‘I don’t think I honestly deserve all this praise, sir,’ replied Hugh. ‘Cousins and Miles accomplished the really vital work. If I didn’t admit that, I should feel that I was sailing under false colours. And,’ his voice became bitter and his face clouded, ‘I did not prevent my sister being kidnapped.’
‘Neither did your companions! Have you any idea how it was done?’
‘We can only conjecture, sir. Every door and window was locked before we went to bed last night and on examination none of them were found to be tampered with in the slightest degree. It is fairly evident, therefore, that they, or one of them – for there must have been more than one – entered the house before we went to bed and hid somewhere.’
‘Whoever it was did not lack daring,’ commented His Excellency.
‘Daring of a sort,’ groaned Hugh, ‘with a poor girl, who has never harmed a soul, as a victim of their courage!’
Sir Reginald crossed to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
‘Bear up, Shannon!’ he said. ‘Do not give away to despair. Remember you have much to do yet, and you must be in a condition to do it.’
‘You are right, sir,’ said Hugh, rising. ‘It is foolish to let my feelings get the better of me but she is just everything in the world to me.’
‘I quite understand,’ said the Governor gently. ‘And now tell me; what are your plans?’
‘I shall go straight home,’ replied Shannon, ‘and see if Miles or Cousins have any news. Then the three of us will call on Mr Rainer and make arrangements for our coup on Tuesday night.’
‘I should very much like to be present at your discussion so perhaps you will hold it here?’
‘Certainly, sir!’
‘I will send a message to Rainer. Will seven o’clock suit you?’
‘Admirably, sir.’
‘Good! I hope you and your companions, as well as Rainer, will give me the pleasure of dining with me afterwards?’
For a moment Hugh hesitated. He had no desire to dine out anywhere while the burden of his sister’s disappearance oppressed his mind. But he could not very well refuse an invitation of this sort, so accepting on behalf of his companions and himself, he presently took his leave.
As he left the house a car drove up and from it descended the Deputy Commissioner and Abdul Rahim. Hugh hardly glanced at the latter, his eyes being entirely occupied in watching the Commissioner’s face; and truly it was a sight for a sick heart. Rainer appeared so thoroughly pleased with himself and the world in general, that he wore a broad smile, which threatened to be the prelude to a roar of laughter.
‘Hullo, Shannon!’ he called cheerily.
‘You seem jolly pleased about something,’ said Hugh eagerly. ‘Have you any news?’
‘Lots,’ said Rainer vaguely. ‘I’ve met an old friend, and failed to recognise him, and—’
‘Oh, hang your old friend!’ exclaimed Hugh rudely. ‘Have you any news of Joan I mean?’
‘Well, my friend has,’ replied the other, without showing any resentment. ‘Let me introduce you to Mr Abdul Rahim.’ He indicated the Indian. ‘Captain Shannon!’ he added to Rahim.
Hugh bowed mechanically and turned back at once to Rainer.
‘Where is your friend, and what does he say?’ demanded Hugh.
‘You’ve just bowed to him rather coldly,’ chuckled Rainer. ‘Perhaps he will tell you his news himself!’
Shannon looked at the Mahommedan in astonishment.
‘I am sorry if I appeared rude,’ he said, ‘but I am worried. Apparently from what Mr Rainer says you know of the disappearance of my sister.’
The smart-looking Indian bent his head in acknowledgement. He was standing in what appeared to be a favourite attitude of his – his left hand stuck into a coat pocket.
‘I heard it from his lips this morning,’ was the reply spoken in perfect but rather sibilant English. ‘And it was a very strange coincidence, because last night I happened to see the man you are after enter a house on the outskirts of Lahore, and as he did not emerge again, I presume that he lives there. Since Mr Rainer told me of your sister’s disappearance, we have both agreed that it is very likely she was also taken there.’
‘Where is this house?’ demanded Hugh excitedly.
‘Look here, Shannon,’ put in Rainer, ‘you leave this to us. You said yourself that Novar and Rahtz must not be interfered with before the meeting, so—’
‘Shut up, you fool!’ hissed Hugh.
For answer, and still smiling, the Commissioner took him by the arm and led him a little away from the Mahommedan.
‘You need not worry about Rahim,’ he said, ‘he is the soul of discretion.’
‘I don’t care what he is,’ said Shannon bluntly. ‘You had no right to say anything to him.’
‘I have hardly said a word. Do I look the sort of fool to go blabbing, especially when I know what great issues are at stake?’
‘No, you don’t,’ admitted Hugh.
‘Well, listen! As luck would have it he knows where Novar is. He spent some time near the house this morning, and heard that the owner, a Bombay Parsee merchant, arrived yesterday. He is quite convinced that the Parsee is Novar and I am inclined to agree with him. Now where Novar is we can be pretty certain Rahtz and Hudson also are and where they are Miss Shannon is sure to be.’
‘Yes, yes,’ said Hugh. ‘Go on!’
‘He proposes to get into the house and rescue your sister tonight, and he can go where we could not without bringing all the occupants on us, and in consequence being compelled to arrest them.’
‘How is he going to do it?’
‘He won’t tell me that. Take my advice, old chap, and leave it to him. He’ll get her away somehow I am certain and without interfering with the liberty of Novar and the others. Of course, they’ll disappear again, but that doesn’t matter – your sister will be restored to you – and they will be free to turn up at Mozang College on Tuesday night.’
‘Can you rely upon him?’
‘Absolutely!’
‘Then I suppose I must leave it to him,’ said Hugh reluctantly; ‘but I’d like to be at hand in case of mistakes.’
‘You can take my word for it,’ said Rainer earnestly, ‘there won’t be any mistakes.’
Hugh smiled with real gratitude, he felt as if an enormous load had been lifted from his heart.
‘You are a brick, Rainer,’ he said. ‘But for God’s sake,’ he added, ‘don’t say too much about our plans to him!’
‘I won’t,’ the Commissioner assured him.
‘Who the devil is he?’
‘One of the greatest detectives in the world,’ said Rainer, and they returned to Abdul Rahim.
‘I don’t know how to thank you for what you are about to do for my sister and me,’ said Hugh. ‘God grant you will be successful!’
The Mahommedan bowed with true Oriental politeness.
‘Allah always looks after his chosen,’ he said. ‘I shall succeed!’
Hugh held out his hand impulsively, the other clasped it, and they looked into each other’s eyes for a second, then turning to the Deputy Commissioner:
‘The Governor has a lot to tell you,’ said Hugh. ‘You have come at a most opportune time.’
‘Good!’ exclaimed Rainer. ‘I have few things to tell him also.’
He nodded cheerfully and went up the steps with Abdul Rahim.
Hugh watched them disappear, then with a song of gladness in his heart, jumped into his car and drove home. He found Miles and Cousins awaiting him with such unhappy faces that he knew at once that they had failed in their quest. Miles handed him a letter which had been delivered by hand. Hugh tore open the envelope and discovered a single sheet of paper on which half a dozen lines had been typewritten:
Miss Shannon is perfectly safe and will come to no harm, unless any further efforts are made to interfere with us, or she is searched for, when she will disappear for good.
That was all – there was not
even a signature. Hugh read the warning aloud, but neither of his companions made any comment.
The three sat down to lunch – there was no longer any reason why Cousins should play the servant, at any rate in the house – and, without preamble, Hugh plunged into an account of his interview with the Governor, and handed round the Chief’s letter. For a moment Cousins and Miles forgot the shadow of sorrow that was resting on their spirits and delighted grins and mutual congratulations passed between them. Miles even insisted on their drinking a toast – ‘Great Britain and the United States!’ – and they stood up and drank it with the emotion of true patriots. But afterwards the gloom returned with redoubled force, whereupon Hugh told them of his meeting with Rainer and Abdul Rahim. Then gradually the sorrow left their countenances, and when Shannon had finished speaking, Miles leant across the table, the light of a great hope in his eyes, his voice trembling with eagerness.
‘Hugh,’ he said, ‘do you really think this guy will do it?’
Hugh nodded.
‘I don’t know why,’ he said, ‘but when I was speaking to him, something told me he would never fail in anything he undertook. He did not say much, but there was a sort of inflexible purpose underlying his words and I have only once or twice met men who gave me such utter confidence. I never thought I should meet an Indian with a personality like that. Rainer has no doubt whatever!’
Miles rose from the table.
‘I can’t eat any more,’ he said apologetically. ‘I feel kinder choky.’
At five minutes to seven that evening the three men, who in such a short time had done so much and had become such inseparable friends, entered the main gates of Government House, not bothering in the least whether a whole army of spies was tracking them or whether they entered unnoticed. Cousins was the only one who felt in any way disgruntled with his lot, and his dress suit was the cause. He had brought only one to India with him and, in his role of valet, had regarded even that as impedimenta; thus he had left it in his trunk without ever bothering to take it out and give it an airing. The result was that when he drew it forth that afternoon it was so creased that Hugh, who watched the ceremony, declared rudely that it resembled its owner’s face. With the assistance of all the servants, including even the cook, the erstwhile valet did his best to press it, and when it was hung out in the sun it looked more like what a dress suit should be. But, alas, when he came to adorn himself in it, it was apparently so annoyed at its long disuse that it bunched itself up in unfamiliar places, and flopped plaintively in others; also, sad to relate, the moth had been having a bean feast in one or two hallowed spots. However, when arrayed, Cousins was assured by his companions that it looked splendid; nevertheless, on the way to Government House he felt awkward, which to say the least of it was most unusual with him and, in consequence, bothered him considerably.
They were shown straight into the Governor’s study, which by now had become quite familiar to Hugh. There whisky and sodas, cigars and cigarettes were placed before them, and they were informed that His Excellency would join them in five minutes. In that time exactly he appeared, followed almost immediately by the Deputy Commissioner. He was introduced to Cousins and shook hands with Miles.
‘It is a great pleasure to meet men like you, gentlemen,’ he said gracefully, ‘who devote their lives to their countries, and risk everything in serving them. You, Mr Miles,’ he smiled, ‘have been a great surprise to me. I never thought, on the few occasions we met, that you were anything but an American traveller getting the best out of the world. You are one of those who hide your light—’
‘Under a pair of spectacles, sir,’ interposed Cousins. ‘Miles’ benevolent look is entirely due to wearing those tortoiseshell abominations of his. If he would take them off you would see the cunning, hard man underneath.’
There was a general laugh, after which the Governor turned to Hugh.
‘I have spoken to Mr Abdullah,’ he said, ‘and although he is very upset at losing you, he understands that it is a matter against which neither he nor his board of governors can protest. He will make arrangements for you to be relieved of your duties in Sheranwala College immediately.’
Hugh expressed his satisfaction.
‘I believe you know that an effort is to be made to rescue your sister tonight,’ went on His Excellency. ‘Rainer brought the – er – man who is going to undertake it to see me, and I must say I feel quite confident of his ability to succeed.’
‘So do I, sir,’ replied Hugh. ‘I don’t know why, but I feel perfectly certain he will.’
Rainer laughed.
‘It is extraordinary how Abdul Rahim always gives everyone such entire confidence in him,’ he remarked. ‘And he never fails when he undertakes a task. I am as sure that Miss Shannon will be back tonight as I am certain I am in this room.’
‘God grant it!’ said His Excellency. ‘I have told him to let me know at once, if he effects the rescue, and I shall wait very anxiously until I hear from him.’
‘He’s a remarkable man for an Indian,’ said Miles. ‘I feel a new respect for a race that can breed a man with such courage and personality.’
They then devoted themselves to considering the surest way of capturing every man who attended the meeting on Tuesday at Mozang College. All details were discussed and no likely eventuality lost sight of. Hugh, Miles, and Cousins were to make their way into the College by some means or other, which was not apparent at the present, but the two former intended to try if the papers they possessed with the maps of India drawn on them and decorated with the eagles and dragons were passports which would get them through. Cousins had already spent some time examining the place, and he was going there early and would conceal himself above the room where the conference was almost certain to be held. He amazed everyone by relating how he had removed enough of the roof to enable him to crawl on to the rafters beneath and listen through the thin plaster which hid them from the room below. He had covered up the hole he had made so that it would not be noticed by anyone who took it into his head to prowl about on the roof in the meantime.
It was arranged that Rainer and some of his best men were to conceal themselves close to the College and watch, while a strong detachment of armed men would wait some distance away, but within call. As soon as the Deputy Commissioner was sure all the plotters were inside the building he would surround it with his detachment and arrest any man he came across. There were to be two cordons of police, the outer one would remain in a circle round the College and permit nobody to pass in or out, the inner one would wait for three blasts blown on a whistle by Hugh, when the men were to enter and make their way direct to the room where the meeting was being held and arrest every man therein. Absolute secrecy was to be maintained throughout, so that no whisper of alarm could reach the conspirators before they were in the building.
A long time was taken in formulating the plans, so that there could be no possibility of misunderstanding, but at last the Governor rose and expressed himself as satisfied that they had done all that could be done to ensure the complete success of the raid.
‘I feel confident, gentlemen,’ he said, ‘that, unless something unforeseen happens, the success of your endeavours in bringing to light this conspiracy will be crowned with complete triumph on Tuesday night, and I wish you all the very best of luck.’
They went into dinner after that and Lady Scott was the only lady present. She was a charming woman who still retained a great measure of beauty and had always proved herself a perfect helpmate to her husband. She was tactful, clever and strong-minded and was very popular in Northern India. She gave her visitors a warm welcome and the dinner, being quite an informal affair, was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Hugh and his two friends left Government House at half past nine and went straight home. In the minds of each of them was the question – ‘Will she come?’
They sat in the sitting room or, to be correct, they tried to sit, for every now and again one of them would get up and
pace the apartment, a prey to conflicting thoughts and emotions. Time went by on leaden wings; they tried to talk to each other, but hardly knew what they were saying; they smoked an enormous amount of tobacco, and hardly realised that they were smoking. Ten o’clock came and went, half past ten passed slowly by – still no sign. Every unusual sound brought them to their feet with hands clenched in their excitement; once or twice the distant hum of a motor car made them dash to the door. But there was no sign of Joan, and gradually their hearts began to fail them, their hopes to fade away. Cousins was almost as strongly affected as were Hugh and Miles, for he had made no misstatement when he declared that he, too, loved Joan. He loved her as he would have loved a daughter had he ever had one and inside the little man there beat a heart which had the power of a great and lasting affection. Eleven o’clock struck and they began to look at each other grimly, with pale faces and eyes in which the agony of the uncertainty they were suffering was clearly revealed. Minute by minute ticked away and gradually the half hour approached. With a groan Miles dropped his head between his hands, but still the clock ticked on, and the large hand marked half past eleven and moved on in its inexorable way.
‘Oh, my God!’ burst from Hugh at last, and it was as though his very heart had bared itself. ‘He must have failed.’
CHAPTER THIRTY
A Terrible Ordeal
The rude awakening which Joan had experienced in finding herself lifted from her bed by strange men and carried away to a house she had never seen before, had brought on a mental exhaustion which caused her to sleep, albeit restlessly, for several hours. Her struggles when in the arms of the big Sikh and her efforts to attract attention after being locked in the room also made her physically tired, so that she was not disturbed by the entrance of a Hindu woman at eight o’clock in the morning. The latter brought some native clothes with her and laid them on a chair by the bedside, then gazing curiously at the English girl, without the slightest sign of any emotion on her face, she went out of the room.
Devil's Cocktail (Wallace of the Secret Service Series) Page 30
