The King is Dead Read Online Free

thinks he knows who it is, wants confirmation. Since he does, I reminded him that a brace of good heads is preferable to one, and I suggested your father go along, too. I have something — I think I used the word “special” — in mind for Inspector Queen. Are you going to accept?’
    â€˜Yes, sir.’
    â€˜Good! The United States government is extremely — if unofficially — interested in keeping up to date on the state of His Majesty’s health. Is your father there?’
    â€˜Yes, sir.’
    â€˜Let me talk to him.’
    Inspector Queen said, ‘Yes, sir?’ and then he listened for a long time. After which he said, ‘Yes, sir ,’ and hung up.
    â€˜I thought that last paragraph concealed a weenie,’ muttered Ellery. ‘What does he want you to do, Dad?’
    â€˜Give him a confidential report on Bendigo Island. What’s on it, who’s on it — plant, personnel, plans, purposes, detail maps if possible — the whole picture, Ellery.’
    â€˜Do you mean to say our own government doesn’t know —!’
    â€˜Apparently not. Or what they know is sketchy or not up to date. So I’ve got to grow a tail in my old age,’ said the Inspector incredulously, ‘and make like the Trojan horse.’
    â€˜What fun.’
    They grinned at each other suddenly, shook hands, and then Ellery went into his bedroom to calm Mrs. Fabrikant, give her some money and instructions about the apartment, and pack a bag. Before leaving he burned the Washington letter and envelope in the brass ashtray on his night table and used the nozzle of Mrs. Fabrikant’s vacuum cleaner to suck up the ashes.

2
    The two cars skirted La Guardia Airport and drew up before a hangar with a gilded roof on which was lettered in black the single giant word, BENDIGO . The hangar was filled with aircraft of varying sizes and types, but all uniformly golden and inscribed with the unqualified name. An immense passenger plane loomed before the hangar, its motors warming up. Attendants in black and gold overalls swarmed over the plane.
    Blue Shirt carried the bags. A Bendigo plane was taking the air from one of the field runways, and Ellery asked him, ‘Where’s that one going? Or is such a question on Colonel Spring’s verboten list?’
    â€˜Buenos Aires, Johannesburg, Teheran — I wouldn’t know, sir. Hurry, please.’
    Brown Shirt was friendlier. ‘We’ll be on the plane with you … Help you up the step, sir?’
    The Inspector growled, ‘Not if you want to stay healthy!’
    They found Abel Bendigo waiting for them in the big ship. Its interior made them blink. It was fitted out like a private railroad car, with deep leather chairs, lamps, books, a central bar, and several compartments. The attendants — Ellery counted five, and he suspected others — wore black and gold uniforms. There were no women attendants and no other passengers.
    â€˜We’re taking off at once, gentlemen,’ said Abel Bendigo abruptly. ‘The stewards will see to your wants. I’ll have to ask you to excuse me. My work …’ His voice trailed off as he turned away. Two dark-suited, middle-aged men carrying portfolios were waiting for him at the door of one of the compartments. He brushed by them and they followed him quickly. A moment later the compartment door was shut.
    Rather pointedly, Ellery thought.
    The ship began to move.
    â€˜Would you take seats, please?’ said Brown Shirt’s pleasantly chill voice.
    He strapped them into two of the armchairs.
    â€˜You forgot the electrodes,’ muttered the Inspector.
    Ellery said nothing. He was watching Blue Shirt. Blue Shirt was moving from window to window, pulling down metal-vaned black blinds and securing them to the sills.
    â€˜All this hush-hush,’ said Ellery. They had felt the lift of the ship and heard the motors settle down to a comfortable