iam fleming.for your eyes only-第26章

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　When　the　hatch　closed；　Bond　let　out　a　deep　breath。　Mrs　Krest　said　apologetically：　〃Please　don't　mind　his　jokes。　It's　just　his　sense　of　humour。　And　he's　a　bit　contrary。　He　likes　to　see　if　he　can　rile　people。　It's　very　naughty　of　him。　But　it's　really　all　in　fun。〃
　Bond　smiled　reassuringly。　How　often　did　she　have　to　make　this　speech　to　people；　try　and　calm　the　tempers　of　the　people　Mr　Krest　had　practised　his　'sense　of　humour'　on？　He　said：　〃I　expect　your　husband　needs　a　bit　of　knowing。　Does　he　go　on　the　same　way　back　in　America？〃
　She　said　without　bitterness：　〃Only　with　me。　He　loves　Americans。　It's　when　he's　abroad。　You　see；　his　father　was　a　German；　a　Prussian　really。　He's　got　that　silly　German　thing　of　thinking　Europeans　and　so　on　are　decadent；　that　they　aren't　any　good　any　more。　It's　no　use　arguing　with　him。　It's　just　a　thing　he's　got。〃
　So　that　was　it！　The　old　Hun　again。　Always　at　your　feet　or　at　your　throat。　Sense　of　humour　indeed！　And　what　must　this　woman　have　to　put　up　with；　this　beautiful　girl　he　had　got　hold　of　to　be　his　slave　…　his　English　slave？　Bond　said：　〃How　long　have　you　been　married？〃
　〃Two　years。　I　was　working　as　a　receptionist　in　one　of　his　hotels。　He　owns　the　Krest　Group；　you　know。　It　was　wonderful。　Like　a　fairy　story。　I　still　have　to　pinch　my　self　sometimes　to　make　sure　I'm　not　dreaming。　This；　for　instance；〃　she　waved　a　hand　at　the　luxurious　room；　〃and　he's　terribly　good　to　me。　Always　giving　me　presents。　He's　a　very　important　man　in　America；　you　know。　It's　fun　being　treated　like　royalty　wherever　you　go。〃
　〃It　must　be。　He　likes　that　sort　of　thing；　I　suppose？〃
　〃Oh　yes。〃　There　was　resignation　in　the　laugh。　〃There's　a　lot　of　the　sultan　in　him；　He　get's　quite　impatient　if　he　doesn't　get　proper　service。　He　says　that　when　one's　worked　very　hard　to　get　to　the　top　of　the　tree　one　has　a　right　to　the　best　fruit　that　grows　there。〃　Mrs　Krest　found　she　was　talking　too　freely。　She　said　quickly：　〃But　really；　what　am　I　saying？　Anyone　would　think　we　had　known　each　other　for　years。〃　She　smiled　shyly。　〃I　suppose　it's　meeting　someone　from　England。　But　I　really　must　go　and　get　some　more　clothes　on。　I　was　sunbathing　on　deck。〃　There　came　a　deep　rumble　from　below…deck　amidships。　〃There。　We're　off。　Why　don't　you　watch　us　leave　harbour　from　the　afterdeck；　and　I'll　e　and　join　you　in　a　minute。　There's　so　much　I　want　to　hear　about　London。　This　way。〃　She　moved　past　him　and　slid　open　a　door。　〃As　a　matter　of　fact；　if　you're　sensible；　you'll　stake　a　claim　to　this　for　the　nights。　There　are　plenty　of　cushions；　and　the　cabins　are　apt　to　get　a　bit　stuffy　in　spite　of　the　air…conditioning。〃
　Bond　thanked　her；　and　walked　out　and　shut　the　door　behind　him。　It　was　a　big　well…deck　with　hemp　flooring　and　a　cream…coloured　semicircular　foam　rubber　settee　in　the　stern。　Rattan　chairs　were　scattered　about　and　there　was　a　serving…bar　in　one　corner。　It　crossed　Bond's　mind　that　Mr　Krest　might　be　a　heavy　drinker。　Was　it　his　imagination；　or　was　Mrs　Krest　terrified　of　him？　There　was　something　painfully　slavish　in　her　attitude　towards　him。　No　doubt　she　had　to　pay　heavily　for　her　fairy　story。　Bond　watched　the　green　flanks　of　Mahe　slowly　slip　away　astern。　He　guessed　that　their　speed　was　about　ten　knots。　They　would　soon　be　at　North　Point　and　heading　for　the　open　sea。　Bond　listened　to　the　glutinous　bubble　of　the　exhaust　and　idly　thought　about　the　beautiful　Mrs　Elizabeth　Krest。
　She　could　have　been　a　model　…　probably　had　been　before　she　became　a　hotel　receptionist　…　that　respectable　female　calling　that　yet　has　a　whiff　of　the　high　demi…monde　about　it　…　and　she　still　moved　her　beautiful　body　with　the　unselfconsciousness　of　someone　who　is　used　to　going　about　with　nothing；　or　practically　nothing；　on。　But　there　was　none　of　the　chill　of　the　model　about　her　…　it　was　a　warm　body　and　a　friendly；　confiding　face。　She　might　be　thirty；　certainly　not　more；　and　her　prettiness；　for　it　was　not　more　than　that；　was　still　immature。　Her　best　feature　was　the　ash…blonde　hair　that　hung　heavily　to　the　base　of　her　neck；　but　she　seemed　pleasantly　lacking　in　vanity　about　it。　She　didn't　toss　it　about　or　fiddle　with　it；　and　it　occurred　to　Bond　that　she　didn't　in　fact　show　any　signs　of　coquetry。　She　had　stood　quietly；　almost　docilely；　with　her　large；　dear　blue　eyes　fixed　almost　the　whole　time　on　her　husband。　There　was　no　lipstick　on　her　mouth　and　no　lacquer　on　her　fingernails　or　toenails；　and　her　eyebrows　were　natural。　Did　Mr　Krest　perhaps　order　that　it　should　be　so　…　that　she　should　be　a　Germanic　child　of　nature？　Probably。　Bond　shrugged　his　shoulders。　They　were　certainly　a　curiously　assorted　couple　…　the　middle…aged　Hemingway　with　the　Bogart　voice　and　the　pretty；　artless　girl。　And　there　was　tension　in　the　air　…　in　the　way　she　had　cringed　as　he　brought　her　to　heel　when　she　had　offered　them　drinks；　in　the　forced　maleness　of　the　man。　Bond　toyed　idly　with　the　notion　that　the　man　was　impotent　and　that　all　the　tough；　rude　act　was　nothing　more　than　exaggerated　virility…play。　It　certainly　wasn't　going　to　be　easy　to　live　with　for　four　or　five　days。　Bond　watched　the　beautiful　Silhouette　Island　slip　away　to　starboard　and　made　a　vow　not　to　lose　his　temper。　What　was　that　American　expression？　'Eating　crow'。　It　would　be　an　interesting　mental　exercise　for　him。　He　would　eat　crow　for　five　days　and　not　let　this　damnable　man　interfere　with　what　should　be　a　good　trip。
　〃Well；　feller。　Taking　it　easy？〃　Mr　Krest　was　standing　on　the　boat…deck　looking　down　into　the　well。　〃What　have　you　done　with　that　woman　I　live　with？　Left　her　to　do　all　the　work；　I　guess。　Well；　and　why　not？　That's　what　they're　for；　ain't　it？　Care　to　look　over　the　ship？　Fido's　doin'　a　spell　at　the　wheel　and　I've　got　time　on　my　hands。〃　Without　waiting　for　an　answer；　Mr　Krest　bent　and　lowered　himself　down　into　the　well…deck；　dropping　the　last　four　feet。
　〃Mrs　Krest's　putting　on　some　clothes。　Yes；　I'd　like　to　see　over　the　ship。〃
　Mr　Krest　fixed　Bond　with　his　hard；　disdainful　stare。　〃'Kay。　Well　now；　facts　first。　It's　built　by　the　Bronson　Shipbuilding　Corporation。　I　happen　to　own　ninety　per　cent　of　the　stock；　so　I　got　what　I　wanted。　Designed　by　Rosenblatts　…　the　top　naval　architects。　Hundred　feet　long；　twenty…one　broad；　and　draws　six。　Two　five…hundred…horsepower　Superior　diesels。　Top　speed；　fourteen　knots。　Cruises　two　thousand　five　hundred　miles　at　eight。　Air…conditioned　throughout。　Carrier　Corporation　designed　two　special　five…ton　units。　Carries　enough　frozen　food　and　liquor　for　a　month。　All　we　need　is　fresh　water　for　the　baths　and　showers。　Right？　Now　let's　go　up　front　and　you　can　see　the　crew's　quarters；　and　we'll　work　back。　And　one　thing；　Jim；〃　Mr　Krest　stamped　on　the　deck。　〃This　is　the　floor；　see？　And　the　head's　the　can。　And　if　I　want　someone　to　stop　doing　whatever　they're　doing　I　don't　shout　'belay'　I　shout　'hold　it'。　Get　me；　Jim？〃
　Bond　nodded　amiably。　〃I've　got　no　objection。　She's　your　ship。〃
　〃It's　my　ship；〃　corrected　Mr　Krest。　〃That's　another　bit　of　damned　nonsense；　making　a　hunk　of　steel　and　wood　a　female。　Anyway；　let's　go。　You　don't　need　to　mind　your　head。　Everything's　a　six…foot…two　clearance。〃
　Bond　followed　Mr　Krest　down　the　narrow　passage　that　ran　the　length　of　the　ship；　and　for　half　an　hour　made　appropriate　ments　on　what　was　certainly　the　finest　and　most　luxuriously　designed　yacht　he　had　ever　seen。　In　every　detail　the　margin　was　for　extra　fort。　Even　the　crew's　bath　and　shower　was　full　size；　and　the　stainless　steel　galley；　or　kitchen　as　Mr　Krest　called　it；　was　as　big　as　the　Krest　stateroom。　Mr　Krest　opened　the　door　of　the　latter　without　knocking。　Liz　Krest　was　at　the　dressing…table。　〃Why；　treasure；〃　said　Mr　Krest　in　his　soft　voice；　〃I　reckoned　you'd　be　out　there　fixing　the　drink　tray。　You've　sure　been　one　heck　of　a　time　dressing　up。　Puttin'　on　a　little　extra　Ritz　for　Jim；　eh？〃
　〃I'm　sorry；　Milt。　I　was　just　ing。　A　zip　got　stuck。〃　The　girl　hurriedly　picked　up　a　pact　and　made　for　the　door。　She　gave　them　both　a　nervous　half…smile　and　went　out。
　〃Vermont　birch　panelling；　Corning　glass　lamps；　Mexican　tuft　rugs。　That　sailing…ship　picture's　a　genuine　Montague　Dawson；　by　the　way　。　。　。〃　Mr　Krest's　catalogue　ran　smoothly　on。　But　Bond　was　looking　at　some　thing　that　hung　down　almost　out　of　sight　by　the　bedside　table　on　what　was　obviously　Mr　Krest's　side　of　the　huge　double　bed。　It　was　a　thin　whip　about　three　feet　long　with　a　leather…thonged　handle。　It　was　the　tail　of　a　sting…ray。
　Casually　Bond　walked　over　to　the　side　of　the　bed　and　picked　it　up。　He　ran　a　finger　down　its　spiny　gristle。　It　hurt　his　finger　even　to　do　that。　He　said：　〃Where　did　you　pick　that　up？　I　was　hunting　one　of　these　animals　this　morning。〃
　〃Bahrein。　The　Arabs　use　them　on　their　wives。〃　Mr　Krest　chuckled　easily。　〃Haven't　had　to　use　more　than　one　stroke　at　a　time　on　Liz　so　far。　Wonderful　results。　We　call　it　my　'Corrector'。〃
　Bond　put　the　thing　back。　He　looked　hard　at　Mr　Krest　and　said：　〃Is　that　so？　In　the　Seychelles；　where　the　creoles　are　pretty　tough；　it's　illegal　even　to　own　one　of　those；　let　alone　use　it。〃
　Mr　Krest　moved　towards　the　door。　He　said　indifferently：　〃Feller；　this　ship　happens　to　be　United　States　territory。　Let's　go　get　ourselves　something　to　drink。〃
　Mr　Krest　drank　three　double　bullshots　…　vodka　in　iced　consommé　…　before　luncheon；　and　beer　with　the　meal。　The　pale　eyes　darkened　a　little　and　acquired　a　watery　glitter；　but　the　sibilant　voice　remained　soft　and　unemphatic　as；　with　a　plete　monopoly　of　the　conversation；　he　explained　the　object　of　the　voyage。　〃Ya　see；　fellers；　it's　like　this。　In　the　States　we　have　this　Foundation　system　for　the　lucky　guys　that　got　plenty　dough　and　don't　happen　to　want　to　pay　it　into　Uncle　Sam's　Treasury。　You　make　a　Foundation　…　like　this　one；　the　Krest　Foundation　…　for　charitable　purposes　…　charitable　to　anyone；　to　kids；　sick　folk；　the　cause　of　science　…　you　just　give　the　money　away　to　anyone　or　anything　except　yourself　or　your　dependants　and　you　escape　tax　on　it。　So　I　put　a　matter　of　ten　million　dollars　into　the　Krest　Foundation；　and　since　I　happen　to　like　yachting　and　seeing　the　world　I　built　this　yacht　with　two　million　of　the　money　and　told　the　Smithsonian　…　that's　our　big　natural　history　institution　that　I　would　go　to　any　part　of　the　world　and　collect　specimens　for　them。　So　that　makes　me　a　scientific　expedition；　see？　For　three　months　of　every　year　I　have　a　fine　holiday　that　costs　me　just　sweet　Fatty　Arbuckle！〃　Mr　Krest　looked　to　his　guests　for　applause。　〃Get　me？〃
　Fidele　Barbey　shook　his　head　doubtfully。　〃That　sounds　fine；　Mr　Krest。　But　these　rare　specimens。　They　are　easy　to　find？　The　Smithsonian　it　wants　a　giant　panda；　a　sea…shell。　You　can　get　hold　of　these　things　where　they　have　failed？〃
　Mr　Krest　slowly　shook　his　head。　He　said　sorrowfully：　〃Feller；　you　sure　were　born　yesterday。　Money；　that's　all　it　takes。　You　want　a　panda？　You　buy　it　from　some　goddam　zoo　that　can't　afford　central　heating　for　its　reptile　house　or　wants　to　build　a　new　block　for　its　tigers　or　something。　The　sea…shell？　You　find　a　man　that's　got　one　and　you　offer　him　so　much　goddam　money　that　even　if　he　cries　for　a　week　he　sells　it　to　you。　Sometimes　you　have　a　little　trouble　with　Governments。　Some　goddam　animal　is　protected　or　something。　All　right。　Give　you　an　example。　I　arrive　at　your　island　yesterday。　I　want　a　black　parrot　from　Praslin　Island。　I　want　a　giant