The Baron Goes East (15 page)

Authors: John Creasey

Tags: #Crime

BOOK: The Baron Goes East

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“
Stage
a raid,” Kyneton choked. “Was last nightâ”

“As phoney as the blue diamonds, arranged to get us into the right frame of mind,” Mannering said. “Kalda has used the Bundi, probably a genuine organisation at one time, to cover himself all along. He even sent one blue diamond out of the country, using Phiroshah, to show how anxious he was to sell. I'm guessing, but I think real Bundi agents, misguided zealots, went after those and killed Yusuf Phiroshah in New York. They probably carried out the London robbery, too, and made Phiroshah a tool in Kalda's hands, ready to lend his name to the invitations to the big dealers. But old Phiro named me. Kalda didn't like the idea of an amateur detective around and forgot to invite me. Phiroshah, not knowing that, made sure I came. As the sample diamond was still in Phiroshah's possession, he used that to lure me to India.

“Kalda tried to keep me away â by threats, by a show of force at my shop. He tried to send me back, using kid-glove methods at first. When I stayed, he turned desperate, but he wasn't sure why I stayed, what Phiroshah and I knew. His son was in love with Phiroshah's daughter, might have some idea of the truth, might have told Shani, who would have told her father. He had Phiroshah and I kidnapped, but we got away before his men could question us and find out what we knew. Then he took Shani and his own son â would a man be party to kidnapping his own son? Holding Shani, he felt safe from Phiroshah. Old Patel was dead. He could use his house, have his own son freed â as it happened, I freed Jagat before it was intended â who would pass the message on to me. He, the Maharajah, doubted Phiroshah's honesty. A nice touch. And Jagat had to get me here quickly. Kalda had to know when I started; would have had my plane brought down somehow. So I came ahead of time.”

Mannering stopped. No one spoke for what seemed a long time.

Then the Maharajah moved his position slightly, and a taut smile curved his lips.

“You are so clever and talk so much. Tell me, how are you going to take this story to the police?”

“Ah!” ejaculated van Groot. “Is there a way, Mannering?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
THE WAY OUT

The Maharajah's smile broadened as Mannering stood silent, covering him with the gun. Van Groot repeated harshly: “Is there a way?” No one else spoke.

Mannering said mildly: “Oh yes. After the jewels were shown last night, I had that look round. I made an interesting discovery. By moving the table and pulling up part of the carpet we can get below the palace to the strong-room and the tunnel. That's where we're going. The air's quite fresh down there. There are some iron rations and plenty of rice â I saw that last night, too. We'll take some water, and be able to stay there for a few days.”

“It will not help you.” But Kalda's smile had lost its edge of triumph.

“Oh, I don't know,” said Mannering. “You'll be with us. If any of your people try to get at us, we will simply tell them you'll be killed if there's any trouble. They won't take the chance, will they?”

“How will it help if we lock ourselves up?” demanded van Groot.

“We shan't have to stay long,” said Mannering. “I sent a message out last night. It will soon reach the Bombay police, and when they hear about the drugs they will stir up a lively Government interest in Ganpore. Three or four days down there won't be pleasant but won't be unbearable. Will it, Lorna?”

Lorna said chokily: “We'll manage.”

“You are lying,” said the Maharajah. “No one went out with a message.”

“Oh yes. Over the hills. The passes through the mountains were blocked, but there are tracks which a man on a donkey can use.” He turned to the others. “I'd have tried to stall without letting Kalda know what I knew if it hadn't been for the blocked passes. He'd get word from there as soon as the police arrived in force, and have time to get rid of us. So he's better staying with us than outside, able to give orders for our quick despatch by dacoits, and able to get rid of the cocaine. We'll wait. The police will come in good time, and â there's the way out! Satisfied, van Groot?”

The Dutchman began to smile.

“Very good,” he said.
“
Very
good. Now I know that what I hear about you is true. I did not like it when you arrived. Always, they say, you bring trouble. I like your kind of trouble. It is a good way out. I will wait.”

“You'll have to,” Petter said dryly. “How do we get below, John?”

“Shift the table first,” said Mannering. “Iâ”

He broke off. There were sounds outside, but the door didn”T open. A man called out softly, then more loudly, in the language of Ganpore. The Maharajah took a step forward.

“Talk to him through the door,” Mannering said.

“It is Rudra Patel.”

“Fine,” said Mannering. “Tell him to talk in English.”

The Maharajah said thinly: “Mannering, you will not succeed, and when I have turned the tablesâ”

Mannering called: “Rudra, can you hear me?”

After a moment, Patel's son called back: “Yes, yes, but I must talk to His Highness.”

“Through the door, and in English.”

“This is private, personal.”

“So is the gun in the Maharajah's back,” said Mannering.

“Gun!”

“In his back.”

The Maharajah said steadily: “What is it, Rudra?”

“Highnessâ” The man outside seemed to choke. “Weâmust hurry. There is an aeroplane full of police arriving at the airport. From Bombay. I have just had a telephone call telling me that it left yesterday, withâwith Prince Jagat also on board.”

Mannering was surprised at the extent of his own relief.

“I'll say we must hurry,” said Petter. “The police can't get here soon enough for us. John, did you fix this?”

“It's just a little of my everyday luck,” Mannering said.

Kana had come himself, with a high Government official, and all the men required to enforce the law in Ganpore.

Jagat was with them. Rudra's information had been accurate. Jagat, looking pale and haggard and much older than his years, was present when his father was formally arrested. Kalda neither looked nor spoke to his son. Three senior policemen took the Maharajah out of the palace, where he would be taken straight to the aerodrome. Jagat went up the stairs to the window and looked along the drive as his father was driven off in his own car.

Mannering and old Kana went slowly up the stairs after him. The detective, dressed in his western clothes, was frowning as if troubled. Downstairs, the Americans and van Groot were talking excitedly.

Lorna followed the other two up the stairs.

The car disappeared.

Jagat turned away, and there were tears in his eyes. He fought them back, looked at Kana, raised his hands and said huskily: “So I have betrayed him.”

“It was right, my son,” said Kana gently. “It was right. Your good friend Mannering was here and able to stop what might have been a great slaughter. Had that happened and the truth came out, the name of Kalda and Ganpore would stink in the nostrils of man. You have a chance to work for the state. In the aircraft you told me that was what you wanted. Has it stopped being true?”

Jagat said: “No. No, it is true.”

“Of course,” said Kana. “Also, you make a poor liar, my son. Isn't that so, Mannering?”

Mannering asked: “What happened to you, Jagat? Why were you kidnapped? What message were you to bring for me?”

“But I tried to tell you.” The youth spoke as he looked towards the window again. “On my father's orders, I was to tell you that we did not trust Phiroshah. I did trust him. I am in love with Shani. I know both Shani and her father well; I have no doubt of their honesty.

“I suspected what was being planned, and I had seen cocaine in my father's strong-room.

“I could not bring myself to tell you what I thought, but gave you some clues. I told you what my father instructed, but tried to warn you not to obey. You understood that?” He was suddenly eager.

Mannering smiled.

“You did it well; we'll always be grateful. The kidnappingâ”

“Of Jagat, because Shani could not be taken alone,” said the detective quietly. “Of ShaniâI am not sure, but I think I can guess.”

Jagat said: “It was because of Shani that I came to you, Mr. Kana. Shani was kidnapped because my father began to fear Phiroshah might begin to suspect the truth. I had to help her. And there was more. If you saw, as I have seen, the harm done by drugs here in India. If you knew the misery that they inflict, the way in which it worsens a situation already so bad that few of us can see how to improve itâ”

Jagat broke off.

“All is well, my son,” said Kana. He smiled at Mannering, turned to Lorna, although until then he hadn't shown that he knew she was present. “Shani is safe. We found her in the caves at the lakes. All members of the Patel family have been arrested. There is one other thing that will interest you, Mannering.” He gripped Mannering's arm. “Phiroshah will recover. He is a most remarkable young old man!”

Three weeks later, Lorna sat on a couch in a room at the Taj Mahal Hotel, with a sketch pad on her knees and her pencil idle in her fingers. Mannering looked as if he were dozing, in a long chair. He opened his eyes, and Lorna said: “Like a drink?”

“Obstinate woman. Yes, please. Just shout âAmu' and he'll know what you want at this time of the afternoon.”

Lorna called: “Amu!”

The door opened, and Amu asked promptly: “Tea for the memsahib?”

“Please, Amu.”

“At once.” Amu withdrew, closing the door quietly.

Mannering laughed.

“Seen enough?” he asked.

“Not nearly enough,” said Lorna. “I can close my eyes and see the Taj Mahal and the red forts and the mosques and the beauty and the ugliness, the history and the mystery. It hurts too much when they're close together. I don't want to stay any longer, but I'm glad we came.”

“And tomorrow we leave,” said Mannering.

“Are you satisfied?”

Mannering said: “I feel rather like you do. At least Phiroshah has taken a new lease of life; Shani's happy; Jagat isn't letting things get him down too much, I'm told. I turned in that necklace I took from Patel's house â an anonymous present to the police â so my conscience is clear. By the way, a wedding present will soon be due. Mind if I make a suggestion?”

“You don't often hesitate.”

“I don't often make this kind. Paint Shani for them.”

Lorna's eyes kindled.

“Done!” said Mannering. He saw the door open and went on: “Ah, here's tea.”

“It wasn't tea, but Phiroshah. He bowed at the door and then came forward slowly, smiling, looking more ancient than ever but with the light of peace in his eyes. He shook hands, and Mannering pushed up a pouf for him.

“Thank you, my friend. I came myself, because I was so pleased at what I have just heard. From Jagat.” His eyes were shining. “My daughter is indeed fortunate, and I can say that I have a true son.”

The others waited.

“Yes,” said Phiroshah, “Jagat will be worthy, whatever he does. He sends the news I have for you. He is to sell all the jewels he inherits and use the money for social work in Ganpore. He will turn the palace into living quarters for hundreds of families, and he and Shani will live in a small house nearby. But that isn't what he asks me to tell you. He would like you to dispose of the jewels. You will, I'm sure.”

Mannering murmured: “Why not you?”

“Oh, my friend, I am too old to worry any more about business,” said Phiroshah gently. “I told you, I shall sell out soon. You will accept?”

“Gladly. And â thanks.”

“Listen to him,” said Phiroshah. “He is thanking me. What nonsense he can talk!” He smiled at Lorna, then looked back at Mannering, beginning to frown. “There is one thing which may have puzzled you, Mannering. It did me, for a while. The murder of my sons. The true Bundi killed Yusuf in New York. Misguided zealots, who could blame them? Also they stole those jewels in England, tried to rob you of the blue diamond. ButâAliâAli, my beloved son. I have the truth of that, now. He was not attacked by dacoits on the way to the Maharajah. He reached the palace safely â and saw enough there to guess what was being planned. He was attacked when leaving the palace, not going to it â and not by dacoits. Did you see the truth about Ali, Mannering?”

“It started me doubting the Maharajah of Ganpore,” Mannering said quietly. “Would thieves leave a dying man with a diamond?”

“You see, I am getting old,” said Phiroshah. He glanced at the door, as Amu came in with the tea. “Ah! And here is a drink fit for an old one.”

The old Hindu smiled at Lorna, as he would at Shani and his sons.

Series Information

Published or to be published by

House of Stratus

Dates given are those of first publication

Alternative titles in brackets

'The Baron' (47 titles) (writing as Anthony Morton)

'Department 'Z'' (28 titles)

'Dr. Palfrey Novels' (34 titles)

'Gideon of Scotland Yard' (22 titles)

'Inspector West' (43 titles)

'Sexton Blake' (5 titles)

'The Toff' (59 titles)

along with:

The Masters of Bow Street

This epic novel embraces the story of the Bow Street Runners and the Marine Police, forerunners of the modern police force, who were founded by novelist Henry Fielding in 1748. They were the earliest detective force operating from the courts to enforce the decisions of magistrates. John Creasey's account also gives a fascinating insight into family life of the time and the struggle between crime and justice, and ends with the establishment of the Metropolitan Police after the passing of Peel's Act in 1829.

'The Baron' Series