by John Creasey
‘Ye-es,’ said the Marquis slowly.
Drusilla, standing between Brian and Palfrey, gripped a hand of each man; and each smiled. The woman of the cottage was insisting that Leah Gentry be put to bed, and consequently when the party left the cottage Leah was not with it. Clive joined them, and Bombarda was bundled into the car in which Stefan, Brian, Clive and Smith travelled. Palfrey and Drusilla were in the other car.
The streets were quieter nearer the casino. Lights continued to blaze, but there were no strains of music and no laughter from open windows. They looked into the bigger rooms, finding them deserted, although here and there braver spirits were outside the casino itself gazing about them curiously. The aircraft droning had ceased, evidence enough that the action was over.
José Fonesca, with Hermandes Bombarda, was in one of the bigger suites at the hotel, adjoining. The Marquis and Palfrey went in first, leaving the others with Vasca Bombarda. Palfrey found himself wondering what Hermandes would say when he heard the truth.
Clive came in a few seconds afterwards.
Fonesca stood up and smiled about him. He needed to support himself by putting a hand on the table and leaning heavily, but there was a hardier colour to his face, and little doubt that he would fully recover. His white hair rose up from his high forehead, and in his eyes there was a fire not so fanatical as Hermandes’, but bright nevertheless. Mingled with it was a humour which made Palfrey warm to the man.
‘And so, gentlemen!’ Fonesca uttered the English word carefully. ‘We are together, and we are successful. Thanks to the great efforts of my Party’ – his smile widened, grew positively roguish – ‘the Guarda Nationale finds itself without arms, without leaders, and with very few supporters. Admirable!’ He grew serious. ‘We need not hide words here. Señor Marquis, I shall never be able to thank you.’
Then he turned his eyes towards Palfrey, and said quietly: ‘Sometimes I think that we shall never know how much we owe you, señor.’
‘Oh, me?’ Palfrey mumbled. ‘Fiddlesticks, I just did my job. And only just! But there’s something else.’ He looked at Hermandes, cleared his throat, looked at the Marquis quietly.
‘You go ahead,’ said the Marquis quietly.
‘Thanks. Er—not good, in some ways. But you know, José, that there was a spy with us? Other than Labollier?’ Fonesca nodded, and Palfrey went on hesitantly: ‘Labollier was in London, but I did wonder whether he had betrayed Brian Debenham. You know what I mean?’ Another nod. ‘I wondered who else was in London. One man was—Vasca Bombarda.’
Hermandes stiffened, and his lips opened, but he made no comment.
‘There was a little monkey, too. Pretty little creature when you got to know him. Was transported by air from London to Orlanto. I thought once Leah Gentry had brought him, or someone I didn’t know. It wasn’t. Vasca did the job.’ He paused, and then said quietly: ‘Sorry about this, Hermandes.’
The Catanese said nothing.
‘Well, I didn’t see it,’ said Palfrey. ‘Even when the Marquis was attacked I wondered whether one of us had talked; but obviously Vasca and Hermandes also knew he was coming. We mentioned them, but were misled to think of Drusilla.’ He smiled a little, then went on in a firmer voice: I quite missed Vasca, until he came to visit us in prison. He had some dirt on his face and a few tears in his clothes, painted bruises, and a frantic manner. I began to wonder then, he was so darned anxious to find out what we were planning. He didn’t know, you see, the Marquis kept it entirely to himself. Very wise. So Vasca got nothing out of us, and went off and pretended to get himself shot. Then a queer thing happened. The little monkey came in, in the dickens of a stew. Chased up and down, and was obviously looking for his master. Someone who had been in the cell, I gathered - and that made it pretty clear who it was. That monkey has been loaned out to others, to relieve Vasca of suspicion and to get us confused. For a while it did. Eh, Clive?’
Hermandes sat quite still and expressionless.
‘You’ve worked that out well,’ said Clive appreciatively. ‘I’d discovered what he was doing, and tried to get word to you, but couldn’t manage it. I sent it by Leah, but she didn’t find Drusilla waiting.’ Clive smiled sardonically. ‘It didn’t make much odds, and Leah will be all right. But I think you ought to know, Palfrey, that I’m not altogether a soldier of fortune. American Intelligence Service. Leah is, too.’
Palfrey shrugged. I can’t be surprised at that.’
‘Señors’ said lose Fonesca very quietly, I understand the importance of these details to you, but—are you sure that Vasca Bombarda worked against me?’
‘Quite sure,’ said Palfrey simply. I wish I weren’t.’
Hermandes stood up very slowly, and pressed his hands against his forehead. He stood like that for some seconds, and then spoke in a high-pitched voice: ‘So it is true. Always I have been afraid that money would ruin my brother. For such treachery—’ He paused, and then looked at José. ‘There is only one payment, José Fonesca. I ask that I may see my brother, alone.’ José said: ‘Yes, Hermandes.’ ‘Is he here?’ Hermandes asked abruptly. ‘Outside,’ said the Marquis, ‘with the others.’
‘There is a room where I will see him,’ said Hermandes. He walked to the door and opened it slowly. They heard him call Vasca. Palfrey was able to see into the outer room, and watched the brothers go into an anteroom adjoining. Drusilla, Stefan and Smith also watched, and heard the door close. The rooms were very silent, until abruptly the silence was broken by the report of a shot. After a pause, Hermandes came out.
His face was deathly pale except for two spots of red on either cheek. He ignored the others but approached José, and put an automatic on the table in front of his leader.
‘Payment has been made,’ he said. ‘You will not want me now, José. You cannot trust me now. I shall, of course, leave you. I have been—’
José put forward a hand and gripped Hermandes’ firmly.
‘I shall need you, Hermandes. Together we have to build for the future. Don Salvos will not always be here, this Government will not always remain, and we shall play our part in the rebuilding of the world. An important part, Hermandes, and yours will be none the less because of what has happened. Courage, my friend! We have been through much together, and we will see much more.’
Hermandes stiffened, then bent down and raised José’s hand to his lips. Then he turned and went out; and upon the room a strange silence lay, until at last the Marquis spoke.
‘The future, José, yes. We’re all building for the future.’ He turned and beckoned the others, and they entered at once. He looked from one to the other and went on quietly: ‘I called you to work for the future, and this you have done, if in a way you hardly expected.’ There was no smile on his lips. ‘You know that you played a part of supreme importance: the Guarda knew that we were going to interfere, they had to think that they knew the main operatives. In some ways they did—I didn’t expect you to swing Don Salvos round, Palfrey, he was so strongly opposed to entering politics again.’ He stopped, and stood very erect, smiling a little then. ‘What matters is that it worked successfully, you kept them blinded to what was really happening.’
‘You didn’t let us see much,’ said Brian ruefully.
‘We saw enough, my friends,’ said Stefan. ‘Now we can say with satisfaction that we have finished, regretting much and mourning van Hoysen, but with the cause sustained.’ He contrasted strangely with the Marquis, and held their attention as he gave his slow smile and added: ‘And most of the people! What problems remain they must work out themselves. M’sieu le Marquis, I am under your orders and at your disposal.’
The Marquis said: ‘A rest first, Stefan, and then—there are people in occupied Europe we badly need, you know the names of some of them. A task for the future, with help from José and a safe sanctuary in Catania. You’ve a better chance than you th
ought earlier, but you won’t be starting yet.’
‘There is little time to lose,’ said Stefan.
‘No-o,’ said Palfrey, and gave his quick smile. ‘You want to put your head up again pretty soon. But a week or two in England first, I hope. Do we fly home, sir?’
‘Yes,’ said the Marquis. ‘I’m coming with you.’
‘Good work,’ said Brian briefly. Then: ‘Well, I’m for a night’s sleep.’
Stefan nodded, smiled, and looked at Smith.
‘A good idea,’ he said. ‘What?’
And even José chuckled.
Series Information
Published or to be published by
House of Stratus
Dates given are those of first publication
Alternative titles in brackets
'The Baron' (47 titles) (writing as Anthony Morton)
'Department 'Z'' (28 titles)
'Dr. Palfrey Novels' (34 titles)
'Gideon of Scotland Yard' (22 titles)
'Inspector West' (43 titles)
'Sexton Blake' (5 titles)
'The Toff' (59 titles)
along with:
The Masters of Bow Street
This epic novel embraces the story of the Bow Street Runners and the Marine Police, forerunners of the modern police force, who were founded by novelist Henry Fielding in 1748. They were the earliest detective force operating from the courts to enforce the decisions of magistrates. John Creasey's account also gives a fascinating insight into family life of the time and the struggle between crime and justice, and ends with the establishment of the Metropolitan Police after the passing of Peel's Act in 1829.
'The Baron' Series
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Meet the Baron (The Man in the Blue Mask) (1937)
The Baron Returns (The Return of the Blue Mask) (1937)
The Baron Again (Salute Blue Mask) (1938)
The Baron at Bay (Blue Mask at Bay) (1938)
Alias the Baron (Alias Blue Mask) (1939)
The Baron at Large (Challenge Blue Mask!) (1939)
Versus the Baron (Blue Mask Strikes Again) (1940)
Call for the Baron (Blue Mask Victorious) (1940)
The Baron Comes Back (1943)
A Case for the Baron (1945)
Reward for the Baron (1945)
Career for the Baron (1946)
Blood Diamond (The Baron and the Beggar) (1947)
Blame the Baron (1948)
A Rope for the Baron (1948)
Books for the Baron (1949)
Cry for the Baron (1950)
Trap the Baron (1950)
Attack the Baron (1951)
Shadow the Baron (1951)
Warn the Baron (1952)
The Baron Goes East (1953)
The Baron in France (1953)
Danger for the Baron (1953)
The Baron Goes Fast (1954)
Nest-Egg for the Baron (Deaf, Dumb and Blonde) (1954)
Help from the Baron (1955)
Hide the Baron (1956)
The Double Frame (Frame the Baron) (1957)
Blood Red (Red Eye for the Baron) (1958)
If Anything Happens to Hester (Black for the Baron) (1959)
Salute for the Baron (1960)
The Baron Branches Out (A Branch for the Baron) (1961)
The Baron and the Stolen Legacy (Bad for the Baron) (1962)
A Sword for the Baron (The Baron and the Mogul Swords) (1963)
The Baron on Board (The Mask of Sumi) (1964)
The Baron and the Chinese Puzzle (1964)
Sport for the Baron (1966)
Affair for the Baron (1967)
The Baron and the Missing Old Masters (1968)
The Baron and the Unfinished Portrait (1969)
Last Laugh for the Baron (1970)
The Baron Goes A-Buying (1971)
The Baron and the Arrogant Artist (1972)
Burgle the Baron (1973)
The Baron - King Maker (1975)
Love for the Baron (1979)
'Department Z' Novels
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
The Death Miser (1932)
Redhead (1934)
First Came a Murder (1934)
Death Round the Corner (1935)
The Mark of the Crescent (1935)
Thunder in Europe (1936)
The Terror Trap (1936)
Carriers of Death (1937)
Days of Danger (1937)
Death Stands By (1938)
Menace! (1938)
Murder Must Wait (1939)
Panic! (1939)
Death by Night (1940)
The Island of Peril (1940)
Sabotage (1941)
Go Away Death (1941)
The Day of Disaster (1942)
Prepare for Action (1942)
No Darker Crime (1943)
Dark Peril (1944)
The Peril Ahead (1946)
The League of Dark Men (1947)
The Department of Death (1949)
The Enemy Within (1950)
Dead or Alive (1951)
A Kind of Prisoner (1954)
The Black Spiders (1957)
Doctor Palfrey Novels
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Traitor's Doom (1942)
The Legion of the Lost (1943)
The Valley of Fear (The Perilous Country) (1943)
Dangerous Quest (1944)
Death in the Rising Sun (1945)
The Hounds of Vengeance (1945)
Shadow of Doom (1946)
The House of the Bears (1946)
Dark Harvest (1947)
The Wings of Peace (1948)
The Sons of Satan (1948)
The Dawn of Darkness (1949)
The League of Light (1949)
The Man Who Shook the World (1950)
The Prophet of Fire (1951)
The Children of Hate (The Killers of Innocence; The Children of Despair) (1952)
The Touch of Death (1954)
The Mists of Fear (1955)
The Flood (1956)
The Plague of Silence (1958)
Dry Spell (The Drought) (1959)
The Terror (1962)
The Depths (1963)
The Sleep (1964)
The Inferno (1965)
The Famine (1967)
The Blight (1968)
The Oasis (1970)
The Smog (1970)
The Unbegotten (1971)
The Insulators (1972)
The Voiceless Ones (1973)
The Thunder-Maker (1976)
The Whirlwind (1979)
Gideon Series
(Writing as JJ Marric)
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Gideon's Day (Gideon of Scotland Yard) (1955)
Seven Days to Death (Gideon's Week) (1956)
Gideon's Night (1957)
A Backwards Jump (Gideon's Month) (1958)
Thugs and Economies (Gideon's Staff) (1959)
Gideon Combats Influence (Gideon's Risk) (1960)
Gideon's Fire (1961)
A Conference for Assassins (Gideon's March) (1962)
Travelling Crimes (Gideon's Ride) (1963)
An Uncivilised Election (Gideon's Vote) (1964)
Criminal Imports (Gideon's Lot) (1965)
To Nail a Serial Killer (Gideon's Badge) (1966)
From Murder to a Cathedral (Gideon's Wrath) (1967)
Gideon's River (1968)
Darkness and Confusion (Gideon's Power) (1969)
Sport, Heat & Scotland Yard (Gideon's Sport) (1970)
Gideon's Art (1971)
No Relaxation at Scotland Yard (Gideon's Men) (1972)
Impartiality Against the Mob (Gideon's Press) (1973)
Not Hidden by the Fog (Gideon's Fog) (1975)
> Good and Justice (Gideon's Drive) (1976)
Vigilantes & Biscuits (Gideon's Force) (1978)
Inspector West Series
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Inspector West Takes Charge (1942)
Go Away to Murder (Inspector West Leaves Town) (1943)
An Apostle of Gloom (Inspector West At Home) (1944)
Inspector West Regrets (1945)
Holiday for Inspector West (1946)
Battle for Inspector West (1948)
The Case Against Paul Raeburn (Triumph for Inspector West) (1948)
Inspector West Kicks Off (Sport for Inspector West) (1949)
Inspector West Alone (1950)
Inspector West Cries Wolf (The Creepers) (1950)
The Figure in the Dusk (A Case for Inspector West) (1951)
The Dissemblers (Puzzle for Inspector West) (1951)
The Case of the Acid Throwers (The Blind Spot; Inspector West at Bay) (1952)
Give a Man a Gun (A Gun for Inspector West) (1953)
Send Inspector West (1953)
So Young, So Cold, So Fair (A Beauty for Inspector West; The Beauty Queen Killer) (1954)
Murder Makes Haste (Inspector West Makes Haste; The Gelignite Gang; Night of the Watchman) (1955)
Murder: One, Two, Three (Two for Inspector West) (1955)
Death of a Postman (Parcels for Inspector West) (1956)
Death of an Assassin (A Prince for Inspector West) (1956)
Hit and Run (Accident for Inspector West) (1957)
The Trouble at Saxby's (Find Inspector West; Doorway to Death) (1957)
Murder, London - New York (1958)
Strike for Death (The Killing Strike) (1958)
Death of a Racehorse (1959)
The Case of the Innocent Victims (1959)
Murder on the Line (1960)
Death in Cold Print (1961)
The Scene of the Crime (1961)
Policeman's Dread (1962)
Hang the Little Man (1963)