Held At Bay (19 page)

Authors: John Creasey

BOOK: Held At Bay

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“It's pretty close,” said Mannering. Lorna felt that she wanted to scream, Lenville wondered whether Mannering would go too far, Anita, Juan and Don Manuel were thinking only of the Crown of Castilla, those five precious gems.

“I don't know, though, the Baron's a funny customer, if he has them he might come to youâ”

Don Manuel shrugged his shoulders.

“It is doubtful, I think.”

“You mean he won't expect you to buy?”

“Perhaps not,” said Don Manuel, and then Anita interrupted, as the Baron had hoped.

“But, John, if only he would offer them here! No one need know they are the separate jewels that have been stolen, need they? In the setting, in the Castilla Crown, they are themselves, they are
ours.”

“Perhaps your father doesn't think like that,” said Mannering. “He may think Van Royton and others bought them in good faith.”

There was a momentary silence before the Spaniard drew a deep breath.

“I have not heard that the Castilla Jewels have been stolen except from me,” said Don Manuel y Alvarez de Castilla softly. “Certain similar stones, yes, but who is to know they are the same? I made an offer to buy them back at twenty thousand pounds for each stone. I would ask no questions not even of the Baron. In addition, I would perhaps indemnify those men who have lost their jewelsâ”

Mannering laughed.

“If they ever came your way, I hope you wouldn't, Don Manuel. The insurance companies will have done that job. The buyers â Panneraude, Van Royton and the others, all knew they'd bought stolen goods. Some charity would be far better off with a gift. But good Lord, we're almost being serious! Anita, I can see you're dying to dance.”

“I will rest up here,” said Don Manuel quietly, “and perhaps you will spare me ten minutes a little later, Mr. Mannering?”

Mannering went to the de Castilla suite half an hour later, to find Don Manuel sitting in an easy chair with a cigar between his fingers.

“Don't get up,” said Mannering, pulling a chair near the Don's. “You wanted me?”

“I wanted to tell you,” said Don Manuel y Alvarez de Castilla, “that I believe I understand. You areâan emissary of the Baron on some matters?”

Mannering's eyes were glowing.

“I don't know who the Baron is,” he said, “but he once rendered me a considerable service. Whenever I can, I like to help him. Provided he can rely on you to keep the five stones for Anita, I think you will be soon getting an offer. Of course your silence is a condition.”

“For Anita,” said Don Manuel slowly. “Who else should I even think of? Sometimes I think I am getting too old, Mannering, for there was a time when I could have admired the Baron even more perhaps than I do now. As for silence â we shall keep the five Jewels of Castilla in their setting, hidden from all but the closest friends. No one who knows their description as single gems will ever recognise them together. Some people would say perhaps that it is dishonest, but the Baron would not.”

“I don't think he would, knowing Anita. When the offer comes, Don Manuel, you will send a cheque to the address the Baron will give, and another to that charity. The Baron will ask ten thousand for each stone, Don Manuel. Your price was twenty.”

“That is very generous,” said de Castilla. He leaned forward, and their hands were together as there came sharp, running footsteps in the passage. The door was flung open violently, and Anita stood there; a breathless, wild-eyed Anita with a flaming red ruby in her hand.

“Father â it is impossible, but lookâthe Flame! The
Flame
! It has come, a messenger brought it to me. I almost fainted and then I rushed up here!”

She paused for breath. The old man smiled at Mannering, but before either of them could speak Juan came hurrying. Juan, with his dark eyes angry and his fists clenched.

“Anita, you little idiot, why did you rush off like that? It was a sensation, people are talking even now. Lorna dancing with Ted, too.”

“The Flame!” said Anita simply.

The Baron saw his expression of disbelief, then saw the exultation in his eyes, the surging happiness in Anita's, and the contentment in the Don's. He knew then that the five Jewels of Castilla were more than precious stones.

He slipped outside, closing the door quietly as Lenville and Lorna came along. Lenville was looking worried, laughter was lurking in Lorna's eyes.

“I shouldn't go in at the moment,” advised Mannering. “Someone sent Anita the Flame Ruby, and I believe the Baron has made Don Manuel a proposal. It's surprising how many amoral folk there are in the world. Your prospective father-in-law, Ted, might almost be called an accessory after the fact.”

“You mean he's bought the others?” Lenville demanded. “From you, knowing that youâ”

“I didn't make it quite as obvious as that,” said the Baron. “Don't go in for crime, Ted, it isn't your best medium. Try to give Anita something else to think about other than jewels, though, inâwell, say ten minutes. Lorna and I won't be back tonight, but I think you'll manage without us.”

Series Information

Published or to be published by

House of Stratus

Dates given are those of first publication

Alternative titles in brackets

âThe Baron' (47 titles) (writing as Anthony Morton)

âDepartment âZ'' (28 titles)

âDr. Palfrey Novels' (34 titles)

âGideon of Scotland Yard' (22 titles)

âInspector West' (43 titles)

âSexton Blake' (5 titles)

âThe Toff' (59 titles)

along with:

The Masters of Bow Street
This epic novel embraces the story of the Bow Street Runners and the Marine Police, forerunners of the modern police force, who were founded by novelist Henry Fielding in 1748. They were the earliest detective force operating from the courts to enforce the decisions of magistrates. John Creasey's account also gives a fascinating insight into family life of the time and the struggle between crime and justice, and ends with the establishment of the Metropolitan Police after the passing of Peel's Act in 1829.

âThe Baron' Series