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

be overrun.’ Breitner forced himself to remain pokerfaced. ‘It would not strictly speaking be honourable, but at least it would end the war.’

They approached the ticket barrier and Breitner showed the guard a special pass he’d obtained from Enver’s staff and they walked down the platform, towards the train.

‘I’ve been seeing a lot of Kati’s sister, Esther. You were right, she really is quite a woman. I mean plotting against your government like that.’

Breitner felt a twinge of fear at the mention of what Esther had done. ‘I don’t wish to discuss Miss Weisz.’

‘What about her sister, Kati, do you know where she is?’

‘You only think to ask that now? She’s in Holland, safe as far as I know.’

They stopped at the carriage where Breitner had reserved a seat for Johnny. Johnny offered his hand formally. ’Good luck, Breitner, I won’t worry about you too much if you’re on an embassy staff.’

Breitner shook his hand. ‘Who can tell what the future might bring? Watch out for yourself. I hear these negotiations can be perilous.’

Johnny chuckled. ‘You don’t know the half of it, Laszlo, old man.’

With Swift safely on his way, Breitner reported to Enver Pasha at his office in the Sublime Porte. The Minister of War kept him waiting, making a show of going through papers with Major Toprak before acknowledging him.

‘Major Breitner, what can we do for you?’

‘Pardon the intrusion, Excellency, I have come to report that the English interloper, Johnny Swift, has left Constantinople.’

‘Let us hope our little ruse works and he relays the news of our apparent shell shortage, putting us at significant strategic advantage.’

‘Indeed.’ The boldness of his plan still startled Breitner.

‘Don’t look so worried, Major. The Germans will supply us with the ordnance we require. A direct request has been sent to the Kaiser, himself.’ Enver stood up and put his hands behind his back.’

‘It is also best to allow the peace negotiations to drift on,’ he continued. ‘Keeping Talat occupied and out of my way.’

Enver began to pace around his office. ‘Besides which, the British are determined to undermine the negotiations themselves. They will never give Talat what he wants, and he will never agree to their terms and while he argues it out, I will do what Napoleon could not and defeat the Royal Navy.’

Enver sat down and returned to his paperwork. Major Toprak steered Breitner towards the door. ‘Thank you for the information, Major Breitner, you can now return to your functionary duties at the embassy. Some of us are lucky in love and some of us are lucky in war.’

Toprak sneered at Breitner. While he returned to place settings and ribbon cutting, his rival for Esther’s hand would be going to war.

‘One moment Toprak,’ Enver called. ‘Herr Breitner, you have been of great service to me. Perhaps I could reward you in some way?’

Breitner stood to attention and dared not to hope. ‘I am a soldier, Excellency, and ask only that I be allowed to serve in some way.’

‘I see, perhaps I could request that you be attached to a frontline unit as an adviser of some description?’ Enver asked.

‘I would be honoured to serve in any way I can.’ Breitner kept his breathing steady. ‘But I understand there is a fortification guarding the straights of particular strategic value, Fort Anadolu Hamidiye 1, if…’

Enver waved his hand, to demonstrate that his request was a trifle. ‘Think nothing of it, we need every man we can get, but surely you must want something else? If not for yourself then for a friend?’

Breitner found Esther in the bazaar greeting room of her house. ‘Are you here to arrest me? I heard what you did to Mr Swift.’

‘No, I have not, my dear Esther.’ Breitner tried to smile.

‘Have you come to scold me then, Laszlo, to call me a traitor for plotting with the enemies of your beloved monarchy?’

‘I understand why you did it, for your mother’s country... to save your father’s dream. It is war and we must choose sides.’ Breitner managed a smile.

‘I see, so what is it you want of me?’ she asked.

‘Enver Pasha has agreed to the negotiations. I assume your accomplices have told you.’

‘Have you informed the Austro-Hungarian government?’ Esther shot back at him coldly.

‘Enver is using the negotiations as part of a ruse.’

She looked sceptical. ‘Why would you tell me that, Laszlo?’

‘Because I want to be honest with you, Esther, and because I trust you. You can warn Talat, warn the British. It might make a difference, it might not, all that matters is that we are on the same side.’

Breitner doubted whether telling her would make any difference to the Allied plans. The British were hell bent on forcing the Dardanelles, and if what Enver said was true the negotiations were doomed from the beginning, but in Breitner’s heart, it made every difference.

‘You know I think that is the first sentimental thing that I have ever heard you say, Laszlo.’

‘I cannot be the sum total of my regrets. I said before that I would like to renew our engagement and I wish to honour that statement.’

‘You want us to marry?’ She had an edge to her voice that Breitner found uncomfortable.

‘Yes...’

‘Even though I’ve been working with a foreign power?’

‘Will you, will you be my wife?’

‘Of course.’ Esther arched an eyebrow, surprised that he would doubt her answer.

Breitner seized her, kissing the lips he’d been dreaming of for so long. Then with all his will power pulled himself back.

‘I need to tell you that I am to be attached to a frontline unit and will be leaving as soon as arrangements can be made.’

‘Oh, Laszlo, no.’ Esther broke their embrace. ‘That is your reward for discovering the negotiations.’

‘You have done everything that you