Inspector Alleyn 3-Book Collection 1: A Man Lay Dead, Enter a Murderer, The Nursing Home Murder. Ngaio Marsh

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       CHAPTER 13 The Russian Element

      There was a short silence, broken by Angela.

      ‘Does Nigel come with me to the Wildes’?’ she asked.

      ‘If you don’t mind—no. I’ve a job for him here. We will both get into the car with you. Vassily will see us out, and we two will leave the car once it is out of sight of the house. There is a garage two hundred yards up the street. Will you park the Bentley there and take a taxi to the Wildes’? When you have got your parcel and had your Tunbridge fun, whatever it is—I’m trusting you there, young woman—please return to—where shall we say?—the Hungaria. I’ll book a table. Wait for us there. Do you mind?’

      ‘Of course not,’ Angela assured him. ‘What are you going to do?’

      ‘Honestly there isn’t time to tell you, and you must allow me my smack of officialdom.’

      Alleyn rang and Vassily appeared. The inspector told him that he was going back to Frantock and would be away for two days. They put on their coats and hats and three minutes later were looking back at the silhouette of the old butler bowing in the lighted doorway.

      Angela drove the car up the cul-de-sac and into Coventry Street, stopping outside the garage Alleyn had indicated. He and Nigel got out.

      ‘Au revoir,’ said Alleyn, leaning in at the driving-window. ‘If we are not at the Hungaria by twelve, ring up this number and ask for Inspector Boys. Quote the code number written on the card, say who you are and ask him to raid my flat.’

      ‘Really?’

      ‘Really. Good hunting.’

      ‘Goodbye darling,’ shouted Nigel brazenly, and he and Alleyn walked back towards the flat. Alleyn spoke rapidly.

      ‘Listen carefully, Bathgate. Take a taxi to 128 Little Pryde Street and ask there for Mr Sumiloff. He is working with me on the Russian side of this case and expects a call. Tell him I asked you to communicate with him and that he is to ring up my house and speak to Vassily in Russian. He is to say headquarters are unsafe, but Kuprin suggests an immediate meeting of the committee in my house. If Vassily hesitates, he is to say that I have been watched and have left in the Bentley for Frantock. He is to instruct Vassily and then summon the committee by telephone at once. He is to stress the fact that my house is the most unlikely and therefore the safest rendezvous. He is to suggest a password, and all who arrive at the flat are to use it before gaining admittance. All this Sumiloff is to tell Vassily to organize. I will go over it again. Have you a pencil and paper? Good. Shorthand? Aren’t you the clever one? Then note the name, Sumiloff.’ Alleyn went over his instructions again.

      ‘I’ve got that,’ said Nigel.

      ‘Sumiloff is then to go to the flat and gain admittance by the use of the password. He is to say that Kuprin has been arrested for the murder of the Pole, Krasinski, and has asked him to go to the meeting in his stead. He must pitch a yarn to cover himself. Tell him to make certain of Yansen attending the meeting. Yansen cannot speak Russian, only Swedish and English. It is important he should be there. Note that down. That’s right. Now off you go.’

      ‘One moment, Alleyn,’ said Nigel. ‘I understand that Vassily is in the thick of it after all.’

      ‘He’s in direct and constant communication with the brotherhood, but I do not wish him to think I suspect this. I am under the impression he yearns to be out of it, but dare not say so. I thought it better not to give you these instructions in the flat. Your manner is so very eloquent, Bathgate.’

      ‘Where do I go when the party is on?’

      ‘You? To the Hungaria, where you may inform Miss Angela of the situation. First of all, though, you wait with Sumiloff while he rings up Vassily. If Vassily agrees to receive the committee, you then ring him up yourself—no, wait a bit, that won’t do—yes it will. Say you want the Frantock number, as I have asked you to ring me up there tonight. Then go and book a table for three at the Hungaria and wait for us. Goodbye—you’ll like Sumiloff—he’s a charming fellow. Here’s a taxi for you.’