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It won't," Tuppence assured him positively.

I'll look after her, sir," said Tommy.

And I'll look after YOU," retorted Tuppence, resenting the manly assertion.

Well, then, look after each other," said Mr. Carter, smiling. "Now let's get back to

business. There's something mysterious about this draft treaty that we haven't

fathomed yet. We've been threatened with it--in plain and unmistakable terms.

The Revolutionary element as good as declare that it's in their hands, and that

they intend to produce it at a given moment. On the other hand, they are clearly

at fault about many of its provisions. The Government consider it as mere bluff

on their part, and, rightly or wrongly, have stuck to the policy of absolute denial.

I'm not so sure. There have been hints, indiscreet allusions, that seem to indicate

that the menace is a real one. The position is much as though they had got hold

of an incriminating document, but couldn't read it because it was in cipher--but

we know that the draft treaty wasn't in cipher--couldn't be in the nature of

things--so that won't wash. But there's SOMETHING. Of course, Jane Finn may

be dead for all we know--but I don't think so. The curious thing is that THEY'RE

TRYING TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE GIRL FROM US."

What?"

Yes. One or two little things have cropped up. And your story, little lady,

confirms my idea. They know we're looking for Jane Finn. Well, they'll produce a

Jane Finn of their own--say at a pensionnat in Paris." Tuppence gasped, and Mr.

Carter smiled. "No one knows in the least what she looks like, so that's all right.

She's primed with a trumped-up tale, and her real business is to get as much

information as possible out of us. See the idea?"

"Then you think"--Tuppence paused to grasp the supposition fully--"that it WAS

as Jane Finn that they wanted me to go to Paris?"

Mr. Carter smiled more wearily than ever.

"I believe in coincidences, you know," he said.

The Secret Adversary