‘Those were only a few preliminaries! By Jove, I’d like a smoke!’
‘How, by all that’s wonderful, do you know where the plans are?’
Leonard laughed with enjoyment.
‘I don’t,’ he said. ‘But by that bit of bluff I found out that they were still in India and a little deduction goes a long way – sometimes! And it’s worth something to know the name of the leading light of these fellows out here too,’ he added with satisfaction.
‘By Jove, yes! You quite took him off his guard when you shouted “Who” at him. He made a pretty good effort to recover, though!’
‘He did! But that Lev – was quite enough for me, thank the Lord! Levinsky and Dorin, Billy! A nice slippery pair to start with, what do you think?’
‘Slippery is not the word for it! I shall never forget how Dorin tried to get away from that house in Whitechapel when we rounded up those Bolsheviks four years ago!’
‘Yes, that was clever work. They must have had the business of Waller and Redmond in their hands already and when he escaped from us he came out to India!’
Billy nodded.
‘Well, we’ve made a start,’ he said. ‘Things are beginning to look quite promising.’
‘Don’t be too optimistic, Billy! We’ve a long way to go yet, and with Levinsky and Dorin on the other side, it is going to be a narrow and stony way too!’
Brien shrugged his shoulders.
‘We’re used to treading narrow and stony paths,’ he said. ‘And sometimes people who spread the most stones on a path, fall over and cut themselves badly!’
‘Hooray!’ cried Leonard. ‘Billy Brien makes an epigram!’
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
In the Viceroy’s Study
At half past three the aeroplane reached Delhi, and alighted on a wide open space not far from Viceregal Lodge. As the huge machine came to a halt, a beautiful closed car drove up and stopped within a few yards of it. Sir Henry Muir sprang out, and in a moment he and Wallace were shaking hands.
‘Gad!’ exclaimed the Secretary. ‘I have never felt so delighted at seeing anyone in my life!’
Wallace turned to Brien.
‘On the face of it,’ he said, ‘that sounds like a compliment, Billy but it isn’t – it is merely a very selfish example of cupboard love!’
Muir laughed.
‘Some of it is,’ he said, ‘but not all.’
‘He even has the effrontery to admit it, though he does try to soften the blow a bit. Muir! Muir! I expected such a lot from you, and this disappointment is very bitter!’
Sir Henry apologised with much humility.
‘And now are you ready to come at once?’ he asked.
‘Quite! I’ve a friend I want to bring with me, and as I do not wish any of the interested crowd to see him more than necessary, you must not mind if he makes a sudden dart from the aeroplane to the car. Billy, get inside and keep your revolver handy!’
Brien obediently entered the machine, and Wallace returned to the aeroplane, leaving Muir standing between the two with a somewhat puzzled expression on his face.
Leonard accosted the spy who was waiting in the saloon with Batty standing guard over him.
‘Now, my man!’ he said, ‘put that topee on and pull it well over your eyes. There is likely to be one or two of your pals standing among the people who have collected, so walk hurriedly, with your face as hidden as possible, to the car, and get in. It is no use your making any attempt to escape, for I shall be standing watching you with this neat little Browning in my hand and Major Brien is doing ditto. So, march!’
The man obeyed and, walking quickly to the limousine, got in.
‘Now, Batty, you wait here! There’ll be another car along for you and the baggage presently, no doubt, and don’t say a word to anyone about our prisoner! If you are asked any questions be as astonished as you like, and warn the mechanics!’
‘Aye, aye, sir!’
Leonard rejoined Muir who was speaking to Forsyth, having conveyed an invitation to stay in Viceregal Lodge to him and his companion from the Viceroy.
‘I’m ready if you are, Muir!’
‘Then we’ll go at once!’
Sir Henry glanced curiously at the spy as the car rapidly covered the distance to the Lodge, but asked no questions and no information was given him, till the car stopped, then Wallace startled him by asking for a safe place, within the main building, where the man could be securely locked up. However, he at once took them to a room that might have been made for such a purpose. The only window it had was high up in one of the walls and even then was too small for a human being to squeeze through. The door was thick and not only locked but had bolts on the outside, and within there was only a table, two chairs and a small couch.
‘The very place.’ said Wallace. ‘In you go, my man, and thank your lucky stars for the many blessings you have received!’
The door was locked and bolted. There had been no servants or officials about during this interlude, Leonard having asked Muir to see that all the bearers, who had awaited their coming, were sent out of the way.
‘I do not want anybody else to know of my prisoner, Muir,’ he said as they walked away from the room. ‘At least not at present, and if there are any more keys, will you get hold of them at once and give instructions that nobody is to go to that room?’
Sir Henry nodded.
‘I’ll see to it at once,’ he said, ‘but I’m burning with curiosity!’
‘You’ll know all about it soon. In the meantime, as soon as Batty arrives, I want a bath and an entire change of clothing, and from the look of Brien I should imagine he does too!’
They had not long to wait for Batty and their belongings, and, in the meantime, Muir informed them that the Viceroy and Lady Oundle were at a garden party and would be back about six. They partook of a light tea in Muir’s sitting room and Wallace resolutely refused to ‘talk shop’ as he called it until he had changed.
Both Leonard and Billy sought their baths like ducks discovering a stream of water after a particularly dry season. The former revelled in his to such an extent, and sang and splashed so loudly, that the bearer who had been allotted to him as his particular servant thought the new sahib must be surely mad. He started laying out garments, shaking his head doubtfully the while. He was in the midst of this occupation when Batty, who had been engaged in another room, came in and saw him.
‘What the ’ell do you think you’re doing!’ cried the sailor. ‘Take them ’ands away from the clothes, d’you ’ear?’ He pushed the bearer away with no gentle touch. ‘Don’t you lemme catch you pawin’ Sir Leonard’s clothes again with them dirty ’ands – they don’t look as if they’d been washed since you was a nipper. Sink me, if this ain’t coming it a bit too thick. ’Ere ’op it and likewise get out, or I’ll train me fore-chasers on to you quick!’
The man stood and stared at him in utter amazement, then broke into a flood of voluble Hindustani.
‘It ain’t no good you attempting to excuse yerself. I know the artful ways o’ you gents with yer conjurin’ tricks and black magic. Now ’ook it and ’ook it quick!’
The bearer still protested excitedly, so Batty took him by the shoulders and pushed him out of the dressing room, through the bedroom, and left him in the corridor outside, where he shook an admonitory forefinger at him and left him.
When Wallace emerged from the bathroom he found the sailor still fuming with indignation.
‘What’s the matter, Batty?’ he asked cheerfully.
‘Matter enough, sir,’ replied that worthy. ‘I found one of them black ’eathens pulling your clothes about. I think ’e was trying to steal summat!’
Leonard laughed heartily.
‘He was only a bearer, Batty,’ he said, ‘sent to look after me, help me to dress, and so on!’
The other looked at him indignantly.
‘What about me, sir?’ he asked. ‘That’s my job, an’ I ain’t goin’ to ’ave none of them c
reepin’ fellers takin’ my place. An’ there’s another o’ ’em squattin’ on the mat outside.’
‘But you’re in India now, and you should be pleased to find somebody to do your work for you.’
‘Well, I ain’t, sir, an’ that’s a fact!’
‘What did you do with him?’
‘Pushed ’im outside with ’is mate. ’E couldn’t even talk English.’
‘You’ll have to learn Hindustani!’
‘Not me, sir. English is good enough for me, an’ if these blokes don’t speak it, well they ought, that’s all I’ve got ter say. It ain’t natural to speak in that outlandish lingo.’
Wallace laughed, and continued his leisurely dressing.
‘You’ll get used to them in time,’ he said.
He soon afterwards rejoined Muir, and found that Brien had preceded him.
‘Have you been imagining you were swimming the Channel?’ asked the latter.
‘Why?’
‘You’ve been a dickens of a time, and I heard a most unholy splashing coming from your bathroom.’
‘When I wash myself, Bill, I do the thing properly; not in the way beloved of Irishmen!’
Muir laughed.
‘It’s good to hear you two again,’ he said. ‘It makes me feel younger!’
‘Dear old granddad!’ said Brien. ‘How lightly the years sit upon your bent old shoulders!’
‘Now for business!’ said Leonard briskly. ‘It’s time you told us the facts of this case, Muir. All I know is that some very important plans have been stolen and a man murdered, and that the Viceroy has sent for us to recover the plans.’
At that moment a secretary entered the room.
‘His Excellency has returned!’ he announced. ‘He desires you to come along to his study, gentlemen, if you feel you are rested sufficiently!’
They immediately followed Muir into the Viceroy’s private study, where they found Lord Oundle eagerly awaiting them.
‘Wallace!’ he exclaimed, shaking hands warmly. ‘And Brien! I don’t think I have ever welcomed two men so gladly before!’
‘Almost the exact words Muir used,’ said Leonard, ‘and I told him it was a case of sheer cupboard love; but of course I would not think of accusing Your Excellency of such a thing!’
Lord Oundle laughed.
‘I am afraid that even in my case there is a selfish motive,’ he remarked. ‘We have got ourselves into a hole, and want you to get us out. Have you told them, Muir?’
‘I was just about to do so when Your Excellency sent for us.’
‘Then perhaps you will tell them the story now.’ He turned to Wallace. ‘I am very anxious that you shall hear everything without a moment’s delay, and I must express my thanks for the extraordinary speed you have shown in getting here.’
‘That is due to our very expert pilots and mechanics,’ said Leonard.
‘I shall have an opportunity of thanking them presently,’ said His Excellency. ‘Sit down, both of you, and help yourselves to cigars or cigarettes!’
‘I’d prefer a pipe, if I may?’ said Wallace, and the permission being granted, he carefully filled and lit a pipe, without which he never moved.
‘You use that arm of yours very cleverly, Wallace,’ remarked Lord Oundle. ‘Now, Muir, perhaps you will relate the extraordinary events that led us to summon Sir Leonard from England.’
‘First of all, Muir,’ put in Leonard, ‘I’d like to ask a question or two! Were you in personal touch at all with the officer who was murdered?’
‘I was with him when it took place!’
‘H’m! Have you any idea whether or not he had the plans on him at the time?’
‘I am perfectly certain he had. My narrative will put the whole facts of the case before you.’
‘Carry on then, and please omit nothing, even the smallest detail!’
Sir Henry nodded, and commencing from the time that Major Elliott came to him at Simla, and relating every incident that happened until he returned to Delhi after the inquest, he gave a very lucid and concise account. He even described the man whom Elliott half suspected of watching him at Summer Hill station and his own fears and doubts on his headlong drive to the Viceregal Lodge at Delhi. None of his hearers interrupted him. Wallace smoked away as though he were not very interested, and indeed somewhat bored by the story, while Lord Oundle kept his eyes on the latter’s face, and appeared slightly disappointed and disturbed by the apparent lack of interest he saw there. Brien who had been smoking a cigar, allowed it to go out after a while, and seemed utterly absorbed in what he heard.
At length Muir finished, and Wallace rose quietly to his feet and knocked the ashes from his pipe into an ash-tray. He smiled at the others.
‘So Colonel Sanders arrested the driver of the rail motor,’ he said, and chuckled. ‘What I can’t understand is why he did not arrest you, Muir!’
‘Arrest me!’ exclaimed the indignant Secretary.
‘Yes! You were sitting next to the murdered man, and it would have been easy for you to have stabbed him, and nobody would have suspected you of taking the plans!’
‘But, my dear fellow, you don’t mean to say—’
Wallace laughed outright.
‘Poor Henry’s got the wind up!’ he exclaimed. ‘I am only saying what the Colonel might have done. To my mind it would have been just as sensible as arresting the poor wretched driver.’
The Viceroy leant forward over his desk.
‘Surely you have not already evolved a theory,’ he asked.
‘Nothing tangible enough to be called a theory,’ replied Leonard. ‘But I am quite certain the driver had nothing to do with the light going out! May I have a fast car at seven o’clock in the morning? I’ve a lot to do in Simla tomorrow.’
‘Of course,’ replied Muir, who by now had recovered from the shock he had received. ‘I suppose you will want to interview Captain Williams and Hartley!’
‘No, I don’t think so – not yet anyway. Where can I find Williams if I want him?’
‘Lahore Cantonments! He belongs to the 107th Horse!’
‘Right! Make a note of that, Billy!’ He walked to the fireplace, and although there was no fire there, planted himself with his back to it, and refilled his pipe.
‘I have several very important questions to ask,’ he said, ‘and please be as accurate as possible in your replies. First of all, though, I am going to tell Your Excellency something and you, Muir, which will interest you. The Commander-in-Chief did a very good day’s work when he closed the frontier so effectively, and that is probably the reason why the plans are still in India!’
The Viceroy and Sir Henry looked at him in amazement.
‘Are you sure of that, or is it merely conjecture?’ questioned the former eagerly.
‘I know they are still in the country, and I know that they are in the hands of Russian spies. Furthermore I have a pretty good notion how they were stolen!’
‘God bless my soul!’ gasped the Viceroy, while Billy, forgetful of the presence of His Excellency, exclaimed, ‘Well, I’m damned!’
‘Now, Muir,’ said Wallace briskly, ‘what were Major Elliott’s exact words about safeguarding the plans after that midnight attempt to steal them?’
‘He said that he had an uncanny feeling that he was doomed, and that he was going to make extra certain of them!’
‘Ah! Now where were you exactly when he said that?’
‘In my bedroom!’
‘I see! Could anybody have overheard you?’
‘I don’t think so!’
‘Nowhere where anybody could have been hidden in the room?’
‘Well, I didn’t search, but there were three cupboards where a man could have hidden himself. I don’t think anybody would have risked that!’
‘Have you a veranda outside your window?’
‘No! It is a sheer drop of about twenty feet to the grounds below.’
‘What about the door – could a conversation be heard t
hrough it?’
‘Yes, I suppose so! And, now I come to think of it, we left the door ajar!’
‘Just so! Nothing very extraordinary about that. Who was in the building besides yourselves?’
‘Nobody! There were of course several bearers, chowkidars and other servants still living in the compound.’
‘None of them, you are quite certain, were in the house at the time?’
‘Oh yes, one – my own bearer – who had supplied us with whisky and sodas.’
‘How long have you had him?’
‘Ever since I came out, about two years ago!’
‘Has he served you faithfully?’
‘Very!’
‘Is he with you here?’
‘Yes, would you like to see him?’
‘Not just now, thanks.’
Wallace lapsed into silence, and the others looked at him curiously.
‘Why do you attach so much importance to that remark of Major Elliott’s?’ asked the Viceroy.
‘Oh, it is merely a whim of mine,’ replied Leonard with a smile. ‘Just another question, Muir. Elliott’s dead body was left in a room at Barog station until Colonel Sanders arrived, you say. Had anybody but the doctor access to that room?’
‘Only Captain Williams, who, as I told you, had the key, and was left with orders to admit nobody but the doctor, until the Deputy Commissioner arrived.’
‘Could anybody have got in through the window?’
‘There was no window!’
‘H’m! … The doctor is above suspicion?’
‘Of course,’ Muir laughed. ‘He is an Englishman, and besides Elliott was dead then, and I had the case which was supposed to contain the plans!’
‘Yes, quite! Well, I don’t think I will bother you with any more questions just now, thanks very much. And now,’ he added, smiling at the Viceroy, ‘I think it is high time I paid my respects to Her Excellency and Doreen!’
‘Certainly! I’ll take you along to them,’ replied Lord Oundle, ‘but you have aroused my curiosity with your questions.’
‘Your Excellency will pardon my not satisfying it at present, I hope?’
The Mystery of Tunnel 51 (Wallace of the Secret Service Series) Page 11
