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Buchan, John, 1875-1940

"The Thirty-Nine Steps"

'If they thought they could get the information in
Paris they would try there. It means that they have some deep
scheme on foot in London which they reckon is going to win out.'
'Royer dines with my Chief, and then comes to my house where
four people will see him--Whittaker from the Admiralty, myself,
Sir Arthur Drew, and General Winstanley. The First Lord is ill,
and has gone to Sheringham. At my house he will get a certain
document from Whittaker, and after that he will be motored to
Portsmouth where a destroyer will take him to Havre. His journey
is too important for the ordinary boat-train. He will never be left
unattended for a moment till he is safe on French soil. The same
with Whittaker till he meets Royer. That is the best we can do, and
it's hard to see how there can be any miscarriage. But I don't mind
admitting that I'm horribly nervous. This murder of Karolides will
play the deuce in the chancelleries of Europe.'
After breakfast he asked me if I could drive a car.
'Well, you'll be my chauffeur today and wear Hudson's rig.
You're about his size. You have a hand in this business and we are
taking no risks. There are desperate men against us, who will not
respect the country retreat of an overworked official.'
When I first came to London I had bought a car and amused
myself with running about the south of England, so I knew something
of the geography.


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