Compton arrived at the cinema that evening with Captain Anders. This was to the relief of Edrich and Robbins as Hutton had retired to bed incapacitated by back pain. Anders willingly accepted Edrich’s invitation to sit with the Group. Edrich thought that the cinema was in a converted stable because the pervading smell of horses and their manure was overpowering but after a short time the film, a comedy, dulled his nasal sensibilities as he laughed at the little man called Charlie Chaplin. Amidst the laughter engendered by the film Anders whispered to Edrich that they undo the straps of their haversacks then nothing else happened during the film. It was during the next film, a French made melodrama, that Edrich felt Anders push garments into his lap. A few moments later Edrich, after looking round the cinema, slipped the clothing into his haversack. At the end of the films as they all left the cinema Anders shook hands with everyone beginning with Edrich into whose hand the Swede slipped a piece of paper. After saying good night to Compton, Edrich and Robbins walked back in silence, to the hotel.
‘Do you think Anders is on the level?’ Edrich asked Robbins as they climbed the stairs to their rooms.
‘That is something I asked Compton and he says he is pretty sure the man is genuine and unlike some Swedes he is pro-Allies. Why? Was it something to do with what he passed you?’
Edrich thought for a moment. ‘Yes. I will see exactly what he gave me, before I tell you about it. Ignorance is bliss, so if we have a visit from our police friends who saw him passing me the stuff you are not involved – that’s important.’
Robbins smiled grimly. ‘This mission is turning out to be rather different to what I expected or at least hoped for.’
‘Can I ask, Sir Walter, was there an American consul in Tashkent before Compton?’
‘No, there has not been an American consul here since I was posted to Kashgar in 1890, though someone may have passed through at the end of last year.’
‘It seems an odd place for an American consul to be out here miles from anywhere.’
‘Not like us British - eh Bill?’
Edrich laughed, ‘but at least we have reasons: the protection of India; the cotton and the POWs. How long has he been here? Is he not telling us something?’
‘Well the reasons you have just given for us would be exactly the same reasons for him and America. He has been here since May. He sent a letter to Kashgar telling us who he was as soon as arrived here. It might behove you to find out more when the opportunity arises.’
‘I will. Good night to you.’
‘Good night to you, Bill.’
Once back in his room Edrich opened the haversack and examined its contents and that made him hope the police were not going to make a raid. He had to hide the contents – but where? For several minutes he pondered then he removed the threadbare pillow case from the pillow and stuffed the haversacks’ contents into it. He placed the pillow on top of the stuffed pillowcase and hoped it would work. As for the contents of the Swede’s note they made Edrich sit and think. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door and the entry of Bedi who asked him if he needed anything else that evening.
‘Yes, Bedi there is.’ Edrich beckoned the man to come closer, ‘I want you to acquire a German or Austrian army hat tomorrow in the market. Can you do that as early as possible?’
‘Yes, the market is open at seven and I think I should buy some fruit to cover up my hat purchase.’
Edrich smiled and nodded in appreciation. ‘Yes, very good, Bedi,’ Edrich took rouble notes out of his pocket, ‘that should be enough. Now when you go out on your own are you followed and how many people follow you and do they stay close?’
‘Three, but when I’ve been in the market they have usually kept their distance so I can buy the hat easily. As a Sikh I can say the hat’s for me if I am asked and I’ll try and get one that fits you but I’ll wear it back.’
Edrich laughed. ‘That would look good over your patka.’ Then he realised that there was something he needed done but could not do himself in the circumstances so Bedi would have to do it, ‘when you return here, can you come in from the back entrance?’
‘I can but why?’
‘I want you to memorise all the buildings, streets and alleyways at the back of the hotel. Try and seem unconcerned when you are observing your surroundings. If you need extra time for any observation pretend to have a stone in your shoe whilst you are memorising whatever it is. When you get back to the hotel, draw me a map of what you have seen and bring it to me.’
‘God this is a tight fit,’ Edrich was struggling with the Austrian Army jacket Anders had put in the haversack. ‘This is even worse.’ The German cap that Anders had given him had been so small that when Edrich put it on it had perched fez like on his head. The cap was so small that Bedi had been unable to trade it for a new one – that he had to buy.
‘Yes,’ said Robbins, ‘I think our Captain Anders was expecting Hutton to fit it. As for the hat all you can hope for William is that the wind never gets too strong. It’s a motley disguise so it fits in with what we see out there,’ Robbins giggled.
‘Hutton is always ill. I know I should have some sympathy for someone who is lying flat on his back on the floor but in these circumstances I can’t find any. I should be meeting Plasov with you and Compton.’ He took his disguise off and replaced them with his own uniform. He moved to the table where he had spread the map Bedi had drawn for him.
‘I think you are beginning to enjoy this cloak and dagger stuff,’ said Robbins. ‘What are your plans?’
‘I’ll let you know if I enjoy my spying when I come back.’ He stabbed his finger at the drawing. ‘That’s where I’m meeting Anders’ contact in about half an hour provided all and sundry are creatures of habit.’ Robbins looked questioningly but Edrich shook his head. ‘Still maybe best for you that you don’t know any more than you need to.’
Robbins looked at his watch and stood up. ‘I think it is time to report to India and I wonder whether these Bolsheviks will let us. I assume Plasov has asked to see us this evening because he has heard from Moscow. How do I explain your absence to everyone?’
‘Tell him that Hutton is incapacitated and that I am worried about him. I also have a cold, no a headache – they clear up quickly.’