Free Shadow of Doom by John Creasey Page B

as Palfrey looked at him – and he backed towards the stove. His hands were by his sides, and one of them he jerked backwards. He did not touch anything near the stove, for Bruton seized his wrist. There was a moment of tense silence, and then Giraud began to shiver violently. It was no fault of his, he was in terror of his life, they made him shelter them, they threatened him with such penalties if he refused. He had no wish to harm anyone, he was a helpless old man …
    Palfrey was already well pleased with what had happened. Before he and the others had left the Rue de Casse, Papa Giraud had told them about the man who had come to visit him and had asked for the services of the young German. What was more, Papa Giraud had given him the man’s address. He was staying in a small hotel in a turning off the Rue de l’Opéra.
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Chapter Ten
The Disappointment of Señor Dias
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    It was a great day for Inspector Dominade, and he made that clear to Palfrey. The infamous Giraud under lock and key at last, a nest of vipers smoked out and, by far the most important, he assured Palfrey, a Black Market warehouse unearthed. The Black Market was no better, it was giving rise to much trouble – perhaps Palfrey had seen the processions.
    â€˜Yes,’ said Palfrey. ‘Hunger-marchers don’t usually march for fun.’
    â€˜No, my friend,’ said Dominade. ‘They march in fear, fear of the coming winter. The accursed Black Market – even coal and wood are affected, there will be great disasters in France if conditions remain as they are.’
    â€˜Coal means transport,’ said Palfrey.
    â€˜ They have transport,’ said Dominade. ‘There is nothing they do not have, these thrice-damned vultures who steal the people’s food and sell at fabulous prices, who have influence in so many places and agents everywhere. But I weary you. Dr. Palfrey! Anything you want from me is at your command.’
    Palfrey, who had called to bring a signed statement, declared that he wanted very little. He had really come to congratulate the inspector on the efficiency of his arrangements the night before, and to apologise if he himself had been a little irregular. He had so often worked when the police were against him that he sometimes forgot when they were on his side. That was a great joke, and they both laughed. Dominade heartily, Palfrey politely. There was, however, one other small thing. Palfrey had gone to see a man named Pedro at a small hotel near the Rue de l’Opéra. It was a curious thing, but he had seen this man in London, and had wondered what he was doing in Paris, because he had a bad reputation. Shortly afterwards Pedro had gone to the Hôtel Royale, in the Rue de Rivoli, and stayed for some time with a distinguished South American, Juan Lozana. Dominade’s lips curled.
    â€˜Dias’s man, yes.’
    Palfrey looked astonished. ‘Do you know him?’
    â€˜My friend,’ said Dominade, leaning forward and lowering his voice, ‘I worked in Paris during the occupation. I continued my work—and at some other work I worked overtime. Ha-ha! In my official capacity I sometimes assisted the Germans. So I sometimes knew when Señor Fernandez y Dias was in Paris on a special mission from South America. And I tell you, I met him and his man, Lozana, and I would not trust them—that much!’ Dominade snapped his fingers loudly. ‘That much!’ he repeated, and snapped them again. ‘But they have, you understand, the diplomatic privilege. There is little I can do.’
    â€˜That little may be enough,’ said Palfrey. ‘I want to go into the Royale and have freedom of movement. That goes for my friends as well. I would not like to get into trouble with the management or with the police.’
    Dominade’s eyes creased at the corners.
    â€˜That is simple! The manager is a great friend of a friend of mine; it will be