Тридцять дев’ять ступенів
Chapter 8
Theyknowthatwouldmeanarowandputusonourguard.Theiraimistogetthedetailswithoutanyoneofusknowing,sothatRoyerwillgobacktoParisinthebeliefthatthewholebusinessisstilldeadlysecret.Iftheycan’tdothattheyfail,for,oncewesuspect,theyknowthatthewholethingmustbealtered.”
“ThenwemuststickbytheFrenchman’ssidetillheishomeagain,”Isaid.“IftheythoughttheycouldgettheinformationinParistheywouldtrythere.ItmeansthattheyhavesomedeepschemeonfootinLondonwhichtheyreckonisgoingtowinout.”
“RoyerdineswithmyChief,andthencomestomyhousewherefourpeoplewillseehim—WhittakerfromtheAdmiralty,myself,SirArthurDrew,andGeneralWinstanley.TheFirstLordisill,andhasgonetoSheringham.AtmyhousehewillgetacertaindocumentfromWhittaker,andafterthathewillbemotoredtoPortsmouthwhereadestroyerwilltakehimtoHavre.Hisjourneyistooimportantfortheordinaryboat-train.HewillneverbeleftunattendedforamomenttillheissafeonFrenchsoil.ThesamewithWhittakertillhemeetsRoyer.Thatisthebestwecando,andit’shardtoseehowtherecanbeanymiscarriage.ButIdon’tmindadmittingthatI’mhorriblynervous.ThismurderofKarolideswillplaythedeuceinthechancelleriesofEurope.”
AfterbreakfastheaskedmeifIcoulddriveacar.“Well,you’llbemychauffeurtodayandwearHudson’srig.You’reabouthissize.Youhaveahandinthisbusinessandwearetakingnorisks.
