And now hes taken it one stage further, Chavasse said. Is that what youre leading up to?
Craig nodded. He mentioned in his letter, quite casually I might add, that he had reached the solution to the problem. He has proved that space can be twisted, manipulated if you like, until it becomes an energy field.
And this is really important? Chavasse said.
Important? The professor sighed. For one thing, it relegates nuclear physics to roughly the Eocene Age of science. For another, it gives us an entirely new concept of space travel. We could produce an energy drive for our rockets from space itself, something that would be infinitely superior to the Russian concept of the ionic drive.
Do you think Hoffner has any idea of the important of his discovery? Chavasse said.
Craig shook his head. Given his circumstances, I dont think he is even aware that orbital flights have taken place. If he knew that man had already crossed the space threshold, the value of his discovery would be at once obvious to him.
Its incredible, Chavasse said. Quite incredible.
Whats even more to the point is that knowing this does us no damn good at all as long as the know-how remains locked in the brain of a sick old man under house arrest in a Communist-dominated country, the Chief said. Weve got to get him out, Paul.
Chavasse sighed. Well, I was begging for action, he said, and now Ive got it, though how the hell Im supposed to pull it off, I dont know.
Ive already given that quite some thought. The Chief pushed the chessboard out of the way and unfolded a large map.
Now this is the area involved Kashmir and western Tibet. Changu is about a hundred and fifty miles from the border. Youll notice that some fifty miles into Tibet, theres a village called Rudok. In his despatch the other day, Ferguson had already informed me that, according to the young Tibetan nobleman who brought out the letter, the Chinese have little control of the area. He says the monastery outside Rudok is quite a centre of resistance. If we could get you there, youd at least have a base. Of course, from then on, youd have to play it by ear.
Two obvious points, Chavasse said. How do I get in and how do I get the locals to accept me if I do?
Thats all arranged, the Chief said. Since yesterday evening when Professor Craig first came to me to point out that there was more in the letter than met the eye, Ive used the special line to speak to Ferguson in Srinagar no fewer than four times. Hes arranged for this young Tibetan to go in with you.
And what about transportation?
Well fly you in.
Chavasse frowned. Are you sure its possible from Kashmir? The Ladakh range is a hell of a height.
Fergusons dug up a bush pilot named Jan Kerensky. Hes a Pole flew for the R.A.F. during the war. Hes doing government work in the area, aerial reconnaissance and so forth. Apparently, theres an old R.A.F. emergency airstrip outside Leh which he sometimes uses. Thats only eighty or ninety miles from the Tibetan border. Weve offered him five thousand to fly you in and land you at this monastery near Rudok and another five to pick you up again exactly one week later.
Does he think he can do it?
The Chief nodded. He says its possible, no more than that. Youre obviously going to need a hell of a lot of luck.
You can say that again, Chavasse told him. When do I go?
Theres a Vulcan bomber leaving R.A.F. Edgeworth at nine for Singapore. Itll drop you off at Aden. You can fly on to Kashmir from there.
The Chief got to his feet and said briskly, I dont think theres anything more we can do here, Professor. Ill take you home. You look as if you could do with some sleep.
As Craig started to get up, Chavasse said quickly, Just a moment, Professor, if you dont mind. Craig sat down again and Chavasse went on, Theres always the question of how Im to identify myself to Doctor Hoffner. Ive got to make him believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that Im absolutely genuine. Can you suggest anything?
Craig stared into space for a moment, a slight frown on his face, and then, quite suddenly, he smiled. There is something in Karl Koffners past which only he and I know, he said. We were in love with the same girl. There was a certain May evening at his rooms in Cambridge when we decided to settle the matter once and for all. She was sitting in the garden and on the toss of a coin, Karl went out to her first. Ill never forget the look on his face when he returned. Later, as I stood in the garden with her after shed promised to become my wife, he sat in the darkness inside and played the Moonlight Sonata. He was a superb pianist.
Thank you, sir, Chavasse said gently.
A long, long time ago, young man, but hell remember every detail of that night. I know I do. Craig stood up and held out his hand. I can only wish you luck, Mr. Chavasse. I hope to see you again, very soon.
As Craig picked up his coat, the Chief turned to Chavasse briskly and smiled. Well, Paul, its going to be a tough one, but just remember how important this is to all of us. Jeans going to stay and cook you a meal and so on. Shell drive you to Edgeworth and see you off. Sorry I cant come myself, but Ive an important conference at the Foreign Office at nine-thirty.
Thats all right, sir, Chavasse said.
The Chief ushered Craig to the door, opened it and turned. He seemed to be about to say something else and then thought better of it and closed the door gently behind him.
Chavasse stood in the middle of the room for a long moment after they had gone, and then he lit a cigarette and went back into the kitchen.
Jean Frazer was making a bacon and egg fry.
She turned and wrinkled her nose. Better have a shower. You look awful.
So would you if youd been handed a job like this, he said. Whats happened to the coffee, anyway?
I didnt want to disturb you. She hesitated and came towards him, smoothing her palms nervously along her thighs. Its not so good, is it, Paul?
It shines, he said. Putting it mildly. He grinned crookedly. Sometimes I wonder why I ever got mixed up in this crazy business.
I didnt want to disturb you. She hesitated and came towards him, smoothing her palms nervously along her thighs. Its not so good, is it, Paul?
It shines, he said. Putting it mildly. He grinned crookedly. Sometimes I wonder why I ever got mixed up in this crazy business.
Suddenly, she seemed close to tears. He bent down quickly and kissed her on the mouth. Give me ten minutes to shower and change and Ill have breakfast with you. Afterwards, you can drive me to my doom.
She turned away quickly and he went back into the living room and started to take off his tie. He opened the window and stood there for a moment, breathing in the raw freshness of the rain, and suddenly he felt exhilarated tremendously exhilarated. It was the first time in two months that he had felt really alive. When he went into the bathroom, he was whistling.
INDIA TIBET 1962
4
When Chavasse crossed the tarmac at Srinagar airport the following morning, Ferguson was waiting by the gate, a tall, greying man in his middle forties who looked cool and immaculate in a white linen suit.
He grinned and shook hands. Its been a long time, Paul. How are you?
Chavasse was tired and his suit looked as if it had been slept in, but he managed a smile. Bloody awful. I caught my flight out of Aden on time, but we ran into an electric storm and I missed my connection in Delhi. Had to hang around for hours waiting for a plane out.
What you need is a shower and a stiff drink, Ferguson told him. Any luggage?
Im travelling light this trip. Chavasse held up his canvas grip. Im relying on you to supply me with the sort of outfit Im going to need.
Ive already got it in hand, Ferguson said. Lets get out of here. My cars parked just outside.
As they drove into Srinagar, Chavasse lit a cigarette and looked out the window at the great white peaks of the mountains, outlined like a jagged frieze against the vivid blue sky. So this is the Vale of Kashmir?
Disappointed? said Ferguson.
On the contrary, Chavasse told him. None of the books Ive read do it justice. How long have you been here?
About eighteen months. Ferguson grinned. Oh, I know Ive been put out to pasture, but Im not complaining. Im strictly a deskman from now on.
Hows the leg these days?
Ferguson shrugged. Could be worse. Sometimes I imagine its still there, but they say that kind of hallucination can last for years.
They slowed down as the car nosed its way carefully through the narrow streets of a bazaar, and Chavasse looked out into the milling crowd and thought about Ferguson. A good, efficient agent, one of the best the Bureau had until someone had tossed that grenade through his bedroom window one dark night in Algiers. It was the sort of thing that could have happened to anybody. No matter how good you were, or how careful, sooner or later your number came out of the box.
He pushed the thought away and lit another cigarette. This flier youve dug up Kerensky? Is he reliable?
One of the best pilots Ive ever come across, Ferguson said. Squadron leader in the R.A.F. during the war, decorated by everybody in sight. Hes been out here for about five years.
Hows he doing?
Cant go wrong, really. This mountain flying is pretty tricky; he doesnt exactly have to worry about competition.
And he thinks he can fly me in?
Ferguson grinned. For the kind of money were paying him, hed have a pretty good try at a round trip to hell. Hes that kind of man.
Does he live here in Srinagar?
Ferguson nodded. Has a houseboat on the river. Only five minutes from my place, as a matter of fact.
They were driving out through the other side of the city, and now Ferguson slowed and turned the car into the driveway of a pleasant, white-painted bungalow. A houseboy in scarlet turban and white drill ran down the steps from the verandah and relieved Chavasse of the canvas grip.
Inside it was cool and dark, with venetian blinds covering the windows, and Ferguson led the way into a bathroom that was white-tiled and gleaming, startling in its modernity.
I think youll find everything you need, he said. Ive told the boy to lay out some fresh clothes for you. Ill be on the terrace.
When Ferguson had gone, Chavasse examined himself in the mirror. His eyes were slightly bloodshot, his face was lined with fatigue, and he badly needed a shave. He sighed heavily and started to undress.