condensed master
Will Bonner of the pier into the countryside beyond, Will could see two houses nestled in a clearing. They were of typical colonial style, and he could make out the bright blue of a swimming-pool next to the nearest one, each house was surrounded by a low white picket fence. Scanning the area for signs of life, Will noticed a movement at the end of the pier and became aware of a small wooden hut that had previously escaped his attention, from which two American servicemen had emerged. They were dressed in standard duty uniform, a short waist length tunic, buttoned knee high gaiters, and wearing the well known G.I. steel helmet. Each was wearing a holstered side-arm attached to a lanyard in the usual way, around the shoulder. Will descended the short gangway on to the pier and started making his way towards the G.I.'s who, observing Will's presence, had moved to the centre of the approach. Will heard the voice of the third officer calling from the bridge. "Come back aboard, Brenner." Will turned and gestured inquiringly. "I'm only going to the end of the pier Sir." The third officer by this time was leaning over the bridge rail on the port side. "You'll get instructions later, but for now, stay on board." "Yes Sir." An order was an order, and making his way back to the accommodation deck he found that Ted was up and about. "What's all this about staying on board?" "I don't know, apparently we're to be told during breakfast." As breakfast got underway Will could hear the questioning buzz of conversation discussing the possibilities, but very soon the dining-room descended into silence as one of the officers came into the room. "What I have to tell you will be posted on the bulletin board, so there should be no need for clarification. We are situated in the middle of a USA Military establishment, consequently, no one will be allowed past the end of the pier without special circumstances, or without a USA escort." He paused, and started to move away indicating that he had finished what he had to say. The buzz of conversation resumed but before the officer had time to leave the cook’s voice boomed across the dining-room. "How long are we going to be stuck here Sir?" "I don't know, but I would advise that you all go about your routines as though 80
The Reluctant agent A Compelling Story of Espionage you were at sea, and you will find the period more tolerable." With that parting remark he left the room. Will quickly finished off his breakfast and retired to his cabin. He always found that he could evaluate things better on his own without listening to the grumblings of the crew members. He was well fed, well housed, and he was not out at sea trying without success to keep his food down. The scenery and weather were magnificent and he could at least walk along the pier. The only significant restriction was not being able to walk amongst that beautiful countryside. The waters around the pier were abound with trout which could be easily seen in the crystal clear water. Each evening, even with just a primitive line and hook, enough were caught to provide for the whole crew. As each day went by however, Will became more and more obsessed with the possibility of getting ashore, which after two weeks, began to dominate his thoughts. Always rising very early in the morning, he had noticed no movement from the guard post at the end of the pier until around 7 a.m., but was aware that the possibility of getting past them via the pier, at any time of day, would be impossible. His plan was simple. He would go ashore through the water, and return during the early hours on the following morning, via the same route, on the blind side of the ship. Wearing gym shoes and his work gear, he had obtained some cheese rolls which were wrapped in greaseproof paper and tied in a bundle on top of his head. Moving his arms and legs just enough to keep afloat, he made his way around the ship to the pier. Swimming from one pier support to the next, he waited each time for a couple of minutes to listen for any movement from the guard hut, but heard none. After a few more stops he estimated that the guards were immediately above and he could now stand up in the water. His heart began to pound, making it difficult to hear other noises. Once clear of the water he was able to sit on the grassy approach to remove his shoes and empty out the water. From that point on, the going was quiet and easy. Will soon found himself amongst the pine trees, the sun just beginning to appear, casting angled shafts of sunlight through the trees and across the ground. Sounds from various types of birds echoed through the stillness, alerting him to look out for the presence of wildlife. The ground, as far as he could see was 81
- Page 30 and 31: Will Bonner envisaged, and he hated
- Page 32 and 33: Will Bonner be long before he would
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- Page 36 and 37: Will Bonner Omah seated himself beh
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- 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
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- 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
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- Page 62 and 63: Will Bonner Changing his clothes he
- Page 64 and 65: Will Bonner Will pulled himself tog
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- Page 68 and 69: Will Bonner "They sure are an odd t
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- Page 72 and 73: Will Bonner Will watched as Wes wal
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Will Bonner<br />
of the pier into the countryside beyond, Will could see two houses nestled in a<br />
clearing. They were of typical colonial style, and he could make out the bright blue<br />
of a swimming-pool next to the nearest one, each house was surrounded by a low<br />
white picket fence. Scanning the area for signs of life, Will noticed a movement at<br />
the end of the pier and became aware of a small wooden hut that had previously<br />
escaped his attention, from which two American servicemen had emerged.<br />
They were dressed in standard duty uniform, a short waist length tunic,<br />
buttoned knee high gaiters, and wearing the well known G.I. steel helmet. Each<br />
was wearing a holstered side-arm attached to a lanyard in the usual way, around<br />
the shoulder. Will descended the short gangway on to the pier and started making<br />
his way towards the G.I.'s who, observing Will's presence, had moved to the<br />
centre of the approach. Will heard the voice of the third officer calling from the<br />
bridge.<br />
"Come back aboard, Brenner."<br />
Will turned and gestured inquiringly. "I'm only going to the end of the pier Sir."<br />
The third officer by this time was leaning over the bridge rail on the port side.<br />
"You'll get instructions later, but for now, stay on board."<br />
"Yes Sir."<br />
An order was an order, and making his way back to the accommodation<br />
deck he found that Ted was up and about.<br />
"What's all this about staying on board?"<br />
"I don't know, apparently we're to be told during breakfast."<br />
As breakfast got underway Will could hear the questioning buzz of<br />
conversation discussing the possibilities, but very soon the dining-room descended<br />
into silence as one of the officers came into the room.<br />
"What I have to tell you will be posted on the bulletin board, so there should<br />
be no need for clarification. We are situated in the middle of a USA Military<br />
establishment, consequently, no one will be allowed past the end of the pier<br />
without special circumstances, or without a USA escort." He paused, and started<br />
to move away indicating that he had finished what he had to say. The buzz of<br />
conversation resumed but before the officer had time to leave the cook’s voice<br />
boomed across the dining-room.<br />
"How long are we going to be stuck here Sir?"<br />
"I don't know, but I would advise that you all go about your routines as though<br />
80
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