What the hell do you want? Kane demanded.
Selim fingered the silver half of the curved jambiya at his belt. Skiros sent me, he said. I have come for the package.
Then you can bloody well go back to Skiros and tell him to come himself, Kane said. Im particular who I have on my boat.
One day you will go too far, Selim said softly. One day I may have to kill you.
Im frightened to death.
The Arab controlled his anger with difficulty. The package.
Kane pulled the Colt from his waistband and cocked it. Get off my boat.
In the sudden dangerous silence which followed, a cask boomed hollowly from across the harbour as a labourer rolled it along the wharf. Selims hand tightened over the hilt of his jambiya, and Kane took a quick pace forward, lifted a foot and pushed him back over the low rail.
The two Arab seamen who were sitting at the oars of the heavy rowing boat hastily pulled their master over the stern, where he sprawled for a moment, coughing up water, sodden robes clinging to his body.
Kane stood with a foot on the rail, the Colt held negligently in one hand. For a moment Selim glared up at him and then he snapped his fingers and the two oarsmen pushed off from the launch, faces expressionless.
On the other side of the rusty freighter at the jetty, a large, three-masted dhow was moored, which Kane recognized as Selims boat, the Farah. The rowing boat moved slowly towards it and, after watching for a few moments, he turned from the rail.
Piroo shook his head slowly and his face was troubled. That was a bad thing to do, Sahib. Selim will not forget.
Kane shrugged. Let me worry about that. He yawned lazily as the tiredness took hold of him again. I think Ill sleep for a while. Let me know when Skiros turns up.
Piroo nodded obediently and squatted on the deck, his back against the rail, as Kane went below.
He pushed the Colt back under the pillow, poured himself a drink, and then lit a cigarette and went to the bunk. He lay with his head against the pillow, staring at the roof of the cabin, watching the blue smoke twist and swirl in the current from the air conditioner, and thought about Selim.
He was well known in every port from the Red Sea to the Persian Gulf. He traded in anything that would make him a profit gold, arms, even human beings. That was the part of his activities which Kane couldnt stomach. There was still a heavy demand for slaves, particularly female, in most Arab countries. Selim did his best to satisfy that demand. His speciality was young girls.
Kane wondered how Selim would react if the Farah happened to meet with an accident one dark night. It could be simply arranged. A charge of that plastic water-proof explosive he had used on the salvage job at Mukalla would do the trick. It was a pleasant thought.
His eyes closed and the darkness moved in on him.
He had slept for no more than an hour when a gentle pressure on his shoulder caused him to awaken. Piroo was standing by the bunk.
Kane pushed himself up on one elbow. What is it Skiros?
The Hindu nodded gravely. He is waiting on the jetty, Sahib.
Kane swung his legs to the floor, stood up and stretched. Okay, youd better bring him across in the dinghy.
He went up on deck, the Hindu at his heels. Skiros was standing on the edge of the jetty, his face shaded by a large Panama hat. He was wearing a soiled white linen suit, and a slight breeze lifted from the water against him, moulding his grotesque figure.
As Piroo dropped down into the dinghy and sculled rapidly towards him, the Greek raised his malacca cane and called cheerfully, Is it safe for me to come across? Ive already had one bath today.
Kane waved a hand. Ill have a drink waiting for you.
He watched Skiros negotiate the iron ladder pinned to the side of the jetty and safely step into the dinghy, and then he went below. He had just finished mixing two gin-slings when the dinghy bumped against the hull of the launch. A moment later Skiros creaked heavily down the stairs and entered the cabin.
He flopped into a chair with a groan. Why the hell do you have to anchor your boat in the middle of the harbour? Why cant you tie up at one of the jetties like everybody else?
Sweat stained his jacket in great patches and trickled along the folds of his fat face. He produced a red silk handkerchief and mopped the worst of it away, then removed his Panama and proceeded to fan himself. His hair was shiny with pomade and carefully combed, and his tiny black eyes sparkled with cunning.
Kane handed him one of the drinks. You should know me by now. I dont trust anybody in this damned town. Lets say I prefer to have a moat around me.
Skiros shook his head. Crazy Americans. I shall never understand you. He sipped appreciatively at his drink and then placed it carefully on the table. I believe you had a little trouble with Selim?
Kane lit a cigarette. I wouldnt call it trouble. I simply tossed him off my boat. Since when has he been working for you, anyway?
The Greek shrugged, and took his time over lighting an oily black cheroot. I find him useful, now and then. He does the odd trip to India for me when its necessary. I only sent him this afternoon because I was busy with something else.
Kane frowned. Well, dont send him again. I dont like his smell. I once picked up four slaves he dumped overboard three miles out in the Gulf when a British gunboat was on his heels.
Skiros shrugged and raised one hand in a gesture of submission. All right, so you dont like the way he makes his money, but take a tip from me. Hes lost a lot of face over the way you treated him this afternoon. From now on Id be extremely careful if I were you.
Kane pushed the oilskin package across the table. Lets get down to business.
Skiros produced a clasp knife and proceeded to cut open the package carefully. Did you have any trouble?
Kane shook his head. I was at the rendezvous just after midnight. The boat was late, and OHara was drunk as usual. Guptas was in charge. He told me something interesting.
What was that?
They saw the Catalina about thirty miles out, off-loading from a Portuguese freighter.
Skiros laughed. So Romeros developed sticky fingers too. That is interesting. What about customs when you came in?
Kane shrugged. No trouble there. Gonzalez didnt even come on board. All that business with the oil can under the keel was a waste of time.
Skiros shook his head. Nothing is a waste of time in this work. One day, when you least expect it, he will take it into his head to perform his duties conscientiously. He removed the outer wrappings of the package as he spoke, and revealed a neat stack of Indian rupees.
As Skiros counted the bundles, Kane shook his head. Ill never understand this racket. Gold smuggled into India, rupees smuggled out.
Skiros smiled. Its all a question of exchange. In this modern world it is really so easy to make money. One doesnt need to steal at all. His face was shiny with sweat once more. He held his hands lightly over the stack of bank-notes and sighed. Ah, my friend, if you knew the effect money has on me. When I moved here from Goa six months ago Id no idea what a gold mine the place is.
Kane poured himself another drink. Why dont you try spending some of it once in a while?
Kane poured himself another drink. Why dont you try spending some of it once in a while?
Skiros shrugged. I started life on a mountain farm in northern Greece. The fields were more stones than soil. My mother was an old woman at twenty-five, and one year, when the crops failed in the drought, my two sisters died of starvation. It is something I have never forgotten. That is why I live only to make money. I gloat over the size of my bank balance. I begrudge every penny I have to pay out.
Kane grinned. While were on the subject of paying out, Ill take my cut now. Dollars as usual, if you dont mind.
Skiros laughed so that the flesh trembled on his huge body. But I would never forget you, my friend. After all, you are an essential part of my whole organization. The king-pin, I believe you call it.
Skip the flattery and lets have the cash, Kane said.
Skiros produced a bulging wallet and proceeded to count out hundred-dollar bills. His hands were sweating, and he placed each bill reluctantly upon the table. When he had reached twenty, he paused, then added five more. There you are, my friend, he said. We agreed on two thousand, but I give you a bonus of five hundred dollars. Let no man say Skiros does not reward good service.
Kane swept the bills into the table drawer. You old spider. You know damned well, most of it will come back to you, either over the bar at your hotel or across the gambling tables.
Skiros laughed again, his face crinkling so that the eyes almost disappeared, and pushed himself to his feet. Now I must go. He moved to the door and then paused. But I am forgetting some important news. He turned slowly. A woman came in from Aden on the boat this afternoon. An American named Cunningham Mrs Ruth Cunningham. Extremely pretty. She has been asking for you.
Kane stiffened, a surprised frown crossing his face. I dont know anyone called Cunningham.
Skiros shrugged. She appears to know you, or to know of you at least. She is staying at my hotel. I told her I would be seeing you, and she asked me to give you a message. She would like you to come to the hotel. She said it was most important.
Kane still frowned down at the table, leaning forward, his weight on his hands. After a slight pause Skiros said, You will come?
Kane straightened up and nodded. Sure, Ill come. Ill be there some time this evening.
Skiros nodded. Good, I shall tell her. He smiled. Dont look so worried. Perhaps she is only a tourist. Maybe she wishes to charter your boat to go spear-fishing along the reef.
Kane nodded slowly. Yes, youre probably right. But he didnt believe that was the reason not for a moment and, after Skiros had gone, he went back to the bunk and lay staring at the ceiling, groping back into the past, trying to place Ruth Cunningham. But it was no good. The name meant nothing to him.
He glanced at his watch. It was just after three, and for a little while longer he lay there; then, with a sigh of exasperation, he swung his legs to the floor and started to dress.
He pulled on his faded denims and a sweat-shirt and went up on deck. Piroo was lounging against the rail, head bowed against his chest so that only the top of his white turban was visible. Kane stirred him slightly with one foot, and the Hindu came awake at once and rose easily to his feet. Im going ashore, Kane said. What about you?
Piroo shrugged. I think not, Sahib. Later, perhaps. I will row you across to the jetty and then return with the dinghy. It would be wiser. Selim might return.
Kane nodded. Maybe youve got a point. If he does, youll find my Colt underneath the pillow. Dont hesitate to use it. Ive got more friends round here than he has.
He dropped over the side into the dinghy, and Piroo took the oars and pulled rapidly towards the crumbling stone jetty. When they reached it, Kane stepped on to the iron ladder and climbed it quickly. As his eyes drew level with the top of the jetty, he saw a woman sitting on a large stone a few feet away, watching him.
He moved forward and she got to her feet and came to meet him. She was dressed in an expensive white linen dress, a blue silk scarf was bound round her head, peasant-fashion, and she wore sunglasses.
When she removed them, he recognized her at once as the woman he had met on the Kantara the previous night.
She smiled uncertainly, and there was puzzlement in her voice. You again! But I was looking for Captain Kane Captain Gavin Kane.
Thats me, he said. Youll be Mrs Cunningham. What can I do for you?
She frowned and shook her head in bewilderment. Mr Andrews, the American Consul in Aden, advised me to look you up. He told me you were an archaeologist. That you were an expert on Southern Arabia.
He smiled slightly. I presume, you mean I dont look the part. Andrews was right on both counts. I am an archaeologist among other things, and I do know something about Southern Arabia. In what way can I help you?
She stared out over the harbour, a slight frown on her face, and then she turned and looked at him coolly from steady grey eyes. I want you to find my husband, and Im willing to pay highly for your services.
He reached for a cigarette and lit it slowly. How high?
She shrugged and said calmly. Five thousand dollars now and another five when, and if, you find him.
For several moments they stood looking at each other and then he sighed. Lets discuss this over a cold drink. I know just the place. And he took her arm, and they went along the jetty to the waterfront.
5
They didnt talk much on the way to the hotel. Ruth Cunningham replaced her sunglasses and gazed about her with obvious interest, and Kane employed the time in studying her.
As they turned off the jetty and moved along the waterfront, he decided that Skiros had been wrong. She was not pretty she was beautiful. The long slim lines of her were revealed to perfection by the simple linen dress as she walked. It had been a long time since he had talked to a woman like her to a woman of his own kind.
The hotel was a tall, slender building with a crumbling façade and one narrow entrance that fronted on to the street. Inside, an ancient fan slowly revolved in the stifling heat, and he led the way across the entrance hall and into the bar.
There was no one there and the French windows which gave access to the terrace outside, creaked in the slight breeze from the harbour. Ruth Cunningham removed her sun glasses and frowned.
Isnt there any service in this place?
Kane shrugged. There isnt a great deal of action around here. Most people sleep during the afternoon. They figure its too hot to do anything else.
She smiled. Well, they say travel broadens the mind.
He went behind the bar. Why dont you go and sit on the terrace while I get you a drink? Theres a wind coming in from the sea. You might find it a little cooler.
She nodded, walked out through the French windows and sat down in a large cane chair shaded by a gaudy umbrella. Kane opened the ancient icebox that stood under the bar and took out two large bottles of lager, so cold the moisture had frosted on the outside. He knocked off the caps on the edge of the zinc-topped bar, poured the contents into two tall, thin glasses and went out to the terrace.
She smiled up at him gratefully when he handed her the glass, and quickly swallowed some of the beer. She sighed. Id forgotten anything could be so cold. This place is like a furnace. Frankly, I cant imagine anyone living here from choice.