Brendan was allowed to walk around Covent Garden to get his bearings. The market had been discreetly surrounded by police officers; all the entrances covered.
Arthur watched Brendan as he inspected each building. After two hours, Brendan stopped in front of a building. It looked much the same as every other one, however, he was sure.
Without waiting for permission, he strode to the top floor. Arthur and Jonas waited outside for him. Brendan knocked on the door. He remembered a sequence of taps. The door slowly opened a little. Franz looked out at Brendan.
“Sergeant Major, what are you doing here?” Franz was concerned and kept eyeing the stairs.
“I am alone,” Brendan said. “Baron von Marburg is paying me to spy on you.”
“You had better come in and tell me what has happened.”
Brendan told Franz the story that Arthur and Jonas had concocted. It had elements of truth, interspersed with lies. The story told of the anarchists being used by German intelligence to discredit the anarchist movement in England and the continent. The blame for the outrage would lay at the feet of Franz and his co-conspirators. It was just enough to throw doubt into the mix.
“Why are you telling me this, Sergeant Major? The baron would certainly have you killed if he found out.”
“He has my wife. He abducted her and is holding her. I want your help to rescue her.”
“I see.” Franz had a healthy suspicion of those offering him help. What did the sergeant major want in return?
“And if I help you, what will you do for me?”
“Anything you want, sir,” Brendan replied.
“Will you kill the baron?”
“I will.”
“Are you alone, Sergeant Major? Perhaps you have the authorities waiting for me?”
“No sir, I am a wanted man. I will hang if I am taken.”
Franz went to the window and looked out at the market. He studied it for a few minutes. Nothing appeared out of place.
“Do you have somewhere to hide, Sergeant Major?”
“Yes, sir, I know the city very well. There is a warehouse near Puddle Dock, in the basement. It is not used. I have a key.”
“Go there. Wait until I send someone to get you. It will not be long. Then we will get your wife.”
Franz waited until midnight to leave the premises. He walked around, doubled back, and did everything to lose any tail. He eventually arrived at his destination.
Liam and Saul sat in the last row of pews. St Matthew’s Church was holding a service. In truth, the priest had opened the church to accommodate the poor and needy. The nights were always cold for those without proper clothing or hungry.
Franz joined the others. He told them everything Brendan had said. They discussed their next options. After hearing the story, Liam volunteered to help Saul find the truth from Raul.
Saul and Liam waited outside the Brixton address on Sunday morning. Raul exited the house and started to walk toward the Oval. Liam was astonished by Raul’s dress. He was clad in tails and a top hat. He carried a cane, which was for show rather than any infirmity.
He hailed a cab. The pair followed in their cab. A sympathiser, who owned a cab, was brought in to help them. They followed Raul, who travelled to Hyde Park. He stopped at a vendor for his favourite drink, a ginger beer. His demeanour was that of a well-to-do gentleman enjoying the morning sun.
In reality, Raul was discreetly looking at all the others strolling. He was waiting for a contact. He was surprised to see the baron walking toward him.
They both tipped their hats; this was supposed to look like a chance meeting. The Hauptmann stood behind the baron.
“Herr Baron, this is unexpected. I thought I was to meet a courier.” Raul was feeling nervous.
“I will be leaving England later today. I have inspected the barge. All is well. I have decided to change the plan a little. The anarchists and the Friends of Hibernia are no longer part of the operation. You will remove them. Mizel and the others are to be eliminated. Do you understand?”
“Of course, Herr Baron. May I ask why?”
“You may not. Suffice it to say, that I have got intelligence that is worrying.”
“I will need help.”
The baron looked toward the Hauptmann, who walked forward. He retrieved a letter from the briefcase he was carrying. He passed it to Raul and walked away.
“That letter has the whereabouts of the FoH contingent, the sergeant major’s wife and the police sergeants. The sergeant major is missing, presumed arrested. I will deal with him later. Do not fail. Herr Santiago. When you have completed your task, you will join the crew for the attack on the enemy.”
“Yes, Herr Baron.”
The baron walked away without acknowledging Raul.
Liam and Saul, saw the encounter. Neither one recognised the man Raul had spoken to. They waited by their cab. Raul walked towards the road.
A cab pulled up in front of him, he moved forward to open the door. He saw that it was occupied, “I beg your pardon, I thought this cab was free.”
He stepped back. At the same time, Saul greeted his friend, “Raul, what a surprise. Please join us.”
Raul moved back; he was unsure of what to do. It was decided for him when he saw the pistol that Saul held. He climbed in, removing his top hat.
“Liam, please go through Raul’s pockets.”
“I am sorry. The quicker you answer the questions, the sooner this will be over.”
“This is an outrage. What have I done to deserve this?” Raul said.
Liam found the letter and passed it over to Saul. Liam produced his own weapon as Saul began to read the letter. He passed it back to Liam.
“This is a warrant for our execution. Were you going to do it? I have known you for over ten years, it seems you are not the man I thought you were.”
“It is not what you think. I am a double agent for the communist party. The man who gave me the letter, is an enemy. I was told to get near to him and get intelligence about his plans. Franz knows all about it.”
“Franz knows? Why were we kept in the dark?”
“That man has had you marked for execution since before the operation was confirmed. He is German military intelligence. He calls himself Rutger Muller. He is very dangerous. Why would I betray you? You know me. I have been protecting you. He wanted to kill you, but I told him you were central to the plan. I would die for the revolution; you know that.”
“Hans, drive to the warehouse,” Saul said to the driver. “Raul, I so want to believe you. But your attire and the house you are living in is well beyond the funds of a revolutionary; even an expert thief,” Saul continued.
“It is my cover. The house, the clothes, are not mine. I need to appear as someone of means. I am a thief, and a good one.”
Liam sat back in the cab. He wanted to believe Raul. But he had the evidence in his hand, the letter.
“Raul, please hand over your pistol,” Saul said, pointing his own at his chest.
“You cannot. It is my only defence against the enemy.”
“Have no fear, Raul. I will protect you,” Saul said.
Raul pushed aside his jacket and removed the pistol from his waistband. He handed it to Saul.
“Sorry,” said Liam.