Reading Help Secret Adversary Ch.XIV-XXVIII
"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." `
`
` 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." `
`