Страница 25 из 33
He pulled her into his arms, holding her against him, and then he heard the unmistakable sound of a car slowing down in the road.
She tried to pull away from him and said gently, “I think we’d better go now, Paul. That sounds like Sir George.”
He tried to bring her back into his arms, but she braced herself to resist him, hard and unyielding. After a moment, he shrugged and released her. She turned without a word, and he followed her out of the hunting lodge and through the trees toward the road.
CHAPTER 12
They drove very fast on the way back to Hamburg. A
“You’ll never know how much I appreciate this,” Chavasse said.
Sir George snorted. “Rubbish, my dear fellow. As I told you before, I’m glad to help. I must say you look rather the worse for wear.”
Chavasse gri
“Any new developments in the Borma
Chavasse nodded. “I’ve managed to find out that Borma
“Have you got a line on her?” Sir George said.
“I’m afraid not,” Chavasse told him. “In any case, there are more important things to worry about at the moment. I’d like you to drop Miss Hartma
“Not in the least,” Sir George said. “Things must be getting warm if you’ve decided to call in the Germans.”
Chavasse nodded. “This is something else I’ve uncovered and some extremely big people are involved. Under the circumstances, I’m afraid I can’t discuss it with you until I’ve seen this man from German intelligence. It’s really something which directly concerns them.”
“I quite understand,” Sir George said cheerfully. “After all, the formalities must be observed and Continentals are always so damned touchy. Just remember, I’m always willing to do everything I can.” He sighed. “I shall be sorry when it’s time to go home, Chavasse. I’ve rather enjoyed this little trip.”
Chavasse eased his aching body into a more comfortable position. He closed his eyes and thought about A
He was still thinking about it when they entered the outskirts of Hamburg. Sir George drove straight into the center, crossed the Alster by the Lombardsbrucke, and Chavasse directed him from there. It was almost a quarter to six when they turned into the quiet side street and halted outside A
She was still dozing when Chavasse got out of the car and opened the rear door. When he touched her arm, she opened her eyes at once and gazed blankly at him, and then she smiled. “I’m sorry, I’m so tired I could sleep for a week.”
She turned to Sir George. “May I add my thanks to Paul’s? I don’t know what we’d have done without your help.”
He held her hand for a moment, admiration on his face. “You’re an extremely courageous young woman. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to serve you.”
She colored deeply and got out of the car without saying anything, and Chavasse walked to the door with her. “I want you to sit tight until I come back,” he said. “It might be late, because I’ve got to get this Hauptma
She suddenly looked very tired. “I don’t think I could go anywhere even if I wanted to.”
He kissed her lightly on the mouth. “That’s just something on account. Once all this is settled, we’re going to have a serious talk about the future – understand?”
She was too tired to argue. “If you like, Paul.”
She went up the steps to the front door. As she opened it, she turned and smiled and the smile seemed to get right inside him, filling him with an aching longing to hold her in his arms. For a moment or two, he stayed there staring up at the door after she had closed it, and then he went back to the car.
“A very remarkable young woman,” Sir George said as they drove away. “Pretty into the bargain.”
“She’s all that and more,” Chavasse told him.
Sir George smiled. “Do I detect a hint of romance in the air?”
Chavasse nodded. “I certainly hope so. I intend to get out of this game altogether when this Borma
“Very sensible,” Sir George said approvingly. “You can’t last forever.”
It was a sobering thought. Chavasse considered some of the people he had known during his five years with the Bureau. It was a universal human failing to think that you were cleverer than the next man or that it couldn’t happen to you.
But how many intelligent, resourceful people had he known who had failed to return from one assignment or another? One of these days it would be his turn, because sooner or later, everybody made a mistake. It was sound logic to get out while he was still ahead of the game. He was still thinking about it when they reached the Atlantic.
Sir George had a suite on the second floor of the hotel. As they went up in the elevator, he glanced at his watch anxiously. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to leave you on your own to meet this German intelligence chap. I’ve got an appointment for seven. I’ve hardly got time to change into evening clothes.”
A thought suddenly occurred to Chavasse and he said, “Are you going to this reception that Kurt Nagel is giving for the delegates?”
Sir George raised his eyebrows in surprise. “That’s right. How did you know?”
“I read about it,” Chavasse told him.
“I think the conference as a whole owes its success to Nagel more than to any other man,” Sir George said as he unlocked the door of his suite. “Do you know anything about him?”
Chavasse shook his head. “I can’t say I do, but then I’ve been rather out of touch with the German scene until these last few days.”
Sir George told him to help himself to a drink, and disappeared into the bedroom. Chavasse examined the bottles on the side of the table, poured a brandy, took a cigarette from a silver box, and settled into a comfortable chair. He was about to pick up a newspaper when the telephone rang.
When he lifted the receiver, he recognized A
“What is it?” he demanded. “Has something happened?”
“About ten minutes ago, the porter brought a package up to my apartment,” she said. “It was delivered by mail this morning. When I removed the outer wrapper, I found it contained a letter and another sealed package.”
With a sudden elation, he knew what the answer to his next question would be before he put it to her. “Let me guess – the letter was from Katie Holdt.”
“Right first time,” A
“Needless to say, you’ve already opened it,” Chavasse said.
She laughed. “Of course I have. Borma
“No, sit tight where you are,” he said. “I’ve still got this Hauptma
She chuckled. “Nothing doing. I’ve never felt so wide awake in my life. I intend to curl up on the sofa with a good book until you get back.”