The Amber Knight by Katherine John Read Free Book Online Page B

relics. The chapel became a place of pilgrimage until the last Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights adopted the Protestant faith in 1525. He dissolved the order, pulled down the chapel and dispersed the nuns.’
    ‘And Helmut?’
    ‘His coffin was moved to Konigsberg castle where it remained on display until 1944. The Nazis admired Helmut von Mau, and the chivalry and heroism he represented, which was why Hitler personally intervened to save his body from the advancing Russian army. The Amber Knight was packed along with the Amber Room and the other contents of the castle.’
    ‘And sent where?’
    ‘Do you think I’d be sitting here if I knew the answer to that?’ Edmund looked down at the photographs again. ‘Whoever made this demand knows the market. There are people who would gladly pay fifty million dollars for the knight, especially American museums, not to mention the Germans, who think von Mau belongs to them.’
    ‘And the Poles?’
    ‘I shouldn’t need to remind you how impoverished we are. But we’ve learnt to be grateful, even for the gift of our own history. Poland’s and the knight’s, only hope is that some kind benefactor might consider buying it and donating it to us,’ he said artfully.
    ‘All things in life have to be earned.’ Adam pushed an international directory of museums towards Edmund. ‘Telephone and e-mail every contact we’ve made in Europe and America to find out who else has been approached and, try to gauge if they’re in a better position than us to make a bid for it.’
     
     
    Adam pulled a set of keys from his pocket and unlocked a wall cupboard. Behind it was a modern combination lock safe. Turning the dial he opened it and removed a small gadget that fitted easily in the palm of his hand. After locking his door he keyed the gadget into the telephone before dialling the international code for America. Five minutes later he was through to his grandfather’s private number.
    ‘Who are you calling?’
    He recognised the voice of his grandfather’s private secretary. ‘It’s Adam, Peter. Can I speak to my grandfather, please?’
    ‘Do you know what time it is here?’
    ‘Yes, I also know my grandfather suffers from insomnia.’
    A familiar voice crackled down the line. ‘That you, Adam?’
    ‘How are you?’
    ‘You didn’t ring me up to find out, so cut the crap. Hang up that extension, Peter. What’s happened?’
    ‘Can you talk?’
    ‘Who the hell do you think I’ve got in my bedroom at my age?’
    ‘Eighty’s not so old.’
    ‘It is for what I’d like to do.’
    ‘You got the scrambler on?’
    ‘It’s permanently on this phone, boy.’
    ‘Someone may have tracked down the Amber Knight. They’ve sent photographs and a suggestion that if we want it; we put in a bid in excess of fifty million dollars.’
    ‘You sure it’s the real thing?’
    ‘Not yet. I’ve only just received the bid.’
    ‘If it checks out, bid what you have to. There’s one hundred million in the special fund in Switzerland. It can be converted into cash at twenty four hours notice.’
    ‘Depending on who else has been approached, a successful bid could wipe out the special fund.’
    ‘Then I’ll have to top it up. I saw the knight back in thirty-eight when my father took me on a tour of Europe and the old country. It’s an important national piece, like the British Crown Jewels or the original American Declaration of Independence. Old Helmut will rotate in that amber shroud if he’s sent away from the patch of dirt he died conquering. Promise me you’ll do all you can to secure him for a Polish Museum.’
    ‘If it’s the real thing, I’ll get it.’
    ‘Good boy.’
    The phone went dead. Adam knew his grandfather too well to expect any pleasantries, like “How are you?” or “Goodbye.” Removing the gadget he slipped it into his pocket and dialled the local police station. He gave the operator the extension number he waited.
    ‘Dalecka,’ snapped down the