He looked at her.
'We have to find her, Mary... this man will find her'
She made a savage little movement with her hands.
'And then ... what?'
'It is possible he will be able to persuade her...'
'Oh, for God's sake! Persuade her? Gillian? How can any man persuade a little fiend like that!' She got to her feet and began to move around the big room, beating her fists together. 'Gan't you realise she is determined to ruin us! Why did I have to produce such a child! Listen, Henry . . . you must give up the election. At least, if you withdraw, we can keep our social life intact, but once those filthy films get into the wrong hands ... how can we face anyone and who would want to see us again?'
Sherman got wearily to his feet. He crossed over to the telephone, consulted his pocket address book, then dialled Dorey's home number in Paris.
'Who are you calling?' Mary demanded shrilly.
'Dorey. He may have news for us.'
Dorey was in bed, asleep, when the sound of the telephone bell woke him. He became instantly awake and alert.
'Is that you, Dorey?' He recognised Sherman's voice.
'Yes ... you've got back all right?'
'All right... have you any news for me?'
'Yes... some good... some bad. I must be careful. We are talking over an open line.' There was a pause, then he went on,
'You remember Uncle Joe?'
Sherman stiffened.
'Of course ... what is this, John?'
'His nephews are now interested. Mr Cain was recognised as he left Orly. Joe's nephews know Mr Cain and I met.'
Sherman's face went slack with shock. Watching him, Mary jumped to her feet in alarm.
'What is it, Henry?'
He waved her to silence.
'Do they know about the movie?' he asked Dorey.
'I don't think so, but they are curious. My man has been alerted.'
'Well, go on... what else?'
'My man is going to Garmisch ... he should be on his way in an hour or so,' Dorey said. 'He has received information that the party you are interested in is there.'
'Garmisch... Germany? Are you sure?'
'Yes. The party is staying at the Alpenhoff Hotel'
'Do you think your man can handle this?'
'If he can't, no one can.'
'Then I suppose I must accept this situation . . . I'm not happy about it, but I am relying on you.'
I will do my best, sir.' Dorey's voice sounded flat. Sherman's obvious lack of confidence hurt him. 'I will telephone you again,' and he hung up.
Sherman slowly replaced the receiver and then turned and looked at Mary.
'A Russian agent recognised me at Orly and now the Russians are on to this.'
Mary's hand went to her mouth; her face became waxen.
'You mean they know about these filthy films?'
'Not yet, but they are investigating. This man Girland has located Gillian at the Alpenhoff Hotel, Garmisch.'
'Garmisch? What is she doing there?'
Sherman shrugged impatiently.
'How do I know? Girland is on his way there now.'
Mary suddenly pounded her clenched fists on the back of the settee.
'What can a man like that do? God! I wish the little bitch was dead!'
Sherman shifted uneasily.
'You'd better know, Mary... I ran into Radnitz in Paris of course, he recognised me.'
Mary stared at him, her steel-blue eyes widening.
'Radnitz? He recognised you?'
'Yes. It was one of those things... I told him what was happening.'
'You mean you told him about Gillian and these filthy films?'
' I had no alternative.'
Mary dropped onto the settee.
'Henry! Radnitz only thinks about this contract! You were mad to have told him. Now he will blackmail you!'
Sherman looked patiently at her.
'You're being stupid. Radnitz can't expect the contract unless I am President. He is ready to help me.' He crossed to the cocktail cabinet, made himself a stiff whisky and soda, then came and sat down again.
'Radnitz help you?' Mary's voice was shrill. 'You can't believe a man like that would help anyone!'
'Mary . . . just a moment ago you said you wished Gillian was dead... do you mean that?' Sherman asked, not looking at her.
She sensed the question was serious. For a long moment, she sat still, her fact expressionless.
Finally, she said, 'If she was dead, you would become the President of the United States. If she remains alive and continues to blackmail us, you won't become the President... so ... yes ... I suppose I do wish she was dead.'
Sherman stared down at his hands.
'Radnitz said the same thing. He said he could arrange it. I -1 told him to go ahead ... I was worked up, but before he takes action, I wanted to talk to you... then if you agree, I have to tell him where to find her.' He stroked the back of his neck, staring out of the window. 'He knows where she is, of course. He knows everything, but if I tell him she is at the Alpenhoff Hotel at Garmisch, he will know this is my okay for him to get rid of her.'
Mary leaned forward, her eyes glittering.
'Well, what are you waiting for?' she demanded. 'We have fought and fought to come this far. Why should our ambitions and our way of life be ruined because we have been unlucky enough to have spawned this hateful, spiteful animal. Call Radnitz and tell him where she is!'
Sherman moved in his chair. His shaking hands went over his sweating face.
'She is our daughter, Mary.'
'Call him!'
They stared at each other for a long moment, then Sherman shook his head.
'No! We can't do this, Mary. We can't!'
'And the Russians? Suppose they find out about this degenerate animal? We can't allow ourselves to be blackmailed by such a creature. She must be silenced!'
Sherman made a helpless gesture.
'Suppose we wait until Girland finds her. He might just possibly talk some sense into her.' He got to his feet. 'I'm going to bed.'
'Yes...' Mary looked strangely at him. Her eyes were remote. 'The Alpenhoff Hotel, Garmisch... you said?'
'Yes.'
'And where is Radnitz?'
Sherman hesitated.
'Georges V, Paris.' He looked away from her. 'Why do you ask?'
