The Man who Missed the War by Dennis Wheatley Read Free Book Online

‘The Powers that sustain Good against Evil made the tides and the winds just as much as they made us. This Nazi thing is evil; few of us can doubt that now. It thrives on the persecution of theinnocent and seeks to rule by force through Fear. God knows we’re in no state to wage war, but we may have to if we are to save our souls alive! If we have to pass through the fire again, the Great Ones will not forsake us, because, however shy the British people may be of admitting it, they still carry in their hearts the insignia of Saint George. Yet the Great Ones choose strange ways to aid those of their children who stand in dire peril through their own folly, and their maps are far larger than any the puny mind of man could conceive; so it may be that even when the world was young they foresaw this coming hour of trial, and ordained the ocean drift from West to East to be our salvation.’
    He thoughtfully snapped off the dead head of a late rose before continuing: ‘I think you ought to put down your whole scheme on paper as clearly but as briefly as you can and send it, or—better still—take it yourself, to the Admiralty.’
    Philip nodded. ‘It’s queer that you should suggest that, because only this morning I was thinking just the same thing. Unfortunately old Admiral Jolly is out in the Mediterranean now—otherwise, I’d take it to him.’
    For the next few nights he worked like a beaver, but by the time he had finished his draft Mr. Chamberlain was back from Munich with his piece of paper, and admiring crowds were applauding him for having secured ‘Peace in our time’.
    Philip took his draft round to the Canon, who suggested a few minor improvements, and they discussed its prospects.
    ‘I don’t stand anything like the chance of securing a good hearing as I did a week ago,’ said Philip ruefully.
    ‘I don’t altogether agree about that,’ the Canon replied. ‘The Service Chiefs must have the sense to realise that our having thrown the unfortunate Czechs to the wolves cannot possibly be the final solution of our own problem. Personally, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Chamberlain were for once pulling a fast one on Hitler. The Prime Minister must know how hopelessly unprepared for war we are, and this may be a ruse to lull Germany’s suspicions—a measure to buy time—while we set our house in order and rearm as swiftly as we can.’
    ‘Perhaps. If you’re right the old raft convoy may meet with a good reception. In any case, I’m determined now to do mydamnedest to put it over. I believe in it. I’m dead certain that the scheme could be made workable if only the Admiralty technicians got busy on it.’
    Three days later, he obtained a day off from his job to go to London, and by making use of his father’s name secured an interview with a pink-faced, youngish Naval Commander in the Plans Division of the Admiralty.
    The Commander listened politely to what Philip had to say, scrutinised the drawings, then looked up with a cheerful smile.
    ‘Well, Mr. Vaudell, I must say your idea is most ingenious, but I’m afraid I can’t possibly express an opinion as to whether it would work or not. It’s a bit Jules Verne-ish if you don’t mind my saying so; but, then, so was his book
Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea
—before we had submarines! My difficulty is that you’ve really come to the wrong shop. It may sound rather silly to you, but in the Plans Division we don’t deal with this sort of thing at all. We’re only Plans in the operational sense. However, I’ll pass your stuff on to the right department for an opinion.’
    ‘Thanks,’ said Philip. ‘I’d be grateful if you would. But, just as a matter of interest, do you think it looks like a practical proposition?’
    The sailor fingered his smooth chin. ‘The strain on those cables would be terrific, and I’m afraid the whole thing would break up if it ran into an even moderately heavy sea; but, of course, only an expert could