jamesclavell.noblehouse-第214部分

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　〃Ah　yes。　Marlowe。〃　She　saw　his　eyes　change　slightly。　〃You're　still　on　for　tomorrow？〃
　〃Oh。　Oh　yes。　Is　it　weather　permitting？〃
　〃Even　if　it's　raining。　Lunch　anyway。〃
　〃Great。　The　dock　at　ten　sharp。　Which's　your　box？〃　She　noticed　an　instant　change　which　he　tried　to　hide。
　〃I　don't　have　one。　I'm　not　a　steward。　Yet。　I'm　a　fairly　permanent　guest　at　the　Blacs　box　and　from　time　to　time　I　borrow　the　whole　place　for　a　party。　It's　down　the　corridor。　Would　you　care　to　e　by？　Blacs　is　an　excellent　bank　an…　〃
　〃Ah　but　not　as　good　as　the　Vic；〃　Johnjohn　called　out　good…naturedly　as　he　passed。　〃Don't　believe　a　word　he　says；　Casey。　Congratulations！　Good　joss　to　get　the　first。　See　you　both　later。〃
　Casey　watched　him　thoughtfully。　Then　she　said；　〃What　about　all　the　bank　runs；　Quillan？　No　one　seems　to　care　…　it's　as　though　they're　not　happening；　the　stock　market's　not　crashing；　and　there's　no　pending　doom。〃
　Gornt　laughed；　conscious　of　the　ears　that　were　tuned　to　their　conversation。　〃Today　is　race　day；　a　rarity；　and　tomorrow　will　take　care　of　tomorrow。　Joss！　The　stock　market　opens　10：00　a。m。　Monday　and　next　week　will　decide　a　lot　of　fates。　Meanwhile　every　Chinese　who　could　get　his　money　out；　has　it　in　his　fist；　here　today。　Casey；　it's　your　turn。〃
　She　collected　her　money。　15　to　one。　150　HK。　〃Hallelujah！〃　Gornt　collected　a　vast　bundle　of　red　notes；　15；000。　〃Hey；　fantastic！〃
　〃Worst　race　I've　ever　seen；〃　a　sour　American　voice　said。　〃Hell；　it　was　fantastic　they　didn't　bust　the　jockey　and　disallow　the　win。〃
　〃Oh　hello；　Mr。　Biltzmann；　Mr。　Pugmire。〃　Casey　remembered　them　from　the　night　of　the　fire。　〃Bust　who？〃
　Biltzmann　stood　in　the　place　line。　〃Stateside　there'd　be　an　objection　a　mile　wide。　ing　into　the　straight　out　of　the　last　bend　you　could　see　Excellent　Day's　jockey　pull　the　bejesus　out　of　her。　It　was　a　fix　…　he　wasn't　trying。〃
　Those　in　the　know；　the　very　few；　smiled　to　themselves。　The　whisper　in　the　jockeys'　rooms　and　trainers'　rooms　had　been　that　Excellent　Day　wasn't　to　win　but　Winner's　Delight　would。
　〃e　now；　Mr。　Biltzmann；〃　Dunross　said。　Unnoticed；　he'd　heard　the　exchange　as　he　was　passing　and　had　stopped。　〃If　the　jockey　wasn't　trying；　or　if　there　was　any　tampering；　the　stewards　would　be　on　to　it　at　once。〃
　〃Maybe　it's　okay　for　amateurs；　Ian；　and　this　little　track　but　on　any　professional　track　at　home；　Excellent　Day's　jockey'd　be　banned　for　the　rest　of　his　life。　I　had　my　glasses　on　him　all　the　time。〃　Biltzmann　sourly　collected　his　place　winnings　and　stomped　off。
　Dunross　said　quietly；　〃Pug；　did　you　see　the　jockey　do　anything　untoward？　I　didn't　watch　the　race　myself。〃
　〃No；　no　I　didn't。〃
　〃Anyone？〃　Those　nearby　shook　their　heads。
　〃Seemed　all　right　to　me；〃　someone　said。　〃Nothing　out　of　the　ordinary。〃
　〃None　of　the　stewards　queried　anything。〃　Then　Dunross　noticed　the　large　roll　of　notes　in　Gornt's　hand。　He　looked　up　at　him。　〃Quillan？〃
　〃No。　But　I　must　tell　you　frankly　I　find　that　berk's　manner　appalling。　I　hardly　think　he'd　be　a　proper　addition　to　the　Turf　Club。〃　Just　then　he　saw　Robin　Grey　go　past　to　place　a　bet　and　smiled　at　a　sudden　thought。　〃Excuse　me；　will　you？〃　He　nodded　politely　and　walked　off。　Casey　saw　Dunross　watching　the　roll　of　notes　that　Gornt　put　into　a　pocket　and　was　inwardly　aghast　at　the　momentary　look　on　his　face。
　〃Could　Biltzmann　。。。　could　he've　been　correct？〃　she　asked　nervously。
　〃Of　course。〃　Dunross　put　his　full　attention　on　her。　〃Fixing　happens　everywhere。　That's　really　not　the　point。　There's　been　no　objection　from　any　of　the　stewards　or　jockeys　or　trainers。〃　His　eyes　were　slate　gray。　The　small　vein　in　his　forehead　was　pulsating。　〃That's　not　the　real　point　at　issue。〃　No；　he　was　thinking。　It's　a　matter　of　bloody　manners。　Even　so；　calm　yourself。　You　have　to　be　very　cool　and　very　calm　and　very　collected　this　weekend。
　All　day　he　had　had　nothing　but　trouble。　The　only　bright　moment　had　been　Riko　Anjin　Gresserhoff。　But　then　AMG's　last　letter　had　once　more　filled　him　with　gloom。　It　was　still　in　his　pocket　and　it　had　told　him　that　if　by　chance　he　had　not　destroyed　the　original　files；　to　heat　a　dozen　specified　pages　that　were　spread　throughout；　the　secret　information　written　in　invisible　ink　on　these　pages　to　be　passed　privately　to　the　prime　minister　or　the　current　head　of　MI…6；　Edward　Sinders；　personally　…　and　a　copy　given　to　Riko　Anjin　in　a　sealed　envelope。
　If　I　do　that　then　I　have　to　admit　the　files　I　gave　him　were　false；　he　thought；　weary　of　AMG；　espionage　and　his　instructions。　God…damnit；　Murtagh　doesn't　arrive　till　later；　Sir　Geoffrey　can't　call　London　till　4：00　p。m。　about　Tiptop　and　Brian　Kwok　and；　Christ　Jesus；　now　some　rude　bastard　calls　us　all　amateurs　。。。　which　we　are。　I'll　bet　a　hundred　to　a　bent　hatpin　Quillan　knew　before　the　race。
　At　a　sudden　thought　he　said　casually；　〃How　did　you　pick　the　winner；　Casey？　With　the　proverbial　pin？〃
　〃Peter　gave　it　to　me。　Peter　Marlowe。〃　Her　face　changed。　〃Oh！　Do　you　think　he　heard　it　was　fixed？〃
　〃If　I　thought　that　for　a　moment；　the　race　would　have　been　set　aside。　There's　nothing　I　can　do　now。　Biltzmann　。。。〃　Suddenly　he　gasped　as　the　idea　hit　him　in　all　its　glory。
　〃What's　the　matter？〃
　Dunross　took　her　arm　and　led　her　aside。　〃To　get　your　drop　dead　money　are　you　prepared　to　gamble？〃　he　asked　softly。
　〃Sure；　sure；　Ian；　if　it's　legal。　But　gamble　what？〃　she　asked；　her　innate　caution　uppermost。
　〃Everything　you've　got　in　the　bank；　your　house　in　Laurel　Canyon；　your　stock　in　Par…Con　against　2　to　4　million　within　thirty　days。　How　about　it？〃
　Her　heart　was　thumping；　his　obvious　excitement　sweeping　her。　〃Okay；〃　she　said　and　then　wished　she　hadn't　said　it；　her　stomach　fluttering。　〃Jesus！〃
　〃Good。　Stay　here　a　second。　I'll　go　and　find　Bartlett。〃
　〃Wait！　Is　he　part　of　this？　What　is　this；　Ian？〃
　He　beamed。　〃A　modest　business　opportunity。　Yes；　Bartlett's　essential。　Does　that　make　you　change　your　mind？〃
　〃No；〃　she　told　him　uneasily；　〃but　I　said　I　wanted　to　get　my　。。。　my　stake　outside　of　Par…Con。〃
　〃I　haven't　forgotten。　Wait　here。〃　Dunross　hurried　back　into　his　box；　found　Bartlett　and　brought　him　back；　led　the　way　down　the　bustling　corridor　to　the　Struan　kitchen；　greeting　people　here　and　there。　The　kitchen　was　small；　busy　and　sparkling。　The　staff　paid　no　attention　to　them。　A　door　opened　into　a　tiny　private　room；　carefully　soundproofed。　Four　chairs；　a　table　and　phone。　〃My　father　had　this　constructed　during　his　tenure　…　lots　of　business　is　done　at　the　races。　Sit　down　please。　Now〃　…　he　looked　at　Bartlett　…　〃I've　a　business　proposal　for　you；　for　you　and　Casey　as　individuals；　outside　of　our　Par…Con　deal；　nothing　to　do　with　the　Par…Con…Struan　proposal。　Are　you　interested？〃
　〃Sure。　This　a　Hong　Kong　scam？〃
　〃Do　you　mind？〃　Dunross　beamed。　〃It's　an　honest…to…God　Hong　Kong　business　proposal。〃
　〃Okay；　let's　have　it。〃
　〃Before　I　lay　it　out　there　are　ground　rules：　It's　my　game；　you　two're　bystanders　but　you're　in　for　49　percent　of　the　profits；　to　be　shared　equally　between　you　two。　Okay？〃
　〃What's　the　full　game　plan；　Ian？〃　Bartlett　asked　cautiously。
　〃Next：　You　put　up　2　million　U。S。　by　Monday　9：00　a。m。　into　a　Swiss　bank　of　my　choosing。〃
　Bartlett's　eyes　narrowed。　〃Against　what？〃
　〃Against　49　percent　of　the　profit。〃
　〃What　profit？〃
　〃You　put　up　2　million　for　Gornt；　no　paper；　no　chop；　no　nothing　except　against　potential　profit。〃
　Bartlett　grinned。　〃How　long　have　you　known　about　that？〃
　Dunross　smiled　back。　〃I　told　you；　there're　no　secrets　here。　Are　you　in？〃　Dunross　saw　Bartlett　glance　at　Casey　and　he　held　his　breath。
　〃Casey；　you　know　what　this's　all　about？〃
　〃No；　Linc。〃　Casey　turned　to　Dunross。　〃What　is　the　scam；　Ian？〃
　〃First　I　want　to　know　if　I　get　the　2　million　advance　free　and　clear　…　if　you　go　for　this　scheme。〃
　〃What's　the　profit　potential？〃　Casey　asked。
　〃4　to　12　million。　Tax　free。〃
　Casey　blanched。　〃Tax　free？〃
　〃Free　of　any　Hong　Kong　taxes　and　we　can　help　you　avoid　States　taxes　if　you　want。〃
　〃What's　。。。　what's　the　payout　period？〃　Bartlett　asked。
　〃The　profit'll　be　set　in　thirty　days。　The　payout　will　take　five　to　six　months。〃
　〃The　4　to　12　million's　the　total；　or　our　share　only？〃
　〃Your　share。〃
　〃That's　a　lot　of　profit　for　something　pletely；　twenty…four…carat　legal。〃
　There　was　a　great　silence。　Dunross　waited；　willing　them　onward。
　〃2　million　cash？〃　Bartlett　said。　〃No　security；　no　nothing？〃
　〃No。　But　after　I've　laid　it　out　you　can　put　up　or　pass。〃
　〃What's　Gornt　to　do　with　this？〃
　〃Absolutely　nothing。　This　venture　has　nothing　to　do　with　Gornt；　Rothwell…Gornt；　Par…Con；　your　interest　in　them　or　us　or　the　Par…Con　deal。　This　is　totally　outside；　whatever　happens　…　my　word　on　that。　And　my　word　before　God；　that　I'll　never　tell　him　you've　put　up　this　2　million；　that　you　two　are　my　partners　and　in　for　a　piece　…　or；　by　the　way；　that　I　know　about　the　three　of　you　selling　me　short。〃　He　smiled。　〃That　was　a　very　good　idea　by　the　way。〃
　〃The　deal's　swung　by　my　2　million？〃
　〃No。　Greased。　I　haven't　2　million　U。S。　cash　as　you　know；　otherwise　you　wouldn't　be　invited　in。〃
　〃Why　us；　Ian？　You　could　raise　2　mill　from　one　of　your　friends　here；　easy；　if　it's　so　good。〃
　〃Yes。　But　I　choose　to　sweeten　the　lure　to　you　two。　By　the　way；　you　are　held　to　Tuesday　at　midnight。〃　Dunross　said　it　flat。　Then　his　voice　changed　and　the　others　felt　the　glee。　〃But　with　this　…　this　business　venture　…　I　can　dramatize　how　much　superior　we　are　to　Rothwell…Gornt；　how　much　more　exciting　it'll　be　being　associated　with　us　than　him。　You're　a　gambler；　so　am　I。　Raider　Bartlett　they　call　you　and　I'm　tai…pan　of　the　Noble　House。　You　gambled　a　paltry　2　million　with　Gornt；　with　no　chop；　why　not　with　me？〃
　Bartlett　glanced　at　Casey。　She　gave　him　neither　a　yes　or　a　no　though　he　knew　the　lure　had　her　in　spades。
　〃Since　you're　setting　the　rules；　Ian；　answer　me　this：　I　put　up　the　2　million。　Why　should　we　share　equally；　Casey　and　I？〃
　〃I　remember　what　you　said　over　dinner　about　drop　dead　money。　You've　got　yours；　she　hasn't。　This　could　be　a　device　to　get　her　hers。〃
　〃Why're　you　so　concerned　over　Casey？　You　trying　to　divide　and　rule？〃
　〃If　that's　possible　then　you　shouldn't　be　in　a　very　special　partnership　and　business　relationship。　She's　your　right　arm；　you　told　me。　She's　clearly　very　important　to　you　and　to　Par…Con　so　she's　en