The Secret War

5

The intricate Web

The Hotel de Bayonne et Biarritz is situated in a quiet side street behind the Gare St. Lazare. It is small, old fashioned, and unpretentious.

Christopher Penn had always occupied a suite at the Crilleon on his previous visits to Paris but, in their peculiar circumstances, Sir Anthony Lovelace had considered it imperative that they should avoid all their usual haunts. He had selected this modest hotel as their headquarters. Valerie Lorne had flown them from Rotterdam that morning and was still with them. They had only arrived half an hour before and were still busy with a breakfast of hot coffee and crisp rolls.

All three of them were waiting now, while they ate their hurried breakfast, in the stuffy little private sitting room of the hotel, with its old fashioned gilt framed mirrors and worn red plush furniture, for the man who was to give Christopher further instructions which might carry him to Italy, Malta, Egypt, Eritrea, or even, perhaps, Abyssinia.

'When this chap turns up how shall we know that he is one of us?' asked Lovelace suddenly.

`Naturally he will be,' Christopher replied a little irritably. 'I was given his name before I left the States and I wired him from Rotterdam soon after we landed last night, directly we'd settled where to go to earth when we reached Paris, in fact. I showed you his reply, which was waiting for us here when we arrived. Saying he'd been expecting me for nearly a week and would call this morning.'

'Yes, but as the Millers of God have no secret sign or password, what guarantee will you have that he's actually the man you believe him to be? We'll be in a fine mess if the enemies have intercepted your wire and send one of their own people to lead us into a trap.'

Christopher shrugged. `That's most unlikely. Anyhow its better we should have to take such an outside chance than that the society should have permanent centre’s and an organised membership. With only our leaders meeting to formulate decisions, which are passed on by word of mouth, it makes it far harder for the police, or anyone else, to fix anything on an individual member. When I've done my job I shall just fade out, as others have, and there won't be a single document or tie in existence to prove I did it.'

At that moment the shabby waiter ushered in a short plumpish, smartly dressed man of about thirty, and waved him towards the little party at the table.

Christopher got up to meet the visitor who, as the door closed again, said quickly; `Mr. Penn yes? I am Paul Barrotet. I had expected to find you alone for discussion of our business.'

`My fiancé, Miss Valerie Lorne, and Sir Anthony Lovelace.' Christopher introduced the others. `They both came over with me and know all about this thing.'

`All?' The Frenchman asked sharply, raising a pair of bushy black eyebrows.

`Yes. I exercised my discretion, as members are entitled to when they need help. Won't you sit down?'

Barrotet bowed to Valerie and then his black boot button eyes rested for a second on the tall, brown faced Englishman. He bowed again before pulling up a chair and said gravely, `One sees in Sir Anthony the type which has made the justice of his nation respected all over the world, and it is a war of justice which we wage. Only through the work of the Millers of God can there be any true hope of a permanent world peace.'

`Miss Lorne has only come as far as Paris with us,' said Lovelace slowly, `and I only volunteered to join Penn because I know the countries to which you may be sending him, whereas he's never been east of Rome.

He's told me quite a lot about the Millers of God in the last fortnight, and I understand that your aim is to stop future wars by killing off the war makers. Any number of people must profit out of war though, and what I don't quite get is where certain of them reach the point when the Millers decide that they should be er ... executed?'

The short, dark Frenchman leant back and spread out his hands. `It is simple no? Is it agreeable to you that we should speak in French which is easier for me?'

A succession of nods greeting his suggestion, he went on quickly `Many who contribute in a small way to the making of wars are unconscious agents, guilty of no more than lack of thought for the general good in the means they employ to earn their daily bread. With them we do not interfere. It is those few, wealthy, intelligent, unscrupulous, who deliberately aggravate national grievances in the hope that wars may result from which they will profit, upon whom we pass sentence.

`I give you an example, bein? Certain of our members keep constant watch upon the International Press. Day after day they find paragraphs in the Italian papers which say

“Britain is secretly backing Abyssinia.”

“'British rifles have been found in the hands of captured Abyssinians.”

“Britain has put an embargo on the sale of camels in her African territories; in consequence Italian soldiers are suffering the torture of thirst, because not enough camels can now be purchased to ensure regular water transport.”

“Britain is turning innocent Italian business men out of Malta and Egypt on false charges of espionage, so that British merchants can secure their trade.”

`And so on, and so an. Meanwhile, British papers it appears

' “Italy's real objective in this war is not the barren, mountains of Abyssinia, but to turn the British out of fruitful Egypt. Abyssinia is only the first step.”

“ An Italian was arrested in the dockyard at Malta with a bomb in his pocket when attempting to get an board a British warship.”

“An automobile bearing a G.B. touring plate was overturned in Milan and its English occupants chased by an angry mob,”

` The Italians are a lot of cowards; remember how they ran away at Caparetto ! "

`And so on, and so on.'

Lovelace nodded. `Yes, I thought digging up that last business was absolutely uncalled for; a gratuitous insult to a friendly power. But I suppose their Press said the same about our troops having been nearly chivvied out of South Africa by a lot of farmers in the first year of the Boer War.'

'Exactly.' Barrotet leant forward earnestly. `.Now these things are pinpricks only, but constantly irritating pinpricks, goading each of these naturally friendly people to distrust, fear, and hate each other. No ordinary journalist in either country is so stupid, or wantonly

malicious, as to wish to influence his people to a degree of bitterness where they might force their leaders into war. Ninety percent. of these paragraphs were inspired.'

Christopher's black, unruly hair was damp about the temples, and he listened with eager, fascinated attention as the Frenchman went on softly

'The Millers of God traced those paragraphs to their source. In the Bureau, from which they emanated, a certain man was receiving secret payment on a very high scale to distort facts and utilize every possible episode to aggravate bad feeling between Italy and Britain, The Millers of God decided to “eliminate” that man. He is now dead.'

A little shudder shook Valerie's shoulders. On her record making flights she had had to face the fact that, if anything went wrong, she might be forced down over land or ocean and, when her frozen fingers could no longer cling to the slowly sinking plane, drown; or crash to earth where she would be consumed in a blinding sheet of flame. Yet there was something infinitely more horrible in the Frenchman's quiet statement that this man had been `eliminated'. It conjured up thoughts of darkness and stealth; the unsuspecting victim taken unawares; his stark terror when he found himself cornered and cowed before the pistol barrel, knowing ' there was no escape.

`That's right! That's right!' Christopher whispered, and Valerie turned to look at him. His dark eyes shone with a sombre fire, two pools of blackness in the matt pallor of his handsome face. He was trembling slightly and seemed almost carried out of himself by his fanatical zeal for this secret war that was to end all wars. For the hundredth time since she had left her home on Long Island, she told herself : `It is a Crusade ... a Crusade ... and he needs my help. I mustn't let him down.'

Her glance shifted to Lovelace. The older man was quietly puffing at his pipe. His was a stronger face, tanned to a permanent brown by years of travel in hot countries, and lined a little at the corners of the mouth and eyes. His lids were lowered and he appeared quite impassive. She would have given a lot to know what thoughts were passing behind that unrevealing mask. He had said that if, by giving his life, he could prevent another war he would endeavour to screw up his courage to it, and she had little doubt about his courage; but she did not believe that he gave his full approval to the methods of the Millers of God. Suddenly he spoke

`Did you give this fellow any warning?'

Barrotet nodded. `Yes and he refused to take it'

`Well, that was fair enough, I suppose. He certainly deserved death according to your standards.'

`None who is sentenced by the Millers of God does not.'

'Go ahead then. What is Penn's particular job to be? The Frenchman sat silent for a moment. 'Do you know why this war was started?' he asked.

`I know the usual reason given. The Italian need for expansion.'

`That is what the Italians believe themselves, but only because they have been made to do so by intensive propaganda. The truth is very different and known only to those behind the scenes. Abyssinia is practically the only black man's country which has so far remained closed to the white man's exploitation. It is rich in minerals and there is good reason to suppose that great quantities of oil could be obtained from a certain district of the country. For years whites of many nationalities have been pestering the Emperor to grant concessions. he has refused to do so because he considers it better that his people should remain semi barbarous and free from work in mine gangs than flaunt the tawdry trappings of western civilisation,

`Having failed to secure concessions by arguments or temptations, those interests, which we do not need to specify, decided to force the Emperor's hand. His country is not rich by our standards. If it were compelled to sustain a war the necessary money to purchase armaments would become a vital necessity. What has Abyssinia to sell? Nothing except concessions. You follow me?'

`The devils! Christopher snapped. 'So they worked on the minds of the Italian people until they lost all sense of reason and began to clamour for a war which would revenge the defeat at Adowa. Just think of it ?

That happened in the time of the grandfathers of those poor wretches who're dying out there today. Hardly one of them could have given it a thought until they were stirred up by this vile propaganda.'

Barrotet bowed. 'To come now to the present situation. War has been made but those who made it have not yet secured their concession and, although they are reaping profits, the war is small. The corpse is not big enough for the vultures. They hope to secure their concession shortly now, but war is even more profitable than concessions and, if they get it, they intend to use it to bring about another general conflagration.'

Lovelace shook his head. 'They won't succeed. In spite of all the mud that's been slung Britain and Italy are still friendly at rock bottom. Besides, Mussolini must realise that Italy would be bound to lose in a war against the British Empire, even if the other members of the League ratted on us.'

Perhaps, although it is admitted that the hundred and eighty mile stretch of sea which separates Italy from North Africa is too wide for the British Fleet to close against Italian transports. Also that Italian bombing planes have sufficient range to attack Alexandria and return to their bases on the Libyan frontier. However, that is by the way. All that I say now has application not only to the tension over Abyssinia. The war there may burn itself out If it does, other equally grave situations are certain to be fermented and made use of for the same purpose, by the enemies of peace, in the future, Let us concede that Britain could master Italy alone. Could she, at the same time, defend herself from Germany?'

`Germany!' Lovelace exclaimed. `But for years past Germany and Britain have been drawing closer together. We can't understand her ill treatment of her Jewish citizens, but that's about the only difference of opinion between us.'

'You may think so and I, a Frenchman, agree that at heart Britain is nearer to Germany than she is to France, but there is a far more serious question between you than Germany's determination to become one hundred percent. Aryan. Have you soon forgotten that the whole of her Colonial Empire was taken from her after the great War, and that Britain annexed her most valued possessions?'

`Of course she'd like to have German West and Tanganyika Territory back but we're not willing to give them up that's true.'

`It is. Germany raised the question of the return of her Colonies before she left the League, but she received no satisfaction. The soulless intelligence we have to fight misses nothing. It has worked upon the minds of the German people ever since. Never for a day are they allowed to forget what they consider to be this great injustice and insult to their pride as a nation. Why have they made their country an armed camp again? Not to crush France, although they hate us. They have been preparing for the chance which will soon be given them: the opportunity to regain their lost Empire.'

Lovelace showed a keener interest now. This was no longer a question of high moral principle alone. It touched in him a deeper and more primitive chord the welfare of his own country. `How will they try to bring Germany in?' he asked quickly.

The plump Frenchman leaned forward and tapped the table. `We return now to their immediate intention. Their present plan; you understand me? If they secure this Abyssinian concession they will tempt Germany into purchasing it at a very reasonable price. An arrangement has already been made to that effect.'

`But surely that would set the Germans and Italians at loggerheads?'

Barrotet smiled a little pityingly. `On the contrary, it will bring them together. The concession is a double edged weapon in that it will provide Abyssinia with just enough money to make things difficult for the Italians. Mussolini dare not retreat and throw in his hand. If he is forced to it he ,will go down fighting. His people already consider Britain to be behind the Abyssinian resistance, and that she is doing her best to hamstring Italy by the application of these, only partially successful, sanctions, Yet he is no fool, and before he allows his countrymen to force him he will seek; allies.'

And then?'

'He will say to the Germans. “These concessions which you have purchased in Abyssinia are no good until you can operate them fully. I will offer you something better. For many months Britain has been concentrating her strength in the eastern Mediterranean, Egypt and the Sudan. At home she is almost defenseless. I will attack and hold her main forces in Africa while you devastate London and her principal centre’s of population from the air. Afterwards we will divide the British Empire between us.” '

Lovelace looked up from his pipe. 'How about France?

'Dare France go to Britain's aid even if she wishes to do so? Mussolini's main army is still in Europe. Could France afford to risk a simultaneous attack Europe. Italy in the south and the newly equipped German armies in the north?'

'In such circumstances the British Army would be sent to your assistance.'

Barrotet lifted his dark eyes to heaven. `Pardon, my friend. You naturally consider the British Army an important factor, but you forget that in recent years you have allowed it to shrink to a few divisions. Your home forces today may be excellent, but in numbers they are less than those of the weakest Balkan state. No army which you could place in the European field could possibly turn the scale for France against the combined might of reborn Italy and new Germany. It is for that reason France has been negotiating an alliance with Soviet Russia, and I do not say that she will not honour her obligation to the League and Great Britain. Only that, without Russia behind her, it would be suicide for her to do so. A man thinks twice before he takes his own life, however black the future may appear.'

`I see your point.' Lovelace admitted. `Britain is the great bulwark of Capitalism, and if the Bolsheviks thought there was a chance of her being smashed once and for all they might refuse to come in. Then, if France considered the odds against her too heavy, we might have to face the whole shooting match on our own.'

`That is so. Within a month, perhaps, if the plot to utilize the Abyssinian situation cannot be stopped. Even if we succeed in that you must still regard such a combination as a menace which you may have to face in the future, and if Russia, France, and the Little Entente did come to your assistance your case would not be very much better. Japan would immediately move against Russia, and apparently, from the recent trend of events, Poland, Austria and Hungary would join Germany and Italy in their attack on France.'

Lovelace shook his head. `Either way it sounds desperately grim, but I can't think the Germans have the least wish to go to war with Britain.'

`They have not. At present there is no personal hate between the two countries at all, except amongst the British Jews who are so bitter against the Nazis. But day and night the agitators are at work poisoning the minds of the German people with the delusion that because they have lost their colonies they have lost there honour. Mussolini is a very able statesman, and he will use that feeling to bring Germany in with him against Britain rather than face the collapse of Fascism through a stalemate in Abyssinia.'

`And it is this Abyssinian concession which the war makers propose to use as their bait to involve Germany?'

`Yes. That is their present programme. At the moment the Italian armies are steadily advancing into Abyssinia. When the rains come they must call a halt, and then the Emperor will have a breathing space in which to consider his position. The Italians will dig themselves in and, since modern weapons give natural superiority to defence over attack, even where opposing armies are equally well equipped, no Abyssinian offensive will be able even to shake the Italian line. If the Emperor can manage to hold up the Italian advance until the rains come he will have at least six months in which to equip and train many of his regiments to fit them for modern warfare in the next year's campaign. So far he has used his private fortune to purchase supplies, but now the Abyssinian war chest is exhausted. He must choose between leaving his warriors to be massacred when the Italians advance again, or selling concessions to provide them with modern equipment which will strengthen their resistance.'

Valerie nodded. `And he will take the latter course as the lesser evil, because it is his only chance to escape complete defeat and the total loss of his Empire.'

`Mademoiselle, you have said it.' Barrotet waved a plump but muscular hand. `The matter is already agreed and a date fixed when Paxito Zirrif will be in Addis Ababa to give the credits and receive the signed concession.'

`Paxito Zirrif,' Lovelace murmured. `I've heard of him. He's a fabulously rich Armenian isn't he?'

`Yes. He is also the man who has arranged for the sale of the concession to Germany immediately he has secured it, which would give her a strong interest in Abyssinia and bring the whole question of overseas territories for her to a head.'

`Unless . . .' murmured Christopher.

`Unless Paxito Zirrif fails to reach Addis Ababa.'

`Penn hasn't got to go to Abyssinia after all, then. Lovelace cut in.

'No. At present Zirrif is at his home in Athens knew that there was reason to suppose that he remain there for about three weeks when we sent for you. He is not due in Addis Ababa until the first of May, That is the date which has been arranged for the signing of the concession.'

'He may be leaving Athens at any moment now, then, Christopher said anxiously.

'Unfortunately, that is so. Therefore the affair is doubly urgent. When you responded to our call that you would leave immediately, we naturally expected you would sail on the Europa and arrive six days ago. Your delay in reaching Europe has caused us grave anxiety. It shortens so much the time you have to work in.

'If time is so essential, why did you select an American?' Valerie asked.

`Because Zirrif is very carefully protected. It was decided that a wealthy young American would be less suspect than anyone on, this side and 'would stand , more chance of getting at him.'

'You're wrong there,' said Christopher quickly. I was warned that they knew what I was up to before I left the States and that if I quit the country I'd be dead within a week. That's why we took the longer route via Canada and a slower boat.'

Barrotet's eye brows shot up into his broad, low forehead.

Mon Dieu." he exclaimed. 'But this is difficult perhaps you are being watched now,'

I doubt it.' Christopher shook his head. `We came by Miss Lorne’s plane from Rotterdam and went to earth in this hole after Lovelace had taken us seven times round Paris in seven different taxis.'

'That is good, but the fact that they know may prove a serious handicap to your operations.' Barrotet produced a sheaf of papers. Look! Here are particulars about Paxito Zirrif, also a letter stolen from a Mr. Jeremiah Green as he lay dying of fever in the Sudan. He was on his way to Zirrif as a go between, on behalf of the Abyssinians, but he did not know Zirrif personally. We had hoped that by presenting yourself to Zirrif as Jeremiah Green you could have found an opportunity to. ..'

`As they know Penn to be associated with the Millers of God, they're certain to have cabled his description,' Lovelace interrupted. `He daren't adopt your plan now. He'd be rumbled at the start.' Barrotet's black, boot button eyes fixed themselves upon the Englishman. `Does the enemy yet know that you have taken a hand in this affair?'

Lovelace shrugged. `There is no earthly reason to suppose they have ever heard of my existence.'

`Then why should you not impersonate Jeremiah Green, and lure him on some pretext to a spot where ... Penn could do the rest?'

Valerie's eyes were on Lovelace's face again. He was fingering uncertainly the small upturned moustache which decorated his upper lip.

`You are sure that if this concession goes through it means a universal smash up?' he asked after a moment.

`Yes. We who know the inside facts are virtually certain of it.'

`All right I'll do it then.'

Barrotet pushed across the papers. `I am glad that you have so decided. Please now to memorize these few names and addresses that I will tell you. They are the Millers of God living in the Near East upon whom you may call for assistance in case of necessity. Afterwards, when you make your escape, it is better that you should go on to Haifa or Cairo and lie low there for a time than that you should return to Europe, where the International police will be more occupied in trying to trace Zarrif’s executioner.'

Ten minutes later the Frenchman left them, and his last words were: 'Remember, please, that time is short,

All our previous efforts to stave off war will have been

wasted unless Paxito Zirrif is dead by the first of May,'