James Maxted 03 The Ends of the Earth

by Robert Goddard

  ‘I’m relying on him to save his skin along with mine.’

  ‘Mmm. We’ll go to Lausanne and look for supporting evidence. If I’m satisfied, on a balance of probability, that the boy exists and is Lemmer’s son …’

  ‘Yes? What then?’

  ‘We’ll be able to apply more pressure than Lemmer’s used to bearing. The result could be … gratifying, let’s say.’

  ‘I’ll follow him to Japan. I’ll be happy to apply that pressure. Once he’s recovered from the shock of realizing I’m not dead.’

  ‘Japan’s a long way. Coordinating our actions won’t be easy.’

  ‘What sort of action do you have in mind?’

  ‘When the time’s right, we take the boy.’ Appleby looked squarely at Max. ‘We can’t afford to be squeamish.’

  Max nodded in appreciation of the point. ‘Until then, I need Lemmer and everyone else to think I’m dead.’

  ‘I’ll do what I can on that front. Some false sightings of the private detective – MacGregor, did you say? – in Nice, perhaps. A forged letter to his client reporting he’s on your trail there. Whatever’s needed to stop the French police suspecting his is the body in the villa. Lemmer may have left someone in Marseilles to confirm Dombreux’s version of events. Meadows, maybe. You can’t go back there. And you can’t contact anyone other than me. Dead men have to keep to the shadows.’

  ‘I can do that.’

  ‘No need to hide in a corner here, though. I think we owe ourselves a good dinner, don’t you?’

  They did not have to go far to find that good dinner. Hearty food and heady wine at the Brasserie Georges answered their needs amply. But they did not ease all of Appleby’s anxieties.

  ‘In ordinary circumstances, Max, I’d condemn this scheme as crazily risky. Dombreux will use us for his own ends, no question about it. We have no way of knowing what le Singe is up to either. I’m sure he’s set on doing more than saving your bacon at convenient intervals. And then there’s Morahan and his crew. I haven’t dared tell C about the money I’ve paid that man on your behalf.’

  ‘It was my money, Horace.’

  ‘Considering how your father came by a lot of it, I’m not sure that’s strictly true. The Service can’t be party to a feud between you and Count Tomura. Try to remember that.’

  ‘But if we land Lemmer and Tomura in the same net?’

  ‘No one will complain. On the other hand, if it goes wrong …’

  ‘You had nothing to do with it. I acted on my own initiative. I’ve never been employed by the Secret Service. You’ll disown me. And I won’t object.’

  Appleby studied Max over a half-raised glass of Burgundy. ‘Maybe you won’t. But I will, even while I’m disowning you.’

  Max raised his own glass. ‘Thanks, Horace. That’s nice to know.’

  It was a short walk back to the hotel through the mild night air. When Appleby delved in his pocket, Max assumed he was looking for his pipe. But he produced an envelope instead, which he thrust into Max’s hand.

  ‘Bedtime reading for you.’

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘A report by our ambassador in Tokyo on the ramifications of the attempt on the Tsarevich’s life in 1891. There was no Secret Service then, of course. I had to pull a few strings to extract it from Foreign Office files. I’m breaking every rule in the book by showing it to you, so I’d be grateful if you let me have it back in the morning.’

  ‘Why are you showing it to me?’

  ‘Because it contains some interesting information about your father. And Tomura. And Lemmer. See what you make of it.’

  IN CONFIDENCE

  TOKYO, 8th June 1891

  Ref. HF/MEB/TODM/CAH

  For the personal attention of the Permanent Under-Secretary of State, LONDON

  The events that so seriously marred the Tsarevich’s visit to Japan last month have significant potential adverse consequences for British interests in this country, which this report summarizes, together with actions taken to limit the effect of those consequences.

  Hopes were high that the Tsarevich’s visit would markedly improve Russo-Japanese relations, thereby alleviating tension between the two powers in Manchuria and Korea. Extensive preparations were made in Tokyo to receive and entertain him. He was due to arrive in the capital on Tuesday 12th May, after landing at Kobe a few days before and proceeding to Kyoto, the former capital.

  On Monday 11th May, he took an excursion to Lake Biwa, lunching after a cruise on the lake at Ohtsu. It was while his party was leaving Ohtsu to return to Kyoto, travelling in rickshaws, that he was set upon by a policeman wielding a sword, who struck him on the head. Fortunately, the injury was not serious and the assailant was swiftly overpowered by the rickshaw drivers. The Tsarevich’s advisors nevertheless recommended he abandon his tour and a few days later he sailed home from Kobe without visiting Tokyo.

  The Japanese government apologized fulsomely for the outrage. The Emperor visited the Tsarevich before he left Kobe. A woman committed suicide, leaving a note expressing the hope that her act would atone for the shame brought upon her nation. Several ministers resigned. Yet the damage was done. A genuine rapprochement with Russia has at the very least been delayed, which will inevitably encourage Germany to resume its efforts to foster conflict between the two countries. This cannot be to our strategic advantage.

  The Japanese authorities have been quick to cast the Tsarevich’s would-be assassin, Tsuda Sanzo, as a madman acting alone, but there are indications they do not necessarily believe this to be the case. An Inspector Kuroda has been detailed to investigate Tsuda’s background. His inquiries have led him to contact officials at several foreign legations. It appears he suspects active collaboration between the German Naval Attaché, Fritz Lemmer, and a militaristic Japanese politician, Baron Tomura Iwazu. This, at any rate, is the conclusion of 2nd Secretary Maxted, who was deputed to deal with Inspector Kuroda on our behalf.

  Maxted believes Tomura to be a leading member of Dark Ocean, a secret society of ultranationalist persuasion founded in 1881 following the suppression of the Samurai revolt led by Saigo Takamori. Dark Ocean is believed to have been responsible for the attempted assassination of Foreign Minister Okuma in October 1889. The man who attacked him, Kurushima Tsuneki, committed suicide immediately afterwards. Tsuda Sanzo may have intended to do the same after attacking the Tsarevich, but was apprehended before he had the chance. He has not, so far as we are aware, admitted Dark Ocean membership. But the organization represents a serious attempt to steer Japan on to a more aggressive path in its relations with the Western powers. The Germans may see assisting its endeavours as a way of weakening the position of Russia – and Great Britain – in this region. From our point of view, this would be a very serious development.

  Much of this is supposition, although there is general consensus that Herr Lemmer represents a new force in Germany’s pursuit of her interests, reflective perhaps of a greater degree of assertiveness on the part of the Kaiser following his removal of Bismarck from the chancellery last year.

  The Japanese authorities will obviously handle their investigation of the assassination attempt against the Tsarevich as they see fit, although Maxted reports that Kuroda appears doubtful he will be allowed to take his inquiries to a proper conclusion. The balance of power within the Japanese government is, as ever, difficult to assess. Dark Ocean may well enjoy sympathy for their cause in high circles.

  The decision to send Maxted back to London at short notice, for reassignment elsewhere (as per legation cable 91/471), was taken when it became apparent he could be accused of a conflict of interest and might also be in some personal danger. His acquaintance with Baron Tomura and his late wife, who was of English birth, could be seen in some quarters as a reason to doubt the validity, or at the very least the impartiality, of his assessment of the situation.

  Account was also taken of the death of Baron Tomura’s English father-in-law, Claude Farngold, in a fire at his warehouse
in Yokohama in October 1889. Some of the circumstances of the fire were suspicious and it occurred only eight days after the attempted assassination of Foreign Minister Okuma. If Mr Farngold was killed because he had learnt, perhaps through his daughter, of Tomura’s involvement in the outrage, it would suggest Tomura is capable of extreme ruthlessness.

  There is no solid evidence to be offered in substantiation of these speculations. Nor as yet are there grounds for complaining to the Japanese or the Germans about Herr Lemmer’s activities in this country, although we have taken steps to discourage members of the British community from entering into any dealings with Lemmer, or, indeed, with Baron Tomura.

  Vigilance will be maintained on the issues raised and an early report made of any significant developments.

  H. FRASER

  Max felt the report raised more questions than it supplied answers. It was far from clear to him, for instance, whether the Ambassador intended any criticism of his father, although he supposed compromising oneself to the extent of being sent back to London post haste was not the best way to manage a diplomatic career. Lady Maxted had never said anything implying they had left Japan under a cloud.

  Given her reticence on many matters, however, that meant little.

  Their train left Lyons so early a hurried cup of coffee at the station was their only breakfast. Appleby had to follow that with a pipeful of tobacco before he could offer much in the way of conversation.

  ‘Spot anything useful in the report, Max?’ he asked, glowering out at the mist-wreathed French countryside.

  ‘Well, it appears Lemmer and Tomura may have been helping each other for a long time.’

  ‘And your father was the man who uncovered their collaboration.’

  ‘Yes. Small thanks though he got for it.’

  ‘You don’t believe he was sent home for his own safety?’

  ‘I don’t know what to believe. The report skates over quite a lot.’

  ‘It does, doesn’t it? Perhaps you should press the author for more details.’

  ‘The Ambassador?’

  ‘No, no. Fraser’s long dead, I’m afraid. But he didn’t write the report. A lesson in bureaucracy for you, Max. The first set of initials in a ministerial reference is the name of the fellow whose signature the document’s going out under. The last set is the name of the fellow who actually wrote the document. The number of initials between the first and last tells you how many levels in the hierarchy the writer is from the signatory. That report was written by Second Secretary Cyril Hodgson.’

  ‘OK. So, do you know where I can find him?’

  ‘Tokyo. He’s still on the staff there. Risen since to the dizzy heights of First Secretary. Due to retire soon. Whether he’ll leave Japan then I couldn’t say. He has a Japanese wife, apparently.’

  ‘You seem to know a lot about him.’

  ‘I made it my business to, once I read that report and noticed how much more he seemed to know than he was actually saying. The FO regard him as dull but dependable. I think there may be hidden depths. You should look him up. Plumb some of those depths if you can.’

  ‘I will.’

  ‘Steer clear of the embassy. We have a man there, obviously, name of Reynolds, but it’s all too possible he’s on Lemmer’s payroll, so don’t have anything to do with him. Approach Hodgson at home. I think it’s safe to assume he’s loyal. As for what he may be keeping under his hat about your father …’

  ‘Where do I find him?’

  ‘Uchida Apartments, Ginza. How easy that address will be to track down I don’t know, but it’s all I’ve got.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter. I’ll track it down.’

  ‘Yes.’ Appleby nodded. ‘I’m sure you will.’

  THEY HAD AN hour between trains at Geneva and went to the buffet in search of lunch. It seemed a decision they could take without weighing the risks. But, as it transpired, it was not.

  A figure caught Max’s eye as soon as they entered. He was seated at one of the gingham-clothed tables, sipping a glass of white wine. He was a handsome, elegantly dressed man of sixty, with greying hair and rugged features, English to his cosmopolitan fingertips. He was Lionel Brigham.

  A chance meeting with the man who believed himself – wrongly, according to Lady Maxted – to be his natural father was very nearly the last thing Max would have wanted to occur. He had once suspected Brigham to be something much worse than his mother’s former lover, but their violent encounter with the hired assassin Tarn in London five weeks ago had demonstrated that for all his many faults Brigham was not a traitor to his country.

  That did not mean Max wanted to clasp the fellow’s hand and confide in him. Nor was it likely Brigham would be pleased to see him in the company of Appleby, who had subjected him to some aggressive questioning in Paris.

  ‘James, my boy,’ said Brigham, rising from his seat. ‘What are you doing here?’ He looked at Appleby. ‘With this fellow?’

  ‘Passing through,’ said Max. There were no moves to shake hands. ‘You?’

  ‘A house agent was supposed to meet me off my train. He seems to be late.’

  ‘A house agent?’

  ‘I’ve been told I’m to be part of the British presence at the League of Nations.’ Seeing Max’s puzzled look, he went on, ‘You’re aware it’s to be based here in Geneva?’

  ‘So it is,’ said Appleby. ‘Maybe you didn’t hear about that, Max.’

  The note of familiarity appeared to nettle Brigham. ‘I thought you’d have quit meddling in this young man’s life by now,’ he said, glaring at Appleby.

  ‘I don’t meddle, Mr Brigham. I serve my country.’

  ‘So do I. Where are you passing through to, may I ask?’

  ‘We don’t need to trouble you with our itinerary,’ said Max.

  ‘Whatever it is, why not let Appleby go on alone? Spend a few days here, James. Help me find somewhere to live.’ Brigham looked pitifully hopeful for a moment that Max might actually accept the invitation.

  ‘I couldn’t do that, I’m afraid.’

  ‘Because Appleby has something else in mind for you?’

  ‘Could I have a word with you outside, Max?’ said Appleby.

  ‘Certainly.’

  ‘That’s it, then?’ Brigham grimaced. ‘You’ve no sooner arrived than you’re leaving?’

  Max mixed an uneasy smile with a shrug. ‘You’ll have to excuse us.’

  ‘Sorry,’ said Max, once they were out on the platform. He felt he owed Appleby some kind of apology for the awkwardness that had been all too apparent. ‘Brigham and I … Well, the fact is he’s convinced himself he has a right to take a paternal interest in me.’

  ‘Paternal?’ Appleby cocked one eyebrow curiously.

  ‘Do I have to spell it out?’

  ‘Not on my account. Matter of fact, I’m sorry too. The choice of Geneva as headquarters for the League of Nations should have put me on my guard. Missing breakfast must have made me careless.’

  ‘What do we do now?’

  ‘About Brigham? Well, we can’t just leave him to his own devices. If he tells anyone he met you in Geneva, two days after you’re supposed to have been killed in Marseilles, your goose is likely to be cooked well before you reach Japan. Worse still, Lemmer may guess where we’re going – and why.’

  Max sighed. ‘I could ask Brigham to keep it to himself. I think he’d agree to do that for me.’

  ‘I think he might agree to do rather more.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘The best way to keep him quiet is to keep him close. I’ve been worrying about who I can use in any operation I decide to mount in Lausanne. As things presently stand, there are precious few people in the Service whose loyalty I can rely on absolutely. And it would be next to impossible to deploy them in Switzerland without one of Lemmer’s spies becoming aware of it. If Lemmer really does have a son at this Le Rosey place, it’s vital he doesn’t get wind of our interest in him.’

  ‘You’re no
t saying what I think you’re saying, are you?’

  ‘Whatever we think of Brigham, Max, we know he doesn’t work for Lemmer. He nearly paid for that with his life when you ran into Tarn. Would you say he was a patriot?’

  ‘I suppose so. But—’

  ‘So would I. And a patriot is what we need. Ask him to step out here.’

  By the time Max returned with a clearly bemused Brigham, Appleby had retreated to the distant, deserted end of the platform, where he was smoking his pipe and gazing into the middle distance.

  ‘What the devil’s going on?’ Brigham demanded as soon as they reached him. ‘James says you want to speak to me. I can’t imagine what about.’

  ‘The defence of the realm. And I suggest you call him Max from now on. Otherwise you’ll confuse me.’

  ‘Confuse you? You’re confusing me, Appleby. What on earth’s going on?’

  ‘We’re after Lemmer. He has spies everywhere and we need to find out who they are as a matter of urgency.’

  ‘What do you mean by “everywhere”?’

  ‘I mean that every government department is compromised, including the Secret Service.’

  ‘Good God. That’s appalling. And much worse than I was given to understand. Is the PM aware of the scale of the problem?’

  ‘He is.’

  ‘Then what’s being done?’

  ‘All manner of things. But, since we don’t know who works for Lemmer and who doesn’t, there’s a good chance everything we do will be at best undermined, at worst sabotaged.’

  ‘This is what comes of setting up a Secret Service in the first place. Teach people to spy on your enemies and before you know it they’re spying on you.’

  ‘You may be right.’ Appleby looked at Brigham squarely. ‘C has given me full authority to pursue Lemmer and the people who answer to him by all necessary means. Do you know why he chose me, Brigham? And why I engaged Max to assist me?’

  ‘As to the first, I’d suggest poor judgement. As to the second, I assume James – Max as you call him – is naïve enough to do your bidding. Unfortunately for him.’