Crantor went over to the Bentley: apart from a buckled rear wing there seemed nothing the matter with the big car. He opened the door, slid under the driving wheel and started the engine. He shifted the gear lever and moved the car a few yards, then cut the engine and came back. 'It's all right.'
'Then we'll use it. It will be safer, and they will go with us. The police won't think of looking for me in a British car with three other people in it. Get those boxes out of the Cadillac and put them in his car. Then get the Cadillac off the road. Hurry!'
While Alsconi continued to cover Lorelli and Don, Crantor transferred the boxes into the boot of the Bentley. He put his and Alsconi's suitcases in beside them.
He returned to the Cadillac, released the parking brake, then going around to the front of the car, he leaned his weight against the bonnet. The car moved, its back wheels dropped off the road, and it crashed down the steep bank and ended up some fifty yards down the hill against an olive tree.
'You will drive, Mr Micklem,' Alsconi said. 'You will take me with all possible speed to Civitavecchia.' He looked at Lorelli. 'You will sit beside him. If either of you make a move to attract attention, I shall shoot you. Do you understand?'
'You're not going to get far,' Don said. 'You're just kidding yourself if you think you're going to get away.'
Listening, Crantor thought the same.
'Get in the car!' Alsconi snarled.
Don and Lorelli walked over to the Bentley; the other two followed. They got in the car and Don started the engine. He turned the car and headed back to Siena.
The time was now a few minutes to one o'clock. They had a hundred and twenty miles to cover to reach the port. The roads would be deserted. Alsconi reckoned they should arrive by half-past three.
'Lombardo should be sleeping on board,' he said to Crantor, 'but if he isn't we will not be able to wait for him. Can you handle the boat?'
'I can try,' Crantor said doubtfully. 'I haven't handled a big motor-boat before, but I'm pretty good with engines.'
'Don't talk like a fool,' Alsconi snarled. 'You would have to navigate the boat. Could you get me to Monte Carlo?'
'No,' Crantor said. 'I don't know anything about navigation.'
Alsconi thought for a moment: this could be a disaster if Lombardo wasn't on board and it was unlikely that he would be.
He leaned forward and tapped Don on his shoulder.
'Can you handle a boat? If you can and if you can get me to Monte Carlo I will refrain from shooting you when we reach Civitavecchia.'
'That's comforting news,' Don said dryly. 'I'll take you there on condition that Lorelli and I take the boat back after I've landed you.'
'Certainly,' Alsconi said and smiled in the dark. 'You would of course give me your word not to tell the police that you have landed me at Monte Carlo?'
'Of course,' Don said gravely, knowing Alsconi would never let him go free.
'Then let's get on,' Alsconi said and sat back.
It was striking three o'clock as Don drove along the sea road into Civitavecchia.
'Stop for a moment,' Alsconi said. 'There are a few details to be arranged.'
Don pulled up.
'There is the guard at the harbour who may ask questions. I know most of the guards,' Alsconi said, 'but we may be unlucky.
Have your gun ready.' He looked at Crantor. 'I will open the window and speak to the guard. If he seems suspicious, shoot him. You have a silencer?'
'No,' Crantor said.
'I have. Take my gun and give me yours.' As Crantor appeared to fumble for his gun, he said, 'There may be more than one guard.' 'There won't be at this hour.'
Crantor had slipped his gun out of sight by his side and now with one hand, and it wasn't easy, he was unloading the gun.
'Give me your gun!' Alsconi snapped. 'Why are you keeping me waiting?'
'It is caught in the lining of my pocket.' 'You shouldn't have kept it in your pocket, you fool!' Alsconi snarled.
'Hurry!'
You won't be calling me a fool much longer, Crantor thought savagely as he jacked the bullet out of the breech. He handed the empty gun to Alsconi and took the .45 that was equipped with a silencer.
'You two in front say nothing,' Alsconi said, snatching Crantor's gun from his hand. 'I shall shoot Lorelli through the head if you make a false move. Now, drive to the harbour entrance. It's straight ahead, and across the railway lines.'
Don engaged gear. During the drive to Civitavecchia, he had been trying to think of a way to catch these two off their guard, but as long as they had guns in their hands, there was nothing he could do. He was confident his chance would come when he got on the motor launch. Crantor, he decided, was the dangerous one for he was active and his movements were quick. He was sure he could take Alsconi by surprise, but not Crantor.
