‘There’s something that I’ve been wanting to ask you, sir,’ said Box. ‘When we came upon the dead body of Kessler, Count Thalberg seemed to be stuffing the dead man’s pockets with papers or letters—’
‘Let me tell you the story of those papers,’ Kershaw interrupted. ‘You recall Major Blythe? Well, I commissioned him to save your colleague Detective-Inspector Fitzgerald from disgrace and dismissal, and then I promptly got him and his light fantastic boys to burgle Kessler’s safe in Prussia House. A very valuable addition to my people, is Bobby Fitz. Oh, yes, he’s working full time for me, now.
‘Those papers included a list of English professional men who were willing to assist Kessler and his master in the event of their being successful in Berlin. I have already acted on the contents of that paper, Box. But there were also copies of letters from Kessler to his master, a man called Count von Donath, President of the Prussian Court of Requests, which revealed both men’s treachery to the Kaiser and the German Empire. I entrusted Count von und zu Thalberg with the task of “planting” those papers on Kessler’s corpse. By doing so, we ensured that both Kessler and the slippery von Donath would be brought to book. Clever, don’t you think?’
‘And this man von Donath—’
‘That man von Donath, Mr Box, was the evil genius behind the whole enterprise. Sir Charles Napier had severe doubts about him, and alerted me to his existence last May. He was a man who connived at secret murders. It was his hand, as much as that of Kessler, that was on the hilt of the dagger that killed Grunwalski.’
Colonel Kershaw stopped speaking, and his mouth set in a grim line. Box knew that he was thinking of his failure to save the life of his own agent.
‘What will happen to this Count von Donath?’ asked Box, as they turned into Cockspur Street.
‘Happen? He’s dead, Box. A few days after we foiled the attempt on the Kaiser’s life, he drank cyanide mixed in a glass of wine, and perished immediately. Beside him was a freshly-opened letter, which hinted at blackmail, and revealed that the writer knew all about his secret plans for the Germany of the future.’
‘So he committed suicide?’ said Box, half to himself.
‘Yes. Or maybe – maybe someone set out to avenge the death of one of von Donath’s victims. That is not at all beyond the bounds of possibility.’
Box glanced at the stern face of the man walking beside him, and knew what his veiled words had signified. What was it that Sergeant-Major Schmidt had said? ‘The colonel has his little ways.’
‘Strewth!’ said Box, under his breath, and then asked the colonel another question.
‘What were those plans, sir? Do we know what von Donath had in mind?’
‘It’s the opinion of Sir Charles Napier that von Donath aimed at ruling the German Empire through the Kaiser’s heir, Crown Prince William, who’s only twelve years of age. He knew that, after the cataclysm of total war in Europe, the old order of things would lie in ruins, and he would be able to mould a whole continent to his will. It’s a fearful picture, Box, but I think Napier has not gone far enough.’
‘You mean—’
‘I mean that von Donath probably envisioned a German Republic, with himself at its head, and with Franz Kessler as Chancellor. The new order would be born from the ruins of the old, the Balance of Power concept would be abrogated, and Germany would have established hegemony over the whole of Western Europe. More wars, Box, and more mass slaughter on countless battlefields. Well, it didn’t happen – but it might one day. As President Andrew Jackson said, “You must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty”.’
The German Ambassador received Kershaw and Box in the grand reception room of Prussia House. He motioned to them to sit down on two gilt chairs, while he himself stood rather stiffly behind an ornate table. After a few preliminary pleasantries, he picked up a square leather box, which he held in his hand while addressing Kershaw.
‘Colonel Sir Adrian Kershaw,’ he said, ‘The Kaiser conveys through me his grateful thanks to you for preserving his life and, as a signal mark of his gratitude, he has conferred upon you the Prussian Military Order “Pour le Mérite”, with Gilt Oak Leaves.’
Count von Hatzfeldt-Wildenburg opened the leather case, and removed a blue-enamelled Maltese Cross with eagles between the arms, the Prussian Royal cipher, and the French legend Pour le Mérite arranged on the arms of the cross. He showed it briefly to Kershaw, and then returned it to its case. He bowed to Kershaw, who returned the courtesy.
‘This order,’ the ambassador continued, ‘is normally bestowed upon its recipients for outstanding valour in battle. In your case, Colonel, it is a personal gift of the Kaiser. In my view, it has never been more fittingly bestowed.’
The Ambassador picked up another leather case from the table, and opened its clasp.
‘Detective Inspector Arnold Box,’ he said, ‘it was your brilliant deductions that helped to preserve the Kaiser’s life, and it is His Majesty’s wish that you should be awarded the Gold Medal of the Hohenzollern Family Order, which is in the Kaiser’s personal gift. Possession of this medal brings with it a life pension of twenty pounds a year.’
The ambassador solemnly shook hands with both men. He looked both pleased and moved by the unusual presentation to two foreigners who had served his master so well.
‘As well as these awards, gentlemen,’ he concluded, handing the leather cases to Kershaw and Box, ‘you take away with you today the thanks of the whole German people. May God grant that the abiding friendship between our two nations continues to flourish.’
‘Well, there it is, Box,’ said Kershaw when they had left Prussia House, ‘that neatly rounds the whole thing off. I’m delighted to see that, for once, you have been very nicely rewarded for your work, and I must confess that I’m very honoured to receive such a very high distinction from the Emperor.’
Colonel Kershaw raised his hat to Box, and turned his face towards Whitehall.
‘Goodbye, Box,’ he said, ‘you and I have had a good run for our money this month. I hope that we shall work together again, some time.’
‘I hope so too, sir,’ Box replied. ‘Goodbye.’
He watched Kershaw until he was lost to sight among the crowd of people thronging the pavement, and then made his way back to King James’s Rents.
By the Same Author
The Dried-Up Man
The Dark Kingdom
The Devereaux Inheritance
The Haunted Governess
The Advocate’s Wife
The Hansa Protocol
The Ancaster Demons
Web of Discord
Evil Holds the Key
The Gold Masters
The Unquiet Sleeper
Copyright
© Norman Russell 2007
First published in Great Britain 2007
This ebook edition 2012
ISBN 978 0 7090 9680 1 (epub)
ISBN 978 0 7090 9681 8 (mobi)
ISBN 978 0 7090 9682 5 (pdf)
ISBN 978 0 7090 8437 2 (print)
Robert Hale Limited
Clerkenwell House
Clerkenwell Green
London EC1R 0HT
www.halebooks.com
The right of Norman Russell to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
The Aquila Project Page 22