“You wouldn’t.” Sarah kissed his cheek and turned to Martineau. “And you, Harry, what do you wish?”
“One day at a time is all I can manage.” He finished the champagne. “My God, that tastes awful.” He put down the glass. “I’ll go and get Kelso now. Be ready to leave when I get back, Sarah.”
He went out, got into the Kubelwagen and drove away, taking the track down through the wood. At the same time, two hundred yards to the right, the Citroen carrying Muller and Greiser moved along the road to de Ville Place and turned into the courtyard.
In the bedroom, Sarah put on her hat and coat, turning to check in the mirror that her stocking seams were straight. She freshened her mouth with lipstick and made a face at herself in the mirror. “Goodbye, little French tart, it’s been nice knowing you.”
At that moment she heard a car outside and glanced out of the window and saw Muller get out of the Citroen. It was trouble, she knew that instantly. She opened her handbag. The PPK was in there but also the little Belgian automatic Kelly had given her. She lifted her skirt and slipped the smaller gun into the top of her right stocking. It fit surprisingly snugly. She smoothed down her coat and left the room.
Muller was in the hall talking to Helen, Greiser over by the entrance. Guido was standing by the green baize door leading to the kitchen. As Sarah came down the stairs, Muller looked up and saw her.
“Ah, there you are, mademoiselle,” Helen said in French. “Captain Muller was looking for the Standarten-fuhrer. Do you know where he is?”
“I’ve no idea,” Sarah said continuing on down. “Is there a problem?”
“Perhaps.” Muller took her handbag from her quite gently, opened it and removed the PPK which he put in his pocket. He handed the bag back to her. “You’ve no idea when he’ll be back?”
“None at all,” Sarah said.
“But you are dressed to go out?”
“Mademoiselle Latour was going to take a walk in the grounds with me,” Guido put in.
Muller nodded. “Very well, if the Standartenfuhrer isn’t available, 111 have to make do with you.” He said to Greiser. “Take her out to the car.”
“But I protest,” Sarah started to say.
Greiser smiled, his fingers hooking painfully into her arm. “You protest all you like, sweetheart. I like it,” and he hustled her through the door.
Muller turned to Helen who managed to stay calm with difficulty. “Perhaps you would be good enough to tell Stan-dartenfuhrer Vogel on his return that if he wishes to see Mademoiselle Latour, he must come to the Silvertide,” and he turned and walked out.
Kelso was doing quite well with the crutches. He made it to the Kubelwagen under his own steam, and Gallagher helped him into the rear seat. “Nice going, me old son.”
Martineau got behind the wheel and Guido emerged from the trees on the run. He leaned against the car, gasping.
“What is it, man?” Gallagher demanded.
“Muller and Greiser turned up. They were looking for you, Harry.”
“And?” Martineau’s face was very pale.
“They’ve taken Sarah. Muller says if you want to see her, you’ll have to go to the Silvertide. What are we going to do?”
Get in!” Martineau said and drove away as the Italian and Gallagher scrambled aboard.
He braked to a halt in the courtyard where Helen waited anxiously on the steps. She hurried down and leaned in th® Kubelwagen. “What are we going to do, Harry?”
Til take Kelso up to September-tide to connect with Baum. If worse comes to worst, they can fly off into the blue together. Baum knows what to do.”
2PO
“But we can’t leave Sarah,” Kelso protested.
“I can’t,” Martineau said, “but you can, so don’t give me a lot of false sentimentality. You’re what brought us here in the first place. The reason for everything.”
Helen clutched his arm. “Harry!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll think of something.”
“Such as?” Gallagher demanded.
“I don’t know,” Martineau said. “But you keep out of it, that’s essential. We’ll have to go.”
The Kubelwagen moved away across the yard, and the noise of the engine faded. Gallagher turned to Guido. “Get the Morris out and you and I’ll take a run down to the Silvertide.”