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Chapter 31
The ledge was thin and narrow, and below it the country plunged terrifyingly, before flattening out into a narrow valley and climbing up the next mountain. The girl sat quietly. She had nothing to do, and hadn't for several days. She sat with her knees tucked under her chin, and her full skirt spreading and falling off the edge of the ledge. As she sat, she considered her life, not that there was much to consider, she was only twenty years old, she had never been in love, and was unlikely to find someone now. With a sigh she carefully straightened her legs and hung them over the edge, she could well understand the power of mountains. this view made her feel alternately extremely large and powerful, and a helpless little smidge in the hands of fate.
The sound that finally disturbed her was a loud crack, it was not the crack of a gun. It was actually a noise she could not identify. It was followed by some solid cursing in German, and an absolute explosion of angry German, as the curser was ticked off for some misdemeanor. She turned cautiously and looked at the top of the cliff above her. Against the skyline three men were silhouetted. The first was holding his cheek and cursing, the second was standing slightly back and observing the first and the third man, the third man had a long whip in one hand and was engaged in giving the first man the trimming of a life time.
"....We are not brutes and we most certainly do not deprive life without a good reason. Kurt get the girl up here, we'll detain her for a few days." She watched as the second man swiftly climbed down the cliff to the ledge beside her.
"Come miss." His Austrian was flawless. "We will not hurt you. But you cannot remain here." She looked at him thoughtfully, then nodded and swiftly climbed back up the cliff, the man Kurt, followed a short distance behind her, and to one side. The third man gave her a hand over the edge, then stared at her intently.
"Friedrich?" The third man glanced at Kurt.
"Yes?"
"Where is Boris?" The man Friedrich glanced briefly around, then swore.
"Damn the man. Kurt, take the lady back to camp, I'll come when I have Boris." Friedrich left on the run, as Kurt tied a rope firmly around the girl's right wrist.
"Sorry miss, but we have little choice." He tied the other end of the rope to his belt and started to walk swiftly, the girl kept pace beside him, and neither spoke.
Fizz stared glumly at the radio.
"What do you mean there is no more information, there must be more information."
"Well there's not. Grantley doesn't actually know where the two of them are. Beth never reported after she left London and Rolly does not actually have good radio contact, and that apparently died a couple of days back, just after she lost Smirth." Fizz swore and stood up.
"Where was her last connection from?"
"Grantley says it came from somewhere on the Austro-Germanic border and it was very unclear." Fizz bit his finger and frowned.
"Why didn't Grantley pull her out then?"
"Because as you well know Grantley doesn't give a damn about his minor operatives, your father didn't give a damn about minor operatives either."
"You mean that Grantley has just dropped Rolly, because she lost Smirth and Beth failed to reappear?"
"Correct." The reply was curt, and Fizz bit a thoughtful finger.
"I think I know where Rolly is. See if you can persuade Grantley to hand her folios over to you."
"What about Beth?"
"Try and get her folios as well. But I'm pretty sure that Grantley will soon be quite glad to have Beth of his hands."
"Do you have a reason for that remark?"
"Of course I do." The two men signed off and Fizz quickly called Dusty over.
"Dusty. Be a good chap and get Bingley and James in here. We're going into action again." Dusty soon returned with James and Bingley. Both of whom looked puzzled.
"What is it Fizz?"
"Rolly and Beth have gone missing. Rolly was actually just dumped on the Austro-Germanic frontier, Beth never reported after she left London." Bingley looked totally stunned. James and Dusty stared thoughtfully at each other, and then swore savagely.
Chapter 32
Fizz sat silently watching the men's reaction, then turned to Dusty.
"Dusty, go get that girl in we picked up this morning." Dusty started, then left the room. Fizz sat back and nibbled his finger thoughtfully, until Dusty re-entered with the girl. Dusty stood up as they entered and his eyes intently searched her face.
"Rolly. Did you here from Beth after she left London?" The girl blinked blankly at him. And Fizz glanced at Dusty.
"Dusty see if you can persuade her as to who we are and see what you can find out. James, Bingley, I need to talk to both of you." Fizz left the room followed by James and Bingley. Dusty sat down and looked at the girl.
"So how do I prove to you our real identities?" He spoke in English and watched her face.
Fizz led James and Bingley outside and into another nearby hut.
"How do you know it's Rolly. I don't recognise her?" Fizz smiled slightly.
"It is merely a hunch. But Dusty will get something out of her if she can say anything." Fizz turned away slightly. "And I think she can."
"He's not going to be rough on her?" Fizz stared at Bingley in amazement.
"Dusty? rough? Not unless she attacks him. Depending what Dusty gets, I think that Bingley, you will be returning to England with James." Bingley started to protest, then stopped.
"What'll happen with Boris, Fizz?" Fizz shrugged.
"I'll deal with him later." Bingley and James nodded, before going in search of food. Fizz returned to the radio room and Dusty.
She was seated next to the radio, and giving a very good impression of flirting with Dusty.
"She believes us now. She hasn't heard from Beth since she left on her holiday, and she wants to know where Kurt and Friedrich come from."
"Well you can introduce her to Kurt, but as to Friedrich, we have to retain our initials." Fizz was frowning at the radio. "Dusty, we're pulling out tomorrow, and clearing the Austrian line out again. You and Bingley escort Rolly back to England with James. Then you return with James. Tell him that someone will meet you of the north German coast. Rolly, did you ever loose trace of Smirth, say for three days, then find him again?" Rolly frowned thoughtfully, then finally nodded her head.
"I lost him in Paris for four days." Fizz's expression became grimmer.
"Thanks. Dusty get this camp packed I need the radio in private for a bit." Dusty quickly led Rolly from the room and went in search of Bingley and James. Fizz sat down next to the large radio set and started to do fine adjustments to it.
Chapter 33
Rolly sat scrunched in a miserable heap in the corner of the companionway. Through the haze of sea sickness she could see James and Dusty arguing about something at the wheel, Bingley was calmly splicing rope on the afterdeck. Rolly returned her focus to the heaving horizon, she had always heard that this was a cure for sea sickness, but she now had a very low opinion of the originator of the story. Rolly continued her fruitless gazing for a considerable length of time, before giving up in disgust, she looked inboard again just as Dusty collapsed next to her. In one hand he held a small flask.
"Drink this. It should help, but if it doesn't you'll soon bring it up again." Rolly sniffed gingerly at the flask, and wrinkled her nose.
"But this is Brandy!"
"And it'll either fix your sea sickness or you'll bring it up again." Rolly choked back some laughter and quickly downed the contents, the brandy stung her throat and sliced through the haze of her sea sickness. She returned the flask to Dusty with a slight gasp and gently shook her head.
"That certainly cleared my head. What's going to happen when we reach Britain."
"Well we're actually going to Dynnyrner, and you'll either remain at Dynnyrner or join James and me drifting around the north German coast."
"If Dynnyrner is on dry land it sounds fine to me!" Dusty chuckled at the emphatic remark, then jerked his head up in response to a remark from James.
"What was that?" James shouted his remark again, but it was unintelligible to Rolly. Dusty nodded and responded, Rolly realised that they were not talking English, she glanced at Bingley, but he didn't appear to understand either. Dusty jumped up and joined James at the wheel again. Rolly watched as they had a fairly heated discussion about something, then Dusty went over and spoke briefly with Bingley. Bingley glanced to the west then nodded, and Dusty came over to Rolly.
"Your sea sickness better?" Rolly nodded cautiously. "Good, we've got trouble coming. We're going to have to make a run for it." Rolly sat up and looked for the problem, as Dusty dove into the engine well. The problem did not take long in finding, and it lived in the shape of a German Destroyer that was a couple of miles off. Rolly turned and looked at James.
"Your intending to try and outrun that thing?" James grinned.
"These tanks are specially designed for that exact situation. Grab hold, Dusty's about to open her up a bit further." Rolly glanced at Bingley, who had firmly wedged himself into a corner, and then wedged herself into the corner of the companionway stairs. Rolly gasped as she felt the engine open up, with a growling roar its bow rose and it lunged forwards. Dusty soon appeared, he had a large bump and a gash over one eye.
"We need to strengthen the strapping in there James." Dusty scrambled to the back of the small boat and started inspecting the horizon in all directions, he spent an extra minute inspecting the destroyer and then went to argue with James again. James was fiddling with the compass at the same time as steering the boat, but at Dusty's remark he glanced up and forgot about the compass, both men were focused to the north and were staring hard at something. Then James briefly indicated Rolly and Bingley, Dusty nodded and held a brief conversation with Bingley before joining Rolly.
"Things are about to get exciting."
"What's causing things to get exciting and what is to the north." Dusty hesitated momentarily.
"There are two more destroyers and some smaller boats to the north of us, it looks like it could be another ambush."
"What's the probability of surviving?"
"Pretty low. Non-existent unless we open right up and only pretty low otherwise." Dusty stood up and soon he and James were lost in a welter of maps, papers, pens and a language that Rolly couldn't understand.
Chapter 34
"Why her, Elkington?" The man who had brought Beth in responded, his voice was queer, high pitched and nasal.
"She looked like the other one." This brought the first man around with a sharp scrutiny.
"What other one?"
"The one we had back last year. The one that Nikolai released." Beth involuntarily quailed at the look of pure fury on the first man's face.
"What in hell do you mean by bringing one of that kind here." Elkington was slammed into the wall behind them on the end of the first man's fist.
"But Vis...."
"Get out! Get out before I try some of my own experiments on you." Beth watched as Elkington shambled painfully out of the room. He had been unsteady on his feet and Vis had accelerated his departure with the help of a hefty kick. Elkington howled as he flew out of the room. "I'll deal with you further at a later date." Vis turned and looked intently at Beth. "And who might you be?"
"I don't know." Beth watched fearfully as Vis drew a wicked looking knife and a length of thin string from his pocket.
"Then perhaps I can aid you in finding out." Beth watched in horror as the end of the piece of rope snaked slowly towards her. Its lash bit sharply, Beth could taste blood in her mouth. The rope retreated, then advanced again. Never had Beth met such a callously brutal man before, as she lost track of time and feeling Beth found her thoughts wandering. Wandering back to Fizz at Netherfield, Fizz had had a severely bruised and still healing face, and a neck wound, had Fizz been in this place before. Beth hardly dared let herself hope that she might leave alive.
"VIS!" The voice cut through the fog of pain and rumbled round the room like thunder. The rope was stilled, but Beth didn't move. Slowly a man shambled into view, he was short and ape-like, and his face was incredibly ugly. Beth noticed abstractly that the maniacal fury had died out of Vis' expression.
"What is it Nikolai?"
"Dr. Elkington wishes to know whether we will be doping that reactionary today?" Vis frowned.
"Yes, we'll do him today. Take this one up to C29." Beth felt her arm grabbed and she was yanked from her chair and pulled out of the room. The man lead her through a multitude of passages and then shoved her into a small room.
"I'll be back in a minute, don't try anything stupid." Nikolai shambled out of the room and Beth sat gingerly down on a plank, though only her face had suffered, it was starting to feel like she had been cut in half with a blunt razor. Nikolai returned with a bucket of water and a small rag. "Your damn lucky Elkington found me before Vis used his knife. Sit still, this could sting." Beth found that to be an understatement. But Nikolai soon grunted his satisfaction and left her to her meditations. She didn't know what would happen next, but she had the feeling that the worst was not yet over. She took a brief look around the room, it was bare except for the plank. There was an evil smelling hole in the corner and a small window, through which she could see the sky and the very tip of a mountain.
Chapter 35
Rolly glanced speculatively to the north, she rather wondered at James and Dusty knowing there was a destroyer there, let alone two, she could see nothing. She watched as Dusty repeatedly glanced up from the maps to peer to the north, until a remark from James caused him to glance to the west. the result of this glance was to have Dusty tumbling down the main hatch, he reappeared seconds later with several bundles of canvas and rope, he cast one to Bingley handed James one, before pulling one on himself and walking over to Rolly.
"Apologies about this. It may not be a fashion statement, but it'll keep you in the boat." Rolly eyed the harness dubiously, but soon found herself firmly harnessed to the boat. Dusty cast another glance to the north in response to a yell from James, then dove into the engine well. The boat accelerated with a jolt, then lunged viciously to the left and jolted again. Rolly gasped as the edges of her harness bit deep into her. Dusty reappeared, and he was moving cautiously, always making sure of his hand hold before he moved on. He held a brief discussion with James, then beckoned Bingley to join him with Rolly.
"It looks like we could escape with luck. That luck being foul weather. Under no circumstances remove your harness, unless the boat is sinking and you see James and me dumping our harnesses. Also, try to keep tucked away in a corner. These engine's running at full throttle have some vicious and nasty habits, and I do not like the prospect of fishing anyone out of the drink." Bingley and Rolly nodded, and Dusty returned to the engine well.
Beth sat up with a soft groan, and rubbed her head, slowly it cleared and ceased throbbing. She blinked warily than looked around herself. She was lying on a flat pasture, surrounded by mountains. Beth rubbed her head again, but the view remained, either she was mad, or she was no longer in that place. Then the question was, how did she get there? Beth stood up, then saw the piece of paper that was lying weighted next to her. She picked it up and looked at it, it was a map, with very few features marked, the writing was unfamiliar. Beth sat down again and slowly memories returned to her. She had been locked up for about three weeks, and except for the initial flogging, very little had happened to her, she'd had very little to eat as well. Then her memory became jammed. Vis had entered her cell with Nikolai, they were arguing in some foreign language, but eventually they had reached an agreement and Vis had pumped something into her while Nikolai had held her, she remembered no more. Beth glanced once more at the map, then oriented it, it appeared to go no where in particular. But that nowhere was very precisely marked. Beth sighed, she had few options, with no food and no knowledge of where she was, she could only follow the map's instructions and hope it wasn't a trap. Beth took a final look at her surroundings, then set off in the map's indicated direction.
Rolly watched the noisy scene around her in a dream like state. They had arrived at Dynnyrner a week later than expected. As Dusty and James hurriedly changed and ate, others refueled the boat and checked its necessities. Rolly watched the sprightly, silver-haired little old lady with amusement. She had greeted Dusty with a massive hug, and James with a similar one, and since had neither stood still, nor stopped talking.
"James, there is extra cake in the pantry. You abominable boy, how did you make such a mess of this coat. Dusty, there's a new jacket for yo in your room, also that revolver you sent in for repairs. How's Fizz, and what happened to that young lady.....Miss Beth you called her." Rolly heard some muffled response. "Oh I see. Jermyn, check that the brandy is full. Also check that those couplings haven't rusted again." The house and grounds were chaotic with the numerous Fitzwilliams of three generations, and the boat shed was even worse.
"Where's the four-six Harry."
"Joe you drip, you can't use that."
"Anthony, give that rope here!"
"Dad, this propeller is a mess, where are the replacements?"
"Jackson, granna wants you in the kitchen."
"But mum, that's not fair."
Three hours later and Rolly stood watching as the small boat chugged out of the harbour, she turned and looked nervously at the family that surrounded her. She had never lived in such informal circumstances before, and certainly not such chaotic ones.
"Don't look so nervous dear. We don't bite, and everything is always chaotic when the boys come home." Rolly found herself enveloped in a massive hug, than dragged of to view a sailing dinghy by the younger generation.
Chapter 36
Dusty sat just forward of the companionway in the unlit boat. They had been hovering for two weeks now, they had two days left before they would have to leave for a refuel. Dusty rubbed his eyes, and scanned the shore line again, nothing.
"James." In response to Dusty's quiet call James stuck his tousled head over the top of the companionway.
"Seen something?"
"No. Has anything been heard from Fizz since we left camp?" James shook his head. "I don't like it."
"You're not the only one. From what Washington last reported we should be looking out for Allerton's signal." Dusty grunted confirmation as he scanned the shore again. "What's that Dusty?"
"What?"
"About a kilometre off the starboard bow." Dusty looked in the indicated direction, but saw nothing.
"I can see nothing."
"I don't like it Dusty."
"You want to pull out again for another da... I see it James. It's Allerton, he's out of place and there is a serious problem. Drop me and take the boat out a mile, then wait and watch." James nodded, and as soon as Dusty slid into the water he started the engine and started to move off.
James shivered slightly as he felt the breeze pick up. His eyes scanned the coast and water continuously Dusty had been gone nearly two hours now, there was another half hour before the boat had to pull back into the north sea. James pulled the small transmitter/receiver from under the roof of the companionway, his eyes never ceased scanning as he flicked over the range of channels. He wasted a minute listening to Lili Marlene on the German radio before reaching the Darcy Corporation channels.
"Washington calling James and Dusty.....Washington calling James and Dusty.....Washington calling James and Dusty.....Washington calling ......" With a sigh James turned the radio to transmitting.
"Bread and James, what's up?"
"Thank goodness one of you has finally answered. When you're finished what ever you're doing there, get to Dynnyrner on the double. Fizz is waiting at MacUalraig."
"Why hasn't he radioed us?"
"He said he couldn't get contact."
"When's he due in at MacUalraig?"
"In four hours."
"We'll radio him then. Is that all?"
"Yes. Washington out." James heard the dull buzz of the radio, and went back to idle twiddling of the switches, until a light started blinking and flickering like a dying torch on the shore. James watched, decoding it as it came in.
"Coming in fifteen minutes. Standby." James blinked in surprise, it was not like Dusty to send such a message in English, unless it was not Dusty. The thought chilled James, the corporation would indeed suffer if both Fizz and Dusty became unavailable. On a spur of the moment decision, James weighed anchor and slowly drifted the boat shorewards, he and Jermyn had pulled the stunt on more than one occasion. Slowly the boat moved towards the shore, James crouched gun in hand at the prow of the boat, until a soft clunk sent him flying silently towards the stern, at the same time he heard the soft mournful tune, with a sigh James whipped out his torch and flashed it on the boarder.
"What was the flashing for Dusty?" James asked the question as he gave Dusty a hand on board and helped him lug his companion on to.
"It's Allerton. Get the motor going, we're getting the hell out of here, we have five minutes." James dove for the engine and seconds later it bellowed noisily into life.
"What's up with Allerton?" James shouted the question over the roar of the engine as he grabbed the wheel and headed the boat towards the sea.
"He got hit once too often before he got to the shore." James nodded, it was a pity to lose Allerton, but everyone knew that decisions of that kind were personal.
"Fizz is apparently going to be at MacUalraig in four hours."
"Where'd you get that from?"
"Washington." Dusty grunted doubtfully, but said nothing, he then turned his attention to his companion.
"You got any Brandy, James?"
"Not on me, but Gran's is in the med box." Dusty nodded and vanished below deck for a second, he returned shortly with the bottle, and tipped some of it down his companion's throat. The other person came to with a spluttering cry, Dusty then dispatched the person onto one of the bunks before joining James at the wheel. "Who was that Dusty?"
"Our pickup. It was Beth. Now let's open this throttle, dawn is getting to close for safety." James glanced up and saw that this was indeed the case and seconds later the boat was going at full throttle.
Chapter 37
Washington stared in exasperation at the communication in front of him, what did Izanov mean by requesting help now, Washington sighed as he turned over a few pages. Jackson, Phelps, and Alastair were the only available men in that region. Washington picked up the list of notes he had made for today's jobs. M16 needed clearing again, the Austrian line had been folded, could it be restarted, the Belgian line was complaining about some uncertain links. MacDonald reported that two more regiments had entered his segment. Axelton reported a new aerodrome. Thomlin reported that the bombing raid on the aerodrome had been successful. Huntingdon reported that there was a new gas factory in north Belgium, also repairs had been effected on the railroad to that section. Jackson reports restlessness in Breque. The list continued in a similar vein for several pages. Whelan reported a division moving out of Ligny. Washington reached for his radio.
"MacUalraig?"
"MacUalraig receiving, who is it?"
"Washington. Could I speak to Fizz?"
"Fizz and Bubble, continue."
"Whelan reports that a division is moving."
"Moving? Oh, have you got James or Dusty yet?"
"Two hours back."
"Right." Washington signed off, and stared thoughtfully at the ceiling.
Beth woke suddenly and stared blankly at the ribbed woodwork above her head. She had no idea where she was at all. With a soft groan, she sat up, she identified the unusual throbbing roar as the noise of a very large engine. Beth cautiously stood up and glanced around herself, she found the companionway hatch open, and stuck her head cautiously out. She could see no land, but she recognised James and Dusty standing at the wheel.
"How did I get here?" Both men looked up in surprise.
"My apologies miss Beth, I had forgotten about you. You got here via Allerton and Dusty." Beth frowned.
"Perhaps if you explain later, I think I'm still a bit asleep. Could I have some food?" Dusty handed her a large slice of egg and bacon pie, which Beth devoured ravenously. Beth finished the piece of pie and sat down on a nearby seat, Dusty offered her a second piece of pie, which she refused.
"I've not had much to eat recently and I don't want to be sick." Dusty chuckled.
"How about you go back to sleep again?" Beth frowned, then shook her head.
"It is very stuffy down under." Beth worked herself firmly into a corner and breathed a deep and satisfied breathe.
"Where have you been Beth?"
"I don't actually know. I got abducted in London, I woke up in some castle somewhere in Europe, where I remained for a fortnight, then I woke up again and found myself in a small pasture with a map. I met some queer at the end of the map, then I walked all over Europe, then I woke up and found myself here." James and Dusty exchanged worried glances.
"You never saw Fizz?"
"No." Dusty frowned and rubbed his forehead. "Is something wrong?"
"We last heard of Fizz when he was setting out to find you. Now Washington reports that he is in London and headed for MacUalraig."
"Then perhaps he'll tell his own story." Dusty nodded a doubtful agreement, then slapped his head.
"Oh I forgot. Fizz left a letter for you." Dusty retrieved the envelope from the cabin and handed it to Beth. It was bulky, and unwieldy. Beth felt it carefully before opening it.
Chapter 38
The envelope contained two items, the first was a heavy piece of canvas, the second was a piece of paper with 'I am sorry.' written on it. Beth pocketed the paper and looked at the canvas, it was really only half a canvas, at some point in time it had been torn. Beth looked curiously at the picture, then gasped and turned it over.
"What is it Beth?" James looked worried.
"It's my mother." James glanced briefly at the canvas before returning to the wheel, it was the picture Fizz had been inspecting at MacUalraig.
"What does the back say." Dusty was looking curiously at it. "It's Uncle George's handwriting. You remember that frightful scrawl of his James?" James nodded, and Beth handed the canvas to Dusty.
"I can't read it, what does it say?" Dusty looked at it thoughtfully.
"To Dear Anne Fitzjames Darcy, with love from George. 1890" Beth looked stunned.
"So I'm really a Darcy?" There was a lot of doubt in her voice.
"It would appear so." Beth immediately vanished below deck, Dusty restrained James from following with a strong arm.
"Leave her be until she comes back."
Beth stood quietly in the corner of the courtyard of MacUalraig. James and Dusty had immediately vanished into the servants quarters, but Beth decided to walk around and look. Beth had seen the tall lean figure in the distance and had been watching it as it neared, with a start she made a decision and left in search of James and Dusty, she found them talking with Mrs. Hawkins. Mrs. Hawkins greeted her with a massive hug.
"You look so like the missus." Beth blushed slightly and nodded her thanks.
"Could it possibly be left to Fizz to bring up the subject of the letter?" The three occupants of the room looked stunned.
"But why?"
"I don't know why, but I feel that he needs to be the one to bring up the subject." Dusty hesitated momentarily then nodded, James and Mrs. Hawkins soon followed suit.
"That's settled then. To further confuse matters, do you wish to be treated like one of the tourists?" Beth hesitated then nodded. "James and I are leaving tomorrow. Trouble in the med., do you wish to be delivered to Rolly at Dynnyrner?" Beth nodded again.
"What's all this about?" Mrs. Hawkins looked befuddled.
"Don't worry Mrs. Hawkins, we just want to play a trick on Fizz that is all." Dusty took Beth by the arm and led her from the room. James shrugged to Mrs. Hawkins before following them out of the room.
Rolly gave Beth a massive hug as she departed from the boat at Dynnyrner.
"I'm glad to see you. Did you know that we are now in the Darcy Corporation? Grantley dumped us when I lost Smirth." Beth chuckled and hugged Rolly back.
"Good to see you to. I've got something important to discuss with you when the men have departed again." Rolly nodded. Forty minutes later Rolly was once again watching the small boat depart the harbour. "Where's Jermyn?" Rolly looked slightly surprised.
"He's got a boat on the Normandy run." Beth nodded. "We need to get radio contact with Washington as soon as possible."
"It's ten minutes until I have to call."
"Gran could I please have some food?" Mrs. Fitzwilliam vanished in the direction of the house and Rolly and Beth wended slowly towards the house, surrounded by the Fitzwilliam clan.
Chapter 39:
James looked at Dusty, who was listlessly staring at the map.
"Why was Beth so insistent that Fizz be told nothing?"
"You'll find out when we return to MacUalraig after this job."
"But...." James shrugged and never finished the sentence, the reason apparently did not involve the med. "Where are we meeting Jermyn and Harry?"
"At Gib. We need to pick up Axelton on the way though."
"Where's he this time?"
"Section 260. He was alerted before we collected Beth."
"That's the hole in the Belgian line isn't it?"
"Correct. We also need to grab Barnum out of Tunisia before we return." Dusty returned his attention to the map, and James returned to fiddling with the compass.
Rolly glanced at Beth, then opened communications with Washington.
"Rolly and Tumble calling Washington....Rolly and Tumble calling Washington...Rol."
"Washington receiving, continue."
"Beth has just arrived, Dusty and James just departed ten minutes ago."
"Right, Beth, you know your I.D. call?"
"Bazil and Thyme."
"Good, anything else to report."
"Dusty wants all reports to go to Beth."
"But....Very well, give me a minute." The radio buzzed softly for twenty minutes.
"He is very cautious my Beth."
"Which is a very good thing, we're trying an almighty gamble here." Rolly nodded.
"Can't it be done any other way?" Beth shook her head.
"Dusty I and I very carefully worked through the idea. We can find no other way to do it." Rolly nodded.
"Well this promises to be fun for me, unless he shoots me. I can't wait till Fizz gives me a welcoming greeting. But your sure there hasn't been a leak."
"Not that we know of." The radio buzzed back into life.
"Washington calling Bazil."
"Bazil and Thyme."
"All reports will come via the usual sources."
"Right. Bazil and Thyme out." Beth turned off the radio as Rolly stood up.
"Gran should have some food ready for us."
"You're falling in with this family well, I would sooner call their 'some food' a feast."
"It is certainly a change from being in the company of Fluffies."
"You certainly have a point there. Now we need food and to inspect James Jr.'s train set, James said it was a sight."
"It is!" Rolly was chuckling. "I honestly have never met its equal." Beth followed Rolly and James Jr. into the main attic of Dynnyrner. As Rolly said, that train set had no equal. It was as large as the attic, with very fine tracks criss-crossed everywhere.
"Heavens! It's Europe's train network." Beth was astounded, this was no toy set, it stood for hours and weeks and months and years of steady and careful work. There were mountains and valleys, lakes were carefully placed, along with small towns and cities. The armies were precisely placed, sheets of note paper were tacked around the room. There were dotted lines in numerous colours all over the channel, the Atlantic, the North Sea and the Med. Beth blinked. "Something tells me that this is a treasure trove." Rolly nodded.
"Does this answer the question that was puzzling you?" Beth nodded slowly her eyes intently searching the set.
"I think it's time for tea." Rolly, Beth and James Jr. left the attic, carefully locking the door behind them, then tumbled downstairs to the sumptuous feast that was laid out. The Fitzwilliams ate in the old style, two large meals a day, brunch and high tea.
Washington looked thoughtfully at the radio and notes in front of him, but he was not focused on them. Something big was in the air, it was unlike Dusty to be so reticent as to why he had laid down such an order, had it been anyone else, Washington would not have accepted the order. With a sigh he returned his attention to the pile of reports, he needed to return to France tomorrow, this had to be settled before he handed it to Gramp Fitzwilliam. Washington laughed softly, old Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam were gran and gramp to all.
Chapter 40
It had been two long, bloody, months since the Denmark had been moored at Dynnyrner. Dusty glanced wearily across at James as they tied up to the small jetty. It was two in the morning, and they had come in under sail so as not to disturb anyone, the boat creaked quietly.
"Come on James, there are lights on in the house." James nodded and the two men scrambled up the hill to the house. Dusty gave the door a hefty pounding, and stood back to await results. Five minutes later the door creaked cautiously open, and Rolly peered out.
"Dusty? James?" She seemed unable to believe what her eyes were telling her. Dusty and James entered.
"What's up? Why's everyone awake? What are you afraid of?" Dusty found the sheer worry and tension in the house to be nerve-racking.
"It's Beth." Rolly started to cry quietly. Dusty glanced at James, who shrugged confusion in response.
"What do you mean it's Beth?"
"She's been having nightmares." Dusty glanced at James again, James once again shrugged.
"Bad ones?"
"We don't know, she won't talk about them. All she says is 'It's not me.' like she's trying to reassure herself. But she...." Rolly became incoherent through her sobbing.
"We'd better get upstairs." James took the stairs on the run, leaving Dusty to cope with Rolly. Granna met him at the top of the stairwell.
"I thought I heard you arrive. Beth's just woken. YOU try and get her to talk."
"You can get nothing out of her?" Granna nodded confirmation.
"Except for the continuously repeated remark 'It's not me.'" James nodded, then followed Granna into Beth's room. Beth was seated in s large basket chair and covered in blankets. Her face was pale and strained, and it was obvious she had not been getting much sleep. James looked around the room, but found no inspiration, finally he crouched down next to Beth.
"What is it?" Beth shook her head, the fear coming back into her eyes.
"Look we can't help if you don't tell us. What is it?"
"It is not a nightmare." It was said very quietly.
"Okay, then what is it?"
"I don't know." Beth started to shiver. James frowned, then lifted her up and carted her back to the bed. Placing her on it, he sat down next to her.
"Okay, tell me about it then. What happens?" Beth started to shiver more violently, but then it started to subside.
"It's a room, or at least I think it is. I'm not the person who is there, it's someone else. The air is hot and very moist, you can hear water everywhere. I can feel it lapping around my ankles."
"I being the person you are not?" Beth nodded mutely, James could feel his arm cramping from trying to counteract her shivering.
"Something has just finished, I feel totally drained and ... apathetic. What ever has just finished, I am relieved that it is finished. Suddenly I hear a door slowly creak open, it sounds like a very heavy door on old hinges. There is still no light. Suddenly a very bright high beam lances out from one end of the room, this only seems to emphasize the darkness around me. Slowly the light comes towards me, I can hear the slosh of someone walking towards me. I feel myself lifted and carried up and out. the room i am carried into is very brightly lit. It is made of large grey stone, dust lies everywhere. There are two men pacing around at the other end of the room. I am placed in a chair and tied there. One of the pacing men comes and looks at me, but I can never actually define his features."
"Hold a minute." James paused her narrative with a firm finger. "Dusty?" Dusty appeared round the door.
"Yes?"
"Get Fizz's notebooks. Greystone. Two men. Warmth and water. Feeling of total apathy." Dusty nodded and vanished, James turned back to Beth. "Sorry about that, continue."
"The man then goes back and after a brief discussion I hear the words, 'Dose him again.'"
"Your sure it is him?" James interrupted her.
"Yes, it is him. I have seen that brightly lit room before, but I cannot remember." Beth hesitated, her train of thought apparently lost, then she started again. "For some reason, those words make me afraid, and I pass out. When I come too, I am hanging from a window ledge, trying to peek in, but I cannot. Then I am standing in a large room, it is dimly lit, I can hardly see the walls around me, suddenly the room becomes brightly lit, gay music comes from somewhere, the floor is covered with rushes, the walls are covered with heavy tapestries and hangings, as the scene fades I hear a voice 'You have been accepted, cherish this.' Then I am standing, my back is to a high stone wall, some signal is made and I leap as hard and as high as I can, trying to catch the top of the wall, I fail and something bites viciously into my leg. Then I am on a large horse, next to me is galloping another horse, on another signal, I try to change mounts without slowing the horses. I am unafraid, except for the fear of failing. Then once again I am in front of a high stone wall, but this time something is different. On the signal, I jump, my jump is magnified by a push from below, as i pass the top of the wall I hear shots fired, and for some reason I feel overwhelmingly lost and alone. Then suddenly I see something, I as Beth do not know what it is, but the person I am does. 'I must make a decision, Help me.' And then I wake up." Beth had just finished when Dusty and Granna came hurriedly into the room.
"James, go with Dusty, I'll look after Miss Beth." James stood up reluctantly and followed Dusty out of the room.
"What is it?" Dusty handed him one of the notebooks. It was one of the older ones from Fizz's younger years. The handwriting was neat and clear, the sketches were carefully done. James started to read.
'This building was originally used in the middle ages for the amusement of the monarch.. Deeply let into the side of the mountain, it is difficult to locate and all walls are made of stone, a dark grey.' James looked puzzledly at Dusty.
"But..."
"Keep reading, it is about to become a very recent entry." James stiffened, then continued reading.
Chapter 41
Private Jack Townsend looked at the miserable mud plain of no man's land. He found it a very depressing place to look, the mud was thick and churned up, deep dents where the recent shells had fallen, with a sigh he tried to ease his position. Private Townsend was highly embarrassed, and not very hopeful, he was part of a labour battalion, and the work was inglorious to say the least. Unfortunately, while commuting between a recent shell hole and his barracks, he had strayed a trifle too far off the beaten track, and now he was firmly stuck in waist deep mud. With the evening shelling due to start any minute Jack was not very hopeful of being rescued. With a sigh Jack tried to ease his position, but the effort was totally ineffectual.
"When I was but and a little tiny boy,
with a heigh, ho, the wind and the rain,
a foolish thing was but a toy,
and the rain it raineth every day."
Jack could hear the merry singer, but could not see him.
"Hi, over here." The singer continued singing, his path seemed aimless. Jack shivered as he heard the whistle and rush which spelt the arrival of a shell. Jack felt the earth shake with the crump. A fountain of mud flew up, and Jack saw a small figure go flying. "Damn!" Jack swore with feeling, then stared, the small figure had got back to its feet and was continuing walking, its path was aimless, but it was never hit. 'Crump' 'crump''crump'. The evening shelling was underway. Jack watched as the small figure was thrown all over the place. But the voice never stopped singing, and the figure never stopped wandering.
"Hi, you there, what do ye think yer doin' oot at this time of night?" Jack jerked at the sound of his commander's voice.
"I don't know sir." Jack saluted awkwardly.
"Well stay put. I'll see if I can persuade some of the boys to dig you out."
"Whose the man over there?" Jack indicated the singing figure.
"I dunno, but I wouldna go near him. The fifty-third say his plum crazy. Knifed a corporal or summat like that." Jack winced. One reason why he had chosen a labour battalion above a real battalion was because he disliked violence. "'parently 'telligence is going to remove him this evening." Jack watched the figure as it ambled and sang, most likely the poor bugger was shell-shocked.
"Well that's one thing to be thankful for. It may be embarrassing to get stuck in waist deep mud, but at least I'm sane." Jack continued to watch the man as he was thrown around by the crumps. Until one deposited the man within a few metres of Jack. The man lay there giggling feebly, for a bit, then he sat up straight.
"You should at least bury yourself properly man. I dislike seeing a talking, half-buried corpse." The voice was refined, to the verge of aristocratic, the face was drawn and tight, the expression was that of a brick wall.
"Who are you?"
"I'm the Czar of Russia, Corpse." The arrival of 'the boys' sent the figure into a furtive semi-retreat.
"Ooh's yer companion Jack?"
"Says he's the Czar of Russia." The boys cracked into raucous laughter, but soon Jack was free of his muddy prison.
"You shouldn't dig up corpses, it's not nice." Jack laughed at the amazement on the face of Bill, the leader of the boys.
"And who in hell asked your opinion?"
"That's not how you speak to the Czar of Russia. I'm remaining with Corpse. Come Corpse." Jack shivered slightly when his arm was gripped, but followed the 'Czar of Russia' out of no man's land and back to his barracks.
James looked at Beth and Dusty. They were all crouched around the trainset.
"Well we've found Sanhuzar. Beth do you recognise anything, a mountain top, a curious river, anything?" Beth thoughtfully inspected the boards. She viewed each mountain from all possible views, then finally pointed at two.
"I could see that one from my room, and that one was where I originally woke up." James and Dusty looked thoughtfully at each other.
"We need to get in contact with Washington!" The statement was final, they all knew that there were no other options available.
Chapter 42
"What are you doing here."
"Waiting for you, sir. We have some fairly important business to discuss."
"It better be. It is two in the morning."
"The car wouldn't go any faster, sir."
"Well stop sirring me. What is so important that it warranted a trip to London."
"Fizz is the problem."
"He's at MacUalraig, go talk to him there."
"That is not Fizz, and that is why there is a problem with him."
"What do you mean it's not Fizz."
"Exactly what I said. Fizz is either dead or in Europe. The masterminds of this impersonation are fairly confident that he will not be found anytime soon." Washington scowled.
"So why bring it to me?"
"Because, while we go looking for Fizz, we need someone to deal the impersonator."
"So I'm meant to persuade him to step out of an aeroplane without a parachute."
"I don't know. Tell Grantley to get rid of him if you want." Washington sighed, Dusty might be magnificent in the field, but his touch on internal politics was nil.
"How do you know it's not Fizz?" Washington watched as the four people exchanged looks.
"We cannot prove it, we just know it."
"Well we can't execute on feeling, there must be conclusive proof."
"Well how does one say that MacUalraig has not accepted this man, this man is not an ambidextrous fencer, and how else do you explain Beth's nightmares."
"I have nothing to do with nightmares. A house accepting someone is not something I'll go into. And the impersonator must be incredibly careless not to be aware that Fizz does most things ambidextrously." Dusty sighed.
"Okay, we'll go find Fizz, then you can dispose of this impersonator." Dusty shook his head and stood up.
"Look, I might agree with you on all points. Unfortunately, we are not part of the official intelligence, and as a result we cannot just execute people at will."
"Could you at least put out an attention notice on the fronts." Washington sighed, then frowned.
"Okay. I'll put out an alert in intelligence. Though that'll warn this fish to depart."
"Let it. We need Fizz back."
"What about if Dusty and James go after Fizz. Rolly and I are still officially in home intelligence." Washington looked sharply at Beth.
"What precisely are you trying to say?"
"Rolly and I are of no use on the continent. So to prevent the fish from being alerted, why not have Dusty and James search for Fizz while Rolly and I watch the fish." Washington frowned, then looked at Dusty and James with raised eyebrows.
"Do you agree with the idea?" The two men hesitated then nodded. "Okay, that's settled. Radio times are the same as always." Washington watched as they departed, then scratched his head, picking up the radio. "Get me MacUalraig."
"MacUalraig receiving, who is it?"
"Washington, could I speak to Fizz." Washington sat listening to the fizz of static for several minutes, then started as a voice came on air.
"Fizz and Bubble, continue."
"Washington here. Sending up some girls. They're on convalescence leave."
"Names?"
"Caroline-Anastasia and Elizabeth-Georgiana."
"Right."
"Washington out." Washington turned off the radio and frowned thoughtfully at the roof. This seemed to verify Dusty's statement. Fizz would not have seemed agreeable with two semi-fictional names, also Washington did not recognize the voice of the person who answered the radio, Fizz and the Hawkins' were the only people who were supposed to touch it. Washington picked up the radio again. "Get me Dynnyrner."
"Dynnyrner receiving."
"Washington here. Get me Granna."
"Granna Apples receiving."
"Beth and Rolly are returning to watch MacUalraig. Tell them that information is confirmed."
"Right, anything else?"
"What is so interesting up there that causes such a risky impersonation?"
"Probably James JR's trainset." Washington frowned.
"A very good reason, I had forgotten about that. Washington out." Washington turned of the radio, and relaxed back in his chair. There was only one problem left now, and that was Fizz.
Chapter 43
Jack glared morosely up from his pillow, then kicked hard. With a loud grunt the Czar of Russia fell off the end of his bed and rubbed his head ruefully.
"You pack a mighty hard kick for a corpse, m'sieur."
"Well don't sleep where I can kick you." Jack returned equably as he levered himself out of the bed.
"That is a logical idea. I will consider that one in silence." Jack quickly dressed, watching the silent figure with a wary eye. The previous night had had its excitements, and there were serious disadvantages to having a self-appointed bodyguard who could not be disarmed and who attacked at the faintest threat.
"And what am I meant to call you? The Czar of Russia is far to long for regular use." The figure frowned.
"Call me Nikolai Alexandrovitch."
"I'll call you Nick."
"That is not how you address your reigning Suzerain."
"And your getting your terms muddled. I'm British, not Russian or French. I don't owe you a particle of respect. Now move, or we'll miss breakfast." Jack walked hurriedly out of the room, and into the squashed and noisy mess hall.
"Still got the Russian Empire in tow, Jack." Jack looked in disgust at Bill, then grabbed wildly at Nick whose knife was already drawn.
"Oh no you don't. Watch it Bill, this emperor has not learned his manners." Jack dragged Nick into a secluded corner.
"Why do you stand such offensive behaviour, it is not proper."
"Neither is trying to stab anyone who opens their mouth. Now, I need an inventory of your armoury. Produce!" Nick looked sullenly at Jack. Jack crossed his fingers tightly under the table. If he could get an idea of weapons, he might be able to prevent any injuries to his workmates. However, if this curious individual took offense it was quite possible that Jack himself would pay the ultimate penalty. Slowly Nick started to lay his weaponry on the table. Jack watched in growing amazement. There was the knife he had already seen on numerous occasions. There was a sardine can, a lemon, two strips of copper and a small bag of flour. This was followed by three more knives, a small black box, a regulation revolver, two slingshots, another blackbox which was covered in buttons. Then came a small pile of rocks, 42 small candies, a small bag of grey powder. A small rubber cased bottle, some bullseyes and peppermints, three metres of thin rope, 15 handkerchiefs, a small bible, a small brick of some sandy substance, a couple of detonators, a length of magnesium tape, a cigarette lighter, and a few items that Jack didn't even wish to guess at the use for.
"What're the peppermints for?" Nick gingerly picked one up, as well as picking up the catapult. He carefully loaded the peppermint onto it, and fired at the door. There was a blinding flash, and when Jack's eyesight returned, the door was no longer to be seen, neither was a large portion of the doorframe. Jack glanced back at Nick, who was carefully returning his armoury to their numerous hideouts. "I see."
"What in hell has been happening in here?" The commander stuck a choleric head around the remains of the doorframe.
"Oh no you don't." Jack automatically dove for Nick.
"I wasn't going to do anything." Jack released the man and returned his attention to the commander.
"I wouldn't ask if I were you, sir."
"Well I am. What happened?"
"Nick here threw a peppermint at the door." The mess collapsed in laughter.
"It looks more like 'Nick' threw a high explosive."
"It was a high explosive, but they look like peppermints." The commander stared in amazement at Nick as he piped up. Then grunted and stalked out of the room. As Nick had finished stowing away his armoury, Jack grabbed his arm and hurried him out of the room.
"Why did you tell the commander that?"
"He asked."
"That is no reason for responding. For goodness sake, there would be no war if everybody answered truthfully when a question is asked."
"But it wasn't true. That was gelignite with an impact detonator." Jack clutched his hair in despair.
"You shouldn't have answered at all. come on, we've got to get to work." Jack grabbed his gear and quickly followed his labour battalion out of the yard. He didn't know whether Nick followed or not, and he almost didn't care.
"Hi Jack. Will you get that fellow of yours to disarm." Bill looked slightly ill.
"You try. I risked my life so I could find what he carried on himself. Tom isn't hurt because he fell over in the yard, he got knifed trying to remove Nick's knife." Bill became even paler.
"I suggest we get to work. I also suggest that you hold your tongue when he is around." At this point Nick came running up easily, the whole battalion quickly moved off to their work site. Jack frowned at Nick.
"What are you doing here?" Jack then realized that he was carrying a shovel. "And where did you get your kit from?"
"I'm here to guard you, and I borrowed the kit." Jack groaned, it looked like becoming a foster parent to this man would lead into serious trouble, and fast, the worst of it was that Jack had not chosen whom he adopted. It was more like he had been adopted. He groaned again and hurried after his rapidly vanishing battalion. That day more work was done than ever before, this was not because the men worked harder, it just happened that Nick was one of the fastest workers. At the same time Nick had plenty of time to knife an impatient corporal, Jack had been distracted for a moment, and nearly take out a passing car with a peppermint, Jack had only just prevented him from firing, Jack was not eager to see what the candies and bullseyes did. So the days progressed, when Jack wasn't working, he was attempting to prevent Nick from damaging things, or people.
Chapter 44
Beth steered the car cautiously over the rough terrain. The fuel gauge had long since hit the empty point, but the car kept moving. Beth had her doubts about the reliability of the gauge. Rolly was sleeping, or at least trying to sleep in the back seat.
"Rolly?" Beth heard a confirming but sleepy grunt from the back seat.
"What is it Beth?"
"Come forward, we need to discuss something." Beth heard a brief scramble, and then Rolly was beside her.
"What things? I thought we'd already decided everything?"
"Not everything." Beth carefully eased the gears and crept around the corner.
"What haven't we decided?"
"Who are we going to be. We can't be fluffies."
"Then what will we be? And why can't we be fluffies?" Beth frowned as the car shuddered noisily over some corrugations.
"We spent months as fluffies. Also, I have some suspicions as to who this imposter might be."
"Smirth?" Beth nodded, as she took the car slowly through some tortuous s-bends. "Oh great. That definitely rules out being fluffies. What do we do now?"
"First we need to contact Washington and find out who we are? This will require a trip to Dynnyrner."
"Hence that turn. Okay, that's fine with me. Granna might also have some ideas of use." Beth nodded. "Why'd you pull me forward to discuss that, you appear to have already decided."
"Ever practical Rolly. To be quite honest this map is lousy, and I was starting to feel sleepy. Dusty might be good at many things, but map drawing is not one of them." Rolly picked the map up and squinted at it using the torch.
"You're right, it is lousy. I hope you know where you are?" Beth laughed at this, a queer hiccuping laugh.
"I really don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been around Rolly. And yes I do know where we are."
Granna looked thoughtfully at the clock, then went and looked at the large pie in the oven. "Who did Washington say drew the map?" She glanced at Gramp as she returned to her seat and knitting.
"Dusty. They'll be damn lucky if they arrive before midnight. Dusty can't draw a map to save himself."
"Then I hope they don't get lost. We'll send Harry and Ted to look for them if they don't arrive before morning." Gramp grunted but did not look up from his paper. Granna continued to knit quietly, she had learnt long ago that worry was a total waste of energy. If the person was safe, then your fears were useless. If they were in trouble, well then your being worried helped no one, least of all the person in trouble.
Beth swore softly and scrambled out of the car. It appeared to have finally ceased running, she carefully hauled up the bonnet and looked in. She then shone the light into the petrol tank, empty. Beth swore again, then dug some strong fingers into Rolly's rib cage.
"Wake up, we'll get no where unless you get into the vertical position. The horizontal position helps no one in this situation." Rolly sat up and groaned.
"Okay, I'm awake." Rolly scrambled sleepily out of the car, and gasped as the cold wind stung her face. "How far have we to walk?"
"At a rough guess I'd say a couple of miles." Rolly groaned again.
"Can't we....Okay, I'm coming." Beth grabbed the two kits and they soon vanished into the darkness.
Dusty sat quietly in a corner of the convoy, for the first time in his life he felt a trifle queasy. He glanced up as James sat down next to him.
"What's got you Dusty? We're due to dock in two hours."
"What's got me is my first bout of seasickness. Give me the brandy and leave me in peace. Next time, we bring the Denmark with us. Even if that means we also have to bring Jermyn." James smiled at Dusty's lugubrious tones.
"You're a damned hypocrite. Thank your lucky stars your not trying to get to Dynnyrner tonight." There was a slight edge in James' voice.
"Your right, it's more than 100% likely that they will run out of gas." James grunted, and Dusty frowned at him in the darkness. "Out with it. You've been a nasty companion since we left London, and it has nothing to do with Fizz, so don't try to push that one on me." There was a slight shuffle, and Dusty growled. "Ask her to marry you, then you'll at least have an excuse to worry about her!" The shuffle stopped dead.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Don't be stupid. I've known you my whole life. Of course I know, Granna probably does too, but I'd say that that pulls up the limit. Jermyn might, but I doubt it." Dusty listened as James slowly relaxed.
"What about her?"
"Ask Rolly." Dusty relapsed into silence. He had to admit that it had been a fairly blind stab in the dark but it appeared to have been fairly accurate.
"I'm going to speak with the captain. Dusty watched James figure depart, then he departed himself.
The cynical captain watched as the two men vanished over the side. He had seen this all too often, the young bloods were so eager to get into action. He turned his attention back to his landing papers with a sigh, they would probably be caught when they landed and returned to London. Had the captain watched the two men, he would have probably been astounded to notice that these two men, whom he had labeled as too eager to wait for the formal landing, were swimming directly back out into the channel.
Chapter 45
Granna stood up again, checked the clock, and then pulled the large pie out of the oven. She replaced it with a large beef roast, and turned her attention to the large stew pot that simmered quietly on the stove. Stirring it briefly, Granna then returned to her seat, only to stand up as James Jr. came running into the room.
"Me an' Harry saw a light on Dockers Hill."
"Harry and I." Granna corrected automatically as she watched Gramp.
"Harry and I saw a light on Dockers Hill."
"Thank you James Jr. Tell Jermyn, that he and Phillip are to meet me in the stables in twenty minutes." James Jr. left the room on the run, and Gramp neatly folded up his paper and stood up. "Get the guns Granna, then get that stew heating. Only the boys would use Dockers Hill to signal from, and as they can't, it is probably those girls. We'll be back in an hour." Gramp kissed her briefly, then vanished out of the room. Granna hurried out and woke Isabelle and Mary.
"Come, we need to make some beds. We have guests arriving." Granna heard the horses gallop out of the yard. "Harry! You and James Jr. keep an eye on Dockers Hill. Juliana, will you please watch the stew while we get these beds made." Granna scampered from the room, and soon bedding was flying allover the house, literally. Nothing was done at Dynnyrner without a bit of extra chaos. This was given by Ted and Charles holding a pillow fight.
Dusty blinked the saltwater from his eyes, then glanced at James who was silently swimming beside him.
"I hope that Fizz hasn't moved that boat."
"You're not the only one. This water is cold."
"You don't say." James started to laugh, then cough and splutter as some water got into his mouth. "That was not clever James." They continued swimming in silence.
"There it is." Dusty glanced up at James' call and changed his course accordingly. The two men were soon standing dripping on the deck.
"Let's get changed, then out of here." James nodded, and the two men vanished below deck.
Granna, sat quietly in her chair again, order reigned supreme. Or at least it did until young Harry came tumbling into the room.
"Two flashes from Dockers Hill, Granna." Granna nodded and stood up.
"Thank you Harry. Is James Jr. still watching?"
"Yes Granna."
"Then return and continue watch. There will be stew for all when they arrive."
"Goody." Harry ran from the room, and Granna smiled softly, as she went to stir the stew again. Twenty minutes later she heard the clump of hooves entering the yard, gathering her skirts she hurried out to greet them, she was followed by practically the whole Fitzwilliam clan. Sure enough it was Rolly and Beth, they were born indoors in a crush of Fitzwilliams and questions, but soon silence reigned as stew was hurriedly consumed around the large table.
"Washington wants you to call as soon as possible, and James and Dusty report a safe arrival in France."
"Give them a safe arrival message from Dynnyrner then." Rolly started to giggle weakly, Beth pounded her firmly on the back.
"Pull yourself together Rolly. And no you needn't explain it, I'm quite well aware that Dynnyrner wasn't travelling anywhere." Slowly the laughter grew around the table, and soon it was almost hysterical. Granna was the first to recover, and she dabbed her eyes carefully.
"Decidedly that was not a good joke, but it was good to laugh. Now the pair of you off to bed. Everyone else can do so as well. Margaret, show them their rooms." The group quickly dispersed, Gramp and Granna the last to vanish. She remaining for a moment to stir the stew and turn the stove and oven off.
"Now all we need to do is hope that James and Dusty come home successful and safe." Gramp nodded then walked out of the room, his arm hugging her protectively.
"Don't worry. Those boys will probably waltz in a week, fit and healthy and looking for more stew."
Jack glanced at the commanding officer, then looked at Nick, then looked once more at the commanding officer.
"What did you say to him?"
"I told him to get out of the way."
'Though probably not that politely.' Jack looked thoughtfully at what had formerly been the bonnet of a very smart car. "I'm sorry, sir. But there is nothing I can do, but I'll try to keep a closer eye on him in future."
"Who the hell does he think he is, the Czar of Russia?"
"Well sir, Yes." Jack coughed awkwardly, the commanding officer looked like he was going to explode.
"Well even the Czar of Russia has no right to go pitching bombs at passing cars."
"You were not passing and you were not being polite." The commanding officer stared at the Nick in amazement.
"I was not talking to you. Bite your tongue."
"Oh no you don't." The commanding officer watched in amazement as Jack dove at Nick, and started wrestling with him. When the fight was over, the commanding officer still looked surprised. "Sorry about that, sir. Last time someone said that, they got knifed."
"I was only going to give him a peppermint." The commanding officer blinked at the man who was mopping at his bloody nose.
"Like hell you were. Keep those peppermints to yourself. Better still, eat them yourself. Sir, I think it would be advisable if you were to move along. We have work to do here."
"And how am I meant to move along?"
"You have two legs. Our barracks are a mile that a way, you might be able to get some transport there. Otherwise there is the aerodrome five miles up the road, they always have some mode of transport available." The commanding officer shifted indecisively, but Nick's recovery of his feet, made up his mind. He quickly strode off down the road in the direction of the aerodrome. Jack wasted a minute watching Nick fiddle around inside the car, but his attention soon returned to the shell hole that they were trying to fill.
Chapter 46
"Basil and Thyme calling Washington...Basil and Thyme calling Washi"
"Washington. What is it?"
"We're at Dynnyrner. Who are we and what are our names?"
"You are Caroline-Anastasia, and Elizabeth-Georgiana. You are on convalescence leave."
"Code names?"
"For radio contact. Use the ones you had with Grantley."
"I was Beth and Bed, but Rolly didn't have one."
"Damn. Give me a minute." Beth sat quietly, and glanced at Rolly, who frowned, then whispered something in her ear.
"Washington?"
"Yes."
"Rolly suggests that she uses Bingle and Bump."
"That'll do, I must admit that I was stumped."
"Anything else?"
"No, if you're done?"
"Basil and Thyme out." Beth turned off the radio, and looked thoughtfully at Rolly. "Let's go find Granna." The two girls hurried out of the room, and found Granna knitting downstairs.
Dusty swore as the rocks clattered loudly down the slope, then quickly scrambled up to join James.
"When's Bingley due to arrive." James glanced at his watch.
"Twenty minutes. Washington is sending Barnum as well. He's due tomorrow." Dusty grunted.
"This is getting too large. But at least we know that he is alive and in Europe." James grunted, he was watching something intently through his binoculars.
"It looks like Danting's report was accurate, the thirteenth is withdrawing." Dusty had his binoculars out in a second and soon the two men were watching silently.
"Ja, du bist richtig Hans." Dusty dropped his binoculars and spun around, blinking at the two mausers which were pointed at him, Dusty then glanced at James, who was staring at the two men in puzzled bewilderment. James glanced across at Dusty.
"Was ist das?"
"Hans, er ist alles richtig."
"Indeed." James' voice spat arrogantly. "Then perhaps you can drop your mausers." Dusty realized that no bluff would work, mostly because they were dressed in British uniform, but he thought that James was a bit hasty. These men might not understand English, but the tone was unmistakable. Dusty watched as the officer stiffened in indignation. "Have a peppermint." Dusty watched in amazement as James held out a handful of the candies. The Germans discussed quietly with themselves for a moment.
"You eat first." the English was very laboured.
"Right ho." Dusty watched as James popped one into his mouth, and bit it firmly.
"You to." Dusty blinked, then looked at the peppermints in James' hand, finally he took one, an popped it into his mouth and bit firmly.
Granna looked thoughtfully at Beth and Rolly, then turned to Juliana.
"Do you agree?" Juliana nodded, then emitted a stifled giggle. "Let's get to it then." Granna unhooked the shears from her apron and started to cut with firm confident strokes. Juliana followed suit, and Beth grimaced at Rolly.
"I knew that something would happen, but I never thought that it would be a haircut."
"Stop that Miss Beth. Otherwise I'll cut crookedly, and believe me, that is something you do not want." Beth's shoulders started to shake. "Don't do that either." Beth sat rigidly and silently, except for her face, which she wore in an expression of bored martyrdom. Juliana was soon convulsed in laughter and totally unfit to cut hair. Granna soon finished her job cutting Beth's hair and moved onto Rolly. "Beth take Juliana into the house. She'll show you the bucket and soap. Fill the bucket from the kettle on the hob, and bring bucket, soap and water outside. You're both going to have to wash your hair. Juliana, when Beth has seen the necessaries tell Kenneth that I want him to bring out some of his slacks and jumpers. These two have to be their parts, not just look them." Beth and Juliana hurried into the house, did their tasks and reformed with Kenneth out on the lawn. "Get washing Beth. Juliana, we need the tape measure, as well as those old cravats the boys used to use." Juliana vanished again, Beth and Rolly washed their hair, while Granna was talking clothes with Kenneth. Granna then bundled up the clothes, and ordering Kenneth to deal with the hair and water, frog marched the two girls into the house.
"And remember only sponge baths until you return to Dynnyrner." Granna then lead the way down to high tea. The Fitzwilliam clan collapsed in hilarity as Granna entered with the two girls. "Allow me to introduce Clarence and Edward to you. Clarence, Edward let me introduce..." Granna's voice was drowned out by laughter, and soon the family were eating hurriedly. Rolly and Beth were to leave that evening for the inn connected with the Beinn Fhada tourist flights.
Jack looked nervously at the large gentleman who sat across from him.
"Private John Townsend?" Jack nodded nervously. "I believe that yesterday you had a minor disagreement with Major MacNiell?"
"Sir?"
"In short I have been lead to believe that you blew up his car."
"No, sir."
"Then what is your story?"
"Oh, I threw a peppermint at him because he was rude." Captain Edward Dressingham looked doubtfully at the man who had been introduced as Nick.
"You threw a peppermint at him?" Nick nodded, his smile was angelic, and his face was expressionless. "Well that's not much to complain about, and it doesn't explain why his car exploded."
"If you knew about his peppermints I doubt you would be so casual."
"What's this about his peppermints?"
"Oh no you don't!" Jack's hand shot out. "Sorry, sir. We've had enough demonstrations for today."
"Okay what are they made of?" Jack shrugged, so Edward glanced at Nick, and raised his eyebrows inquisitively. Nick smiled back winningly, and hunched over his mug of ale. "Could I possibly see one?" Nick produced it and started to chuck it across the table.
"Oh no you don't." Jack's hand nailed Nick's to the table. Jack then carefully handed the peppermint to Edward. Edward turned it over carefully.
"It has an impact detonator, so do squeeze it." Edward glanced in surprise at Nick.
"What is it with this guy?"
"I don't know, I thought it was shell shock, but his behavior doesn't tally up."
"Your right about that." Edward threw the peppermint at the other wall. As Jack's eyesight recovered, he glared at Edward.
"What in hell made you do that, sir?"
"I had my doubts as to whether you were telling the truth. Apparently you were." Edward stared in amazement at the large hole in the wall.
"I thought you said that Nick would throw no more peppermints in the mess." The commander stuck an angry face in the door.
"It wasn't Nick, sir. It was Captain Dressingham from intelligence. He did not believe that Nick had only thrown a peppermint at Major MacNiell."
"So that's whose car he bombed yesterday. The man is a liability. My apologies to Raymond, Captain. MacNiell must have given him a rough time." Edward shrugged.
"I don't actually know. We'll send someone from the shock ward to pick this guy up."
"I'd prefer if you didn't." Jack stared at his commander in amazement.
"I beg your pardon commander?"
"I would prefer that Nick is not removed. He may cause difficulties occasionally, but he is one of our best workers. He is never drunk."
"He seems like his permanently drunk." Edward stood up.
"Very well, I'll make my report. Though what I'll say I don't know."
"Say that the only thing that occurred was a peppermint was thrown at the car. Intelligence heads can then draw their own conclusions." Edward grimaced and nodded.
Chapter 47
Dusty kept his eyes on James' face, he did not know why, but he had a singularly nasty feeling about the future. James' face had shown absolutely no expression since he had offered the peppermints. The guards stood conversing in a small huddle, but finally they broke up and the English speaker walked over.
"You stay. Hans, Friedrich and Stefan will watch you, yes." Dusty nodded, there was nothing else he could do. The rest of the Germans walked off, leaving their three companions to watch the disarmed James and Dusty.
"Dusty." Dusty could hardly hear James' voice.
"Yes?" James dropped into the Gaelic of Beinn Fhada.
"Be ready. Give my apologies to Beth, and love to all."
"What the...James don't be stupid."
"Don't be stupid yourself. Only one of us will certainly get out of this alive. Fizz must be found, plus that bit about that line at Abbe-Deux crossroads."
"But wait a minute."
"We don't have a minute, I'm no damn good on land without you or Fizz." Dusty started to protest again, but James had thrown the Bullseye. Dusty found himself thrown violently by the blast, and rolling down the hill. With a violent kick he got his feet under himself and started running, flat out, away from the hill. Suddenly Dusty remembered the peppermint he had in his mouth, quickly he pulled it out of his mouth and pocketed it.
Beth gave her head a rub, then glanced at the man who met them outside MacUalraig. Honestly, she could see no difference between him and Fizz, but as Dusty had said, he did not feel right. Beth glanced briefly at Rolly, who nodded quietly. Beth turned then a looked gravely at the man.
"Good afternoon." The greeting sounded stilted and uneasy to Beth, but the man seemed to observe nothing amiss.
"Afternoon. Miss Elizabeth and Miss Caroline?" Beth and Rolly nodded, but for each other's name. "I'm Darcy. Come I'll show you your rooms." Beth and Rolly followed silently. The rooms they were given were fairly distant from the servants quarters, Beth scrutinized her room closely then walked into Rolly's room. She found Rolly sitting on her bed, a dour expression on her face.
"Let's go walk in the grounds Elizabeth, I'm stiff from so much sitting." Rolly nodded, and the two girls departed, getting thoroughly lost in their attempts to find the way out of the house.
"Caroline, I think we had better just walk in this direction until we can walk no further. We will probably find a set of stairs soon." Beth agreed, and they worked steadily down one corridor, then across the next. Ten minutes later, Darcy found them seated next to a large piece of statuary, looking exceedingly lost.
"May I help you ladies?" Beth nodded.
"If you could show Elizabeth and I how to get out of this house we would be most grateful."
"With the greatest pleasure on earth." Darcy quickly led them through a network of corridors and finally showed them the stairs to the main entry hall. "Mrs. Hawkins, the housekeeper, has a map of the passageways. She'll be in the servants quarters 'til this evening." Beth nodded and the two girls quickly descended the stairs and walked out into the large courtyard.
"That place is totally rotten with bugs, Elizabeth." Beth shook her head, and the two girls started walking briskly around the house.
"Thank you for not permitting Nick to be removed, sir."
"Don't thank me. I did it for a purely selfish reason. You may not be aware of it, but since Nick arrived, the quantity of work done in one day has grown rapidly. I find it fairly easy to overlook certain quantities of damage. Though I will say that your friend isn't very selective in who he targets." Jack blinked, frowned, then nodded. "Just make sure he does nothing to me and he doesn't retard work, and I don't care if he blows up our high command." Jack choked back his laughter and nodded. Nick walked in at this point, and frowned at Jack.
"You should not vanish like that. It makes it very hard to make sure that you are not injured."
"Sorry Nick. The commander here wished to speak to me." The commander found himself subjected to an intense but brainless inspection.
"Apology accepted. Dinner is in ten minutes. Bill has been being rude behind your back again."
"Oh God, what have you done to him this time?" Nick looked offended.
"I have done nothing this time. But he is most impolite."
"Well some of us can't live the way you do. If you'll excuse us commander?"
"Go for it. I do not understand how you tolerate the fellow?"
"I tolerate him because otherwise I'd be trying to murder him."
"That would not be friendly, Corpse."
"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me Corpse?" Jack had got used to many of Nick's peculiarities, but two he could not understand. The first was Nick's fixation on his being a corpse. The second was that he only ever seemed to hear parts of conversations, and as a result frequently did not get the correct impression about what was being discussed. Fortunately he also appeared to have a remarkably short memory. Jack sighed and walked out of the commander's office.
"Hoy, Jerk." Jack dove immediately for Nick, but he was too late. Jack watched the amazement in Private Johnson's face as Nick's knife buried itself in his shoulder.
"I thought you had been warned Johnson. COMMANDER!" The commander appeared at the yell. "I think we need an MO and fast." The commander glanced briefly, then vanished back into his office. "Nick. Go sit in the barracks and do not stir a muscle until I come." Nick sat down, but did not leave. Jack looked briefly at Johnson, then glared in exasperation at Nick. Two minutes later a car screeched to a halt, and the MO from Squadron 273 climbed out.
"What's Nick done now?" Jack indicated the limp figure of Johnson. "What was his offense?"
"He called me a jerk."
"I wouldn't mind a bodyguard like that at times. But I will agree that he could be a serious nuisance."
"You're telling me nothing." The MO quickly pulled the knife out and stitched the wound. Jack wiped the blade clean and handed it back to Nick.