The Pass Beyond Kashmir by Mather Berkeley

Author:Mather, Berkeley [Mather, Berkeley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“You’re not actually,” I told him.

“We’ve had certain business dealings with Poison but that’s all. All this other is news to us.”

He rose and stretched.

“I said I believe you—maybe. But I won’t be sitting on the bench when you go up. There won’t be a damn’ thing we can do for you then.”

“All right,” I said.

“Suppose we take you up on your invitation and you get us out quietly—how do we know we’re not going to be picked up by the Indian authorities in Bombay? They could frame us just as readily as the people this side.”

“That’s your lookout,” he answered.

“All we want to do is to get you off our doorstep before the balloon goes up. Anyhow, I told you, you don’t have to go back there if you don’t want to. Name any place you like. If it’s ticket money you’re short of, that will be forthcoming.

What do you say? “

I said, “I’d like to talk it over with Smedley.”

“Go ahead,” he said, “only for pete’s sake make it quick He went to the door followed by the Eurasian.

“Just one thing,” I said. He turned impatiently.

“No more questions, Rees. I’ve already told you more than I should.”

“Only one,” I answered.

“I’ve told you—we’ve had certain business dealings with Poison. We’re under no obligation to him but I don’t think either of us would care to walk straight out on him without warning. How much can we tell him?”

“Tell him what you like,” he said.

“Only in your own interests I wouldn’t make it too much. When he has the screws put on him he’ll squawk. The more he knows the more he’ll involve you. Still, that’s your affair—once you’re out of our parish.”

They went out on to the balcony and halted at the railings a few yards away. I stood and watched them. Sutcliffe took the hint and they moved farther down and round the corner.

“Now what?” asked Smedley.

“We accept,” I said.

“But God damn it” –he began.

“Shut up!” I said.

“I know what I’m talking about. We’ll get him back in a few minutes and dicker—and then accept reluctantly. Keep your eye on the door.”

All these bedrooms had their own bathrooms which opened from the rear

walls and in turn gave out on to a narrow service i37 corridor. I went through quickly and along to the room where the major and the boy were waiting nervously. Safaraz squatted on the floor by the balcony door, ostentatiously cleaning his nails with the point of his knife. The major started to wail but I cut him short.

“Safaraz,” I said, “take these two to the shop of the Jew in the Anarkali. Go quietly by the servants’ entrance and out through the back. If you are followed I shall blacken your name wherever men gather to talk.”

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