Free Drums of War by Edward Marston Page B

colours
and by the way the scene came dramatically to life. It was an extraordinary
piece of work. She just wished that it did not glorify a nation still fighting
against her own. Before she could make that point to Dopff, there was a loud
knock at the front door. Tensing at once, she traded a nervous glance with him.
A moment later, Beatrix bustled into the room in a state of apprehension.
    'What
shall I do, Miss Amalia?' she asked.
    'Answer
the door.'
    'It
may be that man who's been watching us.'
    'Then
we must show we're not afraid - go on, Beatrix.'
    The
servant ran a tongue over her dry lips and breathed in deeply. Dopff,
meanwhile, opened a drawer and took out a dagger, hoping that he would never
have to use it. Amalia's heart was beating rapidly. She sensed bad news on the
other side of the front door.
     
    Daniel
had reached Paris without further trouble and entered one of the city gates
after showing his forged passport. Because of its noise, filth, stench and
crowded streets, he had always disliked the French capital, preferring
Amsterdam in every way. It was a relief to find that the address he was after
was in a quarter reserved for the rich and powerful. Emanuel Janssen had
clearly been treated well since his arrival. When nobody responded to his
knock, Daniel banged on the door again. He heard a bolt being drawn then the
door opened wide enough for him to see the fretful countenance of Beatrix.
    'Is
this the home of Emanuel Janssen?' he asked in Dutch.
    'The
master is not here at the moment, sir.'
    'You
must be Beatrix.'
    'That's
right, sir,' she said, eyeing him uneasily.
    'I'd
like to speak to Miss Janssen, if I may.'
    'What's
your business with her?'
    'I
can't divulge that,' said Daniel. 'It's a private matter and I don't propose to
discuss it on the doorstep. Tell the young lady that I bring news from home.
I've ridden a long way to deliver it.'
    Beatrix
was unsure what to do. The visitor was very personable and had no resemblance
to the man watching the house. At the same time, he was a complete stranger and
she therefore distrusted him. She was spared the agony of making a decision.
    'Invite
the gentleman in,' Amalia called out.
    'Yes,
Miss Amalia,' replied Beatrix, opening the door wide.
    'Thank
you,' said Daniel.
    Sweeping
off his hat, he stepped into the house. Beatrix closed the door behind them and
thrust home the bolt before she led him to the parlour. He went into the room
to meet Amalia Janssen for the first time. Reports of her beauty had not been
exaggerated. Even though she was under obvious stress, she was still arresting.
He was taken aback at the sight of her.
    'It's
a pleasure to meet you, Miss Janssen,' he said, smiling.
    'May
I know your name, sir?'
    'Of
course,' said Daniel, 'when I'm certain that it's safe to tell it to you.' He
glanced around. 'How many of you are there?'
    'Apart
from me, only Beatrix and my father's assistant are here.'
    'That
would be Kees Dopff.'
    She
was cautious. 'How do you know so much about us?'
    'Because
I've been sent to help you,' he explained. 'Your father is missing and you
wrote to ask for assistance.' Smiling again, he spread his arms. 'Here I am.'
    'Yet
still you have no name, sir.'
    'I
travelled here as a French citizen by the name of Marcel Daron and I have
papers to that effect. My real name is Daniel Rawson, Captain of the 24 th Regiment of Foot, and I'm attached to the Duke of Marlborough's personal
staff.'
    Amalia
was bewildered. 'What has the Duke got to do with this?'
    'It
was he who showed me your letter, Miss Janssen.'
    'You read it?'
    'I
did indeed. You have a graceful hand.'
    'However
did it reach someone as eminent as a Duke?'
    'The
person to whom you gave it here passed it on to a courier. It was taken to
Flanders at once. His Grace chose me to look into the problem.'
    Daniel
could see that she was both mystified and suspicious. In order to put her mind
at rest, he invited her to interrogate him so that he could prove he was not
deceiving