Mystery and Mayhem and St Marks

Mystery and Mayhem At St Mark's

A Sequel

by

Joel

Seq: 25:

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 Alias Toad/Gobbo 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 new-born 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 Herr Diesselhorst A relieved Minister of the Interior Dr Claude Valentin Organist of the Cathedral of St Vitali Andrei zu Glottenberh Rothenian Army Officer [Special Services] Lucasz Voynovich Rothenian Army Officer [Signals Division] David Vinodosj Secret police

Thursday

We were due at the Cathedral at half past two. What we didn't expect was the military escort. A camouflaged lorry turned up at two o'clock. Andrei was there, in uniform, with a driver and a guard. The lads were quite taken aback as it drew to a halt. They, like us, were all neat and tidy in suits. I had held onto my shoulder bag with the box in it when we left the hospital and sat in the back of the van clutching it and feeling a bit uncomfortable with the sling restricting any movement.

We drew up away from the Cathedral entrance where Father Artur was standing with Ivo and Mr Marriott. Jerzy and Tad were standing behind them. Father Artur shook hands with all of us and we followed him through a side door.

"His Eminence is in the Chapel and two of the other priests are with him. Our Librarian and the Keeper of the Treasury." He smiled. "Many of our books disappeared in all the troubles and we don't have much in our Treasury either."

We filed up the side aisle and reached the open door. A tall, thin, fairly elderly cleric was there. Not in scarlet robes as I imagined but in a simple black cassock and dog collar. He held out his arms and spoke in English with Ivo translating into Rothenian.

"Welcome my friends. I know our meeting has been delayed but I greet you in the name of St Vitalis our patron saint, and in the name of the blessed St Fenice whose presence has already been made known to some of you." He made the sign of the Cross and everyone bowed their heads. He smiled at the lads, including Tad and Jerzy. "You have shown bravery and courage as true Rothenians. We thank you and, no doubt, there will be more thanks to come." He walked over and stood in front of Tris and me. "You did not expect to be involved in the mysteries you have experienced. We know you are under powerful protection and although you have been wounded you did not waver." Oh, that word again. "You brought a key which unlocked a tomb." He turned to one of the priests who handed him an envelope. "Your friends from England have written to me saying how much they value your friendship and will never forget the kindnesses they received when at the house. I will meet them when they return."

He turned to one of the priests with him. "Father Timotei has brought the Ring from the Treasury. Perhaps we could see that first."

The small rotund priest turned to the ornate altar and picked up a glass-walled reliquary. On a small plinth was a Ring. As he held it up and turned it to show it off I could see it looked exactly like the one Charles had found. I looked at Tris who nodded.

"We are certain they look identical," I said.

The Cardinal smiled. "That is our most precious possession. Soon we shall see the other one."

The priest returned the case to the place on the altar and was smiling broadly.

The Cardinal turned to Father Artur who then pointed to my shoulder bag. "You have brought more..." He shook his head. "...We are puzzled. May we see?"

There was a small table at the side of the Chapel. Tad and Jerzy went over and picked it up and placed it in front of the altar. I opened my bag and took out the wrapped box. I carefully unwrapped it and placed it in the middle of the table. Father Timotei stepped forward and bent down to study it. He looked up sharply, held up a finger and just about scampered off as fast as his fat little legs could carry him. As soon as he had disappeared everyone in turn had a look at the box and its carving.

I took the two keys out of my pocket. I explained they had been sent to me by Dr Stein who was a descendant of Baron Wildenstejn and he was in a line of 'guardians'. I said that the silver one had unlocked the door of the mausoleum at the house in Gastberh. We wondered if the gold key, being much smaller, would unlock the box. I said that I had been sent a picture of St Guthlac which matched the depiction on the box of the angel handing him what was thought to be a scourge. I took Dr Masterton's picture out of my bag and passed it round. That last word 'scourge' took a bit of time to translate but Father Artur came up with something in Rothenian which made them all nod.

I gave the two keys on the key ring to the Cardinal. He smiled as he read the inscription of 'Phillips, Van Zyl and Partridge'. He was about to insert the gold key in the keyhole when the little priest came puffing back. He was holding an identical, rather dusty, box. But this one had already been opened forcibly as the front wood was cracked and it was empty.

He explained it had been in the Treasury in a cupboard. No one knew what it was for and it hadn't been on show for many years. They hadn't associated it with St Guthlac as someone in the past had tried to obliterate the Saint's face.

Very slowly the Cardinal inserted the gold key in the second box and turned it. The box opened easily and inside was another silver key. The Cardinal didn't pick it up but placed the one on the key-ring beside the box on the table.

"They are the same," he said. "Why?"

I was thinking hard. The single key had opened all four locks in turn. We still had to surmise how that one had got to Great Britain. I assumed it's original home was in the other box. Two identical keys perhaps were needed to open two locks. Two locks at the same time. I looked at Tris. He was thinking along the same lines as he nodded.

"I think there are two locks which have to be opened simultaneously," he said and Ivo translated the sentence.

"I think it's in this Chapel," I said. I picked up the key-ring and gripped the silver key. I felt that familiar warmth as I held it. Everyone watched as Pyotor and Yniold walked to the rail in front of the altar. Pyotor picked up part of the top rail which allowed access to the back of the altar. The boys disappeared behind the altar and we heard Pyotor explaining something to Yniold. The Cardinal smiled, lifted out the other key and we all followed the boys.

Pyotor then said something rather involved in Rothenian to the Cardinal. The Cardinal laughed. "The boy confesses he has explored this Chapel a number of times. He was in the choir and the boys would play, I think you call it, 'hide and seek'. He hid behind St Guthlac's altar and wondered why there were two holes side by side. He tried to look but he thought they were blocked even though he pushed a pencil in."

There was plenty of room behind the altar as we crowded round and Pyotor pointed out the two holes. I noted Tris had his digital camera up and was taking shots. The Cardinal put one key in one hole and I put the other in the second hole and as he counted 'One, two, three' we turned the keys. What happened next surprised us all. Yes, I had been struck by the altar's similarity to a rather large sideboard. The front had a bank of porcelain shelves on which were vases of flowers and candlesticks and now the back opened with a creak and a groan and showed an interior also of shelves, but wooden. Each shelf was stacked with objects. It was quite dark but I made out a couple of what could be chalices and, almost in pride of place in the centre, what looked like a smaller version of the St Guthlac's relic from the College.

The four priests were talking animatedly together as the rest of us stared, just about open-mouthed, at the many objects within. Tris was standing, then on his knees, taking photographs.

The Cardinal held up a hand. "My friends, I think we may have found things which were hidden many years ago. Father Timotei says the chalice there is likely to be one hidden when we were invaded by Albertus and the old town was destroyed and the Cathedral was under siege."

"Albertus Verrus?" I asked.

Father Timotei said something in rapid Rothenian. The Cardinal looked impressed. "How do you know?"

I explained about the burnt documents. I also said that the Palace Archivist had a drawing of the key and he didn't know why.

"And all this was under the protection of St Fenice," I said.

I don't know who was more enthralled by all that had happened. The Cardinal said the contents of the altar would have to be listed and accounted for by properly trained archaeologists. Yep, we knew that because we had seen them at work in College. He said something to Father Artur. "Father Artur will be in charge and as soon as all is listed you must all come and see everything." He said something then to Father Timotei. "Father Timotei will talk to the Palace Archivist and Father Petrus will look for clues in our meagre Library. Until all is done we will only make a small announcement." He smiled at the lads. "We have seen history today," he said as Ivo translated for us.

He was in a really ebullient mood. He sent Jerzy and Tad to warn his housekeeper to prepare afternoon tea. Father Artur whispered "that was planned anyway". We stared a little longer at the opening and I could just make out several flat dishes and a number of small engraved boxes but there seemed to be much more as many things were piled on others.

The Cardinal gave me the key-ring I had brought and with the help of Ivo and Andrei the heavy doors were closed and the Cardinal and I locked them again with the two keys. I guessed the doors were iron even though backed with porcelain. "We will lock the Chapel as well and, if I may, I will keep the two keys safely." He unlinked the silver key from the key-ring. "Please give the gold key back to Dr Stein. You must tell him his family have been true guardians. I will write to him as well. I would like him and his son to visit us." He turned to Tris. "I would be very pleased to have copies of the photographs you have taken."

It was while we were having a substantial tea of pastries and sandwiches that Mr Marriott came over to us. He was laughing.

"You seem to have the knack of making things happen. Now I've got to make things happen for you. I expect you know there are no flights out today or tomorrow and you have to be in Cambridge on Saturday for the degree ceremony."

I'd forgotten that. I supposed a train somehow to Paris or Lille then Eurostar might be a possibility.

"Have you heard of Diplomatic Bags?" he continued.

Yes. I'd come across references in a couple of detective novels. How governments got secret documents across borders without them being snooped at. Tris looked at him wondering what he was going to say.

"Well, you two are official Diplomatic Bags tomorrow. The General was highly amused when I asked him. Be ready packed at two o'clock. A car will pick you up and take you to the military airstrip and you'll be dropped off at a small airfield fairly near Gatwick and you'll be ferried from there. You'll be home by six I guess as we're one hour ahead of British time. Just one thing. All hush hush!"

Rather bemused, but very contented that there had at last been a happy outcome of all the 'trials and tribulations' which an even more cheerful Father Timotei said of the happenings, both Tris and I watched as the Cardinal went the rounds and spoke with everyone. The lads had also witnessed something which put their injuries on a different plane. They had been so brave. Each of them received a personal blessing from the Cardinal as we left. He had a special word for Pyotor who was almost glowing. "His Lord says I must sing for him. He hear I have good voice even though I stick pencils in holes."

We were whisked off back to Ivo and 'Tory's where Lucasz was waiting to see Andrei. They still had much to discuss as Lucasz led Andrei off to the room Ivo used as a study. George Henry was awake and cooed when I held him and Tris put Henry the Lion in front of him. "I doubt if he can focus yet," said 'Tory, "But I bet his first memories will be of his fond Uncles." Oh, forthright, pragmatic 'Tory, you touched a chord then.

As we mulled over what we'd seen that day I think we probably came to a sensible conclusion about the boxes and the keys. The two keys were kept in the two boxes. One was in the possession of the cathedral, the other was given to a 'guardian' to keep until the appropriate time. When the Baron's wife and then the Baron had died, someone knew that one key was necessary to open the mausoleum. We suspected that Baron Julius had confided in his friend who had then engineered the break-in of the Cathedral's box. The box with the second key and the gold key was already out of the country and somehow after the Baron's death the other key had made it's way to Julius Stein. In conversation with Jerzy we had learned that a previous Cardinal was very much in league with the extreme right-wing and, although not a member of the Rothenian fascist movement, had done little to curb their excesses. So, Julius's friend had been able to do things without raising suspicion.

Tris wrote down our thoughts and a second 'affidavit' was drawn up. Ivo was most complimentary. "I'll say it once, you're a loss to the Diplomatic Corps." Then back to usual Ivo. "But then, if you joined you'd probably be posted as Fifth Secretary, Paperclips Division, in Outer Mongolia. How's your Mongolian?"

Tris didn't quite give him the usual two fingers as 'Tory was there. In his gentle, urbane manner he said that if permitted as soon as Andrei and Lucasz were finished in the study he would like to download the photographs and send them to Father Artur as he was sure Ivo had his e-mail address.

Andrei was quite subdued when he and Lucasz came back in. "I must go tomorrow to see the Lieutenant's family. Lucasz will come with me. We will have a proper military funeral on Tuesday and he can be buried at his home but not in a churchyard. He was very foolish. Two other young officers have resigned and a Major has been arrested. I hope we can protect the King although he is in England." He shook his head. "This could be used to show the military is corrupt. The General is talking to the correspondents of the papers tonight. At least they will be able to write about that Casino man and his evil empire. The Parliament is having a discussion tomorrow but we do not know what they will say. There are suspicions even there. What we need is more good news like the arrest of that other man Gorschkov. Lucasz says they know where he is. You told them that..," He looked across at 'Tory. "...He arrived there this morning and we have asked for him to be taken in for questioning."

So the day had gone from surprise when the use of the keys was revealed, to happiness at the treasures being restored, to wonderment at being designated Diplomatic Bags and now to sombreness at the contemplation of the sadness of the poor Lieutenant's family. Ivo and Tris disappeared off to the study and after that I think we were all ready to break up the evening. Lucasz said he would drive us to the hotel and get Andrei back to his billet. Yes, Andrei did look a bit haggard. "I will see you next week when we can all be happy," he said as we gave each other rather clumsy hugs on the pavement outside the hotel. Yes, my arm was stinging and I had to get the dressing changed at the hospital in the morning. Tris said his dressing itched as they had cut away his hair to suture the wound.

Ignasz was in solitary state behind the Reception desk. He grinned when he saw us. "Those boys they make Franzi's father take them to McDonalds. He says his son is very brave. That is good. He is a good boy." He reached behind him. "Here is letter from hospital. To be there at nine o'clock." He handed over a sealed envelope. Was he a secret steamer? "My friend that doctor phoned to say to take one pill each. They are in envelope as well. Good night sleep."

We dutifully swallowed our pills and there was no sex that night! There was no stinging arm either just a restful sleep. Tris's last words as he settled down were a repeat of those heard before. "You'll find treasures of many kinds."

Friday

Even after the pills we were awake bright and early. We decided to leave as much clothing to be divided amongst the lads with the promise of more to come. We wrote our thanks to each on the backs of five postcards. Yes, the ones from College. We would leave them to puzzle out the context. Ivo's beard might make recognition difficult in the one for Yniold, but he would be meeting Frankie quite soon. The dancers for Pyotor and Tomas would prove no problem and a Satyr each for Igor and Franzi might need some explanation.

We took a taxi to the hospital and our dressings were changed. We were told the stitches could be removed in a week's time but I had to keep the sling on for at least one more day in case my arm was bumped. Our male nurse made a point of coming over. We shook hands and with the help of a young lady nurse expressed our thanks for the care he had given us. We didn't mention the apparition but he seemed to have forgotten that as he said he had been blessed when Father Artur had been there.

So after a nice lunch next door we were packed and ready just before two o'clock and standing in the lobby trying to get Franzi to say the alphabet in English, with a proper Zed and not a Zee! Ivo came hurtling through the door. "Are my two old bags ready? Great news! They've arrested Gorschkov. Turns out he's not Russian so he was an illegal immigrant from Lord knows where. He's on a plane back here and Mrs G and the children are so pleased as he was a real swine to them. She is Russian, she was married before so the kids aren't his and she's staying there. Well, mustn't gossip as this is another day gone phut! Come on, transport's waiting!"

The two Diplomatic Bags joined a laughing Mr Marriott in the best Legation car. We were given an attache case with a chain which Mr Marriott locked round Tris's wrist. "That's got all our secrets in there," he said, "At the other end you'll have it unlocked, if they haven't forgotten the key and you'll be home for tea!"

"What happens if they've forgotten the key?" a rather bewildered Tris asked.

"Plenty of one-handed openings in your line of business I'm sure." He looked at me. "Just in case." He handed me a key-ring with a single small silver key on it. "It did happen some years ago and the Fire Brigade had to file it off so we have a few spares. Give it to the lad who collects the case. He'll be a squaddie of some sort. As long as he doesn't lose it I'll get it back sometime."

We had been driven quite rapidly out of the city and pulled into a small airfield with the usual windsock and rather dingy looking hangars. A small twin-engined jet was in front of one of them. We thanked the driver and Mr Marriott took us over to the stairway up to an open door on the plane while a young soldier took our bags and waited for us. Mr Marriott went in first and introduced us to the pilot and co-pilot. They were laughing as he shook their hands and turned to us. "Funny couple of bags they said and it's upset their afternoon. Captain Aronowicz is one of the pilots of the display team and he was going to practice a couple of rolls and flips over the English Channel. It's OK, your fame goes before you and the General has decreed you are to be delivered safe and sound, though I dread what will happen on the flight back."

As it happened both pilots could speak good English. They'd trained with the Red Arrows and were full of praise for our own pilots. Just before we left three others joined us. A very sullen-looking man, who immediately had one hand handcuffed to a ring by the seat, and what transpired to be two policemen of David's ilk. Another British villain who'd though himself safe and had used Rothenia as a bolt-hole rather than the Costa Brava.

The flight was fast and very smooth. We'd stocked up with bars of chocolate and being kind souls offered them around even to the hand-cuffed man. "Thanks mate," he said to me, "First time in two months someone has shown a bit of pity." He then saw the chain on Tris's wrist. "Bloody hell, what've they got you for?"

I forbore from saying something like 'shagging the President's son-in-law' or 'making off with the takings from the Ministry male brothel' as the second might be too close to the mark. Tris just looked at him.

"I'm a Diplomatic Bag."

Matey was silent for the rest of the flight. One could almost imagine the cogs meshing. He did look at Tris's legs encased in trousers. Transvestite? Drag artist? Arrested for what? Flashing his unmentionables at the Mothers Union or equivalent?

On landing we had to wait while matey was unlocked and escorted down to an anonymous white van with barred windows and a small door at the back. He was handed over to two prison guards and the last we heard was a shouted 'Fucking bastards' as he was helped none too kindly into the confines of the van. We shook hands with the pilots. "Nothing too spectacular on the way back. We've got those two to return. Mustn't spoil their nice trousers." The captain indicated the two Rothenian plain-clothes policemen who waved and did then smile.

We clambered down the stair and followed the soldier who was pushing our bags on a trolley and walked over to a black car whose driver was signalling to us.

"Oh my God!" he began, "Not you again. I wondered why the duty officer said I could have ten minutes to visit my Mum on the way back."

I recognised him, too. "Hello, Philip, you seem to get all the interesting jobs."

"All he said was there were three Diplomatic Bags to be collected and I was to make sure I didn't leave any on the back seat like those other arses up and down Whitehall do. I wondered why your address was given. What's it all about?"

No, we didn't play him up. Of course Trooper Parkinson remembered collecting the envelope in Cambridge. A couple of stifled 'Bugger me!'s accompanied the tale of what the contents of the envelope had led us into as he drove us up a country lane and then joined the M23 by what seemed an unmarked entry. We really told him nothing in detail, just that a couple of nasty crime empires had been toppled.

"Yeah, there was something on the ITN news last night about Rothenia but I didn't take much notice. Something about good intelligence had cleared up some major problems. It did show the King. He's at Oxford isn't he? Rocky's got a place there if he passes his A levels. Bugger'll want to go to Sandhurst after that and then he'll claim family ties to the Regiment." He laughed. "I told him he'd better glue himself to the saddle otherwise he'll fall off when he salutes Her Majesty."

"He'd better get Tris's sister to teach him to ride, then."

"Oh, he's started already. There's some Camilla he's always on about."

"That's my sister's friend," said Tris. "From what I hear he'd be onto a good thing. She adores good, upright young men."

Philip let out a snort. "She'll have one there though I say it myself! Better watch the traffic now and I don't want to be done for speeding. I do this trip a couple of times a week so I get to know where the rozzers sit." He laughed. "DB's come in from all over but it's the first time I've had a couple of human ones! Did collect something once for one of the other Embassies and was met by an armed guard when I drove into their courtyard. I never found out what it was all about but my Captain said we weren't doing any more runs for that mob! I guess someone was smuggling drugs or diamonds as the case was quite small. I watched the newspapers and a few days later it said a diplomat had been send back home."

He certainly knew his way around the back streets of South London. I'd turned my watch back an hour just before we landed and it was just quarter to six when he drew up in front of my house. He helped us put our bags on the pavement. I handed him the silver key and he unlocked the attache case chain. Tris looked rather relieved . He then locked it round his own left wrist. "We're taught to drive like this though I could put it on a ring in the car. Mum'll be impressed when she sees it."

We waved him goodbye and managed to get our bags to the backdoor. My arm was throbbing again and Tris looked a bit tired. But, there were sounds of merriment as Tris opened the backdoor. "Better see you in first before I get tackled by Mum. We can bring the bags in later."

I preceded him through the lobby and the noise got louder as I approached the kitchen door. Gales of laughter, male and female, and the rattle of mugs, cups and plates. I pushed the door open and the pair of us surveyed the scene.

There might have been gales of laughter but what was most evident on this quite warm June day was the immediate smell of hot, sweaty, males. Almost gales of it. There was an immediate hush as we stood there. Yes, it was quite evident the source, or sources of the aroma. By the kitchen dresser was Pugsy showing off his incredible physique, even more incredible now, I thought, as a rather small, dirty, very off-white tee-shirt barely covered his chest and top of his six-pack. His blue denim cut-offs had seen better days, too, and looking down I could see his brawny, hairy legs ended in a pair of woollen socks encased in very sturdy workman's boots. OK, one source. Two others were immediately visible. Frankie was arrayed almost identically as Pugsy, except I recognised his cutoffs as the remnants of a pair of my shorts from one of Unc's older collections. He was standing next to someone who put even Pugsy in the shade. Peggy Coombs's husband, Martin, might be thirty or so, but years in the building trade and rugger training meant he had, as the cliche goes, muscles on muscles. He also had a mat of black chest hair which even made fluffy Herbert Bear look a bit wanting. Before I could take in the other two, almost like twins, who sat side by side laughing at something Martin had just said, Mum screeched and almost dropped the teapot she was holding and Auntie Dil just about capped it with a treble fortissimo 'Tristan!'.

I had to fend off Mum who tried to hug me, sling and all. Tris was brought to his knees as Auntie Dil jumped up and hung round his neck. There was a quiet "Where did they pop up from?" uttered by a seemingly unfazed Mrs Coombs who continued to slice the cake on the board in front of her.

"Mum!" I managed to croak, "My arm. Watch it, please." I think my emotions just hit me then. Delayed shock, perhaps. I sagged. Immediately Pugsy was by my side and Martin came across and, very gently supported my wounded side while Frankie slid a kitchen chair across under me and I sat. I made out dimly that the other pair I didn't know had Tris between them while Frankie got a chair for him.

"Tea!" announced Mrs Coombs and mugs of that British elixir were given to us. One thing I always missed when abroad was good strong English tea. This was bliss. I suppose Mrs Coombs had obeyed some long-forgotten First Aid Manual for shock victims. I never drank tea with sugar usually but this had been sugared to such an extent one could probably stand a spoon up in it. I needed it and drank it down thirstily. I looked at Tris. He had finished his, too, and was sitting back with his eyes closed.

"Is he OK?" Auntie Dil asked me with quiet concern.

"As ever," I said. That sugar-laden fluid was quick acting. I felt much better. "I'd love a piece of that cake," I said, "And then we'll tell you things." Mrs Coombs was there with a plate like a shot. But there was something else. The other pair. I looked over at Frankie who was wrinkling his nose.

"Wondered when you'd ask," he said. He looked at Tris. "Wake up, Tris, and I'll introduce our new friends." Hearing that command Tris had opened his eyes and was staring past Frankie at the pair who came and stood either side of Frankie. Tall and slim, they were also displaying quite a bit of top body muscle which was shown off by their now very grubby Matteoli tops which had had the arms unpicked. Not cutoffs, but Unc's best cargoes. My best spare cargoes! Now unredeemable. Their workboots were like Frankie's. What was different was that their dark suntan was natural. They could have been twins, their sharp features, aquiline noses and dark brown glittering eyes and the smiles which then opened up gave me the clue. I waited for Frankie.

He held out his hands to the side and grasped the left hand of one and the right hand of the other. "This is Wasim the Wonderful," He raised the hand of the one on his left. "And this is his cousin, Kasim the Incomparable." He raised the hand the other side. There was an audible groan from Pugsy. They must have got used to Frankie very quickly as both looked resigned to his raillery as he lowered their hands. "Not easy to tell them apart but Kasim had an encounter with a barrow load of sludge today so his legs are dirtier."

I stood up to shake hands and was surprised at the very strong grip of both of them. Kasim was the spokesman. "We have heard much about you both and we are very pleased to meet you. I hope you are not badly injured. Do you need to rest?"

Kind words and even Frankie looked concerned. Mum was still holding on to me and Auntie Dil had an arm round her son. Mrs Coombs had it all sussed. She pointed at the grubby four. "Go and have showers and make yourselves look presentable. Martin, you phone Peggy and say you've got another assignment this evening. She won't mind as she's got her girlfriends coming round later. You can clean yourself over the road and then help me to bring that lamb casserole across. We'll be back at seven so get the table laid..." Here she pointed at Pugsy and Frankie. "...And you two can make sure all this is tidied away." This to Wasim and Kasim who both gave her a thumb's up. If what Charles had said of their lineage was correct I wondered who had precedence in terms of protocol, Mrs C, or princely Sheikhs' sons?

There was a general dispersal and we were left alone with our Mums. "Are you two really alright?" Mum asked, after she suggested we moved to the front room to give the orderlies stroke slaves a chance to get on with their allotted tasks once they were clean. Tris said we thought we were and we would tell all but it would take quite a while.

"We thought you'd be more interested in your great-nephew," I said to Mum.

She smiled. "I've talked to Sophie, and Ivo and 'Tory have phoned us. We're all flying over for the Christening. He looks lovely and Frankie's printed off the photos. " She pointed to my arm and to Tris's head. "But what about all this?"

Tris was straight to the point. "Unfortunately we were ambushed but it's only minor damage. Ivo was with us and he's OK" He leaned over and kissed his Mum. "We've learned a lot and I think we're different now. We've made some new, good friends and, without boasting, we've helped to rid Rothenia of some enemies."

Mum gripped my hand. "And all this was a trip to talk about Maths and get some herbs..."

"...And to deliver something precious." I said.

Tris kissed his Mum again when she congratulated him on passing his Law Society exam. "Sorry I opened the envelope but I had to know," she confessed, "Your Dad says he expects some work put his way to repay all the money he's lavished on you, but take no notice!" She got a third kiss.

We told them a little about the ambush, just enough to allay fears we hoped. I asked where Dad was. He had a concert tonight but had kept tomorrow free. We had a good laugh when they said it had been Frankie's idea to get Mr Coombs to give the pair jobs on the building site. "They're loving it. They're working with Martin most of the time and he says they never stop. Anyway, they're not restricted here," Mum said, "But get them to tell you."

There were phone calls to make; to College via the Porter's Lodge to make sure I was on the list for Senate House; to James Tanner who said he'd see us tomorrow anyway; to Charles to let him know we would be there and we had news for him; to Fiona and Dina to check they would be there; and finally, to Curt via Logan to say we had news for him, too.

Auntie Dil had gone off to fetch Tris's Dad whose first words when confronted by his wounded son were "Bloody hell, I know that place attracts our drunken riff-raff, all I hope is the other bloke came off worse!" He burst out laughing and hugged his gobsmacked son.

"I think the three who did this won't be out of jail for a pretty long time!" Tris managed to say once the hug was over.

Yep. The P-W Lexus and our Volvo Estate would be available to ferry quite a batch of onlookers for the ceremony, including Pugsy, Wasim and Kasim. No Shelley. Too busy showing off her horse-riding skills. Mum went off and came back with an old fashioned carrier bag. Granddad's BA hood. Real rabbit fur and it didn't look even a bit moth-eaten as it was accompanied by a strong smell of camphor. "Wear that with pride," she said and hugged me and tears from both of us flowed.

Of course, only even an abbreviated part of our tale was possible during that meal. We said it would have to be continued another time. Dad came in just after eleven. It was OK he held up a hand and said he'd hear all sometime. I think he was as tired as us because by eleven thirty I'd had enough and he said he needed his bed if he was driving to Cambridge in the morning. There was another pill to take and quite naturally Tris joined me in that so familiar bed. "You know Pugsy's been sleeping in here while we've been away and now he's having to share with Frankie, poor thing!" Tris murmured as we snuggled down. "And the others have got your spare room. Bet it's a bit different from the Dorchester or their own palatial abodes."

"And I bet they've never had someone like Mum, or your Mum, or Mrs Coombs to look after them."

"The way they all look at each other there's almost another family in the making," I said. "I know Mrs C told Mum she was so sorry they never had a son and Martin's become a son as well as a son-in-law and I have the feeling she's about to adopt Wasim and Kasim."

Saturday

As I was wounded on the left and Tris on the right we slept facing each other. Whatever the pills contained they were very effective and another sound, dreamless sleep gave me a good feeling when I woke in the morning. I was still in the same position so was able to gaze at Tris. My Tris. Such adventures and we were safe.

My reverie was interrupted by a slight tap on the door. The door opened and in came Frankie, in tee-shirt and boxers bearing a tray. He saw I was awake and put the tray on the bedside table. I was unprepared for what came next. He bent over and kissed me. "From what you said last night there was a chance you wouldn't have got out alive, is that right?"

I said we were safe because of someone who protected us.

"Like Piers?"

"Like Piers, but even more so."

Frankie nodded. "We're taking Waz and Kaz to Ulvescott again the weekend after we come back from the Christening. You know the Sheikh's their Great-Great-Uncle and they have to pay homage or something. You'll come won't you?"

"Of course we will," Tris said, having woken up as well. "We need to report back to the Colonel anyway as he really started most of this off. He'll like it. 'A trusted source' we were told."

Frankie passed us our mugs of morning tea and sat on the edge of the bed while Tris told him more about the de-briefing session. He turned to me when Tris had finished. "And that recital you gave. I only heard a bit of the last chord as Mum wouldn't hand over the phone. Will you play there again?"

"I think I'll be invited. If I am you can play, too." I knew that pleased him.

"And the Cardinal and the treasure?"

"Once that's been sorted out I think there'll be a big exhibition and I know Charles as well will be invited to that."

He laughed. "Forgot to say. Charles just phoned to say we weren't to worry about lunch as a suitable repast would be furnished in your rooms. Waz and Kaz are dying to meet him again."

"And are they suitably equipped with student gear?"

He laughed. "Perfect. Even Kaz's Dad approved and he's a bit of a stickler. He thinks he might sponsor an outlet for Unc in this huge mall he owns over there. I think I got on quite well with him when I explained things." He looked at Tris. "You'd better step in fast with the legal bits. They say something and it's done! Pronto! No messing! And I need my share of the profits! "

"No messing!" said Tris getting out of bed and stretching, "I'm having a shower and getting up." He scratched a rather hairy left armpit as Frankie scanned up and down his nude figure. "I suppose we leave here by half nine?"

"Yes and Mum's put your clean shirts in the airing cupboard on the landing. She and your Mum have been up since six washing and ironing just to make you both look presentable. Huh! All I get most of the time is stuff straight out of the dryer."

Toad baiting time! "But with the job you're doing no-one looks at you once, let alone twice!"

"That's different. I mean when I'm going out to meet my pals. I prefer an ironed shirt! And there's none of yours left now!" He looked at Tris who wasn't actually laughing but had a grin. "And you need to get some of that fat off. I bet you've been pigging it over there. You need a proper job. Look at Pugsy. He's up and down with hods of bricks all day and some of those joists he shifts would need two of you to lift..."

"...I thought I could hear him." It was Pugsy, also in tee-shirt and boxers. He winked at us and flexed several muscle groups I didn't know could look as rigid and conformed as that. Stepan, I thought, you've probably met your match! "Come on, your Mum has ironed our shirts and she wants you downstairs now! Kaz wants porridge and Waz wants his usual cereals before the scrambled eggs you're supposed to be doing."

Toads can be subdued. He waggled his head and half-pouted then picked up the tray and went out first. Pugsy turned and winked again. He looked over at Tris. Cast his eyes down, then up. Looked at me. Smiled, pursed his lips and gave me a thumbs-up sign. Thus, he had both my little brother and my Tris sussed! As the door closed all I got from Tris was a slight raising of two fingers! "And I bet all the girls wolf-whistle him! I know I would," he said with feeling. I concurred with that sentiment.

"I think I'll travel neat but tidy and change into my best suit when we get there," I said as I looked for suitable things to wear in my wardrobe after showering. Good, Toad hadn't decided all mine was his, though things looked a bit depleted. Pugsy had used a bit of space for sundry items including a batch of physique mags. I was commanded sternly by Tris that I had no time to sit and look at pictures of muscular males as we were on a tight time schedule which did not leave gaps for multiple wanks! "But all those lads! Never seen such muscles on some of them before. Even a bit more than Pugsy."

"All got little willies though if legends are true."

"Well I hope Pugsy's not taking any pills."

"I'll leave you to check, but, from what was on display before, I guess he's well-formed. And as for Microbe, the way some of his muscles were twitching last night he's about to pupate!"

"Change his name to Madama Butterfly?" I asked.

"More likely Horsebot!" He winced. "No that's nasty. Shelley had a bite from one and it turned septic. I know, he'd become a Demoiselle, a petite ephemeral Dragonfly!"

"Too much to hope for," I said, "Macho-man is his model. Just hopes he finds a nice girl to keep him in check."

We both wondered if 'nice' was the right adjective but left it at that and went downstairs for breakfast. It was nice to see Toad being polite and helpful as he scooped up piles of lovely- looking scrambled egg onto Kaz and Waz's plates. "Want some?" he asked, "I'll do another load."

Dad was last up but at least looked rested. He said he'd never been so busy. Not only leading the orchestra but auditioning new players as they were getting new engagements which needed sometimes quite large ensembles or sub-groups.

"Doing two Summer Schools at your place in July and August. Safar has some contacts in the States and we're having quite a few American amateur players attending. The lure of Cambridge, too. Your Mum's coming as secretary so we shall be pseudo-Pennefather students as Charles says we can use your set because you vacate in July and Laddo doesn't get it until October. I think Charles has plans for a little refurbishment later."

"Well, I suppose the money's rolling in with the cellars," I said.

He nodded. "I was there last week giving a couple of lessons and the queues were continuous. That burly chap who does the gardens when he's not on crowd duty said every Japanese who visits Cambridge goes down the cellars. Apparently they buy stacks of postcards, especially of you-know-who, as that sort of thing is air-brushed out in their magazines. Actually he was most complimentary when I said you and Frankie were my sons..." He laughed. "...No, he didn't mean that, just the extra money he was earning was very useful and he was hoping to use it to get more experience in a nursery somewhere."

Oh, that must be the doughty Wayne. I wondered if I should put him in touch with Fraser? Might be OK. I knew from one of Charles' open-mouth sessions that the boyfriend's, Christopher Lascelles-Wright's, family farmed in Essex. Big county, but...

Anyway, we were all lined up well before nine-thirty. All the males suited except for me. I doubted if even Uncle Nick's suit cost as much as the ones Waz and Kaz were wearing. Toad had it all sorted. He, Pugsy, Mum and Auntie Dil would travel in the Lexus with Uncle Nick. Dad would drive Tris, me, Waz and Kaz in the Estate. "They've got to learn to slum it and you can tell them all the things I've left out of your life stories. They know all the nasty bits." Thank you Mum for pinching his arm.

"Put your brother's and Tris's bags in the boot and you can have a sleep on the way. Only way we'll get any peace."

"I'm the youngest here and I have to organise everything as usual," he complained.

"Good boy," said Uncle Nick, with just that hint of irony which the Toad missed but was recognised by all the rest.

The trip wasn't too bad for a Saturday morning as Dad skirted London and we got from the M25 onto the M11. No holdups. Tris sat with Dad as he drove and I heard him telling the tale once again. I sat in the back with Kaz and Waz. They turned out to be a most delightful pair. No flummery. No side. I found they'd been at an International School in Switzerland from quite an early age, then went to a Scottish School for the equivalent of A Levels. Both fathers wanted them to join their companies in their own country but they felt rather alienated and had spent the last year rather listlessly - "wasting time" as Kaz put it. It was Charles visiting with Mother that set the ball rolling. Their problems solved. Kaz was to read French and Waz Economics. Both had learned to play Hockey at school in Scotland and I explained about Freshers' Week. Male, Female, or Mixed Hockey was available and, of course Frankie played Hockey, too.

It was obvious they had Frankie sussed. They had all become great friends with Pugsy as the anchorman. I asked about working on the building site. They just laughed. "We love it," said Waz. "We've made good friends there, too. We mainly work with Martin on interior work. Boarding, ceilings and so on."

"Tony does a lot of heavy work and Fiveman drives the dumper," Kaz added.

"Fiveman?" I asked.

Great giggles. "Bonzo, one of the brickies, called him that first. Said he was one up on the foreman and it's stuck."

"Are you coming to Rothenia next weekend?" I asked

They both nodded vigorously. "We got our visas delivered yesterday. Mr Al-Quereshi at Ulvescott arranged them for us." Oh, that was Ibrahim. "We have to go and visit them all the next weekend. His Excellency was a bit awesome we found the first time we met him. The others put us at our ease. He's so revered in our country."

I said every time I'd met him he was so, so friendly and my cousin Adam was editing his and the Colonel's memoirs. I then had to tell them more about our experiences at Ulvescott. They said Frankie had said much the same and they had thought it was such a peaceful place.

Dad's careful driving brought us round the Backs. We'd been told there were two parking places reserved in the Fellows Car Park. Well, Dad was an Honorary Fellow for one. Charles must have wangled the other for Uncle Nick. Some legal advice needed, no doubt.

As expected, there were crowds milling around the College. Most of the soon-to-be graduates were arrayed in white furry hoods and black gowns, with a few with brightly coloured silky hoods, medics and such-like, and our little crowd were acknowledged and joined the throng with the others' parents and friends. I beetled off into my set and found it was being prepared for a 'suitable repast' by Sean by himself.

"No help?" I asked as I looked around at the neat layout he'd already completed.

"All too busy, and there's a Hurray Henry luncheon in the new Dining Room. Cheffie's going mad. Sixteen of them and they've ordered four whole salmon. He says it's enough to feed the five thousand, though he did add another word before the 'five'. It's that Chatterton and his pal Bushfield-Colne and their cronies..."

"...Trouble?"

Sean laughed. "Big Steve's on the door. First sign and out. Anyway, better go, they start at twelve and I'm serving. Only champagne, of course! They'll be well-pissed by the ceremony time." He looked and smiled. "Glad you're back!"

Oh Hell, I didn't even have time to ask if Curt was around. Plenty of time later.

I was soon ready, changed, all spruced up, dark suit, white tie, degree bands, black shoes brightly shined and staring in the mirror at myself. I heard family and friends entering the main room. Charles was there. "I will have to ask you to help yourselves," he was announcing, "Staffing is rather over-stretched with the main luncheon in Hall as well. Oliver and his family will be here shortly to join you. I saw Gabriel and Joshua outside a moment ago."

I put Granddad's hood over my head and adjusted it on the shoulders of my old undergraduate gown. The thought struck. Today I would truly be 'Mark Henry Foster BA (Cantab) FRCO ARCM'. Three years of work, worry and wonderment at all the things I'd achieved on the way.

I joined the family and Frankie led a round of applause. Yes, little brothers were OK. Sometimes. Dad was pouring glasses of wine and we had our first drinks and wonderful nibbles just after twelve. At five past twelve a huge invasion. Oliver, also gowned and hooded, entered with father, grandad and grandma and a laughing Eddie who rushed straight to do a high-five with Frankie. A radiant Fiona in a black pants suit was next with her family, with Zack and Brandon carrying her hood and gown. Dina and her parents and brother were led in by Louie and Toby, still ardent boyfriends of the pair of girls. I was hugged and kissed and, of course, Tris was asked why he had a plaster on the side of his head. Toad's comment that to become a lawyer you had to have your brains removed was rewarded, I was glad to see, by a swift ankle- kick from Uncle Nick. 'Evil child!' was said once again. Wasim and Kasim took all in their stride and I noted Frankie had supplied them with glasses of fruit juice. So, not always evil.

We were then joined by Gabe and Josh, voluminously clad, being the only description possible. They were followed in by Raph, Hary and two small boys, one of whom looked suspiciously like Oliver. Oh! His half-brother. I must say Mr Jensen smiled at him and walked over and spoke to him and the kid smiled back. Not the kid's fault, I thought, and Mr J was a gentleman through and through. Mum and the other ladies filled plates with Coronation Chicken, rice and other goodies and handed them round. Plenty for all. As more food was consumed so the popping of champagne corks was also heard in the land. Eating, drinking, chatting and feeling so happy filled the time.

All too soon it seemed we had to get ready for the march through the College gate and up the passage to the short stretch of Trinity Street before King's Parade and the Senate House. Somehow the contingent of soon-to-be-graduates coalesced and the parade was on. Two of the non-graduate Hurray Henrys had motor horns and wandered rather drunkenly along the pavement honking them and missing any rhythm of the marching feet. I saw the Baronet and his also graduating pals rather tipsily clinging together just behind us. One left the ranks and sat on the pavement. At least the honks stopped as his pals had to hoist him up and help him join the throng again.

The ceremony, not too long. All in Latin, and as I hadn't been to the rehearsal made even more unreal as I had to watch carefully so I didn't err. We went forward in small groups, depending on the seniority of our degree subject, to be presented by the Praelector, our Physics don, to the Vice-Chancellor. We had to hold on to the fingers of his right hand as he went through some Latin gabble and then kneel in front of the Vice-Chancellor who doesn't quite shake your hand. Poor soul, I thought, all those sweaty fingers! With that I was now a BA. We were guided to something I'd heard was the Doctors' Door, given a piece of paper when we said our names and were out in the sunshine on the Senate House lawn. Yep, my piece of paper said I'd been done, I was now a BA of the University of Cambridge. It was quite a scrum, many taking photos and milling around the giant urn-thing in the centre of the garden. More hugs, more tears, more handshakes. I just wondered how many of this band of brothers and sisters I would remember or recall in days, or even years to come.

We had to wait until all had been dealt with, then the audience of families and friends streamed out and round and joined us. I wasn't expecting to see him then but James Tanner strode up, resplendent in scarlet gown, a colourful ScD. I'd never seen him so arrayed before and before I could say anything he was hugged and kissed by both Fiona and Dina and, I bet, he appeared on innumerable photos as digi cameras were in use all over. I did shake hands with him at last and he posed, grinning, with us three, before chatting to all of us and the family of the PhD graduate who had been his student.

"Lots to tell you," I said in the end, "Are you around on Monday?" Oh, dear 'me Batman, you Robin'.

He handed me an envelope. "I'm the messenger today. Invite from the Master for lunch tomorrow. Sooner he hears things the better. We've had notification of bales of stuff arriving in August and he's had Customs and Excise to quell." He looked at Tris. "I'll see you there. Twelve forty-five." He looked back at me. "We can arrange Monday, then. I think you'll have Mr Luffman on your trail, too. He's hopping around like a dog with two tails."

I was left with that delightful image which kept surfacing as we spoke to as many as possible, whether graduates, other families' members, or dons. Frankie, with Waz and Kaz, were talking with Raphael and Hary. Pugsy had ben gathered up by Gabe and Josh. I wondered if Waz and Kaz would be introduced to the Club on Freshers' Night? I assumed they were straight. Still, so was Frankie and I guessed Pugsy would like the atmosphere there. A 'Cut-offs and Work-boots' competition sprang to mind! We would just have to wait and see.

Gradually the gathering broke up as another College contingent came filing through. Back to the set where sandwiches and cakes were laid out. Sean was there with Stevie's nephew helping. Sean said that tomorrow's lunch in Hall was salmon as most of Chatterton's lot had been more interested in getting pissed on the champagne than eating.

At that point Charles appeared and must have heard that. He laughed "Cheffie's confiscated the lot and he's charging them double for all the trouble he had preparing it."

"They were all at the ceremony, weren't they?" I asked. "All bills paid?" A rule was you couldn't be granted your degree if you were in debt to the College.

"My dear, too right! The Brigadier had written to all the families earlier pointing out that City jobs these days required a deal of probity and no recommendations would be written without the College being able to tell the truth about indebtedness. I'm not too sure if probity in some City matters is the correct term but it worked."

I thanked him for all the trouble he'd taken for us. He smiled and waved a hand in a familiar circular movement of 'no problem'. "Trouble! You and your family have contributed so much to the College over the past years. I see Kasim and Wasim looking so healthy and happy as well." He winked. A new gesture. I don't think Charles had used that before. "Mother has had such positive feedback from their fathers not only on their account but also on the ideas she has put forward for their houses. We thought they were pleased but ecstatic would not be too pretentious a word to use for their praise. Mother managed to talk to the wives and their input was invaluable in the final plans. Behind the scenes as you might say."

Our lot decided to get back home around half six. Dad had a concert in Winchester the next day so would have to make a reasonable start for the afternoon rehearsal. He said he'd heard it was a sell-out already. Mum handed me an envelope. "From your Uncle and Aldo. A graduation present. Open it later. He said he didn't want you to starve and there's something in there, too, from your Grandmother. Too mean to buy a stamp I guess!" She laughed and hugged and kissed me. Then, great hugs and kisses all round. Even Kaz and Waz were excellent huggers. We said we'd meet up with everyone in Strelzen on Friday. So that was what Ivo was asking Ignasz the hotel owner about! As the Carr and Machin parents would be staying with Ivo and 'Tory, so the rest of the families and guests would be at the hotel. At least there wouldn't be psychedelic shirts and shorts, or broken beds. Oh dear, just Priapic Frankie pursuing 'Tory's younger sisters, no doubt. No, he'd insisted Pugsy be invited as well so he would keep him in check and he was also responsible for Waz and Kaz. Tris and I in bed that night contemplated his introduction to the Rothenian lads and the free and easy atmosphere of the place. Oohoo! We supposed the Spa would be visited.

Oh, and my graduation present from Unc and Aldo was a cheque for fifteen thousand euros, please send to his bank in London for account 'M H Foster'. There was also an included fifty euro note from Gran. Both gifts I knew were from the heart. She had scribbled a note as well. 'Angel phoned me about your recital. Maestro would have been so proud of you.' Yes, her signature was a little blurred. A tear I guessed.

And I hadn't seen hide nor hair of either Logan or Curt!

To be continued: