t cannot be a fake.
No girl could deceive ME!...

"...The 29th.... That is very soon...." Mr. Carter paused.

"I will not read the details of the coup that was planned. But there are
just two small entries that refer to the three of you. In the light of
what happened they are interesting.

"... By inducing the girl to come to me of her own accord, I have
succeeded in disarming her. But she has intuitive flashes that might be
dangerous.... She must be got out of the way.... I can do nothing with
the American. He suspects and dislikes me. But he cannot know. I fancy
my armour is impregnable.... Sometimes I fear I have underestimated
the other boy. He is not clever, but it is hard to blind his eyes to
facts...."

Mr. Carter shut the book.

"A great man," he said. "Genius, or insanity, who can say?"

There was silence.

Then Mr. Carter rose to his feet.

"I will give you a toast. The Joint Venture which has so amply justified
itself by success!"

It was drunk with acclamation.

"There's something more we want to hear," continued Mr. Carter. He
looked at the American Ambassador. "I speak for you also, I know. We'll
ask Miss Jane Finn to tell us the story that only Miss Tuppence has
heard so far--but before we do so we'll drink her health. The health of
one of the bravest of America's daughters, to whom is due the thanks and
gratitude of two great countries!"

CHAPTER XXVIII. 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. There isn't another girl in the world who could
have carried it through as you did. You were just wonderful!"

Jane shook her head.

"I don't feel wonderful. At heart I'm just tired and lonesome--and
longing for my own country."

"That brings me to something I wanted to say. I heard the Ambassador
telling you his wife hoped you would come to them at the Embassy right
away. That's good enough, but I've got another plan. Jane--I want you to
marry me! Don't get scared and say no at once. You can't love me right
away, of course, that's impossible. But I've loved you from the very
moment I set eyes on your photo--and now I've seen you I'm simply crazy
about you! If you'll only marry me, I won't worry you any--you shall
take your own time. Maybe you'll never come to love me, and if that's
the case I'll manage to set you free. But I w