The Light of the Day - Eric Ambler [43]
“Is there anything against the couple?”
“No. They are honest enough.” He put his papers away. “That is all we know so far, but, as you see, the shape of a conspiracy begins to unfold. One person goes ahead to establish a base of operations, a second person arranges for the purchase of weapons, a third arrives with the means of transporting them and a prepared cover story. Probably, the real leaders have not yet arrived. When they do, it will be your duty to report the fact. Meanwhile, your orders are, specifically, first to ascertain whether the weapons have been removed from the car or not, and secondly, if they have been removed, where they are cached. The first will be easy, the second may be difficult.”
“If not impossible.”
He shrugged. “Well, you must run no risks at this stage. Thirdly, you will continue to listen for any mention of names—names of persons or places—and report movements. Finally, you will listen particularly for any political content in their conversation. The smallest hint may be of importance in that connection. That is all, I think. Have you any questions?”
“Dozens,” I said; “only I don’t know what they are at the moment.”
I could see he hadn’t liked that at once. It was a bit cheeky, I suppose; but I was really tired of him.
He pursed his lips at me. “The Director is very pleased with you so far, Simpson,” he said. “He even spoke of the possibility of helping you in some way beyond the withdrawal of the charges against you, perhaps in connection with your papers, if your co-operation brought about a successful disposal of this matter. It is your chance. Why don’t you take it?”
This boy could do better. He should be encouraged to adopt a more positive attitude towards his schoolwork. Athletics: Fair. Punctuality: Fair. Conduct: Has left much to be desired this term. Signed: G. D. Brush, M.A. (Oxon.), Headmaster.
I did my best. “What do you mean by ‘political context’?” I asked. “Do you mean, are they in favor of democratic ideals? Or against a military dictatorship?—that’s what some people call your government, isn’t it? Do they talk about capitalist oppression or Soviet domination or the welfare of mankind? Things like that? Because, if so, I can tell you now that the only section of mankind that Harper is interested in is the bit represented by himself.”
“That could be said of a great many political conspirators. Obviously, what we are concerned with is their attitudes to the political situation here, where the army acts at present as a trustee for the Republic.” He said that stiffly; he hadn’t liked the bit about military dictatorship either. “As I have said, Harper may be merely a hired operative, but we cannot say yet. Remember, there are six pistols and ammunition for six.”
“That’s another thing I don’t understand, sir. I know that there are all those grenades, too—but pistols? Is that enough for a coup d’état. If they were machine guns now …”
“My dear Simpson, the head of a secret political organization in Belgrade once handed out four pistols to four rather stupid students. In the event, only one was used, but it was used to assassinate the Archduke Ferdinand of Austria and it started a European war. Pistols can be carried in the pocket. Machine guns cannot.”
“You think these people are out to assassinate somebody?”
“That is for you to help us discover. Have you any more questions?”
“Is there any information yet about this business-machine company, Tekelek? Harper seemed to be using it as a cover.”
“We are still awaiting word from Switzerland. If it is of interest I will let you know.”
He handed me the portable radio; then, as I