“I do not say this is my plan,” said the Spook, “but I warn you if I order anything you must do it. IF YOU DISOBEY YOUR PUNISHMENT WILL BE REAL MADNESS! Choose! Obedience or real madness!”
“Obedience, absolute obedience!” said Hill and I together, “and please look after us.”
“Don’t worry,” said the Spook, and then announced its intention of developing the plan, but went no further for the present. (Note.—The lines on which we would develop it have already been indicated to the reader—paragraphs 1 and 2 of the plan above.)
The how of our going having been solved, the Spook turned to the question of where we were to go. It suggested that the medical leave on which Kiazim’s mind was now set could be usefully employed for three purposes simultaneously; first, finding the treasure, second, curing the Commandant’s disease, and third, giving the mediums a well-deserved holiday and bringing them back to Yozgad with their health fully restored. Where, then, would Kiazim like to go for a holiday? Kiazim thought Constantinople would be the very place, for AAA was there; we could read his thoughts and find the third clue, and have a most excellent time. The Spook agreed that Constantinople would be first-rate for those purposes, provided AAA had not gone on tour to Tarsus or somewhere of that sort, but unfortunately a big town would be most prejudicial to Kiazim’s health. He required some quiet place, and the Spook asked the Turks what sort of place they preferred, whether mountains, desert, or sea.
“We prefer sea,” said Moïse, after vainly trying to get the Spook to agree to “a house near the mosque of Ladin in Konia.”
Spook. “Noted.”
Moïse. “Thank you, Sir. May the mediums choose a place? They want Cairo.”
Spook. “They must go where I send them—ha! ha!”
Moïse. “May I choose a place out of Turkey? Do you count Egypt in Turkey?”
(This was delightful—it showed Moïse remembered the Spook’s secret advice to him to “seize the first opportunity of going to Egypt.” But we must not move too fast.)