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There was another good reason why he should stretch out his hand and take the application forms from Thorpe. If the shares of the company Sir James was going to try to buy secretly shot up from their present level to astronomic heights—and Dr. Steinhofer could see no other reason for the operation—there was nothing to prevent the Swiss banker from buying a few of those shares for himself.
“The company we have our eye on is called Bormac Trading Company,” Thorpe told him quietly. He outlined the position of the company, and the fact that old Lady Macallister held 300,000 shares, or 30 per cent of the company.
“We have reason to believe attempts may already have been made to persuade this old lady to sell her holding,” he went on. “They appear to have been unsuccessful. We are going to have another try. Even should we fail, we will still go ahead and choose another shell company.”
Dr. Steinhofer listened quietly as he smoked his cigar.
“As you know, Dr. Steinhofer, it would not be possible for one purchaser to buy these shares without declaring his identity. Therefore the four buyers will be Mr. Adams, Mr. Ball, Mr. Carter, and Mr. Davies, who will each acquire seven and a half per cent of the company. We would wish you to act on behalf of all four of them.”
Dr. Steinhofer nodded. It was standard practice. “Of course, Mr. Thorpe.”
“I shall attempt to persuade the old lady to sign the share-transfer certificates with the name of the buyer left out. This is simply because some people in England, especially old ladies, find Swiss banks rather—how shall I say?—secretive organizations.”
“I am sure you mean sinister,” said Dr. Steinhofer smoothly. “I completely understand. Let us leave it like this, then. When you have had an interview with this lady, we will see how best it can be arranged. But tell Sir James to have no fear. The purchase will be by four separate buyers, and the rules of the Companies Act will not be affronted.”
As Sir James Manson had predicted, Thorpe was back in London by nightfall to begin his weekend.
The four mercenaries were waiting on the pavement when Sha
“Marc, here’s yours. There’s five hundred pounds in it. Since you’ll be living at home, your expenses will be the smallest. So within that five hundred you have to buy a truck and rent a lock-up garage. There are other items to be bought. You’ll find the list inside the envelope. Trace the man who has the Schmeissers for sale and set up a meeting between me and him. I’ll be in touch with you by phone at your bar in about ten days.”
The giant Belgian nodded and hailed a taxi at the curb to take him to Victoria Station and the boat train back to the Ostend ferry.
"Kurt, this is your envelope. There’s a thousand inside it, because you’ll have to do much more traveling. Find that ship, and inside forty days. Keep in touch by phone and cable, but be very discreet and brief when using either. You can be frank in written letters to my flat. If my mail is on intercept we’re finished anyway.
“Jean-Baptiste, here’s five hundred for you. It has to keep you for forty days. Stay out of trouble and avoid your old haunts. Find the boats and engines and let me know by letter. Open a bank account and tell me where it is. When I approve the type and price of the stuff, I’ll transmit you the money. And don’t forget the shipping agent. Keep it nice and legal all down the line.”
The Frenchman and the German took their money and instructions and looked for a second taxi to get them to London airport, Semmler bound for Naples and Langarotti for Marseilles.
Sha
“I’ve put fifteen hundred in there for you, Ja
He stopped and bought the Evening Standard, opened it at the “Properties to Let” page, and showed Dupree the columns of advertisements for flats and flatlets for rent, furnished and unfurnished. There were, as usual, about 300 flats to rent, ranging from £6 a week to £200.
“Find yourself a small flat by tonight and let me know the address tomorrow.”
They parted just short of Hyde Park Corner.
Sha
Last, he pointed out that he had not taken any part of his own £ 10,000 fee for the job and proposed either that Endean transfer it straight from Endean’s Swiss account into Sha
He mailed his letter that Friday evening.
The weekend was free, so he called Julie Manson and suggested taking her out to di
“Have you booked anywhere?” she asked.
“Yes. Why?”
“Let’s go and eat at one of my places,” she suggested. “Then I can introduce you to some of my friends.”
Sha
She pouted. “Please, Cat darling.”
“Nope.”
"Look, I won’t say what you are and what you do.
I’ll just keep it secret. Come on. No one will know you by your face."
Sha
She giggled. “Great,” she said. “Great idea. Mystery Man himself. Come on, then, Mr. Keith Brown.”
She took him to Tramps, where she was evidently well known. Joh
They dined at the long row of tables ru
After the lobster Sha
“Are you out of your mind?” grated the City hard boy.
Sha
Endean was about to tell him, but checked himself in time. His face was white with anger. He knew his boss well enough to know how Manson doted on his supposedly i