Lovelace looked up from his pipe. 'How about France?
'Dare France go to Britain's aid even if she wishes to do so? Mussolini's main army is still in Europe. Could France afford to risk a simultaneous attack Europe. Italy in the south and the newly equipped German armies in the north?'
'In such circumstances the British Army would be sent to your assistance.'
Barrotet lifted his dark eyes to heaven. `Pardon, my friend. You naturally consider the British Army an important factor, but you forget that in recent years you have allowed it to shrink to a few divisions. Your home forces today may be excellent, but in numbers they are less than those of the weakest Balkan state. No army which you could place in the European field could possibly turn the scale for France against the combined might of reborn Italy and new Germany. It is for that reason France has been negotiating an alliance with Soviet Russia, and I do not say that she will not honour her obligation to the League and Great Britain. Only that, without Russia behind her, it would be suicide for her to do so. A man thinks twice before he takes his own life, however black the future may appear.'
`I see your point.' Lovelace admitted. `Britain is the great bulwark of Capitalism, and if the Bolsheviks thought there was a chance of her being smashed once and for all they might refuse to come in. Then, if France considered the odds against her too heavy, we might have to face the whole shooting match on our own.'
`That is so. Within a month, perhaps, if the plot to utilize the Abyssinian situation cannot be stopped. Even if we succeed in that you must still regard such a combination as a menace which you may have to face in the future, and if Russia, France, and the Little Entente did come to your assistance your case would not be very much better. Japan would immediately move against Russia, and apparently, from the recent trend of events, Poland, Austria and Hungary would join Germany and Italy in their attack on France.'
Lovelace shook his head. `Either way it sounds desperately grim, but I can't think the Germans have the least wish to go to war with Britain.'
`They have not. At present there is no personal hate between the two countries at all, except amongst the British Jews who are so bitter against the Nazis. But day and night the agitators are at work poisoning the minds of the German people with the delusion that because they have lost their colonies they have lost there honour. Mussolini is a very able statesman, and he will use that feeling to bring Germany in with him against Britain rather than face the collapse of Fascism through a stalemate in Abyssinia.'
`And it is this Abyssinian concession which the war makers propose to use as their bait to involve Germany?'
`Yes. That is their present programme. At the moment the Italian armies are steadily advancing into Abyssinia. When the rains come they must call a halt, and then the Emperor will have a breathing space in which to consider his position. The Italians will dig themselves in and, since modern weapons give natural superiority to defence over attack, even where opposing armies are equally well equipped, no Abyssinian offensive will be able even to shake the Italian line. If the Emperor can manage to hold up the Italian advance until the rains come he will have at least six months in which to equip and train many of his regiments to fit them for modern warfare in the next year's campaign. So far he has used his private fortune to purchase supplies, but now the Abyssinian war chest is exhausted. He must choose between leaving his warriors to be massacred when the Italians advance again, or selling concessions to provide them with modern equipment which will strengthen their resistance.'
Valerie nodded. `And he will take the latter course as the lesser evil, because it is his only chance to escape complete defeat and the total loss of his Empire.'
`Mademoiselle, you have said it.' Barrotet waved a plump but muscular hand. `The matter is already agreed and a date fixed when Paxito Zirrif will be in Addis Ababa to give the credits and receive the signed concession.'
`Paxito Zirrif,' Lovelace murmured. `I've heard of him. He's a fabulously rich Armenian isn't he?'
`Yes. He is also the man who has arranged for the sale of the concession to Germany immediately he has secured it, which would give her a strong interest in Abyssinia and bring the whole question of overseas territories for her to a head.'
`Unless . . .' murmured Christopher.
`Unless Paxito Zirrif fails to reach Addis Ababa.'
`Penn hasn't got to go to Abyssinia after all, then. Lovelace cut in.
'No. At present Zirrif is at his home in Athens knew that there was reason to suppose that he remain there for about three weeks when we sent for you. He is not due in Addis Ababa until the first of May, That is the date which has been arranged for the signing of the concession.'
'He may be leaving Athens at any moment now, then, Christopher said anxiously.
'Unfortunately, that is so. Therefore the affair is doubly urgent. When you responded to our call that you would leave immediately, we naturally expected you would sail on the Europa and arrive six days ago. Your delay in reaching Europe has caused us grave anxiety. It shortens so much the time you have to work in.
'If time is so essential, why did you select an American?' Valerie asked.
`Because Zirrif is very carefully protected. It was decided that a wealthy young American would be less suspect than anyone on, this side and 'would stand , more chance of getting at him.'
'You're wrong there,' said Christopher quickly. I was warned that they knew what I was up to before I left the States and that if I quit the country I'd be dead within a week. That's why we took the longer route via Canada and a slower boat.'
Barrotet's eye brows shot up into his broad, low forehead.
Mon Dieu." he exclaimed. 'But this is difficult perhaps you are being watched now,'
I doubt it.' Christopher shook his head. `We came by Miss Lorne’s plane from Rotterdam and went to earth in this hole after Lovelace had taken us seven times round Paris in seven different taxis.'
'That is good, but the fact that they know may prove a serious handicap to your operations.' Barrotet produced a sheaf of papers. Look! Here are particulars about Paxito Zirrif, also a letter stolen from a Mr. Jeremiah Green as he lay dying of fever in the Sudan. He was on his way to Zirrif as a go between, on behalf of the Abyssinians, but he did not know Zirrif personally. We had hoped that by presenting yourself to Zirrif as Jeremiah Green you could have found an opportunity to. ..'
`As they know Penn to be associated with the Millers of God, they're certain to have cabled his description,' Lovelace interrupted. `He daren't adopt your plan now. He'd be rumbled at the start.' Barrotet's black, boot button eyes fixed themselves upon the Englishman. `Does the enemy yet know that you have taken a hand in this affair?'
Lovelace shrugged. `There is no earthly reason to suppose they have ever heard of my existence.'
`Then why should you not impersonate Jeremiah Green, and lure him on some pretext to a spot where ... Penn could do the rest?'
Valerie's eyes were on Lovelace's face again. He was fingering uncertainly the small upturned moustache which decorated his upper lip.
`You are sure that if this concession goes through it means a universal smash up?' he asked after a moment.
`Yes. We who know the inside facts are virtually certain of it.'
`All right I'll do it then.'
Barrotet pushed across the papers. `I am glad that you have so decided. Please now to memorize these few names and addresses that I will tell you. They are the Millers of God living in the Near East upon whom you may call for assistance in case of necessity. Afterwards, when you make your escape, it is better that you should go on to Haifa or Cairo and lie low there for a time than that you should return to Europe, where the International police will be more occupied in trying to trace Zarrif’s executioner.'