The Dolores star., 1923-09-07

uS 10 hiS real peTbOnhilty. II IL 70
ported that even his own followers
are ignorant of 1t. Where we have
come across his tracks, he has always
played secondary part. Somebody
else assumes the chief role. But after
ward we always find that there has
been some nonentity, servant or q
clerk, who has remained in the back
ground unnoticed. and that the elusive
MIR. Brown has escaped us once more"
"Oh" Tuppence jumped. Il Won
der"
"Yes?"
81 remember in Mr.. Whittington's
office. The clerk he called him
Brown. You don't think"
Carter nodded thoughtfully. "Can
you describe him at ALP
Il really didn't notice. He was quite
ordlnary-just like anyone else"
Mr.. Carter sighed in his tired man
ner.
THAT Is the invarlable description
of Mr.. Brown! Brought telephone
message to the man Wilmington, did
he? Notice Il telephone in the outer
officer"
mo, I don't think / did"
Exactly. That message was Mr..
Browns way of giving an order to
his subordinate. He overheard the
whole conversation of course Was 1t
after that that Wilmington handed
you over the money. and told you to
come the following dayT"
Tuppence nodded.
"Yes, undoubtedly the hand of Mr..
Brown" Mr.. Carter paused. "WelI,
there 1t Is, you see what you are pit
ting yourselves against? Possibly the
finest criminal brain of the age.
don't quite like it, you know. You're
such young things, both Of you.
shouldn't like anything to happen to
you"
1T won't" Tuppence assured him
positively.
I'll look after her, SIR" said
Tommy.
"And I'll look after you," retorted
Tuppence, resenting the manly as
sertlon.
"Well. then, look after each other"
said Mr.. Carter. smiling. "Now let's
sNs ooNh " pooihCSS. 1Hclc .
thing mysterious about this draft
treaty that we haven't fathomed yet.
We've been threatened with tin
plain and unmistakable terms. The
revolutionary element as good as de-
clare It's in their hands, and that they
Intend to produce 1t at given mo-
ment. On the other hand, they are
clearly at fault about many of Its pro-
visions. The government considers
1t as mere bluff on their part, and.
rightly or wrongly, have stuck to the
policy Of absolute denial. I'm not so
sure. There have been hints, indis-
Greet illusions, that seem to Indicate
that the menace Is a real one. The
position is much as though they had
got hold Of an discriminating docu-
ment, but couldn't read 1t because 1t
was In cipher-but we know that the
draft treaty wasn't in cipher-couldn't
be, in the nature Of thIngs-so that
won't wash. But there's something.
OF course, Jane Finn may be dead for
all we know-but I don't think SO.
The curious thing Is that they're try
ing to get information about the girl
from u.s."
"What7"
Eyes. One or two little things have
cropped up. And your story, little
lady confirms my idea. They know
we're looking for Jane Finn. Well,
they'll produce a Jane Finn of their
own-say at a penslonnat In Paris"
Tuppence gasped, and Mr.. Carter
smiled. mo one knows in the least
what she looks like, so that's all right.
She's primed with trumped-up tale,
and her real business Is to get as
much information as possible out of
US. See the idea?"
"Then you thlnk"-Tuppence paused
to grasp the supposition fully-"that
1t was as Jane Finn that they wanted
me to go to Pars?"
Mr.. Carter smiled more wearily
than ever.
Il believe in condolences, you
know" he said.