Posted by Charles Coull on September 23, 2003 at 15:41:47 from 212.137.57.41 user Charles_Coull.
In Reply to: Re: Buchan novels (was Pubs, Inns etc) posted by John Nichols on September 23, 2003 at 13:55:45:
Three Hostages - Norway:
'Let the greenshanks alone, like a good fellow. I've probably got to go to Norway on the 21st, and I shall want to get home in the deuce of a hurry. The steamer's far too slow.'
'Destroyer,' he suggested.
'Hang it, this is not the War. Talk sense. I want an aeroplane, and I want you to fetch me.'
Archie whistled long and loud.
'You're a surprisin' old bird, Dick. It's no joke bein' a pal of yours. . . I dare say I could raise a bus all right. But you've got to chance the weather. And my recollection of Norway is that it's not very well provided with landin' places. What part do you favour?'
I told him the mouth of the Merdalfjord.
'Lord! I've been there,' he said. 'It's all as steep as the side of a house.'
'Yes, but I've been studying the map, and there are some eligible little islands off the mouth, which look flattish from the contouring. I'm desperately serious, old man. I'm engaged on a job where fallure means the loss of innocent lives. I'll tell you all about it soon, but meantime you must take my word for it.'