The Devil's Cocktail Read Online Free Page B

exclaimed, and then grinned. ‘By Jove!’ he said. ‘I am dense. But though I shall like having him with me, surely the fact of a professor with an English valet will cause comment. Five hundred rupees a month won’t keep my sister and myself, let alone an English servant.’
    â€˜Oh, that’s all right,’ said Major Brien. ‘You let Abdullah know that you have private means, didn’t you?’
    Hugh nodded.
    â€˜Very well then, that is explained. Of course you did not want to take Cousins with you, but the devoted fellow pleaded so hard that you couldn’t very well refuse him. Later on you’ll grumble a bit before people out there at the extra expense, and Cousins will be accepted as a matter of course. Naturally there will be people who will scoff at your soft-heartedness and call you a young fool, but que voulez-vous !’
    He shrugged his shoulders, and Hugh laughed.
    â€˜The whole thing sounds rather like a joke,’ said the latter.
    â€˜There’s no joke about it,’ said Major Brien. ‘You will have two duties to perform – one to your college, and one to us, and neither must be neglected. You must not in any way let your professorial work slide because we have taken advantage of a rather unique opportunity to send you out. Yours is going to be a difficult task, I’m afraid. Be careful not to fall between the two stools.’
    â€˜Shall I have to stay out for the three years mentioned in that advertisement, sir?’
    â€˜Your work might keep you all that time. If we want you back, no doubt we shall be able to arrange for your release. Now about Kamper. Are you quite sure that you saw him the other day?’
    â€˜Positive, sir! If I had been quicker I would have caught him.’
    â€˜It’s a pity you didn’t. There must be some further activitypending, since he has returned. If you were not going abroad I would put you on to it; as it is, Maddison is already engaged with Spencer in searching for him. He knows you, of course?’
    â€˜Very well, sir!’
    â€˜Well, let us hope that he won’t discover that you are off to India. If he does, your job will be rendered a hundred times more difficult.’
    â€˜How can he find out?’
    â€˜How do these Russian spies find out anything?’ said Major Brien bitterly. ‘Their system is so well organised that, in spite of all our efforts, they are almost as active as ever. Well, I won’t detain you any longer. No doubt you will be fully engaged preparing for your journey for the next few days. Don’t come near these offices any more! The Chief himself will see you at his house, and give you his final instructions before you sail.’
    â€˜When am I to call there, sir?’ asked Hugh, rising from his chair.
    â€˜He’ll ring you up, and let you know. I don’t suppose I shall see you again myself, so I wish you goodbye, and the best of luck.’
    He held out his hand, and Hugh grasped it firmly, as he thanked him for his wishes.
    â€˜Remember!’ said the Deputy Chief. ‘We rely upon you!’
    Hugh was driven rapidly homeward, and burst in upon his sister, as she was directing the removal of trunks, boxes and suitcases from the box room to the garden, where they were to be aired. He put his arm in hers, and took her along to his own particular den. Placing an armchair for her, he put her into it, and then started to fill his pipe.
    â€˜Why this?’ she asked.
    â€˜I want to tell you something,’ he replied.
    â€˜Be quick about it then, for I am terribly busy, and I warn you that you will only get monosyllables out of me for the next week. Have you booked the berths?’
    â€˜Not yet!’
    â€˜If you don’t hurry you won’t get any. This is the rush season, isn’t it?’
    â€˜An hour or so won’t make any difference. Listen, Joan! I have been talking to Major Brien for the last