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FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Five secret occasions in the life of James Bond

Ian Fleming
(1960) v1.0 Contents: From a View To a Kill For Your Eyes Only Quan um o! "ola#e $isi#o T%e &il'e(ran' $ari y

FROM A !E" #O A $!LL


T%e eyes (e%in' %e wi'e (la#) ru((er goggles were #ol' as !lin . In %e %owling s*ee'+ urmoil o! a ,"- ./0 'oing seven y0 %ey were %e only 1uie %ings in %e %ur ling !les% an' me al. 2ro e# e' (y %e glass o! %e goggles0 %ey s are' !i3e'ly a%ea' !rom 4us a(ove %e #en re o! %e %an'le(ars0 an' %eir 'ar) unwavering !o#us was %a o! gun mu55les. ,elow %e goggles0 %e win' %a' go in o %e !a#e %roug% %e mou % an' %a' wren#%e' %e li*s (a#) in o a s1uare grin %a s%owe' (ig om(s one ee % an' s ri*s o! w%i is% gum. On (o % si'es o! %e grin %e #%ee)s %a' (een (lown ou (y %e win' in o *ou#%es %a !lu ere' slig% ly. To rig% an' le! o! %e %ur ling !a#e un'er %e #ras% %elme 0 %e (la#) gaun le s0 (ro)en+wris e' a %e #on rols0 loo)e' li)e %e a a#)ing *aws o! a (ig animal. T%e man was 'resse' in %e uni!orm o! a 'is*a #%+ri'er in %e $oyal 6or*s o! "ignals0 an' %is ma#%ine0 *ain e' olive green0 was0 wi % #er ain mo'i!i#a ions o %e valves an' %e #ar(ure or an' %e removal o! some o! %e silen#er (a!!les o give more s*ee'0 i'en i#al wi % a s an'ar' ,ri is% -rmy ma#%ine. T%ere was no %ing in %e man or %is e1ui*men o sugges %a %e was no w%a %e a**eare' o (e0 e3#e* a !ully loa'e' 7uger %el' (y a #li* o %e o* o! %e *e rol an). I was seven o8#lo#) on a .ay morning an' %e 'ea' s raig% roa' %roug% %e !ores gli ere' wi % %e iny luminous mis o! s*ring. On (o % si'es o! %e roa' %e moss+ an' !lower+#ar*e e' 'e* %s (e ween %e grea oa) rees %el' %e %ea ri#al en#%an men o! %e royal !ores s o! Versailles an' " 9ermain. T%e roa' was :9;0 a se#on'ary roa' serving lo#al ra!!i# in %e " 9ermain area0 an' %e mo or+#y#lis %a' 4us *asse' (enea % %e 2aris+.an es au orou e alrea'y %un'ering wi % #ommu er ra!!i# !or 2aris. &e was %ea'ing nor % owar's " 9ermain an' %ere was no one else in sig% in ei %er 'ire# ion0 e3#e* 0 *er%a*s %al! a mile a%ea'0 an almos i'en i#al !igure < ano %er $oyal 6or*s 'is*a #%+ri'er. &e was a younger0 slimmer man an' %e sa #om!or a(ly (a#) on %is ma#%ine0 en4oying %e morning an' )ee*ing %is s*ee' o aroun' !or y. &e was well on ime an' i was a (eau i!ul 'ay. &e won'ere' w%e %er o %ave %is eggs !rie' or s#ram(le' w%en %e go (a#) o &Q aroun' eig% .

Five %un're' yar's0 !our %un're'0 %ree0 wo0 one. T%e man #oming u* !rom (e%in' slowe' o !i! y. &e *u %is rig% gaun le u* o %is ee % an' *ulle' i o!!. &e s u!!e' %e gaun le (e ween %e (u ons o! %is uni# an' rea#%e' 'own an' un#li**e' %e gun. ,y now %e mus %ave (een (ig in %e 'riving+mirror o! %e young man a%ea'0 !or su''enly %e young man 4er)e' %is %ea' roun'0 sur*rise' o !in' ano %er 'is*a #%+ ri'er on %is run a %a ime o! %e morning. &e e3*e# e' %a i woul' (e an -meri#an or *er%a*s Fren#% mili ary *oli#e. I mig% (e anyone !rom %e eig% =-TO na ions %a ma'e u* %e s a!! o! "&-2E0 (u w%en %e re#ogni5e' %e uni!orm o! %e 6or*s %e was as onis%e' an' 'elig% e'. >%o %e %ell #oul' i (e? &e raise' a #%eer!ul rig% %um( in re#ogni ion an' #u %is s*ee' o %ir y0 wai ing !or %e o %er man o 'ri! u* alongsi'e. >i % one eye on %e roa' a%ea' an' %e o %er on %e a**roa#%ing sil%oue e in %e mirror0 %e ran %roug% %e names o! %e ,ri is% ri'ers in %e "*e#ial "ervi#e Trans*or a ion @ni a &ea'1uar ers 6omman'. -l(er 0 "i'0 >ally < mig% (e >ally0 same %i#) (uil'. 9oo' s%owA &e8' (e a(le o *ull %is leg a(ou %a li le !rog (i in %e #an een < 7ouise0 Elise0 7ise < w%a %e %ell was %er name. T%e man wi % %e gun %a' slowe'. =ow %e was !i! y yar's away. &is !a#e0 un'is or e' (y %e win'0 %a' se in o (lun 0 %ar'0 *er%a*s "lav lines. - re' s*ar) (urne' (e%in' %e (la#)0 aime' mu55les o! %e eyes. For y yar's0 %ir y. - single mag*ie !lew ou o! %e !ores a%ea' o! %e young 'is*a #%+ri'er. I !le' #lumsily a#ross %e roa' in o %e (us%es (e%in' a .i#%elin sign %a sai' %a " 9ermain was one )ilome re o go. T%e young man grinne' an' raise' an ironi#al !inger in salu e an' sel!+*ro e# ion < 8One mag*ie is sorrow8. Twen y yar's (e%in' %im %e man wi % %e gun oo) (o % %an's o!! %e %an'le(ars0 li! e' %e 7uger0 res e' i #are!ully on %is le! !orearm an' !ire' one s%o . T%e young man8s %an's w%i**e' o!! %is #on rols an' me a#ross %e #en re o! %is (a#)war'+ar#%ing s*ine. &is ma#%ine veere' a#ross %e roa'0 4um*e' a narrow 'i #% an' *loug%e' in o a *a #% o! grass an' lilies o! %e valley. T%ere i rose u* on i s s#reaming (a#) w%eel an' slowly #ras%e' (a#)war's on o* o! i s 'ea' ri'er. T%e ,"- #oug%e' an' )i#)e' an' ore a %e young man8s #lo %es an' a %e !lowers0 an' %en lay 1uie . T%e )iller e3e#u e' a narrow urn an' s o**e' wi % %is ma#%ine *oin ing (a#) %e way %e %a' #ome. &e s am*e' 'own %e w%eel+res 0 *ulle' %is ma#%ine u* on o i an' wal)e' in among %e wil' !lowers un'er %e rees. &e )nel 'own (esi'e %e 'ea' man an' (rus1uely *ulle' (a#) an eyeli'. Bus as roug%ly %e ore %e (la#) lea %er 'is*a #%+#ase o!! %e #or*se an' ri**e' o*en %e (u ons o! %e uni# an' remove' a (a ere' lea %er walle . &e wren#%e' a #%ea* wris +wa #% so s%ar*ly o!! %e le! wris %a %e #%rome e3*an'ing (ra#ele sna**e' in %al!. &e s oo' u* an' slung %e 'is*a #%+#ase over %is s%oul'er. >%ile %e s owe' %e walle an' %e wa #% away in %is uni# *o#)e %e lis ene'. T%ere were only !ores soun's an' %e slow i#) o! %o me al !rom %e #ras%e' ,"-. T%e )iller re ra#e' %is s e*s o %e roa'. &e wal)e' slowly0 s#u!!ing leaves over %e yre mar)s in %e so! ear % an' moss. &e oo) e3 ra rou(le over %e 'ee* s#ars in %e 'i #% an' %e grass verge0 an' %en s oo' (esi'e %is mo or+ #y#le an' loo)e' (a#) owar's %e lily o! %e valley *a #%. =o (a'A 2ro(a(ly only %e *oli#e 'ogs woul' ge i 0 an'0 wi % en miles o! roa' o #over0 %ey woul' (e %ours0 *er%a*s 'ays < *len y long enoug%. T%e main %ing in %ese 4o(s was o %ave enoug% sa!e y margin. &e #oul' %ave s%o %e man a !or y yar's0 (u %e %a' *re!erre' o ge o wen y. -n' a)ing %e wa #% an' %e walle %a' (een ni#e ou#%es < *ro ou#%es. 2lease' wi % %imsel!0 %e man %eave' %is ma#%ine o!! i s res 0 vaul e' smar ly in o %e sa''le an' )i#)e' 'own on %e s ar er. "lowly0 so as no o s%ow s)i' mar)s0

%e a##elera e' away (a#) 'own %e roa' an' in a minu e or so %e was 'oing seven y again an' %e win' %a' re'rawn %e em* y urni* grin a#ross %is !a#e. -roun' %e s#ene o! %e )illing0 %e !ores 0 w%i#% %a' %el' i s (rea % w%ile i was 'one0 slowly (egan o (rea %e again. Bames ,on' %a' %is !irs 'rin) o! %e evening a Fou1ue 8s. I was no a soli' 'rin). One #anno 'rin) seriously in Fren#% #a!Cs. Ou o! 'oors on a *avemen in %e sun is no *la#e !or vo')a or w%is)y or gin. - fine I'eau is !airly serious0 (u i in o3i#a es wi %ou as ing very goo'. - quart de champagne or a champagne I'orange is all rig% (e!ore lun#%eon0 (u in %e evening one quart lea's o ano %er quart an' a (o le o! in'i!!eren #%am*agne is a (a' !oun'a ion !or %e nig% . 2erno' is *ossi(le0 (u i s%oul' (e 'run) in #om*any0 an' anyway ,on' %a' never li)e' %e s u!! (e#ause i s li1uori#e as e remin'e' %im o! %is #%il'%oo'. =o0 in #a!es you %ave o 'rin) %e leas o!!ensive o! %e musi#al #ome'y 'rin)s %a go wi % %em0 an' ,on' always %a' %e same %ing < an -meri#ano < ,i er 6am*ari0 6in5ano0 a large sli#e o! lemon *eel an' so'a. For %e so'a %e always s i*ula e' 2errier0 !or in %is o*inion e3*ensive so'a wa er was %e #%ea*es way o im*rove a *oor 'rin). >%en ,on' was in 2aris %e invaria(ly s u#) o %e same a''resses. &e s aye' a %e Terminus =or'0 (e#ause %e li)e' s a ion %o els an' (e#ause %is was %e leas *re en ious an' mos anonymous o! %em. &e %a' lun#%eon a %e 6a!C 'e la 2ai30 %e $o on'e or %e :Dme0 (e#ause %e !oo' was goo' enoug% an' i amuse' %im o wa #% %e *eo*le. I! %e wan e' a soli' 'rin) %e %a' i a &arry8s ,ar0 (o % (e#ause o! %e soli'i y o! %e 'rin)s an' (e#ause0 on %is !irs ignoran visi o 2aris a %e age o! si3 een0 %e %a' 'one w%a &arry8s a'ver isemen in %e Continental Daily Mail %a' ol' %im o 'o an' %a' sai' o %is a3i+'river 8"an) $oo :oe =oo8. T%a %a' s ar e' one o! %e memora(le evenings o! %is li!e0 #ulmina ing in %e loss0 almos simul aneous0 o! %is virgini y an' %is no e#ase. For 'inner0 ,on' wen o one o! %e grea res auran s < VC!our0 %e 6ane on0 7u#as+6ar on or %e 6o#%on '8Or. T%ese %e #onsi'ere'0 w%a ever .i#%elin mig% say a(ou %e Tour '8-rgen 0 .a3ims an' %e li)e0 o %ave some%ow avoi'e' %e arnis% o! %e e3*ense a##oun an' %e 'ollar. -nyway0 %e *re!erre' %eir #oo)ing. -! er 'inner %e generally wen o %e 2la#e 2igalle o see w%a woul' %a**en o %im. >%en0 as usual0 no %ing 'i'0 %e woul' wal) %ome a#ross 2aris o %e 9are 'u =or' an' go o (e'. Tonig% ,on' 'e#i'e' o ear u* %is 'us y a''ress+(oo) an' %ave %imsel! an ol'+!as%ione' (all. &e was on %is way %roug% 2aris a! er a 'ismally !aile' assignmen on %e -us ro+&ungarian (or'er. I %a' (een a 1ues ion o! ge ing a #er ain &ungarian ou . ,on' %a' (een sen !rom 7on'on s*e#ially o 'ire# %e o*era ion over %e %ea' o! " a ion V. T%is %a' (een un*o*ular wi % %e Vienna " a ion. T%ere %a' (een misun'ers an'ings < wil!ul ones. T%e man %a' (een )ille' in %e !ron ier mine!iel'. T%ere woul' %ave o (e a #our o! in1uiry. ,on' was 'ue (a#) a %is 7on'on %ea'1uar ers on %e !ollowing 'ay o ma)e %is re*or 0 an' %e %oug% o! i all 'e*resse' %im. To'ay %a' (een so (eau i!ul < one o! %ose 'ays w%en you almos (elieve %a 2aris is (eau i!ul an' gay < an' ,on' %a' 'e#i'e' o give %e own 4us one more #%an#e. &e woul' some%ow !in' %imsel! a girl w%o was a real girl0 an' %e woul' a)e %er o 'inner a some ma)e+(elieve *la#e in %e ,ois li)e %e -rmenonville. To #lean %e money+loo) ou o! %er eyes < !or i woul' #er ainly (e %ere < %e woul' as soon as *ossi(le give %er !i! y %ousan' !ran#s. &e woul' say o %erE 8I *ro*ose o #all you :ona ienne0 or *ossi(ly "olange0 (e#ause %ese are names %a sui my moo' an' %e evening. >e )new ea#% o %er (e!ore an' you len me %is money (e#ause I was in a 4am. &ere i is0 an' now we will ell ea#% o %er w%a we

%ave (een 'oing sin#e we las me in " Tro*e5 4us a year ago. In %e mean ime0 %ere is %e menu an' %e wine lis an' you mus #%oose w%a will ma)e you %a**y an' !a .8 -n' s%e woul' loo) relieve' a no %aving o ry any more0 an' s%e woul' laug% an' sayE 8,u 0 Bames0 I 'o no wan o (e !a .8 -n' %ere %ey woul' (e0 s ar e' on %e my % o! 82aris in %e "*ring80 an' ,on' woul' s ay so(er an' (e in eres e' in %er an' every %ing s%e sai'. -n'0 (y 9o'0 (y %e en' o! %e evening i woul' no (e %is !aul i! i rans*ire' %a %ere was in !a# no s%re' o! s u!!ing le! in %e %oary ol' !airy ale o! 8- goo' ime in 2aris8. "i ing in Fou1ue 8s0 wai ing !or %is -meri#ano0 ,on' smile' a %is ve%emen#e. &e )new %a %e was only *laying a %is !an asy !or %e sa is!a# ion o! laun#%ing a las )i#) a a own %e %a' #or'ially 'isli)e' sin#e %e >ar. "in#e 19FG0 %e %a' no %a' a %a**y 'ay in 2aris. I was no %a %e own %a' sol' i s (o'y. .any owns %ave 'one %a . I was i s %ear %a was gone < *awne' o %e ouris s0 *awne' o %e $ussians an' $oumanians an' ,ulgars0 *awne' o %e s#um o! %e worl' w%o %a' gra'ually a)en %e own over. -n'0 o! #ourse0 *awne' o %e 9ermans. You #oul' see i in %e *eo*le8s eyes < sullen0 envious0 as%ame'. -r#%i e# ure? ,on' glan#e' a#ross %e *avemen a %e s%iny (la#) ri((ons o! #ars o!! w%i#% %e sun glin e' *ain!ully. Everyw%ere i was %e same as in %e 6%am*s+ElysCes. T%ere were only wo %ours in w%i#% you #oul' even see %e own < (e ween !ive an' seven in %e morning. -! er seven i was engul!e' in a %un'ering s ream o! (la#) me al wi % w%i#% no (eau i!ul (uil'ings0 no s*a#ious0 ree+line' (oulevar's0 #oul' #om*e e. T%e wai er8s ray #la ere' 'own on %e mar(le+ o**e' a(le. >i % a sli#) one+ %an'e' 4er) %a ,on' %a' never (een a(le o #o*y0 %e wai er8s (o le+o*ener *rise' %e #a* o!! %e 2errier. T%e man sli**e' %e a( un'er %e i#e+(u#)e 0 sai' a me#%ani#al HVoilI0 .8sieurH an' 'ar e' away. ,on' *u i#e in o %is 'rin)0 !ille' i o %e o* wi % so'a an' oo) a long *ull a i . &e sa (a#) an' li a 7aurens 4aune. O! #ourse %e evening woul' (e a 'isas er. Even su**osing %e !oun' %e girl in %e ne3 %our or so0 %e #on en s woul' #er ainly no s an' u* o %e wra**ing. On #loser e3amina ion s%e woul' urn ou o %ave %e %eavy0 'an)0 wi'e+*ore' s)in o! %e (ourgeois Fren#%. T%e (lon'e %air un'er %e ra)is% velve (ere woul' (e (rown a %e roo s an' as #oarse as *iano wire. T%e *e**ermin on %e (rea % woul' no #on#eal %e mi''ay garli#. T%e alluring !igure woul' (e in ri#a ely s#a!!ol'e' wi % wire an' ru((er. "%e woul' (e !rom 7ille an' s%e woul' as) %im i! %e was -meri#an. -n'0 ,on' smile' o %imsel!0 s%e or %er maquereau woul' *ro(a(ly s eal %is no e#ase. 7a ron'eA &e woul' (e (a#) w%ere %e #ame in. .ore or less0 %a was. >ell0 o %ell wi % iA - (a ere' (la#) 2eugeo F0J (ro)e ou o! %e #en re s ream o! ra!!i#0 #u a#ross %e insi'e line o! #ars an' *ulle' in o 'ou(le *ar) a %e )er(. T%ere was %e usual s#reaming o! (ra)es0 %oo ing an' yelling. Qui e unmove'0 a girl go ou o! %e #ar an'0 leaving %e ra!!i# o sor i sel! ou 0 wal)e' *ur*ose!ully a#ross %e si'ewal). ,on' sa u*. "%e %a' every %ing0 (u a(solu ely every %ing %a (elonge' in %is !an asy. "%e was all an'0 al %oug% %er !igure was %i''en (y a lig% rain#oa 0 %e way s%e move' an' %e way s%e %el' %ersel! *romise' %a i woul' (e (eau i!ul. T%e !a#e %a' %e gaie y an' (rava'o %a wen wi % %er 'riving0 (u now %ere was im*a ien#e in %e #om*resse' li*s an' %e eyes !re e' as s%e *us%e' 'iagonally %roug% %e moving #row' on %e *avemen . ,on' wa #%e' %er narrowly as s%e rea#%e' %e e'ge o! %e a(les an' #ame u* %e aisle. O! #ourse i was %o*eless. "%e was #oming o mee someone < %er lover. "%e was %e sor o! woman w%o always (elongs o some(o'y else. "%e was la e !or %im. T%a 8s w%y s%e was in su#% a %urry. >%a 'amna(le lu#) < rig% 'own o %e

long (lon'e %air un'er %e ra)is% (ere A -n' s%e was loo)ing s raig% a %im. "%e was smiling . . . A ,e!ore ,on' #oul' *ull %imsel! oge %er0 %e girl %a' #ome u* o %is a(le an' %a' 'rawn ou a #%air an' sa 'own. "%e smile' ra %er au ly in o %is s ar le' eyes. HI8m sorry I8m la e0 an' I8m a!rai' we8ve go o ge moving a on#e. You8re wan e' a %e o!!i#e.H "%e a''e' un'er %er (rea %E H6ras% 'ive.H ,on' 4er)e' %imsel! (a#) o reali y. >%oever s%e was0 s%e was #er ainly !rom 8 %e !irm8. 86ras% 'ive8 was a slang e3*ression %e "e#re "ervi#e %a' (orrowe' !rom %e "u(marine "ervi#e. I mean (a' news < %e wors . ,on' 'ug in o %is *o#)e an' sli' some #oins over %e a(le. &e sai' H$ig% . 7e 8s go0H an' go u* an' !ollowe' %er 'own %roug% %e a(les an' a#ross o %er #ar. I was s ill o(s ru# ing %e inner lane o! ra!!i#. -ny minu e now %ere woul' (e a *oli#eman. -ngry !a#es glare' a %em as %ey #lim(e' in. T%e girl %a' le! %e engine running. "%e (ange' %e gears in o se#on' an' sli' ou in o %e ra!!i#. ,on' loo)e' si'eways a %er. T%e *ale s)in was velve . T%e (lon'e %air was sil) < o %e roo s. &e sai'E H>%ere are you !rom an' w%a 8s i all a(ou ?H "%e sai'0 #on#en ra ing on %e ra!!i#E HFrom %e " a ion. 9ra'e wo assis an . =um(er K6G on 'u y0 .ary -nn $ussell o!!. I8ve no i'ea w%a i 8s all a(ou . I 4us saw %e signal !rom &Q < *ersonal !rom . o &ea' o! " a ion. .os Imme'ia e an' all %a . &e was o !in' you a on#e an' i! ne#essary use %e :eu3iLme o %el*. &ea' o! F sai' you always wen o %e same *la#es w%en you were in 2aris0 an' I an' ano %er girl were given a lis .H "%e smile'. HI8' only rie' &arry8s ,ar0 an' a! er Fou1ue 8s I was going o s ar on %e res auran s. I was marvellous *i#)ing you u* li)e %a .H "%e gave %im a 1ui#) glan#e. HI %o*e I wasn8 very #lumsy.H ,on' sai'E HYou were !ine. &ow were you going o %an'le i i! I8' %a' a girl wi % me?H "%e laug%e'. HI was going o 'o mu#% %e same e3#e* #all you 8sir8. I was only worrie' a(ou %ow you8' 'is*ose o! %e girl. I! s%e s ar e' a s#ene I was going o o!!er o a)e %er %ome in my #ar an' !or you o a)e a a3i.H HYou soun' *re y resour#e!ul. &ow long %ave you (een in %e "ervi#e?H HFive years. T%is is my !irs ime wi % a " a ion.H H&ow 'o you li)e i ?H HI li)e %e wor) all rig% . T%e evenings an' 'ays o!! 'rag a (i . I 8s no easy o ma)e !rien's in 2aris wi %ou H < %er mou % urne' 'own wi % irony < Hwi %ou all %e res . I mean0H s%e %as ene' o a''0 HI8m no a *ru'e an' all %a 0 (u some%ow %e Fren#% ma)e %e w%ole (usiness su#% a (ore. I mean I8ve %a' o give u* a)ing %e .e ro or (uses. >%a ever ime o! 'ay i is0 you en' u* wi % your (e%in' (la#) an' (lue.H "%e laug%e'. H-*ar !rom %e (ore'om o! i an' no )nowing w%a o say o %e man0 some o! %e *in#%es really %ur . I 8s %e limi . "o o ge aroun' I (oug% %is #ar #%ea*0 an' o %er #ars seem o )ee* ou o! my way. -s long as you 'on8 #a #% %e o %er 'river8s eye0 you #an a)e on even %e meanes o! %em. T%ey8re a!rai' you %aven8 seen %em. -n' %ey8re worrie' (y %e (as%e'+a(ou loo) o! %e #ar. T%ey give you a wi'e (er %.H T%ey %a' #ome o %e $on' 2oin . -s i! o 'emons ra e %er %eory0 s%e ore roun' i an' wen s raig% a %e line o! ra!!i# #oming u* !rom %e 2la#e 'e la 6on#or'e. .ira#ulously i 'ivi'e' an' le %er %roug% in o %e -venue .a ignon. ,on' sai'E H2re y goo'. ,u 'on8 ma)e i a %a(i . T%ere may (e some Fren#% .ary -nns a(ou .H "%e laug%e'. "%e urne' in o %e -venue 9a(rielle an' *ulle' u* ou si'e %e 2aris %ea'1uar ers o! %e "e#re "ervi#eE HI only ry %a sor o! manMuvre in %e line

o! 'u y.H ,on' go ou an' #ame roun' o %er si'e o! %e #ar. &e sai'E H>ell0 %an)s !or *i#)ing me u*. >%en %is w%irl is over0 #an I *i#) you u* in e3#%ange? I 'on8 ge %e *in#%es0 (u I8m 4us as (ore' in 2aris as you are.H &er eyes were (lue an' wi'e a*ar . T%ey sear#%e' %is. "%e sai' seriouslyE HI8' li)e %a . T%e swi #%(oar' %ere #an always !in' me.H ,on' rea#%e' in %roug% %e win'ow an' *resse' %e %an' on %e w%eel. &e sai' H9oo'0H an' urne' an' wal)e' 1ui#)ly in %roug% %e ar#%way. >ing 6omman'er $a ray0 &ea' o! " a ion F0 was a !a is% man wi % *in) #%ee)s an' !air %air (rus%e' s raig% (a#). &e 'resse' in a mannere' !as%ion wi % urne'+(a#) #u!!s an' 'ou(le sli s o %is #oa 0 (ow+ ies an' !an#y wais #oa s. &e ma'e a goo'+living0 wine+an'+!oo'+so#ie y im*ression in w%i#% only %e slow0 ra %er #unning (lue eyes s ru#) a !alse no e. &e #%ain+smo)e' 9auloises an' %is o!!i#e s an) o! %em. &e gree e' ,on' wi % relie!. H>%o !oun' you?H H$ussell. - Fou1ue 8s. Is s%e new?H H"i3 mon %s. "%e8s a goo' one. ,u a)e a *ew. T%ere8s %e %ell o! a !la* on an' I8ve go o (rie! you an' ge you going.H &e (en o %is in er#om an' *resse' 'own a swi #%. H"ignal o .0 *lease. 2ersonal !rom &ea' o! " a ion. 87o#a e' 00K (rie!ing now.8 O)ay?H &e le go %e swi #%. ,on' *ulle' a #%air over (y %e o*en win'ow o )ee* away !rom %e !og o! 9auloises. T%e ra!!i# on %e 6%am*s+ElysCes was a so! roar in %e (a#)groun'. &al! an %our (e!ore %e %a' (een !e' u* wi % 2aris0 gla' o (e going. =ow %e %o*e' %e woul' (e s aying. &ea' o! F sai'E H"ome(o'y go our 'awn 'is*a #%+ri'er !rom "&-2E o %e " 9ermain " a ion yes er'ay morning. T%e wee)ly run !rom %e "&-2E In elligen#e :ivision wi % %e "ummaries0 Boin In elligen#e *a*ers0 Iron 6ur ain Or'er o! ,a le < all %e o* gen. One s%o in %e (a#). Too) %is 'is*a #%+#ase an' %is walle an' wa #%.H ,on' sai'E HT%a 8s (a'. =o #%an#e %a i was an or'inary %ol'+u*? Or 'o %ey %in) %e walle an' wa #% were #over?H H"&-2E "e#uri y #an8 ma)e u* %eir min's. On %e w%ole %ey guess i was #over. "even o8#lo#) in %e morning8s a rum ime !or a %ol'+u*. ,u you #an argue i ou wi % %em w%en you ge 'own %ere. .8s sen'ing you as %is *ersonal re*resen a ive. &e8s worrie' as %ell. -*ar !rom %e loss o! %e In elligen#e 'o*e0 %eir I. *eo*le %ave never li)e' %aving one o! our " a ions ou si'e %e $eserva ion so o s*ea). For years %ey8ve (een rying o ge %e " 9ermain uni in#or*ora e' in %e "&-2E In elligen#e se +u*. ,u you )now w%a . is0 in'e*en'en ol' 'evil. &e8s never (een %a**y a(ou =-TO "e#uri y. >%y0 rig% in %e "&-2E In elligen#e :ivision %ere are no only a #ou*le o! Fren#%men an' an I alian0 (u %e %ea' o! %eir 6oun er In elligen#e an' "e#uri y se# ion is a 9ermanAH ,on' w%is le'. HT%e rou(le is %a %is 'amna(le (usiness is all "&-2E nee's o (ring . o %eel. -nyway0 %e says you8re o ge 'own %ere rig% away. I8ve !i3e' u* #learan#e !or you. 9o %e *asses. You8re o re*or o 6olonel "#%rei(er0 &ea'1uar ers 6omman' "e#uri y ,ran#%. -meri#an. E!!i#ien #%a*. &e8s (een %an'ling %e %ing !rom %e (eginning. -s !ar as I #an ga %er0 %e8s alrea'y 'one 4us a(ou all %ere was o (e 'one.H H>%a 8s %e 'one? >%a a# ually %a**ene'?H &ea' o! F *i#)e' u* a ma* !rom %is 'es) an' wal)e' over wi % i . I was %e (ig+s#ale .i#%elin Environs de Paris. &e *oin e' wi % a *en#il. H&ere8s Versailles0

an' %ere0 4us nor % o! %e *ar)0 is %e (ig 4un# ion o! %e 2aris+.an es an' %e Versailles au orou es. - #ou*le o! %un're' yar's nor % o! %a 0 on =1;F0 is "&-2E. Every >e'nes'ay0 a seven in %e morning0 a "*e#ial "ervi#es 'is*a #%+ri'er leaves "&-2E wi % %e wee)ly In elligen#e s u!! I ol' you a(ou . &e %as o ge o %is li le village #alle' Four1ueu30 4us ou si'e " 9ermain0 'eliver %is s u!! o %e 'u y o!!i#er a our &Q0 an' re*or (a#) o "&-2E (y seven+ %ir y. $a %er %an go %roug% all %is (uil +u* area0 !or se#uri y reasons %is or'ers are o a)e %is =J0K o " =om0 urn rig% +%an'e' on o :9; an' go un'er %e au orou e an' %roug% %e !ores o! " 9ermain. T%e 'is an#e is a(ou welve )ilome res0 an' a)ing i easy %e8ll 'o %e ri* in un'er a 1uar er o! an %our. >ell0 yes er'ay i was a #or*oral !rom %e 6or*s o! "ignals0 goo' soli' man #alle' ,a es0 an' w%en %e %a'n8 re*or e' (a#) o "&-2E (y seven+!or y+!ive %ey sen ano %er ri'er o loo) !or %im. =o a ra#e0 an' %e %a'n8 re*or e' a our &Q. ,y eig% +!i! een %e "e#uri y ,ran#% was on %e 4o(0 an' (y nine %e roa'(lo#)s were u*. T%e *oli#e an' %e :eu3iLme were ol' an' sear#% *ar ies go un'er way. T%e 'ogs !oun' %im0 (u no ill %e evening aroun' si30 an' (y %a ime i! %ere %a' (een any #lues on %e roa' %ey8' %ave (een wi*e' ou (y %e ra!!i#.H &ea' o! F %an'e' %e ma* o ,on' an' wal)e' (a#) o %is 'es). H-n' %a 8s a(ou %e lo 0 e3#e* %a all %e usual s e*s %ave (een a)en < !ron iers0 *or s0 aero'romes an' so !or %. ,u %a sor o! %ing won8 %el*. I! i was a *ro!essional 4o(0 w%oever 'i' i #oul' %ave %a' %e s u!! ou o! %e #oun ry (y mi''ay or in o an em(assy in 2aris insi'e an %our.H ,on' sai' im*a ien lyE HE3a# lyA -n' so w%a %e %ell 'oes . e3*e# me o 'o? Tell "&-2E "e#uri y o 'o i all over again0 (u (e er? T%is sor o! %ing isn8 my line a all. ,loo'y was e o! ime.H &ea' o! F smile' sym*a %e i#ally. H.a er o! !a# I *u mu#% %e same *oin o! view o . over %e s#ram(ler. Ta# !ully. T%e ol' man was 1ui e reasona(le. "ai' %e wan e' o s%ow "&-2E %e was a)ing %e (usiness 4us as seriously as %ey were. You %a**ene' o (e availa(le an' more or less on %e s*o 0 an' %e sai' you %a' %e sor o! min' %a mig% *i#) u* %e invisi(le !a# or. I as)e' %im w%a %e mean 0 an' %e sai' %a a all #losely guar'e' %ea'1uar ers %ere8s (oun' o (e an invisi(le man < a man everyone a)es so mu#% !or gran e' %a %e 4us isn8 no i#e' < gar'ener0 win'ow #leaner0 *os man. I sai' %a "&-2E %a' %oug% o! %a 0 an' %a all %ose sor o! 4o(s were 'one (y enlis e' men. . ol' me no o (e so li eral+min'e' an' %ung u*.H ,on' laug%e'. &e #oul' see .8s !rown an' %ear %e #rus y voi#e. &e sai'E H-ll rig% 0 %en. I8ll see w%a I #an 'o. >%o 'o I re*or (a#) o?H H&ere. . 'oesn8 wan %e " 9ermain uni o ge involve'. -ny %ing you %ave o say I8ll *u s raig% on %e *rin er o 7on'on. ,u I may no (e availa(le w%en you #all u*. I8ll ma)e someone your 'u y o!!i#er an' you8ll (e a(le o ge %em any ime in %e wen y+!our %ours. $ussell #an 'o i . "%e *i#)e' you u*. "%e mig% as well #arry you. "ui you?H HYes0H sai' ,on'. HT%a 8ll (e all rig% .H T%e (a ere' 2eugeo 0 #omman'eere' (y $a ray0 smelle' o! %er. T%ere were (i s o! %er in %e glove #om*ar men < %al! a *a#)e o! "u#%ar' mil) #%o#ola e0 a wis o! *a*er #on aining (o((y *ins0 a *a*er(a#) Bo%n O8&ara0 a single (la#) sue'e glove. ,on' %oug% a(ou %er as !ar as %e E oile an' %en #lose' %is min' o %er an' *us%e' %e #ar along !as %roug% %e ,ois. $a ray %a' sai' i woul' a)e a(ou !i! een minu es a !i! y. ,on' sai' o %alve %e s*ee' an' 'ou(le %e ime an' o ell 6olonel "#%rei(er %a %e woul' (e wi % %im (y nine+ %ir y. -! er %e 2or e 'e " 6lou' %ere was li le ra!!i#0 an' ,on' %el' seven y on %e au orou e un il %e se#on' e3i roa' #ame u* on %is rig% an' %ere was %e re' arrow !or "&-2E. ,on' urne'

u* %e slo*e an' on o =1;F. Two %un're' yar's !ar %er0 in %e #en re o! %e roa'0 was %e ra!!i# *oli#eman ,on' %a' (een ol' o loo) ou !or. T%e *oli#eman wave' %im in %roug% %e (ig ga es on %e le! an' %e *ulle' u* a %e !irs #%e#)*oin . - grey+ uni!orme' -meri#an *oli#eman %ung ou o! %is #a(in an' glan#e' a %is *ass. &e was ol' o *ull insi'e an' %ol' i . =ow a Fren#% *oli#eman oo) %is *ass0 no e' %e 'e ails on a *rin e' !orm #li**e' o a (oar'0 gave %im a large *las i# win's#reen num(er an' wave' %im on. -s ,on' *ulle' in o %e #ar *ar)0 wi % %ea ri#al su''enness a %un're' ar#+lig% s (la5e' an' li u* %e a#re o! low+lying %u men s in !ron o! %im as i! i was 'ay. Feeling na)e'0 ,on' wal)e' a#ross %e o*en gravel (enea % %e !lags o! %e =-TO #oun ries an' ran u* %e !our s%allow s e*s o %e wi'e glass 'oors %a gave en ran#e o %e "u*reme &ea'1uar ers -llie' For#es Euro*e. =ow %ere was %e main "e#uri y 'es). -meri#an an' Fren#% mili ary *oli#e #%e#)e' %is *ass an' no e' %e 'e ails. &e was %an'e' over o a re'+#a**e' ,ri is% .2 an' le' o!! 'own %e main #orri'or *as en'less o!!i#e 'oors. T%ey (ore no names (u %e usual al*%a(e i#al a(ra#a'a(ra o! all %ea'1uar ers. One sai' 6O."T$IKF7T7-=T -=: "-67-=T 7I-I"O= TO "-6E@$. ,on' as)e' w%a i mean . T%e mili ary *oli#eman0 ei %er ignoran or0 more *ro(a(ly0 se#uri y+min'e'0 sai' s oli'lyE H6oul'n8 rig% ly say0 sir.H ,e%in' a 'oor %a sai' Colonel G. . !chrei"er# Chief of !ecurity# $eadquarters Command# was a ramro'+s raig% 0 mi''le+age' -meri#an wi % greying %air an' %e *oli ely nega ive manner o! a (an) manager. T%ere were several !amily *%o ogra*%s in silver !rames on %is 'es) an' a vase #on aining one w%i e rose. T%ere was no smell o! o(a##o smo)e in %e room. -! er #au iously amia(le *reliminaries0 ,on' #ongra ula e' %e 6olonel on %is se#uri y. &e sai'E H-ll %ese #%e#)s an' 'ou(le #%e#)s 'on8 ma)e i easy !or %e o**osi ion. &ave you ever los any %ing (e!ore0 or %ave you ever !oun' signs o! a serious a em* a a #ou*?H H=o o (o % 1ues ions0 6omman'er. I8m 1ui e sa is!ie' a(ou &ea'1uar ers. I 8s only %e ou lying uni s %a worry me. -*ar !rom %is se# ion o! your "e#re "ervi#e0 we %ave various 'e a#%e' signal uni s. T%en0 o! #ourse0 %ere are %e &ome .inis ries o! !our een 'i!!eren na ions. I #an8 answer !or w%a may lea) !rom %ose 1uar ers.H HI #an8 (e an easy 4o(0H agree' ,on'. H=ow0 a(ou %is mess. &as any %ing else #ome u* sin#e >ing 6omman'er $a ray s*o)e o you las ?H H9o %e (ulle . 7uger. "evere' %e s*inal #or'. 2ro(a(ly !ire' a aroun' %ir y yar's0 give or a)e en yar's. -ssuming our man was ri'ing a s raig% #ourse0 %e (ulle mus %ave (een !ire' !rom 'ea' as ern on a level ra4e# ory. "in#e i #an8 %ave (een a man s an'ing in %e roa'0 %e )iller mus %ave (een moving in or on some ve%i#le.H H"o your man woul' %ave seen %im in %e 'riving+mirror?H H2ro(a(ly.H HI! your ri'ers !in' %emselves (eing !ollowe'0 'o %ey %ave any ins ru# ions a(ou a)ing evasive a# ion?H T%e 6olonel smile' slig% ly. H"ure. T%ey8re ol' o go li)e %ell.H H-n' a w%a s*ee' 'i' your man #ras%?H H=o !as 0 %ey %in). ,e ween wen y an' !or y. >%a are you ge ing a 0 6omman'er?H HI was won'ering i! you8' 'e#i'e' w%e %er i was a *ro or an ama eur 4o(. I! your man wasn8 rying o ge away0 an' assuming %e saw %e )iller in %is mirror0 w%i#% I agree is only a *ro(a(ili y0 %a sugges s %a %e a##e* e' %e man on %is ail as !rien' ra %er %an !oe. T%a #oul' mean some sor o! 'isguise %a woul' !i in wi % %e se +u* %ere < some %ing your man woul' a##e* even a %a %our o! %e morning.H

- small !rown %a' (een ga %ering a#ross 6olonel "#%rei(er8s smoo % !ore%ea'. H6omman'er0H %ere was an e'ge o! ension in %e voi#e0 Hwe %ave0 o! #ourse0 (een #onsi'ering every angle o! %is #ase0 in#lu'ing %e one you men ion. - mi''ay yes er'ay %e 6omman'ing 9eneral 'e#lare' emergen#y in %is ma er0 s an'ing se#uri y an' se#uri y o*s #ommi ees were se u*0 an' !rom %a momen on every angle0 every %in o! a #lue0 %as (een sys ema i#ally run o ear %. -n' I #an ell you0 6omman'er0H %e 6olonel raise' one well+mani#ure' %an' an' le i 'es#en' in so! em*%asis on %is (lo ing+*a'0 Hany man w%o #an #ome u* wi % an even remo ely original i'ea on %is #ase will %ave o (e #losely rela e' o Eins ein. T%ere is no %ing0 re*ea no %ing0 o go on in %is #ase w%a soever.H ,on' smile' sym*a %e i#ally. &e go o %is !ee . HIn %a #ase0 6olonel0 I won8 was e any more o! your ime %is evening. I! I #oul' 4us %ave %e minu es o! %e various mee ings o (ring mysel! u* o 'a e0 an' i! one o! your men #oul' s%ow me %e way o %e #an een an' my 1uar ers . . .H H"ure0 sure.H T%e 6olonel *resse' a (ell. - young #rew+#u e' ai'e #ame in. H2ro# or0 s%ow %e 6omman'er o %is room in %e VI2 wing0 woul' you0 an' %en a)e %im along o %e (ar an' %e #an een.H &e urne' o ,on'. HI8ll %ave %ose *a*ers rea'y !or you a! er you8ve %a' a meal an' a 'rin). T%ey8ll (e in my o!!i#e. T%ey #an8 (e a)en ou 0 o! #ourse0 (u you8ll !in' every %ing o %an' ne3 'oor0 an' 2ro# or will (e a(le o !ill you in on any %ing %a 8s missing.H &e %el' ou %is %an'. HO)ay? T%en we8ll mee again in %e morning.H ,on' sai' goo'nig% an' !ollowe' %e ai'e ou . -s %e wal)e' along %e neu ral+ *ain e'0 neu ral+smelling #orri'ors0 %e re!le# e' %a %is was *ro(a(ly %e mos %o*eless assignmen %e %a' ever (een on. I! %e o* se#uri y (rains o! !our een #oun ries were s um*e'0 w%a %o*e %a' %e go ? ,y %e ime %e was in (e' %a nig% 0 in %e "*ar an lu3ury o! %e visi ors8 overnig% 1uar ers0 ,on' %a' 'e#i'e' %e woul' give i a #ou*le more 'ays < largely !or %e sa)e o! )ee*ing in ou#% wi % .ary -nn $ussell !or as long as *ossi(le < an' %en #%u#) i . On %is 'e#ision %e !ell imme'ia ely in o a 'ee* an' un rou(le' slee*. =o wo0 (u !our 'ays la er0 as %e 'awn #ame u* over %e Fores o! " 9ermain0 Bames ,on' was lying along %e %i#) (ran#% o! an oa) ree )ee*ing wa #% over a small em* y gla'e %a lay 'ee* among %e rees (or'ering :9;0 %e roa' o! %e mur'er. &e was 'resse' !rom %ea' o !oo in *ara#%u is s8 #amou!lage < green0 (rown an' (la#). Even %is %an's were #overe' wi % %e s u!!0 an' %ere was a %oo' over %is %ea' wi % sli s #u !or %e eyes an' mou %. I was goo' #amou!lage w%i#% woul' (e s ill (e er w%en %e sun was %ig%er an' %e s%a'ows (la#)er0 an' !rom anyw%ere on %e groun'0 even 'ire# ly (elow %e %ig% (ran#%0 %e #oul' no (e seen. I %a' #ome a(ou li)e %is. T%e !irs wo 'ays a "&-2E %a' (een %e e3*e# e' was e o! ime. ,on' %a' a#%ieve' no %ing e3#e* o ma)e %imsel! mil'ly un*o*ular wi % %e *ersis en#e o! %is 'ou(le+#%e#)ing 1ues ions. On %e morning o! %e %ir' 'ay %e was a(ou o go an' say %is goo'(yes w%en %e %a' a ele*%one #all !rom %e 6olonel. HO%0 6omman'er0 %oug% I8' le you )now %a %e las eam o! *oli#e 'ogs go in la e las nig% < your i'ea %a i mig% (e wor % w%ile #overing %e w%ole !ores . "orryH < %e voi#e soun'e' un+sorry < H(u nega ive0 a(solu ely nega ive.H HO%. .y !aul !or %e was e' ime.H -s mu#% o annoy %e 6olonel as any %ing0 ,on' sai'E H.in' i! I %ave a al) wi % %e %an'ler?H H"ure0 sure. -ny %ing you wan . ,y %e way0 6omman'er0 %ow long are you *lanning o (e aroun'? 9la' o %ave you wi % us !or as long as you li)e. ,u i 8s a

1ues ion o! your room. "eems %ere8s a (ig *ar y #oming in !rom &ollan' in a !ew 'ays8 ime. To* level s a!! #ourse or some %ing o! %e )in'0 an' -'min says %ey8re a (i *us%e' !or s*a#e.H ,on' %a' no e3*e# e' o ge on well wi % 6olonel "#%rei(er an' %e %a' no 'one so. &e sai' amia(lyE HI8ll see w%a my 6%ie! %as o say an' #all you (a#)0 6olonel.H H:o %a 0 woul' you.H T%e 6olonel8s voi#e was e1ually *oli e0 (u %e manners o! (o % men were running ou an' %e wo re#eivers (ro)e %e line simul aneously. T%e #%ie! %an'ler was a Fren#%man !rom %e 7an'es. &e %a' %e 1ui#) sly eyes o! a *oa#%er. ,on' me %im a %e )ennels0 (u %e %an'ler8s *ro3imi y was oo mu#% !or %e -lsa ians an'0 o ge away !rom %e noise0 %e oo) ,on' in o %e 'u y+room0 a iny o!!i#e wi % (ino#ulars %anging !rom *egs0 an' wa er*roo!s0 gum(oo s0 'og+ %arness an' o %er gear s a#)e' roun' %e walls. T%ere were a #ou*le o! 'eal #%airs an' a a(le #overe' wi % a large+s#ale ma* o! %e Fores o! " 9ermain. T%is %a' (een mar)e' o!! in o *en#ille' s1uares. T%e %an'ler ma'e a ges ure over %e ma*. HOur 'ogs #overe' i all0 .onsieur. T%ere is no %ing %ere.H H:o you mean o say %ey 'i'n8 #%e#) on#e?H T%e %an'ler s#ra #%e' %is %ea'. H>e %a' rou(le wi % a (i o! game0 .onsieur. T%ere was a %are or wo. - #ou*le o! !o3es8 ear %s. >e %a' 1ui e a ime ge ing %em away !rom a #learing near %e 6arre!our $oyal. T%ey *ro(a(ly s ill smelle' %e gi*sies.H HO%.H ,on' was only mil'ly in eres e'. H"%ow me. >%o were %ese gi*sies?H T%e %an'ler *oin e' 'ain ily wi % a grimy li le !inger. HT%ese are %e names !rom %e ol' 'ays. &ere is %e E oile 2ar!ai e0 an' %ere0 w%ere %e )illing oo) *la#e0 is %e 6arre!our 'es 6urieu3. -n' %ere0 !orming %e (o om o! %e riangle0 is %e 6arre!our $oyal. I ma)es0H %e a''e' 'rama i#ally0 Ha #ross wi % %e roa' o! 'ea %.H &e oo) a *en#il ou o! %is *o#)e an' ma'e a 'o 4us o!! %e #rossroa's. H-n' %is is %e #learing0 .onsieur. T%ere was a gi*sy #aravan %ere !or mos o! %e win er. T%ey le! las mon %. 6leane' %e *la#e u* all rig% 0 (u 0 !or %e 'ogs0 %eir s#en will %ang a(ou %ere !or mon %s.H ,on' %an)e' %im0 an' a! er ins*e# ing an' a'miring %e 'ogs an' ma)ing some small al) a(ou %e %an'ler8s *ro!ession0 %e go in o %e 2eugeo an' wen o!! o %e gen'armerie in " 9ermain. HYes0 #er ainly %ey %a' )nown %e gi*sies. $eal $omany+loo)ing !ellows. &ar'ly s*o)e a wor' o! Fren#%0 (u %ey %a' (e%ave' %emselves. T%ere %a' (een no #om*lain s. "i3 men an' wo women. =o. =o one %a' seen %em go. One morning %ey 4us weren8 %ere any more. .ig% %ave (een gone a wee) !or all one )new. T%ey %a' #%osen an isola e' s*o .H ,on' oo) %e :9; %roug% %e !ores . >%en %e grea au orou e (ri'ge s%owe' u* a 1uar er o! a mile a%ea' over %e roa'0 ,on' a##elera e' an' %en swi #%e' o!! %e engine an' #oas e' silen ly un il %e #ame o %e 6arre!our $oyal. &e s o**e' an' go ou o! %e #ar wi %ou a soun'0 an'0 !eeling ra %er !oolis%0 so! ly en ere' %e !ores an' wal)e' wi % grea #ir#ums*e# ion owar's w%ere %e #learing woul' (e. Twen y yar's insi'e %e rees %e #ame o i . &e s oo' in %e !ringe o! (us%es an' rees an' e3amine' i #are!ully. T%en %e wal)e' in an' wen over i !rom en' o en'. T%e #learing was a(ou as (ig as wo ennis #our s an' !loore' in %i#) grass an' moss. T%ere was one large *a #% o! lilies o! %e valley an'0 un'er %e (or'ering rees0 a s#a ering o! (lue(ells. To one si'e %ere was a low moun'0 *er%a*s a umulus0 #om*le ely surroun'e' an' #overe' wi % (ram(les an' (rier roses now %i#)ly in (loom. ,on' wal)e' roun' %is an' ga5e' in among %e roo s0 (u %ere was no %ing o see e3#e* %e ear %y s%a*e o! %e moun'.

,on' oo) one las loo) roun' an' %en wen o %e #orner o! %e #learing %a woul' (e neares o %e roa'. &ere %ere was easy a##ess %roug% %e rees. >ere %ere ra#es o! a *a %0 a slig% !la ening o! %e leaves? =o more %an woul' %ave (een le! (y %e gi*sies or las year8s *i#ni#)ers. On %e e'ge o! %e roa' %ere was a narrow *assage (e ween wo rees. 6asually ,on' (en o e3amine %e run)s. &e s i!!ene' an' 'ro**e' o a #rou#%. >i % a !ingernail0 %e 'eli#a ely s#ra*e' away a narrow sliver o! #a)e' mu'. I %i' a 'ee* s#ra #% in %e ree+ run). &e #aug% %e s#ra*s o! mu' in %is !ree %an'. &e now s*a an' mois ene' %e mu' an' #are!ully !ille' u* %e s#ra #% again. T%ere were %ree #amou!lage' s#ra #%es on one ree an' !our on %e o %er. ,on' wal)e' 1ui#)ly ou o! %e rees on o %e roa'. &is #ar %a' s o**e' on a slig% slo*e lea'ing 'own un'er %e au orou e (ri'ge. -l %oug% %ere was some *ro e# ion !rom %e (oom o! %e ra!!i# on %e au orou e0 ,on' *us%e' %e #ar0 4um*e' in an' only engage' %e gears w%en %e was well un'er %e (ri'ge. -n' now ,on' was (a#) in %e #learing0 a(ove i 0 an' %e s ill 'i' no )now i! %is %un#% %a' (een rig% . I %a' (een .8s 'i# um %a %a' *u %im on %e s#en < i! i was a s#en < an' %e men ion o! %e gi*sies. HI was %e gi*sies %e 'ogs smelle' . . . .os o! %e win er . . . %ey wen las mon %. =o #om*lain s . . . One morning %ey 4us weren8 %ere any more.H T%e invisi(le !a# or. T%e invisi(le man. T%e *eo*le w%o are so mu#% *ar o! %e (a#)groun' %a you 'on8 )now i! %ey8re %ere or no . "i3 men an' wo girls an' %ey %ar'ly s*o)e a wor' o! Fren#%. 9oo' #over0 gi*sies. You #oul' (e a !oreigner an' ye no a !oreigner0 (e#ause you were only a gi*sy. "ome o! %em %a' gone o!! in %e #aravan. &a' some o! %em s aye'0 (uil %emselves a %i'e+ou 'uring %e win er0 a se#re *la#e !rom w%i#% %e %i4a#)ing o! %e o* se#re 'is*a #%es %a' (een %e !irs sor ie? ,on' %a' %oug% %e was (uil'ing !an asies un il %e !oun' %e s#ra #%es0 %e #are!ully #amou!lage' s#ra #%es0 on %e wo rees. T%ey were 4us a %e %eig% w%ere0 i! one was #arrying any )in' o! a #y#le0 %e *e'als mig% #a #% agains %e (ar). I #oul' all (e a *i*e'ream0 (u i was goo' enoug% !or ,on'. T%e only 1ues ion in %is min' was w%e %er %ese *eo*le %a' ma'e a one+ ime+only #ou* or w%e %er %ey were so #on!i'en o! %eir se#uri y %a %ey woul' ry again. &e #on!i'e' only in " a ion F. .ary -nn $ussell ol' %im o (e #are!ul. &ea' o! F0 more #ons ru# ively0 or'ere' %is uni a " 9ermain o #o+o*era e. ,on' sai' goo'(ye o 6olonel "#%rei(er an' move' o a #am* (e' in %e uni 8s &Q < an anonymous %ouse in an anonymous village (a#) s ree . T%e uni %a' *rovi'e' %e #amou!lage ou !i an' %e !our "e#re "ervi#e men w%o ran %e uni %a' %a**ily *u %emselves un'er ,on'8s or'ers. T%ey realise' as well as ,on' 'i' %a i! ,on' manage' o wi*e %e eye o! %e w%ole se#uri y ma#%ine o! "&-2E0 %e "e#re "ervi#e woul' %ave won a *ri#eless !ea %er in i s #a* vis%%vis %e "&-2E &ig% 6omman'0 an' .8s worries over %e in'e*en'en#e o! %is uni woul' (e gone !or ever. ,on'0 lying along %e oa) (ran#%0 smile' o %imsel!. 2riva e armies0 *riva e wars. &ow mu#% energy %ey si*%one' o!! !rom %e #ommon #ause0 %ow mu#% !ire %ey 'ire# e' away !rom %e #ommon enemyA "i3+ %ir y. Time !or (rea)!as . 6au iously ,on'8s rig% %an' !um(le' in %is #lo %ing an' #ame u* o %e sli o! %is mou %. ,on' ma'e %e glu#ose a(le las as long as *ossi(le an' %en su#)e' ano %er. &is eyes never le! %e gla'e. T%e re' s1uirrel %a %a' a**eare' a !irs lig% an' %a' (een s ea'ily ea ing away a young (ee#% s%oo s ever sin#e0 ran a !ew !ee nearer o %e rose+(us%es on %e moun'0 *i#)e' u* some %ing an' (egan urning i in %is *aws an' ni((ling a i . Two woo' *igeons %a %a' (een noisily #our ing among %e %i#) grass s ar e' o ma)e #lumsy0 !lu ering love. - *air o! %e'ge s*arrows wen (usily on #olle# ing (i s an' *ie#es !or a nes %ey were ar'ily (uil'ing in a %orn+(us%. T%e !a %rus% !inally lo#a e' i s worm an'

(egan *ulling a i 0 i s legs (ra#e'. ,ees #lus ere' %i#) among %e roses on %e moun'0 an' !rom w%ere %e was0 *er%a*s wen y yar's away !rom an' a(ove %e moun'0 ,on' #oul' 4us %ear %eir summery soun'. I was a s#ene !rom a !airy ale < %e roses %e lilies o! %e valley0 %e (ir's an' %e grea s%a! s o! sunlig% lan#ing 'own %roug% %e all rees in o %e *ool o! glis ening green. ,on' %a' #lim(e' o %is %i'e+ ou a !our in %e morning an' %e %a' never e3amine' so #losely or !or so long %e ransi ion !rom nig% o a glorious 'ay. &e su''enly !el ra %er !oolis%. -ny momen now an' some 'amne' (ir' woul' #ome an' si on %is %ea'A I was %e *igeons %a gave %e !irs alarm. >i % a lou' #la er %ey oo) o!! an' 'as%e' in o %e rees. -ll %e (ir's !ollowe'0 an' %e s1uirrel. =ow %e gla'e was 1uie e3#e* !or %e so! %um o! %e (ees. >%a %a' soun'e' %e alarm? ,on'8s %ear (egan o %um*. &is eyes %un e'0 1uar ering %e gla'e !or a #lue. "ome %ing was moving among %e roses. I was a iny movemen 0 (u an e3 raor'inary one. "lowly0 in#% (y in#%0 a single %orny s em0 an unna urally s raig% an' ra %er %i#) one0 was rising %roug% %e u**er (ran#%es. I wen on rising un il i was a #lear !oo a(ove %e (us%. T%en i s o**e'. T%ere was a soli ary *in) rose a %e i* o! %e s em. "e*ara e' !rom %e (us%0 i loo)e' unna ural0 (u only i! one %a**ene' o %ave wa #%e' %e w%ole *ro#ess. - a #asual glan#e i was a s ray s em an' no %ing else. =ow0 silen ly0 %e *e als o! %e rose seeme' o swivel an' e3*an'0 %e yellow *is ils 'rew asi'e an' sun glin e' on a glass lens %e si5e o! a s%illing. T%e lens seeme' o (e loo)ing s raig% a ,on'0 (u %en very0 very slowly0 %e rose+eye (egan o urn on i s s em an' #on inue' o urn un il %e lens was again loo)ing a ,on' an' %e w%ole gla'e %a' (een minu ely surveye'. -s i! sa is!ie'0 %e *e als so! ly swivelle' o #over %e eye an' very slowly %e single rose 'es#en'e' o 4oin %e o %ers. ,on'8s (rea % #ame ou wi % a rus%. &e momen arily #lose' %is eyes o res %em. 9i*siesA I! %a *ie#e o! ma#%inery was any evi'en#e0 insi'e %e moun'0 'ee* 'own in %e ear %0 was #er ainly %e mos *ro!essional le! +(e%in' s*y uni %a %a' ever (een 'evise' < !ar more (rillian %an any %ing Englan' %a' *re*are' o o*era e in %e wa)e o! a su##ess!ul 9erman invasion0 !ar (e er %an w%a %e 9ermans %emselves %a' le! (e%in' in %e -r'ennes. - s%iver o! e3#i emen an' an i#i*a ion < almos o! !ear < ran 'own ,on'8s s*ine. "o %e %a' (een rig% A ,u w%a was o (e %e ne3 a# ? =ow0 !rom %e 'ire# ion o! %e moun'0 #ame a %in %ig%+*i #%e' w%ine < %e soun' o! an ele# ri# mo or a very %ig% revs. T%e rose (us% rem(le' slig% ly. T%e (ees oo) o!!0 %overe'0 an' se le' again. "lowly0 a 4agge' !issure !orme' 'own %e #en re o! %e (ig (us% an' smoo %ly wi'ene'. =ow %e wo %alves o! %e (us% were o*ening li)e 'ou(le 'oors. T%e 'ar) a*er ure (roa'ene' un il ,on' #oul' see %e roo s o! %e (us% running in o %e ear % on (o % si'es o! %e o*ening 'oorway. T%e w%ine o! ma#%inery was lou'er an' %ere was a glin o! me al !rom %e e'ges o! %e #urve' 'oors. I was li)e %e o*ening o! a %inge' Eas er egg. In a momen %e wo segmen s s oo' a*ar an' %e wo %alves o! %e rose (us%0 s ill alive wi % (ees0 were s*laye' wi'ely o*en. =ow %e insi'e o! %e me al #aisson %a su**or e' %e ear % an' %e roo s o! %e (us% were na)e' o %e sun. T%ere was a glin o! *ale ele# ri# lig% !rom %e 'ar) a*er ure (e ween %e #urve' 'oors. T%e w%ine o! %e mo or %a' s o**e'. %ea' an' s%oul'ers a**eare'0 an' %en %e res o! %e man. &e #lim(e' so! ly ou an' #rou#%e'0 loo)ing s%ar*ly roun' %e gla'e. T%ere was a gun < a 7uger < in %is %an'. "a is!ie'0 %e urne' an' ges ure' in o %e s%a! . T%e %ea' an' s%oul'ers o! a se#on' man a**eare'. &e %an'e' u* %ree *airs o! w%a loo)e' li)e snows%oes an' 'u#)e' ou o! sig% . T%e !irs man sele# e' a *air an' )nel an' s ra**e' %em over %is (oo s. =ow %e move' a(ou more !reely0 leaving no !oo *rin s0 !or %e glass !la ene'

only momen arily un'er %e wi'e mes% an' %en rose slowly again. ,on' smile' o %imsel!. 6lever (as ar'sA T%e se#on' man emerge'. &e was !ollowe' (y a %ir'. ,e ween %em %ey man%an'le' a mo or+#y#le ou o! %e s%a! an' s oo' %ol'ing i slung (e ween %em (y %arness we((ing w%ile %e !irs man0 w%o was #learly %e lea'er0 )nel an' s ra**e' %e snows%oes un'er %eir (oo s. T%en0 in single !ile0 %ey move' o!! %roug% %e rees owar's %e roa'. T%ere was some %ing e3 raor'inarily sinis er a(ou %e way %ey so! ly %ig%+s e**e' along %roug% %e s%a'ows0 li! ing an' #are!ully *la#ing ea#% (ig we((e' !oo in urn. ,on' le ou a long sig% o! release' ension an' lai' %is %ea' so! ly 'own on %e (ran#% o rela3 %e s rain in %is ne#) mus#les. "o %a was %e s#oreA Even %e las small 'e ail #oul' now (e a''e' o %e !ile. >%ile %e wo un'erlings were 'resse' in grey overalls0 %e lea'er was wearing %e uni!orm o! %e $oyal 6or*s o! "ignals an' %is mo or+#y#le was an olive green ,"- ./0 wi % a ,ri is% -rmy regis ra ion num(er on i s *e rol an). =o won'er %e "&-2E 'is*a #%+ri'er %a' le %im ge wi %in range. -n' w%a 'i' %e uni 'o wi % i s o* se#re (oo y? 2ro(a(ly ra'ioe' %e #ream o! i ou a nig% . Ins ea' o! %e *eris#o*e0 a rose+s al) aerial woul' rise u* !rom %e (us%0 %e *e'al genera or woul' ge going 'ee* 'own un'er %e ear % an' o!! woul' go %e %ig%+s*ee' #i*%er grou*s. 6i*%ers? T%ere woul' (e many goo' enemy se#re s 'own %a s%a! i! ,on' #oul' roun' u* %e uni w%en i was ou si'e %e %i'e+ou . -n' w%a a #%an#e o !ee' (a#) *%oney in elligen#e o 9$@0 %e "ovie .ili ary In elligen#e -**ara w%i#% was *resuma(ly %e #on rolA ,on'8s %oug% s ra#e'. T%e wo un'erlings were #oming (a#). T%ey wen in o %e s%a! an' %e rose (us% #lose' over i . T%e lea'er wi % %is ma#%ine woul' (e among %e (us%es on %e verge o! %e roa'. ,on' glan#e' a %is wa #%. "i3+!i! y+!ive. O! #ourseA &e woul' (e wai ing o see i! a 'is*a #%+ri'er #ame along. Ei %er %e 'i' no )now %e man %e %a' )ille' was 'oing a wee)ly run0 w%i#% was unli)ely0 or %e was assuming %a "&-2E woul' now #%ange %e rou ine !or a''i ional se#uri y. T%ese were #are!ul *eo*le. 2ro(a(ly %eir or'ers were o #lean u* as mu#% as *ossi(le (e!ore %e summer #ame an' %ere were oo many %oli'ayma)ers a(ou in %e !ores . T%en %e uni mig% (e *ulle' ou an' *u (a#) again in %e win er. >%o #oul' say w%a %e long+ erm *lans were? "u!!i#ien %a %e lea'er was *re*aring !or ano %er )ill. T%e minu es i#)e' (y. - seven+ en %e lea'er rea**eare'. &e s oo' in %e s%a'ow o! a (ig ree a %e e'ge o! %e #learing an' w%is le' on#e on a (rie!0 %ig%0 (ir'li)e no e. Imme'ia ely %e rose (us% (egan o o*en an' %e wo un'erlings #ame ou an' !ollowe' %e lea'er (a#) in o %e rees. In wo minu es %ey were (a#) wi % %e mo or+#y#le slung (e ween %em. T%e lea'er0 a! er a #are!ul loo) roun' o see %a %ey %a' le! no ra#es0 !ollowe' %em 'own in o %e s%a! an' %e wo %alves o! %e rose (us% #lose' swi! ly (e%in' %im. &al! an %our la er li!e %a' s ar e' u* in %e gla'e again. -n %our la er s ill0 w%en %e %ig% sun %a' 'ar)ene' %e s%a'ows0 Bames ,on' silen ly e'ge' (a#)war's along %is (ran#%0 'ro**e' so! ly on o a *a #% o! moss (e%in' some (ram(les an' mel e' #are!ully (a#) in o %e !ores . T%a evening ,on'8s rou ine #all wi % .ary -nn $ussell was a s ormy one. "%e sai'E HYou8re #ra5y. I8m no going o le you 'o i . I8m going o ge &ea' o! F o ring u* 6olonel "#%rei(er an' ell %im %e w%ole s ory. T%is is "&-2E8s 4o(. =o yours.H ,on' sai' s%ar*lyE HYou8ll 'o no %ing o! %e sor . 6olonel "#%rei(er says %e8s *er!e# ly %a**y o le me ma)e a 'ummy run omorrow morning ins ea' o! %e 'u y 'is*a #%+ri'er. T%a 8s all %e nee's o )now a %is s age. $e#ons ru# ion o! %e #rime sor o! %ing. &e #oul'n8 #are less. &e8s *ra# i#ally #lose' %e !ile on %is (usiness.

=ow0 (e a goo' girl an' 'o as you8re ol'. Bus *u my re*or on %e *rin er o .. &e8ll see %e *oin o! me #leaning %is %ing u*. &e won8 o(4e# .H H:amn .A :amn youA :amn %e w%ole silly "ervi#eAH T%ere were angry ears in %e voi#e. HYou8re 4us a lo o! #%il'ren *laying a $e' In'ians. Ta)ing %ese *eo*le on (y yoursel!A I 8s < i 8s s%owing o!!. T%a 8s all i is. "%owing o!!.H ,on' was (eginning o ge annoye'. &e sai'E HT%a 8s enoug%0 .ary -nn. 2u %a re*or on %e *rin er. I8m sorry0 (u i 8s an or'er.H T%ere was resigna ion in %e voi#e. HO%0 all rig% . You 'on8 %ave o *ull your ran) on me. ,u 'on8 ge %ur . - leas you8ll %ave %e (oys !rom %e lo#al " a ion o *i#) u* %e (i s. 9oo' lu#).H HT%an)s0 .ary -nn. -n' will you %ave 'inner wi % me omorrow nig% ? "ome *la#e li)e -rmenonville. 2in) #%am*agne an' gi*sy violins. 2aris in %e s*ring rou ine.H HYes0H s%e sai' seriously. HI8' li)e %a . ,u %en a)e #are all %e more0 woul' you? 2lease?H HO! #ourse I will. :on8 worry. 9oo'nig% .H H8=ig% .H ,on' s*en %e res o! %e evening *u ing a las %ig% *olis% on %is *lans an' giving a !inal (rie!ing o %e !our men !rom %e " a ion. I was ano %er (eau i!ul 'ayN ,on'0 si ing #om!or a(ly as ri'e %e %ro((ing ,"- wai ing !or %e o!!0 #oul' %ar'ly (elieve in %e am(us% %a woul' now (e wai ing !or %im 4us (eyon' %e 6arre!our $oyal. T%e #or*oral !rom %e "ignal 6or*s w%o %a' %an'e' %im %is em* y 'is*a #%+#ase an' was a(ou o give %im %e signal o go sai'E HYou loo) as i! you8' (een in %e $oyal 6or*s all your li!e0 sir. Time !or a %air#u soon0 I8' say0 (u %e uni!orm8s (ang on. &ow '8you li)e %e (i)e0 sir?H H9oes li)e a 'ream. I8' !orgo en w%a !un %ese 'amne' %ings are.H H9ive me a ni#e li le -us in -F0 any 'ay0 sir.H T%e #or*oral loo)e' a %is wa #%. H"even o8#lo#) 4us #oming u*.H &e %el' u* %is %um(. HO)ay.H ,on' *ulle' %e goggles 'own over %is eyes0 li! e' a %an' o %e #or*oral0 )i#)e' %e ma#%ine in o gear an' w%eele' o!! a#ross %e gravel an' %roug% %e main ga es. O!! 1;F an' on o J0K0 %roug% ,ailly an' =oisy+le+$oi an' %ere was %e s raggle o! " =om. &ere %e woul' (e urning s%ar* rig% on o :9; < %e 8rou e 'e la mor 80 as %e %an'ler %a' #alle' i . ,on' *ulle' in o %e grass verge an' on#e more loo)e' o %e long+(arrel .FG 6ol . &e *u %e warm gun (a#) agains %is s oma#% an' le! %e 4a#)e (u on un'one. On your mar)sA 9e se . . . A ,on' oo) %e s%ar* #orner an' a##elera e' u* o !i! y. T%e via'u# #arrying %e 2aris au orou e loome' u* a%ea'. T%e 'ar) mou % o! %e unnel (enea % i o*ene' an' swallowe' %im. T%e noise o! %is e3%aus was gigan i#0 an' !or an ins an %ere was a unnel smell o! #ol' an' 'am*. T%en %e was ou in %e suns%ine again an' imme'ia ely a#ross %e 6arre!our $oyal. -%ea' %e oily arma# gli ere' 'ea' s raig% !or wo miles %roug% %e en#%an e' !ores an' %ere was a swee smell o! leaves an' 'ew. ,on' #u %is s*ee' o !or y. T%e 'riving+mirror (y %is le! %an' s%ivere' slig% ly wi % %is s*ee'. I s%owe' no %ing (u an em* y un!urling vis a o! roa' (e ween lines o! rees %a #urle' away (e%in' %im li)e a green wa)e. =o sign o! %e )iller. &a' %e a)en !rig% ? &a' %ere (een some %i #%? ,u %en %ere was a iny (la#) s*e#) in %e #en re o! %e #onve3 glass < a mi'ge %a (e#ame a !ly an' %en a (ee an' %en a (ee le. =ow i was a #ras% %elme (en low over %an'le(ars (e ween wo (ig (la#) *aws. 9o'0 %e was #oming !as A ,on'8s eyes !li#)ere' !rom %e mirror o %e roa' a%ea' an' (a#) o %e mirror. >%en %e )iller8s rig% %an' wen !or %is gun . . . A

,on' slowe' < %ir y+!ive0 %ir y0 wen y. -%ea' %e arma# was smoo % as me al. - las 1ui#) loo) in %e mirror. T%e rig% %an' %a' le! %e %an'le(ars. T%e sun on %e man8s goggles ma'e %uge !iery eyes (elow %e rim o! %e #ras% %elme . =owA ,on' (ra)e' !ier#ely an' s)i''e' %e ,"- %roug% !or y+!ive 'egrees0 )illing %e engine. &e was no 1ui e 1ui#) enoug% on %e 'raw. T%e )iller8s gun !lare' wi#e an' a (ulle ore in o %e sa''le+s*rings (esi'e ,on'8s %ig%. ,u %en %e 6ol s*o)e i s single wor'0 an' %e )iller an' %is ,"-0 as i! lassoe' !rom wi %in %e !ores 0 veere' #ra5ily o!! %e roa'0 lea* %e 'i #% an' #ras%e' %ea'+on in o %e run) o! a (ee#%. For a momen %e angle o! man an' ma#%inery #lung o %e (roa' run) an' %en0 wi % a me alli# 'ea %+ra le0 o**le' (a#)war's in o %e grass. ,on' go o!! %is ma#%ine an' wal)e' over o %e ugly wis o! )%a)i an' smo)ing s eel. T%ere was no nee' o !eel !or a *ulse. >%erever %e (ulle %a' s ru#)0 %e #ras% %elme %a' smas%e' li)e an eggs%ell. ,on' urne' away an' %rus %is gun (a#) in o %e !ron o! %is uni#. &e %a' (een lu#)y. I woul' no 'o o *ress %is lu#). &e go on %e ,"- an' a##elera e' (a#) 'own %e roa'. &e lean %e ,"- u* agains one o! %e s#arre' rees 4us insi'e %e !ores an' wal)e' so! ly %roug% o %e e'ge o! %e #learing. &e oo) u* %is s an' in %e s%a'ow o! %e (ig (ee#%. &e mois ene' %is li*s an' gave0 as near as %e #oul'0 %e )iller8s (ir'+ w%is le. &e wai e'. &a' %e go %e w%is le wrong? ,u %en %e (us% rem(le' an' %e %ig% %in w%ine (egan. ,on' %oo)e' %is rig% %um( %roug% %is (el wi %in in#%es o! %is gun+(u . &e %o*e' %e woul' no %ave o 'o any more )illing. T%e wo un'erlings %a' no seeme' o (e arme'. >i % any lu#) %ey woul' #ome 1uie ly. =ow %e #urve' 'oors were o*en. From w%ere %e was0 ,on' #oul' no see 'own %e s%a! 0 (u wi %in se#on's %e !irs man was ou an' *u ing on %is snows%oes an' %e se#on' !ollowe'. "nows%oesA ,on'8s %ear misse' a (ea . &e %a' !orgo en %emA T%ey mus (e %i''en (a#) %ere in %e (us%es. ,las e' !oolA >oul' %ey no i#e? T%e wo men #ame slowly owar's %im0 'eli#a ely *la#ing %eir !ee . >%en %e was a(ou wen y !ee away0 %e lea'ing man sai' some %ing so! ly in w%a soun'e' li)e $ussian. >%en ,on' 'i' no re*ly0 %e wo men s o**e' in %eir ra#)s. T%ey s are' a %im in as onis%men 0 wai ing *er%a*s !or %e answer o a *asswor'. ,on' sense' rou(le. &e w%i**e' ou %is gun an' move' owar's %em0 #rou#%ing. H&an's u*.H &e ges ure' wi % %e mu55le o! %e 6ol . T%e lea'ing man s%ou e' an or'er an' %rew %imsel! !orwar'. - %e same ime %e se#on' man ma'e a 'as% (a#) owar's %e %i'eou . - ri!le (oome' !rom among %e rees an' %e man8s rig% leg (u#)le' un'er %im. T%e men !rom %e " a ion (ro)e #over an' #ame running. ,on' !ell o one )nee an' #lu((e' u*war's wi % %is gun+(arrel a %e %ur ling (o'y. I ma'e #on a# 0 (u %en %e man was on %im. ,on' saw !ingernails !las%ing owar's %is eyes0 'u#)e' an' ran in o an u**er+#u . =ow a %an' was a %is rig% wris an' %is gun was (eing slowly urne' on %im. =o wan ing o )ill0 %e %a' )e* %e sa!e y #a #% u*. &e rie' o ge %is %um( o i . - (oo %i %im in %e si'e o! %e %ea' an' %e le %e gun go an' !ell (a#). T%roug% a re' mis %e saw %e mu55le o! %e gun *oin ing a %is !a#e. T%e %oug% !las%e' %roug% %is min' %a %e was going o 'ie < 'ie !or s%owing mer#y . . .A "u''enly %e gun mu55le %a' gone an' %e weig% o! %e man was o!! %im. ,on' go o %is )nees an' %en o %is !ee . T%e (o'y0 s*rea'eagle' in %e grass (esi'e %im0 gave a las )i#). T%ere were (loo'y ren s in %e (a#) o! %e 'ungarees. ,on' loo)e' roun'. T%e !our men !rom %e " a ion were in a grou*. ,on' un'i' %e s ra* o! %is #ras% %elme an' ru((e' %e si'e o! %is %ea'. &e sai'E H>ell0 %an)s. >%o 'i' i ?H =o(o'y answere'. T%e men loo)e' em(arrasse'. ,on' wal)e' owar's %em0 *u55le'. H>%a 8s u*?H

"u''enly ,on' #aug% a ra#e o! movemen (e%in' %e men. -n e3 ra leg s%owe' < a woman8s leg. ,on' laug%e' ou lou'. T%e men grinne' s%ee*is%ly an' loo)e' (e%in' %em. .ary -nn $ussell0 in a (rown s%ir an' (la#) 4eans0 #ame ou !rom (e%in' %em wi % %er %an's u*. One o! %e %an's %el' w%a loo)e' li)e a .// arge *is ol. "%e (roug% %er %an's 'own an' u#)e' %e *is ol in o %e o* o! %er 4eans. "%e #ame u* o ,on'. "%e sai' an3iouslyE HYou won8 (lame any(o'y0 will you? I 4us woul'n8 le %em leave %is morning wi %ou me.H &er eyes *lea'e'. H$a %er lu#)y I 'i' #ome0 really. I mean0 I 4us %a**ene' o ge o you !irs . =o one wan e' o s%oo !or !ear o! %i ing you.H ,on' smile' in o %er eyes. &e sai'E HI! you %a'n8 #ome0 I8' %ave %a' o (rea) %a 'inner 'a e.H &e urne' (a#) o %e men0 %is voi#e (usinessli)e. H-ll rig% . One o! you a)e %e mo or+(i)e an' re*or %e gis o! %is o 6olonel "#%rei(er. "ay we8re wai ing !or %is eam (e!ore we a)e a loo) a %e %i'e+ou . -n' woul' %e in#lu'e a #ou*le o! an i+sa(o age men. T%a s%a! may (e (oo(y+ ra**e'. -ll rig% ?H ,on' oo) %e girl (y %e arm. &e sai'E H6ome over %ere. I wan o s%ow you a (ir'8s nes .H HIs %a an or'er?H HYes.H

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY


T%e mos (eau i!ul (ir' in Bamai#a0 an' some say %e mos (eau i!ul (ir' in %e worl'0 is %e s reamer+ ail or 'o# or %umming+(ir'. T%e #o#) (ir' is a(ou nine in#%es long0 (u seven in#%es o! i are ail < wo long (la#) !ea %ers %a #urve an' #ross ea#% o %er an' w%ose inner e'ges are in a !orm o! s#allo*e' 'esign. T%e %ea' an' #res are (la#)0 %e wings 'ar) green0 %e long (ill is s#arle 0 an' %e eyes0 (rig% an' #on!i'ing0 are (la#). T%e (o'y is emeral' green0 so 'a55ling %a w%en %e sun is on %e (reas you see %e (rig% es green %ing in na ure. In Bamai#a0 (ir's %a are love' are given ni#)names. &rochilus polytmus is #alle' 8'o# or (ir'8 (e#ause %is wo (la#) s reamers remin' *eo*le o! %e (la#) ail+#oa o! %e ol'+ ime *%ysi#ian. .rs &avelo#) was *ar i#ularly 'evo e' o wo !amilies o! %ese (ir's (e#ause s%e %a' (een wa #%ing %em si**ing %oney0 !ig% ing0 nes ing an' ma)ing love sin#e s%e marrie' an' #ame o 6on en . "%e was now over !i! y0 so many genera ions o! %ese wo !amilies %a' #ome an' gone sin#e %e original wo *airs %a' (een ni#)name' 2yramus an' T%is(e an' :a*%nis an' 6%loe (y %er mo %er+in+law. ,u su##essive #ou*les %a' )e* %e names0 an' .rs &avelo#) now sa a %er elegan ea servi#e on %e (roa' #ool veran'a an' wa #%e' 2yramus0 wi % a !ier#e 8 ee+ ee+ ee8 'ive+(om( :a*%nis w%o %a' !inis%e' u* %e %oney on %is own %uge (us% o! Ba*anese &a an' %a' snea)e' in among %e neig%(ouring .on)ey!i''le %a was 2yramus8s *reserve. T%e wo iny (la#) an' green #ome s swirle' away a#ross %e !ine a#res o! lawn0 'o e' wi % (rillian #lum*s o! %i(is#us an' (ougainvillaea0 un il %ey were los o sig% in %e #i rus groves. T%ey woul' soon (e (a#). T%e running (a le (e ween %e wo !amilies was a game. In %is (ig !inely *lan e' gar'en %ere was enoug% %oney !or all. .rs &avelo#) *u 'own %er ea#u* an' oo) a 2a um 2e*erium san'wi#%. "%e sai'E HT%ey really are %e mos 'rea'!ul s%ow+o!!s.H 6olonel &avelo#) loo)e' over %e o* o! %is Daily Gleaner. H>%o?H H2yramus an' :a*%nis.H

HO%0 yes.H 6olonel &avelo#) %oug% %e names i'io i#. &e sai'E HI loo)s o me as i! ,a is a will (e on %e run soon. 6as ro8s )ee*ing u* %e *ressure *re y well. 6%a* a ,ar#lay8s ol' me %is morning %a %ere8s a lo o! !un) money #oming over %ere alrea'y. "ai' %a ,elair8s (een sol' o nominees. One %un're' an' !i! y %ousan' *oun's !or a %ousan' a#res o! #a le+ i#) an' a %ouse %e re' an s8ll %ave 'own (y 6%ris masA "ome(o'y8s su''enly gone an' (oug% %a g%as ly ,lue &ar(our %o el0 an' %ere8s even al) %a Bimmy Far1u%arson %as !oun' a (uyer !or %is *la#e < lea!+ s*o an' 2anama 'isease %rown in !or goo' measure0 I su**ose.H HT%a 8ll (e ni#e !or @rsula. T%e *oor 'ear #an8 s an' i ou %ere. ,u I #an8 say I li)e %e i'ea o! %e w%ole islan' (eing (oug% u* (y %ese 6u(ans. ,u Tim0 w%ere 'o %ey ge all %e money !rom0 anyway?H H$a#)e s0 union !un's0 9overnmen money < 9o' )nows. T%e *la#e is ri''le' wi % #roo)s an' gangs ers. T%ey mus wan o ge %eir money ou o! 6u(a an' in o some %ing else 1ui#). Bamai#a8s as goo' as anyw%ere else now we8ve go %is #onver i(ili y wi % %e 'ollar. -**aren ly %e man w%o (oug% ,elair 4us s%ovelle' %e money on o %e !loor o! -s#%en%eim8s o!!i#e ou o! a sui #ase. I su**ose %e8ll )ee* %e *la#e !or a year or wo0 an' w%en %e rou(le8s (lown over or w%en 6as ro8s go in an' !inis%e' #leaning u* %e8ll *u i on %e mar)e again0 a)e a reasona(le loss an' move o!! somew%ere else. 2i y0 in a way. ,elair use' o (e a !ine *ro*er y. I #oul' %ave (een (roug% (a#) i! anyone in %e !amily %a' #are'.H HI was en %ousan' a#res in ,ill8s gran'!a %er8s 'ay. I use' o a)e %e (us%er %ree 'ays o ri'e %e (oun'ary.H HFa lo ,ill #ares. I (e %e8s (oo)e' %is *assage o 7on'on alrea'y. T%a 8s one more o! %e ol' !amilies gone. "oon won8 (e anyone le! o! %a lo (u us. T%an) 9o' Bu'y li)es %e *la#e.H .rs &avelo#) sai' HYes0 'earH #almingly an' *inge' %e (ell !or %e ea %ings o (e #leare' away. -ga %a0 a %uge (lue+(la#) =egress wearing %e ol'+!as%ione' w%i e %ea'#lo % %a %as gone ou in Bamai#a e3#e* in %e %in erlan'0 #ame ou %roug% %e w%i e an' rose 'rawing+room !ollowe' (y Fay*rin#e0 a *re y young 1ua'roon !rom 2or .aria w%om s%e was raining as se#on' %ousemai'. .rs &avelo#) sai'E HI 8s ime we s ar e' (o ling0 -ga %a. T%e guavas are early %is year.H -ga %a8s !a#e was im*assive. "%e sai'E HYes8m. ,u we 'one nee' more (o les.H H>%y? I was only las year I go you wo 'o5en o! %e (es I #oul' !in' a &enri1ues.H HYes8m. "omeone 'one mas% !ive0 si3 o! 'ose.H HO% 'ear. &ow 'i' %a %a**en?H H6oul'n8 say8m.H -ga %a *i#)e' u* %e (ig silver ray an' wai e'0 wa #%ing .rs &avelo#)8s !a#e. .rs &avelo#) %a' no live' mos o! %er li!e in Bamai#a wi %ou learning %a a mas% is a mas% an' %a one woul' no ge anyw%ere %un ing !or a #ul*ri . "o s%e 4us sai' #%eer!ullyE HO%0 all rig% 0 -ga %a. I8ll ge some more w%en I go in o Kings on.H HYes8m.H -ga %a0 !ollowe' (y %e young girl0 wen (a#) in o %e %ouse. .rs &avelo#) *i#)e' u* a *ie#e o! *e i +*oin an' (egan s i #%ing0 %er !ingers moving au oma i#ally. &er eyes wen (a#) o %e (ig (us%es o! Ba*anese &a an' .on)ey!i''le. Yes0 %e wo male (ir's were (a#). >i % gra#e!ully #o#)e' ails %ey move' among %e !lowers. T%e sun was low on %e %ori5on an' every now an' %en %ere was a !las% o! almos *ier#ingly (eau i!ul green. - mo#)ing+(ir'0 on %e o*mos (ran#% o! a !rangi*ani0 s ar e' on i s evening re*er oire. T%e in)le o! an early ree+ !rog announ#e' %e (eginning o! %e s%or viole 'us). 6on en 0 wen y %ousan' a#res in %e !oo %ills o! 6an'le!ly 2ea)0 one o! %e

mos eas erly o! %e ,lue .oun ains in %e #oun y o! 2or lan'0 %a' (een given o an early &avelo#) (y Oliver 6romwell as a rewar' !or %aving (een one o! %e signa ories o King 6%arles8s 'ea % warran . @nli)e so many o %er se lers o! %ose an' la er imes %e &avelo#)s %a' main aine' %e *lan a ion %roug% %ree #en uries0 %roug% ear %1ua)es an' %urri#anes an' %roug% %e (oom an' (us o! #o#oa0 sugar0 #i rus an' #o*ra. =ow i was in (ananas an' #a le0 an' i was one o! %e ri#%es an' (es run o! all %e *riva e es a es in %e islan'. T%e %ouse0 *a #%e' u* or re(uil a! er ear %1ua)e or %urri#ane0 was a %y(ri' < a ma%ogany+*illare'0 wo+s oreye' #en ral (lo#) on %e ol' s one !oun'a ions !lan)e' (y wo single+s oreye' wings wi % wi'ely over%ung0 !la +*i #%e' Bamai#an roo!s o! silver #e'ar s%ingles. T%e &avelo#)s were now si ing on %e 'ee* veran'a o! %e #en ral (lo#) !a#ing %e gen ly slo*ing gar'en (eyon' w%i#% a vas um(ling 4ungle vis a s re #%e' away wen y miles o %e sea. 6olonel &avelo#) *u 'own %is Gleaner. HI %oug% I %ear' a #ar.H .rs &avelo#) sai' !irmlyE HI! i 8s %ose g%as ly Fe''ens !rom 2or -n onio0 you8ve sim*ly go o ge ri' o! %em. I #an8 s an' any more o! %eir moans a(ou Englan'. -n' las ime %ey were (o % 1ui e 'run) w%en %ey le! an' 'inner was #ol'.H "%e go u* 1ui#)ly. HI8m going o ell -ga %a o say I8ve go a migraine.H -ga %a #ame ou %roug% %e 'rawing+room 'oor. "%e loo)e' !usse'. "%e was !ollowe' #losely (y %ree men. "%e sai' %urrie'lyE H9emmun !rom Kings on8m. To see 'e 6olonel.H T%e lea'ing man sli' *as %e %ouse)ee*er. &e was s ill wearing %is %a 0 a *anama wi % a s%or very u*+#urle' (rim. &e oo) %is o!! wi % %is le! %an' an' %el' i agains %is s oma#%. T%e rays o! %e sun gli ere' on %air+grease an' on a mou %!ul o! smiling w%i e ee %. &e wen u* o 6olonel &avelo#)0 %is ou s re #%e' %an' %el' s raig% in !ron o! %im. H.a4or 9on5ales. From &avana. 2lease' o mee you0 6olonel.H T%e a##en was %e s%am -meri#an o! a Bamai#an a3i+'river. 6olonel &avelo#) %a' go o %is !ee . &e ou#%e' %e ou s re #%e' %an' (rie!ly. &e loo)e' over %e .a4or8s s%oul'er a %e o %er wo men w%o %a' s a ione' %emselves on ei %er si'e o! %e 'oor. T%ey were (o % #arrying %a new %ol'all o! %e ro*i#s < a 2an -meri#an overnig% (ag. T%e (ags loo)e' %eavy. =ow %e wo men (en 'own oge %er an' *la#e' %em (esi'e %eir yellowis% s%oes. T%ey s raig% ene' %emselves. T%ey wore !la w%i e #a*s wi % rans*aren green visors %a #as green s%a'ows 'own o %eir #%ee)(ones. T%roug% %e green s%a'ows %eir in elligen animal eyes !i3e' %emselves on %e .a4or0 rea'ing %is (e%aviour. HT%ey are my se#re aries.H 6olonel &avelo#) oo) a *i*e ou o! %is *o#)e an' (egan o !ill i . &is 'ire# (lue eyes oo) in %e s%ar* #lo %es0 %e na y s%oes0 %e glis ening !ingernails o! %e .a4or an' %e (lue 4eans an' #aly*so s%ir s o! %e o %er wo. &e won'ere' %ow %e #oul' ge %ese men in o %is s u'y an' near %e revolver in %e o* 'rawer o! %is 'es). &e sai'E H>%a #an I 'o !or you?H -s %e li %is *i*e %e wa #%e' %e .a4or8s eyes an' mou % %roug% %e smo)e. .a4or 9on5ales s*rea' %is %an's. T%e wi' % o! %is smile remaine' #ons an . T%e li1ui'0 almos gol'en eyes were amuse'0 !rien'ly. HI is a ma er o! (usiness0 6olonel. I re*resen a #er ain gen leman in &avanaH < %e ma'e a %row+away ges ure wi % %is rig% %an'. H- *ower!ul gen leman. - very !ine guy.H .a4or 9on5ales assume' an e3*ression o! sin#eri y. HYou woul' li)e %im0 6olonel. &e as)e' me o *resen %is #om*limen s an' o in1uire %e *ri#e o! your *ro*er y.H .rs &avelo#)0 w%o %a' (een wa #%ing %e s#ene wi % a *oli e %al!+smile on %er li*s0 move' o s an' (esi'e %er %us(an'. "%e sai' )in'ly0 so as no o em(arrass %e

*oor manE H>%a a s%ame0 .a4or. -ll %is way on %ese 'us y roa'sA Your !rien' really s%oul' %ave wri en !irs 0 or as)e' anyone in Kings on or a 9overnmen &ouse. You see0 my %us(an'8s !amily %ave live' %ere !or nearly %ree %un're' years.H "%e loo)e' a %im swee ly0 a*ologe i#ally. HI8m a!rai' %ere 4us isn8 any 1ues ion o! selling 6on en . T%ere never %as (een. I won'er w%ere your im*or an !rien' #an *ossi(ly %ave go %e i'ea !rom.H .a4or 9on5ales (owe' (rie!ly. &is smiling !a#e urne' (a#) o 6olonel &avelo#). &e sai'0 as i! .rs &avelo#) %a' no o*ene' %er mou %E H.y gen leman is ol' %is is one o! %e !ines es an#ias in Bamai#a. &e is a mos generous man. You may men ion any sum %a is reasona(le.H 6olonel &avelo#) sai' !irmlyE HYou %ear' w%a .rs &avelo#) sai'. T%e *ro*er y is no !or sale.H .a4or 9on5ales laug%e'. I soun'e' 1ui e genuine laug% er. &e s%oo) %is %ea' as i! %e was e3*laining some %ing o a ra %er 'ense #%il'. HYou misun'ers an' me0 6olonel. .y gen leman 'esires %is *ro*er y an' no o %er *ro*er y in Bamai#a. &e %as some !un's0 some e3 ra !un's0 o inves . T%ese !un's are see)ing a %ome in Bamai#a. .y gen leman wis%es %is o (e %eir %ome.H 6olonel &avelo#) sai' *a ien lyE HI 1ui e un'ers an'0 .a4or. -n' I am so sorry you %ave was e' your ime. 6on en will never (e !or sale in my li!e ime. -n' now0 i! you8ll !orgive me. .y wi!e an' I always 'ine early0 an' you %ave a long way o go.H &e ma'e a ges ure o %e le! 0 along %e veran'a. HI %in) you8ll !in' %is is %e 1ui#)es way o your #ar. 7e me s%ow you.H 6olonel &avelo#) move' invi ingly0 (u w%en .a4or 9on5ales s aye' w%ere %e was0 %e s o**e'. T%e (lue eyes (egan o !ree5e. T%ere was *er%a*s one less oo % in .a4or 9on5ales8s smile an' %is eyes %a' (e#ome wa #%!ul. ,u %is manner was s ill 4olly. &e sai' #%eer!ully0 HBus one momen 0 6olonel.H &e issue' a #ur or'er over %is s%oul'er. ,o % %e &avelo#)s no i#e' %e 4olly mas) sli* wi % %e !ew s%ar* wor's %roug% %e ee %. For %e !irs ime .rs &avelo#) loo)e' slig% ly un#er ain. "%e move' s ill #loser o %er %us(an'. T%e wo men *i#)e' u* %eir (lue 2an -meri#an (ags an' s e**e' !orwar'. .a4or 9on5ales rea#%e' !or %e 5i**er on ea#% o! %em in urn an' *ulle'. T%e au mou %s s*rang o*en. T%e (ags were !ull o %e (rim wi % nea soli' wa's o! -meri#an money. .a4or 9on5ales s*rea' %is arms. H-ll %un're' 'ollar (ills. -ll genuine. &al! a million 'ollars. T%a is0 in your money0 le us say0 one %un're' an' eig% y %ousan' *oun's. small !or une. T%ere are many o %er goo' *la#es o live in %e worl'0 6olonel. -n' *er%a*s my gen leman woul' a'' a !ur %er wen y %ousan' *oun's o ma)e %e roun' sum. You woul' )now in a wee). -ll I nee' is %al! a s%ee o! *a*er wi % your signa ure. T%e lawyers #an 'o %e res . =ow0 6olonel0H %e smile was winning0 Hs%all we say yes an' s%a)e %an's on i ? T%en %e (ags s ay %ere an' we leave you o your 'inner.H T%e &avelo#)s now loo)e' a %e .a4or wi % %e same e3*ression < a mi3 ure o! anger an' 'isgus . One #oul' imagine .rs &avelo#) elling %e s ory ne3 'ay. H"u#% a #ommon0 greasy li le man. -n' %ose !il %y *las i# (ags !ull o! moneyA Timmy was won'er!ul. &e 4us ol' %im o ge ou an' a)e %e 'ir y s u!! away wi % %im.H 6olonel &avelo#)8s mou % urne' 'own wi % 'is as e. &e sai'E HI %oug% I %a' ma'e mysel! #lear. .a4or. T%e *ro*er y is no !or sale a any *ri#e. -n' I 'o no s%are %e *o*ular %irs !or -meri#an 'ollars. I mus now as) you o leave.H 6olonel &avelo#) lai' %is #ol' *i*e on %e a(le as i! %e was *re*aring o roll u* %is sleeves. For %e !irs ime .a4or 9on5ales8s smile los i s warm %. T%e mou % #on inue'

o grin (u i was now s%a*e' in an angry grima#e. T%e li1ui' gol'en eyes were su''enly (rassy an' %ar'. &e sai' so! lyE H6olonel. I is I w%o %ave no ma'e mysel! #lear. =o you. .y gen leman %as ins ru# e' me o say %a i! you will no a##e* %is mos generous erms we mus *ro#ee' o o %er measures.H .rs &avelo#) was su''enly a!rai'. "%e *u %er %an' on 6olonel &avelo#)8s arm an' *resse' i %ar'. &e *u %is %an' over %ers in reassuran#e. &e sai' %roug% ig% li*sE H2lease leave us alone an' go0 .a4or. O %erwise I s%all #ommuni#a e wi % %e *oli#e.H T%e *in) i* o! .a4or 9on5ales8s ongue #ame ou an' slowly li#)e' along %is li*s. -ll %e lig% %a' gone ou o! %is !a#e an' i %a' (e#ome au an' %ar'. &e sai' %ars%ly. H"o %e *ro*er y is no !or sale in your li!e ime0 6olonel. Is %a your las wor'?H &is rig% %an' wen (e%in' %is (a#) an' %e #li#)e' %is !ingers so! ly0 on#e. ,e%in' %im %e gun+%an's o! %e wo men sli' %roug% %e o*ening o! %eir gay s%ir s a(ove %e wais (an's. T%e s%ar* animal eyes wa #%e' %e .a4or8s !ingers (e%in' %is (a#). .rs &avelo#)8s %an' wen u* o %er mou %. 6olonel &avelo#) rie' o say yes0 (u %is mou % was 'ry. &e swallowe' noisily. &e #oul' no (elieve i . T%is mangy 6u(an #roo) mus (e (lu!!ing. &e manage' o say %i#)lyE HYes0 i is.H .a4or 9on5ales no''e' #ur ly. HIn %a #ase0 6olonel0 my gen leman will #arry on %e nego ia ions wi % %e ne3 owner < wi % your 'aug% er.H T%e !ingers #li#)e'. .a4or 9on5ales s e**e' o one si'e o give a #lear !iel' o! !ire. T%e (rown mon)ey+%an's #ame ou !rom un'er %e gay s%ir s. T%e ugly sausage+ s%a*e' %un)s o! me al s*a an' %u''e' < again an' again0 even w%en %e wo (o'ies were on %eir way o %e groun'. .a4or 9on5ales (en 'own an' veri!ie' w%ere %e (ulle s %a' %i . T%en %e %ree small men wal)e' 1ui#)ly (a#) %roug% %e rose an' w%i e 'rawing+room an' a#ross %e 'ar) #arve' ma%ogany %all an' ou %roug% %e elegan !ron 'oor. T%ey #lim(e' un%urrie'ly in o a (la#) For' 6onsul "e'an wi % Bamai#an num(er *la es an'0 wi % .a4or 9on5ales 'riving an' %e wo gunmen si ing u*rig% in %e (a#) sea 0 %ey 'rove o!! a an easy *a#e 'own %e long avenue o! $oyal 2alms. - %e 4un# ion o! %e 'rive an' %e roa' o 2or -n onio %e #u ele*%one wires %ung 'own %roug% %e rees li)e (rig% lianas. .a4or 9on5ales slalome' %e #ar #are!ully an' e3*er ly 'own %e roug% *aro#%ial roa' un il %e was on %e me alle' s ri* near %e #oas . T%en %e *u on s*ee'. Twen y minu es a! er %e )illing %e #ame o %e ou er s*rawl o! %e li le (anana *or . T%ere %e ran %e s olen #ar on o %e grass verge (esi'e %e roa' an' %e %ree men go ou an' wal)e' %e 1uar er o! a mile %roug% %e s*arsely li main s ree o %e (anana w%arves. T%e s*ee'(oa was wai ing0 i s e3%aus (u((ling. T%e %ree men go in an' %e (oa 5oome' o!! a#ross %e s ill wa ers o! w%a an -meri#an *oe ess %as #alle' %e mos (eau i!ul %ar(our in %e worl'. T%e an#%or #%ain was alrea'y %al! u* on %e gli ering !i! y+ on 6%ris#ra! . "%e was !lying %e " ars an' " ri*es. T%e wo gra#e!ul an ennae o! %e 'ee*+sea ro's e3*laine' %a %ese were ouris s < !rom Kings on0 *er%a*s0 or !rom .on ego ,ay. T%e %ree men wen on (oar' an' %e s*ee'(oa was swung in. Two #anoes were #ir#ling0 (egging. .a4or 9on5ales osse' a !i! y+#en *ie#e o ea#% o! %em an' %e s ri**e' men 'ive'. T%e win 'iesels awo)e o a s u ering roar an' %e 6%ris#ra! se le' %er s ern 'own a !ra# ion an' ma'e !or %e 'ee* #%annel (elow %e Ti #%!iel' %o el. ,y 'awn s%e woul' (e (a#) in &avana. T%e !is%ermen an' w%ar!ingers as%ore wa #%e' %er go0 an' wen on wi % %eir argumen as o w%i#% o! %e !ilms ars %oli'aying in Bamai#a %is #oul' %ave (een. @* on %e (roa' veran'a o! 6on en %e las rays o! %e sun gli ere' on %e re'

s ains. One o! %e 'o# or (ir's w%irre' over %e (alus ra'e an' %overe' #lose a(ove .rs &avelo#)8s %ear 0 loo)ing 'own. =o0 %is was no !or %im. &e !lir e' gaily o!! o %is roos ing+*er#% among %e #losing %i(is#us. T%ere #ame %e soun' o! someone in a small s*or s #ar ma)ing a ra#ing #%ange a %e (en' o! %e 'rive. I! .rs &avelo#) %a' (een alive s%e woul' %ave (een ge ing rea'y o sayE HBu'y0 I8m always elling you no o 'o %a on %e #orner. I s#a ers gravel all over %e lawn an' you )now %ow i ruins Bos%ua8s lawn+mower.H I was a mon % la er. In 7on'on0 O# o(er %a' (egun wi % a wee) o! (rillian In'ian summer0 an' %e noise o! %e mowers #ame u* !rom $egen 8s 2ar) an' in %roug% %e wi'e o*en win'ows o! .8s o!!i#e. T%ey were mo or+mowers an' Bames ,on' re!le# e' %a one o! %e mos (eau i!ul noises o! summer0 %e 'rowsy iron song o! %e ol' ma#%ines0 was going !or ever !rom %e worl'. 2er%a*s o'ay #%il'ren !el %e same a(ou %e *u!! an' #%a er o! %e li le wo+s ro)e engines. - leas %e #u grass woul' smell %e same. ,on' %a' ime !or %ese re!le# ions (e#ause . seeme' o (e %aving 'i!!i#ul y in #oming o %e *oin . ,on' %a' (een as)e' i! %e %a' any %ing on a %e momen 0 an' %e %a' re*lie' %a**ily %a %e %a'n8 an' %a' wai e' !or 2an'ora8s (o3 o (e o*ene' !or %im. &e was mil'ly in rigue' (e#ause . %a' a''resse' %im as Bames an' no (y %is num(er < 00K. T%is was unusual 'uring 'u y %ours. I soun'e' as i! %ere mig% (e some *ersonal angle o %is assignmen < as i! i mig% (e *u o %im more as a re1ues %an as an or'er. -n' i seeme' o ,on' %a %ere was an e3 ra small #le! o! worry (e ween %e !ros y0 'amna(ly #lear0 grey eyes. -n' %ree minu es was #er ainly oo long o s*en' ge ing a *i*e going. . swivelle' %is #%air roun' s1uare wi % %e 'es) an' !lung %e (o3 o! ma #%es 'own so %a i s)i''e' a#ross %e re' lea %er o* owar's ,on'. ,on' !iel'e' i an' s)i''e' i *oli ely (a#) o %e mi''le o! %e 'es). . smile' (rie!ly. &e seeme' o ma)e u* %is min'. &e sai' mil'lyE HBames0 %as i ever o##urre' o you %a every man in %e !lee )nows w%a o 'o e3#e* %e #omman'ing a'miral?H ,on' !rowne'. &e sai'E HI %a'n8 o##urre' o me0 sir. ,u I see w%a you mean. T%e res only %ave o #arry ou or'ers. T%e a'miral %as o 'e#i'e on %e or'ers. I su**ose i 8s %e same as saying %a "u*reme 6omman' is %e lonelies *os %ere is.H . 4er)e' %is *i*e si'eways. H"ame sor o! i'ea. "omeone8s go o (e oug%. "omeone8s go o 'e#i'e in %e en'. I! you sen' a %avering signal o %e -'miral y you 'eserve o (e *u on %e (ea#%. "ome *eo*le are religious < *ass %e 'e#ision on o 9o'.H .8s eyes were 'e!ensive. HI use' o ry %a some imes in %e "ervi#e0 (u &e always *asse' %e (u#) (a#) again < ol' me o ge on an' ma)e u* my own min'. 9oo' !or one0 I su**ose0 (u oug%. Trou(le is0 very !ew *eo*le )ee* oug% a! er a(ou !or y. T%ey8ve (een )no#)e' a(ou (y li!e < %a' rou(les0 rage'ies0 illnesses. T%ese %ings so! en you u*.H . loo)e' s%ar*ly a ,on'. H&ow8s your #oe!!i#ien o! oug%ness0 Bames? You %aven8 go o %e 'angerous age ye .H ,on' 'i'n8 li)e *ersonal 1ues ions. &e 'i'n8 )now w%a o answer0 nor w%a %e ru % was. &e %a' no go a wi!e or #%il'ren < %a' never su!!ere' %e rage'y o! a *ersonal loss. &e %a' no %a' o s an' u* o (lin'ness or a mor al 'isease. &e %a' a(solu ely no i'ea %ow %e woul' !a#e %ese %ings %a nee'e' so mu#% more oug%ness %an %e %a' ever %a' o s%ow. &e sai' %esi an lyE HI su**ose I #an s an' mos %ings i! I %ave o an' i! I %in) i 8s rig% 0 sir. I meanH < %e 'i' no li)e using su#% wor's < Hi! %e #ause is < er < sor o! 4us 0 sir.H &e wen on0 !eeling as%ame' a %imsel! !or %rowing %e (all (a#) a .E HO! #ourse i 8s no easy o )now w%a is 4us an' w%a isn8 . I su**ose I assume %a w%en I8m given an un*leasan 4o( in %e

"ervi#e %e #ause is a 4us one.H H:ammi 0H .8s eyes gli ere' im*a ien ly. HT%a 8s 4us w%a I meanA You rely on me. You won8 a)e any 'amne' res*onsi(ili y yoursel!.H &e %rus %e s em o! %is *i*e owar's %is #%es . HI8m %e one w%o %as o 'o %a . I8m %e one w%o %as o 'e#i'e i! a %ing is rig% or no .H T%e anger 'ie' ou o! %e eyes. T%e grim mou % (en sourly. &e sai' gloomilyE HO% well0 I su**ose i 8s w%a I8m *ai' !or. "ome(o'y8s go o 'rive %e (loo'y rain.H . *u %is *i*e (a#) in %is mou % an' 'rew on i 'ee*ly o relieve %is !eelings. =ow ,on' !el sorry !or .. &e %a' never (e!ore %ear' . use as s rong a wor' as 8(loo'y8. =or %a' . ever given a mem(er o! %is s a!! any %in %a %e !el %e weig% o! %e (ur'en %e was #arrying an' %a' #arrie' ever sin#e %e %a' %rown u* %e #er ain *ros*e# o! (e#oming Fi! % "ea 7or' in or'er o a)e over %e "e#re "ervi#e. .. %a' go %imsel! a *ro(lem. ,on' won'ere' w%a i was. I woul' no (e #on#erne' wi % 'anger. I! . #oul' ge %e o''s more or less rig% %e woul' ris) any %ing0 anyw%ere in %e worl'. I woul' no (e *oli i#al. . 'i' no give a 'amn !or %e sus#e* i(ili ies o! any .inis ry an' %oug% no %ing o! going (e%in' %eir (a#)s o ge a *ersonal ruling !rom %e 2rime .inis er. I mig% (e moral. I mig% (e *ersonal. ,on' sai'E HIs %ere any %ing I #an %el* over0 sir?H . loo)e' (rie!ly0 %oug% !ully a ,on'0 an' %en swivelle' %is #%air so %a %e #oul' loo) ou o! %e win'ow a %e %ig% summery #lou's. &e sai' a(ru* lyE H:o you remem(er %e &avelo#) #ase?H HOnly w%a I rea' in %e *a*ers0 sir. El'erly #ou*le in Bamai#a. T%e 'aug% er #ame %ome one nig% an' !oun' %em !ull o! (ulle s. T%ere was some al) o! gangs ers !rom &avana. T%e %ouse)ee*er sai' %ree men %a' #alle' in a #ar. "%e %oug% %ey mig% %ave (een 6u(ans. I urne' ou %e #ar %a' (een s olen. - ya#% %a' saile' !rom %e lo#al %ar(our %a nig% . ,u as !ar as I remem(er %e *oli#e 'i'n8 ge anyw%ere. T%a 8s all0 sir. I %aven8 seen any signals *assing on %e #ase.H . sai' gru!!lyE HYou woul'n8 %ave. T%ey8ve (een *ersonal o me. >e weren8 as)e' o %an'le %e #ase. Bus %a**ens0H . #leare' %is %roa E %is *riva e use o! %e "ervi#e was on %is #ons#ien#e0 HI )new %e &avelo#)s. .a er o! !a# I was (es man a %eir we''ing. .al a. =ine een+ wen y+!ive.H HI see0 sir. T%a 8s (a'.H . sai' s%or lyE H=i#e *eo*le. -nyway0 I ol' " a ion 6 o loo) in o i . T%ey 'i'n8 ge anyw%ere wi % %e ,a is a *eo*le0 (u we8ve go a goo' man wi % %e o %er si'e < wi % %is #%a* 6as ro. -n' 6as ro8s In elligen#e *eo*le seem o %ave %e 9overnmen *re y well *ene ra e'. I go %e w%ole s ory a #ou*le o! wee)s ago. I (oils 'own o %e !a# %a a man #alle' &ammers ein0 or von &ammers ein0 %a' %e #ou*le )ille'. T%ere are a lo o! 9ermans well 'ug in in %ese (anana re*u(li#s. T%ey8re =a5is w%o go ou o! %e ne a %e en' o! %e >ar. T%is one8s e3+9es a*o. &e go a 4o( as %ea' o! ,a is a8s 6oun er In elligen#e. .a'e a *a#)e o! money ou o! e3 or ion an' (la#)mail an' *ro e# ion. &e was se u* !or li!e un il 6as ro8s lo (egan o ma)e %ea'way. &e was one o! %e !irs o s ar easing %imsel! ou . &e #u one o! %is o!!i#ers in on %is loo 0 a man #alle' 9on5ales0 an' %is man ravelle' aroun' %e 6ari((ean wi % a #ou*le o! gunmen o *ro e# %im an' (egan sal ing away &ammers ein8s money ou si'e 6u(a < *u i in real es a e an' su#%li)e un'er nominees. Only (oug% %e (es 0 (u a o* *ri#es. &ammers ein #oul' a!!or' %em. >%en money 'i'n8 wor) %e8' use !or#e < )i'na* a #%il'0 (urn 'own a !ew a#res0 any %ing o ma)e %e owner see reason. >ell0 %is man &ammers ein %ear' o! %e &avelo#)s8 *ro*er y0 one o! %e (es in Bamai#a0 an' %e ol' 9on5ales o go an' ge i . I su**ose %is or'ers were o )ill %e &avelo#)s i! %ey woul'n8 sell an' %en *u

*ressure on %e 'aug% er. T%ere8s a 'aug% er0 (y %e way. "%oul' (e a(ou wen y+!ive (y now. =ever seen %er mysel!. -nyway0 %a 8s w%a %a**ene'. T%ey )ille' %e &avelo#)s. T%en wo wee)s ago ,a is a sa#)e' &ammers ein. .ay %ave go o %ear a(ou one o! %ese 4o(s. I 'on8 )now. ,u 0 anyway0 &ammers ein #leare' ou an' oo) %is li le eam o! %ree wi % %im. Time' %ings *re y well0 I s%oul' say. I loo)s as i! 6as ro may ge in %is win er i! %e )ee*s %e *ressure u*.H ,on' sai' so! lyE H>%ere %ave %ey gone o?H H-meri#a. $ig% u* in %e =or % o! Vermon . @* agains %e 6ana'ian (or'er. T%ose sor o! men li)e (eing #lose o !ron iers. 2la#e #alle' E#%o 7a)e. I 8s some )in' o! a millionaire8s ran#% %e8s ren e'. 7oo)s *re y !rom %e *%o ogra*%s. Tu#)e' away in %e moun ains wi % %is li le la)e in %e groun's. &e8s #er ainly #%osen %imsel! somew%ere w%ere %e won8 (e rou(le' wi % visi ors.H H&ow 'i' you ge on o %is0 sir?H HI sen a re*or o! %e w%ole #ase o E'gar &oover. &e )new o! %e man. I guesse' %e woul'. &e8s %a' a lo o! rou(le wi % %is gun+running !rom .iami o 6as ro. -n' %e8s (een in eres e' in &avana ever sin#e %e (ig -meri#an gangs er money s ar e' !ollowing %e #asinos %ere. &e sai' %a &ammers ein an' %is *ar y %a' #ome in o %e " a es on si3 mon %s visi ors8 visas. &e was very %el*!ul. >an e' o )now i! I8' go enoug% o (uil' u* a #ase on. :i' I wan %ese men e3 ra'i e' !or rial in Bamai#a? I al)e' i over %ere wi % %e - orney 9eneral an' %e sai' %ere wasn8 a %o*e unless we #oul' ge %e wi nesses !rom &avana. T%ere8s no #%an#e o! %a . I was only %roug% 6as ro8s In elligen#e %a we even )now as mu#% as we 'o. O!!i#ially %e 6u(ans won8 raise a !inger. =e3 0 &oover o!!ere' o %ave %eir visas revo)e' an' ge %em on %e move again. I %an)e' %im an' sai' no0 an' we le! i a %a .H . sa !or a momen in silen#e. &is *i*e %a' 'ie' an' %e reli i . &e wen onE HI 'e#i'e' o %ave a al) wi % our !rien's %e .oun ies. I go on o %e 6ommissioner on %e s#ram(ler. &e8s never le me 'own ye . &e s raye' one o! %is !ron ier *a rol *lanes over %e (or'er an' oo) a !ull aerial survey o! %is E#%o 7a)e *la#e. "ai' %a i! I wan e' any o %er #o+o*era ion %e8' *rovi'e i . -n' now0H . slowly swivelle' %is #%air (a#) s1uare wi % %e 'es)0 HI8ve go o 'e#i'e w%a o 'o ne3 .H =ow ,on' realise' w%y . was rou(le'0 w%y %e wan e' someone else o ma)e %e 'e#ision. ,e#ause %ese %a' (een !rien's o! .. ,e#ause a *ersonal elemen was involve'0 . %a' wor)e' on %e #ase (y %imsel!. -n' now i %a' #ome o %e *oin w%en 4us i#e oug% o (e 'one an' %ese *eo*le (roug% o (oo). ,u . was %in)ingE is %is 4us i#e0 or is i revenge? =o 4u'ge woul' a)e a mur'er #ase in w%i#% %e %a' *ersonally )nown %e mur'ere' *erson. . wan e' someone else0 ,on'0 o 'eliver 4u'gemen . T%ere were no 'ou( s in ,on'8s min'. &e 'i'n8 )now %e &avelo#)s or #are w%o %ey were. &ammers ein %a' o*era e' %e law o! %e 4ungle on wo 'e!en#eless ol' *eo*le. "in#e no o %er law was availa(le0 %e law o! %e 4ungle s%oul' (e visi e' u*on &ammers ein. In no o %er way #oul' 4us i#e (e 'one. I! i was revenge0 i was %e revenge o! %e #ommuni y. ,on' sai'E HI woul'n8 %esi a e !or a minu e0 sir. I! !oreign gangs ers !in' %ey #an ge away wi % %is )in' o! %ing %ey8ll 'e#i'e %e Englis% are as so! as some o %er *eo*le seem o %in) we are. T%is is a #ase !or roug% 4us i#e < an eye !or an eye.H . wen on loo)ing a ,on'. &e gave no en#ouragemen 0 ma'e no #ommen . ,on' sai'E HT%ese *eo*le #an8 (e %ung0 sir. ,u %ey oug% o (e )ille'.H .8s eyes #ease' o !o#us on ,on'. For a momen %ey were (lan)0 loo)ing inwar'. T%en %e slowly rea#%e' !or %e o* 'rawer o! %is 'es) on %e le! +%an' si'e0 *ulle' i o*en an' e3 ra# e' a %in !ile wi %ou %e usual i le a#ross i an' wi %ou %e

o*+se#re re' s ar. &e *la#e' %e !ile s1uarely in !ron o! %im an' %is %an' rummage' again in %e o*en 'rawer. T%e %an' (roug% ou a ru((er s am* an' a re'+in) *a'. . o*ene' %e *a'0 am*e' %e ru((er s am* on i an' %en #are!ully0 so %a i was *ro*erly aligne' wi % %e o* rig% +%an' #orner o! %e 'o#)e 0 *resse' i 'own on %e grey #over. . re*la#e' %e s am* an' %e in) *a' in %e 'rawer an' #lose' %e 'rawer. &e urne' %e 'o#)e roun' an' *us%e' i gen ly a#ross %e 'es) o ,on'. T%e re' sansseri! le ers0 s ill 'am*0 sai'E FO$ YO@$ EYE" O=7Y. ,on' sai' no %ing. &e no''e' an' *i#)e' u* %e 'o#)e an' wal)e' ou o! %e room. Two 'ays la er0 ,on' oo) %e Fri'ay 6ome o .on real. &e 'i' no #are !or i . I !lew oo %ig% an' oo !as an' %ere were oo many *assengers. &e regre e' %e 'ays o! %e ol' " ra o#ruiser < %a !ine lum(ering ol' *lane %a oo) en %ours o #ross %e - lan i#. T%en one %a' (een a(le o %ave 'inner in *ea#e0 slee* !or seven %ours in a #om!or a(le (un)0 an' ge u* in ime o wan'er 'own o %e lower 'e#) an' %ave %a ri'i#ulous ,O-6 8#oun ry %ouse8 (rea)!as w%ile %e 'awn #ame u* an' !loo'e' %e #a(in wi % %e !irs (rig% gol' o! %e >es ern %emis*%ere. =ow i was all oo 1ui#). T%e s ewar's %a' o serve every %ing almos a %e 'ou(le0 an' %en one %a' a (are wo %ours snoo5e (e!ore %e %un're'+mile+long 'es#en !rom !or y %ousan' !ee . Only eig% %ours a! er leaving 7on'on0 ,on' was 'riving a &er 5 @+ 'rive 2lymou % saloon along %e (roa' $ou e 1K !rom .on real o O awa an' rying o remem(er o )ee* on %e rig% o! %e roa'. T%e &ea'1uar ers o! %e $oyal 6ana'ian .oun e' 2oli#e are in %e :e*ar men o! Bus i#e alongsi'e 2arliamen ,uil'ings in O awa. 7i)e mos 6ana'ian *u(li# (uil'ings0 %e :e*ar men o! Bus i#e is a massive (lo#) o! grey masonry (uil o loo) s o'gily im*or an an' o wi %s an' %e long an' %ar' win ers. ,on' %a' (een ol' o as) a %e !ron 'es) !or %e 6ommissioner an' o give %is name as 8.r Bames8. &e 'i' so0 an' a young !res%+!a#e' $6.2 #or*oral0 w%o loo)e' as i! %e 'i' no li)e (eing )e* in'oors on a warm sunny 'ay0 oo) %im u* in %e li! o %e %ir' !loor an' %an'e' %im over o a sergean in a large i'y o!!i#e w%i#% #on aine' wo girl se#re aries an' a lo o! %eavy !urni ure. T%e sergean s*o)e on an in er#om an' %ere was a en minu es8 'elay 'uring w%i#% ,on' smo)e' an' rea' a re#rui ing *am*%le w%i#% ma'e %e .oun ies soun' li)e a mi3 ure (e ween a 'u'e ran#%0 :i#) Tra#y an' 'ose Marie. >%en %e was s%own in %roug% %e #onne# ing 'oor a all youngis% man in a 'ar) (lue sui 0 w%i e s%ir an' (la#) ie urne' away !rom %e win'ow an' #ame owar's %im. H.r Bames?H %e man smile' %inly. HI8m 6olonel0 le 8s say < er < Bo%ns.H T%ey s%oo) %an's. H6ome along an' si 'own. T%e 6ommissioner8s very sorry no o (e %ere o wel#ome you %imsel!. &e %as a (a' #ol' < you )now0 one o! %ose 'i*loma i# ones.H 6olonel 8Bo%ns8 loo)e' amuse'. HT%oug% i mig% (e (es o a)e %e 'ay o!!. I8m 4us one o! %e %el*. I8ve (een on one or wo %un ing ri*s mysel! an' %e 6ommissioner !i3e' on me o %an'le %is li le %oli'ay o! yours0H %e 6olonel *ause'0 Hon me only. $ig% ?H ,on' smile'. T%e 6ommissioner was gla' o %el* (u %e was going o %an'le %is wi % )i' gloves. T%ere woul' (e no #ome+(a#) on %is o!!i#e. ,on' %oug% %e mus (e a #are!ul an' very sensi(le man. &e sai'E HI 1ui e un'ers an'. .y !rien's in 7on'on 'i'n8 wan %e 6ommissioner o (o %er %imsel! *ersonally wi % any o! %is. -n' I %aven8 seen %e 6ommissioner or (een anyw%ere near %is %ea'1uar ers. T%a (eing so0 #an we al) Englis% !or en minu es or so < 4us (e ween %e wo o! us?H

6olonel Bo%ns laug%e'. H"ure. I was ol' o ma)e %a li le s*ee#% an' %en ge 'own o (usiness. You un'ers an'0 6omman'er0 %a you an' I are a(ou o #onnive a various !elonies0 s ar ing wi % o( aining a 6ana'ian %un ing li#en#e un'er !alse *re en#es an' (eing an a##essory o a (rea#% o! %e !ron ier laws0 an' going on 'own !rom %ere o more serious %ings. I woul'n8 'o anyone one (i o! goo' o %ave any ri#o#%e s !rom %is li le lo . 9e me?H HT%a 8s %ow my !rien's !eel oo. >%en I go ou o! %ere0 we8ll !orge ea#% o %er0 an' i! I en' u* in "ing+"ing %a 8s my worry. >ell0 now?H 6olonel Bo%ns o*ene' a 'rawer in %e 'es) an' oo) ou a (ulging !ile an' o*ene' i . T%e o* 'o#umen was a lis . &e *u %is *en#il on %e !irs i em an' loo)e' a#ross a ,on'. &e ran %is eye over ,on'8s ol' (la#) an' w%i e %oun'8s+ oo % wee' sui an' w%i e s%ir an' %in (la#) ie. &e sai'E H6lo %es.H &e un#li**e' a *lain s%ee o! *a*er !rom %e !ile an' sli' i a#ross %e 'es). HT%is is a lis o! w%a I re#)on you8ll nee' an' %e a''ress o! a (ig se#on'+%an' #lo %ing s ore %ere in %e #i y. =o %ing !an#y0 no %ing #ons*i#uous < )%a)i s%ir 0 'ar) (rown 4eans0 goo' #lim(ing (oo s or s%oes. "ee %ey8re #om!or a(le. -n' %ere8s %e a''ress o! a #%emis !or walnu s ain. ,uy a gallon an' give yoursel! a (a % in %e s u!!. T%ere are *len y o! (rowns in %e %ills a %is ime an' you won8 wan o (e wearing *ara#%u e #lo % or any %ing %a smells o! #amou!lage. $ig% ? I! you8re *i#)e' u*0 you8re an Englis%man on a %un ing ri* in 6ana'a w%o8s los %is way an' go a#ross %e (or'er (y mis a)e. $i!le. >en 'own mysel! an' *u i in %e (oo o! your 2lymou % w%ile you were wai ing. One o! %e new "avage 99Fs0 >ea %er(y 6 O 6/ 8s#o*e0 !ive+s%o re*ea er wi % wen y roun's o! %ig%+velo#i y ./G0+J.000. 7ig% es (ig game lever a# ion on %e mar)e . Only si3 an' a %al! *oun's. ,elongs o a !rien'. 9la' o %ave i (a#) one 'ay0 (u %e won8 miss i i! i 'oesn8 urn u*. I 8s (een es e' an' i 8s o)ay u* o !ive %un're'. 9un li#en#e0H 6olonel Bo%ns sli' i over0 Hissue' %ere in %e #i y in your real name as %a !i s wi % your *ass*or . &un ing li#en#e 'i o0 (u small game only0 vermin0 as i isn8 1ui e %e 'eer season ye 0 also 'riving li#en#e o re*la#e %e *rovisional one I %a' wai ing !or you wi % %e &er 5 *eo*le. &aversa#)0 #om*ass < use' ones0 in %e (oo o! your #ar. O%0 (y %e way0H 6olonel Bo%ns loo)e' u* !rom %is lis 0 Hyou #arrying a *ersonal gun?H HYes. >al %er 22K in a ,urns .ar in %ols er.H H$ig% 0 give me %e num(er. I8ve go a (lan) li#en#e %ere. I! %a ge s (a#) o me i 8s 1ui e o)ay. I8ve go a s ory !or i .H ,on' oo) ou %is gun an' rea' o!! %e num(er. 6olonel Bo%ns !ille' in %e !orm an' *us%e' i over. H=ow %en0 ma*s. &ere8s a lo#al Esso ma* %a 8s all you nee' o ge you o %e area.H 6olonel Bo%ns go u* an' wal)e' roun' wi % %e ma* o ,on' an' s*rea' i ou . HYou a)e %is rou e 1K (a#) o .on real0 ge on o JK over %e (ri'ge a " -nne8s an' %en over %e river again on o K. Follow K on 'own o 2i)e $iver. 9e on G/ a " an(ri'ge. Turn rig% in " an(ri'ge !or Frelig%s(urg an' leave %e #ar in a garage %ere. 9oo' roa's all %e way. >%ole ri* s%oul'n8 a)e you more %an !ive %ours in#lu'ing s o*s. O)ay? =ow %is is w%ere you8ve go o ge %ings rig% . .a)e i %a you ge o Frelig%s(urg aroun' %ree a.m. 9arage+%an'8ll (e %al! aslee* an' you8ll (e a(le o ge %e gear ou o! %e (oo an' move o!! wi %ou %im no i#ing even i! you were a 'ou(le+%ea'e' 6%inaman.H 6olonel Bo%ns wen (a#) o %is #%air an' oo) wo more *ie#es o! *a*er o!! %e !ile. T%e !irs was a s#ra* o! *en#ille' ma*0 %e o %er a se# ion o! aerial *%o ogra*%. &e sai'0 loo)ing seriously a ,on'E H=ow0 %ere are %e only in!lamma(le %ings you8ll (e #arrying an' I8ve go o rely on you ge ing ri' o! %em 4us as soon as %ey8ve (een use'0 or a on#e i! %ere8s a #%an#e o! you ge ing

in o rou(le. T%is0H %e *us%e' %e *a*er over0 His a roug% s)e #% o! an ol' smuggling rou e !rom 2ro%i(i ion 'ays. I 8s no use' now or I woul'n8 re#ommen' i .H 6olonel Bo%ns smile' sourly. HYou mig% !in' some roug% #us omers #oming over in %e o**osi e 'ire# ion0 an' %ey8re a* o s%oo an' no even as) 1ues ions a! erwar's < #roo)s0 'ruggers0 w%i e+slavers < (u nowa'ays %ey mos ly ravel u* (y Vis#oun . T%is rou e was use' !or runners (e ween Fran)lin0 4us over %e :er(y 7ine0 an' Frelig%s(urg. You !ollow %is *a % %roug% %e !oo %ills0 an' you 'e our Fran)lin an' ge in o %e s ar o! %e 9reen .oun ains. T%ere i 8s all Vermon s*ru#e an' *ine wi % a (i o! ma*le0 an' you #an s ay insi'e %a s u!! !or mon %s an' no see a soul. You ge a#ross #oun ry %ere0 over a #ou*le o! %ig%ways0 an' you leave Enos(urg Falls o %e wes . T%en you8re over a s ee* range an' 'own in o %e o* o! %e valley you wan . T%e #ross is E#%o 7a)e an'0 4u'ging !rom %e *%o ogra*%s0 I8' (e in#line' o #ome 'own on o* o! i !rom %e eas . 9o i ?H H>%a 8s %e 'is an#e? -(ou en miles?H HTen an' a %al!. Ta)e you a(ou %ree %ours !rom Frelig%s(urg i! you 'on8 lose your way0 so you8ll (e in sig% o! %e *la#e aroun' si3 an' %ave a(ou an %our8s lig% o %el* you over %e las s re #%.H 6olonel Bo%ns *us%e' over %e s1uare o! aerial *%o ogra*%. I was a #en ral #u !rom %e one ,on' %a' seen in 7on'on. I s%owe' a long low range o! well+)e* (uil'ings ma'e o! #u s one. T%e roo!s were o! sla e0 an' %ere was a glim*se o! gra#e!ul (ow win'ows an' a #overe' *a io. - 'us roa' ran *as %e !ron 'oor an' on %is si'e were garages an' w%a a**eare' o (e )ennels. On %e gar'en si'e was a s one !lagge' erra#e wi % a !lowere' (or'er0 an' (eyon' %is wo or %ree a#res o! rim lawn s re #%e' 'own o %e e'ge o! %e small la)e. T%e la)e a**eare' o %ave (een ar i!i#ially #rea e' wi % a 'ee* s one 'am. T%ere was a grou* o! wroug% +iron gar'en !urni ure w%ere %e 'am wall le! %e (an) an'0 %al!way along %e wall0 a 'iving+(oar' an' a la''er o #lim( ou o! %e la)e. ,eyon' %e la)e %e !ores rose s ee*ly u*. I was !rom %is si'e %a 6olonel Bo%ns sugges e' an a**roa#%. T%ere were no *eo*le in %e *%o ogra*%0 (u on %e s one !lags in !ron o! %e *a io was a 1uan i y o! e3*ensive+loo)ing aluminium gar'en !urni ure an' a #en ral glass a(le wi % 'rin)s. ,on' remem(ere' %a %e larger *%o ogra*% %a' s%own a ennis #our in %e gar'en an' on %e o %er si'e o! %e roa' %e rim w%i e !en#es an' gra5ing %orses o! a s u' !arm. E#%o 7a)e loo)e' w%a i was < %e lu3urious re rea 0 in 'ee* #oun ry0 well away !rom a om (om( arge s0 o! a millionaire w%o li)e' *riva#y an' #oul' *ro(a(ly o!!se a lo o! %is running e3*enses agains %e s u' !arm an' an o##asional goo' le . I woul' (e an a'mira(le re!uge !or a man w%o %a' %a' en s eamy years o! 6ari((ean *oli i#s an' w%o nee'e' a res o re#%arge %is (a eries. T%e la)e was also #onvenien !or was%ing (loo' o!! %an's. 6olonel Bo%ns #lose' %is now em* y !ile an' ore %e y*ewri en lis in o small !ragmen s an' 'ro**e' %em in %e was e*a*er (as)e . T%e wo men go o %eir !ee . 6olonel Bo%ns oo) ,on' o %e 'oor an' %el' ou %is %an'. &e sai'E H>ell0 I guess %a 8s all. I8' give a lo o #ome wi % you. Tal)ing a(ou all %is %as remin'e' me o! one or wo sni*ing 4o(s a %e en' o! %e >ar. I was in %e -rmy %en. >e were un'er .on y in Eig% % 6or*s. On %e le! o! %e line in %e -r'ennes. I was mu#% %e same sor o! #oun ry as you8ll (e using0 only 'i!!eren rees. ,u you )now %ow i is in %ese *oli#e 4o(s. 2len y o! *a*er wor) an' )ee* your nose #lean !or %e *ension. >ell0 so long an' %e (es o! lu#). =o 'ou( I8ll rea' all a(ou i in %e *a*ers0H %e smile'0 Hw%i#%ever way i goes.H ,on' %an)e' %im an' s%oo) %im (y %e %an'. - las 1ues ion o##urre' o %im. &e sai'E H,y %e way0 is %e "avage single *ull or 'ou(le? I won8 %ave a #%an#e o! !in'ing ou an' %ere may no (e mu#% ime !or e3*erimen ing w%en %e arge

s%ows.H H"ingle *ull an' i 8s a %air+ rigger. Kee* your !inger o!! un il you8re sure you8ve go %im. -n' )ee* ou si'e %ree %un're' i! you #an. I guess %ese men are *re y goo' %emselves. :on8 ge oo #lose.H &e rea#%e' !or %e 'oor %an'le. &is o %er %an' wen o ,on'8s s%oul'er. HOur 6ommissioner8s go a mo oE 8=ever sen' a man w%ere you #an sen' a (ulle .8 You mig% remem(er %a . "o long0 6omman'er.H ,on' s*en %e nig% an' mos o! %e ne3 'ay a %e KO+PEE .o or 6our ou si'e .on real. &e *ai' in a'van#e !or %ree nig% s. &e *asse' %e 'ay loo)ing o %is e1ui*men an' wearing in %e so! ri**le ru((er #lim(ing (oo s %e %a' (oug% in O awa. &e (oug% glu#ose a(le s an' some smo)e' %am an' (rea' !rom w%i#% %e ma'e %imsel! san'wi#%es. &e also (oug% a large aluminium !las) an' !ille' %is wi % %ree+1uar ers ,our(on an' a 1uar er #o!!ee. >%en 'ar)ness #ame %e %a' 'inner an' a s%or slee* an' %en 'ilu e' %e walnu s ain an' was%e' %imsel! all over wi % %e s u!! even o %e roo s o! %is %air. &e #ame ou loo)ing li)e a $e' In'ian wi % (lue+ grey eyes. Bus (e!ore mi'nig% %e 1uie ly o*ene' %e si'e 'oor in o %e au omo(ile (ay0 go in o %e 2lymou % an' 'rove o!! on %e las la* sou % o Frelig%s(urg. T%e man a %e all+nig% garage was no as slee*y as 6olonel Bo%ns %a' sai' %e woul' (e. H9oin8 %un in80 mis er?H You #an ge !ar in =or % -meri#a wi % la#oni# grun s. &u%0 %un an' %iA in %eir various mo'ula ions0 oge %er wi % sure0 guess so0 %a so? an' nu sA will mee almos any #on ingen#y. ,on'0 slinging %e s ra* o! %is ri!le over %is s%oul'er0 sai' H&un.H H.an go a !ine (eaver over (y &ig%ga e "*rings "a ur'ay.H ,on' sai' in'i!!eren ly HT%a so?H0 *ai' !or wo nig% s an' wal)e' ou o! %e garage. &e %a' s o**e' on %e !ar si'e o! %e own0 an' now %e only %a' o !ollow %e %ig%way !or a %un're' yar's (e!ore %e !oun' %e 'ir ra#) running o!! in o %e woo's on %is rig% . -! er %al! an %our %e ra#) *e ere' ou a a (ro)en+'own !arm%ouse. #%aine' 'og se u* a !ren5ie' (ar)ing0 (u no lig% s%owe' in %e !arm%ouse an' ,on' s)ir e' i an' a on#e !oun' %e *a % (y %e s ream. &e was o !ollow %is !or %ree miles. &e leng %ene' %is s ri'e o ge away !rom %e 'og. >%en %e (ar)ing s o**e' %ere was silen#e0 %e 'ee* velve silen#e o! woo's on a s ill nig% . I was a warm nig% wi % a !ull yellow moon %a %rew enoug% lig% 'own %roug% %e %i#) s*ru#e !or ,on' o !ollow %e *a % wi %ou 'i!!i#ul y. T%e s*ringy0 #us%ione' soles o! %e #lim(ing (oo s were won'er!ul o wal) on0 an' ,on' go %is se#on' win' an' )new %e was ma)ing goo' ime. - aroun' !our o8#lo#) %e rees (egan o %in an' %e was soon wal)ing %roug% o*en !iel's wi % %e s#a ere' lig% s o! Fran)lin on %is rig% . &e #rosse' a se#on'ary0 arre' roa'0 an' now %ere was a wi'er ra#) %roug% %e woo's an' on %is rig% %e *ale gli er o! a la)e. ,y !ive o8#lo#) %e %a' #rosse' %e (la#) rivers o! @" %ig%ways 10; an' 1/0. On %e la er was a sign saying E=O",@$9 F-77" 1 .I. =ow %e was on %e las la* < a small %un ing rail %a #lim(e' s ee*ly. >ell away !rom %e %ig%way0 %e s o**e' an' s%i! e' %is ri!le an' )na*sa#) roun'0 %a' a #igare e an' (urne' %e s)e #%+ma*. -lrea'y %ere was a !ain *aling in %e s)y an' small noises in %e !ores < %e %ars%0 melan#%oly #ry o! a (ir' %e 'i' no )now an' %e rus lings o! small animals. ,on' visualise' %e %ouse 'ee* 'own in %e li le valley on %e o %er si'e o! %e moun ain a%ea' o! %im. &e saw %e (lan) #ur aine' win'ows0 %e #rum*le' slee*ing !a#es o! %e !our men0 %e 'ew on %e lawn an' %e wi'ening rings o! %e early rise on %e gunme al sur!a#e o! %e la)e. -n' %ere0 on %e o %er si'e o! %e moun ain0 was %e e3e#u ioner #oming u* %roug% %e rees. ,on'

#lose' %is min' o %e *i# ure0 ro' %e remains o! %is #igare e in o %e groun' an' go going. >as %is a %ill or a moun ain? - w%a %eig% 'oes a %ill (e#ome a moun ain? >%y 'on8 %ey manu!a# ure some %ing ou o! %e silver (ar) o! (ir#% rees? I loo)s so use!ul an' valua(le. T%e (es %ings in -meri#a are #%i*mun)s0 an' oys er s ew. In %e evening 'ar)ness 'oesn8 really !all0 i rises. >%en you si on o* o! a moun ain an' wa #% %e sun go 'own (e%in' %e moun ain o**osi e0 %e 'ar)ness rises u* o you ou o! %e valley. >ill %e (ir's one 'ay lose %eir !ear o! man? I mus (e #en uries sin#e man %as )ille' a small (ir' !or !oo' in %ese woo's0 ye %ey are s ill a!rai'. >%o was %is E %an -llen w%o #omman'e' %e 9reen .oun ain ,oys o! Vermon ? =ow0 in -meri#an mo els0 %ey a'ver ise E %an -llen !urni ure as an a ra# ion. >%y? :i' %e ma)e !urni ure? -rmy (oo s s%oul' %ave ru((er soles li)e %ese. >i % %ese an' o %er ran'om %oug% s ,on' s ea'ily #lim(e' u*war's an' o(s ina ely *us%e' away !rom %im %e %oug% o! %e !our !a#es aslee* on %e w%i e *illows. T%e roun' *ea) was (elow %e ree+line an' ,on' #oul' see no %ing o! %e valley (elow. &e res e' an' %en #%ose an oa) ree0 an' #lim(e' u* an' ou along a %i#) (oug%. =ow %e #oul' see every %ing < %e en'less vis a o! %e 9reen .oun ains s re #%ing in every 'ire# ion as !ar as %e #oul' see0 away o %e eas %e gol'en (all o! %e sun 4us #oming u* in glory0 an' (elow0 wo %ousan' !ee 'own a long easy slo*e o! ree o*s (ro)en on#e (y a wi'e (an' o! mea'ow0 %roug% a %in veil o! mis 0 %e la)e0 %e lawns an' %e %ouse. ,on' lay along %e (ran#% an' wa #%e' %e (an' o! *ale early morning suns%ine #ree*ing 'own in o %e valley. I oo) a 1uar er o! an %our o rea#% %e la)e0 an' %en seeme' o !loo' a on#e over %e gli ering lawn an' over %e we sla e iles o! %e roo!s. T%en %e mis wen 1ui#)ly !rom %e la)e an' %e arge area0 was%e' an' (rig% an' new0 lay wai ing li)e an em* y s age. ,on' sli**e' %e eles#o*i# sig% ou o! %is *o#)e an' wen over %e s#ene in#% (y in#%. T%en %e e3amine' %e slo*ing groun' (elow %im an' es ima e' ranges. From %e e'ge o! %e mea'ow0 w%i#% woul' (e %is only o*en !iel' o! !ire unless %e wen 'own %roug% %e las (el o! rees o %e e'ge o! %e la)e0 i woul' (e a(ou !ive %un're' yar's o %e erra#e an' %e *a io0 an' a(ou %ree %un're' o %e 'iving+ (oar' an' %e e'ge o! %e la)e. >%a 'i' %ese *eo*le 'o wi % %eir ime? >%a was %eir rou ine? :i' %ey ever (a %e? I was s ill warm enoug%. >ell0 %ere was all 'ay. I! (y %e en' o! i %ey %a' no #ome 'own o %e la)e0 %e woul' 4us %ave o a)e %is #%an#e a %e *a io an' !ive %un're' yar's. ,u i woul' no (e a goo' #%an#e wi % a s range ri!le. Oug% %e o ge on 'own s raig% away o %e e'ge o! %e mea'ow? I was a wi'e mea'ow0 *er%a*s !ive %un're' yar's o! going wi %ou #over. I woul' (e as well o ge %a (e%in' %im (e!ore %e %ouse awo)e. >%a ime 'i' %ese *eo*le ge u* in %e morning? -s i! o answer %im0 a w%i e (lin' rolle' u* in one o! %e smaller win'ows o %e le! o! %e main (lo#). ,on' #oul' 'is in# ly %ear %e !inal sna* o! %e s*ring roller. E#%o 7a)eA O! #ourse. :i' %e e#%o wor) (o % ways? >oul' %e %ave o (e #are!ul o! (rea)ing (ran#%es an' wigs? 2ro(a(ly no . T%e soun's in %e valley woul' (oun#e u*war's o!! %e sur!a#e o! %e wa er. ,u %ere mus (e no #%an#es a)en. - %in #olumn o! smo)e (egan o ri#)le u* s raig% in o %e air !rom one o! %e le! +%an' #%imneys. ,on' %oug% o! %e (a#on an' eggs %a woul' soon (e !rying. -n' %e %o #o!!ee. &e ease' %imsel! (a#) along %e (ran#% an' 'own o %e groun'. &e woul' %ave some %ing o ea 0 smo)e %is las sa!e #igare e an' ge on 'own o %e !iring *oin .

T%e (rea' s u#) in ,on'8s %roa . Tension was (uil'ing u* in %im. In %is imagina ion %e #oul' alrea'y %ear %e 'ee* (ar) o! %e "avage. &e #oul' see %e (la#) (ulle la5ily0 li)e a slow !lying (ee0 %oming 'own in o %e valley owar's a s1uare o! *in) s)in. T%ere was a lig% sma#) as i %i . T%e s)in 'en e'0 (ro)e an' %en #lose' u* again leaving a small %ole wi % (ruise' e'ges. T%e (ulle *loug%e' on0 un%urrie'ly0 owar's %e *ulsing %ear < %e issues0 %e (loo'vessels0 *ar ing o(e'ien ly o le i %roug%. >%o was %is man %e was going o 'o %is o? >%a %a' %e ever 'one o ,on'? ,on' loo)e' %oug% !ully 'own a %is rigger !inger. &e #roo)e' i slowly0 !eeling in %is imagina ion %e #ool #urve o! me al. -lmos au oma i#ally0 %is le! %an' rea#%e' ou !or %e !las). &e %el' i o %is li*s an' il e' %is %ea' (a#). T%e #o!!ee an' w%is)y (urne' a small !ire 'own %is %roa . &e *u %e o* (a#) on %e !las) an' wai e' !or %e warm % o! %e w%is)y o rea#% %is s oma#%. T%en %e go slowly o %is !ee 0 s re #%e' an' yawne' 'ee*ly an' *i#)e' u* %e ri!le an' slung i over %is s%oul'er. &e loo)e' roun' #are!ully o mar) %e *la#e w%en %e #ame (a#) u* %e %ill an' s ar e' slowly o!! 'own %roug% %e rees. =ow %ere was no rail an' %e %a' o *i#) %is way slowly0 wa #%ing %e groun' !or 'ea' (ran#%es. T%e rees were more mi3e'. -mong %e s*ru#e an' silver (ir#% %ere was an o##asional oa) an' (ee#% an' sy#amore an'0 %ere an' %ere0 %e (la5ing ,engal !ire o! a ma*le in au umn 'ress. @n'er %e rees was a s*arse un'ergrow % o! %eir sa*lings an' mu#% 'ea' woo' !rom ol' %urri#anes. ,on' wen #are!ully 'own0 %is !ee ma)ing li le soun' among %e leaves an' moss+#overe' ro#)s0 (u soon %e !ores was aware o! %im an' (egan o *ass on %e news. - large 'oe0 wi % wo ,am(i+ li)e young0 saw %im !irs an' gallo*e' o!! wi % an a**alling #la er. - (rillian woo'*e#)er wi % a s#arle %ea' !lew 'own a%ea' o! %im0 s#ree#%ing ea#% ime ,on' #aug% u* wi % i 0 an' always %ere were %e #%i*mun)s0 #raning u* on %eir %in' !ee 0 li! ing %eir small mu55les !rom %eir ee % as %ey rie' o #a #% %is s#en 0 an' %en s#am*ering o!! o %eir ro#) %oles wi % #%a erings %a seeme' o !ill %e woo's wi % !rig% . ,on' wille' %em o %ave no !ear0 %a %e gun %e #arrie' was no mean !or %em0 (u wi % ea#% alarm %e won'ere' i!0 w%en %e go o %e e'ge o! %e mea'ow0 %e woul' see 'own on %e lawn a man wi % glasses w%o %a' (een wa #%ing %e !rig% ene' (ir's !leeing %e ree o*s. ,u w%en %e s o**e' (e%in' a las (roa' oa) an' loo)e' 'own a#ross %e long mea'ow o %e !inal (el o! rees an' %e la)e an' %e %ouse0 no %ing %a' #%ange'. -ll %e o %er (lin's were s ill 'own an' %e only movemen was %e %in *lume o! smo)e. I was eig% o8#lo#). ,on' ga5e' 'own a#ross %e mea'ow o %e rees0 loo)ing !or one w%i#% woul' sui %is *ur*ose. &e !oun' i < a (ig ma*le0 (la5ing wi % russe an' #rimson. T%is woul' (e rig% !or %is #lo %es0 i s run) was %i#) enoug% an' i s oo' slig% ly (a#) !rom %e wall o! s*ru#e. From %ere0 s an'ing0 %e woul' (e a(le o see all %e nee'e' o! %e la)e an' %e %ouse. ,on' s oo' !or a w%ile0 *lo ing %is rou e 'own %roug% %e %i#) grass an' gol'en+ro' o! %e mea'ow. &e woul' %ave o 'o i on %is s oma#%0 an' slowly. - small (ree5e go u* an' #om(e' %e mea'ow. I! only i woul' )ee* (lowing an' #over %is *assageA "omew%ere no !ar o!!0 u* o %e le! on %e e'ge o! %e rees0 a (ran#% sna**e'. I sna**e' on#e 'e#isively an' %ere was no !ur %er noise. ,on' 'ro**e' o one )nee0 %is ears *ri#)e' an' %is senses 1ues ing. &e s aye' li)e %a !or a !ull en minu es0 a mo ionless (rown s%a'ow agains %e wi'e run) o! %e oa). -nimals an' (ir's 'o no (rea) wigs. :ea' woo' mus #arry a s*e#ial 'anger signal !or %em. ,ir's never alig% on wigs %a will (rea) un'er %em0 an' even a large animal li)e a 'eer wi % an lers an' !our %ooves o mani*ula e moves 1ui e silen ly in a !ores unless %e is in !lig% . &a' %ese *eo*le a! er all go guar's ou ?

9en ly ,on' ease' %e ri!le o!! %is s%oul'er an' *u %is %um( on %e sa!e. 2er%a*s0 i! %e *eo*le were s ill slee*ing0 a single s%o 0 !rom %ig% u* in %e woo's0 woul' *ass !or a %un er or a *oa#%er. ,u %en0 (e ween %im an' a**ro3ima ely w%ere %e wig %a' sna**e'0 wo 'eer (ro)e #over an' #an ere' un%urrie'ly a#ross %e mea'ow o %e le! . I was rue %a %ey s o**e' wi#e o loo) (a#)0 (u ea#% ime %ey #ro**e' a !ew mou %!uls o! grass (e!ore moving on an' in o %e 'is an !ringe o! %e lower woo's. T%ey s%owe' no !rig% an' no %as e. I was #er ainly %ey w%o %a' (een %e #ause o! %e sna**e' (ran#%. ,on' (rea %e' a sig%. "o mu#% !or %a . -n' now o ge on a#ross %e mea'ow. - !ive+%un're'+yar' #rawl %roug% all #on#ealing grass is a long an' wearisome (usiness. I is %ar' on )nees an' %an's an' el(ows0 %ere is a vis a o! no %ing (u grass an' !lower s al)s0 an' %e 'us an' small inse# s ge in o your eyes an' nose an' 'own your ne#). ,on' !o#use' on *la#ing %is %an's rig% an' main aining a slow0 even s*ee'. T%e (ree5e %a' )e* u* an' %is wa)e %roug% %e grass woul' #er ainly no (e no i#ea(le !rom %e %ouse. From a(ove0 i loo)e' as i! a (ig groun' animal < a (eaver *er%a*s0 or a woo'#%u#) < was on i s way 'own %e mea'ow. =o0 i woul' no (e a (eaver. T%ey always move in *airs. -n' ye *er%a*s i mig% (e a (eaver < !or now0 !rom %ig%er u* on %e mea'ow0 some %ing0 some(o'y else %a' en ere' %e all grass0 an' (e%in' an' a(ove ,on' a se#on' wa)e was (eing #u in %e 'ee* sea o! grass. I loo)e' as i! w%a ever i was woul' slowly #a #% u* on ,on' an' %a %e wo wa)es woul' #onverge 4us a %e ne3 ree+line. ,on' #rawle' an' sli %ere' s ea'ily on0 s o**ing only o wi*e %e swea an' 'us o!! %is !a#e an'0 !rom ime o ime0 o ma)e sure %a %e was on #ourse !or %e ma*le. ,u w%en %e was #lose enoug% !or %e ree+line o %i'e %im !rom %e %ouse0 *er%a*s wen y !ee !rom %e ma*le0 %e s o**e' an' lay !or a w%ile0 massaging %is )nees an' loosening %is wris s !or %e las la*. &e %a' %ear' no %ing o warn %im0 an' w%en %e so! %rea ening w%is*er #ame !rom only !ee away in %e %i#) grass on %is le! 0 %is %ea' swivelle' so s%ar*ly %a %e ver e(rae o! %is ne#) ma'e a #ra#)ing soun'. H.ove an in#% an' I8ll )ill you.H I %a' (een a girl8s voi#e0 (u a voi#e %a !ier#ely mean w%a i sai'. ,on'0 %is %ear %um*ing0 s are' u* %e s%a! o! %e s eel arrow w%ose (lue+ em*ere' riangular i* *ar e' %e grass s al)s *er%a*s eig% een in#%es !rom %is %ea'. T%e (ow was %el' si'eways0 !la in %e grass. T%e )nu#)les o! %e (rown !ingers %a %el' %e (in'ing o! %e (ow (elow %e arrow+ i* were w%i e. T%en %ere was %e leng % o! glin ing s eel an'0 (e%in' %e me al !ea %ers0 *ar ly o(s#ure' (y waving s ran's o! grass0 were grimly #lam*e' li*s (elow wo !ier#e grey eyes agains a (a#)groun' o! sun(urne' s)in 'am* wi % swea . T%a was all ,on' #oul' ma)e ou %roug% %e grass. >%o %e %ell was %is? One o! %e guar's? ,on' ga %ere' saliva (a#) in o %is 'ry mou % an' (egan slowly o e'ge %is rig% %an'0 %is ou +o!+sig% %an'0 roun' an' u* owar's %is wais (an' an' %is gun. &e sai' so! lyE H>%o %e %ell are you?H T%e arrow+ i* ges ure' %rea eningly. H" o* %a rig% %an' or I8ll *u %is %roug% your s%oul'er. -re you one o! %e guar's?H H=o. -re you?H H:on8 (e a !ool. >%a are you 'oing %ere?H T%e ension in %e voi#e %a' sla#)ene'0 (u i was s ill %ar'0 sus*i#ious. T%ere was a ra#e o! a##en < w%a was i 0 "#o s? >els%? I was ime o ge o level erms. T%ere was some %ing *ar i#ularly 'ea'ly a(ou

%e (lue arrow+ i*. ,on' sai' easilyE H2u away your (ow an' arrow0 $o(ina. T%en I8ll ell you.H HYou swear no o go !or your gun?H H-ll rig% . ,u !or 9o'8s sa)e le 8s ge ou o! %e mi''le o! %is !iel'.H >i %ou wai ing0 ,on' rose on %an's an' )nees an' s ar e' o #rawl again. =ow %e mus ge %e ini ia ive an' %ol' i . >%oever %is 'amne' girl was0 s%e woul' %ave o (e 'is*ose' o! 1ui#)ly an' 'is#ree ly (e!ore %e s%oo ing ma #% (egan. 9o'0 as i! %ere wasn8 enoug% o %in) o! alrea'yA ,on' rea#%e' %e run) o! %e ree. &e go #are!ully o %is !ee an' oo) a 1ui#) loo) %roug% %e (la5ing leaves. .os o! %e (lin's %a' gone u*. Two slow+moving #oloure' mai's were laying a large (rea)!as a(le on %e *a io. &e %a' (een rig% . T%e !iel' o! vision over %e o*s o! %e rees %a now !ell s%ar*ly o %e la)e was *er!e# . ,on' unslung %is ri!le an' )na*sa#) an' sa 'own wi % %is (a#) agains %e run) o! %e ree. T%e girl #ame ou o! %e e'ge o! %e grass an' s oo' u* un'er %e ma*le. "%e )e* %er 'is an#e. T%e arrow was s ill %el' in %e (ow (u %e (ow was un*ulle'. T%ey loo)e' warily a ea#% o %er. T%e girl loo)e' li)e a (eau i!ul un)em* 'rya' in ragge' s%ir an' rousers. T%e s%ir an' rousers were olive green0 #rum*le' an' s*las%e' wi % mu' an' s ains an' orn in *la#es0 an' s%e %a' (oun' %er *ale (lon'e %air wi % gol'en+ro' o #on#eal i s (rig% ness !or %er #rawl %roug% %e mea'ow. T%e (eau y o! %er !a#e was wil' an' ra %er animal0 wi % a wi'e sensuous mou %0 %ig% #%ee)(ones an' silvery grey0 'is'ain!ul eyes. T%ere was %e (loo' o! s#ra #%es on %er !orearms an' 'own one #%ee)0 an' a (ruise %a' *u!!e' an' slig% ly (la#)ene' %e same #%ee)(one. T%e me al !ea %ers o! a 1uiver !ull o! arrows s%owe' a(ove %er le! s%oul'er. -*ar !rom %e (ow0 s%e #arrie' no %ing (u a %un ing )ni!e a %er (el an'0 a %er o %er %i*0 a small (rown #anvas (ag %a *resuma(ly #arrie' %er !oo'. "%e loo)e' li)e a (eau i!ul0 'angerous #us omer w%o )new wil' #oun ry an' !ores s an' was no a!rai' o! %em. "%e woul' wal) alone %roug% li!e an' %ave li le use !or #ivilisa ion. ,on' %oug% s%e was won'er!ul. &e smile' a %er. &e sai' so! ly0 reassuringlyE HI su**ose you8re $o(ina &oo'. .y name8s Bames ,on'.H &e rea#%e' !or %is !las) an' uns#rewe' %e o* an' %el' i ou . H"i 'own an' %ave a 'rin) o! %is < !irewa er an' #o!!ee. -n' I8ve go some (il ong. Or 'o you live on 'ew an' (erries?H "%e #ame a li le #loser an' sa 'own a yar' !rom %im. "%e sa li)e a $e' In'ian0 %er )nees s*laye' wi'e an' %er an)les u#)e' u* %ig% un'er %er %ig%s. "%e rea#%e' !or %e !las) an' 'ran) 'ee*ly wi % %er %ea' %rown (a#). "%e %an'e' i (a#) wi %ou #ommen . "%e 'i' no smile. "%e sai' HT%an)sH gru'gingly0 an' oo) %er arrow an' %rus i over %er (a#) o 4oin %e o %ers in %e 1uiver. "%e sai'0 wa #%ing %im #loselyE HI su**ose you8re a *oa#%er. T%e 'eer+%un ing season 'oesn8 o*en !or ano %er %ree wee)s. ,u you won8 !in' any 'eer 'own %ere. T%ey only #ome so low a nig% . You oug% o (e %ig%er u* 'uring %e 'ay0 mu#% %ig%er. I! you li)e0 I8ll ell you w%ere %ere are some. Qui e a (ig %er'. I 8s a (i la e in %e 'ay0 (u you #oul' s ill ge o %em. T%ey8re u*+win' !rom %ere an' you seem o )now a(ou s al)ing. You 'on8 ma)e mu#% noise.H HIs %a w%a you8re 'oing %ere < %un ing? 7e 8s see your li#en#e.H &er s%ir %a' (u one'+'own (reas *o#)e s. >i %ou *ro es s%e oo) ou !rom one o! %em %e w%i e *a*er an' %an'e' i over. T%e li#en#e %a' (een issue' in ,enning on0 Vermon . I %a' (een issue' in %e name o! Bu'y &avelo#). T%ere was a lis o! y*es o! *ermi . 8=on+resi'en %un ing8 an' 8=on+resi'en (ow an' arrow8 %a' (een i#)e'. T%e #os %a' (een Q1;.G00 *aya(le o %e Fis% an' 9ame "ervi#e0 .on *elier0 Vermon . Bu'y &avelo#) %a' given %er age

as wen y+!ive an' %er *la#e o! (ir % as Bamai#a. ,on' %oug% E 89o' -lmig% yA8 &e %an'e' %e *a*er (a#). "o %a was %e s#oreA &e sai' wi % sym*a %y an' res*e# E HYou8re 1ui e a girl0 Bu'y. I 8s a long wal) !rom Bamai#a. -n' you were going o a)e %im on wi % your (ow an' arrow. You )now w%a %ey say in 6%inaE 8,e!ore you se ou on revenge0 'ig wo graves.8 &ave you 'one %a 0 or 'i' you e3*e# o ge away wi % i ?H T%e girl was s aring a %im. H>%o are you? >%a are you 'oing %ere? >%a 'o you )now a(ou i ?H ,on' re!le# e'. T%ere was only one way ou o! %is mess an' %a was o 4oin !or#es wi % %e girl. >%a a %ell o! a (usinessA &e sai' resigne'lyE HI8ve ol' you my name. I8ve (een sen ou !rom 7on'on (y0 er0 "#o lan' Yar'. I )now all a(ou your rou(les an' I8ve #ome ou %ere o *ay o!! some o! %e s#ore an' see you8re no (o %ere' (y %ese *eo*le. In 7on'on we %in) %a %e man in %a %ouse mig% s ar *u ing *ressure on you0 a(ou your *ro*er y0 an' %ere8s no o %er way o! s o**ing %im.H T%e girl sai' (i erlyE HI %a' a !avouri e *ony0 a 2alomino. T%ree wee)s ago %ey *oisone' i . T%en %ey s%o my -lsa ian. I8' raise' i !rom a *u**y. T%en #ame a le er. I sai'0 8:ea % %as many %an's. One o! %ese %an's is now raise' over you.8 I was o *u a no i#e in %e *a*er0 in %e *ersonal #olumn0 on a *ar i#ular 'ay. I was 4us o say0 8I will o(ey. Bu'y.8 I wen o %e *oli#e. -ll %ey 'i' was o o!!er me *ro e# ion. I was *eo*le in 6u(a0 %ey %oug% . T%ere was no %ing else %ey #oul' 'o a(ou i . "o I wen o 6u(a an' s aye' in %e (es %o el an' gam(le' (ig in %e #asinos.H "%e gave a li le smile. HI wasn8 'resse' li)e %is. I wore my (es 'resses an' %e !amily 4ewels. -n' *eo*le ma'e u* o me. I was ni#e o %em. I %a' o (e. -n' all %e w%ile I as)e' 1ues ions. I *re en'e' I was ou !or %rills < %a I wan e' o see %e un'erworl' an' some real gangs ers0 an' so on. -n' in %e en' I !oun' ou a(ou %is man.H "%e ges ure' 'own owar's %e %ouse. H&e %a' le! 6u(a. ,a is a %a' !oun' ou a(ou %im or some %ing. -n' %e %a' a lo o! enemies. I was ol' *len y a(ou %im an' in %e en' I me a man0 a sor o! %ig%+u* *oli#eman0 w%o ol' me %e res a! er I %a'0H s%e %esi a e' an' avoi'e' ,on'8s eyes0 Ha! er I %a' ma'e u* o %im.H "%e *ause'. "%e wen onE HI le! an' wen o -meri#a. I %a' rea' somew%ere a(ou 2in)er on8s0 %e 'e e# ive *eo*le. I wen o %em an' *ai' o %ave %em !in' %is man8s a''ress.H "%e urne' %er %an's *alm u*war's on %er la*. =ow %er eyes were 'e!ian . HT%a 8s all.H H&ow 'i' you ge %ere?H HI !lew u* o ,enning on. T%en I wal)e'. Four 'ays. @* %roug% %e 9reen .oun ains. I )e* ou o! %e way o! *eo*le. I8m use' o %is sor o! %ing. Our %ouse is in %e moun ains in Bamai#a. T%ey8re mu#% more 'i!!i#ul %an %ese. -n' %ere are more *eo*le0 *easan s0 a(ou in %em. &ere no one ever seems o wal). T%ey go (y #ar.H H-n' w%a were you going o 'o %en?H HI8m going o s%oo von &ammers ein an' wal) (a#) o ,enning on.H T%e voi#e was as #asual as i! s%e %a' sai' s%e was going o *i#) a wil' !lower. From 'own in %e valley #ame %e soun' o! voi#es. ,on' go o %is !ee an' oo) a 1ui#) loo) %roug% %e (ran#%es. T%ree men an' wo girls %a' #ome on o %e *a io. T%ere was al) an' laug% er as %ey *ulle' ou #%airs an' sa 'own a %e a(le. One *la#e was le! em* y a %e %ea' o! %e a(le (e ween %e wo girls. ,on' oo) ou %is eles#o*i# sig% an' loo)e' %roug% i . T%e %ree men were very small an' 'ar). One o! %em0 w%o smile' all %e ime an' w%ose #lo %es loo)e' %e #leanes an' smar es 0 woul' (e 9on5ales. T%e o %er wo were low *easan y*es. T%ey sa oge %er a %e !oo o! %e o(long a(le an' oo) no *ar in %e al). T%e girls were swar %y

(rune es. T%ey loo)e' li)e #%ea* 6u(an w%ores. T%ey wore (rig% (a %ing 'resses an' a lo o! gol' 4ewellery0 an' laug%e' an' #%a ere' li)e *re y mon)eys. T%e voi#es were almos #lear enoug% o un'ers an'0 (u %ey were al)ing "*anis%. ,on' !el %e girl near %im. "%e s oo' a yar' (e%in' %im. ,on' %an'e' %er %e glass. &e sai'E HT%e nea li le man is #alle' .a4or 9on5ales. T%e wo a %e (o om o! %e a(le are gunmen. I 'on8 )now w%o %e girls are. Von &ammers ein isn8 %ere ye .H "%e oo) a 1ui#) loo) %roug% %e glass an' %an'e' i (a#) wi %ou #ommen . ,on' won'ere' i! s%e realise' %a s%e %a' (een loo)ing a %e mur'erers o! %er !a %er an' mo %er. T%e wo girls %a' urne' an' were loo)ing owar's %e 'oor in o %e %ouse. One o! %em #alle' ou some %ing %a mig% %ave (een a gree ing. - s%or 0 s1uare0 almos na)e' man #ame ou in o %e suns%ine. &e wal)e' silen ly *as %e a(le o %e e'ge o! %e !lagge' erra#e !a#ing %e lawn an' *ro#ee'e' o go %roug% a !ive+minu e *rogramme o! *%ysi#al 'rill. ,on' e3amine' %e man minu ely. &e was a(ou !ive !ee !our wi % a (o3er8s s%oul'ers an' %i*s0 (u a s oma#% %a was going o !a . - ma o! (la#) %air #overe' %is (reas s an' s%oul'er (la'es0 an' %is arms an' legs were %i#) wi % i . ,y #on ras 0 %ere was no a %air on %is !a#e or %ea' an' %is s)ull was a gli ering w%i is% yellow wi % a 'ee* 'en a %e (a#) %a mig% %ave (een a woun' or %e s#ar o! a re*anning. T%e (one s ru# ure o! %e !a#e was %a o! %e #onven ional 2russian o!!i#er < s1uare0 %ar' an' %rus ing < (u %e eyes un'er %e na)e' (rows were #lose+se an' *iggis%0 an' %e large mou % %a' %i'eous li*s < %i#) an' we an' #rimson. &e wore no %ing (u a s ri* o! (la#) ma erial0 %ar'ly larger %an an a %le i# su**or +(el 0 roun' %is s oma#%0 an' a large gol' wris +wa #% on a gol' (ra#ele . ,on' %an'e' %e glass o %e girl. &e was relieve'. Von &ammers ein loo)e' 4us a(ou as un*leasan as .8s 'ossier sai' %e was. ,on' wa #%e' %e girl8s !a#e. T%e mou % loo)e' grim0 almos #ruel0 as s%e loo)e' 'own on %e man s%e %a' #ome o )ill. >%a was %e o 'o a(ou %er? &e #oul' see no %ing (u a vis a o! rou(les !rom %er *resen#e. "%e mig% even in er!ere wi % %is own *lans an' insis on *laying some silly role wi % %er (ow an' arrow. ,on' ma'e u* %is min'. &e 4us #oul' no a!!or' o a)e #%an#es. One s%or a* a %e (ase o! %e s)ull an' %e woul' gag %er an' ie %er u* un il i was all over. ,on' rea#%e' so! ly !or %e (u o! %is au oma i#. =on#%alan ly %e girl move' a !ew s e*s (a#). Bus as non#%alan ly s%e (en 'own0 *u %e glass on %e groun' an' *i#)e' u* %er (ow. "%e rea#%e' (e%in' %er !or an arrow0 an' !i e' i #asually in o %e (ow. T%en s%e loo)e' u* a ,on' an' sai' 1uie lyE H:on8 ge any silly i'eas. -n' )ee* your 'is an#e. I8ve go w%a 8s #alle' wi'e+angle' vision. I %aven8 #ome all %e way %ere o (e )no#)e' on %e %ea' (y a !la +!oo e' 7on'on (o((y. I #an8 miss wi % %is a !i! y yar's0 an' I8ve )ille' (ir's on %e wing a a %un're'. I 'on8 wan o *u an arrow %roug% your leg0 (u I s%all i! you in er!ere.H ,on' #urse' %is *revious in'e#ision. &e sai' !ier#elyE H:on8 (e a silly (i #%. 2u %a 'amne' %ing 'own. T%is is man8s wor). &ow in %ell 'o you %in) you #an a)e on !our men wi % a (ow an' arrow?H T%e girl8s eyes (la5e' o(s ina ely. "%e move' %er rig% !oo (a#) in o %e s%oo ing s an#e. "%e sai' %roug% #om*resse'0 angry li*sE HYou go o %ell. -n' )ee* ou o! %is. I was my mo %er an' !a %er %ey )ille'. =o yours. I8ve alrea'y (een %ere a 'ay an' a nig% . I )now w%a %ey 'o an' I )now %ow o ge &ammers ein. I 'on8 #are a(ou %e o %ers. T%ey8re no %ing wi %ou %im. =ow %en.H "%e *ulle' %e (ow %al! au . T%e arrow *oin e' a ,on'8s !ee . HEi %er you 'o w%a I say or you8re going

o (e sorry. -n' 'on8 %in) I 'on8 mean i . T%is is a *riva e %ing I8ve sworn o 'o an' no(o'y8s going o s o* me.H "%e osse' %er %ea' im*eriously. H>ell?H ,on' gloomily measure' %e si ua ion. &e loo)e' %e ri'i#ulously (eau i!ul wil' girl u* an' 'own. T%is was goo' %ar' Englis% s o#) s*i#e' wi % %e %o *e**ers o! a ro*i#al #%il'%oo'. :angerous mi3 ure. "%e %a' )eye' %ersel! u* o a s a e o! #on rolle' %ys eria. &e was 1ui e #er ain %a s%e woul' %in) no %ing o! *u ing %im ou o! a# ion. -n' %e %a' a(solu ely no 'e!en#e. &er wea*on was silen 0 %is woul' aler %e w%ole neig%(our%oo'. =ow %e only %o*e woul' (e o wor) wi % %er. 9ive %er *ar o! %e 4o( an' %e woul' 'o %e res . &e sai' 1uie lyE H=ow lis en0 Bu'y. I! you insis on #oming in on %is %ing we8' (e er 'o i oge %er. T%en *er%a*s we #an (ring i o!! an' s ay alive. T%is sor o! %ing is my *ro!ession. I was or'ere' o 'o i < (y a #lose !rien' o! your !amily0 i! you wan o )now. -n' I8ve go %e rig% wea*on. I 8s go a leas !ive imes %e range o! yours. I #oul' a)e a goo' #%an#e o! )illing %im now0 on %e *a io. ,u %e o''s aren8 1ui e goo' enoug%. "ome o! %em %ave go (a %ing %ings on. T%ey8ll (e #oming 'own o %e la)e. T%en I8m going o 'o i . You #an give su**or ing !ire.H &e en'e' lamelyE HI 8ll (e a grea %el*.H H=o.H "%e s%oo) %er %ea' 'e#isively. HI8m sorry. You #an give w%a you #all su**or ing !ire i! you li)e. I 'on8 #are one way or %e o %er. You8re rig% a(ou %e swimming. Yes er'ay %ey were all 'own a %e la)e aroun' eleven. I 8s 4us as warm o'ay an' %ey8ll (e %ere again. I s%all ge %im !rom %e e'ge o! %e rees (y %e la)e. I !oun' a *er!e# *la#e las nig% . T%e (o'yguar' men (ring %eir guns wi % %em < sor o! ommy+gun %ings. T%ey 'on8 (a %e. T%ey si aroun' an' )ee* guar'. I )now %e momen o ge von &ammers ein an' I8ll (e well away !rom %e la)e (e!ore %ey a)e in w%a 8s %a**ene'. I ell you I8ve go i all *lanne'. =ow %en. I #an8 %ang aroun' any more. I oug% o %ave (een in my *la#e alrea'y. I8m sorry0 (u unless you say yes s raig% away %ere8s no al erna ive.H "%e raise' %e (ow a !ew in#%es. ,on' %oug% E 8:amn %is girl o %ell.8 &e sai' angrilyE H-ll rig% %en. ,u I #an ell you %a i! we ge ou o! %is you8re going o ge su#% a s*an)ing you won8 (e a(le o si 'own !or a wee).H &e s%rugge'. &e sai' wi % resigna ionE H9o a%ea'. I8ll loo) a! er %e o %ers. I! you ge away all rig% 0 mee me %ere. I! you 'on8 0 I8ll #ome 'own an' *i#) u* %e *ie#es.H T%e girl uns rung %er (ow. "%e sai' in'i!!eren lyE HI8m gla' you8re seeing sense. T%ese arrows are 'i!!i#ul o *ull ou . :on8 worry a(ou me. ,u )ee* ou o! sig% an' min' %e sun 'oesn8 #a #% %a glass o! yours.H "%e gave ,on' %e (rie!0 *i ying0 sel!+ #ongra ula ory smile o! %e woman w%o %as %a' %e las wor'0 an' urne' an' ma'e o!! 'own %roug% %e rees. ,on' wa #%e' %e li %e 'ar) green !igure un il i %a' vanis%e' among %e ree+ run)s0 %en %e im*a ien ly *i#)e' u* %e glass an' wen (a#) o %is van age+*oin . To %ell wi % %erA I was ime o #lear %e silly (i #% ou o! %is min' an' #on#en ra e on %e 4o(. >as %ere any %ing else %e #oul' %ave 'one < any o %er way o! %an'ling i ? =ow %e was #ommi e' o wai !or %er o !ire %e !irs s%o . T%a was (a'. ,u i! %e !ire' !irs %ere was no way o! )nowing w%a %e %o +%ea'e' (i #% woul' 'o. ,on'8s min' lu3uria e' (rie!ly in %e %oug% o! w%a %e woul' 'o o %e girl on#e all %is was over. T%en %ere was movemen in !ron o! %e %ouse0 an' %e *u %e e3#i ing %oug% s asi'e an' li! e' %is glass. T%e (rea)!as %ings were (eing #leare' away (y %e wo mai's. T%ere was no sign o! %e girls or %e gunmen. Von &ammers ein was lying (a#) among %e #us%ions o! an ou 'oor #ou#% rea'ing a news*a*er an' o##asionally #ommen ing o .a4or 9on5ales0 w%o sa as ri'e an iron gar'en #%air near %is !ee . 9on5ales was smo)ing a #igar an' !rom ime o ime %e 'eli#a ely raise' a %an' in !ron o! %is mou %0 lean

si'eways an' s*a a (i o! lea! ou on %e groun'. ,on' #oul' no %ear w%a von &ammers ein was saying0 (u %is #ommen s were in Englis% an' 9on5ales answere' in Englis%. ,on' glan#e' a %is wa #%. I was en+ %ir y. "in#e %e s#ene seeme' o (e s a i#0 ,on' sa 'own wi % %is (a#) o %e ree an' wen over %e "avage wi % minu e #are. - %e same ime %e %oug% o! w%a woul' s%or ly %ave o (e 'one wi % i . ,on' 'i' no li)e w%a %e was going o 'o0 an' all %e way !rom Englan' %e %a' %a' o )ee* on remin'ing %imsel! w%a sor o! men %ese were. T%e )illing o! %e &avelo#)s %a' (een a *ar i#ularly 'rea'!ul )illing. Von &ammers ein an' %is gunmen were *ar i#ularly 'rea'!ul men w%om many *eo*le aroun' %e worl' woul' *ro(a(ly (e very gla' o 'es roy0 as %is girl *ro*ose' o 'o0 ou o! *riva e revenge. ,u !or ,on' i was 'i!!eren . &e %a' no *ersonal mo ives agains %em. T%is was merely %is 4o( < as i was %e 4o( o! a *es #on rol o!!i#er o )ill ra s. &e was %e *u(li# e3e#u ioner a**oin e' (y . o re*resen %e #ommuni y. In a way0 ,on' argue' o %imsel!0 %ese men were as mu#% enemies o! %is #oun ry as were %e agen s o! ".E$"& or o! o %er enemy "e#re "ervi#es. T%ey %a' 'e#lare' an' wage' war agains ,ri is% *eo*le on ,ri is% soil an' %ey were #urren ly *lanning ano %er a a#). ,on'8s min' %un e' roun' !or more argumen s o (ols er %is resolve. T%ey %a' )ille' %e girl8s *ony an' %er 'og wi % wo #asual si'eswi*es o! %e %an' as i! %ey %a' (een !lies. T%ey . . . - (urs o! au oma i# !ire !rom %e valley (roug% ,on' o %is !ee . &is ri!le was u* an' a)ing aim as %e se#on' (urs #ame. T%e %ars% ra#)e o! noise was !ollowe' (y laug% er an' %an'+#la**ing. T%e )ing!is%er0 a %an'!ul o! a ere' (lue an' grey !ea %ers0 %u''e' o %e lawn an' lay !lu ering. Von &ammers ein0 smo)e s ill 'ri((ling !rom %e snou o! %is ommy+gun0 wal)e' a !ew s e*s an' *u %e %eel o! %is na)e' !oo 'own an' *ivo e' s%ar*ly. &e oo) %is %eel away an' wi*e' i on %e grass (esi'e %e %ea* o! !ea %ers. T%e o %ers s oo' roun'0 laug%ing an' a**lau'ing o(se1uiously. Von &ammers ein8s re' li*s grinne' wi % *leasure. &e sai' some %ing w%i#% in#lu'e' %e wor' 8#ra#)s%o 8. &e %an'e' %e gun o one o! %e gunmen an' wi*e' %is %an's 'own %is !a (a#)si'es. &e gave a s%ar* or'er o %e wo girls0 w%o ran o!! in o %e %ouse0 %en0 wi % %e o %ers !ollowing0 %e urne' an' am(le' 'own %e slo*ing lawn owar's %e la)e. =ow %e girls #ame running (a#) ou o! %e %ouse. Ea#% one #arrie' an em* y #%am*agne (o le. 6%a ering an' laug%ing %ey s)i**e' 'own a! er %e men. ,on' go %imsel! rea'y. &e #li**e' %e eles#o*i# sig% on o %e (arrel o! %e "avage an' oo) %is s an#e agains %e run) o! %e ree. &e !oun' a (um* in %e woo' as a res !or %is le! %an'0 *u %is sig% s a J000 an' oo) (roa' aim a %e grou* o! *eo*le (y %e la)e. T%en0 %ol'ing %e ri!le loosely0 %e leane' agains %e run) an' wa #%e' %e s#ene. I was going o (e some )in' o! a s%oo ing #on es (e ween %e wo gunmen. T%ey sna**e' !res% maga5ines on o %eir guns an' a 9on5ales8s or'ers s a ione' %emselves on %e !la s one wall o! %e 'am some wen y !ee a*ar on ei %er si'e o! %e 'iving+(oar'. T%ey s oo' wi % %eir (a#)s o %e la)e an' %eir guns a %e rea'y. Von &ammers ein oo) u* %is *la#e on %e grass verge0 a #%am*agne (o le swinging in ea#% %an'. T%e girls s oo' (e%in' %im0 %eir %an's over %eir ears. T%ere was e3#i e' 4a((ering in "*anis%0 an' laug% er in w%i#% %e wo gunmen 'i' no 4oin. T%roug% %e eles#o*i# sig% %eir !a#es loo)e' s%ar* wi % #on#en ra ion. Von &ammers ein (ar)e' an or'er an' %ere was silen#e. &e swung (o % arms (a#) an' #oun e' H@n . . . :os . . . Tres.H >i % %e 8 res8 %e %urle' %e #%am*agne (o les %ig% in o %e air over %e la)e. T%e wo men urne' li)e marione es0 %e guns #lam*e' o %eir %i*s. -s %ey

#om*le e' %e urn %ey !ire'. T%e %un'er o! %e guns s*li %e *ea#e!ul s#ene an' ra#)e e' u* !rom %e wa er. ,ir's !le' away !rom %e rees s#ree#%ing an' some small (ran#%es #u (y %e (ulle s *a ere' 'own in o %e la)e. T%e le! +%an' (o le 'isin egra e' in o 'us 0 %e rig% +%an' one0 %i (y only a single (ulle 0 s*li in wo a !ra# ion o! a se#on' la er. T%e !ragmen s o! glass ma'e small s*las%es over %e mi''le o! %e la)e. T%e gunman on %e le! %a' won. T%e smo)e+#lou's over %e wo o! %em 4oine' an' 'ri! e' away over %e lawn. T%e e#%oes (oome' so! ly in o silen#e. T%e wo gunmen wal)e' along %e wall o %e grass0 %e rear one loo)ing sullen0 %e lea'ing one wi % a sly grin on %is !a#e. Von &ammers ein (e#)one' %e wo girls !orwar'. T%ey #ame relu# an ly0 'ragging %eir !ee an' *ou ing. Von &ammers ein sai' some %ing0 as)e' a 1ues ion o! %e winner. T%e man no''e' a %e girl on %e le! . "%e loo)e' sullenly (a#) a %im. 9on5ales an' &ammers ein laug%e'. &ammers ein rea#%e' ou an' *a e' %e girl on %e rum* as i! s%e %a' (een a #ow. &e sai' some %ing in w%i#% ,on' #aug% %e wor's 8una no#%e8. T%e girl loo)e' u* a %im an' no''e' o(e'ien ly. T%e grou* (ro)e u*. T%e *ri5e girl oo) a 1ui#) run an' 'ive' in o %e la)e0 *er%a*s o ge away !rom %e man w%o %a' won %er !avours0 an' %e o %er girl !ollowe' %er. T%ey swam away a#ross %e la)e #alling angrily o ea#% o %er. .a4or 9on5ales oo) o!! %is #oa an' lai' i on %e grass an' sa 'own on i . &e was wearing a s%oul'er %ols er w%i#% s%owe' %e (u o! a me'ium+#ali(re au oma i#. &e wa #%e' von &ammers ein a)e o!! %is wa #% an' wal) along %e 'am wall o %e 'iving+(oar'. T%e gunmen s oo' (a#) !rom %e la)e an' also wa #%e' von &ammers ein an' %e wo girls0 w%o were now ou in %e mi''le o! %e li le la)e an' were ma)ing !or %e !ar s%ore. T%e gunmen s oo' wi % %eir guns #ra'le' in %eir arms an' o##asionally one o! %em woul' glan#e roun' %e gar'en or owar's %e %ouse. ,on' %oug% %ere was every reason w%y von &ammers ein %a' manage' o s ay alive so long. &e was a man w%o oo) rou(le o 'o so. Von &ammers ein %a' rea#%e' %e 'iving+(oar'. &e wal)e' along o %e en' an' s oo' loo)ing 'own a %e wa er. ,on' ense' %imsel! an' *u u* %e sa!e. &is eyes were !ier#e sli s. I woul' (e any minu e now. &is !inger i #%e' on %e rigger+ guar'. >%a in %ell was %e girl wai ing !or? Von &ammers ein %a' ma'e u* %is min'. &e !le3e' %is )nees slig% ly. T%e arms #ame (a#). T%roug% %e eles#o*i# sig% ,on' #oul' see %e %i#) %air over %is s%oul'er (la'es rem(le in a (ree5e %a #ame o give a 1ui#) s%iver o %e sur!a#e o! %e la)e. =ow %is arms were #oming !orwar' an' %ere was a !ra# ion o! a se#on' w%en %is !ee %a' le! %e (oar' an' %e was s ill almos u*rig% . In %a !ra# ion o! a se#on' %ere was a !las% o! silver agains %is (a#) an' %en von &ammers ein8s (o'y %i %e wa er in a nea 'ive. 9on5ales was on %is !ee 0 loo)ing un#er ainly a %e ur(ulen#e #ause' (y %e 'ive. &is mou % was o*en0 wai ing. &e 'i' no )now i! %e %a' seen some %ing or no . T%e wo gunmen were more #er ain. T%ey %a' %eir guns a %e rea'y. T%ey #rou#%e'0 loo)ing !rom 9on5ales o %e rees (e%in' %e 'am0 wai ing !or an or'er. "lowly %e ur(ulen#e su(si'e' an' %e ri**les s*rea' a#ross %e la)e. T%e 'ive %a' gone 'ee*. ,on'8s mou % was 'ry. &e li#)e' %is li*s0 sear#%ing %e la)e wi % %is glass. T%ere was a *in) s%immer 'ee* 'own. I wo((le' slowly u*. Von &ammers ein8s (o'y (ro)e %e sur!a#e. I lay %ea' 'own0 wallowing so! ly. - !oo or so o! s eel s%a! s u#) u* !rom (elow %e le! s%oul'er (la'e an' %e sun win)e' on %e aluminium !ea %ers. .a4or 9on5ales yelle' an or'er an' %e wo ommy+guns roare' an' !lame'. ,on' #oul' %ear %e #ras% o! %e (ulle s among %e rees (elow %im. T%e "avage

s%u''ere' agains %is s%oul'er an' %e rig% +%an' man !ell slowly !orwar' on %is !a#e. =ow %e o %er man was running !or %e la)e0 %is gun s ill !iring !rom %e %i* in s%or (urs s. ,on' !ire' an' misse' an' !ire' again. T%e man8s legs (u#)le'0 (u %is momen um s ill #arrie' %im !orwar'. &e #ras%e' in o %e wa er. T%e #len#%e' !inger wen on !iring %e gun aimlessly u* owar's %e (lue s)y un il %e wa er %ro le' %e me#%anism. T%e se#on's was e' on %e e3 ra s%o %a' given .a4or 9on5ales a #%an#e. &e %a' go (e%in' %e (o'y o! %e !irs gunman an' now %e o*ene' u* on ,on' wi % %e ommy+gun. >%e %er %e %a' seen ,on' or was only !iring a %e !las%es !rom %e "avage %e was 'oing well. ,ulle s 5i**e' in o %e ma*le an' slivers o! woo' s*a ere' in o ,on'8s !a#e. ,on' !ire' wi#e. T%e 'ea' (o'y o! %e gunman 4er)e'. Too lowA ,on' reloa'e' an' oo) !res% aim. - sna**e' (ran#% !ell a#ross %is ri!le. &e s%oo) i !ree0 (u now 9on5ales was u* an' running !orwar' o %e grou* o! gar'en !urni ure. &e %urle' %e iron a(le on i s si'e an' go (e%in' i as wo sna* s%o s !rom ,on' )i#)e' #%un)s ou o! %e lawn a %is %eels. >i % %is soli' #over %is s%oo ing (e#ame more a##ura e0 an' (urs a! er (urs 0 now !rom %e rig% o! %e a(le an' now !rom %e le! 0 #ras%e' in o %e ma*le ree w%ile ,on'8s single s%o s #lange' agains %e w%i e iron or w%ine' o!! a#ross %e lawn. I was no easy o raverse %e eles#o*i# sig% 1ui#)ly !rom one si'e o! %e a(le o %e o %er an' 9on5ales was #unning wi % %is #%anges. -gain an' again %is (ulle s %u''e' in o %e run) (esi'e an' a(ove ,on'. ,on' 'u#)e' an' ran swi! ly o %e rig% . &e woul' !ire0 s an'ing0 !rom %e o*en mea'ow an' #a #% 9on5ales o!! guar'. ,u even as %e ran0 %e saw 9on5ales 'ar !rom (e%in' %e iron a(le. &e also %a' 'e#i'e' o en' %e s alema e. &e was running !or %e 'am o ge a#ross an' in o %e woo's an' #ome u* a! er ,on'. ,on' s oo' an' %rew u* %is ri!le. -s %e 'i' so0 9on5ales also saw %im. &e wen 'own on one )nee on %e 'am wall an' s*raye' a (urs a ,on'. ,on' s oo' i#ily0 %earing %e (ulle s. T%e #rosse' %airs #en re' on 9on5ales8s #%es . ,on' s1uee5e' %e rigger. 9on5ales ro#)e'. &e %al! go o %is !ee . &e raise' %is arms an'0 wi % %is gun s ill *um*ing (ulle s in o %e s)y0 'ive' #lumsily !a#e !orwar' in o %e wa er. ,on' wa #%e' o see i! %e !a#e woul' rise. I 'i' no . "lowly %e lowere' %is ri!le an' wi*e' %e (a#) o! %is arm a#ross %is !a#e. T%e e#%oes0 %e e#%oes o! mu#% 'ea %0 rolle' o an' !ro a#ross %e valley. -way o %e rig% 0 in %e rees (eyon' %e la)e0 %e #aug% a glim*se o! %e wo girls running u* owar's %e %ouse. "oon %ey0 i! %e mai's %a' no alrea'y 'one so0 woul' (e on o %e " a e roo*ers. I was ime o ge moving. ,on' wal)e' (a#) %roug% %e mea'ow o %e lone ma*le. T%e girl was %ere. "%e s oo' u* agains %e run) o! %e ree wi % %er (a#) o %im. &er %ea' was #ra'le' in %er arms agains %e ree. ,loo' was running 'own %e rig% arm an' 'ri**ing o %e groun'0 an' %ere was a (la#) s ain %ig% u* on %e sleeve o! %e 'ar) green s%ir . T%e (ow an' 1uiver o! arrows lay a %er !ee . &er s%oul'ers were s%a)ing. ,on' #ame u* (e%in' %er an' *u a *ro e# ive arm a#ross %er s%oul'ers. &e sai' so! lyE HTa)e i easy0 Bu'y. I 8s all over now. &ow (a'8s %e arm?H "%e sai' in a mu!!le' voi#eE HI 8s no %ing. "ome %ing %i me. ,u %a was aw!ul. I 'i'n8 < I 'i'n8 )now i woul' (e li)e %a .H ,on' *resse' %er arm reassuringly. HI %a' o (e 'one. T%ey8' %ave go you o %erwise. T%ose were *ro )illers < %e wors . ,u I ol' you %is sor o! %ing was man8s wor). =ow %en0 le 8s %ave a loo) a your arm. >e8ve go o ge going < over %e (or'er. T%e roo*ers8ll (e %ere (e!ore long.H "%e urne'. T%e (eau i!ul wil' !a#e was s rea)e' wi % swea an' ears. =ow %e grey eyes were so! an' o(e'ien . "%e sai'E HI 8s ni#e o! you o (e li)e %a . -! er %e

way I was. I was sor o! < sor o! woun' u*.H "%e %el' ou %er arm. ,on' rea#%e' !or %e %un ing+)ni!e a %er (el an' #u o!! %er s%ir sleeve a %e s%oul'er. T%ere was %e (ruise'0 (lee'ing gas% o! a (ulle woun' a#ross %e mus#le. ,on' oo) ou %is own )%a)i %an')er#%ie!0 #u i in o %ree leng %s an' 4oine' %em oge %er. &e was%e' %e woun' 'ean wi % %e #o!!ee an' w%is)y0 an' %en oo) a %i#) sli#e o! (rea' !rom %is %aversa#) an' (oun' i over %e woun'. &e #u %er s%ir sleeve in o a sling an' rea#%e' (e%in' %er ne#) o ie %e )no . &er mou % was in#%es !rom %is. T%e s#en o! %er (o'y %a' a warm animal ang. ,on' )isse' %er on#e so! ly on %e li*s an' on#e again0 %ar'. &e ie' %e )no . &e loo)e' in o %e grey eyes #lose o %is. T%ey loo)e' sur*rise' an' %a**y. &e )isse' %er again a ea#% #orner o! %e mou % an' %e mou % slowly smile'. ,on' s oo' away !rom %er an' smile' (a#). &e so! ly *i#)e' u* %er rig% %an' an' sli**e' %e wris in o %e sling. "%e sai' 'o#ilelyE H>%ere are you a)ing me?H ,on' sai'E HI8m a)ing you o 7on'on. T%ere8s %is ol' man w%o will wan o see you. ,u !irs we8ve go o ge over in o 6ana'a0 an' I8ll al) o a !rien' in O awa an' ge your *ass*or s raig% ene' ou . You8ll %ave o ge some #lo %es an' %ings. I 8ll a)e a !ew 'ays. >e8ll (e s aying in a *la#e #alle' %e KO+PEE .o el.H "%e loo)e' a %im. "%e was a 'i!!eren girl. "%e sai' so! lyE HT%a 8ll (e ni#e. I8ve never s aye' in a mo el.H ,on' (en 'own an' *i#)e' u* %is ri!le an' )na*sa#) an' slung %em over one s%oul'er. T%en %e %ung %er (ow an' 1uiver over %e o %er0 an' urne' an' s ar e' u* %roug% %e mea'ow. "%e !ell in (e%in' an' !ollowe' %im0 an' as s%e wal)e' s%e *ulle' %e ire' (i s o! gol'en+ro' ou o! %er %air an' un'i' a ri((on an' le %e *ale gol' %air !all 'own o %er s%oul'ers.

%UAN#UM OF SOLACE
Bames ,on' sai'E HI8ve always %oug% %a i! I ever marrie' I woul' marry an air %os ess.H T%e 'inner *ar y %a' (een ra %er s i#)y0 an' now %a %e o %er wo gues s %a' le! a##om*anie' (y %e -:6 o #a #% %eir *lane0 %e 9overnor an' ,on' were si ing oge %er on a #%in 5y so!a in %e large O!!i#e o! >or)s !urnis%e' 'rawing+ room0 rying o ma)e #onversa ion. ,on' %a' a s%ar* sense o! %e ri'i#ulous. &e was never #om!or a(le si ing 'ee* in so! #us%ions. &e *re!erre' o si u* in a soli'ly u*%ols ere' arme' #%air wi % %is !ee !irmly on %e groun'. -n' %e !el !oolis% si ing wi % an el'erly (a#%elor on %is (e' o! rose #%in 5 ga5ing a %e #o!!ee an' li1ueurs on %e low a(le (e ween %eir ou s re #%e' !ee . T%ere was some %ing #lu(a(le0 in ima e0 even ra %er !eminine0 a(ou %e s#ene an' none o! %ese a mos*%eres was a**ro*ria e. ,on' 'i'n8 li)e =assau. Everyone was oo ri#%. T%e win er visi ors an' %e resi'en s w%o %a' %ouses on %e islan' al)e' o! no %ing (u %eir money0 %eir 'iseases an' %eir servan *ro(lems. T%ey 'i'n8 even gossi* well. T%ere was no %ing o gossi* a(ou . T%e win er #row' were all oo ol' o %ave love a!!airs an'0 li)e mos ri#% *eo*le0 oo #au ious o say any %ing mali#ious a(ou %eir neig%(ours. T%e &arvey .illers %e #ou*le %a %a' 4us le! 0 were y*i#al < a *leasan ra %er 'ull 6ana'ian millionaire w%o %a' go in o =a ural 9as early on an' s aye' wi % i 0 an' %is *re y #%a er(o3 o! a wi!e. I seeme' %a s%e was Englis%. "%e %a' sa ne3 o ,on' an' #%a ere' viva#iously a(ou 8w%a s%ows %e %a' re#en ly seen in own8 an'

8'i'n8 %e %in) %e "avoy 9rill was %e ni#es *la#e !or su**er. One saw so many in eres ing *eo*le < a# resses an' *eo*le li)e %a 8. ,on' %a' 'one %is (es 0 (u sin#e %e %a' no seen a *lay !or wo years0 an' %en only (e#ause %e man %e was !ollowing in Vienna %a' gone o i 0 %e %a' %a' o rely on ra %er 'us y memories o! 7on'on nig% li!e w%i#% some%ow !aile' o marry u* wi % %e e3*erien#es o! .rs &arvey .iller. ,on' )new %a %e 9overnor %a' as)e' %im o 'inner only as a 'u y0 an' *er%a*s o %el* ou wi % %e &arvey .illers. ,on' %a' (een in %e 6olony !or a wee) an' was leaving !or .iami %e ne3 'ay. I %a' (een a rou ine inves iga ion 4o(. -rms were ge ing o %e 6as ro re(els in 6u(a !rom all %e neig%(ouring erri ories. T%ey %a' (een #oming *rin#i*ally !rom .iami an' %e 9ul! o! .e3i#o0 (u w%en %e @" 6oas guar's %a' sei5e' wo (ig s%i*men s0 %e 6as ro su**or ers %a' urne' o Bamai#a an' %e ,a%amas as *ossi(le (ases0 an' ,on' %a' (een sen ou !rom 7on'on o *u a s o* o i . &e %a'n8 wan e' o 'o %e 4o(. I! any %ing0 %is sym*a %ies were wi % %e re(els0 (u %e 9overnmen %a' a (ig e3*or *rogramme wi % 6u(a in e3#%ange !or a)ing more 6u(an sugar %an %ey wan e'0 an' a minor #on'i ion o! %e 'eal was %a ,ri ain s%oul' no give ai' or #om!or o %e 6u(an re(els. ,on' %a' !oun' ou a(ou %e wo (ig #a(in #ruisers %a were (eing !i e' ou !or %e 4o(0 an' ra %er %an ma)e arres s w%en %ey were a(ou o sail0 %us #ausing an in#i'en 0 %e %a' #%osen a very 'ar) nig% an' #re* u* on %e (oa s in a *oli#e laun#%. From %e 'e#) o! %e unlig% e' laun#% %e %a' osse' a %ermi e (om( %roug% an o*en *or o! ea#% o! %em. &e %a' %en ma'e o!! a %ig% s*ee' an' wa #%e' %e (on!ire !rom a 'is an#e. ,a' lu#) on %e insuran#e #om*anies0 o! #ourse0 (u %ere were no #asual ies an' %e %a' a#%ieve' 1ui#)ly an' nea ly w%a . %a' ol' %im o 'o. "o !ar as ,on' was aware0 no one in %e 6olony0 e3#e* %e 6%ie! o! 2oli#e an' wo o! %is o!!i#ers0 )new w%o %a' #ause' %e wo s*e# a#ular0 an' < o %ose in %e )now < imely !ires in %e roa's ea'. ,on' %a' re*or e' only o . in 7on'on. &e %a' no wis%e' o em(arrass %e 9overnor0 w%o seeme' o %im an easily em(arrassa(le man0 an' i #oul' in !a# %ave (een unwise o give %im )nowle'ge o! a !elony w%i#% mig% easily (e %e su(4e# o! a 1ues ion in %e 7egisla ive 6oun#il. ,u %e 9overnor was no !ool. &e %a' )nown %e *ur*ose o! ,on'8s visi o %e 6olony0 an' %a evening0 w%en ,on' %a' s%a)en %im (y %e %an'0 %e 'isli)e o! a *ea#ea(le man !or violen a# ion %a' (een #ommuni#a e' o ,on' (y some %ing #ons raine' an' 'e!ensive in %e 9overnor8s manner. T%is %a' (een no %el* o %e 'inner *ar y0 an' i %a' nee'e' all %e #%a er an' gus% o! a %ar'+wor)ing -:6 o give %e evening %e small sem(lan#e o! li!e i %a' a#%ieve'. -n' now i was only nine+ %ir y0 an' %e 9overnor an' ,on' were !a#e' wi % one more *oli e %our (e!ore %ey #oul' go gra e!ully o %eir (e's0 ea#% relieve' %a %e woul' never %ave o see %e o %er again. =o %a ,on' %a' any %ing agains %e 9overnor. &e (elonge' o a rou ine y*e %a ,on' %a' o! en en#oun ere' roun' %e worl' < soli'0 loyal0 #om*e en 0 so(er an' 4us E %e (es y*e o! 6olonial 6ivil "ervan . "oli'ly0 #om*e en ly0 loyally %e woul' %ave !ille' %e minor *os s !or %ir y years w%ile %e Em*ire #rum(le' aroun' %imN an' now0 4us in ime0 (y s i#)ing o %e la''ers an' avoi'ing %e sna)es0 %e %a' go o %e o*. In a year or wo i woul' (e %e 96, an' ou < ou o 9o'alming0 or 6%el en%am or Tun(ri'ge >ells wi % a *ension an' a small *a#)e o! memories o! *la#es li)e %e Tru#ial Oman0 %e 7eewar' Islan's0 ,ri is% 9uiana0 %a no one a %e lo#al gol! #lu( woul' %ave %ear' o! or woul' #are a(ou . -n' ye 0 ,on' %a' re!le# e' %a evening0 %ow many small 'ramas su#% as %e a!!air o! %e 6as ro re(els mus %e 9overnor %ave wi nesse' or (een *rivy oA &ow mu#% %e woul' )now a(ou %e #%e1uer(oar' o! %e small+*ower *oli i#s0 %e

s#an'alous si'e o! li!e in small #ommuni ies a(roa'0 %e se#re s o! *eo*le %a lie in %e !iles o! 9overnmen &ouses roun' %e worl'. ,u %ow #oul' one s ri)e a s*ar) o!! %is rigi'0 'is#ree min'? &ow #oul' %e0 Bames ,on'0 w%om %e 9overnor o(viously regar'e' as a 'angerous man an' as a *ossi(le sour#e o! 'anger o %is own #areer0 e3 ra# one oun#e o! in eres ing !a# or #ommen o save %e evening !rom (eing a !u ile was e o! ime? ,on'8s #areless an' slig% ly men'a#ious remar) a(ou marrying an air %os ess %a' #ome a %e en' o! some 'esul ory #onversa ion a(ou air ravel %a %a' !ollowe' 'ully0 inevi a(ly0 on %e 'e*ar ure o! %e &arvey .illers o #a #% %eir *lane !or .on real. T%e 9overnor %a' sai' %a ,O-6 were ge ing %e lion8s s%are o! %e -meri#an ra!!i# o =assau (e#ause0 %oug% %eir *lanes mig% (e %al! an %our slower !rom I'lewil'0 %e servi#e was su*er(. ,on' %a' sai'0 (oring %imsel! wi % %is own (anali y0 %a %e woul' ra %er !ly slowly an' #om!or a(ly %an !as an' un#osse e'. I was %en %a %e %a' ma'e %e remar) a(ou air %os esses. HIn'ee'0H sai' %e 9overnor in %e *oli e0 #on rolle' voi#e %a ,on' *raye' mig% rela3 an' (e#ome %uman. H>%y?H HO%0 I 'on8 )now. I woul' (e !ine o %ave a *re y girl always u#)ing you u* an' (ringing you 'rin)s an' %o meals an' as)ing i! you %a' every %ing you wan e'. -n' %ey8re always smiling an' wan ing o *lease. I! I 'on8 marry an air %os ess0 %ere8ll (e no %ing !or i (u marry a Ba*anese. T%ey seem o %ave %e rig% i'eas oo.H ,on' %a' no in en ion o! marrying anyone. I! %e 'i'0 i woul' #er ainly no (e an insi*i' slave. &e only %o*e' o amuse or ou rage %e 9overnor in o a 'is#ussion o! some %uman o*i#. HI 'on8 )now a(ou %e Ba*anese0 (u I su**ose i %as o##urre' o you %a %ese air %os esses are only trained o *lease0 %a %ey mig% (e 1ui e 'i!!eren w%en %ey8re no on %e 4o(0 so o s*ea).H T%e 9overnor8s voi#e was reasona(le0 4u'i#ious. H"in#e I8m no really very in eres e' in ge ing marrie'0 I8ve never a)en %e rou(le o inves iga e.H T%ere was a *ause. T%e 9overnor8s #igar %a' gone ou . &e s*en a momen or wo ge ing i going again. >%en %e s*o)e i seeme' o ,on' %a %e even one %a' gaine' a s*ar) o! li!e0 o! in eres . T%e 9overnor sai'E HT%ere was a man I )new on#e w%o mus %ave %a' %e same i'eas as you. &e !ell in love wi % an air %os ess an' marrie' %er. $a %er an in eres ing s ory0 as a ma er o! !a# . I su**ose0H %e 9overnor loo)e' si'eways a ,on' an' gave a s%or sel!+'e*re#a ory laug%0 Hyou see 1ui e a lo o! %e seamy si'e o! li!e. T%is s ory may seem o you on %e 'ull si'e. ,u woul' you #are o %ear i ?H HVery mu#%.H ,on' *u en %usiasm in o %is voi#e. &e 'ou( e' i! %e 9overnor8s i'ea o! w%a was seamy was %e same as %is own0 (u a leas i woul' save %im !rom ma)ing any more asinine #onversa ion. =ow o ge away !rom %is 'amna(ly #loying so!a. &e sai'E H6oul' I %ave some more (ran'y?H &e go u*0 'as%e' an in#% o! (ran'y in o %is glass an'0 ins ea' o! going (a#) o %e so!a0 *ulle' u* a #%air an' sa 'own a an angle !rom %e 9overnor on %e o %er si'e o! %e 'rin) ray. T%e 9overnor e3amine' %e en' o! %is #igar0 oo) a 1ui#) *ull an' %el' %e #igar u*rig% so %a %e long as% woul' no !all o!!. &e wa #%e' %e as% warily %roug%ou %is s ory an' s*o)e as i! o %e %in ri#)le o! (lue smo)e %a rose an' 1ui#)ly 'isa**eare' in %e %o 0 mois air. &e sai' #are!ullyE HT%is man < I8ll #all %im .as ers0 2%ili* .as ers < was almos a #on em*orary o! mine in %e "ervi#e. I was a year a%ea' o! %im. &e wen o Fe es an' oo) a s#%olars%i* !or O3!or' < %e name o! %e #ollege 'oesn8 ma er < an' %en %e a**lie' !or %e 6olonial "ervi#e. &e wasn8 a *ar i#ularly #lever #%a*0 (u

%e was %ar' wor)ing an' #a*a(le an' %e sor o! man w%o ma)es a goo' soli' im*ression on in erview (oar's. T%ey oo) %im in o %e "ervi#e. &is !irs *os was =igeria. &e 'i' well in i . &e li)e' %e na ives an' %e go on well wi % %em. &e was a man o! li(eral i'eas an' w%ile %e 'i'n8 a# ually !ra erni5e0 w%i#%0H %e 9overnor smile' sourly0 Hwoul' %ave go %im in o rou(le wi % %is su*eriors in %ose 'ays0 %e was lenien an' %umane owar's %e =igerians. I #ame as 1ui e a sur*rise o %em.H T%e 9overnor *ause' an' oo) a *ull a %is #igar. T%e as% was a(ou o !all an' %e (en #are!ully over owar's %e 'rin) ray an' le %e as% %iss in o %is #o!!ee #u*. &e sa (a#) an' !or %e !irs ime loo)e' a#ross a ,on'. &e sai'E HI 'aresay %e a!!e# ion %is young man %a' !or %e na ives oo) %e *la#e o! %e a!!e# ion young men o! %a age in o %er wal)s o! li!e %ave !or %e o**osi e se3. @n!or una ely 2%ili* .as ers was a s%y an' ra %er un#ou % young man w%o %a' never %a' any )in' o! su##ess in %a 'ire# ion. >%en %e %a'n8 (een wor)ing o *ass %is various e3ams %e %a' *laye' %o#)ey !or %is #ollege an' rowe' in %e %ir' eig% . In %e %oli'ays %e %a' s aye' wi % an aun in >ales an' #lim(e' wi % %e lo#al moun aineering #lu(. &is *aren s0 (y %e way0 %a' se*ara e' w%en %e was a %is *u(li# s#%ool an'0 %oug% %e was an only #%il'0 %a' no (o %ere' wi % %im on#e %e was sa!e a O3!or' wi % %is s#%olars%i* an' a small allowan#e o see %im %roug%. "o %e %a' very li le ime !or girls an' very li le o re#ommen' %im o %ose %e 'i' #ome a#ross. &is emo ional li!e ran along %e !rus ra e' an' un%eal %y lines %a were *ar o! our in%eri an#e !rom our Vi# orian gran'!a %ers. Knowing %ow i was wi % %im0 I am %ere!ore sugges ing %a %is !rien'ly rela ions wi % %e #oloure' *eo*le o! =igeria were w%a is )nown as a #om*ensa ion sei5e' on (y a (asi#ally warm an' !ull+(loo'e' na ure %a %a' (een s arve' o! a!!e# ion an' now !oun' i in %eir sim*le )in'ly na ures.H ,on' in erru* e' %e ra %er solemn narra ive HT%e only rou(le wi % (eau i!ul =egresses is %a %ey 'on8 )now any %ing a(ou (ir % #on rol. I %o*e %e manage' o s ay ou o! %a sor o! rou(le.H T%e 9overnor %el' u* %is %an'. &is voi#e %el' an un'er one o! 'is as e !or ,on'8s ear %iness H=o0 no. You misun'ers an' me. I am no al)ing a(ou se3. I woul' never %ave o##urre' o %is young man o %ave rela ions wi % a #oloure' girl. In !a# %e was sa'ly ignoran o! se3ual ma ers. =o a rare %ing even o'ay among young *eo*le in Englan'0 (u very #ommon in %ose 'ays0 an' %e #ause0 as I e3*e# you will agree0 o! many < very many < 'isas rous marriages an' o %er rage'ies.H ,on' no''e'. H=o. I am only e3*laining %is young man a some leng % o s%ow you %a w%a was o #ome !ell u*on a !rus ra e' young inno#en wi % a warm (u unawa)ene' %ear an' (o'y0 an' a so#ial #lumsiness w%i#% ma'e %im see) #om*anions%i* an' a!!e# ion amongs %e =egroes ins ea' o! in %is own worl'. &e was0 in s%or 0 a sensi ive mis!i 0 *%ysi#ally unin eres ing0 (u in all o %er res*e# s %eal %y an' a(le an' a *er!e# ly a'e1ua e #i i5en.H ,on' oo) a si* o! %is (ran'y an' s re #%e' ou %is legs. &e was en4oying %e s ory. T%e 9overnor was elling i in a ra %er el'erly narra ive s yle w%i#% gave i a ring o! ru %. T%e 9overnor #on inue'E HYoung .as er8s servi#e in =igeria #oin#i'e' wi % %e !irs 7a(our 9overnmen . I! you remem(er0 one o! %e !irs %ings %ey go 'own o was a re!orm o! %e !oreign servi#es. =igeria go a new 9overnor wi % a'van#e' views on %e na ive *ro(lem w%o was sur*rise' an' *lease' o !in' %a %e %a' a 4unior mem(er o! %is s a!! w%o was alrea'y0 in %is mo'es s*%ere0 *u ing some %ing li)e %e 9overnor8s own views in o *ra# i#e. &e en#ourage' 2%ili* .as ers0 gave %im 'u ies w%i#% were a(ove %is ran)0 an' in 'ue #ourse0 w%en .as ers was 'ue !or a move0 %e wro e su#% a glowing re*or %a .as ers 4um*e' a gra'e an' was

rans!erre' o ,ermu'a as -ssis an "e#re ary o 9overnmen .H T%e 9overnor loo)e' %roug% %is #igar smo)e a ,on'. &e sai' a*ologe i#allyE HI %o*e you aren8 (eing oo (ore' (y all %is. I s%an8 (e long in #oming o %e *oin .H HI8m very in eres e' in'ee'. I %in) I8ve go a *i# ure o! %e man. You mus %ave )nown %im well.H T%e 9overnor %esi a e'. &e sai'E HI go o )now %im s ill (e er in ,ermu'a. I was 4us %is senior an' %e wor)e' 'ire# ly un'er me. &owever0 we %aven8 1ui e go o ,ermu'a ye . I was %e early 'ays o! %e air servi#es o -!ri#a an'0 !or one reason or ano %er0 2%ili* .as ers 'e#i'e' o !ly %ome o 7on'on an' so %ave a longer %ome leave %an i! %e %a' a)en s%i* !rom Free own. &e wen (y rain o =airo(i an' #aug% %e wee)ly servi#e o! Im*erial -irways < %e !orerunner o! ,O-6. &e %a' never !lown (e!ore an' %e was in eres e' (u slig% ly nervous w%en %ey oo) o!!0 a! er %e air %os ess0 w%om %e no i#e' was very *re y0 %a' given %im a swee o su#) an' s%own %im %ow o !as en %is sea +(el . >%en %e *lane %a' levelle' ou an' %e !oun' %a !lying seeme' a more *ea#e!ul (usiness %an %e %a' e3*e# e'0 %e %os ess #ame (a#) 'own %e almos em* y *lane. "%e smile' a %im. 8You #an un'o %e (el now.8 >%en .as ers !um(le' wi % %e (u#)le s%e lean 'own an' un'i' i !or %im. I was an in ima e li le ges ure. .as ers %a' never (een so #lose o a woman o! a(ou %is own age in %is li!e. &e (lus%e' an' !el an e3 raor'inary #on!usion. &e %an)e' %er. "%e smile' ra %er sau#ily a %is em(arrassmen an' sa on %e arm o! %e em* y sea a#ross %e aisle an' as)e' %im w%ere %e %a' #ome !rom an' w%ere %e was going. &e ol' %er. In %is urn0 %e as)e' %er a(ou %e *lane an' %ow !as %ey were !lying an' w%ere %ey woul' s o*0 an' so !or %. &e !oun' %er very easy o al) o an' almos 'a55lingly *re y o loo) a . &e was sur*rise' a %er easy way wi % %im an' %er a**aren in eres in w%a %e %a' o say a(ou -!ri#a. "%e seeme' o %in) %e le' a !ar more e3#i ing an' glamorous li!e %an0 o %is min'0 %e 'i'. "%e ma'e %im !eel im*or an . >%en s%e wen away o %el* %e wo s ewar's *re*are lun#%0 %e sa an' %oug% a(ou %er an' %rille' o %is %oug% s. >%en %e rie' o rea' %e #oul' no !o#us on %e *age. &e %a' o (e loo)ing u* %e *lane o #a #% a glim*se o! %er. On#e s%e #aug% %is ga5e an' gave %im w%a seeme' o %im a se#re smile. >e are %e only young *eo*le on %e *lane0 i seeme' o say. >e un'ers an' ea#% o %er. >e8re in eres e' in %e same sor o! %ings.H H2%ili* .as ers ga5e' ou o! %e win'ow0 seeing %er in %e sea o! w%i e #lou's (elow. In %is min'8s eye %e e3amine' %er minu ely0 marvelling a %er *er!e# ion. "%e was small an' rim wi % a mil)+an'+roses #om*le3ion an' !air %air ie' in a nea (un. (&e *ar i#ularly li)e' %e (un. I sugges e' %a s%e wasn8 8!as 8.) "%e %a' #%erry re' smiling li*s an' (lue eyes %a s*ar)le' wi % mis#%ievous !un. Knowing >ales0 %e guesse' %a s%e %a' >els% (loo' in %er0 an' %is was #on!irme' (y %er name0 $%o'a 7lewellyn0 w%i#%0 w%en %e wen o was% %is %an's (e!ore lun#%eon0 %e !oun' *rin e' a %e (o om o! %e #rew lis a(ove %e maga5ine ra#) (esi'e %e lava ory 'oor. &e s*e#ula e' 'ee*ly a(ou %er. "%e woul' (e near %im now !or nearly wo 'ays0 (u %ow #oul' %e ge o see %er again? "%e mus %ave %un're's o! a'mirers. "%e mig% even (e marrie'. :i' s%e !ly all %e ime? &ow many 'ays o!! 'i' s%e ge (e ween ri*s? >oul' s%e laug% a %im i! %e as)e' %er ou o 'inner an' a %ea re? .ig% s%e even #om*lain o %e #a* ain o! %e air#ra! %a one o! %e *assengers was ge ing !res%? su''en vision #ame o .as ers o! (eing urne' o!! %e *lane a -'en0 a #om*lain o %e 6olonial O!!i#e0 %is #areer ruine'.H H7un#%eon #ame0 an' reassuran#e. >%en s%e !i e' %e li le ray a#ross %is )nees0 %er %air (rus%e' %is #%ee). .as ers !el %a %e %a' (een ou#%e' (y a live ele# ri# wire. "%e s%owe' %im %ow o 'eal wi % %e #om*li#a e' li le #ello*%ane *a#)ages0 %ow o ge %e *las i# li' o!! %e sala' 'ressing. "%e ol' %im %a %e swee

was *ar i#ularly goo' < a ri#% layer #a)e. In s%or s%e ma'e a !uss o! %im0 an' .as ers #oul'n8 remem(er w%en i %a' ever %a**ene' (e!ore0 even w%en %is mo %er %a' loo)e' a! er %im as a #%il'.H H- %e en' o! %e ri*0 w%en %e swea ing .as ers %a' s#rewe' u* %is #ourage o as) %er ou o 'inner0 i was almos an an i#lima3 w%en s%e rea'ily agree'. - mon % la er s%e resigne' !rom Im*erial -irways an' %ey were marrie'. - mon % a! er %a 0 .as er8s leave was u* an' %ey oo) s%i* !or ,ermu'a.H ,on' sai'E HI !ear %e wors . "%e marrie' %im (e#ause %is li!e soun'e' e3#i ing an' 8gran'8. "%e li)e' %e i'ea o! (eing %e (elle o! %e ea *ar ies a 9overnmen &ouse. I su**ose .as ers %a' o mur'er %er in %e en'?H H=o0H sai' %e 9overnor mil'ly. H,u I 'aresay you8re rig% a(ou w%y s%e marrie' %im0 %a an' (eing ire' o! %e grin' an' 'anger o! !lying. 2er%a*s s%e really mean o ma)e a go o! i 0 an' #er ainly w%en %e young #ou*le arrive' an' se le' in o %eir (ungalow on %e ou s)ir s o! &amil on we were all !avoura(ly im*resse' (y %er viva#i y an' %er *re y !a#e an' (y %e way s%e ma'e %ersel! *leasan o everyone. -n'0 o! #ourse0 .as ers was a #%ange' man. 7i!e %a' (e#ome a !airy ale !or %im. 7oo)ing (a#)0 i was almos *i i!ul o wa #% %im ry o s*ru#e %imsel! u* so %a %e #oul' live u* o %er. &e oo) rou(le a(ou %is #lo %es0 *u some 'rea'!ul (rillian ine on %is %air an' even grew a mili ary+ y*e mous a#%e0 *resuma(ly (e#ause s%e %oug% i loo)e' 'is inguis%e'. - %e en' o! %e 'ay0 %e woul' %urry (a#) o %e (ungalow0 an' i was always $%o'a %is an' $%o'a %a an' w%en 'o you %in) 7a'y ,ur!or' < w%o was %e 9overnor8s wi!e < is going o as) $%o'a o lun#%?H H,u %e wor)e' %ar' an' everyone li)e' %e young #ou*le0 an' %ings wen along li)e a marriage (ell !or si3 mon %s or so. T%en0 an' now I8m only guessing0 %e o##asional wor' (egan o 'ro* li)e a#i' in %e %a**y li le (ungalow. You #an imagine %e sor o! %ingE 8>%y 'oesn8 %e 6olonial "e#re ary8s wi!e ever a)e me ou s%o**ing wi % %er? &ow long mus we wai (e!ore we #an give ano %er #o#) ail *ar y? You )now we #an8 a!!or' o %ave a (a(y. >%en are you 'ue !or *romo ion? I 8s aw!ully 'ull %ere all 'ay wi % no %ing o 'o. You8ll %ave o ge %e 'inner onig% . I sim*ly #an8 (e (o %ere'. You %ave su#% an in eres ing ime. I 8s all rig% !or you . . .8 an' so on an' so !or %. -n' o! #ourse0 %e #osse ing 1ui#)ly wen (y %e (oar'. =ow i was .as ers0 an' o! #ourse %e was 'elig% e' o 'o i 0 w%o (roug% %e air %os ess (rea)!as in (e' (e!ore %e wen o!! o wor). I was .as ers w%o i'ie' u* %e %ouse w%en %e #ame (a#) in %e evening an' !oun' #igare e as% an' #%o#ola e *a*ers all over %e *la#e. I was .as ers w%o %a' o give u* smo)ing an' %is o##asional 'rin) o (uy %er new #lo %es so %a s%e #oul' live u* o %e o %er wives. "ome o! %is s%owe'0 a any ra e o me w%o )new .as ers well in %e "e#re aria . T%e *reo##u*ie' !rown0 %e o##asional enigma i#0 over+soli#i ous ele*%one #all in o!!i#e %ours0 %e en minu es s olen a %e en' o! %e 'ay so %a %e #oul' a)e $%o'a o %e #inema0 an'0 o! #ourse0 %e o##asional %al! 4o)ing 1ues ions a(ou marriage in generalE >%a 'o o %er wives 'o all 'ay long? :o mos women !in' i a (i %o ou %ere? I su**ose women (%e almos a''e' 89o' (less 8em8) are mu#% more easily u*se %an men. -n' so !or %. T%e rou(le0 or a leas mos o! i 0 was %a .as ers was (eso e'. "%e was %is sun an' %is moon an' i! s%e was un%a**y or res less i was all %is !aul . &e #as a(ou 'es*era ely !or some %ing %a woul' o##u*y %er an' ma)e %er %a**y0 an' !inally0 o! all %ings0 %e se le' < or ra %er %ey se le' oge %er < on gol!. 9ol! is very mu#% %e %ing in ,ermu'a. T%ere are several !ine lin)s < in#lu'ing %e !amous .i'+O#ean 6lu( w%ere all %e 1uali y *lay an' ge oge %er a %e #lu( a! erwar's !or gossi* an' 'rin)s. I was 4us w%a s%e wan e' < a smar o##u*a ion an' %ig% so#ie y. 9o' )nows %ow .as ers save' u* enoug% o 4oin an' (uy %er %e #lu(s an' %e lessons an'

all %e res 0 (u some%ow %e 'i' i an' i was a roaring su##ess. "%e oo) o s*en'ing all 'ay a %e .i'+O#ean. "%e wor)e' %ar' a %er lessons an' go a %an'i#a* an' me *eo*le %roug% %e li le #om*e i ions an' %e mon %ly me'als0 an' in si3 mon %s s%e was no only *laying a res*e# a(le game (u %a' (e#ome 1ui e %e 'arling o! %e men mem(ers. I wasn8 sur*rise'. I remem(er seeing %er %ere !rom ime o ime0 a 'eli#ious0 sun(urne' li le !igure in %e s%or es o! s%or s wi % a w%i e eyes%a'e wi % a green lining0 an' a rim #om*a# swing %a !la ere' %er !igure0 an' I #an ell you0H %e 9overnor win)le' (rie!ly0 Hs%e was %e *re ies %ing I8ve ever seen on a gol! #ourse. O! #ourse %e ne3 s e* 'i'n8 a)e long. T%ere was a mi3e'+!oursome #om*e i ion. "%e was *ar nere' wi % %e ol'es Ta ersall (oy < %ey8re %e lea'ing &amil on mer#%an s an' more or less %e ruling #li1ue in ,ermu'an so#ie y. &e was a young %ellion < %an'some as (e 'amne'0 a (eau i!ul swimmer an' a s#ra #% gol!er0 wi % an o*en .9 an' a s*ee'(oa an' all %e rimmings. You )now %e y*e. 9o all %e girls %e wan e'0 an'0 i! %ey 'i'n8 slee* wi % %im *re y 1ui#)ly0 %ey 'i'n8 ge %e ri'es in %e .9 or %e 6%ris#ra! or %e evenings in %e lo#al nig% #lu(s. T%e #ou*le won %e #om*e i ion a! er a %ar' !ig% in %e !inal an' 2%ili* .as ers was in %e !as%iona(le #row' roun' %e eig% een % green o #%eer %em %ome. T%a was %e las ime %e #%eere' !or many a long 'ay0 *er%a*s !or all %is li!e. -lmos a on#e s%e s ar e' 8going8 wi % young Ta ersall0 an' on#e s ar e' s%e wen li)e %e win'. -n' (elieve me0 .r ,on'H < %e 9overnor #lose' a !is an' (roug% i so! ly 'own on %e e'ge o! %e 'rin)s a(le < Hi was g%as ly o see. "%e 'i'n8 ma)e %e smalles a em* o so! en %e (low or %i'e %e a!!air in any way. "%e 4us oo) young Ta ersall an' %i .as ers in %e !a#e wi % %im# an' wen on %i ing. "%e woul' #ome %ome a any %our o! %e nig% < s%e %a' insis e' %a .as ers s%oul' move in o %e s*are room0 some *re e3 a(ou i (eing oo %o o slee* oge %er < an' i! s%e ever i'ie' %e %ouse or #oo)e' %im a meal i was only ma)es%i! an' o )ee* u* some )in' o! a**earan#e. O! #ourse0 in a mon %0 %e w%ole %ing was *u(li# *ro*er y an' *oor .as ers was wearing %e (igges *air o! %orns %a %a' ever (een seen in %e 6olony. 7a'y ,ur!or' !inally s e**e' m an' gave $%o'a .as ers a al)ing o < sai' s%e was ruining %er %us(an'8s #areer an' so !or % ,u %e rou(le was %a 7a'y ,ur!or' !oun' .as ers a *re y 'ull 'og0 an' %aving *er%a*s %a' one or wo es#a*a'es in %er own you % < s%e was s ill a %an'some woman wi % a win)le in %er eye < s%e was *ro(a(ly a (i oo lenien wi % %e girl. O! #ourse .as ers %imsel!0 as %e was o ell me la er0 wen %roug% %e usual 'reary se1uen#e < remons ran#e0 (i er 1uarrel0 !urious rage0 violen#e (%e ol' me %e 'amne' nearly %ro le' %er one nig% ) an'0 !inally0 i#y wi %'rawal an' sullen misery.H T%e 9overnor *ause'. HI 'on8 )now i! you8ve ever seen a %ear (eing (ro)en0 .r ,on'0 (ro)en slowly an' 'eli(era ely. >ell0 %a 8s w%a I saw %a**ening o 2%ili* .as ers0 an' i was a 'rea'!ul %ing o wa #%. T%ere %e %a' (een0 a man wi % 2ara'ise in %is !a#e0 an'0 wi %in a year o! %is arrival in ,ermu'a0 &ell was wri en all over i . O! #ourse I 'i' my (es 0 we all 'i' in one way or ano %er0 (u on#e i %a' %a**ene'0 on %a eig% een % green a %e .i'+O#ean0 %ere was really no %ing o 'o (u ry an' *i#) u* %e (i s. ,u .as ers was li)e a woun'e' 'og. &e 4us 'rew away !rom us in o a #orner an' snarle' w%en anyone rie' o #ome near %im. I even wen o %e leng % o! wri ing %im one or wo le ers. &e la er ol' me %e %a' orn %em u* wi %ou rea'ing %em. One 'ay0 several o! us go oge %er an' as)e' %im o a s ag *ar y in my (ungalow. >e rie' o ge %im 'run). >e go %im 'run) all rig% . T%e ne3 %ing %a %a**ene' was a #ras% !rom %e (a %room. .as ers %a' rie' o #u %is wris s wi % my ra5or. T%a (ro)e our nerve an' I was 'e*u e' o go an' see %e 9overnor a(ou %e w%ole (usiness. T%e 9overnor )new a(ou i 0 o! #ourse0 (u %a' %o*e' %e woul'n8 %ave o in er!ere. =ow %e 1ues ion was w%e %er .as ers #oul'

even s ay on in %e "ervi#e. &is wor) %a' gone o *ie#es. &is wi!e was a *u(li# s#an'al. &e was a (ro)en man. 6oul' we s i#) %e (i s oge %er again? T%e 9overnor was a !ine man. On#e a# ion %a' (een !or#e' on %im0 %e was 'e ermine' o ma)e a las e!!or o s ave o!! %e almos inevi a(le re*or o >%i e%all w%i#% woul' !inally smas% w%a remaine' o! .as ers. -n' 2rovi'en#e s e**e' in o len' a %an'. T%e very ne3 'ay a! er my in erview wi % %e 9overnor0 %ere was a 'is*a #% !rom %e 6olonial O!!i#e saying %ere was o (e a mee ing in >as%ing on o 'elinea e o!!+s%ore !is%ing rig% s0 an' %a ,ermu'a an' %e ,a%amas %a' (een invi e' o sen' re*resen a ives o! %eir 9overnmen s. T%e 9overnor sen !or .as ers0 s*o)e o %im li)e a :u #% un#le0 ol' %im %a %e was (eing sen o >as%ing on0 an' %a %e %a' (e er %ave %is 'omes i# a!!airs se le' one way or %e o %er in %e ne3 si3 mon %s0 an' *a#)e' %im o!!. .as ers le! in a wee) an' sa in >as%ing on al)ing !is% !or !ive mon %s0 an' we all %eave' a sig% o! relie! an' #u $%o'a .as ers w%enever we #oul' !in' an o**or uni y o 'o i .H T%e 9overnor s o**e' s*ea)ing an' i was silen in %e (ig (rig% ly li 'rawing+ room. &e oo) ou a %an')er#%ie! an' wi*e' i over %is !a#e. &is memories %a' e3#i e' %im an' %is eyes were (rig% in %e !lus%e' !a#e. &e go o %is !ee an' *oure' a w%is)y an' so'a !or ,on'0 an' one !or %imsel!. ,on' sai'E H>%a a mess. I su**ose some %ing li)e %a was (oun' o %a**en sooner or la er0 (u i was (a' lu#) on .as ers %a i %a' o %a**en so soon "%e mus %ave (een a %ar'+%ear e' li le (i #%. :i' s%e s%ow any signs o! (eing sorry !or w%a s%e8' 'one?H T%e 9overnor %a' !inis%e' lig% ing a !res% #igar. &e loo)e' a %e glowing i* an' (lew on i . &e sai'E HO% no. "%e was %aving a won'er!ul ime. "%e *ro(a(ly )new i woul'n8 las !or ever0 (u i was w%a s%e %a' 'reame' a(ou < w%a %e rea'ers o! women8s maga5ines 'ream a(ou 0 an' s%e was *re y y*i#al o! %a sor o! men ali y. "%e %a' every %ing < %e (es #a #% on %e islan'0 love on %e san's un'er %e *alm rees0 gay imes in %e own an' a %e .i'+O#ean0 !as 'rives in %e #ar an' %e s*ee'(oa < all %e ra**ings o! #%ea* roman#e. -n'0 o !all (a#) on0 a slave o! a %us(an' well ou o! %e way0 an' a %ouse o %ave a (a % in an' #%ange %er #lo %es an' ge some slee*. -n' s%e )new s%e #oul' ge 2%ili* .as ers (a#). &e was so a(4e# . T%ere woul' (e no 'i!!i#ul y. -n' %en s%e #oul' go roun' an' a*ologi5e o everyone an' urn on %e #%arm again an' everyone woul' !orgive %er. I woul' (e all rig% . I! i wasn8 all rig% 0 %ere were *len y o! o %er men in %e worl' (esi'es 2%ili* .as ers < an' more a ra# ive ones a %a . >%y0 loo) a all %e men a %e gol! #lu(A "%e #oul' %ave %er *i#) o! %em a %e 'ro* o! a %a . =o0 li!e was goo'0 an' i! one was (eing a (i naug% y i was a! er all only %e way *len y o! o %er *eo*le (e%ave'. 7oo) a %e way %e !ilms ars wen on in &ollywoo'.H H>ell0 s%e was soon *u o %e es . Ta ersall go a (i ire' o! %er an'0 %an)s o %e 9overnor8s wi!e0 %e Ta ersall *aren s were ma)ing %e %ell o! a !uss. T%a gave Ta ersall a goo' e3#use o ge ou o! i all wi %ou oo mu#% o! a s#ene. -n' i was summer an' %e islan' was !loo'e' wi % *re y -meri#an girls. I was ime !or some !res% (loo'. "o %e #%u#)e' $%o'a .as ers. 7i)e %a . Bus ol' %er %ey were %roug%. T%a %is *aren s %a' insis e' or %ey woul' #u o!! %is allowan#e. I was a !or nig% (e!ore 2%ili* .as ers was 'ue (a#) !rom >as%ing on0 an' I will say s%e oo) i well. "%e was oug% an' s%e %a' )nown i woul' %ave o #ome some ime or o %er. "%e 'i'n8 s1ueal. For %a ma er %ere was no one o s1ueal o. "%e 4us wen an' ol' 7a'y ,ur!or' %a s%e was sorry an' %a s%e was now going o (e a goo' wi!e o 2%ili* .as ers0 an' s%e s ar e' on %e %ouse an' #leane' i u* an' go every %ing s%i*s%a*e rea'y !or %e (ig re#on#ilia ion s#ene. T%e ne#essi y !or (ringing a(ou %is

re#on#ilia ion was ma'e #lear o %er (y %e a i u'e o! %er !ormer #ronies a %e .i'+ O#ean. "%e %a' su''enly (e#ome (a' news %ere. You )now %ow %ese %ings #an %a**en0 even in an o*en+%an'e' *la#e li)e a #oun ry #lu( in %e ro*i#s. =ow no only %e 9overnmen &ouse se (u also %e &amil on mer#%an s #li1ue !rowne' on %er. "%e was su''enly s%o''y goo's0 use' an' 'is#ar'e'. "%e rie' o (e %e same gay li le !lir 0 (u i 'i'n8 wor) any more. "%e go s%ar*ly snu((e' on#e or wi#e an' s o**e' going. =ow i was vi al o ge (a#) o a se#ure (ase an' s ar slowly wor)ing %er way u* again. "%e s aye' a %ome an' se o wi % a will0 re%earsing over an' over again %e a# s%e woul' *u on< %e ears0 %e air %os ess #osse ing0 %e leng %y0 sin#ere e3#uses an' e3*lana ions0 %e 'ou(le (e'.H H-n' %en 2%ili* .as ers #ame %ome.H T%e 9overnor *ause' an' loo)e' re!le# ively over a ,on'. &e sai'E HYou8re no marrie'0 (u I %in) i 8s %e same wi % all rela ions%i*s (e ween a man an' a woman. T%ey #an survive any %ing so long as some )in' o! (asi# %umani y e3is s (e ween %e wo *eo*le. >%en all )in'ness %as gone0 w%en one *erson o(viously an' sin#erely 'oesn8 #are i! %e o %er is alive or 'ea'0 %en i 8s 4us no goo'. T%a *ar i#ular insul o %e ego < worse0 o %e ins in# o! sel!+*reserva ion < #an never (e !orgiven. I8ve no i#e' %is in %un're's o! marriages. I8ve seen !lagran in!i'eli ies *a #%e' u*0 I8ve seen #rimes an' even mur'er !orgiven (y %e o %er *ar y0 le alone (an)ru* #y an' every o %er !orm o! so#ial #rime. In#ura(le 'isease0 (lin'ness0 'isas er < all %ese #an (e over#ome. ,u never %e 'ea % o! #ommon %umani y in one o! %e *ar ners. I8ve %oug% a(ou %is an' I8ve inven e' a ra %er %ig%+soun'ing i le !or %is (asi# !a# or in %uman rela ions. I %ave #alle' i %e 7aw o! %e Quan um o! "ola#e.H ,on' sai'E HT%a 8s a s*len'i' name !or i . I 8s #er ainly im*ressive enoug%. -n' o! #ourse I see w%a you mean. I s%oul' say you8re a(solu ely rig% . Quan um o! "ola#e < %e amoun o! #om!or . Yes0 I su**ose you #oul' say %a all love an' !rien's%i* is (ase' in %e en' on %a . &uman (eings are very inse#ure. >%en %e o %er *erson no only ma)es you !eel inse#ure (u a# ually seems o wan o 'es roy you0 i 8s o(viously %e en'. T%e Quan um o! "ola#e s an's a 5ero. You8ve go o ge away o save yoursel!. :i' .as ers see %a ?H T%e 9overnor 'i'n8 answer %e 1ues ion. &e sai'E H$%o'a .as ers s%oul' %ave (een warne' w%en %er %us(an' wal)e' %roug% %e (ungalow 'oor. I wasn8 so mu#% w%a s%e saw on %e sur!a#e < %oug% %e mous a#%e %a' gone an' .as ers8s %air was on#e again %e un i'y mo* o! %eir !irs mee ing < i was %e eyes an' %e mou % an' %e se o! %e #%in. $%o'a .as ers %a' *u on %er 1uie es !ro#). "%e %a' a)en o!! mos o! %er ma)e+u* an' %a' arrange' %ersel! in a #%air w%ere %e lig% !rom %e win'ow le! %er !a#e in %al! s%a'ow an' illumina e' %e *ages o! a (oo) on %er la*. "%e %a' 'e#i'e' %a 0 w%en %e #ame %roug% %e 'oor0 s%e woul' loo) u* !rom %er (oo)0 'o#ilely0 su(missively0 an' wai !or %im o s*ea). T%en s%e woul' ge u* an' #ome 1uie ly o %im an' s an' in !ron o! %im wi % %er %ea' (owe'. "%e woul' ell %im all an' le %e ears #ome an' %e woul' a)e %er in %is arms an' s%e woul' *romise an' *romise. "%e %a' *ra# ise' %e s#ene many imes un il s%e was sa is!ie'.H H"%e 'uly glan#e' u* !rom %er (oo). .as ers 1uie ly *u 'own %is sui #ase an' wal)e' slowly over o %e man el*ie#e an' s oo' loo)ing vaguely 'own a %er. &is eyes were #ol' an' im*ersonal an' wi %ou in eres . &e *u %is %an' in %is insi'e *o#)e an' oo) ou a *ie#e o! *a*er. &e sai' in %e ma er+o!+!a# voi#e o! a %ouse agen E 8&ere is a *lan o! %e %ouse. I %ave 'ivi'e' %e %ouse in wo. Your rooms are %e )i #%en an' your (e'room. .ine are %is room an' %e s*are (e'room. You may use %e (a %room w%en I am no in i .8 &e lean over an' 'ro**e' %e *a*er on %e o*en *ages o! %er (oo). 8You are never o en er my rooms e3#e* w%en we %ave

!rien's in.8 $%o'a .as ers o*ene' %er mou % o s*ea). &e %el' u* %is %an'. 8T%is is %e las ime I s%all s*ea) o you in *riva e. I! you s*ea) o me0 I s%all no answer. I! you wis% o #ommuni#a e0 you may leave a no e in %e (a %room. I s%all e3*e# my meals o (e *re*are' *un# ually an' *la#e' in %e 'ining+room0 w%i#% you may use w%en I %ave !inis%e'. I s%all give you wen y *oun's a mon % o #over %e %ouse)ee*ing0 an' %is amoun will (e sen o you (y my lawyers on %e !irs o! ea#% mon %. .y lawyers are *re*aring %e 'ivor#e *a*ers. I am 'ivor#ing you0 an' you will no !ig% %e a# ion (e#ause you #anno . - *riva e 'e e# ive %as *rovi'e' !ull evi'en#e agains you. T%e a# ion will a)e *la#e in one year !rom now w%en my ime in ,ermu'a is u*. In %e mean ime0 in *u(li#0 we s%all (e%ave as a normal marrie' #ou*le.8H H.as ers *u %is %an's in %is *o#)e s an' loo)e' *oli ely 'own a %er. ,y %is ime ears were *ouring 'own %er !a#e. "%e loo)e' erri!ie' < as i! someone %a' %i %er. .as ers sai' in'i!!eren lyE 8Is %ere any %ing else you8' li)e o )now? I! no 0 you %a' (e er #olle# your (elongings !rom %ere an' move in o %e )i #%en.8 &e loo)e' a %is wa #%. 8I woul' li)e 'inner every evening a eig% . I is now seven+ %ir y.8H T%e 9overnor *ause' an' si**e' %is w%is)y. &e sai'E HI8ve *u all %is oge %er !rom %e li le %a .as ers ol' me an' !rom !uller 'e ails $%o'a .as ers gave o 7a'y ,ur!or'. -**aren ly $%o'a .as ers rie' every way o s%a)e %im < argumen s0 *lea'ings0 %ys eri#s. &e was unmove'. "%e sim*ly #oul'n8 rea#% %im. I was as i! %e %a' gone away an' %a' sen someone else o %e %ouse o re*resen %im a %is e3 raor'inary in erview. -n' in %e en' s%e %a' o agree. "%e %a' no money. "%e #oul'n8 *ossi(ly a!!or' %e *assage o Englan'. To %ave a (e' an' !oo' s%e %a' o 'o w%a %e ol' %er. -n' so i was. For a year %ey live' li)e %a 0 *oli e o ea#% o %er in *u(li#0 (u u erly silen an' se*ara e w%en %ey were alone. O! #ourse0 we were all as onis%e' (y %e #%ange. =ei %er o! %em ol' anyone o! %e arrangemen . "%e woul' %ave (een as%ame' o 'o so an' %ere was no reason w%y .as ers s%oul'. &e seeme' o us a (i more wi %'rawn %an (e!ore0 (u %is wor) was !irs +#lass an' everyone %eave' a sig% o! relie! an' agree' %a (y some mira#le %e marriage %a' (een save'. ,o % o! %em gaine' grea #re'i !rom %e !a# 0 an' %ey (e#ame a *o*ular #ou*le wi % every %ing !orgiven an' !orgo en.H HT%e year *asse' an' i was ime !or .as ers o go. &e announ#e' %a $%o'a woul' s ay (e%in' o #lose %e %ouse0 an' %ey wen %roug% %e usual roun' o! !arewell *ar ies. >e were a (i sur*rise' %a s%e 'i'n8 #ome o see %im o!! in %e s%i*0 (u %e sai' s%e wasn8 !eeling well. "o %a was %a un il0 in a #ou*le o! wee)s0 news o! %e 'ivor#e #ase (egan lea)ing (a#) !rom Englan'. T%en $%o'a .as ers urne' u* a 9overnmen &ouse an' %a' a long in erview wi % 7a'y ,ur!or'0 an' gra'ually %e w%ole s ory0 in#lu'ing i s really erri(le ne3 #%a* er0 lea)e' ou .H T%e 9overnor swallowe' %e las o! %is w%is)y. T%e i#e ma'e a %ollow ra le as %e *u %e glass so! ly 'own. &e sai'E H-**aren ly on %e 'ay (e!ore .as ers le! %e !oun' a no e !rom %is wi!e in %e (a %room. I sai' %a s%e sim*ly mus see %im !or one las al) (e!ore %e le! %er !or ever. T%ere %a' (een no es li)e %is (e!ore an' .as ers %a' always orn %em u* an' le! %e (i s on %e s%el! a(ove %e (asin. T%is ime %e s#ri((le' a no e giving %er an a**oin men in %e si ing+room a si3 o8#lo#) %a evening. >%en %e ime arrive'0 $%o'a .as ers #ame mee)ly in !rom %e )i #%en. "%e %a' long sin#e given u* ma)ing emo ional s#enes or rying o %row %ersel! on %is mer#y. =ow s%e 4us 1uie ly s oo' an' sai' %a s%e %a' only en *oun's le! !rom %a mon %8s %ouse)ee*ing money an' no %ing else in %e worl'. >%en %e le! s%e woul' (e 'es i u e.H H8You %ave %e 4ewels I gave you0 an' %e !ur #a*e.8H

H8I8' (e lu#)y i! I go !i! y *oun's !or %em.8H H8You8ll %ave o ge some wor).8H H8I 8ll a)e ime o !in' some %ing. I8ve go o live somew%ere. I %ave o (e ou o! %e %ouse in a !or nig% . >on8 you give me any %ing a all? I s%all s arve.8H H.as ers loo)e' a %er 'is*assiona ely. 8You8re *re y. You8ll never s arve.8H H8You mus %el* me0 2%ili*. You mus . I won8 %el* your #areer %aving me (egging a 9overnmen &ouse.8H H=o %ing in %e %ouse (elonge' o %em e3#e* a !ew o''s an' en's. T%ey %a' a)en i !urnis%e'. T%e owner %a' #ome %e wee) (e!ore an' agree' %e inven ory. T%ere only remaine' %eir #ar0 a .orris %a .as ers %a' (oug% se#on' %an'0 an' a ra'iogramo*%one %e %a' (oug% as a las resor o ry an' )ee* %is wi!e amuse' (e!ore s%e oo) u* gol!.H H2%ili* .as ers loo)e' a %er !or %e las ime &e was never o see %er again. &e sai'E 8-ll rig% . You #an %ave %e #ar an' %e ra'iogram. =ow %a 8s all. I8ve go o *a#). 9oo'(ye.8 -n' %e wal)e' ou o! %e 'oor an' u* o %is room.H T%e 9overnor loo)e' a#ross a ,on'. H- leas one las li le ges ure. Yes?H T%e 9overnor smile' grimly. H>%en %e %a' gone an' $%o'a .as ers was le! alone0 s%e oo) %e #ar an' %er engagemen ring an' %er !ew rin)e s an' %e !o3 !ur i**e an' wen in o &amil on an' 'rove roun' %e *awn(ro)ers. In %e en' s%e #olle# e' !or y *oun's !or %e 4ewellery an' seven *oun's !or %e (i o! !ur. T%en s%e wen o %e #ar 'ealers w%ose name*la e was on %e 'as%(oar' o! %e #ar an' as)e' o see %e manager. >%en s%e as)e' %ow mu#% %e woul' give %er !or %e .orris %e %oug% s%e was *ulling %is leg. 8,u 0 ma'am0 .r .as ers (oug% %e #ar (y %ire *ur#%ase an' %e8s very (a'ly (e%in' on %is *aymen s. "urely %e ol' you %a we %a' o sen' %im a soli#i or8s le er a(ou i only a wee) ago. >e %ear' %e was leaving. &e wro e (a#) %a you woul' (e #oming in o ma)e %e ne#essary arrangemen s. 7e me see8 < %e rea#%e' !or a !ile an' lea!e' %roug% i . 8Yes0 %ere8s e3a# ly wo %un're' *oun's owing on %e #ar.8H H>ell0 o! #ourse0 $%o'a .as ers (urs in o ears an' in %e en' %e manager agree' o a)e (a#) %e #ar0 al %oug% i wasn8 wor % wo %un're' *oun's (y %en0 (u %e insis e' %a s%e s%oul' leave i wi % %im %en an' %ere0 *e rol in %e an) an' all. $%o'a .as ers #oul' only a##e* an' (e gra e!ul no o (e sue'0 an' s%e wal)e' ou o! %e garage an' along %e %o s ree an' alrea'y s%e )new w%a s%e was going o !in' w%en s%e go o %e ra'io s%o*. -n' s%e was rig% . I was %e same s ory0 only %is ime s%e %a' o *ay en *oun's o *ersua'e %e man o a)e (a#) %e ra'iogram. "%e go a li! (a#) o wi %in wal)ing 'is an#e o! %e (ungalow an' wen an' %rew %ersel! 'own on %e (e' an' #rie' !or %e res o! %e 'ay. "%e %a' alrea'y (een a (ea en woman. =ow 2%ili* .as ers %a' )i#)e' %er w%en s%e was 'own.H T%e 9overnor *ause'. H2re y e3 raor'inary0 really. - man li)e .as ers0 )in'ly0 sensi ive0 w%o woul'n8 normally %ur a !ly. -n' %ere %e was *er!orming one o! %e #ruelles a# ions I #an re#all in all my e3*erien#e. I was my law o*era ing.H T%e 9overnor smile' %inly. H>%a ever %er sins0 i! s%e %a' given %im %a Quan um o! "ola#e %e #oul' never %ave (e%ave' o %er as %e 'i'. -s i was0 s%e %a' awa)ene' in %im a (es ial #ruel y < a #ruel y %a *er%a*s lies 'ee*ly %i''en in all o! us an' %a only a %rea o our e3is en#e #an (ring o %e sur!a#e. .as ers wan e' o ma)e %e girl su!!er0 no as mu#% as %e %a' su!!ere' (e#ause %a was im*ossi(le0 (u as mu#% as %e #oul' *ossi(ly #on rive. -n' %a !alse ges ure wi % %e mo or #ar an' %e ra'iogramo*%one was a !ien'is%ly (rillian (i o! 'elaye' a# ion o remin' %er0 even w%en %e was gone0 %ow mu#% %e %a e' %er0 %ow mu#% %e wan e' s ill o %ur %er.H ,on' sai'E HI mus %ave (een a s%a ering e3*erien#e. I 8s e3 raor'inary %ow

mu#% *eo*le #an %ur ea#% o %er. I8m (eginning o !eel ra %er sorry !or %e girl. >%a %a**ene' o %er in %e en' < an' o %im0 !or %e ma er o! %a ?H T%e 9overnor go o %is !ee an' loo)e' a %is wa #%. H9oo' %eavens0 i 8s nearly mi'nig% . -n' I8ve (een )ee*ing %e s a!! u* all %is ime0H %e smile'0 Has well as you.H &e wal)e' a#ross o %e !ire*la#e an' rang a (ell - =egro (u ler a**eare'. T%e 9overnor a*ologi5e' !or )ee*ing %im u* an' ol' %im o lo#) u* an' urn %e lig% ou . ,on' was on %is !ee . T%e 9overnor urne' o %im. H6ome along an' I8ll ell you %e res . I8ll wal) %roug% %e gar'en wi % you an' see %a %e sen ry le s you ou .H T%ey wal)e' slowly %roug% %e long rooms an' 'own %e (roa' s e*s o %e gar'en. I was a (eau i!ul nig% un'er a !ull moon %a ra#e' over %eir %ea's %roug% %e %in %ig% #lou's. T%e 9overnor sai'E H.as ers wen on in %e "ervi#e (u some%ow %e never live' u* o %is goo' s ar -! er %e ,ermu'a (usiness some %ing seeme' o go ou o! %am. 2ar o! %im %a' (een )ille' (y %e e3*erien#e. &e was a maime' man. .os ly %er !aul 0 o! #ourse0 (u I guess %a w%a %e 'i' o %er live' on wi % %im an' *er%a*s %aun e' %im. &e was goo' a %is wor)0 (u %e %a' some%ow los %e %uman ou#% an' %e gra'ually 'rie' u*. O! #ourse %e never marrie' again an' in %e en' %e go s%un e' o!! in o %e groun' nu s s#%eme0 an' w%en %a was a !ailure %e re ire' an' wen o live in =igeria < (a#) o %e only *eo*le in %e worl' w%o %a' s%own %im any )in'ness < (a#) o w%ere i %a' all s ar e' !rom. ,i ragi#0 really0 w%en I remem(er w%a %e was li)e w%en we were young.H H-n' %e girl?H HO%0 s%e wen %roug% a *re y (a' ime. >e %an'e' roun' %e %a !or %er an' s%e *o ere' in an' ou o! various 4o(s %a were more or less #%ari y. "%e rie' o go (a#) o (eing an air %os ess0 (u %e way s%e %a' (ro)en %er #on ra# wi % Im*erial -irways *u %er ou o! %e running !or %a . T%ere weren8 so many airlines in %ose 'ays an' %ere was no s%or age o! a**li#an s !or %e !ew %os ess 4o(s %a were going. T%e ,ur!or's go rans!erre' o Bamai#a la er in %a same year an' %a remove' %er main *ro*. -s I sai'. 7a'y ,ur!or' %a' always %a' a so! s*o !or %er. $%o'a .as ers was *re y nearly 'es i u e. "%e s ill %a' %er loo)s an' various men %a' )e* %er !or a w%ileN (u you #an8 ma)e %e roun's !or very long in a small *la#e li)e ,ermu'a0 an' s%e was very near o (e#oming a %arlo an' ge ing in o rou(le wi % %e *oli#e w%en 2rovi'en#e again s e**e' in an' 'e#i'e' s%e %a' (een *unis%e' enoug%. - le er #ame !rom 7a'y ,ur!or' en#losing %er !are o Bamai#a an' saying s%e %a' go %er a 4o( as re#e* ionis a %e ,lue &ills &o el0 one o! %e (es o! %e Kings on %o els. "o s%e le! 0 an' I e3*e# < I8' (een rans!erre' o $%o'esia (y %en < %a ,ermu'a was %ear ily relieve' o see %e las o! %er.H T%e 9overnor an' ,on' %a' #ome o %e wi'e en ran#e ga es o %e groun's o! 9overnmen &ouse. ,eyon' %em s%one0 w%i e an' (la#) an' *in) un'er %e moon0 %e %u''le o! narrow s ree s an' *re y #la*(oar' %ouses wi % ginger(rea' ga(les an' (al#onies %a is =assau. >i % a erri!i# #la er %e sen ry #ame o a en ion an' *resen e' arms. T%e 9overnor raise' a %an'E H-ll rig% . " an' a ease.H -gain %e #lo#)wor) sen ry ra le' (rie!ly in o li!e an' %ere was silen#e. T%e 9overnor sai'E H-n' %a 8s %e en' o! %e s ory e3#e* !or one !inal 1uir) o! !a e. One 'ay a 6ana'ian millionaire urne' u* a %e ,lue &ills &o el an' s aye' !or %e win er. - %e en' o! %e ime %e oo) $%o'a .as ers (a#) o 6ana'a an' marrie' %er. "%e8s live' in #lover ever sin#e.H H9oo' %eavens. T%a was a s ro)e o! lu#). &ar'ly 'eserve' i .H HI su**ose no . One #an8 ell. 7i!e8s a 'evious (usiness. 2er%a*s0 !or all %e %arm s%e8' 'one o .as ers0 Fa e 'e#i'e' %a s%e %a' *ai' (a#) enoug%. 2er%a*s

.as ers8s !a %er an' mo %er were %e rue guil y *eo*le. T%ey urne' .as ers in o an a##i'en +*rone man. Inevi a(ly %e was involve' in %e emo ional #ras% %a was 'ue o %im an' %a %ey %a' #on'i ione' %im !or. Fa e %a' #%osen $%o'a !or i s ins rumen . =ow Fa e reim(urse' %er !or %er servi#es. :i!!i#ul o 4u'ge %ese %ings. -nyway0 s%e ma'e %er 6ana'ian very %a**y. I %oug% %ey (o % seeme' %a**y onig% .H ,on' laug%e'. "u''enly %e violen 'rama i#s o! %is own li!e seeme' very %ollow. T%e a!!air o! %e 6as ro re(els an' %e (urne' ou ya#% s was %e s u!! o! an a'ven ure+s ri* in a #%ea* news*a*er. &e %a' sa ne3 o a 'ull woman a a 'ull 'inner *ar y an' a #%an#e remar) %a' o*ene' !or %im %e (oo) o! real violen#e < o! %e 6omC'ie &umaine w%ere %uman *assions are raw an' real0 w%ere Fa e *lays a more au %en i# game %an any "e#re "ervi#e #ons*ira#y 'evise' (y 9overnmen s. ,on' !a#e' %e 9overnor an' %el' ou %is %an'. &e sai'E HT%an) you !or %e s ory. -n' I owe you an a*ology. I !oun' .rs &arvey .iller a (ore. T%an)s o you I s%all never !orge %er. I mus *ay more a en ion o *eo*le. You8ve aug% me a lesson.H T%ey s%oo) %an's. T%e 9overnor smile'. HI8m gla' %e s ory in eres e' you. I was a!rai' you mig% (e (ore'. You lea' a very e3#i ing li!e. To ell you %e ru %0 I was a my wi 8s en' o )now w%a we #oul' al) a(ou a! er 'inner. 7i!e in %e 6olonial "ervi#e is very %um'rum.H T%ey sai' goo'nig% . ,on' wal)e' o!! 'own %e 1uie s ree owar's %e %ar(our an' %e ,ri is% 6olonial &o el. &e re!le# e' on %e #on!eren#e %e woul' (e %aving in %e morning wi % %e 6oas guar's an' %e F,I in .iami. T%e *ros*e# 0 w%i#% %a' *reviously in eres e'0 even e3#i e' %im0 was now e'ge' wi % (ore'om an' !u ili y.

R!S!CO
HIn %is *i5niss is mu#% risi#o.H T%e wor's #ame so! ly %roug% %e %i#) (rown mous a#%e. T%e %ar' (la#) eyes move' slowly over ,on'8s !a#e an' 'own o ,on'8s %an's w%i#% were #are!ully s%re''ing a *a*er ma #% on w%i#% was *rin e' l"ergo Colom"o# d'(ro. Bames ,on' !el %e ins*e# ion. T%e same surre* i ious e3amina ion %a' (een going on sin#e %e %a' me %e man wo %ours (e!ore a %e ren'e5vous in %e E3#elsior (ar. ,on' %a' (een ol' o loo) !or a man wi % a %eavy mous a#%e w%o woul' (e si ing (y %imsel! 'rin)ing an -le3an'ra. ,on' %a' (een amuse' (y %is se#re re#ogni ion signal. T%e #reamy0 !eminine 'rin) was so mu#% #leverer %an %e !ol'e' news*a*er0 %e !lower in %e (u on%ole0 %e yellow gloves %a were %e %oary0 sli*s%o' #all+signs (e ween agen s. I %a' also %e grea meri o! (eing a(le o o*era e alone0 wi %ou i s owner. -n' Kris a os %a' s ar e' o!! wi % a li le es . >%en ,on' %a' #ome in o %e (ar an' loo)e' roun' %ere %a' (een *er%a*s wen y *eo*le in %e room. =one o! %em %a' a mous a#%e. ,u on a #orner a(le a %e !ar si'e o! %e all0 'is#ree room0 !lan)e' (y a sau#er o! olives an' ano %er o! #as%ew nu s0 s oo' %e all+ s emme' glass o! #ream an' vo')a. ,on' wen s raig% over o %e a(le0 *ulle' ou a #%air an' sa 'own. T%e wai er #ame. H9oo' evening0 sir. "ignor Kris a os is a %e ele*%one.H ,on' no''e'. H- =egroni. >i % 9or'on8s0 *lease.H T%e wai er wal)e' (a#) o %e (ar. H=egroni. @no. 9or'on8s.H HI am so sorry.H T%e (ig %airy %an' *i#)e' u* %e small #%air as i! i %a' (een as

lig% as a ma #%(o3 an' swe* i un'er %e %eavy %i*s. HI %a' o %ave a wor' wi % -l!re'o.H T%ere %a' (een no %an's%a)e. T%ese were ol' a#1uain an#es. In %e same line o! (usiness0 *ro(a(ly. "ome %ing li)e im*or an' e3*or . T%e younger one loo)e' -meri#an. =o. =o wi % %ose #lo %es. Englis%. ,on' re urne' %e !as serve. H&ow8s %is li le (oy?H T%e (la#) eyes o! "ignor Kris a os narrowe'. Yes0 %ey %a' sai' %is man was a *ro!essional. &e s*rea' %is %an's. H.u#% %e same. >%a #an you e3*e# ?H H2olio is a erri(le %ing.H T%e =egroni #ame. T%e wo men sa (a#) #om!or a(ly0 ea#% one sa is!ie' %a %e %a' o 'o wi % a man in %e same league. T%is was rare in 8T%e 9ame8. "o many imes0 (e!ore one %a' even s ar e' on a an'em assignmen li)e %is0 one %a' los #on!i'en#e in %e ou #ome. T%ere was so o! en0 a leas in ,on'8s imagina ion0 a !ain smell o! (urning in %e air a su#% a ren'e5vous. &e )new i !or %e sign %a %e !ringe o! %is #over %a' alrea'y s ar e' o smoul'er. In 'ue #ourse %e smoul'ering !a(ri# woul' (urs in o !lames an' %e woul' (e "r)l*. T%en %e game woul' (e u* an' %e woul' %ave o 'e#i'e w%e %er o *ull ou or wai an' ge s%o a (y someone. ,u a %is mee ing %ere %a' (een no !um(ling. 7a er %a evening0 a %e li le res auran o!! %e 2ia55a 'i "*agna #alle' %e 6olom(a '8Oro0 ,on' was amuse' o !in' %a %e was s ill on *ro(a ion. Kris a os was s ill wa #%ing an' weig%ing %im0 won'ering i! %e #oul' (e rus e'. T%is remar) a(ou %e ris)y (usiness was as near as Kris a os %a' so !ar go o a'mi ing %a %ere e3is e' any (usiness (e ween %e wo o! %em. ,on' was en#ourage'. &e %a' no really (elieve' in Kris a os. ,u surely all %ese *re#au ions #oul' only mean %a .8s in ui ion %a' *ai' o!! < %a Kris a os )new some %ing (ig. ,on' 'ro**e' %e las s%re' o! ma #% in o %e as% ray. &e sai' mil'lyE HI was on#e aug% %a any (usiness %a *ays more %an en *er #en or is #on'u# e' a! er nine o8#lo#) a nig% is a 'angerous (usiness. T%e (usiness w%i#% (rings us oge %er *ays u* o one %ousan' *er #en an' is #on'u# e' almos e3#lusively a nig% . On (o % #oun s i is o(viously a ris)y (usiness.H ,on' lowere' %is voi#e. HFun's are availa(le. :ollars0 "wiss !ran#s0 Vene5uelan (olivars < any %ing #onvenien .H HT%a ma)es me gla'. I %ave alrea'y oo mu#% lire.H "ignor Kris a os *i#)e' u* %e !olio menu. H,u le us !ee' on some %ing. One s%oul' no 'e#i'e im*or an *i5niss on a %ollow s oma#%.H - wee) earlier . %a' sen !or ,on'. . was in a (a' em*er. H9o any %ing on0 00K?H HOnly *a*er wor)0 sir.H H>%a 'o you mean0 only *a*er wor)?H . 4er)e' %is *i*e owar's %is loa'e' in+ ray. H>%o %asn8 go *a*er wor)?H HI mean no %ing a# ive0 sir.H H>ell0 say so.H . *i#)e' u* a (un'le o! 'ar) re' !iles ie' oge %er wi % a*e an' sli' %em so s%ar*ly a#ross %e 'es) %a ,on' %a' o #a #% %em. H-n' %ere8s some more *a*er wor). "#o lan' Yar' s u!! mos ly < %eir nar#o i#s *eo*le. >a's !rom %e &ome O!!i#e an' %e .inis ry o! &eal %0 an' some ni#e %i#) re*or s !rom %e In erna ional O*ium 6on rol *eo*le in 9eneva. Ta)e i away an' rea' i . You8ll nee' o'ay an' mos o! onig% . Tomorrow you !ly o $ome an' ge a! er %e (ig men. Is %a #lear?H ,on' sai' %a i was. T%e s a e o! .8s em*er was also e3*laine'. T%ere was no %ing %a ma'e %im more angry %an %aving o 'iver %is s a!! !rom %eir *rimary

'u y. T%is 'u y was es*ionage0 an' w%en ne#essary sa(o age an' su(version. -ny %ing else was a misuse o! %e "ervi#e an' o! "e#re Fun's w%i#%0 9o' )nows0 were meagre enoug%. H-ny 1ues ions?H .8s 4aw s u#) ou li)e %e *row o! a s%i*. T%e 4aw seeme' o ell ,on' o *i#) u* %e !iles an' ge %e %ell ou o! %e o!!i#e an' le . move on o some %ing im*or an . ,on' )new %a a *ar o! all %is < i! only a small *ar < was an a# . . %a' #er ain (ees in %is (onne . T%ey were !amous in %e "ervi#e0 an' . )new %ey were. ,u %a 'i' no mean %a %e woul' allow %em o s o* (u55ing. T%ere were 1ueen (ees0 li)e %e misuse o! %e "ervi#e0 an' %e sear#% !or rue as 'is in# !rom wis%!ul in elligen#e0 an' %ere were wor)er (ees. T%ese in#lu'e' su#% i'iosyn#rasies as no em*loying men wi % (ear's0 or %ose w%o were #om*le ely (ilingual0 ins an ly 'ismissing men w%o rie' o (ring *ressure o (ear on %im %roug% !amily rela ions%i*s wi % mem(ers o! %e 6a(ine 0 mis rus ing men or women w%o were oo 8'ressy80 an' %ose w%o #alle' %im 8sir8 o!!+'u yN an' %aving an e3aggera e' !ai % in "#o smen. ,u . was ironi#ally #ons#ious o! %is o(sessions0 as0 %oug% ,on'0 a 6%ur#%ill or a .on gomery were a(ou %eirs. &e never min'e' %is (lu!!0 as i *ar ly was0 (eing #alle' on any o! %em. .oreover0 %e woul' never %ave 'reame' o! sen'ing ,on' ou on an assignmen wi %ou *ro*er (rie!ing. ,on' )new all %is. &e sai' mil'lyE HTwo %ings0 sir. >%y are we a)ing %is %ing on0 an' w%a lea'0 i! any0 %ave " a ion I go owar's %e *eo*le involve' in i ?H . gave ,on' a %ar'0 sour loo). &e swivelle' %is #%air si'eways so %a %e #oul' wa #% %e %ig%0 s#u''ing O# o(er #lou's %roug% %e (roa' win'ow. &e rea#%e' ou !or %is *i*e0 (lew %roug% i s%ar*ly0 an' %en0 as i! %is a# ion %a' le o!! %e small %ea' o! s eam0 re*la#e' i gen ly on %e 'es). >%en %e s*o)e0 %is voi#e was *a ien 0 reasona(le. H-s you #an imagine0 00K0 I 'o no wis% %e "ervi#e o (e#ome involve' in %is 'rug (usiness. Earlier %is year I %a' o a)e you o!! o %er 'u ies !or a !or nig% so %a you #oul' go o .e3i#o an' #%ase o!! %a .e3i#an grower. You nearly go yoursel! )ille'. I sen you as a !avour o %e "*e#ial ,ran#%. >%en %ey as)e' !or you again o a#)le %is I alian gang I re!use'. $onnie Vallan#e wen (e%in' my (a#) o %e &ome O!!i#e an' %e .inis ry o! &eal %. T%e .inis ers *resse' me. I sai' %a you were nee'e' %ere an' %a I %a' no one else o s*are. T%en %e wo .inis ers wen o %e 2..H . *ause'. H-n' %a was %a . I mus say %e 2. was very *ersuasive. Too) %e line %a %eroin0 in %e 1uan i ies %a %ave (een #oming in0 is an ins rumen o! *sy#%ologi#al war!are < %a i sa*s a #oun ry8s s reng %. &e sai' %e woul'n8 (e sur*rise' o !in' %a %is wasn8 4us a gang o! I alians8 ou o ma)e (ig money < %a su(version an' no money was a %e (a#) o! i .H . smile' sourly. HI e3*e# $onnie Vallan#e %oug% u* %a line o! argumen . -**aren ly %is nar#o i#s *eo*le %ave (een %aving %e 'evil o! a ime wi % %e ra!!i# < rying o s o* i ge ing a %ol' on %e eenagers as i %as in -meri#a. "eems %e 'an#e %alls an' %e amusemen ar#a'es are !ull o! *e'lars. Vallan#e8s 9%os "1ua' %ave manage' o *ene ra e (a#) u* %e line o one o! %e mi''le+men0 an' %ere8s no 'ou( i 8s all #oming !rom I aly0 %i''en in I alian ouris s8 #ars. Vallan#e %as 'one w%a %e #an %roug% %e I alian *oli#e an' In er*ol0 an' go now%ere. T%ey ge so !ar (a#) u* %e *i*eline0 arres a !ew li le *eo*le0 an' %en0 w%en %ey seem o (e ge ing near %e #en re0 %ere8s a (lan) wall. T%e inner ring o! 'is ri(u ors are oo !rig% ene' or oo well *ai'.H ,on' in erru* e'. H2er%a*s %ere8s *ro e# ion somew%ere0 sir. T%a .on esi (usiness 'i'n8 loo) so goo'.H . s%rugge' im*a ien ly. H.ay(e0 may(e. -n' you8ll %ave o wa #% ou !or %a oo0 (u my im*ression is %a %e .on esi #ase resul e' in a *re y e3 ensive #lean+u*.

-nyway0 w%en %e 2. gave me %e or'er o ge on wi % i 0 i o##urre' o me o %ave a al) wi % >as%ing on. 6I- were very %el*!ul. You )now %e =ar#o i#s ,ureau %ave a eam in I aly. &ave %a' ever sin#e %e >ar. T%ey8re no %ing o 'o wi % 6I- < run (y %e -meri#an Treasury :e*ar men 0 o! all *eo*le. T%e -meri#an Treasury #on rol a so+#alle' "e#re "ervi#e %a loo)s a! er 'rug smuggling an' #oun er!ei ing. 2re y #ra5y arrangemen . O! en won'er w%a %e F,I mus %in) o! i . &owever0H . slowly swivelle' %is #%air away !rom %e win'ow. &e lin)e' %is %an's (e%in' %is %ea' an' leane' (a#)0 loo)ing a#ross %e 'es) a ,on'. HT%e *oin is %a %e 6I- $ome " a ion wor)s *re y #losely wi % %is li le nar#o i#s eam. &as o0 o *reven #rosse' lines an' so on. -n' 6I- < -lan :ulles %imsel!0 as a ma er o! !a# < gave me %e name o! %e o* nar#o i#s agen use' (y %e ,ureau. -**aren ly %e8s a 'ou(le. :oes a li le smuggling as #over. 6%a* #alle' Kris a os. :ulles sai' %a o! #ourse %e #oul'n8 involve %is *eo*le in any way an' %e was *re y #er ain %e Treasury :e*ar men woul'n8 wel#ome %eir $ome ,ureau *laying oo #losely wi % us. ,u %e sai' %a 0 i! I wis%e'0 %e woul' ge wor' o %is Kris a os %a one o! our0 er0 (es men woul' li)e o ma)e #on a# wi % a view o 'oing (usiness. I sai' I woul' mu#% a**re#ia e %a 0 an' yes er'ay I go wor' %a %e ren'e5vous is !i3e' !or %e 'ay a! er omorrow.H . ges ure' owar's %e !iles in !ron o! ,on'. HYou8ll !in' all %e 'e ails in %ere.H T%ere was a (rie! silen#e in %e room. ,on' was %in)ing %a %e w%ole a!!air soun'e' un*leasan *ro(a(ly 'angerous an' #er ainly 'ir y. >i % %e las 1uali y in min'0 ,on' go o %is !ee an' *i#)e' u* %e !iles. H-ll rig% 0 sir. I loo)s li)e money. &ow mu#% will we *ay !or %e ra!!i# o s o*?H . le %is #%air i* !orwar'. &e *u %is %an's !la 'own on %e 'es)0 si'e (y si'e. &e sai' roug%lyE H- %un're' %ousan' *oun's. In any #urren#y. T%a 8s %e 2.8s !igure. ,u I 'on8 wan you o ge %ur . 6er ainly no *i#)ing o %er *eo*le8s #oals ou o! %e !ire. "o you #an go u* o ano %er %un're' %ousan' i! %ere8s (a' rou(le. :rugs are %e (igges an' ig% es ring in #rime.H . rea#%e' !or %is in+(as)e an' oo) ou a !ile o! signals. >i %ou loo)ing u* %e sai'E H7oo) a! er yoursel!.H "ignor Kris a os *i#)e' u* %e menu. &e sai'E HI 'o no (ea a(ou (us%es0 .r ,on'. &ow mu#%?H HFi! y %ousan' *oun's !or one %un're' *er #en resul s.H Kris a os sai' in'i!!eren lyE HYes. T%ose are im*or an !un's. I s%all %ave melon wi % *ros#iu o %am an' a #%o#ola e i#e+#ream. I 'o no ea grea ly a nig% . T%ese *eo*le %ave %eir own 6%ian i. I #ommen' i .H T%e wai er #ame an' %ere was a (ris) ra le o! I alian. ,on' or'ere' Taglia elli Ver'i wi % a 9enoese sau#e w%i#% Kris a os sai' was im*ro(a(ly #on#o# e' o! (asil0 garli# an' !ir #ones. >%en %e wai er %a' gone0 Kris a os sa an' #%ewe' silen ly on a woo'en oo %*i#). &is !a#e gra'ually (e#ame 'ar) an' glum as i! (a' wea %er %a' #ome o %is min'. T%e (la#)0 %ar' eyes %a glan#e' res lessly a every %ing in %e res auran e3#e* ,on'0 gli ere'. ,on' guesse' %a Kris a os was won'ering w%e %er or no o (e ray some(o'y. ,on' sai' en#ouraginglyE HIn #er ain #ir#ums an#es0 %ere mig% (e more.H Kris a os seeme' o ma)e u* %is min'. &e sai'E H"o?H &e *us%e' (a#) %is #%air an' go u*. HForgive me. I mus visi %e oile a.H &e urne' an' wal)e' swi! ly owar's %e (a#) o! %e res auran . ,on' was su''enly %ungrier an' %irs y. &e *oure' ou a large glass o! 6%ian i an' swallowe' %al! o! i . &e (ro)e a roll an' (egan ea ing0 smo %ering ea#% mou %!ul

wi % 'ee* yellow (u er. &e won'ere' w%y rolls an' (u er are 'eli#ious only in Fran#e an' I aly. T%ere was no %ing else on %is min'. I was 4us a 1ues ion o! wai ing. &e %a' #on!i'en#e in Kris a os. &e was a (ig0 soli' man w%o was rus e' (y %e -meri#ans. &e was *ro(a(ly ma)ing some ele*%one #all %a woul' (e 'e#isive. ,on' !el in goo' s*iri s. &e wa #%e' %e *assers+(y %roug% %e *la e+glass win'ow. - man selling one o! %e 2ar y *a*ers wen (y on a (i#y#le. Flying !rom %e (as)e in !ron o! %e %an'le(ars was a *ennan . In re' on w%i e i sai'E 2$O9$E""O? < "IA < -VVE=T@$I? < =OA ,on' smile'. T%a was %ow i was. 7e i so remain !or %e res o! %e assignmen . On %e !ar si'e o! %e s1uare0 ra %er *lain room0 a %e #orner a(le (y %e caisse0 %e *lum* !air+%aire' girl wi % %e 'rama i# mou % sai' o %e 4ovial goo'+living man wi % %e %i#) ro*e o! s*ag%e i 4oining %is !a#e o %e *la eE H&e %as a ra %er #ruel smile. ,u %e is very %an'some. "*ies aren8 usually so goo'+loo)ing. -re you sure you are rig% 0 mein TRu(#%en?H T%e man8s ee % #u %roug% %e ro*e. &e wi*e' %is mou % on a na*)in alrea'y s rea)e' wi % oma o sau#e0 (el#%e' sonorously an' sai'E H"an os is never wrong a(ou %ese %ings. &e %as a nose !or s*ies. T%a is w%y I #%ose %im as %e *ermanen ail !or %a (as ar' Kris a os. -n' w%o else (u a s*y woul' %in) o! s*en'ing an evening wi % %e *ig? ,u we will ma)e sure.H T%e man oo) ou o! %is *o#)e one o! %ose #%ea* in sna**ers %a are some imes given ou 0 wi % *a*er %a s an' w%is les0 on #arnival nig% s. I gave one s%ar* #li#). T%e maS re '8%D el on %e !ar si'e o! %e room s o**e' w%a ever %e was 'oing an' %urrie' over. H"i0 *a'rone.H T%e man (e#)one'. T%e maS re '8%D el wen over an' re#eive' %e w%is*ere' ins ru# ions. &e no''e' (rie!ly0 wal)e' over o a 'oor near %e )i #%ens mar)e' @FFI6IO0 an' wen in an' #lose' %e 'oor (e%in' %im. 2%ase (y *%ase0 in a series o! minu e moves0 an e3er#ise %a %a' long (een *er!e# e' was %en smoo %ly *u in o e!!e# . T%e man near %e caisse mun#%e' %is s*ag%e i an' #ri i#ally o(serve' ea#% s e* in %e o*era ion as i! i %a' (een a !as game o! #%ess. T%e maS re '8%D el #ame ou o! %e 'oor mar)e' @FFI6IO0 %urrie' a#ross %e res auran an' sai' lou'ly o %is =o. /E H-n e3 ra a(le !or !our. Imme'ia ely.H T%e =o. / gave %im a 'ire# loo) an' no''e'. &e !ollowe' %e maS re '8%D el over o a s*a#e a'4oining ,on'8s a(le0 #li#)e' %is !ingers !or %el*0 (orrowe' a #%air !rom one a(le0 a #%air !rom ano %er a(le an'0 wi % a (ow an' an a*ology0 %e s*are #%air !rom ,on'8s a(le. T%e !our % #%air was (eing #arrie' over !rom %e 'ire# ion o! %e 'oor mar)e' @FFI6IO (y %e maS re '8%D el. &e *la#e' i s1uare wi % %e o %ers0 a a(le was lowere' in o %e mi''le an' glass an' #u lery were 'e! ly lai'. T%e maS re '8%D el !rowne'. H,u you %ave lai' a a(le !or !our. I sai' %ree < !or %ree *eo*le.H &e #asually oo) %e #%air %e %a' %imsel! (roug% o %e a(le an' swi #%e' i o ,on'8s a(le. &e gave a wave o! %e %an' o 'ismiss %is %el*ers an' everyone 'is*erse' a(ou %eir (usiness. T%e inno#en li le !lurry o! res auran movemen %a' a)en a(ou a minu e. -n inno#uous rio o! I alians #ame in o %e res auran . T%e maS re '8%D el gree e' %em *ersonally an' (owe' %em o %e new a(le0 an' %e gam(i was #om*le e'. ,on' %a' %ar'ly (een #ons#ious o! i . Kris a os re urne' !rom w%a ever (usiness %e %a' (een a(ou 0 %eir !oo' #ame an' %ey go on wi % %e meal. >%ile %ey a e %ey al)e' a(ou no %ing < %e ele# ion #%an#es in I aly0 %e la es -l!a $omeo0 I alian s%oes #om*are' wi % Englis%. Kris a os al)e' well. &e

seeme' o )now %e insi'e s ory o! every %ing. &e gave in!orma ion so #asually %a i 'i' no soun' li)e (lu!!. &e s*o)e %is own )in' o! Englis% wi % an o##asional *%rase (orrowe' !rom o %er languages. I ma'e a lively mi3 ure. ,on' was in eres e' an' amuse'. Kris a os was a oug% insi'er < a use!ul man. ,on' was no sur*rise' %a %e -meri#an In elligen#e *eo*le !oun' %im goo' value. 6o!!ee #ame0 Kris a os li a %in (la#) #igar an' al)e' %roug% i 0 %e #igar 4um*ing u* an' 'own (e ween %e %in s raig% li*s. &e *u (o % %an's !la on %e a(le in !ron o! %im. &e loo)e' a %e a(le#lo % (e ween %em an' sai' so! lyE HT%is *i5niss. I will *lay wi % you. To now I %ave only *laye' wi % %e -meri#ans. I %ave no ol' %em w%a I am a(ou o ell you. T%ere was no re1uiremen . T%is ma#%ina 'oes no o*era e wi % -meri#a. T%ese %ings are #losely regula e'. T%is ma#%ina o*era es only wi % Englan'. Yes? 6a*i o?H HI un'ers an'. Everyone %as %is own erri ory. I 8s %e usual way in %ese %ings.H HE3a# . =ow0 (e!ore I give you %e in!orma ions0 li)e goo' #ommer#ials we ma)e %e erms. Yes?H HO! #ourse.H "ignor Kris a os e3amine' %e a(le#lo % more #losely. HI wis% !or en %ousan' 'ollars -meri#an0 in *a*er o! small si5es0 (y omorrow lun#% ime. >%en you %ave 'es roye' %e ma#%ina I wis% !or a !ur %er wen y %ousan'.H "ignor Kris a os (rie!ly raise' %is eyes an' surveye' ,on'8s !a#e. HI am no gree'y. I 'o no a)e all your !un's0 isn8 i ?H HT%e *ri#e is sa is!a# ory.H H,ueno. "e#on' erm. T%ere is no elling w%ere you ge %ese in!orma ions !rom. Even i! you are (ea en.H HFair enoug%.H HT%ir' erm. T%e %ea' o! %is ma#%ina is a (a' man.H "ignor Kris a os *ause' an' loo)e' u*. T%e (la#) eyes %el' a re' glin . T%e #len#%e' 'ry li*s *ulle' away !rom %e #igar o le %e wor's ou . H&e is o (e 'es ru o < )ille'.H ,on' sa (a#). &e ga5e' 1ui55i#ally a %e o %er man w%o now leane' slig% ly !orwar' over %e a(le0 wai ing. "o %e w%eels %a' now s%own wi %in %e w%eelsA T%is was a *riva e ven'e a o! some sor . Kris a os wan e' o ge %imsel! a gunman. -n' %e was no *aying %e gunman0 %e gunman was *aying %im !or %e *rivilege o! 'is*osing o! an enemy. =o (a'A T%e !i3er was #er ainly wor)ing on a (ig !i3 %is ime < using %e "e#re "ervi#e o *ay o!! %is *riva e s#ores. ,on' sai' so! lyE H>%y?H "ignor Kris a os sai' in'i!!eren lyE H=o 1ues ions #a #% no lies.H ,on' 'ran) 'own %is #o!!ee. I was %e usual s ory o! (ig syn'i#a e #rime. You never saw more %an %e i* o! %e i#e(erg. ,u w%a 'i' %a ma er o %im? &e %a' (een sen o 'o one s*e#i!i# 4o(. I! %is su##ess (ene!i e' o %ers0 no(o'y0 leas o! all .0 #oul' #are less. ,on' %a' (een ol' o 'es roy %e ma#%ine. I! %is unname' man was %e ma#%ine0 i woul' (e merely #arrying ou or'ers o 'es roy %e man. ,on' sai'E HI #anno *romise %a . You mus see %a . -ll I #an say is %a i! %e man ries o 'es roy me0 I will 'es roy %im.H "ignor Kris a os oo) a oo %*i#) ou o! %e %ol'er0 s ri**e' o!! %e *a*er an' se a(ou #leaning %is !ingernails. >%en %e %a' !inis%e' one %an' %e loo)e' u*. &e sai'E HI 'o no o! en gam(le on in#er i u'es. T%is ime I will 'o so (e#ause i is you w%o are *aying me0 an' no me you. Is all rig% ? "o now I will give you %e in!orma ions. T%en you are alone < solo. Tomorrow nig% I !ly o Kara#%i. I %ave im*or an *i5niss %ere. I #an only give you %e in!orma ions. -! er %a you run wi % %e (all an' <H %e %rew %e 'ir y oo %*i#) 'own on %e a(le < H6%e sera0 sera.H

H-ll rig% .H "ignor Kris a os e'ge' %is #%air nearer o ,on'. &e s*o)e so! ly an' 1ui#)ly. &e gave s*e#imen 'a es an' names o 'o#umen %is narra ive. &e never %esi a e' !or a !a# an' %e 'i' no was e ime on irrelevan 'e ail. I was a s%or s ory an' a *i %y one. T%ere were wo %ousan' -meri#an gangs ers in %e #oun ry < I alian+-meri#ans w%o %a' (een #onvi# e' an' e3*elle' !rom %e @ni e' " a es. T%ese men were in a (a' way. T%ey were on %e (la#)es o! all *oli#e lis s an'0 (e#ause o! %eir re#or's0 %eir own *eo*le were wary o! em*loying %em. - %un're' o! %e oug%es among %em %a' *oole' %eir !un's an' small grou*s !rom %is eli e %a' move' o ,eiru 0 Is an(ul0 Tangier an' .a#ao < %e grea smuggling #en res o! %e worl'. - !ur %er large se# ion a# e' as #ouriers0 an' %e (osses %a' a#1uire'0 %roug% nominees0 a small an' res*e# a(le *%arma#eu i#al (usiness in .ilan. To %is #en re %e ou lying grou*s smuggle' o*ium an' i s 'eriva ives. T%ey use' small #ra! a#ross %e .e'i erranean0 a grou* o! s ewar's in an I alian #%ar er airline an'0 as a regular wee)ly sour#e o! su**ly0 %e %roug% #arriage o! %e Orien E3*ress in w%i#% w%ole se# ions o! (ogus u*%ols ery were !i e' (y (ri(e' mem(ers o! %e rain #leaners in Is an(ul. T%e .ilan !irm < 2%arma#ia 6olom(a "- < a# e' as a #learing+%ouse an' as a #onvenien #en re !or (rea)ing 'own %e raw o*ium in o %eroin. T%en#e %e #ouriers0 using inno#en mo or #ars o! various ma)es0 ran a 'elivery servi#e o %e mi''lemen in Englan'. ,on' in erru* e'. HOur 6us oms are *re y goo' a s*o ing %a sor o! ra!!i#. T%ere aren8 many %i'ing *la#es in a #ar %ey 'on8 )now a(ou . >%ere 'o %ese men #arry %e s u!!?H H-lways in %e s*are w%eel. You #an #arry wen y %ousan' *oun's wor % o! %eroin in one s*are w%eel.H H:on8 %ey ever ge #aug% < ei %er (ringing %e s u!! in o .ilan or a)ing i on?H H6er ainly. .any imes. ,u %ese are well+ raine' men. -n' %ey are oug%. T%ey never al). I! %ey are #onvi# e'0 %ey re#eive en %ousan' 'ollars !or ea#% year s*en in *rison. I! %ey %ave !amilies0 %ey are #are' !or. -n' w%en all goes well %ey ma)e goo' money. I is a #o+o*era ive. Ea#% man re#eives %is tranche o! %e "rutto. Only %e #%ie! ge s a s*e#ial tranche.H H-ll rig% . >ell0 w%o is %is man?H "ignor Kris a os *u %is %an' u* o %e #%eroo in %is mou %. &e )e* %e %an' %ere an' s*o)e so! ly !rom (e%in' i . HIs a man %ey #all 8T%e :ove80 Enri#o 6olom(o. Is %e *a'rone o! %is res auran . T%a is w%y I (ring you %ere0 so %a you may see %im. Is %e !a man w%o si s wi % a (lon'e woman. - %e a(le (y %e #assa. "%e is !rom Vienna. &er name is 7isl ,aum. - lu3us w%ore.H ,on' sai' re!le# ivelyE H"%e is0 is s%e?H &e 'i' no nee' o loo). &e %a' no i#e' %e girl0 as soon as %e %a' sa 'own a %e a(le. Every man in %e res auran woul' %ave no i#e' %er. "%e %a' %e gay0 (ol'0 !or %#oming loo)s %e Viennese are su**ose' o %ave an' sel'om 'o. T%ere was a viva#i y an' a #%arm a(ou %er %a li u* %er #orner o! %e room. "%e %a' %e wil'es *ossi(le ur#%in #u in as% (lon'e0 a *er nose0 a wi'e laug%ing mou % an' a (la#) ri((on roun' %er %roa . Bames ,on' )new %a %er eyes %a' (een on %im a in ervals %roug%ou %e evening. &er #om*anion %a' seeme' 4us %e y*e o! ri#%0 #%eer!ul0 goo'+living man s%e woul' (e gla' o %ave as %er lover !or a w%ile. &e woul' give %er a goo' ime. &e woul' (e generous. T%ere woul' (e no regre s on ei %er si'e. On %e w%ole0 ,on' %a' vaguely a**rove' o! %im. &e li)e' #%eer!ul0 e3*ansive *eo*le wi % a 5es !or li!e. "in#e %e0 ,on'0 #oul' no %ave %e girl0 i was a leas some %ing %a s%e was in goo' %an's.

,u now? ,on' glan#e' a#ross %e room. T%e #ou*le were laug%ing a(ou some %ing. T%e man *a e' %er #%ee) an' go u* an' wen o %e 'oor mar)e' @FFI6IO an' wen %roug% an' s%u %e 'oor. "o %is was %e man w%o ran %e grea *i*eline in o Englan'. T%e man wi % .8s *ri#e o! a %un're' %ousan' *oun's on %is %ea'. T%e man Kris a os wan e' ,on' o )ill. >ell0 %e %a' (e er ge on wi % %e 4o(. ,on' s are' ru'ely a#ross %e room a %e girl. >%en s%e li! e' %er %ea' an' loo)e' a %im0 %e smile' a %er. &er eyes swe* *as %im0 (u %ere was a %al! smile0 as i! !or %ersel!0 on %er li*s0 an' w%en s%e oo) a #igare e ou o! %er #ase an' li i an' (lew %e smo)e s raig% u* owar's %e #eiling %ere was an o!!ering o! %e %roa an' %e *ro!ile %a ,on' )new were !or %im. I was nearing %e ime !or %e a! er+#inema ra'e. T%e maS re '8%D el was su*ervising %e #learing o! %e uno##u*ie' a(les an' %e se ing u* o! new ones. T%ere was %e usual (us le an' sla**ing o! na*)ins a#ross #%air+sea s an' in)le o! glass an' #u lery (eing lai'. Vaguely ,on' no i#e' %e s*are #%air a %is a(le (eing w%is)e' away o %el* (uil' u* a near(y a(le !or si3. &e (egan as)ing Kris a os s*e#i!i# 1ues ions < %e *ersonal %a(i s o! Enri#o 6olom(o0 w%ere %e live'0 %e a''ress o! %is !irm in .ilan0 w%a o %er (usiness in eres s %e %a'. &e 'i' no no i#e %e #asual *rogress o! %e s*are #%air !rom i s !res% a(le o ano %er0 an' %en o ano %er0 an' !inally %roug% %e 'oor mar)e' @FFI6IO. T%ere was no reason w%y %e s%oul'. >%en %e #%air was (roug% in o %is o!!i#e0 Enri#o 6olom(o wave' %e maS re '8%D el away an' lo#)e' %e 'oor (e%in' %im. T%en %e wen o %e #%air an' li! e' o!! %e s1ua( #us%ion an' *u i on %is 'es). &e un5i**e' one si'e o! %e #us%ion an' wi %'rew a 9run'ig a*e+re#or'er0 s o**e' %e ma#%ine0 ran %e a*e (a#)0 oo) i o!! %e re#or'er an' *u i on a *lay(a#) an' a'4us e' %e s*ee' an' volume. T%en %e sa 'own a %is 'es) an' li a #igare e an' lis ene'0 o##asionally ma)ing !ur %er a'4us men s an' o##asionally re*ea ing *assages. - %e en'0 w%en ,on'8s inny voi#e sai' H"%e is0 is s%e?H an' %ere was a long silen#e in ers*erse' wi % (a#)groun' noises !rom %e res auran 0 Enri#o 6olom(o swi #%e' o!! %e ma#%ine an' sa loo)ing a i . &e loo)e' a i !or a !ull minu e. &is !a#e s%owe' no %ing (u a#u e #on#en ra ion on %is %oug% s. T%en %e loo)e' away !rom %e ma#%ine an' in o no %ing an' sai' so! ly0 ou lou'E H"on+a+(ee#%.H &e go slowly o %is !ee an' wen o %e 'oor an' unlo#)e' i . &e loo)e' (a#) on#e more a %e 9run'ig0 sai' H"on+a+ (ee#%H again wi % more em*%asis an' wen ou an' (a#) o %is a(le. Enri#o 6olom(o s*o)e swi! ly an' urgen ly o %e girl. "%e no''e' an' glan#e' a#ross %e room a ,on'. &e an' Kris a os were ge ing u* !rom %e a(le. "%e sai' o 6olom(o in a low0 angry voi#eE HYou are a 'isgus ing man. Every(o'y sai' so an' warne' me agains you. T%ey were rig% . Bus (e#ause you give me 'inner in your lousy res auran you %in) you %ave %e rig% o insul me wi % your !il %y *ro*osi ionsH < %e girl8s voi#e %a' go lou'er. =ow s%e %a' sna #%e' u* %er %an'(ag an' %a' go o %er !ee . "%e s oo' (esi'e %e a(le 'ire# ly in %e line o! ,on'8s a**roa#% on %is way o %e e3i . Enri#o 6olom(o8s !a#e was (la#) wi % rage. =ow %e0 oo0 was on %is !ee . HYou go''am -us rian (ee#% <<H H:on8 'are insul my #oun ry0 you I alian oa'.H "%e rea#%e' !or a %al!+!ull glass o! wine an' %urle' i a##ura ely in %e man8s !a#e. >%en %e #ame a %er i was easy !or %er o (a#) %e !ew s e*s in o ,on' w%o was s an'ing wi % Kris a os *oli ely wai ing o ge (y. Enri#o 6olom(o s oo' *an ing0 wi*ing %e wine o!! %is !a#e wi % a na*)in. &e sai' !uriously o %e girlE H:on8 ever s%ow your !a#e insi'e my res auran

again.H &e ma'e %e ges ure o! s*i ing on %e !loor (e ween %em0 urne' an' s ro'e o!! %roug% %e 'oor mar)e' @FFI6IO. T%e maS re '8%D el %a' %urrie' u*. Everyone in %e res auran %a' s o**e' ea ing. ,on' oo) %e girl (y %e el(ow. H.ay I %el* you !in' a a3i?H "%e 4er)e' %ersel! !ree. "%e sai'0 s ill angryE H-ll men are *igs.H "%e remem(ere' %er manners. "%e sai' s i!!lyE HYou are very )in'.H "%e move' %aug% ily owar's %e 'oor wi % %e men in %er wa)e. T%ere was a (u55 in %e res auran an' a renewe' #la er o! )nives an' !or)s. Everyone was 'elig% e' wi % %e s#ene. T%e maS re '8%D el0 loo)ing solemn0 %el' o*en %e 'oor. &e sai' o ,on'E HI a*ologi5e0 .onsieur. -n' you are very )in' o (e o! assis an#e.H - #ruising a3i slowe'. &e (e#)one' i o %e *avemen an' %el' o*en %e 'oor. T%e girl go in. ,on' !irmly !ollowe' an' #lose' %e 'oor. &e sai' o Kris a os %roug% %e win'owE HI8ll ele*%one you in %e morning. -ll rig% ?H >i %ou wai ing !or %e man8s re*ly %e sa (a#) in %e sea . T%e girl %a' 'rawn %ersel! away in o %e !ar %es #orner. ,on' sai'E H>%ere s%all I ell %im?H H&o el -m(assa'ori.H T%ey 'rove a s%or way in silen#e. ,on' sai'E H>oul' you li)e o go somew%ere !irs !or a 'rin)?H H=o %an) you.H "%e %esi a e'. HYou are very )in' (u onig% I am ire'.H H2er%a*s ano %er nig% .H H2er%a*s0 (u I go o Veni#e omorrow.H HI s%all also (e %ere. >ill you %ave 'inner wi % me omorrow nig% ?H T%e girl smile'. "%e sai'E HI %oug% Englis%men were su**ose' o (e s%y. You are Englis%0 aren8 you? >%a is your name? >%a 'o you 'o?H HYes0 I8m Englis% < .y name8s ,on' < Bames ,on'. I wri e (oo)s < a'ven ure s ories. I8m wri ing one now a(ou 'rug smuggling. I 8s se in $ome an' Veni#e. T%e rou(le is %a I 'on8 )now enoug% a(ou %e ra'e. I am going roun' *i#)ing u* s ories a(ou i . :o you )now any?H H"o %a is w%y you were %aving 'inner wi % %a Kris a os. I )now o! %im. &e %as a (a' re*u a ion. =o. I 'on8 )now any s ories. I only )now w%a every(o'y )nows.H ,on' sai' en %usias i#allyE H,u %a 8s e3a# ly w%a I wan . >%en I sai' 8s ories8 I 'i'n8 mean !i# ion. I mean %e sor o! %ig%+level gossi* %a 8s *ro(a(ly *re y near %e ru %. T%a sor o! %ing8s wor % 'iamon's o a wri er.H "%e laug%e'. HYou mean %a . . . 'iamon's?H ,on' sai'E H>ell0 I 'on8 earn all %a as a wri er0 (u I8ve alrea'y sol' an o* ion on %is s ory !or a !ilm0 an' i! I #an ma)e i au %en i# enoug% I 'are say %ey8ll a# ually (uy %e !ilm.H &e rea#%e' ou an' *u %is %an' over %ers in %er la*. "%e 'i' no a)e %er %an' away. HYes0 'iamon's. - 'iamon' #li* !rom Van 6lee!. Is i a 'eal?H =ow s%e oo) %er %an' away. T%ey were arriving a %e -m(assa'ori. "%e *i#)e' u* %er (ag !rom %e sea (esi'e %er. "%e urne' on %e sea so %a s%e !a#e' %im. T%e #ommissionaire o*ene' %e 'oor an' %e lig% !rom %e s ree urne' %er eyes in o s ars. "%e e3amine' %is !a#e wi % a #er ain seriousness. "%e sai'E H-ll men are *igs0 (u some are lesser *igs %an o %ers. -ll rig% . I will mee you. ,u no !or 'inner. >%a I may ell you is no !or *u(li# *la#es. I (a %e every a! ernoon a %e 7i'o. ,u no a %e !as%iona(le *lage. I (a %e a %e ,agni -l(eroni0 w%ere %e Englis% *oe ,yron use' o ri'e %is %orse. I is a %e i* o! %e *eninsula. T%e Va*ore o will a)e you %ere. You will !in' me %ere %e 'ay a! er omorrow < a %ree in %e a! ernoon. I s%all (e ge ing my las sun(urn (e!ore %e win er. -mong %e

san'+'unes. You will see a *ale yellow um(rella. @n'ernea % i will (e me.H "%e smile'. HKno#) on %e um(rella an' as) !or Fraulein 7isl ,aum.H "%e go ou o! %e a3i. ,on' !ollowe'. "%e %el' ou %er %an'. HT%an) you !or #oming o my res#ue. 9oo'nig% .H ,on' sai'E HT%ree o8#lo#) %en. I s%all (e %ere. 9oo'nig% .H "%e urne' an' wal)e' u* %e #urve' s e*s o! %e %o el. ,on' loo)e' a! er %er %oug% !ully0 an' %en urne' an' go (a#) in o %e a3i an' ol' %e man o a)e %im o %e =a5ionale. &e sa (a#) an' wa #%e' %e neon signs ri((on *as %e win'ow. T%ings0 in#lu'ing %e a3i0 were going almos oo !as !or #om!or . T%e only one over w%i#% %e %a' any #on rol was %e a3i. &e lean !orwar' an' ol' %e man o 'rive more slowly. T%e (es rain !rom $ome o Veni#e is %e 7aguna e3*ress %a leaves every 'ay a mi''ay. ,on'0 a! er a morning %a was #%ie!ly o##u*ie' wi % 'i!!i#ul al)s wi % %is 7on'on &ea'1uar ers on " a ion I8s s#ram(ler #aug% i (y %e s)in o! %is ee %. T%e 7aguna is a smar 0 s reamline' a!!air %a loo)s an' soun's more lu3urious %an i is. T%e sea s are ma'e !or small I alians an' %e res auran #ar s a!! su!!er !rom %e 'isease %a a!!li# s %eir (re %ren in %e grea rains all over %e worl' < a genuine loa %ing !or %e mo'ern raveller an' *ar i#ularly !or %e !oreigner. ,on' %a' a gangway sea over %e a3le in %e rear aluminium #oa#%. I! %e seven %eavens %a' (een !lowing (y ou si'e %e win'ow %e woul' no %ave #are'. &e )e* %is eyes insi'e %e rain0 rea' a 4er)ing (oo)0 s*ille' 6%ian i over %e a(le#lo % an' s%i! e' %is long0 a#%ing legs an' #urse' %e Ferrovie I aliane 'ello " a o. ,u a las %ere was .es re an' %e 'ea' s raig% !inger o! rail a#ross %e eig% een % #en ury a1ua in in o Veni#e. T%en #ame %e un!ailing s%o#) o! %e (eau y %a never (e rays an' %e so! swaying *rogress 'own %e 9ran' 6anal in o a (loo'+ re' sunse 0 an' %e e3 reme *leasure < so i seeme' < o! %e 9ri i 2ala#e %a ,on' s%oul' %ave or'ere' %e (es 'ou(le room on %e !irs !loor. T%a evening0 s#a ering %ousan'+lira no es li)e leaves in Vallom(rosa0 Bames ,on' soug% 0 a &arry8s ,ar0 a Florian8s0 an' !inally u*s airs in %e a'mira(le Qua'ri0 o es a(lis% o anyone w%o mig% (e in eres e' %a %e was w%a %e %a' wis%e' o a**ear o %e girl < a *ros*erous wri er w%o live' %ig% an' well. T%en0 in %e em*orary s a e o! eu*%oria %a a !irs nig% in Veni#e engen'ers0 %owever %ig% an' serious %e *ur*ose o! %e visi or0 Bames ,on' wal)e' (a#) o %e 9ri i an' %a' eig% %ours 'reamless slee*. .ay an' O# o(er are %e (es mon %s in Veni#e. T%e sun is so! an' %e nig% s are #ool. T%e gli ering s#ene is )in'er o %e eyes an' %ere is a !res%ness in %e air %a %el*s one o %ammer ou %ose long miles o! s one an' erra55a an' mar(le %a are in olera(le o %e !ee in summer. -n' %ere are !ewer *eo*le. -l %oug% Veni#e is %e one own in %e worl' %a #an swallow u* a %un're' %ousan' ouris s as easily as i #an a %ousan' < %i'ing %em 'own i s si'e+s ree s0 using %em !or #row' s#enes on %e *ia55as0 s u!!ing %em in o %e va*ore i < i is s ill (e er o s%are Veni#e wi % %e minimum num(er o! *a#)age' ours an' 7e'er%osen. ,on' s*en %e ne3 morning s rolling %e (a#)+s ree s in %e %o*e %a %e woul' (e a(le o un#over a ail. &e visi e' a #ou*le o! #%ur#%es < no o a'mire %eir in eriors (u o 'is#over i! anyone #ame in a! er %im %roug% %e main en ran#e (e!ore %e le! (y %e si'e 'oor. =o one was !ollowing %im. ,on' wen o Florian8s an' %a' an -meri#ano an' lis ene' o a #ou*le o! Fren#% #ul ure+sno(s 'is#ussing %e im(alan#e o! %e #on aining !a#a'e o! " .ar)8s "1uare. On an im*ulse0 %e (oug% a *os #ar' an' sen i o!! o %is se#re ary w%o %a' on#e (een wi % %e 9eorgian 9rou* o I aly

an' %a' never allowe' ,on' o !orge i . &e wro eE HVeni#e is won'er!ul. &ave so !ar ins*e# e' %e railway s a ion an' %e " o#) E3#%ange. Very aes %e i#ally sa is!ying. To %e .uni#i*al >a erwor)s %is a! ernoon an' %en an ol' ,rigi e ,ar'o a %e "#ala 6inema. :o you )now a won'er!ul une #alle' 8O "ole .io?8 I 8s v. roman i# li)e every %ing %ere. B,.H 2lease' wi % %is ins*ira ion0 ,on' %a' an early lun#%eon an' wen (a#) o %is %o el. &e lo#)e' %e 'oor o! %is room an' oo) o!! %is #oa an' ran over %e >al %er 22K. &e *u u* %e sa!e an' *ra# ise' one or wo 1ui#) 'raws an' *u %e gun (a#) in %e %ols er. I was ime o go. &e wen along o %e lan'ing+s age an' (oar'e' %e welve+!or y va*ore o o -l(eroni0 ou o! sig% a#ross %e mirrore' lagoons. T%en %e se le' 'own in a sea in %e (ows an' won'ere' w%a was going o %a**en o %im. From %e 4e y a -l(eroni0 on %e Veni#e si'e o! %e 7i'o *eninsula0 %ere is a %al! mile 'us y wal) a#ross %e ne#) o! lan' o %e ,agni -l(eroni !a#ing %e -'ria i#. I is a #uriously 'eser e' worl'0 %is i* o! %e !amous *eninsula. - mile 'own %e %in ne#) o! lan' %e lu3ury real es a e 'evelo*men %as *e ere' ou in a s#a ering o! #ra#)e' s u##o villas an' (an)ru* %ousing *ro4e# s0 an' %ere %ere is no %ing (u %e iny !is%ing village o! -l(eroni0 a sana orium !or s u'en s0 a 'ereli# e3*erimen al s a ion (elonging o %e I alian =avy an' some massive wee'+#%o)e' gun em*la#emen s !rom %e las war. In %e no man8s lan' in %e #en re o! %is %in ongue o! lan' is %e 9ol! 'u 7i'o0 w%ose (rownis% un'ula ing !airways mean'er aroun' %e ruins o! an#ien !or i!i#a ions. =o many *eo*le #ome o Veni#e o *lay gol!0 an' %e *ro4e# is )e* alive !or i s sno( a**eal (y %e gran' %o els o! %e 7i'o. T%e gol! #ourse is surroun'e' (y a %ig% wire !en#e %ung a in ervals0 as i! i *ro e# e' some %ing o! grea value or se#re#y0 wi % %rea ening Vie a os an' 2ro%i(i os. -roun' %is wire' en#lave0 %e s#ru( an' san'%ills %ave no even (een #leare' o! mines0 an' amongs %e rus ing (ar(e' wire are signs saying .I=-". 2E$I6O7O :I .O$TE (enea % a roug%ly s en#ille' s)ull an' #ross(ones. T%e w%ole area is s range an' melan#%oly an' in e3 raor'inary #on ras o %e gay #arnival worl' o! Veni#e less %an an %our away a#ross %e lagoons. ,on' was swea ing slig% ly (y %e ime %e %a' wal)e' %e %al! mile a#ross %e *eninsula o %e *lage0 an' %e s oo' !or a momen un'er %e las o! %e a#a#ia rees %a %a' (or'ere' %e 'us y roa' o #ool o!! w%ile %e go %is (earings. In !ron o! %im was a ri#)e y woo'en ar#%way w%ose #en ral s*an sai' ,-9=I -7,E$O=I in !a'e' (lue *ain . ,eyon' were %e lines o! e1ually 'ila*i'a e' woo'en #a(ins0 an' %en a %un're' yar's o! san' an' %en %e 1uie (lue glass o! %e sea. T%ere were no (a %ers an' %e *la#e seeme' o (e #lose'0 (u w%en %e wal)e' %roug% %e ar#%way %e %ear' %e inny soun' o! a ra'io *laying =ea*oli an musi#. I #ame !rom a rams%a#)le %u %a a'ver ise' 6o#a+6ola an' various I alian so! 'rin)s. :e#)+#%airs were s a#)e' agains i s walls an' %ere were wo *e'allos an' a #%il'8s %al! in!la e' sea%orse. T%e w%ole es a(lis%men loo)e' so 'ereli# %a ,on' #oul' no imagine i 'oing (usiness even a %e %eig% o! %e summer season. &e s e**e' o!! %e narrow 'u#)(oar's in o %e so! 0 (urne' san' an' move' roun' (e%in' %e %u s o %e (ea#%. &e wal)e' 'own o %e e'ge o! %e sea. To %e le! 0 un il i 'isa**eare' in %e au umn %ea %a5e0 %e wi'e em* y san' swe* away in a slig% #urve owar's %e 7i'o *ro*er. To %e rig% was %al! a mile o! (ea#% ermina ing in %e seawall a %e i* o! %e *eninsula. T%e seawall s re #%e' li)e a !inger ou in o %e silen mirrore' sea0 an' a in ervals along i s o* were %e !limsy 'erri#)s o! %e o# o*us !is%ermen. ,e%in' %e (ea#% were %e san'%ills an' a se# ion o! %e wire !en#e surroun'ing %e gol! #ourse. On %e e'ge o! %e san'%ills0 *er%a*s !ive %un're' yar's away0 %ere was a s*e#) o! (rig% yellow.

,on' se o!! owar's i along %e i'e+line. H-%em.H T%e %an's !lew o %e o* s#ra* o! (i)ini an' *ulle' i u*. ,on' wal)e' in o %er line o! vision an' s oo' loo)ing 'own. T%e (rig% s%a'ow o! %e um(rella #overe' only %er !a#e. T%e res o! %er < a (urne' #ream (o'y in a (la#) (i)ini on a (la#) an' w%i e s ri*e' (a %+ owel < lay o!!ere' o %e sun. "%e loo)e' u* a %im %roug% %al! #lose' eyelas%es. You are !ive minu es early an' I ol' you o )no#).H ,on' sa 'own #lose o %er in %e s%a'e o! %e (ig um(rella. &e oo) ou a %an')er#%ie! an' wi*e' %is !a#e. HYou %a**en o own %e only *alm ree in %e w%ole o! %is 'eser . I %a' o ge un'ernea % i as soon as I #oul'. T%is is %e %ell o! a *la#e !or a ren'e5vous.H "%e laug%e'. HI am li)e 9re a 9ar(o. I li)e o (e alone.H H-re we alone?H "%e o*ene' %er eyes wi'e. H>%y no ? You %in) I %ave (roug% a #%a*erone?H H"in#e you %in) all men are *igs . . .H H-%0 (u you are a gen leman *ig0H s%e giggle'. H- milor' *ig. -n' anyway0 i is oo %o !or %a )in' o! %ing. -n' %ere is oo mu#% san'. -n' (esi'es %is is a (usiness mee ing0 no? I ell you s ories a(ou 'rugs an' you give me a 'iamon' #li*. From Van 6lee!. Or %ave you #%ange' your min'?H H=o. T%a 8s %ow i is. >%ere s%all we (egin?H HYou as) %e 1ues ions. >%a is i you wan o )now?H "%e sa u* an' *ulle' %er )nees o %er (e ween %er arms. Flir a ion %a' gone ou o! %er eyes an' %ey %a' (e#ome a en ive0 an' *er%a*s a li le #are!ul. ,on' no i#e' %e #%ange. &e sai' #asually0 wa #%ing %erE HT%ey say your !rien' 6olom(o is a (ig man in %e game. Tell me a(ou %im. &e woul' ma)e a goo' #%ara# er !or my (oo) < 'isguise'0 o! #ourse. ,u i 8s %e 'e ail I nee'. &ow 'oes %e o*era e0 an' so on? T%a 8s no %e sor o! %ing a wri er #an inven .H "%e veile' %er eyes. "%e sai'E HEnri#o woul' (e very angry i! %e )new %a I %a' ol' any o! %is se#re s. I 'on8 )now w%a %e woul' 'o o me.H H&e will never )now.H "%e loo)e' a %im seriously. H7ie(er .r ,on'0 %ere is very li le %a %e 'oes no )now. -n' %e is also 1ui e #a*a(le o! a# ing on a guess. I woul' no (e sur*rise'H < ,on' #aug% %er 1ui#) glan#e a %is wa #% < Hi! i %a' #rosse' %is min' o %ave me !ollowe' %ere. &e is a very sus*i#ious man.H "%e *u %er %an' ou an' ou#%e' %is sleeve. =ow s%e loo)e' nervous. "%e sai' urgen lyE HI %in) you %a' (e er go now. T%is %as (een a grea mis a)e.H ,on' o*enly loo)e' a %is wa #%. I was %ree+ %ir y. &e move' %is %ea' so %a %e #oul' loo) (e%in' %e um(rella an' (a#) 'own %e (ea#%. Far 'own (y %e (a %ing %u s0 %eir ou lines 'an#ing slig% ly in %e %ea %a5e0 were %ree men in 'ar) #lo %es. T%ey were wal)ing *ur*ose!ully u* %e (ea#%0 %eir !ee )ee*ing s e* as i! %ey were a s1ua'. ,on' go o %is !ee . &e loo)e' 'own a %e (en %ea'. &e sai' 'rilyE HI see w%a you mean. Bus ell 6olom(o %a !rom now on I8m wri ing %is li!e+s ory. -n' I8m a very *ersis en wri er. "o long.H ,on' s ar e' running u* %e san' owar's %e i* o! %e *eninsula. From %ere %e #oul' 'ou(le (a#) 'own %e o %er s%ore o %e village an' %e sa!e y o! *eo*le. :own %e (ea#% %e %ree men (ro)e in o a !as 4og ro 0 el(ows an' legs *oun'ing in ime wi % ea#% o %er as i! %ey were long+'is an#e runners ou !or a raining s*in. -s %ey 4ogge' *as %e girl0 one o! %e men raise' a %an'. "%e raise'

%ers in answer an' %en lay 'own on %e san' an' urne' over < *er%a*s so %a %er (a#) #oul' now ge i s oas ing0 or *er%a*s (e#ause s%e 'i' no wan o wa #% %e man+%un . ,on' oo) o!! %is ie as %e ran an' *u i in %is *o#)e . I was very %o an' %e was alrea'y swea ing *ro!usely. ,u so woul' %e %ree men (e. I was a 1ues ion w%o was in (e er raining. - %e i* o! %e *eninsula0 ,on' #lam(ere' u* on o %e seawall an' loo)e' (a#). T%e men %a' %ar'ly gaine'0 (u now wo o! %em were !anning ou o #u roun' %e e'ge o! %e gol! #ourse (oun'ary. T%ey 'i' no seem o min' %e 'anger no i#es wi % %e s)ull an' #ross(ones. ,on'0 running !as 'own %e wi'e seawall0 measure' angles an' 'is an#es. T%e wo men were #u ing a#ross %e (ase o! %e riangle. I was going o (e a #lose #all. ,on'8s s%ir was alrea'y soa)e' an' %is !ee were (eginning o %ur . &e %a' run *er%a*s a mile. &ow mu#% !ar %er o sa!e y? - in ervals along %e seawall %e (ree#%es o! an i1ue #annon %a' (een sun) in %e #on#re e. T%ey woul' (e mooring *os s !or %e !is%ing !lee s s%el ering in %e *ro e# ion o! %e lagoons (e!ore a)ing o %e -'ria i#. ,on' #oun e' %is s e*s (e ween wo o! %em. Fi! y yar's. &ow many (la#) )no(s o %e en' o! %e wall < o %e !irs %ouses o! %e village? ,on' #oun e' u* o %ir y (e!ore %e line vanis%e' in o %e %ea %a5e. 2ro(a(ly ano %er mile o go. 6oul' %e 'o i 0 an' !as enoug% o (ea %e wo !lan)ers? ,on'8s (rea % was alrea'y ras*ing in %is %roa . =ow even %is sui was soa)e' wi % swea an' %e #lo % o! %is rousers was #%a!ing %is legs. ,e%in' %im0 %ree %un're' yar's (a#)0 was one *ursuer. To %is rig% 0 'o'ging among %e san'+'unes an' #onverging !as 0 were %e o %er wo. To %is le! was a wen y+!oo slo*e o! masonry o %e green i'e ri**ing ou in o %e -'ria i#. ,on' was *lanning o slow 'own o a wal) an' )ee* enoug% (rea % o ry an' s%oo i ou wi % %e %ree men0 w%en wo %ings %a**ene' in 1ui#) su##ession. Firs %e saw %roug% %e %a5e a%ea' a grou* o! s*ear+!is%ermen. T%ere were a(ou %al! a 'o5en o! %em0 some in %e wa er an' some sunning %emselves on %e seawall. T%en0 !rom %e san'+'unes #ame %e 'ee* roar o! an e3*losion. Ear % an' s#ru( an' w%a mig% %ave (een (i s o! a man !oun aine' (rie!ly in o %e air0 an' a small s%o#)+wave %i %im. ,on' slowe'. T%e o %er man in %e 'unes %a' s o**e'. &e was s an'ing s o#)+s ill. &is mou % was o*en an' a !rig% ene' 4a((er #ame !rom i . "u''enly %e #olla*se' on %e groun' wi % %is arms wa**e' roun' %is %ea'. ,on' )new %e signs. &e woul' no move again un il someone #ame an' #arrie' %im away !rom %ere. ,on'8s %ear li! e'. =ow %e %a' only a(ou wo %un're' yar's o go o %e !is%ermen. T%ey were alrea'y ga %ering in o a grou*0 loo)ing owar's %im. ,on' summone' a !ew wor's o! I alian an' re%earse' %em. H.i Ingles. 2rego0 'ove il #ara(inieri.H ,on' glan#e' over %is s%oul'er. O''0 (u 'es*i e %e wi nessing s*ear+!is%ers0 %e man was s ill #oming on. &e %a' gaine' an' was only a(ou a %un're' yar's (e%in'. T%ere was a gun in %is %an'. =ow0 a%ea'0 %e !is%ermen %a' !anne' ou a#ross ,on'8s *a %. T%ey %a' %ar*oon guns %el' a %e rea'y. In %e #en re was a (ig man wi % a iny re' (a %ing+sli* %anging (enea % %is s oma#%. - green mas) was sli**e' (a#) on o %e #rown o! %is %ea'. &e s oo' wi % %is (lue swim+!ins *oin ing ou an' %is arms a)im(o. &e loo)e' li)e .r Toa' o! Toa' &all in Te#%ni#olor. ,on'8s amuse' %oug% 'ie' in %im s ill(orn. 2an ing0 %e slowe' o a wal). -u oma i#ally %is swea y %an' !el un'er %is #oa !or %e gun an' 'rew i ou . T%e man in %e #en re o! %e ar# o! *oin ing %ar*oons was Enri#o 6olom(o. 6olom(o wa #%e' %im a**roa#%. >%en %e was wen y yar's away0 6olom(o sai' 1uie lyE H2u away your oy0 .r ,on' o! %e "e#re "ervi#e. T%ese are 6O/ %ar*oon guns. -n' s ay w%ere you are. @nless you wis% o ma)e a #o*y o!

.an egna8s " "e(as ian.H &e urne' o %e man on %is rig% . &e s*o)e in Englis%. Hw%a range was %a -l(anian las wee)?H HTwen y yar's0 *a'rone. -n' %e %ar*oon wen rig% %roug%. ,u %e was a !a man < *er%a*s wi#e as %i#) as %is one.H ,on' s o**e'. One o! %e iron (ollar's was (esi'e %im. &e sa 'own an' res e' %e gun on %is )nee. I *oin e' a %e #en re o! 6olom(o8s (ig s oma#%. &e sai'E HFive %ar*oons in me won8 s o* one (ulle in you0 6olom(o.H 6olom(o smile' an' no''e'0 an' %e man w%o %a' (een #oming so! ly u* (e%in' ,on' %i %im on#e %ar' in %e (ase o! %e s)ull wi % %e (u o! %is 7uger. >%en you #ome o !rom (eing %i on %e %ea' %e !irs rea# ion is a !i o! vomi ing. Even in %is wre #%e'ness ,on' was aware o! wo sensa ions < %e was in a s%i* a sea0 an' someone0 a man0 was wi*ing %is !ore%ea' wi % a #ool we owel an' murmuring en#ouragemen in (a' Englis%. HIs o)ay0 amigo. Ta)e %im easy. Ta)e %im easy.H ,on' !ell (a#) on %is (un)0 e3%aus e'. I was a #om!or a(le small #a(in wi % a !eminine smell an' 'ain y #ur ains an' #olours. - sailor in a a ere' ves an' rousers < ,on' %oug% %e re#ogni5e' %im as one o! %e s*ear+!is%ermen < was (en'ing over %im. &e smile' w%en ,on' o*ene' %is eyes. HIs (e er0 yes? "u(i o o)ay.H &e ru((e' %e (a#) o! %is ne#) in sym*a %y. HI %ur s !or a li le. "oon i will only (e a (la#). ,enea % %e %air. T%e girls will see no %ing.H ,on' smile' !ee(ly an' no''e'. T%e *ain o! %e no' ma'e %im s#rew u* %is eyes. >%en %e o*ene' %em %e sailor s%oo) %is %ea' in a'moni ion. &e (roug% %is wris +wa #% #lose u* o ,on'8s eyes. I sai' seven o8#lo#). &e *oin e' wi % %is li le !inger a %e !igure nine. 8.angiare #on 2a'rone0 "i?H ,on' sai'E H"i.H T%e man *u %is %an' o %is #%ee) an' lai' %is %ea' on one si'e. H:ormire.H ,on' sai' H"iH again an' %e sailor wen ou o! %e #a(in an' #lose' %e 'oor wi %ou lo#)ing i . ,on' go gingerly o!! %e (un) an' wen over o %e was% (asin an' se a(ou #leaning %imsel!. On o* o! %e #%es o! 'rawers was a nea *ile o! %is *ersonal (elongings. Every %ing was %ere e3#e* %is gun. ,on' s owe' %e %ings away in %is *o#)e s0 an' sa 'own again on %e (un) an' smo)e' an' %oug% . &is %oug% s were o ally in#on#lusive. &e was (eing a)en !or a ri'e0 or ra %er a sail0 (u !rom %e (e%aviour o! %e sailor i 'i' no seem %a %e was regar'e' as an enemy. Ye a grea 'eal o! rou(le %a' (een a)en o ma)e %im *risoner an' one o! 6olom(o8s men %a' even0 %oug% ina'ver en ly0 'ie' in %e *ro#ess. I 'i' no seem o (e 4us a 1ues ion o! )illing %im. 2er%a*s %is so! rea men was %e *reliminary o rying o ma)e a 'eal wi % %im. >%a was %e 'eal < an' w%a was %e al erna ive? - nine o8#lo#) %e same sailor #ame !or ,on' an' le' %im 'own a s%or *assage o a small0 (low5y saloon0 an' le! %im. T%ere was a a(le an' wo #%airs in %e mi''le o! %e room0 an' (esi'e %e a(le a ni#)el+*la e' rolley la'en wi % !oo' an' 'rin)s. ,on' rie' %e %a #%way a %e en' o! %e saloon. I was (ol e'. &e unla #%e' one o! %e *or %oles an' loo)e' ou . T%ere was 4us enoug% lig% o see %a %e s%i* was a(ou wo %un're' ons an' mig% on#e %ave (een a large !is%ing+vessel. T%e engine soun'e' li)e a single 'iesel an' %ey were #arrying sail. ,on' es ima e' %e s%i*8s s*ee' a si3 or seven )no s. On %e 'ar) %ori5on %ere was a iny #lus er o! yellow lig% s. I seeme' *ro(a(le %a %ey were sailing 'own %e -'ria i# #oas . T%e %a #%way (ol ra le' (a#). ,on' *ulle' in %is %ea'. 6olom(o #ame 'own

%e s e*s. &e was 'resse' in a swea +s%ir 0 'ungarees an' s#u!!e' san'als. T%ere was a wi#)e'0 amuse' gleam in %is eyes. &e sa 'own in one #%air an' wave' o %e o %er. H6ome0 my !rien'. Foo' an' 'rin) an' *len y o! al). >e will now s o* (e%aving li)e li le (oys an' (e grown+u*. Yes? >%a will you %ave < gin0 w%is)y0 #%am*agne? -n' %is is %e !ines sausage in %e w%ole o! ,ologna. Olives !rom my own es a e. ,rea'0 (u er0 2rovelone < %a is smo)e' #%eese < an' !res% !igs. 2easan !oo'0 (u goo'. 6ome. -ll %a running mus %ave given you an a**e i e.H &is laug% was in!e# ious. ,on' *oure' %imsel! a s i!! w%is)y an' so'a0 an' sa 'own. &e sai'E H>%y 'i' you %ave o go o so mu#% rou(le? >e #oul' %ave me wi % ou all %ese 'rama i#s. -s i is you %ave *re*are' a lo o! grie! !or yoursel!. I warne' my #%ie! %a some %ing li)e %is mig% %a**en < %e way %e girl *i#)e' me u* in your res auran was oo #%il'is% !or wor's. I sai' %a I woul' wal) in o %e ra* o see w%a i was all a(ou . I! I am no ou o! i again (y omorrow mi''ay0 you8ll %ave In er*ol as well as I alian *oli#e on o* o! you li)e a loa' o! (ri#)s.H 6olom(o loo)e' *u55le'. &e sai'E HI! you were rea'y o wal) in o %e ra*0 w%y 'i' you ry an' es#a*e !rom my men %is a! ernoon? I %a' sen %em o !e #% you an' (ring you o my s%i*0 an' i woul' all %ave (een mu#% more !rien'ly. =ow I %ave los a goo' man an' you mig% easily %ave %a' your s)ull (ro)en. I 'o no un'ers an'.H HI 'i'n8 li)e %e loo) o! %ose %ree men. I )now )illers w%en I see %em. I %oug% you mig% (e %in)ing o! 'oing some %ing s u*i'. You s%oul' %ave use' %e girl. T%e men were unne#essary.H 6olom(o s%oo) %is %ea'. H7isl was willing o !in' ou more a(ou you0 (u no %ing else. "%e will now (e 4us as angry wi % me as you are. 7i!e is very 'i!!i#ul . I li)e o (e !rien's wi % everyone0 an' now I %ave ma'e wo enemies in one a! ernoon. I is oo (a'.H 6olom(o loo)e' genuinely sorry !or %imsel!. &e #u a %i#) sli#e o! sausage0 im*a ien ly ore %e rin' o!! i wi % %is ee % an' (egan o ea . >%ile %is mou % was s ill !ull %e oo) a glass o! #%am*agne an' was%e' %e sausage 'own wi % i . &e sai'0 s%a)ing %is %ea' re*roa#%!ully a ,on'E HI is always %e same0 w%en I am worrie' I %ave o ea . ,u %e !oo' %a I ea w%en I am worrie' I #anno 'iges . -n' now you %ave worrie' me. You say %a we #oul' %ave me an' al)e' %ings over < %a I nee' no %ave a)en all %is rou(le.H &e s*rea' %is %an's %el*lessly. H&ow was I o )now %a ? ,y saying %a 0 you *u %e (loo' o! .ario on my %an's. I 'i' no ell %im o a)e a s%or #u %roug% %a *la#e.H 6olom(o *oun'e' %e a(le. =ow %e s%ou e' angrily a ,on'. HI 'o no agree %a %is was all my !aul . I was your !aul . Yours only. You %a' agree' o )ill me. &ow 'oes one arrange a !rien'ly mee ing wi % one8s mur'erer? E%? Bus ell me %a .H 6olom(o sna #%e' u* a long roll o! (rea' an' s u!!e' i in o %is mou %0 %is eyes !urious. H>%a %e %ell are you al)ing a(ou ?H 6olom(o %rew %e remains o! %e roll on %e a(le an' go o %is !ee 0 %ol'ing ,on'8s eyes lo#)e' in %is. &e wal)e' si'eways0 s ill ga5ing !i3e'ly a ,on'0 o a #%es o! 'rawers0 !el !or %e )no( o! %e o* 'rawer0 o*ene' i 0 gro*e' an' li! e' ou w%a ,on' re#ogni5e' as a a*e+re#or'er *lay(a#) ma#%ine. " ill loo)ing a##usingly a ,on'0 %e (roug% %e ma#%ine over o %e a(le. &e sa 'own an' *resse' a swi #%. >%en ,on' %ear' %e voi#e %e *i#)e' u* %is glass o! w%is)y an' loo)e' in o i . T%e inny voi#e sai'E HE3a# . =ow0 (e!ore I give you %e in!orma ions0 li)e goo' #ommer#ials we ma)e %e erms. Yes?H T%e voi#e wen onE HTen %ousan' 'ollars -meri#an . . . T%ere is no elling w%ere you ge %ese in!orma ions !rom. Even i! you are (ea en . . . T%e %ea' o! %is ma#%ina is a (a' man. &e is o (e 'es ru o < )ille'.H ,on' wai e' !or %is own voi#e o (rea) %roug% %e res auran noises. T%ere %a' (een a long *ause w%ile %e %oug% a(ou %e las #on'i ion. >%a was i %e %a' sai'? &is

voi#e #ame ou o! %e ma#%ine0 answering %im. HI #anno *romise %a . You mus see %a . -ll I #an say is %a i! %e man ries o 'es roy me0 I will 'es roy %im.H 6olom(o swi #%e' o!! %e ma#%ine. ,on' swallowe' 'own %is w%is)y. =ow %e #oul' loo) u* a 6olom(o. &e sai' 'e!ensivelyE HT%a 'oesn8 ma)e me a mur'erer.H 6olom(o loo)e' a %im sorrow!ully. HTo me i 'oes. 6oming !rom an Englis%man. I wor)e' !or %e Englis% 'uring %e >ar. In %e $esis an#e. I %ave %e King8s .e'al.H &e *u %is %an' in %is *o#)e an' %rew %e silver Free'om me'al wi % %e re'0 w%i e an' (lue s ri*e' ri((on on o %e a(le. HYou see?H ,on' o(s ina ely %el' 6olom(o8s eyes. &e sai'E H-n' %e res o! %e s u!! on %a a*e? You long ago s o**e' wor)ing !or %e Englis%. =ow you wor) agains %em0 !or money.H 6olom(o grun e'. &e a**e' %e ma#%ine wi % %is !ore!inger. &e sai' im*assivelyE HI %ave %ear' i all. I 0 is lies.H &e (ange' %is !is on %e a(le so %a %e glasses 4um*e'. &e (ellowe' !uriouslyE HI is lies0 lies. Every wor' o! i .H &e 4um*e' o %is !ee . &is #%air #ras%e' 'own (e%in' %im. &e slowly (en an' *i#)e' i u*. &e rea#%e' !or %e w%is)y (o le an' wal)e' roun' an' *oure' !our !ingers in o ,on'8s glass. &e wen (a#) o %is #%air an' sa 'own an' *u %e #%am*agne (o le on %e a(le in !ron o! %im. =ow %is !a#e was #om*ose'0 serious. &e sai' 1uie lyE HI is no all lies. T%ere is a grain o! ru % in w%a %a (as ar' ol' you. T%a is w%y I 'e#i'e' no o argue wi % you. You mig% no %ave (elieve' me. You woul' %ave 'ragge' in %e *oli#e. T%ere woul' %ave (een mu#% rou(le !or me an' my #omra'es. Even i! you or someone else %a' no !oun' reason o )ill me0 %ere woul' %ave (een s#an'al0 ruin. Ins ea' I 'e#i'e' o s%ow you %e ru % < %e ru % you were sen o I aly o !in' ou . >i %in a ma er o! %ours0 omorrow a 'awn0 your mission will %ave (een #om*le e'.H 6olom(o #li#)e' %is !ingers. H2res o < li)e %a .H ,on' sai'E H>%a *ar o! Kris a os8s s ory is no lies?H 6olom(o8s eyes loo)e' in o ,on'8s #al#ula ing. Finally %e sai'E H.y !rien'0 I am a smuggler. T%a *ar is rue. I am *ro(a(ly %e mos su##ess!ul smuggler in %e .e'i erranean. &al! %e -meri#an #igare es in I aly are (roug% in (y me !rom Tangier. 9ol'? I am %e sole su**lier o! %e (la#) valu a mar)e . :iamon's? I %ave my own *urveyor in ,eiru wi % 'ire# lines o "ierra 7eone an' "ou % -!ri#a. In %e ol' 'ays0 w%en %ese %ings were s#ar#e0 I also %an'le' aureo+my#in an' *eni#illin an' su#% me'i#ines. ,ri(ery a %e -meri#an (ase %os*i als. -n' %ere %ave (een many o %er %ings < even (eau i!ul girls !rom "yria an' 2ersia !or %e %ouses o! =a*les. I %ave also smuggle' ou es#a*e' #onvi# s. ,u 0H 6olom(o8s !is #ras%e' on %e a(le0 H'rugs0 %eroin0 o*ium0 %em* < noA =everA I will %ave no %ing o 'o wi % %ese %ings. T%ese %ings are evil. T%ere is no sin in %e o %ers.H 6olom(o %el' u* %is rig% %an'. H.y !rien'0 %is I swear o you on %e %ea' o! my mo %er.H ,on' was (eginning o see 'aylig% . &e was *re*are' o (elieve 6olom(o. &e even !el a #urious li)ing !or %is gree'y0 (ois erous *ira e w%o %a' so nearly (een *u on %e s*o (y Kris a os. ,on' sai'E H,u w%y 'i' Kris a os *u %e !inger on you? >%a 8s %e go o gain?H 6olom(o slowly s%oo) a !inger o an' !ro in !ron o! %is nose. &e sai'E H.y !rien'0 Kris a os is Kris a os. &e is *laying %e (igges 'ou(le game i is *ossi(le o #on#eive. To )ee* i u* < o )ee* %e *ro e# ion o! -meri#an In elligen#e an' %eir =ar#o i#s *eo*le < %e mus now an' %en %row %em a vi# im < some small man on %e !ringe o! %e (ig game. ,u wi % %is Englis% *ro(lem i is 'i!!eren . T%a is a %uge ra!!i#. To *ro e# i 0 a (ig vi# im was re1uire'. I was #%osen < (y Kris a os0 or (y %is em*loyers. -n' i is rue %a i! you %a' (een vigorous in your inves iga ions an' %a' s*en enoug% %ar' #urren#y on (uying in!orma ion0 you mig% %ave 'is#overe' %e

s ory o! my o*era ions. ,u ea#% rail owar's me woul' %ave le' you !ur %er away !rom %e ru %. In %e en'0 !or I 'o no un'eres ima e your "ervi#e0 I woul' %ave gone o *rison. ,u %e (ig !o3 you are a! er woul' only (e laug%ing a %e soun' o! %e %un 'ying away in %e 'is an#e.H H>%y 'i' Kris a os wan you )ille'?H 6olom(o loo)e' #unning. H.y !rien'0 I )now oo mu#%. In %e !ra erni y o! smugglers0 we o##asionally s um(le on a #orner o! %e ne3 man8s (usiness. =o long ago0 in %is s%i*0 I %a' a running !ig% wi % a small gun(oa !rom -l(ania. - lu#)y s%o se !ire o %eir !uel. T%ere was only one survivor. &e was *ersua'e' o al). I learn mu#%0 (u li)e a !ool I oo) a #%an#e wi % %e mine!iel's an' se %im as%ore on %e #oas nor % o! Tirana. I was a mis a)e. Ever sin#e %en I %ave %a' %is (as ar' Kris a os a! er me. For una ely0H 6olom(o grinne' wol!is%ly0 HI %ave one *ie#e o! in!orma ion %e 'oes no )now o!. -n' we %ave a ren'e5vous wi % %is *ie#e o! in!orma ion a !irs lig% omorrow < a a small !is%ing+*or 4us nor % o! -n#ona0 "an a .aria. -n' %ere0H 6olom(o gave a %ars%0 #ruel laug%0 Hwe s%all see w%a we s%all see.H ,on' sai' mil'ly. H>%a 8s your *ri#e !or all %is? You say my mission will %ave (een #om*le e' omorrow morning. &ow mu#%?H 6olom(o s%oo) %is %ea'. &e sai' in'i!!eren lyE H=o %ing. I 4us %a**ens %a our in eres s #oin#i'e. ,u I s%all nee' your *romise %a w%a I %ave ol' you %is evening is (e ween you an' me an'0 i! ne#essary0 your 6%ie! in 7on'on. I mus never #ome (a#) o I aly. Is %a agree'?H HYes. I agree o %a .H 6olom(o go o %is !ee . &e wen o %e #%es o! 'rawers an' oo) ou ,on'8s gun. &e %an'e' i o ,on'. HIn %a #ase0 my !rien'0 you %a' (e er %ave %is0 (e#ause you are going o nee' i . -n' you %a' (e er ge some slee*. T%ere will (e rum an' #o!!ee !or everyone a !ive in %e morning.H &e %el' ou %is %an'. ,on' oo) i . "u''enly %e wo men were !rien's. ,on' !el %e !a# . &e sai' aw)war'ly H-ll rig% 0 6olom(o0H an' wen ou o! %e saloon an' along o %is #a(in. T%e Colom"ina %a' a #rew o! welve. T%ey were youngis%0 oug%+loo)ing men. T%ey al)e' so! ly among %emselves as %e mugs o! %o #o!!ee an' rum were 'is%e' ou (y 6olom(o in %e saloon. - s orm lan ern was %e only lig% < %e s%i* %a' (een 'ar)ene' < an' ,on' smile' o %imsel! a %e Treasure Islan' a mos*%ere o! e3#i emen an' #ons*ira#y. 6olom(o wen !rom man o man on a wea*on ins*e# ion. T%ey all %a' 7ugers0 #arrie' un'er %e 4ersey insi'e %e rouser+(an'0 an' !li#)+)nives in %e *o#)e . 6olom(o %a' a wor' o! a**roval or #ri i#ism !or ea#% wea*on. I s ru#) ,on' %a 6olom(o %a' ma'e a goo' li!e !or %imsel! < a li!e o! a'ven ure an' %rill an' ris). I was a #riminal li!e < a running !ig% wi % %e #urren#y laws0 %e " a e o(a##o mono*oly0 %e 6us oms0 %e *oli#e < (u %ere was a w%i!! o! a'oles#en ras#ali y in %e air w%i#% some%ow #%ange' %e #olour o! %e #rime !rom (la#) o w%i e < or a leas o grey. 6olom(o loo)e' a %is wa #%. &e 'ismisse' %e men o %eir *os s. &e 'owse' %e lan ern an'0 in %e oys er lig% o! 'awn0 ,on' !ollowe' %im u* o %e (ri'ge. &e !oun' %e s%i* was #lose o a (la#)0 ro#)y s%ore w%i#% %ey were !ollowing a re'u#e' s*ee'. 6olom(o *oin e' a%ea'. H$oun' %a %ea'lan' is %e %ar(our. Our a**roa#% will no %ave (een o(serve'. In %e %ar(our0 agains %e 4e y0 I e3*e# o !in' a s%i* o! a(ou %is si5e unloa'ing inno#en rolls o! news*rin 'own a ram* in o a ware%ouse. $oun' %e %ea'lan'0 we will *u on !ull s*ee' an' #ome alongsi'e %is s%i* an' (oar' %er. T%ere will (e resis an#e. &ea's will (e (ro)en. I %o*e i is no s%oo ing. >e s%all

no s%oo unless %ey 'o. ,u i will (e an -l(anian s%i* manne' (y a #rew o! -l(anian oug%s. I! %ere is s%oo ing0 you mus s%oo well wi % %e res o! us. T%ese *eo*le are enemies o! your #oun ry as well as mine. I! you ge )ille'0 you ge )ille'. O)ay?H HT%a 8s all rig% .H -s ,on' sai' %e wor's0 %ere #ame a ing on %e engine+room elegra*% an' %e 'e#) (egan o rem(le un'er %is !ee . .a)ing en )no s0 %e small s%i* roun'e' %e %ea'lan' in o %e %ar(our. I was as 6olom(o %a' sai'. -longsi'e a s one 4e y lay %e s%i*0 i s sails !la**ing i'ly. From %er s ern a ram* o! woo' *lan)s slo*e' 'own owar's %e 'ar) mou % o! a rams%a#)le #orruga e' iron ware%ouse0 insi'e w%i#% (urne' !ee(le ele# ri# lig% s. T%e s%i* #arrie' a 'e#) #argo o! w%a a**eare' o (e rolls o! news*rin 0 an' %ese were (eing %ois e' one (y one on o %e ram* w%en#e %ey rolle' 'own un'er %eir own momen um %roug% %e mou % o! %e ware%ouse. T%ere were a(ou wen y men in sig% . Only sur*rise woul' s raig% en ou %ese o''s. =ow 6olom(o8s #ra! was !i! y yar's away !rom %e o %er s%i*0 an' one or wo o! %e men %a' s o**e' wor)ing an' were loo)ing in %eir 'ire# ion. One man ran o!! in o %e ware%ouse. "imul aneously 6olom(o issue' a s%ar* or'er. T%e engines s o**e' an' wen in o reverse. - (ig sear#%lig% on %e (ri'ge #ame on an' li %e w%ole s#ene (rig% ly as %e s%i* 'ri! e' u* alongsi'e %e -l(anian rawler. - %e !irs %ar' #on a# 0 gra**ling+irons were osse' over %e -l(anian8s rail !ore an' a! 0 an' 6olom(o8s men swarme' over %e si'e wi % 6olom(o in %e lea'. ,on' %a' ma'e %is own *lans. -s soon as %is !ee lan'e' on %e enemy 'e#)0 %e ran s raig% a#ross %e s%i*0 #lim(e' %e !ar rail an' 4um*e'. I was a(ou welve !ee o %e 4e y an' %e lan'e' li)e a #a 0 on %is %an's an' oes0 an' s aye' !or a momen 0 #rou#%ing0 *lanning %is ne3 move. "%oo ing %a' alrea'y s ar e' on 'e#). -n early s%o )ille' %e sear#%lig% an' now %ere was only %e grey0 luminous lig% o! 'awn. (o'y0 one o! %e enemy0 #run#%e' o %e s one in !ron o! %im an' lay s*rea'+eagle'0 mo ionless. - %e same ime0 !rom %e mou % o! %e ware%ouse0 a lig% ma#%ine gun s ar e' u*0 !iring s%or (urs s wi % a %ig%ly *ro!essional ou#%. ,on' ran owar's i in %e 'ar) s%a'ow o! %e s%i*. T%e ma#%ine+gunner saw %im an' gave %im a (urs . T%e (ulle s 5i**e' roun' ,on'0 #lange' agains %e iron %ull o! %e s%i* an' w%ine' o!! in o %e nig% . ,on' go o %e #over o! %e slo*ing ram* o! (oar's an' 'ive' !orwar' on %is s oma#%. T%e (ulle s #ras%e' in o %e woo' a(ove %is %ea'. ,on' #re* !orwar' in o %e narrowing s*a#e. >%en %e %a' go as #lose as %e #oul'0 %e woul' %ave a #%oi#e o! (rea)ing #over ei %er o rig% or le! o! %e (oar's. T%ere #ame a series o! %eavy %u's an' a swi! rum(le a(ove %is %ea'. One o! 6olom(o8s men mus %ave #u %e ro*es an' sen %e w%ole *ile o! news*rin rolls 'own %e ram*. =ow was ,on'8s #%an#e. &e lea* ou !rom un'er #over < o %e le! . I! %e ma#%ine+gunner was wai ing !or %im0 %e woul' e3*e# ,on' o #ome ou !iring on %e rig% . T%e ma#%ine+ gunner was %ere0 #rou#%ing u* agains %e wall o! %e ware%ouse. ,on' !ire' wi#e in %e s*li se#on' (e!ore %e (rig% mu55le o! %e enemy wea*on %a' swung %roug% i s small ar#. T%e 'ea' man8s !inger #len#%e' on %e rigger an'0 as %e slum*e'0 %is gun ma'e a (rie! 6a %erine+w%eel o! !las%es (e!ore i s%oo) i sel! !ree !rom %is %an' an' #la ere' o %e groun'. ,on' was running !orwar' owar's %e ware%ouse 'oor w%en %e sli**e' an' !ell %ea'long. &e lay !or a momen 0 s unne'0 %is !a#e in a *ool o! (la#) rea#le. &e #urse' an' go o %is %an's an' )nees an' ma'e a 'as% !or #over (e%in' a 4um(le o! %e (ig news*rin rolls %a %a' #ras%e' in o %e wall o! %e ware%ouse. One o! %em0 sli#e' (y a (urs !rom %e ma#%ine gun0 was lea)ing (la#) rea#le. ,on' wi*e' as

mu#% o! %e s u!! o!! %is %an's an' !a#e as %e #oul'. I %a' %e mus y swee smell %a ,on' %a' on#e smelle' in .e3i#o. I was raw o*ium. - (ulle w%ange' in o %e wall o! %e ware%ouse no !ar !rom %is %ea'. ,on' gave %is gun+%an' a las wi*e on %e sea o! %is rousers an' lea* !or %e ware%ouse 'oor. &e was sur*rise' no o (e s%o a !rom %e in erior as soon as %e was sil%oue e' agains %e en ran#e. I was 1uie an' #ool insi'e %e *la#e. T%e lig% s %a' (een urne' ou 0 (u i was now ge ing (rig% er ou si'e. T%e *ale news*rin rolls were s a#)e' in or'erly ran)s wi % a s*a#e o ma)e a *assageway 'own %e #en re. - %e !ar en' o! %e *assageway was a 'oor. T%e w%ole arrangemen leere' a %im0 'aring %im. ,on' smelle' 'ea %. &e e'ge' (a#) o %e en ran#e an' ou in o %e o*en. T%e s%oo ing %a' (e#ome s*asmo'i#. 6olom(o #ame running swi! ly owar's %im0 %is !ee #lose o %e groun' as !a men run. ,on' sai' *erem* orilyE H" ay a %is 'oor. :on8 go in or le any o! your men in. I8m going roun' o %e (a#).H >i %ou wai ing !or an answer %e s*rin e' roun' %e #orner o! %e (uil'ing an' 'own along i s si'e. T%e ware%ouse was a(ou !i! y !ee long. ,on' slowe' an' wal)e' so! ly o %e !ar #orner. &e !la ene' %imsel! agains %e #orruga e' iron wall an' oo) a swi! loo) roun'. &e imme'ia ely 'rew (a#). - man was s an'ing u* agains %e (a#) en ran#e. &is eyes were a some )in' o! s*y%ole. In %is %an' was a *lunger !rom w%i#% wires ran un'er %e (o om o! %e 'oor. - #ar0 a (la#) 7an#ia 9ran urismo #onver i(le wi % %e %oo' 'own0 s oo' (esi'e %im0 i s engine i#)ing over so! ly. I *oin e' inlan' along a 'ee*ly ra#)e' 'us roa'. T%e man was Kris a os. ,on' )nel . &e %el' %is gun in (o % %an's !or s ea'iness0 in#%e' swi! ly roun' %e #orner o! %e (uil'ing an' !ire' one s%o a %e man8s !ee . &e misse'. -lmos as %e saw %e 'us )i#) u* in#%es o!! %e arge 0 %ere was %e rum(ling #ra#) o! an e3*losion an' %e in wall %i %im an' sen %im !lying. ,on' s#ram(le' o %is !ee . T%e ware%ouse %a' (u#)le' #ra5ily ou o! s%a*e. =ow i s ar e' o #olla*se noisily li)e a *a#) o! in #ar's. Kris a os was in %e #ar. I was alrea'y wen y yar's away0 'us !oun aining u* !rom %e ra# ion on %e rear w%eels. ,on' s oo' in %e #lassi# *is ol+s%oo ing *ose an' oo) #are!ul aim. T%e >al %er roare' an' )i#)e' %ree imes. - %e las s%o 0 a !i! y yar's0 %e !igure #rou#%e' over %e w%eel 4er)e' (a#)war's. T%e %an's !lew si'eways o!! %e w%eel. T%e %ea' #rane' (rie!ly in o %e air an' slum*e' !orwar'. T%e rig% %an' remaine' s i#)ing ou as i! %e 'ea' man was signalling a rig% +%an' urn. ,on' s ar e' o run u* %e roa'0 e3*e# ing %e #ar o s o*0 (u %e w%eels were %el' in %e ru s an'0 wi % %e weig% o! %e 'ea' rig% !oo s ill on %e a##elera or0 %e 7an#ia ore onwar's in i s s#reaming %ir' gear. ,on' s o**e' an' wa #%e' i . I %urrie' on along %e !la roa' a#ross %e (urne'+u* *lain an' %e #lou' o! w%i e 'us (lew gaily u* (e%in'. - any momen ,on' e3*e# e' i o veer o!! %e roa'0 (u i 'i' no 0 an' ,on' s oo' an' saw i ou o! sig% in o %e early morning mis %a *romise' a (eau i!ul 'ay. ,on' *u %is gun on sa!e an' u#)e' i away in %e (el o! %is rousers. &e urne' o !in' 6olom(o a**roa#%ing %im. T%e !a man was grinning 'elig% e'ly. &e #ame u* wi % ,on' an'0 o ,on'8s %orror0 %rew o*en %is arms0 #lu #%e' ,on' o %im an' )isse' %im on (o % #%ee)s. ,on' sai'E HFor 9o'8s sa)e0 6olom(o.H 6olom(o roare' wi % laug% er. H-%0 %e 1uie Englis%manA &e !ears no %ing save %e emo ions. ,u me0H %e %i %imsel! in %e #%es 0 Hme0 Enri#o 6olom(o0 loves %is man an' %e is no as%ame' o say so. I! you %a' no go %e ma#%ine+gunner0 no one o! us woul' %ave survive'. -s i is0 I los wo o! my men an' o %ers %ave woun's. ,u only %al! a 'o5en -l(anians remain on %eir !ee an' %ey %ave es#a*e' in o %e

village. =o 'ou( %e *oli#e will roun' %em u*. -n' now you %ave sen %a (as ar' Kris a os mo oring 'own o %ell. >%a a s*len'i' !inis% o %imA >%a will %a**en w%en %e li le ra#ing+%earse mee s %e main roa'? &e is alrea'y signalling !or %e rig% +%an' urn on o %e au os ra'a0 I %o*e %e will remem(er o 'rive on %e rig% .H 6olom(o #la**e' ,on' (ois erously on %e s%oul'er. H,u #ome0 my !rien'. I is ime we go ou o! %ere. T%e #o#)s are o*en in %e -l(anian s%i* an' s%e will soon (e on %e (o om. T%ere are no ele*%ones in %is li le *la#e. >e will %ave a goo' s ar on %e *oli#e. I will a)e %em some ime o ge sense ou o! %e !is%ermen. I %ave s*o)en o %e %ea' man. =o one %ere %as any love !or -l(anians. ,u we mus (e on our way. >e %ave a s i!! sail in o %e win' an' %ere is no 'o# or I #an rus %is si'e o! Veni#e.H Flames were (eginning o li#) ou o! %e s%a ere' ware%ouse0 an' %ere was (illowing smo)e %a smelle' o! swee vege a(les. ,on' an' 6olom(o wal)e' roun' o win'war'. T%e -l(anian s%i* %a' se le' on %e (o om an' %er 'e#)s were awas%. T%ey wa'e' a#ross %er an' #lim(e' on (oar' %e Colom"ina# w%ere ,on' %a' o go %roug% some more %an's%a)ing an' (a#)+sla**ing. T%ey #as o!! a on#e an' ma'e !or %e %ea'lan' guar'ing %e %ar(our. T%ere was a small grou* o! !is%ermen s an'ing (y %eir (oa s %a lay 'rawn u* on %e (ea#% (elow a %u''le o! s one #o ages. T%ey ma'e a surly im*ression0 (u w%en 6olom(o wave' an' s%ou e' some %ing in I alian mos o! %em raise' a %an' in !arewell0 an' one o! %em #alle' (a#) some %ing %a ma'e %e #rew o! %e Colom"ina laug%. 6olom(o e3*laine'E HT%ey say we were (e er %an %e #inema a -n#ona an' we mus #ome again soon.H ,on' su''enly !el %e e3#i emen 'rain ou o! %im. &e !el 'ir y an' uns%aven0 an' %e #oul' smell %is own swea . &e wen (elow an' (orrowe' a ra5or an' a #lean s%ir !rom one o! %e #rew0 an' s ri**e' in %is #a(in an' #leanse' %imsel!. >%en %e oo) ou %is gun an' %rew i on %e (un) %e #aug% a w%i!! o! #or'i e !rom %e (arrel. I (roug% (a#) %e !ear an' violen#e an' 'ea % o! %e grey 'awn. &e o*ene' %e *or %ole. Ou si'e0 %e sea was 'an#ing an' gay0 an' %e re#e'ing #oas line0 %a %a' (een (la#) an' mys erious0 was now green an' (eau i!ul. - su''en 'eli#ious s#en o! !rying (a#on #ame 'ownwin' !rom %e galley. -(ru* ly ,on' *ulle' %e *or %ole o an' 'resse' an' wen along o %e saloon. Over a moun' o! !rie' eggs an' (a#on was%e' 'own wi % %o swee #o!!ee la#e' wi % rum0 6olom(o 'o e' %e i8s an' #rosse' %e 8s. HT%is we %ave 'one0 my !rien'0H %e sai' %roug% #run#%ing oas . HT%a was a year8s su**ly o! raw o*ium on i s way o Kris a os8s #%emi#al wor)s in =a*les. I is rue %a I %ave su#% a (usiness in .ilan an' %a i is a #onvenien 'e*o !or some o! my wares. ,u i !a(ri#a es no %ing more 'ea'ly %an #as#ara an' as*irin. For all %a *ar o! Kris a os8s s ory0 rea' Kris a os ins ea' o! 6olom(o. I is %e w%o (rea)s %e s u!! 'own in o %eroin an' i is %e w%o em*loys %e #ouriers o a)e i o 7on'on. T%a %uge s%i*men was wor % *er%a*s a million *oun's o Kris a os an' %is men. ,u 'o you )now some %ing0 my 'ear Bames? I #os %im no one soli ary #en . >%y? ,e#ause i is a gi! !rom $ussia. T%e gi! o! a massive an' 'ea'ly *ro4e# ile o (e !ire' in o %e (owels o! Englan'. T%e $ussians #an su**ly unlimi e' 1uan i ies o! %e #%arge !or %e *ro4e# ile. I #omes !rom %eir *o**y !iel's in %e 6au#asus0 an' -l(ania is a #onvenien en re*D . ,u %ey %ave no %e a**ara us o !ire %is *ro4e# ile. T%e man Kris a os #rea e' %e ne#essary a**ara us0 an' i is %e0 on (e%al! o! %is mas ers in $ussia0 w%o *ulls %e rigger. To'ay0 (e ween us0 we %ave 'es roye'0 in %al! an %our0 %e en ire #ons*ira#y. You #an now go (a#) an' ell your *eo*le in Englan' %a %e ra!!i# will #ease. You #an also ell %em %e ru % < %a I aly was no %e origin o! %is erri(le un'ergroun' wea*on o! war. T%a i is our ol' !rien's %e

$ussians. =o 'ou( i is some *sy#%ologi#al war!are se# ion o! %eir In elligen#e a**ara us. T%a I #anno ell you. 2er%a*s0 my 'ear Bames0H 6olom(o smile' en#ouragingly0 H %ey will sen' you o .os#ow o !in' ou . I! %a s%oul' %a**en0 le us %o*e you will !in' some girl as #%arming as your !rien' Fraulein 7isl ,aum o *u you on %e rig% roa' o %e ru %.H H>%a 'o you mean 8my !rien'8? "%e8s yours.H 6olom(o s%oo) %is %ea'. H.y 'ear Bames0 I %ave many !rien's. You will (e s*en'ing a !ew more 'ays in I aly wri ing your re*or 0 an' no 'ou( 0H %e #%u#)le'0 H#%e#)ing on some o! %e %ings I %ave ol' you. 2er%a*s you will also %ave an en4oya(le %al! an %our e3*laining %e !a# s o! li!e o your #olleagues in -meri#an In elligen#e. In (e ween %ese 'u ies you will nee' #om*anions%i* < someone o s%ow you %e (eau ies o! my (elove' %omelan'. In un#ivili5e' #oun ries0 i is %e *oli e #us om o o!!er one o! your wives o a man w%om you love an' wis% o %onour. I also am un#ivili5e'. I %ave no wives0 (u I %ave many su#% !rien's as 7isl ,aum. "%e will no nee' o re#eive any ins ru# ions in %is ma er. I %ave goo' reason o (elieve %a s%e is awai ing your re urn %is evening.H 6olom(o !is%e' in %is rousers *o#)e an' osse' some %ing 'own wi % a #lang on %e a(le in !ron o! ,on'. H&ere is %e goo' reason.H 6olom(o *u %is %an' o %is %ear an' loo)e' seriously in o ,on'8s eyes. HI give i o you !rom my %ear . 2er%a*s also !rom %ers.H ,on' *i#)e' %e %ing u*. I was a )ey wi % a %eavy me al ag a a#%e'. T%e me al ag was ins#ri(e' l"ergo Danielli. 'oom +,.

#&E &!L'EBRAN' RAR!#Y


T%e s ing+ray was a(ou si3 !ee !rom wing+ i* o wing+ i*0 an' *er%a*s en !ee long !rom %e (lun we'ge o! i s nose o %e en' o! i s 'ea'ly ail. I was 'ar) grey wi % %a viole inge %a is so o! en a 'anger signal in %e un'erwa er worl'. >%en i rose u* !rom %e *ale gol'en san' an' swam a li le 'is an#e i was as i! a (la#) owel was (eing wave' %roug% %e wa er. Bames ,on'0 %is %an's along %is !lan)s an' swimming wi % only a so! ru'ge o! %is !ins0 !ollowe' %e (la#) s%a'ow a#ross %e wi'e *alm+!ringe' lagoon0 wai ing !or a s%o . &e rarely )ille' !is% e3#e* o ea 0 (u %ere were e3#e* ions < (ig moray eels an' all %e mem(ers o! %e s#or*ion+!is% !amily. =ow %e *ro*ose' o )ill %e s ing+ray (e#ause i loo)e' so e3 raor'inarily evil. I was en o8#lo#) in %e morning o! a 'ay in -*ril0 an' %e lagoon0 ,elle -nse near %e sou %ernmos i* o! .a%e0 %e larges islan' in %e "ey#%elles grou*0 was glassy #alm. T%e nor %+wes monsoon %a' (lown i sel! ou mon %s (e!ore an' i woul' (e .ay (e!ore %e sou %+eas monsoon (roug% re!res%men . =ow %e em*era ure was eig% y in %e s%a'e an' %e %umi'i y nine y0 an' in %e en#lose' wa ers o! %e lagoon %e wa er was near (loo' %ea . Even %e !is% seeme' o (e sluggis%. - en+*oun' green *arro +!is%0 ni((ling algae !rom a lum* o! #oral0 *ause' only o roll i s eyes as ,on' *asse' over%ea'0 an' %en wen (a#) o i s meal. s#%ool o! !a grey #%u(0 swimming (usily0 (ro)e #our eously in %al! o le ,on'8s s%a'ow (y0 an' %en 4oine' u* an' #on inue' on %eir o**osi e #ourse. - #%orus line o! si3 small s1ui's0 normally as s%y as (ir's0 'i' no even (o %er o #%ange %eir #amou!lage a %is *assage. ,on' ru'ge' la5ily on0 )ee*ing %e s ing+ray 4us in sig% . "oon i woul' ge ire' or else (e reassure' w%en ,on'0 %e (ig !is% on %e sur!a#e0 'i' no a a#). T%en

i woul' se le on o a *a #% o! !la san'0 #%ange i s #amou!lage 'own o %e *ales 0 almos ranslu#en grey0 an'0 wi % so! un'ula ions o! i s wing+ i*s0 (ury i sel! in %e san'. T%e ree! was #oming nearer an' now %ere were ou #ro*s o! #oral nigger%ea's an' mea'ows o! sea+grass. I was li)e arriving in a own !rom o*en #oun ry. Everyw%ere %e 4ewelle' ree! !is% win)le' an' glowe' an' %e gian anemones o! %e In'ian O#ean (urne' li)e !lames in %e s%a'ows. 6olonies o! s*ine' sea+eggs ma'e se*ia s*las%es as i! someone %a' %rown in) agains %e ro#)0 an' %e (rillian (lue an' yellow !eelers o! langous es 1ues e' an' wave' !rom %eir #revi#es li)e small 'ragons. =ow an' %en0 among %e seawee' on %e (rillian !loor0 %ere was %e s*e#)le' gli er o! a #owrie (igger %an a gol! (all < %e leo*ar' #owrie < an' on#e ,on' saw %e (eau i!ul s*laye' !ingers o! a Venus8s %ar*. ,u all %ese %ings were now #ommon*la#e o %im an' %e 'rove s ea'ily on0 in eres e' in %e ree! only as #over %roug% w%i#% %e #oul' ge o seawar' o! %e ray an' %en *ursue i (a#) owar's %e s%ore. T%e a# i# wor)e'0 an' soon %e (la#) s%a'ow wi % i s *ursuing (rown or*e'o were moving (a#) a#ross %e grea (lue mirror. In a(ou welve !ee o! wa er %e ray s o**e' !or %e %un're' % ime. ,on' s o**e' also0 rea'ing wa er so! ly. 6au iously %e li! e' %is %ea' an' em* ie' wa er ou o! %is goggles. ,y %e ime %e loo)e' again %e ray %a' 'isa**eare'. ,on' %a' a 6%am*ion %ar*oon+gun wi % 'ou(le ru((ers. T%e %ar*oon was i**e' wi % a nee'le+s%ar* ri'en < a s%or +range wea*on0 (u %e (es !or ree! wor). ,on' *us%e' u* %e sa!e an' move' slowly !orwar'0 %is !ins *ulsing so! ly 4us (elow %e sur!a#e so as o ma)e no soun'. &e loo)e' aroun' %im0 rying o *ier#e %e mis y %ori5ons o! %e grea %ail o! %e lagoon. &e was loo)ing !or any (ig lur)ing s%a*e. I woul' no 'o o %ave a s%ar) or a large (arra#u'a as wi ness o! %e )ill. Fis% some imes s#ream w%en %ey are %ur 0 an' even w%en %ey 'o no %e ur(ulen#e an' (loo' #ause' (y a s%ar* s ruggle (ring %e s#avengers. ,u %ere was no a living %ing in sig% an' %e san' s re #%e' away in o %e smo)y wings li)e %e (are (oar's o! a s age. =ow ,on' #oul' see %e !ain ou line on %e (o om. &e swam 'ire# ly over i an' lay mo ionless on %e sur!a#e loo)ing 'own. T%ere was a iny movemen in %e san'. Two minu e !oun ains o! san' were 'an#ing a(ove %e nos ril+li)e %oles o! %e s*ira#les. ,e%in' %e %oles was %e slig% swelling o! %e %ing8s (o'y. T%a was %e arge . -n in#% (e%in' %e %oles. ,on' es ima e' %e *ossi(le u*war' las% o! %e ail an' slowly rea#%e' %is gun 'own an' *ulle' %e rigger. ,elow %im %e san' eru* e' an' !or an an3ious momen ,on' #oul' see no %ing. T%en %e %ar*oon line #ame au an' %e ray s%owe'0 *ulling away !rom %im w%ile i s ail0 in re!le3 aggression0 las%e' again an' again over %e (o'y. - %e (ase o! %e ail ,on' #oul' see %e 4agge' *oison+s*ines s an'ing u* !rom %e run). T%ese were %e s*ines %a were su**ose' o %ave )ille' @lysses0 %a 2liny sai' woul' 'es roy a ree. In %e In'ian O#ean0 w%ere %e sea *oisons are a %eir mos virulen 0 one s#ra #% !rom %e ray8s s ing woul' mean #er ain 'ea %. 6au iously0 )ee*ing %e ray on a au line0 ,on' ru'ge' a! er %e !uriously wres ling !is%. &e swam o one si'e o )ee* %e line away !rom %e las%ing ail w%i#% #oul' easily sever i . T%is ail was %e ol' slave+'rivers8 w%i* o! %e In'ian O#ean. To'ay i is illegal even o *ossess one in %e "ey#%elles0 (u %ey are %an'e' 'own in %e !amilies !or use on !ai %less wives0 an' i! %e wor' goes roun' %a %is or %a woman a eu la crapule0 %e 2rovenTal name !or %e s ing ray0 i is as goo' as saying %a %a woman will no (e a(ou again !or a leas a wee). =ow %e las%es o! %e all were ge ing wea)er an' ,on' swam roun' an' a%ea' o! %e ray0 *ulling i a! er %im owar's %e s%ore. In %e s%allows %e ray wen lim* an' ,on' *ulle' i ou o! %e wa er an' well u* on %e (ea#%. ,u %e

s ill )e* away !rom i . I was as well %e 'i' so. "u''enly0 a some move !rom ,on' an' *er%a*s in %e %o*e o! #a #%ing i s enemy unawares0 %e gian ray lea* #lean in o %e air. ,on' s*rang asi'e an' %e ray !ell on i s (a#) an' lay wi % i s w%i e un'er(elly o %e sun an' %e grea ugly si#)le o! %e mou % su#)ing an' *an ing. ,on' s oo' an' loo)e' a %e s ing+ray an' won'ere' w%a o 'o ne3 . - s%or 0 !a w%i e man in )%a)i0 s%ir an' rousers #ame ou !rom un'er %e *alm rees an' wal)e' owar's ,on' %roug% %e s#a ering o! sea+gra*e an' sun+'rie' wra#) a(ove %ig%wa er mar). >%en %e was near enoug% %e #alle' ou in a laug%ing voi#eE HT%e Ol' .an an' %e "eaA >%o #aug% w%o?H ,on' urne'. HI -ould (e %e only man on %e islan' w%o 'oesn8 #arry a ma#%e e. Fi'ele0 (e a goo' #%a* an' #all one o! your men. T%is animal won8 'ie0 an' %e8s go my s*ear s u#) in %im.H Fi'ele ,ar(ey0 %e younges o! %e innumera(le ,ar(eys w%o own nearly every %ing in %e "ey#%elles0 #ame u* an' s oo' loo)ing 'own a %e ray. HT%a 8s a goo' one. 7u#)y you %i %e rig% s*o or %e8' %ave owe' you over %e ree! an' you8' %ave %a' o le go your gun. T%ey a)e %e %ell o! a ime o 'ie. ,u #ome on. I8ve go o ge you (a#) o Vi# oria. "ome %ing8s #ome u*. "ome %ing goo'. I8ll sen' one o! my men !or %e gun. :o you wan %e ail?H ,on' smile'. HI %aven8 go a wi!e. ,u w%a a(ou some raie au "eurre noir onig% ?H H=o onig% 0 my !rien'. 6ome. >%ere are your #lo %es?H On %eir way 'own %e #oas roa' in %e s a ion wagon Fi'ele sai'E HEver %ear o! an -meri#an #alle' .il on Kres ? >ell0 a**aren ly %e owns %e Kres %o els an' a %ing #alle' %e Kres Foun'a ion. One %ing I #an ell you !or sure. &e owns %e !ines 'amne' ya#% in %e In'ian O#ean. 2u in yes er'ay. T%e .a-e/rest. =early wo %un're' ons. &un're' !ee long. Every %ing in %er !rom a (eau i!ul wi!e 'own o a (ig ransis or gramo*%one on gim(als so %e waves won8 4er) %e nee'le. >all+ o+wall #ar*e ing an in#% 'ee*. -ir+#on'i ione' %roug%ou . T%e only 'ry #igare es %is si'e o! %e -!ri#an #on inen 0 an' %e (es a! er+(rea)!as (o le o! #%am*agne0 sin#e %e las ime I saw 2aris.H Fi'ele ,ar(ey laug%e' 'elig% e'ly. H.y !rien'0 %a is one %ell o! a (loo'y !ine s%i*0 an' i! .r Kres is a gran' slam re'ou(le' in (as ar's0 w%o %e %ell #ares?H H>%o #ares anyway? >%a 8s i go o 'o wi % you < or me !or %e ma er o! %a ?H HBus %is0 my !rien'. >e are going o s*en' a !ew 'ays sailing wi % .r Kres < an' .rs Kres 0 %e (eau i!ul .rs Kres . I %ave agree' o a)e %e s%i* o 6%agrin < %e islan' I %ave s*o)en o you a(ou . I is (loo'y miles !rom %ere < o!! %e -!ri#an ,an)s0 an' my !amily %ave never !oun' any use !or i e3#e* !or #olle# ing (oo(ies8 eggs. I 8s only a(ou %ree !ee a(ove sea+level. I %aven8 (een o %e 'amne' *la#e !or !ive years. -ny way0 %is man Kres wan s o go %ere. &e s #olle# ing marine s*e#imens0 some %ing o 'o wi % %is Foun'a ion0 an' %ere8s some (las e' li le !is% %a 8s su**ose' o e3is only aroun' 6%agrin Islan'. - leas Kres says %e only s*e#imen in %e worl' #ame !rom %ere.H H"oun's ra %er !un. >%ere 'o I #ome in?H HI )new you were (ore' an' %a you8' go a wee) (e!ore you sail0 so I sai' %a you were %e lo#al un'er wa er a#e an' %a you8' soon !in' %e !is% i! i was %ere0 an' anyway %a I woul'n8 go wi %ou you. .r Kres was willing. -n' %a 8s %a . I )new0 you8' (e !ooling aroun' somew%ere 'own %e #oas 0 so I 4us 'rove along un il one o! %e !is%ermen ol' me %ere was a #ra5y w%i e man rying o #ommi sui#i'e alone a ,elle -nse an' I )new %a woul' (e you.H

,on' laug%e'. HE3 raor'inary %e way %ese islan' *eo*le are a!rai' o! %e sea. You8' %in) %ey8' %ave go on erms wi % i (y now. :amne' !ew o! %e "ey#%ellois #an even swim.H H$oman 6a %oli# 6%ur#%. :oesn8 li)e %em a)ing %eir #lo %es o!!. ,loo'y nonsense0 (u %ere i is. -n' as !or (eing a!rai'0 'on8 !orge you8ve only (een %ere !or a mon %. "%ar)0 (arra#u'a < you 4us %aven8 me a %ungry one. -n' s one+!is%. Ever seen a man %a 8s s e**e' on a s one+!is%? &is (o'y (en's (a#)war's li)e a (ow wi % %e *ain. "ome imes i 8s so !rig% !ul %is eyes li erally !all ou o! %eir so#)e s. T%ey very sel'om live.H ,on' sai' unsym*a %e i#allyE HT%ey oug% o wear s%oes or (in' %eir !ee u* w%en %ey go on %e ree!. T%ey8ve go %ese !is% in %e 2a#i!i# an' %e gian #lam in o %e (argain. I 8s 'amne' silly. Every(o'y moans a(ou %ow *oor %ey are %ere0 al %oug% %e sea8s a(solu ely *ave' wi % !is%. -n' %ere are !i! y varie ies o! #owrie un'er %ose ro#)s. T%ey #oul' ma)e ano %er goo' living selling %ose roun' %e worl'.H Fi'ele ,ar(ey laug%e' (ois erously. H,on' !or 9overnorA T%a 8s %e i#)e . =e3 mee ing o! 7eg6o I8ll *u %e i'ea u*. You8re 4us %e man !or %e 4o( !ar+sig% e'0 !ull o! i'eas0 *len y o! 'rive. 6owriesA T%a 8s s*len'i'. T%ey8ll (alan#e %e (u'ge !or %e !irs ime sin#e %e *a #%ouli (oom a! er %e >ar. 8>e sell sea+s%ells !rom %e "ey#%elles.8 T%a 8ll (e our slogan. I8ll see you ge %e #re'i . You8ll (e "ir Bames in no ime.H H.a)e more money %a way %an rying o grow vanilla a a loss.H T%ey #on inue' o wrangle wi % lig% +%ear e' violen#e un il %e *alm groves gave way o %e gian sang'ragon rees on %e ou s)ir s o! %e rams%a#)le #a*i al o! .a%e. I %a' (een nearly a mon % (e!ore w%en . %a' ol' ,on' %e was sen'ing %im o %e "ey#%elles. -'miral y are %aving rou(le wi % %eir new !lee (ase in %e .al'ives. 6ommunis s #ree*ing in !rom 6eylon. " ri)es0 sa(o age < %e usual *i# ure. .ay %ave o #u %eir losses an' !all (a#) on %e "ey#%elles. - %ousan' miles !ar %er sou %0 (u a leas %ey loo) *re y se#ure. ,u %ey 'on8 wan o (e #aug% again. 6olonial O!!i#e say i 8s sa!e as %ouses. -ll %e same I8ve agree' o sen' someone o give an in'e*en'en view. >%en .a)arios was lo#)e' u* %ere a !ew years ago %ere were 1ui e a !ew "e#uri y s#ares. Ba*anese !is%ing+(oa s %anging a(ou 0 one or wo re!ugee #roo)s !rom Englan'0 s rong ies wi % Fran#e. Bus go an' %ave a goo' loo).H . glan#e' ou o! %e win'ow a %e 'riving .ar#% slee . H:on8 ge suns ro)e.H ,on'8s re*or 0 w%i#% #on#lu'e' %a %e only #on#eiva(le se#uri y %a5ar' in %e "ey#%elles lay in %e (eau y an' rea'y availa(ili y o! %e "ey#%elloises0 %a' (een !inis%e' a wee) (e!ore an' %en %e %a' no %ing o 'o (u wai !or %e ss 0ampala o a)e %im o .om(asa. &e was %oroug%ly si#) o! %e %ea an' %e 'roo*ing *alm rees an' %e *lain ive #ry o! %e erns an' %e in ermina(le #onversa ions a(ou #o*ra. T%e *ros*e# o! a #%ange 'elig% e' %im. ,on' was s*en'ing %is las wee) in %e ,ar(ey %ouse0 an' a! er #alling %ere o *i#) u* %eir (ags0 %ey 'rove ou o %e en' o! 7ong 2ier an' le! %e #ar in %e 6us oms s%e'. T%e gleaming w%i e ya#% lay %al! a mile ou in %e roa's ea'. T%ey oo) a *irogue wi % an ou (oar' mo or a#ross %e glassy (ay an' %roug% %e o*ening in %e ree!. T%e .a-e/rest was no (eau i!ul < %e (rea' % o! (eam an' #lu ere' su*ers ru# ure s un e' %er lines < (u ,on' #oul' see a on#e %a s%e was a real s%i*0 (uil o #ruise %e worl' an' no 4us %e Flori'a Keys. "%e seeme' 'eser e'0 (u as %ey #ame alongsi'e wo smar +loo)ing sailors in w%i e s%or s an' single s a**eare' an' s oo' (y %e la''er wi % (oa +%oo)s rea'y o !en' %e s%a((y *irogue o!! %e

ya#% 8s gleaming *ain . T%ey oo) %e wo (ags an' one o! %em sli' (a#) an aluminium %a #% an' ges ure' !or %em o go 'own. - (rea % o! w%a seeme' o ,on' o (e almos !ree5ing air s ru#) %im as %e wen %roug% an' 'own a !ew s e*s in o %e lounge. T%e lounge was em* y. I was no a #a(in. I was a room o! soli' ri#%ness an' #om!or wi % no %ing o asso#ia e i wi % %e in erior o! a s%i*. T%e win'ows (e%in' %e %al!+#lose' vene ian (lin's were !ull si5e0 as were %e 'ee* arm#%airs roun' %e low #en ral a(le. T%e #ar*e was %e 'ee*es *ile in *ale (lue. T%e walls were *anelle' in a silvery woo' an' %e #eiling was o!!+w%i e. T%ere was a 'es) wi % %e usual wri ing+ma erials an' a ele*%one. =e3 o %e (ig gramo*%one was a si'e(oar' la'en wi % 'rin)s. -(ove %e si'e(oar' was w%a loo)e' li)e an e3 remely goo' $enoir < %e %ea' an' s%oul'ers o! a *re y 'ar)+%aire' girl in a (la#) an' w%i e s ri*e' (louse. T%e im*ression o! a lu3urious living+room in a own %ouse was #om*le e' (y a large (owl o! w%i e an' (lue %ya#in %s on %e #en ral a(le an' (y %e i'y range o! maga5ines o one si'e o! %e 'es). H>%a 'i' I ell you0 Bames?H ,on' s%oo) %is %ea' a'miringly. HT%is is #er ainly %e way o rea %e sea < as i! i 'amne' well 'i'n8 e3is .H &e (rea %e' in 'ee*ly. H>%a a relie! o ge a mou %!ul o! !res% air. I8' almos !orgo en w%a i as es li)e.H HI 8s %e s u!! ou si'e %a 8s !res%0 !eller. T%is is #anne'.H .r .il on Kres %a' #ome 1uie ly in o %e room an' was s an'ing loo)ing a %em. &e was a oug%0 lea %ery man in %is early !i! ies. &e loo)e' %ar' an' !i 0 an' %e !a'e' (lue 4eans0 mili ary+#u s%ir an' wi'e lea %er (el sugges e' %a %e ma'e a !e is% o! 'oing so < loo)ing oug%. T%e *ale (rown eyes in %e wea %er+(ea en !a#e were slig% ly %oo'e' an' %eir ga5e was slee*y an' #on em* uous. T%e mou % %a' a 'ownwar' wis %a mig% (e %umorous or 'is'ain!ul < *ro(a(ly %e la er < an' %e wor's %e %a' osse' in o %e room0 inno#uous in %emselves e3#e* !or %e *a roni5ing 8!eller8 %a' (een osse' li)e small #oin o a #ou*le o! #oolies. To ,on' %e o''es %ing a(ou .r Kres was %is voi#e. I was a so! 0 mos a ra# ive lis*ing %roug% %e ee %. I was e3a# ly %e voi#e o! %e la e &um*%rey ,ogar . ,on' ran %is eyes 'own %e man !rom %e s*arse #lose+#ro**e' (la#) an' grey %air0 li)e iron !ilings s*rin)le' over %e (ulle %ea'0 o %e a ooe' eagle a(ove a !oule' an#%or on %e rig% !orearm0 an' %en 'own o %e na)e' lea %ery !ee %a s oo' nau i#ally s1uare on %e #ar*e . &e %oug% E %is man li)es o (e %oug% a &emingway %ero. I8m no going o ge on wi % %im. .r Kres #ame a#ross %e #ar*e an' %el' ou %is %an'. HYou ,on'? 9la' o %ave you a(oar'0 sir.H ,on' was e3*e# ing %e (one+#rus%ing gri* an' *arrie' i wi % s i!!ene' mus#les. HFree+'iving or a1ualung?H HFree0 an' I 'on8 go 'ee*. I 8s only a %o((y.H H>%a'ya 'o %e res o! %e ime?H H6ivil "ervan .H .r Kres gave a s%or (ar)ing laug%. H6ivili y an' "ervi u'e. You Englis% ma)e %e (es go''am (u lers an' vale s in %e worl'. 6ivil "ervan 0 you say? I re#)on we8re li)ely o ge along !ine. 6ivil "ervan s are 4us w%a I li)e o %ave aroun' me.H T%e #li#) o! %e 'e#) %a #% sli'ing (a#) save' ,on'8s em*er. .r Kres was swe* !rom %is min' as a na)e' sun(urne' girl #ame 'own %e s e*s in o %e saloon. =o0 s%e wasn8 1ui e na)e' a! er all0 (u %e *ale (rown sa in s#ra*s o! (i)ini were 'esigne' o ma)e one %in) s%e was. H87o0 reasure. >%ere %ave you (een %i'ing? 7ong ime no see. .ee .r ,ar(ey

an' .r ,on'0 %e !ellers w%o are #oming along.H .r Kres raise' a %an' in %e 'ire# ion o! %e girl. HFellers0 %is is .rs Kres . T%e !i! % .rs Kres . -n' 4us in #ase any(o'y s%oul' ge any i'eas0 s%e loves .r Kres . :on8 you0 reasure?H HO% 'on8 (e silly0 .il 0 you )now I 'o.H .rs Kres smile' *re ily. H&ow 'o you 'o0 .r ,ar(ey. -n' .r ,on'. I 8s ni#e o %ave you wi % us. >%a a(ou a 'rin)?H H=ow 4us a minu e0 reas. "u**ose you le me !i3 %ings a(oar' my own s%i*0 %ein?H .r Kres 8s voi#e was so! an' *leasan . T%e woman (lus%e'. HO% yes0 .il 0 o! #ourse.H HO)ay %en0 4us so we )now w%o8s s)i**er a(oar' %e goo' s%i* .a-e/rest.H T%e amuse' smile em(ra#e' %em all. H=ow %en0 .r ,ar(ey. >%a 8s your !irs name0 (y %e way? Fi'ele0 e%? T%a 8s 1ui e a name. Ol' Fai %!ul0H .r Kres #%u#)le' (on%omously. H>ell now0 Fi'o0 %ow8s a(ou you an' me go u*on %e (ri'ge an' ge %is li le ol' s)i!! moving0 %ein? .e((e you (e er a)e %er ou in o %e o*en sea an' %en you #an se a #ourse an' %an' over o Fri 5. I8m %e #a* ain. &e8s %e ma e0 an' %ere are wo !or %e engine+room an' *an ry. -ll %ree 9ermans. Only 'arne' sailors le! in Euro*e. -n' .r ,on'. Firs name? Bames0 e%? >ell0 Bim0 w%a say you *ra# ise a (i o! %a #ivili y an' servi u'e on .rs Kres . 6all %er 7i50 (y %e way. &el* %er !i3 %e #ana*Cs an' so on !or 'rin)s (e!ore lun#%. "%e was on#e a 7imey oo. You #an swa* yarns a(ou 2i##a'illy 6ir#us an' %e :oo)s you (o % )now. O)ay? .ove0 Fi'o.H &e s*rang (oyis%ly u* %e s e*s. H7e 8s ge %e %ell ou a %ere.H >%en %e %a #% #lose'0 ,on' le ou a 'ee* (rea %. .rs Kres sai' a*ologe i#allyE H2lease 'on8 min' %is 4o)es. I 8s 4us %is sense o! %umour. -n' %e8s a (i #on rary. &e li)es o see i! %e #an rile *eo*le. I 8s very naug% y o! %im. ,u i 8s really all in !un.H ,on' smile' reassuringly. &ow o! en 'i' s%e %ave o ma)e %is s*ee#% o *eo*le0 ry an' #alm %e em*ers o! %e *eo*le .r Kres %a' *ra# ise' %is 8sense o! %umour8 on? &e sai'E HI e3*e# your %us(an' nee's a (i o! )nowing. :oes %e go on %e same way (a#) in -meri#a?H "%e sai' wi %ou (i ernessE HOnly wi % me. &e loves -meri#ans. I 8s w%en %e8s a(roa'. You see0 %is !a %er was a 9erman0 a 2russian really. &e8s go %a silly 9erman %ing o! %in)ing Euro*eans an' so on are 'e#a'en 0 %a %ey aren8 any goo' any more. I 8s no use arguing wi % %im. I 8s 4us a %ing %e8s go .H "o %a was i A T%e ol' &un again. -lways a your !ee or a your %roa . "ense o! %umour in'ee'A -n' w%a mus %is woman %ave o *u u* wi %0 %is (eau i!ul girl %e %a' go %ol' o! o (e %is slave < %is Englis% slave? ,on' sai'E H&ow long %ave you (een marrie'?H HTwo years. I was wor)ing as a re#e* ionis in one o! %is %o els. &e owns %e Kres 9rou*0 you )now. I was won'er!ul. 7i)e a !airy s ory. I s ill %ave o *in#% my sel! some imes o ma)e sure I8m no 'reaming. T%is0 !or ins an#e0H s%e wave' a %an' a %e lu3urious room0 Han' %e8s erri(ly goo' o me. -lways giving me *resen s. &e8s a very im*or an man in -meri#a0 you )now. I 8s !un (eing rea e' li)e royal y w%erever you go.H HI mus (e. &e li)es %a sor o! %ing0 I su**ose?H HO% yes.H T%ere was resigna ion in %e laug%. HT%ere8s a lo o! %e sul an in %im0 &e ge 8s 1ui e im*a ien i! %e 'oesn8 ge *ro*er servi#e. &e says %a w%en one8s wor)e' very %ar' o ge o %e o* o! %e ree one %as a rig% o %e (es !rui %a grows %ere.H .rs Kres !oun' s%e was al)ing oo !reely. "%e sai' 1ui#)lyE H,u really0 w%a am I saying? -nyone woul' %in) we %a' )nown ea#% o %er !or years.H "%e smile' s%yly. HI su**ose i 8s mee ing someone !rom Englan'. ,u I really mus go an' ge some more #lo %es on. I was sun(a %ing on 'e#).H T%ere #ame a 'ee* rum(le

!rom (elow+'e#) ami's%i*s. HT%ere. >e8re o!!. >%y 'on8 you wa #% us leave %ar(our !rom %e a! er'e#)0 an' I8ll #ome an' 4oin you in a minu e. T%ere8s so mu#% I wan o %ear a(ou 7on'on. T%is way.H "%e move' *as %im an' sli' o*en a 'oor. H-s a ma er o! !a# 0 i! you8re sensi(le0 you8ll s a)e a #laim o %is !or %e nig% s. T%ere are *len y o! #us%ions0 an' %e #a(ins are a* o ge a (i s u!!y in s*i e o! %e air+#on'i ioning.H ,on' %an)e' %er0 an' wal)e' ou an' s%u %e 'oor (e%in' %im. I was a (ig well+'e#) wi % %em* !looring an' a #ream+#oloure' semi#ir#ular !oam ru((er se ee in %e s ern. $a an #%airs were s#a ere' a(ou an' %ere was a serving+(ar in one #orner. I #rosse' ,on'8s min' %a .r Kres mig% (e a %eavy 'rin)er. >as i %is imagina ion0 or was .rs Kres erri!ie' o! %im? T%ere was some %ing *ain!ully slavis% in %er a i u'e owar's %im. =o 'ou( s%e %a' o *ay %eavily !or %er !airy s ory. ,on' wa #%e' %e green !lan)s o! .a%e slowly sli* away as ern. &e guesse' %a %eir s*ee' was a(ou en )no s. T%ey woul' soon (e a =or % 2oin an' %ea'ing !or %e o*en sea. ,on' lis ene' o %e glu inous (u((le o! %e e3%aus an' i'ly %oug% a(ou %e (eau i!ul .rs Eli5a(e % Kres . "%e #oul' %ave (een a mo'el < *ro(a(ly %a' (een (e!ore s%e (e#ame a %o el re#e* ionis < %a res*e# a(le !emale #alling %a ye %as a w%i!! o! %e %ig% 'emi+ mon'e a(ou i < an' s%e s ill move' %er (eau i!ul (o'y wi % %e unsel!#ons#iousness o! someone w%o is use' o going a(ou wi % no %ing0 or *ra# i#ally no %ing0 on. ,u %ere was none o! %e #%ill o! %e mo'el a(ou %er < i was a warm (o'y an' a !rien'ly0 #on!i'ing !a#e. "%e mig% (e %ir y0 #er ainly no more0 an' %er *re iness0 !or i was no more %an %a 0 was s ill imma ure. &er (es !ea ure was %e as%+(lon'e %air %a %ung %eavily o %e (ase o! %er ne#)0 (u s%e seeme' *leasan ly la#)ing in vani y a(ou i . "%e 'i'n8 oss i a(ou or !i''le wi % i 0 an' i o##urre' o ,on' %a s%e 'i'n8 in !a# s%ow any signs o! #o1ue ry. "%e %a' s oo' 1uie ly0 almos 'o#ilely0 wi % %er large0 'ear (lue eyes !i3e' almos %e w%ole ime on %er %us(an'. T%ere was no li*s i#) on %er mou % an' no la#1uer on %er !ingernails or oenails0 an' %er eye(rows were na ural. :i' .r Kres *er%a*s or'er %a i s%oul' (e so < %a s%e s%oul' (e a 9ermani# #%il' o! na ure? 2ro(a(ly. ,on' s%rugge' %is s%oul'ers. T%ey were #er ainly a #uriously assor e' #ou*le < %e mi''le+age' &emingway wi % %e ,ogar voi#e an' %e *re y0 ar less girl. -n' %ere was ension in %e air < in %e way s%e %a' #ringe' as %e (roug% %er o %eel w%en s%e %a' o!!ere' %em 'rin)s0 in %e !or#e' maleness o! %e man. ,on' oye' i'ly wi % %e no ion %a %e man was im*o en an' %a all %e oug%0 ru'e a# was no %ing more %an e3aggera e' virili y+*lay. I #er ainly wasn8 going o (e easy o live wi % !or !our or !ive 'ays. ,on' wa #%e' %e (eau i!ul "il%oue e Islan' sli* away o s ar(oar' an' ma'e a vow no o lose %is em*er. >%a was %a -meri#an e3*ression? 8Ea ing #row8. I woul' (e an in eres ing men al e3er#ise !or %im. &e woul' ea #row !or !ive 'ays an' no le %is 'amna(le man in er!ere wi % w%a s%oul' (e a goo' ri*. H>ell0 !eller. Ta)ing i easy?H .r Kres was s an'ing on %e (oa +'e#) loo)ing 'own in o %e well. H>%a %ave you 'one wi % %a woman I live wi %? 7e! %er o 'o all %e wor)0 I guess. >ell0 an' w%y no ? T%a 8s w%a %ey8re !or0 ain8 i ? 6are o loo) over %e s%i*? Fi'o8s 'oin8 a s*ell a %e w%eel an' I8ve go ime on my %an's.H >i %ou wai ing !or an answer0 .r Kres (en an' lowere' %imsel! 'own in o %e well+'e#)0 'ro**ing %e las !our !ee . H.rs Kres 8s *u ing on some #lo %es. Yes0 I8' li)e o see over %e s%i*.H .r Kres !i3e' ,on' wi % %is %ar'0 'is'ain!ul s are. H8Kay. >ell now0 !a# s !irs . I 8s (uil (y %e ,ronson "%i*(uil'ing 6or*ora ion. I %a**en o own nine y *er #en o! %e s o#)0 so I go w%a I wan e'. :esigne' (y $osen(la s < %e o* naval ar#%i e# s. &un're' !ee long0 wen y+one (roa'0 an' 'raws si3. Two !ive+%un're'+%orse*ower

"u*erior 'iesels. To* s*ee'0 !our een )no s. 6ruises wo %ousan' !ive %un're' miles a eig% . -ir+#on'i ione' %roug%ou . 6arrier 6or*ora ion 'esigne' wo s*e#ial !ive+ on uni s. 6arries enoug% !ro5en !oo' an' li1uor !or a mon %. -ll we nee' is !res% wa er !or %e (a %s an' s%owers. $ig% ? =ow le 8s go u* !ron an' you #an see %e #rew8s 1uar ers0 an' we8ll wor) (a#). -n' one %ing0 Bim0H .r Kres s am*e' on %e 'e#). HT%is is %e !loor0 see? -n' %e %ea'8s %e #an. -n' i! I wan someone o s o* 'oing w%a ever %ey8re 'oing I 'on8 s%ou 8(elay8 I s%ou 8%ol' i 8. 9e me0 Bim?H ,on' no''e' amia(ly. HI8ve go no o(4e# ion. "%e8s your s%i*.H HIt's my s%i*0H #orre# e' .r Kres . HT%a 8s ano %er (i o! 'amne' nonsense0 ma)ing a %un) o! s eel an' woo' a !emale. -nyway0 le 8s go. You 'on8 nee' o min' your %ea'. Every %ing8s a si3+!oo + wo #learan#e.H ,on' !ollowe' .r Kres 'own %e narrow *assage %a ran %e leng % o! %e s%i*0 an' !or %al! an %our ma'e a**ro*ria e #ommen s on w%a was #er ainly %e !ines an' mos lu3uriously 'esigne' ya#% %e %a' ever seen. In every 'e ail %e margin was !or e3 ra #om!or . Even %e #rew8s (a % an' s%ower was !ull si5e0 an' %e s ainless s eel galley0 or )i #%en as .r Kres #alle' i 0 was as (ig as %e Kres s a eroom. .r Kres o*ene' %e 'oor o! %e la er wi %ou )no#)ing. 7i5 Kres was a %e 'ressing+ a(le. H>%y0 reasure0H sai' .r Kres in %is so! voi#e0 HI re#)one' you8' (e ou %ere !i3ing %e 'rin) ray. You8ve sure (een one %e#) o! a ime 'ressing u*. 2u in8 on a li le e3 ra $i 5 !or Bim0 e%?H HI8m sorry0 .il . I was 4us #oming. - 5i* go s u#).H T%e girl %urrie'ly *i#)e' u* a #om*a# an' ma'e !or %e 'oor. "%e gave %em (o % a nervous %al!+smile an' wen ou . HVermon (ir#% *anelling0 6orning glass lam*s0 .e3i#an u! rugs. T%a sailing+ s%i* *i# ure8s a genuine .on ague :awson0 (y %e way . . .H .r Kres 8s #a alogue ran smoo %ly on. ,u ,on' was loo)ing a some %ing %a %ung 'own almos ou o! sig% (y %e (e'si'e a(le on w%a was o(viously .r Kres 8s si'e o! %e %uge 'ou(le (e'. I was a %in w%i* a(ou %ree !ee long wi % a lea %er+ %onge' %an'le. I was %e ail o! a s ing+ray. 6asually ,on' wal)e' over o %e si'e o! %e (e' an' *i#)e' i u*. &e ran a !inger 'own i s s*iny gris le. I %ur %is !inger even o 'o %a . &e sai'E H>%ere 'i' you *i#) %a u*? I was %un ing one o! %ese animals %is morning.H H,a%rein. T%e -ra(s use %em on %eir wives.H .r Kres #%u#)le' easily. H&aven8 %a' o use more %an one s ro)e a a ime on 7i5 so !ar. >on'er!ul resul s. >e #all i my 86orre# or8.H ,on' *u %e %ing (a#). &e loo)e' %ar' a .r Kres an' sai'E HIs %a so? In %e "ey#%elles0 w%ere %e #reoles are *re y oug%0 i 8s illegal even o own one o! %ose0 le alone use i .H .r Kres move' owar's %e 'oor. &e sai' in'i!!eren lyE HFeller0 %is s%i* %a**ens o (e @ni e' " a es erri ory. 7e 8s go ge ourselves some %ing o 'rin).H .r Kres 'ran) %ree 'ou(le (ulls%o s < vo')a in i#e' #onsommC < (e!ore lun#%eon0 an' (eer wi % %e meal. T%e *ale eyes 'ar)ene' a li le an' a#1uire' a wa ery gli er0 (u %e si(ilan voi#e remaine' so! an' unem*%a i# as0 wi % a #om*le e mono*oly o! %e #onversa ion0 %e e3*laine' %e o(4e# o! %e voyage. HYa see0 !ellers0 i 8s li)e %is. In %e " a es we %ave %is Foun'a ion sys em !or %e lu#)y guys %a go *len y 'oug% an' 'on8 %a**en o wan o *ay i in o @n#le "am8s Treasury. You ma)e a Foun'a ion < li)e %is one0 %e Kres Foun'a ion < !or #%ari a(le *ur*oses < #%ari a(le o anyone0 o )i's0 si#) !ol)0 %e #ause o! s#ien#e < you 4us give %e money away o anyone or any %ing e3#e* yoursel! or your 'e*en'an s an' you es#a*e a3 on i . "o I *u a ma er o! en million 'ollars in o %e Kres Foun'a ion0 an'

sin#e I %a**en o li)e ya#% ing an' seeing %e worl' I (uil %is ya#% wi % wo million o! %e money an' ol' %e "mi %sonian < %a 8s our (ig na ural %is ory ins i u ion %a I woul' go o any *ar o! %e worl' an' #olle# s*e#imens !or %em. "o %a ma)es me a s#ien i!i# e3*e'i ion0 see? For %ree mon %s o! every year I %ave a !ine %oli'ay %a #os s me 4us swee Fa y -r(u#)leAH .r Kres loo)e' o %is gues s !or a**lause. H9e me?H Fi'ele ,ar(ey s%oo) %is %ea' 'ou( !ully. HT%a soun's !ine0 .r Kres . ,u %ese rare s*e#imens. T%ey are easy o !in'? T%e "mi %sonian i wan s a gian *an'a0 a sea+ s%ell. You #an ge %ol' o! %ese %ings w%ere %ey %ave !aile'?H .r Kres slowly s%oo) %is %ea'. &e sai' sorrow!ullyE HFeller0 you sure were (orn yes er'ay. .oney0 %a 8s all i a)es. You wan a *an'a? You (uy i !rom some go''am 5oo %a #an8 a!!or' #en ral %ea ing !or i s re* ile %ouse or wan s o (uil' a new (lo#) !or i s igers or some %ing. T%e sea+s%ell? You !in' a man %a 8s go one an' you o!!er %im so mu#% go''am money %a even i! %e #ries !or a wee) %e sells i o you. "ome imes you %ave a li le rou(le wi % 9overnmen s. "ome go''am animal is *ro e# e' or some %ing. -ll rig% . 9ive you an e3am*le. I arrive a your islan' yes er'ay. I wan a (la#) *arro !rom 2raslin Islan'. I wan a gian or oise !rom -l'a(ra. I wan %e #om*le e range o! your lo#al #owries an' I wan %is !is% we8re a! er. T%e !irs wo are *ro e# e' (y law. 7as evening I *ay a #all on your 9overnor a! er ma)ing #er ain in1uiries in %e own. E3#ellen#y0 I says0 I un'ers an' you wan o (uil' a *u(li# swimming+*ool o ea#% %e lo#al )i's o swim. O)ay. T%e Kres Foun'a ion will *u u* money. &ow mu#%? Five %ousan'0 en %ousan'? O)ay0 so i 8s en %ousan'. &ere8s my #%e1ue. -n' I wri e i ou %ere an' %en. Bus one li le %ing0 E3#ellen#y0 I says0 %ol'ing on o %e #%e1ue. I %a**ens I wan a s*e#imen o! %is (la#) *arro you %ave %ere an' one o! %ese -l'a(ra or oises. I un'ers an' %ey8re *ro e# e' (y law. .in' i! I a)e one o! ea#% (a#) o -meri#a !or %e "mi %sonian? >ell0 %ere s a (i o! a *alaver0 (u seeing i 8s %e "mi %sonian an' seeing I8ve s ill go %ol' o! %e #%e1ue0 in %e en' we s%a)e %an's on %e 'eal an' everyone8s %a**y. $ig% ? >ell0 on %e way (a#) I s o* in %e own o arrange wi % your ni#e .r -(en'ana0 %e mer#%an !eller0 o %ave %e *arro an' or oise #olle# e' an' %el' !or me0 an' I ge al)ing a(ou %e #owries. >ell0 i so %a**ens %a %is .r -(en'ana %as (een #olle# ing %e 'am8 %ings sin#e %e was a #%il'. &e s%ows %em o me. ,eau i!ully )e* < ea#% one in i s (i o! #o on wool. Fine #on'i ion an' several o! %ose Isa(ella an' .a**a ones I was as)e' *ar i#ularly o wa #% ou !or. "orry0 %e #oul'n8 %in) o! selling. T%ey mean so mu#% o %im an' so on. 6ra*A I 4us loo) a .r -(en'ana an' I say0 %ow mu#%? =o no. &e #oul'n8 %in) o! i . 6ra* againA I a)e ou my #%e1ue(oo) an' wri e a #%e1ue !or !ive %ousan' 'ollars an' *us% i un'er %is nose. &e loo)s a i . Five %ousan' 'ollarsA &e #an8 s an' i . &e !ol's %e #%e1ue an' *u s i in %is *o#)e an' %en %e 'am8 sissy (rea)s 'own an' wee*sA >oul' you (elieve i ?H .r Kres o*ene' %is *alms in 'is(elie!. HOver a !ew go''am sea+s%ells. "o I 4us ell %im o a)e i easy0 an' I *i#) u* %e rays o! sea+s%ells an' ge %e %ell ou o! %ere (e!ore %e #ra5y so+an'+so s%oo s %imsel! !rom remorse.H .r Kres sa (a#)0 well *lease' wi % %imsel!. H>ell0 w%a 8' you say o %a 0 !ellers? Twen y+!our %ours in %e islan' an' I8ve alrea'y )no#)e' o!! %ree+1uar ers o! my lis . 2re y smar 0 e%0 Bim?H ,on' sai'E HYou8ll *ro(a(ly ge a me'al w%en you ge %ome. >%a a(ou %is !is%?H .r Kres go u* !rom %e a(le an' rummage' in a 'rawer o! %is 'es). &e (roug% (a#) a y*ewri en s%ee . H&ere you are.H &e rea' ou E H8&il'e(ran' $ari y. 6aug% (y 2ro!essor &il'e(ran' o! %e @niversi y o! %e >i wa ersran' in a ne o!!

6%agrin Islan' in %e "ey#%elles grou*0 -*ril 19/G8.H .r Kres loo)e' u*. H-n' %en %ere8s a lo o! s#ien i!i# #ra*. I go %em o *u i in o *lain Englis%0 an' %ere8s %e ransla ion.H &e urne' (a#) o %e *a*er. H8T%is a**ears o (e a uni1ue mem(er o! %e s1uirrel+!is% !amily. T%e only s*e#imen )nown0 name' %e H&il'e(ran' $ari yH a! er i s 'is#overer0 is si3 in#%es long. T%e #olour is a (rig% *in) wi % (la#) ransverse s ri*es. T%e anal0 ven ral an' 'orsal !ins are *in). T%e ail !in is (la#). Eyes0 large an' 'ar) (lue. I! !oun'0 #are s%oul' (e a)en in %an'ling %is !is% (e#ause all !ins are even more s%ar*ly s*i)e' %an is usual wi % %e res o! %is !amily. 2ro!essor &il'e(ran' re#or's %a %e !oun' %e s*e#imen in %ree !ee o! wa er on %e e'ge o! %e sou %+ wes ern ree!8.H .r Kres %rew %e *a*er 'own on %e a(le. H>ell0 %ere you are0 !ellers. >e8re ravelling a(ou a %ousan' miles a a #os o! several %ousan' 'ollars o ry an' !in' a go''am si3+in#% !is%. -n' wo years ago %e $evenue *eo*le %a' %e gall o sugges %a my Foun'a ion was a *%oneyAH 7i5 Kres (ro)e in eagerlyE H,u %a 8s 4us i 0 .il 0 isn8 i ? I 8s really ra %er im*or an o (ring (a#) *len y o! s*e#imens an' %ings %is ime. >eren8 %ose %orri(le a3 *eo*le al)ing a(ou 'isallowing %e ya#% an' %e e3*enses an' so on !or %e las !ive years i! we 'i'n8 s%ow an ou s an'ing s#ien i!i# a#%ievemen ? >asn8 %a %e way %ey *u i ?H HTreasure0H .r Kres 8s voi#e was so! as velve . HBus su**osin8 you )ee* %a !li**in8 ra* s%u a(ou my *ersonal a!!airs. Yes?H T%e voi#e was amia(le0 non#%alan . HYou )now w%a you 4us 'one0 reas? You 4us earne' yoursel! a li le mee ing wi % %e 6orre# or %is evening. T%a 8s w%a you8ve gone an' 'one.H T%e girl8s %an' !lew o %er mou %. &er eyes were wi'e. "%e sai' in a w%is*erE HO% no0 .il . O% no0 *lease.H On %e se#on' 'ay ou 0 a 'awn0 %ey #ame u* wi % 6%agrin Islan'. I was !irs *i#)e' u* (y %e ra'ar < a small (um* in %e 'ea' level line on %e s#anner an' %en a minu e (lur on %e grea #urve' %ori5on grew wi % in!ini e slowness in o %al! a mile o! green !ringe' wi % w%i e. I was e3 raor'inary o #ome u*on lan' a! er wo 'ays in w%i#% %e ya#% %a' seeme' o (e %e only moving0 %e only living %ing in an em* y worl'. ,on' %a' never seen or even #learly imagine' %e 'ol'rums (e!ore. =ow %e reali5e' w%a a erri(le %a5ar' %ey mus %ave (een in %e 'ays o! sail < %e sea o! glass un'er a (ra5en sun0 %e !oul0 %eavy air0 %e rail o! small #lou's along %e rim o! %e worl' %a never #ame #loser0 never (roug% win' or (lesse' rain. &ow mus #en uries o! mariners %ave (lesse' %is iny 'o in %e In'ian O#ean as %ey (en o %e oars %a move' %e %eavy s%i* *er%a*s a mile a 'ayA ,on' s oo' in %e (ows an' wa #%e' %e !lying+!is% s1uir !rom (enea % %e %ull as %e (lue+(la#) o! %e sea slowly mo le' in o %e (rown an' w%i e an' green o! 'ee* s%oal. &ow won'er!ul %a %e woul' soon (e wal)ing an' swimming again ins ea' o! 4us si ing an' lying 'own. &ow won'er!ul o %ave a !ew %ours8 soli u'e < a !ew %ours away !rom .r .il on Kres A T%ey an#%ore' ou si'e %e ree! in en !a %oms an' Fi'ele ,ar(ey oo) %em %roug% %e o*ening in %e s*ee'(oa . In every 'e ail 6%agrin was %e *ro o y*e #oral islan'. I was a(ou wen y a#res o! san' an' 'ea' #oral an' low s#ru( surroun'e'0 a! er !i! y yar's o! s%allow lagoon0 (y a ne#)la#e o! ree! on w%i#% %e 1uie 0 long swell (ro)e wi % a so! %iss. 6lou's o! (ir's rose w%en %ey lan'e' < erns0 (oo(ies0 men+o!+war0 !riga es < (u 1ui#)ly se le' again. T%ere was a s rong ammonia# smell o! guano0 an' %e s#ru( was w%i e wi % i . T%e only o %er living %ings were %e lan' #ra(s %a s#u le' an' s#ra*e' among %e liane sans fin an' %e !i''ler+#ra(s %a live' in %e san'.

T%e glare !rom %e w%i e san' was 'a55ling an' %ere was no s%a'e. .r Kres or'ere' a en o (e ere# e' an' sa in i smo)ing a #igar w%ile gear o! various )in's was !errie' as%ore. .rs Kres swam an' *i#)e' u* sea s%ells w%ile ,on' an' Fi'ele ,ar(ey *u on mas)s an'0 swimming in o**osi e 'ire# ions0 (egan sys ema i#ally o #om( %e ree! all %e way roun' %e islan'. >%en you are loo)ing !or one *ar i#ular s*e#ies un'erwa er < s%ell or !is% or seawee' or #oral !orma ion < you %ave o )ee* your (rain an' your eyes !o#use' !or %a one in'ivi'ual *a ern. T%e rio o! #olour an' movemen an' %e en'less varie y o! lig% an' s%a'ow !ig% your #on#en ra ion all %e ime. ,on' ru'ge' slowly along %roug% %e won'erlan' wi % only one *i# ure in %is min' < a si3+in#% *in) !is% wi % (la#) s ri*es an' (ig eyes < %e se#on' su#% !is% man %a' ever seen. HI! you see i 0H .r Kres %a' en4oine'0 H4us you le ou a yell an' s ay wi % i . I8ll 'o %e res . I go a li le some %ing in %e en %a 8s 4us %e 'an'ies %ing !or #a #%ing !is% you ever saw.H ,on' *ause' o res %is eyes. T%e wa er was so (uoyan %a %e #oul' lie !a#e 'ownwar's on %e sur!a#e wi %ou moving. I'ly %e (ro)e u* a sea+egg wi % %e i* o! %is s*ear an' wa #%e' %e %or'e o! gli ering ree!+!is% 'ar ing !or %e s%re's o! yellow !les% among %e nee'le+s%ar* (la#) s*ine. &ow in!ernal %a i! %e 'i' !in' %e $ari y i woul' (ene!i only .r Kres A "%oul' %e say no %ing i! (e !oun' i ? $a %er #%il'is%0 an' anyway %e was un'er #on ra# 0 so o s*ea). ,on' move' slowly on0 %is eyes au oma i#ally a)ing u* %e sear#% again w%ile %is min' urne' o #onsi'ering %e girl. "%e %a' s*en %e *revious 'ay in (e'. .r Kres %a' sai' i was a %ea'a#%e. >oul' s%e one 'ay urn on %im? >oul' s%e ge %ersel! a )ni!e or a gun an' one nig% 0 w%en %e rea#%e' !or %a 'amna(le w%i*0 woul' s%e )ill %im? =o. "%e was oo so! 0 oo mallea(le. .r Kres %a' #%osen well. "%e was %e s u!! o! slaves. -n' %e ra**ings o! %er 8!airy ale8 were oo *re#ious. :i'n8 s%e reali5e %a a 4ury woul' #er ainly a#1ui %er i! %e s ing+ray w%i* was *ro'u#e' in #our ? "%e #oul' %ave %e ra**ings wi %ou %is 'rea'!ul0 'amna(le man. "%oul' ,on' ell %er %a ? :on8 (e ri'i#ulousA &ow #oul' %e *u i ? HO% 7i50 i! you wan o mur'er your %us(an'0 i 8ll (e 1ui e all rig% .H ,on' smile' insi'e %is mas). To %ell wi % i A :on8 in er!ere wi % o %er *eo*le8s lives. "%e *ro(a(ly li)es i < maso#%is . ,u ,on' )new %a %a was oo easy an answer. T%is was a girl w%o live' in !ear. 2er%a*s s%e also live' in loa %ing. One #oul'n8 rea' mu#% in %ose so! (lue eyes0 (u %e win'ows %a' o*ene' on#e or wi#e an' a !las% o! some %ing li)e a #%il'is% %a e %a' s%own %roug%. &a' i (een %a e? I %a' *ro(a(ly (een in'iges ion. ,on' *u %e Kres s ou o! %is min' an' loo)e' u* o see %ow !ar roun' %e islan' %e %a' go . Fi'ele ,ar(ey8s s#%nor)el was only a %un're' yar's away. T%ey %a' nearly #om*le e' %e #ir#ui . T%ey #ame u* wi % ea#% o %er an' swam o %e s%ore an' lay on %e %o san'. Fi'ele ,ar(ey sai'E H=o %ing on my si'e o! %e *ro*er y e3#e* every !is% in %e worl' (ar one. ,u I8ve %a' a s ro)e o! lu#). $an in o a (ig #olony o! green snail. T%a 8s %e *earl s%ell as (ig is a small !oo (all. >or % 1ui e a lo o! money. I8ll sen' one o! my (oa s a! er %em one o! %ese 'ays. "aw a (lue *arro +!is% %a mus %ave (een a goo' %ir y *oun's. Tame as a 'og0 li)e all %e !is% roun' %ere. &a'n8 go %e %ear o )ill i . -n' i! I %a'0 %ere mig% %ave (een rou(le. "aw wo or %ree leo*ar' s%ar)s #ruising aroun' over %e ree!. ,loo' in %e wa er mig% %ave (roug% %em %roug%. =ow I8m rea'y !or a 'rin) an' some %ing o ea . -! er %a we #an swa* si'es an' %ave ano %er go.H T%ey go u* an' wal)e' along %e (ea#% o %e en . .r Kres %ear' %eir voi#es an' #ame ou o mee %em. H=o 'i#e0 e%?H &e s#ra #%e' angrily a an arm *i .

H9o''am san'!ly (i me. T%is is one %ell o! a go'+aw!ul islan'. 7i5 #oul'n8 s an' %e smell. 9one (a#) o %e s%i*. 9uess we8' (e er give i one more going+over an' %en ge %e %ell ou o! %ere. &el* yourselves o some #%ow an' you8ll !in' #ol' (eer in %e i#e*a#). &ere0 gimme one o! %ose mas)s. &ow 'o you use %e 'am8 %ings? I guess I mig% as well a)e a *ee) a %e sea8s (o om w%ile I8m a(ou i .H T%ey sa in %e %o en an' a e %e #%i#)en sala' an' 'ran) (eer0 an' moo'ily wa #%e' .r Kres *o)ing an' *eering a(ou in %e s%allows. Fi'ele ,ar(ey sai'E H&e8s rig% 0 o! #ourse. T%ese li le islan's are (loo'y aw!ul *la#es. =o %ing (u #ra(s an' (ir' 'ung surroun'e' (y oo 'am8 mu#% sea. I 8s only %e *oor (loo'y !ro5en Euro*eans %a 'ream o! #oral islan's. Eas o! "ue50 you won8 !in' any sane man w%o gives a 'amn !or %em. .y !amily owns a(ou en o! %em < 'e#en +si5e' ones oo0 wi % small villages on %em an' a goo' in#ome !rom #o*ra an' ur le. >ell0 you #an %ave %e w%ole (loo'y lo in e3#%ange !or a !la in 2aris or 7on'on.H ,on' laug%e'. &e (eganE H2u an a'ver isemen in &he &imes an' you8' ge sa#)loa's . . .H w%en0 !i! y yar's away0 .r Kres (egan o ma)e !ran i# signals. ,on' sai'E HEi %er %e (as ar'8s !oun' i or %e8s ro''en on a gui ar+!is%0H an' *i#)e' u* %is mas) an' ran 'own o %e sea. .r Kres was s an'ing u* o %is wais among %e s%allow (eginnings o! %e ree!. &e 4a((e' %is !inger e3#i e'ly a %e sur!a#e. ,on' swam so! ly !orwar'. - #ar*e o! sea+grass en'e' in (ro)en #oral an' an o##asional nigger%ea'. - 'o5en varie ies o! (u er!ly an' o %er ree!+!is% !lir e' among %e ro#)s0 an' a small langous e 1ues e' owar's ,on' wi % i s !eelers. T%e %ea' o! a large green moray *ro ru'e' !rom a %ole0 i s %al!+o*en 4aws s%owing %e rows o! nee'le ee %. I s gol'en eyes wa #%e' ,on' #are!ully. ,on' was amuse' o no e %a .r Kres 8s %airy legs0 magni!ie' in o *ale ree+ run)s (y %e glass0 were no more %an a !oo away !rom %e moray8s 4aws. &e gave an en#ouraging *o)e a %e moray wi % %is s*ear0 (u %e eel only sna**e' a %e me al *oin s an' sli' (a#) ou o! sig% . ,on' s o**e' an' !loa e'0 %is eyes s#anning %e (rillian 4ungle. - re' (lur ma eriali5e' %roug% %e !ar mis an' #ame owar's %im. I #ir#le' #losely (enea % %im as i! s%owing i sel! o!!. T%e 'ar) (lue eyes e3amine' %im wi %ou !ear. T%e small !is% (usie' i sel! ra %er sel!+#ons#iously wi % some algae on %e un'ersi'e o! a nigger%ea'0 ma'e a 'ar a a s*e#) o! some %ing sus*en'e' in %e wa er0 an' %en0 as i! leaving %e s age a! er s%owing i s *a#es0 swam langui'ly o!! (a#) in o %e mis . ,on' (a#)e' away !rom %e moray8s %ole an' *u %is !ee o %e groun'. &e oo) o!! %is mas). &e sai' o .r Kres 0 w%o was s an'ing ga5ing im*a ien ly a %im %roug% %is gogglesE HYes0 %a 8s i all rig% . ,e er move 1uie ly away !rom %ere. &e won8 go away unless %e8s !rig% ene'. T%ese ree!+!is% s i#) *re y well o %e same *as ures.H .r Kres *ulle' o!! %is mas). H9o''am0 I !oun' i AH %e sai' reveren ly. H>ell0 go''am I 'i'.H &e slowly !ollowe' ,on' o %e s%ore. Fi'ele ,ar(ey was wai ing !or %em. .r Kres sai' (ois erouslyE HFi'o0 I !oun' %a go''am !is%. .e < .il on Kres . >%a'ya )now a(ou %a ? -! er you wo go''am e3*er s %a' (een a i all morning. I 4us oo) %a mas) o! yours < !irs ime I ever *u one on0 mar) you < an' I wal)e' ou an' !oun' %e go''am !is% in !i! een minu es !la . >%a'ya say o %a e%0 Fi'o?H HT%a 8s goo'0 .r Kres . T%a 8s !ine. =ow %ow 'o we #a #% i ?H H-%a.H .r Kres win)e' slowly. HI go 4us %e i#)e !or %a . 9o i !rom a #%emis !rien' o! mine. " u!! #alle' $o enone. .a'e !rom 'erris roo . >%a %e na ives !is% wi % in ,ra5il. Bus *our i in %e wa er0 w%ere i 8ll !loa over w%a you8re a! er0 an' i 8ll ge %im as sure as eggs is eggs. "or o! *oison. 6ons ri# s %e (loo'

vessels in %eir gills. "u!!o#a es %em. =o e!!e# on %umans (e#ause no gills0 see?H .r Kres urne' o ,on'. H&ere0 Bim. You go on ou an' )ee* wa #%. "ee %e 'arne' !is% 'on8 vamoose. Fi'o an' I8ll (ring %e s u!! ou %ereH < %e *oin e' u*+#urren !rom %e vi al area. HI8ll le go %e $o enone w%en you say %e wor'. I 8ll 'ri! 'own owar's you. $ig% ? ,u !or lan's sa)es ge %e iming rig% . I8ve only go a !ive+gallon in o! %is s u!!. 8Kay?H ,on' sai' H-ll rig% 0H an' wal)e' slowly 'own an' in o %e wa er. &e swam la5ily ou o w%ere %e %a' s oo' (e!ore. Yes0 everyone was s ill %ere0 going a(ou %is (usiness. T%e moray8s *oin e' %ea' was (a#) again a %e e'ge o! i s %ole0 %e langous e again 1uerie' %im. In a minu e0 as i! i %a' a ren'e5vous wi % ,on'0 %e &il'e(ran' $ari y a**eare'. T%is ime i swam u* 1ui e #lose o %is !a#e. I loo)e' %roug% %e glass a %is eyes an' %en0 as i! 'is ur(e' (y w%a i %a' seen %ere0 'ar e' ou o! range. I *laye' aroun' among %e ro#)s !or a w%ile an' %en wen o!! in o a mis . "lowly %e li le un'erwa er worl' wi %in ,on'8s vision (egan o a)e %im !or gran e'. - small o# o*us %a %a' (een #amou!lage' as a *ie#e o! #oral reveale' i s *resen#e an' gro*e' #are!ully 'own owar's %e san'. T%e (lue an' yellow langous e #ame a !ew s e*s ou !rom un'er %e ro#)0 won'ering a(ou %im. "ome0 very small !is% li)e minnows ni((le' a %is legs an' oes0 i#)ling. ,on' (ro)e a sea+egg !or %em an' %ey 'ar e' o %e (e er meal. ,on' li! e' %is %ea'. .r Kres 0 %ol'ing %e !la #an0 was wen y yar's away o ,on'8s rig% . &e woul' soon (egin *ouring0 w%en ,on' gave %e sign0 so %a %e li1ui' woul' ge a goo' wi'e s*rea' over %e sur!a#e. HO)ay?H #alle' .r Kres . ,on' s%oo) %is %ea'. HI8ll raise my %um( w%en %e8s (a#) %ere. T%en you8ll %ave o *our !as .H HO)ay0 Bim. You8re a %e (om(+sig% .H ,on' *u %is %ea' 'own. T%ere was %e li le #ommuni y0 everyone (usie' wi % %is a!!airs. "oon0 o ge one !is% %a someone vaguely wan e' in a museum !ive %ousan' miles away0 a %un're'0 *er%a*s a %ousan' small *eo*le were going o 'ie. >%en ,on' gave %e signal0 %e s%a'ow o! 'ea % woul' #ome 'own on %e s ream. &ow long woul' %e *oison las ? &ow !ar woul' i ravel on 'own %e ree!? 2er%a*s i woul' no (e %ousan's (u ens o! %ousan's %a woul' 'ie. - small run)+!is% a**eare'0 i s iny !ins w%irring li)e *ro*ellers. - ro#) (eau y0 gorgeous in gol' an' re' an' (la#)0 *e#)e' a %e san'0 an' a *air o! %e inevi a(le (la#) an' yellow s ri*e' sergean +ma4ors ma eriali5e' !rom now%ere0 a ra# e' (y %e s#en o! %e (ro)en sea+egg. Insi'e %e ree!0 w%o was %e *re'a or in %e worl' o! small !is%es? >%o 'i' %ey !ear? "mall (arra#u'a? -n o##asional (ill+!is%? =ow0 a (ig0 a !ully grown *re'a or0 a man #alle' Kres 0 was s an'ing in %e wings0 wai ing. -n' %is one wasn8 even %ungry. &e was 4us going o )ill < almos !or !un. Two (rown legs a**eare' in ,on'8s vision. &e loo)e' u*. I was Fi'ele ,ar(ey wi % a (ig #reel s ra**e' o %is #%es 0 an' long+%an'le' lan'ing+ne . ,on' li! e' %is mas). HI !eel li)e %e (om(+aimer a =agasa)i.H HFis% are #ol'+(loo'e'. T%ey 'on8 !eel any %ing.H H&ow 'o you )now? I8ve %ear' %em s#ream w%en %ey8re %ur .H ,ar(ey sai' in'i!!eren lyE HT%ey won8 (e a(le o s#ream wi % %is s u!!. I s rangles %em. >%a 8s ea ing you? T%ey8re only !is%.H HI )now0 I )now.H Fi'ele ,ar(ey %a' s*en %is li!e )illing animals an' !is%. >%ile %e0 ,on'0 %a' some imes no %esi a e' o )ill men. >%a was %e !ussing a(ou ? &e %a'n8 min'e' )illing %e s ing+ray. Yes0 (u %a was an enemy !is%. T%ese

'own %ere were !rien'ly *eo*le. 2eo*le? T%e *a %e i# !alla#yA H&eyAH #ame %e voi#e o! .r Kres . H>%a 8s goin on over %ere? T%is ain8 no ime !or #%ewing %e !a . 9e %a %ea' 'own0 Bim.H ,on' *ulle' 'own %is mas) an' lay again on %e sur!a#e. - on#e %e saw %e (eau i!ul re' s%a'ow #oming ou o! %e !ar mis s. T%e !is% swam !as u* o %im as i! i now oo) %im !or gran e'. I lay (elow %im0 loo)ing u*. ,on' sai' in o %is mas)E H9e away !rom %ere0 'amn you.H &e gave a s%ar* 4a( a %e !is% wi % %is %ar*oon. T%e !is% !le' (a#) in o %e mis . ,on' li! e' %is %ea' an' angrily raise' %is %um(. I was a ri'i#ulous an' *e y a# o! sa(o age o! w%i#% %e was alrea'y as%ame'. T%e 'ar) (rown oily li1ui' was *ouring ou on o %e sur!a#e o! %e lagoon. T%ere was ime o s o* .r Kres (e!ore i was all gone < ime o give %im ano %er #%an#e a %e &il'e(ran' $ari y. ,on' s oo' an' wa #%e' un il %e las 'ro* was il e' ou . To %ell wi % .r Kres A =ow %e s u!! was #ree*ing slowly 'own on %e #urren < a s%iny0 s*rea'ing s ain w%i#% re!le# e' %e (lue s)y wi % a me alli# glin . .r Kres 0 %e gian rea*er0 was wa'ing 'own wi % i . H9e se 0 !ellers0H %e #alle' #%eer!ully. HI 8s rig% u* wi % you now.H ,on' *u %is %ea' (a#) un'er %e sur!a#e. Every %ing was as (e!ore in %e li le #ommuni y. -n' %en0 wi % s u*e!ying su''enness0 everyone wen ma'. I was as i! %ey %a' all (een sei5e' wi % " Vi us8s 'an#e. "everal !is% loo*e' %e loo* #ra5ily an' %en !ell li)e %eavy leaves o %e san'. T%e moray eel #ame slowly ou o! %e %ole in %e #oral0 i s 4aws wi'e. I s oo' #are!ully u*rig% on i s ail an' gen ly o**le' si'e ways. T%e small langous e gave %ree )i#)s o! i s ail an' urne' over on i s (a#)0 an' %e o# o*us le go i s %ol' o! %e #oral an' 'ri! e' o %e (o om u*si'e 'own. -n' %en in o %e arena 'ri! e' %e #or*ses !rom u*+s ream < w%i e(ellie' !is%0 s%rim*s0 worms0 %ermi #ra(s0 s*o e' an' green morays0 langous es o! all si5es. -s i! (lown (y some lig% (ree5e o! 'ea % %e #lumsy (o'ies0 %eir #olours alrea'y !a'ing0 swe* slowly *as . - !ive+*oun' (ill+!is% s ruggle' (y wi % sna**ing (ea)0 !ig% ing 'ea %. :own+ree! %ere were s*las%es on %e sur!a#e as s ill (igger !is% rie' o ma)e !or sa!e y. One (y one0 (e!ore ,on'8s eyes0 %e sea+ur#%ins 'ro**e' o!! %e ro#)s o ma)e (la#) in)+(lo s on %e san'. ,on' !el a ou#% on %is s%oul'er. .r Kres 8s eyes were (loo's%o wi % %e sun an' glare. &e %a' *u w%i e sun(urn *as e on %is li*s. &e s%ou e' im*a ien ly a ,on'8s mas)0 H>%ere in %ell8s our go''am !is%?H ,on' li! e' %is mas). H7oo)s as i! i manage' o ge away 4us (e!ore %e s u!! #ame 'own. I8m s ill wa #%ing !or i .H &e 'i'n8 wai o %ear .r Kres 8s re*ly (u go %is %ea' 1ui#)ly un'er wa er again. " ill more #arnage0 s ill more 'ea' (o'ies. ,u surely %e s u!! %a' *asse' (y now. "urely %e area was sa!e 4us in #ase %e !is%0 %is !is% (e#ause %e %a' save' i 0 #ame (a#) againA &e s i!!ene'. In %e !ar mis s %ere was a *in) !las%. I %a' gone. =ow i was (a#) again. I'ly %e &il'e(ran' $ari y swam owar's %im %roug% %e ma5e o! #%annels (e ween %e (ro)en ou *os s o! %e ree!. =o #aring a(ou .r Kres 0 ,on' raise' %is !ree %an' ou o! %e wa er an' (roug% i 'own wi % a s%ar* sla*. " ill %e !is% #ame. ,on' s%i! e' %e sa!e on %is %ar*oon+gun an' !ire' i in %e 'ire# ion o! %e !is%. =o e!!e# . ,on' *u %is !ee 'own an' (egan o wal) owar's %e !is% %roug% %e s#a ering o! #or*ses. T%e (eau i!ul re' an' (la#) !is% seeme' o *ause an' 1uiver. T%en i s%o s raig% %roug% %e wa er owar's ,on' an' 'ive' 'own o %e san' a %is !ee an' lay s ill. ,on' only %a' o (en' o *i#) i u*. T%ere was no even a las !la* !rom %e ail. I 4us !ille' ,on'8s %an'0 lig% ly *ri#)ing %e *alm wi % %e s*iny (la#) 'orsal !in. ,on' #arrie' i (a#)

un'er+wa er so as o *reserve i s #olours. >%en %e go o .r Kres %e sai' H&ere0H an' %an'e' %im %e small !is%. T%en %e swam away owar's %e s%ore. T%a evening0 wi % %e .a-e/rest %ea'ing !or %ome 'own %e *a % o! a %uge yellow moon0 .r Kres gave or'ers !or w%a %e #alle' a 8wing'ing8. H9o a #ele(ra e0 7i5. T%is is erri!i#0 a erri!i# 'ay. 6leane' u* %e las arge an' we #an ge %e %ell ou o! %ese go''am "ey#%elles an' ge on (a#) o #ivili5a ion. >%a say we ma)e i o .om(asa w%en we8ve a)en on (oar' %e or oise an' %a go''am *arro ? Fly o =airo(i an' *i#) u* a (ig *lane !or $ome0 Veni#e0 2aris < anyw%eres you #are !or. >%a say0 reasure?H &e s1uee5e' %er #%in an' #%ee)s in %is (ig %an' an' ma'e %e *ale li*s *ou . &e )isse' %em 'rily. ,on' wa #%e' %e girl8s eyes. T%ey %a' s%u ig% . .r Kres le go. T%e girl massage' %er !a#e. I was s ill w%i e wi % %is !inger+mar)s. H9ee0 .il 0H s%e sai' %al! laug%ing0 Hyou nearly s1uas%e' me. You 'on8 )now your s reng %. ,u 'o le 8s #ele(ra e. I %in) %a woul' (e lo s o! !un. -n' %a 2aris i'ea soun's gran'. 7e 8s 'o %a 0 s%all we? >%a s%all I or'er !or 'inner?H H&ell < #aviar o! #ourse.H .r Kres %el' %is %an's a*ar . HOne o! %ose wo+ *oun' ins !rom &amma#%er "#%lemmer < %e gra'e en s%o si5e0 an' all %e rimmings. -n' %a *in) #%am*agne.H &e urne' o ,on'. HT%a sui you0 !eller?H H"oun's li)e a s1uare meal.H ,on' #%ange' %e su(4e# . H>%a %ave you 'one wi % %e *ri5e?H HFormalin. @* on %e (oa +'e#) wi % some o %er 4ars o! s u!! we8ve *i#)e' u* %ere an' %ere < !is%0 s%ells. -ll sa!e in our %ome morgue. T%a 8s %ow we were ol' o )ee* %e s*e#imens. >e8ll airmail %a 'amne' !is% w%en we ge (a#) o #ivili5a ion. 9ive a 2ress #on!eren#e !irs . "%oul' ma)e a (ig *lay in %e *a*ers (a#) %ome. I8ve alrea'y ra'ioe' %e "mi %sonian an' %e news agen#ies. .y a##oun an s8ll sure (e gla' o! some 2ress #u ings o s%ow %ose 'arne' revenue (oys.H .r Kres go very 'run) %a nig% . I 'i' no s%ow grea ly. T%e so! ,ogar voi#e (e#ame so! er an' slower. T%e roun'0 %ar' %ea' urne' more 'eli(era ely on %e s%oul'ers. T%e lig% er8s !lame oo) in#reasingly long o relig% %e #igar0 an' one glass was swe* o!! %e a(le. ,u i s%owe' in %e %ings .r Kres sai'. T%ere was a violen #ruel y0 a *a %ologi#al 'esire o woun'0 1ui e near %e sur!a#e in %e man. T%a nig% 0 a! er 'inner0 %e !irs arge was Bames ,on'. &e was rea e' o a so! +s*o)en e3*lana ion as o w%y Euro*e0 wi % Englan' an' Fran#e in %e van0 was a ra*i'ly 'iminis%ing asse o %e worl'. =owa'ays0 sai' .r Kres 0 %ere were only %ree *owers < -meri#a0 $ussia an' 6%ina. T%a was %e (ig *o)er game an' no o %er #oun ry %a' ei %er %e #%i*s or %e #ar's o #ome in o i . O##asionally some *leasan li le #oun ry < an' %e a'mi e' %ey8' (een *re y (ig league in %e *as < li)e Englan' woul' (e len some money so %a %ey #oul' a)e a %an' wi % %e grown+ u*s. ,u %a was 4us (eing *oli e li)e one some imes %a' o (e < o a #%um in one8s #lu( w%o8' gone (ro)e. =o. Englan' < ni#e *eo*le0 min' you0 goo' s*or s < was a *la#e o see %e ol' (uil'ings an' %e Queen an' so on. Fran#e? T%ey only #oun e' !or goo' !oo' an' easy women. I aly? "uns%ine an' s*ag%e i. "ana orium0 sor o!. 9ermany? >ell0 %ey s ill %a' some s*un)0 (u wo los wars %a' )no#)e' %e %ear ou o! %em. .r Kres 'ismisse' %e res o! %e worl' wi % a !ew similar ags an' %en as)e' ,on' !or %is #ommen s. ,on' was %oroug%ly ire' o! .r Kres . &e sai' %e !oun' .r Kres 8s *oin o! view oversim*li!ie' < %e mig% even say naive. &e sai'E HYour argumen remin's me o! a ra %er s%ar* a*%orism I on#e %ear' a(ou -meri#a. 6are o %ear i ?H H"ure0 sure.H HI 8s o %e e!!e# %a -meri#a %as *rogresse' !rom in!an#y o senili y wi %ou

%aving *asse' %roug% a *erio' o! ma uri y.H .r Kres loo)e' %oug% !ully a ,on'. Finally %e sai'E H>%y0 say0 Bim0 %a 8s *re y nea .H &is eyes %oo'e' slig% ly as %ey urne' owar's %is wi!e. H9uess you8' )in'a go along wi % %a remar) o! Bim8s0 e%0 reasure? I re#all you saying on#e you re#)one' %ere was some %ing *re y #%il'is% a(ou %e -meri#ans. $emem(er?H HO% .il .H 7i5 Kres 8s eyes were an3ious. "%e %a' rea' %e signs. H&ow #an you (ring %a u*? You )now i was only some %ing #asual I sai' a(ou %e #omi# se# ions o! %e *a*ers. O! #ourse I 'on8 agree wi % w%a Bames says. -nyway0 i was only a 4o)e0 wasn8 i 0 Bames?H HT%a 8s rig% 0H sai' ,on'. H7i)e w%en .r Kres sai' Englan' %a' no %ing (u ruins an' a 1ueen.H .r Kres 8s eyes were s ill on %e girl. &e sai' so! lyE H"%u#)s0 reasure. >%y are you loo)ing so nervous? 6ourse i was a 4o)e.H &e *ause'. H-n' one I8ll remem(er0 reasure. One I8ll sure remem(er.H ,on' es ima e' %a (y now .r Kres %a' 4us a(ou one w%ole (o le o! various al#o%ols0 mos ly w%is)y0 insi'e %im. I loo)e' o ,on' as i!0 unless .r Kres *asse' ou 0 %e ime was no !ar o!! w%en ,on' woul' %ave o %i .r Kres 4us on#e very %ar' on %e 4aw. Fi'ele ,ar(ey was now (eing given %e rea men . HT%ese islan's o! yours0 Fi'o. >%en I !irs loo)e' %em u* on %e ma* I %oug% i was 4us some s*e#)s o! !ly+'ir on %e *age.H .r Kres #%u#)le'. HEven rie' o (rus% %em o!! wi % %e (a#) o! my %an'. T%en I rea' a (i a(ou %em an' i seeme' o me my !irs %oug% s %a' 4us a(ou %i %e nail on %e %ea'. =o mu#% goo' !or any %ing0 are %ey0 Fi'o? I won'er an in elligen guy li)e you 'oesn8 ge %e %ell ou o! %ere. ,ea#%+#om(ing ain8 any )in' o! a li!e. T%oug% I 'i' %ear one o! your !amily %a' logge' over a %un're' illegi ima e #%il'ren. .e((e %a 8s %e a ra# ion0 e%0 !eller?H .r Kres grinne' )nowingly. Fi'ele ,ar(ey sai' e1ua(lyE HT%a 8s my un#le0 9as on. T%e res o! %e !amily 'oesn8 a**rove. I 8s ma'e 1ui e a %ole in %e !amily !or une.H HFamily !or une0 e%?H .r Kres win)e' a ,on'. H>%a 8s i in? 6owrie+s%ells?H H=o e3a# ly.H Fi'ele ,ar(ey was no use' o .r Kres 8s (ran' o! ru'eness. &e loo)e' mil'ly em(arrasse'. HT%oug% we ma'e 1ui e a lo ou o! or oise+s%ell an' mo %er+o!+*earl a(ou a %un're' years ago w%en %ere was a rage !or %ese %ings. 6o*ra8s always (een our main (usiness.H H@sing %e !amily (as ar's as la(our0 I guess. 9oo' i'ea. >is% I #oul' !i3 some %ing li)e %a in my %ome #ir#le.H &e loo)e' a#ross a %is wi!e. T%e ru((er li*s urne' s ill !ur %er 'own. ,e!ore %e ne3 gi(e #oul' (e u ere'0 ,on' %a' *us%e' %is #%air (a#) an' %a' gone ou in o %e well+'e#) an' *ulle' %e 'oor s%u (e%in' %im. Ten minu es la er0 ,on' %ear' !ee #oming so! ly 'own %e la''er !rom %e (oa + 'e#). &e urne'. I was 7i5 Kres . "%e #ame over o w%ere %e was s an'ing in %e s ern. "%e sai' in a s raine' voi#eE HI sai' I8' go o (e'. ,u %en I %oug% I8' #ome (a#) %ere an' see i! you8' go every %ing you wan . I8m no a very goo' %os ess0 I8m a!rai'. -re you sure you 'on8 min' slee*ing ou %ere?H HI li)e i . I li)e %is )in' o! air (e er %an %e #anne' s u!! insi'e. -n' i 8s ra %er won'er!ul o %ave all %ose s ars o loo) a . I8ve never seen so many (e!ore.H "%e sai' eagerly0 gras*ing a a !rien'ly o*i#E HI li)e Orion8s ,el an' %e "ou %ern 6ross %e (es . You )now0 w%en I was young0 I use' o %in) %e s ars were really %oles in %e s)y. I %oug% %e worl' was surroun'e' (y a grea (ig (la#) sor o! envelo*e0 an' %a ou si'e i %e universe was !ull o! (rig% lig% . T%e s ars were 4us %oles in %e envelo*e %a le li le s*ar)s o! lig% %roug%. One ge s erri(ly silly i'eas w%en one8s young.H "%e loo)e' u* a %im0 wan ing %im no o snu( %er.

,on' sai'E HYou8re *ro(a(ly 1ui e rig% . One s%oul'n8 (elieve all %e s#ien is s say. T%ey wan o ma)e every %ing 'ull. >%ere 'i' you live %en?H H- $ingwoo' in %e =ew Fores . I was a goo' *la#e o (e (roug% u*. - goo' *la#e !or #%il'ren. I8' li)e o go %ere again one 'ay.H ,on' sai'E HYou8ve #er ainly #ome a long way sin#e %en. You8' *ro(a(ly !in' i *re y 'ull.H "%e rea#%e' ou an' ou#%e' %is sleeve. H2lease 'on8 say %a . You 'on8 un'ers an' < H %ere was an e'ge o! 'es*era ion in %e so! voi#e < HI #an8 (ear o go on missing w%a o %er *eo*le %ave < or'inary *eo*le. I mean0H s%e laug%e' nervously0 Hyou won8 (elieve me0 (u 4us o al) li)e %is !or a !ew minu es0 o %ave someone li)e you o al) o0 is some %ing I8' almos !orgo en.H "%e su''enly rea#%e' !or %is %an' an' %el' i %ar'. HI8m sorry. I 4us wan e' o 'o %a . =ow I8ll go o (e'.H T%e so! voi#e #ame !rom (e%in' %em. T%e s*ee#% %a' slurre'0 (u ea#% wor' was #are!ully se*ara e' !rom %e ne3 . H>ell0 well. >%a'ya )now? =e#)ing wi % %e un'erwa er %el*AH .r Kres s oo' !rame' in %e %a #% o %e saloon. &e s oo' wi % %is legs a*ar an' %is arms u*s re #%e' o %e lin el a(ove %is %ea'. >i % %e lig% (e%in' %im %e %a' %e sil%oue e o! a (a(oon. T%e #ol'0 im*risone' (rea % o! %e saloon rus%e' ou *as %im an' !or a momen #%ille' %e warm nig% air in %e well+'e#). .r Kres s e**e' ou an' so! ly *ulle' %e 'oor o (e%in' %im. ,on' oo) a s e* owar's %im0 %is %an's %el' loosely a %is si'es. &e measure' %e 'is an#e o .r Kres 8s solar *le3us. &e sai'E H:on8 4um* o #on#lusions0 .r Kres . -n' wa #% your ongue. You8re lu#)y no o %ave go %ur so !ar onig% . :on8 *ress your lu#). You8re 'run). 9o o (e'.H HO%oA 7is en o %e #%ee)y !eller.H .r Kres 8s moon+(urne' !a#e urne' slowly !rom ,on' o %is wi!e. &e ma'e a #on em* uous0 &a*s(urg+li* grima#e. &e oo) a silver w%is le ou o! %is *o#)e an' w%irle' i roun' on i s s ring. H&e sure 'on8 ge %e *i# ure0 'oes %e0 reasure? You ain8 ol' %im %a %ose &einies u* !ron ain8 4us !or ornamen ?H &e urne' (a#) o ,on'. HFeller0 you move any #loser an' I (low %is 4us on#e. -n' you )now w%a ? I 8ll (e %e ol' %eave+%o !or .r go''am ,on'H < %e ma'e a ges ure owar's %e sea < Hover %e si'e. .an over(oar'. Too (a'. >e (a#) u* o ma)e a sear#% an' you )now w%a 0 !eller? Bus (y #%an#e we (a#) u* in o you wi % %ose win s#rews. >oul' you (elieve i A >%a lousy (a' lu#) !or %a ni#e !eller Bim we were all ge ing so !on' o!AH .r Kres swaye' on %is !ee . H:ya ge %e *%o o0 Bim? O)ay0 so le 8s all (e !rien's again an' ge some s%u eye.H &e rea#%e' !or %e lin el o! %e %a #% an' urne' o %is wi!e. &e li! e' %is !ree %an' an' slowly #roo)e' a !inger. H.ove0 reasure. Time !or (e'.H HYes0 .il .H T%e wi'e0 !rig% ene' eyes urne' si'e ways. H9oo'nig% 0 Bames.H >i %ou wai ing !or an answer0 s%e 'u#)e' un'er .r Kres 8s arm an' almos ran %roug% %e saloon. .r Kres li! e' a %an'. HTa)e i easy0 !eller. =o %ar' !eelings0 e%?H ,on' sai' no %ing. &e wen on loo)ing %ar' a .r Kres . .r Kres laug%e' un#er ainly. &e sai'E HO)ay %en.H &e s e**e' in o %e saloon an' sli' %e 'oor s%u . T%roug% %e win'ow ,on' wa #%e' %im wal) uns ea'ily a#ross %e saloon an' urn ou %e lig% s. &e wen in o %e #orri'or an' %ere was a momen ary gleam !rom %e s a eroom 'oor0 an' %en %a oo wen 'ar). ,on' s%rugge' %is s%oul'ers. 9o'0 w%a a manA &e lean agains %e s ern rail an' wa #%e' %e s ars an' %e !las%es o! *%os*%ores#en#e in %e #reaming wa)e0 an' se a(ou was%ing %is min' #lear an' rela3ing %e #oile' ensions in %is (o'y &al! an %our la er0 a! er a)ing a s%ower in %e #rew8s (a %room !orrar'0 ,on'

was ma)ing a (e' !or %imsel! among %e *ile' :unlo*illo #us%ions w%en %e %ear' a single0 %ear ren'ing s#ream. I ore (rie!ly in o %e nig% an' was smo %ere'. I was %e girl. ,on' ran %roug% %e saloon an' 'own %e *assage. >i % %is %an' on %e s a eroom 'oor0 %e s o**e'. &e #oul' %ear %er so(s an'0 a(ove %em0 %e so! even 'rone o! .r Kres 8s voi#e. &e oo) %is %an' away !rom %e la #%0 &ellA >%a was i o 'o wi % %im? T%ey were man an' wi!e. I! s%e was *re*are' o s an' %is sor o! %ing an' no )ill %er %us(an'0 or leave %im0 i was no goo' ,on' *laying "ir 9ala%a'. ,on' wal)e' slowly (a#) 'own %e *assage. -s %e was #rossing %e saloon %e s#ream0 %is ime less *ier#ing0 rang ou again. ,on' #urse' !luen ly an' wen ou an' lay 'own on %is (e' an' rie' o !o#us %is min' on %e so! %u' o! %e 'iesels. &ow #oul' a girl %ave so li le gu s? Or was i %a women #oul' a)e almos any %ing !rom a man? -ny %ing e3#e* in'i!!eren#e? ,on'8s min' re!use' o unwin'. "lee* go !ur %er an' !ur %er away. -n %our la er ,on' %a' rea#%e' %e e'ge o! un#ons#iousness w%en0 u* a(ove %im on %e (oa +'e#)0 .r Kres (egan o snore. On %e se#on' nig% ou !rom 2or Vi# oria0 .r Kres %a' le! %is #a(in in %e mi''le o! %e nig% an' %a' gone u* o %e %ammo#) %a was )e* slung !or %im (e ween %e s*ee'(oa an' %e 'ing%y. ,u %a nig% %e %a' no snore'. =ow %e was snoring wi % %ose 'ee*0 ra ling0 u erly los snores %a #ome !rom (ig (lue slee*ing+*ills on o* o! oo mu#% al#o%ol. T%is was oo 'amne' mu#%. ,on' loo)e' a %is wa #%. One+ %ir y. I! %e snoring 'i'n8 s o* in en minu es0 ,on' woul' go 'own o Fi'ele ,ar(ey8s #a(in an' slee* on %e !loor0 even i! %e 'i' wa)e u* s i!! an' !ro5en in %e morning. ,on' wa #%e' %e gleaming minu e+%an' slowly #ree* roun' %e 'ial. =owA &e %a' go o %is !ee an' was ga %ering u* %is s%ir an' s%or s w%en0 !rom u* on %e (oa +'e#)0 %ere #ame a %eavy #ras%. T%e #ras% was imme'ia ely !ollowe' (y s#ra((ling soun's an' a 'rea'!ul #%o)ing an' gurgling. &a' .r Kres !allen ou o! %is %ammo#)? $elu# an ly ,on' 'ro**e' %is %ings (a#) on %e 'e#) an' wal)e' over an' #lim(e' %e la''er. -s %is eyes #ame level wi % %e (oa +'e#)0 %e #%o)ing s o**e'. Ins ea' %ere was ano %er0 a more 'rea'!ul soun' < %e 1ui#) 'rumming o! %eels. ,on' )new %a soun'. &e lea* u* %e las s e*s an' ran owar's %e !igure lying s*rea'eagle' on i s (a#) in %e (rig% moonlig% . &e s o**e' an' )nel slowly 'own0 ag%as . T%e %orror o! %e s rangle' !a#e was (a' enoug%0 (u i was no .r Kres 8s ongue %a *ro ru'e' !rom %is ga*ing mou %. I was %e ail o! a !is%. T%e #olours were *in) an' (la#). I was %e &il'e(ran' $ari yA T%e man was 'ea' < %orri(ly 'ea'. >%en %e !is% %a' (een #ramme' in o %is mou %0 %e mus %ave rea#%e' u* an' 'es*era ely rie' o ug i ou . ,u %e s*ines o! %e 'orsal an' anal !ins %a' #aug% insi'e %e #%ee)s an' some o! %e s*iny i*s now *ro ru'e' %roug% %e (loo'+!le#)e' s)in roun' %e o(s#ene mou %. ,on' s%u''ere'. :ea % mus %ave #ome insi'e a minu e. ,u w%a a minu eA ,on' slowly go o %is !ee . &e wal)e' over o %e ra#)s o! glass s*e#imen 4ars an' *eere' un'er %e *ro e# ive awning. T%e *las i# #over o! %e en' 4ar lay on %e 'e#) (esi'e i . ,on' wi*e' i #are!ully on %e ar*aulin0 an' %en0 %ol'ing i (y %e i*s o! %is !ingernails0 lai' i loosely (a#) over %e mou % o! %e 4ar. &e wen (a#) an' s oo' over %e #or*se. >%i#% o! %e wo %a' 'one %is? T%ere was a ou#% o! !ien'is% s*i e in using %e reasure' *ri5e as a wea*on. T%a sugges e' %e woman. "%e #er ainly %a' %er reasons. ,u Fi'ele ,ar(ey0 wi % %is #reole (loo'0 woul' %ave %a' %e #ruel y an' a %e same ime %e ma#a(re %umour. H1e lui ai foutu son sacr* poisson dans la geuleH. ,on' #oul' %ear %im say %e wor's. I!0 a! er ,on' %a' le! %e saloon0 .r Kres %a' nee'le' %e "ey#%ellois 4us a li le (i !ur %er < *ar i#ularly a(ou %is !amily or %is (elove' islan's < Fi'ele ,ar(ey woul' no %ave

%i %im %en an' %ere0 or use' a )ni!e0 %e woul' %ave wai e' an' *lo e'. ,on' loo)e' roun' %e 'e#). T%e snoring o! %e man #oul' %ave (een a signal !or ei %er o! %em. T%ere were la''ers o %e (oa +'e#) !rom (o % si'es o! %e #a(in+ 'e#) ami's%i*s. T%e man a %e w%eel in %e *ilo +%ouse !orrar' woul' %ave %ear' no %ing a(ove %e noise !rom %e engine+room. To *i#) %e small !is% ou o! i s !ormalin (a % an' sli* i in o .r Kres 8s ga*ing mou % woul' %ave only nee'e' se#on's. ,on' s%rugge'. >%i#%ever %a' 'one i %a' no %oug% o! %e #onse1uen#es < o! %e inevi a(le in1ues 0 *er%a*s o! a rial in w%i#% %e0 ,on'0 woul' (e an a''i ional "us*e# . T%ey were #er ainly all going o (e in one %ell o! a mess unless %e #oul' i'y %ings u*. ,on' glan#e' over %e e'ge o! %e (oa +'e#). ,elow was %e %ree+!oo +wi'e s ri* o! 'e#) %a ran %e leng % o! %e s%i*. ,e ween %is an' %e sea %ere was a wo+ !oo +%ig% rail. "u**osing %e %ammo#) %a' (ro)en0 an' .r Kres %a' !allen an' rolle' un'er %e s*ee'+(oa an' over %e e'ge o! %e u**er 'e#)0 #oul' %e %ave rea#%e' %e sea? &ar'ly0 in %is 'ea' #alm0 (u %a was w%a %e was going o %ave 'one. ,on' go moving. >i % a a(le+)ni!e0 !rom %e saloon0 %e #are!ully !raye' an' %en (ro)e one o! %e main #or's o! %e %ammo#) so %a %e %ammo#) raile' realis i#ally on %e 'e#). =e3 0 wi % a 'am* #lo %0 %e #leane' u* %e s*e#)s o! (loo' on %e woo'wor) an' %e 'ro*s o! !ormalin %a le' !rom %e s*e#imen 4ar. T%en #ame %e %ar'es *ar < %an'ling %e #or*se. 6are!ully ,on' *ulle' i o %e very e'ge o! %e 'e#) an' %imsel! wen 'own %e la''er an'0 (ra#ing %imsel!0 rea#%e' u*. T%e #or*se #ame 'own on o* o! %im in a %eavy0 'run)en em(ra#e. ,on' s aggere' un'er i o %e low rail an' ease' i over. T%ere was a las %i'eous glim*se o! %e o(s#enely (ulging !a#eN a si#)ening !ume o! s ale w%is)y0 a %eavy s*las%0 an' i was gone an' rolling sluggis%ly away in %e small waves o! %e wa)e. ,on' !la ene' %imsel! (a#) agains %e saloon %a #%way0 rea'y o sli* %roug% i! %e %elmsman #ame a! o inves iga e. ,u %ere was no movemen !orrar' an' %e iron ram* o! %e 'iesels %el' s ea'y. ,on' sig%e' 'ee*ly. I woul' (e a very rou(lesome #oroner w%o (roug% in any %ing (u misa'ven ure. &e wen (a#) o %e (oa +'e#)0 gave i a !inal loo) over0 'is*ose' o! %e )ni!e an' %e we #lo %0 an' wen 'own %e la''er o %is (e' in %e well. I was wo+!i! een. ,on' was aslee* insi'e en minu es. ,y *us%ing %e s*ee' u* o welve )no s %ey ma'e =or % 2oin (y si3 o8#lo#) %a evening. ,e%in' %em %e s)y was a(la5e wi % re' an' gol' s rea)e' a#ross a1uamarine. T%e wo men0 wi % %e woman (e ween %em0 s oo' a %e rail o! %e well+'e#) an' wa #%e' %e (rillian s%ore sli* (y a#ross %e mo %er+o!+*earl mirror o! %e sea. 7i5 Kres was wearing a w%i e linen !ro#) wi % a (la#) (el an' a (la#) an' w%i e %an')er#%ie! roun' %er ne#). T%e mourning #olours wen well wi % %e gol'en s)in. T%e %ree *eo*le s oo' s i!!ly an' ra %er sel!+#ons#iously0 ea#% one nursing %is own *ie#e o! se#re )nowle'ge0 ea#% one an3ious o #onvey o %e o %er wo %a %eir *ar i#ular se#re s were sa!e wi % %im. T%a morning %ere %a' seeme' o (e a #ons*ira#y among %e %ree o slee* la e. Even ,on' %a' no (een awa)ene' (y %e sun un il en o8#lo#). &e s%owere' in %e #rew8s 1uar ers an' #%a e' wi % %e %elmsman (e!ore going (elow o see w%a %a' %a**ene' o Fi'ele ,ar(ey. &e was s ill in (e'. &e sai' %e %a' a %angover. &a' %e (een very ru'e o .r Kres ? &e #oul'n8 remem(er mu#% a(ou i e3#e* %a %e seeme' o re#all .r Kres (eing very ru'e o %im. HYou remem(er w%a I sai' a(ou %im !rom %e (eginning0 Bames? - gran' slam re'ou(le' in (as ar's. =ow 'o you

agree wi % me? One o! %ese 'ays someone8s going o s%u %a so! ugly mou % o! %is !or ever.H In#on#lusive. ,on' %a' !i3e' %imsel! some (rea)!as in %e galley an' was ea ing i %ere w%en 7i5 Kres %a' #ome in o 'o %e same. "%e was 'resse' in a *ale (lue s%an ung )imono o %er )nees. T%ere were 'ar) rings un'er %er eyes an' s%e a e %er (rea)!as s an'ing. ,u s%e seeme' *er!e# ly #alm an' a ease. "%e w%is*ere' #ons*ira oriallyE HI 'o a*ologi5e a(ou las nig% . I su**ose I8' %a' a (i oo mu#% o 'rin) oo. ,u 'o !orgive .il . &e8s really aw!ully ni#e. I 8s only w%en %e8s %a' a (i oo mu#% %a %e ge s sor o! 'i!!i#ul . &e8s always sorry %e ne3 morning. You8ll see.H >%en eleven o8#lo#) #ame an' nei %er o! %e o %er wo s%owe' any signs o!0 so o s*ea)0 (lowing %e ga!!0 ,on' 'e#i'e' o !or#e %e *a#e. &e loo)e' very %ar' a 7i5 Kres w%o was lying on %er s oma#% in %e well+'e#) rea'ing a maga5ine. &e sai'E H,y %e way0 w%ere8s your %us(an'? " ill slee*ing i o!!?H "%e !rowne'. HI su**ose so. &e wen u* o %is %ammo#) on %e (oa +'e#). I8ve no i'ea w%a ime. I oo) a slee*ing+*ill an' wen s raig% o!!.H Fi'ele ,ar(ey %a' a line ou !or am(er4a#). >i %ou loo)ing roun' %e sai'E H&e8s *ro(a(ly in %e *ilo +%ouse.H ,on' sai'E HI! %e8s s ill aslee* on %e (oa +'e#)0 %e8ll (e ge ing %e %ell o! a sun(urn.H 7i5 Kres sai'E HO%0 *oor .il A I %a'n8 %oug% o! %a . I8ll go an' see.H "%e #lim(e' %e la''er. >%en %er %ea' was a(ove %e level o! %e (oa +'e#) s%e s o**e'. "%e #alle' 'own0 an3iouslyE HBim. &e8s no %ere. -n' %e %ammo#)8s (ro)en.H ,on' sai'E HFi'ele8s *ro(a(ly rig% . I8ll %ave a loo) !orrar'.H &e wen o %e *ilo +%ouse. Fri 50 %e ma e an' %e engineer were %ere. ,on' sai'E H-nyone seen .r Kres ?H Fri 5 loo)e' *u55le'. H=o0 sir. >%y? Is any %ing wrong?H ,on' !loo'e' %is !a#e wi % an3ie y. H&e8s no a! . &ere0 #ome onA 7oo) roun' everyw%ere. &e was slee*ing on %e (oa +'e#). &e8s no %ere an' %is %ammo#)8s (ro)en. &e was ra %er %e worse !or wear las nig% . 6ome onA 9e #ra#)ingAH >%en %e inevi a(le #on#lusion %a' (een rea#%e'0 7i5 Kres %a' a s%or (u #re'i(le !i o! %ys eria. ,on' oo) %er o %er #a(in an' le! %er %ere in ears. HI 8s all rig% 0 7i50H %e sai'. You s ay ou o! %is. I8ll loo) a! er every %ing. >e8ll %ave o ra'io 2or Vi# oria an' so on. I8ll ell Fri 5 o *u on s*ee'. I8m a!rai' i 8s %o*eless urning (a#) o loo). T%ere8ve (een si3 %ours o! 'aylig% w%en %e #oul'n8 %ave !allen over(oar' wi %ou (eing %ear' or seen. I mus %ave (een in %e nig% . I8m a!rai' any %ing li)e si3 %ours in %ese seas is 4us no on.H "%e s are' a %im0 %er eyes wi'e. HYou mean < you mean s%ar)s an' %ings?H ,on' no''e'. HO% .il A 2oor 'arling .il A O%0 w%y 'i' %is %ave o %a**en?H ,on' wen ou an' so! ly s%u %e 'oor. T%e ya#% roun'e' 6annon 2oin an' re'u#e' s*ee'. Kee*ing well away !rom %e (ro)en ree!0 i sli' 1uie ly a#ross %e (roa' (ay0 now lemon an' gunme al in %e las lig% 0 owar's %e an#%orage. T%e small owns%i* (enea % %e moun ains was alrea'y 'ar) wi % in'igo s%a'ow in w%i#% a s*rin)ling o! yellow lig% s s%owe'. ,on' saw %e 6us oms an' Immigra ion laun#% move o!! !rom 7ong 2ier o mee %em. T%e li le #ommuni y woul' alrea'y (e (u55ing wi % %e news %a woul' %ave 1ui#)ly lea)e' !rom %e ra'io s a ion o %e "ey#%elles 6lu( an' %en0 %roug% %e mem(ers8 #%au!!eurs an' s a!!s0 in o %e own.

7i5 Kres urne' o %im. HI8m (eginning o ge nervous. >ill you %el* me %roug% %e res o! %is < %ese aw!ul !ormali ies an' %ings?H HO! #ourse.H Fi'ele ,ar(ey sai'E H:on8 worry oo mu#%. -ll %ese *eo*le are my !rien's. -n' %e 6%ie! Bus i#e is my un#le. >e s%all all %ave o ma)e a s a emen . T%ey8ll *ro(a(ly %ave %e in1ues omorrow. You8ll (e a(le o leave %e 'ay a! er.H HYou really %in) so?H - 'ew o! swea %a' s*rung (elow %er eyes. HT%e rou(le is0 I 'on8 really )now w%ere o leave !or0 or w%a o 'o ne3 . I su**ose0H s%e %esi a e'0 no loo)ing a ,on'. HI su**ose0 Bames0 you woul'n8 li)e o #ome on o .om(asa? I mean0 you8re going %ere0 anyway0 an' I8' (e a(le o ge you %ere a 'ay earlier %an %is s%i* o! yours0 %is 6am* some %ing.H 20ampala.2 ,on' li a #igare e o #over %is %esi a ion. Four 'ays in a (eau i!ul ya#% wi % %is girlA ,u %e ail o! %a !is%0 s i#)ing ou o! %e mou %A &a' s%e 'one i ? Or %a' Fi'ele0 w%o woul' )now %a %is un#les an' #ousins on .a%e woul' some%ow see %a %e #ame o no %arm? I! only one o! %em woul' ma)e a sli*. ,on' sai' easilyE HT%a 8s erri(ly ni#e o! you0 7i5. O! #ourse I8' love o #ome.H Fi'ele ,ar(ey #%u#)le'. H,ravo0 my !rien'. -n' I woul' love o (e in your s%oes0 (u !or one %ing. T%a 'amne' !is%. I is a grea res*onsi(ili y. I li)e o %in) o! you (o % (eing 'eluge' wi % #a(les !rom %e "mi %sonian a(ou i . :on8 !orge %a you are now (o % rus ees o! a s#ien i!i# Ko%+i+noor. -n' you )now w%a %ese -meri#ans are. T%ey8ll worry %e li!e ou o! you un il %ey8ve go %eir %an's on i .H ,on'8s eyes were %ar' as !lin as %e wa #%e' %e girl. "urely %a *u %e !inger on %er. =ow %e woul' ma)e some e3#use < ge ou o! %e ri*. T%ere %a' (een some %ing a(ou %a *ar i#ular way o! )illing a man . . . ,u %e (eau i!ul0 #an'i' eyes 'i' no !li#)er. "%e loo)e' u* in o Fi'ele ,ar(ey8s !a#e an' sai'0 easily0 #%arminglyE HT%a won8 (e a *ro(lem. I8ve 'e#i'e' o give i o %e ,ri is% .useum.H Bames ,on' no i#e' %a %e swea 'ew %a' now ga %ere' a %er em*les. ,u 0 a! er all0 i was a 'es*era ely %o evening . . . T%e %u' o! %e engines s o**e' an' %e an#%or #%ain roare' 'own in o %e 1uie (ay.

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