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Bond went through the restaurant door Several of the interior tables were occupied by those who had had enough sun He went across the rooh the now open french s The man Fritz, who appeared to be the h the crowded tables His eyes too were cold with hostility He held up a menu 'Please to followRuby and Violet were already there Bond felt alain By God, he ot aith it And he still had the strip of plastic! Had he sounded innocent enough, stupid enough? He sat down and ordered a double mediued his feet up against Ruby's

She didn't withdraw hers She s at once It was suddenly a beautiful day

Fraulein Bunt appeared and took her place She was gracious again 'I a with us for a whole week, Sair Hilary You enjoyed your intervieith the Count? Is he not an interestingUnfortunately our talk was too short and we discussed onlyto ask him about his research work I hope he didn't think me very rude'

Irma Bunt's face closed perceptibly 'I am sure not The Count does not often like to discuss his work In these specialized scientific fields, you understand, there is much jealousy and, I a' The box-like smile 'I do not of course refer to yourself, my dear Sair Hilary, but to scientists less scrupulous than the Count, to spies from the chemical companies That is e keep ourselves very le's Nest up here We have total privacy Even the police in the valley areus fro'

'The study of allergies?'

'Just so' The ether with a perceptible click Menus were handed round and Bond's drink careen salad Chicken again for Ruby, cold cuts 'with stacks of potatoes' for Violet Ire cheese and salad

'Don't you girls eat anything but chicken and potatoes? Is this soies?'

Ruby began, 'Well, yes, in a way Somehow I've come to simply love'

Irma Bunt broke in sharply 'Now then, Ruby No discussion of treatood friend Sair Hilary' She waved a hand towards the crowded tables around the crowd, do you not find, Sair Hilary? Everybody who is anybody We have quite taken the international set away froh over there with such a gy party of young things And near by that is Mr Whitney and Lady Daphne Straight Is she not chic? They are both wonderful skiers And that beautiful girl with the long fair hair at the big table, that is Ursula Andress, the file Dunbar, he always has thecoa Khan and perhaps your Duke of Kent and ould have everybody, but everybody Is it not sensational for the first season?'

Bond said it was The lunch cas, with a crealish ratings in a copper dish Bond co

'Thank you,' said Irma Bunt 'We have three expert French, is it not?'

Bond felt rather than saw atheir table He ca e, and he had a puzzled expression on his face He bowed slightly to the ladies, and said to Bond, 'Excuse me, but I saw your name in the visitors' book It is Hilary Bray, isn't it?'

Bond's heart sank This situation had always been a possibility and he had prepared a fu counter to it But this was the worst possible !

Bond said, 'Yes, it is,' with heartiness

'Sir Hilary Bray?' The pleasant face was even ot to his feet and stood with his back to his table, to Irht' He took out his handkerchief and blew his nose to obscure the next question, whichthe war?'

'Ah,' said Bond He looked worried, lowered his voice appropriately 'You're thinking of o, poor chap I inherited the title'

'Oh, lord!' The man's puzzlement cleared Grief took its place 'Sorry to hear that Great pal ofabout it in The Ties, and Deaths” What was it?'

Bond felt the sweat running down under his arms; 'Fell off one of those bloody mountains of his Broke his neck'