Microbes of Power (Wallace of the Secret Service Series) by Alexander Wilson

Author:Alexander Wilson [Wilson, Alexander]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780749018757
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2015-09-16T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

A Meeting in the Pincio

Hill’s head went back with a jerk, and he blinked rather like a man who had received a blow in the face.

‘You’re joking,’ he gasped

‘I certainly am not. Your description was rather flowery, and perhaps a little exaggerated, but it fits Thalia perfectly. The fact that she was here last night, wore a magnificent ermine coat, and would have been descending the stairs at about the time you met the lady, removes any doubt that may otherwise have lingered in my mind. I was a fool not to have guessed it before, but, as I remarked, I did not pay any particular attention to your previous description of her.’

Hill tugged at his ear.

‘The situation requires a good deal of thought,’ he murmured.

‘It does. The question we have to consider is: how will she react to your arrival in a flat above the one in which she is living?’

‘Goodness knows. She’ll probably think I followed her, found out where she resided, and took a flat in the same building to be near her.’

‘I hope that is all she does think. On the other hand, she may gather that you are in some way connected with me, and that I have sent you there to watch her and her companions. If her game is treachery; then, in that case, you are going to be in danger, and your chances of making any discoveries absolutely nullified. She is bound to know you are there. When you apologised to each other last night, what language did you speak?’

‘Italian.’

‘Well, that’s one blessing. She, therefore, has no reason to suspect you of being English, and your pretence of Austrian nationality might stand. She’s very clever, however, and is quite likely to connect you with the man who knocked at my door and who I told her was a friend. I can’t say I like the position, Ray. More than ever seems to depend now upon whether she is playing straight with me or not. If she is not—’ he stopped, and shrugged his huge shoulders significantly. ‘When are you taking up your residence in the flat?’ he asked.

‘This afternoon,’ returned Hill. ‘Oh, Lord!’ he groaned, ‘I can hardly believe that lovely girl can be the devil you fellows have painted Thalia Ictinos.’

‘Perhaps our painting was a bit lurid,’ remarked Shannon in soothing tones. ‘I am inclined to believe, from my impressions of her now and her apparent honesty to me, that it was. At the same time, you and I cannot afford to lose sight of the fact that she is Stanislas Ictinos’ daughter, and that she was concerned with him in his operations.’

Hill drained his glass; rose to his feet.

‘Go up to your room,’ he bade the other abruptly. ‘I will be along there in a few minutes to dress your wounds.’

He walked away, Shannon watching him go with sympathy shining from his eyes. He had not taken seriously before his colleague’s assertion that he had fallen in love with the girl he had met on the stairs.

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