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

Swift ignored Sir George’s question and instead looked at his office, taking in the smeared and stained mirrors on the ceiling, and the erotic frescoes on the walls that graphically displayed buxom wenches in all manner of compromising attitudes. A stench of corruption and cheap scent became all the more apparent.

The candlelight flickered on the defiance in Swift’s eyes. ‘Sir George Smyth, my, how the mighty have fallen. I knew it must have been you who had me brought to Egypt. And now here you are in navy uniform, something must have gone very badly wrong with your scheming?’

‘When a man of singular genius and vision is born on this planet, it is obvious that a wall, no a league of fools conspire to frustrate him.’ Sir George was pleased with his analogy. ‘But you can be sure I mean to re-establish my position and more.’

Swift roared with laughter. ‘I’ve heard something very similar to that before. My old House master was fond of the saying. Apparently, it’s attributed to a distant ancestor of mine and describes a predicament I completely sympathise with.’

Sir George gasped. He’d forgotten that it was a quote from Jonathan Swift, the writer. And now this Swift was attempting to mock him with it.

‘It is small wonder you pester my wife, attempt to steal from me and wreck my career. I have everything a gutter rat like you envies and desires. I am your superior by every definition of the word.’

‘Even if that were true, Sir George, you have no authority over me now. I’m in the army and you’re, under somewhat diminished circumstances, in the navy.’ Swift glanced suggestively around the room and Sir George got the impression that he was enjoying himself.

‘I wouldn’t be so sure of that, Swift, you still have those charges hanging over your head. I believe it was something to do with aiding and abetting the enemy in time of war, which surely must be a capital offence and I am still in possession of your blue court martial form.’ Sir George didn't see the need to tell him those charges had been quashed by order of the First Lord of the Admiralty.

Sir George didn’t feel particularly inclined to follow Mr Churchill’s orders, especially today. Hankey had taken the time to inform him that the cabinet had asked ‘Blinker’ Hall to reopen negotiations with the Turks. The revival of his scheme could have restored his career, but of course the offer had been rejected.

Swift’s amusement began to vanish, as he realised the significance of what Sir George had said. ‘We had an agreement.’

‘Which you haven’t honoured,’ Sir George always enjoyed the simple pleasure of exercising power over his subordinates and the fact that he was directly contradicting Messrs Hall, Hankey and Churchill added greatly to the thrill.

‘At least allow me to brief you on my mission, before you determine that, Sir George.’ Swift’s petulance was starting to fade.

‘No need for that, Swift.’ Sir George hadn’t spelt out exactly what he wanted Swift to do in Constantinople and that excellent forethought now gave him the opportunity to move the goal posts. ‘You failed, is there really any need to rake over it?’

‘Failed, Sir George?’

‘What else would you call it? The Turkish government weren’t bribed, they are still ardently fighting on. Thanks to your mishandling of the situation we lost three battleships trying to force the Straits,’ Sir George roared. He also saw no reason to tell him that Constantinople had long been promised to Russia and thus the whole conspiracy had been doomed to failure from start to finish.

‘I did get Talat Pasha to the negotiating table.’

‘And nothing came of it. You have clearly not fulfilled the terms of our agreement. I see no other choice but to have you returned to your regiment.’

‘But they’ll shoot me.’ Swift was incredulous, much to Sir George’s amusement.

‘Yes, I expect they probably will.’

The last smattering of defiance left Swift and Sir George had the great joy of seeing him blink. ‘But, Sir George, please, there must be something you can do. I did everything you asked of me. I couldn’t help it if Talat was more concerned about saving his neck than lining his own pockets.’

‘Pull yourself together man. You still hold the King’s commission.’

Swift’s demeanour hardened, instinctively coming to attention, his guard returning as quickly as it had dropped. ‘Forgive me, Sir George, the past few months have been extremely trying.’

‘As they have for all of us.’ Sir George spoke softly, now he’d broken him, it was time for Sir George to hold his nose and bring Swift back into the fold. ‘It so happens that I can make use of you. I have a lot to organise here at GHQ. The Commander-in-Chief has placed me in a position of considerable trust and you have proved yourself a competent administrator, in the past. However, I want none of your usual antics is that clear?’

‘Yes, Sir George, and thank you for this opportunity, Sir George, you won’t regret it,’ Swift said solemnly.

‘See that I don’t.’ Sir George placed an envelope on his desk. ‘You’ll need a uniform of some kind. This is the address of an excellent outfitter here in Alexandria. You should be able to get something run up if your War Office allowance comes through. There is also a small sum of money to help you get something in the meantime and to tide you over.’

‘Thanks very much, Sir George,’ Swift said, bending down to pick up the envelope.

‘Don’t thank me, it’s come out of your pay, which I’m administering while you’re under my command. Can’t have you saving up your pennies and running off somewhere now, can we?’ Sir George smiled as Swift flushed.

‘You can’t do that, it must be against King’s Regulations…’

‘Do