The Inspector examined the picture which didnat appeal to him. This would explain why Haum had fetched the ladder and the hammer. Having solved that little problem, the Inspector dismissed it from his mind and proceeded to look over the villa. He opened cupboards in the kitchen and in the sitting room, then finding nothing to interest him, he went upstairs, leaving Dong Ham in the hall.

A quick glance into the bathroom showed him everything was in order and he moved down the pa.s.sage to Jaffeas bedroom. He found the door locked. It was unusual, he thought, frowning at the door, to lock a bedroom door and to remove the key. He tapped on the door and listened, but heard nothing. Then he stepped silently to the banister rail and looked down into the hall to make sure Dong Ham was still there, seeing he was, he took a pick-lock from his pocket and unlocked the bedroom door.

He entered the bedroom. The contrast of the stifling pa.s.sage and the cold bedroom made him shiver slightly. He looked at the big clothes closet and his intent black eyes flickered. He tried the door and found it locked. Using the pick-lock, he opened the door.

Dong Ham waiting in the hall, nervously picking at the hard lump of skin on his hand, could hear the Inspector moving about upstairs. The old man watched anxiously. He was quite certain that something very bad had happened to Haum whom he liked.

It was a good half hour before Inspector NgocLinh came down the stairs. Dong Ham watched him come; he could read nothing from the brown, expressionless face.

aI will be returning,a the Inspector said. aIn the meantime no one is to enter the villa, and that includes you. Is that understood?a Dong Ham nodded. He was too frightened to ask the question that was tormenting him.

The Inspector waved him out of the villa, then following him, he locked the back door. He called to the uniformed driver who got out of the car and hurried to his side.

aYou will remain here and see no one enters the villa,a the Inspector said. aYou will let no one see you, unless of course, you have to prevent them entering. I may be two or three hours, but I will return.a Leaving the driver staring suspiciously at Dong Ham who blinked at him uneasily, the Inspector walked to the car and drove rapidly away.

III.

Colonel On-dinh-Khuc, Chief of Security Police, sat in a high-back, heavily carved wooden chair and breathed gently through his wide spread nostrils.

He was a grossly built man with a round hairless head, narrow cruel eyes, thick lips and big flat pointed ears. Half Chinese, half Vietnamese, he had the worst features of both races, both in his nature and in his appearance.

For six years he had controlled Security Police with an iron hand, but there were certain influential politicians who were determined to get rid of him, and this he knew.

They argued that he had long since served his purpose. He had been useful before the regime had been finally established, but his methods were so grossly uncivilized and his mentality so brutal, he could now very easily bring the regime into international disrepute. The sooner he went and a more acceptable man found the better.

This campaign to get rid of him was steadily gaining ground. Colonel Khuc was a man of extravagant tastes and vices. Compulsory retirement was the only thing he feared., Once he was deprived of his office, the large income he extorted from thousands of peasants and Chinese coolies who had reason to fear the police would come to an end. He would have his pension to live on and nothing more. The thought of living at such a reduced scale continually tormented his mind.

This Monday morning, he had been awakened from an opium drugged sleep by a terrified servant who had been forced to do so by Inspector NgocLinh.

Colonel Khuc had told himself that if NgocLinh had come on anything but emergency business he would make him regret his rashness to the end of his days.

He had got out of his silken bed, put on a black silk kimono with a gold dragon embroidered on the back and had moved silently on bare feet into his study where the Inspector was waiting.

Until his servant brought him a gla.s.s of tea and had gone away, Colonel Khuc had ignored the Inspector who stood motionless in front of the vast carved desk.

The narrow black gleaming eyes had finally moved to the Inspectoras face.

aWhat is it?a the Colonel asked softly.

If there was one thing he could do better than another, the Inspector could make a concise report. He had the ability to marshall all the important facts and to bring them out dearly, quickly and in their right order.

Colonel Khuc listened without interruption. From time to time he sipped his tea, but apart from the movement of his thick arm, he sat motionless.

When the Inspector ceased to speak, Colonel Khuc continued to stare at him without seeing him while his brain raced over the facts given to him.

The Viet Minh attack and the kidnapping of the American were matters of routine. They had happened before aand no doubt, they would happen again. Apart from a face-saving show of activity which would lead nowhere, there was nothing the Colonel could do about it.

But why had this American murdered his houseboy?

This was something that would require the most cautious and careful investigation. The American must have had a very good reason to have done such a thing. Before the murder became public news and before the American Amba.s.sador was informed, Colonel Khuc was determined to know what this reason was.

aWhat do we know about Haum?a he asked.

aI came to you immediately, sir,a the Inspector said. aI have had no time to check his record card.a Colonel Khuc rang a bell on his desk. The door opened almost immediately and his secretary, Lam-Than, came in.

Lam-Than was a tiny man with a slight limp. He had been the Colonelas creature for a number of years. It was said that there was nothing too bad, nothing too disgusting, nothing too degrading he wouldnat do for the Colonel. He was feared and hated by all members of the police. It was said it was he who obtained opium for the Colonel; the very young girls who were sacrificed to the Colonelas depravity, and it was he who organized the extortion system that provided the Colonel with his wealth.

This tiny man limped to the Colonelas desk and stood waiting.

aI want all the information you have on Steve Jaffe, an American working with American Shipping and Insurance Corporation; on his houseboy Haum; on his cook, Dong Ham, on Haumas girl, My-Lang-To,a the Colonel said, then turning to the Inspector, he went on, aWait here.a He left the room, followed by Lam-Than who ignored the Inspector.

When the door closed, the Inspector remained motionless, aware of the real possibility that one of the Colonelas spies was watching him through some concealed peephole.

He remained motionless for twenty minutes, then Colonel Khuc returned, showered, shaved and wearing an immaculate lounge suit.

The time by the ornate gold desk clock was five minutes past six.

aWe will go to the Americanas villa,a Khuc said. At this moment Lam-Than came in.

aYou will come with me,a Khuc said. The three men went out to the Inspectoras car. Khuc and Lam-Than got in the back while the Inspector slid under the driving wheel.

At this hour only the coolies and the market vendors were moving on the sidewalks. No one paid any attention to the black Peugot as it swept along the empty streets.

Khuc said, aWhat do we know about Haum?a aHe was a good citizen,a Lam-Than said. aHe was studying political science. He was a supporter of the regime. He has never been in debt. We have nothing against him.a aWas he a h.o.m.os.e.xual?a aMost definitely not. We have absolutely nothing against him.a Colonel Khuc frowned. His first thought had been that Haum and this American had had an unnatural a.s.sociation, Haum had attempted blackmail and the American in a fit of rage had killed him. Obviously, it wasnat as simple as that.

aThe cook?a aHe is a very old man and he has had nothing to do with politics for the past twenty years. At one time he was cook to the French Amba.s.sador during the French regime. He is suspected to pro-French tendencies, but we have nothing further against him.a Colonel Khuc stroked his fat, flat nose and looked sideways at Lam-Than who was staring at the back of Inspector NgocLinhas head.

aAnd the girl?a aPolitically nothing. However, there is a rumour that her father has had incestuous relations with her. This is probably true. Her father is a degenerate.a Again Colonel Khuc stroked his nose.

aSo we would have a reasonable excuse to get rid of these two?a aYes, we could get rid of them,a Lam-Than said. The Inspector, listening to this conversation, moved uneasily. There were times when he wished he did not have to work for Security Police.

aNow tell me about the American,a the Colonel said.

aHe follows closely to the usual American pattern,a Lam-Than said. aHe drinks too much. He chases women. He is non-politically educated. He has been divorced. He is short of money. He goes often to the Paradise Club to satisfy his s.e.xual appet.i.te.a aNothing else?a Lam-Than shrugged his shoulders.

aHe is an American. There is nothing else.a aHe isnat a h.o.m.os.e.xual?a aNo.a The Colonel frowned.

Then why did he kill the boy? he asked himself. What could be the reason?

There was silence in the car for the few remaining minutes before it pulled up outside Jaffeas villa.

The long street was deserted, and after a quick look to right and left, Colonel Khuc got out of the car and hurried up the drive with the Inspector and Lam-Than at his heels.

The Inspector was pleased that his driver didnat show himself. He led the others around to the back door where the driver was standing with his back against the cookhouse door which was closed.

As soon as the driver saw the Colonel he came to attention and stood rigid, his eyes round with fright.

aHas anyone been here?a the Inspector asked.

aA girl,a the driver said, scarcely able to form his words so great was his fear of the Colonel. aHer name is My-Lang-To. She wanted me to enter the villa. I have locked her and the old man in the manas sleeping quarters.a aDid she say why she wanted you to enter the villa?a aShe said something has happened to her fiance. She is sure he is in the villa.a The Inspector looked at the Colonel for guidance.

aThat is all right,a the Colonel said. aI will speak to her when I am ready.a To the Inspector he said, aWe will go inside.a The Inspector unlocked the back door and led the way into the sitting room.

The Colonel and Lam-Than looked around the room. Lam-Than immediately walked over to the smashed drinking gla.s.s on the floor and stared at it.

The Inspector said, aHe was probably drinking when something happened to startle him and the gla.s.s slipped out of his hand.a Lam-Than looked at him, his evil face sneering.

aSurely that is obvious,a he said. aWhat would be more helpful is to know what happened to make the gla.s.s slip out of his hand.a aIs that the picture the American and the boy put on the wall?a the Colonel asked, pointing to the picture. aIt is a poor thing. Why should he want to hang such a thing on his wall?a aAmericans have very little taste,a Lam-Than said. aThe picture probably reminded him of a girl with whom he has had an a.s.sociation.a aHad he any particular girl?a the Colonel asked, turning to the Inspector.

aI donat know, sir, but I will find out,a the Inspector replied.

aDo so. It could be important.a Lam-Than was moving around the room like a cat that smells a mouse.

aThere is a lot of plaster dust here,a he said. aHave you observed that, Inspector?a He bent down and made a long mark with his finger on the floor that revealed the floor was covered with dust. He straightened and stared at the picture, then he looked at the Inspector. aPlease do me the favour of leaving the room,a he said, his acid voice suddenly sharp.

The Inspector stiffened. He looked at Colonel Khuc who waved him away. He went out of the room and closed the door behind him.

aWhat is it?a the Colonel asked, looking at Lam-Than with glittering eyes.

Lam-Than pulled a chair close to the wall on which the picture hung. He got up on the chair and lifted the picture down.

Both men stared at the hole in the wall for a long moment. Then Lam-Than put the picture against the wall and put his hand inside the hole. He groped around for a moment then withdrew his hand, shrugging.

aThere is nothing there now,a he said and stepped off the chair.

The Colonel went over to an armchair and lowered his bulk into it. He took from his pocket a gold cigarette case, selected a cigarette and lit it with a gold and jade cigarette lighter.

aWhat was in it,a he asked.

Lam-Than smiled. It was a crooked sour smile, but at least it was a smile.

aYou expect miracles, Colonel, but I could make a guess.a aGuess then.a aDo you know who once lived in this villa?a aWhy should I?a Khuc began to lose patience. aDo you?a Lam-Than inclined his head.

aA Chinese woman. Her name was Mai Chang. She was once the mistress of General Nguyen Van Tho.a The Colonel stiffened, then he slowly levered his bulk out of the chair.

aYou mean the diamonds were hidden there?a His voice was a whisper. Every muscle in his gross body was tense.

Lam-Than smiled at him.

aIt seems likely, Colonel, doesnat it?

For a long moment Colonel Khuc stared at his secretary. Then his lips moved off his white teeth in a wolfish smile.

aSo thatas why he killed the boy,a he said, half to himself. aOf course. I would have killed him myself.a There was a pause, then Lam-Than said in his matter-of-fact voice, aThe thing we must find out is whether the American has really been kidnapped or is hiding a" with the diamonds.a aYes,a the Colonel said, nodding his bald head. aThat is obviously something we should find out.a aAnd if he is hiding, with the diamonds,a Lam-Than went on, awe must find him and persuade him to give us the diamonds. It is said they are worth two million American dollars. That is a useful sum: a sum any man could happily retire on.a he looked intently at Colonel Khuc who stared back at him. aCertain mouths, of course, will have to be silenced; the cook and the girl. We shall have to find the American. The Inspector can find him, but it may be necessary after silencing the American, to silence the Inspector too.a Colonel Khuc stroked his smooth shaven jowls. His gross yellow face split into a genial smile.

aAs usual your reasoning is impeccable. I will leave the matter in your hands. See to it.a Lam-Than rehung the picture and put the chair back in its original position.

At the Colonelas signal, he opened the door and beckoned to the waiting Inspector.

chapter six.

I.

The six a.m. Thudaumot-Saigon bus banged and jolted along the highway to Saigon. It was ladened with market produce that crowded its roof and sprouted out of the windows. Peasants, in their black working dress, were crammed into the bus like sardines in a tin. They clutched onto their wares, giggling nervously as each jolt of the bus threw them violently against their neighbours.

Crushed between a fat old woman clinging to a large basket of cut sugar cane and an evil-smelling old man holding six brushes made of duck feathers, Nhan endured the jolting ride.

She was scarcely aware of the discomfort. Her mind and her slight body was frozen in terror as she thought back on the events of the night.

The cycle ride to Thudaumot had been a nightmare experience. During the last long mile, Steve had had to push her; her legs had become so weak it had been impossible for her to turn the pedals any longer.

How thankful she had been to enter her grandfatheras house! How kind the old man had been to her! He had seen her terror and had soothed her, holding her in his arms, a.s.suring her there was nothing to be so frightened about.

While she had told him about Steve who had waited outside, her grandfather had continued to hold her, running his hand over her hair and petting her as he used to do when she had been very young until she had felt quite secure again and no longer terrified.

Then Steve had come in and he and her grandfather had talked while she rested in the other room, staring up at the dark ceiling while she listened to the low drone of their voices.

Her grandfather had come in to her after some time. He had said he would shelter Steve. There was nothing for her to worry about. Steve would now talk to her, but he wanted her to know she need not be frightened. He would take good care of her lover and he wanted her to know that he thought the big American would make her a most suitable husband.

He had smiled, patting her hand.

aI never thought the day would come when I should have such good news of you. There is no future in this country for you. It is only in America that you will find prosperity. There is, of course, still much to arrange, but it will come out right in the end. You will have to exercise patience and courage. You must remember that nothing worthwhile comes easily.a Then Steve had been impatient and curt, but Nhan had made allowances. He was in bad trouble and very worried. She didnat expect kindness from him. Naturally, he had to think of himself.

He had told her she must get back to Saigon as quickly as possible. He had already asked her grandfather about the buses back. There was one at six oaclock a" in an houras time. She must go on that. On no account must she tell her mother or her uncle or her three brothers where she had been.

Nhan sat huddled up against the wall, staring at Steve while he talked. Cold terror again paralysed her mind. She kept nodding her head as he talked, trying to appear to be listening intelligently. She wanted so desperately to be strong and win Steveas approval, but she could see, as he talked to her, there was that exasperated, angry expression that came to his face whenever he talked to her about anything she didnat grasp immediately.

aAre you listening?a he demanded. aDonat sit there, for Peteas sake, looking like a d.a.m.n mesmerized rabbit! All you have to tell them is we went to the river, we talked and I took you home at eleven oaclock. I drove away and you havenat seen me since. Thatas simple enough, isnat it?a Was it? She thought with hopeless despair of her mother and her uncle when she tried to persuade them to believe that she had slept in her bed from eleven onwards when they would know she hadnat slept in her bed at all. Her uncle was a simple and difficult man. He always waited up for her until she returned from Paradise Club. She knew she would have to talk for hours before there was a hope of persuading him that she had been in bed by eleven. Unless she told him the truth, and that was unthinkable, she didnat think she could convince him.