it is a weapon against us. It was a gigantic blunder. If its terms were made
public, it would mean disaster…. It might possibly bring about another
war–not with Germany this time! That is an extreme possibility, and I do not
believe in its likelihood myself, but that document undoubtedly implicates a
number of our statesmen whom we cannot afford to have discredited in any way at
the present moment. As a party cry for Labour it would be irresistible, and a
Labour Government at this juncture would, in my opinion, be a grave disability
for British trade, but that is a mere nothing to the REAL danger.”
He paused, and then said quietly:
“You may perhaps have heard or read that there is Bolshevist influence at
work behind the present Labour unrest?”
Tuppence nodded.
“That is the truth. Bolshevist gold is pouring into this country for the
specific purpose of procuring a Revolution. And there is a certain man, a man
whose real name is unknown to us, who is working in the dark for his own ends.
The Bolshevists are behind the Labour unrest–but this man is BEHIND THE
BOLSHEVISTS. Who is he? We do not know. He is always spoken of by the
unassuming title of ‘Mr. Brown.’ But one thing is certain, he is the master
criminal of this age. He controls a marvellous organization. Most of the Peace
propaganda during the war was originated and financed by him. His spies are
everywhere.”
“A naturalized German?” asked Tommy.
“On the contrary, I have every reason to believe he is an Englishman. He
was pro-German, as he would have been pro-Boer. What he seeks to attain we do
not know–probably supreme power for himself, of a kind unique in history. We
have no clue as to his real personality. It is reported that even his own
followers are ignorant of it. Where we have come across his tracks, he has
always played a secondary part. Somebody else assumes the chief role. But
afterwards we always find that there has been some nonentity, a servant or a
clerk, who has remained in the background unnoticed, and that the elusive Mr.
Brown has escaped us once more.”
“Oh!” Tuppence jumped. “I wonder—-”
“Yes?”
“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