Chapter Eight.

       All to Play For

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      'Good afternoon, Blacking. All set?' The voice was casual, authoritative. 'I see there's a car outside. Not somebody looking for a game, I suppose?'

      'I'm not sure, sir. It's an old member come back to have a club made up. Would you like me to ask him, sir?'

      'Who is it? What's his name?'

      Bond smiled grimly. He pricked his ears. He wanted to catch every inflection.

      'A Mr Bond, sir.'

      There was a pause. 'Bond?' The voice had not changed. It was politely interested. 'Met a fellow called Bond the other day. What's his first name?'

      'James, sir.'

      'Oh yes.' Now the pause was longer. 'Does he know I'm here?' Bond could sense Goldfinger's antennae probing the situation.

      'He's in the workshop, sir. May have seen your car drive up.' Bond thought: Alfred's never told a lie in his life. He's not going to start now.

      'Might be an idea.' Now Goldfinger's voice unbent. He wanted something from Alfred Blacking, some information. 'What sort of a game does this chap play? What's his handicap?'

      'Used to be quite useful when he was a boy, sir. Haven't seen his game since then.'

      'Hm.'

      Bond could feel the man weighing it all up. Bond smelled that the bait was going to be taken. He reached into his bag and pulled out his driver and started rubbing down the grip with a block of shellac. Might as well look busy. A board in the shop creaked. Bond honed away industriously, his back to the open door.

      'I think we've met before.' The voice from the doorway was low, neutral.

      Bond looked quickly over his shoulder. 'My God, you made me jump. Why—' recognition dawned—'it's Gold, Goldman ... er—Goldfinger.' He hoped he wasn't overplaying it. He said with a hint of dislike, or mistrust, 'Where have you sprung from?'

      'I told you I played down here. Remember?' Goldfinger was looking at him shrewdly. Now the eyes opened wide. The X-ray gaze pierced through to the back of Bond's skull.

      'No.'

      'Did not Miss Masterton give you my message?'

      'No. What was it?'

      'I said I would be over here and that I would like a game of golf with you.'

      'Oh, well,' Bond's voice was coldly polite, 'we must do that some day.'

      'I was playing with the professional. I will play with you instead.' Goldfinger was stating a fact.

      There was no doubt that Goldfinger was hooked. Now Bond must play hard to get.

      'Why not some other time? I've come to order a club. Anyway I'm not in practice. There probably isn't a caddie.' Bond was being as rude as he could. Obviously the last thing he wanted to do was play with Goldfinger.

      'I also haven't played for some time.' (Bloody liar, thought Bond.) 'Ordering a club will not take a moment.' Goldfinger turned back into the shop. 'Blacking, have you got a caddie for Mr Bond?'

      'Yes, sir.'

      'Then that is arranged.'

      Bond wearily thrust his driver back into his bag. 'Well, all right then.' He thought of a final way of putting Goldfinger off. He said roughly, 'But I warn you I like playing for money. I can't be bothered to knock a ball round just for the fun of it.' Bond felt pleased with the character he was building up for himself.

      Was there a glint of triumph, quickly concealed, in Goldfinger's pale eyes? He said indifferently, 'That suits me. Anything you like. Off handicap, of course. I think you said you're nine.'

      'Yes.'

      Goldfinger said carefully, 'Where, may I ask?'

      'Huntercombe.' Bond was also nine at Sunningdale. Huntercombe was an easier course. Nine at Huntercombe wouldn't frighten Goldfinger.

      'And I also am nine. Here. Up on the board. So it's a level game. Right?'

      Bond shrugged. 'You'll be too good for me.'

      'I doubt it. However,' Goldfinger was offhand, 'tell you what I'll do. That bit of money you removed from me in Miami. Remember? The big figure was ten. I like a gamble. It will be good for me to have to try. I will play you double or quits for that.'

      Bond said indifferently, 'That's too much.' Then, as if he thought better of it, thought he might win, he said—with just the right amount of craft mixed with reluctance—'Of course you can say that was "found money". I won't miss it if it goes again. Oh, well, all right. Easy come easy go. Level match. Ten thousand dollars it is.'

      Goldfinger turned away. He said, and there was a sudden sweetness in the flat voice, 'That's all arranged then, Mr Blacking. Many thanks. Put your fee down on my account. Very sorry we shall be missing our game. Now, let me pay the caddie fees.'

      Alfred Blacking came into the workroom and picked up Bond's clubs. He looked very directly at Bond. He said, 'Remember what I told you, sir.' One eye closed and opened again. 'I mean about that flat swing of yours. It needs watching—all the time.'

      Bond smiled at him. Alfred had long ears. He might not have caught the figure, but he knew that somehow this was to be a key game. 'Thanks, Alfred. I won't forget. Four Penfolds—with hearts on them. And a dozen tees. I won't be a minute.'