Book 9, page 7
Bill bit his lip as he slowly formed the next question. “But why does your friend, who seems to know a lot of people, pick a woman to do this work?”
She looked at him with half closed eyes and pursed lips, which she answered icily through, “Because my friend is a very smart man who recognizes my talent for observation. That’s why.”
Bill nodded as he agreed, “The way he fell, and the small round umbrella or walking stick mark . . . I must admit he is very smart as you are indeed very observant.”
“And,” Shelly interjected holding one finger up, “One more thing: Parsons was drugged and the only place that could have happened is in The Wee Tea House. He walked with quite a spring in his step as he walked from his house to the tea shop but walked slowly and at times unevenly from the shop to the dock.”
Bill nodded as he tried to remember; “There was a man in the tea shop who accidently bumped into him from behind. At first I thought he was a friend pretending to remove the teabag from his cup or something, but he could have slipped something into Parsons’ tea.”
“Can you describe him?”
“Ahhhh, I remember thinking he was dressed rather well for a towns person. I remember he was short and had a small mustache and a distinct part down the middle of his dark hair and wore black framed round glasses.”
She snapped her fingers, “Ferdinand Klowski. He’s a diplomat for the Hungarian embassy in London. However, I never saw him leave the shop so I believe that his job was to slow Parsons down and there was another Hungarian already on the dock waiting to finish him off.”
Bill raised his eyebrows, “Very good. You make it all make sense.
“Thank you. Now it’s your turn, yank, who are you working for?”
Bill mentally crossed his fingers as he told a half-truth. “A small group of people in America who also have friends in the business world, big companies and clubs worldwide. They also feel that Parsons should be protected at least until the British Navy gets to see his engine in action. We all feel that a lot depends on Parsons getting the British Navy to see his boat in action tomorrow. I’ll bet you anything that the Hungarians were put up to this because their big brothers in Germany don’t want the British Navy to have faster warships than them. I bet that if Parsons had drowned today the boat would somehow have disappeared from the slip.”
This seemed to satisfy Shirley as she nodded and said, “It seems fate has cast us both in the same quest and I too hope he gets their attention tomorrow.”
“Well, we are invited and as we are in the same hotel why don’t we have breakfast around eight tomorrow morning and walk down together to meet Parsons as he leaves his house?”
“Eight it is,” answered Shirley as she finished her drink. They both put out their cigars and left the bar.
Bill’s alarm woke him and as he shaved he found himself in a giddy mood. “Mission completed and now I get to see Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Naval Review. Wait until I tell John and Rocko!” He dried his face thinking, if I remember my history correctly the British Navy turned out 165 ships for the review with HMS Renown leading the long line of warships as they passed Queen Victoria’s yacht.
Before he had turned in Bill had the hotel clean the nautical outfit he wore yesterday and he trotted down to the desk and retrieved it. Back in his room he quickly dressed adding an open neck white shirt and black shoes. I’m really going to enjoy myself today, he thought as he left his room and knocked on Shirley’s door.
Shirley answered the door wearing a long blue dress with a short white jacket. Her hair was up and tucked beneath a small white hat with a blue and white feather fixed in the blue hatband. She wore a grin as she said, “Well, don’t we look as though we are on our way to take our boat out and greet the queen?”
“Bill bowed slightly and answered, “We have the next best thing: a ride on perhaps the fastest boat in the review.”
“Hush! We must be aware of agents trying to stop Mister Parsons from even taking the Turbinia out.”
Bill cringed as he thought, Ouch! My mission may be over but evidently hers is still on. Got to be cool. He straightened up and said, ”You are correct, Shirley. I’ll be cautious.”
As both of them were nervous about eating heavily and getting seasick, they had a light breakfast of buttered toast and tea and left the hotel in time to join Parsons as he exited his home. They fell in step with him making it look as though it was just a coincidental meeting rather than the real reason: protecting him from whoever it was trying to stop him from showing the navy his radical new engine.
“Why, good morning to you two,” Parsons said as he touched the visor of his cap.
“Good morning to you too,” they said in unison as the three walked towards the dock.
“Today,” said Parsons tilting his head towards the upcoming teashop, “I shall skip my morning tea as yesterday I felt quite disturbed after my morning tea and today I wish to have all of my faculties with me.”
Shirley suddenly nudged Bill in the ribs as she whispered, “Bill. Behind us is a short man dressed in a gray suit and black fedora. His name is Alex Hudder and he is a clerk in the Hungarian Embassy. He is the man that pushed Parsons off the dock.”
“Are you sure? I thought you didn’t see who did that?”
She shook her head and answered, “It’s hard to explain, but I have a memory that at times leaves information deep in my brain and sends it forward when it is nudged by an event such as seeing that man again. We must watch him at all times.”
Bill rolled his eyes and said, “We’ll lose sight of him as this crowd is getting larger.” He bit his lip and after a moment asked: “Does he understand English?”
“Yes, of course. All embassy workers do. Why?”
“What’s his bosses name?”
“We believe it’s the Ambassador himself, Franz Gullop. Why?”
“I’ll let you know,” he slowed a moment and was suddenly walking next to Hudder who eyed him nervously. Bill was at least a foot taller than the man and knowing that he had nothing to lose, put an arm around him in a friendly fashion as he whispered, “Hudder. New orders from Gullop: leave Parsons alone. He has already made contact with the British Navy and there is no sense in harming him. Come back to the embassy.”
The little man’s eyes went wide as he tried to understand what had just happened, “B-But, are you sure? I mean, just this morning . . . well,” he shook his head and went on, “I thought you were with his group? I mean this is not the way things are done.”
“There was no time to use the usual channels. Rest assured that the Ambassador knows what he’s doing and you shall be rewarded for your effort. For now, I am with our target and soon will have the engine’s plans”
The man walked taller as he said, “Thank you, comrade. I leave our target safe in your hands.” Bill stood to the side and watched as the man departed for his embassy.
“Nothing ventured nothing gained,” he said to himself and quickly caught up with Parsons and Shirley.
Looking around Shirley asked, “Where has he gone?”
“Back to the embassy to be chewed out by the top spy.”
They arrived at the dock without any interference and were escorted aboard the Turbinia by one of its eight crewmembers.
Parsons opened the mahogany door to his enclosed cabin and said, “I insist that you both have some hot tea and scones in my cabin as I go over the mechanics of my endeavor.” He stood looking at the horizon with his hands on his hips as he went on in almost a whisper, “One way or another, my friends, I shall have a navy chap inspect my boat this very day.” He bid goodbye and Bill helped Shirley step over the high threshold.
The cabin was sparse with a small wooden table and three chairs. It was almost all windows with brass hand cranks to open them for fresh air.
Bill pulled out a chair for Shirley and took one for himself. A sterling silver tea set was centered on the table along with hot Scotch Scones, jelly, butter and butter knives. Shirley poured and they relaxed as the soft roar of the engine was heard and soon their chairs vibrated on the decking.
“We’re on our way,” said Shirley pointing at the slowly receding dock. She put jelly on a scone and Bill did the same as they both watched the growing number of boats leaving the docks. “You really must tell me what it was that you said to that man,” quipped Shirley.
“I told him that the mission was off. That Parsons had already contacted the British Navy and they were now aware of his new engine. So there was no reason to harm Parsons and that I would supply them with plans of Parsons’ engine.”
She looked with wide eyes and a grin and said in a disbelieving tone of voice, “He believed you? I mean he must have seen you with Parsons and yet he abandoned his mission?”
“Yep! I played it as though I was on the inside and would finish the mission by getting the plans.”
She frowned for a second, “Problem is: the navy really hasn’t been contacted and when the Hungarians and their compatriots learn of that they will surely come and try to stop him from making contact. Do you agree?”
Bill nodded and said, “There is something we can do to make the navy interested.”
“And, pray tell,” she asked, “what would that be?”
“I think we should incite Parsons to go full speed through the review.”
“What? Are you touched? The Queen of England will be there. She’ll order them to blow us out of the water.”
Bill shook his head, “No. Queen Victoria will be on the Isle of Wight watching through a telescope.”
“What? Why won’t she be aboard the Royal Yacht?”
“She’s not feeling well so the Prince of Wales will be taking the salutes aboard the Royal Yacht.”
The door opened and Parsons entered with a big smile on his thin face. “My friends we are amongst one of the finest naval reviews ever. The Royal Yacht will review over one hundred and sixty-five British warships that will pass by and salute the Queen. There are many ships from other nations here as well and all shall witness our great navy.”
Bill put his empty teacup down, stood and asked, “Excuse me, Charles, but how do you intend to get their attention?”
Parsons stammered, “Well, ah, I-I mean to sail along with them and, and, well as you can see my crew has polished her brass works and oiled the mahogany. We shall stand out and be recognized by the many navy officers I have approached.”
“So,” continued Bill, “you mean to hope that you will be sought after the review by those officers who would recognize you? Correct?”
Parsons removed his cap and rubbed his forehead, “Yes. It is as good a plan as any. Do you not agree with me?”
“Sir, I am sorry to say; no I do not agree with your plan.”
Shirley stepped forward, “Sir, I believe that Bill would have you activate your horn or something.” She turned to Bill, “Am I correct, Bill?”
Bill shook his head side to side, “I’m willing to bet you both that every ship, sailboat and powerboat will be blowing their own horn. Yours will simply add to the greetings.”
“Then, sir,” asked Parsons, “pray tell what you would do if you were the captain of this vessel?”
“Where I come from, the newspapers speak of the coming war on the continent. Would you allow your country’s navy to be bested by one of the enemy combatants because they own the faster warships and could outmaneuver the British Navy?” He shook his head, “I think not, sir. You ask what is it that I would do if I were the captain of this fine ship . . . I’ll tell you what I’d do: I would speed up and show all what the Turbinia can do.” Bill suddenly clenched his fist and smacked it onto the wooden table, as he shook his head, no. “No! I take that back. Think about what Admiral Nelson would do: Rather than simply go fast he would swing this craft in and out between the battleships, destroyers and any other swift craft to get everyone’s attention, never mind a few officers who seem to not be able to understand what it is that powers this ship. This is the biggest chance you’ll ever get to show the Queen, the Prince and all the top admirals what you are offering them and surely one of them will see that what you are offering is the continued supremacy of the British Navy for years to come.”
Both Parsons and Shirley stood shocked.
Finally, Parsons spoke up, “B-But that would be considered a treasonable act. T-They may even shoot at us.”
“Not if you are speeding around their own ships. No, I believe that they will take your ship’s identification number painted on the stern and track you down. But not to shoot or fine you, rather to look at the power plant that drove circles around them. That is when you make your deal!”
Parsons stood wringing his hands, “Sir, madam, I am an engineer, not a high-risk taker. What you say makes sense and I do believe that would be the best way to get noticed.” He set his jaw and went on in a determined voice, “By Jove, I’ll do it! I’ll show those non-believers what I’ve been working on for years.” He looked at them and added, “Will you both join me in the cockpit for the run?”
“We wouldn’t miss it for anything,” said Bill answering for both of them.
They waited at anchor as many different types of boats anchored around them. A British swift boat patrolled constantly in order that no ship passed a certain spot to impede the arrival of the big ships. Finally, smoke could be seen on the horizon as ship after ship slowly approached and dropped anchor. HMS Renown led the line of ships that anchored in five lines, which together would have been thirty-miles long.
Bill was surprised that all of the ship’s hulls were painted black, while everything above that was painted white. Got to look that up, he thought, I wonder when warships started to be painted battleship gray?
Slowly another ship approached the big battleship, it was the Royal Yacht, Victoria & Albert. The black-hulled yacht had a gold stripe painted around her hull and the tall masts carried an oversized British flag. As with the warship she was painted white from the deck up. A white froth slowly appeared from the two wooden paddles located on either side of the majestic vessel as they kicked up the water. A mingling of whistles and applaud could clearly be heard from all the ships as the Royal Yacht slowly passed by each one. In return the warships answered with a salute of their guns.
Wow, thought Bill as he watched history unfold before him, this is fantastic! There are so few pictures of this event and here I am witnessing it. Fantastic!
They watched as the Royal Yacht went up and down the rows of anchored warships and as she was on the last row, a blast of steam and the shrill sound of a whistle emanated from the HMS Renown. Slowly her chains rattled as the massive anchors were brought up. Now the Royal Yacht came back and anchored as the five lines of warships steamed after the HMS Renown. They went to a much wider part of the anchorage, turned around and picking up speed, steamed back towards the Royal Yacht.
Bill turned to Parsons, “What is your plan of action, sir?”
Parsons looked at his pocket watch, snapped it closed and answered, “I wish to be at full speed and swinging around the HMS Renown just as she passes the Royal Yacht.” He looked at Bill and asked with a grin and a twinkle in his eye, “Do you truly believe that is what Admiral Horatio Nelson would do, sir?”
Bill grinned back and said, “Aye, captain. He would want all to see her wake as she passed by the Royal Navy.”
“All hands, all hands, hear this,” announced Parsons into the speaking tube, “Bring her up to full speed, gentlemen. We have an engine I’d like to show the Royal Navy.”
The gentle throbbing of her engine at idle quickly changed to a throaty roar and the small boat lunged forward. A whistle shrilled from the Navy swift boat as the Turbinia left the line and entered the ‘no go’ area. The swift boat went to full power as was evidenced by the white froth that appeared at the bow of the fast ship as she steered towards the Turbinia. Parsons turned away from her and accelerated towards a point between the Royal Yacht and the HMS Renown. A blinking light came from the big warship warning Parsons to stop and turn back.
“Captain,” called one of his crewmembers anxiously, “They want us to veer away, sir.”
Parsons held the wheel steady as he shouted, “Stand by, men. We are going to tweak the admiral’s nose.”
Now a destroyer left the line of warships and with her whistles blowing and thick smoke billowing from her stacks, she joined the chase just as Parsons slipped between the HMS Renown and the battleship following her. Now committed, he steered a course first passing a ship on the right then sliding through the line to pass the next ship on the left. The destroyer, going top speed, stayed on the outside still trying to catch her.
Finally, Parsons shouted, “Hold tight, we’re going back,” as he turned the wheel. The Turbinia slipped between each of the ships once again, this time from the rear of the line. As she passed the HMS Renown, he tipped his cap to the men dressed in white on the bridge.
“Well,” Parsons said as he steadily pulled away from the line of ships, “I imagine I’ll be having visitors this evening.” He passed the wheel to another crewmember, “Steady as she goes, Smithers, back to our dock.”
“That was fantastic,” said Bill. “I agree that they will want to meet you now.”
Thirty minutes later they slid slowly next to the dock and tied her up. Once on the dock Parsons turned to Bill and Shirley, “How can I thank you both? First you save me from drowning then you give me the courage to do what Admiral Nelson would have done: Tweak the Admiral’s noses! I would love to take you both out to dinner, but I must stay here and await the naval gentlemen whom I’m sure will soon arrive.”
