Reading Help Secret Adversary Ch.XIV-XXVIII
"Stow it," said Number 14. `
` `
` "With pleasure," replied Tommy. "You're making a sad `
` mistake--but yours will be the loss." `
` `
` "You don't kid us that way again," said Number 14. "Talking as `
` though you were still at the blooming Ritz, aren't you?" `
` `
` Tommy made no reply. He was engaged in wondering how Mr. Brown `
` had discovered his identity. He decided that Tuppence, in the `
` throes of anxiety, had gone to the police, and that his `
` disappearance having been made public the gang had not been slow `
` to put two and two together. `
` `
` The two men departed and the door slammed. Tommy was left to his `
` meditations. They were not pleasant ones. Already his limbs felt `
` cramped and stiff. He was utterly helpless, and he could see no `
` hope anywhere. `
` `
` About an hour had passed when he heard the key softly turned, and `
` the door opened. It was Annette. Tommy's heart beat a little `
` faster. He had forgotten the girl. Was it possible that she had `
` come to his help? `
` `
` Suddenly he heard Conrad's voice: `
` `
` "Come out of it, Annette. He doesn't want any supper to-night." `
` `
` "Oui, oui, je sais bien. But I must take the other tray. We need `
` the things on it." `
` `
` "Well, hurry up," growled Conrad. `
` `
` Without looking at Tommy the girl went over to the table, and `
` picked up the tray. She raised a hand and turned out the light. `
` `
` "Curse you"--Conrad had come to the door--"why did you do that?" `
` `
` "I always turn it out. You should have told me. Shall I relight `
` it, Monsieur Conrad?" `
` `
` "No, come on out of it." `
` `
` "Le beau petit monsieur," cried Annette, pausing by the bed in `
` the darkness. "You have tied him up well, hein? He is like a `
` trussed chicken!" The frank amusement in her tone jarred on the `
` boy; but at that moment, to his amazement, he felt her hand `
` running lightly over his bonds, and something small and cold was `
` pressed into the palm of his hand. `
` `
` "Come on, Annette." `
` `
` "Mais me voila." `
` `
` The door shut. Tommy heard Conrad say: `
` `
` "Lock it and give me the key." `
` `
` The footsteps died away. Tommy lay petrified with amazement. The `
` object Annette had thrust into his hand was a small penknife, the `
` blade open. From the way she had studiously avoided looking at `
` him, and her action with the light, he came to the conclusion `
` that the room was overlooked. There must be a peep-hole somewhere `
` in the walls. Remembering how guarded she had always been in her `
` manner, he saw that he had probably been under observation all `
` the time. Had he said anything to give himself away? Hardly. He `
` had revealed a wish to escape and a desire to find Jane Finn, but `
` nothing that could have given a clue to his own identity. True, `
` his question to Annette had proved that he was personally `
` unacquainted with Jane Finn, but he had never pretended `
` otherwise. The question now was, did Annette really know more? `
` Were her denials intended primarily for the listeners? On that `
` point he could come to no conclusion. `
` `
` But there was a more vital question that drove out all others. `
` Could he, bound as he was, manage to cut his bonds? He essayed `
` cautiously to rub the open blade up and down on the cord that `
` bound his two wrists together. It was an awkward business, and `
` drew a smothered "Ow" of pain from him as the knife cut into his `
` wrist. But slowly and doggedly he went on sawing to and fro. He `
` cut the flesh badly, but at last he felt the cord slacken. With `
` his hands free, the rest was easy. Five minutes later he stood `
` upright with some difficulty, owing to the cramp in his limbs. `
` His first care was to bind up his bleeding wrist. Then he sat on `
` the edge of the bed to think. Conrad had taken the key of the `
` door, so he could expect little more assistance from Annette. `
` The only outlet from the room was the door, consequently he would `
` perforce have to wait until the two men returned to fetch him. `
` But when they did . . . Tommy smiled! Moving with infinite `
` caution in the dark room, he found and unhooked the famous `
` picture. He felt an economical pleasure that his first plan would `
` not be wasted. There was now nothing to do but to wait. He `
` waited. `
` `
` The night passed slowly. Tommy lived through an eternity of `
` hours, but at last he heard footsteps. He stood upright, drew a `
` deep breath, and clutched the picture firmly. `
` `
` The door opened. A faint light streamed in from outside. Conrad `
` went straight towards the gas to light it. Tommy deeply regretted `
` that it was he who had entered first. It would have been pleasant `
` to get even with Conrad. Number 14 followed. As he stepped `
` across the threshold, Tommy brought the picture down with `
` terrific force on his head. Number 14 went down amidst a `
` stupendous crash of broken glass. In a minute Tommy had slipped `
` out and pulled to the door. The key was in the lock. He turned `
` it and withdrew it just as Conrad hurled himself against the door `
` from the inside with a volley of curses. `
` `
` For a moment Tommy hesitated. There was the sound of some one `
` stirring on the floor below. Then the German's voice came up the `
` stairs. `
` `
` "Gott im Himmel! Conrad, what is it?" `
` `
` Tommy felt a small hand thrust into his. Beside him stood `
` Annette. She pointed up a rickety ladder that apparently led to `
` some attics. `
` `
` "Quick--up here!" She dragged him after her up the ladder. In `
` another moment they were standing in a dusty garret littered with `
` lumber. Tommy looked round. `
` `
` "This won't do. It's a regular trap. There's no way out." `
` `
` "Hush! Wait." The girl put her finger to her lips. She crept to `
` the top of the ladder and listened. `
` `
` The banging and beating on the door was terrific. The German and `
` another were trying to force the door in. Annette explained in a `
` whisper: `
` `
` "They will think you are still inside. They cannot hear what `
` Conrad says. The door is too thick." `
` `
` "I thought you could hear what went on in the room?" `
` `
` "There is a peep-hole into the next room. It was clever of you `
` to guess. But they will not think of that--they are only anxious `
` to get in." `
` `
` "Yes--but look here----" `
` `
` "Leave it to me." She bent down. To his amazement, Tommy saw `
` that she was fastening the end of a long piece of string to the `
` handle of a big cracked jug. She arranged it carefully, then `
` turned to Tommy. `
` `
` "Have you the key of the door?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Give it to me." `
` `
` He handed it to her. `
` `
` "I am going down. Do you think you can go halfway, and then `
` swing yourself down BEHIND the ladder, so that they will not see `
` you?" `
` `
` Tommy nodded. `
` `
` "There's a big cupboard in the shadow of the landing. Stand `
` behind it. Take the end of this string in your hand. When I've `
` let the others out--PULL!" `
` `
` Before he had time to ask her anything more, she had flitted `
` lightly down the ladder and was in the midst of the group with a `
` loud cry: `
` `
` "Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! Qu'est-ce qu'il y a?" `
` `
` The German turned on her with an oath. `
` `
` "Get out of this. Go to your room!" `
` `
` Very cautiously Tommy swung himself down the back of the ladder. `
` So long as they did not turn round ... all was well. He crouched `
` behind the cupboard. They were still between him and the stairs. `
` `
` "AH!" Annette appeared to stumble over something. She stooped. `
` "Mon Dieu, voila la clef!" `
` `
` The German snatched it from her. He unlocked the door. Conrad `
` stumbled out, swearing. `
` `
` "Where is he? Have you got him?" `
` `
` "We have seen no one," said the German sharply. His face paled. `
` "Who do you mean?" `
` `
` Conrad gave vent to another oath. `
` `
` "He's got away." `
` `
` "Impossible. He would have passed us." `
` `
` At that moment, with an ecstatic smile Tommy pulled the string. A `
` crash of crockery came from the attic above. In a trice the men `
` were pushing each other up the rickety ladder and had disappeared `
` into the darkness above. `
`
` `
` "With pleasure," replied Tommy. "You're making a sad `
` mistake--but yours will be the loss." `
` `
` "You don't kid us that way again," said Number 14. "Talking as `
` though you were still at the blooming Ritz, aren't you?" `
` `
` Tommy made no reply. He was engaged in wondering how Mr. Brown `
` had discovered his identity. He decided that Tuppence, in the `
` throes of anxiety, had gone to the police, and that his `
` disappearance having been made public the gang had not been slow `
` to put two and two together. `
` `
` The two men departed and the door slammed. Tommy was left to his `
` meditations. They were not pleasant ones. Already his limbs felt `
` cramped and stiff. He was utterly helpless, and he could see no `
` hope anywhere. `
` `
` About an hour had passed when he heard the key softly turned, and `
` the door opened. It was Annette. Tommy's heart beat a little `
` faster. He had forgotten the girl. Was it possible that she had `
` come to his help? `
` `
` Suddenly he heard Conrad's voice: `
` `
` "Come out of it, Annette. He doesn't want any supper to-night." `
` `
` "Oui, oui, je sais bien. But I must take the other tray. We need `
` the things on it." `
` `
` "Well, hurry up," growled Conrad. `
` `
` Without looking at Tommy the girl went over to the table, and `
` picked up the tray. She raised a hand and turned out the light. `
` `
` "Curse you"--Conrad had come to the door--"why did you do that?" `
` `
` "I always turn it out. You should have told me. Shall I relight `
` it, Monsieur Conrad?" `
` `
` "No, come on out of it." `
` `
` "Le beau petit monsieur," cried Annette, pausing by the bed in `
` the darkness. "You have tied him up well, hein? He is like a `
` trussed chicken!" The frank amusement in her tone jarred on the `
` boy; but at that moment, to his amazement, he felt her hand `
` running lightly over his bonds, and something small and cold was `
` pressed into the palm of his hand. `
` `
` "Come on, Annette." `
` `
` "Mais me voila." `
` `
` The door shut. Tommy heard Conrad say: `
` `
` "Lock it and give me the key." `
` `
` The footsteps died away. Tommy lay petrified with amazement. The `
` object Annette had thrust into his hand was a small penknife, the `
` blade open. From the way she had studiously avoided looking at `
` him, and her action with the light, he came to the conclusion `
` that the room was overlooked. There must be a peep-hole somewhere `
` in the walls. Remembering how guarded she had always been in her `
` manner, he saw that he had probably been under observation all `
` the time. Had he said anything to give himself away? Hardly. He `
` had revealed a wish to escape and a desire to find Jane Finn, but `
` nothing that could have given a clue to his own identity. True, `
` his question to Annette had proved that he was personally `
` unacquainted with Jane Finn, but he had never pretended `
` otherwise. The question now was, did Annette really know more? `
` Were her denials intended primarily for the listeners? On that `
` point he could come to no conclusion. `
` `
` But there was a more vital question that drove out all others. `
` Could he, bound as he was, manage to cut his bonds? He essayed `
` cautiously to rub the open blade up and down on the cord that `
` bound his two wrists together. It was an awkward business, and `
` drew a smothered "Ow" of pain from him as the knife cut into his `
` wrist. But slowly and doggedly he went on sawing to and fro. He `
` cut the flesh badly, but at last he felt the cord slacken. With `
` his hands free, the rest was easy. Five minutes later he stood `
` upright with some difficulty, owing to the cramp in his limbs. `
` His first care was to bind up his bleeding wrist. Then he sat on `
` the edge of the bed to think. Conrad had taken the key of the `
` door, so he could expect little more assistance from Annette. `
` The only outlet from the room was the door, consequently he would `
` perforce have to wait until the two men returned to fetch him. `
` But when they did . . . Tommy smiled! Moving with infinite `
` caution in the dark room, he found and unhooked the famous `
` picture. He felt an economical pleasure that his first plan would `
` not be wasted. There was now nothing to do but to wait. He `
` waited. `
` `
` The night passed slowly. Tommy lived through an eternity of `
` hours, but at last he heard footsteps. He stood upright, drew a `
` deep breath, and clutched the picture firmly. `
` `
` The door opened. A faint light streamed in from outside. Conrad `
` went straight towards the gas to light it. Tommy deeply regretted `
` that it was he who had entered first. It would have been pleasant `
` to get even with Conrad. Number 14 followed. As he stepped `
` across the threshold, Tommy brought the picture down with `
` terrific force on his head. Number 14 went down amidst a `
` stupendous crash of broken glass. In a minute Tommy had slipped `
` out and pulled to the door. The key was in the lock. He turned `
` it and withdrew it just as Conrad hurled himself against the door `
` from the inside with a volley of curses. `
` `
` For a moment Tommy hesitated. There was the sound of some one `
` stirring on the floor below. Then the German's voice came up the `
` stairs. `
` `
` "Gott im Himmel! Conrad, what is it?" `
` `
` Tommy felt a small hand thrust into his. Beside him stood `
` Annette. She pointed up a rickety ladder that apparently led to `
` some attics. `
` `
` "Quick--up here!" She dragged him after her up the ladder. In `
` another moment they were standing in a dusty garret littered with `
` lumber. Tommy looked round. `
` `
` "This won't do. It's a regular trap. There's no way out." `
` `
` "Hush! Wait." The girl put her finger to her lips. She crept to `
` the top of the ladder and listened. `
` `
` The banging and beating on the door was terrific. The German and `
` another were trying to force the door in. Annette explained in a `
` whisper: `
` `
` "They will think you are still inside. They cannot hear what `
` Conrad says. The door is too thick." `
` `
` "I thought you could hear what went on in the room?" `
` `
` "There is a peep-hole into the next room. It was clever of you `
` to guess. But they will not think of that--they are only anxious `
` to get in." `
` `
` "Yes--but look here----" `
` `
` "Leave it to me." She bent down. To his amazement, Tommy saw `
` that she was fastening the end of a long piece of string to the `
` handle of a big cracked jug. She arranged it carefully, then `
` turned to Tommy. `
` `
` "Have you the key of the door?" `
` `
` "Yes." `
` `
` "Give it to me." `
` `
` He handed it to her. `
` `
` "I am going down. Do you think you can go halfway, and then `
` swing yourself down BEHIND the ladder, so that they will not see `
` you?" `
` `
` Tommy nodded. `
` `
` "There's a big cupboard in the shadow of the landing. Stand `
` behind it. Take the end of this string in your hand. When I've `
` let the others out--PULL!" `
` `
` Before he had time to ask her anything more, she had flitted `
` lightly down the ladder and was in the midst of the group with a `
` loud cry: `
` `
` "Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! Qu'est-ce qu'il y a?" `
` `
` The German turned on her with an oath. `
` `
` "Get out of this. Go to your room!" `
` `
` Very cautiously Tommy swung himself down the back of the ladder. `
` So long as they did not turn round ... all was well. He crouched `
` behind the cupboard. They were still between him and the stairs. `
` `
` "AH!" Annette appeared to stumble over something. She stooped. `
` "Mon Dieu, voila la clef!" `
` `
` The German snatched it from her. He unlocked the door. Conrad `
` stumbled out, swearing. `
` `
` "Where is he? Have you got him?" `
` `
` "We have seen no one," said the German sharply. His face paled. `
` "Who do you mean?" `
` `
` Conrad gave vent to another oath. `
` `
` "He's got away." `
` `
` "Impossible. He would have passed us." `
` `
` At that moment, with an ecstatic smile Tommy pulled the string. A `
` crash of crockery came from the attic above. In a trice the men `
` were pushing each other up the rickety ladder and had disappeared `
` into the darkness above. `
`