shouldn't pull out now.'
'That involves a risk also, Captain,' Boussier pointed out.
'We know there are tribesmen in close proximity to the town. They have
been seen. They must be aware of your arrival, and might easily have
wrecked the lines to prevent our departure. I think your original
decision is still good.'
'I know.' Bruce was hunched forward in his chair, frowning, sucking on
the cheroot. At last he sat back and the frown evaporated. 'I can't risk
it. I'll place a guard on the causeway, and if this Moses gentleman
arrives we can hold him there long enough to embark your people.'
'That is probably the best course,' agreed Boussier. He paused, glanced
towards the open windows and
lowered his voice. 'There is another point, Captain, which I wish to
bring to your attention.'
'Yes?'
'As you know, the activity of my company in Port Reprieve is centred on
the recovery of diamonds from the Lufira swamps.' Bruce nodded.
'I have in my safe' - Boussier jerked his thumb at the heavy steel door
built into the wall behind his desk - 'nine and a half thousand carats
of gem-quality diamonds and some twenty-six thousand carats of
industrial diamonds.'
'I had expected that.' Bruce kept his tone non-committal.
It may be as well if we could agree on the disposition and handling of
these stones.' 'How are they packaged?' asked Bruce.
'A single wooden case.'
'Of what size and weight?'
'I will show
you.' Boussier went to the safe, turned his back to them and they heard
the tumblers whirr and click. While he waited Bruce realized suddenly
that Shermaine had not spoken since her initial greeting to Boussier.
He glanced at her now and she smiled at him. I like a woman who knows
when to keep her mouth shut.
Boussier swung the door of the safe open and carried a small wooden case
across to the desk.
'There,' he said.
Bruce examined it. Eighteen inches long, nine deep and twelve
wide. He lifted it experimentally.
'About twenty pounds weight,' he decided. 'The lid is sealed.'
'Yes,' agreed Boussier, touching the four wax imprints.
'Good,' Bruce nodded. 'I don't want to draw unnecessary attention to it
by placing a guard upon it.'
'No, I agree.' Bruce studied the case a few seconds longer and then he
asked: 'What is the value of these stones?' Boussier shrugged. 'Possibly
five hundred million francs.' And Bruce was impressed; half a million
sterling. Worth
stealing, worth killing for.
'I suggest, monsieur, that you secrete this case in your luggage.
In your blankets, say. I doubt there will be any danger of theft until
we reach Msapa Junction. A thief will have no avenue of escape. Once we
reach Msapa junction I will make other arrangements for its safety.'
