Reading Help Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie. Ch.I-XIII
probability knows where he is, or at all events where he is `
` likely to be." `
` `
` "Who is that?" asked Tuppence, puzzled. `
` `
` "Mrs. Vandemeyer." `
` `
` "Yes, but she'd never tell us." `
` `
` "Ah, that is where I come in. I think it quite likely that I `
` shall be able to make Mrs. Vandemeyer tell me what I want to `
` know." `
` `
` "How?" demanded Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide. `
` `
` "Oh, just by asking her questions," replied Sir James easily. `
` "That's the way we do it, you know." `
` `
` He tapped with his finger on the table, and Tuppence felt again `
` the intense power that radiated from the man. `
` `
` "And if she won't tell?" asked Julius suddenly. `
` `
` "I think she will. I have one or two powerful levers. Still, in `
` that unlikely event, there is always the possibility of bribery." `
` `
` "Sure. And that's where I come in!" cried Julius, bringing his `
` fist down on the table with a bang. "You can count on me, if `
` necessary, for one million dollars. Yes, sir, one million `
` dollars!" `
` `
` Sir James sat down and subjected Julius to a long scrutiny. `
` `
` "Mr. Hersheimmer," he said at last, "that is a very large sum." `
` `
` "I guess it'll have to be. These aren't the kind of folk to `
` offer sixpence to." `
` `
` "At the present rate of exchange it amounts to considerably over `
` two hundred and fifty thousand pounds." `
` `
` "That's so. Maybe you think I'm talking through my hat, but I `
` can deliver the goods all right, with enough over to spare for `
` your fee." `
` `
` Sir James flushed slightly. `
` `
` "There is no question of a fee, Mr. Hersheimmer. I am not a `
` private detective." `
` `
` "Sorry. I guess I was just a mite hasty, but I've been feeling `
` bad about this money question. I wanted to offer a big reward `
` for news of Jane some days ago, but your crusted institution of `
` Scotland Yard advised me against it. Said it was undesirable." `
` `
` "They were probably right," said Sir James dryly. `
` `
` "But it's all O.K. about Julius," put in Tuppence. "He's not `
` pulling your leg. He's got simply pots of money." `
` `
` "The old man piled it up in style," explained Julius. "Now, `
` let's get down to it. What's your idea?" `
` `
` Sir James considered for a moment or two. `
` `
` "There is no time to be lost. The sooner we strike the better." `
` He turned to Tuppence. "Is Mrs. Vandemeyer dining out to-night, `
` do you know?" `
` `
` "Yes, I think so, but she will not be out late. Otherwise, she `
` would have taken the latchkey." `
` `
` "Good. I will call upon her about ten o'clock. What time are you `
` supposed to return?" `
` `
` "About nine-thirty or ten, but I could go back earlier." `
` `
` "You must not do that on any account. It might arouse suspicion `
` if you did not stay out till the usual time. Be back by `
` nine-thirty. I will arrive at ten. Mr. Hersheimmer will wait `
` below in a taxi perhaps." `
` `
` "He's got a new Rolls-Royce car," said Tuppence with vicarious `
` pride. `
` `
` "Even better. If I succeed in obtaining the address from her, we `
` can go there at once, taking Mrs. Vandemeyer with us if `
` necessary. You understand?" `
` `
` "Yes." Tuppence rose to her feet with a skip of delight. "Oh, I `
` feel so much better!" `
` `
` "Don't build on it too much, Miss Tuppence. Go easy." `
` `
` Julius turned to the lawyer. `
` `
` "Say, then. I'll call for you in the car round about `
` nine-thirty. Is that right?" `
` `
` "Perhaps that will be the best plan. It would be unnecessary to `
` have two cars waiting about. Now, Miss Tuppence, my advice to `
` you is to go and have a good dinner, a REALLY good one, mind. And `
` don't think ahead more than you can help." `
` `
` He shook hands with them both, and a moment later they were `
` outside. `
` `
` "Isn't he a duck?" inquired Tuppence ecstatically, as she skipped `
` down the steps. "Oh, Julius, isn't he just a duck?" `
` `
` "Well, I allow he seems to be the goods all right. And I was `
` wrong about its being useless to go to him. Say, shall we go `
` right away back to the Ritz?" `
` `
` "I must walk a bit, I think. I feel so excited. Drop me in the `
` park, will you? Unless you'd like to come too?" `
` `
` "I want to get some petrol," he explained. "And send off a cable `
` or two." `
` `
` "All right. I'll meet you at the Ritz at seven. We'll have to `
` dine upstairs. I can't show myself in these glad rags." `
` `
` "Sure. I'll get Felix help me choose the menu. He's some head `
` waiter, that. So long." `
` `
` Tuppence walked briskly along towards the Serpentine, first `
` glancing at her watch. It was nearly six o'clock. She remembered `
` that she had had no tea, but felt too excited to be conscious of `
` hunger. She walked as far as Kensington Gardens and then slowly `
` retraced her steps, feeling infinitely better for the fresh air `
` and exercise. It was not so easy to follow Sir James's advice, `
` and put the possible events of the evening out of her head. As `
` she drew nearer and nearer to Hyde Park corner, the temptation to `
` return to South Audley Mansions was almost irresistible. `
` `
` At any rate, she decided, it would do no harm just to go and LOOK `
` at the building. Perhaps, then, she could resign herself to `
` waiting patiently for ten o'clock. `
` `
` South Audley Mansions looked exactly the same as usual. What `
` Tuppence had expected she hardly knew, but the sight of its red `
` brick stolidity slightly assuaged the growing and entirely `
` unreasonable uneasiness that possessed her. She was just turning `
` away when she heard a piercing whistle, and the faithful Albert `
` came running from the building to join her. `
` `
` Tuppence frowned. It was no part of the programme to have `
` attention called to her presence in the neighbourhood, but Albert `
` was purple with suppressed excitement. `
` `
` "I say, miss, she's a-going!" `
` `
` "Who's going?" demanded Tuppence sharply. `
` `
` "The crook. Ready Rita. Mrs. Vandemeyer. She's a-packing up, `
` and she's just sent down word for me to get her a taxi." `
` `
` "What?" Tuppence clutched his arm. `
` `
` "It's the truth, miss. I thought maybe as you didn't know about `
` it." `
` `
` "Albert," cried Tuppence, "you're a brick. If it hadn't been for `
` you we'd have lost her." `
` `
` Albert flushed with pleasure at this tribute. `
` `
` "There's no time to lose," said Tuppence, crossing the road. `
` "I've got to stop her. At all costs I must keep her here `
` until----" She broke off. "Albert, there's a telephone here, `
` isn't there?" `
` `
` The boy shook his head. `
` `
` "The flats mostly have their own, miss. But there's a box just `
` round the corner." `
` `
` "Go to it then, at once, and ring up the Ritz Hotel. Ask for Mr. `
` Hersheimmer, and when you get him tell him to get Sir James and `
` come on at once, as Mrs. Vandemeyer is trying to hook it. If you `
` can't get him, ring up Sir James Peel Edgerton, you'll find his `
` number in the book, and tell him what's happening. You won't `
` forget the names, will you?" `
` `
` Albert repeated them glibly. "You trust to me, miss, it'll be `
` all right. But what about you? Aren't you afraid to trust `
` yourself with her?" `
` `
` "No, no, that's all right. BUT GO AND TELEPHONE. Be quick." `
` `
` Drawing a long breath, Tuppence entered the Mansions and ran up `
` to the door of No. 20. How she was to detain Mrs. Vandemeyer `
` until the two men arrived, she did not know, but somehow or other `
` it had to be done, and she must accomplish the task `
` single-handed. What had occasioned this precipitate departure? `
` Did Mrs. Vandemeyer suspect her? `
` `
` Speculations were idle. Tuppence pressed the bell firmly. She `
` might learn something from the cook. `
` `
`
` likely to be." `
` `
` "Who is that?" asked Tuppence, puzzled. `
` `
` "Mrs. Vandemeyer." `
` `
` "Yes, but she'd never tell us." `
` `
` "Ah, that is where I come in. I think it quite likely that I `
` shall be able to make Mrs. Vandemeyer tell me what I want to `
` know." `
` `
` "How?" demanded Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide. `
` `
` "Oh, just by asking her questions," replied Sir James easily. `
` "That's the way we do it, you know." `
` `
` He tapped with his finger on the table, and Tuppence felt again `
` the intense power that radiated from the man. `
` `
` "And if she won't tell?" asked Julius suddenly. `
` `
` "I think she will. I have one or two powerful levers. Still, in `
` that unlikely event, there is always the possibility of bribery." `
` `
` "Sure. And that's where I come in!" cried Julius, bringing his `
` fist down on the table with a bang. "You can count on me, if `
` necessary, for one million dollars. Yes, sir, one million `
` dollars!" `
` `
` Sir James sat down and subjected Julius to a long scrutiny. `
` `
` "Mr. Hersheimmer," he said at last, "that is a very large sum." `
` `
` "I guess it'll have to be. These aren't the kind of folk to `
` offer sixpence to." `
` `
` "At the present rate of exchange it amounts to considerably over `
` two hundred and fifty thousand pounds." `
` `
` "That's so. Maybe you think I'm talking through my hat, but I `
` can deliver the goods all right, with enough over to spare for `
` your fee." `
` `
` Sir James flushed slightly. `
` `
` "There is no question of a fee, Mr. Hersheimmer. I am not a `
` private detective." `
` `
` "Sorry. I guess I was just a mite hasty, but I've been feeling `
` bad about this money question. I wanted to offer a big reward `
` for news of Jane some days ago, but your crusted institution of `
` Scotland Yard advised me against it. Said it was undesirable." `
` `
` "They were probably right," said Sir James dryly. `
` `
` "But it's all O.K. about Julius," put in Tuppence. "He's not `
` pulling your leg. He's got simply pots of money." `
` `
` "The old man piled it up in style," explained Julius. "Now, `
` let's get down to it. What's your idea?" `
` `
` Sir James considered for a moment or two. `
` `
` "There is no time to be lost. The sooner we strike the better." `
` He turned to Tuppence. "Is Mrs. Vandemeyer dining out to-night, `
` do you know?" `
` `
` "Yes, I think so, but she will not be out late. Otherwise, she `
` would have taken the latchkey." `
` `
` "Good. I will call upon her about ten o'clock. What time are you `
` supposed to return?" `
` `
` "About nine-thirty or ten, but I could go back earlier." `
` `
` "You must not do that on any account. It might arouse suspicion `
` if you did not stay out till the usual time. Be back by `
` nine-thirty. I will arrive at ten. Mr. Hersheimmer will wait `
` below in a taxi perhaps." `
` `
` "He's got a new Rolls-Royce car," said Tuppence with vicarious `
` pride. `
` `
` "Even better. If I succeed in obtaining the address from her, we `
` can go there at once, taking Mrs. Vandemeyer with us if `
` necessary. You understand?" `
` `
` "Yes." Tuppence rose to her feet with a skip of delight. "Oh, I `
` feel so much better!" `
` `
` "Don't build on it too much, Miss Tuppence. Go easy." `
` `
` Julius turned to the lawyer. `
` `
` "Say, then. I'll call for you in the car round about `
` nine-thirty. Is that right?" `
` `
` "Perhaps that will be the best plan. It would be unnecessary to `
` have two cars waiting about. Now, Miss Tuppence, my advice to `
` you is to go and have a good dinner, a REALLY good one, mind. And `
` don't think ahead more than you can help." `
` `
` He shook hands with them both, and a moment later they were `
` outside. `
` `
` "Isn't he a duck?" inquired Tuppence ecstatically, as she skipped `
` down the steps. "Oh, Julius, isn't he just a duck?" `
` `
` "Well, I allow he seems to be the goods all right. And I was `
` wrong about its being useless to go to him. Say, shall we go `
` right away back to the Ritz?" `
` `
` "I must walk a bit, I think. I feel so excited. Drop me in the `
` park, will you? Unless you'd like to come too?" `
` `
` "I want to get some petrol," he explained. "And send off a cable `
` or two." `
` `
` "All right. I'll meet you at the Ritz at seven. We'll have to `
` dine upstairs. I can't show myself in these glad rags." `
` `
` "Sure. I'll get Felix help me choose the menu. He's some head `
` waiter, that. So long." `
` `
` Tuppence walked briskly along towards the Serpentine, first `
` glancing at her watch. It was nearly six o'clock. She remembered `
` that she had had no tea, but felt too excited to be conscious of `
` hunger. She walked as far as Kensington Gardens and then slowly `
` retraced her steps, feeling infinitely better for the fresh air `
` and exercise. It was not so easy to follow Sir James's advice, `
` and put the possible events of the evening out of her head. As `
` she drew nearer and nearer to Hyde Park corner, the temptation to `
` return to South Audley Mansions was almost irresistible. `
` `
` At any rate, she decided, it would do no harm just to go and LOOK `
` at the building. Perhaps, then, she could resign herself to `
` waiting patiently for ten o'clock. `
` `
` South Audley Mansions looked exactly the same as usual. What `
` Tuppence had expected she hardly knew, but the sight of its red `
` brick stolidity slightly assuaged the growing and entirely `
` unreasonable uneasiness that possessed her. She was just turning `
` away when she heard a piercing whistle, and the faithful Albert `
` came running from the building to join her. `
` `
` Tuppence frowned. It was no part of the programme to have `
` attention called to her presence in the neighbourhood, but Albert `
` was purple with suppressed excitement. `
` `
` "I say, miss, she's a-going!" `
` `
` "Who's going?" demanded Tuppence sharply. `
` `
` "The crook. Ready Rita. Mrs. Vandemeyer. She's a-packing up, `
` and she's just sent down word for me to get her a taxi." `
` `
` "What?" Tuppence clutched his arm. `
` `
` "It's the truth, miss. I thought maybe as you didn't know about `
` it." `
` `
` "Albert," cried Tuppence, "you're a brick. If it hadn't been for `
` you we'd have lost her." `
` `
` Albert flushed with pleasure at this tribute. `
` `
` "There's no time to lose," said Tuppence, crossing the road. `
` "I've got to stop her. At all costs I must keep her here `
` until----" She broke off. "Albert, there's a telephone here, `
` isn't there?" `
` `
` The boy shook his head. `
` `
` "The flats mostly have their own, miss. But there's a box just `
` round the corner." `
` `
` "Go to it then, at once, and ring up the Ritz Hotel. Ask for Mr. `
` Hersheimmer, and when you get him tell him to get Sir James and `
` come on at once, as Mrs. Vandemeyer is trying to hook it. If you `
` can't get him, ring up Sir James Peel Edgerton, you'll find his `
` number in the book, and tell him what's happening. You won't `
` forget the names, will you?" `
` `
` Albert repeated them glibly. "You trust to me, miss, it'll be `
` all right. But what about you? Aren't you afraid to trust `
` yourself with her?" `
` `
` "No, no, that's all right. BUT GO AND TELEPHONE. Be quick." `
` `
` Drawing a long breath, Tuppence entered the Mansions and ran up `
` to the door of No. 20. How she was to detain Mrs. Vandemeyer `
` until the two men arrived, she did not know, but somehow or other `
` it had to be done, and she must accomplish the task `
` single-handed. What had occasioned this precipitate departure? `
` Did Mrs. Vandemeyer suspect her? `
` `
` Speculations were idle. Tuppence pressed the bell firmly. She `
` might learn something from the cook. `
` `
`