Free Queen Victoria's Revenge by Harry Harrison Page A

you shall, my dear boy, as soon as this little adventure is over. When we have the money I shall close my home here and move to Spain, where the climate, both political and physical, is far more agreeable. You may then tell all you know. But for the moment you aid us. Tell your officials it was done under duress, they will never know differently. Do the right thing and, who knows, there may be a little numbered bank account for you in Switzerland with some money in it.”
    â€œAre you trying to bribe me?”
    â€œOf course, doesn’t everyone?” He seemed genuinely astonished at Tony’s warm reaction. Tilting the bottle carefully, he poured golden fluid into the glasses. “This is a treat I know you will enjoy, I have so few bottles left. Pre-Castro Bacardi añejo, rum more delicate than the finest cognac. To the counterrevolution.”
    He raised his glass, although Tony did not return the toast, and they drank. It was heavenly stuff with a bouquet of flowers, warm as the Cuban sun on the tongue. The colonel held his nose over the rim of the glass and inhaled deeply, then rolled his eyes upward in silent pleasure.
    â€œOne day soon we will return to our homeland and free the simple peasants from the bondage of red criminal slavery. For this we need money, and to gain the money I permitted myself to become involved with an outlaw Gael by the name of Angus Macpherson. He presented me with a plan that appeared to be foolproof, and certainly was if we do not consider his betrayal, so with a certain reluctance I went along. You see how frank I am with you? We arranged the recent affair for the mutual benefit of our nationalistic parties, though he has been greedy and desires all the money for his own. Cuba shall not remain enchained because of him! We leave soon for Glasgow to pick up his trail. There is a certain tobacconist that we used for a message drop and our search begins there.”
    Tony drank deep and received a refill. He thought the colonel was mad but decided against telling him so. Even the dimmest of Hebridian revolutionaries would know enough to close off any trails that might lead the Cubans to them. Nevertheless he would have to go along with their plans for the moment. Perhaps he could escape en route.
    â€œJust how will we get to Glasgow?” he asked.
    â€œWe shall drive. One of the men is renting a car now. This cursed country is so small that stolen cars are worse than useless. The police are alerted almost instantly.” There was a discreet knock at the door. “It is time to go. Take the rum, it will perhaps make a dull journey bearable.”
    There were some harsh words from the colonel when the rented car turned out to be a Volkswagen bus. There were apologetic explanations about the tourist season, nothing else available, it did have room for them all until, in the end, he slid the door wide, muttering darkly, and climbed in. Tony, urged on in a now familiar manner, was encouraged to follow. There were seven of them in all and their luggage consisted solely of four violin cases and an attaché case, undoubtedly full of ammunition for the violins. With a rattle and a great whir from the miniature power plant concealed somewhere between the back wheels, they were off.
    They drove for the entire night. It was all very much of a blur to Tony, who, still fatigued by a sleepless night and upset circadian rhythms, managed to get a good portion of the bottle of rum inside of him until he slumped onto a padded latin shoulder and fell asleep. He was dimly aware of lights flashing by, traffic on a motorway, much Spanish cursing and argument when they lost their way—this happened more than once—and finally a gray dawn that brightened only slightly into a foggy morning. Other sleepers awoke and there were cries of pain until the driver stopped by a tall hedge where they all stood in a row while a fine rain spattered their heads. Then