Famous Detectives On Christmas Duty - Ultimate Murder Mysteries for Holidays. Эдгар Аллан По
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       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

       Table of Contents

      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. СКАЧАТЬ