Learn English Through Story ☆ Subtitles ✔ Diamonds Are Forever

you 1 the beginning of the pipeline the large Bush stood in the moonlight at the meeting place of three African countries the man from the diamond mines had waited under the bush for nearly two hours suddenly he heard the noise of a helicopter he looked up and saw it coming towards him from the east he waited when the helicopter was just above the ground an arm came out a torch switched on and off - the Morse code for the letter a the diamond smuggler flashed back B and C and the helicopter came down safely after a few moments its engine was silent the pilot opened the door and climbed down to the ground the other man walked across to him you're late again he said I had engine problems said the pilot well if you've got it let's have it the man from the diamond mines reached into his shirt and took out a packet he gave it to the pilot the pilot dropped the packet into the pocket of his shirt things are getting difficult at the mines said the diamond smuggler a man has come from London his name's Sillitoe the diamond corporation has sent him some of my men are afraid one day one of them is going to talk do you want me to tell this to ABC asked the pilot yes said the other man they must know about Sillitoe our minds are losing more than two million pounds a year because of smuggling the corporation wants the government to stop it and that means stop me what do you want asked the pilot more money yes answered the diamond smuggler 20% more I'll pass the message on to dakar said the pilot if they're interested they'll send it on to London but don't push them too hard already three men have died in the last 12 months in accidents two were stealing diamonds from the packets the other man tried to run away for a moment the two men looked silently at each other in the moonlight then the pilot climbed up into the helicopter I'll see you in a month he said the diamond smuggler watched the helicopter fly away to the east with it went the diamonds which would be sold for 100,000 pounds his men had stolen them from the mines during the past month the diamond smuggler got on his motorcycle and rode off towards Sierra Leone he rode fast towards the hills away from the great bush where the pipeline for the richest diamond smuggling operation in the world began and the end 5,000 miles away around the necks of rich women [Music] chapter 2 James Bond secret agent commanded James Bond of the British Secret Service picked up the diamond from the desk and held it in front of the desk lamp he was a tall handsome man with blue eyes and dark hair he wore an expensive dark blue suit and a white shirt bond looked carefully at the diamond it was a carat and its many colors shone brightly in the light beautiful Bond said em head of the British secret service moved his hand towards a pile of paper packets on the desk in front of him he opened a packet and pushed it across to bond what you're looking at is the best a fine blue white he said for the next 15 minutes em showed bond many different kinds of diamonds finally he sat back in his chair he looked worried 90% of all diamond sales happen here in London he said it's big business 50 million pounds a year but two million pounds worth of diamonds are being smuggled out of Africa every year we think they're going to America to American gangs of criminals why don't the mining companies stop it they've tried but they can't and the government thinks that the problem is too big for a lot of separate mining companies said em there's a big packet of smuggled stones in London at the moment they're waiting to go to America Special Branch know the name of the carrier who's going to take them there they also know who's going to be watching him why don't special branch or mi5 stop them asked bond because that won't stop the smuggling replied M the carrier's never talk and they probably know nothing important they get the Diamonds from a man here then hand them to another man when they get to the other side we need to follow the pipeline to America and see where it goes over there and the FBI won't be much help to us it's a very small part of their fight with the big gangs have you heard of the house of diamonds yeah said bond the big American jewelers there on West 46th Street in New York and the Rue de Rivoli in Paris they've got a small place in London too said em in Hatton Garden they were once very big buyers at the monthly sales of the diamond corporation now they're buying less and less but they're selling more and more so where are they getting their diamonds their main man in London is Rufus B Saye what do we know about him asked bond not much said em he has lunch every day at the American club in Piccadilly doesn't drink or smoke lives at the Savoy Hotel so what do you want me to do asked bond M looked at his watch you have a meeting with Ronnie Vallance at Scotland Yard in an hour he's going to put you into the pipeline in the place of the carrier and then said bond and then you're going to smuggle those diamonds into America said M you're going to be facing the Mafia and they're American gangs James and you'll be on your own [Music] Chapter three the house of diamonds at two o'clock bond was looking at two photographs in the office of Assistant Commission of valance of Scotland Yard they showed a dark-haired handsome young man he's Peter Frank's said Vallance you look a bit like him similar enough to fool someone who's only got his description he stupidly talked about this job to a girl in a Soho club the girl was secretly working for us she immediately told us about it Frank's had been contacted by a friend of a friend and agreed to do a smuggling job to America for $5,000 my girl asked him if he had the diamonds he said no but that his next job was to contact the guard when asked bond five o'clock tomorrow evening in her room at the Trafalgar Palace Hotel a girl called kase she was going to tell him what to do and go to America with him though these smugglers usually go in pairs asked bond yes the person carrying the diamonds is never fully trusted said Vallance he got up from his desk and started to walk up and down the room the diamond certainly come from Africa probably from Sierra Leone where our friend Sillitoe is investigating then the stones may get out through Liberia or French Guinea then into France and because this packet has arrived in London we think that London is part of the pipeline to valence stopped walking and turned to bond we know that this packet is on its way to America but what happens there we don't know how was this five thousand dollars to be paid to Peter Franks who buy we need answers to these questions you need to get past the man who pays you you need to go further up the pipeline towards the big men okay said bond we're going to get francs this evening said Vallance then you can make contact with Miss case does she know anything about francs only his description and his name said Vallance she probably won't even know the man who contacted him everybody does just one job it's safer that way if something goes wrong what do you know about the woman asked bond age 27 she was born in San Francisco she's not married she's been over here twelve times in the last three years maybe more often using a different name she always stays at the Trafalgar Palace the hotel detective says that she doesn't go out much she never stays more than two weeks you'll need to have a good story about why you're doing this job bond thought for a moment what about this house of diamonds I checked on se said Vallance American age 45 diamond merchant he goes to Paris a lot once a month for the last three years he probably got a girl there go and have a look at the place and at him he picked up one of the phones on his desk send up dank verts he said into it and Lavinia then get me the house of diamonds on the telephone valance walked across to the window and looked out after a moment there was a knock at the door a small man came in he had a pale face and he was wearing glasses good afternoon sergeant said Vallance this is commander bond of the Ministry of Defence I want you to take him to the house of diamonds in Hatton Garden he will be Sergeant James you'll see mr saye the top man there say that you think the diamonds from that Escott robbery are on their way to Argentina through America you'll ask say if he's heard anything about them from his New York office any questions no sir said sergeant dankwaerts a moment later another man came into the room he was carrying a small case good afternoon sergeant lavinia said Vallance come and look at my friend the sergeant stood close to bond and looked very carefully at his face for a minute who is he going to be sir he asked valence sergeant James one of sergeant danckwerts men only for three hours all right Lavinia took bond to a chair by the window and opened his case for the next ten minutes he worked on bonds face and hair bond listened to valance speak to the house of diamonds on the telephone two of my men will be calling at 3:30 p.m. valance was saying they'll need no more than 10 minutes of mr. sage time yes thank you goodbye he held up a pocket mirror in front of bond bond looked into it and he saw someone who certainly didn't look like James Bond the waiting room at the house of diamonds was quiet except for the sound of a wall clock there was a thick red carpet on the floor in the center was a round table and six armchairs bond guessed that they had cost at least a thousand pounds bond and sergeant dank fürs sat in armchairs and waited silently dank firts was reading a copy of the diamond news suddenly the door opened and a big dark man stepped in and looked quickly at each of them my name is say he said in a cold voice what do you want dank FETs walked around say and closed the door behind him armed sergeant dankwaerts of the Special Branch of Scotland Yard he said calmly this is sergeant James we are looking for information on the theft of some diamonds you may be able to help us while Dan Fouts told his story bond looked carefully at mr saye he was a large man with a square face and short black hair his lips were a thin straight line he wore a black suit white shirt and a thin black tie bond decided that say was a hard cold-hearted man and these are the stones we're interested in Bank verts was finishing his story have any of them come through your company here or in New York no they haven't said say he turned and opened the door behind him now good afternoon gentlemen and he walked out of the room some minutes later dank firts was driving towards Baum's flat near the Kings Road did you get what you wanted sir he asked bond I'm not sure exactly what I wanted said bond but I was glad to have a look at Rufus B Saye he doesn't look like a diamond merchant he's not a diamond merchant sir said danckwerts smiling I read out a list of missing stones I mentioned a yellow premier and two Cape unions yes there are no diamonds with those names and say didn't know that [Music] chapter four Tiffany case bond knocked on the door of room three five-o of the Trafalgar Palace Hotel come in said a woman's voice he walked into the small living room and shut the door behind him lock it said the voice it came from the bedroom bond locked the door and walked across to the middle of the room past the bedroom door sit down said the voice bond smiled and sat in an armchair next to a desk he could just see her through the open door she was getting dressed after a few minutes Tiffany case came out of the bedroom she was very beautiful with blonde hair and blue eyes she was dressed in a black suit and a green shirt she wore an expensive gold watch on her arm and a large diamond ring on the third finger of her right hand so you're Peter Franks she said I'm Tiffany case why did you decide to do this job they told me that you were a burglar I am said bond something went wrong on a job there was an argument and a person died and now you want to leave the country she said that's right and I need the money where are you going to carry the stones she asked do you have any ideas I thought perhaps the handles of a suitcase would be a good place said bond yes no because the customs men think the same thing she said do you play golf yes said Bond which golf balls do you use she took a piece of paper and a pen from the desk they're called Dunlop 65s said bond ok have you got a passport she asked I have said bond but it uses my real name James Bond she looked at him for a moment then said it's not important now listen you're going over to America to see a man called Michael tree his friends call him shady tree now this is your story he's an American friend of yours and you met him in Europe ok ok said bond you'll stay at the Astor Hotel in New York she walked to the desk and opened a drawer she took out a small packet and gave it to bond there is about five hundred pounds in there she said get a room here in London at the Ritz Hotel buy a good used suitcase and pack your golfing holiday clothes get your golf clubs then buy a ticket for the Thursday evening monarch flight to New York a car will come for you at 6:30 on Thursday evening the driver will give you the golf balls all right said bond don't think you can trick us and take the Diamonds the driver will stay with you until your bags go on the plane and I'll be at London Airport what happens in New York asked bond another driver will meet you and tell you what to do next if anything goes wrong at customs you know nothing could we meet in New York said bond smiling he liked this girl and she could help him to get further up the pipeline she looked at him then looked away well I suppose we could have dinner Friday night if the job goes okay meet me at 8:00 o'clock at the 21 club on 52nd Street now I've got things to do she walked towards the door bond followed her he'll be all right she said just stay away from me on the plane opened the door and Bond walked out of the room see you at the 21 club he said she closed the door behind him and waited to hear his footsteps go away 20 minutes later Tiffany case walked into Charing Cross railway station she went to one of the telephone boxes and dialed a number after the usual two rings she heard the click of the automatic recorder taking the call for 20 seconds she heard nothing then the voice of her boss who she did not know said speak she spoke quickly case to ABC the carrier's real name is James Bond he'll used that name on his passport he plays golf and will carry golf clubs I suggest we use golf balls he uses Dunlop 65s I'll call again later this evening she put down the phone in a rented room somewhere in London the recorder stopped a door opened and closed footsteps went softly down some stairs and out into an unknown Street and away [Music] Chapter five a bad traveler it was six o'clock on Thursday evening bond was packing his suitcase in his bedroom at the Ritz his tickets and passport went into a smaller case which had been prepared for him by Special Branch there was a narrow secret space at the back of the case this held a silencer for his gun and 30 rounds of 0.25 ammunition the telephone rang it was the girl at the hotel desk she said a man from Universal export has a letter for you Mr Bond a few minutes later bond opened the door to a man from headquarters he gave a large envelope to bond I have to wait and take this back after you read the note inside sir he said bond sat at the writing desk and began to read the note was from M Washington reports that Rufus B Saye is Jack Spang a possible gangster he is twin brother to seraffimo spang together they control the Spangled mob a group working in America the Spang brothers bought the house of diamonds five years ago they also owned the tiara Hotel in Las Vegas this hotel is the headquarters of seraffimo spang washington also reports that spangled mob buy and sell drugs this business is looked after by Michael shady tree a criminal known to the police the gang has other headquarters in Miami Detroit and Chicago the spangled mob is one of the biggest gangs in the United States if your job takes you into a dangerous meeting with the gang report at once to headquarters we will then give the job to the FBI this is an order finished reading then put the note into one of the Ritz envelopes he gave it to the man from headquarters after the man had left bond walked across to the window and looked out across Green Park give that job to the FBI M would hate to ask the FBI to finish a job a dangerous meeting would be something for bond to decide about he remembered some of his enemies from the past he was sure that these gangsters could not be as dangerous as them or could they he remembered the hard cold eyes of Rufus B Saye well he would have a look at the brother seraffimo bond looked at his watch 6:25 p.m. he put his right hand under his coat and took out the 0.25 beretta automatic gun he checked the gun carefully then put it back in the holster under his coat the telephone rang your cars here sir the voice told him the large black car was standing outside the Ritz Hotel the driver put bonds to cases and golf clubs in the back of the car he told bond to sit in the front passenger seat as they drove through Piccadilly he looked at his driver the man's eyes were hidden behind black sunglasses and he was cold and professional after a time the car stopped at the side of the road the driver reached under his seat and took out a box of new golf balls he got out of the car and opened the back door he opened the pocket on bonds golf bag carefully he put the six new golf balls into the pocket with the old ones already there then he climbed back into the front seat and they drove on at London Airport bombs bags went through customs without problems Tiffany case came into the departure lounge a few minutes after bond there were about forty other passengers but there was nobody that bond recognized except Tiffany case he looked round were two of the passengers watching him they looked like American businessman one of them was a young man with white hair the other was fat and had a pale face bond heard them ask for double brandies at the bar the fat man took some pills from his pocket and put one into his mouth then he drank some brandy he had a small case with some writing printed on it it said mr. W winter my blood group is F a bad traveler thought bond he slept through most of the flight [Music] Chapter six shady tree bond and his bags went through customs easily at new york's idlewild airport a porter took his suitcase and golf clubs and followed him through the airport bond was near the exit doors when he heard his name mr. bond I have a car for you bond turned to see a tall man with a narrow face and mean-looking eyes they walked outside into the hot early morning Sun bond saw something square in the man's trouser pocket it was about the size and shape of a small gun the car was a black Oldsmobile sedan bond climbed into the front seat he did not wait to be told where to sit the porter put his suitcase in golf bag in the back they drove through the traffic to Manhattan the car stopped in West 46th Street the diamond district of New York they were outside a smart-looking shop with the name house of diamonds above the door bond took his small case and reached for the golf clubs I'll take those said the driver you take the suitcase bond followed the driver to a small door at the side of the shop inside was a man in a Porter's room who can we leave the bags with you the driver asked him sure said the man they'll be ok here the driver waited for bond to get into the lift the driver carried the golf bag over his shoulder and they went up to the fourth floor in silence the driver knocked on a door opposite the lift and opened it bombed followed him inside a man with bright red hair and a big moon shaped face was sitting at a desk he stood up as they came in he was a hunchback he walked slowly round bond then stood in front of him and looked up into his face bond looked calmly back at the hunchback seeing the big ears the half-open mouth and the short strong arms the hunchbacks voice was sharp and high London tells me that you have killed a man Mr Bond I believe them would you like to do more work for us perhaps answered bond how much do you pay The Hunchback laughed then turned to the driver rocky get those balls out of the bag and cut them open he quickly shook his arm and a knife appeared from the arm of his coat and dropped into his hand a throwing knife thought bond and he's fast vak sat down behind his desk again rocky took the knife and put the six new golf balls on the desk he cut one of them open and put it on the desk the hunchback took out three uncut diamonds the driver went on with his work until bond had counted 18 stones on the desk if the stones were good quality they could be sold for about 100,000 pounds after cutting okay rocky said the hunchback take the golf clubs and this man's bags to the Astor hotel he's staying there send them up to his room after the driver had left bond sat in a chair opposite the hunchback he lit a cigarette now if you are happy I'd like my $5,000 bond said the hunchback slowly moved the diamonds in front of him into a circle he looked up at bond you will be paid he said and you may get more than $5,000 but you'll get the money yourself because it's safer it is very dangerous for a man to suddenly have a lot of money he talks about it and spends it without being careful then the police catch him and ask him where it all came from he hasn't got an answer right okay said bond how do I get the $5,000 I'll tell you a story said the hunchback today you met your friend mr. tree that's me you knew me in England in 1945 just after the war okay okay said bond I owed you money for a card game that we had at the Savoy Hotel in London right when we met today I paid you so now you have $1,000 here's the money the hunchback took ten one hundred-dollar notes from his pocket and pushed them across the desk bombed put them in his coat pocket you decide to go and see some horse racing in Saratoga continued the hunchback you put a bet on a horse and win another $4,000 now you have $5,000 now if anybody asks where did it come from you have answers maybe the horse will lose the race said bond it won't the hunt back smiled good said bond I'd like to stay away from England for a while do you need any extra help The Hunchback looked silently at bond maybe he said after a few moments phone me after the race this is my number write it down Wisconsin seven three six nine seven and write this down too fourth race on Tuesday the perpetuity stakes put your bet on shy smile to win he's a big horse with a white face and white feet [Music] Chapter seven felix leiter bond went down in the lift and out into the street he walked towards Times Square after a few minutes bond became sure that someone was following him he looked back but there was nobody suddenly moving into a shop nobody quickly putting up a newspaper to hide their face bond turned right into the Avenue of Americas and stopped inside the entrance of the first shop he saw suddenly he felt something hard holding his right arm and a voice said relax Mr Bond don't move or you'll have bullets for lunch he felt something hard push into his side had he heard this voice before he looked down to see a metal hook holding his right arm moving fast bond tried to hit the man behind him but the man caught his arm and stopped him then came a laugh and a voice said sorry James your court bond turned to see the smiling face of felix leiter you were in front of me said bond he smiled back at the American secret agent the last time bond had seen him Felix had been lying on a bed in a pool of blood in a Florida hotel what are you doing here said bond come on you can buy me lunch and tell me ok said Leiter he put his metal hook into the right-hand pocket of his coat and took Baum's arm with his left hand let's go to Sardis it's across the street they went upstairs in the famous actors and writers restaurant Leiter walked slowly and with some difficulty bond saw that his right arm and left leg were false and there were small marks above his right eye the waiter came and Leiter ordered a dry martini for bond bond smiled Leiter had remembered his favorite drink Leiter's smile was warm but his eyes were watching bond carefully tell me what's your business with shady tree bond drank his martini and lit a cigarette you tell me something first Felix he said are you still working for the CIA no said Leiter when I lost my gun hand they could only give me desk work so I work for Pinkertons Detective Agency now I'm a private detective I investigate drugs and fixed horse races races where they know who's going to win and I organize men to watch the racehorses in their stables at night what about you are you still with the same people that's right said bond on a job for them now yes in secret yes Leiter looked unhappy if it's about the Spangled gang you're crazy to be working alone this is dangerous but maybe we can help each other I'll tell you why I was near shady trees offices I think I know said bond you're interested in someone with a white face and four white feet he's called shy smile that's right said Leiter he's racing at Saratoga on Tuesday I'm going to bet $1,000 on him and he's going to win said bond it's my pay for another job I brought a big packet of uncut diamonds in by plane this morning for mr. Spang and his friends why are you interested in the horse because the horse that looks like shy smile is really a fast horse called picker pepper the real shy smile was a slow horse and didn't win races they shot him don't tell me said bond picker peppers also got a white face and four white feet right said leiter and they've done a good job with any other small differences they started planning this more than a year ago they're going to make a lot of money it's a very big race what are you going to do about it ah spawned I don't know I need to think about it said leiter let's strive to saratoga together on Sunday we can both stay at a quiet place I know the Sagamore motel and meet in the evenings good idea said bond now let's order some lunch and I'll tell you my story he finished the story when they were drinking coffee and we think that the spangs are smuggling the diamonds and that the house of diamonds is selling them I don't know much about jack spang said Leiter but I've heard about Tiffany case her mother owned a cheap hotel in San Francisco one day she decided not to pay money to the local gangsters some nights later they arrived and broke doors furniture and everything else in the place then they attacked Tiffany it was bad she was only 16 years old that's terrible said bond angrily next day she ran away she had several jobs dancer waitress until she was about 20 then she moved to Florida and started drinking too much alcohol one day a boy fell into the sea and Tiffany jumped in and saved him her name was in the newspapers some rich woman gave her somewhere to live and helped her to stop drinking she took Tiffany around the world but Tiffany left her when they got to San Francisco she went to live with her mother for a short time then moved down to Reno she met seraffimo there and he gave her a job at the tiara casino in Las Vegas she's been there for the last year or two she goes to Europe in between I suppose I like her said bond he looked at his watch I need some sleep I'm staying at the Astor Hotel where shall we meet on Sunday morning outside the Plaza Hotel at nine o'clock said Leiter you've got a dangerous job James be careful all American gangsters are bad but these spangled boys are some of the worst [Music] chapter 8 a warning from Tiffany the waiter at the 21 club brought the martinis with pieces of lemon peel as bond had ordered Tiffany put a cigarette in her mouth and bond lit it for her for a moment their eyes met and bond could read a message I like you her eyes seemed to say but be kind I don't want to be hurt anymore another waiter came to their table with caviar and champagne I'm going to Las Vegas tomorrow said Tiffany I'm taking the train to Chicago then to Los Angeles what about you I'm going up to Saratoga said bond the bet on a horse and make some money I suppose it's a fixed race said Tiffany there was no smile in her eyes now you seemed to be popular with Shady he wants you to work with the mob bombed hated lying to this girl but it was necessary good he said but who is the mob he lit a cigarette and felt her watching him closely after a moment she said it's called the spangled mob two brothers called Spang i worked for one of them in las vegas nobody seems to know where the other one is some say that he's in Europe and then there's somebody called ABC when I'm working with diamonds all the orders come from him the brother I work for is seraffimo spang he's more interested in gambling and racehorses then there's shady he looks after the drug business and other things there are other men gangsters they're tough you'll meet them then she added unkindly I'm sure you'll like them it's just another job said bond angrily I've got to earn some money there are lots of other ways she said just think very carefully before you work for our little gang this diamond game looks easy said bond why don't we just go on doing it together in two or three jobs a year will give us good money these people aren't fools said Tiffany she was angry with him I've never had the same carrier twice and I'm not the only guard also I think they had someone watching us on the plane they check and double-check everything they do I've never even seen ABC I just phone a number in London to get my orders you have no idea do you some time later they went out into the hot night and got a taxi I'm staying at the Astor - said Tiffany bond said nothing he looked out at the taxi window he wanted to say to her come with me I like you don't be frightened but bond couldn't he had a job to do at the Astor Hotel they took the lift to the fifth floor bond followed her to the door of her room she turned angrily and started to say listen you bond person but she stopped and looked into his eyes he saw that she was crying suddenly she put her arms round him and her face next to his look after yourself James she said I don't want to lose you she kissed him long and hard on the lips then he turned quickly and went into her room and shut the door behind her [Music] chapter 9 a fast horse on Saturday bond stayed in his hotel room for most of the day and wrote a report to Center London the diamond pipeline began somewhere near Jack Spang also known as Rufus B Saye it ended with seraffimo spang the stones came to shady tree then they went into the house of diamonds for cutting and selling someone known as ABC seemed to be the big boss he was probably in London bond would try to get further up the pipeline using Tiffany case he wrote the report in code at nine o'clock on Sunday morning a black Studebaker car stopped outside the Plaza Hotel bond was waiting there with his suitcase he threw it onto the back seat and climbed in next to Leiter it's about 200 miles said Leiter as they drove out of the city there was a straight empty road in front of them Leiter pushed his right foot down to the floor suddenly bond was thrown back into his seat he looked at the speedometer 80 90 95 miles an hour not bad for a Studebaker said bond Leiter looked at bond and smiled and this isn't a normal studio at 12:30 they found a place to stop for lunch later told bond about Saratoga it's a spa town he said for 11 months of the year it's very quiet people sometimes come to go in the waters or to have mud baths but that's all then for one month August it goes crazy it's probably the best race meeting in America and the place is full of rich people a lot of the racehorse owners are gangsters like the spangs sometimes they fix a race the spangs hope to get $50,000 from the shy smile race they finished their lunch and drove on bond slept for a short time when he opened his eyes they were entering Saratoga there seemed to be horses everywhere the streets walking along the sides of the roads coming out of lorries horse trainers and jockeys talked on street corners lighter left bond at the Sagamore motel just outside town they agreed to meet only at night or by accident at the races will visit the racetrack early tomorrow if shy smile is their Leiter told bond I'll know about this and a lot more after an evening at the tether it's an all-night restaurant and bar most of the criminals of the racing world go there at the motel bond paid thirty dollars for three days and got a key to room forty-nine he had a shower dressed then walked down the road there was a restaurant on the corner and he ate a chicken dinner afterwards he bought a Saratoga newspaper he saw that T Belle would be riding shy smile in the perpetuate E's race soon after ten o'clock Felix Leiter knocked softly on the door of bonds room and came in bond was lying on the bed Leiter sat down in an armchair and took out a cigarette we get up at five o'clock tomorrow morning said Leiter they'll be timing shy smile at 5:30 a.m. I want to see who's there the owner of the horse is Pissarro he's one of the directors of the tiara casino in Las Vegas the jockey is ting-a-ling Bell he's a good rider but he's not always honest when he's paid well I want to speak to tingling the trainer is another gangster Rosie bird what are you going to do asked bond I've got a few ideas said leiter I'll wake you at 5 o'clock bond woke early and the two men drove to the racetrack they walked through the trees to the white fence around the track the early morning air was wonderfully cool and the Sun was beginning to come out three men came through the trees one of them was leading a large horse the animal had a white face and white feet don't look too interested in them warned Leiter turned round and watched the line of other horses coming up the track I'll watch our friends bombed turned and looked away a man is leading out shy smile said Leiter and there's Budd and Pissaro it's a nice-looking horse the man is getting on him now the gangsters have got their watches out they've seen us but don't worry when the horse starts moving they won't be interested in us ok you can turn round now James shy smile is on the other side of the track they're watching him through their binoculars bond saw the two men with binoculars they had watches in their hands he started Leiter said faraway bond could see a brown horse moving fast around the top of the track they watched him turn and come towards them horse and rider came quickly round the corner in front of bond and Leiter and on towards the watching men then the horse was past them and bonds eyes moved to the two men he saw them look at their watches to check the time that the horse had taken Leiter touched bond on the arm and they walked back to their car he ran well said Leiter faster than the real shy smile could run if he moves like that he'll win let's get some breakfast James then I'm going to see ting-a-ling Bell after breakfast bond spent some time at the racetrack later he had lunch then he watched and put bets on the afternoon races it was a beautiful day and by the end of the afternoon he had won fifteen dollars he walked back to the motel and had a shower then he found a restaurant and had dinner afterwards he walked over to the sales ring and watched racehorses bought and sold after a time bond heard a small noise from the seat behind him it was lighter he sat forward and spoke quietly in bonds ear it's done he said it's cost $3,000 but tingling we'll do it see you in the morning James Bond look round but went on watching the sales after a while he walked slowly back to the motel he thought about shy smile who wasn't the real shy smile and about tingling Bell who was being paid to lose the race he's playing a very dangerous game thought bond chapter 10 the race bond sat high up in the grandstand and watched shy smiles owner through binoculars Pissarro was at a table in the grandstand restaurant not far below bond rosy Budd sat opposite him there was half an hour to wait before the perpetuate E's race started shy smile was horse number 10 he was the bottom horse in the betting the two favourites to win were come again and pray action bond put down his binoculars and remembered what Leiter had told him earlier that day Leiter had gone to see Bell and had told him that he was a private detective I know about shy smile who is really pick a pepper Leiter had said to Belle if you win I'll tell everyone what really happened you'll never ride a racehorse again ting-a-ling or you can win the race but be disqualified knock into the horse nearest to you and stop him winning do that and I'll give you $1,000 now and another two thousand after the race a frightened Belle had agreed but he wanted the $2,000 to be given to him at the Acme mud and sulphur baths he went there every evening after the races at 6 o'clock bond had the $2,000 in his pocket if shy smile got disqualified and lost the race he would go to the Acme baths at 6 o'clock and meet Belle when it was time the horses came down to the starting place first came number one come again a big black horse then came prey action a fast looking grey horse the big brown horse with a white face and white feet was behind all the other horses a nervous-looking ting-a-ling Bell sat on his back the horses came to the starting gate and bond watched the race through binoculars a bell sounded and they moved quickly away shy smile number 10 was close to the fence horse number 5 was just in front come again and pray action came along next to him shy smile was behind them round the corner and now come again was at the front and shy smile was forth down the long straight part of the racecourse and shy smile and pray action rushed past number 5 shy smile was almost next to the front horse now pray action and shy smile was side-by-side together moving quickly away from the others coming to the last corner racing towards the finish there was a camera filming the race bond stopped breathing now now he thought do it now pray action was nearest the white fence tingling bell moved shy smile nearer to him tingling looked away so that he could not see the grey horse next to him suddenly shy smiles head hit pray actions head he pushed pray action towards the fence pray actions jockey stood up and had to slow his horse down angry shouts came from the crowd now shy smile was in front going faster faster moments later tingling Bell took him past the finishing post he had won or had he very clever riding ting-a-ling thought bond some minutes after the end of the race a voice came over the loudspeaker attention please number 10 shy smile has been disqualified number 3 prey action is the winner bond smiled and walked towards the bar chapter 11 mud baths the small red bus had the words Acme mud and sulphur baths on its side it went down a short hill towards a group of dirty grey buildings at all yellow chimney stood up from the center black smoke came from the chimney the bus stopped by the baths there was a seat near the entrance under some dead looking trees bombed sat there for a few minutes trying to prepare himself he was not happy he did not like the look of the place and he did not like what was going to happen to him inside but after a few more moments he went inside the bad smell of sulphur was strong a woman sat behind a desk reading a paperback book she looked up yes I'd like a bath said bond mud or sulphur asked the woman mud said bond he paid for a ticket at the back of the room were two doors one said mud the other sulfur bond went through the mud door he found himself in a long room with a window in the roof and changing rooms along the walls it was hot and steamy in the room two men sat at a table playing cards they were naked except for towels around their waists they looked up at bond ticket one of the men asked bond gave him his ticket and the man gave him a key for one of the changing rooms he pointed at the door at the end of the room the bars are through there the man said there was nothing in the changing room except a thin towel bond took off his clothes and put the towel round his waist he pushed the money into his coat pocket then he walked out and locked the changing room door behind him he went through the door at the end of the room a large black man with no hair met him on the other side follow me said the black man the room was Square and gray and there were long tables against the walls on each table was a heavy wooden box like a coffin it had a wooden top that covered most of the box men's hot wet faces showed above the sides of most coffins bond followed the black man to a wooden seat next to two shower rooms bond sat on the seat and the man went across to an empty coffin he put a sheet into it next he went to the middle of the room and got two buckets they were filled with hot brown mud he poured mud into the empty coffin until the bottom was full he left it to cool and went to a bath full of ice from this he took several wet towels then walked round the room at each coffin he stopped to put a cold towel around the head of the red-faced man inside when he had finished he walked across to the empty coffin ok he said to bond the man took bonds towel and key bond climbed into the coffin and lay down in the hot mud the man put a cold towel under BOMs head then took one of the buckets of hot mud he put the mud all over bonds body when he had finished only bonds face in a very small part of his body around his heart was white the man then pulled the sheet round bond until bond could only move his fingers and his head he felt like a trapped animal 20 minutes the man said to bond he closed the lid it was six o'clock bond was comfortable and hot at three minutes past 6:00 the door opened and tingling Bell came into the room the black man came across and put a towel around bonds head it felt wonderfully cold the jockey climbed into a coffin in front of bond the black man covered him in mud and put the sheet round him then he shut the lid over tingaling's body bond closed his eyes how was he going to give tingling the money in the changing room after the bath on the way out in the bus okay nobody move it was a hard frightening voice and came from the doorway bond opened his eyes the daughter the room was open and a man stood by it another man walked quickly into the middle of the room they both carried guns and had black hoods over their heads there were holes cut in the hoods for their eyes and mouths where's the jockey the man in the middle of the room asked he moved across the room and hit the black man with his gun the black man afraid pointed the man with the gun walked towards tingling when he went past bond he stopped and looked for a few seconds then he moved over to the jockey hello ting-a-ling he said coldly what's wrong the jockeys voice was high and frightened wrong said the man with the gun maybe you've never heard of a horse called shy smile maybe you weren't there when he was disqualified this afternoon the jockey started to cry softly it wasn't my fault boss it was an accident my friends think that it wasn't an accident the man put the gun to the jockeys head they found a thousand dollars hidden in your room where did it come from I've saved it cried tingling it's all the money I've got the man took the gun away you've been riding too much tingling you need a rest in a hospital maybe he walked across and picked up one of the buckets of hot mud and walked back the jockey started shouting no no as the hot brown mud came out of the bucket and onto his head when it was empty the man threw the bucket across the room don't call the police he said as he walked to the door he laughed and pointed at tingaling's coffin you'd better get him out before he begins to cook still laughing the two men went out of the room sometime later Felix Leiter was sitting in bonds room at the motel what happened next he asked the two ticket men came running in said bond they took the lid off tingaling's box and pulled off the sheet then they carried him to the shower he was half dead and all if his face was burned and described the tow gun man said Leiter the man by the door was small and thin said bond the other man was big and fat he had a red wart on his right thumb went said later on the other man was kid they worked for the spangs and they always worked together wint is always sucking that wart on his thumb he's called windy he gets sick in cars and trains and he thinks that planes are going to crash at any minute kids got white hair but he's only about thirty years old I'll tell the police about them and about shy smile I won't tell them about you James I'll be back in an hour bond got dressed then went to find a telephone he spoke to shady tree I smile didn't win he said I know said shady tree tell me where you are staying and I'll send you another $1,000 you'll get the money in the morning now listen carefully come to New York and get a plane to Los Angeles then get another plane to Las Vegas there is a room booked for you at the tiara casino at 10 o'clock on Thursday evening go to the center table of the three blackjack tables near the bar sit down and bet the $1000 do this five times then get up and leave the table don't bet any more but wait for more orders okay okay said bond later Felix Leiter returned and he and bond went out to dinner my boss wants me to go to Las Vegas said Leiter when they were reaching he wants to know where the real shy smiles body is buried then we're both going to Las Vegas said bond he told him about shady trees orders I'll be there by the end of the week said Leiter maybe we could meet sometimes listen Pinkertons have got a man there his name's ernie cureo I'll tell him that you're coming and he'll look after you but be careful James Bond smiled I'll be careful but I've got to get further down the pipeline also I've got to get close to seraffimo spang I really don't like the spangs I don't like what they did to that black man and tingling are you still an agent with a double o number asked Leiter the number that means that you're allowed to kill yes said bond quietly I am good said Leiter [Music] chapter 12 Las Vegas bond came out of the airport building at Las Vegas a voice said are you going to the tiara bond turned and saw a short heavy man with large brown eyes yes said bond okay let's go bond followed him to his car it was a taxi he threw his suitcase onto the back seat and climbed in after it they drove out of the airport i'm ernie cureo said the driver I'm a friend of Felix Leiter he told me to look after you are you staying long maybe for a few days said bond after driving for some time the wide road went on through lines of colored lights and signs until they were in downtown Las Vegas the Sun was uncomfortably hot we're coming into the famous strip now said cureo after a minute or two here are all the big hotels and casinos that's the Flamingo and that's the sands and here's the Desert Inn and the Sahara over there is the Thunderbird and across the road as the tiara he slowed down and stopped outside the Spang hotel I guess you know all about mr. Spang said cureo I know a little said bond you can tell me the rest another time okay said cureo I'm sure you'll be safe on your first night bond had lunch next to the Tiaras big swimming pool then went to his room it was very comfortable with expensive furniture a radio and a television he slept for four hours time a secret wire recorder under the table next to the bed recorded complete silence when bond woke up it was seven o'clock the wire-recorder heard him phone the hotel desk I want to speak to miss Tiffany case a pause then alright but please tell her that mr. James Bond called the recorder heard him move about the room it heard the noise of the shower and at 7:30 p.m. it heard the noise of the key in the lock when he went out and shut the door half an hour later the recorder heard a knock on the door a man wearing a waiters uniform came into the room with a bowl of fruit there was a note with it from the hotel manager the man walked quickly to the table by the bed and removed the wire from the recorder he put a new wire in the machine then he put the fruit on the table and went out and closed the door for several hours after that the wire-recorder heard nothing sat in the tiara bar and slowly drank a martini as mr. Spang been in tonight he asked the barman I haven't seen him said the barman he usually comes in about 11 o'clock bond walked across to the blackjack tables he stopped at the centre table the table where he was going to sit at 10 o'clock it was now 8:30 eight players sat round the table opposite the dealer the dealer was about 40 years old he dealt two cards into the eight numbered spaces on the table in front of the bets the bets were mostly five or ten silver dollars or counters worth $20 nobody spoke the waitresses moved around and the space inside the circle of tables from this space two tough-looking men with guns at their waists watched the tables and players carefully Bond watched the game for a short time then walked to the opal Room Restaurant he sat at a corner table and ordered a steak and a martini then he ate his dinner and thought about the rest of the evening he was becoming bored with this job and he did not like taking orders from a cheap gangster or trying to please mr. Spang just before 10 o'clock he walked into the casino there are two ways of doing this job he thought sit and wait for something to happen or make something happen [Music] chapter 13 an interesting evening the dealer now at the center blackjack table was Tiffany case so that's her job at the tiara thought bond all the blackjack dealers at the tables were pretty women they all wore the same smart Western clothes short grey skirt with a white black belt a grey shirt and a black handkerchief around the neck a gray cowboy hat and black boots so Tiffany is going to help me win $5,000 bond thought he sat down opposite her hi she said smiling politely bond put ten one hundred-dollar notes across the betting line on the table one of the two tough-looking men walked across and stood next to Tiffany he was called a pit boss maybe this man were like new cards the man said looking at bond he gave Tiffany a new pack of cards then he moved away Tiffany shuffled the new cards quickly then cupped them divided them into two parts and put them flat on the table but bond saw that the two halves were not quite the same when she shuffled them again she was going to put the cards back into the same place she put them in front of bond to cut he watched her shuffle him again cleverly moving the cards just where she needed them and so the new pack of cards was fixed she dealt him two cards then gave two to herself bond looked at his two cards at Jack and a ten he looked up at the girl and shook his head he didn't want another card she turned her cards over they added up to sixteen she took another cart a king now the three cards added up to more than twenty-one she had busted she had silver dollars and counters for $20 next to her but the pit boss moved quickly to her side with a thin thousand-dollar plaque she pushed it across to bond bond bet again she dealt him two more cards 17 again he shook his head she had 12 and took two more cards a 3 & a 9 busted again and the pit boss was there with another thousand-dollar plaque with his next bet bond got cards that added up to 19 she turned over a 10 and a 7 and had to stand another thousand-dollar plaque came to bond more people were coming into the gambling room now soon they were going to be round the tables this was his last bet after this he was supposed to get up from the table and leave her she dealt him two cards and he picked them up 20 and she picked up two tens bond smiled both took another card and busted she quickly dealt him two more cards just as three more players came to the table he had 19 and she had 16 and that was the end bond took his last thousand-dollar plaque he got up from the table and looked across at the girl thank you he said you deal beautifully Tiffany case looked hard at bond you're welcome she said bond turned and walked away to the bar so now he had his $5,000 he remembered what shady tree had told him don't bet anymore bond smiled then finished his drink and walked across the room to the nearest roulette table five thousand dollars on red he told the croupier the croupier looked closely at him then put the five thousand dollar plaques onto the red bond saw him push a button under the table with his knee a moment later the pit boss walked across to the table at the same time the croupier turned the wheel bond lit a cigarette he had a wonderful feeling of freedom nobody was going to tell him what to do anymore and he knew that he was going to win the wheel turned more slowly and the little ball fell into its red place 36 red said the croupier he pulled in some losing counters and pushed some money across to the winning players then he took a large thin $5,000 plaque and put it next to bond put it on black said bond now several more people came to watch bond felt their eyes on him but he looked across the table to the pit boss the man looked a little nervous bond smiled at him as the wheel turned 17 black said the croupier there were noises of excitement from the watching crowd they watched the croupier pushed the big plaque in front of bond now there was another man standing next to the pit boss he was a big square shaped man and he was looking at bond with hard bright eyes it was seraffimo spang he looked a little like his brother in London now for the last throw thought bond and then I'm leaving here with $20,000 of Spang money he looked across at his employer spang's eyes were still watching him red said bond he gave the $5,000 plaque to the croupier the wheel turned the little ball fell into its place five red said the croupier and there were more noises of excitement from the people around the table I'll take my money said bond Thanks bond put the four plaques in his pocket and moved through the crowd he walked across to the cashier's desk three notes of five thousand and five of ones he said to the man the cashier took bonds four plaques and gave him the money bond went to the hotel desk and asked for an airmail envelope then he moved to a writing desk next to the wall he put the three large notes in the envelope and wrote on the front the managing director Universal export Asians Park London nw1 inland then he bought stamps at the desk and put the envelope into the u.s. mailbox he hoped it would be safe he looked at his watch five minutes to midnight he looked round the room for the last time there was a new dealer at Tiffany cases table and mr. Spang was not there anymore bond walked back to his room and locked the door it had been an interesting evening [Music] chapter 14 gunfights for most of the next day bond waited at the hotel for something to happen when he got tired of waiting he phoned ernie cureo let's meet for a talk he said cureo came to get him that evening and they drove away from the strip what happened last night asked ernie cureo did you win anything I won some money at Roulette said bond it won't worry Spang he's rich how does he spend his money he's crazy about the Old West said cureo he bought himself a ghost town out on highway 95 it's called spectreville it has a Western saloon bar a hotel and even an old railway station and spang bought one of the old trains he keeps it in the station at spectreville at weekends he takes his friends for a ride to rhyolite it's another ghost town about fifty miles away it gets lots of visitors that's why I haven't heard from Spang or his friends all day thought bond it's Friday so they'll be out playing trains after some minutes curio said were being followed front and back do you see that black Chevrolet in front with the two men they've got two driving mirrors and they're watching us behind us as a little red Jaguar two more men with golf clubs on the back seat they belong to the detroit purple gang and they don't play golf I'll try and lose them bond took a thousand dollar note from his pocket and pushed it into cureo's shirt pocket that's for any damage to your car okay Arnie let's see what you can do he took his beretta out of its holster and held it in his hand this is what I've been waiting for he thought it was a straight road with not much traffic ahead the tops of the mountains were yellow in the Evening Sun they were riding easily along with the Jaguar behind them and the black Chevrolet in front without warning Cariah pushed his foot down hard and stopped the car suddenly the Jaguar hit them from behind and there was a crash of metal and glass curio then drove away fast down the road bond looked out of the back window there out of the car he said the windscreen is broken there's glass everywhere they're trying to pull the front part of the car off the wheels good work Ernie it stopped them for a little while get down said cureo the Chevrolet has stopped at the side of the road they may try some shooting bond felt the car moved forward fast cureo is half lying on the front seat driving with one hand there were two loud cracks as they went past the Chevrolet glass fell around bombed the car almost went off the road before curio got it straight again bond pushed out the broken glass in the back window the Chevrolet was coming after them I'm going to turn suddenly and stop in the next side Road said cureo it'll give you a clear shot when they come round the corner after us now the car went round the corner on two wheels and bond held on to his seat the car stopped suddenly bond jumped out his gun in his hand the Chevrolet came round the corner fast bond fired his gun crack crack all four bullets hit the car the Chevrolet went across the road hit a tree turned completely round and went slowly over onto its side and stopped bond watched fire come from the front of it someone was trying to get out of a window soon the flames were going to find petrol on the ground and the whole car was going to explode it was going to be too late for the man inside bond heard a sound behind him he turned to see ernie cureo fall from the driver's seat of the taxi across the passenger seat bond forgot the burning Chevrolet and pulled open the car door there was blood all over curios arm bond pulled him carefully onto the passenger seat and his eyes opened get me out of here he said and drive fast that Jaguar will soon be coming to find us then get me to a doctor okay Arnie said bond he got into the driving seat and started the car he moved fast down the road away from the burning Chevrolet can you see anything in the mirror asked curio there's a car coming fast after us said bond it's the Jaguar we have to find somewhere to hide said cureo there is a drive-in cinema on here here there TURN RIGHT see those lights get in there quick that's right between those cars it turn off your lights stop the taxi stopped in the back line of six rows of cars they look towards a large cinema screen a man was saying something to a woman on the screen two more cars drove in and stopped neither of them was the Jaguar a girl came up to the taxi that's a dollar please she said she connected a loudspeaker to a metal post next to the car then she hung the speaker inside the window next to bond the voices of the man and woman on the screen filled the car the girl moved away to the next car turn the sound off said cureo he spoke with difficulty watch the entrance we'll wait a little while then you can get me to a doctor found a switch and the voices stopped he looked out into the darkness towards the entrance but could see nothing suddenly a dark shape came up from the ground and a gun was pointing at bonds face then a voice from outside ernie cureo side of the car whispered okay boys don't do anything stupid bond looked at the face next to him get out or we'll shoot your friend the man told him you when the two of us are going for a drive bond turned and saw the gun pushed into cureo's neck I'll go with them Ernie he said I'll soon be back to get you to a doctor sorry friend said cureo in a tired voice I think there was a soft noise as the gun hit him behind the ear he fell forward and was silent bond stepped slowly out of the car and the three men walked towards the entrance [Music] chapter 15 spectreville Jaguar was outside the entrance its windscreen broken they took bonds gun before he climbed in next to the driver where are we going he asked you'll see said the driver he was a thin man with an unkind face they were soon driving along a moonlit road towards the mountains there was a big sign which said 95 bond remembered that spectreville was on highway 95 so these men were taking him to mr spang bond suddenly felt that he did not know enough of the answers did they know who he really was he could say that he had not understood his orders about the gambling but how to explain all the shooting he could say that he thought the four men were from another gang well now I'm about to get to the end of the pipeline he thought after two hours of driving they stopped outside some high gates there was a sign outside it said spectreville do not enter dangerous dogs on the gate was a button and a speaking box a small sign next to it said ring and say who you are the driver pushed the button and a voice said yes from inside the box Frasso and McGonagall said the driver loudly ok McGonagall said the voice there was a click and the gate slowly opened they drove through them and down a narrow road the gates closed behind them the road went on for about a mile then there were lights in front of them they went down a hill and suddenly there were brightly lit buildings past them the moon shone down on a single straight railway line it went on as far as bond could see the car stopped in front of grey houses and shops one bigger building had a sign outside it said pink got a saloon bar from behind the Western Swing half-doors yellow light came out onto the street the sound of a piano playing came from inside it was all like something out of a western film get out mcgonagall told bond the three men climbed out of the car and onto the wooden pavement bond stopped come on said McGonagall bond slowly followed him to the door of the saloon he stopped for a moment as the Swing half-doors came back towards his face he felt frases gun pushing into his back now thought bond he jumped through the doors and through McGonagall round and into Frasso the two men crashed back onto the pavement mcgonagall was up on his feet first with a gun in his hand bonds hand came down on the gun and knocked it to the ground Frasso fired two shots at bond but the secret agent dropped to the ground and picked up the gun at McGonigle's feet he fired two quick shots at Frasso from the ground then McGonagall stepped on his hand and fell on top of him bond went down but he saw and heard free so crashed down onto the pavement outside then McGonigle's hands were on him for several seconds the two men fought silently like animals bond got up on one knee and pushed the other man off him as he did this McGonigle's knee came up and hit bonds face bond fell back but then stood up McGonigle came towards him with his head down bond turned away quickly but the gangsters head hit him in the chest and two fists crashed into his body the gangsters head came up and bond hit him hard in the face McGonigle fell back but bond went after him he reached for the gangsters foot and pulled it away from the floor then he turned and threw the man into the room McGonigle's flying body crashed down on top of the piano the piano fell to the floor with McGonagall flat on the top of it stopped a girl's voice came across the room from the bar slowly bond turned round there were four people standing with their backs to the bar mr. Spang stood in front of the other three he was dressed like a cowboy with shiny black boots and two guns in holsters at his side's Tiffany case stood next to him she wore a western dress of white and gold she stood and watched bond her eyes were shining and she looked nervous then there were the two men in black hoods the two from the Acme baths at Saratoga each of them pointed a gun at bond bring him this way said Mr Spang he left the room Tiffany case gave bond a warning look as she followed him the two men came close to bond the big one said move bond walked slowly after the girl and the two hooded men walked behind him bond pushed through a door behind the bar he looked around and saw that he was now in a railway station waiting room turned right said one of them bond turned and went through a door in front of him was probably the most beautiful steam train in the world there were three metal shining lights on the front of the big old engine the name that cannonball was painted along the side and black and gold behind the engine was a dark blue carriage bond looked at the train but then he felt a gun in his back bond climbed up into the carriage first there was a small but beautiful dining room then a narrow room with three doors at the sides with the two men still behind him bond walked to the end and pushed open the door into a big room it was a sitting room with bookshelves on each side and expensive curtains a thick red carpet covered the floor mr. Spang stood at the far end of the room in the middle sat Tiffany case she was nervously smoking a cigarette bond walked to a comfortable chair he turned it towards Spang and Tiffany and sat down he crossed one knee slowly over the other then lit a cigarette stay here wint said Mr Spang kid go on phone Detroit tell them to send more men he turn towards bond in his eyes Shawn angrily now who are you and what's happening did not like spanks question I'll need a drink if we're going to talk said bond bourbon get it went mr. Spang said coldly the big man walked out of the room minutes later he came back and pushed a glass into bonds hand thanks wint said bond drank some of the Bourbon then put the glass down on the floor next to him he looked up at mr. Spang I did my job and got paid said bond it was my money and I decided to gamble with it then a lot of your men came after me if you wanted to talk to me why didn't you just telephone me when they started shooting it was time for me to shoot back so I did without taking his eyes off bond mr. Spang slowly pulled the piece of paper from his shirt pocket bond knew that the piece of paper was bad news for him really bad news this is a message from a good friend in London it says Peter Franks is held by the police find out if the job is in any danger then kill the new carrier and send a report there was silence in the room mr. Spang looked hard at bond while mr. whoever-you-are he said at last this looks like a good year for something horrible to happen to you bond tried to stay calm he knew that they were going to hurt him badly but how he reached down for his drink now he knew that the two spang's were the beginning and the end of the diamond pipeline he had completed his job he knew the answers now in some way he must get the answers back to em I took the job from Peter Franks he said he decided that he didn't like it and I needed money you're lying said Mr Spang you're with the police or you're some kind of private detective I'm going to find out who you are who you work for and what you know he turned angrily to Tiffany case how did he trick you are you stupid no said Tiffany ABC sent this man to me and he seemed ok was I supposed to tell ABC to try again and maybe this man is telling the truth her angry eyes turned towards bond and he saw fear in them fear for him well we're going to find out said Mr Spang went get kid and the boots the boots silently he had to be strong now he must tell them nothing he had to think of ernie cureo and felix leiter and maybe tiffany case he heard the two men come up behind him take him out onto the station said Mr Spang okay boss said wint the two hooded men sat down they put football boots down on the thick carpet next to them then they started to take off their shoes [Music] chapter 16 the cannonball James said Tiffany case wake up some moments bonds blackened eyes opened with difficulty he looked up at her from the wooden floor she shook his blood-covered arm afraid that he might fall asleep again he seemed to understand and slowly pulled himself up onto his hands and knees can you walk she asked wait he said he could feel his feet and hands he could move his head from side to side he could see the moonlight he could hear her and it should be alright he thought but he just wanted to sleep or to die anything to stop the pain that was in him and all over him anything to kill the memory of those four boots kicking him we're in the waiting room she whispered we must get to the end of the station she opened the door and bond got up on his feet with Tiffany's arm round him he walked slowly out into the end of the station and there was a railroad handcar bond looked at it petrol he whispered Tiffany pointed to some petrol cans by the station wall I've just filled it she whispered back they use it to check the railway line get on it she smiled next up rhyolite you're a great girl whispered bond but there'll be a lot of noise when we start that thing he turned and looked at the buildings behind him I've got an idea have you got some matches or a cigarette lighter she took a lighter out of her pocket and gave it to him what's the idea she said we need to get moving bond went across to the cans of petrol and started opening them he threw petrol over the wooden walls when several cans were empty he went back to her start the handcar he whispered he picked up an old newspaper from next to the railway track Tiffany started the handcar Engine bond lit the newspaper with the lighter then threw it towards the petrol cans boom flames shot into the sky James cried Tiffany bond got onto the hand car as it started to move away soon they were speeding along the track and bond felt the cool night air are you ok asked Tiffany you look terrible nothing's broken said bond I had to sit and listen to them kicking you she said Spang stayed and listened and watched me after they put ropes around you and threw you into the waiting room everyone went to bed I waited an hour before I came down to you you're going to be in trouble if they catch us said bond don't worry about me she said first we have to get this thing to rhyolite then we'll have to find a car and get to California I've got money we need to get you to a doctor and buy you a new shirt I've got your gun I got it after Spang went to bed she opened her shirt and took it from her belt bond took it from her and pushed it into the top of his trousers his shirt was covered in blood the miles went by every few minutes bond turned and looked behind them they had been travelling nearly an hour when they heard a new sound it's the Cannonball said Tiffany they looked back along the railway line was that a small light far away how far is it to rhyolite asked bond about thirty miles how fast can this thing go about thirty miles an hour after fifteen minutes bond could see the lights on the front of the big engine are we ok for petrol he asked yes she said I put in a whole can almost before she finished speaking the little engine went but oh no Tiffany and again but but then and suddenly they were moving down the track in silence the engine dead minutes later the handcar stopped no more petrol said bond he looked round there was flat open land for two miles on the left and mountains half a mile away on the right come on Tiffany he said we've got to go he looked round and saw her running down the track in front of the handcar after a moment she turned and ran back there is a sideline in front she said if you can move the points on the track we can push this thing down the sidelines then the train will miss us bond smiled I've got a better idea come on start pushing once it started moving the hand car moved down the track easily they came to the points by the side line and bond went on pushing until they were past them what are you doing asked Tiffany bond ran back to the points we're going to send the Cannonball down the sideline helped me move the points which they both pulled hard on the switch the pain and BOMs arms was terrible but slowly the old metal moved for the first time in fifty years then it was done and Tiffany helped bond back to the hand car suddenly the night air was full of the noise of the great metal train as it rushed towards them get down and don't move shouted bond he pushed Tiffany down behind the hand car then he went across to the side of the railway line and took out his gun a bullet hit the ground next to him crack crack now he could hear the gun above the sound of the engine and then the big engine flew into the side line with a scream of metal bond source pang in the cab of the engine he was almost falling out holding the side of the cab with one hand and driving the engine with the other bond lifted his gun and fired four shots he saw spang's white face suddenly turn up to the sky then the great black and gold engine was passed him and rushing towards the spectre mountains its lights cut through the darkness and a warning bell began to ring but nothing could stop it now bond put the gun into his trousers as Tiffany case ran across to him they watched the engine go behind the large rock and suddenly there was a terrible crash and a great burst of fire and then silence and that's the end of one of the spangs thought bond let's get away from here said Tiffany it took them an hour and a half to walk the two miles to the main road tiffany half-carried bond when they reached the road he fell down full of pain the girl sat and held him against her she cleaned his face with a corner of her shirt an hour later a low black car stopped next to them a head came out of the driver's window a friendly texan voice said felix leiter miss what can I do for you on this beautiful morning and when I got into town I called my friend ernie cureo said leiter his wife told me that he was in hospital so I went and saw Ernie and he told me the whole story so I drove through the night to spectra Ville and saw that the place was on fire the gates were open so I went inside the only person there was a man on his hands and knees trying to get away he had a broken leg and his name was Frasso I made frassle tell me everything then I left him for the fire department to find when they arrived next I drove towards rhyolite I found a pretty girl in the middle of the road and here we are now tell me your story so I'm not dreaming bond I am in the back of the Studebaker and this is Tiffany's arm under my head and that is Felix and we are going down the road to a doctor some food a bath a drink and sleep he lay still and listen to their voices at the end of Tiffany's story Leiter said we'll be in Los Angeles by lunchtime before that we could stop at O'Lantern and get James to a doctor but we must get you and James out of the country as soon as possible once the rest of the Spangled mob finds you they'll kill you we need to get you on a plane to New York tonight and on your way to England tomorrow but who is this man bond said Tiffany is he a private detective ask him yourself bond her lighter say carefully don't worry he'll look after you after that bond fell asleep he woke up outside the house of dr. otis fairplay in a LAN sure the doctor cleaned bonds cuts then he Leiter and Tiffany got some breakfast before they drove away again [Music] chapter 17 on the Queen Elizabeth the bar of the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles was dark and cool there were new suitcases next to bond and Tiffany bond wore his nice new Hollywood clothes and sat drinking his martini there was a telephone on the table next to the drinks Felix Leiter finished talking to New York for the fourth time that evening he put down the phone my friends at the office have got you tickets for the Queen Elizabeth and a passport for you Tiffany the ship leaves from New York for England tomorrow night at 8 o'clock they'll meet you at LaGuardia Airport in the morning they went to get the rest of your things from the astor james the thanks Felix said bond there is a report in the newspaper about the spectreville fire lighter went on nothing about Spang my friends tell me that the police aren't looking for you but the gangsters are they'll pay ten thousand dollars to the person who kills you get on the ship and stay in your cabins for two or three days now I've got to get back to Las Vegas tonight Leiter drove them to the airport you've got a good friend there Tiffany told bond when they were watching him drive away on the plane bond sat in his seat and thought about the beautiful Tiffany sitting next to him he knew that he was very near to being in love with her but what about her would she ever be able to trust and perhaps love a man again he thought too about the diamond smuggling pipeline one part of it was finished but seraffimo was only the end of the pipeline Jack Spang and the mystery man ABC were the real bosses did Jack Spang and ABC know about his and Tiffany's escape so now they had to find Jack Spang and then ABC the Secret Service could only find the man at the beginning of the pipeline in Africa through ABC he planned to send a report to em when they were on the Queen Elizabeth valances men could then do the rest there would not be much for bond to do in London only write reports at about Sunday afternoon bond and Tiffany went to their cabins on the Queen Elizabeth a man watched them go onto the ship he then walked quickly to a telephone three hours later two American businessman got out of a black car and walked onto the ship one was a young man with white hair the name on his small case was B Kitteridge the other man was big and fat he looked sick the name on his suitcase was W winter below the name with the words my blood group is F 3 days later bond met Tiffany in the ship's veranda grill for dinner the weather was fine and the sea was calm now tell me James said Tiffany what do you do and who do you work for I work for the government said bond they want to stop the diamond smuggling you're a sort of secret agent just a government worker said bond okay said Tiffany they were silent for some minutes then she suddenly put a hand on his hand listen you bond person I love being here with you and I love being with you Tiffany said bond he paused then went on Felix told me a little about you about the attack oh she said did he she began to shake a little don't think about it said bond this is today here and now not yesterday or a long time ago tell me about your work as a dealer at the casino she became calmer and they talked about blackjack now tell me about you she said what sort of a woman do you like somebody who can make good sauce bearnaise said bond smiling he looked closely at her and she's got to have gold hair and blue eyes and she must know how to play cards the usual things she laughed and would you marry this person I'm almost married already to a man his name's em later bond took her back to her cabin then went to his cabin and had a shower soon after there was a knock on the door a waiter came in carrying a small tray what's that asked bond it has just come up from the kitchen said the man he went out and closed the door bond looked at the tray on it was a bottle of champagne a plate with four small pieces of steak and a small bowl of sauce next to this was a note it said misty case made this sauce bearnaise without my help the chef bond smiled and filled a glass with champagne he put a lot of the sauce on a piece of steak he ate it then he went to the telephone Tiffany he heard a little laugh at the other end then he said well you can certainly make wonderful sauce bearnaise he put the phone down carefully [Music] chapter 18 dead men can't speak it was 11 o'clock the next evening there were only a few people left in the veranda grill it was quiet with only the soft sound of the sea outside bond and Tiffany had finished their dinner they were holding hands and looking silently into each other's eyes after a time they got up and walked to the smoking room they found a small table in a corner and ordered coffee bond suddenly saw that two men were looking at him they were sitting at a table across the room and they looked away quickly one man had white hair and the other was big and fat bond looked carefully at the fat man had he seen this man before he turned back to Tiffany those two men across the room seemed interested in us he said she looked past his shoulder they're not looking at us now the fat man's sucking his thumb the white-haired man just looks stupid sucking his thumb said bond he was trying to remember something forget it James said Tiffany let's go they finished their coffee and went down the stairs to the deck below bond put his arm round her and Tiffany put her head on his shoulder they walked in silence until they were inside bonds cabin then bond put his arms around her and said softly my darling bond woke up to the sound of the telephone the last thing he remembered was the door closing after Tiffany had left some time during the night bell rang again bond picked the telephone up a voice said there is a message for you sir shall I send it down to you yes thanks said bond he looked at his watch 3 o'clock in the morning he climbed out of bed and went into the shower afterwards he pulled on a shirt and trousers there was a knock on the door bond opened it and took the message from the man outside it was from the chief of staff in London it said secret check of says-- office found message to ABC from QE signed by winter winter knows that you are on Queen Elizabeth reply addressed to winter orders him to kill Tiffany case we believe say is ABC save flew to Paris yesterday and is now reported to be in Dakar we think that man at Sierra Leone is beginning of pipeline he is being watched you will fly to Sierra Leone tomorrow night bond sat quite still in his chair so somebody from the Spangled gang was on the ship who where he quickly picked up the telephone and phoned Tiffany he heard it ring once twice three times bond dropped the phone and ran to her cabin it was empty bond tried to think would the man question her before he killed her would he tried to find out what she knew about bond would he take her to his cabin but which cabin bond ran to his cabin and found the passenger list winter cabin a 49 suddenly he remembered everything winter wint and Kidd the two men in hoods the two men on the plane from London got his gun and pushed it into the top of his trousers a 49 was below his cabin that helps he thought he opened one of the two round windows in his cabin and looked down how far down was a forty nine more than two meters the sea was calm and there was no wind it's a hot night bond thought we'll one of their windows be open he took the sheets from his bed and began to tie them together he tied one end of the rope round part of the window then he threw the tied sheets down the side of the ship don't look up and don't look down he told himself don't even think about it his mouth was dry and he could feel his heart beating fast some minutes later he felt the metal window of a forty nine beneath his feet it was open his foot told him that the curtains inside the window were closed he climbed on down there were voices inside the room suddenly a girl's voice cried no there was a moment's silence then the sound of a slap it was as loud as a gun firing a shot bond pushed himself through the curtains and into the cabin he crashed to the floor rolled over and came up with his gun in his hand it pointed at a place between two men who sent for you said the fat man calmly he was sitting in a chair opposite Tiffany she was sitting on another chair she was naked except for a pair of pants she looked at bond and her eyes were wild and frightened the white-haired man was sitting on the bed he smiled at bond Tiffany said bond go into the bathroom and closed the door then get into the bath and lie down she moved quickly to the bathroom and shut the door behind her now she's safe from bullets bond thought and she won't see what I have to do 48 65 86 the fat man said the words fast were the words in American football signal the fat man suddenly threw himself onto the floor the white head man started to roll off the bed and away from bond bond fired his gun a hole opened up just below the man's white hair his body fell the fat man on the floor had his gun half out of his trousers drop it and get up ordered bond the fat man dropped the gun and stood up he looked into bonds eyes he was afraid sit down said bond the fat man turned and walked back towards his chair he sat down suddenly his right hand reached down the side of his leg and came up with a throwing knife the bullet from bonds gun and the knife went past each other in the air the eyes of the two men showed sudden pain but the fat man's eyes closed a moment later he fell backwards with his hand on the hole in his chest bonds eyes looked down at the blood on the front of his shirt the handle of the knife was hanging down from his shirt he turned and looked out of the open window very slowly his body started to relax after a moment or two he pulled a knife from his shirt and threw it out of the window into the darkness he walked across to the bathroom Tiffany it's me he said and opened the door she was lying face down in the bath with her hands over her ears he helped her out of the bath and stood with his arms round her you're hurt she said she his shirt and washed the cut on his chest with soap and water bond collected her clothes from the cabin and brought them back to the bathroom get dressed he said then clean everything that you've touched we don't want to leave any fingerprints he went back into the cabin for the next half hour he did everything very carefully he held the gun over the hole in the fat man's shirt and fired a second bullet through the hole now there was smoke marks around the hole next he put the gun in the fat man's right hand you shot yourself he told the dead man he went across to the Whitehead man man and picked him up he carried him to the window and pushed him through it he looked back at the fat man you and your friend had a fight he said you shot yourself after you threw your friend out of the window that's the story I hope the police like it when we get to Southampton he cleaned his fingerprints off everything that he had touched pulled the sheets off one of the beds then went to get Tiffany he had to get her back to his cabin without anyone seeing them and then sleep with her body close to his in his arms round her forever forever to the dead eyes of the body on the floor they seemed to speak to him saying nothing is forever only death is forever [Music] chapter 19 the end of the pipeline it was hot under the large bush at the meeting place of three African countries the smuggler listened the helicopter was coming the smuggler walked out into the moonlight to get the packet of diamonds from his motorcycle a mile away an army truck was behind a low bush three men stood next to it two soldiers and bond near them was a large gun pointing at the sky they could hear the noise of the helicopter get ready said bond is the loudspeaker switched on yes sir said one of the soldiers bond looked up into the sky he thought about Tiffany safe at his home in London he wanted this job to be finished so that he could go back and see her again the smuggler from the mines was also looking up the helicopter came down and flew above his head an arm came out and a torch flashed the code for a the man on the ground flashed back B and C then the helicopter landed the pilot started to climb out he was wearing a flying helmet that's unusual thought the smuggler and he looks taller than the usual pilot have you got the stuff asked the pilot it was an American voice yes said the man from the mines where's the usual pilot he won't be coming again I am ABC I am closing the pipeline Oh said the smuggler nervously he gave the pilot the packet suddenly the pilot took a gun from his coat and shot the smuggler three times the smugglers eyes opened wide with shock then he fell to the ground and lay still don't move or we shoot the voice from the loudspeaker came across the open ground the pilot ran towards the helicopter and climbed in the door crashed shut behind him moments later the helicopter began to move up into the sky bond shouted now he was sitting on the seat behind the gun the two soldiers turned the gun towards the sky and bond shot at the helicopter red fire filled the sky and then there was a much louder the helicopter began to come down crazily to the ground inside it Jack Spang who was also Rufus B Saye of the house of diamonds and also the big boss ABC came down with it before the sound of the crash died flames shot up into the sky bond lit a cigarette and sat watching the orange flames from the helicopter that's the end of the diamond pipeline he said softly the end of the Spangled mob but not the end of the diamonds that are in the center of the fire diamonds don't die diamonds are forever and bond suddenly remembered the eyes of the dead wint they had been wrong death is forever but so were diamonds he jumped down from the truck and started to walk towards the fire all these thoughts about death and diamonds were too serious for bond it was just the end of another adventure he thought about the beautiful woman waiting for him in London and he smart [Music] [Music]

Channel: Story English with Subtitles

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Keywords: english story, learn english through stories, learn english, english stories, story in english, learn english through story, bedtime stories, listen english story, listening english through story, english story with subtitle, english language, english conversation, english, learn to english, english for beginner, learning english, learn english for beginner, esl, pdf, Diamonds Are Forever, diamonds are forever level 1, diamonds are forever level 4, diamonds are forever level 3

Id: 2hJD2aD9dA0

Length: 122min 51sec (7371 seconds)

Published: Wed Oct 24 2018