“He went to Washington. But I sure wish he were here.”
The banker’s twin-engined private plane arrived from New York City forty minutes later. Mr. Provard was driven to the Swifts’ office in the Administration Building. Tom, Bud, and Harlan Ames were on hand to meet him.
“I realize this decision comes as a blow,” Provard began, when all were seated. “But after you hear what has happened, I think you’ll agree there’s nothing else we can do. You recall meeting Schuyler Grane, one of my three partners in the project, when you were up at the lodge?”
“Yes,” said Tom and Bud.
“Well, he flew to Kabulistan two days ago to confer on financial details of the project,” Provard went on. “Last night he was kidnaped from his hotel.”
THE FURTIVE JEWELER 121
“What!” Tom and his friends were shocked.
Ames bent forward sharply. “Any idea who’s responsible?”
“None at all,” Provard replied. “I received the news by cable from the Kabulistan government this morning. Then, a short time later, I received an anonymous phone message.”
The caller had warned that unless the Kabulistan technical aid project were completely abandoned, Provard’s partner would never be seen alive again. There also would be further deadly reprisals.
Provard paused, took off his gold-rimmed glasses, and polished them nervously. His normally twinkling blue eyes were clouded with worry. “You understand I simply cannot go on. Schuyler Crane is not only my partner in this project-he’s an old, dear friend. His wife and family are already crushed by this terrible news.”