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I guess I was a mite suspicious too. It had been got away from me once, and I

determined I wouldn't let on I'd got it until a photographer had made a dozen

copies of it!"

We all kept back something or other," said Tuppence thoughtfully. "I suppose

secret service work makes you like that!"

In the pause that ensued, Mr. Carter took from his pocket a small shabby brown

book.

Beresford has just said that I would not have believed Sir James Peel Edgerton

to be guilty unless, so to speak, he was caught in the act. That is so. Indeed, not

until I read the entries in this little book could I bring myself fully to credit the

amazing truth. This book will pass into the possession of Scotland Yard, but it

will never be publicly exhibited. Sir James's long association with the law would

make it undesirable. But to you, who know the truth, I propose to read certain

passages which will throw some light on the extraordinary mentality of this great

man."

He opened the book, and turned the thin pages.

... It is madness to keep this book. I know that. It is documentary evidence

against me. But I have never shrunk from taking risks. And I feel an urgent need

for self-expression.... The book will only be taken from my dead body....

"... From an early age I realized that I had exceptional abilities. Only a fool

underestimates his capabilities. My brain power was greatly above the average. I

know that I was born to succeed. My appearance was the only thing against me. I

was quiet and insignificant--utterly nondescript....

"... When I was a boy I heard a famous murder trial. I was deeply impressed by

the power and eloquence of the counsel for the defence. For the first time I

entertained the idea of taking my talents to that particular market.... Then I

studied the criminal in the dock.... The man was a fool--he had been incredibly,

unbelievably stupid. Even the eloquence of his counsel was hardly likely to save

him. I felt an immeasurable contempt for him.... Then it occurred to me that the

criminal standard was a low one. It was the wastrels, the failures, the general riff-

raff of civilization who drifted into crime.... Strange that men of brains had never

realized its extraordinary opportunities.... I played with the idea.... What a

magnificent field--what unlimited possibilities! It made my brain reel....

251

The Secret Adversary