The Assassins by Alan Bardos (best novels in english txt) 📗

to make it too obvious in case it looked as if the Serbian Government were involved. 'What did the Austro-Hungarian Joint Minister of Finance make of that?'

'Not a lot. It was a very vague comment and could even have been interpreted as a veiled threat, but from what my sources tell me, Bilinski's feathers have been ruffled by the visit. It was organised by the Military Governor who completely bypassed his Ministry, so Bilinski has washed his hands of the whole affair.'

Apis smiled. If that was the best Pasic could do there was nothing that could stop the operation now. 'Good work, Rade.'

'There was one more thing. I have a regular chess opponent at the British Embassy in Vienna - the usual arrogant, self-assured type of diplomat. He's been a great source of information.' Apis nodded impatiently; the longer their conversation lasted, the greater the risk of discovery by the Prime Minister’s spies.

'The last time we played, he was extremely unhappy. A woman he'd been mooning around after for weeks had decided to go off to Sarajevo. She is the wife of a senior English diplomat.'

'Why would such a woman go to Sarajevo?'

'Apparently, she was pursuing some Englishman, a 'bad sort', who’s been sent to Sarajevo by the British Embassy in Paris on something unofficial.'

'What sort of unofficial - an operation?' Apis asked, concerned.

'That's just it. Pinkie couldn't find out. He has an extensive network of contacts throughout the British Diplomatic Service, but his enquiries couldn't locate the woman or the man she was pursuing. She may not even have gone to Sarajevo yet. No one knows anything. He's been erased, almost as if he's been sent to do something clandestine… something deniable and off the books.'

'You think it might be connected with the Archduke’s visit to Sarajevo?' Apis asked.

'Why else would anyone be interested in the Balkans, just when we have an important operation in progress?'

Apis turned and spoke directly to Malobabic. He was too concerned by what he'd heard to stick to security procedures. If his government had tried to warn the Austrians, he thought it possible that they'd told the British and hadn't been quite so circumspect about it. Perhaps the British feared any further diplomatic tension, which might bring the Russians into the Balkans, threatening British interests in the Mediterranean.

'Rade, I want you to go to Sarajevo and stop this Englishman from interfering with the operation.' Apis wouldn't have the so called ‘great powers’ making sport of him or his organisation. 'Be careful - we have no idea what kind of man we're dealing with.'

Chapter 26

Archduke Franz Ferdinand finished his breakfast with little enthusiasm; his usual two boiled eggs were barely touched. He drank his tea and surveyed the grounds of Chlumetz through the bars of the nursery’s window. It might not be as impressive as Konopiste, he reflected, but the attractive baroque chateau had a homely feel to it.

He loved to take breakfast with his family in the nursery and afterwards he’d often stay to read over the newspapers and enjoy the chaos his children created, while Sophie maintained a relaxed order to it all.

Today Franz Ferdinand abandoned any attempt to read the news and remained a little longer than normal. He had a thousand and one matters to attend to, but he was reluctant to leave his family.

He looked at his children in their white sailor suits, as they ate their breakfast, oblivious to the turmoil he was feeling over leaving them. Little Sophie was thirteen, Maxi twelve and Ernie, ten. They were fine looking, intelligent children and a source of unending joy and pride to the Archduke.

The bliss he felt at that moment overwhelmed him. Franz Ferdinand never ceased to be amazed by how much he loved them. He yearned to stay and spend the long summer days taking them hunting or on long walks and then in the evenings, to watch Sophie do her embroidery while the children played, trying their best not to knock things over.

Janaczek brought in his mail and stood watching, until Franz Ferdinand glanced at him. ‘Excuse me, Your Highness, the preparations for your departure are nearly complete.’

‘Thank you, Janaczek,’ Franz Ferdinand said in a flat tone. He knew there was no point in worrying what disaster fate might bring, but he couldn't shake off a feeling of apprehension about the trip to Bosnia.

'Papi, why are you going? Maxi, his eldest son asked. ‘When the Emperor said you don’t have to, he said you can do as you see fit!'

Ernie and Sophie looked round at their father with worried expressions and Franz Ferdinand saw that he hadn’t hidden his feelings from his children as well as he’d hoped.

He took a deep breath. He had infinite patience when it came to his children, but they were old enough to understand duty. 'I am Inspector General of the Austro-Hungarian Armed Forces. I must go to Sarajevo. Do you think the soldiers would understand my absence if I wasn’t there?'

Franz Ferdinand had tried to sound cheery, but Maxi would not be put off. 'But when the Emperor went to Bosnia, he was stalked by that madman, Zerajic, who tried to shoot the Governor.'

'They say he got close enough to touch the Emperor,' Ernest added, with scared eyes.

'It was a miracle that he didn’t shoot,' little Sophie said, making her father wince. As secluded as the lives of his children were, they still managed to find such things out. 'We cannot allow our feelings to govern us. If we did we would never be able to do anything, a prisoner to our slightest doubt and hesitation. And then how could I make a good Emperor?'

Maxi tried to continue but his mother cut him off. 'Enough of this, children. Maxi, your only concern should be whether or not you have passed your exam. Now, all