The Saint and the Hapsburg Necklace Read Online Free PDF

that I have enlisted you in our cause.”
    He shook his head.
    “Don’t rush me. I haven’t promised
anything yet. Anyway, what’s his part in all this?”
    “He’s one of the richest men in Austria and has connec tions everywhere. A very useful man, and a very
charming one. Unfortunately my
mother does not like him, but she is a snob,
and he was born a peasant.”
    The Saint reached out his hand and helped her
to her feet. “All right, we’ll deliver you to Uncle Max and all
his connec tions. But don’t get ideas. I haven’t said I would help
you yet. I’ve got rather a lot on my platter just at the moment.
And don’t forget, Austria is not a very healthy place for me.”
    She gave him a mischievous look.
    “I think we can count on you. I don’t
think you would want to miss an adventure like this one.”
    Simon eyed her with respect. She evidently
had good rea son for her self-assurance.
    The Saint had borrowed Monty Hayward’s M.G.
N-type Magnette, for the trip—his own Hirondel was too well known, not
necessarily to the Austrian authorities, nor even the German, but to
the British. It would certainly have been noticed if he put it on the
cross-Channel ferry, and its depar ture reported to the ever-suspicious
attention of his old friend and enemy, Chief Inspector Teal of Scotland
Yard, who had an irritating habit of trying to spoil the Saint’s fun whenever he could.
    The drive to Max’s, with the girl giving him
directions, was uneventful. They were apparently not followed, and the traffic at
that hour was light, so their journey was quick.
    Max Annellatt had a flat in a large baroque
house in the aristocratic district behind the Belvedere Palace. The
Saint got out and held the door open for Frankie.
    “Well, auf Wiedersehen. I’ll be
seeing you around.”
    “No, you must come in and talk to Max
now.”
    He shook his head firmly. “I’ve had
enough of Max for to night, charming though he is. Anyway, he’s
probably had enough brandy by now to send him to sleep.”
    “All right,” she said. “But
can I call you in the morning?”
    “Certainly. But don’t leave it too late,
because I’d figured on being on my way out of here after breakfast, and you
still haven’t altogether convinced me that I ought to change my plans.”
    “Of course, I still must discuss with
Max—”
    “—before you take me into full partnership. I’d guessed that. So go into your huddle.”
    “My what?”
    “Forget it, my love,” he said.
“This isn’t the time and place for my lecture on the complexities of
the English language since it became American. Nighty night, sleep
tight, and mind
the Gestapo don’t bite.”
    She blew him a kiss and took a key out of
her bag. With it she opened a small door which, in the fashion of large Vien nese houses, was set in the
frame of a much more imposing portal. She
turned to say farewell, and suddenly her eyes widened as she looked over the Saint’s shoulder.
    Spinning around, he saw at once the cause of her alarm. Two men in raincoats had come out of the night
and were standing just behind him.
    One was small and rat-like, and the other
looked like a go rilla.
    The smaller man held a revolver.

II
    How Frankie laid down the law, and the
    Saint was driven into the country
     
     
    The Saint’s mind moved with lightning speed
and the Saint’s response was almost simultaneous. In another virtually
con tinuous about-turn he flung himself at the girl, sending her flying
through the door.
    The impetus of his charge carried him through with her, and he
slammed the door after him. The two men had been so surprised by his instantaneous reaction that they had not even moved.
    The Saint helped Frankie to her feet. She smoothed her skirt and batted her eyelids up at him.
    “You certainly do have the caveman
approach.”
    “And you’re like all women who want to
make quite sure that they’re looking nice even if they may get killed the
next minute. Come on, let’s get to Max’s