Wallace of the Secret Service by Alexander Wilson Read Free Book Online Page B

house, making the oddssix to two; perhaps even greater if there were others outside.
    His sudden appearance took the Egyptians by surprise, and he was on them, had brought down his revolver butt on two heads, laying their owners low, before any attempt at defence was made by the others.
    ‘Run for it Achmet,’ he shouted and, sweeping another man aside, was out in the street with the Arab in close attendance.
    There, however, they found their passage barred by two gigantic Ethiopians, who swooped upon them with long knives, and matters began to look ominous. Sir Leonard did not want to shoot for fear of rousing the whole neighbourhood. He sidestepped the onrush of one man, cleverly tripping him as he stumbled by. When the fellow measured his length on the ground he dropped his knife, and Wallace kicked it away. At the same time Achmet was engaged with the second, who drove his knife down with such force that it would have almost split the Arab in two, if it had taken effect, instead of which it proved the Ethiopian’s downfall. Missing his object he overbalanced, and was an easy prey to the upward lunge of Achmet’s weapon. But the others were on them by now, and they were forced to turn and meet them, to find themselves fighting desperately not with four, but with six or seven adversaries. Wallace no longer hesitated to fire; it was obvious that he and his companion would quickly be overcome if he did not. Shooting with deadly purpose at their legs, he brought down three. None of their assailants had firearms, and they were at a big disadvantage. Seeing their comrades fall, the rest drew back in confusion, whereupon Wallace and Achmet seized the opportunity and ran. Several people roused by the firing had appeared, but the two had dashed by them before they understood what the trouble was about. There was a stern pursuit, but, chiefly owing toAchmet’s cleverness in doubling and twisting in among the narrow alleys, they eventually got clear away.
    Sir Leonard went straight to the residence of the Sirdar. He had a great deal of difficulty in obtaining admittance, but eventually prevailed, his English voice and commanding manner overcoming the distrust caused by his disguise. The Sirdar was awakened and, when told the name of his visitor, immediately descended from his bedroom. Wallace put all the facts of the conspiracy before him including the proposed date of the demonstration, the plans for the mutiny of Egyptian troops, and the massacre of British officials and advisers, and showed him the red book. The Sirdar, who was greatly impressed and perturbed by all he had been told, sent for a secretary who understood Turkish. The latter was instructed to copy out the names and make a précis of the information contained in the book.
    It was a long task and took over two hours. At last it was done, and Wallace wearily returned to his hotel, satisfied that the duty which had brought him to Egypt was accomplished. It remained now for him to get out of the country safely, and he smiled grimly as he remembered the threats of his unwelcome visitors of the previous night. Achmet left him at the entrance to Shepheard’s.
    It was rather a puzzle to get in without being seen especially as the servants’ way was closed to him at that hour, but he managed to dodge the night watchman and reached his bedroom without rousing suspicion. He knocked gently, but there was no reply. Apparently Henderson was sleeping very soundly. Again he rapped, this time a little louder, then took hold of the handle to rattle the door. To his astonishment it opened, and a horrible foreboding took possession of him. For a moment he stood deep in thought, drawing his revolver as he did so; then, suddenly flinging thedoor wide, he stepped quickly to one side. But nothing happened to indicate the presence of an intruder, and, after waiting a few minutes, Wallace stepped into the room, and switched on the lights. A bitter oath broke from his lips at what he saw,