Free Trouble on the Thames by Victor Bridges Page A

they have that you wouldn’t turn up the next day and ask for double the amount?”
    â€œThat’s a difficulty which I think we might be able to get over.” Sutton smiled pleasantly. “You mustn’t assume that you are the only people in England who are capable of exercising a little intelligence. I, for one, agree with you entirely. In my opinion this country is finished. We have no Army and practically no Air Force. France is rotten from top to bottom, and as soon as the Germans have settled with her they’ll start bombing hell out of us, until we chuck in the sponge and howl for mercy. No good expecting any help from the States: we shall be down and out before they can make up their minds.”
    â€œVery interesting,” sneered Craig. “So you are a prophet as well as blackmailer! Is that supposed to inspire confidence?”
    â€œIt should, in anyone who isn’t a nitwit. Like our deceased neighbour the Vicar of Bray, I have a natural preference for being on the winning side. You may point that out to von Manstein, and you can suggest that by securing the use of my services for his organisation he would be making an uncommonly good bargain. I should expect to be treated generously, of course; but I take it that, with so much at stake, money is not a question of primary importance. I think I have already proved that my collaboration might be distinctly valuable. However, if you still have any doubts on the subject, I may mention that I have not quite exhausted my stock of information. I can produce several more curious facts which I fancy you would much prefer that I should keep to myself.”
    â€œAnd what do you expect me to do now?” Craig had risen to his feet and was standing beside the desk. “Pull open a drawer and hand you over five thousand pounds?”
    â€œNothing as dramatic as that. I realise that you are acting under instructions and that you will have to submit the question to your employers. I suggest that you have a nice heart-to-heart talk with von Manstein, and, if he is sensible enough to accept my terms, that you arrange for us to meet again next week. I have no objection to waiting a few days. I intend to go down to Playford to-morrow, and shall be staying at the bungalow until Monday. I am on the telephone, so you will be able to give me a ring there and let me know what you have fixed up. Perhaps we might lunch together at the Milan. When one is engaged upon these kind of delicate and dangerous negotiations I feel that the easiest plan is to meet somewhere in public. It seems to give both sides a greater sense of security—don’t you agree with me?”
    Before Craig could reply there was a tap at the door, followed almost simultaneously by the appearance of Mr. Paul Casey.
    â€œSorry if I’m interrupting you.” The manager came forward, holding out what appeared to be a typewritten letter. “It’s a rather urgent note from those wine people we wrote to. I think we ought to send them a reply straight away.”
    â€œAs a matter of fact, I was just going.” Sutton rose casually and picked up his hat which was lying on the table. “I fancy we understand each other pretty thoroughly,” he continued, turning to his host, “and I shall look forward to hearing from you during the week-end. Sure to find me in any time up till eleven.”
    â€œYou might take our visitor down with you, Casey.” Craig nodded towards the lift. “I’ll have a look through this and let you know what I want done about it.”
    For several moments after the other two had disappeared he stood where he was, scowling thoughtfully at the closed door. Then, giving himself an impatient shake, he sat down in front of the desk, and lifting off the receiver, commenced to dial a number. After a brief interval his efforts were rewarded by a slightly guttural “Hello!”
    â€œMr. Mark Craig speaking,” he