The Secret Adversary

ing herself, "it really seems

er n

. Luck, and all that sort of thing. Fate seems

ulged in

out that name! I should have myself. But look here, sir, we're taking up an

ing imagination and an open mind to the task. Don't be discouraged if that too

owned uncom

ion 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 tim

ence

ghtly, but he replied succinctly: "Funds within reason, detailed information on any point, and no official recognition. I

e nodde

a list of the things I want to know when

nce. Do you want

nty to go with for the pres

be waitin

ow 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

r laughed

money, in notes, shall be sent by return of post. As to salary, shall we say at

beamed

ses all debit and credit, and the balance on the right side, and red line drawn sidew

ll, good-bye, and go

ute they were descending the steps of 27 Car

at once, who i

red a name

Tuppence,

ll you, old b

e again. Then she

feel that underneath he's just like steel, all keen and flashing. Oh!" Sh

esford

Yes, we're not dream

The joint venture

n I thought it would be,"

craving for crime! What time

g to the minds of each

P. Hersh

r. Carter about

ll-not till we've seen him. Co

being ext

s paid, reme

ng this way," said Tuppence, leaning back luxuriou

ng blackmailers,"

I have," said

his suite. An impatient voice cried "Come in" in answer to the

him down as thirty-five. He was of middle height, and squarely built to match his jaw. His face was pugnacious b

d tell me right away all

r co

ing. Jan

your c

brother and sister," explaine

nce. "Then you kn

his fist with a bang on the table

information, not to give i

ght maybe it was her back history you were a

earing her back history,"

r seemed to grow s

her ears if I refuse. These are the British Isles, so quit the funny business, or I'll

stened t

On the contrary, we're trying to

er leant back

e," he said

bility of her having been mixed up unawares in "some political show." He alluded to Tuppence and himself as "private inquiry

eman nodde

But London gets my goat! I only know little old New

Tuppence, recovering herself, plunged boldly into the b

t see the dece-yo

r," responded

anded Tommy

mer turn

y didn't always get on together. And when my aunt made up her mind to marry Amos Finn, who was a poor school teacher out West, my father was just mad! Said if he

that Amos Finn would never make good. He wasn't the sort. End of it was, I hired a man to hunt her down. Result, she was dead, and Amos Finn was dead, but they'd left a daughter-Jane-who'd been torpedoed in the Lusitania on her way to Paris. She was saved all right, but they didn't seem able to hear of her over this side. I guessed they weren't hustling any, so I thought I'd come

heimmer was tremendous

roud-spirited young American girl might find your rules and regulations in war time rather irksome, and g

e reass

What about some lunch? Shall we have it

ence for the latter, and Ju

to Sole Colbert when a card

tell the first chap? I hope they haven't lost that photograph. That Western photographer's place was burned down an

d dread swept

he name of the man wh

It was on his card. Oh, I know! Inspecto