Read Online Circus by Alistair MacLean - Free Book Online Page A

blindfold?’
    He looked at her in genuine surprise. He said: ‘Miss Hopkins, you’re not just a pretty face. Do you know, I’d never thought of that.’ He pondered for a moment, then gave up. ‘Let’s go take our seats for the show. Like it, so far?’
    â€˜Very much.’
    â€˜Anything special?’
    â€˜Yes. Everybody’s so terribly nice and polite.’
    Henry smiled. ‘We’re not all just down from the trees.’ He took her arm and guided her towards the arena. His blue-stocking fiancée wasn’t even a cloud on his rose-coloured horizon. 
    Â Â Â 
    There was someone in the circus at that moment who was not being terribly nice and polite, but then the admiral was not a member of the circusand he certainly was not accustomed to having his will thwarted. Further, he’d had a long, tiring and very frustrating day and his normal amiability had deserted him.
    â€˜I don’t think you heard me properly,’ the admiral said with ominous restraint.
    â€˜You heard me, all right.’ Because the back-stage entrance to the circus was ill-lit, because it was very dark and still raining outside and because his faded eyes no longer saw too well, Johnny, the night watchman, had failed to identify the admiral. ‘The entrance for the public is farther along there. Get going!’
    â€˜You’re under arrest,’ the admiral said without preamble. He turned to a shadowy figure behind him. ‘Take this fellow to the nearest station. Have him charged with obstructing the course of justice.’
    â€˜Easy, now, easy.’ Johnny’s tone had undergone a marked change. ‘There’s no need –’ He leaned forward and peered up at the admiral. ‘Aren’t you the gentleman who was here when we had this bit of bother this morning?’
    â€˜If by a bit of bother you mean murder, yes. Take me to Mr Wrinfield!’
    â€˜Sorry, sir. I’m on duty here.’
    â€˜Johnny, isn’t it? You still want to be on duty tomorrow, Johnny?’
    Johnny took the admiral to Mr Wrinfield.
    The admiral’s interview with Wrinfield was brief. He said: ‘You’re clear for Europe. There’ll be no trouble with visas.’
    â€˜Twenty-five different nationalities? In one day?’
    â€˜I have a staff of four hundred, amongst some of whom the eagle-eyed may detect some glimmering of intelligence. Dr Harper will be here at ten in the morning. Be here please. He will begin immediately. Our personal investigations and police enquiries into the murders of Pilgrim and Fawcett have turned up nothing. I don’t expect they will. Future events may.’
    â€˜What kind of events?’
    â€˜I don’t know. Fairly drastic in nature, I should imagine. Next, I’ve just put a scare into Johnny, your night watchman. That was to ensure his co-operation. He’s truculent and a bit dim but I suppose reliable.’
    â€˜I’d trust him with my life.’
    â€˜We put different values on our lives. I’m putting six men on to patrol the sleeping quarters of the train at night. They’re not from our organization, so you need have no worries on that score. They will be here nightly until you leave – which, incidentally, will be in five days’ time.’
    â€˜Why the patrol? I’m not sure I like that.’
    â€˜Frankly, it doesn’t matter whether you like it or not.’ The admiral smiled, albeit tiredly, to rob the words of offence. ‘From the moment you accepted this assignment, you’re under government orders. It’s for security. I want Johnny to act as a guide-dog.’
    â€˜Whose security?’
    â€˜Bruno’s, Maria’s, Harper’s – and yours.’
    â€˜Mine? I’m in danger?’
    â€˜Quite candidly, I’m sure you’re not, if for no other reason than if anything happened to you the trip would be cancelled – which