Vulture is a Patient Bird

Gaye was so startled by the effrontery of this remark, that she turned away. It was then she caught sight of the Caesar Borgia ring in a small glass box on a pedestal in the lighted alcove. "And what is this?" she asked, moving to the glass box and peering at the ring.

"The Caesar Borgia ring," Tak said. "It was made by an unknown goldsmith at Borgia's request. It is a poison ring and so the story goes, the goldsmith was its first victim. To test its efficiency and to stop the man from talking, Borgia gave him his fatal handshake while wearing the ring. There is a needle hidden in the cluster of diamonds and this scratched the victim's hand while he was shaking hands with Borgia. Ingenious, don't you think?"

"Those were cruel, horrible times," Gaye said with a little grimace. "Is it dangerous now?"

"Oh no, Miss Desmond. It would have to be recharged with poison before it could be dangerous, and I doubt if the needle is now sharp enough to scratch."

He led them on, showing them a beautiful alabaster unguent jar which he told them came from the tomb of Tutankhamen. They spent a further half-hour in the museum and then Tak, looking at his watch, suggested they might like a drink before dinner. He led them from the museum, closed the door and Garry watched him spin the dial, scrambling the combination; then they took the elevator up to the corridor. He drove them back to their suite and after accepting their thanks, said a servant would conduct them to the main terrace in an hour and a half and left them.

The time now was 19.3o hrs. and they both went out on to the terrace.

"I want something short and strong," Gaye said sitting down. "A vodka martini on the rocks."

"I'll dig for that too." Garry began to mix the drink. He filled two cocktail glasses and carried them over to the table and sat down. Did you spot the TV snoopers in both rooms?"

"No . . . did you?"

"Yes. Fennel said there were six monitors and therefore six rooms in the museum. Tak only showed us two of the rooms. You know, Gaye I'm liking this less and less. I have an idea we could have walked into a trap."

Gaye looked startled.

"Surely not! He wouldn't have shown us what he did if he is really suspicious of us."

"That's what puzzles me. He must realize we have guessed most of those exhibits have been stolen. Then why did he let us see them? Why did he tell us how the elevator works and about the time lock? He must know we will talk about this visit when we leave unless . . ." He paused, frowning, then shook his head.

"Unless . . . what?"

"Unless he's not going to let us leave."

Gaye stiffened.

"He can't keep us forever. Garry, do talk sense."

Garry sipped his drink.

"All right, but I don't like it. If Fennel and Ken weren't out there, I'd be worried. I'm going to talk to them." He got up and went into his bedroom.

Gaye waited. She was also puzzled that Tak had taken them into the museum, but she wasn't worried. She told herself that Kahlenberg was so confident about his safety precautions, he didn't mind strangers seeing his museum.

Garry returned after some twenty minutes.

"Fennel agrees it looks suspicious. Themba has been left guarding the equipment. Fennel is coming here on his own, leaving Ken to keep watch. If Kahlenberg starts trouble, at least Ken can do something to help us. When we get the ring, we'll signal Ken and we'll all meet at the airfield and take off. We'll pick up Themba and get back to Mainville."

"Do you think Kahlenberg will start trouble?"

"I'll tell you when I've met him," Garry returned. "How about another drink?"

At exactly 21.00 hrs., a Zulu servant came to take them to the main terrace.

Seated in his chair, Kahlenberg was waiting for them. He greeted them pleasantly and waved them to chairs near him.

"Tak tells me you are from Animal World, Miss Desmond." he said, after Gaye had thanked him for receiving them. "Have you been with them long?"

"Not very . . . six months."

"It is a magazine I take regularly. I am interested in animals. Why don't they give you a credit line, Miss Desmond?"

Watching, Garry was relieved to see Gaye was cool and seemed quite at ease. She laughed a little ruefully.

"I am one of the small fry, Mr. Kahlenberg. I do the routine work. I was hoping you would allow me to photograph this lovely house. I would get a credit for that."

He studied her.

"I am afraid then you will have to wait a little longer for your

credit. Photography is forbidden here."

She met his blue-grey eyes, smiling.

"Even to me? I promise I will be most discreet and photograph only the house and the garden."

"I am sorry." He changed the subject by asking if she found his museum interesting.

"It is magnificent. I congratulate you."

Three Zulus came silently on to the terrace and stood waiting before a beautifully laid table. At the same time, Hindenburg who had just finished his dinner, came slowly across the terrace to Kahlenberg.

"What a beauty!" Gaye exclaimed. "May I stroke him?"