Part 6 (2/2)

They located a tool-box and while Hamilton and Ramon used chisels and screwdrivers *to remove the faceplates and destroy the inner mechanisms, Navarro located all the spares and reduced them too to sc.r.a.p metal and shattered gla.s.s.

Navarro said: 'He's also got a very nice radio and transmitting set here.'

'You know what to do, don't you?'

Navarro knew what to do. From there they moved on to the arched metal shed. It was rather a remarkable place inasmuch as there ran down the middle of it what must have been the Kolonie's pride and joy, a genuine full-length American bowling alley. They paid no attention to this. What did attract their attention was a Piper Cub in a bay alongside the bowling alley. It took the men less than ten minutes to ensure that that particular Piper Cub would never fly again.

On their way back to the Parana, this time walking openly in the middle of the road, Ramon said: 'So your friend has gone.'

'In that inelegant phrase, the bird has flown the coop, taking most of his hard cases with him -- n.a.z.is, renegade Poles, renegade Ukrainians.

As fine a collection of war criminals as you'll ever meet. This bunch here belong strictly to the second division.'

'Where do you think they've gone?'

'We'll ask, shall we?' '

The three men entered the landing-stage guardhouse. Wordlessly, they sliced the ankle-bonds of one of the prisoners, removed his gag, dragged him to his feet and led him outside down to the river edge of the landing stage.

Hamilton said: 'Brown had three Piper Cubs. Where have the other two gone?'

The guard spat in contempt. At a signal from Hamilton, Navarro ,cut the back of the guard's hand. The blood flowed freely. The guard was then led forward until he was teetering on the very edge of the landing-stage.

'Pirhana,' Hamilton said, 'can smell blood at a quarter of a mile.

Ninety seconds and you'll be white bones. If a crocodile doesn't get you first. Either way, being eaten to death is unpleasant.'

The guard looked in horror at his bleeding hand. He was trembling.

'North,' he said. 'North to Campo Grande.'

'And after that?'

'I swear to G.o.d -'

'Throw him in.'

'Pla.n.a.lto de Mato Grosso. That's all I know. I swear to you --'

Hamilton said wearily: 'Stop your d.a.m.ned swearing. I believe you. Brown would never entrust his secrets to vermin.'

Ramon said: 'What do we do with the prisoners?'

'Nothing.'

'But -'

'But nothing. I daresay someone will happen by and free them. Take this character inside and hobble and gag him.'

Navarro looked doubtful. 'It's a pretty deep cut. He could bleed to death.'

'Dear oh dear,'

CHAPTER FIVE.

Hamilton, Ramon and Navarro were in a taxi driving along one of Brasilia's broad boulevards. Ramon said: 'This woman, Maria, she comes?'

Hamilton looked at him and smiled. 'She comes.'

'There will be danger.'

'The more, the better. It will at least help to keep those clowns under control.'

Navarro was thoughtfully silent for a moment then he said: 'My brother and I hate all they stand for. But you, Senor Hamilton, hate so much more.'

'I have the reason. But I don't hate them.'

Ramon and Navarro looked at each other in lost comprehension then nodded as if in understanding.

A Rolls-Royce and a Cadillac had been backed out of Smith's six-car garage to make storage room for what Smith regarded as being more important, however temporarily, than the two cars. Hamilton, in the company of the eight people who were going to accompany him, surveyed, with an apparently uncritical eye, the extremely comprehensive layout of the most modern and expensive equipment necessary for survival in the Amazonian rainforests. He took his time about it, so much so in fact that one or two of the watchers were beginning to look, if not apprehensive, then at least uncomfortable. Smith was not one of those.

There was a slight tightening of the lips presumably indicative of a growing impatience. It was almost a law of nature that tyc.o.o.ns do not care to be kept waiting. Smith immediately proved that his patience was on a very short fuse indeed.

'Well, Hamilton? Well?'

'So. How the multi- -- or is it bulti-? -- millionaire travels into the boondocks. But good, really excellent.'

Smith visibly relaxed.

'But there's one exception, though.'

'Indeed?' One has to be very wealthy before one can -- or is permitted to -- raise one's eyebrows in the proper fas.h.i.+on. 'And what might that be?'

'Nothing missing, I a.s.sure you. Just some items surplus to requirements.

Who are those guns and pistols for?'

'Us.'

'No deal. Ramon, Navarro and I carry weapons. You don't. None of you do.'

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