Read Online Come into my Parlour by Dennis Wheatley - Free Book Online Page B

I don’t think you need worry overmuch this time. I’m going to Russia.”
    â€œRussia! But the Russians are fighting Hitler too. You know I’m not trying to pry but I simply can’t imagine why Sir Pellinore should be sending you there.”
    â€œThere’s no harm in my telling you, because even if the Nazis knew they couldn’t stop me, or do anything to interfere with my activities, and there’s nothing at all specific about my mission. I’m simply going to try to find out what everybody would like to know. How long the Russians can hope to resist the German armies; how much of their man-power they can really put into the field; how much territory they can afford to give away, and that sort of thing; and, incidentally, the state of Stalin’s health.”
    â€œI see. Yes, I suppose it is important that the British should secure their own really reliable information about that sort of thing. But everything in Russia is hidden behind a veil of secrecy, and the Russians are such strange ruthless people that, even now they are your allies, I shall be frightened for you till you get back.”
    â€œI’m taking Stefan with me.”
    â€œOh, I’m so glad. I suppose that’s selfish of me, because poor Madeleine will be heartbroken. She simply adores that dear old tough. But he’s as cunning as a monkey and as courageous as his national bear; and he knows the ways of those grim compatriots of his, as well. It’ll be a tremendous comfort to me to know he’s with you. But can he go back? I thought—”
    â€œWe’ve fixed all that. At least Sir Pellinore is pulling the wires as usual and Stefan is going out on a British passport. Not a fake, but a real one to be issued as a result of his assuming British nationality.”
    Erika smoothed Gregory’s brown hair with her slim fingers. “You know, sometimes I feel that I ought to accept Sir Pellinore’s offer to do the same for me. It’s such an anomalous position, having been evacuated here when I was too ill to know what was happening, and being under sentence of death by the Nazis, yet having refused to declare myself a refugee. Of course, if it weren’t for the special exemption that dear old Pellinore obtained for me I’d be behind barbed wire in the Isle of Man; but I didn’t come over to the enemy deliberately, and I won’t pretend I did, and it does seem terribly wrong to rat on one’s own country by changing one’s nationality in the middle of a war.”
    â€œDon’t fret, my sweet,” Gregory caressed her cheek. “The moment we can get married you’ll be British anyway.”
    â€œDo you still want to marry me?”
    â€œMore than ever. I’d had more than my share of racketing about before I met you, and so had you. I’m sick to death of travelling and risking my neck. The minute the war is over I mean to chuck my pistols in the Thames, get married to you on a special licence andsettle down for good. That reminds me. You haven’t asked me my other piece of news.”
    â€œNo, I’d forgotten, but you said it was nice. Do tell me.”
    â€œOld Pellinore has given us a wedding present in advance. A cheque for ten thousand quid to buy a home to settle down in.”
    â€œBut how marvellous! He
is
a dear.”
    â€œYes, every rich man knows that when he dies he can’t take his money with him, but you don’t find many of them that behave with such splendid generosity.”
    Erika leant forward and gave him a long, long kiss. As they drew apart she murmured: “When you see him tomorrow, give him that from me.”
    â€œNot all of it,” Gregory laughed. ‘But listen, beloved. You know the sort of place we want, we’ve talked of it so often. We ought to be able to pick up something jolly nice now, with possession three months after the war, for five or six thousand pounds. While I’m