Fleming saw Abu look up and start running towards the foot of the staircase.
Fleming's shout of warning coincided with the bark of the pistol shot. Abu crumpled in a heap. Such was the onrush of Kaufman's flight that he was unable to stop in time, and he fell headlong over his victim's body.
Before he could rise Neilson was on him, quickly followed by Yusel. Fleming's thought were for Abu and he knelt down and lifted the Arab in his arms. The head fell backwards, blood vomiting from the mouth. Fleming could not be certain whether the staring eyes were sightless or trying to send him a message. Very gently he let the body rest prone on the floor.
Neilson was insanely pummelling into Kaufman. 'Leave him,' Fleming shouted. He went up to the weeping, yammering German. 'We're not going to kill you,' he said. 'There's a murder charge for you to answer in Geneva and in other places, if the courts aren't all destroyed.'
'I do not make these things happen,' Kaufman whined. 'I have to obey.'
Fleming turned away, unable to stomach any more. 'Keep hold of him, Yusel,' he ordered. 'Get him down to the airport.
Take his gun. He'll give you no trouble.'
'Wait!'
They spun around and saw Dawnay standing in the entrance.
'What are you all doing here?' she asked. Then she saw Abu's body. Fleming explained, and then allowed her to lead him back upstairs to the main offices.
'You come too,' she commanded Neilson and Kaufman.
Yusel had gone out and now returned with a white robe with which he covered the body of his dead cousin. They all went into Gamboul's room and Dawnay sat at Gamboul's desk with Kaufman facing her and guarded by Yusel. Fleming wandered uneasily over to the window, but she called him back.
'John,' she said. 'It's not as simple as you may think: we haven't finished with Herr Kaufman yet.'
She looked up into Kaufman's bruised and dejected face.
'To whom did you report in Vienna?'
Kaufman did not answer at once, but when Dawnay shifted her gaze from him to Yusel he changed his mind.
'The Board of Directors,' he said sulkily.
'To whom you reported Gamboul's death?'
'Yes.'
'And who is taking over here?'
Kaufman glanced away for a moment. 'I am.'
'But you are not a director.'
He drew himself up with a return of assurance: 'I am temporarily in charge.'
'Until?' Dawnay asked. There was another pause.
'You'd better tell us the easy way,' said Fleming.
'Or perhaps,' Neilson added, 'you'd rather I broke your neck.'
'There are three directors coming on the plane today, from Vienna,' Kaufman addressed himself entirely to Dawnay, as if to a judge whom he might expect to be lenient.
Dawnay looked only mildly surprised.
'Three?'
'They should have come before!' He began to speak quickly, with mounting passion. 'Fraulein Gamboul was not equal to it. It deranged her, but she would not have anyone else. We have been ridiculously understaffed for so great a project; but she had considerable influence with the Chairman.'
He gave a knowing, leering wink. 'She was an attractive woman. But now it is different; I have put it all on proper business footings. We will have directors, and executives and assistants - they are bringing many today.'
'Are they ?' said Dawnay with interest.
'Oh yes. And any kind of reinforcements we need. So - '
He turned triumphantly to Fleming and Neilson, but Dawnay cut him short.
'So we shall have to put you all under guard,' she said calmly. 'That can be arranged for. Meanwhile, as soon as the aircraft is in, you'll help us send a Telex in your own code to Vienna.'
'To say what?'
'That they have arrived safely and that all is well and you need no further help. You will also give us the names and full particulars of your chairman and other directors in Europe, and all addresses and telephone numbers you can find here in the office.' She turned to her American colleague. I'll give you a report to take to London, Professor Neilson, and as much of the anti-bacterium as I can. They should be able to get you there by nightfall.'
CHAPTER TWELVE
CLEAR SKY
THE Prime Minister received the emergency committee in his private study on the first floor of 10 Downing Street.
Although he had insisted on the fact being kept secret, he had been in bed for two days. His doctors diagnosed the trouble as cardiac asthma, which was as good a description as any for the strain felt by everyone of more than middle age as breathing became more and more difficult. The news of Dawnay's miracle in Azaran had now reached Whitehall, but its effects were still unfelt.
However, he insisted on rising to greet the Minister of Science and Osborne when they arrived.
'Glad you made it,' he wheezed. 'Are things still bad?'
'A nightmare, sir,' said the Minister. 'All the low ground beyond Hammersmith is flooded; the roads are under water.'
He began coughing.
'It's no good for us, this business,' said the Prime Minister.
'We'll be the first to succumb. Which will solve many a political problem. We shall soon have the youngest cabinet in history, called The Survivors.'
The Minister of Science managed a polite laugh. 'One worrying matter, sir, is that London Airport is flooded out.
Gatwick's been unserviceable for some time, of course. And Civil Aviation isn't too happy about Hurn. I'd like your authority to get the R.A.F. to clear Lyneham for a priority landing. With at least two helicopters standing by for a run direct to us here. Hyde Park is still fairly clear despite the feeding centres and casualty stations.'
'This means you have more news, Bertie,' said the Prime Minister. 'I do wish you could restrain your sense of melodrama.'
'We've picked up a signal from Azaran sir,' Osborne interposed. 'Professor Neilson's on his way. He and Professor Dawnay have taken over from a Herr Kaufman, who we believe was involved in the security leak at Thorness.'
'Quite so, Osborne,' said the Prime Minister with an amused smile. That was an old wound now and, like Osborne's other wounds, it was healing over and being forgotten.
Osborne had more than redeemed himself since then.
'Thorness. But the anti-bacterium?'
'He's bringing all he can carry, sir. Not much because of the flight difficulties these days, but enough to distribute to about a thousand breeding centres.'
'Through the international organisation?'
'Yes, said the Minister of Science. 'I may say, Prime Minister, that the will to co-operate has been magnificent.
Japan suggested moving every oil tanker still afloat into mid-ocean, straddling marine currents like the Gulf
