by Griff Hosker
“And I am Carl Philip Gottfried von Clausewitz.” I saw the smile begin to appear on Sharp’s face at the mouthful of a name but I gave a slight shake of my head. If he was a von then he was aristocracy and I knew just how seriously aristocrats like this one took themselves.
“I am pleased to meet you. What were you doing in such a dangerous part of the city?”
“I am studying at the military academy in Prussia, the Kriegsakademie, and I was anxious to discover the secrets of this fine fortress.”
“Surely that would have been better in daylight?”
He nodded, “I began my examination in daylight but I was so fascinated that I lost track of time and I lost my bearings. I asked those soldiers for directions and they led me to the place where you found me.” He drank some of the wine and shook his head. “It has shaken my faith in soldiers.”
I laughed, “They weren’t soldiers. They were criminals who have avoided jail.”
He gave me a shrewd look. “You have been a soldier. You handled yourself well back there.”
I smiled, “Yes I was a soldier but now I sell wine.”
It was his turn to laugh. “That I find hard to believe.”
“But it is true. Besides, peace must come soon.”
Von Clausewitz leaned forwards and spoke quietly, “Do not believe that my friend. I have been sent here by General Von Scharnhorst himself for he wishes to know about the defences of this land.”
I was taken aback. “Are you not being indiscreet telling me this?”
He laughed, “Oh no. The commander here knows I have been sent by the General; they are old friends. There is nothing untoward but if someone decides to invade Austria then this is the best route.” He gave an embarrassed laugh, “The General has great faith in my plans. If Austria is attacked then we will help them against this greedy Emperor.”
This was news indeed. If a lowly student of military matters suspected this then perhaps the French Army was heading towards disaster. “Aren’t you a little old to be still studying?”
“I served in the war against France when I was young. I realised then that the more I could learn about war the better.”
“Well we had better escort you back to your hotel.”
“There is no need. It is only across the square and I will not be surprised again.” He stood and gave a formal nod. “Gentlemen, I am in your debt. Honour demands that I repay the favour. If you ever need anything then do not hesitate to seek me out.”
I shook his hand. “Think nothing of it. It was our pleasure. It gave us both a bit of unexpected excitement.”
As we watched him cross the square I did not realise that our paths would cross again. We were not just ships passing in the night.
Chapter 5
We left Ulm and headed towards the Danube. We were not in Austria proper; this was Bavaria but it was controlled by the mighty Austrian Empire. As we headed down the main road, built by the Romans, towards Augsburg and Munich we saw clear evidence of the Imperial Army. It was only at troop and battalion strength but it was evidence that the Austrian Emperor was preparing for whatever Napoleon Bonaparte could throw at him. We used the same system we had around the Pas de Calais when we had spied on the French invasion plans. Sharp used a stick which he marked to identify foot, horse, artillery and fortresses. I had a thin sheet which I overlaid on our map and we marked the positions of the units and defences each night.
Leaving the ancient medieval town of Augsburg we trotted down the snow flecked road towards Munich. As I rode I thought about my position. I was obeying orders but I felt like a traitor and yet I had neither affiliation nor allegiance to Austria. I suspect it was something in my blood which caused me to feel that I was being dishonourable. I just hoped that the information I took back to England would be worth the dishonour I now felt.
Munich was the most formidable place we had seen hitherto. It was old and here I saw cannon which could match those of the British although the French guns were better. The gunners, too, looked more efficient. We found accommodation and stabling close to the Ratskeller. This was the busiest part of the city and the one where we would attract the least attention.
The defences of the city were impressive as were the troops based there. I saw at least two good cavalry regiments. Strategically this was a much more important city than Ulm or Augsburg for it controlled the river approach to Vienna. However, I was sure that the Emperor’s cannons might be able to destroy the ancient city walls. They looked to be medieval in nature. Artillery was in Bonaparte’s blood
Sergeant Sharp was enjoying the food in Bavaria. Munich was filled with beer halls and they all served sausages with sauerkraut and pickles. It suited Alan far more than the food we had eaten in France. I noticed that Sergeant Sharp was not so much eating as devouring his food. “You look as though you are enjoying that Sharp.”
“I am sir. This is proper food. It fills a man up. And as for the beer… it is the best I have had since England. No offence, sir, but the food that we ate in France was not a patch on this.”
I smiled, “No offence taken.”
Suddenly a major of the Austrian Cuirassiers was in our face. He spoke perfect English. “You have been in France? Where are your papers?”
He was with some junior officers and I saw suspicion written all over their faces. I took out the letter identifying me as Robert Alpini and I smiled. “Yes we visited there during the Peace of Amiens. Luckily we left before war was declared or we would have been interned along with our friends.”
I could see that I had not convinced him and he clung on to the document. I was not worried; we had spares in our bags.
“And what were you doing in France?”
“What I am trying to do here; sell fine wine from Sicily, lemons and olives.”
The sneer erupted across his face. “We need no such things in Austria. You are wasting your time! But what is an Englishman doing selling Italian wine?”
“My family has Italian connections. Is that a problem?” I was beginning to tire of the attitude of this Austrian officer. Perhaps I was more tired than I realised.
Sharp must have sensed that I was losing my temper and he spoke quickly. “You would be surprised, sir. Many women actually prefer wine to beer. Now as for me I can’t get enough of your beer and the food is the best I have eaten. I suppose it is all a matter of taste isn’t it?”
His smile was disarming and the major’s face softened slightly. “You have a good servant there with excellent taste. I would suggest you leave this city as soon as possible. If people knew of your French connections they may take matters into their own hands.”
“Thank you for your advice and we were leaving tomorrow anyway.”
“Good for if I see you again I will take you for questioning!” He rejoined his comrades and we finished our food as soon as possible.
I heard laughter as we left. I think they thought that we were beating a cowardly retreat. They could think what they liked but when Napoleon Bonaparte arrived many of those arrogant young men would lie dead in Munich’s streets.
Once in our room Sharp could not apologise enough. “I am sorry, sir. Me and my big mouth! I was too relaxed I think. I forgot what we were about.”
“It is not your fault Sharp. I should have been more discreet too. We have learned our lesson and from now on we frequent quieter establishments without senior officers.”
We managed to avoid being seen on our way to Vienna. The weather rapidly deteriorated as deep winter set in. The snow fell thicker and the temperature plummeted. I was grateful to see the huge capital of the Hapsburg Empire appear in the distance. We had reached the end of our outward journey.
The old Imperial city was built to impress. There were wide avenues and huge buildings. The military here were the best that Austria had. This was where their elite regiments were based as well as their generals and planners. I hoped that we would learn much from our visit. We quickly found a small inn where our exhausted hors
es could be stabled. I intended to stay but two nights before we headed back. We had pushed our luck but I needed our horses to be able to get us out of trouble quickly.
The owner was quite helpful and told us of the better shops which might be willing to stock our wines. Whilst riding from Munich I had decided that we needed to establish our story before we started spying. The interrogation by the major had put me on my guard. Besides it would be just as easy to observe the city while visiting shops as wandering around looking suspicious.
Our hotel was close to the cathedral and also some of the better shops. Had I actually been after new business I would have been quite successful. As it was, by noon we had six addresses noted in Sharp’s ledger which wanted more information about the products and samples. That done we headed towards the barracks and the defences of the city.
Surprisingly it was not as formidable as either Ulm or Munich. The river formed one barrier and there was a city wall. It was just too large a city to defend. An attacker could choose his point of attack and would outnumber those defending the walls. As we walked from one end to the other I realised that this would be an easier target for the Emperor than the others we had seen. In fact, with a fast moving corps he could probably take the city before the Austrians knew he was there.
Perhaps we tarried too long too close to the defences for I was aware that we were being followed. Had we sped up it would alerted our pursuers. We were, after all, business men and not soldiers attuned to danger. I had to force myself to walk slowly and to peer in shop windows. I was delighted when I found a small shop selling wines. I took the opportunity to enter.
The owner was a small man and, from his headgear, a Jew. “Good morning sir, how can I be of assistance to you?”
I smiled and became the business man. “It is more what I can do for you, sir. I represent the Alpini family of Sicily and we are hoping to begin exporting fine wines, lemons and olive oil to your fair city.” I waved an expansive hand around the interior of the shop where the shelves were packed with bottles. “I can see that you already stock some fine wares and so I will offer to send you a sample of each of our products.”
He smiled, “That is most generous of you. I believe I have heard of your wines. It is a pity that you did not bring samples.”
I spread my arms, “We did but unfortunately they were damaged in the Tyrol.”
“Ah.” He searched in his desk and brought out a sheet of paper. “Here is my address. It will save your servant having to write it out.”
“Thank you sir. You are most kind.” After shaking hands we left and I hoped that those who were following us would have left. I was wrong. They were waiting. There were four policemen. I smiled at them. “Can I help you gentlemen?”
They all had fine uniforms but one looked to be a tailored uniform with more lace. He was obviously the leader and it was he who addressed us. “You can come with us for questioning.”
“Why? We have done nothing wrong.”
“You have been behaving suspiciously. Your swords, if you please.”
We handed over our swords and my heart sank. We had been so close to being able to return to Strasbourg and now, it was likely that we would end up rotting in an Austrian prison. As we headed towards the Imperial Palace I became even more depressed. Had we just been taken to a police station for questioning I was hopeful we could have talked our way out of it but questioning by the military was a different matter. I was thankful that they had not seen us leaving our hotel. Our papers and secret map were safe from scrutiny.
We passed many guards who all took the time to observe us closely as we were marched through the corridors and down towards the cellar. We were hurled, unceremoniously, into an office with just a table and four wooden chairs. The door was slammed shut; it seemed ominously final. Sharp looked as though he was going to speak but I held my finger to my lips and shook my head. Until I knew the lie of the land we would keep silent.
Eventually, after what seemed an age, a young captain and a grizzled sergeant arrived. I had a moment of déjà vu; I had done exactly the same thing in Egypt when questioning the survivors of the attack by Nelson’s ships. I became even warier and I hoped that Sergeant Sharp would be able to keep his nerve.
The officer smiled and that worried me for there was no warmth in the smile. He spoke in German. “I am Captain von Stollen and you are?”
“I am Robert Alpini of London and I wish to know why I have been arrested.”
He leaned back and smiled a smile like a Nile crocodile. “Arrested? No, merely brought here to answer questions and clarify certain matters.”
“Certain matters?”
“Yes, you and your servant were observed wandering around the city looking at the barracks and the defences.”
I laughed and tried to make it sound an easy laugh, “We were just taking in the sights of this wonderful city of yours.”
“Then why did you only visit shops and the military installations? There is the opera which is famous, the cathedral, and the churches in fact a whole host of sights to satisfy the most curious of visitors and yet you avoided them. I fine that interesting. You also avoided all of the fine eating establishments which are normally attractive to first time visitors. Or have you been here before?”
I was beginning to become uneasy. I had been here before and in the service of Bonaparte. Had I been identified? I had changed much in those years and I was now a full grown man. I decided to play for time.
“We had not yet got around to those. We were just on our way for refreshment having concluded our business.” I proffered the letter from the Jewish shop owner. “You see I am going to send this man a sample of our wares. You can confirm this with him.”
He smiled again which, once again, made me uneasy. “We already have done and he confirms your story but I think we will question you a little longer.”
He stood and left followed by the sergeant whose eyes had never left me throughout the whole interview. Had he recognised me? I had no time to explain to Sharp what had been discussed. He would have to trust me. I began examining the room for an exit but, as we had descended stairs and there was no window I assumed that the only way out was the way we had entered; through the door which I had no doubt was guarded.
Time passed and no-one returned. I dreaded them finding our bags and searching them. They would find my passport for the French border and Sharp’s counting stick not to mention the secret map. I had no doubt that this bright young man who had interrogated us would be able to discern its purpose. I could see the worry etched across Sharp’s face. I had led him, once again, into the direst danger. I thanked God for his loyalty and his company. To suffer this alone would be intolerable.
The door began to open and I steeled myself for the interrogation becoming much tougher. The young captain stood there and then he opened the door. There, looking a little more composed than the last time I had seen him was von Clausewitz. Stollen’s face looked as though he had just had to suck a lemon. “Are these the two men sir?”
He looked at me and nodded, “They are.”
“And you can vouch for them?”
Von Clausewitz turned angrily to the young officer, “You dare to question my word?”
The Prussian obviously had more influence here than I had thought possible for the young captain positively quailed, “Of course not sir but we have to be certain.”
“From what you have told me their story about being merchants was corroborated by the shopkeepers you questioned and you have no more evidence against them.”
“Well no, sir, but…”
“Until we defeat this monster Bonaparte we need every ally we can get and it would not do to upset Great Britain at this time.”
The captain’s shoulders sagged in resignation. He waved at the door, “You are free to go. I am sorry for any inconvenience.” He handed us, reluctantly, our swords.
“Thank you, captain. I understand your suspicion but my friend here is right. We need
to stand together.”
Not a word was spoken until we were well clear of the building. In fact we had reached the cathedral before Von Clausewitz uttered a word. He had a cold look in his eye as he said, “I have repaid my debt to you and I suggest you leave Vienna as soon as possible.”
He turned to leave and I restrained him, “Thank you for getting us out of there but I am not your enemy. Believe me. I give you my word that I am on the same side as you.”
He brushed my arm away, “And which side is that I wonder?” He shook his head, “I do not know why but I believe you. Still, you must leave now.”
“We will but tell me how did you know that we were in custody?”
“Luck. I was meeting with one of their generals, General Mack, and I saw you enter.” He shrugged, “I have a little influence with the general for my family’s name is known.”
“Then I thank you and your family. God speed.”
“And to you. I believe you will need all the luck you can muster to escape to…” he looked to the heavens, “wherever you are actually going.” He held up his hand, “And I do not want to know!”
We wasted no time in returning to our hotel. It was far too late to leave. It would have raised even more questions and besides the night was incredibly cold. The temperature had plummeted and the Danube had frozen which eliminated my alternative plan to travel back by boat. We paid our bill and said we would leave just before dawn. I lied about our destination. I said that we were heading for Salzburg and Innsbruck in the Tyrol. I did not think that Captain Stollen would give up quite that easily.
After we had descended the stairs and collected the food I had ordered we peered around the street to make sure we were not being watched. We would still need to pass through the gates but I wanted to avoid being followed. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw no one. We did not take the gate which would have led us directly to Munich; instead we took the gate on the opposite side of the city. I wanted them to think we were heading for Buda. The information I had given the inn keeper would just make them even more confused.