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had been thinking purely in terms of a diamond-smuggling operation, with
him as the natural disposer of the contraband stones. Now, though, I
reviewed what scanty knowledge I did possess on the subject. The largest
mines in the world were those of South Africa, where diamonds were found
embedded in that rock known as kimberlite, or "blue ground." But how did
they get there in the first place? Through volcanic action, as bits of carbon
that had been trapped in streams of molten lava, subjected to intense heat
and pressure that altered their structure to the hard, crystalline form of a
girl's best friend. But there were also alluvial deposits, diamonds that had
been cut free from their resting places by the actions of ancient streams,
often borne great distances from their points of origin, and accumulated in
offshore pockets. That was Africa, of course, and while I did not know much
offhand as to New World deposits, much of the Caribbean island system
had been built up by means of volcanic activity. The possibility of local
deposits, of the volcanic-pipe variety or alluvial, was not precluded.
In view of my somewhat restricted area for activity since my arrival, I said,
"Alluvial. It wasn't a pipe, I'll tell you that."
He nodded.
"Have you any idea as to the extent of your find?" he inquired.
"Not really," I said. "There are more where these came from. But as to the
full extent of their distribution, it is simply too early for me to tell."
"Most interesting," he said. "You know, it jibes with a notion I've long held
concerning this part of the world. You wouldn't care to give me just a very
rough, general sort of idea as to what part of the ocean these are from,
would you?"
"Sorry," I said. "You understand."
"Of course, of course. Still, how far would you go from here for an
afternoon's adventure?"
"I suppose that would depend on my own notions on this matter, as well as
available air transportation, or hydrofoil."
He smiled.
"All right I won't press you any further. But I'm curious. Now that you've got
them, what are you going to do with them?"
I took my time lighting a cigarette. "Get as much as I can for them and
keep my mouth shut, of course," I finally said. He nodded.
"Where are you going to sell them? Stop passersby on the street?"
"I don't know," I said. "I haven't thought that much about it yet. I suppose
I could take them to some jeweler's."
He chuckled.
"If you're very lucky. If you're lucky, you'll find one willing to take a chance.
If you're very lucky, you'll find one willing to take a chance and also willing
to give you a fair deal. I assume you would like to avoid the creation of a
record, the crediting of extra income to your master account? Taxable
income?"
"As I said, I would like to get as much as I can for them."
"Naturally. Then am I correct in assuming that your purpose in coming to
me over this might somehow be connected with this desire?"
"In a word, yes."
"I see."
"Well?" .
"I am thinking. To act as your agent for something like this would not be
without risks of its own."
"How much?"
"No, I'm sorry," he said then. "It is probably too risky altogether. After all,
it is illegal. I'm a married man. I could jeopardize my job by getting
involved in something like this. If it had come along perhaps fifteen years
ago ... well, who knows? I'm sorry. Your secret is safe. Don't worry about
that. But I would just as soon not be party to the enterprise."
"You are certain of that?"
"Positive. The return would have to be quite high for me even to consider
it."
"Twenty percent?" I said.
"Out of the question."
"Maybe twenty-five ... " I said.
"No. Twice that would scarcely ... "
"Fifty percent? You're crazy!"
"Please! Keep your voice down! You want the whole station to hear?"
"Sorry. But that's out of the question. Fifty percent! No. If I can find a
willing jeweler. I'll still be better off, even if he does cheat me. Twenty-five
percent is tops. Absolutely."
"I am afraid I can't see it."
"Well, I wish you would think about it anyway."
He chuckled.
"It will be difficult to forget," he said.
"Okay ... Well, I'll be seeing you."
"Tomorrow, at six."
"Right. Good night."
"Good night."
So I began walking back, reflecting on the possible permutations of people
and events leading up to and culminating in the killings. But there were
still too many gaps in the picture for me to come up with anything I really
liked.
I was most troubled, of course, by the fact that there was someone who
was aware that my presence actually represented more than its outward [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]