'They're children,' he said, making a herding motion towards the steps. 'Nice children, but children. Not just lazy and careless: they cannot see the idea that very much effort is required if you want to make something even a little good. When I tell them that the deck-housing would fall when the first decent wave hits it, they want to say, 'Perhaps, but be nice, Mr Litsas. See how beautiful we have made the bunks.' That's Greece for you, I'm sorry to say: people that don't try hard enough. But I mustn't bore you with this grumbling. What brings you to Greece, Mr Bond? You're on holiday?'
'No, I'm afraid not.'
Litsas caught the tone at once. 'I hope there's no trouble? If I can- '
'There's trouble all right. We desperately need your help, Mr Litsas.'
'We? Love trouble?'
'I wish it were. Ariadne and I are fighting an international conspiracy which is threatening England and Russia and probably Greece too. I'm sorry to sound melodramatic, but- '
'I don't care what you sound, Mr Bond.' Litsas had stopped dead on the pavement opposite the cafe. His eyes and voice were full of hostility. 'I've finished with politics altogether, and in any case I would never help the... the faction you represent. Now you must excuse me.'
He started to move away. Bond stepped into his path. 'I swear to you I'm not a Communist. I'm on your side.'
'Several Communists have said to me almost those exact words. The last one tried to kill me ten minutes afterwards.'
Ariadne intervened. 'Niko, I promise you that if my father came here and knew what we know he'd ask you to do all you could do to help us.'
This increased Litsas's anger. 'My dear young lady, it's most wrong that you bring the major into this business. And stupid. I don't admire you.'
'Listen to me, Mr Litsas,' said Bond desperately. 'Our cause is just and we're in deadly earnest about it. I give you my word for that as an Englishman.'
'You do, yes?' Some of the fire left Litsas's manner. 'That doesn't mean as much as it has done, to most people. To me... well, I'm sentimental, I suppose. Very good, Englishman, I agree to hear your story. I promise nothing more.'
With no more said they reached the cafe and sat down at one of the little oblong marble-topped tables - plastic had yet to find its way here. The speckled wall-mirrors did what they could to give an illusion of roominess. There, amid a buzz of chatter, among games of backgammon and what looked like gin-rummy, over cup after cup of scalding Turkish coffee, Bond gave the full account, all the way from Quarterdeck to the fire at Thomas's shop. Litsas's eyes never left Bond's face. At the end he sat for a full two minutes perfectly relaxed, without a hint of the fidgeting of hands and feet so curiously common in Greek men. When he spoke his tone was cold and measured.
'So it comes to this. You and Ariadne want me to take you to some island of which the name she won't say. There, something she calls an _event__' - the deep voice grew contemptuous - 'will take place, if it isn't prevented by some enemies. A British chief of Security has been kidnapped by the same enemies and may be made use of to damage British interests. When you get there you may think what to do next. At the moment it's clear that you have no plan. And not a very good story either. I'm sorry - I can introduce you to dozen people who will charter to you a yacht and crew to go to the islands. If you're so fussy. There are public steamers which- '
Bond interrupted brusquely. He had settled in his mind on a force of three as an absolute minimum for the task in hand and he felt sure that this man was the best available for making up the number. 'Look,' he said, 'that line of talk won't get any of us anywhere. What do you imagine is at stake for you is this? Do you think Ariadne and I have told you all this because we're out to steal one of your boats? What are you afraid of?'
'That's enough from you, Mr Bond, I won't stand- '
It was Ariadne's turn to cut in. 'Niko. Listen to me. One fact, or almost certain fact. Von Richter is involved.'
She got her effect. Litsas snarled like a wild animal. '_To pousti! To thrako, to __... That... savage! The butcher of Kapoudzona! Come on, Ariadne, I must know more. How was this found out?'
'He was seen quite accidentally by a guy who was a resistance fighter. The man told the local Party chief, and so on. We got the news yesterday.'
'So? He's in Greece. Nothing strange in that. Those German bastards are coming back here always, to enjoy in peace the beautiful country they began to love while they were burning our villages and shooting our men and sometimes also our women and children. He was on his way to Kapoudzona to enjoy his pleasant memories.'
'No. He was making inquiries about boats to... the place of the event. Yesterday we hadn't thrown away the idea that it might be coincidence. Lots of people go to this place in the summer. But I don't think now it can be coincidence. Do you?'
'No,' said Litsas grimly. 'No, I don't.' He took a deep breath and looked from one to the other with the beginnings of a grin. 'All right. You've caught your fish. I'll do anything you say. It's time for a change for me. Don't think I believe completely, though. This sweet girl here might still be lying when she tells me about von Richter. But perhaps she tells the truth and that's enough for me. I'd go halfway round the world for a chance in ten of seeing that squarehead in my sights.'
Bond's heart had lifted in relief, in exultation. He said, 'How soon can we leave?'
'Soon. We'll take the _Altair__. She's a fifty-footer with a Diesel. Strong. Not easy to be noticed. Do you know anything of boats, James?'
'A bit. I spent a lot of summer holidays years ago in a converted Brixham trawler.'
'You'll be useful, then.' Litsas turned authoritative. 'Right. If things were different you could cross the road and eat clams at Diasemos, but you must put up with what I bring you. The _Altair__ is moored along by the clock- tower. Panamanian flag. Next to a big Yankee thing for millionaires. The two of you go on board now and remain out of sight until we sail. Do you think you were followed from the hotel?'
