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

'Johnny, all of the troops will be gone tomorrow; they've been ordered out of the city for the Royal visit,' she said, interrupting him.

Johnny saw her dilemma. He knew Breitner was a capable man - he could get the visit cancelled and Johnny thought he could call round to see him on Monday, tell him who all of the conspirators were and pick up his letter of commendation and whatever other rewards the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy chose to bestow on him.

Libby sealed it with a suggestive look. 'I have some new tricks I want to share with you.' It wasn't meant to be seductive, but a command from the head girl. Johnny, grinned. He really did find Libby's direct approach so much easier to negotiate than the coy, will-o'-the-wisp performance of the belly dancer.

*

Breitner watched from the study window as it brightened into a pleasant summer's evening. The rain had long since died away and no amount of praying could bring it back. Providence wasn't on his side today.

'Where is your spy, Herr Breitner?' The Governor was becoming progressively more frustrated with every passing minute. It was plain that he hadn't believed a word of what Breitner had told him and was anxious to get to his dinner with the Archduke.

'I can only apologise, Excellency. He may have been killed. His work is extremely dangerous.'

'I think we've had quite enough of your flights of fancy for one evening, Herr Breitner.'

Breitner sighed - a first-hand account of someone who'd been living for weeks with the Young Bosnians, seen the weapons and been part of their plans may have made all the difference, or perhaps the Governor would simply have dismissed it as casually as he had all the other evidence Breitner had presented.

He’d considered trying to arrest Princip and Ilic on his own. He'd managed it with Johnny, but these people had bombs and guns and without any support Breitner could well cause an incident that would warn all the conspirators that the authorities were on to them. Breitner felt the best thing to do was to get Sunday's visit cancelled and then deal with the assassins. 'Could we at least move the Royal visit? The 28th of June is the Serbs' patriotic day. As Sarajevo's Chief of Police has been at great pains to point out, it can only be provocative for the Heir to visit on that day.'

The Governor reddened. 'I've been through this umpteen times already. There may well be safety issues and because of that the more people who see the Archduke, the greater our victory. It might well alienate some of the Serbs, but it will also inspire and encourage the Muslims and Croats who support the Monarchy.'

'I understand that, Excellency and commend your far-sightedness.'

'Oh you do, do you?' the Governor replied dryly.

'If I may just point out that this year's Vidovdan celebrations are of special significance because the Serbian Army has recaptured Kosovo from the Turks after hundreds of years of occupation. As I'm sure you're aware, Vidovdan commemorates their great defeat by the Turks, at the battle of Kosovo.'

'Enough - the date is just one aspect of the myriad of details we've had to contend with for the Archducal visit. It must be tomorrow; the spa season starts next week and making any further arrangements is quite impossible.'

Breitner couldn't believe what he was hearing. The weapons were under Princip's bed, barely a mile away and the Governor was worrying about the spa season. 'The Young Bosnians are not concerned about scheduling problems; they will only see this as an insult by an imperialist power.'

'I will not ask the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne to cancel his visit, because a gang of half-starved juvenile delinquents might be upset by it!' A polite knock at the door stopped the Governor before he could continue and his valet entered through an adjoining door from the master bedroom, carrying a dress uniform jacket. Breitner decided to change track.

'Your Excellency, could we at least use some of the troops from the manoeuvres as extra security?' Breitner suspected a lot of them would probably have been granted leave by now, or be in camp at the manoeuvre site, but it was worth a try.

'Out of the question. I've ordered all troops not involved in the Heir's visit out of the city. A strong military presence would offend the citizens of Sarajevo. Besides, the soldiers don't have their dress uniforms.' The valet started to brush down General Potiorek's jacket.

'Could they not wear their normal service uniforms?' Breitner was pushing his luck to the verge of destruction, but this was the best chance he had of averting a disaster. 'There is also a battalion of soldiers in barracks, here in Sarajevo.'

'Herr Breitner, I understand you were once well thought of, in "Budapest" at least, but I do not put much stock in your wild theories and marketplace gossip.'

The Governor stood up. There were more important matters to consider. 'Now what is this I hear about the wine list?'

Breitner sighed. It was time for the last resort. 'It might be diplomatic to have Zilavka, a local wine, served at the meal tonight - keep the natives happy.'

The Governor at last showed some concern. ''You will organise it personally?'

'Yes, Excellency.'

'Good. That may well redress the balance sufficiently for me to overlook this little outburst of yours.' The Governor allowed his valet to help him into the dress jacket, ready for the evening's events. 'My ADC will see to your letter of authorisation.'

As he bowed his thanks to the Governor, Breitner hid the unease he was feeling. He would do his duty and go to Ilidze Spa and approach 'The Ogre' directly.

Chapter 32

Johnny waited patiently for Libby to finish locking the door of her hotel room and went in for the coups de