Octopussy

IanFleming

1966

2

3

Octopussy

"Youknowwhat?"saidMajorDexterSmythetotheoctopus."You'regoingtohavearealtreattodayifIcanmanageit."Hehadspokenaloud,andhisbreathhadsteameduptheglassofhisPirellimask.Heputhisfeetdowntothesandbesidethecoralboulderandstoodup.Thewaterreachedtohisarmpits.Hetookoffthemaskandspatintoit,rubbedthespitroundtheglass,rinseditclean,andpulledtherubberbandofthemaskbackoverhishead.Hebentdownagain.

Theeyeinthemottledbrownsackwasstillwatchinghimcarefullyfromtheholeinthecoral,butnowthetipofasinglesmalltentaclewaveredhesitatinglyaninchortwooutoftheshadowsandquestedvaguelywithitspinksuckersuppermost.DexterSmythesmiledwithsatisfaction.Giventimeperhapsonemoremonthontopofthetwoduringwhichhehadbeenchummingtheoctopusandhewouldhavetamedthedarling.Buthewasn'tgoingtohavethatmonth.Shouldhetakeachancetodayandreachdownandofferhishand,insteadoftheexpectedlumpofrawmeatontheendofhisspear,tothetentacle?Shakeitbythehand,sotospeak?No,Pussy,hethought.Ican'tquitetrustyouyet.Almostcertainlyothertentacleswouldwhipoutoftheholeanduphisarm.Heonlyneededtobedraggeddownlessthantwofeetforthecorkvalveonhismasktoautomaticallyclose,andhewouldbesuffocatedinsideitor,ifhetoreitoff,drowned.Hemightgetinaquickluckyjabwithhisspear,butitwouldtakemorethanthattokillPussy.No.Perhapslaterintheday.ItwouldberatherlikeplayingRussianroulette,andataboutthesamefivetooneodds.Itmightbeaquick,awhimsical,wayoutofhistroubles!Butnotnow.Itwouldleavetheinterestingquestionunsolved.AndhehadpromisedthatniceProfessorBengryattheInstitute...DexterSmytheswamleisurelyofftowardthereef,hiseyesquestingforoneshapeonly,thesquat,sinisterwedgeofascorpionfish,or,asBengrywouldputit,Scorpaenaplumieri.

MajorDexterSmythe,O.B.E.,RoyalMarines(Retd.),wastheremainsofaoncebraveandresourcefulofficerandofahandsomemanwhohadhadthesexualrunofhisteethallhislife,particularlyamongtheWrensandWracsandATSwhomannedthecommunicationsandsecretariatoftheveryspecialtaskforcetowhichhehadbeenattachedattheendofhisservicecareer.Nowhewasfiftyfourandslightlybald,andhisbellysaggedinhisJantzentrunks.Andhehadhadtwocoronarythromboses,thesecond(the"secondwarning"ashisdoctor,JimmyGreaves,whohadbeenoneoftheirhighpokergameatPrince'sClubwhenDexterSmythehadfirstcometoJamaica,hadhalfjocularlyputit)onlyamonthbefore.But,inhiswellchosenclothes,withhisvaricoseveinsoutofsight,andwithhisstomachflattenedbyadiscreetsupportbeltbehindanimmaculatecummerbund,hewasstillafinefigureofamanatacocktailpartyordinnerontheNorthShore.Anditwasamysterytohisfriendsandneighborswhy,indefianceofthetwoouncesofwhiskeyandthetencigarettesadaytowhichhisdoctorhadrationedhim,hepersistedinsmokinglikeachimneyandgoingtobeddrunk,ifamiablydrunk,everynight.

ThetruthofthematterwasthatDexterSmythehadarrivedatthefrontierofthedeathwish.Theoriginsofthisstateofmindweremanyandnotallthatcomplex.HewasirretrievablytiedtoJamaica,andtropicalslothhadgraduallyriddledhimsothat,whileoutwardlyheappearedapieceoffairlysolidhardwood,insidethevarnishedsurface,thetermitesofsloth,selfindulgence,guiltoveranancientsin,andgeneraldisgustwith

4

himselfhaderodedhisoncehardcoreintodust.SincethedeathofMarytwoyearsbefore,hehadlovednoone.(Hewasn'tevensurethathehadreallylovedher,butheknewthat,everyhouroftheday,hemissedherloveofhimandhergay,untidy,chiding,andoftenirritatingpresence.)Andthoughheatetheircanapsanddranktheirmartinis,hehadnothingbutcontemptfortheinternationalriffraffwithwhomheconsortedontheNorthShore.Hecouldperhapshavemadefriendswiththemoresolidelementsthegentlemanfarmersinland,theplantationownersonthecoast,theprofessionalmen,thepoliticiansbutthatwouldmeanregainingsomeseriouspurposeinlifewhichhissloth,hisspiritualaccidie,prevented,andcuttingdownonthebottle,whichhewasdefinitelyunwillingtodo.SoMajorSmythewasbored,boredtodeath,and,butforonefactorinhislife,hewouldlongagohaveswallowedthebottleofbarbiturateshehadeasilyacquiredfromalocaldoctor.Thelifelinethatkepthimclingingtotheedgeofthecliffwasatenuousone.Heavydrinkersveertowardanexaggerationoftheirbasictemperaments,theclassicfoursanguine,phlegmatic,choleric,andmelancholic.Thesanguinedrunkgoesgaytothepointofhysteriaandidiocy;thephlegmaticsinksintoamorassofsullengloom;thecholericisthefightingdrunkofthecartoonistswhospendsmuchofhislifeinprisonforsmashingpeopleandthings;andthemelancholicsuccumbstoselfpity,mawkishness,andtears.MajorSmythewasamelancholicwhohadslidintoadroolingfantasywovenaroundthebirdsandinsectsandfishthatinhabitedthefiveacresofWavelets(thenamehehadgivenhissmallvillawassymptomatic),itsbeach,andthecoralreefbeyond.Thefishwerehisparticularfavorites.Hereferredtothemas"people,"andsincereeffishsticktotheirterritoriesascloselyasdomostsmallbirds,heknewthemall,aftertwoyears,intimately,"loved"them,andbelievedthattheylovedhiminreturn.

Theycertainlyknewhim,asthedenizensofzoosknowtheirkeepers,becausehewasadailyandaregularprovider,scrapingoffalgaeandstirringupthesandandrocksforthebottomfeeders,breakingupseaeggsandseaurchinsforthesmallcarnivores,andbringingoutscrapsofoffalforthelargerones.Andnow,asheswamslowlyandheavilyupanddownthereefandthroughthechannelsthatledouttodeepwater,his"people"swarmedaroundhimfearlesslyandexpectantly,dartingatthetipofthethreeprongedspeartheyknewonlyasaprodigalspoon,flirtingrightuptotheglassofthePirelli,andeven,inthecaseofthefearless,pugnaciousdemoiselles,nippingsoftlyathisfeetandlegs.

PartofMajorSmythe'smindtookinallthesebrilliantlycoloredlittle"people"andhegreetedtheminunspokenwords.("Morning,BeauGregory"tothedarkbluedemoisellesprinkledwithbrightbluespotsthejewelfishthatexactlyresemblesthestarlitfashioningofabottleofGuerlain'sDansLaNuit;"Sorry.Nottoday,sweetheart"toaflutteringbutterflyfishwithfalseblackeyesonitstail;and"You'retoofatanyway,BlueBoy,"toanindigoparrotfishthatmusthaveweighedagoodtenpounds.)Buttodayhehadajobtodoandhiseyesweresearchingforonlyoneofhis"people"hisonlyenemyonthereef,theonlyonehekilledonsight,ascorpionfish.

Thescorpionfishinhabitsmostofthesouthernwatersoftheworld,andtherascassethatisthefoundationofbouillabaissebelongstothefamily.TheWestIndianvarietyrunsuptoonlyabouttwelveincheslongandperhapsapoundofweight.Itisbyfartheugliestfishinthesea,asifnatureweregivingwarning.Itisamottledbrownishgraywithaheavywedgeshapedshaggyhead.Ithasfleshypendulous"eyebrows"thatdroopoverangryredeyesandacolorationandbrokensilhouettethatareperfectcamouflageonthereef.

5

Thoughasmallfish,itsheavilytoothedmouthissowidethatitcanswallowwholemostofthesmallerreeffishes,butitssupremeweaponliesinitserectiledorsalfins,thefirstfewofwhich,actingoncontactlikehypodermicneedles,arefedbypoisonglandscontainingenoughdotoxintokillamaniftheymerelygrazehiminavulnerablespotinanartery,forinstance,orovertheheartorinthegroin.Itconstitutestheonlyrealdangertothereefswimmer,farmoredangerousthanthebarracudaortheshark,because,supremeinitsconfidenceinitscamouflageandarmory,itfleesbeforenothingexcepttheverycloseapproachofafootoractualcontact.Thenitflitsonlyafewyards,onwideandbizarrelystripedpectorals,andsettlesagainwatchfullyeitheronthesand,whereitlookslikealumpofovergrowncoral,oramongtherocksandseaweedwhereitvirtuallydisappears.AndMajorSmythewasdeterminedtofindoneandspearitandgiveittohisoctopustoseeifitwouldtakeitorspurnittoseeifoneoftheocean'sgreatpredatorswouldrecognizethedeadlinessofanother,knowofitspoison.Wouldtheoctopusconsumethebellyandleavethespines?Woulditeatthelot?Andifso,woulditsufferfromthepoison?ThesewerethequestionsBengryattheInstitutewantedanswered,andtoday,sinceitwasgoingtobethebeginningoftheendofMajorSmythe'slifeatWaveletsandthoughitmightmeantheendofhisdarlingOctopussyMajorSmythehaddecidedtofindouttheanswersandleaveonetinymemorialtohisnowfutilelifeinsomedustycorneroftheInstitute'smarinebiologicalfiles.

For,inonlythelastcoupleofhours,MajorDexterSmythe'salreadydismallifehadchangedverymuchfortheworse.Somuchfortheworsethathewouldbeluckyif,inafewweeks'timetimeforanexchangeofcablesviaGovernmentHouseandtheColonialOfficetotheSecretServiceandthencetoScotlandYardandthePublicProsecutor,andforMajorSmythe'stransportationtoLondonwithapoliceescorthegotawaywithasentenceofimprisonmentforlife.

AndallthisbecauseofamancalledBond,CommanderJamesBond,whohadturnedupattenthirtythatmorninginataxifromKingston.

***

Thedayhadstartednormally.MajorSmythehadawakenedfromhisSeconalsleep,swallowedacoupleofPanadols(hisheartconditionforbadehimaspirin),showered,skimpedhisbreakfastundertheumbrellashapedseaalmonds,andspentanhourfeedingtheremainsofhisbreakfasttothebirds.HethentookhisprescribeddosesofanticoagulantandbloodpressurepillsandkilledtimewiththeDailyGleaneruntilitwastimeforhiselevenses,which,forsomemonthsnow,hehadadvancedtotenthirty.Hehadjustpouredhimselfthefirstoftwostiffbrandyandgingerales(TheDrunkard'sDrink)whenheheardthecarcomingupthedrive.

Luna,hiscoloredhousekeeper,cameoutintothegardenandannounced"Gemmuntoseeyou,Major."

"What'shisname?"

"Hundoansay,Major.HimsaytotellyouhimcomefromGovmentHouse."

6

MajorSmythewaswearingnothingbutapairofoldkhakishortsandsandals.Hesaid,"Allright,Luna.PuthiminthelivingroomandsayIwon'tbeamoment."Andhewentroundthebackwayintohisbedroomandputonawhitebushshirtandtrousersandbrushedhishair.GovernmentHouse!Nowwhatthehell?

Assoonashehadwalkedthroughintothelivingroomandseenthetallmaninthedarkbluetropicalsuitstandingatthepicturewindowlookingouttosea,MajorSmythehadsomehowsensedbadnews.And,whenthemanhadturnedslowlytowardhimandlookedathimwithwatchful,seriousgrayblueeyes,hehadknownthatthiswasofficialdom,andwhenhischeerysmilewasnotreturned,inimicalofficialdom.And.achillhadrundownMajorSmythe'sspine."They"hadsomehowfoundout."Well,well.I'mSmythe.Igatheryou'refromGovernmentHouse.How'sSir.Kenneth?"

Therewassomehownoquestionofshakinghands.Themansaid,"Ihaven'tmethim.Ionlyarrivedacoupleofdaysago.I'vebeenoutroundtheislandmostofthetime.Myname'sBond,JamesBond.I'mfromtheMinistryofDefense."

MajorSmytherememberedthehoaryeuphemismfortheSecretService.Hesaidbonhomously,"Oh.Theoldfirm?"

Thequestionhadbeenignored."Istheresomewherewecantalk?"

"Rather.Anywhereyoulike.Hereorinthegarden?Whataboutadrink?"MajorSmytheclinkedtheiceintheglasshestillheldinhishand."Rumandginger'sthelocalpoison.Ipreferthegingerbyitself."Theliecameoutwiththeautomaticsmoothnessofthealcoholic.

"Nothanks.Andherewouldbefine."Themanleanednegligentlyagainstthewidemahoganywindowsill.

MajorSmythesatdownandthrewajauntylegoverthelowarmofoneofthecomfortableplanters'chairshehadhadcopiedfromanoriginalbythelocalcabinetmaker.Hepulledoutthedrinkcoasterfromtheotherarm,tookadeeppullathisglass,andslidit,withaconsciouslysteadyhand,downintotheholeinthewood."Well,"hesaidcheerily,lookingtheothermanstraightintheeyes,"whatcanIdoforyou?SomebodybeenuptosomedirtyworkontheNorthShoreandyouneedasparehand?Begladtogetintoharnessagain.It'sbeenalongtimesincethosedays,butIcanstillremembersomeoftheoldroutines."

"DoyoumindifIsmoke?"Themanhadalreadygothiscigarettecaseinhishand.Itwasaflatgunmetalonethatwouldholdaroundtwentyfive.SomehowthissmallsignofasharedweaknesscomfortedMajorSmythe.

"Ofcourse,mydearfellow."Hemadeamovetogetup,hislighterready.

"It'sallright,thanks."JamesBondhadalreadylithiscigarette."No,it'snothinglocal.Iwantto...I'vebeensentoutto...askyoutorecallyourworkfortheServiceattheendof

7

thewar."JamesBondpausedandlookeddownatMajorSmythecarefully."ParticularlythetimewhenyouwereworkingwiththeMiscellaneousObjectivesBureau."

MajorSmythelaughedsharply.Hehadknownit.Hehadknownitforabsolutelysure.Butwhenitcameoutofthisman'smouth,thelaughhadbeenforcedoutofMajorSmythelikethescreamofahitman.

"OhLord,yes.GoodoldMOB.Thatwasalarkallright."Helaughedagain.Hefelttheanginalpain,broughtonbythepressureofwhatheknewwascoming,buildupacrosshischest.Hedippedhishandintohistrouserpocket,tiltedthelittlebottleintothepalmofhishand,andslippedthewhiteTNTpillunderhistongue.Hewasamusedtoseethetensioncoilupintheotherman,thewaytheeyesnarrowedwatchfully.It'sallright,mydearfellow.Thisisn'tadeathpill.Hesaid,"Youtroubledwithacidosis?No?ItslaysmewhenIgoonabender.Lastnight.PartyatJamaicaInn.Onereallyoughttostopthinkingone'salwaystwentyfive.Anyway,let'sgetbacktoMOBForce.Notmanyofusleft,Isuppose."Hefeltthepainacrosshischestwithdrawintoitslair."SomethingtodowiththeOfficialHistory?"

JamesBondlookeddownatthetipofhiscigarette."Notexactly."

"IexpectyouknowIwrotemostofthechapterontheForcefortheWarBook.It'sfifteenyearssincethen.DoubtifI'dhavemuchtoaddtoday."

"NothingmoreaboutthatoperationintheTirolplacecalledOberaurach,aboutamileeastofKitzbhel?"

OneofthenameshehadbeenlivingwithforfifteenyearsforcedanotherharshlaughoutofMajorSmythe."Thatwasapieceofcake!You'veneverseensuchashambles.AllthoseGestapotoughswiththeirdoxies.Allof'emhogdrunk.They'dkepttheirfilesalltickettyboo.Handedthemoverwithoutamurmur.Hopedthat'dearn'emeasytreatmentIsuppose.WegavethestuffafirstgoingoverandshippedallthebodsofftotheMunichcamp.LastIheardofthem.MostofthemhangedforwarcrimesIexpect.WehandedthebumfovertoHQatSalzburg.ThenwewentonuptheMittersillvalleyafteranotherhideout."MajorSmythetookagoodpullathisdrinkandlitacigarette.Helookedup."That'sthelongandtheshortofit."

"YouwereNumberTwoatthetime,Ithink.TheCOwasanAmerican,aColonelKingfromPatton'sarmy."

"That'sright.Nicefellow.Woreamustache,whichisn'tlikeanAmerican.Knewhiswayamongthelocalwines.Quiteacivilizedchap."

"InhisreportabouttheoperationhewrotethathehandedyouallthedocumentsforapreliminaryrunthroughasyouweretheGermanexpertwiththeunit.Thenyougavethemallbacktohimwithyourcomments?"JamesBondpaused."Everysingleoneofthem?"

8

MajorSmytheignoredtheinnuendo."That'sright.Mostlylistsofnames.Counterintelligencedope.TheCIpeopleinSalzburgwereverypleasedwiththestuff.Gavethemplentyofnewleads.Iexpecttheoriginalsarelyingaboutsomewhere.They'llhavebeenusedfortheNurembergTrials.Yes,byJove!"MajorSmythewasreminiscent,pally"thoseweresomeofthejolliestmonthsofmylife,haringaroundthecountrywithMOBForce.Wine,women,andsong!Andyoucansaythatagain!"

Here,MajorSmythewassayingthewholetruth.Hehadhadadangerousanduncomfortablewaruntil1945.Whenthecommandoswereformedin1941,hehadvolunteeredandbeensecondedfromtheRoyalMarinestoCombinedOperationsHeadquartersunderMountbatten.TherehisexcellentGerman(hismotherhadcomefromHeidelberg)hadearnedhimtheunenviablejobofbeingadvancedinterrogatoroncommandooperationsacrosstheChannel.HehadbeenluckytogetawayfromtwoyearsofthisworkunscathedandwiththeO.B.E.(Military),whichwassparinglyawardedinthelastwar.Andthen,inpreparationforthedefeatofGermany,theMiscellaneousObjectivesBureauhadbeenformedjointlybytheSecretServiceandCombinedOperations,andMajorSmythehadbeengiventhetemporaryrankoflieutenantcolonelandtoldtoformaunitwhosejobwouldbethecleaningupofGestapoandAbwehrhideoutswhenthecollapseofGermanycameabout.TheOSSgottohearoftheschemeandinsistedongettingintotheacttocopewiththeAmericanwingofthefront,andtheresultwasthecreationofnotonebutsixunitsthatwentintooperationinGermanyandAustriaonthedayofsurrender.Theywereunitsoftwentymen,eachwithalightarmoredcar,sixjeeps,awirelesstruck,andthreelorries,andtheywerecontrolledbyajointAngloAmericanheadquartersinSHAEF,whichalsofedthemwithtargetsfromtheArmyIntelligenceunitsandfromtheSISandOSS.MajorSmythehadbeenNumberTwoof"A"Force,whichhadbeenallottedtheTirolanareafullofgoodhidingplaceswitheasyaccesstoItalyandperhapsoutofEuropethatwasknowntohavebeenchosenasfunkholeNumberOnebythepeopleMOBForcewasafter.And,asMajorSmythehadjusttoldBond,theyhadhadthemselvesaball.Allwithoutfiringashotexcept,thatis,twofiredbyMajorSmythe.

JamesBondsaidcasually,"DoesthenameofHannesOberhauserringabell?"

MajorSmythefrowned,tryingtoremember."Can'tsayitdoes."Itwaseightydegreesintheshade,butheshivered.

"Letmerefreshyourmemory.Onthesamedayasthosedocumentsweregiventoyoutolookover,youmadeinquiriesattheTiefenbrnnerHotel,whereyouwerebilleted,forthebestmountainguideinKitzbhel.YouwerereferredtoOberhauser.ThenextdayyouaskedyourCOforaday'sleave,whichwasgranted.EarlynextmorningyouwenttoOberhauser'schalet,puthimunderclosearrest,anddrovehimawayinyourjeep.Doesthatringabell?"

Thatphraseabout"refreshingyourmemory."HowoftenhadMajorSmythehimselfuseditwhenhewastryingtotrapaGermanliar?Takeyourtime!You'vebeenreadyforsomethinglikethisforyears.MajorSmytheshookhisheaddoubtfully."Can'tsayitdoes."

9

"Amanwithgrayinghairandagammyleg.SpokesomeEnglish,he'dbeenaskiteacherbeforethewar."

MajorSmythelookedcandidlyintothecold,clearblueeyes."Sorry.Can'thelpyou."

JamesBondtookasmallblueleathernotebookoutofhisinsidepocketandturnedtheleaves.Hestoppedturningthem.Helookedup."Atthattime,assidearms,youwerecarryingaregulationWebleyScottfortyfivewiththeserialnumbereightninesixseventhreesixtytwo."

"ItwascertainlyaWebley.Damnedclumsyweapon.Hopethey'vegotsomethingmoreliketheLugerortheheavyBerettathesedays.ButIcan'tsayIevertookanoteofthenumber."

"Thenumber'srightenough,"saidJamesBond."I'vegotthedateofitsissuetoyoubyHQandthedatewhenyouturneditin.Yousignedthebookbothtimes."

MajorSmytheshrugged."Wellthen,itmusthavebeenmygun.But"heputratherangryimpatienceintohisvoice"what,ifImayask,isallthisinaidof?"

JamesBondlookedathimalmostwithcuriosity.Hesaid,andnowhisvoicewasnotunkind,"Youknowwhatitisallabout,Smythe."Hepausedandseemedtoreflect."Tellyouwhat.I'llgooutintothegardenfortenminutesorso.Giveyoutimetothinkthingsover.Givemeahail."Headdedseriously"It'llmakethingssomucheasierforyouifyoucomeoutwiththestoryinyourownwords."Bondwalkedtothedoorintothegarden.Heturnedaround."I'mafraidit'sonlyaquestionofdottingthei'sandcrossingthet's.YouseeIhadatalkwiththeFoobrothersinKingstonyesterday."Hesteppedoutontothelawn.

SomethinginMajorSmythewasrelieved.Nowatleastthebattleofwits,thetryingtoinventalibis,theevasions,wereover.IfthismanBondhadgottotheFoos,toeitherofthem,theywouldhavespilledthebeans.Thelastthingtheywantedwastogetinbadwiththegovernment,andanywaytherewasonlyaboutsixinchesofthestuffleft.

MajorSmythegotbrisklytohisfeetandwenttotheloadedsideboardandpouredhimselfoutanotherbrandyandgingerale,almostfiftyfifty.Hemightaswellliveitupwhiletherewasstilltime!Thefuturewouldn'tholdmanymoreoftheseforhim.Hewentbacktohischairandlithistwentiethcigaretteoftheday.Helookedathiswatch.Itsaideleventhirty.Ifhecouldberidofthechapinanhour,he'dhaveplentyoftimewithhis"people."Hesatanddrankandmarshaledhisthoughts.Hecouldmakethestorylongorshort,putintheweatherandthewaytheflowersandpineshadsmelledonthemountain,orhecouldcutitshort.Hewouldcutitshort.

***

UpinthatbigdoublebedroomintheTiefenbrnner,withthewadsofbuffandgraypaperspreadoutonthesparebed,hehadn'tbeenlookingforanythingspecial,justtakingsampleshereandthereandconcentratingontheonesmarked,inred,

10

KOMMANDOSACHEHCHSTVERTRAULICH.Thereweren'tmanyofthese,andtheyweremostlyconfidentialreportsonGermantopbrass,interceptsofbrokenalliedciphers,andinformationaboutthewhereaboutsofsecretdumps.Sincethesewerethemaintargetsof"A"Force,MajorSmythehadscannedthemwithparticularexcitementfood,explosives,guns,espionagerecords,filesofGestapopersonnel.Atremendoushaul!Andthen,atthebottomofthepacket,therehadbeenthesingleenvelopesealedwithredwaxandthenotationONLYTOBEOPENEDINFINALEMERGENCY.Theenvelopecontainedonesinglesheetofpaper.Itwasunsigned,andthefewwordswerewritteninredink.TheheadingsaidVALUTA,andbeneathitwaswritten:WILDEKAISER.FRANZISKANERHALT.100M.STLICHSTEINHGEL.WAFFENKISTE.ZWEIBAR24KT.Underthatwasalistofmeasurementsincentimeters.MajorSmytheheldhishandsapartasiftellingastoryaboutafishhehadcaught.Thebarswouldbeaboutaswideashisshouldersandabouttwobyfourinches.AndonesingleEnglishsovereignofonlyeighteencaratswassellingnowadaysfortwotothreepounds!Thiswasabloodyfortune!Forty,fiftythousandpoundsworth!Maybeevenahundred!Hedidn'tstoptothink,but,quitecoollyandspeedily,incaseanyoneshouldcomein,heputamatchtothepaperandtheenvelope,groundtheashestopowder,andswilledthemdownthelavatory.ThenhetookouthislargescaleAustrianordnancemapoftheareaandinamomenthadhisfingerontheFranziskanerHalt.Itwasmarkedasanuninhabitedmountaineer'srefugeonasaddlejustbelowthehighestoftheeasterlypeaksoftheKaisermountains,thataweinspiringrangeofgiantstoneteeththatgaveKitzbhelitsthreateningnorthernhorizon.Andthecairnofstoneswouldbeabouttherehisfingernailpointedandthewholebloodylotwasonlytenmilesandperhapsafivehours'climbaway!

ThebeginninghadbeenasthisfellowBondhaddescribed.HehadgonetoOberhauser'schaletatfourinthemorning,hadarrestedhim,andhadtoldhisweeping,protestingfamilythatSmythewastakinghimtoaninterrogationcampinMunich.Iftheguide'srecordwascleanhewouldbebackhomewithinaweek.IfthefamilykickedupafussitwouldonlymaketroubleforOberhauser.Smythehadrefusedtogivehisnameandhadhadtheforethoughttoshroudthenumbersonhisjeep.Intwentyfourhours,"A"Forcewouldbeonitsway,andbythetimemilitarygovernmentgottoKitzbhel,theincidentwouldalreadybeburiedunderthemorassoftheOccupationtangle.

Oberhauserhadbeenaniceenoughchaponcehehadrecoveredfromhisfright,andwhenSmythetalkedknowinglyaboutskiingandclimbing,bothofwhichhehaddonebeforethewar,thepair,asSmytheintended,becamequitepally.TheirroutelayalongthebottomoftheKaiserrangetoKufstein,andSmythedroveslowly,makingadmiringcommentsonthepeaksthatwerenowflushedwiththepinkofdawn.Finally,belowthepeakofgold,ashecalledittohimself,heslowedtoahaltandpulledofftheroadintoagrassyglade.Heturnedinhisseatandsaidwithanassumptionofcandor,"Oberhauser,youareamanaftermyownheart.Wesharemanyintereststogether,andfromyourtalk,andfromthemanIthinkyoutobe,IamsureyoudidnotcooperatewiththeNazis.NowIwilltellyouwhatIwilldo.WewillspendthedayclimbingontheKaiser,andIwillthendriveyoubacktoKitzbhelandreporttomycommandingofficerthatyouhavebeenclearedatMunich."Hegrinnedcheerfully."Now.Howaboutthat?"

Themanhadbeenneartotearsofgratitude.Butcouldhehavesomekindofpapertoshowthathewasagoodcitizen?Certainly.MajorSmythe'ssignaturewouldbequite

11

enough.Thepactwasmade,thejeepwasdrivenupatrackandwellhiddenfromtheroad,andtheywereoffatasteadypace,climbingupthroughthepinescentedfoothills.

Smythewaswelldressedfortheclimb.Hehadnothingonexcepthisbushshut,shorts,andapairoftheexcellentrubbersoledbootsissuedtoAmericanparachutists.HisonlyburdenwastheWebleyScott,and,tactfully,forOberhauserwasafteralloneoftheenemy,Oberhauserdidn'tsuggestthatheleaveitbehindsomeconspicuousrock.Oberhauserwasinhisbestsuitandboots,butthatdidn'tseemtobotherhim,andheassuredMajorSmythethatropesandpitonswouldnotbeneededfortheirclimbandthattherewasahutdirectlyupabovethemwheretheycouldrest.ItwascalledtheFranziskanerHalt.

"Isitindeed?"saidMajorSmythe.

"Yes,andbelowitthereisasmallglacier.Verypretty,butwewillclimbroundit.Therearemanycrevasses."

"Isthatso?"saidMajorSmythethoughtfully.HeexaminedthebackofOberhauser'shead,nowbeadedwithsweat.Afterall,hewasonlyabloodykraut,oratanyrateofthatilk.Whatwouldonemoreorlessmatter?Itwasallgoingtobeaseasyasfallingoffalog.TheonlythingthatworriedMajorSmythewasgettingthebloodystuffdownthemountain.Hedecidedthathewouldsomehowslingthebarsacrosshisback.Afterall,hecouldslideitmostofthewayinitsammunitionboxorwhatnot.

Itwasalong,drearyhackupthemountain,andwhentheywereabovethetreeline,thesuncameupanditwasveryhot.Andnowitwasallrockandscree,andtheirlongzigzagssentbouldersandrubblerumblingandcrashingdowntheslopethatgoteversteeperastheyapproachedthefinalcrag,grayandmenacing,thatlancedawayintotheblueabovethem.Theywerebothnakedtothewaistandsweating,sothatthesweatrandowntheirlegsintotheirboots,butdespiteOberhauser'slimp,theykeptupagoodpace,andwhentheystoppedforadrinkandaswabdownatahurtlingmountainstream,OberhausercongratulatedMajorSmytheonhisfitness.MajorSmythe,hismindfullofdreams,saidcurtlyanduntruthfullythatallEnglishsoldierswerefit,andtheywenton.

Therockfacewasn'tdifficult.MajorSmythehadknownthatitwouldn'tbeortheclimbers'hutcouldn'thavebeenbuiltontheshoulder.Toeholdshadbeencutintheface,andtherewereoccasionalironpegshammeredintocrevices.Buthecouldn'thavefoundthemoredifficulttraversesbyhimself,andhecongratulatedhimselfondecidingtobringaguide.

Once,Oberhauser'shand,testingforagrip,dislodgedagreatslabofrock,loosenedbyfiveyearsofsnowandfrost,andsentitcrashingdownthemountain.MajorSmythesuddenlythoughtaboutnoise."Manypeoplearoundhere?"heaskedastheywatchedtheboulderhurtledownintothetreeline."NotasouluntilyougetnearKufstein,"saidOberhauser.Hegesturedalongthearidrangeofhighpeaks."Nograzing.Littlewater.Onlytheclimberscomehere.Andsincethebeginningofthewar..."Heleftthephraseunfinished.

12

Theyskirtedthebluefangedglacierbelowthefinalclimbtotheshoulder.MajorSmythe'scarefuleyestookinthewidthanddepthofthecrevasses.Yes,theywouldfit!Directlyabovethem,perhapsahundredfeetupundertheleeoftheshoulder,weretheweatherbeatenboardsofthehut.MajorSmythemeasuredtheangleoftheslope.Yes,itwasalmostastraightdivedown.Noworlater?Heguessedlater.Thelineofthelasttraversewasn'tveryclear.

Theywereupatthehutinfivehoursflat.MajorSmythesaidhewantedtorelievehimselfandwanderedcasuallyalongtheshouldertotheeast,payingnoheedtothebeautifulpanoramasofAustriaandBavariathatstretchedawayoneithersideofhimperhapsfiftymilesintotheheathaze.Hecountedhispacescarefully.Atexactlyonehundredandtwentytherewasthecairnofstones,alovingmemorialperhapstosomelongdeadclimber.MajorSmythe,knowingdifferently,longedtotearitapartthereandthen.InsteadhetookouthisWebleyScott,squinteddownthebarrel,andtwirledthecylinder.Thenhewalkedback.

Itwascoldupthereattenthousandfeetormore,andOberhauserhadgotintothehutandwasbusypreparingafire.MajorSmythecontrolledhishorroratthesight."Oberhauser,"hesaidcheerfully,"comeoutandshowmesomeofthesights.Wonderfulviewuphere."

"Certainly,Major."OberhauserfollowedMajorSmytheoutofthehut.Outside,hefishedinhishippocketandproducedsomethingwrappedinpaper.Heundidthepapertorevealahardwrinkledsausage.Heofferedittothemajor."ItisonlywhatwecallaSoldat,"hesaidshyly."Smokedmeat.Verytoughbutgood."Hesmiled."ItislikewhattheyeatinWildWestfilms.Whatisthename?"

"Pemmican,"saidtheMajor.Thenandlaterthishadslightlydisgustedhimwithhimselfhesaid,"Leaveitinthehut.Wewillshareitlater.Comeoverhere.CanweseeInnsbruck?Showmetheviewonthisside."

Oberhauserbobbedintothehutandoutagain.TheMajorfellinjustbehindhimashetalked,pointingoutthisorthatdistantchurchspireormountainpeak.

Theycametothepointabovetheglacier.MajorSmythedrewhisrevolver,andatarangeoftwofeet,firedtwobulletsintothebaseofHannesOberhauser'sskull.Nomuffing!Deadon!

Theimpactofthebulletsknockedtheguidecleanoffhisfeetandovertheedge.MajorSmythecranedover.Thebodyhittwiceonly,andthencrashedontotheglacier.Butnotontoitsfissuredorigin.Halfwaydownandonapatchofoldsnow!"Hell!"saidMajorSmythe.

Thedeepboomofthetwoshots,whichhadbeenbattingtoandfroamongthemountains,diedaway.MajorSmythetookonelastlookattheblacksplashonthewhitesnowandhurriedoffalongtheshoulder.Firstthingsfirst!

13

Hestartedonthetopofthecairn,workingasifthedevilwereafterhim,throwingtherough,heavystonesindiscriminatelydownthemountaintorightorleftHishandsbegantobleed,buthehardlynoticed.Nowtherewereonlytwofeetorsoleft,andnothing!Bloodynothing!Hebenttothelastpile,scrabblingfeverishly.Andthen!Yes!Theedgeofametalbox.Afewmorerocksaway,andtherewasthewholeofit!AgoodoldgrayWehrmachtammunitionboxwiththetraceofsomeletteringstillonit.MajorSmythegaveagroanofjoy.Hesatdownonahardpieceofrock,andhismindwentorbitingthroughBentleys,MonteCarlo,penthouseflats,Cartier's,champagne,caviar,and,incongruously(butbecausehelovedgolf),anewsetofHenryCottonirons.

Drunkwithhisdreams,MajorSmythesattherelookingatthegrayboxforafullquarterofanhour.Thenhelookedathiswatchandgotbrisklytohisfeet.Timetogetridoftheevidence.Theboxhadahandleateachend.MajorSmythehadexpectedittobeheavy.HehadmentallycompareditsprobableweightwiththeheaviestthinghehadevercarriedafortypoundsalmonhehadcaughtinScotlandjustbeforethewarbuttheboxwascertainlydoublethatweight,andhewasonlyjustabletoliftitoutofitslastbedofrocksontothethinalpinegrass.Thenheslunghishandkerchiefthroughoneofthehandlesanddraggeditclumsilyalongtheshouldertothehut.Thenhesatdownonthestonedoorstep,and,hiseyesneverleavingthebox,hetoreatOberhauser'ssmokedsausagewithhisstrongteethandthoughtaboutgettinghisfiftythousandpoundsforthatwasthefigureheputitatdownthemountainandintoanewhidingplace.

Oberhauser'ssausagewasarealmountaineer'smealtough,wellfatted,andstronglygarlicked.BitsofitstuckuncomfortablybetweenMajorSmythe'steeth.Hedugthemoutwithasliverofmatchstickandspatthemontheground.ThenhisIntelligencewisemindcameintooperation,andhemeticulouslysearchedamongthestonesandgrass,pickedupthescraps,andswallowedthem.Fromnowonhewasacriminalasmuchacriminalasifhehadrobbedabankandshottheguard.Hewasacopturnedrobber.Hemustrememberthat!Itwouldbedeathifhedidn'tdeathinsteadofCarder's.Allhehadtodowastotakeinfinitepains.Hewouldtakethosepains,andbyGodtheywouldbeinfinite!Then,foreverafter,hewouldberichandhappy.Aftertakingridiculouslyminutetroubletoeradicateanysignofentryintothehut,hedraggedtheammunitionboxtotheedgeofthelastrockfaceandaimingitawayfromtheglacier,tippedit,withaprayer,intospace.

Thegraybox,turningslowlyintheair,hitthefirststeepslopebelowtherockface,boundedanotherhundredfeet,andlandedwithanironclanginsomeloosescreeandstopped.MajorSmythecouldn'tseeifithadburstopen.Hedidn'tmindonewayortheother.Hehadtriedtoopenitwithoutsuccess.Letthemountaindoitforhim!

Withalastlookaround,hewentovertheedge.Hetookgreatcareateachpiton,testedeachhandholdandfootholdbeforeheputhisweightonit.Comingdown,hewasamuchmorevaluablelifethanhehadbeenclimbingup.Hemadefortheglacierandtrudgedacrossthemeltingsnowtotheblackpatchontheicefield.Therewasnothingtobedoneaboutfootprints.Itwouldtakeonlyafewdaysforthemtobemelteddownbythesun.Hegottothebody.Hehadseenmanycorpsesduringthewar,andthebloodandbrokenlimbsmeantnothingtohim.HedraggedtheremainsofOberhausertothenearestdeepcrevasseandtoppleditin.ThenhewentcarefullyaroundtheUpofthecrevasseand

14

kickedthesnowoverhangdownontopofthebody.Then,satisfiedwithhiswork,heretracedhissteps,placinghisfeetexactlyinhisoldfootprints,andmadehiswayondowntheslopetotheammunitionbox.

Yes,themountainhadburstopenthelidforhim.Almostcasuallyhetoreawaythecartridgepaperwrappings.Thetwogreathunksofmetalglitteredupathimunderthesun.Therewerethesamemarkingsoneachtheswastikainacirclebelowaneagle,andthedate1943themintmarksoftheReichsbank.MajorSmythegaveanodofapproval.Hereplacedthepaperandhammeredthecrookedlidhalfshutwitharock.ThenhetiedthelanyardofhisWebleyaroundoneofthehandlesandmovedondownthemountain,dragginghisclumsyburdenbehindhim.

Itwasnowoneo'clock,andthesunbeatfiercelydownonhisnakedchest,fryinghiminhisownsweat.Hisreddenedshouldersbegantoburn.Sodidhisface.Tohellwiththem!Hestoppedatthestreamfromtheglacier,dippedhishandkerchiefinthewater,andtieditacrosshisforehead.Thenhedrankdeeplyandwenton,occasionallycursingtheammunitionboxasitcaughtupwithhimandbangedathisheels.Butthesediscomforts,thesunburnandthebruises,werenothingcomparedwithwhathewouldhavetofacewhenhegotdowntothevalleyandthegoingleveledout.Forthetimebeinghehadgravityonhisside.Therewouldcomeatleastamilewhenhewouldhavetocarrytheblastedstuff.MajorSmythewincedatthethoughtofthehavoctheeightypoundsorsowouldwreakonhisburnedback."Ohwell,"hesaidtohimselfalmostlightheadedly,"ilfautsouffrirpourtremillionaire!"

Whenhegottothebottomandthetimehadcome,hesatandrestedonamossybankunderthefirs.Thenhespreadouthisbushshirtandheavedthetwobarsoutoftheboxandontoitscenterandtiedthetailsoftheshirtasfirmlyashecouldtowherethesleevessprangfromtheshoulders.Afterdiggingashallowholeinthebankandburyingtheemptybox,heknottedthetwocuffsofthesleevesfirmlytogether,kneltdownandslippedhisheadthroughtheroughsling,gothishandsoneithersideoftheknottoprotecthisneck,andstaggeredtohisfeet,crouchingfarforwardsoasnottobepulledoveronhisback.Then,crushedunderhalfhisownweight,hisbackonfireunderthecontactwithhisburden,andhisbreathraspingthroughhisconstrictedlungs,coolielike,heshuffledslowlyoffdownthelittlepaththroughthetrees.

Tothisdayhedidn'tknowhowhehadmadeittothejeep.Againandagaintheknotsgaveunderthestrainandthebarscrasheddownonthecalvesofhislegs,andeachtimehehadsatwithhisheadinhishandsandthenstartedalloveragain.Butfinally,byconcentratingoncountinghisstepsandstoppingforarestateveryhundredth,hegottotheblessedlittlejeepandcollapsedbesideit.Andthentherehadbeenthebusinessofburyinghishoardinthewood,amongstajumbleofbigrocksthathewouldbesuretofindagain,ofcleaninghimselfupasbesthecould,andofgettingbacktohisbilletbyacircuitousroutethatavoidedtheOberhauserchalet.Andthenitwasalldone,andhehadgotdrunkbyhimselfoffabottleofcheapschnappsandeatenandgonetobedandfallenintoastupefiedsleep.Thenextday,MOB"A"ForcehadmovedoffuptheMittersillvalleyonafreshtrail,andsixmonthslaterMajorSmythewasbackinLondonandhiswarwasover.

Butnothisproblems.Goldisdifficultstufftosmuggle,certainlyinthequantityavailabletoMajorSmythe,anditwasnowessentialtogethistwobarsacrosstheChannelandinto

15

anewhidingplace.Soheputoffhisdemobilizationandclungtotheredtabsofhistemporaryrank,andparticularlytohisMilitaryIntelligencepasses,andsoongothimselfsentbacktoGermanyasaBritishrepresentativeattheCombinedInterrogationCenterinMunich.Therehedidascratchjobforsixmonths,duringwhich,onaweekend'sleave,hecollectedhisgoldandstoweditawayinabatteredsuitcaseinhisquarters.ThenheresignedhispostandflewbacktoEngland,carryingthetwobarsinabulkybriefcase.Thehundredyardsacrossthetarmacateachendoftheflight,andthehandlingofhiscaseasifitcontainedonlypapers,requiredtwobenzedrinetabletsandawillofiron,butatlasthehadhisfortunesafeinthebasementofanaunt'sflatinKensingtonandcouldgetonwiththenextphaseofhisplansatleisure.HeresignedfromtheRoyalMarinesandgothimselfdemobilizedandmarriedoneofthemanygirlshehadsleptwithatMOBForceHeadquarters,acharmingblondeWrenfromasolidmiddleclassfamilynamedMaryParnell.HegotpassagesforthembothinoneoftheearlybananaboatssailingfromAvonmouthtoKingston,Jamaica,whichtheybothagreedwouldbeaparadiseofsunshine,goodfood,cheapdrink,andaglorioushavenfromthegloomandrestrictionsandLabourGovernmentofpostwarEngland.Beforetheysailed,MajorSmytheshowedMarythegoldbarsfromwhichhehadchiseledawaythemintmarksoftheReichsbank.

"I'vebeenclever,darling,"hesaid."Ijustdon'ttrustthepoundthesedays,soI'vesoldoutallmysecuritiesandswappedthelotforgold.Mustbeaboutfiftythousandpounds'worththere.Thatshouldgiveustwentyfiveyearsofthegoodlife,justcuttingoffaslicenowandthenandsellingit."

MaryParnellwasnottoknowthatsuchatransactionwasimpossibleunderthecurrencylaws.Shekneltdownandranherhandslovinglyoverthegleamingbars.ThenshegotupandthrewherarmsaroundMajorSmythe'sneckandkissedhim."You'reawonderful,wonderfulman,"shesaid,almostintears."Frightfullycleverandhandsomeandbrave,andnowIfindoutthatyou'rerichaswell.I'mtheluckiestgirlintheworld."

"Well,anywaywe'rerich,"saidMajorSmythe."Butpromisemeyouwon'tbreatheaword,orwe'llhavealltheburglarsinJamaicaaroundourears.Promise?"

"Crossmyheart."

Prince'sClub,inthefoothillsaboveKingston,wasindeedaparadise.Pleasantenoughmembers,wonderfulservants,unlimitedfood,cheapdrinkandallinthewonderfulsettingofthetropics,whichneitherofthemhadknownbefore.Theywereapopularcouple,andMajorSmythe'swarrecordearnedthemtheentreetoGovernmentHousesociety,afterwhichtheirlifewasoneendlessroundofparties,withtennisforMaryandgolf(withtheHenryCottonirons!)forMajorSmythe.Intheeveningstherewasbridgeforherandthehighpokergameforhim.Yes,itwasparadiseallright,whileintheirhomelandpeoplemunchedtheirSpam,fiddledintheblackmarket,cursedthegovernment,andsufferedtheworstwinter'sweatherforthirtyyears.

TheSmythesmetalltheirinitialexpendituresfromtheircombinedcashreserves,swollenbywartimegratuities,andittookMajorSmytheafullyearofcarefulsniffingaroundbeforehedecidedtodobusinesswiththeMessrs.Foo,importandexportmerchants.ThebrothersFoo,highlyrespectedandveryrich,weretheacknowledgedgoverningjuntaof

16

theflourishingChinesecommunityinJamaica.SomeoftheirtradingwassuspectedtobedeviousintheChinesetraditionbutallMajorSmythe'scasuallymeticulousinquiriesconfirmedthattheywereutterlytrustworthy.TheBrettonWoodsConvention,fixingacontrolledworldpriceforgold,hadbeensigned,andithadalreadybecomecommonknowledgethatTangierandMacaoweretwofreeportsthat,fordifferentreasons,hadescapedtheBrettonWoodsnet;thereapriceofatleastonehundreddollarsperounceofgold,ninetyninefine,couldbeobtained,comparedwiththefixedworldpriceofthirtyfivedollarsperounce.And,conveniently,theFooshadjustbeguntotradeagainwitharesurgentHongKong,alreadytheportofentryforgoldsmugglingintotheneighboringMacao.Thewholesetupwas,inMajorSmythe'slanguage,"tickettyboo."HehadamostpleasantmeetingwiththeFoobrothers.Noquestionswereaskeduntilitcametoexaminingthebars.Atthispointtheabsenceofmintmarksresultedinapoliteinquiryastotheoriginalprovenanceofthegold.

"Yousee,Major,"saidtheolderandblanderofthebrothersbehindthebigbaremahoganydesk,"inthebullionmarketthemintmarksofallrespectablenationalbanksandresponsibledealersareacceptedwithoutquestion.Suchmarksguaranteethefinenessofthegold.Butofcoursethereareotherbanksanddealerswhosemethodsofrefining"hisbenignsmilewidenedafraction"areperhapsnotquite,shallwesay,soaccurate."

"Youmeantheoldgoldbrickswindle?"askedMajorSmythewithatwingeofanxiety."Hunkofleadcoveredwithgoldplating?"

Bothbrothersteeheedreassuringly."No,no,Major.Thatofcourseisoutofthequestion.But"thesmilesheldconstant"ifyoucannotrecalltheprovenanceofthesefinebars,perhapsyouwouldhavenoobjectionsifweweretoundertakeanassay.Therearemethodsofdeterminingtheexactfinenessofsuchbars.MybrotherandIarecompetentinthesemethods.Ifyouwouldcaretoleavethesewithusandperhapscomebackafterlunch...?"

Therehadbeennoalternative.MajorSmythehadtotrusttheFoosutterlynow.Theycouldcookupanyfigure,andhewouldjusthavetoacceptit.HewentovertotheMyrtleBankandhadoneortwostiffdrinksandasandwichthatstuckinhisthroat.ThenhewentbacktothecoolofficeoftheFoos.

Thesettingwasthesamethetwosmilingbrothers,thetwobarsofgold,thebriefcasebutnowtherewasapieceofpaperandagoldParkerpeninfrontoftheolderbrother.

"Wehavesolvedtheproblemofyourfinebars,Major"

"Fine!ThankGod,"thoughtMajorSmythe.

"AndIamsureyouwillbeinterestedtoknowtheirprobablehistory."

"Yesindeed,"saidMajorSmythe,withabraveshowofenthusiasm.

17

"TheyareGermanbars,Major.ProbablyfromthewartimeReichsbank.Thiswehavededucedfromthefactthattheycontaintenpercentoflead.UndertheHitlerregime,itwasthefoolishhabitoftheReichsbanktoadulteratetheirgoldinthismanner.Thisfactrapidlybecameknowntodealers,andthepriceofGermanbars,inSwitzerlandforinstance,wheremanyofthemfoundtheirway,wasadjusteddownwardaccordingly.SotheonlyresultoftheGermanfoolishnesswasthatthenationalbankofGermanylostareputationforhonestdealingithadearnedoverthecenturies."TheOriental'ssmiledidn'tvary."Verybadbusiness,Major.Verystupid."

MajorSmythemarveledattheomniscienceofthesetwomensofarfromthegreatcommercialchannelsoftheworld,buthealsocursedit.Nowwhat?Hesaid,"That'sveryinteresting,Mr.Foo.Butitisnotverygoodnewsforme.Arethesebarsnot'Gooddelivery,'orwhateveryoucallitinthebullionworld?"

TheolderFoomadeaslightthrowawaygesturewithhisrighthand."Itisofnoimportance,Major.Orrather,itisofverysmallimportance.Wewillsellyourgoldatitstruemintvalue,letussay,eightyninefine.Itmayberefinedbytheultimatepurchaser,oritmaynot.Thatisnotourbusiness.Weshallhavesoldatruebillofgoods."

"Butatalowerprice."

"Thatisso,Major.ButIthinkIhavesomegoodnewsforyou.Haveyouanyestimateastotheworthofthesetwobars?"

"Ithoughtaroundfiftythousandpounds."

TheolderFoogaveadrychuckle."Ithinkifwesellwiselyandslowlyyoushouldreceiveonehundredthousandpounds,Major,subjectthatis,toourcommission,whichwillincludeshippingandincidentalcharges."

"Howmuchwouldthatbe?"

"Wewerethinkingaboutafigureoftenpercent,Major.Ifthatissatisfactorytoyou."

MajorSmythehadanideathatbullionbrokersreceivedafractionofonepercent.Butwhatthehell?Hehadalreadyasgoodasmadefortythousandpoundssincelunch.Hesaid"Done"andgotupandreachedhishandacrossthedesk.

Fromthenon,everyquarter,hewouldvisittheofficeoftheFooscarryinganemptysuitcase.OnthebroaddesktherewouldbeonethousandnewJamaicanpoundsinneatbundlesandthetwogoldbars,whichdiminishedinchbyinch,togetherwithatypedslipshowingtheamountsoldandthepriceobtainedinMacao.Itwasallverysimpleandfriendlyandhighlybusinesslike,andMajorSmythedidn'tthinkthathewasbeingsubmittedtoanyformofsqueezeotherthanthedulyrecordedtenpercent.Inanycase,hedidn'tparticularlycare.Fourthousandnetayearwasgoodenoughforhim,andhisonlyworrywasthattheincometaxpeoplewouldgetafterhimandaskhimwhathewaslivingon.HementionedthispossibilitytotheFoos.Buttheysaidhewasnottoworry,andforthenextfourquarters,therewasonlyninehundredpoundsinsteadofathousandon

18

thetableandnocommentwasmadebyeitherside.Squeezehadbeenadministeredintherightquarter.

Andsothelazy,sunshinydayspassedbyforfifteenhappyyears.TheSmythesbothputonweight,andMajorSmythehadthefirstofhistwocoronariesandwastoldbyMsdoctortocutdownonhisalcoholandcigarettes,totakelifemoreeasily,toavoidfatsandfriedfood.MarySmythetriedtobefirmwithhim,butwhenhetooktosecretdrinkingandtoalifeofpettyliesandevasions,shetriedtobackpedalonherattemptstocontrolhisselfindulgence.Butshewastoolate.ShehadalreadybecomethesymbolofthecaretakertoMajorSmythe,andhetooktoavoidingher.Sheberatedhimwithnotlovingheranymore.Andwhenthecontinualbickeringbecametoomuchforhersimplenature,shebecameasleepingpilladdict.Andonenight,afteroneflamingdrunkenrow,shetookanoverdose"justtoshowhim."Itwastoomuchofanoverdoseanditkilledher.Thesuicidewashushedup,buttheclouddidMajorSmythenogoodsocially,andheretreatedtotheNorthShore,which,althoughonlysomethirtymilesacrosstheislandfromthecapital,is,eveninthesmallsocietyofJamaica,adifferentworld.AndtherehehadsettledinWaveletsand,afterhissecondcoronary,wasintheprocessofdrinkinghimselftodeathwhenthismannamedBondarrivedonthescenewithanalternativedeathwarrantinhispocket.

***

MajorSmythelookedathiswatch.Itwasafewminutesaftertwelveo'clock.Hegotupandpouredhimselfanotherstiffbrandyandgingeraleandwentoutontothelawn.JamesBondwassittingundertheseaalmondsgazingouttosea.Hedidn'tlookupwhenMajorSmythepulledupanotheraluminumgardenchairandputhisdrinkonthegrassbesidehim.

WhenMajorSmythehadfinishedtellinghisstory,Bondsaidunemotionally,"Yes,that'smoreorlessthewayIfiguredit."

"Wantmetowriteitalloutandsignit?"

"Youcanifyoulike.Butnotforme.That'llbeforthecourtmartial.Youroldcorpswillbehandlingallthat.I'vegotnothingtodowiththelegalaspects.IshallputinareporttomyownServiceofwhatyou'vetoldme,andthey'llpassitontotheRoyalMarines.ThenIsupposeit'llgotothePublicProsecutorviaScotlandYard."

"CouldIaskaquestion?"

"Ofcourse."

"Howdidtheyfindout?"

"Itwasasmallglacier.Oberhauser'sbodycameoutatthebottomofitearlierthisyear.Whenthespringsnowsmelted.Someclimbersfoundit.Allhispapersandeverythingwereintact.Hisfamilyidentifiedhim.Thenitwasjustaquestionofworkingback.Thebulletsclinchedit."

19

"Buthowdidyougetmixedupinthewholething?"

"MOBForcewasaresponsibilityofmy,er,Service.Thepapersfoundtheirwaytous.Ihappenedtoseethefile.Ihadsomesparetimeonmyhands.Iaskedtobegiventhejobofchasingupthemanwhodidit."

"Why?"

JamesBondlookedMajorSmythesquarelyintheeyes."ItjusthappenedthatOberhauserwasafriendofmine.Hetaughtmetoskibeforethewar,whenIwasinmyteens.Hewasawonderfulman.HewassomethingofafathertomeatatimewhenIhappenedtoneedone."

"Oh,Isee."MajorSmythelookedaway."I'msorry."

JamesBondgottohisfeet."Well,I'llbegettingbacktoKingston."Heheldupahand."No,don'tbother.I'llfindmywaytothecar."Helookeddownattheolderman.Hesaidabruptly,almostharshlyperhaps,MajorSmythethought,tohidehisembarrassment"It'llbeaboutaweekbeforetheysendsomeoneouttobringyouhome."Thenhewalkedoffacrossthelawnandthroughthehouse,andMajorSmytheheardtheironwhirroftheselfstarterandtheclatterofthegravelontheunkemptdrive.

***

MajorSmythe,questingforhispreyalongthereef,wonderedwhatexactlythoselastwordsoftheBondmanhadmeant.InsidethePirellihislipsdrewmirthlesslybackfromthestainedteeth.Itwasobvious,really.Itwasjustaversionofthecornyoldactofleavingtheguiltyofficeralonewithhisrevolver.IftheBondmanhadwantedto,hecouldhavetelephonedGovernmentHouseandhadanofficeroftheJamaicaRegimentsentovertotakeMajorSmytheintocustody.Decentofhim,inaway.Orwasit?Asuicidewouldbetidier,savealotofpaperworkandtaxpayers'money.

ShouldheobligetheBondmanandbetidy?JoinMaryinwhateverplacesuicidesgoto?Orgothroughwithittheindignity,thedrearyformalities,theheadlines,theboredomanddrabnessofalifesentencethatwouldinevitablyendwithhisthirdcoronary?Orshouldhedefendhimselfpleadwartime,astrugglewithOberhauser,prisonertryingtoescape,Oberhauserknowingofthegoldcache,thenaturaltemptationofSmythetomakeawaywiththebullion,he,apoorofficerofthecommandosconfrontedwithsuddenwealth?

Shouldhedramaticallythrowhimselfonthemercyofthecourt?SuddenlyMajorSmythesawhimselfinthedockasplendid,uprightfigure,inthefinebemedaledblueandscarletoftheceremonialuniformthatwasthetraditionalrigforcourtmartial.(HadthemothsgotintothejapannedboxinthespareroomatWavelets?Hadthedamp?Lunawouldhavetolooktoit.)Adayinthesunshine,iftheweatherheld.Agoodbrushing.Withthehelpofhiscorset,hecouldsurelystillgethisfortyinchwaistintothethirtyfourinchtrousersGieveshadmadeforhimtwenty,thirty,yearsago.And,downonthefloorofthecourt,atChathamprobably,thePrisoners'Friend,somestaunchfellow,atleastof

20

colonel'srankindeferencetohisownseniority,wouldbepleadinghiscause.Andtherewasalwaysthepossibilityofappealtoahighercourt.Why,thewholeaffairmightbecomeacauseclbre...hewouldsellhisstorytothepapers,writeabook...

MajorSmythefelttheexcitementmountinginhim.Careful,oldboy!Careful!Rememberwhatthegoodoldsnipcockhadsaid!HeputhisfeettothegroundandhadarestamidstthedancingwavesofthenortheasttradesthatkepttheNorthShoresodelightfullycooluntilthetorridmonthsAugust,September,Octoberofthehurricaneseason.Hewouldsoonbehavinghistwopinkgins,skimpylunch,andhappilysoddensiesta,afterwhichhewouldhavetogiveallthismorecarefulthought.AndthentherewerecocktailswiththeArundelsanddinnerattheShawParkBeachClubwiththeMarchesis.ThensomehighbridgeandhometohisSeconalsleep.Cheeredbytheprospectofthefamiliarroutine,theblackshadowofBondretreatedintothebackground.Nowthen,scorp,whereareyou?Octopussy'swaitingforherlunch!MajorSmytheputhisheaddown,andhismindfreshlyfocusedandhiseyesquesting,continuedhisleisurelyswimalongtheshallowvalleybetweenthecoralclumpsthatledouttowardthewhitefringedreef.Almostatoncehesawthetwospinyantennaeofalobster,orratherofitscousin,theWestIndianlangouste,weavinginquisitivelytowardhim,towardtheturbulencehewascreating,fromadeepfissureunderacoralboulder.Fromthethicknessoftheantennae,itwouldbeabigone,threeorfourpounds!Normally,MajorSmythewouldhaveputhisfeetdownanddelicatelystirredupthesandinfrontofthelairtobringthelobsterfartherout,fortheyareaninquisitivefamily.Thenhewouldhavespeareditthroughtheheadandtakenitbackforlunch.Buttodaytherewasonlyonepreyinhismind,oneshapetoconcentrateontheshaggy,irregularsilhouetteofascorpionfish.And,tenminuteslater,hesawaclumpofseaweedyrockonthewhitesandthatwasn'tjustaclumpofseaweedyrock.Heputhisfeetsoftlydownandwatchedthepoisonspineserectthemselvesalongthebackofthething.Itwasagoodsizedone,perhapsthreequartersofapound.Hegothisthreeprongedspearreadyandinchedforward.Nowtheredangryeyesofthefishwerewideopenandwatchinghim.Hewouldhavetomakeasinglequicklungefromasnearlytheverticalaspossible;otherwise,heknewfromexperience,thebarbedprongs,needlesharpthoughtheywere,wouldalmostcertainlybounceoffthehornyheadofthebeast.Heswunghisfeetupoffthegroundandpaddledforwardveryslowly,usinghisfreehandasafin.Now!Helungedforwardanddownward.ButthescorpionfishhadfeltthetinyapproachingShockwaveofthespear.Therewasaflurryofsand,andithadshotupinaverticaltakeoffandwhirred,inalmostbirdlikeflight,underMajorSmythe'sbelly.

MajorSmythecursedandtwistedaroundinthewater.Yes,ithaddonewhatthescorpionfishsooftendoesgoneforrefugetothenearestalgaecoveredrock,andthere,confidentinitssuperbcamouflage,gonetogroundontheseaweed.MajorSmythehadonlytoswimafewfeet,lungedownagain,thistimemoreaccurately,andhehadit,flappingandsquirmingontheendofhisspear.

TheexcitementandthesmallexertionhadcausedMajorSmythetopant,andhefelttheoldpainacrosshischestlurking,readytocomeathim.Heputhisfeetdown,andafterdrivinghisspearallthewaythroughthefish,heldit,stillflappingdesperately,outofthewater.Thenheslowlymadehiswaybackacrossthelagoononfootandwalkedupthesandofhisbeachtothewoodenbenchundertheseagrape.Thenhedroppedthespearwithitsjerkingquarryonthesandbesidehimandsatdowntorest.ItwasperhapsfiveminuteslaterthatMajorSmythefeltacuriousnumbnessmoreorlessintheregionofhis

21

solarplexus.Helookedcasuallydown,andhiswholebodystiffenedwithhorroranddisbelief.Apatchofhisskin,aboutthesizeofacricketball,hadturnedwhiteunderhistan,and,inthecenterofthepatch,therewerethreepunctures,onebelowtheother,toppedbylittlebeadsofblood.

Automatically,MajorSmythewipedawaytheblood.Theholeswereonlythesizeofpinpricks.MajorSmytherememberedtherisingflightofthescorpionfish,andhesaidaloud,withaweinhisvoice,butwithoutanimosity,"Yougotme,youbastard!ByGod,yougotme!"

Hesatverystill,lookingdownathisbodyandrememberingwhatitsaidaboutscorpionfishstingsinthebookhehadborrowedfromtheInstituteandhadneverreturnedDangerousMarineAnimals,anAmericanpublication.Hedelicatelytouchedandthenproddedthewhiteareaaroundthepunctures.Yes,theskinhadgonetotallynumb,andnowapulseofpainbegantothrobbeneathit.Verysoonthiswouldbecomeashootingpain.Thenthepainwouldbegintolancealloverhisbodyandbecomesointensethathewouldthrowhimselfonthesand,screamingandthrashingabout,toridhimselfofit.Hewouldvomitandfoamatthemouth,andthendeliriumandconvulsionswouldtakeoveruntilhelostconsciousness.Then,inevitablyinhiscase,therewouldensuecardiacfailureanddeath.Accordingtothebookthewholecyclewouldbecompleteinaboutaquarterofanhourthatwasallhehadleftfifteenminutesofhideousagony!Therewerecures,ofcourseprocaine,antibioticsandantihistaminesifhisweakheartwouldstandthem.Buttheyhadtobenearathand.Evenifhecouldclimbthestepsuptothehouse,andsupposingDr.Cahusachadthesemoderndrugs,thedoctorcouldn'tpossiblygettoWaveletsinunderanhour.

ThefirstjetofpainsearedintoMajorSmythe'sbodyandbenthimoverdouble.Thencameanotherandanother,radiatingthroughhisstomachandlimbs.Nowtherewasadry,metallictasteinhismouth,andhislipswereprickling.Hegaveagroanandtoppledofftheseatontothebeach.Aflappingonthesandbesidehisheadremindedhimofthescorpionfish.Therecamealullinthespasmsofpain.Instead,hiswholebodyfeltasthoughitwasonfire,but,beneaththeagony,hisbraincleared.Butofcourse!Theexperiment!Somehow,somehowhemustgetouttoOctopussyandgiveherherlunch!

"OhPussy,myPussy,thisisthelastmealyou'llget."

MajorSmythemouthedtherefraintohimselfashecrouchedonallfours,foundhismask,andstruggledtoforceitoverhisface.Thenhegotholdofhisspear,tippedwiththestillflappingfish,andclutchinghisstomachwithhisfreehand,crawledandslithereddownthesandandintothewater.

Itwasfiftyyardsofshallowwatertothelairoftheoctopusinthecoralcranny,andMajorSmythe,screamingallthewhileintohismask,crawlingmostlyonhisknees,somehowmadeit.Ashecametothelastapproachandthewaterbecamedeeper,hehadtogettohisfeet,andthepainmadehimjiggletoandfro,asifhewereapuppetmanipulatedbystrings.Thenhewasthere,andwithasupremeeffortofwill,heheldhimselfsteadyashedippedhisheaddowntoletsomewaterintohismaskandclearthemistofhisscreamsfromtheglass.Then,bloodpouringfromhisbittenlowerlip,hebentcarefullydownto

22

lookintoOctopussy'shouse.Yes!Thebrownmasswasstillthere.Itwasstirringexcitedly.Why?MajorSmythesawthedarkstringsofhisbloodcurlinglazilydownthroughthewater.Ofcourse!Thedarlingwastastinghisblood.AshaftofpainhitMajorSmytheandsenthimreeling.Heheardhimselfbabblingdeliriouslyintohismask.Pullyourselftogether,Dexter,oldboy!You'vegottogivePussyherlunch!Hesteadiedhimself,andholdingthespearwelldowntheshaft,loweredthefishdowntowardthewrithinghole.

WouldPussytakethebait?ThepoisonousbaitthatwaskillingMajorSmythebuttowhichanoctopusmightbeimmune?IfonlyBengrycouldbeheretowatch!Threetentacles,weavingexcitedly,cameoutoftheholeandwaveredaroundthescorpionfish.NowtherewasagraymistinfrontofMajorSmythe'seyes.Herecognizeditastheedgeofunconsciousnessandfeeblyshookhisheadtoclearit.Andthenthetentaclesleaped!Butnotatthefish!AtMajorSmythe'shandandarm.MajorSmythe'stornmouthstretchedinagrimaceofpleasure.NowheandPussyhadshakenhands!Howexciting!Howtrulywonderful!

Butthentheoctopus,quietly,relentlesslypulleddownward,andterriblerealizationcametoMajorSmythe.Hesummonedhisdregsofstrengthandplungedhisspeardown.Theonlyeffectwastopushthescorpionfishintothemassoftheoctopusandoffermorearmtotheoctopus.Thetentaclessnakedupwardandpulledmorerelentlessly.Toolate,MajorSmythescrabbledawayhismask.Onebottledscreamburstoutacrosstheemptybay,thenhisheadwentunderanddown,andtherewasanexplosionofbubblestothesurface.ThenMajorSmythe'slegscameupandthesmallwaveswashedhisbodytoandfrowhiletheoctopusexploredhisrighthandwithitsbuccalorificeandtookafirsttentativebiteatafingerwithitsbeaklikejaws.

***

ThebodywasfoundbytwoyoungJamaicansspinningforneedlefishfromacanoe.TheyspearedtheoctopuswithMajorSmythe'sspear,killeditinthetraditionalfashionbyturningitinsideoutandbitingitsheadoff,andbroughtthethreecorpseshome.TheyturnedMajorSmythe'sbodyovertothepolice,andhadthescorpionfishandtheseacatforsupper.

ThelocalcorrespondentoftheDailyGleanerreportedthatMajorSmythehadbeenkilledbyanoctopus,butthepapertranslatedthisinto"founddrowned"soasnottofrightenawaythetourists.

Later,inLondon,JamesBond,privatelyassuming"suicide,"wrotethesameverdictof"founddrowned,"togetherwiththedate,onthelastpageandclosedthebulkyfile.

ItisonlyfromthenotesofDr.Cahusac,whoperformedtheautopsy,thatithasbeenpossibletoconstructsomekindofapostscripttothebizarreandpatheticendofaoncevaluableofficeroftheSecretService.

23

TheLivingDaylights

JamesBondlayinthefivehundredyardfiringpointofthefamousCenturyRangeatBisley.Thewhitepeginthegrassbesidehimsaid44,andthesamenumberwasrepeatedhighuponthedistantbuttabovethesinglesixfeetsquaretargetthat,tothehumaneyeandinthelatesummerdusk,lookednolargerthanapostagestamp.ButthroughBond'sglassaninfraredsniperscopefixedabovehisriflethelenscoveredthewholecanvas.Hecouldevenclearlydistinguishthepaleblueandbeigecolorsinwhichthetargetwasdivided,andthesixinchsemicircularbull'seyelookedasbigasthehalfmoonthatwasalreadybeginningtoshowlowdowninthedarkeningskyabovethedistantcrestofChobhamRidges.JamesBond'slastshothadbeenaninnerleft.Notgoodenough.Hetookanotherglanceattheyellowandbluewindflags.Theywerestreamingacrossrangefromtheeastrathermorestifflythanwhenhehadbegunhisshoothalfanhourbefore,andhesettwoclicksmoretotherightonthewindgaugeandtraversedthecrosswiresonthesniperscopebacktothepointofaim.Thenhesettledhimself,puthistriggerfingergentlyinsidetheguardandontothecurveofthetrigger,shallowedhisbreathing,andvery,verysoftlysqueezed.Theviciouscrackoftheshotboomedacrosstheemptyrange.Thetargetdisappearedbelowground,andatoncethedummycameupinitsplace.Yes.Theblackpanelwasinthebottomrighthandcornerthistime,notinthebottomleft.Abull'seye.

"Good,"saidthevoiceofthechiefrangeofficerfrombehindandabovehim."Staywithit."

Thetargetwasalreadyupagain,andBondputhischeekbacktoitswarmpatchonthechunkywoodenstockandhiseyetotherubbereyepieceofthescope.Hewipedhisgunhanddownthesideofhistrousersandtookthepistolgripthatjuttedsharplydownbelowthetriggerguard.Hesplayedhislegsaninchmore.Nowthereweretobefiveroundsrapid.Itwouldbeinterestingtoseeifthatwouldproduce"fade."Heguessednot.Thisextraordinaryweaponthearmorerhadsomehowgothishandsongaveonethefeelingthatastandingmanatamilewouldbeeasymeat.Itwasmostlya.308caliberInternationalExperimentalTargetriflebuiltbyWinchestertohelpAmericanmarksmenatWorldChampionships,andithadtheusualgadgetsofsuperaccuratetargetweaponsacurledaluminumhandatthebackofthebuttthatextendedunderthearmpitandheldthestockfirmlyintotheshoulder,andanadjustablepinionbelowtherifle'scenterofgravitytoallowthestocktobenailedintoitsgroovedwoodenrest.Thearmorerhadhadtheusualsingleshotboltactionreplacedbyafiveshotmagazine,andhehadassuredBondthatifheallowedaslittleastwosecondsbetweenshotstosteadytheweapontherewouldbenofadeevenatfivehundredyards.ForthejobthatBondhadtodo,heguessedthattwosecondsmightbeadangerouslossoftimeifhemissedwithhisfirstshot.Anyway,M.hadsaidthattherangewouldbenotmorethanthreehundredyards.Bondwouldcutitdowntoonesecondalmostcontinuousfire.

"Ready?"

"Yes."

"I'llgiveyouacountdownfromfive.Now!Five,four,three,two,one.Fire!"

24

Thegroundshudderedslightlyandtheairsangasthefivewhirlingscrapsofcupronickelspatoffintothedusk.Thetargetwentdownandquicklyroseagain,decoratedwithfoursmallwhitediscscloselygroupedonthebull'seye.Therewasnofifthdiscnotevenablackonetoshowaninneroranouter."Thelastroundwaslow,"saidtherangeofficerloweringhisnightglasses."Thanksforthecontribution.Wesiftthesandonthosebuttsattheendofeveryyear.Nevergetlessthanfifteentonsofgoodleadandcopperscrapoutofthem.Goodmoney."

Bondhadgottohisfeet.CorporalMenziesfromthearmorers'sectionappearedfromthepavilionoftheGunClubandkneltdowntodismantletheWinchesteranditsrest.HelookedupatBond.Hesaidwithahintofcriticism,"Youweretakingitabitfast,sir.Lastroundwasboundtojumpwide."

"Iknow,corporal.IwantedtoseehowfastIcouldtakeit.I'mnotblamingtheweapon.It'sahellofafinejob.Pleasetellthearmorersofromme.NowI'dbettergetmoving.You'refindingyourownwaybacktoLondon,aren'tyou?"

"Yes.Goodnight,sir."

ThechiefrangeofficerhandedBondarecordofhisshoottwosightingshotsandthentenroundsateachhundredyardsuptofivehundred."Damnedgoodfiringwiththisvisibility.YououghttocomebacknextyearandhaveabashattheQueen'sPrize.It'sopentoallcomersnowadaysBritishCommonwealth,thatis."

"Thanks.Troubleis,I'mnotallthatmuchinEngland.Andthanksforspottingforme."Bondglancedatthedistantclocktower.Oneitherside,thereddangerflagandtheredsignaldrumwerecomingdowntoshowthatfiringhadceased.Thehandsstoodatninefifteen."I'dliketobuyyouadrink,butI'vegotanappointmentinLondon.CanweholditoveruntilthatQueen'sPrizeyouweretalkingabout?"

Therangeofficernoddednoncommittally.HehadbeenlookingforwardtofindingoutmoreaboutthismanwhohadappearedoutoftheblueafteraflurryofsignalsfromtheMinistryofDefenseandhadthenproceededtoscorewelloverninetypercentatalldistances.Andthataftertherangewasclosedforthenightandvisibilitywaspoortobad.Andwhyhadhe,whoonlyofficiatedattheannualJulymeeting,beenorderedtobepresent?AndwhyhadhebeentoldtoseethatBondhadasixinchbull'seyeatfivehundredinsteadoftheregulationfifteeninch?Andwhythisflummerywiththedangerflagandsignaldrumthatwereonlyusedonceremonialoccasions?Toputpressureontheman?Togiveanedgeofurgencytotheshoot?Bond.CommanderJamesBond.TheN.R.A.wouldsurelyhavearecordofanyonewhocouldshootlikethat.He'dremembertogivethemacall.FunnytimetohaveanappointmentinLondon.Probablyagirl.Therangeofficer'sundistinguishedfaceassumedadisgruntledexpression.Sortoffellowwhogotallthegirlshewanted.

ThetwomenwalkedthroughthehandsomefaadeofClubRowbehindtherangetoBond'scar,whichstoodoppositethebulletpittedironreproductionofLandseer'sfamousRunningDeer.

25

"Nicelookingjob,"commentedtherangeofficer."NeverseenabodylikethatonaContinental.Haveitmadespecially?"

"Yes.TheMarkIV'sareanywayreallyonlytwoseaters.Anddamnedlittleluggagespace.SoIgotMulliner'stomakeitintoarealtwoseaterwithplentyoftrunkspace.SelfishcarI'mafraid.Well,goodnight.Andthanksagain."Thetwinexhaustsboomedhealthily,andthebackwheelsbrieflyspatgravel.ThechiefrangeofficerwatchedtherubylightsvanishupKing'sAvenuetowardtheLondonRoad.HeturnedonhisheelandwenttofindCorporalMenziesonasearchforinformationthatwastoprovefruitless.ThecorporalremainedaswoodenasthebigmahoganyboxhewasintheprocessofloadingintoakhakiLandRoverwithoutmilitarysymbols.Therangeofficerwasamajor.Hetriedpullinghisrankwithoutsuccess.TheLandRoverhammeredawayinBond'swake.ThemajorwalkedmoodilyofftotheofficesoftheNationalRifleAssociationtotryandfindoutwhathewantedinthelibraryunder"Bond,J."

JamesBond'sappointmentwasnotwithagirl.ItwaswithaB.E.A.flighttoHanoverandBerlin.AshebitoffthemilestoLondonAirport,pushingthebigcarhardsoastohaveplentyoftimeforadrink,threedrinks,beforethetakeoff,onlypartofhismindwasontheroad.Therestwasreexamining,fortheumpteenthtime,thesequencethatwasnowleadinghimtoanappointmentwithanairplane.Butonlyaninterimappointment.HisfinalrendezvousononeofthenextthreenightsinBerlinwaswithaman.Hehadtoseethismanandhehadtobesuretoshoothimdead.

***

When,ataroundtwothirtythatafternoon,JamesBondhadgoneinthroughthedoublepaddeddoorsandhadsatdownoppositetheturnedawayprofileontheothersideofthebigdesk,hehadsensedtrouble.Therewasnogreeting.M.'sheadwassunkintohisstiffturneddowncollarinaChurchillianposeofgloomyreflection,andtherewasadroopofbitternessatthecornerofhislips.HeswiveledhischairaroundtofaceBond,gavehimanappraisingglanceasif,Bondthought,toseethathistiewasstraightandhishairproperlybrushed,andthenbeganspeaking,fast,bitingoffhissentencesasifhewantedtoberidofwhathewassaying,andofBond,asquicklyaspossible.

"Number272.He'sagoodman.Youwon'thavecomeacrosshim.Simplereasonthathe'sbeenholedupinNovayaZemlyasincethewar.Nowhe'stryingtogetoutloadedwithstuff.Atomicandrockets.Andtheirplanforawholenewseriesoftests.Fornineteensixtyone.ToputtheheatontheWest.

SomethingtodowithBerlin.Don'tquitegetthepicture,buttheFOsaysifit'strueit'sterrific.MakesnonsenseoftheGenevaConferenceandallthisblatheraboutnucleardisarmamenttheCommunistblocisputtingout.He'sgotasfarasEastBerlin.Buthe'sgotpracticallythewholeoftheKGBonhistailandtheEastGermansecurityforcesofcourse.He'sholedupsomewhereinEastBerlin,andhegotonemessageovertous.Thathe'dbecomingacrossbetweensixandsevenP.M.ononeofthenextthreenightstomorrow,nextday,ornextday.Hegavethecrossingpoint.Troubleis"thedownwardcurveofM.'slipsbecameevenmorebitter"thecourierheusedwasadouble.StationWBbowledhimoutyesterday.Quitebychance.HadaluckybreakwithoneoftheKGB

26

codes.Thecourier'llbeflownoutfortrial,ofcourse.Butthatwon'thelp.TheKGBknowsthat272willbemakingarunforit.Theyknowwhen.Theyknowwhere.Theyknowjustasmuchaswedoandnomore.Now,thecodewecrackedwasaonedayonlysettingontheirmachines.Butwegotthewholeofthatday'straffic,andthatwasgoodenough.Theyplantoshoothimontherun.AtthisstreetcrossingbetweenEastandWestBerlinhegaveusinhismessage.They'remountingquiteanoperationOperationExtase,theycallit.Puttheirbestsniperonthejob.AllweknowabouthimisthathiscodenameistheRussianforTrigger.StationWBguesseshe'sthesamemanthey'veusedbeforeforsniperwork.Longrangestuffacrossthefrontier.He'sgoingtobeguardingthiscrossingeverynight,andhisjobistoget272.Ofcoursethey'dobviouslyprefertodoasmootherjobwithmachinegunsandwhathaveyou.Butit'squietinBerlinatthemoment,andapparentlythewordisit'sgottostayso.Anyway"M.shrugged"they'vegotconfidenceinthisTriggeroperator,andthat'sthewayit'sgoingtobe!"

"WheredoIcomein,sir?"ButJamesBondhadguessedtheanswer,guessedwhyM.wasshowinghisdislikeofthewholebusiness.Thiswasgoingtobedirtywork,andBond,becausehebelongedtotheDoubleOSection,hadbeenchosenforit.Perversely,BondwantedtoforceM.toputitinblackandwhite.Thiswasgoingtobebadnews,dirtynews,andhedidn'twanttohearitfromoneofthesectionofficers,orevenfromtheChiefofStaff.Thiswastobemurder.Allright.LetM.bloodywellsayso.

"Wheredoyoucomein,007?"M.lookedcoldlyacrossthedesk."Youknowwhereyoucomein.You'vegottokillthissniper.Andyou'vegottokillhimbeforehegets272.That'sall.Isthatunderstood?"Theclearblueeyesremainedcoldasice.

ButBondknewthattheyremainedsoonlywithaneffortofwill.M.didn'tlikesendinganymantoakilling.But,whenithadtobedone,healwaysputonthisfierce,coldactofcommand.Bondknewwhy.Itwastotakesomeofthepressure,someoftheguilt,offthekiller'sshoulders.

SonowBond,whoknewthesethings,decidedtomakeiteasyandquickforM.Hegottohisfeet."That'sallright,sir.IsupposetheChiefofStaffhasgotallthegen.I'dbettergoandputinsomepractice.Itwouldn'tdotomiss."Hewalkedtothedoor.

M.saidquietly,"Sorrytohavetohandthistoyou.Nastyjob.Butit'sgottobedonewell."

"I'lldomybest,sir."JamesBondwalkedoutandclosedthedoorbehindhim.Hedidn'tlikethejob,butonthewholehe'dratherhaveithimselfthanhavetheresponsibilityoforderingsomeoneelsetogoanddoit.

TheChiefofStaffhadbeenonlyashademoresympathetic."Sorryyou'veboughtthisone,James,"hehadsaid."ButTanqueraywasdefinitethathehadn'tgotanyonegoodenoughonhisstation,andthisisn'tthesortofjobyoucanaskaregularsoldiertodo.PlentyoftopmarksmenintheB.A.O.R.,butalivetargetneedsanotherkindofnerve.Anyway,I'vebeenontoBisleyandfixedashootforyoutonightateightfifteenwhentherangeswillbeclosed.Visibilityshouldbeaboutthesameasyou'llbegettinginBerlinaroundanhourearlier.Thearmorer'sgotthegunarealtargetjobandhe'ssendingitdownwithoneofhismen.You'llfindyourownway.Thenyou'rebookedonamidnightB.E.A.charter

27

flighttoBerlin.Takeataxitothisaddress."HehandedBondapieceofpaper."Gouptothefourthfloor,andyou'llfindTanqueray'sNumberTwowaitingforyou.ThenI'mafraidyou'lljusthavetosititoutforthenextthreedays."

"Howaboutthegun?AmIsupposedtotakeitthroughtheGermancustomsinagolfbagorsomething?"

TheChiefofStaffhadn'tbeenamused."It'llgooverintheFOpouch.You'llhaveitbytomorrowmidday."Hehadreachedforasignalpad."Well,you'dbettergetcracking.I'lljustletTanquerayknoweverything'sfixed."

JamesBondglanceddownatthedimbluefaceofthedashboardclock.Tenfifteen.Withanyluck,bythistimetomorrowitwouldallbefinished.Afterall,itwasthelifeofthismanTriggeragainstthelifeof272.Itwasn'texactlymurder.Prettynearit,though.Hegaveaviciousblastonhistriplewindhornsataninoffensivefamilysaloon,tooktheroundaboutinaquiteunnecessarydryskid,wrenchedthewheelharshlytocorrectit,andpointedthenoseoftheBentleytowardthedistantglowthatwasLondonAirport.

***

TheuglysixstorybuildingatthecorneroftheKochstrasseandtheWilhelmstrassewastheonlyonestandinginawasteofemptybombedspace.Bondpaidoffhistaxiandgotabriefimpressionoftheneighborhoodwaisthighweedsandhalftidiedrubblewallsstretchingawaytoabigdesertedcrossroadslitbyacentralclusterofyellowisharclampsbeforehepushedthebellforthefourthfloorandatonceheardtheclickofthedooropener.Thedoorcloseditselfbehindhim,andhewalkedovertheuncarpetedcementfloortotheoldfashionedlift.Thesmellofcabbage,cheapcigarsmoke,andstalesweatremindedhimofotherapartmenthousesinGermanyandCentralEurope.EventhesighandfaintsquealoftheslowliftwerepartofahundredassignmentswhenhehadbeenfiredoffbyM.,likeaprojectile,atsomedistanttargetwhereaproblemwaitedforhiscoming,waitedtobesolvedbyhim.Atleastthistimethereceptioncommitteewasonhisside.Thistimetherewasnothingtofearatthetopofthestairs.

NumberTwoofSecretServiceStationWBwasalean,tensemaninhisearlyforties.Heworetheuniformofhisprofessionwellcut,wellused,lightweighttweedsinadarkgreenherringbone,asoftwhitesilkshirt,andanoldschooltie(inhiscaseWykehamist).Atthesightofthetie,andwhiletheyexchangedconventionalgreetingsinthesmallmustylobbyoftheapartment,Bond'sspirits,alreadylow,sankanotherdegree.Heknewthetypebackboneofthecivilservice...overcrammedandunderlovedatWinchester...agoodsecondinP.P.E.atOxford...thewar,staffjobshewouldhavedonemeticulouslyperhapsanO.B.E...AlliedControlCommissioninGermanywherehehadbeenrecruitedintotheIBranch...AndthencebecausehewastheidealstaffmanandAonewithSecurity,andbecausehethoughthewouldfindlife,drama,romancethethingshehadneverhadintotheSecretService.Asober,carefulmanhadbeenneededtochaperoneBondonthisuglybusiness.CaptainPaulSender,lateoftheWelshGuards,hadbeentheobviouschoice.Hehadboughtit.Now,likeagoodWykehamist,heconcealedhisdistasteforthejobbeneathcareful,triteconversationasheshowedBondthelayoutofthe

28

apartmentandthearrangementsthathadbeenmadefortheexecutioner'spreparednessand,toamodestextent,hiscomfort.

Theflatconsistedofalargedoublebedroom,abathroom,andakitchencontainingtinnedfood,milk,butter,eggs,bread,andonebottleofDimpleHaig.Theonlyoddfeatureinthebedroomwasthatoneofthedoublebedswasangledupagainstthecurtainscoveringthesinglebroadwindowandwaspiledhighwiththreemattressesbelowthebedclothes.

CaptainSendersaid,"Caretohavealookatthefieldoffire?ThenIcanexplainwhattheothersidehasinmind."

Bondwastired.Hedidn'tparticularlywanttogotosleepwiththepictureofthebattlefieldonhismind.Buthesaid,"That'dbefine."

CaptainSenderswitchedoffthelights.Chinksfromthestreetlightattheintersectionshowedroundthecurtains."Don'twanttodrawthecurtains,"saidCaptainSender."Unlikely,buttheymaybeonthelookoutforacoveringpartyfor272.Ifyou'djustlieonthebedandgetyourheadunderthecurtains,I'llbriefyouaboutwhatyou'llbelookingat.Looktotheleft."

Itwasasashwindow,andthebottomhalfwasopen.Themattresses,bydesign,gaveonlyalittle,andJamesBondfoundhimselfmoreorlessinthefiringpositionhehadbeeninontheCenturyRange.Butnowhewasstaringacrossbroken,thicklyweededbombedgroundtowardthebrightriveroftheZirnmerstrassetheborderwithEastBerlin.Itlookedaboutahundredandfiftyyardsaway.CaptainSender'svoicefromabovehimandbehindthecurtainbeganreciting.ItremindedBondofaspiritualistsance.

"That'sbombedgroundinfrontofyou.Plentyofcover.Ahundredandthirtyyardsofituptothefrontier.Thenthefrontierthestreetandthenabigstretchofmorebombedgroundontheenemyside.That'swhy272chosethisroute.It'soneofthefewplacesinthetownwhichisbrokenlandthickweeds,ruinedwalls,cellarsonbothsidesofthefrontier...272willsneakthroughthatmessontheotherside,andmakeadashacrosstheZirnmerstrasseforthemessonourside.Troubleis,he'llhavethirtyyardsofbrightlylitfrontiertosprintacross.That'llbethekillingground.Right?"

Bondsaid,"Yes."Hesaiditsoftly.Thescentoftheenemy,theneedtotakecare,alreadyhadhimbythenerves.

"Toyourleft,thatbignewtenstoryblockistheHausderMinisterien,thechiefbraincenterofEastBerlin.Youcanseethelightsarestilloninmostofthewindows.Mostofthosewillstayonallnight.Thesechapsworkhardshiftsallroundtheclock.Youprobablywon'tneedtoworryaboutthelightedones.ThisTriggerchapwillalmostcertainlyfirefromoneofthedarkwindows.You'llseethere'sablockoffourtogetheronthecornerabovetheintersection.They'vestayeddarklastnightandtonight.

They'vegotthebestfieldoffire.Fromhere,theirrangevariesfromthreehundredtothreehundredandtenyards.I'vegotallthefiguresandsoonwhenyouwantthem.Youneedn'tworryaboutmuchelse.Thatstreetstaysemptyduringthenightonlythe

29

motorizedpatrolsabouteveryhalfanhour.Lightarmoredcarwithacoupleofmotorcyclesasescort.Lastnight,whichIsupposeistypical,betweensixandsevenwhenthisthing'sgoingtobedone,therewereafewpeoplethatcameandwentoutofthatsidedoor.Civilservanttypes.Beforethatnothingoutoftheordinaryusualflowofpeopleinandoutofabusygovernmentbuilding,except,ofallthings,awholedamnedwoman'sorchestra.Madeahellofaracketinsomeconcerthallthey'vegotinthere.PartoftheblockistheMinistryofCulture.OtherwisenothingcertainlynoneoftheKGBpeopleweknow,oranysignsofpreparationforajoblikethis.Buttherewouldn'tbe.They'recarefulchaps,theopposition.Anyway,haveagoodlook.Don'tforgetit'sdarkerthanitwillbetomorrowaroundsix.Butyoucangetthegeneralpicture."

Bondgotthegeneralpicture,anditstayedwithhimlongaftertheothermanwasasleepandsnoringsoftlywithagentleregularclickingsound.AWykehamistsnore,Bondreflectedirritably.Yes,hehadgotthepicture.Thepictureofaflickerofmovementamongtheshadowyruinsontheothersideofthegleamingriveroflight,apause,thewildzigzaggingsprintofamaninthefullglareofthearcs,thecrashofgunfireandtheneitheracrumpled,sprawlingheapinthemiddleofthewidestreetorthenoiseofhisonwarddashthroughtheweedsandrubbleoftheWesternSector.Suddendeathorahomerun.Thetruegauntlet!HowmuchtimewouldBondhavetospottheRussiansniperinoneofthosedarkwindows?Andkillhim?Fiveseconds?Ten?Whendawnedgedthecurtainswithgunmetal,Bondcapitulatedtohisfrettingmind.Ithadwon.HewentsoftlyintothebathroomandsurveyedtheranksofmedicinebottlesthatathoughtfulSecretServicehadprovidedtokeepitsexecutioneringoodshape.HeselectedtheTuinal,chaseddowntwooftherubyandbluedepthchargeswithaglassofwater,andwentbacktobed.Then,poleaxed,heslept.

Heawokeatmidday.Theflatwasempty.BonddrewthecurtainstoletinthegrayPrussianday,and,standingwellbackfromthewindow,gazedoutatthedrabnessofBerlin,andlistenedtothetramnoisesandtothedistantscreechingoftheUBahnasittookthebigcurveintotheZooStation.Hegaveaquick,reluctantglanceatwhathehadexaminedthenightbefore,notedthattheweedsamongthebombrubbleweremuchthesameastheLondononescampion,dock,andbrackenandthenwentintothekitchen.

Therewasanoteproppedagainstaloafofbread:"Myfriend[aSecretServiceeuphemismthatinthiscontextmeantSender'schief]saysit'sallrightforyoutogoout.Buttobebackby1700hours.Yourgear[doubletalkforBond'srifle]hasarrivedandthebatmanwilllayitoutthisP.M.P.Sender."

Bondlitthegascooker,andwithasneerathisprofession,burnedthemessage.Thenhebrewedhimselfavastdishofscrambledeggsandbacon,whichheheapedonbutteredtoastandwasheddownwithblackcoffeeintowhichhehadpouredaliberaltotofwhiskey.Thenhebathedandshaved,dressedinthedrab,anonymous,middleEuropeanclotheshehadbroughtoverforthepurpose,lookedathisdisorderedbed,decidedtohellwithit,andwentdownintheliftandoutofthebuilding.

JamesBondhadalwaysfoundBerlinaglum,inimicalcity,varnishedontheWesternsidewithabrittleveneerofgimcrackpolishratherlikethechromiumtrimonAmericanmotorcars.HewalkedtotheKurfrstendammandsatintheCafMarquardtanddrankan

30

espressoandmoodilywatchedtheobedientqueuesofpedestrianswaitingfortheGosignonthetrafficlightswhiletheshinystreamofcarswentthroughtheirdangerousquadrilleatthebusyintersection.ItwascoldoutsideandthesharpwindfromtheRussiansteppeswhippedatthegirls'skirtsandatthewaterproofsoftheimpatienthurryingmen,eachwiththeinevitablebriefcasetuckedunderhisarm.Theinfraredwallheatersinthecafeglaredredlydownandgaveaspuriousglowtothefacesofthecafesquatters,consumingtheirtraditional"onecupofcoffeeandtenglassesofwater,"readingthefreenewspapersandperiodicalsintheirwoodenracks,earnestlybendingoverbusinessdocuments.Bond,closinghismindtotheevening,debatedwithhimselfaboutwaystospendtheafternoon.ItfinallycamedowntoachoicebetweenavisittothatrespectablelookingbrownstonehouseintheClausewitzstrasseknowntoallconciergesandtaxidriversandatriptotheWannseeandastrenuouswalkintheGrunewald.Virtuetriumphed.BondpaidforhiscoffeeandwentoutintothecoldandtookataxitotheZooStation.

Theprettyyoungtreesroundthelonglakehadalreadybeentouchedbythebreathofautumn,andtherewasoccasionalgoldamongstthegreen.Bondwalkedhardfortwohoursalongtheleafypaths,thenchosearestaurantwithaglassedinverandaabovethelakeandgreatlyenjoyedahighteaconsistingofadoubleportionofMatjeshering,smotheredincreamandonionrings,andtwoMollemitKorn.(ThisBerlinequivalentofaboilermakerandhisassistantwasaschnapps,double,washeddownwithdraughtLwenbru.)Then,feelingmoreencouraged,hetooktheSBahnbackintothecity.Outsidetheapartmenthouse,anondescriptyoungmanwastinkeringwiththeengineofablackOpelKapitan.Hedidn'ttakehisheadoutfromunderthebonnetwhenBondpassedclosebyhimandwentuptothedoorandpressedthebell.

CaptainSenderwasreassuring.Itwasa"friend"acorporalfromthetransportsectionofStationWB.HehadfixedupsomebadenginetroubleontheOpel.Eachnight,fromsixtoseven,hewouldbereadytoproduceaseriesofmultiplebackfireswhenasignalonawalkietalkieoperatedbySendertoldhimtodoso.ThiswouldgivesomekindofcoverforthenoiseofBond'sshooting.Otherwise,theneighborhoodmightalertthepoliceandtherewouldbealotofuntidyexplainingtobedone.TheirhideoutwasintheAmericanSector,andwhiletheirAmerican"friends"hadgivenStationWBclearanceforthisoperation,the"friends"werenaturallyanxiousthatitshouldbeacleanjobandwithoutrepercussions.

Bondwassuitablyimpressedbythecargimmick,ashewasbytheveryworkmanlikepreparationsthathadbeenmadeforhiminthelivingroom.Here,behindtheheadofhishighbed,givingaperfectfiringposition,awoodandmetalstandhadbeenerectedagainstthebroadwindowsill,andalongitlaytheWinchester,thetipofitsbarreljustdentingthecurtains.Thewoodandallthemetalpartsoftherifleandsniperscopehadbeenpaintedadullblack,and,laidoutonthebedlikesinistereveningclothes,wasablackvelvethoodstitchedtoawaistlengthshirtofthesamematerial.Thehoodhadwideslitsfortheeyesandmouth.ItremindedBondofoldprintsoftheSpanishInquisitionoroftheanonymousoperatorsontheguillotineplatformduringtheFrenchRevolution.TherewasasimilarhoodonCaptainSender'sbed,andonhissectionofthewindowsilltherelayapairofnightglassesandthemicrophoneforthewalkietalkie.

31

CaptainSender,hisfaceworriedandtensewithnerves,saidtherewasnonewsattheStation,nochangeinthesituationastheyknewit.DidBondwantanythingtoeat?Oracupoftea?Perhapsatranquilizertherewereseveralkindsinthebathroom?

Bondstitchedacheerful,relaxedexpressiononhisfaceandsaidnothanks,andgavealightheartedaccountofhisdaywhileanarterynearhissolarplexusbeganthumpinggentlyastensionbuiltupinsidehimlikeawatchspringtightening.FinallyhissmalltalkpeteredoutandhelaydownonhisbedwithaGermanthrillerhehadboughtonhiswanderings,whileCaptainSendermovedfretfullyabouttheflat,lookingtoooftenathiswatchandchainsmokingKentfiltertipsthrough(hewasacarefulman)aDunhillfilteredcigaretteholder.

JamesBond'schoiceofreadingmatter,promptedbyaspectacularjacketofahalfnakedgirlstrappedtoabed,turnedouttohavebeenahappyonefortheoccasion.ItwascalledVerderbt,Verdammt,Verraten.Theprefixversignifiedthatthegirlhadnotonlybeenruined,damned,andbetrayed,butthatshehadsufferedthesemisfortunesmostthoroughly.JamesBondtemporarilylosthimselfinthetribulationsoftheheroine,GrfinLiselotteMutzenbacher,anditwaswithirritationthatheheardCaptainSendersaythatitwasfivethirtyandtimetotakeuptheirpositions.

Bondtookoffhiscoatandtie,puttwosticksofchewingguminhismouth,anddonnedthehood.ThelightswereswitchedoffbyCaptainSender,andBondlayalongthebed,gothiseyetotheeyepieceofthesniperscope,andgentlyliftedthebottomedgeofthecurtainbackandoverhisshoulders.

Nowduskwasapproaching,butotherwisethescene(ayearlatertobecomefamousasCheckpointCharlie)waslikeawellrememberedphotographthewastelandinfrontofhim,thebrightriverofthefrontierroad,thefurtherwasteland,and,ontheleft,theuglysquareblockoftheHausderMinisterienwithitslitanddarkwindows.Bondscanneditallslowly,movingthesniperscope,withtherifle,bymeansoftheprecisionscrewsonthewoodenbase.ItwasallthesameexceptthatnowtherewasatrickleofpersonnelleavingandenteringtheHausderMinisterienthroughthedoorontotheWilhelmstrasse.BondlookedlongatthefourdarkwindowsdarkagaintonightthatheagreedwithSenderweretheenemy'sfiringpoints.Thecurtainsweredrawnback,andthesashwindowswerewideopenatthebottom.Bond'sscopecouldnotpenetrateintotherooms,buttherewasnosignofmovementwithinthefouroblongblackgapingmouths.

Nowtherewasextratrafficinthestreetbelowthewindows.Thewoman'sorchestracametroopingdownthepavementtowardtheentrance.Twentylaughing,talkinggirlscarryingtheirinstrumentsviolinandwindinstrumentcases,satchelswiththeirscoresandfourofthemwiththedrums.Agay,happylittlecrocodile.BondwasreflectingthatsomepeoplestillseemedtofindlifefunintheSovietSector,whenhisglassespickedoutandstayedonthegirlcarryingthecello.Bond'smasticatingjawsstoppedstill,andthenreflectivelywentonwiththeirchewingashetwistedthescrewtodepressthesniperscopeandkeepherinitscenter.

Thegirlwastallerthantheothers,andherlong,straight,fairhair,fallingtohershoulders,shonelikemoltengoldunderthearcsattheintersection.Shewashurryingalongina

32

charming,excitedway,carryingthecellocaseasifitwerenoheavierthanaviolin.Everythingwasflyingtheskirtofhercoat,herfeet,herhair.Shewasvividwithmovementandlifeand,itseemed,withgaietyandhappinessasshechatteredtothetwogirlswhoflankedherandlaughedbackatwhatshewassaying.Assheturnedinattheentranceamidsthertroupe,thearcsmomentarilycaughtabeautiful,paleprofile.Andthenshewasgone,and,itseemedtoBond,thatwithherdisappearance,astabofgrieflancedintohisheart.Howodd!Howveryodd!Thishadnothappenedtohimsincehewasyoung.Andnowthissinglegirl,seenonlyindistinctlyandfaraway,hadcausedhimtosufferthissharppangoflonging,thisthrillofanimalmagnetism!Morosely,Bondglanceddownattheluminousdialofhiswatch.Fivefifty.Onlytenminutestogo.Notransportarrivingattheentrance.NoneofthoseanonymousblackZiksaloonshehadhalfexpected.Heclosedasmuchofhismindashecouldtothegirlandsharpenedhiswits.Geton,damnyou!Getbacktoyourjob!

FromsomewhereinsidetheHausderMinisterientherecamethefamiliarsoundsofanorchestratuningupthestringstuningtheirinstrumentstosinglenotesonthepiano,thesharpblareofindividualwoodwindsthenapause,andthenthecollectivecrashofmelodyasthewholeorchestrathrewitselfcompetently,sofarasBondcouldjudge,intotheopeningbarsofwhateventoJamesBondwasvaguelyfamiliar.

"Moussorgsky'sOverturetoBorisGodunov,"saidCaptainSendersuccinctly."Anyway,sixo'clockcomingup."Andthen,urgently,"Hey!Righthandbottomofthefourwindows!Watchout!"

Bonddepressedthesniperscope.Yes,therewasmovementinsidetheblackcave.Now,fromtheinterior,athickblackobject,aweapon,hadslidout.Itmovedfirmly,minutely,swivelingdownandsidewayssoastocoverthestretchoftheZimmerstrassebetweenthetwowastelandsofrubble.Thentheunseenoperatorintheroombehindseemedsatisfied,andtheweaponremainedstill,fixedobviouslytosuchastandasBondhadbeneathhisrifle.

"Whatisit?Whatsortofgun?"CaptainSender'svoicewasmorebreathlessthanitshouldhavebeen.Takeiteasy,dammit!thoughtBond.It'smewho'ssupposedtohavethenerves.

Hestrainedhiseyes,takinginthesquatflasheliminatoratthemuzzle,thetelescopicsight,andthethickdownwardchunkofmagazine.Yes,thatwouldbeit!Absolutelyforsureandthebesttheyhad!"Kalashnikov,"hesaidcurtly."Submachinegun.Gasoperated.Thirtyroundsinsevensixtytwomillimeter.FavoritewiththeKGB.They'regoingtodoasaturationjobafterall.Perfectforrange.We'llhavetogethimprettyquick,or272willendupnotjustdeadbutstrawberryjam.Youkeepaneyeoutforanymovementoverthereintherubble.I'llhavetostaymarriedtothatwindowandthegun.He'llhavetoshowhimselftofire.Otherchapsareprobablyspottingbehindhimperhapsfromallfourwindows.Muchthesortofsetupweexpected,butIdidn'tthinkthey'duseaweaponthat'sgoingtomakealltheracketthisonewill.Shouldhaveknowntheywould.Arunningmanwillbehardtogetinthislightwithasingleshotjob."

33

Bondfiddledminutelywiththetraversingandelevatingscrewsathisfingertipsandgotthefinelinesofthescopeexactlyintersected,justbehindwherethebuttoftheenemygunmergedintotheblacknessbehind.Getthechestdon'tbotheraboutthehead!

Insidethehood,Bond'sfacebegantosweatandhiseyesocketwasslipperyagainsttherubberoftheeyepiece.Thatdidn'tmatter.Itwasonlyhishands,histriggerfinger,thatmuststaybonedry.Astheminutestickedby,hefrequentlyblinkedhiseyestorestthem,shiftedhislimbstokeepthemsupple,listenedtothemusictorelaxhismind.

Theminutesslouchedonleadenfeet.Howoldwouldshebe?Earlytwenties?Saytwentythree?Withthatpoiseandinsouciance,thehintofauthorityinherlongeasystride,shewouldcomeofgoodracystockoneoftheoldPrussianfamiliesprobablyorfromsimilarremnantsinPolandorevenRussia.Whyinhelldidshehavetochoosethecello?Therewassomethingalmostindecentintheideaofthisbulbous,ungainlyinstrumentbetweenhersplayedthighs.OfcourseSuggiahadmanagedtolookelegant,andsodidthatgirlAmaryllissomebody.Buttheyshouldinventawayforwomentoplaythedamnedthingsidesaddle.

FromhissideCaptainSendersaid,"Seveno'clock.Nothing'sstirredontheotherside.Bitofmovementonourside,nearacellarclosetothefrontier.That'llbeourreceptioncommitteetwogoodmenfromtheStation.Betterstaywithituntiltheyclosedown.Letmeknowwhentheytakethatgunin."

"Allright."

ItwasseventhirtywhentheKGBsubmachinegunwasgentlydrawnbackintotheblackinterior.Onebyonethebottomsashesofthefourwindowswereclosed.Thecoldheartedgamewasoverforthenight.272wasstillholedup.Twomorenightstogo!BondsoftlydrewthecurtainoverhisshouldersandacrossthemuzzleoftheWinchester.Hegotup,pulledoffhiscowl,andwentintothebathroom,wherehestrippedandhadashower.Thenhehadtwolargewhiskeysontherocksinquicksuccession,whilehewaited,hisearspricked,forthenowmuffledsoundoftheorchestratostop.

Ateighto'clockitdid,withtheexpertcommentfromSender"Borodin'sPrinceIgor,ChoralDanceNumber17,Ithink."whohadbeengettingoffhisreportingarbledlanguagetotheHeadofStation.

"Justgoingtohaveanotherlook.I'verathertakentothattallblondewiththecello,"BondsaidtoSender.

"Didn'tnoticeher,"saidSender,uninterested.Hewentintothekitchen.Tea,guessedBond.OrperhapsHorlick's.Bonddonnedhiscowl,wentbacktohisfiringposition,anddepressedthesniperscopetothedoorwayoftheHausderMinisterien.Yes,theretheywent,notsogayandlaughingnow.Tiredperhaps.Andnowhereshecame,lesslively,butstillwiththatbeautifulcarelessstride.BondwatchedtheblowngoldenhairandthefawnraincoatuntilithadvanishedintotheindigoduskuptheWilhelmstrasse.Wheredidshelive?Insomemiserableflakedroominthesuburbs?OrinoneoftheprivilegedapartmentsinthehideouslavatorytiledStalinallee?Bonddrewhimselfback.Somewhere,

34

withineasyreach,thatgirllived.Wasshemarried?Didshehavealover?Anyway,tohellwithit!Shewasnotforhim.

***

Thenextday,andthenextnightwatch,wereduplicates,withsmallvariations,ofthefirst.JamesBondhadhistwomorebriefrendezvous,bysniperscope,withthegirl,andtherestwasakillingoftimeandatighteningofthetensionthat,bythetimethethirdandfinaldaycame,waslikeafoginthesmallroom.JamesBondcrammedthethirddaywithanalmostlunaticprogramofmuseums,artgalleries,thezoo,andafilm,hardlyperceivinganythinghelookedat,hismind'seyedividedbetweenthegirlandthosefourblacksquaresandtheblacktubeandtheunknownmanbehinditthemanhewasnowcertainlygoingtokilltonight.

Backpunctuallyatfiveintheapartment,BondnarrowlyavertedarowwithCaptainSenderbecause,thatevening,Bondtookastiffdrinkofthewhiskeybeforehedonnedthehideouscowlthatnowstankofhissweat.CaptainSenderhadtriedtopreventhim,andwhenhefailed,hadthreatenedtocallupHeadofStationandreportBondforbreakingtraining.

"Look,myfriend,"saidBondwearily,"I'vegottocommitamurdertonight.Notyou.Me.Sobeagoodchapandstuffit,wouldyou?YoucantellTanquerayanythingyoulikewhenit'sover.ThinkIlikethisjob?HavingaDoubleOnumberandsoon?I'dbequitehappyforyoutogetmesackedfromtheDoubleOSection.ThenIcouldsettledownandmakeasnugnestofpapersasanordinarystaffer.Right?"Bonddrankdownhiswhiskey,reachedforhisthrillernowarrivingatanappallingclimaxandthrewhimselfonthebed.

CaptainSender,icilysilent,wentoffintothekitchentobrew,fromthesounds,hisinevitablecuppa.Bondfeltthewhiskeybeginningtomeltthecoilednervesinhisstomach.Nowthen,Liselotte,howinhellareyougoingtogetoutofthisfix?

ItwasexactlysixfivewhenSender,athispost,begantalkingexcitedly."Bond,there'ssomethingmovingwaybackoverthere.Nowhe'sstoppedwait,no,he'sonthemoveagain,keepinglow.There'sabitofbrokenwallthere.He'llbeoutofsightoftheopposition.Butthickweeds,yardsofthem,aheadofhim.Christ!He'scomingthroughtheweeds.Andthey'removing.HopetoGodtheythinkit'sonlythewind.Nowhe'sthroughandgonetoground.Anyreaction?"

"No,"saidBondtensely."Keepontellingme.Howfartothefrontier?"

"He'sonlygotaboutfiftyyardstogo,"CaptainSender'svoicewasharshwithexcitement."Brokenstuff,butsomeofit'sopen.Thenasolidchunkofwallrightupagainstthepavement.He'llhavetogetoverit.Theycan'tfailtospothimthen.Now!Nowhe'smadetenyards,andanotherten.Gothimclearlythen.Blackenedhisfaceandhands.Getready!Anymomentnowhe'llmakethelastsprint."

JamesBondfeltthesweatpouringdownhisfaceandneck.Hetookachanceandquicklywipedhishandsdownhissidesandthengotthembacktotherifle,hisfingerinsidethe

35

guard,justlyingalongthecurvedtrigger."There'ssomethingmovingintheroombehindthegun.Theymusthavespottedhim.GetthatOpelworking."

Bondheardthecodewordgointothemicrophone,heardtheOpelinthestreetbelowstartup,felthispulsequickenastheengineleapedintolifeandaseriesofearsplittingcrackscamefromtheexhaust.Themovementintheblackcavewasnowdefinite.Ablackarmwithablackglovehadreachedoutandunderthestock.

"Now!"calledoutCaptainSender."Now!He'srunforthewall!He'supit!Justgoingtojump!"

Andthen,inthesniperscope,BondsawtheheadofTriggerthepurityoftheprofile,thegoldenbellofhairalllaidoutalongthestockoftheKalashnikov!Shewasdead,asittingduck!Bond'sfingersflasheddowntothescrews,inchedthemround,andasyellowflameflutteredatthesnoutofthesubmachinegun,squeezedthetrigger.

Thebullet,deadonatthreehundredandtenyards,musthavehitwherethestockendedupthebarrel,mighthavegotherinthelefthandbuttheeffectwastotearthegunoffitsmountings,smashitagainstthesideofthewindowframe,andthenhurlitoutofthewindow.Itturnedseveraltimesonitswaydownandcrashedintothemiddleofthestreet.

"He'sover!"shoutedCaptainSender."He'sover!He'sdoneit!MyGod,he'sdoneit!"

"Getdown!"saidBondsharply,andthrewhimselfsidewaysoffthebedasthebigeyeofasearchlightinoneoftheblackwindowsblazedon,swervingupthestreettowardtheirblockandtheirroom.Thengunfirecrashed,andthebulletshowledintotheirwindow,rippingthecurtains,smashingthewoodwork,thuddingintothewalls.

Behindtheroarandzingofthebullets,BondheardtheOpelraceoffdownthestreet,and,behindthatagain,thefragmentarywhisperoftheorchestra.Thecombinationofthetwobackgroundnoisesclicked.Ofcourse!Theorchestra,thatmusthaveraisedaninfernaldinthroughouttheofficesandcorridorsoftheHausderMinisterien,was,asontheirsidethebackfiringOpel,designedtoprovidesomecoverforthesharpburstoffirefromTrigger.Hadshecarriedherweapontoandfroeverydayinthatcellocase?WasthewholeorchestracomposedofKGBwomen?Hadtheotherinstrumentcasescontainedonlyequipmentthebigdrumperhapsthesearchlightwhiletherealinstrumentswereavailableintheconcerthall?Tooelaborate?Toofantastic?Probably.

Buttherehadbeennodoubtaboutthegirl.Inthesniperscope,Bondhadevenbeenabletoseeonewide,heavilylashed,aimingeye.Hadhehurther?Almostcertainlyherleftarm.Therewouldbenochanceofseeingher,seeinghowshewas,ifsheleftwiththeorchestra.Nowhewouldneverseeheragain.Bond'swindowwouldbeadeathtrap.Tounderlinethefact,astraybulletsmashedintothemechanismoftheWinchester,alreadyoverturnedanddamaged,andhotleadsplasheddownonBond'shand,burningthe