Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:08:27 +0000
From: Jo Vincent <joad130@hotmail.com>
Subject: Mystery and Mayhem at St Marks:  Seq 21

		      Mystery and Mayhem At St Mark's
				 A Sequel

				    by

				   Joel


Seq 21:

             Some of the Characters Appearing or Mentioned:
Mark Henry Foster                   The story-teller: Newly graduated.
Tristan (Tris) Price-Williams      His well-proportioned boyfriend.
Francis Michael Foster              Alias Toad/Gobbo   Mark's younger brother
Shelley Price-Williams              Tris's sister
Adam Benjamin Carr                Mark's cousin: newly appointed History Fellow
Ivo Richie Carr                         Ditto, as his twin, safely married diplomat
Sophia Carr                               Their mother in Dorset
George Carr                              Their father: A farmer
Victoria ['Tory] Carr                 Ivo's wife
George Henry Carr                   Ivo and 'Tory's son: A few hours old
Sir Henry Machin                     'Tory's father, something in the City
Lady Mary Machin                   'Tory's mother
Ignasz Zendener                        The hotel manager in Strelzen
Tomas, Igor, Frantischek;          Receptionists and students
Aloys zum Adamszberh             Rector of the Rodolfer University
Jerzy zum Adamszberh              His son, studying at Cambridge
Tadeuz Galenosz                       A botanist, also at Cambridge
Herr Diesselhorst                      A shifty Minister of the Interior
Dr Claude Valentin                   Organist of the Cathedral of St Vitali
Andrei zu Glottenberh               Rothenian Army Officer [Special Services]
Lucasz Voynovich                     Rothenian Army Officer [Signals Division]
Dr Paul Mossman                     Historian from Harvard
David Vinodosj                        Taxi driver:  Probably secret police


				 Thursday

     I was so relaxed after having had a perfect sleep after perfect sex
with my beloved Tris I was all ready to get up at seven thirty.  I was
showered, shaved and dressed by the time Tris surfaced and had prepared
things we might need for two nights away from the hotel.  Tomas had
supplied us with two sturdy plastic bags, not from the Number 69, the night
before.  The dear lad had also said his mother would wash and iron anything
we had while we were away so shirts, socks and pants were bundled into
another bag to be left at the desk with a suitable payment in krone.

     We did stock up by having a full breakfast and I noticed there was a
range of pastries, sandwiches and small filled baguettes which office
workers and others were popping in to buy.  Two of each for the four of us
should stave off hunger pangs for some time!  So, by eight-fortyfive I was
raring to go.  Tris was still contemplating whether to take his laptop with
him.  I said he should as we might want to send e- mails and there would be
room in the car anyway!

     Ten to nine, arrayed in cargoes and College tees, we were pacing the
lobby with Ignasz handing over a bag of fruit and Igor at the door looking
out.  He rushed back in and grabbed our bags.

     "They here!" he called out, startling the elderly French pair who were
looking at the array of brochures and discussing a visit to Zenda as far as
I could make out.  He put the bags in the boot and I saw Tris give him a
wink and hand him a tip.  Tip!  The little bugger had earned enough earlier
in the week displaying his bodily attributes and firing power - but, there
was always a possibility he might be of use - and I don't mean in that way.
Tris was right - his idea of our own Baker Street Irregulars had been a
good one.  Although not quite our band of warriors there had been a routing
of the hairy man for the present.  On my own part I gave Igor a brotherly
pat on the back and an encouraging smile, I hoped.  Yep!  The lad was
smitten judging by the look that returned.  So was I, I must admit.  Loins
would be afire if I didn't get into the car quickly!  As Igor closed the
door behind me he whispered "You look ver-ry good".  Wow!  You'll look
good, too, sweetie-pie, once you're wearing Unc's clothes I'll be arranging
to send to the lads.  Just need your inside leg measurement...

     Tad and Jerzy were also dressed for a summer jaunt.  Jerzy, like us,
was also in below knee cargoes but his tee-shirt had something in Rothenian
on it.  Oh, my Gawd, Tad!  He had on the shortest shorts, tight and bulging
and showing off the most delectable hairy thighs and legs.  Just like
Alistair's, but he was straight!  Tad wasn't!  Hands off!

     I must say Jerzy was a most competent driver and the miles, or
kilometres, sped by on the good new motorway towards Rechtenberg.  I sat
with him the first part of the journey and wondered if Tris was 'hands off'
in the back seat with Tad.  Glancing back a couple of times they just
seemed to be in deep conversation.  Good!  Anyway, we had a break at eleven
o'clock for coffee from flasks which they had brought, a pastry and a much
needed pee.  What emerged from Tad's shorts explained the bulge!  In fact,
as the four of us stood in line, there didn't seem much to differentiate us
except both Tad and Jerzy were circumcised.  Must ask.  Is that common
here?  I'd noted quite a few of the nude lads at the Spa had been snipped
as well.

     Chatting to Jerzy on the first part of the journey, then to Tad in the
back seat after the break, I learned a lot more about Rothenia and it's
recent history.  Both were just finishing school when the crises before the
King was installed were fermenting and then broke out.  Both had been sent
into the country for safety in case there was any trouble.  Jerzy then said
that had proved to be quite unnecessary as the final outcome - the
restoration of the Elphbergs in the shape of King Rudi - was managed quite
peacefully and constitutionally.  However, the factions at the two
political ends, far Left and far Right, were still seen as potentially
disruptive and they thought there were plenty supporting either of them who
were dissatisfied and would try to make trouble. Yes, there was no doubt
Tad and Jerzy were behind the King and the government of Chancellor
Trachtenberg and supported the reforms.  So any qualms there were
unjustified.

     We heard again about the problems of drugs and people trafficking.
They said several of their friends from schooldays were now drug addicts
and either drop-outs, or in addiction clinics, and there was a great need
for a major clean-up.  Before the 1989 May Revolution there had been many
Russian troops stationed.  All but a few, who returned having fraternised
then married Rothenian girls, had gone back. There were rumours that
Russian oil, aluminium and steel money was behind the buying of large
tracts of land and there were, obviously, criminal elements involved as
well, most probably behind the import of drugs.  But, since that time the
big problem, in their opinion, were the racketeers from the Ukraine,
Albania and Romania who seemed to be behind the wholesale movement of
people from those countries especially.

     "The poor people pay much for promises then they find they are illegal
immigrants but still have to pay back," said Tad.  "But there are people
from our country who make money as well and support no party but hate the
police and the King and want to make trouble.  There is a rumour one boss
has been shot but he is not the top man."  I breathed deeply when he said
that.  Was it the same one who organised the theft of the pencil-box?  "A
friend is a nurse at a clinic and has been told he must not repeat things
he hears or sees but he is frightened other things might happen.  I have
heard that some papers were stolen from the National Library a long time
ago and the criminals are trying to find them.  Why, I do not know.  There
are rumours all the time."

     I didn't dare say anything.  That tied in with Mr X.  Ex-STASI, and no
doubt the one who found, or was involved in trying to sell the information
in the papers Julius Stein had arranged to have deposited there or at the
University Library.  I just wondered how many groups or factions were
involved.  My guess was he had been playing one against another.  But, how
much should we divulge?  Nothing at present.  The story fitted, though.
All I hoped was that whoever was involved didn't think we had the papers!
Or the box!

     We reached Rechtenberg well before midday so we parked and went for a
stroll to stretch our legs.  The lads were so pleased we had thought to buy
the substantial sandwiches and baguettes and Jerzy was dispatched to get
bottles of fruit juice.  While he was away Tad was telling us that he'd
overheard his Mother talking to Father Artur the evening he'd returned from
England.  Father Artur was concerned that the Cardinal had been called to
the Vatican to explain the other rumours circulating about strange
happenings and disappearances.  Tad said his Mother had just shaken her
head when he asked her later what it was all about.  He said Father Artur
was particularly worried about some group which was something like the far
Right in Italy and traded on being more Catholic than the Pope.  The
Cardinal was a good man and would have nothing to do with these so-called
Social Democrats and Tad said he was scared they might stage some sort of
demonstration of their power.  He didn't mention names but hinted there
were a couple of politicians who were thought to be in league with them but
kept themselves at a distance.

     "I was at school with the son of one of them," he said.  "He was
frightened of his father as he was like us."  He looked quite grim as he
said this.  "We were good friends at school and we might have... ...You
know.., ...been very good friends...  ...But, when he left school he went
immediately to Germany to study Medicine as he wanted to get away from his
father.  His father does not know about him and would say nothing but would
disown him.  He has made speeches against our liberal laws.  The people
think he is just a fanatic.  But fanatics can be dangerous.  I am sure he
is involved but for Benito's sake I hope nothing happens."

     "Benito?" asked Tris, "Wasn't that..." He stopped as Tad nodded.

     "Yes," Tad said, looking even grimmer, "What father would call their
son after that monster.  Even the boys at school never made fun of his
name.  One did and called him 'Musso' one day and nearly got beaten up.
Three of us took him to a quiet corner and warned him." He shook his head.
"We did not hit him.  He apologised."  He did smile then.  "I miss Benito
but then I met Jerzy.  He is all I want."

     "What are you gossiping about?"  Jerzy had returned bearing bottles.

     "Just politics," said Tad taking one of the proffered bottles.
"Filling in the gaps just like these sandwiches will do."

     While we were eating and drinking Jerzy said he had also phoned his
Uncle and there were rooms ready at the old house and he had asked
directions to the Garden Centre on the outskirts of the town.  Feeling
regenerated after that little feast we filled up with petrol and drove to
the Garden Centre.  There we were met by the owner, a large, very affable
man with huge moustaches, who made us very welcome with coffee and wanted
to know from Jerzy how his Grandfather and his Uncle were.  He also said he
had been visited just the day before by two other English boys who wanted
him to supply gingko plants.  He said they were very happy with the price
and had given him a good order.  I supposed that had made him even more
amiable.  We said we knew the boys as they were staying in the same hotel
in Strelzen.  He said he had sent them on to another supplier for other
plants they were interested in.  He then surveyed our list and made notes
as Tad explained our quest.

     "All good," he said, " I have these."  He pointed to about six of the
plants on the list.  "Two other people and your list is complete."  He led
us to a large map of the area on the wall.  "First, Herr Walcker.  He has
good collectors from own gardens.  Tell him you want angelica and hyssop.
Not far.  Village is Krystaz.  Five kilometres."  The village was marked
clearly and just off a main road.  He ticked the two sets of plants, one
with a blue pencil and the second with a red and wrote 'Krystaz'
there. "But for plants from above."  He pointed upwards with both hands.  I
assumed he meant the mountain plants I knew, the two types of gentian, plus
any others which Tad could ask him about.  "You must go to Walmarshech.
Here."  He pointed to a small dot marked Gastberh which had a straggly line
to it from a second main road.  "I forget.  That is name now.  Old people
call it Walmarshech.  You ask they show way.  Herr Kardosc by the church.
Very good."  He ticked those two with ordinary pencil and wrote 'Gastberh',
'Walmarshech' and 'Kardosc' as well.  "I send those boys to same place but
to Herr Covarh who has good new primulas.  Very special."

     Walmarshech!  That rang a definite bell.  The Royal Warrant.
Wildewalmars!  A change of name so it didn't appear on modern maps.  I
needed to go there and quickly.  I had a definite feeling I had to get
there as fast as possible.  I was rather forcefully reminded of the quote
from Macbeth 'by the pricking of my thumbs' and I had a feeling it was both
good and wicked and somehow Brett especially was involved!

     "May we return tomorrow," I said, cutting short the conversation
without appearing rude, "And arrange for your plants.  I think we should
try Herr Kardosc this afternoon."

     He smiled.  "Good idea.  I will write my list."  He nodded and pointed
to the map again. "Ten kilometres then road there.  You take this."  He
drew a very good sketch map very quickly.  "Then you cross valley here for
Rotehalsc for his Uncle when you done.  I know that well.  Tomorrow you try
Herr Walcker before here."  He turned to Jerzy.  "Please to say my
greetings to your family." We all shook hands and went back to the car.

     Once outside I had to tell the three of them the feeling I had.  Tris
had also noted the old name of the village.  Both Jerzy and Tad perked up
as I said about the possible connection with Curt and his family.  Jerzy
then said he had heard his father use that name as a village across the
valley from their family home.

     "We go there now," said Jerzy, "Good adventure!"

     We soon found the side road off the motorway signposted to 'Gastberh'.
Yes, we went along a small river and the fertile fields on either side were
heavy with wheat, barley and sunflowers.  There were small farmsteads
dotted about and then we saw the short spire of a church ahead to the left.
The road forked and led us into a small village with just a main street and
houses either side.  As we neared the church I looked out of the passenger
side window to my right.  On the hillside was a ruined sort of low castle
and nestling in the trees below was a house.

     "Please stop, Jerzy," I said, "I think we've found it."

     He drew into the side of the road.  I took out the photo from my bag.
Yes, the shape of the ruins was right.  The house was too hidden by trees
to see much of it but the position seemed right, too.  The others agreed.
Tris got out of the car and took a couple of photos with his digital
camera.

     "I will drive on and find a road to it," Jerzy said.

     He drove through the village slowly and a side road was soon apparent.
Odd.  There had been a fine pair of gates across it but one of them was
twisted and the reason was clear.  A black SUV with a broken windscreen was
about ten yards along that road.  Jerzy drove past the entrance and drew
off the village road and parked in a clump of trees which sheltered us
completely from anyone.  I got out and went to the edge of the clump rather
cautiously.  The others had followed me.

     "It's OK," said Tris holding up his camera and taking a couple more
shots, "there's a ditch alongside the road there and the field is wheat and
if anyone is around we can hide in that."

     "Come and look here!"  Tad had gone back into the clump and a few
yards further on another car had been parked.  A quick glance into the
passenger side showed it must be the one Brett and Fraser had hired.  It
was unlocked and their overnight bags were on the back seats.

     "I wonder where they are?" I said, "If they were at Rechtenberg
yesterday they must have stayed somewhere overnight."

     Tris was at the front of the car.  "The radiator's cold.  I don't
think they drove here today."

     We looked at each other.  Tris jerked his head in the direction of the
road with the ruined gate.  "Come on!"

     We saw nothing as we crossed the road and dropped into the thankfully
dry ditch.  All was quiet except for the birds.  Sounded like doves cooing.
We followed the road from the cover of the ditch until the field ended and
a coarse shrubbery started.  This was even more ideal for stealthy
surveillance as it was very overgrown but there were low paths through it.
I guessed it was at least twenty to thirty feet thick and ended with large
trees interspersed at regular intervals.  We had just got to the edge of it
when it opened out into a very overgrown grassy area leading to the front
of the house.  The road circled in front of the house, which was exactly
the one in the photograph.  The fine pillars were rather dilapidated but
all the windows seemed intact even if everything needed a coat of paint.
At the left hand side was the low squared-off building.  I noted then that
the front door of the house was wide open.  Tris took a couple of quick
snaps as I pointed downwards and held the photo out and the four of us
knelt on the ground to study it.

     Tris was nodding.  "It's the house all right..."  Whatever he was
going to say next was interrupted.  There was a loud rumble as of thunder,
then a tremendous flash of light followed immediately by a colossal bang.
Three bodies were ejected from the front door, tumbling down the steps and
then lying inert just as two military-type helicopters swooped over our
heads and one landed square in the middle of the large grassy area in front
of the house while the other circled overhead.  Four armed soldiers in
combat gear jumped out and fanned around aiming their weapons directly at
the three figures still not moving on the ground at the base of the low
flight of steps.  A fifth soldier stepped down from the helicopter and
walked over to the shrubbery where we four were now flat on our faces.

     "Mark, Tristan, Jerzy, Tad!  You four are safe," a familiar voice
called out in English.  "We must find the others."

     It was Andrei.  Was I glad to hear him.  Luckily my bowels hadn't
given way but I had been close to finding out personally if a great fright
had that effect.  Were we safe?  I looked up.  Andrei had a nasty looking
automatic pistol thing pointing in our direction.  He lowered it.  I stood
up, rather shakily, and was followed by Tris and the other two as we
emerged from our hiding place.  Andrei was all smiles.

     "Are you OK?" he asked and Tris and I nodded.  Both speechless after
that little excitement.  He said something in rapid Rothenian to Jerzy and
Tad and they nodded too.  He turned back to us pointing the muzzle of his
gun at the recumbent figures.  "Don't worry about them.  We will have to
find out what happened if they recover.  We need to find your friends.
They have been here overnight."  He waved up at the second helicopter which
flew off at a rapid rate.

     "I'm up here," a plaintive voice came from high up the tree almost
immediately next to where we were standing.  "Oh shit, I've torn my shirt!"
It was Fraser.  We heard him begin to descend and a few leaves descended
with him.  Finally he swung down from an overhanging low branch and dropped
to the ground.  "Am I fucking glad you've arrived.  I got up there quick
when those bastards started shouting and firing and I think Brett's in
there.  Good job the lady called out 'Hide!'"

     He pointed towards the smaller building.

     Andrei looked at it then swung round to him in astonishment.  "In
there?  But it is locked and no one knows how to open it.  And what lady?
Did you see her?"

     Fraser shook his head.  "No.  Old Mrs Covarh said there was a haunted
house along the road.  We saw this place and thought we'd explore.  Bloody
Hell!  Didn't expect all this."  He looked a bit dazed and kept licking his
lips.  First things first.  Luckily, I'd stuck a spare baguette in my bag
and there was also a small bottle of water.  I handed them to Fraser who
demolished half the baguette in seconds.  He handed the other half back.
"Brett'll be needing something, too."  Tris handed him an apple and that
disappeared, core and all.

     Andrei led us over to a long stone bench and made us sit down.  "I
will tell you more later but Father Artur translated a document this
morning and it describes this place.  We were tracking the ones who bugged
your room and it fitted."  He turned to us.  "And did you see how they got
there?"  He pointed to the three motionless figures.

     I described the thunder, the flash and the bang and then the three
ejected as if thrown out of the house.

     "Yeah, exactly what I heard and saw," said Fraser.  "But we've gotta
get Brett out.  I'm sure he's in there.  The lady called out and he went
that way.  We heard those fuckers pounding up the road after a crash.  I
jumped up under the tree and caught the branch but Brett's shorter so he
ran on.  The bastards fired shots at the door and were shouting out.  I
think it must have been Russian.  Then they went into the house and kept
looking out and shining a torch when it was dark, so I thought it safest to
stay put up there."  He sniffed.  "I bet the poor bugger's hungry and
thirsty, too."

     Andrei turned and called out to one of the soldiers in Rothenian.  He
came across and orders were given.  Another soldier climbed out of the
helicopter.  He had a backpack with an aerial stuck out of it and was
pointing what seemed like a cine camera at the scene in front of the house.

     We watched as the four other soldiers slowly surrounded the three and
the one Andrei had spoken to rolled them over one by one.  He called
something back.

     "They are alive," Andrei said, "My Sergeant says they seem stunned as
if hit by a Taser."

     That flash!  Then I had another feeling.  I needed to see the small
building but I had to check something first.

     "Andrei, you said about a document."

     "Let me tell you some of it.  Last night just before the Cathedral
closed a lady was seen to push an envelope into the box for the poor.  This
morning it was opened as usual at ten o'clock by the Sacristan.  The
envelope was on the top of the money and on the outside was a message in
Russian 'Save the boys'.  Luckily old Moskovski the Sacristan could read
Russian and took the envelope straight to Father Artur.  Inside was a
document and a page which was in Latin and described how a special place
was built and locked.  The last lines said the place was at Waldemars.
Jerzy's father was with Father Artur discussing University business when
Moskovski gave him the envelope and he knew the name.  Father Artur rang my
Commanding Officer."  He laughed.  "Complicated or coincidences!  Lucasz
was just reporting to him about the position of the car you hired."  He
looked at Fraser who stared back just about open-mouthed.  "Sorry, but
you've been bugged rather a lot.  Mark can explain more later."

     Crafty sod!  How to explain that their mighty couplings with Igor were
probably recorded and could be issued as an accompaniment to the photos!
More fees if the copyright was theirs!!  Anyway, he wasn't finished.  He
pointed to the small building.

     "If you think your friend's in there we'd better have a look."  He
called over to the Sergeant and he and one of the other soldiers went and
scouted round the outside.  The Sergeant came back and reported to Andrei,
then went back to guarding the bodies.

     "He says there are no booby-traps or anything around.  I'll go first.
You follow."

     We walked rather slowly towards the squat stone structure.  Yes, there
was the inscription in the stonework above the door, rather worn but still
readable: 'Veschuttzegen'.  The door looked massive and was decorated with
interlocking ornamental metal bands.  Within the gaps were numerous small
roundels with different figures or etched designs on them.  In the centre
of each was a small hole.  I scanned the roundels and noted that most were
single but there were two sets of two and two sets of three and one set of
four.  These caught my eye as I remembered something from the burnt
documents.  'Three rods and a death's..' and 'Four locks'.  Tris had
spotted the same thing as he whispered 'Three rods'.  Yes, there were four
roundels with three rods, or scourges as in the picture Dr Masterton had
sent.  Below each set was a grinning skull and in each the right eye was a
hole.

     "Are you in there, Brett?"  Fraser couldn't contain himself any
longer.  His voice had quite a shake in it as he shouted out.

     "I'm here.  I'm OK," The reply was muffled but clear.

     "Thank God for that," said Fraser with great feeling.  He turned to
Andrei.  "How do we get him out.  There's no handle on the door."

     Before Andrei could reply Tris spoke up.  "I think Mark can open the
door."

     I nodded as four pairs of eyes stared at me.  Only Tris was smiling.
He took my arm and guided me to the door.  I withdrew the key-ring from my
pocket and inserted the silver key in the topmost eye-hole and turned.  The
key turned easily and there was a distinct click.  The same happened with
the other three and as I removed the key the door slowly swung outwards.
Fraser caught hold of the door and opened it wide.  Inside was quite dark
except for two flickering lights.  A rather dusty but calm Brett walked out
holding a golden disc about six inches in diameter.  Tris walked backwards
a few paces and took a photo.

     "The lady said I should hold this until I was safely outside.  I have
to return it now."  He held it up high in front of him and we could see
that it was chased with the head and shoulders of a beautiful woman.

     Andrei, Tad and Jerzy crossed themselves very slowly and I saw their
lips moving silently.  Tris was taking more photos.  I felt that warm glow
as I bowed my head and Tris I noticed also bowed his head and held the
camera up to his lips when he finished.  Brett turned and went back into
the dark room.  The two flickering lights, candles I assumed, were blown
out and he emerged again, this time smiling.  As he moved away from the
door it started to move of its own accord and slowly and gently closed and
four clicks were heard.

     As we turned to walk back towards the soldiers and the three still
motionless bodies we saw each of the soldiers cross themselves as Andrei
and the two other Rothenians had done.

     We sat again on the bench and I gave a silent Brett the other half of
the baguette and the bottle of water.

     "What was all that?" an ever-pragmatic Tris asked, "I think we've had
a rather interesting experience.  The lady?  The disc?"

     I murmured "The Lady Fenice.  She was here.  We're safe."

     Andrei looked at me quizzically.  "You know?"

     "I only know we have to deliver something very valuable and it all
goes back a long time.  Whatever it is, this is only part."

     Tris put out a hand and gripped my left hand as I held up the keys.
"Mark has been chosen.  I know nothing more than that."

     Andrei crossed himself again.  "That disc is described in our history.
The figure is the Lady Fenice.  Our own national saint."  He looked at
Brett.  "Tell me about being in there."

     Brett then described how when the shouting started he ran but couldn't
grab a branch on the tree, he had fallen down and, as he scrambled up, saw
the open door.  He heard a woman's voice call out 'Hide in here'.  He ran
towards it and as he went in so the door closed and he was in absolute
darkness.

     "Luckily I'd picked up a box of those little matches when we went to
that restaurant on Tuesday evening.  I struck a couple and saw there were
candles so I lit two.  I saw the disc propped up on a sort of table.
Something told me I should hold it.  I'm sure it was the lady.  I just knew
I was safe and only had to wait.  After a while I felt drowsy and went to
sleep."  He shook his head.  "I don't remember waking up but the candles
were still burning and then I heard Fraser calling."  He smiled.  "I'm OK.
In fact I feel quite refreshed except I'm starving."

     Fraser turned and hugged him and then kissed him gently.  A
straightforward loving kiss.  He let go and turned to me.  He put up his
arms and hugged me.  "Thanks for opening the door.  I might have lost my
Brett otherwise."  He kissed me, too, very gently on the cheek.

     Andrei watched and smiled.  He put out a hand and grasped my right
hand with the keys.  "There is much to tell, but later."  He let go and
turned to look where his troops were guarding the three.  "We will have to
get rid of them.  I am waiting for instructions."  As he said this the
soldier with the back-pack and camera came over to him and saluted.  After
he had delivered his message Andrei translated for our benefit.  "Just
right!  He says there are two wagons on the way and they have arrived at
the village and will be here soon.  One has paramedics who will check your
friends.  They left Strelzen as soon as we did but it is quicker by
helicopter!"

     The next couple of minutes could have been chaotic but military
training took over as the camouflaged wagons came quickly up to the open
space.  One had the usual Red Cross sign on the side.  Two paramedics in
combat trousers but smart white jackets took charge of Brett and Fraser.
Two other soldiers from the same wagon brought over a flat tin with
sandwiches in it and several bottles of water.  These were handed round as
four soldiers from the second, larger, wagon took over guard duties.  One
of the paramedics came over to Andrei.  "No problems," he said as the
paramedic went back to the wagon with his medical bag, "Just hungry and
dehydrated."  He smiled.  "Young, healthy males for the report!"

     We watched as the three thugs began to revive.  They had been
handcuffed with plastic ties by the second set of guards and were sitting
up looking completely zonked out.  The paramedic went over to them.  He
said something to each and pulled down their lower eye-lids in turn.  He
nodded towards Andrei who shouted out an order.  One by one they were
hoisted into the back of the second wagon with the guards and that
disappeared at high speed.  The soldier with the radio pack came over again
and said something more to Andrei.

     Andrei looked at us and smiled.  "Before you ask any questions I have
orders to see you are all safe."  He turned to Fraser and Brett who were
sitting side by side with Fraser hugging Brett to him with an arm round his
shoulder.  "You have made all your arrangements?"  Fraser nodded.

     "Yes, we've sorted out who will supply all the plants we need."

     "You need to get back to England for the wedding," Andrei said and the
pair looked taken aback.  You could imagine the cogs turning.  'How does he
know about the wedding?'  Andrei laughed.  "I will explain more on our
journey back to Strelzen.  I have a suggestion, though.  If two of my men
drive your car back we can take you in the helicopter.  It's OK, the two
men are brothers and it will give them the opportunity to visit their
mother who lives in a village on the way.  You can have a quiet evening,
pack, and catch your plane tomorrow as planned."

     Fraser hugged Brett tighter.  "I think that would be a good idea,
don't you, mate?"  Brett nodded.  "You'll want us to report on all this, I
suppose," Fraser said to Andrei.

     "Yes.  There will be great interest and I expect you will be invited
back to give an account at a much higher level."  He looked very serious.
"What we've witnessed today is something very important for Rothenia and it
isn't finished yet.  I can tell you a lot of progress has been made just
today."

     Progress?  What did he mean by that word?

     He said something to Jerzy and Tad in Rothenian then took an earpiece
and microphone from the radio-man.  There were several minutes of two-way
conversation.  Nothing Tris and I could understand but Jerzy and Tad must
have got the gist as they looked happier as Andrei removed the earpiece.

     "It is suggested you carry on as usual, all reports can be done when
you return to Strelzen.  There is too much happening there for anything to
be done today or tomorrow."  He laughed.  "Mark, a message from your
cousin.  He says he's supposed to be on paternity leave and trust you to
bugger it up!"  Oh, Andrei!  Oh, Ivo!  for sending such a greeting!  He
waved a deprecating hand.  "But before we depart we'll look at the house."

     Two of the soldiers preceded us and, while we waited, went in and we
heard doors opening and shutting and the sound of feet on wooden floors.
They emerged and gave a report to Andrei, one pointing back into the
hallway.  Andrei beckoned us from the top step where he was standing.

     "Seems empty," he said, "Take care."

     Rather cautiously the six of us filed up the steps, Tris leading.  The
spacious hallway was completely empty, rather dusty but lined with
beautiful panelling.  Once in we explored with no worry. Large rooms led
off from either side and these were empty, too, except for several heaps of
dismantled small iron bedsteads and several open lockers.  A fine divided
staircase ended in landings and there must have been at least eight large
bedrooms and bathrooms on that floor.  Again, just dismantled bedsteads and
empty lockers.  The third floor was mainly attic space but there were
smaller bedrooms, for the original staff we guessed.  Tris was busy
throughout taking photos.  As we came back down to the hallway one of the
soldiers handed something to Andrei.

     "Corporal Hartmann found this under the beds in there.  He says it
fluttered down as he went past."

     It was a photograph.  Old, sepia, rather faded, but it was a copy of
the one with the Baron and his wife standing in front of the house.  On the
back in clear, very black ink, was the signature 'Gustavus Wildenstejn',
almost as if it had been written today.  Then in small capitals,
'FIDENTIA'.

     "'Do not waver'," I said quietly.  I took out the other copy and
showed that to Andrei.  Andrei handed both to me.

     "Keep them safe," he said.

     As we left the house Tris pulled the large door shut.  "We must make
sure this is all returned to Dr Stein and his family.  I don't know how
much needs to be done legally but we have plenty of evidence of past
ownership."

     Andrei nodded.  "We must also find out why it is still in such good
condition and not in ruins like so many houses which were around here."

     "Andrei," I said, "You know why.  It has a special purpose.  I'm sure
there is more to be explained.  We must try to find its history since the
Baron died."

     Brett was listening intently.  "I didn't say but there were coffins in
that building and I wasn't scared.  I just knew I was being looked after."

     That puzzled me.  Coffins.  A family mausoleum which would have
included the Baron and his wife.  If I had a key which opened the door how
did that key get to Dr Stein's father after the Baron died in 1939?  I
assumed his friend must have smuggled it out of the country and got it to
him.  So much to sort out!

     Andrei then had a long conversation with Jerzy and Tad.  They were
nodding in agreement with whatever he was saying or suggesting and then
Jerzy was explaining something to him.  When they had finished Andrei
turned to us.  "Sorry, but it was easier to deal with things in Rothenian.
I have suggested you do everything as normal.  Jerzy says you have someone
to see in the village below.  Talk to them carefully.  Don't alarm them but
you can ask questions."  He turned to Brett and Fraser.  "We will get your
things from your car and then you can fly back to Strelzen with us.  I will
have to check first if we need to leave a guard here."  He and two of the
soldiers walked with us down the road past the SUV.  "Our Engineers will
come tomorrow for that.  I will ask for the gates to be repaired, too."

     We shook hands before we got into our car.  Andrei had almost an
impish grin on his face.  "Your cousin told me you have a charmed life.  I
like that.  I have, too.  Sometime we must compare."  Quite spontaneously
all us Brits gave him a hug with Tad and Jerzy chuckling.  As I hugged him
he whispered, "I have experienced the Lady Fenice once before.  I was a
small boy then.  I think she has been here looking after us all."  He
turned to Tris.  "Please send the photos to me."  He drew a small notebook
from a pocket and scribbled something down.  "Here is my official e-mail
address.  You have a laptop and can connect at Jerzy's Uncle's house.  They
will be very valuable for us and for you."  He took my hand.  "Your cousin
will contact you when you return to Strelzen.  No hurry."  He smiled.
"Then you can see George Henry again. I am to be Godfather at the
Christening."  He stood and waited until we were in the car and the
soldiers with him saluted as Jerzy started the engine.

     As we drove slowly down to the village to call on Herr Kardosc none of
us spoke.  Too much to think about!

     Herr Kardosc was in a large greenhouse when we arrived.  Of course we
were invited into the spacious farmhouse and offered glasses of his own
fruit wine.  After Jerzy had explained we had explored the house along the
road, with Tad translating for our benefit, Herr Kardosc and his wife
exchanged looks.  She asked rather hesitantly why the gates had been
damaged.  The postbus driver had noticed that this morning.  Rather
cleverly, I thought, Jerzy explained we had seen it as well and had gone up
to the house and there had been some sort of military operation going on.
The men who had damaged the gates had been arrested and taken away.

     It was then someone else spoke up.  A very elderly, but sprightly lady
entered the room.  "The house has been empty since the children's hospital
moved to those new buildings in Rechtenberg.  A strange house.  The
children loved it and it loved the children."

     I wondered if Tad had translated that correctly but he repeated it
after we had been introduced and the old lady had said it again.

     It turned out she remembered the Baron as she was eighteen when he
died and had worked in the house as a kitchen maid.  I showed her the
photograph and she crossed herself as she looked at it intently.  She said
something to Frau Kardosc, who we gathered was her daughter.  Tad
translated.  "She says he was a great man and his wife was so kind."  Frau
Kardosc had gone from the room and then returned with two boxes.  The
smaller contained a gold ring.  "When she died the Baron gave each of the
girls in the house a ring and all the men a watch."  The second, larger box
was opened and a handsome half hunter silver watch was in it.  "I was not
married then but my husband was a gardener for the Baron.  We married
during the War and my husband did not return."  She waved a skinny hand in
the direction we had come from the house.  "Those Nazis could not live in
the house it would not let them and it was left alone!"  This last said
with great emphasis.  After Tad translated it Jerzy must have asked her
what she meant.

     "They were like frightened mice.  After their Commandant fell down the
stairs they would not stay.  The house was locked and left."

     Jerzy tried to find out more but she just shook her head.  She sat
silent while Frau Kardosc explained that it wasn't until 1950 that it was
opened again when some nuns got the permission of the local Communists to
use the house as a hospital for sick and handicapped children.  The local
Communist leader had been a servant for the old Baron and although he'd
become a Communist had admired him and readily gave his permission as there
was nowhere else suitable.  Although it was known as Der Gastberg, because
the Germans had changed the name of the village, it was still referred to
as the Baron's house by the villagers.

     I looked at Tris who nodded.  I then said we knew the Baron's
great-grandson and I had spoken to the boy's father.  His grandfather,
Julius Wildenstejn had come to England and had died there many years ago.
The old lady crossed herself again after that was translated.  "I remember
Herr Baron Julius as well.  He never came home after his uncle was killed
in that other country.  We did not know where he went.  No one would
say. The Baroness was very sad to lose her son.  She prayed for him every
day.  I remember her funeral.  The Archbishop came and for Herr Baron
Gustav, too.  They rest in the tomb.  A special place."

     We didn't say anything more.  It was then to business.  Yes, Herr
Kardosc could supply the mountain plants.  There were special areas where
cultivation was allowed and he had supplied an Italian distillery with many
specimens.  They were not cheap but...  I think our story had whetted his
appetite for more at some time.  In fact he was quite carried away and
disappeared off and returned with a dusty bottle.  He put a finger to his
lips.  "My own," he said, "Let us try it."

     This was not the smooth heat of St Mark's Fire but it was certainly
fiery, spicy and strong.  Quite took our breath away and caused great
laughter from the family as we sampled the small glasses produced. Two men
in their thirties came in and were introduced as their sons, twins, and
they sampled some, too.  Both spoke a bit of English and we found they were
forestry graduates and were employed dealing with the extensive woods on
the lower slopes of the mountains and hills.  They and Tad had much to
discuss and we had to stop Jerzy from accepting the third snifter of the
sharply pungent liquid as he had to drive us across the valley.  After a
promise to send the order from the College, plus a copy of the photo for
the old lady, we left and Jerzy, bless his heart, got us safely to his
Uncle's house.

     Uncle Friedrich was just like the Rector except he was rugged and
rather windswept and after introductions drove his Land Rover in front of
us up a rather weatherbeaten track to a smaller version of the house we'd
seen earlier.  Yes, still rather dilapidated in places but the roof looked
sound!  Jerzy's Aunt came to the door to greet us and we were led into a
large room with numerous overstuffed sofas and chairs with a very old man
ensconced in a more comfortable-looking high-backed chair.  He might have
been pushing ninety but he had all his marbles and wanted to know all about
us.  We did go into some details about our experiences.  This sparked off
quite a discussion between him and his son and daughter-in-law.

     "Grandfather knew that family well," Jerzy explained.  "He went
shooting on their estate many times as a boy and a young man.  There used
to be good hunting around here, deer and wild boar especially and flying
hawks for the smaller game.  Because he was injured during a shoot
Grandfather did not have to join anything in the War and the Communists
left him alone, too, as our Steward became a party member."  His Uncle
waited until he had finished then said some more.  "My Uncle says the
Communists wanted to take our farm but they all came from towns and did not
know about farming so it carried on.  They took almost all we produced but
we were left with enough.  After the May Rising they all went back to the
towns and our Steward came back to us!"  He laughed.  "Grandfather and he
play chess together most afternoons.  His sister was Grandfather's third
wife and she died two years ago.  He always refers to Dad and Uncles
Friedrich and Hendrik as his seconds as his first wife died in childbirth,
I think you say, and they had no other children."

     Over a huge evening meal the tales continued.  We heard about the
privations of the War and the stupidities of the Communist regime and the
subterfuges employed to get past their petty regulations.  The old boy was
thoroughly enjoying himself and it was only when he had to get up to go
through to the dining-room did one realise he had a badly crippled leg.
He'd been shot in the thigh when he was mistaken for an animal in the woods
by some short-sighted member of the hunt.  He waited until Frau zum
Adamszberh was out of the room when he said what had happened then which
caused Jerzy a bit of embarrassment when he tried to translate the
description of the hunter.  His Uncle was looking rather sternly at the old
man which didn't help.  Jerzy tried to keep a straight face. "I think I
know words like Grandfather says.  He says the stupid cunt ended up with
twenty arseholes when he shot him in the backside the next year.  They had
to pick out all the shot with hunting knives and he could not sit down for
three weeks.  He said he did it also because he was a shitty Nazi!  Fuck
Hitler!!"

     Wow!  That put history in context.  He calmed down after that but got
worked up again when Jerzy asked him about the previous Baron's two sons,
the Nazi one and Baron
 Gustave.  He was obviously not enamoured with the elder one.  It was then
another mystery
 was solved.  As was customary all sons took their father's titles.  As the
elder son never
 married and was dead before the War that title died with him.  Anyway, the
Communists
 had banned all titles and so far the King had only conferred a couple.  It
would really need
 an Act of Parliament and they though people were not sure they were ready
for such things
 again.  Their own family had been ennobled at some time but with deaths
and marriages the only thing left was the prefix 'zum' which even they had
thought prudent to drop during the Communist years.

     Well, what a day!  Things had been revealed to us.  We had learned a
lot more Rothenian history.  The night was still young.  Tris disappeared
off with Jerzy to download the photos from his camera and send to Andrei.
We sat round and sipped more of the delectable fruit wine which seemed to
appear at all occasions.  Uncle Friedrich, as we were encouraged to call
him, was intrigued about the College liqueur and our hunt for the
ingredients.  He knew both Herr Kadosc and the man we were to meet in the
morning.  When Tris returned, mission accomplished, we had to repeat the
edited version of the adventures at the Baron's house.  This all took us to
around midnight when Jerzy's Aunt called a halt to proceedings.

     I suppose we had been in an adrenaline rush all day.  I had felt a
great exhilaration during and after the rescue and the exploration of the
house.  That had continued this evening but now I was quite exhausted.
After giving Tris a quick cuddle in the enormous double bed we shared I
fell fast asleep.  A deep sleep, filled with a feeling of great peace at
the moment.  'At the moment' was a recurring theme.  What was to come?


To be continued: