The Cauldron Read Online Free Page A

English breakfast. He marvelled at how slim she remained - she always ate large meals when she could. He thought how attractive she looked, wearing a pale blue T-shirt, white linen trousers and white pumps.
    As he sat down the brunette was about to leave her table, still wearing tinted glasses. He estimated her height at five foot six against his own five feet nine and again she wore an outfit which showed off her figure to full advantage. She sat down again when she saw him, poured herself more coffee. He was careful not to catch her eye.
    Newman had just ordered his own full English breakfast when one of the serving girls came over and bent down to whisper.
    "There's a courier outside who has asked for you. He insisted he must see you personally. Don't worry about your breakfast. I'll wait until you get back...'
    Butler, still in courier kit, was waiting for him in the large courtyard a distance from the hotel. This time he kept his helmet on. Smart, Newman thought as he went over to him - Butler had realized at this hour guests would be about. Handing him a large cardboard-backed envelope with nothing on the outside to indicate its source, Butler raised his helmet, began talking in a low voice.
    'Tweed's instructions are for you to stay down here. All of you. I have to back you up. I've left my case at the Meudon Hotel just down the road. Tweed may arrive here himself - on the pretext of keeping Paula company. He said it's important we check Mullion Towers, Moloch's place out in the wilds.'
    Newman said nothing as, with his back to the hotel, he carefully unsealed the envelope and withdrew three large glossy prints. The face of the dead swimmer had come out even better than he had hoped for. He slid them back as Butler went on talking.
    'You'll see I've removed the courier sticker from the machine. If you need me, call the Meudon. I'm registered as Butler. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.'
    "That gives me unlimited scope for any risky enterprise.' Newman joshed him. 'And thank you, Harry. You look amazingly fresh after your long trips.'
    'Who needs sleep?'
    Butler pulled down his helmet, turned to his machine, and when Newman swung round the attractive brunette was coming out. He acknowledged her briefly, went back inside.
    Paula was sitting by herself, legs neatly crossed as she appeared to be absorbed in a magazine. Newman paused by her side, pointed to something in the magazine.
    'We need to meet. All three of us. But not obviously. Inside this place.'
    'My room.' she said promptly. 'It's large. I'll leave the door unlocked ...'
    Marler stood in the other lounge, staring out of the window at Venetia V, still floating outside the entrance to Falmouth harbour. His acute hearing had caught the lowered voices. He swung round and there was no one else in the lounge as Newman approached him, the envelope tucked under his arm.
    'Meeting in Paula's room. The door will be unlocked. You slip in after a few minutes.'
    'Understood. Paula has just left the other lounge...'
    Ten minutes later Newman and Marler had joined Paula in her spacious room on the first floor. She had already prepared for their conversation - the small radio she always took with her on hips was playing classical music and she had turned on both bathtaps and left the bathroom door open. More than enough to scramble what they said if someone was trying to eavesdrop.
    'Harry Butler is staying at Meudon Hotel just down the road.' Newman began. 'Under his own name. Tweed himself may come here suddenly. If he does, he'll know you, Paula, but none of the rest of us.'
    'What's happening?' Paula interjected. 'Tweed sounds to be assembling a powerful force in this area.'
    'Do let me finish.' Newman requested. "The main target for us is Moloch's mansion, Mullion Towers. I've checked it on the map. It's right in the wilderness so far as I can tell.'
    'So he's very concerned about Moloch.' Paula mused.
    'If you'll just let me proceed.' Newman told her with mock