Free Codeword Golden Fleece by Dennis Wheatley Page B

the life of me think what I or my friends have done to incur your Excellency’s displeasure.’
    ‘I would much prefer to continue to be known as “General” while I’m at Lubieszow,’ said Mack hurriedly; then, taking out his cigarette-case and offering it, he went on: ‘But sit down, Duke, sit down, and I will explain matters.’
    ‘Thanks.’ De Richleau accepted one of the thin, gold-tipped cigarettes and made himself comfortable in an arm-chair as the Polish statesman continued, with a slightly self-conscious laugh:
    ‘You see, it’s like this. I’m afraid I flattered myself by assuming that you would know my face at once; then when the Germans arrived here I felt you might begin to get ideas. When one sees only half a picture it is so easy to jump to wrong conclusions.’
    ‘Actually, I hardly gave the matter a thought,’ lied the Duke blandly. ‘The Baron requested me not to mention in any letters I might write that he was entertaining a party of high Polish officers and two Germans here; but it was none of my business, so I dismissed the whole thing from my mind.’
    ‘Of course, Duke, of course. But you realise, I am sure, how disastrous it might be for Poland if it became known that I had been conferring in secret with von Geisenheim?’
    ‘No, to be absolutely frank, I don’t,’ replied the Duke with assumed innocence. ‘Surely it is your job to save your country from being plunged into war if you possibly can, without loss of honour, and your best chance of achieving that was obviously by having a quiet off-the-record talk with the Germans.’
    ‘True! Absolutely true!’ Mack exclaimed, with evident relief. ‘But some people might not take that view. You pay me the compliment of assuming my integrity to be as impeccable asyour own, and I am happy to think that your confidence is not misplaced; but others … well? Few statesmen are without enemies who are only too eager to put a malicious interpretation on their actions, and I am no exception. That is why I dare not risk its becoming known that von Geisenheim and I have been staying here together.’
    ‘Richard Eaton would not dream of mentioning the matter to the press, or to anyone else who is likely to do so, once I have had a word with him. I will go guarantor for that.’
    It’s not only the press,’ replied Mack, swiftly evading the Duke’s pretty little trap. ‘He is a politician, and directly he gets back to England he will come in contact with his fellow M.P.s. With Poland so much in the news it is almost certain that the Foreign Secretary will send for him to learn his impressions of the state of feeling in the country. How can he be expected to refrain from any mention of the people whom he met here in Lubieszow?’
    De Richleau smiled a little ruefully, realising that, through having falsely represented Richard as an M.P., he had quite unexpectedly hoisted himself with his own petard. But he also realised that he must keep up his rôle of the transparently honest dilettante, so he said:
    ‘But since Poland and Britain are allies, surely you would have no objection to our Foreign Secretary’s knowing about these talks?’
    ‘No, no, of course not. At least, not if he could be told the whole story. But that is just the trouble. As I have not yet reported the result of these conversations to my colleagues in the Government, I cannot possibly take either you or Mr. Eaton into my confidence concerning the way they have progressed. I am very sorry, Duke, but I really see no alternative but for you and your friends to remain at Lubieszow for the time being.’
    ‘I see,’ said the Duke gravely, standing up. ‘I appreciate the difficulty of the position in which you find yourself, but it is only fair to warn you that Richard Eaton may not accept your decision so calmly; and you must know yourself that there will be extremely strong reactions from the British Foreign Office if you persist in your intention to arrest a Member of