Fortunately, Mathis missed the full implications of this statement. He nodded. “I am listening.”
“I told you that I was employed by an armaments manufacturer. It is true. But in a sense I am also, at the moment, in the joint services of the British and Turkish Governments. When I get off this ship this morning, an attempt is going to be made by German agents to kill me.”
“This is true?” He was incredulous and suspicious.
“I am afraid it is. It would not amuse me to invent it.”
“Excuse me, I …”
“That’s all right. What I want you to do is to go to the Turkish Consulate in Genoa, ask for the Consul and give him a message from me. Will you do that?”
Mathis stared hard at him for a moment. Then he nodded. “Very well. I will do it. What is the message?”
“I should like to impress upon you first that this is a highly confidential message. Is that understood?”
“I can keep my mouth shut when I choose.”
“I know I can rely on you. Will you write the message down? Here is a pencil and some paper. You would not be able to read my writing. Are you ready?”