Scanned by Charles Keller with OmniPage Professional OCR software





THE SECRET
ADVERSARY

AGATHA CHRISTIE


TO ALL THOSE WHO LEAD
MONOTONOUS LIVES
IN THE HOPE THAT THEY MAY EXPERIENCE
AT SECOND HAND
THE DELIGHTS AND DANGERS OF
ADVENTURE



CONTENTS

Prologue
I      The Young Adventurers, Ltd.
II     Mr. Whittington's Offer
III    A Set Back
IV     Who Is Jane Finn?
V      Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer
VI     A Plan of Campaign
VII    The House in Soho
VIII   The Adventures of Tommy
IX     Tuppence Enters Domestic Service
X      Enter Sir James Peel Edgerton
XI     Julius Tells a Story
XII    A Friend in Need
XIII   The Vigil
XIV    A Consultation
XV     Tuppence Receives a Proposal
XVI    Further Adventures of Tommy
XVII   Annette
XVIII  The Telegram
XIX    Jane Finn
XX     Too Late
XXI    Tommy Makes a Discovery
XXII   In Downing Street
XXIII  A Race Against Time
XXIV   Julius Takes a Hand
XXV    Jane's Story
XXVI   Mr. Brown
XXVII  A Supper Party at the Savoy
XXVIII And After




PROLOGUE

IT was 2 p.m. on the afternoon of May 7, 1915.  The Lusitania had
been struck by two torpedoes in succession and was sinking
rapidly, while the boats were being launched with all possible
speed. The women and children were being lined up awaiting their
turn. Some still clung desperately to husbands and fathers;
others clutched their children closely to their breasts. One girl
stood alone, slightly apart from the rest. She was quite young,
not more than eighteen.  She did not seem afraid, and her grave,
steadfast eyes looked straight ahead.

"I beg your pardon."

A man's voice beside her made her start and turn.  She had
noticed the speaker more than once amongst the first-class
passengers. There had been a hint of mystery about him which had
appealed to her imagination.  He spoke to no one. If anyone spoke
to him he was quick to rebuff the overture. Also he had a nervous
way of looking over his shoulder with a swift, suspicious glance.

She noticed now that he was greatly agitated.  There were beads
of perspiration on his brow.  He was evidently in a state of
overmastering fear. And yet he did not strike her as the kind of
man who would be afraid to meet death!

"Yes?"  Her grave eyes met his inquiringly.

He stood looking at her with a kind of desperate irresolution.

"It must be!" he muttered to himself.  "Yes--it is the only way."
Then aloud he said abruptly:  "You are an American?"

"Yes."

"A patriotic one?"

The girl flushed.