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The Secret Adversary, a fiction by Agatha Christie |
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Chapter XXIV - Julius Takes a Hand |
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_ IN his suite at Claridge's, Kramenin reclined on a couch and dictated to his secretary in sibilant Russian. Presently the telephone at the secretary's elbow purred, and he "Some one below is asking for you." "Who is it?" "He gives the name of Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer." "Hersheimmer," repeated Kramenin thoughtfully. "I have heard "His father was one of the steel kings of America," explained the The other's eyes narrowed appreciatively. "You had better go down and see him, Ivan. Find out what he The secretary obeyed, closing the door noiselessly behind him. In "He declines to state his business--says it is entirely private "A millionaire several times over," murmured Kramenin. "Bring The secretary left the room once more, and returned escorting "Monsieur Kramenin?" said the latter abruptly. The Russian, studying him attentively with his pale venomous "Pleased to meet you," said the American. "I've got some very "My secretary, Monsieur Grieber, from whom I have no secrets." "That may be so--but I have," said Julius dryly. "So I'd be "Ivan," said the Russian softly, "perhaps you would not mind "The next room won't do," interrupted Julius. "I know these Though not particularly enjoying the American's free and easy "Might be an all night job if you caught on." "Very good, Ivan. I shall not require you again this evening. Go "Thank you, your excellency." The secretary bowed and departed. Julius stood at the door watching his retreat. Finally, with a "Now, Mr. Hersheimmer, perhaps you will be so kind as to come to "I guess that won't take a minute," drawled Julius. Then, with For a moment Kramenin stared blindly into the big automatic, "This is an outrage," cried the Russian in a high hysterical "Not if you keep your voice down. Don't go edging sideways "What do you want? Do nothing rashly. Remember my life is of "I reckon," said Julius, "that the man who let daylight into you The Russian quailed before the stern menace in the other's eyes. "What do you want? Money?" "No. I want Jane Finn." "Jane Finn? I--never heard of her!" "You're a darned liar! You know perfectly who I mean." "I tell you I've never heard of the girl." "And I tell you," retorted Julius, "that Little Willie here is The Russian wilted visibly. "You wouldn't dare----" "Oh, yes, I would, son!" Kramenin must have recognized something in the voice that carried "Well? Granted I do know who you mean--what of it?" "You will tell me now--right here--where she is to be found." Kramenin shook his head. "I daren't." "Why not?" "I daren't. You ask an impossibility." "Afraid, eh? Of whom? Mr. Brown? Ah, that tickles you up! "I have seen him," said the Russian slowly. "Spoken to him face "He'll never know," said Julius. "He knows everything--and his vengeance is swift. Even "Then you won't do as I ask you?" "You ask an impossibility." "Sure that's a pity for you," said Julius cheerfully. "But the "Stop," shrieked the Russian. "You cannot mean to shoot me?" "Of course I do. I've always heard you Revolutionists held life "They would kill me!" "Well," said Julius pleasantly, "it's up to you. But I'll just "You will hang if you shoot me," muttered the Russian "No, stranger, that's where you're wrong. You forget the The Russian believed him. Corrupt himself, he believed "I'm going to count five," continued Julius, "and I guess, if you The Russian interrupted with a shriek: "Do not shoot. I will do all you wish." Julius lowered the revolver. "I thought you'd hear sense. Where is the girl?" "At Gatehouse, in Kent. Astley Priors, the place is called." "Is she a prisoner there?" "She's not allowed to leave the house--though it's safe enough "That's been annoying for you and your friends, I reckon. What "She's there too," said the Russian sullenly. "That's good," said Julius. "Isn't it all panning out "What run?" demanded Kramenin, with a stare. "Down to Gatehouse, sure. I hope you're fond of motoring?" "What do you mean? I refuse to go." "Now don't get mad. You must see I'm not such a kid as to leave Together they descended the stairs, and passed out to the waiting When they reached the car, Julius breathed a sigh of relief. The "Get in," he ordered. Then as he caught the other's sidelong "Yes, sir?" The chauffeur turned his head. "This gentleman is a Russian Bolshevik. We don't want to shoot "Perfectly, sir." "I want to go to Gatehouse in Kent. Know the road at all?" "Yes, sir, it will be about an hour and a half's run." "Make it an hour. I'm in a hurry." "I'll do my best, sir." The car shot forward through the Julius ensconced himself comfortably by the side of his victim. "There was a man I shot once in Arizona----" he began cheerfully. At the end of the hour's run the unfortunate Kramenin was more Slowing down, the chauffeur called over his shoulder that they The car swept up the drive, and stopped before the porch. The "Turn the car first, George. Then ring the bell, and get back to "Very good, sir." The front door was opened by the butler. Kramenin felt the "Now," hissed Julius. "And be careful." The Russian beckoned. His lips were white, and his voice was not "It is I--Kramenin! Bring down the girl at once! There is no Whittington had come down the steps. He uttered an exclamation "You! What's up? Surely you know the plan----" Kramenin interrupted him, using the words that have created many "We have been betrayed! Plans must be abandoned. We must save Whittington hesitated, but for hardly a moment. "You have orders--from HIM?" "Naturally! Should I be here otherwise? Hurry! There is no Whittington turned and ran back into the house. The agonizing "Get a move on, George," shouted Julius. The chauffeur slipped in his clutch, and with a bound the car The man on the steps uttered an oath. His hand went to his "Get down, Jane," cried Julius. "Flat on the bottom of the car." "Have you hit him?" cried Tuppence eagerly. "Sure," replied Julius. "He isn't killed, though. Skunks like "Of course I am. Where's Tommy? And who's this?" She indicated "Tommy's making tracks for the Argentine. I guess he thought The Russian remained mute, still livid with terror. "But what made them let us go?" demanded Tuppence suspiciously. "I reckon Monsieur Kramenin here asked them so prettily they just This was too much for the Russian. He burst out vehemently: "Curse you--curse you! They know now that I betrayed them. My "That's so," assented Julius. "I'd advise you to make tracks for "Let me go, then," cried the other. "I have done what you asked. "Not for the pleasure of your company. I guess you can get right "You may never reach London," snarled the other. "Let me go here "Sure thing. Pull up, George. The gentleman's not making the But before Julius had finished his speech, and before the car had "Just a mite impatient to leave us," commented Julius, as the car For the first time the girl spoke. "How did you 'persuade' him?" she asked. Julius tapped his revolver. "Little Willie here takes the credit!" "Splendid!" cried the girl. The colour surged into her face, her "Annette and I didn't know what was going to happen to us," said "Annette," said Julius. "Is that what you call her?" His mind seemed to be trying to adjust itself to a new idea. "It's her name," said Tuppence, opening her eyes very wide. "Shucks!" retorted Julius. "She may think it's her name, because "What?" cried Tuppence. But she was interrupted. With an angry spurt, a bullet embedded "Down with you," cried Julius. "It's an ambush. These guys have The car fairly leapt forward. Three more shots rang out, but "Nothing to shoot at," he announced gloomily. "But I guess He raised his hand to his cheek. "You are hurt?" said Annette quickly. "Only a scratch." The girl sprang to her feet. "Let me out! Let me out, I say! Stop the car. It is me they're Julius took her by both arms, and looked at her. She had spoken "Sit down, kid," he said gently. "I guess there's nothing wrong The girl looked at him, nodded, and then suddenly burst into "There, there--just you sit tight. We're not going to let you Through her sobs the girl said indistinctly: "You're from home. I can tell by your voice. It makes me "Sure I'm from home. I'm your cousin--Julius Hersheimmer. I The car slackened speed. George spoke over his shoulder: "Cross-roads here, sir. I'm not sure of the way." The car slowed down till it hardly moved. As it did so a figure "Sorry," said Tommy, extricating himself. A mass of confused exclamations greeted him. He replied to them "Was in the bushes by the drive. Hung on behind. Couldn't let "Get out?" "Yes. There's a station just up that road. Train due in three "What the devil are you driving at?" demanded Julius. "Do you "You and I aren't going to leave the car. Only the girls." "You're crazed, Beresford. Stark staring mad! You can't let Tommy turned to Tuppence. "Get out at once, Tuppence. Take her with you, and do just as I "Darn you!" cried Julius. "You're mad. Jane, you stay where you With a sudden swift movement, Tommy snatched the revolver from "Now will you believe I'm in earnest? Get out, both of you, and Tuppence sprang out, dragging the unwilling Jane after her. "Come on, it's all right. If Tommy's sure--he's sure. Be quick. They started running. Julius's pent-up rage burst forth. "What the hell----" Tommy interrupted him. "Dry up! I want a few words with you, Mr. Julius Hersheimmer." _ |