The Secret Adversary (Tommy & Tuppence 1)

Julius ensconced himself comfortably by the side of his victim. He kepthis hand in the pocket of his coat, but his manner was urbane to thelast degree.

“There was a man I shot once in Arizona----” he began cheerfully.

At the end of the hour’s run the unfortunate Kramenin was more dead thanalive. In succession to the anecdote of the Arizona man, there had beena tough from ‘Frisco, and an episode in the Rockies. Julius’s narrativestyle, if not strictly accurate, was picturesque!

Slowing down, the chauffeur called over his shoulder that they were justcoming into Gatehouse. Julius bade the Russian direct them. His plan wasto drive straight up to the house. There Kramenin was to ask for the twogirls. Julius explained to him that Little Willie would not be tolerantof failure. Kramenin, by this time, was as putty in the other’s hands.The terrific pace they had come had still further unmanned him. He hadgiven himself up for dead at every corner.

The car swept up the drive, and stopped before the porch. The chauffeurlooked round for orders.

“Turn the car first, George. Then ring the bell, and get back to yourplace. Keep the engine going, and be ready to scoot like hell when Igive the word.”

“Very good, sir.”

The front door was opened by the butler. Kramenin felt the muzzle of therevolver pressed against his ribs.

“Now,” hissed Julius. “And be careful.”

The Russian beckoned. His lips were white, and his voice was not verysteady:

“It is I--Kramenin! Bring down the girl at once! There is no time tolose!”

Whittington had come down the steps. He uttered an exclamation ofastonishment at seeing the other.

“You! What’s up? Surely you know the plan----”

Kramenin interrupted him, using the words that have created manyunnecessary panics:

“We have been betrayed! Plans must be abandoned. We must save our ownskins. The girl! And at once! It’s our only chance.”

Whittington hesitated, but for hardly a moment.

“You have orders--from _him?_”

“Naturally! Should I be here otherwise? Hurry! There is no time to belost. The other little fool had better come too.”

Whittington turned and ran back into the house. The agonizing minuteswent by. Then--two figures hastily huddled in cloaks appeared on thesteps and were hustled into the car. The smaller of the two was inclinedto resist and Whittington shoved her in unceremoniously. Julius leanedforward, and in doing so the light from the open door lit up his face.Another man on the steps behind Whittington gave a startled exclamation.Concealment was at an end.

“Get a move on, George,” shouted Julius.

The chauffeur slipped in his clutch, and with a bound the car started.

The man on the steps uttered an oath. His hand went to his pocket. Therewas a flash and a report. The bullet just missed the taller girl by aninch.

“Get down, Jane,” cried Julius. “Flat on the bottom of the car.” Hethrust her sharply forward, then standing up, he took careful aim andfired.

“Have you hit him?” cried Tuppence eagerly.

“Sure,” replied Julius. “He isn’t killed, though. Skunks like that takea lot of killing. Are you all right, Tuppence?”

“Of course I am. Where’s Tommy? And who’s this?” She indicated theshivering Kramenin.

“Tommy’s making tracks for the Argentine. I guess he thought you’dturned up your toes. Steady through the gate, George! That’s right.It’ll take ‘em at least five minutes to get busy after us. They’ll usethe telephone, I guess, so look out for snares ahead--and don’t take thedirect route. Who’s this, did you say, Tuppence? Let me present MonsieurKramenin. I persuaded him to come on the trip for his health.”

The Russian remained mute, still livid with terror.

“But what made them let us go?” demanded Tuppence suspiciously.

“I reckon Monsieur Kramenin here asked them so prettily they justcouldn’t refuse!”

This was too much for the Russian. He burst out vehemently:

“Curse you--curse you! They know now that I betrayed them. My life won’tbe safe for an hour in this country.”

“That’s so,” assented Julius. “I’d advise you to make tracks for Russiaright away.”

“Let me go, then,” cried the other. “I have done what you asked. Why doyou still keep me with you?”

“Not for the pleasure of your company. I guess you can get right off nowif you want to. I thought you’d rather I tooled you back to London.”

“You may never reach London,” snarled the other. “Let me go here andnow.”

“Sure thing. Pull up, George. The gentleman’s not making the returntrip. If I ever come to Russia, Monsieur Kramenin, I shall expect arousing welcome, and----”

But before Julius had finished his speech, and before the car hadfinally halted, the Russian had swung himself out and disappeared intothe night.

“Just a mite impatient to leave us,” commented Julius, as the cargathered way again. “And no idea of saying good-bye politely to theladies. Say, Jane, you can get up on the seat now.”

For the first time the girl spoke.

“How did you ‘persuade’ him?” she asked.

Julius tapped his revolver.

“Little Willie here takes the credit!”

“Splendid!” cried the girl. The colour surged into her face, her eyeslooked admiringly at Julius.

“Annette and I didn’t know what was going to happen to us,” saidTuppence. “Old Whittington hurried us off. _We_ thought it was lambs tothe slaughter.”

“Annette,” said Julius. “Is that what you call her?”

His mind seemed to be trying to adjust itself to a new idea.

“It’s her name,” said Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide.

“Shucks!” retorted Julius. “She may think it’s her name, because hermemory’s gone, poor kid. But it’s the one real and original Jane Finnwe’ve got here.”

“What?” cried Tuppence.

But she was interrupted. With an angry spurt, a bullet embedded itselfin the upholstery of the car just behind her head.

“Down with y

ou,” cried Julius. “It’s an ambush. These guys have got busypretty quickly. Push her a bit, George.”

The car fairly leapt forward. Three more shots rang out, but wenthappily wide. Julius, upright, leant over the back of the car.

“Nothing to shoot at,” he announced gloomily. “But I guess there’ll beanother 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. Letme go.” She was fumbling with the fastenings of the door.

Julius took her by both arms, and looked at her. She had spoken with notrace of foreign accent.

“Sit down, kid,” he said gently. “I guess there’s nothing wrong withyour 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 toEurope 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 climbedsuddenly 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 themseverally:

“Was in the bushes by the drive. Hung on behind. Couldn’t let you knowbefore at the pace you were going. It was all I could do to hang on. Nowthen, 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 youcan 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 girlsgo 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. Gostraight to Sir James Peel Edgerton. Mr. Carter lives out of town, butyou’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’shand, and levelled it at him.

“Now will you believe I’m in earnest? Get out, both of you, and do as Isay--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’llmiss 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.”