Elene braced herself against the dashboard and turned her head to look at Wolff.
For a split second he was stunned with shock. His eyes went to Vandam then to Billy. then back to Vandam, and she saw in his expression first incomprehension, then astonishment, then fear. She knew he was thinking about. The incident on the train, and the Arab boy at the railway station, and the kafflyeh that covered the taxi driver's face; and then she saw that he knew, he had understood it all in a flash.
The car was screeching to a halt, throwing the passengers forward. Wolff regained his balance. With a rapid movement he threw his left arm around Billy and pulled the boy to him. Elene saw his band go inside his shirt, and then he pulled out the knife.
The car stopped.
Vandam looked around. At the same moment, Elene saw, his hand went to the side slit of his galabiya-and froze there as be looked into the back seat. Elene turned too.
Wolff held the knife an inch from the soft skin of Billy's throat. Billy was wild-eyed with fear. Vandam looked stricken. At the corners of Wolffs mouth there was the hint of a mad smile.
'Damn it,' Wolff said. 'You almost had me.'
They all stared at him in silence.
'Take off that foolish hat,' he said to Vandam
Vandam removed the kafflyeh.
'Let me guess,' said Wolff. 'Major Vandam' He seemed to be enjoying the moment. 'What a good thing I took your son for insurance.'
'It's finished, Wolff,' said Vandam 'Half the British Army is on your trail. You can let me take you alive, or let them kill you.'
'I don't believe you're telling the truth,' Wolff said. 'You wouldn't have brought the Army to look for your son. You'd be afraid those cowboys would shoot the wrong people. I don't think your superiors even know where you are.'
Elene felt sure Wolff was right, and she was gripped by despair. She had no idea what Wolff would do now, but she felt sure Vandam had lost the battle. She looked at Vandam, and saw defeat in his eyes.
Wolff said: 'Underneath his galabiya, Major Vandam is wearing a pair of khaki trousers. In one of the pockets of the trousers, or possibly in the waistband, you will find a gun. Take it out.'
Elene reached through the side slit of Vandam's galabiya and found the gun in his pocket. She thought: How did Wolff know? And then: He guessed. She took the gun out.
She looked at Wolff. He could not take the gun from her without releasing Billy, and if he released Billy, even for a moment, Vandam would do something.
But Wolff had thought of that. 'Break the back of the gun, so that the barrel falls forward. Be careful not to pull the trigger by mistake.' She fiddled with the gun.
Wolff said: 'You'll probably find a catch alongside the cylinder.'
She found the catch and opened the gun.
'Take out the cartridges and drop them outside the car.'
She did so.
'Put the gun on the floor of the car.'
She put it down.
Wolff seemed relieved. Now, once again, the only weapon in the picture was his knife. He spoke to Vandam 'Get out of the car.'
Vandam sat motionless.
'Get out,' Wolff repeated. With a sudden precise movement he nicked the lobe of Billys ear with the knife. A drop of blood welled out.
Vandam got out of the car.
Wolff said to Elene: 'Get into the driving seat.'
She climbed over the gear stick.
Vandam had left the car door open. Wolff said: 'Close the door.' Elene closed the door. Vandam stood beside the car, staring in.
'Drive,' Wolff said.
The car had stalled. Elene put the gearshift into neutral and turned the key. The engine coughed and died. She hoped it would not go. She turned the key again; again the starter failed.
Wolff said: 'Touch the accelerator pedal as you turn the key.'
She did what he said. The engine caught and roared.
'Drive,' Wolff said.
She pulled away.
'Faster.'
She changed up.
Looking in the mirror she saw Wolff put the knife away and release Billy. Behind the car, already fifty yards
