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diff --git a/1155-h/1155-h.htm b/1155-h/1155-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cd1b57c --- /dev/null +++ b/1155-h/1155-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,17702 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Secret Adversary, by Agatha Christie</title> +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> +<style type="text/css"> + +body { margin-left: 20%; + margin-right: 20%; + text-align: justify } + +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 {text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-weight: +normal; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: .5em; margin-bottom: .5em;} + +h1 {font-size: 300%; + margin-top: 0.6em; + margin-bottom: 0.6em; + letter-spacing: 0.12em; + word-spacing: 0.2em; + text-indent: 0em;} +h2 {font-size: 175%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} +h3 {font-size: 150%; margin-top: 2em;} +h4 {font-size: 120%;} +h5 {font-size: 110%;} + +.no-break {page-break-before: avoid;} /* for epubs */ + +hr {width: 80%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em;} + +p {text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: 0.25em; + margin-bottom: 0.25em; } + +p.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-size: 90%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; } + +p.center {text-align: center; + text-indent: 0em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; } + +div.fig { display:block; + margin:0 auto; + text-align:center; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em;} + +a:link {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:visited {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:hover {color:red} + +</style> + +</head> + +<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’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’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> +“I beg your pardon.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</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> +“Yes?” Her grave eyes met his inquiringly. +</p> + +<p> +He stood looking at her with a kind of desperate irresolution. +</p> + +<p> +“It must be!” he muttered to himself. “Yes—it is the +only way.” Then aloud he said abruptly: “You are an +American?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes.” +</p> + +<p> +“A patriotic one?” +</p> + +<p> +The girl flushed. +</p> + +<p> +“I guess you’ve no right to ask such a thing! Of course I +am!” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Why?” +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>got</i> to be saved! They’ve more +chance with you than with me. Will you take them?” +</p> + +<p> +The girl held out her hand. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +The girl smiled. +</p> + +<p> +“I’ll go through with it all right. And I’m real proud to be +chosen! What am I to do with them afterwards?” +</p> + +<p> +“Watch the newspapers! I’ll advertise in the personal column of the +<i>Times</i>, 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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Quite clear.” +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</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> +“Tommy, old thing!” +</p> + +<p> +“Tuppence, old bean!” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +The girl assenting, they started walking down Dover Street towards Piccadilly. +</p> + +<p> +“Now then,” said Tommy, “where shall we go?” +</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 “Tuppence.” She pounced at once. +</p> + +<p> +“Tommy, you’re stony!” +</p> + +<p> +“Not a bit of it,” declared Tommy unconvincingly. “Rolling in +cash.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy chuckled. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence sighed. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes. You too?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy nodded. +</p> + +<p> +“Two months ago.” +</p> + +<p> +“Gratuity?” hinted Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“Spent.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, Tommy!” +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +“My dear child,” interrupted Tuppence, “there is nothing I do +<i>not</i> 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. +</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> +“And—do you know, she sat down and <i>cried</i> when I told her she +couldn’t have the flat after all.” “It was simply a +<i>bargain</i>, my dear! Just like the one Mabel Lewis brought from +Paris——” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</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> +“And mind the tea comes in separate teapots,” 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—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> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“What blighter was that?” inquired Tommy. “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!” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence nodded gloomily. +</p> + +<p> +“What about the colonies?” she suggested. +</p> + +<p> +Tommy shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“I shouldn’t like the colonies—and I’m perfectly +certain they wouldn’t like me!” +</p> + +<p> +“Rich relations?” +</p> + +<p> +Again Tommy shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, Tommy, not even a great-aunt?” +</p> + +<p> +“I’ve got an old uncle who’s more or less rolling, but +he’s no good.” +</p> + +<p> +“Why not?” +</p> + +<p> +“Wanted to adopt me once. I refused.” +</p> + +<p> +“I think I remember hearing about it,” said Tuppence slowly. +“You refused because of your mother——” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy flushed. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Your mother’s dead, isn’t she?” said Tuppence gently. +</p> + +<p> +Tommy nodded. +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence’s large grey eyes looked misty. +</p> + +<p> +“You’re a good sort, Tommy. I always knew it.” +</p> + +<p> +“Rot!” said Tommy hastily. “Well, that’s my position. +I’m just about desperate.” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“Don’t you want to?” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy shook his head sadly. There was a silence, and then Tuppence burst out: +</p> + +<p> +“Money, money, money! I think about money morning, noon and night! I dare +say it’s mercenary of me, but there it is!” +</p> + +<p> +“Same here,” agreed Tommy with feeling. +</p> + +<p> +“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.’” +</p> + +<p> +There was a pause. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“Certainly not,” agreed Tommy hastily. “No one would ever +think of sentiment in connection with you.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“What about the general?” inquired Tommy. +</p> + +<p> +“I fancy he keeps a bicycle shop in time of peace,” explained +Tuppence. “No, there it is! Now <i>you</i> could marry a rich +girl.” +</p> + +<p> +“I’m like you. I don’t know any.” +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>Ritz</i> I can’t rush up to him +and say: ‘Look here, you’re rich. I’d like to know +you.’” +</p> + +<p> +“Do you suggest that I should do that to a similarly garbed +female?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“You overrate my manly charms,” murmured Tommy. +</p> + +<p> +“On the other hand,” proceeded Tuppence, “my millionaire +would probably run for his life! No—marriage is fraught with +difficulties. Remains—to <i>make</i> money!” +</p> + +<p> +“We’ve tried that, and failed,” Tommy reminded her. +</p> + +<p> +“We’ve tried all the orthodox ways, yes. But suppose we try the +unorthodox. Tommy, let’s be adventurers!” +</p> + +<p> +“Certainly,” replied Tommy cheerfully. “How do we +begin?” +</p> + +<p> +“That’s the difficulty. If we could make ourselves known, people +might hire us to commit crimes for them.” +</p> + +<p> +“Delightful,” commented Tommy. “Especially coming from a +clergyman’s daughter!” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“There wouldn’t be the least difference if you were caught!” +</p> + +<p> +“Perhaps not. But I shouldn’t be caught. I’m so +clever.” +</p> + +<p> +“Modesty always was your besetting sin,” remarked Tommy. +</p> + +<p> +“Don’t rag. Look here, Tommy, shall we really? Shall we form a +business partnership?” +</p> + +<p> +“Form a company for the stealing of diamond necklaces?” +</p> + +<p> +“That was only an illustration. Let’s have a—what do you call +it in book-keeping?” +</p> + +<p> +“Don’t know. Never did any.” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“Trading under the name of the Young Adventurers, Ltd.? Is that your +idea, Tuppence?” +</p> + +<p> +“It’s all very well to laugh, but I feel there might be something +in it.” +</p> + +<p> +“How do you propose to get in touch with your would-be employers?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy handed over a rather shabby green notebook, and Tuppence began writing +busily. +</p> + +<p> +“Shall we begin: ‘Young officer, twice wounded in the +war——‘” +</p> + +<p> +“Certainly not.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t want to be adopted.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I should think any offer we get in answer to that would be a pretty +<i>un</i>reasonable one!” +</p> + +<p> +“Tommy! You’re a genius! That’s ever so much more chic. +‘No unreasonable offer refused—if pay is good.’ How’s +that?” +</p> + +<p> +“I shouldn’t mention pay again. It looks rather eager.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“It would strike me as either being a hoax, or else written by a +lunatic.” +</p> + +<p> +“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. <i>Times</i>, I think. +Reply to Box so-and-so. I expect it will be about five shillings. Here’s +half a crown for my share.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy was holding the paper thoughtfully. His faced burned a deeper red. +</p> + +<p> +“Shall we really try it?” he said at last. “Shall we, +Tuppence? Just for the fun of the thing?” +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“Here’s to our joint venture, and may it prosper!” +</p> + +<p> +“The Young Adventurers, Ltd.!” responded Tommy. +</p> + +<p> +They put down the cups and laughed rather uncertainly. Tuppence rose. +</p> + +<p> +“I must return to my palatial suite at the hostel.” +</p> + +<p> +“Perhaps it is time I strolled round to the <i>Ritz</i>,” agreed +Tommy with a grin. “Where shall we meet? And when?” +</p> + +<p> +“Twelve o’clock to-morrow. Piccadilly Tube station. Will that suit +you?” +</p> + +<p> +“My time is my own,” replied Mr. Beresford magnificently. +</p> + +<p> +“So long, then.” +</p> + +<p> +“Good-bye, old thing.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +She was half-way across St. James’s Park, when a man’s voice behind +her made her start. +</p> + +<p> +“Excuse me,” it said. “But may I speak to you for a +moment?” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap02"></a>CHAPTER II.<br/> +MR. WHITTINGTON’S OFFER</h2> + +<p> +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: +</p> + +<p> +“I can assure you I mean no disrespect.” +</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> +“Well, what is it?” she asked. +</p> + +<p> +The man smiled. +</p> + +<p> +“I happened to overhear part of your conversation with the young +gentleman in Lyons’.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well—what of it?” +</p> + +<p> +“Nothing—except that I think I may be of some use to you.” +</p> + +<p> +Another inference forced itself into Tuppence’s mind: +</p> + +<p> +“You followed me here?” +</p> + +<p> +“I took that liberty.” +</p> + +<p> +“And in what way do you think you could be of use to me?” +</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, +“Mr. Edward Whittington.” Below the name were the words +“Esthonia Glassware Co.,” and the address of a city office. Mr. +Whittington spoke again: +</p> + +<p> +“If you will call upon me to-morrow morning at eleven o’clock, I +will lay the details of my proposition before you.” +</p> + +<p> +“At eleven o’clock?” said Tuppence doubtfully. +</p> + +<p> +“At eleven o’clock.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence made up her mind. +</p> + +<p> +“Very well. I’ll be there.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thank you. Good evening.” +</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> +“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!” +</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’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. +</p> + +<p> +“It may catch him,” she murmured. “Anyway, it’s worth +trying.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</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 “Esthonia Glassware Co.” +</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> +“I have an appointment with Mr. Whittington,” said Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</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> +“So you’ve turned up all right? That’s good. Sit down, will +you?” +</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> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence eyed him warily. +</p> + +<p> +“And the nature of the work?” she demanded. +</p> + +<p> +“Nominal—purely nominal. A pleasant trip, that is all.” +</p> + +<p> +“Where to?” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Whittington smiled again. +</p> + +<p> +“Paris.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>pensionnats de jeunes filles</i> with which +Paris abounds——” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence interrupted him. +</p> + +<p> +“A <i>pensionnat?</i>” +</p> + +<p> +“Exactly. Madame Colombier’s in the Avenue de Neuilly.” +</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> +“You want me to go to Madame Colombier’s? For how long?” +</p> + +<p> +“That depends. Possibly three months.” +</p> + +<p> +“And that is all? There are no other conditions?” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yet you speak with a slight American accent?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +“One moment, Mr. Whittington! You seem to be taking my consent for +granted.” +</p> + +<p> +Whittington looked surprised. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence smiled a little. She felt that Whittington had scored. +</p> + +<p> +“There’s another thing. So far there has been no mention of Mr. +Beresford. Where does he come in?” +</p> + +<p> +“Mr. Beresford?” +</p> + +<p> +“My partner,” said Tuppence with dignity. “You saw us +together yesterday.” +</p> + +<p> +“Ah, yes. But I’m afraid we shan’t require his +services.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then it’s off!” Tuppence rose. “It’s both or +neither. Sorry—but that’s how it is. Good morning, Mr. +Whittington.” +</p> + +<p> +“Wait a minute. Let us see if something can’t be managed. Sit down +again, Miss——” He paused interrogatively. +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“Jane Finn,” 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’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> +“So that’s your little game, is it?” +</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 “keep her end up” as she phrased it. +</p> + +<p> +Whittington went on: +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</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> +“No,” she replied with perfect truth. “Rita knows nothing +about me.” +</p> + +<p> +His eyes still bored into her like gimlets. +</p> + +<p> +“How much do you know?” he shot out. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“Anyway,” snarled Whittington, “you knew enough to come in +here and plump out that name.” +</p> + +<p> +“It might be my own name,” Tuppence pointed out. +</p> + +<p> +“It’s likely, isn’t it, then there would be two girls with a +name like that?” +</p> + +<p> +“Or I might just have hit upon it by chance,” continued Tuppence, +intoxicated with the success of truthfulness. +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Whittington brought his fist down upon the desk with a bang. +</p> + +<p> +“Quit fooling! How much do you know? And how much do you want?” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes—and perhaps it doesn’t,” snarled Whittington. +</p> + +<p> +“You insist on misjudging me,” said Tuppence, and sighed gently. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence paused a moment to admire her own ingenuity, and then said softly: +</p> + +<p> +“I shouldn’t like to contradict you, Mr. Whittington.” +</p> + +<p> +“So we come to the usual question—how much?” +</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> +“Suppose we say a little something down, and a fuller discussion of the +matter later?” +</p> + +<p> +Whittington gave her an ugly glance. +</p> + +<p> +“Blackmail, eh?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence smiled sweetly. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh no! Shall we say payment of services in advance?” +</p> + +<p> +Whittington grunted. +</p> + +<p> +“You see,” explained Tuppence still sweetly, “I’m so +very fond of money!” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Life,” moralized Tuppence, “is full of surprises.” +</p> + +<p> +“All the same,” continued Whittington, “some one’s been +talking. You say it isn’t Rita. Was it——? Oh, come in.” +</p> + +<p> +The clerk followed his discreet knock into the room, and laid a paper at his +master’s elbow. +</p> + +<p> +“Telephone message just come for you, sir.” +</p> + +<p> +Whittington snatched it up and read it. A frown gathered on his brow. +</p> + +<p> +“That’ll do, Brown. You can go.” +</p> + +<p> +The clerk withdrew, closing the door behind him. Whittington turned to +Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“Come to-morrow at the same time. I’m busy now. Here’s fifty +to go on with.” +</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> +“Good morning, Mr. Whittington,” she said politely. “At +least, au revoir, I should say.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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> +“Let’s give Tommy a surprise!” 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> +“Pay the thing, will you, old bean? I’ve got nothing smaller than a +five-pound note!” +</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’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> +“I think you’ve given him too much, Tommy,” said Tuppence +innocently. “I fancy he wants to give some of it back.” +</p> + +<p> +It was possibly this remark which induced the driver to move away. +</p> + +<p> +“Well,” said Mr. Beresford, at length able to relieve his feelings, +“what the—dickens, did you want to take a taxi for?” +</p> + +<p> +“I was afraid I might be late and keep you waiting,” said Tuppence +gently. +</p> + +<p> +“Afraid—you—might—be—late! Oh, Lord, I give it +up!” said Mr. Beresford. +</p> + +<p> +“And really and truly,” continued Tuppence, opening her eyes very +wide, “I haven’t got anything smaller than a five-pound +note.” +</p> + +<p> +“You did that part of it very well, old bean, but all the same the fellow +wasn’t taken in—not for a moment!” +</p> + +<p> +“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 +<i>Savoy?</i>” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy grinned. +</p> + +<p> +“How about the <i>Ritz?</i>” +</p> + +<p> +“On second thoughts, I prefer the <i>Piccadilly</i>. It’s nearer. +We shan’t have to take another taxi. Come along.” +</p> + +<p> +“Is this a new brand of humour? Or is your brain really unhinged?” +inquired Tommy. +</p> + +<p> +“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’œuvre</i>, +Lobster <i>à l’américane</i>, Chicken Newberg, and Pêche Melba! +Let’s go and get them!” +</p> + +<p> +“Tuppence, old girl, what has really come over you?” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, unbelieving one!” Tuppence wrenched open her bag. “Look +here, and here, and here!” +</p> + +<p> +“Great Jehosaphat! My dear girl, don’t wave Fishers aloft like +that!” +</p> + +<p> +“They’re not Fishers. They’re five times better than Fishers, +and this one’s ten times better!” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy groaned. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Even so, O King! <i>Now</i>, will you come and have lunch?” +</p> + +<p> +“I’ll come anywhere. But what have you been doing? Holding up a +bank?” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“Grill room?” inquired Tommy, as they reached the opposite pavement +in safety. +</p> + +<p> +“The other’s more expensive,” demurred Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“That’s mere wicked wanton extravagance. Come on below.” +</p> + +<p> +“Are you sure I can get all the things I want there?” +</p> + +<p> +“That extremely unwholesome menu you were outlining just now? Of course +you can—or as much as is good for you, anyway.” +</p> + +<p> +“And now tell me,” said Tommy, unable to restrain his pent-up +curiosity any longer, as they sat in state surrounded by the many <i>hors +d’œuvre</i> of Tuppence’s dreams. +</p> + +<p> +Miss Cowley told him. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Perhaps that’s so,” said Tommy slowly. “But you +didn’t invent it.” +</p> + +<p> +“What?” +</p> + +<p> +“No. <i>I</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.” +</p> + +<p> +“So you did. I remember now. How extraordinary——” +Tuppence tailed off into silence. Suddenly she aroused herself. +“Tommy!” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes?” +</p> + +<p> +“What were they like, the two men you passed?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy frowned in an effort at remembrance. +</p> + +<p> +“One was a big fat sort of chap. Clean shaven, I think—and +dark.” +</p> + +<p> +“That’s him,” cried Tuppence, in an ungrammatical squeal. +“That’s Whittington! What was the other man like?” +</p> + +<p> +“I can’t remember. I didn’t notice him particularly. It was +really the outlandish name that caught my attention.” +</p> + +<p> +“And people say that coincidences don’t happen!” Tuppence +tackled her Pêche Melba happily. +</p> + +<p> +But Tommy had become serious. +</p> + +<p> +“Look here, Tuppence, old girl, what is this going to lead to?” +</p> + +<p> +“More money,” replied his companion. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh!” Tuppence laid down her spoon. “You’re right, +Tommy, it is a bit of a poser.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Hm,” said Tommy doubtfully. “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’ll want to know something more before he parts with his +money. He’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’t cope +with. What are you going to do about it?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence frowned severely. +</p> + +<p> +“We must think. Order some Turkish coffee, Tommy. Stimulating to the +brain. Oh, dear, what a lot I have eaten!” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence sipped her coffee with a deeply reflective air, and snubbed Tommy when +he spoke to her. +</p> + +<p> +“Be quiet. I’m thinking.” +</p> + +<p> +“Shades of Pelmanism!” said Tommy, and relapsed into silence. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy applauded. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I repudiate that remark utterly. I’m sure my pleasing features and +distinguished appearance would single me out from any crowd.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Or even longer!” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“Off I go where?” +</p> + +<p> +“Follow him, of course, silly! What do you think of the idea?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Not in the city. Every one’s in such a hurry. Probably no one will +even notice you at all.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Well,” said Tuppence meditatively. “I <i>had</i> thought of +hats! Or perhaps silk stockings! Or perhaps——” +</p> + +<p> +“Hold hard,” admonished Tommy. “There’s a limit to +fifty pounds! But let’s do dinner and a show to-night at all +events.” +</p> + +<p> +“Rather.” +</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> +“Tommy!” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes. What’s up?” +</p> + +<p> +“The place is shut. I can’t make anyone hear.” +</p> + +<p> +“That’s odd.” +</p> + +<p> +“Isn’t it? Come up with me, and let’s try again.” +</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> +“Were you wanting the Esthonia Glassware?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, please.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Th—thank you,” faltered Tuppence. “I suppose you +don’t know Mr. Whittington’s address?” +</p> + +<p> +“Afraid I don’t. They left rather suddenly.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thank you very much,” said Tommy. “Come on, Tuppence.” +</p> + +<p> +They descended to the street again where they gazed at one another blankly. +</p> + +<p> +“That’s torn it,” said Tommy at length. +</p> + +<p> +“And I never suspected it,” wailed Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“Cheer up, old thing, it can’t be helped.” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“The beginning of what?” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, but there’s no one left to sleuth.” +</p> + +<p> +“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: +</p> + +<p> +“What’s that?” +</p> + +<p> +“Advertisement.” +</p> + +<p> +“You’re not going to put that thing in after all?” +</p> + +<p> +“No, it’s a different one.” She handed him the slip of paper. +</p> + +<p> +Tommy read the words on it aloud: +</p> + +<p> +“WANTED, any information respecting Jane Finn. Apply Y. A.” +</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 “walking is cheap,” 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’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’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> +“Well?” +</p> + +<p> +“Well,” returned Mr. Beresford provokingly. “Which is your +favourite picture?” +</p> + +<p> +“Don’t be a wretch. Aren’t there <i>any</i> answers?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy shook his head with a deep and somewhat overacted melancholy. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“Tommy, you devil!” almost screamed Tuppence. “Give them to +me. How could you be so mean!” +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +“I ought to be on the stage!” finished Tuppence with a snap. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence snatched the two precious envelopes from him unceremoniously, and +scrutinized them carefully. +</p> + +<p> +“Thick paper, this one. It looks rich. We’ll keep it to the last +and open the other first.” +</p> + +<p> +“Right you are. One, two, three, go!” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence’s little thumb ripped open the envelope, and she extracted the +contents. +</p> + +<p> +“DEAR SIR, +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“Yours truly, +</p> + +<p> +“A. CARTER.” +</p> + +<p> +“27 Carshalton Gardens,” said Tuppence, referring to the address. +“That’s Gloucester Road way. Plenty of time to get there if we +tube.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Don’t be absurd, Tommy. Now for the other letter. Oh, this is from +the <i>Ritz!</i>” +</p> + +<p> +“A hundred pounds instead of fifty!” +</p> + +<p> +“I’ll read it: +</p> + +<p> +“DEAR SIR, +</p> + +<p> +“Re your advertisement, I should be glad if you would call round +somewhere about lunch-time. +</p> + +<p> +“Yours truly, +</p> + +<p> +“JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence nodded assent. +</p> + +<p> +“Now for Carter. We’ll have to hurry.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“Mr. Y. A.?” he said, and smiled. His smile was distinctly +attractive. “Do sit down, both of you.” +</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’s usual readiness desert her. +</p> + +<p> +As he did not seem inclined to open the conversation, Tuppence was forced to +begin. +</p> + +<p> +“We wanted to know—that is, would you be so kind as to tell us +anything you know about Jane Finn?” +</p> + +<p> +“Jane Finn? Ah!” Mr. Carter appeared to reflect. “Well, the +question is, what do <i>you</i> know about her?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence drew herself up. +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t see that that’s got anything to do with it.” +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>you</i> know about Jane Finn? +</p> + +<p> +“Come now,” he continued, as Tuppence remained silent. “You +must know <i>something</i> to have advertised as you did?” He leaned +forward a little, his weary voice held a hint of persuasiveness. “Suppose +you tell me....” +</p> + +<p> +There was something very magnetic about Mr. Carter’s personality. +Tuppence seemed to shake herself free of it with an effort, as she said: +</p> + +<p> +“We couldn’t do that, could we, Tommy?” +</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> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Tommy!” 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> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Carter held up his hand. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Fire ahead, Tuppence,” directed Tommy. “It’s your +yarn.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, little lady, out with it.” +</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> +“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....” +</p> + +<p> +He paused a moment, and then went on. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence gazed at him, her lips parted, her eyes growing wider and wider. +</p> + +<p> +“What should we have to do?” she breathed. +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Carter smiled. +</p> + +<p> +“Just go on with what you’re doing now. <i>Find Jane +Finn</i>.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, but—who <i>is</i> Jane Finn?” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Carter nodded gravely. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, you’re entitled to know that, I think.” +</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> +“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! +</p> + +<p> +“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> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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> +“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> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Carter paused, and Tuppence broke in impatiently: +</p> + +<p> +“But why has it all cropped up again? The war’s over.” +</p> + +<p> +A hint of alertness came into Mr. Carter’s manner. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence stared. Mr. Carter nodded. +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>real</i> +danger.” +</p> + +<p> +He paused, and then said quietly: +</p> + +<p> +“You may perhaps have heard or read that there is Bolshevist influence at +work behind the present Labour unrest?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence nodded. +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>behind +the Bolshevists</i>. 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.” +</p> + +<p> +“A naturalized German?” asked Tommy. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh!” Tuppence jumped. “I wonder——” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes?” +</p> + +<p> +“I remember in Mr. Whittington’s office. The clerk—he called +him Brown. You don’t think——” +</p> + +<p> +Carter nodded thoughtfully. +</p> + +<p> +“Very likely. A curious point is that the name is usually mentioned. An +idiosyncrasy of genius. Can you describe him at all?” +</p> + +<p> +“I really didn’t notice. He was quite ordinary—just like +anyone else.” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Carter sighed in his tired manner. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence thought. +</p> + +<p> +“No, I don’t think I did.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence nodded. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“It won’t,” Tuppence assured him positively. +</p> + +<p> +“I’ll look after her, sir,” said Tommy. +</p> + +<p> +“And <i>I</i>’ll look after <i>you</i>,” retorted Tuppence, +resenting the manly assertion. +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>something</i>. Of course, Jane Finn may +be dead for all we know—but I don’t think so. The curious thing is +that <i>they’re trying to get information about the girl from +us</i>.” +</p> + +<p> +“What?” +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>pensionnat</i> +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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Then you think”—Tuppence paused to grasp the supposition +fully—“that it <i>was</i> as Jane Finn that they wanted me to go to +Paris?” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Carter smiled more wearily than ever. +</p> + +<p> +“I believe in coincidences, you know,” he said. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap05"></a>CHAPTER V.<br/> +MR. JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER</h2> + +<p> +“Well,” said Tuppence, recovering herself, “it really seems +as though it were meant to be.” +</p> + +<p> +Carter nodded. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy indulged in a chuckle. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence frowned uncomprehendingly. +</p> + +<p> +“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’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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence rose. +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>no official recognition</i>. 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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence nodded sagely. +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, Miss Tuppence. Do you want to say how much?” +</p> + +<p> +“Not exactly. We’ve got plenty to go with for the present, but when +we want more——” +</p> + +<p> +“It will be waiting for you.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Carter laughed outright. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence beamed upon him. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I’m sure you do. Well, good-bye, and good luck to you both.” +</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> +“Tommy! Tell me at once, who is ‘Mr. Carter’?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy murmured a name in her ear. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh!” said Tuppence, impressed. +</p> + +<p> +“And I can tell you, old bean, he’s IT!” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh!” said Tuppence again. Then she added reflectively, +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Beresford obliged. +</p> + +<p> +“Ow! That’s enough! Yes, we’re not dreaming. We’ve got +a job!” +</p> + +<p> +“And what a job! The joint venture has really begun.” +</p> + +<p> +“It’s more respectable than I thought it would be,” said +Tuppence thoughtfully. +</p> + +<p> +“Luckily I haven’t got your craving for crime! What time is it? +Let’s have lunch—oh!” +</p> + +<p> +The same thought sprang to the minds of each. Tommy voiced it first. +</p> + +<p> +“Julius P. Hersheimmer!” +</p> + +<p> +“We never told Mr. Carter about hearing from him.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well, there wasn’t much to tell—not till we’ve seen +him. Come on, we’d better take a taxi.” +</p> + +<p> +“Now who’s being extravagant?” +</p> + +<p> +“All expenses paid, remember. Hop in.” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“We’ve ceased being blackmailers,” Tommy pointed out. +</p> + +<p> +“I’m not sure I have,” said Tuppence darkly. +</p> + +<p> +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. +</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> +“Get my note? Sit down and tell me right away all you know about my +cousin.” +</p> + +<p> +“Your cousin?” +</p> + +<p> +“Sure thing. Jane Finn.” +</p> + +<p> +“Is she your cousin?” +</p> + +<p> +“My father and her mother were brother and sister,” explained Mr. +Hersheimmer meticulously. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh!” cried Tuppence. “Then you know where she is?” +</p> + +<p> +“No!” Mr. Hersheimmer brought down his fist with a bang on the +table. “I’m darned if I do! Don’t you?” +</p> + +<p> +“We advertised to receive information, not to give it,” said +Tuppence severely. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Well, we wouldn’t mind hearing her back history,” said +Tuppence guardedly. +</p> + +<p> +But Mr. Hersheimmer seemed to grow suddenly suspicious. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy hastened to explain. +</p> + +<p> +“We haven’t kidnapped your cousin. On the contrary, we’re +trying to find her. We’re employed to do so.” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Hersheimmer leant back in his chair. +</p> + +<p> +“Put me wise,” 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 “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. +</p> + +<p> +That gentleman nodded approval. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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> +“When did you last see the dece—your cousin, I mean?” +</p> + +<p> +“Never seen her,” responded Mr. Hersheimmer. +</p> + +<p> +“What?” demanded Tommy, astonished. +</p> + +<p> +Hersheimmer turned to him. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” 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 <i>Lusitania</i> 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!” +</p> + +<p> +The energy of Mr. Hersheimmer was tremendous. They bowed before it. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence reassured him. +</p> + +<p> +“That’s good. Then we can work together. What about some lunch? +Shall we have it up here, or go down to the restaurant?” +</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> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +An unformulated dread swept over Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“You—you don’t know the name of the man who came this +morning?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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 “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. +</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 “private inquiry +agents,” and revealed to him the whole history of the joint venture, +whereat the young man declared himself “tickled to death.” +</p> + +<p> +He turned to Tuppence at the close of the narration. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</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’s only living relation. “And put like +that,” she added confidentially to Tommy, “nobody could boggle at +the expense!” +</p> + +<p> +Nobody did, which was the great thing. +</p> + +<p> +“And now,” said the young lady on the morning after their +installation, “to work!” +</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> +“Dash it all, Tommy, we’ve got to <i>do</i> something for our +money.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy sighed. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, I fear even the dear old Government will not support us at the +<i>Ritz</i> in idleness for ever.” +</p> + +<p> +“Therefore, as I said before, we must <i>do</i> something.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well,” said Tommy, picking up the <i>Daily Mail</i> again, +“<i>do</i> it. I shan’t stop you.” +</p> + +<p> +“You see,” continued Tuppence. “I’ve been +thinking——” +</p> + +<p> +She was interrupted by a fresh bout of applause. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“My union, Tuppence, my union! It does not permit me to work before 11 +a.m.” +</p> + +<p> +“Tommy, do you want something thrown at you? It is absolutely essential +that we should without delay map out a plan of campaign.” +</p> + +<p> +“Hear, hear!” +</p> + +<p> +“Well, let’s do it.” +</p> + +<p> +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.” +</p> + +<p> +“To begin with,” said Tuppence, “what have we to go +upon?” +</p> + +<p> +“Absolutely nothing,” said Tommy cheerily. +</p> + +<p> +“Wrong!” Tuppence wagged an energetic finger. “We have two +distinct clues.” +</p> + +<p> +“What are they?” +</p> + +<p> +“First clue, we know one of the gang.” +</p> + +<p> +“Whittington?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes. I’d recognize him anywhere.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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 <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.” +</p> + +<p> +“What about meals?” inquired the practical Tommy. +</p> + +<p> +“How like a man! What does mere food matter?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“That’s true. Anyway, I think clue No. 2 is more promising.” +</p> + +<p> +“Let’s hear it.” +</p> + +<p> +“It’s nothing much. Only a Christian name—Rita. Whittington +mentioned it that day.” +</p> + +<p> +“Are you proposing a third advertisement: Wanted, female crook, answering +to the name of Rita?” +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t see that at all.” +</p> + +<p> +“I am absolutely certain that it would be a woman, and a good-looking +one,” replied Tuppence calmly. +</p> + +<p> +“On these technical points I bow to your decision,” murmured Mr. +Beresford. +</p> + +<p> +“Now, obviously this woman, whoever she was, was saved.” +</p> + +<p> +“How do you make that out?” +</p> + +<p> +“If she wasn’t, how would they have known Jane Finn had got the +papers?” +</p> + +<p> +“Correct. Proceed, O Sherlock!” +</p> + +<p> +“Now there’s just a chance, I admit it’s only a chance, that +this woman may have been ‘Rita.’” +</p> + +<p> +“And if so?” +</p> + +<p> +“If so, we’ve got to hunt through the survivors of the +<i>Lusitania</i> till we find her.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then the first thing is to get a list of the survivors.” +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>Lusitania</i>. +How’s that for clever little Tuppence?” +</p> + +<p> +“Full marks for industry, zero for modesty. But the great point is, is +there a ‘Rita’ on the list?” +</p> + +<p> +“That’s just what I don’t know,” confessed Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“Don’t know?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes. Look here.” Together they bent over the list. “You see, +very few Christian names are given. They’re nearly all Mrs. or +Miss.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy nodded. +</p> + +<p> +“That complicates matters,” he murmured thoughtfully. +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence gave her characteristic “terrier” shake. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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’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> +“What are you going to say?” +</p> + +<p> +“What am I going to say? Why, I shall say—Oh dear, I don’t +know. It’s very awkward.” +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</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> +“Good morning,” he said briskly and cheerfully. “From the +Hampstead Borough Council. The new Voting Register. Mrs. Edgar Keith lives +here, does she not?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yaas,” said the servant. +</p> + +<p> +“Christian name?” asked Tommy, his pencil poised. +</p> + +<p> +“Missus’s? Eleanor Jane.” +</p> + +<p> +“Eleanor,” spelt Tommy. “Any sons or daughters over +twenty-one?” +</p> + +<p> +“Naow.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thank you.” Tommy closed the notebook with a brisk snap. +“Good morning.” +</p> + +<p> +The servant volunteered her first remark: +</p> + +<p> +“I thought perhaps as you’d come about the gas,” she observed +cryptically, and shut the door. +</p> + +<p> +Tommy rejoined his accomplice. +</p> + +<p> +“You see, Tuppence,” he observed. “Child’s play to the +masculine mind.” +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t mind admitting that for once you’ve scored +handsomely. I should never have thought of that.” +</p> + +<p> +“Good wheeze, wasn’t it? And we can repeat it <i>ad lib</i>.” +</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> +“Ah!” said Tommy, imbibing a long draught of beer, “I feel +better. Where’s the next draw?” +</p> + +<p> +The notebook lay on the table between them. Tuppence picked it up. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then the Mayfair lady is clearly indicated as the first port of +call.” +</p> + +<p> +“Tommy, I’m getting discouraged.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Perhaps he doesn’t think us worth bothering about,” +suggested the young man simply. +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence received the remark with great disfavour. +</p> + +<p> +“How horrid you are, Tommy. Just as though we didn’t count.” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“Ha ha!” 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> +“Christian name?” +</p> + +<p> +“Margaret.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy spelt it, but the other interrupted him. +</p> + +<p> +“No, <i>g u e</i>.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, Marguerite; French way, I see.” He paused, then plunged +boldly. “We had her down as Rita Vandemeyer, but I suppose that’s +incorrect?” +</p> + +<p> +“She’s mostly called that, sir, but Marguerite’s her +name.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thank you. That’s all. Good morning.” +</p> + +<p> +Hardly able to contain his excitement, Tommy hurried down the stairs. Tuppence +was waiting at the angle of the turn. +</p> + +<p> +“You heard?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes. Oh, <i>Tommy!</i>” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy squeezed her arm sympathetically. +</p> + +<p> +“I know, old thing. I feel the same.” +</p> + +<p> +“It’s—it’s so lovely to think of things—and then +for them really to happen!” cried Tuppence enthusiastically. +</p> + +<p> +Her hand was still in Tommy’s. They had reached the entrance hall. There +were footsteps on the stairs above them, and voices. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly, to Tommy’s complete surprise, Tuppence dragged him into the +little space by the side of the lift where the shadow was deepest. +</p> + +<p> +“What the——” +</p> + +<p> +“Hush!” +</p> + +<p> +Two men came down the stairs and passed out through the entrance. +Tuppence’s hand closed tighter on Tommy’s arm. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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 “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. +</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’. 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 “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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy did not hear Boris’s reply, but in response to it Whittington said +something that sounded like: “Of course—only in an +emergency....” +</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’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.” +</p> + +<p> +Whittington seemed to remonstrate with him, but he merely laughed. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +There was a steely ring in Whittington’s voice as he replied: +</p> + +<p> +“Who knows? You may have met him already.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“And it might not.” +</p> + +<p> +“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— <i>one of us is +Mr. Brown</i>—which? He commands—but also he serves. Among +us—in the midst of us. And no one knows which he is....” +</p> + +<p> +With an effort the Russian shook off the vagary of his fancy. He looked at his +watch. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes,” said Whittington. “We might as well go.” +</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’s had driven off +another was drawing up to the curb in obedience to Tommy’s peremptory +hand. +</p> + +<p> +“Follow that other taxi,” directed the young man. +“Don’t lose it.” +</p> + +<p> +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.” +</p> + +<p> +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 +<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 +“Hello” in unmistakable accents came over the wire. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +The reply was reassuring. +</p> + +<p> +“Sure. I’ll hustle.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</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> +“Here I am, son. Your British traffic beats description! Put me wise to +the crooks right away.” +</p> + +<p> +“That’s Whittington—there, getting in now, that big dark man. +The other is the foreign chap he’s talking to.” +</p> + +<p> +“I’m on to them. Which of the two is my bird?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy had thought out this question. +</p> + +<p> +“Got any money with you?” +</p> + +<p> +Julius shook his head, and Tommy’s face fell. +</p> + +<p> +“I guess I haven’t more than three or four hundred dollars with me +at the moment,” explained the American. +</p> + +<p> +Tommy gave a faint whoop of relief. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, Lord, you millionaires! You don’t talk the same language! +Climb aboard the lugger. Here’s your ticket. Whittington’s your +man.” +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</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’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’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> +“Well?” 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> +“Mr. Brown?” he said. +</p> + +<p> +To his surprise the man stood aside. +</p> + +<p> +“Upstairs,” he said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder, +“second door on your left.” +</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’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 “Mr. +Brown” 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 “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. +</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’s +notice, he asked: +</p> + +<p> +“Your number, comrade?” +</p> + +<p> +“Fourteen, gov’nor,” replied the other hoarsely. +</p> + +<p> +“Correct.” +</p> + +<p> +The door shut again. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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’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 “Correct.” +</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> +“We are honoured,” he said. “We are greatly honoured. I much +feared that it would be impossible.” +</p> + +<p> +The other answered in a low voice that had a kind of hiss in it: +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +The change in the German’s voice was audible as he replied with slight +hesitation: +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +A very slow smile overspread the face of the other. He looked round at a circle +of uneasy faces. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +The Russian tapped his cheek. +</p> + +<p> +“So be it. Let us proceed.” +</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> +“It is the only possible place,” he said, “for—Number +One. Perhaps Number Fourteen will shut the door?” +</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—a little more still—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’s indignation got the better of him. +</p> + +<p> +“Well, I’m damned!” he said. “What a dirty +trick!” +</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 +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 <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> +“That’s all very well. But more money is essential. No +money—no results!” +</p> + +<p> +Another voice which Tommy rather thought was that of Boris replied: +</p> + +<p> +“Will you guarantee that there <i>are</i> results?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +There was a pause, and then came the soft, sibilant accents of Number One: +</p> + +<p> +“Good! You shall have the money. Boris, you will see to that.” +</p> + +<p> +Boris asked a question: +</p> + +<p> +“Via the Irish Americans, and Mr. Potter as usual?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy felt that Boris had shrugged his shoulders as he answered: +</p> + +<p> +“Does that matter, since the money only nominally comes from the +States?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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> +“Think of the feelings of Belfast if they could hear you!” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“I think so.” +</p> + +<p> +“That is good. An official denial from Moscow will be forthcoming if +necessary.” +</p> + +<p> +There was a pause, and then the clear voice of the German broke the silence: +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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> +“And—the date, my friend?” said Number One. +</p> + +<p> +“The 29th.” +</p> + +<p> +The Russian seemed to consider: +</p> + +<p> +“That is rather soon.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +The Russian laughed softly, as though amused. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +There was a sinister note in his voice. +</p> + +<p> +The German resumed: +</p> + +<p> +“Clymes must go. He is too far-seeing. Number Fourteen will see to +that.” +</p> + +<p> +There was a hoarse murmur. +</p> + +<p> +“That’s all right, gov’nor.” And then after a moment or +two: “Suppose I’m nabbed.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy heard a chair shifted. Then Number One spoke: +</p> + +<p> +“Then all is arranged. We are assured of success?” +</p> + +<p> +“I—think so.” But the German spoke with less than his usual +confidence. +</p> + +<p> +Number One’s voice held suddenly a dangerous quality: +</p> + +<p> +“What has gone wrong?” +</p> + +<p> +“Nothing; but——” +</p> + +<p> +“But what?” +</p> + +<p> +“The Labour leaders. Without them, as you say, we can do nothing. If they +do not declare a general strike on the 29th——” +</p> + +<p> +“Why should they not?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“But——” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Again the Russian’s fingers drummed on the table. +</p> + +<p> +“To the point, my friend. I was given to understand that there was a +certain document in existence which assured success.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then what more do you want?” +</p> + +<p> +“The document itself,” said the German bluntly. +</p> + +<p> +“Ah! It is not in your possession? But you know where it is?” +</p> + +<p> +“No.” +</p> + +<p> +“Does anyone know where it is?” +</p> + +<p> +“One person—perhaps. And we are not sure of that even.” +</p> + +<p> +“Who is this person?” +</p> + +<p> +“A girl.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy held his breath. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“This case is different,” said the German sullenly. +</p> + +<p> +“How—different?” He paused a moment, then went on: +“Where is the girl now?” +</p> + +<p> +“The girl?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes.” +</p> + +<p> +“She is——” +</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’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. +</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’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. +</p> + +<p> +“Well, William,” she remarked cheerfully, in the best approved +hospital-early-morning style, “getting a good shine up?” +</p> + +<p> +The boy grinned responsively. +</p> + +<p> +“Albert, miss,” he corrected. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Albert ceased operations on the fittings and opened his mouth slightly. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“American Detective Force!” she hissed. +</p> + +<p> +Albert fell for it. +</p> + +<p> +“Lord!” he murmured ecstatically. +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence nodded at him with the air of one who has established a thorough +understanding. +</p> + +<p> +“Know who I’m after?” she inquired genially. +</p> + +<p> +Albert, still round-eyed, demanded breathlessly: +</p> + +<p> +“One of the flats?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence nodded and jerked a thumb up the stairs. +</p> + +<p> +“No. 20. Calls herself Vandemeyer. Vandemeyer! Ha! ha!” +</p> + +<p> +Albert’s hand stole to his pocket. +</p> + +<p> +“A crook?” he queried eagerly. +</p> + +<p> +“A crook? I should say so. Ready Rita they call her in the States.” +</p> + +<p> +“Ready Rita,” repeated Albert deliriously. “Oh, ain’t +it just like the pictures!” +</p> + +<p> +It was. Tuppence was a great frequenter of the cinema. +</p> + +<p> +“Annie always said as how she was a bad lot,” continued the boy. +</p> + +<p> +“Who’s Annie?” inquired Tuppence idly. +</p> + +<p> +“‘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?” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Emeralds? Them’s the green stones, isn’t they?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence nodded. +</p> + +<p> +“That’s what we’re after her for. You know old man +Rysdale?” +</p> + +<p> +Albert shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“Peter B. Rysdale, the oil king?” +</p> + +<p> +“It seems sort of familiar to me.” +</p> + +<p> +“The sparklers belonged to him. Finest collection of emeralds in the +world. Worth a million dollars!” +</p> + +<p> +“Lumme!” came ecstatically from Albert. “It sounds more like +the pictures every minute.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence smiled, gratified at the success of her efforts. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Albert uttered another ejaculation indicative of delight. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I’ll not breathe a word,” protested Albert eagerly. +“Ain’t there anything I could do? A bit of shadowing, maybe, or +such like?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence affected to consider, then shook her head. +</p> + +<p> +“Not at the moment, but I’ll bear you in mind, son. What’s +this about the girl you say is leaving?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Won’t she?” said Tuppence thoughtfully. “I +wonder——” +</p> + +<p> +An idea was dawning in her brain. She thought a minute or two, then tapped +Albert on the shoulder. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“I’m there,” said Albert instantly. “You leave it to +me, miss, and I’ll fix the whole thing up in two ticks.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Where am I to let you know to?” +</p> + +<p> +“<i>Ritz</i>,” replied Tuppence laconically. “Name of +Cowley.” +</p> + +<p> +Albert eyed her enviously. +</p> + +<p> +“It must be a good job, this tec business.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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’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—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. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes,” said Tuppence aloud, nodding at the pert reflection in the +glass, “you’ll do.” She then resumed her normal appearance. +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“I dare say he’s dashed off there now,” thought Tuppence. +“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’t have ‘lost the +trail’ as they say. That reminds me——” 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> +“DEAR MISS TUPPENCE, +</p> + +<p> +“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> +“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> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“Whichever way you decide, good luck to you. +</p> + +<p> +“Your sincere friend, +</p> + +<p> +“MR. CARTER.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</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’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: “It’s O.K.” 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’ 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> +“Blest if I’d have known you! That rig-out’s top-hole.” +</p> + +<p> +“Glad you like it, Albert,” replied Tuppence modestly. “By +the way, am I your cousin, or am I not?” +</p> + +<p> +“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, +<i>she</i> said, but really it’s so as to put you against the +place.” +</p> + +<p> +“Nice girl,” said Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +Albert suspected no irony. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</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’s eyes slowly +descending beneath the level of the floor. +</p> + +<p> +A smart young woman opened the door. +</p> + +<p> +“I’ve come about the place,” said Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</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> +“Annie!” +</p> + +<p> +The smart young woman jumped as if she had been shot. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, ma’am.” +</p> + +<p> +“Who are you talking to?” +</p> + +<p> +“It’s a young woman about the situation, ma’am.” +</p> + +<p> +“Show her in then. At once.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, ma’am.” +</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’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’s gaze firmly and +respectfully. +</p> + +<p> +As though that first scrutiny had been satisfactory, Mrs. Vandemeyer motioned +to a chair. +</p> + +<p> +“You can sit down. How did you hear I wanted a house-parlourmaid?” +</p> + +<p> +“Through a friend who knows the lift boy here. He thought the place might +suit me.” +</p> + +<p> +Again that basilisk glance seemed to pierce her through. +</p> + +<p> +“You speak like an educated girl?” +</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’s attitude relaxed. +</p> + +<p> +“I see,” she remarked at length. “Is there anyone I can write +to for a reference?” +</p> + +<p> +“I lived last with a Miss Dufferin, The Parsonage, Llanelly. I was with +her two years.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, ma’am. To-day, if you like. My box is at Paddington.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Prudence Cooper, ma’am.” +</p> + +<p> +“Very well, Prudence. Go away and fetch your box. I shall be out to +lunch. The cook will show you where everything is.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thank you, ma’am.” +</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 “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. +</p> + +<p> +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 <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> +“It is delightful to see you, Boris Ivanovitch,” she said. +</p> + +<p> +“And you, madame!” He bowed low over her hand. +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence returned to the kitchen. +</p> + +<p> +“Count Stepanov, or some such,” she remarked, and affecting a frank +and unvarnished curiosity: “Who’s he?” +</p> + +<p> +“A Russian gentleman, I believe.” +</p> + +<p> +“Come here much?” +</p> + +<p> +“Once in a while. What d’you want to know for?” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“I’m not quite easy in my mind about the <i>soufflé</i>,” +explained the other. +</p> + +<p> +“You know something,” thought Tuppence to herself, but aloud she +only said: “Going to dish up now? Right-o.” +</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’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> +“New, isn’t she?” +</p> + +<p> +“She came in to-day. The other was a fiend. This girl seems all right. +She waits well.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence lingered a moment longer by the door which she had carefully neglected +to close, and heard him say: +</p> + +<p> +“Quite safe, I suppose?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“For heaven’s sake, be careful, Rita. That door isn’t +shut.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well, shut it then,” 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’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’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> +“With your persistent recklessness, you will end by ruining us!” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>in</i> +court.” +</p> + +<p> +Boris got up and began striding up and down. He was very excited. +</p> + +<p> +“You are a clever woman, Rita; but you are also a fool! Be guided by me, +and give up Peel Edgerton.” +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer shook her head gently. +</p> + +<p> +“I think not.” +</p> + +<p> +“You refuse?” There was an ugly ring in the Russian’s voice. +</p> + +<p> +“I do.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then, by Heaven,” snarled the Russian, “we will +see——” +</p> + +<p> +But Mrs. Vandemeyer also rose to her feet, her eyes flashing. +</p> + +<p> +“You forget, Boris,” she said. “I am accountable to no one. I +take my orders only from—Mr. Brown.” +</p> + +<p> +The other threw up his hands in despair. +</p> + +<p> +“You are impossible,” he muttered. “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——” +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer eyed him scornfully. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Boris shook his head doubtfully. +</p> + +<p> +“He has studied crime as no other man in this kingdom has studied it. Do +you fancy that you can deceive him?” +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer’s eyes narrowed. +</p> + +<p> +“If he is all that you say—it would amuse me to try!” +</p> + +<p> +“Good heavens, Rita——” +</p> + +<p> +“Besides,” added Mrs. Vandemeyer, “he is extremely rich. I am +not one who despises money. The ‘sinews of war,’ you know, +Boris!” +</p> + +<p> +“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— <i>us!</i>” +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer smiled and shrugged her shoulders. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Ah!” snarled the Russian. “You see, I was right!” +</p> + +<p> +“My dear Boris, can you not take a joke?” +</p> + +<p> +“Was it a joke?” +</p> + +<p> +“Of course.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then all I can say is that your ideas of humour are peculiar, my dear +Rita.” +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer smiled. +</p> + +<p> +“Let us not quarrel, Boris. Touch the bell. We will have some +drinks.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</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’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> +“What day do you usually go out, Prudence?” +</p> + +<p> +“Friday’s my usual day, ma’am.” +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer lifted her eyebrows. +</p> + +<p> +“And to-day is Friday! But I suppose you hardly wish to go out to-day, as +you only came yesterday.” +</p> + +<p> +“I was thinking of asking you if I might, ma’am.” +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer looked at her a minute longer, and then smiled. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thank you, ma’am.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</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’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> +“Not been doing this long, eh?” +</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> +“V.A.D. and hard up, I suppose?” +</p> + +<p> +“Did Mrs. Vandemeyer tell you that?” asked Tuppence suspiciously. +</p> + +<p> +“No, child. The look of you told me. Good place here?” +</p> + +<p> +“Very good, thank you, sir.” +</p> + +<p> +“Ah, but there are plenty of good places nowadays. And a change does no +harm sometimes.” +</p> + +<p> +“Do you mean——?” began Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +But Sir James was already on the topmost stair. He looked back with his kindly, +shrewd glance. +</p> + +<p> +“Just a hint,” he said. “That’s all.” +</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 “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 <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’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. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence nodded. +</p> + +<p> +“You don’t know where he is?” she asked faintly. +</p> + +<p> +“I? How should I know? I haven’t had one darned word from him, +though I wired him yesterday morning.” +</p> + +<p> +“I expect your wire’s at the office unopened.” +</p> + +<p> +“But where is he?” +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t know. I hoped you might.” +</p> + +<p> +“I tell you I haven’t had one darned word from him since we parted +at the depot on Wednesday.” +</p> + +<p> +“What depot?” +</p> + +<p> +“Waterloo. Your London and South Western road.” +</p> + +<p> +“Waterloo?” frowned Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“Why, yes. Didn’t he tell you?” +</p> + +<p> +“I haven’t seen him either,” replied Tuppence impatiently. +“Go on about Waterloo. What were you doing there?” +</p> + +<p> +“He gave me a call. Over the phone. Told me to get a move on, and hustle. +Said he was trailing two crooks.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh!” said Tuppence, her eyes opening. “I see. Go on.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Hersheimmer obeyed. +</p> + +<p> +“Sure,” he said. “Where shall I begin?” +</p> + +<p> +“Where you left off. At Waterloo.” +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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! +</p> + +<p> +“After that, my blood was up. I’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’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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, Julius,” breathed Tuppence, “how exciting! Go on.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.’ +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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.’” +</p> + +<p> +“I noticed you walked lame,” interpolated Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +Julius nodded, and continued: +</p> + +<p> +“‘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.’ +</p> + +<p> +“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.’ +</p> + +<p> +“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.’ +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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.’ +</p> + +<p> +“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.’ +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>his</i> nerves are out of order?’ +</p> + +<p> +“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?’ +</p> + +<p> +“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.’ +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“It’s Tommy,” said Tuppence. “What can have happened to +him?” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence shook her head. +</p> + +<p> +“He couldn’t without passports and things. Besides I’ve seen +that man, Boris Something, since. He dined with Mrs. Vandemeyer last +night.” +</p> + +<p> +“Mrs. Who?” +</p> + +<p> +“I forgot. Of course you don’t know all that.” +</p> + +<p> +“I’m listening,” said Julius, and gave vent to his favourite +expression. “Put me wise.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence thereupon related the events of the last two days. Julius’s +astonishment and admiration were unbounded. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Do you think I’m afraid?” said Tuppence indignantly, +valiantly repressing memories of the steely glitter in Mrs. Vandemeyer’s +eyes. +</p> + +<p> +“I said before you were darned plucky. But that doesn’t alter +facts.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, bother <i>me!</i>” 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. +</p> + +<p> +Julius nodded gravely. +</p> + +<p> +“I guess that’s good as far as it goes. But it’s for us to +get busy and do something.” +</p> + +<p> +“What can we do?” asked Tuppence, her spirits rising. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“He might. I really don’t know.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Splendid, but he mightn’t come for weeks.” +</p> + +<p> +“We’ll have to chance that. I’m glad you like the +plan.” He rose. +</p> + +<p> +“Where are you going?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh,” said Tuppence faintly, “I <i>like</i> Rolls-Royces, +but——” +</p> + +<p> +“Sure,” agreed Julius. “What you say goes. I’ll get +one.” +</p> + +<p> +“But you can’t at once,” cried Tuppence. “People wait +ages sometimes.” +</p> + +<p> +“Little Julius doesn’t,” affirmed Mr. Hersheimmer. +“Don’t you worry any. I’ll be round in the car in half an +hour.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence got up. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then I shouldn’t.” +</p> + +<p> +“Why?” +</p> + +<p> +“Just an idea of mine.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +And she narrated her encounter with Sir James Peel Edgerton. Julius was +interested. +</p> + +<p> +“What did the guy mean, do you think?” he asked. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Why should he?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Somewhat to her surprise, Julius negatived the idea sharply. +</p> + +<p> +“See here,” he said, “we don’t want any lawyers mixed +up in this. That guy couldn’t help us any.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well, I believe he could,” reiterated Tuppence obstinately. +</p> + +<p> +“Don’t you think it. So long. I’ll be back in half an +hour.” +</p> + +<p> +Thirty-five minutes had elapsed when Julius returned. He took Tuppence by the +arm, and walked her to the window. +</p> + +<p> +“There she is.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh!” said Tuppence with a note of reverence in her voice, as she +gazed down at the enormous car. +</p> + +<p> +“She’s some pace-maker, I can tell you,” said Julius +complacently. +</p> + +<p> +“How did you get it?” gasped Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“She was just being sent home to some bigwig.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well?” said Tuppence, intoxicated. +</p> + +<p> +“Well,” returned Julius, “he got out, that’s +all.” +</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—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.” +</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’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’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. “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. +</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 “at home,” but to adopt a more +personal attitude. +</p> + +<p> +“Will you ask Sir James if I can see him for a few minutes? I have an +important message for him.” +</p> + +<p> +The butler retired, returning a moment or two later. +</p> + +<p> +“Sir James will see you. Will you step this way?” +</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> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Pleased to meet you,” said the American, shooting out a hand. +</p> + +<p> +“Won’t you both sit down?” asked Sir James. He drew forward +two chairs. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“Tommy?” queried Sir James, looking across at the American. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“My dear young lady, as far as I recollect I only mentioned that there +were equally good situations to be obtained elsewhere.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, I know. But it was a hint, wasn’t it?” +</p> + +<p> +“Well, perhaps it was,” admitted Sir James gravely. +</p> + +<p> +“Well, I want to know more. I want to know just <i>why</i> you gave me a +hint.” +</p> + +<p> +Sir James smiled at her earnestness. +</p> + +<p> +“Suppose the lady brings a libel action against me for defamation of +character?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I see,” said Tuppence thoughtfully. “Thank you very much. +But I’m not <i>really</i> inexperienced, you know. I knew perfectly that +she was a bad lot when I went there—as a matter of fact that’s +<i>why</i> 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?” +</p> + +<p> +“As you’re bent on it, I’d go right ahead with the +facts,” replied the American, who had so far sat in silence. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, tell me all about it,” said Sir James. “I want to know +who Tommy is.” +</p> + +<p> +Thus encouraged Tuppence plunged into her tale, and the lawyer listened with +close attention. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Julius answered for himself. +</p> + +<p> +“I’m Jane’s first cousin,” he explained, returning the +lawyer’s keen gaze. +</p> + +<p> +“Ah!” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, Sir James,” broke out Tuppence, “what do you think has +become of Tommy?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh!” Tuppence clasped her hands ecstatically. +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +“Cowley. Prudence Cowley. But my friends call me Tuppence.” +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes.” Tuppence clasped her hands. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“And you really will help us? There, Julius! He didn’t want me to +come,” she added by way of explanation. +</p> + +<p> +“H’m,” said the lawyer, favouring Julius with another keen +glance. “And why was that?” +</p> + +<p> +“I reckoned it would be no good worrying you with a petty little business +like this.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, but how?” cried Tuppence. “I’ve tried to think of +everything.” +</p> + +<p> +Sir James smiled. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Who is that?” asked Tuppence, puzzled. +</p> + +<p> +“Mrs. Vandemeyer.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, but she’d never tell us.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“How?” demanded Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, just by asking her questions,” replied Sir James easily. +“That’s the way we do it, you know.” +</p> + +<p> +He tapped with his finger on the table, and Tuppence felt again the intense +power that radiated from the man. +</p> + +<p> +“And if she won’t tell?” asked Julius suddenly. +</p> + +<p> +“I think she will. I have one or two powerful levers. Still, in that +unlikely event, there is always the possibility of bribery.” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +Sir James sat down and subjected Julius to a long scrutiny. +</p> + +<p> +“Mr. Hersheimmer,” he said at last, “that is a very large +sum.” +</p> + +<p> +“I guess it’ll have to be. These aren’t the kind of folk to +offer sixpence to.” +</p> + +<p> +“At the present rate of exchange it amounts to considerably over two +hundred and fifty thousand pounds.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Sir James flushed slightly. +</p> + +<p> +“There is no question of a fee, Mr. Hersheimmer. I am not a private +detective.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“They were probably right,” said Sir James dryly. +</p> + +<p> +“But it’s all O.K. about Julius,” put in Tuppence. +“He’s not pulling your leg. He’s got simply pots of +money.” +</p> + +<p> +“The old man piled it up in style,” explained Julius. “Now, +let’s get down to it. What’s your idea?” +</p> + +<p> +Sir James considered for a moment or two. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, I think so, but she will not be out late. Otherwise, she would have +taken the latchkey.” +</p> + +<p> +“Good. I will call upon her about ten o’clock. What time are you +supposed to return?” +</p> + +<p> +“About nine-thirty or ten, but I could go back earlier.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“He’s got a new Rolls-Royce car,” said Tuppence with +vicarious pride. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes.” Tuppence rose to her feet with a skip of delight. “Oh, +I feel so much better!” +</p> + +<p> +“Don’t build on it too much, Miss Tuppence. Go easy.” +</p> + +<p> +Julius turned to the lawyer. +</p> + +<p> +“Say, then. I’ll call for you in the car round about nine-thirty. +Is that right?” +</p> + +<p> +“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’t think ahead more +than you can help.” +</p> + +<p> +He shook hands with them both, and a moment later they were outside. +</p> + +<p> +“Isn’t he a duck?” inquired Tuppence ecstatically, as she +skipped down the steps. “Oh, Julius, isn’t he just a duck?” +</p> + +<p> +“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>” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“I want to get some petrol,” he explained. “And send off a +cable or two.” +</p> + +<p> +“All right. I’ll meet you at the <i>Ritz</i> at seven. We’ll +have to dine upstairs. I can’t show myself in these glad rags.” +</p> + +<p> +“Sure. I’ll get Felix help me choose the menu. He’s some head +waiter, that. So long.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</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’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> +“I say, miss, she’s a-going!” +</p> + +<p> +“Who’s going?” demanded Tuppence sharply. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“What?” Tuppence clutched his arm. +</p> + +<p> +“It’s the truth, miss. I thought maybe as you didn’t know +about it.” +</p> + +<p> +“Albert,” cried Tuppence, “you’re a brick. If it +hadn’t been for you we’d have lost her.” +</p> + +<p> +Albert flushed with pleasure at this tribute. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +The boy shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“The flats mostly have their own, miss. But there’s a box just +round the corner.” +</p> + +<p> +“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’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?” +</p> + +<p> +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?” +</p> + +<p> +“No, no, that’s all right. <i>But go and telephone</i>. Be +quick.” +</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> +“You?” +</p> + +<p> +“I had a touch of toothache, ma’am,” said Tuppence glibly. +“So thought it better to come home and have a quiet evening.” +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer said nothing, but she drew back and let Tuppence pass into the +hall. +</p> + +<p> +“How unfortunate for you,” she said coldly. “You had better +go to bed.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, I shall be all right in the kitchen, ma’am. Cook +will——” +</p> + +<p> +“Cook is out,” said Mrs. Vandemeyer, in a rather disagreeable tone. +“I sent her out. So you see you had better go to bed.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t want——” +</p> + +<p> +Then, in a flash, a rim of cold steel touched her temple, and Mrs. +Vandemeyer’s voice rose cold and menacing: +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +The rim of steel pressed a little harder against the girl’s temple. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</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’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> +“Come now,” she said. “This is nonsense. You can’t +shoot me. Why, every one in the building would hear the report.” +</p> + +<p> +“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 +<i>me</i> 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.” +</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’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> +“What’s that?” asked Tuppence sharply. +</p> + +<p> +“Something to make you sleep soundly.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence paled a little. +</p> + +<p> +“Are you going to poison me?” she asked in a whisper. +</p> + +<p> +“Perhaps,” said Mrs. Vandemeyer, smiling agreeably. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer stamped her foot. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer, glass in hand, looked down with a curling lip at this sudden +collapse. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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> +“Drink it at once!” Imperiously she pressed the glass to the +girl’s lips. +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence gave one last despairing moan. +</p> + +<p> +“You swear it won’t hurt me?” she temporized. +</p> + +<p> +“Of course it won’t hurt you. Don’t be a fool.” +</p> + +<p> +“Will you swear it?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, yes,” said the other impatiently. “I swear it.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence raised a trembling left hand to the glass. +</p> + +<p> +“Very well.” 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’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. +</p> + +<p> +In the moment of victory, Tuppence betrayed a somewhat unsportsmanlike triumph. +</p> + +<p> +“Now who’s on top and who’s underneath?” she crowed. +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“You may do—some day!” said the other significantly. +</p> + +<p> +The cold malignity of her manner sent an unpleasant chill down Tuppence’s +spine, but she was not going to give in to it. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“What about?” said Mrs. Vandemeyer sullenly. +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence eyed her thoughtfully for a minute. She was remembering several +things. Boris’s words, “I believe you would sell— +<i>us!</i>” 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? +</p> + +<p> +Keeping her eyes fixed steadily on the other’s face, Tuppence replied +quietly: +</p> + +<p> +“Money——” +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer started. Clearly, the reply was unexpected. +</p> + +<p> +“What do you mean?” +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>practical?</i> 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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Do you think,” said Mrs. Vandemeyer scornfully, “that I am +the kind of woman to sell my friends?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes,” said Tuppence promptly. “If the price was big +enough.” +</p> + +<p> +“A paltry hundred pounds or so!” +</p> + +<p> +“No,” said Tuppence. “I should suggest—a hundred +thousand!” +</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’s face. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“A hundred thousand pounds,” repeated Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +The light died out of Mrs. Vandemeyer’s eyes. She leaned back in her +chair. +</p> + +<p> +“Bah!” she said. “You haven’t got it.” +</p> + +<p> +“No,” admitted Tuppence, “I haven’t—but I know +some one who has.” +</p> + +<p> +“Who?” +</p> + +<p> +“A friend of mine.” +</p> + +<p> +“Must be a millionaire,” remarked Mrs. Vandemeyer unbelievingly. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer sat up again. +</p> + +<p> +“I’m inclined to believe you,” she said slowly. +</p> + +<p> +There was silence between them for some time, then Mrs. Vandemeyer looked up. +</p> + +<p> +“What does he want to know, this friend of yours?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence went through a momentary struggle, but it was Julius’s money, +and his interests must come first. +</p> + +<p> +“He wants to know where Jane Finn is,” she said boldly. +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer showed no surprise. +</p> + +<p> +“I’m not sure where she is at the present moment,” she +replied. +</p> + +<p> +“But you could find out?” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, yes,” returned Mrs. Vandemeyer carelessly. “There would +be no difficulty about that.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“What’s his name?” +</p> + +<p> +“Tommy Beresford.” +</p> + +<p> +“Never heard of him. But I’ll ask Boris. He’ll tell me +anything he knows.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thank you.” Tuppence felt a terrific rise in her spirits. It +impelled her to more audacious efforts. “There’s one thing +more.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence leaned forward and lowered her voice. +</p> + +<p> +<i>“Who is Mr. Brown?”</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> +“You can’t have learnt much about us if you don’t know that +<i>nobody knows who Mr. Brown is</i>....” +</p> + +<p> +“You do,” said Tuppence quietly. +</p> + +<p> +Again the colour deserted the other’s face. +</p> + +<p> +“What makes you think that?” +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t know,” said the girl truthfully. “But +I’m sure.” +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer stared in front of her for a long time. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes,” she said hoarsely, at last, “<i>I</i> know. I was +beautiful, you see—very beautiful——” +</p> + +<p> +“You are still,” said Tuppence with admiration. +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer shook her head. There was a strange gleam in her electric-blue +eyes. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I swear it. And, once’s he caught, you’ll be out of +danger.” +</p> + +<p> +A terrified look swept across Mrs. Vandemeyer’s face. +</p> + +<p> +“Shall I? Shall I ever be?” She clutched Tuppence’s arm. +“You’re sure about the money?” +</p> + +<p> +“Quite sure.” +</p> + +<p> +“When shall I have it? There must be no delay.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +A resolute look settled on Mrs. Vandemeyer’s face. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</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> +“What was that?” +</p> + +<p> +“I heard nothing.” +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer gazed round her fearfully. +</p> + +<p> +“If there should be some one listening——” +</p> + +<p> +“Nonsense. Who could there be?” +</p> + +<p> +“Even the walls might have ears,” whispered the other. “I +tell you I’m frightened. You don’t know him!” +</p> + +<p> +“Think of the hundred thousand pounds,” said Tuppence soothingly. +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Vandemeyer passed her tongue over her dried lips. +</p> + +<p> +“You don’t know him,” she reiterated hoarsely. +“He’s—ah!” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</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> +“Heart,” he said sharply. “Seeing us so suddenly must have +given her a shock. Brandy—and quickly, or she’ll slip through our +fingers.” +</p> + +<p> +Julius hurried to the washstand. +</p> + +<p> +“Not there,” said Tuppence over her shoulder. “In the +tantalus in the dining-room. Second door down the passage.” +</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> +“Touch and go,” he muttered. “I wish that young fellow would +hurry up with the brandy.” +</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> +“Drink this.” +</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—then +fell back with a groan, her hand to her side. +</p> + +<p> +“It’s my heart,” she whispered. “I mustn’t +talk.” +</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> +“She’ll do now.” +</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> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +There was certainly a good deal of common sense in this, and Tuppence felt a +little comforted. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“What about leaving that bright boy of yours on guard?” +</p> + +<p> +“Albert? And suppose she came round again and hooked it. Albert +couldn’t stop her.” +</p> + +<p> +“I guess she won’t want to make tracks away from the +dollars.” +</p> + +<p> +“She might. She seemed very frightened of ‘Mr. Brown.’” +</p> + +<p> +“What? Real plumb scared of him?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes. She looked round and said even walls had ears.” +</p> + +<p> +“Maybe she meant a dictaphone,” said Julius with interest. +</p> + +<p> +“Miss Tuppence is right,” said Sir James quietly. “We must +not leave the flat—if only for Mrs. Vandemeyer’s sake.” +</p> + +<p> +Julius stared at him. +</p> + +<p> +“You think he’d get after her? Between now and to-morrow morning. +How could he know, even?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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> +“Well,” said Julius, “I guess we’d better make a move +out of here any way.” +</p> + +<p> +The others fell in with his suggestion. Sir James again felt Mrs. +Vandemeyer’s pulse. +</p> + +<p> +“Perfectly satisfactory,” he said in a low voice to Tuppence. +“She’ll be absolutely all right after a night’s rest.” +</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> +“Don’t—leave——” she seemed unable to +proceed, murmuring something that sounded like “sleepy.” Then she +tried again. +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence bent lower still. It was only a breath. +</p> + +<p> +“Mr.—Brown——” 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> +“I shan’t leave the flat. I shall sit up all night.” +</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: “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. +</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> +“Lock the door on the outside, please, Miss Tuppence, and take out the +key. There must be no chance of anyone entering that room.” +</p> + +<p> +The gravity of his manner impressed them, and Tuppence felt less ashamed of her +attack of “nerves.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“How did you get in, by the way?” asked Tuppence suddenly. “I +forgot to ask.” +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence considered for a moment or two. +</p> + +<p> +“I think Mrs. Vandemeyer’s boudoir would be the most +comfortable,” she said at last, and led the way there. +</p> + +<p> +Sir James looked round approvingly. +</p> + +<p> +“This will do very well, and now, my dear young lady, do go to bed and +get some sleep.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence shook her head resolutely. +</p> + +<p> +“I couldn’t, thank you, Sir James. I should dream of Mr. Brown all +night!” +</p> + +<p> +“But you’ll be so tired, child.” +</p> + +<p> +“No, I shan’t. I’d rather stay up—really.” +</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> +“At any rate, you’ve got to have something to eat right away. +Where’s the larder?” +</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> +“And now, Miss Tuppence,” said Sir James, “we want to hear +your adventures.” +</p> + +<p> +“That’s so,” agreed Julius. +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“There’s one thing I don’t get clearly,” said Julius. +“What put her up to clearing out?” +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t know,” confessed Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +Sir James stroked his chin thoughtfully. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Mr. Brown, I suppose,” said Julius scoffingly. +</p> + +<p> +The lawyer looked at him deliberately for a minute or two. +</p> + +<p> +“Why not?” he said. “Remember, you yourself have once been +worsted by him.” +</p> + +<p> +Julius flushed with vexation. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“That contingency is likely to be a remote one,” said the other +dryly. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +The lawyer shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“Impossible to say. But I’ve a very good idea where she <i>has</i> +been.” +</p> + +<p> +“You have? Where?” +</p> + +<p> +Sir James smiled. +</p> + +<p> +“At the scene of your nocturnal adventures, the Bournemouth nursing +home.” +</p> + +<p> +“There? Impossible. I asked.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Bully for you,” cried Julius. “I never thought of +that!” +</p> + +<p> +“It was fairly obvious,” said the other. +</p> + +<p> +“Perhaps the doctor’s in it too,” suggested Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +Julius shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t think so. I took to him at once. No, I’m pretty sure +Dr. Hall’s all right.” +</p> + +<p> +“Hall, did you say?” asked Sir James. “That is +curious—really very curious.” +</p> + +<p> +“Why?” demanded Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>Métropole</i>, he told me.” He turned to +Julius. “Didn’t he tell you he was coming up to town?” +</p> + +<p> +Julius shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I guess I’m a mutt,” said Julius with unusual humility. +“I ought to have thought of the false name stunt.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes,” 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> +“I can’t help it. I know Mr. Brown’s somewhere in the flat! I +can <i>feel</i> him.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I can’t help it. I <i>feel</i> he’s here!” +</p> + +<p> +She looked appealingly at Sir James, who replied gravely: +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +The girl was a little comforted by his words. +</p> + +<p> +“Sitting up at night is always rather jumpy,” she confessed. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Do you believe in spiritualism?” asked Tuppence, opening her eyes +wide. +</p> + +<p> +The lawyer shrugged his shoulders. +</p> + +<p> +“There is some truth in it, without a doubt. But most of the testimony +would not pass muster in the witness-box.” +</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’s spirits revived +to the normal. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +At seven o’clock Tuppence volunteered to go and make some tea. She +returned with a tray, containing the teapot and four cups. +</p> + +<p> +“Who’s the other cup for?” inquired Julius. +</p> + +<p> +“The prisoner, of course. I suppose we might call her that?” +</p> + +<p> +“Taking her tea seems a kind of anticlimax to last night,” said +Julius thoughtfully. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Sir James and Julius accompanied her to the door. +</p> + +<p> +“Where’s the key? Oh, of course, I’ve got it myself.” +</p> + +<p> +She put it in the lock, and turned it, then paused. +</p> + +<p> +“Supposing, after all, she’s escaped?” she murmured in a +whisper. +</p> + +<p> +“Plumb impossible,” 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> +“Good morning,” she remarked cheerfully. “I’ve brought +you some tea.” +</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—must have been dead some hours. She had evidently died in her sleep. +</p> + +<p> +“If that isn’t the cruellest luck,” cried Julius in despair. +</p> + +<p> +The lawyer was calmer, but there was a curious gleam in his eyes. +</p> + +<p> +“If it is luck,” he replied. +</p> + +<p> +“You don’t think—but, say, that’s plumb +impossible—no one could have got in.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“But how——” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, <i>how!</i> 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. +</p> + +<p> +Julius’s glance went to the window. +</p> + +<p> +“The window’s open,” he remarked. “Do you +think——” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence shook her head. +</p> + +<p> +“The balcony only goes along as far as the boudoir. We were there.” +</p> + +<p> +“He might have slipped out——” suggested Julius. +</p> + +<p> +But Sir James interrupted him. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</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> +“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.” +</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> +“Well,” said Tuppence impatiently. +</p> + +<p> +There was a pause before Julius answered, then he withdrew his head and shut to +the door. +</p> + +<p> +“Nothing,” 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> +“Heart failure, or possibly an overdose of some sleeping-draught.” +He sniffed. “Rather an odour of chloral in the air.” +</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— <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’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. +</p> + +<p> +Shortly afterwards a nurse arrived to take charge, and the other left the +ill-omened building. +</p> + +<p> +“And what now?” asked Julius, with a gesture of despair. “I +guess we’re down and out for good.” +</p> + +<p> +Sir James stroked his chin thoughtfully. +</p> + +<p> +“No,” he said quietly. “There is still the chance that Dr. +Hall may be able to tell us something.” +</p> + +<p> +“Gee! I’d forgotten him.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</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> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +A quizzical gleam came into the doctor’s eye as he shook hands with +Julius. +</p> + +<p> +“Ah, yes, my young friend of the tree episode! Ankle all right, +eh?” +</p> + +<p> +“I guess it’s cured owing to your skilful treatment, doc.” +</p> + +<p> +“And the heart trouble? Ha ha!” +</p> + +<p> +“Still searching,” said Julius briefly. +</p> + +<p> +“To come to the point, can we have a word with you in private?” +asked Sir James. +</p> + +<p> +“Certainly. I think there is a room here where we shall be quite +undisturbed.” +</p> + +<p> +He led the way, and the others followed him. They sat down, and the doctor +looked inquiringly at Sir James. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“I suppose it is a matter of testimony?” +</p> + +<p> +Sir James hesitated a moment, then he replied: +</p> + +<p> +“Yes.” +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Mrs. Vandemeyer, of 20 South Audley Mansions? I know her +slightly.” +</p> + +<p> +“You are not aware of what has happened?” +</p> + +<p> +“What do you mean?” +</p> + +<p> +“You do not know that Mrs. Vandemeyer is dead?” +</p> + +<p> +“Dear, dear, I had no idea of it! When did it happen?” +</p> + +<p> +“She took an overdose of chloral last night.” +</p> + +<p> +“Purposely?” +</p> + +<p> +“Accidentally, it is believed. I should not like to say myself. Anyway, +she was found dead this morning.” +</p> + +<p> +“Very sad. A singularly handsome woman. I presume she was a friend of +yours, since you are acquainted with all these details.” +</p> + +<p> +“I am acquainted with the details because—well, it was I who found +her dead.” +</p> + +<p> +“Indeed,” said the doctor, starting. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes,” said Sir James, and stroked his chin reflectively. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“It bears on it in this way, is it not a fact that Mrs. Vandemeyer +committed a young relative of hers to your charge?” +</p> + +<p> +Julius leaned forward eagerly. +</p> + +<p> +“That is the case,” said the doctor quietly. +</p> + +<p> +“Under the name of——?” +</p> + +<p> +“Janet Vandemeyer. I understood her to be a niece of Mrs. +Vandemeyer’s.” +</p> + +<p> +“And she came to you?” +</p> + +<p> +“As far as I can remember in June or July of 1915.” +</p> + +<p> +“Was she a mental case?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“We’re on the right track, I think?” Sir James looked round. +</p> + +<p> +“As I said before, I’m a mutt!” returned Julius. +</p> + +<p> +The doctor looked at them all curiously. +</p> + +<p> +“You spoke of wanting a statement from her,” he said. +“Supposing she is not able to give one?” +</p> + +<p> +“What? You have just said that she is perfectly sane.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +They looked at the little man, stupefied. He nodded cheerfully. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“But why, man? Darn it all, why?” +</p> + +<p> +The little man shifted his benevolent glance to the excited young American. +</p> + +<p> +“Because Janet Vandemeyer is suffering from a complete loss of +memory.” +</p> + +<p> +<i>“What?”</i> +</p> + +<p> +“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’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. +</p> + +<p> +“And she remembers nothing,” said Sir James slowly. +</p> + +<p> +“Nothing prior to May 7, 1915. After that date her memory is as good as +yours or mine.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then the first thing she remembers?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“But surely all this is most unusual?” put in Julius. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I can imagine she would,” said Sir James grimly. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Waiting?” +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>Lusitania</i>.” +</p> + +<p> +“And when do you expect this to happen?” +</p> + +<p> +The doctor shrugged his shoulders. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Another shock, eh?” said Julius thoughtfully. +</p> + +<p> +“Exactly. There was a case in Colorado——” The little +man’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> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Not by nature, perhaps, doc. But I’m talking about art.” +</p> + +<p> +“Art?” +</p> + +<p> +“Why, yes. What’s the difficulty? Hire a liner——” +</p> + +<p> +“A liner!” murmured Dr. Hall faintly. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Dr. Hall looked at Julius. Everything that he was for the moment incapable of +saying was eloquent in that look. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +Dr. Hall found his voice. +</p> + +<p> +“But the expense, my dear sir.” His voice rose. “The expense! +It will be <i>colossal!</i>” +</p> + +<p> +“Money doesn’t worry me any,” explained Julius simply. +</p> + +<p> +Dr. Hall turned an appealing face to Sir James, who smiled slightly. +</p> + +<p> +“Mr. Hersheimmer is very well off—very well off indeed.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“You bet your bottom dollar I do.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“I cannot guarantee a cure,” he pointed out. “Perhaps I ought +to make that quite clear.” +</p> + +<p> +“Sure, that’s all right,” said Julius. “You just trot +out Jane, and leave the rest to me.” +</p> + +<p> +“Jane?” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +The doctor stared. +</p> + +<p> +“I beg your pardon, Mr. Hersheimmer. I thought you understood.” +</p> + +<p> +“Understood what?” +</p> + +<p> +“That Miss Vandemeyer is no longer under my care.” +</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> +“What?” +</p> + +<p> +“I thought you were aware of that.” +</p> + +<p> +“When did she leave?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“That evening? Before, or after?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Julius sank back again into his chair. +</p> + +<p> +“Nurse Edith—left with a patient—I remember,” he +muttered. “My God, to have been so near!” +</p> + +<p> +Dr. Hall looked bewildered. +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t understand. Is the young lady not with her aunt, after +all?” +</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> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +The doctor shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“That remains to be seen,” said Sir James gravely. +</p> + +<p> +The other hesitated. +</p> + +<p> +“You do not think I ought to go to the police?” +</p> + +<p> +“No, no. In all probability the young lady is with other +relations.” +</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> +“How maddening,” cried Tuppence. “To think that Julius must +have been actually under the same roof with her for a few hours.” +</p> + +<p> +“I was a darned idiot,” muttered Julius gloomily. +</p> + +<p> +“You couldn’t know,” Tuppence consoled him. “Could +he?” She appealed to Sir James. +</p> + +<p> +“I should advise you not to worry,” said the latter kindly. +“No use crying over spilt milk, you know.” +</p> + +<p> +“The great thing is what to do next,” added Tuppence the practical. +</p> + +<p> +Sir James shrugged his shoulders. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Nothing?” said Tuppence blankly. “And—Tommy?” +</p> + +<p> +“We must hope for the best,” said Sir James. “Oh yes, we must +go on hoping.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“You must let me know if anything further comes to light. Letters will +always be forwarded.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence stared at him blankly. +</p> + +<p> +“You are going away?” +</p> + +<p> +“I told you. Don’t you remember? To Scotland.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, but I thought——” The girl hesitated. +</p> + +<p> +Sir James shrugged his shoulders. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +His words gave Tuppence an extraordinarily desolate feeling. +</p> + +<p> +“I suppose you’re right,” she said. “Anyway, thank you +very much for trying to help us. Good-bye.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Something in his tone made Tuppence glance up sharply. He shook his head with a +smile. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +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—— +</p> + +<p> +Her meditations were interrupted by Julius, who adjured her to “get right +in.” +</p> + +<p> +“You’re looking kind of thoughtful,” he remarked as they +started off. “Did the old guy say anything more?” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“Nothing particular,” she replied. +</p> + +<p> +She felt rather than saw Julius throw a sideways glance at her. +</p> + +<p> +“Say, shall we go for a spin in the park?” +</p> + +<p> +“If you like.” +</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> +“Say, Miss Tuppence, do you think I’m ever going to find +Jane?” +</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> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence felt rather uncomfortable, but clinging to her belief that Julius also +had withheld something from her, she remained firm. +</p> + +<p> +“He suggested advertising for the nurse,” she reminded him. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh no!” cried Tuppence. “We’ve got to find +Tommy.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes?” +</p> + +<p> +“You and Beresford. What about it?” +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t understand you,” replied Tuppence with dignity, +adding rather inconsequently: “And, anyway, you’re wrong!” +</p> + +<p> +“Not got a sort of kindly feeling for one another?” +</p> + +<p> +“Certainly not,” said Tuppence with warmth. “Tommy and I are +friends—nothing more.” +</p> + +<p> +“I guess every pair of lovers has said that sometime or another,” +observed Julius. +</p> + +<p> +“Nonsense!” snapped Tuppence. “Do I look the sort of girl +that’s always falling in love with every man she meets?” +</p> + +<p> +“You do not. You look the sort of girl that’s mighty often getting +fallen in love with!” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh!” said Tuppence, rather taken aback. “That’s a +compliment, I suppose?” +</p> + +<p> +“Sure. Now let’s get down to this. Supposing we never find +Beresford and—and——” +</p> + +<p> +“All right—say it! I can face facts. Supposing +he’s—dead! Well?” +</p> + +<p> +“And all this business fiddles out. What are you going to do?” +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t know,” said Tuppence forlornly. +</p> + +<p> +“You’ll be darned lonesome, you poor kid.” +</p> + +<p> +“I shall be all right,” snapped Tuppence with her usual resentment +of any kind of pity. +</p> + +<p> +“What about marriage?” inquired Julius. “Got any views on the +subject?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I never despise business instinct,” said Julius. “What +particular figure have you in mind?” +</p> + +<p> +“Figure?” asked Tuppence, puzzled. “Do you mean tall or +short?” +</p> + +<p> +“No. Sum—income.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, I—I haven’t quite worked that out.” +</p> + +<p> +“What about me?” +</p> + +<p> +<i>“You?”</i> +</p> + +<p> +“Sure thing.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, I couldn’t!” +</p> + +<p> +“Why not?” +</p> + +<p> +“I tell you I couldn’t.” +</p> + +<p> +“Again, why not?” +</p> + +<p> +“It would seem so unfair.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I can’t,” gasped Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“Because of Beresford?” +</p> + +<p> +“No, no, <i>no!</i>” +</p> + +<p> +“Well then?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence merely continued to shake her head violently. +</p> + +<p> +“You can’t reasonably expect more dollars than I’ve +got.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I’d be obliged if you’d do me the favour to think it over +until to-morrow.” +</p> + +<p> +“It’s no use.” +</p> + +<p> +“Still, I guess we’ll leave it like that.” +</p> + +<p> +“Very well,” 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’s vigorous personality. Sitting down in +front of the glass, she stared at her own reflection for some minutes. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</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> +“Oh, Tommy, Tommy,” she cried, “I do love you so—and I +may never see you again....” +</p> + +<p> +At the end of five minutes Tuppence sat up, blew her nose, and pushed back her +hair. +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>know</i> 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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence shook her head sadly, as she reviewed her backsliding. +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t know what to say to Julius, I’m sure. Oh, what a +fool I feel! I’ll have to say <i>something</i>—he’s so +American and thorough, he’ll insist upon having a reason. I wonder if he +did find anything in that safe——” +</p> + +<p> +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.... +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly she gave a great start—the colour faded out of her face. Her +eyes, fascinated, gazed in front of her, the pupils dilated. +</p> + +<p> +“Impossible,” she murmured. “Impossible! I must be going mad +even to think of such a thing....” +</p> + +<p> +Monstrous—yet it explained everything.... +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +A small page-boy was waiting outside her own door when she returned to it. +</p> + +<p> +“Telegram for you, miss.” +</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> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“Well, here goes,” murmured Tommy to himself, and repeated his +former remark. +</p> + +<p> +“Damn!” 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 “Drink.” 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> +“Feel better?” asked the German, as he removed the empty glass. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, thanks,” returned Tommy cheerfully. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +Tommy twisted his head round with an effort. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +The man snarled, and the bearded man said quietly: +</p> + +<p> +“He would have run no risk of that.” +</p> + +<p> +“Just as you like,” replied Tommy. “I know it’s the +fashion to run down the police. I rather believe in them myself.” +</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 “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. +</p> + +<p> +The cold accents of the German took up the conversation: +</p> + +<p> +“Have you anything to say before you are put to death as a spy?” +</p> + +<p> +“Simply lots of things,” replied Tommy with the same urbanity as +before. +</p> + +<p> +“Do you deny that you were listening at that door?” +</p> + +<p> +“I do not. I must really apologize—but your conversation was so +interesting that it overcame my scruples.” +</p> + +<p> +“How did you get in?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Conrad snarled impotently, and said sullenly, as the man with the beard swung +round upon him: +</p> + +<p> +“He gave the word. How was I to know?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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> +“Dead men tell no tales,” he said evenly. +</p> + +<p> +“Ah,” said Tommy, “but I’m not dead yet!” +</p> + +<p> +“You soon will be, my young friend,” said the German. +</p> + +<p> +An assenting murmur came from the others. +</p> + +<p> +Tommy’s heart beat faster, but his casual pleasantness did not waver. +</p> + +<p> +“I think not,” he said firmly. “I should have a great +objection to dying.” +</p> + +<p> +He had got them puzzled, he saw that by the look on his captor’s face. +</p> + +<p> +“Can you give us any reason why we should not put you to death?” +asked the German. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +The German hesitated, and Tommy seized his advantage. +</p> + +<p> +“Because you didn’t know how much I knew—and where I obtained +that knowledge. If you kill me now, you never will know.” +</p> + +<p> +But here the emotions of Boris became too much for him. He stepped forward +waving his arms. +</p> + +<p> +“You hell-hound of a spy,” he screamed. “We will give you +short shrift. Kill him! Kill him!” +</p> + +<p> +There was a roar of applause. +</p> + +<p> +“You hear?” said the German, his eyes on Tommy. “What have +you to say to that?” +</p> + +<p> +“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— <i>with your own password</i>, 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?” +</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> +“That is true,” said the working man suddenly. “Comrades, we +have been betrayed!” +</p> + +<p> +An ugly murmur arose. Tommy smiled at them encouragingly. +</p> + +<p> +“That’s better. How can you hope to make a success of any job if +you don’t use your brains?” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“Bah!” said Tommy scornfully, fighting down a singularly unpleasant +feeling in the pit of his stomach. “You will neither torture me nor kill +me.” +</p> + +<p> +“And why not?” asked Boris. +</p> + +<p> +“Because you’d kill the goose that lays the golden eggs,” +replied Tommy quietly. +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“He’s bluffing you, Boris,” 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> +“What do you mean?” +</p> + +<p> +“What do you think I mean?” parried Tommy, searching desperately in +his own mind. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly Boris stepped forward, and shook his fist in Tommy’s face. +</p> + +<p> +“Speak, you swine of an Englishman—speak!” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</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> +“No,” admitted Boris at last sullenly, “you do not.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thank God, he’s not a mind reader,” thought Tommy. Aloud he +pursued his advantage: +</p> + +<p> +“And why am I so confident? Because I know something that puts me in a +position to propose a bargain.” +</p> + +<p> +“A bargain?” The bearded man took him up sharply. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes—a bargain. My life and liberty against——” He +paused. +</p> + +<p> +“Against what?” +</p> + +<p> +The group pressed forward. You could have heard a pin drop. +</p> + +<p> +Slowly Tommy spoke. +</p> + +<p> +“The papers that Danvers brought over from America in the +<i>Lusitania</i>.” +</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> +“<i>Himmel!</i> You have got them, then?” +</p> + +<p> +With magnificent calm Tommy shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“You know where they are?” persisted the German. +</p> + +<p> +Again Tommy shook his head. “Not in the least.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then—then——” 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—no one doubted but that something lay behind +his words. +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t know where the papers are—but I believe that I can +find them. I have a theory——” +</p> + +<p> +“Pah!” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy raised his hand, and silenced the clamours of disgust. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“And if we refuse?” said the German quietly. +</p> + +<p> +Tommy lay back on the couch. +</p> + +<p> +“The 29th,” he said thoughtfully, “is less than a fortnight +ahead——” +</p> + +<p> +For a moment the German hesitated. Then he made a sign to Conrad. +</p> + +<p> +“Take him into the other room.” +</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> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +The German was seated once more behind the table. He motioned to Tommy to sit +down opposite to him. +</p> + +<p> +“We accept,” he said harshly, “on terms. The papers must be +delivered to us before you go free.” +</p> + +<p> +“Idiot!” said Tommy amiably. “How do you think I can look for +them if you keep me tied by the leg here?” +</p> + +<p> +“What do you expect, then?” +</p> + +<p> +“I must have liberty to go about the business in my own way.” +</p> + +<p> +The German laughed. +</p> + +<p> +“Do you think we are little children to let you walk out of here leaving +us a pretty story full of promises?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +The German rapped the table. +</p> + +<p> +“Those are our terms. Otherwise, death!” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy leaned back wearily. +</p> + +<p> +“I like your style. Curt, but attractive. So be it, then. But one thing +is essential, I must see the girl.” +</p> + +<p> +“What girl?” +</p> + +<p> +“Jane Finn, of course.” +</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> +“Do you not know that she can tell you nothing?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy’s heart beat a little faster. Would he succeed in coming face to +face with the girl he was seeking? +</p> + +<p> +“I shall not ask her to tell me anything,” he said quietly. +“Not in so many words, that is.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then why see her?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy paused. +</p> + +<p> +“To watch her face when I ask her one question,” he replied at +last. +</p> + +<p> +Again there was a look in the German’s eyes that Tommy did not quite +understand. +</p> + +<p> +“She will not be able to answer your question.” +</p> + +<p> +“That does not matter. I shall have seen her face when I ask it.” +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</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> +“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 <i>you</i> 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. +</p> + +<p> +But the German’s face had lightened a little. +</p> + +<p> +“Danvers,” he murmured. “I see——” He paused +a minute, then waved to Conrad. “Take him away. Upstairs—you +know.” +</p> + +<p> +“Wait a minute,” said Tommy. “What about the girl?” +</p> + +<p> +“That may perhaps be arranged.” +</p> + +<p> +“It must be.” +</p> + +<p> +“We will see about it. Only one person can decide that.” +</p> + +<p> +“Who?” asked Tommy. But he knew the answer. +</p> + +<p> +“Mr. Brown——” +</p> + +<p> +“Shall I see him?” +</p> + +<p> +“Perhaps.” +</p> + +<p> +“Come,” 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’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> +“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——” +</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> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +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. +</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’clock. +</p> + +<p> +“It’s either early morning tea or breakfast,” deduced the +young man, “and pray God it’s the latter!” +</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’s mind. +</p> + +<p> +“Are you Jane Finn?” he asked breathlessly. +</p> + +<p> +The girl shook her head wonderingly. +</p> + +<p> +“My name is Annette, monsieur.” +</p> + +<p> +She spoke in a soft, broken English. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh!” said Tommy, rather taken aback. +<i>“Française?”</i> he hazarded. +</p> + +<p> +“Oui, monsieur. Monsieur parle français?” +</p> + +<p> +“Not for any length of time,” said Tommy. “What’s that? +Breakfast?” +</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> +“The living is not equal to the <i>Ritz</i>,” he observed with a +sigh. “But for what we are at last about to receive the Lord has made me +truly thankful. Amen.” +</p> + +<p> +He drew up a chair, and the girl turned away to the door. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I do the <i>service</i>, monsieur. I am not related to anybody.” +</p> + +<p> +“I see,” said Tommy. “You know what I asked you just now. +Have you ever heard that name?” +</p> + +<p> +“I have heard people speak of Jane Finn, I think.” +</p> + +<p> +“You don’t know where she is?” +</p> + +<p> +Annette shook her head. +</p> + +<p> +“She’s not in this house, for instance?” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh no, monsieur. I must go now—they will be waiting for me.” +</p> + +<p> +She hurried out. The key turned in the lock. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +At one o’clock Annette reappeared with another tray, but this time Conrad +accompanied her. +</p> + +<p> +“Good morning,” said Tommy amiably. “You have <i>not</i> used +Pear’s soap, I see.” +</p> + +<p> +Conrad growled threateningly. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Talk away,” grunted the man. “It’s little enough time +you’ll have to talk in, maybe.” +</p> + +<p> +The remark was unpleasant in its suggestion, but Tommy ignored it. He sat down +at the table. +</p> + +<p> +“Retire, varlet,” he said, with a wave of his hand. “Prate +not to thy betters.” +</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’clock the familiar sound of the key turning made him spring to +his feet. The girl was alone. +</p> + +<p> +“Shut the door,” he commanded. “I want to speak to +you.” She obeyed. +</p> + +<p> +“Look here, Annette, I want you to help me get out of this.” She +shook her head. +</p> + +<p> +“Impossible. There are three of them on the floor below.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh!” Tommy was secretly grateful for the information. “But +you would help me if you could?” +</p> + +<p> +“No, monsieur.” +</p> + +<p> +“Why not?” +</p> + +<p> +The girl hesitated. +</p> + +<p> +“I think—they are my own people. You have spied upon them. They are +quite right to keep you here.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +But the girl merely shook her head. +</p> + +<p> +“I dare not, monsieur; I am afraid of them.” +</p> + +<p> +She turned away. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“You mean Jane Finn?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes.” +</p> + +<p> +“It is her you came here to look for? Yes?” +</p> + +<p> +“That’s it.” +</p> + +<p> +The girl looked at him, then passed her hand across her forehead. +</p> + +<p> +“Jane Finn. Always I hear that name. It is familiar.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy came forward eagerly. +</p> + +<p> +“You must know <i>something</i> about her?” +</p> + +<p> +But the girl turned away abruptly. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</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 +“Mr. Brown.” 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’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. +</p> + +<p> +“Evenin’, gov’nor,” said the man with a leer. +“Got those ropes, mate?” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“What the devil——?” 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> +“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.” +</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> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“Nothing,” said Tommy, “could be plainer than your +words—unless it was your face.” +</p> + +<p> +“Stow it,” said Number 14. +</p> + +<p> +“With pleasure,” replied Tommy. “You’re making a sad +mistake—but yours will be the loss.” +</p> + +<p> +“You don’t kid us that way again,” said Number 14. +“Talking as though you were still at the blooming <i>Ritz</i>, +aren’t you?” +</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’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’s voice: +</p> + +<p> +“Come out of it, Annette. He doesn’t want any supper +to-night.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oui, oui, je sais bien. But I must take the other tray. We need the +things on it.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well, hurry up,” 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> +“Curse you”—Conrad had come to the door—“why did +you do that?” +</p> + +<p> +“I always turn it out. You should have told me. Shall I relight it, +Monsieur Conrad?” +</p> + +<p> +“No, come on out of it.” +</p> + +<p> +“Le beau petit monsieur,” cried Annette, pausing by the bed in the +darkness. “You have tied him up well, <i>hein?</i> 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. +</p> + +<p> +“Come on, Annette.” +</p> + +<p> +“Mais me voilà.” +</p> + +<p> +The door shut. Tommy heard Conrad say: +</p> + +<p> +“Lock it and give me the key.” +</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 “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. +</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’s voice came up the stairs. +</p> + +<p> +“Gott im Himmel! Conrad, what is it?” +</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> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“This won’t do. It’s a regular trap. There’s no way +out.” +</p> + +<p> +“Hush! Wait.” 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> +“They will think you are still inside. They cannot hear what Conrad says. +The door is too thick.” +</p> + +<p> +“I thought you could hear what went on in the room?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes—but look here——” +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“Have you the key of the door?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes.” +</p> + +<p> +“Give it to me.” +</p> + +<p> +He handed it to her. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy nodded. +</p> + +<p> +“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— <i>pull! </i>” +</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> +“Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! Qu’est-ce qu’il y a?” +</p> + +<p> +The German turned on her with an oath. +</p> + +<p> +“Get out of this. Go to your room!” +</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> +“Ah!” Annette appeared to stumble over something. She stooped. +“Mon Dieu, voilà la clef!” +</p> + +<p> +The German snatched it from her. He unlocked the door. Conrad stumbled out, +swearing. +</p> + +<p> +“Where is he? Have you got him?” +</p> + +<p> +“We have seen no one,” said the German sharply. His face paled. +“Who do you mean?” +</p> + +<p> +Conrad gave vent to another oath. +</p> + +<p> +“He’s got away.” +</p> + +<p> +“Impossible. He would have passed us.” +</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’s voice, clear and high: +</p> + +<p> +“Ma foi, he has escaped! And quickly! Who would have thought it?” +</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> +“This is a terrible house. I want to go back to Marguerite. To +Marguerite. <i>To Marguerite!</i>” +</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’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. +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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—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 +“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. +</p> + +<p> +In the centre of the page was his portrait. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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 “Mr. +Carter.” There was a frown on his face. +</p> + +<p> +“Look here, you’ve no business to come asking for me in this way. I +thought that was distinctly understood?” +</p> + +<p> +“It was, sir. But I judged it important to lose no time.” +</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> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +A minute later, Tommy held one up. Mr. Carter exhibited some surprise. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“But——” Tommy hesitated. +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Carter read his thoughts. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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> +“The birds have flown—as we thought. We might as well go over +it.” +</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> +“What you tell me about the girl puzzled me,” said Mr. Carter. +“You believe that she deliberately went back?” +</p> + +<p> +“It would seem so, sir. She ran upstairs while I was getting the door +open.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I can’t believe she’s really one of them, sir. +She—seemed so different——” +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“By the way,” observed Mr. Carter, “have you shown yourself +to Miss Tuppence yet? She’s been bombarding me with letters about +you.” +</p> + +<p> +“Tuppence? I was afraid she might get a bit rattled. Did she go to the +police?” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Carter shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“Then I wonder how they twigged me.” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Carter looked inquiringly at him, and Tommy explained. The other nodded +thoughtfully. +</p> + +<p> +“True, that’s rather a curious point. Unless the mention of the +<i>Ritz</i> was an accidental remark?” +</p> + +<p> +“It might have been, sir. But they must have found out about me suddenly +in some way.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well,” said Mr. Carter, looking round him, “there’s +nothing more to be done here. What about some lunch with me?” +</p> + +<p> +“Thanks awfully, sir. But I think I’d better get back and rout out +Tuppence.” +</p> + +<p> +“Of course. Give her my kind regards and tell her not to believe +you’re killed too readily next time.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy grinned. +</p> + +<p> +“I take a lot of killing, sir.” +</p> + +<p> +“So I perceive,” said Mr. Carter dryly. “Well, good-bye. +Remember you’re a marked man now, and take reasonable care of +yourself.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thank you, sir.” +</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> +“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. +</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’ 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’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. +</p> + +<p> +“Holy snakes!” he ejaculated. “Is it really you?” +</p> + +<p> +“Of course it is. Why shouldn’t it be?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Who thought I was dead?” demanded Tommy. +</p> + +<p> +“Tuppence.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Isn’t she here?” +</p> + +<p> +“No, the fellows at the office said she’d just gone out.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“If you’re feeding here,” replied Tommy, “order now. +It’s going to be a long story.” +</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> +“Fire ahead. I guess you’ve had some few adventures.” +</p> + +<p> +“One or two,” 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> +“Bully for you. Reads like a dime novel!” +</p> + +<p> +“And now for the home front,” said Tommy, stretching out his hand +for a peach. +</p> + +<p> +“We-el,” drawled Julius, “I don’t mind admitting +we’ve had some adventures too.” +</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> +“But who killed her?” asked Tommy. “I don’t quite +understand.” +</p> + +<p> +“The doctor kidded himself she took it herself,” replied Julius +dryly. +</p> + +<p> +“And Sir James? What did he think?” +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“They didn’t give you any sort of hint as to where Jane was?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy shook his head regretfully. +</p> + +<p> +“Not a word. I’m a bit of an ass, as you know. I ought to have got +more out of them somehow.” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“I was in such a funk I had to think of something,” said Tommy +simply. +</p> + +<p> +There was a moment’s pause, and then Tommy reverted to Mrs. +Vandemeyer’s death. +</p> + +<p> +“There’s no doubt it was chloral?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Mr. Brown?” hazarded Tommy. +</p> + +<p> +“Sure thing.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy nodded. +</p> + +<p> +“All the same,” he said thoughtfully, “Mr. Brown hasn’t +got wings. I don’t see how he got in and out.” +</p> + +<p> +“How about some high-class thought transference stunt? Some magnetic +influence that irresistibly impelled Mrs. Vandemeyer to commit suicide?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy looked at him with respect. +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>Ritz</i> would enjoy the spectacle of the glad reunion.” +</p> + +<p> +Inquiry at the office revealed the fact that Tuppence had not yet returned. +</p> + +<p> +“All the same, I guess I’ll have a look round upstairs,” said +Julius. “She might be in my sitting-room.” He disappeared. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly a diminutive boy spoke at Tommy’s elbow: +</p> + +<p> +“The young lady—she’s gone away by train, I think, +sir,” he murmured shyly. +</p> + +<p> +“What?” Tommy wheeled round upon him. +</p> + +<p> +The small boy became pinker than before. +</p> + +<p> +“The taxi, sir. I heard her tell the driver Charing Cross and to look +sharp.” +</p> + +<p> +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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy interrupted him: +</p> + +<p> +“When did she ask for an A.B.C. and a Bradshaw?” +</p> + +<p> +“When I took her the telegram, sir.” +</p> + +<p> +“A telegram?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, sir.” +</p> + +<p> +“When was that?” +</p> + +<p> +“About half-past twelve, sir.” +</p> + +<p> +“Tell me exactly what happened.” +</p> + +<p> +The small boy drew a long breath. +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +“Never mind your name,” said Tommy impatiently. “Go +on.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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> +“I say, Hersheimmer”—Tommy turned to +him—“Tuppence has gone off sleuthing on her own.” +</p> + +<p> +“Shucks!” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</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> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh!” Tommy looked puzzled, and seemed waiting for more. +</p> + +<p> +“See here,” said Julius suddenly, “I’d better put you +wise. I asked Miss Tuppence to marry me this morning.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh!” said Tommy mechanically. He felt dazed. Julius’s words +were totally unexpected. For the moment they benumbed his brain. +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy roused himself. +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +He stopped abruptly, his face crimsoning, but Julius was in no way discomposed. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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—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—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’s voice broke in on these meditations. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, we ought to gee along together very well. I’ve heard that a +girl always refuses you once—a sort of convention.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy caught his arm. +</p> + +<p> +“Refuses? Did you say <i>refuses?</i>” +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +But Tommy interrupted regardless of decorum. +</p> + +<p> +“What did she say in that note?” he demanded fiercely. +</p> + +<p> +The obliging Julius handed it to him. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +The note, in Tuppence’s well-known schoolboy writing, ran as follows: +</p> + +<p> +“DEAR JULIUS, +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“Yours affectionately, +</p> + +<p> +“TUPPENCE.” +</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——His thoughts were brought up with a sudden +jerk. +</p> + +<p> +“As you say,” he remarked, pulling himself together, +“there’s not a hint here as to what she’s up to. +Hi—Henry!” +</p> + +<p> +The small boy came obediently. Tommy produced five shillings. +</p> + +<p> +“One thing more. Do you remember what the young lady did with the +telegram?” +</p> + +<p> +Henry gasped and spoke. +</p> + +<p> +“She crumpled it up into a ball and threw it into the grate, and made a +sort of noise like ‘Whoop!’ sir.” +</p> + +<p> +“Very graphic, Henry,” said Tommy. “Here’s your five +shillings. Come on, Julius. We must find that telegram.” +</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> +“Come at once, Moat House, Ebury, Yorkshire, great +developments—TOMMY.” +</p> + +<p> +They looked at each other in stupefaction. Julius spoke first: +</p> + +<p> +“You didn’t send it?” +</p> + +<p> +“Of course not. What does it mean?” +</p> + +<p> +“I guess it means the worst,” said Julius quietly. +“They’ve got her.” +</p> + +<p> +<i>“What?”</i> +</p> + +<p> +“Sure thing! They signed your name, and she fell into the trap like a +lamb.” +</p> + +<p> +“My God! What shall we do?” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</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> +“Here we are. Ebury, Yorks. From King’s Cross. Or St. Pancras. (Boy +must have made a mistake. It was King’s Cross, not <i>Charing</i> 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.” +</p> + +<p> +“What about the car?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“Send it up if you like, but we’d better stick to the train. The +great thing is to keep calm.” +</p> + +<p> +Julius groaned. +</p> + +<p> +“That’s so. But it gets my goat to think of that innocent young +girl in danger!” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy nodded abstractedly. He was thinking. In a moment or two, he said: +</p> + +<p> +“I say, Julius, what do they want her for, anyway?” +</p> + +<p> +“Eh? I don’t get you?” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Sure thing,” said Julius thoughtfully. “That’s +so.” +</p> + +<p> +“Besides,” added Tommy, as an afterthought, “I’ve great +faith in Tuppence.” +</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> +“Can you tell me the way to the Moat House?” +</p> + +<p> +“The Moat House? It’s a tidy step from here. The big house near the +sea, you mean?” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“Wait a moment.” He ran back to the station and tackled the porter +anew. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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’ 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’clock when a small boy +told them that “t’ Moat House” 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—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> +“Nothing doing,” said Julius. +</p> + +<p> +They retraced their steps slowly to the gate. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, that’s not a bad idea.” +</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> +“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.” +</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> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thanks,” said Tommy cheerily. “I dare say it’ll be a +washout, but houses are scarce nowadays.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Mrs. Sweeny looked doubtful. +</p> + +<p> +“There’s the <i>Yorkshire Arms</i>, but it’s not much of a +place for gentlemen like you.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, it will do very well. Thanks. By the way, you’ve not had a +young lady here asking for this key to-day?” +</p> + +<p> +The woman shook her head. +</p> + +<p> +“No one’s been over the place for a long time.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thanks very much.” +</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> +“I’d swear no one’s passed this way. Look at the dust. Thick. +Not a sign of a footmark.” +</p> + +<p> +They wandered round the deserted house. Everywhere the same tale. Thick layers +of dust apparently undisturbed. +</p> + +<p> +“This gets me,” said Julius. “I don’t believe Tuppence +was ever in this house.” +</p> + +<p> +“She must have been.” +</p> + +<p> +Julius shook his head without replying. +</p> + +<p> +“We’ll go over it again to-morrow,” said Tommy. +“Perhaps we’ll see more in the daylight.” +</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’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> +“That’s Tuppence’s!” +</p> + +<p> +“Are you sure?” +</p> + +<p> +“Absolutely. I’ve often seen her wear it.” +</p> + +<p> +Julius drew a deep breath. +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>must</i> have seen her.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</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’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’s mind. +</p> + +<p> +“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, <i>and next Sunday is the</i> 29<i>th!</i>” +</p> + +<p> +“Shucks!” said Julius thoughtfully. “I’d almost +forgotten about the 29th. I’ve been thinking of nothing but +Tuppence.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“What do you mean?” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“You’re right,” said Tommy slowly. “I wish to God +we’d gone there right away.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“What’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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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> +“Join me Manchester Midland Hotel. Important news—JULIUS.” +</p> + +<p> +At 7.30 that night Tommy alighted from a slow cross-country train. Julius was +on the platform. +</p> + +<p> +“Thought you’d come by this train if you weren’t out when my +wire arrived.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy grasped him by the arm. +</p> + +<p> +“What is it? Is Tuppence found?” +</p> + +<p> +Julius shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“No. But I found this waiting in London. Just arrived.” +</p> + +<p> +He handed the telegraph form to the other. Tommy’s eyes opened as he +read: +</p> + +<p> +“Jane Finn found. Come Manchester Midland Hotel immediately—PEEL +EDGERTON.” +</p> + +<p> +Julius took the form back and folded it up. +</p> + +<p> +“Queer,” he said thoughtfully. “I thought that lawyer chap +had quit!” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap19"></a>CHAPTER XIX.<br/> +JANE FINN</h2> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“What made you think he’d ceased to take any interest in the +case?” asked Tommy curiously. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I wonder,” said Tommy thoughtfully. +</p> + +<p> +Julius turned on him. +</p> + +<p> +“You wonder what?” +</p> + +<p> +“Whether that was his real reason.” +</p> + +<p> +“Sure. You bet your life it was.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy shook his head unconvinced. +</p> + +<p> +Sir James arrived punctually at eight o’clock, and Julius introduced +Tommy. Sir James shook hands with him warmly. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +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. +</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> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Sure it is. But just how did you strike her trail? Miss Tuppence and I +thought you’d quit for good and all.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“But I guess I can take it we were wrong,” pursued Julius. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“But where is she?” demanded Julius, his thoughts flying off on +another tack. “I thought you’d be sure to bring her along?” +</p> + +<p> +“That would hardly be possible,” said Sir James gravely. +</p> + +<p> +“Why?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“She’s not seriously hurt?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“It’s come back?” cried Julius excitedly. +</p> + +<p> +Sir James tapped the table rather impatiently. +</p> + +<p> +“Undoubtedly, Mr. Hersheimmer, since she was able to give her real name. +I thought you had appreciated that point.” +</p> + +<p> +“And you just happened to be on the spot,” said Tommy. “Seems +quite like a fairy tale.” +</p> + +<p> +But Sir James was far too wary to be drawn. +</p> + +<p> +“Coincidences are curious things,” he said dryly. +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +Julius was speaking. +</p> + +<p> +“After dinner,” he announced, “I shall go right away and see +Jane.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“It will be quite useless, Mr. Hersheimmer.” +</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’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> +“For the moment, I reckon you’re the boss.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I had, sir!” Tommy grinned reminiscently. “I was never in a +tighter place in my life.” +</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> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy blushed, his face assuming a prawnlike hue at the praise. +</p> + +<p> +“I couldn’t have got away but for the girl, sir.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Sir James nodded thoughtfully. +</p> + +<p> +“What did she say? Something about wanting to be taken to +Marguerite?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, sir. I suppose she meant Mrs. Vandemeyer.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, sir, but they’d all cleared out.” +</p> + +<p> +“Naturally,” said Sir James dryly. +</p> + +<p> +“And not a clue left behind.” +</p> + +<p> +“I wonder——” The lawyer tapped the table thoughtfully. +</p> + +<p> +Something in his voice made Tommy look up. Would this man’s eyes have +seen something where theirs had been blind? He spoke impulsively: +</p> + +<p> +“I wish you’d been there, sir, to go over the house!” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +For a moment, Tommy stared at him. Then it dawned on him that of course the +lawyer did not know. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +The lawyer laid down his knife and fork sharply. +</p> + +<p> +“Has anything happened to Miss Tuppence?” His voice was keen-edged. +</p> + +<p> +“She’s disappeared,” said Julius. +</p> + +<p> +“When?” +</p> + +<p> +“A week ago.” +</p> + +<p> +“How?” +</p> + +<p> +Sir James’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> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy nodded. +</p> + +<p> +“That’s just what I thought, sir.” +</p> + +<p> +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?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“That’s so,” said Julius with a nod. “Therefore I +reckon some one put them wise—and not earlier than Sunday +afternoon.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, but who?” +</p> + +<p> +“That almighty omniscient Mr. Brown, of course!” +</p> + +<p> +There was a faint note of derision in the American’s voice which made Sir +James look up sharply. +</p> + +<p> +“You don’t believe in Mr. Brown, Mr. Hersheimmer?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“No, sir, I’m afraid I didn’t.” +</p> + +<p> +“H’m. Got it with you?” +</p> + +<p> +“It’s upstairs, sir, in my kit.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</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’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> +“Mr. Hersheimmer—Mr. Beresford—Dr. Roylance. How’s the +patient?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I think we can relieve her anxiety. May we go up?” +</p> + +<p> +“Certainly.” +</p> + +<p> +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? +</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> +“Miss Finn,” he said, “this is your cousin, Mr. Julius P. +Hersheimmer.” +</p> + +<p> +A faint flush flitted over the girl’s face, as Julius stepped forward and +took her hand. +</p> + +<p> +“How do, Cousin Jane?” he said lightly. +</p> + +<p> +But Tommy caught the tremor in his voice. +</p> + +<p> +“Are you really Uncle Hiram’s son?” 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> +“Sure thing.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +A shadow passed over the girl’s face. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“You didn’t realize that yourself?” +</p> + +<p> +The girl’s eyes opened wide. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +Julius looked across at Sir James, who nodded. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +The girl hesitated, her glance shifting to the other two. Julius understood. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes. He said they’d have a better chance with me, because they +would save the women and children first.” +</p> + +<p> +“Just as we thought,” said Sir James. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“But I can’t.” +</p> + +<p> +“What?” +</p> + +<p> +“I haven’t got them.” +</p> + +<p> +“You—haven’t—got them?” Julius punctuated the +words with little pauses. +</p> + +<p> +“No—I hid them.” +</p> + +<p> +“You <i>hid</i> them?” +</p> + +<p> +“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....” +</p> + +<p> +“Go on,” said Sir James, in his quiet penetrating tones. +“What do you remember?” +</p> + +<p> +She turned to him obediently. +</p> + +<p> +“It was at Holyhead. I came that way—I don’t remember +why....” +</p> + +<p> +“That doesn’t matter. Go on.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +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.” +</p> + +<p> +There was a pause. +</p> + +<p> +“Thank you, Miss Finn.” It was Sir James who spoke. “I hope +we have not tired you?” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, that’s all right. My head aches a little, but otherwise I feel +fine.” +</p> + +<p> +Julius stepped forward and took her hand again. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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. “The boat train to Holyhead stops at Chester at 12.14. +If you start at once I think you can catch the connection.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy looked up, puzzled. +</p> + +<p> +“Is there any need to hurry, sir? To-day is only the 24th.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +A little frown had settled on Sir James’s brow. +</p> + +<p> +“I wish I could come with you. I am due to speak at a meeting at two +o’clock. It is unfortunate.” +</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’s +company. +</p> + +<p> +“I guess there’s nothing complicated about this deal,” he +remarked. “Just a game of hide-and-seek, that’s all.” +</p> + +<p> +“I hope so,” said Sir James. +</p> + +<p> +“Sure thing. What else could it be?” +</p> + +<p> +“You are still young, Mr. Hersheimmer. At my age you will probably have +learnt one lesson. ‘Never underestimate your adversary.’” +</p> + +<p> +The gravity of his tone impressed Tommy, but had little effect upon Julius. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +The lawyer shrugged his shoulders. +</p> + +<p> +“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>.” +</p> + +<p> +Julius was silenced for once, and Sir James added on a lighter note: +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</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> +“Say,” he observed thoughtfully, “did you ever make a darned +fool of yourself over a girl’s face?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy, after a moment’s astonishment, searched his mind. +</p> + +<p> +“Can’t say I have,” he replied at last. “Not that I can +recollect, anyhow. Why?” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh!” said Tommy, amazed. +</p> + +<p> +Julius uncrossed his legs brusquely and continued: +</p> + +<p> +“Just shows what an almighty fool a man can make of himself! One look at +the girl in the flesh, and I was cured!” +</p> + +<p> +Feeling more tongue-tied than ever, Tommy ejaculated “Oh!” again. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I thought her a very good-looking girl,” said Tommy, finding his +tongue. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“It must be,” said Tommy coldly, “if you can come over here +in love with one girl, and propose to another within a fortnight.” +</p> + +<p> +Julius had the grace to look discomposed. +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy flushed. +</p> + +<p> +“Well, I’m damned! If that’s——” +</p> + +<p> +Julius hastened to interrupt. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“Cool down, son. Don’t get so heated.” +</p> + +<p> +“I feel heated,” 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> +“It’s the right one, I suppose?” asked Tommy doubtfully. +“There must be simply heaps along here.” +</p> + +<p> +“Sure it is. Look at the gorse. Remember what Jane said?” +</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> +“What is it?” +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t know. I’ve got the wind up somehow. Keep fancying +there’s some one following us.” +</p> + +<p> +“Can’t be,” said Julius positively. “We’d see +him.” +</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> +“I rather wish that fellow would come along,” said Julius. He +patted his pocket. “Little William here is just aching for +exercise!” +</p> + +<p> +“Do you always carry it—him—with you?” inquired Tommy +with burning curiosity. +</p> + +<p> +“Most always. I guess you never know what might turn up.” +</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> +“What’s up?” he inquired. +</p> + +<p> +“Look there. If that doesn’t beat the band!” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy looked. Standing out half obstructing the path was a huge boulder which +certainly bore a fanciful resemblance to a “begging” terrier. +</p> + +<p> +“Well,” said Tommy, refusing to share Julius’s emotion, +“it’s what we expected to see, isn’t it?” +</p> + +<p> +Julius looked at him sadly and shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy, whose calm was, perhaps, more assumed than natural, moved his feet +impatiently. +</p> + +<p> +“Push on. What about the hole?” +</p> + +<p> +They scanned the cliff-side narrowly. Tommy heard himself saying idiotically: +</p> + +<p> +“The gorse won’t be there after all these years.” +</p> + +<p> +And Julius replied solemnly: +</p> + +<p> +“I guess you’re right.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy suddenly pointed with a shaking hand. +</p> + +<p> +“What about that crevice there?” +</p> + +<p> +Julius replied in an awestricken voice: +</p> + +<p> +“That’s it—for sure.” +</p> + +<p> +They looked at each other. +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>is</i> such a +sensation. I’ve got it now! Badly!” +</p> + +<p> +He looked at the rock with a kind of agonized passion. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +Julius looked at him with a widening smile. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +The unbelievable had happened. Tommy held the precious packet tenderly between +his hands. They had succeeded! +</p> + +<p> +“It’s queer,” he murmured idly, “you’d think the +stitches would have rotted. They look just as good as new.” +</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> +“A dummy?” hazarded Julius. “Was Danvers just a decoy?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy shook his head. That solution did not satisfy him. Suddenly his face +cleared. +</p> + +<p> +“I’ve got it! <i>Sympathetic ink!</i>” +</p> + +<p> +“You think so?” +</p> + +<p> +“Worth trying anyhow. Heat usually does the trick. Get some sticks. +We’ll make a fire.” +</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> +“Gee whiz! You’ve got it! Say, that idea of yours was great. It +never occurred to me.” +</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> +“How in tarnation did he get ahead of us? That’s what beats +me!” he ended up. +</p> + +<p> +Tommy shook his head, and said dully: +</p> + +<p> +“It accounts for the stitches being new. We might have guessed....” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +But Tommy’s common sense pointed out objections. +</p> + +<p> +“No one could have known beforehand that she was going to be in that +house—much less that particular room.” +</p> + +<p> +“That’s so,” admitted Julius. “Then one of the nurses +was a crook and listened at the door. How’s that?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I wish that chap Peel Edgerton had been with us,” said Tommy +thoughtfully. +</p> + +<p> +“Why?” Julius stared. “The mischief was done when we +came.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“What’s that?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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> +“I’ve come to report, sir. I’ve failed—failed +badly.” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Carter eyed him sharply. +</p> + +<p> +“You mean that the treaty——” +</p> + +<p> +“Is in the hands of Mr. Brown, sir.” +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Through Tommy’s mind flashed the assurance: “It’s hopeless, +and he knows it’s hopeless!” +</p> + +<p> +The other looked up at him. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thank you, sir. It’s awfully decent of you.” +</p> + +<p> +“I blame myself. I have been blaming myself ever since I heard this other +news.” +</p> + +<p> +Something in his tone attracted Tommy’s attention. A new fear gripped at +his heart. +</p> + +<p> +“Is there—something more, sir?” +</p> + +<p> +“I’m afraid so,” said Mr. Carter gravely. He stretched out +his hand to a sheet on the table. +</p> + +<p> +“Tuppence——?” faltered Tommy. +</p> + +<p> +“Read for yourself.” +</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> +“Washed up on the Yorkshire coast—near Ebury. I’m +afraid—it looks very much like foul play.” +</p> + +<p> +“My God!” gasped Tommy. “<i>Tuppence!</i> Those +devils—I’ll never rest till I’ve got even with them! +I’ll hunt them down! I’ll——” +</p> + +<p> +The pity on Mr. Carter’s face stopped him. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Forget Tuppence? Never!” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Carter shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“So you think now. Well, it won’t bear thinking of—that brave +little girl! I’m sorry about the whole business—confoundedly +sorry.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy came to himself with a start. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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—oh, he couldn’t believe it—it +couldn’t be true! <i>Tuppence—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> +“Kind old beggar,” 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> +“Say, what’s all this? They seem to have got some fool idea about +Tuppence.” +</p> + +<p> +“It’s true,” said Tommy quietly. +</p> + +<p> +“You mean they’ve done her in?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy nodded. +</p> + +<p> +“I suppose when they got the treaty she—wasn’t any good to +them any longer, and they were afraid to let her go.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well, I’m darned!” said Julius. “Little Tuppence. She +sure was the pluckiest little girl——” +</p> + +<p> +But suddenly something seemed to crack in Tommy’s brain. He rose to his +feet. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, get out! You don’t really care, damn you! You asked her to +marry you in your rotten cold-blooded way, but I <i>loved</i> 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!” +</p> + +<p> +“See here,” began Julius temperately. +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +But Julius interrupted him. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I’m darned if she did!” shouted Julius. “She’s +my cousin, and as patriotic a girl as ever stepped.” +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t care a damn what she is, but get out of here!” +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’s anger abated. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t care a damn where you’re going,” growled +Tommy. +</p> + +<p> +As the door closed behind Julius, he returned to his suit-case. +</p> + +<p> +“That’s the lot,” he murmured, and rang the bell. +</p> + +<p> +“Take my luggage down.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, sir. Going away, sir?” +</p> + +<p> +“I’m going to the devil,” said Tommy, regardless of the +menial’s feelings. +</p> + +<p> +That functionary, however, merely replied respectfully: +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, sir. Shall I call a taxi?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy nodded. +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</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’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. “I don’t understand,” he said. +“Do you really mean that things are not so desperate after all?” +</p> + +<p> +“So this lad seems to think.” +</p> + +<p> +“Let’s have a look at his letter again.” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Carter handed it over. It was written in a sprawling boyish hand. +</p> + +<p> +“DEAR MR. CARTER, +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. <i>But if they know that the papers have been recovered by us</i>, +neither of those two girls’ lives will be worth an hour’s purchase. +I must try and get hold of Tuppence before Jane escapes. +</p> + +<p> +“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’s frightfully clever. +</p> + +<p> +“One last thing—please have that house in Soho watched day and +night. +</p> + +<p> +“Yours, etc., +</p> + +<p> +“THOMAS BERESFORD.” +</p> + +<p> +The Prime Minister looked up. +</p> + +<p> +“The enclosure?” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Carter smiled dryly. +</p> + +<p> +“In the vaults of the Bank. I am taking no chances.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well, well, we must leave it at that, then. What’s he like, this +lad?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“He seems confident,” mused the Prime Minister. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, and that’s what gives me hope. He’s the kind of +diffident youth who would have to be <i>very</i> sure before he ventured an +opinion at all.” +</p> + +<p> +A half smile came to the other’s lips. +</p> + +<p> +“And it is this—boy who will defeat the master criminal of our +time?” +</p> + +<p> +“This—boy, as you say! But I sometimes fancy I see a shadow +behind.” +</p> + +<p> +“You mean?” +</p> + +<p> +“Peel Edgerton.” +</p> + +<p> +“Peel Edgerton?” said the Prime Minister in astonishment. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes. I see his hand in <i>this</i>.” 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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well?” +</p> + +<p> +Carter shrugged his shoulders. +</p> + +<p> +“I couldn’t get much. Young fellow about thirty-five—poorly +dressed—face very badly disfigured. He was never identified.” +</p> + +<p> +“And you fancy that the two matters are connected in some way?” +</p> + +<p> +“Somehow I do. I may be wrong, of course.” +</p> + +<p> +There was a pause, then Mr. Carter continued: +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +The two men rose to greet the new-comer. A half whimsical thought flashed +across the Premier’s mind. “My successor, perhaps!” +</p> + +<p> +“We’ve had a letter from young Beresford,” said Mr. Carter, +coming to the point at once. “You’ve seen him, I suppose?” +</p> + +<p> +“You suppose wrong,” said the lawyer. +</p> + +<p> +“Oh!” Mr. Carter was a little nonplussed. +</p> + +<p> +Sir James smiled, and stroked his chin. +</p> + +<p> +“He rang me up,” he volunteered. +</p> + +<p> +“Would you have any objection to telling us exactly what passed between +you?” +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>didn’t</i> know. The original of that photograph +was the French girl, Annette, who saved his life.” +</p> + +<p> +“What?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Carter nodded. He took a sheet from his pocket, and read aloud: +</p> + +<p> +“Come at once, Astley Priors, Gatehouse, Kent. Great +developments—TOMMY.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“What was that?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Then young Beresford is now?” +</p> + +<p> +“At Gatehouse, Kent, unless I am much mistaken.” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Carter looked at him curiously. +</p> + +<p> +“I rather wonder you’re not there too, Peel Edgerton?” +</p> + +<p> +“Ah, I’m busy on a case.” +</p> + +<p> +“I thought you were on your holiday?” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“I’m afraid not. Is it important to find out who he was?” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, I know who he was,” said Sir James easily. “I +can’t prove it yet—but I know.” +</p> + +<p> +The other two asked no questions. They had an instinct that it would be mere +waste of breath. +</p> + +<p> +“But what I don’t understand,” said the Prime-Minister +suddenly, “is how that photograph came to be in Mr. Hersheimmer’s +drawer?” +</p> + +<p> +“Perhaps it never left it,” suggested the lawyer gently. +</p> + +<p> +“But the bogus inspector? Inspector Brown?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Two days later Julius Hersheimmer returned from Manchester. A note from Tommy +lay on his table: +</p> + +<p> +“DEAR HERSHEIMMER, +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“Yours, +</p> + +<p> +“TOMMY BERESFORD.” +</p> + +<p> +A peculiar smile lingered for a moment on Julius’s face. He threw the +letter into the waste-paper basket. +</p> + +<p> +“The darned fool!” 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’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. +</p> + +<p> +“Things has been very quiet here lately,” he said wistfully. +“Hope the young lady’s keeping well, sir?” +</p> + +<p> +“That’s just the point, Albert. She’s disappeared.” +</p> + +<p> +“You don’t mean as the crooks have got her?” +</p> + +<p> +“They have.” +</p> + +<p> +“In the Underworld?” +</p> + +<p> +“No, dash it all, in this world!” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +A delighted grin spread slowly over Albert’s countenance. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy nodded approval. +</p> + +<p> +“Can you report this in the proper quarter and meet me at Charing Cross +in an hour’s time?” +</p> + +<p> +“I’ll be there, sir. You can count on me.” +</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—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. +</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—“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. +</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’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. +</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’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. +</p> + +<p> +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 <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 +“Labour Day,” about which all sorts of rumours were running riot. +Newspapers were getting agitated. Sensational hints of a Labour <i>coup +d’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—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> +“This is a one-man show,” said Tommy to himself. “The thing +to do is to get hold of the man.” +</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’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’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> +“Stay here! When I begin to sing, watch that window.” +</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’m a Soldier by my feet.... +</p> + +<p> +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. +</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 “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! +</p> + +<p> +Tommy retired to the inn and waited for Albert’s return. At last that +worthy made his appearance. +</p> + +<p> +“Well?” cried Tommy eagerly. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +On the paper were scrawled three words: “To-morrow—same +time.” +</p> + +<p> +“Good egg!” cried Tommy. “We’re getting going.” +</p> + +<p> +“I wrote a message on a piece of paper, wrapped it round a stone, and +chucked it through the window,” continued Albert breathlessly. +</p> + +<p> +Tommy groaned. +</p> + +<p> +“Your zeal will be the undoing of us, Albert. What did you say?” +</p> + +<p> +“Said we was a-staying at the inn. If she could get away, to come there +and croak like a frog.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Albert looked rather crest-fallen. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</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’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> +“Well, my good fellow, what is it?” asked Tommy. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“That’s all right.” +</p> + +<p> +The man withheld it. +</p> + +<p> +“What about my ten shillings?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy hastily produced a ten-shilling note, and the man relinquished his find. +Tommy unfastened it. +</p> + +<p> +“DEAR TOMMY, +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“Yours, +</p> + +<p> +“TWOPENCE.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy raised a shout for Albert before he had even finished perusing this +characteristic epistle. +</p> + +<p> +“Pack my bag! We’re off!” +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</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> +“Albert! I’m a damned fool! Unpack that bag!” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, sir.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy smoothed out the note thoughtfully. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, a damned fool,” he said softly. “But so’s some +one else! And at last I know who it is!” +</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’s, Kramenin reclined on a couch and dictated to +his secretary in sibilant Russian. +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“Some one below is asking for you.” +</p> + +<p> +“Who is it?” +</p> + +<p> +“He gives the name of Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer.” +</p> + +<p> +“Hersheimmer,” repeated Kramenin thoughtfully. “I have heard +that name before.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +The other’s eyes narrowed appreciatively. +</p> + +<p> +“You had better go down and see him, Ivan. Find out what he wants.” +</p> + +<p> +The secretary obeyed, closing the door noiselessly behind him. In a few minutes +he returned. +</p> + +<p> +“He declines to state his business—says it is entirely private and +personal, and that he must see you.” +</p> + +<p> +“A millionaire several times over,” murmured Kramenin. “Bring +him up, my dear Ivan.” +</p> + +<p> +The secretary left the room once more, and returned escorting Julius. +</p> + +<p> +“Monsieur Kramenin?” said the latter abruptly. +</p> + +<p> +The Russian, studying him attentively with his pale venomous eyes, bowed. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“My secretary, Monsieur Grieber, from whom I have no secrets.” +</p> + +<p> +“That may be so—but I have,” said Julius dryly. “So +I’d be obliged if you’d tell him to scoot.” +</p> + +<p> +“Ivan,” said the Russian softly, “perhaps you would not mind +retiring into the next room——” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +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?” +</p> + +<p> +“Might be an all night job if you caught on.” +</p> + +<p> +“Very good, Ivan. I shall not require you again this evening. Go to the +theatre—take a night off.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thank you, your excellency.” +</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> +“Now, Mr. Hersheimmer, perhaps you will be so kind as to come to the +point?” +</p> + +<p> +“I guess that won’t take a minute,” drawled Julius. Then, +with an abrupt change of manner: “Hands up—or I shoot!” +</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—the rest would be easy. +</p> + +<p> +“This is an outrage,” cried the Russian in a high hysterical voice. +“An outrage! Do you mean to kill me?” +</p> + +<p> +“Not if you keep your voice down. Don’t go edging sideways towards +that bell. That’s better.” +</p> + +<p> +“What do you want? Do nothing rashly. Remember my life is of the utmost +value to my country. I may have been maligned——” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +The Russian quailed before the stern menace in the other’s eyes. He +passed his tongue over his dry lips. +</p> + +<p> +“What do you want? Money?” +</p> + +<p> +“No. I want Jane Finn.” +</p> + +<p> +“Jane Finn? I—never heard of her!” +</p> + +<p> +“You’re a darned liar! You know perfectly who I mean.” +</p> + +<p> +“I tell you I’ve never heard of the girl.” +</p> + +<p> +“And I tell you,” retorted Julius, “that Little Willie here +is just hopping mad to go off!” +</p> + +<p> +The Russian wilted visibly. +</p> + +<p> +“You wouldn’t dare——” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, yes, I would, son!” +</p> + +<p> +Kramenin must have recognized something in the voice that carried conviction, +for he said sullenly: +</p> + +<p> +“Well? Granted I do know who you mean—what of it?” +</p> + +<p> +“You will tell me now—right here—where she is to be +found.” +</p> + +<p> +Kramenin shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +“I daren’t.” +</p> + +<p> +“Why not?” +</p> + +<p> +“I daren’t. You ask an impossibility.” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“He’ll never know,” said Julius. +</p> + +<p> +“He knows everything—and his vengeance is swift. Even +I—Kramenin!—would not be exempt!” +</p> + +<p> +“Then you won’t do as I ask you?” +</p> + +<p> +“You ask an impossibility.” +</p> + +<p> +“Sure that’s a pity for you,” said Julius cheerfully. +“But the world in general will benefit.” He raised the revolver. +</p> + +<p> +“Stop,” shrieked the Russian. “You cannot mean to shoot +me?” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“They would kill me!” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“You will hang if you shoot me,” muttered the Russian irresolutely. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</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> +“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 <i>you</i> +won’t smell them! Are you ready? I’ll begin. +One—two—three—four——” +</p> + +<p> +The Russian interrupted with a shriek: +</p> + +<p> +“Do not shoot. I will do all you wish.” +</p> + +<p> +Julius lowered the revolver. +</p> + +<p> +“I thought you’d hear sense. Where is the girl?” +</p> + +<p> +“At Gatehouse, in Kent. Astley Priors, the place is called.” +</p> + +<p> +“Is she a prisoner there?” +</p> + +<p> +“She’s not allowed to leave the house—though it’s safe +enough really. The little fool has lost her memory, curse her!” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“She’s there too,” said the Russian sullenly. +</p> + +<p> +“That’s good,” said Julius. “Isn’t it all panning +out beautifully? And a lovely night for the run!” +</p> + +<p> +“What run?” demanded Kramenin, with a stare. +</p> + +<p> +“Down to Gatehouse, sure. I hope you’re fond of motoring?” +</p> + +<p> +“What do you mean? I refuse to go.” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</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> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, sir?” The chauffeur turned his head. +</p> + +<p> +“This gentleman is a Russian Bolshevik. We don’t want to shoot him, +but it may be necessary. You understand?” +</p> + +<p> +“Perfectly, sir.” +</p> + +<p> +“I want to go to Gatehouse in Kent. Know the road at all?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, sir, it will be about an hour and a half’s run.” +</p> + +<p> +“Make it an hour. I’m in a hurry.” +</p> + +<p> +“I’ll do my best, sir.” 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> +“There was a man I shot once in Arizona——” he began +cheerfully. +</p> + +<p> +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! +</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’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> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Very good, sir.” +</p> + +<p> +The front door was opened by the butler. Kramenin felt the muzzle of the +revolver pressed against his ribs. +</p> + +<p> +“Now,” hissed Julius. “And be careful.” +</p> + +<p> +The Russian beckoned. His lips were white, and his voice was not very steady: +</p> + +<p> +“It is I—Kramenin! Bring down the girl at once! There is no time to +lose!” +</p> + +<p> +Whittington had come down the steps. He uttered an exclamation of astonishment +at seeing the other. +</p> + +<p> +“You! What’s up? Surely you know the plan——” +</p> + +<p> +Kramenin interrupted him, using the words that have created many unnecessary +panics: +</p> + +<p> +“We have been betrayed! Plans must be abandoned. We must save our own +skins. The girl! And at once! It’s our only chance.” +</p> + +<p> +Whittington hesitated, but for hardly a moment. +</p> + +<p> +“You have orders—from <i>him?</i>” +</p> + +<p> +“Naturally! Should I be here otherwise? Hurry! There is no time to be +lost. The other little fool had better come too.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“Get a move on, George,” 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> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“Have you hit him?” cried Tuppence eagerly. +</p> + +<p> +“Sure,” replied Julius. “He isn’t killed, though. +Skunks like that take a lot of killing. Are you all right, Tuppence?” +</p> + +<p> +“Of course I am. Where’s Tommy? And who’s this?” She +indicated the shivering Kramenin. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +The Russian remained mute, still livid with terror. +</p> + +<p> +“But what made them let us go?” demanded Tuppence suspiciously. +</p> + +<p> +“I reckon Monsieur Kramenin here asked them so prettily they just +couldn’t refuse!” +</p> + +<p> +This was too much for the Russian. He burst out vehemently: +</p> + +<p> +“Curse you—curse you! They know now that I betrayed them. My life +won’t be safe for an hour in this country.” +</p> + +<p> +“That’s so,” assented Julius. “I’d advise you to +make tracks for Russia right away.” +</p> + +<p> +“Let me go, then,” cried the other. “I have done what you +asked. Why do you still keep me with you?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“You may never reach London,” snarled the other. “Let me go +here and now.” +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</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> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +For the first time the girl spoke. +</p> + +<p> +“How did you ‘persuade’ him?” she asked. +</p> + +<p> +Julius tapped his revolver. +</p> + +<p> +“Little Willie here takes the credit!” +</p> + +<p> +“Splendid!” cried the girl. The colour surged into her face, her +eyes looked admiringly at Julius. +</p> + +<p> +“Annette and I didn’t know what was going to happen to us,” +said Tuppence. “Old Whittington hurried us off. <i>We</i> thought it was +lambs to the slaughter.” +</p> + +<p> +“Annette,” said Julius. “Is that what you call her?” +</p> + +<p> +His mind seemed to be trying to adjust itself to a new idea. +</p> + +<p> +“It’s her name,” said Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“What?” 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> +“Down with you,” cried Julius. “It’s an ambush. These +guys have got busy pretty quickly. Push her a bit, George.” +</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> +“Nothing to shoot at,” he announced gloomily. “But I guess +there’ll be another little picnic soon. Ah!” +</p> + +<p> +He raised his hand to his cheek. +</p> + +<p> +“You are hurt?” said Annette quickly. +</p> + +<p> +“Only a scratch.” +</p> + +<p> +The girl sprang to her feet. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +Julius took her by both arms, and looked at her. She had spoken with no trace +of foreign accent. +</p> + +<p> +“Sit down, kid,” he said gently. “I guess there’s +nothing wrong with your memory. Been fooling them all the time, eh?” +</p> + +<p> +The girl looked at him, nodded, and then suddenly burst into tears. Julius +patted her on the shoulder. +</p> + +<p> +“There, there—just you sit tight. We’re not going to let you +quit.” +</p> + +<p> +Through her sobs the girl said indistinctly: +</p> + +<p> +“You’re from home. I can tell by your voice. It makes me +home-sick.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +The car slackened speed. George spoke over his shoulder: +</p> + +<p> +“Cross-roads here, sir. I’m not sure of the way.” +</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> +“Sorry,” said Tommy, extricating himself. +</p> + +<p> +A mass of confused exclamations greeted him. He replied to them severally: +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“Get out?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes. There’s a station just up that road. Train due in three +minutes. You’ll catch it if you hurry.” +</p> + +<p> +“What the devil are you driving at?” demanded Julius. “Do you +think you can fool them by leaving the car?” +</p> + +<p> +“You and I aren’t going to leave the car. Only the girls.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy turned to Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Darn you!” cried Julius. “You’re mad. Jane, you stay +where you are.” +</p> + +<p> +With a sudden swift movement, Tommy snatched the revolver from Julius’s +hand, and levelled it at him. +</p> + +<p> +“Now will you believe I’m in earnest? Get out, both of you, and do +as I say—or I’ll shoot!” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence sprang out, dragging the unwilling Jane after her. +</p> + +<p> +“Come on, it’s all right. If Tommy’s sure—he’s +sure. Be quick. We’ll miss the train.” +</p> + +<p> +They started running. +</p> + +<p> +Julius’s pent-up rage burst forth. +</p> + +<p> +“What the hell——” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy interrupted him. +</p> + +<p> +“Dry up! I want a few words with you, Mr. Julius Hersheimmer.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap25"></a>CHAPTER XXV.<br/> +JANE’S STORY</h2> + +<p> +Her arm through Jane’s, dragging her along, Tuppence reached the station. +Her quick ears caught the sound of the approaching train. +</p> + +<p> +“Hurry up,” she panted, “or we’ll miss it.” +</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> +“Is he one of them, do you think?” she breathed. +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence shook her head. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Never mind. It’s all over.” +</p> + +<p> +“Is it?” +</p> + +<p> +The train was moving now, speeding through the night at a gradually increasing +rate. Suddenly Jane Finn started up. +</p> + +<p> +“What was that? I thought I saw a face—looking in through the +window.” +</p> + +<p> +“No, there’s nothing. See.” Tuppence went to the window, and +lifting the strap let the pane down. +</p> + +<p> +“You’re sure?” +</p> + +<p> +“Quite sure.” +</p> + +<p> +The other seemed to feel some excuse was necessary: +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“<i>Don’t!</i>” implored Tuppence. “Lie back, and +<i>don’t think</i>. You can be quite sure that Tommy wouldn’t have +said it was safe if it wasn’t.” +</p> + +<p> +“My cousin didn’t think so. He didn’t want us to do +this.” +</p> + +<p> +“No,” said Tuppence, rather embarrassed. +</p> + +<p> +“What are you thinking of?” said Jane sharply. +</p> + +<p> +“Why?” +</p> + +<p> +“Your voice was so—queer!” +</p> + +<p> +“I <i>was</i> 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 <i>you</i> 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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I’ll try.” The long lashes drooped over the hazel eyes. +</p> + +<p> +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. +</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> +“Have we arrived? I never thought we should!” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +In another minute they were passing the barrier, had paid the necessary fares, +and were stepping into a taxi. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Crossing Holborn there was a block, and the taxi was held up. This was what +Tuppence had been waiting for. +</p> + +<p> +“Quick,” she whispered. “Open the right-hand door!” +</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> +“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!” +</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> +“It’s only a step or two now,” said Tuppence breathlessly. +The accident had taken place in Trafalgar Square. +</p> + +<p> +“Do you think the collision was an accident, or done deliberately?” +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t know. It might have been either.” +</p> + +<p> +Hand-in-hand, the two girls hurried along. +</p> + +<p> +“It may be my fancy,” said Tuppence suddenly, “but I feel as +though there was some one behind us.” +</p> + +<p> +“Hurry!” murmured the other. “Oh, hurry!” +</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> +“Good evening, ladies,” he hiccupped. “Whither away so +fast?” +</p> + +<p> +“Let us pass, please,” said Tuppence imperiously. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</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> +“Hullo! What’s this?” +</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> +“It’s all right. Don’t be afraid, my child. You’re +quite safe.” +</p> + +<p> +Her breath came more normally, and the colour was returning to her cheeks. Sir +James looked at Tuppence quizzically. +</p> + +<p> +“So you’re not dead, Miss Tuppence, any more than that Tommy boy of +yours was!” +</p> + +<p> +“The Young Adventurers take a lot of killing,” boasted Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +Jane sat up. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes,” she said quietly, “I am Jane Finn. I have a lot to +tell you.” +</p> + +<p> +“When you are stronger——” +</p> + +<p> +“No—now!” Her voice rose a little. “I shall feel safer +when I have told everything.” +</p> + +<p> +“As you please,” 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> +“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’t got any folk of my own, so it made it easy to arrange things. +</p> + +<p> +“When the <i>Lusitania</i> 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 <i>Times</i>. If it didn’t appear, I was to take +them to the American Ambassador. +</p> + +<p> +“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 +<i>Lusitania</i> 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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>winked</i>.... +</p> + +<p> +“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....” +</p> + +<p> +She shuddered. Sir James murmured something sympathetically. In a minute she +resumed: +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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>I</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! +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>French!</i> +</p> + +<p> +“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> +“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 <i>must</i> remember—<i>must</i> 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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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’t try it. There were some battered +old pictures on the walls, representing scenes from <i>Faust</i>.” +</p> + +<p> +Jane’s two listeners gave a simultaneous “Ah!” The girl +nodded. +</p> + +<p> +“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. <i>And the magazine +was still rolled up in the pocket!</i> +</p> + +<p> +“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! +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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 ‘Aunt Rita.’ I did obediently, and she told me not to +worry—my memory would soon come back. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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.... +</p> + +<p> +“They took me back to Ireland, and over every step of the journey again, +in case I’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’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—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.” +</p> + +<p> +Sir James nodded comprehendingly. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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. <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> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +She paused. +</p> + +<p> +“Then the papers,” said Sir James slowly, “are still at the +back of the picture in that room.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes.” 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> +“Come,” he said, “we must go at once.” +</p> + +<p> +“To-night?” queried Tuppence, surprised. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +There was dead silence, and Sir James continued: +</p> + +<p> +“You have been followed here—not a doubt of it. When we leave the +house we shall be followed again, but not molested, <i>for it is Mr. +Brown’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—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!” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence flushed, then opened her mouth impulsively. +</p> + +<p> +“But there’s something you don’t know—that we +haven’t told you.” Her eyes dwelt on Jane in perplexity. +</p> + +<p> +“What is that?” asked the other sharply. “No hesitations, +Miss Tuppence. We need to be sure of our going.” +</p> + +<p> +But Tuppence, for once, seemed tongue-tied. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“You want me to help you out, eh?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, please. <i>You</i> know who Mr. Brown is, don’t you?” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes,” said Sir James gravely. “At last I do.” +</p> + +<p> +“At last?” queried Tuppence doubtfully. “Oh, but I +thought——” She paused. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Ah!” breathed Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes?” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +Jane Finn stirred and sat up, regarding the speaker with wide astonished eyes. +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +But the girl interrupted. Springing to her feet, she cried out angrily: +</p> + +<p> +“What do you mean? What are you trying to suggest? That Mr. Brown is +<i>Julius?</i> Julius—my own cousin!” +</p> + +<p> +“No, Miss Finn,” said Sir James unexpectedly. “Not your +cousin. The man who calls himself Julius Hersheimmer is no relation to you +whatsoever.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap26"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.<br/> +MR. BROWN</h2> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I can’t believe it,” murmured Jane. “He seemed so +splendid.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Jane turned mutely to Tuppence. The latter nodded. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Was it Julius Hersheimmer who helped you to escape?” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence recounted to Sir James the exciting events of the evening, ending up: +“But I can’t see <i>why!</i>” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Tommy,” said Tuppence softly. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Why?” +</p> + +<p> +“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....” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence paled a little. +</p> + +<p> +“What can we do?” +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</p> + +<p> +“Now we’re ready. I know better than even to suggest going without +you, Miss Tuppence——” +</p> + +<p> +“I should think so indeed!” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +But to Tuppence’s surprise Jane shook her head. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +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! +</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> +“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?” +</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 “Annette.” She looked at the tattered velvet with +interest. Even now she could almost swear it moved—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—Julius—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—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> +“We’ve got it,” said Tuppence. “At last....” +</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> +“Yes,” he said quietly, “this is the ill-fated draft +treaty!” +</p> + +<p> +“We’ve succeeded,” 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> +“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.” +</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—then looked up with a start to find Sir +James watching her. He gave her an emphatic little nod. +</p> + +<p> +“Quite right, Miss Tuppence. You scent danger. So do I. So does Miss +Finn.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes,” admitted Jane. “It’s absurd—but I +can’t help it.” +</p> + +<p> +Sir James nodded again. +</p> + +<p> +“You feel—as we all feel— <i>the presence of Mr. Bown</i>. +Yes”—as Tuppence made a movement—“not a doubt of +it— <i>Mr. Brown is here</i>....” +</p> + +<p> +“In this house?” +</p> + +<p> +“In this room.... You don’t understand? <i>I am Mr. +Brown</i>....” +</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> +“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.” 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!” +</p> + +<p> +He turned to Jane. +</p> + +<p> +“You outwitted me. I make my acknowledgments. But you will not do it +again.” +</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> +“Checkmate to the Young Adventurers,” 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> +“I guess you’re caught redhanded with the goods upon you.” +</p> + +<p> +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. +</p> + +<p> +“You,” he said beneath his breath. “<i>You!</i> I might have +known.” +</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> +“‘<i>Ave, Cæsar! te morituri salutant</i>,’” 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’s orders were brief and forcible. +He gave carte blanche—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’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> +“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 <i>Savoy</i>. See? Spare no expense. You get +me?” +</p> + +<p> +“Sure thing,” mimicked Tuppence. “We shall enjoy ourselves. +It will be a pleasure dressing Jane. She’s the loveliest thing I’ve +ever seen.” +</p> + +<p> +“That’s so,” agreed Mr. Hersheimmer fervently. +</p> + +<p> +His fervour brought a momentary twinkle to Tuppence’s eye. +</p> + +<p> +“By the way, Julius,” she remarked demurely, +“I—haven’t given you my answer yet.” +</p> + +<p> +“Answer?” said Julius. His face paled. +</p> + +<p> +“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——” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes?” said Julius. The perspiration stood on his forehead. +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence relented suddenly. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“Not at all. I had—and still have—the highest sentiments of +esteem and respect—and admiration for you——” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t know what you mean,” said Julius stiffly, but a +large and burning blush overspread his countenance. +</p> + +<p> +“Shucks!” retorted Tuppence. She laughed, and closed the door, +reopening it to add with dignity: “Morally, I shall always consider I +have been jilted!” +</p> + +<p> +“What was it?” asked Jane as Tuppence rejoined her. +</p> + +<p> +“Julius.” +</p> + +<p> +“What did he want?” +</p> + +<p> +“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! <i>We’re going to shop!</i>” +</p> + +<p> +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 <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’s paper dealt appreciatively with the dead +man’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’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’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—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! +</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> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Thank you, sir, it’s awfully decent of you.” +</p> + +<p> +“Where’s this young lady I’ve been hearing such a lot +about?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy introduced Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“Ha!” said Sir William, eyeing her. “Girls aren’t what +they used to be in my young days.” +</p> + +<p> +“Yes, they are,” said Tuppence. “Their clothes are different, +perhaps, but they themselves are just the same.” +</p> + +<p> +“Well, perhaps you’re right. Minxes then—minxes now!” +</p> + +<p> +“That’s it,” said Tuppence. “I’m a frightful minx +myself.” +</p> + +<p> +“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. +</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> +“We might as well sit down,” said Julius, when he had introduced +all his guests to each other. “Tuppence, will you——” +</p> + +<p> +He indicated the place of honour with a wave of his hand. +</p> + +<p> +But Tuppence shook her head. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</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 “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. +</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> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Julius agreed. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Hear! hear!” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Go on,” said Mr. Carter, as Tommy showed signs of taking refuge in +silence once more. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“But how?” +</p> + +<p> +Tommy took the note in question from his pocket and passed it round the table. +</p> + +<p> +“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 <i>had</i> seen it—he showed me a note of hers +to him once—but <i>Sir James hadn’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’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——” +</p> + +<p> +“I didn’t,” interposed Mr. Carter ruefully. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +And Tommy came to an abrupt halt. +</p> + +<p> +There was silence for a moment. +</p> + +<p> +“By the way,” said Julius suddenly, “you’re all wrong +about that photograph of Jane. It <i>was</i> taken from me, but I found it +again.” +</p> + +<p> +“Where?” cried Tuppence. +</p> + +<p> +“In that little safe on the wall in Mrs. Vandemeyer’s +bedroom.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“We all kept back something or other,” said Tuppence thoughtfully. +“I suppose secret service work makes you like that!” +</p> + +<p> +In the pause that ensued, Mr. Carter took from his pocket a small shabby brown +book. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +He opened the book, and turned the thin pages. +</p> + +<p> +“... 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> +“... 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.... +</p> + +<p> +“... 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.... +</p> + +<p> +“... 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.... +</p> + +<p> +“... 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.... +</p> + +<p> +“... 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> +“... I have been reading a life of Napoleon. He and I have much in +common.... +</p> + +<p> +“... I make a practice of defending criminals. A man should look after +his own people.... +</p> + +<p> +“... 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.... +</p> + +<p> +“... 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> +“... 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.... +</p> + +<p> +“.... All goes well. The loss of memory is vexing. It cannot be a fake. +No girl could deceive ME!... +</p> + +<p> +“...The 29th.... That is very soon....” Mr. Carter paused. +</p> + +<p> +“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> +“... 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....” +</p> + +<p> +Mr. Carter shut the book. +</p> + +<p> +“A great man,” he said. “Genius, or insanity, who can +say?” +</p> + +<p> +There was silence. +</p> + +<p> +Then Mr. Carter rose to his feet. +</p> + +<p> +“I will give you a toast. The Joint Venture which has so amply justified +itself by success!” +</p> + +<p> +It was drunk with acclamation. +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="chap28"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.<br/> +AND AFTER</h2> + +<p> +“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 <i>Ritz</i>. +</p> + +<p> +“The one to the joint venture?” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +Jane shook her head. +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t feel wonderful. At heart I’m just tired and +lonesome—and longing for my own country.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“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!” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, Julius!” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +But a small hand was slipped into his. +</p> + +<p> +“I love you now, Julius,” said Jane Finn. “I loved you that +first moment in the car when the bullet grazed your cheek....” +</p> + +<p> +Five minutes later Jane murmured softly: +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t know London very well, Julius, but is it such a very long +way from the <i>Savoy</i> to the <i>Ritz?</i>” +</p> + +<p> +“It depends how you go,” explained Julius unblushingly. +“We’re going by way of Regent’s Park!” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, Julius—what will the chauffeur think?” +</p> + +<p> +“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’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!” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh. Is he——?” +</p> + +<p> +“Of course he is. Head over ears.” +</p> + +<p> +“I thought so,” said Jane thoughtfully. +</p> + +<p> +“Why?” +</p> + +<p> +“From all the things Tuppence didn’t say!” +</p> + +<p> +“There you have me beat,” 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’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—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> +“Rather fun, wasn’t it?” +</p> + +<p> +“Rather.” +</p> + +<p> +Another silence. +</p> + +<p> +“I like Julius,” essayed Tuppence again. +</p> + +<p> +Tommy was suddenly galvanized into life. +</p> + +<p> +“You’re not going to marry him, do you hear?” he said +dictatorially. “I forbid it.” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh!” said Tuppence meekly. +</p> + +<p> +“Absolutely, you understand.” +</p> + +<p> +“He doesn’t want to marry me—he really only asked me out of +kindness.” +</p> + +<p> +“That’s not very likely,” scoffed Tommy. +</p> + +<p> +“It’s quite true. He’s head over ears in love with Jane. I +expect he’s proposing to her now.” +</p> + +<p> +“She’ll do for him very nicely,” said Tommy condescendingly. +</p> + +<p> +“Don’t you think she’s the most lovely creature you’ve +ever seen?” +</p> + +<p> +“Oh, I dare say.” +</p> + +<p> +“But I suppose you prefer sterling worth,” said Tuppence demurely. +</p> + +<p> +“I—oh, dash it all, Tuppence, you know!” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“I don’t see where I come in.” +</p> + +<p> +“I do,” said Tommy positively. +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence stole a glance at him sideways. +</p> + +<p> +“There’s the money, too,” she observed thoughtfully. +</p> + +<p> +“What money?” +</p> + +<p> +“We’re going to get a cheque each. Mr. Carter told me so.” +</p> + +<p> +“Did you ask how much?” inquired Tommy sarcastically. +</p> + +<p> +“Yes,” said Tuppence triumphantly. “But I shan’t tell +you.” +</p> + +<p> +“Tuppence, you are the limit!” +</p> + +<p> +“It has been fun, hasn’t it, Tommy? I do hope we shall have lots +more adventures.” +</p> + +<p> +“You’re insatiable, Tuppence. I’ve had quite enough +adventures for the present.” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“Hold hard,” said Tommy. “What’s all this for?” +</p> + +<p> +“Possibly a house—but I think a flat.” +</p> + +<p> +“Whose flat?” +</p> + +<p> +“You think I mind saying it, but I don’t in the least! <i>Ours</i>, +so there!” +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +Tuppence raised her face to his. The taxi proceeded on its course round the +north side of Regent’s Park. +</p> + +<p> +“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.” +</p> + +<p> +“You won’t be able to get out of marrying me, so don’t you +think it.” +</p> + +<p> +“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?” +</p> + +<p> +“What?” +</p> + +<p> +“A sport!” +</p> + +<p> +“And a damned good sport too,” said Tommy. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 1155 ***</div> +</body> + +</html> |