Send for the Saint by Leslie Charteris, Peter Bloxsom Read Free Book Online Page A

Patroclos Two. “I have explained why.”
    “You also explained a while ago that you trust me with your personal security,” Simon pointed out. “You really can’t have it both ways. If I go with Bainter here, I’ll be under his eye the whole time, and he can report any suspicious behaviour on my part to you afterwards. Anyway, if Bainter tries to open my front door on his own — even with my key — he’ll be in for a nasty shock or two. Besides, I prefer to pack my own clothes.”
    Patroclos Two regarded the Saint for a few moments, and noted the calm determination in his eye.
    “All right, Bainter. Bring a car to the door. Mr Templar will go with you.”
    The valet nodded efficiently and left the room. As soon as he had gone, the Saint said quietly:
“I didn’t want to start an argument in front of the servants. I’m going along with your condition of employment, as you called it, because if I’m doing the job it makes sense for me to be here — for the time being. But I shall remain in this house not one minute longer than I choose.”
    Patroclos Two shrugged.
    “As far as I am concerned, you accept the conditions or go. And now I must say goodnight to my last guests. Remember one thing: I am suspicious of everyone. I have not discussed this impostor with any of my staff — not even Ariadne. I expect you to keep your mission just as confidential… I will see you in the morning.”
    Simon nodded. He was still searching for one concrete landmark to give him a bearing on this whole improbable affair; but patches of the all-enveloping fog were beginning to clear. He had done a great deal of almost subconscious groping during the evening, and made a little progress. One obvious question needed to be asked about his brief from Patroclos Two.
    “What about the codebook?”
    Patroclos Two swung around, and the musketball eyes bulged.
    “What do you know of the codebook?”
    “Only that you keep one,” said the Saint easily. “Doesn’t it contain some details that are rather crucial in running your businesses ? And codes you use to give key instructions to your companies ?”
    “So … ?” Patroclos Two’s manner was guarded and suspicious.
    “It just occurred to me,” the Saint went on, “that this codebook of yours would be a real prize to the impostor, if he chanced to get hold of it.”
    “Templar, you are absolutely right!” Patroclos Two drummed his fingers together in agitation, and then smashed his fist into the palm of the other hand. “It would be everything he needed. The last step in taking over the life of Diogenes Patroclos. Me! He would be able to control my businesses. I would not be able to cancel his orders… The code… Templar, the codes must be changed!”
    “Have you still got the codebook?” asked the Saint
“Of course I — ” Patroclos Two broke off. “Unless — unless he has already … But surely he could not! Even he — ” Suddenly his agitation found a focus. “Ariadne!” he snapped at the girl who appeared almost on telepathic cue at his elbow. “Quickly, go to the bedroom safe and fetch my codebook!”
    Ariadne Two hurried off, taking a key that Patroclos Two gave her from a bunch he took from his pocket. A minute or two later she returned holding a small black book. Patroclos Two grabbed it from her impatiently and flicked through its pages.
    “Thank goodness. The codebook is intact. But tomorrow I will begin work on new codes.” He handed the book back to Ariadne. “Put it back in the safe — and return the key to me at once.”
    Bainter reappeared and said: “I have the car outside, sir.”
    Simon Templar thought his own thoughts: another patch of mist in the Patroclos landscape was beginning to clear.
    7
“I suppose, Bainter,” said the Saint conversationally, “you’ve been with Mr Patroclos a long time.”
    “Fourteen years, sir,” replied the valet, continuing to unpack and hang up Simon’s clothes with deft efficiency.
    “You travel with