Microbes of Power (Wallace of the Secret Service Series) (23 page)

‘Is it worthwhile doing this now?’ he asked. ‘Won’t they guess that Kyprianos’ condition is not accidental or natural, since they know you are in Rome and very much on their track. You can’t expect them to imagine that they and their whereabouts are unknown to you, especially as you have shown so pointedly that you are aware of the existence of Baltazzi and Padakis.’

‘I don’t see why they should suspect that I have entered the flat and drugged Kyprianos. They won’t gather the point of that action, and I shall certainly leave no evidence of my presence behind. The very fact that they will be almost sure to decide on secret departure from Rome, now they realise I’m busy here, makes it urgent that something must be done,
and tonight
. Be ready for me at two, Ray.’

Hill departed reluctantly, and with a great deal of misgiving concerning the outcome of the desperate venture on which Shannon had set his heart. On one point he was determined; that was, if Shannon did not reappear after a reasonable interval, he
would immediately ring up Tempest who, fortunately, possessed a flat over his place of business, and go himself to the rescue. He drove to the Ludovici quarter, and was so deep in thought that he had arrived at his address before he was aware that he was anywhere near it. To his surprise and delight, he found Thalia reclining on a lounge in the great entrance hall. She was in a dark evening gown without ornament of any sort, while her face, under the artistic, subdued lighting, looked paler even than usual. She greeted him with a glad smile, her eyes brightening as though she were greatly relieved to see him. He eagerly accepted her invitation to sit by her side.

‘You have been dining out?’ she asked.

‘Yes,’ he returned. ‘I – I met a friend at the Pantheon Restaurant. Have you been out?’

She shook her head.

‘The storm has passed. It is very nice in the air, and I would like to walk in the gardens. Will you escort me?’

He rose eagerly, and they walked out together. In the gardens she took his arm, sending a great thrill through him. There was no moon, but a wonderful array of stars dotted the heavens with a myriad points of light. For some time she was silent; then she spoke in a low tone that was little above a whisper.

‘Raymond, I can trust you implicitly, can I not?’

‘Of course – absolutely,’ he responded, wondering what was coming.

‘I knew I could, but it was necessary to ask. What I will tell you, you must not divulge to any but one person whose name I will mention presently. You give me your word of honour?’ He gave it solemnly and earnestly. ‘Thank you, my friend.’ A little pressure on his arm rewarded him. ‘Listen! You know something of the reason
for which I am with these people. I was perhaps unwise to mention it even to you, but you have not betrayed my confidence, and, in that, you have shown me my judgment was good. That is why I am putting a further burden of my secrets on you. You have given your word, and I know you will not betray me.

‘Captain Shannon, whom now you are getting to know very well, and who is my very good friend, is associating with me in the matter which has made me, for a little while, a lady’s companion. He is of the British Secret Service, while I am of the Greek. Today men arrived who told Plasiras and Bikelas of his presence in Rome and, without doubt, proved why he was here. These men were sent, I think, to murder him. They found that he was at the Hotel Splendide. I am glad to say that they failed – Captain Shannon nearly drowned one, the other was found by the police, and taken to hospital with a broken nose and fractured skull. It will be long before he recovers, and he will not speak – that is certain. By much good fortune I heard that tonight it was proposed to put poison into Captain Shannon with the hypodermic syringe. Someone will knock into him in a crowd, he will feel a little prick, and all will be quickly over. I tried to telephone him, but was told that he had left the hotel, departing for England. It was good that he has left the hotel, but I know he is still in Rome. He told me he would communicate with me by you. When he does, please tell him the plot that is against him, and that the man who will do it is Kyprianos. You will not forget?’

‘No, I will not forget,’ responded Hill quietly.

‘You take these matters in a manner very calm, my friend. Do they not horrify you?’

‘They do, but I think Captain Shannon is well able to look after
himself. It is of you I am thinking. The deadly danger that you must be in appals me. What will happen, if the people you are with discover your real identity?’

‘Then, Raymond, I fear I would very quickly die.’

The thought of such a catastrophe drove all diffidence and shyness from him. In his emotion he forgot the role he was playing, forgot everything, except the fact that he loved this girl passionately, with a fervent devotion that came from his very soul.

‘Thalia,’ he said, ‘give up this dangerous work you are doing. Live the sheltered and happy life a girl like you should live. Give me the chance of helping you enjoy that happiness. I love you with my whole soul – I worship you. Will you – will you marry me?’

It was out, much to his own astonishment. He stood awaiting her answer in a state of feverish anxiety. In the darkness he could just discern the pale oval of her face, but, of course, could not see the expression on it. He felt her arm tremble in his, however, and took heart. Presently came her words, slowly and softly, almost as though borne on the gentle breeze.

‘Is it really true,’ she asked, ‘that you love me like that, and wish to make me your wife?’

‘True!’ he cried hoarsely. ‘Surely you know how true it is?’

‘Yes; I do know, I think, and – and I am very proud, for, oh, my Raymond, I, too, love you with a great love that seems to eat me up. No; wait please,’ as, with a glad cry, he was about to take her into his arms. ‘I am the daughter of a wicked, cruel man,’ she went on tremulously, ‘who would have been executed for many murders, if it was not that God willed him to die in prison of an illness. I also have been cruel and wicked and—’

‘I know all about Stanislas Ictinos and his daughter,’ interrupted Hill with impatient ardour, ‘and I know that his daughter, who
seemed cruel and wicked, was not then her real self. But now she is – she is just fine, noble – and wonderful.’

‘But how could you know about me?’ she asked in wonderment.

‘Never mind that – it suffices that I do know. Thalia – sweetheart, won’t you put me out of my suspense?’

‘You will – will not fear me as a wife?’

‘Fear you! I shall just adore you. You have told me you love me and—’

‘I love you so much,’ she whispered, ‘that it hurts. It will be the greatest of all bliss, I think, to be your wife.’

Without further hesitation, he swept her into his arms, and their lips met in a wonderful, ecstatic kiss.

How long they remained thus, utterly oblivious to the passing of time, neither of them ever knew. At length she stirred in his embrace; her hand caressed his cheek as she pushed him gently from her.

‘Raymond, my love,’ she asked softly, ‘why was it you spoke in English when you told me you loved me?’

He stiffened apprehensively.

‘Did I?’ he asked.

‘Yes; as if it was natural to you. You spoke with great emotion, and I think – yes, I am sure – it was your mother tongue that came to your lips. You are not an Austrian – you are English, are you not?’

It would have been absurd under the circumstances to deny it.

‘I am,’ he admitted.

‘Why did you deceive me?’ she questioned in reproachful tones.

He sought desperately for some way out that would not betray his calling, but the more he thought the deeper became his difficulty. Then suddenly came a surprising interruption.

‘I think, Hill,’ drawled a quiet, attractive voice in English, ‘that
Miss Ictinos has proved that she is worthy to know the truth.’

Thalia started violently, and a little cry of fear broke from her lips. Hill stood dumbfounded; then:

‘Great heavens!’ he exclaimed forcibly. ‘It’s Sir—’

‘S’sh!’ warned the voice from the darkness. ‘Don’t mention my name please. Even trees can hear sometimes.’

‘Who is it?’ gasped Thalia.

A slight figure stepped forward from the deeper gloom. The girl felt her hand grasped, dimly discerned the newcomer bending over it.

‘Our last meeting was under rather unfortunate circumstances,’ he murmured. ‘It gives me immense pleasure now to make the acquaintance of the – shall I say – real Thalia Ictinos. My name is Wallace – I am afraid you will remember me without a great deal of gratification.’ Her exclamation of astonishment was stifled by the hand he placed gently on her mouth. ‘Forgive my taking such a liberty,’ he begged, ‘but it is better not to speak too loudly. Now I’m going to congratulate you, if I may.’

Thalia was the first to recover from the profound surprise Sir Leonard Wallace had given her and Hill. Her eyes flashed her pleasure.

‘You approve?’ she asked eagerly.

‘I do,’ returned Sir Leonard; ‘very much so. You have guessed then that Mr – Herr Kirche is a member of my department?’

‘But of course. The manner of your coming, the name by which you called Raymond, and your remark that I was worthy to know the truth – all made me guess that he also was of the British Secret Service.’ She sighed, as memory of the manner in which she had introduced Hill to Shannon, and the way her lover had deceived her into believing he was an Austrian, recurred to her mind. ‘It is very bitter to think,’ she murmured,
‘that the man who loves me so much could not trust me.’

‘Thalia, I could not—’ began Hill in imploring tones.

‘You must not blame him, Miss Ictinos,’ interposed Wallace. ‘He could not do otherwise. In our job we cannot think ever of ourselves or even those we love, when we are on duty. He has only done his duty – you must not blame him for that. Without my permission he would never reveal his real identity.’

‘I understand,’ replied the girl impulsively. ‘For a little while there was a pain in my heart, but now it is gone. I am very much happy again now.’

‘You won’t mind marrying an Englishman instead of an Austrian?’

She laughed softly.

‘I do not mind what he is – I love him,’ she replied simply.

She felt the pressure of Hill’s hand on her arm, and responded gladly to it.

‘I must apologise,’ declared Sir Leonard, ‘for being present at a very intimate event, but you will both forgive me, I hope, when I assure you that I had no idea it was about to happen.’ His hearers were both very grateful at that moment for the darkness. ‘To be quite frank,’ he went on, ‘I was not quite convinced of the wisdom of your coming out here to talk. You were watched as you met in the hall, and I rather expected you would be followed, but the man who was watching you apparently decided it was no more than a lover’s meeting. He returned to his flat. I followed you, and kept my eyes and ears open, however, in order to ensure that you would not be overheard by any dangerous person.’

‘Who was the man, sir?’ asked Hill.

‘General Radoloff, I think he is called.’

‘Oh,’ murmured Thalia in tones of impatience, ‘he pesters me with his attentions. Now that I go so much with Raymond he is very jealous I think.’

‘And, therefore, all the more to be guarded against,’ commented Sir Leonard. ‘A jealous man can be dangerous at even the most innocent of times.’

‘When did you arrive in Rome, sir?’ asked Hill who, it must be confessed, had an uneasy feeling that he had not shown up too well. He was rather afraid that Sir Leonard would consider that his lovemaking and proposal might have been delayed for a more auspicious occasion.

He need not have worried. Sir Leonard had a very great understanding of human nature. He did not expect his assistants to be mere machines, altogether devoid of feeling.

‘I have been here three days,’ he replied in answer to the ex-doctor’s question. ‘I came actually to assure myself that Miss Ictinos is in reality the very gallant lady Captain Shannon described her in a report he sent me.’

‘You have been watching me,’ she accused.

‘I have,’ he returned frankly. ‘And I may add that I endorse in every way the remarks of Captain Shannon.’

‘Oh, thank you,’ she murmured gladly. ‘I am so happy to think that, Sir – that you have now that opinion of me. It is wonderful when—’

‘We have forgotten the past,’ he interrupted her. ‘You must forget it also.’

‘It will be very, very difficult,’ she sighed. ‘The name Ictinos is not good, and I bear it.’

‘You will soon cast it aside for ever,’ whispered Hill.

‘That day I will thank the good God with very much sincerity.’

‘I think you had other things to tell Hill,’ Sir Leonard reminded her.

‘Yes. Tomorrow it is proposed that, in small parties, Messieurs Plasiras, Bikelas and the others, except Kyprianos and Michalis, creep quietly from Rome and hide somewhere in the country. Kyprianos and Michalis with Padakis, the spy, search for Captain Shannon and, when they find him, intend to murder him. You heard me tell Raymond how it is to be done?’

‘I did, but I don’t think we need bother about that. As a matter of fact, I saw you go to the Hotel Splendide this afternoon, and gathered you had news to give him. Afterwards I saw Shannon come out, and became aware at once that he was being followed. I, therefore, followed his trackers, ready to go to his assistance if required. I was not required,’ he added drily. ‘If you will tell me what it was you told Shannon in the hotel, Miss Ictinos, it will save time and bring me right up-to-date.’ She was about to commence, when he added: ‘Wait a minute. I will just make certain everything is all right.’

As noiselessly as a shadow, he glided away. She gave a little gasp.

‘How is it he can move without sound?’ she whispered to Hill. ‘And for three days he has been here watching everything, especially me, and I did not know. It is wonderful. You did not know he was in Rome – no?’

‘No; I did not, neither did Shannon – I don’t suppose he does yet. If Sir Leonard Wallace does not want his presence to be known, you can take it from me that it won’t be.’

‘My father was a fool to think he could win against a man like that. When I think back, it is so—’