The Assassins by Alan Bardos (read novel full .TXT) 📕

Ilic's words were striking home, but Gavrilo was unmoved. 'We must unite our people, whether by killing leading personages to ignite revolution, or by eliminating those who stand in the way of unification. The Archduke is the foremost enemy of the South Slavs. He is ruthlessly opposed to our unification and as the heir to the throne and Inspector General of the Army, he is responsible for the oppression and suffering of our people. I was one of nine children - six of them died because of the inequalities he perpetuates in his empire.'

Trifko looked reassured by Gavrilo's words. Johnny thought it best to keep his mouth shut during this exchange; he didn't want to destroy his guise as a Young Bosnian and he doubted he could make much of a difference to the outcome of the argument. What Gavrilo was saying might come true if Franz Ferdinand became Emperor, but at present even as the Heir Apparent and the Inspector General, Franz Ferdinand didn't have a great deal of say in how the Monarchy was run. According to the accounts Johnny had heard from the British Embassy staff in Vienna, the Emperor kept him out of policy making as much as possible.

Ilic stood his ground, although he was uncomfortable arguing like this with his best friend, over something he fundamentally agreed with. 'We need to build a political party… to lay foundations, Gavro, and expound the ideas of our cause, before attempting to incite a revolution.'

Gavrilo was too angry to listen to any more of Ilic's abstract and convoluted arguments. 'Words have made you slack, Danilo. I need action. I have a certain morbid yearning awakening in me.'

A cold feeling fluttered through Johnny. If the plot went ahead without Ilic's involvement, he'd have no way of finding out who the other conspirators were and he'd never get out of here. There was only one chance. 'Ilic, are you going to betray us?'

Gavrilo nodded agreement. He couldn't bring himself to ask his friend outright, but Johnny was playing the hard man, someone who could do the dirty jobs.

'You question my loyalty?' Rather than being angry, Ilic was terrified that he'd be thought a traitor.

'You sound as if you're having second thoughts about what must be done,' Johnny said.

'No, it's as Andreyev said. The death penalty confuses the conscience, even of resolute men. How can they face it? Unless at the cost of their rational consciousness, ravaged to the depths of their souls.'

Ilic was obviously scared and Johnny couldn't blame him. If things went to plan he would die on the same day as the Heir’s visit to Sarajevo. Johnny had read Andreyev - he also said it would be impossible to live if a man knew exactly and definitely the day and hour of his death.

'I am committed to our cause and will continue to take part, especially now everything is in place. We have the people and the means to carry out a great victory,' Ilic confirmed.

'Are you sure the other cell is ready?' Trifko asked.

Ilic shrugged. 'They're very young, but you can't question their loyalty or commitment to the cause.'

Johnny saw his chance to find out who they were. 'Could I join their cell? Maybe I could bolster them.'

'I don't think so, Jovo. It is better to keep things separate,' Gavrilo said. 'Besides, you need to stay with us. I've got you a job.'

'A job?' That threw Johnny.

'Yes - you are short of money and like myself you have been borrowing. We must clear our debts next week and leave our affairs in order.'

Johnny was taken aback. There was no way he was going to die next week, not when there was still that amazing belly dancer to consider. It would be very bad manners to die before he'd had a chance to charm her a little. That was one account he had no intention of leaving unsettled, even if he had to find some way of stopping the plot.

*

The cafe was crowded with people watching a loud folk band. Apis pushed his way through, searching the faces, hoping to recognise the man he'd come to meet. It was a hard task in the maelstrom of the live performance. Rade Malobabic was an undistinguished man, apart from his large feet. There seemed to be nothing about him that stood out, allowing him to blend in as he unobtrusively went about his business, gathering information. It was an ability that had enabled him to become Apis’s chief intelligence man in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.

Apis found Malobabic as he sat lightly tapping his big feet in time to the music. Apis had felt it was more discreet to meet him in a cafe rather than his office, where government spies could monitor his visitors. To an observer, he would be passing pleasantries with a grey, middle-aged man as they enjoyed the show. Malobabic had come a long way to make his report. It was too important to be trusted to the usual means of communication and Apis didn't want to run the risk of anything getting back to Prime Minister Pasic.

Malobabic carried on watching the band as Apis sat at the table next to him. 'The Serbian Minister in Vienna has paid a visit to Count Bilinski and expressed fears about the Archduke’s visit to Sarajevo,' Malobabic said.

'Has he warned him of the plot?' Apis asked, wondering if perhaps the government hadn't been entirely bluffed by the cancellation order, or if he had a spy in his ranks.

'No, not outright. The good Minister said that the Heir should be careful when he goes to Bosnia. Some nonsense about a young Serb putting a live bullet in his gun rather than a blank and then firing it.'

Apis nodded. He could imagine the Minister, bogging himself down in double talk, trying to warn of a plot, but not wanting