Read Online Wallace of the Secret Service by Alexander Wilson - Free Book Online Page B

the discussion, nodding his head now and again, as though in approval. He was a short, stout man with a round, red face, which a snub nose and twinkling blue eyes made delightfully cheerful. An ex-naval seaman, Batty had entered Sir Leonard’s service on discharge, and had proved himself the very handiest of handy men. His employer had grown to put entire reliance on him, and treated him always as a confidential servant.
    ‘These ’ere craft are all very well,’ he commented, as he watched his master climb aboard, ‘but a tidy bit o’ deck space and the sea all around is good enough for me.’
    It was nearly half past ten when the great aeroplane rose into the air, and commenced her flight. Sir Leonard sat up, alternately reading and looking out of the window by his side, for a couple of hours until, as they were passing over Brest, he went to bed. He slept soundly and woke early. There was hardly a tremor as thegreat flying machine flew rapidly on her way. Wallace could see the coast of Portugal far below, glittering in the morning sunshine, and before long the Tagus, like a silvery streak, with Lisbon nestling on the estuary, burst into view. An air mechanic brought him an appetising breakfast, to which he did full justice, after which he sat and watched the scenes unfolding rapidly below with a sense of fascination. Sir Leonard felt a keen delight in flying, and was wont to declare that the beauty of nature was at its best when viewed from above.
    It was nearly ten o’clock when the grim rock of Gibraltar was sighted, and a quarter of an hour later the flying-boat descended, skimmed the water, and eventually came to anchor close inshore. A long, lean destroyer lay a few cables’ length away on the port side and, beyond her, a cruiser flying the Italian flag. Farther away still were anchored three grim-looking battle cruisers belonging to the Mediterranean fleet, while merchant ships of all nations and tonnage lay in various parts of the harbour. A crowd of idlers watched their arrival from the Mole, indulging probably in interested speculation concerning the business which had brought the great seaplane to Gibraltar.
    Their arrival was expected, for hardly was the machine stationary before a beautifully appointed pinnace glided alongside.
    ‘Sir Leonard Wallace?’ inquired a smart-looking military officer standing in the stern sheets.
    ‘I am he,’ replied Wallace from the open door of the saloon.
    The officer saluted.
    ‘I am from the Governor, sir. Will you come aboard?’ Sir Leonard first thanked his pilots for the celerity with which they had brought him to Gibraltar; then stepped aboard the pinnace, followed by Batty with the bags. An RAF launch arrived, and tookthe flying-boat in tow. A berth had been prepared for her in the inner harbour, where she would wait until required for the return trip.
    Twenty minutes later Sir Leonard was closeted with the Governor. The famous soldier had welcomed the equally famous Secret Service man almost with open arms.
    ‘I can’t tell you what a relief it is to have you here,’ he confessed. ‘When I heard you were on your way, I felt as though a load were about to be removed from my shoulders.’
    ‘Don’t be too optimistic, sir,’ returned Wallace. ‘From the little information I possess and to which I doubt if you can add, there doesn’t appear to be a great deal of hope.’
    The bronzed face of the white-haired Governor paled.
    ‘For God’s sake don’t say that,’ he protested. ‘My career is rapidly drawing to a close. I have held the highest military commands and, up to date, have flattered myself that my administration here has been fairly successful. I have even exterminated the monkeys,’ he added with a faint smile. ‘To finish up with a blot like this against my name would—’ He shrugged his shoulders with a sigh, and did not finish the sentence.
    ‘I can quite understand how you feel about it,’ sympathised Wallace, ‘but you can’t be