Fata Morgana Read Online Free PDF

his way to this salon, it’s because he senses some kind of game is afloat. Looking for a piece of it himself. And there’s the fox.
    Picard moved nearer to the darkly tanned figure posturing himself against one of the Grecian pillars. The man’s slow and languid gestures had apparently hypnotized the young woman who stood with him, for she stared in fascination as he spoke to her, and seemed to sway gently, among the plants and vines that surrounded her swarthy host. A Moroccan bandit, reflected the Inspector, if you saw him strolling through Pigalle...
    But here, with the gold drapes, the attendant butlers, the velvet suit he wears—transformation. A man of mystery, whose eyes look deep into our souls, into our secrets. And if he looks too deeply, if he perchance perceives a little indiscretion in our private life, why for just a small sum of money he’ll keep your secret to himself.
    “...I would say, Countess Lydiatt, that your body is becoming more sensitive to astral influences... you have begun to sense them in the air about you...”
    “But it’s true, Monsieur Lazare, every word! I’ve felt that way for the whole season...” The girl blushed, lowering her eyes momentarily, and the fox smiled indifferently, as if Countess Lydiatt’s most intimate feelings were of only passing interest to him. But then he brought his jeweled fingers to his chin, supporting his head with a sudden thoughtfulness, as his strangely dazzling eyes grew
    brighter. “You were visited by an important dream, very recently, something of great urgency...”
    The girl’s eyes opened wide, matching the fox’s, and Picard turned away in disgust, toward the buffet table once more. Tell him your dreams, Countess. Pour your whole story into his lap.
    Picard was served another cracker of caviar. The redheaded man at the end of the table was still nodding enthusiastically over Duval’s bogus portfolio. “Yes, it sounds good. A good investment. I like the ring of it, a touch of adventure, eh?” The man smiled. Picard tried to see the cover of Duval’s portfolio, saw only the word
     
    Eldorado
     
    “Shall we meet for lunch tomorrow?” Duval took off his glasses, rubbed them with a silk handkerchief, his eyes clear and innocent as a lamb’s. “At my club...”
    “The Industrialist’s, is it?”
    “Yes, will two o’clock be convenient?”
    “That’s fine,” said the red-headed man. “And then later perhaps you could come to our place for supper? Suzette was asking for you. She’d especially like to see you again, and hear more about the mine. She’s fascinated by Africa, you know.”
    Picard came directly beside the two men, pretending to be absorbed in the selection of a morsel of cheese. Duval has hooked the fellow completely. But if I have anything to say about it, monsieur, your money will not go out the window, and Duval here will go into a cell once more. “Excuse me,” said Picard. “I could not help overhearing you gentlemen.” He nodded to the investment portfolio. “You were discussing a gold mine?” He put his hand into his jacket, producing his card. “Paul Fanjoy, Africa Oyster Bed.”
    Duval studied the card for a moment, then looked up with a smile at the large bluish-white orb which adorned Picard’s tie pin. “Pearls, Monsieur Fanjoy?”
    “My main business is in the coastal waters,” said Picard. “But I’m always looking for another African investment. I know there’s gold on the mainland, and plenty of it.”
    “Paul Fanjoy,” said Duval, looking at the card again. “I cannot place the name, Monsieur Fanjoy, but your face is familiar.”
    “Your club is the Industrialist’s? I’ve been there.”
    “And you shall be there tomorrow,” said Duval. “You’ll join Monsieur Bonnat and me for lunch, and we can discuss the mine in greater detail.” Duval handed the portfolio to Picard. “Perhaps you know the region...”
    Picard studied the map, traveling along a spidery blue thread of