The Washington Legation Murders by Van Wyck Mason

Author:Van Wyck Mason [Mason, Van Wyck]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mystery
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Published: 2019-12-13T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

So thoroughly overwhelmed was Senator Andrew Freeman by the consequence of his false move, that Captain North with characteristic tact remained silent a long moment before he quietly advised:

“Better not take it so to heart, Senator. What happened to Elmer Cheape wasn’t entirely your fault; more than a little of it was his own doing.”

Quivering features reappeared from behind brown-flecked hands. “Not my fault? It’s decent of you to try to make me feel better, but I should have had sense enough to know that you were right up there in the lounge. To save my life I can’t even now imagine which of our company can’t be trusted.”

“The issues at stake in this affair are entirely too tremendous to be bounded by normal limitations,” came North’s deliberate comment. “One can’t afford to trust anybody! As proof look what happened to Cheape.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s plenty of evidence to show that Cheape yielded to temptation and repented just a little too late.”

He in the dark blue bathrobe sat suddenly bolt upright, haggard eyes flashing once more.

“You mean Cheape intended to double-cross me?”

“Only fools are certain,” North quoted. “But I’m pretty sure he let the Guardsman bribe him, then realized that he couldn’t throw over the man who trusted him, but by that time he was in too far. The Guardsman had to kill a man who knew enough to betray him, even if it was risky. Poor Cheape, he’d be alive now if he hadn’t had that redeeming spark of loyalty.”

“But,” Freeman quickly objected, “nobody aboard was named on Cheape’s list!”

“That was another of poor Cheape’s unfortunate compromises with Conscience,” North pointed out. “He gave you a list of underlings, knowing that eventually it would lead us to the Guardsman.”

Freeman got up to commence an agitated pacing.

“Do you believe that the Guardsman is aboard?”

“Either the Guardsman or a principal lieutenant of his.”

“Good God, why didn’t you warn me?”

“I couldn’t be sure until Cheape disappeared. You see,” North explained in hurried, precise accents, “even with as fine an assistant as Kilgour there isn’t time to consider every angle of a problem like this. We’re facing the difficulty of protecting you and of trying to track down the Guardsman at the same time.” He forced a wry smile. “It hasn’t been the easiest assignment of my career.”

Still badly shaken, Andrew Freeman drew himself up. “I will follow any suggestion you care to make—to the letter, Captain. I’m sorry it cost poor Cheape’s life to prove to me that I’ve been an obstinate old fool.” He smiled uncertainly. “From now on you may rely upon my complete cooperation!”

North accepted the other’s obvious repentance with the casualness of true tact.

“Thank you, that will make our job much easier. The main consideration is that you appear to address Congress next Thursday. Remember, sir, the fate of generations of Americans depends upon the passage of your bill.” He smiled in silent apology for the resounding phrase as he started for the door. “And now please get out the automatic Inspector Henry lent you.

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