CHAPTER 57
‘Ambassador Bolotnikov, here to see you Major Washbrook.’
‘Really,’ said Washbrook surprised, ‘show him in.’
Bolotnikov entered the room slowly. He looked drawn and tired. When Washbrook offered him a seat the Russian sank down into it gratefully. Washbrook offered the Russian a drink, which he accepted with less than his usual alacrity. As soon as Washbrook’ servant had poured the vodka and left the room the Russian took a huge swig from his glass; Washbrook almost called his servant back to pour the man another but decided to wait.
‘Thank you major.’
‘I am surprised you are back here, Ambassador. Is Mrs Bolotnikov with you? When did you return?’
‘So many questions and I am so tired.’ Bolotnikov studied his glass then finished its contents in one gulp.
Without a word Washbrook got the bottle and poured the man half a tumbler full, which the Russian acknowledged with a smile.
‘My wife and I had to return because we were reliably informed that the Bolsheviks would shoot us if we went on to Tashkent from Andijan. The journey back was terrible because we met a Bolo patrol. These Bolsheviks stole most of our money and jewellery, the wife saved a pittance. If those swine control Russia for very long major then I fear the worst for the country I already fear that I will never see Moscow again. Now I have no official status I think I will go see our Ambassador in Beijing and see if we can stay somewhere in China.’
‘Sir Walter and the colonel are they on the way back or with you?’
‘They were booked to go to Tashkent by train on different days because the service was intermittent. Their servant Ghulam Ahmad left Andijan several days after we did and joined us short of the border – not clear why he was sent back.’ The Russian took a swig from his glass.
Washbrook jotted the facts down on some paper. ‘Soldiers and border guards how were they?’
‘The border guards still seem to remember the old days. They were courteous both when we were going over the border and on our return. We saw Bolshevik patrols on our journey out but they did not bother us. When we came back we met a band who robbed us. They could have killed us but they did not and that is why I have come to see you.’
Washbrook sat back mystified. It must have shown on his face because before he could speak the Russian went on, ‘we came back with a group of people that we met in Andijan. All the people were Europeans except for two Indians.’ The Russian leaned forward with an intent look on his face, ‘now when we were stopped and robbed by the Bolshevik patrol that took our money we were close to the border. I am sure this band of ruffians was going to kill us or take us prisoner and back to Andijan. Things changed immediately the Bolo leader spoke to one of the Indians, Mohan Lal.’
‘Did you hear what was said or see what was happening?’
‘No. All I know is that the Bolos’ belligerent attitude changed after they spoke to him. Not that they gave us our money back.’
‘Did Lal speak to you at all?’
‘A little bit. He claims to be a tea merchant who has been in Tashkent for several years and now wishes to return to India. I don’t know why but I had an uncomfortable feeling about him. I asked him about places in Tashkent and he did not know some of the places I would expect him too.’
‘I will talk to him if he wants to go to India because he will need a passport. What about the Europeans - any suspicious characters there? Was Ahmad with you at the time these Bolos robbed you?’
‘No. Ahmad was not with us when we were robbed. When he did join us he had only the clothes he was wearing and said he had not eaten for two days and the way he ate, I can believe that. As for the Europeans they all seemed genuine refugees – but who knows. One of the women, a young widow Madam Volkov, lost her jewellery as well as her money to the brigands. She’ll have to stay with us until she can find a route to America where she has cousins apparently. If you can help her to get a passport for India I am sure she will be grateful – she is pretty.’
The Russian leered for a moment to himself whilst Washbrook smirked back at the Russian. ‘I’ll do what I can but my government needs me to keep a firm control on granting access to India. Any message or report from Sir Walter or the colonel?’
‘No, I was not given anything.’
‘That is a surprise as they are on a fact-finding mission.’
‘Perhaps they remembered that I am a Russian and didn’t trust me.’ Both men laughed. ‘I actually left Andijan only four or five hours after I arrived so hardly enough time for Sir Walter or anyone else to learn or receive anything. The one thing I did learn however was that the people we spoke to thought the mission party were the vanguard of a large invasion force. Those people we met said they would welcome it – but I suppose they would tell us that.’
‘India will be interested in that rumour. Anything else?’
‘Only that the Bolshevik patrol had people in it who spoke German and I think I heard another language which may have been Hungarian. All the soldiers wore a motley collection of uniforms only some of which I recognised. The soldiers were really a very scruffy lot and I heard that some of them are straight out of gaol and therefore doubly unpleasant.’ The Russian stood up and finished his drink before putting his glass down with a flourish. ‘I am very tired and I must go back to Mrs Bolotnikov she is distraught with our position.’
The Russian bowed to Washbrook before both men shook hands. Once the Russian had left Washbrook wrote a report of the conversation he had just had. Washbrook’ report stated that all his information came from the ex-Russian Imperial Ambassador and that no information had yet been received from Colonel Edrich or Sir Walter Robbins but they were known to have set out for Tashkent.
The Cotton Spies Page 58