present. About twenty miles off shore. Coming in on a course which, if maintained, will make their landfall north of a place called Hojer. When do I challenge – then intercept if necessary?'
`Not until they're stationary very close to the coast – if that action is practical.'
`It is. Incredible – two Marie Celestes coming home. Will keep reporting their position.'
`Thank you, Tug. This is it…'
Again Tweed was leaving the communications room when he was called back. Among the Danish the operator spoke as he vacated the chair Tweed caught the words `Robert Newman'. He grabbed the phone.
`Tweed?' Newman's voice came over clear as a bell. `Hold on. I've got someone here who'd like a word with you.'
`This is Paula. I'm OK. Absolutely OK…' Tweed nearly choked when he heard her buoyant voice. 'Tweed, are you still there?'
`Yes, I'm here. How are you? Did they..
`No, they didn't. I'll say it again. I'm OK! OK! OK! Got it? Wonderful.-to hear your voice. This lot tried to send me to bed. Would you believe it? I won't repeat over this line what I told them to do. Any news about you know what?'
`Yes, Paula, there is. And it's wonderful to hear your voice. But we're short of time. Better put Bob back on the line.'
`Here is the mastermind…'
`Bob, keep everyone under cover. Friends are coming down to help. Professionals. Wait until we reach you. That is an order. We'll be proceeding by stealth.'
`Understood,' Newman said crisply. 'Get your skates on…'
50
`I'm in touch with the Mao,' Starmberg reported. 'Both of the ships are very close. Only about twenty miles off shore.'
`Tell them we are ready to offload their passengers, if you please,' Dr Wand ordered.
They were seated inside the spacious living-room of the bungalow equipped with an aerial which could be elevated and retracted automatically. Starmberg, wearing a headset, repeated his chiefs message. Wand sat behind a desk in an executive chair.
The curtains were closed over the one-way-glass windows. A few minutes earlier Wand had pulled aside a curtain, noted with satisfaction the fog drifting over a nearby dune. The weather was ideal for the operation. He gave his new order when Starmberg had completed contacting the Mao.
`No, be so kind as to go outside and rehearse our teams again in launching the dinghies.'
`We have already carried out a major rehearsal,' Starmberg reminded him.
`Dear me, you know how I dislike having to give an instruction twice. They must be ready to land our guests swiftly. Last time they were launching the dinghies into a stormy sea. Now it is like a millpond.'
`Of course, sir!' Starmberg jumped up out of his chair.
Before running out into the night he snatched one of the two Uzi machine-pistols looped from a hook on the wall. It was expected that there would be no interference, but Dr Wand always worked on the basis of preparing for trouble. He called out again as Starmberg grasped the door handle.
`I have decided I will personally travel out in the largest dinghy to congratulate the expedition commander on a new successful enterprise.'
`May I suggest that could be hazardous, sir?' Starmberg ventured.
`I am under the impression you just did. When I want your advice you may be sure I shall not hesitate to consult you.'
Starmberg flushed at the sarcastic rebuke. He must remember Wand was an autocrat, had the manners of a brusque military commander.
`I will have the largest dinghy ready for your departure. May I enquire – have we any idea when the ships will stand off shore?'
`About two o'clock tomorrow morning. As you know, at the moment they are now stationary out at sea. Two o'clock is the hour of my triumph.'
At the military encampment the assault teams aboard trucks had been put on stand-by. Tweed had received a new message from the Minotaur.
`Both targets are now stationary. About twenty miles off shore. Well outside the territorial water limit. Will continue to keep you informed…'
Tweed asked Norlin the question when they had once again returned to the Dane's desk in the other section.
`Should your men be moved closer south now?'
`Not necessary. We might be seen. The two ships are lying twenty miles off shore. Your frigate commander friend seems very efficient at keeping us in touch. I shall drive the first truck of the convoy when the time comes.'
`There is dense fog,' Tweed warned.
`Makes no difference. I know that road like the back of my hand. My truck – and those following me – will have their red tail-lights on. So each truck, keeping close, will be guided by the red lights on the truck in front. We wait for the ships to move in.'
`I think I'd like to join my people there as soon as it can be arranged.'
`Now, if you like. A car equipped with a transmitter and a driver who knows the road as well as I do.'
`Another favour, if possible. You seem to have an excellent canteen here. I'd like to take my people – six of them – some warm food and drink. Could your chef produce a large quantity of vegetable soup, some rolls, a thermos of coffee, and a large apple cake?'
`Consider it done. For six people.' Norlin picked up the phone, rattled off a stream of Danish, put the phone down. 'Ready in thirty minutes at the outside. The chef is now preparing a similar meal for the men aboard the trucks. Are you armed? No? Would it not be wiser to carry some weapon?'
Tweed hesitated. It was rare for him to use firearms. But this could turn into a vicious dogfight.
`A 7.65mm Walther automatic, if available.'
`Hey presto! As I believe you used to say in England.' Norlin unlocked a deep drawer, produced a Walther and a generous supply of spare mags. Will that be OK?'
`Very.' Ejecting the magazine, Tweed checked the mechanism. 'In first-rate condition.'
He pocketed the weapon inside his trench coat thrown over the back of a chair. Then he nodded towards the communications room.
`One more vital task. Does your operator speak English, will he be on duty all night, and what is his name?' `Very good English. Came on duty just before you arrived. Will be here all night. Name – Erik.'
'I have another continent-wide operation which must be triggered off as soon as those ships start landing their human cargo.' From memory he wrote on a pad the names and phone numbers of Kuhlmann, Benoit, and the Special Branch officer in London. 'Clear?'
`Perfectly.'
`I need to phone these people to tell them it will be Erik who calls them – only when he hears me contact him and use the code-word, Landslide.'
Tweed called all three men who were still at their desks – would be there all night long. Then he instructed Erik.
`It has to be rapid. Identify yourself by your name when you're sure you're speaking to the right man. Then repeat the code-word three times. Landslide. Once you've done that get off the line fast. They'll want to move like the wind.'
`Seems clear enough,' Erik replied from behind his Balaclava. 'Just wait for you to call me with the code- word…'
`You seem well organized,' Norlin commented approvingly as they sat by his desk. 'Now all we can do is wait
