Get Wallace! by Alexander Wilson Read Free Book Online Page B

the little things that trip people up. But seriously; do you really believe that business about Shannon being impersonated? It seems so utterly fantastic to me.’
    ‘Perhaps so, but it is the best of several notions that have occurred to me. It all fits in so admirably. Shannon is in Rome on embassy duty; has been for some time. These people possibly know that. They also possibly know that he is likely to be there for some time longer. There is no particular secrecy about his present job.’
    ‘But how could they have known that Cousins would travel down by that particular train? How; in fact, could they have known that he was searching for them?’
    ‘Perhaps he was watched; they may even have picked up your wireless message; guessed what it meant; and set a watch at once. But what is far more likely; they knew nothing about Cousins’ activities at all, and the station at Sittingbourne was kept under observation merely as a precautionary measure.’
    ‘What about the road? We might have sent somebody down by car.’
    ‘You may be sure the road is under surveillance as well, and, if their headquarters is on the Isle of Sheppey, the watch is being kept on the bridge.’
    ‘Then you think we are up against something big?’
    ‘Billy, I think we’re up against the biggest thing we’ve struck for a long time, bigger perhaps than we realise yet.’
    Major Brien gave a deep sigh.
    ‘Well, I’m jolly glad you’re home. If I’d had to tackle it alone I should have made an awful mess of it. As it is,’ he added rather despondently, ‘I’ve lost one of our best men. Cousins has probably been murdered by now.’
    ‘You aren’t responsible. Dash it all! If he has walked into a trap, it’s not your fault, and we all have to take our chances of life and death in the big game. I hope he hasn’t gone though. In many ways it would be almost impossible to replace him, and he’s such a darned good fellow. Oh, well, it’s no use getting despondent. You may be sure that, if Jerry can possibly hold on to life, he’ll do it.’
    They spoke of other subjects for a while. Going through Camberley, memories of days gone by crowded through their minds, when, as cadets, they had worked and played together, eventually to pass out of the Royal Military College at the same time, as subalterns in the same regiment.
    ‘Happy days, Bill,’ sighed Sir Leonard.
    ‘Happy days,’ echoed his second in command.
    They had reached the Brentford by-pass before Brien reverted to the subject which was uppermost in both their minds.
    ‘I’m beginning to feel convinced,’ he remarked, ‘that the attempt on your life at Southampton was instigated by the people who are behind this organised theft of national secrets. You have made me realise what a big thing it is, and if, as you suggest, they know so much about Shannon and Cousins, they’re bound to know you, and fear the consequences, if you take a hand in the game. You’ll have to keep your eyes skinned, old chap. They won’t throw in the sponge just because they’ve failed once.’
    Sir Leonard shrugged his shoulders.
    ‘The Southampton affair was probably engineered by somebodywho has a grudge against me. I’m afraid there are quite a few of that type about.’
    ‘Carter is due back tomorrow from Turkey. Keep him with you as a bodyguard in case of any further danger. He’s a quick-witted fellow, and a splendid man in an emergency.’
    Wallace laughed.
    ‘What do you take me for?’ he scoffed. ‘You’ll be asking me to wear a bullet proof waistcoat next.’
    ‘Not a bad notion,’ commented the other.
    ‘A damn silly idea,’ grunted Sir Leonard. ‘A bullet proof waistcoat would be wonderful protection against a bullet aimed at the skull, like the one that missed me this morning, wouldn’t it? What’s the matter with you, Bill? Are you getting premonitions or something?’
    ‘I’ve an uneasy feeling knocking round inside that I don’t like. Sounds absurd I know, but