Come into my Parlour by Dennis Wheatley Read Free Book Online Page A

been necessary but it has turned a great part of the French against us, so all the prospects that we had earlier in the year of the French Armies in North Africa declaring for us have now disappeared. By and large, it’s not a pretty picture. Our commitments are enormous and our resources lamentably few. The Royal Air Force is the only weapon we’ve got with which we shall be able really to strike at Germany for a long time to come; so, as far as I can see, it’s a pretty hopeless job to attempt to plan our future strategy until we know the real value of Russia as an ally, and get some idea as to how long she will be able to keep the main German armies occupied.”
    â€œExcellent, my boy! First-class appreciation.” Sir Pellinore swallowed the remainder of his champagne and set the tankard down with a bang. “Well. That’s why I want you to go to Russia for us and find out.”

Chapter IV

The Mission
    Gregory’S face broke into a slightly twisted smile. “I knew damn well you hadn’t lugged me all the way up from Shropshire to ask my opinion of the war.”
    â€œGlad I did though. Couldn’t have worked out better.” Sir Pellinore gave a loud guffaw. “Every point you made brought us back to the Bolshies and the question of how long they’ll be able to stay the course. Saved me the trouble of having to convince you how important it is that we should get something straight from the stable about their form.”
    â€œStill working on your old principle of never doing anything yourself if you can get the other chap to do it for you, eh?”
    â€œThat’s it. Only exception to the rule is drawing corks out of old bottles. Servants don’t understand how to handle good liquor these days, and if the cork’s gone powdery they let it get into the wine. But how about it? Are you prepared to play?”
    The slightly stooping shoulders that were concealed under Gregory’s well-cut lounge suit lifted in a little shrug. “As the only alternative now left to men of my age is a job in a factory, or a seat in an office, with Home Guard in the evenings and Fire-watching at night, I suppose I’ll have to.”
    â€œCynical young devil! You’re right, though. It’s the middle-aged civilians who’re getting the rough deal in this war. The fellers in the Services are better fed, better clothed, get more sleep and have most of the pretty girls with them to tumble around into the bargain. But, joking apart, I felt sure I could count on you, and I’m very grateful. When can you leave?”
    â€œThat’s for you to say; but I’d like a few more days with Erika, and I imagine it will take you that to make arrangements for my trip?”
    â€œAll right. Today’s Thursday. Get back in time to dine with me here on Monday night and I’ll have everything ready.”
    â€œHow do I go? Do I have to risk my neck again by dropping with a parachute, or do you want me to sneak over the frontier disguised as an organ-grinder?”
    â€œGad, no! You go straight in by the front door under your own name with a perfectly good British passport. No need for any heroics this time. The Russians are now our allies.”
    â€œYes. That had occurred to me. Also the fact that sending someone to ferret out the military secrets of an Allied Power is, to say the least of it, a bit unorthodox.”
    â€œWhat’s that!” Sir Pellinore drew up his long legs with a jerk. “When I need any lessons in ethics I’ll ask for them, you insolent young cub.”
    â€œI should think the Foreign Office would throw a fit,” smiled Gregory, quite unperturbed.
    â€œOh, the Foreign Office knows when to mind its own business. Don’t you worry about that. But you’re right, of course, that they wouldn’t dare to monkey with a thing like this. That’s why we can’t ask you-know-who to handle the job. If one of his