THE SECRET ADVERSARY BY AGATHA CHRISTIE

papers were safe. I went out in the corridor to get a little air. I thought I’d

slip into another carriage. But the woman called me back, said I’d dropped

something, and when I stooped to look, something seemed to hit me–here.” She

placed her hand to the back of her head. “I don’t remember anything more until I

woke up in the hospital.”

There was a pause.

“Thank you, Miss Finn.” It was Sir James who spoke. “I hope we have not

tired you?”

“Oh, that’s all right. My head aches a little, but otherwise I feel fine.”

Julius stepped forward and took her hand again.

“So long, Cousin Jane. I’m going to get busy after those papers, but I’ll

be back in two shakes of a dog’s tail, and I’ll tote you up to London and give

you the time of your young life before we go back to the States! I mean it–so

hurry up and get well.”

CHAPTER XX

TOO LATE

IN the street they held an informal council of war. Sir James had drawn a

watch from his pocket. “The boat train to Holyhead stops at Chester at 12.14.

If you start at once I think you can catch the connection.”

Tommy looked up, puzzled.

“Is there any need to hurry, sir? To-day is only the 24th.”

“I guess it’s always well to get up early in the morning,” said Julius,

before the lawyer had time to reply. “We’ll make tracks for the depot right

away.”

A little frown had settled on Sir James’s brow.

“I wish I could come with you. I am due to speak at a meeting at two

o’clock. It is unfortunate.”

The reluctance in his tone was very evident. It was clear, on the other

hand, that Julius was easily disposed to put up with the loss of the other’s

company.

“I guess there’s nothing complicated about this deal,” he remarked. “Just a

game of hide-and-seek, that’s all.”

“I hope so,” said Sir James.

“Sure thing. What else could it be?”

“You are still young, Mr. Hersheimmer. At my age you will probably have

learnt one lesson. ‘Never underestimate your adversary.’ ”

The gravity of his tone impressed Tommy, but had little effect upon Julius.

“You think Mr. Brown might come along and take a hand? If he does, I’m

ready for him.” He slapped his pocket. “I carry a gun. Little Willie here

travels round with me everywhere.” He produced a murderous-looking automatic,

and tapped it affectionately before returning it to its home. “But he won’t be

needed this trip. There’s nobody to put Mr. Brown wise.”

The lawyer shrugged his shoulders.

“There was nobody to put Mr. Brown wise to the fact that Mrs. Vandemeyer

meant to betray him. Nevertheless, MRS. VANDEMEYER DIED WITHOUT SPEAKING.”

Julius was silenced for once, and Sir James added on a lighter note:

“I only want to put you on your guard. Good-bye, and good luck. Take no

unnecessary risks once the papers are in your hands. If there is any reason to

believe that you have been shadowed, destroy them at once. Good luck to you.

The game is in your hands now.” He shook hands with them both.

Ten minutes later the two young men were seated in a first-class carriage

en route for Chester.

For a long time neither of them spoke. When at length Julius broke the

silence, it was with a totally unexpected remark.

“Say,” he observed thoughtfully, “did you ever make a darned fool of

yourself over a girl’s face?”

Tommy, after a moment’s astonishment, searched his mind.

“Can’t say I have,” he replied at last. “Not that I can recollect, anyhow.

Why?”

“Because for the last two months I’ve been making a sentimental idiot of

myself over Jane! First moment I clapped eyes on her photograph my heart did

all the usual stunts you read about in novels. I guess I’m ashamed to admit it,

but I came over here determined to find her and fix it all up, and take her back

as Mrs. Julius P. Hersheimmer!”

“Oh!” said Tommy, amazed.

Julius uncrossed his legs brusquely and continued:

“Just shows what an almighty fool a man can make of himself! One look at

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