The Dardanelles Conspiracy by Alan Bardos (you can read anyone txt) 📕

‘What business do you have here?’ the Policeman asked, approaching the cab.

‘I’m lost, is this the residence of Baron Von Grubber of the Austro-Hungarian Embassy?’ Breitner used the first name that popped into his head.

‘No, this is the residence of Talat Pasha.’

Breitner thought he had misheard. The scale of it all had suddenly become too big for him to comprehend. ‘I’m sorry, did you stay Talat Pasha, the Minister of the Interior, lives here?'

‘Yes, of course,’ the policeman responded.

Breitner tapped the taxi driver on the shoulder. ‘Take me to the Sublime Porte.’

The taxi drove back down the hill and stopped under the Red and gold pagodas that marked the centre of Turkish government. He couldn’t go to anyone at his Embassy, they wouldn’t be interested. It would also run the risk of involving Esther in a scandal. Despite what she might be doing, she would always be his intended.

Breitner needed help to find out what Johnny was up to and stop it. He thought about going to the malcontent at the German Embassy, Stolz, but Breitner needed someone with real authority.

This now went beyond a simple spy hunt, if Johnny was meeting the Minister of the Interior and one of the ruling triumvirate. The only place he would find help was Talat’s rival in the Young Turk government. He addressed himself to the guard at the gate in his most authoritative parade ground manner.

‘I wish to see Major Avin Toprak, immediately.’

***

Johnny lit one of Talat’s gold ringed cigarettes, inhaled the rich tobacco and exhaled in Talat’s general direction. Esther looked appalled, but bravado was always Johnny’s favourite tactic.

Talat responded to Johnny’s opening gambit by firmly planting his massive wrists on his desk. ‘So, you are interested in the Red Apple?’

'I'm sorry, I don't follow, Your Excellency.'

Esther leant in and whispered, ‘he means the great prize – Constantinople.’

‘All my government is asking for is safe passage through the Dardanelles.'

‘Don't peddle that nonsense, young man. The Grand Rabbi has obviously refused to take any further part in this travesty. He is a man of honour. You, on the other hand, have crawled here to persist in these lies and half-truths.’

Johnny flicked ash on the floor. ‘Please believe me, Excellency, all the British Empire requires is for safe passage through the Dardanelles Strait.’

‘And what of the rumours that Constantinople is to be given to Russia?’

‘I can't comment on that, Excellency. Perhaps if you would agree to meet our negotiators, they will be able to put your mind at rest,' Johnny suggested.

‘There is no question of any such meeting until I have received assurances, regarding Constantinople. I am not about to hand over my country’s capital to its oldest enemy.’ Talat raised his hand to draw on his cigarette.

‘Excellency, I believe at our last meeting a certain understanding was reached. Promises were made,’ Johnny tried to sound tactful.

‘Come, come, a promise is not something that is kept indefinitely.’ Talat stubbed out his cigarette. ‘That promise is now dissolved.’

‘What, may I ask, would be considered indefinite?’

‘A guarantee,’ Talat said flatly. The distinction between the two types of agreement were perfectly clear to him.

Johnny finished his cigarette and glanced at Esther. This was going nowhere. 'In that case I've been instructed to reduce our offer to three and a half million pounds.’

'Are you going back on a promise made by the Grand Rabbi?' Talat pointed threateningly at Johnny.

'That promise has now expired. I believe no formal guarantees were given as no agreement on meeting our representatives were made,' Johnny said with an assurance he didn't feel.

Talat slammed his fists down. 'Do you think you can make a fool of me?'

***

‘I understand you have information regarding possible sedition?’ Enver Pasha asked as Breitner was shown into a rather vulgar study.

‘Yes Excellency, I’m sorry to come to your home like this, but I feel that the matter is of the utmost gravity.’

‘Major Breitner has discovered that Talat Pasha is entertaining an English spy, using Miss Esther Weisz as a means of disguising these meetings.’ Toprak added. He was eager to use Esther’s involvement to seek revenge for his spurned proposal.

‘What makes you believe this German diplomat is a British spy?’ Enver sat down on a divan and crossed his legs. ‘I do hope that you are not wasting my time on a jealous fairy tale, Herr Breitner?’

Breitner felt the veins in his face throb, he could not believe anyone would think him capable of such a thing. ‘The German diplomat in question is in fact a British diplomat I met before the war, he is called Johnny Swift. I saw him go into Talat Pasha’s house. This individual is highly manipulative and has obviously talked his way into Miss Weisz’s confidence...’

Talat put his hand up to stop Breitner. ‘I’m sure she is completely blameless.'

‘Thank you, Excellency, may I request that you have Johnny Swift detained?’

‘He must be interrogated, Excellency.’ Toprak added

‘That sounds messy and time consuming.’ Enver started to pace. ‘If Talat has been negotiating a peace deal with the Allies, I need to stop it now.’

‘Excellency, might I suggest turning Talat’s treachery to our advantage?’ Breitner said, ‘It is something of a gamble, but I believe Swift can be turned to our advantage.’

Enver Pasha stopped pacing. ‘Yes, what do you have in mind, Major Breitner?’

***

Johnny clenched his fists ready to defend himself against any attempt Talat might make to disembowel him with his bare hands.

'As I see it, Excellency you can either discuss the future of your capital when you meet the official representatives, or you can wait for the Royal Navy to blow you to kingdom come.'

Talat gave Johnny a venomous glare that reminded him of his stepfather and turned his bowels to liquid. 'Your Royal Navy is yet to break