The Secret Adversary

Name: The Secret Adversary
Author: Agatha Christie

by Agatha Christie

Pages: about 273
Category: Literature & Fiction
Language: English
Reading time: 5 h at 250 wpm

Start readingThe whole book, as cards or one word at a time. 2.8 h at 450 wpm in Read mode.

From the opening

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

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The Secret Adversary

From the opening

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