Reading Help Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie. Ch.I-XIII
"I remember in Mr. Whittington's office. The clerk--he called `
` him Brown. You don't think----" `
` `
` Carter nodded thoughtfully. `
` `
` "Very likely. A curious point is that the name is usually `
` mentioned. An idiosyncrasy of genius. Can you describe him at `
` all?" `
` `
` "I really didn't notice. He was quite ordinary--just like anyone `
` else." `
` `
` Mr. Carter sighed in his tired manner. `
` `
` "That is the invariable description of Mr. Brown! Brought a `
` telephone message to the man Whittington, did he? Notice a `
` telephone in the outer office?" `
` `
` Tuppence thought. `
` `
` "No, I don't think I did." `
` `
` "Exactly. That 'message' was Mr. Brown's way of giving an order `
` to his subordinate. He overheard the whole conversation of `
` course. Was it after that that Whittington handed you over the `
` money, and told you to come the following day?" `
` `
` Tuppence nodded. `
` `
` "Yes, undoubtedly the hand of Mr. Brown!" Mr. Carter paused. `
` "Well, there it is, you see what you are pitting yourselves `
` against? Possibly the finest criminal brain of the age. I don't `
` quite like it, you know. You're such young things, both of you. `
` I shouldn't like anything to happen to you." `
` `
` "It won't," Tuppence assured him positively. `
` `
` "I'll look after her, sir," said Tommy. `
` `
` "And I'll look after YOU," retorted Tuppence, resenting the manly `
` assertion. `
` `
` "Well, then, look after each other," said Mr. Carter, smiling. `
` "Now let's get back to business. There's something mysterious `
` about this draft treaty that we haven't fathomed yet. We've been `
` threatened with it--in plain and unmistakable terms. The `
` Revolutionary element as good as declare that it's in their `
` hands, and that they intend to produce it at a given moment. On `
` the other hand, they are clearly at fault about many of its `
` provisions. The Government consider it as mere bluff on their `
` part, and, rightly or wrongly, have stuck to the policy of `
` absolute denial. I'm not so sure. There have been hints, `
` indiscreet allusions, that seem to indicate that the menace is a `
` real one. The position is much as though they had got hold of an `
` incriminating document, but couldn't read it because it was in `
` cipher--but we know that the draft treaty wasn't in `
` cipher--couldn't be in the nature of things--so that won't wash. `
` But there's SOMETHING. Of course, Jane Finn may be dead for all `
` we know--but I don't think so. The curious thing is that THEY'RE `
` TRYING TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE GIRL FROM US" `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "Yes. One or two little things have cropped up. And your story, `
` little lady, confirms my idea. They know we're looking for Jane `
` Finn. Well, they'll produce a Jane Finn of their own--say at a `
` pensionnat in Paris." Tuppence gasped, and Mr. Carter smiled. `
` "No one knows in the least what she looks like, so that's all `
` right. She's primed with a trumped-up tale, and her real business `
` is to get as much information as possible out of us. See the `
` idea?" `
` `
` "Then you think"--Tuppence paused to grasp the supposition `
` fully--"that it WAS as Jane Finn that they wanted me to go to `
` Paris?" `
` `
` Mr. Carter smiled more wearily than ever. `
` `
` "I believe in coincidences, you know," he said. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER V `
` `
` MR. JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER `
` `
` `
` "WELL," said Tuppence, recovering herself, "it really seems as `
` though it were meant to be." `
` `
` Carter nodded. `
` `
` "I know what you mean. I'm superstitious myself. Luck, and all `
` that sort of thing. Fate seems to have chosen you out to be `
` mixed up in this." `
` `
` Tommy indulged in a chuckle. `
` `
` "My word! I don't wonder Whittington got the wind up when `
` Tuppence plumped out that name! I should have myself. But look `
` here, sir, we're taking up an awful lot of your time. Have you `
` any tips to give us before we clear out?" `
` `
` "I think not. My experts, working in stereotyped ways, have `
` failed. You will bring imagination and an open mind to the task. `
` Don't be discouraged if that too does not succeed. For one thing `
` there is a likelihood of the pace being forced." `
` `
` Tuppence frowned uncomprehendingly. `
` `
` "When you had that interview with Whittington, they had time `
` before them. I have information that the big coup was planned for `
` early in the new year. But the Government is contemplating `
` legislative action which will deal effectually with the strike `
` menace. They'll get wind of it soon, if they haven't already, `
` and it's possible that that may bring things to a head. I hope it `
` will myself. The less time they have to mature their plans the `
` better. I'm just warning you that you haven't much time before `
` you, and that you needn't be cast down if you fail. It's not an `
` easy proposition anyway. That's all." `
` `
` Tuppence rose. `
` `
` "I think we ought to be businesslike. What exactly can we count `
` upon you for, Mr. Carter?" Mr. Carter's lips twitched slightly, `
` but he replied succinctly: "Funds within reason, detailed `
` information on any point, and NO OFFICIAL RECOGNITION. I mean `
` that if you get yourselves into trouble with the police, I can't `
` officially help you out of it. You're on your own." `
` `
` Tuppence nodded sagely. `
` `
` "I quite understand that. I'll write out a list of the things I `
` want to know when I've had time to think. Now--about money----" `
` `
` "Yes, Miss Tuppence. Do you want to say how much?" `
` `
` "Not exactly. We've got plenty to go with for the present, but `
` when we want more----" `
` `
` "It will be waiting for you." `
` `
` "Yes, but--I'm sure I don't want to be rude about the Government `
` if you've got anything to do with it, but you know one really has `
` the devil of a time getting anything out of it! And if we have to `
` fill up a blue form and send it in, and then, after three months, `
` they send us a green one, and so on--well, that won't be much `
` use, will it?" `
` `
` Mr. Carter laughed outright. `
` `
` "Don't worry, Miss Tuppence. You will send a personal demand to `
` me here, and the money, in notes, shall be sent by return of `
` post. As to salary, shall we say at the rate of three hundred a `
` year? And an equal sum for Mr. Beresford, of course." `
` `
` Tuppence beamed upon him. `
` `
` "How lovely. You are kind. I do love money! I'll keep `
` beautiful accounts of our expenses all debit and credit, and the `
` balance on the right side, and red line drawn sideways with the `
` totals the same at the bottom. I really know how to do it when I `
` think." `
` `
` "I'm sure you do. Well, good-bye, and good luck to you both." `
` `
` He shook hands with them, and in another minute they were `
` descending the steps of 27 Carshalton Terrace with their heads in `
` a whirl. `
` `
` "Tommy! Tell me at once, who is 'Mr. Carter'?" `
` `
` Tommy murmured a name in her ear. `
` `
` "Oh!" said Tuppence, impressed. `
` `
` "And I can tell you, old bean, he's IT!" `
` `
` "Oh!" said Tuppence again. Then she added reflectively, `
` `
` "I like him, don't you? He looks so awfully tired and bored, and `
` yet you feel that underneath he's just like steel, all keen and `
` flashing. Oh!" She gave a skip. "Pinch me, Tommy, do pinch me. `
` I can't believe it's real!" `
` `
` Mr. Beresford obliged. `
` `
` "Ow! That's enough! Yes, we're not dreaming. We've got a job!" `
` `
` "And what a job! The joint venture has really begun." `
` `
` "It's more respectable than I thought it would be," said Tuppence `
` thoughtfully. `
` `
` "Luckily I haven't got your craving for crime! What time is it? `
` Let's have lunch--oh!" `
` `
` The same thought sprang to the minds of each. Tommy voiced it `
` first. `
` `
` "Julius P. Hersheimmer!" `
`
` him Brown. You don't think----" `
` `
` Carter nodded thoughtfully. `
` `
` "Very likely. A curious point is that the name is usually `
` mentioned. An idiosyncrasy of genius. Can you describe him at `
` all?" `
` `
` "I really didn't notice. He was quite ordinary--just like anyone `
` else." `
` `
` Mr. Carter sighed in his tired manner. `
` `
` "That is the invariable description of Mr. Brown! Brought a `
` telephone message to the man Whittington, did he? Notice a `
` telephone in the outer office?" `
` `
` Tuppence thought. `
` `
` "No, I don't think I did." `
` `
` "Exactly. That 'message' was Mr. Brown's way of giving an order `
` to his subordinate. He overheard the whole conversation of `
` course. Was it after that that Whittington handed you over the `
` money, and told you to come the following day?" `
` `
` Tuppence nodded. `
` `
` "Yes, undoubtedly the hand of Mr. Brown!" Mr. Carter paused. `
` "Well, there it is, you see what you are pitting yourselves `
` against? Possibly the finest criminal brain of the age. I don't `
` quite like it, you know. You're such young things, both of you. `
` I shouldn't like anything to happen to you." `
` `
` "It won't," Tuppence assured him positively. `
` `
` "I'll look after her, sir," said Tommy. `
` `
` "And I'll look after YOU," retorted Tuppence, resenting the manly `
` assertion. `
` `
` "Well, then, look after each other," said Mr. Carter, smiling. `
` "Now let's get back to business. There's something mysterious `
` about this draft treaty that we haven't fathomed yet. We've been `
` threatened with it--in plain and unmistakable terms. The `
` Revolutionary element as good as declare that it's in their `
` hands, and that they intend to produce it at a given moment. On `
` the other hand, they are clearly at fault about many of its `
` provisions. The Government consider it as mere bluff on their `
` part, and, rightly or wrongly, have stuck to the policy of `
` absolute denial. I'm not so sure. There have been hints, `
` indiscreet allusions, that seem to indicate that the menace is a `
` real one. The position is much as though they had got hold of an `
` incriminating document, but couldn't read it because it was in `
` cipher--but we know that the draft treaty wasn't in `
` cipher--couldn't be in the nature of things--so that won't wash. `
` But there's SOMETHING. Of course, Jane Finn may be dead for all `
` we know--but I don't think so. The curious thing is that THEY'RE `
` TRYING TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE GIRL FROM US" `
` `
` "What?" `
` `
` "Yes. One or two little things have cropped up. And your story, `
` little lady, confirms my idea. They know we're looking for Jane `
` Finn. Well, they'll produce a Jane Finn of their own--say at a `
` pensionnat in Paris." Tuppence gasped, and Mr. Carter smiled. `
` "No one knows in the least what she looks like, so that's all `
` right. She's primed with a trumped-up tale, and her real business `
` is to get as much information as possible out of us. See the `
` idea?" `
` `
` "Then you think"--Tuppence paused to grasp the supposition `
` fully--"that it WAS as Jane Finn that they wanted me to go to `
` Paris?" `
` `
` Mr. Carter smiled more wearily than ever. `
` `
` "I believe in coincidences, you know," he said. `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER V `
` `
` MR. JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER `
` `
` `
` "WELL," said Tuppence, recovering herself, "it really seems as `
` though it were meant to be." `
` `
` Carter nodded. `
` `
` "I know what you mean. I'm superstitious myself. Luck, and all `
` that sort of thing. Fate seems to have chosen you out to be `
` mixed up in this." `
` `
` Tommy indulged in a chuckle. `
` `
` "My word! I don't wonder Whittington got the wind up when `
` Tuppence plumped out that name! I should have myself. But look `
` here, sir, we're taking up an awful lot of your time. Have you `
` any tips to give us before we clear out?" `
` `
` "I think not. My experts, working in stereotyped ways, have `
` failed. You will bring imagination and an open mind to the task. `
` Don't be discouraged if that too does not succeed. For one thing `
` there is a likelihood of the pace being forced." `
` `
` Tuppence frowned uncomprehendingly. `
` `
` "When you had that interview with Whittington, they had time `
` before them. I have information that the big coup was planned for `
` early in the new year. But the Government is contemplating `
` legislative action which will deal effectually with the strike `
` menace. They'll get wind of it soon, if they haven't already, `
` and it's possible that that may bring things to a head. I hope it `
` will myself. The less time they have to mature their plans the `
` better. I'm just warning you that you haven't much time before `
` you, and that you needn't be cast down if you fail. It's not an `
` easy proposition anyway. That's all." `
` `
` Tuppence rose. `
` `
` "I think we ought to be businesslike. What exactly can we count `
` upon you for, Mr. Carter?" Mr. Carter's lips twitched slightly, `
` but he replied succinctly: "Funds within reason, detailed `
` information on any point, and NO OFFICIAL RECOGNITION. I mean `
` that if you get yourselves into trouble with the police, I can't `
` officially help you out of it. You're on your own." `
` `
` Tuppence nodded sagely. `
` `
` "I quite understand that. I'll write out a list of the things I `
` want to know when I've had time to think. Now--about money----" `
` `
` "Yes, Miss Tuppence. Do you want to say how much?" `
` `
` "Not exactly. We've got plenty to go with for the present, but `
` when we want more----" `
` `
` "It will be waiting for you." `
` `
` "Yes, but--I'm sure I don't want to be rude about the Government `
` if you've got anything to do with it, but you know one really has `
` the devil of a time getting anything out of it! And if we have to `
` fill up a blue form and send it in, and then, after three months, `
` they send us a green one, and so on--well, that won't be much `
` use, will it?" `
` `
` Mr. Carter laughed outright. `
` `
` "Don't worry, Miss Tuppence. You will send a personal demand to `
` me here, and the money, in notes, shall be sent by return of `
` post. As to salary, shall we say at the rate of three hundred a `
` year? And an equal sum for Mr. Beresford, of course." `
` `
` Tuppence beamed upon him. `
` `
` "How lovely. You are kind. I do love money! I'll keep `
` beautiful accounts of our expenses all debit and credit, and the `
` balance on the right side, and red line drawn sideways with the `
` totals the same at the bottom. I really know how to do it when I `
` think." `
` `
` "I'm sure you do. Well, good-bye, and good luck to you both." `
` `
` He shook hands with them, and in another minute they were `
` descending the steps of 27 Carshalton Terrace with their heads in `
` a whirl. `
` `
` "Tommy! Tell me at once, who is 'Mr. Carter'?" `
` `
` Tommy murmured a name in her ear. `
` `
` "Oh!" said Tuppence, impressed. `
` `
` "And I can tell you, old bean, he's IT!" `
` `
` "Oh!" said Tuppence again. Then she added reflectively, `
` `
` "I like him, don't you? He looks so awfully tired and bored, and `
` yet you feel that underneath he's just like steel, all keen and `
` flashing. Oh!" She gave a skip. "Pinch me, Tommy, do pinch me. `
` I can't believe it's real!" `
` `
` Mr. Beresford obliged. `
` `
` "Ow! That's enough! Yes, we're not dreaming. We've got a job!" `
` `
` "And what a job! The joint venture has really begun." `
` `
` "It's more respectable than I thought it would be," said Tuppence `
` thoughtfully. `
` `
` "Luckily I haven't got your craving for crime! What time is it? `
` Let's have lunch--oh!" `
` `
` The same thought sprang to the minds of each. Tommy voiced it `
` first. `
` `
` "Julius P. Hersheimmer!" `
`