Black Mischief Read Online Free PDF Page A

you to the enemy. I know it. I have heard it all from one of the corporals
who is loyal to us. It was for this reason that I prepared the boat. When all
was ready I would have come to you, told you of their treachery and brought you
away safely.’
    ‘But,
Ali, you say they would hand me over to the enemy. Am I then really beaten?’
    ‘Majesty,
all the world knows. The British General Connolly has joined Prince Seyid.
They are there on the hills together now. Tomorrow they will be in Matodi.’
    ‘But
the Tank?’
    ‘Majesty,
Mr Marx, the distinguished mechanic who made the tank, fled last night, as you
well know.’
    ‘Connolly
too. Why should he betray me? I trusted him. Why does everyone betray me? Connolly
was my friend.’
    ‘Majesty,
consider the distinguished general’s position. What would he do? He might
conquer Seyid and your majesty would reward him, or he might be defeated. If he
joins Seyid, Seyid will reward him, and no one can defeat him. How would you
expect a distinguished gentleman, educated in Europe, should choose?’
    ‘They
are all against me. All traitors. There is no one I can trust.’
    ‘Except
me, Majesty.’
    ‘I do
not trust you. You, least of all.’
    ‘But
you must trust me. Don’t you understand? If you do not trust me there will be
no one. You will be alone, quite alone.’
    ‘I am
alone. There is no one.’
    ‘Then
since all are traitors, trust a traitor. Trust me. You must trust me. Listen.
It is not too late to escape. No one but I knows of the boat. The Armenian
Youkoumian is dead. Do you understand, Majesty? Give the order to the guards to
let me pass. I will go to where the boat is hidden. In an hour I will have it
here, under the sea wall. Then when the guard is changed you will join me.
Don’t you understand? It is the only chance. You must trust me. Otherwise you
will be alone.’
    The
Emperor stood up. ‘I do not know if I can trust you. I do not think there is
anyone I can trust. I am alone. But you shall go. Why should I hang you? What
is one life more or. less when all are traitors. Go in peace.’
    ‘Your
majesty’s faithful servant.’
    Seth
opened the door; again the scamper of the retreating spy.
    ‘Major.’
    ‘Majesty.’
    ‘Ali is
to go free. He may leave the fort.’
    ‘The
execution is cancelled?’
    ‘Ali
may leave the fort.’
    ‘As
your majesty commands.’ Major Joab saluted. As Ali left the lighted room he
turned back and addressed the Emperor.
    ‘Your
majesty does well to trust me.’
    ‘I
trust no one … I am alone.’
    The
Emperor was alone. Faintly on the night air he heard the throbbing of drums
from the encamped army. Quarter-past two. Darkness for nearly four hours more.
    Suddenly
the calm was splintered by a single, shrill cry —.a jet of sound, spurting up
from below, breaking in spray over the fort, then ceasing. Expressive of
nothing, followed by nothing; no footsteps; no voices; silence and the distant
beat of the tom-toms.
    Seth
ran to the door. ‘Hullo! Who is there? What is that? Major! Officer of the
guard!’ No answer. Only the inevitable scuffle of the retreating spy. He went
to the window. ‘Who is there? ‘What has happened? Is there no one on guard?’
    ‘A long
silence.
    Then a
quiet voice from below. ‘Majesty?’
    ‘Who is
that?’
    ‘Major
Joab of the Imperial Infantry at your majesty’s service.’
    ‘What
was that?’
    ‘Majesty?’
    ‘What
was that cry?’
    ‘It was
a mistake, your majesty. There is no cause for alarm.’
    ‘What
has happened?’
    ‘The
sentry made a mistake. That is all.’
    ‘What
has he done?’
    ‘It is
only the Indian, Majesty. The sentry did not understand his orders. I will see
to it that he is punished.’
    ‘What
has happened to Ali? Is he hurt?’
    ‘He is
dead, your majesty. It is a mistake of the sentry’s. I am sorry your majesty
was disturbed.’
    Presently
Major Joab, the captain of the guard, and Mr Youkoumian, accompanied by three
heavily burdened corporals,