A Grave Man by David Roberts Read Free Book Online

the man who wields it but, I have to say, one may dislike Mussolini and yet admire his patriotic achievement. If our country were defeated, I hope we would find an equally indomitable champion to restore our courage and lead us back to our place among the nations.’
    Churchill flattered Edward by taking him into his confidence and confessing his own weakness. ‘You see, my boy, I had hoped Neville would offer me a place in the cabinet if only to shut me up, but I thank God he has not. I would have accepted an offer if it had been made and regretted it ever after. I would have done what I could to influence him in his dealings with the dictators but I fear I would only have compromised myself. I must remain free to warn and chivvy the Government without being tarred by their policy of appeasing the bullies that swagger across our world making life intolerable for so many thousands.’ He turned on Edward his most solemn face. ‘My sources tell me of a new so-called “labour camp” in Germany, even more horrible than the ones we already know of. It’s at a place called Buchenwald near Weimar.’
    He was interrupted by the butler, who announced a visitor.
    ‘Leonard! How good to see you,’ Churchill beamed, taking the visitor by the arm and guiding him into the room. ‘I don’t think you know Lord Edward Corinth? Lord Edward, this is Professor Blacker. He is a scientist attached to the War Office and of course he ought not to be talking to a reprobate like me,’ he added gleefully.
    Blacker was a short, balding man of about forty with spectacles and a small military moustache. He glanced at Edward keenly. ‘That is your Lagonda in the drive, Lord Edward?’
    ‘It is.’
    ‘I thought as much. You passed me at great speed on the road.’
    ‘I do apologize, sir. My only defence is to say that the Lagonda has a will of its own. I hope my recklessness did not frighten you.’
    The Professor, with a bad-tempered twist to his mouth, snorted derisively.
    Churchill quickly broke in. ‘I have asked Lord Edward to join us because he has done some excellent undercover work for the Foreign Office while remaining quite detached from the department. You can trust him absolutely.’
    ‘If you say so,’ the Professor said, sounding unconvinced. ‘Please be aware, Lord Edward, that what I have to say must on no account be repeated to anyone else. More than my career depends on you being secret.’
    ‘You can count on it, Professor. You may not think it to look at me but I am accustomed to keeping secrets.’ Edward wondered what this self-important little man had to say that was so significant.
    ‘Very well then.’ Blacker appeared satisfied. ‘Mr Churchill is aware that I have wrestled with my conscience before coming here to talk to him.’ He spoke with a slight Scottish accent – Glaswegian, Edward thought.
    ‘I appreciate it, Leonard, and I can assure you that neither I nor Lord Edward will repeat a word of what you have to tell us.’
    Blacker seemed to relax and sat himself down on the sofa beside Edward. Churchill paced about the room before coming to rest by the lectern he himself had designed and at which he wrote his books.
    ‘No, thank you,’ Blacker said brusquely when Churchill offered him a drink. ‘I am a teetotaller. My father took a wee dram here and a wee dram there so that by the end of the day he hardly knew whether he was on his head or his heels. I took the pledge on my sixteenth birthday and I have never touched a drop since though I confess, just lately, I have been sorely tempted.’
    Edward guiltily replaced his whisky glass on the table beside him.
    ‘And I gather you cannot stay for luncheon, Leonard?’
    ‘No, I must be back at my desk by three o’clock for a meeting with the Minister.’
    ‘It’s very good of you to come,’ Churchill said, sounding subdued by this display of the Calvinist work ethic. ‘Perhaps we should get straight down to business.’
    ‘Indeed, sir.’ Blacker