'Test your knot,' he told Sonja.
'It's tight.'
'Throw the briefcase into the water-throw it as far out as you can.' She heaved the briefcase over the side. It splashed a couple of yards away from the houseboat-it bad been too heavy for her to throw far-and went down. Slowly the rope followed the case. The length of rope between Smith and the case became taut, then the body went under. Wolff watched the surface. The knots were holding. He kicked his legs, underwater where the body had gone down: they did not contact anything. The body had sunk deep.
Wolff muttered: 'Liebe Gott, what a shambles.'
He climbed on deck. Looking back down, he saw that the pink tinge was rapidly disappearing from the water.
A voice said: 'Good morning!'
Wolff and Sonja whirled around to face the towpath.
'Good morning!' Sonja replied. She muttered to Wolff in an undertone: 'A neighbor.'
The neighbor was a half-caste woman of middle age, carrying a shopping basket. She said: 'I heard a lot of splashing-is there anything wrong?'
'Urn ... no,' Sonja said. 'My little dog fell in the water, and Mr. Robinson here had to rescue him.'
'How gallant!' the woman said. 'I didn't know you had a dog. 'He's a puppy, a gift' 'What kind?'
Wolff wanted to scream: Go away, you stupid old woman 'A poodle,' Sonja replied.
'I'd love to see him.'
'Tomorrow, perhaps-he's been locked up as a punishment now.'
'Poor thing.'
Wolff said: 'I'd better change my wet clothes.'
Sonja said to the neighbor: 'Until tomorrow.'
'Lovely to meet you, Mr. Robinson,' the neighbor said.
Wolff and Sonja went below.
Sonja slumped on the couch and closed her eyes. Wolff stripped off his wet clothes.
Sonja said: 'It's the worst thing that's ever happened to me.
'You'll survive,' Wolff said.
'At least it was an Englishman.'
'Yes. You should be jumping for joy.'
'I will when my stomach settles.'
Wolff went into the bathroom and turned on the taps of the tub. When he came back Sonja said: 'Was it worth it?'
'Yes.' Wolff pointed to the military papers which were still on the floor, where he had dropped them when Smith surprised him. 'That stuff is red-hot-the best he's ever brought us. With that, Rommel can win the war.'
'When will you send it?'
'Tonight, at midnight.'
'Tonight you're going to bring Elene here.'
He stared at her. 'How can you think of that when we've just killed a man and sunk his body?'
She stared at him defiantly. 'I don't know, I just know it makes me feel very sexy.'
'My God.'
'You will bring her home tonight. You owe it to me.'
Wolff hesitated. 'I'd have to make the broadcast while she's here.'
'I'll keep her busy while you're on the radio.'
'I don't know-'
'Damn it, Alex, you owe me!'
'All right.'
'Thank you.'
Wolff went into the bathroom. Sonja was unbelievable, he thought. She took depravity to new heights of sophistication. He got into the hot water.
She called from the bedroom: 'But now Smith won't be bringing you any more secrets.'
'I don't think we'll need them, after the next battle,' Wolff replied.
'He's served his purpose.'
He picked up the soap and began to wash off the blood.
