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"Very simple," said Sir James, "and very ingenious. Just a few words to alter, and

the thing was done. And the one important clue they overlooked."

What was that?"

The page-boy's statement that Miss Cowley drove to Charing Cross. They were so

sure of themselves that they took it for granted he had made a mistake."

"Then young Beresford is now?"

"At Gatehouse, Kent, unless I am much mistaken."

Mr. Carter looked at him curiously.

I rather wonder you're not there too, Peel Edgerton?"

Ah, I'm busy on a case."

I thought you were on your holiday?"

Oh, I've not been briefed. Perhaps it would be more correct to say I'm preparing a

case. Any more facts about that American chap for me?"

"I'm afraid not. Is it important to find out who he was?"

"Oh, I know who he was," said Sir James easily. "I can't prove it yet--but I know."

The other two asked no questions. They had an instinct that it would be mere

waste of breath.

"But what I don't understand," said the Prime-Minister suddenly, "is how that

photograph came to be in Mr. Hersheimmer's drawer?"

Perhaps it never left it," suggested the lawyer gently.

But the bogus inspector? Inspector Brown?"

Ah!" said Sir James thoughtfully. He rose to his feet. "I mustn't keep you. Go on

with the affairs of the nation. I must get back to--my case."

Two days later Julius Hersheimmer returned from Manchester. A note from

205

The Secret Adversary