Gambit Page #2

for 11 million.

His ownership of the one has merely

whet his appetite for the other.

For years now, Shabandar

has been seeking Haystacks, Dusk

with a passion

bordering on monomania.

When he saw that photograph,

Shabandar conducted his own

investigation into your family history.

Best to let the fish

work the hook in himself, eh, Major?

Much the best, Mr Deane.

He will want to negotiate

the price with you.

You must stick at 12 million.

Pounds.

He'll pay it,

no matter how much he protests.

Be firm. Be polite, but firm.

He will try to charm you.

He will try to impress you.

- Ms Puznowski!

- He will try to...

An honour! Welcome, welcome.

Painting in the gallery, men.

I knew a Koznowski once,

charming man, no relation I suppose.

Baron Koznowski. Quite the equestrian.

Man had horse blood in his veins.

This way, please.

Right, let's take a look, shall we?

Mere formality, of course.

Oh, yes.

So...

What do you think, Deane?

- Yes, I'll need a few moments, sir.

- Oh, yes. Quite.

You may not realise it,

Ms Puznowski,

but Harry Deane knows Monet

like I know...

Actually, I don't know anything

quite like that.

The artist has used a light ground

true to Monet's habit.

The palette is very limited,

no blacks or browns.

Cerulean blue and cadmium yellow

to achieve his broken colour.

And unlike the heartbreaking fraud

perpetrated on the Austrians,

the signature is correct.

It is Monet and it is very fine indeed.

And that, Mr Deane,

is good enough for me.

Shall we discuss terms?

System armed.

System armed.

Hello, kitty.

Your wages.

500,000 and your ticket home.

First class, of course.

No, no, no. No, no, no.

Please, do not thank us.

It is the Major and I who should be

thanking you for the self-possession,

the good humour and the lan with which

you played your small but vital part.

- Eh, Major?

- Hear, hear, sir. Jolly well played.

We should be arriving

at Heathrow in mere minutes.

Mr Deane.

Mr Deane? Mr Deane.

Shouldn't have to tell her

any more than that.

Quite right.

But you will have to talk to her.

Hmm.

Back in a flash.

Mr Deane, for all his talents,

was given to one particular flaw.

He saw the world

as he wished to see it.

But, as we know, an optimist is simply

a man who hasn't heard the news.

As my time in the African Rifles

had taught me,

one ignored the elephant in the room

at one's peril.

Half a million pounds sterling.

Half a million...

- Hello.

- I believe the lady said get lost.

I'll take the chunky one!

Gonna open a can of whup-ass

on you now.

Major, for heaven's sake,

just be gentle.

- I'm trying to get...

- No, that's enough.

- Those people are barbarians.

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