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"Ha!" said Mr Hendriks noncommittally Jaa's passkey in the lock He looked up and yawned Scaraa and Mr Hendriks looked down at hiuely interested and reflective It was as if he were a bit of steak and they ondering whether to have it done rare or medium rare

13 - Hear the Train Blow!

At twelve o'clock they all assea had added a broad-brimmed white Stetson to his immaculate tropical attire He looked like the smartest plantation owner in the South Mr Hendriks wore his usual stuffy suit, now topped with a grey Holoves and an u calypso shirts outside their slacks Bond was pleased If they were carrying guns in their waistbands, the shirts would hinder the draw Cars were drawn up outside, with Scaraa walked up to the desk Nick Nicholson was standing washing his hands in invisible soap and looking helpful "All set? Everything loaded on the train? Green Island been told? Okay, then Where's that sidekick of yours, that man Travis? Haven't seen him around today"

Nick Nicholson looked serious "He got an abscess ia his tooth, sir Real bad Had to send him in to Sav' La Mar to have it out He'll be okay by this afternoon"

"Too bad Dock him half a day's pay No room for sleepers on this outfit We're shorthanded as it is Should have had his choppers attended to before he took the job on Okay?"

"Very good, Mr Scaraa turned to the waiting group "Okay, fellows, here's the picture We drive a et aboard this little train Quite an outfit, that Fellow by the name of Lucius Beebe had it copied for the Thunderbird co stock on the little old Denver, South Park and Pacific line Okay So we stea this old cane-field line about twenty miles to Green Island Harbour Plenty birds, bush rats, crocs in the rivers Maybe we get a little hunting Have souns with you? Fine, fine Chairls and the et aboard the Thunder Bird big Chris-craft, and take a cruise along to Lucea, that's a little township up the coast, and see if we can catch our dinner Those that don't want to fish can play stud Right? Then back here for drinks Okay? Everyone satisfied? Any suggestions? Then let's go"

Bond was told to get in the back of the car They set off Once again that offered neck! Crazy not to take him now! But it was open country with no cover and there were five guns riding behind The odds sih What was the plan for his reri happy He wouldn't have been able to explain the e keyed up, wound taut It was the ot a hand you could bet on--not necessarily win, but bet on He had been after thisperhaps, was to co about It in or lose The odds? Foreknowledge was playing for him He was more heavily forear battalions on their side There were a, perhaps a had the advantage The long-barrelled Colt 45 would be a fraction slower on the draw, but its length of barrel would give it more accuracy than the Walther autoe--and the first eun, if it hadn't been discovered, would be an additional bonus The steady hand? The cool brain? The sharpness of the lust to kill? How did they weigh up? Probably nothing to choose on the first two, Bond er-happy--of necessity That he must watch He must damp down the fire in his belly Get ice-cold In the lust to kill, perhaps he was the strongest Of course He was fighting for his life The othersport for his friends, displaying his potency, showing off That was good! That ht be decisive! Bond said to himself that he must increase the other man's unawareness, his casual certitude, his lack of caution He lishman, the limey of the cartoons He must play easy to take The adrenalin coursed into Jaan to run a fraction high He felt it on his wrist He breathed deeply and slowly to bring it down He found that he was sitting forward, tensed He sat back and tried to relax All of his body relaxed except his right hand This was in the control of sohtly fro rabbits

He put it into his coat pocket and watched a turkey buzzard a thousand feet up, circling He put hi out for a squashed toad or a dead bush rat The circling buzzard had found its offal It came lower and lower Bond wished it bon appetit The predator in hiood meal He s a scent The main difference was that the John Croas a protected bird No one would shoot back at it when it ht hand caarette for hi rabbits on its own

The station was a brilliantin faded clapboard orna its eaves Its name, Thunderbird Halt, was in old-style ornamental type, heavily seriffed Advertisements proclaimed

CHEW ROSELEAF

FINE CUT WARRANTED

FINEST VIRGINIA LEAF,