Trouble on the Thames by Victor Bridges Read Free Book Online Page A

Foreign Office into hysterics.”
    â€œBut surely something ought to be done, sir? If they can get hold of one set of plans—”
    â€œThey might be tempted to repeat the experiment? Exactly. You have hit upon the very point which is at present giving my particular department an outsize in headaches. I can assure you that the Mayflower Club and its proprietor are a subject of the deepest interest to us.”
    â€œWho is this fellow Mark Craig, sir? Is that his real name?”
    â€œSo far as I know. He is an Irish American who has spent most of his early life in the States. He came over here six years ago with a certain amount of cash, and very soon afterwards he launched out in his present racket in Grosvenor Street. He must be a clever devil—I’ll give him credit for that. The place was a success from the first, and although the police have been keeping an eye on it they have never caught him out in any actual infringement of the law. All the same, they are convinced that he’s a bad lot, and that when he sees the chance he has no objection to doing a bit of blackmailing. My own belief is that he’s a Nazi agent, and that he is being subsidised from Berlin.”
    â€œIsn’t that good enough, sir? Can’t you have him arrested and locked up?”
    â€œMight be arranged, but it would only mean that the work would be handed over to somebody else. As it is, we at least have the advantage of knowing where the mischief is likely to be hatched. Unfortunately, if the thing is as well organised as it appears to be, Mr. Craig and his friends are probably pretty well posted with regard to our own activities. I have several first-class men working under my direction, but I wouldn’t mind betting a hundred pounds that every one of them is either known or suspected. When it comes to spying the Hun does his job thoroughly.”
    Owen looked straight into the shrewd grey eyes that were fixed steadily on his own. “I take it that you have some special reason for telling me all this, sir.”
    â€œNaturally.” The other leaned back in his chair. “I think you might be useful to me, Bradwell. You are being given two months’ sick leave, and if you feel like putting your services at my disposal for that period I am quite prepared to accept your offer. The whole arrangement, of course, would be strictly unofficial.”
    â€œSounds all right to me, sir. I don’t imagine I should be much good as a detective, though.”
    â€œPossibly not. Still, Carmichael is a fairly sound judge of character, and if his statements about you are correct, I believe we are justified in making the experiment.” Greystoke gave another of his oddly attractive smiles. “After all, there is a certain amount of scientific evidence in favour of such a proceeding. According to Edridge-Green, who is the principal authority on the subject, people who suffer from colour-blindness are generally above the average in intelligence. Perhaps that is why it is so rare amongst our Cabinet Ministers.”
    Owen laughed.
    â€œWell, what have you got to say about it? Does the prospect appeal to you?”
    â€œI should be delighted to have a try, sir.”
    â€œExcellent. I had better explain what I have in my mind. As I told you a moment ago, we are keeping a close eye on the Mayflower Club, and also on its distinguished clientele. Two of my staff are actually members, but since it’s more than likely that our friend Mr. Craig is well aware of the fact, I should imagine that any dirty work he may be arranging to pull off will probably be discussed somewhere else. The most likely place I can think of would be Otter’s Holt, the island he owns down at Thames Ferry. Do you happen to know it by any chance?”
    â€œI know where it is, sir. About three miles below Playford.”
    â€œThat’s right.” Greystoke nodded. “He bought it last year, and I understand he