by V M Knox
‘Why was that, do you think, Cosgrove?’
‘I met him at the door as usual. I’ve never seen him so anxious, so I knew something wasn’t right and there was someone else sitting in the car. He told me to leave the hall and remain on the lower floor until he rang for me. I thought Sir Cedric’s behaviour was all rather odd but I did as instructed and left the hall. I returned downstairs via the upper floors.’
‘Well done, Cosgrove. What did you see?’
‘There were, in fact, three people sitting in the rear seat, waiting in the car. After a few minutes, Sir Cedric went back outside. He opened the rear car doors and a man and two women got out. They preceded the man into the house. Then the Master brought his guests in and took them straight upstairs.’
‘Did you see their faces?’
‘No. They were all wearing hats and heavy coats. But I thought...’
‘Thought what, Cosgrove?’
‘I thought there was something familiar about one of the ladies.’
‘Who did you suspect it was?’
‘The Mistress, sir.’
‘Did you hear any of them conversing?’
‘No.’
‘Did the guests stay in their rooms upstairs?’
‘No. They joined the others in Sir Cedric’s study.’
‘How long were they here?’
‘No more than an hour during which time I took tea and sandwiches for ten to Sir Cedric’s study.
‘Ten?’
‘Yes. Sir Cedric met me at the door so I did not enter the room. He took the tray and told me to remain downstairs. Under no circumstances was I or anyone in the household permitted to leave the lower floor for two hours.’
‘Ten people you say? Do you know the identities of any of them?’
‘Sir Cedric, of course, Mr Armstrong, Father Rathbourne, the priest from Cambridge and two young men who came with him, possibly the Mistress and four unknown guests, one of whom was a lady.’
‘How did Father Rathbourne, the other man and the two young men get here, if they didn’t come with Mr Armstrong?’
‘I don’t know for sure. There was no car. So they and the young valets must have come on foot or by boat.’
‘Boat?’
‘While there’s no road between here and Horningsea, there is a walking path. It connects to the towpath from Cambridge at Bait’s Bite crossing. It’s near the old Biggin Abbey ruin.’
Johnny ran down the corridor. ‘No one upstairs but two of the bedrooms have been used.’
Kendall joined them. ‘Only servants downstairs. They seem pretty frightened.’
Clement turned to Cosgrove. ‘Thank you for your assistance.’
Johnny and Kendall looked at the butler then at Clement.
‘I’ll tell you in the car,’ Clement said.
Running outside, they got in and Kendall drove away from the house.
‘Arthur, do you know what sort of aeroplane Sir Cedric has?’
‘I have no idea, Clement. Why?’
‘Perhaps, before we leave here for Winchester, we should see if Sir Cedric’s aeroplane is still at Bottisham.’
‘Your reason, Clement?’ Johnny asked.
‘I’d like to know if it can carry up to ten people including the pilot.’
‘Ten?’ Johnny asked. ‘Hardly likely, Clement, that it would seat any more than two or possibly four.’
Clement told them about his chat with the butler.
‘How far is it to the airfield, Morris?’ Johnny asked.
‘It’s close. Five miles at most.’
Kendall slowed then stopped the car by the boom gate into Bottisham Airfield. A corporal stepped forward and Morris proffered his warrant card.
‘Would you know, Corporal, if Sir Cedric Hasluck’s aeroplane is still here?’ Morris asked.
‘It is, Superintendent. Although Sir Cedric isn’t. He took a Hudson out on an evening demonstration flight. I can let him know you wish to speak with him on his return, sir.’
‘Is it a large aeroplane, Corporal?’ Clement asked.
‘Large enough, sir.’
‘How many would it carry?’
‘It usually carries cargo, sir, for our French friends, if you understand me, so moderately large. It could take up to eight people.’
‘Was anyone with him?’
‘Six in all, including himself. Said they were from the Ministry checking out the aeroplane’s uses as a personnel transport aircraft.’
‘Did he supply names?’
‘No, sir.’
‘Anything unusual about any of them?’
The corporal paused. ‘There were two ladies with them. I thought that was odd.’
‘Did you recognise them?’ Clement asked.
The corporal shook his head. ‘Other than Sir Cedric, I didn’t recognise any of them. They were all wearing hats. One of the ladies even had a veil so I didn’t see any of their faces. Now I think about it, the one with the veil seemed to be rather anxious about something. I noted she was being supported by one of the gentlemen. Probably had never flown before.’ The corporal paused. ‘And another thing; when I said good evening to one of them, he didn’t answer. Only Sir Cedric spoke. I thought it rather rude at the time, but it takes all sorts.’
‘Other than Sir Cedric, can you describe any of them?’
‘Sorry, sir. Although two of them were quite tall.’
‘You’re sure it was six and not ten people?’
‘Just the six flew.
‘Where is Sir Cedric’s car, Corporal?’ Clement asked.
‘Not here, sir. One of the men in the second car drove it away.’
‘There were two cars?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Did you see any of the people who didn’t fly?’
‘Not really, sir. As I recall, one man got out and opened the rear door of Sir Cedric’s car for the others to get out but then he got into the driver’s seat and drove away. There may have been two or three others in the second car. As they didn’t get out of the car, I couldn’t really be sure.’
‘Anything physically unusual about this man? Like a limp, or stooped posture?’
‘Nothing, sir.’
Clement smiled. Clement guessed the men in the car were Rathbourne and his two watchdogs. And what of Bainbridge? Was he also in the car? Clement thought about them leaving. Was it because they were no longer needed; sent away to await further instructions? Could they still be in the vicinity?
‘Did Sir Cedric inform anyone of his destination?’ Johnny asked.
‘It’s a demonstration flight, sir. He takes off and lands here.’
‘When did he leave?’
The corporal checked his watch. ‘Well now, he took off over three hours ago. I think I had better notify Wing Commander Osborne that the plane is overdue. Can’t have ministers of the Crown and their good lady wives going missing.’
Clement took his SIS identity card from his coat and showed it to the man. ‘Corporal, we will speak to Wing Commander Osborne. Please get an immediate message to your wireless operator to send out a coded message to all airfields requesting any sightings of this aeroplane. This is extremely urgent and a matter of national security. We need to know exactly where this aeroplane is. And tell the wireless operator to check all airfields, especially those around Winchester.’
Chapter 30
Wing Commander Osborne strode towards them. He had the demeanour of a man woken from much needed sleep. ‘This better be important!’
Johnny reached for his identification. ‘Wing Commander, I understand Sir Cedric Hasluck took a Hudson aeroplane out earlier this evening with several others on board. I believe it was a demonstration flight?’
Osborne studied the ID card before responding. ‘That’s correct. He had members of the government with him. It’s an American aeroplane but it has some issues with propeller feathering…’
‘Immaterial, Wing Commander,’ Johnny interrupted. ‘All we want to know is where t
his plane is, because it isn’t returning here.’
‘Impossible! Sir Cedric cannot just take an aeroplane for a joy ride, I don’t care who they are.’
‘Do you know who his passengers are?’ Clement asked.
‘As I said, government officials and two women. Didn’t like that. Well, it’s not the sort of thing to do, is it, to take wives along on wartime business.’
‘Wing Commander, they are not government officials,’ Johnny said. ‘This is of the utmost importance. I have authority to require you to assist in this matter. We need to know where that aeroplane is and where it is heading. Once we learn this, I am ordering you to fly us there.’
Osborne’s face took on an indignant scowl, his jaw set. Clement couldn’t tell if it was due to someone in the Service issuing orders or annoyance that one of his planes had been stolen. ‘You’d better come this way.’ Osborne led them to a hut about fifty yards away. Inside, a sergeant was standing beside the wireless operator.
‘Sir,’ the sergeant said as they entered the hut. ‘I understand from Corporal Bevis at the gate that these gentlemen want to know the whereabouts of the Hudson?’
‘That’s right, Sergeant,’ Osborne barked.
‘We have sent out urgent messages to all airfields within a fifty-mile radius of us here. A Hudson was sighted over Duxford just before seven this evening. It’s heading south-west.’
‘How long to fly from here to Winchester, Wing Commander?’ Clement asked.
‘Depending on conditions and other traffic in the air, including the Luftwaffe, around an hour. Say two to be on the safe side.’
‘When, exactly, did it take off?’ Clement asked the sergeant but he didn’t think the Luftwaffe would intercept this flight.
‘Well, Sergeant?’ Osborne demanded.
‘Eighteen thirty-eight, sir.’
‘How long to drive it, Johnny?’ Clement asked.
‘It’s about two hundred and fifty miles or so from here. Add roadblocks, about five to six hours. But we won’t drive it, Clement. Too slow.’
‘I understand that, Johnny,’ Clement said, his mind racing. ‘Corporal Bevis said that four men and two women boarded the plane. That would be Hasluck, our grey-haired man, Armstrong, another and the women. He described two of them as tall. Father Rathbourne is stooped which Corporal Bevis would have noticed. Rathbourne, along with some others in a second car, most likely his two henchmen and Bainbridge, came with the group here but they didn’t fly. So where are they?’
‘No longer needed?’ Johnny said.
‘Or driving to wherever Hasluck is landing. If this is so, then Hasluck will arrive first, which means they will wait at an airfield close to Winchester.’
‘Or others unknown to us will collect them. Which means, we’ve lost them,’ Johnny added.
Clement stared into the air, his mind alive with possibilities. Could they be meeting someone else? Other supporters? What Clement dreaded was that another senior Nazi or Nazis had entered the country. He stared at Johnny. He couldn’t discuss it in front of these airmen. Regardless, there were no answers. One thing Clement felt completely certain about; that aeroplane would land somewhere and tomorrow Hugh Armstrong and his important visitors would all be in Winchester.
They waited in the darkened hut, listening to wireless static while airfields across the southern counties responded to the message about the Hudson. Minutes passed. The wireless operator tapped out his Morse coded messages. The atmosphere in the communications hut was electric. ‘Any responses from airfields around Winchester?’ Osborne asked the operator.
The operator shifted his headset off one ear and nodded. ‘There are about thirty airfields in Hampshire, sir. However, I have sent detailed messages to five of the closest to Winchester: Eastbourne, Thruxton, Chilbolton, Frost Hill Farm and Middle Wallop. The last three are all within five miles of each other. There are two that haven’t yet responded; Chilbolton and Middle Wallop.’
‘How many miles from Winchester?’ Clement asked.
Osborne walked towards the map on the wall. ‘Both are no more than ten miles.’
The operator replaced his headset as the wireless crackled. He scribbled down an incoming message. ‘That was Chilbolton, sir. No Hudsons have been sighted or have landed there.’
‘Middle Wallop it is then,’ Johnny said. ‘If they have taken Middle Wallop, then we will go to Chilbolton. Wing Commander, I must ask you to fly us immediately.’
‘How many?’
‘Just myself and Major Wisdom. And I need to use a telephone.’
‘My office, I think,’ Osborne said.
Outside, Clement walked back to the police car. Morris lowered the rear seat car window as Clement approached.
‘Thank you for all your help, Arthur, and the repeated use of police cars. Captain Winthorpe and I will be flying out of here.’
‘I understand. Take care, Clement. Let me know how things work out, would you?’
‘Of course. And, Arthur, I’ll be back for Sergeant Naylor, if you wouldn’t mind keeping him till then.’ Clement paused. ‘Should I not return, I would ask you to contact Reverend Battersby in Fearnley Maughton. He’ll see Sergeant Naylor is properly looked after.’
‘Take care of yourself, Clement. I know this isn’t the time or place but I want you to know it’s been an honour to know you. You’re a good and brave man. One I would hope to see again.’
Clement smiled and shook Morris’s hand. What he’d said Clement found profoundly touching. Standing beside the police car, he shook hands with Sergeant Kendall. ‘Thank you for all you’ve done and for looking after Michael. I’ll be in touch when this is over.’ Kendall got in and the police car drove away.
Clement strode across the grass to the tarmac and reached for the rail on the small steps into the aeroplane. He had never been in an aeroplane much less flown in one and he wasn’t looking forward to it. As the door closed, he felt the atmosphere around him become still, as if the air itself was holding its breath. It felt odd and unsettling. Within seconds he heard the engines start. The body of the plane rocked as the engines began to roar. Even if he’d wanted to talk with Johnny, the noise made conversation impossible. The plane began to move, slowly at first, with a rhythmic swaying and bumping of the machine as it taxied across the grass then onto the hard surface. It continued to drive along what Clement guessed was the runway. Then it turned. The engines roared until the noise was thunderous, the plane stationary yet pulsating with contained power. With the release of a brake, the plane hurtled forward down the runway, shaking and lurching. A minute later Clement felt the aeroplane lift, the feeling of weightlessness lifting him out of his seat and making his stomach churn. He wrapped a blanket around his legs, leaned his head against the metal struts and said a silent prayer for their safety.
Osborne’s voice on the intercom roused him. They were due to land in a few minutes. His ears popped with the descending pressure. He checked his watch. The flight had taken just over an hour. The heavy bump on landing, although anticipated, was unexpected when it happened. The plane lurched forward, the brakes hard on, the body of the aircraft straining and swaying under what seemed like unnatural forces until it moved slowly along, finally stopping. He heard Osborne cut the engines. Two minutes later the door opened. Removing his restraining belt, Clement stood and followed Johnny and Osborne to the small door. Stepping onto a ladder, he climbed down onto the ground then glanced up at the night sky, thankful for the fresh air and endless stars.
Awaiting them not twenty yards away was a man standing beside a black car. ‘Captain. Major. I am to take you to The Hospital of St Cross, just south of Winchester for the remainder of this night. They are expecting you. Then early tomorrow C will join you.’
Johnny turned to Osborne. ‘Thank you, Wing Commander. We’ll take it from here.’ Johnny started to walk away, then turned. ‘On second thoughts, Wing Commander, it could be a good idea for you to remain on base a day or so. Just in case you’re needed.
Have the plane refuelled and on stand-by. If you haven’t heard from me or Major Wisdom in two days, you can return to Bottisham.’
Clement nodded to Osborne. He knew what Osborne was feeling and doubtless thinking. It was on a need-to-know basis and Osborne would know this, but Clement could see in the man’s eyes the faint hope of further inclusion; to know what this night had all been about. Clement walked away with Johnny and they got into the waiting car. A minute later they were driving through Hampshire lanes, the overhanging trees just inquisitive shadows in the strong moonlight.
Chapter 31
The car pulled into a small side road adjacent to a long, high flint wall. At the end of the road and to Clement’s right, was a large gate. It was open. The car drove in and pulled up under an arch. A man wearing the distinctive collar of a cleric stood in a small doorway to their left. For Clement it was a welcome and comforting sight and a real contrast to the events of the past few weeks. In the late twilight, Clement could just see the silhouette of a church of some size through another archway in front of him. He and Johnny got out, the driver taking the car through the arch and out of sight.
‘This way, Captain, Major,’ the man said to them. They followed their guide through the arch and along a path to a long terrace of houses where another man dressed in maroon robes waited. Clement and Johnny followed this elderly man to an upper floor. There, two small bedrooms had been prepared for them.
‘Long day, Clement. You need sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.’
‘Suits me, Johnny.’ Clement closed the door on his little room. Secreting his weapons, he removed his boots and fell onto the bed. As exhausted as he felt, he couldn’t sleep. Something still troubled him about the events of this night. He shook his head as though trying to clear cobwebs but the feeling of dread wouldn’t leave him. Hugh Armstrong had said that nothing could stop it from happening now. Had he meant the coup or the assassination? Clement’s mind drifted. He wondered how important men, knights of the realm and high-ranking government officials, could be involved in such matters. Clement thought about the level of secrecy and complexity required to bring about such a coup. It would require hundreds of people, not just the small group he had seen, and there would have to be extensive planning, with a chain of command and a highly detailed plan that could be adapted at short notice. That would require a communication network. His mind went to the blueprints and the network of Masonic Lodges around the country. People would have been placed over many months or possibly years, in readiness to respond. Ready to take up certain key positions all around the country, including replacing the Prime Minister. Clement shuddered. The thought that Rudolf Hess may become Britain’s Prime Minister was not just unthinkable, it was totally repugnant. In one stroke, the entire country, her empire and commonwealth, as well as all her armed forces personnel currently spread all over the globe and indeed every ship, aeroplane and all weapons would be in the hands of the Nazis and controlled from Berlin. In his mind he heard Churchill’s words about a new Dark Age from which no one would escape.
