Cousins grunted and Hugh grinned.
‘Well, I’d better get right along and miss the frills, I guess,’ went on Miles. ‘I told Parkinson to meet me on the wharf at once – Hudson and company were still hanging round, apparently waiting for some one, and they were still waiting when the little fellow arrived. I took him behind some cases and told him to watch them and report to me. I also described Kamper, so that there couldn’t be any mistake. Then I beat it for the Consulate and sat down and waited.
‘At three-thirty Parkinson rang up to tell me that the three had met another man, who had arrived on a boat from Basra, and that they had all gone along to the Taj Mahal Hotel. It wasn’t Kamper, for this guy was fat and tallish. So I went right along and booked a room too. That evening I came upon them all in the lounge comfortably settled round a group of cocktails. I greeted Hudson like an old friend, and would have passed on only, to my surprise, he seemed tickled to death at seeing me and introduced me to his three friends, whose names were Novar, Rahtz, and Oppenheimer. They were all so mighty glad to meet me that I got a hunch that there was a catch somewhere, but I had no objection to drinking their cocktails and accepted their invitation to join them. Conversation was very ordinary and general for a time, and then came the catch, as I expected. Hudson turned to me in a casual manner and said, “You were rather friendly with Shannon, and his sister, Miles; what did you think of them?”—Say, Shannon, I don’t want you to get annoyed at what I replied,’ he broke off.
‘I suppose you gave me a bad character,’ grinned Hugh.
‘No; I didn’t go as far as that, but I said that I thought you were a bit slow on the uptake and a few things like that. Then, still in the same casual way, Hudson said, “He always gave me the idea that he had some other reason for coming to India than to take up the post of professor in a college. Did he ever hint to you what it was?” The other three guys all appeared most uninterested, but I could see that they were waiting keenly for my answer. I laughed and said that it was obvious Shannon had only come to India for one purpose, and that was to profess, because he was always so full of how he was going to raise Muslim education, and so on. That didn’t appease Hudson, and he kept on at me to cast my mind back in the effort to remember if you had ever let anything drop which would suggest another motive, but of course I remembered nothing; and then I suddenly asked him why he was so almighty anxious to know. That caused some confusion, but Hudson gave a lame reason, and nothing more was said. Later on that night after dinner I watched the four of them go off to an entertainment, so I looked through the visitors book and found out the numbers of their rooms. They were all on the same corridor, and when there was nobody about I nipped into Novar’s room – I have a bunch of little instruments in my pocket that will open most doors.’
He smiled and paused to light his cigar which had gone out. His three auditors waited with impatience until it was going again.
‘Well, what did you find?’ queried Hugh.
‘Just nothing! That is, nothing of the least interest to you or me. I was disappointed some, for Jerry had made me get down to things with my old instincts. However, I reflected that if there was anything crooked about Novar and Rahtz they were too fly to leave anything about, and that I was far more likely to find something in Hudson’s room. So I went in there. I searched thoroughly, and it seemed that I was due for another disappointment, when just as I was leaving I noticed a lounge jacket hanging on the end of the bed. I searched the pockets and I found something which was mighty puzzling, and might prove useful, so I kept it for further reference.’
‘What was it?’ demanded Shannon.
‘I’ll show it you when I’m through. There wasn’t time to search any more rooms that night, so I beat it before they came back and caught me. All next day I had Parkinson tracking them, but with no result, and I had a casual drink or two with them. I told Hudson that I was coming to Lahore some time or other and accepted his invitation to look him up. Novar and Rahtz also held out the welcoming hand and I promised to give them both a call.’
‘Who is Oppenheimer?’ asked Cousins suddenly.
‘He a fat German guy! What he had to do with the others I couldn’t quite figure out but he told me he was in India for some time on business for an educational firm. But I guess this is becoming a mighty long yarn; I had better cut it short. That night they again went out and I got into Rahtz’s room. I had almost finished my search with the same negative result, when I guess I got a jar – I heard somebody at the door.’
Joan sat up with excitement and Cousins and Hugh leant forward more intently. For a moment there was silence, then the American went on:
‘Luckily I had locked myself in,’ he said, ‘so I had a moment in which to look round, while the key was being fitted into the lock and turned. There was nowhere to hide except the bathroom, a large wardrobe, or under the bed. I chose the wardrobe, and only just got inside when the door was opened. I felt real queer when I heard the voices of Oppenheimer and Rahtz. They were presently joined by the other two, and I was in a fine trap.
‘“Shut the door!” said Rahtz and I heard the door closed and locked.
‘“Now, gentlemen,” he went on in German, “I think that our preparations are almost complete. We have only to wait for the signal from Moscow which will convulse the world. But we must not remain idle – all those in India who have been persuaded into our service will have to be kept up to scratch; the invasion cannot take place until September next – nearly ten months – and the waiting is likely to break the spirit of our allies in this country unless something is done to keep them enthusiastic.”
‘“Why delay till next September?” asked the voice of Hudson.
‘“Because my friend,” replied Rahtz, “the entire force in Russia will not be complete till July, and as the monsoon will then be on, we must wait till September. Once the invasion commences there must be no hitch, no mishap; the startling suddenness of it all will ensure its complete success. Our friend, Herr Oppenheimer, has brought us the news that Germany will be ready to act immediately – the Russian fleets have swooped on India, and doubtless our other allies will fall into line without fail. Everything must work with clockwork smoothness.”
‘Oppenheimer grunted agreement and Novar laughed.
‘“What a surprise for England,” he said. “Lulled into security by the apparently chaotic state of our country and the quiescence of Germany, and acting as policemen in China over a nation which for their benefit is pretending to be at sixes and sevens, they are benevolently backing the League of Nations and pushing disarmament. And not only that but their labour party sympathises with poor downtrodden Russia, and is doing its best to help her. Was there ever a more amusing situation?”
‘There was a general laugh at this, and Oppenheimer used some particularly choice expressions to denote his contempt of England.
‘“Still we must take no risks,” went on Rahtz. “England is always lucky and on many occasions has been saved by sheer good fortune. The Spanish Armada was scattered by the elements; we must ensure that our armada does not suffer a similar fate. At last,” he added enthusiastically, “Russia is within grasp of the ambition which has been hers for decades.”
‘“Have you thought of America?” asked Hudson. “She will, of course, side with England.”
‘“By the time America knows anything about events it will be too late, and then she’ll find it to her advantage to keep quiet, otherwise our German friends will settle her.”
‘The German agent grunted his agreement – That man seemed to be full of grunts.
‘“And France?” asked Hudson.
‘There was a chorus of contempt from the other three.
‘“France and Italy will go into the melting-pot of Germany,” replied Novar.
‘“And now,” said Rahtz. “We must watch that fellow Shannon. You are sure he is a secret agent, Hudson?”
‘“Absolutely certain,” was the reply; “and Kamper will con
firm it. He had a very narrow escape when he was in London recently from being captured by Shannon.”
‘“Kamper takes too many risks,” said Novar; “he should not have returned to England.”
‘“It is lucky he did,” replied Hudson significantly. “I might have had the wool pulled over my eyes by Shannon, but for Kamper’s discoveries.”
‘“That’s true,” replied Rahtz, “but what a devil Wallace is! He obviously sent Shannon out here on suspicion that something was wrong. He is the most dangerous man we have to face.”
‘“It’s time he was put out of the way,” said Novar.
‘“He bears a charmed life,” remarked the other. “It would be impossible to count the number of times he has escaped death by a miracle. But now he has sent Shannon out, we’ll have to watch that young man with the greatest care, and if he becomes a nuisance – well, he must be killed. Kamper will look after him, and I have already warned two other fellows who have been entered as students in his college to shadow him, so we have nothing to fear from him, or from his pretended valet.”
‘“Then you think Cousins is also a secret agent?” asked Hudson.
‘“Of course he is!” said Rahtz. “And now, gentlemen, remember that there is a very important meeting in Lahore on December the twenty-first. The time and place will be notified to you later on, and very important representatives of our other allies will be present. Shall we now go below and refresh ourselves? Perhaps that foolish American with the glasses will join us! I confess he amuses me.”
‘To my relief they then departed, and when I was sure that it was quite safe, I came out of the cupboard. I was cramped some, and I had to give myself a mighty rubbing before I could move much. Then I cautiously left the room, and as Rahtz showed such an inclination for my company, I obliged him by going downstairs and joining them.’
His three hearers were sitting in a state of absolute amazement. Joan’s face was white with excitement and fear; Hugh was biting the end of his pipe with such force that it presently snapped, and Cousins looked straight in front of him, his face creased in a conflict of emotions. Nobody spoke, and after a moment Miles went on:
‘The next day Parkinson again followed them, and sure enough Kamper arrived. He had apparently disembarked at Goa, in Portuguese territory, and travelled to Bombay by train. They met him at the station. They avoided me more or less that day, but in the evening invited me to dinner, as Rahtz, Novar and Hudson were leaving for Lahore the following morning. We had a real merry time, believe me! Kamper, of course, was not present. When the three had left the next day, I stopped behind and kept Parkinson shadowing Kamper, until he also left for Lahore. In the meantime I sent along a cable in code to my headquarters telling them that I was stopping in India for some time on urgent business and promising a long report. I stayed in Bombay until Oppenheimer left for Calcutta – he told me he would be in Lahore himself later on – It strikes me all roads lead to Lahore!
‘And now, Miss Shannon and gentlemen, that’s my story, and I’m here to help see this thing through. The United States is in this little affair up to the neck.’
He stopped talking and with a sigh took another cigar from his case. Hugh got up and walked thoughtfully up and down the room.
‘It seems to me, Oscar,’ remarked Cousins, ‘that the British Secret Service has a lot to thank you for!’
‘I guess not,’ replied Miles. ‘You put me on to those guys. I reckon you saw through them and the credit’s yours.’
Hugh stopped walking, and looked keenly at the other two.
‘Just imagine!’ he said. ‘Here have we been thinking that Russia was only harmful in an insidious way that she could merely stab us and other nations in the back, by means of Bolshevik propaganda, and all the time she is preparing to invade India, and is in alliance with Germany, whom we thought crushed. Good Heavens! It’s absolutely astounding. But how on earth is this invasion to take place!’
‘You’ve got me there!’ said Miles. ‘At her most powerful period Russia couldn’t manage an invasion, and I’m darned if I know how her fleet can swoop on India. Even if she has built a hoard of ships, they’ve sure got to come a mighty long distance from either direction to get here.’
‘Great Scott!’ ejaculated Cousins.
The others looked at him in surprise.
‘What’s getting you, Jerry?’ inquired the American.
‘I think I’ve got it,’ said the little man. ‘The fleets they mean are not battleships and cruisers, but airships!’
Hugh whistled.
‘I believe you’ve hit it!’ said Miles.
‘That’s it,’ said Hugh, with decision. ‘While we’ve been watching their Communistic antics with contemptuous indifference, they’ve been secretly building airships, perhaps for years, and for Germany as well as for themselves.’
‘And China, too,’ nodded Cousins. ‘I suppose behind all the disorder in that country, which we sent our troops to check, the Russians and Germans are drilling and equipping an orderly army and building airships somewhere in the interior. Certainly, Oscar my lad, you have tumbled on the biggest plot that has ever threatened the peace of the world.’
‘And we know so much, and yet so little,’ said Hugh. ‘When did you say that meeting was to be held, Miles?’
‘On December the twenty-first! I don’t know where, or at what time, of course.’
‘That’s got to be found out, even if I have to wring someone’s neck for the information. Today is the eighteenth of November, so we’ve got a month. I shall be present at that meeting!’
‘Sure!’
Joan went white.
‘Oh, Hugh!’ she said. ‘Will that be necessary?’
‘Absolutely!’ he replied.
‘Perhaps Miles or I will go instead, Miss Shannon,’ said Cousins.
She looked at him gratefully.
‘No!’ said Hugh with determination. ‘That is my job and I’m going to do it. Joan knows that it is my duty, and naturally she will agree that I must not back out!’
She nodded her head slowly, and her face was whiter than before.
‘Of course not,’ she murmured; ‘but now I know more than I ever did the terrible dangers you Secret Service people must face.’
Miles leant forward and patted her hand.
‘I guess you’re built of pluck, Miss Joan,’ he said. ‘Don’t worry! Jerry and I’ll see Hugh through. In fact,’ he added whimsically, ‘we’ll see each other through, I reckon.’
‘Now,’ said Cousins to Hugh, ‘what are you going to do about Rahtz and the rest?’
‘Let ’em carry on, of course,’ said Hugh, with decision. ‘The time hasn’t come to pull them up yet!’
Miles nodded approvingly.
‘If you had them arrested now,’ he said, ‘it might precipitate the whole show, and God knows what would happen then, for neither my country nor yours would be ready.’
‘I shall send a coded report of what Miles has discovered to the Chief,’ went on Hugh.
‘And I’ll send one through to my headquarters,’ said the American, ‘then my Foreign Office can communicate with yours, and once they get going – my! I guess there’s a surprise coming all right, but not the surprise Russia and Germany anticipate.’
‘Don’t forget that there are two spies in your college watching you Shannon!’ warned Cousins.
Hugh grinned.
‘Most interesting!’ he said nonchalantly. ‘I shall have to discover who they are. Kamper’s more likely to be dangerous; anyhow I can always have him arrested without raising any suspicion – he’s wanted so badly already.’
‘The only thing is that you’ve got to catch him first,’ said Cousins dryly.
‘By the way, what did you find in Hudson’s pocket, Miles?’ asked Shannon.
‘I’d almost forgotten about that,’ replied the other. ‘Here it is!’
He took a large wallet from an inside pocket, and searching inside it, drew out a small folded s
heet of paper. He handed it to Hugh without a word.
The latter took it, and examined it critically. On it was a roughly drawn map of India, with a dragon neatly sketched on the eastern side, an eagle to the north, and another on the north-west, and an eagle and dragon side by side in the centre.
‘I wonder what that means!’ he said.
‘I took it to mean that the Chinese attack comes from the east, and the Russian from the other points, and that they will meet in the centre,’ said Miles.
‘H’m!’ grunted Hugh. ‘There doesn’t seem to be much significance in that – rather absurd in fact. I think there must be a deeper meaning behind it. You’d better keep it! We may find out what it really is for!’
He handed it back, and Miles gave it to Cousins who glanced casually at it and then gave it up with a shrug. They were about to resume their discussion when there came a knock at the front door.
‘Visitors!’ said Hugh. ‘Damn!’
‘Hugh!’ said Joan reprovingly.
‘Well, I don’t want visitors just now.’
‘I guess I’d better scatter,’ said the American. ‘I’ll do some unpacking.’ And he went off to his own room.
Cousins rose to his feet with a sigh.
‘Oh, woe is me!’ he said. ‘This answering of knocks does not fit in with my idea of a valet’s life. Mauvais honte fills my breast!’
He left the room with the expression of a man going to the scaffold. Two minutes later he was back, a curious look on his face.
‘Mr and Mrs Rahtz!’ he announced.
Joan went white, and Hugh started with surprise, but recovered himself immediately.
‘Be careful, Joan!’ he hissed.
Cousins bowed the visitors in and withdrew.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A Visit from Rahtz
Mr Rahtz was tall, dark-visaged, and possessed a large greying moustache, which apparently he had cultivated to hide the cruelty of his mouth. Mrs Rahtz was florid, fat and overdressed, in a style suitable to a girl twenty years her junior. She wore shingled hair which had been dyed a reddish brown and clashed badly with her dress of emerald green, and a small brown hat with a large brown feather. Joan almost blinked as she looked at her. Rahtz was probably three or four years his wife’s senior, but Mrs Rahtz was obviously on the wrong side of forty-five.
Devil's Cocktail (Wallace of the Secret Service Series) Page 11