Castle Macnab
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Noticing the glasses were empty, Lamancha refilled them all. “A toast then,” he said, “to whatever lies beyond the next hill”.
As they clinked glasses together, Leithen added: “And to each man his own Jerusalem.”
They had barely taken a sip when they were interrupted by an urgent rapping at the front door. With Lamancha in the lead, the three men leapt from their seats and hurried down the hall. Charles flung open the door, revealing two figures on the doorstep.
The taller and stouter of the two was Lamancha’s man Stokes. “Sorry for the disturbance, Captain,” he rumbled. Having served under Lamancha in Palestine, he persisted in addressing him as an officer. “I was setting out some snares when I found this chap here stumbling about in the shrubbery.”
Leaning on his arm was a wildly dishevelled stranger, soaking wet and covered in mud, his head hanging low from utter exhaustion.
“He mentioned Sir Edward by name,” Stokes continued. “Said he’d come looking for him and it was desperately urgent.”
“Looking for me?” said Leithen in astonishment. “What on earth can he want?”
“Bring him inside,” ordered Lamancha, “and we’ll hear what he has to say for himself.”
At the sound of his voice, the stranger shook himself loose and staggered forward. With his next step he collapsed face down on the rug.
The three Macnabs gathered around the fallen man. His sodden clothing was shredded in many places, revealing an array of cuts and bruises beneath. Palliser-yeates whistled softly through his teeth. “Whoever this poor chap is, he’s taken a real mauling.”
“Let’s get him on to the sofa,” said Lamancha. “Stokes, please fetch some water and towels.”
As Stokes departed, the Macnabs, who were accustomed to dealing with wounded men on the battlefield, gently lifted the stranger and laid him on his back on the sofa. When his face caught the light all three gaped in astonishment.
“Good God!” gasped Palliser-yeates. “It’s Dick Hannay!” When the water arrived Leithen began to wipe the grime from the stricken man’s face. As he did so, Hannay’s eyes flickered open. He seized Leithen’s arm and stared at each of the three men in turn.
“Ned, thank God I made it – and that you’re all here! I need your help in what may be the most desperate endeavour of our lives.” ■