Devil's Cocktail (Wallace of the Secret Service Series)

by Alexander Wilson

  They sent their names in by a secretary, who returned almost immediately and ushered them into a large, softly carpeted and quietly furnished room where Sir Reginald Scott sat before a desk writing. He threw down his pen and rose as they entered.

  The Governor was over six feet in height, and powerfully built. His features were cast in a large mould, his complexion was as fresh as that of a man on the very threshold of life. His mouth was humorous, but at the same time incisive, and he possessed a pair of kindly grey eyes, which nevertheless suggested great strength of character. He shook hands with Rainer, then turned to Hugh.

  ‘I don’t think you have ever met Captain Shannon, sir,’ said the former.

  ‘No!’ replied His Excellency. He held out his hand. ‘I am glad to make your acquaintance, Captain Shannon,’ he said.

  He invited them to be seated and, pulling round the chair at his desk, sat down facing them.

  ‘If you would care to smoke, gentlemen,’ he said, ‘you will find cigars and cigarettes on that table. I prefer a pipe.’

  Hugh asked and obtained permission to smoke his own pipe, whilst Rainer helped himself to a cigar.

  ‘Before we discuss the matter which brought you here, Captain Shannon,’ went on Sir Reginald, ‘there is a certain question I wish to ask you. I heard, in quite a roundabout way, that an unsavoury incident occurred at the Club last night which reflects on your honour. Would you mind telling me the facts of that incident?’

  ‘Certainly not, sir,’ replied Hugh promptly. ‘In fact, I had intended to tell you the whole truth of the matter.’

  Rainer looked at him appraisingly.

  ‘If I may be allowed to say a word relative to that affair, sir,’ he said to the Governor, ‘I happened to be present and saw what took place. I came to the conclusion that there was more behind it than appeared on the surface, and felt perfectly certain that Shannon was the victim of a vile plot.’

  His Excellency nodded.

  Hugh at once plunged into an account of Miss Gregson’s accusations, and then went on to tell how Miles had made her confess that the whole thing was a fabrication. Both the Governor and the Commissioner laughed heartily over the account of the American’s busy morning.

  ‘I am very glad,’ said Sir Reginald, ‘very glad indeed that the matter has been put right so promptly. And who do you think these people are who were so obviously behind the woman?’

  ‘They are the men whom we are watching, sir,’ replied Hugh.

  ‘Indeed! Then you have actually discovered something with reference to the real object of your visit to India?’

  ‘We have discovered a most amazing plot, sir,’ replied Hugh quietly.

  ‘Before you go into that, Shannon, I must tell you that I received a communication from the India Office in which I was informed that certain things had been discovered which pointed to the fact that there was a Russian plot against India, and that Lahore was apparently the centre of activity. I also had a letter from Sir Leonard Wallace telling me of the real reason for your presence in Lahore. I was greatly surprised, and am naturally eager to know what you have found out.’

  ‘It is a long story, sir,’ said Shannon, ‘and first it is necessary to let you know that I have with me, presumably as a valet, one of the astutest men in the Intelligence Department. He has already done a considerable amount of first-class work, and I have him to thank, and Miles, for what I know.’

  ‘Miles!’ exclaimed His Excellency. ‘Do you mean to say that he is also a member of your Department?’

  ‘No, sir! He belongs to the American Secret Service.’ He went on to explain how Miles had become associated with Cousins and himself. ‘He is absolutely invaluable,’ he concluded, ‘because he is unsuspected, while Cousins and I are watched from morning to night!’

  ‘I must say you have astonished me,’ said the Governor. ‘I have seen the gentleman once or twice and it occurred to me that he was merely an American on the lookout for amusement.’

  ‘Most people think that,’ smiled Hugh, ‘even the very energetic representatives of the Russian Government!’

  ‘Who are they?’ demanded Sir Reginald, and Rainer leant forward.

  ‘One is a man named Kamper, who was deported from England, and who, I think, followed me out here. His position is rather mysterious. The others you know by name. They are Novar, of the firm of Novar and Company; Rahtz, the Principal of Mozang College, and—’

  His Excellency sat back and looked dumbfounded; Rainer started to his feet.

  ‘Are you absolutely certain of this?’ demanded the former.

  ‘Absolutely, sir!’

  Sir Reginald’s face became stern.

  ‘Who else?’ he asked.

  ‘Hudson of the Secretariat!’

  ‘What!’ gasped the Governor. ‘Why, he is a man in whom I have always put the greatest reliance! You must be mistaken!’

  Hugh shook his head.

  ‘There is no mistake, sir,’ he said emphatically.

  The Deputy Commissioner clutched the back of his chair like a man who was not sure whether he was dreaming or not.

  ‘But,’ he stammered, ‘Hudson is an Englishman!’

  ‘He appears to be,’ said Hugh sternly; ‘I sincerely hope that he turns out to be something else.’

  His Excellency rose from his chair, and for a few minutes paced up and down the room. Then he sat down again.

  ‘I think you had better tell us everything, Captain Shannon,’ he said.

  Hugh told him all that he and his companions had discovered. His auditors listened with growing amazement and, when eventually he had finished, there was a tense silence for several minutes. At last the Governor knocked out the ashes of his pipe.

  ‘The whole thing sounds like part of a particularly imaginative novel,’ he remarked. ‘And you have actually sent those two letters home?’

  ‘Yes, sir!’

  ‘Well, it looks, Shannon, as though you and your companions have saved Great Britain from disaster. God only knows what would have happened if we had never known these things. Of course the home Government will deal with the matter as soon as it is in a position to act. What a blow for the League of Nations and our hopes of disarmament!’

  ‘That meeting on December the twenty-first will be interesting,’ remarked the Deputy Commissioner.

  ‘I shall be there!’ said Hugh quietly.

  ‘How are you going to manage it?’ queried His Excellency.

  ‘I don’t know yet,’ was the reply; ‘but it is absolutely essential that I should be present. In fact what action Great Britain takes will depend upon a complete report of the meeting being placed before the Government.’

  Sir Reginald smiled.

  ‘Now that I know these things,’ he said, ‘it is going to be a difficult matter to remain inactive. I shall feel like an idler, who watches while great stakes are being played for. A tremendous responsibility rests on your shoulders, Shannon!’

  ‘I realise that, sir, but with Cousins and Miles to share the work with me, I have no fear of the result. Of course, you and Mr Rainer will be careful to let no suspicion reach either Rahtz, Novar, or Hudson that you are aware of anything?’

  ‘Certainly not,’ said His Excellency.

  Rainer sighed.

  ‘I wish I could arrest the three of them now,’ he said.

  ‘Such a thing would be ridiculous at the present juncture,’ said Hugh. ‘They have no idea yet that I suspect them, and when they find out, if they do—’ He paused and smiled grimly.

  ‘Did you say they are watching you?’ said the Governor.

  ‘Every movement, sir!’ returned the secret agent. ‘But they are watching me because they know why I am in India. At present they haven’t the vaguest idea that I have discovered anything.’

  ‘You will keep me well posted about events?’ asked the Governor.

  ‘By all means, sir!’

  ‘And, of course, Rainer will always be ready to supply you with any help.’<
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  The Deputy Commissioner nodded quickly.

  ‘I’m only sorry,’ he said, ‘that I cannot take a hand now.’

  Hugh smiled.

  ‘You’ll probably have all the excitement you want before we are finished.’

  His Excellency put a few more shrewd questions, during which he and Rainer learnt, much to their amusement, of the way Hugh had tricked his two shadowers in the car. Then the latter took his leave, accompanied by the Commissioner. They stood talking on the terrace for a few minutes before parting.

  ‘I am looking forward to meeting Cousins,’ said Rainer. ‘It appears to me from what you have told us about him that he is the sort of man one reads about but seldom meets.’

  ‘He is!’ smiled Hugh. ‘Cousins is in a class by himself, and is one of the most brilliant men we have.’

  Soon after that they shook hands and Rainer drove away. Hugh gave him a few minutes and then followed. It was quite dark by this time, and it was necessary to have the powerful headlights on. He did not hurry, being too engrossed in his thoughts to desire speed. He turned into Crescent Road, and had reached the gates of his bungalow, when gently he pulled up and at the same time switched off the lights. He had caught the sudden flash of an electric torch at the side of the house, and it gave him cause for reflection. In the first place, the servants were quite likely to use such torches, but their quarters and the kitchen were on the opposite side of the house; secondly, he knew that Miles had a bridge appointment at the Club and that Cousins had expressed his intention of having a glance, as he called it, round Rahtz’s house. Therefore only Joan was in. Hugh came to the conclusion that the owner of the torch was someone who had no business there. He got out and, releasing the brakes, quietly pushed the car half way down the drive, and left it there. Then gradually he crept nearer and nearer to the bungalow.

  Again came the flash, and he saw that it was focused on the bathroom door of his own rooms. He noticed that the door was being pushed open, then the light disappeared. Hugh entered the bungalow as quietly as he could, crept by the sitting room where Joan was curled up in an armchair reading a book, and reached his own bedroom. The door was open, but the room was hidden by a curtain. He listened intently, but not a sound reached his ears. Taking a small revolver from his pocket he carefully drew aside the curtain, and quietly entered. The room was in pitch blackness and he stood for several minutes wondering where the intruder was. At last, came a slight sound from the direction of the dressing room, and he caught the reflection of a light, which immediately disappeared again. He moved to the electric switch and placed his left hand on it.

  A minute went by, then he heard the swish of the curtain which hung between the bedroom and the dressing room, and knew that the man was actually in the room with him. A few seconds later and the electric torch was switched on and the light focused on the floor. It gradually moved higher and round the room. When it had almost reached him, Hugh turned on the lights.

  ‘This is an unexpected visit, Kamper!’ he said grimly, as he recognised the other.

  A vicious oath came from the startled visitant.

  ‘Put your hands up, and keep ’em up!’ commanded Hugh. ‘I’ve been wanting to have a little talk with you for a long time!’

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Kamper Appears and Disappears

  Rather to Shannon’s surprise the small, sallow-faced man with the shifty eyes made no effort at resistance. He calmly sat on the bed, and put his torch in his pocket.

  ‘I did not invite you to sit down,’ said Hugh.

  The other shrugged his shoulders.

  ‘Vell, it can’t hurt you if I do, I suppose,’ he said, speaking in a heavy nasal voice, which suggested that he was suffering from adenoids.

  ‘I have no objection to your sitting, as a matter of fact, but there are several chairs in the room!’

  The Jew rose, sauntered to an easy chair, and threw himself into it with an appearance of utter nonchalance, which annoyed his captor.

  ‘You take things very coolly, my friend!’ he said.

  ‘Zere is not a great deal of good doing othervise,’ was the reply.

  ‘I’m glad you are so sensible!’

  A sneering smile appeared on the Jew’s face.

  ‘I vould be very annoyed at this accident, only I happen to know that you vill have to let me go.’

  ‘Indeed! Perhaps you will tell me why?’

  ‘Simply because you vould have to give away the real reason vhy you are in Lahore, if you handed me over to the police!’

  ‘Oh!’ Hugh began to feel vastly amused at the calm insolence of the other. ‘You think so, do you? I’m afraid that you are in for an unpleasant shock.’

  The Jew smiled unbelievingly.

  ‘Bluff!’ he said quietly and calmly.

  ‘No, Mr Kamper, it is not bluff! Quite apart from whether I give myself away or not, and I assure you there is nothing to give away, you seem to forget that I can have you arrested for the very serious crime of housebreaking!’

  That appeared to give the man something to think furiously on. He bit his lips, and his shifty little eyes, for the first time, looked at Hugh. What he saw in the latter’s face did not seem to reassure him.

  ‘You dare not!’ he growled, but in rather a doubtful tone.

  ‘There is no question of daring,’ said Hugh firmly, ‘and such is my intention! At the same time it may please you to know that what I was and what I am are two entirely different things, and though I am now merely a professor in a college, I have not so far forgotten my old profession as to also forget the connection you had with it. In fact I can and will, tell a most interesting story to the authorities here. No; keep your hands up!’

  ‘How can I keep my hands up?’ grunted Kamper.

  ‘Getting tired?’ inquired Shannon. ‘Very well, stand up, and when I have relieved you of any lethal weapons you have upon you, you may put your hands down.’

  The Jew refused to move, and Hugh approached to within a foot of him.

  ‘Stand up!’ he snapped. ‘I won’t have any nonsense and as sure as my name is Shannon, I’ll shoot you if you don’t do as you’re told.’

  It takes a man of great courage to refuse to obey an order in the face of a revolver pointed firmly at him, and Kamper was not a man of great courage – in fact like most of his breed he was a coward at heart. Also he knew that Shannon would do as he threatened, a glance into those steel grey eyes assured him of that. He rose to his feet, his hands still held high above his head.

  Hugh had no intention of merely feeling for weapons, and so with the revolver pressed against a spot over Kamper’s heart, he went thoroughly through the latter’s pockets. He found a long stiletto-like knife in a curiously fashioned sheath, the electric torch, a revolver, a few letters written in Russian, some bank notes, and a watch; that was all. But when he removed the watch the Jew made an effort to prevent him, immediately stopped by the pressure on his breast.

  ‘You can put down your hands now!’ said Hugh. He sat down on the bed, the watch in his left hand. ‘Apparently this is the object you least desired me to have,’ he went on; ‘therefore worth examining,’

  ‘It is vorth a lot to me,’ said Kamper, sullenly, ‘It vas a present, and I don’t vant to lose it.’

  ‘You’re not going to lose it, my friend!’

  Hugh opened the back of the watch, and at the same time the Jew made a convulsive leap forward, only to be brought up by the cold touch of the revolver against his head.

  ‘Sit down!’ said Shannon sternly. ‘If you make a move like that again I’ll shoot. You had a very narrow escape then!’

  Slowly the fellow slunk back and sank into the chair. Hugh found a folded piece of paper in the back of the watch. With the other’s eyes following his movements with a look of hatred, he straightened out the paper, and glanced at it. What he saw there almost made him start with surprise. It was a replica of the drawing on the sheet of paper that Miles had found in Hudson�
�s coat pocket in Bombay, with the addition of three figures written in the centre of the map – just under the eagle and dragon – ‘8. 21.’

  Hugh leant forward.

  ‘What is this?’ he asked.

  ‘Can’t you see vot it is?’ replied Kamper sulkily.

  ‘I wouldn’t ask if I could. I recognise a map of India, but what do the eagles and dragons imply?’

  ‘Eagles and dragons, I suppose!’

  ‘It might be to your advantage to answer my question properly,’ said Hugh quietly.

  ‘I have answered it. I suppose I can draw eagles and dragons, and lions and tigers, if I vant to!’

  ‘And then put the drawing carefully away in the back of your watch,’ remarked Hugh sarcastically. ‘I did not know that you were an artist, Kamper!’

  ‘Vell, you know now!’

  ‘I remain unconvinced. This was not drawn by you, my man.’

  The Jew glanced quickly at him, then shrugged his shoulders.

  ‘Oh, well, if you won’t tell me,’ went on Hugh, ‘I daresay I can puzzle it out; also the meaning of the figures!’

  ‘Vot figures?’ cried Kamper, and started to his feet.

  ‘Ah! So you had forgotten them!’ grinned Shannon. ‘They must be important, too, I should think from your look of alarm. Oh, well, we’re getting on! Are you quite determined not to explain the meaning of this?’

  He waved the paper. Kamper looked as though he would have liked to have made a grab at it, but refrained.

  ‘Zere is nothing to explain,’ he growled. ‘You can tear it up if you like.’

  ‘Of course I can,’ laughed Hugh, ‘but I won’t!’ He put it in his pocket. ‘Now,’ he said; ‘I want to know first what you are doing in Lahore; secondly, why you are in my room?’

  The Jew maintained a sullen silence in spite of repeated efforts by Hugh to get him to talk. At last the Englishman gave it up.

  ‘As you won’t confess,’ he said, ‘nothing remains to be done, but to hand you over to the authorities. I might as well tell you that I have known of your presence in Lahore for a considerable time – I was waiting for you to come out into the open and proclaim yourself!’