# In Downing Street explained — The Secret Adversary > Chapter companion for The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie. ## What happens The Prime Minister and Mr. Carter discuss a letter from Tommy Beresford, who reveals his suspicion that the girl in Manchester was a plant and that he knows the real Jane Finn's identity and the location of the papers. Tommy requests that the house in Soho be watched and that the sealed envelope containing his guess not be opened until midnight on the 28th. Sir James Peel Edgerton arrives and shares details of his conversation with Tommy, including the discovery of a photograph in Julius Hersheimmer's drawer linking Annette to the case. Sir James hints that he knows the identity of the dead American found in New York and is working on the case behind the scenes. ## Themes in this chapter ### Patriotism and National Duty The Prime Minister and Mr. Carter prioritize the recovery of the secret treaty to protect national interests, reflecting a sense of duty overriding personal risk. ### Deception and Identity The chapter revolves around the revelation that the Manchester girl was a plant and the discovery of a photograph linking Annette to the case, underscoring the theme of mistaken and hidden identities. ### Loyalty and Friendship Tommy's determination to save Tuppence and his trust in Sir James and Mr. Carter highlight the bonds of loyalty among the protagonists. ## Character check-ins ### Tommy Beresford Writes a letter to Mr. Carter outlining his deductions about the Manchester plant, his knowledge of the real Jane Finn, and his plan to recover the papers. ### Mr. Carter Receives Tommy's letter and discusses its contents with the Prime Minister and Sir James Peel Edgerton, expressing trust in Tommy's judgment. ### Sir James Peel Edgerton Reveals his behind-the-scenes involvement, including advising Tommy and investigating the dead American from New York, whom he claims to have identified. ### Julius P. Hersheimmer Returns from Manchester to find a farewell letter from Tommy; he dismisses it as foolishness. ### Tuppence Cowley Mentioned as the subject of Tommy's concern; he believes she is alive and that her disappearance was a plant. ### Jane Finn Referenced as the real Jane Finn, whose identity Tommy claims to have deduced; her escape is anticipated as part of the enemy's plan. ## Key lines > Something's turned up that has given me a jar. Of course I may be simply making an awful ass of myself, but I don't think so. If my conclusions are right, that girl at Manchester was just a plant. Tommy writes that he has made a startling discovery: the woman in Manchester was a decoy, and he is confident in his reasoning despite feeling foolish. _Tommy's letter to Mr. Carter reveals his deduction about the Manchester plant._ > I want a repeat of that telegram that was sent to Tuppence at the Ritz. Sir James Peel Edgerton said you would be able to manage that for me. He's frightfully clever. Tommy requests a copy of the original telegram sent to Tuppence, crediting Sir James for the idea. _Tommy seeks the telegram to trace the deception._ > I asked him if the photograph bore the name and address of a Californian photographer. He replied: 'You're on to it, sir. It had.' Sir James recounts asking Tommy if the photograph had a California photographer's details, and Tommy confirmed it did. _Sir James's conversation with Tommy reveals the photograph's origin._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/xxii-in-downing-street - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_adversary_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters