good deal on his judgment. He might be slow, but he was very
+sure.
+
+It seemed to the girl that, for the first time, she realized the
+sinister character of the mission they had undertaken so lightheartedly.
+It had begun like a page of romance. Now, shorn of its glamour, it
+seemed to be turning to grim reality. Tommy--that was all that mattered.
+Many times in the day Tuppence blinked the tears out of her eyes
+resolutely. “Little fool,” she would apostrophize herself, “don’t
+snivel. Of course you’re fond of him. You’ve known him all your life.
+But there’s no need to be sentimental about it.”
+
+In the meantime, nothing more was seen of Boris. He did not come to the
+flat, and Julius and the car waited in vain. Tuppence gave herself over
+to new meditations. Whilst admitting the truth of Julius’s objections,
+she had nevertheless not entirely relinquished the idea of appealing to
+Sir James Peel Edgerton. Indeed, she had gone so far as to look up his
+address in the _Red Book_. Had he meant to warn her that day? If so,
+why? Surely she was at least entitled to demand an explanation. He had
+looked at her so kindly. Perhaps he might tell them something concerning
+Mrs. Vandemeyer which might lead to a clue to Tommy’s whereabouts.
+
+Anyway, Tuppence decided, with her usual shake of the shoulders, it was
+worth trying, and try it she would. Sunday was her afternoon out. She
+would meet Julius, persuade him to her point of view, and they would
+beard the lion in his den.
+
+When the day arrived Julius needed a considerable amount of persuading,
+but Tuppence held firm. “It can do no harm,” was what she always came
+back to. In the end Julius gave in, and they proceeded in the car to
+Carlton House Terrace.
+
+The door was opened by an irreproachable butler. Tuppence felt a little
+nervous. After all, perhaps it _was_ colossal cheek on her part. She
+had decided not to ask if Sir James was “at home,” but to adopt a more
+personal attitude.
+
+“Will you ask Sir James if I can see him for a few minutes? I have an
+important message for him.”
+
+The butler retired, returning a moment or two later.
+
+“Sir James will see you. Will you step this way?”
+
+He ushered them into a room at the back of the house, furnished as a
+library. The collection of books was a magnificent one, and Tuppence
+noticed that all one wall was devoted to works on crime and criminology.
+There were several deep-padded leather arm-chairs, and an old-fashioned
+open hearth. In the window was a big roll-top desk strewn with papers at
+which the master of the house was sitting.
+
+He rose as they entered.
+
+“You have a message for me? Ah”--he recognized Tuppence with a
+smile--“it’s you, is it? Brought a message from Mrs. Vandemeyer, I
+suppose?”
+
+“Not exactly,” said Tuppence. “In fact, I’m afraid I only said that to
+be quite sure of getting in. Oh, by the way, this is Mr. Hersheimmer,
+Sir James Peel Edgerton.”
+
+“Pleased to meet you,” said the American, shooting out a hand.
+
+“Won’t you both sit down?” asked Sir James. He drew forward two chairs.
+
+“Sir James,” said Tuppence, plunging boldly, “I dare say you will think
+it is most awful cheek of me coming here like this. Because, of course,
+it’s nothing whatever to do with you, and then you’re a very important
+person, and of course Tommy and I are very unimportant.” She paused for
+breath.
+
+“Tommy?” queried Sir James, looking across at the American.
+
+“No, that’s Julius,” explained Tuppence. “I’m rather nervous, and that
+makes me tell it badly. What I really want to know is what you meant by
+what you said to me the other day? Did you mean to warn me against Mrs.
+Vandemeyer? You did, didn’t you?”
+
+“My dear young lady, as far as I recollect I only mentioned that there
+were equally good situations to be obtained elsewhere.”
+
+“Yes, I know. But it was a hint, wasn’t it?”
+
+“Well, perhaps it was,” admitted Sir James gravely.
+
+“Well, I want to know more. I want to know just _why_ you gave me a
+hint.”
+
+Sir James smiled at her earnestness.
+
+“Suppose the lady brings a libel action against me for defamation of
+character?”
+
+“Of course,” said Tuppence. “I know lawyers are always dreadfully
+careful. But can’t we say ‘without prejudice’ first, and then say just
+what we want to.”
+
+“Well,” said Sir James, still smiling, “without prejudice, then, if I
+had a young sister forced to earn her living, I should not like to see
+her in Mrs. Vandemeyer’s service. I felt it incumbent on me just to give
+you a hint. It is no place for a young and inexperienced girl. That is
+all I can tell you.”
+
+“I see,” said Tuppence thoughtfully. “Thank you very much. But I’m not
+_really_ inexperienced, you know. I knew perfectly that she was a bad
+lot when I went there--as a matter of fact that’s _why_ I went----” She
+broke off, seeing some bewilderment on the lawyer’s face, and went on:
+“I think perhaps I’d better tell you the whole story, Sir James. I’ve a
+sort of feeling that you’d know in a minute if I didn’t tell the truth,
+and so you might as well know all about it from the beginning. What do
+you think, Julius?”
+
+“As you’re bent on it, I’d go right ahead with the facts,” replied the
+American, who had so far sat in silence.
+
+“Yes, tell me all about it,” said Sir James. “I want to know who Tommy
+is.”
+
+Thus encouraged Tuppence plunged into her tale, and the lawyer listened
+with close attention.
+
+“Very interesting,” he said, when she finished. “A great deal of what
+you tell me, child, is already known to me. I’ve had certain theories
+of my own about this Jane Finn. You’ve done extraordinarily well so
+far, but it’s rather too bad of--what do you know him as?--Mr. Carter to
+pitchfork you two young things into an affair of this kind. By the
+way, where did Mr. Hersheimmer come in originally? You didn’t make that
+clear?”
+
+Julius answered for himself.
+
+“I’m Jane’s first cousin,” he explained, returning the lawyer’s keen
+gaze.
+
+“Ah!”
+
+“Oh, Sir James,” broke out Tuppence, “what do you think has become of
+Tommy?”
+
+“H’m.” The lawyer rose, and paced slowly up and down. “When you arrived,
+young lady, I was just packing up my traps. Going to Scotland by the
+night train for a few days’ fishing. But there are different kinds of
+fishing. I’ve a good mind to stay, and see if we can’t get on the track
+of that young chap.”
+
+“Oh!” Tuppence clasped her hands ecstatically.
+
+“All the same, as I said before, it’s too bad of--of Carter to set you
+two babies on a job like this. Now, don’t get offended, Miss--er----”
+
+“Cowley. Prudence Cowley. But my friends call me Tuppence.”
+
+“Well, Miss Tuppence, then, as I’m certainly going to be a friend. Don’t
+be offended because I think you’re young. Youth is a failing only too
+easily outgrown. Now, about this young Tommy of yours----”
+
+“Yes.” Tuppence clasped her hands.
+
+“Frankly, things look bad for him. He’s been butting in somewhere where
+he wasn’t wanted. Not a doubt of it. But don’t give up hope.”
+
+“And you really will help us? There, Julius! He didn’t want me to come,”
+ she added by way of explanation.
+
+“H’m,” said the lawyer, favouring Julius with another keen glance. “And
+why was that?”
+
+“I reckoned it would be no good worrying you with a petty little
+business like this.”
+
+“I see.” He paused a moment. “This petty little business, as you call
+it, bears directly on a very big business, bigger perhaps than either
+you or Miss Tuppence know. If this boy is alive, he may have very
+valuable information to give us. Therefore, we must find him.”
+
+“Yes, but how?” cried Tuppence. “I’ve tried to think of everything.”
+
+Sir James smiled.
+
+“And yet there’s one person quite near at hand who in all probability
+knows where he is, or at all events where he is likely to be.”
+
+“Who is that?” asked Tuppence, puzzled.
+
+“Mrs. Vandemeyer.”
+
+“Yes, but she’d never tell us.”
+
+“Ah, that is where I come in. I think it quite likely that I shall be
+able to make Mrs. Vandemeyer tell me what I want to know.”
+
+“How?” demanded Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide.
+
+“Oh, just by asking her questions,” replied Sir James easily. “That’s
+the way we do it, you know.”
+
+He tapped with his finger on the table, and Tuppence felt again the
+intense power that radiated from the man.
+
+“And if she won’t tell?” asked Julius suddenly.
+
+“I think she will. I have one or two powerful levers. Still, in that
+unlikely event, there is always the possibility of bribery.”
+
+“Sure. And that’s where I come in!” cried Julius, bringing his fist down
+on the table with a bang. “You can count on me, if necessary, for one
+million dollars. Yes, sir, one million dollars!”
+
+Sir James sat down and subjected Julius to a long scrutiny.
+
+“Mr. Hersheimmer,” he said at last, “that is a very large sum.”
+
+“I guess it’ll have to be. These aren’t the kind of folk to offer
+sixpence to.”
+
+“At the present rate of exchange it amounts to considerably over two
+hundred and fifty thousand pounds.”
+
+“That’s so. Maybe you think I’m talking through my hat, but I can
+deliver the goods all right, with enough over to spare for your fee.”
+
+Sir James flushed slightly.
+
+“There is no question of a fee, Mr. Hersheimmer. I am not a private
+detective.”
+
+“Sorry. I guess I was just a mite hasty, but I’ve been feeling bad about
+this money question. I wanted to offer a big reward for news of Jane
+some days ago, but your crusted institution of Scotland Yard advised me
+against it. Said it was undesirable.”
+
+“They were probably right,” said Sir James dryly.
+
+“But it’s all O.K. about Julius,” put in Tuppence. “He’s not pulling
+your leg. He’s got simply pots of money.”
+
+“The old man piled it up in style,” explained Julius. “Now, let’s get
+down to it. What’s your idea?”
+
+Sir James considered for a moment or two.
+
+“There is no time to be lost. The sooner we strike the better.” He
+turned to Tuppence. “Is Mrs. Vandemeyer dining out to-night, do you
+know?”
+
+“Yes, I think so, but she will not be out late. Otherwise, she would
+have taken the latchkey.”
+
+“Good. I will call upon her about ten o’clock. What time are you
+supposed to return?”
+
+“About nine-thirty or ten, but I could go back earlier.”
+
+“You must not do that on any account. It might arouse suspicion if you
+did not stay out till the usual time. Be back by nine-thirty. I will
+arrive at ten. Mr. Hersheimmer will wait below in a taxi perhaps.”
+
+“He’s got a new Rolls-Royce car,” said Tuppence with vicarious pride.
+
+“Even better. If I succeed in obtaining the address from her, we can
+go there at once, taking Mrs. Vandemeyer with us if necessary. You
+understand?”
+
+“Yes.” Tuppence rose to her feet with a skip of delight. “Oh, I feel so
+much better!”
+
+“Don’t build on it too much, Miss Tuppence. Go easy.”
+
+Julius turned to the lawyer.
+
+“Say, then. I’ll call for you in the car round about nine-thirty. Is
+that right?”
+
+“Perhaps that will be the best plan. It would be unnecessary to have two
+cars waiting about. Now, Miss Tuppence, my advice to you is to go and
+have a good dinner, a _really_ good one, mind. And don’t think ahead
+more than you can help.”
+
+He shook hands with them both, and a moment later they were outside.
+
+“Isn’t he a duck?” inquired Tuppence ecstatically, as she skipped down
+the steps. “Oh, Julius, isn’t he just a duck?”
+
+“Well, I allow he seems to be the goods all right. And I was wrong about
+its being useless to go to him. Say, shall we go right away back to the
+_Ritz?_”
+
+“I must walk a bit, I think. I feel so excited. Drop me in the park,
+will you? Unless you’d like to come too?”
+
+“I want to get some petrol,” he explained. “And send off a cable or
+two.”
+
+“All right. I’ll meet you at the _Ritz_ at seven. We’ll have to dine
+upstairs. I can’t show myself in these glad rags.”
+
+“Sure. I’ll get Felix help me choose the menu. He’s some head waiter,
+that. So long.”
+
+Tuppence walked briskly along towards the Serpentine, first glancing at
+her watch. It was nearly six o’clock. She remembered that she had had no
+tea, but felt too excited to be conscious of hunger. She walked as
+far as Kensington Gardens and then slowly retraced her steps, feeling
+infinitely better for the fresh air and exercise. It was not so easy to
+follow Sir James’s advice, and put the possible events of the evening
+out of her head. As she drew nearer and nearer to Hyde Park corner, the
+temptation to return to South Audley Mansions was almost irresistible.
+
+At any rate, she decided, it would do no harm just to go and _look_
+at the building. Perhaps, then, she could resign herself to waiting
+patiently for ten o’clock.
+
+South Audley Mansions looked exactly the same as usual. What Tuppence
+had expected she hardly knew, but the sight of its red brick stolidity
+slightly assuaged the growing and entirely unreasonable uneasiness
+that possessed her. She was just turning away when she heard a piercing
+whistle, and the faithful Albert came running from the building to join
+her.
+
+Tuppence frowned. It was no part of the programme to have attention
+called to her presence in the neighbourhood, but Albert was purple with
+suppressed excitement.
+
+“I say, miss, she’s a-going!”
+
+“Who’s going?” demanded Tuppence sharply.
+
+“The crook. Ready Rita. Mrs. Vandemeyer. She’s a-packing up, and she’s
+just sent down word for me to get her a taxi.”
+
+“What?” Tuppence clutched his arm.
+
+“It’s the truth, miss. I thought maybe as you didn’t know about it.”
+
+“Albert,” cried Tuppence, “you’re a brick. If it hadn’t been for you
+we’d have lost her.”
+
+Albert flushed with pleasure at this tribute.
+
+“There’s no time to lose,” said Tuppence, crossing the road. “I’ve got
+to stop her. At all costs I must keep her here until----” She broke off.
+“Albert, there’s a telephone here, isn’t there?”
+
+The boy shook his head.
+
+“The flats mostly have their own, miss. But there’s a box just round the
+corner.”
+
+“Go to it then, at once, and ring up the _Ritz Hotel_. Ask for Mr.
+Hersheimmer, and when you get him tell him to get Sir James and come on
+at once, as Mrs. Vandemeyer is trying to hook it. If you can’t get him,
+ring up Sir James Peel Edgerton, you’ll find his number in the book, and
+tell him what’s happening. You won’t forget the names, will you?”
+
+Albert repeated them glibly. “You trust to me, miss, it’ll be all right.
+But what about you? Aren’t you afraid to trust yourself with her?”
+
+“No, no, that’s all right. _But go and telephone_. Be quick.”
+
+Drawing a long breath, Tuppence entered the Mansions and ran up to the
+door of No. 20. How she was to detain Mrs. Vandemeyer until the two men
+arrived, she did not know, but somehow or other it had to be done, and
+she must accomplish the task single-handed. What had occasioned this
+precipitate departure? Did Mrs. Vandemeyer suspect her?
+
+Speculations were idle. Tuppence pressed the bell firmly. She might
+learn something from the cook.
+
+Nothing happened and, after waiting some minutes, Tuppence pressed the
+bell again, keeping her finger on the button for some little while.
+At last she heard footsteps inside, and a moment later Mrs. Vandemeyer
+herself opened the door. She lifted her eyebrows at the sight of the
+girl.
+
+“You?”
+
+“I had a touch of toothache, ma’am,” said Tuppence glibly. “So thought
+it better to come home and have a quiet evening.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer said nothing, but she drew back and let Tuppence pass
+into the hall.
+
+“How unfortunate for you,” she said coldly. “You had better go to bed.”
+
+“Oh, I shall be all right in the kitchen, ma’am. Cook will----”
+
+“Cook is out,” said Mrs. Vandemeyer, in a rather disagreeable tone. “I
+sent her out. So you see you had better go to bed.”
+
+Suddenly Tuppence felt afraid. There was a ring in Mrs. Vandemeyer’s
+voice that she did not like at all. Also, the other woman was slowly
+edging her up the passage. Tuppence turned at bay.
+
+“I don’t want----”
+
+Then, in a flash, a rim of cold steel touched her temple, and Mrs.
+Vandemeyer’s voice rose cold and menacing:
+
+“You damned little fool! Do you think I don’t know? No, don’t answer. If
+you struggle or cry out, I’ll shoot you like a dog.”
+
+The rim of steel pressed a little harder against the girl’s temple.
+
+“Now then, march,” went on Mrs. Vandemeyer. “This way--into my room. In
+a minute, when I’ve done with you, you’ll go to bed as I told you to.
+And you’ll sleep--oh yes, my little spy, you’ll sleep all right!”
+
+There was a sort of hideous geniality in the last words which Tuppence
+did not at all like. For the moment there was nothing to be done, and
+she walked obediently into Mrs. Vandemeyer’s bedroom. The pistol never
+left her forehead. The room was in a state of wild disorder, clothes
+were flung about right and left, a suit-case and a hat box, half-packed,
+stood in the middle of the floor.
+
+Tuppence pulled herself together with an effort. Her voice shook a
+little, but she spoke out bravely.
+
+“Come now,” she said. “This is nonsense. You can’t shoot me. Why, every
+one in the building would hear the report.”
+
+“I’d risk that,” said Mrs. Vandemeyer cheerfully. “But, as long as you
+don’t sing out for help, you’re all right--and I don’t think you will.
+You’re a clever girl. You deceived _me_ all right. I hadn’t a suspicion
+of you! So I’ve no doubt that you understand perfectly well that this
+is where I’m on top and you’re underneath. Now then--sit on the bed. Put
+your hands above your head, and if you value your life don’t move them.”
+
+Tuppence obeyed passively. Her good sense told her that there was
+nothing else to do but accept the situation. If she shrieked for help
+there was very little chance of anyone hearing her, whereas there was
+probably quite a good chance of Mrs. Vandemeyer’s shooting her. In the
+meantime, every minute of delay gained was valuable.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer laid down the revolver on the edge of the washstand
+within reach of her hand, and, still eyeing Tuppence like a lynx in case
+the girl should attempt to move, she took a little stoppered bottle from
+its place on the marble and poured some of its contents into a glass
+which she filled up with water.
+
+“What’s that?” asked Tuppence sharply.
+
+“Something to make you sleep soundly.”
+
+Tuppence paled a little.
+
+“Are you going to poison me?” she asked in a whisper.
+
+“Perhaps,” said Mrs. Vandemeyer, smiling agreeably.
+
+“Then I shan’t drink it,” said Tuppence firmly. “I’d much rather be
+shot. At any rate that would make a row, and some one might hear it. But
+I won’t be killed off quietly like a lamb.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer stamped her foot.
+
+“Don’t be a little fool! Do you really think I want a hue and cry for
+murder out after me? If you’ve any sense at all, you’ll realize that
+poisoning you wouldn’t suit my book at all. It’s a sleeping draught,
+that’s all. You’ll wake up to-morrow morning none the worse. I simply
+don’t want the bother of tying you up and gagging you. That’s the
+alternative--and you won’t like it, I can tell you! I can be very rough
+if I choose. So drink this down like a good girl, and you’ll be none the
+worse for it.”
+
+In her heart of hearts Tuppence believed her. The arguments she had
+adduced rang true. It was a simple and effective method of getting her
+out of the way for the time being. Nevertheless, the girl did not take
+kindly to the idea of being tamely put to sleep without as much as one
+bid for freedom. She felt that once Mrs. Vandemeyer gave them the slip,
+the last hope of finding Tommy would be gone.
+
+Tuppence was quick in her mental processes. All these reflections
+passed through her mind in a flash, and she saw where a chance, a very
+problematical chance, lay, and she determined to risk all in one supreme
+effort.
+
+Accordingly, she lurched suddenly off the bed and fell on her knees
+before Mrs. Vandemeyer, clutching her skirts frantically.
+
+“I don’t believe it,” she moaned. “It’s poison--I know it’s poison.
+Oh, don’t make me drink it”--her voice rose to a shriek--“don’t make me
+drink it!”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer, glass in hand, looked down with a curling lip at this
+sudden collapse.
+
+“Get up, you little idiot! Don’t go on drivelling there. How you ever
+had the nerve to play your part as you did I can’t think.” She stamped
+her foot. “Get up, I say.”
+
+But Tuppence continued to cling and sob, interjecting her sobs with
+incoherent appeals for mercy. Every minute gained was to the good.
+Moreover, as she grovelled, she moved imperceptibly nearer to her
+objective.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer gave a sharp impatient exclamation, and jerked the girl
+to her knees.
+
+“Drink it at once!” Imperiously she pressed the glass to the girl’s
+lips.
+
+Tuppence gave one last despairing moan.
+
+“You swear it won’t hurt me?” she temporized.
+
+“Of course it won’t hurt you. Don’t be a fool.”
+
+“Will you swear it?”
+
+“Yes, yes,” said the other impatiently. “I swear it.”
+
+Tuppence raised a trembling left hand to the glass.
+
+“Very well.” Her mouth opened meekly.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer gave a sigh of relief, off her guard for the moment.
+Then, quick as a flash, Tuppence jerked the glass upward as hard as she
+could. The fluid in it splashed into Mrs. Vandemeyer’s face, and during
+her momentary gasp, Tuppence’s right hand shot out and grasped the
+revolver where it lay on the edge of the washstand. The next moment
+she had sprung back a pace, and the revolver pointed straight at Mrs.
+Vandemeyer’s heart, with no unsteadiness in the hand that held it.
+
+In the moment of victory, Tuppence betrayed a somewhat unsportsmanlike
+triumph.
+
+“Now who’s on top and who’s underneath?” she crowed.
+
+The other’s face was convulsed with rage. For a minute Tuppence thought
+she was going to spring upon her, which would have placed the girl in an
+unpleasant dilemma, since she meant to draw the line at actually letting
+off the revolver. However, with an effort Mrs. Vandemeyer controlled
+herself, and at last a slow evil smile crept over her face.
+
+“Not a fool, then, after all! You did that well, girl. But you shall pay
+for it--oh, yes, you shall pay for it! I have a long memory!”
+
+“I’m surprised you should have been gulled so easily,” said Tuppence
+scornfully. “Did you really think I was the kind of girl to roll about
+on the floor and whine for mercy?”
+
+“You may do--some day!” said the other significantly.
+
+The cold malignity of her manner sent an unpleasant chill down
+Tuppence’s spine, but she was not going to give in to it.
+
+“Supposing we sit down,” she said pleasantly. “Our present attitude is
+a little melodramatic. No--not on the bed. Draw a chair up to the table,
+that’s right. Now I’ll sit opposite you with the revolver in front of
+me--just in case of accidents. Splendid. Now, let’s talk.”
+
+“What about?” said Mrs. Vandemeyer sullenly.
+
+Tuppence eyed her thoughtfully for a minute. She was remembering several
+things. Boris’s words, “I believe you would sell-- _us!_” and her
+answer, “The price would have to be enormous,” given lightly, it was
+true, yet might not there be a substratum of truth in it? Long ago,
+had not Whittington asked: “Who’s been blabbing? Rita?” Would Rita
+Vandemeyer prove to be the weak spot in the armour of Mr. Brown?
+
+Keeping her eyes fixed steadily on the other’s face, Tuppence replied
+quietly:
+
+“Money----”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer started. Clearly, the reply was unexpected.
+
+“What do you mean?”
+
+“I’ll tell you. You said just now that you had a long memory. A long
+memory isn’t half as useful as a long purse! I dare say it relieves your
+feelings a good deal to plan out all sorts of dreadful things to do to
+me, but is that _practical?_ Revenge is very unsatisfactory. Every one
+always says so. But money”--Tuppence warmed to her pet creed--“well,
+there’s nothing unsatisfactory about money, is there?”
+
+“Do you think,” said Mrs. Vandemeyer scornfully, “that I am the kind of
+woman to sell my friends?”
+
+“Yes,” said Tuppence promptly. “If the price was big enough.”
+
+“A paltry hundred pounds or so!”
+
+“No,” said Tuppence. “I should suggest--a hundred thousand!”
+
+Her economical spirit did not permit her to mention the whole million
+dollars suggested by Julius.
+
+A flush crept over Mrs. Vandemeyer’s face.
+
+“What did you say?” she asked, her fingers playing nervously with a
+brooch on her breast. In that moment Tuppence knew that the fish was
+hooked, and for the first time she felt a horror of her own money-loving
+spirit. It gave her a dreadful sense of kinship to the woman fronting
+her.
+
+“A hundred thousand pounds,” repeated Tuppence.
+
+The light died out of Mrs. Vandemeyer’s eyes. She leaned back in her
+chair.
+
+“Bah!” she said. “You haven’t got it.”
+
+“No,” admitted Tuppence, “I haven’t--but I know some one who has.”
+
+“Who?”
+
+“A friend of mine.”
+
+“Must be a millionaire,” remarked Mrs. Vandemeyer unbelievingly.
+
+“As a matter of fact he is. He’s an American. He’ll pay you that
+without a murmur. You can take it from me that it’s a perfectly genuine
+proposition.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer sat up again.
+
+“I’m inclined to believe you,” she said slowly.
+
+There was silence between them for some time, then Mrs. Vandemeyer
+looked up.
+
+“What does he want to know, this friend of yours?”
+
+Tuppence went through a momentary struggle, but it was Julius’s money,
+and his interests must come first.
+
+“He wants to know where Jane Finn is,” she said boldly.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer showed no surprise.
+
+“I’m not sure where she is at the present moment,” she replied.
+
+“But you could find out?”
+
+“Oh, yes,” returned Mrs. Vandemeyer carelessly. “There would be no
+difficulty about that.”
+
+“Then”--Tuppence’s voice shook a little--“there’s a boy, a friend of
+mine. I’m afraid something’s happened to him, through your pal Boris.”
+
+“What’s his name?”
+
+“Tommy Beresford.”
+
+“Never heard of him. But I’ll ask Boris. He’ll tell me anything he
+knows.”
+
+“Thank you.” Tuppence felt a terrific rise in her spirits. It impelled
+her to more audacious efforts. “There’s one thing more.”
+
+“Well?”
+
+Tuppence leaned forward and lowered her voice.
+
+_“Who is Mr. Brown?”_
+
+Her quick eyes saw the sudden paling of the beautiful face. With an
+effort Mrs. Vandemeyer pulled herself together and tried to resume her
+former manner. But the attempt was a mere parody.
+
+She shrugged her shoulders.
+
+“You can’t have learnt much about us if you don’t know that _nobody
+knows who Mr. Brown is_....”
+
+“You do,” said Tuppence quietly.
+
+Again the colour deserted the other’s face.
+
+“What makes you think that?”
+
+“I don’t know,” said the girl truthfully. “But I’m sure.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer stared in front of her for a long time.
+
+“Yes,” she said hoarsely, at last, “_I_ know. I was beautiful, you
+see--very beautiful----”
+
+“You are still,” said Tuppence with admiration.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer shook her head. There was a strange gleam in her
+electric-blue eyes.
+
+“Not beautiful enough,” she said in a soft dangerous voice.
+“Not--beautiful--enough! And sometimes, lately, I’ve been afraid....
+It’s dangerous to know too much!” She leaned forward across the table.
+“Swear that my name shan’t be brought into it--that no one shall ever
+know.”
+
+“I swear it. And, once’s he caught, you’ll be out of danger.”
+
+A terrified look swept across Mrs. Vandemeyer’s face.
+
+“Shall I? Shall I ever be?” She clutched Tuppence’s arm. “You’re sure
+about the money?”
+
+“Quite sure.”
+
+“When shall I have it? There must be no delay.”
+
+“This friend of mine will be here presently. He may have to send cables,
+or something like that. But there won’t be any delay--he’s a terrific
+hustler.”
+
+A resolute look settled on Mrs. Vandemeyer’s face.
+
+“I’ll do it. It’s a great sum of money, and besides”--she gave a curious
+smile--“it is not--wise to throw over a woman like me!”
+
+For a moment or two, she remained smiling, and lightly tapping her
+fingers on the table. Suddenly she started, and her face blanched.
+
+“What was that?”
+
+“I heard nothing.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer gazed round her fearfully.
+
+“If there should be some one listening----”
+
+“Nonsense. Who could there be?”
+
+“Even the walls might have ears,” whispered the other. “I tell you I’m
+frightened. You don’t know him!”
+
+“Think of the hundred thousand pounds,” said Tuppence soothingly.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer passed her tongue over her dried lips.
+
+“You don’t know him,” she reiterated hoarsely. “He’s--ah!”
+
+With a shriek of terror she sprang to her feet. Her outstretched hand
+pointed over Tuppence’s head. Then she swayed to the ground in a dead
+faint.
+
+Tuppence looked round to see what had startled her.
+
+In the doorway were Sir James Peel Edgerton and Julius Hersheimmer.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII. THE VIGIL
+
+SIR James brushed past Julius and hurriedly bent over the fallen woman.
+
+“Heart,” he said sharply. “Seeing us so suddenly must have given her a
+shock. Brandy--and quickly, or she’ll slip through our fingers.”
+
+Julius hurried to the washstand.
+
+“Not there,” said Tuppence over her shoulder. “In the tantalus in the
+dining-room. Second door down the passage.”
+
+Between them Sir James and Tuppence lifted Mrs. Vandemeyer and carried
+her to the bed. There they dashed water on her face, but with no result.
+The lawyer fingered her pulse.
+
+“Touch and go,” he muttered. “I wish that young fellow would hurry up
+with the brandy.”
+
+At that moment Julius re-entered the room, carrying a glass half full of
+the spirit which he handed to Sir James. While Tuppence lifted her head
+the lawyer tried to force a little of the spirit between her closed
+lips. Finally the woman opened her eyes feebly. Tuppence held the glass
+to her lips.
+
+“Drink this.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer complied. The brandy brought the colour back to her
+white cheeks, and revived her in a marvellous fashion. She tried to sit
+up--then fell back with a groan, her hand to her side.
+
+“It’s my heart,” she whispered. “I mustn’t talk.”
+
+She lay back with closed eyes.
+
+Sir James kept his finger on her wrist a minute longer, then withdrew it
+with a nod.
+
+“She’ll do now.”
+
+All three moved away, and stood together talking in low voices. One
+and all were conscious of a certain feeling of anticlimax. Clearly any
+scheme for cross-questioning the lady was out of the question for the
+moment. For the time being they were baffled, and could do nothing.
+
+Tuppence related how Mrs. Vandemeyer had declared herself willing
+to disclose the identity of Mr. Brown, and how she had consented to
+discover and reveal to them the whereabouts of Jane Finn. Julius was
+congratulatory.
+
+“That’s all right, Miss Tuppence. Splendid! I guess that hundred
+thousand pounds will look just as good in the morning to the lady as it
+did over night. There’s nothing to worry over. She won’t speak without
+the cash anyway, you bet!”
+
+There was certainly a good deal of common sense in this, and Tuppence
+felt a little comforted.
+
+“What you say is true,” said Sir James meditatively. “I must confess,
+however, that I cannot help wishing we had not interrupted at the minute
+we did. Still, it cannot be helped, it is only a matter of waiting until
+the morning.”
+
+He looked across at the inert figure on the bed. Mrs. Vandemeyer lay
+perfectly passive with closed eyes. He shook his head.
+
+“Well,” said Tuppence, with an attempt at cheerfulness, “we must wait
+until the morning, that’s all. But I don’t think we ought to leave the
+flat.”
+
+“What about leaving that bright boy of yours on guard?”
+
+“Albert? And suppose she came round again and hooked it. Albert couldn’t
+stop her.”
+
+“I guess she won’t want to make tracks away from the dollars.”
+
+“She might. She seemed very frightened of ‘Mr. Brown.’”
+
+“What? Real plumb scared of him?”
+
+“Yes. She looked round and said even walls had ears.”
+
+“Maybe she meant a dictaphone,” said Julius with interest.
+
+“Miss Tuppence is right,” said Sir James quietly. “We must not leave the
+flat--if only for Mrs. Vandemeyer’s sake.”
+
+Julius stared at him.
+
+“You think he’d get after her? Between now and to-morrow morning. How
+could he know, even?”
+
+“You forget your own suggestion of a dictaphone,” said Sir James dryly.
+“We have a very formidable adversary. I believe, if we exercise all due
+care, that there is a very good chance of his being delivered into our
+hands. But we must neglect no precaution. We have an important witness,
+but she must be safeguarded. I would suggest that Miss Tuppence should
+go to bed, and that you and I, Mr. Hersheimmer, should share the vigil.”
+
+Tuppence was about to protest, but happening to glance at the bed she
+saw Mrs. Vandemeyer, her eyes half-open, with such an expression of
+mingled fear and malevolence on her face that it quite froze the words
+on her lips.
+
+For a moment she wondered whether the faint and the heart attack had
+been a gigantic sham, but remembering the deadly pallor she could hardly
+credit the supposition. As she looked the expression disappeared as by
+magic, and Mrs. Vandemeyer lay inert and motionless as before. For a
+moment the girl fancied she must have dreamt it. But she determined
+nevertheless to be on the alert.
+
+“Well,” said Julius, “I guess we’d better make a move out of here any
+way.”
+
+The others fell in with his suggestion. Sir James again felt Mrs.
+Vandemeyer’s pulse.
+
+“Perfectly satisfactory,” he said in a low voice to Tuppence. “She’ll be
+absolutely all right after a night’s rest.”
+
+The girl hesitated a moment by the bed. The intensity of the expression
+she had surprised had impressed her powerfully. Mrs. Vandemeyer lifted
+her lids. She seemed to be struggling to speak. Tuppence bent over her.
+
+“Don’t--leave----” she seemed unable to proceed, murmuring something
+that sounded like “sleepy.” Then she tried again.
+
+Tuppence bent lower still. It was only a breath.
+
+“Mr.--Brown----” The voice stopped.
+
+But the half-closed eyes seemed still to send an agonized message.
+
+Moved by a sudden impulse, the girl said quickly:
+
+“I shan’t leave the flat. I shall sit up all night.”
+
+A flash of relief showed before the lids descended once more. Apparently
+Mrs. Vandemeyer slept. But her words had awakened a new uneasiness in
+Tuppence. What had she meant by that low murmur: “Mr. Brown?” Tuppence
+caught herself nervously looking over her shoulder. The big wardrobe
+loomed up in a sinister fashion before her eyes. Plenty of room for a
+man to hide in that.... Half-ashamed of herself, Tuppence pulled it open
+and looked inside. No one--of course! She stooped down and looked under
+the bed. There was no other possible hiding-place.
+
+Tuppence gave her familiar shake of the shoulders. It was absurd, this
+giving way to nerves! Slowly she went out of the room. Julius and Sir
+James were talking in a low voice. Sir James turned to her.
+
+“Lock the door on the outside, please, Miss Tuppence, and take out the
+key. There must be no chance of anyone entering that room.”
+
+The gravity of his manner impressed them, and Tuppence felt less ashamed
+of her attack of “nerves.”
+
+“Say,” remarked Julius suddenly, “there’s Tuppence’s bright boy. I guess
+I’d better go down and ease his young mind. That’s some lad, Tuppence.”
+
+“How did you get in, by the way?” asked Tuppence suddenly. “I forgot to
+ask.”
+
+“Well, Albert got me on the phone all right. I ran round for Sir James
+here, and we came right on. The boy was on the look out for us, and was
+just a mite worried about what might have happened to you. He’d been
+listening outside the door of the flat, but couldn’t hear anything.
+Anyhow he suggested sending us up in the coal lift instead of ringing
+the bell. And sure enough we landed in the scullery and came right along
+to find you. Albert’s still below, and must be just hopping mad by this
+time.” With which Julius departed abruptly.
+
+“Now then, Miss Tuppence,” said Sir James, “you know this place better
+than I do. Where do you suggest we should take up our quarters?”
+
+Tuppence considered for a moment or two.
+
+“I think Mrs. Vandemeyer’s boudoir would be the most comfortable,” she
+said at last, and led the way there.
+
+Sir James looked round approvingly.
+
+“This will do very well, and now, my dear young lady, do go to bed and
+get some sleep.”
+
+Tuppence shook her head resolutely.
+
+“I couldn’t, thank you, Sir James. I should dream of Mr. Brown all
+night!”
+
+“But you’ll be so tired, child.”
+
+“No, I shan’t. I’d rather stay up--really.”
+
+The lawyer gave in.
+
+Julius reappeared some minutes later, having reassured Albert and
+rewarded him lavishly for his services. Having in his turn failed to
+persuade Tuppence to go to bed, he said decisively:
+
+“At any rate, you’ve got to have something to eat right away. Where’s
+the larder?”
+
+Tuppence directed him, and he returned in a few minutes with a cold pie
+and three plates.
+
+After a hearty meal, the girl felt inclined to pooh-pooh her fancies of
+half an hour before. The power of the money bribe could not fail.
+
+“And now, Miss Tuppence,” said Sir James, “we want to hear your
+adventures.”
+
+“That’s so,” agreed Julius.
+
+Tuppence narrated her adventures with some complacence. Julius
+occasionally interjected an admiring “Bully.” Sir James said nothing
+until she had finished, when his quiet “well done, Miss Tuppence,” made
+her flush with pleasure.
+
+“There’s one thing I don’t get clearly,” said Julius. “What put her up
+to clearing out?”
+
+“I don’t know,” confessed Tuppence.
+
+Sir James stroked his chin thoughtfully.
+
+“The room was in great disorder. That looks as though her flight was
+unpremeditated. Almost as though she got a sudden warning to go from
+some one.”
+
+“Mr. Brown, I suppose,” said Julius scoffingly.
+
+The lawyer looked at him deliberately for a minute or two.
+
+“Why not?” he said. “Remember, you yourself have once been worsted by
+him.”
+
+Julius flushed with vexation.
+
+“I feel just mad when I think of how I handed out Jane’s photograph to
+him like a lamb. Gee, if I ever lay hands on it again, I’ll freeze on to
+it like--like hell!”
+
+“That contingency is likely to be a remote one,” said the other dryly.
+
+“I guess you’re right,” said Julius frankly. “And, in any case, it’s the
+original I’m out after. Where do you think she can be, Sir James?”
+
+The lawyer shook his head.
+
+“Impossible to say. But I’ve a very good idea where she _has_ been.”
+
+“You have? Where?”
+
+Sir James smiled.
+
+“At the scene of your nocturnal adventures, the Bournemouth nursing
+home.”
+
+“There? Impossible. I asked.”
+
+“No, my dear sir, you asked if anyone of the name of Jane Finn had been
+there. Now, if the girl had been placed there it would almost certainly
+be under an assumed name.”
+
+“Bully for you,” cried Julius. “I never thought of that!”
+
+“It was fairly obvious,” said the other.
+
+“Perhaps the doctor’s in it too,” suggested Tuppence.
+
+Julius shook his head.
+
+“I don’t think so. I took to him at once. No, I’m pretty sure Dr. Hall’s
+all right.”
+
+“Hall, did you say?” asked Sir James. “That is curious--really very
+curious.”
+
+“Why?” demanded Tuppence.
+
+“Because I happened to meet him this morning. I’ve known him slightly on
+and off for some years, and this morning I ran across him in the street.
+Staying at the _Métropole_, he told me.” He turned to Julius. “Didn’t
+he tell you he was coming up to town?”
+
+Julius shook his head.
+
+“Curious,” mused Sir James. “You did not mention his name this
+afternoon, or I would have suggested your going to him for further
+information with my card as introduction.”
+
+“I guess I’m a mutt,” said Julius with unusual humility. “I ought to
+have thought of the false name stunt.”
+
+“How could you think of anything after falling out of that tree?” cried
+Tuppence. “I’m sure anyone else would have been killed right off.”
+
+“Well, I guess it doesn’t matter now, anyway,” said Julius. “We’ve got
+Mrs. Vandemeyer on a string, and that’s all we need.”
+
+“Yes,” said Tuppence, but there was a lack of assurance in her voice.
+
+A silence settled down over the party. Little by little the magic of
+the night began to gain a hold on them. There were sudden creaks of the
+furniture, imperceptible rustlings in the curtains. Suddenly Tuppence
+sprang up with a cry.
+
+“I can’t help it. I know Mr. Brown’s somewhere in the flat! I can _feel_
+him.”
+
+“Sure, Tuppence, how could he be? This door’s open into the hall. No
+one could have come in by the front door without our seeing and hearing
+him.”
+
+“I can’t help it. I _feel_ he’s here!”
+
+She looked appealingly at Sir James, who replied gravely:
+
+“With due deference to your feelings, Miss Tuppence (and mine as well
+for that matter), I do not see how it is humanly possible for anyone to
+be in the flat without our knowledge.”
+
+The girl was a little comforted by his words.
+
+“Sitting up at night is always rather jumpy,” she confessed.
+
+“Yes,” said Sir James. “We are in the condition of people holding a
+séance. Perhaps if a medium were present we might get some marvellous
+results.”
+
+“Do you believe in spiritualism?” asked Tuppence, opening her eyes wide.
+
+The lawyer shrugged his shoulders.
+
+“There is some truth in it, without a doubt. But most of the testimony
+would not pass muster in the witness-box.”
+
+The hours drew on. With the first faint glimmerings of dawn, Sir James
+drew aside the curtains. They beheld, what few Londoners see, the slow
+rising of the sun over the sleeping city. Somehow, with the coming
+of the light, the dreads and fancies of the past night seemed absurd.
+Tuppence’s spirits revived to the normal.
+
+“Hooray!” she said. “It’s going to be a gorgeous day. And we shall find
+Tommy. And Jane Finn. And everything will be lovely. I shall ask Mr.
+Carter if I can’t be made a Dame!”
+
+At seven o’clock Tuppence volunteered to go and make some tea. She
+returned with a tray, containing the teapot and four cups.
+
+“Who’s the other cup for?” inquired Julius.
+
+“The prisoner, of course. I suppose we might call her that?”
+
+“Taking her tea seems a kind of anticlimax to last night,” said Julius
+thoughtfully.
+
+“Yes, it does,” admitted Tuppence. “But, anyway, here goes. Perhaps
+you’d both come, too, in case she springs on me, or anything. You see,
+we don’t know what mood she’ll wake up in.”
+
+Sir James and Julius accompanied her to the door.
+
+“Where’s the key? Oh, of course, I’ve got it myself.”
+
+She put it in the lock, and turned it, then paused.
+
+“Supposing, after all, she’s escaped?” she murmured in a whisper.
+
+“Plumb impossible,” replied Julius reassuringly.
+
+But Sir James said nothing.
+
+Tuppence drew a long breath and entered. She heaved a sigh of relief as
+she saw that Mrs. Vandemeyer was lying on the bed.
+
+“Good morning,” she remarked cheerfully. “I’ve brought you some tea.”
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer did not reply. Tuppence put down the cup on the table
+by the bed and went across to draw up the blinds. When she turned, Mrs.
+Vandemeyer still lay without a movement. With a sudden fear clutching
+at her heart, Tuppence ran to the bed. The hand she lifted was cold as
+ice.... Mrs. Vandemeyer would never speak now....
+
+Her cry brought the others. A very few minutes sufficed. Mrs. Vandemeyer
+was dead--must have been dead some hours. She had evidently died in her
+sleep.
+
+“If that isn’t the cruellest luck,” cried Julius in despair.
+
+The lawyer was calmer, but there was a curious gleam in his eyes.
+
+“If it is luck,” he replied.
+
+“You don’t think--but, say, that’s plumb impossible--no one could have
+got in.”
+
+“No,” admitted the lawyer. “I don’t see how they could. And yet--she is
+on the point of betraying Mr. Brown, and--she dies. Is it only chance?”
+
+“But how----”
+
+“Yes, _how!_ That is what we must find out.” He stood there silently,
+gently stroking his chin. “We must find out,” he said quietly, and
+Tuppence felt that if she was Mr. Brown she would not like the tone of
+those simple words.
+
+Julius’s glance went to the window.
+
+“The window’s open,” he remarked. “Do you think----”
+
+Tuppence shook her head.
+
+“The balcony only goes along as far as the boudoir. We were there.”
+
+“He might have slipped out----” suggested Julius.
+
+But Sir James interrupted him.
+
+“Mr. Brown’s methods are not so crude. In the meantime we must send for
+a doctor, but before we do so, is there anything in this room that might
+be of value to us?”
+
+Hastily, the three searched. A charred mass in the grate indicated
+that Mrs. Vandemeyer had been burning papers on the eve of her flight.
+Nothing of importance remained, though they searched the other rooms as
+well.
+
+“There’s that,” said Tuppence suddenly, pointing to a small,
+old-fashioned safe let into the wall. “It’s for jewellery, I believe,
+but there might be something else in it.”
+
+The key was in the lock, and Julius swung open the door, and searched
+inside. He was some time over the task.
+
+“Well,” said Tuppence impatiently.
+
+There was a pause before Julius answered, then he withdrew his head and
+shut to the door.
+
+“Nothing,” he said.
+
+In five minutes a brisk young doctor arrived, hastily summoned. He was
+deferential to Sir James, whom he recognized.
+
+“Heart failure, or possibly an overdose of some sleeping-draught.” He
+sniffed. “Rather an odour of chloral in the air.”
+
+Tuppence remembered the glass she had upset. A new thought drove her to
+the washstand. She found the little bottle from which Mrs. Vandemeyer
+had poured a few drops.
+
+It had been three parts full. Now-- _it was empty_.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV. A CONSULTATION
+
+NOTHING was more surprising and bewildering to Tuppence than the ease
+and simplicity with which everything was arranged, owing to Sir James’s
+skilful handling. The doctor accepted quite readily the theory that Mrs.
+Vandemeyer had accidentally taken an overdose of chloral. He doubted
+whether an inquest would be necessary. If so, he would let Sir James
+know. He understood that Mrs. Vandemeyer was on the eve of departure for
+abroad, and that the servants had already left? Sir James and his young
+friends had been paying a call upon her, when she was suddenly stricken
+down and they had spent the night in the flat, not liking to leave
+her alone. Did they know of any relatives? They did not, but Sir James
+referred him to Mrs. Vandemeyer’s solicitor.
+
+Shortly afterwards a nurse arrived to take charge, and the other left
+the ill-omened building.
+
+“And what now?” asked Julius, with a gesture of despair. “I guess we’re
+down and out for good.”
+
+Sir James stroked his chin thoughtfully.
+
+“No,” he said quietly. “There is still the chance that Dr. Hall may be
+able to tell us something.”
+
+“Gee! I’d forgotten him.”
+
+“The chance is slight, but it must not be neglected. I think I told you
+that he is staying at the _Métropole_. I should suggest that we call
+upon him there as soon as possible. Shall we say after a bath and
+breakfast?”
+
+It was arranged that Tuppence and Julius should return to the _Ritz_,
+and call for Sir James in the car. This programme was faithfully carried
+out, and a little after eleven they drew up before the _Métropole_.
+They asked for Dr. Hall, and a page-boy went in search of him. In a few
+minutes the little doctor came hurrying towards them.
+
+“Can you spare us a few minutes, Dr. Hall?” said Sir James pleasantly.
+“Let me introduce you to Miss Cowley. Mr. Hersheimmer, I think, you
+already know.”
+
+A quizzical gleam came into the doctor’s eye as he shook hands with
+Julius.
+
+“Ah, yes, my young friend of the tree episode! Ankle all right, eh?”
+
+“I guess it’s cured owing to your skilful treatment, doc.”
+
+“And the heart trouble? Ha ha!”
+
+“Still searching,” said Julius briefly.
+
+“To come to the point, can we have a word with you in private?” asked
+Sir James.
+
+“Certainly. I think there is a room here where we shall be quite
+undisturbed.”
+
+He led the way, and the others followed him. They sat down, and the
+doctor looked inquiringly at Sir James.
+
+“Dr. Hall, I am very anxious to find a certain young lady for the
+purpose of obtaining a statement from her. I have reason to believe
+that she has been at one time or another in your establishment at
+Bournemouth. I hope I am transgressing no professional etiquette in
+questioning you on the subject?”
+
+“I suppose it is a matter of testimony?”
+
+Sir James hesitated a moment, then he replied:
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“I shall be pleased to give you any information in my power. What is
+the young lady’s name? Mr. Hersheimmer asked me, I remember----” He half
+turned to Julius.
+
+“The name,” said Sir James bluntly, “is really immaterial. She would be
+almost certainly sent to you under an assumed one. But I should like to
+know if you are acquainted with a Mrs. Vandemeyer?”
+
+“Mrs. Vandemeyer, of 20 South Audley Mansions? I know her slightly.”
+
+“You are not aware of what has happened?”
+
+“What do you mean?”
+
+“You do not know that Mrs. Vandemeyer is dead?”
+
+“Dear, dear, I had no idea of it! When did it happen?”
+
+“She took an overdose of chloral last night.”
+
+“Purposely?”
+
+“Accidentally, it is believed. I should not like to say myself. Anyway,
+she was found dead this morning.”
+
+“Very sad. A singularly handsome woman. I presume she was a friend of
+yours, since you are acquainted with all these details.”
+
+“I am acquainted with the details because--well, it was I who found her
+dead.”
+
+“Indeed,” said the doctor, starting.
+
+“Yes,” said Sir James, and stroked his chin reflectively.
+
+“This is very sad news, but you will excuse me if I say that I do not
+see how it bears on the subject of your inquiry?”
+
+“It bears on it in this way, is it not a fact that Mrs. Vandemeyer
+committed a young relative of hers to your charge?”
+
+Julius leaned forward eagerly.
+
+“That is the case,” said the doctor quietly.
+
+“Under the name of----?”
+
+“Janet Vandemeyer. I understood her to be a niece of Mrs. Vandemeyer’s.”
+
+“And she came to you?”
+
+“As far as I can remember in June or July of 1915.”
+
+“Was she a mental case?”
+
+“She is perfectly sane, if that is what you mean. I understood from Mrs.
+Vandemeyer that the girl had been with her on the _Lusitania_ when
+that ill-fated ship was sunk, and had suffered a severe shock in
+consequence.”
+
+“We’re on the right track, I think?” Sir James looked round.
+
+“As I said before, I’m a mutt!” returned Julius.
+
+The doctor looked at them all curiously.
+
+“You spoke of wanting a statement from her,” he said. “Supposing she is
+not able to give one?”
+
+“What? You have just said that she is perfectly sane.”
+
+“So she is. Nevertheless, if you want a statement from her concerning
+any events prior to May 7, 1915, she will not be able to give it to
+you.”
+
+They looked at the little man, stupefied. He nodded cheerfully.
+
+“It’s a pity,” he said. “A great pity, especially as I gather, Sir
+James, that the matter is important. But there it is, she can tell you
+nothing.”
+
+“But why, man? Darn it all, why?”
+
+The little man shifted his benevolent glance to the excited young
+American.
+
+“Because Janet Vandemeyer is suffering from a complete loss of memory.”
+
+_“What?”_
+
+“Quite so. An interesting case, a _very_ interesting case. Not so
+uncommon, really, as you would think. There are several very well known
+parallels. It’s the first case of the kind that I’ve had under my own
+personal observation, and I must admit that I’ve found it of absorbing
+interest.” There was something rather ghoulish in the little man’s
+satisfaction.
+
+“And she remembers nothing,” said Sir James slowly.
+
+“Nothing prior to May 7, 1915. After that date her memory is as good as
+yours or mine.”
+
+“Then the first thing she remembers?”
+
+“Is landing with the survivors. Everything before that is a blank. She
+did not know her own name, or where she had come from, or where she was.
+She couldn’t even speak her own tongue.”
+
+“But surely all this is most unusual?” put in Julius.
+
+“No, my dear sir. Quite normal under the circumstances. Severe shock to
+the nervous system. Loss of memory proceeds nearly always on the same
+lines. I suggested a specialist, of course. There’s a very good man in
+Paris--makes a study of these cases--but Mrs. Vandemeyer opposed the
+idea of publicity that might result from such a course.”
+
+“I can imagine she would,” said Sir James grimly.
+
+“I fell in with her views. There is a certain notoriety given to these
+cases. And the girl was very young--nineteen, I believe. It seemed
+a pity that her infirmity should be talked about--might damage her
+prospects. Besides, there is no special treatment to pursue in such
+cases. It is really a matter of waiting.”
+
+“Waiting?”
+
+“Yes, sooner or later, the memory will return--as suddenly as it
+went. But in all probability the girl will have entirely forgotten the
+intervening period, and will take up life where she left off--at the
+sinking of the _Lusitania_.”
+
+“And when do you expect this to happen?”
+
+The doctor shrugged his shoulders.
+
+“Ah, that I cannot say. Sometimes it is a matter of months, sometimes
+it has been known to be as long as twenty years! Sometimes another shock
+does the trick. One restores what the other took away.”
+
+“Another shock, eh?” said Julius thoughtfully.
+
+“Exactly. There was a case in Colorado----” The little man’s voice
+trailed on, voluble, mildly enthusiastic.
+
+Julius did not seem to be listening. He had relapsed into his own
+thoughts and was frowning. Suddenly he came out of his brown study,
+and hit the table such a resounding bang with his fist that every one
+jumped, the doctor most of all.
+
+“I’ve got it! I guess, doc, I’d like your medical opinion on the plan
+I’m about to outline. Say Jane was to cross the herring pond again, and
+the same thing was to happen. The submarine, the sinking ship, every one
+to take to the boats--and so on. Wouldn’t that do the trick? Wouldn’t it
+give a mighty big bump to her subconscious self, or whatever the jargon
+is, and start it functioning again right away?”
+
+“A very interesting speculation, Mr. Hersheimmer. In my own opinion, it
+would be successful. It is unfortunate that there is no chance of the
+conditions repeating themselves as you suggest.”
+
+“Not by nature, perhaps, doc. But I’m talking about art.”
+
+“Art?”
+
+“Why, yes. What’s the difficulty? Hire a liner----”
+
+“A liner!” murmured Dr. Hall faintly.
+
+“Hire some passengers, hire a submarine--that’s the only difficulty, I
+guess. Governments are apt to be a bit hide-bound over their engines of
+war. They won’t sell to the first-comer. Still, I guess that can be got
+over. Ever heard of the word ‘graft,’ sir? Well, graft gets there every
+time! I reckon that we shan’t really need to fire a torpedo. If every
+one hustles round and screams loud enough that the ship is sinking, it
+ought to be enough for an innocent young girl like Jane. By the time
+she’s got a life-belt on her, and is being hustled into a boat, with
+a well-drilled lot of artistes doing the hysterical stunt on deck,
+why--she ought to be right back where she was in May, 1915. How’s that
+for the bare outline?”
+
+Dr. Hall looked at Julius. Everything that he was for the moment
+incapable of saying was eloquent in that look.
+
+“No,” said Julius, in answer to it, “I’m not crazy. The thing’s
+perfectly possible. It’s done every day in the States for the movies.
+Haven’t you seen trains in collision on the screen? What’s the
+difference between buying up a train and buying up a liner? Get the
+properties and you can go right ahead!”
+
+Dr. Hall found his voice.
+
+“But the expense, my dear sir.” His voice rose. “The expense! It will be
+_colossal!_”
+
+“Money doesn’t worry me any,” explained Julius simply.
+
+Dr. Hall turned an appealing face to Sir James, who smiled slightly.
+
+“Mr. Hersheimmer is very well off--very well off indeed.”
+
+The doctor’s glance came back to Julius with a new and subtle quality in
+it. This was no longer an eccentric young fellow with a habit of falling
+off trees. The doctor’s eyes held the deference accorded to a really
+rich man.
+
+“Very remarkable plan. Very remarkable,” he murmured. “The movies--of
+course! Your American word for the kinema. Very interesting. I fear we
+are perhaps a little behind the times over here in our methods. And you
+really mean to carry out this remarkable plan of yours.”
+
+“You bet your bottom dollar I do.”
+
+The doctor believed him--which was a tribute to his nationality. If an
+Englishman had suggested such a thing, he would have had grave doubts as
+to his sanity.
+
+“I cannot guarantee a cure,” he pointed out. “Perhaps I ought to make
+that quite clear.”
+
+“Sure, that’s all right,” said Julius. “You just trot out Jane, and
+leave the rest to me.”
+
+“Jane?”
+
+“Miss Janet Vandemeyer, then. Can we get on the long distance to your
+place right away, and ask them to send her up; or shall I run down and
+fetch her in my car?”
+
+The doctor stared.
+
+“I beg your pardon, Mr. Hersheimmer. I thought you understood.”
+
+“Understood what?”
+
+“That Miss Vandemeyer is no longer under my care.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV. TUPPENCE RECEIVES A PROPOSAL
+
+JULIUS sprang up.
+
+“What?”
+
+“I thought you were aware of that.”
+
+“When did she leave?”
+
+“Let me see. To-day is Monday, is it not? It must have been last
+Wednesday--why, surely--yes, it was the same evening that you--er--fell
+out of my tree.”
+
+“That evening? Before, or after?”
+
+“Let me see--oh yes, afterwards. A very urgent message arrived from Mrs.
+Vandemeyer. The young lady and the nurse who was in charge of her left
+by the night train.”
+
+Julius sank back again into his chair.
+
+“Nurse Edith--left with a patient--I remember,” he muttered. “My God, to
+have been so near!”
+
+Dr. Hall looked bewildered.
+
+“I don’t understand. Is the young lady not with her aunt, after all?”
+
+Tuppence shook her head. She was about to speak when a warning glance
+from Sir James made her hold her tongue. The lawyer rose.
+
+“I’m much obliged to you, Hall. We’re very grateful for all you’ve
+told us. I’m afraid we’re now in the position of having to track Miss
+Vandemeyer anew. What about the nurse who accompanied her; I suppose you
+don’t know where she is?”
+
+The doctor shook his head.
+
+“We’ve not heard from her, as it happens. I understood she was to remain
+with Miss Vandemeyer for a while. But what can have happened? Surely the
+girl has not been kidnapped.”
+
+“That remains to be seen,” said Sir James gravely.
+
+The other hesitated.
+
+“You do not think I ought to go to the police?”
+
+“No, no. In all probability the young lady is with other relations.”
+
+The doctor was not completely satisfied, but he saw that Sir James was
+determined to say no more, and realized that to try and extract
+more information from the famous K.C. would be mere waste of labour.
+Accordingly, he wished them goodbye, and they left the hotel. For a few
+minutes they stood by the car talking.
+
+“How maddening,” cried Tuppence. “To think that Julius must have been
+actually under the same roof with her for a few hours.”
+
+“I was a darned idiot,” muttered Julius gloomily.
+
+“You couldn’t know,” Tuppence consoled him. “Could he?” She appealed to
+Sir James.
+
+“I should advise you not to worry,” said the latter kindly. “No use
+crying over spilt milk, you know.”
+
+“The great thing is what to do next,” added Tuppence the practical.
+
+Sir James shrugged his shoulders.
+
+“You might advertise for the nurse who accompanied the girl. That is
+the only course I can suggest, and I must confess I do not hope for much
+result. Otherwise there is nothing to be done.”
+
+“Nothing?” said Tuppence blankly. “And--Tommy?”
+
+“We must hope for the best,” said Sir James. “Oh yes, we must go on
+hoping.”
+
+But over her downcast head his eyes met Julius’s, and almost
+imperceptibly he shook his head. Julius understood. The lawyer
+considered the case hopeless. The young American’s face grew grave. Sir
+James took Tuppence’s hand.
+
+“You must let me know if anything further comes to light. Letters will
+always be forwarded.”
+
+Tuppence stared at him blankly.
+
+“You are going away?”
+
+“I told you. Don’t you remember? To Scotland.”
+
+“Yes, but I thought----” The girl hesitated.
+
+Sir James shrugged his shoulders.
+
+“My dear young lady, I can do nothing more, I fear. Our clues have all
+ended in thin air. You can take my word for it that there is nothing
+more to be done. If anything should arise, I shall be glad to advise you
+in any way I can.”
+
+His words gave Tuppence an extraordinarily desolate feeling.
+
+“I suppose you’re right,” she said. “Anyway, thank you very much for
+trying to help us. Good-bye.”
+
+Julius was bending over the car. A momentary pity came into Sir James’s
+keen eyes, as he gazed into the girl’s downcast face.
+
+“Don’t be too disconsolate, Miss Tuppence,” he said in a low voice.
+“Remember, holiday-time isn’t always all playtime. One sometimes manages
+to put in some work as well.”
+
+Something in his tone made Tuppence glance up sharply. He shook his head
+with a smile.
+
+“No, I shan’t say any more. Great mistake to say too much. Remember
+that. Never tell all you know--not even to the person you know best.
+Understand? Good-bye.”
+
+He strode away. Tuppence stared after him. She was beginning to
+understand Sir James’s methods. Once before he had thrown her a hint
+in the same careless fashion. Was this a hint? What exactly lay
+behind those last brief words? Did he mean that, after all, he had not
+abandoned the case; that, secretly, he would be working on it still
+while----
+
+Her meditations were interrupted by Julius, who adjured her to “get
+right in.”
+
+“You’re looking kind of thoughtful,” he remarked as they started off.
+“Did the old guy say anything more?”
+
+Tuppence opened her mouth impulsively, and then shut it again. Sir
+James’s words sounded in her ears: “Never tell all you know--not even
+to the person you know best.” And like a flash there came into her mind
+another memory. Julius before the safe in the flat, her own question and
+the pause before his reply, “Nothing.” Was there really nothing? Or
+had he found something he wished to keep to himself? If he could make a
+reservation, so could she.
+
+“Nothing particular,” she replied.
+
+She felt rather than saw Julius throw a sideways glance at her.
+
+“Say, shall we go for a spin in the park?”
+
+“If you like.”
+
+For a while they ran on under the trees in silence. It was a beautiful
+day. The keen rush through the air brought a new exhilaration to
+Tuppence.
+
+“Say, Miss Tuppence, do you think I’m ever going to find Jane?”
+
+Julius spoke in a discouraged voice. The mood was so alien to him that
+Tuppence turned and stared at him in surprise. He nodded.
+
+“That’s so. I’m getting down and out over the business. Sir James to-day
+hadn’t got any hope at all, I could see that. I don’t like him--we don’t
+gee together somehow--but he’s pretty cute, and I guess he wouldn’t quit
+if there was any chance of success--now, would he?”
+
+Tuppence felt rather uncomfortable, but clinging to her belief that
+Julius also had withheld something from her, she remained firm.
+
+“He suggested advertising for the nurse,” she reminded him.
+
+“Yes, with a ‘forlorn hope’ flavour to his voice! No--I’m about fed up.
+I’ve half a mind to go back to the States right away.”
+
+“Oh no!” cried Tuppence. “We’ve got to find Tommy.”
+
+“I sure forgot Beresford,” said Julius contritely. “That’s so. We must
+find him. But after--well, I’ve been day-dreaming ever since I started
+on this trip--and these dreams are rotten poor business. I’m quit of
+them. Say, Miss Tuppence, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”
+
+“Yes?”
+
+“You and Beresford. What about it?”
+
+“I don’t understand you,” replied Tuppence with dignity, adding rather
+inconsequently: “And, anyway, you’re wrong!”
+
+“Not got a sort of kindly feeling for one another?”
+
+“Certainly not,” said Tuppence with warmth. “Tommy and I are
+friends--nothing more.”
+
+“I guess every pair of lovers has said that sometime or another,”
+ observed Julius.
+
+“Nonsense!” snapped Tuppence. “Do I look the sort of girl that’s always
+falling in love with every man she meets?”
+
+“You do not. You look the sort of girl that’s mighty often getting
+fallen in love with!”
+
+“Oh!” said Tuppence, rather taken aback. “That’s a compliment, I
+suppose?”
+
+“Sure. Now let’s get down to this. Supposing we never find Beresford
+and--and----”
+
+“All right--say it! I can face facts. Supposing he’s--dead! Well?”
+
+“And all this business fiddles out. What are you going to do?”
+
+“I don’t know,” said Tuppence forlornly.
+
+“You’ll be darned lonesome, you poor kid.”
+
+“I shall be all right,” snapped Tuppence with her usual resentment of
+any kind of pity.
+
+“What about marriage?” inquired Julius. “Got any views on the subject?”
+
+“I intend to marry, of course,” replied Tuppence. “That is, if”--she
+paused, knew a momentary longing to draw back, and then stuck to her
+guns bravely--“I can find some one rich enough to make it worth my
+while. That’s frank, isn’t it? I dare say you despise me for it.”
+
+“I never despise business instinct,” said Julius. “What particular
+figure have you in mind?”
+
+“Figure?” asked Tuppence, puzzled. “Do you mean tall or short?”
+
+“No. Sum--income.”
+
+“Oh, I--I haven’t quite worked that out.”
+
+“What about me?”
+
+_“You?”_
+
+“Sure thing.”
+
+“Oh, I couldn’t!”
+
+“Why not?”
+
+“I tell you I couldn’t.”
+
+“Again, why not?”
+
+“It would seem so unfair.”
+
+“I don’t see anything unfair about it. I call your bluff, that’s all. I
+admire you immensely, Miss Tuppence, more than any girl I’ve ever met.
+You’re so darned plucky. I’d just love to give you a real, rattling good
+time. Say the word, and we’ll run round right away to some high-class
+jeweller, and fix up the ring business.”
+
+“I can’t,” gasped Tuppence.
+
+“Because of Beresford?”
+
+“No, no, _no!_”
+
+“Well then?”
+
+Tuppence merely continued to shake her head violently.
+
+“You can’t reasonably expect more dollars than I’ve got.”
+
+“Oh, it isn’t that,” gasped Tuppence with an almost hysterical laugh.
+“But thanking you very much, and all that, I think I’d better say no.”
+
+“I’d be obliged if you’d do me the favour to think it over until
+to-morrow.”
+
+“It’s no use.”
+
+“Still, I guess we’ll leave it like that.”
+
+“Very well,” said Tuppence meekly.
+
+Neither of them spoke again until they reached the _Ritz_.
+
+Tuppence went upstairs to her room. She felt morally battered to the
+ground after her conflict with Julius’s vigorous personality. Sitting
+down in front of the glass, she stared at her own reflection for some
+minutes.
+
+“Fool,” murmured Tuppence at length, making a grimace. “Little fool.
+Everything you want--everything you’ve ever hoped for, and you go and
+bleat out ‘no’ like an idiotic little sheep. It’s your one chance. Why
+don’t you take it? Grab it? Snatch at it? What more do you want?”
+
+As if in answer to her own question, her eyes fell on a small snapshot
+of Tommy that stood on her dressing-table in a shabby frame. For a
+moment she struggled for self-control, and then abandoning all presence,
+she held it to her lips and burst into a fit of sobbing.
+
+“Oh, Tommy, Tommy,” she cried, “I do love you so--and I may never see
+you again....”
+
+At the end of five minutes Tuppence sat up, blew her nose, and pushed
+back her hair.
+
+“That’s that,” she observed sternly. “Let’s look facts in the face. I
+seem to have fallen in love--with an idiot of a boy who probably doesn’t
+care two straws about me.” Here she paused. “Anyway,” she resumed, as
+though arguing with an unseen opponent, “I don’t _know_ that he does.
+He’d never have dared to say so. I’ve always jumped on sentiment--and
+here I am being more sentimental than anybody. What idiots girls are!
+I’ve always thought so. I suppose I shall sleep with his photograph
+under my pillow, and dream about him all night. It’s dreadful to feel
+you’ve been false to your principles.”
+
+Tuppence shook her head sadly, as she reviewed her backsliding.
+
+“I don’t know what to say to Julius, I’m sure. Oh, what a fool I feel!
+I’ll have to say _something_--he’s so American and thorough, he’ll
+insist upon having a reason. I wonder if he did find anything in that
+safe----”
+
+Tuppence’s meditations went off on another tack. She reviewed the events
+of last night carefully and persistently. Somehow, they seemed bound up
+with Sir James’s enigmatical words....
+
+Suddenly she gave a great start--the colour faded out of her face. Her
+eyes, fascinated, gazed in front of her, the pupils dilated.
+
+“Impossible,” she murmured. “Impossible! I must be going mad even to
+think of such a thing....”
+
+Monstrous--yet it explained everything....
+
+After a moment’s reflection she sat down and wrote a note, weighing each
+word as she did so. Finally she nodded her head as though satisfied, and
+slipped it into an envelope which she addressed to Julius. She went
+down the passage to his sitting-room and knocked at the door. As she had
+expected, the room was empty. She left the note on the table.
+
+A small page-boy was waiting outside her own door when she returned to
+it.
+
+“Telegram for you, miss.”
+
+Tuppence took it from the salver, and tore it open carelessly. Then she
+gave a cry. The telegram was from Tommy!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI. FURTHER ADVENTURES OF TOMMY
+
+FROM a darkness punctuated with throbbing stabs of fire, Tommy dragged
+his senses slowly back to life. When he at last opened his eyes, he was
+conscious of nothing but an excruciating pain through his temples. He
+was vaguely aware of unfamiliar surroundings. Where was he? What had
+happened? He blinked feebly. This was not his bedroom at the _Ritz_. And
+what the devil was the matter with his head?
+
+“Damn!” said Tommy, and tried to sit up. He had remembered. He was in
+that sinister house in Soho. He uttered a groan and fell back. Through
+his almost-closed lids he reconnoitred carefully.
+
+“He is coming to,” remarked a voice very near Tommy’s ear. He recognized
+it at once for that of the bearded and efficient German, and lay
+artistically inert. He felt that it would be a pity to come round too
+soon; and until the pain in his head became a little less acute, he felt
+quite incapable of collecting his wits. Painfully he tried to puzzle out
+what had happened. Obviously somebody must have crept up behind him as
+he listened and struck him down with a blow on the head. They knew
+him now for a spy, and would in all probability give him short shrift.
+Undoubtedly he was in a tight place. Nobody knew where he was, therefore
+he need expect no outside assistance, and must depend solely on his own
+wits.
+
+“Well, here goes,” murmured Tommy to himself, and repeated his former
+remark.
+
+“Damn!” he observed, and this time succeeded in sitting up.
+
+In a minute the German stepped forward and placed a glass to his lips,
+with the brief command “Drink.” Tommy obeyed. The potency of the draught
+made him choke, but it cleared his brain in a marvellous manner.
+
+He was lying on a couch in the room in which the meeting had been held.
+On one side of him was the German, on the other the villainous-faced
+doorkeeper who had let him in. The others were grouped together at a
+little distance away. But Tommy missed one face. The man known as Number
+One was no longer of the company.
+
+“Feel better?” asked the German, as he removed the empty glass.
+
+“Yes, thanks,” returned Tommy cheerfully.
+
+“Ah, my young friend, it is lucky for you your skull is so thick. The
+good Conrad struck hard.” He indicated the evil-faced doorkeeper by a
+nod. The man grinned.
+
+Tommy twisted his head round with an effort.
+
+“Oh,” he said, “so you’re Conrad, are you? It strikes me the thickness
+of my skull was lucky for you too. When I look at you I feel it’s almost
+a pity I’ve enabled you to cheat the hangman.”
+
+The man snarled, and the bearded man said quietly:
+
+“He would have run no risk of that.”
+
+“Just as you like,” replied Tommy. “I know it’s the fashion to run down
+the police. I rather believe in them myself.”
+
+His manner was nonchalant to the last degree. Tommy Beresford was one
+of those young Englishmen not distinguished by any special intellectual
+ability, but who are emphatically at their best in what is known as a
+“tight place.” Their natural diffidence and caution fall from them like
+a glove. Tommy realized perfectly that in his own wits lay the only
+chance of escape, and behind his casual manner he was racking his brains
+furiously.
+
+The cold accents of the German took up the conversation:
+
+“Have you anything to say before you are put to death as a spy?”
+
+“Simply lots of things,” replied Tommy with the same urbanity as before.
+
+“Do you deny that you were listening at that door?”
+
+“I do not. I must really apologize--but your conversation was so
+interesting that it overcame my scruples.”
+
+“How did you get in?”
+
+“Dear old Conrad here.” Tommy smiled deprecatingly at him. “I hesitate
+to suggest pensioning off a faithful servant, but you really ought to
+have a better watchdog.”
+
+Conrad snarled impotently, and said sullenly, as the man with the beard
+swung round upon him:
+
+“He gave the word. How was I to know?”
+
+“Yes,” Tommy chimed in. “How was he to know? Don’t blame the poor
+fellow. His hasty action has given me the pleasure of seeing you all
+face to face.”
+
+He fancied that his words caused some discomposure among the group, but
+the watchful German stilled it with a wave of his hand.
+
+“Dead men tell no tales,” he said evenly.
+
+“Ah,” said Tommy, “but I’m not dead yet!”
+
+“You soon will be, my young friend,” said the German.
+
+An assenting murmur came from the others.
+
+Tommy’s heart beat faster, but his casual pleasantness did not waver.
+
+“I think not,” he said firmly. “I should have a great objection to
+dying.”
+
+He had got them puzzled, he saw that by the look on his captor’s face.
+
+“Can you give us any reason why we should not put you to death?” asked
+the German.
+
+“Several,” replied Tommy. “Look here, you’ve been asking me a lot of
+questions. Let me ask you one for a change. Why didn’t you kill me off
+at once before I regained consciousness?”
+
+The German hesitated, and Tommy seized his advantage.
+
+“Because you didn’t know how much I knew--and where I obtained that
+knowledge. If you kill me now, you never will know.”
+
+But here the emotions of Boris became too much for him. He stepped
+forward waving his arms.
+
+“You hell-hound of a spy,” he screamed. “We will give you short shrift.
+Kill him! Kill him!”
+
+There was a roar of applause.
+
+“You hear?” said the German, his eyes on Tommy. “What have you to say to
+that?”
+
+“Say?” Tommy shrugged his shoulders. “Pack of fools. Let them ask
+themselves a few questions. How did I get into this place? Remember what
+dear old Conrad said-- _with your own password_, wasn’t it? How did I
+get hold of that? You don’t suppose I came up those steps haphazard and
+said the first thing that came into my head?”
+
+Tommy was pleased with the concluding words of this speech. His only
+regret was that Tuppence was not present to appreciate its full flavour.
+
+“That is true,” said the working man suddenly. “Comrades, we have been
+betrayed!”
+
+An ugly murmur arose. Tommy smiled at them encouragingly.
+
+“That’s better. How can you hope to make a success of any job if you
+don’t use your brains?”
+
+“You will tell us who has betrayed us,” said the German. “But that shall
+not save you--oh, no! You shall tell us all that you know. Boris, here,
+knows pretty ways of making people speak!”
+
+“Bah!” said Tommy scornfully, fighting down a singularly unpleasant
+feeling in the pit of his stomach. “You will neither torture me nor kill
+me.”
+
+“And why not?” asked Boris.
+
+“Because you’d kill the goose that lays the golden eggs,” replied Tommy
+quietly.
+
+There was a momentary pause. It seemed as though Tommy’s persistent
+assurance was at last conquering. They were no longer completely sure of
+themselves. The man in the shabby clothes stared at Tommy searchingly.
+
+“He’s bluffing you, Boris,” he said quietly.
+
+Tommy hated him. Had the man seen through him?
+
+The German, with an effort, turned roughly to Tommy.
+
+“What do you mean?”
+
+“What do you think I mean?” parried Tommy, searching desperately in his
+own mind.
+
+Suddenly Boris stepped forward, and shook his fist in Tommy’s face.
+
+“Speak, you swine of an Englishman--speak!”
+
+“Don’t get so excited, my good fellow,” said Tommy calmly. “That’s the
+worst of you foreigners. You can’t keep calm. Now, I ask you, do I look
+as though I thought there were the least chance of your killing me?”
+
+He looked confidently round, and was glad they could not hear the
+persistent beating of his heart which gave the lie to his words.
+
+“No,” admitted Boris at last sullenly, “you do not.”
+
+“Thank God, he’s not a mind reader,” thought Tommy. Aloud he pursued his
+advantage:
+
+“And why am I so confident? Because I know something that puts me in a
+position to propose a bargain.”
+
+“A bargain?” The bearded man took him up sharply.
+
+“Yes--a bargain. My life and liberty against----” He paused.
+
+“Against what?”
+
+The group pressed forward. You could have heard a pin drop.
+
+Slowly Tommy spoke.
+
+“The papers that Danvers brought over from America in the _Lusitania_.”
+
+The effect of his words was electrical. Every one was on his feet.
+The German waved them back. He leaned over Tommy, his face purple with
+excitement.
+
+“_Himmel!_ You have got them, then?”
+
+With magnificent calm Tommy shook his head.
+
+“You know where they are?” persisted the German.
+
+Again Tommy shook his head. “Not in the least.”
+
+“Then--then----” angry and baffled, the words failed him.
+
+Tommy looked round. He saw anger and bewilderment on every face, but his
+calm assurance had done its work--no one doubted but that something lay
+behind his words.
+
+“I don’t know where the papers are--but I believe that I can find them.
+I have a theory----”
+
+“Pah!”
+
+Tommy raised his hand, and silenced the clamours of disgust.
+
+“I call it a theory--but I’m pretty sure of my facts--facts that are
+known to no one but myself. In any case what do you lose? If I can
+produce the papers--you give me my life and liberty in exchange. Is it a
+bargain?”
+
+“And if we refuse?” said the German quietly.
+
+Tommy lay back on the couch.
+
+“The 29th,” he said thoughtfully, “is less than a fortnight ahead----”
+
+For a moment the German hesitated. Then he made a sign to Conrad.
+
+“Take him into the other room.”
+
+For five minutes, Tommy sat on the bed in the dingy room next door. His
+heart was beating violently. He had risked all on this throw. How would
+they decide? And all the while that this agonized questioning went on
+within him, he talked flippantly to Conrad, enraging the cross-grained
+doorkeeper to the point of homicidal mania.
+
+At last the door opened, and the German called imperiously to Conrad to
+return.
+
+“Let’s hope the judge hasn’t put his black cap on,” remarked Tommy
+frivolously. “That’s right, Conrad, march me in. The prisoner is at the
+bar, gentlemen.”
+
+The German was seated once more behind the table. He motioned to Tommy
+to sit down opposite to him.
+
+“We accept,” he said harshly, “on terms. The papers must be delivered to
+us before you go free.”
+
+“Idiot!” said Tommy amiably. “How do you think I can look for them if
+you keep me tied by the leg here?”
+
+“What do you expect, then?”
+
+“I must have liberty to go about the business in my own way.”
+
+The German laughed.
+
+“Do you think we are little children to let you walk out of here leaving
+us a pretty story full of promises?”
+
+“No,” said Tommy thoughtfully. “Though infinitely simpler for me, I
+did not really think you would agree to that plan. Very well, we must
+arrange a compromise. How would it be if you attached little Conrad here
+to my person. He’s a faithful fellow, and very ready with the fist.”
+
+“We prefer,” said the German coldly, “that you should remain here.
+One of our number will carry out your instructions minutely. If the
+operations are complicated, he will return to you with a report and you
+can instruct him further.”
+
+“You’re tying my hands,” complained Tommy. “It’s a very delicate affair,
+and the other fellow will muff it up as likely as not, and then where
+shall I be? I don’t believe one of you has got an ounce of tact.”
+
+The German rapped the table.
+
+“Those are our terms. Otherwise, death!”
+
+Tommy leaned back wearily.
+
+“I like your style. Curt, but attractive. So be it, then. But one thing
+is essential, I must see the girl.”
+
+“What girl?”
+
+“Jane Finn, of course.”
+
+The other looked at him curiously for some minutes, then he said slowly,
+and as though choosing his words with care:
+
+“Do you not know that she can tell you nothing?”
+
+Tommy’s heart beat a little faster. Would he succeed in coming face to
+face with the girl he was seeking?
+
+“I shall not ask her to tell me anything,” he said quietly. “Not in so
+many words, that is.”
+
+“Then why see her?”
+
+Tommy paused.
+
+“To watch her face when I ask her one question,” he replied at last.
+
+Again there was a look in the German’s eyes that Tommy did not quite
+understand.
+
+“She will not be able to answer your question.”
+
+“That does not matter. I shall have seen her face when I ask it.”
+
+“And you think that will tell you anything?” He gave a short
+disagreeable laugh. More than ever, Tommy felt that there was a
+factor somewhere that he did not understand. The German looked at
+him searchingly. “I wonder whether, after all, you know as much as we
+think?” he said softly.
+
+Tommy felt his ascendancy less sure than a moment before. His hold had
+slipped a little. But he was puzzled. What had he said wrong? He spoke
+out on the impulse of the moment.
+
+“There may be things that you know which I do not. I have not pretended
+to be aware of all the details of your show. But equally I’ve got
+something up my sleeve that _you_ don’t know about. And that’s where I
+mean to score. Danvers was a damned clever fellow----” He broke off as
+if he had said too much.
+
+But the German’s face had lightened a little.
+
+“Danvers,” he murmured. “I see----” He paused a minute, then waved to
+Conrad. “Take him away. Upstairs--you know.”
+
+“Wait a minute,” said Tommy. “What about the girl?”
+
+“That may perhaps be arranged.”
+
+“It must be.”
+
+“We will see about it. Only one person can decide that.”
+
+“Who?” asked Tommy. But he knew the answer.
+
+“Mr. Brown----”
+
+“Shall I see him?”
+
+“Perhaps.”
+
+“Come,” said Conrad harshly.
+
+Tommy rose obediently. Outside the door his gaoler motioned to him to
+mount the stairs. He himself followed close behind. On the floor above
+Conrad opened a door and Tommy passed into a small room. Conrad lit a
+hissing gas burner and went out. Tommy heard the sound of the key being
+turned in the lock.
+
+He set to work to examine his prison. It was a smaller room than the
+one downstairs, and there was something peculiarly airless about the
+atmosphere of it. Then he realized that there was no window. He walked
+round it. The walls were filthily dirty, as everywhere else. Four
+pictures hung crookedly on the wall representing scenes from Faust.
+Marguerite with her box of jewels, the church scene, Siebel and his
+flowers, and Faust and Mephistopheles. The latter brought Tommy’s mind
+back to Mr. Brown again. In this sealed and closed chamber, with its
+close-fitting heavy door, he felt cut off from the world, and the
+sinister power of the arch-criminal seemed more real. Shout as he would,
+no one could ever hear him. The place was a living tomb....
+
+With an effort Tommy pulled himself together. He sank on to the bed
+and gave himself up to reflection. His head ached badly; also, he was
+hungry. The silence of the place was dispiriting.
+
+“Anyway,” said Tommy, trying to cheer himself, “I shall see the
+chief--the mysterious Mr. Brown and with a bit of luck in bluffing I
+shall see the mysterious Jane Finn also. After that----”
+
+After that Tommy was forced to admit the prospect looked dreary.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII. ANNETTE
+
+THE troubles of the future, however, soon faded before the troubles of
+the present. And of these, the most immediate and pressing was that of
+hunger. Tommy had a healthy and vigorous appetite. The steak and
+chips partaken of for lunch seemed now to belong to another decade. He
+regretfully recognized the fact that he would not make a success of a
+hunger strike.
+
+He prowled aimlessly about his prison. Once or twice he discarded
+dignity, and pounded on the door. But nobody answered the summons.
+
+“Hang it all!” said Tommy indignantly. “They can’t mean to starve me
+to death.” A new-born fear passed through his mind that this might,
+perhaps, be one of those “pretty ways” of making a prisoner speak, which
+had been attributed to Boris. But on reflection he dismissed the idea.
+
+“It’s that sour-faced brute Conrad,” he decided. “That’s a fellow I
+shall enjoy getting even with one of these days. This is just a bit of
+spite on his part. I’m certain of it.”
+
+Further meditations induced in him the feeling that it would be
+extremely pleasant to bring something down with a whack on Conrad’s
+egg-shaped head. Tommy stroked his own head tenderly, and gave himself
+up to the pleasures of imagination. Finally a bright idea flashed
+across his brain. Why not convert imagination into reality? Conrad
+was undoubtedly the tenant of the house. The others, with the possible
+exception of the bearded German, merely used it as a rendezvous.
+Therefore, why not wait in ambush for Conrad behind the door, and when
+he entered bring down a chair, or one of the decrepit pictures, smartly
+on to his head. One would, of course, be careful not to hit too hard.
+And then--and then, simply walk out! If he met anyone on the way down,
+well---- Tommy brightened at the thought of an encounter with his fists.
+Such an affair was infinitely more in his line than the verbal encounter
+of this afternoon. Intoxicated by his plan, Tommy gently unhooked the
+picture of the Devil and Faust, and settled himself in position. His
+hopes were high. The plan seemed to him simple but excellent.
+
+Time went on, but Conrad did not appear. Night and day were the same
+in this prison room, but Tommy’s wrist-watch, which enjoyed a certain
+degree of accuracy, informed him that it was nine o’clock in the
+evening. Tommy reflected gloomily that if supper did not arrive soon
+it would be a question of waiting for breakfast. At ten o’clock hope
+deserted him, and he flung himself on the bed to seek consolation in
+sleep. In five minutes his woes were forgotten.
+
+The sound of the key turning in the lock awoke him from his slumbers.
+Not belonging to the type of hero who is famous for awaking in full
+possession of his faculties, Tommy merely blinked at the ceiling and
+wondered vaguely where he was. Then he remembered, and looked at his
+watch. It was eight o’clock.
+
+“It’s either early morning tea or breakfast,” deduced the young man,
+“and pray God it’s the latter!”
+
+The door swung open. Too late, Tommy remembered his scheme of
+obliterating the unprepossessing Conrad. A moment later he was glad that
+he had, for it was not Conrad who entered, but a girl. She carried a
+tray which she set down on the table.
+
+In the feeble light of the gas burner Tommy blinked at her. He decided
+at once that she was one of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen.
+Her hair was a full rich brown, with sudden glints of gold in it as
+though there were imprisoned sunbeams struggling in its depths. There
+was a wild-rose quality about her face. Her eyes, set wide apart, were
+hazel, a golden hazel that again recalled a memory of sunbeams.
+
+A delirious thought shot through Tommy’s mind.
+
+“Are you Jane Finn?” he asked breathlessly.
+
+The girl shook her head wonderingly.
+
+“My name is Annette, monsieur.”
+
+She spoke in a soft, broken English.
+
+“Oh!” said Tommy, rather taken aback. _“Française?”_ he hazarded.
+
+“Oui, monsieur. Monsieur parle français?”
+
+“Not for any length of time,” said Tommy. “What’s that? Breakfast?”
+
+The girl nodded. Tommy dropped off the bed and came and inspected the
+contents of the tray. It consisted of a loaf, some margarine, and a jug
+of coffee.
+
+“The living is not equal to the _Ritz_,” he observed with a sigh. “But
+for what we are at last about to receive the Lord has made me truly
+thankful. Amen.”
+
+He drew up a chair, and the girl turned away to the door.
+
+“Wait a sec,” cried Tommy. “There are lots of things I want to ask you,
+Annette. What are you doing in this house? Don’t tell me you’re Conrad’s
+niece, or daughter, or anything, because I can’t believe it.”
+
+“I do the _service_, monsieur. I am not related to anybody.”
+
+“I see,” said Tommy. “You know what I asked you just now. Have you ever
+heard that name?”
+
+“I have heard people speak of Jane Finn, I think.”
+
+“You don’t know where she is?”
+
+Annette shook her head.
+
+“She’s not in this house, for instance?”
+
+“Oh no, monsieur. I must go now--they will be waiting for me.”
+
+She hurried out. The key turned in the lock.
+
+“I wonder who ‘they’ are,” mused Tommy, as he continued to make inroads
+on the loaf. “With a bit of luck, that girl might help me to get out of
+here. She doesn’t look like one of the gang.”
+
+At one o’clock Annette reappeared with another tray, but this time
+Conrad accompanied her.
+
+“Good morning,” said Tommy amiably. “You have _not_ used Pear’s soap, I
+see.”
+
+Conrad growled threateningly.
+
+“No light repartee, have you, old bean? There, there, we can’t always
+have brains as well as beauty. What have we for lunch? Stew? How did I
+know? Elementary, my dear Watson--the smell of onions is unmistakable.”
+
+“Talk away,” grunted the man. “It’s little enough time you’ll have to
+talk in, maybe.”
+
+The remark was unpleasant in its suggestion, but Tommy ignored it. He
+sat down at the table.
+
+“Retire, varlet,” he said, with a wave of his hand. “Prate not to thy
+betters.”
+
+That evening Tommy sat on the bed, and cogitated deeply. Would Conrad
+again accompany the girl? If he did not, should he risk trying to make
+an ally of her? He decided that he must leave no stone unturned. His
+position was desperate.
+
+At eight o’clock the familiar sound of the key turning made him spring
+to his feet. The girl was alone.
+
+“Shut the door,” he commanded. “I want to speak to you.” She obeyed.
+
+“Look here, Annette, I want you to help me get out of this.” She shook
+her head.
+
+“Impossible. There are three of them on the floor below.”
+
+“Oh!” Tommy was secretly grateful for the information. “But you would
+help me if you could?”
+
+“No, monsieur.”
+
+“Why not?”
+
+The girl hesitated.
+
+“I think--they are my own people. You have spied upon them. They are
+quite right to keep you here.”
+
+“They’re a bad lot, Annette. If you’ll help me, I’ll take you away from
+the lot of them. And you’d probably get a good whack of money.”
+
+But the girl merely shook her head.
+
+“I dare not, monsieur; I am afraid of them.”
+
+She turned away.
+
+“Wouldn’t you do anything to help another girl?” cried Tommy. “She’s
+about your age too. Won’t you save her from their clutches?”
+
+“You mean Jane Finn?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“It is her you came here to look for? Yes?”
+
+“That’s it.”
+
+The girl looked at him, then passed her hand across her forehead.
+
+“Jane Finn. Always I hear that name. It is familiar.”
+
+Tommy came forward eagerly.
+
+“You must know _something_ about her?”
+
+But the girl turned away abruptly.
+
+“I know nothing--only the name.” She walked towards the door. Suddenly
+she uttered a cry. Tommy stared. She had caught sight of the picture
+he had laid against the wall the night before. For a moment he caught a
+look of terror in her eyes. As inexplicably it changed to relief. Then
+abruptly she went out of the room. Tommy could make nothing of it. Did
+she fancy that he had meant to attack her with it? Surely not. He rehung
+the picture on the wall thoughtfully.
+
+Three more days went by in dreary inaction. Tommy felt the strain
+telling on his nerves. He saw no one but Conrad and Annette, and the
+girl had become dumb. She spoke only in monosyllables. A kind of dark
+suspicion smouldered in her eyes. Tommy felt that if this solitary
+confinement went on much longer he would go mad. He gathered from Conrad
+that they were waiting for orders from “Mr. Brown.” Perhaps, thought
+Tommy, he was abroad or away, and they were obliged to wait for his
+return.
+
+But the evening of the third day brought a rude awakening.
+
+It was barely seven o’clock when he heard the tramp of footsteps outside
+in the passage. In another minute the door was flung open. Conrad
+entered. With him was the evil-looking Number 14. Tommy’s heart sank at
+the sight of them.
+
+“Evenin’, gov’nor,” said the man with a leer. “Got those ropes, mate?”
+
+The silent Conrad produced a length of fine cord. The next minute Number
+14’s hands, horribly dexterous, were winding the cord round his limbs,
+while Conrad held him down.
+
+“What the devil----?” began Tommy.
+
+But the slow, speechless grin of the silent Conrad froze the words on
+his lips.
+
+Number 14 proceeded deftly with his task. In another minute Tommy was a
+mere helpless bundle. Then at last Conrad spoke:
+
+“Thought you’d bluffed us, did you? With what you knew, and what you
+didn’t know. Bargained with us! And all the time it was bluff! Bluff!
+You know less than a kitten. But your number’s up now all right, you
+b---- swine.”
+
+Tommy lay silent. There was nothing to say. He had failed. Somehow
+or other the omnipotent Mr. Brown had seen through his pretensions.
+Suddenly a thought occurred to him.
+
+“A very good speech, Conrad,” he said approvingly. “But wherefore the
+bonds and fetters? Why not let this kind gentleman here cut my throat
+without delay?”
+
+“Garn,” said Number 14 unexpectedly. “Think we’re as green as to do you
+in here, and have the police nosing round? Not ‘alf! We’ve ordered the
+carriage for your lordship to-morrow mornin’, but in the meantime we’re
+not taking any chances, see!”
+
+“Nothing,” said Tommy, “could be plainer than your words--unless it was
+your face.”
+
+“Stow it,” said Number 14.
+
+“With pleasure,” replied Tommy. “You’re making a sad mistake--but yours
+will be the loss.”
+
+“You don’t kid us that way again,” said Number 14. “Talking as though
+you were still at the blooming _Ritz_, aren’t you?”
+
+Tommy made no reply. He was engaged in wondering how Mr. Brown had
+discovered his identity. He decided that Tuppence, in the throes of
+anxiety, had gone to the police, and that his disappearance having been
+made public the gang had not been slow to put two and two together.
+
+The two men departed and the door slammed. Tommy was left to his
+meditations. They were not pleasant ones. Already his limbs felt cramped
+and stiff. He was utterly helpless, and he could see no hope anywhere.
+
+About an hour had passed when he heard the key softly turned, and the
+door opened. It was Annette. Tommy’s heart beat a little faster. He had
+forgotten the girl. Was it possible that she had come to his help?
+
+Suddenly he heard Conrad’s voice:
+
+“Come out of it, Annette. He doesn’t want any supper to-night.”
+
+“Oui, oui, je sais bien. But I must take the other tray. We need the
+things on it.”
+
+“Well, hurry up,” growled Conrad.
+
+Without looking at Tommy the girl went over to the table, and picked up
+the tray. She raised a hand and turned out the light.
+
+“Curse you”--Conrad had come to the door--“why did you do that?”
+
+“I always turn it out. You should have told me. Shall I relight it,
+Monsieur Conrad?”
+
+“No, come on out of it.”
+
+“Le beau petit monsieur,” cried Annette, pausing by the bed in the
+darkness. “You have tied him up well, _hein?_ He is like a trussed
+chicken!” The frank amusement in her tone jarred on the boy; but at
+that moment, to his amazement, he felt her hand running lightly over
+his bonds, and something small and cold was pressed into the palm of his
+hand.
+
+“Come on, Annette.”
+
+“Mais me voilà.”
+
+The door shut. Tommy heard Conrad say:
+
+“Lock it and give me the key.”
+
+The footsteps died away. Tommy lay petrified with amazement. The object
+Annette had thrust into his hand was a small penknife, the blade open.
+From the way she had studiously avoided looking at him, and her action
+with the light, he came to the conclusion that the room was overlooked.
+There must be a peep-hole somewhere in the walls. Remembering how
+guarded she had always been in her manner, he saw that he had probably
+been under observation all the time. Had he said anything to give
+himself away? Hardly. He had revealed a wish to escape and a desire
+to find Jane Finn, but nothing that could have given a clue to his
+own identity. True, his question to Annette had proved that he was
+personally unacquainted with Jane Finn, but he had never pretended
+otherwise. The question now was, did Annette really know more? Were her
+denials intended primarily for the listeners? On that point he could
+come to no conclusion.
+
+But there was a more vital question that drove out all others. Could he,
+bound as he was, manage to cut his bonds? He essayed cautiously to
+rub the open blade up and down on the cord that bound his two wrists
+together. It was an awkward business, and drew a smothered “Ow” of pain
+from him as the knife cut into his wrist. But slowly and doggedly he
+went on sawing to and fro. He cut the flesh badly, but at last he felt
+the cord slacken. With his hands free, the rest was easy. Five minutes
+later he stood upright with some difficulty, owing to the cramp in his
+limbs. His first care was to bind up his bleeding wrist. Then he sat on
+the edge of the bed to think. Conrad had taken the key of the door, so
+he could expect little more assistance from Annette. The only outlet
+from the room was the door, consequently he would perforce have to wait
+until the two men returned to fetch him. But when they did.... Tommy
+smiled! Moving with infinite caution in the dark room, he found and
+unhooked the famous picture. He felt an economical pleasure that his
+first plan would not be wasted. There was now nothing to do but to wait.
+He waited.
+
+The night passed slowly. Tommy lived through an eternity of hours, but
+at last he heard footsteps. He stood upright, drew a deep breath, and
+clutched the picture firmly.
+
+The door opened. A faint light streamed in from outside. Conrad went
+straight towards the gas to light it. Tommy deeply regretted that it was
+he who had entered first. It would have been pleasant to get even with
+Conrad. Number 14 followed. As he stepped across the threshold, Tommy
+brought the picture down with terrific force on his head. Number 14 went
+down amidst a stupendous crash of broken glass. In a minute Tommy had
+slipped out and pulled to the door. The key was in the lock. He turned
+it and withdrew it just as Conrad hurled himself against the door from
+the inside with a volley of curses.
+
+For a moment Tommy hesitated. There was the sound of some one stirring
+on the floor below. Then the German’s voice came up the stairs.
+
+“Gott im Himmel! Conrad, what is it?”
+
+Tommy felt a small hand thrust into his. Beside him stood Annette. She
+pointed up a rickety ladder that apparently led to some attics.
+
+“Quick--up here!” She dragged him after her up the ladder. In another
+moment they were standing in a dusty garret littered with lumber. Tommy
+looked round.
+
+“This won’t do. It’s a regular trap. There’s no way out.”
+
+“Hush! Wait.” The girl put her finger to her lips. She crept to the top
+of the ladder and listened.
+
+The banging and beating on the door was terrific. The German and another
+were trying to force the door in. Annette explained in a whisper:
+
+“They will think you are still inside. They cannot hear what Conrad
+says. The door is too thick.”
+
+“I thought you could hear what went on in the room?”
+
+“There is a peep-hole into the next room. It was clever of you to guess.
+But they will not think of that--they are only anxious to get in.”
+
+“Yes--but look here----”
+
+“Leave it to me.” She bent down. To his amazement, Tommy saw that she
+was fastening the end of a long piece of string to the handle of a big
+cracked jug. She arranged it carefully, then turned to Tommy.
+
+“Have you the key of the door?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Give it to me.”
+
+He handed it to her.
+
+“I am going down. Do you think you can go halfway, and then swing
+yourself down _behind_ the ladder, so that they will not see you?”
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+“There’s a big cupboard in the shadow of the landing. Stand behind it.
+Take the end of this string in your hand. When I’ve let the others out--
+_pull! _”
+
+Before he had time to ask her anything more, she had flitted lightly
+down the ladder and was in the midst of the group with a loud cry:
+
+“Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! Qu’est-ce qu’il y a?”
+
+The German turned on her with an oath.
+
+“Get out of this. Go to your room!”
+
+Very cautiously Tommy swung himself down the back of the ladder. So
+long as they did not turn round ... all was well. He crouched behind the
+cupboard. They were still between him and the stairs.
+
+“Ah!” Annette appeared to stumble over something. She stooped. “Mon
+Dieu, voilà la clef!”
+
+The German snatched it from her. He unlocked the door. Conrad stumbled
+out, swearing.
+
+“Where is he? Have you got him?”
+
+“We have seen no one,” said the German sharply. His face paled. “Who do
+you mean?”
+
+Conrad gave vent to another oath.
+
+“He’s got away.”
+
+“Impossible. He would have passed us.”
+
+At that moment, with an ecstatic smile Tommy pulled the string. A crash
+of crockery came from the attic above. In a trice the men were pushing
+each other up the rickety ladder and had disappeared into the darkness
+above.
+
+Quick as a flash Tommy leapt from his hiding-place and dashed down the
+stairs, pulling the girl with him. There was no one in the hall. He
+fumbled over the bolts and chain. At last they yielded, the door swung
+open. He turned. Annette had disappeared.
+
+Tommy stood spell-bound. Had she run upstairs again? What madness
+possessed her! He fumed with impatience, but he stood his ground. He
+would not go without her.
+
+And suddenly there was an outcry overhead, an exclamation from the
+German, and then Annette’s voice, clear and high:
+
+“Ma foi, he has escaped! And quickly! Who would have thought it?”
+
+Tommy still stood rooted to the ground. Was that a command to him to go?
+He fancied it was.
+
+And then, louder still, the words floated down to him:
+
+“This is a terrible house. I want to go back to Marguerite. To
+Marguerite. _To Marguerite!_”
+
+Tommy had run back to the stairs. She wanted him to go and leave her.
+But why? At all costs he must try and get her away with him. Then his
+heart sank. Conrad was leaping down the stairs, uttering a savage cry at
+the sight of him. After him came the others.
+
+Tommy stopped Conrad’s rush with a straight blow with his fist. It
+caught the other on the point of the jaw and he fell like a log. The
+second man tripped over his body and fell. From higher up the staircase
+there was a flash, and a bullet grazed Tommy’s ear. He realized that
+it would be good for his health to get out of this house as soon as
+possible. As regards Annette he could do nothing. He had got even with
+Conrad, which was one satisfaction. The blow had been a good one.
+
+He leapt for the door, slamming it behind him. The square was deserted.
+In front of the house was a baker’s van. Evidently he was to have been
+taken out of London in that, and his body found many miles from the
+house in Soho. The driver jumped to the pavement and tried to bar
+Tommy’s way. Again Tommy’s fist shot out, and the driver sprawled on the
+pavement.
+
+Tommy took to his heels and ran--none too soon. The front door opened
+and a hail of bullets followed him. Fortunately none of them hit him. He
+turned the corner of the square.
+
+“There’s one thing,” he thought to himself, “they can’t go on shooting.
+They’ll have the police after them if they do. I wonder they dared to
+there.”
+
+He heard the footsteps of his pursuers behind him, and redoubled his own
+pace. Once he got out of these by-ways he would be safe. There would be
+a policeman about somewhere--not that he really wanted to invoke the aid
+of the police if he could possibly do without it. It meant explanations,
+and general awkwardness. In another moment he had reason to bless his
+luck. He stumbled over a prostrate figure, which started up with a yell
+of alarm and dashed off down the street. Tommy drew back into a doorway.
+In a minute he had the pleasure of seeing his two pursuers, of whom the
+German was one, industriously tracking down the red herring!
+
+Tommy sat down quietly on the doorstep and allowed a few moments to
+elapse while he recovered his breath. Then he strolled gently in the
+opposite direction. He glanced at his watch. It was a little after
+half-past five. It was rapidly growing light. At the next corner he
+passed a policeman. The policeman cast a suspicious eye on him. Tommy
+felt slightly offended. Then, passing his hand over his face, he
+laughed. He had not shaved or washed for three days! What a guy he must
+look.
+
+He betook himself without more ado to a Turkish Bath establishment which
+he knew to be open all night. He emerged into the busy daylight feeling
+himself once more, and able to make plans.
+
+First of all, he must have a square meal. He had eaten nothing since
+midday yesterday. He turned into an A.B.C. shop and ordered eggs and
+bacon and coffee. Whilst he ate, he read a morning paper propped up
+in front of him. Suddenly he stiffened. There was a long article on
+Kramenin, who was described as the “man behind Bolshevism” in Russia,
+and who had just arrived in London--some thought as an unofficial envoy.
+His career was sketched lightly, and it was firmly asserted that he,
+and not the figurehead leaders, had been the author of the Russian
+Revolution.
+
+In the centre of the page was his portrait.
+
+“So that’s who Number 1 is,” said Tommy with his mouth full of eggs and
+bacon. “Not a doubt about it, I must push on.”
+
+He paid for his breakfast, and betook himself to Whitehall. There he
+sent up his name, and the message that it was urgent. A few minutes
+later he was in the presence of the man who did not here go by the name
+of “Mr. Carter.” There was a frown on his face.
+
+“Look here, you’ve no business to come asking for me in this way. I
+thought that was distinctly understood?”
+
+“It was, sir. But I judged it important to lose no time.”
+
+And as briefly and succinctly as possible he detailed the experiences of
+the last few days.
+
+Half-way through, Mr. Carter interrupted him to give a few cryptic
+orders through the telephone. All traces of displeasure had now left his
+face. He nodded energetically when Tommy had finished.
+
+“Quite right. Every moment’s of value. Fear we shall be too late anyway.
+They wouldn’t wait. Would clear out at once. Still, they may have left
+something behind them that will be a clue. You say you’ve recognized
+Number 1 to be Kramenin? That’s important. We want something against him
+badly to prevent the Cabinet falling on his neck too freely. What about
+the others? You say two faces were familiar to you? One’s a Labour man,
+you think? Just look through these photos, and see if you can spot him.”
+
+A minute later, Tommy held one up. Mr. Carter exhibited some surprise.
+
+“Ah, Westway! Shouldn’t have thought it. Poses as being moderate. As for
+the other fellow, I think I can give a good guess.” He handed another
+photograph to Tommy, and smiled at the other’s exclamation. “I’m right,
+then. Who is he? Irishman. Prominent Unionist M.P. All a blind, of
+course. We’ve suspected it--but couldn’t get any proof. Yes, you’ve done
+very well, young man. The 29th, you say, is the date. That gives us very
+little time--very little time indeed.”
+
+“But----” Tommy hesitated.
+
+Mr. Carter read his thoughts.
+
+“We can deal with the General Strike menace, I think. It’s a
+toss-up--but we’ve got a sporting chance! But if that draft treaty turns
+up--we’re done. England will be plunged in anarchy. Ah, what’s that?
+The car? Come on, Beresford, we’ll go and have a look at this house of
+yours.”
+
+Two constables were on duty in front of the house in Soho. An inspector
+reported to Mr. Carter in a low voice. The latter turned to Tommy.
+
+“The birds have flown--as we thought. We might as well go over it.”
+
+Going over the deserted house seemed to Tommy to partake of the
+character of a dream. Everything was just as it had been. The prison
+room with the crooked pictures, the broken jug in the attic, the meeting
+room with its long table. But nowhere was there a trace of papers.
+Everything of that kind had either been destroyed or taken away. And
+there was no sign of Annette.
+
+“What you tell me about the girl puzzled me,” said Mr. Carter. “You
+believe that she deliberately went back?”
+
+“It would seem so, sir. She ran upstairs while I was getting the door
+open.”
+
+“H’m, she must belong to the gang, then; but, being a woman, didn’t feel
+like standing by to see a personable young man killed. But evidently
+she’s in with them, or she wouldn’t have gone back.”
+
+“I can’t believe she’s really one of them, sir. She--seemed so
+different----”
+
+“Good-looking, I suppose?” said Mr. Carter with a smile that made Tommy
+flush to the roots of his hair. He admitted Annette’s beauty rather
+shamefacedly.
+
+“By the way,” observed Mr. Carter, “have you shown yourself to Miss
+Tuppence yet? She’s been bombarding me with letters about you.”
+
+“Tuppence? I was afraid she might get a bit rattled. Did she go to the
+police?”
+
+Mr. Carter shook his head.
+
+“Then I wonder how they twigged me.”
+
+Mr. Carter looked inquiringly at him, and Tommy explained. The other
+nodded thoughtfully.
+
+“True, that’s rather a curious point. Unless the mention of the _Ritz_
+was an accidental remark?”
+
+“It might have been, sir. But they must have found out about me suddenly
+in some way.”
+
+“Well,” said Mr. Carter, looking round him, “there’s nothing more to be
+done here. What about some lunch with me?”
+
+“Thanks awfully, sir. But I think I’d better get back and rout out
+Tuppence.”
+
+“Of course. Give her my kind regards and tell her not to believe you’re
+killed too readily next time.”
+
+Tommy grinned.
+
+“I take a lot of killing, sir.”
+
+“So I perceive,” said Mr. Carter dryly. “Well, good-bye. Remember you’re
+a marked man now, and take reasonable care of yourself.”
+
+“Thank you, sir.”
+
+Hailing a taxi briskly Tommy stepped in, and was swiftly borne to the
+_Ritz_, dwelling the while on the pleasurable anticipation of startling
+Tuppence.
+
+“Wonder what she’s been up to. Dogging ‘Rita’ most likely. By the way,
+I suppose that’s who Annette meant by Marguerite. I didn’t get it at the
+time.” The thought saddened him a little, for it seemed to prove that
+Mrs. Vandemeyer and the girl were on intimate terms.
+
+The taxi drew up at the _Ritz_. Tommy burst into its sacred portals
+eagerly, but his enthusiasm received a check. He was informed that Miss
+Cowley had gone out a quarter of an hour ago.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII. THE TELEGRAM
+
+BAFFLED for the moment, Tommy strolled into the restaurant, and ordered
+a meal of surpassing excellence. His four days’ imprisonment had taught
+him anew to value good food.
+
+He was in the middle of conveying a particularly choice morsel of Sole
+à la Jeanette to his mouth, when he caught sight of Julius entering
+the room. Tommy waved a menu cheerfully, and succeeded in attracting the
+other’s attention. At the sight of Tommy, Julius’s eyes seemed as though
+they would pop out of his head. He strode across, and pump-handled
+Tommy’s hand with what seemed to the latter quite unnecessary vigour.
+
+“Holy snakes!” he ejaculated. “Is it really you?”
+
+“Of course it is. Why shouldn’t it be?”
+
+“Why shouldn’t it be? Say, man, don’t you know you’ve been given up
+for dead? I guess we’d have had a solemn requiem for you in another few
+days.”
+
+“Who thought I was dead?” demanded Tommy.
+
+“Tuppence.”
+
+“She remembered the proverb about the good dying young, I suppose. There
+must be a certain amount of original sin in me to have survived. Where
+is Tuppence, by the way?”
+
+“Isn’t she here?”
+
+“No, the fellows at the office said she’d just gone out.”
+
+“Gone shopping, I guess. I dropped her here in the car about an hour
+ago. But, say, can’t you shed that British calm of yours, and get down
+to it? What on God’s earth have you been doing all this time?”
+
+“If you’re feeding here,” replied Tommy, “order now. It’s going to be a
+long story.”
+
+Julius drew up a chair to the opposite side of the table, summoned a
+hovering waiter, and dictated his wishes. Then he turned to Tommy.
+
+“Fire ahead. I guess you’ve had some few adventures.”
+
+“One or two,” replied Tommy modestly, and plunged into his recital.
+
+Julius listened spellbound. Half the dishes that were placed before him
+he forgot to eat. At the end he heaved a long sigh.
+
+“Bully for you. Reads like a dime novel!”
+
+“And now for the home front,” said Tommy, stretching out his hand for a
+peach.
+
+“We-el,” drawled Julius, “I don’t mind admitting we’ve had some
+adventures too.”
+
+He, in his turn, assumed the rôle of narrator. Beginning with his
+unsuccessful reconnoitring at Bournemouth, he passed on to his return
+to London, the buying of the car, the growing anxieties of Tuppence,
+the call upon Sir James, and the sensational occurrences of the previous
+night.
+
+“But who killed her?” asked Tommy. “I don’t quite understand.”
+
+“The doctor kidded himself she took it herself,” replied Julius dryly.
+
+“And Sir James? What did he think?”
+
+“Being a legal luminary, he is likewise a human oyster,” replied Julius.
+“I should say he ‘reserved judgment.’” He went on to detail the events
+of the morning.
+
+“Lost her memory, eh?” said Tommy with interest. “By Jove, that explains
+why they looked at me so queerly when I spoke of questioning her. Bit of
+a slip on my part, that! But it wasn’t the sort of thing a fellow would
+be likely to guess.”
+
+“They didn’t give you any sort of hint as to where Jane was?”
+
+Tommy shook his head regretfully.
+
+“Not a word. I’m a bit of an ass, as you know. I ought to have got more
+out of them somehow.”
+
+“I guess you’re lucky to be here at all. That bluff of yours was the
+goods all right. How you ever came to think of it all so pat beats me to
+a frazzle!”
+
+“I was in such a funk I had to think of something,” said Tommy simply.
+
+There was a moment’s pause, and then Tommy reverted to Mrs. Vandemeyer’s
+death.
+
+“There’s no doubt it was chloral?”
+
+“I believe not. At least they call it heart failure induced by an
+overdose, or some such claptrap. It’s all right. We don’t want to
+be worried with an inquest. But I guess Tuppence and I and even the
+highbrow Sir James have all got the same idea.”
+
+“Mr. Brown?” hazarded Tommy.
+
+“Sure thing.”
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+“All the same,” he said thoughtfully, “Mr. Brown hasn’t got wings. I
+don’t see how he got in and out.”
+
+“How about some high-class thought transference stunt? Some magnetic
+influence that irresistibly impelled Mrs. Vandemeyer to commit suicide?”
+
+Tommy looked at him with respect.
+
+“Good, Julius. Distinctly good. Especially the phraseology. But it
+leaves me cold. I yearn for a real Mr. Brown of flesh and blood. I think
+the gifted young detectives must get to work, study the entrances and
+exits, and tap the bumps on their foreheads until the solution of the
+mystery dawns on them. Let’s go round to the scene of the crime. I wish
+we could get hold of Tuppence. The _Ritz_ would enjoy the spectacle of
+the glad reunion.”
+
+Inquiry at the office revealed the fact that Tuppence had not yet
+returned.
+
+“All the same, I guess I’ll have a look round upstairs,” said Julius.
+“She might be in my sitting-room.” He disappeared.
+
+Suddenly a diminutive boy spoke at Tommy’s elbow:
+
+“The young lady--she’s gone away by train, I think, sir,” he murmured
+shyly.
+
+“What?” Tommy wheeled round upon him.
+
+The small boy became pinker than before.
+
+“The taxi, sir. I heard her tell the driver Charing Cross and to look
+sharp.”
+
+Tommy stared at him, his eyes opening wide in surprise. Emboldened, the
+small boy proceeded. “So I thought, having asked for an A.B.C. and a
+Bradshaw.”
+
+Tommy interrupted him:
+
+“When did she ask for an A.B.C. and a Bradshaw?”
+
+“When I took her the telegram, sir.”
+
+“A telegram?”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“When was that?”
+
+“About half-past twelve, sir.”
+
+“Tell me exactly what happened.”
+
+The small boy drew a long breath.
+
+“I took up a telegram to No. 891--the lady was there. She opened it
+and gave a gasp, and then she said, very jolly like: ‘Bring me up a
+Bradshaw, and an A.B.C., and look sharp, Henry.’ My name isn’t Henry,
+but----”
+
+“Never mind your name,” said Tommy impatiently. “Go on.”
+
+“Yes, sir. I brought them, and she told me to wait, and looked up
+something. And then she looks up at the clock, and ‘Hurry up,’ she says.
+‘Tell them to get me a taxi,’ and she begins a-shoving on of her hat in
+front of the glass, and she was down in two ticks, almost as quick as I
+was, and I seed her going down the steps and into the taxi, and I heard
+her call out what I told you.”
+
+The small boy stopped and replenished his lungs. Tommy continued to
+stare at him. At that moment Julius rejoined him. He held an open letter
+in his hand.
+
+“I say, Hersheimmer”--Tommy turned to him--“Tuppence has gone off
+sleuthing on her own.”
+
+“Shucks!”
+
+“Yes, she has. She went off in a taxi to Charing Cross in the deuce of a
+hurry after getting a telegram.” His eye fell on the letter in Julius’s
+hand. “Oh; she left a note for you. That’s all right. Where’s she off
+to?”
+
+Almost unconsciously, he held out his hand for the letter, but
+Julius folded it up and placed it in his pocket. He seemed a trifle
+embarrassed.
+
+“I guess this is nothing to do with it. It’s about something
+else--something I asked her that she was to let me know about.”
+
+“Oh!” Tommy looked puzzled, and seemed waiting for more.
+
+“See here,” said Julius suddenly, “I’d better put you wise. I asked Miss
+Tuppence to marry me this morning.”
+
+“Oh!” said Tommy mechanically. He felt dazed. Julius’s words were
+totally unexpected. For the moment they benumbed his brain.
+
+“I’d like to tell you,” continued Julius, “that before I suggested
+anything of the kind to Miss Tuppence, I made it clear that I didn’t
+want to butt in in any way between her and you----”
+
+Tommy roused himself.
+
+“That’s all right,” he said quickly. “Tuppence and I have been pals for
+years. Nothing more.” He lit a cigarette with a hand that shook ever
+so little. “That’s quite all right. Tuppence always said that she was
+looking out for----”
+
+He stopped abruptly, his face crimsoning, but Julius was in no way
+discomposed.
+
+“Oh, I guess it’ll be the dollars that’ll do the trick. Miss Tuppence
+put me wise to that right away. There’s no humbug about her. We ought to
+gee along together very well.”
+
+Tommy looked at him curiously for a minute, as though he were about
+to speak, then changed his mind and said nothing. Tuppence and Julius!
+Well, why not? Had she not lamented the fact that she knew no rich men?
+Had she not openly avowed her intention of marrying for money if she
+ever had the chance? Her meeting with the young American millionaire
+had given her the chance--and it was unlikely she would be slow to avail
+herself of it. She was out for money. She had always said so. Why blame
+her because she had been true to her creed?
+
+Nevertheless, Tommy did blame her. He was filled with a passionate and
+utterly illogical resentment. It was all very well to _say_ things
+like that--but a _real_ girl would never marry for money. Tuppence was
+utterly cold-blooded and selfish, and he would be delighted if he never
+saw her again! And it was a rotten world!
+
+Julius’s voice broke in on these meditations.
+
+“Yes, we ought to gee along together very well. I’ve heard that a girl
+always refuses you once--a sort of convention.”
+
+Tommy caught his arm.
+
+“Refuses? Did you say _refuses?_”
+
+“Sure thing. Didn’t I tell you that? She just rapped out a ‘no’ without
+any kind of reason to it. The eternal feminine, the Huns call it, I’ve
+heard. But she’ll come round right enough. Likely enough, I hustled her
+some----”
+
+But Tommy interrupted regardless of decorum.
+
+“What did she say in that note?” he demanded fiercely.
+
+The obliging Julius handed it to him.
+
+“There’s no earthly clue in it as to where she’s gone,” he assured
+Tommy. “But you might as well see for yourself if you don’t believe me.”
+
+The note, in Tuppence’s well-known schoolboy writing, ran as follows:
+
+“DEAR JULIUS,
+
+“It’s always better to have things in black and white. I don’t feel I
+can be bothered to think of marriage until Tommy is found. Let’s leave
+it till then.
+
+“Yours affectionately,
+
+“TUPPENCE.”
+
+Tommy handed it back, his eyes shining. His feelings had undergone a
+sharp reaction. He now felt that Tuppence was all that was noble and
+disinterested. Had she not refused Julius without hesitation? True, the
+note betokened signs of weakening, but he could excuse that. It read
+almost like a bribe to Julius to spur him on in his efforts to find
+Tommy, but he supposed she had not really meant it that way. Darling
+Tuppence, there was not a girl in the world to touch her! When he saw
+her----His thoughts were brought up with a sudden jerk.
+
+“As you say,” he remarked, pulling himself together, “there’s not a hint
+here as to what she’s up to. Hi--Henry!”
+
+The small boy came obediently. Tommy produced five shillings.
+
+“One thing more. Do you remember what the young lady did with the
+telegram?”
+
+Henry gasped and spoke.
+
+“She crumpled it up into a ball and threw it into the grate, and made a
+sort of noise like ‘Whoop!’ sir.”
+
+“Very graphic, Henry,” said Tommy. “Here’s your five shillings. Come on,
+Julius. We must find that telegram.”
+
+They hurried upstairs. Tuppence had left the key in her door. The room
+was as she had left it. In the fireplace was a crumpled ball of orange
+and white. Tommy disentangled it and smoothed out the telegram.
+
+“Come at once, Moat House, Ebury, Yorkshire, great developments--TOMMY.”
+
+They looked at each other in stupefaction. Julius spoke first:
+
+“You didn’t send it?”
+
+“Of course not. What does it mean?”
+
+“I guess it means the worst,” said Julius quietly. “They’ve got her.”
+
+_“What?”_
+
+“Sure thing! They signed your name, and she fell into the trap like a
+lamb.”
+
+“My God! What shall we do?”
+
+“Get busy, and go after her! Right now! There’s no time to waste. It’s
+almighty luck that she didn’t take the wire with her. If she had we’d
+probably never have traced her. But we’ve got to hustle. Where’s that
+Bradshaw?”
+
+The energy of Julius was infectious. Left to himself, Tommy would
+probably have sat down to think things out for a good half-hour before
+he decided on a plan of action. But with Julius Hersheimmer about,
+hustling was inevitable.
+
+After a few muttered imprecations he handed the Bradshaw to Tommy as
+being more conversant with its mysteries. Tommy abandoned it in favour
+of an A.B.C.
+
+“Here we are. Ebury, Yorks. From King’s Cross. Or St. Pancras. (Boy must
+have made a mistake. It was King’s Cross, not _Charing_ Cross.) 12.50,
+that’s the train she went by. 2.10, that’s gone. 3.20 is the next--and a
+damned slow train too.”
+
+“What about the car?”
+
+Tommy shook his head.
+
+“Send it up if you like, but we’d better stick to the train. The great
+thing is to keep calm.”
+
+Julius groaned.
+
+“That’s so. But it gets my goat to think of that innocent young girl in
+danger!”
+
+Tommy nodded abstractedly. He was thinking. In a moment or two, he said:
+
+“I say, Julius, what do they want her for, anyway?”
+
+“Eh? I don’t get you?”
+
+“What I mean is that I don’t think it’s their game to do her any harm,”
+ explained Tommy, puckering his brow with the strain of his mental
+processes. “She’s a hostage, that’s what she is. She’s in no immediate
+danger, because if we tumble on to anything, she’d be damned useful to
+them. As long as they’ve got her, they’ve got the whip hand of us. See?”
+
+“Sure thing,” said Julius thoughtfully. “That’s so.”
+
+“Besides,” added Tommy, as an afterthought, “I’ve great faith in
+Tuppence.”
+
+The journey was wearisome, with many stops, and crowded carriages. They
+had to change twice, once at Doncaster, once at a small junction. Ebury
+was a deserted station with a solitary porter, to whom Tommy addressed
+himself:
+
+“Can you tell me the way to the Moat House?”
+
+“The Moat House? It’s a tidy step from here. The big house near the sea,
+you mean?”
+
+Tommy assented brazenly. After listening to the porter’s meticulous
+but perplexing directions, they prepared to leave the station. It was
+beginning to rain, and they turned up the collars of their coats as they
+trudged through the slush of the road. Suddenly Tommy halted.
+
+“Wait a moment.” He ran back to the station and tackled the porter anew.
+
+“Look here, do you remember a young lady who arrived by an earlier
+train, the 12.50 from London? She’d probably ask you the way to the Moat
+House.”
+
+He described Tuppence as well as he could, but the porter shook his
+head. Several people had arrived by the train in question. He could not
+call to mind one young lady in particular. But he was quite certain that
+no one had asked him the way to the Moat House.
+
+Tommy rejoined Julius, and explained. Depression was settling on him
+like a leaden weight. He felt convinced that their quest was going to
+be unsuccessful. The enemy had over three hours’ start. Three hours was
+more than enough for Mr. Brown. He would not ignore the possibility of
+the telegram having been found.
+
+The way seemed endless. Once they took the wrong turning and went nearly
+half a mile out of their direction. It was past seven o’clock when a
+small boy told them that “t’ Moat House” was just past the next corner.
+
+A rusty iron gate swinging dismally on its hinges! An overgrown drive
+thick with leaves. There was something about the place that struck a
+chill to both their hearts. They went up the deserted drive. The leaves
+deadened their footsteps. The daylight was almost gone. It was like
+walking in a world of ghosts. Overhead the branches flapped and creaked
+with a mournful note. Occasionally a sodden leaf drifted silently down,
+startling them with its cold touch on their cheek.
+
+A turn of the drive brought them in sight of the house. That, too,
+seemed empty and deserted. The shutters were closed, the steps up to
+the door overgrown with moss. Was it indeed to this desolate spot
+that Tuppence had been decoyed? It seemed hard to believe that a human
+footstep had passed this way for months.
+
+Julius jerked the rusty bell handle. A jangling peal rang discordantly,
+echoing through the emptiness within. No one came. They rang again and
+again--but there was no sign of life. Then they walked completely round
+the house. Everywhere silence, and shuttered windows. If they could
+believe the evidence of their eyes the place was empty.
+
+“Nothing doing,” said Julius.
+
+They retraced their steps slowly to the gate.
+
+“There must be a village handy,” continued the young American. “We’d
+better make inquiries there. They’ll know something about the place, and
+whether there’s been anyone there lately.”
+
+“Yes, that’s not a bad idea.”
+
+Proceeding up the road, they soon came to a little hamlet. On the
+outskirts of it, they met a workman swinging his bag of tools, and Tommy
+stopped him with a question.
+
+“The Moat House? It’s empty. Been empty for years. Mrs. Sweeny’s got the
+key if you want to go over it--next to the post office.”
+
+Tommy thanked him. They soon found the post office, which was also a
+sweet and general fancy shop, and knocked at the door of the cottage
+next to it. A clean, wholesome-looking woman opened it. She readily
+produced the key of the Moat House.
+
+“Though I doubt if it’s the kind of place to suit you, sir. In a
+terrible state of repair. Ceilings leaking and all. ‘Twould need a lot
+of money spent on it.”
+
+“Thanks,” said Tommy cheerily. “I dare say it’ll be a washout, but
+houses are scarce nowadays.”
+
+“That they are,” declared the woman heartily. “My daughter and
+son-in-law have been looking for a decent cottage for I don’t know how
+long. It’s all the war. Upset things terribly, it has. But excuse me,
+sir, it’ll be too dark for you to see much of the house. Hadn’t you
+better wait until to-morrow?”
+
+“That’s all right. We’ll have a look around this evening, anyway. We’d
+have been here before only we lost our way. What’s the best place to
+stay at for the night round here?”
+
+Mrs. Sweeny looked doubtful.
+
+“There’s the _Yorkshire Arms_, but it’s not much of a place for
+gentlemen like you.”
+
+“Oh, it will do very well. Thanks. By the way, you’ve not had a young
+lady here asking for this key to-day?”
+
+The woman shook her head.
+
+“No one’s been over the place for a long time.”
+
+“Thanks very much.”
+
+They retraced their steps to the Moat House. As the front door swung
+back on its hinges, protesting loudly, Julius struck a match and
+examined the floor carefully. Then he shook his head.
+
+“I’d swear no one’s passed this way. Look at the dust. Thick. Not a sign
+of a footmark.”
+
+They wandered round the deserted house. Everywhere the same tale. Thick
+layers of dust apparently undisturbed.
+
+“This gets me,” said Julius. “I don’t believe Tuppence was ever in this
+house.”
+
+“She must have been.”
+
+Julius shook his head without replying.
+
+“We’ll go over it again to-morrow,” said Tommy. “Perhaps we’ll see more
+in the daylight.”
+
+On the morrow they took up the search once more, and were reluctantly
+forced to the conclusion that the house had not been invaded for some
+considerable time. They might have left the village altogether but for
+a fortunate discovery of Tommy’s. As they were retracing their steps to
+the gate, he gave a sudden cry, and stooping, picked something up from
+among the leaves, and held it out to Julius. It was a small gold brooch.
+
+“That’s Tuppence’s!”
+
+“Are you sure?”
+
+“Absolutely. I’ve often seen her wear it.”
+
+Julius drew a deep breath.
+
+“I guess that settles it. She came as far as here, anyway. We’ll make
+that pub our head-quarters, and raise hell round here until we find her.
+Somebody _must_ have seen her.”
+
+Forthwith the campaign began. Tommy and Julius worked separately and
+together, but the result was the same. Nobody answering to Tuppence’s
+description had been seen in the vicinity. They were baffled--but not
+discouraged. Finally they altered their tactics. Tuppence had certainly
+not remained long in the neighbourhood of the Moat House. That pointed
+to her having been overcome and carried away in a car. They renewed
+inquiries. Had anyone seen a car standing somewhere near the Moat House
+that day? Again they met with no success.
+
+Julius wired to town for his own car, and they scoured the neighbourhood
+daily with unflagging zeal. A grey limousine on which they had set high
+hopes was traced to Harrogate, and turned out to be the property of a
+highly respectable maiden lady!
+
+Each day saw them set out on a new quest. Julius was like a hound on
+the leash. He followed up the slenderest clue. Every car that had passed
+through the village on the fateful day was tracked down. He forced his
+way into country properties and submitted the owners of the motors to
+a searching cross-examination. His apologies were as thorough as his
+methods, and seldom failed in disarming the indignation of his victims;
+but, as day succeeded day, they were no nearer to discovering Tuppence’s
+whereabouts. So well had the abduction been planned that the girl seemed
+literally to have vanished into thin air.
+
+And another preoccupation was weighing on Tommy’s mind.
+
+“Do you know how long we’ve been here?” he asked one morning as they
+sat facing each other at breakfast. “A week! We’re no nearer to finding
+Tuppence, _and next Sunday is the_ 29_th!_”
+
+“Shucks!” said Julius thoughtfully. “I’d almost forgotten about the
+29th. I’ve been thinking of nothing but Tuppence.”
+
+“So have I. At least, I hadn’t forgotten about the 29th, but it didn’t
+seem to matter a damn in comparison to finding Tuppence. But to-day’s
+the 23rd, and time’s getting short. If we’re ever going to get hold of
+her at all, we must do it before the 29th--her life won’t be worth an
+hour’s purchase afterwards. The hostage game will be played out by then.
+I’m beginning to feel that we’ve made a big mistake in the way we’ve set
+about this. We’ve wasted time and we’re no forrader.”
+
+“I’m with you there. We’ve been a couple of mutts, who’ve bitten off a
+bigger bit than they can chew. I’m going to quit fooling right away!”
+
+“What do you mean?”
+
+“I’ll tell you. I’m going to do what we ought to have done a week ago.
+I’m going right back to London to put the case in the hands of your
+British police. We fancied ourselves as sleuths. Sleuths! It was a piece
+of damn-fool foolishness! I’m through! I’ve had enough of it. Scotland
+Yard for me!”
+
+“You’re right,” said Tommy slowly. “I wish to God we’d gone there right
+away.”
+
+“Better late than never. We’ve been like a couple of babes playing ‘Here
+we go round the Mulberry Bush.’ Now I’m going right along to Scotland
+Yard to ask them to take me by the hand and show me the way I should go.
+I guess the professional always scores over the amateur in the end. Are
+you coming along with me?”
+
+Tommy shook his head.
+
+“What’s the good? One of us is enough. I might as well stay here and
+nose round a bit longer. Something _might_ turn up. One never knows.”
+
+“Sure thing. Well, so long. I’ll be back in a couple of shakes with a
+few inspectors along. I shall tell them to pick out their brightest and
+best.”
+
+But the course of events was not to follow the plan Julius had laid
+down. Later in the day Tommy received a wire:
+
+“Join me Manchester Midland Hotel. Important news--JULIUS.”
+
+At 7.30 that night Tommy alighted from a slow cross-country train.
+Julius was on the platform.
+
+“Thought you’d come by this train if you weren’t out when my wire
+arrived.”
+
+Tommy grasped him by the arm.
+
+“What is it? Is Tuppence found?”
+
+Julius shook his head.
+
+“No. But I found this waiting in London. Just arrived.”
+
+He handed the telegraph form to the other. Tommy’s eyes opened as he
+read:
+
+“Jane Finn found. Come Manchester Midland Hotel immediately--PEEL
+EDGERTON.”
+
+Julius took the form back and folded it up.
+
+“Queer,” he said thoughtfully. “I thought that lawyer chap had quit!”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX. JANE FINN
+
+“MY train got in half an hour ago,” explained Julius, as he led the way
+out of the station. “I reckoned you’d come by this before I left London,
+and wired accordingly to Sir James. He’s booked rooms for us, and will
+be round to dine at eight.”
+
+“What made you think he’d ceased to take any interest in the case?”
+ asked Tommy curiously.
+
+“What he said,” replied Julius dryly. “The old bird’s as close as an
+oyster! Like all the darned lot of them, he wasn’t going to commit
+himself till he was sure he could deliver the goods.”
+
+“I wonder,” said Tommy thoughtfully.
+
+Julius turned on him.
+
+“You wonder what?”
+
+“Whether that was his real reason.”
+
+“Sure. You bet your life it was.”
+
+Tommy shook his head unconvinced.
+
+Sir James arrived punctually at eight o’clock, and Julius introduced
+Tommy. Sir James shook hands with him warmly.
+
+“I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Mr. Beresford. I have heard
+so much about you from Miss Tuppence”--he smiled involuntarily--“that it
+really seems as though I already know you quite well.”
+
+“Thank you, sir,” said Tommy with his cheerful grin. He scanned the
+great lawyer eagerly. Like Tuppence, he felt the magnetism of the
+other’s personality. He was reminded of Mr. Carter. The two men, totally
+unlike so far as physical resemblance went, produced a similar effect.
+Beneath the weary manner of the one and the professional reserve of the
+other, lay the same quality of mind, keen-edged like a rapier.
+
+In the meantime he was conscious of Sir James’s close scrutiny. When the
+lawyer dropped his eyes the young man had the feeling that the other had
+read him through and through like an open book. He could not but wonder
+what the final judgment was, but there was little chance of learning
+that. Sir James took in everything, but gave out only what he chose. A
+proof of that occurred almost at once.
+
+Immediately the first greetings were over Julius broke out into a flood
+of eager questions. How had Sir James managed to track the girl? Why had
+he not let them know that he was still working on the case? And so on.
+
+Sir James stroked his chin and smiled. At last he said:
+
+“Just so, just so. Well, she’s found. And that’s the great thing, isn’t
+it? Eh! Come now, that’s the great thing?”
+
+“Sure it is. But just how did you strike her trail? Miss Tuppence and I
+thought you’d quit for good and all.”
+
+“Ah!” The lawyer shot a lightning glance at him, then resumed operations
+on his chin. “You thought that, did you? Did you really? H’m, dear me.”
+
+“But I guess I can take it we were wrong,” pursued Julius.
+
+“Well, I don’t know that I should go so far as to say that. But it’s
+certainly fortunate for all parties that we’ve managed to find the young
+lady.”
+
+“But where is she?” demanded Julius, his thoughts flying off on another
+tack. “I thought you’d be sure to bring her along?”
+
+“That would hardly be possible,” said Sir James gravely.
+
+“Why?”
+
+“Because the young lady was knocked down in a street accident, and has
+sustained slight injuries to the head. She was taken to the infirmary,
+and on recovering consciousness gave her name as Jane Finn. When--ah!--I
+heard that, I arranged for her to be removed to the house of a
+doctor--a friend of mine, and wired at once for you. She relapsed into
+unconsciousness and has not spoken since.”
+
+“She’s not seriously hurt?”
+
+“Oh, a bruise and a cut or two; really, from a medical point of view,
+absurdly slight injuries to have produced such a condition. Her state is
+probably to be attributed to the mental shock consequent on recovering
+her memory.”
+
+“It’s come back?” cried Julius excitedly.
+
+Sir James tapped the table rather impatiently.
+
+“Undoubtedly, Mr. Hersheimmer, since she was able to give her real name.
+I thought you had appreciated that point.”
+
+“And you just happened to be on the spot,” said Tommy. “Seems quite like
+a fairy tale.”
+
+But Sir James was far too wary to be drawn.
+
+“Coincidences are curious things,” he said dryly.
+
+Nevertheless Tommy was now certain of what he had before only suspected.
+Sir James’s presence in Manchester was not accidental. Far from
+abandoning the case, as Julius supposed, he had by some means of his own
+successfully run the missing girl to earth. The only thing that puzzled
+Tommy was the reason for all this secrecy. He concluded that it was a
+foible of the legal mind.
+
+Julius was speaking.
+
+“After dinner,” he announced, “I shall go right away and see Jane.”
+
+“That will be impossible, I fear,” said Sir James. “It is very unlikely
+they would allow her to see visitors at this time of night. I should
+suggest to-morrow morning about ten o’clock.”
+
+Julius flushed. There was something in Sir James which always stirred
+him to antagonism. It was a conflict of two masterful personalities.
+
+“All the same, I reckon I’ll go round there to-night and see if I can’t
+ginger them up to break through their silly rules.”
+
+“It will be quite useless, Mr. Hersheimmer.”
+
+The words came out like the crack of a pistol, and Tommy looked up with
+a start. Julius was nervous and excited. The hand with which he raised
+his glass to his lips shook slightly, but his eyes held Sir James’s
+defiantly. For a moment the hostility between the two seemed likely to
+burst into flame, but in the end Julius lowered his eyes, defeated.
+
+“For the moment, I reckon you’re the boss.”
+
+“Thank you,” said the other. “We will say ten o’clock then?” With
+consummate ease of manner he turned to Tommy. “I must confess, Mr.
+Beresford, that it was something of a surprise to me to see you here
+this evening. The last I heard of you was that your friends were in
+grave anxiety on your behalf. Nothing had been heard of you for
+some days, and Miss Tuppence was inclined to think you had got into
+difficulties.”
+
+“I had, sir!” Tommy grinned reminiscently. “I was never in a tighter
+place in my life.”
+
+Helped out by questions from Sir James, he gave an abbreviated account
+of his adventures. The lawyer looked at him with renewed interest as he
+brought the tale to a close.
+
+“You got yourself out of a tight place very well,” he said gravely. “I
+congratulate you. You displayed a great deal of ingenuity and carried
+your part through well.”
+
+Tommy blushed, his face assuming a prawnlike hue at the praise.
+
+“I couldn’t have got away but for the girl, sir.”
+
+“No.” Sir James smiled a little. “It was lucky for you she happened
+to--er--take a fancy to you.” Tommy appeared about to protest, but Sir
+James went on. “There’s no doubt about her being one of the gang, I
+suppose?”
+
+“I’m afraid not, sir. I thought perhaps they were keeping her there by
+force, but the way she acted didn’t fit in with that. You see, she went
+back to them when she could have got away.”
+
+Sir James nodded thoughtfully.
+
+“What did she say? Something about wanting to be taken to Marguerite?”
+
+“Yes, sir. I suppose she meant Mrs. Vandemeyer.”
+
+“She always signed herself Rita Vandemeyer. All her friends spoke of
+her as Rita. Still, I suppose the girl must have been in the habit of
+calling her by her full name. And, at the moment she was crying out to
+her, Mrs. Vandemeyer was either dead or dying! Curious! There are one
+or two points that strike me as being obscure--their sudden change
+of attitude towards yourself, for instance. By the way, the house was
+raided, of course?”
+
+“Yes, sir, but they’d all cleared out.”
+
+“Naturally,” said Sir James dryly.
+
+“And not a clue left behind.”
+
+“I wonder----” The lawyer tapped the table thoughtfully.
+
+Something in his voice made Tommy look up. Would this man’s eyes have
+seen something where theirs had been blind? He spoke impulsively:
+
+“I wish you’d been there, sir, to go over the house!”
+
+“I wish I had,” said Sir James quietly. He sat for a moment in silence.
+Then he looked up. “And since then? What have you been doing?”
+
+For a moment, Tommy stared at him. Then it dawned on him that of course
+the lawyer did not know.
+
+“I forgot that you didn’t know about Tuppence,” he said slowly. The
+sickening anxiety, forgotten for a while in the excitement of knowing
+Jane Finn was found at last, swept over him again.
+
+The lawyer laid down his knife and fork sharply.
+
+“Has anything happened to Miss Tuppence?” His voice was keen-edged.
+
+“She’s disappeared,” said Julius.
+
+“When?”
+
+“A week ago.”
+
+“How?”
+
+Sir James’s questions fairly shot out. Between them Tommy and Julius
+gave the history of the last week and their futile search.
+
+Sir James went at once to the root of the matter.
+
+“A wire signed with your name? They knew enough of you both for that.
+They weren’t sure of how much you had learnt in that house. Their
+kidnapping of Miss Tuppence is the counter-move to your escape. If
+necessary they could seal your lips with a threat of what might happen
+to her.”
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+“That’s just what I thought, sir.”
+
+Sir James looked at him keenly. “You had worked that out, had you? Not
+bad--not at all bad. The curious thing is that they certainly did not
+know anything about you when they first held you prisoner. You are sure
+that you did not in any way disclose your identity?”
+
+Tommy shook his head.
+
+“That’s so,” said Julius with a nod. “Therefore I reckon some one put
+them wise--and not earlier than Sunday afternoon.”
+
+“Yes, but who?”
+
+“That almighty omniscient Mr. Brown, of course!”
+
+There was a faint note of derision in the American’s voice which made
+Sir James look up sharply.
+
+“You don’t believe in Mr. Brown, Mr. Hersheimmer?”
+
+“No, sir, I do not,” returned the young American with emphasis. “Not
+as such, that is to say. I reckon it out that he’s a figurehead--just a
+bogy name to frighten the children with. The real head of this business
+is that Russian chap Kramenin. I guess he’s quite capable of running
+revolutions in three countries at once if he chose! The man Whittington
+is probably the head of the English branch.”
+
+“I disagree with you,” said Sir James shortly. “Mr. Brown exists.” He
+turned to Tommy. “Did you happen to notice where that wire was handed
+in?”
+
+“No, sir, I’m afraid I didn’t.”
+
+“H’m. Got it with you?”
+
+“It’s upstairs, sir, in my kit.”
+
+“I’d like to have a look at it sometime. No hurry. You’ve wasted a
+week”--Tommy hung his head--“a day or so more is immaterial. We’ll deal
+with Miss Jane Finn first. Afterwards, we’ll set to work to rescue Miss
+Tuppence from bondage. I don’t think she’s in any immediate danger. That
+is, so long as they don’t know that we’ve got Jane Finn, and that
+her memory has returned. We must keep that dark at all costs. You
+understand?”
+
+The other two assented, and, after making arrangements for meeting on
+the morrow, the great lawyer took his leave.
+
+At ten o’clock, the two young men were at the appointed spot. Sir
+James had joined them on the doorstep. He alone appeared unexcited. He
+introduced them to the doctor.
+
+“Mr. Hersheimmer--Mr. Beresford--Dr. Roylance. How’s the patient?”
+
+“Going on well. Evidently no idea of the flight of time. Asked this
+morning how many had been saved from the _Lusitania_. Was it in the
+papers yet? That, of course, was only what was to be expected. She seems
+to have something on her mind, though.”
+
+“I think we can relieve her anxiety. May we go up?”
+
+“Certainly.”
+
+Tommy’s heart beat sensibly faster as they followed the doctor upstairs.
+Jane Finn at last! The long-sought, the mysterious, the elusive Jane
+Finn! How wildly improbable success had seemed! And here in this house,
+her memory almost miraculously restored, lay the girl who held the
+future of England in her hands. A half groan broke from Tommy’s lips.
+If only Tuppence could have been at his side to share in the triumphant
+conclusion of their joint venture! Then he put the thought of Tuppence
+resolutely aside. His confidence in Sir James was growing. There was
+a man who would unerringly ferret out Tuppence’s whereabouts. In the
+meantime Jane Finn! And suddenly a dread clutched at his heart. It
+seemed too easy.... Suppose they should find her dead ... stricken down
+by the hand of Mr. Brown?
+
+In another minute he was laughing at these melodramatic fancies. The
+doctor held open the door of a room and they passed in. On the white
+bed, bandages round her head, lay the girl. Somehow the whole scene
+seemed unreal. It was so exactly what one expected that it gave the
+effect of being beautifully staged.
+
+The girl looked from one to the other of them with large wondering eyes.
+Sir James spoke first.
+
+“Miss Finn,” he said, “this is your cousin, Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer.”
+
+A faint flush flitted over the girl’s face, as Julius stepped forward
+and took her hand.
+
+“How do, Cousin Jane?” he said lightly.
+
+But Tommy caught the tremor in his voice.
+
+“Are you really Uncle Hiram’s son?” she asked wonderingly.
+
+Her voice, with the slight warmth of the Western accent, had an almost
+thrilling quality. It seemed vaguely familiar to Tommy, but he thrust
+the impression aside as impossible.
+
+“Sure thing.”
+
+“We used to read about Uncle Hiram in the papers,” continued the girl,
+in her low soft tones. “But I never thought I’d meet you one day. Mother
+figured it out that Uncle Hiram would never get over being mad with
+her.”
+
+“The old man was like that,” admitted Julius. “But I guess the new
+generation’s sort of different. Got no use for the family feud business.
+First thing I thought about, soon as the war was over, was to come along
+and hunt you up.”
+
+A shadow passed over the girl’s face.
+
+“They’ve been telling me things--dreadful things--that my memory went,
+and that there are years I shall never know about--years lost out of my
+life.”
+
+“You didn’t realize that yourself?”
+
+The girl’s eyes opened wide.
+
+“Why, no. It seems to me as though it were no time since we were being
+hustled into those boats. I can see it all now.” She closed her eyes
+with a shudder.
+
+Julius looked across at Sir James, who nodded.
+
+“Don’t worry any. It isn’t worth it. Now, see here, Jane, there’s
+something we want to know about. There was a man aboard that boat with
+some mighty important papers on him, and the big guns in this country
+have got a notion that he passed on the goods to you. Is that so?”
+
+The girl hesitated, her glance shifting to the other two. Julius
+understood.
+
+“Mr. Beresford is commissioned by the British Government to get those
+papers back. Sir James Peel Edgerton is an English Member of Parliament,
+and might be a big gun in the Cabinet if he liked. It’s owing to him
+that we’ve ferreted you out at last. So you can go right ahead and tell
+us the whole story. Did Danvers give you the papers?”
+
+“Yes. He said they’d have a better chance with me, because they would
+save the women and children first.”
+
+“Just as we thought,” said Sir James.
+
+“He said they were very important--that they might make all the
+difference to the Allies. But, if it’s all so long ago, and the war’s
+over, what does it matter now?”
+
+“I guess history repeats itself, Jane. First there was a great hue
+and cry over those papers, then it all died down, and now the whole
+caboodle’s started all over again--for rather different reasons. Then
+you can hand them over to us right away?”
+
+“But I can’t.”
+
+“What?”
+
+“I haven’t got them.”
+
+“You--haven’t--got them?” Julius punctuated the words with little
+pauses.
+
+“No--I hid them.”
+
+“You _hid_ them?”
+
+“Yes. I got uneasy. People seemed to be watching me. It scared
+me--badly.” She put her hand to her head. “It’s almost the last thing I
+remember before waking up in the hospital....”
+
+“Go on,” said Sir James, in his quiet penetrating tones. “What do you
+remember?”
+
+She turned to him obediently.
+
+“It was at Holyhead. I came that way--I don’t remember why....”
+
+“That doesn’t matter. Go on.”
+
+“In the confusion on the quay I slipped away. Nobody saw me. I took a
+car. Told the man to drive me out of the town. I watched when we got on
+the open road. No other car was following us. I saw a path at the side
+of the road. I told the man to wait.”
+
+She paused, then went on. “The path led to the cliff, and down to the
+sea between big yellow gorse bushes--they were like golden flames. I
+looked round. There wasn’t a soul in sight. But just level with my head
+there was a hole in the rock. It was quite small--I could only just get
+my hand in, but it went a long way back. I took the oilskin packet from
+round my neck and shoved it right in as far as I could. Then I tore off
+a bit of gorse--My! but it did prick--and plugged the hole with it so
+that you’d never guess there was a crevice of any kind there. Then I
+marked the place carefully in my own mind, so that I’d find it again.
+There was a queer boulder in the path just there--for all the world
+like a dog sitting up begging. Then I went back to the road. The car was
+waiting, and I drove back. I just caught the train. I was a bit ashamed
+of myself for fancying things maybe, but, by and by, I saw the man
+opposite me wink at a woman who was sitting next to me, and I felt
+scared again, and was glad the papers were safe. I went out in the
+corridor to get a little air. I thought I’d slip into another carriage.
+But the woman called me back, said I’d dropped something, and when I
+stooped to look, something seemed to hit me--here.” She placed her hand
+to the back of her head. “I don’t remember anything more until I woke up
+in the hospital.”
+
+There was a pause.
+
+“Thank you, Miss Finn.” It was Sir James who spoke. “I hope we have not
+tired you?”
+
+“Oh, that’s all right. My head aches a little, but otherwise I feel
+fine.”
+
+Julius stepped forward and took her hand again.
+
+“So long, Cousin Jane. I’m going to get busy after those papers, but
+I’ll be back in two shakes of a dog’s tail, and I’ll tote you up to
+London and give you the time of your young life before we go back to the
+States! I mean it--so hurry up and get well.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX. TOO LATE
+
+IN the street they held an informal council of war. Sir James had drawn
+a watch from his pocket. “The boat train to Holyhead stops at Chester at
+12.14. If you start at once I think you can catch the connection.”
+
+Tommy looked up, puzzled.
+
+“Is there any need to hurry, sir? To-day is only the 24th.”
+
+“I guess it’s always well to get up early in the morning,” said Julius,
+before the lawyer had time to reply. “We’ll make tracks for the depot
+right away.”
+
+A little frown had settled on Sir James’s brow.
+
+“I wish I could come with you. I am due to speak at a meeting at two
+o’clock. It is unfortunate.”
+
+The reluctance in his tone was very evident. It was clear, on the other
+hand, that Julius was easily disposed to put up with the loss of the
+other’s company.
+
+“I guess there’s nothing complicated about this deal,” he remarked.
+“Just a game of hide-and-seek, that’s all.”
+
+“I hope so,” said Sir James.
+
+“Sure thing. What else could it be?”
+
+“You are still young, Mr. Hersheimmer. At my age you will probably have
+learnt one lesson. ‘Never underestimate your adversary.’”
+
+The gravity of his tone impressed Tommy, but had little effect upon
+Julius.
+
+“You think Mr. Brown might come along and take a hand? If he does, I’m
+ready for him.” He slapped his pocket. “I carry a gun. Little Willie
+here travels round with me everywhere.” He produced a murderous-looking
+automatic, and tapped it affectionately before returning it to its
+home. “But he won’t be needed this trip. There’s nobody to put Mr. Brown
+wise.”
+
+The lawyer shrugged his shoulders.
+
+“There was nobody to put Mr. Brown wise to the fact that Mrs. Vandemeyer
+meant to betray him. Nevertheless, _Mrs. Vandemeyer died without
+speaking_.”
+
+Julius was silenced for once, and Sir James added on a lighter note:
+
+“I only want to put you on your guard. Good-bye, and good luck. Take
+no unnecessary risks once the papers are in your hands. If there is any
+reason to believe that you have been shadowed, destroy them at once.
+Good luck to you. The game is in your hands now.” He shook hands with
+them both.
+
+Ten minutes later the two young men were seated in a first-class
+carriage _en route_ for Chester.
+
+For a long time neither of them spoke. When at length Julius broke the
+silence, it was with a totally unexpected remark.
+
+“Say,” he observed thoughtfully, “did you ever make a darned fool of
+yourself over a girl’s face?”
+
+Tommy, after a moment’s astonishment, searched his mind.
+
+“Can’t say I have,” he replied at last. “Not that I can recollect,
+anyhow. Why?”
+
+“Because for the last two months I’ve been making a sentimental idiot of
+myself over Jane! First moment I clapped eyes on her photograph my heart
+did all the usual stunts you read about in novels. I guess I’m ashamed
+to admit it, but I came over here determined to find her and fix it all
+up, and take her back as Mrs. Julius P. Hersheimmer!”
+
+“Oh!” said Tommy, amazed.
+
+Julius uncrossed his legs brusquely and continued:
+
+“Just shows what an almighty fool a man can make of himself! One look at
+the girl in the flesh, and I was cured!”
+
+Feeling more tongue-tied than ever, Tommy ejaculated “Oh!” again.
+
+“No disparagement to Jane, mind you,” continued the other. “She’s a real
+nice girl, and some fellow will fall in love with her right away.”
+
+“I thought her a very good-looking girl,” said Tommy, finding his
+tongue.
+
+“Sure she is. But she’s not like her photo one bit. At least I suppose
+she is in a way--must be--because I recognized her right off. If I’d
+seen her in a crowd I’d have said ‘There’s a girl whose face I know’
+right away without any hesitation. But there was something about that
+photo”--Julius shook his head, and heaved a sigh--“I guess romance is a
+mighty queer thing!”
+
+“It must be,” said Tommy coldly, “if you can come over here in love with
+one girl, and propose to another within a fortnight.”
+
+Julius had the grace to look discomposed.
+
+“Well, you see, I’d got a sort of tired feeling that I’d never find
+Jane--and that it was all plumb foolishness anyway. And then--oh, well,
+the French, for instance, are much more sensible in the way they look at
+things. They keep romance and marriage apart----”
+
+Tommy flushed.
+
+“Well, I’m damned! If that’s----”
+
+Julius hastened to interrupt.
+
+“Say now, don’t be hasty. I don’t mean what you mean. I take it
+Americans have a higher opinion of morality than you have even. What I
+meant was that the French set about marriage in a businesslike way--find
+two people who are suited to one another, look after the money affairs,
+and see the whole thing practically, and in a businesslike spirit.”
+
+“If you ask me,” said Tommy, “we’re all too damned businesslike
+nowadays. We’re always saying, ‘Will it pay?’ The men are bad enough,
+and the girls are worse!”
+
+“Cool down, son. Don’t get so heated.”
+
+“I feel heated,” said Tommy.
+
+Julius looked at him and judged it wise to say no more.
+
+However, Tommy had plenty of time to cool down before they reached
+Holyhead, and the cheerful grin had returned to his countenance as they
+alighted at their destination.
+
+After consultation, and with the aid of a road map, they were fairly
+well agreed as to direction, so were able to hire a taxi without more
+ado and drive out on the road leading to Treaddur Bay. They instructed
+the man to go slowly, and watched narrowly so as not to miss the path.
+They came to it not long after leaving the town, and Tommy stopped the
+car promptly, asked in a casual tone whether the path led down to the
+sea, and hearing it did paid off the man in handsome style.
+
+A moment later the taxi was slowly chugging back to Holyhead. Tommy and
+Julius watched it out of sight, and then turned to the narrow path.
+
+“It’s the right one, I suppose?” asked Tommy doubtfully. “There must be
+simply heaps along here.”
+
+“Sure it is. Look at the gorse. Remember what Jane said?”
+
+Tommy looked at the swelling hedges of golden blossom which bordered the
+path on either side, and was convinced.
+
+They went down in single file, Julius leading. Twice Tommy turned his
+head uneasily. Julius looked back.
+
+“What is it?”
+
+“I don’t know. I’ve got the wind up somehow. Keep fancying there’s some
+one following us.”
+
+“Can’t be,” said Julius positively. “We’d see him.”
+
+Tommy had to admit that this was true. Nevertheless, his sense of
+uneasiness deepened. In spite of himself he believed in the omniscience
+of the enemy.
+
+“I rather wish that fellow would come along,” said Julius. He patted his
+pocket. “Little William here is just aching for exercise!”
+
+“Do you always carry it--him--with you?” inquired Tommy with burning
+curiosity.
+
+“Most always. I guess you never know what might turn up.”
+
+Tommy kept a respectful silence. He was impressed by little William. It
+seemed to remove the menace of Mr. Brown farther away.
+
+The path was now running along the side of the cliff, parallel to the
+sea. Suddenly Julius came to such an abrupt halt that Tommy cannoned
+into him.
+
+“What’s up?” he inquired.
+
+“Look there. If that doesn’t beat the band!”
+
+Tommy looked. Standing out half obstructing the path was a huge boulder
+which certainly bore a fanciful resemblance to a “begging” terrier.
+
+“Well,” said Tommy, refusing to share Julius’s emotion, “it’s what we
+expected to see, isn’t it?”
+
+Julius looked at him sadly and shook his head.
+
+“British phlegm! Sure we expected it--but it kind of rattles me, all the
+same, to see it sitting there just where we expected to find it!”
+
+Tommy, whose calm was, perhaps, more assumed than natural, moved his
+feet impatiently.
+
+“Push on. What about the hole?”
+
+They scanned the cliff-side narrowly. Tommy heard himself saying
+idiotically:
+
+“The gorse won’t be there after all these years.”
+
+And Julius replied solemnly:
+
+“I guess you’re right.”
+
+Tommy suddenly pointed with a shaking hand.
+
+“What about that crevice there?”
+
+Julius replied in an awestricken voice:
+
+“That’s it--for sure.”
+
+They looked at each other.
+
+“When I was in France,” said Tommy reminiscently, “whenever my batman
+failed to call me, he always said that he had come over queer. I never
+believed it. But whether he felt it or not, there _is_ such a sensation.
+I’ve got it now! Badly!”
+
+He looked at the rock with a kind of agonized passion.
+
+“Damn it!” he cried. “It’s impossible! Five years! Think of it!
+Bird’s-nesting boys, picnic parties, thousands of people passing! It
+can’t be there! It’s a hundred to one against its being there! It’s
+against all reason!”
+
+Indeed, he felt it to be impossible--more, perhaps, because he could not
+believe in his own success where so many others had failed. The thing
+was too easy, therefore it could not be. The hole would be empty.
+
+Julius looked at him with a widening smile.
+
+“I guess you’re rattled now all right,” he drawled with some enjoyment.
+“Well, here goes!” He thrust his hand into the crevice, and made a
+slight grimace. “It’s a tight fit. Jane’s hand must be a few sizes
+smaller than mine. I don’t feel anything--no--say, what’s this? Gee
+whiz!” And with a flourish he waved aloft a small discoloured packet.
+“It’s the goods all right. Sewn up in oilskin. Hold it while I get my
+penknife.”
+
+The unbelievable had happened. Tommy held the precious packet tenderly
+between his hands. They had succeeded!
+
+“It’s queer,” he murmured idly, “you’d think the stitches would have
+rotted. They look just as good as new.”
+
+They cut them carefully and ripped away the oilskin. Inside was a small
+folded sheet of paper. With trembling fingers they unfolded it. The
+sheet was blank! They stared at each other, puzzled.
+
+“A dummy?” hazarded Julius. “Was Danvers just a decoy?”
+
+Tommy shook his head. That solution did not satisfy him. Suddenly his
+face cleared.
+
+“I’ve got it! _Sympathetic ink!_”
+
+“You think so?”
+
+“Worth trying anyhow. Heat usually does the trick. Get some sticks.
+We’ll make a fire.”
+
+In a few minutes the little fire of twigs and leaves was blazing
+merrily. Tommy held the sheet of paper near the glow. The paper curled a
+little with the heat. Nothing more.
+
+Suddenly Julius grasped his arm, and pointed to where characters were
+appearing in a faint brown colour.
+
+“Gee whiz! You’ve got it! Say, that idea of yours was great. It never
+occurred to me.”
+
+Tommy held the paper in position some minutes longer until he judged the
+heat had done its work. Then he withdrew it. A moment later he uttered a
+cry.
+
+Across the sheet in neat brown printing ran the words: WITH THE
+COMPLIMENTS OF MR. BROWN.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI. TOMMY MAKES A DISCOVERY
+
+FOR a moment or two they stood staring at each other stupidly, dazed
+with the shock. Somehow, inexplicably, Mr. Brown had forestalled them.
+Tommy accepted defeat quietly. Not so Julius.
+
+“How in tarnation did he get ahead of us? That’s what beats me!” he
+ended up.
+
+Tommy shook his head, and said dully:
+
+“It accounts for the stitches being new. We might have guessed....”
+
+“Never mind the darned stitches. How did he get ahead of us? We hustled
+all we knew. It’s downright impossible for anyone to get here quicker
+than we did. And, anyway, how did he know? Do you reckon there was a
+dictaphone in Jane’s room? I guess there must have been.”
+
+But Tommy’s common sense pointed out objections.
+
+“No one could have known beforehand that she was going to be in that
+house--much less that particular room.”
+
+“That’s so,” admitted Julius. “Then one of the nurses was a crook and
+listened at the door. How’s that?”
+
+“I don’t see that it matters anyway,” said Tommy wearily. “He may have
+found out some months ago, and removed the papers, then----No, by Jove,
+that won’t wash! They’d have been published at once.”
+
+“Sure thing they would! No, some one’s got ahead of us to-day by an hour
+or so. But how they did it gets my goat.”
+
+“I wish that chap Peel Edgerton had been with us,” said Tommy
+thoughtfully.
+
+“Why?” Julius stared. “The mischief was done when we came.”
+
+“Yes----” Tommy hesitated. He could not explain his own feeling--the
+illogical idea that the K.C.’s presence would somehow have averted the
+catastrophe. He reverted to his former point of view. “It’s no good
+arguing about how it was done. The game’s up. We’ve failed. There’s only
+one thing for me to do.”
+
+“What’s that?”
+
+“Get back to London as soon as possible. Mr. Carter must be warned. It’s
+only a matter of hours now before the blow falls. But, at any rate, he
+ought to know the worst.”
+
+The duty was an unpleasant one, but Tommy had no intention of shirking
+it. He must report his failure to Mr. Carter. After that his work was
+done. He took the midnight mail to London. Julius elected to stay the
+night at Holyhead.
+
+Half an hour after arrival, haggard and pale, Tommy stood before his
+chief.
+
+“I’ve come to report, sir. I’ve failed--failed badly.”
+
+Mr. Carter eyed him sharply.
+
+“You mean that the treaty----”
+
+“Is in the hands of Mr. Brown, sir.”
+
+“Ah!” said Mr. Carter quietly. The expression on his face did not
+change, but Tommy caught the flicker of despair in his eyes. It
+convinced him as nothing else had done that the outlook was hopeless.
+
+“Well,” said Mr. Carter after a minute or two, “we mustn’t sag at the
+knees, I suppose. I’m glad to know definitely. We must do what we can.”
+
+Through Tommy’s mind flashed the assurance: “It’s hopeless, and he knows
+it’s hopeless!”
+
+The other looked up at him.
+
+“Don’t take it to heart, lad,” he said kindly. “You did your best. You
+were up against one of the biggest brains of the century. And you came
+very near success. Remember that.”
+
+“Thank you, sir. It’s awfully decent of you.”
+
+“I blame myself. I have been blaming myself ever since I heard this
+other news.”
+
+Something in his tone attracted Tommy’s attention. A new fear gripped at
+his heart.
+
+“Is there--something more, sir?”
+
+“I’m afraid so,” said Mr. Carter gravely. He stretched out his hand to a
+sheet on the table.
+
+“Tuppence----?” faltered Tommy.
+
+“Read for yourself.”
+
+The typewritten words danced before his eyes. The description of a green
+toque, a coat with a handkerchief in the pocket marked P.L.C. He looked
+an agonized question at Mr. Carter. The latter replied to it:
+
+“Washed up on the Yorkshire coast--near Ebury. I’m afraid--it looks very
+much like foul play.”
+
+“My God!” gasped Tommy. “_Tuppence!_ Those devils--I’ll never rest till
+I’ve got even with them! I’ll hunt them down! I’ll----”
+
+The pity on Mr. Carter’s face stopped him.
+
+“I know what you feel like, my poor boy. But it’s no good. You’ll waste
+your strength uselessly. It may sound harsh, but my advice to you is:
+Cut your losses. Time’s merciful. You’ll forget.”
+
+“Forget Tuppence? Never!”
+
+Mr. Carter shook his head.
+
+“So you think now. Well, it won’t bear thinking of--that brave little
+girl! I’m sorry about the whole business--confoundedly sorry.”
+
+Tommy came to himself with a start.
+
+“I’m taking up your time, sir,” he said with an effort. “There’s no need
+for you to blame yourself. I dare say we were a couple of young fools to
+take on such a job. You warned us all right. But I wish to God I’d been
+the one to get it in the neck. Good-bye, sir.”
+
+Back at the _Ritz_, Tommy packed up his few belongings mechanically,
+his thoughts far away. He was still bewildered by the introduction of
+tragedy into his cheerful commonplace existence. What fun they had
+had together, he and Tuppence! And now--oh, he couldn’t believe it--it
+couldn’t be true! _Tuppence--dead!_ Little Tuppence, brimming over with
+life! It was a dream, a horrible dream. Nothing more.
+
+They brought him a note, a few kind words of sympathy from Peel
+Edgerton, who had read the news in the paper. (There had been a large
+headline: EX-V.A.D. FEARED DROWNED.) The letter ended with the offer
+of a post on a ranch in the Argentine, where Sir James had considerable
+interests.
+
+“Kind old beggar,” muttered Tommy, as he flung it aside.
+
+The door opened, and Julius burst in with his usual violence. He held an
+open newspaper in his hand.
+
+“Say, what’s all this? They seem to have got some fool idea about
+Tuppence.”
+
+“It’s true,” said Tommy quietly.
+
+“You mean they’ve done her in?”
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+“I suppose when they got the treaty she--wasn’t any good to them any
+longer, and they were afraid to let her go.”
+
+“Well, I’m darned!” said Julius. “Little Tuppence. She sure was the
+pluckiest little girl----”
+
+But suddenly something seemed to crack in Tommy’s brain. He rose to his
+feet.
+
+“Oh, get out! You don’t really care, damn you! You asked her to marry
+you in your rotten cold-blooded way, but I _loved_ her. I’d have given
+the soul out of my body to save her from harm. I’d have stood by without
+a word and let her marry you, because you could have given her the sort
+of time she ought to have had, and I was only a poor devil without a
+penny to bless himself with. But it wouldn’t have been because I didn’t
+care!”
+
+“See here,” began Julius temperately.
+
+“Oh, go to the devil! I can’t stand your coming here and talking about
+‘little Tuppence.’ Go and look after your cousin. Tuppence is my girl!
+I’ve always loved her, from the time we played together as kids. We
+grew up and it was just the same. I shall never forget when I was in
+hospital, and she came in in that ridiculous cap and apron! It was like
+a miracle to see the girl I loved turn up in a nurse’s kit----”
+
+But Julius interrupted him.
+
+“A nurse’s kit! Gee whiz! I must be going to Colney Hatch! I could swear
+I’ve seen Jane in a nurse’s cap too. And that’s plumb impossible! No,
+by gum, I’ve got it! It was her I saw talking to Whittington at that
+nursing home in Bournemouth. She wasn’t a patient there! She was a
+nurse!”
+
+“I dare say,” said Tommy angrily, “she’s probably been in with them from
+the start. I shouldn’t wonder if she stole those papers from Danvers to
+begin with.”
+
+“I’m darned if she did!” shouted Julius. “She’s my cousin, and as
+patriotic a girl as ever stepped.”
+
+“I don’t care a damn what she is, but get out of here!” retorted Tommy
+also at the top of his voice.
+
+The young men were on the point of coming to blows. But suddenly, with
+an almost magical abruptness, Julius’s anger abated.
+
+“All right, son,” he said quietly, “I’m going. I don’t blame you any for
+what you’ve been saying. It’s mighty lucky you did say it. I’ve been
+the most almighty blithering darned idiot that it’s possible to imagine.
+Calm down”--Tommy had made an impatient gesture--“I’m going right away
+now--going to the London and North Western Railway depot, if you want to
+know.”
+
+“I don’t care a damn where you’re going,” growled Tommy.
+
+As the door closed behind Julius, he returned to his suit-case.
+
+“That’s the lot,” he murmured, and rang the bell.
+
+“Take my luggage down.”
+
+“Yes, sir. Going away, sir?”
+
+“I’m going to the devil,” said Tommy, regardless of the menial’s
+feelings.
+
+That functionary, however, merely replied respectfully:
+
+“Yes, sir. Shall I call a taxi?”
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+Where was he going? He hadn’t the faintest idea. Beyond a fixed
+determination to get even with Mr. Brown he had no plans. He re-read Sir
+James’s letter, and shook his head. Tuppence must be avenged. Still, it
+was kind of the old fellow.
+
+“Better answer it, I suppose.” He went across to the writing-table.
+With the usual perversity of bedroom stationery, there were innumerable
+envelopes and no paper. He rang. No one came. Tommy fumed at the
+delay. Then he remembered that there was a good supply in Julius’s
+sitting-room. The American had announced his immediate departure, there
+would be no fear of running up against him. Besides, he wouldn’t mind if
+he did. He was beginning to be rather ashamed of the things he had said.
+Old Julius had taken them jolly well. He’d apologize if he found him
+there.
+
+But the room was deserted. Tommy walked across to the writing-table,
+and opened the middle drawer. A photograph, carelessly thrust in face
+upwards, caught his eye. For a moment he stood rooted to the ground.
+Then he took it out, shut the drawer, walked slowly over to an
+arm-chair, and sat down still staring at the photograph in his hand.
+
+What on earth was a photograph of the French girl Annette doing in
+Julius Hersheimmer’s writing-table?
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII. IN DOWNING STREET
+
+THE Prime Minister tapped the desk in front of him with nervous fingers.
+His face was worn and harassed. He took up his conversation with Mr.
+Carter at the point it had broken off. “I don’t understand,” he said.
+“Do you really mean that things are not so desperate after all?”
+
+“So this lad seems to think.”
+
+“Let’s have a look at his letter again.”
+
+Mr. Carter handed it over. It was written in a sprawling boyish hand.
+
+“DEAR MR. CARTER,
+
+“Something’s turned up that has given me a jar. Of course I may be
+simply making an awful ass of myself, but I don’t think so. If my
+conclusions are right, that girl at Manchester was just a plant. The
+whole thing was prearranged, sham packet and all, with the object of
+making us think the game was up--therefore I fancy that we must have
+been pretty hot on the scent.
+
+“I think I know who the real Jane Finn is, and I’ve even got an idea
+where the papers are. That last’s only a guess, of course, but I’ve a
+sort of feeling it’ll turn out right. Anyhow, I enclose it in a sealed
+envelope for what it’s worth. I’m going to ask you not to open it until
+the very last moment, midnight on the 28th, in fact. You’ll understand
+why in a minute. You see, I’ve figured it out that those things of
+Tuppence’s are a plant too, and she’s no more drowned than I am. The way
+I reason is this: as a last chance they’ll let Jane Finn escape in
+the hope that she’s been shamming this memory stunt, and that once she
+thinks she’s free she’ll go right away to the cache. Of course it’s
+an awful risk for them to take, because she knows all about them--but
+they’re pretty desperate to get hold of that treaty. _But if they know
+that the papers have been recovered by us_, neither of those two girls’
+lives will be worth an hour’s purchase. I must try and get hold of
+Tuppence before Jane escapes.
+
+“I want a repeat of that telegram that was sent to Tuppence at the
+_Ritz_. Sir James Peel Edgerton said you would be able to manage that
+for me. He’s frightfully clever.
+
+“One last thing--please have that house in Soho watched day and night.
+
+“Yours, etc.,
+
+“THOMAS BERESFORD.”
+
+The Prime Minister looked up.
+
+“The enclosure?”
+
+Mr. Carter smiled dryly.
+
+“In the vaults of the Bank. I am taking no chances.”
+
+“You don’t think”--the Prime Minister hesitated a minute--“that it would
+be better to open it now? Surely we ought to secure the document, that
+is, provided the young man’s guess turns out to be correct, at once. We
+can keep the fact of having done so quite secret.”
+
+“Can we? I’m not so sure. There are spies all round us. Once it’s known
+I wouldn’t give that”--he snapped his fingers--“for the life of those
+two girls. No, the boy trusted me, and I shan’t let him down.”
+
+“Well, well, we must leave it at that, then. What’s he like, this lad?”
+
+“Outwardly, he’s an ordinary clean-limbed, rather block-headed young
+Englishman. Slow in his mental processes. On the other hand, it’s quite
+impossible to lead him astray through his imagination. He hasn’t got
+any--so he’s difficult to deceive. He worries things out slowly, and
+once he’s got hold of anything he doesn’t let go. The little lady’s
+quite different. More intuition and less common sense. They make a
+pretty pair working together. Pace and stamina.”
+
+“He seems confident,” mused the Prime Minister.
+
+“Yes, and that’s what gives me hope. He’s the kind of diffident youth
+who would have to be _very_ sure before he ventured an opinion at all.”
+
+A half smile came to the other’s lips.
+
+“And it is this--boy who will defeat the master criminal of our time?”
+
+“This--boy, as you say! But I sometimes fancy I see a shadow behind.”
+
+“You mean?”
+
+“Peel Edgerton.”
+
+“Peel Edgerton?” said the Prime Minister in astonishment.
+
+“Yes. I see his hand in _this_.” He struck the open letter. “He’s
+there--working in the dark, silently, unobtrusively. I’ve always felt
+that if anyone was to run Mr. Brown to earth, Peel Edgerton would be the
+man. I tell you he’s on the case now, but doesn’t want it known. By the
+way, I got rather an odd request from him the other day.”
+
+“Yes?”
+
+“He sent me a cutting from some American paper. It referred to a man’s
+body found near the docks in New York about three weeks ago. He asked me
+to collect any information on the subject I could.”
+
+“Well?”
+
+Carter shrugged his shoulders.
+
+“I couldn’t get much. Young fellow about thirty-five--poorly
+dressed--face very badly disfigured. He was never identified.”
+
+“And you fancy that the two matters are connected in some way?”
+
+“Somehow I do. I may be wrong, of course.”
+
+There was a pause, then Mr. Carter continued:
+
+“I asked him to come round here. Not that we’ll get anything out of him
+he doesn’t want to tell. His legal instincts are too strong. But there’s
+no doubt he can throw light on one or two obscure points in young
+Beresford’s letter. Ah, here he is!”
+
+The two men rose to greet the new-comer. A half whimsical thought
+flashed across the Premier’s mind. “My successor, perhaps!”
+
+“We’ve had a letter from young Beresford,” said Mr. Carter, coming to
+the point at once. “You’ve seen him, I suppose?”
+
+“You suppose wrong,” said the lawyer.
+
+“Oh!” Mr. Carter was a little nonplussed.
+
+Sir James smiled, and stroked his chin.
+
+“He rang me up,” he volunteered.
+
+“Would you have any objection to telling us exactly what passed between
+you?”
+
+“Not at all. He thanked me for a certain letter which I had written to
+him--as a matter of fact, I had offered him a job. Then he reminded
+me of something I had said to him at Manchester respecting that bogus
+telegram which lured Miss Cowley away. I asked him if anything untoward
+had occurred. He said it had--that in a drawer in Mr. Hersheimmer’s room
+he had discovered a photograph.” The lawyer paused, then continued: “I
+asked him if the photograph bore the name and address of a Californian
+photographer. He replied: ‘You’re on to it, sir. It had.’ Then he went
+on to tell me something I _didn’t_ know. The original of that photograph
+was the French girl, Annette, who saved his life.”
+
+“What?”
+
+“Exactly. I asked the young man with some curiosity what he had done
+with the photograph. He replied that he had put it back where he found
+it.” The lawyer paused again. “That was good, you know--distinctly
+good. He can use his brains, that young fellow. I congratulated him. The
+discovery was a providential one. Of course, from the moment that the
+girl in Manchester was proved to be a plant everything was altered.
+Young Beresford saw that for himself without my having to tell it
+him. But he felt he couldn’t trust his judgment on the subject of
+Miss Cowley. Did I think she was alive? I told him, duly weighing the
+evidence, that there was a very decided chance in favour of it. That
+brought us back to the telegram.”
+
+“Yes?”
+
+“I advised him to apply to you for a copy of the original wire. It
+had occurred to me as probable that, after Miss Cowley flung it on the
+floor, certain words might have been erased and altered with the express
+intention of setting searchers on a false trail.”
+
+Carter nodded. He took a sheet from his pocket, and read aloud:
+
+“Come at once, Astley Priors, Gatehouse, Kent. Great
+developments--TOMMY.”
+
+“Very simple,” said Sir James, “and very ingenious. Just a few words
+to alter, and the thing was done. And the one important clue they
+overlooked.”
+
+“What was that?”
+
+“The page-boy’s statement that Miss Cowley drove to Charing Cross. They
+were so sure of themselves that they took it for granted he had made a
+mistake.”
+
+“Then young Beresford is now?”
+
+“At Gatehouse, Kent, unless I am much mistaken.”
+
+Mr. Carter looked at him curiously.
+
+“I rather wonder you’re not there too, Peel Edgerton?”
+
+“Ah, I’m busy on a case.”
+
+“I thought you were on your holiday?”
+
+“Oh, I’ve not been briefed. Perhaps it would be more correct to say I’m
+preparing a case. Any more facts about that American chap for me?”
+
+“I’m afraid not. Is it important to find out who he was?”
+
+“Oh, I know who he was,” said Sir James easily. “I can’t prove it
+yet--but I know.”
+
+The other two asked no questions. They had an instinct that it would be
+mere waste of breath.
+
+“But what I don’t understand,” said the Prime-Minister suddenly, “is how
+that photograph came to be in Mr. Hersheimmer’s drawer?”
+
+“Perhaps it never left it,” suggested the lawyer gently.
+
+“But the bogus inspector? Inspector Brown?”
+
+“Ah!” said Sir James thoughtfully. He rose to his feet. “I mustn’t keep
+you. Go on with the affairs of the nation. I must get back to--my case.”
+
+Two days later Julius Hersheimmer returned from Manchester. A note from
+Tommy lay on his table:
+
+“DEAR HERSHEIMMER,
+
+“Sorry I lost my temper. In case I don’t see you again, good-bye. I’ve
+been offered a job in the Argentine, and might as well take it.
+
+“Yours,
+
+“TOMMY BERESFORD.”
+
+A peculiar smile lingered for a moment on Julius’s face. He threw the
+letter into the waste-paper basket.
+
+“The darned fool!” he murmured.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII. A RACE AGAINST TIME
+
+AFTER ringing up Sir James, Tommy’s next procedure was to make a call
+at South Audley Mansions. He found Albert discharging his professional
+duties, and introduced himself without more ado as a friend of
+Tuppence’s. Albert unbent immediately.
+
+“Things has been very quiet here lately,” he said wistfully. “Hope the
+young lady’s keeping well, sir?”
+
+“That’s just the point, Albert. She’s disappeared.”
+
+“You don’t mean as the crooks have got her?”
+
+“They have.”
+
+“In the Underworld?”
+
+“No, dash it all, in this world!”
+
+“It’s a h’expression, sir,” explained Albert. “At the pictures the
+crooks always have a restoorant in the Underworld. But do you think as
+they’ve done her in, sir?”
+
+“I hope not. By the way, have you by any chance an aunt, a cousin,
+a grandmother, or any other suitable female relation who might be
+represented as being likely to kick the bucket?”
+
+A delighted grin spread slowly over Albert’s countenance.
+
+“I’m on, sir. My poor aunt what lives in the country has been mortal bad
+for a long time, and she’s asking for me with her dying breath.”
+
+Tommy nodded approval.
+
+“Can you report this in the proper quarter and meet me at Charing Cross
+in an hour’s time?”
+
+“I’ll be there, sir. You can count on me.”
+
+As Tommy had judged, the faithful Albert proved an invaluable ally. The
+two took up their quarters at the inn in Gatehouse. To Albert fell the
+task of collecting information. There was no difficulty about it.
+
+Astley Priors was the property of a Dr. Adams. The doctor no longer
+practiced, had retired, the landlord believed, but he took a few private
+patients--here the good fellow tapped his forehead knowingly--“balmy
+ones! You understand!” The doctor was a popular figure in the village,
+subscribed freely to all the local sports--“a very pleasant, affable
+gentleman.” Been there long? Oh, a matter of ten years or so--might be
+longer. Scientific gentleman, he was. Professors and people often came
+down from town to see him. Anyway, it was a gay house, always visitors.
+
+In the face of all this volubility, Tommy felt doubts. Was it possible
+that this genial, well-known figure could be in reality a dangerous
+criminal? His life seemed so open and aboveboard. No hint of sinister
+doings. Suppose it was all a gigantic mistake? Tommy felt a cold chill
+at the thought.
+
+Then he remembered the private patients--“balmy ones.” He inquired
+carefully if there was a young lady amongst them, describing Tuppence.
+But nothing much seemed to be known about the patients--they were seldom
+seen outside the grounds. A guarded description of Annette also failed
+to provoke recognition.
+
+Astley Priors was a pleasant red-brick edifice, surrounded by
+well-wooded grounds which effectually shielded the house from
+observation from the road.
+
+On the first evening Tommy, accompanied by Albert, explored the grounds.
+Owing to Albert’s insistence they dragged themselves along painfully on
+their stomachs, thereby producing a great deal more noise than if
+they had stood upright. In any case, these precautions were totally
+unnecessary. The grounds, like those of any other private house after
+nightfall, seemed untenanted. Tommy had imagined a possible fierce
+watchdog. Albert’s fancy ran to a puma, or a tame cobra. But they
+reached a shrubbery near the house quite unmolested.
+
+The blinds of the dining-room window were up. There was a large company
+assembled round the table. The port was passing from hand to hand. It
+seemed a normal, pleasant company. Through the open window scraps of
+conversation floated out disjointedly on the night air. It was a heated
+discussion on county cricket!
+
+Again Tommy felt that cold chill of uncertainty. It seemed impossible
+to believe that these people were other than they seemed. Had he been
+fooled once more? The fair-bearded, spectacled gentleman who sat at the
+head of the table looked singularly honest and normal.
+
+Tommy slept badly that night. The following morning the indefatigable
+Albert, having cemented an alliance with the greengrocer’s boy, took the
+latter’s place and ingratiated himself with the cook at Malthouse.
+He returned with the information that she was undoubtedly “one of
+the crooks,” but Tommy mistrusted the vividness of his imagination.
+Questioned, he could adduce nothing in support of his statement except
+his own opinion that she wasn’t the usual kind. You could see that at a
+glance.
+
+The substitution being repeated (much to the pecuniary advantage of the
+real greengrocer’s boy) on the following day, Albert brought back the
+first piece of hopeful news. There _was_ a French young lady staying
+in the house. Tommy put his doubts aside. Here was confirmation of
+his theory. But time pressed. To-day was the 27th. The 29th was the
+much-talked-of “Labour Day,” about which all sorts of rumours were
+running riot. Newspapers were getting agitated. Sensational hints of a
+Labour _coup d’état_ were freely reported. The Government said nothing.
+It knew and was prepared. There were rumours of dissension among the
+Labour leaders. They were not of one mind. The more far-seeing among
+them realized that what they proposed might well be a death-blow to the
+England that at heart they loved. They shrank from the starvation and
+misery a general strike would entail, and were willing to meet the
+Government half-way. But behind them were subtle, insistent forces at
+work, urging the memories of old wrongs, deprecating the weakness of
+half-and-half measures, fomenting misunderstandings.
+
+Tommy felt that, thanks to Mr. Carter, he understood the position fairly
+accurately. With the fatal document in the hands of Mr. Brown,
+public opinion would swing to the side of the Labour extremists and
+revolutionists. Failing that, the battle was an even chance. The
+Government with a loyal army and police force behind them might
+win--but at a cost of great suffering. But Tommy nourished another and
+a preposterous dream. With Mr. Brown unmasked and captured he
+believed, rightly or wrongly, that the whole organization would crumble
+ignominiously and instantaneously. The strange permeating influence
+of the unseen chief held it together. Without him, Tommy believed an
+instant panic would set in; and, the honest men left to themselves, an
+eleventh-hour reconciliation would be possible.
+
+“This is a one-man show,” said Tommy to himself. “The thing to do is to
+get hold of the man.”
+
+It was partly in furtherance of this ambitious design that he had
+requested Mr. Carter not to open the sealed envelope. The draft
+treaty was Tommy’s bait. Every now and then he was aghast at his own
+presumption. How dared he think that he had discovered what so many
+wiser and clever men had overlooked? Nevertheless, he stuck tenaciously
+to his idea.
+
+That evening he and Albert once more penetrated the grounds of Astley
+Priors. Tommy’s ambition was somehow or other to gain admission to the
+house itself. As they approached cautiously, Tommy gave a sudden gasp.
+
+On the second floor window some one standing between the window and
+the light in the room threw a silhouette on the blind. It was one Tommy
+would have recognized anywhere! Tuppence was in that house!
+
+He clutched Albert by the shoulder.
+
+“Stay here! When I begin to sing, watch that window.”
+
+He retreated hastily to a position on the main drive, and began in a
+deep roar, coupled with an unsteady gait, the following ditty:
+
+
+          I am a Soldier
+          A jolly British Soldier;
+          You can see that I’m a Soldier by my feet....
+
+It had been a favourite on the gramophone in Tuppence’s hospital days.
+He did not doubt but that she would recognize it and draw her own
+conclusions. Tommy had not a note of music in his voice, but his lungs
+were excellent. The noise he produced was terrific.
+
+Presently an unimpeachable butler, accompanied by an equally
+unimpeachable footman, issued from the front door. The butler
+remonstrated with him. Tommy continued to sing, addressing the butler
+affectionately as “dear old whiskers.” The footman took him by one arm,
+the butler by the other. They ran him down the drive, and neatly out
+of the gate. The butler threatened him with the police if he intruded
+again. It was beautifully done--soberly and with perfect decorum. Anyone
+would have sworn that the butler was a real butler, the footman a real
+footman--only, as it happened, the butler was Whittington!
+
+Tommy retired to the inn and waited for Albert’s return. At last that
+worthy made his appearance.
+
+“Well?” cried Tommy eagerly.
+
+“It’s all right. While they was a-running of you out the window opened,
+and something was chucked out.” He handed a scrap of paper to Tommy. “It
+was wrapped round a letterweight.”
+
+On the paper were scrawled three words: “To-morrow--same time.”
+
+“Good egg!” cried Tommy. “We’re getting going.”
+
+“I wrote a message on a piece of paper, wrapped it round a stone, and
+chucked it through the window,” continued Albert breathlessly.
+
+Tommy groaned.
+
+“Your zeal will be the undoing of us, Albert. What did you say?”
+
+“Said we was a-staying at the inn. If she could get away, to come there
+and croak like a frog.”
+
+“She’ll know that’s you,” said Tommy with a sigh of relief. “Your
+imagination runs away with you, you know, Albert. Why, you wouldn’t
+recognize a frog croaking if you heard it.”
+
+Albert looked rather crest-fallen.
+
+“Cheer up,” said Tommy. “No harm done. That butler’s an old friend of
+mine--I bet he knew who I was, though he didn’t let on. It’s not their
+game to show suspicion. That’s why we’ve found it fairly plain sailing.
+They don’t want to discourage me altogether. On the other hand, they
+don’t want to make it too easy. I’m a pawn in their game, Albert, that’s
+what I am. You see, if the spider lets the fly walk out too easily,
+the fly might suspect it was a put-up job. Hence the usefulness of that
+promising youth, Mr. T. Beresford, who’s blundered in just at the right
+moment for them. But later, Mr. T. Beresford had better look out!”
+
+Tommy retired for the night in a state of some elation. He had
+elaborated a careful plan for the following evening. He felt sure that
+the inhabitants of Astley Priors would not interfere with him up to
+a certain point. It was after that that Tommy proposed to give them a
+surprise.
+
+About twelve o’clock, however, his calm was rudely shaken. He was told
+that some one was demanding him in the bar. The applicant proved to be a
+rude-looking carter well coated with mud.
+
+“Well, my good fellow, what is it?” asked Tommy.
+
+“Might this be for you, sir?” The carter held out a very dirty folded
+note, on the outside of which was written: “Take this to the gentleman
+at the inn near Astley Priors. He will give you ten shillings.”
+
+The handwriting was Tuppence’s. Tommy appreciated her quick-wittedness
+in realizing that he might be staying at the inn under an assumed name.
+He snatched at it.
+
+“That’s all right.”
+
+The man withheld it.
+
+“What about my ten shillings?”
+
+Tommy hastily produced a ten-shilling note, and the man relinquished his
+find. Tommy unfastened it.
+
+“DEAR TOMMY,
+
+“I knew it was you last night. Don’t go this evening. They’ll be lying
+in wait for you. They’re taking us away this morning. I heard something
+about Wales--Holyhead, I think. I’ll drop this on the road if I get a
+chance. Annette told me how you’d escaped. Buck up.
+
+“Yours,
+
+“TWOPENCE.”
+
+Tommy raised a shout for Albert before he had even finished perusing
+this characteristic epistle.
+
+“Pack my bag! We’re off!”
+
+“Yes, sir.” The boots of Albert could be heard racing upstairs.
+Holyhead? Did that mean that, after all---- Tommy was puzzled. He read
+on slowly.
+
+The boots of Albert continued to be active on the floor above.
+
+Suddenly a second shout came from below.
+
+“Albert! I’m a damned fool! Unpack that bag!”
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+Tommy smoothed out the note thoughtfully.
+
+“Yes, a damned fool,” he said softly. “But so’s some one else! And at
+last I know who it is!”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV. JULIUS TAKES A HAND
+
+IN his suite at Claridge’s, Kramenin reclined on a couch and dictated to
+his secretary in sibilant Russian.
+
+Presently the telephone at the secretary’s elbow purred, and he took up
+the receiver, spoke for a minute or two, then turned to his employer.
+
+“Some one below is asking for you.”
+
+“Who is it?”
+
+“He gives the name of Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer.”
+
+“Hersheimmer,” repeated Kramenin thoughtfully. “I have heard that name
+before.”
+
+“His father was one of the steel kings of America,” explained the
+secretary, whose business it was to know everything. “This young man
+must be a millionaire several times over.”
+
+The other’s eyes narrowed appreciatively.
+
+“You had better go down and see him, Ivan. Find out what he wants.”
+
+The secretary obeyed, closing the door noiselessly behind him. In a few
+minutes he returned.
+
+“He declines to state his business--says it is entirely private and
+personal, and that he must see you.”
+
+“A millionaire several times over,” murmured Kramenin. “Bring him up, my
+dear Ivan.”
+
+The secretary left the room once more, and returned escorting Julius.
+
+“Monsieur Kramenin?” said the latter abruptly.
+
+The Russian, studying him attentively with his pale venomous eyes,
+bowed.
+
+“Pleased to meet you,” said the American. “I’ve got some very important
+business I’d like to talk over with you, if I can see you alone.” He
+looked pointedly at the other.
+
+“My secretary, Monsieur Grieber, from whom I have no secrets.”
+
+“That may be so--but I have,” said Julius dryly. “So I’d be obliged if
+you’d tell him to scoot.”
+
+“Ivan,” said the Russian softly, “perhaps you would not mind retiring
+into the next room----”
+
+“The next room won’t do,” interrupted Julius. “I know these ducal
+suites--and I want this one plumb empty except for you and me. Send him
+round to a store to buy a penn’orth of peanuts.”
+
+Though not particularly enjoying the American’s free and easy manner
+of speech, Kramenin was devoured by curiosity. “Will your business take
+long to state?”
+
+“Might be an all night job if you caught on.”
+
+“Very good, Ivan. I shall not require you again this evening. Go to the
+theatre--take a night off.”
+
+“Thank you, your excellency.”
+
+The secretary bowed and departed.
+
+Julius stood at the door watching his retreat. Finally, with a satisfied
+sigh, he closed it, and came back to his position in the centre of the
+room.
+
+“Now, Mr. Hersheimmer, perhaps you will be so kind as to come to the
+point?”
+
+“I guess that won’t take a minute,” drawled Julius. Then, with an abrupt
+change of manner: “Hands up--or I shoot!”
+
+For a moment Kramenin stared blindly into the big automatic, then, with
+almost comical haste, he flung up his hands above his head. In that
+instant Julius had taken his measure. The man he had to deal with was an
+abject physical coward--the rest would be easy.
+
+“This is an outrage,” cried the Russian in a high hysterical voice. “An
+outrage! Do you mean to kill me?”
+
+“Not if you keep your voice down. Don’t go edging sideways towards that
+bell. That’s better.”
+
+“What do you want? Do nothing rashly. Remember my life is of the utmost
+value to my country. I may have been maligned----”
+
+“I reckon,” said Julius, “that the man who let daylight into you would
+be doing humanity a good turn. But you needn’t worry any. I’m not
+proposing to kill you this trip--that is, if you’re reasonable.”
+
+The Russian quailed before the stern menace in the other’s eyes. He
+passed his tongue over his dry lips.
+
+“What do you want? Money?”
+
+“No. I want Jane Finn.”
+
+“Jane Finn? I--never heard of her!”
+
+“You’re a darned liar! You know perfectly who I mean.”
+
+“I tell you I’ve never heard of the girl.”
+
+“And I tell you,” retorted Julius, “that Little Willie here is just
+hopping mad to go off!”
+
+The Russian wilted visibly.
+
+“You wouldn’t dare----”
+
+“Oh, yes, I would, son!”
+
+Kramenin must have recognized something in the voice that carried
+conviction, for he said sullenly:
+
+“Well? Granted I do know who you mean--what of it?”
+
+“You will tell me now--right here--where she is to be found.”
+
+Kramenin shook his head.
+
+“I daren’t.”
+
+“Why not?”
+
+“I daren’t. You ask an impossibility.”
+
+“Afraid, eh? Of whom? Mr. Brown? Ah, that tickles you up! There is such
+a person, then? I doubted it. And the mere mention of him scares you
+stiff!”
+
+“I have seen him,” said the Russian slowly. “Spoken to him face to face.
+I did not know it until afterwards. He was one of a crowd. I should not
+know him again. Who is he really? I do not know. But I know this--he is
+a man to fear.”
+
+“He’ll never know,” said Julius.
+
+“He knows everything--and his vengeance is swift. Even
+I--Kramenin!--would not be exempt!”
+
+“Then you won’t do as I ask you?”
+
+“You ask an impossibility.”
+
+“Sure that’s a pity for you,” said Julius cheerfully. “But the world in
+general will benefit.” He raised the revolver.
+
+“Stop,” shrieked the Russian. “You cannot mean to shoot me?”
+
+“Of course I do. I’ve always heard you Revolutionists held life cheap,
+but it seems there’s a difference when it’s your own life in question.
+I gave you just one chance of saving your dirty skin, and that you
+wouldn’t take!”
+
+“They would kill me!”
+
+“Well,” said Julius pleasantly, “it’s up to you. But I’ll just say this.
+Little Willie here is a dead cert, and if I was you I’d take a sporting
+chance with Mr. Brown!”
+
+“You will hang if you shoot me,” muttered the Russian irresolutely.
+
+“No, stranger, that’s where you’re wrong. You forget the dollars. A
+big crowd of solicitors will get busy, and they’ll get some high-brow
+doctors on the job, and the end of it all will be that they’ll say my
+brain was unhinged. I shall spend a few months in a quiet sanatorium, my
+mental health will improve, the doctors will declare me sane again, and
+all will end happily for little Julius. I guess I can bear a few months’
+retirement in order to rid the world of you, but don’t you kid yourself
+I’ll hang for it!”
+
+The Russian believed him. Corrupt himself, he believed implicitly in the
+power of money. He had read of American murder trials running much on
+the lines indicated by Julius. He had bought and sold justice himself.
+This virile young American, with the significant drawling voice, had the
+whip hand of him.
+
+“I’m going to count five,” continued Julius, “and I guess, if you let me
+get past four, you needn’t worry any about Mr. Brown. Maybe he’ll send
+some flowers to the funeral, but _you_ won’t smell them! Are you ready?
+I’ll begin. One--two--three--four----”
+
+The Russian interrupted with a shriek:
+
+“Do not shoot. I will do all you wish.”
+
+Julius lowered the revolver.
+
+“I thought you’d hear sense. Where is the girl?”
+
+“At Gatehouse, in Kent. Astley Priors, the place is called.”
+
+“Is she a prisoner there?”
+
+“She’s not allowed to leave the house--though it’s safe enough really.
+The little fool has lost her memory, curse her!”
+
+“That’s been annoying for you and your friends, I reckon. What about the
+other girl, the one you decoyed away over a week ago?”
+
+“She’s there too,” said the Russian sullenly.
+
+“That’s good,” said Julius. “Isn’t it all panning out beautifully? And a
+lovely night for the run!”
+
+“What run?” demanded Kramenin, with a stare.
+
+“Down to Gatehouse, sure. I hope you’re fond of motoring?”
+
+“What do you mean? I refuse to go.”
+
+“Now don’t get mad. You must see I’m not such a kid as to leave you
+here. You’d ring up your friends on that telephone first thing! Ah!” He
+observed the fall on the other’s face. “You see, you’d got it all fixed.
+No, sir, you’re coming along with me. This your bedroom next door here?
+Walk right in. Little Willie and I will come behind. Put on a thick
+coat, that’s right. Fur lined? And you a Socialist! Now we’re ready. We
+walk downstairs and out through the hall to where my car’s waiting. And
+don’t you forget I’ve got you covered every inch of the way. I can shoot
+just as well through my coat pocket. One word, or a glance even, at one
+of those liveried menials, and there’ll sure be a strange face in the
+Sulphur and Brimstone Works!”
+
+Together they descended the stairs, and passed out to the waiting car.
+The Russian was shaking with rage. The hotel servants surrounded them.
+A cry hovered on his lips, but at the last minute his nerve failed him.
+The American was a man of his word.
+
+When they reached the car, Julius breathed a sigh of relief. The
+danger-zone was passed. Fear had successfully hypnotized the man by his
+side.
+
+“Get in,” he ordered. Then as he caught the other’s sidelong glance,
+“No, the chauffeur won’t help you any. Naval man. Was on a submarine in
+Russia when the Revolution broke out. A brother of his was murdered by
+your people. George!”
+
+“Yes, sir?” The chauffeur turned his head.
+
+“This gentleman is a Russian Bolshevik. We don’t want to shoot him, but
+it may be necessary. You understand?”
+
+“Perfectly, sir.”
+
+“I want to go to Gatehouse in Kent. Know the road at all?”
+
+“Yes, sir, it will be about an hour and a half’s run.”
+
+“Make it an hour. I’m in a hurry.”
+
+“I’ll do my best, sir.” The car shot forward through the traffic.
+
+Julius ensconced himself comfortably by the side of his victim. He kept
+his hand in the pocket of his coat, but his manner was urbane to the
+last degree.
+
+“There was a man I shot once in Arizona----” he began cheerfully.
+
+At the end of the hour’s run the unfortunate Kramenin was more dead than
+alive. In succession to the anecdote of the Arizona man, there had been
+a tough from ‘Frisco, and an episode in the Rockies. Julius’s narrative
+style, if not strictly accurate, was picturesque!
+
+Slowing down, the chauffeur called over his shoulder that they were just
+coming into Gatehouse. Julius bade the Russian direct them. His plan was
+to drive straight up to the house. There Kramenin was to ask for the two
+girls. Julius explained to him that Little Willie would not be tolerant
+of failure. Kramenin, by this time, was as putty in the other’s hands.
+The terrific pace they had come had still further unmanned him. He had
+given himself up for dead at every corner.
+
+The car swept up the drive, and stopped before the porch. The chauffeur
+looked round for orders.
+
+“Turn the car first, George. Then ring the bell, and get back to your
+place. Keep the engine going, and be ready to scoot like hell when I
+give the word.”
+
+“Very good, sir.”
+
+The front door was opened by the butler. Kramenin felt the muzzle of the
+revolver pressed against his ribs.
+
+“Now,” hissed Julius. “And be careful.”
+
+The Russian beckoned. His lips were white, and his voice was not very
+steady:
+
+“It is I--Kramenin! Bring down the girl at once! There is no time to
+lose!”
+
+Whittington had come down the steps. He uttered an exclamation of
+astonishment at seeing the other.
+
+“You! What’s up? Surely you know the plan----”
+
+Kramenin interrupted him, using the words that have created many
+unnecessary panics:
+
+“We have been betrayed! Plans must be abandoned. We must save our own
+skins. The girl! And at once! It’s our only chance.”
+
+Whittington hesitated, but for hardly a moment.
+
+“You have orders--from _him?_”
+
+“Naturally! Should I be here otherwise? Hurry! There is no time to be
+lost. The other little fool had better come too.”
+
+Whittington turned and ran back into the house. The agonizing minutes
+went by. Then--two figures hastily huddled in cloaks appeared on the
+steps and were hustled into the car. The smaller of the two was inclined
+to resist and Whittington shoved her in unceremoniously. Julius leaned
+forward, and in doing so the light from the open door lit up his face.
+Another man on the steps behind Whittington gave a startled exclamation.
+Concealment was at an end.
+
+“Get a move on, George,” shouted Julius.
+
+The chauffeur slipped in his clutch, and with a bound the car started.
+
+The man on the steps uttered an oath. His hand went to his pocket. There
+was a flash and a report. The bullet just missed the taller girl by an
+inch.
+
+“Get down, Jane,” cried Julius. “Flat on the bottom of the car.” He
+thrust her sharply forward, then standing up, he took careful aim and
+fired.
+
+“Have you hit him?” cried Tuppence eagerly.
+
+“Sure,” replied Julius. “He isn’t killed, though. Skunks like that take
+a lot of killing. Are you all right, Tuppence?”
+
+“Of course I am. Where’s Tommy? And who’s this?” She indicated the
+shivering Kramenin.
+
+“Tommy’s making tracks for the Argentine. I guess he thought you’d
+turned up your toes. Steady through the gate, George! That’s right.
+It’ll take ‘em at least five minutes to get busy after us. They’ll use
+the telephone, I guess, so look out for snares ahead--and don’t take the
+direct route. Who’s this, did you say, Tuppence? Let me present Monsieur
+Kramenin. I persuaded him to come on the trip for his health.”
+
+The Russian remained mute, still livid with terror.
+
+“But what made them let us go?” demanded Tuppence suspiciously.
+
+“I reckon Monsieur Kramenin here asked them so prettily they just
+couldn’t refuse!”
+
+This was too much for the Russian. He burst out vehemently:
+
+“Curse you--curse you! They know now that I betrayed them. My life won’t
+be safe for an hour in this country.”
+
+“That’s so,” assented Julius. “I’d advise you to make tracks for Russia
+right away.”
+
+“Let me go, then,” cried the other. “I have done what you asked. Why do
+you still keep me with you?”
+
+“Not for the pleasure of your company. I guess you can get right off now
+if you want to. I thought you’d rather I tooled you back to London.”
+
+“You may never reach London,” snarled the other. “Let me go here and
+now.”
+
+“Sure thing. Pull up, George. The gentleman’s not making the return
+trip. If I ever come to Russia, Monsieur Kramenin, I shall expect a
+rousing welcome, and----”
+
+But before Julius had finished his speech, and before the car had
+finally halted, the Russian had swung himself out and disappeared into
+the night.
+
+“Just a mite impatient to leave us,” commented Julius, as the car
+gathered way again. “And no idea of saying good-bye politely to the
+ladies. Say, Jane, you can get up on the seat now.”
+
+For the first time the girl spoke.
+
+“How did you ‘persuade’ him?” she asked.
+
+Julius tapped his revolver.
+
+“Little Willie here takes the credit!”
+
+“Splendid!” cried the girl. The colour surged into her face, her eyes
+looked admiringly at Julius.
+
+“Annette and I didn’t know what was going to happen to us,” said
+Tuppence. “Old Whittington hurried us off. _We_ thought it was lambs to
+the slaughter.”
+
+“Annette,” said Julius. “Is that what you call her?”
+
+His mind seemed to be trying to adjust itself to a new idea.
+
+“It’s her name,” said Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide.
+
+“Shucks!” retorted Julius. “She may think it’s her name, because her
+memory’s gone, poor kid. But it’s the one real and original Jane Finn
+we’ve got here.”
+
+“What?” cried Tuppence.
+
+But she was interrupted. With an angry spurt, a bullet embedded itself
+in the upholstery of the car just behind her head.
+
+“Down with you,” cried Julius. “It’s an ambush. These guys have got busy
+pretty quickly. Push her a bit, George.”
+
+The car fairly leapt forward. Three more shots rang out, but went
+happily wide. Julius, upright, leant over the back of the car.
+
+“Nothing to shoot at,” he announced gloomily. “But I guess there’ll be
+another little picnic soon. Ah!”
+
+He raised his hand to his cheek.
+
+“You are hurt?” said Annette quickly.
+
+“Only a scratch.”
+
+The girl sprang to her feet.
+
+“Let me out! Let me out, I say! Stop the car. It is me they’re after.
+I’m the one they want. You shall not lose your lives because of me. Let
+me go.” She was fumbling with the fastenings of the door.
+
+Julius took her by both arms, and looked at her. She had spoken with no
+trace of foreign accent.
+
+“Sit down, kid,” he said gently. “I guess there’s nothing wrong with
+your memory. Been fooling them all the time, eh?”
+
+The girl looked at him, nodded, and then suddenly burst into tears.
+Julius patted her on the shoulder.
+
+“There, there--just you sit tight. We’re not going to let you quit.”
+
+Through her sobs the girl said indistinctly:
+
+“You’re from home. I can tell by your voice. It makes me home-sick.”
+
+“Sure I’m from home. I’m your cousin--Julius Hersheimmer. I came over to
+Europe on purpose to find you--and a pretty dance you’ve led me.”
+
+The car slackened speed. George spoke over his shoulder:
+
+“Cross-roads here, sir. I’m not sure of the way.”
+
+The car slowed down till it hardly moved. As it did so a figure climbed
+suddenly over the back, and plunged head first into the midst of them.
+
+“Sorry,” said Tommy, extricating himself.
+
+A mass of confused exclamations greeted him. He replied to them
+severally:
+
+“Was in the bushes by the drive. Hung on behind. Couldn’t let you know
+before at the pace you were going. It was all I could do to hang on. Now
+then, you girls, get out!”
+
+“Get out?”
+
+“Yes. There’s a station just up that road. Train due in three minutes.
+You’ll catch it if you hurry.”
+
+“What the devil are you driving at?” demanded Julius. “Do you think you
+can fool them by leaving the car?”
+
+“You and I aren’t going to leave the car. Only the girls.”
+
+“You’re crazed, Beresford. Stark staring mad! You can’t let those girls
+go off alone. It’ll be the end of it if you do.”
+
+Tommy turned to Tuppence.
+
+“Get out at once, Tuppence. Take her with you, and do just as I say.
+No one will do you any harm. You’re safe. Take the train to London. Go
+straight to Sir James Peel Edgerton. Mr. Carter lives out of town, but
+you’ll be safe with him.”
+
+“Darn you!” cried Julius. “You’re mad. Jane, you stay where you are.”
+
+With a sudden swift movement, Tommy snatched the revolver from Julius’s
+hand, and levelled it at him.
+
+“Now will you believe I’m in earnest? Get out, both of you, and do as I
+say--or I’ll shoot!”
+
+Tuppence sprang out, dragging the unwilling Jane after her.
+
+“Come on, it’s all right. If Tommy’s sure--he’s sure. Be quick. We’ll
+miss the train.”
+
+They started running.
+
+Julius’s pent-up rage burst forth.
+
+“What the hell----”
+
+Tommy interrupted him.
+
+“Dry up! I want a few words with you, Mr. Julius Hersheimmer.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV. JANE’S STORY
+
+HER arm through Jane’s, dragging her along, Tuppence reached the
+station. Her quick ears caught the sound of the approaching train.
+
+“Hurry up,” she panted, “or we’ll miss it.”
+
+They arrived on the platform just as the train came to a standstill.
+Tuppence opened the door of an empty first-class compartment, and the
+two girls sank down breathless on the padded seats.
+
+A man looked in, then passed on to the next carriage. Jane started
+nervously. Her eyes dilated with terror. She looked questioningly at
+Tuppence.
+
+“Is he one of them, do you think?” she breathed.
+
+Tuppence shook her head.
+
+“No, no. It’s all right.” She took Jane’s hand in hers. “Tommy wouldn’t
+have told us to do this unless he was sure we’d be all right.”
+
+“But he doesn’t know them as I do!” The girl shivered. “You can’t
+understand. Five years! Five long years! Sometimes I thought I should go
+mad.”
+
+“Never mind. It’s all over.”
+
+“Is it?”
+
+The train was moving now, speeding through the night at a gradually
+increasing rate. Suddenly Jane Finn started up.
+
+“What was that? I thought I saw a face--looking in through the window.”
+
+“No, there’s nothing. See.” Tuppence went to the window, and lifting the
+strap let the pane down.
+
+“You’re sure?”
+
+“Quite sure.”
+
+The other seemed to feel some excuse was necessary:
+
+“I guess I’m acting like a frightened rabbit, but I can’t help it. If
+they caught me now they’d----” Her eyes opened wide and staring.
+
+“_Don’t!_” implored Tuppence. “Lie back, and _don’t think_. You can be
+quite sure that Tommy wouldn’t have said it was safe if it wasn’t.”
+
+“My cousin didn’t think so. He didn’t want us to do this.”
+
+“No,” said Tuppence, rather embarrassed.
+
+“What are you thinking of?” said Jane sharply.
+
+“Why?”
+
+“Your voice was so--queer!”
+
+“I _was_ thinking of something,” confessed Tuppence. “But I don’t want
+to tell you--not now. I may be wrong, but I don’t think so. It’s just
+an idea that came into my head a long time ago. Tommy’s got it too--I’m
+almost sure he has. But don’t _you_ worry--there’ll be time enough for
+that later. And it mayn’t be so at all! Do what I tell you--lie back and
+don’t think of anything.”
+
+“I’ll try.” The long lashes drooped over the hazel eyes.
+
+Tuppence, for her part, sat bolt upright--much in the attitude of a
+watchful terrier on guard. In spite of herself she was nervous. Her eyes
+flashed continually from one window to the other. She noted the exact
+position of the communication cord. What it was that she feared, she
+would have been hard put to it to say. But in her own mind she was
+far from feeling the confidence displayed in her words. Not that she
+disbelieved in Tommy, but occasionally she was shaken with doubts as to
+whether anyone so simple and honest as he was could ever be a match for
+the fiendish subtlety of the arch-criminal.
+
+If they once reached Sir James Peel Edgerton in safety, all would be
+well. But would they reach him? Would not the silent forces of Mr. Brown
+already be assembling against them? Even that last picture of Tommy,
+revolver in hand, failed to comfort her. By now he might be overpowered,
+borne down by sheer force of numbers.... Tuppence mapped out her plan of
+campaign.
+
+As the train at length drew slowly into Charing Cross, Jane Finn sat up
+with a start.
+
+“Have we arrived? I never thought we should!”
+
+“Oh, I thought we’d get to London all right. If there’s going to be any
+fun, now is when it will begin. Quick, get out. We’ll nip into a taxi.”
+
+In another minute they were passing the barrier, had paid the necessary
+fares, and were stepping into a taxi.
+
+“King’s Cross,” directed Tuppence. Then she gave a jump. A man looked in
+at the window, just as they started. She was almost certain it was the
+same man who had got into the carriage next to them. She had a horrible
+feeling of being slowly hemmed in on every side.
+
+“You see,” she explained to Jane, “if they think we’re going to Sir
+James, this will put them off the scent. Now they’ll imagine we’re going
+to Mr. Carter. His country place is north of London somewhere.”
+
+Crossing Holborn there was a block, and the taxi was held up. This was
+what Tuppence had been waiting for.
+
+“Quick,” she whispered. “Open the right-hand door!”
+
+The two girls stepped out into the traffic. Two minutes later they were
+seated in another taxi and were retracing their steps, this time direct
+to Carlton House Terrace.
+
+“There,” said Tuppence, with great satisfaction, “this ought to do them.
+I can’t help thinking that I’m really rather clever! How that other taxi
+man will swear! But I took his number, and I’ll send him a postal order
+to-morrow, so that he won’t lose by it if he happens to be genuine.
+What’s this thing swerving----Oh!”
+
+There was a grinding noise and a bump. Another taxi had collided with
+them.
+
+In a flash Tuppence was out on the pavement. A policeman was
+approaching. Before he arrived Tuppence had handed the driver five
+shillings, and she and Jane had merged themselves in the crowd.
+
+“It’s only a step or two now,” said Tuppence breathlessly. The accident
+had taken place in Trafalgar Square.
+
+“Do you think the collision was an accident, or done deliberately?”
+
+“I don’t know. It might have been either.”
+
+Hand-in-hand, the two girls hurried along.
+
+“It may be my fancy,” said Tuppence suddenly, “but I feel as though
+there was some one behind us.”
+
+“Hurry!” murmured the other. “Oh, hurry!”
+
+They were now at the corner of Carlton House Terrace, and their spirits
+lightened. Suddenly a large and apparently intoxicated man barred their
+way.
+
+“Good evening, ladies,” he hiccupped. “Whither away so fast?”
+
+“Let us pass, please,” said Tuppence imperiously.
+
+“Just a word with your pretty friend here.” He stretched out an unsteady
+hand, and clutched Jane by the shoulder. Tuppence heard other footsteps
+behind. She did not pause to ascertain whether they were friends or
+foes. Lowering her head, she repeated a manœuvre of childish days,
+and butted their aggressor full in the capacious middle. The success of
+these unsportsmanlike tactics was immediate. The man sat down abruptly
+on the pavement. Tuppence and Jane took to their heels. The house they
+sought was some way down. Other footsteps echoed behind them. Their
+breath was coming in choking gasps as they reached Sir James’s door.
+Tuppence seized the bell and Jane the knocker.
+
+The man who had stopped them reached the foot of the steps. For a moment
+he hesitated, and as he did so the door opened. They fell into the hall
+together. Sir James came forward from the library door.
+
+“Hullo! What’s this?”
+
+He stepped forward, and put his arm round Jane as she swayed
+uncertainly. He half carried her into the library, and laid her on the
+leather couch. From a tantalus on the table he poured out a few drops of
+brandy, and forced her to drink them. With a sigh she sat up, her eyes
+still wild and frightened.
+
+“It’s all right. Don’t be afraid, my child. You’re quite safe.”
+
+Her breath came more normally, and the colour was returning to her
+cheeks. Sir James looked at Tuppence quizzically.
+
+“So you’re not dead, Miss Tuppence, any more than that Tommy boy of
+yours was!”
+
+“The Young Adventurers take a lot of killing,” boasted Tuppence.
+
+“So it seems,” said Sir James dryly. “Am I right in thinking that the
+joint venture has ended in success, and that this”--he turned to the
+girl on the couch--“is Miss Jane Finn?”
+
+Jane sat up.
+
+“Yes,” she said quietly, “I am Jane Finn. I have a lot to tell you.”
+
+“When you are stronger----”
+
+“No--now!” Her voice rose a little. “I shall feel safer when I have told
+everything.”
+
+“As you please,” said the lawyer.
+
+He sat down in one of the big arm-chairs facing the couch. In a low
+voice Jane began her story.
+
+“I came over on the _Lusitania_ to take up a post in Paris. I was
+fearfully keen about the war, and just dying to help somehow or other. I
+had been studying French, and my teacher said they were wanting help in
+a hospital in Paris, so I wrote and offered my services, and they were
+accepted. I hadn’t got any folk of my own, so it made it easy to arrange
+things.
+
+“When the _Lusitania_ was torpedoed, a man came up to me. I’d noticed
+him more than once--and I’d figured it out in my own mind that he
+was afraid of somebody or something. He asked me if I was a patriotic
+American, and told me he was carrying papers which were just life or
+death to the Allies. He asked me to take charge of them. I was to watch
+for an advertisement in the _Times_. If it didn’t appear, I was to take
+them to the American Ambassador.
+
+“Most of what followed seems like a nightmare still. I see it in my
+dreams sometimes.... I’ll hurry over that part. Mr. Danvers had told me
+to watch out. He might have been shadowed from New York, but he didn’t
+think so. At first I had no suspicions, but on the boat to Holyhead I
+began to get uneasy. There was one woman who had been very keen to look
+after me, and chum up with me generally--a Mrs. Vandemeyer. At first I’d
+been only grateful to her for being so kind to me; but all the time I
+felt there was something about her I didn’t like, and on the Irish
+boat I saw her talking to some queer-looking men, and from the way they
+looked I saw that they were talking about me. I remembered that she’d
+been quite near me on the _Lusitania_ when Mr. Danvers gave me the
+packet, and before that she’d tried to talk to him once or twice. I
+began to get scared, but I didn’t quite see what to do.
+
+“I had a wild idea of stopping at Holyhead, and not going on to London
+that day, but I soon saw that that would be plumb foolishness. The only
+thing was to act as though I’d noticed nothing, and hope for the best.
+I couldn’t see how they could get me if I was on my guard. One thing
+I’d done already as a precaution--ripped open the oilskin packet and
+substituted blank paper, and then sewn it up again. So, if anyone did
+manage to rob me of it, it wouldn’t matter.
+
+“What to do with the real thing worried me no end. Finally I opened it
+out flat--there were only two sheets--and laid it between two of the
+advertisement pages of a magazine. I stuck the two pages together
+round the edge with some gum off an envelope. I carried the magazine
+carelessly stuffed into the pocket of my ulster.
+
+“At Holyhead I tried to get into a carriage with people that looked all
+right, but in a queer way there seemed always to be a crowd round me
+shoving and pushing me just the way I didn’t want to go. There was
+something uncanny and frightening about it. In the end I found myself in
+a carriage with Mrs. Vandemeyer after all. I went out into the corridor,
+but all the other carriages were full, so I had to go back and sit down.
+I consoled myself with the thought that there were other people in the
+carriage--there was quite a nice-looking man and his wife sitting just
+opposite. So I felt almost happy about it until just outside London. I
+had leaned back and closed my eyes. I guess they thought I was asleep,
+but my eyes weren’t quite shut, and suddenly I saw the nice-looking man
+get something out of his bag and hand it to Mrs. Vandemeyer, and as he
+did so he _winked_....
+
+“I can’t tell you how that wink sort of froze me through and through. My
+only thought was to get out in the corridor as quick as ever I could. I
+got up, trying to look natural and easy. Perhaps they saw something--I
+don’t know--but suddenly Mrs. Vandemeyer said ‘Now,’ and flung something
+over my nose and mouth as I tried to scream. At the same moment I felt a
+terrific blow on the back of my head....”
+
+She shuddered. Sir James murmured something sympathetically. In a minute
+she resumed:
+
+“I don’t know how long it was before I came back to consciousness. I
+felt very ill and sick. I was lying on a dirty bed. There was a
+screen round it, but I could hear two people talking in the room. Mrs.
+Vandemeyer was one of them. I tried to listen, but at first I couldn’t
+take much in. When at last I did begin to grasp what was going on--I was
+just terrified! I wonder I didn’t scream right out there and then.
+
+“They hadn’t found the papers. They’d got the oilskin packet with the
+blanks, and they were just mad! They didn’t know whether _I_‘d changed
+the papers, or whether Danvers had been carrying a dummy message,
+while the real one was sent another way. They spoke of”--she closed her
+eyes--“torturing me to find out!
+
+“I’d never known what fear--really sickening fear--was before! Once
+they came to look at me. I shut my eyes and pretended to be still
+unconscious, but I was afraid they’d hear the beating of my heart.
+However, they went away again. I began thinking madly. What could I do?
+I knew I wouldn’t be able to stand up against torture very long.
+
+“Suddenly something put the thought of loss of memory into my head. The
+subject had always interested me, and I’d read an awful lot about it.
+I had the whole thing at my finger-tips. If only I could succeed in
+carrying the bluff through, it might save me. I said a prayer, and drew
+a long breath. Then I opened my eyes and started babbling in _French!_
+
+“Mrs. Vandemeyer came round the screen at once. Her face was so wicked I
+nearly died, but I smiled up at her doubtfully, and asked her in French
+where I was.
+
+“It puzzled her, I could see. She called the man she had been talking
+to. He stood by the screen with his face in shadow. He spoke to me in
+French. His voice was very ordinary and quiet, but somehow, I don’t know
+why, he scared me worse than the woman. I felt he’d seen right through
+me, but I went on playing my part. I asked again where I was, and
+then went on that there was something I _must_ remember--_must_
+remember--only for the moment it was all gone. I worked myself up to
+be more and more distressed. He asked me my name. I said I didn’t
+know--that I couldn’t remember anything at all.
+
+“Suddenly he caught my wrist, and began twisting it. The pain was awful.
+I screamed. He went on. I screamed and screamed, but I managed to shriek
+out things in French. I don’t know how long I could have gone on, but
+luckily I fainted. The last thing I heard was his voice saying: ‘That’s
+not bluff! Anyway, a kid of her age wouldn’t know enough.’ I guess he
+forgot American girls are older for their age than English ones, and
+take more interest in scientific subjects.
+
+“When I came to, Mrs. Vandemeyer was sweet as honey to me. She’d had her
+orders, I guess. She spoke to me in French--told me I’d had a shock
+and been very ill. I should be better soon. I pretended to be rather
+dazed--murmured something about the ‘doctor’ having hurt my wrist. She
+looked relieved when I said that.
+
+“By and by she went out of the room altogether. I was suspicious still,
+and lay quite quiet for some time. In the end, however, I got up and
+walked round the room, examining it. I thought that even if anyone
+_was_ watching me from somewhere, it would seem natural enough under
+the circumstances. It was a squalid, dirty place. There were no windows,
+which seemed queer. I guessed the door would be locked, but I didn’t
+try it. There were some battered old pictures on the walls, representing
+scenes from _Faust_.”
+
+Jane’s two listeners gave a simultaneous “Ah!” The girl nodded.
+
+“Yes--it was the place in Soho where Mr. Beresford was imprisoned. Of
+course, at the time I didn’t even know if I was in London. One thing was
+worrying me dreadfully, but my heart gave a great throb of relief when
+I saw my ulster lying carelessly over the back of a chair. _And the
+magazine was still rolled up in the pocket!_
+
+“If only I could be certain that I was not being overlooked! I looked
+carefully round the walls. There didn’t seem to be a peep-hole of any
+kind--nevertheless I felt kind of sure there must be. All of a sudden I
+sat down on the edge of the table, and put my face in my hands, sobbing
+out a ‘Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu!’ I’ve got very sharp ears. I distinctly heard
+the rustle of a dress, and slight creak. That was enough for me. I was
+being watched!
+
+“I lay down on the bed again, and by and by Mrs. Vandemeyer brought me
+some supper. She was still sweet as they make them. I guess she’d been
+told to win my confidence. Presently she produced the oilskin packet,
+and asked me if I recognized it, watching me like a lynx all the time.
+
+“I took it and turned it over in a puzzled sort of way. Then I shook my
+head. I said that I felt I _ought_ to remember something about it, that
+it was just as though it was all coming back, and then, before I could
+get hold of it, it went again. Then she told me that I was her niece,
+and that I was to call her ‘Aunt Rita.’ I did obediently, and she told
+me not to worry--my memory would soon come back.
+
+“That was an awful night. I’d made my plan whilst I was waiting for her.
+The papers were safe so far, but I couldn’t take the risk of leaving
+them there any longer. They might throw that magazine away any minute.
+I lay awake waiting until I judged it must be about two o’clock in the
+morning. Then I got up as softly as I could, and felt in the dark along
+the left-hand wall. Very gently, I unhooked one of the pictures from its
+nail--Marguerite with her casket of jewels. I crept over to my coat and
+took out the magazine, and an odd envelope or two that I had shoved in.
+Then I went to the washstand, and damped the brown paper at the back
+of the picture all round. Presently I was able to pull it away. I had
+already torn out the two stuck-together pages from the magazine, and now
+I slipped them with their precious enclosure between the picture and its
+brown paper backing. A little gum from the envelopes helped me to
+stick the latter up again. No one would dream the picture had ever been
+tampered with. I rehung it on the wall, put the magazine back in my
+coat pocket, and crept back to bed. I was pleased with my hiding-place.
+They’d never think of pulling to pieces one of their own pictures. I
+hoped that they’d come to the conclusion that Danvers had been carrying
+a dummy all along, and that, in the end, they’d let me go.
+
+“As a matter of fact, I guess that’s what they did think at first, and,
+in a way, it was dangerous for me. I learnt afterwards that they nearly
+did away with me then and there--there was never much chance of their
+‘letting me go’--but the first man, who was the boss, preferred to keep
+me alive on the chance of my having hidden them, and being able to tell
+where if I recovered my memory. They watched me constantly for weeks.
+Sometimes they’d ask me questions by the hour--I guess there was nothing
+they didn’t know about the third degree!--but somehow I managed to hold
+my own. The strain of it was awful, though....
+
+“They took me back to Ireland, and over every step of the journey again,
+in case I’d hidden it somewhere _en route_. Mrs. Vandemeyer and another
+woman never left me for a moment. They spoke of me as a young relative
+of Mrs. Vandemeyer’s whose mind was affected by the shock of the
+_Lusitania_. There was no one I could appeal to for help without
+giving myself away to _them_, and if I risked it and failed--and Mrs.
+Vandemeyer looked so rich, and so beautifully dressed, that I felt
+convinced they’d take her word against mine, and think it was part of my
+mental trouble to think myself ‘persecuted’--I felt that the horrors in
+store for me would be too awful once they knew I’d been only shamming.”
+
+Sir James nodded comprehendingly.
+
+“Mrs. Vandemeyer was a woman of great personality. With that and her
+social position she would have had little difficulty in imposing her
+point of view in preference to yours. Your sensational accusations
+against her would not easily have found credence.”
+
+“That’s what I thought. It ended in my being sent to a sanatorium at
+Bournemouth. I couldn’t make up my mind at first whether it was a sham
+affair or genuine. A hospital nurse had charge of me. I was a special
+patient. She seemed so nice and normal that at last I determined to
+confide in her. A merciful providence just saved me in time from falling
+into the trap. My door happened to be ajar, and I heard her talking to
+some one in the passage. _She was one of them!_ They still fancied it
+might be a bluff on my part, and she was put in charge of me to make
+sure! After that, my nerve went completely. I dared trust nobody.
+
+“I think I almost hypnotized myself. After a while, I almost forgot
+that I was really Jane Finn. I was so bent on playing the part of Janet
+Vandemeyer that my nerves began to play me tricks. I became really
+ill--for months I sank into a sort of stupor. I felt sure I should
+die soon, and that nothing really mattered. A sane person shut up in a
+lunatic asylum often ends by becoming insane, they say. I guess I was
+like that. Playing my part had become second nature to me. I wasn’t even
+unhappy in the end--just apathetic. Nothing seemed to matter. And the
+years went on.
+
+“And then suddenly things seemed to change. Mrs. Vandemeyer came down
+from London. She and the doctor asked me questions, experimented with
+various treatments. There was some talk of sending me to a specialist in
+Paris. In the end, they did not dare risk it. I overheard something that
+seemed to show that other people--friends--were looking for me. I
+learnt later that the nurse who had looked after me went to Paris,
+and consulted a specialist, representing herself to be me. He put her
+through some searching tests, and exposed her loss of memory to be
+fraudulent; but she had taken a note of his methods and reproduced
+them on me. I dare say I couldn’t have deceived the specialist for a
+minute--a man who has made a lifelong study of a thing is unique--but
+I managed once again to hold my own with them. The fact that I’d not
+thought of myself as Jane Finn for so long made it easier.
+
+“One night I was whisked off to London at a moment’s notice. They took
+me back to the house in Soho. Once I got away from the sanatorium I felt
+different--as though something in me that had been buried for a long
+time was waking up again.
+
+“They sent me in to wait on Mr. Beresford. (Of course I didn’t know
+his name then.) I was suspicious--I thought it was another trap. But he
+looked so honest, I could hardly believe it. However, I was careful in
+all I said, for I knew we could be overheard. There’s a small hole, high
+up in the wall.
+
+“But on the Sunday afternoon a message was brought to the house. They
+were all very disturbed. Without their knowing, I listened. Word had
+come that he was to be killed. I needn’t tell the next part, because
+you know it. I thought I’d have time to rush up and get the papers from
+their hiding-place, but I was caught. So I screamed out that he was
+escaping, and I said I wanted to go back to Marguerite. I shouted the
+name three times very loud. I knew the others would think I meant
+Mrs. Vandemeyer, but I hoped it might make Mr. Beresford think of the
+picture. He’d unhooked one the first day--that’s what made me hesitate
+to trust him.”
+
+She paused.
+
+“Then the papers,” said Sir James slowly, “are still at the back of the
+picture in that room.”
+
+“Yes.” The girl had sunk back on the sofa exhausted with the strain of
+the long story.
+
+Sir James rose to his feet. He looked at his watch.
+
+“Come,” he said, “we must go at once.”
+
+“To-night?” queried Tuppence, surprised.
+
+“To-morrow may be too late,” said Sir James gravely. “Besides, by
+going to-night we have the chance of capturing that great man and
+super-criminal--Mr. Brown!”
+
+There was dead silence, and Sir James continued:
+
+“You have been followed here--not a doubt of it. When we leave the house
+we shall be followed again, but not molested, _for it is Mr. Brown’s
+plan that we are to lead him_. But the Soho house is under police
+supervision night and day. There are several men watching it. When we
+enter that house, Mr. Brown will not draw back--he will risk all, on the
+chance of obtaining the spark to fire his mine. And he fancies the risk
+not great--since he will enter in the guise of a friend!”
+
+Tuppence flushed, then opened her mouth impulsively.
+
+“But there’s something you don’t know--that we haven’t told you.” Her
+eyes dwelt on Jane in perplexity.
+
+“What is that?” asked the other sharply. “No hesitations, Miss Tuppence.
+We need to be sure of our going.”
+
+But Tuppence, for once, seemed tongue-tied.
+
+“It’s so difficult--you see, if I’m wrong--oh, it would be dreadful.”
+ She made a grimace at the unconscious Jane. “Never forgive me,” she
+observed cryptically.
+
+“You want me to help you out, eh?”
+
+“Yes, please. _You_ know who Mr. Brown is, don’t you?”
+
+“Yes,” said Sir James gravely. “At last I do.”
+
+“At last?” queried Tuppence doubtfully. “Oh, but I thought----” She
+paused.
+
+“You thought correctly, Miss Tuppence. I have been morally certain of
+his identity for some time--ever since the night of Mrs. Vandemeyer’s
+mysterious death.”
+
+“Ah!” breathed Tuppence.
+
+“For there we are up against the logic of facts. There are only two
+solutions. Either the chloral was administered by her own hand, which
+theory I reject utterly, or else----”
+
+“Yes?”
+
+“Or else it was administered in the brandy you gave her. Only three
+people touched that brandy--you, Miss Tuppence, I myself, and one
+other--Mr. Julius Hersheimmer!”
+
+Jane Finn stirred and sat up, regarding the speaker with wide astonished
+eyes.
+
+“At first, the thing seemed utterly impossible. Mr. Hersheimmer, as the
+son of a prominent millionaire, was a well-known figure in America. It
+seemed utterly impossible that he and Mr. Brown could be one and the
+same. But you cannot escape from the logic of facts. Since the thing
+was so--it must be accepted. Remember Mrs. Vandemeyer’s sudden and
+inexplicable agitation. Another proof, if proof was needed.
+
+“I took an early opportunity of giving you a hint. From some words of
+Mr. Hersheimmer’s at Manchester, I gathered that you had understood and
+acted on that hint. Then I set to work to prove the impossible possible.
+Mr. Beresford rang me up and told me, what I had already suspected,
+that the photograph of Miss Jane Finn had never really been out of Mr.
+Hersheimmer’s possession----”
+
+But the girl interrupted. Springing to her feet, she cried out angrily:
+
+“What do you mean? What are you trying to suggest? That Mr. Brown is
+_Julius?_ Julius--my own cousin!”
+
+“No, Miss Finn,” said Sir James unexpectedly. “Not your cousin. The man
+who calls himself Julius Hersheimmer is no relation to you whatsoever.”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI. MR. BROWN
+
+SIR James’s words came like a bomb-shell. Both girls looked equally
+puzzled. The lawyer went across to his desk, and returned with a small
+newspaper cutting, which he handed to Jane. Tuppence read it over
+her shoulder. Mr. Carter would have recognized it. It referred to the
+mysterious man found dead in New York.
+
+“As I was saying to Miss Tuppence,” resumed the lawyer, “I set to work
+to prove the impossible possible. The great stumbling-block was the
+undeniable fact that Julius Hersheimmer was not an assumed name. When I
+came across this paragraph my problem was solved. Julius Hersheimmer set
+out to discover what had become of his cousin. He went out West, where
+he obtained news of her and her photograph to aid him in his search. On
+the eve of his departure from New York he was set upon and murdered. His
+body was dressed in shabby clothes, and the face disfigured to prevent
+identification. Mr. Brown took his place. He sailed immediately for
+England. None of the real Hersheimmer’s friends or intimates saw him
+before he sailed--though indeed it would hardly have mattered if they
+had, the impersonation was so perfect. Since then he had been hand and
+glove with those sworn to hunt him down. Every secret of theirs has been
+known to him. Only once did he come near disaster. Mrs. Vandemeyer knew
+his secret. It was no part of his plan that that huge bribe should ever
+be offered to her. But for Miss Tuppence’s fortunate change of plan, she
+would have been far away from the flat when we arrived there. Exposure
+stared him in the face. He took a desperate step, trusting in his
+assumed character to avert suspicion. He nearly succeeded--but not
+quite.”
+
+“I can’t believe it,” murmured Jane. “He seemed so splendid.”
+
+“The real Julius Hersheimmer _was_ a splendid fellow! And Mr. Brown is
+a consummate actor. But ask Miss Tuppence if she also has not had her
+suspicions.”
+
+Jane turned mutely to Tuppence. The latter nodded.
+
+“I didn’t want to say it, Jane--I knew it would hurt you. And, after
+all, I couldn’t be sure. I still don’t understand why, if he’s Mr.
+Brown, he rescued us.”
+
+“Was it Julius Hersheimmer who helped you to escape?”
+
+Tuppence recounted to Sir James the exciting events of the evening,
+ending up: “But I can’t see _why!_”
+
+“Can’t you? I can. So can young Beresford, by his actions. As a last
+hope Jane Finn was to be allowed to escape--and the escape must be
+managed so that she harbours no suspicions of its being a put-up job.
+They’re not averse to young Beresford’s being in the neighbourhood, and,
+if necessary, communicating with you. They’ll take care to get him out
+of the way at the right minute. Then Julius Hersheimmer dashes up and
+rescues you in true melodramatic style. Bullets fly--but don’t hit
+anybody. What would have happened next? You would have driven straight
+to the house in Soho and secured the document which Miss Finn would
+probably have entrusted to her cousin’s keeping. Or, if he conducted the
+search, he would have pretended to find the hiding-place already rifled.
+He would have had a dozen ways of dealing with the situation, but the
+result would have been the same. And I rather fancy some accident would
+have happened to both of you. You see, you know rather an inconvenient
+amount. That’s a rough outline. I admit I was caught napping; but
+somebody else wasn’t.”
+
+“Tommy,” said Tuppence softly.
+
+“Yes. Evidently when the right moment came to get rid of him--he was too
+sharp for them. All the same, I’m not too easy in my mind about him.”
+
+“Why?”
+
+“Because Julius Hersheimmer is Mr. Brown,” said Sir James dryly. “And it
+takes more than one man and a revolver to hold up Mr. Brown....”
+
+Tuppence paled a little.
+
+“What can we do?”
+
+“Nothing until we’ve been to the house in Soho. If Beresford has still
+got the upper hand, there’s nothing to fear. If otherwise, our enemy
+will come to find us, and he will not find us unprepared!” From a drawer
+in the desk, he took a service revolver, and placed it in his coat
+pocket.
+
+“Now we’re ready. I know better than even to suggest going without you,
+Miss Tuppence----”
+
+“I should think so indeed!”
+
+“But I do suggest that Miss Finn should remain here. She will be
+perfectly safe, and I am afraid she is absolutely worn out with all she
+has been through.”
+
+But to Tuppence’s surprise Jane shook her head.
+
+“No. I guess I’m going too. Those papers were my trust. I must go
+through with this business to the end. I’m heaps better now anyway.”
+
+Sir James’s car was ordered round. During the short drive Tuppence’s
+heart beat tumultuously. In spite of momentary qualms of uneasiness
+respecting Tommy, she could not but feel exultation. They were going to
+win!
+
+The car drew up at the corner of the square and they got out. Sir James
+went up to a plain-clothes man who was on duty with several others, and
+spoke to him. Then he rejoined the girls.
+
+“No one has gone into the house so far. It is being watched at the back
+as well, so they are quite sure of that. Anyone who attempts to enter
+after we have done so will be arrested immediately. Shall we go in?”
+
+A policeman produced a key. They all knew Sir James well. They had also
+had orders respecting Tuppence. Only the third member of the party was
+unknown to them. The three entered the house, pulling the door to behind
+them. Slowly they mounted the rickety stairs. At the top was the ragged
+curtain hiding the recess where Tommy had hidden that day. Tuppence had
+heard the story from Jane in her character of “Annette.” She looked at
+the tattered velvet with interest. Even now she could almost swear it
+moved--as though _some one_ was behind it. So strong was the illusion
+that she almost fancied she could make out the outline of a form....
+Supposing Mr. Brown--Julius--was there waiting....
+
+Impossible of course! Yet she almost went back to put the curtain aside
+and make sure....
+
+Now they were entering the prison room. No place for anyone to hide
+here, thought Tuppence, with a sigh of relief, then chided herself
+indignantly. She must not give way to this foolish fancying--this
+curious insistent feeling that _Mr. Brown was in the house_.... Hark!
+what was that? A stealthy footstep on the stairs? There _was_ some one
+in the house! Absurd! She was becoming hysterical.
+
+Jane had gone straight to the picture of Marguerite. She unhooked it
+with a steady hand. The dust lay thick upon it, and festoons of cobwebs
+lay between it and the wall. Sir James handed her a pocket-knife, and
+she ripped away the brown paper from the back.... The advertisement
+page of a magazine fell out. Jane picked it up. Holding apart the frayed
+inner edges she extracted two thin sheets covered with writing!
+
+No dummy this time! The real thing!
+
+“We’ve got it,” said Tuppence. “At last....”
+
+The moment was almost breathless in its emotion. Forgotten the faint
+creakings, the imagined noises of a minute ago. None of them had eyes
+for anything but what Jane held in her hand.
+
+Sir James took it, and scrutinized it attentively.
+
+“Yes,” he said quietly, “this is the ill-fated draft treaty!”
+
+“We’ve succeeded,” said Tuppence. There was awe and an almost wondering
+unbelief in her voice.
+
+Sir James echoed her words as he folded the paper carefully and put it
+away in his pocket-book, then he looked curiously round the dingy room.
+
+“It was here that our young friend was confined for so long, was
+it not?” he said. “A truly sinister room. You notice the absence of
+windows, and the thickness of the close-fitting door. Whatever took
+place here would never be heard by the outside world.”
+
+Tuppence shivered. His words woke a vague alarm in her. What if there
+_was_ some one concealed in the house? Some one who might bar that door
+on them, and leave them to die like rats in a trap? Then she realized
+the absurdity of her thought. The house was surrounded by police who,
+if they failed to reappear, would not hesitate to break in and make a
+thorough search. She smiled at her own foolishness--then looked up with
+a start to find Sir James watching her. He gave her an emphatic little
+nod.
+
+“Quite right, Miss Tuppence. You scent danger. So do I. So does Miss
+Finn.”
+
+“Yes,” admitted Jane. “It’s absurd--but I can’t help it.”
+
+Sir James nodded again.
+
+“You feel--as we all feel-- _the presence of Mr. Bown_. Yes”--as
+Tuppence made a movement--“not a doubt of it-- _Mr. Brown is here_....”
+
+“In this house?”
+
+“In this room.... You don’t understand? _I am Mr. Brown_....”
+
+Stupefied, unbelieving, they stared at him. The very lines of his face
+had changed. It was a different man who stood before them. He smiled a
+slow cruel smile.
+
+“Neither of you will leave this room alive! You said just now we had
+succeeded. _I_ have succeeded! The draft treaty is mine.” His smile grew
+wider as he looked at Tuppence. “Shall I tell you how it will be? Sooner
+or later the police will break in, and they will find three victims of
+Mr. Brown--three, not two, you understand, but fortunately the third
+will not be dead, only wounded, and will be able to describe the attack
+with a wealth of detail! The treaty? It is in the hands of Mr. Brown. So
+no one will think of searching the pockets of Sir James Peel Edgerton!”
+
+He turned to Jane.
+
+“You outwitted me. I make my acknowledgments. But you will not do it
+again.”
+
+There was a faint sound behind him, but, intoxicated with success, he
+did not turn his head.
+
+He slipped his hand into his pocket.
+
+“Checkmate to the Young Adventurers,” he said, and slowly raised the big
+automatic.
+
+But, even as he did so, he felt himself seized from behind in a grip of
+iron. The revolver was wrenched from his hand, and the voice of Julius
+Hersheimmer said drawlingly:
+
+“I guess you’re caught redhanded with the goods upon you.”
+
+The blood rushed to the K.C.’s face, but his self-control was
+marvellous, as he looked from one to the other of his two captors. He
+looked longest at Tommy.
+
+“You,” he said beneath his breath. “_You!_ I might have known.”
+
+Seeing that he was disposed to offer no resistance, their grip
+slackened. Quick as a flash his left hand, the hand which bore the big
+signet ring, was raised to his lips....
+
+“‘_Ave, Cæsar! te morituri salutant_,’” he said, still looking at
+Tommy.
+
+Then his face changed, and with a long convulsive shudder he fell
+forward in a crumpled heap, whilst an odour of bitter almonds filled the
+air.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII. A SUPPER PARTY AT THE _SAVOY_
+
+THE supper party given by Mr. Julius Hersheimmer to a few friends on the
+evening of the 30th will long be remembered in catering circles. It took
+place in a private room, and Mr. Hersheimmer’s orders were brief and
+forcible. He gave carte blanche--and when a millionaire gives carte
+blanche he usually gets it!
+
+Every delicacy out of season was duly provided. Waiters carried bottles
+of ancient and royal vintage with loving care. The floral decorations
+defied the seasons, and fruits of the earth as far apart as May and
+November found themselves miraculously side by side. The list of guests
+was small and select. The American Ambassador, Mr. Carter, who had taken
+the liberty, he said, of bringing an old friend, Sir William Beresford,
+with him, Archdeacon Cowley, Dr. Hall, those two youthful adventurers,
+Miss Prudence Cowley and Mr. Thomas Beresford, and last, but not least,
+as guest of honour, Miss Jane Finn.
+
+Julius had spared no pains to make Jane’s appearance a success. A
+mysterious knock had brought Tuppence to the door of the apartment she
+was sharing with the American girl. It was Julius. In his hand he held a
+cheque.
+
+“Say, Tuppence,” he began, “will you do me a good turn? Take this, and
+get Jane regularly togged up for this evening. You’re all coming to
+supper with me at the _Savoy_. See? Spare no expense. You get me?”
+
+“Sure thing,” mimicked Tuppence. “We shall enjoy ourselves. It will be a
+pleasure dressing Jane. She’s the loveliest thing I’ve ever seen.”
+
+“That’s so,” agreed Mr. Hersheimmer fervently.
+
+His fervour brought a momentary twinkle to Tuppence’s eye.
+
+“By the way, Julius,” she remarked demurely, “I--haven’t given you my
+answer yet.”
+
+“Answer?” said Julius. His face paled.
+
+“You know--when you asked me to--marry you,” faltered Tuppence, her
+eyes downcast in the true manner of the early Victorian heroine, “and
+wouldn’t take no for an answer. I’ve thought it well over----”
+
+“Yes?” said Julius. The perspiration stood on his forehead.
+
+Tuppence relented suddenly.
+
+“You great idiot!” she said. “What on earth induced you to do it? I
+could see at the time you didn’t care a twopenny dip for me!”
+
+“Not at all. I had--and still have--the highest sentiments of esteem and
+respect--and admiration for you----”
+
+“H’m!” said Tuppence. “Those are the kind of sentiments that very soon
+go to the wall when the other sentiment comes along! Don’t they, old
+thing?”
+
+“I don’t know what you mean,” said Julius stiffly, but a large and
+burning blush overspread his countenance.
+
+“Shucks!” retorted Tuppence. She laughed, and closed the door, reopening
+it to add with dignity: “Morally, I shall always consider I have been
+jilted!”
+
+“What was it?” asked Jane as Tuppence rejoined her.
+
+“Julius.”
+
+“What did he want?”
+
+“Really, I think, he wanted to see you, but I wasn’t going to let him.
+Not until to-night, when you’re going to burst upon every one like King
+Solomon in his glory! Come on! _We’re going to shop!_”
+
+To most people the 29th, the much-heralded “Labour Day,” had passed much
+as any other day. Speeches were made in the Park and Trafalgar Square.
+Straggling processions, singing the _Red Flag_, wandered through the
+streets in a more or less aimless manner. Newspapers which had hinted at
+a general strike, and the inauguration of a reign of terror, were forced
+to hide their diminished heads. The bolder and more astute among
+them sought to prove that peace had been effected by following their
+counsels. In the Sunday papers a brief notice of the sudden death of Sir
+James Peel Edgerton, the famous K.C., had appeared. Monday’s paper
+dealt appreciatively with the dead man’s career. The exact manner of his
+sudden death was never made public.
+
+Tommy had been right in his forecast of the situation. It had been a
+one-man show. Deprived of their chief, the organization fell to pieces.
+Kramenin had made a precipitate return to Russia, leaving England early
+on Sunday morning. The gang had fled from Astley Priors in a panic,
+leaving behind, in their haste, various damaging documents which
+compromised them hopelessly. With these proofs of conspiracy in their
+hands, aided further by a small brown diary taken from the pocket of the
+dead man which had contained a full and damning résumé of the whole
+plot, the Government had called an eleventh-hour conference. The Labour
+leaders were forced to recognize that they had been used as a cat’s
+paw. Certain concessions were made by the Government, and were eagerly
+accepted. It was to be Peace, not War!
+
+But the Cabinet knew by how narrow a margin they had escaped utter
+disaster. And burnt in on Mr. Carter’s brain was the strange scene which
+had taken place in the house in Soho the night before.
+
+He had entered the squalid room to find that great man, the friend of
+a lifetime, dead--betrayed out of his own mouth. From the dead man’s
+pocket-book he had retrieved the ill-omened draft treaty, and then
+and there, in the presence of the other three, it had been reduced to
+ashes.... England was saved!
+
+And now, on the evening of the 30th, in a private room at the _Savoy_,
+Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer was receiving his guests.
+
+Mr. Carter was the first to arrive. With him was a choleric-looking old
+gentleman, at sight of whom Tommy flushed up to the roots of his hair.
+He came forward.
+
+“Ha!” said the old gentleman, surveying him apoplectically. “So you’re
+my nephew, are you? Not much to look at--but you’ve done good work, it
+seems. Your mother must have brought you up well after all. Shall we
+let bygones be bygones, eh? You’re my heir, you know; and in future I
+propose to make you an allowance--and you can look upon Chalmers Park as
+your home.”
+
+“Thank you, sir, it’s awfully decent of you.”
+
+“Where’s this young lady I’ve been hearing such a lot about?”
+
+Tommy introduced Tuppence.
+
+“Ha!” said Sir William, eyeing her. “Girls aren’t what they used to be
+in my young days.”
+
+“Yes, they are,” said Tuppence. “Their clothes are different, perhaps,
+but they themselves are just the same.”
+
+“Well, perhaps you’re right. Minxes then--minxes now!”
+
+“That’s it,” said Tuppence. “I’m a frightful minx myself.”
+
+“I believe you,” said the old gentleman, chuckling, and pinched her ear
+in high good-humour. Most young women were terrified of the “old bear,”
+ as they termed him. Tuppence’s pertness delighted the old misogynist.
+
+Then came the timid archdeacon, a little bewildered by the company in
+which he found himself, glad that his daughter was considered to have
+distinguished herself, but unable to help glancing at her from time
+to time with nervous apprehension. But Tuppence behaved admirably. She
+forbore to cross her legs, set a guard upon her tongue, and steadfastly
+refused to smoke.
+
+Dr. Hall came next, and he was followed by the American Ambassador.
+
+“We might as well sit down,” said Julius, when he had introduced all his
+guests to each other. “Tuppence, will you----”
+
+He indicated the place of honour with a wave of his hand.
+
+But Tuppence shook her head.
+
+“No--that’s Jane’s place! When one thinks of how she’s held out all
+these years, she ought to be made the queen of the feast to-night.”
+
+Julius flung her a grateful glance, and Jane came forward shyly to the
+allotted seat. Beautiful as she had seemed before, it was as nothing to
+the loveliness that now went fully adorned. Tuppence had performed her
+part faithfully. The model gown supplied by a famous dressmaker had been
+entitled “A tiger lily.” It was all golds and reds and browns, and out
+of it rose the pure column of the girl’s white throat, and the bronze
+masses of hair that crowned her lovely head. There was admiration in
+every eye, as she took her seat.
+
+Soon the supper party was in full swing, and with one accord Tommy was
+called upon for a full and complete explanation.
+
+“You’ve been too darned close about the whole business,” Julius accused
+him. “You let on to me that you were off to the Argentine--though I
+guess you had your reasons for that. The idea of both you and Tuppence
+casting me for the part of Mr. Brown just tickles me to death!”
+
+“The idea was not original to them,” said Mr. Carter gravely. “It was
+suggested, and the poison very carefully instilled, by a past-master in
+the art. The paragraph in the New York paper suggested the plan to him,
+and by means of it he wove a web that nearly enmeshed you fatally.”
+
+“I never liked him,” said Julius. “I felt from the first that there was
+something wrong about him, and I always suspected that it was he who
+silenced Mrs. Vandemeyer so appositely. But it wasn’t till I heard that
+the order for Tommy’s execution came right on the heels of our interview
+with him that Sunday that I began to tumble to the fact that he was the
+big bug himself.”
+
+“I never suspected it at all,” lamented Tuppence. “I’ve always thought
+I was so much cleverer than Tommy--but he’s undoubtedly scored over me
+handsomely.”
+
+Julius agreed.
+
+“Tommy’s been the goods this trip! And, instead of sitting there as dumb
+as a fish, let him banish his blushes, and tell us all about it.”
+
+“Hear! hear!”
+
+“There’s nothing to tell,” said Tommy, acutely uncomfortable. “I was an
+awful mug--right up to the time I found that photograph of Annette, and
+realized that she was Jane Finn. Then I remembered how persistently she
+had shouted out that word ‘Marguerite’--and I thought of the pictures,
+and--well, that’s that. Then of course I went over the whole thing to
+see where I’d made an ass of myself.”
+
+“Go on,” said Mr. Carter, as Tommy showed signs of taking refuge in
+silence once more.
+
+“That business about Mrs. Vandemeyer had worried me when Julius told me
+about it. On the face of it, it seemed that he or Sir James must have
+done the trick. But I didn’t know which. Finding that photograph in the
+drawer, after that story of how it had been got from him by Inspector
+Brown, made me suspect Julius. Then I remembered that it was Sir James
+who had discovered the false Jane Finn. In the end, I couldn’t make up
+my mind--and just decided to take no chances either way. I left a note
+for Julius, in case he was Mr. Brown, saying I was off to the Argentine,
+and I dropped Sir James’s letter with the offer of the job by the desk
+so that he would see it was a genuine stunt. Then I wrote my letter to
+Mr. Carter and rang up Sir James. Taking him into my confidence would
+be the best thing either way, so I told him everything except where I
+believed the papers to be hidden. The way he helped me to get on the
+track of Tuppence and Annette almost disarmed me, but not quite. I kept
+my mind open between the two of them. And then I got a bogus note from
+Tuppence--and I knew!”
+
+“But how?”
+
+Tommy took the note in question from his pocket and passed it round the
+table.
+
+“It’s her handwriting all right, but I knew it wasn’t from her because
+of the signature. She’d never spell her name ‘Twopence,’ but anyone
+who’d never seen it written might quite easily do so. Julius _had_ seen
+it--he showed me a note of hers to him once--but _Sir James hadn’t!_
+After that everything was plain sailing. I sent off Albert post-haste to
+Mr. Carter. I pretended to go away, but doubled back again. When Julius
+came bursting up in his car, I felt it wasn’t part of Mr. Brown’s
+plan--and that there would probably be trouble. Unless Sir James was
+actually caught in the act, so to speak, I knew Mr. Carter would never
+believe it of him on my bare word----”
+
+“I didn’t,” interposed Mr. Carter ruefully.
+
+“That’s why I sent the girls off to Sir James. I was sure they’d fetch
+up at the house in Soho sooner or later. I threatened Julius with the
+revolver, because I wanted Tuppence to repeat that to Sir James, so that
+he wouldn’t worry about us. The moment the girls were out of sight I
+told Julius to drive like hell for London, and as we went along I told
+him the whole story. We got to the Soho house in plenty of time and met
+Mr. Carter outside. After arranging things with him we went in and hid
+behind the curtain in the recess. The policemen had orders to say, if
+they were asked, that no one had gone into the house. That’s all.”
+
+And Tommy came to an abrupt halt.
+
+There was silence for a moment.
+
+“By the way,” said Julius suddenly, “you’re all wrong about that
+photograph of Jane. It _was_ taken from me, but I found it again.”
+
+“Where?” cried Tuppence.
+
+“In that little safe on the wall in Mrs. Vandemeyer’s bedroom.”
+
+“I knew you found something,” said Tuppence reproachfully. “To tell you
+the truth, that’s what started me off suspecting you. Why didn’t you
+say?”
+
+“I guess I was a mite suspicious too. It had been got away from me once,
+and I determined I wouldn’t let on I’d got it until a photographer had
+made a dozen copies of it!”
+
+“We all kept back something or other,” said Tuppence thoughtfully. “I
+suppose secret service work makes you like that!”
+
+In the pause that ensued, Mr. Carter took from his pocket a small shabby
+brown book.
+
+“Beresford has just said that I would not have believed Sir James Peel
+Edgerton to be guilty unless, so to speak, he was caught in the act.
+That is so. Indeed, not until I read the entries in this little book
+could I bring myself fully to credit the amazing truth. This book will
+pass into the possession of Scotland Yard, but it will never be publicly
+exhibited. Sir James’s long association with the law would make it
+undesirable. But to you, who know the truth, I propose to read certain
+passages which will throw some light on the extraordinary mentality of
+this great man.”
+
+He opened the book, and turned the thin pages.
+
+“... It is madness to keep this book. I know that. It is documentary
+evidence against me. But I have never shrunk from taking risks. And I
+feel an urgent need for self-expression.... The book will only be taken
+from my dead body....
+
+“... From an early age I realized that I had exceptional abilities. Only
+a fool underestimates his capabilities. My brain power was greatly above
+the average. I know that I was born to succeed. My appearance was
+the only thing against me. I was quiet and insignificant--utterly
+nondescript....
+
+“... When I was a boy I heard a famous murder trial. I was deeply
+impressed by the power and eloquence of the counsel for the defence.
+For the first time I entertained the idea of taking my talents to that
+particular market.... Then I studied the criminal in the dock.... The
+man was a fool--he had been incredibly, unbelievably stupid. Even
+the eloquence of his counsel was hardly likely to save him. I felt
+an immeasurable contempt for him.... Then it occurred to me that the
+criminal standard was a low one. It was the wastrels, the failures, the
+general riff-raff of civilization who drifted into crime....
+Strange that men of brains had never realized its extraordinary
+opportunities.... I played with the idea.... What a magnificent
+field--what unlimited possibilities! It made my brain reel....
+
+“... I read standard works on crime and criminals. They all confirmed my
+opinion. Degeneracy, disease--never the deliberate embracing of a career
+by a far-seeing man. Then I considered. Supposing my utmost ambitions
+were realized--that I was called to the bar, and rose to the height of
+my profession? That I entered politics--say, even, that I became Prime
+Minister of England? What then? Was that power? Hampered at every turn
+by my colleagues, fettered by the democratic system of which I should
+be the mere figurehead! No--the power I dreamed of was absolute! An
+autocrat! A dictator! And such power could only be obtained by working
+outside the law. To play on the weaknesses of human nature, then on the
+weaknesses of nations--to get together and control a vast organization,
+and finally to overthrow the existing order, and rule! The thought
+intoxicated me....
+
+“... I saw that I must lead two lives. A man like myself is bound to
+attract notice. I must have a successful career which would mask my true
+activities.... Also I must cultivate a personality. I modelled myself
+upon famous K.C.’s. I reproduced their mannerisms, their magnetism. If I
+had chosen to be an actor, I should have been the greatest actor living!
+No disguises--no grease paint--no false beards! Personality! I put it
+on like a glove! When I shed it, I was myself, quiet, unobtrusive, a man
+like every other man. I called myself Mr. Brown. There are hundreds of
+men called Brown--there are hundreds of men looking just like me....
+
+“... I succeeded in my false career. I was bound to succeed. I shall
+succeed in the other. A man like me cannot fail....
+
+“... I have been reading a life of Napoleon. He and I have much in
+common....
+
+“... I make a practice of defending criminals. A man should look after
+his own people....
+
+“... Once or twice I have felt afraid. The first time was in Italy.
+There was a dinner given. Professor D----, the great alienist, was
+present. The talk fell on insanity. He said, ‘A great many men are
+mad, and no one knows it. They do not know it themselves.’ I do not
+understand why he looked at me when he said that. His glance was
+strange.... I did not like it....
+
+“... The war has disturbed me.... I thought it would further my plans.
+The Germans are so efficient. Their spy system, too, was excellent.
+The streets are full of these boys in khaki. All empty-headed young
+fools.... Yet I do not know.... They won the war.... It disturbs me....
+
+“... My plans are going well.... A girl butted in--I do not think she
+really knew anything.... But we must give up the Esthonia.... No risks
+now....
+
+“.... All goes well. The loss of memory is vexing. It cannot be a fake.
+No girl could deceive ME!...
+
+“...The 29th.... That is very soon....” Mr. Carter paused.
+
+“I will not read the details of the _coup_ that was planned. But there
+are just two small entries that refer to the three of you. In the light
+of what happened they are interesting.
+
+“... By inducing the girl to come to me of her own accord, I have
+succeeded in disarming her. But she has intuitive flashes that might be
+dangerous.... She must be got out of the way.... I can do nothing with
+the American. He suspects and dislikes me. But he cannot know. I fancy
+my armour is impregnable.... Sometimes I fear I have underestimated
+the other boy. He is not clever, but it is hard to blind his eyes to
+facts....”
+
+Mr. Carter shut the book.
+
+“A great man,” he said. “Genius, or insanity, who can say?”
+
+There was silence.
+
+Then Mr. Carter rose to his feet.
+
+“I will give you a toast. The Joint Venture which has so amply justified
+itself by success!”
+
+It was drunk with acclamation.
+
+“There’s something more we want to hear,” continued Mr. Carter. He
+looked at the American Ambassador. “I speak for you also, I know. We’ll
+ask Miss Jane Finn to tell us the story that only Miss Tuppence has
+heard so far--but before we do so we’ll drink her health. The health of
+one of the bravest of America’s daughters, to whom is due the thanks and
+gratitude of two great countries!”
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII. AND AFTER
+
+“THAT was a mighty good toast, Jane,” said Mr. Hersheimmer, as he and
+his cousin were being driven back in the Rolls-Royce to the _Ritz_.
+
+“The one to the joint venture?”
+
+“No--the one to you. There isn’t another girl in the world who could
+have carried it through as you did. You were just wonderful!”
+
+Jane shook her head.
+
+“I don’t feel wonderful. At heart I’m just tired and lonesome--and
+longing for my own country.”
+
+“That brings me to something I wanted to say. I heard the Ambassador
+telling you his wife hoped you would come to them at the Embassy right
+away. That’s good enough, but I’ve got another plan. Jane--I want you to
+marry me! Don’t get scared and say no at once. You can’t love me right
+away, of course, that’s impossible. But I’ve loved you from the very
+moment I set eyes on your photo--and now I’ve seen you I’m simply crazy
+about you! If you’ll only marry me, I won’t worry you any--you shall
+take your own time. Maybe you’ll never come to love me, and if that’s
+the case I’ll manage to set you free. But I want the right to look after
+you, and take care of you.”
+
+“That’s what I want,” said the girl wistfully. “Some one who’ll be good
+to me. Oh, you don’t know how lonesome I feel!”
+
+“Sure thing I do. Then I guess that’s all fixed up, and I’ll see the
+archbishop about a special license to-morrow morning.”
+
+“Oh, Julius!”
+
+“Well, I don’t want to hustle you any, Jane, but there’s no sense in
+waiting about. Don’t be scared--I shan’t expect you to love me all at
+once.”
+
+But a small hand was slipped into his.
+
+“I love you now, Julius,” said Jane Finn. “I loved you that first moment
+in the car when the bullet grazed your cheek....”
+
+Five minutes later Jane murmured softly:
+
+“I don’t know London very well, Julius, but is it such a very long way
+from the _Savoy_ to the _Ritz?_”
+
+“It depends how you go,” explained Julius unblushingly. “We’re going by
+way of Regent’s Park!”
+
+“Oh, Julius--what will the chauffeur think?”
+
+“At the wages I pay him, he knows better than to do any independent
+thinking. Why, Jane, the only reason I had the supper at the _Savoy_ was
+so that I could drive you home. I didn’t see how I was ever going to
+get hold of you alone. You and Tuppence have been sticking together
+like Siamese twins. I guess another day of it would have driven me and
+Beresford stark staring mad!”
+
+“Oh. Is he----?”
+
+“Of course he is. Head over ears.”
+
+“I thought so,” said Jane thoughtfully.
+
+“Why?”
+
+“From all the things Tuppence didn’t say!”
+
+“There you have me beat,” said Mr. Hersheimmer. But Jane only laughed.
+
+In the meantime, the Young Adventurers were sitting bolt upright,
+very stiff and ill at ease, in a taxi which, with a singular lack of
+originality, was also returning to the _Ritz_ via Regent’s Park.
+
+A terrible constraint seemed to have settled down between them. Without
+quite knowing what had happened, everything seemed changed. They were
+tongue-tied--paralysed. All the old _camaraderie_ was gone.
+
+Tuppence could think of nothing to say.
+
+Tommy was equally afflicted.
+
+They sat very straight and forbore to look at each other.
+
+At last Tuppence made a desperate effort.
+
+“Rather fun, wasn’t it?”
+
+“Rather.”
+
+Another silence.
+
+“I like Julius,” essayed Tuppence again.
+
+Tommy was suddenly galvanized into life.
+
+“You’re not going to marry him, do you hear?” he said dictatorially. “I
+forbid it.”
+
+“Oh!” said Tuppence meekly.
+
+“Absolutely, you understand.”
+
+“He doesn’t want to marry me--he really only asked me out of kindness.”
+
+“That’s not very likely,” scoffed Tommy.
+
+“It’s quite true. He’s head over ears in love with Jane. I expect he’s
+proposing to her now.”
+
+“She’ll do for him very nicely,” said Tommy condescendingly.
+
+“Don’t you think she’s the most lovely creature you’ve ever seen?”
+
+“Oh, I dare say.”
+
+“But I suppose you prefer sterling worth,” said Tuppence demurely.
+
+“I--oh, dash it all, Tuppence, you know!”
+
+“I like your uncle, Tommy,” said Tuppence, hastily creating a diversion.
+“By the way, what are you going to do, accept Mr. Carter’s offer of
+a Government job, or accept Julius’s invitation and take a richly
+remunerated post in America on his ranch?”
+
+“I shall stick to the old ship, I think, though it’s awfully good of
+Hersheimmer. But I feel you’d be more at home in London.”
+
+“I don’t see where I come in.”
+
+“I do,” said Tommy positively.
+
+Tuppence stole a glance at him sideways.
+
+“There’s the money, too,” she observed thoughtfully.
+
+“What money?”
+
+“We’re going to get a cheque each. Mr. Carter told me so.”
+
+“Did you ask how much?” inquired Tommy sarcastically.
+
+“Yes,” said Tuppence triumphantly. “But I shan’t tell you.”
+
+“Tuppence, you are the limit!”
+
+“It has been fun, hasn’t it, Tommy? I do hope we shall have lots more
+adventures.”
+
+“You’re insatiable, Tuppence. I’ve had quite enough adventures for the
+present.”
+
+“Well, shopping is almost as good,” said Tuppence dreamily. “Think of
+buying old furniture, and bright carpets, and futurist silk curtains,
+and a polished dining-table, and a divan with lots of cushions.”
+
+“Hold hard,” said Tommy. “What’s all this for?”
+
+“Possibly a house--but I think a flat.”
+
+“Whose flat?”
+
+“You think I mind saying it, but I don’t in the least! _Ours_, so
+there!”
+
+“You darling!” cried Tommy, his arms tightly round her. “I was
+determined to make you say it. I owe you something for the relentless
+way you’ve squashed me whenever I’ve tried to be sentimental.”
+
+Tuppence raised her face to his. The taxi proceeded on its course round
+the north side of Regent’s Park.
+
+“You haven’t really proposed now,” pointed out Tuppence. “Not what our
+grandmothers would call a proposal. But after listening to a rotten one
+like Julius’s, I’m inclined to let you off.”
+
+“You won’t be able to get out of marrying me, so don’t you think it.”
+
+“What fun it will be,” responded Tuppence. “Marriage is called all sorts
+of things, a haven, and a refuge, and a crowning glory, and a state of
+bondage, and lots more. But do you know what I think it is?”
+
+“What?”
+
+“A sport!”
+
+“And a damned good sport too,” said Tommy.
+
+
+
+
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+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Secret Adversary, by Agatha Christie</title>
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+
+<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Secret Adversary, by Agatha Christie</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
+most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
+whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
+of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online
+at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you
+are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the
+country where you are located before using this eBook.
+</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Secret Adversary</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Agatha Christie</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: January, 1998 [eBook #1155]<br />
+[Most recently updated: October 29, 2022]</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div>
+<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Charles Keller and David Widger</div>
+<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SECRET ADVERSARY ***</div>
+
+<div class="fig" style="width:60%;">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="cover " />
+</div>
+
+<h1>The Secret Adversary</h1>
+
+<h2 class="no-break">by Agatha Christie</h2>
+
+<hr />
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<p class="center">
+TO ALL THOSE WHO LEAD<br/>
+MONOTONOUS LIVES<br/>
+IN THE HOPE THAT THEY MAY EXPERIENCE<br/>
+AT SECOND HAND<br/>
+THE DELIGHTS AND DANGERS OF<br/>
+ADVENTURE
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2>Contents</h2>
+
+<table summary="" style="">
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#prol01">PROLOGUE</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap01">CHAPTER I. THE YOUNG ADVENTURERS, LTD.</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap02">CHAPTER II. MR. WHITTINGTON&rsquo;S OFFER</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap03">CHAPTER III. A SET BACK</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap04">CHAPTER IV. WHO IS JANE FINN?</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap05">CHAPTER V. MR. JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap06">CHAPTER VI. A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap07">CHAPTER VII. THE HOUSE IN SOHO</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap08">CHAPTER VIII. THE ADVENTURES OF TOMMY</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap09">CHAPTER IX. TUPPENCE ENTERS DOMESTIC SERVICE</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap10">CHAPTER X. ENTER SIR JAMES PEEL EDGERTON</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap11">CHAPTER XI. JULIUS TELLS A STORY</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap12">CHAPTER XII. A FRIEND IN NEED </a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap13">CHAPTER XIII. THE VIGIL</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap14">CHAPTER XIV. A CONSULTATION</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap15">CHAPTER XV. TUPPENCE RECEIVES A PROPOSAL</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap16">CHAPTER XVI. FURTHER ADVENTURES OF TOMMY </a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap17">CHAPTER XVII. ANNETTE</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap18">CHAPTER XVIII. THE TELEGRAM</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap19">CHAPTER XIX. JANE FINN</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap20">CHAPTER XX. TOO LATE</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap21">CHAPTER XXI. TOMMY MAKES A DISCOVERY</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap22">CHAPTER XXII. IN DOWNING STREET</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap23">CHAPTER XXIII. A RACE AGAINST TIME</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap24">CHAPTER XXIV. JULIUS TAKES A HAND</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap25">CHAPTER XXV. JANE&rsquo;S STORY</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap26">CHAPTER XXVI. MR. BROWN</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap27">CHAPTER XXVII. A SUPPER PARTY AT THE <i>SAVOY</i></a></td>
+</tr>
+
+<tr>
+<td><a href="#chap28">CHAPTER XXVIII. AND AFTER</a></td>
+</tr>
+
+</table>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="prol01"></a>PROLOGUE</h2>
+
+<p>
+It was 2 p.m. on the afternoon of May 7, 1915. The <i>Lusitania</i> had been
+struck by two torpedoes in succession and was sinking rapidly, while the boats
+were being launched with all possible speed. The women and children were being
+lined up awaiting their turn. Some still clung desperately to husbands and
+fathers; others clutched their children closely to their breasts. One girl
+stood alone, slightly apart from the rest. She was quite young, not more than
+eighteen. She did not seem afraid, and her grave, steadfast eyes looked
+straight ahead.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I beg your pardon.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A man&rsquo;s voice beside her made her start and turn. She had noticed the
+speaker more than once amongst the first-class passengers. There had been a
+hint of mystery about him which had appealed to her imagination. He spoke to no
+one. If anyone spoke to him he was quick to rebuff the overture. Also he had a
+nervous way of looking over his shoulder with a swift, suspicious glance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She noticed now that he was greatly agitated. There were beads of perspiration
+on his brow. He was evidently in a state of overmastering fear. And yet he did
+not strike her as the kind of man who would be afraid to meet death!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo; Her grave eyes met his inquiringly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He stood looking at her with a kind of desperate irresolution.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It must be!&rdquo; he muttered to himself. &ldquo;Yes&mdash;it is the
+only way.&rdquo; Then aloud he said abruptly: &ldquo;You are an
+American?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A patriotic one?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl flushed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess you&rsquo;ve no right to ask such a thing! Of course I
+am!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be offended. You wouldn&rsquo;t be if you knew how much
+there was at stake. But I&rsquo;ve got to trust some one&mdash;and it must be a
+woman.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because of &lsquo;women and children first.&rsquo;&rdquo; He looked
+round and lowered his voice. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m carrying papers&mdash;vitally
+important papers. They may make all the difference to the Allies in the war.
+You understand? These papers have <i>got</i> to be saved! They&rsquo;ve more
+chance with you than with me. Will you take them?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl held out her hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wait&mdash;I must warn you. There may be a risk&mdash;if I&rsquo;ve been
+followed. I don&rsquo;t think I have, but one never knows. If so, there will be
+danger. Have you the nerve to go through with it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl smiled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go through with it all right. And I&rsquo;m real proud to be
+chosen! What am I to do with them afterwards?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Watch the newspapers! I&rsquo;ll advertise in the personal column of the
+<i>Times</i>, beginning &lsquo;Shipmate.&rsquo; At the end of three days if
+there&rsquo;s nothing&mdash;well, you&rsquo;ll know I&rsquo;m down and out.
+Then take the packet to the American Embassy, and deliver it into the
+Ambassador&rsquo;s own hands. Is that clear?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quite clear.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then be ready&mdash;I&rsquo;m going to say good-bye.&rdquo; He took her
+hand in his. &ldquo;Good-bye. Good luck to you,&rdquo; he said in a louder
+tone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her hand closed on the oilskin packet that had lain in his palm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The <i>Lusitania</i> settled with a more decided list to starboard. In answer
+to a quick command, the girl went forward to take her place in the boat.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap01"></a>CHAPTER I.<br/>
+THE YOUNG ADVENTURERS, LTD.</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy, old thing!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tuppence, old bean!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two young people greeted each other affectionately, and momentarily blocked
+the Dover Street Tube exit in doing so. The adjective &ldquo;old&rdquo; was
+misleading. Their united ages would certainly not have totalled forty-five.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not seen you for simply centuries,&rdquo; continued the young man.
+&ldquo;Where are you off to? Come and chew a bun with me. We&rsquo;re getting a
+bit unpopular here&mdash;blocking the gangway as it were. Let&rsquo;s get out
+of it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl assenting, they started walking down Dover Street towards Piccadilly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now then,&rdquo; said Tommy, &ldquo;where shall we go?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The very faint anxiety which underlay his tone did not escape the astute ears
+of Miss Prudence Cowley, known to her intimate friends for some mysterious
+reason as &ldquo;Tuppence.&rdquo; She pounced at once.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy, you&rsquo;re stony!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not a bit of it,&rdquo; declared Tommy unconvincingly. &ldquo;Rolling in
+cash.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You always were a shocking liar,&rdquo; said Tuppence severely,
+&ldquo;though you did once persuade Sister Greenbank that the doctor had
+ordered you beer as a tonic, but forgotten to write it on the chart. Do you
+remember?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy chuckled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I should think I did! Wasn&rsquo;t the old cat in a rage when she found
+out? Not that she was a bad sort really, old Mother Greenbank! Good old
+hospital&mdash;demobbed like everything else, I suppose?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence sighed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. You too?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Two months ago.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gratuity?&rdquo; hinted Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Spent.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Tommy!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, old thing, not in riotous dissipation. No such luck! The cost of
+living&mdash;ordinary plain, or garden living nowadays is, I assure you, if you
+do not know&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My dear child,&rdquo; interrupted Tuppence, &ldquo;there is nothing I do
+<i>not</i> know about the cost of living. Here we are at Lyons&rsquo;, and we
+will each of us pay for our own. That&rsquo;s it!&rdquo; And Tuppence led the
+way upstairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The place was full, and they wandered about looking for a table, catching odds
+and ends of conversation as they did so.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And&mdash;do you know, she sat down and <i>cried</i> when I told her she
+couldn&rsquo;t have the flat after all.&rdquo; &ldquo;It was simply a
+<i>bargain</i>, my dear! Just like the one Mabel Lewis brought from
+Paris&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Funny scraps one does overhear,&rdquo; murmured Tommy. &ldquo;I passed
+two Johnnies in the street to-day talking about some one called Jane Finn. Did
+you ever hear such a name?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But at that moment two elderly ladies rose and collected parcels, and Tuppence
+deftly ensconced herself in one of the vacant seats.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy ordered tea and buns. Tuppence ordered tea and buttered toast.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And mind the tea comes in separate teapots,&rdquo; she added severely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy sat down opposite her. His bared head revealed a shock of exquisitely
+slicked-back red hair. His face was pleasantly ugly&mdash;nondescript, yet
+unmistakably the face of a gentleman and a sportsman. His brown suit was well
+cut, but perilously near the end of its tether.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were an essentially modern-looking couple as they sat there. Tuppence had
+no claim to beauty, but there was character and charm in the elfin lines of her
+little face, with its determined chin and large, wide-apart grey eyes that
+looked mistily out from under straight, black brows. She wore a small bright
+green toque over her black bobbed hair, and her extremely short and rather
+shabby skirt revealed a pair of uncommonly dainty ankles. Her appearance
+presented a valiant attempt at smartness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The tea came at last, and Tuppence, rousing herself from a fit of meditation,
+poured it out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now then,&rdquo; said Tommy, taking a large bite of bun,
+&ldquo;let&rsquo;s get up-to-date. Remember, I haven&rsquo;t seen you since
+that time in hospital in 1916.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very well.&rdquo; Tuppence helped herself liberally to buttered toast.
+&ldquo;Abridged biography of Miss Prudence Cowley, fifth daughter of Archdeacon
+Cowley of Little Missendell, Suffolk. Miss Cowley left the delights (and
+drudgeries) of her home life early in the war and came up to London, where she
+entered an officers&rsquo; hospital. First month: Washed up six hundred and
+forty-eight plates every day. Second month: Promoted to drying aforesaid
+plates. Third month: Promoted to peeling potatoes. Fourth month: Promoted to
+cutting bread and butter. Fifth month: Promoted one floor up to duties of
+wardmaid with mop and pail. Sixth month: Promoted to waiting at table. Seventh
+month: Pleasing appearance and nice manners so striking that am promoted to
+waiting on the Sisters! Eighth month: Slight check in career. Sister Bond ate
+Sister Westhaven&rsquo;s egg! Grand row! Wardmaid clearly to blame! Inattention
+in such important matters cannot be too highly censured. Mop and pail again!
+How are the mighty fallen! Ninth month: Promoted to sweeping out wards, where I
+found a friend of my childhood in Lieutenant Thomas Beresford (bow, Tommy!),
+whom I had not seen for five long years. The meeting was affecting! Tenth
+month: Reproved by matron for visiting the pictures in company with one of the
+patients, namely: the aforementioned Lieutenant Thomas Beresford. Eleventh and
+twelfth months: Parlourmaid duties resumed with entire success. At the end of
+the year left hospital in a blaze of glory. After that, the talented Miss
+Cowley drove successively a trade delivery van, a motor-lorry and a general!
+The last was the pleasantest. He was quite a young general!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What blighter was that?&rdquo; inquired Tommy. &ldquo;Perfectly
+sickening the way those brass hats drove from the War Office to the
+<i>Savoy</i>, and from the <i>Savoy</i> to the War Office!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve forgotten his name now,&rdquo; confessed Tuppence. &ldquo;To
+resume, that was in a way the apex of my career. I next entered a Government
+office. We had several very enjoyable tea parties. I had intended to become a
+land girl, a postwoman, and a bus conductress by way of rounding off my
+career&mdash;but the Armistice intervened! I clung to the office with the true
+limpet touch for many long months, but, alas, I was combed out at last. Since
+then I&rsquo;ve been looking for a job. Now then&mdash;your turn.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s not so much promotion in mine,&rdquo; said Tommy
+regretfully, &ldquo;and a great deal less variety. I went out to France again,
+as you know. Then they sent me to Mesopotamia, and I got wounded for the second
+time, and went into hospital out there. Then I got stuck in Egypt till the
+Armistice happened, kicked my heels there some time longer, and, as I told you,
+finally got demobbed. And, for ten long, weary months I&rsquo;ve been job
+hunting! There aren&rsquo;t any jobs! And, if there were, they wouldn&rsquo;t
+give &lsquo;em to me. What good am I? What do I know about business?
+Nothing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded gloomily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about the colonies?&rdquo; she suggested.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shouldn&rsquo;t like the colonies&mdash;and I&rsquo;m perfectly
+certain they wouldn&rsquo;t like me!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Rich relations?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again Tommy shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Tommy, not even a great-aunt?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got an old uncle who&rsquo;s more or less rolling, but
+he&rsquo;s no good.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wanted to adopt me once. I refused.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think I remember hearing about it,&rdquo; said Tuppence slowly.
+&ldquo;You refused because of your mother&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy flushed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, it would have been a bit rough on the mater. As you know, I was all
+she had. Old boy hated her&mdash;wanted to get me away from her. Just a bit of
+spite.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your mother&rsquo;s dead, isn&rsquo;t she?&rdquo; said Tuppence gently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence&rsquo;s large grey eyes looked misty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re a good sort, Tommy. I always knew it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Rot!&rdquo; said Tommy hastily. &ldquo;Well, that&rsquo;s my position.
+I&rsquo;m just about desperate.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So am I! I&rsquo;ve hung out as long as I could. I&rsquo;ve touted
+round. I&rsquo;ve answered advertisements. I&rsquo;ve tried every mortal
+blessed thing. I&rsquo;ve screwed and saved and pinched! But it&rsquo;s no
+good. I shall have to go home!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you want to?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course I don&rsquo;t want to! What&rsquo;s the good of being
+sentimental? Father&rsquo;s a dear&mdash;I&rsquo;m awfully fond of
+him&mdash;but you&rsquo;ve no idea how I worry him! He has that delightful
+early Victorian view that short skirts and smoking are immoral. You can imagine
+what a thorn in the flesh I am to him! He just heaved a sigh of relief when the
+war took me off. You see, there are seven of us at home. It&rsquo;s awful! All
+housework and mothers&rsquo; meetings! I have always been the changeling. I
+don&rsquo;t want to go back, but&mdash;oh, Tommy, what else is there to
+do?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head sadly. There was a silence, and then Tuppence burst out:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Money, money, money! I think about money morning, noon and night! I dare
+say it&rsquo;s mercenary of me, but there it is!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Same here,&rdquo; agreed Tommy with feeling.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve thought over every imaginable way of getting it too,&rdquo;
+continued Tuppence. &ldquo;There are only three! To be left it, to marry it, or
+to make it. First is ruled out. I haven&rsquo;t got any rich elderly relatives.
+Any relatives I have are in homes for decayed gentlewomen! I always help old
+ladies over crossings, and pick up parcels for old gentlemen, in case they
+should turn out to be eccentric millionaires. But not one of them has ever
+asked me my name&mdash;and quite a lot never said &lsquo;Thank
+you.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a pause.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; resumed Tuppence, &ldquo;marriage is my best chance. I
+made up my mind to marry money when I was quite young. Any thinking girl would!
+I&rsquo;m not sentimental, you know.&rdquo; She paused. &ldquo;Come now, you
+can&rsquo;t say I&rsquo;m sentimental,&rdquo; she added sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly not,&rdquo; agreed Tommy hastily. &ldquo;No one would ever
+think of sentiment in connection with you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s not very polite,&rdquo; replied Tuppence. &ldquo;But I dare
+say you mean it all right. Well, there it is! I&rsquo;m ready and
+willing&mdash;but I never meet any rich men! All the boys I know are about as
+hard up as I am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about the general?&rdquo; inquired Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I fancy he keeps a bicycle shop in time of peace,&rdquo; explained
+Tuppence. &ldquo;No, there it is! Now <i>you</i> could marry a rich
+girl.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m like you. I don&rsquo;t know any.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That doesn&rsquo;t matter. You can always get to know one. Now, if I see
+a man in a fur coat come out of the <i>Ritz</i> I can&rsquo;t rush up to him
+and say: &lsquo;Look here, you&rsquo;re rich. I&rsquo;d like to know
+you.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you suggest that I should do that to a similarly garbed
+female?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be silly. You tread on her foot, or pick up her
+handkerchief, or something like that. If she thinks you want to know her
+she&rsquo;s flattered, and will manage it for you somehow.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You overrate my manly charms,&rdquo; murmured Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;On the other hand,&rdquo; proceeded Tuppence, &ldquo;my millionaire
+would probably run for his life! No&mdash;marriage is fraught with
+difficulties. Remains&mdash;to <i>make</i> money!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve tried that, and failed,&rdquo; Tommy reminded her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve tried all the orthodox ways, yes. But suppose we try the
+unorthodox. Tommy, let&rsquo;s be adventurers!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly,&rdquo; replied Tommy cheerfully. &ldquo;How do we
+begin?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the difficulty. If we could make ourselves known, people
+might hire us to commit crimes for them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Delightful,&rdquo; commented Tommy. &ldquo;Especially coming from a
+clergyman&rsquo;s daughter!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The moral guilt,&rdquo; Tuppence pointed out, &ldquo;would be
+theirs&mdash;not mine. You must admit that there&rsquo;s a difference between
+stealing a diamond necklace for yourself and being hired to steal it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There wouldn&rsquo;t be the least difference if you were caught!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps not. But I shouldn&rsquo;t be caught. I&rsquo;m so
+clever.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Modesty always was your besetting sin,&rdquo; remarked Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t rag. Look here, Tommy, shall we really? Shall we form a
+business partnership?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Form a company for the stealing of diamond necklaces?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That was only an illustration. Let&rsquo;s have a&mdash;what do you call
+it in book-keeping?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t know. Never did any.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have&mdash;but I always got mixed up, and used to put credit entries
+on the debit side, and vice versa&mdash;so they fired me out. Oh, I
+know&mdash;a joint venture! It struck me as such a romantic phrase to come
+across in the middle of musty old figures. It&rsquo;s got an Elizabethan
+flavour about it&mdash;makes one think of galleons and doubloons. A joint
+venture!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Trading under the name of the Young Adventurers, Ltd.? Is that your
+idea, Tuppence?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s all very well to laugh, but I feel there might be something
+in it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How do you propose to get in touch with your would-be employers?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Advertisement,&rdquo; replied Tuppence promptly. &ldquo;Have you got a
+bit of paper and a pencil? Men usually seem to have. Just like we have hairpins
+and powder-puffs.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy handed over a rather shabby green notebook, and Tuppence began writing
+busily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shall we begin: &lsquo;Young officer, twice wounded in the
+war&mdash;&mdash;&lsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly not.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, very well, my dear boy. But I can assure you that that sort of thing
+might touch the heart of an elderly spinster, and she might adopt you, and then
+there would be no need for you to be a young adventurer at all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to be adopted.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I forgot you had a prejudice against it. I was only ragging you! The
+papers are full up to the brim with that type of thing. Now
+listen&mdash;how&rsquo;s this? &lsquo;Two young adventurers for hire. Willing
+to do anything, go anywhere. Pay must be good.&rsquo; (We might as well make
+that clear from the start.) Then we might add: &lsquo;No reasonable offer
+refused&rsquo;&mdash;like flats and furniture.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I should think any offer we get in answer to that would be a pretty
+<i>un</i>reasonable one!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy! You&rsquo;re a genius! That&rsquo;s ever so much more chic.
+&lsquo;No unreasonable offer refused&mdash;if pay is good.&rsquo; How&rsquo;s
+that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shouldn&rsquo;t mention pay again. It looks rather eager.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It couldn&rsquo;t look as eager as I feel! But perhaps you are right.
+Now I&rsquo;ll read it straight through. &lsquo;Two young adventurers for hire.
+Willing to do anything, go anywhere. Pay must be good. No unreasonable offer
+refused.&rsquo; How would that strike you if you read it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It would strike me as either being a hoax, or else written by a
+lunatic.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not half so insane as a thing I read this morning beginning
+&lsquo;Petunia&rsquo; and signed &lsquo;Best Boy.&rsquo;&rdquo; She tore out
+the leaf and handed it to Tommy. &ldquo;There you are. <i>Times</i>, I think.
+Reply to Box so-and-so. I expect it will be about five shillings. Here&rsquo;s
+half a crown for my share.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy was holding the paper thoughtfully. His faced burned a deeper red.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shall we really try it?&rdquo; he said at last. &ldquo;Shall we,
+Tuppence? Just for the fun of the thing?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy, you&rsquo;re a sport! I knew you would be! Let&rsquo;s drink to
+success.&rdquo; She poured some cold dregs of tea into the two cups.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Here&rsquo;s to our joint venture, and may it prosper!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The Young Adventurers, Ltd.!&rdquo; responded Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They put down the cups and laughed rather uncertainly. Tuppence rose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I must return to my palatial suite at the hostel.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps it is time I strolled round to the <i>Ritz</i>,&rdquo; agreed
+Tommy with a grin. &ldquo;Where shall we meet? And when?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Twelve o&rsquo;clock to-morrow. Piccadilly Tube station. Will that suit
+you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My time is my own,&rdquo; replied Mr. Beresford magnificently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So long, then.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good-bye, old thing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two young people went off in opposite directions. Tuppence&rsquo;s hostel
+was situated in what was charitably called Southern Belgravia. For reasons of
+economy she did not take a bus.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was half-way across St. James&rsquo;s Park, when a man&rsquo;s voice behind
+her made her start.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Excuse me,&rdquo; it said. &ldquo;But may I speak to you for a
+moment?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap02"></a>CHAPTER II.<br/>
+MR. WHITTINGTON&rsquo;S OFFER</h2>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence turned sharply, but the words hovering on the tip of her tongue
+remained unspoken, for the man&rsquo;s appearance and manner did not bear out
+her first and most natural assumption. She hesitated. As if he read her
+thoughts, the man said quickly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can assure you I mean no disrespect.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence believed him. Although she disliked and distrusted him instinctively,
+she was inclined to acquit him of the particular motive which she had at first
+attributed to him. She looked him up and down. He was a big man, clean shaven,
+with a heavy jowl. His eyes were small and cunning, and shifted their glance
+under her direct gaze.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, what is it?&rdquo; she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man smiled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I happened to overhear part of your conversation with the young
+gentleman in Lyons&rsquo;.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well&mdash;what of it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing&mdash;except that I think I may be of some use to you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Another inference forced itself into Tuppence&rsquo;s mind:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You followed me here?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I took that liberty.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And in what way do you think you could be of use to me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man took a card from his pocket and handed it to her with a bow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence took it and scrutinized it carefully. It bore the inscription,
+&ldquo;Mr. Edward Whittington.&rdquo; Below the name were the words
+&ldquo;Esthonia Glassware Co.,&rdquo; and the address of a city office. Mr.
+Whittington spoke again:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If you will call upon me to-morrow morning at eleven o&rsquo;clock, I
+will lay the details of my proposition before you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At eleven o&rsquo;clock?&rdquo; said Tuppence doubtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At eleven o&rsquo;clock.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence made up her mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very well. I&rsquo;ll be there.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you. Good evening.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He raised his hat with a flourish, and walked away. Tuppence remained for some
+minutes gazing after him. Then she gave a curious movement of her shoulders,
+rather as a terrier shakes himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The adventures have begun,&rdquo; she murmured to herself. &ldquo;What
+does he want me to do, I wonder? There&rsquo;s something about you, Mr.
+Whittington, that I don&rsquo;t like at all. But, on the other hand, I&rsquo;m
+not the least bit afraid of you. And as I&rsquo;ve said before, and shall
+doubtless say again, little Tuppence can look after herself, thank you!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And with a short, sharp nod of her head she walked briskly onward. As a result
+of further meditations, however, she turned aside from the direct route and
+entered a post office. There she pondered for some moments, a telegraph form in
+her hand. The thought of a possible five shillings spent unnecessarily spurred
+her to action, and she decided to risk the waste of ninepence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Disdaining the spiky pen and thick, black treacle which a beneficent Government
+had provided, Tuppence drew out Tommy&rsquo;s pencil which she had retained and
+wrote rapidly: &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t put in advertisement. Will explain
+to-morrow.&rdquo; She addressed it to Tommy at his club, from which in one
+short month he would have to resign, unless a kindly fortune permitted him to
+renew his subscription.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It may catch him,&rdquo; she murmured. &ldquo;Anyway, it&rsquo;s worth
+trying.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After handing it over the counter she set out briskly for home, stopping at a
+baker&rsquo;s to buy three penny-worth of new buns.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Later, in her tiny cubicle at the top of the house she munched buns and
+reflected on the future. What was the Esthonia Glassware Co., and what earthly
+need could it have for her services? A pleasurable thrill of excitement made
+Tuppence tingle. At any rate, the country vicarage had retreated into the
+background again. The morrow held possibilities.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was a long time before Tuppence went to sleep that night, and, when at
+length she did, she dreamed that Mr. Whittington had set her to washing up a
+pile of Esthonia Glassware, which bore an unaccountable resemblance to hospital
+plates!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It wanted some five minutes to eleven when Tuppence reached the block of
+buildings in which the offices of the Esthonia Glassware Co. were situated. To
+arrive before the time would look over-eager. So Tuppence decided to walk to
+the end of the street and back again. She did so. On the stroke of eleven she
+plunged into the recesses of the building. The Esthonia Glassware Co. was on
+the top floor. There was a lift, but Tuppence chose to walk up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Slightly out of breath, she came to a halt outside the ground glass door with
+the legend painted across it &ldquo;Esthonia Glassware Co.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence knocked. In response to a voice from within, she turned the handle and
+walked into a small rather dirty outer office.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A middle-aged clerk got down from a high stool at a desk near the window and
+came towards her inquiringly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have an appointment with Mr. Whittington,&rdquo; said Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Will you come this way, please.&rdquo; He crossed to a partition door
+with &ldquo;Private&rdquo; on it, knocked, then opened the door and stood aside
+to let her pass in.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Whittington was seated behind a large desk covered with papers. Tuppence
+felt her previous judgment confirmed. There was something wrong about Mr.
+Whittington. The combination of his sleek prosperity and his shifty eye was not
+attractive.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked up and nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So you&rsquo;ve turned up all right? That&rsquo;s good. Sit down, will
+you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence sat down on the chair facing him. She looked particularly small and
+demure this morning. She sat there meekly with downcast eyes whilst Mr.
+Whittington sorted and rustled amongst his papers. Finally he pushed them away,
+and leaned over the desk.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now, my dear young lady, let us come to business.&rdquo; His large face
+broadened into a smile. &ldquo;You want work? Well, I have work to offer you.
+What should you say now to £100 down, and all expenses paid?&rdquo; Mr.
+Whittington leaned back in his chair, and thrust his thumbs into the arm-holes
+of his waistcoat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence eyed him warily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And the nature of the work?&rdquo; she demanded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nominal&mdash;purely nominal. A pleasant trip, that is all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where to?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Whittington smiled again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Paris.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tuppence thoughtfully. To herself she said: &ldquo;Of
+course, if father heard that he would have a fit! But somehow I don&rsquo;t see
+Mr. Whittington in the role of the gay deceiver.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; continued Whittington. &ldquo;What could be more delightful?
+To put the clock back a few years&mdash;a very few, I am sure&mdash;and
+re-enter one of those charming <i>pensionnats de jeunes filles</i> with which
+Paris abounds&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence interrupted him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A <i>pensionnat?</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Exactly. Madame Colombier&rsquo;s in the Avenue de Neuilly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence knew the name well. Nothing could have been more select. She had had
+several American friends there. She was more than ever puzzled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You want me to go to Madame Colombier&rsquo;s? For how long?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That depends. Possibly three months.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And that is all? There are no other conditions?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;None whatever. You would, of course, go in the character of my ward, and
+you would hold no communication with your friends. I should have to request
+absolute secrecy for the time being. By the way, you are English, are you
+not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yet you speak with a slight American accent?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My great pal in hospital was a little American girl. I dare say I picked
+it up from her. I can soon get out of it again.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;On the contrary, it might be simpler for you to pass as an American.
+Details about your past life in England might be more difficult to sustain.
+Yes, I think that would be decidedly better. Then&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One moment, Mr. Whittington! You seem to be taking my consent for
+granted.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington looked surprised.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Surely you are not thinking of refusing? I can assure you that Madame
+Colombier&rsquo;s is a most high-class and orthodox establishment. And the
+terms are most liberal.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Exactly,&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s just it. The terms
+are almost too liberal, Mr. Whittington. I cannot see any way in which I can be
+worth that amount of money to you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No?&rdquo; said Whittington softly. &ldquo;Well, I will tell you. I
+could doubtless obtain some one else for very much less. What I am willing to
+pay for is a young lady with sufficient intelligence and presence of mind to
+sustain her part well, and also one who will have sufficient discretion not to
+ask too many questions.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence smiled a little. She felt that Whittington had scored.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s another thing. So far there has been no mention of Mr.
+Beresford. Where does he come in?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Beresford?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My partner,&rdquo; said Tuppence with dignity. &ldquo;You saw us
+together yesterday.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, yes. But I&rsquo;m afraid we shan&rsquo;t require his
+services.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then it&rsquo;s off!&rdquo; Tuppence rose. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s both or
+neither. Sorry&mdash;but that&rsquo;s how it is. Good morning, Mr.
+Whittington.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wait a minute. Let us see if something can&rsquo;t be managed. Sit down
+again, Miss&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; He paused interrogatively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence&rsquo;s conscience gave her a passing twinge as she remembered the
+archdeacon. She seized hurriedly on the first name that came into her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Jane Finn,&rdquo; she said hastily; and then paused open-mouthed at the
+effect of those two simple words.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+All the geniality had faded out of Whittington&rsquo;s face. It was purple with
+rage, and the veins stood out on the forehead. And behind it all there lurked a
+sort of incredulous dismay. He leaned forward and hissed savagely:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So that&rsquo;s your little game, is it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence, though utterly taken aback, nevertheless kept her head. She had not
+the faintest comprehension of his meaning, but she was naturally quick-witted,
+and felt it imperative to &ldquo;keep her end up&rdquo; as she phrased it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington went on:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Been playing with me, have you, all the time, like a cat and mouse? Knew
+all the time what I wanted you for, but kept up the comedy. Is that it,
+eh?&rdquo; He was cooling down. The red colour was ebbing out of his face. He
+eyed her keenly. &ldquo;Who&rsquo;s been blabbing? Rita?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence shook her head. She was doubtful as to how long she could sustain this
+illusion, but she realized the importance of not dragging an unknown Rita into
+it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; she replied with perfect truth. &ldquo;Rita knows nothing
+about me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His eyes still bored into her like gimlets.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How much do you know?&rdquo; he shot out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very little indeed,&rdquo; answered Tuppence, and was pleased to note
+that Whittington&rsquo;s uneasiness was augmented instead of allayed. To have
+boasted that she knew a lot might have raised doubts in his mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Anyway,&rdquo; snarled Whittington, &ldquo;you knew enough to come in
+here and plump out that name.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It might be my own name,&rdquo; Tuppence pointed out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s likely, isn&rsquo;t it, then there would be two girls with a
+name like that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Or I might just have hit upon it by chance,&rdquo; continued Tuppence,
+intoxicated with the success of truthfulness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Whittington brought his fist down upon the desk with a bang.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quit fooling! How much do you know? And how much do you want?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The last five words took Tuppence&rsquo;s fancy mightily, especially after a
+meagre breakfast and a supper of buns the night before. Her present part was of
+the adventuress rather than the adventurous order, but she did not deny its
+possibilities. She sat up and smiled with the air of one who has the situation
+thoroughly well in hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My dear Mr. Whittington,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;let us by all means lay
+our cards upon the table. And pray do not be so angry. You heard me say
+yesterday that I proposed to live by my wits. It seems to me that I have now
+proved I have some wits to live by! I admit I have knowledge of a certain name,
+but perhaps my knowledge ends there.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes&mdash;and perhaps it doesn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; snarled Whittington.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You insist on misjudging me,&rdquo; said Tuppence, and sighed gently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As I said once before,&rdquo; said Whittington angrily, &ldquo;quit
+fooling, and come to the point. You can&rsquo;t play the innocent with me. You
+know a great deal more than you&rsquo;re willing to admit.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence paused a moment to admire her own ingenuity, and then said softly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shouldn&rsquo;t like to contradict you, Mr. Whittington.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So we come to the usual question&mdash;how much?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence was in a dilemma. So far she had fooled Whittington with complete
+success, but to mention a palpably impossible sum might awaken his suspicions.
+An idea flashed across her brain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Suppose we say a little something down, and a fuller discussion of the
+matter later?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington gave her an ugly glance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Blackmail, eh?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence smiled sweetly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh no! Shall we say payment of services in advance?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington grunted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You see,&rdquo; explained Tuppence still sweetly, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m so
+very fond of money!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re about the limit, that&rsquo;s what you are,&rdquo; growled
+Whittington, with a sort of unwilling admiration. &ldquo;You took me in all
+right. Thought you were quite a meek little kid with just enough brains for my
+purpose.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Life,&rdquo; moralized Tuppence, &ldquo;is full of surprises.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All the same,&rdquo; continued Whittington, &ldquo;some one&rsquo;s been
+talking. You say it isn&rsquo;t Rita. Was it&mdash;&mdash;? Oh, come in.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The clerk followed his discreet knock into the room, and laid a paper at his
+master&rsquo;s elbow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Telephone message just come for you, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington snatched it up and read it. A frown gathered on his brow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;ll do, Brown. You can go.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The clerk withdrew, closing the door behind him. Whittington turned to
+Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come to-morrow at the same time. I&rsquo;m busy now. Here&rsquo;s fifty
+to go on with.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He rapidly sorted out some notes, and pushed them across the table to Tuppence,
+then stood up, obviously impatient for her to go.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl counted the notes in a businesslike manner, secured them in her
+handbag, and rose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good morning, Mr. Whittington,&rdquo; she said politely. &ldquo;At
+least, au revoir, I should say.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Exactly. Au revoir!&rdquo; Whittington looked almost genial again, a
+reversion that aroused in Tuppence a faint misgiving. &ldquo;Au revoir, my
+clever and charming young lady.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence sped lightly down the stairs. A wild elation possessed her. A
+neighbouring clock showed the time to be five minutes to twelve.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s give Tommy a surprise!&rdquo; murmured Tuppence, and hailed
+a taxi.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The cab drew up outside the tube station. Tommy was just within the entrance.
+His eyes opened to their fullest extent as he hurried forward to assist
+Tuppence to alight. She smiled at him affectionately, and remarked in a
+slightly affected voice:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pay the thing, will you, old bean? I&rsquo;ve got nothing smaller than a
+five-pound note!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap03"></a>CHAPTER III.<br/>
+A SET BACK</h2>
+
+<p>
+The moment was not quite so triumphant as it ought to have been. To begin with,
+the resources of Tommy&rsquo;s pockets were somewhat limited. In the end the
+fare was managed, the lady recollecting a plebeian twopence, and the driver,
+still holding the varied assortment of coins in his hand, was prevailed upon to
+move on, which he did after one last hoarse demand as to what the gentleman
+thought he was giving him?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think you&rsquo;ve given him too much, Tommy,&rdquo; said Tuppence
+innocently. &ldquo;I fancy he wants to give some of it back.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was possibly this remark which induced the driver to move away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Mr. Beresford, at length able to relieve his feelings,
+&ldquo;what the&mdash;dickens, did you want to take a taxi for?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I was afraid I might be late and keep you waiting,&rdquo; said Tuppence
+gently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Afraid&mdash;you&mdash;might&mdash;be&mdash;late! Oh, Lord, I give it
+up!&rdquo; said Mr. Beresford.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And really and truly,&rdquo; continued Tuppence, opening her eyes very
+wide, &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t got anything smaller than a five-pound
+note.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You did that part of it very well, old bean, but all the same the fellow
+wasn&rsquo;t taken in&mdash;not for a moment!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Tuppence thoughtfully, &ldquo;he didn&rsquo;t believe
+it. That&rsquo;s the curious part about speaking the truth. No one does believe
+it. I found that out this morning. Now let&rsquo;s go to lunch. How about the
+<i>Savoy?</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy grinned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How about the <i>Ritz?</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;On second thoughts, I prefer the <i>Piccadilly</i>. It&rsquo;s nearer.
+We shan&rsquo;t have to take another taxi. Come along.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is this a new brand of humour? Or is your brain really unhinged?&rdquo;
+inquired Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your last supposition is the correct one. I have come into money, and
+the shock has been too much for me! For that particular form of mental trouble
+an eminent physician recommends unlimited <i>Hors d&rsquo;&oelig;uvre</i>,
+Lobster <i>à l&rsquo;américane</i>, Chicken Newberg, and Pêche Melba!
+Let&rsquo;s go and get them!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tuppence, old girl, what has really come over you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, unbelieving one!&rdquo; Tuppence wrenched open her bag. &ldquo;Look
+here, and here, and here!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Great Jehosaphat! My dear girl, don&rsquo;t wave Fishers aloft like
+that!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They&rsquo;re not Fishers. They&rsquo;re five times better than Fishers,
+and this one&rsquo;s ten times better!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy groaned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I must have been drinking unawares! Am I dreaming, Tuppence, or do I
+really behold a large quantity of five-pound notes being waved about in a
+dangerous fashion?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Even so, O King! <i>Now</i>, will you come and have lunch?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll come anywhere. But what have you been doing? Holding up a
+bank?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All in good time. What an awful place Piccadilly Circus is.
+There&rsquo;s a huge bus bearing down on us. It would be too terrible if they
+killed the five-pound notes!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Grill room?&rdquo; inquired Tommy, as they reached the opposite pavement
+in safety.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The other&rsquo;s more expensive,&rdquo; demurred Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s mere wicked wanton extravagance. Come on below.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you sure I can get all the things I want there?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That extremely unwholesome menu you were outlining just now? Of course
+you can&mdash;or as much as is good for you, anyway.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And now tell me,&rdquo; said Tommy, unable to restrain his pent-up
+curiosity any longer, as they sat in state surrounded by the many <i>hors
+d&rsquo;&oelig;uvre</i> of Tuppence&rsquo;s dreams.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Miss Cowley told him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And the curious part of it is,&rdquo; she ended, &ldquo;that I really
+did invent the name of Jane Finn! I didn&rsquo;t want to give my own because of
+poor father&mdash;in case I should get mixed up in anything shady.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps that&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; said Tommy slowly. &ldquo;But you
+didn&rsquo;t invent it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No. <i>I</i> told it to you. Don&rsquo;t you remember, I said yesterday
+I&rsquo;d overheard two people talking about a female called Jane Finn?
+That&rsquo;s what brought the name into your mind so pat.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So you did. I remember now. How extraordinary&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+Tuppence tailed off into silence. Suddenly she aroused herself.
+&ldquo;Tommy!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What were they like, the two men you passed?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy frowned in an effort at remembrance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One was a big fat sort of chap. Clean shaven, I think&mdash;and
+dark.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s him,&rdquo; cried Tuppence, in an ungrammatical squeal.
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s Whittington! What was the other man like?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t remember. I didn&rsquo;t notice him particularly. It was
+really the outlandish name that caught my attention.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And people say that coincidences don&rsquo;t happen!&rdquo; Tuppence
+tackled her Pêche Melba happily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Tommy had become serious.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Look here, Tuppence, old girl, what is this going to lead to?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;More money,&rdquo; replied his companion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know that. You&rsquo;ve only got one idea in your head. What I mean
+is, what about the next step? How are you going to keep the game up?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; Tuppence laid down her spoon. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re right,
+Tommy, it is a bit of a poser.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;After all, you know, you can&rsquo;t bluff him forever. You&rsquo;re
+sure to slip up sooner or later. And, anyway, I&rsquo;m not at all sure that it
+isn&rsquo;t actionable&mdash;blackmail, you know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nonsense. Blackmail is saying you&rsquo;ll tell unless you are given
+money. Now, there&rsquo;s nothing I could tell, because I don&rsquo;t really
+know anything.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hm,&rdquo; said Tommy doubtfully. &ldquo;Well, anyway, what <i>are</i>
+we going to do? Whittington was in a hurry to get rid of you this morning, but
+next time he&rsquo;ll want to know something more before he parts with his
+money. He&rsquo;ll want to know how much <i>you</i> know, and where you got
+your information from, and a lot of other things that you can&rsquo;t cope
+with. What are you going to do about it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence frowned severely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We must think. Order some Turkish coffee, Tommy. Stimulating to the
+brain. Oh, dear, what a lot I have eaten!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You have made rather a hog of yourself! So have I for that matter, but I
+flatter myself that my choice of dishes was more judicious than yours. Two
+coffees.&rdquo; (This was to the waiter.) &ldquo;One Turkish, one
+French.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence sipped her coffee with a deeply reflective air, and snubbed Tommy when
+he spoke to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Be quiet. I&rsquo;m thinking.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shades of Pelmanism!&rdquo; said Tommy, and relapsed into silence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There!&rdquo; said Tuppence at last. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got a plan.
+Obviously what we&rsquo;ve got to do is to find out more about it all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy applauded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t jeer. We can only find out through Whittington. We must
+discover where he lives, what he does&mdash;sleuth him, in fact! Now I
+can&rsquo;t do it, because he knows me, but he only saw you for a minute or two
+in Lyons&rsquo;. He&rsquo;s not likely to recognize you. After all, one young
+man is much like another.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I repudiate that remark utterly. I&rsquo;m sure my pleasing features and
+distinguished appearance would single me out from any crowd.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My plan is this,&rdquo; Tuppence went on calmly, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll go
+alone to-morrow. I&rsquo;ll put him off again like I did to-day. It
+doesn&rsquo;t matter if I don&rsquo;t get any more money at once. Fifty pounds
+ought to last us a few days.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Or even longer!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;ll hang about outside. When I come out I shan&rsquo;t speak to
+you in case he&rsquo;s watching. But I&rsquo;ll take up my stand somewhere
+near, and when he comes out of the building I&rsquo;ll drop a handkerchief or
+something, and off you go!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Off I go where?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Follow him, of course, silly! What do you think of the idea?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sort of thing one reads about in books. I somehow feel that in real life
+one will feel a bit of an ass standing in the street for hours with nothing to
+do. People will wonder what I&rsquo;m up to.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not in the city. Every one&rsquo;s in such a hurry. Probably no one will
+even notice you at all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the second time you&rsquo;ve made that sort of remark.
+Never mind, I forgive you. Anyway, it will be rather a lark. What are you doing
+this afternoon?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tuppence meditatively. &ldquo;I <i>had</i> thought of
+hats! Or perhaps silk stockings! Or perhaps&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hold hard,&rdquo; admonished Tommy. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a limit to
+fifty pounds! But let&rsquo;s do dinner and a show to-night at all
+events.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Rather.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The day passed pleasantly. The evening even more so. Two of the five-pound
+notes were now irretrievably dead.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They met by arrangement the following morning and proceeded citywards. Tommy
+remained on the opposite side of the road while Tuppence plunged into the
+building.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy strolled slowly down to the end of the street, then back again. Just as
+he came abreast of the building, Tuppence darted across the road.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. What&rsquo;s up?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The place is shut. I can&rsquo;t make anyone hear.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s odd.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t it? Come up with me, and let&rsquo;s try again.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy followed her. As they passed the third floor landing a young clerk came
+out of an office. He hesitated a moment, then addressed himself to Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Were you wanting the Esthonia Glassware?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, please.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s closed down. Since yesterday afternoon. Company being wound
+up, they say. Not that I&rsquo;ve ever heard of it myself. But anyway the
+office is to let.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Th&mdash;thank you,&rdquo; faltered Tuppence. &ldquo;I suppose you
+don&rsquo;t know Mr. Whittington&rsquo;s address?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Afraid I don&rsquo;t. They left rather suddenly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you very much,&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;Come on, Tuppence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They descended to the street again where they gazed at one another blankly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s torn it,&rdquo; said Tommy at length.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And I never suspected it,&rdquo; wailed Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Cheer up, old thing, it can&rsquo;t be helped.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t it, though!&rdquo; Tuppence&rsquo;s little chin shot out
+defiantly. &ldquo;Do you think this is the end? If so, you&rsquo;re wrong.
+It&rsquo;s just the beginning!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The beginning of what?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of our adventure! Tommy, don&rsquo;t you see, if they are scared enough
+to run away like this, it shows that there must be a lot in this Jane Finn
+business! Well, we&rsquo;ll get to the bottom of it. We&rsquo;ll run them down!
+We&rsquo;ll be sleuths in earnest!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, but there&rsquo;s no one left to sleuth.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, that&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;ll have to start all over again. Lend me
+that bit of pencil. Thanks. Wait a minute&mdash;don&rsquo;t interrupt.
+There!&rdquo; Tuppence handed back the pencil, and surveyed the piece of paper
+on which she had written with a satisfied eye:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&rsquo;s that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Advertisement.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re not going to put that thing in after all?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, it&rsquo;s a different one.&rdquo; She handed him the slip of paper.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy read the words on it aloud:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;WANTED, any information respecting Jane Finn. Apply Y. A.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap04"></a>CHAPTER IV.<br/>
+WHO IS JANE FINN?</h2>
+
+<p>
+The next day passed slowly. It was necessary to curtail expenditure. Carefully
+husbanded, forty pounds will last a long time. Luckily the weather was fine,
+and &ldquo;walking is cheap,&rdquo; dictated Tuppence. An outlying picture
+house provided them with recreation for the evening.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The day of disillusionment had been a Wednesday. On Thursday the advertisement
+had duly appeared. On Friday letters might be expected to arrive at
+Tommy&rsquo;s rooms.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had been bound by an honourable promise not to open any such letters if they
+did arrive, but to repair to the National Gallery, where his colleague would
+meet him at ten o&rsquo;clock.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence was first at the rendezvous. She ensconced herself on a red velvet
+seat, and gazed at the Turners with unseeing eyes until she saw the familiar
+figure enter the room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; returned Mr. Beresford provokingly. &ldquo;Which is your
+favourite picture?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be a wretch. Aren&rsquo;t there <i>any</i> answers?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head with a deep and somewhat overacted melancholy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t want to disappoint you, old thing, by telling you right
+off. It&rsquo;s too bad. Good money wasted.&rdquo; He sighed. &ldquo;Still,
+there it is. The advertisement has appeared, and&mdash;there are only two
+answers!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy, you devil!&rdquo; almost screamed Tuppence. &ldquo;Give them to
+me. How could you be so mean!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your language, Tuppence, your language! They&rsquo;re very particular at
+the National Gallery. Government show, you know. And do remember, as I have
+pointed out to you before, that as a clergyman&rsquo;s
+daughter&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I ought to be on the stage!&rdquo; finished Tuppence with a snap.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is not what I intended to say. But if you are sure that you have
+enjoyed to the full the reaction of joy after despair with which I have kindly
+provided you free of charge, let us get down to our mail, as the saying
+goes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence snatched the two precious envelopes from him unceremoniously, and
+scrutinized them carefully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thick paper, this one. It looks rich. We&rsquo;ll keep it to the last
+and open the other first.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Right you are. One, two, three, go!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence&rsquo;s little thumb ripped open the envelope, and she extracted the
+contents.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;DEAR SIR,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Referring to your advertisement in this morning&rsquo;s paper, I may be
+able to be of some use to you. Perhaps you could call and see me at the above
+address at eleven o&rsquo;clock to-morrow morning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yours truly,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A. CARTER.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;27 Carshalton Gardens,&rdquo; said Tuppence, referring to the address.
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s Gloucester Road way. Plenty of time to get there if we
+tube.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The following,&rdquo; said Tommy, &ldquo;is the plan of campaign. It is
+my turn to assume the offensive. Ushered into the presence of Mr. Carter, he
+and I wish each other good morning as is customary. He then says: &lsquo;Please
+take a seat, Mr.&mdash;er?&rsquo; To which I reply promptly and significantly:
+&lsquo;Edward Whittington!&rsquo; whereupon Mr. Carter turns purple in the face
+and gasps out: &lsquo;How much?&rsquo; Pocketing the usual fee of fifty pounds,
+I rejoin you in the road outside, and we proceed to the next address and repeat
+the performance.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be absurd, Tommy. Now for the other letter. Oh, this is from
+the <i>Ritz!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A hundred pounds instead of fifty!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll read it:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;DEAR SIR,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Re your advertisement, I should be glad if you would call round
+somewhere about lunch-time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yours truly,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ha!&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;Do I smell a Boche? Or only an American
+millionaire of unfortunate ancestry? At all events we&rsquo;ll call at
+lunch-time. It&rsquo;s a good time&mdash;frequently leads to free food for
+two.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded assent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now for Carter. We&rsquo;ll have to hurry.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Carshalton Terrace proved to be an unimpeachable row of what Tuppence called
+&ldquo;ladylike looking houses.&rdquo; They rang the bell at No. 27, and a neat
+maid answered the door. She looked so respectable that Tuppence&rsquo;s heart
+sank. Upon Tommy&rsquo;s request for Mr. Carter, she showed them into a small
+study on the ground floor where she left them. Hardly a minute elapsed,
+however, before the door opened, and a tall man with a lean hawklike face and a
+tired manner entered the room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Y. A.?&rdquo; he said, and smiled. His smile was distinctly
+attractive. &ldquo;Do sit down, both of you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They obeyed. He himself took a chair opposite to Tuppence and smiled at her
+encouragingly. There was something in the quality of his smile that made the
+girl&rsquo;s usual readiness desert her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As he did not seem inclined to open the conversation, Tuppence was forced to
+begin.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We wanted to know&mdash;that is, would you be so kind as to tell us
+anything you know about Jane Finn?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Jane Finn? Ah!&rdquo; Mr. Carter appeared to reflect. &ldquo;Well, the
+question is, what do <i>you</i> know about her?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence drew herself up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see that that&rsquo;s got anything to do with it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No? But it has, you know, really it has.&rdquo; He smiled again in his
+tired way, and continued reflectively. &ldquo;So that brings us down to it
+again. What do <i>you</i> know about Jane Finn?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come now,&rdquo; he continued, as Tuppence remained silent. &ldquo;You
+must know <i>something</i> to have advertised as you did?&rdquo; He leaned
+forward a little, his weary voice held a hint of persuasiveness. &ldquo;Suppose
+you tell me....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was something very magnetic about Mr. Carter&rsquo;s personality.
+Tuppence seemed to shake herself free of it with an effort, as she said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We couldn&rsquo;t do that, could we, Tommy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But to her surprise, her companion did not back her up. His eyes were fixed on
+Mr. Carter, and his tone when he spoke held an unusual note of deference.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I dare say the little we know won&rsquo;t be any good to you, sir. But
+such as it is, you&rsquo;re welcome to it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy!&rdquo; cried out Tuppence in surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter slewed round in his chair. His eyes asked a question.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir, I recognized you at once. Saw you in France when I was with
+the Intelligence. As soon as you came into the room, I
+knew&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter held up his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No names, please. I&rsquo;m known as Mr. Carter here. It&rsquo;s my
+cousin&rsquo;s house, by the way. She&rsquo;s willing to lend it to me
+sometimes when it&rsquo;s a case of working on strictly unofficial lines. Well,
+now&rdquo;&mdash;he looked from one to the other&mdash;&ldquo;who&rsquo;s going
+to tell me the story?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Fire ahead, Tuppence,&rdquo; directed Tommy. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s your
+yarn.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, little lady, out with it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And obediently Tuppence did out with it, telling the whole story from the
+forming of the Young Adventurers, Ltd., downwards.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter listened in silence with a resumption of his tired manner. Now and
+then he passed his hand across his lips as though to hide a smile. When she had
+finished he nodded gravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not much. But suggestive. Quite suggestive. If you&rsquo;ll excuse my
+saying so, you&rsquo;re a curious young couple. I don&rsquo;t know&mdash;you
+might succeed where others have failed ... I believe in luck, you
+know&mdash;always have....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He paused a moment, and then went on.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, how about it? You&rsquo;re out for adventure. How would you like
+to work for me? All quite unofficial, you know. Expenses paid, and a moderate
+screw?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence gazed at him, her lips parted, her eyes growing wider and wider.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What should we have to do?&rdquo; she breathed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter smiled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just go on with what you&rsquo;re doing now. <i>Find Jane
+Finn</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, but&mdash;who <i>is</i> Jane Finn?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter nodded gravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, you&rsquo;re entitled to know that, I think.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, brought the tips of his fingers
+together, and began in a low monotone:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Secret diplomacy (which, by the way, is nearly always bad policy!) does
+not concern you. It will be sufficient to say that in the early days of 1915 a
+certain document came into being. It was the draft of a secret
+agreement&mdash;treaty&mdash;call it what you like. It was drawn up ready for
+signature by the various representatives, and drawn up in America&mdash;at that
+time a neutral country. It was dispatched to England by a special messenger
+selected for that purpose, a young fellow called Danvers. It was hoped that the
+whole affair had been kept so secret that nothing would have leaked out. That
+kind of hope is usually disappointed. Somebody always talks!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Danvers sailed for England on the <i>Lusitania</i>. He carried the
+precious papers in an oilskin packet which he wore next his skin. It was on
+that particular voyage that the <i>Lusitania</i> was torpedoed and sunk.
+Danvers was among the list of those missing. Eventually his body was washed
+ashore, and identified beyond any possible doubt. But the oilskin packet was
+missing!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The question was, had it been taken from him, or had he himself passed
+it on into another&rsquo;s keeping? There were a few incidents that
+strengthened the possibility of the latter theory. After the torpedo struck the
+ship, in the few moments during the launching of the boats, Danvers was seen
+speaking to a young American girl. No one actually saw him pass anything to
+her, but he might have done so. It seems to me quite likely that he entrusted
+the papers to this girl, believing that she, as a woman, had a greater chance
+of bringing them safely to shore.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But if so, where was the girl, and what had she done with the papers? By
+later advice from America it seemed likely that Danvers had been closely
+shadowed on the way over. Was this girl in league with his enemies? Or had she,
+in her turn, been shadowed and either tricked or forced into handing over the
+precious packet?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We set to work to trace her out. It proved unexpectedly difficult. Her
+name was Jane Finn, and it duly appeared among the list of the survivors, but
+the girl herself seemed to have vanished completely. Inquiries into her
+antecedents did little to help us. She was an orphan, and had been what we
+should call over here a pupil teacher in a small school out West. Her passport
+had been made out for Paris, where she was going to join the staff of a
+hospital. She had offered her services voluntarily, and after some
+correspondence they had been accepted. Having seen her name in the list of the
+saved from the <i>Lusitania</i>, the staff of the hospital were naturally very
+surprised at her not arriving to take up her billet, and at not hearing from
+her in any way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, every effort was made to trace the young lady&mdash;but all in
+vain. We tracked her across Ireland, but nothing could be heard of her after
+she set foot in England. No use was made of the draft treaty&mdash;as might
+very easily have been done&mdash;and we therefore came to the conclusion that
+Danvers had, after all, destroyed it. The war entered on another phase, the
+diplomatic aspect changed accordingly, and the treaty was never redrafted.
+Rumours as to its existence were emphatically denied. The disappearance of Jane
+Finn was forgotten and the whole affair was lost in oblivion.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter paused, and Tuppence broke in impatiently:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But why has it all cropped up again? The war&rsquo;s over.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A hint of alertness came into Mr. Carter&rsquo;s manner.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because it seems that the papers were not destroyed after all, and that
+they might be resurrected to-day with a new and deadly significance.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence stared. Mr. Carter nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, five years ago, that draft treaty was a weapon in our hands; to-day
+it is a weapon against us. It was a gigantic blunder. If its terms were made
+public, it would mean disaster.... It might possibly bring about another
+war&mdash;not with Germany this time! That is an extreme possibility, and I do
+not believe in its likelihood myself, but that document undoubtedly implicates
+a number of our statesmen whom we cannot afford to have discredited in any way
+at the present moment. As a party cry for Labour it would be irresistible, and
+a Labour Government at this juncture would, in my opinion, be a grave
+disability for British trade, but that is a mere nothing to the <i>real</i>
+danger.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He paused, and then said quietly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You may perhaps have heard or read that there is Bolshevist influence at
+work behind the present Labour unrest?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is the truth. Bolshevist gold is pouring into this country for the
+specific purpose of procuring a Revolution. And there is a certain man, a man
+whose real name is unknown to us, who is working in the dark for his own ends.
+The Bolshevists are behind the Labour unrest&mdash;but this man is <i>behind
+the Bolshevists</i>. Who is he? We do not know. He is always spoken of by the
+unassuming title of &lsquo;Mr. Brown.&rsquo; But one thing is certain, he is
+the master criminal of this age. He controls a marvellous organization. Most of
+the Peace propaganda during the war was originated and financed by him. His
+spies are everywhere.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A naturalized German?&rdquo; asked Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;On the contrary, I have every reason to believe he is an Englishman. He
+was pro-German, as he would have been pro-Boer. What he seeks to attain we do
+not know&mdash;probably supreme power for himself, of a kind unique in history.
+We have no clue as to his real personality. It is reported that even his own
+followers are ignorant of it. Where we have come across his tracks, he has
+always played a secondary part. Somebody else assumes the chief rôle. But
+afterwards we always find that there has been some nonentity, a servant or a
+clerk, who has remained in the background unnoticed, and that the elusive Mr.
+Brown has escaped us once more.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; Tuppence jumped. &ldquo;I wonder&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I remember in Mr. Whittington&rsquo;s office. The clerk&mdash;he called
+him Brown. You don&rsquo;t think&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Carter nodded thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very likely. A curious point is that the name is usually mentioned. An
+idiosyncrasy of genius. Can you describe him at all?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I really didn&rsquo;t notice. He was quite ordinary&mdash;just like
+anyone else.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter sighed in his tired manner.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is the invariable description of Mr. Brown! Brought a telephone
+message to the man Whittington, did he? Notice a telephone in the outer
+office?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence thought.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, I don&rsquo;t think I did.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Exactly. That &lsquo;message&rsquo; was Mr. Brown&rsquo;s way of giving
+an order to his subordinate. He overheard the whole conversation of course. Was
+it after that that Whittington handed you over the money, and told you to come
+the following day?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, undoubtedly the hand of Mr. Brown!&rdquo; Mr. Carter paused.
+&ldquo;Well, there it is, you see what you are pitting yourselves against?
+Possibly the finest criminal brain of the age. I don&rsquo;t quite like it, you
+know. You&rsquo;re such young things, both of you. I shouldn&rsquo;t like
+anything to happen to you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It won&rsquo;t,&rdquo; Tuppence assured him positively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll look after her, sir,&rdquo; said Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And <i>I</i>&rsquo;ll look after <i>you</i>,&rdquo; retorted Tuppence,
+resenting the manly assertion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, then, look after each other,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter, smiling.
+&ldquo;Now let&rsquo;s get back to business. There&rsquo;s something mysterious
+about this draft treaty that we haven&rsquo;t fathomed yet. We&rsquo;ve been
+threatened with it&mdash;in plain and unmistakable terms. The Revolutionary
+element as good as declare that it&rsquo;s in their hands, and that they intend
+to produce it at a given moment. On the other hand, they are clearly at fault
+about many of its provisions. The Government consider it as mere bluff on their
+part, and, rightly or wrongly, have stuck to the policy of absolute denial.
+I&rsquo;m not so sure. There have been hints, indiscreet allusions, that seem
+to indicate that the menace is a real one. The position is much as though they
+had got hold of an incriminating document, but couldn&rsquo;t read it because
+it was in cipher&mdash;but we know that the draft treaty wasn&rsquo;t in
+cipher&mdash;couldn&rsquo;t be in the nature of things&mdash;so that
+won&rsquo;t wash. But there&rsquo;s <i>something</i>. Of course, Jane Finn may
+be dead for all we know&mdash;but I don&rsquo;t think so. The curious thing is
+that <i>they&rsquo;re trying to get information about the girl from
+us</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. One or two little things have cropped up. And your story, little
+lady, confirms my idea. They know we&rsquo;re looking for Jane Finn. Well,
+they&rsquo;ll produce a Jane Finn of their own&mdash;say at a <i>pensionnat</i>
+in Paris.&rdquo; Tuppence gasped, and Mr. Carter smiled. &ldquo;No one knows in
+the least what she looks like, so that&rsquo;s all right. She&rsquo;s primed
+with a trumped-up tale, and her real business is to get as much information as
+possible out of us. See the idea?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then you think&rdquo;&mdash;Tuppence paused to grasp the supposition
+fully&mdash;&ldquo;that it <i>was</i> as Jane Finn that they wanted me to go to
+Paris?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter smiled more wearily than ever.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I believe in coincidences, you know,&rdquo; he said.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap05"></a>CHAPTER V.<br/>
+MR. JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tuppence, recovering herself, &ldquo;it really seems
+as though it were meant to be.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Carter nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know what you mean. I&rsquo;m superstitious myself. Luck, and all that
+sort of thing. Fate seems to have chosen you out to be mixed up in this.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy indulged in a chuckle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My word! I don&rsquo;t wonder Whittington got the wind up when Tuppence
+plumped out that name! I should have myself. But look here, sir, we&rsquo;re
+taking up an awful lot of your time. Have you any tips to give us before we
+clear out?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think not. My experts, working in stereotyped ways, have failed. You
+will bring imagination and an open mind to the task. Don&rsquo;t be discouraged
+if that too does not succeed. For one thing there is a likelihood of the pace
+being forced.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence frowned uncomprehendingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When you had that interview with Whittington, they had time before them.
+I have information that the big <i>coup</i> was planned for early in the new
+year. But the Government is contemplating legislative action which will deal
+effectually with the strike menace. They&rsquo;ll get wind of it soon, if they
+haven&rsquo;t already, and it&rsquo;s possible that that may bring things to a
+head. I hope it will myself. The less time they have to mature their plans the
+better. I&rsquo;m just warning you that you haven&rsquo;t much time before you,
+and that you needn&rsquo;t be cast down if you fail. It&rsquo;s not an easy
+proposition anyway. That&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence rose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think we ought to be businesslike. What exactly can we count upon you
+for, Mr. Carter?&rdquo; Mr. Carter&rsquo;s lips twitched slightly, but he
+replied succinctly: &ldquo;Funds within reason, detailed information on any
+point, and <i>no official recognition</i>. I mean that if you get yourselves
+into trouble with the police, I can&rsquo;t officially help you out of it.
+You&rsquo;re on your own.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded sagely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I quite understand that. I&rsquo;ll write out a list of the things I
+want to know when I&rsquo;ve had time to think. Now&mdash;about
+money&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, Miss Tuppence. Do you want to say how much?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not exactly. We&rsquo;ve got plenty to go with for the present, but when
+we want more&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It will be waiting for you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, but&mdash;I&rsquo;m sure I don&rsquo;t want to be rude about the
+Government if you&rsquo;ve got anything to do with it, but you know one really
+has the devil of a time getting anything out of it! And if we have to fill up a
+blue form and send it in, and then, after three months, they send us a green
+one, and so on&mdash;well, that won&rsquo;t be much use, will it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter laughed outright.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t worry, Miss Tuppence. You will send a personal demand to me
+here, and the money, in notes, shall be sent by return of post. As to salary,
+shall we say at the rate of three hundred a year? And an equal sum for Mr.
+Beresford, of course.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence beamed upon him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How lovely. You are kind. I do love money! I&rsquo;ll keep beautiful
+accounts of our expenses all debit and credit, and the balance on the right
+side, and red line drawn sideways with the totals the same at the bottom. I
+really know how to do it when I think.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure you do. Well, good-bye, and good luck to you both.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He shook hands with them, and in another minute they were descending the steps
+of 27 Carshalton Terrace with their heads in a whirl.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy! Tell me at once, who is &lsquo;Mr. Carter&rsquo;?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy murmured a name in her ear.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tuppence, impressed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And I can tell you, old bean, he&rsquo;s IT!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tuppence again. Then she added reflectively,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I like him, don&rsquo;t you? He looks so awfully tired and bored, and
+yet you feel that underneath he&rsquo;s just like steel, all keen and flashing.
+Oh!&rdquo; She gave a skip. &ldquo;Pinch me, Tommy, do pinch me. I can&rsquo;t
+believe it&rsquo;s real!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Beresford obliged.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ow! That&rsquo;s enough! Yes, we&rsquo;re not dreaming. We&rsquo;ve got
+a job!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And what a job! The joint venture has really begun.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s more respectable than I thought it would be,&rdquo; said
+Tuppence thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Luckily I haven&rsquo;t got your craving for crime! What time is it?
+Let&rsquo;s have lunch&mdash;oh!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The same thought sprang to the minds of each. Tommy voiced it first.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Julius P. Hersheimmer!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We never told Mr. Carter about hearing from him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, there wasn&rsquo;t much to tell&mdash;not till we&rsquo;ve seen
+him. Come on, we&rsquo;d better take a taxi.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now who&rsquo;s being extravagant?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All expenses paid, remember. Hop in.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At any rate, we shall make a better effect arriving this way,&rdquo;
+said Tuppence, leaning back luxuriously. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure blackmailers
+never arrive in buses!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve ceased being blackmailers,&rdquo; Tommy pointed out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not sure I have,&rdquo; said Tuppence darkly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On inquiring for Mr. Hersheimmer, they were at once taken up to his suite. An
+impatient voice cried &ldquo;Come in&rdquo; in answer to the page-boy&rsquo;s
+knock, and the lad stood aside to let them pass in.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer was a great deal younger than either Tommy or
+Tuppence had pictured him. The girl put him down as thirty-five. He was of
+middle height, and squarely built to match his jaw. His face was pugnacious but
+pleasant. No one could have mistaken him for anything but an American, though
+he spoke with very little accent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get my note? Sit down and tell me right away all you know about my
+cousin.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your cousin?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing. Jane Finn.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is she your cousin?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My father and her mother were brother and sister,&rdquo; explained Mr.
+Hersheimmer meticulously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; cried Tuppence. &ldquo;Then you know where she is?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No!&rdquo; Mr. Hersheimmer brought down his fist with a bang on the
+table. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m darned if I do! Don&rsquo;t you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We advertised to receive information, not to give it,&rdquo; said
+Tuppence severely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess I know that. I can read. But I thought maybe it was her back
+history you were after, and that you&rsquo;d know where she was now?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, we wouldn&rsquo;t mind hearing her back history,&rdquo; said
+Tuppence guardedly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Mr. Hersheimmer seemed to grow suddenly suspicious.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;See here,&rdquo; he declared. &ldquo;This isn&rsquo;t Sicily! No
+demanding ransom or threatening to crop her ears if I refuse. These are the
+British Isles, so quit the funny business, or I&rsquo;ll just sing out for that
+beautiful big British policeman I see out there in Piccadilly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy hastened to explain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We haven&rsquo;t kidnapped your cousin. On the contrary, we&rsquo;re
+trying to find her. We&rsquo;re employed to do so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Hersheimmer leant back in his chair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Put me wise,&rdquo; he said succinctly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy fell in with this demand in so far as he gave him a guarded version of
+the disappearance of Jane Finn, and of the possibility of her having been mixed
+up unawares in &ldquo;some political show.&rdquo; He alluded to Tuppence and
+himself as &ldquo;private inquiry agents&rdquo; commissioned to find her, and
+added that they would therefore be glad of any details Mr. Hersheimmer could
+give them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That gentleman nodded approval.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess that&rsquo;s all right. I was just a mite hasty. But London gets
+my goat! I only know little old New York. Just trot out your questions and
+I&rsquo;ll answer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For the moment this paralysed the Young Adventurers, but Tuppence, recovering
+herself, plunged boldly into the breach with a reminiscence culled from
+detective fiction.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When did you last see the dece&mdash;your cousin, I mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never seen her,&rdquo; responded Mr. Hersheimmer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo; demanded Tommy, astonished.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Hersheimmer turned to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, sir. As I said before, my father and her mother were brother and
+sister, just as you might be&rdquo;&mdash;Tommy did not correct this view of
+their relationship&mdash;&ldquo;but they didn&rsquo;t always get on together.
+And when my aunt made up her mind to marry Amos Finn, who was a poor school
+teacher out West, my father was just mad! Said if he made his pile, as he
+seemed in a fair way to do, she&rsquo;d never see a cent of it. Well, the
+upshot was that Aunt Jane went out West and we never heard from her again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The old man <i>did</i> pile it up. He went into oil, and he went into
+steel, and he played a bit with railroads, and I can tell you he made Wall
+Street sit up!&rdquo; He paused. &ldquo;Then he died&mdash;last fall&mdash;and
+I got the dollars. Well, would you believe it, my conscience got busy! Kept
+knocking me up and saying: What about your Aunt Jane, way out West? It worried
+me some. You see, I figured it out that Amos Finn would never make good. He
+wasn&rsquo;t the sort. End of it was, I hired a man to hunt her down. Result,
+she was dead, and Amos Finn was dead, but they&rsquo;d left a
+daughter&mdash;Jane&mdash;who&rsquo;d been torpedoed in the <i>Lusitania</i> on
+her way to Paris. She was saved all right, but they didn&rsquo;t seem able to
+hear of her over this side. I guessed they weren&rsquo;t hustling any, so I
+thought I&rsquo;d come along over, and speed things up. I phoned Scotland Yard
+and the Admiralty first thing. The Admiralty rather choked me off, but Scotland
+Yard were very civil&mdash;said they would make inquiries, even sent a man
+round this morning to get her photograph. I&rsquo;m off to Paris to-morrow,
+just to see what the Prefecture is doing. I guess if I go to and fro hustling
+them, they ought to get busy!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The energy of Mr. Hersheimmer was tremendous. They bowed before it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But say now,&rdquo; he ended, &ldquo;you&rsquo;re not after her for
+anything? Contempt of court, or something British? A proud-spirited young
+American girl might find your rules and regulations in war time rather irksome,
+and get up against it. If that&rsquo;s the case, and there&rsquo;s such a thing
+as graft in this country, I&rsquo;ll buy her off.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence reassured him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s good. Then we can work together. What about some lunch?
+Shall we have it up here, or go down to the restaurant?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence expressed a preference for the latter, and Julius bowed to her
+decision.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Oysters had just given place to Sole Colbert when a card was brought to
+Hersheimmer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Inspector Japp, C.I.D. Scotland Yard again. Another man this time. What
+does he expect I can tell him that I didn&rsquo;t tell the first chap? I hope
+they haven&rsquo;t lost that photograph. That Western photographer&rsquo;s
+place was burned down and all his negatives destroyed&mdash;this is the only
+copy in existence. I got it from the principal of the college there.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+An unformulated dread swept over Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&mdash;you don&rsquo;t know the name of the man who came this
+morning?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I do. No, I don&rsquo;t. Half a second. It was on his card. Oh, I
+know! Inspector Brown. Quiet, unassuming sort of chap.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap06"></a>CHAPTER VI.<br/>
+A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN</h2>
+
+<p>
+A veil might with profit be drawn over the events of the next half-hour.
+Suffice it to say that no such person as &ldquo;Inspector Brown&rdquo; was
+known to Scotland Yard. The photograph of Jane Finn, which would have been of
+the utmost value to the police in tracing her, was lost beyond recovery. Once
+again &ldquo;Mr. Brown&rdquo; had triumphed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The immediate result of this set-back was to effect a <i>rapprochement</i>
+between Julius Hersheimmer and the Young Adventurers. All barriers went down
+with a crash, and Tommy and Tuppence felt they had known the young American all
+their lives. They abandoned the discreet reticence of &ldquo;private inquiry
+agents,&rdquo; and revealed to him the whole history of the joint venture,
+whereat the young man declared himself &ldquo;tickled to death.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He turned to Tuppence at the close of the narration.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always had a kind of idea that English girls were just a mite
+moss-grown. Old-fashioned and sweet, you know, but scared to move round without
+a footman or a maiden aunt. I guess I&rsquo;m a bit behind the times!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The upshot of these confidential relations was that Tommy and Tuppence took up
+their abode forthwith at the <i>Ritz</i>, in order, as Tuppence put it, to keep
+in touch with Jane Finn&rsquo;s only living relation. &ldquo;And put like
+that,&rdquo; she added confidentially to Tommy, &ldquo;nobody could boggle at
+the expense!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nobody did, which was the great thing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And now,&rdquo; said the young lady on the morning after their
+installation, &ldquo;to work!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Beresford put down the <i>Daily Mail</i>, which he was reading, and
+applauded with somewhat unnecessary vigour. He was politely requested by his
+colleague not to be an ass.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dash it all, Tommy, we&rsquo;ve got to <i>do</i> something for our
+money.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy sighed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I fear even the dear old Government will not support us at the
+<i>Ritz</i> in idleness for ever.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Therefore, as I said before, we must <i>do</i> something.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tommy, picking up the <i>Daily Mail</i> again,
+&ldquo;<i>do</i> it. I shan&rsquo;t stop you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You see,&rdquo; continued Tuppence. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been
+thinking&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She was interrupted by a fresh bout of applause.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s all very well for you to sit there being funny, Tommy. It
+would do you no harm to do a little brain work too.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My union, Tuppence, my union! It does not permit me to work before 11
+a.m.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy, do you want something thrown at you? It is absolutely essential
+that we should without delay map out a plan of campaign.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hear, hear!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, let&rsquo;s do it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy laid his paper finally aside. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s something of the
+simplicity of the truly great mind about you, Tuppence. Fire ahead. I&rsquo;m
+listening.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To begin with,&rdquo; said Tuppence, &ldquo;what have we to go
+upon?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Absolutely nothing,&rdquo; said Tommy cheerily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wrong!&rdquo; Tuppence wagged an energetic finger. &ldquo;We have two
+distinct clues.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What are they?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;First clue, we know one of the gang.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Whittington?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. I&rsquo;d recognize him anywhere.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hum,&rdquo; said Tommy doubtfully, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t call that much
+of a clue. You don&rsquo;t know where to look for him, and it&rsquo;s about a
+thousand to one against your running against him by accident.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not so sure about that,&rdquo; replied Tuppence thoughtfully.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve often noticed that once coincidences start happening they go
+on happening in the most extraordinary way. I dare say it&rsquo;s some natural
+law that we haven&rsquo;t found out. Still, as you say, we can&rsquo;t rely on
+that. But there <i>are</i> places in London where simply every one is bound to
+turn up sooner or later. Piccadilly Circus, for instance. One of my ideas was
+to take up my stand there every day with a tray of flags.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about meals?&rdquo; inquired the practical Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How like a man! What does mere food matter?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all very well. You&rsquo;ve just had a thundering good
+breakfast. No one&rsquo;s got a better appetite than you have, Tuppence, and by
+tea-time you&rsquo;d be eating the flags, pins and all. But, honestly, I
+don&rsquo;t think much of the idea. Whittington mayn&rsquo;t be in London at
+all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s true. Anyway, I think clue No. 2 is more promising.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s hear it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s nothing much. Only a Christian name&mdash;Rita. Whittington
+mentioned it that day.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you proposing a third advertisement: Wanted, female crook, answering
+to the name of Rita?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am not. I propose to reason in a logical manner. That man, Danvers,
+was shadowed on the way over, wasn&rsquo;t he? And it&rsquo;s more likely to
+have been a woman than a man&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see that at all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am absolutely certain that it would be a woman, and a good-looking
+one,&rdquo; replied Tuppence calmly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;On these technical points I bow to your decision,&rdquo; murmured Mr.
+Beresford.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now, obviously this woman, whoever she was, was saved.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How do you make that out?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If she wasn&rsquo;t, how would they have known Jane Finn had got the
+papers?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Correct. Proceed, O Sherlock!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now there&rsquo;s just a chance, I admit it&rsquo;s only a chance, that
+this woman may have been &lsquo;Rita.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And if so?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If so, we&rsquo;ve got to hunt through the survivors of the
+<i>Lusitania</i> till we find her.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then the first thing is to get a list of the survivors.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got it. I wrote a long list of things I wanted to know, and
+sent it to Mr. Carter. I got his reply this morning, and among other things it
+encloses the official statement of those saved from the <i>Lusitania</i>.
+How&rsquo;s that for clever little Tuppence?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Full marks for industry, zero for modesty. But the great point is, is
+there a &lsquo;Rita&rsquo; on the list?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s just what I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; confessed Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t know?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. Look here.&rdquo; Together they bent over the list. &ldquo;You see,
+very few Christian names are given. They&rsquo;re nearly all Mrs. or
+Miss.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That complicates matters,&rdquo; he murmured thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence gave her characteristic &ldquo;terrier&rdquo; shake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, we&rsquo;ve just got to get down to it, that&rsquo;s all.
+We&rsquo;ll start with the London area. Just note down the addresses of any of
+the females who live in London or roundabout, while I put on my hat.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Five minutes later the young couple emerged into Piccadilly, and a few seconds
+later a taxi was bearing them to The Laurels, Glendower Road, N.7, the
+residence of Mrs. Edgar Keith, whose name figured first in a list of seven
+reposing in Tommy&rsquo;s pocket-book.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Laurels was a dilapidated house, standing back from the road with a few
+grimy bushes to support the fiction of a front garden. Tommy paid off the taxi,
+and accompanied Tuppence to the front door bell. As she was about to ring it,
+he arrested her hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What are you going to say?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What am I going to say? Why, I shall say&mdash;Oh dear, I don&rsquo;t
+know. It&rsquo;s very awkward.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought as much,&rdquo; said Tommy with satisfaction. &ldquo;How like
+a woman! No foresight! Now just stand aside, and see how easily the mere male
+deals with the situation.&rdquo; He pressed the bell. Tuppence withdrew to a
+suitable spot.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A slatternly looking servant, with an extremely dirty face and a pair of eyes
+that did not match, answered the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy had produced a notebook and pencil.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good morning,&rdquo; he said briskly and cheerfully. &ldquo;From the
+Hampstead Borough Council. The new Voting Register. Mrs. Edgar Keith lives
+here, does she not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yaas,&rdquo; said the servant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Christian name?&rdquo; asked Tommy, his pencil poised.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Missus&rsquo;s? Eleanor Jane.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Eleanor,&rdquo; spelt Tommy. &ldquo;Any sons or daughters over
+twenty-one?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Naow.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you.&rdquo; Tommy closed the notebook with a brisk snap.
+&ldquo;Good morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The servant volunteered her first remark:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought perhaps as you&rsquo;d come about the gas,&rdquo; she observed
+cryptically, and shut the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy rejoined his accomplice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You see, Tuppence,&rdquo; he observed. &ldquo;Child&rsquo;s play to the
+masculine mind.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t mind admitting that for once you&rsquo;ve scored
+handsomely. I should never have thought of that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good wheeze, wasn&rsquo;t it? And we can repeat it <i>ad lib</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Lunch-time found the young couple attacking a steak and chips in an obscure
+hostelry with avidity. They had collected a Gladys Mary and a Marjorie, been
+baffled by one change of address, and had been forced to listen to a long
+lecture on universal suffrage from a vivacious American lady whose Christian
+name had proved to be Sadie.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; said Tommy, imbibing a long draught of beer, &ldquo;I feel
+better. Where&rsquo;s the next draw?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The notebook lay on the table between them. Tuppence picked it up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mrs. Vandemeyer,&rdquo; she read, &ldquo;20 South Audley Mansions. Miss
+Wheeler, 43 Clapington Road, Battersea. She&rsquo;s a lady&rsquo;s maid, as far
+as I remember, so probably won&rsquo;t be there, and, anyway, she&rsquo;s not
+likely.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then the Mayfair lady is clearly indicated as the first port of
+call.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy, I&rsquo;m getting discouraged.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Buck up, old bean. We always knew it was an outside chance. And, anyway,
+we&rsquo;re only starting. If we draw a blank in London, there&rsquo;s a fine
+tour of England, Ireland and Scotland before us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;True,&rdquo; said Tuppence, her flagging spirits reviving. &ldquo;And
+all expenses paid! But, oh, Tommy, I do like things to happen quickly. So far,
+adventure has succeeded adventure, but this morning has been dull as
+dull.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You must stifle this longing for vulgar sensation, Tuppence. Remember
+that if Mr. Brown is all he is reported to be, it&rsquo;s a wonder that he has
+not ere now done us to death. That&rsquo;s a good sentence, quite a literary
+flavour about it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re really more conceited than I am&mdash;with less excuse!
+Ahem! But it certainly is queer that Mr. Brown has not yet wreaked vengeance
+upon us. (You see, I can do it too.) We pass on our way unscathed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps he doesn&rsquo;t think us worth bothering about,&rdquo;
+suggested the young man simply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence received the remark with great disfavour.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How horrid you are, Tommy. Just as though we didn&rsquo;t count.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sorry, Tuppence. What I meant was that we work like moles in the dark,
+and that he has no suspicion of our nefarious schemes. Ha ha!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ha ha!&rdquo; echoed Tuppence approvingly, as she rose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+South Audley Mansions was an imposing-looking block of flats just off Park
+Lane. No. 20 was on the second floor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy had by this time the glibness born of practice. He rattled off the
+formula to the elderly woman, looking more like a housekeeper than a servant,
+who opened the door to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Christian name?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Margaret.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy spelt it, but the other interrupted him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, <i>g u e</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Marguerite; French way, I see.&rdquo; He paused, then plunged
+boldly. &ldquo;We had her down as Rita Vandemeyer, but I suppose that&rsquo;s
+incorrect?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s mostly called that, sir, but Marguerite&rsquo;s her
+name.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you. That&rsquo;s all. Good morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Hardly able to contain his excitement, Tommy hurried down the stairs. Tuppence
+was waiting at the angle of the turn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You heard?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. Oh, <i>Tommy!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy squeezed her arm sympathetically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know, old thing. I feel the same.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s&mdash;it&rsquo;s so lovely to think of things&mdash;and then
+for them really to happen!&rdquo; cried Tuppence enthusiastically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her hand was still in Tommy&rsquo;s. They had reached the entrance hall. There
+were footsteps on the stairs above them, and voices.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly, to Tommy&rsquo;s complete surprise, Tuppence dragged him into the
+little space by the side of the lift where the shadow was deepest.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What the&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hush!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Two men came down the stairs and passed out through the entrance.
+Tuppence&rsquo;s hand closed tighter on Tommy&rsquo;s arm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quick&mdash;follow them. I daren&rsquo;t. He might recognize me. I
+don&rsquo;t know who the other man is, but the bigger of the two was
+Whittington.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap07"></a>CHAPTER VII.<br/>
+THE HOUSE IN SOHO</h2>
+
+<p>
+Whittington and his companion were walking at a good pace. Tommy started in
+pursuit at once, and was in time to see them turn the corner of the street. His
+vigorous strides soon enabled him to gain upon them, and by the time he, in his
+turn, reached the corner the distance between them was sensibly lessened. The
+small Mayfair streets were comparatively deserted, and he judged it wise to
+content himself with keeping them in sight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The sport was a new one to him. Though familiar with the technicalities from a
+course of novel reading, he had never before attempted to &ldquo;follow&rdquo;
+anyone, and it appeared to him at once that, in actual practice, the proceeding
+was fraught with difficulties. Supposing, for instance, that they should
+suddenly hail a taxi? In books, you simply leapt into another, promised the
+driver a sovereign&mdash;or its modern equivalent&mdash;and there you were. In
+actual fact, Tommy foresaw that it was extremely likely there would be no
+second taxi. Therefore he would have to run. What happened in actual fact to a
+young man who ran incessantly and persistently through the London streets? In a
+main road he might hope to create the illusion that he was merely running for a
+bus. But in these obscure aristocratic byways he could not but feel that an
+officious policeman might stop him to explain matters.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At this juncture in his thoughts a taxi with flag erect turned the corner of
+the street ahead. Tommy held his breath. Would they hail it?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He drew a sigh of relief as they allowed it to pass unchallenged. Their course
+was a zigzag one designed to bring them as quickly as possible to Oxford
+Street. When at length they turned into it, proceeding in an easterly
+direction, Tommy slightly increased his pace. Little by little he gained upon
+them. On the crowded pavement there was little chance of his attracting their
+notice, and he was anxious if possible to catch a word or two of their
+conversation. In this he was completely foiled; they spoke low and the din of
+the traffic drowned their voices effectually.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just before the Bond Street Tube station they crossed the road, Tommy,
+unperceived, faithfully at their heels, and entered the big Lyons&rsquo;. There
+they went up to the first floor, and sat at a small table in the window. It was
+late, and the place was thinning out. Tommy took a seat at the table next to
+them, sitting directly behind Whittington in case of recognition. On the other
+hand, he had a full view of the second man and studied him attentively. He was
+fair, with a weak, unpleasant face, and Tommy put him down as being either a
+Russian or a Pole. He was probably about fifty years of age, his shoulders
+cringed a little as he talked, and his eyes, small and crafty, shifted
+unceasingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Having already lunched heartily, Tommy contented himself with ordering a Welsh
+rarebit and a cup of coffee. Whittington ordered a substantial lunch for
+himself and his companion; then, as the waitress withdrew, he moved his chair a
+little closer to the table and began to talk earnestly in a low voice. The
+other man joined in. Listen as he would, Tommy could only catch a word here and
+there; but the gist of it seemed to be some directions or orders which the big
+man was impressing on his companion, and with which the latter seemed from time
+to time to disagree. Whittington addressed the other as Boris.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy caught the word &ldquo;Ireland&rdquo; several times, also
+&ldquo;propaganda,&rdquo; but of Jane Finn there was no mention. Suddenly, in a
+lull in the clatter of the room, he got one phrase entire. Whittington was
+speaking. &ldquo;Ah, but you don&rsquo;t know Flossie. She&rsquo;s a marvel. An
+archbishop would swear she was his own mother. She gets the voice right every
+time, and that&rsquo;s really the principal thing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy did not hear Boris&rsquo;s reply, but in response to it Whittington said
+something that sounded like: &ldquo;Of course&mdash;only in an
+emergency....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then he lost the thread again. But presently the phrases became distinct again
+whether because the other two had insensibly raised their voices, or because
+Tommy&rsquo;s ears were getting more attuned, he could not tell. But two words
+certainly had a most stimulating effect upon the listener. They were uttered by
+Boris and they were: &ldquo;Mr. Brown.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington seemed to remonstrate with him, but he merely laughed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why not, my friend? It is a name most respectable&mdash;most common. Did
+he not choose it for that reason? Ah, I should like to meet him&mdash;Mr.
+Brown.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a steely ring in Whittington&rsquo;s voice as he replied:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who knows? You may have met him already.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Bah!&rdquo; retorted the other. &ldquo;That is children&rsquo;s
+talk&mdash;a fable for the police. Do you know what I say to myself sometimes?
+That he is a fable invented by the Inner Ring, a bogy to frighten us with. It
+might be so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And it might not.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wonder ... or is it indeed true that he is with us and amongst us,
+unknown to all but a chosen few? If so, he keeps his secret well. And the idea
+is a good one, yes. We never know. We look at each other&mdash; <i>one of us is
+Mr. Brown</i>&mdash;which? He commands&mdash;but also he serves. Among
+us&mdash;in the midst of us. And no one knows which he is....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With an effort the Russian shook off the vagary of his fancy. He looked at his
+watch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Whittington. &ldquo;We might as well go.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He called the waitress and asked for his bill. Tommy did likewise, and a few
+moments later was following the two men down the stairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Outside, Whittington hailed a taxi, and directed the driver to go to Waterloo.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Taxis were plentiful here, and before Whittington&rsquo;s had driven off
+another was drawing up to the curb in obedience to Tommy&rsquo;s peremptory
+hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Follow that other taxi,&rdquo; directed the young man.
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t lose it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The elderly chauffeur showed no interest. He merely grunted and jerked down his
+flag. The drive was uneventful. Tommy&rsquo;s taxi came to rest at the
+departure platform just after Whittington&rsquo;s. Tommy was behind him at the
+booking-office. He took a first-class single ticket to Bournemouth, Tommy did
+the same. As he emerged, Boris remarked, glancing up at the clock: &ldquo;You
+are early. You have nearly half an hour.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Boris&rsquo;s words had aroused a new train of thought in Tommy&rsquo;s mind.
+Clearly Whittington was making the journey alone, while the other remained in
+London. Therefore he was left with a choice as to which he would follow.
+Obviously, he could not follow both of them unless&mdash;&mdash; Like Boris, he
+glanced up at the clock, and then to the announcement board of the trains. The
+Bournemouth train left at 3.30. It was now ten past. Whittington and Boris were
+walking up and down by the bookstall. He gave one doubtful look at them, then
+hurried into an adjacent telephone box. He dared not waste time in trying to
+get hold of Tuppence. In all probability she was still in the neighbourhood of
+South Audley Mansions. But there remained another ally. He rang up the
+<i>Ritz</i> and asked for Julius Hersheimmer. There was a click and a buzz. Oh,
+if only the young American was in his room! There was another click, and then
+&ldquo;Hello&rdquo; in unmistakable accents came over the wire.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That you, Hersheimmer? Beresford speaking. I&rsquo;m at Waterloo.
+I&rsquo;ve followed Whittington and another man here. No time to explain.
+Whittington&rsquo;s off to Bournemouth by the 3.30. Can you get there by
+then?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The reply was reassuring.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure. I&rsquo;ll hustle.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The telephone rang off. Tommy put back the receiver with a sigh of relief. His
+opinion of Julius&rsquo;s power of hustling was high. He felt instinctively
+that the American would arrive in time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington and Boris were still where he had left them. If Boris remained to
+see his friend off, all was well. Then Tommy fingered his pocket thoughtfully.
+In spite of the carte blanche assured to him, he had not yet acquired the habit
+of going about with any considerable sum of money on him. The taking of the
+first-class ticket to Bournemouth had left him with only a few shillings in his
+pocket. It was to be hoped that Julius would arrive better provided.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the meantime, the minutes were creeping by: 3.15, 3.20, 3.25, 3.27.
+Supposing Julius did not get there in time. 3.29.... Doors were banging. Tommy
+felt cold waves of despair pass over him. Then a hand fell on his shoulder.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Here I am, son. Your British traffic beats description! Put me wise to
+the crooks right away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s Whittington&mdash;there, getting in now, that big dark man.
+The other is the foreign chap he&rsquo;s talking to.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m on to them. Which of the two is my bird?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy had thought out this question.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Got any money with you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius shook his head, and Tommy&rsquo;s face fell.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess I haven&rsquo;t more than three or four hundred dollars with me
+at the moment,&rdquo; explained the American.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy gave a faint whoop of relief.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Lord, you millionaires! You don&rsquo;t talk the same language!
+Climb aboard the lugger. Here&rsquo;s your ticket. Whittington&rsquo;s your
+man.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Me for Whittington!&rdquo; said Julius darkly. The train was just
+starting as he swung himself aboard. &ldquo;So long, Tommy.&rdquo; The train
+slid out of the station.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy drew a deep breath. The man Boris was coming along the platform towards
+him. Tommy allowed him to pass and then took up the chase once more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+From Waterloo Boris took the tube as far as Piccadilly Circus. Then he walked
+up Shaftesbury Avenue, finally turning off into the maze of mean streets round
+Soho. Tommy followed him at a judicious distance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They reached at length a small dilapidated square. The houses there had a
+sinister air in the midst of their dirt and decay. Boris looked round, and
+Tommy drew back into the shelter of a friendly porch. The place was almost
+deserted. It was a cul-de-sac, and consequently no traffic passed that way. The
+stealthy way the other had looked round stimulated Tommy&rsquo;s imagination.
+From the shelter of the doorway he watched him go up the steps of a
+particularly evil-looking house and rap sharply, with a peculiar rhythm, on the
+door. It was opened promptly, he said a word or two to the doorkeeper, then
+passed inside. The door was shut to again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was at this juncture that Tommy lost his head. What he ought to have done,
+what any sane man would have done, was to remain patiently where he was and
+wait for his man to come out again. What he did do was entirely foreign to the
+sober common sense which was, as a rule, his leading characteristic. Something,
+as he expressed it, seemed to snap in his brain. Without a moment&rsquo;s pause
+for reflection he, too, went up the steps, and reproduced as far as he was able
+the peculiar knock.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The door swung open with the same promptness as before. A villainous-faced man
+with close-cropped hair stood in the doorway.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well?&rdquo; he grunted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was at that moment that the full realization of his folly began to come home
+to Tommy. But he dared not hesitate. He seized at the first words that came
+into his mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Brown?&rdquo; he said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To his surprise the man stood aside.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Upstairs,&rdquo; he said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder,
+&ldquo;second door on your left.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap08"></a>CHAPTER VIII.<br/>
+THE ADVENTURES OF TOMMY</h2>
+
+<p>
+Taken aback though he was by the man&rsquo;s words, Tommy did not hesitate. If
+audacity had successfully carried him so far, it was to be hoped it would carry
+him yet farther. He quietly passed into the house and mounted the ramshackle
+staircase. Everything in the house was filthy beyond words. The grimy paper, of
+a pattern now indistinguishable, hung in loose festoons from the wall. In every
+angle was a grey mass of cobweb.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy proceeded leisurely. By the time he reached the bend of the staircase, he
+had heard the man below disappear into a back room. Clearly no suspicion
+attached to him as yet. To come to the house and ask for &ldquo;Mr.
+Brown&rdquo; appeared indeed to be a reasonable and natural proceeding.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the top of the stairs Tommy halted to consider his next move. In front of
+him ran a narrow passage, with doors opening on either side of it. From the one
+nearest him on the left came a low murmur of voices. It was this room which he
+had been directed to enter. But what held his glance fascinated was a small
+recess immediately on his right, half concealed by a torn velvet curtain. It
+was directly opposite the left-handed door and, owing to its angle, it also
+commanded a good view of the upper part of the staircase. As a hiding-place for
+one or, at a pinch, two men, it was ideal, being about two feet deep and three
+feet wide. It attracted Tommy mightily. He thought things over in his usual
+slow and steady way, deciding that the mention of &ldquo;Mr. Brown&rdquo; was
+not a request for an individual, but in all probability a password used by the
+gang. His lucky use of it had gained him admission. So far he had aroused no
+suspicion. But he must decide quickly on his next step.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suppose he were boldly to enter the room on the left of the passage. Would the
+mere fact of his having been admitted to the house be sufficient? Perhaps a
+further password would be required, or, at any rate, some proof of identity.
+The doorkeeper clearly did not know all the members of the gang by sight, but
+it might be different upstairs. On the whole it seemed to him that luck had
+served him very well so far, but that there was such a thing as trusting it too
+far. To enter that room was a colossal risk. He could not hope to sustain his
+part indefinitely; sooner or later he was almost bound to betray himself, and
+then he would have thrown away a vital chance in mere foolhardiness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A repetition of the signal knock sounded on the door below, and Tommy, his mind
+made up, slipped quickly into the recess, and cautiously drew the curtain
+farther across so that it shielded him completely from sight. There were
+several rents and slits in the ancient material which afforded him a good view.
+He would watch events, and any time he chose could, after all, join the
+assembly, modelling his behaviour on that of the new arrival.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man who came up the staircase with a furtive, soft-footed tread was quite
+unknown to Tommy. He was obviously of the very dregs of society. The low
+beetling brows, and the criminal jaw, the bestiality of the whole countenance
+were new to the young man, though he was a type that Scotland Yard would have
+recognized at a glance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man passed the recess, breathing heavily as he went. He stopped at the door
+opposite, and gave a repetition of the signal knock. A voice inside called out
+something, and the man opened the door and passed in, affording Tommy a
+momentary glimpse of the room inside. He thought there must be about four or
+five people seated round a long table that took up most of the space, but his
+attention was caught and held by a tall man with close-cropped hair and a
+short, pointed, naval-looking beard, who sat at the head of the table with
+papers in front of him. As the new-comer entered he glanced up, and with a
+correct, but curiously precise enunciation, which attracted Tommy&rsquo;s
+notice, he asked:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your number, comrade?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Fourteen, gov&rsquo;nor,&rdquo; replied the other hoarsely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Correct.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The door shut again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If that isn&rsquo;t a Hun, I&rsquo;m a Dutchman!&rdquo; said Tommy to
+himself. &ldquo;And running the show darned systematically too&mdash;as they
+always do. Lucky I didn&rsquo;t roll in. I&rsquo;d have given the wrong number,
+and there would have been the deuce to pay. No, this is the place for me.
+Hullo, here&rsquo;s another knock.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This visitor proved to be of an entirely different type to the last. Tommy
+recognized in him an Irish Sinn Feiner. Certainly Mr. Brown&rsquo;s
+organization was a far-reaching concern. The common criminal, the well-bred
+Irish gentleman, the pale Russian, and the efficient German master of the
+ceremonies! Truly a strange and sinister gathering! Who was this man who held
+in his finger these curiously variegated links of an unknown chain?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In this case, the procedure was exactly the same. The signal knock, the demand
+for a number, and the reply &ldquo;Correct.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Two knocks followed in quick succession on the door below. The first man was
+quite unknown to Tommy, who put him down as a city clerk. A quiet,
+intelligent-looking man, rather shabbily dressed. The second was of the working
+classes, and his face was vaguely familiar to the young man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Three minutes later came another, a man of commanding appearance, exquisitely
+dressed, and evidently well born. His face, again, was not unknown to the
+watcher, though he could not for the moment put a name to it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After his arrival there was a long wait. In fact Tommy concluded that the
+gathering was now complete, and was just cautiously creeping out from his
+hiding-place, when another knock sent him scuttling back to cover.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This last-comer came up the stairs so quietly that he was almost abreast of
+Tommy before the young man had realized his presence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He was a small man, very pale, with a gentle almost womanish air. The angle of
+the cheek-bones hinted at his Slavonic ancestry, otherwise there was nothing to
+indicate his nationality. As he passed the recess, he turned his head slowly.
+The strange light eyes seemed to burn through the curtain; Tommy could hardly
+believe that the man did not know he was there and in spite of himself he
+shivered. He was no more fanciful than the majority of young Englishmen, but he
+could not rid himself of the impression that some unusually potent force
+emanated from the man. The creature reminded him of a venomous snake.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A moment later his impression was proved correct. The new-comer knocked on the
+door as all had done, but his reception was very different. The bearded man
+rose to his feet, and all the others followed suit. The German came forward and
+shook hands. His heels clicked together.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We are honoured,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We are greatly honoured. I much
+feared that it would be impossible.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other answered in a low voice that had a kind of hiss in it:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There were difficulties. It will not be possible again, I fear. But one
+meeting is essential&mdash;to define my policy. I can do nothing
+without&mdash;Mr. Brown. He is here?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The change in the German&rsquo;s voice was audible as he replied with slight
+hesitation:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We have received a message. It is impossible for him to be present in
+person.&rdquo; He stopped, giving a curious impression of having left the
+sentence unfinished.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A very slow smile overspread the face of the other. He looked round at a circle
+of uneasy faces.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah! I understand. I have read of his methods. He works in the dark and
+trusts no one. But, all the same, it is possible that he is among us
+now....&rdquo; He looked round him again, and again that expression of fear
+swept over the group. Each man seemed eyeing his neighbour doubtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian tapped his cheek.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So be it. Let us proceed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German seemed to pull himself together. He indicated the place he had been
+occupying at the head of the table. The Russian demurred, but the other
+insisted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is the only possible place,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;for&mdash;Number
+One. Perhaps Number Fourteen will shut the door?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In another moment Tommy was once more confronting bare wooden panels, and the
+voices within had sunk once more to a mere undistinguishable murmur. Tommy
+became restive. The conversation he had overheard had stimulated his curiosity.
+He felt that, by hook or by crook, he must hear more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was no sound from below, and it did not seem likely that the doorkeeper
+would come upstairs. After listening intently for a minute or two, he put his
+head round the curtain. The passage was deserted. Tommy bent down and removed
+his shoes, then, leaving them behind the curtain, he walked gingerly out on his
+stockinged feet, and kneeling down by the closed door he laid his ear
+cautiously to the crack. To his intense annoyance he could distinguish little
+more; just a chance word here and there if a voice was raised, which merely
+served to whet his curiosity still farther.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He eyed the handle of the door tentatively. Could he turn it by degrees so
+gently and imperceptibly that those in the room would notice nothing? He
+decided that with great care it could be done. Very slowly, a fraction of an
+inch at a time, he moved it round, holding his breath in his excessive care. A
+little more&mdash;a little more still&mdash;would it never be finished? Ah! at
+last it would turn no farther.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He stayed so for a minute or two, then drew a deep breath, and pressed it ever
+so slightly inward. The door did not budge. Tommy was annoyed. If he had to use
+too much force, it would almost certainly creak. He waited until the voices
+rose a little, then he tried again. Still nothing happened. He increased the
+pressure. Had the beastly thing stuck? Finally, in desperation, he pushed with
+all his might. But the door remained firm, and at last the truth dawned upon
+him. It was locked or bolted on the inside.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment or two Tommy&rsquo;s indignation got the better of him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;m damned!&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;What a dirty
+trick!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As his indignation cooled, he prepared to face the situation. Clearly the first
+thing to be done was to restore the handle to its original position. If he let
+it go suddenly, the men inside would be almost certain to notice it, so, with
+the same infinite pains, he reversed his former tactics. All went well, and
+with a sigh of relief the young man rose to his feet. There was a certain
+bulldog tenacity about Tommy that made him slow to admit defeat. Checkmated for
+the moment, he was far from abandoning the conflict. He still intended to hear
+what was going on in the locked room. As one plan had failed, he must hunt
+about for another.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked round him. A little farther along the passage on the left was a
+second door. He slipped silently along to it. He listened for a moment or two,
+then tried the handle. It yielded, and he slipped inside.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The room, which was untenanted, was furnished as a bedroom. Like everything
+else in the house, the furniture was falling to pieces, and the dirt was, if
+anything, more abundant.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But what interested Tommy was the thing he had hoped to find, a communicating
+door between the two rooms, up on the left by the window. Carefully closing the
+door into the passage behind him, he stepped across to the other and examined
+it closely. The bolt was shot across it. It was very rusty, and had clearly not
+been used for some time. By gently wriggling it to and fro, Tommy managed to
+draw it back without making too much noise. Then he repeated his former
+man&oelig;uvres with the handle&mdash;this time with complete success. The door
+swung open&mdash;a crack, a mere fraction, but enough for Tommy to hear what
+went on. There was a velvet <i>portière</i> on the inside of this door which
+prevented him from seeing, but he was able to recognize the voices with a
+reasonable amount of accuracy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Sinn Feiner was speaking. His rich Irish voice was unmistakable:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all very well. But more money is essential. No
+money&mdash;no results!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Another voice which Tommy rather thought was that of Boris replied:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Will you guarantee that there <i>are</i> results?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In a month from now&mdash;sooner or later as you wish&mdash;I will
+guarantee you such a reign of terror in Ireland as shall shake the British
+Empire to its foundations.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a pause, and then came the soft, sibilant accents of Number One:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good! You shall have the money. Boris, you will see to that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Boris asked a question:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Via the Irish Americans, and Mr. Potter as usual?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess that&rsquo;ll be all right!&rdquo; said a new voice, with a
+transatlantic intonation, &ldquo;though I&rsquo;d like to point out, here and
+now, that things are getting a mite difficult. There&rsquo;s not the sympathy
+there was, and a growing disposition to let the Irish settle their own affairs
+without interference from America.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy felt that Boris had shrugged his shoulders as he answered:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Does that matter, since the money only nominally comes from the
+States?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The chief difficulty is the landing of the ammunition,&rdquo; said the
+Sinn Feiner. &ldquo;The money is conveyed in easily enough&mdash;thanks to our
+colleague here.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Another voice, which Tommy fancied was that of the tall, commanding-looking man
+whose face had seemed familiar to him, said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Think of the feelings of Belfast if they could hear you!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is settled, then,&rdquo; said the sibilant tones. &ldquo;Now, in
+the matter of the loan to an English newspaper, you have arranged the details
+satisfactorily, Boris?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is good. An official denial from Moscow will be forthcoming if
+necessary.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a pause, and then the clear voice of the German broke the silence:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am directed by&mdash;Mr. Brown, to place the summaries of the reports
+from the different unions before you. That of the miners is most satisfactory.
+We must hold back the railways. There may be trouble with the A.S.E.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a long time there was a silence, broken only by the rustle of papers and an
+occasional word of explanation from the German. Then Tommy heard the light
+tap-tap of fingers, drumming on the table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And&mdash;the date, my friend?&rdquo; said Number One.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The 29th.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian seemed to consider:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is rather soon.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know. But it was settled by the principal Labour leaders, and we
+cannot seem to interfere too much. They must believe it to be entirely their
+own show.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian laughed softly, as though amused.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, yes,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;That is true. They must have no inkling
+that we are using them for our own ends. They are honest men&mdash;and that is
+their value to us. It is curious&mdash;but you cannot make a revolution without
+honest men. The instinct of the populace is infallible.&rdquo; He paused, and
+then repeated, as though the phrase pleased him: &ldquo;Every revolution has
+had its honest men. They are soon disposed of afterwards.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a sinister note in his voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German resumed:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Clymes must go. He is too far-seeing. Number Fourteen will see to
+that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a hoarse murmur.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right, gov&rsquo;nor.&rdquo; And then after a moment or
+two: &ldquo;Suppose I&rsquo;m nabbed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You will have the best legal talent to defend you,&rdquo; replied the
+German quietly. &ldquo;But in any case you will wear gloves fitted with the
+finger-prints of a notorious housebreaker. You have little to fear.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I ain&rsquo;t afraid, gov&rsquo;nor. All for the good of the cause.
+The streets is going to run with blood, so they say.&rdquo; He spoke with a
+grim relish. &ldquo;Dreams of it, sometimes, I does. And diamonds and pearls
+rolling about in the gutter for anyone to pick up!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy heard a chair shifted. Then Number One spoke:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then all is arranged. We are assured of success?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&mdash;think so.&rdquo; But the German spoke with less than his usual
+confidence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Number One&rsquo;s voice held suddenly a dangerous quality:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What has gone wrong?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing; but&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But what?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The Labour leaders. Without them, as you say, we can do nothing. If they
+do not declare a general strike on the 29th&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why should they not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As you&rsquo;ve said, they&rsquo;re honest. And, in spite of everything
+we&rsquo;ve done to discredit the Government in their eyes, I&rsquo;m not sure
+that they haven&rsquo;t got a sneaking faith and belief in it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know. They abuse it unceasingly. But, on the whole, public opinion
+swings to the side of the Government. They will not go against it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again the Russian&rsquo;s fingers drummed on the table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To the point, my friend. I was given to understand that there was a
+certain document in existence which assured success.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is so. If that document were placed before the leaders, the result
+would be immediate. They would publish it broadcast throughout England, and
+declare for the revolution without a moment&rsquo;s hesitation. The Government
+would be broken finally and completely.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then what more do you want?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The document itself,&rdquo; said the German bluntly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah! It is not in your possession? But you know where it is?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Does anyone know where it is?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One person&mdash;perhaps. And we are not sure of that even.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who is this person?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A girl.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy held his breath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A girl?&rdquo; The Russian&rsquo;s voice rose contemptuously. &ldquo;And
+you have not made her speak? In Russia we have ways of making a girl
+talk.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This case is different,&rdquo; said the German sullenly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How&mdash;different?&rdquo; He paused a moment, then went on:
+&ldquo;Where is the girl now?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The girl?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She is&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Tommy heard no more. A crashing blow descended on his head, and all was
+darkness.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap09"></a>CHAPTER IX.<br/>
+TUPPENCE ENTERS DOMESTIC SERVICE</h2>
+
+<p>
+When Tommy set forth on the trail of the two men, it took all Tuppence&rsquo;s
+self-command to refrain from accompanying him. However, she contained herself
+as best she might, consoled by the reflection that her reasoning had been
+justified by events. The two men had undoubtedly come from the second floor
+flat, and that one slender thread of the name &ldquo;Rita&rdquo; had set the
+Young Adventurers once more upon the track of the abductors of Jane Finn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The question was what to do next? Tuppence hated letting the grass grow under
+her feet. Tommy was amply employed, and debarred from joining him in the chase,
+the girl felt at a loose end. She retraced her steps to the entrance hall of
+the mansions. It was now tenanted by a small lift-boy, who was polishing brass
+fittings, and whistling the latest air with a good deal of vigour and a
+reasonable amount of accuracy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He glanced round at Tuppence&rsquo;s entry. There was a certain amount of the
+gamin element in the girl, at all events she invariably got on well with small
+boys. A sympathetic bond seemed instantly to be formed. She reflected that an
+ally in the enemy&rsquo;s camp, so to speak, was not to be despised.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, William,&rdquo; she remarked cheerfully, in the best approved
+hospital-early-morning style, &ldquo;getting a good shine up?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The boy grinned responsively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Albert, miss,&rdquo; he corrected.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Albert be it,&rdquo; said Tuppence. She glanced mysteriously round the
+hall. The effect was purposely a broad one in case Albert should miss it. She
+leaned towards the boy and dropped her voice: &ldquo;I want a word with you,
+Albert.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert ceased operations on the fittings and opened his mouth slightly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Look! Do you know what this is?&rdquo; With a dramatic gesture she flung
+back the left side of her coat and exposed a small enamelled badge. It was
+extremely unlikely that Albert would have any knowledge of it&mdash;indeed, it
+would have been fatal for Tuppence&rsquo;s plans, since the badge in question
+was the device of a local training corps originated by the archdeacon in the
+early days of the war. Its presence in Tuppence&rsquo;s coat was due to the
+fact that she had used it for pinning in some flowers a day or two before. But
+Tuppence had sharp eyes, and had noted the corner of a threepenny detective
+novel protruding from Albert&rsquo;s pocket, and the immediate enlargement of
+his eyes told her that her tactics were good, and that the fish would rise to
+the bait.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;American Detective Force!&rdquo; she hissed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert fell for it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Lord!&rdquo; he murmured ecstatically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded at him with the air of one who has established a thorough
+understanding.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Know who I&rsquo;m after?&rdquo; she inquired genially.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert, still round-eyed, demanded breathlessly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One of the flats?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded and jerked a thumb up the stairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No. 20. Calls herself Vandemeyer. Vandemeyer! Ha! ha!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert&rsquo;s hand stole to his pocket.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A crook?&rdquo; he queried eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A crook? I should say so. Ready Rita they call her in the States.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ready Rita,&rdquo; repeated Albert deliriously. &ldquo;Oh, ain&rsquo;t
+it just like the pictures!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was. Tuppence was a great frequenter of the cinema.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Annie always said as how she was a bad lot,&rdquo; continued the boy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who&rsquo;s Annie?&rdquo; inquired Tuppence idly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;&lsquo;Ouse-parlourmaid. She&rsquo;s leaving to-day. Many&rsquo;s the
+time Annie&rsquo;s said to me: &lsquo;Mark my words, Albert, I wouldn&rsquo;t
+wonder if the police was to come after her one of these days.&rsquo; Just like
+that. But she&rsquo;s a stunner to look at, ain&rsquo;t she?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s some peach,&rdquo; allowed Tuppence carelessly. &ldquo;Finds
+it useful in her lay-out, you bet. Has she been wearing any of the emeralds, by
+the way?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Emeralds? Them&rsquo;s the green stones, isn&rsquo;t they?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s what we&rsquo;re after her for. You know old man
+Rysdale?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Peter B. Rysdale, the oil king?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It seems sort of familiar to me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The sparklers belonged to him. Finest collection of emeralds in the
+world. Worth a million dollars!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Lumme!&rdquo; came ecstatically from Albert. &ldquo;It sounds more like
+the pictures every minute.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence smiled, gratified at the success of her efforts.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We haven&rsquo;t exactly proved it yet. But we&rsquo;re after her.
+And&rdquo;&mdash;she produced a long-drawn-out wink&mdash;&ldquo;I guess she
+won&rsquo;t get away with the goods this time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert uttered another ejaculation indicative of delight.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mind you, sonny, not a word of this,&rdquo; said Tuppence suddenly.
+&ldquo;I guess I oughtn&rsquo;t to have put you wise, but in the States we know
+a real smart lad when we see one.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll not breathe a word,&rdquo; protested Albert eagerly.
+&ldquo;Ain&rsquo;t there anything I could do? A bit of shadowing, maybe, or
+such like?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence affected to consider, then shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not at the moment, but I&rsquo;ll bear you in mind, son. What&rsquo;s
+this about the girl you say is leaving?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Annie? Regular turn up, they &lsquo;ad. As Annie said, servants is some
+one nowadays, and to be treated accordingly, and, what with her passing the
+word round, she won&rsquo;t find it so easy to get another.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Won&rsquo;t she?&rdquo; said Tuppence thoughtfully. &ldquo;I
+wonder&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+An idea was dawning in her brain. She thought a minute or two, then tapped
+Albert on the shoulder.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;See here, son, my brain&rsquo;s got busy. How would it be if you
+mentioned that you&rsquo;d got a young cousin, or a friend of yours had, that
+might suit the place. You get me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m there,&rdquo; said Albert instantly. &ldquo;You leave it to
+me, miss, and I&rsquo;ll fix the whole thing up in two ticks.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Some lad!&rdquo; commented Tuppence, with a nod of approval. &ldquo;You
+might say that the young woman could come in right away. You let me know, and
+if it&rsquo;s O.K. I&rsquo;ll be round to-morrow at eleven
+o&rsquo;clock.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where am I to let you know to?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;<i>Ritz</i>,&rdquo; replied Tuppence laconically. &ldquo;Name of
+Cowley.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert eyed her enviously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It must be a good job, this tec business.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It sure is,&rdquo; drawled Tuppence, &ldquo;especially when old man
+Rysdale backs the bill. But don&rsquo;t fret, son. If this goes well, you shall
+come in on the ground floor.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With which promise she took leave of her new ally, and walked briskly away from
+South Audley Mansions, well pleased with her morning&rsquo;s work.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But there was no time to be lost. She went straight back to the <i>Ritz</i> and
+wrote a few brief words to Mr. Carter. Having dispatched this, and Tommy not
+having yet returned&mdash;which did not surprise her&mdash;she started off on a
+shopping expedition which, with an interval for tea and assorted creamy cakes,
+occupied her until well after six o&rsquo;clock, and she returned to the hotel
+jaded, but satisfied with her purchases. Starting with a cheap clothing store,
+and passing through one or two second-hand establishments, she had finished the
+day at a well-known hairdresser&rsquo;s. Now, in the seclusion of her bedroom,
+she unwrapped that final purchase. Five minutes later she smiled contentedly at
+her reflection in the glass. With an actress&rsquo;s pencil she had slightly
+altered the line of her eyebrows, and that, taken in conjunction with the new
+luxuriant growth of fair hair above, so changed her appearance that she felt
+confident that even if she came face to face with Whittington he would not
+recognize her. She would wear elevators in her shoes, and the cap and apron
+would be an even more valuable disguise. From hospital experience she knew only
+too well that a nurse out of uniform is frequently unrecognized by her
+patients.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Tuppence aloud, nodding at the pert reflection in the
+glass, &ldquo;you&rsquo;ll do.&rdquo; She then resumed her normal appearance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dinner was a solitary meal. Tuppence was rather surprised at Tommy&rsquo;s
+non-return. Julius, too, was absent&mdash;but that to the girl&rsquo;s mind was
+more easily explained. His &ldquo;hustling&rdquo; activities were not confined
+to London, and his abrupt appearances and disappearances were fully accepted by
+the Young Adventurers as part of the day&rsquo;s work. It was quite on the
+cards that Julius P. Hersheimmer had left for Constantinople at a
+moment&rsquo;s notice if he fancied that a clue to his cousin&rsquo;s
+disappearance was to be found there. The energetic young man had succeeded in
+making the lives of several Scotland Yard men unbearable to them, and the
+telephone girls at the Admiralty had learned to know and dread the familiar
+&ldquo;Hullo!&rdquo; He had spent three hours in Paris hustling the Prefecture,
+and had returned from there imbued with the idea, possibly inspired by a weary
+French official, that the true clue to the mystery was to be found in Ireland.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I dare say he&rsquo;s dashed off there now,&rdquo; thought Tuppence.
+&ldquo;All very well, but this is very dull for <i>me!</i> Here I am bursting
+with news, and absolutely no one to tell it to! Tommy might have wired, or
+something. I wonder where he is. Anyway, he can&rsquo;t have &lsquo;lost the
+trail&rsquo; as they say. That reminds me&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; And Miss Cowley
+broke off in her meditations, and summoned a small boy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ten minutes later the lady was ensconced comfortably on her bed, smoking
+cigarettes and deep in the perusal of <i>Garnaby Williams, the Boy
+Detective</i>, which, with other threepenny works of lurid fiction, she had
+sent out to purchase. She felt, and rightly, that before the strain of
+attempting further intercourse with Albert, it would be as well to fortify
+herself with a good supply of local colour.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The morning brought a note from Mr. Carter:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;DEAR MISS TUPPENCE,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You have made a splendid start, and I congratulate you. I feel, though,
+that I should like to point out to you once more the risks you are running,
+especially if you pursue the course you indicate. Those people are absolutely
+desperate and incapable of either mercy or pity. I feel that you probably
+underestimate the danger, and therefore warn you again that I can promise you
+no protection. You have given us valuable information, and if you choose to
+withdraw now no one could blame you. At any rate, think the matter over well
+before you decide.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If, in spite of my warnings, you make up your mind to go through with
+it, you will find everything arranged. You have lived for two years with Miss
+Dufferin, The Parsonage, Llanelly, and Mrs. Vandemeyer can apply to her for a
+reference.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;May I be permitted a word or two of advice? Stick as near to the truth
+as possible&mdash;it minimizes the danger of &lsquo;slips.&rsquo; I suggest
+that you should represent yourself to be what you are, a former V.A.D., who has
+chosen domestic service as a profession. There are many such at the present
+time. That explains away any incongruities of voice or manner which otherwise
+might awaken suspicion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Whichever way you decide, good luck to you.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your sincere friend,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;MR. CARTER.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence&rsquo;s spirits rose mercurially. Mr. Carter&rsquo;s warnings passed
+unheeded. The young lady had far too much confidence in herself to pay any heed
+to them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With some reluctance she abandoned the interesting part she had sketched out
+for herself. Although she had no doubts of her own powers to sustain a role
+indefinitely, she had too much common sense not to recognize the force of Mr.
+Carter&rsquo;s arguments.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was still no word or message from Tommy, but the morning post brought a
+somewhat dirty postcard with the words: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s O.K.&rdquo; scrawled
+upon it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At ten-thirty Tuppence surveyed with pride a slightly battered tin trunk
+containing her new possessions. It was artistically corded. It was with a
+slight blush that she rang the bell and ordered it to be placed in a taxi. She
+drove to Paddington, and left the box in the cloak room. She then repaired with
+a handbag to the fastnesses of the ladies&rsquo; waiting-room. Ten minutes
+later a metamorphosed Tuppence walked demurely out of the station and entered a
+bus.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was a few minutes past eleven when Tuppence again entered the hall of South
+Audley Mansions. Albert was on the look-out, attending to his duties in a
+somewhat desultory fashion. He did not immediately recognize Tuppence. When he
+did, his admiration was unbounded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Blest if I&rsquo;d have known you! That rig-out&rsquo;s top-hole.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Glad you like it, Albert,&rdquo; replied Tuppence modestly. &ldquo;By
+the way, am I your cousin, or am I not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your voice too,&rdquo; cried the delighted boy. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s as
+English as anything! No, I said as a friend of mine knew a young gal. Annie
+wasn&rsquo;t best pleased. She&rsquo;s stopped on till to-day&mdash;to oblige,
+<i>she</i> said, but really it&rsquo;s so as to put you against the
+place.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nice girl,&rdquo; said Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert suspected no irony.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s style about her, and keeps her silver a treat&mdash;but, my
+word, ain&rsquo;t she got a temper. Are you going up now, miss? Step inside the
+lift. No. 20 did you say?&rdquo; And he winked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence quelled him with a stern glance, and stepped inside.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As she rang the bell of No. 20 she was conscious of Albert&rsquo;s eyes slowly
+descending beneath the level of the floor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A smart young woman opened the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve come about the place,&rdquo; said Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a rotten place,&rdquo; said the young woman without
+hesitation. &ldquo;Regular old cat&mdash;always interfering. Accused me of
+tampering with her letters. Me! The flap was half undone anyway. There&rsquo;s
+never anything in the waste-paper basket&mdash;she burns everything.
+She&rsquo;s a wrong &lsquo;un, that&rsquo;s what she is. Swell clothes, but no
+class. Cook knows something about her&mdash;but she won&rsquo;t
+tell&mdash;scared to death of her. And suspicious! She&rsquo;s on to you in a
+minute if you as much as speak to a fellow. I can tell you&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But what more Annie could tell, Tuppence was never destined to learn, for at
+that moment a clear voice with a peculiarly steely ring to it called:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Annie!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The smart young woman jumped as if she had been shot.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who are you talking to?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a young woman about the situation, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Show her in then. At once.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence was ushered into a room on the right of the long passage. A woman was
+standing by the fireplace. She was no longer in her first youth, and the beauty
+she undeniably possessed was hardened and coarsened. In her youth she must have
+been dazzling. Her pale gold hair, owing a slight assistance to art, was coiled
+low on her neck, her eyes, of a piercing electric blue, seemed to possess a
+faculty of boring into the very soul of the person she was looking at. Her
+exquisite figure was enhanced by a wonderful gown of indigo charmeuse. And yet,
+despite her swaying grace, and the almost ethereal beauty of her face, you felt
+instinctively the presence of something hard and menacing, a kind of metallic
+strength that found expression in the tones of her voice and in that
+gimlet-like quality of her eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For the first time Tuppence felt afraid. She had not feared Whittington, but
+this woman was different. As if fascinated, she watched the long cruel line of
+the red curving mouth, and again she felt that sensation of panic pass over
+her. Her usual self-confidence deserted her. Vaguely she felt that deceiving
+this woman would be very different to deceiving Whittington. Mr. Carter&rsquo;s
+warning recurred to her mind. Here, indeed, she might expect no mercy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Fighting down that instinct of panic which urged her to turn tail and run
+without further delay, Tuppence returned the lady&rsquo;s gaze firmly and
+respectfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As though that first scrutiny had been satisfactory, Mrs. Vandemeyer motioned
+to a chair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You can sit down. How did you hear I wanted a house-parlourmaid?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Through a friend who knows the lift boy here. He thought the place might
+suit me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again that basilisk glance seemed to pierce her through.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You speak like an educated girl?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Glibly enough, Tuppence ran through her imaginary career on the lines suggested
+by Mr. Carter. It seemed to her, as she did so, that the tension of Mrs.
+Vandemeyer&rsquo;s attitude relaxed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I see,&rdquo; she remarked at length. &ldquo;Is there anyone I can write
+to for a reference?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I lived last with a Miss Dufferin, The Parsonage, Llanelly. I was with
+her two years.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And then you thought you would get more money by coming to London, I
+suppose? Well, it doesn&rsquo;t matter to me. I will give you
+£50&mdash;£60&mdash;whatever you want. You can come in at once?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, ma&rsquo;am. To-day, if you like. My box is at Paddington.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Go and fetch it in a taxi, then. It&rsquo;s an easy place. I am out a
+good deal. By the way, what&rsquo;s your name?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Prudence Cooper, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very well, Prudence. Go away and fetch your box. I shall be out to
+lunch. The cook will show you where everything is.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence withdrew. The smart Annie was not in evidence. In the hall below a
+magnificent hall porter had relegated Albert to the background. Tuppence did
+not even glance at him as she passed meekly out.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The adventure had begun, but she felt less elated than she had done earlier in
+the morning. It crossed her mind that if the unknown Jane Finn had fallen into
+the hands of Mrs. Vandemeyer, it was likely to have gone hard with her.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap10"></a>CHAPTER X.<br/>
+ENTER SIR JAMES PEEL EDGERTON</h2>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence betrayed no awkwardness in her new duties. The daughters of the
+archdeacon were well grounded in household tasks. They were also experts in
+training a &ldquo;raw girl,&rdquo; the inevitable result being that the raw
+girl, once trained, departed elsewhere where her newly acquired knowledge
+commanded a more substantial remuneration than the archdeacon&rsquo;s meagre
+purse allowed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence had therefore very little fear of proving inefficient. Mrs.
+Vandemeyer&rsquo;s cook puzzled her. She evidently went in deadly terror of her
+mistress. The girl thought it probable that the other woman had some hold over
+her. For the rest, she cooked like a <i>chef</i>, as Tuppence had an
+opportunity of judging that evening. Mrs. Vandemeyer was expecting a guest to
+dinner, and Tuppence accordingly laid the beautifully polished table for two.
+She was a little exercised in her own mind as to this visitor. It was highly
+possible that it might prove to be Whittington. Although she felt fairly
+confident that he would not recognize her, yet she would have been better
+pleased had the guest proved to be a total stranger. However, there was nothing
+for it but to hope for the best.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At a few minutes past eight the front door bell rang, and Tuppence went to
+answer it with some inward trepidation. She was relieved to see that the
+visitor was the second of the two men whom Tommy had taken upon himself to
+follow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He gave his name as Count Stepanov. Tuppence announced him, and Mrs. Vandemeyer
+rose from her seat on a low divan with a quick murmur of pleasure.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is delightful to see you, Boris Ivanovitch,&rdquo; she said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And you, madame!&rdquo; He bowed low over her hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence returned to the kitchen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Count Stepanov, or some such,&rdquo; she remarked, and affecting a frank
+and unvarnished curiosity: &ldquo;Who&rsquo;s he?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A Russian gentleman, I believe.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come here much?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Once in a while. What d&rsquo;you want to know for?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Fancied he might be sweet on the missus, that&rsquo;s all,&rdquo;
+explained the girl, adding with an appearance of sulkiness: &ldquo;How you do
+take one up!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not quite easy in my mind about the <i>soufflé</i>,&rdquo;
+explained the other.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You know something,&rdquo; thought Tuppence to herself, but aloud she
+only said: &ldquo;Going to dish up now? Right-o.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whilst waiting at table, Tuppence listened closely to all that was said. She
+remembered that this was one of the men Tommy was shadowing when she had last
+seen him. Already, although she would hardly admit it, she was becoming uneasy
+about her partner. Where was he? Why had no word of any kind come from him? She
+had arranged before leaving the <i>Ritz</i> to have all letters or messages
+sent on at once by special messenger to a small stationer&rsquo;s shop near at
+hand where Albert was to call in frequently. True, it was only yesterday
+morning that she had parted from Tommy, and she told herself that any anxiety
+on his behalf would be absurd. Still, it was strange that he had sent no word
+of any kind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But, listen as she might, the conversation presented no clue. Boris and Mrs.
+Vandemeyer talked on purely indifferent subjects: plays they had seen, new
+dances, and the latest society gossip. After dinner they repaired to the small
+boudoir where Mrs. Vandemeyer, stretched on the divan, looked more wickedly
+beautiful than ever. Tuppence brought in the coffee and liqueurs and
+unwillingly retired. As she did so, she heard Boris say:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;New, isn&rsquo;t she?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She came in to-day. The other was a fiend. This girl seems all right.
+She waits well.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence lingered a moment longer by the door which she had carefully neglected
+to close, and heard him say:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quite safe, I suppose?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Really, Boris, you are absurdly suspicious. I believe she&rsquo;s the
+cousin of the hall porter, or something of the kind. And nobody even dreams
+that I have any connection with our&mdash;mutual friend, Mr. Brown.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;For heaven&rsquo;s sake, be careful, Rita. That door isn&rsquo;t
+shut.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, shut it then,&rdquo; laughed the woman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence removed herself speedily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She dared not absent herself longer from the back premises, but she cleared
+away and washed up with a breathless speed acquired in hospital. Then she
+slipped quietly back to the boudoir door. The cook, more leisurely, was still
+busy in the kitchen and, if she missed the other, would only suppose her to be
+turning down the beds.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Alas! The conversation inside was being carried on in too low a tone to permit
+of her hearing anything of it. She dared not reopen the door, however gently.
+Mrs. Vandemeyer was sitting almost facing it, and Tuppence respected her
+mistress&rsquo;s lynx-eyed powers of observation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nevertheless, she felt she would give a good deal to overhear what was going
+on. Possibly, if anything unforeseen had happened, she might get news of Tommy.
+For some moments she reflected desperately, then her face brightened. She went
+quickly along the passage to Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s bedroom, which had long
+French windows leading on to a balcony that ran the length of the flat.
+Slipping quickly through the window, Tuppence crept noiselessly along till she
+reached the boudoir window. As she had thought it stood a little ajar, and the
+voices within were plainly audible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence listened attentively, but there was no mention of anything that could
+be twisted to apply to Tommy. Mrs. Vandemeyer and the Russian seemed to be at
+variance over some matter, and finally the latter exclaimed bitterly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;With your persistent recklessness, you will end by ruining us!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Bah!&rdquo; laughed the woman. &ldquo;Notoriety of the right kind is the
+best way of disarming suspicion. You will realize that one of these
+days&mdash;perhaps sooner than you think!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In the meantime, you are going about everywhere with Peel Edgerton. Not
+only is he, perhaps, the most celebrated K.C. in England, but his special hobby
+is criminology! It is madness!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know that his eloquence has saved untold men from the gallows,&rdquo;
+said Mrs. Vandemeyer calmly. &ldquo;What of it? I may need his assistance in
+that line myself some day. If so, how fortunate to have such a friend at
+court&mdash;or perhaps it would be more to the point to say <i>in</i>
+court.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Boris got up and began striding up and down. He was very excited.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are a clever woman, Rita; but you are also a fool! Be guided by me,
+and give up Peel Edgerton.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer shook her head gently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think not.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You refuse?&rdquo; There was an ugly ring in the Russian&rsquo;s voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I do.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then, by Heaven,&rdquo; snarled the Russian, &ldquo;we will
+see&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Mrs. Vandemeyer also rose to her feet, her eyes flashing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You forget, Boris,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I am accountable to no one. I
+take my orders only from&mdash;Mr. Brown.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other threw up his hands in despair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are impossible,&rdquo; he muttered. &ldquo;Impossible! Already it
+may be too late. They say Peel Edgerton can <i>smell</i> a criminal! How do we
+know what is at the bottom of his sudden interest in you? Perhaps even now his
+suspicions are aroused. He guesses&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer eyed him scornfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Reassure yourself, my dear Boris. He suspects nothing. With less than
+your usual chivalry, you seem to forget that I am commonly accounted a
+beautiful woman. I assure you that is all that interests Peel Edgerton.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Boris shook his head doubtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He has studied crime as no other man in this kingdom has studied it. Do
+you fancy that you can deceive him?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s eyes narrowed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If he is all that you say&mdash;it would amuse me to try!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good heavens, Rita&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Besides,&rdquo; added Mrs. Vandemeyer, &ldquo;he is extremely rich. I am
+not one who despises money. The &lsquo;sinews of war,&rsquo; you know,
+Boris!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Money&mdash;money! That is always the danger with you, Rita. I believe
+you would sell your soul for money. I believe&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; He paused,
+then in a low, sinister voice he said slowly: &ldquo;Sometimes I believe that
+you would sell&mdash; <i>us!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The price, at any rate, would have to be enormous,&rdquo; she said
+lightly. &ldquo;It would be beyond the power of anyone but a millionaire to
+pay.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; snarled the Russian. &ldquo;You see, I was right!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My dear Boris, can you not take a joke?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Was it a joke?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then all I can say is that your ideas of humour are peculiar, my dear
+Rita.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer smiled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let us not quarrel, Boris. Touch the bell. We will have some
+drinks.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence beat a hasty retreat. She paused a moment to survey herself in Mrs.
+Vandemeyer&rsquo;s long glass, and be sure that nothing was amiss with her
+appearance. Then she answered the bell demurely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The conversation that she had overheard, although interesting in that it proved
+beyond doubt the complicity of both Rita and Boris, threw very little light on
+the present preoccupations. The name of Jane Finn had not even been mentioned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The following morning a few brief words with Albert informed her that nothing
+was waiting for her at the stationer&rsquo;s. It seemed incredible that Tommy,
+if all was well with him, should not send any word to her. A cold hand seemed
+to close round her heart.... Supposing.... She choked her fears down bravely.
+It was no good worrying. But she leapt at a chance offered her by Mrs.
+Vandemeyer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What day do you usually go out, Prudence?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Friday&rsquo;s my usual day, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer lifted her eyebrows.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And to-day is Friday! But I suppose you hardly wish to go out to-day, as
+you only came yesterday.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I was thinking of asking you if I might, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer looked at her a minute longer, and then smiled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wish Count Stepanov could hear you. He made a suggestion about you
+last night.&rdquo; Her smile broadened, catlike. &ldquo;Your request is
+very&mdash;typical. I am satisfied. You do not understand all this&mdash;but
+you can go out to-day. It makes no difference to me, as I shall not be dining
+at home.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, ma&rsquo;am.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence felt a sensation of relief once she was out of the other&rsquo;s
+presence. Once again she admitted to herself that she was afraid, horribly
+afraid, of the beautiful woman with the cruel eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the midst of a final desultory polishing of her silver, Tuppence was
+disturbed by the ringing of the front door bell, and went to answer it. This
+time the visitor was neither Whittington nor Boris, but a man of striking
+appearance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Just a shade over average height, he nevertheless conveyed the impression of a
+big man. His face, clean-shaven and exquisitely mobile, was stamped with an
+expression of power and force far beyond the ordinary. Magnetism seemed to
+radiate from him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence was undecided for the moment whether to put him down as an actor or a
+lawyer, but her doubts were soon solved as he gave her his name: Sir James Peel
+Edgerton.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She looked at him with renewed interest. This, then, was the famous K.C. whose
+name was familiar all over England. She had heard it said that he might one day
+be Prime Minister. He was known to have refused office in the interests of his
+profession, preferring to remain a simple Member for a Scotch constituency.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence went back to her pantry thoughtfully. The great man had impressed her.
+She understood Boris&rsquo;s agitation. Peel Edgerton would not be an easy man
+to deceive.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In about a quarter of an hour the bell rang, and Tuppence repaired to the hall
+to show the visitor out. He had given her a piercing glance before. Now, as she
+handed him his hat and stick, she was conscious of his eyes raking her through.
+As she opened the door and stood aside to let him pass out, he stopped in the
+doorway.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not been doing this long, eh?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence raised her eyes, astonished. She read in his glance kindliness, and
+something else more difficult to fathom.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He nodded as though she had answered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;V.A.D. and hard up, I suppose?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Did Mrs. Vandemeyer tell you that?&rdquo; asked Tuppence suspiciously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, child. The look of you told me. Good place here?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very good, thank you, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, but there are plenty of good places nowadays. And a change does no
+harm sometimes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you mean&mdash;&mdash;?&rdquo; began Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Sir James was already on the topmost stair. He looked back with his kindly,
+shrewd glance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just a hint,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence went back to the pantry more thoughtful than ever.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap11"></a>CHAPTER XI.<br/>
+JULIUS TELLS A STORY</h2>
+
+<p>
+Dressed appropriately, Tuppence duly sallied forth for her &ldquo;afternoon
+out.&rdquo; Albert was in temporary abeyance, but Tuppence went herself to the
+stationer&rsquo;s to make quite sure that nothing had come for her. Satisfied
+on this point, she made her way to the <i>Ritz</i>. On inquiry she learnt that
+Tommy had not yet returned. It was the answer she had expected, but it was
+another nail in the coffin of her hopes. She resolved to appeal to Mr. Carter,
+telling him when and where Tommy had started on his quest, and asking him to do
+something to trace him. The prospect of his aid revived her mercurial spirits,
+and she next inquired for Julius Hersheimmer. The reply she got was to the
+effect that he had returned about half an hour ago, but had gone out
+immediately.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence&rsquo;s spirits revived still more. It would be something to see
+Julius. Perhaps he could devise some plan for finding out what had become of
+Tommy. She wrote her note to Mr. Carter in Julius&rsquo;s sitting-room, and was
+just addressing the envelope when the door burst open.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What the hell&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; began Julius, but checked himself
+abruptly. &ldquo;I beg your pardon, Miss Tuppence. Those fools down at the
+office would have it that Beresford wasn&rsquo;t here any
+longer&mdash;hadn&rsquo;t been here since Wednesday. Is that so?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t know where he is?&rdquo; she asked faintly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I? How should I know? I haven&rsquo;t had one darned word from him,
+though I wired him yesterday morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I expect your wire&rsquo;s at the office unopened.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But where is he?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. I hoped you might.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I tell you I haven&rsquo;t had one darned word from him since we parted
+at the depot on Wednesday.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What depot?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Waterloo. Your London and South Western road.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Waterloo?&rdquo; frowned Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why, yes. Didn&rsquo;t he tell you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t seen him either,&rdquo; replied Tuppence impatiently.
+&ldquo;Go on about Waterloo. What were you doing there?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He gave me a call. Over the phone. Told me to get a move on, and hustle.
+Said he was trailing two crooks.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tuppence, her eyes opening. &ldquo;I see. Go on.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I hurried along right away. Beresford was there. He pointed out the
+crooks. The big one was mine, the guy you bluffed. Tommy shoved a ticket into
+my hand and told me to get aboard the cars. He was going to sleuth the other
+crook.&rdquo; Julius paused. &ldquo;I thought for sure you&rsquo;d know all
+this.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Julius,&rdquo; said Tuppence firmly, &ldquo;stop walking up and down. It
+makes me giddy. Sit down in that armchair, and tell me the whole story with as
+few fancy turns of speech as possible.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Hersheimmer obeyed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Where shall I begin?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where you left off. At Waterloo.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; began Julius, &ldquo;I got into one of your dear
+old-fashioned first-class British compartments. The train was just off. First
+thing I knew a guard came along and informed me mighty politely that I
+wasn&rsquo;t in a smoking-carriage. I handed him out half a dollar, and that
+settled that. I did a bit of prospecting along the corridor to the next coach.
+Whittington was there right enough. When I saw the skunk, with his big sleek
+fat face, and thought of poor little Jane in his clutches, I felt real mad that
+I hadn&rsquo;t got a gun with me. I&rsquo;d have tickled him up some.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We got to Bournemouth all right. Whittington took a cab and gave the
+name of an hotel. I did likewise, and we drove up within three minutes of each
+other. He hired a room, and I hired one too. So far it was all plain sailing.
+He hadn&rsquo;t the remotest notion that anyone was on to him. Well, he just
+sat around in the hotel lounge, reading the papers and so on, till it was time
+for dinner. He didn&rsquo;t hurry any over that either.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I began to think that there was nothing doing, that he&rsquo;d just come
+on the trip for his health, but I remembered that he hadn&rsquo;t changed for
+dinner, though it was by way of being a slap-up hotel, so it seemed likely
+enough that he&rsquo;d be going out on his real business afterwards.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure enough, about nine o&rsquo;clock, so he did. Took a car across the
+town&mdash;mighty pretty place by the way, I guess I&rsquo;ll take Jane there
+for a spell when I find her&mdash;and then paid it off and struck out along
+those pine-woods on the top of the cliff. I was there too, you understand. We
+walked, maybe, for half an hour. There&rsquo;s a lot of villas all the way
+along, but by degrees they seemed to get more and more thinned out, and in the
+end we got to one that seemed the last of the bunch. Big house it was, with a
+lot of piny grounds around it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was a pretty black night, and the carriage drive up to the house was
+dark as pitch. I could hear him ahead, though I couldn&rsquo;t see him. I had
+to walk carefully in case he might get on to it that he was being followed. I
+turned a curve and I was just in time to see him ring the bell and get admitted
+to the house. I just stopped where I was. It was beginning to rain, and I was
+soon pretty near soaked through. Also, it was almighty cold.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Whittington didn&rsquo;t come out again, and by and by I got kind of
+restive, and began to mouch around. All the ground floor windows were shuttered
+tight, but upstairs, on the first floor (it was a two-storied house) I noticed
+a window with a light burning and the curtains not drawn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now, just opposite to that window, there was a tree growing. It was
+about thirty foot away from the house, maybe, and I sort of got it into my head
+that, if I climbed up that tree, I&rsquo;d very likely be able to see into that
+room. Of course, I knew there was no reason why Whittington should be in that
+room rather than in any other&mdash;less reason, in fact, for the betting would
+be on his being in one of the reception-rooms downstairs. But I guess I&rsquo;d
+got the hump from standing so long in the rain, and anything seemed better than
+going on doing nothing. So I started up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t so easy, by a long chalk! The rain had made the boughs
+mighty slippery, and it was all I could do to keep a foothold, but bit by bit I
+managed it, until at last there I was level with the window.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But then I was disappointed. I was too far to the left. I could only see
+sideways into the room. A bit of curtain, and a yard of wallpaper was all I
+could command. Well, that wasn&rsquo;t any manner of good to me, but just as I
+was going to give it up, and climb down ignominiously, some one inside moved
+and threw his shadow on my little bit of wall&mdash;and, by gum, it was
+Whittington!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;After that, my blood was up. I&rsquo;d just <i>got</i> to get a look
+into that room. It was up to me to figure out how. I noticed that there was a
+long branch running out from the tree in the right direction. If I could only
+swarm about half-way along it, the proposition would be solved. But it was
+mighty uncertain whether it would bear my weight. I decided I&rsquo;d just got
+to risk that, and I started. Very cautiously, inch by inch, I crawled along.
+The bough creaked and swayed in a nasty fashion, and it didn&rsquo;t do to
+think of the drop below, but at last I got safely to where I wanted to be.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The room was medium-sized, furnished in a kind of bare hygienic way.
+There was a table with a lamp on it in the middle of the room, and sitting at
+that table, facing towards me, was Whittington right enough. He was talking to
+a woman dressed as a hospital nurse. She was sitting with her back to me, so I
+couldn&rsquo;t see her face. Although the blinds were up, the window itself was
+shut, so I couldn&rsquo;t catch a word of what they said. Whittington seemed to
+be doing all the talking, and the nurse just listened. Now and then she nodded,
+and sometimes she&rsquo;d shake her head, as though she were answering
+questions. He seemed very emphatic&mdash;once or twice he beat with his fist on
+the table. The rain had stopped now, and the sky was clearing in that sudden
+way it does.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Presently, he seemed to get to the end of what he was saying. He got up,
+and so did she. He looked towards the window and asked something&mdash;I guess
+it was whether it was raining. Anyway, she came right across and looked out.
+Just then the moon came out from behind the clouds. I was scared the woman
+would catch sight of me, for I was full in the moonlight. I tried to move back
+a bit. The jerk I gave was too much for that rotten old branch. With an
+almighty crash, down it came, and Julius P. Hersheimmer with it!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Julius,&rdquo; breathed Tuppence, &ldquo;how exciting! Go on.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, luckily for me, I pitched down into a good soft bed of
+earth&mdash;but it put me out of action for the time, sure enough. The next
+thing I knew, I was lying in bed with a hospital nurse (not Whittington&rsquo;s
+one) on one side of me, and a little black-bearded man with gold glasses, and
+medical man written all over him, on the other. He rubbed his hands together,
+and raised his eyebrows as I stared at him. &lsquo;Ah!&rsquo; he said.
+&lsquo;So our young friend is coming round again. Capital. Capital.&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I did the usual stunt. Said: &lsquo;What&rsquo;s happened?&rsquo; And
+&lsquo;Where am I?&rsquo; But I knew the answer to the last well enough.
+There&rsquo;s no moss growing on my brain. &lsquo;I think that&rsquo;ll do for
+the present, sister,&rsquo; said the little man, and the nurse left the room in
+a sort of brisk well-trained way. But I caught her handing me out a look of
+deep curiosity as she passed through the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That look of hers gave me an idea. &lsquo;Now then, doc,&rsquo; I said,
+and tried to sit up in bed, but my right foot gave me a nasty twinge as I did
+so. &lsquo;A slight sprain,&rsquo; explained the doctor. &lsquo;Nothing
+serious. You&rsquo;ll be about again in a couple of days.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I noticed you walked lame,&rdquo; interpolated Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius nodded, and continued:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;&lsquo;How did it happen?&rsquo; I asked again. He replied dryly.
+&lsquo;You fell, with a considerable portion of one of my trees, into one of my
+newly planted flower-beds.&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I liked the man. He seemed to have a sense of humour. I felt sure that
+he, at least, was plumb straight. &lsquo;Sure, doc,&rsquo; I said,
+&lsquo;I&rsquo;m sorry about the tree, and I guess the new bulbs will be on me.
+But perhaps you&rsquo;d like to know what I was doing in your garden?&rsquo;
+&lsquo;I think the facts do call for an explanation,&rsquo; he replied.
+&lsquo;Well, to begin with, I wasn&rsquo;t after the spoons.&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He smiled. &lsquo;My first theory. But I soon altered my mind. By the
+way, you are an American, are you not?&rsquo; I told him my name. &lsquo;And
+you?&rsquo; &lsquo;I am Dr. Hall, and this, as you doubtless know, is my
+private nursing home.&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know, but I wasn&rsquo;t going to put him wise. I was
+just thankful for the information. I liked the man, and I felt he was straight,
+but I wasn&rsquo;t going to give him the whole story. For one thing he probably
+wouldn&rsquo;t have believed it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I made up my mind in a flash. &lsquo;Why, doctor,&rsquo; I said,
+&lsquo;I guess I feel an almighty fool, but I owe it to you to let you know
+that it wasn&rsquo;t the Bill Sikes business I was up to.&rsquo; Then I went on
+and mumbled out something about a girl. I trotted out the stern guardian
+business, and a nervous breakdown, and finally explained that I had fancied I
+recognized her among the patients at the home, hence my nocturnal adventures. I
+guess it was just the kind of story he was expecting. &lsquo;Quite a
+romance,&rsquo; he said genially, when I&rsquo;d finished. &lsquo;Now,
+doc,&rsquo; I went on, &lsquo;will you be frank with me? Have you here now, or
+have you had here at any time, a young girl called Jane Finn?&rsquo; He
+repeated the name thoughtfully. &lsquo;Jane Finn?&rsquo; he said.
+&lsquo;No.&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I was chagrined, and I guess I showed it. &lsquo;You are sure?&rsquo;
+&lsquo;Quite sure, Mr. Hersheimmer. It is an uncommon name, and I should not
+have been likely to forget it.&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, that was flat. It laid me out for a space. I&rsquo;d kind of hoped
+my search was at an end. &lsquo;That&rsquo;s that,&rsquo; I said at last.
+&lsquo;Now, there&rsquo;s another matter. When I was hugging that darned branch
+I thought I recognized an old friend of mine talking to one of your
+nurses.&rsquo; I purposely didn&rsquo;t mention any name because, of course,
+Whittington might be calling himself something quite different down here, but
+the doctor answered at once. &lsquo;Mr. Whittington, perhaps?&rsquo;
+&lsquo;That&rsquo;s the fellow,&rsquo; I replied. &lsquo;What&rsquo;s he doing
+down here? Don&rsquo;t tell me <i>his</i> nerves are out of order?&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dr. Hall laughed. &lsquo;No. He came down to see one of my nurses, Nurse
+Edith, who is a niece of his.&rsquo; &lsquo;Why, fancy that!&rsquo; I
+exclaimed. &lsquo;Is he still here?&rsquo; &lsquo;No, he went back to town
+almost immediately.&rsquo; &lsquo;What a pity!&rsquo; I ejaculated. &lsquo;But
+perhaps I could speak to his niece&mdash;Nurse Edith, did you say her name
+was?&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But the doctor shook his head. &lsquo;I&rsquo;m afraid that, too, is
+impossible. Nurse Edith left with a patient to-night also.&rsquo; &lsquo;I seem
+to be real unlucky,&rsquo; I remarked. &lsquo;Have you Mr. Whittington&rsquo;s
+address in town? I guess I&rsquo;d like to look him up when I get back.&rsquo;
+&lsquo;I don&rsquo;t know his address. I can write to Nurse Edith for it if you
+like.&rsquo; I thanked him. &lsquo;Don&rsquo;t say who it is wants it.
+I&rsquo;d like to give him a little surprise.&rsquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That was about all I could do for the moment. Of course, if the girl was
+really Whittington&rsquo;s niece, she might be too cute to fall into the trap,
+but it was worth trying. Next thing I did was to write out a wire to Beresford
+saying where I was, and that I was laid up with a sprained foot, and telling
+him to come down if he wasn&rsquo;t busy. I had to be guarded in what I said.
+However, I didn&rsquo;t hear from him, and my foot soon got all right. It was
+only ricked, not really sprained, so to-day I said good-bye to the little
+doctor chap, asked him to send me word if he heard from Nurse Edith, and came
+right away back to town. Say, Miss Tuppence, you&rsquo;re looking mighty
+pale!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s Tommy,&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;What can have happened to
+him?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Buck up, I guess he&rsquo;s all right really. Why shouldn&rsquo;t he be?
+See here, it was a foreign-looking guy he went off after. Maybe they&rsquo;ve
+gone abroad&mdash;to Poland, or something like that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He couldn&rsquo;t without passports and things. Besides I&rsquo;ve seen
+that man, Boris Something, since. He dined with Mrs. Vandemeyer last
+night.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mrs. Who?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I forgot. Of course you don&rsquo;t know all that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m listening,&rdquo; said Julius, and gave vent to his favourite
+expression. &ldquo;Put me wise.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence thereupon related the events of the last two days. Julius&rsquo;s
+astonishment and admiration were unbounded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Bully for you! Fancy you a menial. It just tickles me to death!&rdquo;
+Then he added seriously: &ldquo;But say now, I don&rsquo;t like it, Miss
+Tuppence, I sure don&rsquo;t. You&rsquo;re just as plucky as they make
+&lsquo;em, but I wish you&rsquo;d keep right out of this. These crooks
+we&rsquo;re up against would as soon croak a girl as a man any day.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you think I&rsquo;m afraid?&rdquo; said Tuppence indignantly,
+valiantly repressing memories of the steely glitter in Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s
+eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I said before you were darned plucky. But that doesn&rsquo;t alter
+facts.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, bother <i>me!</i>&rdquo; said Tuppence impatiently.
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s think about what can have happened to Tommy. I&rsquo;ve
+written to Mr. Carter about it,&rdquo; she added, and told him the gist of her
+letter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius nodded gravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess that&rsquo;s good as far as it goes. But it&rsquo;s for us to
+get busy and do something.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What can we do?&rdquo; asked Tuppence, her spirits rising.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess we&rsquo;d better get on the track of Boris. You say he&rsquo;s
+been to your place. Is he likely to come again?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He might. I really don&rsquo;t know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I see. Well, I guess I&rsquo;d better buy a car, a slap-up one, dress as
+a chauffeur and hang about outside. Then if Boris comes, you could make some
+kind of signal, and I&rsquo;d trail him. How&rsquo;s that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Splendid, but he mightn&rsquo;t come for weeks.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll have to chance that. I&rsquo;m glad you like the
+plan.&rdquo; He rose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where are you going?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To buy the car, of course,&rdquo; replied Julius, surprised. &ldquo;What
+make do you like? I guess you&rsquo;ll do some riding in it before we&rsquo;ve
+finished.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; said Tuppence faintly, &ldquo;I <i>like</i> Rolls-Royces,
+but&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure,&rdquo; agreed Julius. &ldquo;What you say goes. I&rsquo;ll get
+one.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But you can&rsquo;t at once,&rdquo; cried Tuppence. &ldquo;People wait
+ages sometimes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Little Julius doesn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; affirmed Mr. Hersheimmer.
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you worry any. I&rsquo;ll be round in the car in half an
+hour.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence got up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re awfully good, Julius. But I can&rsquo;t help feeling that
+it&rsquo;s rather a forlorn hope. I&rsquo;m really pinning my faith to Mr.
+Carter.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then I shouldn&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just an idea of mine.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh; but he must do something. There&rsquo;s no one else. By the way, I
+forgot to tell you of a queer thing that happened this morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And she narrated her encounter with Sir James Peel Edgerton. Julius was
+interested.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What did the guy mean, do you think?&rdquo; he asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t quite know,&rdquo; said Tuppence meditatively. &ldquo;But
+I think that, in an ambiguous, legal, without prejudishish lawyer&rsquo;s way,
+he was trying to warn me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why should he?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; confessed Tuppence. &ldquo;But he looked
+kind, and simply awfully clever. I wouldn&rsquo;t mind going to him and telling
+him everything.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Somewhat to her surprise, Julius negatived the idea sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;See here,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;we don&rsquo;t want any lawyers mixed
+up in this. That guy couldn&rsquo;t help us any.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I believe he could,&rdquo; reiterated Tuppence obstinately.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you think it. So long. I&rsquo;ll be back in half an
+hour.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Thirty-five minutes had elapsed when Julius returned. He took Tuppence by the
+arm, and walked her to the window.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There she is.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tuppence with a note of reverence in her voice, as she
+gazed down at the enormous car.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s some pace-maker, I can tell you,&rdquo; said Julius
+complacently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How did you get it?&rdquo; gasped Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She was just being sent home to some bigwig.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I went round to his house,&rdquo; said Julius. &ldquo;I said that I
+reckoned a car like that was worth every penny of twenty thousand dollars. Then
+I told him that it was worth just about fifty thousand dollars to me if
+he&rsquo;d get out.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well?&rdquo; said Tuppence, intoxicated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; returned Julius, &ldquo;he got out, that&rsquo;s
+all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap12"></a>CHAPTER XII.<br/>
+A FRIEND IN NEED</h2>
+
+<p>
+Friday and Saturday passed uneventfully. Tuppence had received a brief answer
+to her appeal from Mr. Carter. In it he pointed out that the Young Adventurers
+had undertaken the work at their own risk, and had been fully warned of the
+dangers. If anything had happened to Tommy he regretted it deeply, but he could
+do nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was cold comfort. Somehow, without Tommy, all the savour went out of the
+adventure, and, for the first time, Tuppence felt doubtful of success. While
+they had been together she had never questioned it for a minute. Although she
+was accustomed to take the lead, and to pride herself on her quick-wittedness,
+in reality she had relied upon Tommy more than she realized at the time. There
+was something so eminently sober and clear-headed about him, his common sense
+and soundness of vision were so unvarying, that without him Tuppence felt much
+like a rudderless ship. It was curious that Julius, who was undoubtedly much
+cleverer than Tommy, did not give her the same feeling of support. She had
+accused Tommy of being a pessimist, and it is certain that he always saw the
+disadvantages and difficulties which she herself was optimistically given to
+overlooking, but nevertheless she had really relied a good deal on his
+judgment. He might be slow, but he was very sure.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It seemed to the girl that, for the first time, she realized the sinister
+character of the mission they had undertaken so lightheartedly. It had begun
+like a page of romance. Now, shorn of its glamour, it seemed to be turning to
+grim reality. Tommy&mdash;that was all that mattered. Many times in the day
+Tuppence blinked the tears out of her eyes resolutely. &ldquo;Little
+fool,&rdquo; she would apostrophize herself, &ldquo;don&rsquo;t snivel. Of
+course you&rsquo;re fond of him. You&rsquo;ve known him all your life. But
+there&rsquo;s no need to be sentimental about it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the meantime, nothing more was seen of Boris. He did not come to the flat,
+and Julius and the car waited in vain. Tuppence gave herself over to new
+meditations. Whilst admitting the truth of Julius&rsquo;s objections, she had
+nevertheless not entirely relinquished the idea of appealing to Sir James Peel
+Edgerton. Indeed, she had gone so far as to look up his address in the <i>Red
+Book</i>. Had he meant to warn her that day? If so, why? Surely she was at
+least entitled to demand an explanation. He had looked at her so kindly.
+Perhaps he might tell them something concerning Mrs. Vandemeyer which might
+lead to a clue to Tommy&rsquo;s whereabouts.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Anyway, Tuppence decided, with her usual shake of the shoulders, it was worth
+trying, and try it she would. Sunday was her afternoon out. She would meet
+Julius, persuade him to her point of view, and they would beard the lion in his
+den.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When the day arrived Julius needed a considerable amount of persuading, but
+Tuppence held firm. &ldquo;It can do no harm,&rdquo; was what she always came
+back to. In the end Julius gave in, and they proceeded in the car to Carlton
+House Terrace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The door was opened by an irreproachable butler. Tuppence felt a little
+nervous. After all, perhaps it <i>was</i> colossal cheek on her part. She had
+decided not to ask if Sir James was &ldquo;at home,&rdquo; but to adopt a more
+personal attitude.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Will you ask Sir James if I can see him for a few minutes? I have an
+important message for him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The butler retired, returning a moment or two later.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sir James will see you. Will you step this way?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He ushered them into a room at the back of the house, furnished as a library.
+The collection of books was a magnificent one, and Tuppence noticed that all
+one wall was devoted to works on crime and criminology. There were several
+deep-padded leather arm-chairs, and an old-fashioned open hearth. In the window
+was a big roll-top desk strewn with papers at which the master of the house was
+sitting.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He rose as they entered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You have a message for me? Ah&rdquo;&mdash;he recognized Tuppence with a
+smile&mdash;&ldquo;it&rsquo;s you, is it? Brought a message from Mrs.
+Vandemeyer, I suppose?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not exactly,&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;In fact, I&rsquo;m afraid I
+only said that to be quite sure of getting in. Oh, by the way, this is Mr.
+Hersheimmer, Sir James Peel Edgerton.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pleased to meet you,&rdquo; said the American, shooting out a hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Won&rsquo;t you both sit down?&rdquo; asked Sir James. He drew forward
+two chairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sir James,&rdquo; said Tuppence, plunging boldly, &ldquo;I dare say you
+will think it is most awful cheek of me coming here like this. Because, of
+course, it&rsquo;s nothing whatever to do with you, and then you&rsquo;re a
+very important person, and of course Tommy and I are very unimportant.&rdquo;
+She paused for breath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy?&rdquo; queried Sir James, looking across at the American.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, that&rsquo;s Julius,&rdquo; explained Tuppence. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m
+rather nervous, and that makes me tell it badly. What I really want to know is
+what you meant by what you said to me the other day? Did you mean to warn me
+against Mrs. Vandemeyer? You did, didn&rsquo;t you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My dear young lady, as far as I recollect I only mentioned that there
+were equally good situations to be obtained elsewhere.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I know. But it was a hint, wasn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, perhaps it was,&rdquo; admitted Sir James gravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I want to know more. I want to know just <i>why</i> you gave me a
+hint.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James smiled at her earnestness.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Suppose the lady brings a libel action against me for defamation of
+character?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course,&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;I know lawyers are always
+dreadfully careful. But can&rsquo;t we say &lsquo;without prejudice&rsquo;
+first, and then say just what we want to.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Sir James, still smiling, &ldquo;without prejudice,
+then, if I had a young sister forced to earn her living, I should not like to
+see her in Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s service. I felt it incumbent on me just to
+give you a hint. It is no place for a young and inexperienced girl. That is all
+I can tell you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I see,&rdquo; said Tuppence thoughtfully. &ldquo;Thank you very much.
+But I&rsquo;m not <i>really</i> inexperienced, you know. I knew perfectly that
+she was a bad lot when I went there&mdash;as a matter of fact that&rsquo;s
+<i>why</i> I went&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; She broke off, seeing some bewilderment
+on the lawyer&rsquo;s face, and went on: &ldquo;I think perhaps I&rsquo;d
+better tell you the whole story, Sir James. I&rsquo;ve a sort of feeling that
+you&rsquo;d know in a minute if I didn&rsquo;t tell the truth, and so you might
+as well know all about it from the beginning. What do you think, Julius?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As you&rsquo;re bent on it, I&rsquo;d go right ahead with the
+facts,&rdquo; replied the American, who had so far sat in silence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, tell me all about it,&rdquo; said Sir James. &ldquo;I want to know
+who Tommy is.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Thus encouraged Tuppence plunged into her tale, and the lawyer listened with
+close attention.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very interesting,&rdquo; he said, when she finished. &ldquo;A great deal
+of what you tell me, child, is already known to me. I&rsquo;ve had certain
+theories of my own about this Jane Finn. You&rsquo;ve done extraordinarily well
+so far, but it&rsquo;s rather too bad of&mdash;what do you know him
+as?&mdash;Mr. Carter to pitchfork you two young things into an affair of this
+kind. By the way, where did Mr. Hersheimmer come in originally? You
+didn&rsquo;t make that clear?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius answered for himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m Jane&rsquo;s first cousin,&rdquo; he explained, returning the
+lawyer&rsquo;s keen gaze.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Sir James,&rdquo; broke out Tuppence, &ldquo;what do you think has
+become of Tommy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;H&rsquo;m.&rdquo; The lawyer rose, and paced slowly up and down.
+&ldquo;When you arrived, young lady, I was just packing up my traps. Going to
+Scotland by the night train for a few days&rsquo; fishing. But there are
+different kinds of fishing. I&rsquo;ve a good mind to stay, and see if we
+can&rsquo;t get on the track of that young chap.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; Tuppence clasped her hands ecstatically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All the same, as I said before, it&rsquo;s too bad of&mdash;of Carter to
+set you two babies on a job like this. Now, don&rsquo;t get offended,
+Miss&mdash;er&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Cowley. Prudence Cowley. But my friends call me Tuppence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, Miss Tuppence, then, as I&rsquo;m certainly going to be a friend.
+Don&rsquo;t be offended because I think you&rsquo;re young. Youth is a failing
+only too easily outgrown. Now, about this young Tommy of
+yours&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo; Tuppence clasped her hands.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Frankly, things look bad for him. He&rsquo;s been butting in somewhere
+where he wasn&rsquo;t wanted. Not a doubt of it. But don&rsquo;t give up
+hope.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And you really will help us? There, Julius! He didn&rsquo;t want me to
+come,&rdquo; she added by way of explanation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;H&rsquo;m,&rdquo; said the lawyer, favouring Julius with another keen
+glance. &ldquo;And why was that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I reckoned it would be no good worrying you with a petty little business
+like this.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I see.&rdquo; He paused a moment. &ldquo;This petty little business, as
+you call it, bears directly on a very big business, bigger perhaps than either
+you or Miss Tuppence know. If this boy is alive, he may have very valuable
+information to give us. Therefore, we must find him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, but how?&rdquo; cried Tuppence. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve tried to think of
+everything.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James smiled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And yet there&rsquo;s one person quite near at hand who in all
+probability knows where he is, or at all events where he is likely to
+be.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who is that?&rdquo; asked Tuppence, puzzled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mrs. Vandemeyer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, but she&rsquo;d never tell us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, that is where I come in. I think it quite likely that I shall be
+able to make Mrs. Vandemeyer tell me what I want to know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How?&rdquo; demanded Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, just by asking her questions,&rdquo; replied Sir James easily.
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the way we do it, you know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He tapped with his finger on the table, and Tuppence felt again the intense
+power that radiated from the man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And if she won&rsquo;t tell?&rdquo; asked Julius suddenly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think she will. I have one or two powerful levers. Still, in that
+unlikely event, there is always the possibility of bribery.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure. And that&rsquo;s where I come in!&rdquo; cried Julius, bringing
+his fist down on the table with a bang. &ldquo;You can count on me, if
+necessary, for one million dollars. Yes, sir, one million dollars!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James sat down and subjected Julius to a long scrutiny.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Hersheimmer,&rdquo; he said at last, &ldquo;that is a very large
+sum.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess it&rsquo;ll have to be. These aren&rsquo;t the kind of folk to
+offer sixpence to.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At the present rate of exchange it amounts to considerably over two
+hundred and fifty thousand pounds.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so. Maybe you think I&rsquo;m talking through my hat, but I
+can deliver the goods all right, with enough over to spare for your fee.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James flushed slightly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There is no question of a fee, Mr. Hersheimmer. I am not a private
+detective.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sorry. I guess I was just a mite hasty, but I&rsquo;ve been feeling bad
+about this money question. I wanted to offer a big reward for news of Jane some
+days ago, but your crusted institution of Scotland Yard advised me against it.
+Said it was undesirable.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They were probably right,&rdquo; said Sir James dryly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But it&rsquo;s all O.K. about Julius,&rdquo; put in Tuppence.
+&ldquo;He&rsquo;s not pulling your leg. He&rsquo;s got simply pots of
+money.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The old man piled it up in style,&rdquo; explained Julius. &ldquo;Now,
+let&rsquo;s get down to it. What&rsquo;s your idea?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James considered for a moment or two.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There is no time to be lost. The sooner we strike the better.&rdquo; He
+turned to Tuppence. &ldquo;Is Mrs. Vandemeyer dining out to-night, do you
+know?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, I think so, but she will not be out late. Otherwise, she would have
+taken the latchkey.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good. I will call upon her about ten o&rsquo;clock. What time are you
+supposed to return?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;About nine-thirty or ten, but I could go back earlier.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You must not do that on any account. It might arouse suspicion if you
+did not stay out till the usual time. Be back by nine-thirty. I will arrive at
+ten. Mr. Hersheimmer will wait below in a taxi perhaps.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He&rsquo;s got a new Rolls-Royce car,&rdquo; said Tuppence with
+vicarious pride.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Even better. If I succeed in obtaining the address from her, we can go
+there at once, taking Mrs. Vandemeyer with us if necessary. You
+understand?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo; Tuppence rose to her feet with a skip of delight. &ldquo;Oh,
+I feel so much better!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t build on it too much, Miss Tuppence. Go easy.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius turned to the lawyer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say, then. I&rsquo;ll call for you in the car round about nine-thirty.
+Is that right?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps that will be the best plan. It would be unnecessary to have two
+cars waiting about. Now, Miss Tuppence, my advice to you is to go and have a
+good dinner, a <i>really</i> good one, mind. And don&rsquo;t think ahead more
+than you can help.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He shook hands with them both, and a moment later they were outside.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t he a duck?&rdquo; inquired Tuppence ecstatically, as she
+skipped down the steps. &ldquo;Oh, Julius, isn&rsquo;t he just a duck?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I allow he seems to be the goods all right. And I was wrong about
+its being useless to go to him. Say, shall we go right away back to the
+<i>Ritz?</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I must walk a bit, I think. I feel so excited. Drop me in the park, will
+you? Unless you&rsquo;d like to come too?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I want to get some petrol,&rdquo; he explained. &ldquo;And send off a
+cable or two.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All right. I&rsquo;ll meet you at the <i>Ritz</i> at seven. We&rsquo;ll
+have to dine upstairs. I can&rsquo;t show myself in these glad rags.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure. I&rsquo;ll get Felix help me choose the menu. He&rsquo;s some head
+waiter, that. So long.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence walked briskly along towards the Serpentine, first glancing at her
+watch. It was nearly six o&rsquo;clock. She remembered that she had had no tea,
+but felt too excited to be conscious of hunger. She walked as far as Kensington
+Gardens and then slowly retraced her steps, feeling infinitely better for the
+fresh air and exercise. It was not so easy to follow Sir James&rsquo;s advice,
+and put the possible events of the evening out of her head. As she drew nearer
+and nearer to Hyde Park corner, the temptation to return to South Audley
+Mansions was almost irresistible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At any rate, she decided, it would do no harm just to go and <i>look</i> at the
+building. Perhaps, then, she could resign herself to waiting patiently for ten
+o&rsquo;clock.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+South Audley Mansions looked exactly the same as usual. What Tuppence had
+expected she hardly knew, but the sight of its red brick stolidity slightly
+assuaged the growing and entirely unreasonable uneasiness that possessed her.
+She was just turning away when she heard a piercing whistle, and the faithful
+Albert came running from the building to join her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence frowned. It was no part of the programme to have attention called to
+her presence in the neighbourhood, but Albert was purple with suppressed
+excitement.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I say, miss, she&rsquo;s a-going!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who&rsquo;s going?&rdquo; demanded Tuppence sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The crook. Ready Rita. Mrs. Vandemeyer. She&rsquo;s a-packing up, and
+she&rsquo;s just sent down word for me to get her a taxi.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo; Tuppence clutched his arm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s the truth, miss. I thought maybe as you didn&rsquo;t know
+about it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Albert,&rdquo; cried Tuppence, &ldquo;you&rsquo;re a brick. If it
+hadn&rsquo;t been for you we&rsquo;d have lost her.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert flushed with pleasure at this tribute.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no time to lose,&rdquo; said Tuppence, crossing the road.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got to stop her. At all costs I must keep her here
+until&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; She broke off. &ldquo;Albert, there&rsquo;s a
+telephone here, isn&rsquo;t there?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The boy shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The flats mostly have their own, miss. But there&rsquo;s a box just
+round the corner.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Go to it then, at once, and ring up the <i>Ritz Hotel</i>. Ask for Mr.
+Hersheimmer, and when you get him tell him to get Sir James and come on at
+once, as Mrs. Vandemeyer is trying to hook it. If you can&rsquo;t get him, ring
+up Sir James Peel Edgerton, you&rsquo;ll find his number in the book, and tell
+him what&rsquo;s happening. You won&rsquo;t forget the names, will you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert repeated them glibly. &ldquo;You trust to me, miss, it&rsquo;ll be all
+right. But what about you? Aren&rsquo;t you afraid to trust yourself with
+her?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, no, that&rsquo;s all right. <i>But go and telephone</i>. Be
+quick.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Drawing a long breath, Tuppence entered the Mansions and ran up to the door of
+No. 20. How she was to detain Mrs. Vandemeyer until the two men arrived, she
+did not know, but somehow or other it had to be done, and she must accomplish
+the task single-handed. What had occasioned this precipitate departure? Did
+Mrs. Vandemeyer suspect her?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Speculations were idle. Tuppence pressed the bell firmly. She might learn
+something from the cook.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nothing happened and, after waiting some minutes, Tuppence pressed the bell
+again, keeping her finger on the button for some little while. At last she
+heard footsteps inside, and a moment later Mrs. Vandemeyer herself opened the
+door. She lifted her eyebrows at the sight of the girl.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I had a touch of toothache, ma&rsquo;am,&rdquo; said Tuppence glibly.
+&ldquo;So thought it better to come home and have a quiet evening.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer said nothing, but she drew back and let Tuppence pass into the
+hall.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How unfortunate for you,&rdquo; she said coldly. &ldquo;You had better
+go to bed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I shall be all right in the kitchen, ma&rsquo;am. Cook
+will&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Cook is out,&rdquo; said Mrs. Vandemeyer, in a rather disagreeable tone.
+&ldquo;I sent her out. So you see you had better go to bed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly Tuppence felt afraid. There was a ring in Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s
+voice that she did not like at all. Also, the other woman was slowly edging her
+up the passage. Tuppence turned at bay.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then, in a flash, a rim of cold steel touched her temple, and Mrs.
+Vandemeyer&rsquo;s voice rose cold and menacing:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You damned little fool! Do you think I don&rsquo;t know? No, don&rsquo;t
+answer. If you struggle or cry out, I&rsquo;ll shoot you like a dog.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The rim of steel pressed a little harder against the girl&rsquo;s temple.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now then, march,&rdquo; went on Mrs. Vandemeyer. &ldquo;This
+way&mdash;into my room. In a minute, when I&rsquo;ve done with you,
+you&rsquo;ll go to bed as I told you to. And you&rsquo;ll sleep&mdash;oh yes,
+my little spy, you&rsquo;ll sleep all right!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a sort of hideous geniality in the last words which Tuppence did not
+at all like. For the moment there was nothing to be done, and she walked
+obediently into Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s bedroom. The pistol never left her
+forehead. The room was in a state of wild disorder, clothes were flung about
+right and left, a suit-case and a hat box, half-packed, stood in the middle of
+the floor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence pulled herself together with an effort. Her voice shook a little, but
+she spoke out bravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come now,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;This is nonsense. You can&rsquo;t
+shoot me. Why, every one in the building would hear the report.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d risk that,&rdquo; said Mrs. Vandemeyer cheerfully. &ldquo;But,
+as long as you don&rsquo;t sing out for help, you&rsquo;re all right&mdash;and
+I don&rsquo;t think you will. You&rsquo;re a clever girl. You deceived
+<i>me</i> all right. I hadn&rsquo;t a suspicion of you! So I&rsquo;ve no doubt
+that you understand perfectly well that this is where I&rsquo;m on top and
+you&rsquo;re underneath. Now then&mdash;sit on the bed. Put your hands above
+your head, and if you value your life don&rsquo;t move them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence obeyed passively. Her good sense told her that there was nothing else
+to do but accept the situation. If she shrieked for help there was very little
+chance of anyone hearing her, whereas there was probably quite a good chance of
+Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s shooting her. In the meantime, every minute of delay
+gained was valuable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer laid down the revolver on the edge of the washstand within
+reach of her hand, and, still eyeing Tuppence like a lynx in case the girl
+should attempt to move, she took a little stoppered bottle from its place on
+the marble and poured some of its contents into a glass which she filled up
+with water.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&rsquo;s that?&rdquo; asked Tuppence sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Something to make you sleep soundly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence paled a little.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you going to poison me?&rdquo; she asked in a whisper.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps,&rdquo; said Mrs. Vandemeyer, smiling agreeably.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then I shan&rsquo;t drink it,&rdquo; said Tuppence firmly.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d much rather be shot. At any rate that would make a row, and
+some one might hear it. But I won&rsquo;t be killed off quietly like a
+lamb.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer stamped her foot.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be a little fool! Do you really think I want a hue and cry
+for murder out after me? If you&rsquo;ve any sense at all, you&rsquo;ll realize
+that poisoning you wouldn&rsquo;t suit my book at all. It&rsquo;s a sleeping
+draught, that&rsquo;s all. You&rsquo;ll wake up to-morrow morning none the
+worse. I simply don&rsquo;t want the bother of tying you up and gagging you.
+That&rsquo;s the alternative&mdash;and you won&rsquo;t like it, I can tell you!
+I can be very rough if I choose. So drink this down like a good girl, and
+you&rsquo;ll be none the worse for it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In her heart of hearts Tuppence believed her. The arguments she had adduced
+rang true. It was a simple and effective method of getting her out of the way
+for the time being. Nevertheless, the girl did not take kindly to the idea of
+being tamely put to sleep without as much as one bid for freedom. She felt that
+once Mrs. Vandemeyer gave them the slip, the last hope of finding Tommy would
+be gone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence was quick in her mental processes. All these reflections passed
+through her mind in a flash, and she saw where a chance, a very problematical
+chance, lay, and she determined to risk all in one supreme effort.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Accordingly, she lurched suddenly off the bed and fell on her knees before Mrs.
+Vandemeyer, clutching her skirts frantically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t believe it,&rdquo; she moaned. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s
+poison&mdash;I know it&rsquo;s poison. Oh, don&rsquo;t make me drink
+it&rdquo;&mdash;her voice rose to a shriek&mdash;&ldquo;don&rsquo;t make me
+drink it!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer, glass in hand, looked down with a curling lip at this sudden
+collapse.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get up, you little idiot! Don&rsquo;t go on drivelling there. How you
+ever had the nerve to play your part as you did I can&rsquo;t think.&rdquo; She
+stamped her foot. &ldquo;Get up, I say.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Tuppence continued to cling and sob, interjecting her sobs with incoherent
+appeals for mercy. Every minute gained was to the good. Moreover, as she
+grovelled, she moved imperceptibly nearer to her objective.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer gave a sharp impatient exclamation, and jerked the girl to her
+knees.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Drink it at once!&rdquo; Imperiously she pressed the glass to the
+girl&rsquo;s lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence gave one last despairing moan.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You swear it won&rsquo;t hurt me?&rdquo; she temporized.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course it won&rsquo;t hurt you. Don&rsquo;t be a fool.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Will you swear it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, yes,&rdquo; said the other impatiently. &ldquo;I swear it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence raised a trembling left hand to the glass.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very well.&rdquo; Her mouth opened meekly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer gave a sigh of relief, off her guard for the moment. Then,
+quick as a flash, Tuppence jerked the glass upward as hard as she could. The
+fluid in it splashed into Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s face, and during her
+momentary gasp, Tuppence&rsquo;s right hand shot out and grasped the revolver
+where it lay on the edge of the washstand. The next moment she had sprung back
+a pace, and the revolver pointed straight at Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s heart,
+with no unsteadiness in the hand that held it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the moment of victory, Tuppence betrayed a somewhat unsportsmanlike triumph.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now who&rsquo;s on top and who&rsquo;s underneath?&rdquo; she crowed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other&rsquo;s face was convulsed with rage. For a minute Tuppence thought
+she was going to spring upon her, which would have placed the girl in an
+unpleasant dilemma, since she meant to draw the line at actually letting off
+the revolver. However, with an effort Mrs. Vandemeyer controlled herself, and
+at last a slow evil smile crept over her face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not a fool, then, after all! You did that well, girl. But you shall pay
+for it&mdash;oh, yes, you shall pay for it! I have a long memory!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m surprised you should have been gulled so easily,&rdquo; said
+Tuppence scornfully. &ldquo;Did you really think I was the kind of girl to roll
+about on the floor and whine for mercy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You may do&mdash;some day!&rdquo; said the other significantly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The cold malignity of her manner sent an unpleasant chill down Tuppence&rsquo;s
+spine, but she was not going to give in to it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Supposing we sit down,&rdquo; she said pleasantly. &ldquo;Our present
+attitude is a little melodramatic. No&mdash;not on the bed. Draw a chair up to
+the table, that&rsquo;s right. Now I&rsquo;ll sit opposite you with the
+revolver in front of me&mdash;just in case of accidents. Splendid. Now,
+let&rsquo;s talk.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about?&rdquo; said Mrs. Vandemeyer sullenly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence eyed her thoughtfully for a minute. She was remembering several
+things. Boris&rsquo;s words, &ldquo;I believe you would sell&mdash;
+<i>us!</i>&rdquo; and her answer, &ldquo;The price would have to be
+enormous,&rdquo; given lightly, it was true, yet might not there be a
+substratum of truth in it? Long ago, had not Whittington asked:
+&ldquo;Who&rsquo;s been blabbing? Rita?&rdquo; Would Rita Vandemeyer prove to
+be the weak spot in the armour of Mr. Brown?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Keeping her eyes fixed steadily on the other&rsquo;s face, Tuppence replied
+quietly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Money&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer started. Clearly, the reply was unexpected.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you. You said just now that you had a long memory. A
+long memory isn&rsquo;t half as useful as a long purse! I dare say it relieves
+your feelings a good deal to plan out all sorts of dreadful things to do to me,
+but is that <i>practical?</i> Revenge is very unsatisfactory. Every one always
+says so. But money&rdquo;&mdash;Tuppence warmed to her pet
+creed&mdash;&ldquo;well, there&rsquo;s nothing unsatisfactory about money, is
+there?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you think,&rdquo; said Mrs. Vandemeyer scornfully, &ldquo;that I am
+the kind of woman to sell my friends?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Tuppence promptly. &ldquo;If the price was big
+enough.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A paltry hundred pounds or so!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;I should suggest&mdash;a hundred
+thousand!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her economical spirit did not permit her to mention the whole million dollars
+suggested by Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A flush crept over Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What did you say?&rdquo; she asked, her fingers playing nervously with a
+brooch on her breast. In that moment Tuppence knew that the fish was hooked,
+and for the first time she felt a horror of her own money-loving spirit. It
+gave her a dreadful sense of kinship to the woman fronting her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A hundred thousand pounds,&rdquo; repeated Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The light died out of Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s eyes. She leaned back in her
+chair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Bah!&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;You haven&rsquo;t got it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; admitted Tuppence, &ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t&mdash;but I know
+some one who has.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A friend of mine.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Must be a millionaire,&rdquo; remarked Mrs. Vandemeyer unbelievingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As a matter of fact he is. He&rsquo;s an American. He&rsquo;ll pay you
+that without a murmur. You can take it from me that it&rsquo;s a perfectly
+genuine proposition.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer sat up again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m inclined to believe you,&rdquo; she said slowly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was silence between them for some time, then Mrs. Vandemeyer looked up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What does he want to know, this friend of yours?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence went through a momentary struggle, but it was Julius&rsquo;s money,
+and his interests must come first.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He wants to know where Jane Finn is,&rdquo; she said boldly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer showed no surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not sure where she is at the present moment,&rdquo; she
+replied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But you could find out?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, yes,&rdquo; returned Mrs. Vandemeyer carelessly. &ldquo;There would
+be no difficulty about that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then&rdquo;&mdash;Tuppence&rsquo;s voice shook a
+little&mdash;&ldquo;there&rsquo;s a boy, a friend of mine. I&rsquo;m afraid
+something&rsquo;s happened to him, through your pal Boris.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&rsquo;s his name?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy Beresford.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never heard of him. But I&rsquo;ll ask Boris. He&rsquo;ll tell me
+anything he knows.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you.&rdquo; Tuppence felt a terrific rise in her spirits. It
+impelled her to more audacious efforts. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s one thing
+more.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence leaned forward and lowered her voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<i>&ldquo;Who is Mr. Brown?&rdquo;</i>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her quick eyes saw the sudden paling of the beautiful face. With an effort Mrs.
+Vandemeyer pulled herself together and tried to resume her former manner. But
+the attempt was a mere parody.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She shrugged her shoulders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You can&rsquo;t have learnt much about us if you don&rsquo;t know that
+<i>nobody knows who Mr. Brown is</i>....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You do,&rdquo; said Tuppence quietly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again the colour deserted the other&rsquo;s face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What makes you think that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; said the girl truthfully. &ldquo;But
+I&rsquo;m sure.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer stared in front of her for a long time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; she said hoarsely, at last, &ldquo;<i>I</i> know. I was
+beautiful, you see&mdash;very beautiful&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are still,&rdquo; said Tuppence with admiration.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer shook her head. There was a strange gleam in her electric-blue
+eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not beautiful enough,&rdquo; she said in a soft dangerous voice.
+&ldquo;Not&mdash;beautiful&mdash;enough! And sometimes, lately, I&rsquo;ve been
+afraid.... It&rsquo;s dangerous to know too much!&rdquo; She leaned forward
+across the table. &ldquo;Swear that my name shan&rsquo;t be brought into
+it&mdash;that no one shall ever know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I swear it. And, once&rsquo;s he caught, you&rsquo;ll be out of
+danger.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A terrified look swept across Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shall I? Shall I ever be?&rdquo; She clutched Tuppence&rsquo;s arm.
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re sure about the money?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quite sure.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When shall I have it? There must be no delay.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This friend of mine will be here presently. He may have to send cables,
+or something like that. But there won&rsquo;t be any delay&mdash;he&rsquo;s a
+terrific hustler.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A resolute look settled on Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll do it. It&rsquo;s a great sum of money, and
+besides&rdquo;&mdash;she gave a curious smile&mdash;&ldquo;it is not&mdash;wise
+to throw over a woman like me!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment or two, she remained smiling, and lightly tapping her fingers on
+the table. Suddenly she started, and her face blanched.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What was that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I heard nothing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer gazed round her fearfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If there should be some one listening&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nonsense. Who could there be?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Even the walls might have ears,&rdquo; whispered the other. &ldquo;I
+tell you I&rsquo;m frightened. You don&rsquo;t know him!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Think of the hundred thousand pounds,&rdquo; said Tuppence soothingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer passed her tongue over her dried lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t know him,&rdquo; she reiterated hoarsely.
+&ldquo;He&rsquo;s&mdash;ah!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With a shriek of terror she sprang to her feet. Her outstretched hand pointed
+over Tuppence&rsquo;s head. Then she swayed to the ground in a dead faint.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence looked round to see what had startled her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the doorway were Sir James Peel Edgerton and Julius Hersheimmer.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap13"></a>CHAPTER XIII.<br/>
+THE VIGIL</h2>
+
+<p>
+Sir James brushed past Julius and hurriedly bent over the fallen woman.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Heart,&rdquo; he said sharply. &ldquo;Seeing us so suddenly must have
+given her a shock. Brandy&mdash;and quickly, or she&rsquo;ll slip through our
+fingers.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius hurried to the washstand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not there,&rdquo; said Tuppence over her shoulder. &ldquo;In the
+tantalus in the dining-room. Second door down the passage.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Between them Sir James and Tuppence lifted Mrs. Vandemeyer and carried her to
+the bed. There they dashed water on her face, but with no result. The lawyer
+fingered her pulse.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Touch and go,&rdquo; he muttered. &ldquo;I wish that young fellow would
+hurry up with the brandy.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At that moment Julius re-entered the room, carrying a glass half full of the
+spirit which he handed to Sir James. While Tuppence lifted her head the lawyer
+tried to force a little of the spirit between her closed lips. Finally the
+woman opened her eyes feebly. Tuppence held the glass to her lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Drink this.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer complied. The brandy brought the colour back to her white
+cheeks, and revived her in a marvellous fashion. She tried to sit up&mdash;then
+fell back with a groan, her hand to her side.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s my heart,&rdquo; she whispered. &ldquo;I mustn&rsquo;t
+talk.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She lay back with closed eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James kept his finger on her wrist a minute longer, then withdrew it with a
+nod.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;ll do now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+All three moved away, and stood together talking in low voices. One and all
+were conscious of a certain feeling of anticlimax. Clearly any scheme for
+cross-questioning the lady was out of the question for the moment. For the time
+being they were baffled, and could do nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence related how Mrs. Vandemeyer had declared herself willing to disclose
+the identity of Mr. Brown, and how she had consented to discover and reveal to
+them the whereabouts of Jane Finn. Julius was congratulatory.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right, Miss Tuppence. Splendid! I guess that hundred
+thousand pounds will look just as good in the morning to the lady as it did
+over night. There&rsquo;s nothing to worry over. She won&rsquo;t speak without
+the cash anyway, you bet!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was certainly a good deal of common sense in this, and Tuppence felt a
+little comforted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What you say is true,&rdquo; said Sir James meditatively. &ldquo;I must
+confess, however, that I cannot help wishing we had not interrupted at the
+minute we did. Still, it cannot be helped, it is only a matter of waiting until
+the morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked across at the inert figure on the bed. Mrs. Vandemeyer lay perfectly
+passive with closed eyes. He shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tuppence, with an attempt at cheerfulness, &ldquo;we
+must wait until the morning, that&rsquo;s all. But I don&rsquo;t think we ought
+to leave the flat.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about leaving that bright boy of yours on guard?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Albert? And suppose she came round again and hooked it. Albert
+couldn&rsquo;t stop her.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess she won&rsquo;t want to make tracks away from the
+dollars.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She might. She seemed very frightened of &lsquo;Mr. Brown.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What? Real plumb scared of him?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. She looked round and said even walls had ears.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Maybe she meant a dictaphone,&rdquo; said Julius with interest.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Miss Tuppence is right,&rdquo; said Sir James quietly. &ldquo;We must
+not leave the flat&mdash;if only for Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s sake.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius stared at him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You think he&rsquo;d get after her? Between now and to-morrow morning.
+How could he know, even?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You forget your own suggestion of a dictaphone,&rdquo; said Sir James
+dryly. &ldquo;We have a very formidable adversary. I believe, if we exercise
+all due care, that there is a very good chance of his being delivered into our
+hands. But we must neglect no precaution. We have an important witness, but she
+must be safeguarded. I would suggest that Miss Tuppence should go to bed, and
+that you and I, Mr. Hersheimmer, should share the vigil.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence was about to protest, but happening to glance at the bed she saw Mrs.
+Vandemeyer, her eyes half-open, with such an expression of mingled fear and
+malevolence on her face that it quite froze the words on her lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment she wondered whether the faint and the heart attack had been a
+gigantic sham, but remembering the deadly pallor she could hardly credit the
+supposition. As she looked the expression disappeared as by magic, and Mrs.
+Vandemeyer lay inert and motionless as before. For a moment the girl fancied
+she must have dreamt it. But she determined nevertheless to be on the alert.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Julius, &ldquo;I guess we&rsquo;d better make a move
+out of here any way.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The others fell in with his suggestion. Sir James again felt Mrs.
+Vandemeyer&rsquo;s pulse.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perfectly satisfactory,&rdquo; he said in a low voice to Tuppence.
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;ll be absolutely all right after a night&rsquo;s rest.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl hesitated a moment by the bed. The intensity of the expression she had
+surprised had impressed her powerfully. Mrs. Vandemeyer lifted her lids. She
+seemed to be struggling to speak. Tuppence bent over her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t&mdash;leave&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; she seemed unable to
+proceed, murmuring something that sounded like &ldquo;sleepy.&rdquo; Then she
+tried again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence bent lower still. It was only a breath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr.&mdash;Brown&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; The voice stopped.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the half-closed eyes seemed still to send an agonized message.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Moved by a sudden impulse, the girl said quickly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shan&rsquo;t leave the flat. I shall sit up all night.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A flash of relief showed before the lids descended once more. Apparently Mrs.
+Vandemeyer slept. But her words had awakened a new uneasiness in Tuppence. What
+had she meant by that low murmur: &ldquo;Mr. Brown?&rdquo; Tuppence caught
+herself nervously looking over her shoulder. The big wardrobe loomed up in a
+sinister fashion before her eyes. Plenty of room for a man to hide in that....
+Half-ashamed of herself, Tuppence pulled it open and looked inside. No
+one&mdash;of course! She stooped down and looked under the bed. There was no
+other possible hiding-place.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence gave her familiar shake of the shoulders. It was absurd, this giving
+way to nerves! Slowly she went out of the room. Julius and Sir James were
+talking in a low voice. Sir James turned to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Lock the door on the outside, please, Miss Tuppence, and take out the
+key. There must be no chance of anyone entering that room.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The gravity of his manner impressed them, and Tuppence felt less ashamed of her
+attack of &ldquo;nerves.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say,&rdquo; remarked Julius suddenly, &ldquo;there&rsquo;s
+Tuppence&rsquo;s bright boy. I guess I&rsquo;d better go down and ease his
+young mind. That&rsquo;s some lad, Tuppence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How did you get in, by the way?&rdquo; asked Tuppence suddenly. &ldquo;I
+forgot to ask.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, Albert got me on the phone all right. I ran round for Sir James
+here, and we came right on. The boy was on the look out for us, and was just a
+mite worried about what might have happened to you. He&rsquo;d been listening
+outside the door of the flat, but couldn&rsquo;t hear anything. Anyhow he
+suggested sending us up in the coal lift instead of ringing the bell. And sure
+enough we landed in the scullery and came right along to find you.
+Albert&rsquo;s still below, and must be just hopping mad by this time.&rdquo;
+With which Julius departed abruptly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now then, Miss Tuppence,&rdquo; said Sir James, &ldquo;you know this
+place better than I do. Where do you suggest we should take up our
+quarters?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence considered for a moment or two.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s boudoir would be the most
+comfortable,&rdquo; she said at last, and led the way there.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James looked round approvingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This will do very well, and now, my dear young lady, do go to bed and
+get some sleep.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence shook her head resolutely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t, thank you, Sir James. I should dream of Mr. Brown all
+night!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But you&rsquo;ll be so tired, child.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, I shan&rsquo;t. I&rsquo;d rather stay up&mdash;really.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The lawyer gave in.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius reappeared some minutes later, having reassured Albert and rewarded him
+lavishly for his services. Having in his turn failed to persuade Tuppence to go
+to bed, he said decisively:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At any rate, you&rsquo;ve got to have something to eat right away.
+Where&rsquo;s the larder?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence directed him, and he returned in a few minutes with a cold pie and
+three plates.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a hearty meal, the girl felt inclined to pooh-pooh her fancies of half an
+hour before. The power of the money bribe could not fail.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And now, Miss Tuppence,&rdquo; said Sir James, &ldquo;we want to hear
+your adventures.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; agreed Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence narrated her adventures with some complacence. Julius occasionally
+interjected an admiring &ldquo;Bully.&rdquo; Sir James said nothing until she
+had finished, when his quiet &ldquo;well done, Miss Tuppence,&rdquo; made her
+flush with pleasure.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s one thing I don&rsquo;t get clearly,&rdquo; said Julius.
+&ldquo;What put her up to clearing out?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; confessed Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James stroked his chin thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The room was in great disorder. That looks as though her flight was
+unpremeditated. Almost as though she got a sudden warning to go from some
+one.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Brown, I suppose,&rdquo; said Julius scoffingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The lawyer looked at him deliberately for a minute or two.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why not?&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Remember, you yourself have once been
+worsted by him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius flushed with vexation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I feel just mad when I think of how I handed out Jane&rsquo;s photograph
+to him like a lamb. Gee, if I ever lay hands on it again, I&rsquo;ll freeze on
+to it like&mdash;like hell!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That contingency is likely to be a remote one,&rdquo; said the other
+dryly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess you&rsquo;re right,&rdquo; said Julius frankly. &ldquo;And, in
+any case, it&rsquo;s the original I&rsquo;m out after. Where do you think she
+can be, Sir James?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The lawyer shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Impossible to say. But I&rsquo;ve a very good idea where she <i>has</i>
+been.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You have? Where?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James smiled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At the scene of your nocturnal adventures, the Bournemouth nursing
+home.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There? Impossible. I asked.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, my dear sir, you asked if anyone of the name of Jane Finn had been
+there. Now, if the girl had been placed there it would almost certainly be
+under an assumed name.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Bully for you,&rdquo; cried Julius. &ldquo;I never thought of
+that!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was fairly obvious,&rdquo; said the other.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps the doctor&rsquo;s in it too,&rdquo; suggested Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think so. I took to him at once. No, I&rsquo;m pretty sure
+Dr. Hall&rsquo;s all right.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hall, did you say?&rdquo; asked Sir James. &ldquo;That is
+curious&mdash;really very curious.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why?&rdquo; demanded Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because I happened to meet him this morning. I&rsquo;ve known him
+slightly on and off for some years, and this morning I ran across him in the
+street. Staying at the <i>Métropole</i>, he told me.&rdquo; He turned to
+Julius. &ldquo;Didn&rsquo;t he tell you he was coming up to town?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Curious,&rdquo; mused Sir James. &ldquo;You did not mention his name
+this afternoon, or I would have suggested your going to him for further
+information with my card as introduction.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess I&rsquo;m a mutt,&rdquo; said Julius with unusual humility.
+&ldquo;I ought to have thought of the false name stunt.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How could you think of anything after falling out of that tree?&rdquo;
+cried Tuppence. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure anyone else would have been killed right
+off.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I guess it doesn&rsquo;t matter now, anyway,&rdquo; said Julius.
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got Mrs. Vandemeyer on a string, and that&rsquo;s all we
+need.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Tuppence, but there was a lack of assurance in her
+voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A silence settled down over the party. Little by little the magic of the night
+began to gain a hold on them. There were sudden creaks of the furniture,
+imperceptible rustlings in the curtains. Suddenly Tuppence sprang up with a
+cry.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t help it. I know Mr. Brown&rsquo;s somewhere in the flat! I
+can <i>feel</i> him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure, Tuppence, how could he be? This door&rsquo;s open into the hall.
+No one could have come in by the front door without our seeing and hearing
+him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t help it. I <i>feel</i> he&rsquo;s here!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She looked appealingly at Sir James, who replied gravely:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;With due deference to your feelings, Miss Tuppence (and mine as well for
+that matter), I do not see how it is humanly possible for anyone to be in the
+flat without our knowledge.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl was a little comforted by his words.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sitting up at night is always rather jumpy,&rdquo; she confessed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Sir James. &ldquo;We are in the condition of people
+holding a séance. Perhaps if a medium were present we might get some marvellous
+results.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you believe in spiritualism?&rdquo; asked Tuppence, opening her eyes
+wide.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The lawyer shrugged his shoulders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There is some truth in it, without a doubt. But most of the testimony
+would not pass muster in the witness-box.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The hours drew on. With the first faint glimmerings of dawn, Sir James drew
+aside the curtains. They beheld, what few Londoners see, the slow rising of the
+sun over the sleeping city. Somehow, with the coming of the light, the dreads
+and fancies of the past night seemed absurd. Tuppence&rsquo;s spirits revived
+to the normal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hooray!&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s going to be a gorgeous day.
+And we shall find Tommy. And Jane Finn. And everything will be lovely. I shall
+ask Mr. Carter if I can&rsquo;t be made a Dame!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At seven o&rsquo;clock Tuppence volunteered to go and make some tea. She
+returned with a tray, containing the teapot and four cups.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who&rsquo;s the other cup for?&rdquo; inquired Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The prisoner, of course. I suppose we might call her that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Taking her tea seems a kind of anticlimax to last night,&rdquo; said
+Julius thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, it does,&rdquo; admitted Tuppence. &ldquo;But, anyway, here goes.
+Perhaps you&rsquo;d both come, too, in case she springs on me, or anything. You
+see, we don&rsquo;t know what mood she&rsquo;ll wake up in.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James and Julius accompanied her to the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where&rsquo;s the key? Oh, of course, I&rsquo;ve got it myself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She put it in the lock, and turned it, then paused.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Supposing, after all, she&rsquo;s escaped?&rdquo; she murmured in a
+whisper.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Plumb impossible,&rdquo; replied Julius reassuringly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Sir James said nothing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence drew a long breath and entered. She heaved a sigh of relief as she saw
+that Mrs. Vandemeyer was lying on the bed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good morning,&rdquo; she remarked cheerfully. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve brought
+you some tea.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Vandemeyer did not reply. Tuppence put down the cup on the table by the
+bed and went across to draw up the blinds. When she turned, Mrs. Vandemeyer
+still lay without a movement. With a sudden fear clutching at her heart,
+Tuppence ran to the bed. The hand she lifted was cold as ice.... Mrs.
+Vandemeyer would never speak now....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her cry brought the others. A very few minutes sufficed. Mrs. Vandemeyer was
+dead&mdash;must have been dead some hours. She had evidently died in her sleep.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If that isn&rsquo;t the cruellest luck,&rdquo; cried Julius in despair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The lawyer was calmer, but there was a curious gleam in his eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If it is luck,&rdquo; he replied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t think&mdash;but, say, that&rsquo;s plumb
+impossible&mdash;no one could have got in.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; admitted the lawyer. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see how they could.
+And yet&mdash;she is on the point of betraying Mr. Brown, and&mdash;she dies.
+Is it only chance?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But how&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, <i>how!</i> That is what we must find out.&rdquo; He stood there
+silently, gently stroking his chin. &ldquo;We must find out,&rdquo; he said
+quietly, and Tuppence felt that if she was Mr. Brown she would not like the
+tone of those simple words.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius&rsquo;s glance went to the window.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The window&rsquo;s open,&rdquo; he remarked. &ldquo;Do you
+think&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The balcony only goes along as far as the boudoir. We were there.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He might have slipped out&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; suggested Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Sir James interrupted him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Brown&rsquo;s methods are not so crude. In the meantime we must send
+for a doctor, but before we do so, is there anything in this room that might be
+of value to us?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Hastily, the three searched. A charred mass in the grate indicated that Mrs.
+Vandemeyer had been burning papers on the eve of her flight. Nothing of
+importance remained, though they searched the other rooms as well.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s that,&rdquo; said Tuppence suddenly, pointing to a small,
+old-fashioned safe let into the wall. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s for jewellery, I
+believe, but there might be something else in it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The key was in the lock, and Julius swung open the door, and searched inside.
+He was some time over the task.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tuppence impatiently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a pause before Julius answered, then he withdrew his head and shut to
+the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing,&rdquo; he said.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In five minutes a brisk young doctor arrived, hastily summoned. He was
+deferential to Sir James, whom he recognized.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Heart failure, or possibly an overdose of some sleeping-draught.&rdquo;
+He sniffed. &ldquo;Rather an odour of chloral in the air.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence remembered the glass she had upset. A new thought drove her to the
+washstand. She found the little bottle from which Mrs. Vandemeyer had poured a
+few drops.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It had been three parts full. Now&mdash; <i>it was empty</i>.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap14"></a>CHAPTER XIV.<br/>
+A CONSULTATION</h2>
+
+<p>
+Nothing was more surprising and bewildering to Tuppence than the ease and
+simplicity with which everything was arranged, owing to Sir James&rsquo;s
+skilful handling. The doctor accepted quite readily the theory that Mrs.
+Vandemeyer had accidentally taken an overdose of chloral. He doubted whether an
+inquest would be necessary. If so, he would let Sir James know. He understood
+that Mrs. Vandemeyer was on the eve of departure for abroad, and that the
+servants had already left? Sir James and his young friends had been paying a
+call upon her, when she was suddenly stricken down and they had spent the night
+in the flat, not liking to leave her alone. Did they know of any relatives?
+They did not, but Sir James referred him to Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s solicitor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Shortly afterwards a nurse arrived to take charge, and the other left the
+ill-omened building.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And what now?&rdquo; asked Julius, with a gesture of despair. &ldquo;I
+guess we&rsquo;re down and out for good.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James stroked his chin thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; he said quietly. &ldquo;There is still the chance that Dr.
+Hall may be able to tell us something.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gee! I&rsquo;d forgotten him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The chance is slight, but it must not be neglected. I think I told you
+that he is staying at the <i>Métropole</i>. I should suggest that we call upon
+him there as soon as possible. Shall we say after a bath and breakfast?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was arranged that Tuppence and Julius should return to the <i>Ritz</i>, and
+call for Sir James in the car. This programme was faithfully carried out, and a
+little after eleven they drew up before the <i>Métropole</i>. They asked for
+Dr. Hall, and a page-boy went in search of him. In a few minutes the little
+doctor came hurrying towards them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can you spare us a few minutes, Dr. Hall?&rdquo; said Sir James
+pleasantly. &ldquo;Let me introduce you to Miss Cowley. Mr. Hersheimmer, I
+think, you already know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A quizzical gleam came into the doctor&rsquo;s eye as he shook hands with
+Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, yes, my young friend of the tree episode! Ankle all right,
+eh?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess it&rsquo;s cured owing to your skilful treatment, doc.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And the heart trouble? Ha ha!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Still searching,&rdquo; said Julius briefly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To come to the point, can we have a word with you in private?&rdquo;
+asked Sir James.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly. I think there is a room here where we shall be quite
+undisturbed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He led the way, and the others followed him. They sat down, and the doctor
+looked inquiringly at Sir James.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dr. Hall, I am very anxious to find a certain young lady for the purpose
+of obtaining a statement from her. I have reason to believe that she has been
+at one time or another in your establishment at Bournemouth. I hope I am
+transgressing no professional etiquette in questioning you on the
+subject?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I suppose it is a matter of testimony?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James hesitated a moment, then he replied:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shall be pleased to give you any information in my power. What is the
+young lady&rsquo;s name? Mr. Hersheimmer asked me, I
+remember&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; He half turned to Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The name,&rdquo; said Sir James bluntly, &ldquo;is really immaterial.
+She would be almost certainly sent to you under an assumed one. But I should
+like to know if you are acquainted with a Mrs. Vandemeyer?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mrs. Vandemeyer, of 20 South Audley Mansions? I know her
+slightly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are not aware of what has happened?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You do not know that Mrs. Vandemeyer is dead?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dear, dear, I had no idea of it! When did it happen?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She took an overdose of chloral last night.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Purposely?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Accidentally, it is believed. I should not like to say myself. Anyway,
+she was found dead this morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very sad. A singularly handsome woman. I presume she was a friend of
+yours, since you are acquainted with all these details.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am acquainted with the details because&mdash;well, it was I who found
+her dead.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Indeed,&rdquo; said the doctor, starting.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Sir James, and stroked his chin reflectively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This is very sad news, but you will excuse me if I say that I do not see
+how it bears on the subject of your inquiry?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It bears on it in this way, is it not a fact that Mrs. Vandemeyer
+committed a young relative of hers to your charge?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius leaned forward eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is the case,&rdquo; said the doctor quietly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Under the name of&mdash;&mdash;?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Janet Vandemeyer. I understood her to be a niece of Mrs.
+Vandemeyer&rsquo;s.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And she came to you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As far as I can remember in June or July of 1915.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Was she a mental case?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She is perfectly sane, if that is what you mean. I understood from Mrs.
+Vandemeyer that the girl had been with her on the <i>Lusitania</i> when that
+ill-fated ship was sunk, and had suffered a severe shock in consequence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;re on the right track, I think?&rdquo; Sir James looked round.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As I said before, I&rsquo;m a mutt!&rdquo; returned Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctor looked at them all curiously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You spoke of wanting a statement from her,&rdquo; he said.
+&ldquo;Supposing she is not able to give one?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What? You have just said that she is perfectly sane.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So she is. Nevertheless, if you want a statement from her concerning any
+events prior to May 7, 1915, she will not be able to give it to you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They looked at the little man, stupefied. He nodded cheerfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a pity,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;A great pity, especially as I
+gather, Sir James, that the matter is important. But there it is, she can tell
+you nothing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But why, man? Darn it all, why?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The little man shifted his benevolent glance to the excited young American.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because Janet Vandemeyer is suffering from a complete loss of
+memory.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<i>&ldquo;What?&rdquo;</i>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quite so. An interesting case, a <i>very</i> interesting case. Not so
+uncommon, really, as you would think. There are several very well known
+parallels. It&rsquo;s the first case of the kind that I&rsquo;ve had under my
+own personal observation, and I must admit that I&rsquo;ve found it of
+absorbing interest.&rdquo; There was something rather ghoulish in the little
+man&rsquo;s satisfaction.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And she remembers nothing,&rdquo; said Sir James slowly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing prior to May 7, 1915. After that date her memory is as good as
+yours or mine.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then the first thing she remembers?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is landing with the survivors. Everything before that is a blank. She
+did not know her own name, or where she had come from, or where she was. She
+couldn&rsquo;t even speak her own tongue.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But surely all this is most unusual?&rdquo; put in Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, my dear sir. Quite normal under the circumstances. Severe shock to
+the nervous system. Loss of memory proceeds nearly always on the same lines. I
+suggested a specialist, of course. There&rsquo;s a very good man in
+Paris&mdash;makes a study of these cases&mdash;but Mrs. Vandemeyer opposed the
+idea of publicity that might result from such a course.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can imagine she would,&rdquo; said Sir James grimly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I fell in with her views. There is a certain notoriety given to these
+cases. And the girl was very young&mdash;nineteen, I believe. It seemed a pity
+that her infirmity should be talked about&mdash;might damage her prospects.
+Besides, there is no special treatment to pursue in such cases. It is really a
+matter of waiting.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Waiting?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sooner or later, the memory will return&mdash;as suddenly as it
+went. But in all probability the girl will have entirely forgotten the
+intervening period, and will take up life where she left off&mdash;at the
+sinking of the <i>Lusitania</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And when do you expect this to happen?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctor shrugged his shoulders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, that I cannot say. Sometimes it is a matter of months, sometimes it
+has been known to be as long as twenty years! Sometimes another shock does the
+trick. One restores what the other took away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Another shock, eh?&rdquo; said Julius thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Exactly. There was a case in Colorado&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; The little
+man&rsquo;s voice trailed on, voluble, mildly enthusiastic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius did not seem to be listening. He had relapsed into his own thoughts and
+was frowning. Suddenly he came out of his brown study, and hit the table such a
+resounding bang with his fist that every one jumped, the doctor most of all.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got it! I guess, doc, I&rsquo;d like your medical opinion on
+the plan I&rsquo;m about to outline. Say Jane was to cross the herring pond
+again, and the same thing was to happen. The submarine, the sinking ship, every
+one to take to the boats&mdash;and so on. Wouldn&rsquo;t that do the trick?
+Wouldn&rsquo;t it give a mighty big bump to her subconscious self, or whatever
+the jargon is, and start it functioning again right away?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A very interesting speculation, Mr. Hersheimmer. In my own opinion, it
+would be successful. It is unfortunate that there is no chance of the
+conditions repeating themselves as you suggest.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not by nature, perhaps, doc. But I&rsquo;m talking about art.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Art?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why, yes. What&rsquo;s the difficulty? Hire a liner&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A liner!&rdquo; murmured Dr. Hall faintly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hire some passengers, hire a submarine&mdash;that&rsquo;s the only
+difficulty, I guess. Governments are apt to be a bit hide-bound over their
+engines of war. They won&rsquo;t sell to the first-comer. Still, I guess that
+can be got over. Ever heard of the word &lsquo;graft,&rsquo; sir? Well, graft
+gets there every time! I reckon that we shan&rsquo;t really need to fire a
+torpedo. If every one hustles round and screams loud enough that the ship is
+sinking, it ought to be enough for an innocent young girl like Jane. By the
+time she&rsquo;s got a life-belt on her, and is being hustled into a boat, with
+a well-drilled lot of artistes doing the hysterical stunt on deck,
+why&mdash;she ought to be right back where she was in May, 1915. How&rsquo;s
+that for the bare outline?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dr. Hall looked at Julius. Everything that he was for the moment incapable of
+saying was eloquent in that look.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Julius, in answer to it, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not crazy. The
+thing&rsquo;s perfectly possible. It&rsquo;s done every day in the States for
+the movies. Haven&rsquo;t you seen trains in collision on the screen?
+What&rsquo;s the difference between buying up a train and buying up a liner?
+Get the properties and you can go right ahead!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dr. Hall found his voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But the expense, my dear sir.&rdquo; His voice rose. &ldquo;The expense!
+It will be <i>colossal!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Money doesn&rsquo;t worry me any,&rdquo; explained Julius simply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dr. Hall turned an appealing face to Sir James, who smiled slightly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Hersheimmer is very well off&mdash;very well off indeed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctor&rsquo;s glance came back to Julius with a new and subtle quality in
+it. This was no longer an eccentric young fellow with a habit of falling off
+trees. The doctor&rsquo;s eyes held the deference accorded to a really rich
+man.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very remarkable plan. Very remarkable,&rdquo; he murmured. &ldquo;The
+movies&mdash;of course! Your American word for the kinema. Very interesting. I
+fear we are perhaps a little behind the times over here in our methods. And you
+really mean to carry out this remarkable plan of yours.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You bet your bottom dollar I do.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctor believed him&mdash;which was a tribute to his nationality. If an
+Englishman had suggested such a thing, he would have had grave doubts as to his
+sanity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I cannot guarantee a cure,&rdquo; he pointed out. &ldquo;Perhaps I ought
+to make that quite clear.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure, that&rsquo;s all right,&rdquo; said Julius. &ldquo;You just trot
+out Jane, and leave the rest to me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Jane?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Miss Janet Vandemeyer, then. Can we get on the long distance to your
+place right away, and ask them to send her up; or shall I run down and fetch
+her in my car?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctor stared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I beg your pardon, Mr. Hersheimmer. I thought you understood.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Understood what?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That Miss Vandemeyer is no longer under my care.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap15"></a>CHAPTER XV.<br/>
+TUPPENCE RECEIVES A PROPOSAL</h2>
+
+<p>
+Julius sprang up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought you were aware of that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When did she leave?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let me see. To-day is Monday, is it not? It must have been last
+Wednesday&mdash;why, surely&mdash;yes, it was the same evening that
+you&mdash;er&mdash;fell out of my tree.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That evening? Before, or after?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let me see&mdash;oh yes, afterwards. A very urgent message arrived from
+Mrs. Vandemeyer. The young lady and the nurse who was in charge of her left by
+the night train.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius sank back again into his chair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nurse Edith&mdash;left with a patient&mdash;I remember,&rdquo; he
+muttered. &ldquo;My God, to have been so near!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dr. Hall looked bewildered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t understand. Is the young lady not with her aunt, after
+all?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence shook her head. She was about to speak when a warning glance from Sir
+James made her hold her tongue. The lawyer rose.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m much obliged to you, Hall. We&rsquo;re very grateful for all
+you&rsquo;ve told us. I&rsquo;m afraid we&rsquo;re now in the position of
+having to track Miss Vandemeyer anew. What about the nurse who accompanied her;
+I suppose you don&rsquo;t know where she is?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctor shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve not heard from her, as it happens. I understood she was to
+remain with Miss Vandemeyer for a while. But what can have happened? Surely the
+girl has not been kidnapped.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That remains to be seen,&rdquo; said Sir James gravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other hesitated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You do not think I ought to go to the police?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, no. In all probability the young lady is with other
+relations.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The doctor was not completely satisfied, but he saw that Sir James was
+determined to say no more, and realized that to try and extract more
+information from the famous K.C. would be mere waste of labour. Accordingly, he
+wished them goodbye, and they left the hotel. For a few minutes they stood by
+the car talking.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How maddening,&rdquo; cried Tuppence. &ldquo;To think that Julius must
+have been actually under the same roof with her for a few hours.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I was a darned idiot,&rdquo; muttered Julius gloomily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You couldn&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; Tuppence consoled him. &ldquo;Could
+he?&rdquo; She appealed to Sir James.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I should advise you not to worry,&rdquo; said the latter kindly.
+&ldquo;No use crying over spilt milk, you know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The great thing is what to do next,&rdquo; added Tuppence the practical.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James shrugged his shoulders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You might advertise for the nurse who accompanied the girl. That is the
+only course I can suggest, and I must confess I do not hope for much result.
+Otherwise there is nothing to be done.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing?&rdquo; said Tuppence blankly. &ldquo;And&mdash;Tommy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We must hope for the best,&rdquo; said Sir James. &ldquo;Oh yes, we must
+go on hoping.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But over her downcast head his eyes met Julius&rsquo;s, and almost
+imperceptibly he shook his head. Julius understood. The lawyer considered the
+case hopeless. The young American&rsquo;s face grew grave. Sir James took
+Tuppence&rsquo;s hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You must let me know if anything further comes to light. Letters will
+always be forwarded.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence stared at him blankly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are going away?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I told you. Don&rsquo;t you remember? To Scotland.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, but I thought&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; The girl hesitated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James shrugged his shoulders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My dear young lady, I can do nothing more, I fear. Our clues have all
+ended in thin air. You can take my word for it that there is nothing more to be
+done. If anything should arise, I shall be glad to advise you in any way I
+can.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His words gave Tuppence an extraordinarily desolate feeling.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I suppose you&rsquo;re right,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Anyway, thank you
+very much for trying to help us. Good-bye.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius was bending over the car. A momentary pity came into Sir James&rsquo;s
+keen eyes, as he gazed into the girl&rsquo;s downcast face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t be too disconsolate, Miss Tuppence,&rdquo; he said in a low
+voice. &ldquo;Remember, holiday-time isn&rsquo;t always all playtime. One
+sometimes manages to put in some work as well.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Something in his tone made Tuppence glance up sharply. He shook his head with a
+smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, I shan&rsquo;t say any more. Great mistake to say too much. Remember
+that. Never tell all you know&mdash;not even to the person you know best.
+Understand? Good-bye.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He strode away. Tuppence stared after him. She was beginning to understand Sir
+James&rsquo;s methods. Once before he had thrown her a hint in the same
+careless fashion. Was this a hint? What exactly lay behind those last brief
+words? Did he mean that, after all, he had not abandoned the case; that,
+secretly, he would be working on it still while&mdash;&mdash;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her meditations were interrupted by Julius, who adjured her to &ldquo;get right
+in.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re looking kind of thoughtful,&rdquo; he remarked as they
+started off. &ldquo;Did the old guy say anything more?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence opened her mouth impulsively, and then shut it again. Sir
+James&rsquo;s words sounded in her ears: &ldquo;Never tell all you
+know&mdash;not even to the person you know best.&rdquo; And like a flash there
+came into her mind another memory. Julius before the safe in the flat, her own
+question and the pause before his reply, &ldquo;Nothing.&rdquo; Was there
+really nothing? Or had he found something he wished to keep to himself? If he
+could make a reservation, so could she.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing particular,&rdquo; she replied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She felt rather than saw Julius throw a sideways glance at her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say, shall we go for a spin in the park?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If you like.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a while they ran on under the trees in silence. It was a beautiful day. The
+keen rush through the air brought a new exhilaration to Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say, Miss Tuppence, do you think I&rsquo;m ever going to find
+Jane?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius spoke in a discouraged voice. The mood was so alien to him that Tuppence
+turned and stared at him in surprise. He nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so. I&rsquo;m getting down and out over the business. Sir
+James to-day hadn&rsquo;t got any hope at all, I could see that. I don&rsquo;t
+like him&mdash;we don&rsquo;t gee together somehow&mdash;but he&rsquo;s pretty
+cute, and I guess he wouldn&rsquo;t quit if there was any chance of
+success&mdash;now, would he?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence felt rather uncomfortable, but clinging to her belief that Julius also
+had withheld something from her, she remained firm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He suggested advertising for the nurse,&rdquo; she reminded him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, with a &lsquo;forlorn hope&rsquo; flavour to his voice!
+No&mdash;I&rsquo;m about fed up. I&rsquo;ve half a mind to go back to the
+States right away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh no!&rdquo; cried Tuppence. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got to find
+Tommy.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I sure forgot Beresford,&rdquo; said Julius contritely.
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so. We must find him. But after&mdash;well, I&rsquo;ve been
+day-dreaming ever since I started on this trip&mdash;and these dreams are
+rotten poor business. I&rsquo;m quit of them. Say, Miss Tuppence, there&rsquo;s
+something I&rsquo;d like to ask you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You and Beresford. What about it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t understand you,&rdquo; replied Tuppence with dignity,
+adding rather inconsequently: &ldquo;And, anyway, you&rsquo;re wrong!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not got a sort of kindly feeling for one another?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly not,&rdquo; said Tuppence with warmth. &ldquo;Tommy and I are
+friends&mdash;nothing more.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess every pair of lovers has said that sometime or another,&rdquo;
+observed Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nonsense!&rdquo; snapped Tuppence. &ldquo;Do I look the sort of girl
+that&rsquo;s always falling in love with every man she meets?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You do not. You look the sort of girl that&rsquo;s mighty often getting
+fallen in love with!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tuppence, rather taken aback. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s a
+compliment, I suppose?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure. Now let&rsquo;s get down to this. Supposing we never find
+Beresford and&mdash;and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All right&mdash;say it! I can face facts. Supposing
+he&rsquo;s&mdash;dead! Well?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And all this business fiddles out. What are you going to do?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; said Tuppence forlornly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;ll be darned lonesome, you poor kid.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shall be all right,&rdquo; snapped Tuppence with her usual resentment
+of any kind of pity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about marriage?&rdquo; inquired Julius. &ldquo;Got any views on the
+subject?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I intend to marry, of course,&rdquo; replied Tuppence. &ldquo;That is,
+if&rdquo;&mdash;she paused, knew a momentary longing to draw back, and then
+stuck to her guns bravely&mdash;&ldquo;I can find some one rich enough to make
+it worth my while. That&rsquo;s frank, isn&rsquo;t it? I dare say you despise
+me for it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I never despise business instinct,&rdquo; said Julius. &ldquo;What
+particular figure have you in mind?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Figure?&rdquo; asked Tuppence, puzzled. &ldquo;Do you mean tall or
+short?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No. Sum&mdash;income.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I&mdash;I haven&rsquo;t quite worked that out.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<i>&ldquo;You?&rdquo;</i>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I couldn&rsquo;t!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I tell you I couldn&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Again, why not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It would seem so unfair.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see anything unfair about it. I call your bluff,
+that&rsquo;s all. I admire you immensely, Miss Tuppence, more than any girl
+I&rsquo;ve ever met. You&rsquo;re so darned plucky. I&rsquo;d just love to give
+you a real, rattling good time. Say the word, and we&rsquo;ll run round right
+away to some high-class jeweller, and fix up the ring business.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t,&rdquo; gasped Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because of Beresford?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, no, <i>no!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well then?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence merely continued to shake her head violently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You can&rsquo;t reasonably expect more dollars than I&rsquo;ve
+got.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, it isn&rsquo;t that,&rdquo; gasped Tuppence with an almost
+hysterical laugh. &ldquo;But thanking you very much, and all that, I think
+I&rsquo;d better say no.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d be obliged if you&rsquo;d do me the favour to think it over
+until to-morrow.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s no use.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Still, I guess we&rsquo;ll leave it like that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very well,&rdquo; said Tuppence meekly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Neither of them spoke again until they reached the <i>Ritz</i>.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence went upstairs to her room. She felt morally battered to the ground
+after her conflict with Julius&rsquo;s vigorous personality. Sitting down in
+front of the glass, she stared at her own reflection for some minutes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Fool,&rdquo; murmured Tuppence at length, making a grimace.
+&ldquo;Little fool. Everything you want&mdash;everything you&rsquo;ve ever
+hoped for, and you go and bleat out &lsquo;no&rsquo; like an idiotic little
+sheep. It&rsquo;s your one chance. Why don&rsquo;t you take it? Grab it? Snatch
+at it? What more do you want?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As if in answer to her own question, her eyes fell on a small snapshot of Tommy
+that stood on her dressing-table in a shabby frame. For a moment she struggled
+for self-control, and then abandoning all presence, she held it to her lips and
+burst into a fit of sobbing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Tommy, Tommy,&rdquo; she cried, &ldquo;I do love you so&mdash;and I
+may never see you again....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the end of five minutes Tuppence sat up, blew her nose, and pushed back her
+hair.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s that,&rdquo; she observed sternly. &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s look
+facts in the face. I seem to have fallen in love&mdash;with an idiot of a boy
+who probably doesn&rsquo;t care two straws about me.&rdquo; Here she paused.
+&ldquo;Anyway,&rdquo; she resumed, as though arguing with an unseen opponent,
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t <i>know</i> that he does. He&rsquo;d never have dared to
+say so. I&rsquo;ve always jumped on sentiment&mdash;and here I am being more
+sentimental than anybody. What idiots girls are! I&rsquo;ve always thought so.
+I suppose I shall sleep with his photograph under my pillow, and dream about
+him all night. It&rsquo;s dreadful to feel you&rsquo;ve been false to your
+principles.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence shook her head sadly, as she reviewed her backsliding.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know what to say to Julius, I&rsquo;m sure. Oh, what a
+fool I feel! I&rsquo;ll have to say <i>something</i>&mdash;he&rsquo;s so
+American and thorough, he&rsquo;ll insist upon having a reason. I wonder if he
+did find anything in that safe&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence&rsquo;s meditations went off on another tack. She reviewed the events
+of last night carefully and persistently. Somehow, they seemed bound up with
+Sir James&rsquo;s enigmatical words....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly she gave a great start&mdash;the colour faded out of her face. Her
+eyes, fascinated, gazed in front of her, the pupils dilated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Impossible,&rdquo; she murmured. &ldquo;Impossible! I must be going mad
+even to think of such a thing....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Monstrous&mdash;yet it explained everything....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a moment&rsquo;s reflection she sat down and wrote a note, weighing each
+word as she did so. Finally she nodded her head as though satisfied, and
+slipped it into an envelope which she addressed to Julius. She went down the
+passage to his sitting-room and knocked at the door. As she had expected, the
+room was empty. She left the note on the table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A small page-boy was waiting outside her own door when she returned to it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Telegram for you, miss.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence took it from the salver, and tore it open carelessly. Then she gave a
+cry. The telegram was from Tommy!
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap16"></a>CHAPTER XVI.<br/>
+FURTHER ADVENTURES OF TOMMY</h2>
+
+<p>
+From a darkness punctuated with throbbing stabs of fire, Tommy dragged his
+senses slowly back to life. When he at last opened his eyes, he was conscious
+of nothing but an excruciating pain through his temples. He was vaguely aware
+of unfamiliar surroundings. Where was he? What had happened? He blinked feebly.
+This was not his bedroom at the <i>Ritz</i>. And what the devil was the matter
+with his head?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Damn!&rdquo; said Tommy, and tried to sit up. He had remembered. He was
+in that sinister house in Soho. He uttered a groan and fell back. Through his
+almost-closed lids he reconnoitred carefully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He is coming to,&rdquo; remarked a voice very near Tommy&rsquo;s ear. He
+recognized it at once for that of the bearded and efficient German, and lay
+artistically inert. He felt that it would be a pity to come round too soon; and
+until the pain in his head became a little less acute, he felt quite incapable
+of collecting his wits. Painfully he tried to puzzle out what had happened.
+Obviously somebody must have crept up behind him as he listened and struck him
+down with a blow on the head. They knew him now for a spy, and would in all
+probability give him short shrift. Undoubtedly he was in a tight place. Nobody
+knew where he was, therefore he need expect no outside assistance, and must
+depend solely on his own wits.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, here goes,&rdquo; murmured Tommy to himself, and repeated his
+former remark.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Damn!&rdquo; he observed, and this time succeeded in sitting up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In a minute the German stepped forward and placed a glass to his lips, with the
+brief command &ldquo;Drink.&rdquo; Tommy obeyed. The potency of the draught
+made him choke, but it cleared his brain in a marvellous manner.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He was lying on a couch in the room in which the meeting had been held. On one
+side of him was the German, on the other the villainous-faced doorkeeper who
+had let him in. The others were grouped together at a little distance away. But
+Tommy missed one face. The man known as Number One was no longer of the
+company.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Feel better?&rdquo; asked the German, as he removed the empty glass.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, thanks,&rdquo; returned Tommy cheerfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, my young friend, it is lucky for you your skull is so thick. The
+good Conrad struck hard.&rdquo; He indicated the evil-faced doorkeeper by a
+nod. The man grinned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy twisted his head round with an effort.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;so you&rsquo;re Conrad, are you? It strikes
+me the thickness of my skull was lucky for you too. When I look at you I feel
+it&rsquo;s almost a pity I&rsquo;ve enabled you to cheat the hangman.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man snarled, and the bearded man said quietly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He would have run no risk of that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just as you like,&rdquo; replied Tommy. &ldquo;I know it&rsquo;s the
+fashion to run down the police. I rather believe in them myself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His manner was nonchalant to the last degree. Tommy Beresford was one of those
+young Englishmen not distinguished by any special intellectual ability, but who
+are emphatically at their best in what is known as a &ldquo;tight place.&rdquo;
+Their natural diffidence and caution fall from them like a glove. Tommy
+realized perfectly that in his own wits lay the only chance of escape, and
+behind his casual manner he was racking his brains furiously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The cold accents of the German took up the conversation:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have you anything to say before you are put to death as a spy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Simply lots of things,&rdquo; replied Tommy with the same urbanity as
+before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you deny that you were listening at that door?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I do not. I must really apologize&mdash;but your conversation was so
+interesting that it overcame my scruples.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How did you get in?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dear old Conrad here.&rdquo; Tommy smiled deprecatingly at him. &ldquo;I
+hesitate to suggest pensioning off a faithful servant, but you really ought to
+have a better watchdog.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Conrad snarled impotently, and said sullenly, as the man with the beard swung
+round upon him:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He gave the word. How was I to know?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; Tommy chimed in. &ldquo;How was he to know? Don&rsquo;t
+blame the poor fellow. His hasty action has given me the pleasure of seeing you
+all face to face.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He fancied that his words caused some discomposure among the group, but the
+watchful German stilled it with a wave of his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dead men tell no tales,&rdquo; he said evenly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah,&rdquo; said Tommy, &ldquo;but I&rsquo;m not dead yet!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You soon will be, my young friend,&rdquo; said the German.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+An assenting murmur came from the others.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy&rsquo;s heart beat faster, but his casual pleasantness did not waver.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think not,&rdquo; he said firmly. &ldquo;I should have a great
+objection to dying.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had got them puzzled, he saw that by the look on his captor&rsquo;s face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can you give us any reason why we should not put you to death?&rdquo;
+asked the German.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Several,&rdquo; replied Tommy. &ldquo;Look here, you&rsquo;ve been
+asking me a lot of questions. Let me ask you one for a change. Why didn&rsquo;t
+you kill me off at once before I regained consciousness?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German hesitated, and Tommy seized his advantage.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because you didn&rsquo;t know how much I knew&mdash;and where I obtained
+that knowledge. If you kill me now, you never will know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But here the emotions of Boris became too much for him. He stepped forward
+waving his arms.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You hell-hound of a spy,&rdquo; he screamed. &ldquo;We will give you
+short shrift. Kill him! Kill him!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a roar of applause.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You hear?&rdquo; said the German, his eyes on Tommy. &ldquo;What have
+you to say to that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say?&rdquo; Tommy shrugged his shoulders. &ldquo;Pack of fools. Let them
+ask themselves a few questions. How did I get into this place? Remember what
+dear old Conrad said&mdash; <i>with your own password</i>, wasn&rsquo;t it? How
+did I get hold of that? You don&rsquo;t suppose I came up those steps haphazard
+and said the first thing that came into my head?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy was pleased with the concluding words of this speech. His only regret was
+that Tuppence was not present to appreciate its full flavour.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That is true,&rdquo; said the working man suddenly. &ldquo;Comrades, we
+have been betrayed!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+An ugly murmur arose. Tommy smiled at them encouragingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s better. How can you hope to make a success of any job if
+you don&rsquo;t use your brains?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You will tell us who has betrayed us,&rdquo; said the German. &ldquo;But
+that shall not save you&mdash;oh, no! You shall tell us all that you know.
+Boris, here, knows pretty ways of making people speak!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Bah!&rdquo; said Tommy scornfully, fighting down a singularly unpleasant
+feeling in the pit of his stomach. &ldquo;You will neither torture me nor kill
+me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And why not?&rdquo; asked Boris.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because you&rsquo;d kill the goose that lays the golden eggs,&rdquo;
+replied Tommy quietly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a momentary pause. It seemed as though Tommy&rsquo;s persistent
+assurance was at last conquering. They were no longer completely sure of
+themselves. The man in the shabby clothes stared at Tommy searchingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He&rsquo;s bluffing you, Boris,&rdquo; he said quietly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy hated him. Had the man seen through him?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German, with an effort, turned roughly to Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you think I mean?&rdquo; parried Tommy, searching desperately in
+his own mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly Boris stepped forward, and shook his fist in Tommy&rsquo;s face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Speak, you swine of an Englishman&mdash;speak!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t get so excited, my good fellow,&rdquo; said Tommy calmly.
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the worst of you foreigners. You can&rsquo;t keep calm.
+Now, I ask you, do I look as though I thought there were the least chance of
+your killing me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked confidently round, and was glad they could not hear the persistent
+beating of his heart which gave the lie to his words.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; admitted Boris at last sullenly, &ldquo;you do not.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank God, he&rsquo;s not a mind reader,&rdquo; thought Tommy. Aloud he
+pursued his advantage:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And why am I so confident? Because I know something that puts me in a
+position to propose a bargain.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A bargain?&rdquo; The bearded man took him up sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes&mdash;a bargain. My life and liberty against&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; He
+paused.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Against what?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The group pressed forward. You could have heard a pin drop.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Slowly Tommy spoke.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The papers that Danvers brought over from America in the
+<i>Lusitania</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The effect of his words was electrical. Every one was on his feet. The German
+waved them back. He leaned over Tommy, his face purple with excitement.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;<i>Himmel!</i> You have got them, then?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With magnificent calm Tommy shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You know where they are?&rdquo; persisted the German.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again Tommy shook his head. &ldquo;Not in the least.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then&mdash;then&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; angry and baffled, the words failed
+him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy looked round. He saw anger and bewilderment on every face, but his calm
+assurance had done its work&mdash;no one doubted but that something lay behind
+his words.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know where the papers are&mdash;but I believe that I can
+find them. I have a theory&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pah!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy raised his hand, and silenced the clamours of disgust.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I call it a theory&mdash;but I&rsquo;m pretty sure of my
+facts&mdash;facts that are known to no one but myself. In any case what do you
+lose? If I can produce the papers&mdash;you give me my life and liberty in
+exchange. Is it a bargain?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And if we refuse?&rdquo; said the German quietly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy lay back on the couch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The 29th,&rdquo; he said thoughtfully, &ldquo;is less than a fortnight
+ahead&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment the German hesitated. Then he made a sign to Conrad.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Take him into the other room.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For five minutes, Tommy sat on the bed in the dingy room next door. His heart
+was beating violently. He had risked all on this throw. How would they decide?
+And all the while that this agonized questioning went on within him, he talked
+flippantly to Conrad, enraging the cross-grained doorkeeper to the point of
+homicidal mania.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At last the door opened, and the German called imperiously to Conrad to return.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s hope the judge hasn&rsquo;t put his black cap on,&rdquo;
+remarked Tommy frivolously. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s right, Conrad, march me in. The
+prisoner is at the bar, gentlemen.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German was seated once more behind the table. He motioned to Tommy to sit
+down opposite to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We accept,&rdquo; he said harshly, &ldquo;on terms. The papers must be
+delivered to us before you go free.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Idiot!&rdquo; said Tommy amiably. &ldquo;How do you think I can look for
+them if you keep me tied by the leg here?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you expect, then?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I must have liberty to go about the business in my own way.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German laughed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you think we are little children to let you walk out of here leaving
+us a pretty story full of promises?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Tommy thoughtfully. &ldquo;Though infinitely simpler for
+me, I did not really think you would agree to that plan. Very well, we must
+arrange a compromise. How would it be if you attached little Conrad here to my
+person. He&rsquo;s a faithful fellow, and very ready with the fist.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We prefer,&rdquo; said the German coldly, &ldquo;that you should remain
+here. One of our number will carry out your instructions minutely. If the
+operations are complicated, he will return to you with a report and you can
+instruct him further.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re tying my hands,&rdquo; complained Tommy. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s
+a very delicate affair, and the other fellow will muff it up as likely as not,
+and then where shall I be? I don&rsquo;t believe one of you has got an ounce of
+tact.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German rapped the table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Those are our terms. Otherwise, death!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy leaned back wearily.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I like your style. Curt, but attractive. So be it, then. But one thing
+is essential, I must see the girl.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What girl?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Jane Finn, of course.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other looked at him curiously for some minutes, then he said slowly, and as
+though choosing his words with care:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you not know that she can tell you nothing?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy&rsquo;s heart beat a little faster. Would he succeed in coming face to
+face with the girl he was seeking?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shall not ask her to tell me anything,&rdquo; he said quietly.
+&ldquo;Not in so many words, that is.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then why see her?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy paused.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To watch her face when I ask her one question,&rdquo; he replied at
+last.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again there was a look in the German&rsquo;s eyes that Tommy did not quite
+understand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She will not be able to answer your question.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That does not matter. I shall have seen her face when I ask it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And you think that will tell you anything?&rdquo; He gave a short
+disagreeable laugh. More than ever, Tommy felt that there was a factor
+somewhere that he did not understand. The German looked at him searchingly.
+&ldquo;I wonder whether, after all, you know as much as we think?&rdquo; he
+said softly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy felt his ascendancy less sure than a moment before. His hold had slipped
+a little. But he was puzzled. What had he said wrong? He spoke out on the
+impulse of the moment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There may be things that you know which I do not. I have not pretended
+to be aware of all the details of your show. But equally I&rsquo;ve got
+something up my sleeve that <i>you</i> don&rsquo;t know about. And that&rsquo;s
+where I mean to score. Danvers was a damned clever fellow&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+He broke off as if he had said too much.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the German&rsquo;s face had lightened a little.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Danvers,&rdquo; he murmured. &ldquo;I see&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; He paused
+a minute, then waved to Conrad. &ldquo;Take him away. Upstairs&mdash;you
+know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wait a minute,&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;What about the girl?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That may perhaps be arranged.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It must be.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We will see about it. Only one person can decide that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who?&rdquo; asked Tommy. But he knew the answer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Brown&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shall I see him?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come,&rdquo; said Conrad harshly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy rose obediently. Outside the door his gaoler motioned to him to mount the
+stairs. He himself followed close behind. On the floor above Conrad opened a
+door and Tommy passed into a small room. Conrad lit a hissing gas burner and
+went out. Tommy heard the sound of the key being turned in the lock.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He set to work to examine his prison. It was a smaller room than the one
+downstairs, and there was something peculiarly airless about the atmosphere of
+it. Then he realized that there was no window. He walked round it. The walls
+were filthily dirty, as everywhere else. Four pictures hung crookedly on the
+wall representing scenes from Faust. Marguerite with her box of jewels, the
+church scene, Siebel and his flowers, and Faust and Mephistopheles. The latter
+brought Tommy&rsquo;s mind back to Mr. Brown again. In this sealed and closed
+chamber, with its close-fitting heavy door, he felt cut off from the world, and
+the sinister power of the arch-criminal seemed more real. Shout as he would, no
+one could ever hear him. The place was a living tomb....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With an effort Tommy pulled himself together. He sank on to the bed and gave
+himself up to reflection. His head ached badly; also, he was hungry. The
+silence of the place was dispiriting.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Anyway,&rdquo; said Tommy, trying to cheer himself, &ldquo;I shall see
+the chief&mdash;the mysterious Mr. Brown and with a bit of luck in bluffing I
+shall see the mysterious Jane Finn also. After that&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After that Tommy was forced to admit the prospect looked dreary.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap17"></a>CHAPTER XVII.<br/>
+ANNETTE</h2>
+
+<p>
+The troubles of the future, however, soon faded before the troubles of the
+present. And of these, the most immediate and pressing was that of hunger.
+Tommy had a healthy and vigorous appetite. The steak and chips partaken of for
+lunch seemed now to belong to another decade. He regretfully recognized the
+fact that he would not make a success of a hunger strike.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He prowled aimlessly about his prison. Once or twice he discarded dignity, and
+pounded on the door. But nobody answered the summons.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hang it all!&rdquo; said Tommy indignantly. &ldquo;They can&rsquo;t mean
+to starve me to death.&rdquo; A new-born fear passed through his mind that this
+might, perhaps, be one of those &ldquo;pretty ways&rdquo; of making a prisoner
+speak, which had been attributed to Boris. But on reflection he dismissed the
+idea.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s that sour-faced brute Conrad,&rdquo; he decided.
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s a fellow I shall enjoy getting even with one of these days.
+This is just a bit of spite on his part. I&rsquo;m certain of it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Further meditations induced in him the feeling that it would be extremely
+pleasant to bring something down with a whack on Conrad&rsquo;s egg-shaped
+head. Tommy stroked his own head tenderly, and gave himself up to the pleasures
+of imagination. Finally a bright idea flashed across his brain. Why not convert
+imagination into reality? Conrad was undoubtedly the tenant of the house. The
+others, with the possible exception of the bearded German, merely used it as a
+rendezvous. Therefore, why not wait in ambush for Conrad behind the door, and
+when he entered bring down a chair, or one of the decrepit pictures, smartly on
+to his head. One would, of course, be careful not to hit too hard. And
+then&mdash;and then, simply walk out! If he met anyone on the way down,
+well&mdash;&mdash; Tommy brightened at the thought of an encounter with his
+fists. Such an affair was infinitely more in his line than the verbal encounter
+of this afternoon. Intoxicated by his plan, Tommy gently unhooked the picture
+of the Devil and Faust, and settled himself in position. His hopes were high.
+The plan seemed to him simple but excellent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Time went on, but Conrad did not appear. Night and day were the same in this
+prison room, but Tommy&rsquo;s wrist-watch, which enjoyed a certain degree of
+accuracy, informed him that it was nine o&rsquo;clock in the evening. Tommy
+reflected gloomily that if supper did not arrive soon it would be a question of
+waiting for breakfast. At ten o&rsquo;clock hope deserted him, and he flung
+himself on the bed to seek consolation in sleep. In five minutes his woes were
+forgotten.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The sound of the key turning in the lock awoke him from his slumbers. Not
+belonging to the type of hero who is famous for awaking in full possession of
+his faculties, Tommy merely blinked at the ceiling and wondered vaguely where
+he was. Then he remembered, and looked at his watch. It was eight
+o&rsquo;clock.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s either early morning tea or breakfast,&rdquo; deduced the
+young man, &ldquo;and pray God it&rsquo;s the latter!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The door swung open. Too late, Tommy remembered his scheme of obliterating the
+unprepossessing Conrad. A moment later he was glad that he had, for it was not
+Conrad who entered, but a girl. She carried a tray which she set down on the
+table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the feeble light of the gas burner Tommy blinked at her. He decided at once
+that she was one of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen. Her hair was a
+full rich brown, with sudden glints of gold in it as though there were
+imprisoned sunbeams struggling in its depths. There was a wild-rose quality
+about her face. Her eyes, set wide apart, were hazel, a golden hazel that again
+recalled a memory of sunbeams.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A delirious thought shot through Tommy&rsquo;s mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you Jane Finn?&rdquo; he asked breathlessly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl shook her head wonderingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My name is Annette, monsieur.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She spoke in a soft, broken English.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tommy, rather taken aback.
+<i>&ldquo;Française?&rdquo;</i> he hazarded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oui, monsieur. Monsieur parle français?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not for any length of time,&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;What&rsquo;s that?
+Breakfast?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl nodded. Tommy dropped off the bed and came and inspected the contents
+of the tray. It consisted of a loaf, some margarine, and a jug of coffee.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The living is not equal to the <i>Ritz</i>,&rdquo; he observed with a
+sigh. &ldquo;But for what we are at last about to receive the Lord has made me
+truly thankful. Amen.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He drew up a chair, and the girl turned away to the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wait a sec,&rdquo; cried Tommy. &ldquo;There are lots of things I want
+to ask you, Annette. What are you doing in this house? Don&rsquo;t tell me
+you&rsquo;re Conrad&rsquo;s niece, or daughter, or anything, because I
+can&rsquo;t believe it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I do the <i>service</i>, monsieur. I am not related to anybody.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I see,&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;You know what I asked you just now.
+Have you ever heard that name?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have heard people speak of Jane Finn, I think.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t know where she is?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Annette shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s not in this house, for instance?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh no, monsieur. I must go now&mdash;they will be waiting for me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She hurried out. The key turned in the lock.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wonder who &lsquo;they&rsquo; are,&rdquo; mused Tommy, as he continued
+to make inroads on the loaf. &ldquo;With a bit of luck, that girl might help me
+to get out of here. She doesn&rsquo;t look like one of the gang.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At one o&rsquo;clock Annette reappeared with another tray, but this time Conrad
+accompanied her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good morning,&rdquo; said Tommy amiably. &ldquo;You have <i>not</i> used
+Pear&rsquo;s soap, I see.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Conrad growled threateningly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No light repartee, have you, old bean? There, there, we can&rsquo;t
+always have brains as well as beauty. What have we for lunch? Stew? How did I
+know? Elementary, my dear Watson&mdash;the smell of onions is
+unmistakable.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Talk away,&rdquo; grunted the man. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s little enough time
+you&rsquo;ll have to talk in, maybe.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The remark was unpleasant in its suggestion, but Tommy ignored it. He sat down
+at the table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Retire, varlet,&rdquo; he said, with a wave of his hand. &ldquo;Prate
+not to thy betters.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That evening Tommy sat on the bed, and cogitated deeply. Would Conrad again
+accompany the girl? If he did not, should he risk trying to make an ally of
+her? He decided that he must leave no stone unturned. His position was
+desperate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At eight o&rsquo;clock the familiar sound of the key turning made him spring to
+his feet. The girl was alone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shut the door,&rdquo; he commanded. &ldquo;I want to speak to
+you.&rdquo; She obeyed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Look here, Annette, I want you to help me get out of this.&rdquo; She
+shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Impossible. There are three of them on the floor below.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; Tommy was secretly grateful for the information. &ldquo;But
+you would help me if you could?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, monsieur.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl hesitated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think&mdash;they are my own people. You have spied upon them. They are
+quite right to keep you here.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They&rsquo;re a bad lot, Annette. If you&rsquo;ll help me, I&rsquo;ll
+take you away from the lot of them. And you&rsquo;d probably get a good whack
+of money.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the girl merely shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I dare not, monsieur; I am afraid of them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She turned away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wouldn&rsquo;t you do anything to help another girl?&rdquo; cried Tommy.
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s about your age too. Won&rsquo;t you save her from their
+clutches?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You mean Jane Finn?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is her you came here to look for? Yes?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl looked at him, then passed her hand across her forehead.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Jane Finn. Always I hear that name. It is familiar.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy came forward eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You must know <i>something</i> about her?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the girl turned away abruptly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know nothing&mdash;only the name.&rdquo; She walked towards the door.
+Suddenly she uttered a cry. Tommy stared. She had caught sight of the picture
+he had laid against the wall the night before. For a moment he caught a look of
+terror in her eyes. As inexplicably it changed to relief. Then abruptly she
+went out of the room. Tommy could make nothing of it. Did she fancy that he had
+meant to attack her with it? Surely not. He rehung the picture on the wall
+thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Three more days went by in dreary inaction. Tommy felt the strain telling on
+his nerves. He saw no one but Conrad and Annette, and the girl had become dumb.
+She spoke only in monosyllables. A kind of dark suspicion smouldered in her
+eyes. Tommy felt that if this solitary confinement went on much longer he would
+go mad. He gathered from Conrad that they were waiting for orders from
+&ldquo;Mr. Brown.&rdquo; Perhaps, thought Tommy, he was abroad or away, and
+they were obliged to wait for his return.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the evening of the third day brought a rude awakening.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was barely seven o&rsquo;clock when he heard the tramp of footsteps outside
+in the passage. In another minute the door was flung open. Conrad entered. With
+him was the evil-looking Number 14. Tommy&rsquo;s heart sank at the sight of
+them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Evenin&rsquo;, gov&rsquo;nor,&rdquo; said the man with a leer.
+&ldquo;Got those ropes, mate?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The silent Conrad produced a length of fine cord. The next minute Number
+14&rsquo;s hands, horribly dexterous, were winding the cord round his limbs,
+while Conrad held him down.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What the devil&mdash;&mdash;?&rdquo; began Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the slow, speechless grin of the silent Conrad froze the words on his lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Number 14 proceeded deftly with his task. In another minute Tommy was a mere
+helpless bundle. Then at last Conrad spoke:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thought you&rsquo;d bluffed us, did you? With what you knew, and what
+you didn&rsquo;t know. Bargained with us! And all the time it was bluff! Bluff!
+You know less than a kitten. But your number&rsquo;s up now all right, you
+b&mdash;&mdash; swine.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy lay silent. There was nothing to say. He had failed. Somehow or other the
+omnipotent Mr. Brown had seen through his pretensions. Suddenly a thought
+occurred to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A very good speech, Conrad,&rdquo; he said approvingly. &ldquo;But
+wherefore the bonds and fetters? Why not let this kind gentleman here cut my
+throat without delay?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Garn,&rdquo; said Number 14 unexpectedly. &ldquo;Think we&rsquo;re as
+green as to do you in here, and have the police nosing round? Not &lsquo;alf!
+We&rsquo;ve ordered the carriage for your lordship to-morrow mornin&rsquo;, but
+in the meantime we&rsquo;re not taking any chances, see!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing,&rdquo; said Tommy, &ldquo;could be plainer than your
+words&mdash;unless it was your face.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Stow it,&rdquo; said Number 14.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;With pleasure,&rdquo; replied Tommy. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re making a sad
+mistake&mdash;but yours will be the loss.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t kid us that way again,&rdquo; said Number 14.
+&ldquo;Talking as though you were still at the blooming <i>Ritz</i>,
+aren&rsquo;t you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy made no reply. He was engaged in wondering how Mr. Brown had discovered
+his identity. He decided that Tuppence, in the throes of anxiety, had gone to
+the police, and that his disappearance having been made public the gang had not
+been slow to put two and two together.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two men departed and the door slammed. Tommy was left to his meditations.
+They were not pleasant ones. Already his limbs felt cramped and stiff. He was
+utterly helpless, and he could see no hope anywhere.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+About an hour had passed when he heard the key softly turned, and the door
+opened. It was Annette. Tommy&rsquo;s heart beat a little faster. He had
+forgotten the girl. Was it possible that she had come to his help?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly he heard Conrad&rsquo;s voice:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come out of it, Annette. He doesn&rsquo;t want any supper
+to-night.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oui, oui, je sais bien. But I must take the other tray. We need the
+things on it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, hurry up,&rdquo; growled Conrad.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Without looking at Tommy the girl went over to the table, and picked up the
+tray. She raised a hand and turned out the light.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Curse you&rdquo;&mdash;Conrad had come to the door&mdash;&ldquo;why did
+you do that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I always turn it out. You should have told me. Shall I relight it,
+Monsieur Conrad?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, come on out of it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Le beau petit monsieur,&rdquo; cried Annette, pausing by the bed in the
+darkness. &ldquo;You have tied him up well, <i>hein?</i> He is like a trussed
+chicken!&rdquo; The frank amusement in her tone jarred on the boy; but at that
+moment, to his amazement, he felt her hand running lightly over his bonds, and
+something small and cold was pressed into the palm of his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come on, Annette.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mais me voilà.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The door shut. Tommy heard Conrad say:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Lock it and give me the key.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The footsteps died away. Tommy lay petrified with amazement. The object Annette
+had thrust into his hand was a small penknife, the blade open. From the way she
+had studiously avoided looking at him, and her action with the light, he came
+to the conclusion that the room was overlooked. There must be a peep-hole
+somewhere in the walls. Remembering how guarded she had always been in her
+manner, he saw that he had probably been under observation all the time. Had he
+said anything to give himself away? Hardly. He had revealed a wish to escape
+and a desire to find Jane Finn, but nothing that could have given a clue to his
+own identity. True, his question to Annette had proved that he was personally
+unacquainted with Jane Finn, but he had never pretended otherwise. The question
+now was, did Annette really know more? Were her denials intended primarily for
+the listeners? On that point he could come to no conclusion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But there was a more vital question that drove out all others. Could he, bound
+as he was, manage to cut his bonds? He essayed cautiously to rub the open blade
+up and down on the cord that bound his two wrists together. It was an awkward
+business, and drew a smothered &ldquo;Ow&rdquo; of pain from him as the knife
+cut into his wrist. But slowly and doggedly he went on sawing to and fro. He
+cut the flesh badly, but at last he felt the cord slacken. With his hands free,
+the rest was easy. Five minutes later he stood upright with some difficulty,
+owing to the cramp in his limbs. His first care was to bind up his bleeding
+wrist. Then he sat on the edge of the bed to think. Conrad had taken the key of
+the door, so he could expect little more assistance from Annette. The only
+outlet from the room was the door, consequently he would perforce have to wait
+until the two men returned to fetch him. But when they did.... Tommy smiled!
+Moving with infinite caution in the dark room, he found and unhooked the famous
+picture. He felt an economical pleasure that his first plan would not be
+wasted. There was now nothing to do but to wait. He waited.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The night passed slowly. Tommy lived through an eternity of hours, but at last
+he heard footsteps. He stood upright, drew a deep breath, and clutched the
+picture firmly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The door opened. A faint light streamed in from outside. Conrad went straight
+towards the gas to light it. Tommy deeply regretted that it was he who had
+entered first. It would have been pleasant to get even with Conrad. Number 14
+followed. As he stepped across the threshold, Tommy brought the picture down
+with terrific force on his head. Number 14 went down amidst a stupendous crash
+of broken glass. In a minute Tommy had slipped out and pulled to the door. The
+key was in the lock. He turned it and withdrew it just as Conrad hurled himself
+against the door from the inside with a volley of curses.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment Tommy hesitated. There was the sound of some one stirring on the
+floor below. Then the German&rsquo;s voice came up the stairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gott im Himmel! Conrad, what is it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy felt a small hand thrust into his. Beside him stood Annette. She pointed
+up a rickety ladder that apparently led to some attics.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quick&mdash;up here!&rdquo; She dragged him after her up the ladder. In
+another moment they were standing in a dusty garret littered with lumber. Tommy
+looked round.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This won&rsquo;t do. It&rsquo;s a regular trap. There&rsquo;s no way
+out.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hush! Wait.&rdquo; The girl put her finger to her lips. She crept to the
+top of the ladder and listened.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The banging and beating on the door was terrific. The German and another were
+trying to force the door in. Annette explained in a whisper:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They will think you are still inside. They cannot hear what Conrad says.
+The door is too thick.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought you could hear what went on in the room?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There is a peep-hole into the next room. It was clever of you to guess.
+But they will not think of that&mdash;they are only anxious to get in.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes&mdash;but look here&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Leave it to me.&rdquo; She bent down. To his amazement, Tommy saw that
+she was fastening the end of a long piece of string to the handle of a big
+cracked jug. She arranged it carefully, then turned to Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have you the key of the door?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Give it to me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He handed it to her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am going down. Do you think you can go halfway, and then swing
+yourself down <i>behind</i> the ladder, so that they will not see you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a big cupboard in the shadow of the landing. Stand behind
+it. Take the end of this string in your hand. When I&rsquo;ve let the others
+out&mdash; <i>pull! </i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Before he had time to ask her anything more, she had flitted lightly down the
+ladder and was in the midst of the group with a loud cry:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! Qu&rsquo;est-ce qu&rsquo;il y a?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German turned on her with an oath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get out of this. Go to your room!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Very cautiously Tommy swung himself down the back of the ladder. So long as
+they did not turn round ... all was well. He crouched behind the cupboard. They
+were still between him and the stairs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; Annette appeared to stumble over something. She stooped.
+&ldquo;Mon Dieu, voilà la clef!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The German snatched it from her. He unlocked the door. Conrad stumbled out,
+swearing.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where is he? Have you got him?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We have seen no one,&rdquo; said the German sharply. His face paled.
+&ldquo;Who do you mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Conrad gave vent to another oath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He&rsquo;s got away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Impossible. He would have passed us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At that moment, with an ecstatic smile Tommy pulled the string. A crash of
+crockery came from the attic above. In a trice the men were pushing each other
+up the rickety ladder and had disappeared into the darkness above.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Quick as a flash Tommy leapt from his hiding-place and dashed down the stairs,
+pulling the girl with him. There was no one in the hall. He fumbled over the
+bolts and chain. At last they yielded, the door swung open. He turned. Annette
+had disappeared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy stood spell-bound. Had she run upstairs again? What madness possessed
+her! He fumed with impatience, but he stood his ground. He would not go without
+her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And suddenly there was an outcry overhead, an exclamation from the German, and
+then Annette&rsquo;s voice, clear and high:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ma foi, he has escaped! And quickly! Who would have thought it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy still stood rooted to the ground. Was that a command to him to go? He
+fancied it was.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And then, louder still, the words floated down to him:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This is a terrible house. I want to go back to Marguerite. To
+Marguerite. <i>To Marguerite!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy had run back to the stairs. She wanted him to go and leave her. But why?
+At all costs he must try and get her away with him. Then his heart sank. Conrad
+was leaping down the stairs, uttering a savage cry at the sight of him. After
+him came the others.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy stopped Conrad&rsquo;s rush with a straight blow with his fist. It caught
+the other on the point of the jaw and he fell like a log. The second man
+tripped over his body and fell. From higher up the staircase there was a flash,
+and a bullet grazed Tommy&rsquo;s ear. He realized that it would be good for
+his health to get out of this house as soon as possible. As regards Annette he
+could do nothing. He had got even with Conrad, which was one satisfaction. The
+blow had been a good one.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He leapt for the door, slamming it behind him. The square was deserted. In
+front of the house was a baker&rsquo;s van. Evidently he was to have been taken
+out of London in that, and his body found many miles from the house in Soho.
+The driver jumped to the pavement and tried to bar Tommy&rsquo;s way. Again
+Tommy&rsquo;s fist shot out, and the driver sprawled on the pavement.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy took to his heels and ran&mdash;none too soon. The front door opened and
+a hail of bullets followed him. Fortunately none of them hit him. He turned the
+corner of the square.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s one thing,&rdquo; he thought to himself, &ldquo;they
+can&rsquo;t go on shooting. They&rsquo;ll have the police after them if they
+do. I wonder they dared to there.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He heard the footsteps of his pursuers behind him, and redoubled his own pace.
+Once he got out of these by-ways he would be safe. There would be a policeman
+about somewhere&mdash;not that he really wanted to invoke the aid of the police
+if he could possibly do without it. It meant explanations, and general
+awkwardness. In another moment he had reason to bless his luck. He stumbled
+over a prostrate figure, which started up with a yell of alarm and dashed off
+down the street. Tommy drew back into a doorway. In a minute he had the
+pleasure of seeing his two pursuers, of whom the German was one, industriously
+tracking down the red herring!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy sat down quietly on the doorstep and allowed a few moments to elapse
+while he recovered his breath. Then he strolled gently in the opposite
+direction. He glanced at his watch. It was a little after half-past five. It
+was rapidly growing light. At the next corner he passed a policeman. The
+policeman cast a suspicious eye on him. Tommy felt slightly offended. Then,
+passing his hand over his face, he laughed. He had not shaved or washed for
+three days! What a guy he must look.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He betook himself without more ado to a Turkish Bath establishment which he
+knew to be open all night. He emerged into the busy daylight feeling himself
+once more, and able to make plans.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+First of all, he must have a square meal. He had eaten nothing since midday
+yesterday. He turned into an A.B.C. shop and ordered eggs and bacon and coffee.
+Whilst he ate, he read a morning paper propped up in front of him. Suddenly he
+stiffened. There was a long article on Kramenin, who was described as the
+&ldquo;man behind Bolshevism&rdquo; in Russia, and who had just arrived in
+London&mdash;some thought as an unofficial envoy. His career was sketched
+lightly, and it was firmly asserted that he, and not the figurehead leaders,
+had been the author of the Russian Revolution.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the centre of the page was his portrait.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So that&rsquo;s who Number 1 is,&rdquo; said Tommy with his mouth full
+of eggs and bacon. &ldquo;Not a doubt about it, I must push on.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He paid for his breakfast, and betook himself to Whitehall. There he sent up
+his name, and the message that it was urgent. A few minutes later he was in the
+presence of the man who did not here go by the name of &ldquo;Mr.
+Carter.&rdquo; There was a frown on his face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Look here, you&rsquo;ve no business to come asking for me in this way. I
+thought that was distinctly understood?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was, sir. But I judged it important to lose no time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And as briefly and succinctly as possible he detailed the experiences of the
+last few days.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Half-way through, Mr. Carter interrupted him to give a few cryptic orders
+through the telephone. All traces of displeasure had now left his face. He
+nodded energetically when Tommy had finished.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quite right. Every moment&rsquo;s of value. Fear we shall be too late
+anyway. They wouldn&rsquo;t wait. Would clear out at once. Still, they may have
+left something behind them that will be a clue. You say you&rsquo;ve recognized
+Number 1 to be Kramenin? That&rsquo;s important. We want something against him
+badly to prevent the Cabinet falling on his neck too freely. What about the
+others? You say two faces were familiar to you? One&rsquo;s a Labour man, you
+think? Just look through these photos, and see if you can spot him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A minute later, Tommy held one up. Mr. Carter exhibited some surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, Westway! Shouldn&rsquo;t have thought it. Poses as being moderate.
+As for the other fellow, I think I can give a good guess.&rdquo; He handed
+another photograph to Tommy, and smiled at the other&rsquo;s exclamation.
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m right, then. Who is he? Irishman. Prominent Unionist M.P. All
+a blind, of course. We&rsquo;ve suspected it&mdash;but couldn&rsquo;t get any
+proof. Yes, you&rsquo;ve done very well, young man. The 29th, you say, is the
+date. That gives us very little time&mdash;very little time indeed.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; Tommy hesitated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter read his thoughts.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We can deal with the General Strike menace, I think. It&rsquo;s a
+toss-up&mdash;but we&rsquo;ve got a sporting chance! But if that draft treaty
+turns up&mdash;we&rsquo;re done. England will be plunged in anarchy. Ah,
+what&rsquo;s that? The car? Come on, Beresford, we&rsquo;ll go and have a look
+at this house of yours.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Two constables were on duty in front of the house in Soho. An inspector
+reported to Mr. Carter in a low voice. The latter turned to Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The birds have flown&mdash;as we thought. We might as well go over
+it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Going over the deserted house seemed to Tommy to partake of the character of a
+dream. Everything was just as it had been. The prison room with the crooked
+pictures, the broken jug in the attic, the meeting room with its long table.
+But nowhere was there a trace of papers. Everything of that kind had either
+been destroyed or taken away. And there was no sign of Annette.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What you tell me about the girl puzzled me,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter.
+&ldquo;You believe that she deliberately went back?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It would seem so, sir. She ran upstairs while I was getting the door
+open.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;H&rsquo;m, she must belong to the gang, then; but, being a woman,
+didn&rsquo;t feel like standing by to see a personable young man killed. But
+evidently she&rsquo;s in with them, or she wouldn&rsquo;t have gone
+back.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t believe she&rsquo;s really one of them, sir.
+She&mdash;seemed so different&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good-looking, I suppose?&rdquo; said Mr. Carter with a smile that made
+Tommy flush to the roots of his hair. He admitted Annette&rsquo;s beauty rather
+shamefacedly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;By the way,&rdquo; observed Mr. Carter, &ldquo;have you shown yourself
+to Miss Tuppence yet? She&rsquo;s been bombarding me with letters about
+you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tuppence? I was afraid she might get a bit rattled. Did she go to the
+police?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then I wonder how they twigged me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter looked inquiringly at him, and Tommy explained. The other nodded
+thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;True, that&rsquo;s rather a curious point. Unless the mention of the
+<i>Ritz</i> was an accidental remark?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It might have been, sir. But they must have found out about me suddenly
+in some way.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter, looking round him, &ldquo;there&rsquo;s
+nothing more to be done here. What about some lunch with me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thanks awfully, sir. But I think I&rsquo;d better get back and rout out
+Tuppence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course. Give her my kind regards and tell her not to believe
+you&rsquo;re killed too readily next time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy grinned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I take a lot of killing, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So I perceive,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter dryly. &ldquo;Well, good-bye.
+Remember you&rsquo;re a marked man now, and take reasonable care of
+yourself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Hailing a taxi briskly Tommy stepped in, and was swiftly borne to the
+<i>Ritz</i>, dwelling the while on the pleasurable anticipation of startling
+Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wonder what she&rsquo;s been up to. Dogging &lsquo;Rita&rsquo; most
+likely. By the way, I suppose that&rsquo;s who Annette meant by Marguerite. I
+didn&rsquo;t get it at the time.&rdquo; The thought saddened him a little, for
+it seemed to prove that Mrs. Vandemeyer and the girl were on intimate terms.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The taxi drew up at the <i>Ritz</i>. Tommy burst into its sacred portals
+eagerly, but his enthusiasm received a check. He was informed that Miss Cowley
+had gone out a quarter of an hour ago.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap18"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.<br/>
+THE TELEGRAM</h2>
+
+<p>
+Baffled for the moment, Tommy strolled into the restaurant, and ordered a meal
+of surpassing excellence. His four days&rsquo; imprisonment had taught him anew
+to value good food.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He was in the middle of conveying a particularly choice morsel of Sole à la
+Jeanette to his mouth, when he caught sight of Julius entering the room. Tommy
+waved a menu cheerfully, and succeeded in attracting the other&rsquo;s
+attention. At the sight of Tommy, Julius&rsquo;s eyes seemed as though they
+would pop out of his head. He strode across, and pump-handled Tommy&rsquo;s
+hand with what seemed to the latter quite unnecessary vigour.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Holy snakes!&rdquo; he ejaculated. &ldquo;Is it really you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course it is. Why shouldn&rsquo;t it be?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why shouldn&rsquo;t it be? Say, man, don&rsquo;t you know you&rsquo;ve
+been given up for dead? I guess we&rsquo;d have had a solemn requiem for you in
+another few days.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who thought I was dead?&rdquo; demanded Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tuppence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She remembered the proverb about the good dying young, I suppose. There
+must be a certain amount of original sin in me to have survived. Where is
+Tuppence, by the way?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t she here?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, the fellows at the office said she&rsquo;d just gone out.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gone shopping, I guess. I dropped her here in the car about an hour ago.
+But, say, can&rsquo;t you shed that British calm of yours, and get down to it?
+What on God&rsquo;s earth have you been doing all this time?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If you&rsquo;re feeding here,&rdquo; replied Tommy, &ldquo;order now.
+It&rsquo;s going to be a long story.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius drew up a chair to the opposite side of the table, summoned a hovering
+waiter, and dictated his wishes. Then he turned to Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Fire ahead. I guess you&rsquo;ve had some few adventures.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One or two,&rdquo; replied Tommy modestly, and plunged into his recital.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius listened spellbound. Half the dishes that were placed before him he
+forgot to eat. At the end he heaved a long sigh.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Bully for you. Reads like a dime novel!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And now for the home front,&rdquo; said Tommy, stretching out his hand
+for a peach.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We-el,&rdquo; drawled Julius, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t mind admitting
+we&rsquo;ve had some adventures too.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He, in his turn, assumed the rôle of narrator. Beginning with his unsuccessful
+reconnoitring at Bournemouth, he passed on to his return to London, the buying
+of the car, the growing anxieties of Tuppence, the call upon Sir James, and the
+sensational occurrences of the previous night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But who killed her?&rdquo; asked Tommy. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t quite
+understand.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The doctor kidded himself she took it herself,&rdquo; replied Julius
+dryly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And Sir James? What did he think?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Being a legal luminary, he is likewise a human oyster,&rdquo; replied
+Julius. &ldquo;I should say he &lsquo;reserved judgment.&rsquo;&rdquo; He went
+on to detail the events of the morning.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Lost her memory, eh?&rdquo; said Tommy with interest. &ldquo;By Jove,
+that explains why they looked at me so queerly when I spoke of questioning her.
+Bit of a slip on my part, that! But it wasn&rsquo;t the sort of thing a fellow
+would be likely to guess.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They didn&rsquo;t give you any sort of hint as to where Jane was?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head regretfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not a word. I&rsquo;m a bit of an ass, as you know. I ought to have got
+more out of them somehow.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess you&rsquo;re lucky to be here at all. That bluff of yours was
+the goods all right. How you ever came to think of it all so pat beats me to a
+frazzle!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I was in such a funk I had to think of something,&rdquo; said Tommy
+simply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a moment&rsquo;s pause, and then Tommy reverted to Mrs.
+Vandemeyer&rsquo;s death.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no doubt it was chloral?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I believe not. At least they call it heart failure induced by an
+overdose, or some such claptrap. It&rsquo;s all right. We don&rsquo;t want to
+be worried with an inquest. But I guess Tuppence and I and even the highbrow
+Sir James have all got the same idea.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Brown?&rdquo; hazarded Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All the same,&rdquo; he said thoughtfully, &ldquo;Mr. Brown hasn&rsquo;t
+got wings. I don&rsquo;t see how he got in and out.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How about some high-class thought transference stunt? Some magnetic
+influence that irresistibly impelled Mrs. Vandemeyer to commit suicide?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy looked at him with respect.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good, Julius. Distinctly good. Especially the phraseology. But it leaves
+me cold. I yearn for a real Mr. Brown of flesh and blood. I think the gifted
+young detectives must get to work, study the entrances and exits, and tap the
+bumps on their foreheads until the solution of the mystery dawns on them.
+Let&rsquo;s go round to the scene of the crime. I wish we could get hold of
+Tuppence. The <i>Ritz</i> would enjoy the spectacle of the glad reunion.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Inquiry at the office revealed the fact that Tuppence had not yet returned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All the same, I guess I&rsquo;ll have a look round upstairs,&rdquo; said
+Julius. &ldquo;She might be in my sitting-room.&rdquo; He disappeared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly a diminutive boy spoke at Tommy&rsquo;s elbow:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The young lady&mdash;she&rsquo;s gone away by train, I think,
+sir,&rdquo; he murmured shyly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo; Tommy wheeled round upon him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The small boy became pinker than before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The taxi, sir. I heard her tell the driver Charing Cross and to look
+sharp.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy stared at him, his eyes opening wide in surprise. Emboldened, the small
+boy proceeded. &ldquo;So I thought, having asked for an A.B.C. and a
+Bradshaw.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy interrupted him:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When did she ask for an A.B.C. and a Bradshaw?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When I took her the telegram, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A telegram?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When was that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;About half-past twelve, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tell me exactly what happened.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The small boy drew a long breath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I took up a telegram to No. 891&mdash;the lady was there. She opened it
+and gave a gasp, and then she said, very jolly like: &lsquo;Bring me up a
+Bradshaw, and an A.B.C., and look sharp, Henry.&rsquo; My name isn&rsquo;t
+Henry, but&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never mind your name,&rdquo; said Tommy impatiently. &ldquo;Go
+on.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir. I brought them, and she told me to wait, and looked up
+something. And then she looks up at the clock, and &lsquo;Hurry up,&rsquo; she
+says. &lsquo;Tell them to get me a taxi,&rsquo; and she begins a-shoving on of
+her hat in front of the glass, and she was down in two ticks, almost as quick
+as I was, and I seed her going down the steps and into the taxi, and I heard
+her call out what I told you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The small boy stopped and replenished his lungs. Tommy continued to stare at
+him. At that moment Julius rejoined him. He held an open letter in his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I say, Hersheimmer&rdquo;&mdash;Tommy turned to
+him&mdash;&ldquo;Tuppence has gone off sleuthing on her own.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shucks!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, she has. She went off in a taxi to Charing Cross in the deuce of a
+hurry after getting a telegram.&rdquo; His eye fell on the letter in
+Julius&rsquo;s hand. &ldquo;Oh; she left a note for you. That&rsquo;s all
+right. Where&rsquo;s she off to?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Almost unconsciously, he held out his hand for the letter, but Julius folded it
+up and placed it in his pocket. He seemed a trifle embarrassed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess this is nothing to do with it. It&rsquo;s about something
+else&mdash;something I asked her that she was to let me know about.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; Tommy looked puzzled, and seemed waiting for more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;See here,&rdquo; said Julius suddenly, &ldquo;I&rsquo;d better put you
+wise. I asked Miss Tuppence to marry me this morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tommy mechanically. He felt dazed. Julius&rsquo;s words
+were totally unexpected. For the moment they benumbed his brain.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to tell you,&rdquo; continued Julius, &ldquo;that before
+I suggested anything of the kind to Miss Tuppence, I made it clear that I
+didn&rsquo;t want to butt in in any way between her and
+you&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy roused himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right,&rdquo; he said quickly. &ldquo;Tuppence and I
+have been pals for years. Nothing more.&rdquo; He lit a cigarette with a hand
+that shook ever so little. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s quite all right. Tuppence always
+said that she was looking out for&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He stopped abruptly, his face crimsoning, but Julius was in no way discomposed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I guess it&rsquo;ll be the dollars that&rsquo;ll do the trick. Miss
+Tuppence put me wise to that right away. There&rsquo;s no humbug about her. We
+ought to gee along together very well.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy looked at him curiously for a minute, as though he were about to speak,
+then changed his mind and said nothing. Tuppence and Julius! Well, why not? Had
+she not lamented the fact that she knew no rich men? Had she not openly avowed
+her intention of marrying for money if she ever had the chance? Her meeting
+with the young American millionaire had given her the chance&mdash;and it was
+unlikely she would be slow to avail herself of it. She was out for money. She
+had always said so. Why blame her because she had been true to her creed?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nevertheless, Tommy did blame her. He was filled with a passionate and utterly
+illogical resentment. It was all very well to <i>say</i> things like
+that&mdash;but a <i>real</i> girl would never marry for money. Tuppence was
+utterly cold-blooded and selfish, and he would be delighted if he never saw her
+again! And it was a rotten world!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius&rsquo;s voice broke in on these meditations.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, we ought to gee along together very well. I&rsquo;ve heard that a
+girl always refuses you once&mdash;a sort of convention.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy caught his arm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Refuses? Did you say <i>refuses?</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing. Didn&rsquo;t I tell you that? She just rapped out a
+&lsquo;no&rsquo; without any kind of reason to it. The eternal feminine, the
+Huns call it, I&rsquo;ve heard. But she&rsquo;ll come round right enough.
+Likely enough, I hustled her some&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Tommy interrupted regardless of decorum.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What did she say in that note?&rdquo; he demanded fiercely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The obliging Julius handed it to him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no earthly clue in it as to where she&rsquo;s gone,&rdquo;
+he assured Tommy. &ldquo;But you might as well see for yourself if you
+don&rsquo;t believe me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The note, in Tuppence&rsquo;s well-known schoolboy writing, ran as follows:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;DEAR JULIUS,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s always better to have things in black and white. I
+don&rsquo;t feel I can be bothered to think of marriage until Tommy is found.
+Let&rsquo;s leave it till then.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yours affectionately,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;TUPPENCE.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy handed it back, his eyes shining. His feelings had undergone a sharp
+reaction. He now felt that Tuppence was all that was noble and disinterested.
+Had she not refused Julius without hesitation? True, the note betokened signs
+of weakening, but he could excuse that. It read almost like a bribe to Julius
+to spur him on in his efforts to find Tommy, but he supposed she had not really
+meant it that way. Darling Tuppence, there was not a girl in the world to touch
+her! When he saw her&mdash;&mdash;His thoughts were brought up with a sudden
+jerk.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As you say,&rdquo; he remarked, pulling himself together,
+&ldquo;there&rsquo;s not a hint here as to what she&rsquo;s up to.
+Hi&mdash;Henry!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The small boy came obediently. Tommy produced five shillings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One thing more. Do you remember what the young lady did with the
+telegram?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Henry gasped and spoke.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She crumpled it up into a ball and threw it into the grate, and made a
+sort of noise like &lsquo;Whoop!&rsquo; sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very graphic, Henry,&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;Here&rsquo;s your five
+shillings. Come on, Julius. We must find that telegram.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They hurried upstairs. Tuppence had left the key in her door. The room was as
+she had left it. In the fireplace was a crumpled ball of orange and white.
+Tommy disentangled it and smoothed out the telegram.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come at once, Moat House, Ebury, Yorkshire, great
+developments&mdash;TOMMY.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They looked at each other in stupefaction. Julius spoke first:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You didn&rsquo;t send it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course not. What does it mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess it means the worst,&rdquo; said Julius quietly.
+&ldquo;They&rsquo;ve got her.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+<i>&ldquo;What?&rdquo;</i>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing! They signed your name, and she fell into the trap like a
+lamb.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My God! What shall we do?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get busy, and go after her! Right now! There&rsquo;s no time to waste.
+It&rsquo;s almighty luck that she didn&rsquo;t take the wire with her. If she
+had we&rsquo;d probably never have traced her. But we&rsquo;ve got to hustle.
+Where&rsquo;s that Bradshaw?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The energy of Julius was infectious. Left to himself, Tommy would probably have
+sat down to think things out for a good half-hour before he decided on a plan
+of action. But with Julius Hersheimmer about, hustling was inevitable.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After a few muttered imprecations he handed the Bradshaw to Tommy as being more
+conversant with its mysteries. Tommy abandoned it in favour of an A.B.C.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Here we are. Ebury, Yorks. From King&rsquo;s Cross. Or St. Pancras. (Boy
+must have made a mistake. It was King&rsquo;s Cross, not <i>Charing</i> Cross.)
+12.50, that&rsquo;s the train she went by. 2.10, that&rsquo;s gone. 3.20 is the
+next&mdash;and a damned slow train too.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about the car?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Send it up if you like, but we&rsquo;d better stick to the train. The
+great thing is to keep calm.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius groaned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so. But it gets my goat to think of that innocent young
+girl in danger!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded abstractedly. He was thinking. In a moment or two, he said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I say, Julius, what do they want her for, anyway?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Eh? I don&rsquo;t get you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What I mean is that I don&rsquo;t think it&rsquo;s their game to do her
+any harm,&rdquo; explained Tommy, puckering his brow with the strain of his
+mental processes. &ldquo;She&rsquo;s a hostage, that&rsquo;s what she is.
+She&rsquo;s in no immediate danger, because if we tumble on to anything,
+she&rsquo;d be damned useful to them. As long as they&rsquo;ve got her,
+they&rsquo;ve got the whip hand of us. See?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing,&rdquo; said Julius thoughtfully. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s
+so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Besides,&rdquo; added Tommy, as an afterthought, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve great
+faith in Tuppence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The journey was wearisome, with many stops, and crowded carriages. They had to
+change twice, once at Doncaster, once at a small junction. Ebury was a deserted
+station with a solitary porter, to whom Tommy addressed himself:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can you tell me the way to the Moat House?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The Moat House? It&rsquo;s a tidy step from here. The big house near the
+sea, you mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy assented brazenly. After listening to the porter&rsquo;s meticulous but
+perplexing directions, they prepared to leave the station. It was beginning to
+rain, and they turned up the collars of their coats as they trudged through the
+slush of the road. Suddenly Tommy halted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Wait a moment.&rdquo; He ran back to the station and tackled the porter
+anew.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Look here, do you remember a young lady who arrived by an earlier train,
+the 12.50 from London? She&rsquo;d probably ask you the way to the Moat
+House.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He described Tuppence as well as he could, but the porter shook his head.
+Several people had arrived by the train in question. He could not call to mind
+one young lady in particular. But he was quite certain that no one had asked
+him the way to the Moat House.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy rejoined Julius, and explained. Depression was settling on him like a
+leaden weight. He felt convinced that their quest was going to be unsuccessful.
+The enemy had over three hours&rsquo; start. Three hours was more than enough
+for Mr. Brown. He would not ignore the possibility of the telegram having been
+found.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The way seemed endless. Once they took the wrong turning and went nearly half a
+mile out of their direction. It was past seven o&rsquo;clock when a small boy
+told them that &ldquo;t&rsquo; Moat House&rdquo; was just past the next corner.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A rusty iron gate swinging dismally on its hinges! An overgrown drive thick
+with leaves. There was something about the place that struck a chill to both
+their hearts. They went up the deserted drive. The leaves deadened their
+footsteps. The daylight was almost gone. It was like walking in a world of
+ghosts. Overhead the branches flapped and creaked with a mournful note.
+Occasionally a sodden leaf drifted silently down, startling them with its cold
+touch on their cheek.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A turn of the drive brought them in sight of the house. That, too, seemed empty
+and deserted. The shutters were closed, the steps up to the door overgrown with
+moss. Was it indeed to this desolate spot that Tuppence had been decoyed? It
+seemed hard to believe that a human footstep had passed this way for months.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius jerked the rusty bell handle. A jangling peal rang discordantly, echoing
+through the emptiness within. No one came. They rang again and again&mdash;but
+there was no sign of life. Then they walked completely round the house.
+Everywhere silence, and shuttered windows. If they could believe the evidence
+of their eyes the place was empty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing doing,&rdquo; said Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They retraced their steps slowly to the gate.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There must be a village handy,&rdquo; continued the young American.
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;d better make inquiries there. They&rsquo;ll know something
+about the place, and whether there&rsquo;s been anyone there lately.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, that&rsquo;s not a bad idea.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Proceeding up the road, they soon came to a little hamlet. On the outskirts of
+it, they met a workman swinging his bag of tools, and Tommy stopped him with a
+question.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The Moat House? It&rsquo;s empty. Been empty for years. Mrs.
+Sweeny&rsquo;s got the key if you want to go over it&mdash;next to the post
+office.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy thanked him. They soon found the post office, which was also a sweet and
+general fancy shop, and knocked at the door of the cottage next to it. A clean,
+wholesome-looking woman opened it. She readily produced the key of the Moat
+House.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Though I doubt if it&rsquo;s the kind of place to suit you, sir. In a
+terrible state of repair. Ceilings leaking and all. &lsquo;Twould need a lot of
+money spent on it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thanks,&rdquo; said Tommy cheerily. &ldquo;I dare say it&rsquo;ll be a
+washout, but houses are scarce nowadays.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That they are,&rdquo; declared the woman heartily. &ldquo;My daughter
+and son-in-law have been looking for a decent cottage for I don&rsquo;t know
+how long. It&rsquo;s all the war. Upset things terribly, it has. But excuse me,
+sir, it&rsquo;ll be too dark for you to see much of the house. Hadn&rsquo;t you
+better wait until to-morrow?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right. We&rsquo;ll have a look around this evening,
+anyway. We&rsquo;d have been here before only we lost our way. What&rsquo;s the
+best place to stay at for the night round here?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mrs. Sweeny looked doubtful.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s the <i>Yorkshire Arms</i>, but it&rsquo;s not much of a
+place for gentlemen like you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, it will do very well. Thanks. By the way, you&rsquo;ve not had a
+young lady here asking for this key to-day?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The woman shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No one&rsquo;s been over the place for a long time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thanks very much.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They retraced their steps to the Moat House. As the front door swung back on
+its hinges, protesting loudly, Julius struck a match and examined the floor
+carefully. Then he shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d swear no one&rsquo;s passed this way. Look at the dust. Thick.
+Not a sign of a footmark.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They wandered round the deserted house. Everywhere the same tale. Thick layers
+of dust apparently undisturbed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This gets me,&rdquo; said Julius. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t believe Tuppence
+was ever in this house.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She must have been.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius shook his head without replying.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ll go over it again to-morrow,&rdquo; said Tommy.
+&ldquo;Perhaps we&rsquo;ll see more in the daylight.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On the morrow they took up the search once more, and were reluctantly forced to
+the conclusion that the house had not been invaded for some considerable time.
+They might have left the village altogether but for a fortunate discovery of
+Tommy&rsquo;s. As they were retracing their steps to the gate, he gave a sudden
+cry, and stooping, picked something up from among the leaves, and held it out
+to Julius. It was a small gold brooch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s Tuppence&rsquo;s!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you sure?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Absolutely. I&rsquo;ve often seen her wear it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius drew a deep breath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess that settles it. She came as far as here, anyway. We&rsquo;ll
+make that pub our head-quarters, and raise hell round here until we find her.
+Somebody <i>must</i> have seen her.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Forthwith the campaign began. Tommy and Julius worked separately and together,
+but the result was the same. Nobody answering to Tuppence&rsquo;s description
+had been seen in the vicinity. They were baffled&mdash;but not discouraged.
+Finally they altered their tactics. Tuppence had certainly not remained long in
+the neighbourhood of the Moat House. That pointed to her having been overcome
+and carried away in a car. They renewed inquiries. Had anyone seen a car
+standing somewhere near the Moat House that day? Again they met with no
+success.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius wired to town for his own car, and they scoured the neighbourhood daily
+with unflagging zeal. A grey limousine on which they had set high hopes was
+traced to Harrogate, and turned out to be the property of a highly respectable
+maiden lady!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Each day saw them set out on a new quest. Julius was like a hound on the leash.
+He followed up the slenderest clue. Every car that had passed through the
+village on the fateful day was tracked down. He forced his way into country
+properties and submitted the owners of the motors to a searching
+cross-examination. His apologies were as thorough as his methods, and seldom
+failed in disarming the indignation of his victims; but, as day succeeded day,
+they were no nearer to discovering Tuppence&rsquo;s whereabouts. So well had
+the abduction been planned that the girl seemed literally to have vanished into
+thin air.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And another preoccupation was weighing on Tommy&rsquo;s mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you know how long we&rsquo;ve been here?&rdquo; he asked one morning
+as they sat facing each other at breakfast. &ldquo;A week! We&rsquo;re no
+nearer to finding Tuppence, <i>and next Sunday is the</i> 29<i>th!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shucks!&rdquo; said Julius thoughtfully. &ldquo;I&rsquo;d almost
+forgotten about the 29th. I&rsquo;ve been thinking of nothing but
+Tuppence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So have I. At least, I hadn&rsquo;t forgotten about the 29th, but it
+didn&rsquo;t seem to matter a damn in comparison to finding Tuppence. But
+to-day&rsquo;s the 23rd, and time&rsquo;s getting short. If we&rsquo;re ever
+going to get hold of her at all, we must do it before the 29th&mdash;her life
+won&rsquo;t be worth an hour&rsquo;s purchase afterwards. The hostage game will
+be played out by then. I&rsquo;m beginning to feel that we&rsquo;ve made a big
+mistake in the way we&rsquo;ve set about this. We&rsquo;ve wasted time and
+we&rsquo;re no forrader.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m with you there. We&rsquo;ve been a couple of mutts,
+who&rsquo;ve bitten off a bigger bit than they can chew. I&rsquo;m going to
+quit fooling right away!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you. I&rsquo;m going to do what we ought to have done a
+week ago. I&rsquo;m going right back to London to put the case in the hands of
+your British police. We fancied ourselves as sleuths. Sleuths! It was a piece
+of damn-fool foolishness! I&rsquo;m through! I&rsquo;ve had enough of it.
+Scotland Yard for me!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re right,&rdquo; said Tommy slowly. &ldquo;I wish to God
+we&rsquo;d gone there right away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Better late than never. We&rsquo;ve been like a couple of babes playing
+&lsquo;Here we go round the Mulberry Bush.&rsquo; Now I&rsquo;m going right
+along to Scotland Yard to ask them to take me by the hand and show me the way I
+should go. I guess the professional always scores over the amateur in the end.
+Are you coming along with me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&rsquo;s the good? One of us is enough. I might as well stay here
+and nose round a bit longer. Something <i>might</i> turn up. One never
+knows.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing. Well, so long. I&rsquo;ll be back in a couple of shakes with
+a few inspectors along. I shall tell them to pick out their brightest and
+best.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the course of events was not to follow the plan Julius had laid down. Later
+in the day Tommy received a wire:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Join me Manchester Midland Hotel. Important news&mdash;JULIUS.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At 7.30 that night Tommy alighted from a slow cross-country train. Julius was
+on the platform.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thought you&rsquo;d come by this train if you weren&rsquo;t out when my
+wire arrived.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy grasped him by the arm.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What is it? Is Tuppence found?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No. But I found this waiting in London. Just arrived.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He handed the telegraph form to the other. Tommy&rsquo;s eyes opened as he
+read:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Jane Finn found. Come Manchester Midland Hotel immediately&mdash;PEEL
+EDGERTON.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius took the form back and folded it up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Queer,&rdquo; he said thoughtfully. &ldquo;I thought that lawyer chap
+had quit!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap19"></a>CHAPTER XIX.<br/>
+JANE FINN</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My train got in half an hour ago,&rdquo; explained Julius, as he led the
+way out of the station. &ldquo;I reckoned you&rsquo;d come by this before I
+left London, and wired accordingly to Sir James. He&rsquo;s booked rooms for
+us, and will be round to dine at eight.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What made you think he&rsquo;d ceased to take any interest in the
+case?&rdquo; asked Tommy curiously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What he said,&rdquo; replied Julius dryly. &ldquo;The old bird&rsquo;s
+as close as an oyster! Like all the darned lot of them, he wasn&rsquo;t going
+to commit himself till he was sure he could deliver the goods.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wonder,&rdquo; said Tommy thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius turned on him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You wonder what?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Whether that was his real reason.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure. You bet your life it was.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head unconvinced.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James arrived punctually at eight o&rsquo;clock, and Julius introduced
+Tommy. Sir James shook hands with him warmly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Mr. Beresford. I have heard so
+much about you from Miss Tuppence&rdquo;&mdash;he smiled
+involuntarily&mdash;&ldquo;that it really seems as though I already know you
+quite well.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, sir,&rdquo; said Tommy with his cheerful grin. He scanned the
+great lawyer eagerly. Like Tuppence, he felt the magnetism of the other&rsquo;s
+personality. He was reminded of Mr. Carter. The two men, totally unlike so far
+as physical resemblance went, produced a similar effect. Beneath the weary
+manner of the one and the professional reserve of the other, lay the same
+quality of mind, keen-edged like a rapier.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the meantime he was conscious of Sir James&rsquo;s close scrutiny. When the
+lawyer dropped his eyes the young man had the feeling that the other had read
+him through and through like an open book. He could not but wonder what the
+final judgment was, but there was little chance of learning that. Sir James
+took in everything, but gave out only what he chose. A proof of that occurred
+almost at once.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Immediately the first greetings were over Julius broke out into a flood of
+eager questions. How had Sir James managed to track the girl? Why had he not
+let them know that he was still working on the case? And so on.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James stroked his chin and smiled. At last he said:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just so, just so. Well, she&rsquo;s found. And that&rsquo;s the great
+thing, isn&rsquo;t it? Eh! Come now, that&rsquo;s the great thing?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure it is. But just how did you strike her trail? Miss Tuppence and I
+thought you&rsquo;d quit for good and all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; The lawyer shot a lightning glance at him, then resumed
+operations on his chin. &ldquo;You thought that, did you? Did you really?
+H&rsquo;m, dear me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But I guess I can take it we were wrong,&rdquo; pursued Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I don&rsquo;t know that I should go so far as to say that. But
+it&rsquo;s certainly fortunate for all parties that we&rsquo;ve managed to find
+the young lady.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But where is she?&rdquo; demanded Julius, his thoughts flying off on
+another tack. &ldquo;I thought you&rsquo;d be sure to bring her along?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That would hardly be possible,&rdquo; said Sir James gravely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because the young lady was knocked down in a street accident, and has
+sustained slight injuries to the head. She was taken to the infirmary, and on
+recovering consciousness gave her name as Jane Finn. When&mdash;ah!&mdash;I
+heard that, I arranged for her to be removed to the house of a doctor&mdash;a
+friend of mine, and wired at once for you. She relapsed into unconsciousness
+and has not spoken since.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s not seriously hurt?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, a bruise and a cut or two; really, from a medical point of view,
+absurdly slight injuries to have produced such a condition. Her state is
+probably to be attributed to the mental shock consequent on recovering her
+memory.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s come back?&rdquo; cried Julius excitedly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James tapped the table rather impatiently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Undoubtedly, Mr. Hersheimmer, since she was able to give her real name.
+I thought you had appreciated that point.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And you just happened to be on the spot,&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;Seems
+quite like a fairy tale.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Sir James was far too wary to be drawn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Coincidences are curious things,&rdquo; he said dryly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Nevertheless Tommy was now certain of what he had before only suspected. Sir
+James&rsquo;s presence in Manchester was not accidental. Far from abandoning
+the case, as Julius supposed, he had by some means of his own successfully run
+the missing girl to earth. The only thing that puzzled Tommy was the reason for
+all this secrecy. He concluded that it was a foible of the legal mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius was speaking.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;After dinner,&rdquo; he announced, &ldquo;I shall go right away and see
+Jane.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That will be impossible, I fear,&rdquo; said Sir James. &ldquo;It is
+very unlikely they would allow her to see visitors at this time of night. I
+should suggest to-morrow morning about ten o&rsquo;clock.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius flushed. There was something in Sir James which always stirred him to
+antagonism. It was a conflict of two masterful personalities.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All the same, I reckon I&rsquo;ll go round there to-night and see if I
+can&rsquo;t ginger them up to break through their silly rules.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It will be quite useless, Mr. Hersheimmer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The words came out like the crack of a pistol, and Tommy looked up with a
+start. Julius was nervous and excited. The hand with which he raised his glass
+to his lips shook slightly, but his eyes held Sir James&rsquo;s defiantly. For
+a moment the hostility between the two seemed likely to burst into flame, but
+in the end Julius lowered his eyes, defeated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;For the moment, I reckon you&rsquo;re the boss.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you,&rdquo; said the other. &ldquo;We will say ten o&rsquo;clock
+then?&rdquo; With consummate ease of manner he turned to Tommy. &ldquo;I must
+confess, Mr. Beresford, that it was something of a surprise to me to see you
+here this evening. The last I heard of you was that your friends were in grave
+anxiety on your behalf. Nothing had been heard of you for some days, and Miss
+Tuppence was inclined to think you had got into difficulties.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I had, sir!&rdquo; Tommy grinned reminiscently. &ldquo;I was never in a
+tighter place in my life.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Helped out by questions from Sir James, he gave an abbreviated account of his
+adventures. The lawyer looked at him with renewed interest as he brought the
+tale to a close.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You got yourself out of a tight place very well,&rdquo; he said gravely.
+&ldquo;I congratulate you. You displayed a great deal of ingenuity and carried
+your part through well.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy blushed, his face assuming a prawnlike hue at the praise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t have got away but for the girl, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No.&rdquo; Sir James smiled a little. &ldquo;It was lucky for you she
+happened to&mdash;er&mdash;take a fancy to you.&rdquo; Tommy appeared about to
+protest, but Sir James went on. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s no doubt about her being
+one of the gang, I suppose?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m afraid not, sir. I thought perhaps they were keeping her there
+by force, but the way she acted didn&rsquo;t fit in with that. You see, she
+went back to them when she could have got away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James nodded thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What did she say? Something about wanting to be taken to
+Marguerite?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir. I suppose she meant Mrs. Vandemeyer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She always signed herself Rita Vandemeyer. All her friends spoke of her
+as Rita. Still, I suppose the girl must have been in the habit of calling her
+by her full name. And, at the moment she was crying out to her, Mrs. Vandemeyer
+was either dead or dying! Curious! There are one or two points that strike me
+as being obscure&mdash;their sudden change of attitude towards yourself, for
+instance. By the way, the house was raided, of course?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir, but they&rsquo;d all cleared out.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Naturally,&rdquo; said Sir James dryly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And not a clue left behind.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wonder&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; The lawyer tapped the table thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Something in his voice made Tommy look up. Would this man&rsquo;s eyes have
+seen something where theirs had been blind? He spoke impulsively:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wish you&rsquo;d been there, sir, to go over the house!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wish I had,&rdquo; said Sir James quietly. He sat for a moment in
+silence. Then he looked up. &ldquo;And since then? What have you been
+doing?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment, Tommy stared at him. Then it dawned on him that of course the
+lawyer did not know.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I forgot that you didn&rsquo;t know about Tuppence,&rdquo; he said
+slowly. The sickening anxiety, forgotten for a while in the excitement of
+knowing Jane Finn was found at last, swept over him again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The lawyer laid down his knife and fork sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Has anything happened to Miss Tuppence?&rdquo; His voice was keen-edged.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s disappeared,&rdquo; said Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A week ago.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James&rsquo;s questions fairly shot out. Between them Tommy and Julius gave
+the history of the last week and their futile search.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James went at once to the root of the matter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A wire signed with your name? They knew enough of you both for that.
+They weren&rsquo;t sure of how much you had learnt in that house. Their
+kidnapping of Miss Tuppence is the counter-move to your escape. If necessary
+they could seal your lips with a threat of what might happen to her.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s just what I thought, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James looked at him keenly. &ldquo;You had worked that out, had you? Not
+bad&mdash;not at all bad. The curious thing is that they certainly did not know
+anything about you when they first held you prisoner. You are sure that you did
+not in any way disclose your identity?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; said Julius with a nod. &ldquo;Therefore I
+reckon some one put them wise&mdash;and not earlier than Sunday
+afternoon.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, but who?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That almighty omniscient Mr. Brown, of course!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a faint note of derision in the American&rsquo;s voice which made Sir
+James look up sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t believe in Mr. Brown, Mr. Hersheimmer?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, sir, I do not,&rdquo; returned the young American with emphasis.
+&ldquo;Not as such, that is to say. I reckon it out that he&rsquo;s a
+figurehead&mdash;just a bogy name to frighten the children with. The real head
+of this business is that Russian chap Kramenin. I guess he&rsquo;s quite
+capable of running revolutions in three countries at once if he chose! The man
+Whittington is probably the head of the English branch.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I disagree with you,&rdquo; said Sir James shortly. &ldquo;Mr. Brown
+exists.&rdquo; He turned to Tommy. &ldquo;Did you happen to notice where that
+wire was handed in?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, sir, I&rsquo;m afraid I didn&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;H&rsquo;m. Got it with you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s upstairs, sir, in my kit.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d like to have a look at it sometime. No hurry. You&rsquo;ve
+wasted a week&rdquo;&mdash;Tommy hung his head&mdash;&ldquo;a day or so more is
+immaterial. We&rsquo;ll deal with Miss Jane Finn first. Afterwards, we&rsquo;ll
+set to work to rescue Miss Tuppence from bondage. I don&rsquo;t think
+she&rsquo;s in any immediate danger. That is, so long as they don&rsquo;t know
+that we&rsquo;ve got Jane Finn, and that her memory has returned. We must keep
+that dark at all costs. You understand?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other two assented, and, after making arrangements for meeting on the
+morrow, the great lawyer took his leave.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At ten o&rsquo;clock, the two young men were at the appointed spot. Sir James
+had joined them on the doorstep. He alone appeared unexcited. He introduced
+them to the doctor.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Hersheimmer&mdash;Mr. Beresford&mdash;Dr. Roylance. How&rsquo;s the
+patient?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Going on well. Evidently no idea of the flight of time. Asked this
+morning how many had been saved from the <i>Lusitania</i>. Was it in the papers
+yet? That, of course, was only what was to be expected. She seems to have
+something on her mind, though.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think we can relieve her anxiety. May we go up?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Certainly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy&rsquo;s heart beat sensibly faster as they followed the doctor upstairs.
+Jane Finn at last! The long-sought, the mysterious, the elusive Jane Finn! How
+wildly improbable success had seemed! And here in this house, her memory almost
+miraculously restored, lay the girl who held the future of England in her
+hands. A half groan broke from Tommy&rsquo;s lips. If only Tuppence could have
+been at his side to share in the triumphant conclusion of their joint venture!
+Then he put the thought of Tuppence resolutely aside. His confidence in Sir
+James was growing. There was a man who would unerringly ferret out
+Tuppence&rsquo;s whereabouts. In the meantime Jane Finn! And suddenly a dread
+clutched at his heart. It seemed too easy.... Suppose they should find her dead
+... stricken down by the hand of Mr. Brown?
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In another minute he was laughing at these melodramatic fancies. The doctor
+held open the door of a room and they passed in. On the white bed, bandages
+round her head, lay the girl. Somehow the whole scene seemed unreal. It was so
+exactly what one expected that it gave the effect of being beautifully staged.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl looked from one to the other of them with large wondering eyes. Sir
+James spoke first.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Miss Finn,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;this is your cousin, Mr. Julius P.
+Hersheimmer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A faint flush flitted over the girl&rsquo;s face, as Julius stepped forward and
+took her hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How do, Cousin Jane?&rdquo; he said lightly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Tommy caught the tremor in his voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Are you really Uncle Hiram&rsquo;s son?&rdquo; she asked wonderingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her voice, with the slight warmth of the Western accent, had an almost
+thrilling quality. It seemed vaguely familiar to Tommy, but he thrust the
+impression aside as impossible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We used to read about Uncle Hiram in the papers,&rdquo; continued the
+girl, in her low soft tones. &ldquo;But I never thought I&rsquo;d meet you one
+day. Mother figured it out that Uncle Hiram would never get over being mad with
+her.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The old man was like that,&rdquo; admitted Julius. &ldquo;But I guess
+the new generation&rsquo;s sort of different. Got no use for the family feud
+business. First thing I thought about, soon as the war was over, was to come
+along and hunt you up.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A shadow passed over the girl&rsquo;s face.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They&rsquo;ve been telling me things&mdash;dreadful things&mdash;that my
+memory went, and that there are years I shall never know about&mdash;years lost
+out of my life.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You didn&rsquo;t realize that yourself?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl&rsquo;s eyes opened wide.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why, no. It seems to me as though it were no time since we were being
+hustled into those boats. I can see it all now.&rdquo; She closed her eyes with
+a shudder.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius looked across at Sir James, who nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t worry any. It isn&rsquo;t worth it. Now, see here, Jane,
+there&rsquo;s something we want to know about. There was a man aboard that boat
+with some mighty important papers on him, and the big guns in this country have
+got a notion that he passed on the goods to you. Is that so?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl hesitated, her glance shifting to the other two. Julius understood.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mr. Beresford is commissioned by the British Government to get those
+papers back. Sir James Peel Edgerton is an English Member of Parliament, and
+might be a big gun in the Cabinet if he liked. It&rsquo;s owing to him that
+we&rsquo;ve ferreted you out at last. So you can go right ahead and tell us the
+whole story. Did Danvers give you the papers?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. He said they&rsquo;d have a better chance with me, because they
+would save the women and children first.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just as we thought,&rdquo; said Sir James.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He said they were very important&mdash;that they might make all the
+difference to the Allies. But, if it&rsquo;s all so long ago, and the
+war&rsquo;s over, what does it matter now?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess history repeats itself, Jane. First there was a great hue and
+cry over those papers, then it all died down, and now the whole
+caboodle&rsquo;s started all over again&mdash;for rather different reasons.
+Then you can hand them over to us right away?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But I can&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I haven&rsquo;t got them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&mdash;haven&rsquo;t&mdash;got them?&rdquo; Julius punctuated the
+words with little pauses.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No&mdash;I hid them.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You <i>hid</i> them?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. I got uneasy. People seemed to be watching me. It scared
+me&mdash;badly.&rdquo; She put her hand to her head. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s almost
+the last thing I remember before waking up in the hospital....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Go on,&rdquo; said Sir James, in his quiet penetrating tones.
+&ldquo;What do you remember?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She turned to him obediently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was at Holyhead. I came that way&mdash;I don&rsquo;t remember
+why....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That doesn&rsquo;t matter. Go on.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In the confusion on the quay I slipped away. Nobody saw me. I took a
+car. Told the man to drive me out of the town. I watched when we got on the
+open road. No other car was following us. I saw a path at the side of the road.
+I told the man to wait.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She paused, then went on. &ldquo;The path led to the cliff, and down to the sea
+between big yellow gorse bushes&mdash;they were like golden flames. I looked
+round. There wasn&rsquo;t a soul in sight. But just level with my head there
+was a hole in the rock. It was quite small&mdash;I could only just get my hand
+in, but it went a long way back. I took the oilskin packet from round my neck
+and shoved it right in as far as I could. Then I tore off a bit of
+gorse&mdash;My! but it did prick&mdash;and plugged the hole with it so that
+you&rsquo;d never guess there was a crevice of any kind there. Then I marked
+the place carefully in my own mind, so that I&rsquo;d find it again. There was
+a queer boulder in the path just there&mdash;for all the world like a dog
+sitting up begging. Then I went back to the road. The car was waiting, and I
+drove back. I just caught the train. I was a bit ashamed of myself for fancying
+things maybe, but, by and by, I saw the man opposite me wink at a woman who was
+sitting next to me, and I felt scared again, and was glad the papers were safe.
+I went out in the corridor to get a little air. I thought I&rsquo;d slip into
+another carriage. But the woman called me back, said I&rsquo;d dropped
+something, and when I stooped to look, something seemed to hit
+me&mdash;here.&rdquo; She placed her hand to the back of her head. &ldquo;I
+don&rsquo;t remember anything more until I woke up in the hospital.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a pause.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, Miss Finn.&rdquo; It was Sir James who spoke. &ldquo;I hope
+we have not tired you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, that&rsquo;s all right. My head aches a little, but otherwise I feel
+fine.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius stepped forward and took her hand again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So long, Cousin Jane. I&rsquo;m going to get busy after those papers,
+but I&rsquo;ll be back in two shakes of a dog&rsquo;s tail, and I&rsquo;ll tote
+you up to London and give you the time of your young life before we go back to
+the States! I mean it&mdash;so hurry up and get well.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap20"></a>CHAPTER XX.<br/>
+TOO LATE</h2>
+
+<p>
+In the street they held an informal council of war. Sir James had drawn a watch
+from his pocket. &ldquo;The boat train to Holyhead stops at Chester at 12.14.
+If you start at once I think you can catch the connection.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy looked up, puzzled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is there any need to hurry, sir? To-day is only the 24th.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess it&rsquo;s always well to get up early in the morning,&rdquo;
+said Julius, before the lawyer had time to reply. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ll make
+tracks for the depot right away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A little frown had settled on Sir James&rsquo;s brow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wish I could come with you. I am due to speak at a meeting at two
+o&rsquo;clock. It is unfortunate.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The reluctance in his tone was very evident. It was clear, on the other hand,
+that Julius was easily disposed to put up with the loss of the other&rsquo;s
+company.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess there&rsquo;s nothing complicated about this deal,&rdquo; he
+remarked. &ldquo;Just a game of hide-and-seek, that&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I hope so,&rdquo; said Sir James.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing. What else could it be?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are still young, Mr. Hersheimmer. At my age you will probably have
+learnt one lesson. &lsquo;Never underestimate your adversary.&rsquo;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The gravity of his tone impressed Tommy, but had little effect upon Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You think Mr. Brown might come along and take a hand? If he does,
+I&rsquo;m ready for him.&rdquo; He slapped his pocket. &ldquo;I carry a gun.
+Little Willie here travels round with me everywhere.&rdquo; He produced a
+murderous-looking automatic, and tapped it affectionately before returning it
+to its home. &ldquo;But he won&rsquo;t be needed this trip. There&rsquo;s
+nobody to put Mr. Brown wise.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The lawyer shrugged his shoulders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There was nobody to put Mr. Brown wise to the fact that Mrs. Vandemeyer
+meant to betray him. Nevertheless, <i>Mrs. Vandemeyer died without
+speaking</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius was silenced for once, and Sir James added on a lighter note:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I only want to put you on your guard. Good-bye, and good luck. Take no
+unnecessary risks once the papers are in your hands. If there is any reason to
+believe that you have been shadowed, destroy them at once. Good luck to you.
+The game is in your hands now.&rdquo; He shook hands with them both.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Ten minutes later the two young men were seated in a first-class carriage <i>en
+route</i> for Chester.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a long time neither of them spoke. When at length Julius broke the silence,
+it was with a totally unexpected remark.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say,&rdquo; he observed thoughtfully, &ldquo;did you ever make a darned
+fool of yourself over a girl&rsquo;s face?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy, after a moment&rsquo;s astonishment, searched his mind.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t say I have,&rdquo; he replied at last. &ldquo;Not that I can
+recollect, anyhow. Why?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because for the last two months I&rsquo;ve been making a sentimental
+idiot of myself over Jane! First moment I clapped eyes on her photograph my
+heart did all the usual stunts you read about in novels. I guess I&rsquo;m
+ashamed to admit it, but I came over here determined to find her and fix it all
+up, and take her back as Mrs. Julius P. Hersheimmer!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tommy, amazed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius uncrossed his legs brusquely and continued:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just shows what an almighty fool a man can make of himself! One look at
+the girl in the flesh, and I was cured!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Feeling more tongue-tied than ever, Tommy ejaculated &ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No disparagement to Jane, mind you,&rdquo; continued the other.
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s a real nice girl, and some fellow will fall in love with her
+right away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought her a very good-looking girl,&rdquo; said Tommy, finding his
+tongue.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure she is. But she&rsquo;s not like her photo one bit. At least I
+suppose she is in a way&mdash;must be&mdash;because I recognized her right off.
+If I&rsquo;d seen her in a crowd I&rsquo;d have said &lsquo;There&rsquo;s a
+girl whose face I know&rsquo; right away without any hesitation. But there was
+something about that photo&rdquo;&mdash;Julius shook his head, and heaved a
+sigh&mdash;&ldquo;I guess romance is a mighty queer thing!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It must be,&rdquo; said Tommy coldly, &ldquo;if you can come over here
+in love with one girl, and propose to another within a fortnight.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius had the grace to look discomposed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, you see, I&rsquo;d got a sort of tired feeling that I&rsquo;d
+never find Jane&mdash;and that it was all plumb foolishness anyway. And
+then&mdash;oh, well, the French, for instance, are much more sensible in the
+way they look at things. They keep romance and marriage
+apart&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy flushed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;m damned! If that&rsquo;s&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius hastened to interrupt.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say now, don&rsquo;t be hasty. I don&rsquo;t mean what you mean. I take
+it Americans have a higher opinion of morality than you have even. What I meant
+was that the French set about marriage in a businesslike way&mdash;find two
+people who are suited to one another, look after the money affairs, and see the
+whole thing practically, and in a businesslike spirit.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If you ask me,&rdquo; said Tommy, &ldquo;we&rsquo;re all too damned
+businesslike nowadays. We&rsquo;re always saying, &lsquo;Will it pay?&rsquo;
+The men are bad enough, and the girls are worse!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Cool down, son. Don&rsquo;t get so heated.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I feel heated,&rdquo; said Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius looked at him and judged it wise to say no more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+However, Tommy had plenty of time to cool down before they reached Holyhead,
+and the cheerful grin had returned to his countenance as they alighted at their
+destination.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+After consultation, and with the aid of a road map, they were fairly well
+agreed as to direction, so were able to hire a taxi without more ado and drive
+out on the road leading to Treaddur Bay. They instructed the man to go slowly,
+and watched narrowly so as not to miss the path. They came to it not long after
+leaving the town, and Tommy stopped the car promptly, asked in a casual tone
+whether the path led down to the sea, and hearing it did paid off the man in
+handsome style.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A moment later the taxi was slowly chugging back to Holyhead. Tommy and Julius
+watched it out of sight, and then turned to the narrow path.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s the right one, I suppose?&rdquo; asked Tommy doubtfully.
+&ldquo;There must be simply heaps along here.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure it is. Look at the gorse. Remember what Jane said?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy looked at the swelling hedges of golden blossom which bordered the path
+on either side, and was convinced.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They went down in single file, Julius leading. Twice Tommy turned his head
+uneasily. Julius looked back.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What is it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. I&rsquo;ve got the wind up somehow. Keep fancying
+there&rsquo;s some one following us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t be,&rdquo; said Julius positively. &ldquo;We&rsquo;d see
+him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy had to admit that this was true. Nevertheless, his sense of uneasiness
+deepened. In spite of himself he believed in the omniscience of the enemy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I rather wish that fellow would come along,&rdquo; said Julius. He
+patted his pocket. &ldquo;Little William here is just aching for
+exercise!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you always carry it&mdash;him&mdash;with you?&rdquo; inquired Tommy
+with burning curiosity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Most always. I guess you never know what might turn up.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy kept a respectful silence. He was impressed by little William. It seemed
+to remove the menace of Mr. Brown farther away.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The path was now running along the side of the cliff, parallel to the sea.
+Suddenly Julius came to such an abrupt halt that Tommy cannoned into him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&rsquo;s up?&rdquo; he inquired.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Look there. If that doesn&rsquo;t beat the band!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy looked. Standing out half obstructing the path was a huge boulder which
+certainly bore a fanciful resemblance to a &ldquo;begging&rdquo; terrier.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Tommy, refusing to share Julius&rsquo;s emotion,
+&ldquo;it&rsquo;s what we expected to see, isn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius looked at him sadly and shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;British phlegm! Sure we expected it&mdash;but it kind of rattles me, all
+the same, to see it sitting there just where we expected to find it!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy, whose calm was, perhaps, more assumed than natural, moved his feet
+impatiently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Push on. What about the hole?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They scanned the cliff-side narrowly. Tommy heard himself saying idiotically:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The gorse won&rsquo;t be there after all these years.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And Julius replied solemnly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess you&rsquo;re right.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy suddenly pointed with a shaking hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about that crevice there?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius replied in an awestricken voice:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s it&mdash;for sure.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They looked at each other.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When I was in France,&rdquo; said Tommy reminiscently, &ldquo;whenever
+my batman failed to call me, he always said that he had come over queer. I
+never believed it. But whether he felt it or not, there <i>is</i> such a
+sensation. I&rsquo;ve got it now! Badly!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He looked at the rock with a kind of agonized passion.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Damn it!&rdquo; he cried. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s impossible! Five years!
+Think of it! Bird&rsquo;s-nesting boys, picnic parties, thousands of people
+passing! It can&rsquo;t be there! It&rsquo;s a hundred to one against its being
+there! It&rsquo;s against all reason!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Indeed, he felt it to be impossible&mdash;more, perhaps, because he could not
+believe in his own success where so many others had failed. The thing was too
+easy, therefore it could not be. The hole would be empty.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius looked at him with a widening smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess you&rsquo;re rattled now all right,&rdquo; he drawled with some
+enjoyment. &ldquo;Well, here goes!&rdquo; He thrust his hand into the crevice,
+and made a slight grimace. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a tight fit. Jane&rsquo;s hand
+must be a few sizes smaller than mine. I don&rsquo;t feel
+anything&mdash;no&mdash;say, what&rsquo;s this? Gee whiz!&rdquo; And with a
+flourish he waved aloft a small discoloured packet. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the goods
+all right. Sewn up in oilskin. Hold it while I get my penknife.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The unbelievable had happened. Tommy held the precious packet tenderly between
+his hands. They had succeeded!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s queer,&rdquo; he murmured idly, &ldquo;you&rsquo;d think the
+stitches would have rotted. They look just as good as new.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They cut them carefully and ripped away the oilskin. Inside was a small folded
+sheet of paper. With trembling fingers they unfolded it. The sheet was blank!
+They stared at each other, puzzled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A dummy?&rdquo; hazarded Julius. &ldquo;Was Danvers just a decoy?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head. That solution did not satisfy him. Suddenly his face
+cleared.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got it! <i>Sympathetic ink!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You think so?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Worth trying anyhow. Heat usually does the trick. Get some sticks.
+We&rsquo;ll make a fire.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In a few minutes the little fire of twigs and leaves was blazing merrily. Tommy
+held the sheet of paper near the glow. The paper curled a little with the heat.
+Nothing more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly Julius grasped his arm, and pointed to where characters were appearing
+in a faint brown colour.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Gee whiz! You&rsquo;ve got it! Say, that idea of yours was great. It
+never occurred to me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy held the paper in position some minutes longer until he judged the heat
+had done its work. Then he withdrew it. A moment later he uttered a cry.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Across the sheet in neat brown printing ran the words: WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF
+MR. BROWN.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap21"></a>CHAPTER XXI.<br/>
+TOMMY MAKES A DISCOVERY</h2>
+
+<p>
+For a moment or two they stood staring at each other stupidly, dazed with the
+shock. Somehow, inexplicably, Mr. Brown had forestalled them. Tommy accepted
+defeat quietly. Not so Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How in tarnation did he get ahead of us? That&rsquo;s what beats
+me!&rdquo; he ended up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy shook his head, and said dully:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It accounts for the stitches being new. We might have guessed....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never mind the darned stitches. How did he get ahead of us? We hustled
+all we knew. It&rsquo;s downright impossible for anyone to get here quicker
+than we did. And, anyway, how did he know? Do you reckon there was a dictaphone
+in Jane&rsquo;s room? I guess there must have been.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Tommy&rsquo;s common sense pointed out objections.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No one could have known beforehand that she was going to be in that
+house&mdash;much less that particular room.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; admitted Julius. &ldquo;Then one of the nurses
+was a crook and listened at the door. How&rsquo;s that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see that it matters anyway,&rdquo; said Tommy wearily.
+&ldquo;He may have found out some months ago, and removed the papers,
+then&mdash;&mdash;No, by Jove, that won&rsquo;t wash! They&rsquo;d have been
+published at once.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing they would! No, some one&rsquo;s got ahead of us to-day by an
+hour or so. But how they did it gets my goat.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wish that chap Peel Edgerton had been with us,&rdquo; said Tommy
+thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why?&rdquo; Julius stared. &ldquo;The mischief was done when we
+came.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; Tommy hesitated. He could not explain his own
+feeling&mdash;the illogical idea that the K.C.&lsquo;s presence would somehow
+have averted the catastrophe. He reverted to his former point of view.
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s no good arguing about how it was done. The game&rsquo;s up.
+We&rsquo;ve failed. There&rsquo;s only one thing for me to do.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What&rsquo;s that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get back to London as soon as possible. Mr. Carter must be warned.
+It&rsquo;s only a matter of hours now before the blow falls. But, at any rate,
+he ought to know the worst.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The duty was an unpleasant one, but Tommy had no intention of shirking it. He
+must report his failure to Mr. Carter. After that his work was done. He took
+the midnight mail to London. Julius elected to stay the night at Holyhead.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Half an hour after arrival, haggard and pale, Tommy stood before his chief.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve come to report, sir. I&rsquo;ve failed&mdash;failed
+badly.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter eyed him sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You mean that the treaty&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is in the hands of Mr. Brown, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; said Mr. Carter quietly. The expression on his face did not
+change, but Tommy caught the flicker of despair in his eyes. It convinced him
+as nothing else had done that the outlook was hopeless.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter after a minute or two, &ldquo;we
+mustn&rsquo;t sag at the knees, I suppose. I&rsquo;m glad to know definitely.
+We must do what we can.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Through Tommy&rsquo;s mind flashed the assurance: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s hopeless,
+and he knows it&rsquo;s hopeless!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other looked up at him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t take it to heart, lad,&rdquo; he said kindly. &ldquo;You did
+your best. You were up against one of the biggest brains of the century. And
+you came very near success. Remember that.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, sir. It&rsquo;s awfully decent of you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I blame myself. I have been blaming myself ever since I heard this other
+news.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Something in his tone attracted Tommy&rsquo;s attention. A new fear gripped at
+his heart.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is there&mdash;something more, sir?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m afraid so,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter gravely. He stretched out
+his hand to a sheet on the table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tuppence&mdash;&mdash;?&rdquo; faltered Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Read for yourself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The typewritten words danced before his eyes. The description of a green toque,
+a coat with a handkerchief in the pocket marked P.L.C. He looked an agonized
+question at Mr. Carter. The latter replied to it:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Washed up on the Yorkshire coast&mdash;near Ebury. I&rsquo;m
+afraid&mdash;it looks very much like foul play.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My God!&rdquo; gasped Tommy. &ldquo;<i>Tuppence!</i> Those
+devils&mdash;I&rsquo;ll never rest till I&rsquo;ve got even with them!
+I&rsquo;ll hunt them down! I&rsquo;ll&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The pity on Mr. Carter&rsquo;s face stopped him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I know what you feel like, my poor boy. But it&rsquo;s no good.
+You&rsquo;ll waste your strength uselessly. It may sound harsh, but my advice
+to you is: Cut your losses. Time&rsquo;s merciful. You&rsquo;ll forget.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Forget Tuppence? Never!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So you think now. Well, it won&rsquo;t bear thinking of&mdash;that brave
+little girl! I&rsquo;m sorry about the whole business&mdash;confoundedly
+sorry.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy came to himself with a start.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m taking up your time, sir,&rdquo; he said with an effort.
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no need for you to blame yourself. I dare say we were a
+couple of young fools to take on such a job. You warned us all right. But I
+wish to God I&rsquo;d been the one to get it in the neck. Good-bye, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Back at the <i>Ritz</i>, Tommy packed up his few belongings mechanically, his
+thoughts far away. He was still bewildered by the introduction of tragedy into
+his cheerful commonplace existence. What fun they had had together, he and
+Tuppence! And now&mdash;oh, he couldn&rsquo;t believe it&mdash;it
+couldn&rsquo;t be true! <i>Tuppence&mdash;dead!</i> Little Tuppence, brimming
+over with life! It was a dream, a horrible dream. Nothing more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They brought him a note, a few kind words of sympathy from Peel Edgerton, who
+had read the news in the paper. (There had been a large headline: EX-V.A.D.
+FEARED DROWNED.) The letter ended with the offer of a post on a ranch in the
+Argentine, where Sir James had considerable interests.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Kind old beggar,&rdquo; muttered Tommy, as he flung it aside.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The door opened, and Julius burst in with his usual violence. He held an open
+newspaper in his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say, what&rsquo;s all this? They seem to have got some fool idea about
+Tuppence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s true,&rdquo; said Tommy quietly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You mean they&rsquo;ve done her in?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I suppose when they got the treaty she&mdash;wasn&rsquo;t any good to
+them any longer, and they were afraid to let her go.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I&rsquo;m darned!&rdquo; said Julius. &ldquo;Little Tuppence. She
+sure was the pluckiest little girl&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But suddenly something seemed to crack in Tommy&rsquo;s brain. He rose to his
+feet.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, get out! You don&rsquo;t really care, damn you! You asked her to
+marry you in your rotten cold-blooded way, but I <i>loved</i> her. I&rsquo;d
+have given the soul out of my body to save her from harm. I&rsquo;d have stood
+by without a word and let her marry you, because you could have given her the
+sort of time she ought to have had, and I was only a poor devil without a penny
+to bless himself with. But it wouldn&rsquo;t have been because I didn&rsquo;t
+care!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;See here,&rdquo; began Julius temperately.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, go to the devil! I can&rsquo;t stand your coming here and talking
+about &lsquo;little Tuppence.&rsquo; Go and look after your cousin. Tuppence is
+my girl! I&rsquo;ve always loved her, from the time we played together as kids.
+We grew up and it was just the same. I shall never forget when I was in
+hospital, and she came in in that ridiculous cap and apron! It was like a
+miracle to see the girl I loved turn up in a nurse&rsquo;s
+kit&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Julius interrupted him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A nurse&rsquo;s kit! Gee whiz! I must be going to Colney Hatch! I could
+swear I&rsquo;ve seen Jane in a nurse&rsquo;s cap too. And that&rsquo;s plumb
+impossible! No, by gum, I&rsquo;ve got it! It was her I saw talking to
+Whittington at that nursing home in Bournemouth. She wasn&rsquo;t a patient
+there! She was a nurse!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I dare say,&rdquo; said Tommy angrily, &ldquo;she&rsquo;s probably been
+in with them from the start. I shouldn&rsquo;t wonder if she stole those papers
+from Danvers to begin with.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m darned if she did!&rdquo; shouted Julius. &ldquo;She&rsquo;s
+my cousin, and as patriotic a girl as ever stepped.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t care a damn what she is, but get out of here!&rdquo;
+retorted Tommy also at the top of his voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The young men were on the point of coming to blows. But suddenly, with an
+almost magical abruptness, Julius&rsquo;s anger abated.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;All right, son,&rdquo; he said quietly, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m going. I
+don&rsquo;t blame you any for what you&rsquo;ve been saying. It&rsquo;s mighty
+lucky you did say it. I&rsquo;ve been the most almighty blithering darned idiot
+that it&rsquo;s possible to imagine. Calm down&rdquo;&mdash;Tommy had made an
+impatient gesture&mdash;&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going right away now&mdash;going to
+the London and North Western Railway depot, if you want to know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t care a damn where you&rsquo;re going,&rdquo; growled
+Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As the door closed behind Julius, he returned to his suit-case.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s the lot,&rdquo; he murmured, and rang the bell.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Take my luggage down.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir. Going away, sir?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to the devil,&rdquo; said Tommy, regardless of the
+menial&rsquo;s feelings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That functionary, however, merely replied respectfully:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir. Shall I call a taxi?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Where was he going? He hadn&rsquo;t the faintest idea. Beyond a fixed
+determination to get even with Mr. Brown he had no plans. He re-read Sir
+James&rsquo;s letter, and shook his head. Tuppence must be avenged. Still, it
+was kind of the old fellow.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Better answer it, I suppose.&rdquo; He went across to the writing-table.
+With the usual perversity of bedroom stationery, there were innumerable
+envelopes and no paper. He rang. No one came. Tommy fumed at the delay. Then he
+remembered that there was a good supply in Julius&rsquo;s sitting-room. The
+American had announced his immediate departure, there would be no fear of
+running up against him. Besides, he wouldn&rsquo;t mind if he did. He was
+beginning to be rather ashamed of the things he had said. Old Julius had taken
+them jolly well. He&rsquo;d apologize if he found him there.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the room was deserted. Tommy walked across to the writing-table, and opened
+the middle drawer. A photograph, carelessly thrust in face upwards, caught his
+eye. For a moment he stood rooted to the ground. Then he took it out, shut the
+drawer, walked slowly over to an arm-chair, and sat down still staring at the
+photograph in his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+What on earth was a photograph of the French girl Annette doing in Julius
+Hersheimmer&rsquo;s writing-table?
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap22"></a>CHAPTER XXII.<br/>
+IN DOWNING STREET</h2>
+
+<p>
+The Prime Minister tapped the desk in front of him with nervous fingers. His
+face was worn and harassed. He took up his conversation with Mr. Carter at the
+point it had broken off. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t understand,&rdquo; he said.
+&ldquo;Do you really mean that things are not so desperate after all?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So this lad seems to think.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s have a look at his letter again.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter handed it over. It was written in a sprawling boyish hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;DEAR MR. CARTER,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Something&rsquo;s turned up that has given me a jar. Of course I may be
+simply making an awful ass of myself, but I don&rsquo;t think so. If my
+conclusions are right, that girl at Manchester was just a plant. The whole
+thing was prearranged, sham packet and all, with the object of making us think
+the game was up&mdash;therefore I fancy that we must have been pretty hot on
+the scent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think I know who the real Jane Finn is, and I&rsquo;ve even got an
+idea where the papers are. That last&rsquo;s only a guess, of course, but
+I&rsquo;ve a sort of feeling it&rsquo;ll turn out right. Anyhow, I enclose it
+in a sealed envelope for what it&rsquo;s worth. I&rsquo;m going to ask you not
+to open it until the very last moment, midnight on the 28th, in fact.
+You&rsquo;ll understand why in a minute. You see, I&rsquo;ve figured it out
+that those things of Tuppence&rsquo;s are a plant too, and she&rsquo;s no more
+drowned than I am. The way I reason is this: as a last chance they&rsquo;ll let
+Jane Finn escape in the hope that she&rsquo;s been shamming this memory stunt,
+and that once she thinks she&rsquo;s free she&rsquo;ll go right away to the
+cache. Of course it&rsquo;s an awful risk for them to take, because she knows
+all about them&mdash;but they&rsquo;re pretty desperate to get hold of that
+treaty. <i>But if they know that the papers have been recovered by us</i>,
+neither of those two girls&rsquo; lives will be worth an hour&rsquo;s purchase.
+I must try and get hold of Tuppence before Jane escapes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I want a repeat of that telegram that was sent to Tuppence at the
+<i>Ritz</i>. Sir James Peel Edgerton said you would be able to manage that for
+me. He&rsquo;s frightfully clever.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One last thing&mdash;please have that house in Soho watched day and
+night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yours, etc.,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;THOMAS BERESFORD.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Prime Minister looked up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The enclosure?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter smiled dryly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In the vaults of the Bank. I am taking no chances.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t think&rdquo;&mdash;the Prime Minister hesitated a
+minute&mdash;&ldquo;that it would be better to open it now? Surely we ought to
+secure the document, that is, provided the young man&rsquo;s guess turns out to
+be correct, at once. We can keep the fact of having done so quite
+secret.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can we? I&rsquo;m not so sure. There are spies all round us. Once
+it&rsquo;s known I wouldn&rsquo;t give that&rdquo;&mdash;he snapped his
+fingers&mdash;&ldquo;for the life of those two girls. No, the boy trusted me,
+and I shan&rsquo;t let him down.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, well, we must leave it at that, then. What&rsquo;s he like, this
+lad?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Outwardly, he&rsquo;s an ordinary clean-limbed, rather block-headed
+young Englishman. Slow in his mental processes. On the other hand, it&rsquo;s
+quite impossible to lead him astray through his imagination. He hasn&rsquo;t
+got any&mdash;so he&rsquo;s difficult to deceive. He worries things out slowly,
+and once he&rsquo;s got hold of anything he doesn&rsquo;t let go. The little
+lady&rsquo;s quite different. More intuition and less common sense. They make a
+pretty pair working together. Pace and stamina.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He seems confident,&rdquo; mused the Prime Minister.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, and that&rsquo;s what gives me hope. He&rsquo;s the kind of
+diffident youth who would have to be <i>very</i> sure before he ventured an
+opinion at all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A half smile came to the other&rsquo;s lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And it is this&mdash;boy who will defeat the master criminal of our
+time?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This&mdash;boy, as you say! But I sometimes fancy I see a shadow
+behind.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You mean?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Peel Edgerton.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Peel Edgerton?&rdquo; said the Prime Minister in astonishment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. I see his hand in <i>this</i>.&rdquo; He struck the open letter.
+&ldquo;He&rsquo;s there&mdash;working in the dark, silently, unobtrusively.
+I&rsquo;ve always felt that if anyone was to run Mr. Brown to earth, Peel
+Edgerton would be the man. I tell you he&rsquo;s on the case now, but
+doesn&rsquo;t want it known. By the way, I got rather an odd request from him
+the other day.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He sent me a cutting from some American paper. It referred to a
+man&rsquo;s body found near the docks in New York about three weeks ago. He
+asked me to collect any information on the subject I could.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Carter shrugged his shoulders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t get much. Young fellow about thirty-five&mdash;poorly
+dressed&mdash;face very badly disfigured. He was never identified.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And you fancy that the two matters are connected in some way?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Somehow I do. I may be wrong, of course.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a pause, then Mr. Carter continued:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I asked him to come round here. Not that we&rsquo;ll get anything out of
+him he doesn&rsquo;t want to tell. His legal instincts are too strong. But
+there&rsquo;s no doubt he can throw light on one or two obscure points in young
+Beresford&rsquo;s letter. Ah, here he is!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two men rose to greet the new-comer. A half whimsical thought flashed
+across the Premier&rsquo;s mind. &ldquo;My successor, perhaps!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve had a letter from young Beresford,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter,
+coming to the point at once. &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve seen him, I suppose?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You suppose wrong,&rdquo; said the lawyer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; Mr. Carter was a little nonplussed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James smiled, and stroked his chin.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He rang me up,&rdquo; he volunteered.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Would you have any objection to telling us exactly what passed between
+you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not at all. He thanked me for a certain letter which I had written to
+him&mdash;as a matter of fact, I had offered him a job. Then he reminded me of
+something I had said to him at Manchester respecting that bogus telegram which
+lured Miss Cowley away. I asked him if anything untoward had occurred. He said
+it had&mdash;that in a drawer in Mr. Hersheimmer&rsquo;s room he had discovered
+a photograph.&rdquo; The lawyer paused, then continued: &ldquo;I asked him if
+the photograph bore the name and address of a Californian photographer. He
+replied: &lsquo;You&rsquo;re on to it, sir. It had.&rsquo; Then he went on to
+tell me something I <i>didn&rsquo;t</i> know. The original of that photograph
+was the French girl, Annette, who saved his life.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Exactly. I asked the young man with some curiosity what he had done with
+the photograph. He replied that he had put it back where he found it.&rdquo;
+The lawyer paused again. &ldquo;That was good, you know&mdash;distinctly good.
+He can use his brains, that young fellow. I congratulated him. The discovery
+was a providential one. Of course, from the moment that the girl in Manchester
+was proved to be a plant everything was altered. Young Beresford saw that for
+himself without my having to tell it him. But he felt he couldn&rsquo;t trust
+his judgment on the subject of Miss Cowley. Did I think she was alive? I told
+him, duly weighing the evidence, that there was a very decided chance in favour
+of it. That brought us back to the telegram.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I advised him to apply to you for a copy of the original wire. It had
+occurred to me as probable that, after Miss Cowley flung it on the floor,
+certain words might have been erased and altered with the express intention of
+setting searchers on a false trail.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Carter nodded. He took a sheet from his pocket, and read aloud:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come at once, Astley Priors, Gatehouse, Kent. Great
+developments&mdash;TOMMY.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very simple,&rdquo; said Sir James, &ldquo;and very ingenious. Just a
+few words to alter, and the thing was done. And the one important clue they
+overlooked.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What was that?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The page-boy&rsquo;s statement that Miss Cowley drove to Charing Cross.
+They were so sure of themselves that they took it for granted he had made a
+mistake.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then young Beresford is now?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At Gatehouse, Kent, unless I am much mistaken.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter looked at him curiously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I rather wonder you&rsquo;re not there too, Peel Edgerton?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah, I&rsquo;m busy on a case.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought you were on your holiday?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I&rsquo;ve not been briefed. Perhaps it would be more correct to say
+I&rsquo;m preparing a case. Any more facts about that American chap for
+me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m afraid not. Is it important to find out who he was?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I know who he was,&rdquo; said Sir James easily. &ldquo;I
+can&rsquo;t prove it yet&mdash;but I know.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other two asked no questions. They had an instinct that it would be mere
+waste of breath.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But what I don&rsquo;t understand,&rdquo; said the Prime-Minister
+suddenly, &ldquo;is how that photograph came to be in Mr. Hersheimmer&rsquo;s
+drawer?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perhaps it never left it,&rdquo; suggested the lawyer gently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But the bogus inspector? Inspector Brown?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; said Sir James thoughtfully. He rose to his feet. &ldquo;I
+mustn&rsquo;t keep you. Go on with the affairs of the nation. I must get back
+to&mdash;my case.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Two days later Julius Hersheimmer returned from Manchester. A note from Tommy
+lay on his table:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;DEAR HERSHEIMMER,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sorry I lost my temper. In case I don&rsquo;t see you again, good-bye.
+I&rsquo;ve been offered a job in the Argentine, and might as well take it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yours,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;TOMMY BERESFORD.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A peculiar smile lingered for a moment on Julius&rsquo;s face. He threw the
+letter into the waste-paper basket.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The darned fool!&rdquo; he murmured.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap23"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.<br/>
+A RACE AGAINST TIME</h2>
+
+<p>
+After ringing up Sir James, Tommy&rsquo;s next procedure was to make a call at
+South Audley Mansions. He found Albert discharging his professional duties, and
+introduced himself without more ado as a friend of Tuppence&rsquo;s. Albert
+unbent immediately.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Things has been very quiet here lately,&rdquo; he said wistfully.
+&ldquo;Hope the young lady&rsquo;s keeping well, sir?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s just the point, Albert. She&rsquo;s disappeared.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You don&rsquo;t mean as the crooks have got her?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They have.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In the Underworld?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, dash it all, in this world!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a h&rsquo;expression, sir,&rdquo; explained Albert. &ldquo;At
+the pictures the crooks always have a restoorant in the Underworld. But do you
+think as they&rsquo;ve done her in, sir?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I hope not. By the way, have you by any chance an aunt, a cousin, a
+grandmother, or any other suitable female relation who might be represented as
+being likely to kick the bucket?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A delighted grin spread slowly over Albert&rsquo;s countenance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m on, sir. My poor aunt what lives in the country has been
+mortal bad for a long time, and she&rsquo;s asking for me with her dying
+breath.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy nodded approval.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can you report this in the proper quarter and meet me at Charing Cross
+in an hour&rsquo;s time?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be there, sir. You can count on me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As Tommy had judged, the faithful Albert proved an invaluable ally. The two
+took up their quarters at the inn in Gatehouse. To Albert fell the task of
+collecting information. There was no difficulty about it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Astley Priors was the property of a Dr. Adams. The doctor no longer practiced,
+had retired, the landlord believed, but he took a few private
+patients&mdash;here the good fellow tapped his forehead
+knowingly&mdash;&ldquo;balmy ones! You understand!&rdquo; The doctor was a
+popular figure in the village, subscribed freely to all the local
+sports&mdash;&ldquo;a very pleasant, affable gentleman.&rdquo; Been there long?
+Oh, a matter of ten years or so&mdash;might be longer. Scientific gentleman, he
+was. Professors and people often came down from town to see him. Anyway, it was
+a gay house, always visitors.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the face of all this volubility, Tommy felt doubts. Was it possible that
+this genial, well-known figure could be in reality a dangerous criminal? His
+life seemed so open and aboveboard. No hint of sinister doings. Suppose it was
+all a gigantic mistake? Tommy felt a cold chill at the thought.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then he remembered the private patients&mdash;&ldquo;balmy ones.&rdquo; He
+inquired carefully if there was a young lady amongst them, describing Tuppence.
+But nothing much seemed to be known about the patients&mdash;they were seldom
+seen outside the grounds. A guarded description of Annette also failed to
+provoke recognition.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Astley Priors was a pleasant red-brick edifice, surrounded by well-wooded
+grounds which effectually shielded the house from observation from the road.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On the first evening Tommy, accompanied by Albert, explored the grounds. Owing
+to Albert&rsquo;s insistence they dragged themselves along painfully on their
+stomachs, thereby producing a great deal more noise than if they had stood
+upright. In any case, these precautions were totally unnecessary. The grounds,
+like those of any other private house after nightfall, seemed untenanted. Tommy
+had imagined a possible fierce watchdog. Albert&rsquo;s fancy ran to a puma, or
+a tame cobra. But they reached a shrubbery near the house quite unmolested.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The blinds of the dining-room window were up. There was a large company
+assembled round the table. The port was passing from hand to hand. It seemed a
+normal, pleasant company. Through the open window scraps of conversation
+floated out disjointedly on the night air. It was a heated discussion on county
+cricket!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Again Tommy felt that cold chill of uncertainty. It seemed impossible to
+believe that these people were other than they seemed. Had he been fooled once
+more? The fair-bearded, spectacled gentleman who sat at the head of the table
+looked singularly honest and normal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy slept badly that night. The following morning the indefatigable Albert,
+having cemented an alliance with the greengrocer&rsquo;s boy, took the
+latter&rsquo;s place and ingratiated himself with the cook at Malthouse. He
+returned with the information that she was undoubtedly &ldquo;one of the
+crooks,&rdquo; but Tommy mistrusted the vividness of his imagination.
+Questioned, he could adduce nothing in support of his statement except his own
+opinion that she wasn&rsquo;t the usual kind. You could see that at a glance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The substitution being repeated (much to the pecuniary advantage of the real
+greengrocer&rsquo;s boy) on the following day, Albert brought back the first
+piece of hopeful news. There <i>was</i> a French young lady staying in the
+house. Tommy put his doubts aside. Here was confirmation of his theory. But
+time pressed. To-day was the 27th. The 29th was the much-talked-of
+&ldquo;Labour Day,&rdquo; about which all sorts of rumours were running riot.
+Newspapers were getting agitated. Sensational hints of a Labour <i>coup
+d&rsquo;état</i> were freely reported. The Government said nothing. It knew and
+was prepared. There were rumours of dissension among the Labour leaders. They
+were not of one mind. The more far-seeing among them realized that what they
+proposed might well be a death-blow to the England that at heart they loved.
+They shrank from the starvation and misery a general strike would entail, and
+were willing to meet the Government half-way. But behind them were subtle,
+insistent forces at work, urging the memories of old wrongs, deprecating the
+weakness of half-and-half measures, fomenting misunderstandings.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy felt that, thanks to Mr. Carter, he understood the position fairly
+accurately. With the fatal document in the hands of Mr. Brown, public opinion
+would swing to the side of the Labour extremists and revolutionists. Failing
+that, the battle was an even chance. The Government with a loyal army and
+police force behind them might win&mdash;but at a cost of great suffering. But
+Tommy nourished another and a preposterous dream. With Mr. Brown unmasked and
+captured he believed, rightly or wrongly, that the whole organization would
+crumble ignominiously and instantaneously. The strange permeating influence of
+the unseen chief held it together. Without him, Tommy believed an instant panic
+would set in; and, the honest men left to themselves, an eleventh-hour
+reconciliation would be possible.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This is a one-man show,&rdquo; said Tommy to himself. &ldquo;The thing
+to do is to get hold of the man.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was partly in furtherance of this ambitious design that he had requested Mr.
+Carter not to open the sealed envelope. The draft treaty was Tommy&rsquo;s
+bait. Every now and then he was aghast at his own presumption. How dared he
+think that he had discovered what so many wiser and clever men had overlooked?
+Nevertheless, he stuck tenaciously to his idea.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+That evening he and Albert once more penetrated the grounds of Astley Priors.
+Tommy&rsquo;s ambition was somehow or other to gain admission to the house
+itself. As they approached cautiously, Tommy gave a sudden gasp.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On the second floor window some one standing between the window and the light
+in the room threw a silhouette on the blind. It was one Tommy would have
+recognized anywhere! Tuppence was in that house!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He clutched Albert by the shoulder.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Stay here! When I begin to sing, watch that window.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He retreated hastily to a position on the main drive, and began in a deep roar,
+coupled with an unsteady gait, the following ditty:
+</p>
+
+<p class="poem">
+I am a Soldier<br/>
+A jolly British Soldier;<br/>
+You can see that I&rsquo;m a Soldier by my feet....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It had been a favourite on the gramophone in Tuppence&rsquo;s hospital days. He
+did not doubt but that she would recognize it and draw her own conclusions.
+Tommy had not a note of music in his voice, but his lungs were excellent. The
+noise he produced was terrific.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Presently an unimpeachable butler, accompanied by an equally unimpeachable
+footman, issued from the front door. The butler remonstrated with him. Tommy
+continued to sing, addressing the butler affectionately as &ldquo;dear old
+whiskers.&rdquo; The footman took him by one arm, the butler by the other. They
+ran him down the drive, and neatly out of the gate. The butler threatened him
+with the police if he intruded again. It was beautifully done&mdash;soberly and
+with perfect decorum. Anyone would have sworn that the butler was a real
+butler, the footman a real footman&mdash;only, as it happened, the butler was
+Whittington!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy retired to the inn and waited for Albert&rsquo;s return. At last that
+worthy made his appearance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well?&rdquo; cried Tommy eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s all right. While they was a-running of you out the window
+opened, and something was chucked out.&rdquo; He handed a scrap of paper to
+Tommy. &ldquo;It was wrapped round a letterweight.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+On the paper were scrawled three words: &ldquo;To-morrow&mdash;same
+time.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good egg!&rdquo; cried Tommy. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re getting going.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I wrote a message on a piece of paper, wrapped it round a stone, and
+chucked it through the window,&rdquo; continued Albert breathlessly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy groaned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your zeal will be the undoing of us, Albert. What did you say?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Said we was a-staying at the inn. If she could get away, to come there
+and croak like a frog.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;ll know that&rsquo;s you,&rdquo; said Tommy with a sigh of
+relief. &ldquo;Your imagination runs away with you, you know, Albert. Why, you
+wouldn&rsquo;t recognize a frog croaking if you heard it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Albert looked rather crest-fallen.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Cheer up,&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;No harm done. That butler&rsquo;s an
+old friend of mine&mdash;I bet he knew who I was, though he didn&rsquo;t let
+on. It&rsquo;s not their game to show suspicion. That&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;ve
+found it fairly plain sailing. They don&rsquo;t want to discourage me
+altogether. On the other hand, they don&rsquo;t want to make it too easy.
+I&rsquo;m a pawn in their game, Albert, that&rsquo;s what I am. You see, if the
+spider lets the fly walk out too easily, the fly might suspect it was a put-up
+job. Hence the usefulness of that promising youth, Mr. T. Beresford,
+who&rsquo;s blundered in just at the right moment for them. But later, Mr. T.
+Beresford had better look out!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy retired for the night in a state of some elation. He had elaborated a
+careful plan for the following evening. He felt sure that the inhabitants of
+Astley Priors would not interfere with him up to a certain point. It was after
+that that Tommy proposed to give them a surprise.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+About twelve o&rsquo;clock, however, his calm was rudely shaken. He was told
+that some one was demanding him in the bar. The applicant proved to be a
+rude-looking carter well coated with mud.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, my good fellow, what is it?&rdquo; asked Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Might this be for you, sir?&rdquo; The carter held out a very dirty
+folded note, on the outside of which was written: &ldquo;Take this to the
+gentleman at the inn near Astley Priors. He will give you ten shillings.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The handwriting was Tuppence&rsquo;s. Tommy appreciated her quick-wittedness in
+realizing that he might be staying at the inn under an assumed name. He
+snatched at it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s all right.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man withheld it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What about my ten shillings?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy hastily produced a ten-shilling note, and the man relinquished his find.
+Tommy unfastened it.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;DEAR TOMMY,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I knew it was you last night. Don&rsquo;t go this evening. They&rsquo;ll
+be lying in wait for you. They&rsquo;re taking us away this morning. I heard
+something about Wales&mdash;Holyhead, I think. I&rsquo;ll drop this on the road
+if I get a chance. Annette told me how you&rsquo;d escaped. Buck up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yours,
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;TWOPENCE.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy raised a shout for Albert before he had even finished perusing this
+characteristic epistle.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pack my bag! We&rsquo;re off!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo; The boots of Albert could be heard racing upstairs.
+Holyhead? Did that mean that, after all&mdash;&mdash; Tommy was puzzled. He
+read on slowly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The boots of Albert continued to be active on the floor above.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Suddenly a second shout came from below.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Albert! I&rsquo;m a damned fool! Unpack that bag!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy smoothed out the note thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, a damned fool,&rdquo; he said softly. &ldquo;But so&rsquo;s some
+one else! And at last I know who it is!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap24"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.<br/>
+JULIUS TAKES A HAND</h2>
+
+<p>
+In his suite at Claridge&rsquo;s, Kramenin reclined on a couch and dictated to
+his secretary in sibilant Russian.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Presently the telephone at the secretary&rsquo;s elbow purred, and he took up
+the receiver, spoke for a minute or two, then turned to his employer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Some one below is asking for you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Who is it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He gives the name of Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hersheimmer,&rdquo; repeated Kramenin thoughtfully. &ldquo;I have heard
+that name before.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;His father was one of the steel kings of America,&rdquo; explained the
+secretary, whose business it was to know everything. &ldquo;This young man must
+be a millionaire several times over.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other&rsquo;s eyes narrowed appreciatively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You had better go down and see him, Ivan. Find out what he wants.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The secretary obeyed, closing the door noiselessly behind him. In a few minutes
+he returned.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He declines to state his business&mdash;says it is entirely private and
+personal, and that he must see you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A millionaire several times over,&rdquo; murmured Kramenin. &ldquo;Bring
+him up, my dear Ivan.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The secretary left the room once more, and returned escorting Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Monsieur Kramenin?&rdquo; said the latter abruptly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian, studying him attentively with his pale venomous eyes, bowed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Pleased to meet you,&rdquo; said the American. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got
+some very important business I&rsquo;d like to talk over with you, if I can see
+you alone.&rdquo; He looked pointedly at the other.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My secretary, Monsieur Grieber, from whom I have no secrets.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That may be so&mdash;but I have,&rdquo; said Julius dryly. &ldquo;So
+I&rsquo;d be obliged if you&rsquo;d tell him to scoot.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ivan,&rdquo; said the Russian softly, &ldquo;perhaps you would not mind
+retiring into the next room&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The next room won&rsquo;t do,&rdquo; interrupted Julius. &ldquo;I know
+these ducal suites&mdash;and I want this one plumb empty except for you and me.
+Send him round to a store to buy a penn&rsquo;orth of peanuts.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Though not particularly enjoying the American&rsquo;s free and easy manner of
+speech, Kramenin was devoured by curiosity. &ldquo;Will your business take long
+to state?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Might be an all night job if you caught on.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very good, Ivan. I shall not require you again this evening. Go to the
+theatre&mdash;take a night off.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, your excellency.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The secretary bowed and departed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius stood at the door watching his retreat. Finally, with a satisfied sigh,
+he closed it, and came back to his position in the centre of the room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now, Mr. Hersheimmer, perhaps you will be so kind as to come to the
+point?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess that won&rsquo;t take a minute,&rdquo; drawled Julius. Then,
+with an abrupt change of manner: &ldquo;Hands up&mdash;or I shoot!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For a moment Kramenin stared blindly into the big automatic, then, with almost
+comical haste, he flung up his hands above his head. In that instant Julius had
+taken his measure. The man he had to deal with was an abject physical
+coward&mdash;the rest would be easy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This is an outrage,&rdquo; cried the Russian in a high hysterical voice.
+&ldquo;An outrage! Do you mean to kill me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not if you keep your voice down. Don&rsquo;t go edging sideways towards
+that bell. That&rsquo;s better.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you want? Do nothing rashly. Remember my life is of the utmost
+value to my country. I may have been maligned&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I reckon,&rdquo; said Julius, &ldquo;that the man who let daylight into
+you would be doing humanity a good turn. But you needn&rsquo;t worry any.
+I&rsquo;m not proposing to kill you this trip&mdash;that is, if you&rsquo;re
+reasonable.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian quailed before the stern menace in the other&rsquo;s eyes. He
+passed his tongue over his dry lips.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you want? Money?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No. I want Jane Finn.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Jane Finn? I&mdash;never heard of her!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re a darned liar! You know perfectly who I mean.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I tell you I&rsquo;ve never heard of the girl.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And I tell you,&rdquo; retorted Julius, &ldquo;that Little Willie here
+is just hopping mad to go off!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian wilted visibly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You wouldn&rsquo;t dare&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, yes, I would, son!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Kramenin must have recognized something in the voice that carried conviction,
+for he said sullenly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well? Granted I do know who you mean&mdash;what of it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You will tell me now&mdash;right here&mdash;where she is to be
+found.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Kramenin shook his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I daren&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why not?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I daren&rsquo;t. You ask an impossibility.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Afraid, eh? Of whom? Mr. Brown? Ah, that tickles you up! There is such a
+person, then? I doubted it. And the mere mention of him scares you
+stiff!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I have seen him,&rdquo; said the Russian slowly. &ldquo;Spoken to him
+face to face. I did not know it until afterwards. He was one of a crowd. I
+should not know him again. Who is he really? I do not know. But I know
+this&mdash;he is a man to fear.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He&rsquo;ll never know,&rdquo; said Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He knows everything&mdash;and his vengeance is swift. Even
+I&mdash;Kramenin!&mdash;would not be exempt!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then you won&rsquo;t do as I ask you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You ask an impossibility.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure that&rsquo;s a pity for you,&rdquo; said Julius cheerfully.
+&ldquo;But the world in general will benefit.&rdquo; He raised the revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Stop,&rdquo; shrieked the Russian. &ldquo;You cannot mean to shoot
+me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course I do. I&rsquo;ve always heard you Revolutionists held life
+cheap, but it seems there&rsquo;s a difference when it&rsquo;s your own life in
+question. I gave you just one chance of saving your dirty skin, and that you
+wouldn&rsquo;t take!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They would kill me!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well,&rdquo; said Julius pleasantly, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s up to you. But
+I&rsquo;ll just say this. Little Willie here is a dead cert, and if I was you
+I&rsquo;d take a sporting chance with Mr. Brown!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You will hang if you shoot me,&rdquo; muttered the Russian irresolutely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, stranger, that&rsquo;s where you&rsquo;re wrong. You forget the
+dollars. A big crowd of solicitors will get busy, and they&rsquo;ll get some
+high-brow doctors on the job, and the end of it all will be that they&rsquo;ll
+say my brain was unhinged. I shall spend a few months in a quiet sanatorium, my
+mental health will improve, the doctors will declare me sane again, and all
+will end happily for little Julius. I guess I can bear a few months&rsquo;
+retirement in order to rid the world of you, but don&rsquo;t you kid yourself
+I&rsquo;ll hang for it!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian believed him. Corrupt himself, he believed implicitly in the power
+of money. He had read of American murder trials running much on the lines
+indicated by Julius. He had bought and sold justice himself. This virile young
+American, with the significant drawling voice, had the whip hand of him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to count five,&rdquo; continued Julius, &ldquo;and I
+guess, if you let me get past four, you needn&rsquo;t worry any about Mr.
+Brown. Maybe he&rsquo;ll send some flowers to the funeral, but <i>you</i>
+won&rsquo;t smell them! Are you ready? I&rsquo;ll begin.
+One&mdash;two&mdash;three&mdash;four&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian interrupted with a shriek:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do not shoot. I will do all you wish.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius lowered the revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought you&rsquo;d hear sense. Where is the girl?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At Gatehouse, in Kent. Astley Priors, the place is called.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is she a prisoner there?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s not allowed to leave the house&mdash;though it&rsquo;s safe
+enough really. The little fool has lost her memory, curse her!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s been annoying for you and your friends, I reckon. What
+about the other girl, the one you decoyed away over a week ago?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;s there too,&rdquo; said the Russian sullenly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s good,&rdquo; said Julius. &ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t it all panning
+out beautifully? And a lovely night for the run!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What run?&rdquo; demanded Kramenin, with a stare.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Down to Gatehouse, sure. I hope you&rsquo;re fond of motoring?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you mean? I refuse to go.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now don&rsquo;t get mad. You must see I&rsquo;m not such a kid as to
+leave you here. You&rsquo;d ring up your friends on that telephone first thing!
+Ah!&rdquo; He observed the fall on the other&rsquo;s face. &ldquo;You see,
+you&rsquo;d got it all fixed. No, sir, you&rsquo;re coming along with me. This
+your bedroom next door here? Walk right in. Little Willie and I will come
+behind. Put on a thick coat, that&rsquo;s right. Fur lined? And you a
+Socialist! Now we&rsquo;re ready. We walk downstairs and out through the hall
+to where my car&rsquo;s waiting. And don&rsquo;t you forget I&rsquo;ve got you
+covered every inch of the way. I can shoot just as well through my coat pocket.
+One word, or a glance even, at one of those liveried menials, and
+there&rsquo;ll sure be a strange face in the Sulphur and Brimstone
+Works!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Together they descended the stairs, and passed out to the waiting car. The
+Russian was shaking with rage. The hotel servants surrounded them. A cry
+hovered on his lips, but at the last minute his nerve failed him. The American
+was a man of his word.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+When they reached the car, Julius breathed a sigh of relief. The danger-zone
+was passed. Fear had successfully hypnotized the man by his side.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get in,&rdquo; he ordered. Then as he caught the other&rsquo;s sidelong
+glance, &ldquo;No, the chauffeur won&rsquo;t help you any. Naval man. Was on a
+submarine in Russia when the Revolution broke out. A brother of his was
+murdered by your people. George!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir?&rdquo; The chauffeur turned his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;This gentleman is a Russian Bolshevik. We don&rsquo;t want to shoot him,
+but it may be necessary. You understand?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Perfectly, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I want to go to Gatehouse in Kent. Know the road at all?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, sir, it will be about an hour and a half&rsquo;s run.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Make it an hour. I&rsquo;m in a hurry.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll do my best, sir.&rdquo; The car shot forward through the
+traffic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius ensconced himself comfortably by the side of his victim. He kept his
+hand in the pocket of his coat, but his manner was urbane to the last degree.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There was a man I shot once in Arizona&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; he began
+cheerfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At the end of the hour&rsquo;s run the unfortunate Kramenin was more dead than
+alive. In succession to the anecdote of the Arizona man, there had been a tough
+from &lsquo;Frisco, and an episode in the Rockies. Julius&rsquo;s narrative
+style, if not strictly accurate, was picturesque!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Slowing down, the chauffeur called over his shoulder that they were just coming
+into Gatehouse. Julius bade the Russian direct them. His plan was to drive
+straight up to the house. There Kramenin was to ask for the two girls. Julius
+explained to him that Little Willie would not be tolerant of failure. Kramenin,
+by this time, was as putty in the other&rsquo;s hands. The terrific pace they
+had come had still further unmanned him. He had given himself up for dead at
+every corner.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The car swept up the drive, and stopped before the porch. The chauffeur looked
+round for orders.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Turn the car first, George. Then ring the bell, and get back to your
+place. Keep the engine going, and be ready to scoot like hell when I give the
+word.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Very good, sir.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The front door was opened by the butler. Kramenin felt the muzzle of the
+revolver pressed against his ribs.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now,&rdquo; hissed Julius. &ldquo;And be careful.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian beckoned. His lips were white, and his voice was not very steady:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It is I&mdash;Kramenin! Bring down the girl at once! There is no time to
+lose!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington had come down the steps. He uttered an exclamation of astonishment
+at seeing the other.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You! What&rsquo;s up? Surely you know the plan&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Kramenin interrupted him, using the words that have created many unnecessary
+panics:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We have been betrayed! Plans must be abandoned. We must save our own
+skins. The girl! And at once! It&rsquo;s our only chance.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington hesitated, but for hardly a moment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You have orders&mdash;from <i>him?</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Naturally! Should I be here otherwise? Hurry! There is no time to be
+lost. The other little fool had better come too.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Whittington turned and ran back into the house. The agonizing minutes went by.
+Then&mdash;two figures hastily huddled in cloaks appeared on the steps and were
+hustled into the car. The smaller of the two was inclined to resist and
+Whittington shoved her in unceremoniously. Julius leaned forward, and in doing
+so the light from the open door lit up his face. Another man on the steps
+behind Whittington gave a startled exclamation. Concealment was at an end.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get a move on, George,&rdquo; shouted Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The chauffeur slipped in his clutch, and with a bound the car started.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man on the steps uttered an oath. His hand went to his pocket. There was a
+flash and a report. The bullet just missed the taller girl by an inch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get down, Jane,&rdquo; cried Julius. &ldquo;Flat on the bottom of the
+car.&rdquo; He thrust her sharply forward, then standing up, he took careful
+aim and fired.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have you hit him?&rdquo; cried Tuppence eagerly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure,&rdquo; replied Julius. &ldquo;He isn&rsquo;t killed, though.
+Skunks like that take a lot of killing. Are you all right, Tuppence?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course I am. Where&rsquo;s Tommy? And who&rsquo;s this?&rdquo; She
+indicated the shivering Kramenin.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy&rsquo;s making tracks for the Argentine. I guess he thought
+you&rsquo;d turned up your toes. Steady through the gate, George! That&rsquo;s
+right. It&rsquo;ll take &lsquo;em at least five minutes to get busy after us.
+They&rsquo;ll use the telephone, I guess, so look out for snares
+ahead&mdash;and don&rsquo;t take the direct route. Who&rsquo;s this, did you
+say, Tuppence? Let me present Monsieur Kramenin. I persuaded him to come on the
+trip for his health.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The Russian remained mute, still livid with terror.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But what made them let us go?&rdquo; demanded Tuppence suspiciously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I reckon Monsieur Kramenin here asked them so prettily they just
+couldn&rsquo;t refuse!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+This was too much for the Russian. He burst out vehemently:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Curse you&mdash;curse you! They know now that I betrayed them. My life
+won&rsquo;t be safe for an hour in this country.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; assented Julius. &ldquo;I&rsquo;d advise you to
+make tracks for Russia right away.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let me go, then,&rdquo; cried the other. &ldquo;I have done what you
+asked. Why do you still keep me with you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not for the pleasure of your company. I guess you can get right off now
+if you want to. I thought you&rsquo;d rather I tooled you back to
+London.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You may never reach London,&rdquo; snarled the other. &ldquo;Let me go
+here and now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing. Pull up, George. The gentleman&rsquo;s not making the return
+trip. If I ever come to Russia, Monsieur Kramenin, I shall expect a rousing
+welcome, and&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But before Julius had finished his speech, and before the car had finally
+halted, the Russian had swung himself out and disappeared into the night.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just a mite impatient to leave us,&rdquo; commented Julius, as the car
+gathered way again. &ldquo;And no idea of saying good-bye politely to the
+ladies. Say, Jane, you can get up on the seat now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+For the first time the girl spoke.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;How did you &lsquo;persuade&rsquo; him?&rdquo; she asked.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius tapped his revolver.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Little Willie here takes the credit!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Splendid!&rdquo; cried the girl. The colour surged into her face, her
+eyes looked admiringly at Julius.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Annette and I didn&rsquo;t know what was going to happen to us,&rdquo;
+said Tuppence. &ldquo;Old Whittington hurried us off. <i>We</i> thought it was
+lambs to the slaughter.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Annette,&rdquo; said Julius. &ldquo;Is that what you call her?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His mind seemed to be trying to adjust itself to a new idea.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s her name,&rdquo; said Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shucks!&rdquo; retorted Julius. &ldquo;She may think it&rsquo;s her
+name, because her memory&rsquo;s gone, poor kid. But it&rsquo;s the one real
+and original Jane Finn we&rsquo;ve got here.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo; cried Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But she was interrupted. With an angry spurt, a bullet embedded itself in the
+upholstery of the car just behind her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Down with you,&rdquo; cried Julius. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s an ambush. These
+guys have got busy pretty quickly. Push her a bit, George.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The car fairly leapt forward. Three more shots rang out, but went happily wide.
+Julius, upright, leant over the back of the car.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing to shoot at,&rdquo; he announced gloomily. &ldquo;But I guess
+there&rsquo;ll be another little picnic soon. Ah!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He raised his hand to his cheek.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You are hurt?&rdquo; said Annette quickly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Only a scratch.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl sprang to her feet.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let me out! Let me out, I say! Stop the car. It is me they&rsquo;re
+after. I&rsquo;m the one they want. You shall not lose your lives because of
+me. Let me go.&rdquo; She was fumbling with the fastenings of the door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius took her by both arms, and looked at her. She had spoken with no trace
+of foreign accent.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sit down, kid,&rdquo; he said gently. &ldquo;I guess there&rsquo;s
+nothing wrong with your memory. Been fooling them all the time, eh?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The girl looked at him, nodded, and then suddenly burst into tears. Julius
+patted her on the shoulder.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There, there&mdash;just you sit tight. We&rsquo;re not going to let you
+quit.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Through her sobs the girl said indistinctly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re from home. I can tell by your voice. It makes me
+home-sick.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure I&rsquo;m from home. I&rsquo;m your cousin&mdash;Julius
+Hersheimmer. I came over to Europe on purpose to find you&mdash;and a pretty
+dance you&rsquo;ve led me.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The car slackened speed. George spoke over his shoulder:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Cross-roads here, sir. I&rsquo;m not sure of the way.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The car slowed down till it hardly moved. As it did so a figure climbed
+suddenly over the back, and plunged head first into the midst of them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sorry,&rdquo; said Tommy, extricating himself.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A mass of confused exclamations greeted him. He replied to them severally:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Was in the bushes by the drive. Hung on behind. Couldn&rsquo;t let you
+know before at the pace you were going. It was all I could do to hang on. Now
+then, you girls, get out!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get out?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. There&rsquo;s a station just up that road. Train due in three
+minutes. You&rsquo;ll catch it if you hurry.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What the devil are you driving at?&rdquo; demanded Julius. &ldquo;Do you
+think you can fool them by leaving the car?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You and I aren&rsquo;t going to leave the car. Only the girls.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re crazed, Beresford. Stark staring mad! You can&rsquo;t let
+those girls go off alone. It&rsquo;ll be the end of it if you do.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy turned to Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Get out at once, Tuppence. Take her with you, and do just as I say. No
+one will do you any harm. You&rsquo;re safe. Take the train to London. Go
+straight to Sir James Peel Edgerton. Mr. Carter lives out of town, but
+you&rsquo;ll be safe with him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Darn you!&rdquo; cried Julius. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re mad. Jane, you stay
+where you are.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+With a sudden swift movement, Tommy snatched the revolver from Julius&rsquo;s
+hand, and levelled it at him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now will you believe I&rsquo;m in earnest? Get out, both of you, and do
+as I say&mdash;or I&rsquo;ll shoot!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence sprang out, dragging the unwilling Jane after her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come on, it&rsquo;s all right. If Tommy&rsquo;s sure&mdash;he&rsquo;s
+sure. Be quick. We&rsquo;ll miss the train.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They started running.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius&rsquo;s pent-up rage burst forth.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What the hell&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy interrupted him.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Dry up! I want a few words with you, Mr. Julius Hersheimmer.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap25"></a>CHAPTER XXV.<br/>
+JANE&rsquo;S STORY</h2>
+
+<p>
+Her arm through Jane&rsquo;s, dragging her along, Tuppence reached the station.
+Her quick ears caught the sound of the approaching train.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hurry up,&rdquo; she panted, &ldquo;or we&rsquo;ll miss it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They arrived on the platform just as the train came to a standstill. Tuppence
+opened the door of an empty first-class compartment, and the two girls sank
+down breathless on the padded seats.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A man looked in, then passed on to the next carriage. Jane started nervously.
+Her eyes dilated with terror. She looked questioningly at Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is he one of them, do you think?&rdquo; she breathed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, no. It&rsquo;s all right.&rdquo; She took Jane&rsquo;s hand in hers.
+&ldquo;Tommy wouldn&rsquo;t have told us to do this unless he was sure
+we&rsquo;d be all right.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But he doesn&rsquo;t know them as I do!&rdquo; The girl shivered.
+&ldquo;You can&rsquo;t understand. Five years! Five long years! Sometimes I
+thought I should go mad.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Never mind. It&rsquo;s all over.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Is it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The train was moving now, speeding through the night at a gradually increasing
+rate. Suddenly Jane Finn started up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What was that? I thought I saw a face&mdash;looking in through the
+window.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, there&rsquo;s nothing. See.&rdquo; Tuppence went to the window, and
+lifting the strap let the pane down.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re sure?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quite sure.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The other seemed to feel some excuse was necessary:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess I&rsquo;m acting like a frightened rabbit, but I can&rsquo;t
+help it. If they caught me now they&rsquo;d&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; Her eyes
+opened wide and staring.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;<i>Don&rsquo;t!</i>&rdquo; implored Tuppence. &ldquo;Lie back, and
+<i>don&rsquo;t think</i>. You can be quite sure that Tommy wouldn&rsquo;t have
+said it was safe if it wasn&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;My cousin didn&rsquo;t think so. He didn&rsquo;t want us to do
+this.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No,&rdquo; said Tuppence, rather embarrassed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What are you thinking of?&rdquo; said Jane sharply.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Your voice was so&mdash;queer!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I <i>was</i> thinking of something,&rdquo; confessed Tuppence.
+&ldquo;But I don&rsquo;t want to tell you&mdash;not now. I may be wrong, but I
+don&rsquo;t think so. It&rsquo;s just an idea that came into my head a long
+time ago. Tommy&rsquo;s got it too&mdash;I&rsquo;m almost sure he has. But
+don&rsquo;t <i>you</i> worry&mdash;there&rsquo;ll be time enough for that
+later. And it mayn&rsquo;t be so at all! Do what I tell you&mdash;lie back and
+don&rsquo;t think of anything.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll try.&rdquo; The long lashes drooped over the hazel eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence, for her part, sat bolt upright&mdash;much in the attitude of a
+watchful terrier on guard. In spite of herself she was nervous. Her eyes
+flashed continually from one window to the other. She noted the exact position
+of the communication cord. What it was that she feared, she would have been
+hard put to it to say. But in her own mind she was far from feeling the
+confidence displayed in her words. Not that she disbelieved in Tommy, but
+occasionally she was shaken with doubts as to whether anyone so simple and
+honest as he was could ever be a match for the fiendish subtlety of the
+arch-criminal.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+If they once reached Sir James Peel Edgerton in safety, all would be well. But
+would they reach him? Would not the silent forces of Mr. Brown already be
+assembling against them? Even that last picture of Tommy, revolver in hand,
+failed to comfort her. By now he might be overpowered, borne down by sheer
+force of numbers.... Tuppence mapped out her plan of campaign.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+As the train at length drew slowly into Charing Cross, Jane Finn sat up with a
+start.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Have we arrived? I never thought we should!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I thought we&rsquo;d get to London all right. If there&rsquo;s going
+to be any fun, now is when it will begin. Quick, get out. We&rsquo;ll nip into
+a taxi.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In another minute they were passing the barrier, had paid the necessary fares,
+and were stepping into a taxi.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;King&rsquo;s Cross,&rdquo; directed Tuppence. Then she gave a jump. A
+man looked in at the window, just as they started. She was almost certain it
+was the same man who had got into the carriage next to them. She had a horrible
+feeling of being slowly hemmed in on every side.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You see,&rdquo; she explained to Jane, &ldquo;if they think we&rsquo;re
+going to Sir James, this will put them off the scent. Now they&rsquo;ll imagine
+we&rsquo;re going to Mr. Carter. His country place is north of London
+somewhere.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Crossing Holborn there was a block, and the taxi was held up. This was what
+Tuppence had been waiting for.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quick,&rdquo; she whispered. &ldquo;Open the right-hand door!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The two girls stepped out into the traffic. Two minutes later they were seated
+in another taxi and were retracing their steps, this time direct to Carlton
+House Terrace.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There,&rdquo; said Tuppence, with great satisfaction, &ldquo;this ought
+to do them. I can&rsquo;t help thinking that I&rsquo;m really rather clever!
+How that other taxi man will swear! But I took his number, and I&rsquo;ll send
+him a postal order to-morrow, so that he won&rsquo;t lose by it if he happens
+to be genuine. What&rsquo;s this thing swerving&mdash;&mdash;Oh!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a grinding noise and a bump. Another taxi had collided with them.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In a flash Tuppence was out on the pavement. A policeman was approaching.
+Before he arrived Tuppence had handed the driver five shillings, and she and
+Jane had merged themselves in the crowd.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s only a step or two now,&rdquo; said Tuppence breathlessly.
+The accident had taken place in Trafalgar Square.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Do you think the collision was an accident, or done deliberately?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know. It might have been either.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Hand-in-hand, the two girls hurried along.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It may be my fancy,&rdquo; said Tuppence suddenly, &ldquo;but I feel as
+though there was some one behind us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hurry!&rdquo; murmured the other. &ldquo;Oh, hurry!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They were now at the corner of Carlton House Terrace, and their spirits
+lightened. Suddenly a large and apparently intoxicated man barred their way.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Good evening, ladies,&rdquo; he hiccupped. &ldquo;Whither away so
+fast?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Let us pass, please,&rdquo; said Tuppence imperiously.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Just a word with your pretty friend here.&rdquo; He stretched out an
+unsteady hand, and clutched Jane by the shoulder. Tuppence heard other
+footsteps behind. She did not pause to ascertain whether they were friends or
+foes. Lowering her head, she repeated a man&oelig;uvre of childish days, and
+butted their aggressor full in the capacious middle. The success of these
+unsportsmanlike tactics was immediate. The man sat down abruptly on the
+pavement. Tuppence and Jane took to their heels. The house they sought was some
+way down. Other footsteps echoed behind them. Their breath was coming in
+choking gasps as they reached Sir James&rsquo;s door. Tuppence seized the bell
+and Jane the knocker.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The man who had stopped them reached the foot of the steps. For a moment he
+hesitated, and as he did so the door opened. They fell into the hall together.
+Sir James came forward from the library door.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hullo! What&rsquo;s this?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He stepped forward, and put his arm round Jane as she swayed uncertainly. He
+half carried her into the library, and laid her on the leather couch. From a
+tantalus on the table he poured out a few drops of brandy, and forced her to
+drink them. With a sigh she sat up, her eyes still wild and frightened.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s all right. Don&rsquo;t be afraid, my child. You&rsquo;re
+quite safe.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Her breath came more normally, and the colour was returning to her cheeks. Sir
+James looked at Tuppence quizzically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So you&rsquo;re not dead, Miss Tuppence, any more than that Tommy boy of
+yours was!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The Young Adventurers take a lot of killing,&rdquo; boasted Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;So it seems,&rdquo; said Sir James dryly. &ldquo;Am I right in thinking
+that the joint venture has ended in success, and that this&rdquo;&mdash;he
+turned to the girl on the couch&mdash;&ldquo;is Miss Jane Finn?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jane sat up.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; she said quietly, &ldquo;I am Jane Finn. I have a lot to
+tell you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When you are stronger&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No&mdash;now!&rdquo; Her voice rose a little. &ldquo;I shall feel safer
+when I have told everything.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As you please,&rdquo; said the lawyer.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He sat down in one of the big arm-chairs facing the couch. In a low voice Jane
+began her story.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I came over on the <i>Lusitania</i> to take up a post in Paris. I was
+fearfully keen about the war, and just dying to help somehow or other. I had
+been studying French, and my teacher said they were wanting help in a hospital
+in Paris, so I wrote and offered my services, and they were accepted. I
+hadn&rsquo;t got any folk of my own, so it made it easy to arrange things.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When the <i>Lusitania</i> was torpedoed, a man came up to me. I&rsquo;d
+noticed him more than once&mdash;and I&rsquo;d figured it out in my own mind
+that he was afraid of somebody or something. He asked me if I was a patriotic
+American, and told me he was carrying papers which were just life or death to
+the Allies. He asked me to take charge of them. I was to watch for an
+advertisement in the <i>Times</i>. If it didn&rsquo;t appear, I was to take
+them to the American Ambassador.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Most of what followed seems like a nightmare still. I see it in my
+dreams sometimes.... I&rsquo;ll hurry over that part. Mr. Danvers had told me
+to watch out. He might have been shadowed from New York, but he didn&rsquo;t
+think so. At first I had no suspicions, but on the boat to Holyhead I began to
+get uneasy. There was one woman who had been very keen to look after me, and
+chum up with me generally&mdash;a Mrs. Vandemeyer. At first I&rsquo;d been only
+grateful to her for being so kind to me; but all the time I felt there was
+something about her I didn&rsquo;t like, and on the Irish boat I saw her
+talking to some queer-looking men, and from the way they looked I saw that they
+were talking about me. I remembered that she&rsquo;d been quite near me on the
+<i>Lusitania</i> when Mr. Danvers gave me the packet, and before that
+she&rsquo;d tried to talk to him once or twice. I began to get scared, but I
+didn&rsquo;t quite see what to do.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I had a wild idea of stopping at Holyhead, and not going on to London
+that day, but I soon saw that that would be plumb foolishness. The only thing
+was to act as though I&rsquo;d noticed nothing, and hope for the best. I
+couldn&rsquo;t see how they could get me if I was on my guard. One thing
+I&rsquo;d done already as a precaution&mdash;ripped open the oilskin packet and
+substituted blank paper, and then sewn it up again. So, if anyone did manage to
+rob me of it, it wouldn&rsquo;t matter.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What to do with the real thing worried me no end. Finally I opened it
+out flat&mdash;there were only two sheets&mdash;and laid it between two of the
+advertisement pages of a magazine. I stuck the two pages together round the
+edge with some gum off an envelope. I carried the magazine carelessly stuffed
+into the pocket of my ulster.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At Holyhead I tried to get into a carriage with people that looked all
+right, but in a queer way there seemed always to be a crowd round me shoving
+and pushing me just the way I didn&rsquo;t want to go. There was something
+uncanny and frightening about it. In the end I found myself in a carriage with
+Mrs. Vandemeyer after all. I went out into the corridor, but all the other
+carriages were full, so I had to go back and sit down. I consoled myself with
+the thought that there were other people in the carriage&mdash;there was quite
+a nice-looking man and his wife sitting just opposite. So I felt almost happy
+about it until just outside London. I had leaned back and closed my eyes. I
+guess they thought I was asleep, but my eyes weren&rsquo;t quite shut, and
+suddenly I saw the nice-looking man get something out of his bag and hand it to
+Mrs. Vandemeyer, and as he did so he <i>winked</i>....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t tell you how that wink sort of froze me through and
+through. My only thought was to get out in the corridor as quick as ever I
+could. I got up, trying to look natural and easy. Perhaps they saw
+something&mdash;I don&rsquo;t know&mdash;but suddenly Mrs. Vandemeyer said
+&lsquo;Now,&rsquo; and flung something over my nose and mouth as I tried to
+scream. At the same moment I felt a terrific blow on the back of my
+head....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She shuddered. Sir James murmured something sympathetically. In a minute she
+resumed:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know how long it was before I came back to consciousness.
+I felt very ill and sick. I was lying on a dirty bed. There was a screen round
+it, but I could hear two people talking in the room. Mrs. Vandemeyer was one of
+them. I tried to listen, but at first I couldn&rsquo;t take much in. When at
+last I did begin to grasp what was going on&mdash;I was just terrified! I
+wonder I didn&rsquo;t scream right out there and then.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They hadn&rsquo;t found the papers. They&rsquo;d got the oilskin packet
+with the blanks, and they were just mad! They didn&rsquo;t know whether
+<i>I</i>&rsquo;d changed the papers, or whether Danvers had been carrying a
+dummy message, while the real one was sent another way. They spoke
+of&rdquo;&mdash;she closed her eyes&mdash;&ldquo;torturing me to find out!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&rsquo;d never known what fear&mdash;really sickening fear&mdash;was
+before! Once they came to look at me. I shut my eyes and pretended to be still
+unconscious, but I was afraid they&rsquo;d hear the beating of my heart.
+However, they went away again. I began thinking madly. What could I do? I knew
+I wouldn&rsquo;t be able to stand up against torture very long.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Suddenly something put the thought of loss of memory into my head. The
+subject had always interested me, and I&rsquo;d read an awful lot about it. I
+had the whole thing at my finger-tips. If only I could succeed in carrying the
+bluff through, it might save me. I said a prayer, and drew a long breath. Then
+I opened my eyes and started babbling in <i>French!</i>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mrs. Vandemeyer came round the screen at once. Her face was so wicked I
+nearly died, but I smiled up at her doubtfully, and asked her in French where I
+was.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It puzzled her, I could see. She called the man she had been talking to.
+He stood by the screen with his face in shadow. He spoke to me in French. His
+voice was very ordinary and quiet, but somehow, I don&rsquo;t know why, he
+scared me worse than the woman. I felt he&rsquo;d seen right through me, but I
+went on playing my part. I asked again where I was, and then went on that there
+was something I <i>must</i> remember&mdash;<i>must</i> remember&mdash;only for
+the moment it was all gone. I worked myself up to be more and more distressed.
+He asked me my name. I said I didn&rsquo;t know&mdash;that I couldn&rsquo;t
+remember anything at all.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Suddenly he caught my wrist, and began twisting it. The pain was awful.
+I screamed. He went on. I screamed and screamed, but I managed to shriek out
+things in French. I don&rsquo;t know how long I could have gone on, but luckily
+I fainted. The last thing I heard was his voice saying: &lsquo;That&rsquo;s not
+bluff! Anyway, a kid of her age wouldn&rsquo;t know enough.&rsquo; I guess he
+forgot American girls are older for their age than English ones, and take more
+interest in scientific subjects.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;When I came to, Mrs. Vandemeyer was sweet as honey to me. She&rsquo;d
+had her orders, I guess. She spoke to me in French&mdash;told me I&rsquo;d had
+a shock and been very ill. I should be better soon. I pretended to be rather
+dazed&mdash;murmured something about the &lsquo;doctor&rsquo; having hurt my
+wrist. She looked relieved when I said that.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;By and by she went out of the room altogether. I was suspicious still,
+and lay quite quiet for some time. In the end, however, I got up and walked
+round the room, examining it. I thought that even if anyone <i>was</i> watching
+me from somewhere, it would seem natural enough under the circumstances. It was
+a squalid, dirty place. There were no windows, which seemed queer. I guessed
+the door would be locked, but I didn&rsquo;t try it. There were some battered
+old pictures on the walls, representing scenes from <i>Faust</i>.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jane&rsquo;s two listeners gave a simultaneous &ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; The girl
+nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes&mdash;it was the place in Soho where Mr. Beresford was imprisoned.
+Of course, at the time I didn&rsquo;t even know if I was in London. One thing
+was worrying me dreadfully, but my heart gave a great throb of relief when I
+saw my ulster lying carelessly over the back of a chair. <i>And the magazine
+was still rolled up in the pocket!</i>
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;If only I could be certain that I was not being overlooked! I looked
+carefully round the walls. There didn&rsquo;t seem to be a peep-hole of any
+kind&mdash;nevertheless I felt kind of sure there must be. All of a sudden I
+sat down on the edge of the table, and put my face in my hands, sobbing out a
+&lsquo;Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu!&rsquo; I&rsquo;ve got very sharp ears. I distinctly
+heard the rustle of a dress, and slight creak. That was enough for me. I was
+being watched!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I lay down on the bed again, and by and by Mrs. Vandemeyer brought me
+some supper. She was still sweet as they make them. I guess she&rsquo;d been
+told to win my confidence. Presently she produced the oilskin packet, and asked
+me if I recognized it, watching me like a lynx all the time.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I took it and turned it over in a puzzled sort of way. Then I shook my
+head. I said that I felt I <i>ought</i> to remember something about it, that it
+was just as though it was all coming back, and then, before I could get hold of
+it, it went again. Then she told me that I was her niece, and that I was to
+call her &lsquo;Aunt Rita.&rsquo; I did obediently, and she told me not to
+worry&mdash;my memory would soon come back.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That was an awful night. I&rsquo;d made my plan whilst I was waiting for
+her. The papers were safe so far, but I couldn&rsquo;t take the risk of leaving
+them there any longer. They might throw that magazine away any minute. I lay
+awake waiting until I judged it must be about two o&rsquo;clock in the morning.
+Then I got up as softly as I could, and felt in the dark along the left-hand
+wall. Very gently, I unhooked one of the pictures from its
+nail&mdash;Marguerite with her casket of jewels. I crept over to my coat and
+took out the magazine, and an odd envelope or two that I had shoved in. Then I
+went to the washstand, and damped the brown paper at the back of the picture
+all round. Presently I was able to pull it away. I had already torn out the two
+stuck-together pages from the magazine, and now I slipped them with their
+precious enclosure between the picture and its brown paper backing. A little
+gum from the envelopes helped me to stick the latter up again. No one would
+dream the picture had ever been tampered with. I rehung it on the wall, put the
+magazine back in my coat pocket, and crept back to bed. I was pleased with my
+hiding-place. They&rsquo;d never think of pulling to pieces one of their own
+pictures. I hoped that they&rsquo;d come to the conclusion that Danvers had
+been carrying a dummy all along, and that, in the end, they&rsquo;d let me go.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As a matter of fact, I guess that&rsquo;s what they did think at first,
+and, in a way, it was dangerous for me. I learnt afterwards that they nearly
+did away with me then and there&mdash;there was never much chance of their
+&lsquo;letting me go&rsquo;&mdash;but the first man, who was the boss,
+preferred to keep me alive on the chance of my having hidden them, and being
+able to tell where if I recovered my memory. They watched me constantly for
+weeks. Sometimes they&rsquo;d ask me questions by the hour&mdash;I guess there
+was nothing they didn&rsquo;t know about the third degree!&mdash;but somehow I
+managed to hold my own. The strain of it was awful, though....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They took me back to Ireland, and over every step of the journey again,
+in case I&rsquo;d hidden it somewhere <i>en route</i>. Mrs. Vandemeyer and
+another woman never left me for a moment. They spoke of me as a young relative
+of Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s whose mind was affected by the shock of the
+<i>Lusitania</i>. There was no one I could appeal to for help without giving
+myself away to <i>them</i>, and if I risked it and failed&mdash;and Mrs.
+Vandemeyer looked so rich, and so beautifully dressed, that I felt convinced
+they&rsquo;d take her word against mine, and think it was part of my mental
+trouble to think myself &lsquo;persecuted&rsquo;&mdash;I felt that the horrors
+in store for me would be too awful once they knew I&rsquo;d been only
+shamming.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James nodded comprehendingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Mrs. Vandemeyer was a woman of great personality. With that and her
+social position she would have had little difficulty in imposing her point of
+view in preference to yours. Your sensational accusations against her would not
+easily have found credence.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s what I thought. It ended in my being sent to a sanatorium
+at Bournemouth. I couldn&rsquo;t make up my mind at first whether it was a sham
+affair or genuine. A hospital nurse had charge of me. I was a special patient.
+She seemed so nice and normal that at last I determined to confide in her. A
+merciful providence just saved me in time from falling into the trap. My door
+happened to be ajar, and I heard her talking to some one in the passage. <i>She
+was one of them!</i> They still fancied it might be a bluff on my part, and she
+was put in charge of me to make sure! After that, my nerve went completely. I
+dared trust nobody.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I think I almost hypnotized myself. After a while, I almost forgot that
+I was really Jane Finn. I was so bent on playing the part of Janet Vandemeyer
+that my nerves began to play me tricks. I became really ill&mdash;for months I
+sank into a sort of stupor. I felt sure I should die soon, and that nothing
+really mattered. A sane person shut up in a lunatic asylum often ends by
+becoming insane, they say. I guess I was like that. Playing my part had become
+second nature to me. I wasn&rsquo;t even unhappy in the end&mdash;just
+apathetic. Nothing seemed to matter. And the years went on.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And then suddenly things seemed to change. Mrs. Vandemeyer came down
+from London. She and the doctor asked me questions, experimented with various
+treatments. There was some talk of sending me to a specialist in Paris. In the
+end, they did not dare risk it. I overheard something that seemed to show that
+other people&mdash;friends&mdash;were looking for me. I learnt later that the
+nurse who had looked after me went to Paris, and consulted a specialist,
+representing herself to be me. He put her through some searching tests, and
+exposed her loss of memory to be fraudulent; but she had taken a note of his
+methods and reproduced them on me. I dare say I couldn&rsquo;t have deceived
+the specialist for a minute&mdash;a man who has made a lifelong study of a
+thing is unique&mdash;but I managed once again to hold my own with them. The
+fact that I&rsquo;d not thought of myself as Jane Finn for so long made it
+easier.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;One night I was whisked off to London at a moment&rsquo;s notice. They
+took me back to the house in Soho. Once I got away from the sanatorium I felt
+different&mdash;as though something in me that had been buried for a long time
+was waking up again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;They sent me in to wait on Mr. Beresford. (Of course I didn&rsquo;t know
+his name then.) I was suspicious&mdash;I thought it was another trap. But he
+looked so honest, I could hardly believe it. However, I was careful in all I
+said, for I knew we could be overheard. There&rsquo;s a small hole, high up in
+the wall.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But on the Sunday afternoon a message was brought to the house. They
+were all very disturbed. Without their knowing, I listened. Word had come that
+he was to be killed. I needn&rsquo;t tell the next part, because you know it. I
+thought I&rsquo;d have time to rush up and get the papers from their
+hiding-place, but I was caught. So I screamed out that he was escaping, and I
+said I wanted to go back to Marguerite. I shouted the name three times very
+loud. I knew the others would think I meant Mrs. Vandemeyer, but I hoped it
+might make Mr. Beresford think of the picture. He&rsquo;d unhooked one the
+first day&mdash;that&rsquo;s what made me hesitate to trust him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+She paused.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Then the papers,&rdquo; said Sir James slowly, &ldquo;are still at the
+back of the picture in that room.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes.&rdquo; The girl had sunk back on the sofa exhausted with the strain
+of the long story.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James rose to his feet. He looked at his watch.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Come,&rdquo; he said, &ldquo;we must go at once.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To-night?&rdquo; queried Tuppence, surprised.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;To-morrow may be too late,&rdquo; said Sir James gravely.
+&ldquo;Besides, by going to-night we have the chance of capturing that great
+man and super-criminal&mdash;Mr. Brown!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was dead silence, and Sir James continued:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You have been followed here&mdash;not a doubt of it. When we leave the
+house we shall be followed again, but not molested, <i>for it is Mr.
+Brown&rsquo;s plan that we are to lead him</i>. But the Soho house is under
+police supervision night and day. There are several men watching it. When we
+enter that house, Mr. Brown will not draw back&mdash;he will risk all, on the
+chance of obtaining the spark to fire his mine. And he fancies the risk not
+great&mdash;since he will enter in the guise of a friend!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence flushed, then opened her mouth impulsively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But there&rsquo;s something you don&rsquo;t know&mdash;that we
+haven&rsquo;t told you.&rdquo; Her eyes dwelt on Jane in perplexity.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What is that?&rdquo; asked the other sharply. &ldquo;No hesitations,
+Miss Tuppence. We need to be sure of our going.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Tuppence, for once, seemed tongue-tied.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s so difficult&mdash;you see, if I&rsquo;m wrong&mdash;oh, it
+would be dreadful.&rdquo; She made a grimace at the unconscious Jane.
+&ldquo;Never forgive me,&rdquo; she observed cryptically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You want me to help you out, eh?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, please. <i>You</i> know who Mr. Brown is, don&rsquo;t you?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Sir James gravely. &ldquo;At last I do.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At last?&rdquo; queried Tuppence doubtfully. &ldquo;Oh, but I
+thought&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo; She paused.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You thought correctly, Miss Tuppence. I have been morally certain of his
+identity for some time&mdash;ever since the night of Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s
+mysterious death.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ah!&rdquo; breathed Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;For there we are up against the logic of facts. There are only two
+solutions. Either the chloral was administered by her own hand, which theory I
+reject utterly, or else&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Or else it was administered in the brandy you gave her. Only three
+people touched that brandy&mdash;you, Miss Tuppence, I myself, and one
+other&mdash;Mr. Julius Hersheimmer!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jane Finn stirred and sat up, regarding the speaker with wide astonished eyes.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At first, the thing seemed utterly impossible. Mr. Hersheimmer, as the
+son of a prominent millionaire, was a well-known figure in America. It seemed
+utterly impossible that he and Mr. Brown could be one and the same. But you
+cannot escape from the logic of facts. Since the thing was so&mdash;it must be
+accepted. Remember Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s sudden and inexplicable agitation.
+Another proof, if proof was needed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I took an early opportunity of giving you a hint. From some words of Mr.
+Hersheimmer&rsquo;s at Manchester, I gathered that you had understood and acted
+on that hint. Then I set to work to prove the impossible possible. Mr.
+Beresford rang me up and told me, what I had already suspected, that the
+photograph of Miss Jane Finn had never really been out of Mr.
+Hersheimmer&rsquo;s possession&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the girl interrupted. Springing to her feet, she cried out angrily:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What do you mean? What are you trying to suggest? That Mr. Brown is
+<i>Julius?</i> Julius&mdash;my own cousin!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No, Miss Finn,&rdquo; said Sir James unexpectedly. &ldquo;Not your
+cousin. The man who calls himself Julius Hersheimmer is no relation to you
+whatsoever.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap26"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.<br/>
+MR. BROWN</h2>
+
+<p>
+Sir James&rsquo;s words came like a bomb-shell. Both girls looked equally
+puzzled. The lawyer went across to his desk, and returned with a small
+newspaper cutting, which he handed to Jane. Tuppence read it over her shoulder.
+Mr. Carter would have recognized it. It referred to the mysterious man found
+dead in New York.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;As I was saying to Miss Tuppence,&rdquo; resumed the lawyer, &ldquo;I
+set to work to prove the impossible possible. The great stumbling-block was the
+undeniable fact that Julius Hersheimmer was not an assumed name. When I came
+across this paragraph my problem was solved. Julius Hersheimmer set out to
+discover what had become of his cousin. He went out West, where he obtained
+news of her and her photograph to aid him in his search. On the eve of his
+departure from New York he was set upon and murdered. His body was dressed in
+shabby clothes, and the face disfigured to prevent identification. Mr. Brown
+took his place. He sailed immediately for England. None of the real
+Hersheimmer&rsquo;s friends or intimates saw him before he sailed&mdash;though
+indeed it would hardly have mattered if they had, the impersonation was so
+perfect. Since then he had been hand and glove with those sworn to hunt him
+down. Every secret of theirs has been known to him. Only once did he come near
+disaster. Mrs. Vandemeyer knew his secret. It was no part of his plan that that
+huge bribe should ever be offered to her. But for Miss Tuppence&rsquo;s
+fortunate change of plan, she would have been far away from the flat when we
+arrived there. Exposure stared him in the face. He took a desperate step,
+trusting in his assumed character to avert suspicion. He nearly
+succeeded&mdash;but not quite.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t believe it,&rdquo; murmured Jane. &ldquo;He seemed so
+splendid.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The real Julius Hersheimmer <i>was</i> a splendid fellow! And Mr. Brown
+is a consummate actor. But ask Miss Tuppence if she also has not had her
+suspicions.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jane turned mutely to Tuppence. The latter nodded.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t want to say it, Jane&mdash;I knew it would hurt you. And,
+after all, I couldn&rsquo;t be sure. I still don&rsquo;t understand why, if
+he&rsquo;s Mr. Brown, he rescued us.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Was it Julius Hersheimmer who helped you to escape?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence recounted to Sir James the exciting events of the evening, ending up:
+&ldquo;But I can&rsquo;t see <i>why!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t you? I can. So can young Beresford, by his actions. As a
+last hope Jane Finn was to be allowed to escape&mdash;and the escape must be
+managed so that she harbours no suspicions of its being a put-up job.
+They&rsquo;re not averse to young Beresford&rsquo;s being in the neighbourhood,
+and, if necessary, communicating with you. They&rsquo;ll take care to get him
+out of the way at the right minute. Then Julius Hersheimmer dashes up and
+rescues you in true melodramatic style. Bullets fly&mdash;but don&rsquo;t hit
+anybody. What would have happened next? You would have driven straight to the
+house in Soho and secured the document which Miss Finn would probably have
+entrusted to her cousin&rsquo;s keeping. Or, if he conducted the search, he
+would have pretended to find the hiding-place already rifled. He would have had
+a dozen ways of dealing with the situation, but the result would have been the
+same. And I rather fancy some accident would have happened to both of you. You
+see, you know rather an inconvenient amount. That&rsquo;s a rough outline. I
+admit I was caught napping; but somebody else wasn&rsquo;t.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy,&rdquo; said Tuppence softly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes. Evidently when the right moment came to get rid of him&mdash;he was
+too sharp for them. All the same, I&rsquo;m not too easy in my mind about
+him.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Because Julius Hersheimmer is Mr. Brown,&rdquo; said Sir James dryly.
+&ldquo;And it takes more than one man and a revolver to hold up Mr.
+Brown....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence paled a little.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What can we do?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Nothing until we&rsquo;ve been to the house in Soho. If Beresford has
+still got the upper hand, there&rsquo;s nothing to fear. If otherwise, our
+enemy will come to find us, and he will not find us unprepared!&rdquo; From a
+drawer in the desk, he took a service revolver, and placed it in his coat
+pocket.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Now we&rsquo;re ready. I know better than even to suggest going without
+you, Miss Tuppence&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I should think so indeed!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But I do suggest that Miss Finn should remain here. She will be
+perfectly safe, and I am afraid she is absolutely worn out with all she has
+been through.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But to Tuppence&rsquo;s surprise Jane shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No. I guess I&rsquo;m going too. Those papers were my trust. I must go
+through with this business to the end. I&rsquo;m heaps better now
+anyway.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James&rsquo;s car was ordered round. During the short drive
+Tuppence&rsquo;s heart beat tumultuously. In spite of momentary qualms of
+uneasiness respecting Tommy, she could not but feel exultation. They were going
+to win!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The car drew up at the corner of the square and they got out. Sir James went up
+to a plain-clothes man who was on duty with several others, and spoke to him.
+Then he rejoined the girls.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No one has gone into the house so far. It is being watched at the back
+as well, so they are quite sure of that. Anyone who attempts to enter after we
+have done so will be arrested immediately. Shall we go in?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A policeman produced a key. They all knew Sir James well. They had also had
+orders respecting Tuppence. Only the third member of the party was unknown to
+them. The three entered the house, pulling the door to behind them. Slowly they
+mounted the rickety stairs. At the top was the ragged curtain hiding the recess
+where Tommy had hidden that day. Tuppence had heard the story from Jane in her
+character of &ldquo;Annette.&rdquo; She looked at the tattered velvet with
+interest. Even now she could almost swear it moved&mdash;as though <i>some
+one</i> was behind it. So strong was the illusion that she almost fancied she
+could make out the outline of a form.... Supposing Mr.
+Brown&mdash;Julius&mdash;was there waiting....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Impossible of course! Yet she almost went back to put the curtain aside and
+make sure....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Now they were entering the prison room. No place for anyone to hide here,
+thought Tuppence, with a sigh of relief, then chided herself indignantly. She
+must not give way to this foolish fancying&mdash;this curious insistent feeling
+that <i>Mr. Brown was in the house</i>.... Hark! what was that? A stealthy
+footstep on the stairs? There <i>was</i> some one in the house! Absurd! She was
+becoming hysterical.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jane had gone straight to the picture of Marguerite. She unhooked it with a
+steady hand. The dust lay thick upon it, and festoons of cobwebs lay between it
+and the wall. Sir James handed her a pocket-knife, and she ripped away the
+brown paper from the back.... The advertisement page of a magazine fell out.
+Jane picked it up. Holding apart the frayed inner edges she extracted two thin
+sheets covered with writing!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+No dummy this time! The real thing!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got it,&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;At last....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The moment was almost breathless in its emotion. Forgotten the faint creakings,
+the imagined noises of a minute ago. None of them had eyes for anything but
+what Jane held in her hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James took it, and scrutinized it attentively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; he said quietly, &ldquo;this is the ill-fated draft
+treaty!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve succeeded,&rdquo; said Tuppence. There was awe and an almost
+wondering unbelief in her voice.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James echoed her words as he folded the paper carefully and put it away in
+his pocket-book, then he looked curiously round the dingy room.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It was here that our young friend was confined for so long, was it
+not?&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;A truly sinister room. You notice the absence of
+windows, and the thickness of the close-fitting door. Whatever took place here
+would never be heard by the outside world.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence shivered. His words woke a vague alarm in her. What if there
+<i>was</i> some one concealed in the house? Some one who might bar that door on
+them, and leave them to die like rats in a trap? Then she realized the
+absurdity of her thought. The house was surrounded by police who, if they
+failed to reappear, would not hesitate to break in and make a thorough search.
+She smiled at her own foolishness&mdash;then looked up with a start to find Sir
+James watching her. He gave her an emphatic little nod.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Quite right, Miss Tuppence. You scent danger. So do I. So does Miss
+Finn.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; admitted Jane. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s absurd&mdash;but I
+can&rsquo;t help it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Sir James nodded again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You feel&mdash;as we all feel&mdash; <i>the presence of Mr. Bown</i>.
+Yes&rdquo;&mdash;as Tuppence made a movement&mdash;&ldquo;not a doubt of
+it&mdash; <i>Mr. Brown is here</i>....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In this house?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In this room.... You don&rsquo;t understand? <i>I am Mr.
+Brown</i>....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Stupefied, unbelieving, they stared at him. The very lines of his face had
+changed. It was a different man who stood before them. He smiled a slow cruel
+smile.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Neither of you will leave this room alive! You said just now we had
+succeeded. <i>I</i> have succeeded! The draft treaty is mine.&rdquo; His smile
+grew wider as he looked at Tuppence. &ldquo;Shall I tell you how it will be?
+Sooner or later the police will break in, and they will find three victims of
+Mr. Brown&mdash;three, not two, you understand, but fortunately the third will
+not be dead, only wounded, and will be able to describe the attack with a
+wealth of detail! The treaty? It is in the hands of Mr. Brown. So no one will
+think of searching the pockets of Sir James Peel Edgerton!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He turned to Jane.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You outwitted me. I make my acknowledgments. But you will not do it
+again.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was a faint sound behind him, but, intoxicated with success, he did not
+turn his head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He slipped his hand into his pocket.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Checkmate to the Young Adventurers,&rdquo; he said, and slowly raised
+the big automatic.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But, even as he did so, he felt himself seized from behind in a grip of iron.
+The revolver was wrenched from his hand, and the voice of Julius Hersheimmer
+said drawlingly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess you&rsquo;re caught redhanded with the goods upon you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+The blood rushed to the K.C.&lsquo;s face, but his self-control was marvellous,
+as he looked from one to the other of his two captors. He looked longest at
+Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You,&rdquo; he said beneath his breath. &ldquo;<i>You!</i> I might have
+known.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Seeing that he was disposed to offer no resistance, their grip slackened. Quick
+as a flash his left hand, the hand which bore the big signet ring, was raised
+to his lips....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;&lsquo;<i>Ave, Cæsar! te morituri salutant</i>,&rsquo;&rdquo; he said,
+still looking at Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then his face changed, and with a long convulsive shudder he fell forward in a
+crumpled heap, whilst an odour of bitter almonds filled the air.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap27"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.<br/>
+A SUPPER PARTY AT THE <i>SAVOY</i></h2>
+
+<p>
+The supper party given by Mr. Julius Hersheimmer to a few friends on the
+evening of the 30th will long be remembered in catering circles. It took place
+in a private room, and Mr. Hersheimmer&rsquo;s orders were brief and forcible.
+He gave carte blanche&mdash;and when a millionaire gives carte blanche he
+usually gets it!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Every delicacy out of season was duly provided. Waiters carried bottles of
+ancient and royal vintage with loving care. The floral decorations defied the
+seasons, and fruits of the earth as far apart as May and November found
+themselves miraculously side by side. The list of guests was small and select.
+The American Ambassador, Mr. Carter, who had taken the liberty, he said, of
+bringing an old friend, Sir William Beresford, with him, Archdeacon Cowley, Dr.
+Hall, those two youthful adventurers, Miss Prudence Cowley and Mr. Thomas
+Beresford, and last, but not least, as guest of honour, Miss Jane Finn.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius had spared no pains to make Jane&rsquo;s appearance a success. A
+mysterious knock had brought Tuppence to the door of the apartment she was
+sharing with the American girl. It was Julius. In his hand he held a cheque.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Say, Tuppence,&rdquo; he began, &ldquo;will you do me a good turn? Take
+this, and get Jane regularly togged up for this evening. You&rsquo;re all
+coming to supper with me at the <i>Savoy</i>. See? Spare no expense. You get
+me?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing,&rdquo; mimicked Tuppence. &ldquo;We shall enjoy ourselves.
+It will be a pleasure dressing Jane. She&rsquo;s the loveliest thing I&rsquo;ve
+ever seen.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s so,&rdquo; agreed Mr. Hersheimmer fervently.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+His fervour brought a momentary twinkle to Tuppence&rsquo;s eye.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;By the way, Julius,&rdquo; she remarked demurely,
+&ldquo;I&mdash;haven&rsquo;t given you my answer yet.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Answer?&rdquo; said Julius. His face paled.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You know&mdash;when you asked me to&mdash;marry you,&rdquo; faltered
+Tuppence, her eyes downcast in the true manner of the early Victorian heroine,
+&ldquo;and wouldn&rsquo;t take no for an answer. I&rsquo;ve thought it well
+over&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes?&rdquo; said Julius. The perspiration stood on his forehead.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence relented suddenly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You great idiot!&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;What on earth induced you to do
+it? I could see at the time you didn&rsquo;t care a twopenny dip for me!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Not at all. I had&mdash;and still have&mdash;the highest sentiments of
+esteem and respect&mdash;and admiration for you&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;H&rsquo;m!&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;Those are the kind of sentiments
+that very soon go to the wall when the other sentiment comes along! Don&rsquo;t
+they, old thing?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know what you mean,&rdquo; said Julius stiffly, but a
+large and burning blush overspread his countenance.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Shucks!&rdquo; retorted Tuppence. She laughed, and closed the door,
+reopening it to add with dignity: &ldquo;Morally, I shall always consider I
+have been jilted!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What was it?&rdquo; asked Jane as Tuppence rejoined her.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Julius.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What did he want?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Really, I think, he wanted to see you, but I wasn&rsquo;t going to let
+him. Not until to-night, when you&rsquo;re going to burst upon every one like
+King Solomon in his glory! Come on! <i>We&rsquo;re going to shop!</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+To most people the 29th, the much-heralded &ldquo;Labour Day,&rdquo; had passed
+much as any other day. Speeches were made in the Park and Trafalgar Square.
+Straggling processions, singing the <i>Red Flag</i>, wandered through the
+streets in a more or less aimless manner. Newspapers which had hinted at a
+general strike, and the inauguration of a reign of terror, were forced to hide
+their diminished heads. The bolder and more astute among them sought to prove
+that peace had been effected by following their counsels. In the Sunday papers
+a brief notice of the sudden death of Sir James Peel Edgerton, the famous K.C.,
+had appeared. Monday&rsquo;s paper dealt appreciatively with the dead
+man&rsquo;s career. The exact manner of his sudden death was never made public.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy had been right in his forecast of the situation. It had been a one-man
+show. Deprived of their chief, the organization fell to pieces. Kramenin had
+made a precipitate return to Russia, leaving England early on Sunday morning.
+The gang had fled from Astley Priors in a panic, leaving behind, in their
+haste, various damaging documents which compromised them hopelessly. With these
+proofs of conspiracy in their hands, aided further by a small brown diary taken
+from the pocket of the dead man which had contained a full and damning résumé
+of the whole plot, the Government had called an eleventh-hour conference. The
+Labour leaders were forced to recognize that they had been used as a
+cat&rsquo;s paw. Certain concessions were made by the Government, and were
+eagerly accepted. It was to be Peace, not War!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But the Cabinet knew by how narrow a margin they had escaped utter disaster.
+And burnt in on Mr. Carter&rsquo;s brain was the strange scene which had taken
+place in the house in Soho the night before.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He had entered the squalid room to find that great man, the friend of a
+lifetime, dead&mdash;betrayed out of his own mouth. From the dead man&rsquo;s
+pocket-book he had retrieved the ill-omened draft treaty, and then and there,
+in the presence of the other three, it had been reduced to ashes.... England
+was saved!
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And now, on the evening of the 30th, in a private room at the <i>Savoy</i>, Mr.
+Julius P. Hersheimmer was receiving his guests.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter was the first to arrive. With him was a choleric-looking old
+gentleman, at sight of whom Tommy flushed up to the roots of his hair. He came
+forward.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ha!&rdquo; said the old gentleman, surveying him apoplectically.
+&ldquo;So you&rsquo;re my nephew, are you? Not much to look at&mdash;but
+you&rsquo;ve done good work, it seems. Your mother must have brought you up
+well after all. Shall we let bygones be bygones, eh? You&rsquo;re my heir, you
+know; and in future I propose to make you an allowance&mdash;and you can look
+upon Chalmers Park as your home.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Thank you, sir, it&rsquo;s awfully decent of you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where&rsquo;s this young lady I&rsquo;ve been hearing such a lot
+about?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy introduced Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Ha!&rdquo; said Sir William, eyeing her. &ldquo;Girls aren&rsquo;t what
+they used to be in my young days.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes, they are,&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;Their clothes are different,
+perhaps, but they themselves are just the same.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, perhaps you&rsquo;re right. Minxes then&mdash;minxes now!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s it,&rdquo; said Tuppence. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m a frightful minx
+myself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I believe you,&rdquo; said the old gentleman, chuckling, and pinched her
+ear in high good-humour. Most young women were terrified of the &ldquo;old
+bear,&rdquo; as they termed him. Tuppence&rsquo;s pertness delighted the old
+misogynist.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then came the timid archdeacon, a little bewildered by the company in which he
+found himself, glad that his daughter was considered to have distinguished
+herself, but unable to help glancing at her from time to time with nervous
+apprehension. But Tuppence behaved admirably. She forbore to cross her legs,
+set a guard upon her tongue, and steadfastly refused to smoke.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Dr. Hall came next, and he was followed by the American Ambassador.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We might as well sit down,&rdquo; said Julius, when he had introduced
+all his guests to each other. &ldquo;Tuppence, will you&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He indicated the place of honour with a wave of his hand.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But Tuppence shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No&mdash;that&rsquo;s Jane&rsquo;s place! When one thinks of how
+she&rsquo;s held out all these years, she ought to be made the queen of the
+feast to-night.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius flung her a grateful glance, and Jane came forward shyly to the allotted
+seat. Beautiful as she had seemed before, it was as nothing to the loveliness
+that now went fully adorned. Tuppence had performed her part faithfully. The
+model gown supplied by a famous dressmaker had been entitled &ldquo;A tiger
+lily.&rdquo; It was all golds and reds and browns, and out of it rose the pure
+column of the girl&rsquo;s white throat, and the bronze masses of hair that
+crowned her lovely head. There was admiration in every eye, as she took her
+seat.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Soon the supper party was in full swing, and with one accord Tommy was called
+upon for a full and complete explanation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;ve been too darned close about the whole business,&rdquo;
+Julius accused him. &ldquo;You let on to me that you were off to the
+Argentine&mdash;though I guess you had your reasons for that. The idea of both
+you and Tuppence casting me for the part of Mr. Brown just tickles me to
+death!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The idea was not original to them,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter gravely.
+&ldquo;It was suggested, and the poison very carefully instilled, by a
+past-master in the art. The paragraph in the New York paper suggested the plan
+to him, and by means of it he wove a web that nearly enmeshed you
+fatally.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I never liked him,&rdquo; said Julius. &ldquo;I felt from the first that
+there was something wrong about him, and I always suspected that it was he who
+silenced Mrs. Vandemeyer so appositely. But it wasn&rsquo;t till I heard that
+the order for Tommy&rsquo;s execution came right on the heels of our interview
+with him that Sunday that I began to tumble to the fact that he was the big bug
+himself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I never suspected it at all,&rdquo; lamented Tuppence. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve
+always thought I was so much cleverer than Tommy&mdash;but he&rsquo;s
+undoubtedly scored over me handsomely.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Julius agreed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tommy&rsquo;s been the goods this trip! And, instead of sitting there as
+dumb as a fish, let him banish his blushes, and tell us all about it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hear! hear!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s nothing to tell,&rdquo; said Tommy, acutely uncomfortable.
+&ldquo;I was an awful mug&mdash;right up to the time I found that photograph of
+Annette, and realized that she was Jane Finn. Then I remembered how
+persistently she had shouted out that word &lsquo;Marguerite&rsquo;&mdash;and I
+thought of the pictures, and&mdash;well, that&rsquo;s that. Then of course I
+went over the whole thing to see where I&rsquo;d made an ass of myself.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Go on,&rdquo; said Mr. Carter, as Tommy showed signs of taking refuge in
+silence once more.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That business about Mrs. Vandemeyer had worried me when Julius told me
+about it. On the face of it, it seemed that he or Sir James must have done the
+trick. But I didn&rsquo;t know which. Finding that photograph in the drawer,
+after that story of how it had been got from him by Inspector Brown, made me
+suspect Julius. Then I remembered that it was Sir James who had discovered the
+false Jane Finn. In the end, I couldn&rsquo;t make up my mind&mdash;and just
+decided to take no chances either way. I left a note for Julius, in case he was
+Mr. Brown, saying I was off to the Argentine, and I dropped Sir James&rsquo;s
+letter with the offer of the job by the desk so that he would see it was a
+genuine stunt. Then I wrote my letter to Mr. Carter and rang up Sir James.
+Taking him into my confidence would be the best thing either way, so I told him
+everything except where I believed the papers to be hidden. The way he helped
+me to get on the track of Tuppence and Annette almost disarmed me, but not
+quite. I kept my mind open between the two of them. And then I got a bogus note
+from Tuppence&mdash;and I knew!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But how?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy took the note in question from his pocket and passed it round the table.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s her handwriting all right, but I knew it wasn&rsquo;t from
+her because of the signature. She&rsquo;d never spell her name
+&lsquo;Twopence,&rsquo; but anyone who&rsquo;d never seen it written might
+quite easily do so. Julius <i>had</i> seen it&mdash;he showed me a note of hers
+to him once&mdash;but <i>Sir James hadn&rsquo;t!</i> After that everything was
+plain sailing. I sent off Albert post-haste to Mr. Carter. I pretended to go
+away, but doubled back again. When Julius came bursting up in his car, I felt
+it wasn&rsquo;t part of Mr. Brown&rsquo;s plan&mdash;and that there would
+probably be trouble. Unless Sir James was actually caught in the act, so to
+speak, I knew Mr. Carter would never believe it of him on my bare
+word&mdash;&mdash;&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t,&rdquo; interposed Mr. Carter ruefully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s why I sent the girls off to Sir James. I was sure
+they&rsquo;d fetch up at the house in Soho sooner or later. I threatened Julius
+with the revolver, because I wanted Tuppence to repeat that to Sir James, so
+that he wouldn&rsquo;t worry about us. The moment the girls were out of sight I
+told Julius to drive like hell for London, and as we went along I told him the
+whole story. We got to the Soho house in plenty of time and met Mr. Carter
+outside. After arranging things with him we went in and hid behind the curtain
+in the recess. The policemen had orders to say, if they were asked, that no one
+had gone into the house. That&rsquo;s all.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+And Tommy came to an abrupt halt.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was silence for a moment.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;By the way,&rdquo; said Julius suddenly, &ldquo;you&rsquo;re all wrong
+about that photograph of Jane. It <i>was</i> taken from me, but I found it
+again.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Where?&rdquo; cried Tuppence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;In that little safe on the wall in Mrs. Vandemeyer&rsquo;s
+bedroom.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I knew you found something,&rdquo; said Tuppence reproachfully.
+&ldquo;To tell you the truth, that&rsquo;s what started me off suspecting you.
+Why didn&rsquo;t you say?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I guess I was a mite suspicious too. It had been got away from me once,
+and I determined I wouldn&rsquo;t let on I&rsquo;d got it until a photographer
+had made a dozen copies of it!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We all kept back something or other,&rdquo; said Tuppence thoughtfully.
+&ldquo;I suppose secret service work makes you like that!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the pause that ensued, Mr. Carter took from his pocket a small shabby brown
+book.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Beresford has just said that I would not have believed Sir James Peel
+Edgerton to be guilty unless, so to speak, he was caught in the act. That is
+so. Indeed, not until I read the entries in this little book could I bring
+myself fully to credit the amazing truth. This book will pass into the
+possession of Scotland Yard, but it will never be publicly exhibited. Sir
+James&rsquo;s long association with the law would make it undesirable. But to
+you, who know the truth, I propose to read certain passages which will throw
+some light on the extraordinary mentality of this great man.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+He opened the book, and turned the thin pages.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... It is madness to keep this book. I know that. It is documentary
+evidence against me. But I have never shrunk from taking risks. And I feel an
+urgent need for self-expression.... The book will only be taken from my dead
+body....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... From an early age I realized that I had exceptional abilities. Only
+a fool underestimates his capabilities. My brain power was greatly above the
+average. I know that I was born to succeed. My appearance was the only thing
+against me. I was quiet and insignificant&mdash;utterly nondescript....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... When I was a boy I heard a famous murder trial. I was deeply
+impressed by the power and eloquence of the counsel for the defence. For the
+first time I entertained the idea of taking my talents to that particular
+market.... Then I studied the criminal in the dock.... The man was a
+fool&mdash;he had been incredibly, unbelievably stupid. Even the eloquence of
+his counsel was hardly likely to save him. I felt an immeasurable contempt for
+him.... Then it occurred to me that the criminal standard was a low one. It was
+the wastrels, the failures, the general riff-raff of civilization who drifted
+into crime.... Strange that men of brains had never realized its extraordinary
+opportunities.... I played with the idea.... What a magnificent
+field&mdash;what unlimited possibilities! It made my brain reel....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... I read standard works on crime and criminals. They all confirmed my
+opinion. Degeneracy, disease&mdash;never the deliberate embracing of a career
+by a far-seeing man. Then I considered. Supposing my utmost ambitions were
+realized&mdash;that I was called to the bar, and rose to the height of my
+profession? That I entered politics&mdash;say, even, that I became Prime
+Minister of England? What then? Was that power? Hampered at every turn by my
+colleagues, fettered by the democratic system of which I should be the mere
+figurehead! No&mdash;the power I dreamed of was absolute! An autocrat! A
+dictator! And such power could only be obtained by working outside the law. To
+play on the weaknesses of human nature, then on the weaknesses of
+nations&mdash;to get together and control a vast organization, and finally to
+overthrow the existing order, and rule! The thought intoxicated me....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... I saw that I must lead two lives. A man like myself is bound to
+attract notice. I must have a successful career which would mask my true
+activities.... Also I must cultivate a personality. I modelled myself upon
+famous K.C.&lsquo;s. I reproduced their mannerisms, their magnetism. If I had
+chosen to be an actor, I should have been the greatest actor living! No
+disguises&mdash;no grease paint&mdash;no false beards! Personality! I put it on
+like a glove! When I shed it, I was myself, quiet, unobtrusive, a man like
+every other man. I called myself Mr. Brown. There are hundreds of men called
+Brown&mdash;there are hundreds of men looking just like me....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... I succeeded in my false career. I was bound to succeed. I shall
+succeed in the other. A man like me cannot fail....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... I have been reading a life of Napoleon. He and I have much in
+common....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... I make a practice of defending criminals. A man should look after
+his own people....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... Once or twice I have felt afraid. The first time was in Italy. There
+was a dinner given. Professor D&mdash;&mdash;, the great alienist, was present.
+The talk fell on insanity. He said, &lsquo;A great many men are mad, and no one
+knows it. They do not know it themselves.&rsquo; I do not understand why he
+looked at me when he said that. His glance was strange.... I did not like
+it....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... The war has disturbed me.... I thought it would further my plans.
+The Germans are so efficient. Their spy system, too, was excellent. The streets
+are full of these boys in khaki. All empty-headed young fools.... Yet I do not
+know.... They won the war.... It disturbs me....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... My plans are going well.... A girl butted in&mdash;I do not think
+she really knew anything.... But we must give up the Esthonia.... No risks
+now....
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;.... All goes well. The loss of memory is vexing. It cannot be a fake.
+No girl could deceive ME!...
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;...The 29th.... That is very soon....&rdquo; Mr. Carter paused.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I will not read the details of the <i>coup</i> that was planned. But
+there are just two small entries that refer to the three of you. In the light
+of what happened they are interesting.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;... By inducing the girl to come to me of her own accord, I have
+succeeded in disarming her. But she has intuitive flashes that might be
+dangerous.... She must be got out of the way.... I can do nothing with the
+American. He suspects and dislikes me. But he cannot know. I fancy my armour is
+impregnable.... Sometimes I fear I have underestimated the other boy. He is not
+clever, but it is hard to blind his eyes to facts....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Mr. Carter shut the book.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A great man,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Genius, or insanity, who can
+say?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+There was silence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Then Mr. Carter rose to his feet.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I will give you a toast. The Joint Venture which has so amply justified
+itself by success!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+It was drunk with acclamation.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s something more we want to hear,&rdquo; continued Mr.
+Carter. He looked at the American Ambassador. &ldquo;I speak for you also, I
+know. We&rsquo;ll ask Miss Jane Finn to tell us the story that only Miss
+Tuppence has heard so far&mdash;but before we do so we&rsquo;ll drink her
+health. The health of one of the bravest of America&rsquo;s daughters, to whom
+is due the thanks and gratitude of two great countries!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="chap28"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.<br/>
+AND AFTER</h2>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That was a mighty good toast, Jane,&rdquo; said Mr. Hersheimmer, as he
+and his cousin were being driven back in the Rolls-Royce to the <i>Ritz</i>.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;The one to the joint venture?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;No&mdash;the one to you. There isn&rsquo;t another girl in the world who
+could have carried it through as you did. You were just wonderful!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Jane shook her head.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t feel wonderful. At heart I&rsquo;m just tired and
+lonesome&mdash;and longing for my own country.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That brings me to something I wanted to say. I heard the Ambassador
+telling you his wife hoped you would come to them at the Embassy right away.
+That&rsquo;s good enough, but I&rsquo;ve got another plan. Jane&mdash;I want
+you to marry me! Don&rsquo;t get scared and say no at once. You can&rsquo;t
+love me right away, of course, that&rsquo;s impossible. But I&rsquo;ve loved
+you from the very moment I set eyes on your photo&mdash;and now I&rsquo;ve seen
+you I&rsquo;m simply crazy about you! If you&rsquo;ll only marry me, I
+won&rsquo;t worry you any&mdash;you shall take your own time. Maybe
+you&rsquo;ll never come to love me, and if that&rsquo;s the case I&rsquo;ll
+manage to set you free. But I want the right to look after you, and take care
+of you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s what I want,&rdquo; said the girl wistfully. &ldquo;Some
+one who&rsquo;ll be good to me. Oh, you don&rsquo;t know how lonesome I
+feel!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Sure thing I do. Then I guess that&rsquo;s all fixed up, and I&rsquo;ll
+see the archbishop about a special license to-morrow morning.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Julius!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, I don&rsquo;t want to hustle you any, Jane, but there&rsquo;s no
+sense in waiting about. Don&rsquo;t be scared&mdash;I shan&rsquo;t expect you
+to love me all at once.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+But a small hand was slipped into his.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I love you now, Julius,&rdquo; said Jane Finn. &ldquo;I loved you that
+first moment in the car when the bullet grazed your cheek....&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Five minutes later Jane murmured softly:
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know London very well, Julius, but is it such a very long
+way from the <i>Savoy</i> to the <i>Ritz?</i>&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It depends how you go,&rdquo; explained Julius unblushingly.
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;re going by way of Regent&rsquo;s Park!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, Julius&mdash;what will the chauffeur think?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;At the wages I pay him, he knows better than to do any independent
+thinking. Why, Jane, the only reason I had the supper at the <i>Savoy</i> was
+so that I could drive you home. I didn&rsquo;t see how I was ever going to get
+hold of you alone. You and Tuppence have been sticking together like Siamese
+twins. I guess another day of it would have driven me and Beresford stark
+staring mad!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh. Is he&mdash;&mdash;?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Of course he is. Head over ears.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I thought so,&rdquo; said Jane thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Why?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;From all the things Tuppence didn&rsquo;t say!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There you have me beat,&rdquo; said Mr. Hersheimmer. But Jane only
+laughed.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+In the meantime, the Young Adventurers were sitting bolt upright, very stiff
+and ill at ease, in a taxi which, with a singular lack of originality, was also
+returning to the <i>Ritz</i> via Regent&rsquo;s Park.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+A terrible constraint seemed to have settled down between them. Without quite
+knowing what had happened, everything seemed changed. They were
+tongue-tied&mdash;paralysed. All the old <i>camaraderie</i> was gone.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence could think of nothing to say.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy was equally afflicted.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+They sat very straight and forbore to look at each other.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+At last Tuppence made a desperate effort.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Rather fun, wasn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Rather.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Another silence.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I like Julius,&rdquo; essayed Tuppence again.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tommy was suddenly galvanized into life.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re not going to marry him, do you hear?&rdquo; he said
+dictatorially. &ldquo;I forbid it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh!&rdquo; said Tuppence meekly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Absolutely, you understand.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;He doesn&rsquo;t want to marry me&mdash;he really only asked me out of
+kindness.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;That&rsquo;s not very likely,&rdquo; scoffed Tommy.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It&rsquo;s quite true. He&rsquo;s head over ears in love with Jane. I
+expect he&rsquo;s proposing to her now.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;She&rsquo;ll do for him very nicely,&rdquo; said Tommy condescendingly.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t you think she&rsquo;s the most lovely creature you&rsquo;ve
+ever seen?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Oh, I dare say.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;But I suppose you prefer sterling worth,&rdquo; said Tuppence demurely.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I&mdash;oh, dash it all, Tuppence, you know!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I like your uncle, Tommy,&rdquo; said Tuppence, hastily creating a
+diversion. &ldquo;By the way, what are you going to do, accept Mr.
+Carter&rsquo;s offer of a Government job, or accept Julius&rsquo;s invitation
+and take a richly remunerated post in America on his ranch?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I shall stick to the old ship, I think, though it&rsquo;s awfully good
+of Hersheimmer. But I feel you&rsquo;d be more at home in London.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t see where I come in.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;I do,&rdquo; said Tommy positively.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence stole a glance at him sideways.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;There&rsquo;s the money, too,&rdquo; she observed thoughtfully.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What money?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to get a cheque each. Mr. Carter told me so.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Did you ask how much?&rdquo; inquired Tommy sarcastically.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Yes,&rdquo; said Tuppence triumphantly. &ldquo;But I shan&rsquo;t tell
+you.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Tuppence, you are the limit!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;It has been fun, hasn&rsquo;t it, Tommy? I do hope we shall have lots
+more adventures.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You&rsquo;re insatiable, Tuppence. I&rsquo;ve had quite enough
+adventures for the present.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Well, shopping is almost as good,&rdquo; said Tuppence dreamily.
+&ldquo;Think of buying old furniture, and bright carpets, and futurist silk
+curtains, and a polished dining-table, and a divan with lots of
+cushions.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Hold hard,&rdquo; said Tommy. &ldquo;What&rsquo;s all this for?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Possibly a house&mdash;but I think a flat.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;Whose flat?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You think I mind saying it, but I don&rsquo;t in the least! <i>Ours</i>,
+so there!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You darling!&rdquo; cried Tommy, his arms tightly round her. &ldquo;I
+was determined to make you say it. I owe you something for the relentless way
+you&rsquo;ve squashed me whenever I&rsquo;ve tried to be sentimental.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+Tuppence raised her face to his. The taxi proceeded on its course round the
+north side of Regent&rsquo;s Park.
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You haven&rsquo;t really proposed now,&rdquo; pointed out Tuppence.
+&ldquo;Not what our grandmothers would call a proposal. But after listening to
+a rotten one like Julius&rsquo;s, I&rsquo;m inclined to let you off.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;You won&rsquo;t be able to get out of marrying me, so don&rsquo;t you
+think it.&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What fun it will be,&rdquo; responded Tuppence. &ldquo;Marriage is
+called all sorts of things, a haven, and a refuge, and a crowning glory, and a
+state of bondage, and lots more. But do you know what I think it is?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;What?&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;A sport!&rdquo;
+</p>
+
+<p>
+&ldquo;And a damned good sport too,&rdquo; said Tommy.
+</p>
+
+</div><!--end chapter-->
+
+<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SECRET ADVERSARY ***</div>
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@@ -0,0 +1,11906 @@
+Project Gutenberg's Etext of Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
+#2 in our series by Agatha Christie
+
+
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+The Secret Adversary
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+by Agatha Christie
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+January, 1998  [Etext #1155]
+[Date last updated: May 4, 2006]
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+Project Gutenberg's Etext of Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
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+
+
+THE SECRET
+ADVERSARY
+
+AGATHA CHRISTIE
+
+
+TO ALL THOSE WHO LEAD
+MONOTONOUS LIVES
+IN THE HOPE THAT THEY MAY EXPERIENCE
+AT SECOND HAND
+THE DELIGHTS AND DANGERS OF
+ADVENTURE
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+Prologue
+I      The Young Adventurers, Ltd.
+II     Mr. Whittington's Offer
+III    A Set Back
+IV     Who Is Jane Finn?
+V      Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer
+VI     A Plan of Campaign
+VII    The House in Soho
+VIII   The Adventures of Tommy
+IX     Tuppence Enters Domestic Service
+X      Enter Sir James Peel Edgerton
+XI     Julius Tells a Story
+XII    A Friend in Need
+XIII   The Vigil
+XIV    A Consultation
+XV     Tuppence Receives a Proposal
+XVI    Further Adventures of Tommy
+XVII   Annette
+XVIII  The Telegram
+XIX    Jane Finn
+XX     Too Late
+XXI    Tommy Makes a Discovery
+XXII   In Downing Street
+XXIII  A Race Against Time
+XXIV   Julius Takes a Hand
+XXV    Jane's Story
+XXVI   Mr. Brown
+XXVII  A Supper Party at the Savoy
+XXVIII And After
+
+
+
+
+PROLOGUE
+
+IT was 2 p.m. on the afternoon of May 7, 1915.  The Lusitania had
+been struck by two torpedoes in succession and was sinking
+rapidly, while the boats were being launched with all possible
+speed. The women and children were being lined up awaiting their
+turn. Some still clung desperately to husbands and fathers;
+others clutched their children closely to their breasts. One girl
+stood alone, slightly apart from the rest. She was quite young,
+not more than eighteen.  She did not seem afraid, and her grave,
+steadfast eyes looked straight ahead.
+
+"I beg your pardon."
+
+A man's voice beside her made her start and turn.  She had
+noticed the speaker more than once amongst the first-class
+passengers. There had been a hint of mystery about him which had
+appealed to her imagination.  He spoke to no one. If anyone spoke
+to him he was quick to rebuff the overture. Also he had a nervous
+way of looking over his shoulder with a swift, suspicious glance.
+
+She noticed now that he was greatly agitated.  There were beads
+of perspiration on his brow.  He was evidently in a state of
+overmastering fear. And yet he did not strike her as the kind of
+man who would be afraid to meet death!
+
+"Yes?"  Her grave eyes met his inquiringly.
+
+He stood looking at her with a kind of desperate irresolution.
+
+"It must be!" he muttered to himself.  "Yes--it is the only way."
+Then aloud he said abruptly:  "You are an American?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"A patriotic one?"
+
+The girl flushed.
+
+"I guess you've no right to ask such a thing!  Of course I am!"
+
+"Don't be offended.  You wouldn't be if you knew how much there
+was at stake. But I've got to trust some one--and it must be a
+woman."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because of 'women and children first.'  " He looked round and
+lowered his voice.  "I'm carrying papers--vitally important
+papers. They may make all the difference to the Allies in the
+war. You understand?  These papers have GOT to be saved! They've
+more chance with you than with me.  Will you take them?"
+
+The girl held out her hand.
+
+"Wait--I must warn you.  There may be a risk--if I've been
+followed. I don't think I have, but one never knows.  If so,
+there will be danger. Have you the nerve to go through with it?"
+
+The girl smiled.
+
+"I'll go through with it all right.  And I'm real proud to be
+chosen! What am I to do with them afterwards?"
+
+"Watch the newspapers!  I'll advertise in the personal column of
+the Times, beginning 'Shipmate.' At the end of three days if
+there's nothing--well, you'll know I'm down and out. Then take
+the packet to the American Embassy, and deliver it into the
+Ambassador's own hands.  Is that clear?"
+
+"Quite clear."
+
+"Then be ready--I'm going to say good-bye." He took her hand in
+his. "Good-bye. Good luck to you," he said in a louder tone.
+
+Her hand closed on the oilskin packet that had lain in his palm.
+
+The Lusitania settled with a more decided list to starboard. In
+answer to a quick command, the girl went forward to take her
+place in the boat.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+THE YOUNG ADVENTURERS, LTD.
+
+"TOMMY, old thing!"
+
+"Tuppence, old bean!"
+
+The two young people greeted each other affectionately, and
+momentarily blocked the Dover Street Tube exit in doing so. The
+adjective "old" was misleading.  Their united ages would
+certainly not have totalled forty-five.
+
+"Not seen you for simply centuries," continued the young man.
+"Where are you off to?  Come and chew a bun with me. We're
+getting a bit unpopular here--blocking the gangway as it were.
+Let's get out of it."
+
+The girl assenting, they started walking down Dover Street
+towards Piccadilly.
+
+"Now then," said Tommy, "where shall we go?"
+
+The very faint anxiety which underlay his tone did not escape the
+astute ears of Miss Prudence Cowley, known to her intimate
+friends for some mysterious reason as "Tuppence."  She pounced at
+once.
+
+"Tommy, you're stony!"
+
+"Not a bit of it," declared Tommy unconvincingly. "Rolling in
+cash."
+
+"You always were a shocking liar," said Tuppence severely,
+"though you did once persuade Sister Greenbank that the doctor
+had ordered you beer as a tonic, but forgotten to write it on the
+chart. Do you remember?"
+
+Tommy chuckled.
+
+"I should think I did!  Wasn't the old cat in a rage when she
+found out? Not that she was a bad sort really, old Mother
+Greenbank!  Good old hospital--demobbed like everything else, I
+suppose?"
+
+Tuppence sighed.
+
+"Yes.  You too?"
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+"Two months ago."
+
+"Gratuity?" hinted Tuppence.
+
+"Spent."
+
+"Oh, Tommy!"
+
+"No, old thing, not in riotous dissipation.  No such luck! The
+cost of living--ordinary plain, or garden living nowadays is, I
+assure you, if you do not know----"
+
+"My dear child," interrupted Tuppence, "there is nothing I do NOT
+know about the cost of living.  Here we are at Lyons', and we
+will each of us pay for our own.  That's it!" And Tuppence led
+the way upstairs.
+
+The place was full, and they wandered about looking for a table,
+catching odds and ends of conversation as they did so.
+
+"And--do you know, she sat down and CRIED when I told her she
+couldn't have the flat after all."  "It was simply a BARGAIN, my
+dear! Just like the one Mabel Lewis brought from Paris----"
+
+"Funny scraps one does overhear," murmured Tommy.  "I passed two
+Johnnies in the street to-day talking about some one called Jane
+Finn.  Did you ever hear such a name?"
+
+But at that moment two elderly ladies rose and collected parcels,
+and Tuppence deftly ensconced herself in one of the vacant seats.
+
+Tommy ordered tea and buns.  Tuppence ordered tea and buttered
+toast.
+
+"And mind the tea comes in separate teapots," she added severely.
+
+Tommy sat down opposite her.  His bared head revealed a shock of
+exquisitely slicked-back red hair.  His face was pleasantly
+ugly--nondescript, yet unmistakably the face of a gentleman and a
+sportsman. His brown suit was well cut, but perilously near the
+end of its tether.
+
+They were an essentially modern-looking couple as they sat there.
+Tuppence had no claim to beauty, but there was character and
+charm in the elfin lines of her little face, with its determined
+chin and large, wide-apart grey eyes that looked mistily out from
+under straight, black brows.  She wore a small bright green toque
+over her black bobbed hair, and her extremely short and rather
+shabby skirt revealed a pair of uncommonly dainty ankles. Her
+appearance presented a valiant attempt at smartness.
+
+The tea came at last, and Tuppence, rousing herself from a fit of
+meditation, poured it out.
+
+"Now then," said Tommy, taking a large bite of bun, "let's get
+up-to-date. Remember, I haven't seen you since that time in
+hospital in 1916."
+
+"Very well."  Tuppence helped herself liberally to buttered
+toast. "Abridged biography of Miss Prudence Cowley, fifth
+daughter of Archdeacon Cowley of Little Missendell, Suffolk. 
+Miss Cowley left the delights (and drudgeries) of her home life
+early in the war and came up to London, where she entered an
+officers' hospital. First month:  Washed up six hundred and
+forty-eight plates every day. Second month:  Promoted to drying
+aforesaid plates. Third month:  Promoted to peeling potatoes. 
+Fourth month: Promoted to cutting bread and butter.  Fifth month:
+Promoted one floor up to duties of wardmaid with mop and pail.
+Sixth month:  Promoted to waiting at table.  Seventh month:
+Pleasing appearance and nice manners so striking that am promoted
+to waiting on the Sisters!  Eighth month: Slight check in career. 
+Sister Bond ate Sister Westhaven's egg! Grand row!  Wardmaid
+clearly to blame!  Inattention in such important matters cannot
+be too highly censured. Mop and pail again!  How are the mighty
+fallen!  Ninth month: Promoted to sweeping out wards, where I
+found a friend of my childhood in Lieutenant Thomas Beresford
+(bow, Tommy!), whom I had not seen for five long years.  The
+meeting was affecting! Tenth month:  Reproved by matron for
+visiting the pictures in company with one of the patients,
+namely:  the aforementioned Lieutenant Thomas Beresford. 
+Eleventh and twelfth months: Parlourmaid duties resumed with
+entire success.  At the end of the year left hospital in a blaze
+of glory.  After that, the talented Miss Cowley drove
+successively a trade delivery van, a motor-lorry and a general!
+The last was the pleasantest. He was quite a young general!"
+
+"What brighter was that?" inquired Tommy.  "Perfectly sickening
+the way those brass hats drove from the War Office to the Savoy,
+and from the Savoy to the War Office!"
+
+"I've forgotten his name now," confessed Tuppence.  "To resume,
+that was in a way the apex of my career.  I next entered a
+Government office. We had several very enjoyable tea parties.  I
+had intended to become a land girl, a postwoman, and a bus
+conductress by way of rounding off my career--but the Armistice
+intervened!  I clung to the office with the true limpet touch for
+many long months, but, alas, I was combed out at last. Since then
+I've been looking for a job.  Now then--your turn."
+
+"There's not so much promotion in mine," said Tommy regretfully,
+"and a great deal less variety.  I went out to France again, as
+you know.  Then they sent me to Mesopotamia, and I got wounded
+for the second time, and went into hospital out there. Then I got
+stuck in Egypt till the Armistice happened, kicked my heels there
+some time longer, and, as I told you, finally got demobbed. And,
+for ten long, weary months I've been job hunting!  There aren't
+any jobs!  And, if there were, they wouldn't give 'em to me. What
+good am I?  What do I know about business?  Nothing."
+
+Tuppence nodded gloomily.
+
+"What about the colonies?" she suggested.
+
+Tommy shook his head.
+
+"I shouldn't like the colonies--and I'm perfectly certain they
+wouldn't like me!"
+
+"Rich relations?"
+
+Again Tommy shook his head.
+
+"Oh, Tommy, not even a great-aunt?"
+
+"I've got an old uncle who's more or less rolling, but he's no
+good."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Wanted to adopt me once.  I refused."
+
+"I think I remember hearing about it," said Tuppence slowly. "You
+refused because of your mother----"
+
+Tommy flushed.
+
+"Yes, it would have been a bit rough on the mater.  As you know,
+I was all she had.  Old boy hated her--wanted to get me away from
+her. Just a bit of spite."
+
+"Your mother's dead, isn't she?" said Tuppence gently.
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+Tuppence's large grey eyes looked misty.
+
+"You're a good sort, Tommy.  I always knew it."
+
+"Rot!" said Tommy hastily.  "Well, that's my position. I'm just
+about desperate."
+
+"So am I!  I've hung out as long as I could.  I've touted round.
+I've answered advertisements.  I've tried every mortal blessed
+thing. I've screwed and saved and pinched!  But it's no good. I
+shall have to go home!"
+
+"Don't you want to?"
+
+"Of course I don't want to!  What's the good of being
+sentimental? Father's a dear--I'm awfully fond of him--but you've
+no idea how I worry him!  He has that delightful early Victorian
+view that short skirts and smoking are immoral. You can imagine
+what a thorn in the flesh I am to him! He just heaved a sigh of
+relief when the war took me off. You see, there are seven of us
+at home.  It's awful!  All housework and mothers' meetings!  I
+have always been the changeling. I don't want to go back,
+but--oh, Tommy, what else is there to do?"
+
+Tommy shook his head sadly.  There was a silence, and then
+Tuppence burst out:
+
+"Money, money, money!  I think about money morning, noon and
+night! I dare say it's mercenary of me, but there it is!"
+
+"Same here," agreed Tommy with feeling.
+
+"I've thought over every imaginable way of getting it too,"
+continued Tuppence.  "There are only three!  To be left it, to
+marry it, or to make it.  First is ruled out. I haven't got any
+rich elderly relatives.  Any relatives I have are in homes for
+decayed gentlewomen!  I always help old ladies over crossings,
+and pick up parcels for old gentlemen, in case they should turn
+out to be eccentric millionaires. But not one of them has ever
+asked me my name--and quite a lot never said 'Thank you.'  "
+
+There was a pause.
+
+"Of course," resumed Tuppence, "marriage is my best chance. I
+made up my mind to marry money when I was quite young. Any
+thinking girl would!  I'm not sentimental, you know." She paused. 
+"Come now, you can't say I'm sentimental," she added sharply.
+
+"Certainly not," agreed Tommy hastily.  "No one would ever think
+of sentiment in connection with you."
+
+"That's not very polite," replied Tuppence.  "But I dare say you
+mean it all right.  Well, there it is! I'm ready and willing--but
+I never meet any rich men! All the boys I know are about as hard
+up as I am."
+
+"What about the general?" inquired Tommy.
+
+"I fancy he keeps a bicycle shop in time of peace," explained
+Tuppence.  "No, there it is!  Now you could marry a rich girl."
+
+"I'm like you.  I don't know any."
+
+"That doesn't matter.  You can always get to know one. Now, if I
+see a man in a fur coat come out of the Ritz I can't rush up to
+him and say:  'Look here, you're rich. I'd like to know you.'  "
+
+"Do you suggest that I should do that to a similarly garbed
+female?"
+
+"Don't be silly.  You tread on her foot, or pick up her
+handkerchief, or something like that.  If she thinks you want to
+know her she's flattered, and will manage it for you somehow."
+
+"You overrate my manly charms," murmured Tommy.
+
+"On the other hand," proceeded Tuppence, "my millionaire would
+probably run for his life!  No--marriage is fraught with
+difficulties.  Remains--to MAKE money!"
+
+"We've tried that, and failed," Tommy reminded her.
+
+"We've tried all the orthodox ways, yes.  But suppose we try the
+unorthodox. Tommy, let's be adventurers!"
+
+"Certainly," replied Tommy cheerfully.  "How do we begin?"
+
+"That's the difficulty.  If we could make ourselves known, people
+might hire us to commit crimes for them."
+
+"Delightful," commented Tommy.  "Especially coming from a
+clergyman's daughter!"
+
+"The moral guilt," Tuppence pointed out, "would be theirs--not
+mine. You must admit that there's a difference between stealing a
+diamond necklace for yourself and being hired to steal it."
+
+"There wouldn't be the least difference if you were caught!"
+
+"Perhaps not.  But I shouldn't be caught.  I'm so clever."
+
+"Modesty always was your besetting sin," remarked Tommy.
+
+"Don't rag.  Look here, Tommy, shall we really?  Shall we form a
+business partnership?"
+
+"Form a company for the stealing of diamond necklaces?"
+
+"That was only an illustration.  Let's have a--what do you call
+it in book-keeping?"
+
+"Don't know.  Never did any."
+
+"I have--but I always got mixed up, and used to put credit
+entries on the debit side, and vice versa--so they fired me out. 
+Oh, I know--a joint venture!  It struck me as such a romantic
+phrase to come across in the middle of musty old figures.  It's
+got an Elizabethan flavour about it--makes one think of galleons
+and doubloons. A joint venture!"
+
+"Trading under the name of the Young Adventurers, Ltd.? Is that
+your idea, Tuppence?"
+
+"It's all very well to laugh, but I feel there might be something
+in it."
+
+"How do you propose to get in touch with your would-be
+employers?"
+
+"Advertisement," replied Tuppence promptly.  "Have you got a bit
+of paper and a pencil?  Men usually seem to have. Just like we
+have hairpins and powder-puffs."
+
+Tommy handed over a rather shabby green notebook, and Tuppence
+began writing busily.
+
+"Shall we begin:  'Young officer, twice wounded in the war--' "
+
+"Certainly not."
+
+"Oh, very well, my dear boy.  But I can assure you that that sort
+of thing might touch the heart of an elderly spinster, and she
+might adopt you, and then there would be no need for you to be a
+young adventurer at all."
+
+"I don't want to be adopted."
+
+"I forgot you had a prejudice against it.  I was only ragging
+you! The papers are full up to the brim with that type of thing.
+Now listen--how's this?  'Two young adventurers for hire. Willing
+to do anything, go anywhere.  Pay must be good.' (We might as
+well make that clear from the start.) Then we might add: 'No
+reasonable offer refused'--like flats and furniture."
+
+"I should think any offer we get in answer to that would be a
+pretty UNreasonable one!"
+
+"Tommy!  You're a genius!  That's ever so much more chic. 'No
+unreasonable offer refused--if pay is good.'  How's that?"
+
+"I shouldn't mention pay again.  It looks rather eager."
+
+"It couldn't look as eager as I feel!  But perhaps you are right.
+Now I'll read it straight through.  'Two young adventurers for
+hire. Willing to do anything, go anywhere.  Pay must be good. No
+unreasonable offer refused.'  How would that strike you if you
+read it?"
+
+"It would strike me as either being a hoax, or else written by a
+lunatic."
+
+"It's not half so insane as a thing I read this morning beginning
+'Petunia' and signed 'Best Boy.' " She tore out the leaf and
+handed it to Tommy.  "There you are.  Times, I think. Reply to
+Box so-and-so. I expect it will be about five shillings. Here's
+half a crown for my share."
+
+Tommy was holding the paper thoughtfully.  His faced burned a
+deeper red.
+
+"Shall we really try it?" he said at last.  "Shall we, Tuppence? 
+Just for the fun of the thing?"
+
+"Tommy, you're a sport!  I knew you would be!  Let's drink to
+success." She poured some cold dregs of tea into the two cups.
+
+"Here's to our joint venture, and may it prosper!"
+
+"The Young Adventurers, Ltd.!" responded Tommy.
+
+They put down the cups and laughed rather uncertainly.  Tuppence
+rose.
+
+"I must return to my palatial suite at the hostel."
+
+"Perhaps it is time I strolled round to the Ritz," agreed Tommy
+with a grin.  "Where shall we meet?  And when?"
+
+"Twelve o'clock to-morrow. Piccadilly Tube station. Will that
+suit you?"
+
+"My time is my own," replied Mr. Beresford magnificently.
+
+"So long, then."
+
+"Good-bye, old thing."
+
+The two young people went off in opposite directions. Tuppence's
+hostel was situated in what was charitably called Southern
+Belgravia.  For reasons of economy she did not take a bus.
+
+She was half-way across St. James's Park, when a man's voice
+behind her made her start.
+
+"Excuse me," it said.  "But may I speak to you for a moment?"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+MR. WHITTINGTON'S OFFER
+
+TUPPENCE turned sharply, but the words hovering on the tip of her
+tongue remained unspoken, for the man's appearance and manner did
+not bear out her first and most natural assumption.  She
+hesitated. As if he read her thoughts, the man said quickly:
+
+"I can assure you I mean no disrespect."
+
+Tuppence believed him.  Although she disliked and distrusted him
+instinctively, she was inclined to acquit him of the particular
+motive which she had at first attributed to him.  She looked him
+up and down.  He was a big man, clean shaven, with a heavy jowl.
+His eyes were small and cunning, and shifted their glance under
+her direct gaze.
+
+"Well, what is it?" she asked.
+
+The man smiled.
+
+"I happened to overhear part of your conversation with the young
+gentleman in Lyons'."
+
+"Well--what of it?"
+
+"Nothing--except that I think I may be of some use to you."
+
+Another inference forced itself into Tuppence's mind:
+
+"You followed me here?"
+
+"I took that liberty."
+
+"And in what way do you think you could be of use to me?"
+
+The man took a card from his pocket and handed it to her with a
+bow.
+
+Tuppence took it and scrutinized it carefully.  It bore the
+inscription, "Mr. Edward Whittington."  Below the name were the
+words "Esthonia Glassware Co.," and the address of a city office.
+Mr. Whittington spoke again:
+
+"If you will call upon me to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock, I
+will lay the details of my proposition before you."
+
+"At eleven o'clock?" said Tuppence doubtfully.
+
+"At eleven o'clock."
+
+Tuppence made up her mind.
+
+"Very well.  I'll be there."
+
+"Thank you.  Good evening."
+
+He raised his hat with a flourish, and walked away. Tuppence
+remained for some minutes gazing after him. Then she gave a
+curious movement of her shoulders, rather as a terrier shakes
+himself.
+
+"The adventures have begun," she murmured to herself. "What does
+he want me to do, I wonder?  There's something about you, Mr.
+Whittington, that I don't like at all. But, on the other hand,
+I'm not the least bit afraid of you. And as I've said before, and
+shall doubtless say again, little Tuppence can look after
+herself, thank you!"
+
+And with a short, sharp nod of her head she walked briskly
+onward. As a result of further meditations, however, she turned
+aside from the direct route and entered a post office. There she
+pondered for some moments, a telegraph form in her hand. The
+thought of a possible five shillings spent unnecessarily spurred
+her to action, and she decided to risk the waste of ninepence.
+
+Disdaining the spiky pen and thick, black treacle which a
+beneficent Government had provided, Tuppence drew out Tommy's
+pencil which she had retained and wrote rapidly:  "Don't put in
+advertisement. Will explain to-morrow." She addressed it to Tommy
+at his club, from which in one short month he would have to
+resign, unless a kindly fortune permitted him to renew his
+subscription.
+
+"It may catch him," she murmured.  "Anyway, it's worth trying."
+
+After handing it over the counter she set out briskly for home,
+stopping at a baker's to buy three penny-worth of new buns.
+
+Later, in her tiny cubicle at the top of the house she munched
+buns and reflected on the future.  What was the Esthonia
+Glassware Co., and what earthly need could it have for her
+services? A pleasurable thrill of excitement made Tuppence
+tingle.  At any rate, the country vicarage had retreated into the
+background again. The morrow held possibilities.
+
+It was a long time before Tuppence went to sleep that night, and,
+when at length she did, she dreamed that Mr. Whittington had set
+her to washing up a pile of Esthonia Glassware, which bore an
+unaccountable resemblance to hospital plates!
+
+It wanted some five minutes to eleven when Tuppence reached the
+block of buildings in which the offices of the Esthonia Glassware
+Co. were situated.  To arrive before the time would look
+over-eager. So Tuppence decided to walk to the end of the street
+and back again. She did so.  On the stroke of eleven she plunged
+into the recesses of the building.  The Esthonia Glassware Co. 
+was on the top floor. There was a lift, but Tuppence chose to
+walk up.
+
+Slightly out of breath, she came to a halt outside the ground
+glass door with the legend painted across it "Esthonia Glassware
+Co."
+
+Tuppence knocked.  In response to a voice from within, she turned
+the handle and walked into a small rather dirty outer office.
+
+A middle-aged clerk got down from a high stool at a desk near the
+window and came towards her inquiringly.
+
+"I have an appointment with Mr. Whittington," said Tuppence.
+
+"Will you come this way, please."  He crossed to a partition door
+with "Private" on it, knocked, then opened the door and stood
+aside to let her pass in.
+
+Mr. Whittington was seated behind a large desk covered with
+papers. Tuppence felt her previous judgment confirmed.  There was
+something wrong about Mr. Whittington.  The combination of his
+sleek prosperity and his shifty eye was not attractive.
+
+He looked up and nodded.
+
+"So you've turned up all right?  That's good.  Sit down, will
+you?"
+
+Tuppence sat down on the chair facing him.  She looked
+particularly small and demure this morning.  She sat there meekly
+with downcast eyes whilst Mr. Whittington sorted and rustled
+amongst his papers. Finally he pushed them away, and leaned over
+the desk.
+
+"Now, my dear young lady, let us come to business."  His large
+face broadened into a smile.  "You want work?  Well, I have work
+to offer you. What should you say now to L100 down, and all
+expenses paid?" Mr. Whittington leaned back in his chair, and
+thrust his thumbs into the arm-holes of his waistcoat.
+
+Tuppence eyed him warily.
+
+"And the nature of the work?" she demanded.
+
+"Nominal--purely nominal.  A pleasant trip, that is all."
+
+"Where to?"
+
+Mr. Whittington smiled again.
+
+"Paris."
+
+"Oh!" said Tuppence thoughtfully.  To herself she said: "Of
+course, if father heard that he would have a fit! But somehow I
+don't see Mr. Whittington in the role of the gay deceiver."
+
+"Yes," continued Whittington.  "What could be more delightful? To
+put the clock back a few years--a very few, I am sure--and
+re-enter one of those charming pensionnats de jeunes filles with
+which Paris abounds----"
+
+Tuppence interrupted him.
+
+"A pensionnat?"
+
+"Exactly.  Madame Colombier's in the Avenue de Neuilly."
+
+Tuppence knew the name well.  Nothing could have been more
+select. She had had several American friends there.  She was more
+than ever puzzled.
+
+"You want me to go to Madame Colombier's? For how long?"
+
+"That depends.  Possibly three months."
+
+"And that is all?  There are no other conditions?"
+
+"None whatever.  You would, of course, go in the character of my
+ward, and you would hold no communication with your friends. I
+should have to request absolute secrecy for the time being. By
+the way, you are English, are you not?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Yet you speak with a slight American accent?"
+
+"My great pal in hospital was a little American girl. I dare say
+I picked it up from her.  I can soon get out of it again."
+
+"On the contrary, it might be simpler for you to pass as an
+American.  Details about your past life in England might be more
+difficult to sustain.  Yes, I think that would be decidedly
+better.  Then----"
+
+"One moment, Mr. Whittington!  You seem to be taking my consent
+for granted."
+
+Whittington looked surprised.
+
+"Surely you are not thinking of refusing?  I can assure you that
+Madame Colombier's is a most high-class and orthodox
+establishment. And the terms are most liberal."
+
+"Exactly," said Tuppence.  "That's just it.  The terms are almost
+too liberal, Mr. Whittington.  I cannot see any way in which I
+can be worth that amount of money to you."
+
+"No?" said Whittington softly.  "Well, I will tell you. I could
+doubtless obtain some one else for very much less. What I am
+willing to pay for is a young lady with sufficient intelligence
+and presence of mind to sustain her part well, and also one who
+will have sufficient discretion not to ask too many questions."
+
+Tuppence smiled a little.  She felt that Whittington had scored.
+
+"There's another thing.  So far there has been no mention of Mr.
+Beresford.  Where does he come in?"
+
+"Mr. Beresford?"
+
+"My partner," said Tuppence with dignity.  "You saw us together
+yesterday."
+
+"Ah, yes.  But I'm afraid we shan't require his services."
+
+"Then it's off!"  Tuppence rose.  "It's both or neither. 
+Sorry--but that's how it is.  Good morning, Mr. Whittington."
+
+"Wait a minute.  Let us see if something can't be managed. Sit
+down again, Miss----" He paused interrogatively.
+
+Tuppence's conscience gave her a passing twinge as she remembered
+the archdeacon.  She seized hurriedly on the first name that came
+into her head.
+
+"Jane Finn," she said hastily; and then paused open-mouthed at
+the effect of those two simple words.
+
+All the geniality had faded out of Whittington's face. It was
+purple with rage, and the veins stood out on the forehead. And
+behind it all there lurked a sort of incredulous dismay. He
+leaned forward and hissed savagely:
+
+"So that's your little game, is it?"
+
+Tuppence, though utterly taken aback, nevertheless kept her head.
+She had not the faintest comprehension of his meaning, but she
+was naturally quick-witted, and felt it imperative to "keep her
+end up" as she phrased it.
+
+Whittington went on:
+
+"Been playing with me, have you, all the time, like a cat and
+mouse? Knew all the time what I wanted you for, but kept up the
+comedy. Is that it, eh?"  He was cooling down.  The red colour
+was ebbing out of his face.  He eyed her keenly.  "Who's been
+blabbing?  Rita?"
+
+Tuppence shook her head.  She was doubtful as to how long she
+could sustain this illusion, but she realized the importance of
+not dragging an unknown Rita into it.
+
+"No," she replied with perfect truth.  "Rita knows nothing about
+me."
+
+His eyes still bored into her like gimlets.
+
+"How much do you know?" he shot out.
+
+"Very little indeed," answered Tuppence, and was pleased to note
+that Whittington's uneasiness was augmented instead of allayed.
+To have boasted that she knew a lot might have raised doubts in
+his mind.
+
+"Anyway," snarled Whittington, "you knew enough to come in here
+and plump out that name."
+
+"It might be my own name," Tuppence pointed out.
+
+"It's likely, isn't it, then there would be two girls with a name
+like that?"
+
+"Or I might just have hit upon it by chance," continued Tuppence,
+intoxicated with the success of truthfulness.
+
+Mr. Whittington brought his fist down upon the desk with a bang.
+
+"Quit fooling!  How much do you know?  And how much do you want?"
+
+The last five words took Tuppence's fancy mightily, especially
+after a meagre breakfast and a supper of buns the night before.
+Her present part was of the adventuress rather than the
+adventurous order, but she did not deny its possibilities. She
+sat up and smiled with the air of one who has the situation
+thoroughly well in hand.
+
+"My dear Mr. Whittington," she said, "let us by all means lay our
+cards upon the table.  And pray do not be so angry. You heard me
+say yesterday that I proposed to live by my wits. It seems to me
+that I have now proved I have some wits to live by! I admit I
+have knowledge of a certain name, but perhaps my knowledge ends
+there."
+
+"Yes--and perhaps it doesn't," snarled Whittington.
+
+"You insist on misjudging me," said Tuppence, and sighed gently.
+
+"As I said once before," said Whittington angrily, "quit fooling,
+and come to the point.  You can't play the innocent with me. You
+know a great deal more than you're willing to admit."
+
+Tuppence paused a moment to admire her own ingenuity, and then
+said softly:
+
+"I shouldn't like to contradict you, Mr. Whittington."
+
+"So we come to the usual question--how much?"
+
+Tuppence was in a dilemma.  So far she had fooled Whittington
+with complete success, but to mention a palpably impossible sum
+might awaken his suspicions.  An idea flashed across her brain.
+
+"Suppose we say a little something down, and a fuller discussion
+of the matter later?"
+
+Whittington gave her an ugly glance.
+
+"Blackmail, eh?"
+
+Tuppence smiled sweetly.
+
+"Oh no!  Shall we say payment of services in advance?"
+
+Whittington grunted.
+
+"You see," explained Tuppence still sweetly, "I'm so very fond of
+money!"
+
+"You're about the limit, that's what you are," growled
+Whittington, with a sort of unwilling admiration.  "You took me
+in all right. Thought you were quite a meek little kid with just
+enough brains for my purpose."
+
+"Life," moralized Tuppence, "is full of surprises."
+
+"All the same," continued Whittington, "some one's been talking.
+You say it isn't Rita.  Was it----? Oh, come in."
+
+The clerk followed his discreet knock into the room, and laid a
+paper at his master's elbow.
+
+"Telephone message just come for you, sir."
+
+Whittington snatched it up and read it.  A frown gathered on his
+brow.
+
+"That'll do, Brown.  You can go."
+
+The clerk withdrew, closing the door behind him. Whittington
+turned to Tuppence.
+
+"Come to-morrow at the same time.  I'm busy now. Here's fifty to
+go on with."
+
+He rapidly sorted out some notes, and pushed them across the
+table to Tuppence, then stood up, obviously impatient for her to
+go.
+
+The girl counted the notes in a businesslike manner, secured them
+in her handbag, and rose.
+
+"Good morning, Mr. Whittington," she said politely. "At least, au
+revoir, I should say."
+
+"Exactly.  Au revoir!"  Whittington looked almost genial again, a
+reversion that aroused in Tuppence a faint misgiving. "Au revoir,
+my clever and charming young lady."
+
+Tuppence sped lightly down the stairs.  A wild elation possessed
+her. A neighbouring clock showed the time to be five minutes to
+twelve.
+
+"Let's give Tommy a surprise!" murmured Tuppence, and hailed a
+taxi.
+
+The cab drew up outside the tube station.  Tommy was just within
+the entrance.  His eyes opened to their fullest extent as he
+hurried forward to assist Tuppence to alight.  She smiled at him
+affectionately, and remarked in a slightly affected voice:
+
+"Pay the thing, will you, old bean?  I've got nothing smaller
+than a five-pound note!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+A SET BACK
+
+THE moment was not quite so triumphant as it ought to have been.
+To begin with, the resources of Tommy's pockets were somewhat
+limited. In the end the fare was managed, the lady recollecting a
+plebeian twopence, and the driver, still holding the varied
+assortment of coins in his hand, was prevailed upon to move on,
+which he did after one last hoarse demand as to what the
+gentleman thought he was giving him?
+
+"I think you've given him too much, Tommy," said Tuppence
+innocently. "I fancy he wants to give some of it back."
+
+It was possibly this remark which induced the driver to move
+away.
+
+"Well," said Mr. Beresford, at length able to relieve his
+feelings, "what the--dickens, did you want to take a taxi for?"
+
+"I was afraid I might be late and keep you waiting," said
+Tuppence gently.
+
+"Afraid--you--might--be--late!  Oh, Lord, I give it up!" said Mr.
+Beresford.
+
+"And really and truly," continued Tuppence, opening her eyes very
+wide, "I haven't got anything smaller than a five-pound note."
+
+"You did that part of it very well, old bean, but all the same
+the fellow wasn't taken in--not for a moment!"
+
+"No," said Tuppence thoughtfully, "he didn't believe it. That's
+the curious part about speaking the truth. No one does believe
+it.  I found that out this morning. Now let's go to lunch.  How
+about the Savoy?"
+
+Tommy grinned.
+
+"How about the Ritz?"
+
+"On second thoughts, I prefer the Piccadilly.  It's nearer. We
+shan't have to take another taxi.  Come along."
+
+"Is this a new brand of humour?  Or is your brain really
+unhinged?" inquired Tommy.
+
+"Your last supposition is the correct one.  I have come into
+money, and the shock has been too much for me!  For that
+particular form of mental trouble an eminent physician recommends
+unlimited Hors d'oeuvre, Lobster a l'americane, Chicken Newberg,
+and Peche Melba!  Let's go and get them!"
+
+"Tuppence, old girl, what has really come over you?"
+
+"Oh, unbelieving one!"  Tuppence wrenched open her bag. "Look
+here, and here, and here!"
+
+"Great Jehosaphat!  My dear girl, don't wave Fishers aloft like
+that!"
+
+"They're not Fishers.  They're five times better than Fishers,
+and this one's ten times better!"
+
+Tommy groaned.
+
+"I must have been drinking unawares!  Am I dreaming, Tuppence, or
+do I really behold a large quantity of five-pound notes being
+waved about in a dangerous fashion?"
+
+"Even so, O King!  Now, will you come and have lunch?"
+
+"I'll come anywhere.  But what have you been doing? Holding up a
+bank?"
+
+"All in good time.  What an awful place Piccadilly Circus is.
+There's a huge bus bearing down on us.  It would be too terrible
+if they killed the five-pound notes!"
+
+"Grill room?" inquired Tommy, as they reached the opposite
+pavement in safety.
+
+"The other's more expensive," demurred Tuppence.
+
+"That's mere wicked wanton extravagance.  Come on below."
+
+"Are you sure I can get all the things I want there?"
+
+"That extremely unwholesome menu you were outlining just now? Of
+course you can--or as much as is good for you, anyway."
+
+"And now tell me," said Tommy, unable to restrain his pent-up
+curiosity any longer, as they sat in state surrounded by the many
+hors d'oeuvre of Tuppence's dreams.
+
+Miss Cowley told him.
+
+"And the curious part of it is," she ended, "that I really did
+invent the name of Jane Finn!  I didn't want to give my own
+because of poor father--in case I should get mixed up in anything
+shady."
+
+"Perhaps that's so," said Tommy slowly.  "But you didn't invent
+it."
+
+"What?"
+
+"No. I told it to you.  Don't you remember, I said yesterday I'd
+overheard two people talking about a female called Jane Finn? 
+That's what brought the name into your mind so pat."
+
+"So you did.  I remember now.  How extraordinary----" Tuppence
+tailed off into silence.  Suddenly she aroused herself.  "Tommy!"
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"What were they like, the two men you passed?"
+
+Tommy frowned in an effort at remembrance.
+
+"One was a big fat sort of chap.  Clean shaven, I think--and
+dark."
+
+"That's him," cried Tuppence, in an ungrammatical squeal. "That's
+Whittington!  What was the other man like?"
+
+"I can't remember.  I didn't notice him particularly. It was
+really the outlandish name that caught my attention."
+
+"And people say that coincidences don't happen!" Tuppence tackled
+her Peche Melba happily.
+
+But Tommy had become serious.
+
+"Look here, Tuppence, old girl, what is this going to lead to?"
+
+"More money," replied his companion.
+
+"I know that.  You've only got one idea in your head. What I mean
+is, what about the next step?  How are you going to keep the game
+up?"
+
+"Oh!"  Tuppence laid down her spoon.  "You're right, Tommy, it is
+a bit of a poser."
+
+"After all, you know, you can't bluff him forever. You're sure to
+slip up sooner or later.  And, anyway, I'm not at all sure that
+it isn't actionable--blackmail, you know."
+
+"Nonsense.  Blackmail is saying you'll tell unless you are given
+money. Now, there's nothing I could tell, because I don't really
+know anything."
+
+"Hm," said Tommy doubtfully.  "Well, anyway, what ARE we going to
+do? Whittington was in a hurry to get rid of you this morning,
+but next time he'll want to know something more before he parts
+with his money. He'll want to know how much YOU know, and where
+you got your information from, and a lot of other things that you
+can't cope with. What are you going to do about it?"
+
+Tuppence frowned severely.
+
+"We must think.  Order some Turkish coffee, Tommy.  Stimulating
+to the brain. Oh, dear, what a lot I have eaten!"
+
+"You have made rather a hog of yourself!  So have I for that
+matter, but I flatter myself that my choice of dishes was more
+judicious than yours. Two coffees."  (This was to the waiter.)
+"One Turkish, one French."
+
+Tuppence sipped her coffee with a deeply reflective air, and
+snubbed Tommy when he spoke to her.
+
+"Be quiet.  I'm thinking."
+
+"Shades of Pelmanism!" said Tommy, and relapsed into silence.
+
+"There!" said Tuppence at last.  "I've got a plan. Obviously what
+we've got to do is to find out more about it all."
+
+Tommy applauded.
+
+"Don't jeer.  We can only find out through Whittington.  We must
+discover where he lives, what he does--sleuth him, in fact! Now I
+can't do it, because he knows me, but he only saw you for a
+minute or two in Lyons'. He's not likely to recognize you. After
+all, one young man is much like another."
+
+"I repudiate that remark utterly.  I'm sure my pleasing features
+and distinguished appearance would single me out from any crowd."
+
+"My plan is this," Tuppence went on calmly, "I'll go alone
+to-morrow. I'll put him off again like I did to-day. It doesn't
+matter if I don't get any more money at once. Fifty pounds ought
+to last us a few days."
+
+"Or even longer!"
+
+"You'll hang about outside.  When I come out I shan't speak to
+you in case he's watching.  But I'll take up my stand somewhere
+near, and when he comes out of the building I'll drop a
+handkerchief or something, and off you go!"
+
+"Off I go where?"
+
+"Follow him, of course, silly!  What do you think of the idea?"
+
+"Sort of thing one reads about in books.  I somehow feel that in
+real life one will feel a bit of an ass standing in the street
+for hours with nothing to do.  People will wonder what I'm up
+to."
+
+"Not in the city.  Every one's in such a hurry.  Probably no one
+will even notice you at all."
+
+"That's the second time you've made that sort of remark. Never
+mind, I forgive you.  Anyway, it will be rather a lark. What are
+you doing this afternoon?"
+
+"Well," said Tuppence meditatively.  "I HAD thought of hats! Or
+perhaps silk stockings!  Or perhaps----"
+
+"Hold hard," admonished Tommy.  "There's a limit to fifty pounds!
+But let's do dinner and a show to-night at all events."
+
+"Rather."
+
+The day passed pleasantly.  The evening even more so. Two of the
+five-pound notes were now irretrievably dead.
+
+They met by arrangement the following morning and proceeded
+citywards. Tommy remained on the opposite side of the road while
+Tuppence plunged into the building.
+
+Tommy strolled slowly down to the end of the street, then back
+again. Just as he came abreast of the building, Tuppence darted
+across the road.
+
+"Tommy!"
+
+"Yes.  What's up?"
+
+"The place is shut.  I can't make anyone hear."
+
+"That's odd."
+
+"Isn't it?  Come up with me, and let's try again."
+
+Tommy followed her.  As they passed the third floor landing a
+young clerk came out of an office.  He hesitated a moment, then
+addressed himself to Tuppence.
+
+"Were you wanting the Esthonia Glassware?"
+
+"Yes, please."
+
+"It's closed down.  Since yesterday afternoon.  Company being
+wound up, they say.  Not that I've ever heard of it myself. But
+anyway the office is to let."
+
+"Th--thank you," faltered Tuppence.  "I suppose you don't know
+Mr. Whittington's address?"
+
+"Afraid I don't. They left rather suddenly."
+
+"Thank you very much," said Tommy.  "Come on, Tuppence."
+
+They descended to the street again where they gazed at one
+another blankly.
+
+"That's torn it," said Tommy at length.
+
+"And I never suspected it," wailed Tuppence.
+
+"Cheer up, old thing, it can't be helped."
+
+"Can't it, though!"  Tuppence's little chin shot out defiantly.
+"Do you think this is the end?  If so, you're wrong. It's just
+the beginning!"
+
+"The beginning of what?"
+
+"Of our adventure!  Tommy, don't you see, if they are scared
+enough to run away like this, it shows that there must be a lot
+in this Jane Finn business!  Well, we'll get to the bottom of it.
+We'll run them down!  We'll be sleuths in earnest!"
+
+"Yes, but there's no one left to sleuth."
+
+"No, that's why we'll have to start all over again. Lend me that
+bit of pencil.  Thanks.  Wait a minute--don't interrupt.  There!" 
+Tuppence handed back the pencil, and surveyed the piece of paper
+on which she had written with a satisfied eye:
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"Advertisement."
+
+"You're not going to put that thing in after all?"
+
+"No, it's a different one."  She handed him the slip of paper.
+
+Tommy read the words on it aloud:
+
+"WANTED, any information respecting Jane Finn.  Apply Y.A."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+WHO IS JANE FINN?
+
+THE next day passed slowly.  It was necessary to curtail
+expenditure. Carefully husbanded, forty pounds will last a long
+time. Luckily the weather was fine, and "walking is cheap,"
+dictated Tuppence.  An outlying picture house provided them with
+recreation for the evening.
+
+The day of disillusionment had been a Wednesday.  On Thursday the
+advertisement had duly appeared.  On Friday letters might be
+expected to arrive at Tommy's rooms.
+
+He had been bound by an honourable promise not to open any such
+letters if they did arrive, but to repair to the National
+Gallery, where his colleague would meet him at ten o'clock.
+
+Tuppence was first at the rendezvous.  She ensconced herself on a
+red velvet seat, and gazed at the Turners with unseeing eyes
+until she saw the familiar figure enter the room.
+
+"Well?"
+
+"Well," returned Mr. Beresford provokingly.  "Which is your
+favourite picture?"
+
+"Don't be a wretch.  Aren't there ANY answers?"
+
+Tommy shook his head with a deep and somewhat overacted
+melancholy.
+
+"I didn't want to disappoint you, old thing, by telling you right
+off. It's too bad.  Good money wasted."  He sighed.  "Still,
+there it is. The advertisement has appeared, and--there are only
+two answers!"
+
+"Tommy, you devil!" almost screamed Tuppence.  "Give them to me.
+How could you be so mean!"
+
+"Your language, Tuppence, your language!  They're very particular
+at the National Gallery.  Government show, you know. And do
+remember, as I have pointed out to you before, that as a
+clergyman's daughter----"
+
+"I ought to be on the stage!" finished Tuppence with a snap.
+
+"That is not what I intended to say.  But if you are sure that
+you have enjoyed to the full the reaction of joy after despair
+with which I have kindly provided you free of charge, let us get
+down to our mail, as the saying goes."
+
+Tuppence snatched the two precious envelopes from him
+unceremoniously, and scrutinized them carefully.
+
+"Thick paper, this one.  It looks rich.  We'll keep it to the
+last and open the other first."
+
+"Right you are.  One, two, three, go!"
+
+Tuppence's little thumb ripped open the envelope, and she
+extracted the contents.
+
+
+"DEAR SIR,
+
+"Referring to your advertisement in this morning's paper, I may
+be able to be of some use to you.  Perhaps you could call and see
+me at the above address at eleven o'clock to-morrow morning.      
+         "Yours truly,                
+         "A. CARTER.
+
+
+"27 Carshalton Gardens," said Tuppence, referring to the address.
+"That's Gloucester Road way.  Plenty of time to get there if we
+tube."
+
+"The following," said Tommy, "is the plan of campaign. It is my
+turn to assume the offensive.  Ushered into the presence of Mr.
+Carter, he and I wish each other good morning as is customary. He
+then says:  'Please take a seat, Mr.--er?'  To which I reply
+promptly and significantly:  'Edward Whittington!' whereupon Mr.
+Carter turns purple in the face and gasps out: 'How much?' 
+Pocketing the usual fee of fifty pounds, I rejoin you in the road
+outside, and we proceed to the next address and repeat the
+performance."
+
+"Don't be absurd, Tommy.  Now for the other letter.  Oh, this is
+from the Ritz!"
+
+"A hundred pounds instead of fifty!"
+
+"I'll read it:
+
+"DEAR SIR,
+
+"Re your advertisement, I should be glad if you would call round
+somewhere about lunch-time.                     
+               "Yours truly,     
+               "JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER."
+
+
+"Ha!" said Tommy.  "Do I smell a Boche?  Or only an American
+millionaire of unfortunate ancestry?  At all events we'll call at
+lunch-time. It's a good time--frequently leads to free food for
+two."
+
+Tuppence nodded assent.
+
+"Now for Carter.  We'll have to hurry."
+
+Carshalton Terrace proved to be an unimpeachable row of what
+Tuppence called "ladylike looking houses." They rang the bell at
+No. 27, and a neat maid answered the door. She looked so
+respectable that Tuppence's heart sank. Upon Tommy's request for
+Mr. Carter, she showed them into a small study on the ground
+floor where she left them. Hardly a minute elapsed, however,
+before the door opened, and a tall man with a lean hawklike face
+and a tired manner entered the room.
+
+"Mr. Y. A.?" he said, and smiled.  His smile was distinctly
+attractive. "Do sit down, both of you."
+
+They obeyed.  He himself took a chair opposite to Tuppence and
+smiled at her encouragingly.  There was something in the quality
+of his smile that made the girl's usual readiness desert her.
+
+As he did not seem inclined to open the conversation, Tuppence
+was forced to begin.
+
+"We wanted to know--that is, would you be so kind as to tell us
+anything you know about Jane Finn?"
+
+"Jane Finn?  Ah!"  Mr. Carter appeared to reflect. "Well, the
+question is, what do you know about her?"
+
+Tuppence drew herself up.
+
+"I don't see that that's got anything to do with it."
+
+"No?  But it has, you know, really it has."  He smiled again in
+his tired way, and continued reflectively.  "So that brings us
+down to it again. What do you know about Jane Finn?
+
+"Come now," he continued, as Tuppence remained silent. "You must
+know SOMETHING to have advertised as you did?"  He leaned forward
+a little, his weary voice held a hint of persuasiveness. "Suppose
+you tell me . . ."
+
+There was something very magnetic about Mr. Carter's personality.
+Tuppence seemed to shake herself free of it with an effort, as
+she said:
+
+"We couldn't do that, could we, Tommy?"
+
+But to her surprise, her companion did not back her up. His eyes
+were fixed on Mr. Carter, and his tone when he spoke held an
+unusual note of deference.
+
+"I dare say the little we know won't be any good to you, sir. But
+such as it is, you're welcome to it."
+
+"Tommy!" cried out Tuppence in surprise.
+
+Mr. Carter slewed round in his chair.  His eyes asked a question.
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+"Yes, sir, I recognized you at once.  Saw you in France when I
+was with the Intelligence.  As soon as you came into the room, I
+knew----"
+
+Mr. Carter held up his hand.
+
+"No names, please.  I'm known as Mr. Carter here.  It's my
+cousin's house, by the way.  She's willing to lend it to me
+sometimes when it's a case of working on strictly unofficial
+lines.  Well, now"--he looked from one to the other--"who's going
+to tell me the story?"
+
+"Fire ahead, Tuppence," directed Tommy.  "It's your yarn."
+
+"Yes, little lady, out with it."
+
+And obediently Tuppence did out with it, telling the whole story
+from the forming of the Young Adventurers, Ltd., downwards.
+
+Mr. Carter listened in silence with a resumption of his tired
+manner. Now and then he passed his hand across his lips as though
+to hide a smile. When she had finished he nodded gravely.
+
+"Not much.  But suggestive.  Quite suggestive. If you'll excuse
+my saying so, you're a curious young couple. I don't know--you
+might succeed where others have failed . . . I believe in luck,
+you know--always have...."
+
+He paused a moment, and then went on.
+
+"Well, how about it?  You're out for adventure.  How would you
+like to work for me?  All quite unofficial, you know. Expenses
+paid, and a moderate screw?"
+
+Tuppence gazed at him, her lips parted, her eyes growing wider
+and wider.
+
+"What should we have to do?" she breathed.
+
+Mr. Carter smiled.
+
+"Just go on with what you're doing now.  FIND JANE FINN."
+
+"Yes, but--who IS Jane Finn?"
+
+Mr. Carter nodded gravely.
+
+"Yes, you're entitled to know that, I think."
+
+He leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, brought the tips
+of his fingers together, and began in a low monotone:
+
+"Secret diplomacy (which, by the way, is nearly always bad
+policy!) does not concern you.  It will be sufficient to say that
+in the early days of 1915 a certain document came into being. It
+was the draft of a secret agreement--treaty--call it what you
+like. It was drawn up ready for signature by the various
+representatives, and drawn up in America--at that time a neutral
+country. It was dispatched to England by a special messenger
+selected for that purpose, a young fellow called Danvers.  It was
+hoped that the whole affair had been kept so secret that nothing
+would have leaked out.  That kind of hope is usually
+disappointed. Somebody always talks!
+
+"Danvers sailed for England on the Lusitania.  He carried the
+precious papers in an oilskin packet which he wore next his skin. 
+It was on that particular voyage that the Lusitania was torpedoed
+and sunk. Danvers was among the list of those missing. 
+Eventually his body was washed ashore, and identified beyond any
+possible doubt. But the oilskin packet was missing!
+
+"The question was, had it been taken from him, or had he himself
+passed it on into another's keeping?  There were a few incidents
+that strengthened the possibility of the latter theory. After the
+torpedo struck the ship, in the few moments during the launching
+of the boats, Danvers was seen speaking to a young American girl.
+No one actually saw him pass anything to her, but he might have
+done so. It seems to me quite likely that he entrusted the papers
+to this girl, believing that she, as a woman, had a greater
+chance of bringing them safely to shore.
+
+"But if so, where was the girl, and what had she done with the
+papers? By later advice from America it seemed likely that
+Danvers had been closely shadowed on the way over.  Was this girl
+in league with his enemies? Or had she, in her turn, been
+shadowed and either tricked or forced into handing over the
+precious packet?
+
+"We set to work to trace her out.  It proved unexpectedly
+difficult. Her name was Jane Finn, and it duly appeared among the
+list of the survivors, but the girl herself seemed to have
+vanished completely. Inquiries into her antecedents did little to
+help us.  She was an orphan, and had been what we should call
+over here a pupil teacher in a small school out West.  Her
+passport had been made out for Paris, where she was going to join
+the staff of a hospital.  She had offered her services
+voluntarily, and after some correspondence they had been
+accepted. Having seen her name in the list of the saved from the
+Lusitania, the staff of the hospital were naturally very
+surprised at her not arriving to take up her billet, and at not
+hearing from her in any way.
+
+"Well, every effort was made to trace the young lady--but all in
+vain. We tracked her across Ireland, but nothing could be heard
+of her after she set foot in England.  No use was made of the
+draft treaty--as might very easily have been done--and we
+therefore came to the conclusion that Danvers had, after all,
+destroyed it. The war entered on another phase, the diplomatic
+aspect changed accordingly, and the treaty was never redrafted.
+Rumours as to its existence were emphatically denied. The
+disappearance of Jane Finn was forgotten and the whole affair was
+lost in oblivion."
+
+Mr. Carter paused, and Tuppence broke in impatiently:
+
+"But why has it all cropped up again?  The war's over."
+
+A hint of alertness came into Mr. Carter's manner.
+
+"Because it seems that the papers were not destroyed after all,
+and that they might be resurrected to-day with a new and deadly
+significance."
+
+Tuppence stared.  Mr. Carter nodded.
+
+"Yes, five years ago, that draft treaty was a weapon in our
+hands; to-day it is a weapon against us.  It was a gigantic
+blunder. If its terms were made public, it would mean
+disaster.... It might possibly bring about another war--not with
+Germany this time! That is an extreme possibility, and I do not
+believe in its likelihood myself, but that document undoubtedly
+implicates a number of our statesmen whom we cannot afford to
+have discredited in any way at the present moment.  As a party
+cry for Labour it would be irresistible, and a Labour Government
+at this juncture would, in my opinion, be a grave disability for
+British trade, but that is a mere nothing to the REAL danger."
+
+He paused, and then said quietly:
+
+"You may perhaps have heard or read that there is Bolshevist
+influence at work behind the present Labour unrest?"
+
+Tuppence nodded.
+
+"That is the truth.  Bolshevist gold is pouring into this country
+for the specific purpose of procuring a Revolution.  And there is
+a certain man, a man whose real name is unknown to us, who is
+working in the dark for his own ends. The Bolshevists are behind
+the Labour unrest--but this man is BEHIND THE BOLSHEVISTS.  Who
+is he?  We do not know. He is always spoken of by the unassuming
+title of 'Mr. Brown.'  But one thing is certain, he is the master
+criminal of this age. He controls a marvellous organization. 
+Most of the Peace propaganda during the war was originated and
+financed by him. His spies are everywhere."
+
+"A naturalized German?" asked Tommy.
+
+"On the contrary, I have every reason to believe he is an
+Englishman.  He was pro-German, as he would have been pro-Boer.
+What he seeks to attain we do not know--probably supreme power
+for himself, of a kind unique in history. We have no clue as to
+his real personality.  It is reported that even his own followers
+are ignorant of it.  Where we have come across his tracks, he has
+always played a secondary part.  Somebody else assumes the chief
+role. But afterwards we always find that there has been some
+nonentity, a servant or a clerk, who has remained in the
+background unnoticed, and that the elusive Mr. Brown has escaped
+us once more."
+
+"Oh!"  Tuppence jumped.  "I wonder----"
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"I remember in Mr. Whittington's office.  The clerk--he called
+him Brown.  You don't think----"
+
+Carter nodded thoughtfully.
+
+"Very likely.  A curious point is that the name is usually
+mentioned. An idiosyncrasy of genius.  Can you describe him at
+all?"
+
+"I really didn't notice.  He was quite ordinary--just like anyone
+else."
+
+Mr. Carter sighed in his tired manner.
+
+"That is the invariable description of Mr. Brown!  Brought a
+telephone message to the man Whittington, did he? Notice a
+telephone in the outer office?"
+
+Tuppence thought.
+
+"No, I don't think I did."
+
+"Exactly.  That 'message' was Mr. Brown's way of giving an order
+to his subordinate.  He overheard the whole conversation of
+course. Was it after that that Whittington handed you over the
+money, and told you to come the following day?"
+
+Tuppence nodded.
+
+"Yes, undoubtedly the hand of Mr. Brown!"  Mr. Carter paused.
+"Well, there it is, you see what you are pitting yourselves
+against? Possibly the finest criminal brain of the age.  I don't
+quite like it, you know.  You're such young things, both of you.
+I shouldn't like anything to happen to you."
+
+"It won't," Tuppence assured him positively.
+
+"I'll look after her, sir," said Tommy.
+
+"And I'll look after YOU," retorted Tuppence, resenting the manly
+assertion.
+
+"Well, then, look after each other," said Mr. Carter, smiling.
+"Now let's get back to business.  There's something mysterious
+about this draft treaty that we haven't fathomed yet. We've been
+threatened with it--in plain and unmistakable terms. The
+Revolutionary element as good as declare that it's in their
+hands, and that they intend to produce it at a given moment.  On
+the other hand, they are clearly at fault about many of its
+provisions. The Government consider it as mere bluff on their
+part, and, rightly or wrongly, have stuck to the policy of
+absolute denial. I'm not so sure.  There have been hints,
+indiscreet allusions, that seem to indicate that the menace is a
+real one.  The position is much as though they had got hold of an
+incriminating document, but couldn't read it because it was in
+cipher--but we know that the draft treaty wasn't in
+cipher--couldn't be in the nature of things--so that won't wash. 
+But there's SOMETHING.  Of course, Jane Finn may be dead for all
+we know--but I don't think so. The curious thing is that THEY'RE
+TRYING TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE GIRL FROM US"
+
+"What?"
+
+"Yes.  One or two little things have cropped up.  And your story,
+little lady, confirms my idea.  They know we're looking for Jane
+Finn.  Well, they'll produce a Jane Finn of their own--say at a
+pensionnat in Paris."  Tuppence gasped, and Mr. Carter smiled.
+"No one knows in the least what she looks like, so that's all
+right. She's primed with a trumped-up tale, and her real business
+is to get as much information as possible out of us. See the
+idea?"
+
+"Then you think"--Tuppence paused to grasp the supposition
+fully--"that it WAS as Jane Finn that they wanted me to go to
+Paris?"
+
+Mr. Carter smiled more wearily than ever.
+
+"I believe in coincidences, you know," he said.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+MR. JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER
+
+
+"WELL," said Tuppence, recovering herself, "it really seems as
+though it were meant to be."
+
+Carter nodded.
+
+"I know what you mean.  I'm superstitious myself.  Luck, and all
+that sort of thing.  Fate seems to have chosen you out to be
+mixed up in this."
+
+Tommy indulged in a chuckle.
+
+"My word!  I don't wonder Whittington got the wind up when
+Tuppence plumped out that name!  I should have myself. But look
+here, sir, we're taking up an awful lot of your time. Have you
+any tips to give us before we clear out?"
+
+"I think not.  My experts, working in stereotyped ways, have
+failed. You will bring imagination and an open mind to the task.
+Don't be discouraged if that too does not succeed. For one thing
+there is a likelihood of the pace being forced."
+
+Tuppence frowned uncomprehendingly.
+
+"When you had that interview with Whittington, they had time
+before them. I have information that the big coup was planned for
+early in the new year. But the Government is contemplating
+legislative action which will deal effectually with the strike
+menace.  They'll get wind of it soon, if they haven't already,
+and it's possible that that may bring things to a head. I hope it
+will myself.  The less time they have to mature their plans the
+better.  I'm just warning you that you haven't much time before
+you, and that you needn't be cast down if you fail.  It's not an
+easy proposition anyway.  That's all."
+
+Tuppence rose.
+
+"I think we ought to be businesslike.  What exactly can we count
+upon you for, Mr. Carter?"  Mr. Carter's lips twitched slightly,
+but he replied succinctly:  "Funds within reason, detailed
+information on any point, and NO OFFICIAL RECOGNITION.  I mean
+that if you get yourselves into trouble with the police, I can't
+officially help you out of it. You're on your own."
+
+Tuppence nodded sagely.
+
+"I quite understand that.  I'll write out a list of the things I
+want to know when I've had time to think.  Now--about money----"
+
+"Yes, Miss Tuppence.  Do you want to say how much?"
+
+"Not exactly.  We've got plenty to go with for the present, but
+when we want more----"
+
+"It will be waiting for you."
+
+"Yes, but--I'm sure I don't want to be rude about the Government
+if you've got anything to do with it, but you know one really has
+the devil of a time getting anything out of it! And if we have to
+fill up a blue form and send it in, and then, after three months,
+they send us a green one, and so on--well, that won't be much
+use, will it?"
+
+Mr. Carter laughed outright.
+
+"Don't worry, Miss Tuppence.  You will send a personal demand to
+me here, and the money, in notes, shall be sent by return of
+post. As to salary, shall we say at the rate of three hundred a
+year? And an equal sum for Mr. Beresford, of course."
+
+Tuppence beamed upon him.
+
+"How lovely.  You are kind.  I do love money!  I'll keep
+beautiful accounts of our expenses all debit and credit, and the
+balance on the right side, and red line drawn sideways with the
+totals the same at the bottom. I really know how to do it when I
+think."
+
+"I'm sure you do.  Well, good-bye, and good luck to you both."
+
+He shook hands with them, and in another minute they were
+descending the steps of 27 Carshalton Terrace with their heads in
+a whirl.
+
+"Tommy!  Tell me at once, who is 'Mr. Carter'?"
+
+Tommy murmured a name in her ear.
+
+"Oh!" said Tuppence, impressed.
+
+"And I can tell you, old bean, he's IT!"
+
+"Oh!" said Tuppence again.  Then she added reflectively,
+
+"I like him, don't you?  He looks so awfully tired and bored, and
+yet you feel that underneath he's just like steel, all keen and
+flashing.  Oh!"  She gave a skip.  "Pinch me, Tommy, do pinch me.
+I can't believe it's real!"
+
+Mr. Beresford obliged.
+
+"Ow!  That's enough!  Yes, we're not dreaming.  We've got a job!"
+
+"And what a job!  The joint venture has really begun."
+
+"It's more respectable than I thought it would be," said Tuppence
+thoughtfully.
+
+"Luckily I haven't got your craving for crime!  What time is it?
+Let's have lunch--oh!"
+
+The same thought sprang to the minds of each.  Tommy voiced it
+first.
+
+"Julius P. Hersheimmer!"
+
+"We never told Mr. Carter about hearing from him."
+
+"Well, there wasn't much to tell--not till we've seen him. Come
+on, we'd better take a taxi."
+
+"Now who's being extravagant?"
+
+"All expenses paid, remember.  Hop in."
+
+"At any rate, we shall make a better effect arriving this way,"
+said Tuppence, leaning back luxuriously.  "I'm sure blackmailers
+never arrive in buses!"
+
+"We've ceased being blackmailers," Tommy pointed out.
+
+"I'm not sure I have," said Tuppence darkly.
+
+On inquiring for Mr. Hersheimmer, they were at once taken up to
+his suite. An impatient voice cried "Come in" in answer to the
+page-boy's knock, and the lad stood aside to let them pass in.
+
+Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer was a great deal younger than either
+Tommy or Tuppence had pictured him.  The girl put him down as
+thirty-five. He was of middle height, and squarely built to match
+his jaw.  His face was pugnacious but pleasant. No one could have
+mistaken him for anything but an American, though he spoke with
+very little accent.
+
+"Get my note?  Sit down and tell me right away all you know about
+my cousin."
+
+"Your cousin?"
+
+"Sure thing.  Jane Finn."
+
+"Is she your cousin?"
+
+"My father and her mother were brother and sister," explained Mr.
+Hersheimmer meticulously.
+
+"Oh!" cried Tuppence.  "Then you know where she is?"
+
+"No!"  Mr. Hersheimmer brought down his fist with a bang on the
+table. "I'm darned if I do!  Don't you?"
+
+"We advertised to receive information, not to give it," said
+Tuppence severely.
+
+"I guess I know that.  I can read.  But I thought maybe it was
+her back history you were after, and that you'd know where she
+was now?"
+
+"Well, we wouldn't mind hearing her back history," said Tuppence
+guardedly.
+
+But Mr. Hersheimmer seemed to grow suddenly suspicious.
+
+"See here," he declared.  "This isn't Sicily!  No demanding
+ransom or threatening to crop her ears if I refuse. These are the
+British Isles, so quit the funny business, or I'll just sing out
+for that beautiful big British policeman I see out there in
+Piccadilly."
+
+Tommy hastened to explain.
+
+"We haven't kidnapped your cousin.  On the contrary, we're trying
+to find her.  We're employed to do so."
+
+Mr. Hersheimmer leant back in his chair.
+
+"Put me wise," he said succinctly.
+
+Tommy fell in with this demand in so far as he gave him a guarded
+version of the disappearance of Jane Finn, and of the possibility
+of her having been mixed up unawares in "some political show." He
+alluded to Tuppence and himself as "private inquiry agents"
+commissioned to find her, and added that they would therefore be
+glad of any details Mr. Hersheimmer could give them.
+
+That gentleman nodded approval.
+
+"I guess that's all right.  I was just a mite hasty. But London
+gets my goat!  I only know little old New York.  Just trot out
+your questions and I'll answer."
+
+For the moment this paralysed the Young Adventurers, but
+Tuppence, recovering herself, plunged boldly into the breach with
+a reminiscence culled from detective fiction.
+
+"When did you last see the dece--your cousin, I mean?"
+
+"Never seen her," responded Mr. Hersheimmer.
+
+"What?" demanded Tommy, astonished.
+
+Hersheimmer turned to him.
+
+"No, sir.  As I said before, my father and her mother were
+brother and sister, just as you might be"--Tommy did not correct
+this view of their relationship--"but they didn't always get on
+together. And when my aunt made up her mind to marry Amos Finn,
+who was a poor school teacher out West, my father was just mad!
+Said if he made his pile, as he seemed in a fair way to do, she'd
+never see a cent of it.  Well, the upshot was that Aunt Jane went
+out West and we never heard from her again.
+
+"The old man DID pile it up.  He went into oil, and he went into
+steel, and he played a bit with railroads, and I can tell you he
+made Wall Street sit up!"  He paused.  "Then he died--last
+fall--and I got the dollars.  Well, would you believe it, my
+conscience got busy!  Kept knocking me up and saying: What
+abour{sic} your Aunt Jane, way out West?  It worried me some. You
+see, I figured it out that Amos Finn would never make good. He
+wasn't the sort.  End of it was, I hired a man to hunt her down. 
+Result, she was dead, and Amos Finn was dead, but they'd left a
+daughter--Jane--who'd been torpedoed in the Lusitania on her way
+to Paris.  She was saved all right, but they didn't seem able to
+hear of her over this side. I guessed they weren't hustling any,
+so I thought I'd come along over, and speed things up.  I phoned
+Scotland Yard and the Admiralty first thing.  The Admiralty
+rather choked me off, but Scotland Yard were very civil--said
+they would make inquiries, even sent a man round this morning to
+get her photograph. I'm off to Paris to-morrow, just to see what
+the Prefecture is doing. I guess if I go to and fro hustling
+them, they ought to get busy!"
+
+The energy of Mr. Hersheimmer was tremendous.  They bowed before
+it.
+
+"But say now," he ended, "you're not after her for anything?
+Contempt of court, or something British?  A proud-spirited young
+American girl might find your rules and regulations in war time
+rather irksome, and get up against it.  If that's the case, and
+there's such a thing as graft in this country, I'll buy her off."
+
+Tuppence reassured him.
+
+"That's good.  Then we can work together.  What about some lunch?
+Shall we have it up here, or go down to the restaurant?"
+
+Tuppence expressed a preference for the latter, and Julius bowed
+to her decision.
+
+Oysters had just given place to Sole Colbert when a card was
+brought to Hersheimmer.
+
+"Inspector Japp, C.I.D. Scotland Yard again.  Another man this
+time. What does he expect I can tell him that I didn't tell the
+first chap?  I hope they haven't lost that photograph. That
+Western photographer's place was burned down and all his
+negatives destroyed--this is the only copy in existence. I got it
+from the principal of the college there."
+
+An unformulated dread swept over Tuppence.
+
+"You--you don't know the name of the man who came this morning?"
+
+"Yes, I do.  No, I don't. Half a second.  It was on his card. 
+Oh, I know! Inspector Brown.  Quiet, unassuming sort of chap."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN
+
+A veil might with profit be drawn over the events of the next
+half-hour. Suffice it to say that no such person as "Inspector
+Brown" was known to Scotland Yard.  The photograph of Jane Finn,
+which would have been of the utmost value to the police in
+tracing her, was lost beyond recovery. Once again "Mr. Brown" had
+triumphed.
+
+The immediate result of this set back was to effect a
+rapprochement between Julius Hersheimmer and the Young
+Adventurers.  All barriers went down with a crash, and Tommy and
+Tuppence felt they had known the young American all their lives. 
+They abandoned the discreet reticence of "private inquiry
+agents," and revealed to him the whole history of the joint
+venture, whereat the young man declared himself "tickled to
+death."
+
+He turned to Tuppence at the close of the narration.
+
+"I've always had a kind of idea that English girls were just a
+mite moss-grown. Old-fashioned and sweet, you know, but scared to
+move round without a footman or a maiden aunt. I guess I'm a bit
+behind the times!"
+
+The upshot of these confidential relations was that Tommy and
+Tuppence took up their abode forthwith at the Ritz, in order, as
+Tuppence put it, to keep in touch with Jane Finn's only living
+relation. "And put like that," she added confidentially to Tommy,
+"nobody could boggle at the expense!"
+
+Nobody did, which was the great thing.
+
+"And now," said the young lady on the morning after their
+installation, "to work!"
+
+Mr. Beresford put down the Daily Mail, which he was reading, and
+applauded with somewhat unnecessary vigour.  He was politely
+requested by his colleague not to be an ass.
+
+"Dash it all, Tommy, we've got to DO something for our money."
+
+Tommy sighed.
+
+"Yes, I fear even the dear old Government will not support us at
+the Ritz in idleness for ever."
+
+"Therefore, as I said before, we must DO something."
+
+"Well," said Tommy, picking up the Daily Mail again, "DO it. I
+shan't stop you."
+
+"You see," continued Tuppence.  "I've been thinking----"
+
+She was interrupted by a fresh bout of applause.
+
+"It's all very well for you to sit there being funny, Tommy.  It
+would do you no harm to do a little brain work too."
+
+"My union, Tuppence, my union!  It does not permit me to work
+before 11 a.m."
+
+"Tommy, do you want something thrown at you?  It is absolutely
+essential that we should without delay map out a plan of
+campaign."
+
+"Hear, hear!"
+
+"Well, let's do it."
+
+Tommy laid his paper finally aside.  "There's something of the
+simplicity of the truly great mind about you, Tuppence.  Fire
+ahead.  I'm listening."
+
+"To begin with," said Tuppence, "what have we to go upon?"
+
+"Absolutely nothing," said Tommy cheerily.
+
+"Wrong!"  Tuppence wagged an energetic finger.  "We have two
+distinct clues."
+
+"What are they?"
+
+"First clue, we know one of the gang."
+
+"Whittington?"
+
+"Yes.  I'd recognize him anywhere."
+
+"Hum," said Tommy doubtfully, "I don't call that much of a clue.
+You don't know where to look for him, and it's about a thousand
+to one against your running against him by accident."
+
+"I'm not so sure about that," replied Tuppence thoughtfully.
+"I've often noticed that once coincidences start happening they
+go on happening in the most extraordinary way. I dare say it's
+some natural law that we haven't found out. Still, as you say, we
+can't rely on that.  But there ARE places in London where simply
+every one is bound to turn up sooner or later. Piccadilly Circus,
+for instance.  One of my ideas was to take up my stand there
+every day with a tray of flags."
+
+"What about meals?" inquired the practical Tommy.
+
+"How like a man!  What does mere food matter?"
+
+"That's all very well.  You've just had a thundering good
+breakfast. No one's got a better appetite than you have,
+Tuppence, and by tea-time you'd be eating the flags, pins and
+all.  But, honestly, I don't think much of the idea.  Whittington
+mayn't be in London at all."
+
+"That's true.  Anyway, I think clue No. 2 is more promising."
+
+"Let's hear it."
+
+"It's nothing much.  Only a Christian name--Rita.  Whittington
+mentioned it that day."
+
+"Are you proposing a third advertisement:  Wanted, female crook,
+answering to the name of Rita?"
+
+"I am not.  I propose to reason in a logical manner. That man,
+Danvers, was shadowed on the way over, wasn't he? And it's more
+likely to have been a woman than a man----"
+
+"I don't see that at all."
+
+"I am absolutely certain that it would be a woman, and a
+good-looking one," replied Tuppence calmly.
+
+"On these technical points I bow to your decision," murmured Mr.
+Beresford.
+
+"Now, obviously this woman, whoever she was, was saved."
+
+"How do you make that out?"
+
+"If she wasn't, how would they have known Jane Finn had got the
+papers?"
+
+"Correct.  Proceed, O Sherlock!"
+
+"Now there's just a chance, I admit it's only a chance, that this
+woman may have been 'Rita.' "
+
+"And if so?"
+
+"If so, we've got to hunt through the survivors of the Lusitania
+till we find her."
+
+"Then the first thing is to get a list of the survivors."
+
+"I've got it.  I wrote a long list of things I wanted to know,
+and sent it to Mr. Carter.  I got his reply this morning, and
+among other things it encloses the official statement of those
+saved from the Lusitania.  How's that for clever little
+Tuppence?"
+
+"Full marks for industry, zero for modesty.  But the great point
+is, is there a 'Rita' on the list?"
+
+"That's just what I don't know," confessed Tuppence.
+
+"Don't know?"
+
+"Yes.  Look here."  Together they bent over the list. "You see,
+very few Christian names are given.  They're nearly all Mrs. or
+Miss."
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+"That complicates matters," he murmured thoughtfully.
+
+Tuppence gave her characteristic "terrier" shake.
+
+"Well, we've just got to get down to it, that's all. We'll start
+with the London area.  Just note down the addresses of any of the
+females who live in London or roundabout, while I put on my hat."
+
+Five minutes later the young couple emerged into Piccadilly, and
+a few seconds later a taxi was bearing them to The Laurels,
+Glendower Road, N.7, the residence of Mrs. Edgar Keith, whose
+name figured first in a list of seven reposing in Tommy's
+pocket-book.
+
+The Laurels was a dilapidated house, standing back from the road
+with a few grimy bushes to support the fiction of a front garden.
+Tommy paid off the taxi, and accompanied Tuppence to the front
+door bell. As she was about to ring it, he arrested her hand.
+
+"What are you going to say?"
+
+"What am I going to say?  Why, I shall say--Oh dear, I don't
+know. It's very awkward."
+
+"I thought as much," said Tommy with satisfaction. "How like a
+woman!  No foresight!  Now just stand aside, and see how easily
+the mere male deals with the situation." He pressed the bell. 
+Tuppence withdrew to a suitable spot.
+
+A slatternly looking servant, with an extremely dirty face and a
+pair of eyes that did not match, answered the door.
+
+Tommy had produced a notebook and pencil.
+
+"Good morning," he said briskly and cheerfully.  "From the
+Hampstead Borough Council.  The new Voting Register.  Mrs. Edgar
+Keith lives here, does she not?"
+
+"Yaas," said the servant.
+
+"Christian name?" asked Tommy, his pencil poised.
+
+"Missus's? Eleanor Jane."
+
+"Eleanor," spelt Tommy.  "Any sons or daughters over twenty-one?"
+
+"Naow."
+
+"Thank you."  Tommy closed the notebook with a brisk snap.  "Good
+morning."
+
+The servant volunteered her first remark:
+
+"I thought perhaps as you'd come about the gas," she observed
+cryptically, and shut the door.
+
+Tommy rejoined his accomplice.
+
+"You see, Tuppence," he observed.  "Child's play to the masculine
+mind."
+
+"I don't mind admitting that for once you've scored handsomely. I
+should never have thought of that."
+
+"Good wheeze, wasn't it?  And we can repeat it ad lib."
+
+Lunch-time found the young couple attacking a steak and chips in
+an obscure hostelry with avidity.  They had collected a Gladys
+Mary and a Marjorie, been baffled by one change of address, and
+had been forced to listen to a long lecture on universal suffrage
+from a vivacious American lady whose Christian name had proved to
+be Sadie.
+
+"Ah!" said Tommy, imbibing a long draught of beer, "I feel
+better. Where's the next draw?"
+
+The notebook lay on the table between them.  Tuppence picked it
+up.
+
+"Mrs. Vandemeyer," she read, "20 South Audley Mansions.  Miss
+Wheeler, 43 Clapington Road, Battersea.  She's a lady's maid, as
+far as I remember, so probably won't be there, and, anyway, she's
+not likely."
+
+"Then the Mayfair lady is clearly indicated as the first port of
+call."
+
+"Tommy, I'm getting discouraged."
+
+"Buck up, old bean.  We always knew it was an outside chance.
+And, anyway, we're only starting.  If we draw a blank in London,
+there's a fine tour of England, Ireland and Scotland before us."
+
+"True," said Tuppence, her flagging spirits reviving. "And all
+expenses paid!  But, oh, Tommy, I do like things to happen
+quickly.  So far, adventure has succeeded adventure, but this
+morning has been dull as dull."
+
+"You must stifle this longing for vulgar sensation, Tuppence. 
+Remember that if Mr. Brown is all he is reported to be, it's a
+wonder that he has not ere now done us to death.  That's a good
+sentence, quite a literary flavour about it."
+
+"You're really more conceited than I am--with less excuse!  Ahem! 
+But it certainly is queer that Mr. Brown has not yet wreaked
+vengeance upon us. (You see, I can do it too.) We pass on our way
+unscathed."
+
+"Perhaps he doesn't think us worth bothering about," suggested
+the young man simply.
+
+Tuppence received the remark with great disfavour.
+
+"How horrid you are, Tommy.  Just as though we didn't count."
+
+"Sorry, Tuppence.  What I meant was that we work like moles in
+the dark, and that he has no suspicion of our nefarious schemes. 
+Ha ha!"
+
+"Ha ha!" echoed Tuppence approvingly, as she rose.
+
+South Audley Mansions was an imposing-looking block of flats just
+off Park Lane.  No. 20 was on the second floor.
+
+Tommy had by this time the glibness born of practice. He rattled
+off the formula to the elderly woman, looking more like a
+housekeeper than a servant, who opened the door to him.
+
+"Christian name?"
+
+"Margaret."
+
+Tommy spelt it, but the other interrupted him.
+
+"No, G U E."
+
+"Oh, Marguerite; French way, I see."  He paused, then plunged
+boldly. "We had her down as Rita Vandemeyer, but I suppose that's
+incorrect?"
+
+"She's mostly called that, sir, but Marguerite's her name."
+
+"Thank you.  That's all.  Good morning."
+
+Hardly able to contain his excitement, Tommy hurried down the
+stairs. Tuppence was waiting at the angle of the turn.
+
+"You heard?"
+
+"Yes.  Oh, TOMMY!"
+
+Tommy squeezed her arm sympathetically.
+
+"I know, old thing.  I feel the same."
+
+"It's--it's so lovely to think of things--and then for them
+really to happen!" cried Tuppence enthusiastically.
+
+Her hand was still in Tommy's. They had reached the entrance
+hall. There were footsteps on the stairs above them, and voices.
+
+Suddenly, to Tommy's complete surprise, Tuppence dragged him into
+the little space by the side of the lift where the shadow was
+deepest.
+
+"What the----"
+
+"Hush!"
+
+Two men came down the stairs and passed out through the entrance.
+Tuppence's hand closed tighter on Tommy's arm.
+
+"Quick--follow them.  I daren't. He might recognize me. I don't
+know who the other man is, but the bigger of the two was
+Whittington."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+THE HOUSE IN SOHO
+
+WHITTINGTON and his companion were walking at a good pace. Tommy
+started in pursuit at once, and was in time to see them turn the
+corner of the street.  His vigorous strides soon enabled him to
+gain upon them, and by the time he, in his turn, reached the
+corner the distance between them was sensibly lessened. The small
+Mayfair streets were comparatively deserted, and he judged it
+wise to content himself with keeping them in sight.
+
+The sport was a new one to him.  Though familiar with the
+technicalities from a course of novel reading, he had never
+before attempted to "follow" anyone, and it appeared to him at
+once that, in actual practice, the proceeding was fraught with
+difficulties. Supposing, for instance, that they should suddenly
+hail a taxi? In books, you simply leapt into another, promised
+the driver a sovereign--or its modern equivalent--and there you
+were. In actual fact, Tommy foresaw that it was extremely likely
+there would be no second taxi.  Therefore he would have to run.
+What happened in actual fact to a young man who ran incessantly
+and persistently through the London streets?  In a main road he
+might hope to create the illusion that he was merely running for
+a bus. But in these obscure aristocratic byways he could not but
+feel that an officious policeman might stop him to explain
+matters.
+
+At this juncture in his thoughts a taxi with flag erect turned
+the corner of the street ahead.  Tommy held his breath. Would
+they hail it?
+
+He drew a sigh of relief as they allowed it to pass unchallenged.
+Their course was a zigzag one designed to bring them as quickly
+as possible to Oxford Street.  When at length they turned into
+it, proceeding in an easterly direction, Tommy slightly increased
+his pace. Little by little he gained upon them.  On the crowded
+pavement there was little chance of his attracting their notice,
+and he was anxious if possible to catch a word or two of their
+conversation. In this he was completely foiled; they spoke low
+and the din of the traffic drowned their voices effectually.
+
+Just before the Bond Street Tube station they crossed the road,
+Tommy, unperceived, faithfully at their heels, and entered the
+big Lyons'. There they went up to the first floor, and sat at a
+small table in the window.  It was late, and the place was
+thinning out. Tommy took a seat at the table next to them,
+sitting directly behind Whittington in case of recognition.  On
+the other hand, he had a full view of the second man and studied
+him attentively. He was fair, with a weak, unpleasant face, and
+Tommy put him down as being either a Russian or a Pole.  He was
+probably about fifty years of age, his shoulders cringed a little
+as he talked, and his eyes, small and crafty, shifted
+unceasingly.
+
+Having already lunched heartily, Tommy contented himself with
+ordering a Welsh rarebit and a cup of coffee.  Whittington
+ordered a substantial lunch for himself and his companion; then,
+as the waitress withdrew, he moved his chair a little closer to
+the table and began to talk earnestly in a low voice.  The other
+man joined in.  Listen as he would, Tommy could only catch a word
+here and there; but the gist of it seemed to be some directions
+or orders which the big man was impressing on his companion, and
+with which the latter seemed from time to time to disagree.
+Whittington addressed the other as Boris.
+
+Tommy caught the word "Ireland" several times, also "propaganda,"
+but of Jane Finn there was no mention.  Suddenly, in a lull in
+the clatter of the room, he got one phrase entire.  Whittington
+was speaking. "Ah, but you don't know Flossie.  She's a marvel. 
+An archbishop would swear she was his own mother.  She gets the
+voice right every time, and that's really the principal thing."
+
+Tommy did not hear Boris's reply, but in response to it
+Whittington said something that sounded like:  "Of course--only
+in an emergency...."
+
+Then he lost the thread again.  But presently the phrases became
+distinct again whether because the other two had insensibly
+raised their voices, or because Tommy's ears were getting more
+attuned, he could not tell. But two words certainly had a most
+stimulating effect upon the listener. They were uttered by Boris
+and they were:  "Mr. Brown."
+
+Whittington seemed to remonstrate with him, but he merely
+laughed.
+
+"Why not, my friend?  It is a name most respectable--most common.
+Did he not choose it for that reason?  Ah, I should like to meet
+him--Mr. Brown."
+
+There was a steely ring in Whittington's voice as he replied:
+
+"Who knows?  You may have met him already."
+
+"Bah!" retorted the other.  "That is children's talk--a fable for
+the police.  Do you know what I say to myself sometimes? That he
+is a fable invented by the Inner Ring, a bogy to frighten us
+with. It might be so."
+
+"And it might not."
+
+"I wonder ... or is it indeed true that he is with us and amongst
+us, unknown to all but a chosen few?  If so, he keeps his secret
+well. And the idea is a good one, yes.  We never know.  We look
+at each other--ONE OF US IS MR. BROWN--which?  He commands--but
+also he serves. Among us--in the midst of us.  And no one knows
+which he is...."
+
+With an effort the Russian shook off the vagary of his fancy. He
+looked at his watch.
+
+"Yes," said Whittington.  "We might as well go."
+
+He called the waitress and asked for his bill.  Tommy did
+likewise, and a few moments later was following the two men down
+the stairs.
+
+Outside, Whittington hailed a taxi, and directed the driver to go
+to Waterloo.
+
+Taxis were plentiful here, and before Whittington's had driven
+off another was drawing up to the curb in obedience to Tommy's
+peremptory hand.
+
+"Follow that other taxi," directed the young man. "Don't lose
+it."
+
+The elderly chauffeur showed no interest.  He merely grunted and
+jerked down his flag.  The drive was uneventful. Tommy's taxi
+came to rest at the departure platform just after Whittington's.
+Tommy was behind him at the booking-office. He took a first-class
+single ticket to Bournemouth, Tommy did the same. As he emerged,
+Boris remarked, glancing up at the clock: "You are early.  You
+have nearly half an hour."
+
+Boris's words had aroused a new train of thought in Tommy's mind.
+Clearly Whittington was making the journey alone, while the other
+remained in London.  Therefore he was left with a choice as to
+which he would follow.  Obviously, he could not follow both of
+them unless----Like Boris, he glanced up at the clock, and then
+to the announcement board of the trains. The Bournemouth train
+left at 3.30. It was now ten past. Whittington and Boris were
+walking up and down by the bookstall. He gave one doubtful look
+at them, then hurried into an adjacent telephone box.  He dared
+not waste time in trying to get hold of Tuppence.  In all
+probability she was still in the neighbourhood of South Audley
+Mansions.  But there remained another ally. He rang up the Ritz
+and asked for Julius Hersheimmer.  There was a click and a buzz. 
+Oh, if only the young American was in his room! There was another
+click, and then "Hello" in unmistakable accents came over the
+wire.
+
+"That you, Hersheimmer?  Beresford speaking. I'm at Waterloo. 
+I've followed Whittington and another man here. No time to
+explain.  Whittington's off to Bournemouth by the 3.30. Can you
+get there by then?"
+
+The reply was reassuring.
+
+"Sure.  I'll hustle."
+
+The telephone rang off.  Tommy put back the receiver with a sigh
+of relief.  His opinion of Julius's power of hustling was high.
+He felt instinctively that the American would arrive in time.
+
+Whittington and Boris were still where he had left them. If Boris
+remained to see his friend off, all was well. Then Tommy fingered
+his pocket thoughtfully.  In spite of the carte blanche assured
+to him, he had not yet acquired the habit of going about with any
+considerable sum of money on him. The taking of the first-class
+ticket to Bournemouth had left him with only a few shillings in
+his pocket. It was to be hoped that Julius would arrive better
+provided.
+
+In the meantime, the minutes were creeping by:  3.15, 3.20, 3.25,
+3.27. Supposing Julius did not get there in time.  3.29.... Doors
+were banging.  Tommy felt cold waves of despair pass over him.
+Then a hand fell on his shoulder.
+
+"Here I am, son.  Your British traffic beats description! Put me
+wise to the crooks right away."
+
+"That's Whittington--there, getting in now, that big dark man.
+The other is the foreign chap he's talking to."
+
+"I'm on to them.  Which of the two is my bird?"
+
+Tommy had thought out this question.
+
+"Got any money with you?"
+
+Julius shook his head, and Tommy's face fell.
+
+"I guess I haven't more than three or four hundred dollars with
+me at the moment," explained the American.
+
+Tommy gave a faint whoop of relief.
+
+"Oh, Lord, you millionaires!  You don't talk the same language!
+Climb aboard the lugger.  Here's your ticket.  Whittington's your
+man."
+
+"Me for Whittington!" said Julius darkly.  The train was just
+starting as he swung himself aboard.  "So long, Tommy."  The
+train slid out of the station.
+
+Tommy drew a deep breath.  The man Boris was coming along the
+platform towards him.  Tommy allowed him to pass and then took up
+the chase once more.
+
+From Waterloo Boris took the tube as far as Piccadilly Circus. 
+Then he walked up Shaftesbury Avenue, finally turning off into
+the maze of mean streets round Soho.  Tommy followed him at a
+judicious distance.
+
+They reached at length a small dilapidated square.  The houses
+there had a sinister air in the midst of their dirt and decay.
+Boris looked round, and Tommy drew back into the shelter of a
+friendly porch.  The place was almost deserted. It was a
+cul-de-sac, and consequently no traffic passed that way. The
+stealthy way the other had looked round stimulated Tommy's
+imagination.  From the shelter of the doorway he watched him go
+up the steps of a particularly evil-looking house and rap
+sharply, with a peculiar rhythm, on the door.  It was opened
+promptly, he said a word or two to the doorkeeper, then passed
+inside. The door was shut to again.
+
+It was at this juncture that Tommy lost his head.  What he ought
+to have done, what any sane man would have done, was to remain
+patiently where he was and wait for his man to come out again.
+What he did do was entirely foreign to the sober common sense
+which was, as a rule, his leading characteristic. Something, as
+he expressed it, seemed to snap in his brain. Without a moment's
+pause for reflection he, too, went up the steps, and reproduced
+as far as he was able the peculiar knock.
+
+The door swung open with the same promptness as before. A
+villainous-faced man with close-cropped hair stood in the
+doorway.
+
+"Well?" he grunted.
+
+It was at that moment that the full realization of his folly
+began to come home to Tommy.  But he dared not hesitate. He
+seized at the first words that came into his mind.
+
+"Mr. Brown?" he said.
+
+To his surprise the man stood aside.
+
+"Upstairs," he said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder, "second
+door on your left."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE ADVENTURES OF TOMMY
+
+
+TAKEN aback though he was by the man's words, Tommy did not
+hesitate. If audacity had successfully carried him so far, it was
+to be hoped it would carry him yet farther.  He quietly passed
+into the house and mounted the ramshackle staircase.  Everything
+in the house was filthy beyond words. The grimy paper, of a
+pattern now indistinguishable, hung in loose festoons from the
+wall.  In every angle was a grey mass of cobweb.
+
+Tommy proceeded leisurely.  By the time he reached the bend of
+the staircase, he had heard the man below disappear into a back
+room.  Clearly no suspicion attached to him as yet. To come to
+the house and ask for "Mr. Brown" appeared indeed to be a
+reasonable and natural proceeding.
+
+At the top of the stairs Tommy halted to consider his next move.
+In front of him ran a narrow passage, with doors opening on
+either side of it.  From the one nearest him on the left came a
+low murmur of voices.  It was this room which he had been
+directed to enter. But what held his glance fascinated was a
+small recess immediately on his right, half concealed by a torn
+velvet curtain. It was directly opposite the left-handed door
+and, owing to its angle, it also commanded a good view of the
+upper part of the staircase. As a hiding-place for one or, at a
+pinch, two men, it was ideal, being about two feet deep and three
+feet wide.  It attracted Tommy mightily. He thought things over
+in his usual slow and steady way, deciding that the mention of
+"Mr. Brown" was not a request for an individual, but in all
+probability a password used by the gang.  His lucky use of it had
+gained him admission.  So far he had aroused no suspicion. But he
+must decide quickly on his next step.
+
+Suppose he were boldly to enter the room on the left of the
+passage. Would the mere fact of his having been admitted to the
+house be sufficient? Perhaps a further password would be
+required, or, at any rate, some proof of identity.  The
+doorkeeper clearly did not know all the members of the gang by
+sight, but it might be different upstairs. On the whole it seemed
+to him that luck had served him very well so far, but that there
+was such a thing as trusting it too far. To enter that room was a
+colossal risk.  He could not hope to sustain his part
+indefinitely; sooner or later he was almost bound to betray
+himself, and then he would have thrown away a vital chance in
+mere foolhardiness.
+
+A repetition of the signal knock sounded on the door below, and
+Tommy, his mind made up, slipped quickly into the recess, and
+cautiously drew the curtain farther across so that it shielded
+him completely from sight. There were several rents and slits in
+the ancient material which afforded him a good view.  He would
+watch events, and any time he chose could, after all, join the
+assembly, modelling his behaviour on that of the new arrival.
+
+The man who came up the staircase with a furtive, soft-footed
+tread was quite unknown to Tommy.  He was obviously of the very
+dregs of society. The low beetling brows, and the criminal jaw,
+the bestiality of the whole countenance were new to the young
+man, though he was a type that Scotland Yard would have
+recognized at a glance.
+
+The man passed the recess, breathing heavily as he went.  He
+stopped at the door opposite, and gave a repetition of the signal
+knock. A voice inside called out something, and the man opened
+the door and passed in, affording Tommy a momentary glimpse of
+the room inside. He thought there must be about four or five
+people seated round a long table that took up most of the space,
+but his attention was caught and held by a tall man with
+close-cropped hair and a short, pointed, naval-looking beard, who
+sat at the head of the table with papers in front of him. As the
+new-comer entered he glanced up, and with a correct, but
+curiously precise enunciation, which attracted Tommy's notice, he
+asked:
+
+"Your number, comrade?"
+
+"Fourteen, gov'nor," replied the other hoarsely.
+
+"Correct."
+
+The door shut again.
+
+"If that isn't a Hun, I'm a Dutchman!" said Tommy to himself.
+"And running the show darned systematically too--as they always
+do. Lucky I didn't roll in.  I'd have given the wrong number, and
+there would have been the deuce to pay.  No, this is the place
+for me. Hullo, here's another knock."
+
+This visitor proved to be of an entirely different type to the
+last. Tommy recognized in him an Irish Sinn Feiner.  Certainly
+Mr. Brown's organization was a far-reaching concern.  The common
+criminal, the well-bred Irish gentleman, the pale Russian, and
+the efficient German master of the ceremonies!  Truly a strange
+and sinister gathering! Who was this man who held in his finger
+these curiously variegated links of an unknown chain?
+
+In this case, the procedure was exactly the same.  The signal
+knock, the demand for a number, and the reply "Correct."
+
+Two knocks followed in quick succession on the door below.  The
+first man was quite unknown to Tommy, who put him down as a city
+clerk. A quiet, intelligent-looking man, rather shabbily dressed.
+The second was of the working classes, and his face was vaguely
+familiar to the young man.
+
+Three minutes later came another, a man of commanding appearance,
+exquisitely dressed, and evidently well born.  His face, again,
+was not unknown to the watcher, though he could not for the
+moment put a name to it.
+
+After his arrival there was a long wait.  In fact Tommy concluded
+that the gathering was now complete, and was just cautiously
+creeping out from his hiding-place, when another knock sent him
+scuttling back to cover.
+
+This last-comer came up the stairs so quietly that he was almost
+abreast of Tommy before the young man had realized his presence.
+
+He was a small man, very pale, with a gentle almost womanish air.
+The angle of the cheek-bones hinted at his Slavonic ancestry,
+otherwise there was nothing to indicate his nationality. As he
+passed the recess, he turned his head slowly. The strange light
+eyes seemed to burn through the curtain; Tommy could hardly
+believe that the man did not know he was there and in spite of
+himself he shivered. He was no more fanciful than the majority of
+young Englishmen, but he could not rid himself of the impression
+that some unusually potent force emanated from the man.  The
+creature reminded him of a venomous snake.
+
+A moment later his impression was proved correct.  The new-comer
+knocked on the door as all had done, but his reception was very
+different. The bearded man rose to his feet, and all the others
+followed suit. The German came forward and shook hands.  His
+heels clicked together.
+
+"We are honoured," he said.  "We are greatly honoured. I much
+feared that it would be impossible."
+
+The other answered in a low voice that had a kind of hiss in it:
+
+"There were difficulties.  It will not be possible again, I fear. 
+But one meeting is essential--to define my policy. I can do
+nothing without--Mr. Brown.  He is here?"
+
+The change in the German's voice was audible as he replied with
+slight hesitation:
+
+"We have received a message.  It is impossible for him to be
+present in person."  He stopped, giving a curious impression of
+having left the sentence unfinished.
+
+A very slow smile overspread the face of the other. He looked
+round at a circle of uneasy faces.
+
+"Ah!  I understand.  I have read of his methods. He works in the
+dark and trusts no one.  But, all the same, it is possible that
+he is among us now...." He looked round him again, and again that
+expression of fear swept over the group. Each man seemed eyeing
+his neighbour doubtfully.
+
+The Russian tapped his cheek.
+
+"So be it.  Let us proceed."
+
+The German seemed to pull himself together.  He indicated the
+place he had been occupying at the head of the table. The Russian
+demurred, but the other insisted.
+
+"It is the only possible place," he said, "for--Number One.
+Perhaps Number Fourteen will shut the door?"
+
+In another moment Tommy was once more confronting bare wooden
+panels, and the voices within had sunk once more to a mere
+undistinguishable murmur.  Tommy became restive. The conversation
+he had overheard had stimulated his curiosity. He felt that, by
+hook or by crook, he must hear more.
+
+There was no sound from below, and it did not seem likely that
+the doorkeeper would come upstairs.  After listening intently for
+a minute or two, he put his head round the curtain. The passage
+was deserted.  Tommy bent down and removed his shoes, then,
+leaving them behind the curtain, he walked gingerly out on his
+stockinged feet, and kneeling down by the closed door he laid his
+ear cautiously to the crack. To his intense annoyance he could
+distinguish little more; just a chance word here and there if a
+voice was raised, which merely served to whet his curiosity still
+farther.
+
+He eyed the handle of the door tentatively.  Could he turn it by
+degrees so gently and imperceptibly that those in the room would
+notice nothing?  He decided that with great care it could be
+done.  Very slowly, a fraction of an inch at a time, he moved it
+round, holding his breath in his excessive care. A little more--a
+little more still--would it never be finished? Ah! at last it
+would turn no farther.
+
+He stayed so for a minute or two, then drew a deep breath, and
+pressed it ever so slightly inward.  The door did not budge. 
+Tommy was annoyed. If he had to use too much force, it would
+almost certainly creak. He waited until the voices rose a little,
+then he tried again. Still nothing happened.  He increased the
+pressure.  Had the beastly thing stuck?  Finally, in desperation,
+he pushed with all his might. But the door remained firm, and at
+last the truth dawned upon him. It was locked or bolted on the
+inside.
+
+For a moment or two Tommy's indignation got the better of him.
+
+"Well, I'm damned!" he said.  "What a dirty trick!"
+
+As his indignation cooled, he prepared to face the situation.
+Clearly the first thing to be done was to restore the handle to
+its original position.  If he let it go suddenly, the men inside
+would be almost certain to notice it, so, with the same infinite
+pains, he reversed his former tactics.  All went well, and with a
+sigh of relief the young man rose to his feet.  There was a
+certain bulldog tenacity about Tommy that made him slow to admit
+defeat. Checkmated for the moment, he was far from abandoning the
+conflict. He still intended to hear what was going on in the
+locked room. As one plan had failed, he must hunt about for
+another.
+
+He looked round him.  A little farther along the passage on the
+left was a second door.  He slipped silently along to it. He
+listened for a moment or two, then tried the handle. It yielded,
+and he slipped inside.
+
+The room, which was untenanted, was furnished as a bedroom. Like
+everything else in the house, the furniture was falling to
+pieces, and the dirt was, if anything, more abundant.
+
+But what interested Tommy was the thing he had hoped to find, a
+communicating door between the two rooms, up on the left by the
+window. Carefully closing the door into the passage behind him,
+he stepped across to the other and examined it closely.  The bolt
+was shot across it. It was very rusty, and had clearly not been
+used for some time. By gently wriggling it to and fro, Tommy
+managed to draw it back without making too much noise.  Then he
+repeated his former manoeuvres with the handle--this time with
+complete success.  The door swung open--a crack, a mere fraction,
+but enough for Tommy to hear what went on. There was a velvet
+portiere on the inside of this door which prevented him from
+seeing, but he was able to recognize the voices with a reasonable
+amount of accuracy.
+
+The Sinn Feiner was speaking.  His rich Irish voice was
+unmistakable:
+
+"That's all very well.  But more money is essential. No money--no
+results!"
+
+Another voice which Tommy rather thought was that of Boris
+replied:
+
+"Will you guarantee that there ARE results?"
+
+"In a month from now--sooner or later as you wish--I will
+guarantee you such a reign of terror in Ireland as shall shake
+the British Empire to its foundations."
+
+There was a pause, and then came the soft, sibilant accents of
+Number One:
+
+"Good!  You shall have the money.  Boris, you will see to that."
+
+Boris asked a question:
+
+"Via the Irish Americans, and Mr. Potter as usual?"
+
+"I guess that'll be all right!" said a new voice, with a
+transatlantic intonation, "though I'd like to point out, here and
+now, that things are getting a mite difficult. There's not the
+sympathy there was, and a growing disposition to let the Irish
+settle their own affairs without interference from America."
+
+Tommy felt that Boris had shrugged his shoulders as he answered:
+
+"Does that matter, since the money only nominally comes from the
+States?"
+
+"The chief difficulty is the landing of the ammunition," said the
+Sinn Feiner.  "The money is conveyed in easily enough--thanks to
+our colleague here."
+
+Another voice, which Tommy fancied was that of the tall,
+commanding-looking man whose face had seemed familiar to him,
+said:
+
+"Think of the feelings of Belfast if they could hear you!"
+
+"That is settled, then," said the sibilant tones. "Now, in the
+matter of the loan to an English newspaper, you have arranged the
+details satisfactorily, Boris?"
+
+"I think so."
+
+"That is good.  An official denial from Moscow will be
+forthcoming if necessary."
+
+There was a pause, and then the clear voice of the German broke
+the silence:
+
+"I am directed by--Mr. Brown, to place the summaries of the
+reports from the different unions before you.  That of the miners
+is most satisfactory. We must hold back the railways.  There may
+be trouble with the A.S.E."
+
+For a long time there was a silence, broken only by the rustle of
+papers and an occasional word of explanation from the German. 
+Then Tommy heard the light tap-tap of fingers, drumming on the
+table.
+
+"And--the date, my friend?" said Number One.
+
+"The 29th."
+
+The Russian seemed to consider:
+
+"That is rather soon."
+
+"I know.  But it was settled by the principal Labour leaders, and
+we cannot seem to interfere too much.  They must believe it to be
+entirely their own show."
+
+The Russian laughed softly, as though amused.
+
+"Yes, yes," he said.  "That is true.  They must have no inkling
+that we are using them for our own ends.  They are honest
+men--and that is their value to us.  It is curious--but you
+cannot make a revolution without honest men. The instinct of the
+populace is infallible."  He paused, and then repeated, as though
+the phrase pleased him:  "Every revolution has had its honest
+men. They are soon disposed of afterwards."
+
+There was a sinister note in his voice.
+
+The German resumed:
+
+"Clymes must go.  He is too far-seeing. Number Fourteen will see
+to that."
+
+There was a hoarse murmur.
+
+"That's all right, gov'nor." And then after a moment or two:
+"Suppose I'm nabbed."
+
+"You will have the best legal talent to defend you," replied the
+German quietly.  "But in any case you will wear gloves fitted
+with the finger-prints of a notorious housebreaker. You have
+little to fear."
+
+"Oh, I ain't afraid, gov'nor. All for the good of the cause. The
+streets is going to run with blood, so they say." He spoke with a
+grim relish.  "Dreams of it, sometimes, I does. And diamonds and
+pearls rolling about in the gutter for anyone to pick up!"
+
+Tommy heard a chair shifted.  Then Number One spoke:
+
+"Then all is arranged.  We are assured of success?"
+
+"I--think so."  But the German spoke with less than his usual
+confidence.
+
+Number One's voice held suddenly a dangerous quality:
+
+"What has gone wrong?"
+
+"Nothing; but----"
+
+"But what?"
+
+"The Labour leaders.  Without them, as you say, we can do
+nothing. If they do not declare a general strike on the 29th----"
+
+"Why should they not?"
+
+"As you've said, they're honest.  And, in spite of everything
+we've done to discredit the Government in their eyes, I'm not
+sure that they haven't got a sneaking faith and belief in it."
+
+"But----"
+
+"I know.  They abuse it unceasingly.  But, on the whole, public
+opinion swings to the side of the Government.  They will not go
+against it."
+
+Again the Russian's fingers drummed on the table.
+
+"To the point, my friend.  I was given to understand that there
+was a certain document in existence which assured success."
+
+"That is so.  If that document were placed before the leaders,
+the result would be immediate.  They would publish it broadcast
+throughout England, and declare for the revolution without a
+moment's hesitation. The Government would be broken finally and
+completely."
+
+"Then what more do you want?"
+
+"The document itself," said the German bluntly.
+
+"Ah!  It is not in your possession?  But you know where it is?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Does anyone know where it is?"
+
+"One person--perhaps.  And we are not sure of that even."
+
+"Who is this person?"
+
+"A girl."
+
+Tommy held his breath.
+
+"A girl?"  The Russian's voice rose contemptuously. "And you have
+not made her speak?  In Russia we have ways of making a girl
+talk."
+
+"This case is different," said the German sullenly.
+
+"How--different?"  He paused a moment, then went on: "Where is
+the girl now?"
+
+"The girl?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"She is----"
+
+But Tommy heard no more.  A crashing blow descended on his head,
+and all was darkness.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+TUPPENCE ENTERS DOMESTIC SERVICE
+
+WHEN Tommy set forth on the trail of the two men, it took all
+Tuppence's self-command to refrain from accompanying him.
+However, she contained herself as best she might, consoled by the
+reflection that her reasoning had been justified by events. The
+two men had undoubtedly come from the second floor flat, and that
+one slender thread of the name "Rita" had set the Young
+Adventurers once more upon the track of the abductors of Jane
+Finn.
+
+The question was what to do next?  Tuppence hated letting the
+grass grow under her feet.  Tommy was amply employed, and
+debarred from joining him in the chase, the girl felt at a loose
+end. She retraced her steps to the entrance hall of the mansions.
+It was now tenanted by a small lift-boy, who was polishing brass
+fittings, and whistling the latest air with a good deal of vigour
+and a reasonable amount of accuracy.
+
+He glanced round at Tuppence's entry.  There was a certain amount
+of the gamin element in the girl, at all events she invariably
+got on well with small boys.  A sympathetic bond seemed instantly
+to be formed. She reflected that an ally in the enemy's camp, so
+to speak, was not to be despised.
+
+"Well, William," she remarked cheerfully, in the best approved
+hospital-early-morning style, "getting a good shine up?"
+
+The boy grinned responsively.
+
+"Albert, miss," he corrected.
+
+"Albert be it," said Tuppence.  She glanced mysteriously round
+the hall. The effect was purposely a broad one in case Albert
+should miss it. She leaned towards the boy and dropped her voice: 
+"I want a word with you, Albert."
+
+Albert ceased operations on the fittings and opened his mouth
+slightly.
+
+"Look!  Do you know what this is?"  With a dramatic gesture she
+flung back the left side of her coat and exposed a small
+enamelled badge. It was extremely unlikely that Albert would have
+any knowledge of it--indeed, it would have been fatal for
+Tuppence's plans, since the badge in question was the device of a
+local training corps originated by the archdeacon in the early
+days of the war. Its presence in Tuppence's coat was due to the
+fact that she had used it for pinning in some flowers a day or
+two before. But Tuppence had sharp eyes, and had noted the corner
+of a threepenny detective novel protruding from Albert's pocket,
+and the immediate enlargement of his eyes told her that her
+tactics were good, and that the fish would rise to the bait.
+
+"American Detective Force!" she hissed.
+
+Albert fell for it.
+
+"Lord!" he murmured ecstatically.
+
+Tuppence nodded at him with the air of one who has established a
+thorough understanding.
+
+"Know who I'm after?" she inquired genially.
+
+Albert, still round-eyed, demanded breathlessly:
+
+"One of the flats?"
+
+Tuppence nodded and jerked a thumb up the stairs.
+
+"No. 20.  Calls herself Vandemeyer.  Vandemeyer!  Ha! ha!"
+
+Albert's hand stole to his pocket.
+
+"A crook?" he queried eagerly.
+
+"A crook?  I should say so.  Ready Rita they call her in the
+States."
+
+"Ready Rita," repeated Albert deliriously.  "Oh, ain't it just
+like the pictures!"
+
+It was.  Tuppence was a great frequenter of the kinema.
+
+"Annie always said as how she was a bad lot," continued the boy.
+
+"Who's Annie?" inquired Tuppence idly.
+
+" 'Ouse-parlourmaid. She's leaving to-day. Many's the time
+Annie's said to me:  'Mark my words, Albert, I wouldn't wonder if
+the police was to come after her one of these days.' Just like
+that.  But she's a stunner to look at, ain't she?"
+
+"She's some peach," allowed Tuppence carelessly.  "Finds it
+useful in her lay-out, you bet.  Has she been wearing any of the
+emeralds, by the way?"
+
+"Emeralds?  Them's the green stones, isn't they?"
+
+Tuppence nodded.
+
+"That's what we're after her for.  You know old man Rysdale?"
+
+Albert shook his head.
+
+"Peter B. Rysdale, the oil king?"
+
+"It seems sort of familiar to me."
+
+"The sparklers belonged to him.  Finest collection of emeralds in
+the world. Worth a million dollars!"
+
+"Lumme!" came ecstatically from Albert.  "It sounds more like the
+pictures every minute."
+
+Tuppence smiled, gratified at the success of her efforts.
+
+"We haven't exactly proved it yet.  But we're after her. 
+And"--she produced a long-drawn-out wink--"I guess she won't get
+away with the goods this time."
+
+Albert uttered another ejaculation indicative of delight.
+
+"Mind you, sonny, not a word of this," said Tuppence suddenly. "I
+guess I oughtn't to have put you wise, but in the States we know
+a real smart lad when we see one."
+
+"I'll not breathe a word," protested Albert eagerly. "Ain't there
+anything I could do?  A bit of shadowing, maybe, or such like?"
+
+Tuppence affected to consider, then shook her head.
+
+"Not at the moment, but I'll bear you in mind, son.  What's this
+about the girl you say is leaving?"
+
+"Annie?  Regular turn up, they 'ad.  As Annie said, servants is
+some one nowadays, and to be treated accordingly, and, what with
+her passing the word round, she won't find it so easy to get
+another."
+
+"Won't she?" said Tuppence thoughtfully.  "I wonder----"
+
+An idea was dawning in her brain.  She thought a minute or two,
+then tapped Albert on the shoulder.
+
+"See here, son, my brain's got busy.  How would it be if you
+mentioned that you'd got a young cousin, or a friend of yours
+had, that might suit the place.  You get me?"
+
+"I'm there," said Albert instantly.  "You leave it to me, miss,
+and I'll fix the whole thing up in two ticks."
+
+"Some lad!" commented Tuppence, with a nod of approval. "You
+might say that the young woman could come in right away. You let
+me know, and if it's O.K. I'll be round to-morrow at eleven
+o'clock."
+
+"Where am I to let you know to?"
+
+"Ritz," replied Tuppence laconically.  "Name of Cowley."
+
+Albert eyed her enviously.
+
+"It must be a good job, this tec business."
+
+"It sure is," drawled Tuppence, "especially when old man Rysdale
+backs the bill.  But don't fret, son.  If this goes well, you
+shall come in on the ground floor."
+
+With which promise she took leave of her new ally, and walked
+briskly away from South Audley Mansions, well pleased with her
+morning's work.
+
+But there was no time to be lost.  She went straight back to the
+Ritz and wrote a few brief words to Mr. Carter.  Having
+dispatched this, and Tommy not having yet returned--which did not
+surprise her--she started off on a shopping expedition which,
+with an interval for tea and assorted creamy cakes, occupied her
+until well after six o'clock, and she returned to the hotel
+jaded, but satisfied with her purchases.  Starting with a cheap
+clothing store, and passing through one or two second-hand
+establishments, she had finished the day at a well-known
+hairdresser's. Now, in the seclusion of her bedroom, she
+unwrapped that final purchase. Five minutes later she smiled
+contentedly at her reflection in the glass. With an actress's
+pencil she had slightly altered the line of her eyebrows, and
+that, taken in conjunction with the new luxuriant growth of fair
+hair above, so changed her appearance that she felt confident
+that even if she came face to face with Whittington he would not
+recognize her.  She would wear elevators in her shoes, and the
+cap and apron would be an even more valuable disguise. From
+hospital experience she knew only too well that a nurse out of
+uniform is frequently unrecognized by her patients.
+
+"Yes," said Tuppence aloud, nodding at the pert reflection in the
+glass, "you'll do."  She then resumed her normal appearance.
+
+Dinner was a solitary meal.  Tuppence was rather surprised at
+Tommy's non-return. Julius, too, was absent--but that to the
+girl's mind was more easily explained. His "hustling" activities
+were not confined to London, and his abrupt appearances and
+disappearances were fully accepted by the Young Adventurers as
+part of the day's work. It was quite on the cards that Julius P.
+Hersheimmer had left for Constantinople at a moment's notice if
+he fancied that a clue to his cousin's disappearance was to be
+found there. The energetic young man had succeeded in making the
+lives of several Scotland Yard men unbearable to them, and the
+telephone girls at the Admiralty had learned to know and dread
+the familiar "Hullo!"  He had spent three hours in Paris hustling
+the Prefecture, and had returned from there imbued with the idea,
+possibly inspired by a weary French official, that the true clue
+to the mystery was to be found in Ireland.
+
+"I dare say he's dashed off there now," thought Tuppence.  "All
+very well, but this is very dull for ME!  Here I am bursting with
+news, and absolutely no one to tell it to!  Tommy might have
+wired, or something. I wonder where he is.  Anyway, he can't have
+'lost the trail' as they say. That reminds me----" And Miss
+Cowley broke off in her meditations, and summoned a small boy.
+
+Ten minutes later the lady was ensconced comfortably on her bed,
+smoking cigarettes and deep in the perusal of Garnaby Williams,
+the Boy Detective, which, with other threepenny works of lurid
+fiction, she had sent out to purchase.  She felt, and rightly,
+that before the strain of attempting further intercourse with
+Albert, it would be as well to fortify herself with a good supply
+of local colour.
+
+The morning brought a note from Mr. Carter:
+
+"DEAR MISS TUPPENCE,
+
+"You have made a splendid start, and I congratulate you. I feel,
+though, that I should like to point out to you once more the
+risks you are running, especially if you pursue the course you
+indicate. Those people are absolutely desperate and incapable of
+either mercy or pity.  I feel that you probably underestimate the
+danger, and therefore warn you again that I can promise you no
+protection. You have given us valuable information, and if you
+choose to withdraw now no one could blame you.  At any rate,
+think the matter over well before you decide.
+
+"If, in spite of my warnings, you make up your mind to go through
+with it, you will find everything arranged.  You have lived for
+two years with Miss Dufferin, The Parsonage, Llanelly, and Mrs.
+Vandemeyer can apply to her for a reference.
+
+"May I be permitted a word or two of advice?  Stick as near to
+the truth as possible--it minimizes the danger of 'slips.' I
+suggest that you should represent yourself to be what you are, a
+former V.A.D., who has chosen domestic service as a profession. 
+There are many such at the present time. That explains away any
+incongruities of voice or manner which otherwise might awaken
+suspicion.
+
+"Whichever way you decide, good luck to you.                    
+"Your sincere friend,                          "MR. CARTER."
+
+
+Tuppence's spirits rose mercurially.  Mr. Carter's warnings
+passed unheeded. The young lady had far too much confidence in
+herself to pay any heed to them.
+
+With some reluctance she abandoned the interesting part she had
+sketched out for herself.  Although she had no doubts of her own
+powers to sustain a role indefinitely, she had too much common
+sense not to recognize the force of Mr. Carter's arguments.
+
+There was still no word or message from Tommy, but the morning
+post brought a somewhat dirty postcard with the words: "It's
+O.K." scrawled upon it.
+
+At ten-thirty Tuppence surveyed with pride a slightly battered
+tin trunk containing her new possessions. It was artistically
+corded.  It was with a slight blush that she rang the bell and
+ordered it to be placed in a taxi. She drove to Paddington, and
+left the box in the cloak room. She then repaired with a handbag
+to the fastnesses of the ladies' waiting-room. Ten minutes later
+a metamorphosed Tuppence walked demurely out of the station and
+entered a bus.
+
+It was a few minutes past eleven when Tuppence again entered the
+hall of South Audley Mansions.  Albert was on the look-out,
+attending to his duties in a somewhat desultory fashion. He did
+not immediately recognize Tuppence.  When he did, his admiration
+was unbounded.
+
+"Blest if I'd have known you!  That rig-out's top-hole."
+
+"Glad you like it, Albert," replied Tuppence modestly. "By the
+way, am I your cousin, or am I not?"
+
+"Your voice too," cried the delighted boy.  "It's as English as
+anything! No, I said as a friend of mine knew a young gal.  Annie
+wasn't best pleased. She's stopped on till to-day--to oblige, SHE
+said, but really it's so as to put you against the place."
+
+"Nice girl," said Tuppence.
+
+Albert suspected no irony.
+
+"She's style about her, and keeps her silver a treat--but, my
+word, ain't she got a temper.  Are you going up now, miss?  Step
+inside the lift. No. 20 did you say?"  And he winked.
+
+Tuppence quelled him with a stern glance, and stepped inside.
+
+As she rang the bell of No. 20 she was conscious of Albert's eyes
+slowly descending beneath the level of the floor.
+
+A smart young woman opened the door.
+
+"I've come about the place," said Tuppence.
+
+"It's a rotten place," said the young woman without hesitation.
+"Regular old cat--always interfering.  Accused me of tampering
+with her letters.  Me!  The flap was half undone anyway. There's
+never anything in the waste-paper basket--she burns everything. 
+She's a wrong 'un, that's what she is. Swell clothes, but no
+class.  Cook knows something about her--but she won't
+tell--scared to death of her.  And suspicious! She's on to you in
+a minute if you as much as speak to a fellow. I can tell you----"
+
+But what more Annie could tell, Tuppence was never destined to
+learn, for at that moment a clear voice with a peculiarly steely
+ring to it called:
+
+"Annie!"
+
+The smart young woman jumped as if she had been shot.
+
+"Yes, ma'am."
+
+"Who are you talking to?"
+
+"It's a young woman about the situation, ma'am."
+
+"Show her in then.  At once."
+
+"Yes, ma'am."
+
+Tuppence was ushered into a room on the right of the long
+passage. A woman was standing by the fireplace.  She was no
+longer in her first youth, and the beauty she undeniably
+possessed was hardened and coarsened. In her youth she must have
+been dazzling.  Her pale gold hair, owing a slight assistance to
+art, was coiled low on her neck, her eyes, of a piercing electric
+blue, seemed to possess a faculty of boring into the very soul of
+the person she was looking at. Her exquisite figure was enhanced
+by a wonderful gown of indigo charmeuse. And yet, despite her
+swaying grace, and the almost ethereal beauty of her face, you
+felt instinctively the presence of something hard and menacing, a
+kind of metallic strength that found expression in the tones of
+her voice and in that gimlet-like quality of her eyes.
+
+For the first time Tuppence felt afraid.  She had not feared
+Whittington, but this woman was different.  As if fascinated, she
+watched the long cruel line of the red curving mouth, and again
+she felt that sensation of panic pass over her.  Her usual
+self-confidence deserted her. Vaguely she felt that deceiving
+this woman would be very different to deceiving Whittington.  Mr.
+Carter's warning recurred to her mind. Here, indeed, she might
+expect no mercy.
+
+Fighting down that instinct of panic which urged her to turn tail
+and run without further delay, Tuppence returned the lady's gaze
+firmly and respectfully.
+
+As though that first scrutiny had been satisfactory, Mrs.
+Vandemeyer motioned to a chair.
+
+"You can sit down.  How did you hear I wanted a
+house-parlourmaid?"
+
+
+"Through a friend who knows the lift boy here.  He thought the
+place might suit me."
+
+Again that basilisk glance seemed to pierce her through.
+
+"You speak like an educated girl?"
+
+Glibly enough, Tuppence ran through her imaginary career on the
+lines suggested by Mr. Carter.  It seemed to her, as she did so,
+that the tension of Mrs. Vandemeyer's attitude relaxed.
+
+"I see," she remarked at length.  "Is there anyone I can write to
+for a reference?"
+
+"I lived last with a Miss Dufferin, The Parsonage, Llanelly.  I
+was with her two years."
+
+"And then you thought you would get more money by coming to
+London, I suppose?  Well, it doesn't matter to me. I will give
+you L50--L60--whatever you want.  You can come in at once?"
+
+"Yes, ma'am. To-day, if you like.  My box is at Paddington."
+
+"Go and fetch it in a taxi, then.  It's an easy place.  I am out
+a good deal. By the way, what's your name?"
+
+"Prudence Cooper, ma'am."
+
+"Very well, Prudence.  Go away and fetch your box.  I shall be
+out to lunch. The cook will show you where everything is."
+
+"Thank you, ma'am."
+
+Tuppence withdrew.  The smart Annie was not in evidence.  In the
+hall below a magnificent hall porter had relegated Albert to the
+background. Tuppence did not even glance at him as she passed
+meekly out.
+
+The adventure had begun, but she felt less elated than she had
+done earlier in the morning.  It crossed her mind that if the
+unknown Jane Finn had fallen into the hands of Mrs. Vandemeyer,
+it was likely to have gone hard with her.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+ENTER SIR JAMES PEEL EDGERTON
+
+TUPPENCE betrayed no awkwardness in her new duties. The daughters
+of the archdeacon were well grounded in household tasks. They
+were also experts in training a "raw girl," the inevitable result
+being that the raw girl, once trained, departed elsewhere where
+her newly acquired knowledge commanded a more substantial
+remuneration than the archdeacon's meagre purse allowed.
+
+Tuppence had therefore very little fear of proving inefficient.
+Mrs. Vandemeyer's cook puzzled her.  She evidently went in deadly
+terror of her mistress.  The girl thought it probable that the
+other woman had some hold over her.  For the rest, she cooked
+like a chef, as Tuppence had an opportunity of judging that
+evening. Mrs. Vandemeyer was expecting a guest to dinner, and
+Tuppence accordingly laid the beautifully polished table for two.
+She was a little exercised in her own mind as to this visitor. It
+was highly possible that it might prove to be Whittington. 
+Although she felt fairly confident that he would not recognize
+her, yet she would have been better pleased had the guest proved
+to be a total stranger. However, there was nothing for it but to
+hope for the best.
+
+At a few minutes past eight the front door bell rang, and
+Tuppence went to answer it with some inward trepidation. She was
+relieved to see that the visitor was the second of the two men
+whom Tommy had taken upon himself to follow.
+
+He gave his name as Count Stepanov.  Tuppence announced him, and
+Mrs. Vandemeyer rose from her seat on a low divan with a quick
+murmur of pleasure.
+
+"It is delightful to see you, Boris Ivanovitch," she said.
+
+"And you, madame!"  He bowed low over her hand.
+
+Tuppence returned to the kitchen.
+
+"Count Stepanov, or some such," she remarked, and affecting a
+frank and unvarnished curiosity:  "Who's he?"
+
+"A Russian gentleman, I believe."
+
+"Come here much?"
+
+"Once in a while.  What d'you want to know for?"
+
+"Fancied he might be sweet on the missus, that's all," explained
+the girl, adding with an appearance of sulkiness: "How you do
+take one up!"
+
+"I'm not quite easy in my mind about the souffle," explained the
+other.
+
+"You know something," thought Tuppence to herself, but aloud she
+only said: "Going to dish up now?  Right-o."
+
+Whilst waiting at table, Tuppence listened closely to all that
+was said. She remembered that this was one of the men Tommy was
+shadowing when she had last seen him.  Already, although she
+would hardly admit it, she was becoming uneasy about her partner.
+Where was he?  Why had no word of any kind come from him? She had
+arranged before leaving the Ritz to have all letters or messages
+sent on at once by special messenger to a small stationer's shop
+near at hand where Albert was to call in frequently. True, it was
+only yesterday morning that she had parted from Tommy, and she
+told herself that any anxiety on his behalf would be absurd.
+Still, it was strange that he had sent no word of any kind.
+
+But, listen as she might, the conversation presented no clue.
+Boris and Mrs. Vandemeyer talked on purely indifferent subjects:
+plays they had seen, new dances, and the latest society gossip.
+After dinner they repaired to the small boudoir where Mrs.
+Vandemeyer, stretched on the divan, looked more wickedly
+beautiful than ever. Tuppence brought in the coffee and liqueurs
+and unwillingly retired. As she did so, she heard Boris say:
+
+"New, isn't she?"
+
+"She came in to-day. The other was a fiend.  This girl seems all
+right. She waits well."
+
+Tuppence lingered a moment longer by the door which she had
+carefully neglected to close, and heard him say:
+
+"Quite safe, I suppose?"
+
+"Really, Boris, you are absurdly suspicious.  I believe she's the
+cousin of the hall porter, or something of the kind. And nobody
+even dreams that I have any connection with our--mutual friend,
+Mr. Brown."
+
+"For heaven's sake, be careful, Rita.  That door isn't shut."
+
+"Well, shut it then," laughed the woman.
+
+Tuppence removed herself speedily.
+
+She dared not absent herself longer from the back premises, but
+she cleared away and washed up with a breathless speed acquired
+in hospital.  Then she slipped quietly back to the boudoir door.
+The cook, more leisurely, was still busy in the kitchen and, if
+she missed the other, would only suppose her to be turning down
+the beds.
+
+Alas!  The conversation inside was being carried on in too low a
+tone to permit of her hearing anything of it.  She dared not
+reopen the door, however gently.  Mrs. Vandemeyer was sitting
+almost facing it, and Tuppence respected her mistress's lynx-eyed
+powers of observation.
+
+Nevertheless, she felt she would give a good deal to overhear
+what was going on.  Possibly, if anything unforeseen had
+happened, she might get news of Tommy.  For some moments she
+reflected desperately, then her face brightened. She went quickly
+along the passage to Mrs. Vandemeyer's bedroom, which had long
+French windows leading on to a balcony that ran the length of the
+flat.  Slipping quickly through the window, Tuppence crept
+noiselessly along till she reached the boudoir window. As she had
+thought it stood a little ajar, and the voices within were
+plainly audible.
+
+Tuppence listened attentively, but there was no mention of
+anything that could be twisted to apply to Tommy.  Mrs.
+Vandemeyer and the Russian seemed to be at variance over some
+matter, and finally the latter exclaimed bitterly:
+
+"With your persistent recklessness, you will end by ruining us!"
+
+"Bah!" laughed the woman.  "Notoriety of the right kind is the
+best way of disarming suspicion.  You will realize that one of
+these days--perhaps sooner than you think!"
+
+"In the meantime, you are going about everywhere with Peel
+Edgerton.  Not only is he, perhaps, the most celebrated K.C. in
+England, but his special hobby is criminology! It is madness!"
+
+"I know that his eloquence has saved untold men from the
+gallows," said Mrs. Vandemeyer calmly.  "What of it? I may need
+his assistance in that line myself some day. If so, how fortunate
+to have such a friend at court--or perhaps it would be more to
+the point to say IN court."
+
+Boris got up and began striding up and down.  He was very
+excited.
+
+"You are a clever woman, Rita; but you are also a fool! Be guided
+by me, and give up Peel Edgerton."
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer shook her head gently.
+
+"I think not."
+
+"You refuse?"  There was an ugly ring in the Russian's voice.
+
+"I do."
+
+"Then, by Heaven," snarled the Russian, "we will see----" But
+Mrs. Vandemeyer also rose to her feet, her eyes flashing.
+
+"You forget, Boris," she said.  "I am accountable to no one. I
+take my orders only from--Mr. Brown."
+
+The other threw up his hands in despair.
+
+"You are impossible," he muttered.  "Impossible!  Already it may
+be too late.  They say Peel Edgerton can SMELL a criminal! How do
+we know what is at the bottom of his sudden interest in you?
+Perhaps even now his suspicions are aroused.  He guesses----"
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer eyed him scornfully.
+
+"Reassure yourself, my dear Boris.  He suspects nothing. With
+less than your usual chivalry, you seem to forget that I am
+commonly accounted a beautiful woman.  I assure you that is all
+that interests Peel Edgerton."
+
+Boris shook his head doubtfully.
+
+"He has studied crime as no other man in this kingdom has studied
+it. Do you fancy that you can deceive him?"
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer's eyes narrowed.
+
+"If he is all that you say--it would amuse me to try!"
+
+"Good heavens, Rita----"
+
+"Besides," added Mrs. Vandemeyer, "he is extremely rich. I am not
+one who despises money.  The 'sinews of war,' you know, Boris!"
+
+"Money--money!  That is always the danger with you, Rita.  I
+believe you would sell your soul for money.  I believe----" He
+paused, then in a low, sinister voice he said slowly: "Sometimes
+I believe that you would sell--us!"
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
+
+"The price, at any rate, would have to be enormous," she said
+lightly. "It would be beyond the power of anyone but a
+millionaire to pay."
+
+"Ah!" snarled the Russian.  "You see, I was right!"
+
+"My dear Boris, can you not take a joke?"
+
+"Was it a joke?"
+
+"Of course."
+
+"Then all I can say is that your ideas of humour are peculiar, my
+dear Rita."
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer smiled.
+
+"Let us not quarrel, Boris.  Touch the bell.  We will have some
+drinks."
+
+Tuppence beat a hasty retreat.  She paused a moment to survey
+herself in Mrs. Vandemeyer's long glass, and be sure that nothing
+was amiss with her appearance.  Then she answered the bell
+demurely.
+
+The conversation that she had overheard, although interesting in
+that it proved beyond doubt the complicity of both Rita and
+Boris, threw very little light on the present preoccupations. The
+name of Jane Finn had not even been mentioned.
+
+The following morning a few brief words with Albert informed her
+that nothing was waiting for her at the stationer's. It seemed
+incredible that Tommy, if all was well with him, should not send
+any word to her. A cold hand seemed to close round her heart....
+Supposing ... She choked her fears down bravely.  It was no good
+worrying. But she leapt at a chance offered her by Mrs.
+Vandemeyer.
+
+"What day do you usually go out, Prudence?"
+
+"Friday's my usual day, ma'am."
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer lifted her eyebrows.
+
+"And to-day is Friday!  But I suppose you hardly wish to go out
+to-day, as you only came yesterday."
+
+"I was thinking of asking you if I might, ma'am."
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer looked at her a minute longer, and then smiled.
+
+"I wish Count Stepanov could hear you.  He made a suggestion
+about you last night."  Her smile broadened, catlike.  "Your
+request is very--typical.  I am satisfied.  You do not understand
+all this--but you can go out to-day. It makes no difference to
+me, as I shall not be dining at home."
+
+"Thank you, ma'am."
+
+Tuppence felt a sensation of relief once she was out of the
+other's presence. Once again she admitted to herself that she was
+afraid, horribly afraid, of the beautiful woman with the cruel
+eyes.
+
+In the midst of a final desultory polishing of her silver,
+Tuppence was disturbed by the ringing of the front door bell, and
+went to answer it. This time the visitor was neither Whittington
+nor Boris, but a man of striking appearance.
+
+Just a shade over average height, he nevertheless conveyed the
+impression of a big man.  His face, clean-shaven and exquisitely
+mobile, was stamped with an expression of power and force far
+beyond the ordinary. Magnetism seemed to radiate from him.
+
+Tuppence was undecided for the moment whether to put him down as
+an actor or a lawyer, but her doubts were soon solved as he gave
+her his name: Sir James Peel Edgerton.
+
+She looked at him with renewed interest.  This, then, was the
+famous K.C. whose name was familiar all over England.  She had
+heard it said that he might one day be Prime Minister.  He was
+known to have refused office in the interests of his profession,
+preferring to remain a simple Member for a Scotch constituency.
+
+Tuppence went back to her pantry thoughtfully.  The great man had
+impressed her.  She understood Boris's agitation. Peel Edgerton
+would not be an easy man to deceive.
+
+In about a quarter of an hour the bell rang, and Tuppence
+repaired to the hall to show the visitor out.  He had given her a
+piercing glance before.  Now, as she handed him his hat and
+stick, she was conscious of his eyes raking her through. As she
+opened the door and stood aside to let him pass out, he stopped
+in the doorway.
+
+"Not been doing this long, eh?"
+
+Tuppence raised her eyes, astonished.  She read in his glance
+kindliness, and something else more difficult to fathom.
+
+He nodded as though she had answered.
+
+"V.A.D. and hard up, I suppose?"
+
+"Did Mrs. Vandemeyer tell you that?" asked Tuppence suspiciously.
+
+"No, child.  The look of you told me.  Good place here?"
+
+"Very good, thank you, sir."
+
+"Ah, but there are plenty of good places nowadays. And a change
+does no harm sometimes."
+
+"Do you mean----?" began Tuppence.
+
+But Sir James was already on the topmost stair.  He looked back
+with his kindly, shrewd glance.
+
+"Just a hint," he said.  "That's all."
+
+Tuppence went back to the pantry more thoughtful than ever.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+JULIUS TELLS A STORY
+
+DRESSED appropriately, Tuppence duly sallied forth for her
+"afternoon out." Albert was in temporary abeyance, but Tuppence
+went herself to the stationer's to make quite sure that nothing
+had come for her. Satisfied on this point, she made her way to
+the Ritz.  On inquiry she learnt that Tommy had not yet returned. 
+It was the answer she had expected, but it was another nail in
+the coffin of her hopes. She resolved to appeal to Mr. Carter,
+telling him when and where Tommy had started on his quest, and
+asking him to do something to trace him. The prospect of his aid
+revived her mercurial spirits, and she next inquired for Julius
+Hersheimmer.  The reply she got was to the effect that he had
+returned about half an hour ago, but had gone out immediately.
+
+Tuppence's spirits revived still more.  It would be something to
+see Julius.  Perhaps he could devise some plan for finding out
+what had become of Tommy.  She wrote her note to Mr. Carter in
+Julius's sitting-room, and was just addressing the envelope when
+the door burst open.
+
+"What the hell----" began Julius, but checked himself abruptly.
+"I beg your pardon, Miss Tuppence.  Those fools down at the
+office would have it that Beresford wasn't here any
+longer--hadn't been here since Wednesday.  Is that so?"
+
+Tuppence nodded.
+
+"You don't know where he is?" she asked faintly.
+
+"I?  How should I know?  I haven't had one darned word from him,
+though I wired him yesterday morning."
+
+"I expect your wire's at the office unopened."
+
+"But where is he?"
+
+"I don't know.  I hoped you might."
+
+"I tell you I haven't had one darned word from him since we
+parted at the depot on Wednesday."
+
+"What depot?"
+
+"Waterloo.  Your London and South Western road."
+
+"Waterloo?" frowned Tuppence.
+
+"Why, yes.  Didn't he tell you?"
+
+"I haven't seen him either," replied Tuppence impatiently. "Go on
+about Waterloo.  What were you doing there?"
+
+"He gave me a call.  Over the phone.  Told me to get a move on,
+and hustle. Said he was trailing two crooks."
+
+"Oh!" said Tuppence, her eyes opening.  "I see.  Go on."
+
+"I hurried along right away.  Beresford was there.  He pointed
+out the crooks.  The big one was mine, the guy you bluffed. Tommy
+shoved a ticket into my hand and told me to get aboard the cars.
+He was going to sleuth the other crook."  Julius paused. "I
+thought for sure you'd know all this."
+
+"Julius," said Tuppence firmly, "stop walking up and down. It
+makes me giddy.  Sit down in that armchair, and tell me the whole
+story with as few fancy turns of speech as possible."
+
+Mr. Hersheimmer obeyed.
+
+"Sure," he said.  "Where shall I begin?"
+
+"Where you left off.  At Waterloo."
+
+"Well," began Julius, "I got into one of your dear old-fashioned
+first-class British compartments.  The train was just off. First
+thing I knew a guard came along and informed me mighty politely
+that I wasn't in a smoking-carriage. I handed him out half a
+dollar, and that settled that. I did a bit of prospecting along
+the corridor to the next coach. Whittington was there right
+enough.  When I saw the skunk, with his big sleek fat face, and
+thought of poor little Jane in his clutches, I felt real mad that
+I hadn't got a gun with me. I'd have tickled him up some.
+
+"We got to Bournemouth all right.  Whittington took a cab and
+gave the name of an hotel.  I did likewise, and we drove up
+within three minutes of each other.  He hired a room, and I hired
+one too. So far it was all plain sailing.  He hadn't the remotest
+notion that anyone was on to him.  Well, he just sat around in
+the hotel lounge, reading the papers and so on, till it was time
+for dinner. He didn't hurry any over that either.
+
+"I began to think that there was nothing doing, that he'd just
+come on the trip for his health, but I remembered that he hadn't
+changed for dinner, though it was by way of being a slap-up
+hotel, so it seemed likely enough that he'd be going out on his
+real business afterwards.
+
+"Sure enough, about nine o'clock, so he did.  Took a car across
+the town--mighty pretty place by the way, I guess I'll take Jane
+there for a spell when I find her--and then paid it off and
+struck out along those pine-woods on the top of the cliff. I was
+there too, you understand.  We walked, maybe, for half an hour. 
+There's a lot of villas all the way along, but by degrees they
+seemed to get more and more thinned out, and in the end we got to
+one that seemed the last of the bunch. Big house it was, with a
+lot of piny grounds around it.
+
+"It was a pretty black night, and the carriage drive up to the
+house was dark as pitch.  I could hear him ahead, though I
+couldn't see him. I had to walk carefully in case he might get on
+to it that he was being followed.  I turned a curve and I was
+just in time to see him ring the bell and get admitted to the
+house.  I just stopped where I was. It was beginning to rain, and
+I was soon pretty near soaked through. Also, it was almighty
+cold.
+
+"Whittington didn't come out again, and by and by I got kind of
+restive, and began to mouch around.  All the ground floor windows
+were shuttered tight, but upstairs, on the first floor (it was a
+two-storied house) I noticed a window with a light burning and
+the curtains not drawn.
+
+"Now, just opposite to that window, there was a tree growing. It
+was about thirty foot away from the house, maybe, and I sort of
+got it into my head that, if I climbed up that tree, I'd very
+likely be able to see into that room.  Of course, I knew there
+was no reason why Whittington should be in that room rather than
+in any other--less reason, in fact, for the betting would be on
+his being in one of the reception-rooms downstairs. But I guess
+I'd got the hump from standing so long in the rain, and anything
+seemed better than going on doing nothing. So I started up.
+
+"It wasn't so easy, by a long chalk!  The rain had made the
+boughs mighty slippery, and it was all I could do to keep a
+foothold, but bit by bit I managed it, until at last there I was
+level with the window.
+
+"But then I was disappointed.  I was too far to the left. I could
+only see sideways into the room.  A bit of curtain, and a yard of
+wallpaper was all I could command.  Well, that wasn't any manner
+of good to me, but just as I was going to give it up, and climb
+down ignominiously, some one inside moved and threw his shadow on
+my little bit of wall--and, by gum, it was Whittington!
+
+"After that, my blood was up.  I'd just got to get a look into
+that room. It was up to me to figure out how.  I noticed that
+there was a long branch running out from the tree in the right
+direction.  If I could only swarm about half-way along it, the
+proposition would be solved. But it was mighty uncertain whether
+it would bear my weight. I decided I'd just got to risk that, and
+I started.  Very cautiously, inch by inch, I crawled along.  The
+bough creaked and swayed in a nasty fashion, and it didn't do to
+think of the drop below, but at last I got safely to where I
+wanted to be.
+
+"The room was medium-sized, furnished in a kind of bare hygienic
+way. There was a table with a lamp on it in the middle of the
+room, and sitting at that table, facing towards me, was
+Whittington right enough.  He was talking to a woman dressed as a
+hospital nurse. She was sitting with her back to me, so I
+couldn't see her face. Although the blinds were up, the window
+itself was shut, so I couldn't catch a word of what they said. 
+Whittington seemed to be doing all the talking, and the nurse
+just listened. Now and then she nodded, and sometimes she'd shake
+her head, as though she were answering questions.  He seemed very
+emphatic--once or twice he beat with his fist on the table. The
+rain had stopped now, and the sky was clearing in that sudden way
+it does.
+
+"Presently, he seemed to get to the end of what he was saying. 
+He got up, and so did she.  He looked towards the window and
+asked something--I guess it was whether it was raining.  Anyway,
+she came right across and looked out. Just then the moon came out
+from behind the clouds.  I was scared the woman would catch sight
+of me, for I was full in the moonlight.  I tried to move back a
+bit.  The jerk I gave was too much for that rotten old branch.
+With an almighty crash, down it came, and Julius P. Hersheimmer
+with it!"
+
+"Oh, Julius," breathed Tuppence, "how exciting!  Go on."
+
+"Well, luckily for me, I pitched down into a good soft bed of
+earth--but it put me out of action for the time, sure enough. The
+next thing I knew, I was lying in bed with a hospital nurse (not
+Whittington's one) on one side of me, and a little black-bearded
+man with gold glasses, and medical man written all over him, on
+the other.  He rubbed his hands together, and raised his eyebrows
+as I stared at him.  'Ah!' he said. 'So our young friend is
+coming round again.  Capital.  Capital.'
+
+"I did the usual stunt.  Said:  'What's happened?' And 'Where am
+I?'  But I knew the answer to the last well enough. There's no
+moss growing on my brain.  'I think that'll do for the present,
+sister,' said the little man, and the nurse left the room in a
+sort of brisk well-trained way. But I caught her handing me out a
+look of deep curiosity as she passed through the door.
+
+"That look of hers gave me an idea.  'Now then, doc,' I said, and
+tried to sit up in bed, but my right foot gave me a nasty twinge
+as I did so. 'A slight sprain,' explained the doctor.  'Nothing
+serious. You'll be about again in a couple of days.'  "
+
+"I noticed you walked lame," interpolated Tuppence.
+
+Julius nodded, and continued:
+
+" 'How did it happen?'  I asked again.  He replied dryly. 'You
+fell, with a considerable portion of one of my trees, into one of
+my newly planted flower-beds.'
+
+"I liked the man.  He seemed to have a sense of humour. I felt
+sure that he, at least, was plumb straight.  'Sure, doc,' I said,
+'I'm sorry about the tree, and I guess the new bulbs will be on
+me. But perhaps you'd like to know what I was doing in your
+garden?' 'I think the facts do call for an explanation,' he
+replied. 'Well, to begin with, I wasn't after the spoons.'
+
+"He smiled.  'My first theory.  But I soon altered my mind. By
+the way, you are an American, are you not?'  I told him my name.
+'And you?'  'I am Dr. Hall, and this, as you doubtless know, is
+my private nursing home.'
+
+"I didn't know, but I wasn't going to put him wise. I was just
+thankful for the information.  I liked the man, and I felt he was
+straight, but I wasn't going to give him the whole story. For one
+thing he probably wouldn't have believed it.
+
+"I made up my mind in a flash.  'Why, doctor,' I said, 'I guess I
+feel an almighty fool, but I owe it to you to let you know that
+it wasn't the Bill Sikes business I was up to.' Then I went on
+and mumbled out something about a girl. I trotted out the stern
+guardian business, and a nervous breakdown, and finally explained
+that I had fancied I recognized her among the patients at the
+home, hence my nocturnal adventures. I guess it was just the
+kind of story he was expecting. 'Quite a romance,' he said
+genially, when I'd finished. 'Now, doc,' I went on, 'will you be
+frank with me? Have you here now, or have you had here at any
+time, a young girl called Jane Finn?'  He repeated the name
+thoughtfully. 'Jane Finn?' he said.  'No.'
+
+"I was chagrined, and I guess I showed it.  'You are sure?'
+'Quite sure, Mr. Hersheimmer.  It is an uncommon name, and I
+should not have been likely to forget it.'
+
+"Well, that was flat.  It laid me out for a space.  I'd kind of
+hoped my search was at an end.  'That's that,' I said at last.
+'Now, there's another matter.  When I was hugging that darned
+branch I thought I recognized an old friend of mine talking to
+one of your nurses.'  I purposely didn't mention any name
+because, of course, Whittington might be calling himself
+something quite different down here, but the doctor answered at
+once. 'Mr. Whittington, perhaps?'  'That's the fellow,' I
+replied. 'What's he doing down here?  Don't tell me HIS nerves
+are out of order?'
+
+"Dr. Hall laughed.  'No. He came down to see one of my nurses,
+Nurse Edith, who is a niece of his.'  'Why, fancy that!'  I
+exclaimed. 'Is he still here?'  'No, he went back to town almost
+immediately.' 'What a pity!'  I ejaculated.  'But perhaps I could
+speak to his niece--Nurse Edith, did you say her name was?'
+
+"But the doctor shook his head.  'I'm afraid that, too, is
+impossible. Nurse Edith left with a patient to-night also.'  'I
+seem to be real unlucky,' I remarked.  'Have you Mr.
+Whittington's address in town?  I guess I'd like to look him up
+when I get back.'  'I don't know his address. I can write to
+Nurse Edith for it if you like.'  I thanked him. 'Don't say who
+it is wants it.  I'd like to give him a little surprise.'
+
+"That was about all I could do for the moment.  Of course, if the
+girl was really Whittington's niece, she might be too cute to
+fall into the trap, but it was worth trying.  Next thing I did
+was to write out a wire to Beresford saying where I was, and that
+I was laid up with a sprained foot, and telling him to come down
+if he wasn't busy.  I had to be guarded in what I said. However,
+I didn't hear from him, and my foot soon got all right. It was
+only ricked, not really sprained, so to-day I said good-bye to
+the little doctor chap, asked him to send me word if he heard
+from Nurse Edith, and came right away back to town. Say, Miss
+Tuppence, you're looking mighty pale!"
+
+"It's Tommy," said Tuppence.  "What can have happened to him?"
+
+"Buck up, I guess he's all right really.  Why shouldn't he be?
+See here, it was a foreign-looking guy he went off after. Maybe
+they've gone abroad--to Poland, or something like that?"
+
+Tuppence shook her head.
+
+"He couldn't without passports and things.  Besides I've seen
+that man, Boris Something, since.  He dined with Mrs. Vandemeyer
+last night."
+
+"Mrs. Who?"
+
+"I forgot.  Of course you don't know all that."
+
+"I'm listening," said Julius, and gave vent to his favourite
+expression. "Put me wise."
+
+Tuppence thereupon related the events of the last two days.
+Julius's astonishment and admiration were unbounded.
+
+"Bully for you!  Fancy you a menial.  It just tickles me to
+death!" Then he added seriously:  "But say now, I don't like it,
+Miss Tuppence, I sure don't. You're just as plucky as they make
+'em, but I wish you'd keep right out of this. These crooks we're
+up against would as soon croak a girl as a man any day."
+
+"Do you think I'm afraid?" said Tuppence indignantly, valiantly
+repressing memories of the steely glitter in Mrs. Vandemeyer's
+eyes.
+
+"I said before you were darned plucky.  But that doesn't alter
+facts."
+
+"Oh, bother ME!" said Tuppence impatiently.  "Let's think about
+what can have happened to Tommy.  I've written to Mr. Carter
+about it," she added, and told him the gist of her letter.
+
+Julius nodded gravely.
+
+"I guess that's good as far as it goes.  But it's for us to get
+busy and do something."
+
+"What can we do?" asked Tuppence, her spirits rising.
+
+"I guess we'd better get on the track of Boris.  You say he's
+been to your place.  Is he likely to come again?"
+
+"He might.  I really don't know."
+
+"I see.  Well, I guess I'd better buy a car, a slap-up one, dress
+as a chauffeur and hang about outside.  Then if Boris comes, you
+could make some kind of signal, and I'd trail him.  How's that?"
+
+"Splendid, but he mightn't come for weeks."
+
+"We'll have to chance that.  I'm glad you like the plan."  He
+rose.
+
+"Where are you going?"
+
+"To buy the car, of course," replied Julius, surprised. "What
+make do you like?  I guess you'll do some riding in it before
+we've finished."
+
+"Oh," said Tuppence faintly, "I LIKE Rolls-Royces, but----"
+
+"Sure," agreed Julius.  "What you say goes.  I'll get one."
+
+"But you can't at once," cried Tuppence.  "People wait ages
+sometimes."
+
+"Little Julius doesn't," affirmed Mr. Hersheimmer.  "Don't you
+worry any. I'll be round in the car in half an hour."
+
+Tuppence got up.
+
+"You're awfully good, Julius.  But I can't help feeling that it's
+rather a forlorn hope.  I'm really pinning my faith to Mr.
+Carter."
+
+"Then I shouldn't."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Just an idea of mine."
+
+"Oh; but he must do something.  There's no one else.  By the way,
+I forgot to tell you of a queer thing that happened this
+morning."
+
+And she narrated her encounter with Sir James Peel Edgerton.
+Julius was interested.
+
+"What did the guy mean, do you think?" he asked.
+
+"I don't quite know," said Tuppence meditatively.  "But I think
+that, in an ambiguous, legal, without prejudishish lawyer's way,
+he was trying to warn me."
+
+"Why should he?"
+
+"I don't know," confessed Tuppence.  "But he looked kind, and
+simply awfully clever.  I wouldn't mind going to him and telling
+him everything."
+
+Somewhat to her surprise, Julius negatived the idea sharply.
+
+"See here," he said, "we don't want any lawyers mixed up in this.
+That guy couldn't help us any."
+
+"Well, I believe he could," reiterated Tuppence obstinately.
+
+"Don't you think it.  So long.  I'll be back in half an hour."
+
+Thirty-five minutes had elapsed when Julius returned. He took
+Tuppence by the arm, and walked her to the window.
+
+"There she is."
+
+"Oh!" said Tuppence with a note of reverence in her voice, as she
+gazed down at the enormous car.
+
+"She's some pace-maker, I can tell you," said Julius
+complacently.
+
+"How did you get it?" gasped Tuppence.
+
+"She was just being sent home to some bigwig."
+
+"Well?"
+
+"I went round to his house," said Julius.  "I said that I
+reckoned a car like that was worth every penny of twenty thousand
+dollars. Then I told him that it was worth just about fifty
+thousand dollars to me if he'd get out."
+
+"Well?" said Tuppence, intoxicated.
+
+"Well," returned Julius, "he got out, that's all."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+A FRIEND IN NEED
+
+FRIDAY and Saturday passed uneventfully.  Tuppence had received a
+brief answer to her appeal from Mr. Carter.  In it he pointed out
+that the Young Adventurers had undertaken the work at their own
+risk, and had been fully warned of the dangers. If anything had
+happened to Tommy he regretted it deeply, but he could do
+nothing.
+
+This was cold comfort.  Somehow, without Tommy, all the savour
+went out of the adventure, and, for the first time, Tuppence felt
+doubtful of success.  While they had been together she had never
+questioned it for a minute.  Although she was accustomed to take
+the lead, and to pride herself on her quick-wittedness, in
+reality she had relied upon Tommy more than she realized at the
+time. There was something so eminently sober and clear-headed
+about him, his common sense and soundness of vision were so
+unvarying, that without him Tuppence felt much like a rudderless
+ship. It was curious that Julius, who was undoubtedly much
+cleverer than Tommy, did not give her the same feeling of
+support. She had accused Tommy of being a pessimist, and it is
+certain that he always saw the disadvantages and difficulties
+which she herself was optimistically given to overlooking, but
+nevertheless she had really relied a good deal on his judgment.
+He might be slow, but he was very sure.
+
+It seemed to the girl that, for the first time, she realized the
+sinister character of the mission they had undertaken so
+lightheartedly. It had begun like a page of romance.  Now, shorn
+of its glamour, it seemed to be turning to grim reality. 
+Tommy--that was all that mattered. Many times in the day Tuppence
+blinked the tears out of her eyes resolutely. "Little fool," she
+would apostrophize herself, "don't snivel. Of course you're fond
+of him.  You've known him all your life. But there's no need to
+be sentimental about it."
+
+In the meantime, nothing more was seen of Boris.  He did not come
+to the flat, and Julius and the car waited in vain.  Tuppence
+gave herself over to new meditations.  Whilst admitting the truth
+of Julius's objections, she had nevertheless not entirely
+relinquished the idea of appealing to Sir James Peel Edgerton. 
+Indeed, she had gone so far as to look up his address in the Red
+Book.  Had he meant to warn her that day? If so, why?  Surely she
+was at least entitled to demand an explanation. He had looked at
+her so kindly.  Perhaps he might tell them something concerning
+Mrs. Vandemeyer which might lead to a clue to Tommy's
+whereabouts.
+
+Anyway, Tuppence decided, with her usual shake of the shoulders,
+it was worth trying, and try it she would.  Sunday was her
+afternoon out. She would meet Julius, persuade him to her point
+of view, and they would beard the lion in his den.
+
+When the day arrived Julius needed a considerable amount of
+persuading, but Tuppence held firm.  "It can do no harm," was
+what she always came back to.  In the end Julius gave in, and
+they proceeded in the car to Carlton House Terrace.
+
+The door was opened by an irreproachable butler.  Tuppence felt a
+little nervous.  After all, perhaps it WAS colossal cheek on her
+part. She had decided not to ask if Sir James was "at home," but
+to adopt a more personal attitude.
+
+"Will you ask Sir James if I can see him for a few minutes? I
+have an important message for him."
+
+The butler retired, returning a moment or two later.
+
+"Sir James will see you.  Will you step this way?"
+
+He ushered them into a room at the back of the house, furnished
+as a library. The collection of books was a magnificent one, and
+Tuppence noticed that all one wall was devoted to works on crime
+and criminology.  There were several deep-padded leather
+arm-chairs, and an old-fashioned open hearth. In the window was a
+big roll-top desk strewn with papers at which the master of the
+house was sitting.
+
+He rose as they entered.
+
+"You have a message for me?  Ah"--he recognized Tuppence with a
+smile--"it's you, is it?  Brought a message from Mrs. Vandemeyer,
+I suppose?"
+
+"Not exactly," said Tuppence.  "In fact, I'm afraid I only said
+that to be quite sure of getting in.  Oh, by the way, this is Mr.
+Hersheimmer, Sir James Peel Edgerton."
+
+"Pleased to meet you," said the American, shooting out a hand.
+
+"Won't you both sit down?" asked Sir James.  He drew forward two
+chairs.
+
+"Sir James," said Tuppence, plunging boldly, "I dare say you will
+think it is most awful cheek of me coming here like this.
+Because, of course, it's nothing whatever to do with you, and
+then you're a very important person, and of course Tommy and I
+are very unimportant."  She paused for breath.
+
+"Tommy?" queried Sir James, looking across at the American.
+
+"No, that's Julius," explained Tuppence.  "I'm rather nervous,
+and that makes me tell it badly.  What I really want to know is
+what you meant by what you said to me the other day? Did you mean
+to warn me against Mrs. Vandemeyer?  You did, didn't you?"
+
+"My dear young lady, as far as I recollect I only mentioned that
+there were equally good situations to be obtained elsewhere."
+
+"Yes, I know.  But it was a hint, wasn't it?"
+
+"Well, perhaps it was," admitted Sir James gravely.
+
+"Well, I want to know more.  I want to know just WHY you gave me
+a hint."
+
+Sir James smiled at her earnestness.
+
+"Suppose the lady brings a libel action against me for defamation
+of character?"
+
+"Of course," said Tuppence.  "I know lawyers are always
+dreadfully careful. But can't we say 'without prejudice' first,
+and then say just what we want to."
+
+"Well," said Sir James, still smiling, "without prejudice, then,
+if I had a young sister forced to earn her living, I should not
+like to see her in Mrs. Vandemeyer's service. I felt it incumbent
+on me just to give you a hint. It is no place for a young and
+inexperienced girl. That is all I can tell you."
+
+"I see," said Tuppence thoughtfully.  "Thank you very much. But
+I'm not REALLY inexperienced, you know.  I knew perfectly that
+she was a bad lot when I went there--as a matter of fact that's
+WHY I went----" She broke off, seeing some bewilderment on the
+lawyer's face, and went on: "I think perhaps I'd better tell you
+the whole story, Sir James.  I've a sort of feeling that you'd
+know in a minute if I didn't tell the truth, and so you might as
+well know all about it from the beginning. What do you think,
+Julius?"
+
+"As you're bent on it, I'd go right ahead with the facts,"
+replied the American, who had so far sat in silence.
+
+"Yes, tell me all about it," said Sir James.  "I want to know who
+Tommy is."
+
+Thus encouraged Tuppence plunged into her tale, and the lawyer
+listened with close attention.
+
+"Very interesting," he said, when she finished.  "A great deal of
+what you tell me, child, is already known to me.  I've had
+certain theories of my own about this Jane Finn.  You've done
+extraordinarily well so far, but it's rather too bad of--what do
+you know him as?--Mr. Carter to pitchfork you two young things
+into an affair of this kind. By the way, where did Mr.
+Hersheimmer come in originally? You didn't make that clear?"
+
+Julius answered for himself.
+
+"I'm Jane's first cousin," he explained, returning the lawyer's
+keen gaze.
+
+"Ah!"
+
+"Oh, Sir James," broke out Tuppence, "what do you think has
+become of Tommy?"
+
+"H'm." The lawyer rose, and paced slowly up and down. "When you
+arrived, young lady, I was just packing up my traps. Going to
+Scotland by the night train for a few days' fishing. But there
+are different kinds of fishing.  I've a good mind to stay, and
+see if we can't get on the track of that young chap."
+
+"Oh!"  Tuppence clasped her hands ecstatically.
+
+"All the same, as I said before, it's too bad of--of Carter to
+set you two babies on a job like this.  Now, don't get offended,
+Miss--er----"
+
+"Cowley.  Prudence Cowley.  But my friends call me Tuppence."
+
+"Well, Miss Tuppence, then, as I'm certainly going to be a
+friend. Don't be offended because I think you're young.  Youth is
+a failing only too easily outgrown.  Now, about this young Tommy
+of yours----"
+
+"Yes."  Tuppence clasped her hands.
+
+"Frankly, things look bad for him.  He's been butting in
+somewhere where he wasn't wanted.  Not a doubt of it. But don't
+give up hope."
+
+"And you really will help us?  There, Julius!  He didn't want me
+to come," she added by way of explanation.
+
+"H'm," said the lawyer, favouring Julius with another keen
+glance. "And why was that?"
+
+"I reckoned it would be no good worrying you with a petty little
+business like this."
+
+"I see."  He paused a moment.  "This petty little business, as
+you call it, bears directly on a very big business, bigger
+perhaps than either you or Miss Tuppence know. If this boy is
+alive, he may have very valuable information to give us. 
+Therefore, we must find him."
+
+"Yes, but how?" cried Tuppence.  "I've tried to think of
+everything."
+
+Sir James smiled.
+
+"And yet there's one person quite near at hand who in all
+probability knows where he is, or at all events where he is
+likely to be."
+
+"Who is that?" asked Tuppence, puzzled.
+
+"Mrs. Vandemeyer."
+
+"Yes, but she'd never tell us."
+
+"Ah, that is where I come in.  I think it quite likely that I
+shall be able to make Mrs. Vandemeyer tell me what I want to
+know."
+
+"How?" demanded Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide.
+
+"Oh, just by asking her questions," replied Sir James easily.
+"That's the way we do it, you know."
+
+He tapped with his finger on the table, and Tuppence felt again
+the intense power that radiated from the man.
+
+"And if she won't tell?" asked Julius suddenly.
+
+"I think she will.  I have one or two powerful levers.  Still, in
+that unlikely event, there is always the possibility of bribery."
+
+"Sure.  And that's where I come in!" cried Julius, bringing his
+fist down on the table with a bang.  "You can count on me, if
+necessary, for one million dollars.  Yes, sir, one million
+dollars!"
+
+Sir James sat down and subjected Julius to a long scrutiny.
+
+"Mr. Hersheimmer," he said at last, "that is a very large sum."
+
+"I guess it'll have to be.  These aren't the kind of folk to
+offer sixpence to."
+
+"At the present rate of exchange it amounts to considerably over
+two hundred and fifty thousand pounds."
+
+"That's so.  Maybe you think I'm talking through my hat, but I
+can deliver the goods all right, with enough over to spare for
+your fee."
+
+Sir James flushed slightly.
+
+"There is no question of a fee, Mr. Hersheimmer.  I am not a
+private detective."
+
+"Sorry.  I guess I was just a mite hasty, but I've been feeling
+bad about this money question.  I wanted to offer a big reward
+for news of Jane some days ago, but your crusted institution of
+Scotland Yard advised me against it. Said it was undesirable."
+
+"They were probably right," said Sir James dryly.
+
+"But it's all O.K. about Julius," put in Tuppence.  "He's not
+pulling your leg.  He's got simply pots of money."
+
+"The old man piled it up in style," explained Julius.  "Now,
+let's get down to it.  What's your idea?"
+
+Sir James considered for a moment or two.
+
+"There is no time to be lost.  The sooner we strike the better."
+He turned to Tuppence.  "Is Mrs. Vandemeyer dining out to-night,
+do you know?"
+
+"Yes, I think so, but she will not be out late.  Otherwise, she
+would have taken the latchkey."
+
+"Good.  I will call upon her about ten o'clock. What time are you
+supposed to return?"
+
+"About nine-thirty or ten, but I could go back earlier."
+
+"You must not do that on any account.  It might arouse suspicion
+if you did not stay out till the usual time. Be back by
+nine-thirty. I will arrive at ten.  Mr. Hersheimmer will wait
+below in a taxi perhaps."
+
+"He's got a new Rolls-Royce car," said Tuppence with vicarious
+pride.
+
+"Even better.  If I succeed in obtaining the address from her, we
+can go there at once, taking Mrs. Vandemeyer with us if
+necessary. You understand?"
+
+"Yes."  Tuppence rose to her feet with a skip of delight. "Oh, I
+feel so much better!"
+
+"Don't build on it too much, Miss Tuppence.  Go easy."
+
+Julius turned to the lawyer.
+
+"Say, then.  I'll call for you in the car round about
+nine-thirty. Is that right?"
+
+"Perhaps that will be the best plan.  It would be unnecessary to
+have two cars waiting about.  Now, Miss Tuppence, my advice to
+you is to go and have a good dinner, a REALLY good one, mind. And
+don't think ahead more than you can help."
+
+He shook hands with them both, and a moment later they were
+outside.
+
+"Isn't he a duck?" inquired Tuppence ecstatically, as she skipped
+down the steps.  "Oh, Julius, isn't he just a duck?"
+
+"Well, I allow he seems to be the goods all right. And I was
+wrong about its being useless to go to him. Say, shall we go
+right away back to the Ritz?"
+
+"I must walk a bit, I think.  I feel so excited.  Drop me in the
+park, will you?  Unless you'd like to come too?"
+
+"I want to get some petrol," he explained.  "And send off a cable
+or two."
+
+"All right.  I'll meet you at the Ritz at seven.  We'll have to
+dine upstairs.  I can't show myself in these glad rags."
+
+"Sure.  I'll get Felix help me choose the menu.  He's some head
+waiter, that.  So long."
+
+Tuppence walked briskly along towards the Serpentine, first
+glancing at her watch.  It was nearly six o'clock. She remembered
+that she had had no tea, but felt too excited to be conscious of
+hunger. She walked as far as Kensington Gardens and then slowly
+retraced her steps, feeling infinitely better for the fresh air
+and exercise. It was not so easy to follow Sir James's advice,
+and put the possible events of the evening out of her head.  As
+she drew nearer and nearer to Hyde Park corner, the temptation to
+return to South Audley Mansions was almost irresistible.
+
+At any rate, she decided, it would do no harm just to go and LOOK
+at the building.  Perhaps, then, she could resign herself to
+waiting patiently for ten o'clock.
+
+South Audley Mansions looked exactly the same as usual. What
+Tuppence had expected she hardly knew, but the sight of its red
+brick stolidity slightly assuaged the growing and entirely
+unreasonable uneasiness that possessed her. She was just turning
+away when she heard a piercing whistle, and the faithful Albert
+came running from the building to join her.
+
+Tuppence frowned.  It was no part of the programme to have
+attention called to her presence in the neighbourhood, but Albert
+was purple with suppressed excitement.
+
+"I say, miss, she's a-going!"
+
+"Who's going?" demanded Tuppence sharply.
+
+"The crook.  Ready Rita.  Mrs. Vandemeyer.  She's a-packing up,
+and she's just sent down word for me to get her a taxi."
+
+"What?"  Tuppence clutched his arm.
+
+"It's the truth, miss.  I thought maybe as you didn't know about
+it."
+
+"Albert," cried Tuppence, "you're a brick.  If it hadn't been for
+you we'd have lost her."
+
+Albert flushed with pleasure at this tribute.
+
+"There's no time to lose," said Tuppence, crossing the road.
+"I've got to stop her.  At all costs I must keep her here
+until----" She broke off.  "Albert, there's a telephone here,
+isn't there?"
+
+The boy shook his head.
+
+"The flats mostly have their own, miss.  But there's a box just
+round the corner."
+
+"Go to it then, at once, and ring up the Ritz Hotel.  Ask for Mr.
+Hersheimmer, and when you get him tell him to get Sir James and
+come on at once, as Mrs. Vandemeyer is trying to hook it. If you
+can't get him, ring up Sir James Peel Edgerton, you'll find his
+number in the book, and tell him what's happening. You won't
+forget the names, will you?"
+
+Albert repeated them glibly.  "You trust to me, miss, it'll be
+all right. But what about you?  Aren't you afraid to trust
+yourself with her?"
+
+"No, no, that's all right.  BUT GO AND TELEPHONE.  Be quick."
+
+Drawing a long breath, Tuppence entered the Mansions and ran up
+to the door of No. 20.  How she was to detain Mrs. Vandemeyer
+until the two men arrived, she did not know, but somehow or other
+it had to be done, and she must accomplish the task
+single-handed. What had occasioned this precipitate departure?
+Did Mrs. Vandemeyer suspect her?
+
+Speculations were idle.  Tuppence pressed the bell firmly. She
+might learn something from the cook.
+
+Nothing happened and, after waiting some minutes, Tuppence
+pressed the bell again, keeping her finger on the button for some
+little while. At last she heard footsteps inside, and a moment
+later Mrs. Vandemeyer herself opened the door.  She lifted her
+eyebrows at the sight of the girl.
+
+"You?"
+
+"I had a touch of toothache, ma'am," said Tuppence glibly. "So
+thought it better to come home and have a quiet evening."
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer said nothing, but she drew back and let Tuppence
+pass into the hall.
+
+"How unfortunate for you," she said coldly.  "You had better go
+to bed."
+
+"Oh, I shall be all right in the kitchen, ma'am. Cook will----"
+
+"Cook is out," said Mrs. Vandemeyer, in a rather disagreeable
+tone. "I sent her out.  So you see you had better go to bed."
+
+Suddenly Tuppence felt afraid.  There was a ring in Mrs.
+Vandemeyer's voice that she did not like at all. Also, the other
+woman was slowly edging her up the passage. Tuppence turned at
+bay.
+
+"I don't want----"
+
+Then, in a flash, a rim of cold steel touched her temple, and
+Mrs. Vandemeyer's voice rose cold and menacing:
+
+"You damned little fool!  Do you think I don't know?  No, don't
+answer. If you struggle or cry out, I'll shoot you like a dog."
+
+The rim of steel pressed a little harder against the girl's
+temple.
+
+"Now then, march," went on Mrs. Vandemeyer.  "This way--into my
+room. In a minute, when I've done with you, you'll go to bed as I
+told you to. And you'll sleep--oh yes, my little spy, you'll
+sleep all right!"
+
+There was a sort of hideous geniality in the last words which
+Tuppence did not at all like.  For the moment there was nothing
+to be done, and she walked obediently into Mrs. Vandemeyer's
+bedroom.  The pistol never left her forehead.  The room was in a
+state of wild disorder, clothes were flung about right and left,
+a suit-case and a hat box, half-packed, stood in the middle of
+the floor.
+
+Tuppence pulled herself together with an effort.  Her voice shook
+a little, but she spoke out bravely.
+
+"Come now," she said.  "This is nonsense.  You can't shoot me.
+Why, every one in the building would hear the report."
+
+"I'd risk that," said Mrs. Vandemeyer cheerfully. "But, as long
+as you don't sing out for help, you're all right--and I don't
+think you will.  You're a clever girl. You deceived ME all right. 
+I hadn't a suspicion of you! So I've no doubt that you understand
+perfectly well that this is where I'm on top and you're
+underneath.  Now then--sit on the bed. Put your hands above your
+head, and if you value your life don't move them."
+
+Tuppence obeyed passively.  Her good sense told her that there
+was nothing else to do but accept the situation.  If she shrieked
+for help there was very little chance of anyone hearing her,
+whereas there was probably quite a good chance of Mrs.
+Vandemeyer's shooting her. In the meantime, every minute of delay
+gained was valuable.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer laid down the revolver on the edge of the
+washstand within reach of her hand, and, still eyeing Tuppence
+like a lynx in case the girl should attempt to move, she took a
+little stoppered bottle from its place on the marble and poured
+some of its contents into a glass which she filled up with water.
+
+"What's that?" asked Tuppence sharply.
+
+"Something to make you sleep soundly."
+
+Tuppence paled a little.
+
+"Are you going to poison me?" she asked in a whisper.
+
+"Perhaps," said Mrs. Vandemeyer, smiling agreeably.
+
+"Then I shan't drink it," said Tuppence firmly.  "I'd much rather
+be shot. At any rate that would make a row, and some one might
+hear it. But I won't be killed off quietly like a lamb."
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer stamped her foot.
+
+"Don't be a little fool!  Do you really think I want a hue and
+cry for murder out after me?  If you've any sense at all, you'll
+realize that poisoning you wouldn't suit my book at all.  It's a
+sleeping draught, that's all.  You'll wake up to-morrow morning
+none the worse. I simply don't want the bother of tying you up
+and gagging you. That's the alternative--and you won't like it, I
+can tell you! I can be very rough if I choose.  So drink this
+down like a good girl, and you'll be none the worse for it."
+
+In her heart of hearts Tuppence believed her.  The arguments she
+had adduced rang true.  It was a simple and effective method of
+getting her out of the way for the time being. Nevertheless, the
+girl did not take kindly to the idea of being tamely put to sleep
+without as much as one bid for freedom. She felt that once Mrs.
+Vandemeyer gave them the slip, the last hope of finding Tommy
+would be gone.
+
+Tuppence was quick in her mental processes.  All these
+reflections passed through her mind in a flash, and she saw where
+a chance, a very problematical chance, lay, and she determined to
+risk all in one supreme effort.
+
+Accordingly, she lurched suddenly off the bed and fell on her
+knees before Mrs. Vandemeyer, clutching her skirts frantically.
+
+"I don't believe it," she moaned.  "It's poison--I know it's
+poison. Oh, don't make me drink it"--her voice rose to a
+shriek--"don't make me drink it!"
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer, glass in hand, looked down with a curling lip at
+this sudden collapse.
+
+"Get up, you little idiot!  Don't go on drivelling there. How you
+ever had the nerve to play your part as you did I can't think."
+She stamped her foot.  "Get up, I say."
+
+But Tuppence continued to cling and sob, interjecting her sobs
+with incoherent appeals for mercy.  Every minute gained was to
+the good. Moreover, as she grovelled, she moved imperceptibly
+nearer to her objective.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer gave a sharp impatient exclamation, and jerked
+the girl to her knees.
+
+"Drink it at once!"  Imperiously she pressed the glass to the
+girl's lips.
+
+Tuppence gave one last despairing moan.
+
+"You swear it won't hurt me?" she temporized.
+
+"Of course it won't hurt you.  Don't be a fool."
+
+"Will you swear it?"
+
+"Yes, yes," said the other impatiently.  "I swear it."
+
+Tuppence raised a trembling left hand to the glass.
+
+"Very well."  Her mouth opened meekly.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer gave a sigh of relief, off her guard for the
+moment. Then, quick as a flash, Tuppence jerked the glass upward
+as hard as she could.  The fluid in it splashed into Mrs.
+Vandemeyer's face, and during her momentary gasp, Tuppence's
+right hand shot out and grasped the revolver where it lay on the
+edge of the washstand. The next moment she had sprung back a
+pace, and the revolver pointed straight at Mrs. Vandemeyer's
+heart, with no unsteadiness in the hand that held it.
+
+In the moment of victory, Tuppence betrayed a somewhat
+unsportsmanlike triumph.
+
+"Now who's on top and who's underneath?" she crowed.
+
+The other's face was convulsed with rage.  For a minute Tuppence
+thought she was going to spring upon her, which would have placed
+the girl in an unpleasant dilemma, since she meant to draw the
+line at actually letting off the revolver. However, with an
+effort Mrs. Vandemeyer controlled herself, and at last a slow
+evil smile crept over her face.
+
+"Not a fool, then, after all!  You did that well, girl. But you
+shall pay for it--oh, yes, you shall pay for it! I have a long
+memory!"
+
+"I'm surprised you should have been gulfed so easily," said
+Tuppence scornfully.  "Did you really think I was the kind of
+girl to roll about on the floor and whine for mercy?"
+
+"You may do--some day!" said the other significantly.
+
+The cold malignity of her manner sent an unpleasant chill down
+Tuppence's spine, but she was not going to give in to it.
+
+"Supposing we sit down," she said pleasantly.  "Our present
+attitude is a little melodramatic.  No--not on the bed. Draw a
+chair up to the table, that's right.  Now I'll sit opposite you
+with the revolver in front of me--just in case of accidents. 
+Splendid.  Now, let's talk."
+
+"What about?" said Mrs. Vandemeyer sullenly.
+
+Tuppence eyed her thoughtfully for a minute.  She was remembering
+several things.  Boris's words, "I believe you would sell--us!"
+and her answer, "The price would have to be enormous," given
+lightly, it was true, yet might not there be a substratum of
+truth in it?  Long ago, had not Whittington asked: "Who's been
+blabbing?  Rita?"  Would Rita Vandemeyer prove to be the weak
+spot in the armour of Mr. Brown?
+
+Keeping her eyes fixed steadily on the other's face, Tuppence
+replied quietly:
+
+"Money----"
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer started.  Clearly, the reply was unexpected.
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"I'll tell you.  You said just now that you had a long memory. A
+long memory isn't half as useful as a long purse!  I dare say it
+relieves your feelings a good deal to plan out all sorts of
+dreadful things to do to me, but is that PRACTICAL?  Revenge is
+very unsatisfactory. Every one always says so.  But
+money"--Tuppence warmed to her pet creed--"well, there's nothing
+unsatisfactory about money, is there?"
+
+"Do you think," said Mrs. Vandemeyer scornfully, "that I am the
+kind of woman to sell my friends?"
+
+"Yes," said Tuppence promptly.  "If the price was big enough."
+
+"A paltry hundred pounds or so!"
+
+"No," said Tuppence.  "I should suggest--a hundred thousand!"
+
+Her economical spirit did not permit her to mention the whole
+million dollars suggested by Julius.
+
+A flush crept over Mrs. Vandemeyer's face.
+
+"What did you say?" she asked, her fingers playing nervously with
+a brooch on her breast.  In that moment Tuppence knew that the
+fish was hooked, and for the first time she felt a horror of her
+own money-loving spirit. It gave her a dreadful sense of kinship
+to the woman fronting her.
+
+"A hundred thousand pounds," repeated Tuppence.
+
+The light died out of Mrs. Vandemeyer's eyes.  She leaned back in
+her chair.
+
+"Bah!" she said.  "You haven't got it."
+
+"No," admitted Tuppence, "I haven't--but I know some one who
+has."
+
+"Who?"
+
+"A friend of mine."
+
+"Must be a millionaire," remarked Mrs. Vandemeyer unbelievingly.
+
+"As a matter of fact he is.  He's an American.  He'll pay you
+that without a murmur.  You can take it from me that it's a
+perfectly genuine proposition."
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer sat up again.
+
+"I'm inclined to believe you," she said slowly.
+
+There was silence between them for some time, then Mrs.
+Vandemeyer looked up.
+
+"What does he want to know, this friend of yours?"
+
+Tuppence went through a momentary struggle, but it was Julius's
+money, and his interests must come first.
+
+"He wants to know where Jane Finn is," she said boldly.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer showed no surprise.
+
+"I'm not sure where she is at the present moment," she replied.
+
+"But you could find out?"
+
+"Oh, yes," returned Mrs. Vandemeyer carelessly.  "There would be
+no difficulty about that."
+
+"Then"--Tuppence's voice shook a little--"there's a boy, a friend
+of mine. I'm afraid something's happened to him, through your pal
+Boris."
+
+"What's his name?"
+
+"Tommy Beresford."
+
+"Never heard of him.  But I'll ask Boris.  He'll tell me anything
+he knows."
+
+"Thank you."  Tuppence felt a terrific rise in her spirits. It
+impelled her to more audacious efforts.  "There's one thing
+more."
+
+"Well?"
+
+Tuppence leaned forward and lowered her voice.
+
+"WHO IS MR. BROWN?"
+
+Her quick eyes saw the sudden paling of the beautiful face. With
+an effort Mrs. Vandemeyer pulled herself together and tried to
+resume her former manner.  But the attempt was a mere parody.
+
+She shrugged her shoulders.
+
+"You can't have learnt much about us if you don't know that
+NOBODY KNOWS WHO MR. BROWN IS...."
+
+"You do," said Tuppence quietly.
+
+Again the colour deserted the other's face.
+
+"What makes you think that?"
+
+"I don't know," said the girl truthfully.  "But I'm sure."
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer stared in front of her for a long time.
+
+"Yes," she said hoarsely, at last, "I know.  I was beautiful, you
+see--very beautiful--"
+
+"You are still," said Tuppence with admiration.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer shook her head.  There was a strange gleam in her
+electric-blue eyes.
+
+"Not beautiful enough," she said in a soft dangerous voice.
+"Not--beautiful--enough!  And sometimes, lately, I've been
+afraid.... It's dangerous to know too much!"  She leaned forward
+across the table.  "Swear that my name shan't be brought into
+it--that no one shall ever know."
+
+"I swear it.  And, once's he caught, you'll be out of danger."
+
+A terrified look swept across Mrs. Vandemeyer's face.
+
+"Shall I?  Shall I ever be?"  She clutched Tuppence's arm.
+"You're sure about the money?"
+
+"Quite sure."
+
+"When shall I have it?  There must be no delay."
+
+"This friend of mine will be here presently.  He may have to send
+cables, or something like that.  But there won't be any
+delay--he's a terrific hustler."
+
+A resolute look settled on Mrs. Vandemeyer's face.
+
+"I'll do it.  It's a great sum of money, and besides"--she gave a
+curious smile--"it is not--wise to throw over a woman like me!"
+
+For a moment or two, she remained smiling, and lightly tapping
+her fingers on the table.  Suddenly she started, and her face
+blanched.
+
+"What was that?"
+
+"I heard nothing."
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer gazed round her fearfully.
+
+"If there should be some one listening----"
+
+"Nonsense.  Who could there be?"
+
+"Even the walls might have ears," whispered the other. "I tell
+you I'm frightened.  You don't know him!"
+
+"Think of the hundred thousand pounds," said Tuppence soothingly.
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer passed her tongue over her dried lips.
+
+"You don't know him," she reiterated hoarsely.  "He's--ah!"
+
+With a shriek of terror she sprang to her feet. Her outstretched
+hand pointed over Tuppence's head. Then she swayed to the ground
+in a dead faint.
+
+Tuppence looked round to see what had startled her.
+
+In the doorway were Sir James Peel Edgerton and Julius
+Hersheimmer.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+THE VIGIL
+
+SIR James brushed past Julius and hurriedly bent over the fallen
+woman.
+
+"Heart," he said sharply.  "Seeing us so suddenly must have given
+her a shock.  Brandy--and quickly, or she'll slip through our
+fingers."
+
+Julius hurried to the washstand.
+
+"Not there," said Tuppence over her shoulder.  "In the tantalus
+in the dining-room. Second door down the passage."
+
+Between them Sir James and Tuppence lifted Mrs. Vandemeyer and
+carried her to the bed.  There they dashed water on her face, but
+with no result. The lawyer fingered her pulse.
+
+"Touch and go," he muttered.  "I wish that young fellow would
+hurry up with the brandy."
+
+At that moment Julius re-entered the room, carrying a glass half
+full of the spirit which he handed to Sir James.  While Tuppence
+lifted her head the lawyer tried to force a little of the spirit
+between her closed lips.  Finally the woman opened her eyes
+feebly. Tuppence held the glass to her lips.
+
+"Drink this."
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer complied.  The brandy brought the colour back to
+her white cheeks, and revived her in a marvellous fashion. She
+tried to sit up--then fell back with a groan, her hand to her
+side.
+
+"It's my heart," she whispered.  "I mustn't talk."
+
+She lay back with closed eyes.
+
+Sir James kept his finger on her wrist a minute longer, then
+withdrew it with a nod.
+
+"She'll do now."
+
+All three moved away, and stood together talking in low voices.
+One and all were conscious of a certain feeling of anticlimax.
+Clearly any scheme for cross-questioning the lady was out of the
+question for the moment.  For the time being they were baffled,
+and could do nothing.
+
+Tuppence related how Mrs. Vandemeyer had declared herself willing
+to disclose the identity of Mr. Brown, and how she had consented
+to discover and reveal to them the whereabouts of Jane Finn. 
+Julius was congratulatory.
+
+"That's all right, Miss Tuppence.  Splendid!  I guess that
+hundred thousand pounds will look just as good in the morning to
+the lady as it did over night.  There's nothing to worry over.
+She won't speak without the cash anyway, you bet!"
+
+There was certainly a good deal of common sense in this, and
+Tuppence felt a little comforted.
+
+"What you say is true," said Sir James meditatively. "I must
+confess, however, that I cannot help wishing we had not
+interrupted at the minute we did.  Still, it cannot be helped, it
+is only a matter of waiting until the morning."
+
+He looked across at the inert figure on the bed. Mrs. Vandemeyer
+lay perfectly passive with closed eyes. He shook his head.
+
+"Well," said Tuppence, with an attempt at cheerfulness, "we must
+wait until the morning, that's all.  But I don't think we ought
+to leave the flat."
+
+"What about leaving that bright boy of yours on guard?"
+
+"Albert?  And suppose she came round again and hooked it. Albert
+couldn't stop her."
+
+"I guess she won't want to make tracks away from the dollars."
+
+"She might.  She seemed very frightened of 'Mr. Brown.'  "
+
+"What?  Real plumb scared of him?"
+
+"Yes.  She looked round and said even walls had ears."
+
+"Maybe she meant a dictaphone," said Julius with interest.
+
+"Miss Tuppence is right," said Sir James quietly. "We must not
+leave the flat--if only for Mrs. Vandemeyer's sake."
+
+Julius stared at him.
+
+"You think he'd get after her?  Between now and to-morrow
+morning. How could he know, even?"
+
+"You forget your own suggestion of a dictaphone," said Sir James
+dryly. "We have a very formidable adversary.  I believe, if we
+exercise all due care, that there is a very good chance of his
+being delivered into our hands. But we must neglect no
+precaution.  We have an important witness, but she must be
+safeguarded.  I would suggest that Miss Tuppence should go to
+bed, and that you and I, Mr. Hersheimmer, should share the
+vigil."
+
+Tuppence was about to protest, but happening to glance at the bed
+she saw Mrs. Vandemeyer, her eyes half-open, with such an
+expression of mingled fear and malevolence on her face that it
+quite froze the words on her lips.
+
+For a moment she wondered whether the faint and the heart attack
+had been a gigantic sham, but remembering the deadly pallor she
+could hardly credit the supposition. As she looked the expression
+disappeared as by magic, and Mrs. Vandemeyer lay inert and
+motionless as before. For a moment the girl fancied she must have
+dreamt it. But she determined nevertheless to be on the alert.
+
+"Well," said Julius, "I guess we'd better make a move out of here
+any way."
+
+The others fell in with his suggestion.  Sir James again felt
+Mrs. Vandemeyer's pulse.
+
+"Perfectly satisfactory," he said in a low voice to Tuppence. 
+"She'll be absolutely all right after a night's rest."
+
+The girl hesitated a moment by the bed.  The intensity of the
+expression she had surprised had impressed her powerfully. Mrs.
+Vandemeyer lifted her lids.  She seemed to be struggling to
+speak. Tuppence bent over her.
+
+"Don't--leave----" she seemed unable to proceed, murmuring
+something that sounded like "sleepy."  Then she tried again.
+
+Tuppence bent lower still.  It was only a breath.
+
+"Mr.--Brown----" The voice stopped.
+
+But the half-closed eyes seemed still to send an agonized
+message.
+
+Moved by a sudden impulse, the girl said quickly:
+
+"I shan't leave the flat.  I shall sit up all night."
+
+A flash of relief showed before the lids descended once more.
+Apparently Mrs. Vandemeyer slept.  But her words had awakened a
+new uneasiness in Tuppence.  What had she meant by that low
+murmur: "Mr. Brown?"  Tuppence caught herself nervously looking
+over her shoulder. The big wardrobe loomed up in a sinister
+fashion before her eyes. Plenty of room for a man to hide in
+that.... Half-ashamed of herself, Tuppence pulled it open and
+looked inside. No one--of course!  She stooped down and looked
+under the bed. There was no other possible hiding-place.
+
+Tuppence gave her familiar shake of the shoulders.  It was
+absurd, this giving way to nerves!  Slowly she went out of the
+room. Julius and Sir James were talking in a low voice. Sir James
+turned to her.
+
+"Lock the door on the outside, please, Miss Tuppence, and take
+out the key. There must be no chance of anyone entering that
+room."
+
+The gravity of his manner impressed them, and Tuppence felt less
+ashamed of her attack of "nerves."
+
+"Say," remarked Julius suddenly, "there's Tuppence's bright boy.
+I guess I'd better go down and ease his young mind. That's some
+lad, Tuppence."
+
+"How did you get in, by the way?" asked Tuppence suddenly. "I
+forgot to ask."
+
+"Well, Albert got me on the phone all right.  I ran round for Sir
+James here, and we came right on.  The boy was on the look out
+for us, and was just a mite worried about what might have
+happened to you.  He'd been listening outside the door of the
+flat, but couldn't hear anything.  Anyhow he suggested sending us
+up in the coal lift instead of ringing the bell. And sure enough
+we landed in the scullery and came right along to find you.
+Albert's still below, and must be just hopping mad by this time."
+With which Julius departed abruptly.
+
+"Now then, Miss Tuppence," said Sir James, "you know this place
+better than I do.  Where do you suggest we should take up our
+quarters?"
+
+Tuppence considered for a moment or two.
+
+"I think Mrs. Vandemeyer's boudoir would be the most
+comfortable," she said at last, and led the way there.
+
+Sir James looked round approvingly.
+
+"This will do very well, and now, my dear young lady, do go to
+bed and get some sleep."
+
+Tuppence shook her head resolutely.
+
+"I couldn't, thank you, Sir James.  I should dream of Mr. Brown
+all night!"
+
+"But you'll be so tired, child."
+
+"No, I shan't. I'd rather stay up--really."
+
+The lawyer gave in.
+
+Julius reappeared some minutes later, having reassured Albert and
+rewarded him lavishly for his services. Having in his turn failed
+to persuade Tuppence to go to bed, he said decisively:
+
+"At any rate, you've got to have something to eat right away.
+Where's the larder?"
+
+Tuppence directed him, and he returned in a few minutes with a
+cold pie and three plates.
+
+After a hearty meal, the girl felt inclined to pooh-pooh her
+fancies of half an hour before.  The power of the money bribe
+could not fail.
+
+"And now, Miss Tuppence," said Sir James, "we want to hear your
+adventures."
+
+"That's so," agreed Julius.
+
+Tuppence narrated her adventures with some complacence. Julius
+occasionally interjected an admiring "Bully."  Sir James said
+nothing until she had finished, when his quiet "well done, Miss
+Tuppence," made her flush with pleasure.
+
+"There's one thing I don't get clearly," said Julius.  "What put
+her up to clearing out?"
+
+"I don't know," confessed Tuppence.
+
+Sir James stroked his chin thoughtfully.
+
+"The room was in great disorder.  That looks as though her flight
+was unpremeditated.  Almost as though she got a sudden warning to
+go from some one."
+
+"Mr. Brown, I suppose," said Julius scoffingly.
+
+The lawyer looked at him deliberately for a minute or two.
+
+"Why not?" he said.  "Remember, you yourself have once been
+worsted by him."
+
+Julius flushed with vexation.
+
+"I feel just mad when I think of how I handed out Jane's
+photograph to him like a lamb.  Gee, if I ever lay hands on it
+again, I'll freeze on to it like--like hell!"
+
+"That contingency is likely to be a remote one," said the other
+dryly.
+
+"I guess you're right," said Julius frankly.  "And, in any case,
+it's the original I'm out after.  Where do you think she can be,
+Sir James?"
+
+The lawyer shook his head.
+
+"Impossible to say.  But I've a very good idea where she has
+been."
+
+"You have?  Where?"
+
+Sir James smiled.
+
+"At the scene of your nocturnal adventures, the Bournemouth
+nursing home."
+
+"There?  Impossible.  I asked."
+
+"No, my dear sir, you asked if anyone of the name of Jane Finn
+had been there.  Now, if the girl had been placed there it would
+almost certainly be under an assumed name."
+
+"Bully for you," cried Julius.  "I never thought of that!"
+
+"It was fairly obvious," said the other.
+
+"Perhaps the doctor's in it too," suggested Tuppence.
+
+Julius shook his head.
+
+"I don't think so.  I took to him at once.  No, I'm pretty sure
+Dr. Hall's all right."
+
+"Hall, did you say?" asked Sir James.  "That is curious--really
+very curious."
+
+"Why?" demanded Tuppence.
+
+"Because I happened to meet him this morning.  I've known him
+slightly on and off for some years, and this morning I ran across
+him in the street.  Staying at the Metropole, he told me." He
+turned to Julius.  "Didn't he tell you he was coming up to town?"
+
+Julius shook his head.
+
+"Curious," mused Sir James.  "You did not mention his name this
+afternoon, or I would have suggested your going to him for
+further information with my card as introduction."
+
+"I guess I'm a mutt," said Julius with unusual humility. "I ought
+to have thought of the false name stunt."
+
+"How could you think of anything after falling out of that tree?"
+cried Tuppence.  "I'm sure anyone else would have been killed
+right off."
+
+"Well, I guess it doesn't matter now, anyway," said Julius. 
+"We've got Mrs. Vandemeyer on a string, and that's all we need."
+
+"Yes," said Tuppence, but there was a lack of assurance in her
+voice.
+
+A silence settled down over the party.  Little by little the
+magic of the night began to gain a hold on them.  There were
+sudden creaks of the furniture, imperceptible rustlings in the
+curtains. Suddenly Tuppence sprang up with a cry.
+
+"I can't help it.  I know Mr. Brown's somewhere in the flat! I
+can FEEL him."
+
+"Sure, Tuppence, how could he be?  This door's open into the
+hall. No one could have come in by the front door without our
+seeing and hearing him."
+
+"I can't help it.  I FEEL he's here!"
+
+She looked appealingly at Sir James, who replied gravely:
+
+"With due deference to your feelings, Miss Tuppence (and mine as
+well for that matter), I do not see how it is humanly possible
+for anyone to be in the flat without our knowledge."
+
+The girl was a little comforted by his wards.
+
+"Sitting up at night is always rather jumpy," she confessed.
+
+"Yes," said Sir James.  "We are in the condition of people
+holding a seance. Perhaps if a medium were present we might get
+some marvellous results."
+
+"Do you believe in spiritualism?" asked Tuppence, opening her
+eyes wide.
+
+The lawyer shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"There is some truth in it, without a doubt.  But most of the
+testimony would not pass muster in the witness-box."
+
+The hours drew on.  With the first faint glimmerings of dawn, Sir
+James drew aside the curtains.  They beheld, what few Londoners
+see, the slow rising of the sun over the sleeping city.  Somehow,
+with the coming of the light, the dreads and fancies of the past
+night seemed absurd. Tuppence's spirits revived to the normal.
+
+"Hooray!" she said.  "It's going to be a gorgeous day.  And we
+shall find Tommy.  And Jane Finn.  And everything will be lovely.
+I shall ask Mr. Carter if I can't be made a Dame!"
+
+At seven o'clock Tuppence volunteered to go and make some tea.
+She returned with a tray, containing the teapot and four cups.
+
+"Who's the other cup for?" inquired Julius.
+
+"The prisoner, of course.  I suppose we might call her that?"
+
+"Taking her tea seems a kind of anticlimax to last night," said
+Julius thoughtfully.
+
+"Yes, it does," admitted Tuppence.  "But, anyway, here goes.
+Perhaps you'd both come, too, in case she springs on me, or
+anything. You see, we don't know what mood she'll wake up in."
+
+Sir James and Julius accompanied her to the door.
+
+"Where's the key?  Oh, of course, I've got it myself."
+
+She put it in the lock, and turned it, then paused.
+
+"Supposing, after all, she's escaped?" she murmured in a whisper.
+
+"Plumb impossible," replied Julius reassuringly.
+
+But Sir James said nothing.
+
+Tuppence drew a long breath and entered.  She heaved a sigh of
+relief as she saw that Mrs. Vandemeyer was lying on the bed.
+
+"Good morning," she remarked cheerfully.  "I've brought you some
+tea."
+
+Mrs. Vandemeyer did not reply.  Tuppence put down the cup on the
+table by the bed and went across to draw up the blinds. When she
+turned, Mrs. Vandemeyer still lay without a movement. With a
+sudden fear clutching at her heart, Tuppence ran to the bed. The
+hand she lifted was cold as ice.... Mrs. Vandemeyer would never
+speak now....
+
+Her cry brought the others.  A very few minutes sufficed. Mrs.
+Vandemeyer was dead--must have been dead some hours. She had
+evidently died in her sleep.
+
+"If that isn't the cruellest luck," cried Julius in despair.
+
+The lawyer was calmer, but there was a curious gleam in his eyes.
+
+"If it is luck," he replied.
+
+"You don't think--but, say, that's plumb impossible--no one could
+have got in."
+
+"No," admitted the lawyer.  "I don't see how they could. And
+yet--she is on the point of betraying Mr. Brown, and--she dies.
+Is it only chance?"
+
+"But how----"
+
+"Yes, HOW!  That is what we must find out."  He stood there
+silently, gently stroking his chin.  "We must find out," he said
+quietly, and Tuppence felt that if she was Mr. Brown she would
+not like the tone of those simple words.
+
+Julius's glance went to the window.
+
+"The window's open," he remarked.  "Do you think----"
+
+Tuppence shook her head.
+
+"The balcony only goes along as far as the boudoir. We were
+there."
+
+"He might have slipped out----" suggested Julius.
+
+But Sir James interrupted him.
+
+"Mr. Brown's methods are not so crude.  In the meantime we must
+send for a doctor, but before we do so, is there anything in this
+room that might be of value to us?"
+
+Hastily, the three searched.  A charred mass in the grate
+indicated that Mrs. Vandemeyer had been burning papers on the eve
+of her flight. Nothing of importance remained, though they
+searched the other rooms as well.
+
+"There's that," said Tuppence suddenly, pointing to a small,
+old-fashioned safe let into the wall.  "It's for jewellery, I
+believe, but there might be something else in it."
+
+The key was in the lock, and Julius swung open the door, and
+searched inside. He was some time over the task.
+
+"Well," said Tuppence impatiently.
+
+There was a pause before Julius answered, then he withdrew his
+head and shut to the door.
+
+"Nothing," he said.
+
+In five minutes a brisk young doctor arrived, hastily summoned.
+He was deferential to Sir James, whom he recognized.
+
+"Heart failure, or possibly an overdose of some
+sleeping-draught." He sniffed.  "Rather an odour of chloral in
+the air."
+
+Tuppence remembered the glass she had upset.  A new thought drove
+her to the washstand.  She found the little bottle from which
+Mrs. Vandemeyer had poured a few drops.
+
+It had been three parts full.  Now--IT WAS EMPTY.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A CONSULTATION
+
+NOTHING was more surprising and bewildering to Tuppence than the
+ease and simplicity with which everything was arranged, owing to
+Sir James's skilful handling.  The doctor accepted quite readily
+the theory that Mrs. Vandemeyer had accidentally taken an
+overdose of chloral. He doubted whether an inquest would be
+necessary.  If so, he would let Sir James know.  He understood
+that Mrs. Vandemeyer was on the eve of departure for abroad, and
+that the servants had already left? Sir James and his young
+friends had been paying a call upon her, when she was suddenly
+stricken down and they had spent the night in the flat, not
+liking to leave her alone.  Did they know of any relatives? They
+did not, but Sir James referred him to Mrs. Vandemeyer's
+solicitor.
+
+Shortly afterwards a nurse arrived to take charge, and the other
+left the ill-omened building.
+
+"And what now?" asked Julius, with a gesture of despair. "I guess
+we're down and out for good."
+
+Sir James stroked his chin thoughtfully.
+
+"No," he said quietly.  "There is still the chance that Dr. Hall
+may be able to tell us something."
+
+"Gee!  I'd forgotten him."
+
+"The chance is slight, but it must not be neglected. I think I
+told you that he is staying at the Metropole.  I should suggest
+that we call upon him there as soon as possible. Shall we say
+after a bath and breakfast?"
+
+It was arranged that Tuppence and Julius should return to the
+Ritz, and call for Sir James in the car.  This programme was
+faithfully carried out, and a little after eleven they drew up
+before the Metropole.  They asked for Dr. Hall, and a page-boy
+went in search of him.  In a few minutes the little doctor came
+hurrying towards them.
+
+"Can you spare us a few minutes, Dr. Hall?" said Sir James
+pleasantly. "Let me introduce you to Miss Cowley.  Mr.
+Hersheimmer, I think, you already know."
+
+A quizzical gleam came into the doctor's eye as he shook hands
+with Julius.
+
+"Ah, yes, my young friend of the tree episode!  Ankle all right,
+eh?"
+
+"I guess it's cured owing to your skilful treatment, doc."
+
+"And the heart trouble?  Ha ha!"
+
+"Still searching," said Julius briefly.
+
+"To come to the point, can we have a word with you in private?"
+asked Sir James.
+
+"Certainly.  I think there is a room here where we shall be quite
+undisturbed."
+
+He led the way, and the others followed him.  They sat down, and
+the doctor looked inquiringly at Sir James.
+
+"Dr. Hall, I am very anxious to find a certain young lady for the
+purpose of obtaining a statement from her. I have reason to
+believe that she has been at one time or another in your
+establishment at Bournemouth.  I hope I am transgressing no
+professional etiquette in questioning you on the subject?"
+
+"I suppose it is a matter of testimony?"
+
+Sir James hesitated a moment, then he replied:
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I shall be pleased to give you any information in my power. What
+is the young lady's name?  Mr. Hersheimmer asked me, I
+remember----" He half turned to Julius.
+
+"The name," said Sir James bluntly, "is really immaterial. She
+would be almost certainly sent to you under an assumed one. But I
+should like to know if you are acquainted with a Mrs.
+Vandemeyer?"
+
+"Mrs. Vandemeyer, of 20 South Audley Mansions?  I know her
+slightly."
+
+"You are not aware of what has happened?"
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"You do not know that Mrs. Vandemeyer is dead?"
+
+"Dear, dear, I had no idea of it!  When did it happen?"
+
+"She took an overdose of chloral last night."
+
+"Purposely?"
+
+"Accidentally, it is believed.  I should not like to say myself.
+Anyway, she was found dead this morning."
+
+"Very sad.  A singularly handsome woman.  I presume she was a
+friend of yours, since you are acquainted with all these
+details."
+
+"I am acquainted with the details because--well, it was I who
+found her dead."
+
+"Indeed," said the doctor, starting.
+
+"Yes," said Sir James, and stroked his chin reflectively.
+
+"This is very sad news, but you will excuse me if I say that I do
+not see how it bears on the subject of your inquiry?"
+
+"It bears on it in this way, is it not a fact that Mrs.
+Vandemeyer committed a young relative of hers to your charge?"
+
+Julius leaned forward eagerly.
+
+"That is the case," said the doctor quietly.
+
+"Under the name of----?"
+
+"Janet Vandemeyer.  I understood her to be a niece of Mrs.
+Vandemeyer's."
+
+"And she came to you?"
+
+"As far as I can remember in June or July of 1915."
+
+"Was she a mental case?"
+
+"She is perfectly sane, if that is what you mean. I understood
+from Mrs. Vandemeyer that the girl had been with her on the
+Lusitania when that ill-fated ship was sunk, and had suffered a
+severe shock in consequence."
+
+"We're on the right track, I think?"  Sir James looked round.
+
+"As I said before, I'm a mutt!" returned Julius.
+
+The doctor looked at them all curiously.
+
+"You spoke of wanting a statement from her," he said. "Supposing
+she is not able to give one?"
+
+"What?  You have just said that she is perfectly sane."
+
+"So she is.  Nevertheless, if you want a statement from her
+concerning any events prior to May 7, 1915, she will not be able
+to give it to you."
+
+They looked at the little man, stupefied.  He nodded cheerfully.
+
+"It's a pity," he said.  "A great pity, especially as I gather,
+Sir James, that the matter is important.  But there it is, she
+can tell you nothing."
+
+"But why, man?  Darn it all, why?"
+
+The little man shifted his benevolent glance to the excited young
+American.
+
+"Because Janet Vandemeyer is suffering from a complete loss of
+memory."
+
+"WHAT?"
+
+"Quite so.  An interesting case, a very interesting case. Not so
+uncommon, really, as you would think.  There are several very
+well known parallels.  It's the first case of the kind that I've
+had under my own personal observation, and I must admit that I've
+found it of absorbing interest." There was something rather
+ghoulish in the little man's satisfaction.
+
+"And she remembers nothing," said Sir James slowly.
+
+"Nothing prior to May 7, 1915.  After that date her memory is as
+good as yours or mine."
+
+"Then the first thing she remembers?"
+
+"Is landing with the survivors.  Everything before that is a
+blank. She did not know her own name, or where she had come from,
+or where she was. She couldn't even speak her own tongue."
+
+"But surely all this is most unusual?" put in Julius.
+
+"No, my dear sir.  Quite normal under the circumstances. Severe
+shock to the nervous system.  Loss of memory proceeds nearly
+always on the same lines.  I suggested a specialist, of course.
+There's a very good man in Paris--makes a study of these
+cases--but Mrs. Vandemeyer opposed the idea of publicity that
+might result from such a course."
+
+"I can imagine she would," said Sir James grimly.
+
+"I fell in with her views.  There is a certain notoriety given to
+these cases.  And the girl was very young--nineteen, I believe.
+It seemed a pity that her infirmity should be talked about--might
+damage her prospects.  Besides, there is no special treatment to
+pursue in such cases.  It is really a matter of waiting."
+
+"Waiting?"
+
+"Yes, sooner or later, the memory will return--as suddenly as it
+went. But in all probability the girl will have entirely
+forgotten the intervening period, and will take up life where she
+left off--at the sinking of the Lusitania."
+
+"And when do you expect this to happen?"
+
+The doctor shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"Ah, that I cannot say.  Sometimes it is a matter of months,
+sometimes it has been known to be as long as twenty years!
+Sometimes another shock does the trick.  One restores what the
+other took away."
+
+"Another shock, eh?" said Julius thoughtfully.
+
+"Exactly.  There was a case in Colorado----" The little man's
+voice trailed on, voluble, mildly enthusiastic.
+
+Julius did not seem to be listening.  He had relapsed into his
+own thoughts and was frowning.  Suddenly he came out of his brown
+study, and hit the table such a resounding bang with his fist
+that every one jumped, the doctor most of all.
+
+"I've got it!  I guess, doc, I'd like your medical opinion on the
+plan I'm about to outline.  Say Jane was to cross the herring
+pond again, and the same thing was to happen.  The submarine, the
+sinking ship, every one to take to the boats--and so on. 
+Wouldn't that do the trick? Wouldn't it give a mighty big bump to
+her subconscious self, or whatever the jargon is, and start it
+functioning again right away?"
+
+"A very interesting speculation, Mr. Hersheimmer.  In my own
+opinion, it would be successful.  It is unfortunate that there is
+no chance of the conditions repeating themselves as you suggest."
+
+"Not by nature, perhaps, doc.  But I'm talking about art."
+
+"Art?"
+
+"Why, yes.  What's the difficulty?  Hire a liner----"
+
+"A liner!" murmured Dr. Hall faintly.
+
+"Hire some passengers, hire a submarine--that's the only
+difficulty, I guess. Governments are apt to be a bit hidebound
+over their engines of war. They won't sell to the firstcomer. 
+Still, I guess that can be got over. Ever heard of the word
+'graft,' sir?  Well, graft gets there every time! I reckon that
+we shan't really need to fire a torpedo.  If every one hustles
+round and screams loud enough that the ship is sinking, it ought
+to be enough for an innocent young girl like Jane.  By the time
+she's got a life-belt on her, and is being hustled into a boat,
+with a well-drilled lot of artistes doing the hysterical stunt on
+deck, why--she ought to be right back where she was in May, 1915. 
+How's that for the bare outline?"
+
+Dr. Hall looked at Julius.  Everything that he was for the moment
+incapable of saying was eloquent in that look.
+
+"No," said Julius, in answer to it, "I'm not crazy. The thing's
+perfectly possible.  It's done every day in the States for the
+movies.  Haven't you seen trains in collision on the screen?
+What's the difference between buying up a train and buying up a
+liner? Get the properties and you can go right ahead!"
+
+Dr. Hall found his voice.
+
+"But the expense, my dear sir."  His voice rose.  "The expense!
+It will be COLOSSAL!"
+
+"Money doesn't worry me any," explained Julius simply.
+
+Dr. Hall turned an appealing face to Sir James, who smiled
+slightly.
+
+"Mr. Hersheimmer is very well off--very well off indeed."
+
+The doctor's glance came back to Julius with a new and subtle
+quality in it. This was no longer an eccentric young fellow with
+a habit of falling off trees.  The doctor's eyes held the
+deference accorded to a really rich man.
+
+"Very remarkable plan.  Very remarkable," he murmured.  "The
+movies--of course!  Your American word for the kinema.  Very
+interesting. I fear we are perhaps a little behind the times over
+here in our methods. And you really mean to carry out this
+remarkable plan of yours."
+
+"You bet your bottom dollar I do."
+
+The doctor believed him--which was a tribute to his nationality.
+If an Englishman had suggested such a thing, he would have had
+grave doubts as to his sanity.
+
+"I cannot guarantee a cure," he pointed out.  "Perhaps I ought to
+make that quite clear."
+
+"Sure, that's all right," said Julius.  "You just trot out Jane,
+and leave the rest to me."
+
+"Jane?"
+
+"Miss Janet Vandemeyer, then.  Can we get on the long distance to
+your place right away, and ask them to send her up; or shall I
+run down and fetch her in my car?"
+
+The doctor stared.
+
+"I beg your pardon, Mr. Hersheimmer.  I thought you understood."
+
+"Understood what?"
+
+"That Miss Vandemeyer is no longer under my care."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+TUPPENCE RECEIVES A PROPOSAL
+
+JULIUS sprang up.
+
+"What?"
+
+"I thought you were aware of that."
+
+"When did she leave?"
+
+"Let me see.  To-day is Monday, is it not?  It must have been
+last Wednesday--why, surely--yes, it was the same evening that
+you--er--fell out of my tree."
+
+"That evening?  Before, or after?"
+
+"Let me see--oh yes, afterwards.  A very urgent message arrived
+from Mrs. Vandemeyer.  The young lady and the nurse who was in
+charge of her left by the night train."
+
+Julius sank back again into his chair.
+
+"Nurse Edith--left with a patient--I remember," he muttered. "My
+God, to have been so near!"
+
+Dr. Hall looked bewildered.
+
+"I don't understand.  Is the young lady not with her aunt, after
+all?"
+
+Tuppence shook her head.  She was about to speak when a warning
+glance from Sir James made her hold her tongue. The lawyer rose.
+
+"I'm much obliged to you, Hall.  We're very grateful for all
+you've told us. I'm afraid we're now in the position of having to
+track Miss Vandemeyer anew. What about the nurse who accompanied
+her; I suppose you don't know where she is?"
+
+The doctor shook his head.
+
+"We've not heard from her, as it happens.  I understood she was
+to remain with Miss Vandemeyer for a while.  But what can have
+happened? Surely the girl has not been kidnapped."
+
+"That remains to be seen," said Sir James gravely.
+
+The other hesitated.
+
+"You do not think I ought to go to the police?"
+
+"No, no.  In all probability the young lady is with other
+relations."
+
+The doctor was not completely satisfied, but he saw that Sir
+James was determined to say no more, and realized that to try and
+extract more information from the famous K.C. would be mere waste
+of labour. Accordingly, he wished them goodbye, and they left the
+hotel. For a few minutes they stood by the car talking.
+
+"How maddening," cried Tuppence.  "To think that Julius must have
+been actually under the same roof with her for a few hours."
+
+"I was a darned idiot," muttered Julius gloomily.
+
+"You couldn't know," Tuppence consoled him.  "Could he?" She
+appealed to Sir James.
+
+"I should advise you not to worry," said the latter kindly. "No
+use crying over spilt milk, you know."
+
+"The great thing is what to do next," added Tuppence the
+practical.
+
+Sir James shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"You might advertise for the nurse who accompanied the girl. That
+is the only course I can suggest, and I must confess I do not
+hope for much result.  Otherwise there is nothing to be done."
+
+"Nothing?" said Tuppence blankly.  "And--Tommy?"
+
+"We must hope for the best," said Sir James.  "Oh yes, we must go
+on hoping."
+
+But over her downcast head his eyes met Julius's, and almost
+imperceptibly he shook his head.  Julius understood.  The lawyer
+considered the case hopeless.  The young American's face grew
+grave. Sir James took Tuppence's hand.
+
+"You must let me know if anything further comes to light. Letters
+will always be forwarded."
+
+Tuppence stared at him blankly.
+
+"You are going away?"
+
+"I told you.  Don't you remember?  To Scotland."
+
+"Yes, but I thought----" The girl hesitated.
+
+Sir James shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"My dear young lady, I can do nothing more, I fear. Our clues
+have all ended in thin air.  You can take my word for it that
+there is nothing more to be done.  If anything should arise, I
+shall be glad to advise you in any way I can."
+
+His words gave Tuppence an extraordinarily desolate feeling.
+
+"I suppose you're right," she said.  "Anyway, thank you very much
+for trying to help us.  Good-bye."
+
+Julius was bending over the car.  A momentary pity came into Sir
+James's keen eyes, as he gazed into the girl's downcast face.
+
+"Don't be too disconsolate, Miss Tuppence," he said in a low
+voice. "Remember, holiday-time isn't always all playtime. One
+sometimes manages to put in some work as well."
+
+Something in his tone made Tuppence glance up sharply. He shook
+his head with a smile.
+
+"No, I shan't say any more.  Great mistake to say too much.
+Remember that.  Never tell all you know--not even to the person
+you know best.  Understand?  Good-bye."
+
+He strode away.  Tuppence stared after him. She was beginning to
+understand Sir James's methods. Once before he had thrown her a
+hint in the same careless fashion. Was this a hint?  What exactly
+lay behind those last brief words? Did he mean that, after all,
+he had not abandoned the case; that, secretly, he would be
+working on it still while----
+
+Her meditations were interrupted by Julius, who adjured her to
+"get right in."
+
+"You're looking kind of thoughtful," he remarked as they started
+off. "Did the old guy say anything more?"
+
+Tuppence opened her mouth impulsively, and then shut it again.
+Sir James's words sounded in her ears:  "Never tell all you
+know--not even to the person you know best." And like a flash
+there came into her mind another memory. Julius before the safe
+in the flat, her own question and the pause before his reply,
+"Nothing."  Was there really nothing? Or had he found something
+he wished to keep to himself? If he could make a reservation, so
+could she.
+
+"Nothing particular," she replied.
+
+She felt rather than saw Julius throw a sideways glance at her.
+
+"Say, shall we go for a spin in the park?"
+
+"If you like."
+
+For a while they ran on under the trees in silence.  It was a
+beautiful day. The keen rush through the air brought a new
+exhilaration to Tuppence.
+
+"Say, Miss Tuppence, do you think I'm ever going to find Jane?"
+
+Julius spoke in a discouraged voice.  The mood was so alien to
+him that Tuppence turned and stared at him in surprise.  He
+nodded.
+
+"That's so.  I'm getting down and out over the business. Sir
+James to-day hadn't got any hope at all, I could see that. I
+don't like him--we don't gee together somehow--but he's pretty
+cute, and I guess he wouldn't quit if there was any chance of
+success--now, would he?"
+
+Tuppence felt rather uncomfortable, but clinging to her belief
+that Julius also had withheld something from her, she remained
+firm.
+
+"He suggested advertising for the nurse," she reminded him.
+
+"Yes, with a 'forlorn hope' flavour to his voice!  No--I'm about
+fed up. I've half a mind to go back to the States right away."
+
+"Oh no!" cried Tuppence.  "We've got to find Tommy."
+
+"I sure forgot Beresford," said Julius contritely.  "That's so.
+We must find him.  But after--well, I've been day-dreaming ever
+since I started on this trip--and these dreams are rotten poor
+business. I'm quit of them.  Say, Miss Tuppence, there's
+something I'd like to ask you."
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"You and Beresford.  What about it?"
+
+"I don't understand you," replied Tuppence with dignity, adding
+rather inconsequently:  "And, anyway, you're wrong!"
+
+"Not got a sort of kindly feeling for one another?"
+
+"Certainly not," said Tuppence with warmth.  "Tommy and I are
+friends--nothing more."
+
+"I guess every pair of lovers has said that sometime or another,"
+observed Julius.
+
+"Nonsense!" snapped Tuppence.  "Do I look the sort of girl that's
+always falling in love with every man she meets?"
+
+"You do not.  You look the sort of girl that's mighty often
+getting fallen in love with!"
+
+"Oh!" said Tuppence, rather taken aback.  "That's a compliment, I
+suppose?"
+
+"Sure.  Now let's get down to this.  Supposing we never find
+Beresford and--and----"
+
+"All right--say it!  I can face facts.  Supposing he's--dead! 
+Well?"
+
+"And all this business fiddles out.  What are you going to do?"
+
+"I don't know," said Tuppence forlornly.
+
+"You'll be darned lonesome, you poor kid."
+
+"I shall be all right," snapped Tuppence with her usual
+resentment of any kind of pity.
+
+"What about marriage?" inquired Julius.  "Got any views on the
+subject?"
+
+"I intend to marry, of course," replied Tuppence.  "That is,
+if"--she paused, knew a momentary longing to draw back, and then
+stuck to her guns bravely--"I can find some one rich enough to
+make it worth my while. That's frank, isn't it?  I dare say you
+despise me for it."
+
+"I never despise business instinct," said Julius.  "What
+particular figure have you in mind?"
+
+"Figure?" asked Tuppence, puzzled.  "Do you mean tall or short?"
+
+"No. Sum--income."
+
+"Oh, I--I haven't quite worked that out."
+
+"What about me?"
+
+"You?"
+
+"Sure thing."
+
+"Oh, I couldn't!"
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"I tell you I couldn't."
+
+"Again, why not?"
+
+"It would seem so unfair."
+
+"I don't see anything unfair about it.  I call your bluff, that's
+all. I admire you immensely, Miss Tuppence, more than any girl
+I've ever met. You're so darned plucky.  I'd just love to give
+you a real, rattling good time.  Say the word, and we'll run
+round right away to some high-class jeweller, and fix up the ring
+business."
+
+"I can't," gasped Tuppence.
+
+"Because of Beresford?"
+
+"No, no, NO!"
+
+"Well then?"
+
+Tuppence merely continued to shake her head violently.
+
+"You can't reasonably expect more dollars than I've got."
+
+"Oh, it isn't that," gasped Tuppence with an almost hysterical
+laugh. "But thanking you very much, and all that, I think I'd
+better say no."
+
+"I'd be obliged if you'd do me the favour to think it over until
+to-morrow."
+
+"It's no use."
+
+"Still, I guess we'll leave it like that."
+
+"Very well," said Tuppence meekly.
+
+Neither of them spoke again until they reached the Ritz.
+
+Tuppence went upstairs to her room.  She felt morally battered to
+the ground after her conflict with Julius's vigorous personality.
+Sitting down in front of the glass, she stared at her own
+reflection for some minutes.
+
+"Fool," murmured Tuppence at length, making a grimace. "Little
+fool.  Everything you want--everything you've ever hoped for, and
+you go and bleat out 'no' like an idiotic little sheep. It's your
+one chance.  Why don't you take it?  Grab it? Snatch at it?  What
+more do you want?"
+
+As if in answer to her own question, her eyes fell on a small
+snapshot of Tommy that stood on her dressing-table in a shabby
+frame. For a moment she struggled for self-control, and then
+abandoning all presence, she held it to her lips and burst into a
+fit of sobbing.
+
+"Oh, Tommy, Tommy," she cried, "I do love you so--and I may never
+see you again...."
+
+At the end of five minutes Tuppence sat up, blew her nose, and
+pushed back her hair.
+
+"That's that," she observed sternly.  "Let's look facts in the
+face. I seem to have fallen in love--with an idiot of a boy who
+probably doesn't care two straws about me."  Here she paused.
+"Anyway," she resumed, as though arguing with an unseen opponent,
+"I don't KNOW that he does.  He'd never have dared to say so.
+I've always jumped on sentiment--and here I am being more
+sentimental than anybody.  What idiots girls are!  I've always
+thought so. I suppose I shall sleep with his photograph under my
+pillow, and dream about him all night.  It's dreadful to feel
+you've been false to your principles."
+
+Tuppence shook her head sadly, as she reviewed her backsliding.
+
+"I don't know what to say to Julius, I'm sure.  Oh, what a fool I
+feel! I'll have to say SOMETHING--he's so American and thorough,
+he'll insist upon having a reason.  I wonder if he did find
+anything in that safe----"
+
+Tuppence's meditations went off on another tack.  She reviewed
+the events of last night carefully and persistently.  Somehow,
+they seemed bound up with Sir James's enigmatical words....
+
+Suddenly she gave a great start--the colour faded out of her
+face. Her eyes, fascinated, gazed in front of her, the pupils
+dilated.
+
+"Impossible," she murmured.  "Impossible!  I must be going mad
+even to think of such a thing...."
+
+Monstrous--yet it explained everything....
+
+After a moment's reflection she sat down and wrote a note,
+weighing each word as she did so.  Finally she nodded her head as
+though satisfied, and slipped it into an envelope which she
+addressed to Julius.  She went down the passage to his
+sitting-room and knocked at the door.  As she had expected, the
+room was empty. She left the note on the table.
+
+A small page-boy was waiting outside her own door when she
+returned to it.
+
+"Telegram for you, miss."
+
+Tuppence took it from the salver, and tore it open carelessly.
+Then she gave a cry.  The telegram was from Tommy!
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+FURTHER ADVENTURES OF TOMMY
+
+FROM a darkness punctuated with throbbing stabs of fire, Tommy
+dragged his senses slowly back to life.  When he at last opened
+his eyes, he was conscious of nothing but an excruciating pain
+through his temples. He was vaguely aware of unfamiliar
+surroundings.  Where was he? What had happened?  He blinked
+feebly.  This was not his bedroom at the Ritz.  And what the
+devil was the matter with his head?
+
+"Damn!" said Tommy, and tried to sit up.  He had remembered. He
+was in that sinister house in Soho.  He uttered a groan and fell
+back. Through his almost-closed lids he reconnoitred carefully.
+
+"He is coming to," remarked a voice very near Tommy's ear. He
+recognized it at once for that of the bearded and efficient
+German, and lay artistically inert.  He felt that it would be a
+pity to come round too soon; and until the pain in his head
+became a little less acute, he felt quite incapable of collecting
+his wits. Painfully he tried to puzzle out what had happened.
+Obviously somebody must have crept up behind him as he listened
+and struck him down with a blow on the head.  They knew him now
+for a spy, and would in all probability give him short shrift.
+Undoubtedly he was in a tight place.  Nobody knew where he was,
+therefore he need expect no outside assistance, and must depend
+solely on his own wits.
+
+"Well, here goes," murmured Tommy to himself, and repeated his
+former remark.
+
+"Damn!" he observed, and this time succeeded in sitting up.
+
+In a minute the German stepped forward and placed a glass to his
+lips, with the brief command "Drink."  Tommy obeyed. The potency
+of the draught made him choke, but it cleared his brain in a
+marvellous manner.
+
+He was lying on a couch in the room in which the meeting had been
+held.  On one side of him was the German, on the other the
+villainous-faced doorkeeper who had let him in. The others were
+grouped together at a little distance away. But Tommy missed one
+face.  The man known as Number One was no longer of the company.
+
+"Feel better?" asked the German, as he removed the empty glass.
+
+"Yes, thanks," returned Tommy cheerfully.
+
+"Ah, my young friend, it is lucky for you your skull is so thick.
+The good Conrad struck hard."  He indicated the evil-faced
+doorkeeper by a nod.  The man grinned.
+
+Tommy twisted his head round with an effort.
+
+"Oh," he said, "so you're Conrad, are you?  It strikes me the
+thickness of my skull was lucky for you too. When I look at you I
+feel it's almost a pity I've enabled you to cheat the hangman."
+
+The man snarled, and the bearded man said quietly:
+
+"He would have run no risk of that."
+
+"Just as you like," replied Tommy.  "I know it's the fashion to
+run down the police.  I rather believe in them myself."
+
+His manner was nonchalant to the last degree.  Tommy Beresford
+was one of those young Englishmen not distinguished by any
+special intellectual ability, but who are emphatically at their
+best in what is known as a "tight place." Their natural
+diffidence and caution fall from them like a glove. Tommy
+realized perfectly that in his own wits lay the only chance of
+escape, and behind his casual manner he was racking his brains
+furiously.
+
+The cold accents of the German took up the conversation:
+
+"Have you anything to say before you are put to death as a spy?"
+
+"Simply lots of things," replied Tommy with the same urbanity as
+before.
+
+"Do you deny that you were listening at that door?"
+
+"I do not.  I must really apologize--but your conversation was so
+interesting that it overcame my scruples."
+
+"How did you get in?"
+
+"Dear old Conrad here."  Tommy smiled deprecatingly at him. "I
+hesitate to suggest pensioning off a faithful servant, but you
+really ought to have a better watchdog."
+
+Conrad snarled impotently, and said sullenly, as the man with the
+beard swung round upon him:
+
+"He gave the word.  How was I to know?"
+
+"Yes," Tommy chimed in.  "How was he to know?  Don't blame the
+poor fellow. His hasty action has given me the pleasure of seeing
+you all face to face."
+
+He fancied that his words caused some discomposure among the
+group, but the watchful German stilled it with a wave of his
+hand.
+
+"Dead men tell no tales," he said evenly.
+
+"Ah," said Tommy, "but I'm not dead yet!"
+
+"You soon will be, my young friend," said the German.
+
+An assenting murmur came from the others.
+
+Tommy's heart beat faster, but his casual pleasantness did not
+waver.
+
+"I think not," he said firmly.  "I should have a great objection
+to dying."
+
+He had got them puzzled, he saw that by the look on his captor's
+face.
+
+"Can you give us any reason why we should not put you to death?"
+asked the German.
+
+"Several," replied Tommy.  "Look here, you've been asking me a
+lot of questions.  Let me ask you one for a change. Why didn't
+you kill me off at once before I regained consciousness?"
+
+The German hesitated, and Tommy seized his advantage.
+
+"Because you didn't know how much I knew--and where I obtained
+that knowledge.  If you kill me now, you never will know."
+
+But here the emotions of Boris became too much for him. He
+stepped forward waving his arms.
+
+"You hell-hound of a spy," he screamed.  "We will give you short
+shrift. Kill him!  Kill him!"
+
+There was a roar of applause.
+
+"You hear?" said the German, his eyes on Tommy.  "What have you
+to say to that?"
+
+"Say?"  Tommy shrugged his shoulders.  "Pack of fools.  Let them
+ask themselves a few questions.  How did I get into this place?
+Remember what dear old Conrad said--WITH YOUR OWN PASSWORD,
+wasn't it? How did I get hold of that?  You don't suppose I came
+up those steps haphazard and said the first thing that came into
+my head?"
+
+Tommy was pleased with the concluding words of this speech. His
+only regret was that Tuppence was not present to appreciate its
+full flavour.
+
+"That is true," said the working man suddenly.  "Comrades, we
+have been betrayed!"
+
+An ugly murmur arose.  Tommy smiled at them encouragingly.
+
+"That's better.  How can you hope to make a success of any job if
+you don't use your brains?"
+
+"You will tell us who has betrayed us," said the German.  "But
+that shall not save you--oh, no!  You shall tell us all that you
+know. Boris, here, knows pretty ways of making people speak!"
+
+"Bah!" said Tommy scornfully, fighting down a singularly
+unpleasant feeling in the pit of his stomach.  "You will neither
+torture me nor kill me."
+
+"And why not?" asked Boris.
+
+"Because you'd kill the goose that lays the golden eggs," replied
+Tommy quietly.
+
+There was a momentary pause.  It seemed as though Tommy's
+persistent assurance was at last conquering.  They were no longer
+completely sure of themselves. The man in the shabby clothes
+stared at Tommy searchingly.
+
+"He's bluffing you, Boris," he said quietly.
+
+Tommy hated him.  Had the man seen through him?
+
+The German, with an effort, turned roughly to Tommy.
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"What do you think I mean?" parried Tommy, searching desperately
+in his own mind.
+
+Suddenly Boris stepped forward, and shook his fist in Tommy's
+face.
+
+"Speak, you swine of an Englishman--speak!"
+
+"Don't get so excited, my good fellow," said Tommy calmly.
+"That's the worst of you foreigners.  You can't keep calm. Now, I
+ask you, do I look as though I thought there were the least
+chance of your killing me?"
+
+He looked confidently round, and was glad they could not hear the
+persistent beating of his heart which gave the lie to his words.
+
+"No," admitted Boris at last sullenly, "you do not."
+
+"Thank God, he's not a mind reader," thought Tommy.  Aloud he
+pursued his advantage:
+
+"And why am I so confident?  Because I know something that puts
+me in a position to propose a bargain."
+
+"A bargain?"  The bearded man took him up sharply.
+
+"Yes--a bargain.  My life and liberty against----" He paused.
+
+"Against what?"
+
+The group pressed forward.  You could have heard a pin drop.
+
+Slowly Tommy spoke.
+
+"The papers that Danvers brought over from America in the
+Lusitania."
+
+The effect of his words was electrical.  Every one was on his
+feet. The German waved them back.  He leaned over Tommy, his face
+purple with excitement.
+
+"Himmel! You have got them, then?"
+
+With magnificent calm Tommy shook his head.
+
+"You know where they are?" persisted the German.
+
+Again Tommy shook his head.  "Not in the least."
+
+"Then--then----" angry and baffled, the words failed him.
+
+Tommy looked round.  He saw anger and bewilderment on every face,
+but his calm assurance had done its work--no one doubted but that
+something lay behind his words.
+
+"I don't know where the papers are--but I believe that I can find
+them. I have a theory----"
+
+"Pah!"
+
+Tommy raised his hand, and silenced the clamours of disgust.
+
+"I call it a theory--but I'm pretty sure of my facts--facts that
+are known to no one but myself.  In any case what do you lose? If
+I can produce the papers--you give me my life and liberty in
+exchange. Is it a bargain?"
+
+"And if we refuse?" said the German quietly.
+
+Tommy lay back on the couch.
+
+"The 29th," he said thoughtfully, "is less than a fortnight
+ahead----"
+
+For a moment the German hesitated.  Then he made a sign to
+Conrad.
+
+"Take him into the other room."
+
+For five minutes, Tommy sat on the bed in the dingy room next
+door. His heart was beating violently.  He had risked all on this
+throw. How would they decide?  And all the while that this
+agonized questioning went on within him, he talked flippantly to
+Conrad, enraging the cross-grained doorkeeper to the point of
+homicidal mania.
+
+At last the door opened, and the German called imperiously to
+Conrad to return.
+
+"Let's hope the judge hasn't put his black cap on," remarked
+Tommy frivolously.  "That's right, Conrad, march me in. The
+prisoner is at the bar, gentlemen."
+
+The German was seated once more behind the table. He motioned to
+Tommy to sit down opposite to him.
+
+"We accept," he said harshly, "on terms.  The papers must be
+delivered to us before you go free."
+
+"Idiot!" said Tommy amiably.  "How do you think I can look for
+them if you keep me tied by the leg here?"
+
+"What do you expect, then?"
+
+"I must have liberty to go about the business in my own way."
+
+The German laughed.
+
+"Do you think we are little children to let you walk out of here
+leaving us a pretty story full of promises?"
+
+"No," said Tommy thoughtfully.  "Though infinitely simpler for
+me, I did not really think you would agree to that plan. Very
+well, we must arrange a compromise.  How would it be if you
+attached little Conrad here to my person. He's a faithful fellow,
+and very ready with the fist."
+
+"We prefer," said the German coldly, "that you should remain
+here. One of our number will carry out your instructions
+minutely. If the operations are complicated, he will return to
+you with a report and you can instruct him further."
+
+"You're tying my hands," complained Tommy.  "It's a very delicate
+affair, and the other fellow will muff it up as likely as not,
+and then where shall I be?  I don't believe one of you has got an
+ounce of tact."
+
+The German rapped the table.
+
+"Those are our terms.  Otherwise, death!"
+
+Tommy leaned back wearily.
+
+"I like your style.  Curt, but attractive.  So be it, then. But
+one thing is essential, I must see the girl."
+
+"What girl?"
+
+"Jane Finn, of course."
+
+The other looked at him curiously for some minutes, then he said
+slowly, and as though choosing his words with care:
+
+"Do you not know that she can tell you nothing?"
+
+Tommy's heart beat a little faster.  Would he succeed in coming
+face to face with the girl he was seeking?
+
+"I shall not ask her to tell me anything," he said quietly. "Not
+in so many words, that is."
+
+"Then why see her?"
+
+Tommy paused.
+
+"To watch her face when I ask her one question," he replied at
+last.
+
+Again there was a look in the German's eyes that Tommy did not
+quite understand.
+
+"She will not be able to answer your question."
+
+"That does not matter.  I shall have seen her face when I ask it."
+
+"And you think that will tell you anything?"  He gave a short
+disagreeable laugh.  More than ever, Tommy felt that there was a
+factor somewhere that he did not understand. The German looked at
+him searchingly.  "I wonder whether, after all, you know as much
+as we think?" he said softly.
+
+Tommy felt his ascendancy less sure than a moment before. His
+hold had slipped a little.  But he was puzzled. What had he said
+wrong?  He spoke out on the impulse of the moment.
+
+"There may be things that you know which I do not. I have not
+pretended to be aware of all the details of your show. But
+equally I've got something up my sleeve that you don't know
+about. And that's where I mean to score.  Danvers was a damned
+clever fellow----" He broke off as if he had said too much.
+
+But the German's face had lightened a little.
+
+"Danvers," he murmured.  "I see----" He paused a minute, then
+waved to Conrad.  "Take him away.  Upstairs--you know."
+
+"Wait a minute," said Tommy.  "What about the girl?"
+
+"That may perhaps be arranged."
+
+"It must be."
+
+"We will see about it.  Only one person can decide that."
+
+"Who?" asked Tommy.  But he knew the answer.
+
+"Mr. Brown----"
+
+"Shall I see him?"
+
+"Perhaps."
+
+"Come," said Conrad harshly.
+
+Tommy rose obediently.  Outside the door his gaoler motioned to
+him to mount the stairs.  He himself followed close behind. On
+the floor above Conrad opened a door and Tommy passed into a
+small room.  Conrad lit a hissing gas burner and went out. Tommy
+heard the sound of the key being turned in the lock.
+
+He set to work to examine his prison.  It was a smaller room than
+the one downstairs, and there was something peculiarly airless
+about the atmosphere of it.  Then he realized that there was no
+window. He walked round it.  The walls were filthily dirty, as
+everywhere else. Four pictures hung crookedly on the wall
+representing scenes from Faust.  Marguerite with her box of
+jewels, the church scene, Siebel and his flowers, and Faust and
+Mephistopheles.  The latter brought Tommy's mind back to Mr.
+Brown again.  In this sealed and closed chamber, with its
+close-fitting heavy door, he felt cut off from the world, and the
+sinister power of the arch-criminal seemed more real.  Shout as
+he would, no one could ever hear him. The place was a living
+tomb....
+
+With an effort Tommy pulled himself together.  He sank on to the
+bed and gave himself up to reflection.  His head ached badly;
+also, he was hungry. The silence of the place was dispiriting.
+
+"Anyway," said Tommy, trying to cheer himself, "I shall see the
+chief--the mysterious Mr. Brown and with a bit of luck in
+bluffing I shall see the mysterious Jane Finn also.  After
+that----"
+
+After that Tommy was forced to admit the prospect looked dreary.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+ANNETTE
+
+THE troubles of the future, however, soon faded before the
+troubles of the present.  And of these, the most immediate and
+pressing was that of hunger.  Tommy had a healthy and vigorous
+appetite. The steak and chips partaken of for lunch seemed now to
+belong to another decade.  He regretfully recognized the fact
+that he would not make a success of a hunger strike.
+
+He prowled aimlessly about his prison.  Once or twice he
+discarded dignity, and pounded on the door.  But nobody answered
+the summons.
+
+"Hang it all!" said Tommy indignantly.  "They can't mean to
+starve me to death."  A new-born fear passed through his mind
+that this might, perhaps, be one of those "pretty ways" of making
+a prisoner speak, which had been attributed to Boris.  But on
+reflection he dismissed the idea.
+
+"It's that sour faced brute Conrad," he decided.  "That's a
+fellow I shall enjoy getting even with one of these days. This is
+just a bit of spite on his part.  I'm certain of it."
+
+Further meditations induced in him the feeling that it would be
+extremely pleasant to bring something down with a whack on
+Conrad's egg-shaped head. Tommy stroked his own head tenderly,
+and gave himself up to the pleasures of imagination.  Finally a
+bright idea flashed across his brain. Why not convert imagination
+into reality?  Conrad was undoubtedly the tenant of the house. 
+The others, with the possible exception of the bearded German,
+merely used it as a rendezvous.  Therefore, why not wait in
+ambush for Conrad behind the door, and when he entered bring down
+a chair, or one of the decrepit pictures, smartly on to his head.
+One would, of course, be careful not to hit too hard.  And
+then--and then, simply walk out!  If he met anyone on the way
+down, well----Tommy brightened at the thought of an encounter
+with his fists. Such an affair was infinitely more in his line
+than the verbal encounter of this afternoon.  Intoxicated by his
+plan, Tommy gently unhooked the picture of the Devil and Faust,
+and settled himself in position. His hopes were high.  The plan
+seemed to him simple but excellent.
+
+Time went on, but Conrad did not appear.  Night and day were the
+same in this prison room, but Tommy's wrist-watch, which enjoyed
+a certain degree of accuracy, informed him that it was nine
+o'clock in the evening. Tommy reflected gloomily that if supper
+did not arrive soon it would be a question of waiting for
+breakfast.  At ten o'clock hope deserted him, and he flung
+himself on the bed to seek consolation in sleep. In five minutes
+his woes were forgotten.
+
+The sound of the key turning in the lock awoke him from his
+slumbers. Not belonging to the type of hero who is famous for
+awaking in full possession of his faculties, Tommy merely blinked
+at the ceiling and wondered vaguely where he was.  Then he
+remembered, and looked at his watch. It was eight o'clock.
+
+"It's either early morning tea or breakfast," deduced the young
+man, "and pray God it's the latter!"
+
+The door swung open.  Too late, Tommy remembered his scheme of
+obliterating the unprepossessing Conrad.  A moment later he was
+glad that he had, for it was not Conrad who entered, but a girl.
+She carried a tray which she set down on the table.
+
+In the feeble light of the gas burner Tommy blinked at her.  He
+decided at once that she was one of the most beautiful girls he
+had ever seen. Her hair was a full rich brown, with sudden glints
+of gold in it as though there were imprisoned sunbeams struggling
+in its depths. There was a wild-rose quality about her face.  Her
+eyes, set wide apart, were hazel, a golden hazel that again
+recalled a memory of sunbeams.
+
+A delirious thought shot through Tommy's mind.
+
+"Are you Jane Finn?" he asked breathlessly.
+
+The girl shook her head wonderingly.
+
+"My name is Annette, monsieur."
+
+She spoke in a soft, broken English.
+
+"Oh!" said Tommy, rather taken aback.  "Francaise?" he hazarded.
+
+"Oui, monsieur.  Monsieur parle francais?"
+
+"Not for any length of time," said Tommy.  "What's that? 
+Breakfast?"
+
+The girl nodded.  Tommy dropped off the bed and came and
+inspected the contents of the tray.  It consisted of a loaf, some
+margarine, and a jug of coffee.
+
+"The living is not equal to the Ritz," he observed with a sigh.
+"But for what we are at last about to receive the Lord has made
+me truly thankful.  Amen."
+
+He drew up a chair, and the girl turned away to the door.
+
+"Wait a sec," cried Tommy.  "There are lots of things I want to
+ask you, Annette.  What are you doing in this house? Don't tell
+me you're Conrad's niece, or daughter, or anything, because I
+can't believe it."
+
+"I do the SERVICE, monsieur.  I am not related to anybody."
+
+"I see," said Tommy.  "You know what I asked you just now. Have
+you ever heard that name?"
+
+"I have heard people speak of Jane Finn, I think."
+
+"You don't know where she is?"
+
+Annette shook her head.
+
+"She's not in this house, for instance?"
+
+"Oh no, monsieur.  I must go now--they will be waiting for me."
+
+She hurried out.  The key turned in the lock.
+
+"I wonder who 'they' are," mused Tommy, as he continued to make
+inroads on the loaf.  "With a bit of luck, that girl might help
+me to get out of here. She doesn't look like one of the gang."
+
+At one o'clock Annette reappeared with another tray, but this
+time Conrad accompanied her.
+
+"Good morning," said Tommy amiably.  "You have NOT used Pear's
+soap, I see."
+
+Conrad growled threateningly.
+
+"No light repartee, have you, old bean?  There, there, we can't
+always have brains as well as beauty.  What have we for lunch? 
+Stew?  How did I know? Elementary, my dear Watson--the smell of
+onions is unmistakable."
+
+"Talk away," grunted the man.  "It's little enough time you'll
+have to talk in, maybe."
+
+The remark was unpleasant in its suggestion, but Tommy ignored
+it. He sat down at the table.
+
+"Retire, varlet," he said, with a wave of his hand. "Prate not to
+thy betters."
+
+That evening Tommy sat on the bed, and cogitated deeply.  Would
+Conrad again accompany the girl?  If he did not, should he risk
+trying to make an ally of her?  He decided that he must leave no
+stone unturned. His position was desperate.
+
+At eight o'clock the familiar sound of the key turning made him
+spring to his feet.  The girl was alone.
+
+"Shut the door," he commanded.  "I want to speak to you."  She
+obeyed.
+
+"Look here, Annette, I want you to help me get out of this." She
+shook her head.
+
+"Impossible.  There are three of them on the floor below."
+
+"Oh!"  Tommy was secretly grateful for the information. "But you
+would help me if you could?"
+
+"No, monsieur."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+The girl hesitated.
+
+"I think--they are my own people.  You have spied upon them. They
+are quite right to keep you here."
+
+"They're a bad lot, Annette.  If you'll help me, I'll take you
+away from the lot of them.  And you'd probably get a good whack
+of money."
+
+But the girl merely shook her head.
+
+"I dare not, monsieur; I am afraid of them."
+
+She turned away.
+
+"Wouldn't you do anything to help another girl?" cried Tommy. 
+"She's about your age too.  Won't you save her from their
+clutches?"
+
+"You mean Jane Finn?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"It is her you came here to look for?  Yes?"
+
+"That's it."
+
+The girl looked at him, then passed her hand across her forehead.
+
+"Jane Finn.  Always I hear that name.  It is familiar."
+
+Tommy came forward eagerly.
+
+"You must know SOMETHING about her?"
+
+But the girl turned away abruptly.
+
+"I know nothing--only the name."  She walked towards the door.
+Suddenly she uttered a cry.  Tommy stared.  She had caught sight
+of the picture he had laid against the wall the night before. For
+a moment he caught a look of terror in her eyes. As inexplicably
+it changed to relief.  Then abruptly she went out of the room. 
+Tommy could make nothing of it. Did she fancy that he had meant
+to attack her with it? Surely not.  He rehung the picture on the
+wall thoughtfully.
+
+Three more days went by in dreary inaction.  Tommy felt the
+strain telling on his nerves.  He saw no one but Conrad and
+Annette, and the girl had become dumb.  She spoke only in
+monosyllables. A kind of dark suspicion smouldered in her eyes. 
+Tommy felt that if this solitary confinement went on much longer
+he would go mad. He gathered from Conrad that they were waiting
+for orders from "Mr. Brown."  Perhaps, thought Tommy, he was
+abroad or away, and they were obliged to wait for his return.
+
+But the evening of the third day brought a rude awakening.
+
+It was barely seven o'clock when he heard the tramp of footsteps
+outside in the passage.  In another minute the door was flung
+open. Conrad entered.  With him was the evil-looking Number 14.
+Tommy's heart sank at the sight of them.
+
+"Evenin', gov'nor," said the man with a leer.  "Got those ropes,
+mate?"
+
+The silent Conrad produced a length of fine cord.  The next
+minute Number 14's hands, horribly dexterous, were winding the
+cord round his limbs, while Conrad held him down.
+
+"What the devil----?" began Tommy.
+
+But the slow, speechless grin of the silent Conrad froze the
+words on his lips.
+
+Number 14 proceeded deftly with his task.  In another minute
+Tommy was a mere helpless bundle.  Then at last Conrad spoke:
+
+"Thought you'd bluffed us, did you?  With what you knew, and what
+you didn't know.  Bargained with us!  And all the time it was
+bluff!  Bluff!  You know less than a kitten. But your number's up
+now all right, you b----swine."
+
+Tommy lay silent.  There was nothing to say.  He had failed.
+Somehow or other the omnipotent Mr. Brown had seen through his
+pretensions. Suddenly a thought occurred to him.
+
+"A very good speech, Conrad," he said approvingly. "But wherefore
+the bonds and fetters?  Why not let this kind gentleman here cut
+my throat without delay?"
+
+"Garn," said Number 14 unexpectedly.  "Think we're as green as to
+do you in here, and have the police nosing round?  Not 'alf!
+We've ordered the carriage for your lordship to-morrow mornin',
+but in the meantime we're not taking any chances, see!"
+
+"Nothing," said Tommy, "could be plainer than your words--unless
+it was your face."
+
+"Stow it," said Number 14.
+
+"With pleasure," replied Tommy.  "You're making a sad
+mistake--but yours will be the loss."
+
+"You don't kid us that way again," said Number 14.  "Talking as
+though you were still at the blooming Ritz, aren't you?"
+
+Tommy made no reply.  He was engaged in wondering how Mr. Brown
+had discovered his identity.  He decided that Tuppence, in the
+throes of anxiety, had gone to the police, and that his
+disappearance having been made public the gang had not been slow
+to put two and two together.
+
+The two men departed and the door slammed.  Tommy was left to his
+meditations.  They were not pleasant ones. Already his limbs felt
+cramped and stiff.  He was utterly helpless, and he could see no
+hope anywhere.
+
+About an hour had passed when he heard the key softly turned, and
+the door opened.  It was Annette.  Tommy's heart beat a little
+faster. He had forgotten the girl.  Was it possible that she had
+come to his help?
+
+Suddenly he heard Conrad's voice:
+
+"Come out of it, Annette.  He doesn't want any supper to-night."
+
+"Oui, oui, je sais bien.  But I must take the other tray. We need
+the things on it."
+
+"Well, hurry up," growled Conrad.
+
+Without looking at Tommy the girl went over to the table, and
+picked up the tray.  She raised a hand and turned out the light.
+
+"Curse you"--Conrad had come to the door--"why did you do that?"
+
+"I always turn it out.  You should have told me. Shall I relight
+it, Monsieur Conrad?"
+
+"No, come on out of it."
+
+"Le beau petit monsieur," cried Annette, pausing by the bed in
+the darkness.  "You have tied him up well, hein? He is like a
+trussed chicken!"  The frank amusement in her tone jarred on the
+boy; but at that moment, to his amazement, he felt her hand
+running lightly over his bonds, and something small and cold was
+pressed into the palm of his hand.
+
+"Come on, Annette."
+
+"Mais me voila."
+
+The door shut.  Tommy heard Conrad say:
+
+"Lock it and give me the key."
+
+The footsteps died away.  Tommy lay petrified with amazement. The
+object Annette had thrust into his hand was a small penknife, the
+blade open.  From the way she had studiously avoided looking at
+him, and her action with the light, he came to the conclusion
+that the room was overlooked. There must be a peep-hole somewhere
+in the walls. Remembering how guarded she had always been in her
+manner, he saw that he had probably been under observation all
+the time. Had he said anything to give himself away?  Hardly.  He
+had revealed a wish to escape and a desire to find Jane Finn, but
+nothing that could have given a clue to his own identity. True,
+his question to Annette had proved that he was personally
+unacquainted with Jane Finn, but he had never pretended
+otherwise. The question now was, did Annette really know more?
+Were her denials intended primarily for the listeners? On that
+point he could come to no conclusion.
+
+But there was a more vital question that drove out all others.
+Could he, bound as he was, manage to cut his bonds?  He essayed
+cautiously to rub the open blade up and down on the cord that
+bound his two wrists together.  It was an awkward business, and
+drew a smothered "Ow" of pain from him as the knife cut into his
+wrist. But slowly and doggedly he went on sawing to and fro. He
+cut the flesh badly, but at last he felt the cord slacken. With
+his hands free, the rest was easy.  Five minutes later he stood
+upright with some difficulty, owing to the cramp in his limbs.
+His first care was to bind up his bleeding wrist.  Then he sat on
+the edge of the bed to think.  Conrad had taken the key of the
+door, so he could expect little more assistance from Annette. 
+The only outlet from the room was the door, consequently he would
+perforce have to wait until the two men returned to fetch him.
+But when they did . . . Tommy smiled!  Moving with infinite
+caution in the dark room, he found and unhooked the famous
+picture. He felt an economical pleasure that his first plan would
+not be wasted. There was now nothing to do but to wait.  He
+waited.
+
+The night passed slowly.  Tommy lived through an eternity of
+hours, but at last he heard footsteps.  He stood upright, drew a
+deep breath, and clutched the picture firmly.
+
+The door opened.  A faint light streamed in from outside. Conrad
+went straight towards the gas to light it. Tommy deeply regretted
+that it was he who had entered first. It would have been pleasant
+to get even with Conrad. Number 14 followed.  As he stepped
+across the threshold, Tommy brought the picture down with
+terrific force on his head. Number 14 went down amidst a
+stupendous crash of broken glass. In a minute Tommy had slipped
+out and pulled to the door. The key was in the lock.  He turned
+it and withdrew it just as Conrad hurled himself against the door
+from the inside with a volley of curses.
+
+For a moment Tommy hesitated.  There was the sound of some one
+stirring on the floor below.  Then the German's voice came up the
+stairs.
+
+"Gott im Himmel! Conrad, what is it?"
+
+Tommy felt a small hand thrust into his.  Beside him stood
+Annette.  She pointed up a rickety ladder that apparently led to
+some attics.
+
+"Quick--up here!"  She dragged him after her up the ladder. In
+another moment they were standing in a dusty garret littered with
+lumber. Tommy looked round.
+
+"This won't do.  It's a regular trap.  There's no way out."
+
+"Hush!  Wait."  The girl put her finger to her lips. She crept to
+the top of the ladder and listened.
+
+The banging and beating on the door was terrific. The German and
+another were trying to force the door in. Annette explained in a
+whisper:
+
+"They will think you are still inside.  They cannot hear what
+Conrad says. The door is too thick."
+
+"I thought you could hear what went on in the room?"
+
+"There is a peep-hole into the next room.  It was clever of you
+to guess. But they will not think of that--they are only anxious
+to get in."
+
+"Yes--but look here----"
+
+"Leave it to me."  She bent down.  To his amazement, Tommy saw
+that she was fastening the end of a long piece of string to the
+handle of a big cracked jug.  She arranged it carefully, then
+turned to Tommy.
+
+"Have you the key of the door?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Give it to me."
+
+He handed it to her.
+
+"I am going down.  Do you think you can go halfway, and then
+swing yourself down BEHIND the ladder, so that they will not see
+you?"
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+"There's a big cupboard in the shadow of the landing. Stand
+behind it.  Take the end of this string in your hand. When I've
+let the others out--PULL!"
+
+Before he had time to ask her anything more, she had flitted
+lightly down the ladder and was in the midst of the group with a
+loud cry:
+
+"Mon Dieu!  Mon Dieu!  Qu'est-ce qu'il y a?"
+
+The German turned on her with an oath.
+
+"Get out of this.  Go to your room!"
+
+Very cautiously Tommy swung himself down the back of the ladder.
+So long as they did not turn round ... all was well. He crouched
+behind the cupboard.  They were still between him and the stairs.
+
+"AH!" Annette appeared to stumble over something.  She stooped.
+"Mon Dieu, voila la clef!"
+
+The German snatched it from her.  He unlocked the door. Conrad
+stumbled out, swearing.
+
+"Where is he?  Have you got him?"
+
+"We have seen no one," said the German sharply.  His face paled.
+"Who do you mean?"
+
+Conrad gave vent to another oath.
+
+"He's got away."
+
+"Impossible.  He would have passed us."
+
+At that moment, with an ecstatic smile Tommy pulled the string. A
+crash of crockery came from the attic above.  In a trice the men
+were pushing each other up the rickety ladder and had disappeared
+into the darkness above.
+
+Quick as a flash Tommy leapt from his hiding-place and dashed
+down the stairs, pulling the girl with him. There was no one in
+the hall.  He fumbled over the bolts and chain. At last they
+yielded, the door swung open.  He turned. Annette had
+disappeared.
+
+Tommy stood spell-bound. Had she run upstairs again?  What
+madness possessed her!  He fumed with impatience, but he stood
+his ground. He would not go without her.
+
+And suddenly there was an outcry overhead, an exclamation from
+the German, and then Annette's voice, clear and high:
+
+"Ma foi, he has escaped!  And quickly!  Who would have thought
+it?"
+
+Tommy still stood rooted to the ground.  Was that a command to
+him to go? He fancied it was.
+
+And then, louder still, the words floated down to him:
+
+"This is a terrible house.  I want to go back to Marguerite. To
+Marguerite. TO MARGUERITE!"
+
+Tommy had run back to the stairs.  She wanted him to go and leave
+her. But why?  At all costs he must try and get her away with
+him. Then his heart sank.  Conrad was leaping down the stairs,
+uttering a savage cry at the sight of him.  After him came the
+others.
+
+Tommy stopped Conrad's rush with a straight blow with his fist.
+It caught the other on the point of the jaw and he fell like a
+log. The second man tripped over his body and fell.  From higher
+up the staircase there was a flash, and a bullet grazed Tommy's
+ear. He realized that it would be good for his health to get out
+of this house as soon as possible.  As regards Annette he could
+do nothing. He had got even with Conrad, which was one
+satisfaction. The blow had been a good one.
+
+He leapt for the door, slamming it behind him.  The square was
+deserted. In front of the house was a baker's van.  Evidently he
+was to have been taken out of London in that, and his body found
+many miles from the house in Soho.  The driver jumped to the
+pavement and tried to bar Tommy's way. Again Tommy's fist shot
+out, and the driver sprawled on the pavement.
+
+Tommy took to his heels and ran--none too soon.  The front door
+opened and a hail of bullets followed him.  Fortunately none of
+them hit him. He turned the corner of the square.
+
+"There's one thing," he thought to himself, "they can't go on
+shooting.  They'll have the police after them if they do. I
+wonder they dared to there."
+
+He heard the footsteps of his pursuers behind him, and redoubled
+his own pace.  Once he got out of these by-ways he would be safe.
+There would be a policeman about somewhere--not that he really
+wanted to invoke the aid of the police if he could possibly do
+without it. It meant explanations, and general awkwardness.  In
+another moment he had reason to bless his luck.  He stumbled over
+a prostrate figure, which started up with a yell of alarm and
+dashed off down the street. Tommy drew back into a doorway.  In a
+minute he had the pleasure of seeing his two pursuers, of whom
+the German was one, industriously tracking down the red herring!
+
+Tommy sat down quietly on the doorstep and allowed a few moments
+to elapse while he recovered his breath. Then he strolled gently
+in the opposite direction. He glanced at his watch.  It was a
+little after half-past five. It was rapidly growing light.  At
+the next corner he passed a policeman.  The policeman cast a
+suspicious eye on him. Tommy felt slightly offended.  Then,
+passing his hand over his face, he laughed.  He had not shaved or
+washed for three days! What a guy he must look.
+
+He betook himself without more ado to a Turkish Bath
+establishment which he knew to be open all night. He emerged into
+the busy daylight feeling himself once more, and able to make
+plans.
+
+First of all, he must have a square meal.  He had eaten nothing
+since midday yesterday.  He turned into an A.B.C. shop and
+ordered eggs and bacon and coffee.  Whilst he ate, he read a
+morning paper propped up in front of him.  Suddenly he stiffened.
+There was a long article on Kramenin, who was described as the
+"man behind Bolshevism" in Russia, and who had just arrived in
+London--some thought as an unofficial envoy.  His career was
+sketched lightly, and it was firmly asserted that he, and not the
+figurehead leaders, had been the author of the Russian
+Revolution.
+
+In the centre of the page was his portrait.
+
+"So that's who Number 1 is," said Tommy with his mouth full of
+eggs and bacon.  "Not a doubt about it, I must push on."
+
+He paid for his breakfast, and betook himself to Whitehall. There
+he sent up his name, and the message that it was urgent. A few
+minutes later he was in the presence of the man who did not here
+go by the name of "Mr. Carter."  There was a frown on his face.
+
+"Look here, you've no business to come asking for me in this way.
+I thought that was distinctly understood?"
+
+"It was, sir.  But I judged it important to lose no time."
+
+And as briefly and succinctly as possible he detailed the
+experiences of the last few days.
+
+Half-way through, Mr. Carter interrupted him to give a few
+cryptic orders through the telephone.  All traces of displeasure
+had now left his face. He nodded energetically when Tommy had
+finished.
+
+"Quite right.  Every moment's of value.  Fear we shall be too
+late anyway. They wouldn't wait.  Would clear out at once. 
+Still, they may have left something behind them that will be a
+clue.  You say you've recognized Number 1 to be Kramenin?  That's
+important.  We want something against him badly to prevent the
+Cabinet falling on his neck too freely.  What about the others?
+You say two faces were familiar to you?  One's a Labour man, you
+think? Just look through these photos, and see if you can spot
+him."
+
+A minute later, Tommy held one up.  Mr. Carter exhibited some
+surprise.
+
+"Ah, Westway!  Shouldn't have thought it.  Poses as being
+moderate. As for the other fellow, I think I can give a good
+guess."  He handed another photograph to Tommy, and smiled at the
+other's exclamation. "I'm right, then.  Who is he?  Irishman. 
+Prominent Unionist M.P. All a blind, of course.  We've suspected
+it--but couldn't get any proof. Yes, you've done very well, young
+man.  The 29th, you say, is the date. That gives us very little
+time--very little time indeed."
+
+"But----" Tommy hesitated.
+
+Mr. Carter read his thoughts.
+
+"We can deal with the General Strike menace, I think.  It's a
+toss-up--but we've got a sporting chance!  But if that draft
+treaty turns up--we're done.  England will be plunged in anarchy. 
+Ah, what's that? The car?  Come on, Beresford, we'll go and have
+a look at this house of yours."
+
+Two constables were on duty in front of the house in Soho.  An
+inspector reported to Mr. Carter in a low voice. The latter
+turned to Tommy.
+
+"The birds have flown--as we thought.  We might as well go over
+it."
+
+Going over the deserted house seemed to Tommy to partake of the
+character of a dream.  Everything was just as it had been.  The
+prison room with the crooked pictures, the broken jug in the
+attic, the meeting room with its long table.  But nowhere was
+there a trace of papers. Everything of that kind had either been
+destroyed or taken away. And there was no sign of Annette.
+
+"What you tell me about the girl puzzled me," said Mr. Carter. 
+"You believe that she deliberately went back?"
+
+"It would seem so, sir.  She ran upstairs while I was getting.
+the door open."
+
+"H'm, she must belong to the gang, then; but, being a woman,
+didn't feel like standing by to see a personable young man
+killed. But evidently she's in with them, or she wouldn't have
+gone back."
+
+"I can't believe she's really one of them, sir.  She--seemed so
+different----"
+
+"Good-looking, I suppose?" said Mr. Carter with a smile that made
+Tommy flush to the roots of his hair.  He admitted Annette's
+beauty rather shamefacedly.
+
+"By the way," observed Mr. Carter, "have you shown yourself to
+Miss Tuppence yet?  She's been bombarding me with letters about
+you."
+
+"Tuppence?  I was afraid she might get a bit rattled. Did she go
+to the police?"
+
+Mr. Carter shook his head.
+
+"Then I wonder how they twigged me."
+
+Mr. Carter looked inquiringly at him, and Tommy explained. The
+other nodded thoughtfully.
+
+"True, that's rather a curious point.  Unless the mention of the
+Ritz was an accidental remark?"
+
+"It might have been, sir.  But they must have found out about me
+suddenly in some way."
+
+"Well," said Mr. Carter, looking round him, "there's nothing more
+to be done here.  What about some lunch with me?"
+
+"Thanks awfully, sir.  But I think I'd better get back and rout
+out Tuppence."
+
+"Of course.  Give her my kind regards and tell her not to believe
+you're killed too readily next time."
+
+Tommy grinned.
+
+"I take a lot of killing, sir."
+
+"So I perceive," said Mr. Carter dryly.  "Well, good-bye.
+Remember you're a marked man now, and take reasonable care of
+yourself."
+
+"Thank you, sir."
+
+Hailing a taxi briskly Tommy stepped in, and was swiftly borne to
+the Ritz' dwelling the while on the pleasurable anticipation of
+startling Tuppence.
+
+"Wonder what she's been up to.  Dogging 'Rita' most likely. By
+the way, I suppose that's who Annette meant by Marguerite.  I
+didn't get it at the time."  The thought saddened him a little,
+for it seemed to prove that Mrs. Vandemeyer and the girl were on
+intimate terms.
+
+The taxi drew up at the Ritz.  Tommy burst into its sacred
+portals eagerly, but his enthusiasm received a check. He was
+informed that Miss Cowley had gone out a quarter of an hour ago.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+THE TELEGRAM
+
+BAFFLED for the moment, Tommy strolled into the restaurant, and
+ordered a meal of surpassing excellence.  His four days'
+imprisonment had taught him anew to value good food.
+
+He was in the middle of conveying a particularly choice morsel of
+Sole a la Jeanette to his mouth, when he caught sight of Julius
+entering the room.  Tommy waved a menu cheerfully, and succeeded
+in attracting the other's attention. At the sight of Tommy,
+Julius's eyes seemed as though they would pop out of his head. 
+He strode across, and pump-handled Tommy's hand with what seemed
+to the latter quite unnecessary vigour.
+
+"Holy snakes!" he ejaculated.  "Is it really you?"
+
+"Of course it is.  Why shouldn't it be?"
+
+"Why shouldn't it be?  Say, man, don't you know you've been given
+up for dead?  I guess we'd have had a solemn requiem for you in
+another few days."
+
+"Who thought I was dead?" demanded Tommy.
+
+"Tuppence."
+
+"She remembered the proverb about the good dying young, I
+suppose. There must be a certain amount of original sin in me to
+have survived. Where is Tuppence, by the way?"
+
+"Isn't she here?"
+
+"No, the fellows at the office said she'd just gone out."
+
+"Gone shopping, I guess.  I dropped her here in the car about an
+hour ago. But, say, can't you shed that British calm of yours,
+and get down to it? What on God's earth have you been doing all
+this time?"
+
+"If you're feeding here," replied Tommy, "order now. It's going
+to be a long story."
+
+Julius drew up a chair to the opposite side of the table,
+summoned a hovering waiter, and dictated his wishes. Then he
+turned to Tommy.
+
+"Fire ahead.  I guess you've had some few adventures."
+
+"One or two," replied Tommy modestly, and plunged into his
+recital.
+
+Julius listened spellbound.  Half the dishes that were placed
+before him he forgot to eat.  At the end he heaved a long sigh.
+
+"Bully for you.  Reads like a dime novel!"
+
+"And now for the home front," said Tommy, stretching out his hand
+for a peach.
+
+"We-el," drawled Julius, "I don't mind admitting we've had some
+adventures too."
+
+He, in his turn, assumed the role of narrator. Beginning with his
+unsuccessful reconnoitring at Bournemouth, he passed on to his
+return to London, the buying of the car, the growing anxieties of
+Tuppence, the call upon Sir James, and the sensational
+occurrences of the previous night.
+
+"But who killed her?" asked Tommy.  "I don't quite understand."
+
+"The doctor kidded himself she took it herself," replied Julius
+dryly.
+
+"And Sir James?  What did he think?"
+
+"Being a legal luminary, he is likewise a human oyster," replied
+Julius.  "I should say he 'reserved judgment.' " He went on to
+detail the events of the morning.
+
+"Lost her memory, eh?" said Tommy with interest.  "By Jove, that
+explains why they looked at me so queerly when I spoke of
+questioning her. Bit of a slip on my part, that!  But it wasn't
+the sort of thing a fellow would be likely to guess."
+
+"They didn't give you any sort of hint as to where Jane was?"
+
+Tommy shook his head regretfully.
+
+"Not a word.  I'm a bit of an ass, as you know.  I ought to have
+got more out of them somehow."
+
+"I guess you're lucky to be here at all.  That bluff of yours was
+the goods all right.  How you ever came to think of it all so pat
+beats me to a frazzle!"
+
+"I was in such a funk I had to think of something," said Tommy
+simply.
+
+There was a moment's pause, and then Tommy reverted to Mrs.
+Vandemeyer's death.
+
+"There's no doubt it was chloral?"
+
+"I believe not.  At least they call it heart failure induced by
+an overdose, or some such claptrap.  It's all right. We don't
+want to be worried with an inquest.  But I guess Tuppence and I
+and even the highbrow Sir James have all got the same idea."
+
+"Mr. Brown?" hazarded Tommy.
+
+"Sure thing."
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+"All the same," he said thoughtfully, "Mr. Brown hasn't got
+wings. I don't see how he got in and out."
+
+"How about some high-class thought transference stunt? Some
+magnetic influence that irresistibly impelled Mrs. Vandemeyer to
+commit suicide?"
+
+Tommy looked at him with respect.
+
+"Good, Julius.  Distinctly good.  Especially the phraseology. But
+it leaves me cold.  I yearn for a real Mr. Brown of flesh and
+blood. I think the gifted young detectives must get to work,
+study the entrances and exits, and tap the bumps on their
+foreheads until the solution of the mystery dawns on them.  Let's
+go round to the scene of the crime. I wish we could get hold of
+Tuppence.  The Ritz would enjoy the spectacle of the glad
+reunion."
+
+Inquiry at the office revealed the fact that Tuppence had not yet
+returned.
+
+"All the same, I guess I'll have a look round upstairs," said
+Julius.  "She might be in my sitting-room." He disappeared.
+
+Suddenly a diminutive boy spoke at Tommy's elbow:
+
+"The young lady--she's gone away by train, I think, sir," he
+murmured shyly.
+
+"What?"  Tommy wheeled round upon him.
+
+The small boy became pinker than before.
+
+"The taxi, sir.  I heard her tell the driver Charing Cross and to
+look sharp."
+
+Tommy stared at him, his eyes opening wide in surprise.
+Emboldened, the small boy proceeded.  "So I thought, having asked
+for an A.B.C. and a Bradshaw."
+
+Tommy interrupted him:
+
+"When did she ask for an A.B.C. and a Bradshaw?"
+
+"When I took her the telegram, sir."
+
+"A telegram?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"When was that?"
+
+"About half-past twelve, sir."
+
+"Tell me exactly what happened."
+
+The small boy drew a long breath.
+
+"I took up a telegram to No. 891--the lady was there. She opened
+it and gave a gasp, and then she said, very jolly like: 'Bring me
+up a Bradshaw, and an A.B.C., and look sharp, Henry.'  My name
+isn't Henry, but----"
+
+"Never mind your name," said Tommy impatiently.  "Go on."
+
+"Yes, sir.  I brought them, and she told me to wait, and looked
+up something. And then she looks up at the clock, and 'Hurry up,'
+she says. 'Tell them to get me a taxi,' and she begins a-shoving
+on of her hat in front of the glass, and she was down in two
+ticks, almost as quick as I was, and I seed her going down the
+steps and into the taxi, and I heard her call out what I told
+you."
+
+The small boy stopped and replenished his lungs.  Tommy continued
+to stare at him.  At that moment Julius rejoined him. He held an
+open letter in his hand.
+
+"I say, Hersheimmer"--Tommy turned to him--"Tuppence has gone off
+sleuthing on her own."
+
+"Shucks!"
+
+"Yes, she has.  She went off in a taxi to Charing Cross in the
+deuce of a hurry after getting a telegram."  His eye fell on the
+letter in Julius's hand.  "Oh; she left a note for you.  That's
+all right. Where's she off to?"
+
+Almost unconsciously, he held out his hand for the letter, but
+Julius folded it up and placed it in his pocket. He seemed a
+trifle embarrassed.
+
+"I guess this is nothing to do with it.  It's about something
+else--something I asked her that she was to let me know about."
+
+"Oh!"  Tommy looked puzzled, and seemed waiting for more.
+
+"See here," said Julius suddenly, "I'd better put you wise. I
+asked Miss Tuppence to marry me this morning."
+
+"Oh!" said Tommy mechanically.  He felt dazed.  Julius's words
+were totally unexpected.  For the moment they benumbed his brain.
+
+"I'd like to tell you," continued Julius, "that before I
+suggested anything of the kind to Miss Tuppence, I made it clear
+that I didn't want to butt in in any way between her and you----"
+
+Tommy roused himself.
+
+"That's all right," he said quickly.  "Tuppence and I have been
+pals for years.  Nothing more."  He lit a cigarette with a hand
+that shook ever so little.  "That's quite all right. Tuppence
+always said that she was looking out for----"
+
+He stopped abruptly, his face crimsoning, but Julius was in no
+way discomposed.
+
+"Oh, I guess it'll be the dollars that'll do the trick. Miss
+Tuppence put me wise to that right away.  There's no humbug about
+her.  We ought to gee along together very well."
+
+Tommy looked at him curiously for a minute, as though he were
+about to speak, then changed his mind and said nothing.  Tuppence
+and Julius!  Well, why not? Had she not lamented the fact that
+she knew no rich men?  Had she not openly avowed her intention of
+marrying for money if she ever had the chance? Her meeting with
+the young American millionaire had given her the chance--and it
+was unlikely she would be slow to avail herself of it. She was
+out for money.  She had always said so.  Why blame her because
+she had been true to her creed?
+
+Nevertheless, Tommy did blame her.  He was filled with a
+passionate and utterly illogical resentment.  It was all very
+well to SAY things like that--but a REAL girl would never marry
+for money. Tuppence was utterly cold-blooded and selfish, and he
+would be delighted if he never saw her again!  And it was a
+rotten world!
+
+Julius's voice broke in on these meditations.
+
+"Yes, we ought to get along together very well.  I've heard that
+a girl always refuses you once--a sort of convention."
+
+Tommy caught his arm.
+
+"Refuses?  Did you say REFUSES?"
+
+"Sure thing.  Didn't I tell you that?  She just rapped out a 'no'
+without any kind of reason to it.  The eternal feminine, the Huns
+call it, I've heard.  But she'll come round right enough. Likely
+enough, I hustled her some----"
+
+But Tommy interrupted regardless of decorum.
+
+"What did she say in that note?" he demanded fiercely.
+
+The obliging Julius handed it to him.
+
+"There's no earthly clue in it as to where she's gone," he
+assured Tommy.  "But you might as well see for yourself if you
+don't believe me."
+
+The note, in Tuppence's well-known schoolboy writing, ran as
+follows:
+
+
+"DEAR JULIUS,
+
+"It's always better to have things in black and white.  I don't
+feel I can be bothered to think of marriage until Tommy is found.
+Let's leave it till then.                
+                      "Yours affectionately,   
+                      "TUPPENCE."
+
+
+Tommy handed it back, his eyes shining.  His feelings had
+undergone a sharp reaction.  He now felt that Tuppence was all
+that was noble and disinterested.  Had she not refused Julius
+without hesitation? True, the note betokened signs of weakening,
+but he could excuse that. It read almost like a bribe to Julius
+to spur him on in his efforts to find Tommy, but he supposed she
+had not really meant it that way. Darling Tuppence, there was not
+a girl in the world to touch her! When he saw her----His thoughts
+were brought up with a sudden jerk.
+
+"As you say," he remarked, pulling himself together, "there's not
+a hint here as to what she's up to.  Hi--Henry!"
+
+The small boy came obediently.  Tommy produced five shillings.
+
+"One thing more.  Do you remember what the young lady did with
+the telegram?"
+
+Henry gasped and spoke.
+
+"She crumpled it up into a ball and threw it into the grate, and
+made a sort of noise like 'Whoop!' sir."
+
+"Very graphic, Henry," said Tommy.  "Here's your five shillings.
+Come on, Julius.  We must find that telegram."
+
+They hurried upstairs.  Tuppence had left the key in her door.
+The room was as she had left it.  In the fireplace was a crumpled
+ball of orange and white.  Tommy disentangled it and smoothed out
+the telegram.
+
+"Come at once, Moat House, Ebury, Yorkshire, great
+developments--TOMMY."
+
+They looked at each other in stupefaction.  Julius spoke first:
+
+"You didn't send it?"
+
+"Of course not.  What does it mean?"
+
+"I guess it means the worst," said Julius quietly. "They've got
+her."
+
+"WHAT?"
+
+"Sure thing!  They signed your name, and she fell into the trap
+like a lamb."
+
+"My God!  What shall we do?"
+
+"Get busy, and go after her!  Right now!  There's no time to
+waste. It's almighty luck that she didn't take the wire with her.
+If she had we'd probably never have traced her.  But we've got to
+hustle. Where's that Bradshaw?"
+
+The energy of Julius was infectious.  Left to himself, Tommy
+would probably have sat down to think things out for a good
+half-hour before he decided on a plan of action. But with Julius
+Hersheimmer about, hustling was inevitable.
+
+After a few muttered imprecations he handed the Bradshaw to Tommy
+as being more conversant with its mysteries. Tommy abandoned it
+in favour of an A.B.C.
+
+"Here we are.  Ebury, Yorks.  From King's Cross.  Or St. Pancras.
+(Boy must have made a mistake.  It was King's Cross, not CHARING
+Cross.) 12.50, that's the train she went by.  2.10, that's gone.
+3.20 is the next--and a damned slow train too."
+
+"What about the car?"
+
+Tommy shook his head.
+
+"Send it up if you like, but we'd better stick to the train. The
+great thing is to keep calm."
+
+Julius groaned.
+
+"That's so.  But it gets my goat to think of that innocent young
+girl in danger!"
+
+Tommy nodded abstractedly.  He was thinking.  In a moment or two,
+he said:
+
+"I say, Julius, what do they want her for, anyway?"
+
+"Eh?  I don't get you?"
+
+"What I mean is that I don't think it's their game to do her any
+harm," explained Tommy, puckering his brow with the strain of his
+mental processes. "She's a hostage, that's what she is.  She's in
+no immediate danger, because if we tumble on to anything, she'd
+be damned useful to them. As long as they've got her, they've got
+the whip hand of us.  See?"
+
+"Sure thing," said Julius thoughtfully.  "That's so."
+
+"Besides," added Tommy, as an afterthought, "I've great faith in
+Tuppence."
+
+The journey was wearisome, with many stops, and crowded
+carriages. They had to change twice, once at Doncaster, once at a
+small junction. Ebury was a deserted station with a solitary
+porter, to whom Tommy addressed himself:
+
+"Can you tell me the way to the Moat House?"
+
+"The Moat House?  It's a tidy step from here.  The big house near
+the sea, you mean?"
+
+Tommy assented brazenly.  After listening to the porter's
+meticulous but perplexing directions, they prepared to leave the
+station. It was beginning to rain, and they turned up the collars
+of their coats as they trudged through the slush of the road.
+Suddenly Tommy halted.
+
+"Wait a moment."  He ran back to the station and tackled the
+porter anew.
+
+"Look here, do you remember a young lady who arrived by an
+earlier train, the 12.50 from London?  She'd probably ask you the
+way to the Moat House."
+
+He described Tuppence as well as he could, but the porter shook
+his head.  Several people had arrived by the train in question.
+He could not call to mind one young lady in particular. But he
+was quite certain that no one had asked him the way to the Moat
+House.
+
+Tommy rejoined Julius, and explained.  Depression was settling on
+him like a leaden weight.  He felt convinced that their quest was
+going to be unsuccessful.  The enemy had over three hours' start. 
+Three hours was more than enough for Mr. Brown.  He would not
+ignore the possibility of the telegram having been found.
+
+The way seemed endless.  Once they took the wrong turning and
+went nearly half a mile out of their direction. It was past seven
+o'clock when a small boy told them that "t' Moat House" was just
+past the next corner.
+
+A rusty iron gate swinging dismally on its hinges! An overgrown
+drive thick with leaves.  There was something about the place
+that struck a chill to both their hearts. They went up the
+deserted drive.  The leaves deadened their footsteps. The
+daylight was almost gone.  It was like walking in a world of
+ghosts. Overhead the branches flapped and creaked with a mournful
+note. Occasionally a sodden leaf drifted silently down, startling
+them with its cold touch on their cheek.
+
+A turn of the drive brought them in sight of the house. That,
+too, seemed empty and deserted.  The shutters were closed, the
+steps up to the door overgrown with moss. Was it indeed to this
+desolate spot that Tuppence had been decoyed? It seemed hard to
+believe that a human footstep had passed this way for months.
+
+Julius jerked the rusty bell handle.  A jangling peal rang
+discordantly, echoing through the emptiness within.  No one came.
+They rang again and again--but there was no sign of life. Then
+they walked completely round the house.  Everywhere silence, and
+shuttered windows.  If they could believe the evidence of their
+eyes the place was empty.
+
+"Nothing doing," said Julius.
+
+They retraced their steps slowly to the gate.
+
+"There must be a village handy," continued the young American. 
+"We'd better make inquiries there.  They'll know something about
+the place, and whether there's been anyone there lately."
+
+"Yes, that's not a bad idea."
+
+Proceeding up the road, they soon came to a little hamlet. On the
+outskirts of it, they met a workman swinging his bag of tools,
+and Tommy stopped him with a question.
+
+"The Moat House?  It's empty.  Been empty for years.  Mrs.
+Sweeny's got the key if you want to go over it--next to the post
+office."
+
+Tommy thanked him.  They soon found the post office, which was
+also a sweet and general fancy shop, and knocked at the door of
+the cottage next to it. A clean, wholesome-looking woman opened
+it.  She readily produced the key of the Moat House.
+
+"Though I doubt if it's the kind of place to suit you, sir. In a
+terrible state of repair.  Ceilings leaking and all. 'Twould need
+a lot of money spent on it."
+
+"Thanks," said Tommy cheerily.  "I dare say it'll be a washout,
+but houses are scarce nowadays."
+
+"That they are," declared the woman heartily.  "My daughter and
+son-in-law have been looking for a decent cottage for I don't
+know how long.  It's all the war.  Upset things terribly, it has.
+But excuse me, sir, it'll be too dark for you to see much of the
+house. Hadn't you better wait until to-morrow?"
+
+"That's all right.  We'll have a look around this evening,
+anyway. We'd have been here before only we lost our way.  What's
+the best place to stay at for the night round here?"
+
+Mrs. Sweeny looked doubtful.
+
+"There's the Yorkshire Arms, but it's not much of a place for
+gentlemen like you."
+
+"Oh, it will do very well.  Thanks.  By the way, you've not had a
+young lady here asking for this key to-day?"
+
+The woman shook her head.
+
+"No one's been over the place for a long time."
+
+"Thanks very much."
+
+They retraced their steps to the Moat House.  As the front door
+swung back on its hinges, protesting loudly, Julius struck a
+match and examined the floor carefully. Then he shook his head.
+
+"I'd swear no one's passed this way.  Look at the dust.  Thick. 
+Not a sign of a footmark."
+
+They wandered round the deserted house.  Everywhere the same
+tale. Thick layers of dust apparently undisturbed.
+
+"This gets me," said Julius.  "I don't believe Tuppence was ever
+in this house."
+
+"She must have been."
+
+Julius shook his head without replying.
+
+"We'll go over it again to-morrow," said Tommy.  "Perhaps we'll
+see more in the daylight."
+
+On the morrow they took up the search once more, and were
+reluctantly forced to the conclusion that the house had not been
+invaded for some considerable time.  They might have left the
+village altogether but for a fortunate discovery of Tommy's. As
+they were retracing their steps to the gate, he gave a sudden
+cry, and stooping, picked something up from among the leaves, and
+held it out to Julius.  It was a small gold brooch.
+
+"That's Tuppence's!"
+
+"Are you sure?"
+
+"Absolutely.  I've often seen her wear it."
+
+Julius drew a deep breath.
+
+"I guess that settles it.  She came as far as here, anyway. 
+We'll make that pub our head-quarters, and raise hell round here
+until we find her. Somebody MUST have seen her."
+
+Forthwith the campaign began.  Tommy and Julius worked separately
+and together, but the result was the same.  Nobody answering to
+Tuppence's description had been seen in the vicinity. They were
+baffled--but not discouraged.  Finally they altered their
+tactics.  Tuppence had certainly not remained long in the
+neighbourhood of the Moat House.  That pointed to her having been
+overcome and carried away in a car.  They renewed inquiries. Had
+anyone seen a car standing somewhere near the Moat House that
+day? Again they met with no success.
+
+Julius wired to town for his own car, and they scoured the
+neighbourhood daily with unflagging zeal.  A grey limousine on
+which they had set high hopes was traced to Harrogate, and turned
+out to be the property of a highly respectable maiden lady!
+
+Each day saw them set out on a new quest.  Julius was like a
+hound on the leash.  He followed up the slenderest clue.  Every
+car that had passed through the village on the fateful day was
+tracked down. He forced his way into country properties and
+submitted the owners of the motors to a searching
+cross-examination. His apologies were as thorough as his methods,
+and seldom failed in disarming the indignation of his victims;
+but, as day succeeded day, they were no nearer to discovering
+Tuppence's whereabouts. So well had the abduction been planned
+that the girl seemed literally to have vanished into thin air.
+
+And another preoccupation was weighing on Tommy's mind.
+
+"Do you know how long we've been here?" he asked one morning as
+they sat facing each other at breakfast.  "A week! We're no
+nearer to finding Tuppence, and NEXT SUNDAY IS THE 29TH!"
+
+"Shucks!" said Julius thoughtfully.  "I'd almost forgotten about
+the 29th. I've been thinking of nothing but Tuppence."
+
+"So have I. At least, I hadn't forgotten about the 29th, but it
+didn't seem to matter a damn in comparison to finding Tuppence. 
+But to-day's the 23rd, and time's getting short. If we're ever
+going to get hold of her at all, we must do it before the
+29th--her life won't be worth an hour's purchase afterwards. The
+hostage game will be played out by then.  I'm beginning to feel
+that we've made a big mistake in the way we've set about this.
+We've wasted time and we're no forrader."
+
+"I'm with you there.  We've been a couple of mutts, who've bitten
+off a bigger bit than they can chew. I'm going to quit fooling
+right away!"
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"I'll tell you.  I'm going to do what we ought to have done a
+week ago. I'm going right back to London to put the case in the
+hands of your British police.  We fancied ourselves as sleuths. 
+Sleuths!  It was a piece of damn-fool foolishness!  I'm through! 
+I've had enough of it. Scotland Yard for me!"
+
+"You're right," said Tommy slowly.  "I wish to God we'd gone
+there right away."
+
+"Better late than never.  We've been like a couple of babes
+playing 'Here we go round the Mulberry Bush.'  Now I'm going
+right along to Scotland Yard to ask them to take me by the hand
+and show me the way I should go. I guess the professional always
+scores over the amateur in the end. Are you coming along with
+me?"
+
+Tommy shook his head.
+
+"What's the good?  One of us is enough.  I might as well stay
+here and nose round a bit longer.  Something MIGHT turn up. One
+never knows."
+
+"Sure thing.  Well, so long.  I'll be back in a couple of shakes
+with a few inspectors along.  I shall tell them to pick out their
+brightest and best."
+
+But the course of events was not to follow the plan Julius had
+laid down. Later in the day Tommy received a wire:
+
+
+"Join me Manchester Midland Hotel.  Important news--JULIUS."
+
+
+At 7:30 that night Tommy alighted from a slow cross-country
+train. Julius was on the platform.
+
+"Thought you'd come by this train if you weren't out when my wire
+arrived."
+
+Tommy grasped him by the arm.
+
+"What is it?  Is Tuppence found?"
+
+Julius shook his head.
+
+"No. But I found this waiting in London.  Just arrived."
+
+He handed the telegraph form to the other.  Tommy's eyes opened
+as he read:
+
+
+"Jane Finn found.  Come Manchester Midland Hotel
+immediately--PEEL EDGERTON."
+
+
+Julius took the form back and folded it up.
+
+"Queer," he said thoughtfully.  "I thought that lawyer chap had
+quit!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+JANE FINN
+
+"MY train got in half an hour ago," explained Julius, as he led
+the way out of the station.  "I reckoned you'd come by this
+before I left London, and wired accordingly to Sir James.  He's
+booked rooms for us, and will be round to dine at eight."
+
+"What made you think he'd ceased to take any interest in the
+case?" asked Tommy curiously.
+
+"What he said," replied Julius dryly.  "The old bird's as close
+as an oyster! Like all the darned lot of them, he wasn't going to
+commit himself till he was sure he could deliver the goods."
+
+"I wonder," said Tommy thoughtfully.
+
+Julius turned on him.
+
+"You wonder what?"
+
+"Whether that was his real reason."
+
+"Sure.  You bet your life it was."
+
+Tommy shook his head unconvinced.
+
+Sir James arrived punctually at eight o'clock, and Julius
+introduced Tommy.  Sir James shook hands with him warmly.
+
+"I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Mr. Beresford.  I have
+heard so much about you from Miss Tuppence"--he smiled
+involuntarily--"that it really seems as though I already know you
+quite well."
+
+"Thank you, sir," said Tommy with his cheerful grin. He scanned
+the great lawyer eagerly.  Like Tuppence, he felt the magnetism
+of the other's personality. He was reminded of Mr. Carter.  The
+two men, totally unlike so far as physical resemblance went,
+produced a similar effect. Beneath the weary manner of the one
+and the professional reserve of the other, lay the same quality
+of mind, keen-edged like a rapier.
+
+In the meantime he was conscious of Sir James's close scrutiny.
+When the lawyer dropped his eyes the young man had the feeling
+that the other had read him through and through like an open
+book. He could not but wonder what the final judgment was, but
+there was little chance of learning that.  Sir James took in
+everything, but gave out only what he chose.  A proof of that
+occurred almost at once.
+
+Immediately the first greetings were over Julius broke out into a
+flood of eager questions.  How had Sir James managed to track the
+girl? Why had he not let them know that he was still working on
+the case? And so on.
+
+Sir James stroked his chin and smiled.  At last he said:
+
+"Just so, just so.  Well, she's found.  And that's the great
+thing, isn't it?  Eh!  Come now, that's the great thing?"
+
+"Sure it is.  But just how did you strike her trail? Miss
+Tuppence and I thought you'd quit for good and all."
+
+"Ah!"  The lawyer shot a lightning glance at him, then resumed
+operations on his chin.  "You thought that, did you?  Did you
+really? H'm, dear me."
+
+"But I guess I can take it we were wrong," pursued Julius.
+
+"Well, I don't know that I should go so far as to say that. But
+it's certainly fortunate for all parties that we've managed to
+find the young lady."
+
+"But where is she?" demanded Julius, his thoughts flying off on
+another tack. "I thought you'd be sure to bring her along?"
+
+"That would hardly be possible," said Sir James gravely.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because the young lady was knocked down in a street accident,
+and has sustained slight injuries to the head.  She was taken to
+the infirmary, and on recovering consciousness gave her name as
+Jane Finn.  When--ah!--I heard that, I arranged for her to be
+removed to the house of a doctor--a friend of mine, and wired at
+once for you. She relapsed into unconsciousness and has not
+spoken since."
+
+"She's not seriously hurt?"
+
+"Oh, a bruise and a cut or two; really, from a medical point of
+view, absurdly slight injuries to have produced such a condition.
+Her state is probably to be attributed to the mental shock
+consequent on recovering her memory."
+
+"It's come back?" cried Julius excitedly.
+
+Sir James tapped the table rather impatiently.
+
+"Undoubtedly, Mr. Hersheimmer, since she was able to give her
+real name. I thought you had appreciated that point."
+
+"And you just happened to be on the spot," said Tommy.  "Seems
+quite like a fairy tale."
+
+But Sir James was far too wary to be drawn.
+
+"Coincidences are curious things," he said dryly.
+
+Nevertheless Tommy was now certain of what he had before only
+suspected. Sir James's presence in Manchester was not accidental.
+Far from abandoning the case, as Julius supposed, he had by some
+means of his own successfully run the missing girl to earth. The
+only thing that puzzled Tommy was the reason for all this
+secrecy. He concluded that it was a foible of the legal mind.
+
+Julius was speaking.
+
+"After dinner," he announced, "I shall go right away and see
+Jane."
+
+"That will be impossible, I fear," said Sir James.  "It is very
+unlikely they would allow her to see visitors at this time of
+night. I should suggest to-morrow morning about ten o'clock."
+
+Julius flushed.  There was something in Sir James which always
+stirred him to antagonism.  It was a conflict of two masterful
+personalities.
+
+"All the same, I reckon I'll go round there to-night and see if I
+can't ginger them up to break through their silly rules."
+
+"It will be quite useless, Mr. Hersheimmer."
+
+The words came out like the crack of a pistol, and Tommy looked
+up with a start.  Julius was nervous and excited.  The hand with
+which he raised his glass to his lips shook slightly, but his
+eyes held Sir James's defiantly. For a moment the hostility
+between the two seemed likely to burst into flame, but in the end
+Julius lowered his eyes, defeated.
+
+"For the moment, I reckon you're the boss."
+
+"Thank you," said the other.  "We will say ten o'clock then?"
+With consummate ease of manner he turned to Tommy.  "I must
+confess, Mr. Beresford, that it was something of a surprise to me
+to see you here this evening.  The last I heard of you was that
+your friends were in grave anxiety on your behalf. Nothing had
+been heard of you for some days, and Miss Tuppence was inclined
+to think you had got into difficulties."
+
+"I had, sir!"  Tommy grinned reminiscently.  "I was never in a
+tighter place in my life."
+
+Helped out by questions from Sir James, he gave an abbreviated
+account of his adventures.  The lawyer looked at him with renewed
+interest as he brought the tale to a close.
+
+"You got yourself out of a tight place very well," he said
+gravely. "I congratulate you.  You displayed a great deal of
+ingenuity and carried your part through well."
+
+Tommy blushed, his face assuming a prawnlike hue at the praise.
+
+"I couldn't have got away but for the girl, sir."
+
+"No." Sir James smiled a little.  "It was lucky for you she
+happened to--er--take a fancy to you." Tommy appeared about to
+protest, but Sir James went on. "There's no doubt about her being
+one of the gang, I suppose?"
+
+"I'm afraid not, sir.  I thought perhaps they were keeping her
+there by force, but the way she acted didn't fit in with that.
+You see, she went back to them when she could have got away."
+
+Sir James nodded thoughtfully.
+
+"What did she say?  Something about wanting to be taken to
+Marguerite?"
+
+"Yes, sir.  I suppose she meant Mrs. Vandemeyer."
+
+"She always signed herself Rita Vandemeyer.  All her friends
+spoke of her as Rita.  Still, I suppose the girl must have been
+in the habit of calling her by her full name.  And, at the moment
+she was crying out to her, Mrs. Vandemeyer was either dead or
+dying! Curious!  There are one or two points that strike me as
+being obscure--their sudden change of attitude towards yourself,
+for instance. By the way, the house was raided, of course?"
+
+"Yes, sir, but they'd all cleared out."
+
+"Naturally," said Sir James dryly.
+
+"And not a clue left behind."
+
+"I wonder----" The lawyer tapped the table thoughtfully.
+
+Something in his voice made Tommy look up.  Would this man's eyes
+have seen something where theirs had been blind? He spoke
+impulsively:
+
+"I wish you'd been there, sir, to go over the house!"
+
+"I wish I had," said Sir James quietly.  He sat for a moment in
+silence. Then he looked up.  "And since then?  What have you been
+doing?"
+
+For a moment, Tommy stared at him.  Then it dawned on him that of
+course the lawyer did not know.
+
+"I forgot that you didn't know about Tuppence," he said slowly.
+The sickening anxiety, forgotten for a while in the excitement of
+knowing Jane Finn was found at last, swept over him again.
+
+The lawyer laid down his knife and fork sharply.
+
+"Has anything happened to Miss Tuppence?"  His voice was
+keen-edged.
+
+"She's disappeared," said Julius.
+
+"When?"
+
+"A week ago."
+
+"How?"
+
+Sir James's questions fairly shot out.  Between them Tommy and
+Julius gave the history of the last week and their futile search.
+
+Sir James went at once to the root of the matter.
+
+"A wire signed with your name?  They knew enough of you both for
+that. They weren't sure of how much you had learnt in that house.
+Their kidnapping of Miss Tuppence is the counter-move to your
+escape. If necessary they could seal your lips with a threat of
+what might happen to her."
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+"That's just what I thought, sir."
+
+Sir James looked at him keenly.  "You had worked that out, had
+you? Not bad--not at all bad.  The curious thing is that they
+certainly did not know anything about you when they first held
+you prisoner. You are sure that you did not in any way disclose
+your identity?"
+
+Tommy shook his head.
+
+"That's so," said Julius with a nod.  "Therefore I reckon some
+one put them wise--and not earlier than Sunday afternoon."
+
+"Yes, but who?"
+
+"That almighty omniscient Mr. Brown, of course!"
+
+There was a faint note of derision in the American's voice which
+made Sir James look up sharply.
+
+"You don't believe in Mr. Brown, Mr. Hersheimmer?"
+
+"No, sir, I do not," returned the young American with emphasis.
+"Not as such, that is to say.  I reckon it out that he's a
+figurehead--just a bogy name to frighten the children with.  The
+real head of this business is that Russian chap Kramenin.  I
+guess he's quite capable of running revolutions in three
+countries at once if he chose! The man Whittington is probably
+the head of the English branch."
+
+"I disagree with you," said Sir James shortly.  "Mr. Brown
+exists." He turned to Tommy.  "Did you happen to notice where
+that wire was handed in?"
+
+"No, sir, I'm afraid I didn't."
+
+"H'm. Got it with you?"
+
+"It's upstairs, sir, in my kit."
+
+"I'd like to have a look at it sometime.  No hurry.  You've
+wasted a week"--Tommy hung his head--"a day or so more is
+immaterial. We'll deal with Miss Jane Finn first.  Afterwards,
+we'll set to work to rescue Miss Tuppence from bondage.  I don't
+think she's in any immediate danger.  That is, so long as they
+don't know that we've got Jane Finn, and that her memory has
+returned. We must keep that dark at all costs.  You understand?"
+
+The other two assented, and, after making arrangements for
+meeting on the morrow, the great lawyer took his leave.
+
+At ten o'clock, the two young men were at the appointed spot. Sir
+James had joined them on the doorstep.  He alone appeared
+unexcited. He introduced them to the doctor.
+
+"Mr. Hersheimmer--Mr. Beresford--Dr. Roylance.  How's the
+patient?"
+
+"Going on well.  Evidently no idea of the flight of time. Asked
+this morning how many had been saved from the Lusitania.  Was it
+in the papers yet?  That, of course, was only what was to be
+expected. She seems to have something on her mind, though."
+
+"I think we can relieve her anxiety.  May we go up?"
+
+"Certainly."
+
+Tommy's heart beat sensibly faster as they followed the doctor
+upstairs. Jane Finn at last!  The long-sought, the mysterious,
+the elusive Jane Finn!  How wildly improbable success had seemed! 
+And here in this house, her memory almost miraculously restored,
+lay the girl who held the future of England in her hands.  A half
+groan broke from Tommy's lips. If only Tuppence could have been
+at his side to share in the triumphant conclusion of their joint
+venture!  Then he put the thought of Tuppence resolutely aside. 
+His confidence in Sir James was growing. There was a man who
+would unerringly ferret out Tuppence's whereabouts. In the
+meantime Jane Finn!  And suddenly a dread clutched at his heart.
+It seemed too easy.... Suppose they should find her dead ...
+stricken down by the hand of Mr. Brown?
+
+In another minute he was laughing at these melodramatic fancies.
+The doctor held open the door of a room and they passed in. On
+the white bed, bandages round her head, lay the girl. Somehow the
+whole scene seemed unreal.  It was so exactly what one expected
+that it gave the effect of being beautifully staged.
+
+The girl looked from one to the other of them with large
+wondering eyes. Sir James spoke first.
+
+"Miss Finn," he said, "this is your cousin, Mr. Julius P.
+Hersheimmer."
+
+A faint flush flitted over the girl's face, as Julius stepped
+forward and took her hand.
+
+"How do, Cousin Jane?" he said lightly.
+
+But Tommy caught the tremor in his voice.
+
+"Are you really Uncle Hiram's son?" she asked wonderingly.
+
+Her voice, with the slight warmth of the Western accent, had an
+almost thrilling quality.  It seemed vaguely familiar to Tommy,
+but he thrust the impression aside as impossible.
+
+"Sure thing."
+
+"We used to read about Uncle Hiram in the papers," continued the
+girl, in her low soft tones.  "But I never thought I'd meet you
+one day. Mother figured it out that Uncle Hiram would never get
+over being mad with her."
+
+"The old man was like that," admitted Julius.  "But I guess the
+new generation's sort of different.  Got no use for the family
+feud business. First thing I thought about, soon as the war was
+over, was to come along and hunt you up."
+
+A shadow passed over the girl's face.
+
+"They've been telling me things--dreadful things--that my memory
+went, and that there are years I shall never know about--years
+lost out of my life."
+
+"You didn't realize that yourself?"
+
+The girl's eyes opened wide.
+
+"Why, no.  It seems to me as though it were no time since we were
+being hustled into those boats.  I can see it all now." She
+closed her eyes with a shudder.
+
+Julius looked across at Sir James, who nodded.
+
+"Don't worry any.  It isn't worth it.  Now, see here, Jane,
+there's something we want to know about.  There was a man aboard
+that boat with some mighty important papers on him, and the big
+guns in this country have got a notion that he passed on the
+goods to you. Is that so?"
+
+The girl hesitated, her glance shifting to the other two. Julius
+understood.
+
+"Mr. Beresford is commissioned by the British Government to get
+those papers back.  Sir James Peel Edgerton is an English Member
+of Parliament, and might be a big gun in the Cabinet if he liked.
+It's owing to him that we've ferreted you out at last. So you can
+go right ahead and tell us the whole story. Did Danvers give you
+the papers?"
+
+"Yes.  He said they'd have a better chance with me, because they
+would save the women and children first."
+
+"Just as we thought," said Sir James.
+
+"He said they were very important--that they might make all the
+difference to the Allies.  But, if it's all so long ago, and the
+war's over, what does it matter now?"
+
+"I guess history repeats itself, Jane.  First there was a great
+hue and cry over those papers, then it all died down, and now the
+whole caboodle's started all over again--for rather different
+reasons. Then you can hand them over to us right away?"
+
+"But I can't."
+
+"What?"
+
+"I haven't got them."
+
+"You--haven't--got them?"  Julius punctuated the words with
+little pauses.
+
+"No--I hid them."
+
+"You hid them?"
+
+"Yes.  I got uneasy.  People seemed to be watching me. It scared
+me--badly."  She put her hand to her head. "It's almost the last
+thing I remember before waking up in the hospital...."
+
+"Go on," said Sir James, in his quiet penetrating tones. "What do
+you remember?"
+
+She turned to him obediently.
+
+"It was at Holyhead.  I came that way--I don't remember why...."
+
+"That doesn't matter.  Go on."
+
+"In the confusion on the quay I slipped away.  Nobody saw me. I
+took a car.  Told the man to drive me out of the town. I watched
+when we got on the open road.  No other car was following us.  I
+saw a path at the side of the road. I told the man to wait."
+
+She paused, then went on.  "The path led to the cliff, and down
+to the sea between big yellow gorse bushes--they were like golden
+flames. I looked round.  There wasn't a soul in sight.  But just
+level with my head there was a hole in the rock.  It was quite
+small--I could only just get my hand in, but it went a long way
+back. I took the oilskin packet from round my neck and shoved it
+right in as far as I could.  Then I tore off a bit of gorse--My!
+but it did prick--and plugged the hole with it so that you'd
+never guess there was a crevice of any kind there.  Then I marked
+the place carefully in my own mind, so that I'd find it again.
+There was a queer boulder in the path just there--for all the
+world like a dog sitting up begging.  Then I went back to the
+road. The car was waiting, and I drove back.  I just caught the
+train. I was a bit ashamed of myself for fancying things maybe,
+but, by and by, I saw the man opposite me wink at a woman who was
+sitting next to me, and I felt scared again, and was glad the
+papers were safe. I went out in the corridor to get a little air. 
+I thought I'd slip into another carriage.  But the woman called
+me back, said I'd dropped something, and when I stooped to look,
+something seemed to hit me--here."  She placed her hand to the
+back of her head. "I don't remember anything more until I woke up
+in the hospital."
+
+There was a pause.
+
+"Thank you, Miss Finn."  It was Sir James who spoke. "I hope we
+have not tired you?"
+
+"Oh, that's all right.  My head aches a little, but otherwise I
+feel fine."
+
+Julius stepped forward and took her hand again.
+
+"So long, Cousin Jane.  I'm going to get busy after those papers,
+but I'll be back in two shakes of a dog's tail, and I'll tote you
+up to London and give you the time of your young life before we
+go back to the States!  I mean it--so hurry up and get well."
+
+
+
+ CHAPTER XX
+
+TOO LATE
+
+IN the street they held an informal council of war. Sir James had
+drawn a watch from his pocket.  "The boat train to Holyhead stops
+at Chester at 12.14. If you start at once I think you can catch
+the connection."
+
+Tommy looked up, puzzled.
+
+"Is there any need to hurry, sir?  To-day is only the 24th."
+
+"I guess it's always well to get up early in the morning," said
+Julius, before the lawyer had time to reply. "We'll make tracks
+for the depot right away."
+
+A little frown had settled on Sir James's brow.
+
+"I wish I could come with you.  I am due to speak at a meeting at
+two o'clock. It is unfortunate."
+
+The reluctance in his tone was very evident.  It was clear, on
+the other hand, that Julius was easily disposed to put up with
+the loss of the other's company.
+
+"I guess there's nothing complicated about this deal," he
+remarked. "Just a game of hide-and-seek, that's all."
+
+"I hope so," said Sir James.
+
+"Sure thing.  What else could it be?"
+
+"You are still young, Mr. Hersheimmer.  At my age you will
+probably have learnt one lesson.  'Never underestimate your
+adversary.'  "
+
+The gravity of his tone impressed Tommy, but had little effect
+upon Julius.
+
+"You think Mr. Brown might come along and take a hand? If he
+does, I'm ready for him."  He slapped his pocket. "I carry a gun. 
+Little Willie here travels round with me everywhere."  He
+produced a murderous-looking automatic, and tapped it
+affectionately before returning it to its home. "But he won't be
+needed this trip.  There's nobody to put Mr. Brown wise."
+
+The lawyer shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"There was nobody to put Mr. Brown wise to the fact that Mrs.
+Vandemeyer meant to betray him.  Nevertheless, MRS. VANDEMEYER
+DIED WITHOUT SPEAKING."
+
+Julius was silenced for once, and Sir James added on a lighter
+note:
+
+"I only want to put you on your guard.  Good-bye, and good luck.
+Take no unnecessary risks once the papers are in your hands. If
+there is any reason to believe that you have been shadowed,
+destroy them at once.  Good luck to you.  The game is in your
+hands now." He shook hands with them both.
+
+Ten minutes later the two young men were seated in a first-class
+carriage en route for Chester.
+
+For a long time neither of them spoke.  When at length Julius
+broke the silence, it was with a totally unexpected remark.
+
+"Say," he observed thoughtfully, "did you ever make a darned fool
+of yourself over a girl's face?"
+
+Tommy, after a moment's astonishment, searched his mind.
+
+"Can't say I have," he replied at last.  "Not that I can
+recollect, anyhow.  Why?"
+
+"Because for the last two months I've been making a sentimental
+idiot of myself over Jane!  First moment I clapped eyes on her
+photograph my heart did all the usual stunts you read about in
+novels. I guess I'm ashamed to admit it, but I came over here
+determined to find her and fix it all up, and take her back as
+Mrs. Julius P. Hersheimmer!"
+
+"Oh!" said Tommy, amazed.
+
+Julius uncrossed his legs brusquely and continued:
+
+"Just shows what an almighty fool a man can make of himself! One
+look at the girl in the flesh, and I was cured!"
+
+Feeling more tongue-tied than ever, Tommy ejaculated "Oh!" again.
+
+"No disparagement to Jane, mind you," continued the other. "She's
+a real nice girl, and some fellow will fall in love with her
+right away."
+
+"I thought her a very good-looking girl," said Tommy, finding his
+tongue.
+
+"Sure she is.  But she's not like her photo one bit. At least I
+suppose she is in a way--must be--because I recognized her right
+off.  If I'd seen her in a crowd I'd have said 'There's a girl
+whose face I know' right away without any hesitation. But there
+was something about that photo"--Julius shook his head, and
+heaved a sigh--"I guess romance is a mighty queer thing!"
+
+"It must be," said Tommy coldly, "if you can come over here in
+love with one girl, and propose to another within a fortnight."
+
+Julius had the grace to look discomposed.
+
+"Well, you see, I'd got a sort of tired feeling that I'd never
+find Jane--and that it was all plumb foolishness anyway.  And
+then--oh, well, the French, for instance, are much more sensible
+in the way they look at things. They keep romance and marriage
+apart----"
+
+Tommy flushed.
+
+"Well, I'm damned!  If that's----"
+
+Julius hastened to interrupt.
+
+"Say now, don't be hasty.  I don't mean what you mean.  I take it
+Americans have a higher opinion of morality than you have even.
+What I meant was that the French set about marriage in a
+businesslike way--find two people who are suited to one another,
+look after the money affairs, and see the whole thing
+practically, and in a businesslike spirit."
+
+"If you ask me," said Tommy, "we're all too damned businesslike
+nowadays. We're always saying, 'Will it pay?'  The men are bad
+enough, and the girls are worse!"
+
+"Cool down, son.  Don't get so heated."
+
+"I feel heated," said Tommy.
+
+Julius looked at him and judged it wise to say no more.
+
+However, Tommy had plenty of time to cool down before they
+reached Holyhead, and the cheerful grin had returned to his
+countenance as they alighted at their destination.
+
+After consultation, and with the aid of a road map, they were
+fairly well agreed as to direction, so were able to hire a taxi
+without more ado and drive out on the road leading to Treaddur
+Bay.  They instructed the man to go slowly, and watched narrowly
+so as not to miss the path. They came to it not long after
+leaving the town, and Tommy stopped the car promptly, asked in a
+casual tone whether the path led down to the sea, and hearing it
+did paid off the man in handsome style.
+
+A moment later the taxi was slowly chugging back to Holyhead. 
+Tommy and Julius watched it out of sight, and then turned to the
+narrow path.
+
+"It's the right one, I suppose?" asked Tommy doubtfully. "There
+must be simply heaps along here."
+
+"Sure it is.  Look at the gorse.  Remember what Jane said?"
+
+Tommy looked at the swelling hedges of golden blossom which
+bordered the path on either side, and was convinced.
+
+They went down in single file, Julius leading.  Twice Tommy
+turned his head uneasily.  Julius looked back.
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"I don't know.  I've got the wind up somehow.  Keep fancying
+there's some one following us."
+
+"Can't be," said Julius positively.  "We'd see him."
+
+Tommy had to admit that this was true.  Nevertheless, his sense
+of uneasiness deepened.  In spite of himself he believed in the
+omniscience of the enemy.
+
+"I rather wish that fellow would come along," said Julius.  He
+patted his pocket.  "Little William here is just aching for
+exercise!"
+
+"Do you always carry it--him--with you?" inquired Tommy with
+burning curiosity.
+
+"Most always.  I guess you never know what might turn up."
+
+Tommy kept a respectful silence.  He was impressed by little
+William. It seemed to remove the menace of Mr. Brown farther
+away.
+
+The path was now running along the side of the cliff, parallel to
+the sea. Suddenly Julius came to such an abrupt halt that Tommy
+cannoned into him.
+
+"What's up?" he inquired.
+
+"Look there.  If that doesn't beat the band!"
+
+Tommy looked.  Standing out half obstructing the path was a huge
+boulder which certainly bore a fanciful resemblance to a
+"begging" terrier.
+
+"Well," said Tommy, refusing to share Julius's emotion, "it's
+what we expected to see, isn't it?"
+
+Julius looked at him sadly and shook his head.
+
+"British phlegm!  Sure we expected it--but it kind of rattles me,
+all the same, to see it sitting there just where we expected to
+find it!"
+
+Tommy, whose calm was, perhaps, more assumed than natural, moved
+his feet impatiently.
+
+"Push on.  What about the hole?"
+
+They scanned the cliff-side narrowly.  Tommy heard himself saying
+idiotically:
+
+"The gorse won't be there after all these years."
+
+And Julius replied solemnly:
+
+"I guess you're right."
+
+Tommy suddenly pointed with a shaking hand.
+
+"What about that crevice there?"
+
+Julius replied in an awestricken voice:
+
+"That's it--for sure."
+
+They looked at each other.
+
+"When I was in France," said Tommy reminiscently, "whenever my
+batman failed to call me, he always said that he had come over
+queer.  I never believed it.  But whether he felt it or not,
+there IS such a sensation. I've got it now!  Badly!"
+
+He looked at the rock with a kind of agonized passion.
+
+"Damn it!" he cried.  "It's impossible!  Five years!  Think of
+it! Bird's-nesting boys, picnic parties, thousands of people
+passing! It can't be there!  It's a hundred to one against its
+being there! It's against all reason!"
+
+Indeed, he felt it to be impossible--more, perhaps, because he
+could not believe in his own success where so many others had
+failed. The thing was too easy, therefore it could not be. The
+hole would be empty.
+
+Julius looked at him with a widening smile.
+
+"I guess you're rattled now all right," he drawled with some
+enjoyment.  "Well, here goes!"  He thrust his hand into the
+crevice, and made a slight grimace.  "It's a tight fit. Jane's
+hand must be a few sizes smaller than mine. I don't feel
+anything--no--say, what's this?  Gee whiz!" And with a flourish
+he waved aloft a small discoloured packet. "It's the goods all
+right.  Sewn up in oilskin.  Hold it while I get my penknife."
+
+The unbelievable had happened.  Tommy held the precious packet
+tenderly between his hands.  They had succeeded!
+
+"It's queer," he murmured idly, "you'd think the stitches would
+have rotted. They look just as good as new."
+
+They cut them carefully and ripped away the oilskin.  Inside was
+a small folded sheet of paper.  With trembling fingers they
+unfolded it. The sheet was blank!  They stared at each other,
+puzzled.
+
+"A dummy?" hazarded Julius.  "Was Danvers just a decoy?"
+
+Tommy shook his head.  That solution did not satisfy him.
+Suddenly his face cleared.
+
+"I've got it!  SYMPATHETIC INK!"
+
+"You think so?"
+
+"Worth trying anyhow.  Heat usually does the trick.  Get some
+sticks. We'll make a fire."
+
+In a few minutes the little fire of twigs and leaves was blazing
+merrily. Tommy held the sheet of paper near the glow.  The paper
+curled a little with the heat.  Nothing more.
+
+Suddenly Julius grasped his arm, and pointed to where characters
+were appearing in a faint brown colour.
+
+"Gee whiz!  You've got it!  Say, that idea of yours was great. It
+never occurred to me."
+
+Tommy held the paper in position some minutes longer until he
+judged the heat had done its work.  Then he withdrew it. A moment
+later he uttered a cry.
+
+Across the sheet in neat brown printing ran the words: WITH THE
+COMPLIMENTS OF MR. BROWN.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+TOMMY MAKES A DISCOVERY
+
+FOR a moment or two they stood staring at each other stupidly,
+dazed with the shock.  Somehow, inexplicably, Mr. Brown had
+forestalled them.  Tommy accepted defeat quietly. Not so Julius.
+
+"How in tarnation did he get ahead of us?  That's what beats me!"
+he ended up.
+
+Tommy shook his head, and said dully:
+
+"It accounts for the stitches being new.  We might have
+guessed...."
+
+"Never mind the darned stitches.  How did he get ahead of us? We
+hustled all we knew.  It's downright impossible for anyone to get
+here quicker than we did.  And, anyway, how did he know? Do you
+reckon there was a dictaphone in Jane's room? I guess there must
+have been."
+
+But Tommy's common sense pointed out objections.
+
+"No one could have known beforehand that she was going to be in
+that house--much less that particular room."
+
+"That's so," admitted Julius.  "Then one of the nurses was a
+crook and listened at the door.  How's that?"
+
+"I don't see that it matters anyway," said Tommy wearily. "He may
+have found out some months ago, and removed the papers,
+then----No, by Jove, that won't wash! They'd have been published
+at once."
+
+"Sure thing they would!  No, some one's got ahead of us to-day by
+an hour or so.  But how they did it gets my goat."
+
+"I wish that chap Peel Edgerton had been with us," said Tommy
+thoughtfully.
+
+"Why?"  Julius stared.  "The mischief was done when we came."
+
+"Yes----" Tommy hesitated.  He could not explain his own
+feeling--the illogical idea that the K.C.'s presence would
+somehow have averted the catastrophe.  He reverted to his former
+point of view. "It's no good arguing about how it was done.  The
+game's up. We've failed.  There's only one thing for me to do."
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"Get back to London as soon as possible.  Mr. Carter must be
+warned. It's only a matter of hours now before the blow falls. 
+But, at any rate, he ought to know the worst."
+
+The duty was an unpleasant one, but Tommy had no intention of
+shirking it. He must report his failure to Mr. Carter.  After
+that his work was done. He took the midnight mail to London. 
+Julius elected to stay the night at Holyhead.
+
+Half an hour after arrival, haggard and pale, Tommy stood before
+his chief.
+
+"I've come to report, sir.  I've failed--failed badly."
+
+Mr. Carter eyed him sharply.
+
+"You mean that the treaty----"
+
+"Is in the hands of Mr. Brown, sir."
+
+"Ah!" said Mr. Carter quietly.  The expression on his face did
+not change, but Tommy caught the flicker of despair in his eyes.
+It convinced him as nothing else had done that the outlook was
+hopeless.
+
+"Well," said Mr. Carter after a minute or two, "we mustn't sag at
+the knees, I suppose.  I'm glad to know definitely. We must do
+what we can."
+
+Through Tommy's mind flashed the assurance:  "It's hopeless, and
+he knows it's hopeless!"
+
+The other looked up at him.
+
+"Don't take it to heart, lad," he said kindly.  "You did your
+best. You were up against one of the biggest brains of the
+century. And you came very near success.  Remember that."
+
+"Thank you, sir.  It's awfully decent of you."
+
+"I blame myself.  I have been blaming myself ever since I heard
+this other news."
+
+Something in his tone attracted Tommy's attention. A new fear
+gripped at his heart.
+
+"Is there--something more, sir?"
+
+"I'm afraid so," said Mr. Carter gravely.  He stretched out his
+hand to a sheet on the table.
+
+"Tuppence----?" faltered Tommy.
+
+"Read for yourself."
+
+The typewritten words danced before his eyes.  The description of
+a green toque, a coat with a handkerchief in the pocket marked
+P.L.C. He looked an agonized question at Mr. Carter.  The latter
+replied to it:
+
+"Washed up on the Yorkshire coast--near Ebury.  I'm afraid--it
+looks very much like foul play."
+
+"My God!" gasped Tommy.  "TUPPENCE!  Those devils--I'll never
+rest till I've got even with them!  I'll hunt them down! 
+I'll----"
+
+The pity on Mr. Carter's face stopped him.
+
+"I know what you feel like, my poor boy.  But it's no good.
+You'll waste your strength uselessly.  It may sound harsh, but my
+advice to you is:  Cut your losses.  Time's merciful. You'll
+forget."
+
+"Forget Tuppence?  Never!"
+
+Mr. Carter shook his head.
+
+"So you think now.  Well, it won't bear thinking of--that brave
+little girl! I'm sorry about the whole business--confoundedly
+sorry."
+
+Tommy came to himself with a start.
+
+"I'm taking up your time, sir," he said with an effort. "There's
+no need for you to blame yourself.  I dare say we were a couple
+of young fools to take on such a job. You warned us all right. 
+But I wish to God I'd been the one to get it in the neck. 
+Good-bye, sir."
+
+Back at the Ritz, Tommy packed up his few belongings
+mechanically, his thoughts far away.  He was still bewildered by
+the introduction of tragedy into his cheerful commonplace
+existence.  What fun they had had together, he and Tuppence!  And
+now--oh, he couldn't believe it--it couldn't be true! 
+TUPPENCE--DEAD!  Little Tuppence, brimming over with life! It was
+a dream, a horrible dream.  Nothing more.
+
+They brought him a note, a few kind words of sympathy from Peel
+Edgerton, who had read the news in the paper.  (There had been a
+large headline: EX-V.A.D. FEARED DROWNED.) The letter ended with
+the offer of a post on a ranch in the Argentine, where Sir James
+had considerable interests.
+
+"Kind old beggar," muttered Tommy, as he flung it aside.
+
+The door opened, and Julius burst in with his usual violence. He
+held an open newspaper in his hand.
+
+"Say, what's all this?  They seem to have got some fool idea
+about Tuppence."
+
+"It's true," said Tommy quietly.
+
+"You mean they've done her in?"
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+"I suppose when they got the treaty she--wasn't any good to them
+any longer, and they were afraid to let her go."
+
+"Well, I'm darned!" said Julius.  "Little Tuppence.  She sure was
+the pluckiest little girl----"
+
+But suddenly something seemed to crack in Tommy's brain. He rose
+to his feet.
+
+"Oh, get out!  You don't really care, damn you!  You asked her to
+marry you in your rotten cold-blooded way, but I LOVED her. I'd
+have given the soul out of my body to save her from harm. I'd
+have stood by without a word and let her marry you, because you
+could have given her the sort of time she ought to have had, and
+I was only a poor devil without a penny to bless himself with.
+But it wouldn't have been because I didn't care!"
+
+"See here," began Julius temperately.
+
+"Oh, go to the devil!  I can't stand your coming here and talking
+about 'little Tuppence.'  Go and look after your cousin. 
+Tuppence is my girl! I've always loved her, from the time we
+played together as kids. We grew up and it was just the same.  I
+shall never forget when I was in hospital, and she came in in
+that ridiculous cap and apron! It was like a miracle to see the
+girl I loved turn up in a nurse's kit----"
+
+But Julius interrupted him.
+
+"A nurse's kit!  Gee whiz!  I must be going to Colney Hatch!  I
+could swear I've seen Jane in a nurse's cap too.  And that's
+plumb impossible! No, by gum, I've got it!  It was her I saw
+talking to Whittington at that nursing home in Bournemouth.  She
+wasn't a patient there! She was a nurse!"
+
+"I dare say," said Tommy angrily, "she's probably been in with
+them from the start.  I shouldn't wonder if she stole those
+papers from Danvers to begin with."
+
+"I'm darned if she did!" shouted Julius.  "She's my cousin, and
+as patriotic a girl as ever stepped."
+
+"I don't care a damn what she is, but get out of here!" retorted
+Tommy also at the top of his voice.
+
+The young men were on the point of coming to blows.  But
+suddenly, with an almost magical abruptness, Julius's anger
+abated.
+
+"All right, son," he said quietly, "I'm going.  I don't blame you
+any for what you've been saying.  It's mighty lucky you did say
+it.  I've been the most almighty blithering darned idiot that
+it's possible to imagine. Calm down"--Tommy had made an impatient
+gesture--"I'm going right away now--going to the London and North
+Western Railway depot, if you want to know."
+
+"I don't care a damn where you're going," growled Tommy.
+
+As the door closed behind Julius, he returned to his suit-case.
+
+"That's the lot," he murmured, and rang the bell.
+
+"Take my luggage down."
+
+"Yes, sir.  Going away, sir?"
+
+"I'm going to the devil," said Tommy, regardless of the menial's
+feelings.
+
+That functionary, however, merely replied respectfully:
+
+"Yes, sir.  Shall I call a taxi?"
+
+Tommy nodded.
+
+Where was he going?  He hadn't the faintest idea.  Beyond a fixed
+determination to get even with Mr. Brown he had no plans. He
+re-read Sir James's letter, and shook his head. Tuppence must be
+avenged.  Still, it was kind of the old fellow.
+
+"Better answer it, I suppose."  He went across to the
+writing-table. With the usual perversity of bedroom stationery,
+there were innumerable envelopes and no paper.  He rang.  No one
+came.  Tommy fumed at the delay. Then he remembered that there
+was a good supply in Julius's sitting-room. The American had
+announced his immediate departure, there would be no fear of
+running up against him.  Besides, he wouldn't mind if he did. He
+was beginning to be rather ashamed of the things he had said. Old
+Julius had taken them jolly well.  He'd apologize if he found him
+there.
+
+But the room was deserted.  Tommy walked across to the
+writing-table, and opened the middle drawer.  A photograph,
+carelessly thrust in face upwards, caught his eye.  For a moment
+he stood rooted to the ground. Then he took it out, shut the
+drawer, walked slowly over to an arm-chair, and sat down still
+staring at the photograph in his hand.
+
+What on earth was a photograph of the French girl Annette doing
+in Julius Hersheimmer's writing-table?
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+IN DOWNING STREET
+
+THE Prime Minister tapped the desk in front of him with nervous
+fingers. His face was worn and harassed.  He took up his
+conversation with Mr. Carter at the point it had broken off.  "I
+don't understand," he said. "Do you really mean that things are
+not so desperate after all?"
+
+"So this lad seems to think."
+
+"Let's have a look at his letter again."
+
+Mr. Carter handed it over.  It was written in a sprawling boyish
+hand.
+
+"DEAR MR. CARTER,
+
+"Something's turned up that has given me a jar.  Of course I may
+be simply making an awful ass of myself, but I don't think so. If
+my conclusions are right, that girl at Manchester was just a
+plant. The whole thing was prearranged, sham packet and all, with
+the object of making us think the game was up--therefore I fancy
+that we must have been pretty hot on the scent.
+
+"I think I know who the real Jane Finn is, and I've even got an
+idea where the papers are.  That last's only a guess, of course,
+but I've a sort of feeling it'll turn out right. Anyhow, I
+enclose it in a sealed envelope for what it's worth. I'm going to
+ask you not to open it until the very last moment, midnight on
+the 28th, in fact.  You'll understand why in a minute. You see,
+I've figured it out that those things of Tuppence's are a plant
+too, and she's no more drowned than I am. The way I reason is
+this:  as a last chance they'll let Jane Finn escape in the hope
+that she's been shamming this memory stunt, and that once she
+thinks she's free she'll go right away to the cache. Of course
+it's an awful risk for them to take, because she knows all about
+them--but they're pretty desperate to get hold of that treaty.
+BUT IF THEY KNOW THAT THE PAPERS HAVE BEEN RECOVERED BY US,
+neither of those two girls' lives will be worth an hour's
+purchase. I must try and get hold of Tuppence before Jane
+escapes.
+
+"I want a repeat of that telegram that was sent to Tuppence at
+the Ritz.  Sir James Peel Edgerton said you would be able to
+manage that for me.  He's frightfully clever.
+
+"One last thing--please have that house in Soho watched day and
+night.
+    "Yours, etc.,                       
+    "THOMAS BERESFORD."
+
+
+The Prime Minister looked up.
+
+"The enclosure?"
+
+Mr. Carter smiled dryly.
+
+"In the vaults of the Bank.  I am taking no chances."
+
+"You don't think"--the Prime Minister hesitated a minute--"that
+it would be better to open it now?  Surely we ought to secure the
+document, that is, provided the young man's guess turns out to be
+correct, at once. We can keep the fact of having done so quite
+secret."
+
+"Can we?  I'm not so sure.  There are spies all round us. Once
+it's known I wouldn't give that"--he snapped his fingers--"for
+the life of those two girls.  No, the boy trusted me, and I
+shan't let him down."
+
+"Well, well, we must leave it at that, then.  What's he like,
+this lad?"
+
+"Outwardly, he's an ordinary clean-limbed, rather block-headed
+young Englishman.  Slow in his mental processes.  On the other
+hand, it's quite impossible to lead him astray through his
+imagination. He hasn't got any--so he's difficult to deceive.  He
+worries things out slowly, and once he's got hold of anything he
+doesn't let go. The little lady's quite different.  More
+intuition and less common sense. They make a pretty pair working
+together.  Pace and stamina."
+
+"He seems confident," mused the Prime Minister.
+
+"Yes, and that's what gives me hope.  He's the kind of diffident
+youth who would have to be VERY sure before he ventured an
+opinion at all."
+
+A half smile came to the other's lips.
+
+"And it is this--boy who will defeat the master criminal of our
+time?"
+
+"This--boy, as you say!  But I sometimes fancy I see a shadow
+behind."
+
+"You mean?"
+
+"Peel Edgerton."
+
+"Peel Edgerton?" said the Prime Minister in astonishment.
+
+"Yes.  I see his hand in THIS."  He struck the open letter. "He's
+there--working in the dark, silently, unobtrusively. I've always
+felt that if anyone was to run Mr. Brown to earth, Peel Edgerton
+would be the man.  I tell you he's on the case now, but doesn't
+want it known.  By the way, I got rather an odd request from him
+the other day."
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"He sent me a cutting from some American paper.  It referred to a
+man's body found near the docks in New York about three weeks
+ago. He asked me to collect any information on the subject I
+could."
+
+"Well?"
+
+Carter shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"I couldn't get much.  Young fellow about thirty-five--poorly
+dressed--face very badly disfigured.  He was never identified."
+
+"And you fancy that the two matters are connected in some way?"
+
+"Somehow I do.  I may be wrong, of course."
+
+There was a pause, then Mr. Carter continued:
+
+"I asked him to come round here.  Not that we'll get anything out
+of him he doesn't want to tell.  His legal instincts are too
+strong. But there's no doubt he can throw light on one or two
+obscure points in young Beresford's letter.  Ah, here he is!"
+
+The two men rose to greet the new-comer. A half whimsical thought
+flashed across the Premier's mind.  "My successor, perhaps!"
+
+"We've had a letter from young Beresford," said Mr. Carter,
+coming to the point at once.  "You've seen him, I suppose?"
+
+"You suppose wrong," said the lawyer.
+
+"Oh!"  Mr. Carter was a little nonplussed.
+
+Sir James smiled, and stroked his chin.
+
+"He rang me up," he volunteered.
+
+"Would you have any objection to telling us exactly what passed
+between you?"
+
+"Not at all.  He thanked me for a certain letter which I had
+written to him--as a matter of fact, I had offered him a job.
+Then he reminded me of something I had said to him at Manchester
+respecting that bogus telegram which lured Miss Cowley away. I
+asked him if anything untoward had occurred.  He said it
+had--that in a drawer in Mr. Hersheimmer's room he had discovered
+a photograph."  The laywer{sic} paused, then continued: "I asked
+him if the photograph bore the name and address of a Californian
+photographer.  He replied:  'You're on to it, sir. It had.'  Then
+he went on to tell me something I DIDN'T know. The original of
+that photograph was the French girl, Annette, who saved his
+life."
+
+"What?"
+
+"Exactly.  I asked the young man with some curiosity what he had
+done with the photograph.  He replied that he had put it back
+where he found it." The lawyer paused again.  "That was good, you
+know--distinctly good. He can use his brains, that young fellow. 
+I congratulated him. The discovery was a providential one.  Of
+course, from the moment that the girl in Manchester was proved to
+be a plant everything was altered. Young Beresford saw that for
+himself without my having to tell it him. But he felt he couldn't
+trust his judgment on the subject of Miss Cowley.  Did I think
+she was alive?  I told him, duly weighing the evidence, that
+there was a very decided chance in favour of it. That brought us
+back to the telegram."
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"I advised him to apply to you for a copy of the original wire.
+It had occurred to me as probable that, after Miss Cowley flung
+it on the floor, certain words might have been erased and altered
+with the express intention of setting searchers on a false
+trail."
+
+Carter nodded.  He took a sheet from his pocket, and read aloud:
+
+
+"Come at once, Astley Priors, Gatehouse, Kent.  Great
+developments--TOMMY."
+
+
+"Very simple," said Sir James, "and very ingenious. Just a few
+words to alter, and the thing was done. And the one important
+clue they overlooked."
+
+"What was that?"
+
+"The page-boy's statement that Miss Cowley drove to Charing
+Cross.  They were so sure of themselves that they took it for
+granted he had made a mistake."
+
+"Then young Beresford is now?"
+
+"At Gatehouse, Kent, unless I am much mistaken."
+
+Mr. Carter looked at him curiously.
+
+"I rather wonder you're not there too, Peel Edgerton?"
+
+"Ah, I'm busy on a case."
+
+"I thought you were on your holiday?"
+
+"Oh, I've not been briefed.  Perhaps it would be more correct to
+say I'm preparing a case.  Any more facts about that American
+chap for me?"
+
+"I'm afraid not.  Is it important to find out who he was?"
+
+"Oh, I know who he was," said Sir James easily.  "I can't prove
+it yet--but I know."
+
+The other two asked no questions.  They had an instinct that it
+would be mere waste of breath.
+
+"But what I don't understand," said the Prime-Minister suddenly,
+"is how that photograph came to be in Mr. Hersheimmer's drawer?"
+
+"Perhaps it never left it," suggested the lawyer gently.
+
+"But the bogus inspector?  Inspector Brown?"
+
+"Ah!" said Sir James thoughtfully.  He rose to his feet. "I
+mustn't keep you.  Go on with the affairs of the nation. I must
+get back to--my case."
+
+Two days later Julius Hersheimmer returned from Manchester.  A
+note from Tommy lay on his table:
+
+"DEAR HERSHEIMMER,
+
+"Sorry I lost my temper.  In case I don't see you again,
+good-bye. I've been offered a job in the Argentine, and might as
+well take it.                          "Yours,                    
+"TOMMY BERESFORD."
+
+
+A peculiar smile lingered for a moment on Julius's face. He threw
+the letter into the waste-paper basket.
+
+"The darned fool!" he murmured.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+A RACE AGAINST TIME
+
+AFTER ringing up Sir James, Tommy's next procedure was to make a
+call at South Audley Mansions.  He found Albert discharging his
+professional duties, and introduced himself without more ado as a
+friend of Tuppence's. Albert unbent immediately.
+
+"Things has been very quiet here lately," he said wistfully.
+"Hope the young lady's keeping well, sir?"
+
+"That's just the point, Albert.  She's disappeared."
+
+"You don't mean as the crooks have got her?"
+
+"They have."
+
+"In the Underworld?"
+
+"No, dash it all, in this world!"
+
+"It's a h'expression, sir," explained Albert.  "At the pictures
+the crooks always have a restoorant in the Underworld.  But do
+you think as they've done her in, sir?"
+
+"I hope not.  By the way, have you by any chance an aunt, a
+cousin, a grandmother, or any other suitable female relation who
+might be represented as being likely to kick the bucket?"
+
+A delighted grin spread slowly over Albert's countenance.
+
+"I'm on, sir.  My poor aunt what lives in the country has been
+mortal bad for a long time, and she's asking for me with her
+dying breath."
+
+Tommy nodded approval.
+
+"Can you report this in the proper quarter and meet me at Charing
+Cross in an hour's time?"
+
+"I'll be there, sir.  You can count on me."
+
+As Tommy had judged, the faithful Albert proved an invaluable
+ally. The two took up their quarters at the inn in Gatehouse.  To
+Albert fell the task of collecting information.  There was no
+difficulty about it.
+
+Astley Priors was the property of a Dr. Adams.  The doctor no
+longer practiced, had retired, the landlord believed, but he took
+a few private patients--here the good fellow tapped his forehead
+knowingly--"balmy ones!  You understand!" The doctor was a
+popular figure in the village, subscribed freely to all the local
+sports--"a very pleasant, affable gentleman." Been there long? 
+Oh, a matter of ten years or so--might be longer. Scientific
+gentleman, he was.  Professors and people often came down from
+town to see him.  Anyway, it was a gay house, always visitors.
+
+In the face of all this volubility, Tommy felt doubts. Was it
+possible that this genial, well-known figure could be in reality
+a dangerous criminal?  His life seemed so open and aboveboard. No
+hint of sinister doings.  Suppose it was all a gigantic mistake?
+Tommy felt a cold chill at the thought.
+
+Then he remembered the private patients--"balmy ones." He
+inquired carefully if there was a young lady amongst them,
+describing Tuppence.  But nothing much seemed to be known about
+the patients--they were seldom seen outside the grounds. A
+guarded description of Annette also failed to provoke
+recognition.
+
+Astley Priors was a pleasant red-brick edifice, surrounded by
+well-wooded grounds which effectually shielded the house from
+observation from the road.
+
+On the first evening Tommy, accompanied by Albert, explored the
+grounds. Owing to Albert's insistence they dragged themselves
+along painfully on their stomachs, thereby producing a great deal
+more noise than if they had stood upright.  In any case, these
+precautions were totally unnecessary. The grounds, like those of
+any other private house after nightfall, seemed untenanted. 
+Tommy had imagined a possible fierce watchdog. Albert's fancy ran
+to a puma, or a tame cobra.  But they reached a shrubbery near
+the house quite unmolested.
+
+The blinds of the dining-room window were up.  There was a large
+company assembled round the table.  The port was passing from
+hand to hand. It seemed a normal, pleasant company.  Through the
+open window scraps of conversation floated out disjointedly on
+the night air. It was a heated discussion on county cricket!
+
+Again Tommy felt that cold chill of uncertainty.  It seemed
+impossible to believe that these people were other than they
+seemed. Had he been fooled once more?  The fair-bearded,
+spectacled gentleman who sat at the head of the table looked
+singularly honest and normal.
+
+Tommy slept badly that night.  The following morning the
+indefatigable Albert, having cemented an alliance with the
+greengrocer's boy, took the latter's place and ingratiated
+himself with the cook at Malthouse.  He returned with the
+information that she was undoubtedly "one of the crooks," but
+Tommy mistrusted the vividness of his imagination.  Questioned,
+he could adduce nothing in support of his statement except his
+own opinion that she wasn't the usual kind.  You could see that
+at a glance.
+
+The substitution being repeated (much to the pecuniary advantage
+of the real greengrocer's boy) on the following day, Albert
+brought back the first piece of hopeful news.  There WAS a French
+young lady staying in the house.  Tommy put his doubts aside.
+Here was confirmation of his theory.  But time pressed. To-day
+was the 27th.  The 29th was the much-talked-of "Labour Day,"
+about which all sorts of rumours were running riot. Newspapers
+were getting agitated.  Sensational hints of a Labour coup d'etat
+were freely reported.  The Government said nothing. It knew and
+was prepared.  There were rumours of dissension among the Labour
+leaders.  They were not of one mind. The more far-seeing among
+them realized that what they proposed might well be a death-blow
+to the England that at heart they loved. They shrank from the
+starvation and misery a general strike would entail, and were
+willing to meet the Government half-way. But behind them were
+subtle, insistent forces at work, urging the memories of old
+wrongs, deprecating the weakness of half-and-half measures,
+fomenting misunderstandings.
+
+Tommy felt that, thanks to Mr. Carter, he understood the position
+fairly accurately.  With the fatal document in the hands of Mr.
+Brown, public opinion would swing to the side of the Labour
+extremists and revolutionists. Failing that, the battle was an
+even chance.  The Government with a loyal army and police force
+behind them might win--but at a cost of great suffering.  But
+Tommy nourished another and a preposterous dream. With Mr. Brown
+unmasked and captured he believed, rightly or wrongly, that the
+whole organization would crumble ignominiously and
+instantaneously. The strange permeating influence of the unseen
+chief held it together. Without him, Tommy believed an instant
+panic would set in; and, the honest men left to themselves, an
+eleventh-hour reconciliation would be possible.
+
+"This is a one-man show," said Tommy to himself. "The thing to do
+is to get hold of the man."
+
+It was partly in furtherance of this ambitious design that he had
+requested Mr. Carter not to open the sealed envelope. The draft
+treaty was Tommy's bait.  Every now and then he was aghast at his
+own presumption.  How dared he think that he had discovered what
+so many wiser and clever men had overlooked? Nevertheless, he
+stuck tenaciously to his idea.
+
+That evening he and Albert once more penetrated the grounds of
+Astley Priors.  Tommy's ambition was somehow or other to gain
+admission to the house itself.  As they approached cautiously,
+Tommy gave a sudden gasp.
+
+On the second floor window some one standing between the window
+and the light in the room threw a silhouette on the blind. It was
+one Tommy would have recognized anywhere! Tuppence was in that
+house!
+
+He clutched Albert by the shoulder.
+
+"Stay here!  When I begin to sing, watch that window."
+
+He retreated hastily to a position on the main drive, and began
+in a deep roar, coupled with an unsteady gait, the following
+ditty:
+
+          I am a Soldier           A jolly British Soldier;       
+   You can see that I'm a Soldier by my feet . . .
+
+
+It had been a favourite on the gramophone in Tuppence's hospital
+days.  He did not doubt but that she would recognize it and draw
+her own conclusions. Tommy had not a note of music in his voice,
+but his lungs were excellent. The noise he produced was terrific.
+
+Presently an unimpeachable butler, accompanied by an equally
+unimpeachable footman, issued from the front door. The butler
+remonstrated with him.  Tommy continued to sing, addressing the
+butler affectionately as "dear old whiskers." The footman took
+him by one arm, the butler by the other. They ran him down the
+drive, and neatly out of the gate. The butler threatened him with
+the police if he intruded again. It was beautifully done--soberly
+and with perfect decorum. Anyone would have sworn that the butler
+was a real butler, the footman a real footman--only, as it
+happened, the butler was Whittington!
+
+Tommy retired to the inn and waited for Albert's return. At last
+that worthy made his appearance.
+
+"Well?" cried Tommy eagerly.
+
+"It's all right.  While they was a-running of you out the window
+opened, and something was chucked out."  He handed a scrap of
+paper to Tommy.  "It was wrapped round a letterweight."
+
+On the paper were scrawled three words:  "To-morrow--same time."
+
+"Good egg!" cried Tommy.  "We're getting going."
+
+"I wrote a message on a piece of paper, wrapped it round a stone,
+and chucked it through the window," continued Albert
+breathlessly.
+
+Tommy groaned.
+
+"Your zeal will be the undoing of us, Albert.  What did you say?"
+
+"Said we was a-staying at the inn.  If she could get away, to
+come there and croak like a frog."
+
+"She'll know that's you," said Tommy with a sigh of relief. "Your
+imagination runs away with you, you know, Albert.  Why, you
+wouldn't recognize a frog croaking if you heard it."
+
+Albert looked rather crest-fallen.
+
+"Cheer up," said Tommy.  "No harm done.  That butler's an old
+friend of mine--I bet he knew who I was, though he didn't let on.
+It's not their game to show suspicion.  That's why we've found it
+fairly plain sailing.  They don't want to discourage me
+altogether. On the other hand, they don't want to make it too
+easy. I'm a pawn in their game, Albert, that's what I am.  You
+see, if the spider lets the fly walk out too easily, the fly
+might suspect it was a put-up job.  Hence the usefulness of that
+promising youth, Mr. T. Beresford, who's blundered in just at the
+right moment for them. But later, Mr. T. Beresford had better
+look out!"
+
+Tommy retired for the night in a state of some elation. He had
+elaborated a careful plan for the following evening. He felt sure
+that the inhabitants of Astley Priors would not interfere with
+him up to a certain point.  It was after that that Tommy proposed
+to give them a surprise.
+
+About twelve o'clock, however, his calm was rudely shaken. He was
+told that some one was demanding him in the bar. The applicant
+proved to be a rude-looking carter well coated with mud.
+
+"Well, my good fellow, what is it?" asked Tommy.
+
+"Might this be for you, sir?"  The carter held out a very dirty
+folded note, on the outside of which was written:  "Take this to
+the gentleman at the inn near Astley Priors.  He will give you
+ten shillings."
+
+The handwriting was Tuppence's. Tommy appreciated her
+quick-wittedness in realizing that he might be staying at the inn
+under an assumed name. He snatched at it.
+
+"That's all right."
+
+The man withheld it.
+
+"What about my ten shillings?"
+
+Tommy hastily produced a ten-shilling note, and the man
+relinquished his find.  Tommy unfastened it.
+
+"DEAR TOMMY,
+
+"I knew it was you last night.  Don't go this evening. They'll be
+lying in wait for you.  They're taking us away this morning.  I
+heard something about Wales--Holyhead, I think. I'll drop this on
+the road if I get a chance.  Annette told me how you'd escaped. 
+Buck up.                          
+    "Yours,                         
+    "TWOPENCE."
+
+
+Tommy raised a shout for Albert before he had even finished
+perusing this characteristic epistle.
+
+"Pack my bag!  We're off!"
+
+"Yes, sir."  The boots of Albert could be heard racing upstairs.
+Holyhead?  Did that mean that, after all----Tommy was puzzled. He
+read on slowly.
+
+The boots of Albert continued to be active on the floor above.
+
+Suddenly a second shout came from below.
+
+"Albert!  I'm a damned fool!  Unpack that bag!"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+Tommy smoothed out the note thoughtfully.
+
+"Yes, a damned fool," he said softly.  "But so's some one else!
+And at last I know who it is!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+JULIUS TAKES A HAND
+
+IN his suite at Claridge's, Kramenin reclined on a couch and
+dictated to his secretary in sibilant Russian.
+
+Presently the telephone at the secretary's elbow purred, and he
+took up the receiver, spoke for a minute or two, then turned to
+his employer.
+
+"Some one below is asking for you."
+
+"Who is it?"
+
+"He gives the name of Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer."
+
+"Hersheimmer," repeated Kramenin thoughtfully.  "I have heard
+that name before."
+
+"His father was one of the steel kings of America," explained the
+secretary, whose business it was to know everything. "This young
+man must be a millionaire several times over."
+
+The other's eyes narrowed appreciatively.
+
+"You had better go down and see him, Ivan.  Find out what he
+wants."
+
+The secretary obeyed, closing the door noiselessly behind him. In
+a few minutes he returned.
+
+"He declines to state his business--says it is entirely private
+and personal, and that he must see you."
+
+"A millionaire several times over," murmured Kramenin.  "Bring
+him up, my dear Ivan."
+
+The secretary left the room once more, and returned escorting
+Julius.
+
+"Monsieur Kramenin?" said the latter abruptly.
+
+The Russian, studying him attentively with his pale venomous
+eyes, bowed.
+
+"Pleased to meet you," said the American.  "I've got some very
+important business I'd like to talk over with you, if I can see
+you alone." He looked pointedly at the other.
+
+"My secretary, Monsieur Grieber, from whom I have no secrets."
+
+"That may be so--but I have," said Julius dryly. "So I'd be
+obliged if you'd tell him to scoot."
+
+"Ivan," said the Russian softly, "perhaps you would not mind
+retiring into the next room----"
+
+"The next room won't do," interrupted Julius.  "I know these
+ducal suites--and I want this one plumb empty except for you and
+me. Send him round to a store to buy a penn'orth of peanuts."
+
+Though not particularly enjoying the American's free and easy
+manner of speech, Kramenin was devoured by curiosity. "Will your
+business take long to state?"
+
+"Might be an all night job if you caught on."
+
+"Very good, Ivan.  I shall not require you again this evening. Go
+to the theatre--take a night off."
+
+"Thank you, your excellency."
+
+The secretary bowed and departed.
+
+Julius stood at the door watching his retreat.  Finally, with a
+satisfied sigh, he closed it, and came back to his position in
+the centre of the room.
+
+"Now, Mr. Hersheimmer, perhaps you will be so kind as to come to
+the point?"
+
+"I guess that won't take a minute," drawled Julius.  Then, with
+an abrupt change of manner:  "Hands up--or I shoot!"
+
+For a moment Kramenin stared blindly into the big automatic,
+then, with almost comical haste, he flung up his hands above his
+head.  In that instant Julius had taken his measure. The man he
+had to deal with was an abject physical coward--the rest would be
+easy.
+
+"This is an outrage," cried the Russian in a high hysterical
+voice. "An outrage!  Do you mean to kill me?"
+
+"Not if you keep your voice down.  Don't go edging sideways
+towards that bell.  That's better."
+
+"What do you want?  Do nothing rashly.  Remember my life is of
+the utmost value to my country.  I may have been maligned----"
+
+"I reckon," said Julius, "that the man who let daylight into you
+would be doing humanity a good turn.  But you needn't worry any.
+I'm not proposing to kill you this trip--that is, if you're
+reasonable."
+
+The Russian quailed before the stern menace in the other's eyes.
+He passed his tongue over his dry lips.
+
+"What do you want?  Money?"
+
+"No. I want Jane Finn."
+
+"Jane Finn?  I--never heard of her!"
+
+"You're a darned liar!  You know perfectly who I mean."
+
+"I tell you I've never heard of the girl."
+
+"And I tell you," retorted Julius, "that Little Willie here is
+just hopping mad to go off!"
+
+The Russian wilted visibly.
+
+"You wouldn't dare----"
+
+"Oh, yes, I would, son!"
+
+Kramenin must have recognized something in the voice that carried
+conviction, for he said sullenly:
+
+"Well?  Granted I do know who you mean--what of it?"
+
+"You will tell me now--right here--where she is to be found."
+
+Kramenin shook his head.
+
+"I daren't."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"I daren't. You ask an impossibility."
+
+"Afraid, eh?  Of whom?  Mr. Brown?  Ah, that tickles you up!
+There is such a person, then?  I doubted it.  And the mere
+mention of him scares you stiff!"
+
+"I have seen him," said the Russian slowly.  "Spoken to him face
+to face. I did not know it until afterwards.  He was one of a
+crowd. I should not know him again.  Who is he really?  I do not
+know. But I know this--he is a man to fear."
+
+"He'll never know," said Julius.
+
+"He knows everything--and his vengeance is swift. Even
+I--Kramenin!--would not be exempt!"
+
+"Then you won't do as I ask you?"
+
+"You ask an impossibility."
+
+"Sure that's a pity for you," said Julius cheerfully. "But the
+world in general will benefit."  He raised the revolver.
+
+"Stop," shrieked the Russian.  "You cannot mean to shoot me?"
+
+"Of course I do.  I've always heard you Revolutionists held life
+cheap, but it seems there's a difference when it's your own life
+in question. I gave you just one chance of saving your dirty
+skin, and that you wouldn't take!"
+
+"They would kill me!"
+
+"Well," said Julius pleasantly, "it's up to you.  But I'll just
+say this. Little Willie here is a dead cert, and if I was you I'd
+take a sporting chance with Mr. Brown!"
+
+"You will hang if you shoot me," muttered the Russian
+irresolutely.
+
+"No, stranger, that's where you're wrong.  You forget the
+dollars. A big crowd of solicitors will get busy, and they'll get
+some high-brow doctors on the job, and the end of it all will be
+that they'll say my brain was unhinged.  I shall spend a few
+months in a quiet sanatorium, my mental health will improve, the
+doctors will declare me sane again, and all will end happily for
+little Julius.  I guess I can bear a few months' retirement in
+order to rid the world of you, but don't you kid yourself I'll
+hang for it!"
+
+The Russian believed him.  Corrupt himself, he believed
+implicitly in the power of money.  He had read of American murder
+trials running much on the lines indicated by Julius.  He had
+bought and sold justice himself. This virile young American, with
+the significant drawling voice, had the whip hand of him.
+
+"I'm going to count five," continued Julius, "and I guess, if you
+let me get past four, you needn't worry any about Mr. Brown. 
+Maybe he'll send some flowers to the funeral, but YOU won't smell
+them!  Are you ready? I'll begin.  One--two three--four----"
+
+The Russian interrupted with a shriek:
+
+"Do not shoot.  I will do all you wish."
+
+Julius lowered the revolver.
+
+"I thought you'd hear sense.  Where is the girl?"
+
+"At Gatehouse, in Kent.  Astley Priors, the place is called."
+
+"Is she a prisoner there?"
+
+"She's not allowed to leave the house--though it's safe enough
+really. The little fool has lost her memory, curse her!"
+
+"That's been annoying for you and your friends, I reckon. What
+about the other girl, the one you decoyed away over a week ago?"
+
+"She's there too," said the Russian sullenly.
+
+"That's good," said Julius.  "Isn't it all panning out
+beautifully? And a lovely night for the run!"
+
+"What run?" demanded Kramenin, with a stare.
+
+"Down to Gatehouse, sure.  I hope you're fond of motoring?"
+
+"What do you mean?  I refuse to go."
+
+"Now don't get mad.  You must see I'm not such a kid as to leave
+you here. You'd ring up your friends on that telephone first
+thing!  Ah!"  He observed the fall on the other's face.  "You
+see, you'd got it all fixed. No, sir, you're coming along with
+me.  This your bedroom next door here? Walk right in.  Little
+Willie and I will come behind.  Put on a thick coat, that's
+right.  Fur lined?  And you a Socialist!  Now we're ready. We
+walk downstairs and out through the hall to where my car's
+waiting. And don't you forget I've got you covered every inch of
+the way. I can shoot just as well through my coat pocket.  One
+word, or a glance even, at one of those liveried menials, and
+there'll sure be a strange face in the Sulphur and Brimstone
+Works!"
+
+Together they descended the stairs, and passed out to the waiting
+car. The Russian was shaking with rage.  The hotel servants
+surrounded them. A cry hovered on his lips, but at the last
+minute his nerve failed him. The American was a man of his word.
+
+When they reached the car, Julius breathed a sigh of relief. The
+danger-zone was passed.  Fear had successfully hypnotized the man
+by his side.
+
+"Get in," he ordered.  Then as he caught the other's sidelong
+glance, "No, the chauffeur won't help you any.  Naval man. Was on
+a submarine in Russia when the Revolution broke out. A brother of
+his was murdered by your people.  George!"
+
+"Yes, sir?"  The chauffeur turned his head.
+
+"This gentleman is a Russian Bolshevik.  We don't want to shoot
+him, but it may be necessary.  You understand?"
+
+"Perfectly, sir."
+
+"I want to go to Gatehouse in Kent.  Know the road at all?"
+
+"Yes, sir, it will be about an hour and a half's run."
+
+"Make it an hour.  I'm in a hurry."
+
+"I'll do my best, sir."  The car shot forward through the
+traffic.
+
+Julius ensconced himself comfortably by the side of his victim.
+He kept his hand in the pocket of his coat, but his manner was
+urbane to the last degree.
+
+"There was a man I shot once in Arizona----" he began cheerfully.
+
+At the end of the hour's run the unfortunate Kramenin was more
+dead than alive.  In succession to the anecdote of the Arizona
+man, there had been a tough from 'Frisco, and an episode in the
+Rockies.  Julius's narrative style, if not strictly accurate, was
+picturesque!
+
+Slowing down, the chauffeur called over his shoulder that they
+were just coming into Gatehouse.  Julius bade the Russian direct
+them.  His plan was to drive straight up to the house. There
+Kramenin was to ask for the two girls.  Julius explained to him
+that Little Willie would not be tolerant of failure. Kramenin, by
+this time, was as putty in the other's hands. The terrific pace
+they had come had still further unmanned him. He had given
+himself up for dead at every corner.
+
+The car swept up the drive, and stopped before the porch. The
+chauffeur looked round for orders.
+
+"Turn the car first, George.  Then ring the bell, and get back to
+your place. Keep the engine going, and be ready to scoot like
+hell when I give the word."
+
+"Very good, sir."
+
+The front door was opened by the butler.  Kramenin felt the
+muzzle of the revolver pressed against his ribs.
+
+"Now," hissed Julius.  "And be careful."
+
+The Russian beckoned.  His lips were white, and his voice was not
+very steady:
+
+"It is I--Kramenin!  Bring down the girl at once! There is no
+time to lose!"
+
+Whittington had come down the steps.  He uttered an exclamation
+of astonishment at seeing the other.
+
+"You!  What's up?  Surely you know the plan----"
+
+Kramenin interrupted him, using the words that have created many
+unnecessary panics:
+
+"We have been betrayed!  Plans must be abandoned. We must save
+our own skins.  The girl!  And at once! It's our only chance."
+
+Whittington hesitated, but for hardly a moment.
+
+"You have orders--from HIM?"
+
+"Naturally!  Should I be here otherwise?  Hurry!  There is no
+time to be lost. The other little fool had better come too."
+
+Whittington turned and ran back into the house. The agonizing
+minutes went by.  Then--two figures hastily huddled in cloaks
+appeared on the steps and were hustled into the car. The smaller
+of the two was inclined to resist and Whittington shoved her in
+unceremoniously.  Julius leaned forward, and in doing so the
+light from the open door lit up his face. Another man on the
+steps behind Whittington gave a startled exclamation. Concealment
+was at an end.
+
+"Get a move on, George," shouted Julius.
+
+The chauffeur slipped in his clutch, and with a bound the car
+started.
+
+The man on the steps uttered an oath.  His hand went to his
+pocket. There was a flash and a report.  The bullet just missed
+the taller girl by an inch.
+
+"Get down, Jane," cried Julius.  "Flat on the bottom of the car."
+He thrust her sharply forward, then standing up, he took careful
+aim and fired.
+
+"Have you hit him?" cried Tuppence eagerly.
+
+"Sure," replied Julius.  "He isn't killed, though.  Skunks like
+that take a lot of killing.  Are you all right, Tuppence?"
+
+"Of course I am.  Where's Tommy?  And who's this?" She indicated
+the shivering Kramenin.
+
+"Tommy's making tracks for the Argentine.  I guess he thought
+you'd turned up your toes.  Steady through the gate, George! 
+That's right. It'll take 'em at least five minutes to get busy
+after us. They'll use the telephone, I guess, so look out for
+snares ahead--and don't take the direct route.  Who's this, did
+you say, Tuppence?  Let me present Monsieur Kramenin.  I
+persuaded him to come on the trip for his health."
+
+The Russian remained mute, still livid with terror.
+
+"But what made them let us go?" demanded Tuppence suspiciously.
+
+"I reckon Monsieur Kramenin here asked them so prettily they just
+couldn't refuse!"
+
+This was too much for the Russian.  He burst out vehemently:
+
+"Curse you--curse you!  They know now that I betrayed them. My
+life won't be safe for an hour in this country."
+
+"That's so," assented Julius.  "I'd advise you to make tracks for
+Russia right away."
+
+"Let me go, then," cried the other.  "I have done what you asked.
+Why do you still keep me with you?"
+
+"Not for the pleasure of your company.  I guess you can get right
+off now if you want to.  I thought you'd rather I tooled you back
+to London."
+
+"You may never reach London," snarled the other. "Let me go here
+and now."
+
+"Sure thing.  Pull up, George.  The gentleman's not making the
+return trip. If I ever come to Russia, Monsieur Kramenin, I shall
+expect a rousing welcome, and----"
+
+But before Julius had finished his speech, and before the car had
+finally halted, the Russian had swung himself out and disappeared
+into the night.
+
+"Just a mite impatient to leave us," commented Julius, as the car
+gathered way again.  "And no idea of saying good-bye politely to
+the ladies. Say, Jane, you can get up on the seat now."
+
+For the first time the girl spoke.
+
+"How did you 'persuade' him?" she asked.
+
+Julius tapped his revolver.
+
+"Little Willie here takes the credit!"
+
+"Splendid!" cried the girl.  The colour surged into her face, her
+eyes looked admiringly at Julius.
+
+"Annette and I didn't know what was going to happen to us," said
+Tuppence.  "Old Whittington hurried us off. We thought it was
+lambs to the slaughter."
+
+"Annette," said Julius.  "Is that what you call her?"
+
+His mind seemed to be trying to adjust itself to a new idea.
+
+"It's her name," said Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide.
+
+"Shucks!" retorted Julius.  "She may think it's her name, because
+her memory's gone, poor kid.  But it's the one real and original
+Jane Finn we've got here."
+
+"What?" cried Tuppence.
+
+But she was interrupted.  With an angry spurt, a bullet embedded
+itself in the upholstery of the car just behind her head.
+
+"Down with you," cried Julius.  "It's an ambush.  These guys have
+got busy pretty quickly.  Push her a bit, George."
+
+The car fairly leapt forward.  Three more shots rang out, but
+went happily wide.  Julius, upright, leant over the back of the
+car.
+
+"Nothing to shoot at," he announced gloomily.  "But I guess
+there'll be another little picnic soon.  Ah!"
+
+He raised his hand to his cheek.
+
+"You are hurt?" said Annette quickly.
+
+"Only a scratch."
+
+The girl sprang to her feet.
+
+"Let me out!  Let me out, I say!  Stop the car.  It is me they're
+after. I'm the one they want.  You shall not lose your lives
+because of me. Let me go."  She was fumbling with the fastenings
+of the door.
+
+Julius took her by both arms, and looked at her. She had spoken
+with no trace of foreign accent.
+
+"Sit down, kid," he said gently.  "I guess there's nothing wrong
+with your memory.  Been fooling them all the time, eh?"
+
+The girl looked at him, nodded, and then suddenly burst into
+tears. Julius patted her on the shoulder.
+
+"There, there--just you sit tight.  We're not going to let you
+quit."
+
+Through her sobs the girl said indistinctly:
+
+"You're from home.  I can tell by your voice.  It makes me
+home-sick."
+
+"Sure I'm from home.  I'm your cousin--Julius Hersheimmer.  I
+came over to Europe on purpose to find you--and a pretty dance
+you've led me."
+
+The car slackened speed.  George spoke over his shoulder:
+
+"Cross-roads here, sir.  I'm not sure of the way."
+
+The car slowed down till it hardly moved.  As it did so a figure
+climbed suddenly over the back, and plunged head first into the
+midst of them.
+
+"Sorry," said Tommy, extricating himself.
+
+A mass of confused exclamations greeted him.  He replied to them
+severally:
+
+"Was in the bushes by the drive.  Hung on behind.  Couldn't let
+you know before at the pace you were going.  It was all I could
+do to hang on. Now then, you girls, get out!"
+
+"Get out?"
+
+"Yes.  There's a station just up that road.  Train due in three
+minutes. You'll catch it if you hurry."
+
+"What the devil are you driving at?" demanded Julius.  "Do you
+think you can fool them by leaving the car?"
+
+"You and I aren't going to leave the car.  Only the girls."
+
+"You're crazed, Beresford.  Stark staring mad!  You can't let
+those girls go off alone.  It'll be the end of it if you do."
+
+Tommy turned to Tuppence.
+
+"Get out at once, Tuppence.  Take her with you, and do just as I
+say. No one will do you any harm.  You're safe.  Take the train
+to London.  Go straight to Sir James Peel Edgerton.  Mr. Carter
+lives out of town, but you'll be safe with him."
+
+"Darn you!" cried Julius.  "You're mad.  Jane, you stay where you
+are."
+
+With a sudden swift movement, Tommy snatched the revolver from
+Julius's hand, and levelled it at him.
+
+"Now will you believe I'm in earnest?  Get out, both of you, and
+do as I say--or I'll shoot!"
+
+Tuppence sprang out, dragging the unwilling Jane after her.
+
+"Come on, it's all right.  If Tommy's sure--he's sure.  Be quick.
+We'll miss the train."
+
+They started running.
+
+Julius's pent-up rage burst forth.
+
+"What the hell----"
+
+Tommy interrupted him.
+
+"Dry up!  I want a few words with you, Mr. Julius Hersheimmer."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER
+
+XXV
+
+JANE'S STORY
+
+HER arm through Jane's, dragging her along, Tuppence reached the
+station. Her quick ears caught the sound of the approaching
+train.
+
+"Hurry up," she panted, "or we'll miss it."
+
+They arrived on the platform just as the train came to a
+standstill. Tuppence opened the door of an empty first-class
+compartment, and the two girls sank down breathless on the padded
+seats.
+
+A man looked in, then passed on to the next carriage. Jane
+started nervously.  Her eyes dilated with terror. She looked
+questioningly at Tuppence.
+
+"Is he one of them, do you think?" she breathed.
+
+Tuppence shook her head.
+
+"No, no.  It's all right."  She took Jane's hand in hers. "Tommy
+wouldn't have told us to do this unless he was sure we'd be all
+right."
+
+"But he doesn't know them as I do!"  The girl shivered. "You
+can't understand.  Five years!  Five long years! Sometimes I
+thought I should go mad."
+
+"Never mind.  It's all over."
+
+"Is it?"
+
+The train was moving now, speeding through the night at a
+gradually increasing rate.  Suddenly Jane Finn started up.
+
+"What was that?  I thought I saw a face--looking in through the
+window."
+
+"No, there's nothing.  See."  Tuppence went to the window, and
+lifting the strap let the pane down.
+
+"You're sure?"
+
+"Quite sure."
+
+The other seemed to feel some excuse was necessary:
+
+"I guess I'm acting like a frightened rabbit, but I can't help
+it. If they caught me now they'd----" Her eyes opened wide and
+staring.
+
+"DON'T!" implored Tuppence.  "Lie back, and DON'T THINK.  You can
+be quite sure that Tommy wouldn't have said it was safe if it
+wasn't."
+
+"My cousin didn't think so.  He didn't want us to do this."
+
+"No," said Tuppence, rather embarrassed.
+
+"What are you thinking of?" said Jane sharply.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Your voice was so--queer!"
+
+"I WAS thinking of something," confessed Tuppence.  "But I don't
+want to tell you--not now.  I may be wrong, but I don't think so.
+It's just an idea that came into my head a long time ago. Tommy's
+got it too--I'm almost sure he has.  But don't YOU
+worry--there'll be time enough for that later.  And it mayn't be
+so at all! Do what I tell you--lie back and don't think of
+anything."
+
+"I'll try."  The long lashes drooped over the hazel eyes.
+
+Tuppence, for her part, sat bolt upright--much in the attitude of
+a watchful terrier on guard.  In spite of herself she was
+nervous. Her eyes flashed continually from one window to the
+other. She noted the exact position of the communication cord.
+What it was that she feared, she would have been hard put to it
+to say. But in her own mind she was far from feeling the
+confidence displayed in her words.  Not that she disbelieved in
+Tommy, but occasionally she was shaken with doubts as to whether
+anyone so simple and honest as he was could ever be a match for
+the fiendish subtlety of the arch-criminal.
+
+If they once reached Sir James Peel Edgerton in safety, all would
+be well. But would they reach him?  Would not the silent forces
+of Mr. Brown already be assembling against them?  Even that last
+picture of Tommy, revolver in hand, failed to comfort her.  By
+now he might be overpowered, borne down by sheer force of
+numbers.... Tuppence mapped out her plan of campaign.
+
+As the train at length drew slowly into Charing Cross, Jane Finn
+sat up with a start.
+
+"Have we arrived?  I never thought we should!"
+
+"Oh, I thought we'd get to London all right.  If there's going to
+be any fun, now is when it will begin.  Quick, get out. We'll nip
+into a taxi."
+
+In another minute they were passing the barrier, had paid the
+necessary fares, and were stepping into a taxi.
+
+"King's Cross," directed Tuppence.  Then she gave a jump. A man
+looked in at the window, just as they started. She was almost
+certain it was the same man who had got into the carriage next to
+them.  She had a horrible feeling of being slowly hemmed in on
+every side.
+
+"You see," she explained to Jane, "if they think we're going to
+Sir James, this will put them off the scent. Now they'll imagine
+we're going to Mr. Carter.  His country place is north of London
+somewhere."
+
+Crossing Holborn there was a block, and the taxi was held up.
+This was what Tuppence had been waiting for.
+
+"Quick," she whispered.  "Open the right-hand door!"
+
+The two girls stepped out into the traffic.  Two minutes later
+they were seated in another taxi and were retracing their steps,
+this time direct to Carlton House Terrace.
+
+"There," said Tuppence, with great satisfaction, "this ought to
+do them. I can't help thinking that I'm really rather clever! 
+How that other taxi man will swear!  But I took his number, and
+I'll send him a postal order to-morrow, so that he won't lose by
+it if he happens to be genuine. What's this thing
+swerving----Oh!"
+
+There was a grinding noise and a bump.  Another taxi had collided
+with them.
+
+In a flash Tuppence was out on the pavement.  A policeman was
+approaching. Before he arrived Tuppence had handed the driver
+five shillings, and she and Jane had merged themselves in the
+crowd.
+
+"It's only a step or two now," said Tuppence breathlessly. The
+accident had taken place in Trafalgar Square.
+
+"Do you think the collision was an accident, or done
+deliberately?"
+
+"I don't know.  It might have been either."
+
+Hand-in-hand, the two girls hurried along.
+
+"It may be my fancy," said Tuppence suddenly, "but I feel as
+though there was some one behind us."
+
+"Hurry!" murmured the other.  "Oh, hurry!"
+
+They were now at the corner of Carlton House Terrace, and their
+spirits lightened.  Suddenly a large and apparently intoxicated
+man barred their way.
+
+"Good evening, ladies," he hiccupped.  "Whither away so fast?"
+
+"Let us pass, please," said Tuppence imperiously.
+
+"Just a word with your pretty friend here."  He stretched out an
+unsteady hand, and clutched Jane by the shoulder. Tuppence heard
+other footsteps behind.  She did not pause to ascertain whether
+they were friends or foes. Lowering her head, she repeated a
+manoeuvre of childish days, and butted their aggressor full in
+the capacious middle. The success of these unsportsmanlike
+tactics was immediate. The man sat down abruptly on the pavement. 
+Tuppence and Jane took to their heels.  The house they sought was
+some way down. Other footsteps echoed behind them.  Their breath
+was coming in choking gasps as they reached Sir James's door.
+Tuppence seized the bell and Jane the knocker.
+
+The man who had stopped them reached the foot of the steps. For a
+moment he hesitated, and as he did so the door opened. They fell
+into the hall together.  Sir James came forward from the library
+door.
+
+"Hullo!  What's this?"
+
+He stepped forward, and put his arm round Jane as she swayed
+uncertainly. He half carried her into the library, and laid her
+on the leather couch. From a tantalus on the table he poured out
+a few drops of brandy, and forced her to drink them.  With a sigh
+she sat up, her eyes still wild and frightened.
+
+"It's all right.  Don't be afraid, my child.  You're quite safe."
+
+Her breath came more normally, and the colour was returning to
+her cheeks. Sir James looked at Tuppence quizzically.
+
+"So you're not dead, Miss Tuppence, any more than that Tommy boy
+of yours was!"
+
+"The Young Adventurers take a lot of killing," boasted Tuppence.
+
+"So it seems," said Sir James dryly.  "Am I right in thinking
+that the joint venture has ended in success, and that this"--he
+turned to the girl on the couch--"is Miss Jane Finn?"
+
+Jane sat up.
+
+"Yes," she said quietly, "I am Jane Finn.  I have a lot to tell
+you."
+
+"When you are stronger----"
+
+"No--now!"  Her voice rose a little.  "I shall feel safer when I
+have told everything."
+
+"As you please," said the lawyer.
+
+He sat down in one of the big arm-chairs facing the couch. In a
+low voice Jane began her story.
+
+"I came over on the Lusitania to take up a post in Paris.  I was
+fearfully keen about the war, and just dying to help somehow or
+other. I had been studying French, and my teacher said they were
+wanting help in a hospital in Paris, so I wrote and offered my
+services, and they were accepted.  I hadn't got any folk of my
+own, so it made it easy to arrange things.
+
+"When the Lusitania was torpedoed, a man came up to me. I'd
+noticed him more than once--and I'd figured it out in my own mind
+that he was afraid of somebody or something.  He asked me if I
+was a patriotic American, and told me he was carrying papers
+which were just life or death to the Allies.  He asked me to take
+charge of them. I was to watch for an advertisement in the Times. 
+If it didn't appear, I was to take them to the American
+Ambassador.
+
+"Most of what followed seems like a nightmare still. I see it in
+my dreams sometimes.... I'll hurry over that part. Mr. Danvers
+had told me to watch out.  He might have been shadowed from New
+York, but he didn't think so.  At first I had no suspicions, but
+on the boat to Holyhead I began to get uneasy. There was one
+woman who had been very keen to look after me, and chum up with
+me generally--a Mrs. Vandemeyer.  At first I'd been only grateful
+to her for being so kind to me; but all the time I felt there was
+something about her I didn't like, and on the Irish boat I saw
+her talking to some queer-looking men, and from the way they
+looked I saw that they were talking about me. I remembered that
+she'd been quite near me on the Lusitania when Mr. Danvers gave
+me the packet, and before that she'd tried to talk to him once or
+twice.  I began to get scared, but I didn't quite see what to do.
+
+"I had a wild idea of stopping at Holyhead, and not going on to
+London that day, but I soon saw that that would be plumb
+foolishness. The only thing was to act as though I'd noticed
+nothing, and hope for the best.  I couldn't see how they could
+get me if I was on my guard. One thing I'd done already as a
+precaution--ripped open the oilskin packet and substituted blank
+paper, and then sewn it up again. So, if anyone did manage to rob
+me of it, it wouldn't matter.
+
+"What to do with the real thing worried me no end. Finally I
+opened it out flat--there were only two sheets--and laid it
+between two of the advertisement pages of a magazine. I stuck the
+two pages together round the edge with some gum off an envelope. 
+I carried the magazine carelessly stuffed into the pocket of my
+ulster.
+
+"At Holyhead I tried to get into a carriage with people that
+looked all right, but in a queer way there seemed always to be a
+crowd round me shoving and pushing me just the way I didn't want
+to go. There was something uncanny and frightening about it.  In
+the end I found myself in a carriage with Mrs. Vandemeyer after
+all. I went out into the corridor, but all the other carriages
+were full, so I had to go back and sit down.  I consoled myself
+with the thought that there were other people in the
+carriage--there was quite a nice-looking man and his wife sitting
+just opposite. So I felt almost happy about it until just outside
+London.  I had leaned back and closed my eyes.  I guess they
+thought I was asleep, but my eyes weren't quite shut, and
+suddenly I saw the nice-looking man get something out of his bag
+and hand it to Mrs. Vandemeyer, and as he did so he WINKED....
+
+"I can't tell you how that wink sort of froze me through and
+through. My only thought was to get out in the corridor as quick
+as ever I could. I got up, trying to look natural and easy. 
+Perhaps they saw something--I don't know--but suddenly Mrs.
+Vandemeyer said 'Now,' and flung something over my nose and mouth
+as I tried to scream.  At the same moment I felt a terrific blow
+on the back of my head...."
+
+She shuddered.  Sir James murmured something sympathetically. In
+a minute she resumed:
+
+"I don't know how long it was before I came back to
+consciousness. I felt very ill and sick.  I was lying on a dirty
+bed. There was a screen round it, but I could hear two people
+talking in the room.  Mrs. Vandemeyer was one of them. I tried to
+listen, but at first I couldn't take much in. When at last I did
+begin to grasp what was going on--I was just terrified!  I wonder
+I didn't scream right out there and then.
+
+"They hadn't found the papers.  They'd got the oilskin packet
+with the blanks, and they were just mad!  They didn't know
+whether I'd changed the papers, or whether Danvers had been
+carrying a dummy message, while the real one was sent another
+way. They spoke of"--she closed her eyes--"torturing me to find
+out!
+
+"I'd never known what fear--really sickening fear--was before!
+Once they came to look at me.  I shut my eyes and pretended to be
+still unconscious, but I was afraid they'd hear the beating of my
+heart. However, they went away again.  I began thinking madly. 
+What could I do? I knew I wouldn't be able to stand up against
+torture very long.
+
+"Suddenly something put the thought of loss of memory into my
+head. The subject had always interested me, and I'd read an awful
+lot about it.  I had the whole thing at my finger-tips. If only I
+could succeed in carrying the bluff through, it might save me. I
+said a prayer, and drew a long breath.  Then I opened my eyes and
+started babbling in FRENCH!
+
+"Mrs. Vandemeyer came round the screen at once.  Her face was so
+wicked I nearly died, but I smiled up at her doubtfully, and
+asked her in French where I was.
+
+"It puzzled her, I could see.  She called the man she had been
+talking to.  He stood by the screen with his face in shadow. He
+spoke to me in French.  His voice was very ordinary and quiet,
+but somehow, I don't know why, he scared me worse than the woman.
+I felt he'd seen right through me, but I went on playing my part.
+I asked again where I was, and then went on that there was
+something I MUST remember--MUST remember--only for the moment it
+was all gone. I worked myself up to be more and more distressed. 
+He asked me my name. I said I didn't know--that I couldn't
+remember anything at all.
+
+"Suddenly he caught my wrist, and began twisting it.  The pain
+was awful. I screamed.  He went on.  I screamed and screamed, but
+I managed to shriek out things in French.  I don't know how long
+I could have gone on, but luckily I fainted.  The last thing I
+heard was his voice saying: 'That's not bluff!  Anyway, a kid of
+her age wouldn't know enough.' I guess he forgot American girls
+are older for their age than English ones, and take more interest
+in scientific subjects.
+
+"When I came to, Mrs. Vandemeyer was sweet as honey to me. She'd
+had her orders, I guess.  She spoke to me in French--told me I'd
+had a shock and been very ill.  I should be better soon. I
+pretended to be rather dazed--murmured something about the
+'doctor' having hurt my wrist.  She looked relieved when I said
+that.
+
+"By and by she went out of the room altogether. I was suspicious
+still, and lay quite quiet for some time. In the end, however, I
+got up and walked round the room, examining it. I thought that
+even if anyone WAS watching me from somewhere, it would seem
+natural enough under the circumstances.  It was a squalid, dirty
+place.  There were no windows, which seemed queer. I guessed the
+door would be locked, but I didn't try it. There were some
+battered old pictures on the walls, representing scenes from
+Faust."
+
+Jane's two listeners gave a simultaneous "Ah!"  The girl nodded.
+
+"Yes--it was the place in Soho where Mr. Beresford was
+imprisoned. Of course, at the time I didn't even know if I was in
+London.  One thing was worrying me dreadfully, but my heart gave
+a great throb of relief when I saw my ulster lying carelessly
+over the back of a chair. AND THE MAGAZINE WAS STILL ROLLED UP IN
+THE POCKET!
+
+"If only I could be certain that I was not being overlooked! I
+looked carefully round the walls.  There didn't seem to be a
+peep-hole of any kind--nevertheless I felt kind of sure there
+must be. All of a sudden I sat down on the edge of the table, and
+put my face in my hands, sobbing out a 'Mon Dieu!  Mon Dieu!'
+I've got very sharp ears. I distinctly heard the rustle of a
+dress, and slight creak. That was enough for me.  I was being
+watched!
+
+"I lay down on the bed again, and by and by Mrs. Vandemeyer
+brought me some supper.  She was still sweet as they make them. I
+guess she'd been told to win my confidence.  Presently she
+produced the oilskin packet, and asked me if I recognized it,
+watching me like a lynx all the time.
+
+"I took it and turned it over in a puzzled sort of way. Then I
+shook my head.  I said that I felt I OUGHT to remember something
+about it, that it was just as though it was all coming back, and
+then, before I could get hold of it, it went again. Then she told
+me that I was her niece, and that I was to call her 'Aunt Rita.' 
+I did obediently, and she told me not to worry--my memory would
+soon come back.
+
+"That was an awful night.  I'd made my plan whilst I was waiting
+for her. The papers were safe so far, but I couldn't take the
+risk of leaving them there any longer.  They might throw that
+magazine away any minute. I lay awake waiting until I judged it
+must be about two o'clock in the morning.  Then I got up as
+softly as I could, and felt in the dark along the left-hand wall. 
+Very gently, I unhooked one of the pictures from its
+nail--Marguerite with her casket of jewels. I crept over to my
+coat and took out the magazine, and an odd envelope or two that I
+had shoved in.  Then I went to the washstand, and damped the
+brown paper at the back of the picture all round. Presently I was
+able to pull it away.  I had already torn out the two
+stuck-together pages from the magazine, and now I slipped them
+with their precious enclosure between the picture and its brown
+paper backing. A little gum from the envelopes helped me to stick
+the latter up again. No one would dream the picture had ever been
+tampered with. I rehung it on the wall, put the magazine back in
+my coat pocket, and crept back to bed.  I was pleased with my
+hiding-place. They'd never think of pulling to pieces one of
+their own pictures. I hoped that they'd come to the conclusion
+that Danvers had been carrying a dummy all along, and that, in
+the end, they'd let me go.
+
+"As a matter of fact, I guess that's what they did think at
+first, and, in a way, it was dangerous for me.  I learnt
+afterwards that they nearly did away with me then and
+there--there was never much chance of their 'letting me go'--but
+the first man, who was the boss, preferred to keep me alive on
+the chance of my having hidden them, and being able to tell where
+if I recovered my memory. They watched me constantly for weeks. 
+Sometimes they'd ask me questions by the hour--I guess there was
+nothing they didn't know about the third degree!--but somehow I
+managed to hold my own. The strain of it was awful, though . . .
+
+"They took me back to Ireland, and over every step of the Journey
+again, in case I'd hidden it somewhere en route. Mrs. Vandemeyer
+and another woman never left me for a moment. They spoke of me as
+a young relative of Mrs. Vandemeyer's whose mind was affected by
+the shock of the Lusitania.  There was no one I could appeal to
+for help without giving myself away to THEM, and if I risked it
+and failed--and Mrs. Vandemeyer looked so rich, and so
+beautifully dressed, that I felt convinced they'd take her word
+against mine, and think it was part of my mental trouble to think
+myself 'persecuted'--I felt that the horrors in store for me
+would be too awful once they knew I'd been only shamming."
+
+Sir James nodded comprehendingly.
+
+"Mrs. Vandemeyer was a woman of great personality. With that and
+her social position she would have had little difficulty in
+imposing her point of view in preference to yours. Your
+sensational accusations against her would not easily have found
+credence."
+
+"That's what I thought.  It ended in my being sent to a
+sanatorium at Bournemouth.  I couldn't make up my mind at first
+whether it was a sham affair or genuine.  A hospital nurse had
+charge of me. I was a special patient.  She seemed so nice and
+normal that at last I determined to confide in her.  A merciful
+providence just saved me in time from falling into the trap.  My
+door happened to be ajar, and I heard her talking to some one in
+the passage. SHE WAS ONE OF THEM!  They still fancied it might be
+a bluff on my part, and she was put in charge of me to make sure!
+After that, my nerve went completely.  I dared trust nobody.
+
+"I think I almost hypnotized myself.  After a while, I almost
+forgot that I was really Jane Finn.  I was so bent on playing the
+part of Janet Vandemeyer that my nerves began to play me tricks.
+I became really ill--for months I sank into a sort of stupor. I
+felt sure I should die soon, and that nothing really mattered. A
+sane person shut up in a lunatic asylum often ends by becoming
+insane, they say.  I guess I was like that. Playing my part had
+become second nature to me.  I wasn't even unhappy in the
+end--just apathetic.  Nothing seemed to matter. And the years
+went on.
+
+"And then suddenly things seemed to change.  Mrs. Vandemeyer came
+down from London.  She and the doctor asked me questions,
+experimented with various treatments.  There was some talk of
+sending me to a specialist in Paris.  In the end, they did not
+dare risk it.  I overheard something that seemed to show that
+other people--friends--were looking for me. I learnt later that
+the nurse who had looked after me went to Paris, and consulted a
+specialist, representing herself to be me.  He put her through
+some searching tests, and exposed her loss of memory to be
+fraudulent; but she had taken a note of his methods and
+reproduced them on me. I dare say I couldn't have deceived the
+specialist for a minute--a man who has made a lifelong study of a
+thing is unique--but I managed once again to hold my own with
+them. The fact that I'd not thought of myself as Jane Finn for so
+long made it easier.
+
+"One night I was whisked off to London at a moment's notice. They
+took me back to the house in Soho.  Once I got away from the
+sanatorium I felt different--as though something in me that had
+been buried for a long time was waking up again.
+
+"They sent me in to wait on Mr. Beresford.  (Of course I didn't
+know his name then.) I was suspicious--I thought it was another
+trap. But he looked so honest, I could hardly believe it. 
+However, I was careful in all I said, for I knew we could be
+overheard. There's a small hole, high up in the wall.
+
+"But on the Sunday afternoon a message was brought to the house.
+They were all very disturbed.  Without their knowing, I listened.
+Word had come that he was to be killed.  I needn't tell the next
+part, because you know it.  I thought I'd have time to rush up
+and get the papers from their hiding-place, but I was caught. So
+I screamed out that he was escaping, and I said I wanted to go
+back to Marguerite.  I shouted the name three times very loud. I
+knew the others would think I meant Mrs. Vandemeyer, but I hoped
+it might make Mr. Beresford think of the picture. He'd unhooked
+one the first day--that's what made me hesitate to trust him."
+
+She paused.
+
+"Then the papers," said Sir James slowly, "are still at the back
+of the picture in that room."
+
+"Yes."  The girl had sunk back on the sofa exhausted with the
+strain of the long story.
+
+Sir James rose to his feet.  He looked at his watch.
+
+"Come," he said, "we must go at once."
+
+"To-night?" queried Tuppence, surprised.
+
+"To-morrow may be too late," said Sir James gravely. "Besides, by
+going to-night we have the chance of capturing that great man and
+super-criminal--Mr. Brown!"
+
+There was dead silence, and Sir James continued:
+
+"You have been followed here--not a doubt of it.  When we leave
+the house we shall be followed again, but not molested, FOR IT IS
+MR. BROWN'S PLAN THAT WE ARE TO LEAD HIM.  But the Soho house is
+under police supervision night and day. There are several men
+watching it.  When we enter that house, Mr. Brown will not draw
+back--he will risk all, on the chance of obtaining the spark to
+fire his mine.  And he fancies the risk not great--since he will
+enter in the guise of a friend!"
+
+Tuppence flushed, then opened her mouth impulsively.
+
+"But there's something you don't know--that we haven't told you."
+Her eyes dwelt on Jane in perplexity.
+
+"What is that?" asked the other sharply.  "No hesitations, Miss
+Tuppence.  We need to be sure of our going."
+
+But Tuppence, for once, seemed tongue-tied.
+
+"It's so difficult--you see, if I'm wrong--oh, it would be
+dreadful." She made a grimace at the unconscious Jane.  "Never
+forgive me," she observed cryptically.
+
+"You want me to help you out, eh?"
+
+"Yes, please.  YOU know who Mr. Brown is, don't you?"
+
+"Yes," said Sir James gravely.  "At last I do."
+
+"At last?" queried Tuppence doubtfully.  "Oh, but I thought----"
+She paused.
+
+"You thought correctly, Miss Tuppence.  I have been morally
+certain of his identity for some time--ever since the night of
+Mrs. Vandemeyer's mysterious death."
+
+"Ah!" breathed Tuppence.
+
+"For there we are up against the logic of facts.  There are only
+two solutions.  Either the chloral was administered by her own
+hand, which theory I reject utterly, or else----"
+
+"Yes?"
+
+"Or else it was administered in the brandy you gave her. Only
+three people touched that brandy--you, Miss Tuppence, I myself,
+and one other--Mr. Julius Hersheimmer!"
+
+Jane Finn stirred and sat up, regarding the speaker with wide
+astonished eyes.
+
+"At first, the thing seemed utterly impossible.  Mr. Hersheimmer,
+as the son of a prominent millionaire, was a well-known figure in
+America.  It seemed utterly impossible that he and Mr. Brown
+could be one and the same.  But you cannot escape from the logic
+of facts.  Since the thing was so--it must be accepted. Remember
+Mrs. Vandemeyer's sudden and inexplicable agitation. Another
+proof, if proof was needed.
+
+"I took an early opportunity of giving you a hint. From some
+words of Mr. Hersheimmer's at Manchester, I gathered that you had
+understood and acted on that hint. Then I set to work to prove
+the impossible possible. Mr. Beresford rang me up and told me,
+what I had already suspected, that the photograph of Miss Jane
+Finn had never really been out of Mr. Hersheimmer's
+possession----"
+
+But the girl interrupted.  Springing to her feet, she cried out
+angrily:
+
+"What do you mean?  What are you trying to suggest? That Mr.
+Brown is JULIUS?  Julius--my own cousin!"
+
+"No, Miss Finn," said Sir James unexpectedly.  "Not your cousin.
+The man who calls himself Julius Hersheimmer is no relation to
+you whatsoever."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+MR. BROWN
+
+SIR James's words came like a bomb-shell. Both girls looked
+equally puzzled. The lawyer went across to his desk, and returned
+with a small newspaper cutting, which he handed to Jane. 
+Tuppence read it over her shoulder. Mr. Carter would have
+recognized it.  It referred to the mysterious man found dead in
+New York.
+
+"As I was saying to Miss Tuppence," resumed the lawyer, "I set to
+work to prove the impossible possible.  The great stumbling-block
+was the undeniable fact that Julius Hersheimmer was not an
+assumed name. When I came across this paragraph my problem was
+solved. Julius Hersheimmer set out to discover what had become of
+his cousin. He went out West, where he obtained news of her and
+her photograph to aid him in his search.  On the eve of his
+departure from New York he was set upon and murdered.  His body
+was dressed in shabby clothes, and the face disfigured to prevent
+identification.  Mr. Brown took his place. He sailed immediately
+for England.  None of the real Hersheimmer's friends or intimates
+saw him before he sailed--though indeed it would hardly have
+mattered if they had, the impersonation was so perfect. Since
+then he had been hand and glove with those sworn to hunt him
+down.  Every secret of theirs has been known to him. Only once
+did he come near disaster.  Mrs. Vandemeyer knew his secret. It
+was no part of his plan that that huge bribe should ever be
+offered to her.  But for Miss Tuppence's fortunate change of
+plan, she would have been far away from the flat when we arrived
+there. Exposure stared him in the face.  He took a desperate
+step, trusting in his assumed character to avert suspicion.  He
+nearly succeeded--but not quite."
+
+"I can't believe it," murmured Jane.  "He seemed so splendid."
+
+"The real Julius Hersheimmer WAS a splendid fellow! And Mr. Brown
+is a consummate actor.  But ask Miss Tuppence if she also has not
+had her suspicions."
+
+Jane turned mutely to Tuppence.  The latter nodded.
+
+"I didn't want to say it, Jane--I knew it would hurt you.  And,
+after all, I couldn't be sure.  I still don't understand why, if
+he's Mr. Brown, he rescued us."
+
+"Was it Julius Hersheimmer who helped you to escape?"
+
+Tuppence recounted to Sir James the exciting events of the
+evening, ending up:  "But I can't see WHY!"
+
+"Can't you?  I can.  So can young Beresford, by his actions. As a
+last hope Jane Finn was to be allowed to escape--and the escape
+must be managed so that she harbours no suspicions of its being a
+put-up job.  They're not averse to young Beresford's being in the
+neighbourhood, and, if necessary, communicating with you. They'll
+take care to get him out of the way at the right minute. Then
+Julius Hersheimmer dashes up and rescues you in true melodramatic
+style. Bullets fly--but don't hit anybody.  What would have
+happened next? You would have driven straight to the house in
+Soho and secured the document which Miss Finn would probably have
+entrusted to her cousin's keeping. Or, if he conducted the
+search, he would have pretended to find the hiding-place already
+rifled.  He would have had a dozen ways of dealing with the
+situation, but the result would have been the same. And I rather
+fancy some accident would have happened to both of you. You see,
+you know rather an inconvenient amount.  That's a rough outline.
+I admit I was caught napping; but somebody else wasn't."
+
+"Tommy," said Tuppence softly.
+
+"Yes.  Evidently when the right moment came to get rid of him--he
+was too sharp for them.  All the same, I'm not too easy in my
+mind about him."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because Julius Hersheimmer is Mr. Brown," said Sir James dryly.
+"And it takes more than one man and a revolver to hold up Mr.
+Brown...."
+
+Tuppence paled a little.
+
+"What can we do?"
+
+"Nothing until we've been to the house in Soho.  If Beresford has
+still got the upper hand, there's nothing to fear.  If otherwise,
+our enemy will come to find us, and he will not find us
+unprepared!" From a drawer in the desk, he took a service
+revolver, and placed it in his coat pocket.
+
+"Now we're ready.  I know better than even to suggest going
+without you, Miss Tuppence----"
+
+"I should think so indeed!"
+
+"But I do suggest that Miss Finn should remain here. She will be
+perfectly safe, and I am afraid she is absolutely worn out with
+all she has been through."
+
+But to Tuppence's surprise Jane shook her head.
+
+"No. I guess I'm going too.  Those papers were my trust. I must
+go through with this business to the end. I'm heaps better now
+anyway."
+
+Sir James's car was ordered round.  During the short drive
+Tuppence's heart beat tumultuously.  In spite of momentary qualms
+of uneasiness respecting Tommy, she could not but feel
+exultation. They were going to win!
+
+The car drew up at the corner of the square and they got out. Sir
+James went up to a plain-clothes man who was on duty with several
+others, and spoke to him.  Then he rejoined the girls.
+
+"No one has gone into the house so far.  It is being watched at
+the back as well, so they are quite sure of that.  Anyone who
+attempts to enter after we have done so will be arrested
+immediately. Shall we go in?"
+
+A policeman produced a key.  They all knew Sir James well. They
+had also had orders respecting Tuppence.  Only the third member
+of the party was unknown to them.  The three entered the house,
+pulling the door to behind them.  Slowly they mounted the rickety
+stairs. At the top was the ragged curtain hiding the recess where
+Tommy had hidden that day.  Tuppence had heard the story from
+Jane in her character of "Annette."  She looked at the tattered
+velvet with interest. Even now she could almost swear it
+moved--as though some one was behind it. So strong was the
+illusion that she almost fancied she could make out the outline
+of a form.... Supposing Mr. Brown--Julius--was there waiting....
+
+Impossible of course!  Yet she almost went back to put the
+curtain aside and make sure....
+
+Now they were entering the prison room.  No place for anyone to
+hide here, thought Tuppence, with a sigh of relief, then chided
+herself indignantly. She must not give way to this foolish
+fancying--this curious insistent feeling that MR. BROWN WAS IN
+THE HOUSE.... Hark! what was that? A stealthy footstep on the
+stairs?  There WAS some one in the house! Absurd!  She was
+becoming hysterical.
+
+Jane had gone straight to the picture of Marguerite.  She
+unhooked it with a steady hand.  The dust lay thick upon it, and
+festoons of cobwebs lay between it and the wall.  Sir James
+handed her a pocket-knife, and she ripped away the brown paper
+from the back.... The advertisement page of a magazine fell out. 
+Jane picked it up. Holding apart the frayed inner edges she
+extracted two thin sheets covered with writing!
+
+No dummy this time!  The real thing!
+
+"We've got it," said Tuppence.  "At last...."
+
+The moment was almost breathless in its emotion. Forgotten the
+faint creakings, the imagined noises of a minute ago. None of
+them had eyes for anything but what Jane held in her hand.
+
+Sir James took it, and scrutinized it attentively.
+
+"Yes," he said quietly, "this is the ill-fated draft treaty!"
+
+"We've succeeded," said Tuppence.  There was awe and an almost
+wondering unbelief in her voice.
+
+Sir James echoed her words as he folded the paper carefully and
+put it away in his pocket-book, then he looked curiously round
+the dingy room.
+
+"It was here that our young friend was confined for so long, was
+it not?" he said.  "A truly sinister room.  You notice the
+absence of windows, and the thickness of the close-fitting door. 
+Whatever took place here would never be heard by the outside
+world."
+
+Tuppence shivered.  His words woke a vague alarm in her. What if
+there WAS some one concealed in the house? Some one who might bar
+that door on them, and leave them to die like rats in a trap? 
+Then she realized the absurdity of her thought.  The house was
+surrounded by police who, if they failed to reappear, would not
+hesitate to break in and make a thorough search.  She smiled at
+her own foolishness--then looked up with a start to find Sir
+James watching her. He gave her an emphatic little nod.
+
+"Quite right, Miss Tuppence.  You scent danger.  So do I. So does
+Miss Finn."
+
+"Yes," admitted Jane.  "It's absurd--but I can't help it."
+
+Sir James nodded again.
+
+"You feel--as we all feel--THE PRESENCE OF MR. BROWN.  Yes"--as
+Tuppence made a movement--"not a doubt of it--MR. BROWN IS
+HERE...."
+
+"In this house?"
+
+"In this room.... You don't understand?  I AM MR. BROWN...."
+
+Stupefied, unbelieving, they stared at him.  The very lines of
+his face had changed.  It was a different man who stood before
+them. He smiled a slow cruel smile.
+
+"Neither of you will leave this room alive!  You said just now we
+had succeeded.  I have succeeded!  The draft treaty is mine." His
+smile grew wider as he looked at Tuppence.  "Shall I tell you how
+it will be?  Sooner or later the police will break in, and they
+will find three victims of Mr. Brown--three, not two, you
+understand, but fortunately the third will not be dead, only
+wounded, and will be able to describe the attack with a wealth of
+detail! The treaty?  It is in the hands of Mr. Brown.  So no one
+will think of searching the pockets of Sir James Peel Edgerton!"
+
+He turned to Jane.
+
+"You outwitted me.  I make my acknowledgments.  But you will not
+do it again."
+
+There was a faint sound behind him, but, intoxicated with
+success, he did not turn his head.
+
+He slipped his hand into his pocket.
+
+"Checkmate to the Young Adventurers," he said, and slowly raised
+the big automatic.
+
+But, even as he did so, he felt himself seized from behind in a
+grip of iron.  The revolver was wrenched from his hand, and the
+voice of Julius Hersheimmer said drawlingly:
+
+"I guess you're caught redhanded with the goods upon you."
+
+The blood rushed to the K.C.'s face, but his self-control was
+marvellous, as he looked from one to the other of his two
+captors. He looked longest at Tommy.
+
+"You," he said beneath his breath.  "YOU!  I might have known."
+
+Seeing that he was disposed to offer no resistance, their grip
+slackened. Quick as a flash his left hand, the hand which bore
+the big signet ring, was raised to his lips....
+
+" 'Ave, Caesar! te morituri salutant,' " he said, still looking
+at Tommy.
+
+Then his face changed, and with a long convulsive shudder he fell
+forward in a crumpled heap, whilst an odour of bitter almonds
+filled the air.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+A SUPPER PARTY AT THE SAVOY
+
+THE supper party given by Mr. Julius Hersheimmer to a few friends
+on the evening of the 30th will long be remembered in catering
+circles. It took place in a private room, and Mr. Hersheimmer's
+orders were brief and forcible.  He gave carte blanche--and when
+a millionaire gives carte blanche he usually gets it!
+
+Every delicacy out of season was duly provided.  Waiters carried
+bottles of ancient and royal vintage with loving care. The floral
+decorations defied the seasons, and fruits of the earth as far
+apart as May and November found themselves miraculously side by
+side.  The list of guests was small and select. The American
+Ambassador, Mr. Carter, who had taken the liberty, he said, of
+bringing an old friend, Sir William Beresford, with him,
+Archdeacon Cowley, Dr. Hall, those two youthful adventurers, Miss
+Prudence Cowley and Mr. Thomas Beresford, and last, but not
+least, as guest of honour, Miss Jane Finn.
+
+Julius had spared no pains to make Jane's appearance a success. A
+mysterious knock had brought Tuppence to the door of the
+apartment she was sharing with the American girl. It was Julius. 
+In his hand he held a cheque.
+
+"Say, Tuppence," he began, "will you do me a good turn? Take
+this, and get Jane regularly togged up for this evening. You're
+all coming to supper with me at the Savoy.  See?  Spare no
+expense. You get me?"
+
+"Sure thing," mimicked Tuppence.  "We shall enjoy ourselves. It
+will be a pleasure dressing Jane.  She's the loveliest thing I've
+ever seen."
+
+"That's so," agreed Mr. Hersheimmer fervently.
+
+His fervour brought a momentary twinkle to Tuppence's eye.
+
+"By the way, Julius," she remarked demurely, "I--haven't given
+you my answer yet."
+
+"Answer?" said Julius.  His face paled.
+
+"You know--when you asked me to--marry you," faltered Tuppence,
+her eyes downcast in the true manner of the early Victorian
+heroine, "and wouldn't take no for an answer.  I've thought it
+well over----"
+
+"Yes?" said Julius.  The perspiration stood on his forehead.
+
+Tuppence relented suddenly.
+
+"You great idiot!" she said.  "What on earth induced you to do
+it? I could see at the time you didn't care a twopenny dip for
+me!"
+
+"Not at all.  I had--and still have--the highest sentiments of
+esteem and respect--and admiration for you----"
+
+"H'm!" said Tuppence.  "Those are the kind of sentiments that
+very soon go to the wall when the other sentiment comes along!
+Don't they, old thing?"
+
+"I don't know what you mean," said Julius stiffly, but a large
+and burning blush overspread his countenance.
+
+"Shucks!" retorted Tuppence.  She laughed, and closed the door,
+reopening it to add with dignity:  "Morally, I shall always
+consider I have been jilted!"
+
+"What was it?" asked Jane as Tuppence rejoined her.
+
+"Julius."
+
+"What did he want?"
+
+"Really, I think, he wanted to see you, but I wasn't going to let
+him.  Not until to-night, when you're going to burst upon every
+one like King Solomon in his glory!  Come on! WE'RE GOING TO
+SHOP!"
+
+To most people the 29th, the much-heralded "Labour Day," had
+passed much as any other day.  Speeches were made in the Park and
+Trafalgar Square.  Straggling processions, singing the Red Flag,
+wandered through the streets in a more or less aimless manner.
+Newspapers which had hinted at a general strike, and the
+inauguration of a reign of terror, were forced to hide their
+diminished heads. The bolder and more astute among them sought to
+prove that peace had been effected by following their counsels.
+In the Sunday papers a brief notice of the sudden death of Sir
+James Peel Edgerton, the famous K.C., had appeared. Monday's
+paper dealt appreciatively with the dead man's career. The exact
+manner of his sudden death was never made public.
+
+Tommy had been right in his forecast of the situation.  It had
+been a one-man show.  Deprived of their chief, the organization
+fell to pieces. Kramenin had made a precipitate return to Russia,
+leaving England early on Sunday morning.  The gang had fled from
+Astley Priors in a panic, leaving behind, in their haste, various
+damaging documents which compromised them hopelessly.  With these
+proofs of conspiracy in their hands, aided further by a small
+brown diary taken from the pocket of the dead man which had
+contained a full and damning resume of the whole plot, the
+Government had called an eleventh-hour conference.  The Labour
+leaders were forced to recognize that they had been used as a
+cat's paw. Certain concessions were made by the Government, and
+were eagerly accepted. It was to be Peace, not War!
+
+But the Cabinet knew by how narrow a margin they had escaped
+utter disaster. And burnt in on Mr. Carter's brain was the
+strange scene which had taken place in the house in Soho the
+night before.
+
+He had entered the squalid room to find that great man, the
+friend of a lifetime, dead--betrayed out of his own mouth. From
+the dead man's pocket-book he had retrieved the ill-omened draft
+treaty, and then and there, in the presence of the other three,
+it had been reduced to ashes.... England was saved!
+
+And now, on the evening of the 30th, in a private room at the
+Savoy, Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer was receiving his guests.
+
+Mr. Carter was the first to arrive.  With him was a
+choleric-looking old gentleman, at sight of whom Tommy flushed up
+to the roots of his hair. He came forward.
+
+"Ha!" said the old gentleman, surveying him apoplectically. "So
+you're my nephew, are you?  Not much to look at--but you've done
+good work, it seems.  Your mother must have brought you up well
+after all. Shall we let bygones be bygones, eh?  You're my heir,
+you know; and in future I propose to make you an allowance--and
+you can look upon Chalmers Park as your home."
+
+"Thank you, sir, it's awfully decent of you."
+
+"Where's this young lady I've been hearing such a lot about?"
+
+Tommy introduced Tuppence.
+
+"Ha!" said Sir William, eyeing her.  "Girls aren't what they used
+to be in my young days."
+
+"Yes, they are," said Tuppence.  "Their clothes are different,
+perhaps, but they themselves are just the same."
+
+"Well, perhaps you're right.  Minxes then--minxes now!"
+
+"That's it," said Tuppence.  "I'm a frightful minx myself."
+
+"I believe you," said the old gentleman, chuckling, and pinched
+her ear in high good-humour. Most young women were terrified of
+the "old bear," as they termed him.  Tuppence's pertness
+delighted the old misogynist.
+
+Then came the timid archdeacon, a little bewildered by the
+company in which he found himself, glad that his daughter was
+considered to have distinguished herself, but unable to help
+glancing at her from time to time with nervous apprehension. But
+Tuppence behaved admirably.  She forbore to cross her legs, set a
+guard upon her tongue, and steadfastly refused to smoke.
+
+Dr. Hall came next, and he was followed by the American
+Ambassador.
+
+"We might as well sit down," said Julius, when he had introduced
+all his guests to each other.  "Tuppence, will you----"
+
+He indicated the place of honour with a wave of his hand.
+
+But Tuppence shook her head.
+
+"No--that's Jane's place!  When one thinks of how she's held out
+all these years, she ought to be made the queen of the feast
+to-night."
+
+Julius flung her a grateful glance, and Jane came forward shyly
+to the allotted seat.  Beautiful as she had seemed before, it was
+as nothing to the loveliness that now went fully adorned.
+Tuppence had performed her part faithfully.  The model gown
+supplied by a famous dressmaker had been entitled "A tiger lily."
+It was all golds and reds and browns, and out of it rose the pure
+column of the girl's white throat, and the bronze masses of hair
+that crowned her lovely head.  There was admiration in every eye,
+as she took her seat.
+
+Soon the supper party was in full swing, and with one accord
+Tommy was called upon for a full and complete explanation.
+
+"You've been too darned close about the whole business," Julius
+accused him.  "You let on to me that you were off to the
+Argentine--though I guess you had your reasons for that. The idea
+of both you and Tuppence casting me for the part of Mr. Brown
+just tickles me to death!"
+
+"The idea was not original to them," said Mr. Carter gravely. "It
+was suggested, and the poison very carefully instilled, by a
+past-master in the art.  The paragraph in the New York paper
+suggested the plan to him, and by means of it he wove a web that
+nearly enmeshed you fatally."
+
+"I never liked him," said Julius.  "I felt from the first that
+there was something wrong about him, and I always suspected that
+it was he who silenced Mrs. Vandemeyer so appositely. But it
+wasn't till I heard that the order for Tommy's execution came
+right on the heels of our interview with him that Sunday that I
+began to tumble to the fact that he was the big bug himself."
+
+"I never suspected it at all," lamented Tuppence.  "I've always
+thought I was so much cleverer than Tommy--but he's undoubtedly
+scored over me handsomely."
+
+Julius agreed.
+
+"Tommy's been the goods this trip!  And, instead of sitting there
+as dumb as a fish, let him banish his blushes, and tell us all
+about it."
+
+"Hear! hear!"
+
+"There's nothing to tell," said Tommy, acutely uncomfortable. "I
+was an awful mug--right up to the time I found that photograph of
+Annette, and realized that she was Jane Finn.  Then I remembered
+how persistently she had shouted out that word 'Marguerite'--and
+I thought of the pictures, and--well, that's that. Then of course
+I went over the whole thing to see where I'd made an ass of
+myself."
+
+"Go on," said Mr. Carter, as Tommy showed signs of taking refuge
+in silence once more.
+
+"That business about Mrs. Vandemeyer had worried me when Julius
+told me about it.  On the face of it, it seemed that he or Sir
+James must have done the trick.  But I didn't know which. 
+Finding that photograph in the drawer, after that story of how it
+had been got from him by Inspector Brown, made me suspect Julius. 
+Then I remembered that it was Sir James who had discovered the
+false Jane Finn.  In the end, I couldn't make up my mind--and
+just decided to take no chances either way.  I left a note for
+Julius, in case he was Mr. Brown, saying I was off to the
+Argentine, and I dropped Sir James's letter with the offer of the
+job by the desk so that he would see it was a genuine stunt. 
+Then I wrote my letter to Mr. Carter and rang up Sir James. 
+Taking him into my confidence would be the best thing either way,
+so I told him everything except where I believed the papers to be
+hidden. The way he helped me to get on the track of Tuppence and
+Annette almost disarmed me, but not quite.  I kept my mind open
+between the two of them. And then I got a bogus note from
+Tuppence--and I knew!"
+
+"But how?"
+
+Tommy took the note in question from his pocket and passed it
+round the table.
+
+"It's her handwriting all right, but I knew it wasn't from her
+because of the signature.  She'd never spell her name 'Twopence,'
+but anyone who'd never seen it written might quite easily do so.
+Julius HAD seen it--he showed me a note of hers to him once--but
+SIR JAMES HADN'T! After that everything was plain sailing. I sent
+off Albert post-haste to Mr. Carter.  I pretended to go away, but
+doubled back again.  When Julius came bursting up in his car, I
+felt it wasn't part of Mr. Brown's plan--and that there would
+probably be trouble.  Unless Sir James was actually caught in the
+act, so to speak, I knew Mr. Carter would never believe it of him
+on my bare word----"
+
+"I didn't," interposed Mr. Carter ruefully.
+
+"That's why I sent the girls off to Sir James.  I was sure they'd
+fetch up at the house in Soho sooner or later. I threatened
+Julius with the revolver, because I wanted Tuppence to repeat
+that to Sir James, so that he wouldn't worry about us. The moment
+the girls were out of sight I told Julius to drive like hell for
+London, and as we went along I told him the whole story. We got
+to the Soho house in plenty of time and met Mr. Carter outside.
+After arranging things with him we went in and hid behind the
+curtain in the recess.  The policemen had orders to say, if they
+were asked, that no one had gone into the house.  That's all."
+
+And Tommy came to an abrupt halt.
+
+There was silence for a moment.
+
+"By the way," said Julius suddenly, "you're all wrong about that
+photograph of Jane.  It WAS taken from me, but I found it again."
+
+"Where?" cried Tuppence.
+
+"In that little safe on the wall in Mrs. Vandemeyer's bedroom."
+
+"I knew you found something," said Tuppence reproachfully. "To
+tell you the truth, that's what started me off suspecting you.
+Why didn't you say?"
+
+"I guess I was a mite suspicious too.  It had been got away from
+me once, and I determined I wouldn't let on I'd got it until a
+photographer had made a dozen copies of it!"
+
+"We all kept back something or other," said Tuppence
+thoughtfully. "I suppose secret service work makes you like
+that!"
+
+In the pause that ensued, Mr. Carter took from his pocket a small
+shabby brown book.
+
+"Beresford has just said that I would not have believed Sir James
+Peel Edgerton to be guilty unless, so to speak, he was caught in
+the act.  That is so.  Indeed, not until I read the entries in
+this little book could I bring myself fully to credit the amazing
+truth.  This book will pass into the possession of Scotland Yard,
+but it will never be publicly exhibited. Sir James's long
+association with the law would make it undesirable. But to you,
+who know the truth, I propose to read certain passages which will
+throw some light on the extraordinary mentality of this great
+man."
+
+He opened the book, and turned the thin pages.
+
+
+". . . It is madness to keep this book.  I know that.  It is
+documentary evidence against me.  But I have never shrunk from
+taking risks. And I feel an urgent need for self-expression....
+The book will only be taken from my dead body....
+
+". . . From an early age I realized that I had exceptional
+abilities. Only a fool underestimates his capabilities.  My brain
+power was greatly above the average.  I know that I was born to
+succeed. My appearance was the only thing against me.  I was
+quiet and insignificant--utterly nondescript....
+
+". . . When I was a boy I heard a famous murder trial.  I was
+deeply impressed by the power and eloquence of the counsel for
+the defence. For the first time I entertained the idea of taking
+my talents to that particular market.... Then I studied the
+criminal in the dock.... The man was a fool--he had been
+incredibly, unbelievably stupid. Even the eloquence of his
+counsel was hardly likely to save him. I felt an immeasurable
+contempt for him.... Then it occurred to me that the criminal
+standard was a low one.  It was the wastrels, the failures, the
+general riff-raff of civilization who drifted into crime....
+Strange that men of brains had never realized its extraordinary
+opportunities.... I played with the idea.... What a magnificent
+field--what unlimited possibilities! It made my brain reel....
+
+". . . I read standard works on crime and criminals. They all
+confirmed my opinion.  Degeneracy, disease--never the deliberate
+embracing of a career by a far-seeing man. Then I considered. 
+Supposing my utmost ambitions were realized--that I was called to
+the bar, and rose to the height of my profession?  That I entered
+politics--say, even, that I became Prime Minister of England? 
+What then?  Was that power? Hampered at every turn by my
+colleagues, fettered by the democratic system of which I should
+be the mere figurehead!  No--the power I dreamed of was absolute! 
+An autocrat!  A dictator! And such power could only be obtained
+by working outside the law. To play on the weaknesses of human
+nature, then on the weaknesses of nations--to get together and
+control a vast organization, and finally to overthrow the
+existing order, and rule! The thought intoxicated me....
+
+". . . I saw that I must lead two lives.  A man like myself is
+bound to attract notice.  I must have a successful career which
+would mask my true activities.... Also I must cultivate a
+personality. I modelled myself upon famous K.C.'s. I reproduced
+their mannerisms, their magnetism.  If I had chosen to be an
+actor, I should have been the greatest actor living!  No
+disguises--no grease paint--no false beards!  Personality!  I put
+it on like a glove!  When I shed it, I was myself, quiet,
+unobtrusive, a man like every other man. I called myself Mr.
+Brown.  There are hundreds of men called Brown--there are
+hundreds of men looking just like me....
+
+". . . I succeeded in my false career.  I was bound to succeed. I
+shall succeed in the other.  A man like me cannot fail....
+
+". . . I have been reading a life of Napoleon.  He and I have
+much in common....
+
+". . . I make a practice of defending criminals. A man should
+look after his own people....
+
+". . . Once or twice I have felt afraid.  The first time was in
+Italy.  There was a dinner given.  Professor D----, the great
+alienist, was present.  The talk fell on insanity. He said, 'A
+great many men are mad, and no one knows it. They do not know it
+themselves.'  I do not understand why he looked at me when he
+said that.  His glance was strange.... I did not like it....
+
+". . . The war has disturbed me.... I thought it would further my
+plans. The Germans are so efficient.  Their spy system, too, was
+excellent. The streets are full of these boys in khaki.  All
+empty-headed young fools.... Yet I do not know.... They won the
+war.... It disturbs me....
+
+". . . My plans are going well.... A girl butted in--I do not
+think she really knew anything.... But we must give up the
+Esthonia.... No risks now....
+
+". . . . All goes well.  The loss of memory is vexing.  It cannot
+be a fake. No girl could deceive ME! . . .
+
+". . .The 29th.... That is very soon...." Mr. Carter paused.
+
+"I will not read the details of the coup that was planned. But
+there are just two small entries that refer to the three of you.
+In the light of what happened they are interesting.
+
+". . . By inducing the girl to come to me of her own accord, I
+have succeeded in disarming her.  But she has intuitive flashes
+that might be dangerous.... She must be got out of the way.... I
+can do nothing with the American.  He suspects and dislikes me.
+But he cannot know.  I fancy my armour is impregnable....
+Sometimes I fear I have underestimated the other boy. He is not
+clever, but it is hard to blind his eyes to facts...."
+
+
+Mr. Carter shut the book.
+
+"A great man," he said.  "Genius, or insanity, who can say?"
+
+There was silence.
+
+Then Mr. Carter rose to his feet.
+
+"I will give you a toast.  The Joint Venture which has so amply
+justified itself by success!"
+
+It was drunk with acclamation.
+
+"There's something more we want to hear," continued Mr. Carter. 
+He looked at the American Ambassador.  "I speak for you also, I
+know. We'll ask Miss Jane Finn to tell us the story that only
+Miss Tuppence has heard so far--but before we do so we'll drink
+her health. The health of one of the bravest of America's
+daughters, to whom is due the thanks and gratitude of two great
+countries!"
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+AND AFTER
+
+"THAT was a mighty good toast, Jane," said Mr. Hersheimmer, as he
+and his cousin were being driven back in the Rolls-Royce to the
+Ritz.
+
+"The one to the joint venture?"
+
+"No--the one to you.  There isn't another girl in the world who
+could have carried it through as you did.  You were just
+wonderful!"
+
+Jane shook her head.
+
+"I don't feel wonderful.  At heart I'm just tired and
+lonesome--and longing for my own country."
+
+"That brings me to something I wanted to say.  I heard the
+Ambassador telling you his wife hoped you would come to them at
+the Embassy right away. That's good enough, but I've got another
+plan.  Jane--I want you to marry me! Don't get scared and say no
+at once.  You can't love me right away, of course, that's
+impossible.  But I've loved you from the very moment I set eyes
+on your photo--and now I've seen you I'm simply crazy about you!
+If you'll only marry me, I won't worry you any--you shall take
+your own time. Maybe you'll never come to love me, and if that's
+the case I'll manage to set you free.  But I want the right to
+look after you, and take care of you."
+
+"That's what I want," said the girl wistfully.  "Some one who'll
+be good to me.  Oh, you don't know how lonesome I feel!"
+
+"Sure thing I do.  Then I guess that's all fixed up, and I'll see
+the archbishop about a special license to-morrow morning."
+
+"Oh, Julius!"
+
+"Well, I don't want to hustle you any, Jane, but there's no sense
+in waiting about.  Don't be scared--I shan't expect you to love
+me all at once."
+
+But a small hand was slipped into his.
+
+"I love you now, Julius," said Jane Finn.  "I loved you that
+first moment in the car when the bullet grazed your cheek...."
+
+Five minutes later Jane murmured softly:
+
+"I don't know London very well, Julius, but is it such a very
+long way from the Savoy to the Ritz?"
+
+"It depends how you go," explained Julius unblushingly. "We're
+going by way of Regent's Park!"
+
+"Oh, Julius--what will the chauffeur think?"
+
+"At the wages I pay him, he knows better than to do any
+independent thinking.  Why, Jane, the only reason I had the
+supper at the Savoy was so that I could drive you home. I didn't
+see how I was ever going to get hold of you alone. You and
+Tuppence have been sticking together like Siamese twins. I guess
+another day of it would have driven me and Beresford stark
+staring mad!"
+
+"Oh.  Is he----?"
+
+"Of course he is.  Head over ears."
+
+"I thought so," said Jane thoughtfully.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"From all the things Tuppence didn't say!"
+
+"There you have me beat," said Mr. Hersheimmer.  But Jane only
+laughed.
+
+In the meantime, the Young Adventurers were sitting bolt upright,
+very stiff and ill at ease, in a taxi which, with a singular lack
+of originality, was also returning to the Ritz via Regent's Park.
+
+A terrible constraint seemed to have settled down between them.
+Without quite knowing what had happened, everything seemed
+changed. They were tongue-tied--paralysed.  All the old
+camaraderie was gone.
+
+Tuppence could think of nothing to say.
+
+Tommy was equally afflicted.
+
+They sat very straight and forbore to look at each other.
+
+At last Tuppence made a desperate effort.
+
+"Rather fun, wasn't it?"
+
+"Rather."
+
+Another silence.
+
+"I like Julius," essayed Tuppence again.
+
+Tommy was suddenly galvanized into life.
+
+"You're not going to marry him, do you hear?" he said
+dictatorially. "I forbid it."
+
+"Oh!" said Tuppence meekly.
+
+"Absolutely, you understand."
+
+"He doesn't want to marry me--he really only asked me out of
+kindness."
+
+"That's not very likely," scoffed Tommy.
+
+"It's quite true.  He's head over ears in love with Jane.  I
+expect he's proposing to her now."
+
+"She'll do for him very nicely," said Tommy condescendingly.
+
+"Don't you think she's the most lovely creature you've ever
+seen?"
+
+"Oh, I dare say."
+
+"But I suppose you prefer sterling worth," said Tuppence
+demurely.
+
+"I--oh, dash it all, Tuppence, you know!"
+
+"I like your uncle, Tommy," said Tuppence, hastily creating a
+diversion. "By the way, what are you going to do, accept Mr.
+Carter's offer of a Government job, or accept Julius's invitation
+and take a richly remunerated post in America on his ranch?"
+
+"I shall stick to the old ship, I think, though it's awfully good
+of Hersheimmer.  But I feel you'd be more at home in London."
+
+"I don't see where I come in."
+
+"I do," said Tommy positively.
+
+Tuppence stole a glance at him sideways.
+
+"There's the money, too," she observed thoughtfully.
+
+"What money?"
+
+"We're going to get a cheque each.  Mr. Carter told me so."
+
+"Did you ask how much?" inquired Tommy sarcastically.
+
+"Yes," said Tuppence triumphantly.  "But I shan't tell you."
+
+"Tuppence, you are the limit!"
+
+"It has been fun, hasn't it, Tommy?  I do hope we shall have lots
+more adventures."
+
+"You're insatiable, Tuppence.  I've had quite enough adventures
+for the present."
+
+"Well, shopping is almost as good," said Tuppence dreamily.
+
+"Think of buying old furniture, and bright carpets, and futurist
+silk curtains, and a polished dining-table, and a divan with lots
+of cushions."
+
+"Hold hard," said Tommy.  "What's all this for?"
+
+"Possibly a house--but I think a flat."
+
+"Whose flat?"
+
+"You think I mind saying it, but I don't in the least! OURS, so
+there!"
+
+"You darling!" cried Tommy, his arms tightly round her. "I was
+determined to make you say it.  I owe you something for the
+relentless way you've squashed me whenever I've tried to be
+sentimental."
+
+Tuppence raised her face to his.  The taxi proceeded on its
+course round the north side of Regent's Park.
+
+"You haven't really proposed now," pointed out Tuppence.  "Not
+what our grandmothers would call a proposal.  But after listening
+to a rotten one like Julius's, I'm inclined to let you off."
+
+"You won't be able to get out of marrying me, so don't you think
+it."
+
+"What fun it will be," responded Tuppence.  "Marriage is called
+all sorts of things, a haven, and a refuge, and a crowning glory,
+and a state of bondage, and lots more.  But do you know what I
+think it is?"
+
+"What?"
+
+"A sport!"
+
+"And a damned good sport too," said Tommy.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Etext of Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
+
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