Simon nodded, quickly. “Um. Lots in what you say. Let’s sit tight another day.”
“As you will,” the Duke agreed. “Since you have solved the problem of supplies, I have nothing against it.” He stood up. “I think perhaps it is time I gave friend Rakov a little exercise. His life has grown more precious in my eyes!”
Rex walked over to the window, and gazed thoughtfully into the garden. He idly fingered the round stumps of the iron bars that projected from the cement casement. They were the bars that Prince Shulimoff had sawn through on the night of his escape, fifteen years before. “I think,” he said, “I’ll take a walk. I’ve got a hunch that a little exercise would do me good.”
“Surely, Rex, to show yourself is an unnecessary risk,” the Duke protested. “If you must have exercise I would rather that you expended your energy on the old iron. There seem to be several quite nice pieces that remain unbroken.” He looked with distaste at the mass of rusted metal along the wall.
“Nope — this child’s for the open-air today.” Rex picked up his automatic, and also an extra one that had been taken from the agent of the Ogpu. “I’ll be careful,” he added reassuringly. “You bet I will. I know the risk all right, but I’ve had plenty practice hiding behind nothing, hunting old man grizzly in the Rockies, way back home.”
“Do you intend to be away for long?”
“I’ll be back soon after sundown. That’ll be what ... ? Round about a couple of hours.” He grinned at Simon and went out.
In the ruined corridor Marie Lou sat, making the most of the late afternoon sun, which streamed through a great rent in the wall.
“Have you come to tell me that you have found the treasure?” she asked, with a little smile.
He laughed, as he sat down beside her. “Didn’t you know?” he asked, in mock surprise. “Tomorrow’s the day I’m showing you where the goods are; all the tinkering so far has been just with the idea of getting you interested.”