THE SECRET ADVERSARY BY AGATHA CHRISTIE

for Miss Tuppence’s fortunate change of plan, she would have been far away from

the flat when we arrived there. Exposure stared him in the face. He took a

desperate step, trusting in his assumed character to avert suspicion. He nearly

succeeded–but not quite.”

“I can’t believe it,” murmured Jane. “He seemed so splendid.”

“The real Julius Hersheimmer WAS a splendid fellow! And Mr. Brown is a

consummate actor. But ask Miss Tuppence if she also has not had her

suspicions.”

Jane turned mutely to Tuppence. The latter nodded.

“I didn’t want to say it, Jane–I knew it would hurt you. And, after all,

I couldn’t be sure. I still don’t understand why, if he’s Mr. Brown, he rescued

us.”

“Was it Julius Hersheimmer who helped you to escape?”

Tuppence recounted to Sir James the exciting events of the evening, ending

up: “But I can’t see WHY!”

“Can’t you? I can. So can young Beresford, by his actions. As a last hope

Jane Finn was to be allowed to escape–and the escape must be managed so that

she harbours no suspicions of its being a put-up job. They’re not averse to

young Beresford’s being in the neighbourhood, and, if necessary, communicating

with you. They’ll take care to get him out of the way at the right minute. Then

Julius Hersheimmer dashes up and rescues you in true melodramatic style. Bullets

fly–but don’t hit anybody. What would have happened next? You would have

driven straight to the house in Soho and secured the document which Miss Finn

would probably have entrusted to her cousin’s keeping. Or, if he conducted the

search, he would have pretended to find the hiding-place already rifled. He

would have had a dozen ways of dealing with the situation, but the result would

have been the same. And I rather fancy some accident would have happened to both

of you. You see, you know rather an inconvenient amount. That’s a rough

outline. I admit I was caught napping; but somebody else wasn’t.”

“Tommy,” said Tuppence softly.

“Yes. Evidently when the right moment came to get rid of him–he was too

sharp for them. All the same, I’m not too easy in my mind about him.”

“Why?”

“Because Julius Hersheimmer is Mr. Brown,” said Sir James dryly. “And it

takes more than one man and a revolver to hold up Mr. Brown….”

Tuppence paled a little.

“What can we do?”

“Nothing until we’ve been to the house in Soho. If Beresford has still got

the upper hand, there’s nothing to fear. If otherwise, our enemy will come to

find us, and he will not find us unprepared!” From a drawer in the desk, he took

a service revolver, and placed it in his coat pocket.

“Now we’re ready. I know better than even to suggest going without you,

Miss Tuppence—-”

“I should think so indeed!”

“But I do suggest that Miss Finn should remain here. She will be perfectly

safe, and I am afraid she is absolutely worn out with all she has been through.”

But to Tuppence’s surprise Jane shook her head.

“No. I guess I’m going too. Those papers were my trust. I must go through

with this business to the end. I’m heaps better now anyway.”

Sir James’s car was ordered round. During the short drive Tuppence’s heart

beat tumultuously. In spite of momentary qualms of uneasiness respecting Tommy,

she could not but feel exultation. They were going to win!

The car drew up at the corner of the square and they got out. Sir James

went up to a plain-clothes man who was on duty with several others, and spoke to

him. Then he rejoined the girls.

“No one has gone into the house so far. It is being watched at the back as

well, so they are quite sure of that. Anyone who attempts to enter after we

have done so will be arrested immediately. Shall we go in?”

A policeman produced a key. They all knew Sir James well. They had also

had orders respecting Tuppence. Only the third member of the party was unknown

to them. The three entered the house, pulling the door to behind them. Slowly

they mounted the rickety stairs. At the top was the ragged curtain hiding the