Read Online The Sun Is God by Adrian McKinty - Free Book Online Page A

Pullen-Burry replied.
    â€œOh yes, sometimes from the veranda one can see them flying all the way from New Ireland to here. They are in search of weak souls that they may influence to do ill. They do not come near Gunantambu. They know that my soul is not weak. I do not listen to their entreaties or their promises. In any case, I keep a Langan, a high priest of the Duk Duk, in my house at all times; his spells frighten the Night Witches and vex them most cruelly.”
    â€œVery wise, I’m sure,” Miss Pullen-Burry said.
    â€œI am telling you this so that you will have all the information before you make a decision whether to go or not, my dear friend Bessie,” Queen Emma said.
    Miss Pullen-Burry nodded. “I am resolved, Mrs. Forsayth, I still wish to go.”
    Queen Emma laughed. “Then go you shall! Such spirit is only to be found in an English lady. Even Governor Hahl’s formidable wife would dare not truck with the Night Witches.”
    Governor Hahl smiled but did not nod. He would like to see the entity who could make his Brigida afraid. An entire regiment of Night Witches would be sorely tested by her frosty expression.
    â€œShall we get down to business?” Queen Emma asked and looked at Doctor Parkinson.
    â€œBusiness, yes,” Parkinson said with pursed lips.
    Governor Hahl looked at Kessler who coughed and muttered. “I think we should adjourn to another room Frau Forsayth, not all of us have been—”
    â€œMiss Pullen-Burry is my guest,” Queen Emma exclaimed regally. “And she has become my good friend in these last few days. She knows all the details of the case. Everything Governor Hahl has told me, I have told her. I have informed her of Doctor Bremmer’s opinion concerning the late Herr Lutzow and I have told her what Doctor Parkinson knows about the Sonnenorden. It has excited her interest and she has agreed, on my behalf, to accompany the expedition to Kabakon.”
    Kessler was on his feet. “Frau Forsayth, I really must object! This is a matter of extreme delicacy. What Governor Hahl evidently has told you was said in the strictest confidence!”
    â€œYou forget yourself, sir,” Queen Emma said in a voice of chilly authority.
    â€œSit down, Kessler,” Governor Hahl muttered.
    Kessler looked at Hahl and then at Will. He seemed surprised to find himself standing there with everyone staring at him. Will waved him down with a discreet hand gesture and he slumped back into his chair.
    â€œMy apologies, madam,” Kessler said.
    â€œI think what my colleague was trying to say, Frau Forsayth, is that the situation on Kabakon is uncertain. We have it in mind to send only Herr Prior who was a distinguished officer in the British Army’s military police; he will be accompanied by my representative Hauptman Kessler,” Governor Hahl said.
    Queen Emma gave Doctor Parkinson a sideways glance. The phlegmatic Dane coughed, turned to Governor Hahl, and smiled a little assassin’s smile. “Your excellency, I do not wish to bore you with legal niceties; however, Kabakon is Frau Forsayth’s island and if she wishes to have a representative there for the course of these investigations, then with all due respect, we really must insist upon it.”
    â€œI am afraid that is quite impossible,” Kessler said, already seeing events spiral away from him before they had even left Herbertshöhe.
    The port arrived and with it cigars. Much to Will’s amazement, both Queen Emma and Miss Pullen-Burry cut and lit two cigars and began smoking them. When the servants had gone, Kessler continued where he had left off.
    â€œUnder no circumstances can the, uh, charming Miss Pullen-Burry accompany myself and Herr Prior to Kabakon. It is no place for a lady and this investigation is not the work of a lady, even one as spirited as Miss Pullen-Burry,” he said.
    Will gave him a nod of encouragement.
    â€œMiss