I stood by the spot where I had turned and had just enough time to seize up some dirt and rub it into my face as the first pseudo steam car clanked around the bend.
They slowed as I stepped into the road and pointed. And shouted.
“He wentthat-away!” The driver and the gunmen turned to look at the field and stared at the tracks. The vehicle slowed to a stop.
“Splashed right into the water and kept on going through the field. Feller a friend of yours?” This was the moment of truth. It stretched taut, longer and longer as the second vehicle came up and slowed to a stop as well. What if they questioned me-even looked closely at me? I wanted to runbut if I did, that would be a giveaway.
“Follow him!” someone called out, and the driver twisted his wheel and turned towards the field.
I slipped back into the trees and watched with great interest. It was beautiftil. I felt proud of myself; yes, I did. I am not ashamed to admit it. When a painter creates a masterpiece he knows it and does not attempt to diminuate its importance by false modesty.
This was a masterpiece. The first car rattled down through the field, bobbing and bouncing, and hit the water with an immense splash. It was going so fast that its rear wheels actually reached the stream before it slowed to a stop. And began to slowly sink into the soft mud. It went down to its hubs before it stopped.
There was much shouting and swearing at that-and best of all someone rooted out a chain and connected the two cars. Wonderful. The second one spun its wheels and churned the field until it too was safely mired. I clapped appreciativelyand strolled back to my own car.
I shouldn’t have done it, I know. But there are times when one just cannot resist showing off. I sat down, snapped on my belt, started the motor, moved the car carefully forward and back until I had turned about. Then accelerated back down the road.
Aftd as I passed the turnoff I pulled down hard on the whistle. It screeched loudly and every head turned, every eye was on me. I waved and smiled. Then the trees were in the way and the beautiful vision vanished from sight.
Chapter 28
It was a victory ride. I laughed aloud, sang, and blew the whistle with joy. When this first enthusiasm had died down I moved the queen on my mental chessboard and considered what came next. The hissing of steam and clanking of machinery was distracting and I examined the controls until I found the switch that turned the special effects off. The steam was being boiled to order and the sounds were just a recording. I threw the switch and rode on in peace towards Capo Dimonte’s keep. It was late afternoon before I reached it-and by that time my plans were complete.
When I came around the last bend in the road and turned onto the causeway I had full sound and steam effects going again. I trundled slowly down in clear sight of the guards. They had the partially repaired drawbridge raised long before I reached it, and peered out suspiciously at me as I stopped before the gap.
“Don’t shoot! Me friend!” I called out. “Member of your army and a close associate of the Capo Dimonte. Send for him at once for I know he wants to see his new steam cart. “ He did indeed. As soon as the drawbridge was lowered he strode across it and looked up at me. “Where did you get this?” he asked.
“Stole it. Climb aboard and let me show you Some interesting things.” “Where is the sleeping gas?” he asked as he climbed the rungs.
“I didn’t bother with it. With this cart I have developed an even better and more foolproof plan. This is no ordi198 nary steam cart, as I hope you have noticed. It is a new and improved model with some interesting additions that will capture your attention...” “You idiot! What are you talking about?” He slipped his sword up and down in its scabbard; such a quick temper.
“I will demonstrate, your caponess, since one action speaks louder than a thousand words. I also suggest that you sit there and strap that belt about you as I have done. This demonstration, I guarantee, will impress you.” If not impressed already, he was at least curious. He strapped in and I backed the length of the causeway to the shore. Going slowly with all attendant wheezing and clanking. I stopped the car and turned to him.
“What about the speed of this thing? What you are used to?” “Speed? You mean how fast it moves? This is an excellent yoke and goes with greater alacrity than my own.” “You have seen nothing yet, capo. First-notice this.” I turned off the sound and steam and he nodded with understanding. “You have banked its fires and it rests and does not move.” ‘"Quite the opposite. I have simply silenced it so no one can hear its approach. It is raring to go-and go it will. After you answer one question. If this cart belonged to an enemy and it appeared here-would your soldiers have time to raise the drawbridge before it reached them?” He snorted with derision. “What sort of fool do you take me for with questions like that? Before a cart could crawl its way there the drawbridge could be raised and lowered more than once.” “Really? Then hold on and see what this baby can do.” I floored the accelerator and the thing shot forward in almost perfect silence. There was the hum of the motor, the rustle of the tires on the smooth stone. Faster and faster towards the gate, which expanded before us with frightening speed. The guards who were standing there dived aside just in time as we hit the rough boards of the repaired wooden drawbridge with a crash, bounced, and rocked through the gate.
And shuddered to a halt inside the keep. The capo sat there with round eyes, gasping, then struggled to get his sword free.
“Assassin! Your attempt to kill me has failed...” “Capo, listen, it was a demonstration. Of how I am going to get you and your soldiers through the gate of Capo Doccia’s keep. Right through the open gate into the courtyard where you can kill, loot, murder, torture, maim, destroy...” This got his attention. The sword slid back into its scabbard and his eyes unfocused as they looked at the wonders I had summoned i~] for him.
“Right,” he said, blinking rapidly and coming back to the present. “You have an interesting idea here, soldier, and I want to hear more about it. Over a flagon of winefor that ride was something I have never experienced before.” “I obey. But let me first get this cart hidden and out of sight so it cannot beobserved. The attack will only succeed if there is complete surprise. “ “In that you are correct. Put it in the barn and I will post guards over it.” The wine he gave me was a good cut above the acid the troops were issued and I sipped it with pleasure. But not too much for I was going to need a clear head if the game were to proceed as planned. I had to find reasons that would make sense to him; to convince him to get cracking with his war plans at once. Because if we didn’t move quickly Prof. Lustig would be swarming over us with his gas bombs. I am sure he was most unhappy about my pinching his buggy. And there were not that many keeps in the area where it could be hidden. It was time for action. I slid out a rook along a mental rank and spoke.
“The keep of the foul Capo Doccia is no more than a five-hour walk from here-is that correct?” “Five hours, four-hour forced march.” “Good. Then consider this. He attacked you while you were away with the greater part of your army. His troops did great injury to the drawbridge and the fabric of the keep itself. Before you venture out to launch an attack you must have the drawbridge repaired, hire more soldiers perhaps. So when you begin your next campaign no advantage can betaken of your absence. Is that correct?” He slurped his wine and glared at me over the rim. “Yes, damn and blast your head, I suppose it is. Prudence, my officers always consul prudence when I want to behead that creature, rip out his entrails, flay him alive...” “And you shall, yes indeed, fine things lurk m your future. And unlike your other advisers I do not consul caution. I think that fiend in human guise should be attacked-and at once!” This appealed to him all right and I could see that I had his undivided attention as I explained my plan.