Kendall had never heard the acronym before. He guessed it might refer to the British secret service. He felt a sudden spasm of hatred for this domineering woman beside him. He drew out a cigarette and tapped it deliberately against his case.
That, madame, is precisely who I am.
When the van stopped, Hugh wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and stood up. He had been crouching for so long that his knees screamed with agony.
The doors opened and the curtains were pulled back. The bull-like man beckoned him to come out.
Hugh jumped down and glanced around. He was in a cobbled yard. On three sides were sheds; on the fourth was a brick wall, ten feet high and topped with a row of spikes. The other man had his back to them: he was barring the heavy double gates in the middle of the wall. During the journey the afternoon had turned into evening.
His captor seized Hughs ear between a huge thumb and forefinger and led him over to one of the sheds. He shot back the two bolts, undid the padlock and pushed Hugh inside.
A match rasped and flared. The tall, thin man followed them in and closed the door behind them; his colleague lit a paraffin lamp. The wick was untrimmed and the lamp sputtered fitfully, throwing out a flickering yellow light.
The shed was about five yards square. It had a concrete floor and was lined with crudely built shelves of unvarnished pine. There were piles of tins on the shelves. All the tins which Hugh could see bore the same picture a garishly pink joint of ham.
The picture connected in his mind with the blood on his face and hands. He might have fallen against a pigs carcass. The thought made him feel slightly better.
The taller man pointed at Hughs face and said something in Czech. Both men chuckled.
Their laughter made Hugh feel a little bolder. Why have you brought me here? he demanded. Who are you?
Neither of them replied. The bull-like man, who seemed to be the leader, said something else in Czech. He walked behind Hugh and grabbed him by the shoulders; the grip was firm but not painful. The younger man knelt in front of Hugh and methodically emptied his pockets.
One by one, Hughs possessions formed a little pile on the concrete. Some items aroused little interest; but others, including the guidebook and Hiawatha, were obviously considered important.
Hugh tried to work out the motive for their search. When the thin man passed his purse, containing Aunt Vidas half-crown, to his colleague, the answer suddenly occurred to him: they were interested in anything that suggested he was English. The guidebook had the stamp of a London bookshop on the flyleaf; underneath Hiawathas base were the words Made in England. The hypothesis seemed to be confirmed when the two men exclaimed excitedly over the school outfitters label inside his jacket.
The conclusion intensified his fear: perhaps they were going to strip away all evidence of his name and nationality as a preliminary to murdering him.
When the search was over, the big man released his shoulders. Hugh backed away until he came to the shelves. He knew he had to do something before it was too late. One of those tins might make a weapon. He could knock over the lamp and make a break for the door. Plans chased feverishly through his mind, all nullified by the sheer impossibility of carrying them out.
But nothing happened to him. After a rapid, incomprehensible conversation, the men left without a word to him. They took the lamp with them. The bolts shot home and, a few seconds later, he heard the vans engine. The roar of the motor grew louder and then gradually diminished into silence.
Once he was alone, Hugh began to tremble uncontrollably. It was cold in the shed, but he knew that was not the only reason why his teeth were chattering. It was also completely dark. The only sound he could hear was the distant grumbling of traffic.
He edged across the floor, using his feet to probe for his belongings. When he found them, he stuffed them back in his pockets. Hiawatha remained in the palm of his hand.
Well, sir, they say its always darkest just before dawn, his batman would say in the gruff voice he reserved for tight spots. Somehow Hiawatha seemed less reassuring than usual.
Hugh tried to act as Major Kendall, VC, would do. He made a reconnaissance, which in this case meant looking in vain for a window and banging helplessly on the door. He laid an ambush: having chosen half a dozen tins of ham, he stood behind the door and waited for the enemy to return. As he made his preparations, he knew it was hopeless: Major Kendall lived in a different world from the two Czechs.
Of course it was possible that they didnt intend to murder him: perhaps they were going to hold him to ransom, in the mistaken belief that his father was a wealthy British businessman. But his father wasnt wealthy; and, even if he were, Hugh rather doubted that he would spend money to ensure the safe return of his son.
After five minutes of waiting in ambush on his feet, Hugh decided that he could wait just as well if he sat on the floor. He was tired; and he might feel warmer if he clasped his hands round his knees. He would have plenty of time to stand up when he heard the vans engine in the yard outside.
His head fell forward and he dozed.
The door cannoned into him, waking him abruptly.
Men were laughing; an unbearably bright light shone into his eyes. He turned his head away from the glare. His hand closed around one of the tins.
A womans voice said, But theres blood on his face.
Get up, boy, his father said.
A hand grasped one of his lapels and hauled him to his feet. The torch swung away from his face. Hugh recognized the fat woman with the fur coat and the two Czechs behind his father. Everyone seemed to be grinning and there was a heavy smell of spirits in the air.
His father cuffed him lightly. Whats that mess on your face? Have you been crying again?
Hugh shook his head automatically. He had learned long ago that admitting weakness to his father was always rash.
Alfred Kendall turned to the woman. Hes a regular mothers boy. The tone was jocular; in private he often used the same words in an entirely different way.
He needs a bath, she said judiciously. And perhaps food.
His father laughed. What he needs is a bit of self-discipline. Perhaps this tutor will make him pull himself together.
It occurred to him that they were talking about him as if he wasnt there. The four white faces above him seemed to be revolving, receding from him as they spiralled. The motion made him feel giddy; the acrid taste of nausea flooded his throat. One of the Czechs said something to his father, but the words were too faint for Hugh to catch.
His body crumpled into darkness.
It is all arranged, Madame Hase said.
Alfred Kendall pushed aside the remains of his breakfast. After last night, he had a splitting headache and Madame Hases voice made it worse.
When can he start?
This morning. I told him Hugh would come every day except Sunday, between nine in the morning and five in the afternoon. He can have his lunch there that will be included in Dr Spiegels salary. Hugh can go to and from the apartment by tram. It is an easy journey the number seven will take him almost from door to door.
I hate to think what this is going to cost.
Madame Hase sat down and reached for Kendalls coffee pot. Spiegels in no position to bargain. Besides, if money is short we can use one of the diamonds to cover these extra expenses. I know a jeweller who will give us a good price.
Madame Hase sat down and reached for Kendalls coffee pot. Spiegels in no position to bargain. Besides, if money is short we can use one of the diamonds to cover these extra expenses. I know a jeweller who will give us a good price.
But that money is for
The diamonds are there for a purpose. They may legitimately be used for anything which helps to achieve that purpose. We cant afford to have Hugh under our feet for the next week or so. You made a good start with Jan and Bela last night, but we still have a long way to go.
Id better tell Hugh. Kendall pushed back his chair. Theres no need for me to come, is there?
Madame Hase put down her coffee cup and reached for her cigarette case.
The less Spiegel knows the better. This time Ill take Hugh. Afterwards he can travel to Zizkov and back by himself. How is he this morning?
Kendall shrugged. None the worse for wear as far as I can see.
He is upstairs?
In our room, mooning around as usual. Ill bring him down. He glanced around the dining room and lowered his voice still further. Look here, are you sure we can trust this Spiegel chap? Hes not one of your lot, is he?
Madame Hase squinted at him through a cloud of smoke. Ludvik Spiegel was a friend of my fathers. Hes a man of no account a learned fool. I can twist him round my little finger.
When they reached the terminus, Hugh followed Madame Hase out of the tram. She led him in silence down a narrow street lined with small factories. Without warning she turned left through an archway. Hugh found himself in a large, rectangular courtyard, around which was an eight-storey block of flats.
Dr Spiegel lived in a top-floor apartment whose door gave on to the communal balcony. The balcony was an obstacle course of clothes lines, dustbins and bicycles.
This is not a nice neighbourhood, she said over her shoulder to Hugh. She rapped on Spiegels door. You must not talk to people on your way here.
The door opened with a screech of hinges.
Good morning! boomed Dr Spiegel.
He was a tall, thin man whose beard straggled over his bow tie. He ushered them into what was evidently his living room. It was crowded with dark-stained furniture and there were piles of books on most horizontal surfaces.
Madame Hase declined to sit down. She spoke rapidly in Czech to Spiegel; it sounded as if she was reeling off a string of orders. She left abruptly, without even glancing at Hugh.
Pan Kendall, we must introduce ourselves, Spiegel said in English. He held out a bony hand with ragged nails. How do you do?
How do you do, sir?
Hugh and his tutor shook hands ceremoniously.
Dr Spiegel tilted a chair, sending a pile of newspapers to the floor. Please sit down. I would advise you to keep your coat on for the time being. I do not light the stove in the mornings. You must pardon me for forcing you to share the brunt of my domestic economies.
For the next five minutes, Spiegel strode up and down, his frock coat flapping behind him, describing with nostalgia his experiences in the British Museum reading room at the turn of the century. Hugh felt himself relaxing.
And now, Mr Kendall, we must consider our curriculum. We need not trouble with English, since Im sure you know more about your delightful language than I could ever do. I think we may safely ignore mathematics and the natural sciences for much the same reason. Latin and Greek, on the other hand But I forget my manners: I should begin by asking your opinion. Is there something that you would like to learn which is within my competence to teach?
For a moment Hugh said nothing. His mind was full of what had happened yesterday. It wouldnt have been so bad if he could have understood what the two men were saying.
Id like to learn Czech.
Indeed? An interesting choice. You think you may be here for some time?
I dont know, sir. But Id like to know more of whats going on.
That, my dear Kendall, is a desire which does you credit. Most people prefer to know less rather than more. I wonder if we should add German to our syllabus? It is a language which is often heard in Prague. And of course you will need to have an idea of the historical background. Languages are not static things; they exist in time; they grow, flourish, and decay like organic matter. In a word, languages are alive. Like plants, their development is intimately connected with the soil and climate in which they grow. He smiled at Hugh, revealing an ill-fitting set of discoloured false teeth. Yes, I think we have our modern trivium: Czech, German and history.
Hugh looked blankly at him. Dr Spiegel appeared not to notice.
You will remember, of course, that the trivium provided the foundations of learning in the Middle Ages. Every scholar began with its three subjects, the essential tools of grammar, rhetoric and logic. But mutatis mutandis, as it were other subjects are essential if one is to live in contemporary Prague. It is most unfortunate, but these days one must be practical. At least I am well qualified in this respect: my mother was Czech, my father a Sudeten German, and my lifelong study has been history.
Dr Spiegel stirred in his chair. His mouth moved as if he was talking silently to himself. He pulled out his watch and consulted it. His hand shook so much that he had to steady it against his leg.
Before we begin, I think we should drink a toast to our joint enterprise. He peered anxiously at Hugh. Would this meet with your approval?
Hugh nodded. It seemed a little early for elevenses, but perhaps the routine was different in Czechoslovakia.
Dr Spiegel went into the next room; before the door closed, Hugh caught a glimpse of a sink piled high with crockery. The doors catch failed to engage and the door swung six inches back into the kitchen. Hugh saw his tutor take a brown, unlabelled bottle from a wall cupboard; he took a long swallow from it and put it away. When he returned to the living room, he was carrying another bottle and two large teacups, neither of which had saucers.
Glass breaks so easily, Dr Spiegel said apologetically. Taking great care to avoid spillages, he poured precisely the same quantity of a translucent golden fluid into each of the cups. He raised his cup in salute and drank with solemn concentration. Hugh took a sip and blenched: the taste was bitter.
Dr Spiegel refilled his own cup. Czech, of course, he remarked suddenly, is a Slavonic language in origin, though much influenced by German. It emerged as an independent language in the Middle Ages, at much the same time as the Czechs achieved political independence. Indeed, our progenitors used a single word, jazyk, to denote both language and nation. As you know, it is written in Latin characters; this was an early development, despite the problems associated with the transliteration of specifically Slav sounds
Please, sir, Hugh said desperately. I dont understand.
The excitement drained away from Spiegels face. Forgive me, Pan Kendall. I was giving you a condensed version of the introductory lecture I used to deliver to my first-year students. Perhaps it is not altogether appropriate to our present circumstances. He drank again and stared into the cup as if enlightenment was hidden there.
Sir, I really want to be able to understand what people are saying on the streets what the signs mean to know how to ask for something in a shop.