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Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer was a great deal younger than either Tommy or

Tuppence had pictured him. The girl put him down as thirty-five. He was of

middle height, and squarely built to match his jaw. His face was pugnacious but

pleasant. No one could have mistaken him for anything but an American, though

he spoke with very little accent.

Get my note? Sit down and tell me right away all you know about my cousin."

Your cousin?"

Sure thing. Jane Finn."

Is she your cousin?"

My father and her mother were brother and sister," explained Mr. Hersheimmer

meticulously.

Oh!" cried Tuppence. "Then you know where she is?"

"No!" Mr. Hersheimmer brought down his fist with a bang on the table. "I'm

darned if I do! Don't you?"

We advertised to receive information, not to give it," said Tuppence severely.

"I guess I know that. I can read. But I thought maybe it was her back history you

were after, and that you'd know where she was now?"

Well, we wouldn't mind hearing her back history," said Tuppence guardedly.

But Mr. Hersheimmer seemed to grow suddenly suspicious.

See here," he declared. "This isn't Sicily! No demanding ransom or threatening to

crop her ears if I refuse. These are the British Isles, so quit the funny business, or

I'll just sing out for that beautiful big British policeman I see out there in

Piccadilly."

Tommy hastened to explain.

We haven't kidnapped your cousin. On the contrary, we're trying to find her.

We're employed to do so."

Mr. Hersheimmer leant back in his chair.

The Secret Adversary