Shadow of Doom
Page 25
‘I am a German!’ Knudsen snapped. ‘I took Swedish nationality many years ago, working for the Great Day.’
‘Der Tag again,’ said Palfrey. ‘Oh, you fools!’ He looked across the room at Drusilla, and he was smiling. He walked across the room and they did nothing to stop him. He stood by her, looking down. She peered up at him with a strained face, but as she saw the smile in his eyes she grew easier, hope dawned again. ‘It’s all right,’ he said. ‘They won’t get away with it.’
Dias moved swiftly towards him, grabbed his shoulder and swung him round. ‘We have detailed information to produce against men who are innocent but can be proved guilty! We have our agents so well placed that there will be no danger.’
Palfrey looked into his face – and laughed.
He did not think that he and Drusilla would get away. He even wondered if these men could succeed in their great bluff. If he could make them uncertain of themselves it would be a help. If he could make them think that there was more that he could tell them, and they questioned him, as they had questioned Muriel, he might win time, might just win through.
He looked at the clock on the mantelpiece; the hour was nearly up, but was there even a chance that the men in the house would be taken by surprise?
Bane said: ‘You know something, Palfrey. Talk right now. If you don’t—’ He swung round and pointed towards Muriel, and Lozana stepped towards her and pulled her chair round. ‘That’s an idea of what will happen to you—’
Then the window crashed in.
There was no warning. Just the crash, and then the billowing curtains and the voices of men. Palfrey shot out a hand and struck Dias across the face, kicked out at Bane – and did not need to act again, for men streamed in at the window, and all danger was over.
‘It was well done, my friend,’ said Zukkor. ‘I knew that we could rely on the police, they are our very good friends. What Knudsen did not know is that he has long been suspected, and the positions of his men in the grounds were known, they were overcome with ease. And some of us were listening outside, Palfrey, it was well done.’
He beamed about him, at Palfrey, Drusilla, Stefan and Bruton, all unhurt. Neilsen had a flesh wound; Charles, his wound now dressed, was in an upstairs room where Muriel’s wounds were being tended – a distraught Charles, who could not apologise to her enough. Bane, Dias and Lozana had been taken unhurt, but Knudsen was wounded in the chest, and was in the hall waiting to be taken to the Serafimer Hospital. There had been little talk, but the raid had been a complete success.
Zukkor said: ‘A south American who has always been a member of the Bund, an American with hatred for the Soviet Union because he is half German, an Englishman in the man Lumsden, a Swede in Knudsen—no matter what he says he is a Swede. And when we have finished it all, there will be men from other countries, perhaps from Russia—we too have our traitors—there are still Trotskyites and Tsarists. But so few from each country, Palfrey, so few who could have done so great a harm.’
‘Yes,’ said Palfrey. ‘They have done plenty. Are all the records here?’
‘Dias is a man of jelly,’ said Zukkor, scornfully; ‘he is talking very fast, my friend, we shall know all the men who are guilty before this night is out. You are worried still, I see, but there is no need to worry.’
‘There is,’ said Palfrey.
‘The radium will be found,’ said Zukkor, ‘have no fear of that; we shall find everything.’
‘I hope so,’ said Palfrey. He stood with his hand pulling at the short hairs in front of his head, frowning. ‘There was something Dias started to say but did not finish. The destruction of something or other tonight. I wish I knew what.’
‘Dias will tell us,’ Zukkor said confidently.
‘Perhaps. He—’
Palfrey broke off, for there was a sudden hubbub in the hall. Knudsen began shouting at the top of his voice.
‘I will not go! I will not go there—not there—do not take me there, not there—’ He went on and on, in a frenzy of fear.
Zukkor moved into the hall, and Palfrey followed him quickly. ‘Where is he going?’ asked Zukkor of the ambulance men who had lifted him.
‘To the Serafimer Hospital,’ the man said.
‘No,’ screamed Knudsen, ‘no, I will not go—I will not go!’ He tried to throw himself off the stretcher, and it took two men to hold him down. ‘I will not—I will not!’
Palfrey reached his side and looked down at him, his eyes bleak, an expression on his face which made the others stand and watch him.
‘Why won’t you go?’ he demanded, and when Knudsen stared at him in mute fear he gripped his throat and said: ‘Why won’t you go? Zukkor, give me a knife!’
‘No!’ screamed Knudsen. ‘It is to be destroyed by fire, like the others, like the others—it will start tonight—’
‘So that’s it,’ said Palfrey, urgently. ‘Work for the police, arson at the Serafimer Hospital; arson destroyed the other hospitals. Zukkor—’
But Zukkor was already outside, shouting, and the Chief of Police was already at the telephone.
It was a fortnight before Palfrey reached London. The truth was widely known; the world’s Press had told the whole infamous story, arrests by the hundred had been made throughout Europe. Pressure was being brought to bear on the Castilian Government. In the United States F.B.I, men were investigating all of Bane’s affairs; in London Scotland Yard experts were going through Josh Anderson’s records, Anderson was alive, and had told the truth, he had started as a partner, grown sick of it, threatened to disclose the truth, and been promptly dealt with.
It was known that there had been suspicions of Bane, but Muriel—her name was Muriel Corliss—had been assigned to the case. She had been approached by Dias at first, but until she had reached Stockholm she had not been sure of Bane’s real activities.
Muriel and Charles were recuperating in a Swiss mountain village.
Deep beneath the cellars at Knudsen’s house the radium had been found, and Palfrey had called at Rotterdam and seen van Doorn and Anna, a new Anna, a happy van Doorn. It was known now that von Kriess had suspected much of what was planned, had told van Doorn about the radium, believing it would lead to greater disclosures; so there was a German who had helped.
Food distribution was better now than it had ever been. The Governments of Europe had received a salutary shock, there was no more procrastination. The police struck hard, and although there were still some Black Market operations, they were on a scale which could be closely watched and would be reduced and finally stamped out.
Stefan was in Moscow, reporting; Bruton was in Washington. Neilsen, his wound on the mend, was with his wife.
Palfrey and Drusilla, travel-weary but reasonably content, had an evening alone at the flat and were not disturbed either by the telephone or by visitors. Next morning they went to Brierly Place and were made much of by Christian, who told them that the Marquis was in his room, expecting them. Brett stood up behind the desk as they entered. They shook hands warmly, then sat down, and Brett looked at Palfrey with a quizzical smile.
‘All but one thing settled, Sap. Isn’t that so?’
‘One large thing,’ said Palfrey, twisting his hair about his forefinger; it had grown long enough now. ‘Never before have I been completely mystified by you, Marquis. This time I’m stumped. I can understand why we were allowed to go unofficially, but I can’t understand why you didn’t tell us what you really hoped would turn up. And I can’t understand why you planted Charles Lumsden on us. Oh, he made good, but—the viper in the Lumsden family bosom might have been him, not Matthew.’ He paused. ‘You knew it was one of the Lumsdens, didn’t you?’
‘Not until later, when I warned you,’ said Brett, ‘and then only because I found that old Lumsden had some dealings with Bane and Anderson. I feared that was why he was so eag
er to put up the money, so that he could pass on to his colleagues what plans you had in mind. Your plans concerned radium; against the larger issues that did not greatly matter. We, as a country, had pledged ourselves not to interfere with internal affairs of liberated countries. Charles Lumsden, being attached to you, would have had to know the whole truth, you could not have kept him in ignorance. Moscow and Washington were not prepared to let you know, as he was with you. I had no choice, but I gave you plenty of hints!’
‘Oh yes,’ said Palfrey, much happier in his mind.
‘There were other reasons for secrecy,’ went on Brett. ‘The smaller countries, troubled as they were, were beginning to get suspicious of the motives of the Big Three. Had there been even a rumour that you were investigating domestic matters for the Big Three, there would have been a diplomatic crisis of the first order. It had to be avoided. We took extravagant precautions, and just as soon as we were able to give you official support, we did.’ He paused, then went on gravely: ‘In the papers found in Knudsen’s house was a report from an official in London giving a detailed statement of your plans, of the trouble you have taken to get unofficial approval. That was established, and it served its purpose. They had no suspicions that you were on a special mission, because you weren’t.’
‘Charles was the trouble,’ said Palfrey. ‘Yes, I forgive you. But the outlook isn’t good. Days of peace, and diplomats on the rampage again. Caution carried to excess, but you couldn’t help it. And we did get through.’ He looked across at Drusilla. ‘Satisfied, my darling?’
‘Yes,’ said Drusilla, with her gentle smile.
‘It proves one thing,’ said Palfrey: ‘there’s a lot to be done before we get rid of all distrust among the nations. We’re thinking of going to Rotterdam, for a start, and helping to organise relief work. Any approval needed?’
‘None,’ said the Marquis, ‘and you won’t lack help.’
Series Information
Published or to be published by
House of Stratus
Dates given are those of first publication
Alternative titles in brackets
'The Baron' (47 titles) (writing as Anthony Morton)
'Department 'Z'' (28 titles)
'Dr. Palfrey Novels' (34 titles)
'Gideon of Scotland Yard' (22 titles)
'Inspector West' (43 titles)
'Sexton Blake' (5 titles)
'The Toff' (59 titles)
along with:
The Masters of Bow Street
This epic novel embraces the story of the Bow Street Runners and the Marine Police, forerunners of the modern police force, who were founded by novelist Henry Fielding in 1748. They were the earliest detective force operating from the courts to enforce the decisions of magistrates. John Creasey's account also gives a fascinating insight into family life of the time and the struggle between crime and justice, and ends with the establishment of the Metropolitan Police after the passing of Peel's Act in 1829.
'The Baron' Series
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Meet the Baron (The Man in the Blue Mask) (1937)
The Baron Returns (The Return of the Blue Mask) (1937)
The Baron Again (Salute Blue Mask) (1938)
The Baron at Bay (Blue Mask at Bay) (1938)
Alias the Baron (Alias Blue Mask) (1939)
The Baron at Large (Challenge Blue Mask!) (1939)
Versus the Baron (Blue Mask Strikes Again) (1940)
Call for the Baron (Blue Mask Victorious) (1940)
The Baron Comes Back (1943)
A Case for the Baron (1945)
Reward for the Baron (1945)
Career for the Baron (1946)
Blood Diamond (The Baron and the Beggar) (1947)
Blame the Baron (1948)
A Rope for the Baron (1948)
Books for the Baron (1949)
Cry for the Baron (1950)
Trap the Baron (1950)
Attack the Baron (1951)
Shadow the Baron (1951)
Warn the Baron (1952)
The Baron Goes East (1953)
The Baron in France (1953)
Danger for the Baron (1953)
The Baron Goes Fast (1954)
Nest-Egg for the Baron (Deaf, Dumb and Blonde) (1954)
Help from the Baron (1955)
Hide the Baron (1956)
The Double Frame (Frame the Baron) (1957)
Blood Red (Red Eye for the Baron) (1958)
If Anything Happens to Hester (Black for the Baron) (1959)
Salute for the Baron (1960)
The Baron Branches Out (A Branch for the Baron) (1961)
The Baron and the Stolen Legacy (Bad for the Baron) (1962)
A Sword for the Baron (The Baron and the Mogul Swords) (1963)
The Baron on Board (The Mask of Sumi) (1964)
The Baron and the Chinese Puzzle (1964)
Sport for the Baron (1966)
Affair for the Baron (1967)
The Baron and the Missing Old Masters (1968)
The Baron and the Unfinished Portrait (1969)
Last Laugh for the Baron (1970)
The Baron Goes A-Buying (1971)
The Baron and the Arrogant Artist (1972)
Burgle the Baron (1973)
The Baron - King Maker (1975)
Love for the Baron (1979)
'Department Z' Novels
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
The Death Miser (1932)
Redhead (1934)
First Came a Murder (1934)
Death Round the Corner (1935)
The Mark of the Crescent (1935)
Thunder in Europe (1936)
The Terror Trap (1936)
Carriers of Death (1937)
Days of Danger (1937)
Death Stands By (1938)
Menace! (1938)
Murder Must Wait (1939)
Panic! (1939)
Death by Night (1940)
The Island of Peril (1940)
Sabotage (1941)
Go Away Death (1941)
The Day of Disaster (1942)
Prepare for Action (1942)
No Darker Crime (1943)
Dark Peril (1944)
The Peril Ahead (1946)
The League of Dark Men (1947)
The Department of Death (1949)
The Enemy Within (1950)
Dead or Alive (1951)
A Kind of Prisoner (1954)
The Black Spiders (1957)
Doctor Palfrey Novels
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Traitor's Doom (1942)
The Legion of the Lost (1943)
The Valley of Fear (The Perilous Country) (1943)
Dangerous Quest (1944)
Death in the Rising Sun (1945)
The Hounds of Vengeance (1945)
Shadow of Doom (1946)
The House of the Bears (1946)
Dark Harvest (1947)
The Wings of Peace (1948)
The Sons of Satan (1948)
The Dawn of Darkness (1949)
The League of Light (1949)
The Man Who Shook the World (1950)
The Prophet of Fire (1951)
The Children of Hate (The Killers of Innocence; The Children of Despair) (1952)
The Touch of Death (1954)
The Mists of Fear (1955)
The Flood (1956)
The Plague of Silence (1958)
Dry Spell (The Drought) (1959)
The Terror (1962)
The Depths (1963)
The Sleep (1964)
The Inferno (1965)
The Famine (1967)
The Blight (1968)
The Oasis (1970)
The Smog (1970)
The Unbegotten (1971)
The Insulators (1972)
The Vo
iceless Ones (1973)
The Thunder-Maker (1976)
The Whirlwind (1979)
Gideon Series
(Writing as JJ Marric)
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Gideon's Day (Gideon of Scotland Yard) (1955)
Seven Days to Death (Gideon's Week) (1956)
Gideon's Night (1957)
A Backwards Jump (Gideon's Month) (1958)
Thugs and Economies (Gideon's Staff) (1959)
Gideon Combats Influence (Gideon's Risk) (1960)
Gideon's Fire (1961)
A Conference for Assassins (Gideon's March) (1962)
Travelling Crimes (Gideon's Ride) (1963)
An Uncivilised Election (Gideon's Vote) (1964)
Criminal Imports (Gideon's Lot) (1965)
To Nail a Serial Killer (Gideon's Badge) (1966)
From Murder to a Cathedral (Gideon's Wrath) (1967)
Gideon's River (1968)
Darkness and Confusion (Gideon's Power) (1969)
Sport, Heat & Scotland Yard (Gideon's Sport) (1970)
Gideon's Art (1971)
No Relaxation at Scotland Yard (Gideon's Men) (1972)
Impartiality Against the Mob (Gideon's Press) (1973)
Not Hidden by the Fog (Gideon's Fog) (1975)
Good and Justice (Gideon's Drive) (1976)
Vigilantes & Biscuits (Gideon's Force) (1978)
Inspector West Series
These Titles can be read as a series, or randomly as standalone novels
Inspector West Takes Charge (1942)
Go Away to Murder (Inspector West Leaves Town) (1943)
An Apostle of Gloom (Inspector West At Home) (1944)
Inspector West Regrets (1945)
Holiday for Inspector West (1946)
Battle for Inspector West (1948)
The Case Against Paul Raeburn (Triumph for Inspector West) (1948)
Inspector West Kicks Off (Sport for Inspector West) (1949)
Inspector West Alone (1950)
Inspector West Cries Wolf (The Creepers) (1950)