ian fleming.casino royale-第5章

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e　back　by　the　inland　road　until　it　crossed　the　route　nationale　to　Paris。
　Bond's　car　was　his　only　personal　hobby。　One　of　the　last　of　the　41/2…litre　Bentleys　with　the　supercharger　by　Amherst　Villiers；　he　had　bought　it　almost　new　in　1933　and　had　kept　it　in　careful　storage　through　the　war。　It　was　still　serviced　every　year　and；　in　London；　a　former　Bentley　mechanic；　who　worked　in　a　garage　near　Bond's　Chelsea　flat；　tended　it　with　jealous　care。　Bond　drove　it　hard　and　well　and　with　an　almost　sensual　pleasure。　It　was　a　battleship…gray　convertible　coupe；　which　really　did　convert；　and　it　was　capable　of　touring　at　ninety　with　thirty　miles　an　hour　in　reserve。
　Bond　eased　the　car　out　of　the　garage　and　up　the　ramp　and　soon　the　loitering　drum…beat　of　the　two…inch　exhaust　was　echoing　down　the　tree…lined　boulevard；　through　the　crowded　main　street　of　the　little　town；　and　off　through　the　sand　dunes　to　the　south。
　An　hour　later；　Bond　walked　into　the　Hermitage　bar　and　chose　a　table　near　one　of　the　broad　windows。
　The　room　was　sumptuous　with　those　over…masculine　trappings　which；　together　with　briar　pipes　and　wire…haired　terriers；　spell　luxury　in　France。　Everything　was　brass…studded　leather　and　polished　mahogany。　The　curtains　and　carpets　were　in　royal　blue。　The　waiters　wore　striped　waistcoats　and　green　baize　aprons。　Bond　ordered　an　Americano　and　examined　the　sprinkling　of　over…dressed　customers；　mostly　from　Paris　he　guessed；　who　sat　talking　with　focus　and　vivacity；　creating　that　theatrically　clubbable　atmosphere　of　l'heure　de　l'apéritif
　The　men　were　drinking　inexhaustible　quarter…bottles　of　champagne；　the　women　dry　martinis。
　'Moi；　j'adore　le　〃Dry〃；'　a　bright…faced　girl　at　the　next　table　said　to　her　panion；　too　neat　in　his　unseasonable　tweeds；　who　gazed　at　her　with　moist　brown　eyes　over　the　top　of　an　expensive　shooting…stick　from　Hermes；　'fait　avec　du　Gordon's；　bien　entendu。'
　'D'accord；　Daisy。　Mais　tu　sais；　un　zeste　de　citron　。　。　。'
　Bond's　eye　was　caught　by　the　tall　figure　of　Mathis　on　the　pavement　outside；　his　face　turned　in　animation　to　a　darkhaired　girl　in　grey。　His　arm　was　linked　in　hers；　high　up　above　the　elbow；　and　yet　there　was　a　lack　of　intimacy　in　their　appearance；　an　ironical　chill　in　the　girl's　profile；　which　made　them　seem　two　separate　people　rather　than　a　couple。　Bond　waited　for　them　to　e　through　the　street　door　into　the　bar；　but　for　appearances'　sake　continued　to　stare　out　of　the　window　at　the　passers…by。
　'But　surely　it　is　Monsieur　Bond？'　Mathis's　voice　behind　him　was　full　of　surprised　delight。　Bond；　appropriately　flustered；　rose　to　his　feet。　'Can　it　be　that　you　are　alone？　Are　you　awaiting　someone？　May　I　present　my　colleague；　Mademoiselle　Lynd？　My　dear；　this　is　the　gentleman　from　Jamaica　with　whom　I　had　the　pleasure　of　doing　business　this　morning。'
　Bond　inclined　himself　with　a　reserved　friendliness。　'It　would　be　a　great　pleasure；'　he　addressed　himself　to　the　girl。　'I　am　alone。　Would　you　both　care　to　join　me？'　He　pulled　out　a　chair　and　while　they　sat　down　he　beckoned　to　a　waiter　and　despite　Mathis's　expostulations　insisted　on　ordering　the　drinks　…　a　fine　à　l'eau　for　Mathis　and　a　bacardi　for　the　girl。
　Mathis　and　Bond　exchanged　cheerful　talk　about　the　fine　weather　and　the　prospects　of　a　revival　in　the　fortunes　of　Royale…les…Eaux。　The　girl　sat　silent。　She　accepted　one　of　Bond's　cigarettes；　examined　it　and　then　smoked　it　appreciatively　and　without　affectation；　drawing　the　smoke　deeply　into　her　lungs　with　a　little　sigh　and　then　exhaling　it　casually　through　her　lips　and　nostrils。　Her　movements　were　economical　and　precise　with　no　trace　of　self…consciousness。
　Bond　felt　her　presence　strongly。　While　he　and　Mathis　talked；　he　turned　from　time　to　time　towards　her；　politely　including　her　in　the　conversation；　but　adding　up　the　impressions　recorded　by　each　glance。
　Her　hair　was　very　black　and　she　wore　it　cut　square　and　low　on　the　nape　of　the　neck；　framing　her　face　to　below　the　clear　and　beautiful　line　of　her　jaw。　Although　it　was　heavy　and　moved　with　the　movements　of　her　head；　she　did　not　constantly　pat　it　back　into　place；　but　let　it　alone。　Her　eyes　were　wide　apart　and　deep　blue　and　they　gazed　candidly　back　at　Bond　with　a　touch　of　ironical　disinterest　which；　to　his　annoyance；　he　found　he　would　like　to　shatter；　roughly。　Her　skin　was　lightly　sun…tanned　and　bore　no　trace　of　makeup　except　on　her　mouth　which　was　wide　and　sensual。　Her　bare　arms　and　hands　had　a　quality　of　repose　and　the　general　impression　of　restraint　in　her　appearance　and　movements　was　carried　even　to　her　fingernails　which　were　unpainted　and　cut　short。　Round　her　neck　she　wore　a　plain　gold　chain　of　wide　flat　links　and　on　the　fourth　finger　of　the　right　hand　a　broad　topaz　ring。　Her　medium…length　dress　was　of　grey　soie　sauvage　with　a　square…cut　bodice；　lasciviously　tight　across　her　fine　breasts。　The　skirt　was　closely　pleated　and　flowered　down　from　a　narrow；　but　not　a　thin；　waist。　She　wore　a　three…inch；　handstitched　black　belt。　A　handstitched　black　sabretache　rested　on　the　chair　beside　her；　together　with　a　wide　cart…wheel　hat　of　gold　straw；　its　crown　encircled　by　a　thin　black　velvet　ribbon　which　tied　at　the　back　in　a　short　bow。　Her　shoes　were　square…toed　of　plain　black　leather。
　Bond　was　excited　by　her　beauty　and　intrigued　by　her　posure。　The　prospect　of　working　with　her　stimulated　him。　At　the　same　time　he　felt　a　vague　disquiet。　On　an　impulse　he　touched　wood。
　Mathis　had　noticed　Bond's　preoccupation。　After　a　time　he　rose。
　'Forgive　me；'　he　said　to　the　girl；　'while　I　telephone　to　the　Dubernes。　I　must　arrange　my　rendezvous　for　dinner　tonight。　Are　you　sure　you　won't　mind　being　left　to　your　own　devices　this　evening？'
　She　shook　her　head。
　Bond　took　the　cue　and；　as　Mathis　crossed　the　room　to　the　telephone　booth　beside　the　bar；　he　said：　'If　you　are　going　to　be　alone　tonight；　would　you　care　to　have　dinner　with　me？'
　She　smiled　with　the　first　hint　of　conspiracy　she　had　shown。　'I　would　like　to　very　much；'　she　said；　'and　then　perhaps　you　would　chaperon　me　to　the　Casino　where　Monsieur　Mathis　tells　me　you　are　very　much　at　home。　Perhaps　I　will　bring　you　luck。'
　With　Mathis　gone；　her　attitude　towards　him　showed　a　sudden　warmth。　She　seemed　to　acknowledge　that　they　were　a　team　and；　as　they　discussed　the　time　and　place　of　their　meeting；　Bond　realized　that　it　would　be　quite　easy　after　all　to　plan　the　details　of　his　project　with　her。　He　felt　that　after　all　she　was　interested　and　excited　by　her　role　and　that　she　would　work　willingly　with　him。　He　had　imagined　many　hurdles　before　establishing　a　rapport；　but　now　he　felt　he　could　get　straight　down　to　professional　details。　He　was　quite　honest　to　himself　about　the　hypocrisy　of　his　attitude　towards　her。　As　a　woman；　he　wanted　to　sleep　with　her　but　only　when　the　job　had　been　done。
　When　Mathis　came　back　to　the　table　Bond　called　for　his　bill。　He　explained　that　he　was　expected　back　at　his　hotel　to　have　lunch　with　friends。　When　for　a　moment　he　held　her　hand　in　his　he　felt　a　warmth　of　affection　and　understanding　pass　between　them　that　would　have　seemed　impossible　half　an　hour　earlier。
　The　girl's　eyes　followed　him　out　on　to　the　boulevard。
　Mathis　moved　his　chair　close　to　hers　and　said　softly：　'That　is　a　very　good　friend　of　mine。　I　am　glad　you　have　met　each　other。　I　can　already　feel　the　ice…floes　on　the　two　rivers　breaking　up。'　He　smiled；　'I　don't　think　Bond　has　ever　been　melted。　It　will　be　a　new　experience　for　him。　And　for　you。'
　She　did　not　answer　him　directly。
　'He　is　very　good…looking。　He　reminds　me　rather　of　Hoagy　Carmichael；　but　there　is　something　cold　and　ruthless　in　his　。　。　。'
　The　sentence　was　never　finished。　Suddenly　a　few　feet　away　the　entire　plate…glass　window　shivered　into　confetti。　The　blast　of　a　terrific　explosion；　very　near；　hit　them　so　that　they　were　rocked　back　in　their　chairs。　There　was　an　instant　of　silence。　Some　objects　pattered　down　on　to　the　pavement　outside。　Bottles　slowly　toppled　off　the　shelves　behind　the　bar。　Then　there　were　screams　and　a　stampede　for　the　door。
　'Stay　there；'　said　Mathis。
　He　kicked　back　his　chair　and　hurtled　through　the　empty　window…frame　on　to　the　pavement。
　
　
　CHAPTER　6　…　TWO　MEN　IN　STRAW　HATS
　When　Bond　left　the　bar　he　walked　purposefully　along　the　pavement　flanking　the　tree…lined　boulevard　towards　his　hotel　a　few　hundred　yards　away。　He　was　hungry。
　The　day　was　still　beautiful；　but　by　now　the　sun　was　very　hot　and　the　plane…trees；　spaced　about　twenty　feet　apart　on　the　grass　verge　between　the　pavement　and　the　broad　tarmac；　gave　a　cool　shade。
　There　were　few　people　abroad　and　the　two　men　standing　quietly　under　a　tree　on　the　opposite　side　of　the　boulevard　looked　out　of　place。
　Bond　noticed　them　when　he　was　still　a　hundred　yards　away　and　when　the　same　distance　separated　them　from　the　ornamental　porte　cochère　of　the　Splendide。
　There　was　something　rather　disquieting　about　their　appearance。　They　were　both　small　and　they　were　dressed　alike　in　dark　and；　Bond　reflected；　rather　hot…looking　suits。　They　had　the　appearance　of　a　variety　turn　waiting　for　a　bus　on　the　way　to　the　theatre。　Each　wore　a　straw　hat　with　a　thick　black　ribbon　as　a　concession；　perhaps；　to　the　holiday　atmosphere　of　the　resort；　and　the　brims　of　these　and　the　shadow　from　the　tree　under　which　they　stood　obscured　their　faces。　Incongruously；　each　dark；　squat　little　figure　was　illuminated　by　a　touch　of　bright　colour。　They　were　both　carrying；　square　camera…cases　slung　from　the　shoulder。
　And　one　case　was　bright　red　and　the　other　case　bright　blue。
　By　the　time　Bond　had　taken　in　these　details；　he　had　e　to　within　fifty　yards　of　the　two　men。　He　was　reflecting　on　the　ranges　of　various　types　of　weapon　and　the　possibilities　of　cover　when　an　extraordinary　and　terrible　scene　was　enacted。
　Red…man　seemed　to　give　a　short　nod　to　Blue…man。　With　a　quick　movement　Blue…man　unslung　his　blue　camera…case。　Blue…man；　and　Bond　could　not　see　exactly　as　the　trunk　of　a　plane…tree　beside　him　just　then　intervened　to　obscure　his　vision；　bent　forward　and　seemed　to　fiddle　with　the　case。　Then　with　a　blinding　flash　of　white　light　there　was　the　ear…splitting　crack　of　a　monstrous　explosion　and　Bond；　despite　the　protection　of　the　tree…trunk；　was　slammed　down　to　the　pavement　by　a　bolt　of　hot　air　which　dented　his　cheeks　and　stomach　as　if　they　had　been　made　of　paper。　He　lay；　gazing　up　at　the　sun；　while　the　air　（or　so　it　seemed　to　him）　went　on　twanging　with　the　explosion　as　if　someone　had　hit　the　bass　register　of　a　piano　with　a　sledgehammer。
　When；　dazed　and　half…conscious；　he　raised　himself　on　one　knee；　a　ghastly　rain　of　pieces　of　flesh　and　shreds　of　blood…soaked　clothing　fell　on　him　and　around　him；　mingled　with　branches　and　gravel。　Then　a　shower　of　small　twigs　and　leaves。　From　all　sides　came　the　sharp　tinkle　of　falling　glass。　Above　in　the　sky　hung　a　mushroom　of　black　smoke　which　rose　and　dissolved　as　he　drunkenly　watched　it。　There　was　an　obscene　smell　of　high　explosive；　of　burning　wood；　and　of；　yes；　that　was　it　…　roast　mutton。　For　fifty　yards　down　the　boulevard　the　trees　were　leafless　and　charred。　Opposite；　two　of　them　had　snapped　off　near　the　base　and　lay　drunkenly　across　the　road。　Between　them　there　was　a　still　smoking　crater。　Of　the　two　men　in　straw　hats；　there　remained　absolutely　nothing。　But　there　were　red　traces　on　the　road；　and　on　the　pavements