Newbury & Hobbes 04 - The Executioner's Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

destroy the very fabric of our nation.”
    Newbury waited until he was sure the Prince had finished. His words of warning hung in the air between them, almost tangible. “Do you anticipate war?”
    The Prince smiled sadly. “I fear that I do. My nephew, the Kaiser, is inquisitive and impatient. He is hungry for power, and unsatisfied with what he already has. His greed will bring war to these shores before long, Newbury. Mark my words.”
    War? In the streets of London? The notion was barely conceivable, and yet here was the Prince of Wales himself, sitting in Newbury’s drawing room, delivering an impassioned warning of what was to come.
    “So … how may I be of assistance, Your Royal Highness? I fear I know very little of war.”
    The Prince turned, staring at the impish yellow flames that flickered and danced amongst the coals in the grate. “I fear my mother is unwell. Too unwell to continue to rule as she has. Her decisions are … compromised. While she sits in state at the heart of the Empire, unseen by her people, her enemies scheme. I fear if something is not done, her legacy will be eroded. Slowly, the Empire will retract, become inwardly focused, until we can no longer sustain our boundaries. And then the vultures will come, and we will not be strong enough to fend them off.”
    “Surely, Your Royal Highness cannot be considering a pre-emptive strike against the Kaiser?”
    “I’ve considered it, Newbury,” he said, gravely. “To instigate a full blown conflict, however, would seem somewhat premature. No, I’m talking about making a stand. About positive action. The enemies of Britain cannot be allowed to consider us weak. We might divert a war by demonstrating to those nations that their subterfuge and duplicity is known to us, and that it will not be tolerated. Their agents must be found and ejected from London. That would send a clear and definite message.”
    Newbury nodded slowly as he considered the Prince’s words. “And what of the Queen?” he asked, his voice low.
    The Prince gave him a hard stare in response. “The Queen has a great deal to worry her already, Newbury, without adding this to her burden. We should act on her behalf, for the benefit of the Empire.”
    Newbury’s head was swimming. He wanted more than anything to return to the warm embrace of his sofa and his opium fugue, to escape this conversation of war, spies, and subterfuge. But he could hardly tell the Prince of Wales to leave him in peace. “And how may I be of assistance in this matter, Your Royal Highness?” he said, trying to keep the reluctance out of his voice.
    “For now, Newbury, by keeping your eyes and ears open. Seek out those who may not have the Empire’s best interests at heart. Help to identify the enemies in our midst. Nothing more.” He glanced down at the tea tray as if considering whether he wanted to consume anything on it, but apparently decided not to. “Although I’d urge you very strongly to watch your back,” he added.
    Newbury suppressed a frown. What was the Prince getting at? A witch hunt? With Newbury as Witchfinder General? And that last comment seemed purposefully loaded. Was Newbury himself somehow at risk? “Because of the foreign agents?” he asked.
    The Prince left the question hanging, unanswered, but Newbury could read the response in the man’s face. Because of my mother , the look in his eyes seemed to suggest. Because of the Queen .
    A shudder passed unbidden through Newbury’s body. It seemed Albert Edward was aware of his mother’s scheming tendencies. The thought left a sour taste in Newbury’s mouth. Even the woman’s own son—and future heir to the Empire, no less—was not immune from her plotting and politicking.
    The Prince caught Newbury’s eye. “If you ever need me, Newbury, you need only call.” He paused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “I only hope that I might do the same.”
    “Of course, Your Royal Highness. Consider me at your