Day of the Assassins Read Online Free PDF Page B

“It means, boys, that we have here the ceremonial lance tip of one of the life guards of the Emperor of Austria.” His voice trailed off thoughtfully. “Or, to give him his proper name: Emperor of Austria, King of Jerusalem, Apostolic King of Hungary, King of Bohemia, Galicia, Lodomeria, Illyria and Croatia, Archduke of Austria, and Duke, Markgraf, Prince or Count of some thirty other places in the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy… indeed.” He smiled grimly and snorted, “They don’t give them titles like that any more!”
    “Indeed.” Angus said. Pendelshape narrowed his eyes and looked back at him sharply, trying to decide whether Angus was taking the mickey. Jack pressed on before he could make up his mind.
    “Sorry, sir, I didn’t think there were any empires left; I mean Austria is not an empire… do they even have a king?”
    Pendelshape was impressed, “Very good Jack. You’re absolutely right, but of course, this artefact is not modern. In fact, it is at least ninety years old…”
    “And what’s that funny brown staining on the metal, sir?” Angus asked.
    Pendelshape delayed his response, rubbed the back of his neck, and then said, matter-of-factly, “It’s blood.”
    Jack’s heart jumped and he glanced at Angus.
    Pendelshape stared out towards the window, deep in thought. A sparkling autumn day had gradually been enveloped by clouds that had rolled down from the hills. Suddenly, Pendelshape seemed to come to a decision about something. He stood up and kicked a rusty fan heater – it rumbled into life and reluctantly started to exhale tepid air into the classroom.
    “The Schönbrunn raid,” Pendelshape finally muttered. “It might well be…”
    “Sorry, sir – what’s that?” Jack asked.
    “Little is known about it – some people think it did not happen at all – that it is just a myth. Apparently, there was some sort of raid on the Palace of Schönbrunn in Vienna – a few days before the assassination of Franz Ferdinand in 1914. The Austro-Hungarian government was very embarrassed about an attack at the very heart of the empire. They tried to erase any evidence that it took place. The story goes that Austrian lancers took on a group of Serbian rebels in the gardens of Schönbrunn itself. There were a number of casualties.”
    “You think this lance could somehow be linked to this… raid?”
    Pendelshape shrugged. “Well, the design is distinctive and places it quite accurately at that time… and…”
    “What?”
    “It would certainly be an important historical find if we could place the lance to that date… it might even be evidence that the raid did indeed happen.”
    “Wonder how Dad came to have it in his workshop…” Jack said.
    “Yes – Jack…” Pendelshape said thoughtfully, “I would be interested to know that too.”
    The room fell silent for a moment. Finally, Pendelshape announced, “Well, school’s finished for today. I suggest you two stay around for an hour or so. Maybe do your homework in the library. I will go to the staffroom and phone a few colleagues, make some enquiries. Let’s see if we can find out exactly what the piece is and perhaps discover its value – maybe even test my theory. That might be interesting, don’t you think?” He looked at his watch, “Why don’t you come back at, say, five or so?”
    Jack looked at Angus with an enthusiastic nod. Angus shrugged.
    “Great. Thanks, sir. If you’re sure.” And with that they left Pendelshape as he picked up his magnifying glass and looked at the lance head.
    *
    As they left the classroom, Jack turned to Angus, “Pretty cool, eh? What do you want to do, then?”
    “Not go to the library for a start.”
    “Agreed. Gino’s?”
    “Nah. Boyle will be there – remember – four o’clock, Friday… and it’s Friday 13th – unlucky – I can’t face that lot.”
    They walked slowly down the austere Victorian corridor past the old classrooms, wondering how to kill an hour.
    “Watch