The Aquila Project (19 page)

Box glanced at the stern face of the man walking beside him, and knew what his veiled words had signified. What was it that Sergeant-Major Schmidt had said? ‘The colonel has his little ways.’

‘Strewth!’ said Box, under his breath, and then asked the colonel another question.

‘What were those plans, sir? Do we know what von Donath had in mind?’

‘It’s the opinion of Sir Charles Napier that von Donath aimed at ruling the German Empire through the Kaiser’s heir, Crown Prince William, who’s only twelve years of age. He knew that,
after the cataclysm of total war in Europe, the old order of things would lie in ruins, and he would be able to mould a whole
continent
to his will. It’s a fearful picture, Box, but I think Napier has not gone far enough.’

‘You mean—’

‘I mean that von Donath probably envisioned a German Republic, with himself at its head, and with Franz Kessler as Chancellor. The new order would be born from the ruins of the old, the Balance of Power concept would be abrogated, and Germany would have established hegemony over the whole of Western Europe. More wars, Box, and more mass slaughter on countless battlefields. Well, it didn’t happen – but it might one day. As President Andrew Jackson said, “You must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty”.’

The German Ambassador received Kershaw and Box in the grand reception room of Prussia House. He motioned to them to sit down on two gilt chairs, while he himself stood rather stiffly behind an ornate table. After a few preliminary pleasantries, he picked up a square leather box, which he held in his hand while addressing Kershaw.

‘Colonel Sir Adrian Kershaw,’ he said, ‘The Kaiser conveys through me his grateful thanks to you for preserving his life and, as a signal mark of his gratitude, he has conferred upon you the Prussian Military Order “
Pour
le
Mérite
”, with Gilt Oak Leaves.’

Count von Hatzfeldt-Wildenburg opened the leather case, and removed a blue-enamelled Maltese Cross with eagles between the arms, the Prussian Royal cipher, and the French legend
Pour
le
Mérite
arranged on the arms of the cross. He showed it briefly to Kershaw, and then returned it to its case. He bowed to Kershaw, who returned the courtesy.

‘This order,’ the ambassador continued, ‘is normally bestowed upon its recipients for outstanding valour in battle. In your case,
Colonel, it is a personal gift of the Kaiser. In my view, it has never been more fittingly bestowed.’

The Ambassador picked up another leather case from the table, and opened its clasp.

‘Detective Inspector Arnold Box,’ he said, ‘it was your brilliant deductions that helped to preserve the Kaiser’s life, and it is His Majesty’s wish that you should be awarded the Gold Medal of the Hohenzollern Family Order, which is in the Kaiser’s personal gift. Possession of this medal brings with it a life pension of twenty pounds a year.’

The ambassador solemnly shook hands with both men. He looked both pleased and moved by the unusual presentation to two foreigners who had served his master so well.

‘As well as these awards, gentlemen,’ he concluded, handing the leather cases to Kershaw and Box, ‘you take away with you today the thanks of the whole German people. May God grant that the abiding friendship between our two nations continues to flourish.’

‘Well, there it is, Box,’ said Kershaw when they had left Prussia House, ‘that neatly rounds the whole thing off. I’m delighted to see that, for once, you have been very nicely rewarded for your work, and I must confess that I’m very honoured to receive such a very high distinction from the Emperor.’

Colonel Kershaw raised his hat to Box, and turned his face towards Whitehall.

‘Goodbye, Box,’ he said, ‘you and I have had a good run for our money this month. I hope that we shall work together again, some time.’

‘I hope so too, sir,’ Box replied. ‘Goodbye.’

He watched Kershaw until he was lost to sight among the crowd of people thronging the pavement, and then made his way back to King James’s Rents.

The Dried-Up Man

The Dark Kingdom

The Devereaux Inheritance

The Haunted Governess

The Advocate’s Wife

The Hansa Protocol

The Ancaster Demons

Web of Discord

Evil Holds the Key

The Gold Masters

The Unquiet Sleeper