Bond 04 - Diamonds Are Forever Read Online Free PDF Page A

just be a question of improvising. Then he remembered the jewellery firm. ‘What about this House of Diamonds lead the Treasury dreamed up? Seems a long shot. Any views?’
    ‘Quite honestly I hadn’t bothered with them.’ There was apology in Vallance’s voice. ‘I checked on this man Saye, but again it’s a blank except for his passport details. American. 45. Diamond merchant. And so on. He goes to Paris a lot. Been going once a month for the last three years as a matter of fact. Probably got a girl there. Tell you what. Why not go along and have a look at the place and at him? You never can tell.’
    ‘How would I set about that?’ asked Bond dubiously.
    Vallance didn’t answer. Instead he pressed a switch on the big intercom on his desk.
    ‘Yes, Sir?’ said a metallic voice.
    ‘Send up Dankwaerts at the double, please Sergeant. And Lobiniere. And then get me the House of Diamonds on the telephone. Gem merchants in Hatton Garden. Ask for Mr Saye.’
    Vallance went and looked out of the window at the river. He took a cigarette lighter out of his waistcoat pocket and flicked at it absent-mindedly. There was a knock on the door and Vallance’s staff secretary put his head in. ‘Sergeant Dankwaerts, Sir.’
    ‘Send him in,’ said Vallance. ‘Hold Lobiniere until I ring.’
    The secretary held open the door and a nondescript man in plain-clothes came in. His hair was thinning, he wore spectacles and his complexion was pale. His expression was kindly and studious. He might have been any senior clerk in any business.
    ‘Afternoon, Sergeant,’ said Vallance. ‘This is Commander Bond of the Ministry of Defence.’ The sergeant smiled politely. ‘I want you to take Commander Bond to the House of Diamonds in Hatton Garden. He will be “Sergeant James” of your staff. You think the diamonds from that Ascot job are on their way out to the Argentine through America. You will say so to Mr Saye, the top man there. You will wonder if it is possible that Mr Saye has heard any talk from the other side. His New York office may have heard something. You know, all very nice and polite. But just look him in the eye. Put as much pressure on as you can without giving any grounds for complaint. Then apologize and leave and forget all about it. All right? Any questions?’
    ‘No, Sir,’ said Sergeant Dankwaerts stolidly.
    Vallance spoke into the intercom and a moment later there appeared a sallow, rather ingratiating man wearing extremely smart plain-clothes and carrying a small attaché case. He stood waiting just inside the door.
    ‘Good afternoon, Sergeant. Come and have a look at this friend of mine.’
    The Sergeant came and stood close up to Bond and politely turned him towards the light. Two very keen dark eyes examined his face minutely for a full minute. Then the man stepped away.
    ‘Can’t guarantee the scar for more than six hours, Sir,’ he said. ‘Not in this heat. But the rest’s all right. Who is he to be, Sir?’
    ‘He’s to be Sergeant James, a member of Sergeant Dankwaerts’s staff.’ Vallance looked at his watch. ‘Only for three hours. All right?’
    ‘Certainly, Sir. Shall I go ahead?’ At Vallance’s nod, the policeman led Bond to a chair by the window, put his small attaché case on the floor beside the chair and knelt down on one knee and opened it. Then, for ten minutes, his light fingers busied themselves over Bond’s face and hair.
    Bond resigned himself and listened to Vallance talking to the House of Diamonds. ‘Not until 3.30? In that case would you please tell Mr Saye that two of my men will be calling on him at 3.30 sharp. Yes, I’m afraid it is rather important. Only a formality of course. Routine inquiry. I don’t expect it will take up more than ten minutes of Mr Saye’s time. Thank you so much. Yes. Assistant Commissioner Vallance. That’s right. Scotland Yard. Yes. Thank you. Goodbye.’
    Vallance put back the receiver and turned towards Bond. ‘Secretary says Saye