Mystery and Mayhem and St Marks

Mystery and Mayhem At St Mark's

A Sequel

by

Joel

Seq: 22:

Some of the Characters Appearing or Mentioned: Mark Henry Foster The story-teller: Newly graduated. Tristan (Tris) Price-Williams His well-proportioned boyfriend. Francis Michael Foster Mark's younger brother Adam Benjamin Carr Mark's cousin Ivo Richie Carr Ditto, as his twin; a diplomat Sophia Carr Their mother in Dorset George Carr Their father: A farmer Victoria ['Tory] Carr Ivo's wife George Henry Carr Ivo and 'Tory's very young son Sir Henry Machin 'Tory's father, something in the City Lady Mary Machin 'Tory's mother Ignasz Zendener The hotel manager in Strelzen Tomas, Igor, Frantischek; Receptionists and students Aloys zum Adamszberh Rector of the Rodolfer University Jerzy zum Adamszberh His son, studying at Cambridge Tadeuz Galenosz A botanist, also at Cambridge Andrei zu Glottenberh Rothenian Army Officer [Special Services] Lucasz Voynovich Rothenian Army Officer [Signals Division] David Vinodosj Taxi driver: Probably secret police

Friday

It was if nothing had happened the day before. I woke, refreshed and spooned up against my beloved Tris. I had to really think about some of the things we'd experienced. Almost a surrealistic dream but dominated by the image of that elegant lady embossed on the golden disc. Tris was still asleep and the clock by the bed said it was not quite seven o'clock. I slid out of bed and peered out of the window and was struck by the beauty of the sight. The window faced over the valley. I caught a glimpse of the river running parallel to the road and in the distance were the hills and behind them quite high mountains. Yes, there were ruined buildings on two of the slopes but with the forests and the fields below I sensed that there was an inherent peacefulness in the whole scene. I could see groups of houses, usually grouped around a spired church and took these to be some of the numerous villages I had seen on the nurseryman's map. A couple of cars and what I took to be the postbus passed in the distance. I wondered what we would do today? Yes. One thing was to visit Herr Walcker at Krystaz for hyssop and something else. I remembered that wasn't far from Rechtenberg and we had to confirm things with the nurseryman there.

Tris was still snoring as I wandered along the corridor and found the unoccupied bathroom and washed and shaved. Back in the room I dressed and sat down and opened up Tris's laptop. I scrolled through the photos he'd taken. It was a straightforward record of our adventure but what caught my eye, and I couldn't stop gazing at the image for some time, was Brett holding up that disc so reverentially like a priest in some ancient rite. In the next one Tris had zoomed in on the disc and the top of Brett's head. I loaded that photo into his picture editing program and managed to crop until all I had was just the disc and the hands holding it. It was perfect. Tris had caught it so all the detail was there. The engraving of St Fenice was so finely done one could even see the tiny lines which made her smile so realistic. Her eyes seemed to look straight at you. Not through you, but if sharing some secret knowledge. I remembered what Frankie had taught me and got rid of the rather prosaic wallpaper Tris had of Stonehenge and substituted that image. I would load it down onto my laptop as soon as I got back, too.

"What you doing?" Tris said and yawned. Big lug! Always tired, except when he wanted sexual satisfaction! I grinned at myself as he stretched and showed off his muscly pectorals. My big lug! He wasn't tired now and he wasn't getting anything as I carried over his laptop and he, too, gazed for a long time at the image and I gazed at him. "We must learn more about her," he said quietly and I concentrated now on his voice, "I felt her presence yesterday. She saved Brett from being shot and I'm sure the lightning was her doing. I shall have to write down all I've experienced and heard. You must do the same. Anyway, we'll have to do a report for Andrei and his bosses."

I agreed, then said I'd better tell James Tanner about our progress. I kissed him on the forehead as he settled down in the bed again. I then drafted an e-mail not saying much about the main adventure other than that we had located the Wildenstejn house, but noting we were being very successful in getting herb and plant suppliers. I cc'd it to Logan as well, asking him to give a copy to Curt and another for him to give to Dr Mays. I did a second to Dr Stein just saying that through a happy accident we had found the house and attached a .jpg from Tris's batch to it. A third was to the Colonel via Ibrahim. I cc'd that one to Ivo. This gave as much detail as possible but was getting dangerously long. Others were to Dr Masterton asking for anything she could find on St Fenice; one to Toad just to say we were OK; and, lastly, one to Adam, just saying talk to the Colonel, more later. Tris roused himself and went off to the bathroom as I finished typing and said he would ask if he could hook up again to the telephone point. Complicated but...

By this time I could hear others stirring. Jerzy's uncle had gone back down to the farmhouse the night before as he said he had proper work to do! I waited for Tris to return and mulled over what I might write in my report. We had a morning hug before going downstairs and meeting up with the other two in the large sitting-room.

"Breakfast in the kitchen," said Jerzy and we went through and down into an enormous basement room with scrubbed tables and a huge range and a rather incongruous looking electric hob and oven. The smell was heavenly for hungry lads. Two elderly ladies, the housekeeper and cook I assumed, were there and we were served with most scrumptious black sausages, fried eggs from a griddle, hot bread, creamy butter, a blueberry preserve and bowls of hot coffee. Jerzy went off with a tray explaining his Grandfather always took breakfast in his room.

When he returned our day was planned. We would drive up towards the mountains and then take a walk. No climbing, just a quiet morning to savour the countryside. We would have lunch in a wayside 'gasthaus' and then try to catch some trout for supper in the river. We would be staying another night and then set off to see Herr Walcker and the nurseryman in the morning on our way back to Strelzen. Jerzy would phone them about the altered plans. All sorted. As in the 'Darling Buds of May' Perfick!

We stopped off at the farmhouse so Tris could send the e-mails and while there Jerzy spoke to a tall, blond, hunky-looking lad of about seventeen who was effortlessly carrying a huge bag of wheat or something over to a sty full of hungry pigs.

"That is Stepan, he is the Steward's grandson," explained Jerzy when he got back into the car, "He will come this afternoon to the river as he is very good at catching fish."

Tris asked if he was one of the farm workers. Jerzy shook his head. "No, he is at the Gymno in Rechtenberg and next year he will be joining the military school at Alfensberh for officer training. He works here during the holiday for pocket money." He laughed. "I think he is related as people say his mother is one of Grandfather's extras."

"So that unlucky shot didn't affect anything else?" Tris asked.

Both Jerzy and Tad laughed.

"My Grandfather is said to have at least six other sons and daughters. One, who looks just like my Father, was the Principal of the Gymno in Rechtenberg and his son is at the Rodolfer now and we are often mistaken for each other."

Well, from the sight of Stepan and Jerzy, Jerzy's Grandfather had genes for hunkiness in abundance and it seemed they passed through sons as well as daughters!

"It is genetics," said Tad, confirming my thoughts, "I nearly hit on Karlosj thinking he was Jerzy and he just laughed and said he was straight but he might also fancy his 'cousin' as well if he was desperate. They all know, but it was very common for the landowner to take to bed any young girl he fancied."

"Yes," said Jerzy, "But they never lost out. There is a mill still standing which one ancestor gave to the son from one of the maids. He went to America later and became very rich. We will look at that today as it was given back." He grinned. "It is quite historic."

Tris was laughing. "I've only read about such things. It's called 'droit de seigneur' and seems to have been very common all over Europe."

I had read of it as well and of course there were all our Kings and their mistresses as well. Uncle Nick said he always thought half the House of Lords were descended from Charles the Second's bastards, Fitz-this and Fitz-that, and so wasn't ever surprised at any shenanigans amongst them, or the Royal Family, and he'd been Counsel in several cases in the High Court to prove it.

After the shenanigans of the day before this day just unfolded calmly with no hassles. Leaving the car we trekked up to a bluff and surveyed the tranquil, rolling countryside. A stop at an ancient timbered gasthaus was a real eye-opener. The dining-room was decorated with old farming and trade implements and was busy with holiday-makers from the bigger towns below. Lunch was the most mouth-watering Rothenian roast lamb on a bed of roast vegetables accompanied by tankards of home-brewed beer. Tris paid with some of our krone.

We had arranged to meet Stepan at the river bank at four o'clock when that part of the river would be in shade and on the way back to the farm house we stopped to look at the mill which had been given for pleasures enjoyed. We parked the car and strolled down to the river where we just lazed and sun-bathed quite unobserved, trying to achieve all-over tans and were only interrupted by the attentions of some rather vicious-looking flies.

I was almost asleep when two things aroused me. Firstly there was the thud of something hitting something else at intervals, and then a merry whistle was heard. Four nude lads sat up and, after introductions and shaking hands, explanations were forthcoming. Stepan was carrying a bow and was dressed in a loose red jerkin and baggy pants, just like an archer of a bygone age. It was explained it was his hobby, encouraged by Jerzy's Grandfather who, obviously, had a very soft spot for the lad. "He also has a wonderful bird for hunting, too, which Grandfather gave him," said Jerzy as Stepan stood and smiled at us. Then, without batting an eyelid, he put the bow down and the most gorgeous hunk stripped off, too. Where do they make them? He and Jerzy must have carried the same genes. He was younger and his muscles were even more developed than Jerzy's, but for that they could have been brothers. They also shared one other attribute. A thick, flaccid circumcised cock was so evident on each.

Young Stepan was not shy. While he was talking to Jerzy he was, as it were, sizing up Tris and me. He'd no doubt already seen Jerzy and Tad in the undressed mode before, but we were new and needed to be appraised and assessed. We must have passed muster as he stood up, displaying a rather thickened member, and beckoned us.

"Come with me, please," he said in good English. Wow, were we being led off to be taken advantage of? No! "Please, quiet," he said and we almost tiptoed to the river bank. "Here, no sun," he waved a hand. "We lie here. Fish under. You feel and catch."

He lay down flat and crawled to the edge of the bank. Without looking he put his arm into the water and must have been putting his hand into a crevice or something. Suddenly his arm jerked up and a fish flew back just missing Tris's bare leg. It was all done so quicky. Stepan rolled over and caught the still twitching fish by the tail and hit its head against a convenient large stone. It was about nine inches long and Tad, who had joined us, said "Forelle. I think you say 'trout'". Yep, it was just like the brown trout I'd seen on the slab in Galsworthy's our local fishmongers when I'd been sent to collect some for a dinner party.

After that we all had a go taking up positions where Stepan indicated along the bank. I felt a fish twice but wasn't quick enough to grab it. After ten minutes both Tad and Jerzy had caught one each and then a cry of triumph from Tris as another nine-incher hit the deck. Stepan had another three already, then I struck gold, or brown. The slippery monster was in my grasp and out it came and hit Tad full on his stomach as he was sitting up watching having caught a second. At least I matched Tris in that detail as well, nine inches of fish I mean.

Stepan was most loquacious over our prowess. Well, as Tad and Jerzy gave the lad a hug what could we do? Even Pugsy, I felt, couldn't match that muscle power as ironclad pecs and washboard stomach pressed against me. His arm strayed down my back and our thighs met and were pressed together. Only the greatest willpower, or the long-term effects of the beer prevented an immediate erection, although a flow of blood was somewhat evident. Tris wasn't so lucky, or perhaps he was, as he rewarded Stepan's hug by a complete hardening of his wonderful prick. Not to worry, Stepan was in the same state with six and a half inches of well- formed circumcised dick. Jerzy slapped his backside and they exchanged some banter which set Tad laughing as Jerzy slapped the lad's arse again. "Stepan says he often wondered if the English were made the same as us Rothenians and now he knows. He says even better than him and his 'cousin'!" I could warm to Stepan quite readily: a truthful lad! Tris was a good seven inches hard!!

This little episode emboldened me to ask the question which had been bugging me. I pointed at Stepan's erection and at the now slightly less than flaccid members dangling from the other two. "I have noticed many boys here are circumcised. Is there a reason?"

Jerzy laughed and pointed, too, at Stepan and said something to him in Rothenian. Stepan laughed and ringed his rampant cock with the finger and thumb of his left hand and waved it back and forth.

"I explain," Jerzy said, "It goes back to that War. The people knew the Nazis did not like Jews..." Rather an understatement but he continued. "...So to confuse them and make them look foolish many families had their babies circumcised. Even now it is so. People forget why, but we boys lose our skin." He laughed. "If we do not like a boy who has his skin we do that..." Stepan waggled his cock again. "...and say he must be 'jungernen'. That is a great insult. It means he must be a follower which was what those who were in the young people's groups were called behind their backs."

Tris said very few boys in England were circumcised, mainly those who were Jewish or Muslim. Stepan was listening intently and must have been able to translate that. He pointed at Tris's dick which was now deflating. "I haf two friends like that. They say it is better.." Ooh, young Stepan began to blush but he was quite forthright. "...They show. No spit. Is true, eh?"

Tris nodded. "It is true. But one has to wash carefully under." He pointed to his rather substantial foreskin.

Stepan looked at Jerzy who must have translated that. Stepan nodded. More revelations. "Mine better for suck they say." Here the blush was quite pronounced. Jerzy said something else. Stepan smiled. "Jerzy say OK many boys try. Try all things he say." With that body and that prick he would be top of a list of things to try! I looked at Tris who was grinning his head off. Tad and Jerzy were heaving with laughter. Tad said something to Stepan in Rothenian. "He say I got big mouth." He sniggered. "Good for suck, eh? Need it!" He pointed at Tris's now, thankfully, flaccid dong. "Good big!"

Jerzy was even getting a little embarrassed we thought. He slapped Stepan quite hard and said something. Stepan pouted. Then his eyes crinkled. He was incorrigible just like the Toad! "OK, I keep mouth shut. Only open to eat he say. I eat all thing." He laughed. "I like der bratwurst big!"

Jerzy must have repented the slap he'd given and liked that reference. He hugged Stepan again and Stepan winked at us over his shoulder. "I good boy," he said as Jerzy left off the hug.

"It is that school," said Jerzy. "Many of the boys come from farms and they see animals all the time. You know. And all are strong from helping like Stepan." He put an arm round Stepan's shoulder. "Yes, you are a good boy. You will be a good soldier. A good officer."

Stepan beamed. "I want to go special force. I haf friend his brother is Corporal and he says it is best. I haf been chosen for officer school so I must try very good."

Tris went over to him. "You are good, anyway. I have never caught a fish like that. Thank you for teaching me." He caught hold of Stepan's hand and another Rothenian soul was his. How do you do it, Tris? There was a look of complete surrender to Tris's will. That boy was putty in his hands. He leaned forward and kissed Stepan's cheek. How much further? I wasn't to be left out. I clasped Stepan's other hand and planted a kiss on his other cheek. Jerzy tapped me on the shoulder.

I turned and let go of the hand. Jerzy was shaking his head and grinning as the lad was still staring into Tris's eyes. "That boy is supposed to be straight," he whispered, "He will be staying overnight. He could share your bed as that is where he usually sleeps when he is at Grandfather's." I was quite flabbergasted. Were we being offered the perfect body on a plate? The grin broadened. "No, I joke. I think he would like that but he must sleep in the small room. Anyway we would have him first if he were willing! Look at Tad."

"Bastard!" I said, grinning as well, "You were raising my hopes..."

"...And that," he said pointing downwards. Oh, Gawd, it doesn't take much for a contact like that to cause an effect. I looked at Tad who was staring fixedly at Stepan and whose own just about seven incher was fully rampant.

"I think you will have to keep Tad chained up tonight or the small room might be invaded.... ...Tell me where it is!"

Our badinage was being monitored now by the others. I saw Stepan nod downwards at Tad's erection. "Very good," he said, poking Tris in the back and pointing. "All big boys, eh!"

Jerzy said something which I guessed was 'Behave yourself' but Stepan was on a high. "Some friends not big but not matter. They friends for me." He looked at me and pointed at Tris. "Jerzy and Tadeuz very good friends. You very good friends, eh?" Ouch, to be outed in public. Why not. I went over to Tris and kissed him. A real smacker on the lips. Stepan clapped his hands. "I like. I give." He marched round to each of the four of us and delivered a hug and a kiss. "We all good friends. I like English boys. I tell my friends all good. They all big not like two I know!" He looked pointedly at Jerzy and Tad.

That pair of wrongly attributed 'not so big' were almost in hysterics. Both caught hold of Stepan and, as big and muscular as he was, turned him over and smacked his backside a couple of times each. A grinning Stepan stood up straight and saluted. "Good discipline. I like that! They good big really!"

We went back to our clothes and put them on. A dozen fine trout were in the plastic bags Stepan had brought with him. We carried them up to the farm house as Jerzy drove back and saw his Uncle who just pointed to the track up to the big house. There Tad and Stepan disappeared to the kitchen and we were introduced to Stepan's grandfather who was big and burly with the usual moustaches. He and Jerzy's Grandfather were playing chess and we sat and watched as the game finished. Jerzy's grandfather pointed at the other man. "He win. I win tomorrow." Stepan's grandfather had no English so we waited while Jerzy, we assumed described us and then the fishing exploit as he held his hands apart and we knew it wasn't Stepan's dick he was describing by the distance! The old boy would not stay for supper but Stepan was there as star of the show. He and Tad had gutted and deboned the fish and Jerzy's Aunt had cooked them with a delicately flavoured sauce to accompany them. Bliss. I had been a hunter and gatherer that afternoon and felt I had accomplished something. I had read about 'tickling for trout' and now had savoured the results.

Yes, Stepan was staying overnight. Yes, he was sleeping in the small room just next to ours and he slept unmolested, at least by us, but as Tris and I exchanged our own love we reminisced together and he was a prime source of imagery I was sure. In the morning our door opened just after six. There was a kiss for both on our cheeks. "I must go to work. Perhaps we see again. I love you both. Best love." Like a rather substantial will-o'the-wisp he was gone and two 'best loving' lads exchanged their love for each other again.

At breakfast Jerzy and Tad were in a very animated mood. After substantial plates of luscious looking ham and cheese were placed in front of us and the elderly ladies had retreated Jerzy asked, "Were you visited this morning?" We nodded. He laughed. "As we went to bed he asked quite seriously if you would have liked him in bed with you for the night. He said he was quite willing and it was almost as if he had fallen in love with you. I think it was you, mainly." He looked at Tris who grinned back.

Tris then told the pair what Stepan had said. I said Tris seemed to have that effect on most Rothenian lads and said about the young men at the hotel and Yniold, plus the incident of juicy cock-licking at the Spa.

"Our boys are rather uninhibited, you can say," said Jerzy. He looked at Tad. "We met really when our soccer team at school won and we had, I think it is called, a circle-jerk." He laughed. "He had such a firm grip and we kept together after that. Plus several other circle- jerks with many friends."

I then told them the whole story about Brett and Fraser and how the bug was found and then placed in their room. Tris added the bit about Igor spending the night. They were highly amused with the description of that and just about collapsed with the tale of the photo session.

"I know that studio, I think," said Jerzy. "It is not the one I was photographed in but all will make photos like that. I hope they get more money. For more than that they can make a fortune but not good at another studio I hear. Many boys and girls have HIV because more money for no condoms there. Our gay society at Rodolfer gives advice to schools but boys like more money." I thought at least our trio just shot their loads, but what about Igor? He laughed. "Perhaps we get Stepan photographed. I saw photos like him. A boy with a lion's skin and called 'Young Hercules'. He could be a matador with sword and then bull's head."

Tris made a sword swishing movement with his knife. "And then holding up the bull's balls at the end with his foot up on the bull's head showing his."

"You are rude," said Tad, laughing. "You must not compare. Stepan has big balls but they do not hang like a bull." Yep, that's two of us who had noted that particular attribute of Stepan's. Big but tight up.

We were still giggling when the ladies brought in a further platter. This of finely sliced chicken breasts and a fruit marmalade with more new bread. Talk about sex and boy's attributes ceased and four contented lads finished with smiles on their faces. Jerzy looked at his watch.

"We must go soon. I will go up and thank Grandfather and we will visit my Aunt before we go on to Krystaz and Rechtenberg."

While he was gone Tad said how much he had enjoyed our company and when all was over and we were back in Cambridge perhaps we could meet and discuss it all. Yes, of course. But I had the feeling all was not over yet.

Jerzy came down laughing. "Grandfather is no fool. He wanted to know where Stepan slept last night. He is very fond of that boy and I told him he was quite alright as he had slept alone. Grandfather just snorted and said boys must be taught all things like his father's groom had taught him when he was Stepan's age. Then he can find out about girls, he said." Jerzy looked at Tad. "You, me, or both?"

"What about us?" Tris asked before Tad had a chance to say anything.

"With that boy," Tad said with an expansive gesture taking in all of us, "The more the merrier, I think you say. I am sure he would wear me out in half an hour."

I muttered "Poor old man!" and Tad laughed and waved a fist at me.

"He is seventeen and I am twenty-three. When I was seventeen all the time..." He realised a confession was needed. "...Now it is with love and I keep it all for him." Two hunks hugged each other. They turned to us and there was an all-round hug.

We carried our bags to the car having thanked the elderly ladies and called in on the farm and were shown the barns and two new tractors as Tad said many of the younger men moved into the growing towns and did not want to do heavy farm work. Jerzy's Aunt kissed us all and must have said something about Stepan. She gave Tad a bag of apples and Jerzy waited until we were in the car before telling Tris and me what she had said.

"My Aunt thinks he is in love and wonders who it could be. Very sudden, she said, he wasn't like it last week."

"I think you and Jerzy must do something about it. Invite him to come and stay with you for a couple of days," Tris said. He then went on to say about the 'helping-hands' we had been to Bozo and Raph. A bit more than just the hands but they got the message. Even if Stepan was quite straight he was, as we had noted, still a questing soul. He had one more year at Gymno and he should be somewhat experienced before he went to officer training. Tris said one of his favourite stories was of the fighting troops of Sparta. The Theban Band. Both Jerzy and Tad nodded. Their classical education had been quite comprehensive as well.

As we coasted down into Krystaz they decided the sooner the better. Not a seduction but an education. Even just the thought of that, although I had been the most willing partner just a couple of hours ago for my dear Tris, made an immediate impact on my hormonal system. It was with some difficulty I extricated myself out of the back seat of the car. No worry. There were four definitely horny lads who stood looking at the neat rows of poly-tunnels behind the old-fashioned wooden chalet-type house with 'Helmut Walcker' prominently displayed on the board by the side gate. There was some less than surreptitious rearranging of nether regions before Jerzy opened the gate and we filed in.

If there was a competition for moustaches then Herr Walcker would have won it hands down. A terrific forked beard was surmounted by a waxed and curled structure which would have made Salvador Dali green with envy. A cherubic face and twinkling eyes completed the picture of radiant good health. Behind him stood three much younger men, early to late twenties, each with a small beard and a small moustache. Introductions all round. The Walcker sons all worked for Dad. Tad knew one who had studied Botany at the Rodolfer two years ahead of him. We heard they supplied even the upmarket hotels and restaurants as far away as Strelzen with a fine selection of salad crops, and herbs were their speciality. In the big kitchen Mrs Walcker fussed round us with glasses of fruit wine and lovely homemade sweet cakes. Tad did all the negotiating and a massive order was put in for dried herbs, but especially for angelica and hyssop, both of which Tad said were getting difficult to find in quantity and of the quality of the samples we were shown. He was sure the College would make a fine profit for any surplus and I thought the College would have superb herbs for Cheffie and his minions to use especially in the food for the Dining Room. All in all a successful visit.

We did a little tour of Rechtenberg before descending on the nursery. There was the Gymno and, below the great fortress, the rather austere-looking barracks of the military college of Alfensberh, across a broad expanse of parade ground. We forbore to stop and watch the changing of the guard and the soccer match on the adjacent playing field. Too much eye-candy as Tris averred as we had to stop while a troop of gym-shirted and short-shorted recruits ran in three ranks in perfect step across the road. Tanned torsos and thighs were much in evidence and there was a concerted 'Waughhh' from inside the car as we drove on.

"Bloody hell!" said Tris, "There were at least twenty Stepan's in that lot. Makes the blood run hot!"

"I think our Stepan is better than any of those," said Tad, "He's got muscles and brains. Most of that lot looked a bit vacant up above."

"I wasn't looking above," said Tris, "Those shorts were more than tight on most of those."

"I agree," said Jerzy, "Full of promise, I say!" We all snickered.

I still had Stepan on my brain as I wondered if we should tell Andrei about this most- willing recruit to officer training. He'd said he wanted to be in special forces and we knew Andrei was. A lad to watch in the future I thought. Full of promise even now!

At the nursery all our negotiations were concluded most satisfactorily. Tad was soon in deep conversation with another man who came through from the greenhouses. He was the second owner and he showed us several new ranges of herbs which they were developing. Just squeezing a few leaves of one left our hands smelling sweet. "That one is to go to France," explained Tad, "It will be in Provence for their herb growers there he says." He smiled. "I think I would like to work in such a place as this. Perhaps one day I might have my own."

All too soon it seemed we were on the motorway to Strelzen and arrived back at the hotel having stopped for some lunch in a small village on the way. Our arrival at the hotel was hilarious. Not only was there the usual contingent of Tomas, Igor and Frantischek in the lobby, but my cousin Ivo had the three lined up in front of him and was giving them a very serious English lesson. As we entered each in turn was repeating "Thirty thousand feathers on a thrush's throat" which needs a lot of concentration on 'th' and 'f' for non-native English speakers. All that was abandoned as soon as they spotted our entry. Anyway, for someone harassed by coping with a new baby, Ivo looked all bright and cheerful but that changed with his first words directed at us.

"Trust the pair of you to cause mayhem. I had to see the other pair off yesterday so that's two days of my leave down the chute already!" It didn't last. The three lads' eyes were nearly popping out as Ivo hugged and kissed the pair of us, and then turned and did the same to the unsuspecting pair of Jerzy and Tad.

"Thanks for bringing them back," he said to them, "I was just dreading a diplomatic incident. Luckily I've seen Andrei..." This said to all of us. "...He and his boss would like to see you all tomorrow morning. Plenty to tell and explain." He turned to Jerzy and Tad and said something in Rothenian. They nodded. He turned back to us. "Just telling them where. It's an order for them from the Minister which I have in writing but, for you, a verbal invitation to assist from Her Majesty's Government." He grinned. "If you don't agree I'll have to clap you in irons according to some decree of seventeen hundred and something. Anyway that'll be another of my days gone! And a Sunday!!"

"Stop chuntering!" Tris said, "I need a pee and that's a diplomatic way of saying it. May we go up and get sorted out." He turned to the assembled lads who were listening intently. "We'll tell you something if we can....."

"....Is it arrests?" interrupted Tomas, "On television they say many in prison. The other English said they had..." He searched for a word. "... rescue from tree and room." He looked at Ivo who held up a hand and said some more in Rothenian. The three lads were nodding their heads and Jerzy and Tad were grinning.

"It's OK," Ivo said turning to us, "I've explained that many things are happening and they will find out in good time but they must be careful that tongues don't wag." He said a bit more in Rothenian to them and they looked quite solemn when he finished. "I said they must take care and keep a good eye out for suspicious people."

"Like fat hairy man," Tomas said. His English comprehension was advancing fast.

The five of us went up to our room. There Tris and I spent a good half hour filling in all the details of our adventure with Ivo taking copious notes. When we had finished he asked Jerzy and Tad if they agreed with our version of the events. They said they agreed and Ivo passed over the signed order from the Minister for them to appear in the morning at ten o'clock. They looked at each other with quite serious faces after reading it. A Governmental Order must be like a Royal Command in their country. To be obeyed!

"One of your Ministry lawyers will be there. I have spoken to him and have met him on several occasions, but if you want your own lawyer to be there please let them know tonight. I hope it won't be too formal but I do know as the lad said there have been a number of arrests."

I asked if he and 'Tory could come out for dinner. "Bit awkward. New baby and all, but next week some time. Thanks. I must phone for my taxi." He grinned. "You know who!" He turned to Jerzy and Tad and shook their hands. "Thanks again for keeping an eye on this pair. They still need a couple of nannies." They were more relaxed now and laughed. He turned to us. "See you tomorrow. Transport at nine-thirty. Be ready... ...or else!" He was off.

Jerzy and Tad accepted our invitation to a meal and Tris said they should choose where. They went off saying they would book for us and meet us at a rather nice restaurant called the 'Palffy Palac' in the Eichnergasse at eight o'clock.

Tris popped out to get a couple of pastries at the local shop as we were both hungry by now and came back with them on a tray with cups of coffee. "Those lads down below are plotting something I'm sure. Tomas wanted to know if we were going to the Spa tomorrow. I said we might in the afternoon. He said our clean clothes are in the wardrobe so I gave him fifty krone for his mother although he said she did not want it." He laughed. "There's a whole lot of new visitors in, too. Looks like a coach party of oldies. Definitely German and I don't think some of the ladies will fit in the lift."

We went through to the little study and ate and drank and then discussed what we had seen and heard at the house. Tris wrote down a careful description of everything we said and in his lawyerly way read it over, made corrections, then rewrote it neatly. We initialled each page and signed the last page.

"I think that will help tomorrow. It's the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth as far as we're concerned," he said as I put the pages in one of my plastic folders for safe- keeping.

"It will be most interesting to hear about what Andrei called 'progress'" I said as I put the folder in my shoulder bag. "Those thugs were shouting out in Russian so Fraser thought and that note at the Cathedral was in Russian. I guess we've stumbled on something major."

Tris laughed. "Understatement of the year! You don't get a military operation like that just to rescue a couple of lads. Probably the village constable would have cycled up while we were there with a "'Ello, 'Ello, 'Ello, What's agoing on 'ere. You'd better come along quietly me lads'."

"I don't think you'll get an audition for The Bill with that performance. But, seriously, we've also got to do something about the Wildenstejn house as well."

"I think we'd better consult Father Artur or the Rector about that. The Legal Faculty should be able to help. We've got plenty of proof. Better write that about the house and the photos separately." He mused. "Seems rather convenient the other photograph appearing like that."

"It was there all the time," I said, "I'm sure we were meant to find it."

Tris nodded. "I know what you mean. Like Brett in the mausoleum. He knew he was safe. There were things conspiring to help us. When we get back we must go to Ulvescott to report to the Colonel..."

"...And to feel that other presence," I added.

The restaurant was well-chosen. It was in two parts, a very posh dining-room above ground but downstairs, where Jerzy and Tad escorted us, there was a large vaulted cellar with a happy chattering crowd of mainly young people.

"This is much better for us," Jerzy said. "You will like the food..."

"...and the wine," Tad added. "The main vineyards are in my part of the country near Mittenheim."

"You seem to have everything here," said Tris, "Beautiful mountains, lovely towns and lovely people." This last said with a nod towards the pair sitting opposite us.

Tad laughed. "Thank you for the compliments. But we have no sea. Even coming to England I didn't see the sea as I came from Paris through the tunnel. Jerzy took me to Brighton and I had to paddle."

"Yes, and he spent all his money playing the slot machines on the pier."

"But I did win a jackpot with my last coin which was more." He smiled. "I knew I was lucky coming to England. I love Cambridge... ...and I love him!"

Over a most substantial dinner and three types of wine we told them about the affidavit we had written. They said they would do the same as it would probably save time. We kept off talking about the experiences we'd had but, of course, got round to discussing Stepan. They knew he was due for an interview with a high-ranking officer at the main barracks in Strelzen before he started his final year at the Gymno as he would have to be in the 'Hohvojenska Akademij' there. It would be a good idea to get him to Strelzen much sooner to show him around and... What that would lead to was not discussed but one could assume his education would be rounded.

Sunday

Even though we had wined and dined well and had dallied for some time on our return we were both up early and were in the little caf‚ by eight o'clock having a light breakfast. The place filled quite rapidly as the German party filtered in. They might have been pensioners but they were a lively lot and from getting some bits of their conversation with our combined almost nil knowledge of German we thought they were planning to spend the day at the Spa. Yes, we'd noted there were other areas for mixed couples and for females only. Tris nearly choked on his coffee when two of the larger ladies appeared in tight, flowered shorts and superstructures of unknown strength enclosing immense bosoms and one of the larger men, by gesture rather than language, showed he was going to enjoy seeing all that covering removed. The cackling from the rest, male and female, indicated a happy day was going to be had by all.

"From what matey clutched when he was doing that little act I'm sure it wouldn't go far in bridging the gap," Tris whispered as he recovered his composure.

"I expect German pensioners get issued with Viagra 'cause his little stalk was at full stretch," I said. Yep, his overtight, thin, light-coloured trousers hadn't hidden anything. "Going commando, too, I'd say."

"The mind boggles," was Tris's comment as we left the caf‚ to get ready for the next ordeal.

As we entered the hotel Igor was behind the desk in the Reception area with Frantischek arranging chairs and tables in quite a large room beyond. We hadn't seen those doors open before. "You have good night?" Igor asked. Did he mean our evening meal with Tad and Jerzy or the two lengthy sessions of love-making we'd had in the room above on our return? No, Tad and Jerzy hadn't returned with us but thoughts of Stepan's fate at their hands fuelled more than a few images. But he continued without waiting for an answer. "We haf much work. Zos Zermans haf party tonight." So, we didn't have to sort out our 'goodness' of night and the room was explained. "Herr Zenderer say room was for snidanu, that is breakfast, before new cafe was there in road. He say better for persons go zere. Too much trouble to get cooklady." He leaned over the desk. "I tell you that boy in love." He pointed carefully at the assiduously working Franzi. "Much..." His universal wanking gesture was as explicit as the old German's. "Need do. He jealous. My friend Pyotor bigger than him. Give him beating if he make trouble. That German boy good. He is wunderschon." That said with almost a wistful air. "My friend wish to lie with him. He want but shy." He stood up straight. "I tell you this. You know boy and you know me and the English." He laughed. "They say you hear." He nodded emphatically. "That was good night! I do not care. I like. All time!"

Well, if that wasn't a blatant invitation what else could be. But also, Pyotor had confessed to him. We knew Yniold was ready and waiting. Tris was there first.

"Tell Pyotor he is wanted. We know. He must arrange. Soon."

Igor smiled and nodded. "We all at Spa today. If he there I tell him." He shook his head and held up a finger. "Not there. Der Wachmann is looking all time. He not mind small thing...." The universal gesture again. "...not more." He laughed. "Good place at Gymno we know. There good now, no person there." He smiled. "I arrange."

Oh! Igor even more the modern day Pandarus. First, inveigling Brett and Fraser into a photographed wank-session and now engineering a Troilus and Cressida moment for Yniold and Pyotor. Perhaps he might be a go-between for Stepan and the other pair? No, that wasn't necessary. Jerzy and Tad would have no difficulty there.

Pondering all this and watching as Igor turned his attention to scrabbling under the desk I hadn't noticed Tris slip away and scurry upstairs. Igor had found what he wanted. "Zat boy he says you want Zenda trip. Zere are new prices but he says you have zose before. Here is before. You show at ticket shop and say cheap."

"Thank you," I said and tucked the brochure in my trouser pocket. My turn as tutor. "What did Mr Carr teach you?"

He shook his head. "I forget. I say those things too quick." He emphasized the 'th's quite correctly.

I took him through, 'those', 'there', 'that', 'through', 'though', 'throat' and even 'German' with a hard 'G'. It was then that Tris reappeared, not bearing Imodium for gippy tummies, but a pack of three heavy-duty condoms.

He looked to see that Franzi was out of earshot. "Give Pyotor these and say if I hear they are not used he loses..." Here Tris made a universal slicing movement.

Igor grinned. "Thank you. I give them. They will use or I help. Pyotor has big. Need two..." He made two slicing movements with both hands. He shook his head. "He will not hurt his friend he is gentle. We have lie at night many time at my house. Not for that..." He held up the packet. "...We help each other. He is kind. They make good friends." He slipped the packet in his pocket as Franzi came through from the room looking rather hot and a bit dusty. He bowed his head in greeting when he saw us.

"Good morning. I have been busy." He went over to Igor and there was a conversation in Rothenian and we slipped away upstairs.

"Nothing if not forthright," said Tris as he closed the door behind us. "I wonder how much Brett and Fraser told him and whether he knows his night performance was recorded as well? Plenty of sound effects."

"And it sounds as if it won't be long before Yniold and Pyotor make the two-backed beast."

"Not too beastly that pair." He laughed. "I think Igor has a great career ahead. Wankmeister for the masses. And perhaps he should initiate young Franzi as well!"

The image of Stepan and the other pair being choreographed in a filmed wank session with Igor flaunting his as yet unseen by me but imagined cock in a steamy interlude with Frantischek was enough to cause a reasonable increase in length and girth of my own. I had to slightly rearrange matters but Tris had noticed.

"And what were you thinking to bring that on?"

"Not you this time, duckie!" Nice to deflate his ego sometimes! "Just thinking of Igor's massive tackle."

"That is an unsubstantiated supposition so far unless you've had a crafty peep when I've been elsewhere. My guess is the boy's average for age and ear size."

"Ear size?" Yep. We'd had several laughs about comparing ears, hands, noses and feet with size of genitalia. No sensible conclusions had been reached as Tris had pointed out that most of his basketball pals had sizeable feet but unless their plonkers grew like Pinocchio's nose there didn't seem much difference between them and any others he'd observed.

"He's got cute little button ears..," His tongue darted in and out between just-parted lips. "...Just right for a little foreplay." He chuckled.

"Fucking shut up!" I said, feeling even more of a stirring as that and a tongue probing near my Adam's Apple by Tris were sure to get me going.

"Now, now!" he chided, "Doesn't take much to get your hormones running free, does it?" He chuckled again. "But I wouldn't have it any other way. But come on, we'd better get ourselves sorted."

Getting sorted meant putting his laptop plus our joint statement in my bag and spending just a few moments having a quiet hug.

"Don't know what we'll find out this morning but be very careful about what you say," he advised after that little interlude, as we stood by the mirror in the bathroom combing our locks.

"You mean there might be more going on?"

He nodded. "This country's odd and I mean it in the nicest way. I've got used to you and Ulvescott but there are things here which seem a bit more powerful. The way those thugs were dealt with, then what happened in the mausoleum for Brett and that last thing of the soldier finding the photograph."

"I don't know. You must realise I've had a few what you might call premonitions." He nodded again. "I know I was saved up the Chapel tower. There's no doubt about that. That was Piers, I'm sure. I have the feeling I might be a channel, I think that's it. I know I've read something somewhere."

Tris laughed. "Mum's Aunty Daisy used to go to spiritualist meetings until one of the so-called mediums told her he was in touch with her Grandfather who said she would get married to a handsome young man within the next six months. Mum said she was seventy-five and a real old spinster and probably hit the medium with her handbag as she stormed out!" He put out a hand and gripped my arm. "No, I'm not trying to make a joke out of what we've experienced but we must keep level heads. There might be other explanations."

I wondered about that. But, I knew my feelings were strong at times and I thought even Tris had sensed things. Perhaps that wasn't it. Perhaps other explanations. We'd both noted the keyholes in the door. That was a straightforward inference from the information in the burnt documents and the key did fit. But the door closing seemingly of its own accord? And thugs Tasered by invisible forces? How? There did seem to be so many happenings and coincidences, happy or not.

Just before nine-thirty we went down to the lobby. Wow! Most of the group of fairly ancient Germans were there dressed in a range of psychedelic shirts, flowery blouses, horrendous shorts, highly patterned Bermudas or voluminous eye-watering dresses and sporting large sunglasses plus a variety of colourful hats. Igor, Frantischek and Ignasz the owner were surveying them with quite incredulous looks on their faces. The Germans were a merry lot and, as the rest of the party joined them, filed out waving hands, parasols and capacious bags of various sorts.

"They go to the Spa," Ignasz said shaking his head, "I hope the people do not know they stay at this hotel."

"They're harmless," said Tris, "They're enjoying themselves."

"We do not see that in Rothenia. My father would not dress like that."

"But they fill the hotel," I said.

He did smile then. "Yes," he said, "And next year I put price up for them."

"But they might not want to pay more," I said.

"I do not care. I have to say full this year already. Many tourists. Not funny people like them."

"I like them," said Igor, "Give good tip for carry bags. French, no. Nothing." He made a dismissive gesture.

"Americans good. Five dollars from Mrs Clements. I keep for going to America when I get more money." Frantischek held up a rather crumpled note. "I keep in pocket. My brother steal my money, I think. If I caught him I hit hard."

Tris held up a finger. "If I catch him."

The Tristan magic worked again. One could almost sense the radiating glow as Franzi's eyes fixed on him. Yes, Franzi was a very handsome lad. Highly beddable. He smiled. "Thank you. If I catch him I get Igor hit him hard."

"That's unkind," said Tris, "I thought brothers should be friends. And why Igor?" Igor was nodding and staring at Franzi as he was telling the tale. Tris's idea of a bout between the two looked as if Igor had the same idea as the look on his face was so intense.

Frantischek's lip curled. "My brother need good hit every day." He looked round. Ignasz had gone into the small office. "He has bed in my room. When I do..." He looked at Igor. Igor nodded and did a slight version of the universal gesture. "...He knows. I tell. My brother laughs and says I should find girl but I would not be big enough."

"How old is he?" asked Tris.

"He is fifteen but he is big. I think my mother have him for someone not my father. My father has been in Swedenland after I was born. Get more money there." Franzi shook his head. "My sister and me we do not look like him. My father does not worry Georg is big, strong. He get big there very quick." He held his hands about six inches apart. "He does all time but laugh loud when I do. He takes my things. My father does not listen. He says he teach Georg to drive autobus and I can have skateboard. He is not clever. He is at other school. Many Albanians. He has friends with them. He says I tell my father again he will get friends to fuck me." The poor lad was quite worked up and Igor put an arm round his shoulder.

"No. I will be there. I will have my friends as well. You good boy, Franzi. Big mouth sometime but good boy."

Oh, so Igor had summed him up. The lad who had shouted at Yniold was being bullied himself. And by his younger brother. Tris put out a hand and stroked his arm. Stop it, Tris, the lad will have to change his undies if you continue. "Don't worry. Igor is a good friend. Don't take any notice of that brother. Ignore him and hide your money. Ask Mr Zedener to keep it in the safe here."

The smile that appeared transformed the rather woebegone youth's face as he stared up at Tris. "Thank you I will do that. I do now." He turned and went to the door of the office and knocked and went in.

Igor was nodding. "He is good boy. He make good photo. Nice body. Young. Not big. Many like that on boy so studio say."

A pity we could not comment or make any suggestions as Ivo came marching in at that moment, but there would be things to remark on later. He was waving a newspaper.

"Ready then? Taxi's outside. Meter's running and you're in the papers again!" were his first words. He looked at Igor. He said something in Rothenian which Igor answered. "I asked if the hotel was full and he said it is until Tuesday." More in Rothenian and Igor dutifully wrote something down on a piece of paper. "Right, good morning both, must hurry. You can look at that in the taxi."

With that we were whisked out and into the waiting taxi. Yes, a taxi, but the driver was the Rothenian who had driven the Legation car the other day. As the taxi was rather roomy Ivo sat in the back between us.

"Sorry to be rather abrupt in there but we are likely to be rather busy the next week or so." I had opened the paper and there on page two was a picture of me and the Minister. I couldn't read the caption.

"And you're supposed to be on paternity leave," said Tris who just grinned as I thrust the paper at him.

"Don't say anything more. I had an earful from 'Tory this morning but she said you are to come to lunch after this meeting." Before we could say anything he continued, "It's OK. Lunch is downstairs at the Schreiber's. Ulla insisted she prepared everything and you were to be invited. And before you ask, George Henry is OK, 'Tory's OK and a rather harassed father is OK as well, and I'll read you what that says a bit later." He jabbed a finger at the photo.

A photo! But, wow! Here I was in the 'Sundays'! Not with the Scoutmasters and how they were shagging over-sexed teens, or the footballers whose exploits merited a kiss and tell, like in the 'News of the Screws', I hoped. Change the thought. "And Aunt Sophie and Lady Mary?" I asked, wondering if the genial rapport was wearing thin and anyway it was just a photo.

Ivo laughed. "All's OK there as well. They're going back Tuesday afternoon if the plane can take off with all the extra luggage. I dread to think what Dad's credit card bill will be after the little excursion they made yesterday round all the shops. They've gone for an overnight trip to Pietersburg by the lake as a colleague of 'Tory's Dad has a villa there."

"And this morning?" Tris asked, rather more interested in what was to befall us than me in the paper, or the mothers' departure.

"I think it will be OK, too," said Ivo switching to serious mode. "The meeting is at an office outside the Ministry of the Interior. It's mainly in case any inquisitive journalists are snooping as some details have been leaked. That's being investigated separately." He slipped a piece of paper out of the folder he was carrying. "This is the list of persons attending. Seems quite a crowd but you've met almost all. I should tell you there's a secrecy notice out - what we would call a D notice in Britain. That's a formal warning I've given you, OK?" I looked at Tris and he nodded. We both said 'Yes'. "There will be Military, Secret Service and Ministry of the Interior people involved but I don't think you'll be hassled or anything as it's a session to put everyone involved in the picture."

I took the plastic folder with our affidavit in out of my shoulder bag and slipped the paper, which Tris had passed back to me, into the bag for later. A clipping for the Foster Archives no doubt.

"We prepared this," I said, "Its what we think we saw and heard and it's all signed."

Ivo smiled as he took it. He looked at Tris. "Diplomatic service for you?"

Tris shook his head. "I leave that to people like you," he said. We all laughed. A very diplomatic statement.

Ivo stowed it away in his folder. "We're here," he announced as we drew to a halt in a courtyard in front of a rather anonymous-looking building. He thanked the driver as we got out. He poked me in the back. "There's a bit about your recital as well on the Arts page. Quite complimentary." That for later, too.

There was a waiting flunkey in a well-cut dark suit who preceded us down a corridor and ushered us into a quite large room with an oval table with several chairs around it. Yes, I recognised most of those present standing talking in small groups. Interestingly, all were in suits, as we were.

A very urbane looking man stepped forwards and pointed to the table. "Gentlemen, on behalf of the Ministry of the Interior may I welcome you and please be seated. Your names are indicated." After saying this in English he said the same in Rothenian as he pointed around again. We found our places and sat.

To be continued: