The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
CHAPTER XXVII. A SUPPER PARTY AT THE _SAVOY_
THE supper party given by Mr. Julius Hersheimmer to a few friends on theevening of the 30th will long be remembered in catering circles. It tookplace in a private room, and Mr. Hersheimmer’s orders were brief andforcible. He gave carte blanche--and when a millionaire gives carteblanche he usually gets it!
Every delicacy out of season was duly provided. Waiters carried bottlesof ancient and royal vintage with loving care. The floral decorationsdefied the seasons, and fruits of the earth as far apart as May andNovember found themselves miraculously side by side. The list of guestswas small and select. The American Ambassador, Mr. Carter, who had takenthe liberty, he said, of bringing an old friend, Sir William Beresford,with him, Archdeacon Cowley, Dr. Hall, those two youthful adventurers,Miss Prudence Cowley and Mr. Thomas Beresford, and last, but not least,as guest of honour, Miss Jane Finn.
Julius had spared no pains to make Jane’s appearance a success. Amysterious knock had brought Tuppence to the door of the apartment shewas sharing with the American girl. It was Julius. In his hand he held acheque.
“Say, Tuppence,” he began, “will you do me a good turn? Take this, andget Jane regularly togged up for this evening. You’re all coming tosupper with me at the _Savoy_. See? Spare no expense. You get me?”
“Sure thing,” mimicked Tuppence. “We shall enjoy ourselves. It will be apleasure dressing Jane. She’s the loveliest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“That’s so,” agreed Mr. Hersheimmer fervently.
His fervour brought a momentary twinkle to Tuppence’s eye.
“By the way, Julius,” she remarked demurely, “I--haven’t given you myanswer yet.”
“Answer?” said Julius. His face paled.
“You know--when you asked me to--marry you,” faltered Tuppence, hereyes downcast in the true manner of the early Victorian heroine, “andwouldn’t take no for an answer. I’ve thought it well over----”
“Yes?” said Julius. The perspiration stood on his forehead.
Tuppence relented suddenly.
“You great idiot!” she said. “What on earth induced you to do it? Icould see at the time you didn’t care a twopenny dip for me!”
“Not at all. I had--and still have--the highest sentiments of esteem andrespect--and admiration for you----”
“H’m!” said Tuppence. “Those are the kind of sentiments that very soongo to the wall when the other sentiment comes along! Don’t they, oldthing?”
“I don’t know what you mean,” said Julius stiffly, but a large andburning blush overspread his countenance.
“Shucks!” retorted Tuppence. She laughed, and closed the door, reopeningit to add with dignity: “Morally, I shall always consider I have beenjilted!”
“What was it?” asked Jane as Tuppence rejoined her.
“Julius.”
“What did he want?”
“Really, I think, he wanted to see you, but I wasn’t going to let him.Not until to-night, when you’re going to burst upon every one like KingSolomon in his glory! Come on! _We’re going to shop!_”
To most people the 29th, the much-heralded “Labour Day,” had passed muchas any other day. Speeches were made in the Park and Trafalgar Square.Straggling processions, singing the _Red Flag_, wandered through thestreets in a more or less aimless manner. Newspapers which had hinted ata general strike, and the inauguration of a reign of terror, were forcedto hide their diminished heads. The bolder and more astute amongthem sought to prove that peace had been effected by following theircounsels. In the Sunday papers a brief notice of the sudden death of SirJames Peel Edgerton, the famous K.C., had appeared. Monday’s paperdealt appreciatively with the dead man’s career. The exact manner of hissudden death was never made public.
Tommy had been right in his forecast of the situation. It had been aone-man show. Deprived of their chief, the organization fell to pieces.Kramenin had made a precipitate return to Russia, leaving England earlyon Sunday morning. The gang had fled from Astley Priors in a panic,leaving behind, in their haste, various damaging documents whichcompromised them hopelessly. With these proofs of conspiracy in theirhands, aided further by a small brown diary taken from the pocket of thedead man which had contained a full and damning résumé of the wholeplot, the Government had called an eleventh-hour conference. The Labourleaders were forced to recognize that they had been used as a cat’spaw. Certain concessions were made by the Government, and were eagerlyaccepted. It was to be Peace, not War!
But the Cabinet knew by how narrow a margin they had escaped utterdisaster. And burnt in on Mr. Carter’s brain was the strange scene whichhad taken place in the house in Soho the night before.
He had entered the squalid room to find that great man, the friend ofa lifetime, dead--betrayed out of his own mouth. From the dead man’spocket-book he had retrieved the ill-omened draft treaty, and thenand there, in the presence of the other three, it had been reduced toashes.... England was saved!
And now, on the evening of the 30th, in a private room at the _Savoy_,Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer was receiving his guests.
Mr. Carter was the first to arrive. With him was a choleric-looking oldgentleman, at sight of whom Tommy flushed up to the roots of his hair.He came forward.
“Ha!” said the old gentleman, surveying him apoplectically. “So you’remy nephew, are you? Not much to look at--but you’ve done good work, itseems. Your mother must have brought you up well after all. Shall welet bygones be bygones, eh? You’re my heir, you know; and in future Ipropose to make you an allowance--and you can look upon Chalmers Park asyour home.”
“Thank you, sir, it’s awfully decent of you.”
“Where’s this young lady I’ve been hearing such a lot about?”
Tommy introduced Tuppence.
“Ha!” said Sir William, eyeing her. “Girls aren’t what they used to bein my young days.”
“Yes, they are,” said Tuppence. “Their clothes are different, perhaps,but they themselves are just the same.”
“Well, perhaps you’re right. Minxes then--minxes now!”
“That’s it,” said Tuppence. “I’m a frightful minx myself.”
“I believe you,” said the old gentleman, chuckling, and pinched her earin high good-humour. Most young women were terrified of the “old bear,” as they termed him. Tuppence’s pertness delighted the old misogynist.
Then came the timid archdeacon, a little bewildered by the company inwhich he found himself, glad that his daughter was considered to havedistinguished herself, but unable to help glancing at her from timeto time with nervous apprehension. But Tuppence behaved admirably. Sheforbore to cross her legs, set a guard upon her tongue, and steadfastlyrefused to smoke.
Dr. Hall came next, and he was followed by the American Ambassador.
“We might as well sit down,” said Julius, when he had introduced all hisguests to each other. “Tuppence, will you----”
He indicated the place of honour with a wave of his hand.
But Tuppence shook her head.
“No--that’s Jane’s place! When one thinks of how she’s held out allthese years, she ought to be made the queen of the feast to-night.”
Julius flung her a grateful glance, and Jane came forward shyly to theallotted seat. Beautiful as she had seemed before, it was as nothing tothe loveliness that now went fully adorned. Tuppence had performed herpart faithfully. The model gown supplied by a famous dressmaker had beenentitled “A tiger lily.” It was all golds and reds and browns, and outof it rose the pure column of the girl’s white throat, and the bronzemasses of hair that crowned her lovely head. There was admiration inevery eye, as she took her seat.
Soon the supper party was in full swing, and with one accord Tommy wascalled upon for a full and complete explanation.
“You’ve been too darned close about the whole business,” Julius accusedhim. “You let on to me that you were off to the Argentine--though Iguess you had your reasons for that. The idea of both you
“The idea was not original to them,” said Mr. Carter gravely. “It wassuggested, and the poison very carefully instilled, by a past-master inthe art. The paragraph in the New York paper suggested the plan to him,and by means of it he wove a web that nearly enmeshed you fatally.”
“I never liked him,” said Julius. “I felt from the first that there wassomething wrong about him, and I always suspected that it was he whosilenced Mrs. Vandemeyer so appositely. But it wasn’t till I heard thatthe order for Tommy’s execution came right on the heels of our interviewwith him that Sunday that I began to tumble to the fact that he was thebig bug himself.”
“I never suspected it at all,” lamented Tuppence. “I’ve always thoughtI was so much cleverer than Tommy--but he’s undoubtedly scored over mehandsomely.”
Julius agreed.
“Tommy’s been the goods this trip! And, instead of sitting there as dumbas a fish, let him banish his blushes, and tell us all about it.”
“Hear! hear!”
“There’s nothing to tell,” said Tommy, acutely uncomfortable. “I was anawful mug--right up to the time I found that photograph of Annette, andrealized that she was Jane Finn. Then I remembered how persistently shehad shouted out that word ‘Marguerite’--and I thought of the pictures,and--well, that’s that. Then of course I went over the whole thing tosee where I’d made an ass of myself.”
“Go on,” said Mr. Carter, as Tommy showed signs of taking refuge insilence once more.
“That business about Mrs. Vandemeyer had worried me when Julius told meabout it. On the face of it, it seemed that he or Sir James must havedone the trick. But I didn’t know which. Finding that photograph in thedrawer, after that story of how it had been got from him by InspectorBrown, made me suspect Julius. Then I remembered that it was Sir Jameswho had discovered the false Jane Finn. In the end, I couldn’t make upmy mind--and just decided to take no chances either way. I left a notefor Julius, in case he was Mr. Brown, saying I was off to the Argentine,and I dropped Sir James’s letter with the offer of the job by the deskso that he would see it was a genuine stunt. Then I wrote my letter toMr. Carter and rang up Sir James. Taking him into my confidence wouldbe the best thing either way, so I told him everything except where Ibelieved the papers to be hidden. The way he helped me to get on thetrack of Tuppence and Annette almost disarmed me, but not quite. I keptmy mind open between the two of them. And then I got a bogus note fromTuppence--and I knew!”
“But how?”
Tommy took the note in question from his pocket and passed it round thetable.
“It’s her handwriting all right, but I knew it wasn’t from her becauseof the signature. She’d never spell her name ‘Twopence,’ but anyonewho’d never seen it written might quite easily do so. Julius _had_ seenit--he showed me a note of hers to him once--but _Sir James hadn’t!_After that everything was plain sailing. I sent off Albert post-haste toMr. Carter. I pretended to go away, but doubled back again. When Juliuscame bursting up in his car, I felt it wasn’t part of Mr. Brown’splan--and that there would probably be trouble. Unless Sir James wasactually caught in the act, so to speak, I knew Mr. Carter would neverbelieve it of him on my bare word----”
“I didn’t,” interposed Mr. Carter ruefully.
“That’s why I sent the girls off to Sir James. I was sure they’d fetchup at the house in Soho sooner or later. I threatened Julius with therevolver, because I wanted Tuppence to repeat that to Sir James, so thathe wouldn’t worry about us. The moment the girls were out of sight Itold Julius to drive like hell for London, and as we went along I toldhim the whole story. We got to the Soho house in plenty of time and metMr. Carter outside. After arranging things with him we went in and hidbehind the curtain in the recess. The policemen had orders to say, ifthey were asked, that no one had gone into the house. That’s all.”
And Tommy came to an abrupt halt.
There was silence for a moment.
“By the way,” said Julius suddenly, “you’re all wrong about thatphotograph of Jane. It _was_ taken from me, but I found it again.”
“Where?” cried Tuppence.
“In that little safe on the wall in Mrs. Vandemeyer’s bedroom.”
“I knew you found something,” said Tuppence reproachfully. “To tell youthe truth, that’s what started me off suspecting you. Why didn’t yousay?”
“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 hadmade a dozen copies of it!”
“We all kept back something or other,” said Tuppence thoughtfully. “Isuppose secret service work makes you like that!”
In the pause that ensued, Mr. Carter took from his pocket a small shabbybrown book.
“Beresford has just said that I would not have believed Sir James PeelEdgerton 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 bookcould I bring myself fully to credit the amazing truth. This book willpass into the possession of Scotland Yard, but it will never be publiclyexhibited. Sir James’s long association with the law would make itundesirable. But to you, who know the truth, I propose to read certainpassages which will throw some light on the extraordinary mentality ofthis great man.”
He opened the book, and turned the thin pages.
“... It is madness to keep this book. I know that. It is documentaryevidence against me. But I have never shrunk from taking risks. And Ifeel an urgent need for self-expression.... The book will only be takenfrom my dead body....
“... From an early age I realized that I had exceptional abilities. Onlya fool underestimates his capabilities. My brain power was greatly abovethe average. I know that I was born to succeed. My appearance wasthe only thing against me. I was quiet and insignificant--utterlynondescript....
“... When I was a boy I heard a famous murder trial. I was deeplyimpressed by the power and eloquence of the counsel for the defence.For the first time I entertained the idea of taking my talents to thatparticular market.... Then I studied the criminal in the dock.... Theman was a fool--he had been incredibly, unbelievably stupid. Eventhe eloquence of his counsel was hardly likely to save him. I feltan immeasurable contempt for him.... Then it occurred to me that thecriminal standard was a low one. It was the wastrels, the failures, thegeneral riff-raff of civilization who drifted into crime....Strange that men of brains had never realized its extraordinaryopportunities.... I played with the idea.... What a magnificentfield--what unlimited possibilities! It made my brain reel....
“... I read standard works on crime and criminals. They all confirmed myopinion. Degeneracy, disease--never the deliberate embracing of a careerby a far-seeing man. Then I considered. Supposing my utmost ambitionswere realized--that I was called to the bar, and rose to the height ofmy profession? That I entered politics--say, even, that I became PrimeMinister of England? What then? Was that power? Hampered at every turnby my colleagues, fettered by the democratic system of which I shouldbe the mere figurehead! No--the power I dreamed of was absolute! Anautocrat! A dictator! And such power could only be obtained by workingoutside the law. To play on the weaknesses of human nature, then on theweaknesses of nations--to get together and control a vast organization,and finally to overthrow the existing order, and rule! The thoughtintoxicated me....
“... I saw that I must lead two lives. A man like myself is bound toattract notice. I must have a successful career which would mask my trueactivities.... Also I must cultivate a personality. I modelled myselfupon famous K.C.’s. I reproduced their mannerisms, their magnetism. If Ihad chosen to be an actor, I should have been the greatest actor living!No disguises--no grease paint--no false beards! Personality! I put iton like a glove! When I shed it, I was myself, quiet, unobtrusive, a manlike every other man. I called myself Mr. Brown. There are hundreds ofmen called Brown--there are hundreds of men looking just like me....
“... I have been reading a life of Napoleon. He and I have much incommon....
“... I make a practice of defending criminals. A man should look afterhis own people....
“... Once or twice I have felt afraid. The first time was in Italy.There was a dinner given. Professor D----, the great alienist, waspresent. The talk fell on insanity. He said, ‘A great many men aremad, and no one knows it. They do not know it themselves.’ I do notunderstand why he looked at me when he said that. His glance wasstrange.... I did not like it....
“... The war has disturbed me.... I thought it would further my plans.The Germans are so efficient. Their spy system, too, was excellent.The streets are full of these boys in khaki. All empty-headed youngfools.... Yet I do not know.... They won the war.... It disturbs me....
“... My plans are going well.... A girl butted in--I do not think shereally knew anything.... But we must give up the Esthonia.... No risksnow....
“.... All goes well. The loss of memory is vexing. It cannot be a fake.No girl could deceive ME!...
“...The 29th.... That is very soon....” Mr. Carter paused.
“I will not read the details of the _coup_ that was planned. But thereare just two small entries that refer to the three of you. In the lightof what happened they are interesting.
“... By inducing the girl to come to me of her own accord, I havesucceeded in disarming her. But she has intuitive flashes that might bedangerous.... She must be got out of the way.... I can do nothing withthe American. He suspects and dislikes me. But he cannot know. I fancymy armour is impregnable.... Sometimes I fear I have underestimatedthe other boy. He is not clever, but it is hard to blind his eyes tofacts....”
Mr. Carter shut the book.
“A great man,” he said. “Genius, or insanity, who can say?”
There was silence.
Then Mr. Carter rose to his feet.
“I will give you a toast. The Joint Venture which has so amply justifieditself by success!”
It was drunk with acclamation.
“There’s something more we want to hear,” continued Mr. Carter. Helooked at the American Ambassador. “I speak for you also, I know. We’llask Miss Jane Finn to tell us the story that only Miss Tuppence hasheard so far--but before we do so we’ll drink her health. The health ofone of the bravest of America’s daughters, to whom is due the thanks andgratitude of two great countries!”