you see, man, we have to get to the bottom of this. If there really is a spy – a gentleman – we have to know. Otherwise many more lives besides Cavanaugh’s will be endangered.’
‘That’s true.’ It was true, but Anthony still winced from the idea of poking into people’s private lives. He thought, not to put too fine a point on it, it was rotten.
And that was arrogance, he said ruefully to himself. He was suffering from what Sir Charles had called arrogance. Although Cavanaugh’s use of the word gentleman had to mean someone inside society, he didn’t know if he really believed it. True enough, there were all sorts at the average dinner and many a hostess would sponsor a guest who was deliberately provocative, to throw some sparks into a dull gathering. But that wasn’t the kind of man he’d be looking for. Once he’d discounted the brilliant gentlemen of foreign extraction, the tamed anarchist and the ruck of wastrel sons and ne’er do wells – types which surely even the dimmest port-encrusted general would feel shy of confiding in – that left the Sound Chaps, Salt Of The Earth, Trust ’Em Anywhere, Good Man In A Tight Spot and all other clichés which added up to the sort of person who really was trustworthy. Or, at least, appeared to be.
He smoked his cigarette down to the butt and crushed it out. When he’d agreed to work for W. Gabriel Monks, he’d agreed to obey orders, whatever his private feelings may be.
‘Very well. I don’t see I’ve got much choice. Where do I start? If it comes to that, how can I start? I can hardly wander round Britain hoping to get on the chap’s trail on the off-chance.’
‘Start with Cavanaugh’s friends,’ said Sir Charles promptly. ‘If any of them have links to Ireland, that gives us another clue. I’ll do what I can with Sons of Hibernia, but the ringleaders are all accounted for and none of them could have been called gentlemen, to use the word in Cavanaugh’s sense. The journalism angle might throw up a useful lead or two, as well. I’ll do what I can. Cavanaugh was a beggar for keeping his cards close to his chest, so I can’t suggest any names, but you ought to be able to find something out if you ask around. There’s this girl he was keen on, as well. I don’t know anything about her.’
‘She could be anywhere in the world,’ Anthony said wearily.
Sir Charles nodded. ‘I know how you feel about this, Brooke. It goes against the grain but it’s got to be done.’ He looked at Anthony appraisingly. ‘You’re going to have to ask questions, Brooke. The trouble is, people are going to ask questions back and it might be awkward for you to answer them.’
He picked up his pen and tapped it idly on the blotting pad. ‘I think it might be best if I arranged for you to have a temporary commission. The Intelligence Service would be best, as everyone will expect you to be cautious about what you say. Colonel Brooke? That’s got quite a nice ring to it. When it’s convenient, call round to Gieves and Hawkes and get yourself measured for a uniform. Don’t worry about that side of things. I’ll arrange it. The other thing I want to mention is this.’
He opened the desk drawer and, drawing out a thin silver card case, opened it and gave Anthony one of the cards it contained. It wasn’t a visiting card but a picture of St Michael the archangel, fiery sword in hand. ‘Put that somewhere safe.’
After a moment’s thought, Anthony slipped the card into his cigarette case.
‘The idea was suggested by the name of this street, Angel Alley,’ continued Sir Charles. ‘I’m Gabriel Monks, but I’m not the only angel in London. There’s three of us altogether, myself, Michael and Raphael. Should you ever get stuck – this is for dire emergencies only, mind – you can go to the War Office and either show them that card or mention angels.’ He smiled. ‘With any luck that’ll bring a heavenly host out on your side. Now, about your search for Cavanaugh’s associates. Let’s think out some details . . .’
FOUR
Anthony made his way to his club through the crowds of Regent Street. Before the war he’d had rooms in Sadlers, a club which, for no apparent reason, attracted a large number of medical men, and his things were still