Whiff of Money Read online

  ‘Well? Do we say good-bye?’ he asked.

  He could just see her, sitting on the settee. She was looking towards him.

  ‘If I promise, what guarantee do I have that you will get me out of here?’

  ‘What guarantee have I that you will keep your promise?’ Girland came and sat by her side.

  ‘When I make a promise, I keep it. All right… I’m a slut… I’m no good… I have no morals… I’m an alley cat… but I do keep a promise.’

  Listening to her strained, fierce whispering, Girland was impressed.

  ‘If you don’t keep this promise,’ he said, ‘then there is nothing in this world that can make any sense for you. You’d be better off dead.’

  ‘Oh, stop nagging!’ Gilly said angrily. ‘When I make a promise I keep itl How many more times do I have to tell you!

  But can you get me out of here alive?’

  ‘I can’t swear to it, Gilly. Out there are some thirty armed men. We have an electrified wall. We have an expert marksman armed with a sporting rifle who knows how to shoot fast. We have the count who won’t let us go easily. A lot of odds… but I will try. Without you, I could get out, but with you, the operation slows down, and it will be much more difficult, but not impossible. I’ll get you out of this if I possibly can. You haven’t any alternative. Without me, you would never get out. With me you stand a good chance. If we fail… it won’t matter about your promise. They have killed Rosnold… they have to kill us. It’s as simple as that. You will have to do exactly what I tell you. You must try to keep your nerve. This isn’t going to be easy… but it is possible.’

  ‘All right… when you get me out of here, I will give you my promise and I will keep it.’

  ‘I’ll accept that. Now let’s do a little exploring. We have the night before us. Let’s find a bed.’

  ‘You don’t mean you can even think of sleeping?’

  ‘Why not? We have a long time ahead of us before we leave.’

  ‘Why can’t we go tonight?’

  ‘I want those films. When I hand them over to your old man he is going to pay me ten thousand dollars. I need that money. So we stick around here until the films arrive. Then — and not before then — we’ll leave.’

  ‘You’re crazy!’ Gilly’s voice shot up a note. ‘You’ll never get them! They’ll never let us walk out of here!’

  ‘Just relax, Gilly. You must have confidence in me. I’m not leaving here without those films. I’ve told you you have a good chance of getting out of here. Leave this to me. Now come on… I want to find abed.’

  Seeing the line of men coming towards the forest and towards where he was standing, Malik moved silently further into the undergrowth. Each advancing man was carrying a powerful flashlight as well as a shot-gun and the beams of light stabbed into the darkness.

  This didn’t worry Malik. He would never have ordered a search to be made in this forest in such darkness. To find any fugitive unless he betrayed his presence by noise was impossible in such surroundings.

  He looked up at the tree against which he was standing. He could just make out a lower branch within his reach. He stepped back, jumped

  and caught hold of the branch. Easily, he hauled himself up, and in a moment he was climbing the tree with the silent agility of a cat. He paused when he was half-way up the tree, straddled a branch and set his back against the trunk.

  He waited, looking down, seeing the stabbing beams of the advancing flashlights, hearing the crashing of undergrowth as the men moved forward into the forest. They passed below him and sent on. He lifted his shoulders in contempt.

  The search went on for an hour, then the leader of the party finally decided they were wasting time and energy. The men came back through the undergrowth. By now the time was 20.30 hrs and Malik, watching the men as they walked slowly across the lawn back to the Schloss, decided they were thinking of their dinner. He watched them disappear into a side entrance. A heavily-built man, wearing the count’s livery, walked up the steps to where two men were sitting, waiting.

  ‘Well?’ Von Goltz snapped.

  ‘It is impossible and useless, Excellency,’ the man said. He was Sandeuer, von Goltz’s trusted major-domo: a man of some forty years of age with a tanned, fleshy face and shifty, cunning eyes. ‘We can’t hope to find them in this darkness.

  Tomorrow… yes, but not now.’

  ‘Are you sure you will find them tomorrow?’

  Sandeuer bowed.

  ‘It will take a little time, Excellency, but they can’t get away. Besides, by tomorrow, they will be hungry and thirsty.’

  Von Goltz waved him away. When he had gone, Silk finished his whisky and soda and regarded von Goltz.

  ‘You satisfied?’

  Von Goltz shrugged.

  ‘I have to be. They could be anywhere in the forest. Although my men know every centimetre of the ground, Sandeuer is right. In the darkness, it is impossible. When there is light, with the number of men I have, we will find them. Girland is unarmed. I had his clothes and his suitcase searched while he was in the pool. He has no weapons. So… it is a matter of time.’

  One of the footmen came out on to the terrace to announce that dinner was served.

  In the vast dining-hall, the two men sat down to a well-presented and cooked dinner. Von Goltz, who liked his food, noticed that Silk was merely toying with what was put before him, his thin, hatchet-shaped face expressionless, his one eye showing no animation.

  ‘ Have some more of this sole,’ von Goltz said.’ I think it is excellent.’

  ‘No… I’ve had enough.’ Silk pushed his plate away.

  ‘It doesn’t please you?’

  Silk shrugged impatiently.

  ‘Fine… fine…’ he snapped. ‘I’m not hungry.’

  This remark irritated von Goltz who would have liked a second helping of the sole cooked with diced lobster tails and in a heavy cream sauce. Angrily, he motioned the footman to change courses.

  ‘You are worrying about something?’ he asked, staring at Silk.

  ‘We will discuss it later,’ Silk said as the second course of baby lamb was set on the table.

  Now it was von Goltz’s turn to be worried. He had been warned by Radnitz about Girland. For the moment, Girland had slipped through his fingers. Girland was out in the open with some two hundred acres of forest land to hide in. Although von Goltz was sure Girland could not get out of the estate and he was not armed, he might take a long time to corner.

  The switch that operated the current to the walls was in the lodge at the entrance gates. In the morning when the tradesmen arrived it would be necessary to cut the current to let them in. Girland might discover this and make a break over the wall. But could he discover this?

  Suddenly losing his appetite, von Goltz left; his meal half-finished. He turned to the footman standing behind his chair and told him to get Sandeuer immediately.

  Silk too had lost interest in the food and again pushed his plate away.

  ‘What is it?’ he asked, eyeing von Goltz.

  ‘Girland…’ von Goltz got to his feet. ‘I don’t like the idea of him being out there… free. I know he can’t get away, but…’

  The door opened and Sandeuer entered.

  ‘What is happening at the lodge?’ von Goltz demanded.

  ‘It is all right, Excellency,’ Sandeuer said, bowing. ‘I have three armed men there. They will remain on duty all night.’

  Von Goltz relaxed.

  ‘Good. Make sure they are continually on the alert.’

  ‘Yes, Excellency,’ and Sandeuer withdrew.

  ‘A little cheese perhaps?’ von Goltz said, sitting again at the table. The reassuring news had restored his appetite. He was now sorry to have dismissed the meat course.

  ‘Not for me,’ Silk said impatiently and walked across the room to the open french windows. He moved out onto the terrace and stared across the moonlit lawn to the dark forest.

  Von Goltz regarded the basket of cheese
s, hesitated, then with a muttered curse, shoved back his chair and joined Silk on the terrace. He disliked Silk. This tall, cold American had no manners and his ruthless face unnerved von Goltz. He knew this man had the ear of his uncle. He was sure a critical report from him would mean he would be turned out of the Schloss. He had no illusions about his uncle. When a man was found wanting by Radnitz he was either dismissed or worse, he disappeared.

  ‘What is it now?’ he demanded.

  ‘I’m trying to put myself in Girland’s place,’ Silk said. He lit a cigarette. ‘I’m beginning to wonder if we are being fooled.

  We are assuming because Rosnold tried to escape, Girland and the girl also made a break. We are assuming that while Rosnold killed the dogs, Girland and the girl got down on to the terrace and made for the forest to the right instead of crossing the lawn as Rosnold did. But suppose they didn’t? Suppose instead, they went upstairs? If I had been in his place, I think that is what I would have done. There are many rooms in this place… many places to hide in.’ He looked at von Goltz. ‘We could spend days hunting for them in the forest while all the time they could be right here.’ Von Goltz stiffened.

  ‘Surely Girland wouldn’t be so stupid as to let himself be trapped here?’ he said. ‘He had the chance to get into the open… surely he would have taken it?’

  ‘Would he? He isn’t to know you have no other dogs. I think he could still be here… with the girl’

  ‘We’ll soon see. — I’ll have the place searched.’ ‘Even ifthey are not here,’ Silksaid, ‘it will give your men something to do. Yes… have the place searched.’ He returned to the dining-room. ‘I think I will now have a little cheese,’ and he sat down at the table. Von Goltz sent for Sandeuer.

  This was the second time Sandeuer’s dinner had been interrupted. When he received the message that the count wanted to see him immediately, he threw down his knife and fork with an oath. The five senior servants who were eating with him, concealed grins. Sandeuer was not popular. The chef said he would keep Sandeuer’s dinner hot and Sandeuer, still cursing, hurried upstairs to the dining-room.

  ‘It is possible.’ von Goltz said as he cut a large wedge of cheese, ‘that the fugitives have not escaped into the forest. They could be still here. Take men and search every room.’

  Sandeuer thought of his unfinished dinner.

  ‘Yes, your Excellency,’ he said bowing, ‘but may I suggest that as the top floors have no lighting and are crowded with furniture, a thorough search by flashlight would be difficult. If I may suggest the search could be much more thorough tomorrow morning when the shutters can be opened and every inch of the rooms upstairs examined.’

  Von Goltz looked at Silk who shrugged.

  ‘Very well, but post a man at the head of every landing. He is to remain there and keep watch. As soon as it is daylight, the search is to begin.’

  Sandeuer bowed and returned to his dinner after giving instructions for the landings to be guarded.

  * * *

  Girland decided it would be safer to go up to the fifth floor of the Schloss. He had checked the number of floors ~ eight in all -when he had arrived. By going up to the fifth floor, he had three more floors in which to manoeuvre should the need arise.

  Holding Gilly’s hand and using his flashlight sparingly, he led her down the long corridor to the stair head. The thick carpet deadened their footfalls. All he could hear was Gilly’s fast breathing, and very faintly, the clatter of dishes as dinner was being served below. He thought regretfully of the food he was missing.

  They went silently up the long flight of stairs, paused for a moment, then continued on up another flight of stairs. This landing was in complete darkness. No light from the ground floor reflected up the stair well as far as this.

  Girland paused to listen. He heard nothing and moving away from the stair head, he turned on the flashlight. A white drugget covered the carpet. There was a slight smell of damp and must. He led Gilly down the corridor. On either side were doors. He paused at the fifth door. Easing the door open, he peered into darkness, listened, then turned on his flashlight.

  The room was large. Standing against one of the walls was a four-poster bed. The windows were heavily shuttered.

  Girland moved into the room and Gilly followed him. He closed the door.

  ‘This will do,’ he said. ‘Come on… let’s go to bed.’

  ‘You will tomorrow. Hungry?’

  He felt her shudder in the darkness.

  ‘No.’

  ‘Lucky you… I am. Well, Dumas once said the man who sleeps, dines. So let’s go to sleep.’

  ‘I couldn’t… I’m too scared.’

  Girland stretched out on the bed and pulled her down beside him.

  ‘It’s a pity you didn’t think of being scared when you made those films,’ he said, sliding his arm around her. ‘Couldn’t you see you were sticking your neck out when you started this blackmail idea with your father… he’s a toughie if ever there was one.’

  ‘I’d do it again!’ Gilly said but without much conviction in her voice… She pulled away from him. ‘And stop nagging!’

  ‘ Sorry… I was forgetting you are a mature, well-balanced woman.’

  ‘Oh, shut up! You madden me! Listen… suppose we go down to the count and tell him he can have the films and I promise not to make any more-if he will let us go… suppose we do that?’

  ‘A marvellous idea.’ Girland laughed. ‘He will have the films by tomorrow anyway. Why should he trust you? Why should he let you go?’

  ‘But you are going to trust me.’

  ‘Yes, but I have to… he doesn’t. Go to sleep,’ and Girland moved away from her, made himself comfortable and shut his eyes. In a few moments, he was in a light sleep while Gilly stared fearfully towards the invisible ceiling. After a while, she began to think back on her past life. Although still hating her father and mother, she was now regretting what she had done. She reluctantly admitted that Girland was right. The Ban War was a weak-kneed organisation. She had only joined because she knew it would enrage her father. She thought of Rosnold, now realising with a sense of shock that she wasn’t sorry that she wouldn’t ever see him again. He had been her evil influence, she told herself. Without his persuasion and his flattery, she would never have made those awful films. She felt hot blood of shame run through her.

  How could she have done it? Of course that massive dose of L.S.D. had made the films seem fun at the time. If Rosnold hadn’t given her the L.S.D. she wouldn’t have done what she had done. She was now sure of that.

  If she ever got out of this mess, she told herself, she would begin a new life. To hell with her father! If he became President, then the American voters got what they deserved! She would have to leave Paris. The Ban War mob would never leave her alone if she stayed. She would go to London. She had a cousin there working at the American Embassy.

  He might help her find a job. She listened to Girland’s gentle breathing and she envied him. She remembered their night of love-making. He was the sort of man she would like to hook up with, but she knew that was hopeless. He was a loner… he had called himself a mercenary. He wouldn’t consider having her around with him for long.

  She thought of him with envy. Men had all the advantages.

  Then suddenly she stiffened and her heart began to race. Had she heard voices? She half sat up and Girland’s hand closed over hers. He had become instantly awake.

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘I thought I heard voices.’

  ‘Stay here.’

  Although she couldn’t see him in the darkness, she felt the bed ease as he slid silently off it.

  ‘Don’t leave me!’ she whispered urgently.

  ‘Wait here!’ His voice was the barest sound but there was enough snap in it to force her to remain on the bed.

  Girland moved to the door and listened. Hearing nothing, he put his hand on the ornate gilt door handle and gently levered it down, then he edged open the door.
r />   A faint glow of light met his eyes. It came from the head of the stairs. Then he heard a man, speaking in German, say,

  ‘Are you all right down there, Rainer?’

  A voice said something that Girland couldn’t catch.

  ‘Me?’ The first voice said. ‘How can I be all right… sitting on these stairs for the rest of the night?’

  There was a laugh, then silence.

  Girland edged open the door and peered down the corridor. He saw a heavily-built man, wearing the count’s livery, sitting on the top stair at the head of the staircase. Between his knees, his hands clasped around the barrel, was a shotgun.

  The sight of this man startled Girland. Why was he there? Girland asked himself. Could be that the count suspected that Gilly and he hadn’t escaped into the forest but had remained hidden in the Schloss?

  It seemed to Girland this must be the explanation why this man was guarding the staircase. But if the count thought they were still here, why hadn’t a search been organised? Girland considered this and then realised the difficulties of searching such a vast place in darkness. It looked now that the count had sealed off the landings and was waiting for daylight.

  Girland closed the door softly and returned to the bed. He sat beside Gilly and told her what he had seen and what he thought would happen in the morning.

  ‘You mean they know we are here?’ Gilly gasped fearfully.

  ‘They can’t know, but I think they suspect we could be here. Now just relax. We have a lot of space to manoeuvre in. If you do exactly what I tell you, they won’t find us. But if you lose your nerve, they will find us.’

  ‘What are we going to do?’

  ‘We’ll wait. We have lots of time.’

  Gilly started to speak, then stopped. There was a long pause while Girland stretched out on the bed.

  ‘Relax and let me think,’ he said.

  Gilly tried to relax, but it was impossible. She willed herself to remain still. Time crawled by. She became aware suddenly that Girland’s breathing had changed slightly and she realised he was asleep. She lay by his side, miserable and envying him his complete indifference to the danger that was crowding in on them. Then she heard a sound that made her stiffen: a faint, but distinctive sound of snoring coming from the corridor.