Duke Elric - Michael Moorcock [112]
Three more revolvers were now drawn to join Begg's, and all four detectives advanced. This was their chance to capture all the leaders of the German insurgency.
Mrs. Persson, seated at ease on a chair to one side of the main group, was the first to notice them.
“Raise your hands!” Begg barked in German, motioning with his Webley. “You are all under arrest.”
“Thunder and lightning!” The tall man, whom they recognized as Captain Hess, one of Hitler's closest co-conspirators, made a movement to his belt. But Lapointe crossed quickly and placed his hand on the man's arm.
Colonel Hitler glowered, his tiny blue eyes points of almost insane rage. “How did you—?”
“Cross from one plane of the multiverse to another? The same way Mrs. Persson did. Indeed, she led us to you …”
“But only a few of us knew the secret!” Herman Goering, the fat Nazi, looked rapidly from face to face. “Zenith swore—”
“So Zenith is in league with you!” Lapointe looked almost disappointed. “Well, he, too, will be arrested in good time.”
“But I am surprised, Mrs. Persson, that you should associate yourself with such scum. Enemies of all that is civilized …” Begg shook his head.
Una Persson stood up. Her beautiful face was an icy mask and her eyes showed no expression. “Ah, Sir Seaton.” Her voice mocked him. “So you are, like so many of your kind, the sole arbiter of what is civilized.”
“Englishman, we are the ones who will save everything valuable in civilization!” The gaunt man with the medical boot was Herr Goebbels, the journalist. “Without Germany there would be no civilization. No music, no art, no poetry. All that is best in your own country is the creation of the Nordic soul. All that threatens you, from without and within, is also Jewish. By saving Europe from the Jews, we shall establish a new Golden Age across our Continent. Even the Slavs will welcome this renaissance and willingly join in. Soon we shall be able to manipulate the very stuff of Creation.”
Unthinking, a furious Taffy Sinclair took a step closer to the crazed creature. “I find you unconvincing, Colonel Hitler. You would establish this new civilization by blowing up innocents and throwing the whole of our world into turmoil?”
The hideously scarred Captain Erich Rohm laughed in Sinclair's face. “Only through blood and iron will Europe be cleansed. I am a soldier. I know nothing but the art of battle. And even I understand how the Jews continue to corrupt political and cultural life! Martin Luther warned us. So, too, have a succession of popes and bishops. Not only do Jews refuse the true messiah, they wish to wipe all trace of Jesus Christ from the world! Once the warriors of Europe rose up to save Christendom from destruction. Now we rise again to mount our great crusade against the sons of Abraham. By working against us, gentlemen, you are making a terrible mistake. Join us! The Holy Grail itself will soon be in our hands. He who holds the Grail controls the Balance and therefore the universe itself!”
“You are as mad as I understood you to be, messieurs.” Lapointe drew a set of handcuffs from his overcoat pocket and advanced towards the glowering Hitler. “Now, if you will kindly—”
A shot rang out from the shadows, and the revolver went spinning from Lapointe's grasp. Another shot and LeBec clutched his right shoulder. Blood began to seep through his fingers.
“Drop your weapons!” came a cold commanding voice. “Drop them or you shall all die immediately.”
And strolling out into the circle of light came a tall, stiff-backed man dressed in perfect