I'd like that very much,' she said warmly. She smiled.
'And then we could go to the Casino. Perhaps I'll bring you
good luck.'
They arranged a time and a place to meet. Bond felt that
she was excited about the job. Perhaps they could work well
together. She was beautiful, and he wanted to sleep with
her. But only when the job was finished.
Mathis came back to the table and Bond called to the
waiter for his bill.
'I have to get back to the hotel,' he said.
Mathis and the girl watched him leave. Then Mathis
moved closer to her.
'James is my very good friend,' he said. 'I'm glad that
you've met each other.'
'He's very good-looking,' the girl replied after a moment.
'But there's something cold and - '
Suddenly, there was an explosion19 outside the bar. The
window behind them shattered20
• Mathis and the girl were
pushed back into their chairs. There were screams, and
people began to run towards the door.
'Stay here,' Mathis said to the girl.
Then he jumped out of his chair and climbed through the
broken window.