Edward S Aarons - [Sam Durell 16 - Assignment- Kar (1)

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Edward S Aarons - [Sam Durell 16 - Assignment- Karachi

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chapteroneDURELLawoketothesoundofthebirdsandanawarenessoftheswiftshadowofwingsacrosshisface.Heidentifiedthemewingandcawingandscreechingasgullsandcrowsandkites,evenbeforeheopenedhiseyes.Thewingsbelongedtoabuzzard.HethrewanarmacrosshisfacetocutouttheblindingglareofthesunasitroseovertheSind,andthenrolledcarefullyonhisrightside;thebuzzardliftedswiftlyonthehotthermalcurrentsrisingfromthejunctureofthebeachandthethunderingsea.HewatcheditsoaruptotheruinsoftheoldArabwatchtoweronthesandstonecliffabove.Itperchedthere,andwaited.

Hisleftarmached.Thenoiseofthesurfandthesmokyspumefromthenearbybreakerstouchedhim.Thesunwasalreadyhot,ashotasanydawnontheshoresoftheGulfofOmaninAugust.Hesquintedagainstitsstingingrays,awareofastiffnessinhisface,abruiseonhistemple,afeelingthatsomeonehadstoodoverhimwithasledgehammerandsuccessivelypoundedeachandeveryportionofhisanatomy.

Hedidnotknowhowlonghehadbeenout.Hehadcomealongwaylastnight,flyingeastonthePamAmjet,outofIstanbul.Everythinghadbeenroutine.ThemilitaryjeepmethimattheKarachiairportintherelativecoolnessoffouro’clockinthemorning.HehadexpectedtogodirectlytotheEmbassyandtalktoDanielDonegan,butthePakistanidriver,slimanddark-hairedandhawk-faced,verytriminhiskhakiuniform,hadtakenhimsomewhereelse,supposedlyforanimmediateinterviewwithColonelK’Ayub.

Durellsatup.Hewonderedwhyhewasstillalive.Inhisbusiness,amoment’scarelessnesscouldusuallybeequatedwithdisaster.Herememberedthedriver’sname.MahmudAli.AscommonasJohnSmith,inthispartoftheworld.Heblinkedattheglaringsunandturnedhisheadwithcaretoexaminethebeach.

Therewasnothingtobeseenexcepttheblazeofwhitesandandthelonglinesofcomberssmashingbelligerentlyatthecoast,ineitherdirection,asfarastheeyecouldsee.Tothesouth,wherehewouldhavetogo,ifpossible,theshorecurvedslightlyeastwardandwaslost,atadistanceofsomemiles,beyondthebulkofaclaycliffscarp.Ontheseaitself,thehorizonwasmarredbyathinplumeofsmokefromatankerfunnel.Closerathand,butasfarasthemoon,wasthebellieddirtysailofanArabdhowcatchingthemorningwind.

Hebegantosweat.Iftheobjectofthejeepridehadbeentokillhim,andtheimmediateeffortwasfrustrated—althoughhehadnoclearmemoryofwhathadhappenedupthereattheArabwatchtower—thenitsultimatepurposemightstillbeachieved,unlesshecouldgetawayfromherefast.Thesunwasamagnet,suckingliquidfromeverypore,draininghimofvitality.

“Mahmud!”hecalled.

Hiscrystartledthebuzzardonthewatchtowerandittookoffreluctantly,onenormousflappingwingsthatmadeaseriesofsharpreportsinthehot,smokyatmospherebeforeitvanishedovertheedgeofthecliff.Durellstoodupandlookedforthedriverofthemilitaryjeep.

“Mahmud!”hecalledagain.

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Hesawthejeepatthefootofthewatchtower,aboutfiftyyardsfromwherehehadawakened.Durelltookoffhiscoat,slungitoverhisshoulder,andploddedacrossthesandtowardit.Thenhepausedandturnedaroundandwentbackacrossthebeachtowherehehadbeenfirst,andlookedforhisgun.

Hecouldnotfindit.

HehadbeenwearingadarkbluesuitandwhitecottonshirtandadarkblueknittednecktiewhenheboardedthePamAmplaneinIstanbul,withorderstoseeDoneganinKarachiandmakeimmediatecontactwithMissSarahStandish.Thesuitcoathadaspecialpockettailoredinitforthesnubby-barreled.38revolverhepreferredtothetrickitemsissuedbythelabboysatNo.20AnnapolisStreetinWashington,huboftheKSectionnetworkoftheCIAthatspreadoutallovertheworld.

Helookedfortheguninthesand,smoothingthegrainswiththesolesofhisshoes.Itwasnotthere.Hedroppedtohisknees,worriednow,evenalittleafraid,becauseMahmudAlihadhadaU.S.Colt’s.45inawebbeltandamachine-pistolinthejeep,andthelastthingherememberedwasthatMahmudAlihadtoldhimhewasgoingtokillhim.

Thegunwasgone.

Hestraightened,regrettinghavingcalledtheother’sname.Thebeachwaslonely,empty.Thesurfcrashedandthundered,theseagullsmewed,thekitessoaredpatientlyoverhead.Thebuzzard,however,wasgone.

Thejeeplayonitsback,fatwheelsuppermost,likeabeetleturnedoverandhelplesswithitslegsintheair.Thefrontendwasbadlycrumpledwhereithadstruckafteritsfallfromtheroadontopofthecliff,wherethefirsterodedwallsoftheancientwatchtowerliftedintotheyellowsky.Durellwalkedcarefullytothejeep.Theexertionmadesweatpouroutofhim,andheloosenedhisnecktieandthenfeltforhiswalletwhichcontainedfivethousanddollarsfromHenryKallinger,theKSectionmaninIstanbul,forwhichhehadsignedanexpensechit,andhisIDcards.Hewasnottravelingunderacoveridentitythistime.

Hestillhadhiswallet.Hewishedhestillhadthegun.

Thenhefoundthemachine-pistol,aWorldWarIISchmeiserofGermanmanufacture,stickinghalfoutfromunderthebodyofthetanjeep.Thesunhadtoucheditanditwasscaldinghot,buthepickeditupandfeltbetterwithitinhishand.

Therewasstillnosignofthemanwhohadbroughthimoutheretokillhim.

Itwasnotanauspiciousbeginning,hethought.HehadbeentoldinIstanbulthathisfirstcontactforthistripintothenorthtoPakhustiprovincewouldbeSarahStandish.Donegan,inKarachi,wouldbriefhimfurther.Hehadnotexpectedtreacherysosoon.

Hiswatchwasstillrunningandhesawitwasonlysixo’clockinthemorning,andalreadyonthebeachthetemperaturewaswellover100degreesanditwouldgetsteadilyhotter.Hehadnotbeenknockedoutforverylongbythefalloverthecliff.Anhour,atthemost.Enoughforthesuntoriseandthebuzzardtofindhim.

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Hestrippedoffhisclothes,awareofthebittersolitudeofthewastelandaroundhim.Thetankerontheseahadgoneoverthehorizon.TheArabdhowhadinchedfartheraway,southward.Hewalkedacrossthehotsandandwentintothelukewarmsurfandbathedclottedbloodawayfromalongscratchacrosshisribsandanothergashonhisleftleg,obtainedwhenhewentoverthewindshieldofthejeepandfellfreedownthecliff.Thecomberspushedandhauledathim,andhedidnotstayinthewaterlong.Bythetimehewalkedbacktothethinlineofshadowunderthewatchtower,thewetnesshaddriedoffhistannedskin.

Durellwasatallman,welloversixfeet,withblackhairtingedgrayatthetemples.Hewassolidlybuilt,withaheavymusculature,buthemovedandwalkedwithalightandeasymanner,ingoodco-ordination,likeamaninajunglewaryofsnakesandpitfalls.Heoftenthoughtofhisworldandhisbusinessasajungle.Hehadstronghands,withdelicateandagilefingers,equallyadeptatmanipulatingcardsorinuseasdevastatingandlethalweapons.

HewonderedifhehadkilledMahmudAliwiththatsurprisekarateblow.Hehopednot.Hehadsomequestionstoask.

Durellscannedthebeachwithsomber,darkblueeyesthatseemedanangry,killingblackinthesunlight.Hehadawayofholdinghisheadasifhewerelisteningforsomethingmorethanthecryingofthebirdsandthethunderofthesurf.InDurell’sbusiness,whichwasthecoldwarofdefense,silentlyfoughtineveryalleyofeverycityintheworld,youneverenteredaroomcarelessly,younevertonedacornerwithoutconsideringwhatmightliebehindit,younevertookfriendorfoeforgranted.Hehadknownmanygoodmenwhosemomentsofcarelessnessprovedarendezvouswitheternity.Hisownsafetyfactor,hereflected,hadlongrunout.Buthewasagambler,trainedincalculatedrisksbyhisoldgrandfatherJonathan,downinBayouPecheRoucheintheLouisianadeltacountry.TheoldCajunhadbeenthelastoftheriverboatbreed,shrewdinthewaysofmenandcards.HehadtaughtDurellwell,asaboy,andthemantodayrememberedthelessons.

Buthehadbeenalmostfatallycarelessanhourago.Eventhoughtherehadbeennocauseforsuspicion,itwashisjobtobesuspicious.

Andatthismoment,thesilenceitselfwassuspicious.Thekitesandthebuzzardhadgoneawayfromthewatchtower.

ThetowerloomedinsilhouetteagainsttheochreskyandthescorchingsunoftheSind.Itsrounded,ancientbasewascrumbling.Thestructurewaslong-abandoned,onceaguideforthedhows,thoseArabboatswhosedesignhadnotchangedinathousandyears,whosetradeingold,spicesandslavestooktheirbrownsailstoeverycorneroftheglitteringArabianandIndianSeas.Aseriesofstepscutintothestonetowercircledtothebatteredpinnacle.Nothingmovedupthere.Thesearingsunwasbehindthetower,turningitblackagainstthewhiteglare,defyingdetail.

Durellmovedawayfromthewreckedjeep.TheSchmeiserpistolinhisgripwasalmosttoohottohandle,fromhavinglaininthesun.Thesurfthunderedheavilybehindhim.

Theshotcameabruptly,ahardflatsoundagainstthebrazensky.Thereportwasfamiliar.Itcamefromhisowngun.

ThebulletkickedupalittlespurtofsandfiveyardsfromDurell’sleftfoot.Abadshot.

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ButMahmudAli,orthemanwhohadtakenAli’splaceinColonelK’Ayub’sjeep,wasstillaliveupthere.

Durellrantotheshadowsatthebaseoftheclaycliff,theairlikeironinhislungs,andthenhalted.Therewasnosecondshot.Aseagullskimmedlowoverthesurfbehindhim.Thedhowwasoutofsight.Thetowerloomedoverhead.

Hebegantoclimbthecliffwithcare,keepingtothedarkestshadow.Hislegstrembled,andthegashonhisleftthighbegantobleedagain,andhisleftarmachedwhenthebonewasbruisedbyhisfall.Hewashalfwayupwhenasmallstonecameclickingandtumblingdowntheslopeofsandandshale.Nothingfollowed.Hewaitedforseverallongbreaths,sweating,andthenclimbeduptothefootofthecircularstepscutintothebaseoftheoldstonetower.

“Mahmud!”hecalled.

Hisvoiceechoed,wasswallowedupbythesun.

HeconsideredthestonestairwaycutintotheroundtowerPartofthetimethatheascended,hewouldbeexposedtoviewfromthetop.Partofthetimehewouldbesafe.

Youcan’thaveeverything,hethought.

Hehitthestepsatahard,fastrun,takingthemtwothenthreeatatime.Hismomentumswunghimperilouslyoutwardtotheedge.Heglimpsedthebrazensea,thewastelandofinnerdesertcalledtheSind,thebeachfarbelowfromthisheight.Therewerenoroomsinthetower,onlyaplatformshelteredbehindthemedieval,crenelatedblockofthetopmostwall.Halfwayuphestopped,flatagainstthehotstones.Theysearedthroughhisshirt,burnedintohisshoulders.Hepushedawayagain,madethelasttwodizzyingcircuitsofthecircularstairwayinafinalrush.

OnthelastfewstepshesawdriedstreaksofbloodwhereMahmudAlihaddraggedhimselfontotheplatform.Itwastoolatetostop.HehadtheSchmeiserreadywhenhesteppedthroughtheopeninginthetopwallandjumpeddownontotheplatform.

Heneednothavebeensowary.

Thedriversprawledonhisface,Durell’sgunonthestonefloorafewinchesfromhishand,hisheadthrustpartlythroughoneofthefireopeningsinthewatchtowerwall.Therewasalotofdriedbloodonthesandyfloor.

Durelldrewadeepbreathandwalkedovertothemanandturnedhimover.MahmudAli’seyeswereopen.Theywerealivewithhatred.

Durelllookeddownathimandfeltinhissweat-soakedshirtpocketforacrumpledpackofCamels.Thehelplessmanglaredupathim.DurelllittwocigarettesandhandedonetoAli,whotookitwithnochangeofexpressiononhisgrayface.

“Obviously,”Durellsaid,“youmissed.”

“Iwastooweaktoaimproperly,”AlisaidinEnglish.

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“Areyoubadlyhurt?”

“Iamdying.”

“Ithinknot,”Durellsaid.“Perhapsnotyet.”

“Youwillkillmenow?”

“Notyet,”Durellrepeated.“Firstyouwilltalktome.”

Themantookthecigarettefromhisgraylipsandmadeaspittingsound,thenbegantovomitoverhimself,tryingtoturnhisbodytoeasethespasms,butunabletomove.Durelldidnottouchhim.HesawthatMahmudAli’sleftarmwasbroken,andtherewasasplinterofbrokenribstickingoutoftheman’smilitarykhakishirt.HepickeduphisgunfromthesandyfloorandpocketeditandkeptagripontheSchmeiserhehadtakenfromthejeep.Theairbegantosmellsour.Afteramomentortwo,theman’ssicknesspassed.

“Doesithurtyoutobreath?”Durellaskedquietly.

“Ithurtstolive.”

“Yourchestiscrushed?”

“Ifellonastonefromthejeep.”

“Whydidyoubringmehere?”

“Tokillyou.”

“Why?”

“Tostopyou.”

“Why?”

“Itwasordered.”

“Bywhom?”

Themanglaredathimandtriedtositupandfainted.Durellwaited.Hefeltthefirsttouchofthirst,andknewthatinthissunlighthecouldbedehydratedanddeadbeforeevening.Fromthetopofthetowerhehadafineviewofthecoast.Karachiwastothesouth,buthecouldnotseeitovertheblazingdesertdunes.TheSindhadbeenawastelandforthousandsofyears,adeathtrapforancientinvadinganddefendingarmiesthatclashedontheflanksofthesub-continentofIndia.SouthwardwastheIndusRiverbutthewaters,pendingirrigationprojectsthatneverseemedtobecompleted,hadnotreachedhereandperhapsneve:would.Hawk’sbay,theformerEnglishbeachsuburbofKarachi,wasatleasttenorfifteenmilesdownthecoasttojudgefromthedistancehehadinnocentlyriddeninthejeepwiththeunconsciousman.Herememberedtheyhadfollowedaroadandhadseenthelightsofhouses,afterleavingthepredawnquietofKarachi’smodernizedboulevards,andthentherehadbeenonlythisdesert,

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asimpleandprimitivetrackthatfollowedthesandstoneandclayscarpabovethebeach.

Nobodywasinsight,whereverhelooked.

Hewouldhavetowalkback.

Ifhecould.

HesquatteddownbesideAliastheman’seyelidsflutteredAliwhispered,“Youhavewater?”

“No.”

“Good.Sowewillbothdie.”

“WhatharmdidIdotoyou,Mahmud?”

“Youarehere.Youplantogonorth.Itisenough.”“WhatdoyouknowofwhyIamhere?Icameasafriend.”

“No.Asanenemy.”MahmudAlishookhisheadrollingthebackofhisskullwithagrislysoundonthehardstonefloor.Ashadowofwingssilentlycrossedthetopofthetower.Thebuzzardhadreturned.“Iknownothingmore.Iwastokillyou.Iobeyorders.”

“Whoseorders?”

Themanwassilent.

“Donegan’s?ColonelK’Ayub?”

Alimadeaspitting,negativesoundofhatred.

“Youarenotoneofthecolonel’smountainpatrol?”

“Icomefromthemountains.Thisplaceisahell,cursebyAllah.Idespiseit.ButIwassenthereandIdidwhatwastoldtodo.”

DurellswitchedsuddenlytoPakhustidialect.“YoucomefromMirandhabad,don’tyou?”

“Itismyhome,yes—”Themancursed.“Youspeakmytongue.Youtrickedme.Butwewillbothdie.Myjobisdone.”

“Ithinknot,”Durellsaid.“We’regoingtowalkback.“Icannotwalk.”

“Youwillwalkwithme,”Durellsaid.

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chaptertwoINISTANBUL,theCIAmanatthedropwasHenryKallinger,aleanandstoop-shoulderedmanwiththefaceandeyesofanaccountant.KallingerhadtakentoabushyTurkishmilitarymoustache,andhiseyeswereheavy-lidded,droopingandapparentlysleepy,sothatyousawonlyakindofdarknessunderthebushybrows,withnothingbutasenseoftiredness,ofpatientexhaustioninhisface,likethatofanoverworkeddraftanimal.

InthesmallroomoverlookingtheBosphorus,whereyoucouldseethelittleferriesplyingbackandforthbetweenEuropeandAsia,abovethewarehouseshedsredolentwiththescentofTurkishtobacco—Kallinger’scoverwasthatofanexporteroftobaccotoallpartsoftheworld,andhehadlivedinIstanbulfortwenty-twoyears—Durellhadlistenedtotheman’sslow,evenapologies.

“I’msorry,Cajun.Iknowyou’reduebackintheStates.Butweneedyou.Thisonehaswhatourhappybureaucratscalltoppriority.Andwhathasn’t?Everythingisclassified,everythinggrowsoutofacrisis,likemushroomsinabedofhorsemanure.Theydon’tstoperupting.”

“YouaskedmeifIrememberanyPakhustidialectandUrdu,”Durellsaid.“IsthatwhereI’mgoing?”

“Howmanylanguagesdoyoureallyspeak,Sam?”“Eleven,”Durellsaid.“Andasmanymoredialects.Youknowallthesethings.Youhavemydossier.Everybodyhasit.”

“Yes.ButI’llbetoursisn’tascompleteastheoneatNo.2DzherzinskySquare,inMoscow.”

“Let’shopethereareafewpagesmissingintheMVDfiles,”Durellsaidquietly.“WhyPakhustiprovince?It’supinthehighHimalayas,withoutmuchfrontiertoseparateitfromPakistan,Afghanistanand—last,butnotleast—SinkiangProvinceofChina.”

Kallingersighed.“Exactly.Precisely.Whereelse?”

“There’salwaystroubleinthatarea.ThePakistangovernmentusuallyhandlesit.”

“There’salsonickelupthere,”Kallingersaid.

“Nickel?”

“Apparentlyquitealot.Enoughtomakeupforwhatwe’velostinCuba.Averystrategicmetal,Sam.Itgoesintoallkindofenginesandmachinery,allkindsofrocketcomponents.Littlebylittle,ifwecontinuetolosetheworld’sresources,welosetheColdWar.StrategicMaterielspeopleareinaflap.It’spartoftheover-allstrategicconcepts,toborrowanotheroneofthePentagon’sdamnedphrases.Moremushrooms,tome.”

“I’mnotageologist,”Durellsaid.

“Canyouclimbmountains?”

“I’vedoneit.”

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“That’sallweneedyoufor.Thenickelorewasfoundandlostagain.Theoriginalgeologist’ssurveywasstolen,lostordestroyed—orsoldtotheChinese,whoknowaboutit—Godknowshow.They’llbepushingpatrolsoverthehillsfromSinkiangtograbitbymilitaryforce,iftheygettherefirst.StandishNickel,Incorporated,withtheblessingsofourStateDepartment,hasalreadyconcludedacontractwiththePakistangovernmenttoexploitthenickelore—ifitcanbefoundagain.Andit’sgottobefound,Cajun.You’vegottofindit.”

“Pakistandoesn’texercisemuchcontroloverthePak-hustis,”Durellsaid.“AndthePathansareintheway,besidestheChinesejustoverthehill,asyousuggest.”

“You’llhaveamilitaryescortallthewaywiththeexpedition.”

“Whatexpedition?”

“ToS-5,naturally.That’swherethenickelissupposedtobe.S-5happenstobeamountainthat’salsocalledAlexander’sCrown.Everhearofit?”

“No,”Durellsaid.

“Readthis,then,”Kallingersaid.

HepushedtwonewspaperclippingsacrossthesmalltabletoDurell.DurellreadtheminthelightthatcamsthroughthewindowfromovertheBosphorus.

ThefirstwasfromAlAhram,anEnglish-languagePakistannewspaperofreasonablygoodrepute:

—Rawalpindi,June7.Ithasbeenreportedthatthreesurvivorsoftheill-fatedAustrianmountain-climbingexpeditiontoexploreandscaleAlexander’sCrown,thefrontierpeaklabeledasS-5inPakhustiState,areontheirwaybacktothiscity.Threemalemembersofthegroupareknowntobedead,eitherthroughaccidentordifficultieswithlocaldissidenttribesmen.Thesurvivors,twomenandawoman,areexpectedinRawalpindiinamatterofdays.

ThesecondclippingwasfromtheNewYorkTimes,datedtwoweekslater:

—Karachi,June22—TwosurvivorsofthevonBuhlenexpeditiontothemountainousStateofPakhustiarrivedheretodayandmadeimmediatepreparationsforanewassaultonS-5.Interviewedheretoday,AlessavonBuhlenmerelystatedthattherehadbeennosuccessinherattempttoverifythefabledstoryofXenos’marchtorecoverthecrownofAlexandertheGreat.

HansSteicher,thewellknownAlpineguidewholedtheexpedition,aswellastwoothermissionsofBritishandItalianorigininthepastyears,hadnocommentonthedisastrousfailureoftheromanticattempt.

Theadventurers’assaultonS-5wasbasedonanobscurelegendlongknowntomilitaryhistoriansofAlexandertheGreat’sAsianconquests.ProfessorDamonD.JohnstoneofColumbiaUniversity,aspecialistinHellenicantiquitiesofAlexander’stime,deniedanypossibletruthtothetaleofXenos’marchwithathousandmentoretrieveacrownyieldedtotheMacedonianconquerorbyakingoftheIndusovertwothousandyearsago.FragmentsofBuddhistwritingsandfablesthatsurvivetheMogulconquestsinlatercenturiescontainobscureallusionstothemassacreofthethousandfootsoldiersof

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Alexander’sarmy,butthesearegenerallydiscountedaslocalfolklore,ProfessorJohnstonesaid.

Thetwosurvivors,whowillbejoinedbyselectedothers,remaininKarachiforanewexpeditiontobeimmediatelyreorganizedforasecondattemptatS-5,accordingtoDr.AlessavonBuhlen.

KallingeryawnedandbrushedhisshaggyTurkishmoustacheasDurellreturnedthetwoclippings.“ThefirstofthesecamebycourierfromRawalpindiyesterday.TheNewYorkTimesitemwasinabatchofstufffromWashingtonthismorning.Iputitalltogetherforyou,Sam.”

“Inoticethere’snothingintheseclippingsaboutnickel,”Durellcommented.

“Naturally.Whatreallyhappenedwasthatthisclimbingexpeditionafterallegedancienttreasureranintohardluckalltheway.Badweather,defectingporters,alienatedtribesmen—evensomeChinesemilitarypatrolsstickingtheirnosesovertheSinkiangborder.Thefrontieratthatpointisrathervague,youknow.Evenso,theyallcamedownoffS-5alive,accordingthePakistanmilitaryreport.TherewastroublewiththePakhustisundertheirEmiratMirandhabadforsometime—theEmirhasbeenpushingforautonomy,backedbythePathans,Afghanistan,andtheChinese.Buttheclimberswerealldefinitelyalive—whentheycamedownoffS-5—fivemenandthegirl,AlessavonBuhlen.Herdoctorateisinancienthistory,bytheway.Itwasafterwardthatthingsbegantohappen.Disappearances.Andmurder.OnlyHansSteicherandAlessa—whohappenstobebuiltontheorderoftheValkyries,bytheway,nomatterwhatheruniversitydegrees—pityIdon’thaveasnapshotforyou,Sam—andBergmann,ageologist,madeitbacktoRawalpindi.”

“ThenBergmanndisappeared,”Durellsaid.“TheTimessaystherewereonlytwosurvivors—AlessaandHansSteicher.”

Kallingernodded.OutontheBosphorus,atughooted.Itwasgrowingduskyinthetobaccoagent’soffice.LightsgleamedlikeiridescentjewelsontheEuropeansideofthestraits.

“ThePakistansecuritypolicereporttwoattackssince,oneonAlessa,anotheronHans.AknifethrownatAlessa,andamuggingjobonSteicher.Nopermanentdamage.Obviously,someonewantstosilenceeverybodywhohuntedabominablesnowmen,nickelandjewelsonS-5,eh?”

“Youthinkit’sbecauseofthenickelore?”Durellasked.

“Bergmannmadeareport,andamap,andbothdisappearedwithhim.You’llhavetofindout.We’rereasonablysuretheallegedtreasurewasn’tfound,andevenifitwere,wearen’tinterested.ButBergmannwasexcitedaboutthenickelstrike,andtalkedaboutitbeforehevanished.Washingtonwantstoknowwhatwasreallyfoundupthere.Somebodyistryingtostopthesepeoplefromgoingback—maybetheEmiratMirandhabad,maybetheChinese,maybeyourfriendsatNo.2DzherzinskySquare.ThesecondexpeditionfittingoutnowhastheimmediateblessingsofAmericanandPakistaninterests.Andthere’smore.”

KallingertookanenvelopefromhisdeskandhandedittoDurell.Itcontainedfivethousanddollars.

Durellsmiled.“You’vecountedit?”

“Everypenny.I’mabusinessman.Itshouldcoverexpenses.”

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“Who’scoveringthecostofthenewexpedition?TheytakealittlemoretofinancethanarideontheStatenIslandferry.”

“SarahStandish.TheStandish.She’sgoingalong.You’regoing,too,asSarah’sbodyguard.We’dhatetohaveanythinghappentoher.”Kallinger’sdark,sunkeneyesmightormightnothavebeenamused.“Therichest,nickel-platedmemberofParkAvenuesociety.Theworld’sbest-knownbusinesswoman.HeadofStandishNickel,unromantic,hornrimmedglasses,andthedespairofeverycouturierinParis,RomeandHouston.She’sinlove,Sam.”

Hewaited.

Kallingerseemeddisappointed.“She’sinlovewithAlessavonBuhlen’sbrother,Rudi.Ihaveathumbnaildossieronhimforyou.He’sinKarachinow,withMissStandish.HansSteicherisin’Pindi.RudiandSarahmaybeenjoyingapre-maritalhoneymoon.Iwouldn’tknow.Maybemoralschangewhenyougetuptoeighthundredmillions,giveortakeafewscore.AlthoughImustsay,SarahStandishhasneverhadabreathofscandaltouchher,givingherthebenefitofthedoubt.Anyway,she’sfinancingthenewexpeditionandgoingalong.DoyouwanttoreadRudivonBuhlen’sdossier?”

“Tellme,”Durellsuggested.

“Youlookannoyed,Cajun.”

“Idon’tlookforwardtobeingabodyguardandanursemaid.”

“It’sallintheday’swork,Sam.”

“Notmykindofwork,”Durellsaid.

“Thinkofallthatmoney!”Kallingerprotested.

“Youthinkofit,Harry.Itmaybebiginyourbusinessman’smind,butnottome.”

“She’sindanger.Lookwhathappenedtotheoriginalexpedition.Wecan’ttakechances;wecan’tletanythinghappentoher.”

“Ifshe’sworried,letherhireanarmy.Shecanaffordit.”Durellpaused.“Shecandowhatevershelikes.”

“Butsheisn’tworried,Cajun,that’sthetrouble.OurStateDepartmentpeoplehadahellofatimewithher.Sheinsistsshe’sonlyinterestedinthehistoricalandarcheologicalaspectsofwhat’sonS-5.Nickelinitselfdoesn’tinteresther.That’sfortheemployees,shesays.Asfordanger,shefeelsthatRudiiscompanyandprotectionenoughforher.”

Durell’smouthtightened.“TellmeaboutRudi.”Kallingerlaugheddourly.“RudilooksmoreEnglishthanAustrian—wearshishairlong,Englishstyle,overhisears.Prettygoodmountain-climber,too—intheAlps.FullnameisRudolfWolfgangFreihausenvonBuhlen.Age31,bomVienna,fatheraBritishlegationcolonel,nowdeceased,motherabaronessoftheHapsburgnobility,livingonpensionsandnostalgicdreamsofEmperorFranzJosef’stime.RudiwaseducatedattheHausfuldenGymnasium,thentheSorbonne,andtookagraduatedegreeatOxford.Helivesextravagantly.Nopolitical

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identifications,butanunclewasconnectedwiththeRoteKapelle—the“RedOrchestra”affairin1942,aGermanCommunistespionagenetworkrunbyoldandprominentGermanfamilies.Ittookguts,underHitler.TheRoteKapellepeoplewereuncoveredbytheAbwehrandmostofthemwereexecuted,chargedwithhightreason,alongwithagrandsonofAdmiralvonTirpitz.TheywerehungfrommeathooksborrowedfromaBerlinabattoir.Hitlerenjoyedtheview.Anyway,somuchfortheuncle.Rudiprofessesnopolitics.InterestedCajun?”

“Goon.”

“RudidrivesaFerarri,racesatCannes,climbstheAlps.MarriedanEnglishheiress,ElizabethDunning-Broome,in’55,divorcedinMexicoCityin’59.Nofinancialsettlement.Gamblesalot,playsinRivierasociety,arrestedtwiceonvicecharges,bothtimesdismissed,andisreputedtohavesleptwithahellofalotofwomen.HemetourNickelQueeninSwitzerlandlastwinterataskiingparty.SarahStandishfinallyfell.She’sinlove,asIsaid.”

“Idoubtthat,”Durellsaid.“I’vemether.”

Kallingernodded.“Iknowyouhave.That’swhythelongarmofKSectionpluckedyououtofyourcozyvilladownthecoastandinterruptedyourvacation—andyourlove-lifewiththatItalianbrunette,ofwhichIknowofficiallynothing,mindyou—andisorderingyoutoKarachitolookafterSarah.”

Durellsaidoneword,briefly.

“Igatherfromthat,”Kallingersaid,“thatyoudon’tlikethejobwithSarah.Haveyoucountedthatfivethousanddollars,Sam?”

“Idon’thaveto,ifyoudid.”

“Thensignthisreceipt.”

Durellsigned.“WhataboutAlessavonBuhlen—theValkyriewithadoctorate?”

Kallingerlookedembarrassed.“IblewallmyconceitinquotingRudi’sdossier,Sam.Wedon’thaveasmuch.Beautifulandbrainy.HerPh.DinhistorycamefromtheSorbonne—Greekhistory,naturally.Theysaythetumble-downfamilyschloss—theiroldcastleoutsideofVienna—isamuseumofantiquepieces.Anathletictype,too—sheskisandclimbsmountains.Noromanticattachmentsweknowof.Doesallthisgiveyouideas,Cajun?”

“Some,”Durellsaid.

“Havefun,then.”

Onhiswaytotheairportlater,DurellreflectedonwhatheknewofSarahStandish.HehadmetherattwoWashingtoncocktailpartiesandoncehadbeeninvited,withDeirdrePadgett,totheStandishsummerestateatSouthampton,onLongIsland.DeirdrewenttofinishingschoolwithSarah,andtheywerereasonablygoodfriends—orasfriendlyasyoucanbewitheighthundredmilliondollars.

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Durell’simpressionsofSouthamptonwerenotthebest.Maybeitwastheauraofallthatmoneywhich,whoevertheindividualowningit,lendsanairthatsetsyouapartfromnormalcy.Vastwealthhasitscorollaryinisolation—splendid,perhaps,butinevitablydisturbing.Itlentanarroganceandindifferencetothenormalproblemsandethicsofordinarymen.

SarahStandishwasnotpopularinthegossipcolumns;shedidnotbelongtothecelebrityset,likeotherfashionableheiresses.Shewasquiet,repressed,notbeautiful,giventotweedysuitsandpainfullysimplehairstyles.Herescortswerealwaysdiscreetandanonymous.UntilherengagementtoRudivonBuhleninSwitzerlandlastyear,nohintofromancehadevertouchedherausterepersonality.Untilthen,theprivatelifeoftheNickelQueenwasanenigma,jealouslyguardedagainstsensationalism.

DuringtheSouthamptonweekend,Durellhadseenverylittleofhishostess.Butwhathesaw,heremembered.

Sherarelysmiled.Shehadaratherwidemouth,onlyfaintlytouchedwithlipstick,abroadandintelligentforehead,wideandsolemngrayeyes,paleandsmoky.Hermannerwasearnest,whetherplayingtennisorsittingattheheadofherdinnertable.Atallgirl,sheaffectedonlythesimplestofjewelry;herquietvoicegavetheimpressionthatshewasthinkingofthingsotherthanherimmediatewords.ShetookapersonalinterestinthecomplexcorporatestructuresofStandishNickel.Partofherweekendhadbeentakenupbylengthyconferenceswithexecutivetypeswhocameuptotheramblingestate,closetedthemselveswithherinheroffice,anddroveawayagainwithoutminglingwiththeotherguests.

DurellrememberedDeirdrePadgett’scommentaboutSarah’sengagement.

“I’mworriedaboutit,”Deirdresaid.“FromwhatIknowaboutRudi,he’sthetypewhocanbreakSarah’sheart.”

“Youcan’tdoanythingaboutit,”Durelltoldher.“AgirllikeSarahStandishisgoingtodowhatevershepleases.”

“Iknow.Andthat’sthetrouble.She’sreallyshy,intenselylonely,andquitestarvedforaffection,Ithink.”

“Underthatgrimexterior?”

“Imaybewrong.I’vereallylosttouchwithher,afteralltheseyears.Butshe’sreachingforlove,andshemaybehurt.NotalltheStandishmoneycanhelpherinthat.”Durellhadhadothermattersonhismindthen.HeneverexpectedtocrossSarah’spathagain.Andnowhewasassignedtoplaybodyguardtoherarbitraryandneuroticpersonality.

Hedidnotlookforwardtoit.

HeleftIstanbulanhourafterhisconversationwithHenryKallinger,catchingthePanAmericanOrientjetthatsethimdowninKarachijustbeforedawn.

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chapterthreePATIENCEwassomethingyoulearned,absorbed,andhadpoundedintoyoubyitsexerciseandthegrimexamplesofthosewhohadfailedtopracticeit.Patiencecouldmeanlongdaysofsolitudeinadismal,ill-smellingroom,watchingadoorwayacrossthestreet—-orsimplydoingnothing,untiltheothersidemadeamove,goadedbyyourinactivity.Oritcouldmeanfacingfrustrationwithnewresolveandnewtactics.Orenduringthemonotonyofaroutinethatinvolvedthehurry-up-and-waittempoofwar.

Patienceinthiscase,Durellthought,consistedofsteadily,grimly,unendinglyputtingyourleftfootaheadinthesoft,yieldingsand,throwingyourweightforwardonhipandknee,andusingthemomentumthusgainedtogetyourrightfootupthereforjustonemorestepahead.Andthenanother.Andanother.Againandagain.

Patiencemeanttokeepwalking.Tostayalive.

Therecameatimewhenhehadtostop.Andthis,too,wasapartofhispatience.

Thesunandtheheatwereincredible.Ploddingbetweenthebrazensandandtheshiningsea,heseemedtobemotionless,makingnoprogress,likeabuginthebottomofadeep,slipperybowlwherealltheunbelievableradianceofthesky,desertandoceanpouredinandconcentratedinonevastflametodestroyhim.

Thebuzzardsandthekitescircledsteadilyoverheadnow,darkandsilentshadowsinthebrillianceofthemorningsky.

TheancientArabwatchtowerwasoutofsightbehindhim.Ahead,therewasnothingdifferent.HesawanotherdhowfaroutontheGulf.Therewasnowind.Hewasgratefulforthis,becausethewindwouldhavecutathimlikeahot,meltingknife.Inland,tohisleft,therewasnothingbutsand,rockandscorpions,aseriesofnaturalterracesdevoidofanyscrapofgreen,risingtoashimmeringandunnaturalhorizon.

“FortheloveofAllah!”MahmudAligasped.

Themanfelltohiskneesintheshadowofabronze-coloredboulder.

“Leavemehere,”hewhispered.“Orkillmenow.”Durellstoodonhisfeet.“Getupandwalkwithme.”

“Icannot.”

“Youmust!”

“Iwanttodie.”

“Soyoushall,”Durellsaid.“Veryslowly,andwithmuchmorepainthanyounowsuffer.”

Theman’sfacewasskeletal.Hecoughedalittlesputum,andtherewassomebloodinit.Hisbroken

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armdangleduselesslyathissideasheswayedonhisknees.Durelllookeddownathimwithoutexpression.Hismouthwasasdryasthesand;hisbodyachedandflamed.Hehadtompartofhiswhiteshirtasabandagetostopthesuperficialbleedingofhisleftleg,andsofarhehadbeenabletogoon,determinedtolive.HeheldtheSchmeiserlowered,inhishandathisrightside.

Theassassinhadtoldhimlittle,untilnow.Whenhehadstoppedthejeepinthedawnatthebaseofthewatchtower,twohoursago,hehadbeenfollowingsimpleorderstokillDurell.Durellhadactedfirst,butinthestruggle,MahmudAlifellfromthejeep,thecarwentovertheclifftothebeachbelow,andDurellfellfreewithit.MahmudAlihadmanagedtocrawltothetopofthetowertolookforhim.HehadnotbeenabletofindstrengthtofireathimuntilatlasthesqueezedoffthesingleshotthathadwarnedDurell.Nowtheywerebothabandoned,dying,lost.Durellwouldnotadmitthis.

“AmItheonlyonewhowassignedfordeath?”heasked.

“No,”Mahmudwhispered.

“Whoaretheothers?”

“Therichone.TherichAmericanlady.”

“SarahStandish?”

“Thatishername.”

“Andwhoelse?”

“Alltheotherswhowouldclimbthemountain.”

“Why?”

“Iamasimpleman.Asoldier.Ineveraskwhy.Itisnotforme,suchaquestion.Toaskitistoaskfortheswordatmythroat.”

“Supposeyouweretoask,anyway?”Durellinsisted.“Whowouldyouasksuchaquestion?”

Themansaidnothing.

“Youaredying,”Durelltoldhim.“WillyouspeakofmurdertoAllah?”

“IfHeasks,”Mahmudwhispered.

“Getup.YouwillspeakofittotheofficialsinKarachi.”

“Icannotgetup.”

Durellpaused.Hedidnotknowhowmuchfartherhehadtowalkthroughthisinfernotofindsomeonewhomighthelp.Perhapsallday.Orforever.Hedidnotknowifanyoneevenknewhewasmissing.Kallinger,inIstanbul,hadtoldhimtoworkwithColonelK’Ayub,aPakistansecurityofficerwhowouldcommandtheescortpatrolwiththeexpedition.WasK’Ayubevenawarethathehadlandedin

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KarachiearlythismorningandhadbeenswallowedupinthesandsoftheSind?DidK’Ayubevenmisshisjeep,hismilitarydriverwhowassupposedtomeetDurellattheairport?

Theremight—ormightnot—beasearchforhim.

Helpmight—ormightnot—come.

Itwasamatteroftime,abalancebetweenthirstandheatandexhaustion.

Hewonderedabouttheothers—AlessavonBuhlen,Rudi,SarahStandish.Perhapshewastoolateforeverything.Perhapstheyhadallbeenkilledbynow,byotherhiredassassins,andhiseffortwasinvain.

HelookeddownatMahmudAli.

“Getup,”hesaid,oncemore.

AndhesawthatAliwasdead.

Hecoulddonothingforthedeadman.Hecouldnotsparethestrengthtoburyhimorpilestonesonhimagainstthecirclingbuzzards.Heturnedawayandwentonwalking,movingsouthalongtheshore,andhedidnotlookbackwhenthesilentwingsofthebirdscameswoopingdownbehindhimonthecurrentsoverthesurfandslantedintotheboulderwherethedeadmangrinnedatthebrightsky.

Hewalkedforanhour,restedtenminutes,walkedonagain.Thelanddidnotchange.Theseawasthesame.Theskymelted,pouringdownheatonhim.Hewashungryandthirsty,buthedidnotlethimselfthinkaboutit.

Towardnoonhesawamanonacamelthatploddedalongthebeach.Themanwasbundledinwhiterags,withadirtyturbanaroundhishead,andthecamellookedoldandshaggy,withbigpatchesofhairgonefromhishide.

Durellcalledouttothemanandwasastonishedattheharsh,drysoundofhisvoice.Themanstoppedthecamelandlookedathimandswungaboutonthesaddle,andfromtheothersideofhisbodyheproducedanoldrifleandpointeditathim.

Themanlookedlikehiscamel,oldanduglyandmorose,withspeculationinhiseyesasDurellwalkedasstraightashecouldacrossthesandtowardhim.DurellspokeinUrdu.

“Youhavewater?”heasked.

“Formyself,”themansaid.

“ImustgettoHawk’sBay.Youaregoingthere?”

“IfAllahwills.”

“Iwillpayyoutotakemeonyourcamelandbringmethere.”

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“Youhavemuchmoney?”

“Ihaveenough.”

Theman’sriflewasofPathanmake,handmanufacturedlikeajewelinthefarnorthernhills,polishedandgleaming,theonlycleanandefficientthingabouthim.“Youarealone?”

“Ihaveafriend,”Durellsaid.

“Iseenofriend.”

“Heishere,inmyhand,”Durellsaid,andshowedthemantheSchmeisermachine-pistol.

Itwasamistake,perhaps,buthecouldnotkeepstaringintothemuzzleoftheotherman’srifleforever.TheArablookedatthemachine-pistolforamomentandthenshruggedandshiftedhisskinnyweightonthecamelsaddleandthen,withnootherwarning,urgedthecamelintoanungainly,gallopingrunawayfromhim.Durellcouldhavebroughthimdownwithasingleshot,buthedidnottry.Hecouldn’thavecaughtthecamel,anyway.Hewatchedthetwoofthem,oldmanandoldcamel,untiltheyweregonefromsightdownthebeach,andthenhewalkedonagain.

Hestoppedtobathetwiceinthewarmsurfduringthenexttwohours.Thesecondtime,ashestaggeredoutofthecomberstoretrievehisclothes,heheardthegrindingofanengineandsawayellowLandRoverwithafringed-surreytopandoversizedbeachtirescomeacrossthesearingsand,directlytowardhim.HepickeduptheSchmeiserfirstandthensawthatthedriverwasanEnglishman,withaEuropeangirlinawhitelinendressbesidehim,nexttothedriver’sseat.Durelldressedquickly,beforethesaltwaterdriedonhim.Thegirllookedaway.TheEnglishmanjumpeddownfromthegaudyLandRoverandwalkedtowardhim.

“Isay,itisn’treallytruewhattheysayaboutus—noondaysunandmaddogsandallthat—”

“CanyoutakemetoHawk’sBay?”Durellasked.

“Ofcourse.It’sonlyfivemilesdowntheway.”

Fivemilesorfiveeternities,Durellthought.Hesmiledhisthanks.“I’dbeverygrateful.”

“Wewerelookingformysailboat,”theEnglishmansaid.Hiseyeswerebloodshot.“Sixteenfeet,home-built,paintedred,Marconirig.NewnylonsailsfromtheStates.Shebrokeawayfromhermooringinthewindtwonightsago.Wewentsouthyesterday,andwerestartingupheretoday.Perhapsitwasstolen.It’stiresometohavetonaileverythingdown.”TheEnglishmanwastryinghardnottobecurious,butitseemedtoDurellthatyoucouldcarryanationaltraittoofar.Hewonderedifthegirlwashiswife.“Yourcarbreakdown,oldman?”

“Inaway,”Durellsaid.“DoyouknowColonelK’Ayub?”“Naturally.Charmingfellow.Throwswonderfulcocktailparties.Lizadoreshim.”Nowheseemedgarrulous,foranEnglishman.“Whatareyoudoingwiththegun?Poppingatbuzzards?”

“Yes,”Durellsaid.“CouldyoutakemetoColonelK’Ayub?”

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“Well,mysailboat,oldman,costmeaprettypenny.Lovelylittlething—”

“Thereisn’tanyboatbackthereonthebeach.”

“Isee.Well.You’vegotabadburn,mydearchap.Thissuncanbetreacherous—”

“I’minahurry,”Durellsaid.“I’dbegrateful.”

“AllAmericansareinahurry.”TheEnglishmansighed.“Hopin,please.”

Thepale,thingirldidnotsayawordonthedrivesouthtoHawk’sBay.Butthegay,stripedcanvastopontheLandRovermadeacheerfulflappingsand,andcastasmalltriangleofshadeoverDurell.

Therewerepalepinkstuccohouses,bluevillaswithredtiledroofs,afewdatepalmsincarefullywateredlawnsandgardensthathadturnedbrowninthesaltairandthesun.TheEnglishmanturnedoffthebeachontoabumpyasphaltroadandpaidatollofonerupeeattheentranceboothtotheEuropeanbeachcolony,thenfollowedalaneusedbyArabpeddlers,camels,atroupeofacrobatsincolorfulragsperformingforsomesolemnEnglishchildren.AmaninablueturbanthrustababymonkeyattheEnglishman’swifeandoffereditforsale,cheap.Thepale-facedgirlsaidnothing,asifthemonkeyandthemandidnotexist.

Theroadbetweenthemodesthouseswaslinedwithtamariskandwind-carvedbabultrees.White-neckedcrowscrowdedthebranchesandsatinlong,silentechelonsuponthesaggingtelephonewires.Servantsinbaggywhitetrouserscalledshalwarsappearedhereandthereinthebackyards.Ontheflat,slopingbeach,blindedbytheglareofthesun,afewmorechildrenplayed.FishingboatsoutofKarachifloatedonthebrilliantsea.Thesurflookedheavyandsullen.Fartherout,afewfreightersploddedfromthemouthoftheIndusforthebroaderreachesoftheArabianSea.“Hereweare,”theEnglishmansaid.

Hecalledcheerfullytothesmart,khaki-cladyoungPakistansoldieronguardatthevilla’sirongate.“Ali,isColonelK’Ayubabout?”

“Yes,sir.”

“EverysecondMoslemhereiscalledAli,”theEnglishmansaid,asifthesoldiercouldnotunderstandhim.“TheseShiitesconsiderAli,theson-in-lawoftheProphetandthefourthCaliphtosucceedMohammed,astheirmostimportantImam,orleader.”

DurellgotoutoftheLandRover.“Thanksforthelift.”“Anytime,”theEnglishmansaid.“Goodluck,oldman.”Durelllookedatthepalewife,butshewasstillsilentandunsmiling.Hewentinthroughthegate,noddingasthesoldiersaluted,andwalkedupthestepsintothehouse.

Durellhadtocalluponanotherkindofpatiencetosustainhim.EighthourshadgonebysincehisplanehadtoucheddownattheKarachiairport.Hehadbeenexpectedimmediatelyatthisbig,cool,expensivehouse,andhadnotshownup,norhadthejeepwhichwassentforhimreturned,withorwithoutthedriver.Yettherewasanatmosphereofeasycomplacencethatmadehimbitedownonhisangerandignorehisownexhaustion.

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Theroomswerebig,cool,air-conditioned.Hefelthisenergyreturning.AnotheruniformedsoldiertoldhimtowaitinaEuropeanstyledlivingroomthatseemedtobepartlyanoffice,andwhenDurellaskedforwater,aservantinwhitemuslinpromptlyappearedwithathermosjugandabowloffruit.Hedranksparinglywhilehewaited,atesomefigs,enjoyedthecooldryairblowingoutoftheair-conditionergrill.

Hewaitedfiveminutes,hearingvoicesdimlyfromsomewhereelseinthebighouse.Noonehadaskedhisidentityorquestionedthegunhecarried.Hewaitedanotherfiveminutesandthenwalkeddownawhitetiledcorridorandoutthroughasunny,Moorishdoorwaywithivoryscreeningintoacool,shadedgardensurroundedbyahighcinder-blockwallpaintedapalegray.

Amanlookedupathimfromthetablethere.

“Ah,Mr.Durell.Iamsorry,Iwasfinishingareport,youmusttrulyforgiveme—”

“ColonelK’Ayub?”

“Yes.Wehavebeenwaitingforyou.Irecognizeyoufromyourdescription.Whatdetainedyou?”

“Myplanelandedeighthoursago,”Durellsaid.

“Itdid?Wethoughtperhapsyouhadmissedit.”

“Youdidn’tthinktocheckthepassengerlist?Orwonderwhathappenedtothedriveryousentforme?”

“WesupposedhewenttovisithisfamilyonDrighRoad,whenyoudidn’tshowup.Heoftendoes.Hehasmypermission.Pleasebeseated,Mr.Durell.”

Durellremainedonhisfeet.HedidnotlikewhathesawofLathriK’Ayub.Hehadasoftfaceandasoftbodyandthepaleyelloweyesofalynx.ItwasDurell’sbusinesstobesuspicious,andhehadreasontobe;andherecalledthatHenryKallinger,inIstanbul,hadnotcommittedhimselfonthecolonel’sreliability.K’Ayubhadbeeneatingmangoesfromabrassplate,andhedabbeddelicatelyatabeadofthejuicethatclungtohisupperlip.Therewasatelephoneonthedelicatelycarvedtablewherehesat.

LathriK’AyubwaspartofapowerfulpoliticalfamilyinPakistan,saidtobeambitiousfornationalexpansion.LathrihadbeeneducatedatUCLAinCalifornia,hadbeenanattacheforaUNmilitarymissionintheCongo,andwaspartofagroupthatbloodilyresistedallcompromisewiththePathan’sstruggleforindependence.Buthismilitaryrankhadbeenearnedthehardway—hehadbeenincommandofborderpatrolexpeditionsinthehighHimalayastwice,andwassaidtobehard,toughandruthless.

Perhapshissoftfaceandsoftbodyweredeceiving.

Hesaidnow,delicately,“Youhavehadadifficulttime,Mr.Durell?Youhavebeenoutinthesun?”

“Itookawalk,”Durellsaid.Hesatdownandbrieflyrecountedwhathadhappened.Nothingchangedintheotherman’slynxeyes.HalfwaythroughDurell’sbriefspeech,

LathriK’AyubheldupahandandusedthetelephoneandspokeinrapidUrdu,orderingasearchforthe

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jeepdriver’sbody.Durellfinishedquietly.“IamquiteanxiousaboutMissStandish’ssafety.Doyouknowwheresheis?”“Ofcourse.Iamsosorryaboutallthis.Idonotknowhowtoapologize.”

“WillyoutakemetoMissStandish,please?”

“Itisnotnecessary,Mr.Durell.Sheismyguest,hereinthishouse.”

HesentahoveringservantinsidetofindSarah.Durellfeltdeflated.Hehadfoughthiswayherealongthebeachwithasenseofdesperateurgency,afeelingofimpendingdisasterthathismissionwasdefeatedevenbeforehehadbegun.ThequietandpeaceofLathriK’Ayub’shousewasdisarming.

“AndthevonBuhlens?”heasked.“RudiandAlessa?”“Quitesafe.Ispoketothemlessthananhourago.TheyplantogoaheadtoRawalpinditomakesurethenewexpedition’ssuppliesandportersareproperlyorganizedforthedayofdeparture,dayaftertomorrow.”

“Andthereisonemoreman—theguide,HansSteicher.Noattemptwasmadeonanyoftheirlives?Nothreatsreceived,nodanger?”

“None,Mr.Durell.”

“Ifinditdifficulttobelieve.”

LathriK’Ayubseemedamused.Orsomethinglikeamusementglitteredinhistawnyeyes.“Wehavemadeabadbeginning,youandI.Yetwemustworktogetherinthefuture,forsomeweeks,oramonthortwo,inguardingthisexpedition.MygovernmentisasinterestedinrelocatingthisallegednickeloredepositonS-5asyours—orMissStandish’spersonalfinancialempire.Yetwemustbepatient.Wemusttrusteachother,youandI.”

Durellsaidnothing.

“Ohperhapsyou,too,believeinthelegendormythaboutafabulouslyvaluablecrownthatwasstolenfromAlexandertheGreatandlostonthatmountain?”

“Doyoubelieveinit?”Durellcountered.

“Mycountryisalandofmanystrangenesses.Aplaceoftheunexpected.Anythingispossible.OurhistoryreachesfarbeyondthePortuguese,beyondtheMogulswhoconqueredinthe16thcentury,beyondeventheAryanswhosweptdownfromthenorthwestin2000B.C.todestroythemanyoldercivilizationshereinthisvalleyoftheIndus.

Thereareruinseverywhere,constantlyexaminedbyexperts.Oldbooks,liketheRig-Veda,turnupcluesintheirlinesofpoetrythatsuggestoldinvasions,thetidesofconqueringpeoples,hymnsthatrecallassaultsonthecitiesoftheIndus.Timeiswithoutlimithere,Mr.Durell.Timeisfullandheavyandripewithold,oldstories.Manisnothing.HisruinsanddecayareunderthesandsoftheSindwhereveryouchoosetodig.”

“Youareanhistorian?”Durellasked.

“LetussaythatIamawareofmypersonalinsignificance,inthetapestriesofhistory.Iknowthat

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nothingisimpossible.”

“Doesthecrownexist?”

“MissStandishbelievesso.”

“Doyou?”

Lathrismiled.“Mymission,likeyours,isverypractical.ImustverifythepresenceofnickeloreonS-5.”

ThePakistanistoodup.HewasastallasDurell,whostoodoversixfeet,butheavierwithflesh,andslowerandsofterinmovement.HesmiledbeyondDurell’sfigure.

“Ah.MissStandish.Pleasedojoinus.”

Durellturnedandlookedattheyoungwomanwhocameoutofthehouseandwalkedtowardthemthroughtheshadedgarden.

ShewasnotSarahStandish.

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chapterfourSHEworethesametypeofhorn-rimmedglasses;buthereyeswerepaleblue,notgray.Andherglancedidnotholdthecoolobjectivityandhaughtyremotenessthatherememberedfrompastmeetings.Shelookedfrightened.Shewasalittleshorter,perhapsabitmorefullbreasted,withawayofwalkingthatnotevenSarah’stailoredsuitcouldhide.Herhairwasthesame,perhapshastilytintedtomatchtheratherpalesleekbrownofSarah’s,worninthesameseverefashionbyhavingitpulledtightlybackfromaroundedbrowintoaprim,heavyknotatthenapeofherneck.Hethought,irrelevantly,thatsuchahairdowouldsurelybehotinKarachi’sclimate.Theimpersonationwasgoodenoughtopassacasualinspection,aglanceinacar,aglimpsefromacrossthestreet,oridentificationfromslipshodverbaldescription.Butnothingcouldgivethisgirl,posingasSarahStandish,theinnatequalityofhavingbeenbornintoalmostuncountablewealth,topower,totherarefiedatmosphereoflifelongsocialpositionandcommand.

Shedidherbesttohideherfear,butitwasthere,intheslightmoisteningofherfulllipswiththetipofhertongue,inthefractionalpausebeforeshenoddedtoLathriandcametowardDurellwithherhandoutstretched.

“Mr.Durell.Hownicetoseeyouagain.”

Hervoiceasnotthesame,either.Itwasricher,withmorebodyandtimbre;butthatcouldbebecauseshewasafraid.

NothingchangedinDurell’sface.

“It’snicethatyourememberme,”hesaid.

“Whyshouldn’tI?I’mknownforrememberingnamesandfaces—likeapolitician,theysay.PerhapsIam,inasense.Whoknows?”ShesmiledbrieflyatK’Ayub,thenreturnedtoDurell.Thesunlightglintedonheraustereglasses.“Wehavebeenexpectingyouforsomehours.”

“Iwasdelayed.I'msureyouknowhowdifficultitis.”“Youlookasif—”

“—Ihadrunintotrouble?”

“Yes.I’msorry.”

“Sorryforthetrouble?OrhowIlook?”

Shefrownedslightly.“Idon’tunderstand—”

“NeitherdoI,”hesaid.“Butperhapsitdoesn’tmatter,IjustwonderedifyouwereawareofthesmalldifficultyIhadreachingyou.”

“No.No,I—”

Hervoicetrailedoffinpuzzlement.Hewasawareofaslowapprehensiongrowingoutofhissurpriseat

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findingthisimpostor.Obviously,K’AyubbelievedhertobetherealSarahStandish.ButwherewasSarah?Hewonderedwhathadhappenedtoher,andthenhewonderedwhythismasqueradewasarranged,andhewonderedwhohadarrangeditandcoachedthisgirltolookasmuchliketherealSarahStandishasshedid.

Shewasanamateur,hethought,hopingtofindhismemoryfaulty.Therewasdangerinthis,astherealwayswasinDurell’sbusiness,andtherewasnoroominitforamateurs.Theysimplydidnotsurvivelong.Andalthoughthisgirlknewenoughtobeafraid,shewasdoingherbesttoconcealitandcarryoutheractasbestshecould.

ButhehadtofindoutabouttherealSarah.Hecouldbeindangerherehimself,inK’Ayub’shouse.Morethanhehadsupposed.

“MayIspeaktoyoualone,MissStandish?”

“Well,I—”ShelookedatK’Ayub.

“It’simportant,”Durellsaid.

ThePakistanibowed,spreadpalehands.“Naturally.ImustmakearrangementsforourtransporttoKarachiassoonaspossible.Ifyouwillforgiveme?”

Withanotherbow,anothersmile,thecat-eyedmanwasgone.

Thegirldrewasmallbreathbetweenherteethandwalkedtothetablethatheldthetelephoneandhelpedherselftoacigarettefromanivorybox.Durellreachedbeyondherforanenameled,jeweledlighterandheldtheflameforher.Sheblewoutthesmokenervouslyandcockedherheadasthecryofapeddlercamedimlyoverthegardenwall.

“Sarahdidn’tsmoke,”hesaidquietly.

“Ibegyourpardon?”

“SarahStandishdidn’tsmoke.Sarahhasgrayeyes,notblue.She’satleasttwoinchestaller,andherhairisn’ttinted.Herglassesarefake,withnoprescriptionlenses,wornbecauseshefeelstheydefendher,somehow.Perhapsshethink’stheygivehermoreofanairofbusinesscompetence.”Durell’svoicewasflatandharshinthehot,stillairofthegarden.Thegirlhadshrunkasteportwoawayfromhim.“Idon'tknow.Ionlyknowthatyou’renotSarahStandish.Whereisshe?”

“I—”

“Andwhoareyou?”

“Oh,please—”

“Isshesafe?”

“Oh,yes!”

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“Alive?”

“Ofcourse,I—”

“Where?”

“InKarachi.WiththevonBuhlens.”

“Thenwhyareyouhere,asSarahStandish?”

“Wearrivedjustyesterday.Wethoughtitbest—”

Hervoicetrailedoffagain.Hedidnotwanttogiveherachancetorecover.Itmighthavebeenusefulandinterestingtohavewaitedalittle,tolearnhergamewithoutsmashingdownherdefenses,toseewhatherultimateobjectivemightbe.Buthecouldnotwait.HisjobwastoprotectSarahStandish.Hehadtoknowthetruthatonce.

Helookedathiswatch.Itwaspastoneo’clock.HehadlandedinKarachininehoursago,andthankstotheattemptedtomurderhim—forwhichhehadanumberofunansweredquestions—hehadcontactednooneexceptK’Ayub,asyet.

Thegirlhadnotrepliedtohislastquery.Sheturnedaway,bitingherlipinagesturethatwasmostuncharacteristicofSarah.Aprofessionalactresscouldhavedonemuchbetter.AprofessionalinDurell’sbusinesswouldhavehadnosuchdifficulty.

Amateurswerealwaysgettingthemselveskilled....

“DidyouallknowwhatplaneIwaslandingin?”heasked.

“Yes,”shewhispered.“Allofusknew.I’msorry,but—pleasekeepyourvoicedown.Isupposethiswholethingissilly,butColonelK’Ayubisn’tsupposedtoknowyet.Afterall,ifthewholegroupisinsomekindofdanger—”

“Wheredoyoufitintoit?”

“I’mJaneKing,”shesaid.

“And?”

Shesmiledwanly.“I’msecretarytoMissStandish.Ialwayshavebeen—thatis,forthelasttwoyears.Itfeelslikealwaystome.”

“Andwhoaskedyoutoactoutthismasquerade?”

“Mr.Donegan,attheAmericanInstituteBuilding.Hesaidwewereallthreatened,somehow,consideringwhathadhappenedtothemembersofthefirstexpeditiontoS-5,andthatfanaticswereeverywhere.HesaidthatMissStandishwasasittingduckforakidnapattemptandthatshehadtobeprotectedatallcosts.”

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“Soyouvolunteeredtobeadecoy?”Durellasked.

“Yes.Yes,Idid.”

“Knowingthedanger?”

“I—I’mbeingwellpaid,”shesaid.

“Doesn’tyoursalaryasMissStandish’ssecretarypayyouenough?DoyoudeliberatelyhavetostickyourneckouttosomeonewhomightwanttokidnaporevenkillMissStandish?”

“I’mnotafraid,”shesaidthinly.“Itwasonlyfortodayandtomorrow,anyway—justuntilweallleavetopickupourequipmentinRawalpindi.”

“Itdoesn’ttakelongtodie,sometimes,”Durellsaid.Hedidnotknowwhattomakeofthisgirl.Hewassureshewasnottellinghimeverything.Shelookedflusteredanddismayed,becauseherattempttofoolhimwithSarah’sidentityhadfailedsoquicklyandmiserably.Buttherewasmoretoherdiscomfortthanthat.Helookedathersteadilyforamoment.Shemethisgaze,crushedouthercigarette,andrecoveredenoughpoisetosmilewryly.

Hesaidquietly,“Donegansuggestedthemasqueradeforyou?”

“Yes.Afterall,he’sanintelligenceofficer—”

“Whoelse?Imean,whoelsehereknowswhoyoureallyare?”

“Well,Rudiknows—Imean,Mr.vonBuhlen.”

“Howwelldoyouknowhim,Jane?”

“WemetinSwitzerlandlastwinter.”

“WhenhebecameengagedtoMissStandish,youremployer?”

JaneKingflushed.“Yes.”

“IhearthatRudivonBuhlenischarmingtowomen.”

“Yes.”

“Didhecharmyou?”

Herchincameupdefiantly.“You’reinsulting,doyouknowthat?”“Imeantobe,”Durellsaid.“It’sonewaytoprovokeanswers.Anyway,Rudiknowsyou’reposingasMissStandish,todrawanyfirethatmightbeaimedather.”

“Ifyouwanttoputitthatway.Rudifirstsuggestedit.AndMr.Doneganthoughtitwasagoodidea.ButIguessIjustwasn’tuptoitwithanyonewhoreallyknowsMissSarah.”

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“Whoelseknowsofthisextrajobofyours?MissStandish?Mr.Donegan?Nooneelse?”

“Noone.”

Shesatdownsuddenlyandbegantoshiver,althoughtheheatinthewalledgardenwasoppressivenow.Sheclaspedherhandsandpressedtheminherlapbetweenherthighsandleanedforward,asifshewereinpain.Durellwatchedher.Shedeniedfear,hethought;butshewaspossessedbyit.Hisangerwasgone—atleast,itwasnolongerdirectedagainstJaneKing.Hebelievedasmuchasshehadtoldhim.HewouldtakecareoftherestofitwithDonegan,inKarachi.

“Jane?”

Sheshookherbowedhead.Hecouldseethepartinherhair,theseverearrangementofthethickbrownstrands.“I’msosorry,”shewhispered.

“There’snothingtocryabout,”hesaid.

“Isn’tthere?”

“Unlessthere’smore,thatyouhaven’ttoldme.”

“It’snothingthatconcernsyou.”

“Everythingabouteveryoneinvolvedinthisconcernsme,”hesaid.

“No.It’sjustthatI’mafool,that’sall.”

“Afoolaboutwhat?Youdidyourbest.”

Sheliftedherheadwithaneffort,andhesawthetearsinherblueeyesbehindthefake,heavily-rimmedglasses.ShehadaMidwesternaccent,too,hedecided,thatwasfarremovedfromthepolishedfinishing-schoollanguageofSarahStandish.Whenshestoodupandwalkedawayfromhim,downthegardenpath,hesawthatshehadtheheadandfaceofaprimschoolteacherandthebodyofanexoticcourtesan.Andshewasprobablyunawareofeitherphenomenon.

Therewastimeforashower,afreshbandageonhisleg,andfoodandcoffee,beforeColonelK’AyubindicatedhewasreadytogointothecityofKarachi.Thethermometerinsidethefrontdoorofthevillaregistered110degrees.ItwouldbehotterinKarachi.

Theyrodeinascoutcar,precededbyajeep-loadofnattysoldiersandfollowedbytwomotorcycles.K’Ayubwasnotbashfulabouthispoliticalandmilitaryauthority.Hechattedeasilyaboutinternationalproblems,hisbig,softbodyrelaxedonthebackseat.JaneKing,stillacknowledgedbythePakistanistrongmanasSarahStandish,satbetweenhimandDurell.

“AllisarrangedforourdeparturetoRawalpinditomorrow,”K’Ayubsaid.“Theequipmentisready,theportersarehired,ourquartersasweproceedtoBaseCampOneandthehigheraltitudeswillbewaitingforus.Youareacquaintedwithmountainclimbing,Mr.Durell?”

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“I’vedonesome.I’mnotanexpert.”

“Justso.ButS-5isreallynotmuchofachallengetoaclimber.Ratheruninteresting,infact,exceptfortheNorthPeak.Iunderstandthefirstguide,HansSteicher,isveryprofessional.I’vebeenintheareaseveraltimes—awild,desolateandbeautifulland.Weshouldbeatourgoalwithintheweek,ifallgoeswell.”

“Doyouexpectitnotto?”

K’Ayub’spaleyelloweyeswerewithoutexpression.“ThereistheEmiratMirandhabadtodealwith.Andanotherelement,asyetunclear,thatobviouslywishestokeepusout.Weshalllearnaboutitall,ingoodtime.”

KarachibroiledundertheoppressiveAugustsun.Theroadintoittraversedalandthatwasflatandsearedtothehorizon.Totheright,DurellglimpsedthemovingwhitelinesofthesurffromtheArabianSea.TheIndusvalleywasalandofscorpionsandvipersandeternallymoaninghotwinds.ThescorchedplainwhereAlexandertheGreatledhisarmyfromtheIndusin325B.C.lookedemptyofwaterandlife,exceptforthepoisonousinsectsandherbs.Inland,theblazingsandhillsrolledasfarashecouldsee.

Karachiheldnocharmorinterest.Itlookedparched,avastsprawlofflatroofswithafewdomesandminaretsupthrustthroughbrowntrees.Theasphaltstreetsoozed,thedieseltramcarsclangedirritably,andrubber-wheeleddrayspiledwithcottonandpulledbyphilosophicaldonkeysorcamelsreluctantlygotoutofthewayofK’Ayub’sconvoy.Here,too,thewhite-collaredcrowsthatscavengedthecityperchedoneverysaggingpowerline.

Therewasnoiseandheatandconfusion.OnVictoriaRoad,Durellsawtheramshackleslumsandmarkets,theimprovisedminaretsandmosqueswherethemullahs,theMosleminterpretersandteachersoftheKoran,heldforthinstridentvoices.Itwasaquarteroccupiedbyemigrantsandrefugeescrowdingintothecitybecauseoftheseasonaldrought.SomeofthetransientsworkedthedocksalongthemuddychannelsoftheIndus,othersfoundoccupationintheslumstreets.Traffictangledinsanelyintheheat.Therewerebullockwagonsandbicyclerickshawsandtwowheeleddonkeycarts,three-wheeledmotorcycletaxis,andordinaryrickshawsdrawnbyskinny,brown,barefootedmenindirtyshortsorswathedinthesheet-likelungyiswrappedaroundtheirbodies.Hereandthereacoveredtongacartwentby,drawnbyaskeletalhorse.

TheypassedtheresettlementprojectonDrighRoad,cutinandoutofthenondescriptinterurbancommuterbuses,cameintoanareaofnewstuccohouses,spaciousyardsandbrownlawns.Watertanksprobedthecopperyskyfromeveryroof,sinceKarachiprovidednomunicipalwaterpressure,andair-conditionerswheezedandpumpedineverybalconywindow.

LathriK’Ayubwaspatientwiththetraffic,soft-facedandsleepy-eyed.“YouwishtoconsultwithMr.Doneganatonce?”heaskedDurell,astheyreachedthemorespaciouspartofthecity.

“Ithinkitwouldbewise.”

“AndMissStandish?”HisyelloweyesslidtoJane’sknees.

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Durellsaid,“Shewillaccompanyme,fromnowon.”“Asyouwish.Ihavesomebusinesstoattendto.Aplaneisreadyfortomorrow’sflighttoRawalpindi,wherewemeetHansSteicher.ThevonBuhlensareatavillarentedbyMissStandish.Ishallleavethescoutcarforyourconvenience,ifyouwillforgivemyabandoningyou.”“Aretheothersbeingguardedagainstanyattemptsatinjuryorsabotage?”

“Indeed,yes.AlthoughIamnotfullyconvincedastothefateoftheoriginalexpeditionmembers.Iftheymetwithfoulplay,however,theplotwillbecrushed.”

TherewassomethingaboutthecolonelthatremindedDurellofotherstrongmeninnewcountries—tough,ruthless,ambitious.

“We’llsee,”Durellsaid.

Donegan’ssuiteofofficeswasinarecentlyconstructedbuildingthatwasfullyair-conditioned,whentheapparatusworked.Itfeltcool,evenclammy,aftertheblastingheatinthestreets.DurelltookJaneKing’sarmandledherreluctantlydownthecorridor.

“MustIgowithyou?”thegirlmurmured.

“Whynot?I’msupposedtobeyourbodyguard.”

“Butshouldn’tyougodirectlytoseeMissSarah?”“She’ssafe.IhavetoassumeIcantrustK’Ayub.”Shelookedawayandmurmured,“I’vediscoveredyoucan’ttrustanybodyinthisworld.”

“Whysodiscouraged.Becauseyou’regoingtolosetheextrapayMissStandishpromisedyoutoposeasa.stand-inandtarget?”

“Maybe”shesaidbitterly.

“Yououghttoconsideryourselfwelloutofit.”

Shelookeduneasy.“Areyouangrywithher,too,fordoingthis?”

“Idon’tliketheideaofanybodyusingmoneytosetsomeoneelsetodieforthem.”

“I’mstillalive,”JaneKingpointedout.

“Ithinkyou’vejustbeenlucky,”Durellsaid.

DanielDonegan’sbusinessaspart-timeKSectionmanfortheCIAinKarachiwascoveredbytheofficessetuphereasabranchofaneconomicdevelopmentmissionsponsoredbytheU.S.government.Andwhereveryougointheworld,Durellthought,Washington’sbureaucracymanagedtotakeseedandadaptitselfandyetlookthesame.Therewerethecivilservicetypistswithdisillusionedfacesintheouteroffices,theexpensiveelectronicofficeequipmentandstandardgreenandgrayfilingcabinetsandcarefullyapportioneddesksofvarioussizes,accordingtostatusprotocolandthehierarchyofcivilservicerank.

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DurellleftJaneKinginanouterroom,seatedinaleatherchairnexttoatablecoveredbymonth-oldcopiesofTime,LifeandthePost.Thegirlwasdocilenow,acceptinghisorderswithoutquestion.Shesatmeekly,handsfolded,andnodded.

“You’renottoleavehereunderanycircumstancesuntilI’mfinishedwithDonegan,understand?”hetoldher.

“Yes,Mr.Durell.”Shehesitated.“ButIhaven’tdoneanythingwrong.ItwasMr.Donegan’sideathatIposeasMissSarah.”

“Iunderstandthat.Assoonaswe’rethroughhere,we’llfindsometintandgetyourhairbacktonormalandyoucanwearyourownclothesandgetridofthoseglasses.

Iwon’tfeeleasyaboutyouuntilyoucan’tbemistakenbysomefanaticasyourboss.”

“Yes.”

HelefthersittingquietlyinthewindowlessroomandwentintoseeDonegan,angerridinghisfootsteps,thinkingofJane’sprimfaceandlush,provocativebody.

DanielDoneganshookhandswithaquick,limpgestureandgaveDurell’scredentialsonlyacursoryglance.Hewasasmallman,hisshouldersnarrowinawhitecottonsuit.Althoughitwascomfortableintheair-conditionedoffice,hewassweating,andtherewerebeadsofmoistureonhisbrown,freckledscalp.HelistenedtoDurell’sreportonwhathadhappenedsincehelandedinKarachi,noddedonceortwice,andblinkedbloodshotbrowneyesrapidly,offeringapologiesforthewholematter.

Heseemed,toDurell,tobeamanlivinginaswampoffear.

“I’msorry,trulysorry,”Donegansaid,blinkingagain.“I’mnotequippedtocopewiththissortofthing.It’sreallynotmyline.”

“Whynot?”Durellasked.“It’sasimplematter.”

“MissSarahStandishcannotinanywaybeconsideredasimplematter.Toberesponsibleforhersafetyinthiscity—indeed,anywhereinthiscountry—istoonerve-wracking.Youdon’tknowwhatshe’slike.Shewantseverythingherway.Andshe’ssuchanimportantpersonalitybackhome,Ishudderatthethoughtofanythinghappeningtoher.”

“Butyou’renotsoworriedaboutanythinghappeningtoJaneKing,isthatit?”

“MissKingdoesnotrepresentStandishNickelandeighthundredmilliondollars,”Donegansaidthickly.

“Doesallthatmoneybotheryou?”

“MissStandishisaninfluentialwomanbackhome—”

“Andhermoneyhasthrownyouoffbalance,isthatit?”“Seehere,Iresent—”

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“Listentome,”Durellsaidharshly.Hisangerwasthickinhim,hisdarkblueeyeslookedblackandhardandcruel.“Youcan’tequatemoneywiththevalueofanyone’slife.”

Doneganprotestedfeebly.“YourjobistoprotectMissStandish,toseethatshecomesthroughthisutterlyquixoticventurewithoutharm.She’sinthecompanyofaratherpeculiarlotofforeigners,Imustsay.AndImerelythoughtitwouldbehelpfultoarrangeasimplesubterfugetothrowanypotentialfanaticsoffthetrack.We’renotwantedupthereinPakhusti,youknow.”Donegan’sbaldheadglistenedwithsweat.“YouknowwhathappenedtothemembersofthefirstS-5group.ThePakhustishavepeopleeverywhere.Theyresentanyonecomingintotheirprovince.TheEmiratMirandhabadhassworntobeindependent.He’lldoanythingtokeepyoufromreachingS-5.”

“Iunderstandallthat,”Durellsaid.“It’sstillnoreasontoputaninnocentgirlinjeopardy.”

“She’sallright,isn’tshe?”Donegandemanded.

“Abusinesslikethisistoofullofdangertohaveanyplaceforamateurs,”Durellrapped.

“Ididn’treallythink—”

Donegan’seyeswerehaunted.“I’msorry,Durell.Iguessit’sallthatmoneybelongingtothatstony-eyedwoman.It’sputmeinapanic.IfanythinghappenedtoSarahStandishhere,mycareerisfinished.Yearsofworkgoneoutthewindow.Iwanttogohome,Durell.I’vegotawifeandkidsbackinChicago,amortgagetogetridof,educationbillstopay.Idon’twanttomakeanymistakesthislastyearofmydutyouthere.”

Durellknewyoucannotreasonwithfear.HefeltatwingeofpityforDanielDonegan,butanevengreaterapprehensionforwhatthemanhadtriedtodo.Thesmellofbigmoneycreateddifferentreactionsindifferentmen.InDonegan,itmadeforpoorjudgmentandcowardice.

“WhendidyouspeaktotherealMissStandishlast?”Durellasked.

“She’sallright.She’satthisvillaIgotforherandtheAustrians—thevonBuhlens.Iphonedthemlessthantenminutesago.”

“AndyouspoketoMissStandish,personally?”

“Yes.Itellyou,she’sallright.”

“Let’shopeso,”Durellsaid.

HeleftDonegan’sofficeafewmomentslaterandpausedinthesmallanteroomoutside.

JaneKing’sleatherchairwasempty.

Thegirlhadgone.

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chapterfiveSHEwalkedquicklythroughthecrowded,noisystreets,awayfromMr.Donegan’smodernoffice,butnottooquicklytoattractattention.Theheatoutsidestruckherlikeabrazenfist,makingherflinch.Shefeltasifallherthoughtshadgluedtogetherintoanamalgamofdespair,compoundedbythehotsun,thesmells,thefearanddesperationthatgnawedatherbelly.Foratimeshethoughtshewasgoingtobesickagainandthrowuponthestreet.Butthatwouldnotdo.Apolicemanmightstopandbesolicitous,andshecouldnotattractsympathyorpausetosaywhoshewasorwhereshewasgoing.

Shecouldn’thaveanswered,anyway.Shedidnotknowherdestination.

EverythinghadgonesowrongsincelastwinterinSwitzerland,Janethought.Fromawonderful,miraculoussuccessinNewYork,gettingherjobassecretaryandcompanionand—yes,friend,too—toSarahStandish,thingswentsteadilydownhillfromadizzyheightofsatisfaction.

Bicyclebellsjangledinthestreet,abeggarcrawledacrossthesidewalktowardher,handsoutstretchedlikeclaws.Sheavoidedhim,walkedaroundadomedmosque,crossedasmallparkwheremeninwhitemuslinandwomeninveilssatinlethargyundertheshadeofpeepultrees.Everynowandthensheturnedherheadandlookedbehindher.Noonewasfollowing.Voicesliftedontheoven-heatedair,speakingUrdu,Pathan,EnglishandPortuguese.AllatonceshelongedforthefamiliarflattonesofherMidwesternhomeinGardenFalls,Indiana.

Ashort,fatmanwithaterriblyscarredface,wearingawhitesilksuitandatopee,stoppedinherwayonthepaththroughthepark.

“MayIhelpyou,madam?Doyouwishataxi?’’

“No—no,thankyou.”

“Youarelost,please?”

“No,I’mnot.”

Shewalkedaroundhim,thinking,ButIamlost,terribly

lost,andIcannevergohomeagain,becauseIdon’tknowwhatwillhappentome.

Shepaidnoattentiontowhereshewasgoing.Theheatdazedher,thenausearodeinherstomach.Somethinghadtobesettled.Shecouldn’tstanditanylonger.Rudiwouldhavetodecide.

IthadbeenwonderfultowritehometoMommaandPoppa,inthatquietwhiteclapboardhouseonElmStreet,andtellthemaboutherjobandSarahStandishandalltheamazingthingsshesawanddid;howshelivedinthelapofluxuryandtraveledeverywherewithoneoftherichestwomeninAmerica.Togetajoblikethatwasastrokeoffortune;butnowallherluckhadturnedbad.

Shesawapolicemanattheotherendoftheparkandsheturnedandwalkedtheotherway,casually,awareofaheavinessinherlegsandexhaustioninherlungs.Shedodgedoneofthedieseltramway

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cars,forcedherselfaroundacoveredtonga.Tricyclecabssoughtherasafare.Shekeptwalking,ignoringthebeggarsonthesidewalk,thecrisplyuniformedPakistanimilitarymen,theoccasionalEuropean.

ShehadescapedDurell,butnothingelse,shethought.

Howironicalthatshe’dhadtoposeasSarahhere,fortheoneday!Itwasacircletofthorns,crowningallherfollythathadbegunsolongagoinSwitzerland.

ShehadbeenthefirsttomeetRudivonBuhlen,becauseSarahalwaysmadeherselfinaccessibletoinformalapproaches.RudiewasthefirstmanJanehadmadeloveto.

Janepausedinherwalking.ShehadcrossedNapierRoadandwasintheJunaMarket,anativebazaar.HerethewomenwerelessemancipatedthanthoseonVictoriaRoadandworedopattas,longheadclothsthatfelltotheshoulders,andevenburkas,theheavyveilsthathavetwoholesinthefacetoseethrough.Shepaused,turned,bumpedintoatallmanwearinganimmaculatewhitesherwani,afrockcoatbuttonedattheupstandingcollar.HisJinnahcapandwhitehairmadehimlooklikeaspecterinthenoiseandheat.

“Ifyouarelookingforabargain,madame—”

“No,no.”Shetastedpanic.“IwastryingtogetbacktotheMetropoleHotel.”

“Perhapsataxi,then.”

“I’llwalk,thankyou.”

Hebowedandleft.Turning,shewentquicklybackthewayshehadcome.OnVictoriaRoadagain,amongtheshopsandgreaterpercentageofEuropeans,shefelteasier.TherewasaChineserestaurant,andthenMonkton’sCafeGrand,lookingsomehowFrench.Againshedodgedtraffictofindatableandchairunderthestripedawning.Itwassafehere,shethought,crowdedenoughtohidein.Butshehadanothermomentofpanic,thinkinghowshemightbemistakenforSarahStandish,andshehastilytookofftheuselessglasses.Butnobodypaidanyattentiontoher,beyondtheusualspeculativeglancesthatmenalwaysgaveherfigure,untilherprimfacemadethemturnaway.Therewasnoreasontobeafraid.Durellwasover-cautious.Afterall,nooneevenknewSarahStandishwasinKarachi;theyhadarrivedonlyyesterday;andSarahhadn’tlefthervillaonce.Soshewassafeenough,Janetoldherself.Nobodywantedtokillher,evenbymistake.

Shefeltbetteraftersippinghericedvermouth,althoughtheheatgatheredundertheawningwasstifling.ShethoughtofRudiandwonderedhowanyonesostrongandhandsomecouldbesoevilinside.Herstomachspasmed.Yet,remembering,shefeltafamiliartremor.

Janeknewshewasnotparticularlypretty,althoughherfigurewasallright.Rudisaidherbodywassculpturedforlove.Andithadbeenasourceofwonderthatamanassophisticatedandcultivatedasheshouldhavechosenher,lastwinterintheAlps.SheknewherselftobeanunaffectedMidwesterngirl,eventhoughpolishedbyheremploymentwithMissSarah.ButRudibecameherfirstlover.Andhehadwakenedaninner,passionatenatureshehadneversuspected.Evennow,fearfulandworried,hatinghim,shestillwantedhim.

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BecauseofherchildhoodinGardenFalls,Indiana,shewasstillashamedofthelurid,pornographicmemoriesofherselfmakinglovewithRudi.Hewastallandstrong,withabroad,flatbrowandpaleeyes,andhislonghairwasthecolorofoldhaystacksinthefieldsbackhome.Hisconfidence—andarrogance—hadoverwhelmedher.Heknewhiswayeverywhere,kneweveryone.Hewasafirst-classbergsteiger,amountain-climberandguide,athomeonanyglacialridge,exultinginmasteryoverbrutenature.Shewasclumsyatclimbing,buthewaspatientwithherthosefirstdays.She’dhadalotoffreetime,becauseMissSarahwasrestingandseeingnoone.Thereweremanyquieteveningsthen,inlittlechaletsandmountainhuts,whentheymadeloveandeverythingwaswonderful.

UntilheaskedtomeetMissSarah,shethought;andsheinnocentlyagreed.Theneverythingchanged.

Andeverythingended.

ShesawtoolatethatmeetingMissSarahhadbeenRudi’ssinglegoalfromtheverybeginning.

ShesawhimagaininNewYorklastwinter,justonce,meetinghimatthatshabbylittlehotelwhereithadallbeensougly;andyetshehadn’tbeenabletokeepherselffrombegginghimtoloveheragain.Hehadbeenarrogant,impatient.Buthehadgonetobedwithher,forjustthatlasttime.Andshehadbeencareless....

Sotheirchildwouldbebornnotoutoflove,butfromthatlastunionofhateanddespair,Janethought.

Shehadn’tseenRudisince.HewentbacktoEurope—totheCarltonatCannes,theRitzBarinParis,thefamilyschlossnearVienna.Shefollowedhimbytheregular,devotedflowoflettersaddressedtoMissSarah,whichcrossedherdeskasMissSarah’spersonalsecretary.Shehadlongedtodestroythem,ortoreadthem.Butshedidneither,impersonallyturningthemovertoheremployer.

SometimesshehadthoughtoftellingMissSarahthetruthaboutRudi.Buttheopportunemomentneverseemedathand,althoughitalmostarrivedthedayofherfirstvisittothedoctor.

KnowingtheywouldmeethereinKarachi,shehadkeptsilent.Ofcourse,shecouldnotreallygowiththeexpeditionintotheHimalayas.Notthewayshewas.Thedoctorhadutterlyforbiddenit.

SowhatwasleftnowwastoseeRudialoneandtellhimwhathadhappenedandaskforhisadviceandhelp.Therewasnobodyelsetoturnto.CertainlyshecouldnevergobacktoGardenFalls,Indiana.

Hehadavoidedheratthevillalastnight.Butnevermind,Janetoldherself.Hewouldcometohernow,thisafternoon,thisevening.Theywouldmeetalone,andsettleeverything.

TherewasatelephoneinsideMonkton’sCafe.Aftershefinishedtheicedvermouth,shepickedupherpurseandwalkedinandcalledthenumberofthevilla.

SarahStandishgotuptoanswerthetelephone.ItwassurprisingtoDurellhowmuchJaneKinghadpatternedherselfafterheremployer.Theywereapproximatelythesameage,andwatchingSarahwalkacrosstheBokharacarpet,herealizedthatshe,too,hadabodyoffullandunsuspectedbeauty,incontrasttoherremote,coolfeatures.

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ThetelephonestoppedringingbeforeSarahcouldreachit.Shemadealittlegestureofimpatience.“Someoneelsetookit,”shesaidtoDurell.“Ontheextension.”

“ArethevonBuhlenshere?”heasked.

“Theyhaveasuiteofroomsupstairs.Rudiandhissisterarecheckingthesupplylists.It’sprobablyacallforthem.”

DurellhadcomeheredirectlyfromDonegan’soffice.ThepolicehadbeenalertedtolookforJane.K’Ayubpromisedeveryco-operation,althoughhissoftvoicehadsharpenedwithirritability.“Icannothelpbutresentthefact,Mr.Durell,thatIwasnottrustedtobetoldabouttheimpersonation.”

Durellhadapologized,saidhe,too,hadn’tknownaboutthesham.Thecolonelwasonlyslightlymollified.Nevertheless,aquiet,desperatehuntwascombingthecityforthegirl.Nomorecouldbedoneatthemoment.

SarahStandishreturnedfromthetelephoneandsatdown,herkneesandlegsprimlystraight.“Iamterriblysorryaboutthis,”shesaid.“Janeisafinegirl,devotedandloyal.I’mquitefondofher.Icanonlyhopenothingseriouswillhappentoher.”

“Ifsomethingdoes,itwillbebecausesheismistakenforyou.”

Sarahnodded.“Iamawareofthat.”

“Yetyoulethertaketheriskofimpersonatingyou.”

“ImerelyfollowedMr.Donegan’sadvice.”

“Yourconsciencedidn’ttroubleyou?”Durellasked.

Hereyeswereobjectivebehindherhorn-rimmedglasses.“Itisnotyourbusinesstobeconcernedaboutmyconscience.Youpresumetoomuch.Yourjobistoinsuremypersonalwelfare.Nomore,noless.Ishouldpointout,however,thatIdidnotrequestyourhelp.Ithinkitisallrathermelodramaticandunnecessary.Iamnotindanger.Buteveryoneinsistedsomeprecautionsshouldbetaken,andMr.DonegansuggestedthatJanedoubleforme,hereinKarachi.”

“Andnowshemaybekilled,”Durellsaid.

“Youseemtobeunnaturallyconcerned.”

“Aren’tyou?”

“I’mworried.Puzzled.Nomore.Janeisacapableyoungwoman.Itrustherjudgment,andIhavefaithinherbehavior.”

“Youmakeyourselfsoundtough,”Durellsaid.“Areyoureallyashardasallthat?”

“Youareimpertinent.”

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“Idon’tapologize.Youdon’tfrightenme,asyoudidpoorMr.Donegan.Ihavemyjobtodo,that’sall.You’regoingintodangerouscountry,andallthepeoplewhoprecededyoudidn’tcomeback.Thosemountainsaren’tliketheAlps.They’renotmappedorexplored.ThePakhustisarehostile.Areyoutoughenoughforthat?”

“I’mtough,"Sarahsaidthinly.“I’vehadtolearntobe.”

Theroomwheretheysatwasbigandairy,withwidedoorsopentoagardenofdatepalmsandtamarisk.AnivoryscreenthatdatedbacktotheMoguls,underBaburtheTiger,shonesoftlybehindSarah’stallBombaychair.Aservantmovedquietlyinthegarden,theflickerofhishigh-collaredsherwanicatchingDurell’seye.Therewereuniformedguardsoutthereonwatch.Thishousewasassafeasanyplacecouldbe.Yethefeltuneasy.HewasworriedaboutJane.AndhecouldnotsolvethecontradictionsinSarahStandish.Herfacewassevere,herbodyinherwhitetailoredsilksuitremarkable.Hecouldnotavoidthefirmlinesofherthighsandhips,theswellofherbreastsunderthesimplestripedblouse.Shewasanenigmaticbundleoffrustrationswrappedinagiltpackageofmoneyandpower,theproductofanunnaturallifethatwasreflectedinherwarinessofallmen,whomshehadtoregardaspredators.Therewasachallengeinher.Hewonderedwhatshewouldbelikeifshelethermouthrestnaturallyandsimplyrelaxed.

“Pleasedonotstareatme,”Sarahsaidquietly.

“I’msorry.”

“IknowI’manobjectofcuriositytomostpeople.Ishouldbeaccustomedtoit,butitmakesmealittlenervous.”

Hesaid,“Ididn’taskforthisassignment,MissStandish.

IwaschosenbecauseI’msupposedtobeacquaintedwithyou.”

“ThroughDeirdrePadgett.Irememberyouwell.”

“Thankyou.Iwasn’tsureyoudid.MayIcallyouSarah?”

“Ifyouwish.”

“I’dliketoknowyourrealobjectiveshereinKarachi,”hesaid.“Therealreasonforfinancingandgoingonthisexpedition.”

Shelookedfaintlyuncertain.“IaminlovewithRudivonBuhlen.Iwanttobewithhim.”

“Isthatall?”

“Iamnotquixoticbynature.Icannotaffordtobe.”Shewasfirmandpreciseagain.“Therehasneverbeenany—adventure—inmylifebefore.Idecidedthatthiswouldbegoodforme.”

“Isyourgoalthesearchforthismythicaljeweledcrown?Orisitthenickel?”

“Youarenotveryflattering.”Shesmiledfaintly,forthefirsttime.“Icanhireahundredgeologiststo

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findmorenickel.Idon’thavetogoabouttheworldwithahammer,chippingrock.Ontheotherhand,Idon’thonestlygivemuchcredencetothisstoryaboutAlexandertheGreat,oracrownthat’sbeenlostfortwothousandyears.I’mnotmuchinterested.”

“Thenwhyputyourselfindangerlikethis?”heasked.

“BeingwithRudi,”shesaid,“makesthedangerunimportant.”

RudivonBuhlenputdownthetelephoneinhisupstairsroomandnoted,withsomesurprise,thathishandwastremblingslightly.Hestoodhalf-naked,havingjuststeppedfromthemodernAmericanshowerstallinthebathnexttohisbedroom.Atowelwaswrappedaroundhiswaist.ThehotwindblowingthroughthebalconywindowsbroughtwithittheindefinablesmellofthecityandtheIndusRiverwharves—asmellcompoundedofcooking,humanwasteandgarbage,andoilstoragetanks.Hecaughtaglimpseofhimselfinthemirror,sawthelinesofstrainonhishandsome,tannedface.Asusual,headmiredthepowerfulmusculatureofhisbody,thendroppedthetowelandreachedforhisshortsandslacks.

Hisroomhadatiledfloor,aSaroukrug,ahugebedinonecornerwithdamaskhangings.Hishandsstilltrembled.Theshowerhadbeentepid,thewatercomingfromthetankontheroofunderthebroilingsun.Heranfingersthroughhislonghair,turned,andsawAlessawatchinghimfromtheconnectingdoorwaytoherroom.

“WasitJaneonthephone?”sheaskedquietly.

“Yes.”

“Whereisshe?”

“Idon’tknow.Somewhereintown.”

“Areyougoingtomeether?”

“I’llarrangesomething,”hesaid.“Don’tworryaboutit.”

Shewasthreeyearsyoungerthanhe,butsomehowshehaddominatedhimalltheirlives.Hecouldnotmeethersteady,controlledgaze.

HespokeinGerman.“Leavemealone.Don’tinterfere.”

“Itisforyourowngood,Rudi.Areyouintroubleagain?”

“It’snothing!”hesaidangrily.“Goaway.I’mdressing.”

Sheremainedinthedoorwaybetweentheirrooms.Thehousewasquiet.TheyhadbothwatchedDurellenterthehouse,andtheyknewhewaswithSarahStandishdownohthefirstfloor,andRudiknewthatAlessahadbeenimpressedbytheAmerican.Helookedathercuriously,alittleafraid,andmoreirritatedbyheraloofcontrolthanusual.Hertall,magnificentfigurewasstrangelyatoddswithher

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intellectualcapacity,herscholarlydoctorateinhistory.Heknewshehadneverbeeninlove,althoughhesuspectedsomeaffairs.Itwouldbeuseful,occasionally,tohavethedetailstothrowbackatherwhenshewaslikethis,hethought.

Herfacewasasoftenedreflectionofhis,lovelyandsmooth.Herblueeyeswerelarger,wider;herbrownotquitesowideandsevereashisown.Theirhairwasthesame,paleandtawny,andsheworehersinasimple,boyishcutthatwaspracticalandyetgavetheshapeofherheadadelicateappeal.Sheworeabluesilkdressthataccentedhereyes,whiteshoes,anantiquecameopinaboveherleftbreast.Hermouthwasfullandsensitive.Shehadalwaysbeensmarterthanhe;hehadplayedawayhisyearsofeducationwhileshehadusedthemtoworkhardandpullsomethingoutofthewreckageoftheirfamilylifeandfortuneafterthefalloftheThirdReich.Shewasapolitical,heknew.Herinterestslayintheoldconquestsandculturesofthepast,theancientforceswhichonceswepttheworldandwhich,tohim,weredeadanduseless.

Theydidnotunderstandeachother;theyneverhad.YethewasfondofherandirritatedbecausehedidnotreallyknowhowAlessafeltabouthim.

Shecameintohisroomandwatchedhimdress,assumingtheintimateprerogativesoftheirfamilyrelationship.Buthewasnervous,innomoodforthelectureheknewwascoming.

“Alessa,I’minahurry.Ifyouhaveanyadvice,giveitquickly.Iprobablywon’ttakeit,anyway.”

Shesaidquietly,“Rudi,youareafool.Youneverstop,doyou?YouwillwinduplikeUncleFranz,yourideal.”“WhatwaswrongwithUncleFranz?”hedemanded.

“HewasexecutedforastupidCommunistconspiracy.Hediedinsuchanuglyway—Idon’twantthistohappentoyou.”

“Don’tworry,itwon’t.”

“Iknowhowyouadmiredhim,Rudi.ButIrememberhim,too.AndI’vereadhowheledsuchaBohemianlifeafterWorldWarI,goingaboutinablacksweaterandflannelslacks,anintellectuallightinBerlininthosedays,speakingagainstNationalSocialism,eagertosettheworldaflamewithradicalideas.Hewasaromantic,andhediedwithameat-hookunderhischin.”

“Bequiet,”hesaiduneasily.“UncleFranzwasagreatman.”

Alessalitacigarette.Shesaidsoftly,“Tellmethetruth,Rudi—areyoustilltheRedOboe?”

Hewhirled,shocked.“What?”

“TheRoteKapelleofUncleFranz—theRedOrchestra—isstillaliveinyou,isitnot?”

“No!”heshouted.“Wheredidyouhearthatname?”“TheRedOboe?Iheardofyoursillygameyearsago,whenyouadoptedthecovernameofanorchestralinstrument.UsingyourtravelsandplayboyactivitiestosendscrapsofinformationtotheSovietEmbassies.Itwasdangerous,butyouwereyoung;Ithoughtyouwouldgetitoutofyoursystemassomethingromanticyouwouldgrowoutofasyoumatured.”

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Rudilookeddangerous.“Howlonghaveyouknownaboutallthat—thatnonsense,Alessa?”

“Iknewaboutitfromthebeginning.”

“It’sallover,”hesaid.“Itwasjustaphase.”

“Truly?”

“Asyousay,itwasromantic.IidealizedUncleFranz.Itwasfun,butI’vesettleddown.I’mpracticalnow,likeyou,Alessa.Afterall,lookatmyengagementtoSarah.”“Areyouinlovewithher,Rudi?”

Heshrugged.“Marriageisapracticalmatter.”

“Sheisdevotedtoyou.Sheisafinewoman.Iwouldnotliketoseeyouhurther,andIknowhowyoutreatwomen,Rudi.Isitonlyhermoneythatinterestsyou?”

“Moneyisimportant.Youarededicatedtorecoupingthefamilyfortunewithyourarcheology,eh?Youhopetofindafabulouslyvaluableantiquecrown.”Hegrinnedindulgentlyathissister.“Andwiththeproceedsandyourreputation,youandMothercanrefurbishthehouseandliveinsplendor.”

“Isthereanythingwrongwiththat?”

“Mywayiseasier.”

“BywayofSarah’sbed,Rudi?It’sindecentofyou.”

“Iamnotaverydecentfellow.Youalwaystellmethat.ButIdohavemypracticalside.Youlookforyourmythicalcrown—butIseeksomethingmoretangible.OldBerg-mann’snickelore,eh?”

“ProfessorBergmannwasUncleFranz’devotedfriend,Rudi.Whydoyouspeakofhimwithsuchcontempt?”“Likeyou,heisascholar.Notpractical.Ifwefindtheoreagain,thelocationwillbevaluable.”

“YoucannotbuyrealestateonS-5.”

“IcansellwhatIknow.TheChinesewouldpayplentyforit.”

Shesaidsharply,“Iknewit!Youhavebeenschemingwithfoolishfriends—”

“Theinformationsimplycametome,”hesaideasily.“Itisaconfidence.Youmustnotmentionit.”

“Andyouwilldonothingaboutit!”Alessastoodup.“Idonotwishtobeyourenemyinthis,Rudi.ButIwillnotbeinvolvedinyourgestes.”

“Calmdown,Alessa.Nothinghasbeensettled.”

“Seetoitthatnothingis.Andtobepractical—whatwillyoudoaboutJane?ShecanupsetyourplanswithSarah,can’tshe?”

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“I’lltakecareofthat,”Rudisaid.

Hisfacechangedwhenhespoke,andAlessathoughthelookedlikeastranger.Sheturnedaway,unwillingtolethimseeherfear.

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chaptersixDURELLwasonthetelephonewithDoneganwhenAlessacamedownstairs.DoneganhadnonewsofJane.Noonehadseenher.Militarypatrolswerescouringthecityforher.ButKarachihadapopulationofovertwomillion.Therewerethewharfareas,thesprawlingnativeslums,thenewbuildingprojects,thehotelsonVictoriaRoad.ShehadbeenreportedwalkingonKutcheryRoad,nearthePalaceHotel;shewasseenhavingteaattheShezan;shehadgonebytaxitotheKarachiGymkhanaClubonKhuroRoad.Alltheleadswerefalse.Thesprawlingcityhadswallowedherup.ThelatestleadwasthatshewaswithsometouristsvisitingQuaid-i-Azam’stombofAliJinnah,founderofPakistan.Therewasnootherword.

DurellhungupandshookhandswithAlessavonBuhlenasSarahintroducedthem.Itwasfiveo’clock.Aservantinawhitefrockcoatwheeledinarubber-tiredcartwithbottlesofliquor,tonic,glasses,freshlemonsandlimes.Hechosebourbon.Alessaaskedforbourbon,too.

“YouareourAmericanescort,”shesmiled.“Ihaveheardmuchaboutyou,fromSarahandMr.Donegan.Theysayyouareadangerousman.”HerEnglishwasonlyfaintlyaccented.“Youhavelivedaveryexcitinglife,theysay,workingforyourStateDepartment.”

“It’sexcitingatthismoment,”Durellsaid,meetinghereyes.

Sheflushedslightly.Fromthemomentshehadwalkedintotheroomalone,straightandtallandlovely,akindofelectricchargewasgeneratedbetweenthem.HerVienneseaccentwaswellmodulated.HehaddiscountedmuchofHenryKallinger’sdescriptionofher,inIstanbul.AndshewasnotaValkyrie,fierceandwarlike.Therewasapolishandgraceaboutherthatimpressedhim,anintellectualcalm,aknowledgeofherselfasastunninganddesirablewoman,butnotaggressiveaboutit,notontheoffensive,anddisdainingtheusualfeminineposturesanddevices.

Hershortgoldenhair,partedononeside,addedtothedelectableshapeofherheadandface.Smallenameledearringsglistenedonthelobesofherears.Shewasproud.Herbodywasfine,hermovementsflowingwiththeeasyco-ordinationofanathlete.

AservantcameinandmurmuredsomethingtoSarahStandish,andSarahexcusedherselfandDurellwasalonewithAlessa.

“Iamsosorry,”Alessasaid.“MybrotherRudiwillbedownsoon.Itwillbeacomforttohaveyouwithusonthisnewexpedition,Mr.Durell.”

“YoumanagedtoreorganizeyourassaultonS-5quickly.”“Onemusttakeadvantageoftheseasonupthere.Onceitsnows,wemaynotfindProfessorBergmann’smarkers—theflagsheusedtolocatetheareafromwhichhetookhisoresamples.”

“Whycouldn’tyoufindtheplaceyourself?”heasked.

“Oh,butIwasnotwithhimwhenhediscoveredtheore.ErnstwentofftoexploretheNorthPeak,takingtwoporterswithhim,dividingourparty.MyinterestwasonlyinfindingthecrownofAlexander.PoorBergmanncamealongsimplytosatisfyhisinterestinmineralsandgeologicalformations—that

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sortofthing.”ShesmiledsadlyatDurellandsippedherbourbon.“ThisAmericanwhiskeyissomethingIhavedevelopedasmalltastefor.Isityourfavorite?”“Yes.It’spopularwhereIcomefrom.”

“Louisiana?TheycallyouaCajun?”Shefrownedslightly.“Isthatnotatermmeaningaformofexile—”

“Notexactly.”Hedidnotgointoit.Hefeltathinedgeofexcitement,apartfromhisawarenessofAlessaasanextraordinarywoman.“I’dliketoknowmoreaboutwhathappenedtoBergmann.”

Hereyeswerepained.“Iwasveryfondofhim.Hewasverydeartome,aharmless,middle-agedmandevotedtoresearch.Hewasveryexcitedaboutthenickel.Hesaiditwasquiterich.”

“Butyoudidn’tgotothesitewithhim?”

“Therewasasuddenstorm,quitesevere.Itwasimpossible.”

“Youdidn’twaititout?”

“Wehadtoleavethemountaininahurry.SomeChinesepatrolswerereported.Anyway,Bergmannhadhisoresamplesandhismap.”

“Nobodyseemstoknowwhathappenedtothemap,”Durellsaid.

“OrtoErnstBergmann,”shesaidinquietreproof.“Hewasmoreimportanttomethantherocksandthemap.InRawalpindihewenttotheAmericanInformationOfficeandspoketooneofyourofficersthereandlefttheoresamples,butnotthechart.YourofficialnotifiedyourStateDepartment,Isuppose.IhadalsocabledtoRudiandSarah,atCannesthen,andIsupposeSarahnotifiedherbusinessoffice,whointurnalsocalledWashington’sattentiontothediscoveryofnickelonS-5.”Shesmiled.“Andsoyouareheretoaccompanyusandseethatthistimeweconcludeourmissionsafely.”

Durellwonderedifshewasavoidingthepoint.“Butdidn’tyouseeBergmannafterhelefttheAmericanofficeinRawalpindi?”

“No.Noonesawhimafterthat.He—simplyvanished.”“Whatdoyouthinkhappenedtohim?”

“Idonotknow.Hewasagentle,naiveman,notgiventothinkingintermsofviolence.”

“Doyouthinkhemetwithviolence?”

Shesaiddesperately,“Nothingelsewouldhavekepthimfromreturningtomethatday.Hewasveryloyaltome.”“Youdon’tsupposehemighthavebeenapproachedwithalargesumofmoneyforhismap?SomeonewhowaswaitingforhimwhenhelefttheAmericanInformationOffices?”Shelookedshocked.“Youareasuspiciousman.”

“It’smybusinesstobesuspicious,Alessa.”

“ForErnstBergmanntoselloutandarrangeadisappearancelikethatismostimplausible.Ifyouknewhim—”“Thenwhathappenedtohim?”

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“Ithinkhewaskilled—forthemap.”Hervoicewascold.“IthinkthisshouldexplainthehastewithwhichyourgovernmentandthePakistaniofficialshelpedmereorganizetheexpeditiontoS-5.”

Thetelephonerangagain.Sarahcameintotheroomandansweredit,thenturnedtheinstrumentovertoDurell.“It’sforyou.”

ItwasColonelK’Ayub.HespokeinUrdu,whichexpressedasenseofcoolformalitybetterthanEnglish.

“Wehavefoundher,Mr.Durell,”hesaidquietly.

“Alive?”

“Yes.”

“Youhaveherincustody?”

“Undersurveillance,”K’Ayubsaid,switchingbacktoEng-

lish.“ShewastracedinarathererraticwalkingtouraroundtheShepsiMosque,intoEdwardVIIPark,thentheJunoMarket.ShehasbeensittingattheMonktonCafeGrandforanhournow,waitingforsomeone.”

“Whoiswatchingher?”

“Zalmadar.APathansergeant,mypersonalservant.”“Didshemakeanycontacts?”

“Wehavepickedupabeggar,aJainholymanwhoaccostedher,aGoanesegentleman,achi-chinamedDaSilva,andtheownerofasilverbazaar,aMr.Janninin.Theyinsisttheyhadnobusinesswithher.Theysaysheseemeddazedandlost.Wearecontinuingthequestioning.”

“Ifshe’sstillsittinginMonkton’s,thenshehasn’tmetthemanshe’sexpectingsofar.”

“Exactly.ShallIpickyouup?”

“I’llmeetyou,”Durellsaid.“Tellmewhereandwhen.”“Tenminutes.AttheMetropole?”

“Right.”

Durellhungup.SarahStandishwatchedhimwithanxiouseyes.“IsJaneallright?”

“Perhaps,”hesaid.HelookedatAlessa.“WouldyoumindaskingyourbrotherRuditostepdownhereforamoment?”“I’msorry,”Alessasaid.“HeleftthebungalowatthesametimeIcamedownstairstomeetyou.”

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Thesunwaslower,hazedbythesteamyhumidity,anditwouldsoonbedark;butthereseemedtobenorelieffromtheheat.ThecrowdhadthickenedatMonkton’s,mostlyEnglishmen,shippingagentsandclaimsandadjustmentpeople,afewAmericansoneconomicmissions,somePortuguesebusinessmen.Jane’snauseacameinwaves,likethethickeningdarkness.Hereyessearchedthecrowdedsidewalk—theEuropeansinsmallminority,thePakistanisinsherwanis,pajamatrousersandJinnahcaps,thePathansandfewHindus,theArabs,richandpoor,aSherpa,themilitaryintrimkhaki.Trafficinmotleyinterurbanbuses,packeduntilthevehiclesbulged,rolledoutwardtothenewurbandevelopmentprojects.Bicycles,rickshaws,afewcamel-drawncartsfoughtforspaceonthebroadavenue.

ThenshesawRudiwalkingfromthedirectionoftheMetropole,tallandhandsomeandNordic,ateaseinthediversecrowd.HeworeawhitelinenItaliansuit,anAmericandrip-dryshirt,adarkthinnecktie.Shehatedhimandlovedhim,

despisingherhandthatliftedeagerlyasifofitsownwill,toattracthisattentionandgreethim.

Hestoodathertable,unsmiling.“Jane.”

“Sitdown,Rudi,”shesaidhumbly.“Pleasedon’tfrownatmelikethat.I’msorry,butIsimplyhadtoseeyou,andyouavoidedmeatthehouse,fromthemomentwecametoKarachiyesterday—”

“Wewillbetogetherforseveralweeks,”hesaidcoldly.

“Mustyoubesomelodramatic?”

“Whydoyouavoidme?”sheinsisted.

“Youmakeafoolofyourself.”

Shebowedherhead.“ButIcan’thelpit.I’mdesperate.”“Desperate?”

“I’mintrouble.”

Hedidnotaskwhatshemeant.Perhapsheknew,oratleastsuspected.Hesaidimpatiently,“Comewithme,Jane.Peoplearestaringatus.”

“Idon’tcare.Imusttalktoyou.”

“Thenletustalkinprivate,nothere.Ihaverentedacar,aFerrari.”Hissuddenchangeintonewhenhementionedthemotorcarwasalmostchildlike,shethought.“ItbelongstoamemberoftheItalianlegation,CountPucci.He’supintheNorthwestTerritoryforthesummer.Wecanenjoyadrive,perhapsouttotheKarachiCountryClub.”

“Allright,”shesaidmeekly.

Shegatheredupglovesandhandbagclumsily,awareofhiscriticaleyes.Whenshewasready,hedidnotmove.“WhereareSarah’sglasses?”

“Oh,Itookthemoff.Mr.DurellsaidIshouldn’tgoonwiththeimpersonation.”

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“Nonsense.ItisyourdutytoSarah.”

“ButI—”

“Putthemon,please.Atonce.”

Sheobeyed,andfollowedhistallfigurethroughthecrowdtowherealow-slung,darkblueFerrariwasparked.Hedrovequickly,settlingwithasighofpleasureontheleatherbucketseats.Shesatasfarfromhimaspossible,twistedside-wisetowatchhisstrong,ratherbrutalprofile,toseethewaythewindwhippedhisover-longhairinthick,ropystrands.Shewasappalled,becauseshestillwantedhim.ThehotwindsearedherfacelikeabrandingironastheydroveoutVictoriaRoad.Afewlightsglowedintheshopwindowsnow,againstthedeepeningearlydusk.

“Don’tdrivesofast,Rudi,”shesaid.“Please.”“Onemustfacelifeboldly,”hesaid.“Onemustbereadyfordefeataswellasvictory,Jane.Igatheryouwishtospeaktomeofourpersonalrelationship.”

“Yes.”

“Itoldyoubefore,againandagain,itisover.”

“Butitisn’t,unfortunately,”shesaid.

“Iamnotresponsibleforanyfurtherproblems.”

“Butyouare.AndIneedyourhelp.”

“Doyouwanttogohome,backtotheStates?Isthatit?”“No,Ican’tgohome.”

“Youwantmoney,then?Foradoctor?”

Shewasstartled.“YouknowI’m—goingtohaveachild?”“Youareastupid,naivegirl.OfcourseIknow.Withatypesuchasyou,itwasinevitable,Isuppose.Ishouldhaveknownbetter,inthefirstplace.ButIneededyou.”Hisvoicewascold.“However,nowIamgoingtomarrySarahStandish.”

“No,”shesaid,andthefirmharshnessofhervoicewasalmostlikeanoutcry.“No,you’renot.”

“Youplantotellheraboutus?”

“IfImust.”

“Whatdoyouwantofme?”

Shetwistedherglovedhandsinherlap,notknowinghowtoreply.Whatdidshewant?Hedidnotcareapinforher,perhapsheneverhad.HehadusedhertobeintroducedtoSarah,thatwasall,andnowhewasfinishedwithher.Butitcouldn’tbealloverforherself.Shethoughtofallherdreams,herfuturewithhimidealized,thelettersshehadplannedtowritehometoPoppaandMommaabouthim.Uselesstotrytobendlifeitselftofitsuchdreams.Buthowcouldsheanswerhim?Shedidnotknowwhatshewanted.

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“Iwillgiveyoumoneyandfindadoctorforyou,”Rudisaid.“YouwilltellMissStandishyouaresick.Thedoctorwillco-operate.YoucanstayhereinKarachiuntilthematterissettled.”

“Iwon’tdoit,”shesaid.“It’ssinful.Iwon’tlosethechild.”“Don’tbestupid.ItisallIcanoffer.Youmustagree.”“No.”

Hesaidbluntly,“Verywell.Itshallbeasyouwish.”“Whatdoyoumean?”

“Wewillhavetosettleitmyway,entirely.”

TheFerrari,shenoticed,hadslowedtoacrawl.WhenhadtheyleftthebrightandbusyVictoriaRoad?Shecouldnotrememberturningoff.Butnowshesawloadingcranes,warehouses,lowtinroofsglimmeringintheredraysofthesullen,settingsun.TheywereneartheWestWharfarea.ThesmelloftheancientIndusRiver,carryingwithitthewasteofacontinent,touchedheroffensively.Thecarlaboriouslythreadeditswaydownanarrowstreetofyellowedhouses,aChinesequarterofteashops,bazaars,tallandleaningArabtenements.Thenarrowstreetwascrowdedwithcycles,atonga,andtwohalteredcamels.Astheyhaltedforamoment,someoneopenedawindowaboveandemptiedabucketoffilthywaterintothestreet.Itsplashedheavilyonthedriverofthetwo-wheeledtongacart.InstantlytheairwasshrillwithimprecationsbetweenPunjabiandArab,thedrivershakinghisfistandscreaming,themanaboveinthewindowlookingdownattheother’sragewithimpassiveeyes.AsmallcrowdbegantogatherasthePunjabitongadriverstartedbellicoselyforthetenementdoor,andRudicluckedinannoyance.Butorderwasquicklyrestoredbytwouniformedpolicemenwhoshovedruthlesslythroughtheexcitedcrowdtowardthedriver.Theirmethodswerequickandefficient.Clubsliftedandfell,andtheoutragedPunjabiwentdowntothefilthygutterwithhisheadbleeding.Someoneinthecrowdtooktheopportunitytokickatthefallenman.Thecopsturnedonthebystanderandclubbedhim,too.Thecrowdscattered.Amomentlater,Rudiwasabletodriveon,pastthebleeding,unconsciousfigureofthePunjabi,whostilllayinthestreet.

TheypassedanalleywaywhereJaneglimpsedsmokefromcookingfiresaswomencrouchedonthestonepavingandpreparedmeagermealsofcurry.Asenseofalienhostilitysweptfromthecrowdlikeatidalwavearoundthebrightcar,thick-throatedwithresentmentatWesternaffluence.AdirtyhandsuddenlyreachedinandsnatchedatJane’searring,andsheduckedherheadinfranticpanic,turningtoRudiwithalowgasp.

“Whatarewedoinghere?Whyareweinthisplace?”

“Itisallright,liebchen,mydarling,”hesaidquietly.“Donotbealarmed.Youhavenotseenthisquarterbefore.Itisinteresting.”

“Rudi,takemeback.Ionlywantedtotalktoyou.”

“Inalittlewhile.”

“It’sgettingdarkandIwanttogobacknow.”

Heturnedhisheadashestoppedthecartopermitacamelcarttocrossaheadofthem.Hiseyeswerepaleandvacant.

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Thepungencyofdungfiresstunghereyes,andsheblinkedathertears.

“Jane,youarrangedaprettylittletrapforme,didyounot?”

“Atrap?”

“Youknowwehavebeenfollowed,”hesaid.

“That’snonsense.Bywhom?”

“Thepolice,Isupposed.ByDurell.”

Shelookedback.Theteeminghumanityhadclosedinacrossthestreetlikedisplacedwatersurgingbacktoitsnaturallevel.

“Idon’tseeanything,”shesaid.

“Welostthem.ButIamdisappointedinyou,”Rudisaid.“Totrapmelikethis,Jane,ismostunworthy.”

“Rudi,Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.Whyarewehere?”

“Ihaveabusinessappointment,”hesaidshortly.“Itwillnottakelong.SomeequipmentwemayneedonS-5.Donotbesoalarmed.”

HehadturnedtheFerrariintoanalleybetweenhigh,yellow-stainedbuildingsthatlookedlikewarehouses.Itwasdarkandhothere,likeanoven,thebuildingsradiatingbackintoherfacetheheatoftheday.Shehatedthefeelingofsweatthatcameoutalloverher,andyetsheshiveredwithaninnerchill.Rudistoppedthecarandgotout.Theywereinakindofcul-de-sac,andfromthesuddenreverberatingechoesofafreighter’shorn,sheknewtheywereveryclosetothewharvesontheInduswaterfront.Shelookedbackagain.Nothingwasbehindthem.Butshedidn’tlikethepeculiaremptinessofthistenementalleywhereRudihadparked.Thewindows,uptherebehindtheirsmallbalconies,lookedlifeless.Aheadwasaconcretewallwithablue-painteddoorinit.

“Iwillberightback,”Rudisaid.“Youmuststayhere,Jane.”

“Please,Rudi,Iwanttogowithyou.”

“Iwillonlybegoneamoment.”

Hewalkedaway,goingthroughthedoorwayahead,andshewasalone.

Theheatsearedherlungs.Thefreighterhootedagain,asifitwerejustontheothersideoftheyellowwarehouseonherright.Shegotoutofthecar,squeezingbetweenthefenderandthebuilding’swall.Therewasnotmuchmoreroomontheotherside.Shewonderedifsheoughttofollow

Rudi.Whywasitsoquiethere?Backintheotherstreet,atleast,therehadbeenbusy,swarmingpeople,sweatyanddirtyandnoisy.Butitwassolonelyhere,shethought.Suchapeculiarplace.

ShehadgainednothingwithRudi.Hewouldnothelpher.AndhewouldnotlethertalktoSarah.She

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sawithadbeenafoolishthreattomake.Butwhyhadhesaidtheywerebeingfollowed?Maybeitwasagoodthing.Buthermomentaryreassurancequicklyvanished.Sheturnedtothedoorinthewall,thenturnedagainandstartedwalkingtothealleyentrance.

Herheartlurchedandpoundedsuddenly.Twomenhadcomeintothealleyfromthestreetbeyond.TheywereyoungChinese,andtheirappearancewasincongruous.TheyworebluedenimsandsneakersandoneworeawhitebaseballshirtwithYANKEESprintedonit.TheotherworeagaudyHawaiiantypesportshirt,thetailshangingoutaroundhisbelt.Theymovedswiftlyanddecisivelytowardherintheeveninggloomofthealley.

Shechokeddownasilentscream.Afterall,Rudihadbroughtherhere.Itwouldbeallright.

ThetwoChinesecametowardher,walkingontheirtoes.Onesaid,“Oh,babe.”Theothersaid,“Thisistoobad,MissStandish.”

“I’mnotMissStandish,”Janesaidquickly.

“Sure,honey,you’renobody.”

Theycrowdedclosetoherassheshrankagainstthewall,andthenshesawthefirstChineseboy’seyeswidensuddenly,unnaturally,andhemadeaquickmovementandshefeltsomethinggointoherbellyandripupward,withahissingsoundofcutflesh.Ashatteringscreamtoreoutofherlungsandthroat,likethesoundofaslaughteredanimal.ShescreamedagainandthentheChineseboypulledtheknifeoutofherandshesawtheblade,halfshining,glisteningwithherblood,forjustaninstantasitflashedbeforehereyes.Thenitcameacrossherthroatinaquick,expertmovementandshefeltherselffalling,awareofnopain,awareofadarknessandwarmthenvelopingherandthinkingdimlyofMommaandPoppainGardensFalls,Indiana,beforeshedied....

Everythingwasquietinthealley.ThesecondChinese,whohadonlywatched,turnedandtrottedaway.Rudicameoutofthedoornearby.Hewaswipinghishandsonhishandker-

chief.HedidnotlookatthecrumpledbodyofJaneKinginthedirtyalley.

“Itisdone,”theChineseboysaid.Hewastheoneinthebaseballshirt.“Youpaymenow.”

“Whynot?”Rudisaid.

HetookagunfromhispocketandshottheChineseboyinthehead.Thesinglereportwasenormous,echoingbackandforthbetweentheyellowwarehousewalls.TheChinesefellacrossJaneKing’ssprawledlegs.

Rudihesitated,staringupattheskyforaspeculativemoment,weighingtheguninhishand.Thenhebroughthisarmupwithasharp,smashinggestureandstruckhimselfonce,twice,athirdtimeacrossthefaceandforehead.Hewentdownonhandsandkneeswithbloodspillingdownhisface,blindinghim,andheremainedlikethat,shakinghishead,watchingthedropsspatterinthefilthofthealley,andhedidnotlookupasheheardDurellandColonelK’Ayubruntowardhimatlast....

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Thenearestpolicestationwasinadarkbluecinder-blockbuildingneartheJohnston-MayOil,Ltd.wharves.Inside,whereaSikhsergeantsatbehindanewmetaldesk,therewereseveraluniformedpoliceatworkinalong,wideroomwithbarredwindowsthatgaveaviewoftherivertraffic.Afat,baldFrenchmanwasarguingwiththeSikhsergeant,andanakedman,exceptforadirtyloincloth,wasbeingdraggedbytwobigpolicemenintoabackroom.Anair-conditionerwheezedinthewindows,butacrosstheroomanotherwindowwaswideopen,lettinginthehotstenchofthewaterfront.Fishingboats,Arabdhows,andatankermovedinthefairway.Lightsblinkedontheshipsandbusydocks.

Thestationsmelledlikeallpolicestationstheworldover,Durellthought.Itcarriedinitswallsthestenchofurineandvomitandblood,andaboveall,thesmellofhumanfearandpain.

ThedoctorwasagauntEnglishman,yellowwithyearsofmalarialbouts.Rudisatinachairwhilethedoctortendedtohiscutface.DurellandK’Ayubstoodagainsttheoppositewall,watchingthepatientwhowasbathedinhotlightfromatin-shadedlampoverthechair.AtthedoorwasSergeantZalmadar,K’Ayub’sPathanservant,bigandtoughandlightonhisfeet,likemostmountainpeople.

“Couldthesewoundsbeself-inflicted?”Durellasked.

TheEnglishdoctorwavedabloodyswab.“Mydearman,itwouldtakeagreatdealofcourage.Thiseyecouldhavebeenbadlyinjured.”

“Butitisn’t.”

“FortunatelyforHerrvonBuhlen,no.”

Rudi’smouthwaspuffy,andtheeyethedoctorreferredtowaspartlyclosedbyswelling.Therewasagashaboveitthatneededstitches.

“TellusagainwhyyoutookthegirltoAswaliAlley,”K’Ayubsaidharshly.

Rudishrugged.“Iwaslost,asIsaid.Wewereheadingforthegolfcourse—fordinner,afewdrinks.Janewantedtoseethewaterfrontslums.Imadeawrongturnandfoundmyselfinthatdead-endspotandbeforeIcouldbackout;theChineseboyjumpedher.”

“Fornoreason?”

“Hehadareason,Isuppose.”

Durelllitacigarette.“Whatdoyousuggestitwas?”Rudiwincedasthedoctorbeganstitchingabovehiseye.“HethoughtshewasSarahStandish.Idon’tknowhowtoexpressmyshock.Itwasaterriblemistake,toimposethedeceptiononJane.Itledtoherdeath.”

“TheChineseboyaddressedherasMissStandish?”

“Yes.Andthenheknifedher.Hewasterriblyfast.”“Andthenyoushothim?”

“Yes.Iwasshocked,butafterall—”

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K’Ayubsaidquietly,“Butyouknewwewerefollowingyou,didyounot,HerrvonBuhlen?”

“No,Ididnot.”Rudi’svoicewasangryforamoment.“WhyshouldIthinkanyonewouldfollowme?”

“YouknewwewerelookingforJaneKing.”

“No,Ididn’tknowthat,either.IwasupstairswhenMr.Durellcametothebungalow.Ihaven’tmethimbefore—notuntilyougentlemenfoundmeinthatalley.”

“Yetyoutookevasivetacticsinyourdrivethatcausedustoloseyouanddropfarbehind.Weonlyfoundyoubecauseofthedistinctivecaryoudrove.Itattractedsomeattention.”

Rudispreadhishands.“Well,thereyouare.IfIweretryingtolureJanesecretlytothatplace,wouldIadvertisemyroutebyhiringthatFerrari?”

“Youmight,”Durellsaid.

Durelllookedtallandangry.HehadseenthebutcheryonJaneKing,andtheuglyimagelingeredinhismind.Itwasonething,whenyouwereinthebusinessandknewtherisksandbalancedyourtrainingandreflexesagainstthewilesoftheenemy.ItwasanothertobeabewilderedandhelplessJaneKing,accustomedtothesaneandorderlyworldabovethesurfaceofDurell’s.Heresentedherdeath.Itwasunnecessary.Andithadbeenbrutallycruel.HewasnotsatisfiedwithRudi’sexplanationthatJanehadbeenmistakenforSarahStandish.Possiblyitwasthetruth—butnotallofthetruth,hethought.

HetriedtobeobjectiveaboutRudi.Therearemenyoumeetwhomyoudislikeinstinctively,astwomaleanimalsinajunglewillatoncebechargedwithmutualenmity.Thefeelingwastherebetweenhimselfandtheblondman.Rudiknewit.Theybothunderstooditthefirsttimetheireyesmet.Therewasasmellofconflictbetweenthemthatmightonlyberesolvedbyviolence.Yetnothingbutafewpolitequestionsandreplieshadbeenexchanged.

TheSikhsergeantcameinandwhisperedsomethingtoK’Ayub,whogesturedtohisPathanservant.ZalmadarwentoutwiththeSikh.

K’Ayubsaid,“HerrvonBuhlen,youwereafriendofMissKing’s,wereyounot?”

“Notexactlyafriend.”

“More,perhaps?”

“Once.Notanylonger.”

“Youwereoncelovers,isthatit?”

Rudinoddedreadily.“True.”

“Buttodayyourlovehadturnedtohate,ithadendedinjealousy,inathreatperhapsbyMissKingtotellMissStandishofyouraffairwithher?”

Rudididnotlooksurprised.Hepausedforonlyamoment.“Shewaspregnant,”hesaid.“Isuppose

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yourdoctorjustreportedthat.Pleasedon’tplayclevergameswithme,Colonel.YouandImaybetogetherforsomeweeks,startingtomorrow.Wemayneedeachother.SoIadmitit,mantoman,andtrustyouwillunderstand.JaneKingthoughtIshouldbenamedasthefatherofherunbornchild.”

“Andwereyouthefather?”

“Icouldn’tsay.Theremayhavebeenothermen.Idon’tknowofany,frankly,butwithagirllikeJane—”Rudipaused.“Shewantedtodiscussherpredicament.Weweregoingtohavedinnerandtalkaboutit.Ihadnoideayouwerelookingforher.Shetelephonedthehousewhileyouwerethere,Durell,andIwentouttomeetherandwegotlost.

Whenshesawthenativestreets,shewantedtogofarther.ButIguesswewerefollowedallthetime.Notjustbyyou.ButbytheChinesekillers.”

“Wedidnotseethem,”K’Ayubsaid.Helookedangry.TherewasasmallsilencewhiletheEnglishdoctoraskedRuditoholdstillandthensnippedofftheendofthesuturesandappliedasquareofgauzeandtapetohiswound.Rudipushedhislonghairbackfromhisyellowandbruisedface,straightenedhisnecktie,shruggedintohiscoat.TheEnglishmanofferedhimsomebrandy.Rudisaid,“Bitte,”andgulpeditdown.

“AmIunderarrestnow?”heaskedquietly.“Perhapsmystoryseemsstrangetoyou,butI’vetoldyouallIknowabouthowithappened.JanewasmistakenforSarahStandish.Itwasmyfault—ourgettinglost,Imean—butIthinkitwouldhavehappened,anyway.Themiracleisthatitdidn’thappenearlier,whenshewaswanderingaroundalone.”

“Yes,”K’Ayubsaid.

Rudilookedworried.“WillyourreportonJane’sconditionbekeptconfidential?I’mnaturallyconcernedaboutitseffectonMissStandishifshelearnswhatI’veconfessedtoyougentlemen—”

“Itwillnotbenecessarytopublishthisfact.”K’AyublookedatDurell.“Norisitnecessaryforanyofustoremainhere.”

HenoddedforDurelltofollowhimintotheouterroom.K’Ayubwasastrongmanhere,withpowerandinfluence,andhissoftbodyandfaceweredeceiving.ThePakistanimincednowords.

“Durell,doyouthinkhekilledJaneKing?”

“Ithinkhearrangedit,”Durellsaid.

“Andhiswoundsareself-inflicted?”

“They’llheal,”Durellsaid.“ButJaneisdead.Willyouholdhimonamurdercharge?”

“Weareanewnation,”K’Ayubsaidthinly,“butwerespectlawandorder.Murderisthesametheworldover.Aninvestigationisrequired.Technically,allofyoucouldbedetainedforinquiry.Butourproblemisawkward.MissStandishhasleasedaplanefromalocalairline.Whenoneneednotcountmoney,luxuriesandcomfortsareautomatic,eh?Ourproblemisthat,ifweholdRudivonBuhleninKarachiforthecourts,oronanypretext,wemaynotmerelydelaytheexpeditiontoS-5,butMissStandishmay

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callthewholethingoff.Thismightbedeploredbymygovernment,butitwouldenditsinterestintheaffair.Ihappentobeinoppositiontocertaingovernmentalfactionsthatresistexploratoryprogress.Wemaygainnothingintheend,anyway.IfRudiisanenemyandhasfurtherplans,wewouldgivehimalittlerope,youagree?Andifweproceed,pendingafurtherinquiry,hewillbeinasenseinourcustody.”

“Iunderstand,”Durellsaid.

“YouandIcantakecareofRudiwhenthetimescomes,”K’Ayubsaid,smilingthinly.

“Let’shopeso,”Durellsaid.

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chaptersevenTHEYflewfromRawalpindianhourafterdawn,throughaskyalreadyamoltenyellow,swingingwideoverthemanymouthsofthesluggish,muddyIndus.ThesunflaredbrilliantlyoverthesandhillsandthewindingblackroadthatfollowedtherivernorththroughthedesertoftheSind.Forahundredmiles,thescenewasoneofseveredesolation,erosion,andemptiness.

TheDC-3hadbeenhastilyconverted,withcomfortableseats,akitchen,andstaffedwithtwoturbanedBengaliservantswhoservedteaandrollsandomeletswhentheywerealoft.ConstraintpersistedamongthepassengerssinceDurellhadbroughtbackthenewsofJane’sdeath.Sarahlookedasifshehadnotsleptatall,andshehadchangedherusualglassesforapairwithlargegreensunlensesthathidhereyes.Shesataloneattake-off,andthenRudicamebackfromthepilot’scompartmentandkissedherlightly.Shemurmuredsomethinginapparentannoyance.Herfacewaspale.Hewhisperedagainandsheshookherheadandthenhespokemoreurgentlyandshesighedandgotupandwentforwardwithhim.ThePakistanico-pilotcamebackandtookaseatintherearandpromptlyfellasleep.

ColonelLathriK’Ayubkepthimselfbusywithasmallkneedeskonhislap,absorbedincorrespondence.Abusyman,DurellthoughtandagrowingpowerinthisdynamicMoslemcountry—thesortofmilitarymanwitheducationandambitionwhooftenenteredpolitics,usuallywithamilitarycoup,andhelpedtorulethenewnation.

TherehadbeenradioreportsoftroubleontheclosedAfghanborder,butnothinghadcomethroughonthenewsprogramofJaneKing’sdeath.Ithadbeenkeptofftheairandoutofthenewspapers,thankstoK’Ayub’sinfluence.

DurellnotedthatAlessahadnotspokentoherbrotherRudiatall.Shesatatawindowwiththeharshsunlightglancingoffthewingandreflectinginherovalface.Herpalehair,cutlikeaboy’s,madeherlookyouthfulanddeniedherscholasticair.Sheworeawhitesilkblouse,cutlow,andwhenDurellstoodbesideherandaskedifhemightsitwithher,hesawthesmooth,tautswellofherbreastsunderthesilk.Hersmilewasmechanical.Shetouchedherblueskirtandnodded.

“Pleasedo.Iammostunhappy.Iamnotasuperstitiousperson,andyetIfeelwebeginunderabadomen.”

“Jane’sdeathmayonlyhavebeenanunhappycoincidence,”hesuggested,sittinginthechairbesideher.

Hereyesweresolemn.“Doyoubelievethat?”

“There’snopointinjumpingtoconclusions.”

“Youdonotstrikemeasacautiousman,”shesaid.“Normuchofadiplomat,either.IwasveryfondofJane.”“SowasSarah,andyourbrother.Perhapsitwillallbeexplained,oneday.”

“Maybeitwillbebestifweneverfindtheanswer,”Alessamurmured.

“Itmustbefound,though.Imeantofindit.”Hepaused.“Whywouldn’tyouwanttoknow?Areyou

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afraidofthetruth?”

“Perhapsitwouldservenopurpose,”shesaid.

“Still,murdermustbepunished.”

Sheturnedawaythen,andpointeddownwardatthebrown,searedlandscapetochangethesubject.“TherearetheruinsofMohaghadoro.Doyouknowaboutthem?”Therewasashort,dustyairstripinlandfromtheIndus,afewnondescriptmoundsofmudbrickruinsthatseemedinsignificantfromthethousand-footelevation.Alessaspokeanimatedly,engrossedinherspecialknowledge,pointingtotheruinsofaBuddhisttempleinwhathadbeenaflourishingcityin2500B.C.,acommunityofpillaredhalls,publicbaths,granariesandwatchtowers.Durellsawsmallricefields,grovesoftamariskandbabultreesthatlookeddustysilverinthemorninglight.Laboringbullocksandmeninturbansandloinclothslookedinfinitelysmallastheplaneborenorththroughthebrazensky.

AlessatalkedonabouttheMohaghadoroartificats—gold,silverandalabasterjewels,tallvasesandtoolsofcopperandbronze.HerfacegrewabsorbedasshetalkedofIndra,thewargodoftheAryanswhofoughtthelocal“barbarians”whobuiltthewalledcities,discussingthewordpurinSanskritthatmeantafort,andhowtheRig-VedadescribedIndra’sdestructionofninetyofthesewalledcitiesoftheIndusvalley.

Thelandliftedsteadilyfortheeight-hundredmileflighttoLahore,capitalofPunjab.ThewasteoftheArabiaSindwasleftbehind.BynoonthelushgardencitycameisightonthebanksoftheRavi.SarahhadremainedwitRudiinthepilot’scompartmentallmorning.Lahoilookedlikeagreenjewelofwidestreets,emeraldpariwithcricketfields,statelyVictorianbuildingsfromtheBritishreign,andtheterracesandcanalsofthefabulousShalimarGardens.ThetombofMohammedIqballoomedinredsandstoneamidgoldendomesandspires,minaretsandpavilionsandcypresstrees.

Theylandedforfuelandlunch,andavisitingdelegationofPakistaniandAmericanofficialsgreetedthem,seekingoutSarahandmurmuringpoliteoffersofassistance.DurellatelunchwithAlessauntilamessengercameuptothemandhegotuptocallDonegan,backinKarachi.

Donegan’svoicewasthinandcracklyovertheIon;distancewireoftheairporttelephone.

“Nothinghere,Sam.We’resittingtightoneverything.HadtocablehometotheKinggirl’sparents,ofcourse,.andthatwillbreakinthelocalStatesidenewspapers;butcan’tbehelped.”

“AnywordontheChineseboywhogotaway?”

“It’slikehuntinganeedleinahaystack.Thelocalcopsarestillpushingatit,checkingthewaterfrontandtheChinesecolony.Butthereareafewhundredthousandpeoplejammedintoasinglesquaremile,likearabbitwarren.Nothinghasturnedupyet.IsMissStandishallright?”“Yes,”Durellsaid.

Doneganhesitated.“I’mdamnedsorryaboutitall,Sam."

“SoamI,”Durellsaid.

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TheflightfromLahoretoRawalpindiwasonehundredandfiftymiles,andthelandliftedupanadditionalthousandfeetofroughravinesandrockplateaus.ThedesertoftheSindhadlongyieldedtofieldsofcorn,cotton,melonsandrice.RawalpindiwastheheadquartersofthePakistanArmy,thelargestmilitarystationinthecountry.Now,fartothenorth,thehazybuttressesandpeaksoftheGilgitrangeandNorthwestFrontiercountry,wheretheMureehillstationwaslocated,loomedlikeamirageagainsttheshimmeringsunlight.

TherewasanotherreceptionattheairstripforSarahandsherespondedwithgraciousrestrainttotheuniformemenwhogreetedher.Rudiremainedatherside.Anairconditionedlimousinetookthemthroughthecity,aroundtheLiaqatGardenswithitsbandstandandwidelawnandstatelytrees.Fromnoontofourintheafternoon,thecity’sbusinesswashaltedbytheheat.Shopsclosed,fieldsemptiedofworkers,bullockswereunhitchedfromtheirtwo-wheeledcartsandtiedtotrees.Fromthespeedingcar,Durellnotedwomenwashingclothesinirrigationditches,whilethemensleptintheshadeofbanyantrees,usingtheirturbansaspillows.

ArepresentativeofthePakistan-AmericanSociety,theUSIS,andEmbassyofficialsoccupiedSarahStandishatthebigbungalowwhentheyarrived.LittleattentionwaspaidtoDurellorAlessa.ColonelK’Ayub’spickedsquadofmountaintrooperswerealreadyonguardatthewalledgroundsthatSarahhadleasedfromaretiredBritishbrigadierwhohadgonehometoEnglandforthesummer.Alessa,uncomfortablewiththereceptioninthebighouse,touchedDurell’sarm.

“ImustfindHansandcheckoursupplies.Willyoucomewithme?”

“Let’sfindhim.”Durellwasgladtoescape.HewasdubiousaboutthenewsmenwaitingtointerviewSarah,anddecidedshewassafeenoughforthemoment.Hehadnoticedthebigmountainguide,HansSteicher,hoveringontheoutskirtsofthecrowd,butnowthemanhaddisappeared.

Alessatookhisarm.Thebungalowwasbigandrambling,builtamongagroveofpeepultrees,withspaciouslawnsandawalledgarden.Someruinsofanancienttempleabuttedthesouthwallofthegarden,overgrownwithdarkvinesandwildshrubs.Aseriesofgo-downsprovidedquartersfortheBritisher’sservants.Bougainvillaeablazedonthewallsofthemainhouse,drippinginwaterfallsofcolorfromthewideeaves.K’Ayub’smenwerediscreetlyoutofsightnow.

DurellwalkedwithAlessadownashadedpathtoawarehouseintheback.Theareawasquietandsuburban,arelicofBritishrulewhenPakistanandIndiawereone,andnotinbloodystrife,accentedbyHinduandMoslemrivalry.Thewarehousehadacorrugatedtinroof,itsrustcoveredbymorebougainvillaeaoverthewide,opendoors.

Alessahalted,herarminDurell’s.Hewasacutelyawareofherphysically,awareofakindofinevitableattractionintheirrelationshipthatcouldn’tbedenied.Hereyesweretroubled.

“Sam,mayIspeakfranklywithyou?IwishIknewwhatyouwerethinking,but—Iwanttotrustyou,and1mayneedyourhelp.Youdon’tbelieveinthecrownofAlexanderatall,doyou?”

“Doesitmatter?”

“Itmattersterriblytome.It’ssoimportantthatI’mwillingtooverlookalmostanything.”

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“MeaningRudiandJane?”

“Perhaps.I—he’smybrother,andIwanttogivehimthebenefitofthedoubt,but—Idon’twantanythingtohapperbetweenyouandRudi.Pleasesaythatyouwillhelpme."

“Ican’tpromiseanything.”

Shehesitated.“DoyouthinkRudikilledher?”

“Idon’tknow.”

“Isupposeyouwilldowhatmustbedone.IknowRudihasmademistakes,butIcan’tbelievethisofhim.Idon’twantyoutobelieveit,either.Willyouatleastreservejudgment?Idon’twantanythingtohappentoRudi—ortoyou,either.”

Sheturnedimpulsivelyintheshadowsbythecorrugatedtinwarehouseandstoodontiptoetokisshim,movingherbodyagainsthim.Herlipswereastonishinglysoftandyielding.Shewasnaive,hethought,totrytobuyhisgoodwillthisway.Yettheexcitementexistedbetweenthem,andhekissedherhard.Sheseemedsurprised,startedtodrawawaythenyielded,herbodysuddenlyaliveanddemanding.ScratchaPh.D,hethoughtwryly,andyoumightfind—anything.

HansSteicherchosethatmomenttocomeoutofthewarehousebehindthem.HisthickgruntofsurprisemadeAlessapullfreesharply,andsomethinglikedismaytouchedhereyes.

“Oh,Hans—”

“Alessa,”thebigmansaidheavily.HekepthiseyesonDurell.“Whoisthisman?”

Shestumbledovertheintroductions.HansSteicherwasagiantwithafacelikeaslabofstone,withthickdarkhairclose-cropped,atorsostrippedtothewaist,gleamingwithsweatandripplingwithenormousmuscles.Heworesandalandapairofoil-stainedkhakishorts—itwashotinsidethetin-roofedshed—andhisbodyborescarsthatcouldhavecomefromaccidentsorwounds.HisthroatwasflushedandangryredasheregardedDurell.HedidnotofferoneofhishugehandstoacknowledgeAlessa’sfumblingintroduction.

“Ihavebeencheckingequipment,”hesaidwithoutexpression.Hemovedhisheadslightlytoindicatethecrowdedbungalow.“Idonotlikepublicreceptions.Andthereismuchworktodo.Thetwotrucksandjeepsareready,everythingispacked;butonemorecaseisduefromLinzonthisevening’splane.Ithinkwewillbereadytoleavetomorrowmorning—iftheothersare.”Hans’GermanwasstronglytingedwithaTyroleanaccent.HesaidtoAlessa,stillstaringatDurell,“ThismanistheAmericanagentforthenickelcompany.”

“Yes,”Durellsaid,surprisingthemanwithhisGerman.“DoyouthinkI’mwastingmytime?”

“Perhaps.ButIamonlypaidtoguideyoubacktoS-5.”“You’renotafraidtoreturnthere?”Durellaskeddeliberately.

Thehugemanlookedathimcoldly.“Itwillbedangerous.Itisatroubledland,tooclosetotheborderbetweentheChineseandtheAfghans.ButIamnotafraidofanything.”HansturnedbacktoAlessa,

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toweringoverher.Inhiseyeswasalookofdumb,dog-likedevotion.“IamsorryifIintruded,Alessa.”

“Please,Hans,Ihavetoldyoumanytimes,youandIareonlygoodfriends—”

“Iunderstand.ButthisAmericanismorethanafriend?”“Ofcoursenot.”

“Yougiveyourkissescheaply,then.”

Alessaflushed.Shestartedtoreply,thenshruggedandtouchedthebigman’sbulgingarms.“Iamsorryyouthinkso,Hans.”

SteicherlookedatDurell.“Youwillnottouchthefrauleinagain,please.Isitunderstood?”

NowAlessalookedangry.“Hans,Itoldyouyearsagothatyoucannotactasawatchdogovereverymanwhoiswithme.Iwillnottolerateit!Youcannotrunmylifeforme,Hans.Iwillnotpermitit.”

“Iamsorry,Alessa.”

Shedrewadeepbreath.“Wemustallco-operate.Wehaveadifficulttimeahead,andwecandowithoutfoolishquarrelsbetweenourselves.Isthatclear?”

Thebigmannodded,butDurellsawnothingchangeinhisblank,slab-likeface.Theywentintotheshedtogethertocheckthevehiclesandthecasesofmountain-climbingequipment.

Atsixo’clock,Durellborrowedoneofthecarsavailabletotheparty,choosingasmallMorris,unlikelytoattractattention,anddroveintothecity.Rawalpindi,atamuchhigherelevationthatKarachi,hadnumerousstonegovernmentbuildingsdatingbacktotheVictorian’80’s,andwidemoderntree-shadedstreets.Themilitarywereinevidenceeverywhere,wearingsmartSamBrownebeltsandpolishedboots.Durellhadshoweredandchangedintoawhitelinesuitandshirtandadarkknittednecktie.AfewEuropeanandtouristswereinsight,beginningtoawakenfromthemid-afternoonlethargyofenervatingheat.Theshopswereopenagain.

HeturnedawayfromtheLiaqatGardensintoatwistingmazeofcrowdedstreets,likedrivingthroughaveilintopastcenturies.Punjabis,Sikhs,PathansandShinwariswithfierceknivesintheirbeltsmingledwithaesthetic-lookingHindusandproudArabsintheflowingwhiterobescalledkefeyahs.Smokeredolentofkerosene,spicesandgarbageaccentedthehubbuboflanguages,ofwhichUrdudominated.

ThewayaheadwasblockedwhenheturnedrighttowardtheGijhandraBazaar.Acrowdhadgatheredthreateningatthecorner,surroundingamaninadirtywhiteturbanandrobe.Durellhadtostopthecar.Beforehecouldreversetofindanotherroute,themobsuddenlysetuponthecorneredmanwithfistsandstones,screamingasifonsuddensignal.APakistaniinfantrylieutenantwentrunningpast,hisclubmercilessontheheadsofthemob.Durellstartedoutofthecar,thendecidedtoremainwherehewas.Hesawthelieutenantreachthefallenmanandcrouchoverhimandshoutatthenearestpeople.Theyshrankawayfromhim.Thelieutenantpickeduptheman’snakedfootanddraggedhimovertherefuseonthesidewalkandhurledhimagainstthewallofthehouse.Theman’sbaldshavenheadlolledinunmistakabledeath.Asabruptlythemobhadexploded,itwasquietagain.ThelieutenantsawDurellinthecarandwalkedovertohim.

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“Yourpardon,sir.”HespokemeticulousEnglish.“Didyouseewhathappened?”

“Notexactly.Isthemandead?”

Yes.Hewasathief,theysay.HestolesixrupeesfromMohammedJangahar,thecoppermerchant.”

“Sixrupees?”Durellsaid.“It’snotmuch.”

“ItisagreatdealtoJangahar.Excuseme,Imustgetacarttotakethebodyaway.”

Thedeadmanlaylikeaheapofdirtywhiteragsagainstthewallofthebuildingonthesidewalk.Askinny,skeletalyellowdogsniffedcuriouslyatthecorpse’sdirtyfeet.Nobodyelsepaidanyfurtherattention.Theincidentwasover.Amanhaddied,butintheteemingmillions,thedeathofonemeantaninfinitesimalincreaseinspacefortheothers.

SwerjiHamadIsquitalwasafat,complacentmanwhohadthreewivesandcountlesschildrenandgrandchildren,allofwhomheseemedtoforgetfromtimetotimeintheoperationofhisbusiness,whichwastwofold.HeranateahouseneartheGijhandraBazaar,withseverallargebrassRussiansamovarsconstantlyboiling.Hisclienteleconsistedoftouchy,giantPathans,fakirstravelingasholymen,beardedSikhsintightlyboundturbans,Arabs,ShinwarisandTurkmen.ThestreetoutsideSwerji’spavilionswarmedwithcoppersmith,potters,tobaccovenders,prostitutesinblackwithlowveilstoshowtheirtrademarksinrouge,sellersoflivebirds,palmists,huckster’svendingcolddrinksandcandy,thieves,beggarsandmurderers.

SwerjiHamad’steashopintheGijhandraBazaarwaswellknowntoKSection’sheadquartersatNo.20AnnapolisStreetinWashington.Thefatmanwasnottrusted.Hisonlyinterestinpeddlinginformationwasthemoneyhewaspaidforwhatheknew.HewasknowntohavepassedmilitarydatatotheIndiangovernment,toldthePakistanisofAfghanplans,reportedChinesetroopmovementsinTibet.Hewasusefultoeveryside,sincehisinformationwasalwayscorrect,andhenceheremainedalive.

Durellhadbeenhereonce,yearsago,buthehadnodoubtthatSwerjiHamadwouldrecognizehimagain.Thefatmanneverforgotaface,itwassaid.Andhealwayshadinformation—foraprice.DurellwasinthemarketandhehadthefivethousanddollarshehadsignedforinHenryKallinger’sofficeinIstanbul.

Hewentinandfoundatableamongthebabblingpressofcustomerswhosmelledofeverythingunderthesun,andeachofwhomdisplayedhisuniqueracialtraits.Asidefromafewcuriousglances,heattractedlittleattention.HeorderedteafromaPunjabiwaiterindirtyshalwars,watchedamullahgoby,chantingtohimself,wearingthedarkgreenturbanthatindicatedhehadmadetheholyHadjtoMecca.Hewaited.

Itdidnottakelong.

Asmalldark-skinnedArabboywithover-longhairandthefaceandeyesofagirlcametohistableandspokeinUrdu.“Isquitalsahibwishesthehonorofawordwithyou,sir.”

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“Where?”

“Inhisoffice,sir.Pleasefollowme.”

SwerjiHamadsatinaheavilycushionedVictorianrockingchairbehindaroll-topdeskofequalvintage.Ahalf-emptybottleofCoca-Colaservedasapaperweightforthepapersonthedeskbeingstirredinthedraftofaslow-turning,whiningelectricfan.HisroundbrownfacebeamedatDurell.SwerjididnotspeakEnglish.HespokeFrench,severalPathandialects,andUrdu.HepreferredFrench.“Ah,M’sieuDurell!Pleasebeathome,yes?”

“Itisapleasuretoacceptyourhospitality,Swerji.Youarewell?”

“Asfatasever.Isufferfromasthmanow.AndIhaveanewwife.”

“Andyourchildren?”

“Theyeatmealive.Onecannotearnenoughmoneytoraiseafamilydecentlythesedays.Itisgoodtoseeyouinourcityagain,m’sieu.Itisgoodofyoutopatronizemyteashop.”

“IthoughtImightbuysomething,beingintown,”Durellsaid.

“Ofcourse.”

“Thatis,ifyouhaveanythingtosell.”

“SwerjiHamadhasallsortsofmerchandiseforsale.Ofcourse,someofitisexpensive.”

“Thepriceshoulddependonthequality,”Durellsaid.

“Ah,butyourcountryissoveryrich!”Thefatman’sbrowneyeswerenaive,hurt.“EveryoneknowsthatAmericagivesmoneyawaysofreely,everywhere,tofriendandfoealike.”

“Andwhichareyou,SwerjiHamad?”

Thefatmanlaughedsoftly,hisbellyshaking;hesuckedathisbottleofCoke.“Iamafriend—ofIsquital,yes?Ihavebeenexpectingyou—oroneofyourdistinguishedassociates.Iamquitepreparedtooffersomethingquiteimportant,Ibelieve.”

“IwantsomefactsaboutHerrErnstBergmann,thegeologist,whodisappearedhereinRawalpindiaboutamonthago,”Durellsaid.

“Naturally.Oneexpectedthis,too.”Swerjigiggled,thenstoppedandsaidsolemnly,“AndyouwishtoknownothingaboutRedOboe?”

Durellwaitedjustamomenttoolongtoreachforacigaretteandlightit.Hisleanfacewasimpassive.ButhesworesoftlyagainsttheshrewdnessofSwerjiHamad,knowingthatthefatmanhadnotmissedthejoltofsurprisehiswordshadcausedhim.

“I’dlikewhateveryouhaveonRedOboe,naturally,”hesaidquietly.

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“Ah,youareamantodobusinesswith!Youknowofthisman,then?”

“Ihaveheardofhim.Ishein’Pindi?”

“Soitissaid.”

“Bywhom?”

“Rumor-mongers,whores,beggars,respectedmerchants.”RedOboe.Durellthought,wasonlyanameintheclassificationfilesofKSection’scabinets.Exceptforthename,thecardwasblank,emptyofspecificdata.Buttherewerestoriesenough,andnoneofthemwerepleasant,hethoughtgrimly.

Thenamehadcroppedupsixyearsago,inconnectionwiththetheftofsomeNikemissiledatafromanItalian-siteNATObase.Agirlhadbeeninvolved,thedaughterofaRomanbaronialfamilynamedIspiglia—averyyounggirl,inherlateteens.Shehadbeenfoundbrutallybeaten,herfacedisfigured,herskullcracked.Shediedwhisperingherloveforaman,unabletodescribehimexceptinromanticandidealisticterms.HewascalledRedOboe.Shehadgottendataforhimfromherbrother,anItalianWingCommanderbeingtrainedinNikemissilehandling.Shediedbeforeshecouldsaymuchmore.

RedOboecroppedupasafree-lancepeddlerofinternationalsecretsafewmoretimes.SmugglingarmstotheAlgerianrebels,settinganexplosioninanOrancafethatkilledeighteenpeopleandaFrenchgeneral,sellingoilprospectingdatainMoroccaninterestsbackedbytheCzechs.InvolvedwithLumumbistsintheCongo;sellingtheDutchinformationonIndonesianplanstotakeoverthedisputedEastIndiesterritoriesonPapua.OrganizinganundergroundsafelineforEastGermanstotheWest;andbythesametoken,interceptingandbetrayingcertainimportanttechnicianswantedbytheEastwhowereinducedtousethesafeline.

TheonlyfixedpatternofbehaviorinRedOboe’sdossierwasmoneyandwomen.Therewerealwayswomeninvolved.Andtheyalwaysseemedtocomeouttheworseforwear—someofthemdead,somemaimed.

KSectionwantedtofillintheirfilecardandajailcellwithRedOboe’smysteriousperson.ButnoagentofKSectionhadeverbeendirectlyinvolvedwithRedOboeuntilthecasehadended.

DurellconsideredSwerjiHamad’sround,blandface.

“DidRedOboehaveanythingtodowithBergmann?”heasked.

Butthefatteahouseproprietorseemedsuddenlytohavefallenasleep,pudgyhandsfoldedoverhisvastbelly,likeasmilingBuddha.Hespokewithhiseyesclosed.“Itwillcostyoutwothousanddollars,Americancurrency,incash.”

“Itmaybeworthfivehundred,”Durellbargained.Bargainingwasexpectedofhim.ThevalueofSwerji’sinformationmightdependonit.“That’sthetoppricethesedays.”“Twothousand,”Swerjirepeated.“Iamoppressedbymanycreditors.ABengalimerchantwhodealsincottonswindledmeoutofaconsignmentItookonspeculation—”“WhatdoyouknowaboutRedOboe?”

“Nothing—yet.Imayknowsomethinglater.”

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“When?”

“Tomorrowmorning.”

“Allright.AndErnstBergmann?”

“TheysaytheoldAustriangentlemanisstillalive.”“Here,in’Pindi?”

“Itiswhattheysay.”

“Where?”

“Itwillcostsomemoneytofindout.IwillneedtwothousandAmericandollars,incurrency,pluscostofexpenses—”

“Onethousand,andnoexpenses.”

SwerjiHamadsighedpainfully.“IamgladthatallAmericansarenotlikeyou,M’sieuDurell.”

Thefatmanwentoffonanothertack.HediscussedthedifficultiesoftheclosedborderbetweenPakistanandAfghanistan,theincreasingobstaclestosmugglingandbribingborderguards,theSovietofferofshippingandcommunicationfacilitiestoKabultoreplacethosecutbyPakistanrecently.Therewasthenever-endingproblemofKashmir,desiredbybothIndiaandPakistan,andtheexplosivetensionsbetweentheHinduandMoslempopulations.Itwasdifficulttodobusinessinsuchunsettledtimes.Mostdangerous.However,onehadtolive,somehow.Everyrupee,everyanna,wassnatchedawaybythegrowingdemandsofwivesandfamily,thehighcostofliving,theincreasingpricesofmerchandise.

“Allright,”Durellsaid.“Onethousandandexpenses—alimitoffifteenhundred.”

SwerjiHamadopenedhismuddybrowneyesandsmiled.“Youhavecash,ofcourse?”

“Americandollars.”

“Seemetomorrow,then.Beforeyourpartyleavesforthehills.”Hepaused.“SomelaughabouttheexpeditiontoS-5andsayitisfoolishtobelieveinsuchathingasajeweledcrownoncebelongingtoAlexandertheGreat.Otherssayitispossible.Youarenotamanwhochasesfables,however.Youhaveothergoals,eh?”

“Suchas?”

SwerjiHamadsmiledagain.“Otherwise,whydoyouseekanoldman,ageologist,namedErnstBergmann?”

Durellmatchedthefatman’ssmile.Teawasbroughtin,andcakes.TheydiscussedSwerji’sfamilyandbusinessproblems.Eventually,DurellreturnedtothesubjectoftheRedOboe.

“Youhaveheardoftheshadowsystem,SwerjiHamad?Whereafree-lanceoperativesuchasRedOboehasasilentpartner,sotospeak?”

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Swerjilookedblank.“Iamsorry.Iamignorantofthis.”

“Thefreelancemusthavehiscontactstopassonhisinformation,justasthethiefneedsafence.Usually,intheshadowsystem,theprofessionalisunknowntotheamateurexceptasanumber,acontactcoveredindifferentforms.TheremustbesuchamanforRedOboe,hereinPindi.Butyouhaveheardnothing?”

“Therearemanyprofessionalspiesin’Pindi,M’sieuDurell.”Swerjisighed.“IcanseeyoulookbeyondRedOboealready.ButIcannothelpyouinthismatter.”Durellwentoutintothepavilionandateanothersweet

rollandhadanothercupofteaandwonderedalittlemoreaboutSwerji’sreferencestotheRedOboe.AllthefiledataconcerningthenamereferredtoEurope.Therewasnothingtoindicateoperationsinthispartoftheworld.Butthatdidn’tnecessarilymeanthemanandhisshadowcouldn’tbehere.

HewatchedthestreetandsuddenlysawRudivonBuhlenwalkingalonethroughthenoisy,colorfulcrowd.

Bythetimehepaidforhisteaandrolls,theAustrianhadturnedthefarcornerandvanished.Durellpushedquicklyafterhim,sawhisMorrisparkednearby,andturnedtowardit.

Everytirehadbeencarefullyslashedandflattened.

Hewalkedawaytothecorner,searchingfortheblondman’sheadabovethecrowdofbazaarmerchants,beggars,Sikhs,PunjabisandArabs.

ButRudihaddisappeared.

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chaptereightRUDIturnedleftdownthealley,countedofffourdoorsintheleaningstonebuildings,squeezedpastacameldriver,acandypeddler,abeggarsprawlednakedinthegutter,andavoidedahugePathantocometothefifthdoor.Heopenedit,wentdownanevil-smelling,darkcorridor,openedabackdoor,andturnedleftagainintoanarrowlane.Nakedchildrensquirmedandscreamedandplayedinthedust.Hecameoutintoanotherstreettoonarrowforvehiculartraffic,butcrowdedwithacamelcaravansqueezingbetweenthebackfencesofbazaarshops.Heavoidedthelong,wickedteethofthebeasts,answeredagreetingfromoneofthescrawnydrivers,andturnedatlastintoanotherdoorwaythatledintoasmall,walledyard.Inthecenteroftheyardwasasmall,erodedBuddhastatueholdingalotusblossominhisstonelap.

Sofartheinstructionswerepreciseandaccurate.Hehadfoundtheminasmall,foldedwedgeofpaperinhiscoatpocket,onlyanhourago,andhecouldnotbegintoguesswhohadputthepaperthere;Sarah’sbungalowhadbeensocrowdedwithvisitorsanddignitariesduringthelateafternoonreception,itwasimpossibletopickanyoneout.

AyoungChineseboywassquattingbesidetheBuddhaimageparinghisfingernails.Heworeabaseballcapandbluedenimsandsneakers.HelookedupatRudiandsaid,“Hi,daddio,”inEnglish.

“AreyouLim?”Rudiaskedcoldly.

“Welcometothehomepad.Gladyoumadeit.”

“Takemetoyourfather,please.”

“Right.”

Theboywasinsolent,Rudithought,withhispatterofbeatEnglish,hisblackeyesamused.Rudifollowedhimthroughsmallandgloomybackrooms,redolentwiththesmellsofhidesandbaledspicesandbinsoftea.HeknewthatthefrontofthebuildingwasaChineserestaurantofsorts,flophousesofthePakistanivariety.YoucouldbuyanythingfromKouLi,Lim’sfather,frombetelnutstoEuropeancallgirls,fromhashishtosmilingboyswithmake-uptoenlargeandbrightentheireyes.

KouLiworeaWesternseersuckersuitandatinywhitebeard;helookedgentle,smiling,obsequious.Hestoodupquicklyfrombehindalongtableandbowed.

“Ah.Wehavewaitedlongforthishonor.Youwillcomewithus,please?”

“Ishestillalive?”Rudiaskedshortly.

“Yes.Anolddevil,verystubborn.Wecouldhavemadehimtalk,buthisheartisverybadnow.Ihadexpensesforadoctortogivehimadrenalin,twice.”

“Youwillbepaid.”

“Furtherquestionshadtobepostponed.Wedidnotwanthimtodiebeforeyoucouldseehim.Butforce

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isoutofthequestion.Heisveryfrailnow.”

“Ihaven’tmuchtime,”Rudisaidbluntly.“ButIcanmakehimtalk,ifanyonecan.”

“Lim?”TheoldChinesesignaledtotheboyinthebaseballcap.“Youknowtheway.”

Limtookaflashlightfromahookonthewallandwentahead,downaflightofcellarstairsandalongaweavingpathbetweenunidentifiableboxesandbalesofmerchandise.Adoorinthecellarledtoabrick-walledtunnelthatturnedsharplyright,andopenedintoanarrowroomfurnishedwithonlyaplanktableandlongbenches.Beyondwasanotherroom,thenmorestepsintoanotherbricktunnel.Rudibegantofeelapprehensive,notknowingwherehemightbetaken.Lim’sflashlightbobbedahead,steadiedonathickwoodendoorthatwasboltedandlocked.Limunlockeditandsteppedinside.

“Youwantthelight,daddio?”

“Ifyouplease.”

Limgrinned.“Gladtomeetyou.Popstalkedalotaboutyou.It’sabigdeal,eh?”

“Youtalktoomuch,”Rudisaid.

“I’mrealAmericanized.SpentfiveyearsinSanFranciscowithacousin.OldGrampssentmetheretocoverforsome'bodyhewantedtogetoutoftheStates.Ilikeditthere.”

Rudisteppedintothecell.Hecouldseenothinginthedarkness,exceptforwhattheflashlightshowedhim.Thenwerestonewalls,filthonthefloor,anodorofsicknessandsweatandtorture.Somebodybreathedinquick,shortgaspsfromfromfailinglungs.Heturnedthelightintoacornerandsawthelivingskeletontherefeeblyflailwithapipe-stemarmagainstthetormentofthebrightflash.Heflickedthelampaside.

“UncleErnst?”hesaidsoftly.

“What?”theprisonergasped.“What?”

RudispokeinthesoftGermanoftheTyrol.“ItisI,UncleErnst.RudivonBuhlen.”

“Impossible—”

“Yes,itisI.Itwasdifficulttofindyou—whenAlessacabledaboutyourdisappearance.ButIcameassoonasIcould.”

Inthereflectedlight,themaninthecellstruggledtopresshimselfbackintothefilthycomer.Theairstank.Rudipinchedhisnostrilsanddidnotmove,notwantingtowalkinthesquelchingfilthanymorethannecessary.

ErnstBergmannlookedlikeasurvivorofAuschwitz,hethoughtcoldly.Hiswhitesuithadlongbeenblackenedandtatteredandfouledwithfoodandbloodandexcrement.Rudirememberedthegeologistasastout,cheerfulmaninhisfifties,withthickgrayhair.Whathairwasleftontheroundheadwaswhite,inthinfallingstrands.Thefacewasgauntandhaggard,almostbeyondrecognition.

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Bergmannextendedashaking,claw-likehand.“Youhavecometotakemeoutofhere,Rudi?Itistrulyyou?Yourvoice—”

“Yes.”

“Youdonotlie.Itisnotatrick?”

“Notrick,UncleErnst.”

“WhydidKouLiletyouin?Isheafriendofyours?”Theoldman’smindwasstillsharpenough,Rudithoughtdourly.“DoyouworkforKouLi,Rudi?”

“No.ItisjustthatIhave—certaininfluence.”

Theoldman’svoicestrengthened.“Yes.Influence.LikeyourUncleFranz.IsUncleFranzstillyourhero,boy?Youstilladmirewhathedid,howhelived,andhowhedied?”“IdidnotcomeheretodiscussUncleFranz.”

“Hewasanidealisticfool,boy.Atraitor.”

“TofightHitler?”

“TohelptheCommunists.Hewenttotheotherextreme.”Bergmannmadeagaspingsoundthatmighthavebeenlaughter.“Andyou,Rudi?Helpmeup.Takemeoutofhere.”

“Iwill,UncleErnst.Youwillsee,Ihave—reformed.”

“Thenhelpme.Bitte,Rudi.Please.”

Rudicrouchedbesidetheoldmaninthecorner,conqueringhisrevulsionforthefilth.“UncleErnst,youknowhowIhavealwaysadmiredyouandFranz.Iwoulddoanythingtohelpyou.IthinkIcan.IhaveconvincedKouLitoreleaseyou,sincehehasgivenuphopeofmakingyoutellhimwhatyoufoundonS-5.”

Bergmannsighed,grunted.

“HeknowsyouwenttotheAmericanswiththeoresamples,”Rudiwenton.“Whyhasheheldyouprisonerlikethis,foramonth?”

“Hewantsthechart,”Bergmannwhispered.

“Didn’tyouleaveitwiththeAmericans?”

“No.”

“Yetyoudidn’thaveitwithyouwhenKouLitookyou.”“No.”

“Whatdidyoudowithit,UncleErnst?”

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Theoldman’seyesweretheonlypartofhisparchmentfacethatseemedaliveinthereflectionofRudi’slight.“Ihavebeenaskedthatquestionseveralthousandtimes,Rudi.”“Couldyouanswerit,ifyouwould?”

“Yes.”

“Youdidsomethingveryclever,then,eh?”

Bergmannsighed.“Notveryclever.Quitesimple.Andlookwhatmyclevernessboughtme.Iamdying.”

“Youwillnotdie.Iwilltakeyoutoadoctor,inthe—Americanhospital.”

“IfItellyouaboutmychart?”

“Youmusttrustme,UncleErnst.Iamnotwhatyouthink.IadmitIwaswildwhenIwasyounger;butIhavesettleddownnow.Here,”Rudisaid.HereachedinhiswalletandtookoutaclippingfromthesocietypageoftheNewYorkTimes.Hehadkepttheclippingwithhimcarefully,forseveralmonths.“Canyoureadthis.UncleErnst?IttellsofmyengagementtomarryMissSarahStandish.”

“Yes.Iheardofit.”

“OfStandishNickel,Incorporated.”

“Yes.”

“SheishereinRawalpindinow.WeareallgoingbacktoS-5.TheAmericanandPakistangovernmentsaregivingusescortstorelocatewhatyoudiscovered.Ifyouhelpus,thejobcanbedonequickerandeasier.”

“AndtheChinese?”

“Ifyouhelpus,”Rudiinsisted,“wecannotfailtogettherefirst.Otherwise,yoursilencewilldefeatpreciselywhatyouhopetoachievebyallthetortureyouhavestoodhere.”Bergmann’seyesclosed,andRudiwasnotsureiftheoldmanwassimplythinking,orhadfainted,orhadfallenasleep.Hereachedforthethin,skeletalwrist.Thepulsewasvague,thready.Theodorinthecellseemedsharper.Nosoundcamefromthebricktunneloutside.

“YouwillmarrySarahStandish”Bergmannaskedsuddenly.

“Itisallarranged,UncleErnst.”

“Averywealthyyoungwoman,eh?”

Rudimadeajestofit.“Averycapitalisticyoungwoman,UncleErnst.ButIhappentobeinlovewithher.”

Bergmannsighed.

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“Whereisthechart,UncleErnst?”Rudiasked.“Whatdidyoudowithit?”

Bergmannopenedhiseyes.“YouhavemadeanarrangementwithKouLi?Hewillletyoutakemeoutofhere?”“Yes.Ipromise.”

“ThenIwilltellyou—whenIaminthehospital.”

Rudistifledthespurtofangerinhim.“Youmusttellmenow.WhenIhavethemap,IwillmakeacopyforKouLi.Butnotanexactone.”Hewhisperedanxiously,hurriedly.“WhenKouLihasachart—oneIshallmisinterpretforhim—thenhewillreleaseyou.”

“Ihavebeeninthisroomforalongtime,”Bergmannsaid.

“WewillflyyouhometoVienna,UncleErnst,assoonasyouarestrongagain.TheAmericanswillpayforeverything.”

“Vienna,yousay?”

“Iswearittoyou,UncleErnst.”

Bergmannwhispered,“Sometimesthewordswereascreaminmythroat.SometimesIbitmytongueandfilledmymouthwithbloodandchoked,soIcouldnotspeakevenwhenIwantedto.Andnow—Rudi,willyoubetrayme?”“WouldIbetraymyadopteduncle?”Rudiaskedgently.

“Icannotkeepitbackanylonger.HaveIbeenhereamonth,really?Ilosttrackoftime.Onecanthinkofnothingbuttheanswertotheirquestions.Youfearyouwillscreamitinyoursleep.Youthinkofitwitheverybreathyoutake.Itislikeasicknessinme.Icannotholditbackanylonger.”“Don’ttry,UncleErnst.Tellme.”

Theoldmanwept.

Rudiwaited.

Bergmannsaidquietly,“IlefttheoresamplesattheAmericanInformationOffice.FromthereIwalkeddownAswaliStreet,tothecorner.Thereisashopjustbeyond,totheright,andtheproprietorisnamedGustlBroeder.HeisaViennese,youknow?Hesellsmusicalinstruments,Rudi.”“Musical—”Rudipaused.“HerrBroederhasthechart?”“HeholdsituntilIcallforit.Hewasinstructedtotellnooneaboutit.AfewmomentsafterIlefthisshop,KouLi’smentookmeandbroughtmehere.”

Rudistoodup.“Thankyou,UncleErnst.”

Hebecameawareagainofthestinkandtheslimyfilthonthefloor.Hetooktheflashlightandwalkedtothebigwoodendoorandlookedintothetunnel.TheChineseboywasnotinsight.Turning,RudiwentbackintothecellandshonethelightonBergmann.Thedirectglaremadetheoldmanthrowuphisbonyarmagaintoshieldhisblindedeyes.Themouthwasopen,likeablackholeinhisskeletalface,andtherewereuglygapsinhisteeth.Ruditookagunfromhispocketandpointeditattheprisoner.Theoldmancouldnotseewhathewasdoing.HissmileforRudiwasanentreatytohurrybackandreleasehim.

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Rudifiredonce,andthesoundwasavastthunderclapintheundergroundcell.Theoldmanjerkedbackagainstthecornerandthentriedtocrawloutofthelight.Rudiwalkedovertohimandturnedhimoverandputthemuzzleoftheguntothebackofthebaldskullandpulledthetriggeragainforthecoupdegrace.

Thenhewalkedout.

KouLiwaitedforhimintheoffice.TheboyhadheardtheshotsandcamebacktoleadRudithroughthemazeoftunnelsandroomstoKouLi’sestablishment.Rudisatdown,unbidden,inachairandlookedattheoldChinese.

“Thepriceforthechart,”hesaidbluntly,“willbetheequivalentofonehundredthousandpoundssterlinginusedSwissfrancnotestobedepositedinaccountnumber552intheSuisseInternationaleBanquedeGeneve.Iwillexpectcableconfirmationbytomorrow.Youknowhowthesearrangementsareusuallymade.

KouLinodded,hisblackeyestouchinghisgrandson.“SoHerrBergmanntalkedtoyou?Youknowwherethechartis?”“Icangetit.”

“Perhapswecansaveyoutheerrand.”

“Iamnotanexhaustedoldman,”Rudisaid.“IcanholdoutagainstyourquestioninglongerthanBergmann.Bythetimeyoumademetalk,theAmericanswillbeonS-5andthe

PakistanFrontierRifleswillhaveadivisionoftroopsonthespot.”

KouLinoddedagain.“Soitwillbeasyousay.”

“ItmustbeasIsay,”Rudiinsisted.

“Itisagreatamountofmoneyyouask,butthereisnotimeforbargaining.Itisanagreement,then.”

Rudipaused.“Thereisoneotherthingyoumustdoforme.”

“Yes?”

“ThereisanAmericanagentwiththeexpedition—amannamedSamDurell.Adangerousandcompetentman.Itwillgomuchsaferifheisoutoftheway.”

KouLinodded,onceagain.“Itshallbearranged.”

“Itmustbedonetonight.”

“Mr.Durellwillnotseethesunriseagain,”KouLipromised.

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chapternineACOOLnightwindblewdownfromthenorthwesthillsandwashedawaythestiflingheatofday.Itrattledthefrondsofpalmtrees,rustledinthebougainvillaeavines,madeashutterbangerraticallyinthebungalowoccupiedbySarahStandishandtheS-5expedition.

Durell’sroomonthesecondfloorhadwidewindowsandaFrenchdoorwayopentotheverandathatcircledthreesidesofthehouse.Hehadcheckedthedoor,theverandawithitsBombaychairs,themoonlitlawnbelow.Hehadlockedthecommoncorridordoor,inspectedthehugewardrobecloset,lockedtheconnectingdoorfromthebathroomhesharedwithColonelK’Ayub.

HehadarrangedtosendoutacodedmessageforKSection’sinformation.AtfirstheconsideredtransmittingitbytelegraphtoDoneganinKarachi,thendecidednottotrustDoneganandusedthecableofficeneartheLiaqatGardenstorelaythecodedinquirytoHenryKallingerinIstanbul.KallingerwouldgetwhathewantedbyfurtherrelaytoWashington,ifhedidn’thaveitimmediatelyonhand,althoughDurelldoubtedthattheinformationwouldcatchupwithhimintimetobeuseful.WhatheaskedforwasanyinformationavailableonRedOboe.

Sarah,Rudi,AlessaandHanswereplayingbridgeinthebig,openlivingroombelow,whenDurellreturnedfromthecableoffice.Hewentquietlyuptohisroom,madehisroutinecheck,anddecidedthatwhatheneededwassleep.Hedidnotthinktherewouldbemanyopportunitiesforrestinthedaystocome.

Hesleptuneasily,dreaming.Thevoicesoftheothersdownstairsatthecardtabletouchedhimandsetoffnewdreamsofdistantplacesandpasttimes.Hewasinthebayouagain,atPecheRouge,aboyslippingthroughthemottledshadowsontheoldIndianchenieres,thosedike-likepathsthattwistedacrosstheblackwaterwayswherecypresskneesliftedinabstractformsandtheSpanishmossdrippeddownandbrushedthesurfaceofinkypoolsinsupplication.Hewasrunning,buthedidnotknowfromwhat.Hewasafraid.Moonlightshoneinpatternsofebonyandsilveronthegumtrees,andthecroakoffrogsandthesplashoffishandthestartledcryofabirdaccompaniedhim.Hefellfromthecheniereandslippedintodeepmudthatsuckedathisfeet,hisankles,hisknees,dragginghimhelplesslyintoblackmire.Someonecalledhisnamefromabove.Sam?Sam!ItwasagirlwithAlessa’sface,andherenormouseyeswereterrifiedandhetriedtoyelltohertoruntoBayouPecheRougeandescapetheswamp.Hewasdowntohishipsandthenhischestinthesuckingmud,andsomethinggruntedandsplashedinthewaternearbyandterrorcrawledlikecoldliceoverhisface.Hetriedtoholdhischinup,butthemudreachedaclammyhandoverhislipsandpinchedhisnostrils,andallatoncetherewasanexplosiveconvulsioninhischestastheairwascutoff.Hecouldn’tbreathe.Hethrashedout—

Heawokewithadacoitstranglingcordaroundhisneck.

Therewasnotimetothinkorquestionwhatwashappening.

Itwassimpleenough.Hewasbeingstrangledquicklyandsilentlyandexpertly.

Hisbody,hisscreaminglungsandshockednervoussystemmadehismuscleswritheandconvulse,answeringeverythingforhim.

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Buttheonlyanswerwastogetairintohislungsagain.Inthatinstant,allhisthousandsofreflexes,memorycells,habitpatterns,likesanddislikes,pastregretsandfuturehopes,becamenothing.Hehadtobreathe.Nothingelse.Hewasadyingorganism,andherespondedwithblindinstinct,flailing,struggling,awareoftheswiftandterribleoutflowofstrengthandlifeinhim,thatcouldendeverythinginafewmoreseconds.

Heclawedatthecordaroundhisthroat.Througheyesthatrapidlylostfocus,hesawthemoonlitroom,heardtheefficientsilenceofthedeedagainsttheexplosivethunderofhisheart,sawthedimloomofthethinfiguregarbedinblack,beltedrobeanddirtytunic,archingoverhimonthebed.

Thecordcutdeepintohisflesh.Hecouldnotevengetafingernailunderit.Wrongtechnique,hethoughtdimly.Likefollowingthehandofacarniepitchmantodiverttheeyefromthepeaintheshellgame.Check.Uselesstofightthecord.Impossibletoreachthehandsthattwistedandheldit.Wasteoftime.ThentrywhattheytaughtyouattheFarm,inMaryland—thatmurderousschoolwherefriendturnedtofoewithasmileandhandshakethatlandedyoumercilesslyonthehardground,toteachyoutotrustnobody.Whereyouweretaughtanatomy,thesecretsoftheneutralcenters,theuseofhandandfinger,edgeofpalm,rollednewspaper,makingtheseinnocentobjectsintolethalweaponstostun,paralyze,kill.

Hearchedhisbody,bellyup,felldown,flexedhislegsandkickedatthedarkformbendingoverhim.Hisnakedfootcaughtthesideoftheman’sneck,butnotquiteright;theturbanedheadsnappedaside,aninstanttoosoon,makingtheblowofhisheelglanceoff.

Therewasn’tmuchtimeleftnow.Normuchstrength,either.

Hislungsshrieked,hismusclestrembled.Therewasaroaringinhisears.Oncemore.Theturbanedheadhadretreatedalittleincaution.Butnotquitefarenough.Itcouldbedone.

Now.

Heflexed,arched,doubled,kicked.Heknewatoncehisheelhadcaughttherightspotintheman’sneck,behindthemaxillaries,undertheear.Withthatblowyoucoulddislocatethejaw,rupturearteries,permanentlydeafen,andkill.

Thecordaroundhisneckfellloose.

Heheardthemanstumblingaway,andtherewasawildwhistleofairsuckedintohischest,andherolledasidetotheleft,felloffthebed,hittheflooronhandsandknees.Thecarpetrockedandheavedunderhim.Anotherbreath.Heheardanoisethatdidn’tsoundhumanandhetriedtocrawlaroundthebedwherethestranglerlay.TheothermanwastryingtodraghimselfoutthroughtheopenFrenchdoorstotheverandawherethenightdarknesswaited.

Durellpushedhimselfaroundthebed.Theothermanwashalfwaytotheveranda,sobbing.Hepaused,theairinhisthroatlikemoltenbrass,thenlurchedandstumbledforwardandfellontheblack-robedman.

Ahissingsoundcamefromthegapingmouth,afragmentofUrdu.“Amistake—sahib—inAllah’smercy—”

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Underthelongtunicwasakhukriknife,curved,wickedlysharp.Durellpulleditfree.Herolledawayfromthemanandheldtheknifeathisthroatandsaid,“Bequiet,dog.”

Theroomsmelledoftheman’sfear.

Durellstoodupandleanedagainstthewallandsuckedinairinlong,measuredbreaths,waitingfortheroomtostopspinning.Theman’srouteofaccesswaseasy—fromwithinthegrounds.Acleverandcarefulman,dressedinblack,couldscalethecompoundwall,dropintotheshadowedgarden,climbthebougainvillaeatothesecond-floorveranda—Buthowhadhechosentherightroom?

Helookedatthemanwhoshudderedonthefloor,stillhalfparalyzedbyDurell’sblow.Itmightpasssoon—orthedamagecouldbepermanent.Durellfeltnosympathy.Herubbedhisthroatandwalkedbacktothebedandgothisgun,satdownandputonhisshoes,trousersandshirt.Thehousewasquiet.Thebridgegameandiceddrinksandquietconversationdownstairshadended.Theyhadallgonetosleep.Maybe.

Perhapssomeonewaswaitingtocomeintothisroomsoon,tofindhimdeadwithhisblacktonguestickingout,hiseyeslikeplumsinacongestedface.Someonewhohadtoldthestranglerwhichroomtochoose,whichwaywaseasiestoverthecompoundwall....

Evenashethoughtofit,staringdullyatthefigurethattwitchedonthefloor,someoneknockedsoftlyonthedoor.

Hegotupandwalkedtoit,keepinghisheadturnedtowardtheotherman.Hecouldbefaking,gatheringstrengthtostreaklikeafleeingsnakeouttotheverandaandovertherail,toescapeinthedarkshrubberybelow.

Hefacedthedoorpanel.“Yes?”hesaidquietly.

“Sam,areyouallright?”

ItwasAlessa’svoice,softbutworried.

Alessa?hethought.

Heturnedthebigbrasskey.“Comein,honey.”

“Iheardanoise,athumpinginhere.Theothersareasleep.Icouldn’trest,thinkingofallthedetailsofstartingtomorrowmorning—”

Sheslippedintotheroom.Herhairwaspaleandsleek,asilverycasquearoundhersmall,proudhead.Sheworeadarkskirt,aprintedsilk;blouse.Herhandtouchedhim.Hewishedthereweremorelightintheroom.Wasshesurprised?Dismayed?Orjustmildlyworriedatastrangesoundinthenight,assheimplied?

Thenshesawthemanonthefloorandsheclappedfingerstoheropenlips.“Oh—”

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“Ihadavisitor,”Durellsaid.“Keepyourvoicedown,please.Idon’twanttowakentheothers.”

“Yourvoicesounds—”

“Hetriedtostrangleme.Classicsilkcordandall.Mythroatisabitsore.”

“Sam,Idon’tunderstand—”

“NeitherdoI—yet.Butwe’llseewhathehastosay,ifhecantalk.”

“ShallIcalltheColonel?Phonethepolice?”

“No.Ihaveafeelingthismightbesomethingpersonal.”

“Butyoucan’tjustforcehim—”

“Icandoanythingwithhim,”Durellsaid.“IfIhaveto,I’llkillhim.”

Hewalkedquietlytotheshiveringmanonthefloor.Theshiveringwasanervousreflex,aseriesofspasmsresultingfromDurell’sblow.Durellkneltandlookedattheman’sdark,uglyface.Heputhisguntotheman’sear.Itwasjustaface,hethought,likeseveralmillionsofotherfacesonthesubcontinent.Tobeboughtandsold,toliveanddie,tolieandlaugh,tospitandswallowandbreath.

“Canyouhearme?”hewhisperedinUrdu.

“Yes,Durellsahib—”

“Youknowmyname?”

“Iwastold.”

“Whotoldyoutokillme?”

Therewasnoanswer.Andhecouldnotforceananswerhere.“Getupandwalkwithme,”hesaid.

“Icannot.Thereisadevilshakingmybody—”

“Try,”Durellsaid.“Oryougostraighttohell.”Hepushedthegunmuzzleintotheman’sear.Themangotup.Hisbodyspasmed,andonearmhunglimp,andhedraggedonefoot.“Outside,”Durellsaid.

Alessasteppedforward.“Sam—”

“Youhadbettercomewithme,”hesaid.“Youshouldwatchthis.We’llgototheshedbehindthehouse.Itwillbeprivatethere.”

“IthinkIoughttocallK’Ayub.”

“Comewithme,”hesaidagain.

Shefollowed,herfaceblankasitsuddenlywasrevealedinaslashofmoonlighttheycrossedonthe

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veranda.Durellstillfeltuncertainonhisfeet.Histhroatburned,andtherewasanacheinhischest.Hethrewthekhukriknifeovertherailingandhearditdropwithadryrustlinginthevinesthatgrewupthesideofthebungalow.Hepushedtheturbanedmantowardthewoodenstairwaythatleddowntothegardenterrace.Lightsshoneonthelawnfromsomeofthego-downsattherearoftheproperty,fiftyyardsaway.Ifanyguardspatrolledthegrounds,hedidnotseethem.

Noonewasinthewarehouseshed.Durellpushedthemanin,waitedforAlessa,andfollowedintothegloom.Ashaftofmoonlightguidedhim.Therewerethebulksofthetwotransporttrucksandjeepsloadedwithcanvasbalesofsuppliesthatevenincludedskisincaseanysnowprevailedinthemountains.Inthemoonlight,themansatwithhishandsflatonthedustyfloorbehindhim.Hiseyesrolledwithfear.“Howareyounamed?”Durellasked.

“Ali,sahib.”

“EveryoneisnamedAli,dog.”

“Itisagoodname.Myfathergaveittome.HewasnamedAli,too.AliHamadourji.”

“Whosentyoutome?”

“Shaib,hewillcutoutmytongueandfeedittothecrows.”

“Heisnothere,andIam,”Durellpointedout.“Youwillspeakthetruthtome.”

“Ihavenotevenbeenpaid,sahib!”themanmoaned.“Iwaspromisedonehundredrupees,butIhavenotseenoneannayet!”

“Killingisyourbusiness?”

“No,sahib,IswearbyAllah,Ihaveonlykilledtwoidolatersinmylife.”HereferredtoHindus.“Andthosewereinriotswhichcausedbloodtorunwild,likeariverinfloodtime—”

“Iamwaitingforyourtonguetorunlikeariver,too,”Durellsaid.Hekneltdownandpushedhisgunmuzzleunderman’sjawandforcedhisheadbackuntilthethroatwasstretchedandcordedunderthepressure.“Speaktome.Whohiredyou?”

“Icannottell!”themangasped.

“WasitRedOboe?”

“Idonotknowthisname.”

“Tellme!”

“Icannot—”

Durellhithimwiththegunbarrel,andwhenthemantriedtorollaway,scramblingonallfours.Durellusedhisfistandsmashedhimbackagainstthenearesttruckfender.Hehadnopity,rememberingthemomentofstranglinginhisbed.Themanfelltohiskneesandwhimpered.DurelllookedatAlessa.Her

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facewaswhiteandstrained.

“Mustyoudothis?”shewhispered.

“Memsahib!”themangroaned.“Havemercy!”

“Thereisnomercy,”Durellsaid.Hehitthemanagain,harder,andheardasmallbonebreakintheman’snose.Bloodgushedfromhisnostrilsandhecoughedandchoked.“Whohiredyou?”

“InthebazaarofQissaKhani—”

Durellwaited.

“—intheStreetoftheStorytellers—”

“Iknowit.Tellmenofables,Ali.”

“IamemployedtherebyOmar,theStoryteller.Theoldman—everyoneknowshimonJehanistanLane.Irunerrandsforhim.Idoeverything.Heisaneviloldman.Hepromisedmeonehundredrupeestodothisterriblething,butIamanhonestmanandIdonotlikeit.Ihaveawife,sahib,andsixchildren,sixhungrylittleonesImustalwaysfeed—”

“Youarelying!”Durellsnapped.

“IswearbyAllah!ItwasOmarwhoorderedmetokillyou.”

Durellpaused.Ifheexertedmorepressure,themanwouldshriekandscreaminhysteria.ItwouldwakentheothersandbringColonelK’Ayubintoit.Buthewantedtotakecareofthismatteralone.Itwasnotmerepersonalprideoroutrageattheattemptmadeonhim.Hehadbeenselectedbyname,butmorethanthat,hetrustednoone,notK’AyuborAlessaorevenSarahStandish,whoseloveaffairwithRudivonBuhlenhadblindedhertonormalrealities.

Hefoundsomecordinoneofthetrucksandtieduptheturbanedman,lashingthewriststightly,thentheankles,thentakingmorecordtolashhimtotherearwheelintheshadowsoftheshed.Beforehefinishedhesearchedtheman,foundonlyafewcoins,apoliceidentitycardwiththenameAliHamadourjionit.Heputthembackandwalkedtothedooroftheshed.Alessamovedwithhim.Inthemoonlight,helookedathiswatch.Itwasonlyafewminutesbeforeeleven,tohissurprise.

“Whatareyougoingtodo?”Alessaasked.

“IamgoingtotheQissaKhani.Thatstreetneversleeps.”

“Don’tyouthinkthepolice—”Shefrownedanxiously.

“You’recomingwithme.Itmaybedangerous,butI’dfeelsaferwithyouinsight,evenintheQissaKhani.Iwantnointerference.”

“Youdon’ttrustmetobequiethere?”

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“No,”hesaid.

Thereweredancingboyswithbobbedhairwalkinghandinhandinthetwistedlanes,andfakirsandblindbeggars,one-leggedbeggarsandnakedbeggarsintheyellow-lighteddust.AradioinoneoftheArabtenementsspewedoutthelatesthate-hysteriapropagandafromCairo.AnotherradioplayedAmericanjazz,relayedfromtheEuropeanhotelsinKarachiorperhapsfromasfarawayasBombay.Camelsanddonkeysviedwiththesurginghumanitythatcrowdedthelanesbetweentheshops,wheregasolinelanternsaddedtothefragmentaryelectricstreet-lighting.Thesmellsofcoffee,curryandhidesfilledtheair.Aflutewailedsomewhere,candyvendorsmonotonouslyhawkedtheirwares.Alemon-drinksellerbobbedupinfrontofDurell,urgingadrinkfromthehugecopperjugonhisbentback.Hepouredthesweetish,stickyfluidfromalongspoutintoacuphetookfromhispocket,beforeDurellcouldwavehimaway.Themanhadoneeyeonly,theotherashriveled,puckeredsocket.Durellgavethemanacoinandturnedthedrinkovertoanakedurchintaggingathisheels.Hereflectedthateverythingwasforsalehere—livebirds,fortunes,bulletbelts,fruitsandeverydiversityofwomen.

Acoolwindfromthenorthernhillshadwashedawaytheday’sheat.IntheQissaKhani,hehadnodifficultyfindingOmar.ThemanheldforthinalaneofshopsnotfarfromtheteahouseofSwerjiHamad.Abovetheshopswereroomswithbalconieswherethebazaarmerchantslivedanddispensedtheirmoreprofitableproducts—stolengoods,opium,womenandbhang—theubiquitousderivativeofIndianhemp,whichissmoked,chewed,eateninsweetmeatsanddownedindrinksthroughoutthesub-continent.

Omar’soperationwasalittlemoreelaboratethanhiscompetitors,Durellnoted.Twomusicians,onewithahornandanotherwithagoat-skindrum,bangedoutear-splittingPathanmusicwhileagirloften,hereyesalreadyindicatingtrachoma,stampedoutamountaindanceinthedust.Thecrowdwasappreciative,throwingcoinstothemenandthechild.

Then,withashowman’sgesture,theoldmansteppedfromacurtaineddoorwayandthemusicstoppedashesettledtoasquattingpositiononadustypillow.Thedrummerwentaroundcollectingarupeefromeachspectator.

OmarwasthemostfamousoftheentertainersintheStreetofStorytellers.Theoldmanworeagreengownthataccentedhissallowfaceintheflickeringkerosenelamps.Hisstragglywhitebeardanddark,piercingeyesandsunkencheeksgavehimadiabolicalappearancethatheapparentlycultivated.AfatPunjabistoodbehindhim,studyingthecrowdwithcarefulimpassivity.

TheoldmanbeganwiththeusualglorificationofancientArabconquestsintheSind,wentontodiatribesagainsttheBritishandtheirmachinations—relayeddirectlybytheCairoradio,Durellthought—andforemphasis,theoldmanflourishedaglitteringdaggeranddroveitwithhatredintothegroundagainandagainbetweenhisfoldedlegs.Hisvoiceliftedandfell,grewsad,drippedvitriolichatred.Thecrowdlistenedwithraptattention.

Thenhebeganonhisspecialtalesoflongago,fablesofAlexandertheGreatandRoxana,thevirgindaughterofKingOxyartes.Thesumofhisnarrative,toldindetailwithmuchlewdemphasis,washowRoxanahadinducedtheGreekconquerortoswimnakedinapoolwithheronacoldnight,maddeningtheMacedonianwithherivorybody,herpomegranatebreasts,herhipsandloins,andhowAlexanderthencaughtachillandfeveranddiedasadirectresultofRoxana’splan.

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“Thecrown!”someonemuttered.“Tellusofthecrown,oldman!”

Durelltriedtoseewhohadcalledforthestory,butthevoicehadcomefromthethickoftheaudience,andhecouldnotidentifyanyone.Morerupeeswerecollected,andDurellfeltAlessa’shandcloseonhisarmintightanticipation.

ThereweremanyembellishmentsaboutKingMahandra,sovereignovereightypurs,whohadbowedtotheconquerorfromtheWestandofferedafabulousransomforhiscitiesintheformofajeweledcrown.TherewasadescriptionofbraveXenos,theGreekzamindar,loyalcaptainofathousandinAlexander’sarmy,andhowonenightathiefslippedintoKingMahandra’spalaceandstolethecrownandfledintotheGilgitmountainsandbeyond,acrossthevalleyofKashmirandintothetoweringHimalayas.Xenosvolunteeredtofindandpunishthethiefandthetribesmenwhoshelteredhim,andwasorderedtomarchintothemountains.Xenosnevercameback.ItwassaidthatthegodswhoruledatthetimewereangryattheinvadersandshookthemountainsandtrappedtheGreeks,everymanofthethousand,andtheydiedofthirstandstarvationandcoldinablackvalleyespeciallycreatedforthembythegods,aftertheyhadsackedandtorturedthehilltribesandfoundthecrown.

Andeversince,Omarsaidsoftly,hissataniceyesglistening,theskullsofthehatedenemyrestinablackvoidsomewhereintheHimalayas,piledhighuponthegolden,flashingcrownofjewelsgivenbyKingMahandra.

Themusicofhornanddrumbeganatonce,whentheoldmanwhisperedtheendofhistale,andthemountaingirlreturnedtostampouthertribaldanceinthedustoftheQissaKhani.Theoldmaninthegreengownvanishedthroughthecurtaineddoorway,andthecrowddispersed.Alessawasfrowning.

“Issomethingwrong?”Durellasked“Iaminterestedinthecrown,”shesaid,uncertainly.“YouknowitismyonlyreasonforgoingbacktoS-5.TheantiquitiesdepartmentsofseveralEuropeanmuseumshavebackedmysearch.”

“Wasthereanythingnewintheoldman’stale?”

“ThestoryofRoxanaisanoldone,ofcourse,repeatedineverygeneration.Thesepeopleemphasizelocalpride,evenaftertwothousandyears.ButthestoryofXenos—”Shepaused.“I’vehearditbefore,exceptfortheblackvoidthattrappedtheGreeksandstillkeepsthemcaptiveupthereinthehills.That’sentirelynew.Itdoesn’treallymakesense.”

“Well,we’llaskOmarformoredetailsaboutit,”hesaid.Alessastillhesitated.“You’regoinginside?”

“That’swhatIcameherefor.”

“Butitmaybedangerous.”

“Sleepinginmyownbedwasdangerous,”Durellpointedout.“Itcan’tbeanyworse.”

“Idowanttoknowiftheoldmancantellusmorethanheputintohispublictale.It’salmostasifheknewwewerehere—”

“He’sprobablywaitinginthereforus,”Durellsaid.

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Noonestoppedthemashepushedinsidethebeadedcurtaininthedoorway.ThePunjabiandthemusiciansandthemountaingirlkeptuptheirear-splittingentertainment.Therewasadimcorridor,thewallspaintedblue,andaMoorisharchattheendopeningintoatinygardenfurnishedwitharustyironVictorianbench,aplanktableunderascragglypalm.Thesurroundinghousestoweredfourandfivestorieshigh,makingthegardenawellofdarkness.Butenoughlightcamefromanoppositedoorwaytobeckonhimforward.Theoldmanstoodthere,bowing,hissmileoldandevil.“Welcome,doctormemsahib,”hesaidtoAlessa.“Itisanhonorthatyoucometoseeme.”

Alessashiveredslightly.“Youknowofme,Omar?”

“Yourfameisdeserved.Mineisnot.”TheoldmanlookedatDurell.“Andthisgentleman’sreputationisequaltohisdeeds.”

“Mydeedsarenotasbloodyasyours,”Durellsaid.

“Onemustlive.Omarhasstruggledallhislife,andinstruggleonelearnswisdom.”Theoldman’swhitebrowslifted.“YouhavedealtwithAli?”

“Hefailedyou.”

“ThenIhopeyouhavekilledhim.”

“Hewillbeturnedovertothepoliceorthemilitary.”

“Aliwasanexpert,”theoldmansaid.“Ifeelmuchrespectforyou.”

“Whoorderedyoutosendhimtome?”

“Iamanoldman,”Omarsighed.“Ihavedealtwithlifeasithascomemyway.Beingfullofyears,thankstoAllah,Ihavenotyetanydesiretoseetheend.ButifIansweredyourquestion,IwouldbeasdeadasAlibysunrise.”

“Onewayoranother,youwillbedead,oldman,”Durellsaid.“Now,orlater.”

“Youwouldnotharmahelplessoldman?”

“Iwillkillyou,ifitisnecessary.”

OmarlookedatAlessaandlickedhislips,likethequickflickofasnake’stongueoverablackened,reptilianmouth.Hebowedslightly.“Comeintomyhouse,please.”

“Youfirst,”Durellsaid.

Theroomsbeyondthelittlegardenweredecoratedwithrichsilkenhangings,brassplates,ancientSaracenarmor,jadevasesthatwouldhavegracedanyWesternmuseum.Therewasalowcouchinthesecondroom,andastheoldmansankdownonit;ayoungveiledArabgirlcameinsilentlyandtookoffOmar’sslippersandrubbedthegnarledoldfeetwithanoilypastetakenfromabrassjar.Anotheryoungwomancameinsilentlyandbroughtabrasssamovarandpouredsteamingtea.Therewererattanchairs,asmellofincense,adriftinghintofbhang;hewasn’tsure.Thegirlattheoldman’sfeetbegantochafe

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andmassagetheskinnycalvesofOmar’slegs,workingupabovethebonykneesunderthegreengowntowardtheoldman’sthighs.Theoldmansmiledandpattedherhead.

“Notnow,mydear,”hesaidinArabic.

“Yes,father.”

Durellsaid,“Sheisyourdaughter?”asthegirlwentout.

“Ihavemanydaughters.Theyarekindtome.”OmarlookedatAlessawithbrooding,speculativeeyes.“YouarethedoctormemsahibwhowishestofindthecrownofAlexander?”

“Doyouhaveanyinformationmorethanyoutellthepublic?”

“Perhaps.Itcouldbeforsale.”

“Forhowmuch?”

Theoldmanshrugged.“Perhapsonlyforyourmercy,inexchangeformylife.Mr.Durellsayshewillkillme,becauseIcannottellhimwhowisheshisdeathenoughtohavemehireAli.”

“Thecrown,”Alessasaid,ignoringDurell.“Whatmoredoyouknowofit?Doesitstillexist?”

“Yes,doctormemsahib.Sotheysay.”

“Whosays?”

Omarshrugged.“Itissaid;thatisall.”

“Canitbefound?”

“Itisinanaccursedplace.ThePakhustiswouldnotgothere.Toenterthisplacebringsdeath.”

“Why?Whereisit?”

“ThereisacavethePakhustiscalltheCaveofaThousandSkulls.ItcanbeseenifonestandsonRoxana’sbreastandwatchesthesunonhergoldenbellyinthehoursofthemorning,”Omarsaid.

“Youspeakinriddles.”

“Icansaynomore.”

“Youcantellme,”Durellsaid,“whohiredyourmanAli.”“ItwasdirectedthatIsendhimtohisdestiny.”Omar’sblackeyesflickeredtoDurell.“AndIdidasIwasbidden.”“Whogivesamanlikeyouorderstodomurder?”“Whowishestodiebyhavingatonguethatwagstoomuch?”Theoldmanlaughedthinly.“Youcankillme,butyouknowIwouldnottalktoyou.Youarefoolish,likeallAmericans.Youareanimperialistspy,hereonamissionofcapitalisticespionage—”

“Cutoutthegarbage,”Durellsaid.“That’sfineforyourmobsinthestreet,towhipthemintoafrenzy

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fortheglorificationofIslam.Butyouhavenogodandnopolitics,onlymoney,oldman.”

“Youmayspeakthetruth.”

“Howmuchwillloosenyourtongue?”

“TenthousandAmericandollars.”

“Ihaven’tgotthatmuch.”

“Canyougetit?”Omaraskedeagerly.

“Thereisn’tthatmuchtime.”

Omarsaid,“Thereisnomoretimeforyounow,sahib.”HiseyeslookedbeyondDurell.Durellturned.ThefatPunjabihadenteredtheroomfromthegarden.Hewasnotalone.Fromthedoorwaywherethegirlshadgone,twoArabsappeared.AnothermancameinbehindthePunjabi.Theywereallarmed.

Omarclappedhisbonyhands.

“Killtheman,”hesaid.

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chaptertenDURELLignoredtheothersandjumpedfortheoldman.Omarshriekedandtriedtowriggleaway,rollingoverthesilk-coveredcouch.Hisflailingarmstruckalampvaseanditfellfromanivoryinlaidtaboretandshatteredonthetiledfloor.Durellcaughttheflailingarm,wrencheditaroundwithoutmercy,jumpedonthecouch,andhauledtheoldmanaroundinfrontofhim.

TherushofmencametoadeadhaltastheoldmansquawkedsomethinginArabic.KnivesglitteredinasemicirclearoundDurell.Hebackedaway,tryingtoreachAlessa.Butshestooddumb-struck,notrealizingthedangerinstayingapartfromhim.Ifhecouldreachherandusetheoldmantoshieldthemboth—

Omarwaslikearattlingbagofbonesinhisgrip,steadilyshriekingArabiccursesthatDurellignored.

“Alessa,getoverhere,”hecalledinEnglish.

Shelookeddazed.Unfortunately,thePunjabiunderstoodEnglish.Hisbigarmshotout,hisringedfingercaughtherwristandyankedhersprawlingacrosstheroom,awayfromDurell.Grinning,thefatmanputMsknifeatAlessa’sthroat.

Againtheroomwassilent.Oneoftheoillampsmadeafaintflutteringsound.ThePunjabi’sgrinshowedteethstainedbybeteljuice.

“ShallIkillthelady,Omar?”

Durellsqueezedalittleontheoldman’sneck.HecouldfeelthebrittlenessofancientbonesinOmar’sthroatandchest.

“Youwilldie,too,Omar,”hesaidsoftly.

“Iamreadytodie.”

“Tellhimtolettheladygo.”

“Iwillnot.Ifyoukillme,shedies.Youcannotpreventit.YouareanAmerican,andAmericansaresentimentalaboutwomen.YouwillnotletthePunjabikillher,eh?Nowletmego,orAdmidiwillslitherthroatasabutcherslaughtersalamb.”

Alessa’seyeswerehuge,terrified.Shewhispered,“I’msorry,Sam,Ididn’tthink—mymindwasonwhatOmarsaidaboutthecrown—”

Durellreleasedtheoldman.

Omarjumpedaway,gownflapping,andshriekedorderstothewaitingmen.Durellwasnotsurewhatmighthappen.HehadputAlessa’ssafetyabovehisown,andinhisbusinesstherewasnoroomforsentimentality.

ThePunjabipushedAlessatoOmar,whothrustherthroughthecurtaineddoorwayacrosstheroom.

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TheothermensignedforDurelltofollow.Someonepushedhiminthebackandhestumbled,sawsomethingglitterabovehishead,descendinginaswift,brutalarc.Painexplodedinhim.Hewenttohisknees,wassurprisedtofindhimselfatthefootofastonestairway.OmarandAlessawerealreadyatthetop.TheoldmanturnedandcriedinUrdu,“Lethimlive!Weshallseewhotalks.Therewillbemanyrupeesforall!”

DurellwaspulledtohisfeetbyasweatyArab,whoswiftlytookhisgunfromhimandthenstabbedathiseyeswithboththumbs.Durellknewthetrick.Heducked,caughtonegrimywristandtwisted,heardbonessnaplikebrittlewood.TheArabscreamedinpain.DurellranupthestairsaftertheoldmanandAlessa.Hisonlyhopewastogettothegirlwherehecouldactindefensewithoutsacrificingher.ButthePunjabi,forallhisfat,caughtathislegandhauledhimback.Durellkickedwithhisfreefoot,butthenextmomenthewaspulleddown,strugglingagainstthevindictiveweightofOmar’smen.

Thenextmomentswereanightmare.

Helethimselfgolimpundertherainofblowsandkicks,thenfelthimselfliftedtohisfeetandshovedupthestairsbythePunjabi.Dimlightsshowedthewaythroughascentedapartment.AnArabwomaninblack,withtheprostitutesignonherrougedcheeks,shrankaway,tittering.Hewasinawarrenofcorridorsandsmall,crib-likerooms.Hereandthereadooropenedandamanlookedoutcautiously,thenhastilyslammedthedooragain.Onelargerroom,withatiledbalconyoverlookinganinnercourt,heldthreenakedwomensprawledinatangleuponcolorfulcushions,withanunmistakable,butanonymouswhiteman.Therewerelittlecriesandshrieks,arapiduntanglingoffleshyhipsandbuttocks,andthenDurellwashurriedonintoanothercorridor,downmoresteps,acrossavile-smellingalley,downanotherflightofsteps.

Adoorslammed.HeheardthePunjabigrunt,drawinapreparatorybreath,andthentherewasanexplosioninthebackofhishead,andDurellpitchedforwardintodarkness....

Hewasawareofthecoldfirst,andofatrickleofwateroverhisleftleg.Hedidnotopenhiseyesormove.Therewaspaininhisforeheadandanotherthatpulsedandebbedatthebaseofhisneck.HethoughtofOmarandthePunjabiandtasteddismaylikecopperymetalinthebackofhisthroat.Hehadmadeamistake,takingAlessaherewithhim;shehadbeenadangerfactor,hamperinghim.Buthecouldnothaveleftheratthebungalow,either,sincehecouldnottrusther.

Thethoughtofthegirlmadehimopenhiseyes.Buteverythingwasutterlydark.Therewasnothingtosee.Hetriedtositupagainstthepain,andbitbackagroanbetweenhisteeth.

“Oh,Sam—I’msoglad—”

Hespokehername,hisvoiceharsh.Herhandstouchedhisface,thenwithdrew.Hecouldnotseeher.

“Areyouallright?”heasked.

“Yes.”Shepaused.“Butwhattheydidtoyou—”

Hecouldseesomething,afterall—afaintyellowlineglimmeringintheblackness.Hecouldnotmake

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itout,orguessitsdistancefromhim.Hetouchedhisjaw,feltcrustedbloodonhischeek,andtriedtofocusontheyellowline.Therewerenoreferencepointsinthedarkness.Hefelthisbody,wasastonishedtofindhewasstrippednaked.Itexplainedthechill.Whenhesatup,hefoundthefloorwassimplydankearth,withalittleoozeofwaterrunningacrosshislegs.Heshivered.Alessaputherarmaroundhim,andthescentofherskinwaslikesomethingfromanotherworld,fragrantandcivilized.Hetouchedhershoulder,herwaist.Shestillworeherskirtandblouse.Hisnakednessdidnottroubleher,apparently.

“HowlongwasIout?”heasked,speakingintodarkness.

“Ican’tguess.Aboutanhour,Ithink,”shewhispered.

“Areyousureyou’reallright?”

“Sofar.ButI’mafraidoftheoldman.”Shepausedforalongtime.“Whatkindofplacewasthat,wheretheytookusthrough.Withallthose—women?”

Hegrinned,andithurthisface.“AnArabwhorehouse.OurOmartheStorytellerisanenterprisingoldgentleman.”

“Hemakesmeshudder,”Alessasaid.

Hestoodup.Thelineofyellowfellfarbelowthelevelofhisvision.Hewalkedcarefullytowardit,anditturnedouttobeexactlyfoursteps.Hebumpedintoawoodendoor.Thelightcamefrombeyond,seepingunderthebottom.Hefeltthedooralloverwithhishands,tryingtoorienthimself.Thedoorhadironhinges,anironlock.Hefelthiswayalongthewalls,judgingthesizeoftheircell.Itwasabouttwelvebytwelve.HebumpedintoAlessaagain.Nowhiseyeshadadjustedtothegloom,utilizingthefaintglowfromunderthedoor.Hecouldmakeoutherfacedimly.

Shesaidawkwardly,“Theyleftyourclotheshere,Sam.”

“Where?”

Shehandedhimhisshirt,trousers,shoes.Forsomereason,hissocksweregone.Hesearchedforhiswalletandgun.Theyweregone,ofcourse.Fivethousandinexpensemoney,receiptedtoHenryKallinger.Hedidn’tworryaboutthat.Heregrettedthelossofhisgun.HisIDcardandpassportweremissing,too,ofcourse.

“Ishouldn’thaveinsistedyoucomewithme,Alessa.”

“It’sallright,”shesaidabstractedly.

“AreyoustillthinkingofwhattheoldmanmumbledaboutaCaveofaThousandSkulls,viewedfromthebreastofRoxana?”

Shemadeadeprecatingsound.“I’mafraiditstirredupmyimagination.IthinkIknowtheplace.”

“OnS-5?”

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“OntheNorthPeak,whereBergmannwent.”

“We’vegototherthingstothinkabout,atthemoment.Howtogetoutofhere,forinstance.”

“Idon’tthinkit’spossible,”shesaid.

Buthehadtotry.Hemovedslowlyaroundthewalls,hisbodyrespondingslowlyfromthebruisesofhisbeating.Heignoredthepainandstudiedthecell.Ithadbrickwalls.Hetriedtojump,armextendedupward,tofeelfortheceiling.Hecouldnotreachit.Therewasnofurnitureinthecell,noscrapiron,nothinguseful.Hereturnedtothedoor,hisfeetsquelchinginthewetmudfloor.Pausing,hekneltandfeltthefloor,discoveringasmall,oozingstreamthatapparentlyseepedupfromunderground.Hewenttothedoorandconsideredthespaceunderit.Thewetearthextendedtotheveryedge.Atoncehebegantotracebackonthewettrickle,diggingachannelfromthecenterofthefloortowardthedoorway,gratefulthattherewasnostoneintheway.

“Whatareyoudoing?”Alessawhispered.

“Diggingout.”

“Butwehavenotools.”

“Ihavemyhands.Helpme.”

Theyknelttogetherandpulledawaythesoft,muckyearthfromtheareadirectlyunderthedoor,pushingitasidetomakeaslow,laboriousexcavation.Thethinlineofyellowlightimmediatelygrewbrighter,andhesawAlessamoreclearlynow.Therewasabruiseonherface,wheresomeonehadslappedher.Herbodykeptbumpingandbrushingagainsthimastheyworkedtogethertoscoopawaythewetmud.

Hereyesreflectedthepalelightfromunderthedoor.“Youlookatme,Sam,asif—”

Hesmiled.“Youdon’tlooklikeagirlwithadoctorateinancienthistory.It’sunusualforsomeoneasbeautifulasyoutospendyourlifeabsorbedinthedeadpast.”

“Itisn’tdeadforme.It’sbeenveryexciting,stimulating—”

“You’renotatalllikeRudi,areyou?Hehasareputationforchasingafterpleasure.”

“No,”shesaidshortly.“We’renotalike.”

“Hasn’tthereeverbeenamanforyou?”heaskedbluntly.

“I’vebeenbusyallmylife—studying,tryingtorecoupthefamilyfortune.Isupposeyouthinkthat’slikeanobsession.Itwas.”

“Doyoufeeldifferentlynow?”

“I’mnotsure.I’mconfused,andIdon’tlikeit,becauseIusuallyknowexactlywhatI’mdoing,andwhy.Factscanbedealtwith.Emotionsare—newtome.”Shepaused.“Amanlikeyouissomething

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newtome.”

Hewentondigging.Shehadstopped,staringathimasshekneltbesidehim.Whatevershewasabouttoaddwasinterruptedbythesoundoffootstepsbeyondthethickdoortheyweretryingtotunnelunder.Durellsworesoftly.Thefootstepsdidnotgoby,ashehadhoped.Theyhalted,andakeyrattledinthelock.

Instantlyhewasup,motioningAlessatooneside,andflattenedagainstthewallbesidethedoorasitopenedThelightthatpouredintothecellseemedblindingnow.Omar’sold,quaveringvoicehadapeculiarechoingquality.

“Comeherewherewecanseeyou!Bothofyou!”

Durelldidnotstir.

Therewasamutteroforders.DurellrecognizedthePunjabi’svoiceinagreement.Aflashlightflickeredaroundthecell;butthoseoutsideweretoowarytostepinthroughthedoorway.Thelightdidnottouchtheshallowtrenchhehaddugjustinsidetheentrance.ThePunjabibegantoarguewiththeoldman.Thereseemedtobenoothersoutthere.Thentheoldmanmadeasnortofdisgustandsteppedin.

Hissandaledfootcamedownintheshallowtrench,threwhimoffbalance,andhestaggeredtowardDurellagainstthedarkwall.DurellwhippedanarmaroundhimandhurledhimasideasOmarbeganhisusualshrieking;hefeltthehardimpactofthePunjabiasthebigmanrushedin.HehopedAlessathistimewouldstayoutoftheway.ThePunjabihadalongknife,andhecouldnotreachtheother’swrist.Foramomenttheystruggledinthewettroughinsidethedoorway,slippinginthewetmud.ThePunjabi’sfistsluggedintohimagainandagain.Therewasnoescapefromthatpiledriver.Hewasnotinthebestofcondition,afterhisfirstbeating,andheknewatoncethestrugglewouldgoagainsthim.

“Enough!”hegasped.

ThePunjabithrewhimtothefloor,begantokickhim.Theoldmanstaggeredup,cursing.HisflashlightshoneonAlessa,inacorner.

“Ahmidi!Youknowwhattodo.”

“Yes,Omar.”

Thebigmangrinned.OmarhadDurell’sgun.Theoldmanlickedhisblacklips,hisopenmouthlikeanobsceneholeinhisface.AhmidiwenttoAlessaandpulledherawayfromthewall.Withhookedfingers,herippedoffherblouseandthenherskirt.Durellstartedup,wasquietedbyaslightgesturefromOmar’sgun.Heknew,lookingattheoldman’slasciviouseyes,thatOmarwouldkillhiminaninstantifheinterfered.

Alessastoodnaked,likeagoldenTeutonicstatue,herbodyexposedtotheoldman’sslow,rapinegaze.

“Itisgood,”theoldmanwhispered.Hesoundedchoked.“Shewilllearntowashmyfeetasmyotherdaughtersdo.”

CouragefoughtwithshockinAlessa’seyes.Herclothingmadeasmallheapontheflooratherfeet.

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Herbodywasperfect,bathedintherelentlessglowofAhmidi’slight;shelookedstrongandproud.Herquickbreathingmadeherbreastsliftandfall.Thecellwassilent,atokenoftheperfectionofherbody.Shelookedstraightahead,sightlessly.Omarbrokethespellwithacackle.

“Yes,sheshallwashmyfeetuntilIamtiredofher,andthenshecanworkinthebordelloswithmyotherdaughters.Bringherclosertome,Ahmidi.”

ThePunjabipulledAlessatowardtheoldman.OmargaveAhmidithegun,reachedouttocaressandfondlethegirl’sfrozenbody.

Durelltriedagain.HewentforthePunjabi,knifeddownonthebrownwrist,andsentthegunspinningintothewetearthenfloorofthecell.ThePunjabigrunted,apparentlyannoyedbyDurell’spersistence.HespreadhisbigarmswidetocrushDurellinabearhug.Durellmovedinunderhimandsankafistintotheman’sbelly,droveinanother,liftedaleftfortheman’sastonishedface.Itconnectedsolidly.ThePunjabiwentdown,legssplayedwide,andtriedtorollaway.Durelljumpedforhim,andtheyrolledintothewettroughheandAlessahadduginthedoorway.HepushedthePunjabi’sheadintotheshallow,muddywater,facedown.Thebigmanwrithed,convulsed.Durellheldhisnoseandmouthunderthemud.HeheardOmarscreamingforhelp,andthensomeonespokefromabovehim.

“Itisnotnecessarytokillthisstupidman,myfriend.”Durelllookedupandsawtheround,beamingfaceofSwerjiHamad.Twootherevil-lookingmenwerebehindtheteahouseproprietor,watchingwithprofessionalinterest.

Durelleasedupalittle.ThePunjabigasped,choked,vomited.Durellrolledasideandfoundhisgunandpickeditup.Itwasmuddy,andhedidn’tthinkitwassafetofireitatthismoment.Buthepointeditateveryone.

“Whatareyoudoinghere?”hegaspedtoSwerjiHamad.“QissaKhanihasathousandears.WeheardyouwereintroubledownhereinOmar’snestofrats,”thefatmansaidplacidly.

“Andyoucametohelp?”

“Naturally.Asquicklyaspossible.”

“Well,Icouldhavedonewithoutyou,finally.”

“Perhaps.Butyoumuststillfindthewayoutofthismaze.Omarhasmanythugsathiscommand.”

DurelllookedatAlessa.Intheglowoftheflashlights,shewasstooping,likeagolden,nakedgoddess,forher

clothing.Omarcoweredinacorner,whimperingcurses.Thelightswereturneddelicatelyasideasthegirldressed.

“Areyouallright,Alessa?”Durellasked.

“Ithinkso.Yes.”

“Thenlet’sgetoutofhere.”

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SwerjiHamadneverforgotbusiness.“Itrustyouwilltakemyarrivalhereintoconsiderationwhenwesettleouraccount,Mr.Durell.”

“You’retoolate,Swerji.Omargotmywallet.”

ThefatmanturnedmildeyesonOmarandsaidsomethingtohisevil-lookingfollowers.OmarbabbledinreturnanddelvedunderhismuddygreenrobeandthrewDurell’swallettothecenterofthecell.Durellpickeditup.Allthemoneywasthere,withhisIDcardsandpassport.

“Let’sgo.”

“Notaswecame,”Swerjimurmured.“Therearetoomanymentoovercomethatway.Wisdomissometimesbetterthanbravery.Followme.Ihavesomethingtoshowyou.”

Theywentoutquietlyintothecorridor,turnedright,wentupaflightofstonesteps.DurellwalkedwithAlessa.Shewasshivering.Hereyesavoidedhim.Hewonderedifitwasshameathavingbeenstrippedbeforehiseyes.

SwerjiHamadledthemonadeviouspaththroughemptyrooms,downmoresteps,acrossacourtyard,upaladdertoaroof,downagainintoawell-likeshaftandthroughstorageroomsofcamelsaddles,rice,brassmanufacture,anopiumdeninwhichtheirpassagewashardlynotedbythemenandwomenonthelowstringbeds.Notoncedidtheycomeoutonastreet.AtlastSwerjipausedbeforeanotherdoor.

“YouwerelookingforErnstBergmann,Mr.Durell.Youragreementwasfortwothousanddollars,Americancash?”

“Fifteenhundred,”Durellsaid.“Itwasforthechart.”

“ItwasforMr.Bergmann,”Swerjiinsisted.

Durellwastootiredtoargue.“Allright.”

“Yourmanisinhere.Iamsorry.”

Durelllookedintothecell.Itsmelledofdeath.Hesawtheelderly,skeletaloldmanwiththebulletholeinhischestandtheskullexplodedbyasecondbulletinthebackofhishead.

“ThiswasBergmann?”heaskedquietly.

“Youhavemywordforit.Hehasbeendeadsomehours.Idonotknowwhodidthis,”Swerjitoldhim.“ThisplaceisaChineseinformationcenter,runbyKouLi,afamouspatriarchandagoodbusinessman.Histeahouseisprosperous.Wouldyouliketoquestionhim?”

“IwantBergmann’schart,”Durellsaid.

“KouLiheldthismanprisonerforthepastmonth,andquestionedhim.Thenyouarrivedinourcity,andBergmanniskilled.Itseemstome,”Swerjisaid,“thatBergmannwasfinallyinducedtotalkandthenwasexecuted,hisusefulnessover.Inthatcase,yourenemiesobtainedthemap.Butmypartofthe

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bargain—”

“Getustothestreet,”Durellsaid.Alessa’sappearancealarmedhim.Buthemadeherlookatthedeadman.“IsthisBergmann?”

“Yes,”Alessawhispered.“ThiswasUncleErnst.”

SwerjiHamadwasnervous.“Perhapswehadbettergo.Thereisoneproblemleft.”

Theystoodjustwithinadoorwaytothestreetasthefatmanexplained.KouLi’smenwereintheouterstreet.Iftheywerespotted,theycouldneverescape.Iftheycouldgettothecorner,undercoverofsomeconfusion—

SwerjiHamadhadarrangedforitall.Later,Durellwouldhavechosensomeothertactictogetbythislasthurdle,butbythenthedamagewasdone,anditrestedonSwerji’sratherplasticconscience.Piercingthecriesofthehawkersandmerchantsonthecrowdedstreetofbazaarshopscameasingle,outragedshriekfromathinlittlemaninawhitesuitandfloppyPanamahat.

“Infidel!Unbeliever!DefilerofMoslemwomen!”

Anutterandcompletesilence,likethetickingofabomb,fellonthecrowdedscene.Theobjectofthesmallman’sragewasatall,thinHinduwhosefacedrainedofbloodandwhoseeyesabruptlyrolledinterror.Hetriedtowalkaroundthesmallerman,hisbackstiff,hisheaderect.Theothercaughthimbythearm,struckhimintheface.TheHindudidnothingtoretaliate.Hetriedtoleaveagain,andfoundhimselfsurroundedbyaclosepressofnear-hysterical,angrypeopleinthebazaar.

Thetensionsofpoverty,propaganda,centuries-oldhatredsandreligiousfanaticismsmadewhatfollowedalmostinevitable.TherewereotherHindusinthecrowd,tryingtoreachthebeleagueredman.Theireffortsonlyprovidedthesparkthattouchedofftheriot.Inamomenttherewereshrieksandcursesrisingtoacrescendo.Astoneflew.Ashotcracked.Amanwentdown,screaming,andwastrampledinthedirtunderfoot.Sticks,articlesofmerchandisewhippedthroughtheair.BeyondthedoorwaywhereDurellandthegirlcrouchedwithSwerjiHamad,thestreetturnedintoaraging,insanetorrentofpanic-strickenhumanity,eachmanandwomanfightingforsurvivalinthemindlessmassacrethatbegan.

“Nowwemaygo,”Swerjiwhispered.“Followcloselybehindme.”

“Youarrangedthis?”Durellaskedharshlyabovethetumult.

“Theyaremymen.Theywillmanagetogetaway.Inthedistraction,weshallescape,too.”

“Butthosepeoplearekilling—”

“Itistheirdestinytoloveandhateanddie.”Swerjiwasnotinterested.“Wemusthurry.”

TherewasnothingDurellcoulddo.HeheldAlessaclosetohim,slidingalongtheshop-frontsawayfromthecenterofthehumanvortex.ThefacesofthemobofmixedMoslemsandHindusreflected

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racialandreligiouspanic,anhysteriathatcouldbeansweredonlybyexplosiveviolence.Fromfarawaycamethesoundofamilitarysiren,alwaysalertandprompttorespond.Butforthemoment,DurellwasconcernedonlywithgettingAlessaaway.

Amanwithabloodyfaceandagougedeyeranfulltiltintothem.Alessagasped,screamed,andDurellspunthemanaside,backtowardthemob.Hevanished,swallowedinastormoffistsandclubsandknives.Screamsandcursesfilledtheair.Smokefromafirebillowedoverthescene.

“Thisway,Durellsahib,”Swerjimuttered.

Theyreachedthehalfwaypointtothecorner.TheHinduandMoslemwhohadstartedtheriothadlongvanished.TherewasnosignofKouLi’smen.SwerjiHamadcursedandkickedasideabloodymanwhowastryingtocrawloutfromunderthetramplingfeetofthemob.Shotssounded,andmoresmokeswirledasthemilitarypolicearrived.Acarwaitedatthecorner.

“Getin,”Swerjigasped.“Getin,beforetheyturnonus.”

Durellglancedback.Thepolicewereswingingclubsandriflebuttsonthepanic-strickencrowd.Afewbodieslaysprawledinthenarrowlane,HinduandMoslemalike,victimsofvolcanicpassions.ThenSwerjipushedathim.

“Hurry,please.”

Theyleftthescenewithoutbeingchallenged.

Itwaspastmidnight.Thebazaarwasquietagain.InSwerjiHamad’soffice,Durellgavethefatmantwothousanddollarsfromhiswallet,mostlyforfuturegoodwill.Swerjiwashonestinthatrespect;hewouldrecognizetheunspokendebtonbothsides,andperhapsperformwithgreatercapacitythenexttimeaKSectionmancalleduponhim.

SwerjiHamadturnedhiscaranddriverovertoDurellandAlessa.Durellrejectedthedriver,saidhewouldtakethecarhimself.

“Youwillbesafenow,”thefatmanmurmured.“Theriotisover.Thesethingscanbeuseful,butmostdistressing.Weliveintroubledtimes,wheneverymanherefearshisneighbor,shoutsspyagainstanIndian,justastheIndiansmurderMoslemsinpanic.Onemustusethetoolsathand.Doyouunderstand?”

“Iunderstand,butIdidn’tlikeit,”Durellsaid.“Toomanypeoplewerehurt.”

“Well,youwillbesafenow,”thefatmansaid.“Donottroubleyourselfaboutmycar.Leaveitwhereveritisconvenient.Ishallgetitbackinthemorning.Mayyougoinpeace,Mr.Durell.”

“YoulearnednothingmoreaboutRedOboe?Orthechart?”

“HerrBergmannlefthisappointmentwithMr.JamesHowellattheU.S.I.S.officeinRegencyLaneandvanishedtwoblocksnorth,takenbyanunidentifiedtaxi,perhapsdirectlytoKouLi’splace.ThatisallIknow.”

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“Thankyou,Swerji.Goinpeace.”

AlessawassilentasDurellhelpedherintothecaranddroveawayfromQissaKhani.Buthesensedthathersilencewasdifferentnow.

“I’msorryaboutBergmann,”hesaid.“Youwereveryfondofhim,weren’tyou?”

“RudiandIcalledhimuncle,althoughtherewasnorealrelationship,”shesaidinalowvoice.“Hisendwassougly,I—feelsick,betrayed—”

“Betrayed?”

“Perhapsthatisthewrongword.”

Shesatveryclosetohiminthelittlecar,andeverynowandthenhefeltanuncontrollabletremorgothroughher.HedrovetotheoldU.S.I.S.officeonRegencyLane,astreetofstoneVictorianbuildingsalmostacenturyold.Itwasquietanddeserted,relativelycleanandmodern.Policemenwereevidenttwocornersaway.Hedroveslowlyinthatdirection,consideringtheEuropeanshopsthatwendarkandshutteredatthishour.Anambulancestoodatthesecondcorner,andasmallcrowdhadgathered,keptfromthedoorwayofamusicshopbyarmedmilitarypatrols.ThebrokenwindowshowedseveralantiquePersianandChineseinstruments.ThenameonthebrokenglasswasGerman.

Durellstoppedthecarandspoketotheyoungsubalternincommand.ThePakistanispokeEnglishwithanOxfordaccent.

“Yes,sir,theproprietorwasshot.Aplaincaseofrobbery,sir.Hissafewasopened,yousee.”

“Thankyou,”Durellsaid.

Hereturnedthoughtfullytothecar.Itseemedprobable,inviewoftonight,thatthiswaswhereBergmannhadditchedhisgeologicalsurveychart—-withafellowcountryman.HewonderediftherewasanysignificancebetweenthemusicshopandthenameRedOboe.Hedecidedilmerelymightbecoincidence.

ButthefactremainedthatBergmann’schartwasnowinenemyhands.

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chapterelevenTHEthugwhohadtriedtostranglehimhadescapedfromthewarehouse.Theropesstilllayaroundtherearwheelofthetruck,slashedbyaknife.DurellsentAlessaintothehouseandspokebrieflytoColonelK’Ayubaboutwhathadhappenedinthepastfewhours.K’AyubdidnotlookassoftasinKarachi.Hispale,ambereyeswereobjective,andhemerelynoddedandwentintothehousetotelephone.

Everyonewasaccountedfor.SarahStandishcamedownstairsinasilkChineserobe,herhairtousledfromsleep,butwearingherdefensive,horn-rimmedglasses.InanswertoDurell’squestion,shesaidflatly,“Ruditookmesightseeingafterthebridgegameended.Wewerealonetogetherforsometime,andhewasneveroutofmysight.”Sheadded,flushingfaintly.“Afterall,wewillbemarriedwhenwereturntoEurope.AmItogatherfromyourquestionsthatyoususpectoneofusofbetrayingourplans?”“PerhapsIjusthaveasuspiciousnature,”hesaid.“WouldyoumindifIaskedeveryonetopermitasearchoftheirpersonalbelongings.”

Sheflushedagain.“Yes,Iwouldmindit.”

“I’mafraidImustinsist.”

“Iforbidit,”shesaidflatly.“Youareallmyguests,andIwillsubmitnoonetosuchanembarrassment.”

“You’rebeingunreasonable,Sarah.”

Hervoicewascold.“Ihaveoftenbeenaccusedofthat,inmakingexecutivedecisionsforStandishNickel.MostbusinessmenseemtothinkIamincapableofrationalandintelligentbehavior—perhapsbecauseIamyoung,andawoman.IassureyouImakefewmistakes.Inthiscase,

[feelthattrustamongusisessentialifwearetosharedangerinafewdays.Iwillnotpermityoutoairyoursuspicions.”

“We’vegottohavethatmap,”heinsisted.

“Idisagreewithyouropinionthatitmaybehere.”

Therewasnoarguingwithherautocraticnature.Shesimply:urnedawayandwentupstairs,leavinghimwithherdecision.

HansSteicherhoveredlikeagranitemountainoverAlessa,hisfaceshockedathermud-streakedappearance,hismuteeyeshavingtoguessatwhathadhappenedtoher.ThelookhegaveDurellwasoneofhatredandoutragethathisgoddessmighthavebeeninamoment’sdanger.Hanssaidhehadnotbeenoutofthehouseatall.HehadmissedAlessa,thencheckedonDurell,anddiscoveredthembothgone.He’dhadacoupleofdrinksandturnedin.Durellthoughthelookedalittledrunk,anddangerous.

Whentheyweregone,hecalledKarachionthetelephone,givingDonegan’snumber.HedidnothavemuchfaithinDonegan,andhehadnoregretsatroutingthemanoutofbed.ButDonegan’ssleepiness

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evaporatedwhenDurelltoldhimwhathewanted.

“Sure,we’vegotacoupleofradiomonitoringstationsupnorth,partoftheCENTROoutfit.ButmostofthemaredirectedacrossAfghanistan,topickupSovietstationsinKazanandtheKirghizRepublic.”

“TurnthemonSinkiangandTibet,wheretheChineseare.Seeifanythingspecialwentthroughthatwaytonight.”“Check.”Doneganseemedquickerandmoreefficient,nowthatSarah’ssafetywasnolongerhisresponsibility.“I’llcomebacktoyouinhalfanhour.”

Durellwentupstairstohisownroom.AservanthadstraightenedtherumpledbedandthewreckedfurniturefromhisstrugglewithOmar’sstrangler.Hestrippedoffhismuddyclothesandgotundertheantiquatedshower,stayingthereforfifteenminutes.Thewaterwasstilltepidfromthesun-heatedstoragetankontheroof.Hesoapedandtoweledvigorously,thenshaved,keepinghiswallet—whichstillheldthreethousandofHenryKallinger’smoney—inplainsightnexttohisgun.His.38neededattention,too.Hestrippedit,wipedmudfromthebarrel,andfromhisgriptookacanofsolventandoil,cleaningthemechanismuntilitshone.Hethrewawaythecartridgesthathadbeeninthechamberandreloadedwithfreshbullets.Thenheputthegunandhiswalletunderhispillow,checkedtheverandadoorsagain,andturnedoutthelight.

Inamoment,someoneknockedsoftlyonhisbedroomdoor.Hegotupandopenedit.Alessastoodthere,inapaleredrobe.

“MayIcomein?”

Heheldthedoorwideandshepassedhimandsatdownonthebedandshivered.Acoolwindcamethroughtheverandadoors,butitwasnotthatcool.Inthemoonlight,shelookedverypale,hereyesdefenseless.

“Youneedadrink,”hesaidquietly.

“I’vehadtwo.Nothinghappened.Itdoesn’thelp.”Whenhestartedtoputonthelight,shesaidquickly,“No,please.IthinkHansisinthegarden,watchingyourroom.”“Why?”

“Heisjealousofyou.”

“Hasheanyrealreason?”Durellasked.

Shefrownedslightly.“Hanshasbeeninlovewithmeforalongtime.Don’tbefooledbyhisinarticulatenature.WemetattheSorbonne,yearsago.He’swell-educated,intelligent.HesimplyprefersthephysicallifeofamountainguidetothesortofscholasticexistenceI’vechosen.”

“AreyouinlovewithHansSteicher?”Durellasked.

“Idon’tknow.Ican’tdecide.”

“Istillthinkyouneedadrink.”Hewatchedhershiveragainundertheredrobe.Inthemoonlightshelookedhalfnude,andhesuddenlyrememberedhowshehadlookedstrippedbeforethelecherousOmar.Hegotaflaskofbourbonfromhisbagandaglassfromthebathroomandcarriedthedrinkbacktoher.Shebroughtittoherlipswithbothhands.Heheardtheglassrattlefaintlyagainstherteeth.

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“You’restillinastateofshock,”hesaidgently.“Youmustputwhathappenedtonightoutofyourmind.”

“HowcanI?PoorErnst!Whatahorribleendforhim!”“Allmenhavetodie,”Durellsaid.

“ForUncleErnst,itshouldhavebeeninafeatherbedintheTyrol,intheAlps.Notinthatterribleundergroundhole.”“Hewasastubbornandbraveman.”

“Soareyou,”shesaid.“AndifErnstcouldendlikethat,Ican’thelpfearingandwondering—”

“We’resafenow,”Durellsaid.“Atleast,fortonight.”“HowcanIeversleepagain?”shewhispered.“I’msocold—”

Atelephonerangsomewhereinthehouse.Thegirlsatrigidlyontheedgeofhisbed,watchinghim.Amomentlateraservantrappedsoftlyonthedoor.

“Mr.Durell?”

Hewentdownstairswiththemantoanswerthephone.SarahStandishhadcomedown,too.Herpalebrownhairlookeddisheveled,andtherewasalookabouthereyesasifshehadbeencrying.Butshestoodinprimpride,saying,“It’surgent,foryou.FromMr.Donegan,inKarachi.”

DurellnoddedandlistenedtoDonegan’sexcitedvoicerattleinthereceiver,alongwithnumerousfrying,cracklingnoises.

“Sam?Youwereright.IcheckedwithmonitorswehaveworkingwiththePakistanGovernmentupintheGilgitrange—pastwhereyouarenow.Theyreportedsomeclandestineradiotrafficincodefromthe’PindiareathatinterruptedtheroutinetransmissiontotheKazanstation.AChineseboywe’vegotbrokeitdownfast.An‘investigativepatrol’isurgentlyrequestedforAreaBH-21—anddollarstodoughnuts,that’sS-5.TheacknowledgmentcamebackontheChinesemilitarywavelength.You’regoingtohavetopushhardtogettherefirst.”

“Allright.HaveyoupassedthistothePakistanipeople?”“Notyet.Justgotthewordfromthemonitors,myself.”“Good.Ifwegoinfast,theremaybelesstroublethanifwealertthePakistanmilitaryandtheygoinuptherewithheavytroopmovements.Thatwillmeanmartiallawandmayholdusuptoolong.”

“It’srisky,though,justusingK’Ayub’spatrol.”

“What’simportantistomovefasterthananyoneelsenow.”

“Whateveryousay.”Doneganpaused.“Listen,Sam,I’mreallydamnedsorryaboutwhathappenedtoJaneKing.”“Notyourfault,”Durellsaid,andrangoff.

SarahStandishwaswaitingforhimupstairsintheairycorridorbetweenthebedrooms.Herscrubbedfacewassolemn,andshewasn’twearingherglasses.Hereyeswerewide,alovelygray,troubledbywhathadseemedtohimearliertohavecausedtears.

“Iknowsomethingratherdesperateisgoingon,”shesaid.“Butwe’releavingtomorrow,unlessyou’ve

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placedsomeofficialobstaclesinourway.”

“No.Weleaverightonschedule,Sarah.”

“Good.I’llwanttotalktoyoutomorrow.Ihaveafewthingsonmymind,butI’msuretheycanwait.Weallneedsleeprightnow.Theguardhasbeendoubled,andI’msurewewon’tbedisturbedagain.”

“I’mgladofthat,”hesaiddrily.

Histonemadeherlookupwithsharpirritation.“AreyoustillangrybecauseIprotectedmyguestsagainstthesearchyoudemanded.”

“IthinkIunderstandhowyoufeel,”hesaid.

“Doyou?Iknowyoudon’tlikeme.Mostpeopledon’t;butIcan’thelpthat.Iknowyoudon’tcareforthejoboflookingafterme,either.Iwasrudeaboutitwhenwefirstmet,becauseIdidn’tliketheidea,either.”Shetriedtosmile,buthertensionmadeitafeeblegesture.“Can’twecallatrucebetweenus,Sam?”

Hewonderedwhatshereallymeant.“It’sfinewithme.”

“Good.I’mglad.Goodnight,then.”

Turning,shewalkeddownthecorridortoherownbedroom.Durellwaiteduntilherdoorclosed,thenwentintohisroom.Onlythemoonlightglowedsilverthroughtheverandadoorsinside.Heglancedfirstatthehuddleonhisbedunderthethinsheet,andwalkedtotheveranda.Aguardpatrolledthegardenatthefootofthebougainvillaeaclimbingthehouse.HewonderedwhereHanswas,andwhatthebigmanwasthinking.Notgoldenthoughts,hedecidedwryly.Heturnedbacktothebed.

Alessawaswaitingthere.Herarmsreachedouttotakehim.

“Sam?Hurry.”

“Everythingisquietnow,Alessa.”

“Makeitso,Sam.Makeitfineforme.Makemeforgetthathorribleoldmanandwhathewantedtodo.MakemeforgetpoorUncleErnst.”

Herbodywaswarm,tremblingagainsthimasheslidbesideher.Hefeltasmallwonder,butnosurprise.Therehadbeenaninevitabilityaboutthismomentfromthefirsttimetheylookedateachother,asifsomeirresistiblechemicalhadbondedtheminanurgencyhehadneverknownbefore.

Sheshivered,burrowingagainsthim,demandingthewarmthandsafetyofhislove,askingforassurancethatshewasstillaliveafterthecoldtouchofdeaththathadmissedthemtonight.

Thenshemadeasmallsound,drewback.

“Whatisit?”hewhispered.

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“Iwantyoutoknow—therewasaboyonce,inParis—butyoumustbegentle.”Hefelttearsonhercheek,crushedagainsthischest.“AmIsoawful,really,towanttoforgetUncleErnst?”

“Youwon’tforgethim,”Durellsaid.“It’sjustfornow.”

“Yes.Fornow.”

Hefeltdetachedwhenhetookher,awareofacuriousobjectivity,asifpartofhimstoodasideandregardedtheirunionasasegmentofalargerpatternthatstillhoveredwithdangerousvaguenessinthebackofhismind,forminganearnesstodisaster,aunionwithcrueltyanddeath.

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chaptertwelveTHEconvoyoftwotrucks,twojeeps,andastationwagonofequipmentthatincludedapowerfulmilitaryfieldradio,leftshortlyafterdawn.Themountaintroopersnumberedtwenty-fourmen,alltall,tough,rangymembersofK’Ayub’sFrontierRifles.Thedaywashotandclear.TheroadnorthfromRawalpindiwascrowdedwithtrafficforthefirsthour—Armytransports,bullockcartsploddingtheedgeofthefields,bicycles,mencarryingbundlesandbalesontheirshoulders.

TheoppressivemorningheatliftedastheywounduptowardthehillstationofMuree,themosthistoricoftheBritishmilitarypostsandsummerresorts,7,500feetabovesealevel.Alongtheroadwerericepaddiesflashinginthesun,thenterracedfarmsandmaizeandpotatoes,mud-housevillagesandthenhouseswiththatchedroofs.Inashorttimetheconvoyroaredthroughgrovesoflong-needledChielpinethatshelteredold-fashionedresorthotelsplacedatvantagepointsfortheviews.Thevillagestheypassedhadnarrowstreets,someofthembannedtoautotraffic.Ateightthousandfeettheroadbecametortuous,switchingbackandforthuptheterracedmountainsides,nowandthenwithaglimpseofthefarmountainsofKashmir,wheresnowlingeredonthepeakslikeanillusionintheclearAugustsky.

BeforeleavingRawalpindi,DurellhadcheckedwithK’Ayubaboutthepoliceinvestigationsoflastnight.Therewerenosignificantcluestothemurderofthemusicshopproprietor.Bergmann’sbodywasinthemorgue.Ahigh-poweredradiotransmitterhadbeenfoundinKouLi’steahouse,buttherewasnosignoftheChinese.Omar,too,hadvanished,butK’Ayubwasconfidentofanimminentarrest.Durellwasdubious.

“IfBergmanntoldthelocationofhissurveymap,anditwastakenfromthemusicshop,”hehadsaid,“thenthey’vegotthejumponus,Colonel.”

K’Ayubwassolemn.“Thenweshouldproceedtoourdestinationwithallpossiblespeed.”

“Ihavethefeelingthechartiswithsomeoneinourgroup,”Durellinsisted.“ButSarahStandishforbadeasearchlastnight.”

“Withsomewisdom,”K’Ayubsaid.“Ifsomeonehasthechart,itproceedswithus,doesitnot?WhenthetimecomesonS-5toresurveyBergmann’spath,wewilltakethenecessarystepstolearnthetruth.”

“Itmaybetoolatebythen,”Durellinsisted.

“Ifweholduptheconvoynow,theproceduresandformalitieswoulddelayustoolong,”K’Ayubpointedout.“I’msureyouseethat.”Hehadpaused.“Wewillproceedatonce,then.”

Atnoon,theystoppedforlunchatamountainhotelrunbyayoungSwisscoupleabovethevillageofRamathgali.DurellhadbeenridinginthesecondjeepwithAlessa,RudiandSarah.Acuriouslytautsilenceheldtheothers.ThedriverwasZalmadar,K’Ayub’sPathantrooper.Therehadbeennotroubleatthetwomilitarycheckpointsbelow.K’AyubrodeinthepointjeepwithHans,andthetwotruckloadsoftroopersandthestationwagonofsuppliesfollowed.

Therewerewoodcuttersweighingwoodonold-fashionedscalessuspendedfromatripodbesidetheroadbelowthehotel’sporch,andwomeninblackwashedclothesinanirrigationditchamongthepines.

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Cigaretteandcandysellersinbrightskullcapspedaledbyonbicycles.Anotherhotel,glimpsedthroughthetrees,wasarelicofBritishdays,sinceitsportedacricketfieldandseveraltenniscourts.

AlessaaskedDurelltowalkbackintothepinestoseesomeoldBuddhistruinsnearby.Hewasfaintlyamusedbyherdeception.Shehadbeenwithdrawnallmorning,notmeetinghiseye,andhewouldhavepreferredafewmomentsalonewithSarah.HisglancecaughtHans’gloweringfeatureswhenAlessatouchedhisarm,andDurellwentalittlereluctantly.

Theruinswerehiddeninthepinesaboutfivehundredfeetabovethehotel.Theairwaswarm,pungentwiththeChieleneedles.Inonesunnycorneroftheruins,onaflat,mossyplatformofstone,somemensatsewingshirtswithhand-operatedmachines.TheylookedatDurellandthegirlwithpolite,reservedeyes,andkeptonworking.

“YoucanseeKashmirfromhere,”Alessasaid,pointingacrossthefleecysky.“AndthatwayaretheKarakorums.That’sthesummitofNangaParbat—26,650feethigh.”

Durelladmittedtheviewwasbreath-taking.FarbeyondwerethefamouspeaksofEverest,Kankenjunga,andAusten’sfamousAnnapurna.Alessaspokepedanticallyaboutthecrossroadinvasionrouteofempireshere.Persians,Greeks,WhiteHuns,MogulsandBritish,shesaid,usedthisroutetoconquerthepeople.ShetoldhimhowtheBuddhistscametodiePunjabandconvertedKingAsokatoBuddhismandhowthisareabecameoneofthegreatestseatsofEasternlearningandphilosophy.

“YoucanreadaboutitinthemanuscriptsofFahHian,aChineseBuddhistwhomadeapilgrimageherein400a.d.”Wildolivetreeshadrootedinthecracksofthemassivestoneruinswheretheystood.Nearbywasthemajorshrine,thestupa,intheformofamassiveBuddhistfigurewithacircularholeinthenavelwornsmoothbygenerationsofpilgrimsbeggingrelieffrominternalpains.Beyondseveralsmallerstupaswasachapelofredandblack,thenalongblockofmonasterycells,twostorieshigh,withbroadverandasabove.

AlessawentonasiflecturingattheSorbonne.“WhentheWhiteHunscamedownfromChina,ledbyToramanaandhishordes,mostofthesemonasteriesweredestroyed.Bytheseventhcentury,whenHsuanTsang,anotherChinesepilgrim,camethroughhere,mostofitwasdesolate,withonlyafewmonksstillattendingtheshrines.TheMoslemconquestofninehundredyearsagofinishedthejobofdestroyingBuddhistculturehere.”

Asmallboycamealong,sellingmangoes.Durellboughttwoastheywalkedtowardthemonasteryruins.“Youdidn’tbringmeheretolectureonhistoryIalreadyknow,didyou,Alessa?”

Shestaredatthedistant,soaringmountains.“I’msorry.Itisjustthatitisembarrassing,afterlastnight—”

“Thereisnoneedforthat.”

“But,yousee—Hansknowsaboutit.”

“How?”

“Idon’tknow,Sam.Butheisdangerous,sopossessivetowardme.Itisfrightening,Ithink.YetIam

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fondofhim,andIamafraidforyou,becauseofhim.”Shestoopedandpluckedacinquefoilgrowinginagrassyareabetweenthestones.“There’ssomethingmore.Haveyounoticedthat

RudiandSarahwerequarrelingthismorning.Heisveryupsetbyherbehavior.”

“Heoughttobe,”Durellsaiddrily.“Wheneighthundredmillionturnscool,it’sreasonenoughtobeupset.”

“That’snotfair.Youdon’tlikeRudi,andyoustillthinkhehadsomethingtodowithpoorJaneKing’sdeath,don’tyou?”“Yes.Andmore.”

“Iwish—”Shepaused,bitherlip.“I’msorry.Mymindisreallyonlyonthecrown.Ican’tstopthinkingaboutwhatthatoldmansaidlastnight—thedirectionstoaCaveofaThousandSkulls.Doyouthinkhewaslying?”

“Perhaps.Maybehewasjuststallingwithsomemumbo-jumbountilhegotuswherehewantedus.”

Sheshiveredinthemountainair.“Youareprobablyright.Let’sgodown.Ithinktheothersmustbewaitingforus,bynow.”

ByafternoontheywereinthevalleyofSwat,theconvoymakinggoodtimealongatunnel-likeroadthroughtamarisktreeswhosebranchesmetinalacyboweroverhead.Here,wheretheBritishhadfoughtthewildPathantribes,wereanumberofrivers,mudvillageswithflocksofgeese,china-berrytrees,andanoccasionalgiantlizard.Theairwascooler.TwicetheconvoystoppedatsmallmosquesandtheMoslemguardswentintopraywhilethemullahchantedpassagesfromtheKoran.

Ateveningtheypulledintoasmallvillagenestledbelowahighridge,whereaborderpatrolpostandcheckpointwereestablished.Theroadhadimprovedagain,andtherewasevidenceofanenlightenedgovernmentinthesmallschoolsandclinicstheyhadseen.Buttherewasnofarmmachinery,andthefewtelephonesbelongedtothepoliceandmilitarystations.

ThelanguageherewasPushtu,andthepopulacefollowedtheSunni,ororthodoxMoslemcreed.Therewasastonehotelrunbyalean,dourSwatiinabeadedskullcap,andAjjarservants.Beyondthevillage,theroaddiminishedbetweentherockwallsofacanyonshadedwithbluespruce,silverfirandwalnuttrees.Therunningwatermadeaconstantmurmurinthebackground.

DurellwentwithColonelK’Ayubtothemilitarystationatoneendofthevillage.Itwasalow,fort-likebuildingofgraystone,withanimmaculatewhitefloorinthelargecommonroom.Rockpigeonsandroostersmadeasteadyburblingontheroof.K’Ayubspoketotheofficerincommand,LieutenantMungialAliKhan,athinmanwithafiercemustache.Intheradioroom,K’Ayubconsideredseveralcodedtransmissions.ItwasevidenttoDurellthatK’Ayubwasamanwhoreceivedmuchrespecthere.

“Thereisareportofearlysnowinoneofthepasses,”K’Ayubsaid.“Butitisonlyafewinches.Weshouldgetthrougheasily.”

“AnyChinesetroopmovements?”Durellasked.

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“Someactivity,butwearenotsureofthedirectionoftheprobe.SomerefugeesriotedoverinKashmir,andthereisalwaysatrickleofTibetansoutoftheeast.Perhapsthepeoplespottedwerethesegroups.Theborderpatrolshavenothingelsetoreport.ConditionsonS-5arenormal,theysay.”K’Ayubflickedanotheroftheradioreports.“TherewasasmallrockslidenorthofLakeMohseri.Theroadwillendthereforus.Wewillhavetowalkinfromthatpoint.”

“Howfar?”

K’Ayubshrugged.“Almostthirtymiles.MymenandIcoulddoitinadayandnight,butthewomen—letuscountonthreedays.Itisadifficultclimbattheend.Thealtitudeisfifteenthousandfeet.Wehaveoxygenmasks,ofcourse,butwewillhavetocarryeverything—food,equipment,radios,tents.Iammainlyconcernedaboutthesnowreports.AndthereisnoradiocheckfromourpatrolnearMirandhabad.ThePakhustiradio,whichisreallyonlyahobbyoftheEmir’s,hasalsobeensilent.”

Thenextmorningwasgray,withaslightdrizzleseepingdownfromtheovercastsky.Theystartedearly.SarahrodeintheleadjeepwithK’AyubandHans.DurellremainedwithAlessaandRudi.Theroadclimbedsteadilythroughrockygorgesandacrosssmallplateauswherecreakingbullockcartsmadewayforthem.Thelandgrewwilderandmoredesolate,andthecoldrainandmistblottedoutthedistantKarakorumrange.Beforenoontheroaddegeneratedintoruttedtracksthatmadethevehiclesjoltandgroan.Lowgearwasalmostinconstantuse,andthewhineoftheenginesechoedbackandforthfromlimestonecliffs.TherewasanothermilitarycheckpointinaSujjervillage,onemoreatanaerie-likesettlementofKohistanis.Theairwasthinandsharp,andtherainhadanicysting.

AtthetopofthepassmarkingthefrontierofthePakhustiemirate,theconvoyhaltedforanhourtosaveoneofthetrucksthathadbrokendown.K’Ayub’smenleveredtherearwheelsoutfrombetweenthejumbledrocksthatpinnedthetruck.Theyatehere,cookingongasolinestovesthatsputterederraticallyatthehighaltitude.Therainstopped,andthescuddingcloudssuddenlyshreddedawayandrevealedthevalleyahead,betweentheloominghighpeaks.

DurellwalkedaheadwithSarahtolookdownatLakeMohseri.Acoldnorthwindblew,andthevisibilitybecamesharpandcrystalline.Thevalleywaslongandnarrow,thelakenestlingingrayishlightbetweenlongarmsofthemountains.Evenfromhereitwaspossibletoseeafewfishingboatsatthenearend,andafaint,jewel-likeglitteronthefarshoreindicatingthetownofMirandhabad.

Beyond,thevalleyliftedinanarrowgorgeandvanishedinatwistedjumbleofhogbacksandpeaks.

Sarahpointed.“There,that’stheCrownofAlexander,S-5.”

Thetwinpeaksfloatedmajestically,twoenormousupthrustsofrockcappedbysnowonthehigherslopes,withvastbattlementsofcliffsthatliftedinsheersplendorforthousandsoffeet,intotheclouds.Itwastoofartomakeoutdetails,butitssizewasawesomeforitsclarity.

“RudishowedmepicturesfromAlessa’scollection,”Sarahsaid.

“Youhaven’ttalkedmuchtoRudisinceweleft’Pindi,haveyou,Sarah?”heasked.

“No.We’veallbeensobusy.”

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“Yousaidyouwantedtodiscusssomethingwithme,thenightbeforeweleft.”

“DidI?I’veforgotten,”shesaidshortly.

“Ifthere’ssomethingIshouldknow,letmehaveit.”

Butshewassilent,staringatthevistaofvalley,lake,anddistantprovincialtown.Sheworeridingbreechesandboots,afleece-linedjacketwithahoodthatcoveredherhair.Shewasn’twearingherglasses.Hercostumemadeherlookyounger,somehowmorevulnerable.Herealizedwithsomesurprisethatwithalittleeffort,Sarahcouldmakeherselfintoanextraordinarilyattractiveyoungwoman.Thechillwindcoloredhercheeks,andherlipswereslightlyparted,hereyesunguardedassheconsideredthemajesticview.Shemovedalittleclosertohim.Fromtheroadbehindthemcamethegruntingchantofthetrooperstryingtogetthetruckbackonthepath.

“Ican’tgetJaneoutofmymind,”shesaidsuddenly.“IfeelthatwhathappenedinKarachiwasreallyallmyfault.”“Youweretoughenoughaboutitwhenithappened.”

“Iknow.Butitwashabit,fromtheresponsibilitiesI’dliketoberidof.Don’tyouthinkI’dliketolivelikeeverybodyelse?”shedemandedfiercely.“Justtobeanonymous,withouteveryonestaring,orflatteringme,orthinkingwhattheycangetoutofme?I’vehadthatallmylife.It’smademedefensive,andIhopedthatRudi—”

Durellsaid,whenshebrokeoff,“WasRudiwithyouallthetime,thatlastafternoonandeveninginRawalpindi?”

“It’snotfairtoaskmethat.”

“Becauseyoulovehimandfeelloyalandshouldprotecthim?”

“I’veneverbeeninlovebefore.InSwitzerland,itwaslikeadream.Hetreatedme—well,justlikeanyothergirl.”

“Smartfellow,”Durellsaid.

“Doyouthinkhistechniquewasdeliberate?”

“Youhavetodecideaboutthat.Butwashewithyouallthatdayin‘Pindi,”

“No,”shewhispered.“Notallthetime.I’msickaboutit.”

“Wheredidhego?”

“Intheafternoonhesaidhewouldtakeanap.ButwhenIknockedonhisdooranhourlater,hewasn’tthere.Theservantssaidhe’dgoneintothecity.”

“Didhetellyouwherehe’dbeenwhenhecameback?”“Ididn’task.Ihadnoright.Imean,Ididn’twanthimtofeelIwasputtingaleashonhimevenbeforeweweremarried.Imean,IwantRuditoknowthatmymoneyleaveshimafreemaninallrespects,andIwouldn’tmakeanyselfishdemandsaboutanything.”

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“DoyoustillplaytomarryhimwhenyoureturntoEurope?”

“Idon’tknow.”

“Whatmakesyouuncertain?”

Butshecouldn’treply.Therewerefootstepsbehindthem,anditturnedouttobeRudi,tallandhandsomeandblond,withthecoldmountainwindblowinghislongstrandsofhairacrosshisflatforehead.Hecarriedarifle,borrowedfromoneofthetroopers,inthecrookofhisarm.

“Mydear,itisbestifyoudonotwanderawayfromeveryonelikethis.IknowHerrDurellissupposedtowatchoutforyou,butthatismyjob,too,isitnot?AndIthinkImaybemoredevotedtothetask.”Hissmilenevertouchedhiseyes.“Inanycase,oneoftheforwardtroopersreportsapartycomingupoutofthevalleytomeetusinthispass.Itisamilitarygroup,believedtobePakhustis.”

BehindRudiwasthebigfigureofHans.Whentheymovedbacktotheconvoy,RudiandHansturnedaside,talkingquietly.HansshotDurellamalevolentglanceasRudispokeearnestlytohim.SarahwentbacktoAlessa,andDurelljoinedColonelK’Ayub.

“Aboutonehundredmen,Ithink,”K’Ayubsaid,loweringhisglasses.“Theymaydisputeourpassage.Mirandha-badisunderournationalcontrol,butthesemountainpeopleguardtheirfreedomsfanatically.Theycanbequiteunpredictable.”

InafewmomentsDurellspottedthethinlineofmencomingupthecrestofthepasswheretheywaited.Theyweremountedontough,shaggy,littleMongolianponies.Theirsheepskincoatsandcapsweregreen,andallhadriflesrestingacrosstheirsaddlepommels.

“Ishallmeetwiththeircommander,”K’Ayubdecided.“Youcomewithme,Durell.Thereststayherewiththetrucks.”

Theyrodedowntheslopeinoneofthejeeps,withadozentrooperstrottingalongside.Thelonglineofdarkfigurescametoahalt,andasmallergroupspurredtheirshaggyponiesupthepasstowardK’Ayub.

ThecommanderofthePakhustiswasamanwithascarredandweatheredface,adroopingmustacheandbeard.Heworeakarakulcapandbandoliersofcartridgesacrosshismassivechest.HesalutedK’Ayub,dismounted,andspoketoorapidlyinPakhustiforDurelltofollow.K’Ayub’svoicewasnolongersoft.Hewasadifferentmaninthesemountains.

Therewasabriefexchange,andK’AyubturnedtoDurell.“TheEmirhasdirectedthesementoescortusacrossthevalleytoS-5,”hesaidinEnglish.“Hedoesthisasafriendly,co-operativegesture.”

“Doyoutrusthim?”

“No.”

“Thereareahundredofthem,andonlythirtyofus.”

“Yes.Itmakesmeuneasytohavethemridingourflanks.ButrejectionoftheirofferwillmeannoassistancethereafterfromthePakhustis.Theyhavealwaysbeendifficult.Itwouldbetiresometohave

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tocampaignagainstthem,inthesemountains—andtheyareallbrotherMoslems,inanyevent.”

“Canyoumakesomeexcusetorefusetheoffer?”Durellasked.

“Yes,butthenwewillnotbepermittedinMirandhabad.”“Canwegoaroundthetown?”

“Itwillmeananothereighthoursofmarching.”

“Fairenough.Makeyourexcuses,then,”Durellsaid.K’AyubwentbacktothePakhusticommanderandspokebriefly.ThePakhustimadesoundsofobjection,gesturestowardhismountedmenmassedintheroadwaybelow.K’Ayubpointedupward.Thetroopersfromthetruckshadtakenuppositionsamongtherocksandsunlightglintedontheirgunbarrels.Themaninthekarakulcaplookedangry,scrubbedathislongmustache,andbegantoshout.K’Ayubspokeevenmoresoftly,buthisvoicewaslikepolishedsteel.HeturnedbacktoDurell.

“HesaystherearecertainlyChinesepatrolstothenorth.”

“Acrosstheborder?”

“Nomanknowswheretheborderisprecisely.TheEmir’sexcuseforofferinganescortistoprotectusfromtheChinese.Butitisdifficulttotellonesnakefromanother.Wecouldbemassacredinthenight.”

Durellnodded.“Tellhimwe’llgoaroundMirandhabad.”Therewassomemorediscussion.ThePakhusti’sfacewasangry,buthewheeledhisponyaround,shoutedtohismen,andtheygallopedawaydownthepasstowardtheshininglakeinthevalley,farbelow.

“Fromnowon,”K’Ayubsaidquietly,“wemustbeonthelookoutforsnipers.”

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chapterthirteenBYNIGHTFALLtheyhadcircledthelakeandgoneasfarasthevehiclescouldtakethem.ThetwinpeaksofS-5seemednonearerinthesunsetlight.Thetrucksandjeepswereparkedinalevelareabelowsheercliffs,tentswerepitched,equipmentdistributed,andtheeveningmealcooked.K’Ayubwasbusyonthefieldradioforatime,thencametowhereDurellsatalonewithhisbackagainstalargegrayboulder.

“Ihaverequestedaerialreconnaissance,”K’Ayubsaidbriefly,“Butonlyifitcanappearasroutinepatrolling.Planesarenotmuchgoodinthisruggedterritory.”HelookedsharplyatDurell.“YouarestillconvincedthatsomeoneamongushasBergmann’schart?”

“I’msureofit.Butwe’llsoonknowthetruth,”Durellsaid,“unlesswe’reambushed.We’vebeenwatchedalltheway,today.Therearewatchersonthatridgerightnow.”Hepointedtotheeast.“I’vecaughtsomeflashesoflightupthere—probablyoffgunbarrels.”

“Itistobeexpected,”K’Ayubnodded.“TheyaretheEmir’smen.Theymaytrytodelayus,sinceMirandhabadisuncertainofitspoliticalaffiliation.TheChinesehavebeenflatteringtheEmirintomovingforautonomy,makinggreatpromisesforthefuture.”

“Ifeveryhourcounts,”Durellsaid,“weshouldmakeanightmarchtonight.Isthatpossible?”

AgainK’Ayubnodded.“Agoodidea.Butwemustbecareful.”

Theytoldnooneoftheplan,tokeepthecamplookingnormalintheswiftmountainnightfall.Picketswereposted,lampswerelighted.Thesurroundingdarkseemedvastandempty.Atmidnight,wheneveryonewasrested,K’Ayubsaid,theywouldquietlybreakcampandmarchtothenorth.Asix-hourleadbeforesunrisemightprovedecisive.

Durellturnedin,buthecouldnotsleep.Thepressureoftimeslippingawaymadetensionslidealonghisnerves.TherewasmoredangerfromwithinthecampthanfromthePakhustiswatchingfromthehigherridges.Theairwascold,breathingawarningofthesnowtheymightreachbydawnatthehigheraltitudes.Therewasnomoon,andthestarsreeledoverheadinacrispblacksky.Hesmokedacigarette,watchingthecampsleep,andthoughtofSarah’sloneliness.ShewasnotsodifferentfromAlessathere—Alessa,whosepreoccupationwiththepastwasacoverforherdesiretobelongsomewhere,torestoreheraristocraticfamilynametooneofimportance.Howstrongwasthisdriveinher?Hedidnotknow.Heknewonlythathecouldtrustnoone.

Atteno’clock,everyoneseemedtobeasleep.Hesmokedonemorecigarette,thenslidfromhissleepingbagandstoodupintheshadowofthenearesttent.AlessaandSarahsleptinthenextone.Hanswasalongmoundofshadowrolledinhisbagacrossthecampfire.HelookedforRudivonBuhlen,sawhimsleepingabouttenfeetfromthemountainguide.

Theirrucksacksandgearstoodneartheirindividualsleepingareas.Durellmovedsoftlyaroundthetent,carefulofthelooseshaleunderfoot.Rudi’srucksackwasnotfaraway.Hepaused,watchingtheman.Therewasasharpreportfromapieceofwoodinthedyingcampfire,andsparksflew;butRudididnotstir.

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Durellkneltbesidehisbagandswiftlyundidthestrapstoexplorethecanvascompartments.Asidefromrations,anoxygenmaskthatfittedtwosmallcylindersbesidetherucksack,andchangesofsocksandlinen,hefoundnothing.Therewasacompass,aflashlight,asmalltransistorreceivingradio,aheavyenvelopecontainingRudi’spassportandidentificationpapers.Durelltooktheenvelopeandhelditsohecouldexamineitscontentsinthefirelight.

Passport,twolettersfromSarahwritteninNewYork,addressedtoRudiatCannes.Hedidnotreadthem.Aphoto,veryfaded,ofamaninaturtlenecksweaterwithlongpalehairandadefiantsmile,againsttheunmistakablebackgroundoftheBrandenbergGateinBerlin.ItwassignedinGermanwithaboldsignature—fromUncleFranztoLittleRudi—andaNaziswastikabanneragainstabuildingbackgroundidentifiedthetimethesnapshotwastaken,somewhereinthelate’30’s.Durellfrowned,tryingtoidentifytheman’sface.PerhapsonlytheresemblancetoRuditeasedhismemory.Buthethoughtnot.Hehadseenthisman’sphotographelsewhere,inKSection’sfiles,perhaps,orinsomefadeddossierinParis,attheDeuxiemeBureau’sheadquarters.Buthecouldnotbecertain.

TherewasnosignofBergmann’schartintherucksack.

Itdidn’tnecessarilymeananything.ItcouldbeonRudi’sperson.DurellfeltirritatedbytherestraintsplaceduponhimbothbyColonelK’AyubandSarah.Hestartedtorise—andsomethinggentlyprickedthenapeofhisneck.Ashadowhadfallenacrosshim,castbysomeonestandingbetweenhimandthefirelight.

“Youarecurious,Mr.Durell?”

ItwasRudi.Hehadnotbeeninhissleepingbag;thebaghadbeenmadeuptoimitatetheshapeofasleepingman.

Durellmovedcarefully.AlonghuntingknifewasinRudi’shand,andtheman’sfacewasinscrutable,shadowedbythedyingcampfire.

“Didyoufindanythinginteresting?”Rudiasked.

“WhoisUncleFranz?”

“Arelative.AmanImuchadmired.Butheisdead,longago.”Rudigesturedtotheopenrucksack.“Itrustyouaresatisfied?”

“Notquite.IthinkyouandIhavemuchtosettle.”

“Idonotknowwhatyoususpect,orwhatyoutalkabout.”

“Ithinkyoudo.Soonwewillcometoatimewhenyouwillbefrankaboutit.”

Rudiputhisknifeawayandsmiled.“Wearemenoftheworld,youandI.Weneednotbeenemies.YoustillsuspectmeinpoorlittleJaneKing’sdeath,doyounot?”Hisvoicehardenedsuddenly.“DidyouspeaktoSarahaboutit?Isthiswhyshehasbeenupsettoday?”

“WhatdidyoudowithBergmann’schart,Rudi?”

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“YouthinkIhaveitinmybag?Youmustbeinsane.”

“Whatdidyoudowithit?”

“Youspeakinriddles.Ihavenothingmoretosay.”

Durellgaveitup.

Thecampseemedtosleepagain.Rudiwentbacktohissleepingbag.Durellreturnedtohisownandwaitedforhalfanhour.ThenhemovedtotherearofoneofthetrucksandpulledAlessa’srucksackfromthoseonthetailboard.Butheonlygotasfarasunbucklingthestraps,whenhewasagaininterrupted.ThistimeitwasSarahStandish.

“I’vebeenwatchingyou,Sam.”Shestoodfullyclothed,readyforthenightmarch.Herhairwastiedwithasmallribbon,andsheworeaquiltedjacketoverslacksandboots.“WhatareyoudoingwithAlessa’sthings?”

“LookingforBergmann’schart,”hesaidbluntly.“Idon’tknowifAlessahasit,butIthinkRudiknowswhereitis.Hemighthavegivenittoher.”

“Areyouaccusingmyfianceofbeingaspyoramurderer?”

Helookeddirectlyather.“Yes.Iam.”

Herfacewaspale,blank.HowmuchdidshereallyknowaboutJaneKing?Howmuchwasshewillingtooverlook?AwomanlikeSarah,inloveforthefirsttime,couldbeblindlyirrationaltoprotectwhatwouldseemmostprecioustoher.Hesaid,“Sarah,didRudigiveyouanythingtoholdforhim,lastnightin’Pindi?”

“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.”

“BeforeIgotbackfromQissaKhani—whenyouclaimedyouwerewithhimallthatday—didheturnsomethingovertoyouforsafekeeping?”

Shesaiddimly,“Hewasnotwithmeallthetime.Iliedtoyou,andIthinkyouknowwhy.”

“Allright.Didhegiveyouanenvelope,orachart?”

“Hegavemeapacketofmaps,yes,”shewhispered.“Didyouexaminethem?”

“No.”

“Wherearetheynow?”

ShegesturedtoAlessa’srucksack.“IgavethemtoAlessatoreturntoRudi.Icouldn’tspeaktohimaboutit,afteryou—afteryoutoldmewhatyoususpectedabouthim.Theymaystillbehere.”

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“We’llsee,”Durellsaidgrimly.

Hervoicewasdull.“Sam,ifwhatyoususpectistrue—”“Ithinkyouknowitis,”hesaidharshly.“ButIthinkthereissomeoneelse—someonewhowasherein’PindiwhenAlessa,BergmannandHanscamedownoffS-5thefirsttime.SomeonewhoworkedwithRudibefore.It’stheonlyreasonIdon’tsteponyourfiancerightnow.”

Shesaidnothing,andheturnedangrilybacktoAlessa’srucksack.Butonceagainhewasinterrupted—thistimebyHans.Foracampthatseemedtobeasleep,hethoughtinfrustration,everyoneinitwasrestlessenough.

HansputahugehandonAlessa’spack.

“YouwillnottouchanythingthatbelongstoFrauleinAlessa,HerrDurell.”

“Ithoughtyouwereasleep,Hans.”

“IdonotsleepwhenAlessaisindanger.Weareallindangerhere.You,especially,HerrDurell.”

“Fromyou,Hans?”

Themanscowled;hisdeep-seteyesweresullenandangry.“Youhavetakensomethingfromme,Ithink,thatIwantedforalongtime.However,weshallseewhichofuscomesbackfromS-5.”

ButthenColonelK’Ayubstalkedovertothetruck.Durellgaveuphisefforttoexaminetheothers’belongings.K’Ayuborderedeveryonereadyforthemarch,toslipfromtheEmir’smentotheridgeabove.Hespokewithhardauthority.Whentheothersscattered,movingsilentlyinthestarlight,DurelltoldK’Ayubwhathehadtriedtodo.

Thecolonellookedgrave.“Ifsomeonehasthechartandittravelswithus,whatcanwecomplainof?He—orshe—willbealoneagainstusall.Wecanwatchandwait.MyonlymissionistoverifyHerrBergmann’sdiscoveryofnickelore,formygovernment.Ifsuccessful,asimpleradiomessagewillbringadivisionoftroopstoholdthefrontier.Suchamovewillnaturallybeconsideredanaggressiveactbyourneighborstothenorth.Andmygovernmentdoesnotwishtotweakthetiger’stailwithoutgoodcause.IftheflagsBergmannusedtomarktheoresitearestillthere,theinternationaldifficultieswillbeworththetrouble.Ourobjectivewillbetooccupytheareafirst,andIwillbrooknointerferenceinthisaim.”

“Yourgoalismine,too,”Durellagreed.“Butsomeoneamongusisatraitor—possiblytwo.”

“Thenletusgiveourenemieseverychancetoshowtheirintention.Thatismydecision,Mr.Durell.AndIamincommandhere.”

TheymarchedindoublefileupthegorgethatlednorthfromLakeMohseri.Theroutewasalwaysupward.AthinmoonarosetoshineonthetwinpeaksofS-5,soaringwithwhiteslopesagainstthenight.Aroughtrailprovidedclearfootingforthefirsttwohours.Thepinesgrewscrubby,andoftenthepartywasstrungoutforsomedistanceacrossexposedrockyslopes.Thewomendidnotcomplainatthe

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forcedpace.NowandthenDurelldroppedbacktotalkwithoneortheother.

TherewasnosignofpursuitfromtheMirandhabadtroops.Lookingbackthroughanarrowdefile,Durellglimpsedthesheenofmoonlightonthedistantlakefarbelow.Afewminaretsgleamedsilveryinthestrangemountainlight.Thenagrowthofpineandscruboakcutofftheview,andhedidnotseeeitherthelakeorthetownagain.

HesatwithAlessaataten-minutebreakshortlybeforedawn.Shestaredstraightahead,refusingacigarette,huddledinherfleece-linedcoat,herfacepartlyhiddenunderthefoldsofherhood.

Shesaidabruptly,“Idonothavewhatyouwerelookingfor,Sam.IcannottellyouwhatIdidwithit.ThatnightinRawalpindigivesyounorighttoaskthatIbetrayanyone.”

“ThenyouknowsomethingthatmightbetrayRudi?”

“Ididnotsaythat.”

“Alessa,you’rethinkingthesamethingsIdo,aboutJaneKingandErnstBergmann,andwonderingifyourbrother—”

“No,”shesaidsharply.“Rudiisallthefamilylefttome.Hemustbeprotected—saved,ifyoulike.Whenyouspendyourlifeinhistory,youcometovalueasenseofcontinuityinman.Family,too,representssuchcontinuity.Thesurvivalofaname,abloodline,alwaysinthelastanalysisrestswiththeindividual.”

“Atanycost?Andeveniftheindividualisunworthy?”

“Icannotjudgethat.Isimplydenyyoursuspicions.Irefusetobelieveyouareright.”Sheturnedtolookathim.“Iamsorry,Sam,formanythings.ButyouandIaretoodifferent.”

Theten-minuterestperiodwasover.Theygotuptomarchagain.

Atdawnalightrainfellagain.Theystoppedforbreakfastinarocky,treelessareashroudedinmist.Tumbledpeaksloomedinvast,ghostlyshapesallaroundthem.Thewindbreathedofsnowandiceintheupperaltitudesahead.K’Ayub’smenquicklysetupcanvasshelters,peggedagainstasheerrockwallthatsoaredoutofsightinthecloudsabove.Othertroopersfannedoutaheadandtothereartocoverthelineofmarch.

TheyhadlostthePakhustis,itseemed,bythesimpleruseofthenightmarch.ThenZalmadar,K’Ayub’sPathanservant,returnedfromscoutingthetrailahead,speakingearnestlytothecolonel.

K’AyubturnedtoDurell.“Wehaveaproblemahead.Thetrailgoesdownasheerrockfaceamiletothenorth.Zalmadarsaysthatdynamitechargesweresetoffsometimeagoanddestroyedthepathcutintotherock.Wecannotgoaroundit.Ourrouteoffersnoalternatives.ButperhapsHansSteichercanshowushowtobridgethegap.”

“Anysignofwhosabotagedthetrail?”Durellasked.

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K’Ayubshrugged.“TheEmir’smen—orperhapsaChinesepatrol—althoughthisisprettyfarovertheborder,evenforthem.”

Theywentaheadtolookatthetrail.Thegorgethatcutacrosstheirwayhadtobedescendedandthenclimbedontheotherside.Thepaththatleddownwasshatteredinseveralplaces,withgapsofmorethantwentyfeetacross.Belowwasasheerdropofhundredsoffeet.

Hansknewhisbusiness.Fromhispackhetookahandfulofsteelspikesandahammerandbegantoclimbacrossthefirstgaplikeahugeflyclingingtoanimpossiblerockface.Withthehammer,hedroveinthespikesatregularintervals.Yetitseemedinevitablethathewouldslipandfall.DurellstoodbesideAlessaonthepath,watching.Herfacewaspale,watchingthebigman,hereyesneverleavinghislaboredprogress.

Bycarefullyselectingsmallcracksinthestonefaceanddrivinghomeaseriesofpitonsashandgrips,thebigmanswungacrossthefirstgapinamatteroftwentyminutes.Hewavedtothem,wentondownthenarrowpathtothenext,andwentthroughthesameprocedure,trailingtheclimbingropebehindhimtofashionaseriesofsafetyholds.Therainincreased,andthewindthunderedinviolencearoundtherockpinnacles.Thetrooperswaited,withZalmadarbelayingHans’climbingropeattheedgeofthegorge.Finally,HansSteichersignalledtheotherstofollow.

Thecolonelwentfirst,usingthenylonline,hislegsoccasionallydanglingoverthedizzydropbelow.Hemadeitwithwhatseemedtobecomparativeease.Halfthetroopersthenfollowed.RudiandSarahStandishwentnext,andDurellwasinterestedtoseethatSarahshowednofear.Alessa,afineclimberinherownright,coveredthestretchofperilouspathinafew,easymoments.

Durellfollowed.

Thefirstgapwasn’tdifficult,usingthepitons.Andthesecond.Onthethird,closetotheend,oneofthespikessuddenlyrippedfreeofthecrumblinggneissandhedroppedviolentlyintospace.

Evenashefell,hewhippedthenylonropearoundhiswrist.TheotherendwasbelayedbyHans,whohadstoodonmonolithicstrengthtoanchorthepassageoftheothersacrosstheabyss.Durellswunginashort,savagearcagainstthebrinkattheotherendofthepath;hetwisted,gothislegsupandflexedhiskneestobreaktheimpactwithhisbootedfeet.Thenylonropestretched,bouncinghimbackinaspin.Themistyskyandwetrocksfarbelowturnedgiddilyunderhim.Painshotthroughhisarmandshoulder.Helookedup,turninghelplesslyontherope.Someofthetrooperswereshoutinginalarm.Theirvoiceshadacurious,echoingqualityinthemistychasm.HesawtheheadsofK’AyubandAlessapeeringdownathim.HelookedatHansSteicher.

Thebigmanwasbraced,holdingtheclimbingaxehehadjammedintotheyieldinggneisstobelaytheropethatkeptDurellfromdroppingtohisdeath.Therewasnoslackening.Thelinecouldhavebeenanchoredinsteel,asHansbegantopullhimup.

Itwasalaboriouseffort,withquickdisasterwaitingforanyslip.Durellcaughtagripwithhislefthandonthelineandslowlywalkedhiswayuptheroughfaceofthecliff.Hanspulledatthesametime,allowingnoslackintherope.Theman’sfacewasgrim.ItseemedforeverbeforeDurelllookedoverthetopedgeofthepaththatwashisgoal.K’Ayubreacheddownandofferedahand.HeshookhisheadandhauledagainandHansgaveonemoreheavethatbroughthiskneesandthenhisbootedfeetontosolid

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groundagain.

DurelldrewadeepbreathandlookedintoHans’eyes.

“Thankyou.”

Hanswasunsmiling,hisenmitystillunabated.“Nexttime,”hesaidsoftly,“Imaynotbeabletobelayintime.Perhapsyouwillfallagain—later.”

Nooneelseheardtheremark.Wasitathreat?Durellwondered.Apromiseofdestructionlater,whenitwassafertoaccomplish?Hedidnotknow.Hewalkedon,tojointheothers.

Theypausedforanhourontheoppositesideofthegorge,thenmarchedonallday,withregularhaltsforrest.Theraindidnotstop,excepttogivewayinthelateafternoontoacold,penetratingfogthatseemedtocrawlrightintotheirparkas.OncetheycametoasmallvillageofHunzasandwereferriedacrossarushingtributaryoftheIndusonanancientwoodenbarge.Theycampedthatnightatastupa,asmallBuddhafigure,centuriesold,erectedlongagobytravelersonthetrailtheyfollowed.Buttherewerenorecentofferingsinevidenceattheshrine.

Theseconddaytheascentwasanaverageof40degrees,asteadyclimbthatdemandedlongtraversingtechniques,moreferryingacrossicyglacialstreams,andoncetheyfashionedaropehandrailtofordasmallerriver,wadingchest-deepinthefrigidwatermeltedfromtheiceofthemountainsahead.Theycampedagaininanabandonedmonasterythatseemedlikeamiracleinthestonywilderness.Nofireswerepermittednow.Theyatecoldrations,usedtheirsleepingbagsonthestonefloorofthecrumblingBuddhistbuilding.K’Ayubsetouthisroutinepickets.Theyallsleptinahuddleonthecoldcommonflooroftheruins.

Thenextdaytheyreachedthefirstsnow.Itwasafootormorethick,lyingunmeltedintheperpetualnorthshadowofagiantmonoliththatsoaredseveralthousandfeetabovetheirheads.Theyputoncrampons,metalplateswithsharpcleatswornontheirbootsforbetterfooting,andunsheathedtheiriceaxes.Zalmadaractedasleadman,pokingaheadonreconnaissancewithhisaxeorapole,probingforcrevasses.Inthemorningtheytraversedalong,steepslope,movingdiagonallyacrossthelessermountain.Traversingwasaspecialtechniquethatdemandedtheanklesbebentoutward,sothatyourbodyremainedverticalwhileyourfeetassumedthesameangleasthesnow.Itwasatemptationonanysteepslopetoleaninward,whichwasasurewaytoguaranteeaslip.Beyondthesnowslopewasaseriesofsmoothiceledges.HereHansusedhistubularicepitons,drivingthehollowmetalspikesintotheicewheretheyfrozesolidlyandmadearopeascentpossible.K’Ayub’smenweretireless,uncomplaining.Bynoontheovercastliftedandgavethemtheirfirsttrueglimpseofthewild,tumbledmountainsthatsoaredaroundthem.

Theywereinalong,shallowvalley,freeofsnowagain,betweentwotoweringrangesofpeaksthatendedinacoldirectlyahead,wherethetwinsummitsofS-5blockedtheirway.FartothewestinthevalleywasanotherHunzavillage,anoasisofterracedgreenagainstthegrayandbrownandwhiteofthemountains.Mistyinthedistance,thetoweringKarakorumsloomedagainstthesky.Incontrasttothosemoredistantpeaks,S-5lookedrelativelysmallforwhichDurellfeltmildlygrateful.Yethenotedthesnowfieldsincold,lavenderblanketsalongthenorthandeasternshouldersofthetwinpeaks.And

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upthere,inthatvastemptystillness,nothingseemedtoloveorlive.

SarahStandishpointedtothepeaks,herfaceflushedwiththecold,halfhiddenunderthehoodofherparka.“Howfardoyouthinkitis?”sheasked.

“Fifteen—eighteenmiles,”Durelltoldher.“Wemayreachitbynoontomorrow.”

Shelookedbackwardalongtheirtrail.“Ihavetheoddestfeelingthatwe’rebeingwatchedallthetime.”

“It’squiteprobable.”

“Inever—Ididn’tthinkitwouldbelikethis.”Shemadeavaguegesturewithherglovedhands.“So—empty.”

“Doyouregretcomingwithus?”

“No.WhyshouldI?”

“YouandRudihavequarreled,haven’tyou?”

Shedidn’treply.

“Ithinkyoushouldtellmeaboutit,”Durellurged.“It’snotwisetokeepsecretsfromtherestofusuphere.”

“It’spurelyapersonalmatter,”shemurmured.

Themarchwasresumed.Thebriefnoondaysunyieldedtoathinovercastthatwasdrivenacrosstheskybyasoutheasterlywind.Theairfeltcolder.Thethinatmospheretendedtoexhaustthemquickerthanthedaybefore.

Byfouro’clockthewindwashowling,andhugeplumesofsnowdriftedinraggedshredsfromthepeaksaroundthem.Thesnowcamedownuponthemwitharush,blottingouteverything.

Campwasmadealittleearlierasaprematuredarknessfell.Itwastoodangeroustoproceedinthesnowinthenighthours.Thistimetherewasnoruinedmonasterytoshelterthem,andthetentswentupagain.

DurellsharedatentwithK’Ayub.Foranhouraftertheirdinner,helistenedtothewindandthehissofhard-driveniceparticlesaroundthetentflaps.Thepressureofthestormincreasedsteadily,thewindshriekingandthreateningtotearthetenttoshreds.Everyhour,thecolonelgotupandpatrolledthesite,spoketohismen,checkedthesentries.Heseemedtireless,calmandefficient,inhiselementuphere.

Durelldozedrestlessly.Once,itseemed,heheardsomeonecryout,andhesatupandgotoutofthesleepingbag.Theoillampinthetentwasturnedlow.Ashestood,KAyubcamebackin,dustedwithsnow,andliftedinquiringeyes.

“IthoughtIheardsomething,”Durellsaid.

“Itisonlythisaccursedwind.”

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“Iseverythingsecure?”

“Zalmadarsaysthesnowwillendsoon,andtomorrowwillbewarm.”

“Let’shopeso.”

Buthesleptuneasilyfortherestofthenight.

Thecampwasastiratdawn.Cookingfireswerepermittedinthethinairat12,000feetelevation,andthesmellofcoffeefilledtheair.Thesnowstormhadended.Theskywasclear.Durelldressedinthewool-linedmountainoutfit,fastenedhisboots,andwalkedtothenearestcampfirewhereAlessawaspouringcoffee.

“Goodmorning.”

Shelookedathimquickly,thenturnedaway.SincethenightinRawalpindi,sheseemedafraidtomeethisgaze.Hanshoveredinthebackgroundatthenextcookfire,buthewasstaringofftothenorth,attheloomingpeaksofS-5,theirgoal.Thesnowglitteredeverywhere,onlyafewinchesdeep,withmanyclearedspotsaheadalongasharpridgethatliftedtotheshouldersofthefabledmountain.Tothewestandnorth,themightyKarakorumsloomedasanimpregnablewall,castingbackbrilliantsunlight.

DurelltookacupofcoffeefromAlessa.“Isn’tRudiupyet?”

Sheshookherhead.“Idon’tknow.Ihaven’tseenhim.”

Helookedfurtheraroundthecamp.“AndSarah?”

“Ihaven’tseenher,either,”Alessasaid.

DurellwalkedtowardSarah’stent,thenturnedandlookedbackattheblondegirl.“Sarahsharedthistentwithyou,didn’tshe?”

“ShewasgonewhenIgotup,”Alessasaidquietly.

“Gone?”

“Ihaven’tseenherorRudithismorning.”

Hisalarmcameinaswift,angrysurgethatbrokeindismayoverthebright,promisingmorning.Hewentquicklytothegirls’tent,knockedonthepole,liftedtheflap.Thetwosleepingbagswereempty.HeturnedandwalkedtoHans,whocrouchedatthefireandwashedhismesskitinthelight,crunchysnow.

“WhereisHerrvonBuhlen?”Durellasked.

Hanslookedathimwithhisusualblank,stonyface.“Ihavenotseenhim.Heisgoneaway,Ithink.”

“Where?”

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Hansshrugged.“Itishisownbusiness,perhaps.”

IttookonlyfiveminutesforDurellandK’Ayubtoprovethedismayingfact.TherewasnosigninthecampofRudiorSarah.Theirrucksacksandequipmentweremissing.Somefoodhadbeentakenfromthecommonpacks.Onthesnow-fieldbehindthemtherewerenofootsteps,notraceofwhichdirectiontheyhadtaken.Itcouldonlymeanonething.

Sometimeduringthenight,whileitwasstillsnowinghardenoughtocovertheirtracks,RudiandSarahhaddeliberatelyleftthecamp.

Theyweremissing.

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chapterfourteenATEIGHTo’clockthatmorningthesnowfieldschangedcolorfrompalelavendertoadazzling,blindingwhitethatdemandedsnowglasses.K’AyubcameoutofhisradiotentandnoddedtoDurell.

“IhavesentZalmadarandfourothermenbackalongyesterday’strailafterMissStandishandHerrvonBuhlen.Theyhavejustreported,bytheirwalkie-talkie.ItispossibletheyareheadingforMirandhabad.”

“Alone?”

“Therewasnosignofviolence.”ThePakistaniwascalm.“AsfarasIcandetermine,theyleftusoftheirownfreewill.SergeantZalmadarwilldeterminethat.”

Durellwasangry.“SarahStandishismyresponsibility.Myjobistomakesuresheremainssafe.YoushouldhaveletmeknowyouweresendingZalmadarafterher;I’dhavegonealong.”

“Iamsorry.Icannotpermitthat.Iunderstandyourquandary—youmustprotectMissStandish,andalsoverifythediscoveryofnickelonS-5.Icannotconcernmyself,however,withwhichismoreimportanttoyou.Itismyjudgmentthatthosetwoleftuswillingly.Ifshewasmisledorhoodwinked—”K’Ayubshrugged.Hisvoicewashard.“ImustgoontoS-5.Itisonlyahalf-day’smarchfromhere.AndIhavebeengettingradioreports.TwoTibetanrefugeespickedupbyourfrontierpostsreportedsomeChineseprobingactivityinthemountainsbeyondS-5.Ithinkspeedisvital.IpleadedwithKarachitosendadivisionhereimmediately,howeverthePakhustismightresentit.Butnomovewillbemadeuntilthenickelisverified.Ihavetakenitonmyselftosurveytheroadwaytothispoint—twoofmymenareengineers—andifminingdevelopmentpromises,itmustbeconsideredasapracticalmeasure.”

“IthinkSarahStandishisingravedanger,”Durellinsisted.

“Icannotspareguidestoaccompanyyou.AndIwillneedyouonS-5.Itismydecision,Mr.Durell,thatyoucomeaheadwithus.Morethanadecision.Itisanorder.Afterall,thelifeofonewoman—”

“Amostimportantwoman,”Durellinsisted.

K’Ayub’sshrugwasindifferent.TohisMoslemmind,noneofSarah’swealthorinfluenceraisedhertoanequalscalewithanyman.Hislynxeyeswereadamant.Hewasgoingon.

DurelllookedatAlessa,thenatthepeaksahead.K’Ayubwasincommand.HerefusedtosendmoremenafterSarah,deniedDurellpermissiontogoalone.SergeantZalmadarwasbig,toughandcompetent.ThePathanwouldtravelfast,perhapsovertakeSarahandRudibeforetheycouldreachMirandhabad.Hehadnochoice.Theyhadtogoon.

Thelastfivehoursofthemarchwerethemostdifficult.BynoontheywereonthelowershouldersofthesouthernpeakofS-5.Oneveryhorizon,theoutlookwasdesolate,asalienasalunarlandscape.Durellcouldseethevast,domeshapedthrustofrockonthesouthernpeakthatAlessaidentifiedasRoxana’sBreast.Theoldman,Omar,inthebazaarofQissaKhani,hadmentionedit,andhesensedagrowingexcitementinAlessaastheytoiledupwardtotheirgoal.Herfacewasflushed,hereyesbright

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with-anticipation.NotoncedidshementionRudiorSarah.

“DoyouthinkOmartoldusthetruth?”sheasked.“IbelieveIknowtheexactspothementioned,fromwherewemightgetaclueabouttheNorthPeak.PoorUncleErnstwenttherealone,interestedbysomeunusualfaulthehadglimpsed.ButIgatherthelighthastobejustright.Oh,ifwecanfindit!IfthereisaCaveofaThousandSkulls,itwillverifyallmyresearch.Icouldwriteseveralpapersonitfor—”

“Takeiteasy,”Durellsuggested.“We’renotthereyet.”

Shelookedupathim,herexcitementdashed.“YouareworriedaboutSarah?”

“Aren’tyou?”

“IamsurethatRudicantakecareofher.Heisanexcellentclimber.ItseemstomethatperhapstheyhadasuddenimpulsetoabandontheclimbandgotoMirandhabad—perhapstobemarriedthere.Whynot?”

“Thenwhynottellus,orleavea,note?”

“Rudihasalwaysbeenimpulsive,unpredictable.Perhapstheyweretogetherlastnight,andfelttooimpatienttowaitlonger—”

“Didyouhearherleaveyourtentlastnight?”

“Iwasfastasleep.Butifshewastakenbyforce,I’msureI’dhavebeenwakenedbyanycommotion.ThatiswhyIamnotconcerned.SarahwentwillinglywithRudi.”

“Alessa,listentome—RudihasErnstBergmann’schart,hasn’the?”

Hereyeshardened.“Icannotbelievethat.IfIdid,thenIwouldalsohavetobelievethatRudikilledErnst.Icannotacceptit.”

“MaybeK’Ayubsenthissergeantoffinthewrongdirection,”Durellsaid.Hestaredatthesunlightontheslopeabove.“MaybeRudipushedonaheadofus.”

“Whyshouldhedothat?”

“TofindBergmann’sflagsfirst.ToradiotheChinese.”

“Butthatwouldbetreasonous,”Alessawhispered.

“Exactly,”Durellsaid.

Shelefthimabruptly,andthereafterwalkedbesideHans.

Thewindwhistledcoldlyacrossthebleak,rockyslopes.Nowandthenthesnowblewinhard,icyparticlesthatscratchedtheirfaces.Theangleofascentincreased,andHansreconnoitredthewayahead

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withcare.Climbingropesweretheruleoftheday,andtheirprogresswasslowerthantheyhadhoped.Inthethinsnowcover,Alessafoundtracesoftheoriginalencampmentshemadeonherfirstexpeditionhere.ItwaslateafternoonwhenK’Ayubannouncedtheywouldmakecampforthenight.

TherewasnothingspecialtobeseenonthepinnacleoftheNorthPeak.Itlookeddesolate,separatedfromthembyadeepvalleythatliftedinaseriesofsteepledgestoatumbledpeakthreemilesawayandtwothousandfeethigher.Becauseofthefailinglight,nodetailswerediscernible.Alessastaredthroughfieldglassesforlongmoments,thenloweredthemindisappointment.

“Iseenothingunusual.Omarmusthavebeenlying.”

“Didn’thesayaboutlookingforthespotinthemorninglight?”

Shebitherlip.“Therecannotbeanythingoverthere.”

Durelltookherglassesandstudiedthetantalizingpeak.Itwasempty,barren,savage—theendoftheworld.Inthedarkshadowsthatmantledtheeasternslope,therewerefewdetailstobeseen.ButifBergmannhadplantedpennantsonhisclimbingwandstomarkhisdiscovery,surelytheywouldshowupagainstthethincrustofsnow.Buthesawnothing.

Thenasmallblackspotmoved,infinitelytiny,andvanished.

Hewasnotsurehehadseenit.

Hewatchedtheplaceforlongmoments.

Anotherspot.Andathird.

Thentheywereallgone.

Three,hehadcounted.Nottwo,whichmighthavemeantSarahandRudihadgoneahead,butthree.Perhapsmore.Hewatched,buttherewasnothingelse.Thelightchangedthesnowtodarkpurpleasthesunwentdownbehindthesavagewesternpeaks.Theairgrewcolderatonce.Hisfingerswerenumbfromholdingtheglassestohiseyes.

HewalkedovertoColonelK’Ayubandmentionedwhathehadseen.K’Ayubwasimpassive.Heorderedadoubleguardforthenight.

Noonesleptmuchduringthehoursofdarkness.

Inthemorning,withthesunfullonthefaceoftheNorthPeak,therewerestillnodetailstobeseenexceptthenaturalravagesoferosionandavalanches.Itwaswarmer,andmuchofthesnowevaporatedinthethin,dryair.Nofireswerepermittedforbreakfast.

K’AyubconsultedwithAlessaanddecidedtowaitforthechanginglighttoverify,ifpossible,Omar’sstoryofacavemouthbeingvisiblefromwheretheystood.Thehoursdragged.Againandagain,Durellscannedtheominouspeak.Hedidnotseeanyfurthermovementthere.

Atnoonprecisely,theyscannedthecliffsaheadforanythingunusual.Noonespoke.Thelightonthe

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mountainbrightened,faded,andbrightenedagain.Severalreddishstreakssuddenlyglowedasthesunlightplayedonthecliffs.Therewereonlyafewpalecloudsinthesky.Inthesilence,theycouldhearthedistantthunderofthewind,therumbleofarockslidesomewhere.Theairvibratedwithvast,primevalpressures.

“Oh,”Alessawhispered.

“Whatisit?”

“IthinkIsawit—waitamoment.”

Shestudiedthemountainagain,throughherfieldglasses.Durelltriedtospotthepreciseareashewatched.Thefaceofthecliffseemedsheerandsolidupthere.Awispofcloudmadeashadowcrossthedistantrock,meltingalldetailinthemonolith.Thenthesunshonebrightlyagain.

HesawitatthesamemomentAlessaspokeagain.

“Ernstspokeofafault—arockslide—thathappenedsomeyearsagooverthere.”

“Thatdarkstreak?”Durellasked.

“Yes.”Alessawastautwithexcitement.“Seetheshaleatthebottomofthebankofrubble,likeacol?Isitasplitintherock,orjustadiscoloration?”

Hansrumbled.“Itwillbedifficulttoapproach,Alessa.”

“Butwemusttry!”shecried.

Anotherminutewentby.Thenitwascertain.Theoldslidehadexposedanaturalfissure,agiantchimneyfaultthatseemedtogofarbackintothefaceofthehugeledge.Fromthisdistanceandperspective,itwaspossibletospotitonlywhenthesunstruckitatthisangle.Evenastheywatched,thelightchangedandthefaceofthecliffflowedtogethertohidethedarkfissurethathadbeenevidentamomentago.

Hanshadtakenacompassbearingonit.

“Letusgo.Itwillbeahardclimb,toreachitbeforedark.”

Alessa’seyesshone.“Oh,ifthecrownofAlexanderishiddensomewhereoverthere!”

Durellwondered.Hewassuresomethingwaitedforthemonthatdistantpeak.Hethoughtofthetinydarkmovementshehadseentheeveningbefore.WhattheymightfindonS-5mightnotbepleasant.

Thelightsnowhadevaporatedfromthepaththeyhadtotake.Thedescentintothevalleybetweenthetwosummitswastricky,theupwardclimbovertheseriesofhugeledgesexhausting.Nowtherewasnothingtobeseeninthefaceofthecliff.Itloomedinshadow,thesunhiddenbehindthesoaringmountaintopabove.

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Twice,K’AyubhaltedforradiotransmissionswithotherPakistanfrontierposts.Thesecondtime,hepackedthegeargrimly.

“NoanswerfromJunnam,”hesaid.

“IsthatthepostthatreportedChinesetroopmovements?”Durellasked.

“Yes.Weshouldhurry.”

Intheend,theirgoalwassuddenlyvisibleandeasilyaccessible.Arockslidehadtobeclimbed,scaledbyHansfirst,whobelayedropesfortheotherstoascendafterhiminrapidorder.Atthetopwasasmallplateauslantinguptothetumbleofdebrisatthebase,ofthenextgiantledge.

Ahigh,narrowfissureledinfromtheshalethathadpoureddownthefaceofthemountain,andsomethingredflutteredfeeblyinthewindattheopening.

“ItisoneofErnst’sflags!”Alessacalled.

Shestartedtorunforward,scramblinguptheshallowslope,onlytobehaltedbyasharpcommandfromColonelK’Ayub.ThePakistaniwaswaryofatrap,althoughnothingwasinsight.Hesenttwoarmedmenforwardtoscram-Bleupthecrumblygneisstotheopeningintherockwall,whiletheotherswaited.Theminutesseemedinterminable.Then,forwhatseemedanevenlongertime,thetwotroopersvanishedintothenarrowcleftabove.

Theycameoutmovingbackward,facingthedarkfissure.

K’Ayubcalleduptothem.Onemanturned,andhisvoicewassmallagainstthevastmountainside.Hesignalledfortheresttocomeup.

Alessa,DurellandHanswereamongthefirsttoreachthenarrowopening.Thetroopers,burdenedwithequipment,werealittleslower.Thetwoscoutsstillstoodandstaredintothedarknessbetweentherock.

“Itisacave,Durellsahib,”oneofthemsaid.“TheCaveofaThousandSkulls.”

“Didyougoin?”heaskedsharply.

“Onlyafewsteps.Itisanunholyplace.Azahadaflashlight,buthedroppedit.Itisnotafitplacefordecentmen.”

K’Ayubarrivedandcalledforelectrictorchesfromthepackscarriedbyhismen.Thefirsttwotrooperswerereluctanttoenterthefissureagain.AlessapickedupBergmann’swandandthelittlescrapofredflagattachedtoit.Thewindhadshreddedthebitofclothinthemonthsinceithadbeendrivenwithitspoleintotheground.

“Wearethefirsthere,”Alessaexulted.“Otherwise,wouldanenemyhaveleftthistoguideus?Bergmannsaidheleftthreeflagsandacairntomarktheoredeposit.Canitbetheoreisinthecave,withthecrownitself?”

“Bergmannnevermentionedfindingthecrown,didhe?”Durellasked.

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“No,hedidn’t.”

“Wouldhehavekeptsuchinformationtohimself,Alessa?”

Shelookedcrestfallen,frowning.“No.ButUncleErnstwasnotinterestedinanythingbutgeologicalformations.”

Thelanternshadbeenbroughtup.Durell,HansandAlessawentinside,withK’Ayubastepbehind.Almostimmediately,withinthefissure,thelightgrewdim.Highoverhead,threeorfourhundredfeetup,thenarrowcrackofrockshowedtheafternoonsky,likeajaggedtongueofbrightnessabovethem,shiningonthenextshelfhigherup.Thefissurenarrowedrapidlyforthefirstfiftysteps,thenformedasharpleftturn.Rubbleslidoutunderfoot,andeachstephadtobechosenwithcare.Asecondraggedredflagonathinwillowwand,inbetterconditionthanthefirst,markedtheturn.

Thescrapofblueskyvanishedfromoverhead.Thefissurewasbecomingacave,wideningatthebottom,withtherockwallsleaningtowardeachotheratthetopandloweringtoformacavernceiling.Thebatterylanternswerenecessarynow.Afewmoresteps,andthethirdflagandthecairn,asAlessapromised,wasfound.

Asmalltinboxwasatopthecairn.K’Ayubwentuptoit,drewadeepbreath,andatanodfromAlessa,openedit.Ithadnotbeenlocked.Insidewerefoldedpapers,anotebook,afewrocksamples.ThewritingwasinGerman,andthecolonelturneditovertoDurell.Thenotesconfirmedthefindingofnickeldepositsandpromisedavarietyofothermineralfindsinthearea.

ItwaswhatK’Ayubhadcomeherefor.

“Wehavefoundtheplace,”K’Ayubsaidheavily.

“Itlookslikeit,”Durellsaid.

“Thereisnoneedtogofarther,then.”Thecolonelshowedsomeuneasinessatbeinginhere.Theairheldthechillofcenturieswherethesunneverpenetrated.DurellsawAlessashiver,andHans,besideher,liftedhisarmasiftoholdher;butthebigmancheckedthesolicitousmove.

K’Ayubwenton,“wemustgetoutaradiosignalthatoursearchhasbeensuccessful.WecannotdoubtBergmann’snotesorthevalidityofhisoresamples,orthatthisistheplacehetookthemfrom.Karachiwillsendupateamofgeologistsandanarmedescortandengineers.Itwillbeagreathelptomycountry,tohaveaminingdevelopmenthere.”Helookedattheblackwallsclosingthemin.“Theradiowillnotworkinthisplace.Letusgoback,outside.”

“Wait,”Durellsaid.HewaswatchingAlessa.“Likeyou,Bergmannturnedbackatthispoint.Let’slookfartherinside.”

“Why?”

“MissvonBuhlenshouldbesatisfiedaboutthelegendofAlexandertheGreat,andXenos’disappearanceonthismountainwithhisthousandmen.”

“Idonotbelievesuchlegends,”K’Ayubsaidshortly.“Wearewastingtime.”

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“Itwilltakeonlyafewminutes,”Alessapleaded.“Otherwise,HansandIwillgoinalone.”

K’Ayublookedangry,thenshrugged.“Verywell.”

Thecliffwallsthatjoinedoverheadnowcamedownataswiftslant,loweringtheceilingofthecaveabovethem.Itwasobviousthatrubblehadfalleninwithinrecenttimes.Perhapsthefissurehadbeenwideopeninpastcenturies,andthenaquakeorrockslidehadcloseditasthemountainsettledtoanewadjustment.Then,withinthepastdecadeortwo,anewavalancheortremorhadopenedthechimneyoncemoretotheoutsideworld.

Durelltookalanternfromatrooperandprobedahead.Thedarknesswasascoldandsilentaseternity.Theywentonforahundredfeet.Theceilingofrocksometimesforcedthemtostoop.Thedarknessseemedtosuckthelightfromthepowerfullanternsandgavethemlittlemorepowerthanaflickeringcandle.Durellwonderedifitwaswisetogoon.K’Ayubwasrightinworryingabouttheneedforhaste.Thesoonertheyreturnedtotheopenandgottheirradiomessageout,thebettertheirchancesforasafereturn.Onepartofhismissionwasaccomplished.ButtherewasstillSarahStandishtothinkof.ShemusthavegonewillinglywithRudi,ortherewouldhavebeenanalarm.ButwhathadRudipromised,togetherawayfromtheothers?Wassheaprisonersomewhere—ahostageinMirandhabad,withallthediplomaticcomplicationssuchasituationwouldmean?Orwassheevenaliveatthismoment?

Hedidnotknow.HefeltK’Ayub’simpatience—andthenAlessa,whohadpushedaheadoftheothers,gaveasmall,chokedscream.

Hertorchlighthaddissolvedintoamassedwhitenessfarbackintherecessesofthecavern.Durelladdedhislighttohers.Ahushfellovereveryone.

ThecenturieswhentherockchimneyhadbeenclosedhadpreservedthesceneuntouchedsincethedaysofXeno’sancientdisaster.Nomancouldeverknowthetruth,Durellthoughtgrimly.HadthesavagehillmenofancienttribesdrawntheMacedonianandhisthousandhoplitesintothistrap,leavingthemtodieofstarvation,thirst,andwounds?Thecavernfloorwaslitteredwiththebonesandskullsandancientarmorofmen.Asfarastheirlightreached,thewhitenessofgrinningskullsandribsandfemursgleamed,mockingthemfromtwothousandyearsinthepast.

Itwaslikestumblingintoanancientcharnelhouse,seeingthemassed,tumbledskeletonsofwhathadoncebeenproudfightingmenofancientMacedonia.Afewdustyhelmetsandbucklersofbronzestillremained;thewoodhadrottedfromthespears,leavingonlythebronzeblades;theswordsanddaggersstillshone,meltedintothetumbledbones,withhereandthereahelmetwithproudhorsehairplumeinfragileoutline,readytodissolveintogossamerdustatabreath,atouch.

Noonespoke.

ThenoneofK’Ayub’stroopersmurmuredinsuperstitiousterror.Thecolonelspokesharply,andthemansubsided.Somethingcollapsedinthevastheapofbonesaheadofthem,rustlinggently.

“TheCaveofaThousandSkulls,”Durellsaidquietly.

“ItisXenosandhismen,”Alessawhispered.Herfacewaspale.“Thefablewastrue.Ireallydidn’t—didn’tdarebelieve—”

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Durellfeltadeepwonderattheserelicsofancientmen,atthisdustthatremainedfromtheproudconqueststhatshooktheoldworldandleftAlexander’snamestampedforalltimeonallthefarcomersoftheworld.

“Andthecrown?”Durellasked.“Doyouthinkit’shere?”

“Imustsee,”Alessawhispered.

Shewentforward,pickingherwaydelicatelyamongthebonesandskullsthatgrinnedather,somewithrakishhelmetstiltedoveraneyesocket,someincontortedwrithingsthatindicatedapainfuldeath.Morethanonehadaswordthrustthroughtheribcage,indicatinghowtheyhadchosentodiequicklybyfallingontheirweaponsratherthanlingeron.Thecavewasvast,echoing.Everywhisperwasansweredfromthedryvaultedceiling.

DurellandHansstartedafterAlessa.K’Ayubandhismenchosetowait.Thecavenarrowedandthenopenedintoakindofinnerchamber.Herewerehelmeted,armoredrelicsthatindicatedtheofficers,thelastsurvivors.Andtherewasoneskeletonalone,proppedagainstafarwall,grinningfoolishlytobeliethetalesofnoblestrengthandendurancethathadcomedownthroughthedustycorridorsoftime.

Alessarantotheselastremainsandknelttopickupsomethingfromamongthewhitebones.SheturnedherfacetoDurell,andhesawtheshatteredblindnessoftearsinhereyes.

“Thecrown,”shewhispered.“Here.Hereitis.”

Thecenturieshadtarnishedthethinbandofgold.Itlookeddented,fragile,apoorrelictorepresentancientsplendors.Alessa’stremblingfingerspointedoutthegemsockets.

“Thejewelsaregone.Theymusthavebeenstolenfromherelong,longago,”shewhispered.

Herdisappointmentwascrushing.Yearsofhopeandresearchmightbecappedwithacademichonors,iftheyescapedherealive,Durellthought.ButAlessahadbeenafterthecrownforitsownvalue,too,andthejewelsthatrepresentedwealtheveninthetwentiethcentury.

Hermoutharchedwithbitterdisillusionment.Thetearssliddownherface.“Isomuchhoped—togohomeandrestoremyfamily’sposition—toendourwretchedpoverty—”

Shestoodupslowly,thethin,relativelyvaluelesscircletdanglingfromherglovedhand.ShelookedatDurell,tookasteptowardhim,andthenHansmurmuredinGermanandwithasob,shesuddenlyflungherselfintothebigman’sarms.

Atthesamemoment,thesuddenrattleofautomaticriflefire,likethechatteringofamockingidiot,echoedinshockwavesthroughthedarknessofthecave.

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chapterfifteenK’AYUBshouted,hisvoiceenormousinthehollowcavern.Anotherburstoffirespatteredthedarknesswithshrieksandwhines.Thepicketsstationedatthecaveopening,twohundredfeetoutward,answeredwithafewerraticshots.Everyoneturned,runningtowardtheentrance.

Durellwaswiththecolonelastheyturnedthelastcornerandsawthefadingeveninglightthroughthehighwallsofrock.Twoofthetrooperssprawledontheshaleoutsidetheentrance.Agrenadeexplodedsomewhereoutofsight.Anotherburstintheirpath,andK’AyubandDurellthrewthemselvesflatassplintersshriekedoverhead.Oneofthetroopersbehindthemgroanedandfell,holdinghisface.Athirdgrenadeburstoutside.

Thentherewasabruptsilence.

Somewherebeyondthefissureopeningamanscreamedinthethinair.Asingleshotpunctuatedthesound.Thescreamended.

Durellliftedhishead.Theywerejustinsidetheplacewheretheleaningrockwallspartedtoadmitafaintstreakofwaningdaylightintothebottomofthecrevasse.AhundredfeetaheadwastheopeningwhereBergmann’statteredflagflutteredinthecoldwind.Therewasnothingtoseebeyondexceptthedarkeningsky,ajaggedsegmentoffarmountains,andtheemptinessofthebitterlycoldairbetween.

Hetriedtoguesswheretheenemycouldbe.Oneithersideoftheopening,hesupposed,coveringtheirescapewithautomaticriflesandgrenades.Thepicketshadbeenwipedoutwiththefirstburstsoffire.Alltheirgear,foodandwater,hadbeenleftoutside.Theambushhadbeensprungwithdeadlyprecision.Theywerehopelesslytrapped.

K’Ayublookedpale.Durellturnedhisheadtowardhim.

“Canyouidentifytheweaponsoutthere?”

Thecolonelnodded.“Pakhustis.TheChineseriflesarelighter.YouwererightaboutRudivonBuhlen.Hemusthavehadthechart.HewenttoMirandhabadormettheEmironourbacktrailandledthemhere.IswearbyAllah,hewillnotsurvivethistreachery.”

OneofK’Ayub’smenspokequietlytohim.K’Ayubnoddedandthemanbegantoinchahead,riflecradledinhisarms,towardthetwovisiblepicketswhohadfallenbeyondthecaveentrance.Thetrooperalmostreachedthefirstbodywhenarainofbulletsstitchedacrosstheopenshale.Themangotuptorunbackandpitchedontohisface,hisbodyjerkingwiththeimpactofadozenslugsinhisback.

Theambusherswerewellhiddenonbothflanksofthefissure.DurellcountedK’Ayub’ssprawled,tensemen.Nineteen.Theircartridgebeltswerefull,andoneofthemsuddenlysprayedanangryburstoutwardintotheemptyair.K’Ayub’ssharpordertosaveammunitionhaltedhim.

“Wehaveenoughwaterinourcanteensfortwodays,”Durellsuggested.“Andsomeemergencyrationsinourpockets.Ifyoucanworkyourradioinhere,wemightcontactoneofyourpostsforrelief.Thosepeopleouttherecan’tgetintous.”

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“Norcanwegetout,”K’Ayubsaidbitterly.

“Trytheradio,”Durellsuggested.

Thelightwasfadingrapidly.Adampchillfilledthecavern.Theradiomancrawledforward,lookingdubiouslyattherockwallstoweringabovethem.Hisequipmentwasinfittedcanvascases.Heblewonhishands,hookedupbatteryandtransmitter,extendedthethinwhipofanantennaashighaspossible,andbegancallingquietlyintothemicrophone,thenpausedatregularintervalstolistenintheearphonesoverhishead.Againandagainhesentouthissignal.Theminutestickedby.K’Ayubmadeatentativegesture.

“Themountainblocksus,”theradiomansaid.“Itisuseless.”

“CanyougetanythingfromPostBlue?”

“Nothing,sir.”

“Verywell.Saveyourpowerpackuntillater.”

Itgrewdarkoutside.K’Ayuborderedallflashlightsturnedoff.Theblacknessmadethepenetratingcoldseemworse.

“Itishopeless,”K’AyubsaidquietlytoDurell.“Theyneedonlytokeepusbottledupherefortwodays.”Hegesturedbackintothecavern.“Thenwecanjoinourboneswiththoseancientones.Ifonethousandmencouldnotgetout,wewilldiehere,too.”Heliftedhisheadandlookedoutward.Nothingcouldbeseen.Therewerenochallengesfromoutside.“Wewillwaituntildark.Thenwecantrytogettheradiooutfarenoughtomakeasuccessfultransmission.It’souronlychance.”

Thetimedraggedby.Thetroopershuddledtogether,facingtheonlyexit.Afootortwoaway,andtheybecameinvisibleintheinkydark.K’Ayuborderedthreemenforward,aboutfiftypacesfromthemaingroup,toactasalarmifthecaveentrancewasinfiltrated.DurellmovedoverandsatbesideAlessa.Shewasadim,remotefigure,absorbedinherdefeat,seatedonablanketandhuggingherknees.

“Ifwegetoutofhere,”hesuggested,tocheerher,“you’llgaininternationalfame.Surelythisdiscoveryshouldbeenoughforyou.”

“Iwantedthejewels,”shewhispered,likeadisappointedchild.

“Youmightneverhavefoundtheserelicsatall,though.”“Justthesebones?Afewscrapsofarmor?Whatcantheydoformeormymother,formyfamilyinVienna?”“Whyisitsoimportanttorecoupyourfamilyfortune?”“ItisadreamIhavealwayshad—likeaninfection.PerhapsIgotitfromRudi.”Shedrewadeepbreath.“Iamsorry.Imustseemchildish,sulkingthisway.Pleaseforgiveme.Ihavebeencrueltoyou—andtoHans,too.Iwish—”Shepausedforamoment.“Butnothingmatters,doesit?Wewillnotgetoutofherealive.”

“Thatremainstobeseen.”

“Iknowthetruth.Youwilldie.Allthesoldierswilldie.”“Andyou?”

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“IthinkIwillbepermittedtolive.ButIshallnotwanttolive,knowingthatallofyouarelefthere.”

“IsitRudioutthere,withtheenemy?”

“Itmustbe.”

“YougavehimBergmann’schart,didn’tyou?”

“IgavehimthepacketthatSarahturnedovertometoreturntohim.IsupposeitcontainedUncleErnst’scharts,showingthisplace.Butwedidn’tneedthem,didwe—thankstoOmar.ButIdonotwanttoberemindedofthatnight.”

“TherearesomehoursofitIwon’tforget,”hesaidgently.

“ButIamashamedofthat,too.Iwasfrightened.IfeltasifIhadbeenneardeath,andIwantedyou,tobereassuredIwasstillwarmandalive.HowcanIeverexplainthattoHans?”

“Mustyou?”heasked.

“Iwouldliketo.IwishIcould.”

Hegotupandleftherandwalkedtothefrontofthecave.K’Ayub’sradiomanhadwriggledforwardwithhistransmitterinthedarkness,totrytogetawayfromthesuffocatingwallsthatblockedhismessage.

“Wehavenohope,”thecolonelmurmured,“unlesswecancontactthemilitaryposts.”

Theywaited.

Severalminuteswentbyinthecolddarkness.

Thentherewasarifleshot.Agrenadeburst,theexplosionlikeablastoflightningthatilluminatedthenarrowfissure.Intheglare,Durellsawtheradiomantwistabout,holdinghiscanvas-coveredtransmitter.Thenthemanfellanddarknessreturned.

“Weneedthatradio,”Durellsaid.

HestartedforwardbeforeK’Ayubcouldobject.Onlythefaintesthintofstarlightbeyondthecaveopeningguidedhim.Hemovedinasilenthalf-crouch,advancingtowardthefallenman.OneofK’Ayub’spicketschallengedhimsoftly.Hegavehisname,andtheinvisibletroopertouchedhim,andhewenton.Ahead,heheardascrapingontherubblethatlitteredthefloor.Thehighcliffwallswerefartheraparthere,admittingalittlemorestarlightfromabove.

Hecalledoutsoftly,gavehisname.Theradiomangroaned.“Itismyleg,Durellsahib.”

Hereachedthemaninanothermoment.Hewasonlytwentyfeetfromthefissureopening.Hecouldhearthe'“faintflutteringfromBergmann’sredflagattheentrance.Thewoundedtrooperwasadarkhuddlenearby,andhepulledhimselftowardtheman.

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“I’lltaketheradio.Canyougoinalone?”

“Yes.”

“Didyougetachancetosendoutasignal?”

“Itishopelessfrominhere.”

Themancrawledpainfullyintowardthecave.Durellgatheredupthecanvasstrapsoftheradioandslungthemoverhisshoulder.Beforehecouldretreat,aflareburstdirectlyinhiseyes,dazzlinginwhitemagnesiumbrilliance.Hetwisted,startedtodropagain,andsomeonecalledhisname.

“Durell!Donotmove!”

Hefroze.Theflareblindedhim.ItwasRudi’svoice.Theflaresputteredandsmokedonlyafewfeetaway.Heknewhewasclearlyvisibletobothsides,tothoseinsidethecaveandthePakhustitribesmenoutside.Healsoknewhehadneverbeenclosertosuddendeath.Hedidnotmove.

Rudicalledharshly,“IsAlessainsidewithyou?”

“Yes.”

“Yourealizeyoursituationishopeless?”

“ComeoutherewhereIcanseeyou,”Durellchallenged.Therewasapause.Then,“Verywell.Perhapswecancometoasensiblearrangement.Thereisnoreasonforanyofustodiehere.ButbeforeIcomeout,ImustmakeitclearthatIspeaktoyouinatruce.Doyouunderstand?IfIamattacked,SarahStandishwillbekilledatonce.”

“Isshewithyou?”

Sheishere.”

“Letmeseeher,”Durellsaid.“Lethercomewithyou.”“No.Youmusttakemyword.IfIdie,shedies.Agreed?”Durelldidnothesitate.“Agreed.”

Rudisteppedoutfrombehindanupthrustofrockattheentrancetothehugesplitintherock.Hewasalone.Durelllookedbackintothedarknessofthecave.Hecouldseenothingthere,buthehopedthatK’Ayubhadheardeverythingandhadwarnedhismennottofire.Thetrooperswerehot-tempered,eagerforrevengeatbeingambushed.

HeturnedbacktoRudi.Theflaresputteredbetweenthem,asmallfuseethatwouldlastonlyaminuteortwo.Itwouldhavetobequick,Durellthought.HecouldtakenochancesthatRudiwasnottellingthetruthaboutSarahbeingahostageouttherewiththehillmen.

Rudilookedbiggerinthelightoftheflare,hisyellowhairlongandgleaming;hisParkahoodwasshovedbackonhisshoulders,andhiswidesmilewasconfident.

“Sonow,”hebeganslowly,“wespeakthetruthhere.”“It’sabitoverdue,”Durelltoldhim.

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“Youknowthefacts.Yourpositionishopeless.Youcannotgetoutofthecavebyforce.Wehavemachinegunsplacedtocutyoudownifyoustepout.Wehaveonlytowait,ifyouarestubborn,forafewhours.Thirst,hungerandcoldwilldotherest,eh?”

Durellindicatedtheradio.“Weexpecthelpsoon.”

“Doyou?Itisabluff.Transmissioninthisareaisimpossible.Certainlyitisuselessinsidethecave,eh?Otherwise,whyshouldyourmantaketheriskofcrawlingoutherewithit?”Rudismiled,shookhishead.Hecarriedarifleinthecrookofhisleftarm,andhisbootedfeetwerespreadwideinthelooseshale.“No,thisisnotthetimeforbluffing,Durell.Youarefinished.Youarecaughtherelikelittlemiceinabigtrap.Soyoushouldbesensible,eh?Wecaneasilymakeanequitablearrangement.”

“Whatdoyouoffer?”

“Yourlives,”Rudisaidsimply.

“Simplyonyourword?”

“Youhavenochoice.Youmustacceptit.”

“You’llspareallofus?”

“Youwillbekeptincustodyforashorttime.Iamsureyourgovernmentwillmakeswiftarrangementstorepatriateyou.”

“Fromwhere?”

Rudismiledcoldly.“FromChina,perhaps.TherewillbesomeChinesetroopsherebymorning.ItwasallarrangedbackinKarachi.Youworriedmeforashorttime.IthoughtyoumightaskthePakistangovernmenttoplacemeunderarrest.”

“ForJaneKing’smurder?”Durellaskedcoldly.

Rudigesturedinasmallsignofdismissal.“Shewasofnoconsequence.Asmallnuisance,only.”

“AndErnstBergmann?”

“Heservedhispurpose.Amanlivestofunctioninhissingleelement.Whenhiscapacityforsuchfunctionisended,itisfittingthathebefinished,too.”

“Thenyou’rethemanwhocallshimselftheRedOboe,”Durellsaidquietly.

“Areyousurprised?”

“No.I’veknownitforsometime.Theonlyproblemwashowfartoletyougo,andhowtofindyourpartner.”

“Partner?”Rudishrugged.“Asyousee,youlettheropeouttoolong,thisropeyouhopedI’dhangmyselfwith.Ibrokefree.Anditisyouandyourfriendswhoareinthetrap.”

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“YoursisterAlessaisinthetrapwithus,remember.”Rudinodded.“Butnoharmwillcometoher.Inexchange,IguaranteeMissStandish’ssafety.”

Durellsmiledharshly.“AndwhatdoesSarahthinkofyounow?”

“Heropinionisunimportant.Italwayswas.”

“You’dgiveupallhermoneyforacause?”

“Iamnotafool,norapuppetonastring.WouldIbesatisfiedwithawomanlikeSarah,withamindlikeanaddingmachine,countingherdollars,dolingitoutinpaymentforlove?”Rudimadeasoundofdisgust.“Idonotdeludemyself.ThemoneyIwillbepaidforthenickeloresiteandMissStandish—”

“Thenyouwon’tturnherbacktothePakistanauthorities?”Durellaskedquickly.

“Ididnotsaythat.”

“YouintendtogivehertotheChinese.She’dbeworthsomethingtothemforinternationalpropaganda.Youdon’tintendtosetherfree.”

Rudiscowled.“Youmusttakemywordforit.”

“AndifIdon’t?”

“Thenyouwillalldieverysoon.”

“IncludingAlessa?”

“Ifnecessary,”Rudisaidcoldly.

Durrellstared,wonderingifRudiwasonlybluffing.ButthenhethoughtofJaneKingandErnstBergmann,andheknewthatRudididnotbluffinmattersofhisbusiness.“It’snodeal,”Durellsaid.

“TherearetwohundredPakhustisoutside.Canyouescape?”Rudichallenged.“Youwilldieofcoldandthirstandhunger.”

“WouldtheChinesethatyou’vesentforofferanythingbetter?”

Rudiswunghisriflealittle.“Youareastupidman.”

“Ifyoumovethatgunaninchmore,”Durellsaid,“you’lldierightnow,Rudi.”

Rudihesitated.TherewasnoguninDurell’shand.HiseyeslockedangrilywithDurell’s,thenheshruggedandloweredhisrifle.

“Youmayfeelmoresensibleinthemorning.”

Theflaregutteredoutanddarknessfellbetweenthem.

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chaptersixteenHANSsatwithAlessainthefartherreachesofthecave,safefromthestraysnipingthatbeganthemomentDurellreturned.Onelanternwaskeptonwhereitslightwasshieldedbythesheerrockwallthattwistedtotheleft,awayfromthefissure’sopening.Itsdimglowdidnotreachtotheentrance,whereK’Ayub’smenwaitedwatchfullyonguardthroughthenight.

Durellhadexplainedthesituationtothecolonel,andK’Ayubacceptedtheultimatumwithashrug.Hewasasoldier.Hewaspreparedtofightanddie.

Thecanteensofwaterandtherationswereputinaplacesafefromtheoccasionalstraysnipingbulletthatwhinedintothecavetoworrythemandkeepthemawake.Theirsupplieswerepitifullysmall.Durellwassuretheycouldstayinthecavefornomorethantwodaysbeforethirstandhungerbegantoweakenthem.

Someofthetroopershadgonetosleep,beingphlegmaticabouttheirfate.Noneventuredintothebackofthecavetothefieldofskulls.Itwastoopromisingoftheirownfate,repeatingtheancientmilitarydisasterthathadovertakenXenosandhistroops.

Atmidnighttheharassingsniperfirestopped.Butnooneventuredintotheouterlinestotesttheirsafety.Durellsatwithhisbacktothestonewalloftheinnercavern,awareofhisfrustration.Therehadtobeawayout.Noneofthiscouldhavebeenforseen,buttheproblemnowwastostayaliveandescapebeforetheChinesecame.Durellhadnoillusionsastowhatwouldhappenthen.

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HegotupandwalkedtoHans,andAlessa.Thebig,granitefacedmountainguidewaswideawake.Alessaslept,leaningagainstthemassivebendofhisarm.SteicherlookedatDurellwithcool,appraisingeyes.

“Hans,willyoucomewithme?”Durellaskedquietly.

“Forwhat?”

“Iwantyouropiniononsomething.”

“YouandIhavenoneedforwords,”themansaidflatly.

“Wehaveneedofeachother’sskillandstrength.Come.”HanswasreluctanttotakehisarmfromaroundAlessa,anddidsowithsurprisinggentleness.Hiseyessoftened,andasmallsmiletouchedhishardmouth.Shedidnotwaken.Heslidawayfromherslowlyandstood,toweringthegloomylightshedbythesinglebatterylamp.

Theywalkedtogethertowardthecaveentrance.Theman’senmitywaslikeacoldwallaroundhim.Atthepointwherethepathangledsharplyright,thecaveroofyieldedandaglimpseofmidnightstarswasavailablehighupbetweenthejaggedopeningofthecliffs.

Therewasnoothersourceoflight.Acoldwindblewintothefissurefromthemouthofthefault,ahundredfeetaway.DurelllookedupatthetoweringrockwallsandHansfollowedhisgazeandgrunted.

“Itisimpossible,”Steichersaidsoftly.

“Howhighdoyouestimateit?”Durellasked.

“Threehundredandfifty—possiblyfourhundred.Andwedonotknowwhatisaboveus.”

Durellsaidquietly,“Butifwegotupthere,we’dknowwhatisbelow.Rudi’smen,thePakhustis—andperhapstheChinese.They’recertainlynotupthere.We’dgetontheirflank;wecouldsurprisethem.”

“Itissuicidetotry,”Hanssaidflatly.

“Itissuicidetostayhere,isn’tit?”

Hanstiltedhisheadbacktostareattheloomingwalls.“Itcannotbedone.See,thefaceoftherocktiltsin,leanstoeachothertomeetoverthecave.Fartherout,itopensmore—butwewouldbeunderfireoutthere.”

“Ithastobedonehere,”Durellsaid.

“Iamaman,notafly.”

“Theytoldmeyou’rethebestbergsteigerintheworld,”Durellsaid.“Areyouafraid?”

“Nothingfrightensme,”Hanssaidsoberly.“Iamintimateenoughwithdeath.Ihavebeentrappedinsnow,buriedinanavalanche;Ihavefallenanddangledbymyankleintwothousandfeetofair.Donot

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tellmeIamafraid.”Hanslookedtorightandleft;butthedarknesswassothickthatDurellwonderedwhathecouldsee.“Iconsideredthisbefore,HerrDurell.Thesameideaoccurredtome.Ifwecouldclimbouttothetopandthenflankthosepeopleoutside,wecouldtakethembysurpriseanddestroythem,yes.ButIwouldnotwanttotryit.”

“BecauseyoustillfeelRudiisyourfriend?”

“No,heisnotmyfriend.ButheisAlessa’sbrother,andthereareremarkablystrong,strangetiesbetweenthem.CouldIkillhim,ifwesucceededingettingoutofhere?Itwouldkilleverythingforme,withAlessa,too.”

“Askher,first,”Durellurged.

“No.Itismadnesstotrysuchaclimb,inthedarkness,thewaythewallleansoutward.Itwouldneedtwomenforthefirstclimb.Afterward,withabelayedrope,wecouldliftupsomeofthesoldiersandtheirweapons.Butitwouldtaketwomentoclimbfirst.”

Durellsaid,“I’lltryitwithyou,Hans.”

Surprisestirredtheman’sdarkbody.“Ihaveswornanoathtomyself.”Hanspaused,sighed.“Youknowwhatitis?IpromisedmyselfthatIwouldkillyou.”

“BecauseofAlessa?”

“Yes,becauseofher.”

“Idon’tcarewhatyoufeelaboutme,Hans.Butwemustgetoutofhere.I’lltrytheclimbwithyou,andtakemychancesonwhatyoumightdo.”

Hanswassilentforamoment.“Youareeitherabravemanoragreatfool.Donottrustme,HerrDurell.”

“Idon’t.ButperhapsI’malittleofboth.”

Hansmovedtowardthewall.Hewasahugeshadowinthedarknessatthebottomofthepit.Thecaveentrancewassilent,andDurellwonderedwhytheharassingsniperfirehadbeendiscontinued.Hedrewadeepbreath.

“Hans,youcandoit,”hesaid.“I’msureyoucan.”-“Wewillbothfall.Wewillbothbekilled.”

“Yousaidyouwerenotafraid.”

“True.Butsomethingsareimpossible.”

“Rightnowwehavetotrytheimpossible.IfIcouldgoalone,Iwould,”Durellargued.“ButIneedyourhelp.Noonebutyoucouldclimbthiswall.Youcouldsaveus.WhentheChinesecome,we’refinished.Itmustbetriednow,atonce,inthedark,beforedawncomes.”

HesensedtheinnerstrugglegoingoninsideHans.Theman’ssoliddevotiontoAlessahadexistedfor

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manyyears,sincetheirdaysattheSorbonne.Shehadalwaysrejectedhim.AndDurellwassurethatHansknewaboutthenightinRawalpindi.Themanhatedhimforgainingsoquicklywhathehadalwayswanted.YethisloveforAlessawasunchanged,exceptthatitwasbalancedbythehatredheequatedwithDurell.Hansmightbeasgoodashiswordandtrytokillhim.Butthatwasariskhehadtotake.

Theywereenemies,butforthenextfewhours,theyhadtohelpeachotherattheriskofinstantdeath.

“Allright,”Hanssaidsuddenly.“Itistheonlywayout.Wewilltryit.ButIcanpromiseyounothing.”

Hanshadcarriedseveralcoilsofnylonclimbingropewithhimwhentheyfirstenteredthecave.Theygatheredthese,togetherwithSteicher’spitonsandhammer.Eachaddedaniceaxe,sheathedinleather,tohisgear.ColonelK’Ayubwatchedtheirpreparationsdubiously.

“Nomancanclimboutofhere.Itisimpossible.Youwillmakenoises,dislodgestones,andbeshotdownfromtheoutside.”

“Youcancoveruswithsomeirregularfirefromyourguards.”

“Wedonothavemuchammunitiontospare.”

“Youcouldn’tuseittobetteradvantage,”Durellargued.

K’Ayubgavein.AlessaspoketoHansinaquiet,earnestvoiceasthebigmangathereduphisequipment.NowandthenshelookedtowardDurell,andheknewshewastryingtoconvinceHansaboutsomethingconcerninghim.Hansstolidlywentonwithhispreparations.

Itwasoneo’clockbeforetheywereready.HansthrewonecoilofropeoverhisshoulderandDurelltooktheother.Thentheymovedoutofthecaveandaroundthecornerofthefissureuntiltheycouldseethestarsthroughthecrackinthemountainoverhead.Thewalls,leaninginward,lookedimpossibletoscale.ButHansfelthiswayalongthenorthside,thenthesouth,takinghistime.Thefaintstarlightthatsifteddownofferedlittleguidance.Hansreturnedtothenorthwall,movingsidewiseandoutwardtowardtheentrance.TheyweredangerouslynearthepointwherethePakhustisnipersmightreachthem.Andthehighertheyclimbed,themoreexposedtheywouldbe.

“Wewilltryhere,”Hansannouncedinawhisper.

Hehadfoundafaultintheotherwisesheerrockfacethatleanedoverthem,aroughchimney,perhapstwofeetwide.Hansreachedupforagripandliftedhimselfwithahandhold,bracedhisshouldersagainstonesideofthenarrowcleftintherock,flexedhislegsagainsttheother.Afewpebblesdislodgedbyhisascentclatteredloudlytotheground.OneofK’Ayub’smenpromptlyfiredthreerapidroundsoutofthefissureentrance,intothenight.

Hanscalledsoftlyfromabove.“Come.”

Durellfollowed,usingHans’technique.Thefirstfewfeetwerenotdifficult,exceptfortheblindingdarkness.Hanspausedoverhead,thenwenton.Thechimneynarrowed,thenangledsharplylefttoform

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anarrowledgethatgaveonlyafewinchesforatoehold.OnlyoccasionallycouldDurellseethemanabovehim.Ontheledge,hefeltthevastpressureoftherockwall,tendingtopushhimoutward.

—Theforcethatthrustathissenseofbalanceseemedirresistible.Hepausedforafewmoments.

Hanscalledsoftlyagain.

“Wait.”

Theclickofhishammerdrivingaspikeintotherockmadethetroopersunleashanotherseriesofshotstocoverthenoise.Theechoesweredeafeninginthenarrowslotofrock.Therecameanotherseriesofhammerblows,alongpause,agrunt.AwhitesnakeofnylonropeflickeddownandlightlygrazedDurell’scheek.

“Climb,”cameHans’disembodiedvoice.

Durelllashedthelinearoundhimselfandhauledupward.Hegainedanotherfifteenfeet,feltanotherledgeunderhisknee,andhoistedhimselfuponit.Hanswaitedforhimhere.Attheirbacks,abulgeofrockpressedoutwardandoverhead,cuttingofftheirprogress.

“Itisimpossible,”Hanswhispered.“Itcannotbedone.”

“We’vegottogoon.”

“Theoverhangistoogreat.Itaffordsnogrip.”

“Tryit.”

“Well—”Thebigmansighed,ashapelessforminthedark.“Wemustbelayourselves.IfIslip,ifoneofthepitonsgivesway,Igodown.Idoubtifyoucouldholdme.”

“I’lldomybest.”

Hansmadeasoundinhisthroat.“Perhapsyouwould.”

Theywenton.Thebigmanwasmethodical,agonizinglyslow.Thenexttwentyfeettookalmostanhour.Theyhadclimbedlessthanafifthofthewayduringthefirstseventyminutes.Thetop,wherethestarsshoneincoldglimmerings,seemedasunattainableasever.

Aseachspikeforahandgripwasused,Durellwithdrewitandpasseditonuptothemanabove.Hismusclesachedandtrembledwiththetension.Heshedhiscoatforgreatereaseofmovement,droppingittothegroundbelow.Therewasasmallcrydowntherewhenitthuddeddown.HethoughtthesoundcamefromAlessa,expectingtheworst.Hans,too,tossedhishamperingclothesaside.Theynolonger

feltthechillofthethinmountainair.Theirbodieswerecoveredwithsweat.

Anotherhourpassed.Theycouldseeeachothernow,astheycrawledupwardinchbyinch,grippingwithfingersandtoes,pantingandprobingandtestingforeverystepupward.Thedarknessyawnedbelow.Thestarsseemedbrighteroverhead.Nowandthen,anoccasionalburstoffirefromthetroopers

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belowcoveredthesoundstheymade.

Atanymomenttheycouldbespotted.Anotherflare,tossedintothecaveentrance,wouldexposethemlikefliesonawall.Butnonecame.Everythingwassilentoutside.WerethePakhustistryingtoenticethemintoprobingoutofthetrap,sotheycouldbemoweddown?Itwasacoldwarofnerves,andDurellknewhisowntensionwasmatchedbytheuncertaintiesofthosehehadleftbeneath.

Theywerehalfwayupwhentheycametothewidestledge.Ithadbeeninvisiblefrombelow,inthedark,andforseveralminutes,followingitsupwardslant,Durellbegantohopeforquicksuccess.AndthenHanspaused.

“Itisnogood,”hegasped.

“Whynot?”

“Everythingendshere.”

Inthedimstarlight,Durellsawthedismayingprospect.Theledgeterminatedabruptly,andwheretheyhadhalted,crouching,itwasonlyeightincheswide.Butoverhead,aheavybulgeofrockpushedoutwardforfivefeetintospaceandpresentedanimpossibleobstacletotheirclimb.Togobackandretracetheirwayforanotherroutewouldbesuicidal.Buttheycouldgonofarther,either.

Hansbreathedgustily,feelinghiswayupward.Asmallrivuletofshalefellfromhisfingers,followedbythecoveringburstoffirefrombelow.

“Ifwecouldclimbanothertenfeet,Ithinkitwouldbeeasier.Ihaveafeelingweweredeceivedfrombelowbythisbulge,”Hansgasped.“Therockwillslantbackabove,ifwecangetpastthis.”

“Wemusttry,”Durellsaid.

Hansturnedhisfacetowardhim.Itwaspaleandhardinthegloom.“Ihavenevertriedanythingsodangerous.”“Wehavenothingmoretolose,”Durellsaid.

“Iwoulddependonyourstrengthandskill.HowcanItrustyou?”

“I’vetrustedyousofar,haven’tI?”

“Iwonder,”Hanssaid.“Idonotunderstandyou.”

“Goahead,”Durellurged.“Let’sdowhatwecan.”

Therewasnorealalternative.Hansbelayedoneofthesafetyropesandthenspenttenminutessearchingoverheadfortinycracksinwhichtoinserthispitonsandtapthemhome.TheyprovidedanextrahandholdforDurelltoclingtothetinyledge.Whenhethoughtofthedropbelow,awaveofdizzinesstouchedhim;heputitfromhismind.Hansreachedupwardcautiously,againsttheoutwardthrustofrockandtappedhomeanothergripforhimself.Clingingtohisfirstiron,hereachedanothertwofeetagainsttherockundersideanddrovehomeathird.Thesoundofhishammerechoedloudlyintheblackair.Withhislefthandgrippingthesecondpiton,Hansthenreachedforthefarthermostthrustoftheoverhang.Heleanedatanangleovertheabyssnow,strugglingforanewgrip.Hisrighthand

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drovehomealastiron,then,withhisleftsecuringhisweightagainstthedrop,hehammereditinsecurely.

Durellknewwhathadtofollow.Hansmustswingout,feetfree,andhaulhimselfupandoverthebulgebysheerphysicalstrength.Itwouldtakesteelnerves,alifetimeofskill.

Theman’sbreathingwasharsh.

“Now!”hewhispered.

Heswung,grippingtheoutermostironwithhislefthand,danglinginthedarkairtwohundredfeetabovethefissurefloor.Hisbodyjerked,heavedupward,pulledbytheimmensestrengthofhisarms.Theupperhalfofhisbodyslidupandoutofviewbeyondtheoverhang—

Itwasafaultoftherock,perhaps.OrHanshadunderestimatedtheforceandpressureofhisupwardswingtogetabovetherockbulge.Whateverthereason,therecameagratingsound,aspillofcrumblingstone,andHansfellabruptly,thepitonwrenchedloosefromitssocket.

TherewasnothingtostophimexcepttheropebelayedaroundDurell.

Almostanyothermanwouldhavecriedoutinthatmoment,shriekinganegativetohisimminentdeath.

Hansfellsilently.

ThejoltingimpacttoreDurell’slefthandloosefromoneofthetwogripsHanshadpreparedforhim.Hefeltaninstantofutmostpressure,yankinghimoutanddownafterthebigman’sfallingweight.Painflashedthroughhisarmsandshouldersanddownhisbody.TherecameasecondjoltasHansbouncedwiththespringofthenylonrope.

Durellwaspulledperilouslyoutward,clingingtohislastgrip,hisfeetbracedagainstthetinyshelfunderhim.

Hansswayedbackandforthovertheabyss.Andevennowhedidnotcallouttobetraytheirpresencetotheenemyoutsidethecave.

TheenormouspullonDurell’sarmseemedimpossibletoovercome.Carefullyheswungtooneside,thentheother,reachingwithhislefthandforthegriphehadlost.Atthethirdtry,hisfingerstouchedthepiton,slipped,andfellawayagain.Heswungoncemore,caughtthesteelspike,pulledhimselfflatagainstthecoldfaceoftherock.TheclimbingropearoundhimtoreandwrenchedwithHans’weightbelow.Hedidnotmoveagain.ItwasuptoHanstoclimbuponcemore.

Heheardafaintexhalationfromtheother’slungs,ascrapeofspikedbootsonrock,anewseriesoftugsathiswaist.

Afewmomentslater,Hanswasbackonthetinyledgebesidehim.

Andaflareburst,throwninfromtheoutside,brighteningthefissurewithanimplacable,deadlybrilliance.

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chapterseventeenTHEYdidnotmove.Theywereexposedlikefliesonawall,easytargetsforsearchingeyesthatlookedforthesourceofthesoundstheyhadmade.Atanymoment,iftheeyeslifted,theywouldbeseen.Twoeasyshotscouldpickthemoff,wheretheyclungtothefaceoftherock.

Hanswasshaking.Intheglare,hishardfacewaspale,shiningwithsweat.Hiseyeswerewhite.Afewsnipingbulletsscreamedintothefissure;buttheywereaimedatgroundlevel,andoneofK’Ayub’smenansweredwithaburstoffirethatshooktheairwithitsechoes.

Twominutesdraggedby.

Theflaresputteredandwentout.Darknessreturned,seemingmoreabsoluteafterthebrilliantbluelight.

HansshiftedhisweightcarefullytoreleasethepressureontheclimbingropearoundDurell.Hiswhisperwasanexhaustedsigh.

“Youcouldhaveletmefall,youknow.”

“Wouldyouhavedonethattome?”Durellasked.

“Ithinkso,yes.Ipromisedittomyself.”

“BecauseofAlessa?”

Thebigmanwassilent.

“Oristheresomeotherreason,Hans?”Durellaskedquietly.

“No.Nootherreason.”

“ItseemstomethatAlessahasfinallychosenyou,theselastfewdays.”

Hansstaredintothedark,hisbodyslumped,drainedofitsstrong,rock-likequality.“Idonotknow.Yousavedmylifenow.Iwouldhaveletyoufall,ifourpositionshadbeenreversed.Itwouldhavebeenaneasythingtodo,eveniftheotherswerewatching.”

“Youhadanotherchance,ontheroaduphere.Whydidn’tyoukillmethen?”

“Idon’tknow.Idonotunderstandmyself,thesedays.”Durelllookedattheoverhang.“Arewestrandedhere,then?”

“No.Ishalltryagain.Iamallrightnow.”

“Takeyourtime,”Durellsaid.

“No,itwillsoonbedaylight.Wemustgettothetopbeforewecanbeseen.”Hansstraightenedslowly.“Amanisfullofweaknessesthatbetrayhim,”hesaidheavily.“Onetriestobestronginallthings.Itis

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theonlywaytosurviveinthisworld.Ourlivesaremadeunrealbyshelteringpropaganda.Butrealityisstern,andweliveonlyonceinthisfoolishworld.Oneguideshislifebysuchrealitiesashecandiscover,andthen—”

Durellsmiledslightly.“Thenyoufellinlove.”

“Yes.”

“Itisnogreatweakness,Hans.”

“Itis,withme.Itleadstomistakes,perhapstodestruction.”ThebigmanturnedhisheadandlookedatDurellagain.“Butsometimesonegetsthechancetocorrectsuchmistakes.”

Hetackledtheoverhangagain,andthesecondtrywenteasierandquicker,asifthefatethathadalmostdestroyedthemhadresigneditsopposition.Anewpitonwashammeredhometoreplacetheonethathadtornloose.AgainHansswunghimselfintodarkspace,clawedupward,gainedatoehold,gothiskneeovertheedge,andthenswungoutofsight,danglingthewhiteclimbingropebehindhim.

NowitwasDurell’sturn.

Hewaitedforthesignalontheropeandlookeddownatthebottomofthecrevasse.Itseemedutterlyblackdownthere,impossibletoseethestrainingfacestryingtowatchtheirprogress.HedrewadeepbreathandswungoutonthetautlinebelayedbyHans,abovehim.

Butsomesmallinstinctwarnedhimnottodependontheropeentirely.Hekeptonegriponthepitonsatalltimes,andthenylonropewasactuallyslackashewriggledupandoverthebulgeofrockthathadstoppedthematthispoint.

Hanswaswaiting,silent,haulingtheropeinhandoverhand.

“Itwillbeeasynow.Youdidnotquitetrustme,eh?”

“No,”Durellsaid.

“Itisjustaswell.”

HesawthatHanshadestimatedtheproblembeyondtheoverhangwithsurprisingaccuracy.Thebulgehadofferedafalsetoptothecliff’sedge,whenseenfrombelow.Foranotherhundredfeetupward,thefaultslantedbackandaway.Therocksurfacewasrough,affordingeasyhandholds,inclininginarelativelyeasydirectionforthenexttwentyminutes’climb.

Afewmoremoments,andtheybothheavedthemselvesoverthetopintotheouterworld.

Ithadtakenoverthreehourstogetoutofthecave.Forlongminutes,theysatsidebysideinthecoolwind,suckingthinairintotheirachinglungs,waitingforthetremblingoftheirmusclestoease.Neitherspoke.Therewasarisingmoon,andthetumbledmountainsliftedinawesomegrandeurineverydirection,asightthatDurellhadbeguntodoubthewouldeverseeagain.

TherewasnosignofthePakhustis.Thenightwasclear,coldandempty.Inanhour,itwouldbedawn.

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Durellstoodup,slippingfreeoftheclimbingrope.Hansgotup,too,hismovementsoddlycumbersome.Hisfacelookedchiseledfromgranite.Underhisheavybrows,hiseyesgleamed,reflectingthemoonlight.

“Let’sgetsometroopersuphere,Hans,”Durellsaid.“Thereisn’tmuchtimeleft.”

“Thereisnotimeleftatall.Iamsorry.Itwasnotmyplantohaveanyoneescapefromthecave,”Hanssaidheavily.“Notevenyou,Durell.ButIneededyourhelptogetuphere.”DurelllookedatthebigmanandsawthegunHanshadtakenfromhiscoat.Hehelditloosely,muzzlepointingdownbesidehisleg.Thewindmadeasoftkeeningsoundagainstthenakedmountainside.

“Youhadaplanofyourown?”Durellaskedsoftly.“Allthetime,”Hanssaid.

“LetmeremindyouthatAlessaisstilldownthere.”“Shewillbesafe.ThatiswhyIwantedtogetoutfirst,tobesurenothinghappenstoherwhenitisallended.”

“Andtheothers?”

Hansshrugged.“Itisthefortuneofwar.Youshouldknowaboutwar,Durell.Youhavebeeninitforalongtime.Aquietkindofwar,isitnot?Fullofsilences,andfullofsurprises.”

“I’mnotsurprised,”Durellsaid.“PutawaythegunHans.”“Icannot.Itistoobad,becauseyouareabraveman,andyousavedmylife.Itisasaddutyforme.ButasIsaid,onemustbearealisttosurvivetoday.Theworldistoocrowdedfortwokindstosurvive.Onlythestrongandthescientificcanexist.Humanismanddemocracyareonlywordsthatareasdeadasthelastcentury.”

Hanspaused.“IknewyoususpectedRudi.Butwhendidyoubeginthinkingaboutme?”

“Fromthebeginning,”Durellsaid.“Afree-lanceromanticlikeRudivonBuhlenisusuallyteamedupinyourso-calledshadowsystem.Someonewasbehindhim,givingtheorders,makingtheplans,receivingtheinformationhegatheredandpassing^iton.Ithadtobesomeonewhowasonhandherewhen"ErnestBergmannfirstdisappeared.Obviously,itwasyou.”

“Soyouknewallthetime?”

“Iguessed.Iwasn’tsure.Ihadtogiveyoubothenoughropetoexposeyoursystemofsilentpartnership.DoesRudiknowwhoyouare?”

Hansshookhishead.“Hehasneverknown.Oursystemofdualteams,withoneincommandandhiddenbehindaperfectcover,likemyown,givestheordersbyvarioussystemsofsignals.Rudineverknewwhogavehimhisjobs,althoughseveraltimeshetriedtofindout.Rudiwasafool.Buthispersonalitywasagoodcoverforthethingshehadtodo.Hehadbeenusefultous.Betweenthetwoofus,weearnedmuchmoney.”

“Sellinginternationalsecrets?”

“Yes.”

“SoRudiplayedtheinstrument—theRedOboe—butyoucalledthetune,Hans?”

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“Yes.Always.”

“AndyouexpecttheChinesetopayyouforthelocationofthismineraldeposit?”

“ThearrangementisfortheequivalentofonehundredthousandEnglishpoundssterling,inSwissfrancs,depositedinGeneva.Rudisplitshissharewithme.Hedepositsmypartofitinanumberedaccountthere.”

“Isee.”

“Doyou?”Hansasked.“YouknowwhatImustdo?”“You’vegottokillme,”Durellsaid.“Andeveryoneelsedownthere.YoumustjointhePakhustisandtheChinesetomakesureAlessacomesoutalive,however.Butnoneoftheothers.Youcan’tquitetrusttheChinesecommander,though.Ifyou’reinthecaveattheend,theymightwipeyouout,too.Afterall,you’vekeptyoursecretwell.Rudidoesn’tevenknowyou’rehisboss.Youmighthaveahardtimesavingyourself.”

“Itwillworkoutsatisfactorily,”Hanssaidslowly.

“AndhowwillAlessafeelaboutthewayyou’veusedherfoolishbrother?You’vemadehimagamblerandawoman-chaser,encouragedhisextravagancestogethimintodebt,wreckedhislifetomakehimobeyorders.Notaprettypictureforher,whenshelearnsaboutit.”

“Shewillneverknow.Andshewillforgetaboutyou,too,onceyouareoutoftheway.”

Durelllookedattheother’sgun.“You’vearrangedwiththeChinesepatroltotakeoverthissectionoftheborder,isthatit?Noreportwillbemadeaboutthenickelore,sonothingmorewillbedonebythePakistanGovernment.Theremaybesomeinternationalexchangesaboutborderviolationsinthenextfewmonths,afewtop-levelconferences,anappearanceofnegotiation,someyieldingbytheChinese,agrantofautonomytothepuppetEmirofMirandhabad—andRedChinagetsthenickelmine.”

“Thesethings,”Hanssaid,“areforotherstosettle.Myjobisdone.IarrangedforErnstBergmann’squestioninginRawalpindi,butIneededRuditogetthechartsfromtheoldman.Ernstwastoostubbornformetohandle.AsforJaneKing,thatwasRudi’spersonalfoolishness—butIhavealwayshadtocopewithRudi’ssillyproblems.Hisusefulnesscompensatedforthetroublehegaveme.”Hanslaughedthickly.“Ittakesafooltoidealizethefoolishimageofone’sUncleFranz.”

Theskywaslighterbehindthepeakstotheeast,andthedimloomofthemountainsshowedthepaling,starlitsky.Thedawnwindblewicilyacrossthehugeledgewheretheystood.Hans’gunstilldangledfromtheman’sfingers.Durell’sgunwasinaninsidepocket,outofreach.

“Ifyoushootme,”Durellsaid,“they’llhearitinthecave.They’llknowwhatyou’vedone.”

“Nonewillsurvive.Whatwillitmatter?”

“Alessawillknow,becauseyouplantosaveher.”Hansstared.“Youareright.Idon’tneedthegun.Ifyoufellbackintothefissureitwillsatisfyherthatyourdeathwasaccidental.”

“Iwon’tobligeyoubyjumping,”Durellsaid.

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Hansunsheathedtheiceaxewithaswiftmovement.Thesharpbladeononesideofthehead,thepointedpickontheother,gleamedwithmurderousbrillianceinthestrangelight.“Backup,please.”

Durellstoodstill.Theedgeofthecliffwasnotfarbehindhim.Thenhetookastepbackward.Thecoldwindcutathisface.Thebigmanstoodwithhisbacktotheeast,hisdarkhulkoutlinedagainstthepallorofthesky.Helookedimplacable,armedwithgunandaxe,beyondargument.

Behindhim,somethingmovedagainstthepalescreeofthelittleplateau.DurelldidnotturnhiseyesfromHans’face.

“Anotherstep,please,”Hanssaidquietly.

Durellbackedupagain.Heturnedhisheadasiftoseewheretheedgeoftheclifflayathisheels;butheusedtheopportunitytolookbeyondHansatthemovementofshadowsagainsttheglimmeringrock.One.Two.Andathird.Threemen,movingstealthilytowardHansSteicher.Hecouldnotidentifythem.Theyweresoundlessphantoms,theirdetailobscuredbytheirmountainclothes.Butafaintgleamoflightcaughtonariflebarrelandshonebriefly.

“Youcan’twin,Hans,”Durellsaid.“They’llkillyou,too.”

“Whyshouldthey?Itisonlyabusinessarrangement.”

“Theymaynotdobusinessyourwayinthiswilderness.”

“Wehavetalkedenough.”AthinedgeofimpatienceraspedinHans’rumblingvoice.“Twoorthreemoresteps,please.”

DurelldeliberatelylookedbeyondHansandcalledinUrdu,“Don’tshoothim,sergeant!Wewanthimalive!Don’tmakeanynoisehere!”

Hansstartedtoturn,checkedhimself,gruntedimpatiently—andDurellhithimwithathrustingchargethatclosedthegapbetweentheminaninstant.Hanswasfast.Hisaxecameup,slashingatDurell’shead.Durellducked,felttheshaftstrikehisshoulder,slammedintoHans’bellytoforcehimbackastep,drovetheaxehandlebackanddownwithhisfreehand.Hansdroppedhisgun,grabbedhiminabearhug.Durelldroveanelbowintotheother’sface,feltthenosebonecrushandsplinter.ItdidnotstopHans.Hansswepthimliterallyfromhisfeet,carryinghimtowardtheedgeoftheprecipice.Forashockedinstant,Durellknewthebigmanhadthestrengthtothrowhimintothedarkfissurebelow.Hestruckagainwithhisfreearm,feltHanscoughandstrangle.Bloodwasrunningfromtheman’scrushednose,intohismouthandthroat.ItwasallthatsavedDurellforthemoment.Hisownlungsweresqueezedbeyondendurancebytheother’sgrip.Theskyturnedblack.Therewasaroaringinhisears.Throughthewildsoundofhisbody’spanic,heheardaquickscrapeofbootedfeetontherock.HansSteichermadeathin,agonizedsound.Hisbodyjerked,hisgripslackened.Durelltoreloose,spunaway,andfelltohisknees.Theearthyielded,slidawayunderhim,andhegrabbedatHans’legtopullhimselfbackfromtheedgeofthecliff.

Hanstriedtokickfreeandcamedownontopofhim.Foramoment,theimpactdroveDurellclosertotheprecipice’sedge.HansgotamassivehandunderhisjawanddrovehisheadbackuntilDurellheardthebonesofhisneckcrack.Hesummonedhislaststrengthfromsomewheretoheaveupwardandfree

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himself.Hans,too,staggeredtohisfeet.Theedgeofthecrevicewasonlyasteportwofromwheretheystood,facingeachother.

Hansrushedathim.

Durellflunghimselfaside,feltthebigman’sjarringimpact,andwentspinningaway.Hanskeptgoing.

TherewasamomentwhenDurellsawtheglitterofaknifeintheother’sback,andinthatinstantofwondermentsawtheshapesofothermencarefullycirclingtowardhim—Hanswentoverthecliff.

Therecameadeepoutcry,abellowofrageanddenialasSteicherfell.Andthentherewassilenceagain.

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chaptereighteenDURELLturnedtothethreemenwhokepthimpinnedtotheedgeofthecliff.Inthedawn’slight,hethoughtonelookedfamiliar.ItwasSergeantZalmadar,thePathan.HerememberedthatK’AyubhadsentZalmadarandothersontheirbacktrailtohuntforRudiandSarah.Onlythesethreehadsurvived.Helookedatthemandcouldreadnothingintheirdark,savagefaces.

ZalmaderspokeinhispreciseEnglish.“Youarenotwounded,Mr.Durell?”

“No.”

“Theothersaredownthere,whereyoucomefrom?”“Yes.”DurellansweredthePathan’sunspokenquestion.“Thecolonelisallright.They’retrappeddownthere,doyouunderstand?”

Zalmadarnodded.“TherearesomeChinesetroopsnowwiththePakhustisoutsidethecavemouth.Youweretryingtoout-flankthem?”

“Yes.”Durelllookedatthedarkpitbehindhim“Icouldn’thavegottenoutwithoutSteicher.”

“Hewasabraveman.Iputtheknifeinhimtohelpyou.Ihadtothrowit.Weheardyouclimbing,forsometime,fromuphere.Andweheardeverythingyousaidtogether.”“Thenyouknowhewasatraitor.”

“Yes.”

Durellwonderedwhatwashappeninginthecave.WhathadAlessathoughtwhenHanscamecrashingdown,afteralltheagonizedhoursofwaiting?Theirtensiondowntheremustbeenormous.

HeturnedbacktoZalmadar.“Weneedhelp.Yourfriendsaredowntherewaitingforarope.Willyougivemeahand?”

“Thatiswhywereturned,”thePathannodded.“Wefollowedtheman,RudivonBuhlen,andtheAmericanladyuntiltheymetwiththeEmir’stroops,thenwetrailedthemtothisplace.Weworkedourwayuptheclifftoseekanotherentrancetothecave.Andthenwesawyou.”

TheyloweredDurell’sroperapidlytothebottom.Afaintpinkauraintheeastheraldedaclearday.Forseveralmomentstherewasnoreactionfromthedarknessbelow.Thentheropewastuggedtwice,rapidly,andDurellsignalledtoZalmadar,whomadethelinefastandhelditassomeonebeganaslow,laboriousclimbtothesummittojointhem.

ItwasColonelK’Ayub.HegreetedSergeantZalmadarwithsurpriseandrelief,listenedtoDurell’sexplanationofwhathadhappened,andspokewithrapid,crispefficiency.

“ThewomanhasnotstoppedhertearssinceHans’bodycamedown.WefoundZalmadar’sknifeinhim.Itexplainedmostofittome.”

Fromthenon,matterswereoutofDurell’shands.K’Ayubtookchargeofliftinghismenoutofthepit,

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onebyone,asthelightgrewstrongerandthedistantloomofthemountainsgrewmoredistinct.Apeaktotheeastsuddenlyshonewithrosybrillanceastherisingsuntoucheditssummit.

DurellturnedawayandsatdowntowatchtherapidlygrowingnumbersofPakistantroopersontheclifftop.Hefeltdrainedoffurtherresources.ThelongclimbuptherockwallwithHanshadbeenharrowingenough,andhiseyesfeltasifsomeonehadthrowngravelintothem.Everymuscleofhisbodyached.Inanycase,hethought,hecouldtakenopartinthefightingthatwasimminent.Hehadtoremainneutralnow.ItwasuptoK’Ayubandhismen,andtheirmoodwasdangerous.

Alessawaspulleduptowardtheendofthemaneuver.ShewalkeddirectlytowhereDurellsatandseemedtocollapsebesidehim,asifherlegscouldnolongersupporther.Inthepalelight,herfacelookedhaunted.Forseveralmomentsshewassilent,thenshesaidquietly.“Didyouhavetodoit,Sam?Mustyoutakeeveryonefromme?FirstRudi,andnowHans?”

“Hanstriedtokillme.”

Shestartedtospeak,thennoddedslowly.“Yes,hewasalwaysveryclosetoRudi.HetaughtRuditoclimbintheAlps,andwasoftenwithhimontheRiviera.Hewasastrangeman.He—Ithinkhefrightenedme,andthatiswhyIcouldnever—Imean,whenhesaidhelovedme,somethinginhimseemedrepellent.Icouldneverunderstandit.”

“I’msorry,Alessa.”

“No,itisbetterthisway,toknowthetruth.”Shelookedsharplyathim.“YouareconcernedforSarahnow,areyounot?”

“We’llknowaboutherinafewminutes,Ithink.”

“Rudiwillkillher,ifhecan.Shecouldbeawitnessagainsthim.IhavenoillusionsaboutRudinow.HekilledJane,andUncleErnst.HemusthavehadordersfromHansaboutErnst.”

“Yes.”

Sheturnedherfaceawayandbegantocrysilently.Hedidnottouchherorspeaktoher.

K’Ayubwasquickandefficientwithhismilitaryproblem.Inthegrowinglight,hewentforwardtonegotiatethedownwardslopeattheendofthefissure.Durellwentwithhim,crawlinguntiltheycouldseetheenemyencampment.Itwouldbelikeshootingfishinabarrel,Durellthought.

TheChinesewerecampedapartfromtheEmir’smen,theirsmalltentsmilitarilyprecise.Theywereapparentlysecureinfeelingtheirquarrywashopelesslybottledup.Onlyafewpicketswereawake,andsomecooks,whowerestartingbreakfastfires.Twomachine-guncrewsdozedattheirpostswheretheirweaponscoveredthecaveentrance.

DurellborrowedfieldglassestostudytheChinese.Therewereaboutfortyinthepatrol,shortandstockymenwholookedManchurian.Theirarmsweremodern.HeswepttheglassestoconsidertheEmir’slarge,gaudytent,withitspennantflappinginthedawnbreeze.Asenseofconfidenceand

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securityseemedtoprevailamongthesleepingenemy.

HesawnosignofRudiorSarah,andspoketoK’Ayubaboutit.Thecolonelnodded.“TheywillbeintheEmir’stent—unlesstheChinesehavealreadyremovedthem.Ishallgivemymenorderstobecarefuloftheirfirewhenwebegin.”

“I’mgoingdownwithyou,”Durellsaid.

Thecolonelfrowned.“Itisnotyourbattlenow.Itmayprovokecomplicationsforyou,ifyoutakepartinthis.”

“ImustbesureSarahisallright,”Durellinsisted.

K’Ayubsaidnothing,hissilencegivingassent.Intheend,K’Ayub’smenworkedwithclock-likeprecision.TheirlightautomaticriflesweretrainedontheChineseandPakhutiscampedbelow.Asquadoftroopers,leftinthecave,hadorderstowaituntilthedaybrightenedandtheenemybegantostir.Durelllayflatbehindaboulder,watching.Hisbodyachedwithfatiguefromthelongmarch,thehoursofclimbingwithHans.Buttherewasstillthislastjobtobedone.

RudicameoutoftheEmir’stentandwentovertooneofthecooks’fires.AChinesemethimandtheytalkedbriefly.Durellfocusedthelensesmoresharply.TheChinesewasflat-faced,grim;hisgestureswerequickandangry.RudipointedtotheEmir’stent,butwhentheChineseofficerstartedthere,Rudiheldhimback.Therewasamoment’spause,andthentheChinesewentbacktohisownmen.

Sarahhadtobeinthetent,Durelldecided.Rudimighthaveliedtoeveryone,allaround,perhapsleftheronthebacktrailorinMirandhabad,sothathecouldreturntoherwithsomeinventedstoryofdisasterandpreservehischancesofmarryingher.ButnotwiththeChinesehere,Durellthought.Rudiwouldhavetoshowhisgoodfaithbybringingherwithhim.Inthatcase,herlifewasingreatestdangerthemomentthefightingbegan—

TheblastofagrenadesignalledK’Ayub’sattack.Itcamefromthecave,hurledbyoneoftheremainingtroopersdownthere,asadiversion.Itdidnodamage.Butitmadethebesiegerstumbleoutoftheirtentsandsleepingbagsinexpectationofacounterattack,focusingtheirattentiononthecavemouth.

SeveralmoregrenadesandshotsbroughttheEmirandtheChinesecommandertowardthecaveentrance.MostofthePakhustisandChinesewereawakeandmillingabout,gatheringuptheirweapons.

Upabove,K’Ayubgavethesignaltofire.

Thesharprattleofmachinegunsandriflessplitthedawnsilence.Theeffectwasdevastating,asthefirepoureddownfromtheheightabovetheunsuspectingenemy.Screamsandshrieksofpanicweredrownedoutbythetroopers’steadyonslaught.Itwasacompletesurprise.Secureinthinkingthatnoonecouldescapefromthecave,theenemywasnotpreparedfortheirappearanceaboveandontheflank.Itwasamassacre.

Almostatonce,thePakhustisraninpanicfortheirshaggyponies.Theywerecutdownwithoutpitybythetroopers.K’Ayubdidnotrelent.Theencampmentbelowbecameashambles.TheChinesetriedtorally,andK’Ayuborderedthecommandercutdown.Theshotswerequickandeffective.Disorder

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yieldedtomorepanicbelow.Theshaleplateauwasdottedwithbodies.Afirebrokeoutinoneofthetents,sendingathinplumeofsmokeintothecleardawnair.

Obviously,theenemythoughttheyhadbeensetuponbyarelievingcolumnofregularPakistanArmytroops.Theyfledonfootandpony.TheChinesetriedtoshelterthemselvesamongtherocks,andfewstray,futileshotscameup,seekingtargets.Butinafewminutestheirresistancebroke,too.

DurellsearchedforRudiandSarah.NoshotswereaimedattheEmir’stent,onK’Ayub’sorders.Withthefirstoutbreakoffiring,Rudihadappearedthere,thenhadduckedoutofsight.Durell’sworrydeepened.IfSarahwasaprisonerandusedasahostage,theirvictorywasweakened.Hegottohisfeet,ignoredthecolonel’sshout,andstartedtorundowntheslopeintotheenemycamp.K’Ayub’smencouldnotholdthemselvesback.Theyshoutedandjumpedup,too,andrandownhillintotheshatteredcamp.

Durellwaswellaheadoftheothers.Abulletwhinedpasthishead,anotherkickedupgravelathisfeet.HesawtheEmirinawhitetunicandturban,runningforhistent.Somehowhehadescapedthefirstburstoffire.TheEmirdartedintohistent.Durellpassedafewsprawledbodies,hurdledasmolderingcampfire,andswungtowardthebigtent.

RudiandSarahcameout.

TheEmirhadagunatRudi’sback.Sarah’shandsweretiedbehindher.Shelookedfrightened,notknowingwhatwashappening.Durellfeltavastrelief,shoutedtoher—andthenhaltedabruptly.

TheEmirshotRudiintheback.

Thesoundwasmuffledintheclamorofgunfireandyellingaroundthem.Smokedriftedaroundthebigtent,hidingit.DurellwasstillfiftyfeetawaywhenRudiwentdownonhisknees,alookofastonishmentonhisface.Thenhepitchedforwardonthegrayshaleandwasstill.

ThePakhustichiefturnedhisgunonSarah.

Durell’sshoutdistractedhim.TheEmirwasabigman,welloversixfeet,withafiercemustacheandafacelikearavagedbirdofprey.HelookedatDurell,runningwellaheadofK’Ayub’smen,andhesitated.SarahsanktoherkneesbesideRudi’sbody.ThePakhustiraisedhisgun,firedatDurell,firedagain.

Hemissedbothtimes,andDurelljumpedoverRudi’sbodyandgrappledfortheother’sgun.TheEmirstumbledoverSarah,wentdown.Hisgunwentoffathirdtime.Durellfelttheotherman’sstrengthandknewthathehimselfwasspent.Heswungthebuttofhisborrowedrifleashardashecould,buthisblowrockedthePakhustibackwardonlyastep.HescrambledupbeforeDurellcouldregainhisfooting.Hestillhadhisgun,leveled,readytofire—

Sarahfiredthelastshot.ShehadsnatchedupRudi’sguntouseit.ThePakhustiturnedhalfwaytoher,amazed,coughedblood,andstaggeredbackintothetent.

DurellturnedslowlytowardSarah.ShewasonherkneesbesideRudi.Hecouldnotseeherface,andthewindblewherhairacrosshercheek.Herbodywasinanattitudeofcollapse,andthegunshehad

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usedlayonthegroundbesideher.

“Sarah?”hesaid.Shedidnotreply.Hekneltbesideher,andtookherhandsfromRudi’sbody.Shedidnotlookathim.“Sarah,he’sdead.Comeaway.”

Whenshelookedup,hesawtherewerenotearsinhereyes.Instead,herfacewascarvedbyafuriousanger.

“Heliedtome,”shewhispered.“Heliedtoallofus.HewasgoingtosellmetotheChinese.Hetriedtosayitwasallamistake,thathewashelping,me;buttheChinesecommanderlastnightinsistedIwastogotoSinkiangwithhispatrol,tobeheldforpoliticalpurposes.”

“AndRudiagreed?”Durellasked.

“Yes.Heneverlovedme,didhe?”

“Idon’tknow.Idon’tthinkso.”

“Likealltheothers,”shesaiddully.“Themenwhoflatteredme,cheatedme,theambitiousmenandthegreedyones.Ithink—oh,IwishIweredead,too!”

“Comealong,”hesaid.“Itwillseemdifferent,lateron.You’reluckytobeoutofit.”

Shelookeddubious,likeachild.“Lucky?”

“Eitherway—whetherhesoldyoutotheChineseortalkedyouintomarryinghim—itwouldhaveendedlikethis.HekilledJane,andhekilledErnstBergmann.HeworkedwithHans,whowashisboss.We’vehadhiminourfilesforalongtime.Ihadenoughonhimsohewouldn’thavelivedanothermonth.”

“Wouldyouhavekilledhimyourself?”shewhispered.“Thatwouldhavebeenmynextjob,”Durellsaidsoftly.

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chapternineteenTHEYwaitedtwodaysatthecaveforregularPakistanArmytroopstotakeover,summonedbythefieldradio.Atregularintervals,jetsofthePakistanAirForcepatrolledoverhead.TheChinesewereshadoweduntiltheyretiredovertheborder.Onthesecondday,theEmir’ssoncamefromMirandhabadtoremovethePakhustichieftain’sbody.K’Ayubmadehimswearhisloyaltytothenationalgovernment.Thesonwasaquietmanofthirty,grievedbyhisfather’sdeath,butfatalisticandcompliant.

Durellsleptfortwelvehours,wasawakenedbyAlessa,whobroughthimcoffeeandfood,andthensleptagain.Itwasafternoonwhenheawokeandshavedandsteppedoutintothesunlight.

Theweatherhadturnedwarmer.ThesoundofmotorsthrobbedupthelongvalleyfromLakeMohsere,andthefirstcolumnofhalf-trackmountainvehiclesprobeduptheslopesofS-5,greenpennantsflutteringinthewind.DurellsoughtoutColonelK’Ayubinthecamp.Thecolonellookedneatandelegant,oncemorehispolitical,ratherthanmilitary,self.

“YouwillreturntoRawalpindinow,Mr.Durell,”K’Ayubdecided.“Perhapsyouwillbegoodenoughtoescortthewomen.Ishallremainhere,ofcouse,tosupervisetheconstructionofamilitaryroadandinsureadequateprotectionforthedevelopmentprogram.”

“Idoubtiftherewillbeanyfurthertrouble,”Durellsaid.K’Ayubshruggedandlookedtothenorth.“Oneneverknows.ThenewEmirwillbeamenable,andcanbepersuadedtorunanenlightenedlocalgovernment.Butthedragonsthatliveoverthemountains—”Heshruggedagain.“Noneofuscanforeseetheoutcome.”

Theyshookhands,andDurellwenttofindSarah.Shewasalreadypackedandwaiting,seatedaloneonacampstool,drinkingcoffeefromatinmug.AlreadytheareaofS-5aroundthemlookedbusyandutterlydifferentfromitsearlier,emptyhostility.Durelltookhercoffeecup,sippedfromitandthensaid,“You’reallrightnow?”

“Notabitdifferentfromwhenwebegan,”shesaidquietly.Herfacelookedscrubbedandfresh,andshedidnotwearherglasses.Sheadded,“ImustadmitthatI’mgladyoucamealongonthetrip,Sam.Ifnotforyou,we’dallhavebeenlost.”

“No.Oddlyenough,itwasHans’skillthatgotusout.”“Andhe’sdeadnow.Soyourproblemissolved.”

“Rudiisdead,too,”hesaiddeliberately.“Isyourproblemsolvedyet,Sarah?”

“Idon’tknow.”

Heaskedabruptly,“Whereareyourglasses?”

“Idon’tthinkIneedthemanymore.Ithrewthemaway.Perhapsit’ssymbolic,don’tyouthink?”Hersmilewaswry.“Theywereapoordefenseagainstmymakingafoolofmyself.IdidexactlywhatIwas

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afraidtodo,allmylife—leftmyselfwideopentoasmooth-talking,handsomemanwhopromisedmethemoonandeverythingmoneycouldnotbuy.”

“Itwasn’tanhonestoffer.”

“Iknowthatnow.Butmaybeitdidmesomegood.”“Areyougoinghomenow?”heasked.

“Yes,toNewYork,whereI’mgoingtoresignaschairmanoftheboardofStandishNickel.I’llleaveallthattomenwhogetpaidtoknowtheirbusiness.”

“Andthenwhat?”

Shesmiledagain,andsuddenlylookedyoungerandlessaustere.“IthinkI’llspendsometimetryingtogrowupinside,insteadofusingmyglassesandatoughexteriorasadefense.”

“Ithinkthat’sfine,”Durellsaid.

Shekissedhimsuddenly,leaningtowardhimwithherarmsaroundhisneck.Hermouthwasfresh,evennaive,asifshewereartlessinexpressingherself.Hewonderedaboutherfuture.Shehadlearnedabitterlesson,butshewasstilltheNickelQueen,themostprizedwomanintheStates.Menwouldbeafterherforallsortsofreasons—andallthereasonsaddeduptohermoney.Butperhapssomeonewouldcomealongwhowouldberightforher,ifshedidn’tmaketoomanymistakesuntilthen.

Hecouldn’tguessthefuture.Hedidn’twantto.

SarahStandishflewhomefromRawalpindi.Durellsawheroff,thenwenttoAlessa’shotel.ButAlessawasnotin,andtherewasanurgentmessageforhimfromDonegan,inKarachi.Whenhetelephoned,hewasorderedtoreportthereimmediately,andtherewasnotimetoseeAlessabeforeheleft.Hewroteheranote,leftitwiththedeskclerk,andtookthefirstplanesouthacrossthedesertoftheSindtothecoast.

HehadalmostforgottenthesuffocatingheatoftheIndusValley,andhewasaware,onthetrip,ofalonelinessthatwasnotusualforhim.HewentdirectlytoDonegan’soffice,wherethelittlemanwasmostapologetic.

“I’msorryabouttaggingiturgent,Sam.HenryKallingerisdueinfromIstanbul,butIjustgotwordhe’llbedelayedafewdays.Hewantstoseeyou,naturally.”

“Probablytocheckonmyexpenseaccount,”Durellsaid.

“Iwouldn’tknow.Butyou’dbetterstickarounduntilhegetshere.”

“WhataboutHawk’sBay?”

“Sure,youcanstaythere,ifyoulike.Doyougood.”

Doneganfoundhimasmallvillathatafriendwasn’tusing,andDurellrentedacaranddroveoutalong

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theblacktophighwaytothesea.Hepaidhisrupeeatthetollgateandfoundthehousewithoutdifficulty.Itwassmall,secluded,pleasantlyfurnished,directlyonthewidebeachwheretheArabianSeathunderedandlashedtheshorewithitswhitecombers.

Hestripped,putonapairofbathingtrunkshehadboughtinKarachi,wentintotheblazingsun,andbakedforawhileinriversofsweat;buttheheatfailedtomeltahardknotoficeinsidehim.Hewentswimmingintheheavysurf,letthethicksaltcomberssmashathim,swambeyondthemforhalfanhour,thenspreadatowelandlayonthehotsunandwaited.FardownthebeachanEnglishfamilywashavingapicnicunderumbrellas.Acamelandridermadeasilhouetteagainsttheocherskyonthesandridgeislandfromthebeach.

Hecouldn'tliestill.Hewentintothevillaandshoweredinthetepidwaterfromtherooftank,cookedhisowndinner,andwatchedthesungodownoverthesea.Itwasanawesomeandlonelysight.

Whenitwasdark,awindblewfromtheocean,coolingthebeach,blowingthroughthewindowsofthelittlehouse.Heshoweredagainandfelttheweightofbeingaloneinastrangeland.Hewasstillcareful.ThePakistanpolice

werehuntingfortheChinese,andtheremightbeotherswhohadmarkedhimforerasure.FarawayinWashington,theywouldbeclosingthefileonRedOboe—asmallstep,anotherskirmish,inthedarkwarthatgirdledtheworld.

Whenshecamewalkingacrossthebeachinthemoonlighttowardhim,hewasnotsurprised.Hewasseatedinacanechair,nearthedoor,andhewatchedherstrideacrossthesand,herlegslongandlithe,herhipsswayingwiththeefforttopaceintheyieldingsand.Themoonlightmadehershort-cropped,boyishhairlooksilvery.

Hestoodup.

“Alessa.”

Shestoodbeforehim,wearingawhitelinensuit,theskirtslimandhuggingherthighs,theblouseandfemininejacketembroideredwithtinyseedpearls.Shesmileduncertainly.“Wereyouwaitingforme?”sheasked.

“Yes.”

“IaskedDoneganwhereIcouldfindyou.Hedidn’twanttotellme,butIgotitoutofhim.”Shesmiledbriefly.Hereyessearchedhisfaceintheshadows.“Donegansaidyouwon’tbehereforverylong.SoImadereservationsontheLufthansaflighttoTokyoforthedayaftertomorrow.”

“Tokyo?”

“It’sonewaytogohome,”shesaid.“Andyou?”

“Idon’tknowwhereI’llgonext.”

“IthoughtperhapsyoumightreturntotheStates.It’sachance,anyway,”shesaidtentatively.“Tokyoisontheway.Wemightgotogether.”

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“True.”

Shestoodquietlyandsaidinasmallvoice,“Don’tyouwantme?Areyouangrywithme,becauseafterthatnightin’PindiIthoughtperhapsHans—Imean,afterall,Hansalwayslovedme,andIdidnotsuspectwhathewas—”

“Iknow.”

“ItriedtotellmyselfIlovedhim,whenwewereinthemountains.ButIsupposemyfirstinstincts,inalltheyearshewasafterme,werethetrueones.Loveiseitherthere,oritisnot.Oneneedsaperson,oronedoesnot.”

“Ineedyou,Alessa,”Durellsaid.

“Yes.ThatiswhyIamhere.ButnowthatIseeyou—”

“Areyousorryyoucame?”

“No.”

“Comeinside,”hesaid.

Hetookherhand.Thecoolseawindhadscouredtheheatfromthebungalow.Inthedarkness,sheturnedtohimwithasuddenfiercenessandhekissedher,felthertrembleagainsthim,andherweightpulledhimdowntoher.Shesighed,andhedrewadeepbreath.HeknewthatthiswithAlessawouldlastonlyadayortwo.HewouldnotgotoTokyowithher.ItwouldbebetterifsheleftforViennawithouthim,toreturntoherfrayedandancientfamilyhomeandscholarlyresearch.Butfornow—

“Iunderstandhowitis,Sam,”shesaid,asifknowinghisthoughts.“It’sallright.”

“Yes,”hesaid.“It’sgoingtobefine.”

Hepickedherupandcarriedherintotheotherroom,wheretheseawindblewdarklyacrossthetiledfloor.

THEEND

ofanOriginalGoldMedalNovelby

EdwardS.Aarons