Stone's Fall полностью

'No. But you played your part very well. Do not think that your skills and intelligence are not appreciated. There is little point continuing this, you know.'

'I like to get things clear. The Government had to be panicked into realising that this was a plot that had its price, rather than the random chaos of the market. And I did that. I was essential for that. It had to be noticed in time. So you got me to do it. With just a little hint here and there from people like Netscher to point me in the right direction. So I would work out what was going on, frighten the life out of the Government . . .'

Stone nodded. 'You deserve everybody's thanks.'

But I wasn't finished yet. There was something else as well. It niggled me. 'So that's the Russians. The French are a different matter. How did you plan to control them? The banks could be bought off with the promise of a free run at Russia, but what's going on now? What about Rouvier?'

I paused and looked at him and finally understood. 'Oh, my God. It's out of control, isn't it? Rouvier isn't part of the plan. And he's about to wreck everything.'

'It does seem that M. Rouvier is acting unreasonably at the moment,' Stone said quietly.

'You assumed that Rouvier would do what the banks and the Governor of the Bank of France told him.'

'What they told him was in the best interests of the country. Yes. And it is. Anyone but an idiot could see that.'

'Unfortunately he's an idiot.'

'It does seem that he dreams of some grand personal triumph.'

'He blocks the Bank of France, the Russians will follow suit and the deal is off. Do you have any idea what you have done?'

'Not all gambles pay off, unfortunately.'

'Is that all you can say?'

He shrugged perfectly calmly.

I couldn't believe it. It was his calm, emotionless way of confronting what was happening that bowled me over. Mingled with that was my fury at what he had done to me. That was a weakness, I know. But he had deceived and manipulated me from beginning to end. Was that even why Wilkinson had sent me to Paris? Was that in his mind even then? Did he plan this so very far in advance?

I did not get the chance to ask. The door opened, and Rouvier came in, already wearing his winter coat and carrying his hat and gloves.

'Dear Countess, I come to take my leave of you, and to thank you once again for your hospitality,' he said as she rose from the sofa to have her hand kissed. 'Alas, I wish the conversation had been as agreeable this evening as is customary in your house.'

'I am sorry you were disappointed, Minister,' she replied. 'Can I not persuade you to stay a little longer?'

Rouvier had a look of such self-satisfaction that it was almost intolerable. 'It is very late, and I think everything that can be said, has been. More importantly, I believe I will have a busy day tomorrow. A very busy day.'

'One moment, Minister,' I said. I still did not know precisely what I was going to say but I knew that the moment he was out of the door all was lost.

'Mr . . . ?'

'Cort, sir. Henry Cort. I work for The Times newspaper.'

He looked puzzled by that, as well he might. 'What could you possibly say of interest to me?'

I was completely without emotion. The fury at Stone was so intense that I didn't even notice it; it was suffusing my being so much that it was all I was. I had a choice, and I took it fully aware of what I was doing. I can offer no excuse and no explanation which would not be false. I wanted to beat Stone, and hurt him. I wanted to show I could retrieve a situation when he had failed. Whatever the price, whatever was necessary to do it. And there was only one way. May God forgive me, I did not hesitate.

'Minister, you are a politician. You have been Prime Minister once, you may very well have the honour of that great position once more. I wish you well; I do not wish anything to stand in your way. Public spirit is a fine thing, and you have demonstrated over the years that you are a highly competent administrator.'

'Thank you, young man,' replied Rouvier, with a look of amused surprise on his face.

'Unfortunately, I will ensure that your career comes to an end unless you consider what I have to say. The Bank of France and most of the banking community of Paris desire to stave off a dreadful crisis which will plunge the whole of Europe into a terrible slump. The Bank cannot do so unless you give it permission. You will give that permission.'

'And why should I do that?' he asked in mocking astonishment.

'You want something else?'

'The evacuation of Egypt, the withdrawal of the Royal Navy from the waters off Siam, and a free hand in the Lebanon. I am afraid bankers have poor vision, and think only of money. I can see further than they. I am saving them from their small-mindedness.'

'That will not be possible.'

'In that case, we have no more to talk about.'

'I'm afraid we do,' I said. 'We must also talk about the Countess von Futak.'