“And you say there’s no way either of them could have seen you?”
“How many times ’ave I got to say it, mate? What kind of fool blighter does you take me for! The lady was scared clean out her skin. And as for that kraut—”
“Watch your mouth, you old fool! Don’t forget you’re not in England now. Over here even the walls have ears. I don’t pay you what I pay you and then bring you all the way over here to have you shoot your mouth off and get us both thrown in some stalag. I pay you to keep me informed of the movements of that family and otherwise to keep silent.”
“My apologies,” replied the old lackey, just a hint of sarcasm underlying the respectful tone of his voice.
The man to whom he was reporting was in reality just past seventy and several years the senior of his cockney underling. But he bore himself with such peremptory authority, and the mere sound of his voice was so commanding, that few dared to cross him. To all appearances he was a man confident of always getting what he wanted.
“As I was sayin’,” the man went on, “I’d been keepin’ my eye on the girl like you said. Still nary a word on her man, but she’s takin’ up livin’ in his old flat. Then she met that German fellow.”
“Hmmm . . . most interesting,” said the other with a wave of the hand, speaking almost to himself. He leaned back from his desk and thought for a minute or two. This was an interesting business! What could she possibly have to do with a German? They were the most intriguing lot! Ever since reading about the marriage in the papers, he’d been curious as to what new possibilities might open up to him. Might there be something in this he could use? Even as he thought to himself, his intense black eyes glowed with a fire deeper than any human flame. I will bide my time, he concluded. As I always do. He had spent thousands of pounds over the years, in the hopes of ultimately satisfying the demon that still tormented him and fed the fires which looked out of his eyes. Yet ultimate victory had always eluded him.
At length he exhaled sharply and looked up at the man still standing in front of his desk. From a drawer he pulled out a thick envelope.
“Here is your fare back, and a little extra for your trouble,” he said. “Now you keep her under watch. I want to be able to get to her any time I want her. Is that clear?”
“All clear, mate.”
“And one more thing. You ever call me mate again, and I’ll have your throat slit. Is that clear?”
“Clear enough . . . sir.”