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were two solid-looking men in dark-blue uniform, a battered desk with a telephone, filing cabinets, wall maps and charts, a poster announcing a Police Ball: recognizable, everyday, real. Bond swallowed and cleared his throat. It was very important that he should get exactly right what he knew he had to say, the more so since he was not as yet quite sure what all of it meant or why he had to say it. Put your feet up for a bit, Mr Bond. Bring that chair over, Wragg, will you? Could you organize a cup of tea? Now take it slowly, word by word. I want, said Bond in a thick voice, I want a car. And four men. Armed. To come with me. As quickly as possible. Mind wandering, poor chap, said the sergeant. The doctor frowned. I doubt it. Youd get confusion all right, but not actual fantasy. He leant down and put his hands firmly on Bonds shoulders. You must tell us more, Mr Bond. Were all listening. Were trying to understand. Admiral Sir Miles Messervy, said Bond distinctly, and saw the sergeant react. Bonds mind was clearing fast now. Theres been some trouble along at his place. Im afraid hes been kidnapped. Go on, please, sir, said the sergeant, who had picked up the telephone before Bond had finished speaking. There were four men. Theyd given him a shot of the same stuff as me. I dont quite know how I got away. You wouldnt, said Dr Allison, offering Bond a cigarette and a light. Bond drew the life-giving smoke deep into his lungs and exhaled luxuriously. He began quickly and coolly to consider, analyse, predict. The immediate conclusion he arrived at appalled him. He jumped to his feet. At the same moment the sergeant put down the telephone. Number unobtainable, he said grimly. Naturally, said Bond. Give me that thing. When the police operator answered he said, unconsciously clenching his fist, London Airport. Priority. Ill hang on. The sergeant looked at him once and left the room at a run. While Bond was rattling off descriptions of M and the four enemy agents to his friend Spence, the Security Officer at the airport, the Inspector arrived, followed a minute later by Bill Tanner. Bond finished talking, hung up, drew in his breath to start explaining the position to Tanner, but just then the sergeant returned. His round, good-natured face was pale. He addressed himself to Bond. I got a patrol car up to the house, sir, he said, swallowing. Theyve just come through. Im afraid its too late for your armed men now. But we shall need you, Doctor. Not that youll be able to do very much, either. Chapter 3 Aftermath THE BODY of the thin-faced man lay on its back in the hall at Quarterdeck. There was not much left of the face. Parts of it and what had been situated behind it could be seen here and there on walls and floor. The Luger bullet was half an inch deep in one of the panels. Ex-Chief Petty Officer Hammond had been shot twice, once in the chest and again, to take no chances, in the back of the neck. It was assumed that he had been disposed of immediate.