Colin Forbes - By Stealth

`I don't believe it,' she said.

`Don't believe what?'

`They're new, not old, of course. But they remind me -the atmosphere – of Moor's Landing on the Beaulieu River in Hampshire.'

`Tweed told me about that place.' Marler lit a king-size. `Incidentally, there's a canal just over there.'

Paula looked in the direction he'd indicated. A barge was waiting to pass through a lock. The uncanny silence persisted. Marler switched on the engine, backed his car almost out of sight of the village at a point where he could turn round.

`That was Dr Wand,' he told her, 'inside the chauffeur's uniform. I could tell from the way he moved. I watched him pacing up and down outside the Lear jet at London Airport.'

And that place is a Flemish version of Moor's Landing,' Paula said. 'All the houses are curtained and I'm sure people live there. But no sign of any of them. Creepy – like Moor's Landing.'

`Let's go back into Ghent. I'll show you the Old Town. And if we find a restaurant or bar we'll ask a few questions about this place.'

`Wait a sec. I'm going to mark its position.' Paula picked up her map, made a cross at the approximate location of the village. 'It's not even marked on the map..

Marler turned the car round and soon they were back on the highway, driving towards Ghent. He glanced several times in his rear-view mirror.

`You saw that blue Audi parked on the verge at the entrance to the side road?'

`Yes. Why?'

`We have company. It's following us…'

`I'm leaving for London today,' Tweed announced. 'I am booked on an afternoon flight. It's urgent that I take Delvaux's new radar device and hand it over to Naval Intelligence. And it was a false alarm, Bob.'

In response to his phone call Newman had just hurried to Room 2009 from his own bedroom. Newman had a double surprise – Tweed's sudden decision and the presence of Harry Butler and Peter Nield sitting on a couch. Tweed saw his glance in their direction. He smiled drily.

`Not like me to have such protection. I phoned Monica yesterday and asked her to contact Butler and Nield, to get them to fly over here immediately.'

`It's that Delvaux device,' Newman hazarded.

`You're right. It could be so important I decided I must travel with guards. I've also contacted Benoit. He'll be at the airport and we'll bypass Customs and Passport Control. Tell Paula and Marler when you see them. With a bit of luck I'll be back tomorrow. I have to see an officer at the MOD.'

`Ministry of Defence?' Newman sat down and raised an eyebrow. 'May we know what's going on there?'

`You may. I want to find out everything they can tell me about Brigadier Burgoyne – his military career and the years afterwards he spent in the Far East. And Monica has dug up more on Willie Fanshawe – and Dr Wand.

He broke off as the phone rang. He listened to the operator, put his hand over the mouthpiece for a second.

`Talk of the devil – Dr Wand is calling me.'

`Yes, this is Tweed speaking. Did you say Dr Wand? What can I do for you?'

`I – think – it – is – time – we – met – Mr Tweed…'

The voice was a sibilant hiss and counting each word as if it was worth a great deal of money. Tweed checked his watch. He played for time while he thought.

`Can you give me some idea of the reason for this meeting? And the subject for discussion? I have an urgent appointment later.'

`Mr Tweed, I am given to understand you are a man of great discretion. The telephone is hardly the medium for a frank talk.'

`As I said, the timing could make a meeting impossible.'

`So, Mr Tweed, I am at your disposal. Could you come this morning? I have a modest villa at Waterloo, the headquarters of my refugee aid organization in Europe. I can, of course, send a car to collect you from the Hilton.'

`I can spare thirty minutes,' Tweed said abruptly. 'And I have my own transport.'

`My dear Mr Tweed, in thirty minutes – with your quick brain – we can cover the affairs of the world. And perhaps you would like to bring Miss Grey with you. It would be my pleasure.'

`I will be coming with someone, but it will be a man.' `Excellent! Excellent! Now, if you would be so kind as to note down this address…'

Tweed scribbled it on a pad. He was annoyed to see that he was pressing hard with the pencil. His voice, however, remained cool and calm.

`I've got that. We will be there shortly. For thirty minutes.'

`I look forward to our meeting with the greatest of pleasure. Take good care of yourself in the mean time. Until we meet.

Tweed put down the phone carefully. His expression was grim. He paced slowly round the room as he repeated the gist of the conversation. Newman reacted immediately.

`I am coming with you. The bastard! That reference to Paula. And how did he know you were at the Hilton? For my money he knows a little too much. And I am coming with you,' he repeated.

`I'm quite happy for you to join me,' Tweed agreed. `Dr Wand is a very dangerous man. He was needling me, but I didn't react. As to how he knows so much, the answer must be Lee, Helen, Willie or Burgoyne. The question is, which of those four?'

`And also why has he suggested this meeting?' Nield asked. 'Maybe Harry and I should also accompany you?'

`It is a small victory on our part that he wants to see me. One of the four people I mentioned has passed on to him my remark in the lounge last night that I was getting close to my target. So my ploy worked. But I don't want four of us turning up – it makes us look nervous. But thank you for the suggestion, Pete.'

`To get to Waterloo we should leave in half an hour if we're to arrive soon,' Newman said firmly. 'And I'll check that address you have on my street map…'

Tweed handed him the sheet of paper with the address and stood by the window, his hands clasped behind his back. Waterloo lay to the south of Brussels, was one of the most expensive residential areas in the whole city. He was rather looking forward to crossing swords with the mysterious Dr Wand.

`Mr Audi is still following us,' Marler remarked as he drove into the Old City of Ghent.

It was obvious when they had left modern Ghent behind and reached the Old City centre. The tarred roads had become cobbled streets which the Mercedes bumped over. Ahead of them a heavy truck shuddered and shook drunkenly with the vibrations.

Paula liked the look of the Flemish town. There was an atmosphere of relaxation about the way the people strolled slowly but purposefully. The frenzied rush of Brussels seemed far away – another country. The buildings were ancient, built of mellow stone. Paula felt she had been transported back into the Middle Ages.

`This is about the centre – the Koornmarkt,' said Marler. `And there's a parking lot free near the Post Office.'

`Isn't that a restaurant?' asked Paula. 'I don't understand the Flemish at the top but it says brasserie underneath. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.'

`You won't here. Flemish food is very good.'

He had stopped the car. Across the cobbled street was the place Paula had spotted. The first legend read DENTERGEMS WIT. Underneath in French was the second legend, BRASSERIE DE POST. Paula pointed to an ancient grey building with a spire at one corner and a clocktower at the other end. The facade was festooned with stone decoration.

`What on earth is that place?'

`Post Office. And Mr Audi is going to park one vehicle behind us. Yes, we'll eat at the brasserie. For one thing I'm famished too. For another I can keep an eye on my car. And Mr Audi..

He locked the car and crossed the open square with Paula by his side. Marler was careful not to glance in the direction of the Audi and the fat man behind the wheel who sat smoking a cigar.