Wallace Intervenes (15 page)
Read Wallace Intervenes Online
Authors: Alexander Wilson
‘Do you think,’ asked Gottfried anxiously, ‘that, if you are ordered to appear as witnesses at the trial you and Cousins can go through with it without engendering mistrust? I shudder to think what would happen, if that took place and it was discovered who you are.’
Sir Leonard smiled.
‘It would cause a bit of a sensation, wouldn’t it?’ he chuckled calmly. ‘I have no intention of presenting von Strom with such a
triumph, however, and, I’ll see that Cousins does not. We shall be word perfect in our parts by the time we are called upon to give evidence.’
‘How about the fellow Carl who was always spying on the baroness? Won’t he declare that he has never seen you?’
‘On the contrary, he will declare that he has. He is going to supply us with our bona fides.’ Gottfried looked astonished but made no further comment. Sir Leonard drew the envelope containing the Baroness von Reudath’s statement from his pocket. ‘Now,’ he declared, ‘we shall find out all we want to know.’
He opened it, drawing out the several sheets of paper it contained and a smaller sealed envelope which he laid aside for the time being. Sophie had written in German in neat legible handwriting which presented no difficulties whatsoever to the reader. She commenced without superscription or, in fact, without address or date, plunging directly into the narrative she had to tell. Translated, it read:
I, the Baroness, Sophie Wera von Reudath, declare that the following is entirely true in every detail. It is drawn from my own personal knowledge and observation, and is not, in any one particular, obtained from hearsay. My husband, the late Baron von Reudath, was a great personal friend of the present leaders of Germany. He became acquainted with them when they were fighting to obtain recognition and, growing very impressed with the doctrines for the welfare of Germany that they preached, threw in his lot with them, thereby becoming perhaps their firmest and most steadfast helper. The Baron von Reudath, as is well-known, did a considerable amount of propaganda work for the
Chancellor, never sparing himself, and travelling all over Germany to raise support for the cause that, to him, had become almost a religion. But he was not a very strong man, and his hard work told on his health, as a consequence of which he eventually became ill and died. Before that event, however, I had been imbued with some of his enthusiasm and had also helped. I was sometimes admitted to their councils with the other leaders of their party.
After my husband’s death, I automatically took his place. It became a habit of the Supreme Marshal of State to hold the most confidential discussions in my house. I took part in some of these. There were times, however, when he, the Chancellor, and the Minister of Propaganda, excluded me from their deliberations and conferred together behind locked doors. The subject of their discussions on these occasions was, I believe, the complete subjugation of all opposition parties in the Reichstag. Directly the Chancellor obtained full power, he set about planning secretly to place Germany once again in the position among the nations she had once occupied. He was resolved that the terms of the Treaty of Versailles should be revoked, but, before he was in a position to act at all defiantly, it was necessary for him to recruit a strong army, navy and air force. These, I was assured, were for defensive purposes only. I was told that when Germany declared her intention of ignoring the treaty it was very likely that France, Italy, perhaps Poland and Russia as well, would take aggressive measures. To guard against anything of that nature it was essential to equip and train a powerful force secretly. I had several long arguments with the Supreme Marshal concerning the
matter. I pointed out to him that it was Germany’s duty to respect her obligations, no matter how hard they were. He would reply to that, sometimes by falling into a rage; sometimes by pointing out to me that I myself had often spoken of the harsh manner in which Austria had been treated, and had said that she could not be blamed, if she endeavoured to throw off the shackles in which she was bound. That is true I had said it. I still feel very keenly that Austria was made the scapegoat and, of all countries, suffered the most.
About the time that these new plans were being formed the Supreme Marshal began to show in no uncertain manner that his interest and confidence in me was not altogether due to my brains and judgment. His attentions became more and more intimate as time went on, and, he often attempted to make love to me. I was forced, on several occasions, to remind him of his wife. She, I might as well state, had enquired, I believe, why it was necessary for him to continue to hold private conferences in my home after the Baron von Reudath had died. I understand that she pointed out to him that times and his circumstances had changed. Whereas he had commenced using the house of the Baron von Reudath when he had no convenient place of his own, matters had vastly altered. Apart from his private rooms at the Reichstag, there was his own palatial residence. Why could he not use that for his secret conferences? It will be seen that my position was becoming embarrassing. What reply he made to his wife, I am not in a position to state, but he continued to use my house almost as though it was indeed his own. In addition, his
visits became more frequent and were not always due to conferences. Eventually I decided that I should have to leave the country. I had no regrets. In spite of the fact that I had married a German, I had never been able to feel myself a German subject. My heart is, and always has been devoted to my country, Austria.
I told him of my intention, and he was very much upset. He begged me to remain in Germany, and promised that, if I did, he would not pay me any attentions distasteful to me. In addition, he declared that he had need of what he called my cool, calculating brain. I allowed myself to be persuaded to stop. I feel now that his purpose in reporting his entire confidence in me from that time on was to keep me in the country under his power. As I had been entrusted with secrets of such importance, he felt he could insist on my remaining in Germany; if despite his injunctions I went, he could revenge himself on me by accusing me of treachery. I did not realise that then, of course. I have felt it ever since he showed such violent opposition to my leaving Germany even on a holiday. I know I am in great danger; that at any moment, I may be arrested, and tried for treason. It is because of this that I have decided to write these lines with the enclosed information and place the document where it can be found if anything happens to me, for it may be necessary for the sake of Europe and the world at large that all be made public before very long.
When confiding in me the matters of which I am writing, he made me take a vow that I would never divulge them. Before doing so I asked him if they were of a nature aggressive to Austria or other countries. He assured me
they were not. I accepted his word and readily took the oath he imposed. As time went by, however, I began to feel he had lied to me; feared that a scheme conceived on a scale so gigantic must mean that, despite his declaration, his intentions were of an offensive character. But I had given my oath and until I was certain that he had misled me, could not break it. Since my suspicions were first roused I have searched diligently for what I have described as the link in the chain of knowledge, the link, in other words, that will prove to me beyond a shadow of doubt that directly Germany is fully prepared she will declare war. In my heart I know that I have been fooled; yet I feel I cannot break my vow without the proof I need. In writing these lines I am trusting to the honour of the great service I have suddenly discovered to my delight and gratitude, is ready to help me. I am confident that no attempt will be made to obtain this document unless I am arrested or killed. In conclusion I declare that I am not in the espionage service of Austria, am not in any way connected with the Austrian government. All desires to help my country and fears on her behalf are actuated entirely by my love for her. I ask the recipient of this to communicate at once with Vienna, giving all details as set down in the enclosed papers, if I am murdered, or arrested and executed. Sophie Wera von Reudath.
Sir Leonard looked up at Gottfried as he finished reading, and his grey eyes, for once in way, were eloquent of his thoughts.
‘A woman worth saving,’ he observed; ‘a woman I am proud to serve.’
Gottfried, who, at his invitation, had read over his shoulder, nodded.
‘I hope I have the pleasure of meeting her someday,’ he murmured, ‘Young Foster is amazingly lucky to have won the love of a woman like that.’
‘He certainly is,’ agreed Wallace.
Sir Leonard tore open the second envelope, and withdrew the contents. Immediately he and the Berlin manager of
Lalére et Cie
became absorbed in that which was so clearly set out before their eyes. It was evident to them at once that here was no description of a scheme conceived for defensive purposes. From first to last the plan spoke of aggression. Throughout Germany, in workshops, factories, business houses men had for well over a year been secretly drilled and trained to carry arms. In schools and colleges the same exercises obtained until it was evident that Germany had become, on a greater scale than ever before, a vast military organisation. And not only men and boys, but women and girls as well underwent the training. At the same time, in several remote districts, hosts of aeroplanes and airships were being constructed and, while apparently little attention was being paid to the building of major warships, every new liner was being framed of
armoured steel and made powerful enough to carry guns of a heavy calibre, thus assuring Germany of a fleet of speedy, dangerous cruisers. Above all a large number of submarines of great range and strength had already been constructed and more were being built. It was the intention of the Chancellor and his advisers to bring in conscription as soon as they were in a position to show their hand, then a force of five hundred thousand men, equipped with heavy and field guns, tanks, machine guns, and supported by a great air fleet, would move quietly to within easy distance of the Austrian frontier. An equal army similarly equipped would secretly take up its position near the French frontier while smaller ones would arrive in the neighbourhood of Czechoslovakia and the Polish Corridor. The baroness had even been made acquainted with the manner in which such vast bodies of men were to be moved without causing comment. The manoeuvres were necessarily to be carried out by degrees; they would take months to be completed, but Sir Leonard was unable to forbear expressing his admiration for the brain that had conceived an undertaking of a nature so gigantic. The people of Austria, France and Czecho-Slovakia would have awakened one fine day to find themselves invaded by vast, well-equipped armies against which they would be ill-prepared to defend themselves and their countries.
It was a mighty scheme, wonderfully conceived, but its greatest warrant of success was not the numbers of men, guns, aeroplanes, tanks and the submarines that would roam the seas, as much as the deadly gas invented by Hans Mohrenwitz and the wireless ray of Joachim Brau. The Baroness von Reudath included the formula of the gas and full details of the ray. No wonder, reflected Sir Leonard, that she was in such deadly peril. Gottfried drily commented that it was amazing what fools even the greatest and most ambitious of
men will make of themselves because of infatuation for women. It was almost unbelievable that the Supreme Marshal of Germany could have confided to the girl who had taken possession of his senses matters of such vital and world-shattering importance. The gas was guaranteed to penetrate all but specially constructed masks and suits. It was stated to be able to enter the body through the pores of the skin and roots of the hair, and was swift in its deadliness. Sophie wrote of both the gas and wireless ray from the point of view of their being weapons of defence, but neither Wallace nor Gottfried took any account of that. They regarded the whole scheme, and they could hardly do otherwise, as a vast plan of attack. Joachim Brau had successfully demonstrated that his ray effectively disabled the ignition system of a petrol engine. It caused the entire magnets to melt within the space of less than two minutes, while it had an effective range of three miles and could be transmitted directionally in the manner of the beam wireless system. It did not take a great deal of imagination to conceive the use of such an invention in time of war. Not only would it put armoured cars and tanks out of action, but an invisible barrier of these wireless rays would stop the engines of enemy aircraft, and cause them to be hurled to destruction. Moreover the baroness stated that Brau’s invention would penetrate any normal type of screening system. The only possible way to avoid its disabling effect would be to fit aeroplanes with engines of a compression ignition type which are without magnets or coil. The ray had been conceived on the basis that interference between wireless and an electrical ignition system is mutual.
Sir Leonard folded up the papers which contained information of such tremendous significance to the whole of Europe; handed them to his companion.
‘You must go to Paris on important business concerning the firm tomorrow,’ he directed. ‘There must be no delay. Cousins and I will affect the rescues as best we can alone. It is essential that those must reach the Foreign Secretary as soon as possible. As soon as you reach Paris get Lalére to telephone to Carter to cross from London immediately. You will seal the papers, and hand them to him with instructions to take them at once to the Foreign Office. Understand?’
‘Very well, sir,’ Gottfried put them carefully away in an inner pocket of his coat.
‘When you report what you have been told by your two Bavarian clients to the Minister of Propaganda, you can mention incidentally that you have been called to Paris for a conference. We don’t want him to rope you in also as a witness against the baroness. Of course, if he does it, it can’t be helped. You must make no objection, and postpone your departure for a day or two. In that event the delay cannot be helped.’ Gottfried had refilled his glass as he was speaking. He raised it now, looked reflectively at its amber contents for a moment or two; then added softly: ‘I drink to the safety of a very gallant lady.’
Gottfried hastened to raise his own glass. It was amazing the expression almost of reverent gentleness that crossed his stern, rugged face as he murmured, ‘That Baroness von Reudath.’
A few minutes later came a ring at the door bell, and Cousins was admitted. In reply to Sir Leonard’s questioning look the little man smiled, and nodded.
‘Everything OK, sir,’ he announced. ‘Miss Meredith reached the embassy without incident of any kind, and is now safely inside.’
‘Excellent,’ remarked the chief. ‘Now have a drink, and we’ll start on our preparations.’
A few minutes after Wallace and Cousins commenced changing their disguises. First of all they removed all traces of their previous characterisations, and revelled in warm baths – a distinct and pleasing relief to both of them. It was only then that Sir Leonard gave his companions details of the fresh roles he had decided Cousins and he would play.
‘Do you remember the two Bavarians living in the Hungaria at Budapest who became so friendly with Dora Reinwald and Rosemary Meredith?’ he asked the little man.
‘You mean August Keller and Franz Minck, sir?’
‘Exactly. You and I will borrow their personalities. They had several conversations with the baroness and Foster, and dined with them and the two girls once. Keller was about my height and Minck was not much taller than you, though a good deal stouter, so there are no insurmountable difficulties.’
‘Can you remember them sufficiently to deceive the spy?’ asked the dubious Gottfried.
Sir Leonard nodded.
‘I studied them on purpose,’ he told the other. ‘It occurred to me then that it might be useful to fix a mental picture of them in my mind with a view to impersonating them if fresh characters were needed. It will be more difficult to convince the baroness and Fraulein Reinwald who were in personal contact with Keller and Minck. It might be awkward if they declared we were imposters.’
He and Cousins set to work, Gottfried helping the chief from time to time in the adjustments of garments he could not manage with his one hand. While his fingers were expertly altering his face, Sir Leonard instructed Cousins in the story they would repeat to Gottfried when they entered the shop in the morning,
and advised and directed him regarding his conduct if and when questioned by the Minister of Propaganda and afterwards when acting as witnesses. Cousins nodded and smiled from time to time. Neither he nor Wallace seemed to consider that there was any particular danger attached to the undertaking to which they were about to commit themselves. Gottfried felt differently, however, the worried frown on his brow testifying to the anxiety of his thoughts. He mentioned his doubts once, but Wallace smiled cheerfully at him.
‘The very fact,’ he declared, ‘that we will be giving evidence against the baroness will be our greatest safeguard. Who would suspect people desiring to help her who were engaged in condemning her?’
Always thorough and extremely careful to leave nothing to chance, Sir Leonard and Cousins took a considerable time over their preparations. At length they were completed, and once again their individualities had changed entirely. Cousins, thanks to specially constructed shoes, was three or four inches taller than his normal. He had become stout, red-faced, and jolly-looking with sparse fair hair, and wore a pair of large glasses through which he looked benevolently out at the world. Sir Leonard was his own slim self, but had a long, narrow, rather sallow face and slightly protruding upper teeth. His hair was also fair, but thick and untidy; his nose was inclined to be pointed, while a straggly moustache surmounted his upper lip. A long scar suggestive of a student’s duel ran the course of his left eye to his chin. Gold rimmed pince-nez over a pair of half-closed sleepy eyes completed his disguise. Gottfried inspected them both, expressing his admiration. He still felt very doubtful, however, of the welcome of the daring enterprise on which they were hoping
to embark, but said no more. He knew it would not only savour of impertinence, but be utterly useless to attempt to persuade Sir Leonard to decide on a less risky method of finding out all he wanted to know about the prison. The chief regarded his artificial arm rather ruefully.
‘I notice,’ he remarked, ‘that Keller had a habit of using his left arm rather a lot. That is something I cannot do. I dare not show my left hand at all. Yet it will perhaps appear strange to that fellow Carl if he is at all of an observant nature.’ He stood in thought for a few moments, after which he smiled a little. ‘I had an accident just before leaving Budapest – fell down and broke a small bone in my wrist. I shall want bandages and a sling, Gottfried, please.’
A couple of hours later, he and Cousins quietly left the flat, Gottfried having first ascertained that the way was perfectly clear. They went to the Anhalt Station by a circuitous route, and hid themselves in the vicinity, waiting for the coming of the early morning train from Prague. On its arrival they mingled with the passengers, and engaged a taxicab to drive them to the Adlon Hotel. Both carried bags well-labelled and indicating that they had come from Vienna and Budapest. They registered as August Keller and Franz Minck, and appeared a couple of men imbued with the determination to enjoy themselves, though perhaps Minck gave the impression of possessing a heartier sense of enjoyment than his companion. They were well-dressed, and seemed to be amply supplied with money. They ate excellent breakfasts; after which they strolled out of the hotel to see the sights both apparently looking forward eagerly to an enjoyable stay in Berlin. It would be difficult to imagine how either Sir Leonard or Cousins were able to appear so thoroughly bright and energetic. Neither had
had much sleep since arriving in Berlin by the same train that had brought the Baroness von Reudath and her companions to that city – on the previous night they had merely dozed for an hour or so, in Gottfried’s easy chairs. Neither, however, showed signs of the slightest fatigue.
Shortly after nine they entered the imposing shop of
Lalére et Cie
, and informed the assistant, who hastened to attend to their requirements, that they wished to purchase perfume for three ladies. Gottfried had known the exact time they would arrive, and had taken care to be in the shop. He entered into conversation with them, joining in the important discussion on scent. When they confessed that they had no idea of the preference of the three ladies, he shook his head solemnly.
‘That is a great pity,’ he declared. ‘I do not know how to advise you. You see, gentlemen, without knowing, you may present them with something they do not like. All Lalére’s perfumes are beautiful, we do not deal in anything of an inferior or pungent quality; nevertheless, you must remember there are individual tastes.’
‘We did not think of that,’ admitted the sham Herr Keller. He looked at his companion. ‘Do you know what the baroness or Dora or Rosemary like, Franz?’ he asked.
The stout Herr Minck beamed cheerfully.
‘No, I do not know. Perhaps, if we buy
Eau de Cologne
we will be safe.’
Herr Keller clicked his teeth impatiently.
‘How can we present
Eau de Cologne
to the Baroness von Reudath!’ he protested.
Gottfried and his assistant favoured them with looks of interest.
‘Do you know the Baroness von Reudath?’ asked the former.
‘Of course,’ returned Franz Minck. ‘My friend and I had the privilege of much charming conversation with her. We were more friendly with her companions you will understand, but she was very kind.’
‘And so delightfully frank,’ added Herr Keller. ‘She told us much of the confidence His Excellency reposes in her. His plans are very wonderful, do you not think so? He is indeed a great man.’
Gottfried suggested a perfume which he thought would appeal to the ladies, and, on the two visitors announcing their intention to take his advice, sent his assistant away to procure the selected bottles, and wrap them up. The manager then leant confidentially over the counter.
‘I agree with you that His Excellency is a great man,’ he declared. ‘The baroness, of course is known to be in his confidence. Did she tell you much of his plans?’
‘She could not tell us a great deal,’ replied Keller. ‘She would not reveal such secrets, but we could read between the lines. The scheme for equipping a great army, air corps, and navy, and the methods of obtaining them she did not divulge but we know there are plans on foot for the raising of men, building of ships and aeroplanes, and that the government possesses a great secret which, in time of war, would confound the enemy.’
