Path of the Tiger, стр. 429
Bingham paused here for a few moments to allow William to digest what he had just said. After a while William simply nodded, and Bingham continued.
‘Now let me get to the point of why I brought you out here. It was my decision to hire you, a decision I made when you raced that Frenchman at Earl Cavanaugh’s estate outside Calcutta – Cavanaugh being another very unsavoury individual, but that is a story for another time. I needed an expert horseman such as yourself for this very mission, William, and that is why I insisted on hiring you. In fact, the sum I paid Kelly for your services is enough to have paid off your debt to him many times over, and believe me, that is no exaggeration. However, I’d like to talk to you about paying you directly and thereby cutting out this highly unnecessary middleman. Kelly is useless, and all he’s done since the beginning of this expedition is complain endlessly. You see though, the very reason he is out here with us is to make sure that I do not steal his investment, and by extension his financial security: that, William, being you.’
‘Me, sir?’
‘You’re his golden goose, because you’re the best horseman I’ve seen in my forty-eight years on this earth. And as for me, I need an exceptional horseman, not just for this mission, but for future expeditions as well. These missions I conduct are of extreme importance, not just for myself, but for all of mankind, in fact. You see, we men face a terrible threat, the heart of which lies within these wilds. If you work with us, you can be part of staving off that threat and ensuring the safety and prosperity of the human race itself. Yes Gisborne, these missions are exactly that important. Should you choose to pledge loyalty to myself and my employers, we will relieve you of your bondage to Kelly with immediate effect. What is more, we will compensate you extremely well in monetary terms. Let me repeat that, so that you understand it completely: we will compensate you extremely well for your services.’
‘Well, I—’
‘If you’re worried about Kelly and your debt to him, don’t be. We can make him … disappear … very easily. Also, I understand that there is a lady to whom you have pledged your heart, yes?’
‘Aye sir. Aurora Wallace, sir. She is … she is everything tae me.’
Bingham stared grimly into the tangle of trees and vines as he spoke, and he curled his fingers softly around the grip of one of his revolvers.
‘Love, yes. A noble and worthwhile goal and pursuit. But, you see, I also understand that this Aurora is of the aristocratic class, and you, well … you, William, are not, to put it plainly.’
William clenched his jaw and looked away, feeling the sting of sorrow inject its choking venom into the inside of his throat.
‘Chin up now!’ Bingham said, abruptly encouraging in his attitude. ‘Money can change that, my boy. Money! And what do you think about, say, a title? Lands? A manor? A new name, a new identity, with blue-blooded peerage stretching back five centuries? Could your Aurora’s father possibly deny the matching of his daughter to such a distinguished character?’
William’s eyes lit up, and a powerful gushing of hope began to pulse its energising electrical current through his veins.
‘Why sir, tha’ would … tha’ would be … something beyond my wildest dreams, sir! Truly sir!’
‘My employers are powerful and wealthy beyond comprehension. If you pledge your unfailing loyalty and service to us, everything I have just said to you can become your reality in just a few years. We need men like you – exceptional men with exceptional abilities. So, prove yourself on this mission, demonstrate your loyalty and dedication, and you will be set up for life. The obscurity of your birth and origins will be erased, and a new personage will be carved out for you. You have potential, great potential, you see. Someone such as yourself could rise to a position of immense wealth and power … should you follow orders, and obey without question.’
‘I-, but, but what ay my status as a deserter from the 17th Lancers though, sir? I’m a wanted criminal, I cannae set foot upon British soil again sir, no’ until…’
Bingham chuckled and dismissed William’s concerns with a casual wave of his hand.
‘My boy, I don’t think that you quite understand the extent of my employers’ powers. Those records will be purged and swept clean; that would be a small matter for my superiors, a mere trifle. It will be as if you never once donned the uniform of a lancer of the 17th. Your crimes will be completely erased. Indeed, you will become … untouchable.’
William’s eyes glowed in the dying light of the falling dusk. ‘That sir, that would be … it would be incredible, sir.’
‘Then let me explain to you exactly what I want you to do on this mission, exactly why I brought you specifically.’
‘Go ahead sir, I’m all ears.’
‘The truth is, that despite my years of experience both in hunting and soldiering in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, this is perhaps the most dangerous mission I’ve ever been on. We are up against an extremely powerful and deadly foe … a few of them, in fact.’
‘But it’s just a tiger or lion, though, is it no’ sir? Forgive me fir sayin’ so, but I was under the impression tha’ you’ve shot an’