But she was interrupted. With an angry spurt, a bullet embedded itself in
the upholstery of the car just behind her head.
“Down with you,” cried Julius. “It’s an ambush. These guys have got busy
pretty quickly. Push her a bit, George.”
The car fairly leapt forward. Three more shots rang out, but went happily
wide. Julius, upright, leant over the back of the car.
“Nothing to shoot at,” he announced gloomily. “But I guess there’ll be
another little picnic soon. Ah!”
He raised his hand to his cheek.
“You are hurt?” said Annette quickly.
“Only a scratch.”
The girl sprang to her feet.
“Let me out! Let me out, I say! Stop the car. It is me they’re after.
I’m the one they want. You shall not lose your lives because of me. Let me go.”
She was fumbling with the fastenings of the door.
Julius took her by both arms, and looked at her. She had spoken with no
trace of foreign accent.
“Sit down, kid,” he said gently. “I guess there’s nothing wrong with your
memory. Been fooling them all the time, eh?”
The girl looked at him, nodded, and then suddenly burst into tears. Julius
patted her on the shoulder.
“There, there–just you sit tight. We’re not going to let you quit.”
Through her sobs the girl said indistinctly:
“You’re from home. I can tell by your voice. It makes me home-sick.”
“Sure I’m from home. I’m your cousin–Julius Hersheimmer. I came over to
Europe on purpose to find you–and a pretty dance you’ve led me.”
The car slackened speed. George spoke over his shoulder:
“Cross-roads here, sir. I’m not sure of the way.”
The car slowed down till it hardly moved. As it did so a figure climbed
suddenly over the back, and plunged head first into the midst of them.
“Sorry,” said Tommy, extricating himself.
A mass of confused exclamations greeted him. He replied to them severally:
“Was in the bushes by the drive. Hung on behind. Couldn’t let you know
before at the pace you were going. It was all I could do to hang on. Now then,
you girls, get out!”
“Get out?”
“Yes. There’s a station just up that road. Train due in three minutes.
You’ll catch it if you hurry.”
“What the devil are you driving at?” demanded Julius. “Do you think you
can fool them by leaving the car?”
“You and I aren’t going to leave the car. Only the girls.”
“You’re crazed, Beresford. Stark staring mad! You can’t let those girls
go off alone. It’ll be the end of it if you do.”
Tommy turned to Tuppence.
“Get out at once, Tuppence. Take her with you, and do just as I say. No
one will do you any harm. You’re safe. Take the train to London. Go straight
to Sir James Peel Edgerton. Mr. Carter lives out of town, but you’ll be safe
with him.”
“Darn you!” cried Julius. “You’re mad. Jane, you stay where you are.”
With a sudden swift movement, Tommy snatched the revolver from Julius’s
hand, and levelled it at him.
“Now will you believe I’m in earnest? Get out, both of you, and do as I
say–or I’ll shoot!”
Tuppence sprang out, dragging the unwilling Jane after her.
“Come on, it’s all right. If Tommy’s sure–he’s sure. Be quick. We’ll
miss the train.”
They started running.
Julius’s pent-up rage burst forth.
“What the hell—-”
Tommy interrupted him.
“Dry up! I want a few words with you, Mr. Julius Hersheimmer.”
CHAPTER
XXV
JANE’S STORY
HER arm through Jane’s, dragging her along, Tuppence reached the station.
Her quick ears caught the sound of the approaching train.
“Hurry up,” she panted, “or we’ll miss it.”
They arrived on the platform just as the train came to a standstill.
Tuppence opened the door of an empty first-class compartment, and the two girls
sank down breathless on the padded seats.
A man looked in, then passed on to the next carriage. Jane started
nervously. Her eyes dilated with terror. She looked questioningly at Tuppence.
“Is he one of them, do you think?” she breathed.
Tuppence shook her head.
“No, no. It’s all right.” She took Jane’s hand in hers. “Tommy wouldn’t