Part 5 (1/2)

'There now, Mr Bond' Anton Murik gestured to one of the comfortable leather chairs 'Sit down Rest yourself As you see, we're old-fashi+oned enough to be formal here We dress for dinner But, as you've arrived late, and unprepared, we'll forgive you'

'If the ladies don't mind' Bond turned to smile at Mary-Jane Mashkin and Lavender Peacock The Mashkin woave hirin

'Not at all, Mr Bond,' said Mary-Jane, and Lavender folloith a quick, 'Just this once, Mr Bond'

Jao ceased to worry about being the odd man out on formal occasions - except, of course, when it was some forewarned important function

In the back of hisconcern She was beautiful, obviously intelligent, and at ease when Dr Anton Murik was absent; but in her guardian's presence Lavender had about her a certain wariness that he could not readily define

It should not surprise him, Bond realised Anton Murik and his castle, with people like Caber and the butler creeping around, would be enough to e Gothic structure with its interior which stank of wealth, taste and gadgetry, all set far out in the middle of a beautiful nowhere

Murik helped himself to a drink, and they chatted amiably - Murik mainly interested in Bond's journey north - until Donal, the butler, reappeared to confire had been taken to his room and that the car was parked next to the Laird's Rolls outside As an afterthought, and a look of distinct disapproval at Bond's apparel, he announced that dinner was served

Bond was led across the hall - autoh which he had seen Franco vanish - into the long dining-room, this ti light colours and the sa room None of Murik's weapon collection was on view in either drawing or dining rooany table, polished and kept in ian silver from an exquisite dinner service, every piece of which was riold The Lairds of Murcaldy had obviously lived well for many decades: the table silver and china would, Bond considered, have brought a small fortune in any reputable London auction room

Murik's food matched the outer show: a fine lobster cocktail, prepared individually at each diner's elbow froht consomme with a chicken base, followed by rare rib of beef which alue; and, before the cheese board was circulated, there was one of Bond's favourite Scottish puddings, the delicious cream-crowdie - toasted oatmeal folded into thick whipped creas are best at table,' Anton Murik coh and Glasgow hotels, and yet it's merely an old farmhouse dish'

Bond reflected on a fact he had noted so often in his travels: that the wealthy of today's world take their so-called 'siranted

He was not surprised when the port arrived and the ladies withdrew, leaving the twoof Murik Castle, it seeracious days The servants - there had been twoat table under Donal's eye - withdrew; as did the butler hiars, cutter andperarettes

As he drew out the old and faithful gunh section around the ht flashed through his head that this very case had once saved his life, by stopping a SMERSH assassin's bullet The evidence was in the rough patch, invisible to the eye, on either side of the case For a second he wondered if he would have need of any life-saving devices in this present encounter with the Laird of Murcaldy

'So, you took uplava flow look as Anton Murik faced Bond across the table

'To visit you, yes' Bond watched as Murik expelled a great cloud of cigar save a throaty chuckle 'I know our who lives for danger I smelled that the moment I met you I also felt you have a siers Yes?'

Bond shrugged It was not tiood,' Murik continued 'Only good s - reconnoitring my estate, I mean There may well be a job for you Just stay for a day or two and we shall see Toain, we shall see'

There was a moment's pause, and then Bond asked levelly, 'How did you do it?'

Murik arched his eyebrows in surprise 'Do what?'

'Win the Gold Cup with China Blue?' Bond did not sood trainer How else would I win such a prestigeous cup race? And I had the right horse'

'How?' Bond asked again 'China Blue's forest outsider in the race He even looked like a loser Now I know that's easy enough to do, but you brought it off and there were no questions You have him pulled in his other races?'

Slowly the Laird of Murcaldy shook his head 'There was no need for that China Blue won Fair and square' Then, as though suddenlyup his ' He led the way to a door Bond had not noticed, in a corner on the far side of the dining rooold chain, selected a key and unlocked the door

They went down a cool, well-lit passage which terminated at yet another door, which Murik unlocked with a second key A e book-lined roo a widesome exquisite pieces of antique weaponry On the wall above the desk hung the only painting in the rooe and undeniable Turner

'Genuine?' asked Bond

'Naturally' Murik moved behind the desk andhim 'My inner sanctum,' he commented 'You are honoured to be here at all This is where I work and plan'

Gently Bond drew the chair nearer to the desk Murik was opening one of the drawers He reraphs to Bond 'Tell raphs, Mr Bond'

Bond said they were pictures of China Blue

'Alain: a deep secretive smirk 'They are brothers You see - I will not bore you with the docuo I had a mare in foal, here on the estate I happened to be in residence at the time, and was in at the birth, so to speak Happily I have a vet who kno to keep his , Bond Two identical foals Absolutely identical No expert could have told theh it was obvious to the vet and myself that the second would always be the weaker of the two That is usual in such cases'

He paused for effect 'I registered one only They were fro stock There is one China Blue - the one you saw running at Ascot - with tre The other? Well, he races, but has no speed and little stah still, at four years, you would be hard put to tell the difference in build Now, I've shared a secret with you I a to establish a trust between us But if it ever leaks out, I pro to hear it fro out his gunarettes provided by Q'ute The Laird of Murcaldy had just answered a prize question The man was a cheat and a fraud Franco was in the house, and, for Bond, that was enough M had been right to send him: this was certainly no panic or fool's errand

Quickly he rearettes from the packet and placed them in his case At the sa one of the ss into his hand Murik was still chuckling as he picked up the photographs from the desk As he leaned down to return them to the drawer, Bond slid his hand under the foot-well of the desk, pressing the adhesive side of the bug hard against the ork Now the Laird of Murcaldy's inner sanctum ired for sound

Murik snapped the drawer closed and stood up 'Now, Mr Bond, I suggest you say goodnight to the ladies and retire Your cases are in your room, and tomorroe must all take part in the Games After that you may wish to stay; and I s'

In the drawing roo to Mozart through hidden speakers Bond thought he glimpsed the look of friendly conspiracy on Lavender's face as they entered the roo to warn hiht

The silent Donal had appeared, summoned surreptitiously by Murik, and was instructed to show Bond to the East Guest Rooht Lavender's eyes in his, ware hidden within Of one thing he was certain, she was a living virgin on the rocks - though he ad presumptuous about the first part of that stateet at the receiver in his case and set it up so that any further business transacted by Murik in his inner sanctum could be recorded and listened to at leisure

Donal opened the door, intoning, 'The East Guest Room, sir,' and Bond stepped into an Aladdin's Cave for the passing visitor

9

All mod cons

The roo hidden high up behind pelmets, where there must once have been ornate old picture rails It took Bond a second to realise that there were two rooms and not one; for half of each of the bedroo was ainst the black decor This gave the illusion ofeffect of disorientation Donal spoke just as Bond confirmed, to himself, that an archway led from the bedroom into a bathrooe, sir; otherwise I would have had your clothes unpacked and pressed Perhaps to sharply 'Goodnight, Donal'

'Goodnight, sir' The butler withdrew, and Bond heard a very solid click as the door closed He went over and tried the handle, i he had been correct in his identification of the sound The door was fitted with a remote-controlled electronic lock He was virtually a prisoner At least, he thought, setting the roomy briefcase on a side table, he would not be a prisoner ould be secretly watched or overheard