The Secret Adversary [With ATOC]

The Secret Adversary is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie and first published in the United Kingdom by The Bodley Head in January 1922[1] and in the United States by Dodd, Mead and Company later in that same year. The UK edition retailed at seven shillings and sixpence (7/6) and the US edition at $1.75. The book introduces the characters of Tommy and Tuppence who feature in three other Christie books and one collection of short stories written throughout her writing career.

THE SECRET ADVERSARY


By Agatha Christie



TO ALL THOSE WHO LEAD
MONOTONOUS LIVES
IN THE HOPE THAT THEY MAY EXPERIENCE
AT SECOND HAND
THE DELIGHTS AND DANGERS OF
ADVENTURE




Contents

PROLOGUE
CHAPTER I. THE YOUNG ADVENTURERS, LTD.
CHAPTER II. MR. WHITTINGTON'S OFFER
CHAPTER III. A SET BACK
CHAPTER IV. WHO IS JANE FINN?
CHAPTER V. MR. JULIUS P. HERSHEIMMER
CHAPTER VI. A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN
CHAPTER VII. THE HOUSE IN SOHO
CHAPTER VIII. THE ADVENTURES OF TOMMY
CHAPTER IX. TUPPENCE ENTERS DOMESTIC SERVICE
CHAPTER X. ENTER SIR JAMES PEEL EDGERTON
CHAPTER XI. JULIUS TELLS A STORY
CHAPTER XII. A FRIEND IN NEED
CHAPTER XIII. THE VIGIL
CHAPTER XIV. A CONSULTATION
CHAPTER XV. TUPPENCE RECEIVES A PROPOSAL
CHAPTER XVI. FURTHER ADVENTURES OF TOMMY
CHAPTER XVII. ANNETTE
CHAPTER XVIII. THE TELEGRAM
CHAPTER XIX. JANE FINN
CHAPTER XX. TOO LATE
CHAPTER XXI. TOMMY MAKES A DISCOVERY
CHAPTER XXII. IN DOWNING STREET
CHAPTER XXIII. A RACE AGAINST TIME
CHAPTER XXIV. JULIUS TAKES A HAND
CHAPTER XXV. JANE'S STORY
CHAPTER XXVI. MR. BROWN
CHAPTER XXVII. A SUPPER PARTY AT THE SAVOY
CHAPTER XXVIII. 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...