Chapter 7

In the manager’s apartment on the second floor of the hotel, Mathais and Gunther sipped cognac.

“So he got it in,” Mathais said shortly. He was a far different man from the scraping, bowing, smiling-Buddha manager with the trick eyebrows.

“Yes,” Gunther answered.

“Very clever.” He sipped.

Gunther shrugged indifferently.

“And with no help from you.”

At this, Gunther bridled. “There was nothing I could do. What could I have done? Even if he had had it with him? With Da Silva there and all!” The unfairness of the accusation stung him. “I had no idea of how he intended to bring it in. If you knew, you should have told me!”

“Ah,” Mathais said, almost with satisfaction. “That’s where the man is clever!” He lifted his glass slightly, as if in toast to Busch’s cleverness. “I didn’t know. Nor did anybody.”

“So don’t blame me,” Gunther said crossly.

“I’m not blaming you,” Mathais said soothingly. “In any event it’s not important. At least we know the money is here in Brazil.”

“I still don’t know how he managed to arrange it,” Gunther said thoughtfully. “Pan American…” He reviewed the people he knew at Pan American, the office people, the hangar crew. He shook his head. “He must be far sharper than he looks.”

“Well,” Mathais said. “Of course.”

“I know,” Gunther said stubbornly. “But still. It must have been exceptionally well organized.”

“He must have a lot of faith in the people he works with,” Mathais said dryly. “I am sure that I wouldn’t trust you with two million dollars.”

“He probably pays them better than I get paid,” Gunther said sourly, absently. “Another thing. I wonder how he got away from Da Silva’s watchdogs long enough to arrange the thing.”

“I shouldn’t imagine that would be too hard,” Mathais said, swirling the brandy glass in his fingers. “There has been a man across the side street from the hotel all afternoon who has ‘policeman’ written all over him. He doesn’t look like the type it would be difficult to slip.” Gunther shook his head stubbornly in disagreement. “Don’t underestimate Da Silva.”

Mathais smiled, a cold smile. “I don’t underestimate anybody. And particularly, I do not underestimate Mr. Busch.” He looked across at the other sardonically. “After all, he gave the slip to the entire New York police department.”

“That’s true,” Gunther admitted grudgingly.

“And the fact is,” Mathais added negligently, “Busch did get the money into Brazil. Which was not as easy as people might think.”

Gunther nodded. “That is also true. But exactly where is it?”

Mathais shrugged. “At the moment, that is not important.” He got to his feet and replenished the glasses. He raised his in a toast. “To two million dollars!” He shook his head in profound admiration and drank. He set his glass down and turned to Gunther. “You will let the people in Sao Paulo know?”

“I’ll call them tomorrow. I don’t know if the boss is there; I think he is traveling in the South. But in any event he should be back by the end of the week.” He sipped his glass. “I’ll call tomorrow.” He paused, wondering. “Do you think he’ll stay in Brazil?”

“Who, Busch? Of course he’ll stay in Brazil,” Mathais said positively. “Where else would he go? There aren’t many places left with no extradition these days. And also, he can’t keep taking his money in and out of countries. He was lucky this time. No; he’ll stay. He came to stay; I’m sure of that.”

“In Rio?”

“Or Sao Paulo. It really makes no difference. Two million dollars! It is what we have needed!” He looked across at Gunther. “You will call Sao Paulo?”

“I said I would.” There was resentment in the tone; the resentment of the unappreciated.

“Just don’t forget to,” Mathais said rudely. He stood up, yawning deeply, his entire attitude indicating that the discussion was at an end. “Well,” he said, seeing the other still sitting and drinking, “Drink up!” Gunther swallowed his brandy hastily and got to his feet, barely suppressing his indignation. Mathais waited impatiently until the other had left, still muttering; then he closed the door softly behind the departing man. “Two million dollars,” he said to himself with a smile as he went into his bedroom. “Two million dollars