"Higgins, Jack - Sheba" - читать интересную книгу автора (Higgins Jack)

'What a coup. It would shock the world,' Ritter said.

'More to the point, it would shock the British to the core and make them realize we mean business. At least that's the way our beloved Fiihrer sees it.' Canaris sighed. 'Of course, how the hell we are to accomplish this is another matter, but we'll have to come up with something, at least on paper, and that's where you come in, Hans.'

'I see, Herr Admiral.'

The limousine pulled in to the kerb outside the Abwehr offices at 74--6 Tirpitz Ufer. The Petty Officer hurried round to open the door for Canaris and Ritter scrambled out after him. The young Luftwaffe officer was frowning slightly.

Canaris said, 'Are you all right?'

Tine, Herr Admiral. It's just that there's something stirring at the back of my mind, something that could suit our purposes.'

'Really?' Canaris smiled and led the way up the steps, pausing at the door. 'Well, that is good news, but sooner rather than later, Hans, remember that,' and he led the way inside.

It was perhaps an hour later and Canaris was seated at his desk working his way through a mass of papers, his two favourite dachshunds asleep in their basket in the corner, when there was a knock at the door and Ritter entered with a file in one hand and a rolled-up map under his arm. He limped forward, leaning on his stick.

'Could I have a word, Herr Admiral, on this Suez Canal venture?'

Canaris sat back. 'So soon, Hans?'

'As I said, there was something at the back of my mind, and when I got to my office I remembered. A report I received last month from a professor of archaeology here at the University, Professor Otto Muller. He's recently returned from Southern Arabia. Intends to go back there soon. He needs additional funding.'

'And what has this to do with us?' Canaris asked.

'As the Herr Admiral knows, all German citizens working abroad have to make a report to us here at Abwehr Headquarters of anything of an unusual nature that they may have come across.'

'So?'

'Allow me, Herr Admiral.' Ritter went across to the map board on the far wall, unrolled the map under his arm and pinned it in place. It showed Egypt and the Suez Canal, the whole of Southern Arabia, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. 'As you can see, Herr Admiral, the British in Aden, the Yemen and then various Arab states along the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, Dhofar and the Oman.'

'Well?' Canaris asked, examining the map.

'You will notice Dahrein, a port on the Gulf coast. This is where Muller was working from. It belongs to Spain. Rather like Goa on the Indian coast. The Spaniards have been there for four hundred years.'

'I can imagine what the place is like,' Canaris said.

'North across the border with Saudi Arabia is the Rubh al Khali, the Empty Quarter, one of the most awesome deserts on earth.'

'And this is where Muller was operating?'

'Yes, Herr Admiral.'

'But what on earth was he doing?'

'There are remains of many ancient civilizations in the area, inscriptions and graffiti on the rocks. Muller is an expert on ancient languages. He uses a latex solution to take impressions, which are brought back here to the University.'

'And what has this to do with the Suez Canal, Hans?'

'Bear with me, Herr Admiral. The area around there called Saba has long been associated with the Queen of Sheba.'