Assignment Madeleine Read Online Free PDF Page A

him.
    “I’ll consult with my people about it, he said. And find
out if they really want L’Heureux returned here. For my part, your Army people
in Marbruk can stand him up against a wall and shoot him out of hand, if the
evidence is correct and he killed Boston.”
    “But we do not know anything for certain,” Brumont objected.
“And then we would lose what lies in L’Heureux’ head about the rebels. You
understand how important it is to know all we can about them. “
    Durell nodded. “The girl still troubles me, though.”
    “I have arranged passage for both of you on the plane
leaving at seventeen hours for Algiers. ”
    “Just what have you told her about me?”
    “Only that you are L’Heureux superior sent to investigate the
serious charges against Nothing more.”
    “Even that may he too much.”
    Brumont spread his fat hands. An intelligent woman must he
given some grains of truth in the pill she must swallow.”
    “She will never trust me,” Durell objected.
    “No. Do not expect her to. It is the game we play, to become
knowledgeable at the expense of the enemy. ‘We lie, cheat, steal, and kill. We
do these things as a bookkeeper does his additions every day.”
    Durell made no final decision. A gendarme knocked on
the door and reported to Brumont that the search for the gunmen had failed.
Durell returned to the main salon. The fashion show was over, and the big room
was deserted. He lit a cigarette and touched the slightly pulsing bruise on his
forehead. His head ached. It was one o'clock, and Deirdre would be waiting
around the corner at Jacques’ bistro.
    He had more than one reason to visit Jacques, however.
     
    Chapter Four
    MADELELNE SARDELLE was waiting in her dressing room when he
returned there. The girl had propped up one of the larger fragments of broken
mirror and was combing her long red hair. She did not pause or turn when he
entered. Her pale gray eyes met Durell’s in the mirror and she nodded, and
Durell closed the door behind him. She had changed into a slim tailored suit,
and a tan raincoat was at hand.
    He ignored his French. “Do you speak English, mademoiselle?”
    “A little. Well enough, I think. Is it necessary?”
    “It may be, later on.”
    She put away the comb and pursed her mouth to apply
lipstick. “Brumont has told you all about me, I presume.”
    “Some of it. We are in the same business and we are to
collaborate.”
    She moved her lips to smooth the lipstick. “You are not a
stupid man. You know I am badly frightened. I wish to be out of this business,
as you call it. Those men would have done unpleasant things to me, given the
opportunity. They want to know about L’Heureux. Brumont no longer trusts me, I
know. And I don’t trust you. In a way, it is a fair enough basis for our mutual
effort.”
    Durell smiled. “You’re very frank.”
    “Do you think so?”
    “Not really. A fine actress, let’s say.”
    She laughed, stood up, and took his arm. “Then we are
agreed. You distrust me. I distrust you. I am not very fond of Americans, you
know. I saw too many of them, years ago, in Africa. You expect me to—what is
it, double-cross? Yes. And you take me for a foolish woman who is in love with
the wrong man. You condescend toward me. But perhaps for the moment we can
arrange a truce. You are taking me to
Marbruk, are you not?”
    “If you wish.”
    “I am ordered there by Brumont. It will be interesting to
have you as a traveling companion and—collaborator?
    “Let’s call it a truce until the plane, then. At five
o’clock.”
    They went out into the hallway. The two policemen on duty
there stepped aside to let them leave. Durell was very conscious of the girl’s
spectacular beauty. He was also aware of the wire-tight condition of her
nerves. Under her smile were taut little muscles and faint smudges that
cosmetics couldn’t hide.
    “Do you mind,” she said,   we stay together until we are on the plane? I have a few things to
pack—you may