Hounds of Vengeance by John Creasey

Author:John Creasey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-04-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

A Most Influential Gentleman

‘Come in,’ said Palfrey.

He waited for the Nubian to pass him, and then broke open the envelope, keeping a poker face. There was a single sheet of folded paper, and a few typewritten words. The paper was headed with the monogram and name, die-stamped in red in the centre. The note read:

M. Kaladin will be grateful if Dr. Palfrey can see him.

Palfrey looked up. ‘Where is M. Kaladin?’

‘Downstairs, sir.’

‘Tell him that I can spare him a few minutes now, please,’ said Palfrey.

Five minutes later, he saw Kaladin for the first time. Piercing blue eyes looked into his, eyes with lids which drooped slightly and which seemed enormous in the small, lean face, but were somehow right beneath the broad forehead and bald head. His bald pate was as pink and shiny as any Palfrey was likely to see. A long, pointed nose, slightly arched, and with a wide bridge, a short, almost feminine mouth, and a small, pointed chin, melting into the lean throat; that was Kaladin. No one would see him without taking note, attracted perhaps, but more likely to be repelled, by the gaze from his piercing eyes.

He was dressed in black, carried a silk hat, white gloves and a silver-headed walking-stick.

He stepped inside and Palfrey took his hat and gloves; he kept his walking-stick. The Nubian followed him and closed the door; there were men outside standing at attention. Kaladin looked about the ante-room, and then glanced at his bodyguard.

‘You will stay here, Roc.’

‘Sir,’ said the black man, bowing.

‘I can understand your astonishment, Dr. Palfrey, at the sight of my entourage,’ said Kaladin in flawless English, ‘but I have been persuaded to take great care; these are strange and dangerous days, as you doubtless know.’

‘Indeed,’ murmured Palfrey.

Kaladin entered the inner room, looked about him as if surprised to see no one else there, accepted a chair and asked permission to smoke his own cigarettes. He took out a jewelled cigarette-case; the cigarettes were so long that they had to go in lengthwise.

‘So you are able to spare me a few minutes, Doctor?’

‘I’m afraid I’m only a visitor, and I shall be off again soon.’ Palfrey smiled, and added briskly: ‘What can I do for you?’

Kaladin ignored the question.

‘I know you are only a visitor, Dr. Palfrey, and I do not expect you to stay here long, but I imagine that you will be aware of my unenviable reputation. There is no need for pretence. You know me, and I know you.’

‘Oh, do you,’ said Palfrey, grimly.

‘Perhaps I should say that I know much about you,’ amended Kaladin. ‘I am fortunate in being served well. Among the things which I learned tonight, for instance, is the fact that you were waylaid and taken by force to a house near the harbour. I do not know what transpired there, and I must admit that I was astonished to be told later that you had returned to your hotel. A great number of people – I do not exaggerate – have gone into that house after being waylaid.

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