The Legion of the Lost, стр. 8

was not a man who took kindly to enforced silence. They had seen no one except a little hunch-backed girl who had come to ask them their business; they had sent a message to the owner of the café, a man named Orleck. From the distant main streets the hum of traffic came clearly, and when eventually Orleck entered the room he did so very softly; only Palfrey saw him before he spoke. Palfrey had never seen a man who looked less trustworthy. There was a crafty glint in his narrowed eyes and his whole face seemed twisted. A stab of doubt entered Palfrey’s mind as he rose to his feet and returned the salute perfunctorily: so did the others, there was much scraping of chairs on the worn linoleum.

‘I am Orleck,’ said the man with the villainous face. ‘You wish to see me? Your papers, please!’ He advanced with a hand outstretched and a leering expression, then looked through the papers one by one. It was the first time they had been subjected to so close a scrutiny.

Finished, he nodded and said: ‘Follow me.’

He went out of the door as silently as he had come; he wore carpet slippers which were tied about his ankles by tapes. For the rest, a long, grey coat covered him, leaving only the bottoms of his trousers visible. In a strained silence, Palfrey and the others went after him up a narrow flight of stairs. As they climbed they heard voices, guttural and unpleasant.

At the first landing a door opened and a thin-faced, lean-bodied man stood on the threshold of a smoke-filled room. His head was almost shaven and his lips were compressed into a thin, colourless line. He was in Gestapo uniform. He did not speak, but looked at each one of them in turn and then, as Palfrey started up the second flight of stairs, he went inside the room again and slammed the door.

The tension increased when they reached the second landing and followed Orleck into a high-ceilinged room empty of furniture except for a few hard, uncomfortable-looking chairs and a long table. When they had all entered, Orleck said harshly: ‘Close the door, please!’

Stefan, who brought up the rear, obeyed.

To Palfrey it seemed that all of them had gone out of their minds. He must have been stultified to have come here and allowed all five of them to gather together. It seemed to him that the villainous face of Orleck was twisted in a gloating leer.

He spoke again in Norwegian, still harshly, yet sounding more at his ease.

‘I will explain. I work for the Germans, that is believed. I have told them that five agents from Germany are coming today to inspect some of the factories. It is quite safe, such parties often come and no one will suspect the truth.’ His leer grew wider, almost diabolic. Now, gentlemen, let us get to the truth. I look everything you do not wish me to be, yes? That is a good thing, because it is easy to feel that I am trusted by the Huns. The danger I meet is from those who are true Norwegians and believe that I am of the Quisling Party. You are safe, I promise you that. I have word that you will give me instructions and will wish for some assistance. What is it, please?’

Palfrey, bemused, spoke after a moment’s hesitation.

‘How far away is the Aalson Hospital?’

‘The hospital is near. Whom do you wish to see?’

‘We want to find Dr. Raffleck,’ said Palfrey.

‘Raffleck? He has not been seen for two months now. He was last known to be working in the research department there, yes! Raffleck. Is he to be the sixth member of your party?’

Palfrey thought with further relief: ‘So he knows we are fetching someone away—the Marquis hasn’t given him half a story.’ He smiled more freely and said: ‘We hope so.’

‘It is a pity,’ said Orleck slowly. We have not heard of him for two months. But I think I can find out for you whether he is still here.’

Palfrey, aware of disappointment but telling himself it was absurd, said quietly: ‘Good! We shall be happier when we know. And now, it isn’t wise for all five of us to stay here in one party.’

‘It is not even contemplated,’ said Orleck, with a touch of dignity which rode strangely upon his frail form. ‘But it was most essential for me to see you, and to be able to recognise each one of you. While we are together, you, Dr. Palfrey, will appreciate that it is a good opportunity to say that today and tomorrow—just for the two days, the words: “Under the sky” will be in general use among the friends of the people.’ His leering smile showed again. ‘You will guess what I mean by the friends of the people! In Norwegian, you understand.’ He repeated the words again, then darted a sharp look at Conroy. ‘Say it, please!’

Conroy looked startled but made a fair attempt.

‘Others will please teach him to be perfect,’ said Orleck, ‘if he should hesitate or take too long, then the friends of the people might believe that he is not one of their number.’ He paused, then said sharply: ‘Miss Blair, please. You have done some nursing?’

As startled as Conroy had been, Drusilla admitted that she had.

‘That is good,’ said Orleck. ‘There is a great need for nurses at the Aalson Hospital. I will arrange that you go there to assist for one night: actually, your purpose will be to make sure that there is no revolutionary talk amongst the nurses or the staff or the patients.’ He winked, like a fantastic ogre. ‘That can be arranged, and you will be inside the hospital. Which of you, Doctor, will be a patient?’

Palfrey was smiling then.

It was not a tentative or diffident one; it was appreciative for he found himself liking this ugly little man and suspected that the other was being abrupt, deliberately, to