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of the Young Adventurers, Ltd., downwards.
Mr. Carter listened in silence with a resumption of his tired manner. Now and
then he passed his hand across his lips as though to hide a smile. When she had
finished he nodded gravely.
"Not much. But suggestive. Quite suggestive. If you'll excuse my saying so, you're
a curious young couple. I don't know--you might succeed where others have
failed... I believe in luck, you know--always have...."
He paused a moment, and then went on.
"
Well, how about it? You're out for adventure. How would you like to work for me?
All quite unofficial, you know. Expenses paid, and a moderate screw?"
Tuppence gazed at him, her lips parted, her eyes growing wider and wider.
"
What should we have to do?" she breathed.
Mr. Carter smiled.
"
Just go on with what you're doing now. FIND JANE FINN."
Yes, but--who IS Jane Finn?"
"
Mr. Carter nodded gravely.
"Yes, you're entitled to know that, I think."
He leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs, brought the tips of his fingers
together, and began in a low monotone:
"Secret diplomacy (which, by the way, is nearly always bad policy!) does not
concern you. It will be sufficient to say that in the early days of 1915 a certain
document came into being. It was the draft of a secret agreement--treaty--call it
what you like. It was drawn up ready for signature by the various representatives,
and drawn up in America--at that time a neutral country. It was dispatched to
England by a special messenger selected for that purpose, a young fellow called
Danvers. It was hoped that the whole affair had been kept so secret that nothing
would have leaked out. That kind of hope is usually disappointed. Somebody
always talks!
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