The Adventures of General-Major Richard Hannay: 7 Espionage & Mystery Classics. Buchan John

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      CHAPTER 15

       AN EMBARRASSED TOILET

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      I was soaked to the bone, and while Peter set off to look for dinner I went to my room to change. I had a rubdown and then got into pyjamas for some dumb-bell exercises with two chairs, for that long wet ride had stiffened my arm and shoulder muscles. They were a vulgar suit of primitive blue, which Blenkiron had looted from my London wardrobe. As Cornelis Brandt I had sported a flannel nightgown.

      My bedroom opened off the sitting-room, and while I was busy with my gymnastics I heard the door open. I thought at first it was Blenkiron, but the briskness of the tread was unlike his measured gait. I had left the light burning there, and the visitor, whoever he was, had made himself at home. I slipped on a green dressing-gown Blenkiron had lent me, and sallied forth to investigate.

      My friend Rasta was standing by the table, on which he had laid an envelope. He looked round at my entrance and saluted.

      ‘I come from the Minister of War, sir,’ he said, ‘and bring you your passports for tomorrow. You will travel by… ‘ And then his voice tailed away and his black eyes narrowed to slits. He had seen something which switched him off the metals.

      At that moment I saw it too. There was a mirror on the wall behind him, and as I faced him I could not help seeing my reflection. It was the exact image of the engineer on the Danube boat—blue jeans, loden cloak, and all. The accursed mischance of my costume had given him the clue to an identity which was otherwise buried deep in the Bosporus.

      I am bound to say for Rasta that he was a man of quick action. In a trice he had whipped round to the other side of the table between me and the door, where he stood regarding me wickedly.

      By this time I was at the table and stretched out a hand for the envelope. My one hope was nonchalance.

      ‘Sit down, sir,’ I said, ‘and have a drink. It’s a filthy night to move about in.’

      ‘Thank you, no, Herr Brandt,’ he said. ‘You may burn these passports for they will not be used.’

      ‘Whatever’s the matter with you?’ I cried. ‘You’ve mistaken the house, my lad. I’m called Hanau—Richard Hanau—and my partner’s Mr John S. Blenkiron. He’ll be here presently. Never knew anyone of the name of Brandt, barring a tobacconist in Denver City.’

      ‘You have never been to Rustchuk?’ he said with a sneer.

      ‘Not that I know of. But, pardon me, Sir, if I ask your name and your business here. I’m darned if I’m accustomed to be called by Dutch names or have my word doubted. In my country we consider that impolite as between gentlemen.’

      I could see that my bluff was having its effect. His stare began to waver, and when he next spoke it was in a more civil tone.

      ‘I will ask pardon if I’m mistaken, Sir, but you’re the image of a man who a week ago was at Rustchuk, a man much wanted by the Imperial Government.’

      ‘A week ago I was tossing in a dirty little hooker coming from Constanza. Unless Rustchuk’s in the middle of the Black Sea I’ve never visited the township. I guess you’re barking up the wrong tree. Come to think of it, I was expecting passports. Say, do you come from Enver Damad?’

      ‘I have that honour,’ he said.

      ‘Well, Enver is a very good friend of mine. He’s the brightest citizen I’ve struck this side of the Atlantic.’

      The man was calming down, and in another minute his suspicions would have gone. But at that moment, by the crookedest kind of luck, Peter entered with a tray of dishes. He did not notice Rasta, and walked straight to the table and plumped down his burden on it. The Turk had stepped aside at his entrance, and I saw by the look in his eyes that his suspicions had become a certainty. For Peter, stripped to shirt and breeches, was the identical shabby little companion of the Rustchuk meeting.

      I had never doubted Rasta’s pluck. He jumped for the door and had a pistol out in a trice pointing at my head.

      ‘Bonne fortune,’ he cried. ‘Both the birds at one shot.’ His hand was on the latch, and his mouth was open to cry. I guessed there was an orderly waiting on the stairs.

      He had what you call the strategic advantage, for he was at the door while I was at the other end of the table and Peter at the side of it at least two yards from him. The road was clear before him, and neither of us was armed. I made a despairing step forward, not knowing what I meant to do, for I saw no light. But Peter was before me.

      He had never let go СКАЧАТЬ