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BOOK: The Smog

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Chapter Twenty-One
The Final Message

“Message from Dr. Palfrey and Stefan Andromovitch from Pale Valley, United States.

“To: Heads of States.

“Experiments now concluded by Professor Stephen Storr into the concentration of noxious gases in the earth's atmosphere show highly encouraging results. An additive to all gasolines, all forms of petroleum fuels and natural and coal gas fuels will release a gas which will negative noxious concentrations during the next few days. Sufficient for all major cities will be available within one week. Strongly recommend immobilising all motor vehicles and oil-driven trains if the concentration in any city or town reaches danger point.

“Good reason to believe that further experiments will introduce an additive to all fuels which will in future greatly reduce even today's normal toxic concentrations.”

Joyce Morgan read the message, her heart racing, and began to send it out with the help of the young man in the Control Room. Within minutes it was being read by the Chairman of the Presidium of Soviet Republics, by the President of the United States, the Prime Minister of Great Britain, by heads of state throughout the world.

Grace Drummond read it as she sat, convalescing, in a nursing home belonging to Z5.

Newspaper editors read it and rushed it into print.

Every television and radio channel carried the message, word for word, at regular intervals during that golden day.

Everyone at Pale Valley watched a television relay, that afternoon, in a small theatre at the back of the chalet. When it was over, Palfrey moved to the front of the theatre, and said almost apologetically: “I hope I may have a few minutes to talk to you all. We know now that many of your efforts to find the answer to air pollution were thwarted by Philip Montefiore. We know that his mind as well as his body was infirm, that as he could not live a normal life, he turned his hatred on the world. It was he who blew up Sane Manor, and who began the holocaust.

“But we know also what Professor Storr has done to make amends for the first terrifying miscalculations that caused the catastrophes. He hoped to solve the problem without the world knowing he was responsible, only to fail utterly, killing many thousands of people. But it must be said that without him the problem could not have been solved. And I have learned, while I have been here, how many of you have been dedicated to the same task. I amâahâfortunate. I have the facilities to make sure that the world knows of this, and shall use these facilities to the full. And for a start I shall see that this little speech of mine is relayed to everyone who works in any of the Storr plants and depots.”

Everyone began to clap.

Storr suddenly found himself surrounded by those who worked for him, by Costain, Marion and Griselda, young Collins.

Then Palfrey said: “And the world will soon know the part that David Costain played in this modern miracle. Davidâ”

But David Costain and Marion had slipped away.

Later, Palfrey was alone with Andromovitch, who had received an amiably worded telegram of congratulation from Moscow, and who was sitting back, enormous and relaxed, on the patio. The aircraft engines were being given a final check, and the flight home would start within an hour.

Costain came in.

“Well, David,” Palfrey asked him. “Do you still feel publicity shy?”

“Always was and always will be,” Costain answered. “ErâI hope you won't think I'm letting you down, but there's a lot of work I can do here and I'd like to stay. I've been asked to take young Philip's place on the staff. Will that be all right?”

“My dear chap,” said Palfrey, “if any man in the world has the right to do exactly what he wishes, you do.”

Costain and Marion stood with Storr, Griselda and Harrison, watching the two aircraft take off. Both circled once, high above Pale Lake, and then flew between the mountain peaks towards the world beyond.

When they had disappeared, Costain turned with Marion towards the new world he had found.

Endnote

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1
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In 'The Oasis'.

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