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But I can't see WHY!"

Can't you? I can. So can young Beresford, by his actions. As a last hope Jane

Finn was to be allowed to escape--and the escape must be managed so that she

harbours no suspicions of its being a put-up job. They're not averse to young

Beresford's being in the neighbourhood, and, if necessary, communicating with

you. They'll take care to get him out of the way at the right minute. Then Julius

Hersheimmer dashes up and rescues you in true melodramatic style. Bullets fly--

but don't hit anybody. What would have happened next? You would have driven

straight to the house in Soho and secured the document which Miss Finn would

probably have entrusted to her cousin's keeping. Or, if he conducted the search,

he would have pretended to find the hiding-place already rifled. He would have

had a dozen ways of dealing with the situation, but the result would have been

the same. And I rather fancy some accident would have happened to both of you.

You see, you know rather an inconvenient amount. That's a rough outline. I

admit I was caught napping; but somebody else wasn't."

"Tommy," said Tuppence softly.

"Yes. Evidently when the right moment came to get rid of him--he was too sharp

for them. All the same, I'm not too easy in my mind about him."

Why?"

"Because Julius Hersheimmer is Mr. Brown," said Sir James dryly. "And it takes

more than one man and a revolver to hold up Mr. Brown...."

Tuppence paled a little.

What can we do?"

Nothing until we've been to the house in Soho. If Beresford has still got the

upper hand, there's nothing to fear. If otherwise, our enemy will come to find us,

and he will not find us unprepared!" From a drawer in the desk, he took a service

revolver, and placed it in his coat pocket.

"Now we're ready. I know better than even to suggest going without you, Miss

Tuppence----"

"I should think so indeed!"

But I do suggest that Miss Finn should remain here. She will be perfectly safe,

240

The Secret Adversary