Reading Help Secret Adversary Ch.XIV-XXVIII
still, and lay quite quiet for some time. In the end, however, I `
` got up and walked round the room, examining it. I thought that `
` even if anyone WAS watching me from somewhere, it would seem `
` natural enough under the circumstances. It was a squalid, dirty `
` place. There were no windows, which seemed queer. I guessed the `
` door would be locked, but I didn't try it. There were some `
` battered old pictures on the walls, representing scenes from `
` Faust." `
` `
` Jane's two listeners gave a simultaneous "Ah!" The girl nodded. `
` `
` "Yes--it was the place in Soho where Mr. Beresford was `
` imprisoned. Of course, at the time I didn't even know if I was in `
` London. One thing was worrying me dreadfully, but my heart gave `
` a great throb of relief when I saw my ulster lying carelessly `
` over the back of a chair. AND THE MAGAZINE WAS STILL ROLLED UP IN `
` THE POCKET! `
` `
` "If only I could be certain that I was not being overlooked! I `
` looked carefully round the walls. There didn't seem to be a `
` peep-hole of any kind--nevertheless I felt kind of sure there `
` must be. All of a sudden I sat down on the edge of the table, and `
` put my face in my hands, sobbing out a 'Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu!' `
` I've got very sharp ears. I distinctly heard the rustle of a `
` dress, and slight creak. That was enough for me. I was being `
` watched! `
` `
` "I lay down on the bed again, and by and by Mrs. Vandemeyer `
` brought me some supper. She was still sweet as they make them. I `
` guess she'd been told to win my confidence. Presently she `
` produced the oilskin packet, and asked me if I recognized it, `
` watching me like a lynx all the time. `
` `
` "I took it and turned it over in a puzzled sort of way. Then I `
` shook my head. I said that I felt I OUGHT to remember something `
` about it, that it was just as though it was all coming back, and `
` then, before I could get hold of it, it went again. Then she told `
` me that I was her niece, and that I was to call her 'Aunt Rita.' `
` I did obediently, and she told me not to worry--my memory would `
` soon come back. `
` `
` "That was an awful night. I'd made my plan whilst I was waiting `
` for her. The papers were safe so far, but I couldn't take the `
` risk of leaving them there any longer. They might throw that `
` magazine away any minute. I lay awake waiting until I judged it `
` must be about two o'clock in the morning. Then I got up as `
` softly as I could, and felt in the dark along the left-hand wall. `
` Very gently, I unhooked one of the pictures from its `
` nail--Marguerite with her casket of jewels. I crept over to my `
` coat and took out the magazine, and an odd envelope or two that I `
` had shoved in. Then I went to the washstand, and damped the `
` brown paper at the back of the picture all round. Presently I was `
` able to pull it away. I had already torn out the two `
` stuck-together pages from the magazine, and now I slipped them `
` with their precious enclosure between the picture and its brown `
` paper backing. A little gum from the envelopes helped me to stick `
` the latter up again. No one would dream the picture had ever been `
` tampered with. I rehung it on the wall, put the magazine back in `
` my coat pocket, and crept back to bed. I was pleased with my `
` hiding-place. They'd never think of pulling to pieces one of `
` their own pictures. I hoped that they'd come to the conclusion `
` that Danvers had been carrying a dummy all along, and that, in `
` the end, they'd let me go. `
` `
` "As a matter of fact, I guess that's what they did think at `
` first, and, in a way, it was dangerous for me. I learnt `
` afterwards that they nearly did away with me then and `
` there--there was never much chance of their 'letting me go'--but `
` the first man, who was the boss, preferred to keep me alive on `
` the chance of my having hidden them, and being able to tell where `
` if I recovered my memory. They watched me constantly for weeks. `
` Sometimes they'd ask me questions by the hour--I guess there was `
` nothing they didn't know about the third degree!--but somehow I `
` managed to hold my own. The strain of it was awful, though . . . `
` `
` "They took me back to Ireland, and over every step of the Journey `
` again, in case I'd hidden it somewhere en route. Mrs. Vandemeyer `
` and another woman never left me for a moment. They spoke of me as `
` a young relative of Mrs. Vandemeyer's whose mind was affected by `
` the shock of the Lusitania. There was no one I could appeal to `
` for help without giving myself away to THEM, and if I risked it `
` and failed--and Mrs. Vandemeyer looked so rich, and so `
` beautifully dressed, that I felt convinced they'd take her word `
` against mine, and think it was part of my mental trouble to think `
` myself 'persecuted'--I felt that the horrors in store for me `
` would be too awful once they knew I'd been only shamming." `
` `
` Sir James nodded comprehendingly. `
` `
` "Mrs. Vandemeyer was a woman of great personality. With that and `
` her social position she would have had little difficulty in `
` imposing her point of view in preference to yours. Your `
` sensational accusations against her would not easily have found `
` credence." `
` `
` "That's what I thought. It ended in my being sent to a `
` sanatorium at Bournemouth. I couldn't make up my mind at first `
` whether it was a sham affair or genuine. A hospital nurse had `
` charge of me. I was a special patient. She seemed so nice and `
` normal that at last I determined to confide in her. A merciful `
` providence just saved me in time from falling into the trap. My `
` door happened to be ajar, and I heard her talking to some one in `
` the passage. SHE WAS ONE OF THEM! They still fancied it might be `
` a bluff on my part, and she was put in charge of me to make sure! `
` After that, my nerve went completely. I dared trust nobody. `
` `
` "I think I almost hypnotized myself. After a while, I almost `
` forgot that I was really Jane Finn. I was so bent on playing the `
` part of Janet Vandemeyer that my nerves began to play me tricks. `
` I became really ill--for months I sank into a sort of stupor. I `
` felt sure I should die soon, and that nothing really mattered. A `
` sane person shut up in a lunatic asylum often ends by becoming `
` insane, they say. I guess I was like that. Playing my part had `
` become second nature to me. I wasn't even unhappy in the `
` end--just apathetic. Nothing seemed to matter. And the years `
` went on. `
` `
` "And then suddenly things seemed to change. Mrs. Vandemeyer came `
` down from London. She and the doctor asked me questions, `
` experimented with various treatments. There was some talk of `
` sending me to a specialist in Paris. In the end, they did not `
` dare risk it. I overheard something that seemed to show that `
` other people--friends--were looking for me. I learnt later that `
` the nurse who had looked after me went to Paris, and consulted a `
` specialist, representing herself to be me. He put her through `
` some searching tests, and exposed her loss of memory to be `
` fraudulent; but she had taken a note of his methods and `
` reproduced them on me. I dare say I couldn't have deceived the `
` specialist for a minute--a man who has made a lifelong study of a `
` thing is unique--but I managed once again to hold my own with `
` them. The fact that I'd not thought of myself as Jane Finn for so `
` long made it easier. `
` `
` "One night I was whisked off to London at a moment's notice. They `
` took me back to the house in Soho. Once I got away from the `
` sanatorium I felt different--as though something in me that had `
` been buried for a long time was waking up again. `
` `
` "They sent me in to wait on Mr. Beresford. (Of course I didn't `
` know his name then.) I was suspicious--I thought it was another `
` trap. But he looked so honest, I could hardly believe it. `
` However, I was careful in all I said, for I knew we could be `
` overheard. There's a small hole, high up in the wall. `
` `
` "But on the Sunday afternoon a message was brought to the house. `
` They were all very disturbed. Without their knowing, I listened. `
` Word had come that he was to be killed. I needn't tell the next `
` part, because you know it. I thought I'd have time to rush up `
` and get the papers from their hiding-place, but I was caught. So `
` I screamed out that he was escaping, and I said I wanted to go `
` back to Marguerite. I shouted the name three times very loud. I `
` knew the others would think I meant Mrs. Vandemeyer, but I hoped `
` it might make Mr. Beresford think of the picture. He'd unhooked `
` one the first day--that's what made me hesitate to trust him." `
` `
` She paused. `
` `
` "Then the papers," said Sir James slowly, "are still at the back `
` of the picture in that room." `
` `
` "Yes." The girl had sunk back on the sofa exhausted with the `
` strain of the long story. `
` `
` Sir James rose to his feet. He looked at his watch. `
` `
` "Come," he said, "we must go at once." `
` `
` "To-night?" queried Tuppence, surprised. `
` `
` "To-morrow may be too late," said Sir James gravely. "Besides, by `
` going to-night we have the chance of capturing that great man and `
` super-criminal--Mr. Brown!" `
` `
` There was dead silence, and Sir James continued: `
` `
` "You have been followed here--not a doubt of it. When we leave `
` the house we shall be followed again, but not molested, FOR IT IS `
` MR. BROWN'S PLAN THAT WE ARE TO LEAD HIM. But the Soho house is `
` under police supervision night and day. There are several men `
` watching it. When we enter that house, Mr. Brown will not draw `
` back--he will risk all, on the chance of obtaining the spark to `
` fire his mine. And he fancies the risk not great--since he will `
` enter in the guise of a friend!" `
` `
` Tuppence flushed, then opened her mouth impulsively. `
` `
` "But there's something you don't know--that we haven't told you." `
` Her eyes dwelt on Jane in perplexity. `
` `
` "What is that?" asked the other sharply. "No hesitations, Miss `
` Tuppence. We need to be sure of our going." `
` `
` But Tuppence, for once, seemed tongue-tied. `
` `
` "It's so difficult--you see, if I'm wrong--oh, it would be `
` dreadful." She made a grimace at the unconscious Jane. "Never `
` forgive me," she observed cryptically. `
` `
` "You want me to help you out, eh?" `
` `
` "Yes, please. YOU know who Mr. Brown is, don't you?" `
`
` got up and walked round the room, examining it. I thought that `
` even if anyone WAS watching me from somewhere, it would seem `
` natural enough under the circumstances. It was a squalid, dirty `
` place. There were no windows, which seemed queer. I guessed the `
` door would be locked, but I didn't try it. There were some `
` battered old pictures on the walls, representing scenes from `
` Faust." `
` `
` Jane's two listeners gave a simultaneous "Ah!" The girl nodded. `
` `
` "Yes--it was the place in Soho where Mr. Beresford was `
` imprisoned. Of course, at the time I didn't even know if I was in `
` London. One thing was worrying me dreadfully, but my heart gave `
` a great throb of relief when I saw my ulster lying carelessly `
` over the back of a chair. AND THE MAGAZINE WAS STILL ROLLED UP IN `
` THE POCKET! `
` `
` "If only I could be certain that I was not being overlooked! I `
` looked carefully round the walls. There didn't seem to be a `
` peep-hole of any kind--nevertheless I felt kind of sure there `
` must be. All of a sudden I sat down on the edge of the table, and `
` put my face in my hands, sobbing out a 'Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu!' `
` I've got very sharp ears. I distinctly heard the rustle of a `
` dress, and slight creak. That was enough for me. I was being `
` watched! `
` `
` "I lay down on the bed again, and by and by Mrs. Vandemeyer `
` brought me some supper. She was still sweet as they make them. I `
` guess she'd been told to win my confidence. Presently she `
` produced the oilskin packet, and asked me if I recognized it, `
` watching me like a lynx all the time. `
` `
` "I took it and turned it over in a puzzled sort of way. Then I `
` shook my head. I said that I felt I OUGHT to remember something `
` about it, that it was just as though it was all coming back, and `
` then, before I could get hold of it, it went again. Then she told `
` me that I was her niece, and that I was to call her 'Aunt Rita.' `
` I did obediently, and she told me not to worry--my memory would `
` soon come back. `
` `
` "That was an awful night. I'd made my plan whilst I was waiting `
` for her. The papers were safe so far, but I couldn't take the `
` risk of leaving them there any longer. They might throw that `
` magazine away any minute. I lay awake waiting until I judged it `
` must be about two o'clock in the morning. Then I got up as `
` softly as I could, and felt in the dark along the left-hand wall. `
` Very gently, I unhooked one of the pictures from its `
` nail--Marguerite with her casket of jewels. I crept over to my `
` coat and took out the magazine, and an odd envelope or two that I `
` had shoved in. Then I went to the washstand, and damped the `
` brown paper at the back of the picture all round. Presently I was `
` able to pull it away. I had already torn out the two `
` stuck-together pages from the magazine, and now I slipped them `
` with their precious enclosure between the picture and its brown `
` paper backing. A little gum from the envelopes helped me to stick `
` the latter up again. No one would dream the picture had ever been `
` tampered with. I rehung it on the wall, put the magazine back in `
` my coat pocket, and crept back to bed. I was pleased with my `
` hiding-place. They'd never think of pulling to pieces one of `
` their own pictures. I hoped that they'd come to the conclusion `
` that Danvers had been carrying a dummy all along, and that, in `
` the end, they'd let me go. `
` `
` "As a matter of fact, I guess that's what they did think at `
` first, and, in a way, it was dangerous for me. I learnt `
` afterwards that they nearly did away with me then and `
` there--there was never much chance of their 'letting me go'--but `
` the first man, who was the boss, preferred to keep me alive on `
` the chance of my having hidden them, and being able to tell where `
` if I recovered my memory. They watched me constantly for weeks. `
` Sometimes they'd ask me questions by the hour--I guess there was `
` nothing they didn't know about the third degree!--but somehow I `
` managed to hold my own. The strain of it was awful, though . . . `
` `
` "They took me back to Ireland, and over every step of the Journey `
` again, in case I'd hidden it somewhere en route. Mrs. Vandemeyer `
` and another woman never left me for a moment. They spoke of me as `
` a young relative of Mrs. Vandemeyer's whose mind was affected by `
` the shock of the Lusitania. There was no one I could appeal to `
` for help without giving myself away to THEM, and if I risked it `
` and failed--and Mrs. Vandemeyer looked so rich, and so `
` beautifully dressed, that I felt convinced they'd take her word `
` against mine, and think it was part of my mental trouble to think `
` myself 'persecuted'--I felt that the horrors in store for me `
` would be too awful once they knew I'd been only shamming." `
` `
` Sir James nodded comprehendingly. `
` `
` "Mrs. Vandemeyer was a woman of great personality. With that and `
` her social position she would have had little difficulty in `
` imposing her point of view in preference to yours. Your `
` sensational accusations against her would not easily have found `
` credence." `
` `
` "That's what I thought. It ended in my being sent to a `
` sanatorium at Bournemouth. I couldn't make up my mind at first `
` whether it was a sham affair or genuine. A hospital nurse had `
` charge of me. I was a special patient. She seemed so nice and `
` normal that at last I determined to confide in her. A merciful `
` providence just saved me in time from falling into the trap. My `
` door happened to be ajar, and I heard her talking to some one in `
` the passage. SHE WAS ONE OF THEM! They still fancied it might be `
` a bluff on my part, and she was put in charge of me to make sure! `
` After that, my nerve went completely. I dared trust nobody. `
` `
` "I think I almost hypnotized myself. After a while, I almost `
` forgot that I was really Jane Finn. I was so bent on playing the `
` part of Janet Vandemeyer that my nerves began to play me tricks. `
` I became really ill--for months I sank into a sort of stupor. I `
` felt sure I should die soon, and that nothing really mattered. A `
` sane person shut up in a lunatic asylum often ends by becoming `
` insane, they say. I guess I was like that. Playing my part had `
` become second nature to me. I wasn't even unhappy in the `
` end--just apathetic. Nothing seemed to matter. And the years `
` went on. `
` `
` "And then suddenly things seemed to change. Mrs. Vandemeyer came `
` down from London. She and the doctor asked me questions, `
` experimented with various treatments. There was some talk of `
` sending me to a specialist in Paris. In the end, they did not `
` dare risk it. I overheard something that seemed to show that `
` other people--friends--were looking for me. I learnt later that `
` the nurse who had looked after me went to Paris, and consulted a `
` specialist, representing herself to be me. He put her through `
` some searching tests, and exposed her loss of memory to be `
` fraudulent; but she had taken a note of his methods and `
` reproduced them on me. I dare say I couldn't have deceived the `
` specialist for a minute--a man who has made a lifelong study of a `
` thing is unique--but I managed once again to hold my own with `
` them. The fact that I'd not thought of myself as Jane Finn for so `
` long made it easier. `
` `
` "One night I was whisked off to London at a moment's notice. They `
` took me back to the house in Soho. Once I got away from the `
` sanatorium I felt different--as though something in me that had `
` been buried for a long time was waking up again. `
` `
` "They sent me in to wait on Mr. Beresford. (Of course I didn't `
` know his name then.) I was suspicious--I thought it was another `
` trap. But he looked so honest, I could hardly believe it. `
` However, I was careful in all I said, for I knew we could be `
` overheard. There's a small hole, high up in the wall. `
` `
` "But on the Sunday afternoon a message was brought to the house. `
` They were all very disturbed. Without their knowing, I listened. `
` Word had come that he was to be killed. I needn't tell the next `
` part, because you know it. I thought I'd have time to rush up `
` and get the papers from their hiding-place, but I was caught. So `
` I screamed out that he was escaping, and I said I wanted to go `
` back to Marguerite. I shouted the name three times very loud. I `
` knew the others would think I meant Mrs. Vandemeyer, but I hoped `
` it might make Mr. Beresford think of the picture. He'd unhooked `
` one the first day--that's what made me hesitate to trust him." `
` `
` She paused. `
` `
` "Then the papers," said Sir James slowly, "are still at the back `
` of the picture in that room." `
` `
` "Yes." The girl had sunk back on the sofa exhausted with the `
` strain of the long story. `
` `
` Sir James rose to his feet. He looked at his watch. `
` `
` "Come," he said, "we must go at once." `
` `
` "To-night?" queried Tuppence, surprised. `
` `
` "To-morrow may be too late," said Sir James gravely. "Besides, by `
` going to-night we have the chance of capturing that great man and `
` super-criminal--Mr. Brown!" `
` `
` There was dead silence, and Sir James continued: `
` `
` "You have been followed here--not a doubt of it. When we leave `
` the house we shall be followed again, but not molested, FOR IT IS `
` MR. BROWN'S PLAN THAT WE ARE TO LEAD HIM. But the Soho house is `
` under police supervision night and day. There are several men `
` watching it. When we enter that house, Mr. Brown will not draw `
` back--he will risk all, on the chance of obtaining the spark to `
` fire his mine. And he fancies the risk not great--since he will `
` enter in the guise of a friend!" `
` `
` Tuppence flushed, then opened her mouth impulsively. `
` `
` "But there's something you don't know--that we haven't told you." `
` Her eyes dwelt on Jane in perplexity. `
` `
` "What is that?" asked the other sharply. "No hesitations, Miss `
` Tuppence. We need to be sure of our going." `
` `
` But Tuppence, for once, seemed tongue-tied. `
` `
` "It's so difficult--you see, if I'm wrong--oh, it would be `
` dreadful." She made a grimace at the unconscious Jane. "Never `
` forgive me," she observed cryptically. `
` `
` "You want me to help you out, eh?" `
` `
` "Yes, please. YOU know who Mr. Brown is, don't you?" `
`