Read Online Beneath the Aurora by Richard Woodman - Free Book Online

activities can be subsumed by his own office and that my own personal expertise is of little consequence.’ Templeton paused to master his bitterness, adding, with a touch of venom, ‘I think he is jealous of our independence.’
    â€˜I shouldn’t wonder,’ Drinkwater temporized, pondering on how best to further matters in so far as Bardolini’s news was concerned.
    â€˜I assured him that, notwithstanding our lack of recent progress, there were indications that matters of importance would shortly come to a head and that your own absence testified to this.’ Templeton fell ominously silent. There was obviously an element of deep and significant drama, at least as far as Templeton was concerned, in this exchange.
    â€˜What did Mr Barrow say to that?’ Drinkwater prompted with a tolerant patience he was far from feeling.
    â€˜He said’, Templeton began with an evasive air, as if he found the admission distasteful, ‘that it did not seem to much matter these days whether you were in or out, sir, but that on balance your achievements in the past had proved rather more effective in the public service when you were out, preferably at sea, sir.’
    Drinkwater suppressed an outburst of laughter with a snort that Templeton construed as indignation. In all justice Drinkwater could not find much flaw in Barrow’s decision, given that Barrow knew nothing of the events of the last two days, but in consideration of Templeton’s feelings, he kept his face straight.
    â€˜It is my fault, I’m afraid, Barrow has never liked me . . .’
    â€˜I find it difficult to see why, sir.’
    â€˜Thank you, but we disagreed some years ago and I think he has seen my installation here as something to be terminated when the opportunity arose. I do not believe he wanted the department to outlive Lord Dungarth. Anyway, I think it is no matter now . . .’
    â€˜Oh, yes . . . forgive me, Captain Drinkwater, I have been so unseated by this unpleasant matter . . .’
    â€˜Of course, Templeton, of course. I take it you do not wish to return to the copy room?’
    â€˜The loss of emolument, sir . . .’ Templeton looked aghast.
    â€˜How attached
are
you to my person, Templeton? Sufficient to go a-voyaging?’
    â€˜To sea, sir?’ Templeton asked incredulously.
    â€˜That is the purpose of Admiralty,’ Drinkwater replied drily.
    â€˜Well yes, sir, I understand, but my widowed mother . . .’ Templeton was deathly pale.
    â€˜Never mind, then,’ Drinkwater said brusquely, ‘go at once and inform Mr Barrow of my return and my desire to speak with Mr Croker. Then, if you please, find out for me the ships and vessels currently at anchor in roadsteads on the east coast, from the Downs to Leith. A list of guardships and convoy escorts, that sort of thing, do you understand?’
    â€˜Perfectly.’ The clerk’s voice was not above a whisper.
    â€˜Good, then bring that to me, wherever I am in the building.’
    Barrow received Drinkwater in his spacious office. Neither man had alluded to their disagreement some six years earlier. * Indeed Drinkwater supposed Barrow had long ago forgotten about it, for it was Drinkwater himself who had been the more angered by their unfortunate encounter. Nevertheless, since his posting to the Secret Department, memory of the matter had disinclined Drinkwater to force his presence on the Second Secretary and he had preferred to rely upon written memoranda to communicate with the Board.
    â€˜Pray sit down, Captain Drinkwater. Mr Croker has taken his seat in the House today and I have therefore taken the liberty of asking you to see me. I think I know why you wish to speak with the First Secretary and I apologize for the manner in which you learned of our decision to incorporate Lord Dungarth’s old office with my own. I am sure you can see the