Faro sat up, each breath an agony.
'You can get to your feet if you wish. That will not help you. But you may choose how to die. There on the ground like a dog, or like an Englishman, bravely facing the firing squad,' Dieter added mockingly, clearly enjoying the situation.
'Thank you for your consideration,' said Faro, rising to his feet unsteadily, incapable of making any sudden moves, and without any hope of taking Dieter by surprise again.
Faint and dizzy with pain, certain that his ribs were cracked, his shoulder agonising, perhaps broken, he leaned weakly against a tree for support. He knew that there was no escape, only a few minutes remained of a life that was almost over.
What a way to go, he thought bitterly. That he of all people, with all his experience, should have walked into such a trap! There was no comfort in knowing that this trap was one no father could have resisted when the bait was his own son.
Dieter seemed in no hurry to kill him. Was his leisurely manner regret? Faro did not think so. More likely a sadistic enjoyment of having his victim helpless before him.
Occasionally he glanced beyond Faro down the track, his face expressionless. Who was he expecting?
Whoever it was Dieter did not seem perturbed or anxious and Faro realised he need not entertain hopes of a last-minute rescue party. Tempting fate, he said, 'Well, I am ready. Get it over with. What are you waiting for?'
Dieter smiled grimly, shrugged. 'I am in no hurry. You have been very clever, Mr Faro - indeed there were times I almost began to like you. To feel that we had much in common, the paid policeman and the paid bodyguard.'
'Or the paid assassin,' Faro put in sourly. But curiously he had sometimes felt aware of their similarities. Could it be that Dieter had finer feelings that might be appealed to? Even at this moment, could he be persuaded to let his helpless victim live?
'What happened to Helga?’ he asked. 'Did you kill her?'
Dieter laughed. 'Helga! It was Helga you have to thank for realising immediately that you were George's father. She saw the likeness - a woman's intuition, of course.'
'You did not kill her for that.'
'I did not kill her at all. As far as I know she is in Germany with her family.'
'But you needed someone to send the telegraph to persuade George that his mother was in Luxoria.'
'Correct, Mr Faro. You have hit the nail on the head, as they say in your country. And I was speaking the truth when I told you she had never boarded the train with us,' he added reproachfully.
'And talking of trains,' Faro put in. Even now certain that he was to die within the next few moments, he felt impelled to know the truth. 'When you disappeared from the railway hut to risk wolves and worse to go to the telegraph office, I presume that was all part of the plan.'
Dieter smiled. 'I knew that the President's crack regiment was somewhere in the vicinity in readiness for the arrival of the Luxorian train. I thought of an excellent way of obeying orders that would greatly please the President for it was most economical. First they must kidnap Anton so that he would be safe.'
'And plant the explosives for the rest of us, was that it?' said Faro grimly.
Dieter nodded. 'Exactly. A time-saving measure.'
'To kill an innocent child?'
Dieter's expression did not change. 'Alas, the innocent often die with the guilty - such matters are not for me to decide, indeed they make little difference in my profession, one way or another, Mr Faro.'
He shrugged. 'Besides George will die sooner or later, the President will see to that. And you have always been expendable.'
The man's cold-blooded dedication appalled Faro. What hope was there of mercy from such a man?
Suddenly there were sounds. A rider approaching fast up the steep track.
A rescuer after all, Faro thought hopefully. Until he saw relief on Dieter's face. And realised that this was the moment he had been waiting for.
Still covering Faro with the rifle, he motioned him into the open. Looking over his shoulder, Faro saw the Colonel dismounting and shouted, 'Thank God you arrived in time.'
But the Colonel ignored him and turning to Dieter, said in German, 'I heard a rifle shot. I thought it was all over.'
Even as Faro thought he had misinterpreted the fatal words, Dieter bowed. 'Mr Faro eluded that one. I thought you might want to deliver the ‘coup de grace’ personally.'
The Colonel shook his head and Faro stared at him unbelievingly. So he, too, had always been part of the plan.
Dieter shrugged. 'No? Very well' And raising the rifle. 'Farewell, Mr Faro.'
And Faro closed his eyes. Goodbye, George. Goodbye, world.
He heard the explosion. But he was still alive.
Dieter was lying on the ground. Dead with a bullet through his forehead.
Birds were screaming overhead and there were other sounds, faint voices echoing far-off.
The pistol in the Colonel's hand was turned towards him.
Suddenly the sky fell in on him and the darkness of death once more enfolded him.
Chapter 28
He was being torn apart by wild animals, one of them was ripping off his shoulder.
Faro screamed and opened his eyes to find he was propped up on a bed in the hunting-lodge. An elderly man, presumably a doctor, was bending over him, tying a bandage across his chest. Behind him stood Colonel Karl zu Echlenberg, the man he had trusted. The man who had ordered his execution.
The doctor spoke a few words to the Colonel, bowed and left them.
'Your ribs are broken but our good doctor has set your dislocated shoulder. The pain of it made you pass out. It was as well you were unconscious when we carried you back. Very painful - I am sorry about that.'
'It could have been worse. I
