CHAPTER 66
Edrich was tinkering with his drawing of the cart and horses in his room when there was a knock at his door which slowly opened to admit a European whom he had never seen before. The man introduced himself in English as Voritch, and as the two men shook hands Edrich noticed their dampness. As if sensing this Voritch wiped his hands on his trousers. I’d rather you had done that first thought Edrich to himself. The man smiled and Edrich noticed a set of teeth that had different colours, white, yellow, grey and brown. The man gave the appearance of being poorly shaven, rather than being unshaven, with smooth shaved skin on his cheeks but there were tufts of hair under his chin. The man wore dark blue trousers and a worn jacket in the field grey of the German army.
‘Please, sit down, Mr Voritch. What can I do for you?’ asked Edrich as he made himself as comfortable as he could on his chair.
Voritch gazed round the room as though in wonder. Once the man had seemingly looked at everything he sat on the chair proffered. Voritch rubbed his hands again on his trousers looked round suspiciously again then fixed his gaze on Edrich. ‘I think it is what I can do for you, Colonel Edrich, not the reverse.’
Edrich tried to place the man’s accent, Central European certainly but it had some other inflection, which he could not quite place. ‘Your English is excellent, Mr Voritch. May I ask you where you learned it?’
The other smiled. It was a lopsided smile with the right side of the man’s mouth going up whilst the left side did not. He looked sinister Edrich decided at about the same time he felt a tension grip his stomach.
‘I was in America for three years I studied and learned my English there. It is a hard place if you do not have money.’
’I have not been there like you have but I hear it is a wonderful place and that the people are warm and friendly,’ Edrich said as he tried to sound as bland as he could.
They sat in silence for several moments. Then the man fumbled in his pockets and retrieved first a packet of cigarettes then after more fumbling a lighter made from a rifle shell case. The cigarettes looked as if they would fall apart unless Voritch smoked them quickly. Voritch offered the packet to Edrich who shook his head. Voritch lit up and sat alternatively inhaling the smoke and then looking at the burning end of the cigarette as soon as he withdrew it from his mouth. Still neither man spoke as Edrich watched the other like a hawk. Somewhere what sounded like a rifle shot was heard. At this Voritch put the cigarette back in his mouth with one hand and with the other put the lighter away in his trouser pocket.
‘Someone breaking the law,’ said Voritch looking at Edrich.
‘Not something I do, I am a very law abiding citizen wherever I am. I was just admiring your lighter we had them in the British Army when I was fighting on the Western Front.’
‘I started smoking in America. I have no idea where the lighter came from. I took it off a German who we had to shoot recently.’ He reflected on his cigarette. ‘Perhaps he took it off an Englishman. Who knows or cares.’
‘Are you an official of some sort? You look I think, more Russian than Sart.’
‘Thank you, Colonel Edrich, I am actually from Serbia and I am in the police force here.’
‘Why are you here? I have to warn you that I am the representative of His Britannic Majesty’s Government.’
Voritch look pained. ‘Obviously I know who you are colonel and why you are here. I know you have done nothing wrong. This is not a trap.’
‘No of course not,’ lied Edrich.
Voritch gave him a sharp look and then smiled in his crooked way pulled hard on his cigarette before stubbing the butt out in a saucer Edrich proffered. ‘You and your friends are in danger here Colonel Edrich, even though you will be leaving us this week. If the British Army advances towards Tashkent you might be arrested and held as a hostage.’ Voritch paused, ‘this might also happen to your friend Compton and any other Europeans here, but you,’ Voritch jabbed his finger hard at Edrich, ‘will be the main target. There are many in our government both here and in Moscow who think you are a spy and should be arrested and shot.’
Edrich’s cheeks coloured and in a voice which he made sound as angry as possible ‘I have told your Commissar that I have been sent by His Majesty’s Government to find out what the local government in Tashkent is going to do about the Germans.’ Edrich modulated his voice, ‘but of course you know this. You also know that I know nothing of a British invasion of Russia as I have told your Commissar. Perhaps you would leave now?’
Voritch waved his hand, ‘yes, yes I know all that you have told the Commissar. Look, colonel, it is a very tricky situation here. None of us knows what will happen and what the outcome will be of the war in Europe and the fighting between the Bolsheviks and the counter revolutionaries.’
‘That has nothing to do with me. I am not seeking to stand on one side or the other. It is a Russian affair. We on the other hand are still fighting the Germans. Their defeat is our first priority - nothing else matters - I mean it - nothing else matters.’ Edrich allowed himself to relax back into his chair.
Voritch looked at Edrich impassively except that the man’s eyes betrayed what appeared to be a smile. Edrich wondered, as the man was a policeman whether he could intrinsically tell when another was lying; he hoped not.
‘You have been waiting for instructions from your government as to what you should do. Have you not?’
Edrich thought for a moment, 'as my government’s servant of course I do as they wish. My government desires that every one of their servants stays within both British and the local laws. Yes, I have been awaiting a communication from India.’
Voritch put his hand in his jacket and pulled out a document and tried to hand it to Edrich. Edrich motioned with his hand that Voritch should put the letter on the table and that Edrich would then read it. This way Edrich believed would be less compromising. ‘Is this a personal letter to me? If it is then I should like to register my protest that it has been opened.’
Voritch grinned, ‘this is a document that someone in the Turkestan Government has received from Moscow. I think you may find it interesting. I translated it myself, as you do not speak Russian.’ The man’s gaze looked deep into Edrich’s eyes, ‘or should I say that you claim not to speak Russian?’ He slid the paper across the table and Edrich after a moment’s hesitation picked it up and read it.
Comrades, our chief aim is to encourage peoples across the world to throw off their yoke of oppression and to free themselves. In the east it is our intention to encourage the Muslims whether they are former subjects of the Tsar or current subjects of the British Imperialist to become rulers of autonomous states. Our principal enemy are the Imperialists of which the worst is of course Britain and the British Empire. The key target must be India because it has the largest Muslim population in the world. Muslims are also more militant and therefore the more likely to overthrow the Imperialists than the other religions. If the British can be overthrown in India then the rest of their Empire will fall like a pack of cards, to be followed by the Empire of the French Imperialists.
How can we achieve this I hear you say? First, I believe we must concentrate on Persia but at the same time keep the pot boiling in India. Now why Persia? Well the hatred felt by all Persians for the armed forces of Britain and the Tsar who first had entered Persia uninvited and unwelcome and who were there for their own economic benefits. Second, those unwelcome two have plundered and ravaged the country on the pretext of protecting the Persians from the machinations of the Ottoman Turks. Note that the Turks were only in Persia because the Imperialists were there. Third, Britain seeks to protect the decadent Quajar dynasty and their feudal Khans, Sheikhs and Beys from the democracy demanded by the Persian peasantry.
The means to achieve our aim in Persia was through the creation of the Persian Communist Party that took place in Tashkent recently. Through this party we have the nucleus of a proletarian army who can create a Soviet in the disaffected north of the Persia and with our h
elp and political support gain control of Tehran and then the rest of the country.
Once we have Persia then we have a bridge east to India and west to the Suez Canal. This canal is not only the gateway to Britain’s Imperial territories but it stands close to another enemy of the proletariat – France and its North African Imperialist territories.
Edrich put the paper back on the desk whereupon Voritch picked it up and lit it using his lighter. Gingerly the Serb held the paper until the flame began to lick his finger whereupon he dropped it onto the saucer containing his cigarette stub. When the paper had shrivelled into nothing Voritch reached under his jacket again to produce a printed document on the same telegram paper he had just burnt. As before Voritch slid the paper across the table and again after looking at Voritch suspiciously Edrich picked it up.
It was a translation of a telegram addressed to the Head of the Tashkent Soviet Government signed by the Viceroy of India. The telegram stated that the Robbins and Edrich mission was on official Government business. That official government business was stated as being: - to identify what was happening to German and Austrian POWs and what the current situation was with regard to the sale of Turkestan cotton – it contained nothing about any invasion. As before when Edrich handed the document back to Voritch the latter burnt it.
Edrich and Voritch looked at each other waiting for the other to speak. Edrich fought hard to maintain his silence.
‘Zukoff who is staying in this hotel has been identified by one of my contacts as being a member of the Turkestan Union.’
‘Who?’ said Edrich pulling a face that he hoped showed puzzlement.
Voritch looked tired as he said, ‘your acting is commendable, colonel. The man you saw earlier who claims to be a Persian but is actually a Russian and seeks the return of the Tsar. I have a report on my desk stating this fact. I know that Zukoff leaves Tashkent tomorrow. I have many papers on my desk. Sometimes it takes me several days to read them all.’ Voritch lit another cigarette then stood up. ‘I am so very busy I cannot remember where that report is but I expect it is at the bottom of a pile.’ Voritch shrugged then added as though speaking to himself, ‘I really won’t be able to start on that pile for three days and then it will take me all day to get to that report. I will then have to write orders for Zukoff’s arrest and search Tashkent for two or three days before I telegraph towns outside here. I suspect that he will have headed north. To go south on the railroad would be too dangerous for him. Wouldn’t you say, colonel?’
Edrich kept his face impassive. ‘I really would not know, Mr Voritch. I understood the man was a Persian. He dressed like a Persian.’
Voritch turned to Edrich with a smirk, ‘Are you going to tell me that dress will say anything about a man? To answer my own question – in a place like this where everyone only wears what they can get their hands on, I would say dress tells you nothing. Do not bother to disagree with me because you would be wasting my time which is short.’
‘I would not want to do that.’ Edrich was intrigued, ‘now may I ask you a question?’ The Serb nodded, ‘I’ve heard about something called the “Bismachi Movement” which, I understand, consists of many different tribes of the Muslim Sarts who are both anti-Bolshevik, anti-European and may see their role as jihadists. I think they might be a threat in the future to India if they are jihadists. I wondered therefore as you are a policeman in the Tashkent Soviet can you tell me the truth about who they are, their current status, their numbers.’
Voritch laughed, ‘I think this is a subject you should be discussing with a Commissar, but to me – the Sarts a threat to India? No. I am sure you know they originally started as an anti-Imperial Russian rising in 1916 and have nothing to do with India. As for whom they are? A bunch of disparate groups with a hodgepodge of ideas and ideals: anti-Tsar; anti-European; Pan-Turkic; Pan-Islamism Jihadists, to quote a few examples. Other groups are just bandits looking to raid caravans. Because they are so disorganised their threat to the Tashkent Soviet is minimal; the Uzbeks, Kyrgyz and Turkmen will never unite for more than about twenty minutes. The modern cross-tribe Muslims, the Jadids, who are anti-religion naturally support us against the forces of the mosque whose influence must surely disappear in the immediate future.’
‘But there are thousands of Sarts.’
‘Yes, but not all of them want to fight. The military stuffing was knocked out of the Sarts when Russia expanded into their territory during the last century. Now we estimate less than ten thousand in the various fighting groups because so many were killed in last year’s attempted counter-revolution.’
‘Aren’t there some Europeans opposed to you?’
‘Yes, perhaps a couple of thousand counter-revolutionaries exist without weapons, leadership and the most important thing of all.’
‘Which is?’
‘An ideology which appeals to the mass of the population, namely, the landless and the poor.’
‘And your ideology fits the bill.’
‘Yes, and it is coming to India according to information I have.’
‘Indian Revolutionaries are being sponsored by the Bolos to return to India?’
‘Freedom fighters, colonel, who want to go home with up-to-date Western ideas and ideals.’
Edrich reflected on what the man had told him. India would certainly want to know about the revolutionaries. ‘Don’t you want to return to Serbia – is that why you are on the side of these Bolsheviks?’
‘I support Revolutionaries not Bolsheviks. I support the former because as a Serb I am opposed to the rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Yes, I’d love to return home hopefully when the Austro-Hungarian Empire is no more and a Greater Serbian state exists. As a freed POW if I went home I’d be back in the Army fighting for the wrong side again just as I was when conscripted into the Austrian Army in 1914. Though I lived in the Empire I am an ethnic Serb. As for being in the government here – well gets one gets more to eat by joining the police or army. Eating is important for me.’ Voritch turned away and moved towards the door, then after two steps he turned round and spoke. ‘It is your friends’ last night in Tashkent, before they return to Kashgar so tell them “Be careful of what cotton is used for.” I hope I shall see you again, colonel.’ Voritch stood by the door waiting.
Edrich walked to the door and before he opened it he gingerly shook the Serb’s still sweat ridden hand. Voritch left the room and Edrich watched him walk down the corridor until the man turned to descend the stairs. Edrich closed the door and then went to the window and watched from behind the curtain until Voritch appeared. Voritch crossed the street and said something to one of the men who was watching the hotel and usually followed Edrich. The watcher stood to attention whilst being addressed by Voritch who then moved on to talk to another watcher who usually followed Robbins. Once the Serb disappeared Edrich turned back into the room and retrieved the ashtray that held the ashes of the documents and Voritch’s cigarette stubs which he deposited in the toilet down the hall. On returning to his room Edrich opened the window to let out the smell of burnt paper and cigarette. Whilst he waited for the smell to disappear Edrich again searched the room thoroughly for listening devices to no avail; he closed the window and then went and asked Robbins and Hutton to join him as soon as possible. Edrich related to the pair in detail what Voritch had said to him. When he had finished Hutton asked the obvious.
‘Do you think he was an agent provocateur, sir?’
As Edrich began to answer he realised he did not have a clue as to Voritch’s status. ‘Well I am not sure. What I did see was him talking to a couple of the men who follow us. Interestingly they stood to attention whilst he spoke to them. So he is definitely an official.’
‘The stuff about Zukoff why tell you that?’ asked Robbins.
‘It is accurate which is worrying but he’s obviously saying he’ll do nothing about it,’ answered Edrich. ‘As for the warning about Indian revolutionaries that is merely telling us what we already suspect.’
‘Lull us into believing him,’ mused Robbins, ‘not clear for what purpose though.’
‘I wonder how they how the Bolos will support these subversives and how they will get to India,’ asked Hutton.
‘These Bolos have established a Bolshevik party for Persia here in Tashkent then this is where an Indian Party may also be formed. If they do form an Indian Party here then I think revolutionaries will try to infiltrate India through Afghanistan and Kashgar. However the Indian Bolos could also use the Tashkent to Krasnovodsk railway, if the Bolos recapture it, to send subversives to the Persian border, go to Meshed and from there infiltrate India. Now we know that the Russians are supporting Indian Nationalists we should warn Meshed about the possibility of Indian subversives coming through there.’ Edrich looked at Robbins.
Robbins sat thinking and speculated, ‘Why would Meshed suspect any Indians coming through Persia to India of being revolutionaries? It is such a long way round for Indians to go and it is an unpleasant and arduous journey.’ He waved his hands. ‘Zukoff will be carrying our report what happens if he is compromised and the Bolos arrest him. If you have the information about the Indian revolutionaries in that report it can be tied back to you. Voritch is the sole source of that information so is it a sprat to catch a mackerel.’ Robbins shook his head, ‘too dangerous, colonel. We’ll forward the knowledge when we get to Kashgar. What about this policeman’s warning about cotton and taking care this evening?’
‘Probably talking about the quality of the food,’ said Edrich with a grin.
Hutton said, ‘We’ve eaten there before and it’s not been too bad.’
‘Spoken like a man brought up on English boarding school meals and captain, like you, I went to such a place where the food was the opposite of interesting,’ Edrich pulled a face that made Hutton smile.
‘I am worried about his remark concerning cotton that you two seem to relate to food. Joking aside, what do you think he meant?’ asked Robbins looking nervous.
‘Cotton is used in bullets as well as other armaments. Maybe someone is going to take a pot-shot at us or possibly we are being fed a red herring.’ Edrich could see his flippant remark about a pot-shot made Robbins look nervous. ‘Sir Walter, I suspect he only mentioned it because we’ve been talking about cotton so much.’
‘We could eat in the hotel and take no risks.’ Robbins looked at his two companions.
‘We have arranged to meet Compton at the Dansansky Restaurant and I think that is where we should go if for no other reason to find out if anything is to happen. You know we have our service revolvers with us if anybody tries something. Will you Hutton be able to walk the four hundred yards to the restaurant?’
‘Yes, colonel, for food I’ll go farther. Do you really think the Bolos or Germans will try anything on our way to the restaurant?’
‘Why would they do that,’ asked Robbins.
‘We or, indeed anyone is, at their most vulnerable when moving between two secure places like this hotel or the restaurant.’
Edrich looked thoughtful. ‘I think the captain has a point, Sir Walter. We are secure here and at the restaurant but we are vulnerable on our walk.’
Robbins was now irritable. ‘How do they know we are going anywhere? How do they know where we are going? In fact who are “They?” Germans? Bolos?’
‘Half the Bolos are Germans and half the Germans are Bolos,’ said Hutton knowingly.
‘Do two halves make a whole, Hutton?’ Edrich said trying to lighten the meeting. Nobody laughed and Robbins turned his head away deliberately. ‘Whichever it is doesn’t matter until it happens and if it happens, we’ll deal with it. At least we are forewarned. Hutton how is your packing?’
‘Finished, sir.’
‘To ease our minds, can you walk our route to the restaurant and see whether there are any places where we could be ambushed. It may be one side of the street offers better protection than the other side.’ Edrich looked at his watch, ‘we’ve got an hour and a half. Go now.’
When Hutton had left the room and his footsteps had died away Robbins turned to Edrich and said testily. ‘That man is completely stupid. I shudder at the thought of travelling with him to Kashgar for two weeks. I can’t imagine what we’ll talk about. Was it a good idea to send him out to spy the land, Bill?’
Edrich laughed, ‘I know I shouldn’t laugh but it is either that or cry. To be fair he has been on the North West Frontier and will know how to spot a sniper post or ambush spot.’
‘Up there consists of mountains here it is buildings.’ Robbins got up and opened the door.
‘I doubt that Hutton will notice the difference,’ said Edrich grinning to which Robbins replied with a snort as he left the room.
As always for security reasons the three men met in Edrich’s room prior to leaving for a restaurant. Each man had a glass of vodka as Hutton made his report on what he had observed.
‘All the houses on our route have trees in front of them. Some windows do have a view of the road but as far as I can tell their vision is limited because none of them look down the street only to the part of the road directly in front of them. So I believe a sniper would have very little time to fire more than two shots before we could get out of their line of sight, which I think precludes them being used by snipers.’
‘Have you thought that potential snipers could be in two separate buildings?’ asked Robbins.
‘Of course, the road can be seen from houses directly on opposite sides of the street but if they had snipers in each that would require the snipers to be co-ordinated and I think that would be difficult.’
‘Remember we could be dealing with Germans and you know how efficient they are, Captain Hutton.’ It was the first time that Edrich felt that Hutton had actually done some thinking.
‘I thought of that. If this is a German only plot how would the sniper have got any shooting practice? If they haven’t had any practice then they will recognise that fact. So they won’t use rifles but revolvers and for that they will have to be close - we just keep our wits about us. Another thing, if they open fire from a building as we walk along the street there is a good chance of hitting ordinary passers-by. Would they want to risk that?’ Hutton looked at the others.
Edrich thought for a moment. ‘Possibly not,’ he said, ‘however if they are in buildings they could leave by a back door quickly and disappear before anyone can re-act. If they don’t get caught then no one would know who these snipers are, so they could take the risk. I think rifle is more likely than revolver. I think this whole worry about being shot-at is a figment of our collective imagination. Trust Captain Hutton and me, Sir Walter because if we had worried about all the rumours that we were about to be shot, by Pathans, whilst we served on the Indian Frontier we would be nervous wrecks – and we are not that are we Hutton?’
‘Certainly not,’ lied Hutton.
The Cotton Spies Page 67