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About The Henry County weekly. (McDonough, GA.) 18??-1934 | View Entire Issue (June 22, 1923)
The Secret | Adversary | I | | By AGATHA CHRISTIE (Copyright Dodd. Mead & Company) “A GIRL!" r~ -OPSlS.—Realizing that she has a possible chance of being saved, as the Lusitania is sinking, a stranger gives a young American girl a package which he asks her to deliver to the American ambas sador in England. She 13 saved. In London, former Lieut. ‘‘Tom my” Beresford and Miss Prudence Cowley "Tuppence” discharged army nurse, form an organization, "The Young Adventurers. Ltd.” They are both broke and conse quently ready for unorthodox meth ods. They write out an advertise ment. Tuppence makes a business appointment with a man, Edward Whittington, who offers her easy employment, but on giving her name as "Jane Finn,” which she had heard on the street, Whitting ton disappears. In answer tc an advertisement signed “Jane Finn" the two receive notes from "Mr. Carter” and "Julius P. Hersheim mer.” Carter, a high government official, speakb of a mysterious “Mr. Brown” as head of the* Bol shevikl in England, and engages the pair to And Jane Finn, whom he is seeking for important reasons >f state. Next day the pair visits Hershelrr.mer, American million aire. He is looking for his cousin, Jane Finn, who had disappeared after landing from the Lusitania's boats, and employs them to search for her. They discover a Mrs. Van demeyer is a Lusitania survivor. Tuppence recognizes Whittington In a nailer on Mrs. Vandomeyer. Tommy trails him. Whittington leaves for France. Hershelmmer follows him. Tommy trails Boris, Whittington’s companion, to a house in Soho. He overhears de tails of a Bolshevik and labor plot to overturn the government. CHAPTER IV—Continued. — 6— After listening Intently for a min ute 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 elosC'C door, he laid his ear cautiously to the crack. To his In tense annoyance he could distinguish little more; Just a chance word here and there if a voice was raised, which merely served to whet his curiosity still farther. He eyed the handle of the door ten tatively. Could he turn it by degrees so gently and imperceptibly thut those in the room #vould notice nothing? He decided that with great care It could be done. Very slowly, a fraction of an inch at a time, lie moved it round, holding his breath in his excessive care. A little more—a little more still —would it never be finished? Ah! at last it would turn no farther. He stayed so for a minute or two, then drew a deep breath, and pressed It ever so slightly inward. The door did not budge. Tommy was annoyed. If he had to use too much force, it would almost certainly creak. 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 des peration, he pushed with all his might. Put the door remained firm, and at last the truth dawned upon him. It was locked or bolted on the Inside. For a moment or two Tommy’s in dignation got the better of him. “Well, I’m d—d!” he said. “What a dirty trick!” As his indignation cooled, he pre pared to face the situation. Clearly the first thing to be done was to re store the handle to its original posi tion. It he let it go suddenly, the men inside would be almost certain to notice it, so, with the same infinite pains, be reversed his former tactics. All went well, and with a sigh of re lief 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 bear what was going on in the locked room. As one plan had failed, he must hunt about for another. He looked round him. A little far ther 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. Tim room, which was untenanted, was furnished as a bedroom. Like everything else in the house, the fur future was falling to pieces, and the dirt was, If anything, more abundant. But whnt interested Tommy was the thing ho had hoped to iiiid, u com municating door between the two rooms, upon 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 hud clenrly not been used for some time. By gently wrig gling it to and fro, Tommy managed to draw it back without making too much noise. Then he repeated his former maneuvers 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 vel vet portiere on the Inside of this door which prevented him from seeing, but he was able to recognize the voices with a reasonable amount of accuracy. The Sinn Feiner was speaking. Ills rich Irish voice was unmistakable: ‘‘That’s all very well. But more money Is essential. No money—no results!” Another voice, which Tommy rather thought was that of Boris replied: “Will you guarantee that there are results?” “In a month from now—sooner or later as you wish —I will guarantee you such a reign of terror in Ireland as shall shake the British empire to its foundations.” There was a pause, and then came the soft, sibilant accents of Number Oqe: “Good! You shall have the money. Boris, you will see to that.” Boris asked a question: “Via the Irish Americans, md Mr. Potter, as usual?” “I guess that’ll be all right!” said a new voice, with a transatlantic into nation, “though I’d like to point out, here and now, that things are getting a mite difficult. There’s not the sym pathy there was, and a growing dis position to let the Irish settle their own affairs without Interference from America.” Tommy felt that Boris had sh. Tagged his shoulders as he answered: “Does that matter, since the money only nominally comes from the States?” “The chief difficulty is the landing of the ammunition,” said the Sinn Feiner. “The money is conveyed In easily enough—thanks to our col league here.” “That Is settled, then,” said the sibi lant tones. “Now, in the matter of the loan to an English newspaper, you have arranged the details satisfacto rily, Boris?” “I think so?” “That is good. An official denial from Moscow will be forthcoming if necessary.” There was a pause, and then the clear voice of the German broke the silence: “I am directed by—Mr. Brown, to place the summaries of the reports from the different unions before you. That of the miners is most satisfac tory. We must hold back the rail ways. There may be trouble with the A. S. E.” For a long time there was a silence, broken only by the rustle of papers and an occasional word of explana tion from the German. Then Tommy heard the light tap-tap of fingers, drumming on the table. “And —the date, my friend?” said Number One. “The 29th.” The Russian seemed to consider. “That Is rather soon.” “I know. But it was settled by the principal Labor leaders, and we /can not seem to interfere too much. They must believe it to be entirely their own show’.” The Russian laughed softly, as though amused. “Yes, yes,” he said. “That Is true. They must have no Inkling that we are using them for our own ends. They are honest men —and that Is their value to us. It Is curious—but you cannot make a revolution with out honest men. The instinct of the populace is infallible.” He paused, and then repeated, as though the phrase pleased him: “Every revolu tion has had its honest men. They are soon disposed of afterward.” There was a sinister note In his voice. The German resumed : “Clymes must go. He is too far-seeing. Number Fourteen will see to that.” There was a hoarse murmur. “That’s all right, guv’nor.” And then after a moment or two: “Suppose I’m nabbed.” "You will have the best legal talent to defend you,” replied the German quietly. “But in any case you will wear gloves fitted with the finger prints of a notorious housebreaker. You have little to fear.” “Oh. 1 ain’t afraid, guv’nor. All for the good of the cause. The streets is going to run with blood, so the3* say.” He spoke with a grim rel ish. “Dreams of it, sometimes, I does. Ar. i diamonds and pearls roll ing about in the gutter for anyone to pick up!” Tommy heard a chair shifted. Then Number One spoke: “Then all is ar ranged. We are assured of success?” “I—think so.” But the German spoke with less than his usual confi dence. HENRY COUNTY WEEKLY, McDONOLGH, GEORGIA. Number One’s voice held suddenly a dangerous quality: “What has gone wrong?” “aotidng ; hut —” “But what?” “The Labor leaders. Without them, as you say, we can do nothing. If they do not declare a general strike on the 29th —” “Why should they not?” “As you’ve said, they’re honest. And, in spite of everything we’ve done to discredit the government in their eyes, I’m not sure that they haven’t | got a sneaking faith und belief In it.” “But—” “I know. They abuse It unceas ingly. But, on the whole, public opinion swings to the side of the gov ernment. They will not go against It.“ Again the Russian’s fingers drummed on the table. “To the point, my friend. I was given to understand that there was a certnln document in existence which assured success.” “That is so. If that document were placed before the leaders, the result would be Immediate. They would publish It broadcast throughout Eng land, and declare for the revolution without a moment’s hesitation. The government would be broken finally and completely.” “Then what more do you want?” * “The document itself,” said the Ger man bluntly. “Ah! It is not In your possession? But you know where It is?” “No.” / “Does ahyone know where it Is?” “One person—perhaps. And we are not sure of that even.” "Who is that person?” “A girl.” Tommy held his breath. “A girl?” The Russian’s voice rose contemptuously. “And you have not made her speak? In Russia we have ways of making a girl talk.” “This case Is different,” said the German sullenly. “How —different?” He paused a moment, then went o : “Where Is the girl now?” “The girl?” “ Y es.” “She Is—” But Tommy heard no more. A crashing blow descended on his head, and all was darkness. CHAPTER V Tuppence Enters Domestic Service. When Tommy set forth or. the trail of the two men, it took all Tuppence's self-command to refrain from accom panying him. However, slie contained herself as best she might, consoled by the reflection that her reasoning had been justified by events. The two men had undoubtedly come from the second floor flat, and that one slender thread of the name “Rita” had set the Young Adventurers once more upon the track of the abductors of Jane Finn. The question was what to do next? 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 vigor and a reasonable amount of ac curacy. 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 .zell with small boys. “Well, William,” she remarked cheerfully, In the best approved hos pltal-early-mornlng style, “getting a good shine up?” The boy grinned responsively. “Albert, miss,” he corrected. “Albert be It,” said Tuppence. She glanced mysteriously round the hall. The effect was purposely a broad one in case Albert should miss it. She leaned toward the boy and dropped her \olce: “I want a word with you, Albert.” Albert ceased operations on the fit tings and opened his mouth slightly: “Look! Do you know what this is?” With a dramatic gesture she flung back the left side of her coat and exposed a small enameled 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 corps originated by the archdeacon In the early days of the war. Its pres ence in Tuppence’s coat was due to the fact that she had used it for pin ning In some flowers a day or two before. But Tuppence had sharp eyes, and had noted the corner of a three-penny detective novel protrud ing from Albert’s pocket, and the Im mediate enlargement of his eyes told her that her tactics were good, and that the fish would rise to the halt. “American detective force!” she hissed. Albert fell for It. “Lord 1” he murmured ecstatically. Tuppence nodded at him with the air of one who has established a thorough understanding. “Know who I’m after?” she Inquired genially. Albert, still round-eyed, demanded breathlessly: “One of the fiats?” Tuppence nodded and Jerked a thumb up the stairs. “No. 20./ Calls herself Vandtmeyer Vandemeyer! Ha! ha!” Albert’s hand stole to his pocket. “A crook?” he queried eagerly. “A crook I I should say so. Ready Rita, they call her In the States.” ‘Ready Rita,” repeated Albert de liriously. “Oh, ain’t it Just like the pictures! Annie always said as how she was n had lot.” “Who’s Annie?” Inquired Tuppence Idly. “ 'Ouse parlormaid. She’s leaving today. 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 u stunner to look at, ain’t she?” * “She's some peach,” allowed Tup pence carelessly. “Finds It useful In her layout, you bet. Has she been wearing any of the emeralds, by the way?” “Emeralds? Them’s the green stones, nin’t they?” Tuppence nodded. ‘That’s what we’re after her for. Y°u know old nmn Itysdnle, the oil king?” “It seems sort of familiar to me.” “The sparklers belonged to him. Finest collection of emeralds In the world. Worth a million dollars!” “Lumme!” came ecstatically from Albert. “It sounds more like the pic tures every minute.” Tuppence smiled, gratified at the success of her efforts. “We haven’t exactly proved It yet. But we’re after her. And”—she pro duced a long-drawn-out wink —“I guess she won’t get away with the goods this time.” Albert uttered another ejaculation indicative of delight. “Mind you, sonny, not n word of this,” said Tuppence suddenly. “I guess I oughtn’t to have put you wis£, but In the States we know a real smart lad when we see one. What’s this about the girl you say is leav ing?” “Annie? Regular turn-up. they ’ad.” An idea was dawning In Tup pence’s brain. She thought a minute or two, then tnpped Albert on the shoulder. “See here, son, my brain’s got busy. How would it be If you mentioned that you’d got a young cousin, or a friend of yours had, that might suit the place. You get me?” "I’m there,” said Albert instantly. “You leave It to me, miss, and I’ll fix the whole thing up in two ticks.” "Some lad!’’ commented Tuppence, with a nod of approval. “You let me know, and if It’s O. K. I’ll be round tomorrow at eleven o’clock.” “Where am I to let you know to?” “Rltz,” replied Tuppence laconically. “Name of Cowley.” Albert eyed her enviously, “It must be a good Job, this tec business.” “It sure Is,” drawled Tuppence, “especially when old man R.vsdale backs the bill. But don’t fret, son. If this goes well, you shall come In on the ground floor.” With which promise she took leave of her new ally, and walked briskly away from South Audley mansions, well pleased with her morning’s work. She went straight back to the Rltz and wrote a few brief words to Mr. Carter. Having dispatched this, and Tommy not having yet returned— which did not surprise her—she start ed off on a shopping expedition. Start ing 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 content edly at her reflection in the glass. With an actress’ pencil she had slight ly altered the line of her eyebrows, and that, taken 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. From hospital experience she knew only too well that a nurse out of uniform is frequently unrecognized by her pa tients. “For the first time Tuppence felt afraid." (TO BE CONTINUED.) Peru. From Panama to the coast near Lima, Peru, is a steamer trip of six days. An airplane line will be built, cutting the time to two days. Includ ing stop-overs. Capt. Walter Simon tells about it. lie's head flying man in Peru, born In New Orleans, still an American citizen. Simon says Peru Is far ahead of us in organization and plans for adapt ing the airplane to commercial use. Take that with a grain of salt. 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