Reading Help Secret Adversary Ch.XIV-XXVIII
`
` "I guess I was a mite suspicious too. It had been got away from `
` me once, and I determined I wouldn't let on I'd got it until a `
` photographer had made a dozen copies of it!" `
` `
` "We all kept back something or other," said Tuppence `
` thoughtfully. "I suppose secret service work makes you like `
` that!" `
` `
` In the pause that ensued, Mr. Carter took from his pocket a small `
` shabby brown book. `
` `
` "Beresford has just said that I would not have believed Sir James `
` Peel Edgerton to be guilty unless, so to speak, he was caught in `
` the act. That is so. Indeed, not until I read the entries in `
` this little book could I bring myself fully to credit the amazing `
` truth. This book will pass into the possession of Scotland Yard, `
` but it will never be publicly exhibited. Sir James's long `
` association with the law would make it undesirable. But to you, `
` who know the truth, I propose to read certain passages which will `
` throw some light on the extraordinary mentality of this great `
` man." `
` `
` He opened the book, and turned the thin pages. `
` `
` `
` ". . . It is madness to keep this book. I know that. It is `
` documentary evidence against me. But I have never shrunk from `
` taking risks. And I feel an urgent need for self-expression.... `
` The book will only be taken from my dead body.... `
` `
` ". . . From an early age I realized that I had exceptional `
` abilities. Only a fool underestimates his capabilities. My brain `
` power was greatly above the average. I know that I was born to `
` succeed. My appearance was the only thing against me. I was `
` quiet and insignificant--utterly nondescript.... `
` `
` ". . . When I was a boy I heard a famous murder trial. I was `
` deeply impressed by the power and eloquence of the counsel for `
` the defence. For the first time I entertained the idea of taking `
` my talents to that particular market.... Then I studied the `
` criminal in the dock.... The man was a fool--he had been `
` incredibly, unbelievably stupid. Even the eloquence of his `
` counsel was hardly likely to save him. I felt an immeasurable `
` contempt for him.... Then it occurred to me that the criminal `
` standard was a low one. It was the wastrels, the failures, the `
` general riff-raff of civilization who drifted into crime.... `
` Strange that men of brains had never realized its extraordinary `
` opportunities.... I played with the idea.... What a magnificent `
` field--what unlimited possibilities! It made my brain reel.... `
` `
` ". . . I read standard works on crime and criminals. They all `
` confirmed my opinion. Degeneracy, disease--never the deliberate `
` embracing of a career by a far-seeing man. Then I considered. `
` Supposing my utmost ambitions were realized--that I was called to `
` the bar, and rose to the height of my profession? That I entered `
` politics--say, even, that I became Prime Minister of England? `
` What then? Was that power? Hampered at every turn by my `
` colleagues, fettered by the democratic system of which I should `
` be the mere figurehead! No--the power I dreamed of was absolute! `
` An autocrat! A dictator! And such power could only be obtained `
` by working outside the law. To play on the weaknesses of human `
` nature, then on the weaknesses of nations--to get together and `
` control a vast organization, and finally to overthrow the `
` existing order, and rule! The thought intoxicated me.... `
` `
` ". . . I saw that I must lead two lives. A man like myself is `
` bound to attract notice. I must have a successful career which `
` would mask my true activities.... Also I must cultivate a `
` personality. I modelled myself upon famous K.C.'s. I reproduced `
` their mannerisms, their magnetism. If I had chosen to be an `
` actor, I should have been the greatest actor living! No `
` disguises--no grease paint--no false beards! Personality! I put `
` it on like a glove! When I shed it, I was myself, quiet, `
` unobtrusive, a man like every other man. I called myself Mr. `
` Brown. There are hundreds of men called Brown--there are `
` hundreds of men looking just like me.... `
` `
` ". . . I succeeded in my false career. I was bound to succeed. I `
` shall succeed in the other. A man like me cannot fail.... `
` `
` ". . . I have been reading a life of Napoleon. He and I have `
` much in common.... `
` `
` ". . . I make a practice of defending criminals. A man should `
` look after his own people.... `
` `
` ". . . Once or twice I have felt afraid. The first time was in `
` Italy. There was a dinner given. Professor D----, the great `
` alienist, was present. The talk fell on insanity. He said, 'A `
` great many men are mad, and no one knows it. They do not know it `
` themselves.' I do not understand why he looked at me when he `
` said that. His glance was strange.... I did not like it.... `
` `
` ". . . The war has disturbed me.... I thought it would further my `
` plans. The Germans are so efficient. Their spy system, too, was `
` excellent. The streets are full of these boys in khaki. All `
` empty-headed young fools.... Yet I do not know.... They won the `
` war.... It disturbs me.... `
` `
` ". . . My plans are going well.... A girl butted in--I do not `
` think she really knew anything.... But we must give up the `
` Esthonia.... No risks now.... `
` `
` ". . . . All goes well. The loss of memory is vexing. It cannot `
` be a fake. No girl could deceive ME! . . . `
` `
` ". . .The 29th.... That is very soon...." Mr. Carter paused. `
` `
` "I will not read the details of the coup that was planned. But `
` there are just two small entries that refer to the three of you. `
` In the light of what happened they are interesting. `
` `
` ". . . By inducing the girl to come to me of her own accord, I `
` have succeeded in disarming her. But she has intuitive flashes `
` that might be dangerous.... She must be got out of the way.... I `
` can do nothing with the American. He suspects and dislikes me. `
` But he cannot know. I fancy my armour is impregnable.... `
` Sometimes I fear I have underestimated the other boy. He is not `
` clever, but it is hard to blind his eyes to facts...." `
` `
` `
` Mr. Carter shut the book. `
` `
` "A great man," he said. "Genius, or insanity, who can say?" `
` `
` There was silence. `
` `
` Then Mr. Carter rose to his feet. `
` `
` "I will give you a toast. The Joint Venture which has so amply `
` justified itself by success!" `
` `
` It was drunk with acclamation. `
` `
` "There's something more we want to hear," continued Mr. Carter. `
` He looked at the American Ambassador. "I speak for you also, I `
` know. We'll ask Miss Jane Finn to tell us the story that only `
` Miss Tuppence has heard so far--but before we do so we'll drink `
` her health. The health of one of the bravest of America's `
` daughters, to whom is due the thanks and gratitude of two great `
` countries!" `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER XXVIII `
` `
` AND AFTER `
` `
` "THAT was a mighty good toast, Jane," said Mr. Hersheimmer, as he `
` and his cousin were being driven back in the Rolls-Royce to the `
` Ritz. `
` `
` "The one to the joint venture?" `
` `
` "No--the one to you. There isn't another girl in the world who `
` could have carried it through as you did. You were just `
` wonderful!" `
` `
` Jane shook her head. `
` `
` "I don't feel wonderful. At heart I'm just tired and `
` lonesome--and longing for my own country." `
` `
` "That brings me to something I wanted to say. I heard the `
` Ambassador telling you his wife hoped you would come to them at `
` the Embassy right away. That's good enough, but I've got another `
` plan. Jane--I want you to marry me! Don't get scared and say no `
` at once. You can't love me right away, of course, that's `
` impossible. But I've loved you from the very moment I set eyes `
` on your photo--and now I've seen you I'm simply crazy about you! `
` If you'll only marry me, I won't worry you any--you shall take `
` your own time. Maybe you'll never come to love me, and if that's `
` the case I'll manage to set you free. But I want the right to `
` look after you, and take care of you." `
` `
` "That's what I want," said the girl wistfully. "Some one who'll `
` be good to me. Oh, you don't know how lonesome I feel!" `
` `
` "Sure thing I do. Then I guess that's all fixed up, and I'll see `
` the archbishop about a special license to-morrow morning." `
` `
` "Oh, Julius!" `
` `
` "Well, I don't want to hustle you any, Jane, but there's no sense `
` in waiting about. Don't be scared--I shan't expect you to love `
` me all at once." `
` `
` But a small hand was slipped into his. `
` `
` "I love you now, Julius," said Jane Finn. "I loved you that `
` first moment in the car when the bullet grazed your cheek...." `
` `
` Five minutes later Jane murmured softly: `
` `
` "I don't know London very well, Julius, but is it such a very `
` long way from the Savoy to the Ritz?" `
` `
` "It depends how you go," explained Julius unblushingly. "We're `
` going by way of Regent's Park!" `
` `
`
` "I guess I was a mite suspicious too. It had been got away from `
` me once, and I determined I wouldn't let on I'd got it until a `
` photographer had made a dozen copies of it!" `
` `
` "We all kept back something or other," said Tuppence `
` thoughtfully. "I suppose secret service work makes you like `
` that!" `
` `
` In the pause that ensued, Mr. Carter took from his pocket a small `
` shabby brown book. `
` `
` "Beresford has just said that I would not have believed Sir James `
` Peel Edgerton to be guilty unless, so to speak, he was caught in `
` the act. That is so. Indeed, not until I read the entries in `
` this little book could I bring myself fully to credit the amazing `
` truth. This book will pass into the possession of Scotland Yard, `
` but it will never be publicly exhibited. Sir James's long `
` association with the law would make it undesirable. But to you, `
` who know the truth, I propose to read certain passages which will `
` throw some light on the extraordinary mentality of this great `
` man." `
` `
` He opened the book, and turned the thin pages. `
` `
` `
` ". . . It is madness to keep this book. I know that. It is `
` documentary evidence against me. But I have never shrunk from `
` taking risks. And I feel an urgent need for self-expression.... `
` The book will only be taken from my dead body.... `
` `
` ". . . From an early age I realized that I had exceptional `
` abilities. Only a fool underestimates his capabilities. My brain `
` power was greatly above the average. I know that I was born to `
` succeed. My appearance was the only thing against me. I was `
` quiet and insignificant--utterly nondescript.... `
` `
` ". . . When I was a boy I heard a famous murder trial. I was `
` deeply impressed by the power and eloquence of the counsel for `
` the defence. For the first time I entertained the idea of taking `
` my talents to that particular market.... Then I studied the `
` criminal in the dock.... The man was a fool--he had been `
` incredibly, unbelievably stupid. Even the eloquence of his `
` counsel was hardly likely to save him. I felt an immeasurable `
` contempt for him.... Then it occurred to me that the criminal `
` standard was a low one. It was the wastrels, the failures, the `
` general riff-raff of civilization who drifted into crime.... `
` Strange that men of brains had never realized its extraordinary `
` opportunities.... I played with the idea.... What a magnificent `
` field--what unlimited possibilities! It made my brain reel.... `
` `
` ". . . I read standard works on crime and criminals. They all `
` confirmed my opinion. Degeneracy, disease--never the deliberate `
` embracing of a career by a far-seeing man. Then I considered. `
` Supposing my utmost ambitions were realized--that I was called to `
` the bar, and rose to the height of my profession? That I entered `
` politics--say, even, that I became Prime Minister of England? `
` What then? Was that power? Hampered at every turn by my `
` colleagues, fettered by the democratic system of which I should `
` be the mere figurehead! No--the power I dreamed of was absolute! `
` An autocrat! A dictator! And such power could only be obtained `
` by working outside the law. To play on the weaknesses of human `
` nature, then on the weaknesses of nations--to get together and `
` control a vast organization, and finally to overthrow the `
` existing order, and rule! The thought intoxicated me.... `
` `
` ". . . I saw that I must lead two lives. A man like myself is `
` bound to attract notice. I must have a successful career which `
` would mask my true activities.... Also I must cultivate a `
` personality. I modelled myself upon famous K.C.'s. I reproduced `
` their mannerisms, their magnetism. If I had chosen to be an `
` actor, I should have been the greatest actor living! No `
` disguises--no grease paint--no false beards! Personality! I put `
` it on like a glove! When I shed it, I was myself, quiet, `
` unobtrusive, a man like every other man. I called myself Mr. `
` Brown. There are hundreds of men called Brown--there are `
` hundreds of men looking just like me.... `
` `
` ". . . I succeeded in my false career. I was bound to succeed. I `
` shall succeed in the other. A man like me cannot fail.... `
` `
` ". . . I have been reading a life of Napoleon. He and I have `
` much in common.... `
` `
` ". . . I make a practice of defending criminals. A man should `
` look after his own people.... `
` `
` ". . . Once or twice I have felt afraid. The first time was in `
` Italy. There was a dinner given. Professor D----, the great `
` alienist, was present. The talk fell on insanity. He said, 'A `
` great many men are mad, and no one knows it. They do not know it `
` themselves.' I do not understand why he looked at me when he `
` said that. His glance was strange.... I did not like it.... `
` `
` ". . . The war has disturbed me.... I thought it would further my `
` plans. The Germans are so efficient. Their spy system, too, was `
` excellent. The streets are full of these boys in khaki. All `
` empty-headed young fools.... Yet I do not know.... They won the `
` war.... It disturbs me.... `
` `
` ". . . My plans are going well.... A girl butted in--I do not `
` think she really knew anything.... But we must give up the `
` Esthonia.... No risks now.... `
` `
` ". . . . All goes well. The loss of memory is vexing. It cannot `
` be a fake. No girl could deceive ME! . . . `
` `
` ". . .The 29th.... That is very soon...." Mr. Carter paused. `
` `
` "I will not read the details of the coup that was planned. But `
` there are just two small entries that refer to the three of you. `
` In the light of what happened they are interesting. `
` `
` ". . . By inducing the girl to come to me of her own accord, I `
` have succeeded in disarming her. But she has intuitive flashes `
` that might be dangerous.... She must be got out of the way.... I `
` can do nothing with the American. He suspects and dislikes me. `
` But he cannot know. I fancy my armour is impregnable.... `
` Sometimes I fear I have underestimated the other boy. He is not `
` clever, but it is hard to blind his eyes to facts...." `
` `
` `
` Mr. Carter shut the book. `
` `
` "A great man," he said. "Genius, or insanity, who can say?" `
` `
` There was silence. `
` `
` Then Mr. Carter rose to his feet. `
` `
` "I will give you a toast. The Joint Venture which has so amply `
` justified itself by success!" `
` `
` It was drunk with acclamation. `
` `
` "There's something more we want to hear," continued Mr. Carter. `
` He looked at the American Ambassador. "I speak for you also, I `
` know. We'll ask Miss Jane Finn to tell us the story that only `
` Miss Tuppence has heard so far--but before we do so we'll drink `
` her health. The health of one of the bravest of America's `
` daughters, to whom is due the thanks and gratitude of two great `
` countries!" `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER XXVIII `
` `
` AND AFTER `
` `
` "THAT was a mighty good toast, Jane," said Mr. Hersheimmer, as he `
` and his cousin were being driven back in the Rolls-Royce to the `
` Ritz. `
` `
` "The one to the joint venture?" `
` `
` "No--the one to you. There isn't another girl in the world who `
` could have carried it through as you did. You were just `
` wonderful!" `
` `
` Jane shook her head. `
` `
` "I don't feel wonderful. At heart I'm just tired and `
` lonesome--and longing for my own country." `
` `
` "That brings me to something I wanted to say. I heard the `
` Ambassador telling you his wife hoped you would come to them at `
` the Embassy right away. That's good enough, but I've got another `
` plan. Jane--I want you to marry me! Don't get scared and say no `
` at once. You can't love me right away, of course, that's `
` impossible. But I've loved you from the very moment I set eyes `
` on your photo--and now I've seen you I'm simply crazy about you! `
` If you'll only marry me, I won't worry you any--you shall take `
` your own time. Maybe you'll never come to love me, and if that's `
` the case I'll manage to set you free. But I want the right to `
` look after you, and take care of you." `
` `
` "That's what I want," said the girl wistfully. "Some one who'll `
` be good to me. Oh, you don't know how lonesome I feel!" `
` `
` "Sure thing I do. Then I guess that's all fixed up, and I'll see `
` the archbishop about a special license to-morrow morning." `
` `
` "Oh, Julius!" `
` `
` "Well, I don't want to hustle you any, Jane, but there's no sense `
` in waiting about. Don't be scared--I shan't expect you to love `
` me all at once." `
` `
` But a small hand was slipped into his. `
` `
` "I love you now, Julius," said Jane Finn. "I loved you that `
` first moment in the car when the bullet grazed your cheek...." `
` `
` Five minutes later Jane murmured softly: `
` `
` "I don't know London very well, Julius, but is it such a very `
` long way from the Savoy to the Ritz?" `
` `
` "It depends how you go," explained Julius unblushingly. "We're `
` going by way of Regent's Park!" `
` `
`