# Mr. Carter — The Secret Adversary character guide

> Mr. Carter in The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Carter

**First appearance:** 0006-iv-who-is-jane-finn

## Snapshot

A weary-eyed government spymaster who borrows his cousin's house for unofficial work, and quietly hands two unemployed youths the case of a missing girl.

## Who they are

Mr. Carter moves through Whitehall with the tired manner of a man who has seen too many secrets go wrong, yet he still believes in luck and in curious young people. When Tommy recognizes him from Intelligence work in France, Carter trades his anonymity for their story, then offers expenses, a moderate screw, and one instruction: find Jane Finn. He matters because he turns the Young Adventurers from a joke into an operation, and because his refusal to explain who Jane Finn is keeps the mystery breathing.

## Relationships

### [Tuppence Cowley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/tuppence_cowley)

_professional_

British intelligence officer who recruits and coordinates Tuppence's undercover work.

### [Tommy Beresford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/tommy_beresford)

_professional_

Intelligence handler who gives Tommy missions and provides resources for the investigation.

### [Tuppence Cowley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/tuppence_cowley)

_professional_

British intelligence officer who recruits and coordinates Tuppence's undercover work.

### [Tommy Beresford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/tommy_beresford)

_professional_

Intelligence handler who gives Tommy missions and provides resources for the investigation.

### [Tuppence Cowley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/tuppence_cowley)

_professional_

British intelligence officer who recruits and coordinates Tuppence's undercover work.

### [Tommy Beresford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/tommy_beresford)

_professional_

Intelligence handler who gives Tommy missions and provides resources for the investigation.

## In the story

### [IV: Who Is Jane Finn?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/iv-who-is-jane-finn)

Mr. Carter, a former Intelligence officer, reveals the secret of Jane Finn and the missing treaty, and hires Tommy and Tuppence to find her.

### [Mr. Julius P. Hersheimmer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/v-mr-julius-p-hersheimmer)

The mysterious government official who hires Tommy and Tuppence; provides funds and information but warns of no official recognition.

### [VI: A Plan of Campaign](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/vi-a-plan-of-campaign)

Provides Tuppence with the list of Lusitania survivors and other information.

### [IX: Tuppence Enters Domestic Service](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/ix-tuppence-enters-domestic-service)

Mr. Carter sends Tuppence a letter of congratulations and warnings, along with advice on how to pose as a former V.A.D. worker to minimize suspicion.

### [Annette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/xvii-annette)

Arrives at the house after Tommy's escape, debriefs Tommy, and comments on the situation.

### [Tommy Makes a Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/xxi-tommy-makes-a-discovery)

Receives Tommy's report of failure, confirms the treaty is lost, and delivers the devastating news of Tuppence's apparent death.

### [In Downing Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/xxii-in-downing-street)

Receives Tommy's letter and discusses its contents with the Prime Minister and Sir James Peel Edgerton, expressing trust in Tommy's judgment.

### [XXIII: A Race Against Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/xxiii-a-race-against-time)

Mentioned as the source of Tommy's understanding of the political situation.

### [XXVII: A Supper Party at the Savoy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/chapters/xxvii-a-supper-party-at-the-savoy)

Reads from Sir James's diary and reflects on the narrow escape from national disaster.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters/mr_carter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_secret_adversary_se/characters