‘We would often moor at Stalsfrieden, just across the border, and talk about aeronautics.’
Interesting, Aubrey thought. What had Saltin learned? He was no intelligence operative, but even casual conversation could throw up useful information. ‘When were you last there?’
‘A few weeks ago. Just before this silly war was declared.’
An unspoken conversation flitted between Aubrey, Caroline and George. Even though it consisted mostly of arch looks, raised eyebrows, meaningful nods and pursed lips, the meaning was clear, so Aubrey asked: ‘Did you happen to notice anything unusual in Stalsfrieden?’
‘Unusual? What do you mean?’
‘Did you notice any new buildings? Or unusual movements of heavy transport or the like?’
‘Ah, you are after intelligence about Holmland capabilities.’ Saltin sighed. ‘I am still having trouble thinking that way.’
‘We have to,’ Caroline pointed out. ‘Times have changed.’
‘And changed quickly.’ Saltin straightened his cap. ‘Stalsfrieden always has heavy transport. It is a rail centre for north-west Holmland. I did not notice anything unusual.’
‘No new buildings?’ George asked.
Saltin shrugged. ‘It is a busy place. Much building has been going on for years. Factories, warehouses. Some of the old mills are being turned to new uses. Even the von Grolman complex.’ He stopped. ‘What did I say?’
It was Aubrey who first found his voice again. ‘Von Grolman. That would be Baron von Grolman, the Fisherberg industrialist?’
‘You know him? A good man. He hosts Gallian crews at his Stalsfrieden estate many times.’ Saltin grinned. ‘He knows his wine, too. For a Holmlander.’
Aubrey bit down on this new item of information, already worth its place in a report. Caroline had known Baron von Grolman for some time as a wealthy friend of her mother. In fact, they’d been staying at his Fisherberg castle when Aubrey had uncovered the plot to replace Prince Albert with a golem. The baron’s part in this was not apparent at first, but gradually, it and his association with Dr Tremaine had come to light. While not as prominent a public figure as the Chancellor and his generals, Baron von Grolman’s huge fortune – and his desire for more – was a crucial factor in Holmland’s warmongering.
‘This estate,’ George said slowly. ‘Is this at the complex you mentioned?’
‘No, my friend. The estate is in the woods overlooking the city. Empty, it has been, for many years, until recently. It was a woollen mill, but when the wool trade left Stalsfrieden, it was worthless. It was vacant for years. The baron’s father wanted to turn it into a pleasure park, for children, but he lost interest after some work was done.’
‘But the baron has opened it again?’ Caroline asked.
‘As a factory. New buildings have been built, new fences, an electricity generating plant constructed. It is unmistakable. The two towers on the original building make it look like a castle.’
‘I’m sure it does,’ Aubrey said. ‘And I’m sure we’d love to have a look at it.’
‘I would take you, if it were not for this war. Still, a few weeks and it will all be over.’
Aubrey – knowing Dr Tremaine’s goal and his capabilities – wasn’t sure at all, but he wasn’t about to disabuse Major Saltin so abruptly.
Caroline took his arm. ‘Aubrey.’
He stopped and looked in the direction she was gesturing. A short street stretched off to the left, finishing in a dead end where it reached the river. On one side of the street was a series of warehouses. On the other was a row of two-storey buildings, shops selling hardware-related items, mostly, but right at the end was a long red-brick building with a yard attached and a river frontage. The shops were quiet and shut, and had been for some time, to judge from the boards over the doors and windows. The red brick building, too, looked unoccupied.
‘Saltin,’ Aubrey said. ‘Do you know this place?’
Saltin squinted. ‘No, but I have a friend who might.’
The last occupants of the building had been brothers who had started an electroplating business, Saltin reported later that afternoon. A combination of filial mistrust and general business ineptitude meant that after outfitting the place as a workshop and office, it quickly went broke.
Saltin arranged an inspection. With the river frontage came a small private dock for barge delivery, which Aubrey took as a great bonus. George found a considerable basement, too, even if it was a little damp from the presence of the nearby river. Caroline reported good electricity and water supplies, as well as a useful flat roof with good access. With that, they were satisfied.
After a quick discussion with Saltin, Aubrey left the negotiation to him, suggesting a cover story of a brother who was going to set up business in Divodorum.
Aubrey explored the roof while Saltin was gone. With good field glasses, he was sure he’d have a commanding view of the countryside surrounding Divodorum. Even without them, he could see over the fortress and practice fields, the airfield, and – in the other direction – back toward the city, where the river and railway swept away to the south.
Caroline joined him. ‘It’s perfect,’ she murmured. A slight breeze came across the tarred roof and ruffled her hair. Aubrey was glad he was close to her, but saddened that he couldn’t be closer. ‘I can set up our wireless telegraphy equipment and string an antenna across the roof.’
‘Won’t that be a little prominent?’ he asked.
‘I’ll lay a horizontal field antenna from corner to corner. No-one will notice unless they come up here.’ She peered to the north-east. ‘Holmland is just over there.’
‘Twenty miles to the border through hills and woods. Stalsfrieden is only a few miles from the other side.’
‘Can you sense anything?’
Aubrey shook his head. ‘That’s not my forte, remote monitoring. I can’t feel a thing at this distance.’
‘I can.’ Caroline shuddered. ‘I can feel war.’
Sixteen
The rest of the week was given to the task of not drawing attention to themselves – while readying their newly leased base for the arrival of the magical surveillance team.
Aubrey was determined to prepare the facility perfectly, to show how well the neophyte team could perform its duties, and to have it ready well within the week allowed for the task.
Of course, what had seemed straightforward – if testing – in Albion, now looked rather more daunting. Aubrey frowned at the list he’d made, not quite sure where to start.
First was a program of making vital purchases. With some misgivings, Aubrey agreed to separating for this. He had doubts about George’s managing with his notorious lack of Gallian, but he was convinced by Caroline, who pointed out that a useful team must have members who were able to operate independently.
While these transactions were taking place, they also had to secure the base, making sure that no unwanted visitors could interrupt their delicate work. He sighed. Then there was constructing the area for the remote sensing operatives. It had to be shielded from stray magic, as much as possible, as well as more ordinary distractions like noise, or light, or just about anything, really. Much of this was uncomplicated carpentry, turning part of the basement into a detached area where the remote sensers could concentrate in isolation. Another part of the basement had to be set up as a general workshop. George was a dab hand at that sort of thing, and part of his purchasing responsibility was timber and tools.
The remote sensers were bringing some shielding devices with them, but Aubrey had a notion or two that he wanted to try. He’d managed to bring a few key components, but he’d have to cobble together the rest from what he could turn up in Divodorum.