At ten o'clock the four negotiators gathered again in the music room. They all settled down and got out their papers.
Richard lit a cigarette and looked at Adler. 'Well, my friend, have you got anything to say to us?'
Adler scratched his nose. Then: 'No, I'm sorry,' he said. 'I regret I cannot alter my position. Before anything else is discussed, I must have a firm understanding as to what arms and equipment the British government is going to supply, and an agreed timetable for their delivery; also full details of your contingency plans in the event that we are invaded. If I do not get this information, I shall be forced to withdraw.'
There was utter silence in the room following these words. Richard didn't react at all, just sat quite still, looking impassively at Adler.
Thornton's heart was in his mouth. Never in all his years of diplomacy had he felt quite so tense. He's overreaching himself, he thought. The Minister cannot possibly stand for an ultimatum like that, no matter what his instructions were. It would be too much of a capitulation. He's going to have to call Adler's bluff. Because the Duchy can't withdraw. They've got to have our help.
Eventually Richard spoke. He displayed no annoyance or disappointment. 'We seem to have reached deadlock, then. I certainly can give no firm commitments or any information such as you require until something is forthcoming from you in return.'
Adler shrugged. He seemed quite unperturbed. 'Then where do we go from here?'
'I don't see we can go anywhere from here. There's little point in continuing the talks.'
'Are you proposing to let me leave here and report to the Grand Duke that after travelling half-way across Europe especially to talk with you, you sent me home with nothing?'
'I am proposing nothing of the sort. All I propose is that you show yourself willing to negotiate - to give something in return; not just to make demands. If not, I'm afraid you'll have to report just that.'
There was silence again for a moment. Adler stared hard at Richard, as though he were trying to read his mind. Then he cast a quick glance at Felman, before looking back at Richard and saying: 'Then I suggest we adjourn now and spend the rest of the morning reconsidering our respective positions. We would both look rather foolish were we to break up now and have to report complete failure to our chiefs. Perhaps we can reconvene after lunch. Would that be acceptable to you?'
'Perfectly.'
'Then now you must excuse us. Felman and I have much to discuss.' And Adler got to his feet and hurriedly left the room, Felman on his heels.
Richard looked at Thornton. 'Whew, I thought we were in real trouble, then.'
'Certainly his last words came as a relief.'
'What the deuce is he up to, Thornton? And what's he going to do now? You try a forecast. Mine don't seem too accurate.'
'I would hazard the hypothesis that when he made that telephone call yesterday he was instructed to have one further attempt to - er, well, to get something for nothing. He has attempted, and failed. I think now he will make another call to report this, and will be told to settle this afternoon. I would suggest, Minister, that in order to help him save face, we prepare to make some small concession - simply to preserve the pretence that we are meeting him half-way.'
'Right. You put your mind to it, will you? Something that means nothing, but seems to.'
'Very well.'
'I think I'll go and stretch my legs. I've spent most of my time indoors the last few days. I'd like to get a little sun before the weather breaks - which looks as though it might be soon.'
* * *
Peabody found Lord Burford waiting for him in the collection room, in his hands a case very similar to the one Peabody himself was carrying. Lord Burford placed his casually down on a table. 'Ah, got it? Right, let's have a look.'
Peabody said: 'I'm sure yours is the more interesting item, Earl. Mine can wait until I've seen that.'
'Oh, come along, my dear chap. I've been spouting off about my stuff ever since you got here. Time you entertained me, for a change.'
'Well, say you look at mine while I look at yours?'
'As you wish.'
They exchanged cases. Simultaneously both cases were opened. Then simultaneously two pairs of eyes bulged, two jaws dropped, and two ejaculations burst forth.
'Good gad!'
'Holy mackerel!'
For inside the two cases lay two identical guns.
They were large, automatic-shaped pistols, ten inches long, with an ammunition clip in the form of an oblong metal box fitted in front of the trigger guard. Both were in superb condition. They were elaborately engraved, with ivory butts, and on the side of each were some letters, and the small figure of a double-headed eagle, carved in relief.
The two men's eyes met. Peabody whispered: 'You've got the other one. I was sure it was lost for good.'
'So was I. I thought I'd got hold of something unique.'
'Where the heck did you get yours?'
'From a little dealer I've known for years. Always found him honest. He came all the way from London just to show me it a month ago. Couldn't - or wouldn't - tell me its provenance, but assured me he had title to it. Naturally, I snapped it up on the spot. You're the first person to see it, outside the family. What about yours?'
'Little guy came to the hotel in Rome. Said he'd heard I was in town and thought I might be interested in something rather special. Rather special! I nearly passed out when I saw it. He wouldn't say where he got it, but he produced documents that seemed to prove he was the legal owner.'
Lord Burford said: 'Remarkable. May I?' Peabody handed hack the Earl's pistol, and Lord Burford took one of them in each hand, balancing and comparing them. 'Seems they belong together, what?' He handed both guns to Peabody.
'Sure does. I guess I don't need to say you can name your own price for yours?'
'No, I, er, guess not. Sorry - no deal. Obviously no use offering you money, old man; but you're welcome to choose any comparable weapon from my collection in exchange for yours.'
'No, sir. I'm not about to part with this baby.'
'Looks as if they're destined to stay apart, doesn't it?'
'Unless we can reach a compromise.'
'Such as?'
'Well, for a start, would you consider lending me yours for a few weeks? There's the big exhibition in New York City this fall. All the leading collectors in the States are sending exhibits. I cabled, entering this.' He held up his pistol. 'It would sure give me a big thrill to exhibit the pair. I'd lend you mine in return, later.'
Lord Burford scratched his chin. 'Like to oblige, old man. But frankly I funk letting it out of my possession. Know you'd treasure it and all that. But you've got these gangster johnnies over there, haven't you? Suppose Capone or someone took a fancy to it?'
'He's in jail.'
'Plenty more like him, I hear. And then again the New York exhibition'll be reported over here, the catalogue will be available; even if you lend me yours afterwards, I couldn't exhibit the pair as my own, as you had. But I'll tell you what. There is one fellow in England who's by way of being a rival of mine - a General Trimble Greene. I'd give anything to fool him into believin' I owned this pair. He's a kind of explorer and he's out of the country at present. But he'll be back in September, just for a couple of weeks, before going off to some expedition to South America. If I could hang onto the pair just long enough to make him drool a bit, there'd be a good chance he'd never see the New York exhibition catalogue, and mightn't find out for years, if ever, that I didn't own 'em both.'
'Sorry, Earl, but the exhibition opens September 24th.'
'That's all right: I'll be seeing Trimble Greene by the 15th. I'll send off yours so it'll reach America in time.'
Peabody shook his head. 'I wouldn't want to risk it. On the other hand . . .'
The conversation dragged on inconclusively for several more minutes, until they both realised they weren't going to get anywhere. Then they fell gloomily silent. Ten minutes before, each had be
en completely happy in the possession of a single gun; now the knowledge of the existence of a second, unattainable, one had cast a cloud over the day.
At last the Earl said: 'Fired yours?'
'Not yet. I haven't had a chance to get any ammunition.'
'Come along, then. I've got some.' He pointed to a section of the room which he had partitioned off as a small shooting range. They took both guns across, Lord Burford stopping to pick up some cartridges at a large cupboard where he stored ammunition and various accessories. They had twenty minutes target practice, after which Lord Burford replaced his gun in the display stand near the door, from which he had removed it before Peabody's arrival. Peabody took his pistol back to his room.
* * *
Meanwhile, Gerry had finished her think and gone to find Jane.
'News,' she said.
'What?'
'I've been on the 'phone to Pamela Darnley - just after Anilese had rung herself. She told me Anilese is by no means a close friend of theirs. They met her in Monte last year. She told them she lived in Geneva, and she made a few what Pamela thought were purely conventional "you must look me up next time you're in Switzerland" remarks - which Pamela reciprocated. Then just a couple of weeks ago she had a letter from Anilese saying she was going to be in the area shortly and would like very much to take up their kind invitation. Of course, they had no choice but to say yes.'
'She told them she was going to be in the area?'
Gerry nodded smugly. 'Exactly. But she didn't say what for.'
'Very fishy.'
'There's more. I've spoken to Harry Jenkins. He says he can't find anything wrong with the car which would make it suddenly swerve off the road. The bodywork at the front is badly damaged, the radiator's cracked, and the headlight's broken. But all that must have been done when it crashed -none of it could have caused the accident. He was a bit cagey and wouldn't commit himself; but he did say the damage was "queer", that he'd never seen a car damaged quite like it before - and he could hardly believe it had happened just by going into the ditch.'
'What did the chauffeur tell him?'
'He was evasive, apparently - said he couldn't remember much about it, suddenly lost control, thinks perhaps he hit a patch of oil. But I've checked and the road's as dry as a bone for half a mile in either direction. And there aren't any skid marks, either.'
'Well done. It certainly seems to clinch what you said. But we're no nearer finding out why she did it.'
'I'll find out,' Gerry said.
At that moment the door opened and Lord Burford entered. He grunted: 'Oh, hullo, you two,' pulled the bell for Merryweather, and sank down into a chair.
'Daddy, what on earth's the matter? I haven't seen you look so browned-off in all my puff.'
'It's that confounded Yankee.'
He explained at length about the two pistols. 'I'd give my eye teeth for that gun,' he added.
Gerry made a few sympathetic noises, but her attention was obviously elsewhere, and it was left to Jane to be chief comforter.
* * *
Having left Thornton in the music room, Richard strolled out onto the terrace. Here he found his sister-in-law and Mrs. Peabody, who had just been rejoined by Anilese, after she had made her 'phone call to Lady Darnley. This morning Anilese was strikingly dressed in a dirndl skirt and a white blouse with short puffed sleeves under a black bolero.
'Richard,' said Lady Burford, 'you'll be pleased to know that the Baroness is staying over the weekend.'
He smiled. 'That's grand.'
Anilese stood up. 'Richard, when are you going to show me something of these lovely grounds?'
'Now if you like.'
'Oh, good. Let's walk round the lake. I adore lakes.'
'Enchanté, madame,' said Richard.
* * *
Thornton did not see Richard again during the morning, nor at lunch. No time had been fixed for reconvening, but Thornton returned to the music room at two o'clock. Adler and Felman arrived five minutes later. But it was not until after two-thirty, when Thornton was about to send a servant to look for him, that Richard entered. Thornton stared at him. Richard looked white and drawn. For several seconds he stood inside the door, then walked slowly across to his chair and sat down. Thornton expected him to offer some apology for his lateness, but instead, without any preliminaries, Richard looked at Adler and said: 'What is the position?'
'Unchanged. Are you prepared to give me the information I requested this morning?'
Richard was breathing heavily, almost as though he'd been running. He raised a hand to his face and ran it down his cheek, as though wiping off sweat. Then, not looking at Adler, he said: 'Possibly. I don't know yet. I haven't decided. I need time to think.'
It was all Thornton could do to keep back a gasp of astonishment. He stared at Richard, his face a study.
Adler said quietly: 'How long?'
'I don't know. Till tonight - possibly tomorrow morning.'
'Not later than that?'
'No. I promise.'
'Very well.'
Richard got to his feet with a jerky movement. He looked at Thornton. 'Sorry,' he said. Then he hurried from the room.
For ten seconds none of the men spoke. Then Adler broke the silence. 'Come on, Nicholas. Let's go and have a game of billiards.'
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Grand Tour
From about noon that day the weather had grown even more humid. Gradually the sky became overcast. After lunch, Jane borrowed a bicycle and rode down to the village to do a little personal shopping. By the time she'd finished, the sky was a dark greeny-grey and it was plain a big storm was brewing. She hurried back, put the bicycle away, and went inside. Everybody except Richard was indoors. Surprisingly, he had gone for a long solitary tramp round the estate. In the house there seemed to be that air of restlessness and edginess that Jane had noticed an impending storm often produced. People were roaming round, picking up books and putting them down again, starting conversations and breaking them off quickly, or just sitting and staring out of the windows at the still and leaden trees.
The most obviously affected was Anilese. She seemed disgruntled at Richard's absence and sat by herself, flicking through magazines and politely but firmly rebuffing every attempt to engage her in conversation.
At the other extreme, Martin Adler seemed on top of the world and eager to talk. Jane had a long conversation with him, finding him interesting and well-informed.
Tea was served early, and afterwards Lady Burford made an unexpected suggestion: a guided tour of the entire house for the whole party.
'All of you have seen some of it,' she said, 'but nobody has seen everything. It would be a pity to have stayed here and missed something important. It seems an excellent time now to make sure nobody does.'
It was difficult to refuse such an invitation, and although several of those present - including Lord Burford and Gerry - were somewhat reluctant, everybody went along.
To the surprise of all but Lady Burford herself, the tour was a great success. The charm and tranquillity of the old house cast its spell over everyone, seeming somehow to cheer and soothe, and it was a happier group of people who arrived finally in the gun room - which Lady Burford was careful to make the climax of the tour. Here, his wife having done most of the talking until now, Lord Burford came into his own. Many years of experience had given him a good knowledge of what appealed to the non-expert, and he talked interestingly, with a fund of anecdotes, holding the attention even of the women. Soon he was obviously in high good humour again; so much so that after half an hour he whispered something to Peabody, who left the room. When he returned a few minutes later, the Earl said: 'I'll end with my latest acquisition.' He crossed to the stand where he had put the engraved pistol.
'In 1918 the famous Danish firearm manufacturers, Bergman Industriewerke, produced a semi-automatic 9mm pistol, model 1910/21. It is commonly known as the Bergman Bayard. It is very unusual in that the rifling inside the bar
rel is a six-groove left-hand twist - not the more common right-hand twist. Only a thousand of these pistols were made, and they are already valuable collectors' items. Peabody, would you like to carry on?'
'Surely.' Peabody stepped forward. 'Just before the Bayard was put into production, the firm received an unusual order. It was from a man who said he was acting for a very eminent person, wishing to remain anonymous. This person had heard of the new model and wanted to order a special presentation pair. They had to be elaborately engraved, with ivory stocks, and included in the decoration was to be an emblem in relief. He handed over a drawing to be copied. It was of the Romanov two-headed eagle - the emblem of the Russian Tsars - together with the initials of Nicholas II, the last Tsar.
'Well, the pistols were made - the first Bergman Bayards ever produced - and the man took them away, paying cash. The rest is speculation. Nicholas had by then been deposed and was in exile in Siberia with his family. Had he himself ordered the pistols; or had they been intended as a present to be sent to him - his birthday was in May - and if so, from whom?'
'Nicholas, of course, was related to the royal house of Denmark,' Lord Burford put in. 'His mother, the Dowager Empress Marie, was Danish, and the aunt of King Christian. So who was the eminent customer?'
'The gun world has never known,' Peabody continued, 'and the pistols were never seen again. Did Nicholas receive them? I firmly believe he did - and had them during those last months in Siberia. Then, on 16th July, 1918, he and his entire family were - supposedly - assassinated at Ekaterinburg. But did that actually happen? It's been variously reported that one, two, or even all of them escaped. No one knows their fate for sure. Nor does anybody know what happened to the pistols. Were they stolen by the assassins after the Tsar's death? Or did Nicholas carry them with him - perhaps actually use them - during the family's escape? The only certainty is that they disappeared from public view until a few weeks ago - when I bought this one in Rome.'
The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy Page 9
