The Case of the Reluctant Agent by Tracy Cooper-Posey

Author:Tracy Cooper-Posey [Cooper-Posey, Tracy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: A Sherlock Holmes Novel
Publisher: Tracy Cooper-Posey
Published: 2017-11-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Von Stein reflected upon his good luck and became even more unhappy.

“This matter grows more complicated by the minute,” he growled, sinking his chin into his hand and staring out the window.

“Sir?” Heinz ventured nervously. He was sitting on a straight-backed chair, highly polished boots square, knees together, clipboard straight and pencil poised.

“Again, run through it for me,” Von Stein ordered.

“All of it?”

“The highlights will do, but start from the beginning.”

Heinz cleared his throat and looked down at the clipboard. “As you know, sir, Berlin issued orders that we were to find and follow a man of a certain description who would be arriving in Ankara on the weekly train. If we were to follow him carefully, without giving ourselves away, he would lead us directly to the Divine Wind.”

“Which we did.”

“Which we did,” Heinz agreed. “You sent your best hunter, Richenburg, and a small troop of men, with orders to commission reinforcements from the post at Ankara. Then Richenburg found the man on the train and followed him. The man did not appear to know he was being followed. Nevertheless, Richenburg very nearly lost him on at least three separate occasions, for the man used a series of loops and cut-offs designed to throw off any pursuit.

“The man proceeded to a country hostel on the outskirts of the city. He disappeared inside and emerged a day later dressed as a Bedouin. He had a horse, well-ladened with supplies and while Richenburg contrived to follow him by borrowing a vehicle, the major in charge of the troop requisitioned mounts and supplies from the base and waited for Richenburg to report in.

“Richenburg successfully followed the man to eastern Anatolia, to a camp of Bedouins. At the camp, the man was taken into the tent of the leader and did not re-emerge. Given what we know about the Divine Wind, it was presumed this was the Divine Wind’s camp and that the man had reached his goal.

“The major brought the troop within rifle range of the camp and ordered them to attack.”

“The first mistake,” Von Stein murmured.

“Yes, sir,” Heinz said expressionlessly.

“You do not agree?”

“Oh, it was a bad choice strategically, sir. I do not argue with you, but I can guess at the temper of the men. Three weeks without action following an erratic wanderer, would not have endeared them to him. Then, to be within hailing distance of the Divine Wind—the man who has caused so much grief amongst their fellow soldiers over the last few years? If I had been told I must walk away and leave the Divine Wind in peace, after suffering three weeks of discomfort to find him, I am not sure I would have been especially pleased.”

“‘Especially pleased’? That is a beautiful understatement, Heinz.” Von Stein’s mouth curled a little. “You have a point. Besides, the major was a long way from his command. Under the circumstances I believe we can forgive him for giving the order to attack.”

Heinz nodded and glanced back at his clipboard.

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