'A princely salary for the six months, a safe conduct out of
Ethiopia, and your money guaranteed by a London bank at the end of that
time.'
'What is fair wages for putting one's head on the butcher's block?
'Gareth asked bitterly.
'Double another seven thousand pounds each, 'said the Prince without
hesitation, and the men on each side of him relaxed slightly and
exchanged glances.
'Each?' asked Gareth.
'Each,'agreed Lij Mikhael.
'I only wish I had my lawyer here to draw up the contract,' said
Gareth.
, 'Not necessary,' Mikhael laughed, and shook his head and drew two
envelopes from his robes. He handed one to each of them.
'Bank-guaranteed cheques. Lloyds of London. Irrev(.)cable, I
assure you but post-dated six months ahead. Valid on the first of
February next year.' The two white men examined the documents
curiously.
Carefully Jake checked the date on the bank draft 1st February,
1936 and then read the figure fourteen thousand pounds sterling only
and he grinned.
'The exact amount the precise date.' He shook his head admiringly.
'You had it all figured out. Man, you were thinking weeks ahead of
us.'
'Good God, Toffee,' Gareth intoned mournfully. 'I must say I am
appalled. Utterly appalled.'
'Does that mean you refuse, Major
Swales?' Gareth glanced at Jake, and a flash of agreement passed
between them. Gareth sighed theatrically. 'Well, I must say that I
did have an appointment in Madrid. They've got themselves this little
war they are working on, but-' and here he studied the bank draft
again, 'but one war is very much like another. Furthermore, you have
given me some fairly powerful reasons why I should stay on.' Gareth
withdrew the wallet from his inside pocket and folded the draft into
it. 'However, that doesn't alter the fact that I am utterly appalled
by the way this whole business has been conducted.'
'And you, Mr.
Barton?' Lij Mikhael asked.
'As my partner has just remarked fourteen thousand pounds isn't exactly
peanuts. Yes, I accept.' The Prince nodded, and then his expression
changed, became bleak and savage.
'I must urge you most cogently not to attempt to leave Ethiopia before
the expiry of our agreement justice is crude but effective under my
father's administration.' At that moment the gentleman under
discussion lifted the sword high above his head and then drove the
point deep into the earth between his feet. He left it there, the
blade shivering and gleaming in the firelight, and staggered wheezing
and cackling to his place between Jake and Gareth.
He flung a skinny old arm around each of them and greeted them with a
hug and an affectionate cry of 'How do you do?' and Gareth cocked a
