Frankie's Letter - By Dolores Gordon-Smith Page 0,43
see what I mean about complacency. As my friend Rycroft sees it, there’s thousands of pounds worth of diamonds lying around, and the Germans could invade across the border at any time. We probably wouldn’t even know they were there. As I said, it’s pretty wild country. Poor Rycroft’s driving himself nuts trying to get some proper action out of the stuffed shirts that run these things. As far as I can make out, he’s kicking his heels while a lot of mandarins decide which department he should apply to.’
Sir Charles, in his role as mandarin, tutted and shook his head gravely. ‘I’m afraid that story rings only too true, Colonel. Still, even African diamond kings have to follow the proper procedures.’
Anthony gave what he hoped was an ironic laugh. ‘Diamond king! He will be, if there’s any justice in the world. After all, he found the blessed things. It’s ridiculous to think he’s stuck in a third-rate hotel in Cheshire Place while he knows where enough diamonds are to buy the Ritz and take an option on the Savoy while he’s about it.’
Sir Charles looked affronted. He did it very well. ‘I appreciate your feelings on the matter, Colonel, but Whitehall has its own way of doing things and the proper procedures need to be followed. You can hardly expect His Majesty’s Government to rush an expedition into the wilds of Africa on some boy’s say-so.’
‘He might be young but he’s knocked about a bit and his family name should command some respect. Besides that, he’s got some impressive paperwork. I’ve seen it. Maps, geology, the lot, to say nothing of a couple of handfuls of diamonds.’
‘I could run a piece on him in the Examiner,’ said Sherston. ‘Rycroft, you say he’s called? How Fortune Favoured The Brave. That would make a nice headline. There’s a few angles I could use with a story like this. That would shake things up.’
‘I’m afraid that would never do,’ said Sir Charles quickly. Sherston looked rebellious. ‘I’m sorry, Sherston, but if the facts are as the colonel has related, then absolute secrecy and discretion must be our watchwords.’
He glanced round the group surrounding the table. ‘I must ask you all to keep this to yourselves. I imagine that the enemy would love to get hold of the location of an untapped diamond field. Now you’ve brought the matter to my attention, Colonel, I will try to expedite this young man’s cause in the proper quarters. After all, even as we speak, the Germans may be advancing and the opportunity could be lost.’
Josette came forward and reached out her hand for the saucer. ‘May I?’
Anthony gave it to her and she tipped the diamonds into the palm of her hand. ‘They look so dull at the moment. A rough diamond. I’ve said that lots of times but I’ve never thought about what it meant.’
She picked up the largest with a wondering smile and held it up to the light. ‘I wonder what this will be like when it’s cut and polished?’
Her smile became wistful. ‘I love jewels,’ she said thoughtfully. ‘They’re beautiful. There aren’t enough things which exist simply because they’re beautiful.’ She looked at Anthony, a tiny smile curving the corner of her mouth. ‘To see them like this is exciting.’
She put the stones back into the saucer and handed it back. With a jolt, Anthony felt her hand touch his.
Perhaps it was his imagination, but her fingers seem to linger on his outstretched palm for a moment longer than was strictly necessary.
‘They’re like people, you know? Some have all the glitter on the outside and some need drawing out and polishing to show what’s hidden.’
Anthony glanced away. It could be nothing more than imagination, but he thought she was referring to him. That little weed of hope started to grow.
SEVEN
Anthony put down his whisky and soda and walked quietly to the door. He had called into Sir Charles’s room for a nightcap and, by mutual consent, the two men had talked trivialities until they judged the rest of the household was safely in bed.
He opened the door a couple of inches, listening intently. In the distance he could hear the sonorous tick-tock of the grandfather clock below them in the hall, but it was the only sound in the quiet house.
‘All clear,’ he said in a low voice, settling back in his chair. ‘By the way, there’s a very useful creaking floorboard outside your room.’