Reading Help Secret Adversary Ch.XIV-XXVIII
"Yes, please. YOU know who Mr. Brown is, don't you?" `
` `
` "Yes," said Sir James gravely. "At last I do." `
` `
` "At last?" queried Tuppence doubtfully. "Oh, but I thought----" `
` She paused. `
` `
` "You thought correctly, Miss Tuppence. I have been morally `
` certain of his identity for some time--ever since the night of `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer's mysterious death." `
` `
` "Ah!" breathed Tuppence. `
` `
` "For there we are up against the logic of facts. There are only `
` two solutions. Either the chloral was administered by her own `
` hand, which theory I reject utterly, or else----" `
` `
` "Yes?" `
` `
` "Or else it was administered in the brandy you gave her. Only `
` three people touched that brandy--you, Miss Tuppence, I myself, `
` and one other--Mr. Julius Hersheimmer!" `
` `
` Jane Finn stirred and sat up, regarding the speaker with wide `
` astonished eyes. `
` `
` "At first, the thing seemed utterly impossible. Mr. Hersheimmer, `
` as the son of a prominent millionaire, was a well-known figure in `
` America. It seemed utterly impossible that he and Mr. Brown `
` could be one and the same. But you cannot escape from the logic `
` of facts. Since the thing was so--it must be accepted. Remember `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer's sudden and inexplicable agitation. Another `
` proof, if proof was needed. `
` `
` "I took an early opportunity of giving you a hint. From some `
` words of Mr. Hersheimmer's at Manchester, I gathered that you had `
` understood and acted on that hint. Then I set to work to prove `
` the impossible possible. Mr. Beresford rang me up and told me, `
` what I had already suspected, that the photograph of Miss Jane `
` Finn had never really been out of Mr. Hersheimmer's `
` possession----" `
` `
` But the girl interrupted. Springing to her feet, she cried out `
` angrily: `
` `
` "What do you mean? What are you trying to suggest? That Mr. `
` Brown is JULIUS? Julius--my own cousin!" `
` `
` "No, Miss Finn," said Sir James unexpectedly. "Not your cousin. `
` The man who calls himself Julius Hersheimmer is no relation to `
` you whatsoever." `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER XXVI `
` `
` MR. BROWN `
` `
` SIR James's words came like a bomb-shell. Both girls looked `
` equally puzzled. The lawyer went across to his desk, and returned `
` with a small newspaper cutting, which he handed to Jane. `
` Tuppence read it over her shoulder. Mr. Carter would have `
` recognized it. It referred to the mysterious man found dead in `
` New York. `
` `
` "As I was saying to Miss Tuppence," resumed the lawyer, "I set to `
` work to prove the impossible possible. The great stumbling-block `
` was the undeniable fact that Julius Hersheimmer was not an `
` assumed name. When I came across this paragraph my problem was `
` solved. Julius Hersheimmer set out to discover what had become of `
` his cousin. He went out West, where he obtained news of her and `
` her photograph to aid him in his search. On the eve of his `
` departure from New York he was set upon and murdered. His body `
` was dressed in shabby clothes, and the face disfigured to prevent `
` identification. Mr. Brown took his place. He sailed immediately `
` for England. None of the real Hersheimmer's friends or intimates `
` saw him before he sailed--though indeed it would hardly have `
` mattered if they had, the impersonation was so perfect. Since `
` then he had been hand and glove with those sworn to hunt him `
` down. Every secret of theirs has been known to him. Only once `
` did he come near disaster. Mrs. Vandemeyer knew his secret. It `
` was no part of his plan that that huge bribe should ever be `
` offered to her. But for Miss Tuppence's fortunate change of `
` plan, she would have been far away from the flat when we arrived `
` there. Exposure stared him in the face. He took a desperate `
` step, trusting in his assumed character to avert suspicion. He `
` nearly succeeded--but not quite." `
` `
` "I can't believe it," murmured Jane. "He seemed so splendid." `
` `
` "The real Julius Hersheimmer WAS a splendid fellow! And Mr. Brown `
` is a consummate actor. But ask Miss Tuppence if she also has not `
` had her suspicions." `
` `
` Jane turned mutely to Tuppence. The latter nodded. `
` `
` "I didn't want to say it, Jane--I knew it would hurt you. And, `
` after all, I couldn't be sure. I still don't understand why, if `
` he's Mr. Brown, he rescued us." `
` `
` "Was it Julius Hersheimmer who helped you to escape?" `
` `
` Tuppence recounted to Sir James the exciting events of the `
` evening, ending up: "But I can't see WHY!" `
` `
` "Can't you? I can. So can young Beresford, by his actions. As a `
` last hope Jane Finn was to be allowed to escape--and the escape `
` must be managed so that she harbours no suspicions of its being a `
` put-up job. They're not averse to young Beresford's being in the `
` neighbourhood, and, if necessary, communicating with you. They'll `
` take care to get him out of the way at the right minute. Then `
` Julius Hersheimmer dashes up and rescues you in true melodramatic `
` style. Bullets fly--but don't hit anybody. What would have `
` happened next? You would have driven straight to the house in `
` Soho and secured the document which Miss Finn would probably have `
` entrusted to her cousin's keeping. Or, if he conducted the `
` search, he would have pretended to find the hiding-place already `
` rifled. He would have had a dozen ways of dealing with the `
` situation, but the result would have been the same. And I rather `
` fancy some accident would have happened to both of you. You see, `
` you know rather an inconvenient amount. That's a rough outline. `
` I admit I was caught napping; but somebody else wasn't." `
` `
` "Tommy," said Tuppence softly. `
` `
` "Yes. Evidently when the right moment came to get rid of him--he `
` was too sharp for them. All the same, I'm not too easy in my `
` mind about him." `
` `
` "Why?" `
` `
` "Because Julius Hersheimmer is Mr. Brown," said Sir James dryly. `
` "And it takes more than one man and a revolver to hold up Mr. `
` Brown...." `
` `
` Tuppence paled a little. `
` `
` "What can we do?" `
` `
` "Nothing until we've been to the house in Soho. If Beresford has `
` still got the upper hand, there's nothing to fear. If otherwise, `
` our enemy will come to find us, and he will not find us `
` unprepared!" From a drawer in the desk, he took a service `
` revolver, and placed it in his coat pocket. `
` `
` "Now we're ready. I know better than even to suggest going `
` without you, Miss Tuppence----" `
` `
` "I should think so indeed!" `
` `
` "But I do suggest that Miss Finn should remain here. She will be `
` perfectly safe, and I am afraid she is absolutely worn out with `
` all she has been through." `
` `
` But to Tuppence's surprise Jane shook her head. `
` `
` "No. I guess I'm going too. Those papers were my trust. I must `
` go through with this business to the end. I'm heaps better now `
` anyway." `
` `
` Sir James's car was ordered round. During the short drive `
` Tuppence's heart beat tumultuously. In spite of momentary qualms `
` of uneasiness respecting Tommy, she could not but feel `
` exultation. They were going to win! `
` `
` The car drew up at the corner of the square and they got out. Sir `
` James went up to a plain-clothes man who was on duty with several `
` others, and spoke to him. Then he rejoined the girls. `
` `
` "No one has gone into the house so far. It is being watched at `
` the back as well, so they are quite sure of that. Anyone who `
` attempts to enter after we have done so will be arrested `
` immediately. Shall we go in?" `
` `
` A policeman produced a key. They all knew Sir James well. They `
` had also had orders respecting Tuppence. Only the third member `
` of the party was unknown to them. The three entered the house, `
` pulling the door to behind them. Slowly they mounted the rickety `
` stairs. At the top was the ragged curtain hiding the recess where `
` Tommy had hidden that day. Tuppence had heard the story from `
` Jane in her character of "Annette." She looked at the tattered `
` velvet with interest. Even now she could almost swear it `
` moved--as though some one was behind it. So strong was the `
` illusion that she almost fancied she could make out the outline `
` of a form.... Supposing Mr. Brown--Julius--was there waiting.... `
` `
` Impossible of course! Yet she almost went back to put the `
` curtain aside and make sure.... `
` `
` Now they were entering the prison room. No place for anyone to `
` hide here, thought Tuppence, with a sigh of relief, then chided `
` herself indignantly. She must not give way to this foolish `
` fancying--this curious insistent feeling that MR. BROWN WAS IN `
` THE HOUSE.... Hark! what was that? A stealthy footstep on the `
` stairs? There WAS some one in the house! Absurd! She was `
` becoming hysterical. `
` `
` Jane had gone straight to the picture of Marguerite. She `
` unhooked it with a steady hand. The dust lay thick upon it, and `
` festoons of cobwebs lay between it and the wall. Sir James `
` handed her a pocket-knife, and she ripped away the brown paper `
`
` `
` "Yes," said Sir James gravely. "At last I do." `
` `
` "At last?" queried Tuppence doubtfully. "Oh, but I thought----" `
` She paused. `
` `
` "You thought correctly, Miss Tuppence. I have been morally `
` certain of his identity for some time--ever since the night of `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer's mysterious death." `
` `
` "Ah!" breathed Tuppence. `
` `
` "For there we are up against the logic of facts. There are only `
` two solutions. Either the chloral was administered by her own `
` hand, which theory I reject utterly, or else----" `
` `
` "Yes?" `
` `
` "Or else it was administered in the brandy you gave her. Only `
` three people touched that brandy--you, Miss Tuppence, I myself, `
` and one other--Mr. Julius Hersheimmer!" `
` `
` Jane Finn stirred and sat up, regarding the speaker with wide `
` astonished eyes. `
` `
` "At first, the thing seemed utterly impossible. Mr. Hersheimmer, `
` as the son of a prominent millionaire, was a well-known figure in `
` America. It seemed utterly impossible that he and Mr. Brown `
` could be one and the same. But you cannot escape from the logic `
` of facts. Since the thing was so--it must be accepted. Remember `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer's sudden and inexplicable agitation. Another `
` proof, if proof was needed. `
` `
` "I took an early opportunity of giving you a hint. From some `
` words of Mr. Hersheimmer's at Manchester, I gathered that you had `
` understood and acted on that hint. Then I set to work to prove `
` the impossible possible. Mr. Beresford rang me up and told me, `
` what I had already suspected, that the photograph of Miss Jane `
` Finn had never really been out of Mr. Hersheimmer's `
` possession----" `
` `
` But the girl interrupted. Springing to her feet, she cried out `
` angrily: `
` `
` "What do you mean? What are you trying to suggest? That Mr. `
` Brown is JULIUS? Julius--my own cousin!" `
` `
` "No, Miss Finn," said Sir James unexpectedly. "Not your cousin. `
` The man who calls himself Julius Hersheimmer is no relation to `
` you whatsoever." `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER XXVI `
` `
` MR. BROWN `
` `
` SIR James's words came like a bomb-shell. Both girls looked `
` equally puzzled. The lawyer went across to his desk, and returned `
` with a small newspaper cutting, which he handed to Jane. `
` Tuppence read it over her shoulder. Mr. Carter would have `
` recognized it. It referred to the mysterious man found dead in `
` New York. `
` `
` "As I was saying to Miss Tuppence," resumed the lawyer, "I set to `
` work to prove the impossible possible. The great stumbling-block `
` was the undeniable fact that Julius Hersheimmer was not an `
` assumed name. When I came across this paragraph my problem was `
` solved. Julius Hersheimmer set out to discover what had become of `
` his cousin. He went out West, where he obtained news of her and `
` her photograph to aid him in his search. On the eve of his `
` departure from New York he was set upon and murdered. His body `
` was dressed in shabby clothes, and the face disfigured to prevent `
` identification. Mr. Brown took his place. He sailed immediately `
` for England. None of the real Hersheimmer's friends or intimates `
` saw him before he sailed--though indeed it would hardly have `
` mattered if they had, the impersonation was so perfect. Since `
` then he had been hand and glove with those sworn to hunt him `
` down. Every secret of theirs has been known to him. Only once `
` did he come near disaster. Mrs. Vandemeyer knew his secret. It `
` was no part of his plan that that huge bribe should ever be `
` offered to her. But for Miss Tuppence's fortunate change of `
` plan, she would have been far away from the flat when we arrived `
` there. Exposure stared him in the face. He took a desperate `
` step, trusting in his assumed character to avert suspicion. He `
` nearly succeeded--but not quite." `
` `
` "I can't believe it," murmured Jane. "He seemed so splendid." `
` `
` "The real Julius Hersheimmer WAS a splendid fellow! And Mr. Brown `
` is a consummate actor. But ask Miss Tuppence if she also has not `
` had her suspicions." `
` `
` Jane turned mutely to Tuppence. The latter nodded. `
` `
` "I didn't want to say it, Jane--I knew it would hurt you. And, `
` after all, I couldn't be sure. I still don't understand why, if `
` he's Mr. Brown, he rescued us." `
` `
` "Was it Julius Hersheimmer who helped you to escape?" `
` `
` Tuppence recounted to Sir James the exciting events of the `
` evening, ending up: "But I can't see WHY!" `
` `
` "Can't you? I can. So can young Beresford, by his actions. As a `
` last hope Jane Finn was to be allowed to escape--and the escape `
` must be managed so that she harbours no suspicions of its being a `
` put-up job. They're not averse to young Beresford's being in the `
` neighbourhood, and, if necessary, communicating with you. They'll `
` take care to get him out of the way at the right minute. Then `
` Julius Hersheimmer dashes up and rescues you in true melodramatic `
` style. Bullets fly--but don't hit anybody. What would have `
` happened next? You would have driven straight to the house in `
` Soho and secured the document which Miss Finn would probably have `
` entrusted to her cousin's keeping. Or, if he conducted the `
` search, he would have pretended to find the hiding-place already `
` rifled. He would have had a dozen ways of dealing with the `
` situation, but the result would have been the same. And I rather `
` fancy some accident would have happened to both of you. You see, `
` you know rather an inconvenient amount. That's a rough outline. `
` I admit I was caught napping; but somebody else wasn't." `
` `
` "Tommy," said Tuppence softly. `
` `
` "Yes. Evidently when the right moment came to get rid of him--he `
` was too sharp for them. All the same, I'm not too easy in my `
` mind about him." `
` `
` "Why?" `
` `
` "Because Julius Hersheimmer is Mr. Brown," said Sir James dryly. `
` "And it takes more than one man and a revolver to hold up Mr. `
` Brown...." `
` `
` Tuppence paled a little. `
` `
` "What can we do?" `
` `
` "Nothing until we've been to the house in Soho. If Beresford has `
` still got the upper hand, there's nothing to fear. If otherwise, `
` our enemy will come to find us, and he will not find us `
` unprepared!" From a drawer in the desk, he took a service `
` revolver, and placed it in his coat pocket. `
` `
` "Now we're ready. I know better than even to suggest going `
` without you, Miss Tuppence----" `
` `
` "I should think so indeed!" `
` `
` "But I do suggest that Miss Finn should remain here. She will be `
` perfectly safe, and I am afraid she is absolutely worn out with `
` all she has been through." `
` `
` But to Tuppence's surprise Jane shook her head. `
` `
` "No. I guess I'm going too. Those papers were my trust. I must `
` go through with this business to the end. I'm heaps better now `
` anyway." `
` `
` Sir James's car was ordered round. During the short drive `
` Tuppence's heart beat tumultuously. In spite of momentary qualms `
` of uneasiness respecting Tommy, she could not but feel `
` exultation. They were going to win! `
` `
` The car drew up at the corner of the square and they got out. Sir `
` James went up to a plain-clothes man who was on duty with several `
` others, and spoke to him. Then he rejoined the girls. `
` `
` "No one has gone into the house so far. It is being watched at `
` the back as well, so they are quite sure of that. Anyone who `
` attempts to enter after we have done so will be arrested `
` immediately. Shall we go in?" `
` `
` A policeman produced a key. They all knew Sir James well. They `
` had also had orders respecting Tuppence. Only the third member `
` of the party was unknown to them. The three entered the house, `
` pulling the door to behind them. Slowly they mounted the rickety `
` stairs. At the top was the ragged curtain hiding the recess where `
` Tommy had hidden that day. Tuppence had heard the story from `
` Jane in her character of "Annette." She looked at the tattered `
` velvet with interest. Even now she could almost swear it `
` moved--as though some one was behind it. So strong was the `
` illusion that she almost fancied she could make out the outline `
` of a form.... Supposing Mr. Brown--Julius--was there waiting.... `
` `
` Impossible of course! Yet she almost went back to put the `
` curtain aside and make sure.... `
` `
` Now they were entering the prison room. No place for anyone to `
` hide here, thought Tuppence, with a sigh of relief, then chided `
` herself indignantly. She must not give way to this foolish `
` fancying--this curious insistent feeling that MR. BROWN WAS IN `
` THE HOUSE.... Hark! what was that? A stealthy footstep on the `
` stairs? There WAS some one in the house! Absurd! She was `
` becoming hysterical. `
` `
` Jane had gone straight to the picture of Marguerite. She `
` unhooked it with a steady hand. The dust lay thick upon it, and `
` festoons of cobwebs lay between it and the wall. Sir James `
` handed her a pocket-knife, and she ripped away the brown paper `
`