The Dardanelles Conspiracy by Alan Bardos (best ereader for pc TXT) 📗

the government in June 1913, following the Ottoman Empire's defeats in Libya and the two Balkans wars. They have since purged any opposition to their government from the army.’

‘Are you aware that Sir George’s wife is travelling in First Class?’ Johnny interrupted. ‘It might be courteous to pay our respects?’

Fitzmaurice may have been a repressed middle-class Irishman, but he was no one’s fool. ‘Whether Sir George’s wife is or is not on the train is of no concern to you, Swift, now pay attention.’

‘Is it really that important that I know this? All I’m going to do is deliver messages,’ Johnny asked.

Fitzmaurice knocked his cane on the floor. ‘Stop playing the clown! The success of this mission rests on the shaky foundations from which the current Turkish government are built and our ability to exploit and unravel them.’

‘But surely you don’t expect me to do that?’ Johnny asked.

‘That is beside the point. You will be told precisely what your role is nearer the time. For now it is my intention to enlighten you on the political situation, so you are less likely to ruin our chances of success.'

Fitzmaurice fought to catch his breath. 'The Ottoman Empire has been in decline for well over a century. Something the Young Turks are acutely aware of – they are intensely patriotic and will do anything to prevent the disintegration of their empire.’

Fitzmaurice sniffed derisively and poured himself a large brandy before continuing. ‘Like any demonic beast the Young Turks have many heads. The different power blocs within it were divided over what form any prospective alliance should take. The situation was still far from resolved at the outbreak of the War and the Turkish Government declared itself neutral. However Germany emerged as the front runner. Throwing money around and tarnishing the good name of the British Empire and those that served it. That is how I came to be here.’

Fitzmaurice took on a deathly pallor. ‘Now I think you’ll have to excuse me, I have to rest. So you can eat in the dining car. I’ve decided to make a small pilgrimage when we reach Turin.’

‘Pilgrimage? I thought what we are doing was of vital importance.’ Johnny was amazed. Fitzmaurice didn’t strike him as someone who interrupted an important diplomatic mission on a random impulse.

‘Some things transcend the wants of men and the holy relic we are going to visit, the burial shroud of our Lord and Saviour, will benefit the immortal soul of even an unashamed miscreant like you. I’m sure, given where you are going, you would want to have your soul in a state of grace before you meet your maker!’

‘Do you think that’s likely? I mean that this is a one-way ticket.’ Johnny wasn’t surprised. Sir George wouldn’t be sending him after all if it were safe.

‘Have you not been paying attention?’ Fitzmaurice threw a thick book at Johnny. ‘Practice your Turkish vocabulary and you might stand a cat-in-hell’s chance of pulling this off. If you don’t, well, who knows?’

Johnny picked up the book, a German to Turkish primer, and thumbed through the greying pages. It was all pretty basic stuff. ‘I’ll practice over dinner.’

The Irishman waved an indifferent hand, drifting off into a wheezy sleep. Johnny put the book under his arm and made his way along the swaying carriage. He had a mission of his own to complete.

He crossed into the next carriage and found the Conductor, blocking his way. He smiled happily. ‘Yes, signore, may I be of assistance?’

‘Hello, yes, I would like to see a friend of mine in First Class,’ Johnny replied in Italian.

‘I regret that is not possible, signore.’ He held up his hands apologetically.

‘Why not?’

‘Alas, your friend is not to be disturbed on any account.’ The Conductor shrugged.

Johnny recognised Sir George’s cadence in the Conductor’s words. It explained why the Conductor was placed so strategically. Johnny decided to play on the Italian’s romantic soul.

‘Please, I implore you, I have an urgent appointment with the lady in this carriage.’ Johnny held up the book Fitzmaurice had given him. ‘She is expecting a lesson. I’m sure you wouldn’t wish me to disappoint a lady.'

The Conductor glanced at the book and smiled shrewdly. ‘As much as it would please me to allow you to tutor the lady concerned, in Turkish grammar and vocabulary, it would not please her husband who has entrusted her to my care, with a letter of authority from a very senior official in the train company.’

‘I see, thank you anyway.’

Johnny turned to leave and wondered if there was a way he could climb onto the roof.

‘Signore, wait. It does my heart no good to stand in the way of true desire. Before you do anything stupid, I can tell you that when the train arrives at Turin, the lady in question will be travelling on to Venice and will no longer be in my care.’

‘She’s going to Venice?’ Johnny almost laughed. It was typical of Libby to go somewhere like that, in the middle of a war.

‘Yes, I have been instructed that she is to transfer directly to the Milan train, when we terminate in Turin. From there she will be travelling to Venice as her final destination.’ The Conductor said, in a professional tone. No one should question his knowledge of his passengers.

‘I say, that is most awfully decent of you to tell me.’ Johnny fished around in his pocket for a tip and realised that he didn’t have any money.

‘Please, that is not necessary, just return to your carriage without any further antics.’

Chapter 10

The grand Art Nouveau entrance hall to Turin station hummed with a thousand passengers, swarming under its red and white arches. Johnny picked up a discarded ticket and fell further behind Fitzmaurice, who was hobbling along as fast as he could over the