same. We've got a long night ahead of us.'
He climbed into the sunlight and lay looking up at the cloudless sky. If it hadn't been for Peregrine's lust for action and preferably for killing people at the drop of a hat, he'd have been perfectly happy. He'd have to keep him under control. With this thought in mind he drifted off to sleep. But when he awoke it was to find Peregrine squinting up the barrel of a revolver.
'It's nice and clean and I've oiled them both.'
Glodstone asserted his authority. 'Look,' he said, 'tonight's expedition is simply a recce. It's highly unlikely we're going to find an easy way in. We're going to check every avenue...Yes, I know there's only one fucking avenue of walnut trees. Just keep your trap shut and listen. We're going to see how many ways there are of getting into the place. And only when we've worked out a definite and foolproof plan will we act. Get that clear in your head.'
'If you say so,' said Peregrine. 'All the same I'd have thought we '
'I am not interested in what you think. I'm in charge and those are my orders.' And without waiting for an answer, Glodstone went back to the lookout. That ought to keep the stupid bastard quiet, he thought. It did.
Later that night they set out. Peregrine was grimly silent. 'We're going up-river,' Glodstone told him, 'I've an idea we'll find some shallows there.'
Peregrine said nothing but when half an hour later they scrambled down the hillside and crossed the road to the water's edge it was obvious that Glodstone had been mistaken. The Boose ran darkly past and curved away towards the cliff at the top of which the Chateau loomed weirdly against the starlit sky. Not even Glodstone's imagination could endow the place with anything more romantic than grim menace and when a car swept round the bend in the road above them, its headlights briefly illuminating the river, he was frankly shocked. Dark swirls of water indicated that the Boose was both deep and fast-flowing.
'Well, at least one thing is clear,' he said. 'We know now why they're not watching this side. It's too well protected. The river sees to that.'
Beside him, Peregrine merely grunted.
'And what's that supposed to mean?' asked Glodstone.
'You told me to keep my trap shut and just listen,' said Peregrine. 'Those were your orders and that's what I'm doing.'
'And I suppose you don't agree with me?' said Glodstone.
'About what?'
'That it's impossible to get across here,' said Glodstone and immediately regretted it.
'I could swim across easily enough if that's what you mean.'
'It's not a risk I'm prepared to allow you to take. We'll have to try further on.'
But though they stumbled along the bank for half a mile the river grew wider and less inviting. Glodstone had to admit defeat. 'We'll just have to look for another route downstream in daylight tomorrow,' he said.
'I don't see why you won't let me swim across with the rope,' said Peregrine. 'I could tie it to something on the other side and you could haul yourself over on it.'
'And what about the guns and the equipment in the rucksacks? They'd get soaked.'
'Not necessarily. Once you're over I can come back and get them. The Major '
But Glodstone had had enough of Major Fetherington's methods. 'If you get across.'
'I shall,' said Peregrine and taking the coil of rope and winding it round his waist he waded into the river.
Left to himself, Glodstone sat disconsolately in the darkness. To conjure up some courage he concentrated his thoughts on the Countess. She had warned him that the affair would be hazardous and she had obviously been telling the truth. On the other hand she had taken a terrible risk herself in writing to him. Above all she had appealed to him as a gentleman, and gentlemen didn't
