Reading Help Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie. Ch.I-XIII
reality she had relied upon Tommy more than she realized at the `
` time. There was something so eminently sober and clear-headed `
` about him, his common sense and soundness of vision were so `
` unvarying, that without him Tuppence felt much like a rudderless `
` ship. It was curious that Julius, who was undoubtedly much `
` cleverer than Tommy, did not give her the same feeling of `
` support. She had accused Tommy of being a pessimist, and it is `
` certain that he always saw the disadvantages and difficulties `
` which she herself was optimistically given to overlooking, but `
` nevertheless she had really relied a good deal on his judgment. `
` He might be slow, but he was very sure. `
` `
` It seemed to the girl that, for the first time, she realized the `
` sinister character of the mission they had undertaken so `
` lightheartedly. It had begun like a page of romance. Now, shorn `
` of its glamour, it seemed to be turning to grim reality. `
` Tommy--that was all that mattered. Many times in the day Tuppence `
` blinked the tears out of her eyes resolutely. "Little fool," she `
` would apostrophize herself, "don't snivel. Of course you're fond `
` of him. You've known him all your life. But there's no need to `
` be sentimental about it." `
` `
` In the meantime, nothing more was seen of Boris. He did not come `
` to the flat, and Julius and the car waited in vain. Tuppence `
` gave herself over to new meditations. Whilst admitting the truth `
` of Julius's objections, she had nevertheless not entirely `
` relinquished the idea of appealing to Sir James Peel Edgerton. `
` Indeed, she had gone so far as to look up his address in the Red `
` Book. Had he meant to warn her that day? If so, why? Surely she `
` was at least entitled to demand an explanation. He had looked at `
` her so kindly. Perhaps he might tell them something concerning `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer which might lead to a clue to Tommy's `
` whereabouts. `
` `
` Anyway, Tuppence decided, with her usual shake of the shoulders, `
` it was worth trying, and try it she would. Sunday was her `
` afternoon out. She would meet Julius, persuade him to her point `
` of view, and they would beard the lion in his den. `
` `
` When the day arrived Julius needed a considerable amount of `
` persuading, but Tuppence held firm. "It can do no harm," was `
` what she always came back to. In the end Julius gave in, and `
` they proceeded in the car to Carlton House Terrace. `
` `
` The door was opened by an irreproachable butler. Tuppence felt a `
` little nervous. After all, perhaps it WAS colossal cheek on her `
` part. She had decided not to ask if Sir James was "at home," but `
` to adopt a more personal attitude. `
` `
` "Will you ask Sir James if I can see him for a few minutes? I `
` have an important message for him." `
` `
` The butler retired, returning a moment or two later. `
` `
` "Sir James will see you. Will you step this way?" `
` `
` He ushered them into a room at the back of the house, furnished `
` as a library. The collection of books was a magnificent one, and `
` Tuppence noticed that all one wall was devoted to works on crime `
` and criminology. There were several deep-padded leather `
` arm-chairs, and an old-fashioned open hearth. In the window was a `
` big roll-top desk strewn with papers at which the master of the `
` house was sitting. `
` `
` He rose as they entered. `
` `
` "You have a message for me? Ah"--he recognized Tuppence with a `
` smile--"it's you, is it? Brought a message from Mrs. Vandemeyer, `
` I suppose?" `
` `
` "Not exactly," said Tuppence. "In fact, I'm afraid I only said `
` that to be quite sure of getting in. Oh, by the way, this is Mr. `
` Hersheimmer, Sir James Peel Edgerton." `
` `
` "Pleased to meet you," said the American, shooting out a hand. `
` `
` "Won't you both sit down?" asked Sir James. He drew forward two `
` chairs. `
` `
` "Sir James," said Tuppence, plunging boldly, "I dare say you will `
` think it is most awful cheek of me coming here like this. `
` Because, of course, it's nothing whatever to do with you, and `
` then you're a very important person, and of course Tommy and I `
` are very unimportant." She paused for breath. `
` `
` "Tommy?" queried Sir James, looking across at the American. `
` `
` "No, that's Julius," explained Tuppence. "I'm rather nervous, `
` and that makes me tell it badly. What I really want to know is `
` what you meant by what you said to me the other day? Did you mean `
` to warn me against Mrs. Vandemeyer? You did, didn't you?" `
` `
` "My dear young lady, as far as I recollect I only mentioned that `
` there were equally good situations to be obtained elsewhere." `
` `
` "Yes, I know. But it was a hint, wasn't it?" `
` `
` "Well, perhaps it was," admitted Sir James gravely. `
` `
` "Well, I want to know more. I want to know just WHY you gave me `
` a hint." `
` `
` Sir James smiled at her earnestness. `
` `
` "Suppose the lady brings a libel action against me for defamation `
` of character?" `
` `
` "Of course," said Tuppence. "I know lawyers are always `
` dreadfully careful. But can't we say 'without prejudice' first, `
` and then say just what we want to." `
` `
` "Well," said Sir James, still smiling, "without prejudice, then, `
` if I had a young sister forced to earn her living, I should not `
` like to see her in Mrs. Vandemeyer's service. I felt it incumbent `
` on me just to give you a hint. It is no place for a young and `
` inexperienced girl. That is all I can tell you." `
` `
` "I see," said Tuppence thoughtfully. "Thank you very much. But `
` I'm not REALLY inexperienced, you know. I knew perfectly that `
` she was a bad lot when I went there--as a matter of fact that's `
` WHY I went----" She broke off, seeing some bewilderment on the `
` lawyer's face, and went on: "I think perhaps I'd better tell you `
` the whole story, Sir James. I've a sort of feeling that you'd `
` know in a minute if I didn't tell the truth, and so you might as `
` well know all about it from the beginning. What do you think, `
` Julius?" `
` `
` "As you're bent on it, I'd go right ahead with the facts," `
` replied the American, who had so far sat in silence. `
` `
` "Yes, tell me all about it," said Sir James. "I want to know who `
` Tommy is." `
` `
` Thus encouraged Tuppence plunged into her tale, and the lawyer `
` listened with close attention. `
` `
` "Very interesting," he said, when she finished. "A great deal of `
` what you tell me, child, is already known to me. I've had `
` certain theories of my own about this Jane Finn. You've done `
` extraordinarily well so far, but it's rather too bad of--what do `
` you know him as?--Mr. Carter to pitchfork you two young things `
` into an affair of this kind. By the way, where did Mr. `
` Hersheimmer come in originally? You didn't make that clear?" `
` `
` Julius answered for himself. `
` `
` "I'm Jane's first cousin," he explained, returning the lawyer's `
` keen gaze. `
` `
` "Ah!" `
` `
` "Oh, Sir James," broke out Tuppence, "what do you think has `
` become of Tommy?" `
` `
` "H'm." The lawyer rose, and paced slowly up and down. "When you `
` arrived, young lady, I was just packing up my traps. Going to `
` Scotland by the night train for a few days' fishing. But there `
` are different kinds of fishing. I've a good mind to stay, and `
` see if we can't get on the track of that young chap." `
` `
` "Oh!" Tuppence clasped her hands ecstatically. `
` `
` "All the same, as I said before, it's too bad of--of Carter to `
` set you two babies on a job like this. Now, don't get offended, `
` Miss--er----" `
` `
` "Cowley. Prudence Cowley. But my friends call me Tuppence." `
` `
` "Well, Miss Tuppence, then, as I'm certainly going to be a `
` friend. Don't be offended because I think you're young. Youth is `
` a failing only too easily outgrown. Now, about this young Tommy `
` of yours----" `
` `
` "Yes." Tuppence clasped her hands. `
` `
` "Frankly, things look bad for him. He's been butting in `
` somewhere where he wasn't wanted. Not a doubt of it. But don't `
` give up hope." `
` `
` "And you really will help us? There, Julius! He didn't want me `
` to come," she added by way of explanation. `
` `
` "H'm," said the lawyer, favouring Julius with another keen `
` glance. "And why was that?" `
` `
` "I reckoned it would be no good worrying you with a petty little `
` business like this." `
` `
` "I see." He paused a moment. "This petty little business, as `
` you call it, bears directly on a very big business, bigger `
` perhaps than either you or Miss Tuppence know. If this boy is `
` alive, he may have very valuable information to give us. `
` Therefore, we must find him." `
` `
` "Yes, but how?" cried Tuppence. "I've tried to think of `
` everything." `
` `
` Sir James smiled. `
` `
` "And yet there's one person quite near at hand who in all `
` probability knows where he is, or at all events where he is `
`
` time. There was something so eminently sober and clear-headed `
` about him, his common sense and soundness of vision were so `
` unvarying, that without him Tuppence felt much like a rudderless `
` ship. It was curious that Julius, who was undoubtedly much `
` cleverer than Tommy, did not give her the same feeling of `
` support. She had accused Tommy of being a pessimist, and it is `
` certain that he always saw the disadvantages and difficulties `
` which she herself was optimistically given to overlooking, but `
` nevertheless she had really relied a good deal on his judgment. `
` He might be slow, but he was very sure. `
` `
` It seemed to the girl that, for the first time, she realized the `
` sinister character of the mission they had undertaken so `
` lightheartedly. It had begun like a page of romance. Now, shorn `
` of its glamour, it seemed to be turning to grim reality. `
` Tommy--that was all that mattered. Many times in the day Tuppence `
` blinked the tears out of her eyes resolutely. "Little fool," she `
` would apostrophize herself, "don't snivel. Of course you're fond `
` of him. You've known him all your life. But there's no need to `
` be sentimental about it." `
` `
` In the meantime, nothing more was seen of Boris. He did not come `
` to the flat, and Julius and the car waited in vain. Tuppence `
` gave herself over to new meditations. Whilst admitting the truth `
` of Julius's objections, she had nevertheless not entirely `
` relinquished the idea of appealing to Sir James Peel Edgerton. `
` Indeed, she had gone so far as to look up his address in the Red `
` Book. Had he meant to warn her that day? If so, why? Surely she `
` was at least entitled to demand an explanation. He had looked at `
` her so kindly. Perhaps he might tell them something concerning `
` Mrs. Vandemeyer which might lead to a clue to Tommy's `
` whereabouts. `
` `
` Anyway, Tuppence decided, with her usual shake of the shoulders, `
` it was worth trying, and try it she would. Sunday was her `
` afternoon out. She would meet Julius, persuade him to her point `
` of view, and they would beard the lion in his den. `
` `
` When the day arrived Julius needed a considerable amount of `
` persuading, but Tuppence held firm. "It can do no harm," was `
` what she always came back to. In the end Julius gave in, and `
` they proceeded in the car to Carlton House Terrace. `
` `
` The door was opened by an irreproachable butler. Tuppence felt a `
` little nervous. After all, perhaps it WAS colossal cheek on her `
` part. She had decided not to ask if Sir James was "at home," but `
` to adopt a more personal attitude. `
` `
` "Will you ask Sir James if I can see him for a few minutes? I `
` have an important message for him." `
` `
` The butler retired, returning a moment or two later. `
` `
` "Sir James will see you. Will you step this way?" `
` `
` He ushered them into a room at the back of the house, furnished `
` as a library. The collection of books was a magnificent one, and `
` Tuppence noticed that all one wall was devoted to works on crime `
` and criminology. There were several deep-padded leather `
` arm-chairs, and an old-fashioned open hearth. In the window was a `
` big roll-top desk strewn with papers at which the master of the `
` house was sitting. `
` `
` He rose as they entered. `
` `
` "You have a message for me? Ah"--he recognized Tuppence with a `
` smile--"it's you, is it? Brought a message from Mrs. Vandemeyer, `
` I suppose?" `
` `
` "Not exactly," said Tuppence. "In fact, I'm afraid I only said `
` that to be quite sure of getting in. Oh, by the way, this is Mr. `
` Hersheimmer, Sir James Peel Edgerton." `
` `
` "Pleased to meet you," said the American, shooting out a hand. `
` `
` "Won't you both sit down?" asked Sir James. He drew forward two `
` chairs. `
` `
` "Sir James," said Tuppence, plunging boldly, "I dare say you will `
` think it is most awful cheek of me coming here like this. `
` Because, of course, it's nothing whatever to do with you, and `
` then you're a very important person, and of course Tommy and I `
` are very unimportant." She paused for breath. `
` `
` "Tommy?" queried Sir James, looking across at the American. `
` `
` "No, that's Julius," explained Tuppence. "I'm rather nervous, `
` and that makes me tell it badly. What I really want to know is `
` what you meant by what you said to me the other day? Did you mean `
` to warn me against Mrs. Vandemeyer? You did, didn't you?" `
` `
` "My dear young lady, as far as I recollect I only mentioned that `
` there were equally good situations to be obtained elsewhere." `
` `
` "Yes, I know. But it was a hint, wasn't it?" `
` `
` "Well, perhaps it was," admitted Sir James gravely. `
` `
` "Well, I want to know more. I want to know just WHY you gave me `
` a hint." `
` `
` Sir James smiled at her earnestness. `
` `
` "Suppose the lady brings a libel action against me for defamation `
` of character?" `
` `
` "Of course," said Tuppence. "I know lawyers are always `
` dreadfully careful. But can't we say 'without prejudice' first, `
` and then say just what we want to." `
` `
` "Well," said Sir James, still smiling, "without prejudice, then, `
` if I had a young sister forced to earn her living, I should not `
` like to see her in Mrs. Vandemeyer's service. I felt it incumbent `
` on me just to give you a hint. It is no place for a young and `
` inexperienced girl. That is all I can tell you." `
` `
` "I see," said Tuppence thoughtfully. "Thank you very much. But `
` I'm not REALLY inexperienced, you know. I knew perfectly that `
` she was a bad lot when I went there--as a matter of fact that's `
` WHY I went----" She broke off, seeing some bewilderment on the `
` lawyer's face, and went on: "I think perhaps I'd better tell you `
` the whole story, Sir James. I've a sort of feeling that you'd `
` know in a minute if I didn't tell the truth, and so you might as `
` well know all about it from the beginning. What do you think, `
` Julius?" `
` `
` "As you're bent on it, I'd go right ahead with the facts," `
` replied the American, who had so far sat in silence. `
` `
` "Yes, tell me all about it," said Sir James. "I want to know who `
` Tommy is." `
` `
` Thus encouraged Tuppence plunged into her tale, and the lawyer `
` listened with close attention. `
` `
` "Very interesting," he said, when she finished. "A great deal of `
` what you tell me, child, is already known to me. I've had `
` certain theories of my own about this Jane Finn. You've done `
` extraordinarily well so far, but it's rather too bad of--what do `
` you know him as?--Mr. Carter to pitchfork you two young things `
` into an affair of this kind. By the way, where did Mr. `
` Hersheimmer come in originally? You didn't make that clear?" `
` `
` Julius answered for himself. `
` `
` "I'm Jane's first cousin," he explained, returning the lawyer's `
` keen gaze. `
` `
` "Ah!" `
` `
` "Oh, Sir James," broke out Tuppence, "what do you think has `
` become of Tommy?" `
` `
` "H'm." The lawyer rose, and paced slowly up and down. "When you `
` arrived, young lady, I was just packing up my traps. Going to `
` Scotland by the night train for a few days' fishing. But there `
` are different kinds of fishing. I've a good mind to stay, and `
` see if we can't get on the track of that young chap." `
` `
` "Oh!" Tuppence clasped her hands ecstatically. `
` `
` "All the same, as I said before, it's too bad of--of Carter to `
` set you two babies on a job like this. Now, don't get offended, `
` Miss--er----" `
` `
` "Cowley. Prudence Cowley. But my friends call me Tuppence." `
` `
` "Well, Miss Tuppence, then, as I'm certainly going to be a `
` friend. Don't be offended because I think you're young. Youth is `
` a failing only too easily outgrown. Now, about this young Tommy `
` of yours----" `
` `
` "Yes." Tuppence clasped her hands. `
` `
` "Frankly, things look bad for him. He's been butting in `
` somewhere where he wasn't wanted. Not a doubt of it. But don't `
` give up hope." `
` `
` "And you really will help us? There, Julius! He didn't want me `
` to come," she added by way of explanation. `
` `
` "H'm," said the lawyer, favouring Julius with another keen `
` glance. "And why was that?" `
` `
` "I reckoned it would be no good worrying you with a petty little `
` business like this." `
` `
` "I see." He paused a moment. "This petty little business, as `
` you call it, bears directly on a very big business, bigger `
` perhaps than either you or Miss Tuppence know. If this boy is `
` alive, he may have very valuable information to give us. `
` Therefore, we must find him." `
` `
` "Yes, but how?" cried Tuppence. "I've tried to think of `
` everything." `
` `
` Sir James smiled. `
` `
` "And yet there's one person quite near at hand who in all `
` probability knows where he is, or at all events where he is `
`