A Matter of Honor

“Good body,” she said, turning round and scrutinizing him carefully. “Much better than I usually ‘e.” She put the plate down in front of him.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” said Adam, grinning, taking the scat opposite her.

“I am ‘appy you notice,” said Jeanne. “I was beginning to think about you.” Adam spread the roll liberally with jam and didn’t speak again for several seconds.

“When ‘ave you last eat?” asked Jeanne as he devoured the final scrap left on the plate.

“Yesterday lunch. But I emptied my stomach in between.”

“Sick, eh? You mustn’t drink so much.”

“I think ‘drained’ might be a better word. Tell me, Jeanne,” said Adam, looking at her, “are you still available for work?”

She checked her watch. “One of my regulars is at two this afternoon, and I must be back on the streets by five. So it would ‘ave to be this morning,” she said matter-of-factly.

“No, no, that’s not what I meant,” said Adam.

“You could quickly give a girl, how do you say in England? —a complex,” said Jeanne. “You not one of those weird ones, are you?”

“No, nothing like that,” said Adam, laughing. “But I would be willing to pay you another two hundred francs for your service.”

“Is it legal?”

“Absolutely.”

“Alors, that makes a change. ‘Ow long you need me?”

“An hour, two at the most.”

“It’s better than the rate for my present job. What am I expected to do?”

“For one hour I want every man in Paris to fancy you. Only this time you won’t be available—at any price.”

“Scott just contacted me only a few minutes ago,” said Lawrence to the assembled D4.

“What did he have to say?” asked an anxious Sir Morris.

“Only that he was turning back the clock.”

“What do you think he meant by that?” asked Snell, nervously touching his mustache.

“Geneva would be my guess,” said Lawrence.

“Why Geneva?” said Matthews.

“I’m not certain,” said Lawrence, “but he said it had something to do with the German girl, or the bank, but I can’t be sure which.”

No one spoke for some time.

“Did you trace the call?” asked Busch.

“Only the area,” said Lawrence. “Neuchâtel on the French-Swiss border.”

“Good. Then we’re in business again,” said Sir Morris. “Have you informed Interpol?”

“Yes sir, and I’ve personally briefed the German, French, and Swiss police,” added Lawrence, which were the only true words he had spoken since the meeting had begun.

Jeanne took forty minutes to get herself ready, and when Adam saw the result he let out a long whistle.