Whiff Of Money

'They have to find us first.' Girland leaned close to her. 'They won't start looking for us until tomorrow when it is light.

With any luck, they will search the forest. While they are out there, I'll go down and find a telephone. I'll call the U.S.

Army in Munich. They'll arrive in force and we'll walk out. There is nothing to worry about. You'll just have to make up your mind to forget about having dinner and wait until tomorrow morning.'

'Call the army? Are you crazy?' Gilly tried to see Girland's face in the dim light. 'Why should they bother with us? You must call the police!'

'No... the U.S. Army,' Girland said. 'Because, my pet, you happen to be the daughter of the future President. When I tell them you have been kidnapped, the whole U.S. Army stationed in Germany, plus tanks and aircraft will come rushing to your rescue.'

'No!' Gilly said fiercely. Til never trade on my father's rotten reputation!'

Girland sighed.

'Are you sure?'

'Yes... I'll never...'

'All right... all right... don't get so worked up. You have made your point.-So you don't want the U.S. Army to rescue you?'

'No!'

'A pity ... it could have been fun to have lots of tanks bashing down the gates and fat Generals rushing up the drive. All right, then here's what you do. Go downstairs and find the count. When you find him, tell him you won't accept your father's favours and would he please cut your throat'

Gilly sat for some moments, speechless.

'Oh, I hate you!' she exploded, thumping her fists on her knees. 'You are horrible . . . you don't understand!'

'I'm afraid I do ... the trouble with you is you have grown up physically too fast and mentally too slow. We're wasting time. Are you sure you don't want the army to rescue you?'

'I would rather die!'

'You probably could. All right... fair enough. Girls with principles bore me. They're always a nuisance. Well then, I'll run along. You stay right here until they find you. I don't need the U.S. Army to get me out of here. Since you are stuck with your principles, I leave you with them. So long... thank for the bed session which was wonderful.'

As he got to his feet, Gilly grabbed his arm.

'You're not leaving me?'

'Yes,.. reluctantly, but I am leaving you. I believe in looking after myself. Beautiful dumb girls with political ideas are always a hindrance. Give me ten minutes, then either sit tight or go down and talk to the count... who knows, he might just possibly marry you, but I suspect he will slit your pretty throat.'

'How I hate you!' Gilly exploded. 'How can you think of leaving me?'

'Don't get worked up, baby,' Girland said soothingly. 'It's your choice. There is another possible alternative.' He sat down again. 'You and I could make a deal. I could get you out of here without calling in the U.S. Army, but we would have to come to an agreement first'

'What do you mean? What agreement?'

'You would have to promise me to leave your father alone in the future. You would also have to promise me that you will give up running around with this half-baked Ban War organisation and you would have to promise me never ever again to make a stag film.'

She drew in a long, quivering breath.

'So you really are working for my father!'

'No . . . I'm working for myself. I am a mercenary. I took your father's assignment for the money. I don't give a damn about him, but when I take an assignment, I deliver. You either give me your promise or I'm going to walk out on you. I can always take care of myself. Frankly, Gilly, I don't give a damn about you or your father. If you think you can take care of yourself and get to Paris and make more blue films, you go ahead and do it.'

'This is blackmail,' Gilly said, suddenly calm.

'So what? Is it against the rules to blackmail a blackmailer?' Girland asked. 'There is time... think it over... I'm going to admire the view.'

He crossed the room, opened the french windows and moved silently out on to the balcony.

The long searching finger of the searchlight was still probing the forest. He could see a group of men, wearing the count's livery, moving across the lawn towards the forest. He again heard the metallic voice of the count over the speakers repeating his warning that the walls were lethal.

He remained out in the darkness watching the activity below, glad now there were no dogs. However, there were plenty of men and he made a rough count . . . possibly twenty-six or even thirty. It was difficult to count them as they kept disappearing and reappearing in the light of the searchlight. Finally, he decided he had given Gilly long enough to make a decision. If he didn't get her promise - he wondered what her promise was worth - he wouldn't leave her, but he hoped his bluff had made an impression. He stepped back into the dark room, closing the french windows behind him.

'Well? Do we say good-bye?' he asked.

He could just see her, sitting on the settee. She was looking towards him.

'If I promise, what guarantee do I have that you will get me out of here?'