Far from it! It's the greatest adventure available to man, at least one that's won't promise to kill you!
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Well, as in most things, it just depends on how far you decide to push your luck! 
J. Passepartout said:
A sunset is best when shared. Having someone’s hand to hold when going through a crisis eases the pain and comforts the soul. Finding that your partner has strengths where you have weaknesses makes life easier and more enjoyable. ‘She who won’t be denied’ and I celebrated our 33 anniversary of cohabitation a couple of days ago. I acknowledge that I would be hard put to find someone who would put up with me for 33 days not to mention years. I made her a heart and wrote a poem on it. Believe me gentlemen doing something like that will score more points that any diamond ring. This however doesn’t hide the fact that there are times when I wonder what the hell I’m doing with this strange crazy person. Moments of puzzlement that I found a soul mate that drives me mad with frustration amid sporadic spats of blissful satisfaction. So the only way to approach this situation is to learn the art of compromise. Either that or find that perfect match that will go through life changing the same way you do. Good luck. So J. Passepartout to answer your question I’d have to say yes, give it a try and get married. However I’d also have to add what my aunt Mable said to me when I was a teenager asking her a similar question on how to find that perfect match. She was a chain smoker and managed to say between coughs. “If you want to find a good girl don’t think with your dick.” She was a lady who didn’t mince her words.
And to think I'd celebrated my 12th anniversary with my own wife on the 12th....I had no idea you were that old, Joe! Certainly explains the facility you have for writing about the aged...Er, did I say that out loud? No, with experience comes the ability to describe things in ways a younger person can't due to not having that very same set of experiences. Probably one of the reasons I enjoy your writing so much. It has a depth to it.....
No, with experience comes the ability to describe things in ways a younger person can't due to not having that very same set of experiences. Probably one of the reasons I enjoy your writing so much. It has a depth to it.....
33 years eh? I am not even that old yet! (this is meant to make you gentlemen of the obsolete, errr previous, er, somewhat more advanced in age generation, feel, well, that your future is in safe hands...)
Actually, except for the chain-smoking, I think your aunt was a very wise women. At least in this aspect!
BTW, ever see "Spies like us"? IT has some memorable lines on thinking with your, erm, male genitalia.
It's these fine discussions that make this thread/aar what it is.
DW
Actually, except for the chain-smoking, I think your aunt was a very wise women. At least in this aspect!
BTW, ever see "Spies like us"? IT has some memorable lines on thinking with your, erm, male genitalia.
It's these fine discussions that make this thread/aar what it is.
DW
Joe, you, the venerable experienced one, must clearly put into words all that was jumbling about in my youthful mind. Good thing you've got all that experience, eh?
Truly, congrats on the anniversery... and to think, I was only three years old when you and 'she who will not be denied' exchanged vows. Crap, did I say that out loud? Damn, I hate when I do that!
Oh, I had an Uncle Rod that gave me advice similar to your Aunt Mable, although he was speaking around a Cuban cigar that he somehow had been able to clear through customs while knocking back shots of Scotch, so what he said was a little slurred.
Truly, congrats on the anniversery... and to think, I was only three years old when you and 'she who will not be denied' exchanged vows. Crap, did I say that out loud? Damn, I hate when I do that!
Oh, I had an Uncle Rod that gave me advice similar to your Aunt Mable, although he was speaking around a Cuban cigar that he somehow had been able to clear through customs while knocking back shots of Scotch, so what he said was a little slurred.
Lots of wisdom to ponder for my own married bliss there, Storey. And congratulations on the anniversary. It certainly sounds like you have a good thing going.
Rowe's thoughts as he is climbing up that cliff (no, not about Shara, but about their situation viz the Germans) is way too optimistic. Dramatic convention demands some huge SNAFU to occur, much as Draco predicted. That, or Vetterman turns traitor in some highly effective way up on the mountain.
Now let's see Higgins and his ladies hold off the German advance!
Rowe's thoughts as he is climbing up that cliff (no, not about Shara, but about their situation viz the Germans) is way too optimistic. Dramatic convention demands some huge SNAFU to occur, much as Draco predicted. That, or Vetterman turns traitor in some highly effective way up on the mountain.
Now let's see Higgins and his ladies hold off the German advance!
Hey I've been telling you guys that I'm older than dirt. Damn kids never listen! Next post coming up.
Joe
Next post coming up.Joe
Felix wiped his brow with his handkerchief, removing a layer of sweat and dust. He frowned in irritation at the light brown smear that now stained the elegant silk cloth. As he absentmindedly put it in his pocket he gazed at the monastery weighting the odds on whether his prey was aware of his presence and decided that they couldn’t be stupid enough not to have posted a guard. He absentmindedly scratched the back of one hand as he studied the situation. The path approached the monastery at an angle, which was going to make a frontal assault difficult. On the ground floor a single door and two small windows graced the front and to get a clear shot at them would require moving into full view of the defenders while offering precious little cover for his men. His irritation grew as he realized the difficulty that faced him. He looked down the Wadi and saw no movement except for the stream that flowed in front of the monastery and the faint flapping of a simple cloth covering one of the lower windows. His left hand twitched, feeling the need of taking out his gloves from his pocket but he stopped himself and instead brushed his hand across the front on his coat sending a small puff of dust into the air. He decided that there was nothing more to learn by standing here so he squared his shoulders and he took a step forward but suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder. He looked at Wolfgang who motioned with his chin upward. He looked up just in time to see a figure disappear into a cave in the cliff above the monastery. From their Western style of clothing it was clearly not a monk. He frowned, not liking the fact that his prey might be escaping. Still it was a steep climb and he doubted that all of his prey would be able to climb it. Besides those left behind could be made to tell where the others were fleeing. He spoke over his shoulder to Wolfgang while pointing to his left.
“If you start behind that rise you won’t be seen by anyone in the monastery and you can start climbing. Can you get to the caves that way?”
Wolfgang scanned the cliff before grinning.
“It will be easy to traverse over to them. Len and Otto grew up climbing. I’ll take them with me and see what our friends are up to.”
“Fine but remember if you can capture them alive do so but if not, it will be a loss I can accept. Understood?”
“Of course Herr Fassbinder, they either come down with us they will quickly have to learn to fly.”
“Good, now move out. If any one sticks their heads out of those caves our men will make them regret it. Now I think I’ll pay a little visit with whoever is left in the monastery.”
As Wolfgang and his men moved off to the left toward the cliff, Felix took out his soiled white handkerchief and as he walked toward the monastery he started slowly waving it over his head. He walked slowly, carefully picking his way along the path, knowing by instinct that he was being watched. He stopped thirty feet in front of the door and called out.
“Hello! I think it’s time we talked.”
Meanwhile inside the monastery the strained voice of Philippa rang out.
“But I can’t shoot! I hardly know how to use one of these. I’m much better at loading than shooting.”
Higgins growled and bit off an impatient retort. He fixed Philippa with a stare that hailed her to the spot before regaining control of his temper. He took a deep jagged breath before being able to calmly reply.
“Miss Philippa it isn’t necessary for you to hit anything, we just need as many guns firing as we can to make them think there are more of us here than there are. Even Germans aren’t stupid enough to charge a solid stone monastery while someone is firing at them.”
Higgins paused as he looked out of a window and watched as one man approached waving a white flag. He was the only one wearing a suit and not visibly carrying a gun. Higgins muttered.
“From Herr Vetterman’s description I think it’s safe to say that Herr Fassbinder is paying us a call. And so it begins! We all know our parts in this farce, do we not ladies?”
Elspeth stood off to the side where she was loading her two handguns, while watching the men outside.
“Don’t be so dramatic Alistair. They appear to be spreading out behind him, taking cover. Sad to say they do have rifles.”
“Little good it will do them Elspeth. These walls are too thick to give them much of an advantage. They also don’t have a good line of fire. It will make it difficult for them to get a clear shot at us.’
Elspeth sniffed and careful peered out a window.
“It’s also going to be hard for us to hit them. With time they will find a weakness in our line of sight and move in for the kill. I don’t think we should stay very long if we want to slip away.”
Higgins looked over to Philippa who was finally ready with her gun.
“Now don’t forget, keep your head down. It isn’t necessary for you to hit anything and I don’t want you getting hit.”
Philippa giggled and turned toward Higgins.
“Why Alistair I didn’t know you cared.”
Higgins shuddered as Philippa mentioned his name.
“Its just that I don’t relish the idea of having to carry you all the way to the farm. Now if you don’t mind, please don’t point your gun at me while we are having a conversation, it might go off. In polite circles it’s considered rude to shoot the one you’re conversing with.”
Higgins turned and with Philippa’s giggles behind his back he asked.
“Elspeth are you ready?”
Elspeth snapped close her fully loaded gun and looked at Higgins.
“Bring the Huns on my dear.”
Higgins took a deep breath, looked outside and saw Fassbinder come to a halt and call out.
“Hello! I think its time we talked.”
I lay on the floor of the cave and peered over the edge looking down at the lone man in front of the monastery. He shouted something but I couldn’t quite hear what he said. I moved back from the cave opening and looked around me. It was a small cave barely five feet wide and twenty feet deep but it was what was at the end of the cave that everyone was looking at. A passageway led off into darkness offering relief from the heat of the sun and suspense at where it led. Shara handed me one of the flashlights and I moved toward the black opening. I stopped and looked back and found everyone flowing close behind. As I entered I had to bend over because of the low ceiling and almost immediately a few feet into the passage I came to a fork in the tunnel. A tunnel went right, left and straight ahead. I turned back to my companions.
“We are going to have to split up if we hope to fully explore these caves before the Germans try to climb up here. Shara and I will go this way to the right while you two go left. If anyone finds anything send the your partner to find the others.”
Heads nodded in reluctant agreement.
Aurturo shined his flashlight at me.
“And just what are we looking for?”
“Beats the crap out of me.”
And with that I started moving off to the right with Shara close behind.
“If you start behind that rise you won’t be seen by anyone in the monastery and you can start climbing. Can you get to the caves that way?”
Wolfgang scanned the cliff before grinning.
“It will be easy to traverse over to them. Len and Otto grew up climbing. I’ll take them with me and see what our friends are up to.”
“Fine but remember if you can capture them alive do so but if not, it will be a loss I can accept. Understood?”
“Of course Herr Fassbinder, they either come down with us they will quickly have to learn to fly.”
“Good, now move out. If any one sticks their heads out of those caves our men will make them regret it. Now I think I’ll pay a little visit with whoever is left in the monastery.”
As Wolfgang and his men moved off to the left toward the cliff, Felix took out his soiled white handkerchief and as he walked toward the monastery he started slowly waving it over his head. He walked slowly, carefully picking his way along the path, knowing by instinct that he was being watched. He stopped thirty feet in front of the door and called out.
“Hello! I think it’s time we talked.”
Meanwhile inside the monastery the strained voice of Philippa rang out.
“But I can’t shoot! I hardly know how to use one of these. I’m much better at loading than shooting.”
Higgins growled and bit off an impatient retort. He fixed Philippa with a stare that hailed her to the spot before regaining control of his temper. He took a deep jagged breath before being able to calmly reply.
“Miss Philippa it isn’t necessary for you to hit anything, we just need as many guns firing as we can to make them think there are more of us here than there are. Even Germans aren’t stupid enough to charge a solid stone monastery while someone is firing at them.”
Higgins paused as he looked out of a window and watched as one man approached waving a white flag. He was the only one wearing a suit and not visibly carrying a gun. Higgins muttered.
“From Herr Vetterman’s description I think it’s safe to say that Herr Fassbinder is paying us a call. And so it begins! We all know our parts in this farce, do we not ladies?”
Elspeth stood off to the side where she was loading her two handguns, while watching the men outside.
“Don’t be so dramatic Alistair. They appear to be spreading out behind him, taking cover. Sad to say they do have rifles.”
“Little good it will do them Elspeth. These walls are too thick to give them much of an advantage. They also don’t have a good line of fire. It will make it difficult for them to get a clear shot at us.’
Elspeth sniffed and careful peered out a window.
“It’s also going to be hard for us to hit them. With time they will find a weakness in our line of sight and move in for the kill. I don’t think we should stay very long if we want to slip away.”
Higgins looked over to Philippa who was finally ready with her gun.
“Now don’t forget, keep your head down. It isn’t necessary for you to hit anything and I don’t want you getting hit.”
Philippa giggled and turned toward Higgins.
“Why Alistair I didn’t know you cared.”
Higgins shuddered as Philippa mentioned his name.
“Its just that I don’t relish the idea of having to carry you all the way to the farm. Now if you don’t mind, please don’t point your gun at me while we are having a conversation, it might go off. In polite circles it’s considered rude to shoot the one you’re conversing with.”
Higgins turned and with Philippa’s giggles behind his back he asked.
“Elspeth are you ready?”
Elspeth snapped close her fully loaded gun and looked at Higgins.
“Bring the Huns on my dear.”
Higgins took a deep breath, looked outside and saw Fassbinder come to a halt and call out.
“Hello! I think its time we talked.”
I lay on the floor of the cave and peered over the edge looking down at the lone man in front of the monastery. He shouted something but I couldn’t quite hear what he said. I moved back from the cave opening and looked around me. It was a small cave barely five feet wide and twenty feet deep but it was what was at the end of the cave that everyone was looking at. A passageway led off into darkness offering relief from the heat of the sun and suspense at where it led. Shara handed me one of the flashlights and I moved toward the black opening. I stopped and looked back and found everyone flowing close behind. As I entered I had to bend over because of the low ceiling and almost immediately a few feet into the passage I came to a fork in the tunnel. A tunnel went right, left and straight ahead. I turned back to my companions.
“We are going to have to split up if we hope to fully explore these caves before the Germans try to climb up here. Shara and I will go this way to the right while you two go left. If anyone finds anything send the your partner to find the others.”
Heads nodded in reluctant agreement.
Aurturo shined his flashlight at me.
“And just what are we looking for?”
“Beats the crap out of me.”
And with that I started moving off to the right with Shara close behind.
Everyone's playing tricks on everyone else. I wonder about Higgins though. He's getting incredibly altruistic in his old age.
Nah, I think Higgins is quite serious. He doesn't want to start lifting hefty English ladies at his age. Besides, people might talk....
Now, I shall sit back and see what happens downstaris and upstairs and what strange things may occur. While Sharra is at Rowe's back...
Thaznks for the update, old man! DW
Now, I shall sit back and see what happens downstaris and upstairs and what strange things may occur. While Sharra is at Rowe's back...
Thaznks for the update, old man!
DW
I wonder if splitting up in the cave is the wisest thing to do, but I suppose that they don't know everything we know.
Splitting up in the face of an unknown adversary is always an incredibly stupid thing to do, but A) there's dramatic convention that requires it (Auturo and Vetterman need to be on their own for Vetterman to be able to do a doublecross) and B) Rowe's finally showing some initiative! Deftly separating himself and Shara from the others, while they go 'exploring' in the right cavern. Looking for 'treasure', if you will. 'Investigating' these dark spaces. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more.
<Ahem>
Anyway, Higgins is sounding more like himself again:
<Ahem>
Anyway, Higgins is sounding more like himself again:
With that kind of putdown, my confidence in Higgins' abilities to hold off Felix and his cohorts is growing again, after his unfortunate blushing incident.
I don't know about Higgins, Stuyvesant. Sounds a bit like an afterward quick attempt at saving his reputation...
Splitting is certainly a stupid thing. But still, Rowe's point is not bad. Doubling their exploration's pace could be important.
All in all, Felix and Elspeth seem to be the ones with the best assessing of the situation and the coldest blood. Elspeth beeing less la-de-da than Felix regarding dust and other inconvenients. Very british.
Splitting is certainly a stupid thing. But still, Rowe's point is not bad. Doubling their exploration's pace could be important.
All in all, Felix and Elspeth seem to be the ones with the best assessing of the situation and the coldest blood. Elspeth beeing less la-de-da than Felix regarding dust and other inconvenients. Very british.
So Fassbinder thinks it's time for talking, eh? Somehow I think his definition of talk and mine are a little different. In that case, perhaps Higgins might want to rethink he etiquette rule about pointing guns at those you are conversing with.
Stnylan - Higgins is playing the hand he was dealt. He’s in pure reaction mode right now and is trying to stay one step ahead Felix. He has the habit of doing what is necessary to survive regardless of how it looks.
Dead William - Man I am getting old. I just started working out with my total gym to get ready for golf this spring and damn I’m sore!
J. Passepartout - What happens in every horror movie? The heroes split up so that they can die one by one. Will it happen here? I ain’t saying.
Stuyvestant - Well it’s not the first time our heroes did something stupid is it? Hmm I guess I’ll have to come up with something that throws Shara into Rowe’s arms won’t I? Higgins is ready for Felix but Felix isn’t anyone fool so it should be interesting to see what happens.
Nil-The-Frog - Despite Stuyvestant’s dirty mind I think that Rowe does have a point in that they don’t have much time and they don’t know how large the cavern system is so you could argue that splitting up it the intelligent think to do. Elspeth is definitely the stiff upper lip type, very British.
Coz1 - I think Higgins is going to take all the precautions he can.
There will be the usual delays on the next post and the usual lies about why there is a delay, which you will all be polite about believing no matter how outrageous the lies are. I think it was my uncle Clem who first told me that if you're going to tell a lie then make it a whopper. I haven't found any reason not to follow that advice. In fact I have found that the bigger the lie the better chance you have of people believing it. For some reason they can't believe I'd make up something that crazy. Little do they know me...
Joe
Dead William - Man I am getting old. I just started working out with my total gym to get ready for golf this spring and damn I’m sore!
J. Passepartout - What happens in every horror movie? The heroes split up so that they can die one by one. Will it happen here? I ain’t saying.
Stuyvestant - Well it’s not the first time our heroes did something stupid is it? Hmm I guess I’ll have to come up with something that throws Shara into Rowe’s arms won’t I? Higgins is ready for Felix but Felix isn’t anyone fool so it should be interesting to see what happens.
Nil-The-Frog - Despite Stuyvestant’s dirty mind
I think that Rowe does have a point in that they don’t have much time and they don’t know how large the cavern system is so you could argue that splitting up it the intelligent think to do. Elspeth is definitely the stiff upper lip type, very British.Coz1 - I think Higgins is going to take all the precautions he can.
There will be the usual delays on the next post and the usual lies about why there is a delay, which you will all be polite about believing no matter how outrageous the lies are. I think it was my uncle Clem who first told me that if you're going to tell a lie then make it a whopper. I haven't found any reason not to follow that advice. In fact I have found that the bigger the lie the better chance you have of people believing it. For some reason they can't believe I'd make up something that crazy. Little do they know me...
Joe
Felix shifted his weight as he began to wonder if anyone was still in the monastery. His right index finger curled up and scratched his palm trying to ease the tension that was beginning to reach the surface of his mind. He looked at the two windows the bordered the front door. They stared back at him, one window winking as it’s cloth shade flickered in the breeze and the other with a steady blind stare that reveled nothing. He pulled his eyes away from them and looked once again at the front door noting the scars from weather and human usage covering decades, possibly centuries, when suddenly it started to slowly open. He waited as a white mass of considerable volume emerged from the shadowed interior and began to fill the doorway. A slow cautious but increasingly flowing movement that hinted at grace hidden by bulk as it kept filling the doorway. Felix felt the tension flow out of his hand as he calmed down from the realization that his prey was about to walk into his trap. He waited as the man continued to emerge until finally he stood on the door’s threshold, resplendent in a faded white suit. Felix smiled as he saw that there was a faded yellow carnation in his lapel and a gun in his right hand. From the reports this could only be one man.
“Mr. Higgins, a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Higgins paused as he looked at the German. He was determined to drag this conversation out as long as he could or die trying. He mentally jerked at the poor choice of phrase before starting.
“You have the advantage sir.”
Felix took a step forward in what he hoped looked like a friendly response.
“Herr Felix Fassbinder at your service.”
Higgins opened his mouth to say something but quickly closed it as he scanned the area behind Felix.
“I see you’ve brought your minions with you. Safety in numbers?”
Felix glanced behind him and turned back to Higgins, smiling.
“You never can be too careful while traveling in a strange country, wouldn’t you agree.”
Higgins grunted a non-response but his suit followed his shoulders and wrinkled its distain at Felix’s answer. Felix paused for a brief moment before deciding on how to best proceed.
“I think we can deal with this situation in a civilized manner don’t you?
“Ha! Did you know, Mr. Fassbinder, that some of the natives of Borneo consider it perfectly civilized to occasionally eat their guests.”
Higgins sniffed his distain before continuing.
“Now if you don’t mind Mr. Fassbinder, what can I do for you?”
An irratated Felix barked his answer.
“First, you and your companions can come outside, without your weapons.”
“Ha! A man of few words, thank the gods for modest gifts. I was worried you would be another Krafft, all too many words followed by incoherent bluster and ending in violence. I can see you’re made of finer material than that. Now as to weapons, should a mother have to leave her child behind in order to be allowed to escape a burning house? I know you will think less of me when I tell you but I’ve grown accustomed, nay I should say fond of my guns and consider them part of my family. So I’m sure you can understand my reluctance at leaving them behind.”
Felix’s smile was slowly draining off his face leaving behind an emotionless slab of intense concentration.
“You can’t be serious.”
“Can’t encompasses the connotation of not being allowed. Is that your meaning of the word sir?”
Felix frowned, confused at where the conversation was headed. He decided to try to pull it back on subject.
“Nonetheless I must insist that you and your companions abandon your search and join my group, as my guests.”
“And what is to be our fate if we decide on accepting your unique form of hospitality?”
Felix took a deep breath and straightened up slightly, looking Higgins in the eye.
“You, Mr. Pasquale and Herr Vetterman will accompany me back to Berlin and help in the further investigation of the manuscripts. The others will be escorted out of the country and set free. I already know that they are of no consequence to this endeavor. As long as they don’t return they will not be harmed. After helping us you will also be free to go wherever you wish. Even back to the Middle East if your fancy leads you there.”
Higgins pursed his lips in mock concentration.
“Most generous sir, if you consider being a prisoner in Berlin for an indefinite period of time generous.”
Felix held up his hand.
“My generosity has limits. The consequence of refusal will be swift and final.”
Felix saw out of the corner of his eye three figures high up on the cliff inching toward the caves and decided that a slight delay in the conversation would be needed to buy Wolfgang some more time.
“My apologies if I sound harsh, perhaps you would like to explain what you were doing visiting these three monasteries today?”
“I don’t mind if I do tell you sir. We were running down the last of our clues and as I’m sure you know we failed to find anything of value. This was our last chance to find anything and after talking with Father Makhlouf we found out that this monastery wasn’t even built until the late 18th century. So as one of my companions, Mr. Rowe said it’s three strikes and you’re out.”
Felix was puzzled and asked.
“The meaning of this phrase?”
“Oh, it has something to do with a game they play in America. Some pale imitation of cricket. It means we have found nothing of value.”
“As gratified as I am at this bit of knowledge I must offer my condolences at your failure but now I must insist that you and your companions surrender your weapons.”
Higgins detected a small movement to the right of Felix.
“I must confer with my companions sir. We have an egalitarian approach to running our group and I can’t make a decision of this import without their agreement. A moment of you time is all I ask.”
Felix took out a pocket watch from his coat.
“You have five minutes Mr. Higgins. After that I will find other, less pleasant, ways to express myself.”
Felix turned to go, as did Higgins when a shot rang out, the sound reverberating along the canyon until it faded into the sound of the rushing stream.
“Mr. Higgins, a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Higgins paused as he looked at the German. He was determined to drag this conversation out as long as he could or die trying. He mentally jerked at the poor choice of phrase before starting.
“You have the advantage sir.”
Felix took a step forward in what he hoped looked like a friendly response.
“Herr Felix Fassbinder at your service.”
Higgins opened his mouth to say something but quickly closed it as he scanned the area behind Felix.
“I see you’ve brought your minions with you. Safety in numbers?”
Felix glanced behind him and turned back to Higgins, smiling.
“You never can be too careful while traveling in a strange country, wouldn’t you agree.”
Higgins grunted a non-response but his suit followed his shoulders and wrinkled its distain at Felix’s answer. Felix paused for a brief moment before deciding on how to best proceed.
“I think we can deal with this situation in a civilized manner don’t you?
“Ha! Did you know, Mr. Fassbinder, that some of the natives of Borneo consider it perfectly civilized to occasionally eat their guests.”
Higgins sniffed his distain before continuing.
“Now if you don’t mind Mr. Fassbinder, what can I do for you?”
An irratated Felix barked his answer.
“First, you and your companions can come outside, without your weapons.”
“Ha! A man of few words, thank the gods for modest gifts. I was worried you would be another Krafft, all too many words followed by incoherent bluster and ending in violence. I can see you’re made of finer material than that. Now as to weapons, should a mother have to leave her child behind in order to be allowed to escape a burning house? I know you will think less of me when I tell you but I’ve grown accustomed, nay I should say fond of my guns and consider them part of my family. So I’m sure you can understand my reluctance at leaving them behind.”
Felix’s smile was slowly draining off his face leaving behind an emotionless slab of intense concentration.
“You can’t be serious.”
“Can’t encompasses the connotation of not being allowed. Is that your meaning of the word sir?”
Felix frowned, confused at where the conversation was headed. He decided to try to pull it back on subject.
“Nonetheless I must insist that you and your companions abandon your search and join my group, as my guests.”
“And what is to be our fate if we decide on accepting your unique form of hospitality?”
Felix took a deep breath and straightened up slightly, looking Higgins in the eye.
“You, Mr. Pasquale and Herr Vetterman will accompany me back to Berlin and help in the further investigation of the manuscripts. The others will be escorted out of the country and set free. I already know that they are of no consequence to this endeavor. As long as they don’t return they will not be harmed. After helping us you will also be free to go wherever you wish. Even back to the Middle East if your fancy leads you there.”
Higgins pursed his lips in mock concentration.
“Most generous sir, if you consider being a prisoner in Berlin for an indefinite period of time generous.”
Felix held up his hand.
“My generosity has limits. The consequence of refusal will be swift and final.”
Felix saw out of the corner of his eye three figures high up on the cliff inching toward the caves and decided that a slight delay in the conversation would be needed to buy Wolfgang some more time.
“My apologies if I sound harsh, perhaps you would like to explain what you were doing visiting these three monasteries today?”
“I don’t mind if I do tell you sir. We were running down the last of our clues and as I’m sure you know we failed to find anything of value. This was our last chance to find anything and after talking with Father Makhlouf we found out that this monastery wasn’t even built until the late 18th century. So as one of my companions, Mr. Rowe said it’s three strikes and you’re out.”
Felix was puzzled and asked.
“The meaning of this phrase?”
“Oh, it has something to do with a game they play in America. Some pale imitation of cricket. It means we have found nothing of value.”
“As gratified as I am at this bit of knowledge I must offer my condolences at your failure but now I must insist that you and your companions surrender your weapons.”
Higgins detected a small movement to the right of Felix.
“I must confer with my companions sir. We have an egalitarian approach to running our group and I can’t make a decision of this import without their agreement. A moment of you time is all I ask.”
Felix took out a pocket watch from his coat.
“You have five minutes Mr. Higgins. After that I will find other, less pleasant, ways to express myself.”
Felix turned to go, as did Higgins when a shot rang out, the sound reverberating along the canyon until it faded into the sound of the rushing stream.
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I love the way you can still find new and different ways to describe a movement by Higgins. I see you left us with another trademark Storey cliffhanger with the last shot. Seeing as how our usual protests do no good, I will calmly await your next update.
I see you left us with another trademark Storey cliffhanger with the last shot. Seeing as how our usual protests do no good, I will calmly await your next update.
A cliffhanger Storey? How unlike you!
A great tale as always. I like how Felix and Alastair (Won't he hate me for using his first name) both try to play for time, for different reasons.
BTW, don't feel bad about muscle pains, I am alraedy experiencing those lovely twinges of approaching age myself. It has more to do with our sedentary lifestyles than our age, I think.
Don't fall off your home-made cliff, now you hear? DW
A great tale as always. I like how Felix and Alastair (Won't he hate me for using his first name) both try to play for time, for different reasons.
BTW, don't feel bad about muscle pains, I am alraedy experiencing those lovely twinges of approaching age myself. It has more to do with our sedentary lifestyles than our age, I think.
Don't fall off your home-made cliff, now you hear? DW