The Thinking Machine Affair - Bernard Joel (читаем книги онлайн .txt) 📗

The other was powerfully built and Napoleon needed all his karate knowledge to combat him. He threw his attacker and made his head crash against the oversized desk in the office. He took advantage of this to hit him on the throat with all his strength. The man crumpled without a sound.

Napoleon stood a moment to recover his own balance, then bent to tie up the man. He found this unnecessary, for he was dead.

He discovered his transmitter-receiver in the desk drawer. Then he switched on the closed circuit television screens throughout the Center to announce:

"This is an ultimatum for all THRUSH executives, officers, armed guards and other personnel, to surrender unconditionally. THRUSH European Center E is completely surrounded and all escape routes are sealed off. The Chief Organizing Officer is overpowered, as you can see for yourself if you look at him lying on the floor of his office, and European Center E is deprived of its leader. We want to prevent bloodshed, but will not hesitate to retaliate against anyone offering resistance. You are all advised to lay down your arms at once and surrender."

Napoleon was unaware that this ultimatum was late, the U.N.C.L.E. and Czech State Security forces having already broken all resistance; indeed, full-scale mopping-up operations throughout the vast underground network were now in progress.

As he left the dead leader's office and went to rejoin Illya and the Novaks, he met a group of U.N.C.L.E. officers.

"Mr. Solo," one of them said, "we have been looking for you. The doctor wants to see you urgently, to check the effect of the gas on you."

"Right," Napoleon said, and followed him to the elevator.

They arrived a few floors down and walked towards the Medical Room. As they passed a group of THRUSH guards and personnel who were being escorted by Czech State Security officers, Napoleon stopped––the woman from the restaurant and the agent from airport were among the prisoners. The woman looked away when their eyes met for a moment. U.N.C.L.E.'S Medical Officer examined Solo and declared: "There's nothing wrong that the antidote wouldn't put right instantly," and dug a hypodermic needle into Napoleon's arm pressing a liquid into his bloodstream.

"How are Illya and the Novaks?" Napoleon enquired.

"Fine," the doctor confirmed. "The old man was rather shaken and might have been knocked out for good by the gas, but THRUSH's own antidote is superb and counteracts all the effects of the poisoning instantly. We should be grateful to them for a well-equipped Medical Room."

Napoleon arrived in the main area of the Center to find Professor Novak and Vlasta, accompanied by Illya, ready to depart.

"Will you join us, Napoleon?" Illya said. "We've arranged to celebrate the end of the affair in a good restaurant."

"I'd be delighted," he accepted, and turned towards Vlasta: "I'm looking forward to your company away from this place."

"I am sure you will be pleased to know that everyone has been dealt with and everything is under control, Mr. Solo," Major Klima reported.

"I am glad to know it," the U.N.C.L.E. agent returned. "We are about to celebrate the occasion. Would you care to join us?"

"I'm afraid I can't," Major Klima said regretfully. "Duty calls..."

"I hope I shall be seeing you before I leave your lovely city," Napoleon said, sliding his hand under Vlasta's arm as he walked her towards the exit.

They arrived in a Czech State Security limousine at the Acropolis Restaurant and managed to secure a table at this popular establishment. The food was excellent, the wine superb. Napoleon hoped Waverly would agree to his spending a long overdue leave in Prague. He was about to lead Vlasta to the dance floor when the call indicator of the transmitter-receiver in his pocket began to bleep. He could have done without this kind of interruption.

"Excuse me a moment," he said to Vlasta, and took the instrument from his pocket to acknowledge the call.

"Mr. Solo," Waverly said from U.N.C.L.E. Head quarters. "I want you to leave. A plane will be avail able at Prague Airport in an hour."

"Yes, sir," Napoleon consented unhappily. "Is Mr. Kuryakin to accompany me?"

"He will wind up matters in Prague," Waverly said, and closed Channel D.

"I'm afraid, Miss Novak, we won't be able to have another dance, after all," Napoleon said regretfully. "I am leaving immediately."

"A pity," she said. "I enjoyed being with you."

"May I have the pleasure?" Illya stood up and bowed.

"I'd be delighted," Vlasta replied with a smile.

Napoleon was not in the best of spirits as he walked towards the restaurant door. But then he was accustomed to his personal plans being turned upside down. He felt a little better when, next day, Illya was ordered to join him. At least they were in the same boat together—they'd both have to do without Vlasta's company.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

CHAPTER TWO

LONG NOSES AND BIG EARS

CHAPTER THREE

THE VISITOR WITHOUT A CALLING CARD

CHAPTER FOUR

"DEAR DADDY––COME AT ONCE!"

CHAPTER FIVE

KISSING CAN CAUSE UNCONSCIOUSNESS

CHAPTER SIX

CALLING ALL COFFINS

CHAPTER SEVEN

MURDER IS SUCH A MESSY BUSINESS

CHAPTER EIGHT

ACTION STATIONS!

CHAPTER NINE

HEADING FOR THE LAST ROUND-UP