Destination Unknown Part 22

"But, mon Dieu, Jessop, is that enough?"

"It should be." said Jessop. "What one is afraid of..." He broke off.

Leblanc finished the sentence for him.

"What you mean is that these people will not want to believe. They have been unwilling from the start. Oh yes, that is so. Even your have been unwilling from the start. Oh yes, that is so. Even your British Consul is a man of caution. Your government at home is British Consul is a man of caution. Your government at home is indebted to Aristides in many ways. As for our government," he indebted to Aristides in many ways. As for our government," he shrugged his shoulders. "M. le Ministre, I know, will be exceedingly shrugged his shoulders. "M. le Ministre, I know, will be exceedingly hard to convince." hard to convince."

"We won't put our faith in governments," said Jessop.

"Governments and diplomats have their hands tied. But we've got to have them here, because they're the only ones with authority. to have them here, because they're the only ones with authority. But as far as believing is concerned, I'm pinning my faith But as far as believing is concerned, I'm pinning my faith elsewhere." elsewhere."

"And on what in particular do you pin your faith, my friend?"

Jessop's solemn face suddenly relaxed into a grin.

"There's the press," he said. "Journalists have a nose for news. They don't want it hushed up. They're ready always to believe They don't want it hushed up. They're ready always to believe anything that remotely can be believed. The other person I have anything that remotely can be believed. The other person I have faith in," he went on, "is that very deaf old man." faith in," he went on, "is that very deaf old man."

"Aha, I know the one you mean. The one who looks as though he crumbles to his grave." crumbles to his grave."

"Yes, he's deaf and infirm and semi-blind. But he's interested in truth. He's a former Lord Chief Justice, and though he may be deaf truth. He's a former Lord Chief Justice, and though he may be deaf and blind and shaky on his legs, his mind's as keen as ever - he's and blind and shaky on his legs, his mind's as keen as ever - he's got that keen sense that legal luminaries acquire - of knowing when got that keen sense that legal luminaries acquire - of knowing when there's something fishy about and someone's trying to prevent it there's something fishy about and someone's trying to prevent it being brought into the open. He's a man who'll listen, and will want being brought into the open. He's a man who'll listen, and will want to listen, to evidence." to listen, to evidence."

They had arrived back now in the lounge. Both tea and aperitifs were provided. The Minister congratulated Mr. Aristides in well- were provided. The Minister congratulated Mr. Aristides in well- rounded periods. The American Amba.s.sador added his quota. It rounded periods. The American Amba.s.sador added his quota. It was then that the Minister, looking round him, said in a slightly was then that the Minister, looking round him, said in a slightly nervous tone of voice, nervous tone of voice, "And now, gentlemen, I think the time has come for us to leave our kind host. We have seen all there is to see..." his tone dwelt on kind host. We have seen all there is to see..." his tone dwelt on those last words with some significance, "all here is magnificent. those last words with some significance, "all here is magnificent. An establishment of the first cla.s.s! We are most grateful for the An establishment of the first cla.s.s! We are most grateful for the hospitality of our kind host, and we congratulate him on the hospitality of our kind host, and we congratulate him on the achievement here. So we say our farewells now and depart. I am achievement here. So we say our farewells now and depart. I am right, am I not?" right, am I not?"

The words were, in a sense, conventional enough. The manner, too, was conventional. The glance that swept round the a.s.sembly of was conventional. The glance that swept round the a.s.sembly of guests might have been no more than courtesy. Yet in actuality the guests might have been no more than courtesy. Yet in actuality the words were a plea. In effect, the Minister was saying, "You've seen, words were a plea. In effect, the Minister was saying, "You've seen, gentlemen, there is nothing here, nothing of what you suspected gentlemen, there is nothing here, nothing of what you suspected and feared. That is a great relief and we can now leave with a clear and feared. That is a great relief and we can now leave with a clear conscience." conscience."

But in the silence a voice spoke. It was the quiet, deferential, well- bred English voice of Mr. Jessop. He spoke to the Minister - in a bred English voice of Mr. Jessop. He spoke to the Minister - in a Britannic though idiomatic French. Britannic though idiomatic French.

"With your permission, Sir," he said, "and if I may do so, I would like to ask a favour of our kind host." to ask a favour of our kind host."

"Certainly, certainly. Of course, Mr. - ah - Mr. Jessop - yes, yes?"

Jessop addressed himself solemnly to Dr. Van Heidem. He did not look ostensibly to Mr. Aristides. look ostensibly to Mr. Aristides.

"We've met so many of your people," he said, "Quite bewildering. But there's an old friend of mine here that I'd rather like to have a But there's an old friend of mine here that I'd rather like to have a word with. I wonder if it could be arranged before I go?" word with. I wonder if it could be arranged before I go?"

"A friend of yours?" Dr. Van Heidem said politely, surprised.

"Well, two friends really," said Jessop. "There's a woman, Mrs. Betterton. Olive Betterton. I believe her husband's working here. Betterton. Olive Betterton. I believe her husband's working here. Tom Betterton. Used to be at Harwell and before that in America. Tom Betterton. Used to be at Harwell and before that in America. I'd very much like to have a word with them both before I go." I'd very much like to have a word with them both before I go."

Dr. Van Heidem's reactions were perfect. His eyes opened in wide and polite surprise. He frowned in a puzzled way. and polite surprise. He frowned in a puzzled way.

"Betterton - Mrs. Betterton - no, I'm afraid we have no one of that name here." name here."

"There's an American, too," said Jessop. "Andrew Peters. Research chemistry, I believe, is his line. I'm right, sir, aren't I?" He Research chemistry, I believe, is his line. I'm right, sir, aren't I?" He turned deferentially to the American Amba.s.sador. turned deferentially to the American Amba.s.sador.

The Amba.s.sador was a shrewd, middle-aged man with keen blue eyes. He was a man of character as well as diplomatic ability. His eyes. He was a man of character as well as diplomatic ability. His eyes met Jessop's. He took a full minute to decide, and then he eyes met Jessop's. He took a full minute to decide, and then he spoke. spoke.

"Why, yes," he said. "That's so. Andrew Peters. I'd like to see him."

Van Heidem's polite bewilderment grew. Jessop un.o.btrusively shot a quick glance at Aristides. The little yellow face betrayed no a quick glance at Aristides. The little yellow face betrayed no knowledge of anything amiss, no surprise, no disquietude. He knowledge of anything amiss, no surprise, no disquietude. He looked merely uninterested. looked merely uninterested.

"Andrew Peters? No, I'm afraid, Your Excellency, you've got your facts wrong. We've no one of that name here. I'm afraid I don't even facts wrong. We've no one of that name here. I'm afraid I don't even know the name." know the name."

"You know the name of Thomas Betterton, don't you?" said Jessop.

Just for a second Van Heidem hesitated. His head turned very slightly towards the old man in the chair, but he caught himself slightly towards the old man in the chair, but he caught himself back in time. back in time.

"Thomas Betterton," he said. "Why, yes, I think -"

One of the gentlemen of the press spoke up quickly on that cue.

"Thomas Betterton," he said. "Why, I should say he was pretty well big news. Big news six months ago when he disappeared. Why, he's big news. Big news six months ago when he disappeared. Why, he's made headlines in the papers all over Europe. The police have been made headlines in the papers all over Europe. The police have been looking for him here, there and everywhere. Do you mean to say looking for him here, there and everywhere. Do you mean to say he's been here in this place all the time?" he's been here in this place all the time?"

"No." Van Heidem spoke sharply. "Someone, I fear, has been misinforming you. A hoax, perhaps. You have seen today all our misinforming you. A hoax, perhaps. You have seen today all our workers at the Unit. You have seen everything." workers at the Unit. You have seen everything."

"Not quite everything I think," said Jessop, quietly. "There's a young man called Ericsson, too," he added, "and Dr. Louis Barron, young man called Ericsson, too," he added, "and Dr. Louis Barron, and possibly Mrs. Calvin Baker." and possibly Mrs. Calvin Baker."

"Ah." Dr. Van Heidem seemed to receive enlightenment. "But those people were killed in Morocco - in a plane crash. I remember it people were killed in Morocco - in a plane crash. I remember it perfectly now. At least I remember Ericsson was in the crash and perfectly now. At least I remember Ericsson was in the crash and Dr. Louis Barron. Ah, France sustained a great loss that day. A man Dr. Louis Barron. Ah, France sustained a great loss that day. A man such as Louis Barron is hard to replace." He shook his head. "I do such as Louis Barron is hard to replace." He shook his head. "I do not know anything about a Mrs. Calvin Baker, but I do seem to not know anything about a Mrs. Calvin Baker, but I do seem to remember that there was an English or American woman on that remember that there was an English or American woman on that plane. It might well perhaps have been this Mrs. Betterton, of whom plane. It might well perhaps have been this Mrs. Betterton, of whom you speak. Yes, it was all very sad." He looked across enquiringly at you speak. Yes, it was all very sad." He looked across enquiringly at Jessop. "I do not know, Monsieur, why you should suppose that Jessop. "I do not know, Monsieur, why you should suppose that these people were coming here. It may possibly be that Dr. Barron these people were coming here. It may possibly be that Dr. Barron mentioned at one time that he hoped to visit our settlement here mentioned at one time that he hoped to visit our settlement here while he was in North Africa. That may possibly have given rise to a while he was in North Africa. That may possibly have given rise to a misconception." misconception."

"So you tell me," said Jessop, "that I am mistaken? That these people are none of them here." people are none of them here."

"But how can they be, my dear sir, since they were all killed in this plane accident The bodies were recovered, I believe." plane accident The bodies were recovered, I believe."

"The bodies recovered were too badly charred for identification." Jessop spoke the last words with deliberation and significance. Jessop spoke the last words with deliberation and significance.

There was a little stir behind him. A thin, precise, very attenuated voice said, voice said, "Do I understand you to say that there was no precise identification?" Lord Alverstoke was leaning forward, his hand to identification?" Lord Alverstoke was leaning forward, his hand to his ear. Under bushy, overhanging eyebrows his small keen eyes his ear. Under bushy, overhanging eyebrows his small keen eyes looked into Jessop's. looked into Jessop's.

"There could be no formal identification, my lord," said Jessop, "and I have reason to believe these people survived that accident."

"Believe?" said Lord Alverstoke, with displeasure in his thin, high voice. voice.

"I should have said I had evidence of survival."

"Evidence? Of what nature, Mr. - er - er - Jessop."

"Mrs. Betterton was wearing a choker of false pearls on the day she left Fez for Marrakesh," said Jessop. "One of these pearls was left Fez for Marrakesh," said Jessop. "One of these pearls was found at a distance of half a mile from the burnt out plane." found at a distance of half a mile from the burnt out plane."

"How can you state positively that the pearl found actually came from Mrs. Betterton's necklace?" from Mrs. Betterton's necklace?"

"Because all the pearls of that necklace had had a mark put upon them invisible to the naked eye, but recognisable under a strong them invisible to the naked eye, but recognisable under a strong lens." lens."

"Who put that mark on them?"

"I did, Lord Alverstoke, in the presence of my colleague, here, Monsieur Leblanc." Monsieur Leblanc."

"You put those marks - you had a reason in marking those pearls in that special fas.h.i.+on?" that special fas.h.i.+on?"

"Yes, my lord. I had reason to believe that Mrs. Betterton would lead me to her husband, Thomas Betterton, against whom a lead me to her husband, Thomas Betterton, against whom a warrant is out." Jessop continued. "Two more of these pearls came warrant is out." Jessop continued. "Two more of these pearls came to light. Each on stages of a route between where the plane was to light. Each on stages of a route between where the plane was burnt out and the settlement where we now are. Enquiries in the burnt out and the settlement where we now are. Enquiries in the places where these pearls were found resulted in a description of places where these pearls were found resulted in a description of six people, roughly approximating to those people who were six people, roughly approximating to those people who were supposed to have been burnt in the plane. One of these pa.s.sengers supposed to have been burnt in the plane. One of these pa.s.sengers had also been supplied with a glove impregnated with luminous, had also been supplied with a glove impregnated with luminous, phosphorous paint. That mark was found on a car which had phosphorous paint. That mark was found on a car which had transported these pa.s.sengers part of the way here." transported these pa.s.sengers part of the way here."

Lord Alverstoke remarked in his dry, judicial voice, "Very remarkable."

In the big chair Mr. Aristides stirred. His eyelids blinked once or twice rapidly. Then he asked a question. twice rapidly. Then he asked a question.

"Where were the last traces of this party of people found?"

"At a disused airfield, Sir." He gave precise location.

"That is many hundreds of miles from here," said Mr. Aristides.

"Granted that your very interesting speculations are correct, that for some reason the accident was faked, these pa.s.sengers, I for some reason the accident was faked, these pa.s.sengers, I gather, then took off from this disused airport for some unknown gather, then took off from this disused airport for some unknown destination. Since that airport is many hundreds of miles from here, destination. Since that airport is many hundreds of miles from here, I really cannot see on what you base your belief that these people I really cannot see on what you base your belief that these people are here. Why should they be?" are here. Why should they be?"

"There are certain very good reasons, sir. A signal was picked up by one of our searching airplanes. The signal was brought to by one of our searching airplanes. The signal was brought to Monsieur Leblanc here. Commencing with a special code Monsieur Leblanc here. Commencing with a special code recognition signal, it gave the information that the people in question were at a Leper Settlement." question were at a Leper Settlement."

"I find this remarkable," said Mr. Aristides. "Very remarkable. But it seems to me that there is no doubt that an attempt has been made seems to me that there is no doubt that an attempt has been made to mislead you. These people are not here." He spoke with a quiet, to mislead you. These people are not here." He spoke with a quiet, definite decision. "You are at perfect liberty to search the definite decision. "You are at perfect liberty to search the settlement if you like." settlement if you like."

"I doubt if we should find anything, sir," said Jessop, "not, that is, by a superficial search, although," he added deliberately, "I am by a superficial search, although," he added deliberately, "I am aware of the area at which the search should begin." aware of the area at which the search should begin."

"Indeed! And where is that?"

"In the fourth corridor from the second laboratory turning to the left at the end of the pa.s.sage there." at the end of the pa.s.sage there."

There was an abrupt movement from Dr. Van Heidem. Two gla.s.ses crashed from the tables to the floor.

Jessop looked at him, smiling.

"You see, Doctor," he said, "we are well informed."

Van Heidem said sharply, "It's preposterous.

Absolutely preposterous! You are suggesting that we are detaining people here against their will. I deny that categorically." here against their will. I deny that categorically."

The Minister said uncomfortably, "We seem to have arrived at an impa.s.se."

Mr. Aristides said gently, "It has been an interesting theory. But it is only a theory." He glanced at his watch. "You will excuse me, gentlemen, if I suggest glanced at his watch. "You will excuse me, gentlemen, if I suggest that you should leave now. You have a long drive back to the that you should leave now. You have a long drive back to the airport, and there will be alarm felt if your plane is overdue." airport, and there will be alarm felt if your plane is overdue."

Both Leblanc and Jessop realised that it had come now to the showdown. Aristides was exerting all the force of his considerable showdown. Aristides was exerting all the force of his considerable personality. He was daring these men to oppose his will. If they personality. He was daring these men to oppose his will. If they persisted, it meant that they were willing to come out into the open persisted, it meant that they were willing to come out into the open against him. The Minister, as per his instructions, was anxious to against him. The Minister, as per his instructions, was anxious to capitulate. The Chief of Police was anxious only to be agreeable to capitulate. The Chief of Police was anxious only to be agreeable to the Minister. The American Amba.s.sador was not satisfied, but he, the Minister. The American Amba.s.sador was not satisfied, but he, too, would hesitate for diplomatic reasons to insist. The British too, would hesitate for diplomatic reasons to insist. The British Consul would have to fall in with the other two. Consul would have to fall in with the other two.

The journalists - Aristides considered the journalists - the journalists could be attended to! Their price might come high but he journalists could be attended to! Their price might come high but he was of the opinion that they could be bought. And if they could not was of the opinion that they could be bought. And if they could not be bought - well, there were other ways. be bought - well, there were other ways.

As for Jessop and Leblanc, they knew. That was clear, but they could not act without authority. His eyes went on and met the eyes could not act without authority. His eyes went on and met the eyes of a man as old as himself, cold, legal eyes. This man, he knew, of a man as old as himself, cold, legal eyes. This man, he knew, could not be bought. But after all... His thoughts were interrupted could not be bought. But after all... His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of that cold, clear, far away little voice. by the sound of that cold, clear, far away little voice.

"I am of the opinion," said the voice, "that we should not unduly hurry our departure. For there is a case here that it seems to me hurry our departure. For there is a case here that it seems to me would bear further enquiry. Grave allegations have been made and would bear further enquiry. Grave allegations have been made and should not, I consider, be allowed to drop. In fairness every should not, I consider, be allowed to drop. In fairness every opportunity should be given to rebut them." opportunity should be given to rebut them."

"The onus of proof," said Mr. Aristides, "is on you." He made a graceful gesture towards the company. "A preposterous graceful gesture towards the company. "A preposterous accusation has been made, unsupported by any evidence." accusation has been made, unsupported by any evidence."

"Not unsupported."

Dr. Van Heidem swung round in surprise. One of the Moroccan servants had stepped forward. He was a fine figure of a man in servants had stepped forward. He was a fine figure of a man in white embroidered robes with a white turban surrounding his head, white embroidered robes with a white turban surrounding his head, his face gleamed black and oily. his face gleamed black and oily.

What caused the entire company to gaze at him in speechless astonishment was the fact that from his full rather Negroid lips a astonishment was the fact that from his full rather Negroid lips a voice of purely trans-Atlantic origin was proceeding. voice of purely trans-Atlantic origin was proceeding.

"Not unsupported," that voice said, "you can take my evidence here and now. These gentlemen have denied that Andrew Peters, Torquil and now. These gentlemen have denied that Andrew Peters, Torquil Ericsson, Mr. and Mrs. Betterton and Dr. Louis Barron are here. Ericsson, Mr. and Mrs. Betterton and Dr. Louis Barron are here. That's false. They're all here - and I speak for them." He took a step That's false. They're all here - and I speak for them." He took a step forward towards the American Amba.s.sador. "You may find me a bit forward towards the American Amba.s.sador. "You may find me a bit difficult to recognise at the moment. Sir," he said, "but I am Andrew difficult to recognise at the moment. Sir," he said, "but I am Andrew Peters." Peters."

A very faint, sibilant hiss issued from Aristides' lips; then he settled back in his chair, his face impa.s.sive once more. back in his chair, his face impa.s.sive once more.

"There's a whole crowd of people hidden away here," said Peters.

"There's Schwartz of Munich; there's Helga Needheim; there are Jeffreys and Davidson, the English scientists; there's Paul Wade Jeffreys and Davidson, the English scientists; there's Paul Wade from the U.S.A.; there are the Italians, Ricochetti and Bianco; from the U.S.A.; there are the Italians, Ricochetti and Bianco; there's Murchison. They're all right here in this building. There's a there's Murchison. They're all right here in this building. There's a system of closing bulkheads that's quite impossible to detect by the system of closing bulkheads that's quite impossible to detect by the naked eye. There's a whole network of secret laboratories cut right naked eye. There's a whole network of secret laboratories cut right down into the rock." down into the rock."

"G.o.d bless my soul," e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the American Amba.s.sador. He looked searchingly at the dignified African figure, and then he looked searchingly at the dignified African figure, and then he began to laugh. "I wouldn't say I'd recognise you even now," he began to laugh. "I wouldn't say I'd recognise you even now," he said. said.

"That's the injection of paraffin in the lips, sir, to say nothing of black pigment." black pigment."

"If you're Peters, what's the number you go under in the F.B.I.?"

"813471, sir."

"Right," said the Amba.s.sador, "and the initials of your other name?" name?"

"B.A.B.D.G., sir."

The Amba.s.sador nodded.

"This man is Peters," he said. He looked towards the Minister.

The Minister hesitated, then cleared his throat.

"You claim," he demanded of Peters, "that people are being detained here against their will?" detained here against their will?"

"Some are here willingly, Excellence, and some are not."

"In that case," said the Minister, "statements must be taken - er - yes, yes, statements must certainly be taken." yes, yes, statements must certainly be taken."

He looked at the Prefect of Police. The latter stepped forward.

"Just a moment, please." Mr. Aristides raised a hand. "It would seem," he said, in a gentle, precise voice, "that my confidence here seem," he said, in a gentle, precise voice, "that my confidence here has been greatly abused." His cold glance went from Van Heidem has been greatly abused." His cold glance went from Van Heidem to the Director and there was implacable command in it. "As to to the Director and there was implacable command in it. "As to what you have permitted yourselves to do, gentlemen, in your what you have permitted yourselves to do, gentlemen, in your enthusiasm for science, I am not as yet quite clear. My endowment enthusiasm for science, I am not as yet quite clear. My endowment of this place was purely in the interests of research. I have taken no of this place was purely in the interests of research. I have taken no part in the practical application of its policy. I would advise you, part in the practical application of its policy. I would advise you, Monsieur le Directeur, if this accusation is borne out by facts, to Monsieur le Directeur, if this accusation is borne out by facts, to produce immediately those people who are suspected of being produce immediately those people who are suspected of being detained here unlawfully." detained here unlawfully."

"But, Monsieur, it is impossible. I - it will be -"

"Any experiment of that kind," said Mr. Aristides, "is at an end." His calm, financier's gaze swept over his guests. "I need hardly a.s.sure calm, financier's gaze swept over his guests. "I need hardly a.s.sure you, Messieurs," he said, "that if anything illegal is going on here, it you, Messieurs," he said, "that if anything illegal is going on here, it has been no concern of mine." has been no concern of mine."

It was an order, and understood as such because of his wealth, because of his power and because of his influence. Mr. Aristides, because of his power and because of his influence. Mr. Aristides, that world-famous figure, would not be implicated in this affair. Yet, that world-famous figure, would not be implicated in this affair. Yet, even though he himself escaped unscathed, it was nevertheless even though he himself escaped unscathed, it was nevertheless defeat. Defeat for his purpose, defeat for that brains pool from defeat. Defeat for his purpose, defeat for that brains pool from which he had hoped to profit so greatly. Mr. Aristides was which he had hoped to profit so greatly. Mr. Aristides was unperturbed by failure. It had happened to him occasionally in the unperturbed by failure. It had happened to him occasionally in the course of his career. He had always accepted it philosophically and course of his career. He had always accepted it philosophically and gone on to the next coup. gone on to the next coup.

He made an oriental gesture of his hand.

"I wash my hands of this affair," he said.

The Prefect of Police bustled forward. He had had his cue now, he knew what his instructions were and he was prepared to go ahead knew what his instructions were and he was prepared to go ahead with the full force of his official position. with the full force of his official position.