Background to Danger by Eric Ambler Read Free Book Online Page B

he going to do? The night porter was asleep and drunk. It was no use attempting to explain things to him. The nearest policeman was probably streets away. The thing to do was to telephone to the police from the bureau downstairs.
    He was about to carry out this intention when another aspect of the situation occurred to him. How was he to account for his own presence on the scene? The Austrianpolice would certainly demand an explanation. They would ask certain questions.
    What was his profession?
    Journalist
.
    Ah, yes, and of what journal?
    No particular paper—a free-lance
.
    Indeed! and where had he come from?
    Nuremberg
.
    And for what purpose?
    To borrow money in Vienna
.
    Then he was short of money?
    Yes
.
    And why had he not gone on to Vienna?
    He had met the deceased in the train and the deceased had requested him to execute a commission
.
    So? And what was the commission?
    To carry an envelope containing documents of value to the Hotel Josef
.
    But the deceased was himself going to the Hotel Josef; why should he wish documents of value taken where he himself was going?
    He did not know
.
    Did Herr Kenton expect payment for his service?
    Yes. Six hundred marks
.
    Kenton imagined the incredulity with which that statement would be received.
    And how did Herr Kenton know that the deceased possessed that sum?
    Herr Sachs had shown him in the train
.
    Ah, then he had had an opportunity to inspect the wallet of the deceased?
    Yes, but—
    And Herr Kenton was going to Vienna to borrow money?
    Yes
.
    And so he decided to save himself the trouble?
    The deceased had pressed him to accept the commission
.
    Herr Kenton then followed the deceased to the Hotel Josef?
    Yes, but—
    And there Herr Kenton stabbed the deceased?
    Nonsense
.
    Then, horrified at his deed and thinking to put the police off the scent, he telephones for their aid. Is it not so?
    Absurd!
    The night porter deposes that Herr Kenton asked for Herr Sachs soon after that gentleman arrived; he adds that Herr Kenton was nervous and impatient
.
    He always appeared nervous, and as for his impatience, that was explained by the stupidity of the hall porter. Besides, Herr Sachs had left word that he was expecting him
.
    Indeed? The night porter has no recollection of it
.
    The night porter was drunk
.
    Perhaps; but not too drunk to identify Herr Kenton
.
    He went back into the sitting-room. It was, he decided, out of the question to allow himself to be identified with the affair. Even if he succeeded finally in convincing the police that he had nothing to do with the stabbing, there would be endless delays. He would have to remain in Linz perhaps for weeks. The only thing was to go while the going was good. But first there was some thinking to be done. There must be no mistakes.
    He hesitated, then walked into the bedroom and took a small shaving-mirror off a nail in the wall. Turning it glass downwards, he went over to the body, and bending down, held the mirror against Sachs’ mouth for a minute or two.There was no trace of moisture on the glass when he looked.
    Satisfied that there was nothing a doctor could do for the man, he replaced the mirror and returned once more to the sitting-room. There, he shut the door leading into the corridor, seated himself in a chair facing the bedroom door and lit a cigarette.
    One thing, he decided, was evident. Whoever had murdered Sachs had wanted the envelope that was now in his, Kenton’s, pocket. The slashed and ransacked suitcase, the ripped jacket and Sachs’ own concern for its safety pointed to that conclusion. Point two; the murderer had not got it. Kenton found that a disturbing thought, for it meant that the murderer might still be in the immediate neighbourhood. Dismissing a strong desire to look under the bed, he drew his chair into the light from the bedroom.
    The first thing to be looked into was the envelope. He took it from his pocket and ripped it open hastily.
    At first he thought that the contents consisted of