Thieves Fall Out by Gore Vidal Read Free Book Online

named Hélène de Rastignac, a French countess?”
    Le Mouche sighed. “Many things. I know, for instance, that she is not French, but Alexandrian, and I know that she is not a countess.”
    “But she is rich?”
    “I shouldn’t be surprised. Yes, she must have a great deal of money now.”
    “How did she get it?”
    “How does any lovely girl make money in the world? She had friends.”
    “Was she a spy in the war?”
    “Everyone in Cairo was a spy. It was the thing to be.”
    “Was she one?”
    “I have no idea. She was the mistress, though, of Erich Raedermann, who was, as you may or may not know, the most important Nazi agent in Egypt.”
    This was news. “What happened to him?”
    “He was shot, I believe, while with her at their house on the Avenue Fuad Premier. She buried him decently. Germany fell. She did not fall with it.”
    “How does she live now?”
    “By her wits is the usual expression.”
    “I met her through an Englishman named Hastings.”
    Le Mouche whistled softly. “You move in very fast circles, Mr. Wells.”
    “Too fast, maybe?”
    “Maybe too fast, yes. I should be very—circumspect, if I were you. This is not like any other country in the world. We are ruled by a king who is a little mad and, on top of that, we have a number of corrupt officials who make life very difficult for those who refuse to make life easy for them. People can disappear in this country more completely than anywhere in the world, with the possible exception of Russia, and leave no trace.” Something in his voice chilled Pete to the bone. He gulped tea quickly, trying to drown the fumes from the hasheesh, which threatened to engulf him in pleasurable waves. With a strong effort, he kept his eyes in sharp focus.
    “What are you trying to tell me?”
    “Only to take care, Mr. Wells. I should hate to see you come to harm.”
    “And you think I might?”
    “If you get mixed up with people like Hastings and the woman who calls herself De Rastignac.”
    “Do you know her real name?”
    “I suppose I must have known it once. It’s not important.”
    “What is her business?”
    “I have no idea. She is involved in many things, and so is Hastings. I was not aware they were working together. It was inevitable, though. They are two of a kind. Will you have more hasheesh? More tea?”
    Pete shook his head. “I think I’ve had it, thank you.”
    “If you want one of those girls, I would be only too happy to—”
    “I’ll take a rain check on that,” said Pete. He liked the ease with which basic things were handled in this country. “Oh, by the way, you know I was robbed of every cent I had Tuesday.”
    Le Mouche nodded. “I believe I heard the bartender say so. I was sorry to hear it. If I can help, perhaps…”
    “Oh, no, thanks. I’m O.K. now. I
would
like to find out who the hell took my wallet. You don’t happen to remember who I left here with, do you?”
    The hunchback shook his head. “I believe you left here alone, though I’m not sure. Unfortunately, the street is full of bandits and procurers. It is possible that whoever took you to the bordello took your money at the same time. It is not uncommon. You are lucky to be alive.”
    “I guess so.” Pete stretched his legs comfortably; they seemed to have no weight, to be resting on air.
    “You will find life a little less wicked in Luxor,” said Le Mouche, pouring more tea. But they were not able to drink it, for someone knocked on the door and said,
“Êtes-vous prêt, Monsieur Le Mouche? Oui? D’accord.”
    “I must play,” said the hunchback sadly, and he stood up. He was even smaller than Pete had suspected and his body was grotesquely twisted, as though by a giant’s malicious hand.
    He walked Pete to the door of the bar, their every step noted by the bright quick eyes of the natives. “Have a good journey, Mr. Wells, and guard yourself closely.”
    “Thanks for everything,” said Pete.
    “Come see me when you return,” said