Reading Help Secret Adversary Ch.XIV-XXVIII
cross-examination. His apologies were as thorough as his methods, `
` and seldom failed in disarming the indignation of his victims; `
` but, as day succeeded day, they were no nearer to discovering `
` Tuppence's whereabouts. So well had the abduction been planned `
` that the girl seemed literally to have vanished into thin air. `
` `
` And another preoccupation was weighing on Tommy's mind. `
` `
` "Do you know how long we've been here?" he asked one morning as `
` they sat facing each other at breakfast. "A week! We're no `
` nearer to finding Tuppence, and NEXT SUNDAY IS THE 29TH!" `
` `
` "Shucks!" said Julius thoughtfully. "I'd almost forgotten about `
` the 29th. I've been thinking of nothing but Tuppence." `
` `
` "So have I. At least, I hadn't forgotten about the 29th, but it `
` didn't seem to matter a damn in comparison to finding Tuppence. `
` But to-day's the 23rd, and time's getting short. If we're ever `
` going to get hold of her at all, we must do it before the `
` 29th--her life won't be worth an hour's purchase afterwards. The `
` hostage game will be played out by then. I'm beginning to feel `
` that we've made a big mistake in the way we've set about this. `
` We've wasted time and we're no forrader." `
` `
` "I'm with you there. We've been a couple of mutts, who've bitten `
` off a bigger bit than they can chew. I'm going to quit fooling `
` right away!" `
` `
` "What do you mean?" `
` `
` "I'll tell you. I'm going to do what we ought to have done a `
` week ago. I'm going right back to London to put the case in the `
` hands of your British police. We fancied ourselves as sleuths. `
` Sleuths! It was a piece of damn-fool foolishness! I'm through! `
` I've had enough of it. Scotland Yard for me!" `
` `
` "You're right," said Tommy slowly. "I wish to God we'd gone `
` there right away." `
` `
` "Better late than never. We've been like a couple of babes `
` playing 'Here we go round the Mulberry Bush.' Now I'm going `
` right along to Scotland Yard to ask them to take me by the hand `
` and show me the way I should go. I guess the professional always `
` scores over the amateur in the end. Are you coming along with `
` me?" `
` `
` Tommy shook his head. `
` `
` "What's the good? One of us is enough. I might as well stay `
` here and nose round a bit longer. Something MIGHT turn up. One `
` never knows." `
` `
` "Sure thing. Well, so long. I'll be back in a couple of shakes `
` with a few inspectors along. I shall tell them to pick out their `
` brightest and best." `
` `
` But the course of events was not to follow the plan Julius had `
` laid down. Later in the day Tommy received a wire: `
` `
` `
` "Join me Manchester Midland Hotel. Important news--JULIUS." `
` `
` `
` At 7:30 that night Tommy alighted from a slow cross-country `
` train. Julius was on the platform. `
` `
` "Thought you'd come by this train if you weren't out when my wire `
` arrived." `
` `
` Tommy grasped him by the arm. `
` `
` "What is it? Is Tuppence found?" `
` `
` Julius shook his head. `
` `
` "No. But I found this waiting in London. Just arrived." `
` `
` He handed the telegraph form to the other. Tommy's eyes opened `
` as he read: `
` `
` `
` "Jane Finn found. Come Manchester Midland Hotel `
` immediately--PEEL EDGERTON." `
` `
` `
` Julius took the form back and folded it up. `
` `
` "Queer," he said thoughtfully. "I thought that lawyer chap had `
` quit!" `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER XIX `
` `
` JANE FINN `
` `
` "MY train got in half an hour ago," explained Julius, as he led `
` the way out of the station. "I reckoned you'd come by this `
` before I left London, and wired accordingly to Sir James. He's `
` booked rooms for us, and will be round to dine at eight." `
` `
` "What made you think he'd ceased to take any interest in the `
` case?" asked Tommy curiously. `
` `
` "What he said," replied Julius dryly. "The old bird's as close `
` as an oyster! Like all the darned lot of them, he wasn't going to `
` commit himself till he was sure he could deliver the goods." `
` `
` "I wonder," said Tommy thoughtfully. `
` `
` Julius turned on him. `
` `
` "You wonder what?" `
` `
` "Whether that was his real reason." `
` `
` "Sure. You bet your life it was." `
` `
` Tommy shook his head unconvinced. `
` `
` Sir James arrived punctually at eight o'clock, and Julius `
` introduced Tommy. Sir James shook hands with him warmly. `
` `
` "I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Mr. Beresford. I have `
` heard so much about you from Miss Tuppence"--he smiled `
` involuntarily--"that it really seems as though I already know you `
` quite well." `
` `
` "Thank you, sir," said Tommy with his cheerful grin. He scanned `
` the great lawyer eagerly. Like Tuppence, he felt the magnetism `
` of the other's personality. He was reminded of Mr. Carter. The `
` two men, totally unlike so far as physical resemblance went, `
` produced a similar effect. Beneath the weary manner of the one `
` and the professional reserve of the other, lay the same quality `
` of mind, keen-edged like a rapier. `
` `
` In the meantime he was conscious of Sir James's close scrutiny. `
` When the lawyer dropped his eyes the young man had the feeling `
` that the other had read him through and through like an open `
` book. He could not but wonder what the final judgment was, but `
` there was little chance of learning that. Sir James took in `
` everything, but gave out only what he chose. A proof of that `
` occurred almost at once. `
` `
` Immediately the first greetings were over Julius broke out into a `
` flood of eager questions. How had Sir James managed to track the `
` girl? Why had he not let them know that he was still working on `
` the case? And so on. `
` `
` Sir James stroked his chin and smiled. At last he said: `
` `
` "Just so, just so. Well, she's found. And that's the great `
` thing, isn't it? Eh! Come now, that's the great thing?" `
` `
` "Sure it is. But just how did you strike her trail? Miss `
` Tuppence and I thought you'd quit for good and all." `
` `
` "Ah!" The lawyer shot a lightning glance at him, then resumed `
` operations on his chin. "You thought that, did you? Did you `
` really? H'm, dear me." `
` `
` "But I guess I can take it we were wrong," pursued Julius. `
` `
` "Well, I don't know that I should go so far as to say that. But `
` it's certainly fortunate for all parties that we've managed to `
` find the young lady." `
` `
` "But where is she?" demanded Julius, his thoughts flying off on `
` another tack. "I thought you'd be sure to bring her along?" `
` `
` "That would hardly be possible," said Sir James gravely. `
` `
` "Why?" `
` `
` "Because the young lady was knocked down in a street accident, `
` and has sustained slight injuries to the head. She was taken to `
` the infirmary, and on recovering consciousness gave her name as `
` Jane Finn. When--ah!--I heard that, I arranged for her to be `
` removed to the house of a doctor--a friend of mine, and wired at `
` once for you. She relapsed into unconsciousness and has not `
` spoken since." `
` `
` "She's not seriously hurt?" `
` `
` "Oh, a bruise and a cut or two; really, from a medical point of `
` view, absurdly slight injuries to have produced such a condition. `
` Her state is probably to be attributed to the mental shock `
` consequent on recovering her memory." `
` `
` "It's come back?" cried Julius excitedly. `
` `
` Sir James tapped the table rather impatiently. `
` `
` "Undoubtedly, Mr. Hersheimmer, since she was able to give her `
` real name. I thought you had appreciated that point." `
` `
` "And you just happened to be on the spot," said Tommy. "Seems `
` quite like a fairy tale." `
` `
` But Sir James was far too wary to be drawn. `
` `
`
` and seldom failed in disarming the indignation of his victims; `
` but, as day succeeded day, they were no nearer to discovering `
` Tuppence's whereabouts. So well had the abduction been planned `
` that the girl seemed literally to have vanished into thin air. `
` `
` And another preoccupation was weighing on Tommy's mind. `
` `
` "Do you know how long we've been here?" he asked one morning as `
` they sat facing each other at breakfast. "A week! We're no `
` nearer to finding Tuppence, and NEXT SUNDAY IS THE 29TH!" `
` `
` "Shucks!" said Julius thoughtfully. "I'd almost forgotten about `
` the 29th. I've been thinking of nothing but Tuppence." `
` `
` "So have I. At least, I hadn't forgotten about the 29th, but it `
` didn't seem to matter a damn in comparison to finding Tuppence. `
` But to-day's the 23rd, and time's getting short. If we're ever `
` going to get hold of her at all, we must do it before the `
` 29th--her life won't be worth an hour's purchase afterwards. The `
` hostage game will be played out by then. I'm beginning to feel `
` that we've made a big mistake in the way we've set about this. `
` We've wasted time and we're no forrader." `
` `
` "I'm with you there. We've been a couple of mutts, who've bitten `
` off a bigger bit than they can chew. I'm going to quit fooling `
` right away!" `
` `
` "What do you mean?" `
` `
` "I'll tell you. I'm going to do what we ought to have done a `
` week ago. I'm going right back to London to put the case in the `
` hands of your British police. We fancied ourselves as sleuths. `
` Sleuths! It was a piece of damn-fool foolishness! I'm through! `
` I've had enough of it. Scotland Yard for me!" `
` `
` "You're right," said Tommy slowly. "I wish to God we'd gone `
` there right away." `
` `
` "Better late than never. We've been like a couple of babes `
` playing 'Here we go round the Mulberry Bush.' Now I'm going `
` right along to Scotland Yard to ask them to take me by the hand `
` and show me the way I should go. I guess the professional always `
` scores over the amateur in the end. Are you coming along with `
` me?" `
` `
` Tommy shook his head. `
` `
` "What's the good? One of us is enough. I might as well stay `
` here and nose round a bit longer. Something MIGHT turn up. One `
` never knows." `
` `
` "Sure thing. Well, so long. I'll be back in a couple of shakes `
` with a few inspectors along. I shall tell them to pick out their `
` brightest and best." `
` `
` But the course of events was not to follow the plan Julius had `
` laid down. Later in the day Tommy received a wire: `
` `
` `
` "Join me Manchester Midland Hotel. Important news--JULIUS." `
` `
` `
` At 7:30 that night Tommy alighted from a slow cross-country `
` train. Julius was on the platform. `
` `
` "Thought you'd come by this train if you weren't out when my wire `
` arrived." `
` `
` Tommy grasped him by the arm. `
` `
` "What is it? Is Tuppence found?" `
` `
` Julius shook his head. `
` `
` "No. But I found this waiting in London. Just arrived." `
` `
` He handed the telegraph form to the other. Tommy's eyes opened `
` as he read: `
` `
` `
` "Jane Finn found. Come Manchester Midland Hotel `
` immediately--PEEL EDGERTON." `
` `
` `
` Julius took the form back and folded it up. `
` `
` "Queer," he said thoughtfully. "I thought that lawyer chap had `
` quit!" `
` `
` `
` `
` CHAPTER XIX `
` `
` JANE FINN `
` `
` "MY train got in half an hour ago," explained Julius, as he led `
` the way out of the station. "I reckoned you'd come by this `
` before I left London, and wired accordingly to Sir James. He's `
` booked rooms for us, and will be round to dine at eight." `
` `
` "What made you think he'd ceased to take any interest in the `
` case?" asked Tommy curiously. `
` `
` "What he said," replied Julius dryly. "The old bird's as close `
` as an oyster! Like all the darned lot of them, he wasn't going to `
` commit himself till he was sure he could deliver the goods." `
` `
` "I wonder," said Tommy thoughtfully. `
` `
` Julius turned on him. `
` `
` "You wonder what?" `
` `
` "Whether that was his real reason." `
` `
` "Sure. You bet your life it was." `
` `
` Tommy shook his head unconvinced. `
` `
` Sir James arrived punctually at eight o'clock, and Julius `
` introduced Tommy. Sir James shook hands with him warmly. `
` `
` "I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Mr. Beresford. I have `
` heard so much about you from Miss Tuppence"--he smiled `
` involuntarily--"that it really seems as though I already know you `
` quite well." `
` `
` "Thank you, sir," said Tommy with his cheerful grin. He scanned `
` the great lawyer eagerly. Like Tuppence, he felt the magnetism `
` of the other's personality. He was reminded of Mr. Carter. The `
` two men, totally unlike so far as physical resemblance went, `
` produced a similar effect. Beneath the weary manner of the one `
` and the professional reserve of the other, lay the same quality `
` of mind, keen-edged like a rapier. `
` `
` In the meantime he was conscious of Sir James's close scrutiny. `
` When the lawyer dropped his eyes the young man had the feeling `
` that the other had read him through and through like an open `
` book. He could not but wonder what the final judgment was, but `
` there was little chance of learning that. Sir James took in `
` everything, but gave out only what he chose. A proof of that `
` occurred almost at once. `
` `
` Immediately the first greetings were over Julius broke out into a `
` flood of eager questions. How had Sir James managed to track the `
` girl? Why had he not let them know that he was still working on `
` the case? And so on. `
` `
` Sir James stroked his chin and smiled. At last he said: `
` `
` "Just so, just so. Well, she's found. And that's the great `
` thing, isn't it? Eh! Come now, that's the great thing?" `
` `
` "Sure it is. But just how did you strike her trail? Miss `
` Tuppence and I thought you'd quit for good and all." `
` `
` "Ah!" The lawyer shot a lightning glance at him, then resumed `
` operations on his chin. "You thought that, did you? Did you `
` really? H'm, dear me." `
` `
` "But I guess I can take it we were wrong," pursued Julius. `
` `
` "Well, I don't know that I should go so far as to say that. But `
` it's certainly fortunate for all parties that we've managed to `
` find the young lady." `
` `
` "But where is she?" demanded Julius, his thoughts flying off on `
` another tack. "I thought you'd be sure to bring her along?" `
` `
` "That would hardly be possible," said Sir James gravely. `
` `
` "Why?" `
` `
` "Because the young lady was knocked down in a street accident, `
` and has sustained slight injuries to the head. She was taken to `
` the infirmary, and on recovering consciousness gave her name as `
` Jane Finn. When--ah!--I heard that, I arranged for her to be `
` removed to the house of a doctor--a friend of mine, and wired at `
` once for you. She relapsed into unconsciousness and has not `
` spoken since." `
` `
` "She's not seriously hurt?" `
` `
` "Oh, a bruise and a cut or two; really, from a medical point of `
` view, absurdly slight injuries to have produced such a condition. `
` Her state is probably to be attributed to the mental shock `
` consequent on recovering her memory." `
` `
` "It's come back?" cried Julius excitedly. `
` `
` Sir James tapped the table rather impatiently. `
` `
` "Undoubtedly, Mr. Hersheimmer, since she was able to give her `
` real name. I thought you had appreciated that point." `
` `
` "And you just happened to be on the spot," said Tommy. "Seems `
` quite like a fairy tale." `
` `
` But Sir James was far too wary to be drawn. `
` `
`