Come into my Parlour by Dennis Wheatley Read Free Book Online

Empire over to creating the mightiest Air Armada that has ever been dreamed of. We’ve already seen what the R.A.F. can do on a wartime increase proportionate to the other two Services. I believe that if its further expansion was given absolute priority over everything else we’d knock such blue hell out of the Fatherland that we’d have the war over in another two years.”
    â€œThat’s what the airmen say themselves,” nodded Sir Pellinore. “But there’s not a hope of it. The other Services wouldn’t stand for that—and they may be right, you know. The Germans are reportedto have reached Smolensk already. That’s half-way to Moscow. Russia’s strategy has always been to give ground but there’s a limit to the amount she can afford to sacrifice. Every city that goes into the German bag means fewer munitions for Stalin’s armies; every acre lost means less food for the Russian people. If the Nazis push on at this rate the Bolshies may be compelled to pack up by the autumn. Then we’d have the German Army on our hands again, and with the resources of all Europe to draw on no amount of bombs on Germany would put it out of business for good.”
    â€œThe Russians have just signed this agreement with us not to conclude a separate peace,” hazarded Gregory.
    â€œAh, but will they stick to it if they find they’re getting an honest-to-God licking, eh? That’s the rub. I wouldn’t trust most of those fellers with an old top-hat. Talk about a thieves’ kitchen. Why, even the dossiers of the big-shot Nazis are no worse than the records of most of those Kremlinites. Mind you, I think Stalin is in a class apart. He is about as unscrupulous as you are, which is saying something; but at least he’s a clear thinker. As a matter of fact, I’ve always had a sneaking admiration for old Uncle Joe, and I’m certain he has the sense to know that it’s either Corporal Charlie Chaplin or himself for the high jump this time.”
    â€œIf you’re right he’ll fight to the last ditch, then?”
    â€œYes. But where is the last ditch? That’s what I’d like to know. There’s another thing. For several years now Stalin’s health has been reported as not too good. Heart trouble, so they say. Of course that may just be a Kremlin rumour put out on purpose. Why, God knows, but they’re a funny lot, and always pushing out stuff that doesn’t make sense to anyone except themselves. Say it’s correct, though, and he konks out on us. There are still certain pro-German elements in Moscow. They might get control. Then we’d be in a pretty mess. But I’m butting in on your appreciation. Go ahead?”
    â€œWell, to finish up on the credit side, there’s the Italian collapse in Abyssinia and General Dentz’s surrender in Syria. Two more great triumphs for Wavell before his transfer to India, and two expensive running sores stopped, which enormously consolidates our position in the Middle East.”
    â€œUmph!” grunted Sir Pellinore. “Only hope the Auk does half as well there. Winston thinks a lot of him, but time will show. What next?”
    â€œOn the debit side, owing to the wastage of our resources in Greece and Crete, I shouldn’t think we can possibly launch another offensive against Libya until next spring, and unless we have a crack at Norway there doesn’t seem to be anything that the Army can do at all.”
    â€œThey might; but once bitten, you know.”
    â€œThe Navy is stretched to the limit as it is, yet the U-boat menace is on the increase and conditions in Britain are worsening every month. Things aren’t too good in India, and the Japs are getting more uppish every day. We’ve lost the Eastern Balkans, as well as Greece, and Antonescu’s
coup d’état
in Rumania has secured to Hitler his main supplies of oil. Our going into Syria may have