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history of the last week and their futile search.
Sir James went at once to the root of the matter.
"A wire signed with your name? They knew enough of you both for that. They
weren't sure of how much you had learnt in that house. Their kidnapping of Miss
Tuppence is the counter-move to your escape. If necessary they could seal your
lips with a threat of what might happen to her."
Tommy nodded.
"
That's just what I thought, sir."
Sir James looked at him keenly. "You had worked that out, had you? Not bad--
not at all bad. The curious thing is that they certainly did not know anything
about you when they first held you prisoner. You are sure that you did not in any
way disclose your identity?"
Tommy shook his head.
"That's so," said Julius with a nod. "Therefore I reckon some one put them wise--
and not earlier than Sunday afternoon."
"Yes, but who?"
"
That almighty omniscient Mr. Brown, of course!"
There was a faint note of derision in the American's voice which made Sir James
look up sharply.
"You don't believe in Mr. Brown, Mr. Hersheimmer?"
"No, sir, I do not," returned the young American with emphasis. "Not as such,
that is to say. I reckon it out that he's a figurehead--just a bogy name to frighten
the children with. The real head of this business is that Russian chap Kramenin.
I guess he's quite capable of running revolutions in three countries at once if he
chose! The man Whittington is probably the head of the English branch."
"I disagree with you," said Sir James shortly. "Mr. Brown exists." He turned to
Tommy. "Did you happen to notice where that wire was handed in?"
"
No, sir, I'm afraid I didn't."
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