John, A Love Story; vol. 1 of 2
Women in Love
Mardi - and A Voyage Thither, Vol. II
Battle for the Stars
Anne of Green Gables
The Poison Belt
The Secret Adversary is written by Agatha Christie, immediately after her most successful first crime novel "The Mysterious Affair at Styles". This novel moves around the key characters named Tommy and Tuppence and perhaps appears in five of the preceding novels of Agatha.
Thomas Bereford nicknamed Tommy is a young Englishman who participated in the Great War and wounded couple of times, now looking for generating income of his own. Prudence L Cowley, nicknamed Tuppence, a young women who was also serving the Great War. Tommy and Tuppence is now looking for their livelihood in the post war scenario. After frustrating days passed, they decided to form “Young Adventures Ltd” and advertise in the newspapers, that they can do anything for money, of course the advertisement enclose terms and conditions.
The rest of the story is narrated their way to landing into troubles, with lots of twists and turns in typical Agatha’s adventurous style. Though this novel may not be as good as her first novel, still it would a good food adventure readers.
END
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.
TOO LATE In the street they held an informal council of war. Sir James had drawn a watch from his pocket. “The boat train to Holyhead stops at Chester at 12.14. If you start at once I think you can ca…
TOMMY MAKES A DISCOVERY For a moment or two they stood staring at each other stupidly, dazed with the shock. Somehow, inexplicably, Mr. Brown had forestalled them. Tommy accepted defeat quietly. Not s…
IN DOWNING STREET The Prime Minister tapped the desk in front of him with nervous fingers. His face was worn and harassed. He took up his conversation with Mr. Carter at the point it had broken off. “…
A RACE AGAINST TIME After ringing up Sir James, Tommy’s next procedure was to make a call at South Audley Mansions. He found Albert discharging his professional duties, and introduced himself without …
JULIUS TAKES A HAND 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 took up…
JANE’S STORY Her arm through Jane’s, dragging her along, Tuppence reached the station. Her quick ears caught the sound of the approaching train. “Hurry up,” she panted, “or we’ll miss it.” They arri…
MR. BROWN Sir James’s words came like a bomb-shell. Both girls looked equally puzzled. The lawyer went across to his desk, and returned with a small newspaper cutting, which he handed to Jane. Tuppenc…
A SUPPER PARTY AT THE SAVOY The supper party given by Mr. Julius Hersheimmer to a few friends on the evening of the 30th will long be remembered in catering circles. It took place in a private room, a…
AND AFTER “That was a mighty good toast, Jane,” said Mr. Hersheimmer, as he and his cousin were being driven back in the Rolls-Royce to the Ritz . “The one to the joint venture?” “No—the one to you.…

W. Douglas Newton
Double Crossedbrings readers into a tense world of intrigue and shifting loyalt…
Read more

Robert Louis Stevenson
The Wreckeris another adventure novel by the duo ofRobert Louis StevensonandLlo…
Read more

Henry Fletcher
The North Shore Mysterydraws readers into a quiet coastal community where uneas…
Read more