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.Marler smiled to himself, recalling how he had seen Tweed leaving her flat in Belgrave Square.'Newman will be joining us in a minute,' Tweed said as he sat down opposite Marler.'Paula's coming too.' He lowered his voice.'Sorry I've been awhile.Beck paid me a quick visit.Armed with the photos, he'd sent a couple of his men in a car to watch the Euler.Early this morning two of the thugs came out, got into a car and drove off.Beck's men followed them to the border.They drove on through the checkpoint along the autobahn into Germany.''Which leads to where?''A small town called Breisach, if you turn left off Autobahn 5.On the other hand, if you turn right you arrive in Freiburg.' He paused.'That's the route into the Black Forest.''Pity we couldn't have followed them.But the tracking signal is under Ronstadt's car.You could be right about the Black Forest.Maybe we ought to take turns in driving up close to the Euler, standing watch on Ronstadt's car.Newman and I would be the best bet, taking pre-arranged watches.''I don't think so.' Tweed shook his head.He looked up.Paula and Newman had entered the restaurant, came to join them.'I've something to tell you while this place is quiet.'Tweed then repeated what he'd told Marler about Beck's visit to him.He also told them about Marler's suggestion, that he had turned it down.'Why?' asked Paula.'If we're not careful we'll lose Ronstadt.Then we have no way of locating their base.''Yes, we have.Beck is very clever.He gave me this.' He took from his pocket a small mobile phone of a type Paula had never seen before.'I vetoed Marler's suggestion because I'm sure we need a large force when we do locate that base.All of us, in fact.'`So how on earth do we manage that?' Paula persisted.'I said Beck was clever.He'd heard about the bomb outrages in London and he takes as savage a view of them as I do.He has arranged for a succession of his own men — in unmarked cars — to watch the Euler.The ones on duty will carry a mobile like this one.It's specially coded and can't be intercepted.The moment Ronstadt leaves in his car they'll inform Beck, who will immediately inform me.''We might still miss Ronstadt,' Paula objected.'Wait, please, until I finish.If Ronstadt takes the same route as his two thugs did earlier, he'll have to pass through the checkpoint on the Swiss side before you drive through on to Autobahn 5.Beck will instantly phone the officer in charge of the checkpoint, giving him the number of the Citroen.He will stop Ronstadt.''Stop him? What's the good of that?' Paula wondered.'You really are in an argumentative mood this morning,' Tweed chided her.'Very sorry.Please continue.''As I said; the officer will stop Ronstadt at the checkpoint.He will take his time searching the car, explaining that they conduct random searches for drugs.Briefly, he will delay him until we arrive.You and I, Paula, have to be in the lead car.I will be driving.As we approach the checkpoint you take out a cigarette and make a big fuss of lighting it.The checkpoint officer has a clear description of both of us - given to him by Beck.''This is clever of Beck,' Paula agreed.'We'll have to stay out of sight of Ronstadt - that villain met both of us briefly at Goodfellows.''I think I can manage that.Marler, you'll follow in your car.Bob, you bring up the rear in your car.I wish Butler and Nield were with us.Butler could have travelled with Marler while Nield came with Bob.' He paused briefly.'This investigation is going to take longer than I'd expected,' he said in a louder voice, sitting erect in his chair.Paula glanced over her shoulder.Sharon Mandeville had entered the dining room.She headed straight for their table.'I thought I could rely on you, Tweed, she said in a quiet voice.'Yesterday we were going to have drinks.''I'm so very sorry, Sharon,' Tweed responded, standing up.'I was caught up in a business meeting I couldn't get away from.''You're forgiven.Thank you, Bob.Or am I interrupting?'Newman had jumped up, brought her a chair which he placed next to Tweed's.When Sharon sat down she was facing Paula.'I feel out-gunned,' Sharon said with a smile.'So many men.''I'm here,' Paula reminded her.'I'll give you moral support.''That's very sweet of you.''You look dressed magnificently,' said Newman.'Ready to set the world on fire.'He was referring to the smart red trouser suit she wore.She gave him a warm smile of appreciation, then frowned before she spoke.'Talking about setting the world on fire, somebody tried to do just that last night to the American Embassy in London
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