The Secret Adversary
by
Agatha Christie
Part 6 out of 6
"Little Willie here takes the credit!"
"Splendid!" cried the girl. The colour surged into her face, her
eyes looked admiringly at Julius.
"Annette and I didn't know what was going to happen to us," said
Tuppence. "Old Whittington hurried us off. We thought it was
lambs to the slaughter."
"Annette," said Julius. "Is that what you call her?"
His mind seemed to be trying to adjust itself to a new idea.
"It's her name," said Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide.
"Shucks!" retorted Julius. "She may think it's her name, because
her memory's gone, poor kid. But it's the one real and original
Jane Finn we've got here."
"What?" cried Tuppence.
But she was interrupted. With an angry spurt, a bullet embedded
itself in the upholstery of the car just behind her head.
"Down with you," cried Julius. "It's an ambush. These guys have
got busy pretty quickly. Push her a bit, George."
The car fairly leapt forward. Three more shots rang out, but
went happily wide. Julius, upright, leant over the back of the
car.
"Nothing to shoot at," he announced gloomily. "But I guess
there'll be another little picnic soon. Ah!"
He raised his hand to his cheek.
"You are hurt?" said Annette quickly.
"Only a scratch."
The girl sprang to her feet.
"Let me out! Let me out, I say! Stop the car. It is me they're
after. I'm the one they want. You shall not lose your lives
because of me. Let me go." She was fumbling with the fastenings
of the door.
Julius took her by both arms, and looked at her. She had spoken
with no trace of foreign accent.
"Sit down, kid," he said gently. "I guess there's nothing wrong
with your memory. Been fooling them all the time, eh?"
The girl looked at him, nodded, and then suddenly burst into
tears. Julius patted her on the shoulder.
"There, there--just you sit tight. We're not going to let you
quit."
Through her sobs the girl said indistinctly:
"You're from home. I can tell by your voice. It makes me
home-sick."
"Sure I'm from home. I'm your cousin--Julius Hersheimmer. I
came over to Europe on purpose to find you--and a pretty dance
you've led me."
The car slackened speed. George spoke over his shoulder:
"Cross-roads here, sir. I'm not sure of the way."
The car slowed down till it hardly moved. As it did so a figure
climbed suddenly over the back, and plunged head first into the
midst of them.
"Sorry," said Tommy, extricating himself.
A mass of confused exclamations greeted him. He replied to them
severally:
"Was in the bushes by the drive. Hung on behind. Couldn't let
you know before at the pace you were going. It was all I could
do to hang on. Now then, you girls, get out!"
"Get out?"
"Yes. There's a station just up that road. Train due in three
minutes. You'll catch it if you hurry."
"What the devil are you driving at?" demanded Julius. "Do you
think you can fool them by leaving the car?"
"You and I aren't going to leave the car. Only the girls."
"You're crazed, Beresford. Stark staring mad! You can't let
those girls go off alone. It'll be the end of it if you do."
Tommy turned to Tuppence.
"Get out at once, Tuppence. Take her with you, and do just as I
say. No one will do you any harm. You're safe. Take the train
to London. Go straight to Sir James Peel Edgerton. Mr. Carter
lives out of town, but you'll be safe with him."
"Darn you!" cried Julius. "You're mad. Jane, you stay where you
are."
With a sudden swift movement, Tommy snatched the revolver from
Julius's hand, and levelled it at him.
"Now will you believe I'm in earnest? Get out, both of you, and
do as I say--or I'll shoot!"
Tuppence sprang out, dragging the unwilling Jane after her.
"Come on, it's all right. If Tommy's sure--he's sure. Be quick.
We'll miss the train."
They started running.
Julius's pent-up rage burst forth.
"What the hell----"
Tommy interrupted him.
"Dry up! I want a few words with you, Mr. Julius Hersheimmer."
CHAPTER
XXV
JANE'S STORY
HER arm through Jane's, dragging her along, Tuppence reached the
station. Her quick ears caught the sound of the approaching
train.
"Hurry up," she panted, "or we'll miss it."
They arrived on the platform just as the train came to a
standstill. Tuppence opened the door of an empty first-class
compartment, and the two girls sank down breathless on the padded
seats.
A man looked in, then passed on to the next carriage. Jane
started nervously. Her eyes dilated with terror. She looked
questioningly at Tuppence.
"Is he one of them, do you think?" she breathed.
Tuppence shook her head.
"No, no. It's all right." She took Jane's hand in hers. "Tommy
wouldn't have told us to do this unless he was sure we'd be all
right."
"But he doesn't know them as I do!" The girl shivered. "You
can't understand. Five years! Five long years! Sometimes I
thought I should go mad."
"Never mind. It's all over."
"Is it?"
The train was moving now, speeding through the night at a
gradually increasing rate. Suddenly Jane Finn started up.
"What was that? I thought I saw a face--looking in through the
window."
"No, there's nothing. See." Tuppence went to the window, and
lifting the strap let the pane down.
"You're sure?"
"Quite sure."
The other seemed to feel some excuse was necessary:
"I guess I'm acting like a frightened rabbit, but I can't help
it. If they caught me now they'd----" Her eyes opened wide and
staring.
"DON'T!" implored Tuppence. "Lie back, and DON'T THINK. You can
be quite sure that Tommy wouldn't have said it was safe if it
wasn't."
"My cousin didn't think so. He didn't want us to do this."
"No," said Tuppence, rather embarrassed.
"What are you thinking of?" said Jane sharply.
"Why?"
"Your voice was so--queer!"
"I WAS thinking of something," confessed Tuppence. "But I don't
want to tell you--not now. I may be wrong, but I don't think so.
It's just an idea that came into my head a long time ago. Tommy's
got it too--I'm almost sure he has. But don't YOU
worry--there'll be time enough for that later. And it mayn't be
so at all! Do what I tell you--lie back and don't think of
anything."
"I'll try." The long lashes drooped over the hazel eyes.
Tuppence, for her part, sat bolt upright--much in the attitude of
a watchful terrier on guard. In spite of herself she was
nervous. Her eyes flashed continually from one window to the
other. She noted the exact position of the communication cord.
What it was that she feared, she would have been hard put to it
to say. But in her own mind she was far from feeling the
confidence displayed in her words. Not that she disbelieved in
Tommy, but occasionally she was shaken with doubts as to whether
anyone so simple and honest as he was could ever be a match for
the fiendish subtlety of the arch-criminal.
If they once reached Sir James Peel Edgerton in safety, all would
be well. But would they reach him? Would not the silent forces
of Mr. Brown already be assembling against them? Even that last
picture of Tommy, revolver in hand, failed to comfort her. By
now he might be overpowered, borne down by sheer force of
numbers.... Tuppence mapped out her plan of campaign.
As the train at length drew slowly into Charing Cross, Jane Finn
sat up with a start.
"Have we arrived? I never thought we should!"
"Oh, I thought we'd get to London all right. If there's going to
be any fun, now is when it will begin. Quick, get out. We'll nip
into a taxi."
In another minute they were passing the barrier, had paid the
necessary fares, and were stepping into a taxi.
"King's Cross," directed Tuppence. Then she gave a jump. A man
looked in at the window, just as they started. She was almost
certain it was the same man who had got into the carriage next to
them. She had a horrible feeling of being slowly hemmed in on
every side.
"You see," she explained to Jane, "if they think we're going to
Sir James, this will put them off the scent. Now they'll imagine
we're going to Mr. Carter. His country place is north of London
somewhere."
Crossing Holborn there was a block, and the taxi was held up.
This was what Tuppence had been waiting for.
"Quick," she whispered. "Open the right-hand door!"
The two girls stepped out into the traffic. Two minutes later
they were seated in another taxi and were retracing their steps,
this time direct to Carlton House Terrace.
"There," said Tuppence, with great satisfaction, "this ought to
do them. I can't help thinking that I'm really rather clever!
How that other taxi man will swear! But I took his number, and
I'll send him a postal order to-morrow, so that he won't lose by
it if he happens to be genuine. What's this thing
swerving----Oh!"
There was a grinding noise and a bump. Another taxi had collided
with them.
In a flash Tuppence was out on the pavement. A policeman was
approaching. Before he arrived Tuppence had handed the driver
five shillings, and she and Jane had merged themselves in the
crowd.
"It's only a step or two now," said Tuppence breathlessly. The
accident had taken place in Trafalgar Square.
"Do you think the collision was an accident, or done
deliberately?"
"I don't know. It might have been either."
Hand-in-hand, the two girls hurried along.
"It may be my fancy," said Tuppence suddenly, "but I feel as
though there was some one behind us."
"Hurry!" murmured the other. "Oh, hurry!"
They were now at the corner of Carlton House Terrace, and their
spirits lightened. Suddenly a large and apparently intoxicated
man barred their way.
"Good evening, ladies," he hiccupped. "Whither away so fast?"
"Let us pass, please," said Tuppence imperiously.
"Just a word with your pretty friend here." He stretched out an
unsteady hand, and clutched Jane by the shoulder. Tuppence heard
other footsteps behind. She did not pause to ascertain whether
they were friends or foes. Lowering her head, she repeated a
manoeuvre of childish days, and butted their aggressor full in
the capacious middle. The success of these unsportsmanlike
tactics was immediate. The man sat down abruptly on the pavement.
Tuppence and Jane took to their heels. The house they sought was
some way down. Other footsteps echoed behind them. Their breath
was coming in choking gasps as they reached Sir James's door.
Tuppence seized the bell and Jane the knocker.
The man who had stopped them reached the foot of the steps. For a
moment he hesitated, and as he did so the door opened. They fell
into the hall together. Sir James came forward from the library
door.
"Hullo! What's this?"
He stepped forward, and put his arm round Jane as she swayed
uncertainly. He half carried her into the library, and laid her
on the leather couch. From a tantalus on the table he poured out
a few drops of brandy, and forced her to drink them. With a sigh
she sat up, her eyes still wild and frightened.
"It's all right. Don't be afraid, my child. You're quite safe."
Her breath came more normally, and the colour was returning to
her cheeks. Sir James looked at Tuppence quizzically.
"So you're not dead, Miss Tuppence, any more than that Tommy boy
of yours was!"
"The Young Adventurers take a lot of killing," boasted Tuppence.
"So it seems," said Sir James dryly. "Am I right in thinking
that the joint venture has ended in success, and that this"--he
turned to the girl on the couch--"is Miss Jane Finn?"
Jane sat up.
"Yes," she said quietly, "I am Jane Finn. I have a lot to tell
you."
"When you are stronger----"
"No--now!" Her voice rose a little. "I shall feel safer when I
have told everything."
"As you please," said the lawyer.
He sat down in one of the big arm-chairs facing the couch. In a
low voice Jane began her story.
"I came over on the Lusitania to take up a post in Paris. I was
fearfully keen about the war, and just dying to help somehow or
other. I had been studying French, and my teacher said they were
wanting help in a hospital in Paris, so I wrote and offered my
services, and they were accepted. I hadn't got any folk of my
own, so it made it easy to arrange things.
"When the Lusitania was torpedoed, a man came up to me. I'd
noticed him more than once--and I'd figured it out in my own mind
that he was afraid of somebody or something. He asked me if I
was a patriotic American, and told me he was carrying papers
which were just life or death to the Allies. He asked me to take
charge of them. I was to watch for an advertisement in the Times.
If it didn't appear, I was to take them to the American
Ambassador.
"Most of what followed seems like a nightmare still. I see it in
my dreams sometimes.... I'll hurry over that part. Mr. Danvers
had told me to watch out. He might have been shadowed from New
York, but he didn't think so. At first I had no suspicions, but
on the boat to Holyhead I began to get uneasy. There was one
woman who had been very keen to look after me, and chum up with
me generally--a Mrs. Vandemeyer. At first I'd been only grateful
to her for being so kind to me; but all the time I felt there was
something about her I didn't like, and on the Irish boat I saw
her talking to some queer-looking men, and from the way they
looked I saw that they were talking about me. I remembered that
she'd been quite near me on the Lusitania when Mr. Danvers gave
me the packet, and before that she'd tried to talk to him once or
twice. I began to get scared, but I didn't quite see what to do.
"I had a wild idea of stopping at Holyhead, and not going on to
London that day, but I soon saw that that would be plumb
foolishness. The only thing was to act as though I'd noticed
nothing, and hope for the best. I couldn't see how they could
get me if I was on my guard. One thing I'd done already as a
precaution--ripped open the oilskin packet and substituted blank
paper, and then sewn it up again. So, if anyone did manage to rob
me of it, it wouldn't matter.
"What to do with the real thing worried me no end. Finally I
opened it out flat--there were only two sheets--and laid it
between two of the advertisement pages of a magazine. I stuck the
two pages together round the edge with some gum off an envelope.
I carried the magazine carelessly stuffed into the pocket of my
ulster.
"At Holyhead I tried to get into a carriage with people that
looked all right, but in a queer way there seemed always to be a
crowd round me shoving and pushing me just the way I didn't want
to go. There was something uncanny and frightening about it. In
the end I found myself in a carriage with Mrs. Vandemeyer after
all. I went out into the corridor, but all the other carriages
were full, so I had to go back and sit down. I consoled myself
with the thought that there were other people in the
carriage--there was quite a nice-looking man and his wife sitting
just opposite. So I felt almost happy about it until just outside
London. I had leaned back and closed my eyes. I guess they
thought I was asleep, but my eyes weren't quite shut, and
suddenly I saw the nice-looking man get something out of his bag
and hand it to Mrs. Vandemeyer, and as he did so he WINKED....
"I can't tell you how that wink sort of froze me through and
through. My only thought was to get out in the corridor as quick
as ever I could. I got up, trying to look natural and easy.
Perhaps they saw something--I don't know--but suddenly Mrs.
Vandemeyer said 'Now,' and flung something over my nose and mouth
as I tried to scream. At the same moment I felt a terrific blow
on the back of my head...."
She shuddered. Sir James murmured something sympathetically. In
a minute she resumed:
"I don't know how long it was before I came back to
consciousness. I felt very ill and sick. I was lying on a dirty
bed. There was a screen round it, but I could hear two people
talking in the room. Mrs. Vandemeyer was one of them. I tried to
listen, but at first I couldn't take much in. When at last I did
begin to grasp what was going on--I was just terrified! I wonder
I didn't scream right out there and then.
"They hadn't found the papers. They'd got the oilskin packet
with the blanks, and they were just mad! They didn't know
whether I'd changed the papers, or whether Danvers had been
carrying a dummy message, while the real one was sent another
way. They spoke of"--she closed her eyes--"torturing me to find
out!
"I'd never known what fear--really sickening fear--was before!
Once they came to look at me. I shut my eyes and pretended to be
still unconscious, but I was afraid they'd hear the beating of my
heart. However, they went away again. I began thinking madly.
What could I do? I knew I wouldn't be able to stand up against
torture very long.
"Suddenly something put the thought of loss of memory into my
head. The subject had always interested me, and I'd read an awful
lot about it. I had the whole thing at my finger-tips. If only I
could succeed in carrying the bluff through, it might save me. I
said a prayer, and drew a long breath. Then I opened my eyes and
started babbling in FRENCH!
"Mrs. Vandemeyer came round the screen at once. Her face was so
wicked I nearly died, but I smiled up at her doubtfully, and
asked her in French where I was.
"It puzzled her, I could see. She called the man she had been
talking to. He stood by the screen with his face in shadow. He
spoke to me in French. His voice was very ordinary and quiet,
but somehow, I don't know why, he scared me worse than the woman.
I felt he'd seen right through me, but I went on playing my part.
I asked again where I was, and then went on that there was
something I MUST remember--MUST remember--only for the moment it
was all gone. I worked myself up to be more and more distressed.
He asked me my name. I said I didn't know--that I couldn't
remember anything at all.
"Suddenly he caught my wrist, and began twisting it. The pain
was awful. I screamed. He went on. I screamed and screamed, but
I managed to shriek out things in French. I don't know how long
I could have gone on, but luckily I fainted. The last thing I
heard was his voice saying: 'That's not bluff! Anyway, a kid of
her age wouldn't know enough.' I guess he forgot American girls
are older for their age than English ones, and take more interest
in scientific subjects.
"When I came to, Mrs. Vandemeyer was sweet as honey to me. She'd
had her orders, I guess. She spoke to me in French--told me I'd
had a shock and been very ill. I should be better soon. I
pretended to be rather dazed--murmured something about the
'doctor' having hurt my wrist. She looked relieved when I said
that.
"By and by she went out of the room altogether. I was suspicious
still, and lay quite quiet for some time. In the end, however, I
got up and walked round the room, examining it. I thought that
even if anyone WAS watching me from somewhere, it would seem
natural enough under the circumstances. It was a squalid, dirty
place. There were no windows, which seemed queer. I guessed the
door would be locked, but I didn't try it. There were some
battered old pictures on the walls, representing scenes from
Faust."
Jane's two listeners gave a simultaneous "Ah!" The girl nodded.
"Yes--it was the place in Soho where Mr. Beresford was
imprisoned. Of course, at the time I didn't even know if I was in
London. One thing was worrying me dreadfully, but my heart gave
a great throb of relief when I saw my ulster lying carelessly
over the back of a chair. AND THE MAGAZINE WAS STILL ROLLED UP IN
THE POCKET!
"If only I could be certain that I was not being overlooked! I
looked carefully round the walls. There didn't seem to be a
peep-hole of any kind--nevertheless I felt kind of sure there
must be. All of a sudden I sat down on the edge of the table, and
put my face in my hands, sobbing out a 'Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu!'
I've got very sharp ears. I distinctly heard the rustle of a
dress, and slight creak. That was enough for me. I was being
watched!
"I lay down on the bed again, and by and by Mrs. Vandemeyer
brought me some supper. She was still sweet as they make them. I
guess she'd been told to win my confidence. Presently she
produced the oilskin packet, and asked me if I recognized it,
watching me like a lynx all the time.
"I took it and turned it over in a puzzled sort of way. Then I
shook my head. I said that I felt I OUGHT to remember something
about it, that it was just as though it was all coming back, and
then, before I could get hold of it, it went again. Then she told
me that I was her niece, and that I was to call her 'Aunt Rita.'
I did obediently, and she told me not to worry--my memory would
soon come back.
"That was an awful night. I'd made my plan whilst I was waiting
for her. The papers were safe so far, but I couldn't take the
risk of leaving them there any longer. They might throw that
magazine away any minute. I lay awake waiting until I judged it
must be about two o'clock in the morning. Then I got up as
softly as I could, and felt in the dark along the left-hand wall.
Very gently, I unhooked one of the pictures from its
nail--Marguerite with her casket of jewels. I crept over to my
coat and took out the magazine, and an odd envelope or two that I
had shoved in. Then I went to the washstand, and damped the
brown paper at the back of the picture all round. Presently I was
able to pull it away. I had already torn out the two
stuck-together pages from the magazine, and now I slipped them
with their precious enclosure between the picture and its brown
paper backing. A little gum from the envelopes helped me to stick
the latter up again. No one would dream the picture had ever been
tampered with. I rehung it on the wall, put the magazine back in
my coat pocket, and crept back to bed. I was pleased with my
hiding-place. They'd never think of pulling to pieces one of
their own pictures. I hoped that they'd come to the conclusion
that Danvers had been carrying a dummy all along, and that, in
the end, they'd let me go.
"As a matter of fact, I guess that's what they did think at
first, and, in a way, it was dangerous for me. I learnt
afterwards that they nearly did away with me then and
there--there was never much chance of their 'letting me go'--but
the first man, who was the boss, preferred to keep me alive on
the chance of my having hidden them, and being able to tell where
if I recovered my memory. They watched me constantly for weeks.
Sometimes they'd ask me questions by the hour--I guess there was
nothing they didn't know about the third degree!--but somehow I
managed to hold my own. The strain of it was awful, though . . .
"They took me back to Ireland, and over every step of the Journey
again, in case I'd hidden it somewhere en route. Mrs. Vandemeyer
and another woman never left me for a moment. They spoke of me as
a young relative of Mrs. Vandemeyer's whose mind was affected by
the shock of the Lusitania. There was no one I could appeal to
for help without giving myself away to THEM, and if I risked it
and failed--and Mrs. Vandemeyer looked so rich, and so
beautifully dressed, that I felt convinced they'd take her word
against mine, and think it was part of my mental trouble to think
myself 'persecuted'--I felt that the horrors in store for me
would be too awful once they knew I'd been only shamming."
Sir James nodded comprehendingly.
"Mrs. Vandemeyer was a woman of great personality. With that and
her social position she would have had little difficulty in
imposing her point of view in preference to yours. Your
sensational accusations against her would not easily have found
credence."
"That's what I thought. It ended in my being sent to a
sanatorium at Bournemouth. I couldn't make up my mind at first
whether it was a sham affair or genuine. A hospital nurse had
charge of me. I was a special patient. She seemed so nice and
normal that at last I determined to confide in her. A merciful
providence just saved me in time from falling into the trap. My
door happened to be ajar, and I heard her talking to some one in
the passage. SHE WAS ONE OF THEM! They still fancied it might be
a bluff on my part, and she was put in charge of me to make sure!
After that, my nerve went completely. I dared trust nobody.
"I think I almost hypnotized myself. After a while, I almost
forgot that I was really Jane Finn. I was so bent on playing the
part of Janet Vandemeyer that my nerves began to play me tricks.
I became really ill--for months I sank into a sort of stupor. I
felt sure I should die soon, and that nothing really mattered. A
sane person shut up in a lunatic asylum often ends by becoming
insane, they say. I guess I was like that. Playing my part had
become second nature to me. I wasn't even unhappy in the
end--just apathetic. Nothing seemed to matter. And the years
went on.
"And then suddenly things seemed to change. Mrs. Vandemeyer came
down from London. She and the doctor asked me questions,
experimented with various treatments. There was some talk of
sending me to a specialist in Paris. In the end, they did not
dare risk it. I overheard something that seemed to show that
other people--friends--were looking for me. I learnt later that
the nurse who had looked after me went to Paris, and consulted a
specialist, representing herself to be me. He put her through
some searching tests, and exposed her loss of memory to be
fraudulent; but she had taken a note of his methods and
reproduced them on me. I dare say I couldn't have deceived the
specialist for a minute--a man who has made a lifelong study of a
thing is unique--but I managed once again to hold my own with
them. The fact that I'd not thought of myself as Jane Finn for so
long made it easier.
"One night I was whisked off to London at a moment's notice. They
took me back to the house in Soho. Once I got away from the
sanatorium I felt different--as though something in me that had
been buried for a long time was waking up again.
"They sent me in to wait on Mr. Beresford. (Of course I didn't
know his name then.) I was suspicious--I thought it was another
trap. But he looked so honest, I could hardly believe it.
However, I was careful in all I said, for I knew we could be
overheard. There's a small hole, high up in the wall.
"But on the Sunday afternoon a message was brought to the house.
They were all very disturbed. Without their knowing, I listened.
Word had come that he was to be killed. I needn't tell the next
part, because you know it. I thought I'd have time to rush up
and get the papers from their hiding-place, but I was caught. So
I screamed out that he was escaping, and I said I wanted to go
back to Marguerite. I shouted the name three times very loud. I
knew the others would think I meant Mrs. Vandemeyer, but I hoped
it might make Mr. Beresford think of the picture. He'd unhooked
one the first day--that's what made me hesitate to trust him."
She paused.
"Then the papers," said Sir James slowly, "are still at the back
of the picture in that room."
"Yes." The girl had sunk back on the sofa exhausted with the
strain of the long story.
Sir James rose to his feet. He looked at his watch.
"Come," he said, "we must go at once."
"To-night?" queried Tuppence, surprised.
"To-morrow may be too late," said Sir James gravely. "Besides, by
going to-night we have the chance of capturing that great man and
super-criminal--Mr. Brown!"
There was dead silence, and Sir James continued:
"You have been followed here--not a doubt of it. When we leave
the house we shall be followed again, but not molested, FOR IT IS
MR. BROWN'S PLAN THAT WE ARE TO LEAD HIM. But the Soho house is
under police supervision night and day. There are several men
watching it. When we enter that house, Mr. Brown will not draw
back--he will risk all, on the chance of obtaining the spark to
fire his mine. And he fancies the risk not great--since he will
enter in the guise of a friend!"
Tuppence flushed, then opened her mouth impulsively.
"But there's something you don't know--that we haven't told you."
Her eyes dwelt on Jane in perplexity.
"What is that?" asked the other sharply. "No hesitations, Miss
Tuppence. We need to be sure of our going."
But Tuppence, for once, seemed tongue-tied.
"It's so difficult--you see, if I'm wrong--oh, it would be
dreadful." She made a grimace at the unconscious Jane. "Never
forgive me," she observed cryptically.
"You want me to help you out, eh?"
"Yes, please. YOU know who Mr. Brown is, don't you?"
"Yes," said Sir James gravely. "At last I do."
"At last?" queried Tuppence doubtfully. "Oh, but I thought----"
She paused.
"You thought correctly, Miss Tuppence. I have been morally
certain of his identity for some time--ever since the night of
Mrs. Vandemeyer's mysterious death."
"Ah!" breathed Tuppence.
"For there we are up against the logic of facts. There are only
two solutions. Either the chloral was administered by her own
hand, which theory I reject utterly, or else----"
"Yes?"
"Or else it was administered in the brandy you gave her. Only
three people touched that brandy--you, Miss Tuppence, I myself,
and one other--Mr. Julius Hersheimmer!"
Jane Finn stirred and sat up, regarding the speaker with wide
astonished eyes.
"At first, the thing seemed utterly impossible. Mr. Hersheimmer,
as the son of a prominent millionaire, was a well-known figure in
America. It seemed utterly impossible that he and Mr. Brown
could be one and the same. But you cannot escape from the logic
of facts. Since the thing was so--it must be accepted. Remember
Mrs. Vandemeyer's sudden and inexplicable agitation. Another
proof, if proof was needed.
"I took an early opportunity of giving you a hint. From some
words of Mr. Hersheimmer's at Manchester, I gathered that you had
understood and acted on that hint. Then I set to work to prove
the impossible possible. Mr. Beresford rang me up and told me,
what I had already suspected, that the photograph of Miss Jane
Finn had never really been out of Mr. Hersheimmer's
possession----"
But the girl interrupted. Springing to her feet, she cried out
angrily:
"What do you mean? What are you trying to suggest? That Mr.
Brown is JULIUS? Julius--my own cousin!"
"No, Miss Finn," said Sir James unexpectedly. "Not your cousin.
The man who calls himself Julius Hersheimmer is no relation to
you whatsoever."
CHAPTER XXVI
MR. BROWN
SIR James's words came like a bomb-shell. Both girls looked
equally puzzled. The lawyer went across to his desk, and returned
with a small newspaper cutting, which he handed to Jane.
Tuppence read it over her shoulder. Mr. Carter would have
recognized it. It referred to the mysterious man found dead in
New York.
"As I was saying to Miss Tuppence," resumed the lawyer, "I set to
work to prove the impossible possible. The great stumbling-block
was the undeniable fact that Julius Hersheimmer was not an
assumed name. When I came across this paragraph my problem was
solved. Julius Hersheimmer set out to discover what had become of
his cousin. He went out West, where he obtained news of her and
her photograph to aid him in his search. On the eve of his
departure from New York he was set upon and murdered. His body
was dressed in shabby clothes, and the face disfigured to prevent
identification. Mr. Brown took his place. He sailed immediately
for England. None of the real Hersheimmer's friends or intimates
saw him before he sailed--though indeed it would hardly have
mattered if they had, the impersonation was so perfect. Since
then he had been hand and glove with those sworn to hunt him
down. Every secret of theirs has been known to him. Only once
did he come near disaster. Mrs. Vandemeyer knew his secret. It
was no part of his plan that that huge bribe should ever be
offered to her. But for Miss Tuppence's fortunate change of
plan, she would have been far away from the flat when we arrived
there. Exposure stared him in the face. He took a desperate
step, trusting in his assumed character to avert suspicion. He
nearly succeeded--but not quite."
"I can't believe it," murmured Jane. "He seemed so splendid."
"The real Julius Hersheimmer WAS a splendid fellow! And Mr. Brown
is a consummate actor. But ask Miss Tuppence if she also has not
had her suspicions."
Jane turned mutely to Tuppence. The latter nodded.
"I didn't want to say it, Jane--I knew it would hurt you. And,
after all, I couldn't be sure. I still don't understand why, if
he's Mr. Brown, he rescued us."
"Was it Julius Hersheimmer who helped you to escape?"
Tuppence recounted to Sir James the exciting events of the
evening, ending up: "But I can't see WHY!"
"Can't you? I can. So can young Beresford, by his actions. As a
last hope Jane Finn was to be allowed to escape--and the escape
must be managed so that she harbours no suspicions of its being a
put-up job. They're not averse to young Beresford's being in the
neighbourhood, and, if necessary, communicating with you. They'll
take care to get him out of the way at the right minute. Then
Julius Hersheimmer dashes up and rescues you in true melodramatic
style. Bullets fly--but don't hit anybody. What would have
happened next? You would have driven straight to the house in
Soho and secured the document which Miss Finn would probably have
entrusted to her cousin's keeping. Or, if he conducted the
search, he would have pretended to find the hiding-place already
rifled. He would have had a dozen ways of dealing with the
situation, but the result would have been the same. And I rather
fancy some accident would have happened to both of you. You see,
you know rather an inconvenient amount. That's a rough outline.
I admit I was caught napping; but somebody else wasn't."
"Tommy," said Tuppence softly.
"Yes. Evidently when the right moment came to get rid of him--he
was too sharp for them. All the same, I'm not too easy in my
mind about him."
"Why?"
"Because Julius Hersheimmer is Mr. Brown," said Sir James dryly.
"And it takes more than one man and a revolver to hold up Mr.
Brown...."
Tuppence paled a little.
"What can we do?"
"Nothing until we've been to the house in Soho. If Beresford has
still got the upper hand, there's nothing to fear. If otherwise,
our enemy will come to find us, and he will not find us
unprepared!" From a drawer in the desk, he took a service
revolver, and placed it in his coat pocket.
"Now we're ready. I know better than even to suggest going
without you, Miss Tuppence----"
"I should think so indeed!"
"But I do suggest that Miss Finn should remain here. She will be
perfectly safe, and I am afraid she is absolutely worn out with
all she has been through."
But to Tuppence's surprise Jane shook her head.
"No. I guess I'm going too. Those papers were my trust. I must
go through with this business to the end. I'm heaps better now
anyway."
Sir James's car was ordered round. During the short drive
Tuppence's heart beat tumultuously. In spite of momentary qualms
of uneasiness respecting Tommy, she could not but feel
exultation. They were going to win!
The car drew up at the corner of the square and they got out. Sir
James went up to a plain-clothes man who was on duty with several
others, and spoke to him. Then he rejoined the girls.
"No one has gone into the house so far. It is being watched at
the back as well, so they are quite sure of that. Anyone who
attempts to enter after we have done so will be arrested
immediately. Shall we go in?"
A policeman produced a key. They all knew Sir James well. They
had also had orders respecting Tuppence. Only the third member
of the party was unknown to them. The three entered the house,
pulling the door to behind them. Slowly they mounted the rickety
stairs. At the top was the ragged curtain hiding the recess where
Tommy had hidden that day. Tuppence had heard the story from
Jane in her character of "Annette." She looked at the tattered
velvet with interest. Even now she could almost swear it
moved--as though some one was behind it. So strong was the
illusion that she almost fancied she could make out the outline
of a form.... Supposing Mr. Brown--Julius--was there waiting....
Impossible of course! Yet she almost went back to put the
curtain aside and make sure....
Now they were entering the prison room. No place for anyone to
hide here, thought Tuppence, with a sigh of relief, then chided
herself indignantly. She must not give way to this foolish
fancying--this curious insistent feeling that MR. BROWN WAS IN
THE HOUSE.... Hark! what was that? A stealthy footstep on the
stairs? There WAS some one in the house! Absurd! She was
becoming hysterical.
Jane had gone straight to the picture of Marguerite. She
unhooked it with a steady hand. The dust lay thick upon it, and
festoons of cobwebs lay between it and the wall. Sir James
handed her a pocket-knife, and she ripped away the brown paper
from the back.... The advertisement page of a magazine fell out.
Jane picked it up. Holding apart the frayed inner edges she
extracted two thin sheets covered with writing!
No dummy this time! The real thing!
"We've got it," said Tuppence. "At last...."
The moment was almost breathless in its emotion. Forgotten the
faint creakings, the imagined noises of a minute ago. None of
them had eyes for anything but what Jane held in her hand.
Sir James took it, and scrutinized it attentively.
"Yes," he said quietly, "this is the ill-fated draft treaty!"
"We've succeeded," said Tuppence. There was awe and an almost
wondering unbelief in her voice.
Sir James echoed her words as he folded the paper carefully and
put it away in his pocket-book, then he looked curiously round
the dingy room.
"It was here that our young friend was confined for so long, was
it not?" he said. "A truly sinister room. You notice the
absence of windows, and the thickness of the close-fitting door.
Whatever took place here would never be heard by the outside
world."
Tuppence shivered. His words woke a vague alarm in her. What if
there WAS some one concealed in the house? Some one who might bar
that door on them, and leave them to die like rats in a trap?
Then she realized the absurdity of her thought. The house was
surrounded by police who, if they failed to reappear, would not
hesitate to break in and make a thorough search. She smiled at
her own foolishness--then looked up with a start to find Sir
James watching her. He gave her an emphatic little nod.
"Quite right, Miss Tuppence. You scent danger. So do I. So does
Miss Finn."
"Yes," admitted Jane. "It's absurd--but I can't help it."
Sir James nodded again.
"You feel--as we all feel--THE PRESENCE OF MR. BROWN. Yes"--as
Tuppence made a movement--"not a doubt of it--MR. BROWN IS
HERE...."
"In this house?"
"In this room.... You don't understand? I AM MR. BROWN...."
Stupefied, unbelieving, they stared at him. The very lines of
his face had changed. It was a different man who stood before
them. He smiled a slow cruel smile.
"Neither of you will leave this room alive! You said just now we
had succeeded. I have succeeded! The draft treaty is mine." His
smile grew wider as he looked at Tuppence. "Shall I tell you how
it will be? Sooner or later the police will break in, and they
will find three victims of Mr. Brown--three, not two, you
understand, but fortunately the third will not be dead, only
wounded, and will be able to describe the attack with a wealth of
detail! The treaty? It is in the hands of Mr. Brown. So no one
will think of searching the pockets of Sir James Peel Edgerton!"
He turned to Jane.
"You outwitted me. I make my acknowledgments. But you will not
do it again."
There was a faint sound behind him, but, intoxicated with
success, he did not turn his head.
He slipped his hand into his pocket.
"Checkmate to the Young Adventurers," he said, and slowly raised
the big automatic.
But, even as he did so, he felt himself seized from behind in a
grip of iron. The revolver was wrenched from his hand, and the
voice of Julius Hersheimmer said drawlingly:
"I guess you're caught redhanded with the goods upon you."
The blood rushed to the K.C.'s face, but his self-control was
marvellous, as he looked from one to the other of his two
captors. He looked longest at Tommy.
"You," he said beneath his breath. "YOU! I might have known."
Seeing that he was disposed to offer no resistance, their grip
slackened. Quick as a flash his left hand, the hand which bore
the big signet ring, was raised to his lips....
" 'Ave, Caesar! te morituri salutant,' " he said, still looking
at Tommy.
Then his face changed, and with a long convulsive shudder he fell
forward in a crumpled heap, whilst an odour of bitter almonds
filled the air.
CHAPTER XXVII
A SUPPER PARTY AT THE SAVOY
THE supper party given by Mr. Julius Hersheimmer to a few friends
on the evening of the 30th will long be remembered in catering
circles. It took place in a private room, and Mr. Hersheimmer's
orders were brief and forcible. He gave carte blanche--and when
a millionaire gives carte blanche he usually gets it!
Every delicacy out of season was duly provided. Waiters carried
bottles of ancient and royal vintage with loving care. The floral
decorations defied the seasons, and fruits of the earth as far
apart as May and November found themselves miraculously side by
side. The list of guests was small and select. The American
Ambassador, Mr. Carter, who had taken the liberty, he said, of
bringing an old friend, Sir William Beresford, with him,
Archdeacon Cowley, Dr. Hall, those two youthful adventurers, Miss
Prudence Cowley and Mr. Thomas Beresford, and last, but not
least, as guest of honour, Miss Jane Finn.
Julius had spared no pains to make Jane's appearance a success. A
mysterious knock had brought Tuppence to the door of the
apartment she was sharing with the American girl. It was Julius.
In his hand he held a cheque.
"Say, Tuppence," he began, "will you do me a good turn? Take
this, and get Jane regularly togged up for this evening. You're
all coming to supper with me at the Savoy. See? Spare no
expense. You get me?"
"Sure thing," mimicked Tuppence. "We shall enjoy ourselves. It
will be a pleasure dressing Jane. She's the loveliest thing I've
ever seen."
"That's so," agreed Mr. Hersheimmer fervently.
His fervour brought a momentary twinkle to Tuppence's eye.
"By the way, Julius," she remarked demurely, "I--haven't given
you my answer yet."
"Answer?" said Julius. His face paled.
"You know--when you asked me to--marry you," faltered Tuppence,
her eyes downcast in the true manner of the early Victorian
heroine, "and wouldn't take no for an answer. I've thought it
well over----"
"Yes?" said Julius. The perspiration stood on his forehead.
Tuppence relented suddenly.
"You great idiot!" she said. "What on earth induced you to do
it? I could see at the time you didn't care a twopenny dip for
me!"
"Not at all. I had--and still have--the highest sentiments of
esteem and respect--and admiration for you----"
"H'm!" said Tuppence. "Those are the kind of sentiments that
very soon go to the wall when the other sentiment comes along!
Don't they, old thing?"
"I don't know what you mean," said Julius stiffly, but a large
and burning blush overspread his countenance.
"Shucks!" retorted Tuppence. She laughed, and closed the door,
reopening it to add with dignity: "Morally, I shall always
consider I have been jilted!"
"What was it?" asked Jane as Tuppence rejoined her.
"Julius."
"What did he want?"
"Really, I think, he wanted to see you, but I wasn't going to let
him. Not until to-night, when you're going to burst upon every
one like King Solomon in his glory! Come on! WE'RE GOING TO
SHOP!"
To most people the 29th, the much-heralded "Labour Day," had
passed much as any other day. Speeches were made in the Park and
Trafalgar Square. Straggling processions, singing the Red Flag,
wandered through the streets in a more or less aimless manner.
Newspapers which had hinted at a general strike, and the
inauguration of a reign of terror, were forced to hide their
diminished heads. The bolder and more astute among them sought to
prove that peace had been effected by following their counsels.
In the Sunday papers a brief notice of the sudden death of Sir
James Peel Edgerton, the famous K.C., had appeared. Monday's
paper dealt appreciatively with the dead man's career. The exact
manner of his sudden death was never made public.
Tommy had been right in his forecast of the situation. It had
been a one-man show. Deprived of their chief, the organization
fell to pieces. Kramenin had made a precipitate return to Russia,
leaving England early on Sunday morning. The gang had fled from
Astley Priors in a panic, leaving behind, in their haste, various
damaging documents which compromised them hopelessly. With these
proofs of conspiracy in their hands, aided further by a small
brown diary taken from the pocket of the dead man which had
contained a full and damning resume of the whole plot, the
Government had called an eleventh-hour conference. The Labour
leaders were forced to recognize that they had been used as a
cat's paw. Certain concessions were made by the Government, and
were eagerly accepted. It was to be Peace, not War!
But the Cabinet knew by how narrow a margin they had escaped
utter disaster. And burnt in on Mr. Carter's brain was the
strange scene which had taken place in the house in Soho the
night before.
He had entered the squalid room to find that great man, the
friend of a lifetime, dead--betrayed out of his own mouth. From
the dead man's pocket-book he had retrieved the ill-omened draft
treaty, and then and there, in the presence of the other three,
it had been reduced to ashes.... England was saved!
And now, on the evening of the 30th, in a private room at the
Savoy, Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer was receiving his guests.
Mr. Carter was the first to arrive. With him was a
choleric-looking old gentleman, at sight of whom Tommy flushed up
to the roots of his hair. He came forward.
"Ha!" said the old gentleman, surveying him apoplectically. "So
you're my nephew, are you? Not much to look at--but you've done
good work, it seems. Your mother must have brought you up well
after all. Shall we let bygones be bygones, eh? You're my heir,
you know; and in future I propose to make you an allowance--and
you can look upon Chalmers Park as your home."
"Thank you, sir, it's awfully decent of you."
"Where's this young lady I've been hearing such a lot about?"
Tommy introduced Tuppence.
"Ha!" said Sir William, eyeing her. "Girls aren't what they used
to be in my young days."
"Yes, they are," said Tuppence. "Their clothes are different,
perhaps, but they themselves are just the same."
"Well, perhaps you're right. Minxes then--minxes now!"
"That's it," said Tuppence. "I'm a frightful minx myself."
"I believe you," said the old gentleman, chuckling, and pinched
her ear in high good-humour. Most young women were terrified of
the "old bear," as they termed him. Tuppence's pertness
delighted the old misogynist.
Then came the timid archdeacon, a little bewildered by the
company in which he found himself, glad that his daughter was
considered to have distinguished herself, but unable to help
glancing at her from time to time with nervous apprehension. But
Tuppence behaved admirably. She forbore to cross her legs, set a
guard upon her tongue, and steadfastly refused to smoke.
Dr. Hall came next, and he was followed by the American
Ambassador.
"We might as well sit down," said Julius, when he had introduced
all his guests to each other. "Tuppence, will you "
He indicated the place of honour with a wave of his hand.
But Tuppence shook her head.
"No--that's Jane's place! When one thinks of how she's held out
all these years, she ought to be made the queen of the feast
to-night."
Julius flung her a grateful glance, and Jane came forward shyly
to the allotted seat. Beautiful as she had seemed before, it was
as nothing to the loveliness that now went fully adorned.
Tuppence had performed her part faithfully. The model gown
supplied by a famous dressmaker had been entitled "A tiger lily."
It was all golds and reds and browns, and out of it rose the pure
column of the girl's white throat, and the bronze masses of hair
that crowned her lovely head. There was admiration in every eye,
as she took her seat.
Soon the supper party was in full swing, and with one accord
Tommy was called upon for a full and complete explanation.
"You've been too darned close about the whole business," Julius
accused him. "You let on to me that you were off to the
Argentine--though I guess you had your reasons for that. The idea
of both you and Tuppence casting me for the part of Mr. Brown
just tickles me to death!"
"The idea was not original to them," said Mr. Carter gravely. "It
was suggested, and the poison very carefully instilled, by a
past-master in the art. The paragraph in the New York paper
suggested the plan to him, and by means of it he wove a web that
nearly enmeshed you fatally."
"I never liked him," said Julius. "I felt from the first that
there was something wrong about him, and I always suspected that
it was he who silenced Mrs. Vandemeyer so appositely. But it
wasn't till I heard that the order for Tommy's execution came
right on the heels of our interview with him that Sunday that I
began to tumble to the fact that he was the big bug himself."
"I never suspected it at all," lamented Tuppence. "I've always
thought I was so much cleverer than Tommy--but he's undoubtedly
scored over me handsomely."
Julius agreed.
"Tommy's been the goods this trip! And, instead of sitting there
as dumb as a fish, let him banish his blushes, and tell us all
about it."
"Hear! hear!"
"There's nothing to tell," said Tommy, acutely uncomfortable. "I
was an awful mug--right up to the time I found that photograph of
Annette, and realized that she was Jane Finn. Then I remembered
how persistently she had shouted out that word 'Marguerite'--and
I thought of the pictures, and--well, that's that. Then of course
I went over the whole thing to see where I'd made an ass of
myself."
"Go on," said Mr. Carter, as Tommy showed signs of taking refuge
in silence once more.
"That business about Mrs. Vandemeyer had worried me when Julius
told me about it. On the face of it, it seemed that he or Sir
James must have done the trick. But I didn't know which.
Finding that photograph in the drawer, after that story of how it
had been got from him by Inspector Brown, made me suspect Julius.
Then I remembered that it was Sir James who had discovered the
false Jane Finn. In the end, I couldn't make up my mind--and
just decided to take no chances either way. I left a note for
Julius, in case he was Mr. Brown, saying I was off to the
Argentine, and I dropped Sir James's letter with the offer of the
job by the desk so that he would see it was a genuine stunt.
Then I wrote my letter to Mr. Carter and rang up Sir James.
Taking him into my confidence would be the best thing either way,
so I told him everything except where I believed the papers to be
hidden. The way he helped me to get on the track of Tuppence and
Annette almost disarmed me, but not quite. I kept my mind open
between the two of them. And then I got a bogus note from
Tuppence--and I knew!"
"But how?"
Tommy took the note in question from his pocket and passed it
round the table.
"It's her handwriting all right, but I knew it wasn't from her
because of the signature. She'd never spell her name 'Twopence,'
but anyone who'd never seen it written might quite easily do so.
Julius HAD seen it--he showed me a note of hers to him once--but
SIR JAMES HADN'T! After that everything was plain sailing. I sent
off Albert post-haste to Mr. Carter. I pretended to go away, but
doubled back again. When Julius came bursting up in his car, I
felt it wasn't part of Mr. Brown's plan--and that there would
probably be trouble. Unless Sir James was actually caught in the
act, so to speak, I knew Mr. Carter would never believe it of him
on my bare word----"
"I didn't," interposed Mr. Carter ruefully.
"That's why I sent the girls off to Sir James. I was sure they'd
fetch up at the house in Soho sooner or later. I threatened
Julius with the revolver, because I wanted Tuppence to repeat
that to Sir James, so that he wouldn't worry about us. The moment
the girls were out of sight I told Julius to drive like hell for
London, and as we went along I told him the whole story. We got
to the Soho house in plenty of time and met Mr. Carter outside.
After arranging things with him we went in and hid behind the
curtain in the recess. The policemen had orders to say, if they
were asked, that no one had gone into the house. That's all."
And Tommy came to an abrupt halt.
There was silence for a moment.
"By the way," said Julius suddenly, "you're all wrong about that
photograph of Jane. It WAS taken from me, but I found it again."
"Where?" cried Tuppence.
"In that little safe on the wall in Mrs. Vandemeyer's bedroom."
"I knew you found something," said Tuppence reproachfully. "To
tell you the truth, that's what started me off suspecting you.
Why didn't you say?"
"I guess I was a mite suspicious too. It had been got away from
me once, and I determined I wouldn't let on I'd got it until a
photographer had made a dozen copies of it!"
"We all kept back something or other," said Tuppence
thoughtfully. "I suppose secret service work makes you like
that!"
In the pause that ensued, Mr. Carter took from his pocket a small
shabby brown book.
"Beresford has just said that I would not have believed Sir James
Peel Edgerton to be guilty unless, so to speak, he was caught in
the act. That is so. Indeed, not until I read the entries in
this little book could I bring myself fully to credit the amazing
truth. This book will pass into the possession of Scotland Yard,
but it will never be publicly exhibited. Sir James's long
association with the law would make it undesirable. But to you,
who know the truth, I propose to read certain passages which will
throw some light on the extraordinary mentality of this great
man."
He opened the book, and turned the thin pages.
". . . It is madness to keep this book. I know that. It is
documentary evidence against me. But I have never shrunk from
taking risks. And I feel an urgent need for self-expression....
The book will only be taken from my dead body....
". . . From an early age I realized that I had exceptional
abilities. Only a fool underestimates his capabilities. My brain
power was greatly above the average. I know that I was born to
succeed. My appearance was the only thing against me. I was
quiet and insignificant--utterly nondescript....
". . . When I was a boy I heard a famous murder trial. I was
deeply impressed by the power and eloquence of the counsel for
the defence. For the first time I entertained the idea of taking
my talents to that particular market.... Then I studied the
criminal in the dock.... The man was a fool--he had been
incredibly, unbelievably stupid. Even the eloquence of his
counsel was hardly likely to save him. I felt an immeasurable
contempt for him.... Then it occurred to me that the criminal
standard was a low one. It was the wastrels, the failures, the
general riff-raff of civilization who drifted into crime....
Strange that men of brains had never realized its extraordinary
opportunities.... I played with the idea.... What a magnificent
field--what unlimited possibilities! It made my brain reel....
". . . I read standard works on crime and criminals. They all
confirmed my opinion. Degeneracy, disease--never the deliberate
embracing of a career by a far-seeing man. Then I considered.
Supposing my utmost ambitions were realized--that I was called to
the bar, and rose to the height of my profession? That I entered
politics--say, even, that I became Prime Minister of England?
What then? Was that power? Hampered at every turn by my
colleagues, fettered by the democratic system of which I should
be the mere figurehead! No--the power I dreamed of was absolute!
An autocrat! A dictator! And such power could only be obtained
by working outside the law. To play on the weaknesses of human
nature, then on the weaknesses of nations--to get together and
control a vast organization, and finally to overthrow the
existing order, and rule! The thought intoxicated me....
". . . I saw that I must lead two lives. A man like myself is
bound to attract notice. I must have a successful career which
would mask my true activities.... Also I must cultivate a
personality. I modelled myself upon famous K.C.'s. I reproduced
their mannerisms, their magnetism. If I had chosen to be an
actor, I should have been the greatest actor living! No
disguises--no grease paint--no false beards! Personality! I put
it on like a glove! When I shed it, I was myself, quiet,
unobtrusive, a man like every other man. I called myself Mr.
Brown. There are hundreds of men called Brown--there are
hundreds of men looking just like me....
". . . I succeeded in my false career. I was bound to succeed. I
shall succeed in the other. A man like me cannot fail....
". . . I have been reading a life of Napoleon. He and I have
much in common....
". . . I make a practice of defending criminals. A man should
look after his own people....
". . . Once or twice I have felt afraid. The first time was in
Italy. There was a dinner given. Professor D----, the great
alienist, was present. The talk fell on insanity. He said, 'A
great many men are mad, and no one knows it. They do not know it
themselves.' I do not understand why he looked at me when he
said that. His glance was strange.... I did not like it....
". . . The war has disturbed me.... I thought it would further my
plans. The Germans are so efficient. Their spy system, too, was
excellent. The streets are full of these boys in khaki. All
empty-headed young fools.... Yet I do not know.... They won the
war.... It disturbs me....
". . . My plans are going well.... A girl butted in--I do not
think she really knew anything.... But we must give up the
Esthonia.... No risks now....
". . . . All goes well. The loss of memory is vexing. It cannot
be a fake. No girl could deceive ME! . . .
". . .The 29th.... That is very soon...." Mr. Carter paused.
"I will not read the details of the coup that was planned. But
there are just two small entries that refer to the three of you.
In the light of what happened they are interesting.
". . . By inducing the girl to come to me of her own accord, I
have succeeded in disarming her. But she has intuitive flashes
that might be dangerous.... She must be got out of the way.... I
can do nothing with the American. He suspects and dislikes me.
But he cannot know. I fancy my armour is impregnable....
Sometimes I fear I have underestimated the other boy. He is not
clever, but it is hard to blind his eyes to facts...."
Mr. Carter shut the book.
"A great man," he said. "Genius, or insanity, who can say?"
There was silence.
Then Mr. Carter rose to his feet.
"I will give you a toast. The Joint Venture which has so amply
justified itself by success!"
It was drunk with acclamation.
"There's something more we want to hear," continued Mr. Carter.
He looked at the American Ambassador. "I speak for you also, I
know. We'll ask Miss Jane Finn to tell us the story that only
Miss Tuppence has heard so far--but before we do so we'll drink
her health. The health of one of the bravest of America's
daughters, to whom is due the thanks and gratitude of two great
countries!"
CHAPTER XXVIII
AND AFTER
"THAT was a mighty good toast, Jane," said Mr. Hersheimmer, as he
and his cousin were being driven back in the Rolls-Royce to the
Ritz.
"The one to the joint venture?"
"No--the one to you. There isn't another girl in the world who
could have carried it through as you did. You were just
wonderful!"
Jane shook her head.
"I don't feel wonderful. At heart I'm just tired and
lonesome--and longing for my own country."
"That brings me to something I wanted to say. I heard the
Ambassador telling you his wife hoped you would come to them at
the Embassy right away. That's good enough, but I've got another
plan. Jane--I want you to marry me! Don't get scared and say no
at once. You can't love me right away, of course, that's
impossible. But I've loved you from the very moment I set eyes
on your photo--and now I've seen you I'm simply crazy about you!
If you'll only marry me, I won't worry you any--you shall take
your own time. Maybe you'll never come to love me, and if that's
the case I'll manage to set you free. But I want the right to
look after you, and take care of you."
"That's what I want," said the girl wistfully. "Some one who'll
be good to me. Oh, you don't know how lonesome I feel!"
"Sure thing I do. Then I guess that's all fixed up, and I'll see
the archbishop about a special license to-morrow morning."
"Oh, Julius!"
"Well, I don't want to hustle you any, Jane, but there's no sense
in waiting about. Don't be scared--I shan't expect you to love
me all at once."
But a small hand was slipped into his.
"I love you now, Julius," said Jane Finn. "I loved you that
first moment in the car when the bullet grazed your cheek...."
Five minutes later Jane murmured softly:
"I don't know London very well, Julius, but is it such a very
long way from the Savoy to the Ritz?"
"It depends how you go," explained Julius unblushingly. "We're
going by way of Regent's Park!"
"Oh, Julius--what will the chauffeur think?"
"At the wages I pay him, he knows better than to do any
independent thinking. Why, Jane, the only reason I had the
supper at the Savoy was so that I could drive you home. I didn't
see how I was ever going to get hold of you alone. You and
Tuppence have been sticking together like Siamese twins. I guess
another day of it would have driven me and Beresford stark
staring mad!"
"Oh. Is he----?"
"Of course he is. Head over ears."
"I thought so," said Jane thoughtfully.
"Why?"
"From all the things Tuppence didn't say!"
"There you have me beat," said Mr. Hersheimmer. But Jane only
laughed.
In the meantime, the Young Adventurers were sitting bolt upright,
very stiff and ill at ease, in a taxi which, with a singular lack
of originality, was also returning to the Ritz via Regent's Park.
A terrible constraint seemed to have settled down between them.
Without quite knowing what had happened, everything seemed
changed. They were tongue-tied--paralysed. All the old
camaraderie was gone.
Tuppence could think of nothing to say.
Tommy was equally afflicted.
They sat very straight and forbore to look at each other.
At last Tuppence made a desperate effort.
"Rather fun, wasn't it?"
"Rather."
Another silence.
"I like Julius," essayed Tuppence again.
Tommy was suddenly galvanized into life.
"You're not going to marry him, do you hear?" he said
dictatorially. "I forbid it."
"Oh!" said Tuppence meekly.
"Absolutely, you understand."
"He doesn't want to marry me--he really only asked me out of
kindness."
"That's not very likely," scoffed Tommy.
"It's quite true. He's head over ears in love with Jane. I
expect he's proposing to her now."
"She'll do for him very nicely," said Tommy condescendingly.
"Don't you think she's the most lovely creature you've ever
seen?"
"Oh, I dare say."
"But I suppose you prefer sterling worth," said Tuppence
demurely.
"I--oh, dash it all, Tuppence, you know!"
"I like your uncle, Tommy," said Tuppence, hastily creating a
diversion. "By the way, what are you going to do, accept Mr.
Carter's offer of a Government job, or accept Julius's invitation
and take a richly remunerated post in America on his ranch?"
"I shall stick to the old ship, I think, though it's awfully good
of Hersheimmer. But I feel you'd be more at home in London."
"I don't see where I come in."
"I do," said Tommy positively.
Tuppence stole a glance at him sideways.
"There's the money, too," she observed thoughtfully.
"What money?"
"We're going to get a cheque each. Mr. Carter told me so."
"Did you ask how much?" inquired Tommy sarcastically.
"Yes," said Tuppence triumphantly. "But I shan't tell you."
"Tuppence, you are the limit!"
"It has been fun, hasn't it, Tommy? I do hope we shall have lots
more adventures."
"You're insatiable, Tuppence. I've had quite enough adventures
for the present."
"Well, shopping is almost as good," said Tuppence dreamily.
"Think of buying old furniture, and bright carpets, and futurist
silk curtains, and a polished dining-table, and a divan with lots
of cushions."
"Hold hard," said Tommy. "What's all this for?"
"Possibly a house--but I think a flat."
"Whose flat?"
"You think I mind saying it, but I don't in the least! OURS, so
there!"
"You darling!" cried Tommy, his arms tightly round her. "I was
determined to make you say it. I owe you something for the
relentless way you've squashed me whenever I've tried to be
sentimental."
Tuppence raised her face to his. The taxi proceeded on its
course round the north side of Regent's Park.
"You haven't really proposed now," pointed out Tuppence. "Not
what our grandmothers would call a proposal. But after listening
to a rotten one like Julius's, I'm inclined to let you off."
"You won't be able to get out of marrying me, so don't you think
it."
"What fun it will be," responded Tuppence. "Marriage is called
all sorts of things, a haven, and a refuge, and a crowning glory,
and a state of bondage, and lots more. But do you know what I
think it is?"
"What?"
"A sport!"
"And a damned good sport too," said Tommy.
Back to Full Books
|