The King is Dead by Ellery Queen Read Free Book Online

be flown back to Ciudad Zuma immediately!’
    â€˜Sit down! How much of this drivel do you think I’m going to stand —’ The growl stopped. Then the powerful voice said impatiently, ‘ Yes, Abel. What is it?’
    There was a long silence.
    â€˜The sweet sotto voce of reason,’ murmured Ellery. ‘Or Abel’s passed him a note.’
    They heard King Bendigo laugh again. This time the voice said smoothly, ‘ Forgive me for losing my temper, Señor. Believe me, I respect the position of your government even though it is hostile to our interests. But there are no viewpoints — no matter how opposing, Mr. Minister — which can’t be reconciled.’
    â€˜Impossible!’ The angry voice registered several decibels fewer.
    â€˜To establish a private cordiality, Mr. Minister? Known, let us say, only to us and to you?’
    â€˜There is nothing more to be said!’ But now it was merely fuming.
    â€˜Well, Abel, it looks as though we’re in for a licking.’
    Abel murmured something; the words did not come through.
    â€˜Unless, Mr. Minister, you don’t quite see how … Let me ask you: Did your predecessor in the War Ministry manage to salvage his yacht in the revolution, Señor?’
    â€˜She saved the traitor’s life ,’ said the foreign voice stiffly. ‘ He made his escape in her.’
    â€˜Oh, yes. You must have admired her, Señor — your enthusiasm for pleasure craft is well known. And she’s one hundred and twenty feet of sheer poetry, as my brother Judah would say. Did say.’
    â€˜She was beautiful .’ The War Minister spoke in the wistful, bitter way of the lover who has lost. ‘ Had the swine not got to her in time … But I presume on your schedule Señor King —’
    â€˜Her sister is yours.’
    There was a silence.
    â€˜She’s identical in every respect, Mr. Minister, except that her designer tells me she’s even faster. And speed in a ship is a quality not to be despised, Señor, as your predecessor discovered. Who knows? The politics of your country tend to be somewhat unstable —’
    â€˜Señor, you bribe me!’ the Minister of War replied indignantly. But it was not as if he were really surprised. His tone had a flinch in it. ‘ I thank you for your gift, Señor King Bendigo, but I repudiate it with scorn. Now I wish to leave.’
    â€˜Good boy,’ breathed the Inspector. ‘He made it.’
    â€˜After a bit of a tussle,’ grinned Ellery. ‘Ah, there’s Abel calling time again. Conference in the box. Do they pitch to the Señor or pass him?’
    â€˜Here it comes!’
    â€˜Gift?’ came the dark, rich voice. ‘ Who said anything about a gift, Mr. Minister? I had something quite legal in mind.’
    â€˜Legal …?’
    â€˜I’m offering her for sale.’
    The harassed man laughed. ‘ At a discount of five per cent, perhaps, because we are such cordial friends, Señor? This is absurdity. I am not a wealthy man —’
    â€˜I’m sure you can afford this, Mr. Minister.’
    â€˜I am sure I cannot!’
    â€˜Don’t you have twenty-five dollars?’
    There was a very long silence indeed.
    â€˜Struck him out,’ said the Inspector.
    â€˜I believe, Señor Bendigo ,’ said the foreign voice, and for the first time it was without heat or distress, ‘ that would make a bargain I could not afford to ignore. I shall purchase your yacht for twenty-five dollars!
    â€˜Our agent will call on you in Ciudad Zuma next Friday, Mr. Minister, with the bill of sale and the other documents necessary for your signature. Needless to say, the other documents are equally important to the transfer of title.’
    â€˜Needless to say.’ The foreign voice stopped for an instant, then went on amiably: ‘ Love of the sea is in the blood of my family. I have a son