The Secret Service Cover

Partners in Crime

This flow follows the agency's dual life as a public detective business and a covert channel for exposing foreign agents.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Carter's Proposal Carter's Proposal from "Partners in Crime". Carter's Proposal A Departmental Need Mr. Carter offers Tommy a leave of absence and a ready-made detective agency.

Carter's Proposal from "Partners in Crime". Carter's Proposal A Departmental Need Mr. Carter offers Tommy a leave of absence and a ready-made detective agency.

Carter's Proposal A Departmental Need Mr. Carter offers Tommy a leave of absence and a ready-made detective agency. Its former manager has been detained, leaving a useful identity available. A Hidden Purpose The public business will attract clients while helping the Secret Service monitor Russian correspondence and suspicious visitors. Tuppence sees adventure where Tommy sees operational risk.

The Russian Letter The Russian Letter from "Partners in Crime". The Russian Letter A Coded Contact A blue Russian stamp letter arrives under the name of a supposed ham merchant seeking his wife.

The Russian Letter from "Partners in Crime". The Russian Letter A Coded Contact A blue Russian stamp letter arrives under the name of a supposed ham merchant seeking his wife.

The Russian Letter A Coded Contact A blue Russian stamp letter arrives under the name of a supposed ham merchant seeking his wife. Carter's instructions make the stamp itself a key to the hidden message. A Watched Office The letter links the agency's everyday post to an international network. The Beresfords must preserve evidence while avoiding premature exposure.

A False Detective A False Detective from "Partners in Crime". A False Detective The Bower Story A visitor calling himself Dr. Charles Bower describes stolen poison notes and invites Tommy to a nighttime meeting.

A False Detective from "Partners in Crime". A False Detective The Bower Story A visitor calling himself Dr. Charles Bower describes stolen poison notes and invites Tommy to a nighttime meeting.

A False Detective The Bower Story A visitor calling himself Dr. Charles Bower describes stolen poison notes and invites Tommy to a nighttime meeting. Tuppence recognizes the story as an implausible lure. The Countermove Inspector Dymchurch appears to offer official help, but he is part of the same trap. His betrayal reveals that the enemy understands the agency's cover.

The Office Trap The Office Trap from "Partners in Crime". The Office Trap Tommy Captured Tommy is bound in his own office while the gang searches for the letter.

The Office Trap from "Partners in Crime". The Office Trap Tommy Captured Tommy is bound in his own office while the gang searches for the letter.

The Office Trap Tommy Captured Tommy is bound in his own office while the gang searches for the letter. The impostor threatens him and demands that Tuppence bring the document. Tuppence's Counterplay She has already sent the original onward and arrives with an empty envelope. Inspector Marriot's team uses the meeting to arrest the conspirators.

No. 16 Arrives No. 16 Arrives from "Partners in Crime". No. 16 Arrives Recognition by Password A disguised agent enters as Prince Vladiroffsky and tests Tommy with the established phrases.

No. 16 Arrives from "Partners in Crime". No. 16 Arrives Recognition by Password A disguised agent enters as Prince Vladiroffsky and tests Tommy with the established phrases.

No. 16 Arrives Recognition by Password A disguised agent enters as Prince Vladiroffsky and tests Tommy with the established phrases. Tommy answers correctly, buying the department a chance to follow him. The Cost of Deception The spy anticipates surveillance, escapes in disguise, and takes Tuppence. The hidden operation becomes a personal emergency rather than merely a professional contest.

Opening chapter

After the office begins operating

That same afternoon

That evening

Final case, near the ending