Read Online Queen Victoria's Revenge by Harry Harrison - Free Book Online

possible, a clean shirt. Cash in what little money he had, then find the American Embassy and get some more. Nineteen dollars was not going to take him very far.
    He was scrubbing himself dry with the towel when the subservient knock sounded on the door. So quickly! There was much to be said for the service here, fastest he had ever experienced.
    When he threw the door open a small dark man wearing sunglasses and a fuzzy beard moved swiftly in and closed the door behind him.
    â€œThe money, where eez eet?” he said and, as though for punctuation, balled his brown leather-gloved fist and buried it deep in Tony’s midriff.

SIX
    It was a nasty blow that sent Tony staggering back across the room, doubled over with pain. Since the bed was only a few feet from the door it struck him behind the knees and he collapsed backward onto it.
    â€œSpeek,” the intruder said, stalking menacingly after Tony with hard fist raised, easily dodging a feeble kick.
    â€œListen. What are you talking about? I have no money. A few dollars in my wallet. You can have it.”
    â€œTwo meelion dollars.”
    â€œThat money. You should have said so. The last I saw of it it was vanishing with a tall Scotsman named Angus and a number of his friends.”
    â€œWhere they go?”
    â€œI have no idea … ouch!”
    The fist struck again, and impelled by the pain, Tony rolled off the far side of the bed. His assailant came around the end and Tony picked up the chair. At the same instant there was a light tapping on the door. The bearded man extracted a gun from his pocket and pointed it at Tony. “Who eez eet?”
    â€œRoom service. I ordered some food.” The gun vanished, though its outline was clear in the other’s pocket. “Answer eet. A wrong move and pan you are dead.”
    â€œDon’t worry, don’t worry.” Tony padded to the door and opened it to reveal a slim, dark woman with a sheaf of papers in her hand. Tony crossed his hands over his bare chest and gaped.
    â€œMr. Hawkin? I’m the assistant manager. I’m sorry to disturb you but there is some question about the registration. If I could come in? Thank you.”
    She entered well before he could answer her, smiled at the scowling bearded man, then consulted her papers.
    â€œIt seems you have not entered your passport number, nor have you paid in advance for the room, which is our normal policy. You must realize…” Behind her back the gunman was making jerking motions toward the door with his head while grating his teeth. The message was unmistakable. Tony broke in.
    â€œLook, miss, if you please. That was all explained when I was sent here by Scotland Yard.”
    â€œReally?” Her eyebrows climbed higher and higher. “Are there charges involved? I don’t think the hotel approves of this.”
    â€œNo, not that, the opposite. It was all explained.”
    â€œWell not to me I’m sorry to say. If you don’t mind I’ll just ring up the office.”
    Muttering darkly over her papers, she went to the phone and picked up the receiver. When she did this the gunman turned away from her toward Tony, rolling his eyes downward and showing the shape of the gun in his pocket.
    As soon as his back was turned to her, the girl raised the telephone handpiece high—then brought it down sharply on the back of his neck. He slumped to the floor without a sound. Tony tried not to gape.
    â€œSorry about this, Mr. Hawkin. But when I saw him following you I thought there might be trouble. The hand on gun in pocket rather convinced me. He was up to no good I assume?”
    â€œHe hit me. But, you … he…”
    â€œHim? He’s an Al Fatah muscleman we have been watching. My name is Esther Ben-Alter. We had orders from an old friend of yours to keep an eye on you, render help if needed. When I saw this kelev going up to your room I thought I might look in.”
    Tony was