Assignment Madeleine (25 page)

“That’s something, anyway,” Durell said.

“You sound sad,
m’sieu
.”

“I suppose I’m simply tired.”

“In any case, permit me to offer my personal
congratulations. You have performed a valuable service for us. It is my hope
that France will be the better for what you have done, whatever the agony in
political circles. It may even hasten the end of the war here.”

Brumont stood up and they shook hands again. The fat little
Frenchman consulted a huge gold pocket watch. “I am due back at the
Governor-Generals office. L’Heureux will be flown to Paris on the
midnight plane, and I will return with him. You would not wish to come back
with us?”

“Tomorrow will be time enough.”

Brumont smiled and winked. He looked like a cherub gone to
seed. “I understand. One evening in Algiers is almost the same as
Paris—especially when one has a rendezvous, eh?"

“I have no rendezvous, unfortunately,” Durell said.

“But Mlle. Padgett—your lovely friend that you left in Paris-you
have not seen her yet?”

“She's back in Washington by now,” Durell said.

“You are mistaken,
m’sieu
. She is
here in Algiers. She remained over in Paris and begged me to take her when I
came here this afternoon. Surely you have seen her by now? I was wondering, if
you will pardon the curiosity, why you sat here so much alone, a man like you—”

Durell was on his feet. “Where is she?”

Brumont smiled and winked again. “Perhaps in your room,
m’sieu
. Where else?” He sighed. “And now I will not keep
you, since I have much work to do. Adieu,
m’sieu
.”

“Goodbye,” Durell said again.

When Brumont had hailed a taxi, Durell turned and walked
quickly along the broad sidewalk to his hotel. Evening had come, but a pale
violet light still lingered over the Mediterranean and the Sahel Hills. Lights twinkled
and shone all over the city. He got out of the elevator and moved with a long
stride down the corridor, and all at once it seemed as if he were back in the
dream again, with all the closed doors barring understanding around him. He
walked faster. His door was at the end of the hall. It was closed. But then he
saw a thin line of light shining under it and he knew someone was there.

Deirdre opened the door before he reached it.

“Surprise, darling,” she said.

And she said, “Welcome home, Sam.”

She stood back as he halted. She was beautiful. She looked
scrubbed and rosy, as if she had just stepped from his shower, and he saw she
had invaded his suitcase and taken out his bathrobe. It was wrapped loosely
around her body. She looked inviting and desirable.

Durell moved quickly through the open door toward her.