The Early Classics of Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie

• Publisher: Agatha Christie Collection
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9789897784910
• Topic: Letteratura
• Subtopic: Letteratura poliziesca e gialli

Agatha Christie was a British author of crime fiction. Christie's career spanned over 50 years and featured over 60 novels. Christie's book The Mysterious Affairs at Styles, was the first to feature the legendary character Hercule Poirot. This collection includes the following: NOVELS: The Mysterious Affair at StylesThe Secret Adversary

The Secret Adversary

Prologue

Chapter 1 — The Young Adventurers, Ltd

Chapter 2 — Mr. Whittington’s Offer

Chapter 3 — A Set Back

Chapter 4 — Who Is Jane Finn?

Chapter 5 — Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer

Chapter 6 — A Plan of Campaign

Chapter 7 — The House in Soho

Chapter 8 — The Adventures of Tommy

Chapter 9 — Tuppence Enters Domestic Service

Chapter 10 — Enter Sir James Peel Edgerton

Chapter 11 — Julius Tells a Story

Chapter 12 — A Friend in Need

Chapter 13 — The Vigil

Chapter 14 — A Consultation

Chapter 15 — Tuppence Receives a Proposal

Chapter 16 — Further Adventures of Tommy

Chapter 17 — Annette

Chapter 18 — The Telegram

Chapter 19 — Jane Finn

Chapter 20 — Too Late

Chapter 21 — Tommy Makes a Discovery

Chapter 22 — In Downing Street

Chapter 23 — A Race Against Time

Chapter 24 — Julius Takes a Hand

Chapter 25 — Jane’s Story

Chapter 26 — Mr. Brown

Chapter 27 — A Supper Party at the Savoy

Chapter 28 — And After

Prologue

It was 2 p.m. on the afternoon of May 7, 1915. The Lusitania had been struck by two torpedoes in succession and was sinking rapidly, while the boats were being launched with all possible speed. The women and children were being lined up awaiting their turn. Some still clung desperately to husbands and fathers; others clutched their children closely to their breasts. One girl stood alone, slightly apart from the rest. She was quite young, not more than eighteen. She did not seem afraid, and her grave, steadfast eyes looked straight ahead.

“I beg your pardon.”

A man’s voice beside her made her start and turn. She had noticed the speaker more than once amongst the first-class passengers. There had been a hint of mystery about him which had appealed to her imagination. He spoke to no one. If anyone spoke to him he was quick to rebuff the overture. Also he had a nervous way of looking over his shoulder with a swift, suspicious glance.

She noticed now that he was greatly agitated. There were beads of perspiration on his brow. He was evidently in a state of overmastering fear. And yet he did not strike her as the kind of man who would be afraid to meet death!

“Yes?” Her grave eyes met his inquiringly.

He stood looking at her with a kind of desperate irresolution.

“It must be!” he muttered to himself. “Yes — it is the only way.” Then aloud he said abruptly: “You are an American?”

“Yes.”

“A patriotic one?”

The girl flushed.

“I guess you’ve no right to ask such a thing! Of course I am!”

“Don’t be offended. You wouldn’t be if you knew how much there was at stake. But I’ve got to trust some one — and it must be a woman.”

“Why?”

“Because of ‘women and children first.’” He looked round and lowered his voice. “I’m carrying papers — vitally important papers. They may make all the difference to the Allies in the war. You understand? These papers have got to be saved! They’ve more chance with you than with me. Will you take them?”

The girl held out her hand.

“Wait — I must warn you. There may be a risk — if I’ve been followed. I don’t think I have, but one never knows. If so, there will be danger. Have you the nerve to go through with it?”

The girl smiled.

“I’ll go through with it all right. And I’m real proud to be chosen! What am I to do with them afterwards?”

“Watch the newspapers! I’ll advertise in the personal column of the Times, beginning ‘Shipmate.’ At the end of three days if there’s nothing — well, you’ll know I’m down and out. Then take the packet to the American Embassy, and deliver it into the Ambassador’s own hands. Is that clear?”

“Quite clear.”

“Then be ready — I’m going to say good-bye.” He took her hand in his. “Good-bye. Good luck to you,” he said in a louder tone.

Her hand closed on the oilskin packet that had lain in his palm.

The Lusitania settled with a more decided list to starboard. In answer to a quick command, the girl went forward to take her place in the boat.

Chapter 1 — The Young Adventurers, Ltd

“Tommy, old thing!”

“Tuppence, old bean!”

The two young people greeted each other affectionately, and momentarily blocked the Dover Street Tube exit in doing so. The adjective “old” was misleading. Their united ages would certainly not have totalled forty-five.

“Not seen you for simply centuries,” continued the young man. “Where are you off to? Come and chew a bun with me. We’re getting a bit unpopular here — blocking the gangway as it were. Let’s get out of it.”

The girl assenting, they started walking down Dover Street towards Piccadilly.

“Now then,” said Tommy, “where shall we go?”

The very faint anxiety which underlay his tone did not escape the astute ears of Miss Prudence Cowley, known to h...