www.freeclassicebooks.com

CHAPTER VI. A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN

A veil might with profit be drawn over the events of the next half-hour. Suffice it

to say that no such person as "Inspector Brown" was known to Scotland Yard.

The photograph of Jane Finn, which would have been of the utmost value to the

police in tracing her, was lost beyond recovery. Once again "Mr. Brown" had

triumphed.

The immediate result of this set back was to effect a rapprochement between

Julius Hersheimmer and the Young Adventurers. All barriers went down with a

crash, and Tommy and Tuppence felt they had known the young American all

their lives. They abandoned the discreet reticence of "private inquiry agents," and

revealed to him the whole history of the joint venture, whereat the young man

declared himself "tickled to death."

He turned to Tuppence at the close of the narration.

"I've always had a kind of idea that English girls were just a mite moss-grown.

Old-fashioned and sweet, you know, but scared to move round without a footman

or a maiden aunt. I guess I'm a bit behind the times!"

The upshot of these confidential relations was that Tommy and Tuppence took up

their abode forthwith at the Ritz, in order, as Tuppence put it, to keep in touch

with Jane Finn's only living relation. "And put like that," she added confidentially

to Tommy, "nobody could boggle at the expense!"

Nobody did, which was the great thing.

"And now," said the young lady on the morning after their installation, "to work!"

Mr. Beresford put down the Daily Mail, which he was reading, and applauded

with somewhat unnecessary vigour. He was politely requested by his colleague

not to be an ass.

Dash it all, Tommy, we've got to DO something for our money."

Tommy sighed.

"Yes, I fear even the dear old Government will not support us at the Ritz in

idleness for ever."

The Secret Adversary