Cross of Fire by Colin Forbes Read Free Book Online Page A

punishment well. Men have to be tough to form an elite strike force. Discipline, order, and stability are our watchwords.'
    'I seem to recall the leader of Pour France used the same slogan.'
    Swivelling the wheel, de Forge stared at Newman and his expression was bleak. He stopped the vehicle in the middle of the evergreen forest in a clearing. There was something sinister about the atmosphere, the way the out riders formed a circle a distance away from an old stone well.
    'This part of the interview is off the record,' de Forge ordered.
    'I didn't agree to that condition earlier. You can't impose it now.'
    De Forge paused as though about to change his mind, to drive back to GHQ. Newman, sensing the change of mood, jumped out of the vehicle, strode over to the well. De Forge followed him. He wore riding boots polished so they gleamed like glass. In his right hand he carried a whip which he slashed against the boots. Newman had to admit it was an impressive performance. Whatever else the General was, he was a natural leader.
    Newman examined the ancient well. The main structure had crumbling walls but the windlass, operated by a handle, was brand new. Attached to one end of the windlass was a gauge measured in metres. Two ropes dangled tautly into the depths. Newman picked up a small stone, dropped it down the side. It seemed for ever before he heard a faint distant splash.
    'Don't drop a large stone.' de Forge warned and smiled his cold smile. 'You might hit the prisoner.'
    'Prisoner?'
    'This is the punishment well. If a soldier fails to carry out an order - or doesn't perform up to scratch on the obstacle course - he spends some time down the punishment well. A defaulter is now suspended just above the stagnant water.'
    'Why two ropes?'
    'One is attached round his neck like a noose. It has a special adjustable slip knot which can be tightened or loosened from here. He is in no danger. Just a touch of terror.'
    'And the second rope?' Newman asked in a tight voice.
    'Attached to a harness round his chest. The main support between the defaulter and eternity. Later he will be hauled up by the harness rope.'
    'And that gauge?' Newman persisted.
    'That tells us how close to the water the prisoner has been lowered.'
    Newman peered over the rim into the black hole. It was so dark he could see no sign of the poor devil hanging in space. He heard an engine sound. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Major Lamy arrive in another jeep-like vehicle, the sardonic officer crouched over the wheel like a bird of prey.
    De Forge strode over to him. There was a brief conversation. Lamy picked up a microphone. An aerial extended upwards automatically. Lamy was speaking into the mike, then replaced it and drove away. De Forge strode back.
    'You see now how we have built the most powerful army in Europe.'
    'I think it's barbaric ...'
    Nothing further was said between the two men while de Forge drove Newman back to GHQ. The sinister outriders, wearing tinted goggles, accompanied them. Racing up to the entrance, de Forge stopped with a jerk which would have hurled Newman to the ground had he not been prepared for just such a manoeuvre. De Forge stared straight ahead as he spoke.
    'You leave here.'
    Newman jumped out, de Forge raced into GHQ through the gates which had been opened at his approach. Walking towards his parked Citroen, Newman had to pass between the circle of outriders who had remained. Behind tinted glasses unseen eyes stared at him. Careful not to touch a motorcycle, he slipped through a gap, took out his key and inserted it into the lock of the Citroen.
    The key did not slip in easily as it had done earlier. Newman grunted, punctuating his thought. He opened the door, slipped behind the wheel, closed the door, started the engine. The accelerator seemed slower to respond. He drove off, waited until he had rounded two distant bends, well clear of GHQ, parked on the grass verge.
    Getting out, he extracted his pencil flash, crawled under