CHAPTER 32
Capturing the lines of Mrs Robbins dress Edrich was finding a problem because the photograph was not clear enough for him. The photograph he was using had been taken in the garden of the consulate not in the best light, as the sun seemed to have dazzled everything. Edrich knew that if you make a mistake in watercolour it is hard to correct and he began to wish that he was using oils – not that he had any of the latter with him – it was an easier medium for making corrections. He was standing studying his painting holding Lady Robbins’ photograph in one hand and a paintbrush in the other and frowning heavily when Sir Walter burst into the room waving an envelope.
‘Bill, we’ve got permission at last,’ Robbins said excitedly. ‘Sorry, Colonel Edrich, after all this is official business, the mission to Kashgar has received governmental approval,’ Robbins smiling handed Edrich the envelope.
Edrich put down the paintbrush and photograph and read the contents of the envelope. Robbins meanwhile went and studied the portrait of his wife.
‘You really are talented, Bill. I wish I could do something like this.’
‘I’m not happy about her dress lines.’ Edrich went and stood by Robbins. ‘Now, I can see that those trees in the background are too dark and it is unbalancing the painting.’
‘Look, I am happy and I am sure that Muriel will be equally delighted when she sees it. After all you are painting from a photograph and you haven’t done that before have you?’
‘No, I feel it is a bit like cheating. I should do it from life or should I say I prefer doing it that way.’
‘That is a bit difficult with Muriel being back in England.’ Robbins went and sat in a chair across the table from Edrich. Robbins turned the desk easel holding his wife’s portrait towards him. He studied the painting for a moment and smiled and nodded. ‘Marvellous. I can’t wait to get it framed.’ He moved his gaze to Edrich who had sat down opposite. ‘Right to work, I have my final orders from the Viceroy which basically ask me to concentrate on political and trade matters, whilst you?’
Edrich interrupting, ‘military matters.’
Robbins waited as if expecting Edrich to expand on that word but when none was forthcoming he said, ‘decision time, colonel.’
‘Yes it is. I believe as the most experienced military man here that I should accompany you and leave Washbrook here as the temporary consul. The hard part will be when I give Major Washbrook the news that I am, and not him, going to Tashkent.’ Edrich waved his orders at Robbins as though they contained something that supported his decision but they did not. ‘Hutton seems to have improved, which is good news and I hope he will provide us with an extra pair of hands if nothing else.’
Robbins grunted and then sat back in the chair and looked to the portrait of his wife as if for inspiration. ‘I have no doubt that you should come with me, colonel, not Major Washbrook. I believe the Russians will be impressed more by a colonel than a major but I must tell you that I find Washbrook, and this is strictly between us, has an unfortunate manner.’
‘What way do you mean?’
‘I find him surly and arrogant. When I was describing what the duties here were to him, he kept saying things like “I’ve done that on the frontier” or, ‘my experience was different and that worked”. Chinese Sinkiang is not the North West Frontier we do things differently here. I know you have both done similar work but you have been a consul in Persia but he has not had that wider experience. I felt I had to stress to him that the Chinese are not Pathans and neither are the Russians. Still,’ he added gloomily, ‘I suppose he will learn by doing the job. At least he speaks Russian. Oops sorry, Bill.’
Edrich laughed, ‘That is one of the reasons for my going with you and Hutton. You both cover my shortcomings. Bedi is still struggling to teach me Russian so I am glad that he will be coming with us. Bedi has also recommended that I take Ghulam Ahmad with me as another servant because he also speaks Russian and has lived in Tashkent until recently. I am not sure I like him though if you ask me why, I can’t put my finger on it. Still, I trust Bedi and as he vouches for this chap I think I’ll take him with me - provided I have your permission.’
Robbins looked serious, ‘I think an extra person will be useful. I hardly know Ahmed because I took him on with Bedi’s say so only a month or so ago. His Russian and Chinese are excellent. If we did not take him then there is nobody else.’ Robbins paused and looked uncomfortably at Edrich, ‘there is something else that worries me about Washbrook.’
‘What exactly is that?’ warily asked Edrich.
‘My observation of him at the social events that we have been to is that he is too fond of the ladies by half. Europeans have a delicate role here. If he wishes to chase women then it must be in secret not in public. You cannot be fawning all over women, particularly if they are European women, in a public place. In some ways I wish Bill that you could stay here and let him come with me.’
Edrich felt his heart sink at the thought but smiled. ‘Sorry, Walter, I can only be in one place at a time. Perhaps you had better have a word with Washbrook about his behaviour as you have observed this problem. It might be better coming from his predecessor who is an older and therefore wiser chap.’ Edrich decided not to say anything about the Russian woman who had been stolen from under his nose by Washbrook at one of the dinners that they had attended in the Russian Consulate. Being a bad loser was not an epitaph that Edrich wanted. ‘Does Bolotnikov still want to come with us?’ he said changing the subject.
‘Yes both he and his wife despite the risk. I told them that they should be ready to move within a day of our receiving permission to go to Tashkent. I suggest that we can go the day after tomorrow. Do you agree?’ Robbins stood up.
‘Yes, Walter.’
‘I’ll send someone to find Washbrook and ask him to come and see you. You can tell him what has been decided and then send him onto me, please.’ Robbins turned at the door and rubbed his hands like a gleeful schoolboy, ‘this is exciting, a secret mission and then returning home and retirement.’ Robbins grinned like a Cheshire cat and just as he was about to disappear through the door he stopped and went and picked up the painting of his wife, ‘this is good enough – an unfinished portrait.’ Edrich said nothing but watched Robbins walk to the door where the man stood for a moment before turning round looking worried, ‘One thing worries me slightly and that is our bona fides. They were issued here, so will they be accepted there? We’ll only know when we get there I suppose won’t we,’ he said as he left the room without waiting for a reply.
Edrich had just completed reading through his orders again when Washbrook presented himself. Edrich waited till the man had sat down before he began.
‘Major Washbrook, we have finally received orders from Simla. The mission will be going from here to Tashkent after all. I have discussed the matter with Sir Walter and he thinks, as I do, that I should be the military head of the group. Captain Hutton will accompany us and we intend to set out the day after tomorrow. You will act as the Indian Government’s Political Agent here until I get back. I know that you will do a first class job particularly in sorting out these Russian refugees. I’m sure too that if we need anything whilst we are over the border that you will do everything you can to help us.’
‘Yes, sir, but as I said in India I must protest at my change of role.’
‘Your protest is noted. As I said in India, war changes things.’
‘Yes, sir. Any idea how long you will be?’
‘Unfortunately not but I cannot imagine that we will be there more than a month.’
‘Hopefully you will be back before winter.’
‘Yes, hopefully,’ lied Edrich, ‘who knows though. I may have to leave Russia through Persia and return here via India?’
‘Let us hope not, sir. Then I can get back to my regiment as quickly as possible.’
‘Indeed. Anyway Sir Walter wishes to discuss some final things with you so perhaps you could pop along now and see him.’
/> Washbrook saluted and left the room. Edrich heard the sound of Washbrook’ rapping on Robbins’ door the door creak open and then the click as it shut. He sat back in his chair and mopped his brow.
‘Sit down, major, I’ll be with you in a moment.’ Robbins finished writing his letter put his pen down picked up an already addressed envelope and tucked the letter inside after pressing it against his blotting pad. ‘A note to Lady Robbins telling her I’m on my way home. Not of course that I said via Russia.’
‘Of course not, Sir Walter, the colonel said you wished to see me.’
Robbins looked blankly at him before he realised what he had to do and he blushed. Clearing his throat he began to fiddle with his pen and got ink on his hand, which he rubbed off on the blotter before dampening his handkerchief and removing the offending, spot. He cleared his throat opened his mouth shut it before he opened it again. ‘As the colonel has told you we are off to Tashkent finally. Do you have any problems?’
Washbrook’s eyes narrowed, ‘such as what problems?’
‘With the Russians you’ve been interviewing. I noticed you speaking to that pretty young widow the other evening, all evening. I hope she’s not one of these Bolos, major, they are by all accounts extremely wily.’
‘I don’t think so sir. The Bolos apparently shot her husband and hanged her brother. Bolotnikov knows the family. Very sad, so I felt she needed condolences.’
‘Indeed I am sure she did. You will be very careful, won’t you major, with how you deal with everyone here. The Chinese are extra sensitive. It is better by far to be doing something out of everyone’s sight.’
‘Such as?’
‘Well, talking to pretty young women. Hold your horses, major,’ Robbins thrust his hands at Washbrook who had leaned forward in his chair, ‘let me finish. All I am saying is that with the Chinese you must be aware of their extreme sensitivity. You are, apart from our Swedish Missionaries, virtually on your own here. Decorum, indeed excessive decorum, must be your watchword. You are upholding the Empire.’
‘Sir Walter, it is not really clear to me at what you are driving.’ Robbins stirred uncomfortably and looked embarrassed as Washbrook added, ‘I am aware of my position both personal and official. The Government of India quite clearly sees that I am capable of doing the job as does the colonel. If he did not then I would be going on the mission and he would be remaining here. I was selected because I am the right person for the job. I intend most definitely to continue your good work. I will run this post to the best of my ability until the colonel returns and I can go back to my regiment.’
‘Thank you major, I am sure you will do well. I just wanted you to be aware of the sensitivity of your role. I will see you this evening at dinner.’ Robbins heaved a sigh of relief as he watched Washbrook go through the door.
That evening when Edrich asked him how the meeting with Washbrook had gone. Robbins admitted that he had only hinted to Washbrook’ the worrying aspects of his behaviour. Robbins quickly changed the subject to discuss their trip which when the full party set off for the Russian Border two days later consisted of: the British officials; their servants; a small body of Indian troops and the Russian consul, Bolotnikov and his wife.
The Cotton Spies Page 33