The Shadow of Tyburn Tree

by Dennis Wheatley

  Gustavus sniffed indignantly. ‘They had yet to learn that I have two weapons of my own; my sword and my tongue, and that I can use both better than most men. As so often happens with conspiracies, the affair went wrong at the last moment. Contrary winds prevented Sprengtporten from sailing, and before Toll could assemble an army at Christianstadt news of their activities leaked out to the Senate. I was left high and dry in the capital, surrounded by my enemies and with scarcely a man I could count on. On the evening of the 18th of August I learned that on the following day the Senate intended to arrest me.’

  For a moment the King paused dramatically; then, throwing himself into his role of hero like a born actor, he cried: ‘That night and the day that followed were the most exciting of my life. ’Twas my wits against those of the whole governing class of Sweden. If I won, Sweden would have a real King for the first time in seventy years; if I lost, my life would be the forfeit. But my years of secret preparation stood me in good stead. I had taken the trouble to cultivate the goodwill of a number of Army officers. While darkness lasted I sent messages requesting them to meet me the following morning in the great square facing the arsenal. Some two hundred obeyed the summons. I led them to the guardroom of the barracks and there addressed the soldiery. I spoke to them in Swedish, which no monarch had done within living memory. I made the speech of my life, painting in vivid colours the sad state into which our dear country had fallen. I ended by crying “If you will follow me as your forefathers followed Gustavus Vasa and Gustavus Adolphus, I will venture my lifeblood for the safety and honour of my country”.’

  Again Gustavus paused, then he threw up his right hand. ‘On that they cheered me to the echo. The Senate was in secret session debating the question of my arrest. I sent a picket to lock them in, dictated a new oath of allegiance binding the troops to my person, and took possession of the artillery-yard for my headquarters. Then I tied a white handkerchief round my left arm as a mark of recognition and bade all my adherents do the same. Within the hour the whole city had donned my symbol. The gates of the capital were closed at my order, the fleet, which was lying off the Skepperholm, was secured, and I returned to my palace absolute master of the situation.’

  ‘What a triumph!’ Roger could not help exclaiming in genuine admiration.

  The King’s eyes gleamed. ‘Ah, but my crowning triumph took place two days later. On the 20th I sent out heralds to proclaim that the Four Estates should meet in the Riksaal at four o’clock the following afternoon. On the 21st I had my troops line the streets of the city and one hundred cannon trained on the Riksaal with a grenadier behind each holding ready a lighted match. My terrified enemies crept to the meeting place in twos and threes. When they had assembled I appeared before them in my full regalia and from the throne trounced them for their lack of patriotism. Then I read to them the new Constitution, which I had already prepared with my own hand. Not one of those loud-tongued bullies who, all my life, had treated me with such insolence, had the courage to say a single word in protest. To a man they swore to keep the new Constitution inviolable, and at last there was a real King in Sweden once more.’

  With that tact which was one of Roger’s greatest assets he again went down on one knee, as the most suitable way in which he could express his admiration for the royal actor.

  Nothing could have pleased Gustavus more, and this time he gave Roger a friendly pat on the shoulder, as he said: ‘Rise, Chevalier; or perhaps I should say Mr. Brook, since it was in that name you signed your letter. We still have much to discuss before morning, and the night advances.’

  As Roger obeyed he said with feeling: ‘Your story, Sire, has but added to the high admiration I had already conceived for your Majesty’s courage and abilities. This detailed knowledge of your brave handling of the discontented nobility in ’72 also gives me more confidence that if the need arises you will again succeed in circumventing their evil machinations. And in that was my greatest fear for you should it be your royal will to go to war with Russia.’

  ‘It is my royal will,’ declared the King proudly. ‘The die is cast, and I sail for Finland on the 24th.’

  Prebendary Nordin gave a deferential but warning cough.

  Gustavus swung round towards him. ‘Be easy, my friend. We know from this young man’s letter to Mr. Elliot that his interests march with our own. If he is to be of any value to us we must trust him, or he will not know how to serve us best.’

  Roger bowed. ‘I thank you, Sire, and vow that I will never abuse any confidence which you may do me the honour to make me. May I be permitted to inquire if Count Razumofsky has yet been officially informed of your intention to go to war with his country?’

  A crafty smile flickered over Gustavus’s thin lips. ‘The Count made his demarche today. He demanded to know the reason for our military preparations and seemed mightily perturbed about them. He has good cause for his anxiety, seeing that the Empress has entirely denuded her Finnish frontier in order to reinforce her armies on the Black Sea. She knows my hatred of her and of my alliance with the Turks; but she counts upon my not daring to declare openly against her without the sanction of my Estates, and relies upon her paid hirelings in them to thwart me. ’Twas clear to me that Razumofsky counts upon that too, and believes that I intend only a gigantic bluff for the purpose of drawing pressure off my allies. I gave him fresh grounds for continuing to think it.’

  A little shocked at such duplicity, Roger murmured: ‘Then your Majesty has no intention of sending the Czarina an ultimatum; and intends to attack her without warning?’

  The King nodded. ‘ ’Tis a chance in a lifetime, and I am not the man to miss it. With the Finnish frontier virtually undefended I’ll be at the gates of Petersburg within a month; and that proud, evil woman will have no option but to submit to such terms as I’ll dictate—unless she wants her capital burned about her ears. But I told Razumofsky that I intended only to journey to Finland to make further inspections of my troops, and that I had no mind to offer any fuller explanation until I arrived there.’

  Roger smiled, which brought the swift question: ‘What matter do you see for merriment in that, Monsieur?’

  ‘Knowing the Russian, Sire, I was thinking how baffled and angry he must have been at receiving so ambiguous an answer.’

  ‘Aye, he was angry as a bull before which a matador waves a red cloak.’ Gustavus gave an abrupt laugh. ‘But I gave him more reason for that than I have so far said. For once I allowed myself the pleasure of carrying the war into the enemy’s camp. I accused him of fomenting internal treachery here, and aiming at sowing discord between my people and myself. Then I ordered him to leave my Kingdom.’

  ‘If I may be permitted to say so, Sire, ’twas a bold step; for is not the dismissal of an Ambassador without asking for him to be recalled by his own Court almost tantamount to a declaration of war? Will not the Empress read your intention in it?’

  ‘Nay, I made it a personal matter; and by the time he reached Petersburg ’twould be too late for anything that the Empress might deduce from his return to be of value to her. I was anxious to have him out of the way before I left Stockholm myself. But, unfortunately he foiled me in that. He declared that he would accept his dismissal from his post only on receiving a direct order signed by his Imperial mistress. ’Twould bring discredit on my Crown to seize the person of an Ambassador and forcibly put him aboard a ship; so he remains. But to some extent I have curbed his power to do mischief in my absence. I insisted that, apart from his personal servants, all his staff should go, and his daughter too, since she is one of his principal links with those of my subjects who conspire against me. For the purpose I have placed a ship at their disposal, and she will sail on the afternoon tide tomorrow.’

  ‘Have I your leave, Sire, to add a postscript, reporting these latest moves, to my letter to Mr. Elliot?’

  ‘Mort dieu, Monsieur! You lack not for boldness,’ exclaimed the King, pausing in his stride. ‘You should consider yourself plaguey fortu
nate to have escaped a prison, and I am amazed at your effrontery in even thinking that I would permit you to despatch your letter.’

  Roger put on his most disarming smile. ‘I beg your Majesty to reconsider this matter. We are agreed, I think, that while serving you I should not cease to serve my own Sovereign. But, apart from that, there is the question of a long-term policy, to which I humbly draw your attention. This war that you plan with Russia should result in curbing her power in the North, and that well suits the interests of Britain. Therefore, it seems to me, that, in an emergency, your Majesty would have a good case to claim my country’s support. Should such an emergency arise I feel sure, Sire, that your chances of obtaining aid from Britain will be far greater if you have, from the beginning, allowed me to keep Mr. Pitt informed as to your projects and your prospects.’

  Obviously struck with the idea, the King turned to Nordin and asked abruptly: ‘What think you, Prebendary?’

  ‘I think, Sire that this young man has a good head on his shoulders,’ replied the cleric. ‘I have his letter here; and should you decide to accede to his request, when he has added a postscript under my supervision, I will see that the document is sent to Copenhagen by a safe hand.’

  ‘So be it then,’ Gustavus nodded to Roger. ‘And now for your instructions. You will proceed to Petersburg with the minimum of delay, using your French identity, and find out all you can which may prove to my advantage. The Russian capital is within two days’ ride of the Finnish frontier, and no regular guards are maintained for the interception of travellers passing between the two countries. When you have aught of interest to report go over into Finland. On arriving there, and not before, set your news down on paper. Sign such notes only with an initial—E for Englishman will serve; superscribe them to me and mark them as of the utmost urgency. Seal them carefully and hand them to the first Swedish officer you may come upon for immediate transmission to my headquarters. Have I made myself clear?’

  ‘You have, Sire,’ Roger bowed. ‘But surely once hostilities commmence the frontier will be closed and pickets posted along it?’

  ‘They will not interfere with the passage of a neutral. Moreover, I do not desire you to make the journey often; only when you have something to convey which you consider to be of prime importance, so there should be no grounds for them becoming suspicious of you through your crossing with any frequency.’

  ‘One other point, Sire,’ Roger said a trifle hesitantly, ‘If I set out instantly, as your Majesty commands, I must leave Stockholm without such letters of introduction from the French Ambassador, and others, as I could normally have carried with me. Lack of them will almost certainly delay my securing a foothold in Petersburg society, and thus swiftly becoming well-placed for being of service to you.’

  The King pinched his slightly receding chin between his fingers and thumb, and remained thoughtful for a moment; then he replied: ‘ ’Tis something of a quandary. I would have you there as soon as possible, and you could have sailed tomorrow in one of the sloops that is to act as escort to the ship which is transporting the personnel from the Russian Embassy. Yet I think your contention sound. On balance ’twould be worth your dallying in Stockholm for a few days to arrive in Petersburg well accredited.’

  ‘It is most unfortunate that Mr. Brook should have quarrelled with the Baroness Stroganof,’ remarked the Prebendary, glancing up from his papers. ‘For she could have launched him in Petersburg society with greater rédame than any number of letters could do.’

  Roger snapped his fingers. ‘I have it, Sire! Why should I not sail in the same ship as the Baroness?’

  ‘I fail to see how that could serve you,’ Gustavus said, with a frown. ‘In view of her recent treatment of you ’tis clear that she has no further use for your attentions. Did you do as you suggest it would result only in her making of you a figure of public mockery when you reach Petersburg, with a tale of having had you whipped.’

  ‘Unless I take some steps to prevent it, she may do that on my arrival, in any case,’ Roger argued. ‘Let me make the voyage with her, Sire, and I vow I’ll find a way, not only to stop her tongue but to make her serve our ends.’

  The King shot him a suspicious look. ‘I believe you are still in love with the wench, and are prepared to swallow your humiliation for the sake of a chance to plead your cause anew?’

  ‘Nay, Sire. I pledge your Majesty my word that I am not. On the contrary I’ve an itch to be revenged upon her; and how could I be so better than by making her my catspaw?’

  ‘As you will, then. The Prebendary will make the necessary arrangements for your accommodation in the ship.’

  ‘I thank your Majesty.’ Roger bowed and turned to the cleric. ‘I am anxious, Monsieur, that neither the Baroness nor any of her people should be aware of my presence on board until the ship is well out at sea. Could you ensure that for me?’

  The Prebendary nodded his close-cropped head. ‘The Captain is discreet and will accept my orders; but it will mean your going aboard very early in the morning and lying hid in a cabin all day.’

  ‘I’ll count that no hardship; and trust it will not cause you serious inconvenience to make arrangements for me at such an hour.’

  ‘Best use my coach and take him down to the port now,’ the King remarked to Nordin. ‘We’ll have the matter done with then, and on your return can proceed with our private business.’

  Nordin rose to his feet and bowed. ‘A wise decision, Sire; for while darkness lasts there is even less likelihood of anyone seeing us board the ship, and talking of it afterwards, than there would be at break of day. The letter for Mr. Elliot is here. Perhaps Mr. Brook would like to write his postscript to it while I have his baggage carried down in readiness for his departure.’

  On the King signifying his approval, Roger took the Prebendary’s place at the desk and added the final lines to his letter. Gustavus looked over his shoulder as he wrote and, when he had done, murmured: ‘I’ve no objection to that. Nordin shall send your missive by special courier, so it should be in Copenhagen within forty-eight hours.’

  A few minutes later the Prebendary returned to announce that all was in readiness. King Gustavus was smiling now and, exerting all the charm which he could command when he wished, he held out his hand to Roger, but would not allow him to kneel and kiss it.

  ‘Nay,’ he said gently. ‘I feel that I have made a good friend tonight. Let us shake hands, Mr. Brook, in your English fashion.’

  Roger smiled frankly in response, took the royal hand and bowed over it as he murmured: ‘I thank your Majesty for the clemency and honour you have shown me. You may rest assured, Sire, that I will do my utmost to merit it’

  Five minutes later he was with Nordin in the plain closed carriage, arranging for his reckoning at the Vasa Inn to be settled and to have his black mare stabled there until his return. Within half an hour they were being rowed out to a full-rigged ship that lay at anchor in the bay.

  On their going aboard, the night-watchman roused the Captain from his bunk. He proved to be a taciturn, thick-set Swede, whose second language was German; but he accepted Prebendary Nordin’s instructions with deference and quick understanding, after which the Prebendary and Roger took leave of one another with discreet good wishes on both sides.

  Roger then held a halting conversation in German with the Captain, who took him down to a small cabin, where they superintended his baggage being stowed away, and afterwards on a short tour of the ship’s passenger accommodation. In the principal stateroom, which had naturally been allocated to Natalia Andreovna, Roger observed a roomy hanging-cupboard, that he felt would serve for the plan he had already formed. He also learned that she would take her meals with the Captain; then, having apologised to that worthy for having roused him from his bed, he wished him good night.

  It was not until he was undressing that he suddenly realised that he had had no supper, and now felt hungry; but he was loath to disturb the Captain again, and endeavouring to comfort hims
elf with the old adage that ‘he who sleeps, dines,’ he crawled into his bunk.

  On thinking over the events of the past few hours he decided that he was extremely lucky to be where he was instead of in a prison cell. Once more he told himself that in this new career of his he must exercise far more caution if he was to avoid coming to grief, and being cut off from all the joys of life while still in the flower of his youth.

  He felt sure that King Gustavus would not have dealt so leniently with him had it not been in his interests to do so, and it was very certain that if the Empress Catherine caught him out she would show him no mercy.

  The thought brought home to him the fact that he was now as good as on the last lap of his journey to Russia, and he wondered what the fates held in store for him in that strange, exotic, semi-barbarous country.

  He wondered too, just what Natalia Andreovna would have to say to him when he disclosed himself to her. She would almost certainly regard his presence in the ship as a most unwelcome surprise. So long as they remained at sea she could do him little harm, but once they landed in Russia she would be complete mistress of the situation. If she cared to pursue the vindictive policy she had recently adopted, owing, as it appeared, to her belief that he had been unfaithful to her, no doubt her influence in her own country was quite sufficient to have him thrown into prison on some trumped-up charge.

  A little belatedly he realised that, in having acted on a sudden impulse to inflict himself on her as a fellow-passenger during her voyage home, he had given himself as a hostage to fortune. He had gambled, without due thought, on his wits being sharper than hers. If he could succeed in fooling or beguiling her, all would be well; but if he failed it seemed now that he might well be called on to pay a high price for his rashness.