Reading Help Secret Adversary Ch.XIV-XXVIII
into the darkness above. `
` `
` Quick as a flash Tommy leapt from his hiding-place and dashed `
` down the stairs, pulling the girl with him. There was no one in `
` the hall. He fumbled over the bolts and chain. At last they `
` yielded, the door swung open. He turned. Annette had `
` disappeared. `
` `
` Tommy stood spell-bound. Had she run upstairs again? What `
` madness possessed her! He fumed with impatience, but he stood `
` his ground. He would not go without her. `
` `
` And suddenly there was an outcry overhead, an exclamation from `
` the German, and then Annette's voice, clear and high: `
` `
` "Ma foi, he has escaped! And quickly! Who would have thought `
` it?" `
` `
` Tommy still stood rooted to the ground. Was that a command to `
` him to go? He fancied it was. `
` `
` And then, louder still, the words floated down to him: `
` `
` "This is a terrible house. I want to go back to Marguerite. To `
` Marguerite. TO MARGUERITE!" `
` `
` Tommy had run back to the stairs. She wanted him to go and leave `
` her. But why? At all costs he must try and get her away with `
` him. Then his heart sank. Conrad was leaping down the stairs, `
` uttering a savage cry at the sight of him. After him came the `
` others. `
` `
` Tommy stopped Conrad's rush with a straight blow with his fist. `
` It caught the other on the point of the jaw and he fell like a `
` log. The second man tripped over his body and fell. From higher `
` up the staircase there was a flash, and a bullet grazed Tommy's `
` ear. He realized that it would be good for his health to get out `
` of this house as soon as possible. As regards Annette he could `
` do nothing. He had got even with Conrad, which was one `
` satisfaction. The blow had been a good one. `
` `
` He leapt for the door, slamming it behind him. The square was `
` deserted. In front of the house was a baker's van. Evidently he `
` was to have been taken out of London in that, and his body found `
` many miles from the house in Soho. The driver jumped to the `
` pavement and tried to bar Tommy's way. Again Tommy's fist shot `
` out, and the driver sprawled on the pavement. `
` `
` Tommy took to his heels and ran--none too soon. The front door `
` opened and a hail of bullets followed him. Fortunately none of `
` them hit him. He turned the corner of the square. `
` `
` "There's one thing," he thought to himself, "they can't go on `
` shooting. They'll have the police after them if they do. I `
` wonder they dared to there." `
` `
` He heard the footsteps of his pursuers behind him, and redoubled `
` his own pace. Once he got out of these by-ways he would be safe. `
` There would be a policeman about somewhere--not that he really `
` wanted to invoke the aid of the police if he could possibly do `
` without it. It meant explanations, and general awkwardness. In `
` another moment he had reason to bless his luck. He stumbled over `
` a prostrate figure, which started up with a yell of alarm and `
` dashed off down the street. Tommy drew back into a doorway. In a `
` minute he had the pleasure of seeing his two pursuers, of whom `
` the German was one, industriously tracking down the red herring! `
` `
` Tommy sat down quietly on the doorstep and allowed a few moments `
` to elapse while he recovered his breath. Then he strolled gently `
` in the opposite direction. He glanced at his watch. It was a `
` little after half-past five. It was rapidly growing light. At `
` the next corner he passed a policeman. The policeman cast a `
` suspicious eye on him. Tommy felt slightly offended. Then, `
` passing his hand over his face, he laughed. He had not shaved or `
` washed for three days! What a guy he must look. `
` `
` He betook himself without more ado to a Turkish Bath `
` establishment which he knew to be open all night. He emerged into `
` the busy daylight feeling himself once more, and able to make `
` plans. `
` `
` First of all, he must have a square meal. He had eaten nothing `
` since midday yesterday. He turned into an A.B.C. shop and `
` ordered eggs and bacon and coffee. Whilst he ate, he read a `
` morning paper propped up in front of him. Suddenly he stiffened. `
` There was a long article on Kramenin, who was described as the `
` "man behind Bolshevism" in Russia, and who had just arrived in `
` London--some thought as an unofficial envoy. His career was `
` sketched lightly, and it was firmly asserted that he, and not the `
` figurehead leaders, had been the author of the Russian `
` Revolution. `
` `
` In the centre of the page was his portrait. `
` `
` "So that's who Number 1 is," said Tommy with his mouth full of `
` eggs and bacon. "Not a doubt about it, I must push on." `
` `
` He paid for his breakfast, and betook himself to Whitehall. There `
` he sent up his name, and the message that it was urgent. A few `
` minutes later he was in the presence of the man who did not here `
` go by the name of "Mr. Carter." There was a frown on his face. `
` `
` "Look here, you've no business to come asking for me in this way. `
` I thought that was distinctly understood?" `
` `
` "It was, sir. But I judged it important to lose no time." `
` `
` And as briefly and succinctly as possible he detailed the `
` experiences of the last few days. `
` `
` Half-way through, Mr. Carter interrupted him to give a few `
` cryptic orders through the telephone. All traces of displeasure `
` had now left his face. He nodded energetically when Tommy had `
` finished. `
` `
` "Quite right. Every moment's of value. Fear we shall be too `
` late anyway. They wouldn't wait. Would clear out at once. `
` Still, they may have left something behind them that will be a `
` clue. You say you've recognized Number 1 to be Kramenin? That's `
` important. We want something against him badly to prevent the `
` Cabinet falling on his neck too freely. What about the others? `
` You say two faces were familiar to you? One's a Labour man, you `
` think? Just look through these photos, and see if you can spot `
` him." `
` `
` A minute later, Tommy held one up. Mr. Carter exhibited some `
` surprise. `
` `
` "Ah, Westway! Shouldn't have thought it. Poses as being `
` moderate. As for the other fellow, I think I can give a good `
` guess." He handed another photograph to Tommy, and smiled at the `
` other's exclamation. "I'm right, then. Who is he? Irishman. `
` Prominent Unionist M.P. All a blind, of course. We've suspected `
` it--but couldn't get any proof. Yes, you've done very well, young `
` man. The 29th, you say, is the date. That gives us very little `
` time--very little time indeed." `
` `
` "But----" Tommy hesitated. `
` `
` Mr. Carter read his thoughts. `
` `
` "We can deal with the General Strike menace, I think. It's a `
` toss-up--but we've got a sporting chance! But if that draft `
` treaty turns up--we're done. England will be plunged in anarchy. `
` Ah, what's that? The car? Come on, Beresford, we'll go and have `
` a look at this house of yours." `
` `
` Two constables were on duty in front of the house in Soho. An `
` inspector reported to Mr. Carter in a low voice. The latter `
` turned to Tommy. `
` `
` "The birds have flown--as we thought. We might as well go over `
` it." `
` `
` Going over the deserted house seemed to Tommy to partake of the `
` character of a dream. Everything was just as it had been. The `
` prison room with the crooked pictures, the broken jug in the `
` attic, the meeting room with its long table. But nowhere was `
` there a trace of papers. Everything of that kind had either been `
` destroyed or taken away. And there was no sign of Annette. `
` `
` "What you tell me about the girl puzzled me," said Mr. Carter. `
` "You believe that she deliberately went back?" `
` `
` "It would seem so, sir. She ran upstairs while I was getting. `
` the door open." `
` `
` "H'm, she must belong to the gang, then; but, being a woman, `
` didn't feel like standing by to see a personable young man `
` killed. But evidently she's in with them, or she wouldn't have `
` gone back." `
` `
` "I can't believe she's really one of them, sir. She--seemed so `
` different----" `
` `
` "Good-looking, I suppose?" said Mr. Carter with a smile that made `
` Tommy flush to the roots of his hair. He admitted Annette's `
` beauty rather shamefacedly. `
` `
` "By the way," observed Mr. Carter, "have you shown yourself to `
` Miss Tuppence yet? She's been bombarding me with letters about `
` you." `
` `
` "Tuppence? I was afraid she might get a bit rattled. Did she go `
` to the police?" `
` `
` Mr. Carter shook his head. `
` `
` "Then I wonder how they twigged me." `
` `
` Mr. Carter looked inquiringly at him, and Tommy explained. The `
` other nodded thoughtfully. `
` `
` "True, that's rather a curious point. Unless the mention of the `
` Ritz was an accidental remark?" `
` `
` "It might have been, sir. But they must have found out about me `
` suddenly in some way." `
` `
` "Well," said Mr. Carter, looking round him, "there's nothing more `
` to be done here. What about some lunch with me?" `
`
` `
` Quick as a flash Tommy leapt from his hiding-place and dashed `
` down the stairs, pulling the girl with him. There was no one in `
` the hall. He fumbled over the bolts and chain. At last they `
` yielded, the door swung open. He turned. Annette had `
` disappeared. `
` `
` Tommy stood spell-bound. Had she run upstairs again? What `
` madness possessed her! He fumed with impatience, but he stood `
` his ground. He would not go without her. `
` `
` And suddenly there was an outcry overhead, an exclamation from `
` the German, and then Annette's voice, clear and high: `
` `
` "Ma foi, he has escaped! And quickly! Who would have thought `
` it?" `
` `
` Tommy still stood rooted to the ground. Was that a command to `
` him to go? He fancied it was. `
` `
` And then, louder still, the words floated down to him: `
` `
` "This is a terrible house. I want to go back to Marguerite. To `
` Marguerite. TO MARGUERITE!" `
` `
` Tommy had run back to the stairs. She wanted him to go and leave `
` her. But why? At all costs he must try and get her away with `
` him. Then his heart sank. Conrad was leaping down the stairs, `
` uttering a savage cry at the sight of him. After him came the `
` others. `
` `
` Tommy stopped Conrad's rush with a straight blow with his fist. `
` It caught the other on the point of the jaw and he fell like a `
` log. The second man tripped over his body and fell. From higher `
` up the staircase there was a flash, and a bullet grazed Tommy's `
` ear. He realized that it would be good for his health to get out `
` of this house as soon as possible. As regards Annette he could `
` do nothing. He had got even with Conrad, which was one `
` satisfaction. The blow had been a good one. `
` `
` He leapt for the door, slamming it behind him. The square was `
` deserted. In front of the house was a baker's van. Evidently he `
` was to have been taken out of London in that, and his body found `
` many miles from the house in Soho. The driver jumped to the `
` pavement and tried to bar Tommy's way. Again Tommy's fist shot `
` out, and the driver sprawled on the pavement. `
` `
` Tommy took to his heels and ran--none too soon. The front door `
` opened and a hail of bullets followed him. Fortunately none of `
` them hit him. He turned the corner of the square. `
` `
` "There's one thing," he thought to himself, "they can't go on `
` shooting. They'll have the police after them if they do. I `
` wonder they dared to there." `
` `
` He heard the footsteps of his pursuers behind him, and redoubled `
` his own pace. Once he got out of these by-ways he would be safe. `
` There would be a policeman about somewhere--not that he really `
` wanted to invoke the aid of the police if he could possibly do `
` without it. It meant explanations, and general awkwardness. In `
` another moment he had reason to bless his luck. He stumbled over `
` a prostrate figure, which started up with a yell of alarm and `
` dashed off down the street. Tommy drew back into a doorway. In a `
` minute he had the pleasure of seeing his two pursuers, of whom `
` the German was one, industriously tracking down the red herring! `
` `
` Tommy sat down quietly on the doorstep and allowed a few moments `
` to elapse while he recovered his breath. Then he strolled gently `
` in the opposite direction. He glanced at his watch. It was a `
` little after half-past five. It was rapidly growing light. At `
` the next corner he passed a policeman. The policeman cast a `
` suspicious eye on him. Tommy felt slightly offended. Then, `
` passing his hand over his face, he laughed. He had not shaved or `
` washed for three days! What a guy he must look. `
` `
` He betook himself without more ado to a Turkish Bath `
` establishment which he knew to be open all night. He emerged into `
` the busy daylight feeling himself once more, and able to make `
` plans. `
` `
` First of all, he must have a square meal. He had eaten nothing `
` since midday yesterday. He turned into an A.B.C. shop and `
` ordered eggs and bacon and coffee. Whilst he ate, he read a `
` morning paper propped up in front of him. Suddenly he stiffened. `
` There was a long article on Kramenin, who was described as the `
` "man behind Bolshevism" in Russia, and who had just arrived in `
` London--some thought as an unofficial envoy. His career was `
` sketched lightly, and it was firmly asserted that he, and not the `
` figurehead leaders, had been the author of the Russian `
` Revolution. `
` `
` In the centre of the page was his portrait. `
` `
` "So that's who Number 1 is," said Tommy with his mouth full of `
` eggs and bacon. "Not a doubt about it, I must push on." `
` `
` He paid for his breakfast, and betook himself to Whitehall. There `
` he sent up his name, and the message that it was urgent. A few `
` minutes later he was in the presence of the man who did not here `
` go by the name of "Mr. Carter." There was a frown on his face. `
` `
` "Look here, you've no business to come asking for me in this way. `
` I thought that was distinctly understood?" `
` `
` "It was, sir. But I judged it important to lose no time." `
` `
` And as briefly and succinctly as possible he detailed the `
` experiences of the last few days. `
` `
` Half-way through, Mr. Carter interrupted him to give a few `
` cryptic orders through the telephone. All traces of displeasure `
` had now left his face. He nodded energetically when Tommy had `
` finished. `
` `
` "Quite right. Every moment's of value. Fear we shall be too `
` late anyway. They wouldn't wait. Would clear out at once. `
` Still, they may have left something behind them that will be a `
` clue. You say you've recognized Number 1 to be Kramenin? That's `
` important. We want something against him badly to prevent the `
` Cabinet falling on his neck too freely. What about the others? `
` You say two faces were familiar to you? One's a Labour man, you `
` think? Just look through these photos, and see if you can spot `
` him." `
` `
` A minute later, Tommy held one up. Mr. Carter exhibited some `
` surprise. `
` `
` "Ah, Westway! Shouldn't have thought it. Poses as being `
` moderate. As for the other fellow, I think I can give a good `
` guess." He handed another photograph to Tommy, and smiled at the `
` other's exclamation. "I'm right, then. Who is he? Irishman. `
` Prominent Unionist M.P. All a blind, of course. We've suspected `
` it--but couldn't get any proof. Yes, you've done very well, young `
` man. The 29th, you say, is the date. That gives us very little `
` time--very little time indeed." `
` `
` "But----" Tommy hesitated. `
` `
` Mr. Carter read his thoughts. `
` `
` "We can deal with the General Strike menace, I think. It's a `
` toss-up--but we've got a sporting chance! But if that draft `
` treaty turns up--we're done. England will be plunged in anarchy. `
` Ah, what's that? The car? Come on, Beresford, we'll go and have `
` a look at this house of yours." `
` `
` Two constables were on duty in front of the house in Soho. An `
` inspector reported to Mr. Carter in a low voice. The latter `
` turned to Tommy. `
` `
` "The birds have flown--as we thought. We might as well go over `
` it." `
` `
` Going over the deserted house seemed to Tommy to partake of the `
` character of a dream. Everything was just as it had been. The `
` prison room with the crooked pictures, the broken jug in the `
` attic, the meeting room with its long table. But nowhere was `
` there a trace of papers. Everything of that kind had either been `
` destroyed or taken away. And there was no sign of Annette. `
` `
` "What you tell me about the girl puzzled me," said Mr. Carter. `
` "You believe that she deliberately went back?" `
` `
` "It would seem so, sir. She ran upstairs while I was getting. `
` the door open." `
` `
` "H'm, she must belong to the gang, then; but, being a woman, `
` didn't feel like standing by to see a personable young man `
` killed. But evidently she's in with them, or she wouldn't have `
` gone back." `
` `
` "I can't believe she's really one of them, sir. She--seemed so `
` different----" `
` `
` "Good-looking, I suppose?" said Mr. Carter with a smile that made `
` Tommy flush to the roots of his hair. He admitted Annette's `
` beauty rather shamefacedly. `
` `
` "By the way," observed Mr. Carter, "have you shown yourself to `
` Miss Tuppence yet? She's been bombarding me with letters about `
` you." `
` `
` "Tuppence? I was afraid she might get a bit rattled. Did she go `
` to the police?" `
` `
` Mr. Carter shook his head. `
` `
` "Then I wonder how they twigged me." `
` `
` Mr. Carter looked inquiringly at him, and Tommy explained. The `
` other nodded thoughtfully. `
` `
` "True, that's rather a curious point. Unless the mention of the `
` Ritz was an accidental remark?" `
` `
` "It might have been, sir. But they must have found out about me `
` suddenly in some way." `
` `
` "Well," said Mr. Carter, looking round him, "there's nothing more `
` to be done here. What about some lunch with me?" `
`