‘Are you sure you haven’t heard anything about this, from him?’
‘Not a whisper,’ Thornton assured him.
‘I’m impressed, Cobb is resourceful and discreet.’
‘So, how is Cobb’s investigation progressing?’
‘Couldn’t be better. He asked for a free hand and no questions asked and he returned the Seal within twenty-four hours … amazing.’
‘Sir Arthur obviously picked the right man.’
‘Yes, I must say people are very impressed with Cobb; he helped avert a nasty international incident. Anyway, this is where the story gets disturbing. Have you been reading about these werewolf attacks in the East End?’
‘Of course I have, shocking aren’t they? What is being done about them?’
‘Well … nothing. Apparently they’ve died away as suddenly as they began, curiously enough at the same time as the Grand Duke and his party left Albion.’
‘What are you saying?’
‘After they had left, the gardener was tidying up the grounds of King James’ Palace and he found some bodies … or what was left of them, buried in shallow graves. Forensic tests show that they definitely died of wounds received from some kind of animal.’
‘You don’t mean …?’
‘It looks like someone in the duke’s party appears to have been a werewolf, we believe it may have been the duke himself or his brother.’
‘But that’s impossible,’ exclaimed Thornton, ‘we have sniffers, those specially trained witches, at all the sea ports to detect werewolves trying to enter the country.’
‘Yes, but who is going to think to check a Royal party, especially when they are being met by the king himself?
‘Who knows about this?’ asked Thornton.
‘Well the gardener told the butler, who told the head butler at Buck House, who told the king’s Aide-de-Camp, who told the king. That’s when it got interesting.’
‘I can imagine. How did the king take it?’
‘Not too well. He doesn’t like his subjects being eaten, you know.’
‘But surely whoever did it must have realised that the bodies would be found after they’d left?’
‘That’s the point; we think they either didn’t care or they were left as a deliberate insult to His Majesty and this government. Sort of stating, “You need us and we know it, so we’ve got you over a barrel and there’s nothing you can do about it.” Very un-gentlemanly conduct if you ask me.’
‘So, what do they plan to do about it? If there’s anything that can be done, that is.’
‘Pour us both another drink would you?’
As Thornton poured them both another brandy, Emm rubbed his eyes. Thornton finished pouring and sat back down, looking at Emm expectantly.
‘Well, once the forensic tests on the bodies showed the probability of them being killed by a werewolf, the king summoned the prime minister and demanded action. According to the prime minister he said the Grand Duke had murdered Victor’s relation Henried, and was allowed to get away with that. Then he played us for fools by squeezing Parliament for absurdly biased trade deals while buddying up to Osterreich and then the final straw, he had slaughtered Victor’s subjects while a guest in this country!
‘Now, you know the rules about Royalty interfering in politics but the king has broken with protocol and ordered the PM to depose Grand Duke Luga, by recovering the Seal and using it to get Lady Yuli installed as the sovereign of Pils-Holstein.’
Thornton sipped his brandy while he thought about the enormity of what he had just heard. ‘I’ll pack at once, Emm.’
‘No Thornton, that won’t be necessary. Although you are an outsider, a free-lancer, you are still known by the opposition to have ties to the Albion Secret Service. This operation cannot lead back to us, to Albion. If the enemy got the slightest whiff of our involvement, then it would give them just the excuse they are looking for to march troops into Pils-Holstein and take it over.’
‘So why are we having this conversation?’ queried Thornton.
‘I want you to organise this operation. None of our regular agents must be used, no one who can be traced back to us.’
Thornton lit another cigar and puffed on it for a few moments. Emm sipped his brandy and waited for Thornton to finish cogitating. ‘Well, there is someone I might be able to use … Cobb.’
‘What an excellent idea. After all, why involve someone else? Cobb’s already part of the team, as it were.’
‘There’s just one thing though, he is resourceful and reliable but carrying out this mission would involve stealing the Seal back from the duke. Cobb’s a thief-taker not a thief.’
‘Well, what about the fella who stole the thing in the first place? If he can steal it from King James’ Palace he sounds just the sort of man we need. Offer him anything, money, a Royal pardon, whatever it takes.’
‘Do we know who it was?’
‘No, only Cobb does, that was part of the deal.’
‘Fine. I’ll talk to Cobb tomorrow.’
‘I knew I could rely on you Thornton. I’ll tell the PM.’
***
‘Are you mad??’ said Cobb. ‘After I’ve recovered the Seal once, you want me to go back to the man who stole it in the first place … and then ask him to steal it again?’
‘Yes … I know it sounds a bit strange but as I explained, for this little plan to succeed, it is necessary for the Seal to be stolen from wherever the duke keeps it and returned to the rightful family heir. Do you think you are up to that task?’ Thornton asked him.
Cobb thought for a moment. ‘No,’ he admitted.
‘And we want to keep this as quiet as possible, so who better than him? He’s already involved, so it saves bringing in an outsider. The less people that know about this, the better.’
‘What makes you think he’ll do it?’ asked Cobb.
‘Well, you know him, I don’t. What will it take to get him to agree to help us? Money? A Royal Pardon? A title? What does he need?’
‘Nothing that I can think of, he seems to take care of himself very well. And I’ve never heard of any outstanding warrants against him either. He’s got a clean slate, so there’s no help there either.’
Cobb wandered over to the fireplace where Won Lungh had set a roaring fire and stared into the flames. They were both silent as they considered their options.
Thornton had called round to Cobb’s house at lunchtime the day after meeting with Emm. Adele had been delighted to see him and insisted he stay for lunch. They had taken a light lunch together and then Thornton had asked Cobb if he could have a private word with him to discuss some business. Cobb had taken him into his office. There, Thornton had explained everything about his meeting with Emm the previous night and what Emm was expecting from Thornton.
Finally Thornton broke the silence, ‘Anyway, putting our thief aside for the moment, will you do it? There’s a lot at stake and that makes it dangerous.’
‘And this is necessary for the security of Albion’s interests in Europe?’
‘Definitely. There’s a lot of sabre-rattling coming from the other side of the Alpen Mountains. Our spies tell us that the Ostro-Ungarian Empire is keen to expand its territories. Unless we can respond quickly enough with troops to counter the situation when they move, then we could lose half of Europe to them,’ Thornton explained. ‘And for that, we need the access through the mountains that Pils-Holstein gives us. It’s in a prime position.’
‘Well can’t we just station a load of troops in that area in readiness?’ asked Cobb.
‘Oh it’s the usual thing, when there’s trouble the countries at risk are happy to see the “Brave Albion Army” marching into to defend them to the last man. But when things are quiet they accuse us of having Imperialist designs on them and refuse to allow us to position men in their back yards.’
‘We should let them get taken over,’ said Cobb.
‘Yes, but then in time we would end up with a Europe controlled by
Osterreich and Ungary. They would throttle our trade routes, make us pay through the nose or even cut the routes off completely. We’ve bloodied their noses a few times and they are itching to get their own back.’
‘Politics, politics. I’m glad I’m just a copper,’ said Cobb. ‘Of course, if I go I’ll have to tell Adele all about it. Where I’m going and why. If I may not come back then I think she deserves to know why.’
‘That’s acceptable,’ agreed Thornton.
‘Then okay, I’ll do it. The problem is how to get … “our thief” to agree to do it.’
Cobb had promised not to tell anyone about Darby’s involvement in the theft of the Seal and up until now had carefully avoided mentioning Jim Darby by name. However, to get him to agree to assist Cobb, then Thornton would have to speak to him directly. After their last encounter Cobb didn’t think that Jim would be too willing to listen to anything that Cobb had to say.
‘There may be a way we can persuade him but last time we spoke, when I recovered the Seal, we … had a bit of a falling out. Well, I fell out with him actually, so he may not be inclined to listen to what I’ve got to say. You’re going to have to talk to him yourself if you want to persuade him to help us.’
Thornton asked, ‘Okay when do we go?’
‘Well I don’t know his comings and goings, so now is as good a time as any to try him,’ replied Cobb.
As Thornton stood up and buttoned up his coat, Cobb opened his safe and took out two revolvers. He checked they were loaded then he put one in his pocket and the other he held out to Thornton.
‘Will that be necessary?’ Thornton asked.
‘I don’t really know. He’s doesn’t strike me as a man to mess with and I don’t know how he’ll take us dropping in on him with this offer,’ replied Cobb.
Cobb went to say goodbye to Adele and then followed Thornton out into the hallway where Won Lungh was waiting with their hats and coats.
Cobb noticed that once again Thornton and Won Lungh were icily polite to each other. I’d love to know what went on between those two, thought Cobb. He kissed Adele goodbye and he and Thornton went out into the street to find a Hansom cab.
***
The cab arrived outside Darby’s house and Cobb and Thornton climbed down to the pavement. Thornton paid the driver, he and Cobb climbed the steps and Cobb rang the doorbell. After a few moments, Jim Darby opened the door.
‘Well Cobb, this is a surprise; I thought you’d never darken my doorstep again. What brings you here?’ he said.
‘We need to talk to you,’ replied Cobb
‘Oh? I thought you didn’t want to talk to me anymore.’
‘Jim, we need to talk to you.’
Jim stood back and holding the door wide he waved them in. ‘Brought your Dad with you this time, have you?’ he said.
‘Funnily enough, yes in a way.’ Cobb waited while Jim closed the front door. ‘This is my father-in-law, Thornton Wells. Thornton this is Jim Darby.’ Cobb made the introductions and the two men shook hands and made all the appropriate polite noises you make when introduced to a stranger.
‘I hope we’re not disturbing you Jim,’ said Cobb.
‘No, no, just doing a spot of reading.’
Jim took their hats and coats and hung them up, then he ushered them into the drawing room. He bade them both sit and then walked over to the drinks tray on the sideboard. ‘Drink anyone?’ he offered. They both accepted a whiskey and soda; Jim poured one for himself as well.
Jim took out his cigarette case and offered one to Thornton, he knew Cobb didn’t smoke. Thornton took one although he normally smoked cigars. The two of them busied around lighting their cigarettes and getting ash trays but Cobb could see that it was all just a show to waste some time, the two men were sizing each other up.
When the pantomime was over, Jim sat on the sofa facing Cobb and Thornton. ‘What line of business are you in Mr. Wells? The police? The government?’
‘Actually I sell antique books.’
‘Antique books … interesting.’ Jim took a long draw on his cigarette and blew the smoke towards the ceiling. ‘So, shall we get down to business? Why have you come to see me?’
Cobb and Thornton looked at each other. Cobb motioned for Thornton to go ahead.
‘Cobb told me you stole the Great Seal of Pils-Holstein.’
‘So much for giving your word that you wouldn’t tell anyone,’ said Jim coldly, looking at Cobb.
‘Sorry Jim but circumstances have changed somewhat,’ replied Cobb, ‘listen to Thornton.’
‘Things have moved on since you returned the Seal,’ said Thornton. ‘You see Mr. Darby the … erm … powers that be … have decided that Grand Duke Luga must be replaced as the ruler of Pils-Holstein. To do that requires possession of the Great Seal. The plan is to remove the Seal from Luga’s possession and return it to its rightful owner … Lady Yuli von Pils-Holstein, the heir to Grand Duke Henried.’
‘Well, this political insight is all very interesting but what’s it got to do with me?’ asked Jim.
‘I want you to steal the Great Seal … again,’ said Thornton coolly.
‘Are you mad??’
‘Funny, that’s what I said,’ Cobb chipped in.
‘But I stole it once …’ exclaimed Jim, pointing at Cobb. ‘He made me give it back! And now you want me to steal it again! What’s wrong with you people?’
Thornton just shrugged, ‘Situations change, game plans have to adapt accordingly.’
‘So what exactly is it you are asking me to do?’ asked Jim.
‘Luga and his party have returned to Pils-Holstein. I want you to accompany Cobb there, to the capital Magdeburg to be precise. When you are there, I want you to steal the Great Seal and deliver it to me, here in Londum. Cobb will be in charge of the operation and you will handle the robbery. Simple.’
‘And why do you think that I would want to do this? It sounds like a very risky undertaking to me. Why should I stick my neck out?’
Thornton said, ‘You can name your own price.’
‘I don’t know what Cobb told you about me but I would have hoped that he told you I can’t be bought that easily. Surely you can still give me that much credit?’ The last was directed at Cobb.
‘You could give a lot of money to charity, Jim,’ responded Cobb. One of the unusual things about Jim Darby was that he gave a lot of money to various charities and hostels for the homeless in the East End of Londum. Cobb had never known for certain until recently, where exactly that money came from but it appeared that a large percentage of the proceeds of Jim’s robberies ended up in the pockets of the poor.
‘Okay, if it’s not money you want then how about doing it for your country?’ asked Thornton.
Jim picked up their glasses and went and refilled them. ‘Please,’ he said, ‘if I can’t be bought what makes you think you can win me over by appealing to my patriotism?’ He placed the full glasses on the table before them, sat down on the sofa and lit another cigarette.
‘So why don’t you use your own people?’ Jim asked Thornton. ‘Surely you have men who are trained in this sort of thing?’
‘This cannot be seen in any way to be an Albion operation. If one of our regular agents, or indeed myself, were seen to be part of this then that would give our enemies the excuse they need to take pre-emptive action regarding Pils-Holstein. May the Gods forbid that you two get caught but if you do, you are just two gentlemen adventurers out to line your own pockets. Nothing reflects back on Albion.’
‘I see. If we get caught, we just get hung out to dry, is that it? No thank you,’ Jim stated emphatically.
Thornton looked at Cobb; who could see from Thornton’s expression that he thought this conversation was going nowhere.
‘Okay Jim,’ said Cobb, ‘if you won’t do it for money or patriotism … how about revenge?’
‘What revenge?’ said Jim.
Thornton looked curiously at Cobb.
Cobb looked at Jim for a mom
ent and then looked at Thornton. ‘Tell him about the werewolves.’
Jim Darby’s face flushed slightly and a strange light came into his eyes. ‘Yes Mr. Wells … tell me about the werewolves.’
‘Well, I was going to tell you all about it if you came on board, anyway. After Duke Luga and his party left the country, a gardener was cleaning up the grounds at King James’ Palace. He noticed a patch of earth had been disturbed so he dug it up to see what had happened. He found several bodies that had been mauled by some kind of animal. Forensic tests indicate that it was possibly a werewolf that had carried out the murders. Someone in Duke Luga’s party, possibly the duke himself, is a werewolf.’
‘And you’re sure of this?’ demanded Jim.
‘As far as we can be,’ replied Thornton.
Jim Darby put down his glass and stubbed out his cigarette. He stood up and wandered around the room, thinking this new information over.
He paced backwards and forwards while Cobb and Thornton sipped their drinks as they watched him. After a few moments he walked over to the wall on which a handsome shotgun was mounted. He took it down and both Cobb and Thornton casually slipped their hands into the pockets that held their guns.
‘Whoa! Easy Jim … you’re not going to hunt us for sport, are you?’ joked Cobb in an attempt not to let the situation escalate.
They relaxed when Jim came and stood in front of them and broke the shotgun open, they could quite clearly see it was unloaded.
‘Nice time of year for a hunting trip in the Alpen Mountains, don’t you think? Probably bag ourselves some wild boar or maybe a deer. What do you say Cobb, care to join me?’
Cobb nodded and Thornton said, ‘So you’ll help us then? Good. That will be a good cover, two friends on a hunting trip in the mountains. What could be more natural than that?’
‘Of course you will have to pay me something for my expenses,’ said Jim.
‘Thought we might,’ muttered Thornton. He took a piece of card out of his waistcoat pocket and a pencil from his inside pocket. He wrote a figure on the card and slid it across the table to Jim.
Jim looked at it and held his hand out for the pencil. He crossed out the figure, wrote one of his own and slid the card back to Thornton.
The Londum Omnibus Volume One (The Londum Series Book 4) Page 34