Blue Ice

He paused. Nobody spoke. Everyone was watching him. He had taken a gold watch from his pocket and was toying with it. The girl gazed at it fascinated. ‘I was acting as liaison between the Kompani Linge and our own crowd on the Maloy raid,’ he went on. ‘When we were going in to the assault, Olsen came to me and asked me to give messages to various people. ‘But only when you’re certain I’m dead,’ he said. ‘I shall be reported missing on this raid.’ I asked him what he meant by that, and he replied, ‘I’ll do the job we’re ordered to do. But when I’ve got my men back to the beach, I’ll leave them there. I’m going into Norway on my own. There’s something I’ve got to do — something I’d started before the war. It’s important.’ I argued with him — ordered him, as an officer, to report back with his men. But he just smiled and said, ‘I’m sorry, sir. One day perhaps you’ll understand.’ Well, I couldn’t put him under arrest when we’d be in action in five minutes’ time. I just had to leave it at that.’

‘And what happened?’ It was Jorgensen who put the question.

Curtis shrugged his shoulders. ‘Oh, he did as he said he would. He brought his men back to the beach. Then he told them he was going back for a man who was missing. They never saw him again and we left without him. If I thought he’d deserted, I’d have reported the matter. But I’m convinced he didn’t. He wasn’t the type that deserts. He was tough — not physically, but morally. You could see it in his eyes.’

I leaned forward. ‘What was it he had to do over there in Norway?’ I asked.

‘I don’t know,’ he answered. ‘It may not have been important. But I know this. It was important to him.’

I glanced at Jorgensen. He was leaning forward, his eyes fixed on Curtis. Opposite him, across the cabin, the cripple sat back in his chair and smiled softly. ‘What about you, Mr Dahler?’ I said. ‘Why have you come to see me?’

‘Because I also wish to know more about Farnell’s death,’ he said.

Then why do you want to be put ashore?’ I asked. ‘The answer surely is to come with us to Fjaerland?’

‘I should like to,’ he replied. ‘But unfortunately-’ he shrugged his shoulders.

‘You say you’d like to?’ I was puzzled.

His fingers plucked at the cloth of the half-empty sleeve. ‘There are difficulties, you see.’ His face was working. His whole body looked taut.

‘What difficulties?’ I inquired.

‘Ask Jorgensen.’ His voice was violent.

I turned. Jorgensen’s face was white. The rather leathery skin remained an impassive mask, but his blue eyes were narrow and watchful. ‘Suppose you tell them yourself,’ he said.

Dahler jumped to his feet. ‘Tell them myself!’ he cried. ‘No. Why should I tell them that I can no longer enter my own country?’ He thrust back his chair and took a step towards Jorgensen. Then he turned abruptly about. A few agitated paces and he was brought up by the door to the galley. He swung round and faced us. ‘Never will I tell them that,’ he said. His brown eyes fastened themselves on me with a strange intentness. ‘I’ll come, Mr Gansert. I owe Farnell a debt.’ He glanced at Jorgensen. ‘And I believe in paying my debts,’ he added.

‘What sort of a debt?’ I asked.

‘He saved my life,’ he answered.

‘You are making a mistake, Mr Dahler,’ Jorgensen said quietly. ‘In Norway you will be liable to arrest.’

‘And which one of your employees will you get to inform against me this time, eh?’ Dahler asked with a sneer. ‘Or will you do your own dirty work?’ He moved slowly across the room, his head thrust out towards Jorgensen and twisted slightly to one side. ‘Haven’t you done enough already?’

‘Sit down, Mr Dahler please,’ I said and put my hand on his shoulder.

He spun round on me and for a moment I thought he was going to bite my hand, there was such a look of venom on his face. Then suddenly he relaxed and sat down. ‘Excuse me,’ he said.

I looked towards Jorgensen. ‘Finally there is you, Mr Jorgensen. You came here, you say, to discuss the possibilities of a B.M. amp; I. tie-up with your own organisation.’ I leaned already told you, I don’t believe you. You came here because you’re as interested in Farnell as we are. You talked to Sir Clinton about nickel and uranium deposits. You were just guessing. You don’t know what metal has been discovered in Norway.’ I paused and then said very deliberately, ‘But I do — and it isn’t either nickel or uranium. As for knowing where the deposits are located, you haven’t the faintest idea. Your visit over here is nothing but bluff.’

‘So you know what metal it is that has been discovered, eh?’ His eyes were without expression. It was impossible to read his thoughts. ‘Was it Farnell who told you that?’

‘Yes,’ I answered.

‘When did you hear from him?’

‘The message was received after his death,’ I said.

The girl started forward with a little cry. Dahler was watching Jorgensen.