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The Secret
Adversary
"I W* I
By
AGATHA
CHRISTIE
(Copyright Dodd, Mead & Company)
TOMMY AND TUPPENCE
Love, adventure, fighting, humor,
an attractive hero and heroine, a
capable literary workman for an
author—given these and you have
always a good story and often the
kind that keeps you up o’ night to
finish It. Add a real mystery, clev
erly handled, and you get a real
thriller of a yarn. Well, they are
all here. That's why "The Secret
Adversary” is hard to lay down
until the last page is read. In fact,
this story Is “good measure,
pressed down and shaken” because
it’s got a World War tingle to it
and a patriotic thrill.
Mr. Brown, the evil genius, of
the story, rules a clever and dan
gerous band. So cleverly does he
remain in the background that not
even his agents knowingly set eyes
on him. So, in the next to the last
chapter you are in for a surprise
when you learn the identity of Mr.
Brown and realize that he’s been
walking about in plain sight all
the time.
Agatha Christie, the author. Is a
voung English woman who has de
veloped the writing of a mystery
story to a fine art. She wrote
“The Mysterious Affair at Styles,”
which was widely read on both
sides of the Atlantic. Her new
story is International, too, and thus
has thrills for all English-speaking
readers.
PROLOGUE
It wns 2 p. m. on the afternoon of
May 7, 1915. The Lusitania had been
struck by two torpedoes In succession
and was sinking rapidly, while the
boats were being launched with all
possible speed. The women and chil
dren were being lined up awaiting
their turn. Some still clung desper
ately to husbands and fathers. One
girl stood alone, slightly apart from
the rest. She was quite young, not
more than eighteen. She did not seem
afraid, and her grave, steadfast eyes
looked straight ahead.
“I beg your pardon.”
A man’s voice beside her made her
start and turn. She had noticed the
speaker more than once amongst the
first-class passengers. There had
been a hint of mystery about him
which had appealed to her Imagina
tion. He spoke to no one.
She noticed that he wns greatly
agitated. There were beads of per
spiration on his brow. He was evi
dently in a state of overmastering
fear. And yet he did not strike her
as the kind of man who would be
afraid to meet death!
“Yes?” Her grave eyes met his In
quiringly.
He stood looking at her with a kind
of desperate Irresolution.
“It must be!” he muttered to him
self. “Yes —it is the only way. I’ve
got to trust someone —and It must be
a woman.”
“Why?”
"Because of ‘women and children
first.’ ’’ He looked round and low
ered his voice. “I’m carrying papers—
vitally important papers. They may
make all the difference to the Allies
In the war. You understand? These
papers have got to be saved ! They’ve
more chance with you than with me.
Will you take them?”
The girl held out her hand.
“Walt —I must warn you. There
may be risk —if I’ve been followed. I
don’t think I have, but one never
knows. If so, there will be danger.
Have you the nerve to go through
with it'?”
The girl smiled.
“I’ll go through with ft all right.
And I’m real proud to be chosen!
What am I to do with them after
ward ?”
“Watch the newspapers! m ad
vertise in the personal columns of the
Times, beginning ‘Shipmate.’ At the
end of three days if there’s nothing—
well, you’ll know that I’m down and
out. Then take the packet to the
American embassy, and deliver it Into
the ambassador’s own hands. Is that
clear?”
“Quite clear.”
“Then be ready—l’m going to say
good-by.” He took her hand in his.
“Good-by. Good luck to you," he said
In a louder tone.
Her hand closed on the oilskin
packet that had Inin In h!s palm.
The Lusitania settled with a more
decided list to starboard. In answer
to a quick command, the girl went
forward to take her place in the boat.
CHAPTER I
The Young Adventurvra, Ltd.
“Tommy, oltl thing 1"
“Tuppence, old bean I”
The two young people greeted earti
other affectionately, and momentarily
blocked the Dover Street Tube exit
In doing so. The ndjectlve “old" was
misleading. Their united ages would
certainly not have totaled forty-five.
“Not seen you for simply centuries,"
continued the young man. “Where
are you off to? Come and chew a bun
with me. We’re getting a bit unpopu
lar here—blocking the gangway, as
!t were. Let’s get cut of It.”
The girl assenting, they started walk
ing down Dover street toward Picca
dilly.
‘‘Now, then,” said Tommy, "where
shall we go?”
The very faint anxiety which un
derlay his tone did not escape the
astute ears of Miss Prudence Cowley,
known to her intimate friends for
some mysterious reason as “Tup
pence." She pounced at once.
“Tommy, you’re stony 1"
Not a bit of It,” declared Tommy
unconvincingly. “Rolling in cash.”
“You always were a shocking liar,”
said Tuppence severely, “though you
did once persuade Sister Greenbank
that the doctor had ordered you beer
as a tonic, but forgotten to write It
on the chart. Do you remember?”
Tommy chuckled.
“I should think I did! Wasn’t the
old cat In a rage when she found out?
Not that she was a bad sort really,
old Mother Greenbank! Good old
hospital demobbed like everything
else, I suppose ?”
Tuppence sighed. “Yes. Lon too?”
Tommy nodded. “Two months ago.”
“Gratuity?” hinted Tuppence.
“Spent.”
“Oh, Tommy!’’
“No, old thing, not In riotous dis
sipation. No such luck I The cost of
living—ordinary plain or garden liv
ing—nowadays Is, I assure you, if you
do not know—”
“My dear child,” interrupted Tup
pence, “there is nothing I do not
know about the cost of living. Here
we are at Lyons’, and we will each
of us pay for our own. That’s that I”
And Tuppence led the way upstairs.
The place was full, and they wan
dered about looking for a table, catch
ing odds and ends of conversation as
they did so.
“Funny scraps one does overhear,”
murmured Tommy. “I passed two
Johnnies in the street today talking
about someone called Jane Finn. Did
you ever hear such a name?”
But at that moment two elderly
ladles rose and collected parcels, and
Tuppence deftly ensconced herself in
one of the vacant seats.
Tommy ordered tea and buns. Tup
pence ordered tea and buttered toast.
“And mind the tea comes in sepa
rate teapots,” she added severely.
Tommy sat down opposite her. His
bared head revealed a shock of exqui
sitely slicked-back red hair. His face
was pleasantly ugly—nondescript, yet
unmistakably the face of a gentleman
and a sportsman. His brown suit was
well cut, but perilously near the end
of its tether.
They were an essentially modern
looking couple as they sat there. Tup
pence 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
gray eyes that looked mistily out from
under straight, black brows. She wore
a small bright green toque over her
black bobbed hair, and her extremely
short and rather shabby skirt revealed
a pair of uncommonly dainty ankles.
Her appearance presented a valiant
attempt at smartness.
The tea came at last, and Tuppence,
rousing herself from a fit of medita
tion, poured It out.
“Now, then,” said Tommy, taking
a large bite of bun, “let’s get up-to
date. Remember, I haven’t seen you
since that time In hospital in 1916.”
“Very well.” Tuppence helped her
self liberally to buttered toast.
“Abridged biography of Miss Pru
dence Cowley, fifth daughter of Arch
deacon Cowley of Little Missendell,
Suffolk. Miss Cowley left the de
lights and drudgeries) of her home life
early in the war and came up to Lon
don, 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: Pro
moted one floor up to duties of ward
maid with mop and pall. Sixth month:
Promoted to waiting at table. Sev
enth month: Pleasing appearance and
nice manners so striking that am pro
moted to waiting on the Sister*!
Eighth month: Slight check in career.
Sister Bond ate Sister Westhaven’s
egg! Grand row! Wardmald clearly
to blame! Inattention In such impor
tant matters cannot bo too highly cen
sured. Mop and pail again! How are
the mighty fallen ! Ninth month: Pro
moted 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 af
fecting! Tenth month: Reproved by
HENRY COUNTY WEEKLY, McDONOUGH, GEORGIA.
matron fer visiting the pictures in
company with one of the patients,
namely: the aforementioned Lieuten
ant Thomas Beresford. Eleventh and
twelfth months: Parlormaid duties re
sumed with entire success. At the
end of the year left hospital In a blaze
of glory. After that, the talented Miss
Cowley drove successively n trade de
livery van, a motor-lorry and a gen
eral. The last was the pleasantest.
I’ve forgotten his name now. 1
next entered a government office.
We had several very enjoyable tea
parties. I had Intended to become a
land girl, a postwonian, and a bus
conductress by way of rounding off my
career —but the armistice Intervened!
I clung to the office with the true lim
pet touch for many long months, but,
alas, I was combed out at last. Since
then I’ve been looking for n job. Now,
then —your turn.”
“There’s not so much promotion In
mine,” said Tommy regretfully, “and
n great deal less variety. I went out
to France again, as you know. Then
they sent me to Mesopotamia, and 1
got wounded for the second time, and
went into hospital out there. Then 1
got stuck In Egypt till the armistice
happened, kicked my heels there some
time longer, and 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 busi
ness? Nothing.”
Tuppence nodded gloomily.
“What about the colonies?” she sug
gested.
Tommy shook his head.
“I shouldn’t like the colonies —and
I’m perfectly certain they wouldn't
like me I’’
“Rich relations?”
“I’ve got an old uncle who’s more or
less rolling, but he’s no good.”
“Why not?”
“Wanted to adopt me once. I re
fused.”
“I think I remember hearing about
It,” said Tuppence slowly. “You re
fused because of your mother —"
Tommy flushed.
“Yes, It would hove been a bit rough
on her. As you know, I was all she
“Trading Under the Name of The
Young Adventurers, Ltd.; Is That
Your Idea, Tuppence?”
had. Old boy hated her —wanted to
gel me away from her. Just a bit
of spite.”
“Your mother’s dead. Isn’t she?"
said Tuppence gently.
Tommy nodded.
Tuppence’s large gray eyes looked
misty.
“You’re a good sort, Tommy. I al
ways knew it.”
“Rot 1” said Tommy hastily. “Well,
that’s my position. I’m Just about des
perate.”
“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 1 But
It’s no good. I shall have to go
home 1”
“Don’t you want to?”
“Of course I don’t want to 1 What’s
the good of being sentimental? You
see, there are seven of us at home.
It’s awful 1 All housework and moth
ers’ meetings! I don’t want to go
back, but —oh, Tommy, what else is
there to do?”
Tommy shook his head sadly. There
was a silence, and then Tuppence
burst out:
“Money, money, money 1 I think
about money morning, noon and night 1
I dare say It’s mercenary of me, but
there it Is!'’
“Same here,” agreed Tommy with
feeling.
There was a pause.
“Of course,’’ resumed Tuppence,
“marriage is my best chance. I made
up my mind to marry money when I
was quite young. Any thinking girl
would 1 I’m not sentimental, you
know.” She paused. “Come now,
you can't say I’m sentimental," she
added sharply.
"Certainly not,” agreed Tommy has
tlly. “No one would ever think of
sentiment In connection with you."
“That’s not very polite,” replied
Tuppence. “But I dare say you mean
It all right. Well, there It Is I I’m
ready and willing—hut I never meet
any rich men 1 All the boys I know
are about as hard up as I am. No—
murrlage Is fraught with difficulties.
Remains—to make money!”
“We’ve tried that, and failed," Tom
my reminded her.
“We’ve tried all the orthodox ways,
yes. But suppose we try the unortho
dox. Tommy, let’s be adventurers!"
“Certainly,” replied Tommy cheer
fully. “How do we begin?’’
“That’s the difficulty. If wo could
make ourselves known, people might
hire us to commit crimes for them.
Look here, Tommy, shall we really?
Shall we form a business partner
ship?”
“Trading under the name of the
Young Adventurers, Ltd.? Is that the
Idea, Tuppence?"
“It’s all very well to laugh, hut I
feel there might be something In It.”
“How do you propose to get In touch
with your would-be employers?”
“Advertisement,” replied Tuppence
promptly. “Have you got a bit of
paper and a pencil?”
Tommy handed over a rather shabby
green notebook, nnd Tuppence began
writing busily.
“Shall we begin: ‘Young officer,
twice wounded In the war —’ "
“Certainly not.”
“Oh, very well, my dear boy. But
I can assure you that that sort of
thing might touch the heart of an
elderly spinster, nnd she might adopt
you, and then there would be no need
for you to he a young adventurer
ut all.”
“I don’t want to bo adopted.”
“I forgot you had a prejudice
against it. 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 furni
ture. flow would that strike you If
you read it?”
Tommy was holding the paper
thoughtfully. Ills face burned a
deeper red.
“Shall we really try It?” he said
at last. "Shall we, Tuppence? Jusl
for the fun of the tiling?”
“Tommy, you’re a sport 1 I knew
you would be! Let’s drink to suc
cess.’’ She poured some cold dregs
of tea into the two cups.
“Here’s to our Joint venture, and
may it prosper!”
“The Young Adventurers, Ltd. I” re
sponded Tommy.
They put down the cups and
laughed rather uncertainly. Tuppence
rose.
“I must return to my palatial suite
at the hostel."
“Perhaps it is time I strolled round
to the Ritz,” ngreed Tommy with a
grin. “Where shall we meet? And
when?”
“Twelve o’clock tomorrow. Picca
dilly Tube station.”
The two young people went off iq
opposite directions. Tuppence’s hostel
was situated In what was charitably
called Southern Belgravia. For rea
sons of economy she did not take a
bus.
She was half-way across St. James
park, when a man’s voice behind her
made her start.
“Excuse me,” it said. “But may I
speak to you for a moment?”
Tuppence turned sharply, but the
words hovering on the tip of her
tongue remained unspoken, for the
man’s appearance and manner did not
bear out her first and most natural
assumption. She hesitated. As if he
read her thoughts, the man said
quickly:
“I can assure you I mean no dis
respect.”
Tuppence looked him up and down.
He wns a big man, clean shaven, with
a heavy Jowl. His eyes were small
and cunning, and shifted their glance
under her direct gaze.
“Well, what Is It?” she asked.
The man took a card from hls
pocket and handed It to her with a
bow.
Tuppence took It and scrutinized It
carefully. It bore the Inscription. “Mr.
Edward Whittington.” Below the
name were the words “Esthonia Glass
ware company,” and the address of a
city office.
“How much do you know?
And how much do you want?”
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
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A new type of submarine cable has
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