Read Online Fire Below by Dornford Yates - Free Book Online Page B

cross, and once they were in, no doubt the door had swung to, for when I got there it was shut, and the horse that was still on its feet was essaying the stairs.
    As luck would have it, George and Bell and I were well used to horses. But for this chance, I do not know what would have happened, for the kitchen was very small and the poor beasts were mad with fright. Add to this that the one that was cast at once kicked over the table on which stood the candlesticks so that only the fire remained to illumine the scene. Had the smith and the stranger been alone, one or the other would, I believe, have been killed, for it took the five of us all our knowledge and strength to save the horses and get them into the street.
    When the flurry was over, their master wiped his face. ‘I’ve a lot to thank you for,’ he said, peering. ‘Those horses are worth five hundred pounds apiece. Stroke o’ luck your being here.’ He hesitated. ‘Not out of a job are you? My shoeing-smith’s down with typhoid, and two of my grooms were stopped at the frontier post. Their passports were out of order. To tell you the truth, I don’t know how to get on.’
    He spoke in English. No doubt in the confusion we had given ourselves away.
    ‘Yes,’ said I suddenly. ‘We’re all three out of a job.’ I turned to Ramon. ‘Let him into the forge,’ I said.
    Once in the forge, the circus-master looked round.
    ‘I ask no questions,’ he said. ‘I’m too damned glad to have you. I’ll give you three shillings a day and find your food.’
    There was a moment’s silence.
    ‘Where is your train?’ said George.
    ‘By the side of the road,’ said the other. ‘Five miles the wrong side of Vardar. Why do you ask?’
    ‘Because,’ said George, ‘we’d better be getting on. You don’t want us here, and I guess you’ve plenty of horses that need to be watered and fed.’
    ‘So,’ said the other quietly. ‘Well, I daresay you’re right. All cats are grey in the dark, aren’t they?’
    ‘Exactly,’ said George.
    The circus-master laughed.
    ‘Seems I fetched up at a very convenient time. What do they want you for?’
    ‘A girl was in trouble,’ said George. ‘We had the nerve to help her out of this cursed land.’
    ‘Good enough,’ said the other shortly.
    Then he told us how to get to the circus, and, when we were there, to report to a man called Bach.
    ‘Pitch him some yarn or other. He’s very dense. And then get on with the feeding as quick as you can. Watch out for a mare called Ada; she’s got ill will.’
    ‘In two minutes’ time,’ said George. ‘We must have a word with the smith.’
    Ramon was with his wife, who was doing her best, poor woman, to put her kitchen to rights. The countess it seemed had slept through the hullabaloo.
    Hurriedly we told him our plan.
    ‘We should be safe,’ said I, ‘for, as you heard, the police have been through his vans and I don’t think it’s very likely they’ll trouble to do it again. When the Countess awakes, tell her, and say that as soon as it’s safe we’ll come again. They can’t guard the frontier for ever. And once the stir has died down, we’ll cross by night. Till then, will you keep her safe?’
    ‘I will, my lord,’ said Ramon.
    Against his will I gave him what money I had.
    ‘That’s for expenses. Carol must be clad as a peasant, and I think it would be as well if her ladyship changed her clothes. And now we must go. If you want us, you know where to find us. If we don’t come before then, send us word the moment the troops are withdrawn.’
    Then we spoke to Carol and told him to serve his mistress as best he could and that as Ramon said he must do in every particular.
    Thirty seconds later we were out of the house.
     
    It was broad daylight before we reached the train, and I shall ever remember the feeling of thankfulness with which we stepped in among the horses and asked for Bach.
    The latter seemed dazed – I imagine, for want of sleep, and I