“That would be nice,” she said with interest.
“The President of the United States has ordered the plane factories to produce sixty thousand planes this coming year. All will be over here or over Tokio. There will be bombers and fighter planes as thick as the flock of birds over the jungle. You can tell your boss that. It’s the truth.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” Niva said but she did not smile.
“When I get out of here I’ll fly back. I’ll pick you up and carry you away, if you want to go back to Hollywood,” Stan smiled at her.
Niva sighed. There was a frightened look in her eyes as she said, “You won’t leave here.” Then she added softly, “People were very good to me in America.”
“They liked you, Niva.” Stan was sure he had roused a spark of sympathy in the girl. If she dared, she might help him. He set the tray on the steps.
Niva got to her feet suddenly. She bent to pick up the tray and as she leaned forward her lips were close to Stan’s ear. She whispered one word:
“Dacoit!”
Lifting the tray, she laughed down at him, turned and hurried away.
There was no guard to send him back to his cell so Stan walked out into the garden. He was thinking about the word Niva had spoken. It was clearly meant as a warning. Te Nuwa had planned his finish in the manner he liked. He would have his stranglers do the job.