The Secret War

4

The romance of a queen

In the bitter cold of early dawn Valerie flew the two men up the coast of Maine, then across the Bay of Fundy to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she landed there, safely by half past ten.

Their passports were all in order. Christopher's had been renewed only two days before, Lovelace had travelled so much in the last ten years that he made a practice of keeping his up to date for most countries he was likely to visit, and Valerie possessed a special laissez passer granted to her by the State Department soon after she began breaking air records.

No question was raised when they landed and from the flying field they went straight to a Travel Office, There they learned that the s.s. Pomeranzen, 10,500 tons, was due to sail for Rotterdam at eight o'clock that evening.

The Dutch vessel carried cargo as well as a hundred and twenty cabin class passengers. She was a nine day boat but there was plenty of accommodation vacant in her and they would have had to wait three days for the larger CY.R. Liner which was scheduled to dock in Europe half a day later.

Christopher's orders were urgent. He should have sailed in the Europa from New York that evening and landed at Cherbourg on April 5th. His change of plans meant that he would not reach Paris until the 11th, six days late, and he felt that he must not delay his arrival by even half a day more for the sake of travelling on, the bigger ship. He said at once:

'All right. I'll take the two best cabins you’ve got on the Dutchman, with bathrooms, of course, and a private drawing room, if you can get me one.'

Lovelace smiled to himself. He usually managed to travel in reasonable comfort, but he was not rich, and he felt that it would be fun to voyage deluxe for a change in the company of this young mufti millionaire.

Valerie cut in on his thoughts. 'We'll need three staterooms, Christopher, and they must make arrangements to ship the plane as well.'

Both men swung round on her at once. 'We cant take you with us Christopher began.

'Why not?' she lifted her chin. 'I'm due for trip to Europe anyway; and in Paris I can get some frocks.,

'We'd love to have you along, darling, but

'But nothing,' she cut him short. The dimple in her cheek deepened as she smiled and squeezed his arm, 'You want to get to Paris at the earliest possible moment, don't you? I'11 fly you there from Rotterdam and save you the best part of a day in the train.'

Christopher gave way without further argument and Lovelace was soon to find that he always did so when she took charge of a situation. She was far the more practical of the two and mothered her pale faced, handsome fiancé as though he were some precious, way ward infant.

By the time they were two days out of Halifax Lovelace was thoroughly glad that she had elected to come with them. Without her it would have been a gloomy crossing, for Christopher was silent and moody. Each, day he sat staring out across the grey waters of the North Atlantic with dark unseeing eyes, occupied, to the exclusion of all else, with the terrible secret war in which he had pledged himself to take human life.

Lovelace tried to put that out of his thoughts. To him no academic reasoning, however powerful, quite seemed to justify the sinister operations of the Millers, He had constantly to remind himself that Christopher’s life was threatened too, and that they were engaged in a battle of wits, rather than the planning of a cold blooded assassination.

Valerie seemed to accept the fact that her fiancé was pledged to his gruesome task and appeared to have no doubts as to its justice. She spoke of it little and it was a great relief to Lovelace that he was able to forget it while in her company. They talked happily enough of the thrills she had had in breaking air records, and of his experiences when travelling in foreign countries, or as a relief worker behind the lines in numerous wars.

He puzzled his wits in vain as to where he had met her, before. Her dead straight eyebrows below the white forehead and chestnut hair, the big, grey, almost magnetic eyes and the deep dimple below the left cheek were strangely familiar to him. For some reason that he could not fathom, she continued to make a mystery of it, insisting that their first meeting must have been in some former life, and refusing to aid his memory with any sort of clue.

It was not until late on the last afternoon of the voyage that, settling herself beside him in a steamer chair, she broached the subject of Abyssinia.

`You'll look pretty foolish,' she said thoughtfully, `if the war is over by the time you get to Addis Ababa.'

`Christopher may, but I shan't,' he answered dryly. `Anyhow, I think it unlikely the war will be over for some time to come.'

`Why? Look at the victories the Italians have gained recently. They captured those two big mountains, Amba something, weeks ago.'

'Amba Aradam and Amba Aladji you mean. Yes, that was at the end of February.'

`Well, ever since the Italians have been smashing up Abyssinian armies right and left. Ras Kassa and Ras Immira have both been defeated and Marshal Badoglio is pressing on now into the interior.'

Lovelace shook his head. `The Abyssinian armies are very different from ours. If a modern army sustains, a serious defeat its organization breaks down and the whole thing may go to pieces, but these people have no organization worth talking about. The Races' troops are just great hosts of fighting men in which every man’s his own Army Service Corps. You can launch an attack which will send the whole lot running helter skelter one day but twenty four hours later ninety five percent of them will pop up again ready for another scrap."

Yes, I know that, but what's to stop the Italians just keeping them on the run? How can they put up any really serious resistance? Why! The British won a war against the Abyssinians with the old fashioned sort guns and rifles they used fifty years ago. The Italians have machine guns and tanks and aeroplanes; things undreamed of then. With such a tremendous advantage in armaments I can't see why the Italians shouldn't march straight through to Addis Ababa now and mop the whole thing up."

`Can't you?' Lovelace laughed, 'When we defeated the Abyssinians the whole situation was entirely different. The tribes were in revolt against the bad old Emperor Theodore and we only went in to give them a hand pushing him off the throne. The bulk of the population welcomed General Napier with open arms and, anyhow, he only got as far as Magdala. It's another thing altogether to have to fight your way through that devilish country with every hand against you

'Is It? Even with tanks

'Lord, yes! Ask any`' of the fellows who've seen fighting on the North West Frontier of India. It's much the same kind of terrain and the Abyssinian is own twin to the Pathan as far as bravery, cunning and cruelty.

Columns are ambushed and shot to pieces in every gully and you hardly ever see a tribesman. They fade away into the rocks and you can't imagine where they've got to until they start shooting you up again from a new niche at the next turn of the road. What's the good of tanks in that sort of warfare?'

`How about planes? The airman ought to be able to spot their hiding places and bomb them out.'

`They try, of course, but it's mighty expensive on ammunition. No real targets to go for, you see, only handfuls of snipers scattered about the precipitous hillsides. They may kill a man here or there and scare his nearest pals for an hour or two; but planes can't really help much when the fighting is in such mountainous country. The Italians have only penetrated to a depth of about a hundred and fifty miles so far. They've still got two fifty to go and nothing short of a miracle in courage and endurance could enable them to cover that in the month to run before the rains come.'

`Will the rains make further progress quite impossible?'

`Utterly. You've no idea how it rains out there. Every gully becomes a mountain torrent and tiny rivers swell to hundreds of yards in width. It just comes down like a cloud burst for days on end and it seems as if half the country's going to be washed away. If all the engineers of the finest armies in the world were concentrated there they couldn't transport their troops and stores through that welter of mud and foaming water.'

Valerie sighed. `But supposing the League persuades the Emperor to agree to a peace with Italy after all. That would let Christopher out, wouldn't it?

'Not necessarily. Abyssinia's only one act in the game as far as the Millers are concerned. Their campaign is world wide. They may not be sending Christopher to Africa at all for all we know.'

`As he was told to get his passport visaed for all countries bordering on the Mediterranean and the Red Sea it looks as if Abyssinia is almost certain to be his destination. What's it like there, Anthony? The people are Christians, aren't they?'

`Well, hardly. Most of the wilder tribes are still dyed in the wool pagans. In the towns there are many Mohammedans, particularly in Harar, which is an old wailed Arab city, but most of the ruling caste has been Christians of a sort since the dark ages. Before that they followed the Jewish faith:

`Are they Jewish by race, then?'

`Oh, no, but they consider themselves the Chosen People because they've been in possession of the Ark of the Covenant for centuries. One of their kings pinched it when he was on a visit to Jerusalem. They'd adopted the Jewish faith before that owing to the lapse from virtue of the Queen of Sheba.'

Valerie glanced at him suspiciously from under her level brows. `You're pulling my leg. She wasn't a real person, was she?'

'She was indeed,' he protested, `and by all accounts a darned good looking girl, into the bargain.' 'Tell me about her.'

`She was the Virgin Queen of Ethiopia in King Solomon's day. The country was already rich and powerful. Probably much more civilized than it is at the present time through the influence of Egypt and Babylonia. Anyhow, her merchants used to trade as far as India and the Sudan. She's said to have lived in great luxury and been very wise and beautiful, of course an Arab type a sort of Egyptian Shahrazade. The report of Solomon's wisdom came to her so she determined to visit him.

`It must have been a tough journey for a woman; trekking on under the blazing sun week after week with very little water, almost trackless deserts to cross, and most of the route infested with bands of marauding Arabs. But she did it and legend relates that, when she arrived in Jerusalem, her state chariot was drawn by sixteen zebras; although they're always said to be untamable.' Lovelace picked up a book he had been reading before Valerie came on deck. `The whole story's here if you're interested.'

'What is it?' Valerie asked, taking the book from him.

Wallis Budge's translation of the Kebra Magast. That's the Abyssinian Bible, or rather their own particular version of the Old Testament, mainly. I’ll find you the bit about how the wily Solomon did the dirty on the lovely Queen, if you like.' He lent over and turned the pages until he came to the passage. Then Valerie read:

And King Solomon sent a message unto the Queen, saying, `Now that thou hast come here why wilt thou go away without seeing the administration of the kingdom, and how the meal (s) for the chosen ones of the kingdom are eaten after the manner of the righteous, and how the people are driven away after the manner of sinners? From (the sight of) it thou wouldst acquire wisdom. Follow me now and seat thyself in my splendour in the tent, and I will complete thy instruction, and though shalt learn the administration of my kingdom; for thou hast loved wisdom, and she shall dwell with thee until thine end and for ever.' Now a prophesy maketh itself apparent in (this) speech.

And the Queen sent a second message, saying, `From being a fool, I have become wise by following the wisdom, and from being a thing rejected by the God of Israel, I have become a chosen woman because of this faith which is in my heart; and henceforth I will worship no other god except Him. And as concerning that which thou sayest, that thou wishest to increase in me wisdom and honour, I will come according to thy desire.' And Solomon rejoiced because of this (message), and he arrayed his chosen ones (in splendid apparel), and he added a double supply to his table, and he had all the arrangements concerning the management of his house carefully ordered, and the house of King Solomon was made ready (for guests) daily. And he made it ready with very great pomp, in joy, and in peace, in wisdom, and in tenderness, with all humility and lowliness; and then he ordered the royal table according to the law of the kingdom.

And the Queen came and passed into a place set apart in splendour and glory, and she sat down immediately behind him where she could see and learn and know everything. And she marvelled exceedingly at what she saw, and at what she heard, and she praised the God of Israel in her heart; and she was struck with wonder at the splendour of the royal palace which she saw. For she could see, though no one could see her, even as Solomon had arranged in wisdom for her. He had beautified the place where she was seated, and had spread over it purple hangings, and laid down carpets, and decorated it with miskat (moschus), and marbles and precious stones, and he burned aromatic powders, and sprinkled oil of myrrh and cassia round about, and scattered frankincense and costly incense in all directions. And when they brought her into this abode, the odour thereof was very pleasing to her, and even before she ate the dainty meats therein she was satisfied with the smell of them. And with wise intent Solomon sent to her meats which would make her thirsty, and drinks that were mingled with vinegar, and fish and dishes made with pepper. And this he did and he gave them to the Queen to eat. And the royal meal had come to an end three times and seven times, and the administrators, and the councilors’, and the young men and the servants had departed, and the King rose up and he went to the Queen, and he said unto her now they were alone together 'Take thou thine ease here for love's sake until daybreak.' And she said unto him, `Swear to me by thy God, the God of Israel, that thou wilt not take me by force. For if I, who according to the law of men am a maiden, be seduced, I should travel on my journey (back) in sorrow, and afliction and tribulation.'

And Solomon answered and said unto her, `I swear unto thee that I will not take thee by force, but thou must swear unto me that thou wilt not take by force anything that is in my house.' And the Queen laughed and said unto him, `Being a wise man why dost thou speak as a fool? Shall I steal anything, or shall I carry out of the house of the King that which the King hath not given to me? Do not imagine that I have come hither through love of riches. Moreover, my own kingdom is as wealthy as thine, and there is nothing which I wish for that I lack. Assuredly I have only come in quest of thy wisdom.' And he said unto her, 'If thou wouldst make me swear, swear thou to me, for a swearing is meet for both (of us), so that neither of us may be unjustly treated. And if thou wilt not make me swear I will not make thee swear.' And she said unto him, 'Swear to me that thou wilt not take me by force, and I on my part will swear not to take by force thy possessions'; and he swore to her and made her swear.

And the King went up on his bed on the one side (of the chamber), and the servants made ready for her a bed on the other side. And Solomon said unto a young manservant, 'Wash out the bowl and set in it a vessel of water whilst the Queen is looking on, and shut the doors and go and sleep.' And Solomon spake to the servant in another tongue which the Queen did not understand, and he did as the King commanded, and went and slept. And the King had not as yet fallen asleep, but he only pretended to be asleep, and he was watching the Queen intently. Now the house of Solomon the King was illuminated as by day, for in his wisdom he had made shining pearls which were like unto the sun, and moon, and stars (and had set them) in the roof of his house.

And the Queen slept a little. And when she woke up her mouth was dry with thirst, for the food which Solomon had given her in his wisdom had made her thirsty, and she was very thirsty indeed, and her mouth was dry; and she moved her lips and sucked with her

mouth and found. no moisture. And she determined to drink the water which she had seen, and she looked at King Solomon and watched him carefully, and she thought that he was sleeping a sound sleep. But he was not asleep, and he was waiting until she should rise up to steal the water to (quench) her thirst, And she rose up and, making no sound with her feet, she went to the water in the bowl and lifted up the jar to drink the water. And Solomon seized her hand before she could drink the water, and said unto her, `Why hast thou broken the bath that thou halt sworn that thou wouldst not take by force anything that is in my house?' And she answered and said unto him in fear 'Is the oath broken by my drinking water.' And the King said unto her, `Is there anything that thou hast seen under the heavens that is better than water?' And the Queen said, `I have sinned against myself, and thou art free from (thy) oath, But let me drink water for my thirst.' Then Solomon said unto her, 'Am. I perchance free from the oath which thou halt made me swear?' And the Queen said, Be free from thy oath, only let me drink water.' And he permitted her to drink water, and after she had drunk water he worked his will with her and they slept together.

Well!' Valerie exclaimed, closing the book with a bang. `What a rotten trick to play, jollying a girl into a promise like that and then saying she'd broken it just because she took a drink of water.'

Lovelace grinned. `If that line hadn't come off he'd probably have thought up another and I'll bet there wasn't much forcing about it. The Arabs have a saying, “The fate of every man is bound about his brow,” and she must have known what to expect when she consented to sleep in his tent, The Eastern peoples have .always been fatalists, you know.'

'What happened? I suppose she had a baby?'

That's right. Menyelek, her only son, whom

Solomon afterwards acknowledged as his heir. The boy became king of Ethiopia and the present Emperor's directly descended from him. Now you know why the ruling caste in Abyssinia always followed the Jewish faith from Sheba's day until they were converted to ...' Lovelace suddenly broke off and pointed. `Look, the voyage is nearly over. There's Cape Gris Nez looming up on the horizon.'

The weather was warmer now. Those nine April days at sea seemed to have put the wintry cold and sleet of Halifax among things long past. For the last twenty four hours they had been steaming up the English Channel; all day the sunshine and light balmy air had held a foretaste of true summer.

The last rays of the westering sun caught the white cliffs of the French coast as Valerie stared out towards them. In a few hours now she knew that the ship would berth at Rotterdam.

On previous voyages she had always felt a little thrill of joy on catching her first glimpse of Europe. It meant that she would soon be seeing old friends again; a prospect of change, new scenes, and jolly parties. Now, in the fading light, with the dark shadows of night gathering about them as the ship headed up the Straits of Dover, her heart was heavy with foreboding.