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

Turkish is quite horrible,’ Enver continued, before Johnny could retaliate. ‘It might be suitable for bargaining with pimps and street vendors, but not between gentlemen.’

‘We could speak in French, the language of diplomacy,’ Johnny said, hoping that Enver would see him as a diplomat, rather than a spy.

‘No, German, I think. After all you did pose as a German official, in your talks with my dear colleague Talat Pasha,’ Enver said in fluent German. ‘But you are in fact a British agent, sent here to undermine my alliance with Germany?’

‘I prefer the term envoy.’ Johnny tried to keep his voice even. Breitner, the little sneak, had evidently worked everything out.

‘Don’t play at semantics with me, do you know what we do to spies? It is, shall we say, medieval.’ Enver kept his face impassive. There wasn’t an ounce of pity in the man. ‘I see my words have struck home. Good. I will not let you or anyone else stand in the way of my destiny. I will defeat your navy and win a great victory.’

Johnny glanced at the painting of Napoleon and realised why Talat had referred to him as the little Napoleon. It seemed Johnny was ever destined to meet men who believed they were the reincarnation of Napoleon.

‘Tell me, what have you offered Talat to undermine our alliance with Germany?’ Enver asked.

Johnny composed himself. He hadn’t after all been the captain of the school rugby team for nothing. ‘I’ve simply been calling on Talat Pasha to gain a better understanding of the political situation in the Ottoman Empire and its relationship with Germany.’

‘You asked Talat that?’ Enver appeared amused.

‘He is not a man of great destiny, like yourself,’ Johnny said. ‘To quote Napoleon, “great ambition is the passion of a great character”.’

Enver retorted with a dry laugh and steepled long, finely manicured fingers. He glanced at Breitner, seeming to come to a quick decision. Johnny recognised the look. He’d seen it often enough on gamblers betting everything on the spin of a wheel.

‘It is perfectly obvious you were sent here to make an offer to Talat to end our alliance with Germany. I think it only fair that you put the same offer to me.’

‘Forgive me, Excellency, but are you not in favour of an alliance with Germany?’ Johnny tipped his head towards the portrait of Frederick the Great.

‘My personal admiration of Germany aside, the current arrangement we have with the German Empire is purely a marriage of convenience. We are both out for what we can get from the other. As of late, that has been rather one way. We entered the war on their side, and they have sent aid, but precious little munitions, leaving us vulnerable to Allied attack.’

‘Excellency, please,’ Major Toprak said, in response to Enver’s candour. Enver held his hand up to silence him.

‘Do not misunderstand me, Mr Swift, I don’t doubt our defences, but without the shells to destroy your ships, our guns are quite useless. Now if there is a way to save my country, then I would like to hear it.’

Johnny tipped his head towards the portrait of Napoleon, evasively. ‘So are you erring on the side of France and her allies, Excellency?’

Enver’s polish began to melt and a flicker of anger burnt in his eyes. ‘Don’t test my patience, Mr Swift, how much did you offer Talat to make peace?’

He raised a hand and Toprak brandished the riding crop. Johnny glanced around the room, wondering if it would matter if he told Enver what the offer was. He might even be genuinely interested. Johnny supposed the money would help him with the upkeep of his house, which wouldn't be easy on a minister’s pay.

Johnny couldn't see any other way of getting out of this. ‘We have offered Talat four million pounds.’

‘Has he accepted your offer?’

‘Yes Excellency. He’s agreed to meet our representatives in Bulgaria to discuss the matter.’

‘And what is there to discuss?’

‘The future sovereignty of Constantinople seems to be the main concern. May I report that you are also interested in the offer?’ Johnny asked.

‘Yes, I think you can,’ Enver said.

‘Really?’

‘Yes, go and report to your government that I won't interfere with the negotiations and I will consider their terms to end my alliance with the Central Powers.’

Johnny grinned at Breitner, who under his reserve, must have been bloody angry. In spite of his best efforts, Johnny’s skilled negotiation and hard currency had outwitted him.

‘My car will take you back to town,’ Enver said.

‘Thank you, Excellency. I shall leave the city tomorrow and make a report of your interest to the official representatives,’ Johnny said.

‘Major Breitner, perhaps you could arrange for Mr Swift’s exit from Constantinople. I understand things have been a bit fraught at the station,’ Enver asked.

Breitner remained stone-faced. ‘I believe there is a train tomorrow afternoon.’

Chapter 29

Breitner led Johnny Swift through Sirkeci station. The clamour to leave Constantinople was starting to die down, now that the Allied fleet was being held.

‘How have you been, Breitner? That's quite a scratch you’ve got there.’ Johnny said as he strolled along without a care in the world.

‘I have missed your subtle attempts at levity, Johnny.’

‘I mean, you weren’t particularly good looking to start with, now you’ve ruined what little you had.’

‘I was lucky, very lucky.’ Breitner had shot the Cossack before he could bring the full force of his sabre down, but his horse had trampled him. Breitner’s mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood at the memory.

‘There aren’t any hard feelings, are there, Breitner, about what’s happened with Enver? I mean if the Ottoman Empire made peace, it would leave Austro-Hungary in a difficult position.’

‘On the contrary, Johnny, you have done a great service. If Turkey makes peace, Austro-Hungary will have to follow suit or