'Drugs. And money, of course. Lots of pretty pounds.'
'Pharmaceutical drugst' Stanton laughed. 'The odd lot now and then. But
we generally handle drugs in their more elementary state.
Morphine base, poppies, ether, coca paste ...
'Narcotics are the basis of Herr Horn's empire?'
'No, no. He's ninety percent legitimate now. But our little joint
venture provides him with quite a bit of untraceable cash.
That's a valuable commodity in the business world, as you probably know,
rarer and rarer these days.'
'I see.'
'Don't think 'legitimate' carries any great moral weight, though.
Alfred brokers chemicals to Iraq for weapons, conventional arms to the
third world, nuclear and computer technology to half a dozen maniac
governments-it makes the narcotics business look like a bloody jumble
sale.'
'So what exactly do you want from me?' Ilse asked warily.
Stanton stepped close to her. 'I want to know what the old man's
planning,' he@ whispered. 'Something big is in the works, and I think
he's, going to let you io on it. The old bird's got the idea you're
some kind of avatar of Teutonic womanhood. He's mad about you.'
'No,' Ilse said quickly, fighting a strong feeling that Stanton's words
were true. 'You're wrong.'
'Spare me, Fraulein. I can see it.'
Ilse moved to leave, but Stanton barred the door. 'If you find out
anything,' he said, 'you come see me. I can help
you.
Ilse tried to pass, but Stanton remained in front of her. 'If you
don't,' he warned, 'neither you nor your husband will get out of this
house alive, I guarantee it.'
Ilse stopped trying to pass and looked into, Stanton's eyes.
'What do you mean?'
'Nothing at all, love. But you think about it. Do you really believe
that one-eyed madman brought you all the way here just to send you
smiling back to Germany? Five thousand bloody miles?'
Ilse shook her head in denial.
'Come on, Frdulein, you're no fool.' Stanton caught Ilse's shoulders
and drew her tight against him. 'I'll tell you something else for
free,' he said heavily. 'Alfred's got the right idea, but he's much too
old for you.'
He pressed his mouth hard against hers. Ilse twisted her head away
roughly. 'Let go of me! Let me go!'
Stanton groped for her breasts. Truly frightened now, Ilse caught his
arms and tried to push him away. Just as he got one hand free and
raised it to strike, someone flung open the door. Tall and menacing,
the Bantu housekeeper fixed her impenous gaze on the Englishman. 'Time
for bed, Madam,' she said in a dangerous voice.
'Yes-yes, thank you, Linah,' Ilse stammered.
'Bloody wog,' said Stanton. 'You ought to keep out of where you're not
wanted. I'm going to talk to Master about YOU.'
Her face unchanging, Linah pulled the door shut and led Ilse to her
bedroom.
'Thank you,' Ilse said again.
Linah looked deep into her eyes. 'Careful with the English, Madam,' she
said in her deep voice. 'He is spoilt, and does not understand 'no.'
Ilse listened hopefully as Linah shut the door, but the lock clicked
fast.
Back in the dining room, Alfr@ Horn addressed Smuts liked a general
briefing his adjutant before a battle.
'The airstrip extension?'
'One hundred feet to go, sir. They finished the southeast end at dusk.
It should set up fine by tomorrow night.'
'Is the basement secure?'
'Tight as a Zulu drum.'
'What about the conference room video cameras? We must have a record of
this meeting. Our fallback plan depends on it.'
'All four cameras loaded and in position, sir.'
'Any questions for me, Pieter?'
'What about the policeman in the basement? Lieutenant Luhr.'
Horn's face hardened. 'He's fine where he is until after the meeting.'
'And the girl?'
'I'm quite taken with her, Pieter. I've asked her to sit in tomorrow
night as my secretary.'
'What!' '
'No arguments,' Horn said. 'I've decided.
'But the Arabs won't stand for a woman there!'
Horn smiled. 'What can they say? I am the only man who possesses the
commodity they want. They certainly can't afford to make trouble about
a secretary.'
Smuts shook his head. 'What about Stanton? He's getting insufferable.'
'I agree,' said Horn. 'But you should have known his grandfather,
Pieter, a visionary. It's a good thing he's not around to see his
their.'
Smuts grunted in agreement.
'Let Robert take this last delivery, Pieter. TWO million rand in gold
bullion is worth waiting for, I think. Then he's yours.' @ Smuts
grinned a death's-head.
'Less than twenty-four hours now,' Horn intoned. 'The wheels are in
motion.' He looked up. 'Take me to the study, Pieter. I want to sit
by the fire.'
'Should I get the chair?'
'No. I feel strongTonight I walk like a man.'
'A man among men, sir,' Smuts said reverently.
'Thank you, Pieter. The last of a breed, it's true.'
Together the two men-one ancient, the other in his mid-forties-set out
upon the long journey to the study, where the old one would await the
dawn with bright, unsleeping eyes.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
g.'30 A.m. Horn House: The Northern Transvaal Ilse had no warning of the
horror to come. She had awakened several times during the night, but
