Saint45 - The Saint & The Hapsburg Necklace by Leslie Charteris

Author:Leslie Charteris [Charteris, Leslie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-08-29T12:44:52+00:00

3

The man lowered his weapon at the sight of the Saint's uniform, and his eyes widened when he saw Frankie.

"Was geschieht, bitte?" he asked.

"I am from Central Kontrolle," Simon replied easily. "I have been sent to take the Frau Gräfin back with me. She is an important prisoner. Air Marshal Göring himself wishes to see her in Berlin." He leered professionally. "She is a pretty woman, yes? And the Marshal likes the girls. Perhaps that is the reason."

The soldier remained suspicious.

"Your papers, please sir," he demanded respectfully but firmly.

There were some papers in the inner pocket of the tunic the Saint was wearing, but Simon felt sure there was no point in trying to pass himself off with them: they would undoubtedly include a photograph which would not resemble him in the least. He must stick to his role of an emissary from Berlin.

"My papers are in my car," he said brusquely. "If you will come along with me to the courtyard I will show them to you."

"To the courtyard?" repeated the corporal.

"Certainly, to the courtyard. I was on my way to see your chief. He will be interested to know why my visit has been delayed."

For a moment the soldier looked uncertain.

"You say you come from the Air Marshal in Berlin, sir?" he asked. "But he is. . ."

A curious look came into his eyes and he did not finish his sentence.

"Exactly," said the Saint crisply, "and therefore my mission is urgent. I wish to see your superior officer."

The man smiled, and the Saint did not like that smile. It was the expression of someone who knows something to his own advantage and to someone else's detriment. The someone else in this case could only be the Saint. At any rate, that was the way Simon figured it, and he had a habit of being right.

"Very well, sir," said the soldier, "then we will go together."

He motioned with his gun for the Saint and Frankie to precede him down the stairs.

Simon did not budge.

"I understand this is his office," he said coldly.

"It is, sir, but he is not there. I have just been to look for him myself. We will go to the Kommandant's office. He is the man you should be seeing anyway."

His eyes were cunning and malicious. The Saint liked him less and less and felt sorry for his wife. But then perhaps her eyes were cunning and malicious too. The corporal had the self-satisfied air of one who could already feel the stripes of a Feldwebel on his sleeve.

Suddenly, Frankie took off on her own. The Saint cursed inwardly. A moment later he did so outwardly. Frankie dashed for the stairs and the soldier fired a shot in the air.

Simon had to admire the way the man kept his head. It would obviously be awkward for him if he had to report that he had killed this prize prisoner, but it would be even more awkward if he had to announce that she had escaped. If the warning shot failed to halt her, he would have to try to do so by shooting her in the leg.

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