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About The Henry County weekly. (McDonough, GA.) 18??-1934 | View Entire Issue (June 29, 1923)
The Secret Adversary By AGATHA CHRISTIE (Cooyrlffht Dodd. Mead & Company) MRS. VANDEMEYER SYNOPSlS.—Realizing that she has a possible chance of being saved, as the Lusitania Is sink ing, a stranger gives a young American girl a package which he asks her to deliver to the American ambassador in Eng land. She Is saved. In London, former Lieut. "Tommy" Eeres ford 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 methods. They write out an ad vertisement. Tuppence makes a business appointment witb *». man. Edward Whittington, who offers her easy employment, but on glv ing her name as “Jane Finn, ' which she had heard on the street. Whittington disappears. In answer to an advertisement signed '3ane Finn” the two re ceive notes from “Mr. Carter” and “Julius P. Hersheimmer.” Carter, a high government official, speaks of a mysterious “Mr. Brown as head of the Bolshevik! in Eng land, and engages the pair to find Jane Finn, whom he is seeking for important reasons of state. Next day the pair visits Hers heimmer, American millionaire. 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. Vandemeyer is a Lusitania survivor. Tuppence recognizes Whit.tington In a caller on Mrs. Vandemeyer. Tommy trails him. Whittington leaves for France. Hersheimmer follows him. Tom my trails Boris, Whittington's companion, to a house in Soho. He overhears details of a Bol shevik and labor plot to overturn the government. Success appar ently depends on finding a secret treaty made between the allies during the war. Tommy is caught listening, and knocked senseless. Sensing sinister relations between Whittington and Mrs. Vandemey er, Tuppence disguises herself and becomes a parlor maid. CHAPTER V—Continued. “Yes,” said Tuppence aloud, nod ding at the pert reflection In the glass, “you’ll do.” She then resumed her normal appearance. Dinner was a solitary meal. Tup pence was rather surprised at Tom my’s non-return. Julius, too, was ab sent —but that, to the girl’s mind, was mo;e easily explained. It was quite ■on the cards that Julius P. Ilersheim rner had left for Constantinople at a moment’s notice if he fancied that a •clue to his cousin’s disappearance was to be found there. The morning brought a note from Hr. Carter: “Dear Miss Tuppence: “You have made a splendid start, and I congratulate you. I feel, though, that I should like to point out to you once more the risks you are running, especially If you pursue the course you Indicate. Those people are abso lutely desperate and Incapable of ei ther mercy or pity. I feel that you probably underestimate the danger, and therefore warn you again that I can promise you no protection. You have given us valuable information, and if you choose to withdraw now no one could blame you. At any rate, think the matter over well before you decide. “If, in spite of my warnings, you make -rp your mind to go through with ft. you will find everything ar ranged. You have lived for two years with Miss Dufferln, The Parson age, Llanelly, and Mrs. Vandemeyer can apply to her for a reference. “May I be permitted a word or two of advice? I suggest that you should represent yourself to be what you are, a former V. A. D., who has chosen domestic service as a profession. There are many such at the present time. That explains away any in congruities of voice or manner which otherwise might awaken suspicion. “Whichever way you decide, good luck to you. “Your sincere friend, “MR. CARTER.” Tuppence’s spirits rose mercu rially. Mr. Carter’s warnings passed unheeded. The young lady had far too much confidence in herself to pay any heed to them. There was still no word or message from Tommy, but the morning post brought a somewhat dirty postcard with the words: “It’s O. K.” scrawled upon It. At ten-thirty Tuppence surveyed with pride a slightly battered tin trunk containing her new possessions. It was artistically corded. She drove to Paddington, and left the box in the cloak room. She then repaired with a handbag to the fastnesses of the ladies’ waiting-room. Ten min utes later a metamorphosed Tuppence walked demurely out of the station and entered a bus. It was a few minutes past eleven when Tuppence again entered the hall of South Audley mansions. Albert was on the lookout, attending to Ills duties in a somewhat desultory fash ion. He did not immediately recog nize Tuppence. When he did, his ad miration was unbounded. “Blest If I’d have known you! That rig-out’s top-hole." "Glad you like it, Albert,” replied Tuppence modestly. “By the way, am I your cousin, or am I not?’’ “Your voice, too,” cried the delight ed boy. “It’s ns English as anything! '’O, I said as a friend of mine knew a young gal. Annie wasn’t best pleased. She’s stopped on till today— to oblige, she said, but really It’s so as to put you against the place. Are you going up now, Miss? Step inside the lift. No. 20 did you say?” And he winked. Tuppence quelled him with a stern glance and stepped inside. As she rang the bell of No. 20 she was conscious of Albert’s eyes slowly descending beneath the level of the floor. A smart young woman opened the door. “I’ve come about the place,” said Tuppence. “It’s a rotten place,” said the young woman without hesitation. “Regular old cat —always Interfering. Accused me of tampering with her letters. Me! The flap was half undone anyway. She’s a wrong ’un, that’s what she Is. Swell clothes, but no class. Cook knows something about her —but she won’t tell —scared to death of her. And suspicious! I can tell you—” But what more Annie could tell, Tuppence was never destined to learn, for at that moment a clear voice with a peculiarly steely ring to It called: “Annie!” The smart young woman Jumped ns If she had been shot. “Yes, ma’am.” “Who are you talking to?” “It’s a young woman about the situ ation. ma’am.” “Show her in then. At once.” “Yes, ma’am.” Tuppence wns ushered Into a room on the right of the long passage. A woman was standing by the fireplace. She was no longer In her first youth, and the beauty she undeniably pos sessed was hardened and coarsened. In her youth she must have been daz zling. Her pale gold hair, owing a slight assistance to art, wns coiled low on her neck, her eyes, of a pierc ing electric blue, seemed to possess a faculty of boring into the very soul of the person she was looking at. Her exquisite figure was enhanced by a wonderful gown of Indigo charmeuse. And yet, despite her swaying grace, and the almost ethereal beauty of her face, you felt Instinctively the pres ence of something hard and menacing, a kind of metallic strength that found expression In the tones of her voice and In that glmlet-llke quality of her eyes. For the first time Tuppence felt afraid. She had not feared Whitting ton, but this woman was different. As If fascinated, she watched the long, cruel line of the red, curving mouth, and again she felt that sensation of panic pass over her. Her usual self confidence deserted her. Vaguely she felt that deceiving this woman would be very different to deceiving Whit tington. Here, indeed, she might ex pect no mercy. Mrs. Vandemeyer motioned to a chair. “You can sit down. How did you hear I wanted a house-parlor maid?” “Through a friend who knows the lift boy here. He thought the place might suit me.” Again that basilisk glance seemed to pierce her through. “You speak like an educated girl?" Glibly enough, Tuppence ran through hrr imaginary career on the lines suggested by Mr. Carter. It seemed to her, as she did so, that the tension of Mrs. Vandemeyer’s attitude relaxed. “I see,” she remarked at length. “Is there anyone I can write to for a ref erence?” “I lived last with a Miss Dufferin, The Parsonage, Llanelly. I was with her two years.” “And then you thought you would get more money by coming to London, I suppose? Well, it doesn't matter to me. I will give you whatever you want. You can come in at once?” “Yes, ma’am. Today, if you like. My box is at Paddington.” “Go and fetch it in a taxi, then. It’s an easy place. I am out a good deal. By the way, what’s your name?” “Prudence Cooper, ma’am.” “Very well, Prudence. Go away and fetch your box.” “Thank you, ma’am.” Tuppence withdrew. The adven ture had begun, but she felt less elated than she had done earlier in the morning. It crossed her mind that if the unknown Jane Finn had fallen into the hands of Mrs. Vandemeyer, it was likely to have gone hard with her. CHAPTER VI Enter Sir James Peel Edgerton. Tuppence betrayed no awkwardness In her new duties. The daughters of the archdeacon were well grounded In household tasks. Mrs. Vandemeyer’s HENRY COUNTY WEEKLY, McDONOUGH, GEORGIA. cook puzzled her, She evident’? went j in deadly terror of her mistress. The I girl thought It probable that the other woman had some hold over her. For the rest, she cooked like a chef, ns Tuppence had an opportunity of judg ing that evening. Mrs. Vandemeyer was expecting a guest to dinner, and Tuppence accordingly laid the beauti fully polished table for two. She wns a little exercised in her own mind as to this visitor. It wns highly possible that It might prove to be Whittington. Although she felt fairly confident that he would not recognize her, yet she would have been better pleased hail the guest proved to be a total stranger. At a few minutes past eight the front door hell rang, and Tuppence went to answer It with some Inward trepidation. She was relieved to see that the visitor wns the second of the two men whom Tommy had taken upon himself to follow. He gave his name as Count Stepa nov. Tuppence announced him, and Mrs. Vandemeyer rose from her seat on a low divan with n quick murmur of pleasure. He bowed low over her hand. Tuppence returned to the kitchen. “Count Stepanov, or some such,” she remarked, and affecting a frank and unvarnished curiosity: "Who’s he?” “A Russinn gentleman, I believe.” “Come here much?" “Once In a while. What d’you want to know for?” “Fancied he might be sweet on the missus, that’s all,” explained the girl, adding with an appearance of sulki ness: “How you do take one up I” “I’m not quite easy In my mind about the souffle,” explained the other. “You know something," thought Tup pence. Whilst waiting at table, Tuppence listened closely to all that was said. She remembered that this wns one of the men Tommy wns shadowing when she had last seen him. Already, al though she would hardly admit it, she was becoming uneasy about her part ner. Where was be? Why had no word of any kind come from him? She had arranged before leaving the Ritz to have all letters or messages sent on at onqe by special messenger to a small stationer’s shop near at hand, where Albert was to call In frequently. True, it wns only yesterday morning that she bad parted from Tommy, and she told herself that nny anxiety on his behalf would he absurd. Still, It was strange that he had sent no word of any kind. But, listen as she might, the con versation presented no clu . Boris and Mrs. Vandemeyer talked on pure ly Indifferent subjects. Tuppence brought in the coffee and liqueurs and unwillingly retired. She cleared away and washed up with a breathless speed acquired In hospital. Then she slipped quietly back to the boudoir door. The cook, more leisurely, was still busy In the kitchen, and, If she missed the other, would only suppose her to be turning down the beds. Alas! The conversation Inside was being carried on In too low a tone to permit hearing anything of It She dared not reopen the door, however gently. Mrs. Vandemeyer was sitting almost facing It, and Tuppence re spected her mistress’ lynx-eyed powers of observation. Nevertheless, she felt she would give a good deal to overhear what was going on. Possibly, If anything unforeseen had happened, she might get news of Tommy. For some mo ments she reflected desperately, then her face brightened. She went quick ly along the passage to Mrs. Vande meyer’s bedroom, which had long French windows lending onto a bal cony that ran the length of the flat. Slipping quickly through the window, Tuppence crept noiselessly along till she reached the boudoir window. As she had thought, It stood a ’*ttle ajar, and the voices within were plainly audible. Tuppence listened attentively, but there was no mention of anything that could be twisted to apply to Tommy. Mrs. Vandemeyer and the Russian seemed to be at variance over some matter, and Anally the latter ex claimed bitterly: You are going about everywhere with Peel Edgerton. Not only Is he, perhaps, the most celebrated king’s counsel In England, but his special hobby is criminology I It Is mad ness 1” “I know that his eloquence has saved untold men from the gallows." said Mrs. Vandemeyer calmly. “What of it? I may need his assistance In that line myself some day. If so, how fortunate to have such a friend.” “You are a clever woman, Rita; but you are also a fool! Be guided by me, and give up Peel Edgerton." “I tliiuk not.” “You refuse?” There was cn ugly ring In the Russian’s voice. “I do.” “Then, by heaven,” snarled the Russian, “we will see—” But Mrs. Vandemeyer also rose to her feet, her eyes flashing. “Ypu forget, Boris,” she said. “I am accountable to no one. I take my orders only from —Mr. Brown.” The other threw up his hands In despair. “You are Impossible,” he muttered. "Impossible I Already it mn? be too late. They say Peel SXlgerWa can smell a criminal 1 Pcvhopa even now his suspicions bn arousal. He guesses—” Sirs. Vandcmeyev eyed him scorn fully. "Reassure yourself, my doar Boris. He suspects nothing. You seem to forget that I am commonly accounted a beautiful woman. I assure you that is all that Interests Peel Edger ton. “Besides, he Is extremely rich. I am not one who despises money. Ths ‘sinews of war,’ you know, Boris 1" “Money—money! That is always the danger with you, Rita. I believe you would sell your soul for money. I believe—” He paused, then In a low, sinister voice he said slowly: “Some times I believe you would sell —usl" Mrs. Vandemeyer smiled and shrugged her shoulders. “The price, at nny rate, would have to be enormous,” she said lightly. “It would be beyond the power of anyone but a millionaire to pay.” “Ah!” said the Russian. "You see, I wns right!" "My dear Boris, can you not take a Joke?” “Was It a Joke?" “Of course. Let us not quarrel, Boris. Touch the bell. We will have some drinks." Tuppence bent n hasty retreat. She paused a moment to survey herself In Mrs. Vandemeyer’s long glnss. nnd be sure that nothing was auilss with her appearance. Then she answered the bell demurely. The conversation that sho had ovel* heard, although Interesting In that It proved beyond doubt the complicity of both Rita and Boris, threw very little light on the present preoccupa tlons. The name of Jane Finn had not even been mentioned. The following morning a few brief words with Albert Informed her thnlt nothing wns waiting for her at the stationer's. It seemed Incredible that Tommy, If all wns well with him, should not send any word to her. A cold hand seemed to close round her heart. . . . Supposing . . . She choked her fears down bravely. It was no good worrying. But she leapt at a chance offered her by Mrs. Van demeyer. “What day do you usually go out, Prudence?” “Frlduy’s my usual day, ma’am." “And today Is Friday! But I sup pose you hardly wish to go out today, as you only came yesterday." “I wns thinking of asking you If I might, ma’am." “It makes no difference to me, as I shall not bo dining at home.” Tuppence felt a sensation of relief once she wns out of the other’s pres ence. Once again she admitted to herself that she was afraid, horribly afraid, of the beautiful woman with the cruel eyes. In the midst of a final desultory polishing of her silver, Tuppence was disturbed by the ringing of the front door bell, and went to answer it. This time the visitor was neither Whitting ton nor Boris, but a man of striking appearance. Just a shade over average height, he nevertheless conveyed the Impres sion of a big man. His face, clean shaven and exquisitely mobile, was stamped with an expression of power and force far beyond the ordinary. Magnetism seemed to radiate from him. Tuppence was undecided for the moment whether to put him down as an actor or a lawyer, but her doubts were soon solved as he gave her his name: Sir Janies Peel Edgerton. Tuppence went back to her pantry thoughtfully. The great man hnd im pressed her. She understood Boris’ agitation. Peel Edgerton would not be an easy man to deceive. In about a quarter of an hour the bell rang, and Tuppence repaired to the hall to show the visitor out. He had given her a piercing glance before. Now, as she handed him his hat and stick, she was conscious of his eyes raking her through. As sho opened the door and stood aside to let him pass out, he stopped in the doorway. “Not been doing this long, eh?” Tuppence raised her eyes, aston ished. She read In his glance kindli ness, and something else more difflcult to fathom. He nodded os though she had an swered. “V. A. D. and hard up, I suppose? Good place here?” “Very good, thank you, sir.” “Ah, but there are plenty of good places nowadays. And a change does no harm sometimes.” “Do you mean—?” began Tuppence. But Sir James was already on the topmost stair. He looked back with his kindly, shrewd glance. “Just a hint,” he said. “That’s all.” Tuppence went back to the pantry more thoughtful Ilian ever. Julius goes sleuthing and has adventures. (TO BIS CONTINUED.) Love makes a woman believe a lot of things that she knows are not troa EVERY TRACE OF FLU DISAPPEARS Dreadful After Effects Entirely Overcome, States Atianta Citi zen—Gains 18 Pounds. “I have reaped such great benefits from tukiug Taniac that I cun tell the world It Is a truly wonderful medi cine,” recently declared A. W. Whee less. 185 I’enchtree St., Atlanta, Go. “I suffered with nervous Indigestion a year or more, lost nearly twenty pounds and became badly weakened. Then In this run-down state I was stricken with ‘flu’ and It left me In a very critical condition. 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Watch Cuticura Improve Your Skin. On rising and retiring gently smear the face with Cuticura Ointment. Wash off Ointment In five minutes with Cuticura Soap and hot water. It Is wonderful what Cuticura will do for poor complexions, dandruff, Itching and red, rough hands. —Advertisement. EVIDENTLY LOTS OF HISTORY Subject That Took Eight Teachers to Handle More Than Old Farmer Could Comprehend. John VV. Oliver, director of the his torical commission, went back to his rural home town once after u pro longed absence, during which he had been wrestling with the problem of getting an education and laying the foundation for his chosen future work. One of his old-time fanner friends, Interested and Inquisitive, with a view to learning what the boy had been doing for himself, said: “Well, John, what, you been up to senee I saw you last?” “I’ve been going to, school. I’m teaching now.” “Where you been going to school?” “Wisconsin university.” “Uh liu! Burty big school, reckon. How ninny scholars they got?” “Oh, several thousand.” (Incredulous whistle from the in terrogator.) “Must have several teachers?” “Yes —about 400.” (Whistle.) “And you’re one of ’em, you say? What d’ye teach?” "I teach history.” “D’ye teach all there is?” “Oh, no! There are about eight his tory teachers.” “Eight! Landsakes, I didn’t know there was so much history!"—lndian apolis News. Weil Exposed, Perhaps. Links —Your daughter seems a well developed girl. Jinks —Young Sapleigh doesn’t seem to think so. He makes my parlor a darkroom every time he calls. ' .. **• If coffee disagrees j I ¥ drinks Postum rgher^ ll^ 01 .
