condensed master
Will Bonner "How can I help you, Sahib?" The command of the English language here in Bombay was prevalent, and the accent a delight. Will would have no difficulty in communicating. "I would like to see some good quality sandals, with solid heels and soles." "Yes Sahib, would you like some tea while you are waiting?" "No thank you, I've just had lunch." The Hindu nodding his head, retired to get the sandals and Will settled back in an easy chair. The shop assistants here were natural experts in the art of looking after the needs of a customer. Never rushing, and always obliging, it would take some considerable time to close the sale, and during that time a relationship would be struck, which would well serve Will's needs to lead into the enquiry about the knives. Lots of sandals were brought and displayed on the floor in front of Will for his selection, and talk centred around the pro's and con's of the various designs. The two soldiers had left with small rolled up carpets tucked under their arms, much to the delight of the salesman beaming his way to the back of the shop, leaving Will the sole customer. By this time his own transaction was well under way, and he was now calling the salesman by his first name. This was probably about the right time to spring the question thought Will, and awaited the right opportunity during the haggling over the price, which was a well known ritual, but none was forthcoming. The price was now agreed and he was reaching for his wallet and thinking to himself "I'm going to blow it" when his chance came right out of the blue. "Is there anything else, Sahib?" "As a matter of fact there is something you may be able to help me with." "Yes, Sahib." "A friend of mine bought a ceremonial dagger in Bombay about a year ago. Would you know where I could get one to use as an ornamental letter opener?" A look of anxiety came over Ali's face, and Will persisted further. "I'm prepared to pay quite a lot of money for it, just a small one." "I'm sorry Sahib I can't help you, but I'll make some enquiries." Will turned in his chair to follow Ali's progress to the back of the shop. 58
The Reluctant Agent A Compelling Story of Espionage The two men from the office had moved into the carpet section and Ali was making a bee-line for them. Animated discussion took place, all three men staring intently in Will's direction. Will initially stared back, trying to convey a confident air, but inside the butterflies were beginning to return, and he finally picked up his newly purchased sandals, pretending to examine them, occasionally looking their way for a few seconds at a time. Ali quickly ran across and disappeared through one of the side doors, and when it reopened Will was confronted with something he had not bargained for. The man who entered was big and stocky, wearing a turban, and belted shirt over his ballooned trousers. Sporting a bushy black beard and long curved moustache, he could have just stepped out from a Hollywood movie. But to Will, as he strode across to the others, he represented a fearful shift of the circumstances. Feeling the change of mood Will, pretending to look through the racks against the wall, moved closer to the door, to provide if necessary, a quick exit. Glancing back at the group he was aware that they were staring at him again, but still engaged in conversation. Will's tension was still rising by the second, and all he could hear was the pounding of his heart. He tried to control it by breathing slow and deep. What was to happen next? He didn't have to wait long to find out, as one of the men dressed in European clothes, walked down the room towards him. As he drew closer it became evident to Will that he was not Hindu but Goanese, and would probably originate from Goa, an independent Portugese state, situated about 300 miles south of Bombay. Their facial structure, unlike the Hindu, was as different as chalk from cheese. They could easily be picked out from the crowd, and were employed on the ships as stewards. Will knew their ways well, and his tension began to fade away. "You wanted to see some daggers?" "Yes, I was looking for a small ceremonial dagger to use as a letter opener. Do you know anyone that can sell me one?" "Perhaps. Are you from the convoy?" "Yes, my ship is berthed at Victoria dock, but I only have three days before we sail. My name is Will Brenner." he said, extending his hand. 59
- Page 7: Will and Dorothy sat overlooking Ni
- Page 10 and 11: Will Bonner It was a relief to get
- Page 12 and 13: Will Bonner Taking a well used pipe
- Page 14 and 15: Will Bonner close that Will could f
- Page 16 and 17: Will Bonner a second blow between h
- Page 18 and 19: Will Bonner food so he just lay the
- Page 20 and 21: Will Bonner convoy returned, the ab
- Page 22 and 23: Will Bonner mines that were just be
- Page 24 and 25: Will Bonner only served to direct e
- Page 26 and 27: Will Bonner dark Will had no diffic
- Page 28 and 29: Will Bonner Will looked astern to s
- Page 30 and 31: Will Bonner envisaged, and he hated
- Page 32 and 33: Will Bonner be long before he would
- Page 34 and 35: Will Bonner stumpy legs to operate
- Page 36 and 37: Will Bonner Omah seated himself beh
- Page 38 and 39: Will Bonner Scared to look back he
- Page 40 and 41: Will Bonner thin mirror, hanging on
- Page 42 and 43: Will Bonner Omah, was no doubt a we
- Page 44 and 45: Will Bonner The Inspector floundere
- Page 46 and 47: Will Bonner The voyage across the I
- Page 48 and 49: Will Bonner them away. Between watc
- Page 50 and 51: Will Bonner where one might choose
- Page 52 and 53: Will Bonner mind that this man woul
- Page 54 and 55: Will Bonner Will's mind was racing
- Page 56 and 57: Will Bonner The following day he ha
- Page 60 and 61: Will Bonner "I can arrange for some
- Page 62 and 63: Will Bonner Changing his clothes he
- Page 64 and 65: Will Bonner Will pulled himself tog
- Page 66 and 67: Will Bonner sight of the cabin stew
- Page 68 and 69: Will Bonner "They sure are an odd t
- Page 70 and 71: Will Bonner It was all over, but he
- Page 72 and 73: Will Bonner Will watched as Wes wal
- Page 74 and 75: Will Bonner Will was trying his har
- Page 76 and 77: Will Bonner interruption throughout
- Page 78 and 79: Will Bonner their scrutiny, but a r
- Page 80 and 81: Will Bonner of the pier into the co
- Page 82 and 83: Will Bonner covered with pine needl
- Page 84 and 85: Will Bonner sounds of the soldiers.
- Page 86 and 87: Will Bonner making a menacing movem
- Page 88 and 89: Will Bonner It was like watching a
- Page 90 and 91: Will Bonner "I've come to say how s
- Page 92 and 93: Will Bonner 92
- Page 94 and 95: Will Bonner On it's approach to Hon
- Page 96 and 97: Will Bonner response, there surely
- Page 98 and 99: Will Bonner reappear. "I'll be blun
- Page 100 and 101: Will Bonner The two men concentrate
- Page 102 and 103: Will Bonner "Or else what, will you
- Page 104 and 105: Will Bonner that they were back at
- Page 106 and 107: Will Bonner thing seemed obvious to
The Reluctant Agent<br />
A Compelling Story of Espionage<br />
The two men from the office had moved into the carpet section and Ali was<br />
making a bee-line for them. Animated discussion took place, all three men staring<br />
intently in Will's direction.<br />
Will initially stared back, trying to convey a confident air, but inside the<br />
butterflies were beginning to return, and he finally picked up his newly purchased<br />
sandals, pretending to examine them, occasionally looking their way for a few<br />
seconds at a time. Ali quickly ran across and disappeared through one of the side<br />
doors, and when it reopened Will was confronted with something he had not<br />
bargained for.<br />
The man who entered was big and stocky, wearing a turban, and belted shirt<br />
over his ballooned trousers. Sporting a bushy black beard and long curved<br />
moustache, he could have just stepped out from a Hollywood movie. But to Will,<br />
as he strode across to the others, he represented a fearful shift of the<br />
circumstances.<br />
Feeling the change of mood Will, pretending to look through the racks against<br />
the wall, moved closer to the door, to provide if necessary, a quick exit. Glancing<br />
back at the group he was aware that they were staring at him again, but still<br />
engaged in conversation. Will's tension was still rising by the second, and all he<br />
could hear was the pounding of his heart. He tried to control it by breathing slow<br />
and deep.<br />
What was to happen next? He didn't have to wait long to find out, as one of<br />
the men dressed in European clothes, walked down the room towards him. As he<br />
drew closer it became evident to Will that he was not Hindu but Goanese, and<br />
would probably originate from Goa, an independent Portugese state, situated<br />
about 300 miles south of Bombay.<br />
Their facial structure, unlike the Hindu, was as different as chalk from cheese.<br />
They could easily be picked out from the crowd, and were employed on the ships<br />
as stewards. Will knew their ways well, and his tension began to fade away.<br />
"You wanted to see some daggers?"<br />
"Yes, I was looking for a small ceremonial dagger to use as a letter opener.<br />
Do you know anyone that can sell me one?"<br />
"Perhaps. Are you from the convoy?"<br />
"Yes, my ship is berthed at Victoria dock, but I only have three days before<br />
we sail. My name is Will Brenner." he said, extending his hand.<br />
59
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