Kundu [antikvár]

"Nothing would suit me betterthan to seeyour husband dead . . "George Oliver put his hands on Gerda's white shoulders andheld her a little away from him. His voice was grave and quiet.*Tm being blunt about it. It would make things easy forboth of us.""I know that.""But it's my job to bring him back alive, to give him a fairtrial and a chance to prove his innocence. II propose to dothat, if I can."She tried to move close to him to tell him with her bodywhat her lips refused to say, but he held her firmly away fromhim and went on."Fve had a long life in the Service. It hasn't paid me verywell, but I've kept my hands clean. I want them clean at theend of this. You understand that?""Oh, my dear! Of course."He released her then and saw with a pang of regret that hishands had made red, bruised spots on the white skin of hershoulders. Then she was in his arms, clinging to him, kissinghim passionately, and he knew in the instant of wry relief andtriumph that she was afraidnot for her husband but for him.KUNDU