Wallace noted the powerful face, the great breadth of shoulder, but his most urgent attention was occupied in searching for a place within the room where he could conceal himself. It was impossible to remain where he was; it looked equally impossible to enter the apartment without the man at the desk seeing him. The latter sat facing the door. Behind him thick heavy curtains were drawn closely together, doubtless covering windows; a great fire burnt cheerfully in a large open grate, but apart from the glow which it threw into the room, the only illumination now was supplied by a desk lamp, the shade of which projected most of the light on to the papers in the Greek’s hands. If he could only reach the curtains, Wallace knew that he would be able to watch in comparative safety, but the chances were all against his getting across the room undetected, even though the man at the desk was undoubtedly deeply engrossed in his occupation. He resolved to make the attempt. He had become convinced that, if he were to succeed in finding out what Ictinos had done with the copies of the plans, it was absolutely necessary to watch the fellow closely. The remark, which Wallace had overheard concerning the appointments with the Russian and German representatives rather suggested that Ictinos was even then preparing for the interviews. Possibly the papers, at that moment in his hands, were the very ones of which Sir Leonard was so anxious to obtain possession.
He went down full length on the floor, and, without hesitation, began to worm his way into the room. It was not an easy task for a man handicapped by the fact that he possessed only one arm; his heavy overcoat also proved a hindrance, but he advanced slowly, the thick carpet deadening any sound he might otherwise have made. Every moment he expected a cry of alarm to break from the lips of the Greek, but it did not come, and he reached the comparative safety of the desk. He rested there a second before attempting the greater hazard of passing close to the man in his endeavour to reach the curtains. A soft chuckle came from the other side of the desk; a muttered remark. For an instant Sir Leonard feared that he had been observed, that Ictinos knew he was there, and was playing with him as a cat plays with a mouse, but the rustling of the papers went on. The Greek had been amused apparently by something he was examining.
Wallace reached the end of the desk; began to wriggle his way along within three or four feet of the man sitting there. It seemed out of the question to expect to get by, when the slightest movement of his head in Sir Leonard’s direction, or even a glance out of the corner of his eye, would have been bound to disclose to Ictinos the presence of the man on the floor. But he was so utterly absorbed that the crawling figure was able to pass without his knowledge. The curtains opened slightly, closed again, shook a little, and were still. Sir Leonard had reached his objective. He made a little opening between the folds in order that he could watch everything that went on. The remarkably broad back of the Greek obscured the papers over which he was poring, but occasionally he raised them in a manner that enabled the watcher to catch a fleeting glimpse. Once part of a diagram came into view with certain technical terms well known to gunnery experts written in the corner, and Wallace smiled to himself. He felt reasonably certain now that actually on that desk were the papers he was so anxious to possess.
For a moment he was inclined to take them at the point of his revolver; force Ictinos to go upstairs with him and release Cousins then accompany them back to headquarters, but the absurdity of such an attempt became immediately apparent. Ictinos might have a secret means of communicating the alarm to his followers, Wallace had no certainty that all the papers he desired were on the desk while, in any case, there was always the possibility that one of the others might appear and turn the tables on him. Apart from this the Greek might refuse to be overawed by the sight of a revolver, in which event, being averse to shooting a man in cold blood, a rough and tumble would take place. Wallace could hardly expect to get the better of it with one arm against a man whose physique would have earned the admiration of Hackenschmidt. He was in no hurry. He decided to wait and watch until the Greek went to bed; then secure the papers. Once he knew where they were hidden, he had no doubt of his ability to open the receptacle in which they had been placed, and take possession of them.
An hour passed by, and still Ictinos sat at the desk. Sir Leonard was feeling very weary, but, except to change his weight from one leg to the other, he was careful to make no movement for fear that he might be heard. At last the Greek yawned loudly; stretched his great arms above his head. He gathered his papers together in four heaps; then, bending down, took hold of the handle of the bottom right-hand drawer. Instead of pulling it out he turned the knob half a dozen times to the right, after which he pressed inwards. Immediately a portion of the bottom part of the desk, about three feet long, two wide, and four inches deep, slid outwards. It appeared to be constructed of steel, and contained four compartments all of which were unlocked by separate keys. Wallace watched intently as Ictinos lifted the various lids, and deposited his papers within the receptacles. He saw the Greek close and carefully lock each division, put the keys away in an inner pocket of his jacket then manipulate the knob on the drawer, causing the steel tray to slide back into place. A few minutes later, after glancing casually round the room, Ictinos rose to his feet, switched off the lamp, and went out.
Sir Leonard remained where he was for some time in case the man came back. It was well he did, for the dwarf, through whose carelessness he had been able to get into the house, suddenly entered the room without the slightest sound, giving no warning whatever of his approach. He busied himself raking out the fire, a duty he performed as though in a hurry to withdraw; then departed, closing the door behind him. The clock on the mantelpiece slowly ticked away ten minutes before Wallace emerged from the shelter of the curtains. Walking across the room, he opened the door gently, and looked out. Not a sound reached his ears and, as the hall light had been extinguished, he came to the conclusion that everybody had gone to bed. Satisfied, he closed the door, and returned to the desk.
A tiny torch not much bigger than a fountain pen shot a powerful beam of light at the right hand bottom drawer. Clasping it somehow in his artificial hand by means known only to himself, he took hold of the knob in the other, and manipulated it exactly as he had seen Ictinos do. The steel tray duly slid out, and the ray of light hovered inquisitively over each keyhole in turn. From an inner pocket, Wallace drew out a flat leather case, which he opened, disclosing to view a set of small, beautifully made steel instruments of graduated sizes. He selected one, and set to work immediately on the locks. So complicated were they that it took him some time, and he required the help of two other of the little tools, before he succeeded in getting the lids of the four compartments open. At last his task was accomplished; he gave vent to a sigh of relief. Quickly he removed the documents from their receptacles, placing them in four piles upon the desk; then, extinguishing the torch, he crossed once more to the door, where he stood for some minutes listening intently. Convinced that nobody was about, he returned to the desk, switched on the lamp, and sat down to examine the papers before him.
It was not long before he came across copies of the plans of the Masterson monoplane and Wentworth gun, with voluminous notes concerning each. A little exclamation of satisfaction escaped from him as he stuffed the papers into the inside pocket of his overcoat. Thereafter he found a good deal to interest him among the remaining documents, including a memorandum of the times and places decided upon for the Greek’s interviews with the representatives of the Russian and German governments. He made a careful note of these in his pocket-hook. Copies of Russian and German official secrets, two or three letters, and details of the French schemes for defensive and offensive alliances were there, and were also pushed into his pockets, but there was no sign or indication anywhere that Ictinos possessed copies of the plans of the French frontier fortifications or any details concerning them. Sir Leonard searched carefully without success. Returning the papers, which he did not wish to take away with him, to their compartments, he locked the lids, and
manipulated the steel tray back into its place. He then set to work to search every drawer in the desk. Some were locked, others were not, but he opened them all. Nothing of interest was discovered except a list of the men serving Ictinos. Against each name were notes concerning crimes they had committed, with dates and details of police investigation. Wallace found the list interesting, and decided to keep it. Scotland Yard, he felt, would be gratified.
He examined every inch of the desk in an endeavour to ascertain if it contained any other hidden partitions, but, as nothing further came to light, he turned his attention to the rest of the room. The bookcases, fireplace, pictures, even the walls and floor came under careful inspection, but he found no sign that anywhere, but in the desk, was there a secret cavity. Satisfied at length that if Ictinos possessed copies of the French fortification plans they were concealed elsewhere, he gave up the search. He felt that it was time he released Cousins, and got in touch with his own headquarters.
Extinguishing the light, he walked to the door, opened it, and stood in a listening attitude for several minutes. Then treading with the greatest care, for fear of causing the stairs to creak, he ascended slowly to the upper regions. At the top he again stood listening, before approaching the door of the room in which he knew Cousins was imprisoned. A gleam of light showing underneath caused him to frown a little, but, without hesitation, he inserted into the lock one of the small steel instruments, which he had retained in his hand when putting the case away. Slowly, but with hardly a sound, he worked. He felt the lock turn, and devoted his attention to the door handle. A second or two passed, and he stepped into the room, his finger to his lips, taking care to close the door behind him.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The Flight of Ictinos
The pallid face of Cousins lit up, his eyes showed plainly the joy he felt, his lips whispered ‘Thank God!’ He sat up in bed so suddenly that the chain attached to the steel belt round his waist jangled noisily. Again Sir Leonard’s finger went to his lips. He stepped up to the bed.
‘I didn’t expect to find you alive, Cousins,’ he murmured. ‘From what I have discovered about these people, it seems that murder is a pastime they indulge in without the slightest hesitation.’
‘I suppose I have to thank the girl for being permitted to remain alive as long as this,’ returned Cousins. ‘She used to have a pet dog, and it tickled her sense of humour to appoint me its successor for the time being. Hence the chain.’
Wallace eyed it with a frown, his teeth clenched tightly together.
‘Have they given you a very bad time?’ he asked sympathetically.
‘It could have been worse,’ replied the other. ‘Being shut up here at night, with practically no air to breathe, has been the most unpleasant part, if one excepts the humiliation of the chain. But I was told you had been killed, sir. I can’t say what a relief it is to find you are alive after all.’
‘There was never much danger of my being killed,’ Wallace told him simply, adding with deep feeling, ‘but I’m afraid Maddison, Cunliffe, and Reynolds are gone.’
Their eyes met and, in each pair, an indomitable resolve showed, proclaiming their intention to avenge their companions, if and when opportunity offered.
‘We can’t waste time talking,’ declared Sir Leonard. ‘I must free you from this beastly contrivance.’
He bent down, and examined the belt. It was fastened round Cousins’ waist by a padlock similar to the one locking the other end of the chain to the bedstead. Presently he straightened himself and, from his case of instruments, took a strangely shaped implement which, after a little manipulation, fitted into the keyhole. A couple of turns, and the padlock opened; the belt was removed, and Cousins freed. One of his inimitable smiles showed for a fleeting second on his wrinkled countenance.
‘Love laughs at locksmiths, sir,’ he commented, ‘and so do you. It’s a lucky thing for me that you brought that little case with you.’
‘It was fortunate in more ways than one,’ muttered Wallace. ‘Come along, and tread quietly. The slightest sound may bring the whole gang on us. I’m sorry I haven’t another revolver to give you.’
For answer Cousins bent down, and removed the automatic from its hiding place in his sock.
‘I managed to hide it there,’ he explained, ‘when I discovered I had been duped. They never found it. It was my intention to wait until I had ascertained where the plans were hidden; then make a break for it. That was before the girl adopted me as a pet,’ he added ruefully, ‘and had me chained up.’
Wallace nodded understandingly, and led the way to the door, which he opened with extreme care. All seemed well, not a sound disturbing the silence into which the house was plunged. They descended the stairs, an occasional ray of light from Sir Leonard’s powerful little torch helping them. Before long they were in the room used by Ictinos as a study, the door closed on them. Wallace rapidly told his companion how he had come to the place, and what he had heard concerning the disaster that had overtaken Maddison and his assistants.
‘The first thing we must do,’ he added, ‘is to get in touch with headquarters by means of the wireless installation in my car. I’ve a pretty good idea where we are, and the sooner we get down a force strong enough to raid this building, and capture everyone in it, the better I shall be pleased. Wait a minute, though.’ An idea had suddenly occurred to him. ‘Hill and Cartright are at Sittingbourne. Major Brien had planted a repair gang on the Sheppey bridge with Cartright working a “go and stop” sign until today, in order that every car that passed could be scrutinised. Both men are now in a house on the Sheppey road. From their room they can see everything that passes, and are provided with a wireless outfit. I’ll get in touch with them, and tell them to bring along a strong force of police. We’ll save a great deal of time that way. I badly want the Greek under restraint, Cousins, and the police will be glad to take the rest into custody. They seem to be a particularly choice collection of criminals.’
‘Have you found out who Ictinos’ partner is, sir?’ asked Cousins.
‘Partner! I didn’t know he had one.’
‘He has: told me so himself. According to the Greek, he is a man with a wonderful brain, who has all the ideas.’
‘An admission like that from Ictinos,’ commented Sir Leonard drily, ‘is worth recording. I should imagine, from the little I know of him, that there is only one man worth describing as wonderful in this world, and that is Ictinos. Who is this partner? Have you any idea?’
‘No. Ictinos was pretty frank. I think it pleased him to tell me things, being certain in his own mind that I could never repeat them, as he intended me to die; but he admitted that the partner’s name was a household word, and that he was a Greek like himself.’
‘H’m!’ Sir Leonard rubbed his chin reflectively. ‘It’s a pity he’s not in this house. I’d like to capture the whole gang, and put an end to its activities once and for all. We shall have to find out who he is. I have the copies made of the plans of the Masterson monoplane and Wentworth gun, and various other interesting documents, but there are other things I want as well.’
Cousins’ eyes glistened in the dark.
‘By Jove!’ he exclaimed, ‘that’s good work, sir. How did you find them, and what—?’
‘There’s no time to tell you now. We must get out to the car, and send the message to Cartright. I think we’d better go by way of the window.’
He walked across the room, and pulled aside the curtain. Switching on his torch, he and Cousins looked carefully for burglar alarms, feeling certain that in a house of that nature precautions would have been taken to guard against possible intruders. Cousins’ heart was light. After his days of captivity and humiliation, with the shadow of death ever hovering over him, he felt it good to be alive and free.
‘“How good is man’s life, the mere living! how fit to employ,”’ he quoted softly, ‘“All the heart and the soul and the senses for ever in joy!”’
Wallace smiled
to himself, but made no comment. They discovered various cunningly hidden wires, which were cut one by one. Whatever he may have said about his mysterious partner, Ictinos himself was undoubtedly a man of ideas. The electric plant attached to the house was obviously used for more purposes than to supply light. Satisfied that at last all alarms connected with the windows of that room had been put out of action, the two men raised the lower sash of one preparatory to climbing out. At that moment a light flared up and, with a hiss, something sped past Sir Leonard’s head through the open window. With one accord he and Cousins swung round. Standing by the door was Thalia Ictinos, a revolver held steadily in her hand; by her side was Paul the dwarf, his repulsive features distorted in a malevolent grin.
‘So my little dog-man would escape, eh?’ observed the girl mockingly. ‘I think it is very ungrateful of him. You, sir,’ she added to Wallace, ‘came I presume to release him. If Paul had not thrown the knife so badly you would now be dead, but perhaps it is as well you remain alive. You can explain to my father how you come to be here. No; do not move! I shoot very straight.’ She turned to the dwarf; spoke rapidly to him in Greek. Cousins, who understood the language, knew she was directing him to call her father and the other men. Paul disappeared. ‘It is fortunate,’ went on Thalia in English, ‘that I had a headache, and came down to get some tablets that my father—’
With extraordinary rapidity Sir Leonard drew his revolver from under his artificial arm, where he had placed it for convenience, and all in one movement, fired at the single glowing electric bulb, hanging in a cluster with two others from the ceiling. It was a wonderful shot, and the room was immediately plunged into darkness. Thalia Ictinos also fired, but she was just a trifle too late, Wallace having gone to the floor.
Get Wallace! Page 13
