法兰克福的耳环

EAR-RINGSFROMFRANKFURTDoyouhaveanybrothersorsisters?Theycansometimsmakeyourlifeverydifficult.Iftheyareyoungerthanyou,thenthearealwaysgettingintotroubleandneedingyourhelp.Andifyouknowsomethingbadaboutaperson,itisdifficulttoforgetit.‘Onceathief,alwaysathief,'peoplesay.Butisthattrue?Doesonemistankemakeapersonbadforever?Can'tpeoplechange?JenniferWaltonisanerse.Sheisquietandcarefulandsensible,butshehasayoungbrother,Richard.Richardisnotcarefulorsensible.Heisalwaysborrowingmoney,heneverkeepsajobforlong,he'sbeenintroublewiththepolice.Jenniferworriesabouthimalot.Andwhenonedaythepolicecomeaskingquestionsabouthim,Jenniferfearstheworst.1AnightoutatMaxim'sJenniferlookedattheclockonthewaiting-roomwall.Nearlyhalf-pasteight.ThelightwasstilloninDoctorGibon'sroom.I'mgoingtobelate,shesaidtoherself,whydoesn'thehurryup?TheeveningsurgerywasalwaysbusyonThursdaysbuttonightwasworsethanusual.Shequicklyputthenewspapersinacupboard.Thenshetookoffherwhitecoatandlockedininthecupboardtoo.Shewasturningoffthelightswhensomeonerangthefrontdoorbell.Ohno,notanotherpatient,notatthishour.Sherantothedoorandopenedit.Outsideitwasdarkbutshecouldseeaman,hishandsdeepinhidpockets.Hemovedhisheadandthelightfellonhisface.‘Richard!'shecriedinsurprise.‘Whatareyoudoinghere?'‘CanIcomeinforaminute?'Hedidnotwaitforananswerbutpushedpastherandwentinside.Jenniferturnedtohim.ShewasusuallypleasedwhenRichardcalled,butthiswasthewrongtime.‘I'msorry,butyoucan'tstay.imusthurry.i'mmeetingmyfriedClairefordinnerand…'Shestopped.ItwasRichard'seyes—theylookedtiredandworried.‘What'sthematter?'sheasked.JustthenDrGibsoncalledfromhisroom.‘DidIhearthedoorbell,Nurse?Wasitanotherpatient?'‘No,it'sonlymybrotherRichard,'shecalledback.SheturnedbacktoRichard.‘Issomethingwrong?'sheaskedagain.Heshookhishead.‘I'mfine,'hesaid.‘It'sjust・・・well,Ihadsomeroubleatwork・'‘Trouble?'‘Itwasnothing,really・Isaidsomethingtomybossandhedidn'tlikeit・Hegotangrywithmeand・andintheendhetoldmetogo・So'Ivelostmyjob・'‘OhRichard,notagain!Whydoyoudothesethings?'Jenniferwasbeginningtofellcrosswithhim・‘Andnowyouhavenomoney,isthatit?'‘Takeiteasy,Jenny・Idon'tneedverymuch・Onlytwentypounds・I'llpayyoubacknextweek—reallyIwill・'Heputhishandonherarm・‘Youcandothatforme,can'tyou?Justtwentypounds・It'sforapresent・'‘Yes,Iknow,Iknow・Apresentforaveryspecialgirl一likethelastone.Andtheonebefore・'Jenniferknewheryoungbrotherwellandshewasoftenangrywithhim,butshecouldneversaynotohim.Sheoenedherbag,tookoutsomemoneyandgaveittohim.‘Butremember,Iwantitbacknextweek.'Richardsmiledanddputhisarmaroundhissister.‘Thanks,Jenny.Thisisdifferrent.Really!She'sveryveryspecial.Butyou'reinahurrysoI'llgonow.'‘Don'tforge,'shecalledafterhim.‘Nextweek.Twentypounds.'Maxim'srestaurantwasbusy—youngmenandwomenfromoffices,severalolderpeople,agroupofstudents,andafewtheatrepeople.Jenniferlookedaroudforherfriend.Claireusuallysatnearthewindowbuttonightshewasnotthere.Somebodywashavingapartyandallthetablesonthatsidewerefull.ThenJenniferheardClaire'svoicebehindher.‘Didyougetlost?I'vebeenhereforhours.'‘IknowI'mlate,'Jennifersaid,‘andIamsorry.kTodayhasbeenreallybusy.Thelastpatientdidn'tleaveuntileight-thirty.AndthenIhadavisitfromRichard.Hewantedtoborrowsomemoney.Healwayswantstoborrowmoney.Theywenttoanemptytable.Awaitercameuptothemandtooktheirorders.Atthemomenttherewasacheerfromthepartybesidethewindow.Anoldermaninalightgreysuitwasstandingup.Hespokeforafewminutesandthehelduphisglass.Alltheothersstoodup,andlookedatayounggirlwithlargegoldear-rings,whowassittinginthechairnexttohim.Everyonewaslaughing,andthentheybegantosing‘Happybirthdaytoyou'.Theywerealllookingatthegirl,butsheherselfjustsattherewithoutasmileonherface.Thesongcametoandend,andtherewasanotherloudcheerandmorelaughingandshouting.Someonecalledout‘Twenty—onetoday,twentyonetoday・・・',andthistimeeveryoneintherestaurantsangtoo.Suddenlytherewasaloudcrash.Thensomeonescreamedandawoiceshouted,‘Bringatowel—quickly.'Themaninthegreysuitwaslyingacrossthetable.Hewasholdinghisface,whichwasredwithblood.Onthetabletherewasbrokenglass.Someonesaidinaloudvoice,‘Whathappened—Didhefall?'Severalpeoplewerespeakingatthesametime・'It'shisheart,youknow…'‘Joe'sbeeninandoutofhospitalforyears…'‘・・・hisheadhitthoseglasses'・Themanwasstilllyingacrossthetable・Jenniferjumpedup,andbothsheandClaireranovertohim・‘We'renurses,'saidJennifer・‘Canwehelp?'Therewasacutonthesideoftheman'sface・Itwasdeepandhewaslosingalotofblood・Awaiterranupwithatowel・Jennifertookitandheldittothecut・Theman'smouthwasopenandhewasmakingstrangenoises・‘Heneedsadoctor・We'lltakehim,'Clairereplied・TheyhelpedthemanoutsideandputhiminClaire'scar・Jenniferjumpedinbesidehimandtheydroveoff・Shewasstillholdingthetoweltotheman'sface・Thebloodwasnotcomingsofastnowandhewasbeginnigtofeelalittlebetter・‘Where…・wherearewegoing?'heasked・‘Areyoutakingmehome?‘Juststaythereanddon'tspeak,'Jennifertoldhim.‘Youfellandhurtyourself.You'llbeallright,butyoumustseeadoctor.We'llbeatthehospitalinafewminutes.'Attheword‘hospital'themanimmediatelytriedtositup.‘No,no,'hesaidangrily,‘Idon'tneedtogotohospital.I'mfeelingbetternow.Justtakemehome.Andwhoareyou?'‘I'manurse,'Jennifertoldhim,‘Andyouneedtoseeadoctor.we'renearlytherenow.Justsitstill-andstoptalking・'Butthemanwasfeelingstrongernowandhewouldnotbequiet・HepulledatJennifer'sarmandsaidloudly,‘Idon'tneedadoctor・It'sjustasmallcutonmyface・I'mallrightnow・Takemehome!'WhenJenniferdidnotanswerhim,hesaidinaquietervoice・‘Comeonnow—listentome・I'mfeelingfine,reallyIam・There'snoneedtotakemetohospital・They'llwanttokeepmethere—theyalwaysdo,becauseofmybadheart・Yousee,Ihavetomeetsomebusinesspeoplethedayaftertomorrow—it'sveryimportant・SojuststopthecarandIcangetataxihome・'Bynowthecarwasatthedoorofthehospital.AnursecametomeetthemandwhileClairetoldherabouttheaccident,Jenniferhelpedthemanoutofthecar.Hesaidsomethingangrilytothenurse,butafterafewsecondshewentwithherintothehospital.JenniferandClairedroveaway.‘Whatadifficultman!'saidClairecrossly.‘No“Thankyouforyourhelp”or“you'reverykind”.'‘Somepeopleneversaythankyou,'Jennifersaid.‘Don'tworryaboutit.'WhentheygotbacktoMaxim's,apolicecarwasstandingoutside,withitsbluelighton.Therewasasmallgroupofpeoplearoundthedoor.Jenniferpushedthroughthem,Clairebehindher.Theytriedtogoinside.Apolicemanmovedforwardandputuphisarm.‘You'llhavetowaithere,'hetoldthem.‘Butweordereddinner・・・andwehaven'teatenyet,'saidClaire.Butthepolicemanwasnotlisteningtothem.Hewaslookingthroughtheglassdoor.Somethingwashappeninginsideandpeopleweremovingabout.ThenoneofMaxim'swaitersopenedthedoorandtwopolicemencameout.theywereholdingayounggirlbetweenthem.Itwasthegirlfromthebirthdayparty,thegirlwiththeunhappyfaceandtheexpensivegoldear—rings.Thepolicepushedherintothebackoftheiracranddroveawayquickly.JenniferandClairelookedateachother.Whatanevening!Theywaitedtwoorthreeminutes,buttherestaurantdoorwasclosednowandthepolicemanwasstandinginfrontofitagain.Neitherofthemfelthungryanymore.Theywalkedslowlytowardsthecar.Clairewasthefirsttospeak.‘Comeon,Jenny,let'senjoyourselves—we'rehavinganightout.'Jenniferdidnotspeak.Clairewenton,‘DoyourememberMaxim'slittlesongonTv?'Shebegantosing:Comewherethemusic'swonderful,Comewherethefoodisfine.Let'sallmeetatMaxim's,We'llhaveawonderfultime.Shestopped.Jenniferwasnotpleased.‘Allthisisnotreallymyideaofawonderfultime,'shesaid.‘I'mtiredandIwantedanicequietevening,agoodmeal,andanearlynight.'‘Comeon,'Clairereplied.‘Let'sgotoanotherrestaurant.'‘No,let'sleaveittillnextweek.I'lljustwalkhomenow.'Theysaidgoodbye.Clairegotintohercarandcalled,Seeyounextweek,then.'Jenniferwalkedslowlyhome.Shefeltunhappyandworried—worriedaboutheryoungbrother,richard.Sherememberedhisvisittothesugeryearlierthatevening.Hewasalwaysinandoutofjobs,andneverhadanymoney.Ayearagohehadalittletroublewiththepolice,butRicharddidnotworryaboutit.Heneverworriedaboutanything!Hejustlaughed,andcametoJennifertoaskformoremoney.boththeirparentsweredead,andtherewerenootherbrothersorsisters.SoJennifer,fifteenyearsolderthanRichard,worriedaboutherbrotheralot.Shewentpastajewelleryshopwithitslightson,andstoppedtolookinthewindowforaminute.Shesawsomeear-ringsandthenrememberedthegoldear—ringsonthegirlatMaxim's.Theywerelargeandlookedveryexpensive—andtheylookedallwrongnexttothatsmallunhappyface.Wheredidshegetthem?Jennifersmiledtoherself.Perhapsthepolicewereaskingthatquestionnow。AvisitfromthepoliceJenniferdidnotsleepwellthatnight.Shewokeupfeelingtiredandunhappy.WhenshearrivedatDrGibson'ssurgery,shelookedintothewaiting—room.Itwasnearlyfull.Anotherbusymorning,shesaidtoherself.Justthensheheardthedoctor'scaroutside.Hehurriedinandwentintohisroom.Threehourslaterhefinishedwithhislastpatient.JenniferbroughtacupofcoffeeandputitonDrGibson'sdesk.Hesaidthanksandsheturnedtogo.‘Er-justaminute,'hecalledafterher,‘Iwantawordwithyou.'Hesoundedalittlecross.'Therewasaphonecallforyouthismorning一Aboutanhourago.YouwerebusyatthetimesoIansweredit.'‘Oh,whowasit?'‘Letmesee—Iwroteitdownsomewhere.'Hebegantomovethepapersonhisdesk.‘Shesaidthatshewasafriendofyourbrother's.'‘Mybrother?Butwhydidshewantme?'‘Ah,hereitis.'HegaveJenniferapieceofpaper.Onitwasaname—Wendy.‘Shedidn'tleaveanumber.She'llcallyouagainathome.'Jenniferlookedatthename.Wendy?...Wendywho?sheaskedherself.‘Thankyou,DrGibson,'shesaid.‘Andtellher,please,nophonecallsduringsurgeryhours.'‘I'msorry.Itwon'thappenagain.'Jenniferwantedtoexplainthatshedidnotknowthiswendybutdecidednotto.AfewminuteslaterDrGibsonshoutedgoodbyetoherandJenniferwasalone.SheknewafewofRichard'sfriendsbutnobodycalledWendy.ButRichardchangedhisgirlfriendsasoftenashisshirts!Jenniferdidnottrytorememberalltheirnames.AttheendofthedayJenniferarrivedatherflatandwasgoingupthestairswhensheheardvoicesabove.Twomenwerestandingoutsideherdoor.Oneofthemcameuptoher.‘MissWalton?'heasked.'Myname'sDetectiveBarrett.I'dliketoaskyouafewquestions,please.Canwecomein?'Sheturnedthekeyinthelockandpushedopenthedoor,andallthreeofthemwentinsideandsatdown.‘It'saboutMrRichardWalton.He'syourbrother,Ithink,'Barrettbegan.Hespokesoftlybuthehadahardvoice,coldandunfriendly,andhislightblueeyesneverleftJennifer'sface.‘Whendidyoulastseehim?'Jennifertoldhim.‘Andbeforethat'‘I'mnotsure—aboutthreeoffourweeksago.'Thoselightblueeyeswerestillonher.Shewasbeginningtofeeluncomfortable.‘Youdidn'tseehimlastweekend,then?'‘no.'‘Trytoremember—didhecomeherelastSaturday?Intheevening?'No.'‘You'resure?'‘Yes,ofcourseI'msure.'Barrett'svoicebecamealittlelouder.‘Youdidn'tmeethiminsomeotherplace?Attheairportperhaps?'‘No,Ididn't.Ihaven'tseenhimfornearlyamonth,Itellyou.Untillastnight,Imean.'‘Lastnight…'Barrettsaidafterher・‘Tellusmoreaboutlastnight.Youtookamantohospital・・・fromMaxim'srestaurant・'‘Yes・'‘Afriendofyours?'‘Ineversawhiminmylifebefore・Hefellandhurthimself・TheysaidthathehadabadheartsoIwenttothehospitalwithhim・That'sall・'‘Youneversawhimbefore?Yousurpriseme,MissWalton・'Barrettwaswatchinghercarefully・‘Youdidn'tknowthathewasMrJoeKelly,Yourbrothe'rsboss?'‘No,Ididn't・'‘Really?Youdidn'tknowhim?Verystrange,don'tyouthink?Allthesequestions—shewasfeelingangrynow.ShestoodupandwentacrosstoBarrett.‘Look,DetectiveBarrett,I'mgettingtiredofthis.What'sitallabout?Youwantmetoansweryourquestionsandyoudon'ttellmewhy.What'sthematter—Iwanttoknow.IsRichardintrouble?'Barretthelduphishands.‘Allright,takeiteasy.'HegavealittlesmilebuthiseyeswerecoldandhewasstilllookinghardatJennifer.TheotherdetectivesaidsomethingquietlytoBarrett.ThenBarrettwenton,‘Yourbrother—Whatdoyouknowabouthisgirlfriend?'‘Hisgirlfriend?'‘Yes,Wendy.HeworkswithheratJoeKelly's.'Wendy!Themysterytelephonecallatthesurgerythatmorning!Jennifertriedtohidehersurprise.ShelookedfirstatBarrett,thenattheotherman.Thenshesaidcoldly,‘Richarddoesn'ttalktomeabouthisgirlfriends.'‘He'stoldyouaboutWendy,I'msure.they'reveryfriendly,thetwoofthem.theywenttoGermanytogether.'Heturnedtotheotherman.‘Lastweekend,wasn'tit?'TheseconddetectivemovedalittlenearerandspokequietlytoBarrett.‘shedoesn'tknowanythingaboutthis.You'llhavetoexplainittoher.'BarrettturnedtoJenniferagain.‘We'relookingforsomestolenjewellery,fromGermany.Andwebelievethatyourbrotherknowssomethingaboutit.Youwon'tlikethis,MissWalton,butyourbrotherworksforacriminal,athief,andoneofthesedayshe'sgoingtofindhimselfintrouble.'‘Butmybrotherlosthisjobyesterday.Hetoldmelastnight.Sohedoesn'tworkforthismananymore.'Barrettsmiled.‘Perhapshedoesn't…orperhapshewantspeopletothinkthathedoesn'tworkforKelly.'Hewenton.'Ifyoudon'twanttoseeyourbrotherinprison,tellhimtokeepawayfromKelly.AndfrombeautifulyounggirlslikeWendy.'Jenniferlookedathimandsaidnothing.Barrettstoodup.Helookedattheothermanandtheybothmovedtothedoor.Jenniferfollowedandopeneditforthem.‘Goodnight,MissWalton.Thanksforyourhelp.'Theywalkedtothetopofthestairs.Jenniferwaitedforafewseconds,thenwentinsideandclosedthedoor.OhRichard,shethought.Whatishappening?Whatareyoudoing?Whycan'tyoustayoutoftrouble?ShetelephonedRichard'sflat,buttherewasnoanswer.Soshewenttobed,andworriedhalfthenightaboutheryoungbrother.Thenextday,Saturday,sheworkedonlyinthemorning.WhenDrGibson'ssurgeryfinished,shewenthometohaelunch.ThensheplannedtogoroundtoRichard'sflatandtalktohim.Butwhenshegotintoherflat,thetelephonewasringing.Sheranacrosstheroomandansweredit.‘Hello,isthatJenniferWalton?'someoneasked.Itwasagirl'svoice.‘Yes,Jenniferhere.Who'sspeaking?'Thecallerwassilentforasecondortwo,thensaid,'Youdon'tknowme,butI'mafriendofyourbrother's.Areyoufreejustnow?Ineedtoseeyou.It'simportant.'Shewentonquickly.‘I'mjustroundthecornerfromyourflat.CanIcomeup?I'llbethereintherrminutes.'Andsheputthephonedown.Jenniferwaswaitingatthedoorwhenhervisitorarrived.Shelookedatherinsurprise.Sheknewthatface.ItwastheyounggirlfromMaxim's,butwithoutthegoldear-ringstoday.Thegirlwasalsosurprised.‘IsawyouatMaxim'sonThursdaynight,'Shesaid.‘YoutookJoeKellytohospital.AreyouJennifer,Richard'ssister?'‘Yes,'saidJennifer.Shelookedathervisitor,andbegantoputtwoandtwotogether.‘AndyoumustbeWendy.'‘Yes,'thegirlsaid.Jenniferstoodback,andthegirlwentinside.TheysatdownndJenniferlookedatthegirlcoldly.SothiswasRichard'sgirlfriend…・whoworkedforthecriminal,JoeKelly.Shehadabeautifullittlefaceandlookedveryunhappy,butJenniferdidnotwanttolikeher.‘Whatdoyouwanttoseemeabout?'sheasked.‘it'sdifficulttoexplain,'thegirlbegan.ShelookedunhappilyatJennifer'sunfriendlyface.‘Yousee,Richardhastoldmeaboutyou.Hesaysthatyou'reverykind・・・Youalwayshelphim.Hegavemeyourphonenumbersandsaid…'Shestopped,andJenniferwaited.‘HesaidthatIcouldaskyouforhelp.'Jennifersmiledtoherself.Alwaysthekindbigsister,shethought.Shelookedatthegirl'ssmall,worriedface.‘Well,goon,then,'shesaidmorekindly.‘Tellmeallaboutit.IhopethatRichard'snotintrouble.'‘Yousee,IworkforJoeKelly,'Wendybegan.Shetalkedforalongtime,andJenniferlistenedcarefully.ThiswasWendy'sstory.3wendy'sstoryKellyisnotaniceman,andI'veneverlikedhim.I'veworkedforhimforayearnow.Myfathergotthejobforme-hetoldmetoworkhardandnottoaskquestions.Kellyoftengetsangry,andwhenhe'sangry,heshoutsateveryoneandhisfacegoesveryred.I'mafraidofhim,butIdon'twanttolosemyjob.Ineedthemoneyandit'snoteasytofindanotherjob.RichardstartedworkatKelly'saboutamonthago.We'regoodfriends,butwedon'ttalkmuchaboutourjobs.NobodyatKelly'stalksaboutthework.Wedon'treallyknowwhathisbusinessis.Hehastwogaragesinthetownandhebuysandsellsoldcars.Buthealsobuysandsellsalotofotherthings,too—furniture,oldpictures,jewellery.Ithinkthatsomeofthesethingsarestolen,butIdon'taskquestions.TendaysagoKellycalledmeintohisoffice.Istoodthereandwaited.Hebegantosaysomethingtome,buthestoppedandlookeddownathispapers.Thenhetookouthisdiaryandopenedit.‘Wendy,whatareyoudoingnextweekend?'‘I'mnotsure,MrKelly.'‘Howwouldyouliketogoonalittlebusinesstrip?I'llpayyouforit,Ofcourse.'Thissurprisedme,andIdidnotreplyimmeddiately.ThenIsaid,‘Abusinesstrip,MrKelly?'‘Yes,togermany…justfortheday.Itisrftadifficultjobbutit'simportant.Whatdoyousay?'IdidnotknowmuchaboutMrKelly'sbusiness,butdedknowthattherewassomethingstrangeaboutthesejourneystoothercountries.Theyhappenedeverytwoorthreemonths,andafterthemthereweresecretmeetingsintheoffice,oftenlateintheevening.idecidedthatIdidnotwanttogo.‘But•…butI'veneverbeentoGermany.Don'tyouthink…well.perhapsyoucanaskoneoftheothers.'‘I'maskingyou,Wendy.IsaidthatitwasimportantandIwantyoutodoit.'Ibegantosaysomethingbuthewasstillspeaking.‘IhavefriendsinFrankfurtandtheywanttosendmesomethings.They'llgiveyouthreesmallboxes,likeeggboxes,andyou'llbringthembackhere.There'snothingdifficultaboutthat,isthere?'Ididn'tsayanything.‘Areyoulisteningtome,Wendy?'heasked.‘Ineedyoutodothisjobforme.'Hisvoicewasgettingloudernow.Ilookedhimintheface・‘I'm・・・I'msorry,MrKelly.I'vejustremembered.I'mbusynextweekend.Ican'tdoit・'Hejumpedupandhischairfellback・‘Now,justyoulistentome,youngwoman・Youworkforme,rememberthat・I'mthepersonwhopaysyou・'Hecaughtmyarmandshookme・‘ThistimeI'mtellingyou,notaskingyou・You'llgotoFrankfurtorthere'llbetrouble・YouwillleaveonthefirstplaneonSaturdaymorningandcomebackthesameevening・Withthethreeboxes・Anddon'tsayawordtoanyone,doyouunderstand?Thenhewalkedout・Ididn'tsleepmuchthatnight・Orthenext・IwantedtotellRichardbuthewasoutoftownonanotherofKelly'sjobs・WhatcouldIdo?Ewasafraid,andKellyknewthatIwasafraid・HedidnotspeakaboutitagainbutonFridayhecalledmeintohisofficeandgavememyplaneticketandsomemoney・Therewasnoescape・Saturdaymorningcame,andIwenttotheairport.WhileIwaswaitingthere,Iheardmyname.Iknewthatvoiceimmediately.Iturnedround.‘Richard!'Icried.‘OhRichard,I'msopleasedtoseeyou.butwhatareyoudoinghere?'‘I'mcomingwithyou.ToFrankfurt.Kellytoldmeto.Look,here'smyticket.'‘Youmean…Waitaminute.WhatdidKellytellyou?'Richardwassmiling.‘Hetoldmetocomewithyou,that'sall.Tostaywithyou…youknow,ontheplane・・・andinFrankfurt・Ibegantounderstand.‘Hetoldyoutowatchme,youmean.'Whenwewereontheplane,RichardaskedmeaboutmyworkatKelly's.HeknewverylittleaboutKelly'sbusinessandheknewverylittleaboutourtriptoFrankfurt.Itoldhimaboutthe‘egg'boxesandwhyIwasafraid.‘Theboxesaresmall,Kellysaid,soIthinkit'sjewellery,'ItoldRichard.‘AndIthink…・Ithinkit'sstolenjewellery.'ThenRichardgotveryangry,andsaid,‘Kellycan'tsendyouonajoblikethis.Whydosen'thegohimself?'‘Butthat'sit,Richard.It'seasierforagirl—Kellyknowsthat.He'sclever,youknow.ButhethinksI'mafraidSohe'ssentyoutowatchme.'ForatimeRichardjustsatthere,andtought.Afterawhileheturnedtome.‘You'renotgoingtodoit—you'renotgoingtocarrystolenjewelleryforthatman.Leaveittome.I'llthinkofsomething,ofsomeplan.'Thenhewassilentagain.WhenwearrivedinFrankfurt,wewenttoahotelforbreakfast.ThenRichardwentofftobuyanewspaper,andafterthatwesataroundforabouthalfanhour.WehadtomeetKelly'sfriendsoutsidethehotel.Whenwewalkedoutofthedoor,twomenwerewaitingforusinawhiteMercedes.Wedrovethroughthebusystreetsofthecityandthenintothecountry.Sometimelaterwestoppedatanoldhousewithtreesallaroundit.Weallwentinsideandthementookusintoadarkroomatthebackandleftusthere.ItwascoldandRichardgavemehiscoat.Hewassmilingquietlytohimself.WewaitedthereIsilence.Inanotherroompeopleweretalking.Wecouldheartheirvoices.ThenthedriveroftheMercedescameandtookusupstairs.Ashortmaninadarkgreenshirtwassittingatadesk.Infrontofhimonthedeskwerethreeboxes.Hewasplayingwithapenandwatchinguscarefully.RichardspoketohiminGerman.Ididnotunderstand,butIheardKelly'snameandthemaninthegreenshirtbegantosaysomething.Allatoncetherewerenoisesoutside,Thesoundofcarsandvoicesandpeoplerunning.Themanjumpedupfromhisdeskandpulledagunoutofhispocket.Hetriedtogettothewindowbutatthatminutethedooropenedandthreeorfourpolicemenraninandjumpedonhim.Therewasafight,butthepolicegothisgunfromhimandheldhimonthefloor.Anoldermanarrived,apoliceinspectorwithgreyhair,andbegantogiveorderstothepolicemen.HecalledacrosstheroomtoRichardandmeinverygoodEnglish,‘Areyouallright?Theydidn'thurtyou,didthey?'HegavesomemoreordersandthenhecameacrosstoRichardandheldouthishand.‘Welldone,youngman.Imustthankyouforyourhelp.'Heturnedtome.‘Andthankyoutoo.You'vedoneverywell,bothofyou.It'sbeenagoodday'sworkforallofus.'IlookedatRichardandhegavemealittlesmile.‘Whatdoeshemean?'Iasked,butRicharddidnotanswer.Theinspectorthenexplainedtome.‘Yourfriendphonedusthismorningfromyourhotel.Afterthatitwaseasy.WejustwaitednearthehotelforthewhiteMercedesandthenfollowedithere.'TheinspectortookusbackintoFrankfurtinhiscarandwhenwearrivedthere,wewentatoncetohisoffice.Heorderedcoffeeforusandwhilewewerewaitingforit,hesaid,‘You'vehelpedusalotalreadybutweneedyourhelpwithonemorething.There'sstillMrKelly…andhisfriends.Wehaveaplanforthem.'Ohyes,heknewallaboutJoeKelly.Hebroughtoutthethreeboxesandputthemonthetableinfrontofus.Thenhesaid,‘WewouldlikeyoutotakethesebacktoEnglandwithyou.'RichardandIlookedathiminsurprise.Theinspectorwaitedforaminuteandthenwenton,‘Youdon'tneedtobeafraid.Perhapsyou'rethinkingabouttheBritishpolice,isthatit?Everythingwillbeallright.IwillspeaktoChiefSuperintendentEdwardsinLondon,andthere'llbenotroubleforyou.Nowlistencarefully.'Hewenton.‘JustgivethejewelerytoKelly.Hewon'tknowaboutthe”accident”tohisGermanfriends,andyoumustnottellanybodysboutit,oraboutourconversationtoday.That'sveryimportant.TheBritishpolicewillwatchKellyandwait.Doyouunderstand?'ThisplansoundeddangeroustomebutRichardsaid,‘Yes,ofcoursewe'lldoit,won'twe,Wendy?'RichardisnotafraidofKelly,yousee.SowebroughttheboxesbackwithusontheSaturdayeveningplanefromFrankfurt.WedidnotgetbackuntilnearlymidnightbutwetooktheboxesatoncetoKelly'shouse.Hetoldustowaitandthenwentintoanotherroom.Whenhecameback,hewasveryhappy.Heputhishandinhispocketandtookoutsomegoldear-rings.‘Theseareforyou,Wendy—foryourbirthdaynextThursday.'‘No,MrKelly,no,youmustn't.Ican'ttakethem,reallyIcan't.'‘Ofcourseyoucan,'Kellylaughed.‘You'veworkedhardforthem.Andwemusthaveapartyforyou.Let'sgetsomepeopletogetheronThursdaynight.Wherewouldyouliketogo?TotheRitz?Orperhapsadisco?No,Iknow・・',andhebegantosing:Let'sallmeetatMaxim's,We'llhaveawonderfultime.ItoldhimthreetimesthatIdidn'twantapartybuthedidn'twanttolisten.Hewastoopleasedwithhimself.‘Oh,yes,Wendy.Wemusthaveaparty.Andyoumustweartheear-rings.ThenI'llknowyou'remygoodlittlegirl.'Hesmouthwassmilingbuthiseyeswerecold.Richardsaidquietlyinmyear,‘Justagreewithhim,Wendy.Andtakehisear-rings—youcangivethembacklater.Wedon'twantanythingtogowrongnow.'Thenextfewdayspassedveryslowly.OnMondayandTuesdayeverythingwasquietintheoffice.KellydidnotspeaktomeagainaboutthevisittoFrankfurt.Hestayedinhisofficemostofthetimeandwasalwaysonthetelephone.Nopolicecametotheoffice,andnothinghappened.Ibegantofeelafraid.EarlyonWednesdaymorningRichardcalledintoseeme.‘Isheinyet?'heasked.HelookedatKelly'sdoor.‘Notyet.Why?'‘Iwantthekeystohisoffice.justforaminute.'‘ButRichard…'‘Comeon,Wendy,he'llneverknow.'‘Youcan'tgointhere,Richard.He'llbehereinaminute—it'stoodangerous.'‘Please,Wendy.Itwon'ttakelong.I'llbeoutagainImmediately.'‘Butwhy・・・whatdoyouwant?'‘Don'taskquestions.Justgivemethekeys—quickly.'OfcourseintheendIgavehimthekeys.HeopenedKelly'sdoorandwentinside.Someminutespassedandthenhegaveashout.‘IthinkI'vegotsomething!'IwentinandsawthatRichardwasstandinginfrontofKelly'sdeskwithaletterinhishand.Hehelditupforme.‘This',hesaid,‘isgoingtohelpus.'‘Whatdoyoumean?'Ididnotunderstand.‘Listen.'Hereadfromtheletter…theeggsarrivedlastweekendandtheyarenowinmyhouse,Bethereon18ThApril,11a.m.‘The18th,'said.‘That'snextSaturday.'JustthenIheardacaroutside.‘That'shim,'Icried.‘Quick,putthatletterback.Youmustgetoutofhereatonce.'IranthroughtomyofficewithRichardbehindme・‘Outthere一quick・'IpushedhimintothekitchenandatthesametimethedooropenedandKellywalkedin・‘Goodmorning,Wendy・'Hedidnotstopbutwentintohisofficeandclosedthedoorbehindhim・RichardthequicklylefttheofficeandIdidnotseehimagainthatday・Hephonedmethenextafternoon,whichwasThursday・Iknewatoncethathewasunhappyaboutsomething・‘What'shappened,Richard?'Iasked・‘I'mnotworkingforKellyanymore,'Hetoldme・‘ThismorningKellytoldmetodoanotherofhislittlejobsforhim,andIsaidno.Sohestartedshoutingatme,andthenhetoldmetogo.Sothat'sit-I'mlookingforanotherjob.Hegavealittlelaugh.‘Andworsethanthat,hehasn'tpaidme,andnowIcan'tbuyyouabirthdaypresent.'‘OhRichard,that'snotimportant,'Isaid.‘ButareyoucomingtoKelly'spartyformeatMaxim'stonight?Iwon'tgowithoutyou.Youmustcome.'‘Ican't,Wendy.I'dliketobethere,youknowthat.Butwemustn'tmeetuntilafterSaturday.'‘Whynot?What'shappeningonSaturday?Andwhat'shappeningaboutthe…theeggboxes?Whatarethepolicedoing?KellysaysImustwearmynewgoldear-ringsattheparty,butIdon'twantto.TheycamefromFrankfurtinoneofthoseeggboxes,andthey'restolen!OhRichard,I'mafraid!WhatamIgoingtodo?'‘Everything'sgoingtobeallright,Wendy.Really.I'vegotaplan.Justgototheparty,anddon'tworry.I'llseeyousoon.'Richardputthephonedown,andIhavenotseenorheardfromhimsincethen.4AnotherbirthdaypresentJenniferfeltverysorryforWendy.Thegirl'shandswereshaking,andshewastryingnottocry.Jenniferwentandsatnexttoher,andputherarmroundher.‘SowhathappenedafterthepartyonThursdaynight,whenthepolicetookyouaway?'sheaskedquietly.‘Oh,itwasterrible!'Wendysaid.‘Theytooktheear-ringsfromeme,ofcourse,andtheyaskedalotofquestions.Itoldthemthattheear-ringswereapresentfromKelly,andItoldthemallboutthepoliceinGermany,buttheydidn'tbelieveme.TheytoldmetogototheofficeonFriday,andnottosayandthingtoanybody.AndtheywantedtotalktoRichard.'WendyturnedtoJennnifer.‘WhatamIgoingtodo?'sheasked.‘Whydidn'tthepolicebelieveme?Haven'ttheGermanpolicetalkedtothem?Andwhere'sRichard?Ican'tfindhim.'Shebegantocryquietly.Jenniferstoodup.‘WemustphonethepoliceinGermany,'shesaid.‘I'lltalktothatpoliceman,Barrett,whocametoseemelatnight,and…'Justthentherewasaknockonthedoor.Jenniferwenttothedoorandcalledout,‘Whoisit?'‘It'sme!Richard!'cameRichard'sexci