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CHAPTER XVI. FURTHER ADVENTURES OF TOMMY

FROM a darkness punctuated with throbbing stabs of fire, Tommy dragged his

senses slowly back to life. When he at last opened his eyes, he was conscious of

nothing but an excruciating pain through his temples. He was vaguely aware of

unfamiliar surroundings. Where was he? What had happened? He blinked feebly.

This was not his bedroom at the Ritz. And what the devil was the matter with his

head?

"Damn!" said Tommy, and tried to sit up. He had remembered. He was in that

sinister house in Soho. He uttered a groan and fell back. Through his almost-

closed lids he reconnoitred carefully.

He is coming to," remarked a voice very near Tommy's ear. He recognized it at

once for that of the bearded and efficient German, and lay artistically inert. He

felt that it would be a pity to come round too soon; and until the pain in his head

became a little less acute, he felt quite incapable of collecting his wits. Painfully

he tried to puzzle out what had happened. Obviously somebody must have crept

up behind him as he listened and struck him down with a blow on the head. They

knew him now for a spy, and would in all probability give him short shrift.

Undoubtedly he was in a tight place. Nobody knew where he was, therefore he

need expect no outside assistance, and must depend solely on his own wits.

Well, here goes," murmured Tommy to himself, and repeated his former remark.

Damn!" he observed, and this time succeeded in sitting up.

In a minute the German stepped forward and placed a glass to his lips, with the

brief command "Drink." Tommy obeyed. The potency of the draught made him

choke, but it cleared his brain in a marvellous manner.

He was lying on a couch in the room in which the meeting had been held. On one

side of him was the German, on the other the villainous-faced doorkeeper who

had let him in. The others were grouped together at a little distance away. But

Tommy missed one face. The man known as Number One was no longer of the

company.

Feel better?" asked the German, as he removed the empty glass.

Yes, thanks," returned Tommy cheerfully.

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The Secret Adversary