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vage tug and divers were on their way from Kingston。 Reporters from the local press had been given a brief statement and there was a police guard on the entrance to Beau Desert prepared to repel the flood of newspapermen who would arrive in Jamaica when the full story got out to the world。 Meanwhile a detailed report had gone to M； and to Washington； so that The Big Man's team in Harlem and St。 Petersburg could be rounded up and provisionally held on a blanket gold…smuggling charge。
There were no survivors from the Secatur； but the local fishermen had brought in nearly a ton of dead fish that morning。
Jamaica was aflame with rumours。 There were serried ranks of cars on the cliffs above the bay and along the beach below。 Word had got out about Bloody Morgan's treasure； but also about the packs of shark and barracuda that had defended it； and because of them there was not a swimmer who was planning to get out to the scene of the wreck under cover of darkness。
A doctor had been to visit Solitaire but had found her chiefly concerned about getting some clothes and the right shade of lipstick。 Strangways had arranged for a selection to be sent over from Kingston next day。 For the time being she was experimenting with the contents of Bond's suitcase and a bowl of hibiscus。
Strangways got back from Kingston shortly after Bond's return from hospital。 He had a signal for Bond from M。 It read：
PRESUME YOU HAVE FILED CLAIM TO TREASURE IN YOUR NAME BEHALF UNIVERSAL EXPORT STOP PROCEED IMMEDIATELY WITH SALVAGE STOP HAVE ENGAGED COUNSEL TO PRESS OUR RIGHTS WITH TREASURY AND COLONIAL OFFICE STOP MEANWHILE VERY WELL DONE STOP FORTNIGHT'S PASSIONATE LEAVE GRANTED ENDIT
'I suppose he means 〃passionate〃；' said Bond。
Strangways looked solemn。 'I expect so；' he said。 'I made a full report of the damage to you。 And to the girl；' he added。
'Hm；' said Bond。 'M's cipherenes don't often pick a wrong group。 However。'
Strangways looked carefully out of the window with his one eye。
'It's so like the old devil to think of the gold first；' said Bond。 'Suppose he thinks he can get away with it and somehow dodge a reduction in the Secret Fund when the next parliamentary estimates e round。 I expect half his life is taken up with arguing with the Treasury。 But still he's been pretty quick off the mark。'
'I filed your claim at Government House directly I got the signal；' said Strangways。 'But it's going to be tricky。 The Crown will be after it and America will e in somewhere as he was an American citizen。 It'll be a long business。'
They had talked some more and then Strangways had left and Bond had walked painfully out into the garden to sit for a while in the sunshine with his thoughts。
In his mind he ran once more the gauntlet of dangers he had entered on his long chase after The Big Man and the fabulous treasure； and he lived again through the searing flashes of time when he had looked various deaths in the face。
And now it was over and he sat in the sunshine among the flowers with the prize at his feet and his hand in her long black hair。 He clasped the moment to him and thought of the fourteen tomorrows that would be theirs between them。
There was a crash of broken crockery from the kitchen at the back of the house and the sound of Quarrel's voice thundering at someone。
'Poor Quarrel；' said Solitaire。 'He's borrowed the best cook in the village and ransacked the markets for surprises for us。 He's even found some black crabs； the first of the season。 Then he's roasting a pitiful little sucking pig and making an avocado pear salad and we're to finish up with guavas and coconut cream。 And mander Strangways has left a case of the best champagne in Jamaica。 My mouth's watering already。 But don't forget it's supposed to be a secret。 I wandered into the kitchen and found he had almost reduced the cook to tears。'
'He's ing with us on our passionate holiday；' said Bond。 He told her of M's cable。 'We're going to a house on stilts with palm trees and five miles of golden sand。 And you'll have to look after me very well because I shan't be able to make love with only one arm。'
There was open sensuality in Solitaire's eyes as she looked up at him。 She smiled innocently。
'What about my back？' she said。
1 This terrifying gambling case is described in the author's Casino Royale。
2 This； one of the great travel books； is published by John Murray at 253。
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