The Hidden Man: A Phineas Starblower Adventure (Phineas Starblower Adventures) (22 page)

“How long will the sea crossing take captain?” Carstares interjected. “I admit we’re cutting things a little finer than I would have liked, as I said before.”

Phillips sipped his tea again and then answered, “And as I said Colonel the entire trip should take about six hours. We have been in the air an hour, it will be approximately another ninety minutes until we reach the coast. This leaves us about three to three and half hours over the ocean. Colonel you have to understand these are just estimates. It is the best we can do at this point and these estimates are based on the lack of any significant weather fronts.

“Forgive me Captain, you did tell me this. It's just that there is something about this whole business that I can’t quite put my finger on Sir and Madam” Carstares said. “I dislike being in the dark, things are muddled enough in Norway as it is.”

“Indeed,” Miss Smythe-Harris broke in. “King Charles of Sweden is making a bit of an ass of himself and not endearing the people. The Norwegian members of parliament Mr. Starblower contacted for his expedition seemed very eager to show they were capable of making decisions without reference to “any Swede” as I recall was the phrase that was used.

“Most interesting Miss Smythe-Harris, I was not aware of that,” Carstares commented. “Such a political climate makes it easier for our felons to evade the local authorities I think...”

“Ahem. If I may...” Jerard interrupted. “I was never clear as to why these German agents chose to take such a circuitous route back to their homeland. Surely it would have been simpler to smuggle the good Doctor across the channel and through France to Germany?”

“In terms of distance, yes, that would have been much simpler. However with the growing tensions between France and Germany over the Spanish succession, perhaps their first line of retreat was cut off.”

“Do you think it will be actual war in Europe Colonel Carstares?” Miss Smythe-Harris asked.

“Very possibly Madam, it would only take one more diplomatic spark to touch it off I fear. However that is not my area of concern as of now, Dr. Nordstrom’s safety is.” He leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers as he regarded Tash and Jerard. “Before we left I cabled ahead of us to some friendly contacts Her Majesty’s government has in Norway. As Miss Smythe-Harris so eloquently pointed out things are tense in Norway right now and it seems that certain elements are keen to gain the favor of the British Empire as a whole. As a result the local police and coast guard will be alert to our target vessel and others like it. If all goes to plan they will either have a list of sightings for us or perhaps even have made an arrest at sea. But I suspect the quietest way to deal with the whole business is for the Discretion to apprehend the blackguards on the high seas out sight of land.”

“Now that is a fascinating development, Mr Carstares!” Tash quipped. “I presume you think the sight of my employer’s airship descending upon them will so overawe these villains that they will throw up their hands in surrender at first glance? This state of shock will further prevent them from either shooting holes in us or threatening the good Doctor’s life for their safety. I can see you’ve thought this through.” Sarcasm coated her words like snake venom.

Having been on the end of one of Miss Smythe-Harris’s outbursts it was actually amusing to Jerard to observe another man being on the receiving end of her ire this time. He was not about to open his mouth and become a target even if he did agree with her. Jerard watched Carstares shift uncomfortably in his seat and attempt to face the incensed woman down.

“Madam please. The kidnappers at no point have shown any desire to do Dr. Nordstrom or anyone lasting harm, the chance of violence is acceptably small. I feel confidant that once they see the ‘jig is up’ they will be amenable to an offer of a deal, by which we gain the Doctor back safely and they are returned to Germany.”

“Surely Her Majesty’s intelligence wouldn’t let them go scott free Sir!” Phillips objected, forgetting his intention to remain silent.

“No indeed captain. But the concessions we could wring from Germany for this breech would be all the greater if we agreed to keep the incident from the French and the international community in general. But that is not you concern Sir, nor mine, we must focus on the retrieval of Doctor Nordstrom.”

“On behalf of Mr. Starblower I must ask again what assurances you can give that they will not simply shoot us out of the air Colonel!” Miss Smythe-Harris demanded once more.

“Actually Miss Smythe-Harris it would be exceptionally difficult to down an airship the size of the Discretion with hand held arms.” Phillips answered. “Contrary to popular opinion a bullet will pass through the hull and gas bags without doing more than causing a slight, and easily fixed I might add, leak.” As Miss Smythe-Harris turned her blazing blue eyes upon him Jerard realized he had made a mistake in inserting himself in this discussion and engaged in some mental cursing.

“Why thank you for that reassurance Captain,” she began with ominous sweetness. “That is highly reassuring for those of us that never intended to make a career out of being shot at as you and the Colonel have.”

“In the unlikely event of violence madam we would merely need to pull back to a safe height and await the Norwegian coastal police. With the Discretion overhead there would be no practical way for the kidnappers to evade capture.” Carstares broke in, rescuing Phillips before Miss Smythe-Harris could get up a full head of steam.

“You’ll pardon me if I repeat myself here gentlemen. But I find the idea rather unlikely that such ingenious and unscrupulous men would be overawed into surrender by our mere appearance Sir.” Miss Smythe-Harris snapped back at him.

Carstares refused to be ruffled and looked at the young woman steadily. “None the less madam, I can assure you and Mr. Starblower that there are rules to such international skullduggery even such as this. The German move was bold but kept to certain limits. Herr Bismarck is an able political player however and he would be sure to correctly assess when his men had failed to achieve their goal and cut his losses. Due to the gracious intercession of your employer there will be no international incident here.”

Miss Smythe-Harris looked unconvinced but said nothing, Jerard instead had a question he wanted answered as captain. “Colonel, it is all very well assuming these kidnappers are playing by these ‘international rules’ as you say but as Captain of this ship I can’t simply assume that. If they fire on this vessel I need to know your thoughts on our next course of action ahead of time. You think that simply ascending out of range is all we need to do?”

“I don’t see why not Captain Phillips” Carstares replied. “We’ll be out over the ocean there will be no place for them to hide and we can use your ships wireless to alert the authorities in Stavanger, if they get nasty.”

Miss Smythe-Harris snapped forward in her seat, no doubt with a pithy comment on her tongue but Jerard replied before she could speak. “With all due respect Sir that is incredibly short sighted. Are you not aware that the wireless radio has a range of only about two miles? So we would be in sight of land in such a case, where frankly, they might try and bolt for the shore. If they did so they might well be on land before the local authorities could render us assistance...”

“Not to mention, Colonel Carstares whom do you know in Stavanger with a wireless receiver? You don’t find these things every street corner
Sir
.” Tash said trying desperately to hold on to her temper.

“Well all I can say at this point is that there is an ‘official’ contact of Her Majesty’s government that possesses one. This contact will be liaising with local police...” Carstares began.

“Then Mr Jones, our radio operator, will need to know his contact details Sir, well ahead of time at the very least.” Jerard stated coolly. Clearly this operation had been acted upon with all due haste and less planning than he liked. Oddly he felt a pang of sympathy for Carstares, the last couple of days had seen Jerard’s own personal situation so radically changed that he could imagine Carstares’s confusion at his new ‘command’. Jerard shook his head, they needed some more direct tactical options than this; just in case. “Colonel, the crew of their ship are all Scottish yes?”

“Yes, according to the background information I saw Captain. Why do you ask?”

“Well Sir, we are a British ship and fly the colors of the empire; as is right and proper. I suggest that if we personally apprehend the fishing vessel that we hail them by semaphore and order the ship’s crew to stand down and restrain their ‘passengers’ in return for a suitable consideration.”

“What on earth is a suitable consideration Captain?” Tash said, not sure where Phillips was going with this.

“I mean that these Scotsmen have aided; perhaps unknowingly, the kidnapping of a citizen of the Empire, a crime that could carry the death sentence. We could inform them that their immediate cooperation would prove that they themselves were not guilty of this most serious crime. Besides,” Jerard shrugged, “would it not be easier for the Scottish crew to take down the two kidnappers than it would for the Discretion to apprehend the kidnapers
and
the crew of the fishing boat as well?”

Miss Smythe-Harris began to nod appreciatively. “So are you suggesting we pay these fools to turn over Dr. Nordstrom Captain Phillips?”

“I wasn’t ma’am, but now you mention it, that is a potential option. Paying a reward to citizens who assist in the apprehension of criminals is
not
unheard of.”

Carstares looked fit to explode now. “Now see here Captain Phillips Her Majesty’s government can’t be seen to be making deals with common criminals! Do you forget that these men are illegally transporting criminals?”

“But it’s fine for them to make deals with kidnapping nations? I see thank you for making that distinction Colonel!” Miss Smythe-Harris retorted, effectively silencing Carstares.

Phillips leaned forward, “All I suggest is that in the event we sight the fishing vessel we try bargaining before making demands.”

“Carrot and stick you say Captain?” Carstares ruminated. “I can I suppose allow for that.”

“Besides Colonel, we can show a bigger stick than just threats Sir,” Phillips countered. “I suggest that in the case of recalcitrance on their part we fire the landing harpoon into the water ahead of them and threaten to stave in the side of their ship if they do not comply to our…um…request for assistance.”

“Why you reckless...!” Tash leapt to her feet. “They could do anything to Everard if we tried a stunt like that! What are you thinking? Oh wait! You weren’t it only sounded like it.” Tash crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the two men.

Jerard held up a placating hand. “Please Miss Smythe-Harris I suggest that a display of force like that be our ultimate act. One designed to overawe them if all else fails and to buy us time for the authorities to arrive. But honestly it’s not likely to be our problem really, is it?”

Carstares looked at him quizzically. “What do you mean Sir?”

Jerard looked first at Miss Smythe-Harris and then at Colonel Carstairs before he caught a glimpse of Gopal sitting in the corner attempting not to smile. Jerard shook his head and tried not to smile himself. “Realistically Sir, Ma’am the chances of us intercepting one fishing vessel out on the open sea are vanishingly small, it is a very big ocean. Your cable, Colonel, to the Norwegian authorities is by far our best hope of success. They know the waters and I would have surmised that a Scottish built fishing vessel would be sufficiently different to the local variety to be a relatively easy mark to observe. Our most efficient course is to make all speed to Stavanger and await either a report from the locals or perhaps sight them ourselves as they come into port.”

Tash continued to glare at Jerard as she resumed her seat. While she was still not happy by any means at least something was being said that made sense. “That
was
the original plan.” she observed acidly. “But I was thinking...you don’t suppose that the sight of a British airship hovering above Stavanger harbor would alert them in any way do you Captain?”

Jerard winced, the lady had him there. With as much graciousness as he could manage he nodded. “You are completely correct Miss Smythe-Harris. I shall instruct Mr. Randal to find us a landing sight out of view from the harbor. Maybe a couple of volunteers from our crew can be our eyes on the ground as well as the local police.”

Carstares let out a long sigh. “I think you're both correct. A sea born interception while the best politically is also the least likely and...” He nodded to Miss Smythe-Harris “...also the one most likely to put Dr. Nordstrom’s life in peril. You can, I hope, see that my superiors would like this handled with all speed and all secrecy? Involving the Norwegians reduces that by a certain degree.”

“Yes but keeping the Doctor safe has to be the priority here Sir.” Tash interjected.

“Also correct madam.” The Colonel agreed. “Let me ask you both a question seeing as we are being so frank at the moment. Captain Phillips you suggested a couple of your crew might be willing to go into Stavanger with me to ‘be our eyes on the ground’. Do you think that any would be willing to go down and assist with the apprehension of the kidnappers?”

“Some for certain Sir but I think Miss Smythe-Harris is better able to answer that question. I have scarcely had the chance to make myself known to them as yet. But I suspect they’d do anything that she asked of them. Am I correct ma’am?” Phillips replied and took a sip of his tea.

Tash was taken by surprise as Phillips passed this key question to her. He was correct of course but she hadn’t thought that the new captain was sensitive enough to have perceived that yet. Taking a sip of her own tea to collect her thoughts, Tash considered the question. While violence was never the right answer it was sometimes the only answer, She supposed it was best to be prepared but she did not have to like it. “The Landover brothers are the obvious choice gentlemen, they’re combat veterans and I seriously doubt anything scares them, certainly not this. I also suspect they will be happy to see some…action. But Colonel Carstares this is outrageous, are you seriously asking me to put Starblower employees into potential peril like this? Why Sir did you not conscript a squad of the Coldstream Guards if you needed a private police force to act with you? We certainly have the space on board to carry them.”