The Iron Tiger by Jack Higgins Read Free Book Online Page B

man with a bronzed, reckless face. He wore a sheepskin jacket in untanned hide and knee-length boots. A revolver, slung low on his right hip in a black holster, seemed theatrical and out of place.
     
     
He came forward with a ready smile, eyes fixed oa Janet, and Hamid said maliciously,.Why the gun, Tony? Expecting trouble?'
     
     
The young man flushed. Tm driving up to my base camp at Howeel for a couple of days. They'd cut your throat for the shoes on your feet up there. Fve come for that new theodolite I ordered if Drussmond's remembered to bring it.
     
     
It's in the plane/ Drummond said coldly..Help yourself..
     
     
'So this is Miss Tate?. Cheung took both of her hands in his..We must try to make your stay a pleasant one..
     
     
"You knew I was coming?.
     
     
Hamid grinned. 'I had Indian Army Headquarters in Juma send a signal to warn the Khan.'
     
     
Cheung nodded. 'Colonel Dil got the message last night by radio..
     
     
'And probably told you before the Khan..
     
     
Brackenhurst jumped down from the Beaver and turned to lift out a wooden case containing his theodolite. 'A hell of a lot of machine parts you seem to bring through these days,' he commented and turned to Janet before Drummond could reply. Tm Tony Bracken-
     
     
S3 burst, Miss Tate. Fm doing geological survey work up here, but I'm also the British Consul. If I can help you in any way, don't hesitate to ask..
     
     
'She happens to be an American, so that's hardly likely,' Drummond said acidly.
     
     
Brackenhurst ignored him, holding her hand for longer than was necessary, an eager smile on his lips, and it was the smile which betrayed him, somehow revealing an essential weakness, a lack of strength.
     
     
"Why, that's very kind of you, Mr. Brackenhurst'
     
     
Til be back in two days,' he said. "You'll probably still be here from what they tell me of the boy's condition.'
     
     
He carried the theodolite across to the Land Rover and Cheung said quickly, Til go back with him. You'll have enough in the jeep with the three of you and the luggage. You'll call on me this afternoon, Jack?'
     
     
'After lunch. I'll take Janet out to the mission first Is the boy still out there?'
     
     
Cheung nodded and smiled down at her. 'And you, I will have the pleasure of seeing you again this evening, Miss Tate. The Khan is to give a small dinner party for you. He has honoured me with an invitation.'
     
     
Til look forward to that, Mr. Cheung.'
     
     
The Land Rover moved back towards town and Drummond drove the jeep out of the hangar. He and Hamid pushed the Beaver inside and padlocked the door.
     
     
Tfl take Janet out to Father Kerrigan now. What about you, Ali?'
     
     
Hamid shrugged. 'You can drop me at Colonel Dil's headquarters. I'll probably see you both tonight at the palace unless the old boy's decided to change his usual guest list'
     
     
They got into the jeep and Drummond drove towards the town, following the rutted track that did service as a road. He changed down, scattering a herd of goats, and they entered the outskirts of Sadar.
     
     
Janet looked about her with interest, but there was nothing of the gaiety and colour of Jusna and Altaf here. The people were small, squat Mongolians with skins the colour of weathered parchment and slanting eyes. The men wore boots of untanned hide, baggy trousers and sheepskin jackets. Only a few sported the turban, the majority preferring conical sheepskin caps with earfiaps. The women's attire differed in only one significant detail. Instead of the sheepskin jacket, they wore three-quarter length blanket coats of black and brovra, relieved in some cases by a necklace of silver coins.
     
     
They were dour and unsmiling, drab as the rocky land that bred them. Even the children in the market place lacked the energy and humour of their Indian counterparts, and there was a strange absence of bustle and vitality as they drove through the bazaar.
     
     
'No oae seems to smile,' Janet