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'I'rapple with the arettes and lighter It was a new pack of Chesterfields and with his right hand he scrabbled at the cellophane wrapper

She reached over and took the pack froarette, lit it and handed it to hi the hint of lipstick from her mouth

'I s to be busy'

'I'll just help with the new packs,' she said 'Don't be afraid I' '

Bond's eyes narrowed and the sht ere only going as far as Washington ,' she said 'You weren't very quick on the telephone thiswas certain you wouldhis people down there about you He spoke to adistance Said to watch the airport at Taet off the train earlier, at Tarpon Springs or one of the s on the train?'

'Not that I know of,' said Bond His eyes had relaxed again 'How about you? Have any trouble getting away?'

'It was er out of o on at The Bone-yard One of his men took ain ata lesson so early I often have breakfast withHe expects me to have all my meals with him' She looked at her watch He noted cynically that it was an expensive one - dia one, then I walked straight out again and called you Then I took a cab don I bought a toothbrush and a few other things at a drugstore Otherwise I've got nothing except my jewellery and the mad money I've always kept hidden from him About five thousand dollars So I won't be a financial burden' She sestured towards the'You've given sters for nearly a year This is heaven'

The train was running through the unkempt barren plains and swamps between New York and Trenton It wasn't an attractive prospect It reminded Bond of some of the stretches on the pre-war Trans-Siberian Railway except for the huge lonely hoardings advertising the current Broadway shows and the occasional dumps of scrap-iron and oldbetter than that,' he said s 'But don't thank ht That is,' he added looking at her curiously, 'if you really have got second sight'

'Yes,' she said, 'I have Or so to happen, particularly to other people Of course I e it in Haiti it was easy to turn it into a good cabaret act They're riddled with Voodoo and superstitions there and they were quite certain I was a witch But I promise that when I first saw you in that room I knew you had been sent to save s'

'What sort of things?'

'Oh I don't know,' she said, her eyes dancing 'Just things Anye'll see But it's going to be difficult,' she added seriously, 'and dangerous For both of us' She paused 'So will you please take good care of us?'

'I'll do et some sleep Let's have a drink and soet the porter to put our beds down Youher eyes recoil 'We're in this together We have to spend twenty-four hours in a double bedroo squearinned, 'and you must just act like her Up to a point anyway,' he added

She laughed Her eyes speculated She said nothing but rang the bell below the

The conductor arrived at the same time as the Pullman attendant Bond ordered Old Fashioneds, and stipulated 'Old Grandad' Bourbon, chicken sandwiches, and decaffeined 'Sanka' coffee so that their sleep would not be spoilt

'I have to collect another fare from you, Mr Bryce,' said the conductor

'Of course,' said Bond Solitaire ,' said Bond, pulling out his notecase 'You've forgotten you gave me your money to look after before we left the house'

'Guess the lady'll need plenty for her summer frocks,' said the conductor 'Shops is plenty expensive in St Pete Plenty hot down there too You folks been to Florida before?"

'We always go at this time of year,' said Bond

'Hope you have a pleasant trip,' said the conductor

When the door shut behind hihtedly

'You can't e really fierce if you're not careful To begin with, I'estured towards the door behind Bond's head 'I hed Bond as she disappeared