The Baron Goes East
Page 19
Lorna said chokily: “We’ll manage.”
“You are lying,” said the Maharajah. “No one went out with a message.”
“Oh yes. Over the hills. The passes through the mountains were blocked, but there are tracks which a man on a donkey can use.” He turned to the others. “I’d have tried to stall without letting Kalda know what I knew if it hadn’t been for the blocked passes. He’d get word from there as soon as the police arrived in force, and have time to get rid of us. So he’s better staying with us than outside, able to give orders for our quick despatch by dacoits, and able to get rid of the cocaine. We’ll wait. The police will come in good time, and – there’s the way out! Satisfied, van Groot?”
The Dutchman began to smile.
“Very good,” he said. “Very good. Now I know that what I hear about you is true. I did not like it when you arrived. Always, they say, you bring trouble. I like your kind of trouble. It is a good way out. I will wait.”
“You’ll have to,” Petter said dryly. “How do we get below, John?”
“Shift the table first,” said Mannering. “I—”
He broke off. There were sounds outside, but the door didn”T open. A man called out softly, then more loudly, in the language of Ganpore. The Maharajah took a step forward.
“Talk to him through the door,” Mannering said.
“It is Rudra Patel.”
“Fine,” said Mannering. “Tell him to talk in English.”
The Maharajah said thinly: “Mannering, you will not succeed, and when I have turned the tables—”
Mannering called: “Rudra, can you hear me?”
After a moment, Patel’s son called back: “Yes, yes, but I must talk to His Highness.”
“Through the door, and in English.”
“This is private, personal.”
“So is the gun in the Maharajah’s back,” said Mannering.
“Gun!”
“In his back.”
The Maharajah said steadily: “What is it, Rudra?”
“Highness—” The man outside seemed to choke. “We—must hurry. There is an aeroplane full of police arriving at the airport. From Bombay. I have just had a telephone call telling me that it left yesterday, with—with Prince Jagat also on board.”
Mannering was surprised at the extent of his own relief.
“I’ll say we must hurry,” said Petter. “The police can’t get here soon enough for us. John, did you fix this?”
“It’s just a little of my everyday luck,” Mannering said.
Kana had come himself, with a high Government official, and all the men required to enforce the law in Ganpore.
Jagat was with them. Rudra’s information had been accurate. Jagat, looking pale and haggard and much older than his years, was present when his father was formally arrested. Kalda neither looked nor spoke to his son. Three senior policemen took the Maharajah out of the palace, where he would be taken straight to the aerodrome. Jagat went up the stairs to the window and looked along the drive as his father was driven off in his own car.
Mannering and old Kana went slowly up the stairs after him. The detective, dressed in his western clothes, was frowning as if troubled. Downstairs, the Americans and van Groot were talking excitedly.
Lorna followed the other two up the stairs.
The car disappeared.
Jagat turned away, and there were tears in his eyes. He fought them back, looked at Kana, raised his hands and said huskily: “So I have betrayed him.”
“It was right, my son,” said Kana gently. “It was right. Your good friend Mannering was here and able to stop what might have been a great slaughter. Had that happened and the truth came out, the name of Kalda and Ganpore would stink in the nostrils of man. You have a chance to work for the state. In the aircraft you told me that was what you wanted. Has it stopped being true?”
Jagat said: “No. No, it is true.”
“Of course,” said Kana. “Also, you make a poor liar, my son. Isn’t that so, Mannering?”
Mannering asked: “What happened to you, Jagat? Why were you kidnapped? What message were you to bring for me?”
“But I tried to tell you.” The youth spoke as he looked towards the window again. “On my father’s orders, I was to tell you that we did not trust Phiroshah. I did trust him. I am in love with Shani. I know both Shani and her father well; I have no doubt of their honesty.
“I suspected what was being planned, and I had seen cocaine in my father’s strong-room.
“I could not bring myself to tell you what I thought, but gave you some clues. I told you what my father instructed, but tried to warn you not to obey. You understood that?” He was suddenly eager.
Mannering smiled.
“You did it well; we’ll always be grateful. The kidnapping—”
“Of Jagat, because Shani could not be taken alone,” said the detective quietly. “Of Shani—I am not sure, but I think I can guess.”
Jagat said: “It was because of Shani that I came to you, Mr. Kana. Shani was kidnapped because my father began to fear Phiroshah might begin to suspect the truth. I had to help her. And there was more. If you saw, as I have seen, the harm done by drugs here in India. If you knew the misery that they inflict, the way in which it worsens a situation already so bad that few of us can see how to improve it—”
Jagat broke off.
“All is well, my son,” said Kana. He smiled at Mannering, turned to Lorna, although until then he hadn’t shown that he knew she was present. “Shani is safe. We found her in the caves at the lakes. All members of the Patel family have been arrested. There is one other thing that will interest you, Mannering.” He gripped Mannering’s arm. “Phiroshah will recover. He is a most remarkable young old man!”
Three weeks later, Lorna sat on a couch in a room at the Taj Mahal Hotel, with a sketch pad on her knees and her pencil idle in her fingers. Mannering looked as if he were dozing, in a long chair. He opened his eyes, and Lorna said: “Like a drink?”
“Obstinate woman. Yes, please. Just shout ‘Amu’ and he’ll know what you want at this time of the afternoon.”
Lorna called: “Amu!”
The door opened, and Amu asked promptly: “Tea for the memsahib?”
“Please, Amu.”
“At once.” Amu withdrew, closing the door quietly.
Mannering laughed.
“Seen enough?” he asked.
“Not nearly enough,” said Lorna. “I can close my eyes and see the Taj Mahal and the red forts and the mosques and the beauty and the ugliness, the history and the mystery. It hurts too much when they’re close together. I don’t want to stay any longer, but I’m glad we came.”
“And tomorrow we leave,” said Mannering.
“Are you satisfied?”
Mannering said: “I feel rather like you do. At least Phiroshah has taken a new lease of life; Shani’s happy; Jagat isn’t letting things get him down too much, I’m told. I turned in that necklace I took from Patel’s house – an anonymous present to the police – so my conscience is clear. By the way, a wedding present will soon be due. Mind if I make a suggestion?”
“You don’t often hesitate.”
“I don’t often make this kind. Paint Shani for them.”
Lorna’s eyes kindled.
“Done!” said Mannering. He saw the door open and went on: “Ah, here’s tea.”
“It wasn’t tea, but Phiroshah. He bowed at the door and then came forward slowly, smiling, looking more ancient than ever but with the light of peace in his eyes. He shook hands, and Mannering pushed up a pouf for him.
“Thank you, my friend. I came myself, because I was so pleased at what I have just heard. From Jagat.” His eyes were shining. “My daughter is indeed fortunate, and I can say that I
have a true son.”
The others waited.
“Yes,” said Phiroshah, “Jagat will be worthy, whatever he does. He sends the news I have for you. He is to sell all the jewels he inherits and use the money for social work in Ganpore. He will turn the palace into living quarters for hundreds of families, and he and Shani will live in a small house nearby. But that isn’t what he asks me to tell you. He would like you to dispose of the jewels. You will, I’m sure.”
Mannering murmured: “Why not you?”
“Oh, my friend, I am too old to worry any more about business,” said Phiroshah gently. “I told you, I shall sell out soon. You will accept?”
“Gladly. And – thanks.”
“Listen to him,” said Phiroshah. “He is thanking me. What nonsense he can talk!” He smiled at Lorna, then looked back at Mannering, beginning to frown. “There is one thing which may have puzzled you, Mannering. It did me, for a while. The murder of my sons. The true Bundi killed Yusuf in New York. Misguided zealots, who could blame them? Also they stole those jewels in England, tried to rob you of the blue diamond. But—Ali—Ali, my beloved son. I have the truth of that, now. He was not attacked by dacoits on the way to the Maharajah. He reached the palace safely – and saw enough there to guess what was being planned. He was attacked when leaving the palace, not going to it – and not by dacoits. Did you see the truth about Ali, Mannering?”
“It started me doubting the Maharajah of Ganpore,” Mannering said quietly. “Would thieves leave a dying man with a diamond?”
“You see, I am getting old,” said Phiroshah. He glanced at the door, as Amu came in with the tea. “Ah! And here is a drink fit for an old one.”
The old Hindu smiled at Lorna, as he would at Shani and his sons.
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
(Writi
ng 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)