The Secret War Read Free Page A

that’s all, but nasty rumours. One or two friends of mine have been—well, never mind.” Benyon suddenly banged his fist upon the table. “Look here, Penn, you’ve
got
to tell me what you know of this devilish organisation.”
    â€œI know nothing,” Christopher Penn repeated evenly.
    â€œThen why the hell should you mention it after leaving word that you wanted to have a talk with me?”
    â€œBecause I was stopped by a stranger in the street to-day. He just said: ‘You know Sergius Benyon. For his own sake give him this message: “The
Millers of God
are watching his activities. If, during the next month, the export figures of his companies exceed last year’s for the same period by more than 10 per cent, it will be taken as proof that he is amassing riches by supplying material used for the furtherance of mass-murder. As an accessory to murder, before the fact, Sergius Benyon will then be formally condemned to death by the
Millers of God.
”’”
    â€œHell!” Benyon slumped back in his chair. A faint perspiration had broken out on his forehead. He fumbled for a silk handkerchief and began to mop at his face, then he muttered: “So they threaten
me
with death now, do they? What else did he say, Penn, what else did he say?”
    â€œThat’s all. Word for word as near as I can remember. And before I had a chance to open my mouth, he’d disappeared in the crowd.”
    â€œBut I can’t go and cancel all my contracts and—” Benyon suddenly seemed to recover his nerve. “I’m damned if I would if I could, either. I’m not going to be scared into ruining myself to please a bunch of half-baked pacifists. If it comes to a showdown I’ll bet they haven’t got the guts to try and do me in.”
    Lovelace’s eyes were on Penn’s face. It was grave and impassive as he answered. “The chap who sent you this message looked as though he meant it.”
    â€œDid he? You could describe him, of course?”
    â€œYes. The whole episode was so astounding that I should recognise him again anywhere.”
    â€œGood!” The big man jumped to his feet. “I’m going down to Police Headquarters right away. ‘Fraid they’ll want to bother you for your story later, but I’m not taking any chances, and the sooner these
Millers of God
people are chased out of town the better. It may be some bughouse religious organisation, still—you never know. I’ve heard some queer things lately. So long.”
    As Benyon swung easily away Lovelace raised his eyebrows. “This sounds like a secret society which is out to kill off war profiteers. Seems a bit drastic, doesn’t it? Although, of course, they’re a rotten lot of blighters.”
    â€œThey are,” agreed Penn, “as a whole. Benyon’s a decent enough fellow really, and I’d be sorry if anything happened to him. However, I’ve passed on this mysterious warning, so let’s hope he’ll take notice of it. You were saying just now, by the way, that you could make a case for Italy, if you wanted to. I’d be interested to hear it.”
    Lovelace looked up in surprise. He would have liked to speculate further on the possible activities of the
Millers of God
, but Penn was obviously determined to change the conversation. “All right,” he said, “but you mustn’t take this as my own view. I’m neutral. Most English people are at heart, I think. We hate to see the poor little Emperor done down because, believe it or not, we’re a sentimental lot, and our sympathies usually go to the weaker party. On the other hand, we do know that the Emperor isn’t strong enough to cope with the terrible abuses which still go on in his country. Of course what it needs is a real good spring-cleaning.On the other hand, we admire Mussolini for pulling Italy together after the war, and we’ve always