CHAPTER 58
To: General Muncerville Officer Commanding Muncerforce
From: General Barber Officer Commanding Meshed
I must insist that Captain Fernee return to my jurisdiction immediately. Please see that he proceeds to Ashkhabad forthwith. Please instruct Captain Fernee on arrival in Krasnovodsk en route to Ashkhabad to telegraph me that he has crossed the Caspian and I will then provide him with orders as to his future role.
Fernee handed the telegram back to Oakes and looked miserable. Oakes put it on the table and picked up another piece of paper that he handed, with a twinkle in his eye, to Fernee.
To: General Barber Officer Commanding Meshed
From: General Muncerville Officer Commanding Muncerforce
Telegram received and understood. However, the value of Fernee to my mission cannot be exaggerated. I therefore with regret cannot release him at this time. I will endeavour to comply with your wishes as soon as it is possible to do so.
‘General Barber will not like this, colonel.’
‘Possession is nine tenths of the law. However, if you want to return to General Barber’s command General Muncerville said he would not step in your way.’
‘I wouldn’t want to do that.’
Oakes laughed. ‘I’ll say nothing merely telegraph this immediately to Meshed. That will be no doubt the end of it.’