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

schoolchildren for a job of this kind; it is not right and it will end in a fiasco,' Trifko agreed.

'I have sent for an experienced person to bolster the other cell,' Ilic said.

'Who?' Johnny spoke louder than he'd intended - he'd been angling to fill that role.

'Jovo, you will also join the other cell,' Gavrilo said.

'Gavro, I will...' Gavrilo cut Johnny off before he could talk of the heroic acts he'd perform.

'That way we will have all the schoolboys together.'

'I don't follow…' Johnny said.

'I think perhaps they will bolster you.' Gavrilo glared at Johnny. 'I am not convinced that your heart is pure Jovo, not after the way you were dismissed for trifling with the dignity of that poor girl, but there is a role for you in the other cell.' Gavrilo looked away from Johnny in disgust. 'Ilic will let you know when you are needed.'

Chapter 29

Franz Ferdinand watched the mock battle with growing admiration. The army was demonstrating a high degree of morale and efficiency. He nodded to General Potiorek - the Governor had done a first rate job. The simulated battle between the blue and red armies, made up of elements of the 14th and 16th Army Corps was quite a sight, some twenty thousand men fighting across the rugged, wooded terrain of Western Bosnia.

It had been reported to him that the Serbian Government viewed these manoeuvres as a dress rehearsal for an invasion of their country, even though they were being conducted well away from their border. The Archduke smiled. A fortune teller had once told him that he would unleash a world war. Although these army corps were excellent, whether or not the rest of the army would be in any position to unleash anything other than a superbly executed waltz, was another question.

The field exercises that he was currently observing were a simulated attack on Sarajevo from the Adriatic, which the defenders had successfully repulsed. He kicked his horse to follow the 'stand in Italians' as they were driven back and thankfully, found that someone had thought to check the correct length for his stirrups. The Archduke viewed the Italians as a very real threat; it was well known that they harboured designs on the Monarchy’s territories of South Tyrol and Trieste.

The Archduke stopped to allow the rest of his suite, and the gendarmes assigned to protect him, to catch up. He turned to General Potiorek. 'Truly exceptional, Governor - beyond all commendation.' The Governor looked relieved, as well he might. If he'd failed, he would have been lucky to get a command in the swamps of the Eastern frontier, Franz Ferdinand would have seen to that.

'Thank you, Your Highness,' Potiorek beamed, fighting to maintain his hard-bitten professional persona. He'd been under considerable pressure to perform and he'd clearly stood the strain.

'I'll make a full report to the Emperor of your excellent preparations,' Franz Ferdinand added. The manoeuvres had indeed been a great achievement; the soldiers were well drilled and the excessive heat that had so worried his Sopherl hadn't transpired. It had mainly rained and there had even been snow. 'In fact, this whole visit has been a success, Governor.'

'Thank you, Your Highness. I trust your accommodation is satisfactory?'

'Very pleasant.' His rooms at the Hotel Bosnia had been extensively decorated with rich carpets and oriental objets d'art. He'd been so impressed that he and Sophie had paid a trip to Sarajevo's bazaar to add to his collection at Konopiste. They'd had a wonderful afternoon exploring the maze of back alleys, full of artisans working at their various crafts, and all the way they'd been followed by an enthusiastic crowd of cheering, loyal subjects.

'I trust Her Highness was pleased with her itinerary, while you've been observing the war games?'

'Yes, very pleased.' Sophie had been engaged to make a number of humanitarian visits, mainly to orphanages - good work which would increase her profile within the Monarchy. 'I'm very pleased.'

'I'm gratified, Your Highness. I was afraid that the difficulties you experienced on your journey might have been a bad omen.'

'Yes, we didn't get off to a promising start,' Franz Ferdinand said. The Royal couple had been forced to abandon their private railway carriage because an axle had overheated, filling the carriage with steam. 'I thought, now the carriage has broken down, what next - a murder attempt in Sarajevo? And finally, if all of that doesn't get anywhere, an explosion on board my ship on the way home,' the Archduke joked. The Governor laughed politely. Sophie hadn't found the jest quite so amusing.

'As I boarded the new train the electricity cut out, plunging us into darkness. They had to light candles – I thought I was sitting in a tomb!' he continued.

The Archduke heard a sudden cry of alarm and saw a man in an ill-fitting black suit, jump out of a copse and hurry towards him. He stopped just short of Franz Ferdinand, the sun glinting on a black barrel. Franz Ferdinand sat up straight on his horse and faced the man, as a gendarme seized him. The Archduke laughed. 'What are you doing? That's the court photographer. Let him go.'

Franz Ferdinand caught the Governor openly sighing with relief. The Heir Apparent was safe.

Chapter 30

Johnny paced around his room, frustrated after the meeting with Gavrilo and the others. He'd spent the rest of Friday and now the best part of Saturday waiting for Ilic to summon him. He wasn't sure what else he could do. It was the eve of the Archduke's visit to Sarajevo and he'd been banished from any further discussions with the group. Gavrilo was still insisting that the two cells be kept separate. Johnny got the distinct impression they didn't trust him and he couldn't say he blamed them.

Ilic was certainly playing his cards close to his chest and Johnny had started