www.freeclassicebooks.com

H'm. Got it with you?"

It's upstairs, sir, in my kit."

I'd like to have a look at it sometime. No hurry. You've wasted a week"--Tommy

hung his head--"a day or so more is immaterial. We'll deal with Miss Jane Finn

first. Afterwards, we'll set to work to rescue Miss Tuppence from bondage. I don't

think she's in any immediate danger. That is, so long as they don't know that

we've got Jane Finn, and that her memory has returned. We must keep that dark

at all costs. You understand?"

The other two assented, and, after making arrangements for meeting on the

morrow, the great lawyer took his leave.

At ten o'clock, the two young men were at the appointed spot. Sir James had

joined them on the doorstep. He alone appeared unexcited. He introduced them

to the doctor.

Mr. Hersheimmer--Mr. Beresford--Dr. Roylance. How's the patient?"

Going on well. Evidently no idea of the flight of time. Asked this morning how

many had been saved from the Lusitania. Was it in the papers yet? That, of

course, was only what was to be expected. She seems to have something on her

mind, though."

I think we can relieve her anxiety. May we go up?"

Certainly."

Tommy's heart beat sensibly faster as they followed the doctor upstairs. Jane

Finn at last! The long-sought, the mysterious, the elusive Jane Finn! How wildly

improbable success had seemed! And here in this house, her memory almost

miraculously restored, lay the girl who held the future of England in her hands. A

half groan broke from Tommy's lips. If only Tuppence could have been at his side

to share in the triumphant conclusion of their joint venture! Then he put the

thought of Tuppence resolutely aside. His confidence in Sir James was growing.

There was a man who would unerringly ferret out Tuppence's whereabouts. In the

meantime Jane Finn! And suddenly a dread clutched at his heart. It seemed too

easy.... Suppose they should find her dead... stricken down by the hand of Mr.

Brown?

183

The Secret Adversary