Dennis Wheatley - Duke de Richleau 06
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Jan himself took up the story with a broad grin. ‘I was evacuated from Rumania on the 2nd. They sent us by rail to Athens and then by ship to England. I got there on the 13th. The Duke had written Sir Pellinore Gwain Cust’s name and address on the back of the option, so I took it to him. The British Government completed the deal by taking the option up on the 16th. Sir Pellinore was kind enough to get me an air passage out to Istanbul on a plane leaving that night. But as the Duke had sworn me to secrecy I didn’t feel that I could tell even the girls anything, except that, having been evacuated with the Polish Air Force, I’d had to go on a pretty long round trip before I could rejoin them.’
Then we’ve pulled it off after all!’ exclaimed Richard.
‘Yes,’ nodded Jan. ‘Ninety per cent of Hitler’s oil will be cut off now unless he decides to invade Rumania, or there is after all a coup d’etat and a new Rumanian Government decide to hand their country over to him. They would commandeer the barges then, but as long as Rumania remains free and neutral we have enabled the British Government to stop all the traffic going up the Danube.’
‘But—er—these copies of the option.’ Simon stared at the Duke. ‘How did you get hold of them? When were they made?’
The nurse opened the door of the sitting-room and looked in. I’m afraid I must ask you to go now,’ she said. ‘You’ve had much more than your five minutes.’
As they stood up the Duke gave a little chuckle. That was the thing I had in mind when I sent you back to the Peppercorn to get some sleep, Simon. I had no chance to tell you about it the following morning, but I had taken the precaution of digging a photographer out of bed and making him photostat the Golden Fleece for us.
‘It’s so good that all six of us—no, we’re seven now—should be safe and together again. Blessings on you all. Good night.’
Table of Contents
CODEWORD—GOLDEN FLEECE
1 - Storm Clouds on the Horizon
2 - The Secret Rendezvous
3 - Coffin for ‘Uncle’
4 - A Traitor’s Price
5 - Pistols are Drawn
6 - The Hold-up
7 - Night in the Quiet Forest
8 - Night in the Stricken City
9 - The Indomitable Four go to War
10 - The Man-Hunt
11 - Toujours d’Audace
12 - Death in the Afternoon
13 - Midnight Visitors
14 - The Ambuscade
15 - Street Battle
16 - And They Wept Bitterly
17 - Unequal Combat
18 - Under Suspicion
19 - Prison Bars
20 - Race Against Time
21 - Old Soldiers Never Die