Reading Help Secret Adversary Ch.XIV-XXVIII
Julius groaned. `
` `
` "That's so. But it gets my goat to think of that innocent young `
` girl in danger!" `
` `
` Tommy nodded abstractedly. He was thinking. In a moment or two, `
` he said: `
` `
` "I say, Julius, what do they want her for, anyway?" `
` `
` "Eh? I don't get you?" `
` `
` "What I mean is that I don't think it's their game to do her any `
` harm," explained Tommy, puckering his brow with the strain of his `
` mental processes. "She's a hostage, that's what she is. She's in `
` no immediate danger, because if we tumble on to anything, she'd `
` be damned useful to them. As long as they've got her, they've got `
` the whip hand of us. See?" `
` `
` "Sure thing," said Julius thoughtfully. "That's so." `
` `
` "Besides," added Tommy, as an afterthought, "I've great faith in `
` Tuppence." `
` `
` The journey was wearisome, with many stops, and crowded `
` carriages. They had to change twice, once at Doncaster, once at a `
` small junction. Ebury was a deserted station with a solitary `
` porter, to whom Tommy addressed himself: `
` `
` "Can you tell me the way to the Moat House?" `
` `
` "The Moat House? It's a tidy step from here. The big house near `
` the sea, you mean?" `
` `
` Tommy assented brazenly. After listening to the porter's `
` meticulous but perplexing directions, they prepared to leave the `
` station. It was beginning to rain, and they turned up the collars `
` of their coats as they trudged through the slush of the road. `
` Suddenly Tommy halted. `
` `
` "Wait a moment." He ran back to the station and tackled the `
` porter anew. `
` `
` "Look here, do you remember a young lady who arrived by an `
` earlier train, the 12.50 from London? She'd probably ask you the `
` way to the Moat House." `
` `
` He described Tuppence as well as he could, but the porter shook `
` his head. Several people had arrived by the train in question. `
` He could not call to mind one young lady in particular. But he `
` was quite certain that no one had asked him the way to the Moat `
` House. `
` `
` Tommy rejoined Julius, and explained. Depression was settling on `
` him like a leaden weight. He felt convinced that their quest was `
` going to be unsuccessful. The enemy had over three hours' start. `
` Three hours was more than enough for Mr. Brown. He would not `
` ignore the possibility of the telegram having been found. `
` `
` The way seemed endless. Once they took the wrong turning and `
` went nearly half a mile out of their direction. It was past seven `
` o'clock when a small boy told them that "t' Moat House" was just `
` past the next corner. `
` `
` A rusty iron gate swinging dismally on its hinges! An overgrown `
` drive thick with leaves. There was something about the place `
` that struck a chill to both their hearts. They went up the `
` deserted drive. The leaves deadened their footsteps. The `
` daylight was almost gone. It was like walking in a world of `
` ghosts. Overhead the branches flapped and creaked with a mournful `
` note. Occasionally a sodden leaf drifted silently down, startling `
` them with its cold touch on their cheek. `
` `
` A turn of the drive brought them in sight of the house. That, `
` too, seemed empty and deserted. The shutters were closed, the `
` steps up to the door overgrown with moss. Was it indeed to this `
` desolate spot that Tuppence had been decoyed? It seemed hard to `
` believe that a human footstep had passed this way for months. `
` `
` Julius jerked the rusty bell handle. A jangling peal rang `
` discordantly, echoing through the emptiness within. No one came. `
` They rang again and again--but there was no sign of life. Then `
` they walked completely round the house. Everywhere silence, and `
` shuttered windows. If they could believe the evidence of their `
` eyes the place was empty. `
` `
` "Nothing doing," said Julius. `
` `
` They retraced their steps slowly to the gate. `
` `
` "There must be a village handy," continued the young American. `
` "We'd better make inquiries there. They'll know something about `
` the place, and whether there's been anyone there lately." `
` `
` "Yes, that's not a bad idea." `
` `
` Proceeding up the road, they soon came to a little hamlet. On the `
` outskirts of it, they met a workman swinging his bag of tools, `
` and Tommy stopped him with a question. `
` `
` "The Moat House? It's empty. Been empty for years. Mrs; `
` Sweeny's got the key if you want to go over it--next to the post `
` office." `
` `
` Tommy thanked him. They soon found the post office, which was `
` also a sweet and general fancy shop, and knocked at the door of `
` the cottage next to it. A clean, wholesome-looking woman opened `
` it. She readily produced the key of the Moat House. `
` `
` "Though I doubt if it's the kind of place to suit you, sir. In a `
` terrible state of repair. Ceilings leaking and all. 'Twould need `
` a lot of money spent on it." `
` `
` "Thanks," said Tommy cheerily. "I dare say it'll be a washout, `
` but houses are scarce nowadays." `
` `
` "That they are," declared the woman heartily. "My daughter and `
` son-in-law have been looking for a decent cottage for I don't `
` know how long. It's all the war. Upset things terribly, it has. `
` But excuse me, sir, it'll be too dark for you to see much of the `
` house. Hadn't you better wait until to-morrow?" `
` `
` "That's all right. We'll have a look around this evening, `
` anyway. We'd have been here before only we lost our way. What's `
` the best place to stay at for the night round here?" `
` `
` Mrs. Sweeny looked doubtful. `
` `
` "There's the Yorkshire Arms, but it's not much of a place for `
` gentlemen like you." `
` `
` "Oh, it will do very well. Thanks. By the way, you've not had a `
` young lady here asking for this key to-day?" `
` `
` The woman shook her head. `
` `
` "No one's been over the place for a long time." `
` `
` "Thanks very much." `
` `
` They retraced their steps to the Moat House. As the front door `
` swung back on its hinges, protesting loudly, Julius struck a `
` match and examined the floor carefully. Then he shook his head. `
` `
` "I'd swear no one's passed this way. Look at the dust. Thick. `
` Not a sign of a footmark." `
` `
` They wandered round the deserted house. Everywhere the same `
` tale. Thick layers of dust apparently undisturbed. `
` `
` "This gets me," said Julius. "I don't believe Tuppence was ever `
` in this house." `
` `
` "She must have been." `
` `
` Julius shook his head without replying. `
` `
` "We'll go over it again to-morrow," said Tommy. "Perhaps we'll `
` see more in the daylight." `
` `
` On the morrow they took up the search once more, and were `
` reluctantly forced to the conclusion that the house had not been `
` invaded for some considerable time. They might have left the `
` village altogether but for a fortunate discovery of Tommy's. As `
` they were retracing their steps to the gate, he gave a sudden `
` cry, and stooping, picked something up from among the leaves, and `
` held it out to Julius. It was a small gold brooch. `
` `
` "That's Tuppence's!" `
` `
` "Are you sure?" `
` `
` "Absolutely. I've often seen her wear it." `
` `
` Julius drew a deep breath. `
` `
` "I guess that settles it. She came as far as here, anyway. `
` We'll make that pub our head-quarters, and raise hell round here `
` until we find her. Somebody MUST have seen her." `
` `
` Forthwith the campaign began. Tommy and Julius worked separately `
` and together, but the result was the same. Nobody answering to `
` Tuppence's description had been seen in the vicinity. They were `
` baffled--but not discouraged. Finally they altered their `
` tactics. Tuppence had certainly not remained long in the `
` neighbourhood of the Moat House. That pointed to her having been `
` overcome and carried away in a car. They renewed inquiries. Had `
` anyone seen a car standing somewhere near the Moat House that `
` day? Again they met with no success. `
` `
` Julius wired to town for his own car, and they scoured the `
` neighbourhood daily with unflagging zeal. A grey limousine on `
` which they had set high hopes was traced to Harrogate, and turned `
` out to be the property of a highly respectable maiden lady! `
` `
` Each day saw them set out on a new quest. Julius was like a `
` hound on the leash. He followed up the slenderest clue. Every `
` car that had passed through the village on the fateful day was `
` tracked down. He forced his way into country properties and `
` submitted the owners of the motors to a searching `
` cross-examination. His apologies were as thorough as his methods, `
`
` `
` "That's so. But it gets my goat to think of that innocent young `
` girl in danger!" `
` `
` Tommy nodded abstractedly. He was thinking. In a moment or two, `
` he said: `
` `
` "I say, Julius, what do they want her for, anyway?" `
` `
` "Eh? I don't get you?" `
` `
` "What I mean is that I don't think it's their game to do her any `
` harm," explained Tommy, puckering his brow with the strain of his `
` mental processes. "She's a hostage, that's what she is. She's in `
` no immediate danger, because if we tumble on to anything, she'd `
` be damned useful to them. As long as they've got her, they've got `
` the whip hand of us. See?" `
` `
` "Sure thing," said Julius thoughtfully. "That's so." `
` `
` "Besides," added Tommy, as an afterthought, "I've great faith in `
` Tuppence." `
` `
` The journey was wearisome, with many stops, and crowded `
` carriages. They had to change twice, once at Doncaster, once at a `
` small junction. Ebury was a deserted station with a solitary `
` porter, to whom Tommy addressed himself: `
` `
` "Can you tell me the way to the Moat House?" `
` `
` "The Moat House? It's a tidy step from here. The big house near `
` the sea, you mean?" `
` `
` Tommy assented brazenly. After listening to the porter's `
` meticulous but perplexing directions, they prepared to leave the `
` station. It was beginning to rain, and they turned up the collars `
` of their coats as they trudged through the slush of the road. `
` Suddenly Tommy halted. `
` `
` "Wait a moment." He ran back to the station and tackled the `
` porter anew. `
` `
` "Look here, do you remember a young lady who arrived by an `
` earlier train, the 12.50 from London? She'd probably ask you the `
` way to the Moat House." `
` `
` He described Tuppence as well as he could, but the porter shook `
` his head. Several people had arrived by the train in question. `
` He could not call to mind one young lady in particular. But he `
` was quite certain that no one had asked him the way to the Moat `
` House. `
` `
` Tommy rejoined Julius, and explained. Depression was settling on `
` him like a leaden weight. He felt convinced that their quest was `
` going to be unsuccessful. The enemy had over three hours' start. `
` Three hours was more than enough for Mr. Brown. He would not `
` ignore the possibility of the telegram having been found. `
` `
` The way seemed endless. Once they took the wrong turning and `
` went nearly half a mile out of their direction. It was past seven `
` o'clock when a small boy told them that "t' Moat House" was just `
` past the next corner. `
` `
` A rusty iron gate swinging dismally on its hinges! An overgrown `
` drive thick with leaves. There was something about the place `
` that struck a chill to both their hearts. They went up the `
` deserted drive. The leaves deadened their footsteps. The `
` daylight was almost gone. It was like walking in a world of `
` ghosts. Overhead the branches flapped and creaked with a mournful `
` note. Occasionally a sodden leaf drifted silently down, startling `
` them with its cold touch on their cheek. `
` `
` A turn of the drive brought them in sight of the house. That, `
` too, seemed empty and deserted. The shutters were closed, the `
` steps up to the door overgrown with moss. Was it indeed to this `
` desolate spot that Tuppence had been decoyed? It seemed hard to `
` believe that a human footstep had passed this way for months. `
` `
` Julius jerked the rusty bell handle. A jangling peal rang `
` discordantly, echoing through the emptiness within. No one came. `
` They rang again and again--but there was no sign of life. Then `
` they walked completely round the house. Everywhere silence, and `
` shuttered windows. If they could believe the evidence of their `
` eyes the place was empty. `
` `
` "Nothing doing," said Julius. `
` `
` They retraced their steps slowly to the gate. `
` `
` "There must be a village handy," continued the young American. `
` "We'd better make inquiries there. They'll know something about `
` the place, and whether there's been anyone there lately." `
` `
` "Yes, that's not a bad idea." `
` `
` Proceeding up the road, they soon came to a little hamlet. On the `
` outskirts of it, they met a workman swinging his bag of tools, `
` and Tommy stopped him with a question. `
` `
` "The Moat House? It's empty. Been empty for years. Mrs; `
` Sweeny's got the key if you want to go over it--next to the post `
` office." `
` `
` Tommy thanked him. They soon found the post office, which was `
` also a sweet and general fancy shop, and knocked at the door of `
` the cottage next to it. A clean, wholesome-looking woman opened `
` it. She readily produced the key of the Moat House. `
` `
` "Though I doubt if it's the kind of place to suit you, sir. In a `
` terrible state of repair. Ceilings leaking and all. 'Twould need `
` a lot of money spent on it." `
` `
` "Thanks," said Tommy cheerily. "I dare say it'll be a washout, `
` but houses are scarce nowadays." `
` `
` "That they are," declared the woman heartily. "My daughter and `
` son-in-law have been looking for a decent cottage for I don't `
` know how long. It's all the war. Upset things terribly, it has. `
` But excuse me, sir, it'll be too dark for you to see much of the `
` house. Hadn't you better wait until to-morrow?" `
` `
` "That's all right. We'll have a look around this evening, `
` anyway. We'd have been here before only we lost our way. What's `
` the best place to stay at for the night round here?" `
` `
` Mrs. Sweeny looked doubtful. `
` `
` "There's the Yorkshire Arms, but it's not much of a place for `
` gentlemen like you." `
` `
` "Oh, it will do very well. Thanks. By the way, you've not had a `
` young lady here asking for this key to-day?" `
` `
` The woman shook her head. `
` `
` "No one's been over the place for a long time." `
` `
` "Thanks very much." `
` `
` They retraced their steps to the Moat House. As the front door `
` swung back on its hinges, protesting loudly, Julius struck a `
` match and examined the floor carefully. Then he shook his head. `
` `
` "I'd swear no one's passed this way. Look at the dust. Thick. `
` Not a sign of a footmark." `
` `
` They wandered round the deserted house. Everywhere the same `
` tale. Thick layers of dust apparently undisturbed. `
` `
` "This gets me," said Julius. "I don't believe Tuppence was ever `
` in this house." `
` `
` "She must have been." `
` `
` Julius shook his head without replying. `
` `
` "We'll go over it again to-morrow," said Tommy. "Perhaps we'll `
` see more in the daylight." `
` `
` On the morrow they took up the search once more, and were `
` reluctantly forced to the conclusion that the house had not been `
` invaded for some considerable time. They might have left the `
` village altogether but for a fortunate discovery of Tommy's. As `
` they were retracing their steps to the gate, he gave a sudden `
` cry, and stooping, picked something up from among the leaves, and `
` held it out to Julius. It was a small gold brooch. `
` `
` "That's Tuppence's!" `
` `
` "Are you sure?" `
` `
` "Absolutely. I've often seen her wear it." `
` `
` Julius drew a deep breath. `
` `
` "I guess that settles it. She came as far as here, anyway. `
` We'll make that pub our head-quarters, and raise hell round here `
` until we find her. Somebody MUST have seen her." `
` `
` Forthwith the campaign began. Tommy and Julius worked separately `
` and together, but the result was the same. Nobody answering to `
` Tuppence's description had been seen in the vicinity. They were `
` baffled--but not discouraged. Finally they altered their `
` tactics. Tuppence had certainly not remained long in the `
` neighbourhood of the Moat House. That pointed to her having been `
` overcome and carried away in a car. They renewed inquiries. Had `
` anyone seen a car standing somewhere near the Moat House that `
` day? Again they met with no success. `
` `
` Julius wired to town for his own car, and they scoured the `
` neighbourhood daily with unflagging zeal. A grey limousine on `
` which they had set high hopes was traced to Harrogate, and turned `
` out to be the property of a highly respectable maiden lady! `
` `
` Each day saw them set out on a new quest. Julius was like a `
` hound on the leash. He followed up the slenderest clue. Every `
` car that had passed through the village on the fateful day was `
` tracked down. He forced his way into country properties and `
` submitted the owners of the motors to a searching `
` cross-examination. His apologies were as thorough as his methods, `
`