Vulture is a Patient Bird

"I wish you would take this more seriously. You don't seem to realize if we're caught we could be in a very nasty situation."

"Let's worry about that if and when it happens."

Garry suddenly grinned.

"I guess you're right. Come here and be kissed."

She shook her head.

"Not now . . . we're working."

He hesitated, then lighting a cigarette, he dropped into a chair.

"If we get away with this, what are you going to do with the money, Gaye?" he asked.

"Save it. I save all my money and invest it at six per cent in a Swiss bank. Soon, I'll have a nice income and then Shalik can look

for another slave."

"You don't like him?"

"Who would? He's useful, but that's all. And you, what are you going to do with your share?"

"Take a course in electronics," Garry said promptly. "I've always wanted to have an education, and up to now, I've never had the chance. With Shalik's money, I'll study, and then get myself a decent paying job. There are lots of opportunities in the electronics field."

"You surprise me . . . you don't strike me as the studious type. Do you plan to get married?"

"Yes, but not until I've qualified. Then I will."

"Got the girl lined up yet?"

He smiled at her.

"Yes, I think so."

"Who is she?"

"No one you know . . . just a girl. We get along okay."

"I rather thought you were going to say me."

He laughed.

"You would have said no anyway."

"Why are you so sure?"

"You would, wouldn't you?"

Gaye smiled at him.

"Yes. I wouldn't want to marry an electronics engineer. When I marry it will be a man who thinks big, lives big and is rich."

"I know that. That's why I'm picking Toni."

"Is that her name?"

Garry nodded.

"I wish you luck, Garry, and I hope you will be very happy with her."

"Thanks. I hope you will be happy too, but don't pin too much on money."

Gaye looked thoughtful.

"Life can be pretty rough without it."

"Yes." He stubbed out his cigarette and stared up at the ceiling. "One's got to have enough, of course, but all this . . ." he waved his hand around the luxuriously furnished room. "This isn't necessary."

"It is to me."

"That's where we differ." He glanced at his watch. "I guess I'll take a look at the elevator."

Gaye got to her feet.

"I'll come with you. If we run into anyone, we can say we felt like a walk in the garden and as we couldn't get out through the terrace way we were going to try the front door."

"A bit thin . . . but it'll have to do. Let's go."

They moved silently out into the long corridor, paused to listen, heard nothing and then they walked fast down the corridor, passing the front door and on towards the hidden lift. Garry went to the window ledge and felt under it. His fingers found a button which he pressed. The wall slid back. They looked at each other, then motioning her to stay where she was, he approached the lift doors which swished silently open. He entered the cage, then first pressing the red button which Tak had told him turned off the alarm, he then pressed the green button. The doors closed and then the lift descended. When it reached ground level, Garry pressed the green button again and the lift ascended. He stepped into the corridor and reclosed the sliding wall.

Taking Gaye's hand in his, he ran silently down the corridor and back to their suite.

"Well, it works," he said, closing the door. Now everything depends on whether Fennel can get in and then, of course, if he can open the door to the museum."

After waiting a quarter of an hour, Garry picked up the two- way radio.

Fennel answered immediately.

Garry explained the situation and told Fennel the elevator was working. Fennel said there were still lights showing in the windows of the two extreme wings of the house.

"The light on the right is mine," Garry said. "The other light is from Kahlenberg's quarters."

"The left wing light has gone out," Fennel reported. "The only light now showing is where you are."

"Kahlenberg told me the grounds aren't patrolled, Lew," Garry said, "but I don't trust him. Take your time and use every scrap of cover as you come. There could be some of the Zulu guards around."

"I'll watch it. I'll start now. It'll take me a good half-hour to get to you. Ken will remain here until we signal him."

"Roger . . . out," and Garry switched off. Turning to Gaye, he went on, "He's on his way now. All the other lights have gone out." He crossed to the bedside lamps and turned them on, then he turned off the ceiling lights. Going to the window, he peered into the darkness. The big moon was partially hidden by clouds, but after a few moments, his eyes became used to the darkness and he could make out the terrace furniture and beyond the beds of flowers.

"We could be flying back to Mainville in a couple of hours," Gaye said. "I'm going to change."

She went into the bedroom, took off the sari and put on her shirt and shorts. When she returned to the lounge, she found Garry had also changed. They sat on the bed, looking through the window, waiting for Fennel.