Free Angel's Ransom by David Dodge

Radio Grasse, but if the Angel does not happen to have her ears open –’ Neyrolle shrugged eloquently. ‘Well, I shall try it all the same, and end in frustration because I am skeptical of coincidences and do not believe in the steward ’s gangsters. How much will you be paid for your article on Freddy Farr, if you sell it?’
    Angry color flooded George ’s face. He said furiously, ‘I don’t have to take this kind of thing! Come out in the open and say what you mean to say!’
    ‘Monsieur, please!’ Neyrolle put up his hand in protest. ‘I have said exactly what I me an to say. I am trying to deter mine if a crime has been committed, and I shall question everything, everybody, tactless though it may be, until I have the answer. Do you refuse to answer my questions? It is your privilege.’
    George was silent for a long moment, his mouth tight. He said finally, grudgingly, ‘A thousand dollars, probably. Twenty-five hundred if the right editor takes it.’
    ‘And if you fail to sell it, nothing at all?’
    ‘That ’s right.’
    ‘How long have you been working at it?’
    ‘Off and on, for about six weeks.’
    ‘All to earn a possible thousand or twenty-five hundred dollars?’
    ‘I began reading back copies of the Herald-Tribune six weeks ago, in Paris, for material on Fr eddy Farr. He hasn’t occupied an y time since. I came to Monte Carlo only last week, to talk to him personally.’
    ‘I am aware of the length of your stay in the Principality. You have assembled enough information to write the article?’ ‘I have assembled enough information to write a book about Freddy Farr, if I choose to. Right now I have in mind an article.’
    ‘But your information does not include anything that might lead to an explanation of the puzzle of the Angel ’s departure this morning?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘That is all, then. Thank you for coming.’
    George left without the customary exchange of courtesies, his mouth still tight. When he had gone, Neyrolle called a clerk.
    ‘Assemble a dossier on Saunders, George,’ he said. ‘The usual material, with particular reference to his connections with Farr, Frederick.’
    The clerk made a note, then turned to leave. Neyrolle added thoughtfully, ‘And check with Paris to see what they can give you on him. I wonder that a man who resists even roulette can gambl e so strongly on an uncertain return for so much of his time and labor .’

    ‘There ’s your course until I give you another,’ Jules said. ‘One hundred and ninety degrees magnetic. Hold it at ten knots, and don’t leave the wheel until you’re relieved.’
    ‘When will that be?’ Blake asked.
    ‘When I get around to it. Don’t ask too many questions, either.’
    ‘S omebody has got to oil and check the pumps and clean fuel strainers. A ship like this doesn’t run itself.’
    ‘I took a look below an hour ago. Everything is turning over as smooth as silk.’ Jules grinned, exposing a mouthful of strong yellow teeth. ‘We know a ship like this doesn’t run itself, Captain. That ’s why you’re still with us.’
    They were six hours out of Monaco, pushing steadily southward through the early dark. Blake had spent most of the time locked in his cabin, increasingly concerned over the unattended diesels. His preoccupation with the cruiser ’s motors was not irrelevant t o the predicament of its passen gers. If the diesels broke down beyond repair, Holtz and Jules still had the launch, but it was improbable that they would take much with them in the way of excess baggage. Freddy, perhaps. The rest of them had little hope of being left behind with a chance to talk, even on a crippled and voiceless ship. In a very direct sense, the safety of the Angel ’s passengers depended on the continued functioning of her motors.
    Jules had made a bundle of all the signaling devices in the pilot-house; rockets, smoke-candles, the Very-pistol, flags, everything that could be used for sending a message. Having put