'It was meant to kill you, George. And Mr Faro and the porter too, I was horrified. I knew I had to warn you before it was too late. They had no idea that I knew what they intended, they had even given me a horse.'
Pausing, he looked at them and laughed proudly. ‘They didn't expect me to try to escape and thought that a boy would be delighted to have such an excellent horse, be proud to ride with them.'
'Have you any idea where they were heading?' Faro asked. 'Where they were taking you?'
Anton shook his head. 'I think they were there only to escort me to the royal train. It is on its way here now.'
That, at least, sounded hopeful, thought Faro as George cheered.
'I rode like the wind back to that horrible hut,' Anton continued. 'When I was still quite far off I heard the explosion, my horse was terrified and after trying unsuccessfully to unseat me, he tried to bolt. But I got him under control. I thought I must have lost the way then I saw - saw all that was left of where we had stayed, just those smoking ruins.'
He looked at them both as if he still couldn't believe his eyes and then clenching his fists he buried his head in his hands for a moment. 'You can't imagine how I felt. It was dreadful, dreadful, the worst moment in my whole life.'
Turning, he looked at Faro. ‘I am sorry, sir, you must think me an awful cry-baby but I really thought you were all dead. I had to steel myself to search for - for - well, you know - '
He shuddered at the memory. 'Then I started shouting, kept on shouting your names over and over, in case, by a miracle, any of you were still alive among the ruins. It seemed like hours later when I realised that if you weren't under - all that - then you must have got out in time. And you'd be walking down the track towards the telegraph office.'
He grinned. 'And I was right. Here you are. Safe!'
Safe! Perhaps, but for how long, thought Faro, seeing the two boys beaming with delight.
Personally he wouldn't put too much hope in the chances of safety until the moment that elusive Luxorian train put in an appearance and he saw the two boys delivered into safe hands and on their way home. Only then could he relax and think of the next stage of his own journey.
'What about Dieter?' George was asking.
Again Anton shook his head. 'I don't know. I don't know if he's even alive. They certainly haven't killed him or captured him because when I asked, they just shook their heads and said nothing. I thought, it might even be that he is in the plot to - to - ' He shrugged. 'He would never have told me, because he knew I would never agree to anything if he intended hurting George.' And turning to Faro, he said impulsively; 'Or you, sir. You have been so good to us on the journey. You've thought of everything. You're kind to George too.'
He took a deep breath. 'The other night, when I was supposed to be sleeping,' he said shyly, 'I was listening to you telling George that story about an island where you once lived. I knew whatever happened you would never let any harm come to him. Or to me. Although I was sometimes afraid that you had guessed, sir.'
'Guessed?' asked Faro.
'Yes, sir. You know, about that business on the ferry crossing,' he said shamefacedly. ‘About me being attacked.’
'I thought it very unlikely,' said Faro but did not add that it had opened up an interesting new line of thought. 'Now if you are ready, shall we start walking again?'
Picking up his valise, George said in shocked tones, 'Are you telling us, Anton, that it was all lies? That there wasn’t someone trying to throw you overboard?'
Anton sighed wearily. 'Dieter told me to do it. He said it was a practical joke, just to give Mr Faro something to think about.'
'He certainly did that,' said Faro acidly as George gasped, 'A practical joke! I don't think that was very funny.'
Anton shrugged. 'Dieter thought Mr Faro having been a detective might have worked one or two things out - '
'Like George's kidnapping at Glenatholl?' asked Faro and when Anton nodded cautiously, 'There were some curious things about your story, Anton. Your version of witnessing the incident didn't quite tie up with George's account. You said you saw him talking to a man you described as gypsy-looking but George told me no one spoke to him.' He paused to let that sink in. 'You realise there was a very good reason for that.'
Anton frowned as Faro went on. 'You know perfectly well what I'm saying. If George's so-called kidnappers had spoken then he might have recognised voices which were very familiar to him. Particularly yours.'
Anton shook his head. 'There never was a kidnapping attempt really.'
George gave a shocked exclamation. 'You mean - you and Dieter arranged it all between you? What a beastly thing to do, Anton.'
'I didn't much like it but Dieter said it just had to look that way so you'd be sent back to Luxoria. He had been told that the President believed you would be in danger if you remained in Scotland. He thought it was a brilliant idea, especially after Tomas's accident. When I protested, he told me there had been an attempt on your mother's life, here in Germany but that I must not tell you because you would be terrified.'
'Was it true, about Mama?' George put in sharply.
He sounded panic-stricken and Faro said, 'You have the message from her, from the train.'
George sighed with relief. 'Of course. Of course.' His
