The ghosts of august, p.2
The Ghosts of August, page 2
*
Josiah’s second-eldest boy was a problem. Like his uncle Sam, who he worshipped, Benjamin was big and strong and had a restless nature. Josiah was fortunate to have friends in the police who were able to keep Ben out of prison for his brawling ways in seedy hotels, a habit Josiah had hoped would wane as Ben neared the age of thirty, but which had stubbornly remained a feature of his son’s life. However, it was not the brawls that worried him most but the fact Josiah knew his son was attractive to the ladies who mixed in those establishments. As a father, Josiah feared his impulsive son would one day bring one home as a prospective wife.
Ben now stood in Josiah’s library at his harbourside home sporting a large bruise on his cheek and appearing remorseful.
‘There were two of them, Father, and I was forced to defend myself when they started taunting me as a Jew Boy.’
Also in the library was Ben’s beloved uncle Sam, recently arrived back from German New Guinea, and, still weakened from his latest bout of malaria, leaning on a cane.
‘Did you win?’ Sam asked.
‘I used some of that Chinese stuff you taught me, Uncle Sam.’ Ben beamed. ‘They both had to be taken to hospital.’
‘God almighty!’ Josiah exploded. ‘What if you had killed them?’
‘I made sure that their injuries were not fatal,’ Ben replied sheepishly, and Josiah glared at his brother for a moment.
‘Ben is more like you every day,’ Josiah said, rubbing his forehead in despair and turning back to his son. ‘What am I going to do with you?’
Ben did not reply. He knew that his father had attempted several times to incorporate him into the family business, but, despite achieving good marks at school when he’d put his mind to it, Ben had failed to prove himself competent. Josiah had even sent Ben west to one of their sheep stations, but there, too, he had proved himself inept at management. He was uncomfortably aware he was the black sheep in the family.
For his part, Josiah despaired. Both his sons were unmarried, and Ben was such a contrast to his elder brother, David, who had proved to be a model son, stable, conscientious and good. It was interesting that David had not inherited the large frame that Ben had; Josiah suspected his younger son took after their Russian ancestors on Josiah’s mother’s side. Not that either of his sons had much interest in their heritage. Oh, if only he had four daughters and not just two, Josiah thought, but then felt a touch of guilt, remembering that David was still in Germany attempting to develop business interests for their numerous products being produced in Australia.
Josiah also knew that within the week Sam would be returning with the Ella to the waters of German New Guinea, where he had established a good rapport with many German officials. It helped that he spoke reasonable German – as did David. This was because Josiah’s sister, Rebecca – or Becky to her family – had lived in German society for fifteen years as a lady of high rank. Thinking about Ben’s latest fight, Josiah recalled a suggestion Sam had put to him earlier in the week, and made a decision.
‘Ben, I want you to go with your uncle Sam when he sails back to New Guinea,’ he said, and noticed Ben’s face light up.
‘Truly, Father?’ Ben exclaimed.
‘I discussed the matter with your father when I got back,’ Sam said. ‘I think you need to get away from the vices that Sydney offers, and experience real work. We could use you on the Ella, and in New Guinea.’
Ben turned to Sam. ‘Thank you, Uncle Sam. I am more than prepared to work hard.’
Sam grinned. ‘You might be begging me to come home after a few weeks in the jungle of the mountains we trek in search of gold,’ he replied. ‘But we will see. I suggest you get your kit together, because we sail tomorrow morning.’
‘You are dismissed,’ Josiah said. He found it hard to break with his military past as an officer for the Queen and then for Australia; he often still resorted to military language.
When Ben had left the library, Josiah turned to his brother. ‘Your children will miss you very much,’ Josiah said, unstopping a bottle of single malt Scotch, pouring two crystal glasses and handing one to Sam, who sat down in a leather chair opposite his brother.
‘I miss Georgette and Saul all the time I am away from them, but I need to finish what I have started,’ Sam said with a note of sadness. ‘When I have done so, I will always be with them. In the meantime, I know they are being well cared for.’
‘You know that what I am asking you is more important than finding the elusive mother lode of gold,’ Josiah said. ‘When I was approached by the man from the Defence Department, he told me that in his research into the late Sir Douglas Wade’s papers, our family name came up on top-secret missions our father, you and I conducted in German New Guinean waters all that time past. He also knew our intimate connection to General Maximillian von Kellermann’s family. In these troubling times in Europe, he said our government has a desperate need to know what the Imperial German Navy is planning in our part of the world.’
‘I remember so well those sad days when we lost our father.’ Sam sighed. ‘We have a blood connection to New Guinea, and I raise a toast to one of the most remarkable men this country has ever known. To Colonel Ian Steele, our beloved father.’
Josiah raised his glass to meet Sam’s.
‘So, your man in the Defence Department wants us to travel to Rabaul and observe any signs that the Germans have a plan for us in the event of war,’ confirmed Sam. ‘I know one or two military officers there from my days drinking in the German Club when we were purchasing copra.’
‘You would not be viewed as a threat; I have heard reports from contacts that you are seen as a simple gold prospector and occasional merchant, and there is some respect for your war service in South Africa. The Germans – particularly the Prussians – hold a man’s military service in war in high regard. That it cost you your leg is almost akin to the pride some Prussian officers hold for receiving a duelling scar. Plus, it helps that your sister is married to a German general.’
‘The perfect cover,’ Sam said with a facetious note in his voice. ‘But I will need to keep your son in line around any Fräuleins we may encounter up there.’
‘I am sure you will be able to do that,’ Josiah said with a smile. ‘I sometimes think Ben would rather have been your son.’
‘That is not true,’ Sam replied. ‘It is just that he does not understand that my life has not been all good. When I look back on it, the best thing that happened to me was meeting Rosemary and having my children with her. I see Rosemary in my beloved daughter Georgie’s face every time she smiles. It breaks my heart.’
Josiah could see tears welling in his big and tough brother’s eyes and stood to walk over to him, placing his hand on Sam’s shoulder.
No further words were needed, and Sam rose to walk away, aware that he was now once again in the military service of his country.
*
Archibald Stokes hurried to the office of his head of department. It was confirmed that the Steele family would assist with a covert operation to Rabaul, where Archibald felt most intelligence could be gleaned on German intentions in the Pacific. The Kaiser held sway over islands from Samoa to the Micronesian spread, as well as the northern section of the big strategic island of New Guinea, while Australia occupied the southern section.
It had occurred to Archibald that it would be a good idea to suggest that the New Zealand government be informed of the Australian government’s plans to collect intelligence for any future joint operations in the Pacific region as they, too, would be under armed threat should war erupt between Germany and Britain. This would have to be discussed with the department head, though, which was why Archibald was making his way to the head’s office. Reaching the door, he knocked and held his breath. Although Australia was not at war, he knew it was a certainty that the Australian government would declare its military support for Britain if the powder keg of nationalist sentiment that was Europe in the present day were to ignite. Australia was a proud member of the British empire, and it would be loyal to its roots. Archibald was an intelligent man and had a feeling in his gut that if Australia went to war with Germany, the first shots would be fired in their own backyard – the Pacific Islands.
‘Enter,’ a voice boomed, and Archibald stepped inside his superior’s office armed with his ideas on strategies that might – most probably would – be needed to counter the Imperial German Navy stationed in China and Rabaul. But he was not sure that his thoughts on the subject would be paid any attention, because Archibald knew the man he was about to speak to was a pompous, self-important and ignorant fool.
TWO
David Steele did not have his younger brother’s physique. He was shorter, although still just above average height for a man growing up in Australia. But he had a handsome countenance attractive to women who were aware that he was an intelligent and charming man, and the bearing of a military man who had once held a commission in his grandfather’s militia regiment based in Sydney. However, David had been forced to resign his commission some years prior due to the demands of his work managing the vast commercial enterprises of the Steele industries and the family’s farming concerns.
David knew that the seeds of their family fortune could be found in his own grandfather’s military campaign in the Crimean War, where he had been involved in the looting of a Russian baggage train. But that was just a vague old family story long dismissed by his descendants.
It was early spring in Bavaria, where David was taking time off to catch up with his dear friend, Hermann von Kellermann, and also his aunt, Rebecca von Kellermann, sister of his father and wife of Prussian general and duke, Maximillian von Kellermann. It wasn’t his first visit to his friend’s castle, the capital of the dukedom, as he had visited with his brother, Ben, five years earlier. However, Ben had not been very impressed by the culture, despite the beauty of the Bavarian countryside with its medieval houses and beautiful forests bordered by rolling fields of grazing cattle and dairy cows.
On this trip David had been on a tour of England, France and now Germany, working in the interests of his family to investigate and establish future trade connections, so he was enjoying the respite from work afforded him by the visit to his close friend and his aunt Becky.
He had now spent two weeks as a guest at the castle, and in that time had found himself wined and dined by his German family. It had been at one of the lavish dinners that David had glanced across the candlelit table lined with German aristocrats to see a beautiful young woman sitting opposite him. She had raven-black hair, elegantly arranged, and striking green eyes. David took a breath. She was a beauty in any language. As she spooned soup from her bowl, she looked up at David. A faint smile crossed her face, and it was then that David knew he must be introduced to her.
He leaned towards Hermann, who was wearing his dark army dress uniform with its ornate display of colour and rank.
‘Who is that remarkable lady sitting opposite us?’ David whispered as Hermann lifted his goblet of wine.
‘Oh, you mean my cousin, Caroline. She is the daughter of Count von Neumann, and his only child. Her mother passed away some years ago and the old man dotes on her,’ Hermann replied, smiling at Caroline, who returned his gesture with a tilt of her head. ‘As a matter of fact, her father has commercial interests in copra plantations in your part of the world – along with factories in the Ruhr – and other business interests with the Krupp family. I’m afraid my cousin has a reputation for being a bit wild and I imagine her father fears he may never marry her off to a respectable family. She prefers to use his money to travel the world seeking adventure, and, I suspect, takes the odd lover or two.’ Hermann turned to David. ‘I would give you some advice, old friend, and that is not to fall for her charms, as you will only be hurt. Better find a village girl while you are here and have some amorous fun before you return home. Actually, I was planning to spend an evening in the village tavern tomorrow night, if you’d like to join me. I go there from time to time to let off steam.’
David turned back to his dinner, but despite Hermann’s warning, he could not take his eyes off Caroline. He was confident she wasn’t aware of his attentions, though, as she spent the evening laughing and smiling at the conversation of a young and handsome German naval officer sitting beside her, who Hermann confirmed had escorted Caroline to the dinner that night. David experienced an irrational surge of jealousy towards the man, despite the fact that he knew nothing about Caroline – except what Hermann had told him.
Eventually the dinner finished and David and Hermann made their way to the ballroom where the guests gathered to drink French champagne while the men smoked cigars. Laughter and loud voices filled the room as the aristocratic guests mingled to gossip and discuss the problems Europe was facing.
Looking around, David noticed that the German naval officer had left Caroline alone for a moment while he spoke with other senior German officers present. David gripped the sleeve of his friend’s uniform. ‘Hermann, will you introduce me to your cousin?’ he said, and Hermann frowned.
‘If it is your wish to get your fingers burned, I will do so, but remember I warned you, she will only toy with you.’
But true to his word, Hermann set off across the room, David in his wake.
‘My dear cousin, Caroline, I would like to introduce my very good friend and guest of the family, Mr David Steele. His aunt is my stepmother.’
Caroline turned to David. ‘I already know about you, Mr Steele,’ she said sweetly in German. ‘You are from Australia and a successful businessman. I heard you speaking earlier, and I must compliment you on your German – it is very good. I also speak French and English and hope to learn Russian.’
‘That is very impressive,’ David answered in English.
‘Thank you, Mr Steele,’ Caroline replied, also in English. ‘I hope my grasp of your language is adequate.’
‘I am even more impressed,’ David answered. ‘You speak English with little trace of an accent.’
‘I was able to live in London for a few years and I have always had an interest in foreign languages.’
‘It was fortunate you did not live in Scotland,’ said David with a grin. ‘Otherwise, you may have developed their accent, which even many English speakers find hard to understand.’
Caroline broke into a broad smile. ‘I can see that you have a sense of humour, which is something we Germans are not renowned for,’ she said.
Hermann shook his head. ‘I can see that you and my cousin have plenty to talk about,’ he said. ‘I think I might join a friend from my regiment to discuss more important subjects than a grasp of foreign languages.’ With this parting statement Hermann made his way to a young German officer a short distance away.
‘Ah, here we were, almost alone,’ Caroline said as her German escort returned.
‘Caroline, I see you have company,’ the young naval officer said in German with a note of aggression in his voice.
Caroline replied in English. ‘Kurt, I would like to introduce Hermann’s friend from Australia, Mr David Steele, who is a guest of Duke von Kellermann. Our duchess Rebecca is David’s aunt.’
With the mention of the general’s connection to David, the naval officer lost some of his antagonism – presumably, David thought, because the highly respected Bavarian family had strong links to the Kaiser himself. But he did not extend his hand in friendship.
‘Pleased to make your acquaintance, Oberleutnant zur See,’ David said, using the low rank of the navy officer’s designation in a way David knew would irritate him.
‘You have not served?’ the German officer asked in a subtle war of words.
‘I have held an infantry commission in our army at home,’ David replied. ‘But I can presume neither you nor I have seen active service – so we are even.’
The German officer stiffened, as though David’s remark were a slap in the face. ‘With the tense situation in Europe, that situation may change,’ Kurt muttered, scowling.
‘Gentlemen,’ Caroline interrupted serenely, ‘I am sure that neither the Kaiser nor the Russian Czar, or the French president or King of England, for that matter, desires that we ever go to war, and as I will be departing shortly for Rabaul to inspect the management of our copra plantations in that part of the world, I too hope peace prevails.’
David glanced at Caroline in surprise. ‘When do you leave?’ he asked.
‘My father has organised that I depart next week from Hamburg,’ Caroline answered. ‘I am looking forward to visiting that part of the world as I have read many stories from our administration there of cannibals and headhunters. It sounds like an exciting adventure.’
‘My grandfather died in that part of the world as a result of a native arrow,’ David cautioned. ‘It is dangerous country for any man – let alone a woman.’
Caroline appeared bemused at David’s declaration of danger. ‘I was not born to be a Hausfrau, Mr Steele. Life is an adventure and sometimes dangerous, I know. I have always wanted to visit the lands of headhunters and cannibals. Germany is a land of docile agrarian people living a safe and boring life, so it is only in its colonies of Africa and the Pacific that one can face real excitement. They are still frontiers we know so little about.’
David could see that Hermann was right in his observations concerning his cousin; she was no ordinary woman. He could also see that her beauty would allow her to have her pick of any eligible man anywhere in the world. Hermann had informed David that she was just twenty-five years of age but had travelled more widely in that quarter of a century, and been exposed to many more diverse cultures, than most people would experience in their lifetimes. David found himself both fascinated and smitten by the beautiful woman, but he also realised that it would take a very special man to win her heart. He hoped that would be him.
