Goldfinger

IanFleming
1959

To
mygentleReader
WilliamPlomer

PartOne:Happenstance

ChapterOne
ReflectionsInADoubleBourbon
JamesBond,withtwodoublebourbonsinsidehim,satinthefinaldepartureloungeof
MiamiAirportandthoughtaboutlifeanddeath.
Itwaspartofhisprofessiontokillpeople.Hehadneverlikeddoingitandwhenhehadto
killhediditaswellasheknewhowandforgotaboutit.Asasecretagentwhoheldthe
raredoubleOprefixthelicencetokillintheSecretServiceitwashisdutytobeascool
aboutdeathasasurgeon.Ifithappened,ithappened.Regretwasunprofessionalworse,
itwasdeathwatchbeetleinthesoul.
AndyettherehadbeensomethingcuriouslyimpressiveaboutthedeathoftheMexican.It
wasn'tthathehadn'tdeservedtodie.Hewasanevilman,amantheycallinMexicoa
capungo.Acapungoisabanditwhowillkillforaslittleasfortypesos,whichisabout
twentyfiveshillingsthoughprobablyhehadbeenpaidmoretoattemptthekillingof
Bondand,fromthelookofhim,hehadbeenaninstrumentofpainandmiseryallhislife.
Yes,ithadcertainlybeentimeforhimtodie;butwhenBondhadkilledhim,lessthan
twentyfourhoursbefore,lifehadgoneoutofthebodysoquickly,soutterly,thatBond
hadalmostseenitcomeoutofhismouthasitdoes,intheshapeofabird,inHaitian
primitives.
Whatanextraordinarydifferencetherewasbetweenabodyfullofpersonandabodythat
wasempty!Nowthereissomeone,nowthereisnoone.ThishadbeenaMexicanwitha
nameandanaddress,anemploymentcardandperhapsadrivinglicence.Thensomething
hadgoneoutofhim,outoftheenvelopeoffleshandcheapclothes,andhadlefthiman
emptypaperbagwaitingforthedustcart.Andthedifference,thethingthathadgoneout
ofthestinkingMexicanbandit,wasgreaterthanallMexico.
Bondlookeddownattheweaponthathaddoneit.Thecuttingedgeofhisrighthandwas
redandswollen.Itwouldsoonshowabruise.Bondflexedthehand,kneadingitwithhis
left.Hehadbeendoingthesamethingatintervalsthroughthequickplanetripthathad
gothimaway.Itwasapainfulprocess,butifhekeptthecirculationmovingthehand
wouldhealmorequickly.Onecouldn'ttellhowsoontheweaponwouldbeneededagain.
CynicismgatheredatthecornersofBond'smouth.
'NationalAirlines,"AirlineoftheStars",announcesthedepartureoftheirflightNA106to
LaGuardiaField,NewYork.Willallpassengerspleaseproceedtogatenumberseven.All
aboard,please.'
TheTannoyswitchedoffwithanechoingclick.Bondglancedathiswatch.Atleastanother
tenminutesbeforeTransamericawouldbecalled.Hesignalledtoawaitressandordered
anotherdoublebourbonontherocks.Whenthewide,chunkyglasscame,heswirledthe
liquorroundfortheicetobluntitdownandswallowedhalfofit.Hestubbedoutthebutt
ofhiscigaretteandsat,hischinrestingonhislefthand,andgazedmoodilyacrossthe
twinklingtarmactowherethelasthalfofthesunwasslippinggloriouslyintotheGulf.
7

ThedeathoftheMexicanhadbeenthefinishingtouchtoabadassignment,oneofthe
worstsqualid,dangerousandwithoutanyredeemingfeatureexceptthatithadgothim
awayfromheadquarters.
AbigmaninMexicohadsomepoppyfields.Theflowerswerenotfordecoration.They
werebrokendownforopiumwhichwassoldquicklyandcomparativelycheaplybythe
waitersatasmallcafeinMexicoCitycalledthe'MadredeCacao'.TheMadredeCacao
hadplentyofprotection.Ifyouneededopiumyouwalkedinandorderedwhatyou
wantedwithyourdrink.Youpaidforyourdrinkatthecaisseandthemanatthecaisse
toldyouhowmanynoughtstoaddtoyourbill.Itwasanorderlycommerceofnoconcern
toanyoneoutsideMexico.Then,farawayinEngland,theGovernment,urgedonbythe
UnitedNations'driveagainstdrugsmuggling,announcedthatheroinwouldbebannedin
Britain.TherewasalarminSohoandalsoamongrespectabledoctorswhowantedtosave
theirpatientsagony.Prohibitionisthetriggerofcrime.Verysoontheroutinesmuggling
channelsfromChina,TurkeyandItalywereranalmostdrybytheillicitstockpilingin
England.InMexicoCity,apleasantspokenImportandExportmerchantcalledBlackwell
hadasisterinEnglandwhowasaheroinaddict.Helovedherandwassorryforherand,
whenshewrotethatshewoulddieifsomeonedidn'thelp,hebelievedthatshewrotethe
truthandsetaboutinvestigatingtheillicitdopetrafficinMexico.Induecourse,through
friendsandfriendsoffriends,hegottotheMadredeCacaoandonfromtheretothebig
Mexicangrower.Intheprocess,hecametoknowabouttheeconomicsofthetrade,and
hedecidedthatifhecouldmakeafortuneandatthesametimehelpsufferinghumanity
hehadfoundtheSecretofLife.Blackwell'sbusinesswasinfertilizers.Hehadawarehouse
andasmallplantandastaffofthreeforsoiltestingandplantresearch.Itwaseasyto
persuadethebigMexicanthat,behindthisrespectablefront,Blackwell'steamcouldbusy
itselfextractingheroinfromopium.CarriagetoEnglandwasswiftlyarrangedbythe
Mexican.Fortheequivalentofathousandpoundsatrip,everymonthoneofthe
diplomaticcouriersoftheMinistryofForeignAffairscarriedanextrasuitcasetoLondon.
Thepricewasreasonable.Thecontentsofthesuitcase,aftertheMexicanhaddepositedit
attheVictoriaStationleftluggageofficeandhadmailedthetickettoamancalled
Schwab,c/oBooxanPix,Ltd,WC1,wereworthtwentythousandpounds.
UnfortunatelySchwabwasabadman,unconcernedwithsufferinghumanity.Hehadthe
ideathatifAmericanjuveniledelinquentscouldconsumemillionsofdollars'worthof
heroineveryyear,socouldtheirTeddyboyandgirlcousins.IntworoomsinPimlico,his
staffwateredtheheroinwithstomachpowderandsentitonitswaytothedancehalls
andamusementarcades.
SchwabhadalreadymadeafortunewhentheCIDGhostSquadgotontohim.Scotland
Yarddecidedtolethimmakealittlemoremoneywhiletheyinvestigatedthesourceofhis
supply.TheyputaclosetailonSchwabandinduecoursewereledtoVictoriaStationand
thencetotheMexicancourier.Atthatstage,sinceaforeigncountrywasconcerned,the
SecretServicehadhadtobecalledinandBondwasorderedtofindoutwherethecourier
gothissuppliesandtodestroythechannelatsource.
Bonddidashewastold.HeflewtoMexicoCityandquicklygottotheMadredeCacao.
Thence,posingasabuyerfortheLondontraffic,hegotbacktothebigMexican.The
MexicanreceivedhimamiablyandreferredhimtoBlackwell.Bondhadrathertakento
Blackwell,HeknewnothingaboutBlackwell'ssister,butthemanwasobviouslyan
8

amateurandhisbitternessabouttheheroinbaninEnglandrangtrue.Bondbrokeintohis
warehouseonenightandleftathermitebomb.Hethenwentandsatinacafeamile
awayandwatchedtheflamesleapabovethehorizonofrooftopsandlistenedtothesilver
cascadeofthefirebrigadebells.ThenextmorninghetelephonedBlackwell.
Hestretchedahandkerchiefacrossthemouthpieceandspokethroughit.
'Sorryyoulostyourbusinesslastnight.I'mafraidyourinsurancewon'tcoverthosestocks
ofsoilyouwereresearching.'
'Who'sthat?Who'sspeaking?'
'I'mfromEngland.Thatstuffofyourshaskilledquitealotofyoungpeopleoverthere.
Damagedalotofothers.Santoswon'tbecomingtoEnglandanymorewithhisdiplomatic
bag.Schwabwillbeinjailbytonight.ThatfellowBondyou'vebeenseeing,hewon'tget
outoftheneteither.Thepoliceareafterhimnow.'
Frightenedwordscamebackdowntheline.
'Allright,butjustdon'tdoitagain.Sticktofertilizers.'
Bondhungup.
Blackwellwouldn'thavehadthewits.ItwasobviouslythebigMexicanwhohadseen
throughthefalsetrail.Bondhadtakentheprecautiontomovehishotel,butthatnight,as
hewalkedhomeafteralastdrinkattheCopacabana,amansuddenlystoodinhisway.
Themanworeadirtywhitelinensuitandachauffeur'swhitecapthatwastoobigforhis
head.ThereweredeepblueshadowsunderAzteccheekbones.Inonecorneroftheslash
ofamouththerewasatoothpickandintheotheracigarette.Theeyeswerebright
pinpricksofmarihuana.
'Youlikewoman?Makejigajig?'
'No.'
'Colouredgirl?Finejungletail?'
'No.'
'Mebbepictures?'
ThegestureofthehandslippingintothecoatwassowellknowntoBond,sofullofold
dangersthatwhenthehandflashedoutandthelongsilverfingerwentforhisthroat,
Bondwasonbalanceandreadyforit.
Almostautomatically,Bondwentintothe'ParryDefenceagainstUnderhandThrust'outof
thebook.
9

Hisrightarmcutacross,hisbodyswivellingwithit.Thetwoforearmsmetmidway
betweenthetwobodies,bangingtheMexican'sknifearmofftargetandopeninghisguard
foracrashingshortarmchinjabwithBond'sleft.Bond'sstiff,lockedwristhadnot
travelledfar,perhapstwofeet,buttheheelofhispalm,withringersspreadforrigidity,
hadcomeupandundertheman'schinwithterrificforce.Theblowalmostliftedtheman
offthesidewalk.PerhapsithadbeenthatblowthathadkilledtheMexican,brokenhis
neck,butashestaggeredbackonhiswaytotheground,Bondhaddrawnbackhisright
handandslashedsidewaysatthetaut,offeredthroat.Itwasthedeadlyhandedgeblow
totheAdam'sapple,deliveredwiththefingerslockedintoablade,thathadbeenthe
standbyoftheCommandos.IftheMexicanwasstillalive,hewascertainlydeadbeforehe
hittheground.
Bondstoodforamoment,hischestheaving,andlookedatthecrumpledpileofcheap
clothesflungdowninthedust.Heglancedupanddownthestreet.Therewasnoone.
Somecarspassed.Othershadperhapspassedduringthefight,butithadbeeninthe
shadows.Bondkneltdownbesidethebody.Therewasnopulse.Alreadytheeyesthat
hadbeensobrightwithmarihuanawereglazing.
ThehouseinwhichtheMexicanhadlivedwasempty.Thetenanthadleft.
Bondpickedupthebodyandlaiditagainstawallindeepershadow.Hebrushedhishands
downhisclothes,felttoseeifhistiewasstraightandwentontohishotel.
AtdawnBondhadgotupandshavedanddriventotheairportwherehetookthefirst
planeoutofMexico.IthappenedtobegoingtoCaracas.BondflewtoCaracasandhung
aboutinthetransitloungeuntiltherewasaplaneforMiami,aTransamericaConstellation
thatwouldtakehimonthatsameeveningtoNewYork.
AgaintheTannoybuzzedandechoed.'Transamericaregretstoannounceadelayontheir
flightTR618toNewYorkduetoamechanicaldefect.Thenewdeparturetimewillbeat
eightam.WillallpassengerspleasereporttotheTransamericaticketcounterwhere
arrangementsfortheirovernightaccommodationwillbemade.Thankyou.'
So!Thattoo!ShouldhetransfertoanotherflightorspendthenightinMiami?Bondhad
forgottenhisdrink.Hepickeditupand,tiltinghisheadback,swallowedthebourbonto
thelastdrop.Theicetinkledcheerfullyagainsthisteeth.Thatwasit.Thatwasanidea.He
wouldspendthenightinMiamiandgetdrunk,stinkingdrunksothathewouldhavetobe
carriedtobedbywhatevertarthehadpickedup.Hehadn'tbeendrunkforyears.Itwas
hightime.Thisextranight,thrownathimoutoftheblue,wasasparenight,agonenight.
Hewouldputittogoodpurpose.Itwastimehelethimselfgo.Hewastootense,too
introspective.Whatthehellwashedoing,gloomingaboutthisMexican,thiscapungowho
hadbeensenttokillhim?Ithadbeenkillorgetkilled.Anyway,peoplewerekillingother
peopleallthetime,allovertheworld.Peoplewereusingtheirmotorcarstokillwith.
Theywerecarryinginfectiousdiseasesaround,blowingmicrobesinotherpeople'sfaces,
leavinggasjetsturnedoninkitchens,pumpingoutcarbonmonoxideinclosedgarages.
Howmanypeople,forinstance,wereinvolvedinmanufacturingHbombs,fromthe
minerswhominedtheuraniumtotheshareholderswhoownedtheminingshares?Was

10

thereanypersonintheworldwhowasn'tsomehow,perhapsonlystatistically,involvedin
killinghisneighbour?
Thelastlightofthedayhadgone.Belowtheindigoskytheflarepathstwinkledgreenand
yellowandthrewtinyreflectionsofftheoilyskinofthetarmac.Withashatteringroara
DC7hurtleddownthemaingreenlane.Thewindowsinthetransitloungerattledsoftly.
Peoplegotuptowatch.Bondtriedtoreadtheirexpressions.Didtheyhopetheplane
wouldcrashgivethemsomethingtowatch,somethingtotalkabout,somethingtofill
theiremptylives?Ordidtheywishitwell?Whichwayweretheywillingthesixty
passengers?Toliveortodie?
Bond'slipsturneddown.Cutitout.Stopbeingsodamnedmorbid.Allthisisjustreaction
fromadirtyassignment.You'restale,tiredofhavingtobetough.Youwantachange.
You'veseentoomuchdeath.Youwantasliceoflifeeasy,soft,high.Bondwasconscious
ofstepsapproaching.Theystoppedathisside.Bondlookedup.Itwasaclean,rich
looking,middleagedman.Hisexpressionwasembarrassed,deprecating.'Pardonme,but
surelyit'sMr.Bond...Mr.erJamesBond?'

11

12

ChapterTwo
LivingItUp
Bondlikedanonymity.His'Yes,itis'wasdiscouraging.
'Well,that'samightyrarecoincidence.'Themanheldouthishand.Bondroseslowly,took
thehandandreleasedit.Thehandwaspulpyandunarticulatedlikeahandshapedmud
pack,oraninflatedrubberglove.'MynameisDuPont.JuniusDuPont.Iguessyouwon't
rememberme,butwe'vemetbefore.MindifIsitdown?'
Theface,thename?Yes,therewassomethingfamiliar.Longago.NotinAmerica.Bond
searchedthefileswhilehesummedthemanup.Mr.DuPontwasaboutfiftypink,clean
shavenanddressedintheconventionaldisguisewithwhichBrooksBrotherscoverthe
shameofAmericanmillionaires.
Heworeasinglebreasteddarktantropicalsuitandawhitesilkshirtwithashallowcollar.
Therolledendsofthecollarwerejoinedbyagoldsafetypinbeneaththeknotofanarrow
darkredandbluestripedtiethatfractionallywasn'ttheBrigadeofGuards'.Thecuffsof
theshirtprotrudedhalfaninchbelowthecuffsofthecoatandshowedcabochoncrystal
linkscontainingminiaturetroutflies.Thesockswerecharcoalgreysilkandtheshoeswere
oldandpolishedmahoganyandhintedPeal.Themancarriedadark,narrowbrimmed
strawHomburgwithawideclaretribbon.
Mr.DuPontsatdownoppositeBondandproducedcigarettesandaplaingoldZippo
lighter.Bondnoticedthathewassweatingslightly.HedecidedthatMr.DuPontwaswhat
heappearedtobe,averyrichAmerican,mildlyembarrassed.Heknewhehadseenhim
before,buthehadnoideawhereorwhen.
'Smoke?'
'Thankyou.'ItwasaParliament.Bondaffectednottonoticetheofferedlighter.He
dislikedheldoutlighters.Hepickeduphisownandlitthecigarette.
'France,51,RoyalelesEaux.'Mr.DuPontlookedeagerlyatBond.'ThatCasino.Ethel,
that'sMrs.DuPont,andmewerenexttoyouatthetablethenightyouhadthebiggame
withtheFrenchman.'
Bond'smemoryracedback.Yes,ofcourse.TheDuPontshadbeenNos.,4and5atthe
baccarattable.Bondhadbeen6.Theyhadseemedharmlesspeople.Hehadbeengladto
havesuchasolidbulwarkonhisleftonthatfantasticnightwhenhehadbrokenLeChiffre.
NowBondsawitallagainthebrightpooloflightonthegreenbaize,thepinkcrabhands
acrossthetablescuttlingoutforthecards.Hesmelledthesmokeandtheharshtangof
hisownsweat.Thathadbeenanight!BondlookedacrossatMr.DuPontandsmiledat
thememory.'Yes,ofcourseIremember.SorryIwasslow.Butthatwasquiteanight.I
wasn'tthinkingofmuchexceptmycards.'

13

Mr.DuPontgrinnedback,happyandrelieved.'Why,gosh,Mr.Bond.OfcourseI
understand.AndIdohopeyou'llpardonmeforbuttingin.Yousee...'Hesnappedhis
ringersforawaitress.'Butwemusthaveadrinktocelebrate.What'llyouhave?'
'Thanks.Bourbonontherocks.'
'AnddimpleHaigandwater.'Thewaitresswentaway.
Mr.DuPontleantforward,beaming.Awhiffofsoaporaftershavelotioncameacrossthe
table.
Lentheric?'Iknewitwasyou.AssoonasIsawyousittingthere.ButIthoughttomyself,
Junius,youdon'toftenmakeanerroroveraface,butlet'sjustgomakesure.Well,Iwas
flyingTransamericantonightand,whentheyannouncedthedelay,Iwatchedyour
expressionand,ifyou'llpardonme,Mr.Bond,itwasprettyclearfromthelookonyour
facethatyouhadbeenflyingTransamericantoo.'HewaitedforBondtonod.Hehurried
on.'SoIrandowntotheticketcounterandhadmealookatthepassengerlist.Sure
enough,thereitwas,"J.Bond".'
Mr.DuPontsatback,pleasedwithhiscleverness.Thedrinkscame.Heraisedhisglass.
'Yourverygoodhealth,sir.Thissureismyluckyday.'
Bondsmilednoncommittallyanddrank.
Mr.DuPontleantforwardagain.Helookedround.Therewasnobodyatthenearby
tables.Neverthelessheloweredhisvoice.'Iguessyou'llbesayingtoyourself,well,it's
nicetoseeJuniusDuPontagain,butwhat'sthescore?Why'shesoparticularlyhappyat
seeingmeonjustthisnight?'Mr.DuPontraisedhiseyebrowsasifactingBond'spartfor
him.Bondputonafaceofpoliteinquiry.Mr.DuPontleantstillfartheracrossthetable.
'Now,Ihopeyou'llforgiveme,Mr.Bond.It'snotlikemetopryintootherpeople'ssecre...
eraffairs.But,afterthatgameatRoyale,Ididhearthatyouwerenotonlyagrandcard
player,butalsothatyouwereerhowshallIputit?thatyouwereasortofer
investigator.Youknow,kindofintelligenceoperative.'Mr.DuFont'sindiscretionhad
madehimgoveryredintheface.Hesatbackandtookoutahandkerchiefandwipedhis
forehead.HelookedanxiouslyatBond.
Bondshruggedhisshoulders.ThegreyblueeyesthatlookedintoMr.DuPont'seyes,
whichhadturnedhardandwatchfuldespitehisembarrassment,heldamixtureof
candour,ironyandselfdeprecation.'Iusedtodabbleinthatkindofthing.Hangoverfrom
thewar.OnestillthoughtitwasfunplayingRedIndians.Butthere'snofutureinitin
peacetime.'
'Quite,quite.'Mr.DuPontmadeathrowawaygesturewiththehandthatheldthe
cigarette.HiseyesevadedBond'sasheputthenextquestion,waitedforthenextlie.
(Bondthought,there'sawolfinthisBrooksBrothersclothing.Thisisashrewdman.)'And
nowyou'vesettleddown?'Mr.DuPontsmiledpaternally.'Whatdidyouchoose,ifyou'll
pardonthequestion?'
14

'ImportandExport.I'mwithUniversal.Perhapsyou'vecomeacrossthem.'
Mr.DuPontcontinuedtoplaythegame.'Hm.Universal.Letmesee.Why,yes,sureI've
heardofthem.Can'tsayI'veeverdonebusinesswiththem,butIguessit'snevertoolate.'
Hechuckledfatly.'I'vegotquiteaheapofinterestsallovertheplace.OnlystuffIcan
honestlysayI'mnotinterestedinischemicals.Maybeit'smymisfortune,Mr.Bond,but
I'mnotoneofthechemicalDuFonts.'
BonddecidedthatthemanwasquitesatisfiedwiththeparticularbrandofDuPonthe
happenedtobe.Hemadenocomment.HeglancedathiswatchtohurryMr.DuFont's
playofthehand.Hemadeanotetohandlehisowncardscarefully.Mr.DuPonthada
nicepinkkindlybabyfacewithapuckered,ratherfeminineturndownmouth.Helooked
asharmlessasanyofthemiddleagedAmericanswithcameraswhostandoutside
BuckinghamPalace.ButBondsensedmanytough,sharpqualitiesbehindthefuddyduddy
facade.
Mr.DuFont'ssensitiveeyecaughtBond'sglanceathiswatch.Heconsultedhisown.'My,
ohmy!Seveno'clockandhereI'vebeentalkingawaywithoutcomingtothepoint.Now,
seehere,Mr.Bond.I'vegotmeaproblemonwhichI'dgreatlyappreciateyourguidance.
IfyoucansparemethetimeandifyouwerecountingonstoppingoverinMiamitonight
I'dreckonitarealfavourifyou'dallowmetobeyourhost.'Mr.DuPonthelduphishand.
'Now,IthinkIcanpromisetomakeyoucomfortable.SohappensIownapieceofthe
Floridiana.MaybeyouheardweopenedaroundChristmastime?Doingagreatbusiness
I'mhappytosay.ReallypushingthatlittleoldFountainBlue,'Mr.DuPontlaughed
indulgently.'That'swhatwecalltheFontainebleaudownhere.Now,whatdoyousay,Mr.
Bond?Youshallhavethebestsuiteevenifit.meansputtingsomegoodpayingcustomers
outonthesidewalk.Andyou'dbedoingmearealfavour.'Mr.DuPontlookedimploring.
Bondhadalreadydecidedtoacceptblind.WhateverMr.DuFont'sproblemblackmail,
gangsters,womenitwouldbesometypicalformofrichman'sworry.Herewasasliceof
theeasylifehehadbeenaskingfor.Takeit.Bondstartedtosaysomethingpolitely
deprecating.Mr.DuPontinterrupted.'Please,please,Mr.Bond.Andbelieveme,I'm
grateful,verygratefulindeed.'Hesnappedhisfingersforthewaitress.Whenshecame,he
turnedawayfromBondandsettledthebilloutofBond'ssight.Likemanyveryrichmenhe
consideredthatshowinghismoney,lettingsomeoneseehowmuchhetipped,amounted
toindecentexposure.Hethrusthisrollbackintohistrouserspocket(thehippocketisnot
theplaceamongtherich)andtookBondbythearm.HesensedBond'sresistancetothe
contactandremovedhishand.Theywentdownthestairstothemainhall.
'Now,let'sjuststraightenoutyourreservation.'Mr.DuPontheadedfortheTransamerica
ticketcounter.InafewcurtphrasesMr.DuPontshowedhispowerandefficiencyinhis
own,hisAmerican,realm.
'Yes,Mr.DuPont.Surely,Mr.DuPont.I'lltakecareofthat,Mr.DuPont.'
Outside,agleamingChryslerImperialsigheduptothekerb.Atoughlookingchauffeurina
biscuitcoloureduniformhurriedtoopenthedoor.Bondsteppedinandsettleddownin
thesoftupholstery.Theinteriorofthecarwasdeliciouslycool,almostcold.The
15

TransamericanrepresentativebustledoutwithBond'ssuitcase,handedittothechauffeur
and,withahalfbow,wentbackintotheTerminal.'Bill'sontheBeach,'saidMr.DuPont
tothechauffeurandthebigcarslidawaythroughthecrowdedparkinglotsandoutonto
theparkway.
Mr.DuPontsettledback.'Hopeyoulikestonecrabs,Mr.Bond.Evertriedthem?'
Bondsaidhehad,thathelikedthemverymuch.
Mr.DuPonttalkedaboutBill'sontheBeachandabouttherelativemeritsofstoneand
AlaskacrabmeatwhiletheChryslerImperialspedthroughdowntownMiami,along
BiscayneBoulevardandacrossBiscayneBaybytheDouglasMacArthurCauseway.Bond
madeappropriatecomments,lettinghimselfbecarriedalongonthegraciousstreamof
speedandcomfortandrichsmalltalk.Theydrewupatawhitepainted,mockRegency
frontageinclapboardandstucco.Ascrawlofpinkneonsaid:BILL'SONTHEBEACH.While
Bondgotout,Mr.DuPontgavehisinstructionstothechauffeur.Bondheardthewords.
'TheAlohaSuite,'and'Ifthere'sanytrouble,tellMr.Fairlietocallmehere.Right?'
Theywentupthesteps.Inside,thebigroomwasdecoratedinwhitewithpinkmuslin
swagsoverthewindows.Therewerepinklightsonthetables.Therestaurantwas
crowdedwithsunburnedpeopleinexpensivetropicalgetupsbrilliantgarishshirts,
janglinggoldbangles,darkglasseswithjewelledrims,cutenativestrawhats.Therewasa
confusionofscents.Thewrysmellofbodiesthathadbeenalldayinthesuncame
through.
Bill,apansifiedItalian,hurriedtowardsthem.'Why,Mr.DuPont.Isapleasure,sir.Little
crowdedtonight.Soonfixyouup.Pleasethiswayplease.'Holdingalargeleatherbound
menuabovehisheadthemanweavedhiswaybetweenthedinerstothebesttableinthe
room,acornertableforsix.Hepulledouttwochairs,snappedhisringersforthemaitre
d'hotelandthewinewaiter,spreadtwomenusinfrontofthem,exchangedcompliments
withMr.DuPontandleftthem.Mr.DuPontslappedhismenushut.HesaidtoBond,
'Now,whydon'tyoujustleavethistome?Ifthere'sanythingyoudon'tlike,senditback.'
Andtotheheadwaiter,'Stonecrabs.Notfrozen.Fresh.Meltedbutter.Thicktoast.Right?'
'Verygood,Mr.DuPont.'Thewinewaiter,washinghishands,tookthewaiter'splace.
'Twopintsofpinkchampagne.ThePommery'50.Silvertankards.Right?'
'Vairrygood,Mr.DuPont.Acocktailtostart?'
Mr.DuPontturnedtoBond.Hesmiledandraisedhiseyebrows.
Bondsaid,'Vodkamartini,please.Withasliceoflemonpeel.'
'Makeittwo,'saidMr.DuPont.'Doubles.'Thewinewaiterhurriedoff.Mr.DuPontsat
backandproducedhiscigarettesandlighter.Helookedroundtheroom,answeredoneor
twowaveswithasmileandaliftofthehandandglancedattheneighbouringtables.He
edgedhischairnearertoBond's.'Can'thelpthenoise,I'mafraid,'hesaidapologetically.
16

'Onlycomehereforthecrabs.They'reoutofthisworld.Hopeyou'renotallergictothem.
Oncebroughtagirlhereandfedhercrabsandherlipsswelleduplikecycletyres.'
BondwasamusedatthechangeinMr.DuPontthisracytalk,theauthorityofmanner
onceMr.DuPontthoughthehadgotBondonthehook,onhispayroll.Hewasadifferent
manfromtheshyembarrassedsuitorwhohadsolicitedBondattheairport.WhatdidMr.
DuPontwantfromBond?Itwouldbecominganyminutenow,theproposition.Bondsaid,
'Ihaven'tgotanyallergies.'
'Good,good.'
Therewasapause.Mr.DuPontsnappedthelidofhislighterupanddownseveraltimes.
Herealizedhewasmakinganirritatingnoiseandpusheditawayfromhim.Hemadeup
hismind.Hesaid,speakingathishandsonthetableinfrontofhim,'Youeverplay
Canasta,Mr.Bond?'
'Yes,it'sagoodgame.Ilikeit.'
'TwohandedCanasta?'
'Ihavedone.It'snotsomuchfun.Ifyoudon'tmakeafoolofyourselfifneitherofyoudo
ittendstoevenout.Lawofaveragesinthecards.Nochanceofmakingmuchdifference
intheplay.'
Mr.DuPontnoddedemphatically.'Justso.That'swhatI'vesaidtomyself.Overahundred
gamesorso,twoequalplayerswillendupequal.NotsuchagoodgameasGinor
Oklahoma,butinawaythat'sjustwhatIlikeaboutit.Youpassthetime,youhandle
plentyofcards,youhaveyourupsanddowns,noonegetshurt.Right?'
Bondnodded.Themartiniscame.Mr.DuPontsaidtothewinewaiter,'Bringtwomorein
tenminutes.'Theydrank.Mr.DuPontturnedandfacedBond.Hisfacewaspetulant,
crumpled.Hesaid,'Whatwouldyousay,Mr.Bond,ifItoldyouI'dlosttwentyfive
thousanddollarsinaweekplayingtwohandedCanasta?'Bondwasabouttoreply.Mr.Du
Ponthelduphishand.'Andmarkyou,I'magoodcardplayer.MemberoftheRegency
Club.PlayalotwithpeoplelikeCharlieGoren,JohnnyCrawfordatbridgethatis.But
whatImean,Iknowmywayaroundatthecardtable.'Mr.DuPontprobedBond'seyes.
'Ifyou'vebeenplayingwiththesamemanallthetime,you'vebeencheated.'
'Exactly.'Mr.DuPontslappedthetablecloth.Hesatback.'Exactly.That'swhatIsaidto
myselfafterI'dlostlostforfourwholedays.SoIsaidtomyself,thisbastardischeating
meandbygollyI'llfindouthowhedoesitandhavehimhoundedoutofMiami.SoI
doubledthestakesandthendoubledthemagain.Hewasquitehappyaboutit.AndI
watchedeverycardheplayed,everymovement.Nothing!Notahintorasign.Cardsnot
marked.NewpackwheneverIwantedone.Myowncards.Neverlookedatmyhand
couldn't,asIalwayssatdeadoppositehim.Nokibitzertotiphimoff.Andhejustwenton
winningandwinning.Wonagainthismorning.Andagainthisafternoon.FinallyIgotso
madatthegameIdidn'tshowit,mindyou'Bondmightthinkhehadnotbeenasport'I
17

paiduppolitely.But,withouttellingthisguy,Ijustpackedmybagandgotmetothe
airportandbookedonthefirstplanetoNewYork.Thinkofthat!'Mr.DuPontthrewup
hishands.'Runningaway.Buttwentyfivegrandistwentyfivegrand.Icouldseeitgetting
tofifty,ahundred.AndIjustcouldn'tstandanotherofthesedamnedgamesandI
couldn'tstandnotbeingabletocatchthisguyout.SoItookoff.Whatdoyouthinkof
that?Me,JuniusDuPont,throwinginthetowelbecauseIcouldn'ttakethelickingany
more!'
Bondgruntedsympathetically.Thesecondroundofdrinkscame.Bondwasmildly
interested,hewasalwaysinterestedinanythingtodowithcards.Hecouldseethescene,
thetwomenplayingandplayingandtheonemanquietlyshufflinganddealingawayand
markinguphisscorewhiletheotherwasalwaysthrowinghiscardsintothemiddleofthe
tablewithagestureofcontrolleddisgust.Mr.DuPontwasobviouslybeingcheated.How?
Bondsaid,'Twentyfivethousand'salotofmoney.Whatstakeswereyouplaying?'
Mr.DuPontlookedsheepish.'Quarterapoint,thenfiftycents,thenadollar.PrettyhighI
guesswiththegamesaveragingaroundtwothousandpoints.Evenataquarter,that
makesfivehundreddollarsagame.Atadollarapoint,ifyougoonlosing,it'smurder.'
'Youmusthavewonsometimes.'
'Ohsure,butsomehow,justasI'dgotthes.o.b.allsetforakilling,he'dputdownasmany
ofhiscardsashecouldmeld.Gotoutofthebag.Sure,Iwonsomesmallchange,butonly
whenheneededahundredandtwentytogodownandI'dgotallthewildcards.Butyou
knowhowitiswithCanasta,youhavetodiscardright.Youlaytrapstomaketheotherguy
handyouthepack.Well,darnit,heseemedtobepsychic!WheneverIlaidatrap,he'd
dodgeit,andalmosteverytimehelaidoneformeI'dfallintoit.Asforgivingmethepack
why,he'dchoosethedamnedestcardswhenhewaspusheddiscardsingletons,aces,
Godknowswhat,andalwaysgetawaywithit.Itwasjustasifhekneweverycardinmy
hand,'
'Anymirrorsintheroom?'
'Heck,no!Wealwaysplayedoutdoors.Hesaidhewantedtogethimselfasunburn.
Certainlydidthat.Redaslobster.He'donlyplayinthemorningsandafternoons.Saidifhe
playedintheeveninghecouldn'tgettosleep.'
'Whoisthisman,anyway?What'shisname?'
'Goldfinger.'
'Firstname?'
'Auric.Thatmeansgolden,doesn'tit?Hecertainlyisthat.Gotflamingredhair.'
'Nationality?'

18

'Youwon'tbelieveit,buthe'saBritisher.DomiciledinNassau.You'dthinkhe'dbeaJew
fromthename,buthedoesn'tlookit.We'rerestrictedattheFloridiana.Wouldn'thave
gotinifhehadbeen.Nassavianpassport.Agefortytwo.Unmarried.Profession,broker.
Gotallthisfromhispassport.HadmeapeekviathehousedetectivewhenIstartedto
playwithhim.'
'Whatsortofbroker?'
DuPontsmiledgrimly.'Iaskedhim.Hesaid,"Oh,anythingthatcomesalong."Evasivesort
offellow.Clamsupifyouaskhimadirectquestion.Talksawayquitepleasantlyabout
nothingatall.'
'What'sheworth?'
'Ha!'saidMr.DuPontexplosively.'That'sthedamnedestthing.He'sloaded.Butloaded!I
gotmybanktocheckwithNassau.He'slousywithit.Millionairesareadimeadozenin
Nassau,buthe'sratedeitherfirstorsecondamongthem.Seemshekeepshismoneyin
goldbars.Shiftsthemaroundtheworldalottogetthebenefitofchangesinthegold
price.Actslikeadamnfederalbank.Doesn'ttrustcurrencies.Can'tsayhe'swronginthat,
andseeinghowhe'soneoftherichestmenintheworldtheremustbesomethingtohis
system.'Butthepointis,ifhe'sasrichasthat,whatthehelldoeshewanttotakealousy
twentyfivegrandoffmefor?'
AbustleofwaitersroundtheirtablesavedBondhavingtothinkupareply.With
ceremony,awidesilverdishofcrabs,bigones,theirshellsandclawsbroken,wasplaced
inthemiddleofthetable.Asilversauceboatbrimmingwithmeltedbutterandalongrack
oftoastwasputbesideeachoftheirplates.Thetankardsofchampagnefrothedpink.
Finally,withanoilysmirk,theheadwaitercamebehindtheirchairsand,inturn,tied
roundtheirneckslongwhitesilkenbibsthatreacheddowntothelap.
BondwasremindedofCharlesLaughtonplayingHenryVIII,butneitherMr.DuPontnor
theneighbouringdinersseemedsurprisedatthehoggishdisplay.Mr.DuPont,witha
gleeful'Everymanforhimself,rakedseveralhunksofcrabontohisplate,dousedthem
liberallyinmeltedbutteranddugin.Bondfollowedsuitandproceededtoeat,orrather
devour,themostdeliciousmealhehadhadinhislife.
Themeatofthestonecrabswasthetenderest,sweetestshellfishhehadevertasted.It
wasperfectlysetoffbythedrytoastandslightlyburnedtasteofthemeltedbutter.The
champagneseemedtohavethefaintestscentofstrawberries.Itwasicecold.Aftereach
helpingofcrab,thechampagnecleanedthepalateforthenext.Theyatesteadilyandwith
absorptionandhardlyexchangedaworduntilthedishwascleared.
Withaslightbelch,Mr.DuPontforthelasttimewipedbutteroffhischinwithhissilken
bibandsatback.Hisfacewasflushed.HelookedproudlyatBond.Hesaidreverently,'Mr.
Bond,Idoubtifanywhereintheworldamanhaseatenasgoodadinnerasthattonight.
Whatdoyousay?'

19

Bondthought,Iaskedfortheeasylife,therichlife.HowdoIlikeit?HowdoIlikeeating
likeapigandhearingremarkslikethat?Suddenlytheideaofeverhavinganothermeal
likethis,orindeedanyothermealwithMr.DuPont,revoltedhim.Hefeltmomentarily
ashamedofhisdisgust.Hehadaskedandithadbeengiven.Itwasthepuritaninhimthat
couldn'ttakeit.Hehadmadehiswishandthewishhadnotonlybeengranted,ithad
beenstuffeddownhisthroat.Bondsaid,'Idon'tknowaboutthat,butitwascertainlyvery
good.'
Mr.DuPontwassatisfied.Hecalledforcoffee.Bondrefusedtheofferofcigarsor
liqueurs.Helitacigaretteandwaitedwithinterestforthecatchtobepresented.Heknew
therewouldbeone.Itwasobviousthatallthiswaspartofthecomeon.Well,letitcome.
Mr.DuPontclearedhisthroat.'Andnow,Mr.Bond,Ihaveapropositiontoputtoyou.'He
staredatBond,tryingtogaugehisreactioninadvance.
'Yes?'
'Itsurelywasprovidentialtomeetyoulikethatattheairport.'Mr.DuFont'svoicewas
grave,sincere.'I'veneverforgottenourfirstmeetingatRoyale.Irecalleverydetailofit
yourcoolness,yourdaring,yourhandlingofthecards.'Bondlookeddownatthetable
cloth.ButMr.DuPonthadgottiredofhisperoration.Hesaidhurriedly,'Mr.Bond,Iwill
payyoutenthousanddollarstostayhereasmyguestuntilyouhavediscoveredhowthis
manGoldfingerbeatsmeatcards.'
BondlookedMr.DuPontintheeye.Hesaid,'That'sahandsomeoffer,Mr.DuPont.ButI
havetogetbacktoLondon.ImustbeinNewYorktocatchmyplanewithinfortyeight
hours.IfyouwillplayyourusualsessionstomorrowmorningandafternoonIshouldhave
plentyoftimetofindouttheanswer.
ButImustleavetomorrownight,whetherIcanhelpyouornot.Done?'
'Done,'saidMr.DuPont.

20

ChapterThree
TheManWithAgoraphobia
TheflappingofthecurtainswakenedBond.Hethrewoffthesinglesheetandwalked
acrossthethickpilecarpettothepicturewindowthatfilledthewholeofonewall.He
drewbackthecurtainsandwentoutontothesunfilledbalcony.
Theblackandwhitechequerboardtileswerewarm,almosthottothefeetalthoughit
couldnotyetbeeighto'clock.Abriskinshorebreezewasblowingoffthesea,strainingthe
flagsofallnationsthatflewalongthepieroftheprivateyachtbasin.Thebreezewas
humidandsmeltstronglyofthesea.Bondguesseditwasthebreezethatthevisitorslike,
buttheresidentshate.Itwouldrustthemetalfittingsintheirhomes,foxthepagesof
theirbooks,rottheirwallpaperandpictures,breeddamprotintheirclothes.
Twelvestoreysdowntheformalgardens,dottedwithpalmtreesandbedsofbright
crotonandtracedwithneatgravelwalksbetweenavenuesofbougainvillaea,wererich
anddull.Gardenerswereworking,rakingthepathsandpickingupleaveswiththe
lethargicslowmotionofcolouredhelp.Twomowerswereatworkonthelawnsand,
wheretheyhadalreadybeen,sprinklersweregracefullyflinginghandfulsofspray.
DirectlybelowBond,theelegantcurveoftheCabanaClubsweptdowntothebeachtwo
storeysofchangingroomsbelowaflatroofdottedwithchairsandtablesandan
occasionalredandwhitestripedumbrella.Withinthecurvewasthebrilliantgreenoblong
oftheOlympiclengthswimmingpoolfringedonallsidesbyrowuponrowofmattressed
steamerchairsonwhichthecustomerswouldsoonbegettingtheirfiftydollaraday
sunburn.Whitejacketedmenwereworkingamongthem,straighteningthelinesofchairs,
turningthemattressesandsweepingupyesterday'scigarettebutts.Beyondwasthelong,
goldenbeachandthesea,andmoremenrakingthetideline,puttinguptheumbrellas,
layingoutmattresses.NowondertheneatcardinsideBond'swardrobehadsaidthatthe
costoftheAlohaSuitewastwohundreddollarsaday.Bondmadearoughcalculation.If
hewaspayingthebill,itwouldtakehimjustthreeweekstospendhiswholesalaryforthe
year.Bondsmiledcheerfullytohimself.Hewentbackintothebedroom,pickedupthe
telephoneandorderedhimselfadelicious,wastefulbreakfast,acartonofkingsize
Chesterfieldsandthenewspapers.
Bythetimehehadshavedandhadanicecoldshoweranddresseditwaseighto'clock.He
walkedthroughintotheelegantsittingroomandfoundawaiterinauniformofplumand
goldlayingouthisbreakfastbesidethewindow.BondglancedattheMiamiHerald.The
frontpagewasdevotedtoyesterday'sfailureofanAmericanICBMatthenearbyCape
CanaveralandabadupsetinabigraceatHialeah.
Bonddroppedthepaperonthefloorandsatdownandslowlyatehisbreakfastand
thoughtaboutMr.DuPontandMr.Goldfinger.
Histhoughtswereinconclusive.Mr.DuPontwaseitheramuchworseplayerthanhe
thought,whichseemedunlikelyonBond'sreadingofhistough,shrewdcharacter,orelse
Goldfingerwasacheat.IfGoldfingercheatedatcards,althoughhedidn'tneedthemoney,
21

itwascertainthathehadalsomadehimselfrichbycheatingorsharppracticeonamuch
biggerscale.Bondwasinterestedinbigcrooks.Helookedforwardtohisfirstsightof
Goldfinger.HealsolookedforwardtopenetratingGoldfinger'shighlysuccessfuland,on
thefaceofit,highlymysteriousmethodoffleecingMr.DuPont.Itwasgoingtobeamost
entertainingday.IdlyBondwaitedforittogetunderway.Theplanwasthathewould
meetMr.DuPontinthegardenatteno'clock.ThestorywouldbethatBondhadflown
downfromNewYorktotryandsellMr.DuPontablockofsharesfromanEnglishholding
inaCanadianNaturalGasproperty.ThematterwasclearlyconfidentialandGoldfinger
wouldnotthinkofquestioningBondaboutdetails.Shares,NaturalGas,Canada.Thatwas
allBondneededtoremember.TheywouldgoalongtogethertotheroofoftheCabana
ClubwherethegamewasplayedandBondwouldreadhispaperandwatch.After
luncheon,duringwhichBondandMr.DuPontwoulddiscusstheir'business',therewould
bethesameroutine.Mr.DuPonthadinquirediftherewasanythingelsehecould
arrange.BondhadaskedforthenumberofMr.Goldfinger'ssuiteandapasskey.Hehad
explainedthatifGoldfingerwasanykindofaprofessionalcardsharp,orevenanexpert
amateur,hewouldtravelwiththeusualtoolsofthetrademarkedandshavedcards,the
apparatusfortheShortArmDelivery,andsoforth.Mr.DuPonthadsaidhewouldgive
Bondthekeywhentheymetinthegarden.Hewouldhavenodifficultygettingonefrom
themanager.
Afterbreakfast,Bondrelaxedandgazedintothemiddledistanceofthesea.Hewasnot
keyedupbythejobonhand,onlyinterestedandamused.Itwasjustthekindofjobhe
hadneededtoclearhispalateafterMexico.
AthalfpastnineBondlefthissuiteandwanderedalongthecorridorsofhisfloor,getting
lostonhiswaytotheelevatorinordertoreconnoitrethelayoutofthehotel.Then,
havingmetthesamemaidtwice,heaskedhiswayandwentdownintheelevatorand
movedamongthescatteringofearlyrisersthroughthePineappleShoppingArcade.He
glancedintotheBambooCoffeeShoppe,theRendezvousBar,theLaTropicaladining
room,theKittekatKlubforchildrenandtheBoomBoomNighterie.Hethenwent
purposefullyoutintothegarden.Mr.DuPont,nowdressed'forthebeach'by
Abercrombie&Fitch,gavehimthepasskeytoGoldfinger'ssuite.Theysaunteredoverto
theCabanaClubandclimbedthetwoshortflightsofstairstothetopdeck.
Bond'sfirstviewofMr.Goldfingerwasstartling.Atthefarcorneroftheroof,justbelow
thecliffofthehotel,amanwaslyingbackwithhislegsuponasteamerchair.Hewas
wearingnothingbutayellowsatinbikinislip,darkglassesandapairofwidetinwings
underhischin.Thewings,whichappearedtofitroundhisneck,stretchedoutacrosshis
shouldersandbeyondthemandthencurvedupslightlytoroundedtips.
Bondsaid,"Whatthehell'shewearingroundhisneck?'
'Youneverseenoneofthose?'Mr.DuPontwassurprised.'That'sagadgettohelpyour
tan.Polishedtin.Reflectsthesunupunderyourchinandbehindtheearsthebitsthat
wouldn'tnormallycatchthesun.'
'Well,well,'saidBond.

22

WhentheywereafewyardsfromtherecliningfigureMr.DuPontcalledoutcheerfully,in
whatseemedtoBondanoverloudvoice,'Hithere!'Mr.Goldfingerdidnotstir.
Mr.DuPontsaidinhisnormalvoice.'He'sverydeaf.'TheywerenowatMr.Goldfinger's
feet.Mr.DuPontrepeatedhishail.
Mr.Goldfingersatupsharply.Heremovedhisdarkglasses.'Why,hullothere.'He
unhitchedthewingsfromroundhisneck,putthemcarefullyonthegroundbesidehim
andgotheavilytohisfeet.
HelookedatBondwithslow,inquiringeyes.
'LikeyoutomeetMr.Bond,JamesBond.FriendofminefromNewYork.Countrymanof
yours.Comedowntotryandtalkmeintoabitofbusiness.'
Mr.Goldfingerheldoutahand.'Pleasedtomeetyou,Mr.Bomb.'
Bondtookthehand.Itwashardanddry.Therewasthebriefestpressureanditwas
withdrawn.ForaninstantMr.Goldfinger'spale,chinablueeyesopenedwideandstared
hardatBond.Theystaredrightthroughhisfacetothebackofhisskull.Thenthelids
drooped,theshutterclosedovertheXray,andMr.Goldfingertooktheexposedplateand
slippeditawayinhisfilingsystem.'Sonogametoday.'Thevoicewasflat,colourless.The
wordsweremoreofastatementthanaquestion.
'Whaddyamean,nogame?'shoutedMr.DuPontboisterously.'Youweren'tthinkingI'd
letyouhangontomymoney?GottogetitbackorIshan'tbeabletoleavethisdarned
hotel,'Mr.DuPontchuckledrichly.'I'lltellSamtofixthetable.Jamesheresayshedoesn't
knowmuchaboutcardsandhe'dliketolearnthegame.Thatright,James?'Heturnedto
Bond.'Sureyou'llbeallrightwithyourpaperandthesunshine?'
'I'dbegladoftherest,'saidBond.'Beentravellingtoomuch.'
AgaintheeyesboredintoBondandthendrooped.Tilgetsomeclotheson.Ihadintended
tohaveagolflessonthisafternoonfromMr.ArmourattheBocaRaton.Butcardshave
priorityamongmyhobbies.Mytendencytouncockthewriststooearlywiththemid
ironswillhavetowait.'TheeyesrestedincuriouslyonBond.'Youplaygolf,Mr.Bomb?'
Bondraisedhisvoice.'Occasionally,whenI'minEngland.'
'Andwheredoyouplay?'
'Huntercombe.'
'Ahapleasantlittlecourse.IhaverecentlyjoinedtheRoyalSt.Marks.Sandwichisclose
tooneofmybusinessinterests.Youknowit?'
'Ihaveplayedthere.'
23

'Whatisyourhandicap?'
'Nine.'
'Thatisacoincidence.Soismine.Wemusthaveagameoneday.'Mr.Goldfingerbent
downandpickeduphistinwings.HesaidtoMr.DuPont,'Iwillbewithyouinfive
minutes.'Hewalkedslowlyofftowardsthestairs.
Bondwasamused.Thissocialsniffingathimhadbeendonewithjusttherightcasual
touchofthetycoonwhodidn'treallycareifBondwasaliveordeadbut,sincehewas
thereandalive,mightaswellplacehiminanapproximatecategory.
Mr.DuPontgaveinstructionstoastewardinawhitecoat.Twootherswerealready
settingupacardtable.Bondwalkedtotherailthatsurroundedtheroofandlookeddown
intothegarden,reflectingonMr.Goldfinger.
Hewasimpressed.Mr.GoldfingerwasoneofthemostrelaxedmenBondhadevermet.It
showedintheeconomyofhismovement,ofhisspeech,ofhisexpressions.Mr.Goldfinger
wastednoeffort,yettherewassomethingcoiled,compressed,intheimmobilityofthe
man.
WhenGoldfingerhadstoodup,thefirstthingthathadstruckBondwasthateverything
wasoutofproportion.Goldfingerwasshort,notmorethanfivefeettall,andontopofthe
thickbodyandblunt,peasantlegs,wassetalmostdirectlyintotheshoulders,ahugeand
itseemedexactlyroundhead.ItwasasifGoldfingerhadbeenputtogetherwithbitsof
otherpeople'sbodies.Nothingseemedtobelong.Perhaps,Bondthought,itwasto
concealhisuglinessthatGoldfingermadesuchafetishofsunburn.Withouttheredbrown
camouflagethepalebodywouldbegrotesque.Theface,underthecliffofcrewcut
carrotyhair,wasasstartling,withoutbeingasugly,asthebody.Itwasmoonshaped
withoutbeingmoonlike.Theforeheadwasfineandhighandthethinsandybrowswere
levelabovethelargelightblueeyesfringedwithpalelashes.Thenosewasfleshily
aquilinebetweenhighcheekbonesandcheeksthatweremoremuscularthanfat.The
mouthwasthinanddeadstraight,butbeautifullydrawn.Thechinandjawswerefirmand
glintedwithhealth.Tosumup,thoughtBond,itwasthefaceofathinker,perhapsa
scientist,whowasruthless,sensual,stoicalandtough.Anoddcombination.
Whatelsecouldheguess?Bondalwaysmistrustedshortmen.Theygrewupfrom
childhoodwithaninferioritycomplex.Alltheirlivestheywouldstrivetobebigbigger
thantheotherswhohadteasedthemasachild.Napoleonhadbeenshort,andHitler.It
wastheshortmenthatcausedallthetroubleintheworld.Andwhataboutamisshapen
shortmanwithredhairandabizarreface?Thatmightadduptoareallyformidable
misfit.Onecouldcertainlyfeeltherepressions.Therewasapowerhouseofvitality
humminginthemanthatsuggestedthatifonestuckanelectricbulbintoGoldfinger's
mouthitwouldlightup.Bondsmiledatthethought.IntowhatchannelsdidGoldfinger
releasehisvitalforce?Intogettingrich?Intosex?Intopower?Probablyintoallthree.
Whatcouldhishistorybe?TodayhemightbeanEnglishman.Whathadhebeenborn?
NotaJewthoughtheremightbeJewishbloodinhim.NotaLatinoranythingfarther
south.NotaSlav.PerhapsaGermanno,aBait!That'swherehewouldhavecomefrom.
24

OneoftheoldBalticprovinces.ProbablygotawaytoescapetheRussians.Goldfinger
wouldhavebeenwarnedorhisparentshadsmelledtroubleandtheyhadgothimoutin
time.Andwhathadhappenedthen?Howhadheworkedhiswayuptobeingoneofthe
richestmenintheworld?Onedayitmightbeinterestingtofindout.Forthetimebeingit
wouldbeenoughtofindouthowhewonatcards.
'Allset?'Mr.DuPontcalledtoGoldfingerwhowascomingacrosstherooftowardsthe
cardtable.
Withhisclothesonacomfortablyfittingdarkbluesuit,awhiteshirtopenattheneck
Goldfingercutanalmostpassablefigure.
Buttherewasnodisguiseforthegreatbrownandredfootballofaheadandtheflesh
colouredhearingaidpluggedintotheleftearwasnetanimprovement.
Mr.DuPontsatwithhisbacktothehotel.Goldfingertooktheseatoppositeandcutthe
cards.DuPontwonthecut,pushedtheotherpackovertoGoldfinger,tappedthemto
showtheywerealreadyshuffledandhecouldn'tbothertocut,andGoldfingerbeganthe
deal.
BondsaunteredoverandtookachairatMr.DuFont'selbow.Hesatback,relaxed.He
madeashowoffoldinghispapertothesportspageandwatchedthedeal.
SomehowBondhadexpectedit,butthiswasnocardsharp.Goldfingerdealtquicklyand
efficiently,butwithnohintoftheMechanic'sGrip,thosevitalthreefingerscurledround
thelongedgeofthecardsandtheindexfingerattheoutsideshortupperedgethegrip
thatmeansyouarearmedfordealingBottomsorSeconds.Andheworenosignetringfor
prickingthecards,nosurgicaltaperoundafingerformarkingthem.
Mr.DuPontturnedtoBond.'Dealoffifteencards,'hecommented.'Youdrawtwoand
discardone.OtherwisestraightRegencyrules.Nomonkeybusinesswiththeredtreys
countingone,three,five,eight,oranyofthatEuropeanstuff.'
Mr.DuPontpickeduphiscards.Bondnoticedthathesortedthemexpertly,notgrading
themaccordingtovaluefromlefttoright,orholdinghiswildcards,ofwhichhehadtwo,
attheleftapatternthatmighthelpawatchfulopponent.Mr.DuPontconcentratedhis
goodcardsinthecentreofhishandwiththesingletonsandbrokenmeldsoneitherside.
Thegamebegan.Mr.DuPontdrewfirst,amiraculouspairofwildcards.Hisfacebetrayed
nothing.Hediscardedcasually.Heonlyneededtwomoregooddrawstogooutunseen.
Buthewouldhavetobelucky.Drawingtwocardsdoublesthechanceofpickingupwhat
youwant,butitalsodoublesthechanceofpickingupuselesscardsthatwillonlyclutter
upyourhand.
Goldfingerplayedamoredeliberategame,almostirritatinglyslow.Afterdrawing,he
shuffledthroughhiscardsagainandagainbeforedecidingonhisdiscard.
Onthethirddraw,DuPonthadimprovedhishandtotheextentthathenowneededonly
oneoffivecardstogodownandoutandcatchhisopponentwithahandfulofcardswhich
25

wouldallcountagainsthim.AsifGoldfingerknewthedangerhewasin,hewentdownfor
fiftyandproceededtomakeacanastawiththreewildcardsandfourfives.Healsogotrid
ofsomemoremeldsandendedwithonlyfourcardsinhishand.Inanyother
circumstancesitwouldhavebeenridiculouslybadplay.Asitwas,hehadmadesomefour
hundredpointsinsteadoflosingoverahundred,for,onthenextdrawMr.DuPontfilled
hishandand,withmostoftheedgetakenoffhistriumphbyGoldfinger'sescape,went
downunseenwiththenecessarytwocanastas.
'Bygolly,Inearlyscrewedyouthattime.'Mr.DuFont'svoicehadanedgeofexasperation.
'Whatinhelltoldyoutocutan'run?'
Goldfingersaidindifferently,'Ismelledtrouble.'Headdeduphispoints,announcedthem
andjottedthemdown,waitingforMr.DuPonttodothesame.Thenhecutthecardsand
satbackandregardedBondwithpoliteinterest.
'Willyoubestayinglong,Mr.Bomb?'
Bondsmiled.'It'sBond,BOND.No,IhavetogobacktoNewYorktonight.'
'Howsad.'Goldfinger'smouthpursedinpoliteregret.Heturnedbacktothecardsandthe
gamewenton.Bondpickeduphispaperandgazed,unseeing,atthebaseballscores,
whilehelistenedtothequietroutineofthegame.Goldfingerwonthathandandthenext
andthenext.Hewonthegame.Therewasadifferenceofonethousandfivehundred
pointsonethousandfivehundreddollarstoGoldfinger.
'Thereitgoesagain!'ItwastheplaintivevoiceofMr.DuPont.
Bondputdownhispaper.'Doesheusuallywin?'
'Usually!'Thewordwasasnort.'Healwayswins.'
TheycutagainandGoldfingerbegantodeal.
Bondsaid,'Don'tyoucutforseats?Ioftenfindachangeofseathelpstheluck.Hostageto
fortuneandsoon.'
Goldfingerpausedinhisdeal.HebenthisgazegravelyonBond.'Unfortunately,Mr.Bond,
thatisnotpossibleorIcouldnotplay.AsIexplainedtoMr.DuPontatourfirstgame,I
sufferfromanobscurecomplaintagoraphobiathefearofopenspaces.Icannotbearthe
open,horizon.Imustsitandfacethehotel.'Thedealcontinued.
'Oh,I'msosorry.'Bond'svoicewasgrave,interested.'That'saveryraredisability.I've
alwaysbeenabletounderstandclaustrophobia,butnottheotherwayround.Howdidit
comeabout?'
Goldfingerpickeduphiscardsandbegantoarrangehishand.'Ihavenoidea,'hesaid
equably.
26

Bondgotup.'Well,IthinkI'llstretchmylegsforabit.Seewhat'sgoingoninthepool.'
'Youdojustthat,'saidMr.DuPontjovially.'Justtakeiteasy,James.Plentyoftimeto
discussbusinessoverlunch.I'llseeifIcan'tdishitouttomyfriendGoldfingerthistime
insteadoftakingit.Beseeingyou.'
Goldfingerdidn'tlookupfromhiscards.Bondstrolleddowntheroof,pasttheoccasional
splayedoutbody,totherailatthefarendthatoverlookedthepool.Foratimehestood
andcontemplatedtheranksofpinkandbrownandwhitefleshlaidoutbelowhimonthe
steamerchairs.Theheavyscentofsuntanoilcameuptohim.Therewereafewchildren
andyoungpeopleinthepool.Aman,obviouslyaprofessionaldiver,perhapsthe
swimminginstructor,stoodonthehighdive.Hebalancedontheballsofhisfeet,a
muscledGreekgodwithgoldenhair.Hebouncedonce,casually,andflewoffanddown,
hisarmsheldoutlikewings.Lazilytheyarrowedouttocleavethewaterforthebodyto
passthrough.Theimpactleftonlyabriefturbulence.Thediverjackknifedupagain,
shakinghisheadboyishly.Therewasasmatteringofapplause.Themantrudgedslowly
downthepool,hisheadsubmerged,hisshouldersmovingwithcasualpower.Bond
thought,goodlucktoyou!Youwon'tbeabletokeepthisupformorethananotherfiveor
sixyears.Highdiverscouldn'ttakeitforlongtherepeatedshocktotheskull.Withski
jumping,whichhadthesameshatteringeffectontheframe,highdivingwastheshortest
livedsport.
Bondradioedtothediver,'Cashinquick!Getintofilmswhilethehair'sstillgold.'
BondturnedandlookedbackdowntherooftowardsthetwoCanastaplayersbeneaththe
cliffofthehotel.SoGoldfingerlikedtofacethehotel.OrwasitthathelikedMr.DuPont
tohavehisbacktoit?Andwhy?Now,whatwasthenumberofGoldfinger'ssuite?No200,
theHawaiiSuite.Bond'sonthetopfloorwas1200.So,allthingsbeingequal,Goldfinger's
wouldbedirectlybelowBond's,onthesecondfloor,twentyyardsorsoabovetheroofof
theCabanaClubtwentyyardsfromthecardtable.Bondcounteddown.Heclosely
examinedthefrontagethatshouldbeGoldfinger's.Nothing.
Anemptysunbalcony.Anopendoorintothedarkinteriorofthesuite.Bondmeasured
distances,angles.Yes,that'showitmightbe.That'showitmustbe!CleverMr.
Goldfinger!

27

28

ChapterFour
OverTheBarrel
Afterluncheonthetraditionalshrimpcocktail,'native'snapperwithaminutepapercup
oftartaresauce,roastprimeribsofbeefaujus,andpineapplesurpriseitwastimefor
thesiestabeforemeetingGoldfingeratthreeo'clockfortheafternoonsession.
Mr.DuPont,whohadlostafurthertenthousanddollarsormore,confirmedthat
Goldfingerhadasecretary.'Neverseenher.Stickstothesuite.Probablyjustsomechorine
he'sbroughtdownfortheride.'Hesmiledwetly.'Imeanthedailyride.Why?Youonto
something?'
Bondwasnoncommittal.'Can'ttellyet.Iprobablywon'tbecomingdownthisafternoon.
SayIgotboredwatchinggoneintothetown.'Hepaused.'Butifmyidea'sright,don'tbe
surprisedatwhatmayhappen.IfGoldfingerstartstobehaveoddly,justsitquietand
watch.I'mnotpromisinganything.IthinkI'vegothim,butImaybewrong.'
Mr.DuPontwasenthusiastic.'Goodforyou,boyo!'hesaideffusively.'Ijustcan'twaitto
seethatbastardoverthebarrel.Damnhiseyes!'
Bondtooktheelevatoruptohissuite.HewenttohissuitcaseandextractedanM3Leica,
anMCexposuremeter,aK2filterandaflashholder.Heputabulbintheholderand
checkedthecamera.
Hewenttohisbalcony,glancedatthesuntoestimatewhereitwouldbeataboutthree
thirtyandwentbackintothesittingroom,leavingthedoortothebalconyopen.Hestood
atthebalconydoorandaimedtheexposuremeter.Theexposurewasonehundredthofa
second.HesetthisontheLeica,puttheshutteratf11,andthedistanceattwelvefeet.He
clippedonalenshoodandtookonepicturetoseethatallwasworking.Thenhewound
onthefilm,slippedintheflashholderandputthecameraaside.
BondwenttohissuitcaseandtookoutathickbookTheBibleDesignedtobeReadas
LiteratureopeneditandextractedhisWaltherPPKintheBernsMartinholster.He
slippedtheholsterinsidehistrouserbandtotheleft.Hetriedoneortwoquickdraws.
Theyweresatisfactory.Hecloselyexaminedthegeographyofhissuite,ontheassumption
thatitwouldbeexactlysimilartotheHawaii.Hevisualizedthescenethatwouldalmost
certainlygreethimwhenhecamethroughthedoorofthesuitedownstairs.Hetriedhis
passkeyinthevariouslocksandpractisedopeningthedoorsnoiselessly.Thenhepulleda
comfortablechairinfrontoftheopenbalconydoorandsatandsmokedacigarettewhile
hegazedoutacrosstheseaandthoughtofhowhewouldputthingstoGoldfingerwhen
thetimecame.
Atthreefifteen,Bondgotupandwentoutontothebalconyandcautiouslylookeddown
atthetwotinyfiguresacrossthesquareofgreenbaize.Hewentbackintotheroomand
checkedtheexposuremeterontheLeica.Thelightwasthesame.Heslippedonthecoat
ofhisdarkbluetropicalworstedsuit,straightenedhistieandslungthestrapoftheLeica
roundhisnecksothatthecamerahungathischest.Then,withalastlookround,hewent
29

outandalongtotheelevator.Herodedowntothegroundfloorandexaminedtheshop
windowsinthefoyer.Whentheelevatorhadgoneupagain,hewalkedtothestaircase
andslowlyclimbeduptwofloors.Thegeographyofthesecondfloorwasidenticalwith
thetwelfth.Room200waswherehehadexpectedittobe.Therewasnooneinsight.
Hetookouthispasskeyandsilentlyopenedthedoorandcloseditbehindhim.Inthe
smalllobby,araincoat,alightcamelhaircoatandapalegreyHomburghungonhooks.
BondtookhisLeicafirmlyinhisrighthand,helditupclosetoisfaceandgentlytriedthe
doortothesittingroom:Itwasnotlocked.Bondeaseditopen.
Evenbeforehecouldseewhatheexpectedtoseehecouldhearthevoice.Itwasalow,
attractive,girl'svoice,anEnglishvoice.Itwassaying,'Drewfiveandfour.Completed
canastainfiveswithtwotwos.Discardingfour.Hassingletonsinking's,knaves,nines,
sevens.'
Bondslidintotheroom.
Thegirlwassittingontwocushionsontopofatablewhichhadbeenpulledupayard
insidetheopenbalconydoor.Shehadneededthecushionstogiveherheight.Itwasat
thetopoftheafternoonheatandshewasnakedexceptforablackbrassiereandblacksilk
briefs.Shewasswingingherlegsinaboredfashion.Shehadjustfinishedpaintingthe
nailsonherlefthand.Nowshestretchedthehandoutinfrontofhertoexaminethe
effect.Shebroughtthehandbackclosetoherlipsandblewonthenails.Herrighthand
reachedsidewaysandputthebrushbackintheRevlonbottleonthetablebesideher.A
fewinchesfromhereyesweretheeyepiecesofapowerfullookingpairofbinoculars
supportedonatripodwhosefeetreacheddownbetweenhersunburnedlegstothefloor.
Juttingoutfrombelowthebinocularswasamicrophonefromwhichwiresledtoabox
aboutthesizeofaportablerecordplayerunderthetable.Otherwiresranfromtheboxto
agleamingindooraerialonthesideboardagainstthewall.
Thebriefstightenedassheleantforwardagainandputhereyestothebinoculars.'Drewa
queenandaking.Meldofqueens.Canmeldkingswithajoker.Discardingseven.'She
switchedoffthemicrophone.
Whileshewasconcentrating,Bondsteppedswiftlyacrosstheflooruntilhewasalmost
behindher.Therewasachair.Hestoodonit,prayingitwouldn'tsqueak.Nowhehadthe
heighttogetthewholesceneinfocus.Heputhiseyetotheviewfinder.Yes,thereitwas,
allinline,thegirl'shead,theedgeofthebinoculars,themicrophoneand,twentyyards
below,thetwomenatthetablewithMr.DuFont'shandofcardsheldinfrontofhim.
Bondcoulddistinguishtheredsandtheblacks.Hepressedthebutton.
Thesharpexplosionofthebulbandtheblindingflashoflightforcedaquickscreamoutof
thegirl.
Sheswivelledround.
Bondsteppeddownoffthechair.'Goodafternoon.'
30

'Whoryou?Whatyouwant?'Thegirl'shandwasuptohermouth.Hereyesscreamedat
him.
'I'vegotwhatIwant.Don'tworry.It'sallovernow.Andmyjmme'sBond,JamesBond.'
Bondputhiscameracarefullydownonthechairandcameandstoodintheradiusofher
scent.Shewasverybeautiful.Shehadthepalestblondehair.Itfellheavilytoher
shoulders,unfashionablylong.Hereyesweredeepblueagainstalightlysunburnedskin
andhermouthwasboldandgenerousandwouldhavealovelysmile.
Shestoodupandtookherhandawayfromhermouth.Shewastall,perhapsfivefeetten,
andherarmsandlegslookedfirmasifshemightbeaswimmer.Herbreaststhrustagainst
theblacksilkofthebrassiere.
Someofthefearhadgoneoutofhereyes.Shesaidinalowvoice,'Whatareyougoingto
do?'
'Nothingtoyou.ImayteaseGoldfingerabit.Moveoverlikeagoodgirlandletmehavea
look.'
Bondtookthegirl'splaceandlookedthroughtheglasses.Thegamewasgoingon
normally.
Goldfingershowednosignthathiscommunicationshadbrokendown.
'Doesn'themindnotgettingthesignals?Willhestopplaying?'
Shesaidhesitatingly,'It'shappenedbeforewhenaplugpulledorsomething.Hejustwaits
formetocomethroughagain.'
Bondsmiledather.'Well,let'slethimstewforabit.Haveacigaretteandrelax,'heheld
outapacketofChesterfields.Shetookone.'Anywayit'stimeyoudidthenailsonyour
righthand.'
Asmileflickeredacrosshermouth.'Howlongwereyouthere?Yougavemeafrightful
shock.'
'Notlong,andI'msorryabouttheshock.Goldfinger'sbeengivingpooroldMr.DuPont
shocksforawholeweek.'
'Yes,'shesaiddoubtfully.'Isupposeit'sreallyrathermean.Buthe'sveryrich,isn'the?'
'Ohyes.Ishouldn'tloseanysleepoverMr.DuPont.ButGoldfingermightchoose
someonewhocan'taffordit.Anyway,he'samillionairehimself.Whydoeshedoit?He's
crawlingwithmoney.'
Animationfloodedbackintoherface.'Iknow.Isimplycan'tunderstandhim.It'sasortof
maniawithhim,makingmoney.Hecan'tleaveitalone.I'veaskedhimwhyandallhesays
31

isthatone'safoolnottomakemoneywhentheoddsareright.He'salwaysgoingon
aboutthesamething,gettingtheoddsright.Whenhetalkedmeintodoingthis,'she
wavedhercigaretteatthebinoculars,'andIaskedhimwhyonearthhebothered,took
thesestupidrisks,allhesaidwas,"That'sthesecondlesson.Whentheoddsaren'tright,
makethemright'"
Bondsaid,'Well,it'sluckyforhimI'mnotPinkertonsortheMiamiPoliceDepartment.'
Thegirlshruggedhershoulders.'Oh,thatwouldn'tworryhim.He'djustbuyyouoff.He
canbuyanyoneoff.Noonecanresistgold.'
'Whatdoyoumean?'
Shesaidindifferently,'Healwayscarriesamilliondollars'worthofgoldaboutwithhim
exceptwhenhe'sgoingthroughtheCustoms.Thenhejustcarriesabeltfullofgoldcoins
roundhisstomach.
Otherwiseit'sinthinsheetsinthebottomandsidesofhissuitcases.They'rereallygold
suitcasescoveredwithleather.'
'Theymustweighaton.'
"Healwaystravelsbycar,onewithspecialsprings.Andhischauffeurisahugeman.He
carriesthem.Nooneelsetouchesthem.'
'Whydoeshecarryaroundallthatgold?'
'Justincaseheneedsit.Heknowsthatgoldwillbuyhimanythinghewants.It'salltwenty
fourcarat.Andanywayhelovesgold,reallylovesitlikepeoplelovejewelsorstampsor
well,'shesmiled,'women.'
Bondsmiledback.'Doesheloveyou?'
Sheblushedandsaidindignantly,'Certainlynot.'Then,morereasonably,'Ofcourseyou
canthinkanythingyoulike.Butreallyhedoesn't.Imean,Ithinkhelikespeopletothink
thatwethatI'mthatit'saquestionofloveandallthat.Youknow.He'snotvery
prepossessingandIsupposeit'saquestionofwellofvanityorsomething.'
'Yes,Isee.Soyou'rejustakindofsecretary?'
'Companion,'shecorrectedhim.'Idon'thavetotypeoranything.'Shesuddenlyputher
handuptohermouth.'Oh,butIshouldn'tbetellingyouallthis!Youwon'ttellhim,will
you?He'dfireme.'
Frightcameintohereyes.'Orsomething.Idon'tknowwhathe'ddo.He'sthesortofman
whomightdoanything.'
'OfcourseIwon'ttell.Butthiscan'tbemuchofalifeforyou.Whydoyoudoit?'
32

Shesaidtartly,'Ahundredpoundsaweekandallthis,'shewavedattheroom,'doesn't
growontrees.Isaveup.WhenI'vesavedenoughIshallgo.'
BondwonderedifGoldfingerwouldlether.Wouldn'tsheknowtoomuch?Helookedat
thebeautifulface,thesplendid,unselfconsciousbody.Shemightnotsuspectit,but,for
hismoney,shewasinverybadtroublewiththisman.
Thegirlwasfidgeting.Nowshesaidwithanembarrassedlaugh,'Idon'tthinkI'mvery
properlydressed.Can'tIgoandputsomethingonoverthese?'
Bondwasn'tsurehecouldtrusther.Itwasn'thewhowaspayingthehundredpoundsa
week.Hesaidairily,'Youlookfine.Justasrespectableasthosehundredsofpeopleround
thepool.Anyway,'hestretched,'it'sabouttimetofightafireunderMr.Goldfinger.'
Bondhadbeenglancingdownatthegamefromtimetotime.Itseemedtobeproceeding
normally.
Bondbentagaintothebinoculars.AlreadyMr.DuPontseemedtobeanewman,his
gestureswereexpansive,thehalfprofileofhispinkfacewasfullofanimation.WhileBond
watched,hetookafistfulofcardsoutofhishandandspreadthemdownapurecanasta
inkings.Bondtiltedthebinocularsupaninch.Thebigredbrownmoonfacewas
impassive,uninterested.Mr.Goldfingerwaswaitingpatientlyfortheoddstoadjust
themselvesbackinhisfavour.WhileBondwatched,heputupahandtothehearingaid,
pushingtheamplifiermorefirmlyintohisear,readyforthesignalstocomethroughagain.
Bondsteppedback.'Neatlittlemachine,'hecommented.'Whatareyoutransmittingon?'
'Hetoldme,butIcan'tremember.'Shescreweduphereyes.'Ahundredandseventy
somethings.Woulditbemegasomethings?'
'Megacycles.Mightbe,butI'dbesurprisedifhedoesn'tgetalotoftaxicabsandpolice
messagesmixedupwithyourtalk.Musthavefiendishconcentration.'Bondgrinned.'Now
then.Allset?It'stimetopulltherugaway.'
Suddenlyshereachedoutandputahandonhissleeve.TherewasaCladdaghringonthe
middlefingertwogoldhandsclaspedroundagoldheart.Thereweretearsinhervoice.
'Mustyou?Can'tyouleavehimalone?Idon'tknowwhathe'lldotome.Please.'She
hesitated.Shewasblushingfuriously.'AndIlikeyou.It'salongtimesinceI'veseen
someonelikeyou.Couldn'tyoujuststayhereforalittlemore?'Shelookeddownatthe
ground.'Ifonlyyou'dleavehimaloneI'ddo'thewordscameoutinarush'I'ddo
anything.'
Bondsmiled.Hetookthegirl'shandoffhisarmandsqueezedit.'Sorry.I'mbeingpaidto
dothisjobandImustdoit.Anyway'hisvoicewentflat'Iwanttodoit.It'stimesomeone
cutMr.Goldfingerdowntosize.Ready?'

33

Withoutwaitingforananswerhebenttothebinoculars.Theywerestillfocusedon
Goldfinger.Bondclearedhisthroat.Hewatchedthebigfacecarefully.Hishandfeltforthe
microphoneswitchandpresseditdown.
Theremusthavebeenawhisperofstaticinthedeafaid.Goldfinger'sexpressiondidn't
alter,butheslowlyraisedhisfacetoheavenandthendownagain,asifinbenediction.
Bondspokesoftly,menacinglyintothemicrophone.'Nowhearme,Goldfinger.'He
paused.Notaflickerofexpression,butGoldfingerbenthisheadafractionasiflistening.
Hestudiedhiscardsintently,hishandsquitestill.
'ThisisJamesBondspeaking.Rememberme?Thegame'sfinishedandit'stimetopay.I
haveaphotographofthewholesetup,blonde,binoculars,microphoneandyouandyour
hearingaid.ThisphotographwillnotgototheFBIandScotlandYardsolongasyouobey
meexactly.Nodyourheadifyouunderstand.'
Thefacewasstillexpressionless.Slowlythebigroundheadbentforwardandthen
straighteneditself.
'Putyourcardsdownfaceupwardsonthetable.'
Thehandswentdown.Theyopenedandthecardsslidoffthefingersontothetable.
'Takeoutyourchequebookandwriteachequetocashforfiftythousanddollars.Thatis
madeupasfollows,thirtyfiveyouhavetakenfromMr.DuPont.Tenformyfee.Theextra
fiveforwastingsomuchofMr.DuFont'svaluabletime.'
Bondwatchedtoseethathisorderwasbeingobeyed.HetookaglanceatMr.DuPont.
Mr.DuPontwasleaningforward,gaping.
Mr.Goldfingerslowlydetachedthechequeandcountersigneditontheback.'
'Right.Nowjotthisdownonthebackofyourchequebookandseeyougetitright.Book
meacompartmentontheSilverMeteortoNewYorktonight.Haveabottleofvintage
champagneoniceinthecompartmentandplentyofcaviarsandwiches.Thebestcaviar.
Andkeepawayfromme.Andnomonkeybusiness.Thephotographwillbeinthemails
withafullreporttobeopenedandacteduponifIdon'tshowupingoodhealthinNew
Yorktomorrow.Nodifyouunderstand.'
Againthebigheadcameslowlydownandupagain.Nowthereweretracesofsweaton
thehigh,unlinedforehead.
'Right,nowhandthechequeacrosstoMr.DuPontandsay,"Iapologizehumbly.Ihave
beencheatingyou."Thenyoucango.'
BondwatchedthehandgoacrossanddropthechequeinfrontofMr.DuPont.Themouth
openedandspoke.Theeyeswereplacid,slow.Goldfingerhadrelaxed.Itwasonlymoney.
Hehadpaidhiswayout.
34

'Justamoment,Goldfinger,you'renotthroughyet.'Bondglancedupatthegirl.Shewas
lookingathimstrangely.Therewasmiseryandfearbutalsoalookofsubmissiveness,of
longing.
'What'syourname?'
'JillMasterton.'
'Goldfingerhadstoodup,wasturningaway.Bondsaidsharply,'Stop.'
Goldfingerstoppedinmidstride.Nowhiseyeslookedupatthebalcony.Theyhadopened
wide,aswhenBondhadfirstmethim.Theirhard,level,Xraygazeseemedtofindthe
lensesofthebinoculars,traveldownthemandthroughBond'seyestothebackofhis
skull.Theyseemedtosay,'Ishallrememberthis,Mr.Bond.'
Bondsaidsoftly,'I'dforgotten.Onelastthing.Ishallbetakingahostagefortherideto
NewYork.Miss.Masterton.Seethatshe'satthetrain.Oh,andmakethatcompartmenta
drawingroom.That'sall.'

35

36

ChapterFive
NightDuty
Itwasaweeklater.Bondstoodattheopenwindowoftheseventhfloorofficeofthetall
buildinginRegent'sParkthatistheheadquartersoftheSecretService.Londonlayasleep
underafullmoonthatrodeswiftlyoverthetownthroughashoalofherringboneclouds.
BigBensoundedthree.Oneofthetelephonesranginthedarkroom.Bondturnedand
movedquicklytothecentraldeskandthepooloflightcastbythegreenshadedreading
lamp.Hepickeduptheblacktelephonefromtherankoffour.
Hesaid,'Dutyofficer.'
'StationH,sir.'
'Putthemon.'
TherewastheechoingbuzzandtwangoftheusualbadradioconnectionwithHongkong.
WhyweretherealwayssunspotsoverChina?Asingsongvoiceasked,'UniversalExport?'
'Yes.'
Adeep,closevoiceLondonsaid,'You'rethroughtoHongkong.Speakup,please.'
Bondsaidimpatiently,'Cleartheline,please.'
Thesingsongvoicesaid,'You'rethroughnow.Speakup,please.'
'Hullo!Hullo!UniversalExport?'
'Yes.'
'Dicksonspeaking.Canyouhearme?'
'Yes.'
'ThatcableIsentyouabouttheshipmentofmangoes.Fruit.Youknow?'
'Yes.Gotithere.'Bondpulledthefiletowardshim.Heknewwhatitwasabout.StationH
wantedsomelimpetminestoputpaidtothreeCommunistspyjunksthatwereusing
MacaotointerceptBritishfreightersandsearchthemforrefugeesfromChina.
'Musthavepaymentbythetenth.'
Thatwouldmeanthatthejunkswereleaving,orelsethattheguardsonthejunkswould
bedoubledafterthatdate,orsomeotheremergency.
37

Bondsaidbriefly,'Wilco.'
'Thanks.'Bye.'
"Bye."Bondputdownthereceiver.HepickedupthegreenreceiveranddialledQBranch
andtalkedtothesectiondutyofficer.Itwouldbeallright.TherewasaBOACBritannia
leavinginthemorning.QBranchwouldseethatthecratecaughttheplane.
Bondsatback.Hereachedforacigaretteandlitit.Hethoughtofthebadlyair
conditionedlittleofficeonthewaterfrontinHongkong,sawthesweatmarksonthewhite
shirtof279,whomheknewwellandwhohadjustcalledhimselfDickson.Now279would
probablybetalkingtohisnumbertwo:'It'sokay.Londonsayscando.Let'sjustgoover
thisops.scheduleagain.'Bondsmiledwryly.Bettertheythanhe.He'dneverlikedbeing
upagainsttheChinese.Thereweretoomanyofthem.StationHmightbestirringupa
hornets'nest,butMhaddecideditwastimetoshowtheoppositionthattheServicein
Hongkonghadn'tquitegoneoutofbusiness.
When,threedaysbefore,Mhadfirsttoldhimhisnamewasdownfornightduty,Bond
hadn'ttakentotheidea.Hehadarguedthathedidn'tknowenoughabouttheroutine
workofthestations,thatitwastooresponsibleajobtogiveamanwhohadbeeninthe
doubleOsectionforsixyearsandwhohadforgottenallhehadeverknownaboutstation
work.
'You'llsoonpickitup,'Mhadsaidunsympathetically.'Ifyougetintroubletherearethe
dutysectionofficersortheChiefofStafforme,forthematterofthat.'(Bondhadsmiled
atthethoughtofwakingMupinthemiddleofthenightbecausesomemaninCairoor
Tokyowasinaflap.)'Anyway,I'vedecided.Iwantallseniorofficerstodotheirspellof
routine.'MhadlookedfrostilyacrossatBond.'Matteroffact,007,IhadtheTreasuryon
tometheotherday.TheirliaisonmanthinksthedoubleOsectionisredundant.Saysthat
kindofthingisoutofdate.Icouldn'tbothertoargue'M'svoicewasmild.'Justtoldhim
hewasmistaken.'(Bondcouldvisualizethescene.)'However,won'tdoanyharmforyou
tohavesomeextradutiesnowyou'rebackinLondon.Keepyoufromgettingstale.'
AndBondwasn'tmindingit.Hewashalfwaythroughhisfirstweekandsofarithadjust
beenaquestionofcommonsenseorpassingroutineproblemsondowntothesections.
Heratherlikedthepeacefulroomandknowingeverybody'ssecretsandbeingoccasionally
fedcoffeeandsandwichesbyoneoftheprettygirlsfromthecanteen.
Onthefirstnightthegirlhadbroughthimtea.Bondhadlookedatherseverely.'Idon't
drinktea.Ihateit.It'smud.Moreoverit'soneofthemainreasonsforthedownfallofthe
BritishEmpire.Beagoodgirlandmakemesomecoffee.'Thegirlhadgiggledandscurried
offtospreadBond'sdictuminthecanteen.Fromthenonhehadgothiscoffee.The
expression'acupofmud'wasseepingthroughthebuilding.
AsecondreasonwhyBondenjoyedthelongvacuumofnightdutywasthatitgavehim
timetogetonwithaprojecthehadbeentoyingwithformorethanayearahandbookof
allsecretmethodsofunarmedcombat.ItwastobecalledStayAlive!Itwouldcontainthe
bestofallthathadbeenwrittenonthesubjectbytheSecretServicesoftheworld.Bond
38

hadtoldnooneoftheproject,buthehopedthat,ifhecouldfinishit,Mwouldallowitto
beaddedtotheshortlistofServicemanualswhichcontainedthetricksandtechniquesof
SecretIntelligence.
Bondhadborrowedtheoriginaltextbooks,orwherenecessary,translations,from
Records.Mostofthebookshadbeencapturedfromenemyagentsororganizations.Some
hadbeenpresentedtoMbysisterServicessuchasOSS,CIAandtheDeuxieme.NowBond
drewtowardshimaparticularprize,atranslationofthemanual,entitledsimplyDefence,
issuedtooperativesofSMERSH,theSovietorganizationofvengeanceanddeath.
ThatnighthewashalfwaythroughChapterTwo,whosetitle,freelytranslated,was
'ComealongandRestraintHolds'.Nowhewentbacktothebookandreadforhalfanhour
throughthesectionsdealingwiththeconventional'WristComealong','ArmLockCome
along','ForearmLock','HeadHold'and'UseofNeckPressurePoints'.
Afterhalfanhour,Bondthrustthetypescriptawayfromhim.Hegotupandwentacross
tothewindowandstoodlookingout.Therewasa'nauseatingtoughnessintheblunt
prosetheRussiansused.Ithadbroughtonanotheroftheattacksofrevulsiontowhich
BondhadsuccumbedtendaysbeforeatMiamiairport.Whatwaswrongwithhim?
Couldn'thetakeitanymore?Washegoingsoft,orwasheonlystale?Bondstoodfora
whilewatchingthemoonriding,careering,throughtheclouds.Thenheshruggedhis
shouldersandwentbacktohisdesk.Hedecidedthathewasasfedupwiththevariations
ofviolentphysicalbehaviourasapsychoanalystmustbecomewiththementalaberrations
ofhispatients.
Bondreadagainthepassagethathadrevoltedhim:'Adrunkenwomancanalsousuallybe
handledbyusingthethumbandforefingertograbthelowerlip.Bypinchinghardand
twisting,asthepullismade,thewomanwillcomealong.'
Bondgrunted.Theobscenedelicacyofthat'thumbandforefinger'!Bondlitacigarette
andstaredintothefilamentofthedesklight,switchinghismindtootherthings,wishing
thatasignalwouldcomeinorthetelephonering.Anotherfivehourstogobeforethe
nineo'clockreporttotheChiefofStaffortoM,ifMhappenedtocomeinearly.There
wassomethingnaggingathismind,somethinghehadwantedtocheckonwhenhehad
thetime.Whatwasit?Whathadtriggeredoffthereminder?Yes,thatwasit,'forefinger'
Goldfinger.HewouldseeifRecordshadanythingontheman.
BondpickedupthegreentelephoneanddialledRecords.
'Doesn'tringabell,sir.I'llcheckandcallyouback.'
Bondputdownthereceiver.
Ithadbeenawonderfultripupinthetrain.Theyhadeatenthesandwichesanddrunkthe
champagneandthen,totherhythmofthegiantdieselspoundingoutthemiles,theyhad
madelong,slowloveinthenarrowberth.Ithadbeenasifthegirlwasstarvedofphysical
love.Shehadwokenhimtwicemoreinthenightwithsoftdemandingcaresses,saying
39

nothing,justreachingforhishard,leanbody.Thenextdayshehadtwicepulleddownthe
rollerblindstoshutoutthehardlightandhadtakenhimbythehandandsaid,'Loveme,
James'asifshewasachildaskingforasweet.
EvennowBondcouldhearthequicksilverpoemofthelevelcrossingbells,thewailofthe
bigwindhornoutfrontandthequietoutsideclamouratthestationswhentheylayand
waitedforthesensualgallopofthewheelstobeginagain.
JillMastertonhadsaidthatGoldfingerhadbeenrelaxed,indifferentoverhisdefeat.He
hadtoldthegirltotellBondthathewouldbeoverinEnglandinaweek'stimeandwould
liketohavethatgameofgolfatSandwich.Nothingelsenothreats,nocurses.Hehadsaid
hewouldexpectthegirlbackbythenexttrain.JillhadtoldBondshewouldgo.Bondhad
arguedwithher.ButshewasnotfrightenedofGoldfinger.Whatcouldhedotoher?And
itwasagoodjob.
BondhaddecidedtogiveherthetenthousanddollarsMr.DuPonthadshuffledintohis
handwithastammerofthanksandcongratulations.Bondmadehertakethemoney.'I
don'twantit,'Bondhadsaid.'Wouldn'tknowwhattodowithit.Anyway,keepitasmad
moneyincaseyouwanttogetawayinahurry.Itoughttobeamillion.Ishallneverforget
lastnightandtoday.'
Bondhadtakenhertothestationandhadkissedheroncehardonthelipsandhadgone
away.Ithadn'tbeenlove,butaquotationhadcomeintoBond'smindashiscabmoved
outofPennsylvaniastation:'Someloveisfire,someloveisrust.Butthefinest,cleanest
loveislust.'Neitherhadhadregrets.Hadtheycommittedasin?Ifso,whichone?Asin
againstchastity?Bondsmiledtohimself.Therewasaquotationforthattoo,andfroma
saintSaintAugustine:'OhLord,givemeChastity.Butdon'tgiveityet!'
Thegreentelephonerang.'ThreeGoldfingers,sir,buttwoofthemaredead.Thethird'sa
RussianpostofficeinGeneva.Gotahairdressingbusiness.Slipsthemessagesintothe
righthandcoatpocketwhenhebrushesthecustomersdown.HelostalegatStalingrad.
Anygood,sir?There'splentymoreonhim.'
'Nothanks.Thatcouldn'tbemyman.'
'WecouldputatracethroughCIDRecordsinthemorning.Gotapicture,sir?'
BondrememberedtheLeicafilm.Hehadn'tevenbotheredtohaveitdeveloped.Itwould
bequickertomockuptheman'sfaceontheIdenticast.Hesaid,'IstheIdenticastroom
free?'
'Yes,sir.AndIcanoperateitforyouifyoulike.'
'Thanks.I'llcomedown.'
Bondtoldtheswitchboardtoletheadsofsectionsknowwherehewouldbeandwentout
andtooktheliftdowntoRecordsonthefirstfloor.
40

Thebigbuildingwasextraordinarilyquietatnight.Beneaththesilencetherewasasoft
whisperofmachineryandhiddenlifethemuffledclackofatypewriterasBondpasseda
door,aquicklysuppressedstammerofradiostaticashepassedanother,thesoft
backgroundwhineoftheventilationsystem.Itgaveyoutheimpressionofbeingina
battleshipinharbour.
TheRecordsdutyofficerwasalreadyatthecontrolsoftheIdenticastintheprojection
room.HesaidtoBond,'Couldyougivemethemainlinesoftheface,sir?That'llhelpme
leaveouttheslidesthatareobviouslynogood.'
Bonddidsoandsatbackandwatchedthelightedscreen.
TheIdenticastisamachineforbuildingupanapproximatepictureofasuspectorof
someonewhohasperhapsonlybeenglimpsedinastreetoratrainorinapassingcar.It
worksonthemagiclanternprinciple.Theoperatorflashesonthescreenvarioushead
shapesandsizes.Whenoneisrecognizeditstaysonthescreen.Thenvarioushaircutsare
shown,andthenalltheotherfeaturesfollowandarechosenonebyonedifferentshapes
ofeyes,noses,chins,mouths,eyebrows,cheeks,ears.Intheendthereisthewhole
pictureofaface,asnearasthescannercanrememberit,anditisphotographedandput
onrecord.IttooksometimetoputtogetherGoldfinger'sextraordinaryface,butthefinal
resultwasanapproximatelikenessinmonochrome.Bonddictatedoneortwonotes
aboutthesunburn,thecolourofthehairandtheexpressionoftheeyes,andthejobwas
done.
'Wouldn'tliketomeetthatonadarknight,'commentedthemanfromRecords.'I'llputit
throughtoCIDwhentheycomeonduty.Youshouldgettheanswerbylunchtime.'
Bondwentbacktotheseventhfloor.Ontheothersideoftheworlditwasaround
midnight.Easternstationswereclosingdown.Therewasaflurryofsignalsthathadtobe
dealtwith,thenight'slogtobewrittenup,andthenitwaseighto'clock.Bondtelephoned
thecanteenforhisbreakfast.Hehadjustfinisheditwhentherecametheharshpurrof
theredtelephone.M!Whythehellhadhegotinhalfanhourearly?
'Yes,sir.'
'Comeuptomyoffice,007.Iwanttohaveawordbeforeyougooffduty.'
'Sir.'Bondputthetelephoneback.Heslippedonhiscoatandranahandthroughhishair,
toldtheswitchboardwherehewouldbe,tookthenightlogandwentupinthelifttothe
eighthandtopfloor.NeitherthedesirableMissMoneypennynortheChiefofStaffwason
duty.BondknockedonM'sdoorandwentin.
'Sitdown,007.'Mwasgoingthroughthepipelightingroutine.Helookedpinkandwell
scrubbed.Thelinedsailor'sfaceabovethestiffwhitecollarandlooselytiedspottedbow
tiewasdamnablybriskandcheerful.Bondwasconsciousoftheblackstubbleonhisown
chinandoftheallnightlookofhisskinandclothes.Hesharpenedhismind.
'Quietnight?'Mhadgothispipegoing.Hishard,healthyeyesregardedBondattentively.
41

'Prettyquiet,sir.StationH'
Mraisedhislefthandaninchortwo.'Nevermind.I'llreadallaboutitinthelog.Here,I'll
takeit.'
BondhandedovertheTopSecretfolder.Mputittooneside.Hesmiledoneofhisrare,
rathersardonic,bittenoffsmiles.'Thingschange,007.I'mtakingyouoffnightdutyforthe
present.'
Bond'sansweringsmilewastaut.Hefeltthequickeningofthepulsehehadsooften
experiencedinthisroom.Mhadgotsomethingforhim.Hesaid,'Iwasjustgettingintoit,
sir.'
'Quite.Haveplentyofopportunitylateron.Something'scomeup.Oddbusiness.Not
reallyyourlineofcountry,exceptforoneparticularanglewhich'Mjerkedhispipe
sidewaysinathrowawaygesture'maynotbeanangleatall.'
Bondsatback.Hesaidnothing,waiting.
'HaddinnerwiththeGovernoroftheBanklastnight.One'salwayshearingsomething
new.Atleast,allthiswasnewtome.Goldtheseamysideofthestuff.Smuggling,
counterfeiting,allthat.
Hadn'toccurredtomethattheBankofEnglandknewsomuchaboutcrooks.Supposeit's
partoftheBank'sjobtoprotectourcurrency.'Mjerkedhiseyebrowsup.'Knowanything
aboutgold?'
'No,sir.'
'Well,youwillbythisafternoon.You'vegotanappointmentwithamancalledColonel
SmithersattheBankatfouro'clock.Thatgiveyouenoughtimetogetsomesleep?'
'Yes,sir.'
'Good.SeemsthatthismanSmithersisheadoftheBank'sresearchdepartment.From
whattheGovernortoldme,that'snothingmoreorlessthanaspysystem.FirsttimeI
knewtheyhadone.Justshowswhatwatertightcompartmentsweallworkin.Anyway,
Smithersandhischapskeepaneyeoutforanythingfishyinthebankingworld
particularlyanymonkeyingaboutwithourcurrencyandbullionreservesandwhatnot.
TherewasthatbusinesstheotherdayoftheItalianswhowerecounterfeitingsovereigns.
Makingthemoutofrealgold.Rightcaratsandallthat.Butapparentlyasovereignora
Frenchnapoleonisworthmuchmorethanitsmelteddownvalueingold.Don'taskme
why.Smitherscantellyouthatifyou'reinterested.Anyway,theBankwentafterthese
peoplewithawholebatteryoflawyersitwasn'ttechnicallyacriminaloffenceand,after
losingintheItaliancourts,theyfinallynailedtheminSwitzerland.Youprobablyread
aboutit.ThentherewasthatbusinessofdollarbalancesinBeirut.Madequiteastirinthe
papers.Couldn'tunderstanditmyself.Somecrackinthefenceweputroundourcurrency.
ThewideCityboyshadfoundit.Well,it'sSmithers'sjobtosmelloutthatkindofracket.
42

ThereasontheGovernortoldmeallthisisbecauseforyears,almostsincethewar
apparently,SmithershashadabeeinhisbonnetaboutsomebiggoldleakoutofEngland.
Mostlydeduction,plussomekindofinstinct.Smithersadmitshe'sgotdamnedlittletogo
on,buthe'simpressedtheGovernorenoughforhimtogetpermissionfromthePMtocall
usin.'Mbrokeoff.HelookedquizzicallyatBond.'Everwonderedwhoaretherichestmen
inEngland?'
No,sir.'
"Well,haveaguess.Orrather,putitlikethis:WhoaretherichestEnglishmen?'
Bondsearchedhismind.Therewerealotofmenwhosoundedrichorwhoweremadeto
soundrichbythenewspapers.Butwhoreallyhadit,liquid,inthebank?Hehadtosay
something.Hesaidhesitatingly,'Well,sir,there'sSassoon.Thenthatshippingmanwho
keepstohimselferEllerman.TheysayLordCowdrayisveryrich.Therearethebankers
Rothschilds,Barings,Hambros.TherewasWilliamson,thediamondman.Oppenheimerin
SouthAfrica.Someofthedukesmaystillhavealotofmoney.'Bond'svoicetrailedaway.
'Notbad.Notbadatall.Butyou'vemissedoutthejokerinthepack.ManI'dnever
thoughtofuntiltheGovernorbroughtuphisname.He'stherichestofthelot.Mancalled
Goldfinger.AuricGoldfinger.'
Bondcouldn'thelphimself.Helaughedsharply.
'What'sthematter?'M'svoicewastesty.Whatthehellistheretolaughabout?'
'I'msorry,sir.'Bondgotholdofhimself.'Thetruthis,onlylastnightIwasbuildinghisface
upontheIdenticast.'Heglancedathiswatch.Inastrangledvoicehesaid,'Beonitsway
toCIDRecords.AskedforaTraceonhim.'
Mwasgettingangry.'Whatthehell'sallthisabout?Stopbehavinglikeabloody
schoolboy.'
Bondsaidsoberly,'Well,sir,it'slikethis...'Bondtoldthestory,leavingnothingout.
M'sfacecleared.Helistenedwithallhisattention,leaningforwardacrossthedesk.When
Bondhadfinished,Msatbackinhischair.Hesaid"Well,well...well'onadiminishing
scale.Heputhishandsbehindhisheadandgazedforminutesattheceiling.
Bondcouldfeelthelaughtercomingonagain.HowwouldtheCIDwordtheresounding
snubhewouldgetinthecourseoftheday?HewasbroughtsharplybacktoearthbyM's
nextwords.'Bytheway,whathappenedtothattenthousanddollars?'
'Gaveittothegirl,sir.'
'Really!WhynottotheWhiteCross?'

43

TheWhiteCrossFundwasforthefamiliesofSecretServicemenandwomenwhowere
killedonduty.
'Sorry,sir.'Bondwasnotpreparedtoarguethatone.
'Humpf.'MhadneverapprovedofBond'swomanizing.ItwasanathematohisVictorian
soul.Hedecidedtoletitpass.Hesaid,'Well,that'sallfornow,007.You'llbehearingall
aboutitthisafternoon.FunnyaboutGoldfinger.Oddchap.Seenhimonceortwiceat
Blades.Heplaysbridgetherewhenhe'sinEngland.He'sthechaptheBankofEngland's
after.'Mpaused.HelookedmildlyacrossthetableatBond.'Asfromthismoment,soare
you.'

44

ChapterSix
TalkOfGold
Bondwalkedupthestepsandthroughthefinebronzeportalsandintothespacious,softly
echoingentrancehalloftheBankofEnglandandlookedaroundhim.Underhisfeet
glitteredthebrilliantgoldenpatternsoftheBorisAnrepmosaics;beyond,throughtwenty
feethigharchedwindows,greengrassandgeraniumsblazedinthecentralcourtyard.To
rightandleftwerespaciousvistasofpolishedHoptonWoodstone.Overallhungthe
neutralsmellofairconditionedairandtheheavy,graveatmosphereofimmenseriches.
Oneoftheathleticlooking,pinkfrockcoatedcommissionairescameuptohim.'Yes,sir?'
'ColonelSmithers?'
'CommanderBond,sir?Thiswayplease.'Thecommissionairemovedofftotheright
betweenthepillars.Thebronzedoorsofadiscreetlyhiddenliftstoodopen.Theliftrosea
fewfeettothefirstfloor.NowtherewasalongpanelledcorridorendinginatallAdam
window.ThefloorwasclosecarpetedinbeigeWilton.Thecommissionaireknockedatthe
lastofseveralfinelycarvedoakdoorsthatwerejustsomuchtallerandmoreelegantthan
ordinarydoors.Agreyhairedwomanwassittingatadesk.Shelookedasifshehadonce
takenadoublefirst.Thewallsoftheroomwerelinedwithgreymetalfilingcabinets.The
womanhadbeenwritingonaquartopadofyellowmemorandumpaper.Shesmiledwith
ahintofconspiracy,pickedupatelephoneanddialledanumber.'CommanderBondis
here.'Sheputthetelephonebackandstoodup.'Willyoucomethisway?'Shecrossedthe
roomtoadoorcoveredwithgreenbaizeandhelditopenforBondtogothrough.
ColonelSmithershadrisenfromhisdesk.Hesaidgravely,'Niceofyoutohavecome.
Won'tyousitdown?'Bondtookthechair.'Smoke?'ColonelSmitherspushedforwarda
silverboxofSeniorServiceandhimselfsatdownandbegantofillapipe.Bondtooka
cigaretteandlitit.
ColonelSmitherslookedexactlylikesomeonewhowouldbecalledColonelSmithers.He
hadobviouslybeenacolonel,probablyonthestaff,andhehadthesmooth,polished,
basicallyseriousmienthatfittedhisname.Butforhishornrimmedglasses,hemighthave
beenanefficient,notverywellfedcourtierinaroyalhousehold.
Bondfeltboredomgatheringinthecornersoftheroom.Hesaidencouragingly,'Itseems
thatyouaretotellmeallaboutgold."
'SoIunderstand.IhadanotefromtheGovernor.IgatherIneedkeepnothingfromyou.
Ofcourseyouunderstand'ColonelSmitherslookedoverBond'srightshoulder'thatmost
ofwhatIshallhavetosaywillbeconfidential.'TheeyessweptquicklyacrossBond'sface.
Bond'sfacewasstony.

45

ColonelSmithersfeltthesilencethatBondhadintendedheshouldfeel.Helookedup,saw
thathehadputhisfootinit,andtriedtomakeamends.'ObviouslyIneedn'thave
mentionedthepoint.Amanwithyourtraining...'
Bondsaid,'Weallthinkourownsecretsaretheonlyonesthatmatter.You'reprobably
righttoremindme.Otherpeople'ssecretsareneverquiteasimportantasone'sown.But
youneedn'tworry.Ishalldiscussthingswithmychiefbutwithnooneelse.'
'Quite,quite.Niceofyoutotakeitthatway.IntheBankonegetsintothehabitofbeing
overdiscreet.Nowthen,'ColonelSmithersscurriedforcoverintohissubject.'This
businessofgold.Itakeitit'snotamatteryou'vethoughtaboutagreatdeal?'
'IknowitwhenIseeit.'
'Aha,yeswellnow,thegreatthingtorememberaboutgoldisthatit'sthemostvaluable
andmosteasilymarketablecommodityintheworld.Youcangotoanytownintheworld,
almosttoanyvillage,andhandoverapieceofgoldandgetgoodsorservicesinexchange.
Right?'ColonelSmithers'svoicehadtakenonanewbriskness.Hiseyeswerealight.He
hadhislecturepat.Bondsatback.Hewaspreparedtolistentoanyonewhowasmasterof
hissubject,anysubject.'Andthenextthingtoremember,'ColonelSmithershelduphis
pipeinwarning,'isthatgoldisvirtuallyuntraceable.Sovereignshavenoserialnumbers.If
goldbarshaveMintmarksstampedonthemthemarkscanbeshavedofforthebarcan
bemelteddownandmadeintoanewbar.Thatmakesitalmostimpossibletocheckon
thewhereaboutsofgold,oritsorigins,oritsmovementsroundtheworld.InEngland,for
instance,weattheBankcanonlycountthegoldinourownvaults,inthevaultsofother
banksandattheMint,andmakearoughguessattheamountsheldbythejewellerytrade
andthepawnbrokingfraternity.'
'WhyareyousoanxioustoknowhowmuchgoldthereisinEngland?'
'Becausegoldandcurrenciesbackedbygoldarethefoundationofourinternational
credit.Wecanonlytellwhatthetruestrengthofthepoundis,andothercountriescan
onlytellit,byknowingtheamountofvalutawehavebehindourcurrency.Andmymain
job,Mr.Bond'ColonelSmithers'sblandeyeshadbecomeunexpectedlysharp'isto
watchforanyleakageofgoldoutofEnglandoutofanywhereinthesterlingarea.And
whenIspotaleakage,anescapeofgoldtowardssomecountrywhereitcanbeexchanged
moreprofitablythanatourofficialbuyingprice,itismyjobtoputtheCIDGoldSquadon
tothefugitivegoldandtrytogetitbackintoourvaults,plugtheleakandarrestthe
peopleresponsible.Andthetroubleis,Mr.Bond'ColonelSmithersgaveaforlornshrugof
theshoulders'thatgoldattractsthebiggest,themostingeniouscriminals.Theyarevery
hard,veryhardindeed,tocatch.'
'Isn'tallthisonlyatemporaryphase?Whyshouldthisshortageofgoldgoon?Theyseem
tobediggingitoutofAfricafastenough.Isn'tthereenoughtogoround?Isn'titjustlike
anyotherblackmarketthatdisappearswhenthesuppliesaresteppedup,likethe
penicillintrafficafterthewar?'

46

'I'mafraidnot,Mr.Bond.Itisn'tquiteaseasyasthat.Thepopulationoftheworldis
increasingattherateoffivethousandfourhundredeveryhouroftheday.Asmall
percentageofthosepeoplebecomegoldhoarders,peoplewhoarefrightenedof
currencies,wholiketoburysomesovereignsinthegardenorunderthebed.Another
percentageneedsgoldfillingsfortheirteeth.Othersneedgoldrimmedspectacles,
jewellery,engagementrings.Allthesenewpeoplewillbetakingtonsofgoldoffthe
marketeveryyear.Newindustriesneedgoldwire,goldplating,amalgamsofgold.Gold
hasextraordinarypropertieswhicharebeingputtonewuseseveryday.Itisbrilliant,
malleable,ductile,almostunalterableandmoredensethananyofthecommonmetals
exceptplatinum.There'snoendtoitsuses.Butithastwodefects.Itisn'thardenough.It
wearsoutquickly,leavesitselfontheliningsofourpocketsandinthesweatofourskins.
Everyyear,theworld'sstockisinvisiblyreducedbyfriction.Isaidthatgoldhastwo
defects.'ColonelSmitherslookedsad.'Theotherandbyfarthemajordefectisthatitis
thetalismanoffear.Fear,Mr.Bond,takesgoldoutofcirculationandhoardsitagainstthe
evilday.Inaperiodofhistorywheneverytomorrowmaybetheevilday,itisfairenough
tosaythatafatproportionofthegoldthatisdugoutofonecorneroftheearthisatonce
buriedagaininanothercorner.'
BondsmiledatColonelSmithers'seloquence.Thismanlivedgold,thoughtgold,dreamed
gold.Well,itwasaninterestingsubject.Hemightjustaswellwallowinthestuff.Inthe
dayswhenBondhadbeenafterthediamondsmugglershehadhadfirsttoeducate
himselfinthefascination,themythofthestones.Hesaid,'WhatelseoughtItoknow
beforewegetdowntoyourimmediateproblem?'
'You'renotbored?Well,youweresuggestingthatgoldproductionwassovastnowadays
thatitoughttotakecareofallthesevariousconsumers.Unfortunatelythatisnotso.In
factthegoldcontentoftheworldisbeingworkedout.Youmaythinkthatlargeareasof
theworldhavestilltobeexploredforgold.Youwouldbemistaken.Broadlyspeaking,
thereonlyremainsthelandundertheseaandtheseaitself,whichhasanotablegold
content.Peoplehavebeenscratchingthesurfaceoftheworldforgoldforthousandsof
years.TherewerethegreatgoldtreasuresofEgyptandMycenae,Montezumaandthe
Incas.CroesusandMidasemptiedtheMiddleEasternterritoriesofgold.Europewas
workedforitthevalleysoftheRhineandthePo,MalagaandtheplainsofGranada.
Cypruswasemptied,andtheBalkans.Indiagotthefever.Antscomingupfromunderthe
earthcarryinggrainsofgoldledtheIndianstotheiralluvialfields.TheRomansworked
WalesandDevonandCornwall.IntheMiddleAgestherewerethefindsinMexicoand
Peru.ThesewerefollowedbytheopeningupoftheGoldCoast,thencalledNegroland,
andafterthatcametheAmericas.ThefamousgoldrushesoftheYukonandEldorado,and
therichstrikesatEurekasoundedoffthefirstmodernGoldAge.Meanwhile,inAustralia,
BendigoandBallarathadcomeintoproduction,andtheRussiandepositsatLenaandin
theUralsweremakingRussiathelargestgoldproducerintheworldinthemiddleofdie
nineteenthcentury.ThencamethesecondmodernGoldAgethediscoveriesontheWit
watersrand.Thesewerehelpedbythenewmethodofcyanidinginsteadofseparationof
thegoldfromtherockbymercury.TodayweareinthethirdGoldAgewiththeopening
upoftheOrangeFreeStatedeposits.'ColonelSmithersthrewuphishands.'Now,goldis
pouringoutoftheearth.Why,thewholeproductionoftheKlondikeandtheHomestake
andEldorado,whichwereoncethewonderoftheworld,wouldonlyadduptotwoor
threeyearsoftoday'sproductionfromAfrica!Justtoshowyou,from1500to1900,when
approximatefigureswerekept,thewholeworldproducedabouteighteenthousandtons
47

ofgold.From1900totodaywehavedugupfortyonethousandtons!Atthisrate,Mr.
Bond,'ColonelSmithersleanedforwardearnestly,'andpleasedon'tquotemebutI
wouldn'tbesurprisedifinfiftyyears'timewehavenottotallyexhaustedthegoldcontent
oftheearth!'
Bond,smotheredbythiscataractofgoldhistory,foundnodifficultyinlookingasgraveas
ColonelSmithers.Hesaid,'Youcertainlymakeafascinatingstoryofit.Perhapsthe
positionisn'tasbadasyouthink.They'realreadyminingoilunderthesea.Perhapsthey'll
findawayofmininggold.Now,aboutthissmuggling.'
Thetelephonerang.ColonelSmithersimpatientlysnatchedupthereceiver.'Smithers
speaking.'Helistened,irritationgrowingonhisface.'I'msureIsentyouanoteaboutthe
summerfixtures,Miss.Philby.ThenextmatchisonSaturdayagainsttheDiscountHouses.'
Helistenedagain."Well,ifMrs.Flakewon'tplaygoals,I'mafraidshe'llhavetostand
down.It'stheonlypositiononthefieldwe'vegotforher.Everybodycan'tplaycentre
forward.Yes,pleasedo.SayI'llbegreatlyobligedifjustthisonce.I'msureshe'llbevery
goodrightfigureandallthat.Thankyou,Miss.Philby.'
ColonelSmitherstookoutahandkerchiefandmoppedhisforehead.'Sorryaboutthat.
SportsandwelfarearebecomingalmosttoomuchofafetishattheBank.I'vejusthadthe
women'shockeyteamthrownintomylap.AsifIhadn'tgotenoughtodowiththeannual
gymkhanacomingon.However'ColonelSmitherswavedtheseminorirritationsaside'as
yousay,timetogetontothesmuggling.Well,tobeginwith,andtakingonlyEnglandand
thesterlingarea,it'saverybigbusinessindeed.Weemploythreethousandstaffatthe
Bank,Mr.Bond,andofthosenolessthanonethousandworkintheexchangecontrol
department.Ofthoseatleastfivehundred,includingmylittleoutfit,areengagedin
controllingtheillicitmovementsofvaluta,theattemptstosmuggleortoevadethe
ExchangeControlRegulations.'
'That'salot.'BondmeasureditagainsttheSecretServicewhichhadatotalforceoftwo
thousand.'Canyougivemeanexampleofsmuggling?Ingold.Ican'tunderstandthese
dollarswindles.'
'Allright.'ColonelSmithersnowtalkedinthesoft,tiredvoiceofanoverworkedmaninthe
serviceofhisGovernment.Itwasthevoiceofthespecialistinaparticularlineoflaw
enforcement.Itsaidthatheknewmostthingsconnectedwiththatlineandthathecould
makeagoodguessatalltherest.Bondknewthevoicewell,thevoiceofthefirstclass
CivilServant.Despitehisprosiness,BondwasbeginningtotaketoColonelSmithers.'All
right.Supposingyouhaveabarofgoldinyourpocketaboutthesizeofacoupleof
packetsofPlayers.Weightaboutfiveandaquarterpounds.Nevermindforthemoment
whereyougotitfromstoleitorinheriteditorsomething.That'llbetwentyfourcarat
whatwecallathousandfine.Now,thelawsaysyouhavetosellthattotheBankof
Englandatthecontrolledpriceoftwelvepoundstenperounce.Thatwouldmakeitworth
aroundthethousandpounds.Butyou'regreedy.You'vegotafriendgoingtoIndiaor
perhapsyou'reongoodtermswithanairlinepilotorastewardontheFarEastrun.Allyou
havetodoiscutyourbarintothinsheetsorplatesyou'dsoonfindsomeonetodothis
foryouandsewtheplatesthey'dbesmallerthanplayingcardsintoacottonbelt,and
payyourfriendacommissiontowearit.Youcouldeasilyaffordahundredpoundsforthe
job.YourfriendfliesofftoBombayandgoestothefirstbulliondealerinthebazaar.He
48

willbegivenonethousandsevenhundredpoundsforyourfivepoundbarandyou'rea
richermanthanyoumighthavebeen.Markyou,'ColonelSmitherswavedhispipe
airily,'that'sonlyseventypercentprofit.Justafterthewaryoucouldhavegotthree
hundredpercent.Ifyou'ddoneonlyhalfadozenlittleoperationslikethateveryyear
you'dbeabletoretirebynow.'
'WhythehighpriceinIndia?'Bonddidn'treallywanttoknow.HethoughtMmightask
him.
'It'salongstory.Briefly,Indiaisshorterofgold,particularlyforherjewellerytrade,than
anyothercountry.'
'What'sthesizeofthistraffic?'
'Huge.Togiveanidea,theIndianIntelligenceBureauandtheirCustomscapturedforty
threethousandouncesin1955.Idoubtifthat'sonepercentofthetraffic.Gold'sbeen
comingintoIndiafromallpointsofthecompass.LatestdodgeistoflyitinfromMacao
anddropitbyparachutetoareceptioncommitteeatonatatimelikeweusedtodrop
suppliestotheResistanceduringthewar.'
'Isee.IsthereanywhereelseIcangetagoodpremiumformygoldbar?'
'YoucouldgetasmallpremiuminmostcountriesSwitzerland,forinstancebutit
wouldn'tbeworthyourwhile.India'sstilltheplace.'
'Allright,'saidBond.IthinkI'vegotthepicture.Nowwhat'syourparticularproblem?'He
satbackandlitacigarette.HewasgreatlylookingforwardtohearingaboutMr.Auric
Goldfinger.
ColonelSmithers'seyestookontheirhard,foxylook.Hesaid,'There'samanwhocame
overtoEnglandin1937.HewasarefugeefromRiga.NameofAuricGoldfinger.Hewas
onlytwentywhenhearrived,buthemusthavebeenabrightladbecausehesmelledthat
theRussianswouldbeswallowinghiscountryprettysoon.Hewasajewellerand
goldsmithbytrade,likehisfatherandgrandfatherwhohadrefinedgoldforFaberge.He
hadalittlemoneyandprobablyoneofthosebeltsofgoldIwastellingyouabout.Stoleit
fromhisfather,Idaresay.Well,soonafterhe'dbeennaturalizedhewasaharmlesssort
ofchapandinausefultradeandhehadnodifficultyingettinghispapershestarted
buyingupsmallpawnbrokersalloverthecountry.Heputinhisownmen,paidthemwell
andchangedthenameoftheshopsto"Goldfinger".Thenheturnedtheshopsoverto
sellingcheapjewelleryandbuyingoldgoldyouknowthesortofplace:"BestPricesfor
OldGold.NothingtooLarge,NothingtooSmall",andhehadhisownparticularslogan:
"BuyHerEngagementRingWithGrannie'sLocket."Goldfingerdidverywell.Alwayschose
goodsites,justonthedividinglinebetweenthewelltodostreetsandthelowermiddle.
Nevertouchedstolengoodsandgotagoodnameeverywherewiththepolice.Helivedin
Londonandtouredhisshopsonceamonthandcollectedalltheoldgold.Hewasn't
interestedinthejewelleryside.Helethismanagersrunthatastheyliked.'Colonel
SmitherslookedquizzicallyatBond.'Youmaythinktheselocketsandgoldcrossesand
thingsareprettysmallbeer.Sotheyare,buttheymountupifyou'vegottwentylittle
49

shops,eachonebuyingperhapshalfadozenbitsandpieceseveryweek.Well,thewar
cameandGoldfinger,likeallotherjewellers,hadtodeclarehisstockofgold.Ilookedup
hisfigureinouroldrecords.Itwasfiftyouncesforthewholechain!justenoughofa
workingstocktokeephisshopssuppliedwithringsettingandsoforth,whattheycall
jewellers'findingsinthetrade.Ofcourse,hewasallowedtokeepit.Hetuckedhimself
awayinamachinetoolfirminWalesduringthewarwelloutofthefiringlinebutkeptas
manyofhisshopsoperatingashecould.MusthavedonewelloutoftheGIswho
generallytravelwithaGoldEagleoraMexicanfiftydollarpieceasalastreserve.Then,
whenpeacebrokeout,Goldfingergotmoving.Heboughthimselfahouse,pretentious
sortofplace,atReculver,atthemouthoftheThames.Healsoinvestedinawellfound
BrixhamtrawlerandanoldSilverGhostRollsRoycearmouredcar,builtforsomeSouth
Americanpresidentwhowaskilledbeforehecouldtakedelivery.Hesetupalittlefactory
called"ThanetAlloyResearch"inthegroundsofhishouseandstaffeditwithaGerman
metallurgist,aprisonerofwarwhodidn'twanttogobacktoGermany,andhalfadozen
KoreanstevedoreshepickedupinLiverpool.Theydidn'tknowawordofanycivilized
languagesotheyweren'tanysecurityrisk.Then,fortenyears,allweknowisthathe
madeonetripayeartoIndiainhistrawlerandafewtripsinhiscareveryyearto
Switzerland.SetupasubsidiaryofhisalloycompanynearGeneva.Hekepthisshops
going.GaveupcollectingtheoldgoldhimselfusedoneofhisKoreanswhomhehad
taughttodriveacar.Allright,perhapsMr.Goldfingerisnotaveryhonestman,buthe
behaveshimselfandkeepsinwellwiththepolice,andwithmuchmoreblatantfiddling
goingonalloverthecountrynobodypaidhimanyattention.'
ColonelSmithersbrokeoff.HelookedapologeticallyatBond.'I'mnotboringyou?Ido
wantyoutogetthepictureofthesortofmanthisisquiet,careful,lawabidingandwith
thesortofdriveandsinglemindednesswealladmire.Wedidn'tevenhearofhimuntilhe
sufferedaslightmisfortune.Inthesummerof1954,histrawler,homewardboundfrom
India,wentashoreontheGoodwinsandhesoldthewreckforasongtotheDoverSalvage
Company.Whenthiscompanystartedbreakingtheshipupandgotasfarastheholdthey
foundthetimbersingregnatedwithasortofbrownpowderwhichtheycouldn'tputa
nameto.Theysentaspecimentoalocalchemist.Theyweresurprisedwhenhesaidthe
stuffwasgold.Iwon'tbotheryouwiththeformula,butyouseegoldcanbemadeto
dissolveinamixtureofhydrochloricandnitricacids,andreducingagentssulphurdioxide
oroxalicacidprecipitatethemetalasabrownpowder.Thispowdercanbereconstituted
intogoldingotsbymeltingataroundathousanddegreesCentigrade.Havetowatchthe
chlorinegas,butotherwiseit'sasimpleprocess.'
'TheusualnoseyparkerinthesalvagefirmgossipedtooneoftheDoverCustomsmenand
induecourseareportfilteredupthroughthepoliceandtheCIDtome,togetherwitha
copyofthecargoclearancepapersforeachofGoldfinger'stripstoIndia.Thesegaveall
thecargoesasmineraldustbaseforcropfertilizersallperfectlycrediblebecausethese
modernfertilizersdousetracesofvariousmineralsintheirmakeup.Thewholepicture
wasclearascrystal.Goldfingerhadbeenrefiningdownhisoldgold,precipitatingitinto
thisbrownpowderandshippingittoIndiaasfertilizer.Butcouldwepinitonhim?We
couldnot.Hadaquietlookathisbankbalanceandtaxreturns.Twentythousandpounds
atBarclaysinRamsgate.Incometaxandsupertaxpaidpromptlyeachyear.Figures
showedthenaturalprogressofawellrunjewellerybusiness.Wedressedacoupleofthe
GoldSquadupandsentthemdowntoknockonthedoorofMr.Goldfinger'sfactoryat
50

Reculver."Sorry,sir,routineinspectionfortheSmallEngineeringSectionoftheMinistryof
Labour.WehavetomakesuretheFactoryActsarebeingobservedforsafetyandhealth."
"Comein.Comein."Mr.Goldfingerpositivelywelcomedthem.Markyou,hemayhave
beentippedoffbyhisbankmanagerorsomeone,butthatfactorywasentirelydevotedto
designingacheapalloyforjewellers'findingstryingoutunusualmetalslikealuminium
andtininsteadoftheusualcopperandnickelandpalladiumthatareusedingoldalloys.
Thereweretracesofgoldabout,ofcourse,andfurnacestoheatuptotwothousand
degreesandsoforth,butafterallGoldfingerwasajewellerandasmelterinasmallway,
andallthiswasperfectlyaboveboard.TheGoldSquadretireddiscomfited,ourlegal
departmentdecidedthebrowndustinthetrawler'stimberswasnotenoughtoprosecute
onwithoutsupportingevidence,andthatwasmoreorlessthat,except'ColonelSmithers
slowlywaggedthestemofhispipe'thatIkeptthefileopenandstartedsniffingaround
thebanksoftheworld.'
ColonelSmitherspaused.TherumbleoftheCitycamethroughthehalfopenwindowhigh
upinthewallbehindhischair.Bondglancedsurreptitiouslyathiswatch.Fiveo'clock.
ColonelSmithersgotupfromhischair.Heplacedbothhandspalmdownwardsonthe
deskandleantforward.'Ittookmefiveyears,Mr.Bond,tofindoutthatMr.Goldfinger,in
readymoney,istherichestmaninEngland.InZurich,inNassau,inPanama,inNewYork,
hehastwentymillionpounds'worthofgoldbarsonsafedeposit.Andthosebars,Mr.
Bond,arenotMintbars.Theydon'tcarryanyofficialmarksoforiginwhatsoever.They're
barsthatMr.Goldfingerhasmeltedhimself.IflewtoNassauandhadalookatthefive
millionpounds'worthorsoheholdsthereinthevaultsoftheRoyalBankofCanada.
Oddlyenough,likeallartists,hecouldn'trefrainfromsigninghishandiwork.Itneedsa
microscopetoseeit,butsomewhere,oneachGoldfingerbar,aminuteletterZhasbeen
scratchedinthemetal.Andthatgold,ormostofit,belongstoEngland.TheBankcando
nothingaboutit,soweareaskingyoutobringMr.Goldfingertobook,Mr.Bond,andget
thatgoldback.Youknowaboutthecurrencycrisisandthehighbankrate?Ofcourse.
Well,Englandneedsthatgold,badlyandthequickerthebetter.'

51

52

ChapterSeven
ThoughtsInADBIII
BondfollowedColonelSmitherstothelift.Whiletheywaitedforit,Bondglancedoutof
thetallwindowattheendofthepassage.Hewaslookingdownintothedeepwellofthe
backcourtyardoftheBank.Atrimchocolatebrownlorrywithnoowner'snamehadcome
intothecourtyardthroughthetriplesteelgates.Squarecardboardboxeswerebeing
unloadedfromitandputontoashortconveyorbeltthatdisappearedintothebowelsof
theBank.
ColonelSmitherscameover.'Fivers,'hecommented.'Justcomeupfromourprinting
worksatLoughton.'
Theliftcameandtheygotin.Bondsaid,'I'mnotveryimpressedbythenewones.They
looklikeanyothercountry'smoney.Theoldoneswerethemostbeautifulmoneyinthe
world.'
Theywalkedacrosstheentrancehall,nowdimlylitanddeserted.ColonelSmitherssaid,
'AsamatteroffactIagreewithyou.TroublewasthatthoseReichsbankforgeriesduring
thewarwereadarnsighttoogood.WhentheRussianscapturedBerlin,amongtheloot
theygotholdoftheplates.WeaskedtheNarodniBankforthem,buttheyrefusedtogive
themup.WeandtheTreasurydecideditwasjusttoodangerous.Atanymoment,if
Moscowhadbeeninclined,theycouldhavestartedamajorraidonourcurrency.Wehad
towithdrawtheoldfivers.Thenewonesaren'tmuchtolookat,butatleastthey'dbehell
toforge.'
Thenightguardletthemoutontothesteps.ThreadneedleStreetwasalmostdeserted.
ThelongCitynightwasbeginning.BondsaidgoodbyetoColonelSmithersandwalked
alongtotheTube.HehadneverthoughtverymuchabouttheBankofEngland,butnow
thathehadbeeninsidetheplacehedecidedthattheOldLadyofThreadneedleStreet
mightbeoldbutshestillhadsometeethleftinherhead.
BondhadbeentoldtoreportbacktoMatsix.Hedidso.M'sfacewasnolongerpinkand
shining.
Thelongdayhadknockeditabout,stressedit,shrunkenit.WhenBondwentinandtook
thechairacrossthedesk,henoticedtheconsciouseffortMmadetoclearhismind,cope
withthenewproblemthedaywastoflingathim.Mstraightenedhimselfinhischairand
reachedforhispipe.
'Well?'
Bondknewthefalsebelligerenceofthatparticularbark.Hetoldthegistofthestoryin
lessthanfiveminutes.
Whenhehadfinished,Msaidthoughtfully,'Supposewe'vegottotakeiton.Don't
understandathingaboutthepoundandbankrateandallthatbuteveryoneseemstobe
53

takingitdamnedseriously.PersonallyIshouldhavethoughtthestrengthofthepound
dependedonhowhardweallworkedratherthanhowmuchgoldwe'dgot.Germans
didn'thavemuchgoldafterthewar.Lookwherethey'vegotintenyears.However,that's
probablytooeasyananswerforthepoliticiansormorelikelytoodifficult.Gotanyideas
howtotacklethischapGoldfinger?Anywayofgettingclosertohim,offeringtodosome
dirtyworkforhimorsomethinglikethat?'
Bondsaidthoughtfully,'Iwouldn'tgetanywheresuckinguptohim,askinghimforajobor
somethingofthatsort,sir.Ishouldsayhe'sthesortofmanwhoonlyrespectspeoplewho
aretougherorsmarterthanheis.I'vegivenhimonebeatingandtheonlymessageIgot
fromhimwasthathe'dlikemetoplaygolfwithhim.PerhapsI'dbetterdojustthat.'
'Finewayforoneofmytopmentospendhistime.'ThesarcasminAd'svoicewasweary,
resigned.'Allright.Goahead.Butifwhatyousayisright,you'dbetterseethatyoubeat
him.What'syourcoverstory?'
Bondshrugged.'Ihadn'tthought,sir.PerhapsI'dbetterbethinkingofleavingUniversal
Export.Nofutureinit.HavingaholidaywhileIlookround.Thinkingofemigratingto
Canada.Feduphere.Somethinglikethat.ButperhapsI'dbetterplayitthewaythecards
fall.Iwouldn'tthinkhe'saneasymantofool.'
'Allright.Reportprogress.Anddon'tthinkI'mnotinterestedinthiscase.'M'svoicehad
changed.Sohadhisexpression.Hiseyeshadbecomeurgent,commanding.'NowI'llgive
youonepieceofinformationtheBankdidn'tgiveyou.ItjusthappensthatIalsoknow
whatMr.Goldfinger'sgoldbarslookLike.AsamatteroffactIwashandlingonetoday
scratchedZandall.IthadcomeinwiththathaulwemadelastweekwhentheRedland
ResidentDirector'soffice"caughtfire"inTangier.You'llhaveseenthesignals.Well,that's
thetwentiethoftheseparticulargoldbarsthathavecomeourwaysincediewar.'
Bondinterrupted,'ButthatTangierbarwasoutoftheSMERSHsafe.'
'Exactly.I'vechecked.AlltheothernineteenbarswiththescratchedZhavebeentaken
fromSMERSHoperatives.'Mpaused.Hesaidmildly,'D'youknow,007,Iwouldn'tbeatall
surprisedifGoldfingerdoesn'tturnouttobetheforeignbanker,thetreasurersotospeak,
ofSMERSH.'
JamesBondflungtheDBIIIthroughthelastmileofstraightanddidaracingchangedown
intothirdandthenintosecondfortheshorthillbeforetheinevitabletrafficcrawlthrough
Rochester.Leashedinbythevelvetclawofthefrontdiscs,theenginemuttereditsprotest
withamildbackpopplefromthetwinexhausts.Bondwentupintothirdagain,beatthe
lightsatthebottomofthehillandslidresignedlyuptothebackofthequeuethatwould
crawlonforaquarterofanhourifhewasluckythroughthesprawlofRochesterand
Chatham.Bondsettledbackintosecondandletthecaridle.Hereachedforthewide
gunmetalcaseofMorlandcigarettesontheneighbouringbucketseat,fumbledforone
andlititfromthedashboard.HehadchosentheA2inpreferencetotheA20toSandwich
becausehewantedtotakeaquicklookatGoldfingerlandReculverandthosemelancholy
forsakenreachesoftheThameswhichGoldfingerhadchosenforhisparish.Hewould

54

thencrosstheIsleofThanettoRamsgateandleavehisbagattheChannelPacket,havean
earlylunchandbeofftoSandwich.
Thecarwasfromthepool.BondhadbeenofferedtheAstonMartinoraJaguar3.4.He
hadtakentheDBIII.Eitherofthecarswouldhavesuitedhiscoverawelltodo,rather
adventurousyoungmanwithatasteforthegood,thefastthingsoflife.ButtheDBIIIhad
theadvantageofanuptodatetriptyque,aninconspicuouscolourbattleshipgreyand
certainextraswhichmightormightnotcomeinhandy.Theseincludedswitchestoalter
thetypeandcolourofBond'sfrontandrearlightsifhewasfollowingorbeingfollowedat
night,reinforcedsteelbumpers,foreandaft,incaseheneededtoram,alongbarrelled
Colt.45inatrickcompartmentunderthedriver'sseat,aradiopickuptunedtoreceivean
apparatuscalledtheHomer,andplentyofconcealedspacethatwouldfoxmostCustoms
men.
Bondsawachanceandpickedupfiftyyards,slidingintoatenyardgapleftbyafamily
saloonofslowreactions.Themanatthewheel,whoworethatinfalliblebadgeofthebad
driver,ahatclampedfirmlyontheexactcentreofhishead,hootedangrily.Bondreached
outofthewindowandraisedanenigmaticallyclenchedfist.Thehootingstopped.
AndnowwhataboutthistheoryofM's?Itmadesense.TheRussianswerenotoriously
incompetentpayersoftheirmen.Theircentreswerealwaysrunningoutoffundstheir
mencomplainingtoMoscowthattheycouldn'taffordasquaremeal.PerhapsSMERSH
couldn'tgetthevalutaoutoftheMinistryofHomeSecurity.OrperhapstheMinistryof
HomeSecuritycouldn'tgetthemoneyoutoftheMinistryofFinance.Butithadalways
beenthesameendlessmoneytroublesthatresultedinmissedchances,brokenpromises
andwasteofdangerousradiotime.Itwouldmakesensetohaveacleverfinancialbrain
somewhereoutsideRussiawhocouldnotonlytransmitfundstothecentresbutalso,in
thiscase,makeprofitslargeenoughtoruntheSMERSHcentresabroadwithoutany
financialassistancefromMoscow.Notonlythat.Ontheside,Goldfingerwasappreciably
damagingthecurrencybaseofanenemycountry.Ifallthiswascorrect,itwastypicalof
SMERSHabrilliantscheme,faultlesslyoperatedbyanoutstandingman.Andthat,
reflectedBondasheroaredupthehillintoChatham,puttinghalfadozencarsbehind
him,wouldpartlyexplainGoldfinger'sgreedformoreandstillmoremoney.Devotionto
thecause,toSMERSH,andperhapsthedangledprizeofanOrderofLenin,wouldbethe
spurtopickupeventenortwentythousanddollarswhentheoddswererightorcouldbe
favourablyadjusted.ThefundsforRedRevolution,forthedisciplinebyfearthatwasthe
particularspecialityofSMERSH,couldneverbebigenough.Goldfingerwasnotmakingthe
moneyforhimself.Hewasmakingitfortheconquestoftheworld!Theminorriskofbeing
foundout,ashehadbeenbyBond,wasnothing.Why?WhatcouldtheBankofEngland
gethimifeverysingleoneofhispastoperationscouldbeexposed?Twoyears?Three?
ThetrafficwasthinningthroughtheoutskirtsofGillingham.Bondstartedmotoringagain,
buteasilynow,nothurrying,followinghisthoughtsasthehandsandfeetwentthrough
theirautomaticresponses.
So,inthirtyseven,SMERSHmusthavesentGoldfingeroutWiththebeltofgoldroundhis
youngwaist.Hehadshownhisspecialaptitudes,hisacquisitivebent,duringhistrainingin
thespyschoolinLeningrad.Hewouldhavebeentoldtherewouldbeawar,thathemust
dighimselfinandstartquietlyaccumulating.Goldfingermustneverdirtyhishands,never
meetanagent,neverreceiveorpassamessage.Someroutinewouldhavebeenarranged.
55

'Secondhand'39Vauxhall.Firstofferof1000secures','ImmaculateRover,2000',
'Bentley,5000'.Alwaysanadvertisementthatwouldnotattractattentionor
correspondence.Thepriceswouldbejusttoohigh,thedescriptioninadequate.Inthe
AgonycolumnofTheTimes,perhaps.And,obediently,Goldfingerwouldleavethetwo
thousandpoundsorthefivethousandpoundsgoldbaratoneofalong,averylongseries
ofpostboxesthathadbeenarrangedinMoscowbeforeheleft.Aparticularbridge,a
hollowtree,underarockinastreamsomewhere,anywhereinEngland.Andhewould
never,onanyaccount,visitthatpostboxagain.ItwasuptoMoscowtoseethattheagent
gottothehiddentreasure.Later,afterthewar,whenGoldfingerwasblossomingout,
whenhehadbecomeabigman,thepostboxeswouldnolongerbebridgesandtrees.
Nowhewouldbegivendatesandsafetydepositboxnumbers,leftluggagelockersat
stations.ButstilltherewouldbetherulethatGoldfingermustneverrevisitthescene,
neverendangerhimself.Perhapshewouldonlygethisinstructionsonceayear,ata
casualmeetinginsomepark,inaletterslippedintohispocketonatrainjourney.But
alwaysitwouldbebarsofgold,anonymous,untraceableifcapturedexceptforthetinyZ
thathisvanityhadscratchedonhishandiworkandthatadulldogattheBankofEngland
calledColonelSmithershadhappeneduponinthecourseofhisduties.
NowBondwasrunningthroughtheendlessorchardsoftheFavershamgrowers.Thesun
hadcomeoutfrombehind,thesmogofLondon.Therewasthedistantgleamofthe
Thamesonhisleft.Therewastrafficontheriverlong,glisteningtankers,stubby
merchantmen,antediluvianDutchSchuyts.
BondlefttheCanterburyroadandswitchedontotheincongruouslyrichhighwaythat
runsthroughthecheapbungaloidworldoftheholidaylandsWhitstable,HerneBay,
Birchington,Margate.Hestillidledalongatfifty,holdingtheracingwheelonalightrein,
listeningtotherelaxedpurroftheexhausts,fittingthebitsofhisthoughtsinfothejigsaw
ashehaddonetwonightsbeforewithGoldfinger'sfaceontheIdenticast.
And,Bondreflected,whileGoldfingerwaspumpingamillion,twomillionpoundsayear
intothebloodymawofSMERSH,hewaspyramidinghisreserves,workingonthem,
makingthemworkforhimwhenevertheoddswereright,pilingupthesurplusfortheday
whenthetrumpetswouldsoundintheKremlinandeverygoldensinewwouldbe
mobilized.AndnooneoutsideMoscowhadbeenwatchingtheprocess,noonesuspected
thatGoldfingerthejeweller,themetallurgist,theresidentofReculverandNassau,the
respectedmemberofBlades,oftheRoyalSt.MarksatSandwichwasoneofthegreatest
conspiratorsofalltime,thathehadfinancedthemurderofhundreds,perhapsthousands
ofvictimsofSMERSHallovertheworld.SMERSH,SmiertSpionam,DeathtoSpiesthe
murderApparatoftheHighPraesidium!AndonlyMsuspectedit,onlyBondknewit.And
herewasBond,launchedagainstthismanbyaseriesofflukes,atrainofcoincidencethat
hadbeenstartedbyaplanebreakingdownontheothersideoftheworld.Bondsmiled
grimlytohimself.Howofteninhisprofessionhaditbeenthesamethetinyacornof
coincidencethatsoaredintothemightyoakwhosebranchesdarkenedthesky.Andnow,
onceagain,hewassettingouttobringthedreadfulgrowthdown.Withwhat?Abagof
golfclubs?
ArepaintedskyblueFordPopularwithlargeyellowearswasscurryingalongthecrownof
theroadahead.MechanicallyBondgavethehornringacoupleofshort,politejabs.There
wasnoreaction.
56

TheFordPopularwasdoingitsforty.Whyshouldanyonewanttogomorethanthat
respectablespeed?TheFordobstinatelyhuncheditsshouldersandkeptonitscourse.
Bondgaveitasharpblast,expectingittoswerve.Hehadtotouchhisbrakeswhenit
didn't.Damntheman!Ofcourse!Theusualtensefigure,handsheldtoohighuponthe
wheel,andtheinevitablehat,thistimeaparticularlyhideousblackbowler,squareona
largebullethead.Ohwell,thoughtBond,theyweren'thisstomachulcers.Hechanged
downandcontemptuouslyslammedtheDBIIIpastontheinside.Sillybastard!
AnotherfivemilesandBondwasthroughthedaintyteleworldofHerneBay.Thehowlof
Mansionsoundedawayonhisright.AflightofthreeSuperSabrescameintoland.They
skimmedbelowhisrighthandhorizonasiftheyweredivingintotheearth.Withhalfhis
mind,Bondheardtheroaroftheirjetscatchupwiththemastheylandedandtaxiedinto
thehangars.Hecameupwithacrossroads.TotheleftthesignpostsaidRECULVER.
UnderneathwastheancientmonumentsignforReculverchurch.Bondslowed,butdidn't
stop.Nohangingabout.Hemotoredslowlyon,keepinghiseyesopen.Theshorelinewas
tooexposedforatrawlertodoanythingbutbeachoranchor.
ProbablyGoldfingerhadusedRamsgate.Quietlittleport.Customsandpolicewhowere
probablyonlyonthelookoutforbrandycomingoverfromFrance.Therewasathick
clumpoftreesbetweentheroadandtheshore,aglimpseofroofsandofamediumsized
factorychimneywithathinplumeoflightsmokeorsteam.Thatwouldbeit.Soonthere
wasthegateofalongdrive.AdiscreetlyauthoritativesignsaidTHANETALLOYS,and
underneath:NOADMITTANCEEXCEPTONBUSINESS.
Allveryrespectable.Bonddroveslowlyon.Therewasnothingmoretobeseen.Hetook
thenextrighthandturnacrosstheManstonplateautoRamsgate.
Itwastwelveo'clock.Bondinspectedhisroom,adoublewithbathroom,onthetopfloor
oftheChannelPacket,unpackedhisfewbelongingsandwentdowntothesnackbar
wherehehadonevodkaandtonicandtworoundsofexcellenthamsandwicheswith
plentyofmustard.ThenhegotbackintohiscaranddroveslowlyovertotheRoyalSt.
MarksatSandwich.
Bondcarriedhisclubstotheprofessional'sshopandthroughtotheworkroom.Alfred
Blackingwaswindinganewgripontoadriver.
'Hullo,Alfred.'
Theprofessionallookedupsharply.Hissunburned,leatheryfacebrokeintoawidesmile.
'Why,ifitisn'tMr.James!'Theyshookhands.'Mustbefifteen,twentyyears.Whatbrings
youdownhere,sir?Someonewastellingmeonlytheotherdaythatyou'reinthe
diplomaticorsomething.Alwaysabroad.Well,Inever!Stillthesameflatswing,sir?'
AlfredBlackingjoinedhishandsandgavealow,flatsweep.
'Afraidso,Alfred.Neverhadtimetogetmyselfoutofit.How'sMrs.BlackingandCecil?'
'Can'tcomplain,sir.CecilwasrunnerupintheKentChampionshiplastyear.Shouldwinit
thisyearifhecanonlygetoutoftheshopandontothecourseabitmore.'
57

Bondproppedhisclubsupagainstthewall.Itwasgoodtobeback.Everythingwasjust
thesame.
Therehadbeenatimeinhisteenswhenhehadplayedtworoundsadayeverydayofthe
weekatSt.Marks.Blackinghadalwayswantedtotakehiminhand.'Abitofpractice,Mr.
James,andyou'dbescratch.Nofooling.Youreallywould.Whatdoyouwanttohang
aroundatsixfor?It'sallthereexceptforthatflatswingandwantingtohittheballoutof
sightwhenthere'snopointinit.Andyou'vegotthetemperament.Acoupleofyears,
perhapsonlyone,andI'dhaveyouintheAmateur.'
ButsomethinghadtoldBondthattherewasn'tgoingtobeagreatdealofgolfinhislife
andifhelikedthegamehe'dbetterforgetaboutlessonsandjustplayasmuchofitashe
could.Yes,itwouldbeabouttwentyyearssincehehadplayedhislastroundonSt.Marks.
He'dneverbeenbackevenwhentherehadbeenthatbloodyaffairoftheMoonrakerat
Kingsdown,tenmilesdownthecoast.
Perhapsithadbeensentimentality.SinceSt.Marks,Bondhadgotinagooddealof
weekendgolfwhenhewasatheadquarters.ButalwaysonthecoursesroundLondon
Huntercombe,Swinley,Sunningdale,theBerkshire.Bond'shandicaphadgoneuptonine.
Buthewasarealninehadtobewiththegameshechosetoplay,thetenpoundNassaus
withthetoughcheerymenwhowerealwayssoanxioustostandyouacoupleofdouble
kmmelsafterlunch.
'Anychanceofagame,Alfred?'
Theprofessionalglancedthroughhisbackwindowattheparkingspaceroundthetallflag
pole.Heshookhishead.'Doesn'tlooktoogood,sir.Don'tgetmanyplayersinthemiddle
oftheweekatthistimeofyear.'
'Whataboutyou?'
'Sorry,sir.I'mbooked.Playingwithamember.It'saregularthing.Everydayattwo
o'clock.AndthetroubleisthatCecil'sgoneovertoPrincestogetinsomepracticeforthe
championship.Whatadashednuisance!'(Alfredneverusedastrongeroath.)'Itwould
happenlikethat.Howlongareyoustaying,sir?'
'Notlong.Nevermind.I'llknockaballroundwithacaddie.Who'sthischapyou'replaying
with?'
'AMr.Goldfinger,sir.'Alfredlookeddiscouraging.
'Oh,Goldfinger.Iknowthechap.MethimtheotherdayinAmerica.'
'Youdid,sir?'AlfredobviouslyfounditdifficulttobelievethatanyoneknewMr.
Goldfinger.HewatchedBond'sfacecarefullyforanyfurtherreaction.
'Anygood?'
58

'Soso,sir.Prettyusefuloffnine.'
'Musttakehisgamedamnedseriouslyifheplayswithyoueveryday.'
'Well,yes,sir.'Theprofessional'sfacehadtheexpressionBondrememberedsowell.It
meantthatBlackinghadanunfavourableviewofaparticularmemberbutthathewastoo
goodaservantoftheclubtopassiton.
Bondsmiled.Hesaid,'Youhaven'tchanged,Alfred.Whatyoumeanisthatnooneelsewill
playwidihim.RememberFarquharson?SlowestplayerinEngland.Irememberyougoing
roundandroundwithhimtwentyyearsago.Comeon.What'sthematterwith
Goldfinger?'
Theprofessionallaughed.Hesaid,'It'syouthathasn'tchanged,Mr.James.Youalways
weredashedinquisitive.'Hecameastepcloserandloweredhisvoice.'Thetruthis,sir,
somemembersthinkMr.Goldfingerisjustalittlebithot.Youknow,sir.Improveshislie
andsoforth.'Theprofessionaltookthedriverhewasholding,tookupastance,gazed
towardsanimaginaryholeandbangedtheheadoftheclubupanddownonthefloorasif
addressinganimaginaryball.'Letmeseenow,isthisabrassielie?Whatd'youthink
caddie?'AlfredBlackingchuckled.'Well,ofcourse,bythetimehe'sfinishedhammering
thegroundbehindtheball,theball'sbeenraisedaninchanditisabrassielie.'
AlfredBlacking'sfaceclosedupagain.Hesaidnoncommittally,'Butthat'sonlygossip,sir.
I'veneverseenanything.Quietspokengentleman.He'sgotaplaceatReculver.Usedto
comeherealot.Butforthelastfewyearshe'sonlybeencomingtoEnglandforafew
weeksatatime.Ringsupandasksifanyone'swantingagameandwhenthereisn't
anyonehebooksCecilorme.Rangupthismorningandaskediftherewasanyoneabout.
There'ssometimesastrangerdropsin.'AlfredBlackinglookedquizzicallyatBond.'I
supposeyouwouldn'tcaretotakehimonthisafternoon?It'lllookoddyoubeinghereand
shortofagame.Andyouknowinghimandall.HemightthinkI'dbeentryingtokeephim
tomyselforsomething.Thatwouldn'tdo.'
'Nonsense,Alfred.Andyou'vegotyourlivingtomake.Whydon'tweplayathreeball?'
'Hewon'tplaythem,sir.Saysthey'retooslow.AndIagreewithhim.Anddon'tyouworry
aboutmyfee.There'salotofworktodointheshopandI'dbegladofanafternoontoget
downtoit.'AlfredBlackingglancedathiswatch.'He'llbealonganyminutenow.I'vegota
caddieforyou.RememberHawker?'AlfredBlackinglaughedindulgently.'Stillthesame
oldHawker.He'llbeanotherthat'llbegladtoseeyoudownhereagain.'
Bondsaid,'Wellthanks,Alfred.I'dbeinterestedtoseehowthischapplays.Butwhynot
leaveitlikethis?SayI'vedroppedintogetadubmadeup.Oldmember.Usedtoplayhere
beforethewar.AndIneedanewnumberfourwoodanyway.Youroldonehasstartedto
giveattheseamsabit.Justbecasual.Don'tsayyou'vetoldmehe'sabout.I'llstayinthe
shopsoit'llgivehimachancetotakehischoicewithoutoffendingme.Perhapshewon't
likemyfaceorsomething.Right?'

59

'Verygood,Mr.James.Leaveittome.That'shiscarcomingnow,sir.'Blackingpointed
throughthewindow.Halfamileaway,abrightyellowcarwasturningofftheroadand
cominguptheprivatedrive.'Funnylookingcontraption.Sortofmotorcarweusedtosee
herewhenIwasaboy.'
BondwatchedtheoldSilverGhostsweepmajesticallyupthedrivetowardstheclub.She
wasabeauty!Thesunglitteredoffthesilverradiatorandofftheengineturned
aluminiumshieldbelowthehighperpendicularglasscliffofthewindscreen.Theluggage
railontheroofoftheheavycoachbuiltlimousinebodysouglytwentyyearsago,so
strangelybeautifultodaywaspolishedbrass,aswerethetwoLucas'KingoftheRoad'
headlampsthatstaredsohaughtilydowntheroadahead,andthewidemouthoftheold
boaconstrictorbulbhorn.Thewholecar,exceptforablackroofandblackcarrosserie
linesandcurvedpanelsbelowthewindows,wasprimroseyellow.ItcrossedBond'smind
thattheSouthAmericanpresidentmighthavehaditcopiedfromthefamousyellowfleet
inwhichLordLonsdalehaddriventotheDerbyandAscot.
Andnow?Inthedriver'sseatsatafigureinacafeaulaitdustcoatandcap,hisbiground
faceobscuredbyblackrimmeddrivinggoggles.Besidehimwasasquatfigureinblack
withabowlerhatplacedfirmlyonthemiddleofhishead.Thetwofiguresstaredstraight
infrontofthemwithacuriousimmobility.Itwasalmostasiftheyweredrivingahearse.
Thecarwascomingcloser.Thesixpairsofeyestheeyesofthetwomenandthegreat
twinorbsofthecarseemedtobelookingstraightthroughthelittlewindowandinto
Bond'seyes.Instinctively,Bondtookafewpacesbackintothedarkrecessesofthe
workroom.Henoticedthemovementandsmiledtohimself.Hepickedupsomebody's
putterandbentdownandthoughtfullyaddressedaknotinthewoodenfloor.

60

PartTwo:Coincidence

61

62

ChapterEight
AllToPlayFor
'Goodafternoon,Blacking.Allset?'Thevoicewascasual,authoritative.'Iseethere'sacar
outside.Notsomebodylookingforagame,Isuppose?'
'I'mnotsure,sir.It'sanoldmembercomebacktohaveaclubmadeup.Wouldyoulike
metoaskhim,sir?'
'Whoisit?What'shisname?'
Bondsmiledgrimly.Heprickedhisears.Hewantedtocatcheveryinflection.
'AMr.Bond,sir.'
Therewasapause.'Bond?'Thevoicehadnotchanged.Itwaspolitelyinterested.'Meta
fellowcalledBondtheotherday.What'shisfirstname?'
'James,sir.'
'Ohyes.'Nowthepausewaslonger.'DoesheknowI'mhere?'Bondcouldsense
Goldfinger'santennaeprobingthesituation.
'He'sintheworkshop,sir.Mayhaveseenyourcardriveup.'Bondthought:Alfred'snever
toldalieinhislife.He'snotgoingtostartnow.
'Mightbeanidea.'NowGoldfinger'svoiceunbent.HewantedsomethingfromAlfred
Blacking,someinformation.'Whatsortofagamedoesthischapplay?What'shis
handicap?'
'Usedtobequiteusefulwhenhewasaboy,sir.Haven'tseenhisgamesincethen.'
'Hm.'
Bondcouldfeelthemanweighingitallup.Bondsmelledthatthebaitwasgoingtobe
taken.Hereachedintohisbagandpulledouthisdriverandstartedrubbingdownthegrip
withablockofshellac.Mightaswelllookbusy.Aboardintheshopcreaked.Bondhoned
awayindustriously,hisbacktotheopendoor.
'Ithinkwe'vemetbefore.'Thevoicefromthedoorwaywaslow,neutral.
Bondlookedquicklyoverhisshoulder.'MyGod,youmademejump.Why'recognition
dawned'it'sGold,Goldman...erGoldfinger.'Hehopedhewasn'toverplayingit.Hesaid
withahintofdislike,ormistrust,'Wherehaveyousprungfrom?'

63

'ItoldyouIplayeddownhere.Remember?'Goldfingerwaslookingathimshrewdly.Now
theeyesopenedwide.TheXraygazepiercedthroughtothebackofBond'sskull.
'No.'
'DidnotMiss.Mastertongiveyoumymessage?'
'No.Whatwasit?'
'IsaidIwouldbeoverhereandthatIwouldlikeagameofgolfwithyou.'
'Oh,well,'Bond'svoicewascoldlypolite,'wemustdothatsomeday.'
'Iwasplayingwiththeprofessional.Iwillplaywithyouinstead.'Goldfingerwasstatinga
fact.TherewasnodoubtthatGoldfingerwashooked.NowBondmustplayhardtoget.
'Whynotsomeothertime?I'vecometoorderaclub.AnywayI'mnotinpractice.There
probablyisn'tacaddie.'Bondwasbeingasrudeashecould.Obviouslythelastthinghe
wantedtodowasplaywithGoldfinger.
'Ialsohaven'tplayedforsometime.'(Bloodyliar,thoughtBond.)'Orderingaclubwillnot
takeamoment.'Goldfingerturnedbackintotheshop.'Blacking,haveyougotacaddiefor
Mr.Bond?'
'Yes,sir.'
'Thenthatisarranged.'
Bondwearilythrusthisdriverbackintohisbag.'Well,allrightthen.'Hethoughtofafinal
wayofputtingGoldfingeroff.Hesaidroughly,'ButIwarnyouIlikeplayingformoney.I
can'tbebotheredtoknockaballroundjustforthefunofit.'Bondfeltpleasedwiththe
characterhewasbuildingupforhimself.
Wasthereaglintoftriumph,quicklyconcealed,inGoldfinger'spaleeyes?Hesaid
indifferently,'Thatsuitsme.Anythingyoulike.Offhandicap,ofcourse.Ithinkyousaid
you'renine.'
'Yes.'
Goldfingersaidcarefully,'Where,mayIask?'
'Huntercombe.'BondwasalsonineatSunningdale.Huntercombewasaneasiercourse.
NineatHuntercombewouldn'tfrightenGoldfinger.
'AndIalsoamnine.Here.Upontheboard.Soit'salevelgame.Right?'
Bondshrugged.'You'llbetoogoodforme.'
64

'Idoubtit.However,'Goldfingerwasoffhand,'tellyouwhatI'lldo.Thatbitofmoneyyou
removedfrommeinMiami.Remember?Thebigfigurewasten.Ilikeagamble.Itwillbe
goodformetohavetotry.Iwillplayyoudoubleorquitsforthat.'
Bondsaidindifferently,'That'stoomuch.'Then,asifhethoughtbetterofit,thoughthe
mightwin,hesaidwithjusttherightamountofcraftmixedwithreluctance'Ofcourse
youcansaythatwas"foundmoney".Iwon'tmissitifitgoesagain.Oh,well,allright.Easy
comeeasygo.Levelmatch.Tenthousanddollarsitis.'
Goldfingerturnedaway.Hesaid,andtherewasasuddensweetnessintheflatvoice,
'That'sallarrangedthen,Mr.Blacking.Manythanks.Putyourfeedownonmyaccount.
Verysorryweshallbemissingourgame.Now,letmepaythecaddiefees.'
AlfredBlackingcameintotheworkroomandpickedupBond'sclubs.Helookedvery
directlyatBond.Hesaid,'RememberwhatItoldyou,sir.'Oneeyeclosedandopened
again.'Imeanaboutthatflatswingofyours.Itneedswatchingallthetime.'
Bondsmiledathim.Alfredhadlongears.Hemightnothavecaughtthefigure,buthe
knewthatsomehowthiswastobeakeygame.'Thanks,Alfred.Iwon'tforget.FourPen
foldswithheartsonthem.Andadozentees.Iwon'tbeaminute.'
Bondwalkedthroughtheshopandouttohiscar.Thebowlerhattedmanwaspolishing
themetalworkoftheRollswithacloth.Bondfeltratherthansawhimstopandwatch
Bondtakeouthiszipbagandgointotheclubhouse.Themanhadasquareflatyellow
face.OneoftheKoreans?
BondpaidhisgreenfeetoHampton,thesteward,andwentintothechangingroom.It
wasjustthesamethesametackysmellofoldshoesandsocksandlastsummer'ssweat.
Whywasitatraditionofthemostfamousgolfclubsthattheirstandardofhygieneshould
bethatofaVictorianprivateschool?Bondchangedhissocksandputonthebatteredold
pairofnailedSaxones.Hetookoffthecoatofhisyellowingblackandwhitehound'stooth
suitandpulledonafadedblackwindcheater.Cigarettes?Lighter?Hewasreadytogo
Bondwalkedslowlyout,preparinghismindforthegame.Onpurposehehadneedledthis
manintoahigh,toughmatchsothatGoldfinger'srespectforhimshouldbeincreasedand
Goldfinger'sviewofBondthathewasthetypeofruthless,hardadventurerwhomightbe
veryusefultoGoldfingerwouldbeconfirmed.Bondhadthoughtthatperhapsahundred
poundNassauwouldbetheform.
Buttenthousanddollars!Therehadprobablyneverbeensuchahighsinglesgamein
historyexceptinthefinalsofAmericanChampionshipsorinthebigamateurCalcutta
Sweepswhereitwasthebackersratherthantheplayerswhohadthemoneyon.
Goldfinger'sprivateaccountingmusthavetakenanastydent.Hewouldn'thavelikedthat.
Hewouldbeachingtogetsomeofhismoneyback.WhenBondhadtalkedaboutplaying
high,Goldfingerhadseenhischance.Sobeit.Butonethingwascertain,forahundred
reasonsBondcouldnotaffordtolose.
HeturnedintotheshopandpickeduptheballsandteesfromAlfredBlacking.
65

'Hawker'sgottheclubs,sir.'
Bondstrolledoutacrossthefivehundredyardsofshavenseasideturfthatledtothefirst
tee.
Goldfingerwaspractisingontheputtinggreen.Hiscaddiestoodnearby,rollingbalkto
him.Goldfingerputtedinthenewfashionbetweenhislegswithamalletputter.Bondfelt
encouraged.Hedidn'tbelieveinthesystem.Heknewitwasnogoodpractisinghimself.
HisoldhickoryCalamityJanehaditsgooddaysanditsbad.Therewasnothingtodoabout
it.HeknewalsothattheSt.Markspracticegreenborenoresemblance,inspeedor
texture,tothegreensonthecourse.Bondcaughtupwiththelimping,insouciantfigureof
hiscaddiewhowassaunteringalongchippingatanimaginaryballwithBond'sblaster.
'Afternoon,Hawker.'
'Afternoon,sir.'HawkerhandedBondtheblasterandthrewdownthreeusedballs.His
keensardonicpoacher'sfacesplitinawrygrinofwelcome.'HowVeyoubeenkeepin',sir?
Playedanygolfinthelasttwentyyears?Canyoustillputthemontheroofofthestarter's
hut?'ThisreferredtothedaywhenBond,tryingtodojustthatbeforeamatch,hadput
twoballsthroughthestarter'swindow.
'Let'ssee.'Bondtooktheblasterandhefteditinhishand,gaugingthedistance.Thetapof
theballsonthepracticegreenhadceased.Bondaddressedtheball,swungquickly,lifted
hisheadandshankedtheballalmostatrightangles.Hetriedagain.Thistimeitwasa
dunch.Afootofturfflewup.Theballwenttenyards.BondturnedtoHawker,whowas
lookinghismostsardonic.'It'sallright,Hawker.Thosewereforshow.Nowthen,onefor
you.'Hesteppeduptothethirdball,tookhisclubbackslowlyandwhippedtheclubhead
through.Theballsoaredahundredfeet,pausedelegantly,droppedeightyfeetontothe
thatchedroofofthestarter'shutandbounceddown.
Bondhandedbacktheclub.Hawker'seyeswerethoughtful,amused.Hesaidnothing.He
pulledoutthedriverandhandedittoBond.Theywalkedtogethertothefirsttee,talking
aboutHawker'sfamily.
Goldfingerjoinedthem,relaxed,impassive.BondgreetedGoldfinger'scaddie,an
obsequious,talkativemancalledFoulkswhomBondhadneverliked.Bondglancedat
Goldfinger'sclubs.TheywereabrandnewsetofAmericanBenHoganswithsmartSt.
Marksleathercoversforthewoods.Thebagwasoneofthestitchedblackleatherholdalls
favouredbyAmericanpros.Theclubswereinindividualcardboardtubesforeasy
extraction.Itwasapretentiousoutfit,butthebest.
'Tossforhonour?'Goldfingerflickedacoin.
'Tails.'
Itwasheads.Goldfingertookouthisdriverandunpeeledanewball.Hesaid,'Dunlop65.
NumberOne.Alwaysusethesameball.What'syours?'
'Tenfold.Hearts.'
66

GoldfingerlookedkeenlyatBond.'StrictRulesofGolf?'
'Naturally.'
'Right.'Goldfingerwalkedontotheteeandteedup.Hetookoneortwocareful,
concentratedpracticeswings.ItwasatypeofswingBondknewwellthegrooved,
mechanical,repeatingswingofsomeonewhohadstudiedthegamewithgreatcare,read
allthebooksandspentfivethousandpoundsonthefinestproteachers.Itwouldbea
good,scoringswingwhichmightnotcollapseunderpressure.Bondenviedit.
Goldfingertookuphisstance,waggedgracefully,tookhisclubheadbackinawideslow
arcand,withhiseyesgluedtotheball,brokehiswristscorrectly.Hebroughttheclub
headmechanically,effortlessly,downandthroughtheballandintoaratherartificial,
copybookfinish.Theballwentstraightandtrueabouttwohundredyardsdownthe
fairway.
Itwasanexcellent,uninspiringshot.BondknewthatGoldfingerwouldbecapableof
repeatingthesameswingwithdifferentclubsagainandagainroundtheeighteenholes.
Bondtookhisplace,gavehimselfalowishtee,addressedtheballwithcarefulenmityand,
withaflat,racketplayer'sswinginwhichtherewasjusttoomuchwristforsafety,lashed
theballaway.Itwasafine,attackingdrivethatlandedpastGoldfinger'sballandrolledon
fiftyyards.Butithadhadashadeofdrawandendedontheedgeofthelefthandrough.
Theyweretwogooddrives.AsBondhandedhisclubtoHawkerandstrolledoffinthe
wakeofthemoreimpatientGoldfinger,hesmelledthesweetsmellofthebeginningofa
knockdownanddragoutgameofgolfonabeautifuldayinMaywiththelarkssinging
overthegreatestseasidecourseintheworld.
ThefirstholeoftheRoyalSt.Marksisfourhundredandfiftyyardslongfourhundredand
fiftyyardsofundulatingfairwaywithonecentralbunkertotrapamishitsecondshotand
achainofbunkersguardingthreequartersofthegreentotrapawellhitone.Youcanslip
throughtheunguardedquarter,butthefairwayslopestotherightthereandyouare
morelikelytoendupwithanastyfirstchipofthedayoutoftherough.Goldfingerwas
wellplacedtotryforthisopening.
Bondwatchedhimtakewhatwasprobablyaspoon,makehistwopracticeswingsand
addresstheball.
Manyunlikelypeopleplaygolf,includingpeoplewhoareblind,whohaveonlyonearm,or
evennolegs,andpeopleoftenwearbizarreclothestothegame.Othergolfersdon'tthink
themodd,fortherearenorulesofappearanceordressatgolf.Thatisoneofitsminor
pleasures.ButGoldfingerhadmadeanattempttolooksmartatgolfandthatistheonly
wayofdressingthatisincongruousonalinks.Everythingmatchedinablazeofrust
colouredtweedfromthebuttoned'golfer'scap'centredonthehuge,flamingredhair,to
thebrilliantlypolished,almostorangeshoes.Theplusfoursuitwastoowellcutandthe
plusfoursthemselveshadbeenpresseddownthesides.Thestockingswereofamatching
heathermixtureandhadgreengartertabs.ItwasasifGoldfingerhadgonetohistailor
67

andsaid,'Dressmeforgolfyouknow,liketheywearinScotland.'Socialerrorsmadeno
impressiononBond,andforthematterofthatherarelynoticedthem.WithGoldfingerit
wasdifferent.EverythingaboutthemanhadgratedonBond'steethfromthefirst
momenthehadseenhim.Theassertiveblatancyofhisclotheswasjustpartofthe
malevolentanimalmagnetismthathadaffectedBondfromthebeginning.
Goldfingerexecutedhismechanical,faultlessswing.Theballflewtruebutjustfailedto
maketheslopeandcurledofftotherighttofinishpinhighoffthegreenintheshort
rough.Easyfive.Agoodchipcouldturnitintoafour,butitwouldhavetobeagoodone.
Bondwalkedovertohisball.Itwaslyingcockedup,justoffthefairway.Bondtookhis
numberfourwood.Nowforthe'allairroute'asoaringshotthatwouldcarrythecross
bunkersandgivehimtwoputtsforafour.Bondrememberedthedictumofthepros:'It's
nevertooearlytostartwinning.'Hetookiteasy,determinednottopressforthelongbut
comfortablecarry.
AssoonasBondhadhittheshotheknewitwouldn'tdo.Thedifferencebetweenagood
golfshotandabadoneisthesameasthedifferencebetweenabeautifulandaplain
womanamatterofmillimetres.Inthiscase,theclubfacehadgonethroughjustthatone
millimetretoolowundertheball.Thearcofflightwashighandsoftnolegs.Whythehell
hadn'thetakenaspoonoratwoironoffthatlie?Theballhitthelipofthefarbunkerand
fellback.Nowitwastheblaster,andfightingforahalf.Bondneverworriedtoolong
abouthisbadorstupidshots.Heputthembehindhimandthoughtofthenext.Hecame
upwiththebunker,tookhisblasterandmeasuredthedistancetothepin.Twentyyards.
Theballwaslyingwellback.Shouldhesplashitoutwithawidestanceandanoutsidein
swing,orshouldheblastitandtakeplentyofsand?Forsafety'ssakehewouldblastitout.
Bondwentdownintothebunker.Headdownandfollowwellthrough.Theeasiestshotin
golf.Tryandputitdead.Thewish,halfwaydownhisbadeswing,hurriedthehandsin
frontoftheclubhead.Theloftwaskilledandtherewastheballrollingbackofftheface.
Getitout,youbloodyfool,andholealongputt!NowBondtooktoomuchsand.Hewas
out,butbarelyonthegreen.
Goldfingerbenttohischipandkepthisheaddownuntiltheballwashalfwaytothehole.
Theballstoppedthreeinchesfromthepin.Withoutwaitingtobegiventheputt,
GoldfingerturnedhisbackonBondandwalkedofftowardsthesecondtee.Bondpicked
uphisballandtookhisdriverfromHawker.
'Whatdoeshesayhishandicapis,sir?'
'Nine.It'salevelmatch.Havetodobetterthanthatthough.Oughttohavetakenmy
spoonforthesecond.'
Hawkersaidencouragingly,'It'searlydaysyet,sir.'
Bondknewitwasn't.Itwasalwaystooearlytostartlosing.

68

ChapterNine
TheCupAndTheLip
Goldfingerhadalreadyteedup.Bondwalkedslowlybehindhim,followedbyHawker.
Bondstoodandleantonhisdriver.Hesaid,'Ithoughtyousaidwewouldbeplayingthe
strictrulesofgolf.ButI'llgiveyouthatputt.Thatmakesyouoneup.'
Goldfingernoddedcurtly.Hewentthroughhispracticeroutineandhithisusualexcellent,
safedrive.
Thesecondholeisathreehundredandseventyyarddoglegtotheleftwithdeepcross
bunkersdaringyoutotakethetiger'sline.Buttherewasalighthelpingbreeze.For
Goldfingeritwouldnowbeafiveironforhissecond.Bonddecidedtotryandmakeit
easierforhimselfandonlyhaveawedgefor.thegreen.Helaidhisearsbackandhitthe
ballhardandstraightforthebunkers.Thebreezegotundertheslightdrawandwinged
theballonandover.Theballpitchedanddisappeareddownintothegullyjustshortof
thegreen.Afour.Chanceofathree.
Goldfingerstrodeoffwithoutcomment.Bondlengthenedhisstrideandcaughtup.'How's
theagoraphobia?Doesn'tallthiswideopenspacebotherit?'
'No.'
Goldfingerdeviatedtotheright.Heglancedatthedistant,halfhiddenflag,planninghis
secondshot.Hetookhisfiveironandhitagood,carefulshotwhichtookabadkickshort
ofthegreenandrandownintothethickgrasstotheleft.Bondknewthatterritory.
Goldfingerwouldbeluckytogetdownintwo.
Bondwalkeduptohisball,tookthewedgeandflickedtheballontothegreenwithplenty
ofstop.
Theballpulledupandlayayardpastthehole.Goldfingerexecutedacreditablepitchbut
missedthetwelvefootputt.Bondhadtwofortheholefromayard.Hedidn'twaittobe
giventheholebutwalkedupandputted.Theballstoppedaninchshort.Goldfinger
walkedoffthegreen.Bondknockedtheballin.Allsquare.
Thethirdisablindtwohundredandfortyyards,allcarry,adifficultthree.Bondchosehis
brassieandhitagoodone.Itwouldbeonornearthegreen.Goldfinger'sroutinedrive
waswellhitbutwouldprobablynothaveenoughsteamtocarrythelastoftheroughand
trickledownintothesaucerofthegreen.Sureenough,Goldfinger'sballwasontopofthe
protectingmoundofrough.Hehadanasty,cuppylie,withatuftjustbehindtheball.
Goldfingerstoodandlookedatthelie.Heseemedtomakeuphismind.Hesteppedpast
hisballtotakeaclubfromthecaddie.Hisleftfootcamedownjustbehindtheball,
flatteningthetuft.Goldfingercouldnowtakehisputter.Hedidsoandtrickledtheball
downthebanktowardsthehole.Itstoppedthreefeetshort.

69

Bondfrowned.Theonlyremedyagainstacheatatgolfisnottoplaywithhimagain.But
thatwasnogoodinthismatch.Bondhadnointentionofplayingwiththemanagain.And
itwasnogoodstartingayoudidIdidn'targumentunlesshecaughtGoldfingerdoing
somethingevenmoreoutrageous.Bondwouldjusthavetotryandbeathim,cheatingand
all.
NowBond'stwentyfootputtwasnojoke.Therewasnoquestionofgoingforthehole.He
wouldhavetoconcentrateonlayingitdead.Asusual,whenoneplaystogodead,theball
stoppedshortagoodyardshort.Bondtookalotoftroubleabouttheputtandholedit,
sweating.HeknockedGoldfinger'sballaway.HewouldgoongivingGoldfingermissable
puttsuntilsuddenlyBondwouldaskhimtoholeone.Thenthatonemightlookjustabit
moredifficult.
Stillallsquare.Thefourthisfourhundredandsixtyyards.Youdriveoveroneofthetallest
anddeepestbunkersintheUnitedKingdomandthenhavealongsecondshotacrossan
undulatinghillyfairwaytoaplateaugreenguardedbyafinalslopewhichmakesiteasier
totakethreeputtsthantwo.
BondpickeduphisusualfiftyyardsonthedriveandGoldfingerhittwoofhisrespectable
shotstothegullybelowthegreen.Bond,determinedtogetup,tookabrassieinsteadofa
spoonandwentoverthegreenandalmostupagainsttheboundaryfence.Fromtherehe
wasgladtogetdowninthreeforahalf.
Thefifthwasagainalongcarry,followedbyBond'sfavouritesecondshotonthecourse
overbunkersandthroughavalleybetweenhighsanddunestoadistant,tauntingflag.It
isatestingholeforwhichthefirstessentialisawellplaceddrive.Bondstoodonthetee,
perchedhighupinthesandhills,andpausedbeforetheshotwhilehegazedatthe
glitteringdistantseaandatthefarawaycrescentofwhitecliffsbeyondPegwellBay.Then
hetookuphisstanceandvisualizedthetenniscourtofturfthatwashistarget.Hetook
theclubbackasslowlyasheknewhowandstarteddownforthelastterrificacceleration
beforetheclubheadmettheball.Therewasadullclangonhisright.Itwastoolateto
stop.DesperatelyBondfocusedtheballandtriedtokeephisswingallinonepiece.There
cametheuglyclonkofamishitball.Bond'sheadshotup.Itwasaloftedhook.Wouldit
havethelegs?Geton!Geton!Theballhitthetopofamountainofroughandbounced
over.Woulditreachthebeginningofthefairway?BondturnedtowardsGoldfingerand
thecaddies,hiseyesfierce.Goldfingerwasstraighteningup.HemetBond'seyes
indifferently.'Sorry.Droppedmydriver.'
'Don'tdoitagain,'saidBondcurtly.Hestooddownofftheteeandhandedhisdriverto
Hawker.Hawkershookhisheadsympathetically.Bondtookoutacigaretteandlitit.
Goldfingerhithisdrivethedeadstraightregulationtwohundredyards.
TheywalkeddownthehillinasilencewhichGoldfingerunexpectedlybroke.'Whatisthe
firmyouworkfor?'
'UniversalExport.'
'Andwheredotheyhangout?'
70

'London.Regent'sPark.'
'Whatdotheyexport?'
Bondwokeupfromhisangryruminations.Here,payattention!Thisiswork,notagame.
Allright,heputyouoffyourdrive,butyou'vegotyourcovertothinkabout.Don'tlethim
needleyouintomakingmistakesaboutit.Buildupyourstory.Bondsaidcasually,'Oh
everythingfromsewingmachinestotanks.'
'What'syourspeciality?'
BondcouldfeelGoldfinger'seyesonhim.Hesaid,'Ilookafterthesmallarmsside.Spend
mostofmytimesellingmiscellaneousironmongerytosheiksandrajahsanyonethe
ForeignOfficedecidesdoesn'twantthestufftoshootatuswith.'
'Interestingwork.'Goldfinger'svoicewasflat,bored.
'Notvery.I'mthinkingofquitting.Camedownhereforaweek'sholidaytothinkitout.
NotmuchfutureinEngland.RatherliketheideaofCanada.'
'Indeed?'
TheywerepasttheroughandBondwasrelievedtofindthathisballhadgotaforward
kickoffthehillontothefairway.ThefairwaycurvedslightlytotheleftandBondhadeven
managedtopickupafewfeetonGoldfinger.ItwasGoldfingertoplay.Goldfingertook
outhisspoon.Hewasn'tgoingforthegreenbutonlytogetoverthebunkersandthrough
thevalley.
Bondwaitedfortheusualsafeshot.Helookedathisownlie.Yes,hecouldtakehis
brassie.Therecamethewoodenthudofamishit.Goldfinger'sball,hitofftheheel,sped
alongthegroundandintothestonywastesofHellBunkerthewidestbunkerandtheonly
unkemptone,becauseofthepebbles,onthecourse.
ForonceHomerhadnoddedorrather,liftedhishead.Perhapshismindhadbeenhalfon
whatBondhadtoldhim.Goodshow!ButGoldfingermightstillgetdowninthreemore.
Bondtookouthisbrassie.Hecouldn'taffordtoplaysafe.Headdressedtheball,seeingin
hismind'seyeitseightyeightmillimetretrajectorythroughthevalleyandthenthetwoor
threebouncesthatwouldtakeitontothegreen.Helaidoffabittotherighttoallowfor
hisdraw.Now!
Therecameasoftclinkingawaytohisright.Bondstoodawayfromhisball.Goldfingerhad
hisbacktoBond.Hewasgazingouttosea,raptinitscontemplation,whilehisrighthand
played'unconsciously*withthemoneyinhispocket.
Bondsmiledgrimly.Hesaid,'Couldyoustopshiftingbulliontillaftermyshot?'
Goldfingerdidn'tturnroundoranswer.Thenoisestopped.
71

Bondturnedbacktohisshot,desperatelytryingtoclearhismindagain.Nowthebrassie
wastoomuchofarisk.Itneededtoogoodashot.HehandedittoHawkerandtookhis
spoonandbangedtheballsafelythroughthevalley.Itranonwellandstoppedonthe
apron.Afive,perhapsafour.
Goldfingergotwelloutofthebunkerandputhischipdead.Bondputtedtoohardand
missedtheoneback.Stillallsquare.
Thesixth,appropriatelycalled'TheVirgin',isafamousshortholeintheworldofgolf.A
narrowgreen,almostringedwithbunkers,itcanneedanythingfromaneighttoatwo
ironaccordingtothewind.Today,forBond,itwasaseven.Heplayedasoaringshot,laid
offtotherightforthewindtobringitin.Itendedtwentyfeetbeyondthepinwitha
difficultputtoveranddownashoulder.
Shouldbeathree.Goldfingertookhisfiveandplayeditstraight.Thebreezetookitandit
rolledintothedeepbunkerontheleft.Goodnews!Thatwouldbethehellofadifficult
three.
Theywalkedinsilencetothegreen.Bondglancedintothebunker.Goldfinger'sballwasin
adeepheelmark.Bondwalkedovertohisballandlistenedtothelarks.Thiswasgoingto
puthimoneup.
HelookedforHawkertotakehisputter,butHawkerwastheothersideofthegreen,
watchingwithintentconcentrationGoldfingerplayhisshot.Goldfingergotdownintothe
bunkerwithhisblaster.
Hejumpeduptogetaviewoftheholeandthensettledhimselffortheshot.Ashisclub
wentupBond'sheartlifted.Hewasgoingtotryandflickitoutahopelesstechniquefrom
thatburiedlie.
Theonlyhopewouldhavebeentoexplodeit.Downcametheclub,smoothly,without
hurry.Withhardlyahandfulofsandtheballcurvedupoutofthedeepbunker,bounced
onceandlaydead!
Bondswallowed.Blasthiseyes!HowthehellhadGoldfingermanagedthat?Now,outof
sourgrapes,Bondmusttryforhistwo.Hewentforit,missedtheholebyaninchand
rolledagoodyardpast.Hellanddamnation!Bondwalkedslowlyuptotheputt,knocking
Goldfinger'sballaway.Comeon,youbloodyfool!Butthespectreofthebigswingfrom
analmostcertainoneuptoapossibleonedownmadeBondwishtheballintothehole
insteadoftappingitin.Thecoaxedball,lackingdecision,slidpastthelip.Onedown!
NowBondwasangrywithhimself.He,andhealone,hadlostthathole.Hehadtaken
threeputtsfromtwentyfeet.Hereallymustpullhimselftogetherandgetgoing.
Attheseventh,fivehundredyards,theybothhitgooddrivesandGoldfinger'simmaculate
secondlayfiftyyardsshortofthegreen.Bondtookhisbrassie.Nowfortheequalizer!But
hehitfromthetop,hisclubheadcamedowntoofaraheadofthehandsandthe
smotheredballshotintooneoftherighthandbunkers.Notagoodlie,buthemustputit
72

onthegreen.Bondtookadangeroussevenandfailedtogetitout.Goldfingergothisfive.
Twodown.Theyhalvedtheshorteighthinthree.AttheninthBond,determinedtoturn
onlyonedown,againtriedtodotoomuchoffapoorlie.GoldfingergothisfourtoBond's
five.Threedownattheturn!Nottoogood.BondaskedHawkerforanewball.Hawker
unwrappeditslowly,waitingforGoldfingertowalkoverthehillocktothenexttee.
Hawkersaidsoftly,'YousawwhathedidatTheVirgin,sir?'
'Yes,damnhim.Itwasanamazingshot.'
Hawkerwassurprised.'Oh,youdidn'tseewhathedidinthebunker,sir?'
'No,what?Iwastoofaraway.'
Theothertwowereoutofsightovertherise.Hawkersilentlywalkeddownintooneofthe
bunkersguardingtheninthgreen,kickedaholewithhistoeanddroppedtheballinthe
hole.Hethenstoodjustbehindthehalfburiedballwithhisfeetclosetogether.Helooked
upatBond.'Rememberhejumpeduptolookatthelinetothehole,sir?'
'Yes.'
'Justwatchthis,sir.'Hawkerlookedtowardstheninthpinandjumped,justasGoldfinger
haddone,asiftogettheline.ThenhelookedupatBondagainandpointedtotheballat
hisfeet.Theheavyimpactofthetwofeetjustbehindtheballhadlevelledtheholein
whichithadlainandhadsqueezedtheballoutsothatitwasnowperfectlyteedforan
easyshotforjusttheeasycutupshotwhichhadseemedutterlyimpossiblefrom
Goldfinger'slieatTheVirgin.
Bondlookedathiscaddieforamomentinsilence.Thenhesaid,'Thanks,Hawker.Giveme
thebatandtheball.Somebody'sgoingtobesecondinthismatch,andI'mdamnedifit's
goingtobeme.'
'Yes,sir,'saidHawkerstolidly.Helimpedoffontheshortcutthatwouldtakehimhalfway
downthetenthfairway.
Bondsaunteredslowlyovertheriseanddowntothetenthtee.Hehardlylookedat
Goldfingerwhowasstandingontheteeswishinghisdriverimpatiently.Bondwasclearing
hismindofeverythingbutcold,offensiveresolve.Forthefirsttimesincethefirsttee,he
feltsupremelyconfident.Allheneededwasasignfromheavenandhisgamewouldcatch
fire.
ThetenthattheRoyalSt.Marksisthemostdangerousholeonthecourse.Thesecond
shot,totheskiddyplateaugreenwithcavernousbunkerstorightandleftandasteephill
beyond,hasbrokenmanyhearts.BondrememberedthatPhilipScrutton,outinfour
underfoursintheGoldBowl,hadtakenafourteenatthishole,sevenofthempingpong
shotsfromonebunkertoanother,toandfroacrossthegreen.BondknewthatGoldfinger
wouldplayhissecondtotheapron,orshortofit,andbegladtogetafive.Bondmustgo
foritandgethisfour.
73

Twogooddrivesand,sureenough,Goldfingerwellupontheapronwithhissecond.A
possiblefour.
Bondtookhisseven,laidoffplentyforthebreezeandfiredtheballoffintothesky.At
firsthethoughthehadlaidofftoomuch,butthentheballbegantofloattotheleft.It
pitchedandstoppeddeadinthesoftsandblownontothegreenfromtherighthand
bunker.Anastyfifteenfootputt.Bondwouldnowbegladtogetahalf.Sureenough,
Goldfingerputteduptowithinayard.
That,thoughtBondashesquareduptohisputt,hewillhavetohole.Hehithisownputt
fairlysmartlytogetitthroughthepowderingofsandandwashorrifiedtoseeitgoinglike
lightningacrosstheskiddygreen.God,hewasgoingtohavenotayard,butatwoyard
puttback!Butsuddenly,asifdrawnbyamagnet,theballswervedstraightforthehole,
hitthebackofthetin,bouncedupandfellintothecupwithanaudiblerattle.Thesign
fromheaven!BondwentuptoHawker,winkedathimandtookhisdriver.
Theyleftthecaddiesandwalkeddowntheslopeandbacktothenexttee.Goldfingersaid
coldly,'Thatputtoughttohaverunoffthegreen.'
Bondsaidoffhandedly,'Alwaysgivetheholeachance!'Heteeduphisballandhithis
bestdriveofthedaydownthebreeze.Wedgeandoneputt?Goldfingerhithisregulation
shotandtheywalkedoffagain.Bondsaid,'Bytheway,whathappenedtothatniceMiss.
Masterton?'
Goldfingerlookedstraightinfrontofhim.'Sheleftmyemploy.'
Bondthought,goodforher!Hesaid,'Oh,Imustgetintouchwithheragain.Wheredid
shegoto?'
'Icouldn'tsay.'GoldfingerwalkedawayfromBondtowardshisball.Bond'sdrivewasout
ofsight,overtheridgethatbisectedthefairway.Itwouldn'tbemorethanfiftyyardsfrom
thepin.BondthoughtheknewwhatwouldbeinGoldfinger'smind,whatisinmost
golfers'mindswhentheysmellthefirstscentofagoodleadmeltingaway.Bondwouldn't
besurprisedtoseethatgroovedswingquickenatrifle.Itdid.Goldfingerhookedintoa
bunkerontheleftofthegreen.
NowwasthemomentwhenitwouldbetheendofthegameifBondmadeamistake,let
hismanoffthehook.Hehadaslightlydownhilllie,otherwiseaneasychipbuttothe
trickiestgreenonthecourse.Bondplayeditlikeaman.Theballendedsixfeetfromthe
pin.Goldfingerplayedwelloutofhisbunker,butmissedthelongishputt.NowBondwas
onlyonedown.
Theyhalvedthedoglegtwelfthiningloriousfivesandthelongishthirteenthalsoinfives,
Goldfingerhavingtoholeagoodputttodoso.
NowatinycleftofconcentrationhadappearedonGoldfinger'smassive,unlinedforehead.
Hetookadrinkofwaterfromthetapbesidethefourteenthtee.Bondwaitedforhim.He
didn'twantasharpclangfromthattincupwhenitwasoutofboundsoverthefenceto
74

therightandthedriveintothebreezefavouringaslice!Bondbroughthislefthandoverto
increasehisdrawandsloweddownhisswing.Thedrive,welltotheleft,wasonlyjust
adequate,butatleastithadstayedinbounds,Goldfinger,apparentlyunmovedbythe
outofboundshazard,hithisstandardshot.Theybothnegotiatedthetransversecanal
withoutdamageanditwasanotherhalfinfive.Stillonedownandnowonlyfourtoplay.
Thefourhundredandsixtyyardsfifteenthisperhapstheonlyholewherethelonghitter
mayhopetogainoneclearshot.Twosmashingwoodswilljustgetyouoverthelineof
bunkersthatlierightupagainstthegreen.Goldfingerhadtoplayshortofthemwithhis
second.HecouldhardlyimproveonafiveanditwasuptoBondtohitareallygodlike
secondshotfromabarelyadequatedrive.
Thesunwasonitswaydownandtheshadowsofthefourmenwerebeginningto
lengthen.Bondhadtakenuphisstance.Itwasagoodlie.Hehadkepthisdriver.There
wasdeadsilenceashegavehistwoincisivewaggles.Thiswasgoingtobeavitalstroke.
Remembertopauseatthetopoftheswing,comedownslowandwhiptheclubhead
throughatthelastsecond.Bondbegantotaketheclubback.Somethingmovedatthe
cornerofhisrighteye.FromnowheretheshadowofGoldfinger'shugeheadapproached
theballontheground,engulfeditandmovedon.Bondlethisswingtakeitselftopiecesin
sections.Thenhestoodawayfromhisballandlookedup.Goldfinger'sfeetwerestill
moving.Hewaslookingcarefullyupatthesky.
'Shadesplease,Goldfinger.'Bond'svoicewasfuriouslycontrolled.
GoldfingerstoppedandlookedslowlyatBond.Theeyebrowswereraisedafractionin
inquiry.Hemovedbackandstoodstill,sayingnothing.
Bondwentbacktohisball.Nowthen,relax!TohellwithGoldfinger.Slamthatballonto
thegreen.
Juststandstillandhitit.Therewasamomentwhentheworldstoodstill,then...then
somehowBonddidhititonalowtrajectorythatmountedgracefullytocarrythedistant
surfofthebunkers.
Theballhitthebankbelowthegreen,bouncedhighwiththeimpactandrolledoutof
sightintothesaucerroundthepin.
HawkercameupandtookthedriveroutofBond'shand.Theywalkedontogether.
Hawkersaidseriously,'That'soneofthefinestshotsI'veseeninthirtyyears.'Helowered
hisvoice.'Ithoughthe'dfixedyouthen,sir.'
'Hedamnednearlydid,Hawker.ItwasAlfredBlackingthathitthatball,notme.'Bond
tookouthiscigarettes,gaveonetoHawkerandlithisown.Hesaidquietly,'Allsquareand
threetoplay.We'vegottowatchthosenextthreeholes.KnowwhatImean?'
'Don'tyouworry,sir.I'llkeepmyeyeonhim.'

75

Theycameupwiththegreen.Goldfingerhadpitchedonandhadalongputtforafour,
butBond'sballwasonlytwoinchesawayfromthehole.Goldfingerpickeduphisballand
walkedoffthegreen.Theyhalvedtheshortsixteenthingoodthrees.Nowtherewerethe
twolongholeshome.Fourswouldwinthem.Bondhitafinedrivedownthecentre.
Goldfingerpushedhisfarouttotherightintodeeprough.Bondwalkedalongtryingnotto
betoojubilant,tryingnottocounthischickens.Awinforhimatthisholeandhewould
onlyneedahalfattheeighteenthforthematch.
HeprayedthatGoldfinger'sballwouldbeunplayableor,betterstill,lostHawkerhadgone
onahead.HehadalreadylaiddownhisbagandwasbusilyfartodbusilytoBond'swayof
thinkingsearchingforGoldfinger'sballwhentheycameup.Itwasbadstuffjungle
country,deepthickluxuriantgrasswhoserootsstillheldlastnight'sdew.Unlessthey
wereverylucky,theycouldn'thopetofindtheball.Afterafewminutes'searchGoldfinger
andhiscaddiedriftedawaystillwidertowheretheroughthinnedoutintoisolatedtufts.
That'sgood,thoughtBond.Thatwasn'tanythingliketheline.Suddenlyhetrodon
something.Hellanddamnation.Shouldhestampitin?Heshruggedhisshoulders,bent
downandgentlyuncoveredtheballsoasnottoimprovethelie.YesitwasaDunlop65.
'Hereyouare,'hecalledgrudgingly.
'Ohno,sorry.YouplaywithaNumberOne,don'tyou?'
'Yes,'camebackGoldfinger'svoiceimpatiently.
'Well,thisisaNumberSeven.'BondpickedhupandwalkedovertoGoldfinger.
Goldfingergavetheballacursoryglance.Hesaid,'Notmine,'andwentonpokingamong
thetuftswiththeheadofhisdriver.
Itwasagoodball,unmarkedandalmostnew.Bondputitinhispocketandwentbackto
hissearch.Heglancedathiswatch.Thestatutoryfiveminuteswasalmostup.Another
halfminuteandbyGodhewasgoingtoclaimthehole.Strictrulesofgolf,Goldfingerhad
stipulated.Allrightmyfriend,youshallhavethem!Goldfingerwascastingbacktowards
Bond,diligentlyproddingandshufflingthroughthegrass.
Bondsaid,'Nearlytime,I'mafraid.'
Goldfingergrunted.Hestartedtosaysomethingwhentherecameacryfromhiscaddie,
'Hereyouare,sir.NumberOneDunlop.'BondfollowedGoldfingerovertowherethe
caddiestoodonasmallplateauofhigherground.Hewaspointingdown.Bondbentand
inspectedtheball.Yes,analmostnewDunlopOneandinanastonishinglygoodlie.Itwas
miraculousmorethanmiraculous.BondstaredhardfromGoldfingertohiscaddie.'Must
havehadthehellofaluckykick,'hesaidmildly.
Thecaddieshruggedhisshoulders.Goldfinger'seyeswerecalm,untroubled.'Soitwould
seem.'Heturnedtohiscaddie.'Ithinkwecangetaspoontothatone,Foulks.'

76

Bondwalkedthoughtfullyawayandthenturnedtowatchtheshot.Itwasoneof
Goldfinger'sbest.Itsoaredoverafarshoulderofroughtowardsthegreen.Mightjust
havecaughtthebunkerontheright.
BondwalkedontowhereHawker,alongbladeofgrassdanglingfromhiswrylips,was
standingonthefairwaywatchingtheshotfinish.Bondsmiledbitterlyathim.Hesaidina
controlledvoice,'Ismygoodfriendinthebunker,oristhebastardonthegreen?'
'Green,sir,'saidHawkerunemotionally.
Bondwentuptohisball.Nowthingshadgottoughagain.Oncemorehewasfightingfora
halfafterhavingacertainwininhispocket.Heglancedtowardsthepin,gaugingthe
distance.Thiswasatrickyone.Hesaid.'Fiveorsix?'
'Thesixshoulddoit,sir.Nicefirmshot.'Hawkerhandedhimtheclub.
Nowthen,clearyourmind.Keepitslowanddeliberate.It'saneasyshot.Justpunchitso
thatit'sgotplentyofziptogetupthebankandontothegreen.Standstillandhead
down.Click!Theball,hitwithaslightlyclosedface,wentoffonjustthemediumtrajectory
Bondhadwanted.Itpitchedbelowthebank.Itwasperfect!No,damnit.Ithadhitthe
bankwithitssecondbounce,stoppeddead,hesitatedandthenrolledbackanddown
again.Hell'sbells!WasitHagenwhohadsaid,'Youdriveforshow,butyouputtfor
dough'?Gettingdeadfrombelowthatbankwasoneofthemostdifficultputtsonthe
course.Bondreachedforhiscigarettesandlitone,alreadypreparinghismindforthenext
crucialshottosavetheholesolongasthatbastardGoldfingerdidn'tholehisfromthirty
feet!
Hawkerwalkedalongbyhisside.Bondsaid,'Miraclefindingthatball.'
'Itwasn'thisball,sir.'Hawkerwasstatingafact.
'Whatdoyoumean?'Bond'svoicewastense.
'Moneypassed,sir.White,probablyafiver.Foulksmusthavedroppedthatballdownhis
trouserleg.'
'Hawker!'Bondstoppedinhistracks.Helookedround.Goldfingerandhiscaddiewere
fiftyyardsaway,walkingslowlytowardsthegreen.Bondsaidfiercely,'Doyouswearto
that?Howcanyoubesure?'
Hawkergaveahalfashamed,lopsidedgrin.Buttherewasacraftybelligerenceinhiseye.
'Becausehisballwaslyingundermybagofclubs,sir.'WhenhesawBond'sopenmouthed
expressionheaddedapologetically,'Sorry,sir.Hadtodoitafterwhathe'sbeendoingto
you.Wouldn'thavementionedit,butIhadtoletyouknowhe'sfixedyouagain.'
Bondhadtolaugh.Hesaidadmiringly,"Well,youareacard,Hawker.Soyouweregoing
towinthematchformeallonyourown!'Headdedbitterly,'But,byGod,thatman'sthe
77

flaminglimit.I'vegottogethim.I'vesimplygotto.Nowlet'sthink!'Theywalkedslowly
on.
Bond'slefthandwasinhistrouserspocket,absentmindedlyfingeringtheballhehad
pickedupintherough.Suddenlythemessagewenttohisbrain.Gotit!Hecamecloseto
Hawker.Heglancedacrossattheothers.Goldfingerhadstopped.HisbackwastoBond
andhewastakingtheputteroutofhisbag.BondnudgedHawker.'Here,takethis.'He
slippedtheballintothegnarledhand.Bondsaidsoftly,urgently,'Becertainyoutakethe
flag.Whenyoupickuptheballsfromthegreen,whicheverwaytheholehasgone,give
Goldfingerthisone.Right?'
Hawkerwalkedstolidlyforward.Hisfacewasexpressionless.'Gotit,sir,'hesaidinhis
normalvoice.
'Willyoutaketheputterforthisone?'
'Yes.'Bondwalkeduptohisball.'Givemealine,wouldyou?'
Hawkerwalkedupontothegreen.Hestoodsidewaystothelineoftheputtandthen
stalkedroundtobehindtheflagandcrouched.Hegotup.'Inchoutsidetherightlip,sir.
Firmputt.Flag,sir?'
'No.Leaveitin,wouldyou.'
Hawkerstoodaway.Goldfingerwasstandingbyhisballontherightofthegreen.His
caddiehadstoppedatthebottomoftheslope.Bondbenttotheputt.Comeon,Calamity
Jane!ThisonehasgottogodeadorI'llputyouacrossmyknee.Standstill.Clubhead
straightbackonthelineandfollowthroughtowardsthehole.Giveitachance.Now!The
ball,hitfirmlyinthemiddleoftheclub,hadrunupthebankandwasonitswaytothe
hole.Buttoohard,damnit!Hitthestick!Obedientlytheballcurvedin,rappedthestick
hardandbouncedbackthreeinchesdeadasadoornail!
Bondletoutadeepsighandpickeduphisdiscardedcigarette.Helookedoverat
Goldfinger.Nowthen,youbastard.Sweatthatoneout.AndbyGodifyouholeit!But
Goldfingercouldn'taffordtotry.Hestoppedtwofeetshort.'Allright,allright,'saidBond
generously.'Allsquareandonetogo.'ItwasvitalthatHawkershouldpickuptheballs.If
hehadmadeGoldfingerholetheshortputtitwouldhavebeenGoldfingerwhowould
havepickedtheballoutofthehole.Anyway,Bonddidn'twantGoldfingertomissthat
putt.Thatwasn'tpartoftheplan.
Hawkerbentdownandpickeduptheballs.HerolledonetowardsBondandhandedthe
othertoGoldfinger.Theywalkedoffthegreen,Goldfingerleadingasusual.Bondnoticed
Hawker'shandgotohispocket.Now,solongasGoldfingerdidn'tnoticeanythingonthe
tee!
But,withallsquareandonetogo,youdon'tscrutinizeyourball.Yourmotionsaremore
orlessautomatic.Youarethinkingofhowtoplaceyourdrive,ofwhethertogoforthe
78

greenwiththesecondorplaytotheapron,ofthestrengthofthewindofthevitalfigure
fourthatmustsomehowbeachievedtowinoratleasttohalve.
ConsideringthatBondcouldhardlywaitforGoldfingertofollowhimandhit,justonce,
thattreacherousDunlopNumberSeventhatlookedsoverylikeaNumberOne,Bond's
owndrivedownthefourhundredandfiftyyardeighteenthwaspraiseworthy.Ifhe
wantedto,hecouldnowreachthegreenifhewantedto!
NowGoldfingerwasonthetee.Nowhehadbentdown.Theballwasonthepeg,itslying
faceturnedupathim.ButGoldfingerhadstraightened,hadstoodback,wastakinghis
twodeliberatepracticeswings.Hesteppeduptotheball,cautiously,deliberately.Stood
overit,waggled,focusingtheballminutely.Surelyhewouldsee!Surelyhewouldstopand
benddownatthelastminutetoinspecttheball!Wouldthewaggleneverend?Butnow
theclubheadwasgoingback,comingdown,theleftkneebentcorrectlyintowardsthe
ball,theleftarmstraightasaramrod.Crack!Theballsailedoff,abeautifuldrive,asgood
asGoldfingerhadhit,straightdownthefairway.
Bond'sheartsang.Gotyou,youbastard!Gotyou!BlithelyBondsteppeddownfromthe
teeandstrolledoffdownthefairwayplanningthenextstepswhichcouldnowbeas
eccentric,asfiendishashewished.Goldfingerwasbeatenalreadyhoistwithhisown
petard!Nowtoroasthim,slowly,exquisitely.
Bondhadnocompunction.Goldfingerhadcheatedhimtwiceandgotawaywithit.Butfor
hischeatsattheVirginandtheseventeenth,nottomentionhisimprovedlieatthethird
andthevarioustimeshehadtriedtoputBondoff,Goldfingerwouldhavebeenbeatenby
now.IfitneededonecheatbyBondtorectifythescoresheetthatwasonlypoeticjustice.
Andbesides,therewasmoretothisthanagameofgolf.ItwasBond'sdutytowin.Byhis
readingofGoldfingerhehadtowin.Ifhewasbeaten,thescorebetweenthetwomen
wouldhavebeenequalized.Ifhewonthematch,ashenowhad,hewouldbetwoupon
Goldfingeranintolerablestateofaffairs,Bondguessed,toamanwhosawhimselfasall
powerful.ThismanBond,Goldfingerwouldsaytohimself,hassomething.Hehasqualities
Icanuse.Heisatoughadventurerwithplentyoftricksuphissleeve.Thisisthesortof
manIneedforforwhat?Bonddidn'tknow.Perhapstherewouldbenothingforhim.
PerhapshisreadingofGoldfingerwaswrong,buttherewascertainlynootherwayof
creepingupontheman.
Goldfingercautiouslytookouthisspoonforthelongishsecondovercrossbunkerstothe
narrowentrancetothegreen.Hemadeonemorepracticeswingthanusualandthenhit
exactlytheright,controlledshotuptotheapron.Acertainfive,probablyafour.Much
goodwoulditdohim!
Bond,afteragreatshowoftakingpains,broughthishandsdownwellaheadoftheclub
andsmotheredhisnumberthreeironsothatthetoppedballbarelyscrambledoverthe
crossbunkers.Hethenwedgedtheballontothegreentwentyfeetpastthepin.Hewas
wherehewantedtobeenoughofathreattomakeGoldfingersavourthesweetsmellof
victory,enoughtomakeGoldfingerreallysweattogethisfour.

79

AndnowGoldfingerreallywassweating.Therewasasavagegrinofconcentrationand
greedashebenttothelongputtupthebankanddowntothehole.Nottoohard,nottoo
soft.Bondcouldreadeveryanxiousthoughtthatwouldberunningthroughtheman's
mind.Goldfingerstraightenedupagain,walkeddeliberatelyacrossthegreentobehind
theflagtoverifyhisline.Hewalkedslowlybackbesidehisline,brushingawaycarefully,
withthebackofhishandawisportwoofgrass,aspeckoftopdressing.Hebentagain
andmadeoneortwopracticeswingsandthenstoodtotheputt,theveinsstandingout
onhistemples,thecleftofconcentrationdeepbetweenhiseyes.
Goldfingerhittheputtandfollowedthroughontheline.Itwasabeautifulputtthat
stoppedsixinchespastthepin.NowGoldfingerwouldbesurethatunlessBondsankhis
difficulttwentyfooter,thematchwashis!
Bondwentthroughalongrigmaroleofsizinguphisputt.Hetookhistime,lettingthe
suspensegatherlikeathundercloudroundthelongshadowsonthelivid,fatefulgreen.
'Flagout,please.I'mgoingtosinkthisone.'Bondchargedthewordswithadeadly
certitude,whiledebatingwhethertomisstheholetotherightortheleftorleaveitshort.
Hebenttotheputtandmissedtheholewellontheright.
'Missedit,byGod!'Bondputbitternessandrageintohisvoice.Hewalkedovertothehole
andpickedupthetwoballs,keepingtheminfullview.
Goldfingercameup.Hisfacewasglisteningwithtriumph.'Well,thanksforthegame.
SeemsIwasjusttoogoodforyouafterall.'
'You'reagoodninehandicap,'saidBondwithjustsufficientsourness.Heglancedatthe
ballsinhishandtopickoutGoldfinger'sandhandittohim.Hegaveastartofsurprise.
'Hullo!'HelookedsharplyatGoldfinger.
'YouplayaNumberOneDunlop,don'tyou?'
'Yes,ofcourse.'AsixthsenseofdisasterwipedthetriumphoffGoldfinger'sface.'Whatis
it?What'sthematter?'
'Well,'saidBondapologetically.''Fraidyou'vebeenplayingwiththewrongball.Here'smy
PenfoldHeartsandthisisaNumberSevenDunlop.'HehandedbothballstoGoldfinger.
Goldfingertorethemoffhispalmandexaminedthemfeverishly.
SlowlythecolourfloodedoverGoldfinger'sface.Hestood,hismouthworking,looking
fromtheballstoBondandbacktotheballs.
Bondsaidsoftly,'Toobadwewereplayingtotherules.Afraidthatmeansyoulosethe
hole.And,ofcourse,thematch.'Bond'seyesobservedGoldfingerimpassively.
'But,but...'

80

ThiswaswhatBondhadbeenlookingforwardtothecupdashedfromthelips.Hestood
andwaited,sayingnothing.
RagesuddenlyburstGoldfinger'susuallyrelaxedfacelikeabomb.'ItwasaDunlopSeven
youfoundintherough.Itwasyourcaddiethatgavemethisball.Ontheseventeenth
green.Hegavemethewrongballonpurpose,thedamnedche'
'Here,steadyon,'saidBondmildly.'You'llgetaslanderactiononyourhandsifyouaren't
careful.Hawker,didyougiveMr.Goldfingerthewrongballbymistakeoranything?'
'No,sir.'Hawker'sfacewasstolid.Hesaidindifferently,'Ifyouwantmyopinion,sir,the
mistakemayhavebeenmadeattheseventeenthwhenthegentlemanfoundhisball
prettyfaroffthelinewe'dallmarkediton.ASevenlooksverymuchlikeaOne.I'dsay
that'swhathappened,sir.Itwouldhavebeenamiracleforthegentleman'sballtohave
endedupaswideaswhereitwasfound.'
'Tommyrot!'Goldfingergaveasnortofdisgust.HeturnedangrilyonBond.'Yousawthat
wasaNumberOnemycaddiefound.'
Bondshookhisheaddoubtfully.'Ididn'treallylookclosely,I'mafraid.However,'Bond's
voicebecamebrisk,businesslike,'it'sreallythejoboftheplayertomakecertainhe'susing
therightball,isn'tit?Ican'tseethatanyoneelsecanbeblamedifyouteethewrongball
upandplaythreeshotswithit.Anyway,'hestartedwalkingoffthegreen,'manythanks
forthematch.Wemusthaveitagainoneday.'
Goldfinger,litwithglorybythesettingsun,butwithalongblackshadowtiedtohisheels,
followedBondslowly,hiseyesfixedthoughtfullyonBond'sback.

81

82

ChapterTen
UpAtTheGrange
Therearesomerichmenwhousetheirricheslikeaclub.Bond,luxuriatinginhisbath,
thoughtthatGoldfingerwasoneofthem.Hewasthekindofmanwhothoughthecould
flattentheworldwithhismoney,bludgeoningasideannoyancesandoppositionwithhis
heavywad.HehadthoughttobreakBond'snervebyplayinghimfortenthousanddollars
afleabitetohimbutobviouslyasmallfortunetoBond.Inmostcircumstanceshemight
havesucceeded.Itneedsanironnerveto'waitforit'onyourswing,tokeepyourhead
downontheshortputts,whenbigmoneyhangsoneveryshot,overeighteenlongholes.
Thepros,playingfortheirownbreadandbutterandfortheirfamilies',knowthecold
breathofthepoorhouseonthebackoftheirnecksastheycometotheeighteenthteeall
square.Thatiswhytheyleadcarefullives,notsmokingordrinking,andwhytheonethat
winsisusuallytheonewiththeleastimagination.
But,inBond'scase,GoldfingercouldnothaveknownthathightensionwasBond'snatural
wayoflifeandthatpressureanddangerrelaxedhim.Andhecouldnothaveknownthat
BondwantedtoplayGoldfingerforthehighestpossiblestakesandthathewouldhavethe
fundsoftheSecretServicebehindhimifhelost.Goldfinger,sousedtomanipulating
others,hadbeenblindtothemanipulationforoncebeingpractiseduponhimself.
Orhadhebeen?ThoughtfullyBondgotoutofthebathanddriedhimself.Thatpowerful
dynamoinsidethebigroundheadwouldbehummingatthisverymoment,wondering
aboutBond,knowinghehadbeenoutcheated,askingitselfhowitcameaboutthattwice
Bondhadappearedoutoftheblueandtwicequeeredhispitch.HadBondplayedhiscards
right?Hadhemadehimselfappearaninterestingchallenge,orwouldGoldfinger's
sensitivenosesmellathreat?InthelattercasetherewouldbenofollowupbyGoldfinger
andBondwouldhavetobowoutofthecaseandleaveittoMtodeviseanewapproach.
Howsoonwouldheknowifthebigfishwashooked?Thisonewouldtakeplentyoftime
sniffingthebait.Itwouldbegoodtohavejustonesmallbitetotellhimhehadchosenthe
rightlure.
Therewasaknockonthedoorofhisbedroom.Bondwrappedthetowelroundhimand
walkedthrough.Heopenedthedoor.Itwasthehallporter.'Yes?'
'TelephonemessagefromaMr.Goldfinger,sir.Hiscomplimentsandwouldyoucareto
cometohishousefordinnertonight.It'stheGrangeoveratReculver,sir.Sixthirtyfor
drinksbeforehandandnottobothertodress.'
'PleasethankMr.GoldfingerandsayIshallbedelighted.'Bondshutthedoorandwalked
acrosstotheopenwindowandstoodlookingoutacrossthequieteveningsea.'Well,well!
Talkofthedevil!'Bondsmiledtohimself,'Andthengoandsupwithhim!Whatwasthat
aboutalongspoon?'
Atsixo'clockBondwentdowntothebarandhadalargevodkaandtonicwithasliceof
lemonpeel.ThebarwasemptysaveforagroupofAmericanAirForceofficersfrom
Mansion.Theyweredrinkingwhiskyandwaterandtalkingbaseball.Bondwonderedif
83

theyhadspentthedaytotingahydrogenbombroundtheskiesoverKent,overthefour
littledotsinthedunesthathadbeenhismatchwithGoldfinger.Hethoughtwryly,Nottoo
muchofthatwhisky,cousins,paidforhisdrink,andleft.
HemotoredslowlyovertoReculver,savouringtheeveningandthedrinkinsidehimand
thequietbubbleofthetwinexhausts.Thiswasgoingtobeaninterestingdinnerparty.
NowwasthemomenttosellhimselftoGoldfinger.Ifheputafootwronghewasout,and
thepitchwouldhavebeenbadlyqueeredforhissuccessor.Hewasunarmeditwouldbe
fatalforGoldfingertosmellthatkindofrat.Hefeltamoment'squalm.Butthatwasgoing
toofast.Nostateofwarhadbeendeclaredtheoppositeifanything.Whentheyhad
partedatthegolfclub,Goldfingerhadbeencordialinaratherforced,oilyfashion.Hehad
inquiredwhereheshouldsendBond'swinningsandBondhadgivenhimtheaddressof
UniversalExport.HehadaskedwhereBondwasstayingandBondhadtoldhimandadded
thathewouldonlybeatRamsgateafewdayswhilehemadeuphismindabouthisfuture.
Goldfingerhopedthattheywouldonedayhaveareturnmatchbut,alas,hewasleaving
forFrancetomorrowandwasn'tcertainwhenhewouldbeback.Flying?Yes,takingthe
AirFerryfromLydd.
Well,thanksforthematch.Andthankyou,Mr.Bond.TheeyeshadgivenBondonelastX
raytreatment,asiffixinghimforalasttimeinGoldfinger'sfilingsystem,andthenthebig
yellowcarhadsighedaway.
Bondhadhadagoodlookatthechauffeur.HewasachunkyflatfacedJapanese,ormore
probablyKorean,withawild,almostmadglareindramaticallyslantingeyesthatbelonged
inaJapanesefilmratherthaninaRollsRoyceonasunnyafternooninKent.Hehadthe
snoutlikeupperlipthatsometimesgoeswithacleftpalate,buthesaidnothingandBond
hadnoopportunityofknowingwhetherhisguesswasright.Inhistight,almostbursting
blacksuitandfarcicalbowlerhathelookedratherlikeaJapanesewrestleronhisdayoff.
Buthewasnotafiguretomakeonesmile.Ifonehadbeeninclinedtosmile,atouchof
thesinister,theunexplained,inthetightshiningpatentleatherblackshoesthatwere
almostdancingpumps,andintheheavyblackleatherdrivinggloves,wouldhavechanged
one'smind.TherewassomethingvaguelyfamiliartoBondintheman'ssilhouette.Itwas
whenthecardroveawayandBondhadaglimpseoftheheadfromtherearthathe
remembered.Thoseweretheheadandshouldersandbowlerhatofthedriverofthesky
blueFordPopularthathadsoobstinatelyhuggedthecrownoftheHerneBayroadat
abouttwelveo'clockthatmorning.Wherehadhebeencomingfrom?Whaterrandhadhe
beenon?BondrememberedsomethingColonelSmithershadsaid.Couldthishavebeen
theKoreanwhonowtravelledthecountrycollectingtheoldgoldfromthechainof
Goldfingerjewelleryshops?Hadthebootoftheinnocent,scurryinglittlesaloonbeen
stuffedwiththeweek'stakingsofpresentationwatches,signetrings,lockets,gold
crosses?Ashewatchedthehigh,primroseyellowsilhouetteoftheSilverGhost
disappearingtowardsSandwich,Bondthoughttheanswerwasyes.
BondturnedoffthemainroadintothedriveandfolloweditdownbetweenhighVictorian
evergreenstothegravelsweepinfrontofjustthesortofhousethatwouldbecalledThe
Grangeaheavy,ugly,turnofthecenturymansionwithaglassenclosedporticoandsun
parlourwhosesmelloftrappedsunshine,rubberplantsanddeadfliescametoBondinhis
imaginationbeforehehadswitchedofftheengine.Bondgotslowlyoutofthecarand
84

stoodlookingatthehouse.Itsblank,wellwashedeyesstaredbackathim.Thehousehad
abackgroundnoise,aheavyrhythmicpantlikeahugeanimalwitharatherquickpulse.
Bondassumeditcamefromthefactorywhoseplumedchimneyreareduplikeagiant
cautionaryfingerfromthehighconiferstotherightwherethestablingandgarageswould
normallybe.ThequietwatchfulfacadeofthehouseseemedtobewaitingforBondtodo
something,makesomeoffensivemovetowhichtherewouldbeaquickreply.Bond
shruggedhisshoulderstolightenhisthoughtsandwentupthestepstotheopaqueglass
panelleddoorandpressedthebell.Therewasnonoiseofitringing,butthedoorslowly
opened.TheKoreanchauffeurstillhadhisbowlerhaton.Helookedwithoutinterestat
Bond.Hestoodmotionless,hislefthandontheinsidedoorknobandhisoutstretchedright
pointinglikeasignpostintothedarkhallofthehouse.
Bondwalkedpasthim,vanquishingadesireeithertostamponhisneatblackfeetorhit
himveryhardindeedinthecentreofhistightlybuttonedblackstomach.ThisKorean
matchedupwithwhathehadalwaysheardaboutKoreans,andanywayBondwantedto
dosomethingviolenttotheheavy,electricatmosphereofthehouse.
Thegloomyhallwasalsothemainlivingroom.Ameagrefireflickeredbehindthefire
ironsinthewidehearthandtwoclubchairsandaKnolesofastoodimpassivelywatching
theflames.Betweenthemonalowsetteewasawellstockeddrinktray.Thewidespaces
surroundingthissparkoflifewerecrowdedwithmassiveRothschildianpiecesoffurniture
oftheSecondEmpire,andormolu,tortoiseshell,brassandmotherofpearlwinkedback
richlyatthesmallfire.Behindthisorderlymuseum,darkpanellingranuptoafirstfloor
gallerywhichwasreachedbyaheavycurvedstairwaytotheleftofthehall.Theceiling
waslacedwiththesombrewoodcarvingoftheperiod.
BondwasstandingtakingallthisinwhentheKoreancamesilentlyup.Heflungouthis
signpostofanarmtowardsthedrinktrayandthechairs.Bondnoddedandstayedwhere
hewas.TheKoreanwalkedpasthimanddisappearedthroughadoorintowhatBond
assumedweretheservants'quarters.Thesilence,helpedbytheslowirontickofa
massivelydecoratedgrandfatherclock,gatheredandcreptnearer.
Bondwalkedoverandstoodwithhisbacktothepoorfire.Hestaredoffensivelybackat
theroom.Whatadump!Whatabloodyawfuldeathlyplacetolivein.Howdidone,could
one,liveinthisrichheavymorgueamongtheconifersandevergreenswhenahundred
yardsawaytherewaslightandairandwidehorizons?Bondtookoutacigaretteandlitit.
WhatdidGoldfingerdoforenjoyment,forfun,forsex?Perhapshedidn'tneedthese
things.Perhapsthepursuitofgoldslakedallhisthirsts.
Somewhereinthedistanceatelephonerang.Thebellshrilledtwiceandstopped.There
wasthemurmurofavoice,thenstepsechoeddownapassageandadoorunderthe
stairwayopened.
Goldfingercamethroughandquietlyclosedthedoorbehindhim.Hewaswearingaplum
colouredvelvetdinnerjacket.Hecameslowlyacrossthepolishedwoodfloor.Hedidn't
holdouthishand.Hesaid,smilingwithhismouth,'Itwaskindofyoutocomeatsuch
shortnotice,Mr.Bond.YouwerealoneandsowasIanditoccurredtomethatwemight
discussthepriceofcorn.'
85

Itwasthesortofremarkthatrichmenmaketoeachother.Bondwasamusedatbeing
madeatemporarymemberoftheclub.Hesaid,'Iwasdelightedtogettheinvitation.I
wasalreadyboredwithworryingovermyproblems.Ramsgatehasn'tmuchtooffer.'
'No.AndnowIhaveanapologytomake.Ihavehadatelephonecall.OneofmystaffI
employKoreans,bythewayhashadsomeminortroublewiththeMargatepoliceandI
mustgooverandstraightenitout.Someincidentatthefunfair,Iunderstand.These
peoplegeteasilyoverexcited.
Mychauffeurwilldrivemeandweshouldnotbemorethanhalfanhour.MeanwhileI
fearImustleaveyoutoyourowndevices.Pleasehelpyourselftodrinks.Thereare
magazinestoread.Willyouforgiveme?NotmorethanhalfanhourIassureyou.'
'That'squiteallright.'Bondfelttherewassomethingfishyinthis.Hecouldn'tputhis
fingeronwhatitwas.
'Wellthen,aurevoir.'Goldfingerwenttothefrontdoor.'ButImustgiveyousomelight.
It'sreallyverydarkinhere.'Goldfingerbrushedhishanddownawallplateofswitches
andsuddenlylightsblazedalloverthehallfromstandardlamps,wallbrackets,andfour
clustersintheceiling.Nowtheroomwasasbrightasafilmstudio.Itwasanextraordinary
transformation.Bond,halfdazzled,watchedGoldfingeropenthefrontdoorandstride
out.Inaminuteheheardthesoundofacar,butnottheRolls,revupnoisily,changegear
andgoofffastdownthedrive.
Onaninstinct,Bondwalkedovertothefrontdoorandopenedit.Thedrivewasempty.In
thedistancehesawthelightsofthecarturnlefthandedonthemainroadandmakeoff
inthedirectionofMargate.Heturnedbackintothehouseandclosedthedoor.Hestood
still,listening.Thesilence,exceptfortheheavyclocktick,wascomplete.Hewalkedacross
totheservicedoorandopenedit.Alongdarkpassagedisappearedtowardsthebackof
thehouse.Bondbentforward,allhissensesalert.Silence,deadsilence.Bondshutthe
doorandlookedthoughtfullyroundthebrilliantlylithall.Hehadbeenleftalonein
Goldfinger'shouse,alonewithitssecrets.Why?
Bondwalkedovertothedrinktrayandpouredhimselfastrongginandtonic.There
certainlyhadbeenatelephonecall,butitcouldeasilyhavebeenanarrangedcallfromthe
factory.ThestoryoftheservantwasplausibleanditwasreasonablethatGoldfinger
shouldgohimselftobailthemanoutandtakehischauffeurwithhim.Goldfingerhad
twicementionedthatBondwouldbealoneforhalfanhourduringwhichhe'wouldbeleft
tohisowndevices'.Thiscouldbeinnocent,oritcouldbeaninvitationforBondtoshow
hishand,commitsomeindiscretion.Wassomebodywatchinghim?
HowmanyoftheseKoreanswerethereandwhatweretheydoing?Bondglancedathis
watch.Fiveminuteshadgone.Hemadeuphismind.Trapornotrap,thiswastoogooda
chancetomiss.Hewouldhaveaquicklookroundbutaninnocentone,withsomesort
ofacoverstorytoexplainwhyhehadleftthehall.Whereshouldhebegin?Alookatthe
factory.Hisstory?Thathiscarhadgiventroubleonthewayoverchokedpetrolfeed
probablyandthathehadgonetoseeiftherewasamechanicwhocouldgivehimahand.

86

Flimsy,butitwoulddo.Bonddownedhisdrinkandwentpurposefullytotheservicedoor
andwalkedthrough.
Therewasalightswitch.Heturnedonthelightandwalkedswiftlydownalongpassage.It
endedwithablankwallandtwodoorstorightandleft.Helistenedforaninstantatthe
lefthandoneandheardmuffledkitchennoises.Heopenedtherighthanddoorandfound
himselfinthepavedgarageyardhemighthaveexpected.Theonlyoddthingaboutitwas
thatitwasbrilliantlylitbyarclights.
Thelongwallofthefactoryoccupiedthefarsideandnowtherhythmicenginethumpwas
veryloud.Therewasaplainwoodendoorlowdowninthewallopposite.Bondwalked
acrosstheyardtoit,lookingaroundhimwithcasualinterest.Thedoorwasunlocked.He
openeditwithdiscretionandwalkedthrough,leavingthedoorajar.Hefoundhimselfina
smallemptyofficelitbyonenakedbulbhangingfromtheceiling.Therewasadeskwith
papersonit,atimeclock,acoupleoffilingcabinetsandatelephone.Anotherdoorled
fromtheofficeintothemainfactoryspaceandtherewasawindowbesidethedoorfor
keepinganeyeontheworkmen.Itwouldbetheforeman'soffice.Bondwalkedtothe
windowandlookedthrough.
Bonddidn'tknowwhathehadexpected,butthereseemedtobetheusualaccoutrements
ofasmallmetalworkingbusiness.Facinghimweretheopenmouthsoftwoblast
furnaces,theirfiresnowdrawn.Besidethesestoodarowofkilnsforthemoltenmetal,of
whichsheetsofdifferentsizesandcoloursstoodagainstthewallnearby.Therewasthe
polishedsteeltableofacircularsaw,adiamondsawpresumably,forcuttingthesheets,
andtotheleftintheshadowsabigoilengineconnectedtoageneratorpoundingaway
makingpower.Totheright,underarclights,agroupoffivemeninoveralls,fourofthem
Koreans,wereatworkonofallthingsGoldfinger'sRollsRoyce.Itstoodtheregleaming
underthelights,immaculatesavefortherighthanddoorwhichhadbeentakenoffits
hingesandnowlayacrosstwonearbybenchesminusitsdoorpanel.AsBondwatched,
twomenpickedupthenewdoorpanel,aheavy,discolouredsheetofaluminiumcoloured
metal,andplaceditonthedoorframe.Thereweretwohandrivetersonthefloorand
soon,Bondthought,themenwouldrivetthepanelintoplaceandpaintittomatchthe
restofthecar.Allperfectlyinnocentandaboveboard.Goldfingerhaddentedthepanel
thatafternoonandhadhadaquickrepairjobdoneinpreparationforhistriptomorrow.
Bondgaveaquick,sourlookround,withdrewfromthewindowandwentoutbythe
factorydoorandcloseditsoftlybehindhim.Nothingthere,damnit.Andnowwhatwas
hisstory?Thathehadnotwantedtodisturbthemenattheirworkperhapsafterdinner,
ifoneofthemhadamoment.Bondwalkedunhurriedlybackthewayhehadcomeand
regainedthehallwithoutmisadventure.
Bondlookedathiswatch.Tenminutestogo.Nowforthefirstfloor.Thesecretsofa
houseareinthebedroomsandbathrooms.Thosearetheprivateplaceswherethe
medicinecabinets,thedressingtable,thebedsidedrawers,revealtheintimatethings,the
frailties.Bondhadabadheadache.Hehadgonetolookforanaspirin.Heactedthepart
foraninvisibleaudience,massagedhistemples,glancedupatthegallery,walked
decisivelyacrossthefloorandclimbedthestairs.Thegallerygaveontoabrightlylit
passage.Bondwalkeddownitopeningthedoorsandglancingin.

87

Buttheyweresparebedrooms;thebedsnotmadeup.Theyheldasmellofmustandshut
windows.Alargegingercatappearedfromnowhereandfollowedhim,mewingand
rubbingitselfagainsthistrouserlegs.Theendroomwastheone.Bondwentinandclosed
thedoortoacrack.Allthelightswereon.Perhapsoneoftheservantswasinthe
bathroom.Bondwalkedboldlyacrosstothecommunicatingdoorandopenedit.More
lights,butnoone.Itwasabigbathroom,probablyaspareroomconvertedintoa
bathroomand,inadditiontothebathandlavatory,itheldvariousfitnessmachinesa
rowingmachine,afixedbicyclewheel,IndianclubsandaRalliHealthBelt.Themedicine
cabinetcontainednothingexceptagreatvarietyofpurgessennapods,cascara,
Calsalettes,Enosandvariousapparatusforthesamepurpose.Therewerenootherdrugs
andnoaspirin.Bondwentbackintothebedroomandagaindrewablank.Itwasatypical
man'sroom,comfortable,livedin,withplentyoffittedcupboards.Itevensmelledneutral.
Therewasasmallbookcasebesidethebedinwhichallthebookswerehistoryor
biography,allinEnglish.Thedrawerofthebedsidetableyieldedasolitaryindiscretion,a
yellowbackedcopyofTheHiddenSightofLove,PalladiumPublications,Paris.
Bondglancedathiswatch.Fivemoreminutes.Itwastimetogo.Hetookalastlookround
theroomandmovedtothedoor.Suddenlyhestopped.Whatwasithehadnoticed
almostsubconsciouslyeversincehehadcomeintotheroom?Hesharpenedhissenses.
Therewasanincongruitysomewhere.Whatwasit?Acolour?Anobject?Asmell?A
sound?Thatwasit!Fromwherehestoodhecouldhearthefaintest,mosquitoshrill
whine.Itwasalmostextrasensoryinitspitch.Wherediditcomefrom?Whatwasmaking
it?Nowtherewassomethingelseintheroom,somethingthatBondknewalltoowell,the
smellofdanger.TenselyBondsteppedclosertothefittedcupboardbesidethedoor,
softlyopenedit.Yes,itcamefrominsidethecupboard,frombehindarangeofsports
coatsthatreacheddowntothetopofthreebanksofdrawers.SharplyBondsweptthe
coatsaside.Hisjawsclenchedatwhat,wasbehindthem.
Fromthreeslotsnearthetopofthecupboard,sixteenmillimetrefilmwasinchingdownin
threeseparatestripsintoadeepbinbehindthefalsefrontofthedrawers.Thebinwas
almosthalffulloftheslimysnakesofthestuff.Bond'seyesnarrowedtenselyashe
watchedthedamningevidencecoilslowlydownontothepile.Sothatwasitcine
cameras,threeofthem,theirlensesconcealedGodknowswhereinthehall,inthe
garagecourtyard,inthisroomhadbeenwatchinghiseverymovefromthemoment
Goldfingerhadleftthehouse,switchingonthecameras,and,ofcourse,thedazzling
lights,ashewentoutofthedoor.Whyhadn'tBondseenthesignificanceofthoselights?
Whyhadn'thehadtheelementaryimaginationtoseethetrapaswellassmellit?Cover
stories,indeed!Whatuseweretheynowwhenhehadspenthalfanhoursnoopinground
andfindingnothingforhispains?Thattoo!Hehaddiscoverednothingunearthedno
secret.Ithadallbeenanidioticwasteoftime.AndnowGoldfingerhadhim.Nowhewas
finished,hopelesslyblown.Wasthereanywayofsavingsomethingfromthewreckage?
Bondstoodriveted,staringattheslowcataractsoffilm.
Let'sseenow!Bond'smindraced,thinkingofwaysout,excuses,discardingthemall.Well,
atleastbyopeningthecupboarddoorhehadexposedsomeofthefilm.Thenwhynot
exposeitall?Whynot,buthow?Howcouldtheopencupboarddoorbeexplainedexcept
byhisdoing?Therecameamiaowfromtheopenslitofthebedroomdoor.Thecat!Why
shouldn'tthecathavedoneit?Prettythin,butatleastitwastheshadowofanalibi.Bond
openedthedoor.Hepickedthecatupinhisarms.Hewentbackwithittothecupboard,
88

strokingitbrusquely.Itpurred.Bondleantoverthebinoffilm,pickingitupinhandfulsso
thatitwouldallgetthelight.Then,whenhewassatisfiedthatitmustberuined,he
tosseditbackanddroppedthecatinontopofit.Thecatwouldnotbeabletogetout
easily.Withanyluckitwouldsettledownandgotosleep.Bondleftthecupboarddoor
threeinchesajartospoilthecontinuingfilmandthebedroomdoorthesameamountand
randownthepassage.Atthetopofthestairsheslowedandsauntereddown.Theempty
hallyawnedathisplayacting.Hewalkedacrosstothefireplace,dashedmoredrinkinto
hisglassandpickedupTheField.HeturnedtothegolfcommentarybyBernardDarwin,
ranhiseyedownittoseewhatitwasabout,andthensettledintooneoftheclubchairs
andlitacigarette.
Whathadhefoundout?Whatwasthereontheplusside?Preciouslittleexceptthat
Goldfingersufferedfromconstipationandadirtymindandthathehadwantedtoput
Bondthroughanelementarytest.Hehadcertainlydoneitexpertly.Thiswasnoamateur.
ThetechniquewasfullyuptoSMERSHstandards,anditwassurelythetechniqueof
somebodywithaverygreatdealtohide.Andnowwhatwouldhappen?Forthecatalibito
standup,Goldfingerwouldhavetohavelefttwodoors,oneofthemvital,ajar,andthe
cathadgotintotheroomandbeenintriguedbythewhineofthecameras.Mostunlikely,
almostincredible.GoldfingerwouldbeninetypercentcertainitwasBondbutonly
ninety.Therewouldstillbethattenpercentofuncertainty.WouldGoldfingerhavelearnt
muchmorethanheknewbeforethatBondwasatricky,resourcefulcustomerandthat
Bondhadbeeninquisitive,mightbeathief?HewouldguessBondhadbeentothe
bedroom,butBond'sothermovements,forwhatevertheywereworth,wouldremaina
secretontheexposedfilm.
Bondgotupandtookahandfulofothermagazinesandthrewthemdownbesidehis
chair.Theonlythingforhimtodowasbrazenitoutandmakeanoteforthefuture,if
therewastobeafuture,thathehadbetterwakehisideasupandnotmakeanymore
mistakes.Therewouldn'tbeenoughgingercatsintheworldtohelphimoutofonemore
tightspotliketheonehewasin.
Therehadbeennonoiseofacarcomingdownthedrive,notasoundfromthedoor,but
BondfelttheeveningbreezeonhisneckandheknewthatGoldfingerhadcomebackinto
theroom.

89

90

ChapterEleven
TheOddJobMan
BondthrewdownTheFieldandstoodup.Thefrontdoorclosednoisily.Bondturned.
'Hullo.'Hisfaceregisteredpolitesurprise.'Didn'thearyouarrive.Howdiditgo?'
Goldfinger'sexpressionwasequallybland.Theymighthavebeenoldfriends,neighbours
inthecountrywhowereaccustomedtodropinoneachotherforadrink.'Oh,itsorted
itselfout.MychaphadhadarowinapubwithsomeAmericanAirForcemenwhohad
calledhimabloodyJap.IexplainedtothepolicethatKoreansdon'tlikebeingcalledJaps.
Theylethimoffwithacaution.Terriblysorrytohavebeensolong.Hopeyouweren't
bored.Dohaveanotherdrink.'
'Thanks.Butit'shardlyseemedfiveminutessinceyouleft.BeenreadingwhatDarwinhas
tosayaboutthefourteenclubrule.Interestingpointofview...'Bondlaunchedintoa
detailedreviewofthearticle,addinghisowncommentsontherule.
Goldfingerstoodpatientlyuntilitwasover.Hesaid,'Yes,it'sacomplicatedbusiness.Of
courseyouplayratheradifferentgamefromme,moreworkmanlike.Withmykindof
swing,IfindIneedalltheclubsI'mallowed.Well,I'lljustgoupandwashandthenwe'll
havedinner.Shan'tbeamoment.'
Bondbusiedhimselfnoisilywithpouringanotherdrink,satdownandpickedupCountry
Life.HewatchedGoldfingerclimbthestairsanddisappeardownthecorridor.Hecould
visualizeeverystep.Hefoundhewasreadingtheperiodicalupsidedown.Heturnedit
roundandstaredblindlyatafinephotographofBlenheimPalace.
Therewasdeadsilenceupstairs.Thenadistantlavatorychainwaspulledandadoor
clickedshut.Bondreachedforhisdrink,tookadeepswallowandputtheglassdown
besidehischair.Goldfingerwascomingdownthestairs.BondturnedthepagesofCountry
Lifeandflickedashoffhiscigaretteintothegrate.NowGoldfingerwascrossingthefloor
towardshim.Bondloweredhispaperandlookedup.Goldfingerwascarryingtheginger
cattuckedcarelesslyunderonearm.Hereachedthefireplace,bentforwardandpressed
thebell.HeturnedtowardsBond.'Doyoulikecats?'Hisgazewasflat,incurious.
'Sufficiently.'
Theservicedooropened.Thechauffeurstoodintheframe.Hestillworehisbowlerhat
andhisshinyblackgloves.HegazedimpassivelyatGoldfinger.Goldfingercrookeda
finger.Thechauffeurapproachedandstoodwithinthecirclebythefire.
GoldfingerturnedtoBond.Hesaidconversationally,'Thisismyhandyman.'Hesmiled
thinly.'Thatissomethingofajoke.Oddjob,showMr.Bondyourhands.'Hesmiledagain
atBond.'IcallhimOddjobbecausethatdescribeshisfunctionsonmystaff.'
TheKoreanslowlypulledoffhisglovesandcameandstoodatarm'slengthfromBondand
heldouthishandspalmupwards.Bondgotupandlookedatthem.Theywerebigandfat
91

withmuscle.Thefingersallseemedtobethesamelength.Theywereverybluntatthe
tipsandthetipsglintedasiftheyweremadeofyellowbone.
'TurnthemoverandshowMr.Bondthesides.'
Therewerenofingernails.Insteadtherewasthissame,yellowishcarapace.Theman
turnedthehandssideways.Downeachedgeofthehandswasahardridgeofthesame
bonysubstance.
BondraisedhiseyebrowsatGoldfinger.
Goldfingersaid,'Wewillhaveademonstration.'Hepointedatthethickoakbanistersthat
ranupthestairs.Therailwasamassivesixinchesbyfourthick.TheKoreanobediently
walkedovertothestairsandclimbedafewsteps.Hestoodwithhishandsathissides,
gazingacrossatGoldfingerlikeagoodretriever.Goldfingergaveaquicknod.Impassively
theKoreanliftedhisrighthandhighandstraightabovehisheadandbroughtthesideofit
downlikeanaxeacrosstheheavypolishedrail.Therewasasplinteringcrashandtherail
sagged,brokenthroughthecentre.Againthehandwentupandflasheddown.Thistimeit
sweptrightthroughtherailleavingajaggedgap.Splintersclattereddownontothefloor
ofthehall.TheKoreanstraightenedhimselfandstoodtoattention,waitingforfurther
orders.Therewasnoflushofeffortinhisfaceandnohintofprideinhisachievement.
Goldfingerbeckoned.Themancamebackacrossthefloor.Goldfingersaid,'Hisfeetare
thesame,theoutsideedgesofthem.Oddjob,themantelpiece.'Goldfingerpointedatthe
heavyshelfofcarvedwoodabovethefireplace.Itwasaboutsevenfeetofftheground
sixincheshigherthanthetopoftheKorean'sbowlerhat.
'Garchahar?'
'Yes,takeoffyourcoatandhat.'GoldfingerturnedtoBond.'Poorchap'sgotacleftpalate.
Ishouldn'tthinktherearemanypeoplewhounderstandhimbesideme.'
Bondreflectedhowusefulthatwouldbe,aslavewhocouldonlycommunicatewiththe
worldthroughhisinterpreterbettereventhanthedeafmutesoftheharems,more
tightlyboundtohismaster,moresecure.
Oddjobhadtakenoffhiscoatandhatandplacedthemneatlyonthefloor.Nowherolled
histrouserlegsuptothekneeandstoodbackinthewidewellplantedstanceofthejudo
expert.Helookedasifachargingelephantwouldn'tputhimoffbalance.
'Betterstandback,Mr.Bond.'Theteethglitteredinthewidemouth.'Thisblowsnapsa
man'snecklikeadaffodil.'Goldfingerdrewasidethelowsetteewiththedrinktray.Now
theKoreanhadaclearrun.Buthewasonlythreelongstepsaway.Howcouldhepossibly
reachthehighmantelpiece?
Bondwatched,fascinated.Nowtheslantingeyesintheflatyellowmaskwereglintingwith
afierceintentness.Facedbysuchaman,thoughtBond,onecouldonlygodownonone's
kneesandwaitfordeath.
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Goldfingerliftedhishand.Thebunchedtoesinthepolishedsoftleathershoesseemedto
griptheground.TheKoreantookonelongcrouchingstridewithkneeswellbentandthen
whirledofftheground.Inmidairhisfeetslappedtogetherlikeaballetdancer's,but
higherthanaballetdancer'shaveeverreached,andthenthebodybentsidewaysand
downwardsandtherightfootshotoutlikeapiston.Therecameacrashingthud.
Gracefullythebodysettledbackdownonthehands,nowsplayedonthefloor,theelbows
benttotaketheweightandthenstraightenedsharplytothrowthemanupandbackon
hisfeet.Oddjobstoodtoattention.Thistimetherewasagleamoftriumphinhisflateyes
ashelookedatthethreeinchjaggedbitetheedgeofhisfoothadtakenoutofthe
mantelpiece.
Bondlookedatthemanindeepawe.Andonlytwonightsago,he,Bond,hadbeen
workingonhismanualofunarmedcombat!Therewasnothing,absolutelynothing,inall
hisreading,allhisexperience,toapproachwhathehadjustwitnessed.Thiswasnota
manoffleshandblood.Thiswasalivingclub,perhapsthemostdangerousanimalonthe
faceoftheearth.Bondhadtodoit,hadtogivehomagetothisuniquelydreadfulperson.
Heheldouthishand.
'Softly,Oddjob.'Goldfinger'svoicewasthecrackofawhip.
TheKoreanbowedhisheadandtookBond'shandinhis.Hekepthisfingersstraightand
merelybenthisthumbinalightclasp.Itwaslikeholdingapieceofboard.Hereleased
Bond'shandandwenttohisneatpileofclothes.
'Forgiveme,Mr.Bond,andIappreciateyourgesture.'Goldfinger'sfaceshowedhis
approval.'ButOddjobdoesn'tknowhisownstrengthparticularlywhenheiskeyedup.
Andthosehandsarelikemachinetools.Hecouldhavecrushedyourhandtopulpwithout
meaningto.Nowthen,'Oddjobhaddressedandwasstandingrespectfullyatattention,
'youdidwell,Oddjob.I'mgladtoseeyouareintraining.Here'Goldfingertookthecat
fromunderhisarmandtossedittotheKoreanwhocaughtiteagerly'Iamtiredof
seeingthisanimalaround.Youmayhaveitfordinner.'TheKorean'seyesgleamed.'And
telltheminthekitchenthatwewillhaveourowndinneratonce.'TheKoreaninclinedhis
headsharplyandturnedaway.
Bondhidhisdisgust.Herealizedthatallthisexhibitionwassimplyamessagetohim,a
warning,alightrapontheknuckles.Itsaid,'Youseemypower,Mr.Bond.Icouldeasily
havekilledyouormaimedyou.Oddjobwasgivinganexhibitionandyougotintheway.I
wouldcertainlybeinnocent,andOddjobwouldgetoffwithalightsentence.Instead,the
catwillbepunishedinyourplace.Badluckonthecat,ofcourse.'Bondsaidcasually,'Why
doesthemanalwayswearthatbowlerhat?'
'Oddjob!'TheKoreanhadreachedtheservicedoor.'Thehat.'Goldfingerpointedata
panelinthewoodworknearthefireplace.
Stillholdingthecatunderhisleftarm,Oddjobturnedandwalkedstolidlybacktowards
them.Whenhewashalfwayacrossthefloor,andwithoutpausingortakingaim,he
reacheduptohishat,tookitbytherimandflungitsidewayswithallhisforce.Therewas

93

aloudclang.Foraninstanttherimofthebowlerhatstuckaninchdeepinthepanel
Goldfingerhadindicated,thenitfellandclatteredonthefloor.
GoldfingersmiledpolitelyatBond.'Alightbutverystrongalloy,Mr.Bond.Ifearthatwill
havedamagedthefeltcovering,butOddjobwillputonanother.He'ssurprisinglyquick
withaneedleandthread.Asyoucanimagine,thatblowwouldhavesmashedaman's
skullorhalfseveredhisneck.Ahomelyandamostingeniouslyconcealedweapon,I'm
sureyou'llagree.'
'Yes,indeed.'Bondsmiledwithequalpoliteness.'Usefulchaptohavearound.'
Oddjobhadpickeduphishatanddisappeared.Therecametheboomofagong.'Ah,
dinner!Shallwegoin?'Goldfingerledthewaytoadoorconcealedinthepanellingtothe
rightofthefireplace.Hepressedahiddenlatchandtheywalkedthrough.
Thesmalldiningroommatchedtheheavywealthofthehall.Itwasbrilliantlylitfroma
centralchandelierandbycandlesonaroundtablethatglitteredwithsilverandglass.
Theysatdownoppositeeachother.Twoyellowfacedservantsinwhitemessjackets
broughtdishesfromaloadedservingtable.Thefirstcoursewassomecurriedmesswith
rice.GoldfingernoticedBond'shesitation.Hegaveadrychuckle.'It'sallright,Mr.Bond.
Shrimp,notthecat.'
'Ah.'Bond'sexpressionwasnoncommittal.
'PleasetrytheMoselle.Ihopeitwillbetoyourtaste.ItisaPiesporterGoldtropfchen'53.
Helpyourself.Thesepeopleareaslikelytopouritintoyourplateasyourglass.'
TherewasaslimbottleinanicebucketinfrontofBond.Hepouredsomeofthewineand
tastedit.
Itwasnectarandicecold.Bondcongratulatedhishost.Goldfingergaveacurtnod.
'Idon'tmyselfdrinkorsmoke,Mr.Bond.Smoking,Ifindthemostridiculousofallthe
varietiesofhumanbehaviourandpracticallytheonlyonethatisentirelyagainstnature.
Canyouimagineacoworanyanimaltakingamouthfulofsmoulderingstrawthen
breathinginthesmokeandblowingitoutthroughitsnostrils?Pah!'Goldfingershoweda
raretraceofemotion.'Itisavilepractice.Asfordrinking,Iamsomethingofachemistand
Ihaveyettofindaliquorthatisfreefromtracesofanumberofpoisons,someofthem
deadly,suchasfuseloil,aceticacid,ethylacetate,acetaldehydeandfurfurol.Aquantityof
someofthesepoisonstakenneatwouldkillyou.Inthesmallamountsyoufindinabottle
ofliquortheyproducevariousilleffectsmostofwhicharelightlywrittenoffas"a
hangover".'Goldfingerpausedwithaforkfulofcurriedshrimphalfwaytohismouth.
'Sinceyouareadrinker,Mr.Bond,Iwillgiveyouonewordofgoodadvice.Neverdrinkso
calledNapoleonbrandy,particularlywhenitisdescribedas"agedinthewood".That
particularpotioncontainsmoreofthepoisonsIhavementionedthananyotherliquorI
haveanalysed.Oldbourboncomesnext.'Goldfingerclosedhisanimadversionswitha
mouthfulofshrimp.
94

'Thankyou.I'llremember.PerhapsforthosereasonsIhaverecentlytakentovodka.They
tellmeitsfiltrationthroughactivatedcharcoalisahelp.'Bond,dredgingthispieceof
expertiseoutofdimrecollectionsofsomethinghehadread,wasratherproudofhaving
beenabletoreturnGoldfinger'spowerfulserve.
Goldfingerglancedathimsharply.'Youseemtounderstandsomethingofthesematters.
Haveyoustudiedchemistry?'
'Onlydabbledinit.'Itwastimetomoveon.'Iwasveryimpressedbythatchauffeurof
yours.Wheredidhelearnthatfantasticcombatstuff?Wherediditcomefrom?Isthat
whattheKoreansuse?'
Goldfingerpattedhismouthwithhisnapkin.Hesnappedhisfingers.Thetwomencleared
awaytheplatesandbroughtroastducklingandabottleofMoutonRothschild1947for
Bond.Whentheyhadwithdrawnintoimmobilityateachendoftheservingtable,
Goldfingersaid,'HaveyoueverheardofKarate?No?Wellthatmanisoneofthethreein
theworldwhohaveachievedtheBlackBeltinKarate.Karateisabranchofjudo,butitis
tojudowhataSpandauistoacatapult.'
'Icouldseethat.'
'Thedemonstrationwasanelementaryone.Mr.Bond'Goldfingerheldupthedrumstick
hehadbeengnawing'IcantellyouthatifOddjobhadusedtheappropriatesingleblow
onanyoneofsevenspotsonyourbody,youwould,nowbedead.'Goldfingerbitatthe
sideofthedrumstickwithrelish.
Bondsaidseriously,'That'sinteresting.IonlyknowfivewaysofkillingOddjobwithone
blow.'
Goldfingerseemednottohearthecomment.Heputdownhisdrumstickandtookadeep
draughtofwater.HesatbackandspokewhileBondwentoneatingtheexcellentfood.
'Karate,Mr.Bond,isbasedonthetheorythatthehumanbodypossessesfivestriking
surfacesandthirtysevenvulnerablespotsvulnerable,thatis,toanexpertinKarate
whosefingertips,thesideofthehandsandthefeetarehardenedintolayersofcorn,
whichisfarstrongerandmoreflexiblethanbone.Everydayofhislife,Mr.Bond,Oddjob
spendsonehourhittingeithersacksofunpolishedriceorastrongpostwhosetopis
woundmanytimesroundwiththickrope.Hethenspendsanotherhouratphysical
trainingwhichismorethatofaballetschoolthanofagymnasium.'
'Whendoeshepractisetossingthebowlerhat?'Bondhadnointentionofsuccumbingto
thispsychologicalwarfare.
Goldfingerfrownedattheinterruption.'Ihaveneverinquired,'hesaidwithouthumour.
'ButIthinkyoucantakeitthatOddjobkeephiseyeinatallhisskills.However,youwere
askingwhereKarateoriginated.ItoriginatedinChinawherewanderingBuddhistpriests
becameaneasypreyforfootpadsandbandits.Theirreligiondidnotallowthemtocarry
weapons,sotheydevelopedtheirownformofunarmedcombat.Theinhabitantsof
OkinawarefinedthearttoitspresentformwhentheJapaneseforbadethemtocarry
95

weapons.Theydevelopedthefivestrikingsurfacesofthehumanbodythefist,theedge
ofthehand,thefingertips,theballofthefootandtheelbowsandtoughenedthemuntil
theywereenvelopedinlayersofcorn.ThereisnofollowthroughinaKarateblow.The
entirebodyisstiffenedatthemomentofimpact,withtheemphasisonthehips,andthen
instantlyrelaxedsothatbalanceisneverlost.ItisastonishingwhatOddjobcando.Ihave
seenhimhitabrickwallwithhisentireforceandnothurthishand.Hecansplitthreehalf
inchthickboards,piledoneupontheother,withoneblowofthehand.Youhaveseen
whathecandowithhisfoot.'
Bondtookadeepdraughtofthedeliciousclaret.'Allthismustberatherhardonyour
furniture.'
Goldfingershrugged.'Ihavenomoreuseforthishouse.Ithoughtademonstrationwould
amuseyou.IhopeyouagreethatOddjobearnedhiscat.'TheXrayeyesblazedbriefly
acrossthetable.
'Doeshetrainoncats?'
'Heregardsthemasagreatdelicacy.Heacquiredthetasteduringafamineinhiscountry
whenhewasyoung.'
Bondthoughtitwastimetodelverathermoredeeply.'Whydoyouneedsuchaman?He
can'tbeverygoodcompany.'
'Mr.Bond'Goldfingersnappedhisfingersforthetwoservants'ithappensthatIama
richman,averyrichman,andthericherthemanthemoreheneedsprotection.The
ordinarybodyguardordetectiveisusuallyaretiredpoliceman.Suchmenarevalueless.
Theirreactionsareslow,theirmethodsoldfashioned,andtheyareopentobribery.
Moreover,theyhavearespectforhumanlife.ThatisnogoodifIwishtostayalive.The
Koreanshavenosuchfeelings.ThatiswhytheJapaneseemployedthemasguardsfor
theirprisoncampsduringthewar.Theyarethecruellest,mostruthlesspeopleinthe
world.Myownstaffarehandpickedforthesequalities.Theyhaveservedmewell.Ihave
nocomplaints.Norhavethey.Theyarewellpaidandwellfedandhoused.Whenthey
wantwomen,streetwomenarebroughtdownfromLondon,wellremuneratedfortheir
servicesandsentback.Thewomenarenotmuchtolookat,buttheyarewhiteandthatis
alltheKoreansasktosubmitthewhiteracetothegrossestindignities.Thereare
sometimesaccidentsbut'thepaleeyesgazedblanklydownthetable'moneyisan
effectivewindingsheet.'
Bondsmiled.
'Youliketheaphorism?Itismyown.'
Anexcellentcheesesoufflecameandwasfollowedbycoffee.Theyateinsilence,both
apparentlycomfortableandrelaxedbytheseconfidences.Bondcertainlywas.Goldfinger,
obviouslybydesign,waslettinghishairdownnotfar,notfartherthanhisshoulders,but
hewasshowingBondoneofhisprivatefaces,presumablytheonetowhichhethought
Bondwouldrespondtheruthlesslyefficient,coldbloodedtycoon.Perhaps,afterall,
96

Bond'sspyinginthehouse,whichGoldfingermustatleastpresume,hadrevealed
somethingaboutBondthatGoldfingerwaspleasedtoknowthatBondhadacrookedside
tohim,thathewasn't'agentleman'inmorethanappearance.Nowthereshouldbemore
probingandthen,withluck,thepropositionwouldfollow.
Bondsatbackandlitacigarette.Hesaid,'That'sabeautifulcaryou'vegot.Mustbeabout
thelastoftheseries.About1925,wasn'tittwoblocksofthreecylinderswithtwoplugs
foreachcylinder,onesetfiredfromthemagandtheotherfromthecoil?'
'Youarecorrect.Butinotherrespects.Ihavehadtointroducesomemodifications.Ihave
addedfiveleavestothespringsandfitteddiscbrakestotherearwheelstoincreasethe
brakingpower.TheServooperatedfrontwheelbrakeswerenotsufficient.'
'Oh.Whynot?Thetopspeedwouldn'tbemorethanfifty.Thebodycan'tbeallthat
heavy.'
Goldfingerraisedhiseyebrows.'Youthinknot?Onetonofarmourplatingandarmour
platedglassmakeabigdifference.'
Bondsmiled.'Ah!Isee.Youcertainlydotakegoodcareofyourself.Buthowdoesthat
workflyingtheChannel?Doesn'tthecargothroughtheflooroftheplane?'
'Itakeaplanetomyself.TheSilverCitycompanyknowsthecar.Itisaregularroutine,
twiceayear.'
'JusttouringroundEurope?'
'Agolfingholiday.'
'Greatfun.Alwayswantedtodoitmyself.'
Goldfingerdidn'ttakethebait.'Youcanaffordtonow.'
Bondsmiled.'Oh,thatextratenthousanddollars.ButImayneedthatifIdecidetomove
toCanada.'
'Youthinkyoucouldmakemoneythere?Doyouwanttomakealotofmoney?'
Bond'svoicewaseager.'Verymuch.There'snootherpointinworking.'
'Unfortunatelymostwaysofmakingbigmoneytakealongtime.Bythetimeonehas
madethemoneyoneistoooldtoenjoyit.'
'That'sthetrouble.I'malwaysonthelookoutforshortcuts.Youwon'tfindthemhere.
Taxation'stooheavy.'
'Quite.Andthelawsarestrict.'
97

'Yes.Ifoundthatout.'
'Indeed?'
'Gotonthefringeoftheheroinracket.Onlyjustgotoutwithoutburningmyfingers.Of
coursethis'llgonofurther?'
Goldfingershruggedhisshoulders.'Mr.Bond,someonesaidthat"lawisthecrystallized
prejudicesofthecommunity".Iagreewiththatdefinition.Ithappenstoapplymost
stronglytothetrafficindrugs.Evenifitdidn't,Iamnotconcernedwithassistingthe
police.'
'Well,itwaslikethis...'BondlaunchedintothestoryoftheMexicantraffic,swappingroles
withBlackwell.Heendedup,'Iwasluckytogetawaywithit,butitdidn'tmakeme
particularlypopularwithUniversalExport.'
'Idaresaynot.Aninterestingstory.Youseemtohaveshownresource.Youarenot
temptedtocontinueinthesamelineofbusiness?'
Bondshruggedhisshoulders.'Abittootricky.TojudgebythisMexican,thebigmeninthe
businessaren'tquitebigenoughwhenitcomestothepinch.Whenthingsgottoughhe
didn'tfightbackexceptwithhismouth.'
'Well,Mr.Bond,'GoldfingergotupfromthetableandBondfollowedsuit.'It'sbeenan
interestingevening.Idon'tknowthatIwouldgobackintoheroin.Therearesaferwaysof
makingbigmoney.Youwanttobecertainthattheoddsarerightandthenyoushould
hazardeverything.Doublingone'smoneyisn'teasyandthechancesdon'toccur
frequently.Youwouldliketohearanotherofmyaphorisms?'
'Yes.'
'Well,Mr.Bond,'Goldfingergavetherichman'sthinsmile.'Thesafestwaytodoubleyour
moneyisfoldittwiceandputitinyourpocket.'
Bond,thebankclerkbarkeningtothebankmanager,smileddutifullybutmadeno
comment.Thisjustwasn'tgoodenough.Hewasgettingnowhere.Butinstincttoldhim
nottoputhisfootdownontheaccelerator.
Theywentbackintothehall.Bondheldouthishand.'Well,manythanksfortheexcellent
dinner.TimeIwentandgotsomesleep.Perhapsweshallrunintoeachotheragainsome
day.'
GoldfingerpressedBond'shandbrieflyandpusheditawayfromhim.Itwasanother
mannerismofthemillionairesubconsciouslyafraidofthetouch'.HelookedhardatBond.
Hesaidenigmatically,'Ishouldn'tbeatallsurprised,Mr.Bond.'
OnhiswayacrosstheIsleofThanetinthemoonlight,Bondturnedthephraseoverand
overinhismind.Heundressedandgotintobedthinkingofit,unabletoguessits
98

significance.ItcouldmeanthatGoldfingerintendedtogetintouchwithBond,oritcould
meanthatBondmusttryandkeepintouchwithGoldfinger.Headstheformer,tailsthe
latter.Bondgotoutofbedandtookacoinfromthedressingtableandtossedit.Itcame
downtails.SoitwasuptohimtokeepclosetoGoldfinger!Sobeit.Buthiscoverwould
havetobeprettydarngoodthenexttimethey'raninto'eachother.Bondgotbackinto
bedandwasinstantlyasleep.

99

100

ChapterTwelve
LongTailOnAGhost
PunctuallyatninethenextmorningBondgotontotheChiefofStaff:'Jameshere.I'vehad
alookattheproperty.Beenalloverit.Haddinnerlastnightwiththeowner.Icansay
prettywellforcertainthatthemanagingdirector'sviewisright.Somethingdefinitely
wrongabouttheproperty.Notenoughfactstosendyouasurveyor'sreport.Owner's
goingabroadtomorrow,flyingfromFerryfield.WishIknewhisdeparturetime.Liketo
haveanothersightofhisRolls.ThoughtI'dmakehimapresentofaportablewirelessset.
I'llbegoingoverabitlaterintheday.CouldyougetMiss.Ponsonbytobookme?
Destinationunknownforthepresent.I'llbekeepingintouch.Anythingyourend?'
'Howdidthegameofgolfgo?'
'Iwon.'
Therewasachuckleattheotherend.'Thoughtyouhad.Prettybigstakes,weren'tthey?'
'Howdidyouknow?'
'HadMr.Scotlandonlastnight.Saidhe'dhadatiponthetelephonethatsomeoneofyour
namewasinpossessionofalargeamountofundeclareddollars.Hadwegotsucha
personandwasittrue?Chapwasn'tverysenioranddidn'tknowaboutUniversal.Told
himtohaveawordwiththeCommissionerandwegotanapologythismorningaboutthe
sametimeasyoursecretaryfoundanenvelopecontainingtenthousanddollarsinyour
mail!Prettyslyofyourman,wasn'tit?'
Bondsmiled.TypicalofGoldfingertohavethoughtofawayofgettinghimintotrouble
overthedollars.ProbablymadethecalltoScotlandYarddirectlyafterthegame.Hehad
wantedtoshowBondthatifyougaveGoldfingeraknockyou'dgetatleastathorninyour
hand.ButtheUniversalExportcoverseemedtohavestuck.Bondsaid,'That'sprettyhot!
Thetwister!YoumighttellthemanagingdirectorthatthistimeitgoestotheWhiteCross.
Canyoufixtheotherthings?'
'Ofcourse.Callyoubackinafewminutes.Butwatchyourstepabroadandcallusatonce
ifyougetboredandneedcompany.Solong.'
'Bye.'Bondputdownthereceiver.Hegotupandsetaboutpackinghisbag.Hecouldsee
thesceneintheChiefofStaff'sofficeastheconversationwasplayedbackoffthetape
whiletheChiefofStafftranslatedthecalltoMiss.Moneypenny.'Saysheagreesthat
Goldfingerisuptosomethingbigbuthecan'tmakeoutwhat.G.isflyingthismorning
withhisRollsfromFerryfield.007wantstofollow.(Let'ssaytwohourslatertoletG.get
wellawayontheotherside.Fixthereservation,wouldyou?)Hewantsustohaveaword
withCustomssothathecantakeagoodlookattheRollsandplantaHomerintheboot.
(Fixthattoo,please.)He'llkeepintouchthroughstationsincaseheneedshelp...'

101

Andsoforth.Itwasanefficientmachine.Bondfinishedpackingand,whentheLondoncall
camegivinghimhisvariousclearances,hewentdownstairs,paidhisbillandgotquickly
outofRamsgateontotheCanterburyroad.
LondonhadsaidthatGoldfingerwasbookedonaspecialflightleavingattwelve.Bondgot
toFerryfieldbyeleven,madehimselfknowntotheChiefPassportControlandthe
Customsofficerswhowereexpectinghim,hadhiscartakenoutofsightintoanempty
hangarandsatandsmokedandtalkedminorshopwiththepassportmen.Theythought
hewasfromScotlandYard.Heletthemgoonthinkingit.No,hesaid,Goldfingerwasall
right.Itwaspossiblethatoneofhisservantswastryingtosmugglesomethingoutofthe
country.Ratherconfidential.IfBondcouldjustbeleftalonewiththecarfortenminutes?
Hewantedtohavealookatthetoolkit.WouldtheCustomsgivetherestoftheRollstheir
GradeAgoingoverforhiddencompartments?They'dbegladtodoso.
AtelevenfortyfiveoneoftheCustomsmenputhisheadroundthedoor.Hewinkedat
Bond.'Cominginnow.Chauffeuronboard.Goingtoaskbothtoboardtheplanebefore
thecar.Tellthemit'ssomethingtodowiththeweightdistribution.Notsophoneyasit
sounds.Weknowthisoldcrate.She'sarmourplated.Weighsaboutthreetons.Callyou
whenwe'reready.'
'Thanks.'Theroomemptied.Bondtookthefragilelittleparceloutofhispocket.It
containedadrycellbatterywiredtoasmallvacuumtube.Heranhiseyeoverthewiring
andputtheapparatusbackinhiscoatpocketandwaited.Atelevenfiftyfivethedoor
opened.Theofficerbeckoned.'Notrouble.They'reontheplane.'
ThehugegleamingSilverGhoststoodintheCustomsbayoutofsightoftheplane.The
onlyothercarwasadovegreyTriumphTR3convertiblewithitshooddown.Bondwentto
thebackoftheRolls.TheCustomsmenhadunscrewedtheplateofthesparetool
compartment.Bondpulledoutthetrayoftoolsandmadeashowofminutelyexamining
themandthetray.Hekneltdown.Undercoverofrummagingatthesidesofthe
compartment,heslippedthebatteryandtubeintothebackofit.Hereplacedthetool
tray.Itfittedallright.Hestoodupandbrushedhishandstogether.
'Negative,'hesaidtotheCustomsofficer.
Theofficerfittedtheplateonandscreweditdownwiththesquarekey.Hestoodup.
'Nothingfunnyaboutthechassisorthebodywork.Plentyofroomintheframeand
upholsterybutwecouldn'tgetatthemwithoutdoingamajorjob.Allrighttogo?'
'Yes,andthanks.'Bondwalkedbackintotheoffice.Heheardthequicksolidwhineofthe
oldselfstarter.Aminutelater,thecarcameoutofthebayandidledsuperblyovertothe
loadingramp.
Bondstoodatthebackoftheofficeandwatcheditbeingeaseduptheramp.Thebigjaws
oftheBristolFreighterclangedshut.Thechockswerejerkedawayandthedispatcher
raisedathumb.Thetwoenginescoughedheavilyandfiredandthegreatsilverdragonfly
trundledofftowardstherunway.
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Whentheplanewasontherunway,Bondwalkedroundtohiscarandclimbedintothe
driver'sseat.Hepressedaswitchunderthedash.Therewasamoment'ssilence,thena
loudharshhowlcamefromthehiddenloudspeaker.Bondturnedaknob.Thehowl
diminishedtoadeepdrone.
BondwaiteduntilheheardtheBristoltakeoff.Astheplaneroseandmadeforthecoast
thedronediminished.Infiveminutesithadgone.Bondtunedthesetandpickeditup
again.HefolloweditforfiveminutesastheplanemadeoffacrosstheChannelandthen
switchedthesetoff.HemotoredroundtotheCustomsbay,toldtheAAthathewouldbe
backatonethirtyforthetwoo'clockflight,anddroveslowlyofftowardsapubheknewin
Rye.Fromnowon,solongashekeptwithinaboutahundredmilesoftheRolls,the
Homer,theroughradiotransmitterhehadslippedintoitstoolcompartment,wouldkeep
contactwithBond'sreceiver.Allhehadtodowaswatchthedecibelsandnotallowthe
noisetofade.Itwasasimpleformofdirectionfindingwhichallowedonecartoputa'long
tail'onanotherandkeepintouchwithoutanydangerofbeingspotted.Ontheotherside
oftheChannel,BondwouldhavetodiscovertheroadGoldfingerhadtakenoutofLe
Touquet,getwellwithinrangeandcloseupnearbigtownsorwherevertherewasamajor
forkorcrossroads.SometimesBondwouldmakeawrongdecisionandhavetodosome
fastmotoringtocatchupagain.TheDBIIIwouldlookafterthat.Itwasgoingtobefun
playinghareandhoundsacrossEurope.Thesunwasshiningoutofaclearsky.Bondfelta
moment'ssharpthrilldownhisspine.Hesmiledtohimself,ahard,cold,cruelsmile.
Goldfinger,hethought,forthefirsttimeinyourlifeyou'reintroublebadtrouble.
ThereisalwaysanagentcyclisteatthedangerouscrossroadswhereLeTouquet'squiet
N38meetstheoilyturbulenceofthemajorNl.Yes,certainlyhehadseentheRolls.One
couldnotfailtoremarkit.Arealaristocratofacar.Totheright,monsieur,towards
Abbeville.Hewillbeanhourahead,butwiththatbolideofyours...!
AssoonasBondhadclearedhispapersattheairport,theHomerhadpickedupthedrone
oftheRolls.ButitwasimpossibletotellifGoldfingerwasheadingnorthfortheLow
CountriesorAustriaorGermanyorifhewasofftothesouth.Forthatsortoffixyou
neededtworadiocarstogetabearing.Bondraisedahandtotheagentandgavehis
enginethegun.Hewouldhavetocloseupfast.GoldfingerwouldbethroughAbbeville
andwouldalreadyhavetakenthemajorforkontoNlforParisorN28forRouen.Alotof
timeanddistancewouldbewastedifBondmadethewrongguess.
Bondsweptalongthebadlycamberedroad.Hetooknochancesbutcoveredtheforty
threekilometrestoAbbevilleinaquarterofanhour.ThedroneoftheHomerwasloud.
Goldfingercouldn'tbemorethantwentymilesahead.Butwhichwayatthefork?Ona
guessBondtooktheParisroad.Hebeatthecaralong.Foratimetherewaslittlechangein
thevoiceoftheHomer.Bondcouldberightorwrong.Then,imperceptibly,thedrone
begantofade.Blast!Turnbackorpressonfastandtakeoneofthesecondaryroads
acrosstoRouenandcatchupwithhimthere?Bondhatedturningback.Tenkilometres
shortofBeauvaisheturnedright.Foratimeitwasbadgoingbutthenhewasontothe
fastN30andcouldaffordtodriftintoRouen,ledonbythebeckoningvoiceofhispickup.
Hestoppedontheoutskirtsofthetownandlistenedwithoneearwhileconsultinghis
Michelin.BythewaxingdronehecouldtellthathehadgotaheadofGoldfinger.Butnow
therewasanothervitalfork,notquitesoeasytoretrieveifBondguessedwrongagain.
EitherGoldfingerwouldtaketheAlengonLeMansToursroutetothesouth,orhemeant
103

tomovesoutheast,missingParis,bywayofEvreux,ChartresandOrleans.Bondcouldn't
affordtogetclosertothecentreofRouenandperhapscatchaglimpseoftheRollsandof
thewayitwouldtake.HewouldhavetowaituntiltheHomerwentonthewaneandthen
makehisownguess.
ItwasaquarterofanhourlaterbeforeBondcouldbesurethattheRollswaswellpast.
Thistimeheagaintooktheleftlegofthefork.Hethrustthepedalintothefloorand
hurried.Yes.Thistimethedronewasmergingintoahowl.Bondwasonthetrack.He
slowedtoforty,tuneddownhisreceivertoawhisperandidledalong,wonderingwhere
Goldfingerwasheadingfor.
Fiveo'clock,six,seven.ThesunsetinBond'sdrivingmirrorandstilltheRollsspedon.
TheywerethroughDreuxandChartresandontothelongstraightfiftymilestretchinto
Orleans.IfthatwastobethenightstoptheRollswouldn'thavedonebadlyatallover
twohundredandfiftymilesinsomethingoversixhours.Goldfingerwascertainlyno
slouchwhenitcametomotoring.HemustbekeepingtheoldSilverGhostatmaximum
outsidethetowns.Bondbegantocloseup.
Therewererearlightsaheaddimones.Bondhadhisfoglightson.Heswitchedonthe
Marchals.Itwassomelittlesportscar.Bondclosedup.MG?Triumph?AustinHealey?It
wasapalegreyTriumphtwoseaterwiththehoodup.Bondblinkedhislightsandswept
past.Nowtherewastheglareofanothercarahead.Bonddowsedhisheadlampsand
droveonthefogs.Theothercarwasamiledowntheroad.Bondcreptuponit.Ata
quarterofamile,heflashedtheMarchalsonandoffforaquicklook.Yes,itwastheRolls.
Bonddroppedbacktoamileandstayedthere,vaguelynoticingthedimlightsoftheTR3
inhismirror.OntheoutskirtsofOrleans,Bondpulledintothesideoftheroad.The
Triumphgrowledcasuallypast.
BondhadnevercaredforOrleans.Itwasapriestandmythriddentownwithoutcharmor
gaiety.ItwascontenttoliveoffJoanofArcandgivethevisitorahard,holyglarewhileit
tookhismoney.
BondconsultedhisMichelin.Goldfingerwouldstopatfivestarhotelsandeatfilletsof
soleandroastchicken.ItwouldbetheArcadesforhimperhapstheModerne.Bond
wouldhavelikedtostayoutsidethetownandsleeponthebanksoftheLoireinthe
excellentAubergedelaMontespan,hisbellyfullofquenellesdebrocket.Hewouldhave
tostickclosertohisfox.HedecidedontheHoteldelaGareanddinneratthestation
buffet.
Whenindoubt,Bondalwayschosethestationhotels.Theywereadequate,therewas
plentyofroomtoparkthecaranditwasbetterthanevenchancesthattheBuffetdela
Garewouldbeexcellent.Andatthestationonecouldheartheheartbeatofthetown.The
nightsoundsofthetrainswerefullofitstragedyandromance.
Thedroneonthereceiverhadstayedconstantfortenminutes.Bondnotedhiswaytothe
threehotelsandcautiouslycreptintothetown.Hewentdowntotheriverandalongthe
lightedguais.Hehadbeenright.TheRollswasoutsidetheArcades.Bondturnedbackinto
thetownandmadeforthestation.
104

TheHoteldelaGarewasallhehadexpectedcheap,oldfashioned,solidlycomfortable.
Bondhadahotbath,wentbacktohiscartomakesuretheRollshadn'tmoved,and
walkedintothestationrestaurantandateoneofhisfavouritemealstwoaeufscocottea
lacreme,alargesolemeuniere(Orleanswascloseenoughtothesea.ThefishoftheLoire
areinclinedtobemuddy)andanadequateCamembert.HedrankawellicedpintofRose
d'AnjouandhadaHennessy'sThreeStarwithhiscoffee.Attenthirtyheleftthe
restaurant,checkedontheRollsandwalkedthevirtuousstreetsforanhour.Onemore
checkontheRollsandbed.
Atsixo'clockthenextmorningtheRollshadn'tmoved.Bondpaidhisbill,hadacafe
completwithadoublerationofcoffeeatthestation,motoreddowntothequaisand
backedhiscarupasidestreet.Thistimehecouldnotaffordtomakeamistake.
GoldfingerwouldeithercrosstheriverandheadsouthtojoinN7fortheRiviera,orhe
wouldfollowthenorthbankoftheLoire,alsoperhapsfortheRiviera,butalsoonthe
routeforSwitzerlandandItaly.Bondgotoutofthecarandloungedagainsttheparapetof
theriverwall,watchingbetweenthetrunksoftheplanetrees.Ateightthirty,twosmall
figurescameoutoftheArcades.TheRollsmovedoff.Bondwatcheditfollowthequais
untilitwasoutofsight,thenhegotbehindthewheeloftheAstonMartinandsetoffin
pursuit.
BondmotoredcomfortablyalongtheLoireintheearlysummersunshine.Thiswasoneof
hisfavouritecornersoftheworld.InMay,withthefruittreesburningwhiteandthesoft
wideriverstillbigwiththewinterrains,thevalleywasgreenandyounganddressedfor
love.Hewasthinkingthiswhen,beforeChateauneuf,therewasashrillscreamfromtwin
BoschhornsandthelittleTriumphtorepast.Thehoodwasdown.Therewastheblurofa
prettyfacehiddenbywhitemotoringgoggleswithdarkbluelenses.AlthoughBondonly
sawtheedgeofaprofileaslashofredmouthandtheflutteringedgeofblackhairunder
apinkhandkerchiefwithwhitespots,heknewshewasprettyfromthewaysheheldher
head.Therewastheauthorityofsomeonewhoisusedtobeingadmired,combinedwith
theselfconsciousnessofagirldrivingaloneandpassingamaninasmartcar.
Bondthought:Thatwouldhappentoday!TheLoireisdressedforjustthatchasingthat
girluntilyourunhertogroundatlunchtime,thecontactattheemptyrestaurantbythe
river,outinthegardenunderthevinetrellis.ThefritureandtheicecoldVouvray,the
cautioussniffingateachotherandthenthetwocarsmotoringoninconvoyuntilthat
evening,welldowntothesouth,therewouldbetheplacetheyhadagreedonatlunch
olivetrees,cricketssingingintheindigodusk,thediscoverythattheylikedeachotherand
thattheirdestinationscouldwait.Then,nextday('No,nottonight.Idon'tknowyouwell
enough,andbesidesI'mtired')theywouldleavehercarinthehotelgarageandgooffin
hisatatangent,slowly,knowingtherewasnohurryforanything,drivingtothewest,
awayfromthebigroads.Whatwasthatplacehehadalwayswantedtogoto,simply
becauseofthename?Yes,EntreDeuxSeins,avillagenearLesBaux.Perhapstherewasn't
evenaninnthere.Well,thentheywouldgoontoLesBauxitself,attheBouchesduRhone
ontheedgeoftheCamargue.Theretheywouldtakeadjoiningrooms(notadoubleroom,
itwouldbetooearlyforthat)inthefabulousBaumaniere,theonlyhotelrestaurantin
FrancewithMichelin'ssupremeaccolade.Theywouldeatthegratindelangousteand
perhaps,becauseitwastraditionalonsuchanight,drinkchampagne.Andthen..

105

Bondsmiledathisstoryandatthedotsthatendedit.Nottoday.Todayyou'reworking.
TodayisforGoldfinger,notforlove.TodaytheonlyscentyoumaysmellisGoldfinger's
expensiveaftershavelotion,not...whatwouldsheuse?Englishgirlsmademistakesabout
scent.Hehopeditwouldbesomethingslightandclean.Balmain'sVentVertperhaps,or
Caron'sMuguet.Bondtuneduphisreceiverforreassurance,thenhusheditandmotored
on,relaxed,playingwithhisthoughtsofthegirl,fillinginthedetails.Ofcoursehemight
meetupwithheragain.Theyseemedtobekeepingprettyclosecompany.Shemusthave
spentthenightinOrleans.Where?Whatawaste.Butwaitaminute!SuddenlyBondwoke
upfromhisdaydreaming.Theopenhoodremindedhim.He'dseenthatTriumphbefore.It
hadbeenatFerryfield,musthavetakentheflightafterGoldfinger.Itwastruehehadn't
seenthegirlornotedtheregistrationnumber,butsurelyitwasthesame.Ifso,forherto
bestillonGoldfinger'stailafterthreehundredmileswasmorethancoincidence.Andshe
hadbeendrivingwithdimmedlightsthenightbefore!Here,what'sgoingon?
Bondsteppedontheaccelerator.HewasapproachingNevers.He'danywayhavetoclose
upforthenextbigturning.Hewouldkilltwobirdswithonestoneandalsoseewhatthe
girlwasupto.IfshewaskeepingstationsomewherebetweenhimandGoldfingerthere
wouldhavetobesomefuriousthinking.Anditwouldbeablastednuisance.Itwashard
enoughkeepingupwithGoldfinger.Withanothertailsandwichedbetweenthem,itwould
becomehellishdifficult.
Shewasstillthere,perhapstwomilesbehindtheRolls,keepingwellback.Assoonashe
caughtsightofherlittleglitteringrump(ashedescribedittohimself)Bondslowed.Well,
well!Whowasshe?Whatthehellwasallthisabout?Bondmotoredon,hisfacemorose
andthoughtful.
Thelittleconvoykepton,stillfollowingthewideblacksheenofN7thatrunslikeathick,
dangerousnervedownthroughtheheartofFrance.ButatMoulinsBondnearlylostthe
scent.HehadtodoublebackquicklyandgetontoN73.Goldfingerhadturnedatright
anglesandwasnowmakingforLyonsandItaly,orforMaconandGeneva.Bondhadtodo
somefastmotoring,andthenwasonlyjustintimetoavoidrunningintotrouble.Hehad
notworriedmuchaboutthepitchoftheHomer.
HehadcountedonasightoftheTriumphtoslowhimdown.Suddenlyherealizedthatthe
dronewasbecomingahowl.Ifhehadn'tbrakedharddownfromtheninetyhewasdoing,
hewouldhavebeenontopoftheRolls.Asitwas,hewasbarelycreepingalongwhenhe
cameoverariseandsawthebigyellowcarstoppedbythewaysideamileahead.There
wasablessedcarttrack.Bondswervedintoitandstoppedundercoverofalowhedge.He
tookasmallpairofbinocularsoutoftheglovecompartment,gotoutofthecarand
walkedback.Yes,damnit!Goldfingerwassittingbelowasmallbridgeonthebankofa
stream.Hewaswearingawhitedustcoatandwhitelinendrivinghelmetinthestyleof
Germantourists.Hewaseating,havingapicnic.ThesightmadeBondhungry.Whatabout
hisownlunch?HeexaminedtheRolls.Throughtherearwindowhecouldseepartofthe
Korean'sblackshapeinthefrontseat.TherewasnosignoftheTriumph.Ifthegirlhadstill
beenonGoldfinger'stailshewouldhavehadnowarning.Shewouldhavejustkepther
headdownandsteppedonthegas.Nowshewouldbesomewhereahead,waitingin
ambushfortheRollstocomeby.Orwouldshe?PerhapsBond'simaginationhadrunaway
withhim.ShewasprobablyonherwaytotheItalianlakestojoinanaunt,somefriends,a
lover.
106

NowGoldfingerwasonhisfeet.Tidyman.That'sright,pickupthescrapsofpaperand
tuckthemawaycarefullyunderthebridge.Whynotthrowtheminthestream?Suddenly
Bond'sjawtightened.WhatdidthoseactionsofGoldfingerremindhimof?WasBond
romancingagain,orwasthebridgeapostbox?HadGoldfingerbeeninstructedtoleave
something,oneofhisbarsofgold,underthisparticularbridge?France,Switzerland,Italy.
ItwasconvenientforallofthemtheCommunistcellinLyonsforinstance,oneofthe
strongestinFrance.Andthiswasagoodplacetousewithaclearfieldofviewupand
downtheroad.
Goldfingerscrambledupthebank.Bonddrewbackundercover.Heheardthedistant
grindoftheoldselfstarter.HecautiouslywatchedtheRollsuntilithaddisappeared.
Itwasaprettybridgeoveraprettystream.Ithadasurveynumbersetinthearch79/6
thesixthbridgefromsometownonN79.Easytofind.Bondgotquicklyoutofthecarand
sliddowntheshallowbank.Itwasdarkandcoolunderthearch.Thereweretheshadows
offishintheslow,clear,pebbledwater.Bondsearchedtheedgeofthemasonrynearthe
grassverge.Exactlyinthecentre,belowtheroad,therewasapatchofthickgrassagainst
thewall.Bondpartedthegrass.Therewasasprinklingoffreshlyturnedearth.Bonddug
withhisfingers.Therewasonlyone.Itwassmoothtothetouchandbrickshaped.It
neededsomestrengthtoliftit.Bondbrushedtheearthoffthedullyellowmetaland
wrappedtheheavybarinhishandkerchief.Heheldthebarunderhiscoatandclimbed
backupthebankontotheemptyroad.

107

108

ChapterThirteen
'IfYouTouchMeThere...'
Bondfeltpleasedwithhimself.Awholelotofpeopleweregoingtogetveryangrywith
Goldfinger.Youcandoalotofdirtyworkwithtwentythousandpounds.Nowplanswould
havetobealtered,conspiraciespostponed,perhapsevenlivessaved.And,ifitevergotto
aninquirybySMERSH,whichwasunlikelyastheywerethesortofrealisticpeoplewhocut
theirlosses,itcouldonlybeassumedthatsomeshelteringtramphadfoundthegoldbar.
Bondliftedthesecretflapunderthepassengerseatandslippedthebarinside.Dangerous
stuff.HewouldhavetocontactthenextstationoftheServiceandhanditovertothem.
TheywouldgetitbacktoLondonintheEmbassybag.Bondwouldhavetoreportthis
quickly.Itconfirmedalot.MmightevenwanttowarntheDeuxiemeandhavethebridge
watchedtoseewhocame.ButBondhopedthatwouldnothappen.Hedidn'twantascare
startedjustwhenhewasgettingclosetoGoldfinger.HewantedtheskiesoverGoldfinger
tobeblueandclear.
Bondgotmoving.Nowtherewereotherthingstothinkabout.Hemustcatchupwiththe
RollsbeforeMaconandgetthenextfork,toGenevaorLyons,right.Hemustsolvethe
problemofthegirlandifpossiblegetherofftheroad.Prettyornot,shewasconfusing
theissue.Andhemuststopandbuyhimselfsomethingtoeatanddrink.Itwasoneo'clock
andthesightofGoldfingereatinghadmadehimhungry.Anditwastimetofillupand
checkthewaterandoil.
ThedroneoftheHomergrewlouder.HewasintheoutskirtsofMacon.Hemustcloseup
andtaketheriskofbeingspotted.Thebusytrafficwouldhidehislowslungcar.Itwas
vitaltoknowiftheRollscrossedtheSaonefortheBourgroadorifitturnedrightatthe
bridgeandjoinedtheN6forLyons.FardowntheRueRambuteautherewasaglimpseof
yellow.Overtherailwaybridgeandthroughthelittlesquare.Thehighyellowboxkepton
towardstheriver.Bondwatchedthepassersbyturntheirheadstofollowthegleaming
Rolls.Theriver.WouldGoldfingerturnrightorkeeponacrossthebridge?TheRollskept
straighton.SoitwasSwitzerland!BondfollowedoverintothesuburbofSt.Laurent.Now
forabutcherandabakerandawineshop.Ahundredyardsaheadthegoldenheadofa
calfhungoverthepavement.Bondglancedinhisdrivingmirror.Well,well!Thelittle
Triumphwasonlyfeetawayfromhistail.Howlonghadshebeenthere?Bondhadbeen
sointentonfollowingtheRollsthathehadn'tglancedbacksinceenteringthetown.She
musthavebeenhidingupasidestreet.So!Nowcoincidencewascertainlyout.Something
mustbedone.
Sorry,sweetheart.I'vegottomessyouup.I'llbeasgentleasIcan.Holdtight.Bond
stoppedabruptlyinfrontofthebutcher'sshop.Hebangedthegearsintoreverse.There
wasasickeningscrunchandtinkle.Bondswitchedoffhisengineandgotout.

Hewalkedroundtothebackofthecar.Thegirl,herfacetensewithanger,hadone
beautifulsilkenlegontheroad.Therewasanindiscreetglimpseofwhitethigh.Thegirl
109

strippedoffhergogglesandstood,legsbracedandarmsakimbo.Thebeautifulmouthwas
tautwithanger.
TheAstonMartin'srearbumperwaslockedintothewreckageoftheTriumph'slampsand
radiatorgrille.Bondsaidamiably,'Ifyoutouchmethereagainyou'llhavetomarryme.'
Thewordswerehardlyoutofhismouthbeforetheopenpalmcrackedacrosshisface.
Bondputupahandandrubbedhischeek.Nowtherewasquiteacrowd.Therewasa
murmurofapprovalandribaldry.'Allezylagosse!Maintenantleknockout!'
Thegirl'sragehadnotdissipatedwiththeblow.'Youbloodyfool!Whatthehelldoyou
thinkyou'redoing?'
Bondthought:Ifonlyprettygirlswerealwaysangrytheywouldbebeautiful.Hesaid,
'Yourbrakescan'tbeuptomuch.'
'Mybrakes!Whatthehelldoyoumean?Youreversedintome.'
'Gearsslipped.Ididn'tknowyouweresoclose.'Itwastimetocalmherdown.'I'mmost
frightfullysorry.I'llpayforalltherepairsandeverything.Itreallyisbadluck.Let'ssee
whatthedamageis.Tryandbackaway.Doesn'tlookasifourbumpershaveoverridden.'
BondputafootontheTriumph'sbumpersandrocked.
'Don'tyoudaretouchmycar!Leaveitalone.'Angrilythegirlclimbedbackintothedriver's
seat.
Shepressedtheselfstarter.Theenginefired.Metalclangedunderthebonnet.She
switchedoffandleantout.'Thereyouare,youidiot!You'vesmashedthefan.'
Bondhadhopedhehad.HegotintohisowncarandeaseditawayfromtheTriumph.Bits
oftheTriumph,releasedbyBond'sbumper,tinkledontotheroad.Hegotoutagain.The
crowdhadthinned.Therewasamaninamechanic'soveralls.Hevolunteeredtocalla
breakdownvanandwentofftodoso.BondwalkedovertotheTriumph.Thegirlhadgot
outandwaswaitingforhim.
Herexpressionhadchanged.Nowshewasmorecomposed.Bondnoticedthathereyes,
whichweredarkblue,watchedhisfacecarefully.
Bondsaid,'Itreallywon'tbetoobad.Probablyknockedthefanoutofalignment.They'll
puttemporaryheadlampsinthesocketsandstraightenupthechrome.You'llbeoffagain
bytomorrowmorning.Now,'Bondreachedintohispocketforhisnotecase,'thisis
maddeningforyouandI'llcertainlytakealltheblame.Here'sahundredthousandfrancs
tocoverthedamageandyourexpensesforthenightandtelephoningyourfriendsandso
on.Pleasetakeitandcallitquits.I'dlovetostayhereandseeyougetontheroadallright
tomorrowmorning.ButI'vegotanappointmentthiseveningandI'vesimplygottomake
it.'
'No.'Theonewordwascool,definite.Thegirlputherhandsbehindherbackandwaited.
110

'But...'Whatwasitshewanted,thepolice?Havehimchargedwithdangerousdriving?
'I'vegotanappointmentthiseveningtoo.I'vegottomakeit.I'vegottogettoGeneva.
Willyoupleasetakemethere?It'snotfar.Onlyaboutahundredmiles.Wecoulddoitin
twohoursinthat.'
ShegesturedattheDBIII.'Willyou?Please?'
Therewasadesperateurgencyinthevoice.Nocajolery,nothreats,onlyablazingneed.
ForthefirsttimeBondexaminedherasmorethanaprettygirlwhoperhapstheywere
theonlyexplanationsBondhadfoundtofitthefactswantedtobepickedupby
Goldfingerorhadablackmailonhim.Butshedidn'tlookcapableofeitherofthesethings.
Therewastoomuchcharacterintheface,toomuchcandour.Andshewasn'twearingthe
uniformofaseductress.Sheworeawhite,rathermasculinecut,heavysilkshirt.Itwas
openattheneck,butitwouldbuttonuptoanarrowmilitarycollar.Theshirthadlong
widesleevesgatheredatthewrists.Thegirl'snailswereunpaintedandheronlypieceof
jewellerywasagoldringonherengagementfinger(trueorfalse?).Sheworeaverywide
blackstitchedleatherbeltwithdoublebrassbuckles.Itroseatthebacktogivesomeof
thesupportofaracingdriver'scorsetbelt.Hershortskirtwascharcoalgreyandpleated.
Hershoeswereexpensivelookingblacksandalswhichwouldbecomfortableandcoolfor
driving.Theonlytouchofcolourwasthepinkhandkerchiefwhichshehadtakenoffher
headandnowheldbyhersidewiththewhitegoggles.Italllookedveryattractive.Butthe
getupremindedBondmoreofanequipmentthanayounggirl'sdress.Therewas
somethingfaintlymannishandopenairaboutthewholeofherbehaviourand
appearance.Shemight,thoughtBond,beamemberoftheEnglishwomen'sskiteam,or
spendalotofhertimeinEnglandhuntingorshowjumping.
Althoughshewasaverybeautifulgirlshewasthekindwholeavesherbeautyalone.She
hadmadenoattempttopatherhairintoplace.Asaresult,itlookedasagirl'shairshould
lookuntidy,withbitsthatstrayedandarathercrookedparting.Itprovidedthecontrast
ofanuneven,jaggeddarkframeforthepalesymmetryoftheface,themainfeaturesof
whichwereblueeyesunderdarkbrows,adesirablemouth,andanairofdetermination
andindependencethatcamefromthehighcheekbonesandthefinelineofthejaw.
Therewasthesameairofselfrelianceinherfigure.Sheheldherbodyproudlyherfine
breastsoutthrownandunashamedunderthetautsilk.Herstance,withfeetslightly
partedandhandsbehindherback,wasamixtureofprovocationandchallenge.Thewhole
pictureseemedtosay,'Nowthen,youhandsomebastard,don'tthinkyoucan"little
woman"me.You'vegotmeintothismessand,byGod,you'regoingtogetmeout!You
maybeattractive,butI'vegotmylifetorun,andIknowwhereI'mgoing.'
Bondweighedherrequest.Howmuchofanuisancewouldshebe?Howsooncouldheget
ridofherandgetonwithhisbusiness?Wasthereanysecurityrisk?Againstthe
disadvantages,therewashiscuriosityaboutherandwhatshewasupto,thememoryof
thefablehehadspunroundherandwhichhadnowtakenitsfirststeptowards
realization,and,finally,thedamselindistressbusinessanywoman'sappealforhelp.
Bondsaidcurtly,'I'llbegladtotakeyoutoGeneva.Nowthen,'heopenedupthebackof
theAstonMartin,'let'sgetyourthingsin.WhileIfixupaboutthegaragehere'ssome
111

money.Pleasebuyuslunchanythingyoulikeforyourself.Forme,sixinchesofLyon
sausage,aloafofbread,butter,andhalfalitreofMaconwiththecorkpulled.'
Theireyesmetandexchangedaflurryofmasculine/femininemaster/slavesignals.Thegirl
tookthemoney.'Thankyou.I'llgetthesamethingsformyself.'Shewenttothebootof
theTriumphandunlockedit.'No,don'tbother.Icanmanagethese.'Shehauledoutabag
ofgolfclubswithacoverzippedshutandasmall,expensivelookingsuitcase.Shebrought
themovertotheAstonMartinand,rejectingBond'sofferofhelp,fittedtheminalongside
Bond'ssuitcase.ShewatchedhimlockthebackofthecarandwentbacktotheTriumph.
Shetookoutawide,blackstitchedleathershoulderbag.
Bondsaid,'WhatnameandaddressshallIgive?'
'What?'
Bondrepeatedhisquestion,wonderingifshewouldlieaboutthenameortheaddress,or
both.
Shesaid,'Ishallbemovingabout.BettersaytheBerguesatGeneva.Thename'sSoames.
Miss.TillySoames.'Therewasnohesitation.Shewentintothebutcher'sshop.
Aquarterofanhourlatertheywereontheirway.
Thegirlsatuprightandkepthereyesontheroad.ThedroneontheHomerwasfaint.The
Rollsmusthavegainedfiftymiles.Bondhurried.TheyflashedthroughBourgandoverthe
riveratPontd'Ain.NowtheywereinthefoothillsoftheJuraandthereweretheSbends
ofN84.BondwentatthemasifhewascompetingintheAlpineTrials.Afterthegirlhad
swayedagainsthimtwiceshekeptherhandonthehandleonthedashandrodewiththe
carasifshewerehissparedriver.Once,afteraparticularlysharpdryskidthatalmost
tookthemovertheside,Bondglancedatherprofile.Herlipswerepartedandhernostrils
slightlyflared.Theeyeswerealight.Shewasenjoyingherself.
TheycametothetopofthepassandtherewastherundowntowardstheSwissfrontier.
NowtheHomerwassendingoutasteadyhowl.Bondthought,Imusttakeiteasyorwe
shallberunningintothemattheCustoms.Heputhishandunderthedashandtunedthe
noisedown.Hepulledintothesideoftheroad.Theysatinthecarandateapolitebut
almostsilentpicnic,neithermakinganyattemptatconversation,both,itseemed,with
otherthingsontheirminds.Aftertenminutes,Bondgotgoingagain.Hesatrelaxed,
motoringeasilydownthecurvingroadthroughtheyoungwhisperingpines.
Thegirlsaid,'What'sthatnoise?'
'Magnetowhine.GetsworsewhenIhurry.StartedatOrleans.Havetogetitfixedtonight.'
Sheseemedsatisfiedwiththismumbojumbo.Shesaiddiffidently,'Whereareyou
headingfor?IhopeIhaven'ttakenyouveryfaroutofyourway.'

112

Bondsaidinafriendlyvoice,'Notatall.Asamatteroffact,I'mgoingtoGenevatoo.ButI
maynotstoptheretonight.Mayhavetogeton.Dependsonmymeeting.Howlongwill
youbethere?'
'Idon'tknow.I'mplayinggolf.There'stheSwissWomen'sOpenChampionshipatDivonne.
I'mnotreallythatclass,butIthoughtitwouldbegoodformetotry.ThenIwasgoingto
playonsomeoftheothercourses.'
Fairenough.Noreasonwhyitshouldn'tbetrue.ButBondwascertainitwasn'tthewhole
truth.Hesaid,'Doyouplayalotofgolf?What'syourhomecourse?'
'Quitealot.Temple.'
Ithadbeenanobviousquestion.Wastheanswertrue,orjustthefirstgolfcourseshehad
thoughtof?'Doyoulivenearthere?'
'I'vegotanauntwholivesatHenley.WhatareyoudoinginSwitzerland.Holiday?'
'Business.ImportandExport.'
'Oh.'
Bondsmiledtohimself.Itwasastageconversation.Thevoiceswerepolitestagevoices.
Hecouldseethescene,belovedoftheEnglishtheatrethedrawingroom,sunshineon
hollyhocksoutsidefrenchwindows,thecouplesittingonthesofa,ontheedgeofit,she
pouringoutthetea.'Doyoutakesugar?'
Theycameoutintothefoothills.Therewasalongstraightstretchofroadandinthe
distancethesmallgroupofbuildingsoftheFrenchCustoms.
Thegirlgavehimnochancetogetaglimpseofherpassport.Assoonasthecarstopped
shesaidsomethingabouttidyingupanddisappearedintothe'Dames'.Bondhadgone
throughtheControleandwasdealingwiththetriptyquewhenshereappeared,her
passportstamped.AttheSwissCustomsshechosetheexcuseofgettingsomethingoutof
hersuitcase.Bondhadn'tgottimetohangaboutandcallherbluff.
BondhurriedonintoGenevaandpulledupattheimposingentranceoftheBergues.The
baggagistetookhersuitcaseandgolfclubs.Theystoodtogetheronthesteps.Sheheld
outherhand.
'Goodbye.'Therewasnomeltingofthecandidblueeyes.'Andthankyou.Youdrive
beautifully.'Hermouthsmiled.'I'msurprisedyougotintothewronggearatMacon.'
Bondshrugged.'Itdoesn'toftenhappen.I'mgladIdid.IfIcangetmybusinessfinished,
perhapswecouldmeetagain.'
'Thatwouldbenice.'Thetoneofvoicesaiditwouldn'tbe.Thegirlturnedandwentin
throughtheswingdoors.
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Bondrandowntohiscar.Tohellwithher!NowtopickupGoldfinger.Thentothelittle
officeontheQuaiWilson.HetunedtheHomerandwaitedacoupleofminutes.
Goldfingerwasclose,butmovingaway.Hecouldeitherbefollowingtherightortheleft
bankofthelake.FromthepitchoftheHomer,hewasatleastamileoutsidethetown.
Whichway?TothelefttowardsLausanne?TotherighttowardsEvian?TheDBIIIwas
alreadyonthelefthandroad.Bonddecidedtofollowitsnose.Hegotmoving.
BondcaughtupwiththehighyellowsilhouettejustbeforeCoppet,thetinylakeside
hamletmadefamousbyMadamedeStael.Hehidbehindalorry.Athisnext
reconnaissancetheRollshaddisappeared.Bondmotoredon,watchingtotheleft.Atthe
entrancetothevillage,bigsolidirongateswereclosinginahighwall.Dusthungintheair.
Abovethewallwasamodestplacard.Itsaid,infadedyellowonblue,ENTREPRISESAURIC
A.G.Thefoxhadgonetoearth!
Bondwentonuntilhefoundaturningtotheleft.Hefollowedthisuntiltherewasalane
whichledbackthroughthevineyardstothewoodsbehindCoppetandtothechateauof
MadamedeStael.Bondstoppedamongthetrees.Nowheshouldbedirectlyabovethe
EntreprisesAuric.Hetookhisbinoculars,gotoutandfollowedafootpathdowntowards
thevillage.Soon,onhisright,wasaspikedironrailing.Therewasrolledbarbedwirealong
itstop.Ahundredyardslowerdownthehilltherailingmergedintoahighstonewall.
Bondwalkedslowlybackupthepathlookingforthesecretentrancethechildrenof
Coppetwouldhavemadetogetatthechestnuttrees.Hefoundittwobarsoftherailing
widenedtoallowasmallbodythrough.Bondstoodonthelowerrailingwithallhis
weight,widenedthegapbyanothercoupleofinchesandwormedhiswaythrough.Bond
walkedwarilythroughthetrees,watchingeachstepfordeadbranches.Thetreesthinned.
Therewereglimpsesofahuddleoflowbuildingsbehindasmallmanoir.Bondpickedthe
thicktrunkofafirtreeandgotbehindit.Nowhewaslookingdownonthebuildings.The
nearestwasaboutahundredyardsaway.Therewasanopencourtyard.Inthemiddleof
thecourtyardstoodthedustySilverGhost.
Bondtookoutthebinocularsandexaminedeverythingminutely.Thehousewasawell
proportionedsquareblockofoldredbrickwithaslateroof.Itconsistedoftwostoreys
andanatticfloor.Itwouldprobablycontainfourbedroomsandtwoprincipalrooms.The
wallswerepartlycoveredbyaveryoldwistariainfullbloom.Itwasanattractivehouse.In
hismind'seyeBondcouldseethewhitepaintedpanellinginside.Hesmelledthesweet
mustysunshinysmelloftherooms.Thebackdoorgaveontothewidepavedcourtyardin
whichstoodtheRolls.
ThecourtyardwasopenonBond'ssidebutclosedontheothertwosidesbysinglestorey
corrugatedironworkshops.Atallzincchimneyrosefromtheangleofthetwoworkshops.
Thechimneywastoppedbyazinccowl.Ontopofthezinccowlwastherevolvingsquare
mouthofwhatlookedtoBondlikeaDeccaradarscanneryouseeonthebridgesofmost
ships.Theapparatuswhirledsteadilyround.Bondcouldn'timaginewhatpurposeitserved
ontheroofofthislittlefactoryamongthetrees.Suddenlythesilenceandimmobilityof
thepeacefulscenewerebroken.ItwasasifBondhadputapennyintheslotofadiorama
onBrightonpier.Somewhereatinnyclockstruckfive.Atthesignal,thebackdoorofthe
houseopenedandGoldfingercameout,stilldressedinhiswhitelinenmotoringcoat,but
withoutthehelmet.Hewasfollowedbyanondescript,obsequiouslittlemanwitha
toothbrushmoustacheandhornrimmedspectacles.Goldfingerlookedpleased.Hewent
114

uptotheRollsandpatteditsbonnet.Theothermanlaughedpolitely.Hetookawhistle
outofhiswaistcoatpocketandblewit.Adoorintherighthandworkshopopenedand
fourworkmeninblueoverallsfiledoutandwalkedovertothecar.Fromtheopendoor
theyhadlefttherecameawhirringnoiseandaheavyenginestartedupandsettledinto
therhythmicpantBondrememberedfromReculver.
Thefourmendisposedthemselvesroundthecar.Atawordfromthelittleman,whowas
presumablytheforeman,theybegantotakethecartopieces.Bythetimetheyhadlifted
thefourdoorsofftheirhinges,removedthebonnetcoverfromtheengineandhadset
abouttherivetsononeofthemudguards,itwasclearthattheyweremethodically
strippingthecarofitsarmourplating.
AlmostassoonasBondhadcometothisconclusion,theblack,bowlerhattedfigureof
Oddjobappearedatthebackdoorofthehouseandmadesomesortofanoiseat
Goldfinger.Withawordtotheforeman,Goldfingerwentindoorsandlefttheworkmento
it.ItwastimeforBondtogetgoing.Hetookalastcarefullookroundtofixthegeography
inhismindandedgedbackamongthetrees.
'IamfromUniversalExport.'
'Ohyes?'BehindthedesktherewasareproductionoftheAnnigoniportraitoftheQueen.
OntheotherwallswereadvertisementsforFergusontractorsandotheragricultural
machinery.FromoutsidethewidewindowcamethehumoftrafficalongtheQuaiWilson.
Asteamerhooted.Bondglancedoutofthewindowandwatcheditrideacrossthemiddle
distance.Itleftanenchantedwakeacrosstheflawlesseveningmirrorofthelake.Bond
lookedbackintothepolitelyinquiringeyesinthebland,neutral,businessman'sface.
'Wewerehopingtodobusinesswithyou."
'Whatsortofbusiness?'
'Importantbusiness.'
Theman'sfacebrokeintoasmile.Hesaidcheerfully,'It's007,isn'tit?ThoughtI
recognizedyou.
Wellnow,whatcanIdoforyou?'Thevoicebecamecautious.'Onlyonething,better
makeitquickandgetalong.There'sbeenthehellofaheatonsincetheDumontbusiness.
They'vegotmetapedthelocalsandRedland.Allverypeacefulofcourse,butyouwon't
wantthemsniffingroundyou.'
'Ithoughtitmightbelikethat.It'sonlyroutine.Here.'Bondunbuttonedhisshirtandtook
outtheheavychunkofgold.'Getthatback,wouldyou?Andtransmitthiswhenyouhave
achance.'ThemanpulledapadtowardshimandwroteinshorthandtoBond'sdictation.
Whenthemanhadfinishedheputthepadinhispocket.'Well,well!Prettyhotstuff.
Wilco.Myroutine'satmidnight.This'heindicatedthegold'cangotoBerneforthebag.
Anythingelse?'
115

'Everheardofthe"EntreprisesAuric"atCoppet?Knowwhattheydo?'
'Iknowwhateveryengineeringbusinessintheareadoes.Haveto.Triedtosellthemsome
handriveterslastyear.Theymakemetalfurniture.Prettygoodstuff.TheSwissrailways
takesomeofit,andtheairlines.'
'Knowwhichairlines?'
Themanshrugged.'IheardtheydidalltheworkforMecca,thebigcharterlinetoIndia.
TheirterminusisGeneva.They'requiteabigcompetitorwithAllIndia.Mecca'sprivately
owned.Matteroffact,IdidhearthatAuric&Co.hadsomemoneyinit.Nowonder
they'vegotthecontractfortheseating.'
Aslow,grimsmilespreadacrossBond'sface.Hegotupandheldouthishand.'Youdon't
knowit,butyou'vejustdoneawholejigsawpuzzleinunderaminute.Manythanks.Best
ofluckwiththetractorbusiness.Hopewe'llmeetagainoneday.'
Outinthestreet,BondgotquicklyintohiscaranddrovealongthequaitotheBergues.So
thatwasthepicture!Fortwodayshe'dbeentrailingaSilverGhostacrossEurope.Itwas
anarmourplatedSilverGhost.He'dwatchedthelastbitofplatingbeingrivetedonin
Kent,andthewholelotbeingstrippedoffatCoppet.Thosesheetswouldalreadybeinthe
furnacesatCoppet,readytobemodelledintoseventychairsforaMeccaConstellation.In
afewdays'timethosechairswouldbestrippedofftheplaneinIndiaandreplacedwith
aluminiumones.AndGoldfingerwouldhavemadewhat?Halfamillionpounds?Amillion?
FortheSilverGhostwasn'tsilveratall.ItwasaGoldenGhostallthetwotonsofits
bodywork.
Solid,eighteencarat,whitegold.

116

ChapterFourteen
ThingsThatGoThumpInTheNight
JamesbondbookedinattheHoteldesBergues,tookabathandshowerandchangedhis
clothes.HeweighedtheWaltherPPKinhishandandwonderedwhetherheshouldtakeit
orleaveitbehind.
Hedecidedtoleaveit.Hehadnointentionofbeingseenwhenhewentbacktothe
EntreprisesAuric.If,bydreadfulluck,hewasseen,itwouldspoileverythingtogetintoa
fight.Hehadhisstory,apoorone,butatleastonethatwouldnotbreakhiscover.He
wouldhavetorelyonthat.
ButBonddidchooseaparticularpairofshoesthatwereratherheavierthanonecould
expectfromtheircasualbuild.
AtthedeskheaskedifMiss.Soameswasin.Hewasnotsurprisedwhenthereceptionist
saidtheyhadnoMiss.Soamesstayinginthehotel.Theonlyquestionwaswhethershe
hadleftthehotelwhenBondwasoutofsightorhadregisteredunderanothername.
BondmotoredacrossthebeautifulPontduMontBlancandalongthebrightlylitquaito
theBavaria,amodestAlsatianbrasseriethathadbeentherendezvousofthegreatinthe
daysoftheLeagueofNations.HesatbythewindowanddrankEnzianwasheddownwith
paleLowenbrau.HethoughtfirstaboutGoldfinger.Therewasnownodoubtwhathewas
upto.Hefinancedaspynetwork,probablySMERSH,andhemadefortunessmuggling
goldtoIndia,thecountrywherehecouldgetthebiggestpremium.Afterthelossofhis
Brixhamtrawler,hehadthoughtoutthisnewway.Hefirstmadeitknownthathehadan
armouredcar.Thatwouldonlybeconsideredeccentric.ManyEnglishbodybuilders
exportedthem.TheyusedtogotoIndianrajahs;nowtheywenttooilsheiksandSouth
Americanpresidents.GoldfingerhadchosenaSilverGhostbecause,withhis
modifications,thechassiswasstrongenough,therivetingwasalreadyafeatureofthe
bodywork,andtherewasthelargestpossibleareaofmetalsheeting.PerhapsGoldfinger
hadrunitabroadonceortwicetogetFerryfieldusedtoit.Then,onthenexttrip,hetook
offthearmourplatinginhisworksatReculver.Hesubstitutedeighteencaratwhitegold.
Itsalloyofnickelandsilverwouldbestrongenough.Thecolourofthemetalwouldnot
betrayhimifhegotinasmashorifthebodyworkwerescratched.ThenofftoSwitzerland
andtothelittlefactory.Theworkmenwouldhavebeenascarefullypickedastheonesat
Reculver.Theywouldtakeofftheplatesandmouldthemintoaircraftseatswhichwould
thenbeupholsteredandinstalledinMeccaAirlinesrunpresumablybysomestoogeof
Goldfinger'swhogotacutoneach'goldrun'.Ontheserunsonce,twice,threetimesa
year?theplanewouldacceptonlylightfreightandafewpassengers.AtBombayor
Calcuttatheplanewouldneedanoverhaul,bereequipped.ItwouldgototheMecca
hangarandhavenewseatsfitted.Theoldones,thegoldones,wouldgotothebullion
brokers.GoldfingerwouldgethissterlingcreditinNassauorwhereverhechose.Hewould
havemadehishundred,ortwohundred,percentprofitandcouldstartthecycleallover
again,fromthe'WeBuyOldGold'shopsinBritaintoReculverGenevaBombay.

117

Yes,thoughtBond,gazingoutacrosstheglistening,starlitlake,that'showitwouldbea
topnotchsmugglingcircuitwithaminimumriskandmaximumprofit.HowGoldfinger
mustsmileashepressedthebulboftheoldboaconstrictorhornandsweptpastthe
admiringpolicemenofthreecountries!Hecertainlyseemedtohavetheanswerthe
philosopher'sstone,thefingerofgold!Ifhehadn'tbeensuchanunpleasantman,ifhe
wasn'tdoingallthistosustainthetriggerfingerofSMERSH,Bondwouldhavefelt
admirationforthismonumentaltricksterwhoseoperationsweresobigthattheyworried
eventheBankofEngland.Asitwas,BondonlywantedtodestroyGoldfinger,seizehis
gold,gethimbehindbars.Goldfinger'sgoldlustwastoostrong,tooruthless,too
dangeroustobeallowedtherunoftheworld.
Itwaseighto'clock.TheEnzian,thefirewaterdistilledfromgentianthatisresponsiblefor
Switzerland'schronicalcoholism,wasbeginningtowarmBond'sstomachandmelthis
tensions.HeorderedanotherdoubleandwithitachoucrouteandacarafeofFondant.
Andwhataboutthegirl,thispretty,authoritarianjokerthathadsuddenlybeenfacedin
thedeal?Whatinhellwassheabout?Whataboutthisgolfstory?Bondgotupandwent
tothetelephoneboothatthebackoftheroom.HegotontotheJournaldeGeneveand
throughtothesportseditor.Themanwashelpful,butsurprisedatBond'squestion.No.
Thevariouschampionshipswereofcourseplayedinthesummerwhentheothernational
programmeswerefinishedanditwaspossibletolureagoodforeignentrytoSwitzerland.
ItwasthesamewithallotherEuropeancountries.TheylikedtobringinasmanyBritish
andAmericanplayersaspossible.Itincreasedthegates.'Pasdequoi,monsieur.'
Bondwentbacktohistableandatehisdinner.Somuchforthat.Whoevershewas,she
wasanamateur.Noprofessionalwoulduseacoverthatcouldbebrokendownbyone
telephonecall.IthadbeeninthebackofBond'smindreluctantly,becausehelikedthe
girlandwasexcitedbyherthatshecould,shejustcouldhavebeenanagentofSMERSH
senttokeepaneyeonGoldfinger,orBondorboth.Shehadsomeofthequalitiesofa
secretagent,theindependence,thestrengthofcharacter,theabilitytowalkalone.But
thatideawasout.Shehadn'tgotthetraining.Bondorderedasliceofgruyere,
pumpernickelandcoffee.No,shewasanenigma.Bondonlyprayedthatshehadn'tgot
someprivateplotinvolvingeitherhimorGoldfingerthatwasgoingtomessuphisown
operation.
Andhisownjobwassonearlyfinished!Allheneededwastheevidenceofhisowneyes
thatthestoryhehadwovenroundGoldfingerandtheRollswasthetruth.Onelookinto
theworksatCoppetonegrainofwhitegolddustandhecouldbeofftoBernethatvery
nightandbeontothedutyofficerovertheEmbassyscrambler.Then,quietly,discreetly,
theBankofEnglandwouldfreezeGoldfinger'saccountsallovertheworldandperhaps,
alreadytomorrow,theSpecialBranchoftheSwisspolicewouldbeknockingonthedoor
ofEntreprisesAuric.Extraditionwouldfollow,GoldfingerwouldgotoBrixton,therewould
beaquiet,rathercomplicatedcaseinoneofthesmugglingcourtslikeMaidstoneor
Lewes.Goldfingerwouldgetafewyears,hisnaturalizationwouldberevokedandhisgold
hoard,illegallyexported,wouldtricklebackintothevaultsbelowtheBankofEngland.
AndSMERSHwouldgnashitsbloodstainedteethandaddanotherpagetoBond'sbulging
zapiska.

118

Timetogoforthelastlap.Bondpaidhisbillandwentoutandgotintohiscar.Hecrossed
theRhoneandmotoredslowlyalongtheglitteringquaithroughtheeveningtraffic.Itwas
anaveragenightforhispurpose.Therewasablazingthreequartermoontoseeby,but
notabreathofwindtohidehisapproachthroughthewoodstothefactory.Well,there
wasnohurry.Theywouldprobablybeworkirigthroughthenight.Hewouldhavetotake
itveryeasilyandcarefully.Thegeographyoftheplaceandtheroutehehadplottedfor
himselfranbeforeBond'seyeslikeafilmwhiletheautomaticpilotthatisinallgood
driverstookthecaralongthewidewhitehighwaybesidethesleepinglake.
Bondfollowedhisrouteoftheafternoon.Whenhehadturnedoffthemainroadhedrove
onhissidelights.Henosedthecaroffthelaneintoaclearinginthewoodsandswitched
offtheengine.Hesatandlistened.Intheheavysilencetherewasonlyasofttickingfrom
thehotmetalunderthebonnetandthehastytripofthedashboardclock.Bondgotout,
easedthedoorshutandwalkedsoftlydownthelittlepaththroughthetrees.
Nowhecouldhearthesoftheavypantofthegeneratorengine...thumpah...thumpah...
thumpah.Itseemedawatchful,ratherthreateningnoise.Bondreachedthegapinthe
ironbars,slippedthroughandstood,straininghissensesforwardthroughthemoon
dappledtrees.THUMPAH...THUMPAH...THUMPAH.Thegreatironpuffswereontopof
him,insidehisbrain.Bondfelttheskincrawlingtickleatthegrointhatdatesfromone's
firstgameofhideandseekinthedark.Hesmiledtohimselfattheanimaldangersignal.
Whatprimevalchordhadbeenstruckbythisinnocentnoisecomingoutofthetallzinc
chimney?Thebreathofadinosaurinitscave?Bondtightenedhismusclesandcrept
forwardfootbyfoot,movingsmallbranchescarefullyoutofhisway,placingeachstepas
cautiouslyasifhewasgoingthroughaminefield.
Thetreeswerethinning.Soonhewouldbeupwiththebigshelteringtrunkhehadused
before.Helookedforitandthenstoodfrozen,hispulseracing.Belowthetrunkofhis
tree,spreadeagledontheground,wasabody.Bondopenedhismouthwideandbreathed
slowlyinandouttoreleasethetension.Softlyhewipedhissweatingpalmsdownhis
trousers.Hedroppedslowlytohishandsandkneesandstaredforward,hiseyeswidened
likecameralenses.
Thebodyunderthetreemoved,shiftedcautiouslytoanewposition.Abreathofwind
whisperedinthetopsofthetrees.Themoonbeamsdancedquicklyacrossthebodyand
thenwerestill.Therewasaglimpseofthickblackhair,blacksweater,narrowblackslacks.
Andsomethingelseastraightgleamofmetalalongtheground.Itbeganbeneaththe
clumpofblackhairandranpastthetrunkofthetreesintothegrass.
Bondslowly,wearilybenthisheadandlookedatthegroundbetweenhisspreadhands.It
wasthegirl,Tilly.Shewaswatchingthebuildingsbelow.Shehadarifleariflethatmust
havebeenamongtheinnocentgolfclubsreadytofireonthem.Damnandblastthesilly
bitch!Bondslowlyrelaxed.Itdidn'tmatterwhoshewasorwhatshewasupto.He
measuredthedistance,plannedeachstridethetrajectoryofthefinalspring,lefthandto
herneck,righttothegun.Now!
Bond'schestskiddedoverthehumpofthebuttocksandthuddedintothesmallofthe
girl'sback.Theimpactemptiedthebreathoutofherwithasoftgrunt.Thefingersof
119

Bond'slefthandflewtothethroatandfoundthecarotidartery.Hisrighthandwasonthe
waistoftherifle'sstock.Heprisedthefingersaway,feltthatthesafetycatchwasonand
reachedtheriflefartooneside.
Bondeasedtheweightofhischestoffthegirl'sbackandmovedhisfingersawayfromher
neck.Heclosedthemsoftlyoverhermouth.Beneathhim,hefeltthebodyheave,the
lungslabouringforbreath.Shewasstillout.CarefullyBondgatheredthetwohands
behindthegirl'sbackandheldthemwithhisright.Beneathhimthebuttocksbeganto
squirm.Thelegsjerked.Bondpinnedthelegstothegroundwithhisstomachandthighs,
notingthestrongmusclesbunchedunderhim.Nowthebreathwasraspingthroughhis
fingers.Teethgnawedathishand.Bondinchedcarefullyforwardsalongthegirl.Hegot
hismouththroughherhairtoherear.Hewhisperedurgently,'Tilly,forChrist'ssake.Stay
still!Thisisme,Bond.I'mafriend.Thisisvital.Somethingyoudon'tknowabout.Willyou
staystillandlisten?'
Theteethstoppedreachingforhisfingers.Thebodyrelaxedandlaysoftunderhis.Aftera
time,theheadnoddedonce.
Bondslidoffher.Helaybesideher,stillholdingherhandsprisonedbehindherback.He
whispered,'Getyourbreath.Buttellme,wereyouafterGoldfinger?'
Thepalefaceglancedsidewaysandaway.Thegirlwhisperedfiercelyintotheground,'I
wasgoingtokillhim.'
SomegirlGoldfingerhadputinthefamilyway.Bondletgoherhands.Shebroughtthem
upandrestedherheadonthem.Herwholebodyshudderedwithexhaustionandreleased
nerves.Theshouldersbegantoshakesoftly.Bondreachedoutahandandsmoothedher
hair,quietly,rhythmically.Hiseyescarefullywentoverthepeaceful,unchangedscene
below.Unchanged?Therewassomething.Theradarthingonthecowlofthechimney.It
wasn'tgoingroundanymore.Ithadstoppedwithitsoblongmouthpointingintheir
direction.ThefacthadnosignificanceforBond.Nowthegirlwasn'tcryinganymore.Bond
nuzzledhismouthclosetoherear.Herhairsmelledofjasmine.Hewhispered,'Don't
worry.I'mafterhimtoo.AndI'mgoingtodamagehimfarworsethanyoucouldhave
done.I'vebeensentafterhimbyLondon.Theywanthim.Whatdidhedotoyou?'
Shewhispered,almosttoherself,'Hekilledmysister.YouknewherJillMasterton.'Bond
saidfiercely,'Whathappened?'
'Hehasawomanonceamonth.Jilltoldmethiswhenshefirsttookthejob.Hehypnotizes
them.Thenhehepaintsthemgold.'
'Christ!Why?'
'Idon'tknow.Jilltoldmehe'smadaboutgold.Isupposehesortofthinkshe'sthathe's
sortofpossessinggold.Youknowmarryingit.HegetssomeKoreanservanttopaint
them.Themanhastoleavetheirbackbonesunpainted.Jillcouldn'texplainthat.Ifound
outit'ssotheywouldn'tdie.Iftheirbodieswerecompletelycoveredwithgoldpaint,the
poresoftheskinwouldn'tbeabletobreathe.Thenthey'ddie.Afterwards,they'rewashed
120

downbytheKoreanwithresinorsomething.Goldfingergivesthemathousanddollars
andsendsthemaway.
BondsawthedreadfulOddjobwithhispotofgoldpaint,Goldfinger'seyesgloatingover
theglisteningstatue,thefiercepossession.'WhathappenedtoJill?'
'Shecabledmetocome.ShewasinanemergencywardinahospitalinMiami.Goldfinger
hadthrownherout.Shewasdying.Thedoctorsdidn'tknowwhatwasthematter.She
toldmewhathadhappenedtoherwhathehaddonetoher.Shediedthesamenight.'
Thegirl'svoicewasdrymatteroffact.'WhenIgotbacktoEnglandIwenttoTrain,the
skinspecialist.Hetoldmethisbusinessabouttheporesoftheskin.Ithadhappenedto
somecabaretgirlwhohadtoposeasasilverstatue.Heshowedmedetailsofthecaseand
theautopsy.ThenIknewwhathadhappenedtoJill.Goldfingerhadhadherpaintedall
over.Hehadmurderedher.Itmusthavebeenoutofrevengeforforgoingwithyou.'
Therewasapause.Thegirlsaiddully,'Shetoldmeaboutyou.Sheshelikedyou.Shetold
meifeverImetyouIwastogiveyouthisring.'
Bondclosedhiseyestight,fightingwithawaveofmentalnausea.Moredeath!More
bloodonhishands.Thistime,astheresultofacarelessgesture,apieceofbravadothat
hadledtotwentyfourhoursofecstasywithabeautifulgirlwhohadtakenhisfancyand,
intheend,rathermorethanhisfancy.AndthispettysideswipeatGoldfinger'segohad
beenreturnedbyGoldfingerathousand,amillionfold.'Sheleftmyemploy'theflatwords
inthesunshineatSandwichtwodaysbefore.HowGoldfingermusthaveenjoyedsaying
that!Bond'sfingernailsdugintothepalmsofhishands.ByGod,he'dpinthismurderon
Goldfingerifitwasthelastactofhislife.Asforhimself...?Bondknewtheanswer.This
deathhewouldnotbeabletoexcuseasbeingpartofhisjob.Thisdeathhewouldhaveto
livewith.
ThegirlwaspullingatherfingerattheCladdaghring,theentwinedhandsroundthegold
heart.Sheputherknuckletohermouth.Theringcameoff.ShehelditupforBondtotake.
Thetinygoldcircle,silhouettedagainstthetrunkofthetree,glitteredinthemoonlight.
ThenoiseinBond'searwassomethingbetweenahissandashrillwhistle.Therewasa
dry,twangingthud.Thealuminiumfeathersofthesteelarrowtrembledlikeahumming
bird'swingsinfrontofBond'seyes.Theshaftofthearrowstraightened.Thegoldring
tinkleddowntheshaftuntilitreachedthebarkofthetree.
Slowly,almostincuriously,Bondturnedhishead.
Tenyardsawayhalfinmoonlight,halfinshadowtheblackmelonheadedfigure
crouched,itslegswidelystraddledinthejudostance.Theleftarm,thrustforwardagainst
theglintingsemicircleofthebow,wasstraightasaduellist's.Therighthand,holdingthe
feathersofthesecondarrow,wasrigidagainsttherightcheek.Behindthehead,thetaut
rightelbowlancedbackinfrozensuspense.Thesilvertipofthesecondarrowpointed
exactlybetweenthetwopaleraisedprofiles.
Bondbreathedthewords,'Don'tmoveaninch.'Aloudhesaid,'Hullo,Oddjob.Damned
goodshot.'
121

Oddjobjerkedthetipofthearrowupwards.
Bondgottohisfeet,shieldingthegirl.Hesaidsoftly,outofthecornerofhismouth,'He
mustn'tseetherifle.'HesaidtoOddjob,speakingcasually,peaceably,'NiceplaceMr.
Goldfingerhashere.Wanttohaveawordwithhimsometime.Perhapsit'sabitlate
tonight.YoumighttellhimI'llbealongtomorrow.'Bondsaidtothegirl,'Comeon,darling.
We'vehadourwalkinthewoods.Timetogetbacktothehotel.'Hetookastepawayfrom
Oddjobtowardsthefence.
Oddjobstampedhisforwardfoot.Thepointofthesecondarrowswungtothecentreof
Bond'sstomach.
'Oargn.'Oddjobjerkedhisheadsidewaysanddownwardstowardsthehouse.
'Oh,youthinkhe'dliketoseeusnow?Allright.Youdon'tthinkwe'llbedisturbinghim?
Comeon,darling.'
Bondledthewaytotheleftofthetree,awayfromtheriflethatlayintheshadowed
grass.
Astheywentslowlydownthehill,Bondtalkedsoftlytothegirl,briefingher.'You'remy
girlfriend.IbroughtyououtfromEngland.Seemsurprisedandinterestedbyourlittle
adventure.We'reinatoughspot.Don'ttryanytricks.'Bondjerkedbackhishead.'This
man'sakiller.'
Thegirlsaidangrily,'Ifonlyyouhadn'tinterfered.'
'Sametoyou,'saidBondshortly.Hetookitback.'I'msorry,Tilly.Didn'tmeanthat.ButI
don'tthinkyoucouldhavegotawaywithit.'
'Ihadmyplans.I'dhavebeenoverthefrontierbymidnight.'
Bonddidn'tanswer.Somethinghadcaughthiseye.Ontopofthetallchimney,theoblong
mouthoftheradarthingwasrevolvingagain.Itwasthatthathadspottedthemheard
them.Itmustbesomekindofsonicdetector.Whatabagoftricksthismanwas!Bond
hadn'tmeanttounderestimateGoldfinger.Hadhemanagedtodosodecisively?Perhaps,
ifhehadhadhisgun...?
No.Bondknewthatevenhissplitseconddrawwouldn'thavebeatentheKorean
wouldn'tdosonow.Therewasatotaldeadlinessaboutthisman.WhetherBondhadbeen
armedorunarmed,itwouldhavebeenamanfightingatank.
Theyreachedthecourtyard.Astheydidso,thebackdoorofthehouseopened.Twomore
Koreans,whomighthavebeentheservantsfromReculver,ranouttowardsthemthrough
thewarmsplashofelectriclight.Theycarrieduglylookingpolishedsticks.'Stop!'Both
menworethesavage,emptygrinthatmenfromStationJ,whohadbeeninJapanese
prisoncamps,haddescribedtoBond.'Wesearch.Notroubleor...'Themanwhohad
spoken,cuttheairwithawhistlinglashofhisstick.
122

'Handsup!'
Bondputhishandsslowlyup.Hesaidtothegirl,'Don'treact...whatevertheydo.'
Oddjobcameforwardandstood,menacingly,watchingthesearch.Thesearchwasexpert.
Bondcoldlywatchedthehandsonthegirl,thegrinningfaces.
'Okay.Come!'
Theywereherdedthroughtheopendoorandalongastoneflaggedpassagetothe
narrowentrancehallatthefrontofthehouse.ThehousesmelledasBondhadimaginedit
wouldmustyandfragrantandsummery.Therewerewhitepanelleddoors.Oddjob
knockedononeofthem.
'Yes?'
Oddjobopenedthedoor.Theywereproddedthrough.
Goldfingersatatabigdesk.Itwasneatlyencumberedwithimportantlookingpapers.The
deskwasflankedbygreymetalfilingcabinets.Besidethedesk,withinreachof
Goldfinger'shand,stoodashortwavewirelesssetonalowtable.Therewasanoperator's
keyboardandamachinethattickedbusilyandlookedlikeabarograph.Bondguessedthat
thishadsomethingtodowiththedetectorthathadinterceptedthem.
Goldfingerworehispurplevelvetsmokingjacketoveranopenneckedwhitesilkshirt.The
openneckshowedatuftoforangechesthair.Hesatveryerectinahighbackedchair.He
hardlyglancedatthegirl.ThebigchinablueeyeswerefixedonBond.Theyshowedno
surprise.Theyheldnoexpressionexceptapiercinghardness.
Bondblustered,'Lookhere,Goldfinger.Whatthehell'sallthisabout?Youputthepolice
ontomeoverthattenthousanddollarsandIgotonyourtrackswithmygirlfriendhere,
Miss.Soames.I'vecometofindoutwhatthehellyoumeanbyit.WeclimbedthefenceI
knowit'strespassing,butIwantedtocatchyoubeforeyoumovedonsomewhereelse.
Thenthisapeofyourscamealonganddamnednearkilledoneofuswithhisbowand
arrow.TwomoreofyourbloodyKoreansheldusupandsearchedus.Whatthehell's
goingon?Ifyoucan'tgivemeacivilanswerandfullapologiesI'llputthepoliceonyou.'
Goldfinger'sflat,hardstaredidn'tflicker.HemightnothaveheardBond'sangry
gentleman'soutburst.Thefinelychiselledlipsparted.Hesaid,'Mr.Bond,theyhavea
sayinginChicago:"Onceishappenstance.Twiceiscoincidence.Thethirdtimeit'senemy
action."Miami,SandwichandnowGeneva.Iproposetowringthetruthoutofyou.'
Goldfinger'seyesslidslowlypastBond'shead.
'Oddjob.ThePressureRoom.'

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PartThree:EnemyAction

125

126

ChapterFifteen
ThePressureRoom
Bond'sreactionwasautomatic.Therewasnoreasonbehindit.Hetookonequickstep
forwardandhurledhimselfacrossthedeskatGoldfinger.Hisbody,launchedinashallow
dive,hitthetopofthedeskandploughedthroughthelitterofpapers.Therewasaheavy
thudasthetopofhisheadcrashedintoGoldfinger'sbreastbone.Themomentumofthe
blowrockedGoldfingerinhischair.
Bondkickedbackattheedgeofthedesk,gotapurchaseandrammedforwardagain.As
thechairtoppledbackwardsandthetwobodieswentdowninthesplinteringwoodwork,
Bond'sfingersgottothethroatandhisthumbswentintoitsbaseanddownwardswith
everyounceofhisforce.ThenthewholehousefellonBond,abaulkoftimberhithimat
thebaseoftheneckandherolledsluggishlyoffGoldfingerontothefloorandlaystill.
ThevortexoflightthroughwhichBondwaswhirlingslowlyflattenedintoadisc,ayellow
moon,andthenintoaburningCyclopseye.Somethingwaswrittenroundthefiery
eyeball.Itwasamessage,animportantmessageforhim.Hemustreadit.Carefully,one
byone,Bondspelledoutthetinyletters.Themessagesaid:SOCITANONYMEMAZDA.
Whatwasitssignificance?AhardboltofwaterhitBondintheface.Thewaterstunghis
eyesandfilledhismouth.Heretcheddesperatelyandtriedtomove.Hecouldn't.Hiseyes
cleared,andhisbrain.Therewasathrobbingpainatthebackofhisneck.Hewasstaring
upintoabigenamelledlightbowlwithonepowerfulbulb.Hewasonsomesortofatable
andhiswristsandankleswereboundtoitsedges.Hefeltwithhisfingers.Hefeltpolished
metal.Avoice,Goldfinger'svoice,flat,uninterested,said,'Nowwecanbegin.'
Bondturnedhisheadtowardsthevoice.Hiseyesweredazzledbythelight.Hesqueezed
themhardandopenedthem.Goldfingerwassittinginacanvaschair.Hehadtakenoffhis
jacketandwasinhisshirtsleeves.Therewereredmarksroundthebaseofhisthroat.On
afoldingtablebesidehimwerevarioustoolsandmetalinstrumentsandacontrolpanel.
OntheothersideofthetableTillyMastertonsatinanotherchair.Shewasstrappedtoit
byherwristsandankles.Shesatboltuprightasifshewasinschool.Shelookedincredibly
beautiful,butshocked,remote.HereyesgazedvacantlyatBond.Shewaseitherdrugged
orhypnotized.
Bondturnedhisheadtotheright.AfewfeetawaystoodtheKorean.Hestillworehis
bowlerhatbutnowhewasstrippedtothewaist.Theyellowskinofhishugetorsoglinted
withsweat.Therewasnohaironit.Theflatpectoralmuscleswereasbroadasdinner
platesandthestomachwasconcavebelowthegreatarchoftheribs.Thebicepsand
forearms,alsohairless,wereasthickasthighs.Thetenminutestotwooilslicksofthe
eyeslookedpleased,greedy.Themouthfulofblackishteethformedanoblonggrinof
anticipation.
Bondraisedhishead.Thequicklookroundhurt.Theywereinoneofthefactory
workrooms.Whitelightblazedroundtheirondoorsoftwoelectricfurnaces.Therewere
bluishsheetsofmetalstackedinwoodenframes.Fromsomewherecamethewhirofa
127

generator.Therewasadistant,muffledsoundofhammering,and,behindthesound,the
farawayironpantofthepowerplant.
Bondglanceddownthetableonwhichhelayspreadeagled.Helethisheadfallbackwith
asigh.Therewasanarrowslitdownthecentreofthepolishedsteeltable.Atthefarend
oftheslit,likeaforesightframedintheveeofhispartedfeet,weretheglintingteethofa
circularsaw.
Bondlayandstaredupatthelittlemessageonthelampbulb.Goldfingerbegantospeak
inarelaxedconversationalvoice.Bondpulledthecurtainstightacrosstheghastlypeep
showofhisimaginationandlistened.
'Mr.Bond,theword"pain"comesfromtheLatinpoenameaning"penalty"thatwhich
mustbepaid.Youmustnowpayfortheinquisitivenesswhichyourattackuponme
proves,asIsuspected,tobeinimical.Curiosity,astheysay,killedthecat.Thistimeitwill
havetokilltwocats,forIfearImustalsocountthisgirlanenemy.Shetellsmesheis
stayingattheBergues.Onetelephonecallprovedthattobefalse.Oddjobwassentto
whereyouwerebothhiddenandrecoveredherrifleandalsoaringwhichithappensthat
Irecognize.Underhypnotismtherestcameout.Thisgirlcameheretokillme.Perhaps
youdidtoo.Youhavebothfailed.Nowmustcomethepoena.Mr.Bond'thevoicewas
weary,bored'Ihavehadmanyenemiesinmytime.Iamverysuccessfulandimmensely
rich,andriches,ifImayinflictanotherofmyaphorismsuponyou,maynotmakeyou
friendsbuttheygreatlyincreasetheclassandvarietyofyourenemies.'
'That'sveryneatlyput.'
Goldfingerignoredtheinterruption.'Ifyouwereafreeman,withyourtalentforinquiry,
youwouldbeabletofindroundtheworldtherelicsofthosewhohavewishedmeill,or
whohavetriedtothwartme.Therehave,asIsaid,beenmanyofthesepeopleandyou
wouldfind,Mr.Bond,thattheirremainsresemblethoseofhedgehogssquasheduponthe
roadsinsummertime.'
'Verypoeticsimile.'
'Bychance,Mr.Bond.Iamapoetindeedsnotofteninwords.IamConcernedtoarrange
myactionsinappropriateandeffectivepatterns.Butthatisbytheway.Iwishtoconvey
toyouthatitwasamostevildayforyouwhenyoufirstcrossedmypathand,admittedly
inaveryminorfashion,thwartedaminusculeprojectuponwhichIwasengaged.Onthat
occasionitwassomeoneelsewhosufferedthepoenathatshouldhavebeenmetedoutto
you.Aneyewastakenfortheeye,butitwasnotyours.Youwereluckyand,ifyouhad
thenfoundanoracletoconsult,theoraclewouldhavesaidtoyou,"Mr.Bond,youhave
beenfortunate.KeepawayfromMr.AuricGoldfinger.Heisamostpowerfulman.IfMr.
Goldfingerwantedtocrushyou,hewouldonlyhavetoturnoverinhissleeptodoso."'
'Youexpressyourselfmostvividly.'Bondturnedhishead.
Thegreatbrownandorangefootballofaheadwasbentslightlyforward.Theround
moonfacewasbland,indifferent.Casually,onehandreachedouttothecontrolpaneland
128

presseddownaswitch.Therecameaslowmetallicgrowlfromtheendofthetableon
whichBondlay.Itcurvedquicklyuptoaharshwhineandthentoashrillhighwhistlethat
wasbarelyaudible.Bondturnedhisheadwearilyaway.Howsooncouldhemanageto
die?Wasthereanywayhecouldhastendeath?AfriendofhishadsurvivedtheGestapo.
HehaddescribedtoBondhowhehadtriedtocommitsuicidebyholdinghisbreath.By
superhumanwillpower,afterafewminuteswithoutbreathing,unconsciousnesshad
come.But,withtheblackoutofthesenses,willandintentionhadalsoleftthebody.At
oncereasonwasforgotten.Thebody'sinstincttolivemannedthepumpsandgotbreath
backintothebodyagain.ButBondcouldtryit.Therewasnothingelsetohelphim
throughthepainbarrierbeforetheblessingofdeath.Fordeathwastheonlyexit.He
knewhecouldneversquealtoGoldfingerandlivewithhimselfagainevenintheunlikely
eventthatGoldfingercouldbeboughtoffwiththetruth.No,hemuststicktohisthin
storyandhopethattheotherswhowouldnowfollowhimonGoldfinger'strailwould
havebetterluck.WhowouldMchoose?Probably008,thesecondkillerinthesmall
sectionofthree.Hewasagoodman,morecarefulthanBond.Mwouldknowthat
GoldfingerhadkilledBondandhewouldgive008licencetokillinreturn.258inGeneva
wouldputhimontothescentthatwouldendwithBond'sinquiryabouttheEntreprises
Auric.Yes,fatewouldcatchupwithGoldfingerifBondcouldonlykeephismouthshut.If
hegavetheleastclueaway,Goldfingerwouldescape.Thatwasunthinkable.
'Nowthen,Mr.Bond,'Goldfinger'svoicewasbrisk.'Enoughoftheseamiabilities.Sing,as
myChicagofriendsputit,andyouwilldiequicklyandpainlessly.Thegirlalso.Singnot,
andyourdeathwillbeonelongscream.ThegirlIshallthengivetoOddjob,asIdidthat
cat,forsupper.Whichisittobe?'
Bondsaid,'Don'tbeafool,Goldfinger.ItoldmyfriendsatUniversalwhereIwasgoing
andwhy.Thegirl'sparentsknowthatshewentwithme.Imadeinquiriesaboutthis
factoryofyoursbeforewecamehere.Weshallbetracedhereveryeasily.Universalis
powerful.Youwillhavethepoliceafteryouwithindaysofourdisappearance.Iwillmake
adealwithyou.Letusgoandnothingmorewillbeheardofthematter.Iwillvouchfor
thegirl.Youaremakingastupidmistake.Wearetwoperfectlyinnocentpeople.'
Goldfingersaidinaboredvoice,'I'mafraidyoudon'tunderstand,Mr.Bond.Whatever
youhavemanagedtofindoutaboutme,whichIsuspectisverylittle,canonlybeagrain
ofthetruth.Iamengagedupongiganticenterprises.Totakethegambleoflettingeither
ofyouleaveherealivewouldbequiteludicrous.Itisoutofthequestion.Asformybeing
botheredbythepolice,Ishallbedelightedtoreceivethemiftheycome.Thoseofmy
Koreanswhocanspeakwon'tdosonorwillthemouthsofmyelectricfurnaceswhichwill
havevaporizedyoubothandallyourbelongingsattwothousanddegreesCentigrade.No,
Mr.Bond,makeyourchoice.PerhapsIcanencourageyou'therecamethenoiseofa
levermovingacrossironteeth.'Thesawisnowapproachingyourbodyataboutaninch
everyminute.Meanwhile,'heglancedatOddjobandhelduponefinger,'alittlemassage
fromOddjob.Tobeginwith,onlygradeone.Gradestwoandthreearestillmore
persuasive.'
Bondclosedhiseyes.ThesicklyzoosmellofOddjobenvelopedhim.Big,raspingfingers
settoworkonhimcarefully,delicately.Apressurehere,combinedwithapressurethere,
asuddensqueeze,apause,andthenaquick,sharpblow.Alwaysthehardhandswere
129

surgicallyaccurate.Bondgroundhisteethuntilhethoughttheywouldbreak.Thesweatof
painbegantoformpoolsinthesocketsofhisclosedeyes.Theshrillwhineofthesawwas
gettinglouder.ItremindedBondofthesawdustscentedsoundsoflongagosummer
eveningsathomeinEngland.Home?Thiswashishome,thiscocoonofdangerhehad
chosentolivein.Andherehewouldbeburied'insomecornerofaforeignblastfurnace
thatisforevertwothousanddegreesCentigrade'.Godrestyemerrygentlemenofthe
SecretService!Whatshouldhegivehimselfasanepitaph?Whatshouldbehis'famous
lastwords'?Thatyouhavenochoiceaboutyourbirth,butyoucanchoosethewayyou
die?Yes,itwouldlookwellonatombstonenotSavoirvivrebutSavoirmourir.
'Mr.Bond.'Goldfinger'svoiceheldanounceofurgency.'Isthisreallynecessary?Justtell
methetruth.Whoareyou?Whosentyouhere?Whatdoyouknow?Thenitwillbeso
easy.Youshallbothhaveapill.Therewillbenopain.Itwillbeliketakingasleeping
draught.Otherwiseitwillbesomessysomessyanddistressing.Andareyoubeingfairto
thegirl?IsthisthebehaviourofanEnglishgentleman?'
Oddjob'stormenthadstopped.Bondturnedhisheadslowlytowardsthevoiceand
openedhiseyes.
Hesaid,'Goldfinger,thereisnothingmoretotellbecausethereisnothing.Ifyouwillnot
acceptmyfirstbargainIwillmakeyouanother.ThegirlandIwillworkforyou.Howabout
that?Wearecapablepeople.Youcouldputustogooduse.'
'Andgetaknife,twoknivesinmyback?Thankyouno,Mr.Bond.'
Bonddecideditwastimetostoptalking.Itwastimetostartwindingupthemainspringof
willpowerthatmustnotrundownagainuntilhewasdead.Bondsaidpolitely,'Thenyou
cangoandyourself.'Heexpelledallthebreathfromhislungsandclosedhiseyes.
'EvenIamnotcapableofthat,Mr.Bond,'saidGoldfingerwithgoodhumour.'Andnow,
sinceyouhavechosenthestonypathinsteadofthesmooth,ImustextractwhatinterestI
canfromyourpredicamentbymakingthepathasstonyaspossible.Oddjob,gradetwo.'
Theleveronthetablemovedacrossironteeth.NowBondcouldfeelthewindofthesaw
betweenhisknees.Thehandscameback.
Bondcountedtheslowlypoundingpulsethatutterlypossessedhisbody.Itwaslikethe
hugepantingpowerplantintheotherpartofthefactorybut,inhiscase,itwasslowly
decelerating.Ifonlyitwouldslowdownquicker.Whatwasthisridiculouswilltolivethat
refusedtolistentothebrain?Whowasmakingtheenginerunonalthoughthetankwas
dryoffuel?Buthemustemptyhismindofthought,aswellashisbodyofoxygen.Hemust
becomeavacuum,adeepholeofunconsciousness.Stillthelightburnedredthroughhis
eyelids.Stillhecouldfeeltheburstingpressureinhistemples.Stilltheslowdrumoflife
beatinhisears.Ascreamtriedtoforceitswaythroughtheclampedteeth.Diedamnyou
diediedamnyoudiedamnyoudiedamnyoudiedamnyoudie...

130

ChapterSixteen
TheLastAndTheBiggest
Thewingsofadove,theheavenlychoir,HarktheHeraldAngelsSingwhatelseoughthe
torememberaboutParadise?Itwasallsoexactlylikewhathehadbeentoldinthe
nurserythissensationofflying,thedarkness,thedroneofthemillionharps.Hereally
musttryandrememberthedopeabouttheplace.Let'sseenow,onegottothePearly
Gates...
Adeepfatherlyvoicesaid,almostinhisear,'Thisisyourcaptainspeaking.'(Well,well.
Whowasthis.SaintPeter?)'Wearecomingintolandnow.Willyoupleasefastenyour
seatbeltsandextinguishyourcigarettes.Thankyou.'
Theremustbeawholelotofthem,goinguptogether.WouldTillybeonthesametrip?
Bondsquirmedwithembarrassment.Howwouldheintroducehertotheothers,toVesper
forinstance?
Andwhenitcametothepoint,whichwouldhelikethebest?Butperhapsitwouldbea
bigplacewithcountriesandtowns.Therewasprobablynomorereasonwhyheshould
runintooneofhisformergirlfriendsherethantherehadbeenonearth.Butstillthere
werealotofpeoplehe'dbetteravoiduntilhegotsettledinandfoundouttheform.
Perhaps,withsomuchloveabout,thesethingswouldn'tmatter.Perhapsonejustloved
allthegirlsonemet.Hm.TrickybusinessWiththeseunworthythoughtsinhismind,Bond
relapsedintounconsciousness.
Thenexttilingheknewwasagentlesensationofswaying.Heopenedhiseyes.Thesun
blindedthem.Heclosedthemagain.Avoiceaboveandbehindhisheadsaid,'Watchit,
bud.Thatramp'ssteeperthanitlooks.'Almostimmediatelytherewasaheavyjolt.Asurly
voiceinfrontsaid,'Cheesus,you'retellingme.Whyinhellcan'ttheyputdownrubber.'
Bondthoughtangrily,that'safinewaytotalkuphere.JustbecauseI'mnewandthey
thinknoone'slistening.
Therewasthebangofaswingdoor.SomethinghitBondsharplyonaprotrudingelbow.
Heshouted'Hey!'andtriedtoreachhiselbowandrubit,buthishandswouldn'tmove.
'Whaddyaknow.Hey,Sam,bettercallthedoc.Thisone'scomeround.'
'Sure!Here,puthimalongsidetheother.'Bondfelthimselfbeinglowered.Itwascooler
now.Heopenedhiseyes.AbigroundBrooklynfacewasbentoverhis.Theeyesmethis
andsmiled.Themetalsupportsofthestretchertouchedtheground.Themansaid,'How
yafeelin',mister?'
'WhereamI?'NowtherewaspanicinBond'svoice.Hetriedtorisebutcouldn't.Hefelt
thesweatbreakoutonhisbody.God!Wasthisstillpartoftheoldlife?Atthethoughtof
it,awaveofgriefpouredthroughhisbody.Tearsburnedhiseyesandtrickleddownhis
cheeks.
131

'Hey,hey!Takeiteasy,mister.You'reokay.ThisisIdlewild,NewYork.You'reinAmerica
now.Nomoretroubles,see.'Themanstraightenedup.HethoughtBondwasarefugee
fromsomewhere.
'Sam,getmovin'.Thisguy'sinshock.'
'Okay,okay.'Thetwovoicesreceded,mumblinganxiously.
Bondfoundhecouldmovehishead.Helookedround.Hewasinawhitepaintedward
presumablysomethingtodowiththehealthdepartmentoftheairport.Therewasarow
oftidybeds.Sunpoureddownfromhighwindows,butitwascool,airconditioned.He
wasonastretcheronthefloor.Therewasanotheronenexttoit.Hestrainedhishead
sideways.ItwasTilly.Shewasunconscious.Herpaleface,framedinblackhair,pointedat
theceiling.
Thedoorattheendofthewardsighedopen.Adoctorinawhitecoatstoodandheldit.
Goldfinger,lookingbrisk,cheerful,walkedswiftlydownbetweenthebeds.Hewas
followedbyOddjob.Bondwearilyclosedhiseyes.Christ!Sothatwasthescore.
Feetgatheredroundhisstretcher.Goldfingersaidbreezily,'Well,theycertainlylookin
goodshape,eh,Doctor?That'soneoftheblessingsofhavingenoughmoney.Whenone's
friendsorone'sstaffareillonecangetthemtheverybestmedicalattention.Nervous
breakdowns,bothofthem.Andinthesameweek!Wouldyoubelieveit?ButIblame
myselfforworkingthembothtoohard.Nowit'smydutytogetthembackontheirfeet
again.Dr.Fochhe'sthebestmaninGeneva,bythewaywasquitedefinite.Hesaid,
"Theyneedrest,Mr.Goldfinger.Rest,restandagainrest."Hegavethemsedativesand
nowthey'reontheirwaytotheHarknessPavilionatthePresbyterian.'
Goldfingerchuckledfatly.'Sowandyoushallreap,eh,Doctor?WhenIgavetheHarkness
amilliondollars'worthofXrayequipment,Icertainlyneverexpectedanythingback.But
now?Ionlyhadtoputthroughacallandthey'vegottwofineroomswaitingforthem.
Nowthen'therewasarustleofnotes'thankyouforallyourhelpwithImmigration.
FortunatelytheybothhadvalidvisasandIthinkImmigrationwassatisfiedthatMr.Auric
GoldfingerwasasufficientguaranteethatneitherofthemwantstooverthrowtheUnited
StatesGovernmentbyforce,what?'
'Yesindeed,andthankyouMr.Goldfinger.AnythingIcando...Iunderstandyouhavea
privateambulancewaitingoutside.'
Bondopenedhiseyesandlookedatwherethedoctor'svoicecamefrom.Hesawa
pleasant,seriousyoungmanwithrimlessglassesandacrewcut.Bondsaidquietlyand
withdesperatesincerity,'Doctor,thereisabsolutelynothingwrongwithmeorthisgirl.
Wehavebeendruggedandbroughthereagainstourwill.Neitherofusworksorhasever
workedforGoldfinger.Iamwarningyouthatwehavebeenkidnapped.Idemandtosee
theChiefofImmigration.IhavefriendsinWashingtonandNewYork.Theywillvouchfor
me.Ibegofyoutobelieveme.'Bondheldtheman'seyesinhis,willinghimtobelieve.

132

Thedoctorlookedworried.HeturnedtoGoldfinger.Goldfingershookhisheaddiscreetly
sothatBondwouldnotbeinsulted.Asurreptitioushandwentupandtappedthesideof
hisheadawayfromBond.Goldfingerraisedhelplesseyebrows.'YouseewhatImean,
Doctor?It'sbeenlikethisfordays.Totalnervousprostrationcombinedwithpersecution
mania.Dr.Fochsaidtheyoftengotogether.ItmayneedweeksattheHarkness.ButI'm
goingtopullhimroundifit'sthelastthingIdo.It'stheshockoftheseunfamiliar
surroundings.Perhapsashotofintravalsodium...'
Thedoctorbenttohisblackbag.'Iguessyou'reright,Mr.Goldfinger.SolongasHarkness
islookingafterthecase.'Therecamethetinkleofinstruments.
Goldfingersaid,'It'sterriblysadtoseeamanbreakdownsoutterly,amanwhohasbeen
oneofmybestassistants.'Hebentasweet,fatherlysmileonBond.Therewasacatchin
hisvoice.'You'llbeallright,James.Justrelaxandhaveanicesleep.Iwasafraidtheflight
mightbetoomuchforyou.Justrelaxandleaveeverythingtome.'
Bondfelttheswabonhisarm.Heheaved.Againsthiswill,ashowerofcursespouredfrom
hislips.
Thenhefelttheneedleandopenedhismouthandscreamedandscreamedwhilethe
doctorkneltbesidehimanddelicately,patiently,wipedawaythesweatfromhis
forehead.
Nowitwasagreypaintedboxofaroom.Therewerenowindows.Lightcamefroma
singlelampinsetinthecentreoftheceiling.Roundthelampwereconcentricslitsinthe
plasterandtherewastheneutralsmellandfainthumofairconditioning.Bondfoundhe
couldsitup.Hedidso.Hefeltdrowsybutwell.Hesuddenlyrealizedthathewas
ravenouslyhungryandthirsty.Whenhadhelasthadameal?Two,threedaysago?Heput
hisfeetdownonthefloor.Hewasnaked.Heexaminedhisbody.Oddjobhadbeen
careful.Therewasnosignofdamagesaveforthegroupofneedlemarksonhisright
forearm.Hegotup,conqueringdizziness,andtookafewstepsintheroom.Hehadbeen
lyingonaship'stypebunkwithdrawersunderit.Theonlyotherfurnitureintheroomwas
aplaindealtableandanuprightwoodenchair.Everythingwasclean,functional,Spartan.
Bondknelttodiedrawersunderthebunkandopenedthem.Theycontainedallthe
contentsofhissuitcaseexcepthiswatchandthegun.Eventheratherheavyshoeshehad
beenwearingonhisexpeditiontoEntreprisesAuricwerethere.Hetwistedoneofthe
heelsandpulled.Thebroaddoublesidedknifeslidsmoothlyoutofitsscabbardinthe
sole.Withthefingerswrappedroundthelockedheelitmadeaworkmanlikestabbing
dagger.Bondverifiedthattheothershoehelditsknifeandclickedtheheelsbackinto
position.Hepulledoutsomeclothesandputthemon.Hefoundhiscigarettecaseand
lighterandlitacigarette.Thereweretwodoorsofwhichonehadahandle.Heopened
thisone.Itledintoasmall,wellappointedbathroomandlavatory.Hiswashingand
shavingthingswereneatlylaidout.Therewereagirl'sthingsbesidethem.Bondsoftly
openedtheotherdoorintothebathroom.Itwasasimilarroomtohisown.Tilly
Masterton'sblackhairshowedonthepillowofthebunk.Bondtiptoedoverandlooked
down.Shewassleepingpeacefully,ahalfsmileonthebeautifulmouth.Bondwentback
intothebathroom,softlyclosedthedoorandwenttothemirroroverthebasinand
lookedathimself.Theblackstubblelookedmorelikethreedaysthantwo.Hesettowork
tocleanhimselfup.
133

Halfanhourlater.Bondwassittingontheedgeofhisbunkthinking,whenthedoor
withoutahandleopenedabruptly.Oddjobstoodintheentrance.Helookedincuriouslyat
Bond.Hiseyesnickeredcarefullyroundtheroom.Bondsaidsharply,'Oddjob,Iwantalot
offood,quickly.Andabottleofbourbon,sodaandice.AlsoacartonofChesterfields,
kingsize,andeithermyownwatchoranotheroneasgoodasmine.Quickmarch!Chop
chop!AndtellGoldfingerIwanttoseehim,butnotuntilI'vehadsomethingtoeat.Come
on!Jumptoit!Don'tstandtherelookinginscrutable.I'mhungry.'
OddjoblookedredlyatBondasifwonderingwhichpiecetobreak.Heopenedhismouth,
utteredanoisebetweenanangrybarkandabelch,spatdrilyonthefloorathisfeetand
steppedback,whirlingthedoorshut.Whentheslamshouldhavecome,thedoor
deceleratedabruptlyandclosedwithasoft,decisive,doubleclick.
TheencounterputBondingoodhumour.ForsomereasonGoldfingerhaddecidedagainst
killinghim.Hewantedthemalive.SoonBondwouldknowwhyhewantedthemalivebut,
solongashedid,Bondintendedtostayaliveonhisownterms.Thosetermsincluded
puttingOddjobandanyotherKoreanfirmlyinhisplace,which,inBond'sestimation,was
ratherlowerthanapesinthemammalianhierarchy.
Bythetimeanexcellentmealtogetherwitheverythingelse,includinghiswatch,Bondhad
askedfor,hadbeenbroughtbyoneoftheKoreanservants,Bondhadlearnednothing
moreabouthiscircumstancesexceptthathisroomwasclosetowaterandnotfarfroma
railwaybridge.AssuminghisroomwasinNewYork,itwaseitherontheHudsonorthe
EastRiver.Therailwaywaselectricandsoundedlikeasubway,butBond'sNewYork
geographywasnotgoodenoughtoplaceit.Hiswatchhadstopped.Whenheaskedthe
timehegotnoanswer.
Bondhadeatenallthefoodonthetrayandwassmokingandsippingasolidbourbonand
sodawhenthedooropened.Goldfingercameinalone.Hewaswearingaregulation
businessman'sclothesandlookedrelaxedandcheerful.Heclosedthedoorbehindhim
andstoodwithhisbacktoit.HelookedsearchinglyatBond.Bondsmokedandlooked
politelyback.
Goldfingersaid,'Goodmorning,Mr.Bond.Iseeyouareyourselfagain.Ihopeyouprefer
beingheretobeingdead.Soastosaveyouthetroubleofaskingalotofconventional
questions,Iwilltellyouwhereyouareandwhathashappenedtoyou.Iwillthenputto
youapropositiontowhichIrequireanunequivocalreply.Youareamorereasonableman
thanmost,soIneedonlygiveyouonebriefwarning.Donotattemptanydramatics.Do
notattackmewithaknifeoraforkorthatbottle.Ifyoudo,Ishallshootyouwiththis.'A
smallcalibrepistolgrewlikeablackthumboutofGoldfinger'srightfist.Heputthehand
withthegunbackinhispocket.'Iveryseldomusethesethings.WhenIhavehadto,Ihave
neverneededmorethanone.25calibrebullettokill.Ishootattherighteye,Mr.Bond.
AndInevermiss.'
Bondsaid,'Don'tworry,I'mnotasaccurateasthatwithabourbonbottle.'Hehitchedup
thekneeofhistrousersandputonelegacrosstheother.Hesatrelaxed.'Goahead.'

134

'Mr.Bond,'Goldfinger'svoicewasamiable.'Iamanexpertinmanyothermaterialsbeside
metalsandIhaveakeenappreciationofeverythingthatisonethousandfine,aswesayof
thepurestgold.Incomparisonwiththatdegreeofpurity,ofvalue,humanmaterialisofa
verylowgradeindeed.Butoccasionallyonecomesacrossapieceofthisstuffthatcanat
leastbeputtothelowerformsofuse.OddjobisanexampleofwhatImeansimple,
unrefinedclay,capableoflimitedexploitation.Atthelast,momentmyhandhesitatedto
destroyautensilwiththedurabilityIobservedinyourself.Imayhavemadeamistakein
stayingmyhand.InanycaseIshalltakethefulleststepstoprotectmyselffromthe
consequencesofmyimpulse.Itwassomethingyousaidthatsavedyourlife.You
suggestedthatyouandMiss.Mastertonwouldworkforme.NormallyIwouldhavenouse
foreitherofyou,butitjusthappensthatIamonthebrinkofacertainenterpriseinwhich
theservicesofbothofyoucouldbeofacertainminimalassistance.SoItookthegamble.I
gaveyouboththenecessarysedatives.Yourbillswerepaidandyourthingsfetchedfrom
theBergueswhereMiss.Mastertonturnedouttoberegisteredunderherrealname.I
sentacableinyournametoUniversalExport.Youhadbeenofferedemploymentin
Canada.Youwereflyingovertoexploretheprospects.YouweretakingMiss.Masterton
asyoursecretary.Youwouldwritefurtherdetails.Aclumsycable,butitwillserveforthe
shortperiodIrequireyourservices.(Itwon't,thoughtBond,unlessyouincludedinthe
textoneoftheinnocentphrasesthatwouldtellMthatthecablewasauthentic.Bynow,
theServicewouldknowhewasworkingunderenemycontrol.Wheelswouldbeturning
veryfastindeed.)Andincaseyouthink,Mr.Bond,thatmyprecautionswereinadequate,
thatyouwillbetraced,letmetellyouthatIamnolongerintheleastinterestedabout
yourtrueidentitynorthestrengthandresourcesofyouremployers.YouandMiss.
Mastertonhaveutterlydisappeared,Mr.Bond.SohaveI,sohaveallmystaff.Theairport
willreferinquiriestotheHarknessPavilionatthePresbyterianHospital.Thehospitalwill
neverhaveheardofMr.Goldfingernorofhispatients.TheFBIandtheCIAhavenorecord
ofme,forIhavenocriminalhistory.Nodoubttheimmigrationauthoritieswillhave
detailsofmycomingsandgoingsovertheyears,butthesewillnotbehelpful.Asformy
presentwhereabouts,andyours,Mr.Bond,wearenowinthewarehouseoftheHispeed
TruckingCorporation,aformerlyrespectableconcernwhichIownthroughnomineesand
whichhasbeenequipped,mostthoroughly,asthesecretheadquartersfortheenterprise
ofwhichIspoke.YouandMiss.Mastertonwillbeconfinedtothesequarters.Hereyou
willliveandworkandpossibly,thoughpersonallyIhavedoubtsaboutMiss.Masterton's
inclinationsinthatrespect,makelove.'
'Andwhatwillourworkconsistof?'
'Mr.Bond'ForthefirsttimesinceBondhadknownGoldfinger,thebig,blandface,
alwaysemptyofexpression,showedatraceoflife.Alookalmostofraptureilluminated
theeyes.Thefinelychiselledlipspursedintoathin,beaticcurve.'Mr.Bond,allmylifeI
havebeeninlove.Ihavebeeninlovewithgold.Iloveitscolour,itsbrilliance,itsdivine
heaviness.Ilovethetextureofgold,thatsoftsliminessthatIhavelearnttogaugeso
accuratelybytouchthatIcanestimatethefinenessofabartowithinonecarat.AndIlove
thewarmtangitexudeswhenImeltitdownintoatruegoldensyrup.But,aboveall,Mr.
Bond,Ilovethepowerthatgoldalonegivestoitsownerthemagicofcontrollingenergy,
exactinglabour,fulfillingone'severywishandwhimand,whenneedbe,purchasing
bodies,minds,evensouls.Yes,Mr.Bond,Ihaveworkedallmylifeforgoldand,inreturn,
goldhasworkedformeandforthoseenterprisesthatIhaveespoused.Iaskyou,'
135

GoldfingergazedearnestlyatBond,'isthereanyothersubstanceonearththatsorewards
itsowner?'
'Manypeoplehavebecomerichandpowerfulwithoutpossessinganounceofthestuff.
ButIseeyourpoint.Howmuchhaveyoumanagedtocollectandwhatdoyoudowithit?'
'Iownabouttwentymillionpounds'worth,aboutasmuchasasmallcountry.Itisnowall
inNewYork.IkeepitwhereIneedit.Mytreasureofgoldislikeacompostheap.Imoveit
hereandthereoverthefaceoftheearthand,whereverIchoosetospreadit,thatcorner
blossomsandblooms.Ireaptheharvestandmoveon.AtthismomentIamproposingto
encourage,toforce,acertainAmericanenterprisewithmygoldencompost.Thereforethe
goldbarsareinNewYork.'
'Howdoyouchoosetheseenterprises?Whatattractsyoutothem?'
'Iespouseanyenterprisethatwillincreasemystockofgold.Iinvest,Ismuggle,Isteal.'
Goldfingermadeasmallgestureofthehands,openingthepalmspersuasively.'Ifyouwill
followthesimile,regardhistoryasatrainspeedingalongthroughtime.Birdsandanimals
aredisturbedbythenoiseandtumultofthetrain'spassage,theyflyawayfromitorrun
fearfullyorcower,thinkingtheyhide.Iamlikethehawkthatfollowsthetrainyouhave
nodoubtseenthemdoingthis,inGreeceforinstancereadytopounceonanythingthat
maybeflushedbythetrain'spassage,bythepassageofhistory.Togiveyouasimple
example:theprogressofhistoryproducesamanwhoinventspenicillin.Atdiesametime,
historycreatesaworldwar.Manypeoplearedyingorafraidofdying.Penicillinwillsave
them.ThroughbriberyatcertainmilitaryestablishmentsontheContinent,Iobtainstocks
ofpenicillin.Iwaterthesedownwithsomeharmlesspowderorliquidandsellthemat
immenseprofittothosewhocravethestuff.YouseewhatImean,Mr.Bond?Youhaveto
waitfortheprey,watchitcarefullyandthenpounce.But,asIsay,Idonotsearchoutsuch
enterprises.Iafiowthetrainofhistorytoflushthemtowardsme.'
'What'sthelatestone?WhathaveMiss.MastertonandIgottodowithit?'
'ThelatestoneMr.Bond,isthelastone.Itisalsothebiggest.'Goldfinger'seyeswerenow
blank,focusedinwards.Hisvoicebecamelow,almostreverentialatwhathesaw.'Man
hasclimbedEverestandhehasscrapedthedepthsoftheocean.Hehasfiredrocketsinto
outerspaceandsplittheatom.Hehasinvented,devised,createdineveryrealmofhuman
endeavour,andeverywherehehastriumphed,brokenrecords,achievedmiracles.Isaidin
everyrealm,butthereisonethathasbeenneglected,Mr.Bond.Thatoneisthehuman
activitylooselyknownascrime.Thesocalledcriminalexploitscommittedbyindividual
humansIdonotofcourserefertotheiridioticwars,theirclumsydestructionofeach
otherareofmiserabledimensions:littlebankrobberies,tinyswindles,picayune
forgeries.Andyet,readytohand,afewhundredmilesfromhere,opportunityforthe
greatestcrimeinhistorystandswaiting.Thestageisset,thegiganticprizeisoffered.Only
theactorsaremissing.Buttheproducerisatlasthere,Mr.Bond'Goldfingerraiseda
fingerandtappedhischest'andhehaschosenhiscast.Thisveryafternoonthescriptwill
bereadtotheleadingactors.Thenrehearsalswillbeginand,inoneweek,thecurtainwill
goupforthesingle,theuniqueperformance.Andthenwillcometheapplause,the

136

applauseforthegreatestextralegalcoupofalltime.And,Mr.Bond,theworldwillrock
withthatapplauseforcenturies.'
NowadullfireburnedinGoldfinger'sbigpaleeyesandtherewasatouchofextracolour
inhisredbrowncheeks.Butitwasstillcalm,relaxed,profoundlyconvinced.There'sno
tracehere,reflectedBond,ofthemadman,thevisionary.Goldfingerhadsomefantastic
exploitinmind,buthehadgaugedtheoddsandknewtheywereright.Bondsaid,'Well,
comeon.Whatisit,andwhatdowehavetodoaboutit?'
'Itisarobbery,Mr.Bond.Arobberyagainstnoopposition,butonethatwillneeddetailed
execution.Therewillbemuchpaperwork,manyadministrativedetailstosupervise.Iwas
goingtodothismyselfuntilyouofferedyourservices.Nowyouwilldoit,withMiss.
Mastertonasyoursecretary.Youhavealreadybeenpartlyremuneratedforthisworkwith
yourlife.Whentheoperationissuccessfullycompletedyouwillreceiveonemillion
poundsingold.Miss.Mastertonwillreceivehalfamillion.'
Bondsaidenthusiastically,'Nowyou'retalking.Whatarewegoingtodo?Robtheendof
therainbow?'
'Yes,'Goldfingernodded.'Thatisexactlywhatwearegoingtodo.Wearegoingtoburgle
fifteenbilliondollars'worthofgoldbullion,approximatelyhalfthesupplyofminedgoldin
theworld.Wearegoing,Mr.Bond,totakeFortRnox.'

137

138

ChapterSeventeen
Hoods'Congress
'Fortknox.'Bondshookhisheadseriously.'Isn'tthatratheratallorderfortwomenanda
girl?'
Goldfingershruggedimpatiently.'Pleaseputawayyoursenseofhumourforoneweek,
Mr.Bond.Thenlaughasmuchasyouplease.Ishallhaveundermycommand
approximatelyonehundredmenandwomen.Thesepeoplewillbehandpickedfromthe
sixmostpowerfulgangstergroupsintheUnitedStates.Thisforcewillamounttothe
toughestandmostcompactfightingunitthathaseverbeenassembledinpeacetime.'
'Allright.HowmanymenguardthevaultatFortKnox?'
Goldfingerslowlyshookhishead.Heknockedonceonthedoorbehindhim.Thedoor
flickedopen.Oddjobstoodonthethreshold,crouching,alert.Whenhesawthatthe
meetingwasstillpeacefulhestraightenedhimselfandwaited.Goldfingersaid,'Youwill
havemanyquestionstoask,Mr.Bond.Theywillallbeansweredthisafternoon.Beginning
attwothirty.Itisnowexactlytwelveo'clock.'Bondglancedathiswatchandadjustedit.
'YouandMiss.Mastertonwillattendthemeetingatwhichthepropositionwillbeputto
theheadsofthesixorganizationsIhavementioned.Nodoubtthesepeoplewillaskthe
samequestionsasoccurtoyou.Everythingwillbeexplained.Afterwardsyouwillsettle
downtodetailedworkwithMiss.Masterton.Askforwhatyouwant.Oddjobwillseeto
yourwelfareandalsobeonpermanentguard.Donotbeobstreperousoryouwill
instantlybekilled.Anddonotwastetimetryingtoescapeortocontacttheoutsideworld.
IhavehiredyourservicesandIshallrequireeveryounceofthem.Isthatabargain?'
Bondsaiddrily,'I'vealwayswantedtobeamillionaire.'
Goldfingerdidn'tlookathim.Helookedathisfingernails.ThenhegaveBondonelast
hardglanceandwentoutandshutthedoorbehindhim.
Bondsatandgazedatthecloseddoor.Hebrusquelyranbothhandsthroughhishairand
downoverhisface.Hesaid'Well,well'aloudtotheemptyroom,gotupandwalked
throughthebathroomtothegirl'sbedroom.Heknockedonthedoor.
'Whoisit?'
'Me.Areyouvisible?'
'Yes.'Thevoicewasunenthusiastic.'Comein.'
Shewassittingontheedgeofthebed,pullingonashoe.ShewaswearingthethingsBond
hadfirstseenherin.Shelookedcoolandcollectedandunsurprisedbyhersurroundings.
ShelookedupatBond.Hereyeswerealoof,disdainful.Shesaidcoldly,precisely,'You've
gotusintothis.Getusout.'
139

Bondsaidamiably,'Imaybeableto.Igotusoutofourgraves.'
'Aftergettingusintothem.'
Bondlookedthoughtfullyatthegirl.Hedecideditwouldbeungallanttospankher,soto
speak,onanemptystomach.Hesaid,'Thiswon'tgetusanywhere.We'reinthistogether,
whetherwelikeitornot.Whatdoyouwantforbreakfastorlunch?It'saquarterpast
twelve.I'veeaten.I'llorderyoursandthencomebackandtellyouthescore.There'sonly
onewayoutofhereandOddjob,thatKoreanape,isguardingit.Nowthen,breakfastor
lunch?'
Sheunbentaninch.'Thankyou.Scrambledeggsandcoffee,please.Andtoastand
marmalade.'
'Cigarettes?'
'No,thankyou.Idon'tsmoke.'
Bondwentbacktohisroomandknockedonthedoor.Itopenedaninch.
Bondsaid,'Allright,Oddjob.I'mnotgoingtokillyouyet.'
Thedooropenedfarther.Oddjob'sfacewasimpassive.Bondgavetheorder.Thedoor
closed.Bondpouredhimselfabourbonandsoda.Hesatontheedgeofthebedand
wonderedhowhewasgoingtogetthegirlonhisside.Fromthebeginningshehad
resentedhim.Wasthatonlybecauseofhersister?WhyhadGoldfingermadethatcryptic
remarkaboutherinclinations'?Whatwasthereaboutherthathehimselffeltsomething
withdrawn,inimical.Shewasbeautifulphysicallydesirable.Buttherewasacold,hard
centretoherthatBondcouldn'tunderstandordefine.Ohwell,themainthingwastoget
hertogoalong.Otherwiselifeinprisonwouldbeintolerable.
Bondwentbackintoherroom.Heleftbothdoorsopensothathecouldhear.Shewasstill
sittingonthebedwrappedinacoiledimmobility.ShewatchedBondcarefully.Bond
leanedagainstthejambofthedoor.Hetookalongpullathiswhisky.Hesaid,lookingher
intheeye,'You'dbetterknowthatI'mfromScotlandYard'theeuphemismwouldserve.
'We'reafterthismanGoldfinger.Hedoesn'tmind.Hethinksnoonecanfindusforatleast
aweek.He'sprobablyright.Hesavedourlivesbecausehewantsustoworkforhimona
crime.It'sbigbusiness.Prettyscatterbrained.Butthere'salotofplanningand
paperwork.We'vegottolookafterthatside.Canyoudoshorthandandtyping?'
'Yes.'Hereyeswerealight.'What'sthecrime?'
Bondtoldher.Hesaid,'OfcourseitallsoundsridiculousandIdaresayafewquestionsand
answerswillshowthesegangsters,iftheydon'tshowGoldfinger,thatthewholething's
impossible.ButIdon'tknow.Goldfinger'sanextraordinaryman.FromwhatIknowabout
him,henevermovesunlesstheoddsareright.AndIdon'tthinkhe'smadatleastnot
madderthanotherkindsofgeniusesscientistsandsoon.Andthere'snodoubthe'sa
geniusinhisparticularfield.'
140

'Sowhatareyougoingtodoaboutit?'
Bondloweredhisvoice.Hesaid,'Whatarewegoingtodoaboutit,youmean.Weare
goingtoplayalong.Andtothehilt.Noshirkingandnofunnybusiness.We'regoingtobe
greedyforthemoneyandwe'regoingtogivehimabsolutelytopnotchservice.Apart
fromsavingourlives,whichmeanlessthannothingtohim,it'stheonlyhopewe,or
ratherIbecausethat'smylineofcountry,canhaveofachancetoqueerhispitch.'
'Howareyougoingtodothat?'
'Ihaven'tthefaintestidea.Somethingmayturnup.'
'Andyouexpectmetogoalongwithyou?'
'Whynot?Anyothersuggestions?'
Shepursedherlipsobstinately.'WhyshouldIdowhatyousay?'
Bondsighed.'There'snopointinbeingasuffragetteaboutthis.It'seitherthatorget
yourselfkilledafterbreakfast.It'suptoyou.'
Themouthturneddownwithdistaste.Sheshruggedhershoulders.Shesaidungraciously,
'Oh,allrightthen.'
Suddenlyhereyesflared.'Onlydon'tevertouchmeorIshallkillyou.'
TherecametheclickofBond'sbedroomdoor.BondlookedmildlydownatTilly
Masterton.'Thechallengeisattractive.Butdon'tworry.Iwon'ttakeitup.'Heturnedand
strolledoutoftheroom.
OneoftheKoreanspassedhimcarryingthegirl'sbreakfast.InhisroomanotherKorean
hadbroughtinatypist'sdeskandchairandaRemingtonportable.Hearrangedthemin
thecornerawayfromthebed.Oddjobwasstandinginthedoorway.Heheldoutasheet
ofpaper.Bondwentuptohimandtookit.Itwasafoolscapmemosheet.Thewriting,
withaballpoint,wasneat,careful,legible,undistinguished.Itsaid:
Preparetencopiesofthisagenda.
MeetingheldunderthechairmanshipofMr.Gold
Secretaries:J.Bond
Miss.TillyMasterton
Present
HelmutM.SpringerThePurpleGang.Detroit
141

JedMidnightShadowSyndicate.MiamiandHavana
Billy(TheGrinner)RingTheMachine.ChicagoJackStrapTheSpangledMob.LasVegas
Mr.SoloUnioneSiciliano
Miss.PussyGaloreTheCementMixers.Harlem.NewYorkCity
Agenda
AprojectwiththecodenameOPERATIONGRANDSLAM.
(Refreshments.)
Attheendofthiswaswritten,'YouandMissMastertonwillbefetchedat2.20.Bothwill
bepreparedtotakenotes.Formaldress,please.'
Bondsmiled.TheKoreanslefttheroom.Hesatdownatthedesk,slippedpaperand
carbonsintothetypewriterandsetto.Atleasthewouldshowthegirlthathewas
preparedtodohisstint.Gosh,whatacrew!EventheMafiahadcomein.Howhad
Goldfingerpersuadedthemalltocome?Andwhoinheaven'snamewasMiss.Pussy
Galore?
Bondhadthecopiesfinishedbytwoo'clock.Hewentintothegirl'sroomandgavethem
tohertogetherwithashorthandnotebookandpencils.HealsoreadherGoldfinger's
note.Hesaid,'You'dbettergetthesenamesinyourhead.Theyprobablywon'tbehardto
identify.Wecanaskifwegetstuck.I'llgoandgetintomyformaldress.'Hesmiledather.
'Twentyminutestogo.'
Shenodded.
WalkingdownthecorridorbehindOddjob,Bondcouldhearthesoundsoftheriverthe
slappingofwateronthepilesbelowthewarehouse,thelongmournfulhootofaferry
clearingherway,thedistantthumpofdiesels.Somewherebeneathhisfeetatruckstarted
up,revvedandthengrowledawaypresumablytowardstheWestSideHighway.They
mustbeonthetoptierofthelongtwotieredbuilding.Thegreypaintinthecorridor
smellednew.Therewerenosidedoors.Lightcamefrombowlsintheceiling.They
reachedtheend.Oddjobknocked.TherewasthesoundofaYalekeybeingturnedand
twolotsofboltsbeingpulledandtheywalkedthroughandintoalargebrightsunlitroom.
Theroomwasovertheendofthewarehouseandawidepicturewindow,fillingmostof
thefacingwall,framedtheriverandthedistantbrownmuddleofJerseyCity.Theroom
hadbeendressedfortheconference.Goldfingersatwithhisbacktothewindowatalarge
roundtablewithagreenbaizecloth,carafesofwater,yellowscratchpadsandpencils.
Therewereninecomfortablearmchairsandonthescratchpadsinfrontofsixofthem
weresmalloblongwhiteparcelssealedwithredwax.Totheright,againstthewall,wasa
longbuffettablegleamingwithsilverandcutglass.Champagnestoodinsilvercoolersand
therewasarowofotherbottles.AmongthevariousfoodsBondnoticedtworoundfive
poundtinsofBelugacaviarandseveralterrinesoffoiegras.Onthewalloppositethe
142

buffethungablackboardaboveatableonwhichtherewerepapersandonelargeoblong
carton.
Goldfingerwatchedthemcometowardshimacrossthethickwineredcarpet.He
gesturedtothechaironhisleftforTillyMastertonandtotheoneontherightforBond.
Theysatdown.'Theagenda?'Goldfingertookthecopies,readthetoponeandhanded
thembacktothegirl.Hegaveacircularwaveofthehandandshegotupanddistributed
thecopiesroundthetable.Heputhishandbeneaththetableandpressedahiddenbell.
Thedooratthebackoftheroomopened.
OneoftheKoreanscameinandstoodwaiting.'Iseverythingready?'Themannodded.
'Youunderstandthatnooneistocomeintothisroombutthepeopleonyourlist?Good.
Someofthem,perhapsall,willbringacompanion.Thecompanionswillremaininthe
anteroom.Seethattheyhaveeverythingtheywish.Thecardsarethereandthedice?
Oddjob.'GoldfingerglancedupattheKoreanwhohadremainedbehindBond'schair.'Go
andtakeupyourposition.Whatisthesignal?'
Oddjobhelduptwofingers.'Right.Tworingsonthebell.Youmaygo.Seethatallthestaff
carryouttheirdutiestoperfection.'
Bondsaidcasually,'Howmanystaffhaveyougot?'
'Twenty.TenKoreansandtenGermans.Theyareallexcellentmen,handpicked.Much
goesoninthisbuilding.Itislikebelowdecksinamanofwar.'Goldfingerlaidhishands
flatonthetableinfrontofhim.'Andnow,yourduties.Miss.Masterton,youwilltake
notesofanypracticalpointsthatarise,anythingthatislikelytorequireactionbyme.Do
notbotherwiththeargumentandchatter.Right?'
BondwasgladtoseethatTillyMastertonnowlookedbrightandbusinesslike.Shenodded
briskly,'Certainly.'
'And,Mr.Bond,Ishallbeinterestedinanyreactionsyoumayhavetothespeakers.Iknow
agreatdealaboutallthesepeople.Intheirownterritoriestheyareparamountchiefs.
TheyareonlyherebecauseIhavebribedthemtocome.TheyknownothingofmeandI
needtopersuadethemthatIknowwhatIamtalkingaboutandwillleadthemtosuccess.
Greedwilldotherest.Buttheremaybeoneormorewhowishtobackout.Theywill
probablyrevealthemselves.IntheircasesIhavemadespecialarrangements.Butthere
maybedoubtfulones.Duringthetalk,youwillscribblewithyourpencilonthisagenda.
Casuallyyouwillnotewithaplusoraminussignoppositethenameswhetheryou
considereachonefororagainsttheproject.Ishallbeabletoseewhatsignyouhave
made.Yourviewsmaybeuseful.Anddonotforget,Mr.Bond,thatonetraitoramong
them,onebackslider,andwecouldquicklyfindourselveseitherdeadorinprisonforlife.'
'WhoisthisPussyGalorefromHarlem?'
'SheistheonlywomanwhorunsaganginAmerica.Itisagangofwomen.Ishallneed
somewomenforthisoperation.Sheisentirelyreliable.Shewasatrapezeartiste.Shehad
ateam.Itwascalled"PussyGaloreandherAbrocats".'Goldfingerdidnotsmile.'Dieteam
143

wasunsuccessful,soshetrainedthemasburglars,catburglars.Itgrewintoagangof
outstandingruthlessness.ItisaLesbianorganizationwhichnowcallsitself"TheCement
Mixers".EventhebigAmericangangsrespectthem.Sheisaremarkablewoman.'
Abuzzersoundedverysoftlybeneaththetable.Goldfingerstraightenedhimself.Thedoor
attheendoftheroomopenedbrisklyandfivemencamein.Goldfingerroseinhischair
andduckedhisheadinwelcome.Hesaid,'MynameisGold.Willyoupleasebeseated.'
Therewasacarefulmurmur.Silentlythemenclosedroundthetable,pulledoutchairs
andsatdown.Fivepairsofeyeslookedcoldly,warilyatGoldfinger.Goldfingersatdown.
Hesaidquietly,'Gentlemen,intheparcelsbeforeyouyouwillfindonetwentyfourcarat
goldbar,valuefifteenthousanddollars.Ithankyouforthecourtesyofyourattendance.
Theagendaisselfexplanatory.Perhaps,whilewewaitforMiss.Galore,Icouldrun
throughyournamesfortheinformationofmysecretaries,Mr.Bondhere,andMiss.
Masterton.Nonoteswillbemadeofthismeeting,exceptonactionyoumaywishmeto
take,andIcanassureyoutherearenomicrophones.Nowthen,Mr.Bond,onyourrightis
Mr.JedMidnightoftheShadowSyndicateoperatingoutofMiamiandHavana.'
Mr.Midnightwasabig,goodlivingmanwithajovialfacebutslowcarefuleyes.Heworea
lightbluetropicalsuitoverawhitesilkshirtornamentedwithsmallgreenpalmtrees.The
complicatedgoldwatchonhiswristmusthaveweighednearlyhalfapound.Hesmiled
tautlyatBondandsaid,'Howdo.'
'ThenwehaveMr.BillyRingwhocontrolsthefamousChicago"Machine".'
Bondthoughthehadneverseenanyonewhowaslessofa'Billy'.Itwasafaceoutofa
nightmareand,asthefaceturnedtowardsBond,itknewitwas,andwatchedBondforhis
reactions.Itwasapale,pearshaped,babyfacewithdownyskinandasoftthatchof
strawcolouredhair,buttheeyes,whichshouldhavebeenpaleblue,wereatawnybrown.
Thewhitesshowedallroundthepupilsandgaveamesmericqualitytothehard
thoughtfulstare,unsoftenedbyaticintherighteyelidwhichmadetherighteyewink
withtheheartbeat.AtsomeearlystageinMr.Ring'scareersomeonehadcutoffMr.
Ring'slowerlipperhapshehadtalkedtoomuchandthishadgivenhimapermanent
falsesmilelikethegrinofaHallowe'enpumpkin.Hewasaboutfortyyearsold.Bond
summedhimupasamercilesskiller.BondsmiledcheerfullyintothehardstareofMr.
Ring'slefteyeandlookedpasthimatthemanGoldfingerintroducedasMr.Helmut
SpringeroftheDetroitPurpleGang.
Mr.Springerhadtheglazedeyesofsomeonewhoiseitherveryrichorverydead.The
eyeswerepaleblueopaqueglassmarbleswhichbrieflyrecognizedBondandthenturned
inwardsagainincompleteabsorptionwithself.TherestofMr.Springerwasa'manof
distinction'casuallypinstriped,Hathawayshirted,AquaVelva'd.Hegavetheimpression
ofsomeonewhofoundhimselfinthewrongcompanyafirstclassticketholderinathird
classcompartment,amanfromthestallswhohasbeenshownbymistaketoaseatinthe
pit.
Mr.MidnightputhishanduptohismouthandsaidsoftlyforBond'sbenefit,'Don'tbe
takeninbytheDuke.MyfriendHelmutwasthemanwhoputthepiquedshirtonthe
144

hood.DaughtergoestoVassar,butit'sprotectionmoneythatpaysforherhockeysticks.'
Bondnoddedhisthanks.'AndMr.SolooftheUnioneSiciliano.'
Mr.Solohadadarkheavyface,gloomywiththeknowledgeofmuchguiltandmanysins.
HisthickhomrimmedspectacleshelioedbrieflyinBond'sdirectionandthenbentagainto
thebusinessofcleaningMr.Solo'snailswithapocketknife.Hewasabig,chunkyman,
halfboxer,halfheadwaiter,anditwasquiteimpossibletotellwhatwasonhismindor
wherehisstrengthlay.ButthereisonlyoneheadoftheMafiainAmericaand,ifMr.Solo
hadthejob,thoughtBond,hehadgotitbystrengthoutofterror.Itwouldbebythe
exerciseofboththathekeptit.'Howdy.'Mr.JackStrapoftheSpangledMobhadthe
syntheticcharmofafrontmanfortheLasVegascasinos,butBondguessedhehad
inheritedfromthelatelamentedbrothersSpangthankstootherqualities.Hewasan
expansive,showilydressedmanofaboutfifty.Hewascomingtotheendofacigar.He
smokeditasifhewaseatingit,munchinghungrily.Fromtimetotimeheturnedhishead
sidewaysanddiscreetlyspatascrapofitoutontothecarpetbehindhim.Behindthis
compulsivesmokingtherewouldbealotoftension.Mr.Straphadquickconjuror'seyes.
Heseemedtoknowthathiseyesfrightenedpeoplebecausenow,presumablynotwanting
tofrightenBond,hegavethemcharmbycrinklingthematthecorners.
Thedooratthebackoftheroomopened.Awomaninablackmasculinecutsuitwitha
highcoffeecolouredlacejabotstoodinthedoorway.Shewalkedslowly,
unselfconsciouslydowntheroomandstoodbehindtheemptychair.Goldfingerhadgotto
hisfeet.Sheexaminedhimcarefullyandthenranhereyesroundthetable.Shesaida
collective,bored'Hi'andsatdown.Mr.Strapsaid'HiPussy,'andtheothers,exceptMr.
Springerwhomerelybowed,madecarefulsoundsofwelcome.
Goldfingersaid,'Goodafternoon,Miss.Galore.Wehavejustbeenthroughtheformality
ofintroductions.Theagendaisbeforeyou,togetherwiththefifteenthousanddollargold
barIaskedyoutoaccepttomeettheexpenseandinconvenienceofattendingthis
meeting.'
Miss.Galorereachedforherparcelandopenedit.Sheweighedthegleamingyellowbrick
inherhand.ShegaveGoldfingeradirect,suspiciouslook.'Allthewaythrough?'
'Allthewaythrough.'
Miss.Galoreheldhiseyes.Shesaid'Pardonmyasking'withthecurttoneofahardwoman
shopperatthesales.
Bondlikedthelookofher.HefeltthesexualchallengeallbeautifulLesbianshaveformen.
HewasamusedbytheuncompromisingattitudethatsaidtoGoldfingerandtotheroom,
'Allmenarebastardsandcheats.Don'ttryanymasculinehocusonme.Idon'tgoforit.
I'minaseparateleague.'
Bondthoughtshewouldbeinherearlythirties.Shehadpale,RupertBrookegoodlooks
withhighcheekbonesandabeautifuljawline.ShehadtheonlyvioleteyesBondhadever
seen.Theywerethetruedeepvioletofapansyandtheylookedcandidlyoutattheworld
frombeneathstraightblackbrows.Herhair,whichwasasblackasTillyMasterton's,was
145

worninanuntidyurchincut.Themouthwasadecisiveslashofdeepvermilion.Bond
thoughtshewassuperbandso,henoticed,didTillyMastertonwhowasgazingatMiss.
Galorewithworshippingeyesandlipsthatyearned.Bonddecidedthatallwasnowclear
tohimaboutTillyMasterton.
Goldfingersaid,'AndnowImustintroducemyself.MynameisnotGold.Mycredentials
areasfollows.Byvariousoperations,mostofthemillegitimate,Ihavemadealargesum
ofmoneyintwentyyears.Thatsumnowstandsatsixtymilliondollars.'(Arespectfulhm
ingwentroundthetable.)'Myoperationshave,forthemostpart,beenconfinedto
Europe,butyoumaybeinterestedtoknowthatIfoundedandsubsequentlydisposedof
the"GoldenPoppyDistributors"whooperatedoutofHongkong.'(Mr.JackStrapwhistled
softly.)'The"HappyLandingsTravelAgency",whichsomeofyoumayhaveemployedin
emergency,wasorganizedandownedbymeuntilIdisbandedit.'(Mr.HelmutSpringer
screwedarimlessmonocleintooneglazedeyesothathecouldexamineGoldfingermore
closely.)'Imentiontheseminorconcernstoshowyouthat,althoughyoumaynotknow
me,Ihave,inthepast,actedatmanyremoveson,Ibelieve,allyourbehalfs.'('Well,
whaddyaknow!'mutteredMr.JedMidnightwithsomethinglikeaweinhisvoice.)'That,
gentlemenandermadam,ishowIknewofyouandhowIcametoinviteheretonight
whatIhavelearnedthroughmyownexperiencetobethearistocracy,ifImaysodescribe
it,ofAmericancrime.'
Bondwasimpressed.Goldfingerhad,inthreeminutesflat,gotthemeetingonhisside.
NoweveryonewaslookingtowardsGoldfingerwithprofoundattention.EvenMiss.Pussy
Galore'seyeswererapt.BondknewnothingabouttheGoldenPoppyDistributorsorthe
HappyLandingsAgency,buttheymusthaverunlikeclockworkfromtheexpressionson
theirformercustomers'faces.NoweveryonewashangingonGoldfinger'swordsasifhe
wasEinstein.
Goldfinger'sfaceshowednoemotion.Hemadeathrowawaygestureofhisrighthand.He
saidflatly,'Ihavementionedtwoprojectsofminethatweresuccessful.Theyweresmall.
Therehavebeenmanyothersofahighercalibre.Notoneofthemhasfailed,and,sofaras
Iknow,mynameisonthepolicefilesofnocountry.IsaythistoshowyouthatI
thoroughlyunderstandmyourprofession.Andnow,gentlemenandmadam,Ipropose
toofferyoupartnershipinanundertakingthatwillassuredlyplaceineachofyour
treasuries,withinoneweek,thesumofonebilliondollars.'
Mr.Goldfingerhelduphishand.'WehavedifferentviewsinEuropeandAmericaasto
whatconstitutesthearithmeticalexpression"abillion".Iusethewordinthesenseofone
thousandmillion.DoImakemyselfclear?'

146

ChapterEighteen
CrimeDeLaCrime
Atughootedontheriver.Anotheranswered.Aflurryofenginenoisesreceded.
Mr.JedMidnight,onBond'sright,clearedhisthroat.Hesaidemphatically,'MisterGold,
orwhateveryournameis,don'tyouworryaboutdefinitions.Abilliondollarsisalotof
moneywhicheverwayyousayit.Keeptalking.'
Mr.SoloraisedslowblackeyesandlookedacrossthetableatGoldfinger.Hesaid,'Isvery
mochmoney,yess.Buthowmochyourcut,mister?'
'Fivebillion.'
JackStrapfromLasVegasgaveashortboisterouslaugh.'Listenfellers,what'safewbillion
betweenfriends.IfMistererWhoosiscanleadmetoabilliondollarsI'llbegladtoslip
himafinorevenmaybeamegafinforhistrouble.Don'tlet'sbesmallmindedaboutthis,
huh?'
Mr.HelmutSpringertappedhismonocleonthegoldbrickinfrontofhim.Everyone
lookedtowardshim.'MisterahGold.'Itwasthegravevoiceofthefamilylawyer.'These
arebigfiguresyoumention.AsIunderstandit,atotalofsomeelevenbilliondollarsis
involved.'
Mr.Goldfingersaidwithprecision,'Theexactfigurewillbenearerfifteenbillion.For
convenienceIreferredonlytotheamountsIthoughtitwouldbepossibleforustocarry
away.'
AsharpexcitedgigglecamefromMr.BillyRing.'Quite,quite,Mr.Gold.'Mr.Springer
screwedhismonoclebackintohiseyetoobserveGoldfinger'sreactions.'Butquantitiesof
bullionorcurrencytothatamountaretobefoundgatheredtogetherinonlythree
depositoriesintheUnitedStates.TheyaretheFederalMintinWashington,theFederal
ReserveBankinNewYorkCity,andFortKnoxinKentucky.Doyouintendthatweshould
er"knockoff"oneofthese?Andifsowhich?'
'FortKnox.'
Amidstthechorusofgroans,Mr.Midnightsaidresignedly,'Mister,Inevermetanyguy
outsideHollywoodthathadwhatyou'vegot.Thereifscalled"vision".Andvision,mister,is
atalentformistakingspotsbeforetheeyesforfabulousprojects.Youshouldhaveatalk
withyourheadshrinkerorgetyourselfMiltownized.'Mr.Midnightshookhishead
sorrowfully.'Toobad.ThatbillionsurefeltgoodwhileIhadit.'
Miss.PussyGaloresaidinadeep,boredvoice,'Sorrymister,noneofmysetofbentpins
couldtakethatkindofpiggybank.'Shemadetogetup.

147

Goldfingersaidamiably,'Nowhearmethrough,gentlemenandermadam.Yourreaction
wasnotunexpected.Letmeputitthisway:FortKnoxisabanklikeanyotherbank.Butit
isamuchbiggerbankanditsprotectivedevicesarecorrespondinglystrongerandmore
ingenious.Topenetratethemwillrequirecorrespondingstrengthandingenuity.Thatis
theonlynoveltyinmyprojectthatitisabigone.Nothingelse.FortKnoxisnomore
impregnablethanotherfortresses.NodoubtweallthoughttheBrinkorganizationwas
unbeatableuntilhalfadozendeterminedmenrobbedaBrinkarmouredcarofamillion
dollarsbackin1950.ItisimpossibletoescapefromSingSingandyetmenhavefound
waysofescapingfromit.No,no,gentlemen.FortKnoxisamythlikeothermyths.ShallI
proceedtotheplan?'
BillyRinghissedthroughhisteeth,likeaJapanese,whenhetalked.Hesaidharshly,
'Listen,shamus,mebbeyadidn'tknowit,buttheThirdArmouredislocatedatFortKnox.
Ifthat'samyth,whydon'ttheRusskiscomeandtaketheUnitedStatesthenexttimethey
haveateamoverhereplayingicehockey?'
Goldfingersmiledthinly.'IfImaycorrectyouwithoutweakeningyourcase,Mr.Ring,the
followingistheorderofbattleofthemilitaryunitspresentlyquarteredatFortKnox.Of
theThirdArmouredDivision,thereisonlytheSpearhead,buttherearealsothe6th
ArmouredCavalryRegiment,the15thArmourGroup,the160thEngineerGroupand
approximatelyhalfadivisionfromallunitsoftheUnitedStatesArmycurrentlygoing
throughtheArmouredReplacementTrainingCentreandMilitaryHumanResearchUnit
No1.ThereisalsoaconsiderablebodyofmenassociatedwithContinentalArmoured
CommandBoardNo2,theArmyMaintenanceBoardandvariousactivitiesconnectedwith
theArmouredCentre.Inadditionthereisapoliceforceconsistingoftwentyofficersand
somefourhundredenlistedmen.Inshort,outofatotalpopulationofsomesixty
thousand,approximatelytwentythousandarecombattroopsofonesortoranother.'
'Andwho'sgoingtosaybootothem?'jeeredMr.JackStrapthroughhiscigar.Without
waitingforananswerhedisgustedlytorethetatteredstumpoutofhismouthand
mashedittofragmentsintheashtray.
NexttohimMiss.PussyGaloresuckedherteethsharplywiththeincisivenessofaparrot
spitting.Shesaid,'Gobuyyourselfsomebettersmokes,Jacko.Thatthingsmellslike
burningwrestlers'trunks.'
'Shoveit,Puss,'saidMr.Strapinelegantly.
Miss.Galorewasdeterminedtohavethelastword.Shesaidsweetly,'Knowwhat,Jacko?I
couldgoforahemanlikeyou.MatteroffactIwroteasongaboutyoutheotherday.Care
tohearitstitle?It'scalled"IfIhadtodoitalloveragain,I'ddoitalloveryou".'
AbrayoflaughtercamefromMr.Midnight,ahighgigglefromMr.Ring.Goldfingertapped
lightlyfororder.Hesaidpatiently,'Nowhearmethrough,please,gentlemen.'Hegotup
andwalkedtotheblackboardandpulledarollmapdownoverit.Itwasadetailedtown
mapofFortKnoxincludingtheGodmanArmyAirfieldandtheroadsandrailwaytracks
leadingintothetown.Thecommitteemembersontherightofthetableswivelledtheir
chairs.GoldfingerpointedtotheBullionDepository.Itwasdownonthelefthandcorner
148

enclosedinatriangleformedbytheDixieHighway,BullionBoulevardandVineGrove
Road.Goldfingersaid,'Iwillshowyouadetailedplanofthedepositoryinjustamoment.'
Hepaused.'Now,gentlemen,allowmetopointoutthemainfeaturesofthisfairly
straightforwardtownship.Here'heranhisfingerfromthetopcentreofthemapdown
throughthetownandoutbeyondtheBullionDepository'runsthelineoftheIllinois
CentralRailroadfromLouisville,thirtyfivemilestothenorth,throughthetownandonto
Elizabethtowneighteenmilestothesouth.WearenotconcernedwithBrandenburg
Stationinthecentreofthetown,butwiththiscomplexofsidingsadjoiningtheBullion
Vault.ThatisoneoftheloadingandunloadingbaysforthebullionfromtheMintin
Washington.Othermethodsoftransporttothevault,whicharevariedinnoparticular
rotationforsecurityreasons,arebytruckconvoydowntheDixieHighwayorbyfreight
planetoGodmanAirfield.Asyoucansee,thevaultisisolatedfromtheseroutesand
standsalonewithoutanynaturalcoverwhatsoeverinthecentreofapproximatelyfifty
acresofgrassland.Onlyoneroadleadstothevault,afiftyyarddrivewaythroughheavily
armedgatesonBullionBoulevard.Onceinsidethearmouredstockade,thetrucksproceed
ontothiscircularroadwhichrunsroundthevaulttotherearentrancewherethebullion
isunloaded.Thatcircularroad,gentlemen,ismanufacturedoutofsteelplatesorflaps.
Theseplatesareonhingesandinanemergencytheentiresteelsurfaceoftheroadcanbe
raisedhydraulicallytocreateasecondinternalstockadeofsteel.Notsoobvioustothe
eye,butknowntome,isthatanundergrounddeliverytunnelrunsbelowtheplain
betweenBullionBoulevardandVineGroveRoad.Thisservesasanadditionalmeansof
accesstothevaultthroughsteeldoorsthatleadfromthewallofthetunneltothefirst
subgroundfloorofthedepository.'
Goldfingerpausedandstoodawayfromthemap.Helookedroundthetable.'Allright,
gentlemen.Thereisthevaultandthosearethemainapproachestoitwiththeexception
ofitsfrontdoorwhichispurelyanentrancetothereceptionhallandoffices.Any
questions?'
Therewerenone.AlleyeswereonGoldfinger,waiting.Onceagaintheauthorityofhis
wordshadgrippedthem.ThismanseemedtoknowmoreaboutthesecretsofFortKnox
thanhadeverbeenreleasedtotheoutsideworld.
Goldfingerturnedbacktotheblackboardandpulleddownasecondmapoverthefirst.
ThiswasthedetailedplanoftheGoldVault.Goldfingersaid,'Well,gentlemen,youcan
seethatthisisanimmenselysolidtwostoreybuildingsomewhatlikeasquare,two
layeredcake.Youwillnoticethattheroofhasbeensteppedforbombprotection,andyou
willobservethefourpillboxesonthegroundatthefourcorners.Theseareofsteeland
areconnectedwiththeinteriorofthebuilding.Theexteriordimensionsofthevaultarea
hundredandfivebyahundredandtwentyonefeet.Theheightfromgroundlevelisforty
twofeet.TheconstructionisofTennesseegranite,steellined.Theexactconstituentsare:
sixteenthousandcubicfeetofgranite,fourthousandcubicyardsofconcrete,seven
hundredandfiftytonsofreinforcingsteelandsevenhundredandsixtytonsofstructural
steel.Right?Now,withinthebuilding,thereisatwostoreysteelandconcretevault
dividedintocompartments.Thevaultdoorweighsmorethantwentytonsandthecasing
ofthevaultisofsteelplates,steelIbeamsandsteelcylinderslacedwithhoopbandsand
encasedinconcrete.Theroofisofsimilarconstructionandisindependentoftheroofof
thebuilding.Acorridorencirclesthevaultatbothlevelsandgivesaccessbothtothevault
andtotheofficesandstoreroomsthatarehousedintheouterwallofthebuilding.No
149

onepersonisentrustedwiththecombinationtothedoorofthevault.Varioussenior
membersofthedepositorystaffmustseparatelydialcombinationsknownonlytoeachof
them.Naturallythebuildingisequippedwiththelatestandfinestprotectivedevices.
Thereisastrongguardpostwithinthebuildingandimmenselypowerfulreinforcements
areatalltimesavailablefromtheArmouredCentrelessthanamiledistant.Doyoufollow
me?Now,astotheactualcontentofthevaulttheseamount,asIsaidearlier,tosome
fifteenbilliondollars'worthofstandardmintbarsonethousandfine.Eachbarisdouble
thesizeoftheonebeforeyouandcontainsfourhundredTroyounces,theavoirdupois
weightbeingsometwentysevenandahalfpounds.Thesearestoredwithoutwrappings
inthecompartmentsofthevault.'Goldfingerglancedroundthetable.'Andthat,
gentlemenandmadam,'heconcludedflatly,'isallIcantellyou,andallIthinkweneedto
know,aboutthenatureandcontentsofFortKnoxDepository.Unlessthereareany
questionsatthisstage,Iwillproceedtoabriefexplanationofhowthisdepositorymaybe
penetratedanditscontentsseized.'
Therewassiknce.Theeyesroundthetablewererapt,intent.Nervously,Mr.JackStrap
tookamediumsizedcigaroutofhisvestpocketandstuffeditinthecornerofhismouth.
PussyGaloresaidsternly,'IfyousetfiretothatthingIswearI'llkayoyouwithmygold
brick.'Shetookathreateningholdofthebar.
'Takeiteasy,kid,'saidMr.Strapoutofthecornerofhismouth.
Mr.JedMidnightcommenteddecisively,'Mister,ifyoucanheistthatjoint,yougot
yourselfasummumcumlaude.Goaheadandtell.ThisiseitherabustortheCrimedela
Crime.'
Goldfingersaidindifferently,'Verywell,gentlemen.Youshallheartheplan.'Hepaused
andlookedcarefullyroundthetableandintoeachpairofeyesinturn.'ButIhopeyou
understandthattotalsecuritymustnowprevail.WhatIhavesaidsofar,ifrepeated,
wouldbetakenforthemaunderingsofalunatic.WhatIamabouttosaywillinvolveallof
usinthegreatestpeacetimeconspiracyinthehistoryoftheUnitedStates.MayItakeit
thatweareallboundbyanoathofabsolutesecrecy?'
Almostinstinctively,BondwatchedtheeyesofMr.HelmutSpringerfromDetroit.While
affirmativesinvarioustonesofvoicecamefromtheothers,Mr.Springerveiledhiseyes.
Hisportentous'Youhavemysolemnword'ranghollow.ToBond,thecandourwasasfalse
asasecondhandmotorsalesman's.Casuallyhedrewashortstraightminuslinebeside
Mr.Springer'snameontheagenda.'Verywellthen.'Goldfingerreturnedtohisseatatthe
table.Hesatdown,pickeduphispencilandbegantalkingtoitinathoughtful,
conversationalvoice.'First,andinsomewaysmostdifficult,isthequestionofdisposal.
Onebilliondollarsofgoldbullionweighsapproximatelyonethousandtons.Totransport
thisamountwouldrequireonehundredtentontrucksorsometwentysixwheelheavy
industryroadtransporters.Irecommendthelattervehicles.Ihavealistofthecharter
companieswhohireoutthistypeofvehicleandIrecommendthat,ifwearetobe
partners,youshouldproceedimmediatelyafterthismeetingtocontractingwiththe
relevantcompaniesinyourterritories.Forobviousreasonsyouwillallwishtoengage
yourowndriversandthisImustleaveinyourhands.Nodoubt'Mr.Goldfingerallowed
150

himselftheghostofasmile'theTeamsters'Unionwillproveafruitfulsourceforreliable
menandyouwillperhapsconsiderrecruitingexdriversfromtheNegroRedBallExpress
thatservedtheAmericanarmiesduringthewar.However,thesearedetailsrequiring
exactplanningandcoordination.Therewillalsobeatrafficcontrolproblemandnodoubt
youwillmakearrangementsamongyourselvesforsharingouttheavailableroads.
Transportaircraftwillbeasubsidiarysourceofmobilityandarrangementswillbemadeto
keepopenthenorthsouthrunwayontheGodmanAirfield.Yoursubsequentdisposalof
thebullionwill,ofcourse,beyourownaffair.Formypart'Goldfingerlookedcoollyround
thetable'Ishallinitiallybeusingtherailroadand,sinceIhaveabulkiertransport
problem,Itrustyouwillallowmetoreservethismeansofegressformyown.'Goldfinger
didnotwaitforcomment.Hecontinuedinaneventone:'Comparedwiththisproblemof
transport,theotherarrangementswillberelativelysimple.Tobeginwith,onD1,I
proposetoputtheentirepopulation,militaryandcivilian,ofFortKnoxtemporarilyoutof
action.Exactarrangementshavebeenmadeandonlyawaitmysignal.Briefly,thetownis
suppliedwithalldrinkingandotherwatersuppliesbytwowellsandtwofilterplants
yieldingjustundersevenmilliongallonsperday.TheseareunderthecontrolofthePost
Engineer.ThisgentlemanhasbeenpleasedtoacceptavisitfromtheSuperintendentand
DeputySuperintendentoftheTokyoMunicipalWaterworkswhowishtostudythe
workingsofaplantofthissizeforinstallationinanewsuburbplannedfortheenvironsof
Tokyo.ThePostEngineerhasbeenmuchflatteredbythisrequestandtheJapanese
gentlemenwillbeaccordedallfacilities.Thesetwogentlemen,whoare,ofcourse,
membersofmystaff,willbecarryingontheirpersonsrelativelysmallquantitiesofa
highlyconcentrated'opiatedevisedbytheGermanchemicalwarfareexpertsforjustthis
purposeduringthelastwar.Thissubstancedisseminatesrapidlythroughavolumeof
waterofthismagnitude,and,initsconsequenthighlydilutedform,hastheeffectof
instantbuttemporarynarcosisofanypersondrinkinghalfatumbleroftheinfected
water.Thesymptomsareadeepandinstantsleepfromwhichthevictimawakensmuch
refreshedinapproximatelythreedays.Gentlemen'Goldfingerheldoutonehandpalm
upwards'inthemonthofJuneinKentuckyIconsideritoutofthequestionthatasingle
residentisabletogothroughtwentyfourhourswithoutconsuminghalfaglassofwater.
TheremayperhapsbeahandfulofconfirmedalcoholicsontheirfeetonDDay,butI
anticipatethatweshallenteratowninwhichvirtuallytheentirepopulationhasfallen
intoadeepsleepwheretheystand.'
'Whatwasthatfairytale?'Miss.Galore'seyeswereshiningwiththevision.
'PussinBoots,'saidMr.JackStrapinasurlyvoice.'Goahead,mister.Thisisgood.Howdo
wegetintothetown?'
'Wecomein,'saidGoldfinger,'onaspecialtrainthatwillhaveleftNewYorkCityonthe
nightofD1.
TherewillbeapproximatelyonehundredofusandweshallbeattiredasRedCross
workers.Miss.Galorewill,Ihope,providethenecessarycontingentofnurses.Itistofill
thisminorbutimportantrolethatshehasbeeninvitedtothismeeting.'
Miss.Galoresaidenthusiastically,'Wilco,Roger,overandout!Mygirls'lllooksweetin
starch.Whaddyasay,Jacko?'SheleantsidewaysandnudgedMr.Strapintheribs.
151

'Isaythey'dlookbetterincementovercoats,'saidMr.Strapimpatiently.'Whaddyahave
tokeeponbuttinginfor?Keepgoing,mister.'
'AtLouisville,thirtyfivemilesfromFortKnox,Imyselfandanassistantwillasktobe
allowedtorideintheleadingdiesel.Weshallhavedelicateinstruments.Weshallsaythat
itwillbenecessaryforustosampletheairasweapproachFortKnoxfor,bythistime,
newsofthemysteriousafflictionthathasstruckdowntheinhabitantswillhavereached
theouterworldandthereislikelytobesomepanicinthesurroundingarea,andindeedin
thecountryasawhole.Rescueplanesmaybeexpectedtoapproachshortlyafterour
arrivalatdawnandanearlytaskwillbetomanthecontroltoweratGodmanAirfield,
declarethebaseclosedandrerouteallplanestoLouisville.But,togobackforamoment,
shortlyafterleavingLouisville,myassistantandIwilldisposeofthedriverandfiremanby
ashumanemethodsasarepossible'(Ibet,thoughtBond)'andIshallpersonallybringthe
trainImaysaythatIhavetherequisiteknowledgeoftheselocomotivesthroughFort
Knoxtothebullionsidingsalongsidethedepository.'Goldfingerpaused.Helookedwith
slow,graveeyesroundthecircle.Satisfiedwithwhathesaw,hecontinuedinthesame
eventone.'Bythistime,gentlemenandmadam,yourtransportconvoysshouldbe
arriving.Thetrafficcontrollerwilldisposethemintheneighbourhoodofthedepository
accordingtoaprearrangedplan,theairportstaffwillproceedbytrucktoGodman
Airfieldandtakeover,andweshallenterthedepository,payingnoheedtothesleeping
bodieswithwhichthelandscapewillbeerdecorated.Right?'
Mr.Solo'sdarkeyesburnedacrossthetable.Hesaidsoftly,'Sure,isrightsofar.Now
mebbeyou'heblewouthischeeksandgaveaquickhardpufftowardsGoldfinger'like
thisandthetwentytondoorhefalldown.Yes?'
'Yes,'saidGoldfingerequably.'Almostexactlylikethat.'Heroseandwenttothetable
undertheblackboard,liftedupthebigungainlycartonandcarrieditcarefullybackand
placeditonthetableinfrontofhim.Itseemedtobeveryheavy.
Hesatdownandcontinued,'Whiletenofmytrainedassistantsaremakingpreparations
forthevaulttobeopened,stretcherteamswillenterthedepositoryandremovetosafety
asmanyoftheinmatesascanbelocated.'Bondthoughthenoticedatreacherouspurr
underlyingGoldfinger'snextwords.'Iamsureyouwillallagree,gentlemenandmadam,
thatallunnecessarylossoflifeshouldbeavoided.Thusfar,Ihopeyounoticethatthere
havebeennocasualtieswiththeexceptionoftwoemployeesoftheIllinoisCentral
Railroadwhohavereceivedsoreheads.'Goldfingerdidn'twaitforcommentbutwenton.
'Now,'hereachedoutandplacedhishandonthecarton,'whenyou,gentlemen,andyour
associateshaveneededweapons,otherthantheconventionalsmallarms,wherehave
youfoundthem?Atmilitaryestablishments,gentlemen.Youhavepurchasedsubmachine
gunsandotherheavyequipmentfromquartermasterstorekeepersatnearbymilitary
bases.Youhaveachievedthisbytheuseofpressure,blackmailormoney.Ihavedonethe
same.OnlyoneweaponwouldbepowerfulenoughtoblastopentheBullionVaultatFort
KnoxandIobtainedone,aftermuchseeking,fromacertainalliedmilitarybasein
Germany.Itcostmeexactlyonemilliondollars.This,gentlemen,isanatomicwarhead
designedforusewiththeCorporalIntermediateRangeGuidedMissile.'
'CheesusKerist.'JedMidnight'shandsreachedfortheedgeofthetablebesideBondand
grippedit.
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Allthefacesroundthetablewerepale.Bondcouldfeeltheskintautoverhisowntensed
jaw.TobreakhistensionhereachedinsidehiscoatpocketfortheChesterfieldsandlit
one.Heslowlyblewouttheflameandputthelighterbackinhispocket.GodAlmighty!
Whathadhegothimselfinto?Bondlookedbackdownthevistaofhisknowledgeof
Goldfinger.ThefirstmeetingwiththenakedbrownbodyontheroofoftheFloridiana
CabanaClub.ThecasualwayhehadrappedGoldfinger'sknuckles.TheinterviewwithM.
Themeetingatthebankatwhichithadbeenaquestionoftrackingdownagoldsmuggler
admittedlyabigoneandonewhoworkedfortheRussiansbutstillonlyamansized
criminal,someoneBondhadtakentroubletobeatatgolfandthenhadpursuedcoolly,
efficiently,butstillasonlyonemorequarrylikesomanyothers.Andnow!Nowitwasnot
arabbitintherabbithole,notevenafox,itwasakingcobrathebiggest,mostdeadly
inhabitantoftheworld!Bondsighedwearily.Oncemoreintothebreach,dearfriends!
ThistimeitreallywasSt.Georgeandthedragon.AndSt.Georgehadbettergetamoveon
anddosomethingbeforethedragonhatchedthelittledragon'segghewasnownesting
soconfidently.Bondsmiledtautly.Dowhat?WhatinGod'snamewastherehecoulddo?
Goldfingerhelduphishand.'Gentlemenandmadam,believeme,thisobjectisanentirely
harmlesslumpofmachinery.Itisnotarmed.IfIhititwithahammeritwouldnotexplode.
NothingcanmakeitexplodeuntilitisarmedandthatwillnothappenuntilTheDay.'
Mr.BillyRing'spalefacewasshinywithsweat.Thewordstrembledslightlyastheyhissed
outthroughthefalsegrin.'Mister,what...whataboutthisthingtheycallerfallout?'
'Falloutwillbeminimal,Mr.Ring,andextremelylocalized.Thisisthelatestmodelthe
socalled"clean"atomicbomb.Butprotectionsuitswillbeissuedtothesquadthatfirst
enterstheruinsofthebuilding.Theywillformthefirstinthehumanchainthatwill
removethegoldandpassittothewaitingtrucks.'
'Flyingdebris,Mister?Chunksofconcreteandsteelandsoforth?'Mr.Midnight'svoice
camefromsomewhereinhisstomach.
'Weshalltakeshelterbehindtheoutersteelstockadeofthedepository,Mr.Midnight.All
personnelwillwearearplugs.Theremaybeminordamagetosomeofthetrucks,butthat
hazardmustbeaccepted.'
'Dasleepingguys?'Mr.Solo'seyesweregreedy.'Mebbedeyjesssleepsaliddlelonger?'
Mr.Soloobviouslydidn'tworrytoomuchaboutthesleepingguys.
'Weshallmoveasmanyaspossibletosafety.Wemust,Iamafraid,acceptminordamage
tothetown.Iestimatethatcasualtiesamongthepopulationwillapproximatelyequal
threedays'tollontheroadsofFortKnox.Ouroperationwillmerelyservetokeeproad
accidentstatisticsatasteadylevel.'
'Damnniceofus.'Mr.Midnight'snerveshadnowrecovered.
'Anymorequestions?'Goldfinger'svoicewasbland.Hehadreadoutthefigures,
estimatedtheprospectsforthebusiness.Nowitwastimetoputthemeetingtothevote.
'Detailsremaintobeworkedoutexactly.Inthat,mystaffhere'heturnedfirsttoBond
153

andthentoMiss.Masterton'willbeassistingme.Thisroomwillbeouroperationsroom
towhichyouwillallhaveaccessbydayorbynight.Thecodewordfortheprojectis
"OperationGrandSlam",whichwillalwaysbeusedinreferringtotheproject.MayI
suggestthatthoseofyouwhowishtoparticipateshouldbriefone,andonlyone,ofyour
mosttrustedlieutenants.Otherstaffcanbetrainedfortheirfunctionsasifthiswerea
runofthemillbankrobbery.OnD1aslightlywiderbriefingofstaffwillbenecessary.I
knowIcanrelyonyou,gentlemenandmadam,ifyoudecidetoparticipate,totreatthis
wholeprojectasanoperationofwar.Inefficiencyorinsecuritywillofcoursehavetobe
dealtwithdecisively.Andnow,gentlemenandmadam,Iwillaskyoutoreplyonbehalfof
yourrespectiveorganizations.Whichofyouwishestoenterthisrace?Theprizeis
gigantic.Therisksareminimal.Mr.Midnight?'Goldfingerturnedhisheadaninchtodie
right.BondsawthewideopenXraygazedevourhisneighbour.'Yes?'Therewasapause.
'Orno?'

154

ChapterNineteen
SecretAppendix
'Mr.gold,'JedMidnightpronouncedsonorously,'youareundoubtedlythegreatestthing
incrimesinceCaininventedmurderanduseditonAbel.'Hepausedandadded
emphatically,'Ishallcountitanhonourtobeassociatedwithyouinthisenterprise.'
'Thankyou,Mr.Midnight.Andyou,Mr.Ring?'BondwasdoubtfulaboutMr.BillyRing.He
hadscrawledplussesagainstallthenamesexceptRingandHelmutSpringer.ToMr.Ring
hehadallottedanought,toSpringeraminussign.Hehadcometohisconclusionsby
watchingeyes,mouths,hands,butnothinghadbeenbetrayedbyTheGrinner's
unwaveringfalsesmile.Thewinkinhisrighteyehadbeenassteadyonthepulsebeatasa
metronomeandhehadkepthishandsbelowthetable.
NowBillyRingbroughthishandsupfrombelowthetableandformedacat'scradlewith
themonthegreenbaizeinfrontofhim.Foramomenthewatchedthetwothumbs
twirling,thenheraisedhisnightmarefacetoGoldfinger's.Theticinhisrighteyehad
stopped.Thetworowsofteethbegantooperatelikeaventriloquist'sdummy.'Mister'he
founddifficultywithhisb's,m'sandp'sandproducedthembybringinghisupperlipdown
overhisteethlikeahorsedoeswhenittakessugaroutofyourhand'longtimenowmy
friendsandIbeenbackinlegal.WhatImean,theolddaysofleavingcorpsesstrewnall
overthelandscapewentoutwiththe'forties.Meandmyassociates,wedoallrightwith
thegirls,thehemp,andtheracetrack,andwhenwe'reshortthere'sourgoodfriendsthe
Uniontoslipustheoddfin.Yasee,mister'TheGrinneropenedhishandsandthenput
thembackintothecradle'wefiggertheolddaysaregone.BigJimColossimo,Johnny
Torrio,DionO'Bannion,AlCaponewherearethoseguystoday,huh?Mister,they're
pushingupthemorningglorybythefence.Mebbeyouweren'taroundinthedayswhen
weusedtohideupbetweenfightsinLittleBohemiaupbehindMilwaukee?Well,siree,in
thosedays,peoplewereshootingateachothersofastyou'doftenneedaprogrammeto
telltheactfromthespectators.Soallright,peoplegottiredofitthosethathadn't
alreadygottiredtodeath,ifyougetmymeaningandwhenthe'fiftiescomealongandI
takeovertheteam,it'sunanimousthatwegetoutofthefireworksbusiness.Andnow
what,mister?Nowyoucomealongandputittomethatmeandmyfriendsassistyouto
letoffthebiggestfizzbanginhistory!SowhatdoIfiggertosaytoyourproposition,
MistererWhoosis?Well,Itellyou,mister.Everybody'sgothisprice,see?andfora
billiondollarsit'sadeal.We'llputawaythemarblesandbringouttheslingshots.We're
in.'
'Grinner,yousuretakeonehellofalongtimetosayyes,'commentedMr.Midnight
sourly.
Goldfingersaidcordially,'Thankyouforyourmostinterestingstatement,Mr.Ring.Iam
veryhappytowelcomeyouandyourassociates.Mr.Solo?'
Mr.Soloprefacedhisreplybyreachingintohiscoatpocketandtakingoutabattery
shaver.Heswitchediton.Theroomfilledwiththenoiseofangrybees.Mr.Sololeanthis
headbackandbeganrunningthemachinethoughtfullyuptherightsideofhisfacewhile
155

hisuptiltedeyessoughtdecisionintheceiling.Suddenlyheswitchedtherazoroff,putit
downonthetableinfrontofhimandjerkedhisheaddownandforwardlikeasnake
striking.Theblackgunmuzzlesofhiseyespointedthreateninglyacrossthetableat
Goldfingerandmovedslowlyfromfeaturetofeatureofthebigmoonface.HalfMr.Solo's
ownfacenowlookednaked.TheotherhalfwasdarkwiththeItalianswarthinessthat
comesfromanuncontrollablebeardgrowth.Bondguessedthatheprobablyhadtoshave
everythreeorfourhours.NowMr.Solodecidedtospeak.Hespokeinavoicethat
broughtchillintotheroom.Hesaidsoftly,'Mister,Ibeenwatchingyou.Youareavery
relaxedmanforsomeonewhospeakssuchbigthings.LastmanIknewwassomuch
relaxedhegothimselftotallyrelaxedbyaquickburstofthechopper.Okay,okay.'Mr.
Solosatback.Hespreadopenpalmsinreluctantsurrender.'SoIcomein,yes.Butmister'
therewasapauseforemphasis'eitherwegetthatbillionoryougetdead.Isokaywith
you?'
Goldfinger'slipsbentironically.'Thankyou,Mr.Solo.Yourconditionsarequite
acceptable.Ihaveeverywishtostayalive.Mr.HelmutSpringer?'
Mr.Springer'seyeslookeddeaderthanever.Hesaidpompously,'Iamstillgivingthe
mattermyfullconsideration.PrayconsultmycolleagueswhileIdeliberate.'
Mr.Midnightcommentedimpatiently,'SameoldHell.Waitsforwhathecallsinspiration.
He'sguidedmessagesfromtheAlmightyontheangels'wavelength.Iguesshehasn't
heardahumanvoiceintwentyyears.'
'AndMr.Strap?'
Mr.JackStrapcrinkledhiseyesatGoldfinger.Hesaidsmoothly,'Mister,Ifigureyouknow
theoddsandyousurelypaythebestsinceoneofourmachinesatVegasgotthetrotsand
gavecontinuousjackpots.Iguessifweprovidethemusclesandthegunsthiscaper'llpay
off.Youcancountmein.'
Mr.Strapturnedoffthecharm.Hiseyes,nowfrighteningagain,turned,withGoldfinger's,
toMiss.PussyGalore.
Miss.Galoreveiledhervioleteyessoasnottohavetolookateitherofthem.Shesaid
indifferentlytotheroomatlarge,'Businessain'tbeensobriskinmycornerofthewoods.'
Shetappedwithlong,silverpaintedfingernailsonthegoldbarbeforeher.'Mindyou,I
won'tsayI'moverdrawnatthebank.Let'sputitI'mjustashadeunderdeposited.Yup.
SureI'llcomein.Meandmygalsgottoeat.'
Goldfingerallowedhimselfahalfsmileofsympathy.'Thatisexcellentnews,Miss.Galore.
Andnow,'heturnedtofaceacrossthetable,'Mr.Springer,mightweaskifyouhavemade
upyourmind?'
SlowlyMr.Springerrosetohisfeet.Hegavethecontrolledyawnofanoperagoer.He
followedtheyawnwithasmallbelch.Hetookoutafinelinenhandkerchiefandpattedhis
lips.HisglazedeyesmovedroundthetableandfinallyrestedonGoldfinger.Slowlyhis
headmovedfromsidetosideasifhewastryingtoexercisefibrositisinhisneckmuscles.
156

Hesaidgravely,likeabankmanagerrefusingaloan,'Mr.Gold,Ifearyourproposalwould
notfindfavourwithmycolleaguesinDetroit.'
Hegavealittlebowwhichincludedeveryone.'Itonlyremainsformetothankyoufora
mostinterestingoccasion.Goodafternoon,gentlemenandmadam.'Inthechillysilence,
Mr.Springertuckedhishandkerchiefcarefullyintothelefthandcuffofhisimmaculate
pinstripe,turnedandwalkedsoftlytothedoorandlethimselfout.
Thedoorclosedwithasharpclick.BondnoticedGoldfinger'shandslipcasuallybelowthe
table.HeguessedthatOddjobwasgettinghissignal.Signalforwhat?
Mr.Midnightsaidnastily,'Gladhe'sout.He'sstrictlyafourulcerman.Nowthen'hegot
upbrisklyandturnedtoBond'howaboutalittledrink?'
Theyallroseandgatheredroundthebuffet.BondfoundhimselfbetweenMiss.Pussy
GaloreandTillyMasterton.Heofferedthemchampagne.Miss.Galorelookedathim
coldlyandsaid,'Moveover,Handsome.Usgirlswanttotalksecrets.Don'twe,yummy?'
Miss.Mastertonblushedandthenturnedverypale.Shewhisperedadoringly,'Ohyes
please,Miss.Galore.'
BondsmiledsourlyatTillyMastertonandmoveddowntheroom.
JedMidnighthadwitnessedthesnub.HegotclosetoBondandsaidearnestly,'Mister,if
that'syourdoll,youbetterwatchher.Pussygetsthegirlsshewants.Sheconsumesthem
inbuncheslikegrapes,ifyoufollowme.'Mr.Midnightsighedwearily.'Cheesushowthey
boreme,thelizzies!You'llsee,she'llsoonhavethatfrailpartingherhairthreewaysin
frontofthemirror.'
Bondsaidcheerfully,'I'llwatchout.There'snothingmuchIcando.She'sanindependent
sortofagirl.'
'Thatso?'saidMr.Midnightwithasparkofinterest.'WellmebbeIcanhelptobreakitup.'
Hestraightenedhistie.'IcouldgoforthatMasterton.She'ssuregotnaturalresources.
Seeyouaround.'HegrinnedatBondandmovedoffdowntheroom.
Bondwashavingaquietsquaremealoffcaviarandchampagneandthinkinghowwell
Goldfingerhadhandledthemeetingwhenthedoorattheendoftheroomopenedand
oneoftheKoreanshurriedinandwentuptoGoldfinger.Goldfingerbenthisheadtothe
whisperedwords.Hisfacebecamegrave.HerappedaforkonhisglassofSaratogaVichy.
'Gentlemenandmadam.'Helookedsadlyroundthegroup.'Ihavereceivedbadnews.Our
friendMr.HelmutSpringerhasmetwithanaccident.Hefelldownthestairs.Deathwas
instantaneous.'
'Ho,ho!'Mr.Ring'slaughwasnotalaugh.Itwasaholeintheface.'Andwhatdoesthat
SlappyHapgood,historpedo,havetosayaboutit?'
Goldfingersaidgravely,'Alas,Mr.Hapgoodalsofelldownthestairsandhassuccumbedto
hisinjuries.'
157

Mr.SololookedatGoldfingerwithnewrespect.Hesaidsoftly,'Mister,youbetterget
thosestairsfixedbeforemeandmyfriendGiuliocometousethem.'
Goldfingersaidseriously,'Thefaulthasbeenlocated.Repairswillbeputinhandatonce.'
Hisfacegrewthoughtful.'IfeartheseaccidentsmaybemisconstruedinDetroit.'
JedMidnightsaidcheerfully,'Don'tgiveitathought,mister.Theylovefuneralsupthere.
Andit'lltakealoadofftheirminds.OldHellwouldn'thavelastedmuchlonger.Theybeen
stokingthefiresunderhimthesetwelvemonths.'HeappealedtoMr.Strapwhostood
nexttohim.'AmIright,Jacko?'
'Sure,Jed,'saidMr.Strapsagely.'Yougotthescore.Mr.HelmutM.Springerhadtobehit.'
'Hit'mobeseformurder.WhenBondatlastgottobedthatnight,hecouldn'twipethe
wordoutofhismind.Oddjobhadgotthesignal,adoublering,andSpringerandhisguard
hadgothit.TherehadbeennothingBondcouldhavedoneaboutitevenifhehad
wantedto,andMr.HelmutSpringermeantnothingtohim,probablyrichlydeservedtobe
hitanywaybutnowsome59,998otherpeopleweregoingtogethitunlesshe,andonly
he,coulddosomethingaboutit.
Whenthemeetingofparamounthoodshadbrokenuptogoabouttheirvariousduties,
GoldfingerhaddismissedthegirlandkeptBondintheroom.HetoldBondtotakenotes
andthenformorethantwohourswentovertheoperationdowntothesmallestdetail.
Whentheycametothedopingofthetworeservoirs(Bondhadtoworkoutanexact
timetabletoensurethatthepeopleofFortKnoxwouldallbe'under'ingoodtime)Bond
hadaskedfordetailsofthedruganditsspeedofaction.
'Youwon'thavetoworryaboutthat.'
'Whynot?Everythingdependsonit.'
'Mr.Bond.'Goldfinger'seyeshadafaraway,withdrawnlook.'Iwilltellyouthetruth
becauseyouwillhavenoopportunityofpassingiton.Fromnow,Oddjobwillnotbemore
thanayardfromyoursideandhisorderswillbestrictandexact.SoIcantellyouthatthe
entirepopulationofFortKnoxwillbedeadorincapacitatedbymidnightonD1.The
substancethatwillbeinsertedinthewatersupply,outsidethefilterplant,willbeahighly
concentratedformofGB.'
'You'remad!Youdon'treallymeanyou'regoingtokillsixtythousandpeople!'
'Whynot?Americanmotoristsdoiteverytwoyears.'
BondstaredintoGoldfinger'sfaceinfascinatedhorror.Itcouldn'tbetrue!Hecouldn't
meanit!Hesaidtensely,What'sthisGB?'
'GBisthemostpowerfuloftheTrilonegroupofnervepoisons.Itwasperfectedbythe
Wehrmachtin1943,butneverusedforfearofreprisals.Infact,itisamoreeffective
instrumentofdestructionthanthehydrogenbomb.Itsdisadvantageliesinthedifficulty
158

ofapplyingittothepopulace.TheRussianscapturedtheentireGermanstocksatDyhern
furthonthePolishfrontier.Friendsofminewereabletosupplymewiththenecessary
quantities.Introductionthroughthewatersupplyisanidealmethodofapplyingittoa
denselypopulatedarea.'
Bondsaid,'Goldfinger,you'realousy,bastard.'
'Don'tbechildish.Wehaveworktodo.'
Later,whentheyhadgottotheproblemoftransportingthetonsofgoldoutofthetown,
Bondhadhadonelasttry.Hesaid,'Goldfinger,you'renotgoingtogetthisstuffaway.
Nobody'sgoingtogettheirhundredtonsofgoldoutoftheplaceletalonefivehundred.
You'llfindyourselftearingdowntheDixieHighwayinatruckwithafewgoldbarsloaded
withgammaraysandtheAmericanArmyonyourtail.Andyou'llhavekilledsixty
thousandpeopleforthat?Thething'sfarcical.Evenifyoudogetatonortwoaway,where
thehelldoyouthinkyou'regoingtohideit?'
'Mr.Bond.'Goldfinger'spatiencewasinfinite.'ItjusthappensthataSovietcruiserofthe
SverdlovskclasswillbevisitingNorfolk,Virginia,onagoodwillcruiseatthattime.Itsails
fromNorfolkonD+1.
Initiallybytrainandthenbytransportconvoy,mygoldwillarriveonboardthecruiserby
midnightonDDay.IshallsailinthecruiserforKronstadt.Everythinghasbeencarefully
planned,everypossiblehitchhasbeenforeseen.Ihavelivedwiththisoperationforfive
years.Nowthetimehascomefortheperformance.Ihavetidiedupmyactivitiesin
EnglandandEurope.Suchsmalldebrisasremainsofmyformerlifecangotothe
scavengerswhowillshortlybesniffingonmytrail.Ishallbegone.Ishallhaveemigrated
and,Mr.Bond,IshallhavetakenthegoldenheartofAmericawithme.Naturally'
Goldfingerwasindulgent'thisuniqueperformancewillnotbeimmaculate.Therehasnot
beenenoughtimeforrehearsals.Ineedtheseclumsygangsterswiththeirgunsandtheir
men,butIcouldnotbringthemintotheplanuntilthelastmoment.Theywillmake
mistakes.Conceivablytheywillhavemuchtroublegettingtheirownlootaway.Somewill
becaught,otherskilled.Icouldn'tcareless.Thesemenareamateurswhowereneeded,so
tospeak,forthecrowdscenes.Theyareextras,Mr.Bond,broughtinoffthestreets.What
happenstothemaftertheplayisofnointeresttomewhatsoever.Andnow,onwiththe
work.Ishallneedsevencopiesofallthisbynightfall.Wherewerewe...?'
Soinfact,reflectedBondfeverishly,thiswasnotonlyaGoldfingeroperationwithSMERSH
inthebackground.SMERSHhadevengottheHighPraesidiumtoplay.ThiswasRussia
versusAmericawithGoldfingerasthespearhead!Wasitanactofwartostealsomething
fromanothercountry?ButwhowouldknowthatRussiahadthegold?Noone,iftheplan
wentoffasGoldfingerintended.Noneofthegangstershadaninkling.TothemGoldfinger
wasjustanotherofthem,anothergangster,slightlylargerthanlifesize.AndGoldfinger's
staff,hisdriversforthegoldenconvoytothecoast?
Bondhimself,andTillyMasterton?Somewouldbekilled,includinghimandthegirl.Some,
theKoreansforinstance,wouldnodoubtsailinthecruiser.Notatracewouldbeleft,not
awitness.Itwasmodernpiracywithalltheoldtimetrimmings.Goldfingerwassacking
159

FortKnoxasBloodyMorganhadsakedPanama.Therewasnodifferenceexceptthatthe
weaponsandthetechniqueshadbeenbroughtuptodate.Andtherewasonlyonemanin
thewholeworldwhocouldstopit.Buthow?
Thenextdaywasanunendingblizzardofpaperwork.Everyhalfhouranotewouldcome
infromGoldfinger'soperationsroomaskingforschedulesofthis,copiesofthat,
estimates,timetables,listsofstores.Anothertypewriterwasbroughtin,maps,reference
booksanythingthatBondrequisitioned.ButnotoncedidOddjobrelaxtheextremecare
withwhichheopenedthedoortoBond'sknock,notoncedidhiswatchfuleyeswander
fromBond'seyes,hands,feetwhenhecameintotheroomtobringmealsornotesor
supplies.TherewasnoquestionofBondandthegirlbeingpartoftheteam.Theywere
dangerousslavesandnothingelse.
TillyMastertonwasequallyreserved.Sheworkedlikeamachinequick,willing,accurate,
butuncommunicative.SherespondedwithcoolpolitenesstoBond'searlyattemptsto
makefriends,sharehisthoughtswithher.Bytheevening,hehadlearntnothingabouther
exceptthatshehadbeenasuccessfulamateuriceskaterinbetweensecretarialworkfor
Unilevers.Thenshehadstartedgettingstarpartsiniceshows.Herhobbyhadbeen
indoorpistolandrifleshootingandshehadbelongedtotwomarksmanclubs.Shehadfew
friends.Shehadneverbeeninloveorengaged.ShelivedbyherselfintworoomsinEarls
Court.Shewastwentyfour.Yes,sherealizedthattheywereinabadfix.Butsomething
wouldturnup.ThisFortKnoxbusinesswasnonsense.Itwouldcertainlygowrong.She
thoughtMiss.PussyGalorewas'divine'.Shesomehowseemedtocountonhertogether
outofthismess.Women,withasniff,wererathergoodatthingsthatneededfinesse.
Instincttoldthemwhattodo.Bondwasnottoworryabouther.Shewouldbeallright.
BondcametotheconclusionthatTillyMastertonwasoneofthosegirlswhosehormones
hadgotmixedup.Heknewthetypewellandthoughttheyandtheirmalecounterparts
wereadirectconsequenceofgivingvotestowomenand'sexequality'.Asaresultoffifty
yearsofemancipation,femininequalitiesweredyingoutorbeingtransferredtothe
males.Pansiesofbothsexeswereeverywhere,notyetcompletelyhomosexual,but
confused,notknowingwhattheywere.Theresultwasaherdofunhappysexualmisfits
barrenandfulloffrustrations,thewomenwantingtodominateandthementobe
nannied.Hewassorryforthem,buthehadnotimeforthem.Bondsmiledsourlyto
himselfasherememberedhisfantasiesaboutthisgirlastheyspedalongthevalleyofthe
Loire.EntreDeuxSeinsindeed!
Attheendoftheday,therewasafinalnotefromGoldfinger:Fiveprincipalsandmyself
willleaveLaGuardiaAirporttomorrowat11amincharteredplaneflownbymypilotsfor
aerialsurveyofGrandSlam.Youwillaccompany.Mastertonwillremain.G.
Bondsatontheedgeofhisbedandlookedatthewall.Thenhegotupandwenttothe
typewriter.
Heworkedforanhour,typing,singlespaced,onbothsidesofthesheet,exactdetailsof
theoperation.Hefoldedthesheet,rolledittoasmallcylinderaboutthesizeofhislittle
fingerandsealeditcarefullywithgum.Nexthetypedonaslipofpaper:URGENTAND
VITAL.REWARDOFFIVETHOUSANDDOLLARSISGUARANTEEDWITHNOQUESTIONS
160

ASKEDTOTHEFINDERWHODELIVERSTHISMESSAGEUNOPENEDTOFELIXLEITERCARE
PINKERTON'SDETECTIVEAGENCY,154NASSAUSTREET,NEWYORKCITY.IMMEDIATE
CASHONDELIVERY.
Bondrolledthismessageroundthecylinder,wrote$5000REWARDinredinkonthe
outside,andstuckthelittlepackagedownthecentreofthreeinchesofScotchtape.Then
hesatdownagainontheedgeofthebedandcarefullystrappedthefreeendsofthe
Scotchtapedowntheinsideofhisthigh.

161

162

ChapterTwenty
JourneyIntoHolocaust
'Mister,FlyingControlisbuzzingus.Wantstoknowwhoweare.Theysaythisisrestricted
air.'
Goldfingergotupfromhisseatandwentforwardintothecockpit.Bondwatchedhimpick
upthehandmicrophone.Hisvoicecamebackclearlyoverthequiethumofthetenseater
ExecutiveBeechcraft.'Goodmorning.ThisisMr.GoldofParamountPicturesCorporation.
Wearecarryingoutanauthorizedsurveyoftheterritoryforaforthcoming"A"pictureof
thefamousConfederateraidof1861whichresultedinthecaptureofGeneralShermanat
MuldraughHill.Yes,that'sright.GaryGrantandElizabethTaylorinthelead.What'sthat?
Clearance?Surewe'vegotclearance.Letmeseenow'(Goldfingerconsultednothing)
'yes,hereitis.SignedbyChiefofSpecialServicesatthePentagon.'Sure,theCommanding
OfficerattheArmouredCentrewillhaveacopy.Okayandthanks.Hopeyou'llenjoythe
picture.'Bye.'
Goldfingerwipedthebreezyexpressionoffhisface,handedoverthemicrophoneand
camebackintothecabin.Hebracedhislegsandstoodlookingdownathispassengers.
'Well,gentlemenandmadam,doyouthinkyou'veseenenough?Ithinkyou'llagreeit'sall
prettyclearandconformswithyourcopiesofthetownplan.Idon'twanttogomuch
lowerthansixthousand.Perhapswecouldmakeonemorecircuitandbeoff.Oddjob,get
outtherefreshments.'
TherewasamumbleofcommentandquestionswhichGoldfingerdealtwithonebyone.
OddjobgotupfromBond'ssideandwalkeddowntotherear.Bondfollowedhimand,
underhishard,suspiciousstare,wentintothelittlelavatoryandlockedthedoor.
Hesatdowncalmlyandthought.Therehadn'tbeenachanceonthewaydowntoLa
Guardia.HehadsatwithOddjobinthebackofanunobtrusiveBuicksaloon.Thedoors
hadbeenlockedonthembythedriverandthewindowstightlyclosed.Goldfingerhad
riddeninfront,thepartitionclosedbehindhim.Oddjobhadsatslightlysideways,his
hornridgedhandsheldreadyonhisthighslikeheavytools.Hehadnottakenhiseyesoff
Bonduntilthecarhaddrivenroundtheboundarytothecharterhangarsandcomeup
alongsidetheprivateplane.SandwichedbetweenGoldfingerandOddjob,Bondhadhad
noalternativebuttoclimbupthestepsintotheplaneandtakehisseatwithOddjob
besidehim.Tenminuteslater,theothershadarrived.Therewasnocommunicationwith
themexceptanexchangeofcurtgreetings.Theywerealldifferentnownosmart
remarks,nounnecessarytalk.Theseweremenwhohadgonetowar.EvenPussyGalore,
inablackDacronmacintoshwithablackleatherbelt,lookedlikesomeyoungS.S.
guardsman.OnceortwiceintheplaneshehadturnedandlookedatBondrather
thoughtfully.Butshehadn'tansweredhissmile.
Perhapsshejustcouldn'tunderstandwhereBondfittedin,whohewas.Whentheygot
backtoLaGuardiatherewouldbethesameroutine.Itwasnowornever.Butwhere?
Amongtheleavesoflavatorypaper?Buttheymightbedisturbedtoosoonornotfor
weeks.Wouldtheashtraybeemptied?Possiblynot.Butonethingwould.
163

Therewasarattleatthedoorhandle.Oddjobwasgettingrestless.PerhapsBondwas
settingfiretotheplane.Bondcalled,'Coming,ape.'Hegotupandliftedtheseat.Hetore
thelittlepackageofftheinsideofhisthighandtransferredittotheundersideofthefore
edgeoftheseat.TheseatwouldhavetobeliftedtogetattheElsanandthatwould
certainlybelookedtoassoonastheplanegotbacktothehangar.The$5000REWARD
staredbackathimboldly.Noteventhemosthastycleanercouldmissit.Solongasnoone
precededthecleaner.ButBonddidn'tthinkanyofthepassengerswouldlifttheseat.The
littlecompartmentwastoocrampedtostandcomfortablyin.Hesoftlyputtheseatdown,
ransomewaterinthebasin,washedhisfaceandsmoothedhishairandwalkedout.
Oddjobwaswaitingangrily.HepushedpastBond,lookedcarefullyroundthelavatoryand
cameoutagain,shuttingthedoor.Bondwalkedbacktohisseat.NowtheSOSwasinthe
bottleandthebottlehadbeencommittedtothewaves.Whowouldbethefinder?How
soon?
Everyone,downtothepilotandcopilot,wenttotheblastedlittlelavatorybeforethey
gotbackontheground.Aseachonecameout,Bondexpectedtofeelthecoldnoseofa
guninhisneck,theharshsuspiciouswords,thecrackleofthepaperbeingunfolded.But
atlasttheywerebackintheBuickandspeedingovertheTriboroughintouptown
Manhattanandthendowntheriverontheparkwayandinthroughthewellguarded
doorsofthewarehouseandbacktowork.
NowitwasaracearacebetweenGoldfinger'scalm,unhurried,efficientmachineandthe
tinygunpowdertrailBondhadlit.Whatwasgoingonoutside?Duringeveryhourofthe
nextthreedaysBond'simaginationfollowedwhatmightbehappeningLeitertellinghis
chief,theconference,thequickflightdowntoWashington,theFBIandHoover,theArmy,
thePresident.LeiterinsistingthatBond'sconditionsbeadheredto,thatnosuspicious
movesbemade,noinquiriesstarted,thatnoonemovedaninchexceptaccordingtosome
masterplanthatwouldoperateonthedayandgetthewholegangintothebagsothat
notoneofthemescaped.
WouldtheyacceptBond'sconditionsorwouldtheynotdaretakethechance?Hadthey
talkedacrosstheAtlanticwithM?HadMinsistedthatBondshouldbesomehowpulled
out?No,Mwouldseethepoint.HewouldagreethatBond'slifemustbedisregarded.
Thatnothingmustjeopardizethebigcleanup.Theywouldhavetogetthetwo'Japanese',
ofcourse,somehowbeatoutofthemthecodemessageGoldfingerwouldbewaitingfor
onD1.
Wasthathowitwasgoing,orwasitallashambles?Leiterawayonanotherassignment.
'Whoisthis007?Whatdoesitstandfor?Somecrazyloon.Hi,Smith,checkonthis,could
you?Getdowntothewarehouseandtakealook.Sorry,mister,nofivegrandforyou.
Here'scarfarebacktoLaGuardia.Afraidyou'vebeenhoaxed.'
Or,worsestill,hadnoneofthesethingshappened?Wastheplanestillstandingina
cornerofthefield,unserviced?

164

Nightandday,thetormentofthoughtswentthroughBond'sheadwhiletheworkgot
clearedandthehourstickedbyandthedeadlymachinewhirredquietlyon.D1cameand
flashedbyinalastfeverofactivity.Then,intheevening,camethenotefromGoldfinger.
Firstphaseofoperationsuccessful.Entrainasplannedatmidnight.Bringcopiesofall
maps,schedules,operationorders.G.
Incloseformation,withBondandTillyMastertonheinawhitesurgeon'scoat,she
dressedasanursewedgedinthemiddle,theGoldfingercontingentmarchedswiftly
throughthealmostemptyConcourseofPennsylvaniastationanddowntothewaiting
Special.Everyone,includingGoldfinger,waswearingtheconventionalwhitegarband
armbandsofamedicalfieldforceandthedimplatformwascrowdedwiththeghostly
waitingfiguresofthepossesfromthegangs.Thesilenceandtensionwasappropriatefor
anemergencyforcehurryingtothesceneofadisaster,andthestretcherand
decontaminationsuitsbeingloadedintothecompartmentsaddeddramatothescene.
TheSuperintendentwastalkingquietlywiththeseniorphysiciansintheshapeof
Midnight,Strap,SoloandRing.NearbystoodMiss.Galorewithadozenpalefacednurses
whowaitedwitheyesbentasiftheystoodbesideanopengrave.Withoutmakeup,their
exotichairdo'stuckedintodarkblueRedCrosscaps,theyhadbeenwellrehearsed.They
weregivinganexcellentperformancedutiful,merciful,dedicatedtothereliefofhuman
suffering.
WhentheSuperintendentsawGoldfingerandhispartyapproachinghehurriedup.'Mr.
Gold?'hisfacewasgrave.'I'mafraidthenewscomingthroughisn'ttoogood.Guessit'llall
beinthepaperstonight.AlltrainsheldatLouisville,noreplyfromthedepotatFortKnox.
Butwe'llgetyouthroughallright.GodAlmighty,Doctor!What'sgoingondownthere?
PeoplecomingthroughfromLouisvillearetalkingabouttheRussianssprayingsomething
fromtheair.Ofcourse'theSuperintendentlookedkeenlyatGoldfinger'I'mnotbelieving
thatkindofstuff.Butwhatisit?Foodpoisoning?'
Goldfinger'sfacewassolemn.Hesaidinakindlyvoice,'Myfriend,that'swhatwe'vegot
tofindout.That'swhywe'rebeingrusheddown.Ifyouwantmetomakeaguess,but
markyouit'sonlyaguess,it'saformofsleepingsicknesstrypanosomiasiswecallit.'
'Thatso?'theSuperintendentwasimpressedbythesoundofthemalady.'Well,believe
youme,Doctor,we'reallmightyproudofyouandyourfolksoftheEmergencyForce.'He
heldouthishand,Goldfingertookit.'Bestofluck,Docandnow,ifyou'llgetyourmenand
thenursesonboard,I'llhavethistrainonitswayjustasquickasmaybe.'
'Thankyou,Superintendent.MycolleaguesandIwillnotforgetyourservices.'Goldfinger
gaveashortbow.Hiscontingentmovedon.'Board!'
BondfoundhimselfinaPullmanwithTillyMastertonacrosstheaisleandtheKoreansand
Germansallaroundthem.Goldfingerwasinthefrontofthecartalkingcheerfullywithhis
satraps.Miss.PussyGalorestrolledby.SheignoredtheupturnedfaceofTillyMasterton
butgaveBondtheusualsearchingglance.Therewasabangingofdoorsbeingclosed.
PussyGalorestoppedandrestedanarmonthebackoftheseatinfrontofBond.She
165

lookeddownathim.'Hullo,Handsome.Longtimenosee.Uncledoesn'tseemtoletyou
offtheleadmuch.'
Bondsaid,'Hullo,Beautiful.Thatoutfitsuitsyoufine.I'mfeelingratherfaint.Howabout
doingabitofnursing?'
Thedeepvioleteyesexaminedhimcarefully.Shesaidsoftly,'Youknowwhat,Mister
Bond?Igotafeelingthere'ssomethingphoneyaboutyou.Igotinstincts,see?Justwhat
areyouandthatdoll'shejerkedherheadback'doinginthisoutfit?'
'Wedoallthework.'
Thetrainbegantomove.PussyGalorestraightenedherself.Shesaid,'Mebbeyoudo.But
ifanylittlethinggoeswrongwiththiscaper,formymoneyit'llbeHandsomewhoknows
why.Getme?'
Shedidn'twaitforBond'sanswer,butmovedondownandjoinedtheChiefsofStaff
meeting.
Itwasaconfused,busynight.Appearanceshadtobekeptupbeforetheinquisitive,
sympatheticeyesoftheconductors.Lastminuteconferencesupanddownthetrainhad
toweartheappearanceofseriousmedicalconclavesnocigarsmoking,noswearing,no
spitting.Jealousiesandcompetitionbetweenthegangshadtobekeptunderrigidcontrol.
ThecoldsuperiorityoftheMafia,particularlyvisavisJackStrapandhissoft,easyliving
crowdfromtheWest,mighthaveledtogunplayifthechiefshadn'tbeenreadyfor
troubleandconstantlyonthelookoutforit.Alltheseminorpsychologicalfactorshad
beenforeseenbyGoldfingerandpreparedfor.ThewomenfromtheCementMixerswere
carefullysegregated,therewasnodrinkingandthegangchiefskepttheirmenoccupied
withfurtherexactbriefings,dummyexerciseswithmapsandlengthydiscussionsabout
theirescapeplanswiththegold.Therewascasualspyingoneachother'splansand
GoldfingerwasoftencalledintojudgewhoshouldhavewhichroutestotheMexican
border,tothedesert,toCanada.ToBonditwasamazingthatahundredofthetoughest
crooksinAmerica,onedgewithexcitementandgreed,couldbekeptasquietasthey
were.ItwasGoldfingerwhohadachievedthemiracle.Apartfromthecalm,dangerous
qualityoftheman,itwastheminutenessoftheplanningandtheconfidenceheexuded
thatcalmedthebattlenervesandcreatedsomesortofateamspiritamongtherival
mobs.
AstheirongallopofthetrainstretcheditselfoutthroughtheflatlandsofPennsylvania,
graduallythepassengersfellintoanuneasy,troubledsleep.ButnotGoldfingerorOddjob.
TheyremainedawakeandwatchfulandsoonBondgaveupanyideahemighthavehadof
usingoneofhishiddenknivesonOddjobandmakingabidforfreedomwhenthetrain
slowedthroughastationoronanupgradient.
Bonddozedfitfully,wondering,imagining,puzzlingovertheSuperintendent'swords.The
Superintendenthadcertainlythoughttheywerethetruth,knewthatFortKnoxwasin
emergency.
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WashisnewsfromLouisvillethetruthorpartofthegiantcoverplanthatwouldbe
necessarytogeteverymemberoftheconspiracyinthebag?Ifitwasacoverplan,how
meticulouslyhaditbeenprepared?Wouldsomeoneslipup?Wouldtherebesomeghastly
bunglethatwouldwarnGoldfingerintime?Orifthenewswastrue,ifthepoisonhad
beensuccessful,whatdidthereremainforBondtodo?
Bondhadmadeuphismindononescore.Somehow,intheexcitementofHHour,he
wouldgetclosetoGoldfingerandcuthisthroatwithoneofhishiddenknives.Howmuch
wouldthatachieveapartfromanactofprivatevengeance?WouldGoldfinger'ssquad
acceptanotherman'sordertoarmthewarheadandfireit?Whowouldbestrongenough,
coolenoughtotakeover?Mr.Solo?Probably.Theoperationwouldperhapsbehalf
successful,theywouldgetawaywithplentyofgoldexceptGoldfinger'smenwhowould
belostwithouthimtoleadthem.Andinthemeantime,whateverelseBondcouldnotdo,
hadsixtythousandpeoplealreadydied?Wasthereanythinghecouldhavedoneto
preventthat?HadthereeverbeenachancetokillGoldfinger?Wouldithavedoneany
goodtomakeasceneatPennsylvaniaStation?Bondstaredathisdarkreflectioninthe
window,listenedtothesweettingofthegradecrossingbellsandthehowlofthe
windhornclearingtheirway,andshreddedhisnerveswithdoubts,questions,reproaches.

167

168

ChapterTwentyOne
TheRichestManInHistory
Slowlythereddawnbrokeovertheendlessplainofblackgrassthatgraduallyturnedto
thefamousKentuckyblueasthesunironedouttheshadows.Atsixo'clockthetrain
begantoslackenspeedandsoontheywereglidinggentlythroughthewakingsuburbsof
Louisvilletocometorestwithasighofhydraulicsintheechoing,almostdesertedstation.
Asmall,respectfulgroupwasawaitingthem.Goldfinger,hiseyesblackringedwithlackof
sleep,beckonedtooneoftheGermans,pickeduphisauthoritativelittleblackbagand
steppeddownontotheplatform.Therewasashort,seriousconclave,theLouisville
SuperintendentdoingthetalkingandGoldfingerinterjectingafewquestionsandnodding
gravelyattheanswers.Goldfingerturnedwearilybacktothetrain.Mr.Solohadbeen
deputedtotakehisreport.HestoodattheopendoorattheendofthePullman.Bond
heardGoldfingersaysorrowfully,'Iamafraid,Doctor,thesituationisasbadaswefeared.
Iwillnowgoforwardtotheleadingdieselwiththis,'hehelduptheblackbag,'andwewill
proceedslowlyintotheinfectedarea.Wouldyoupleasetellallpersonneltobeprepared
toputontheirmasks?Ihavemasksforthedriverandfireman.Allotherrailwaypersonnel
willleavethetrainhere.'
Mr.Solonoddedsolemnly.'Right,Professor.'Heclosedhisdoor.Goldfingerwalkedoff
downtheplatformfollowedbyhisGermanstrongarmmanandtherespectful,head
shakinggroup.
Therewasashortpauseandthensilently,almostreverently,thelongtrainwhisperedits
wayoutofthestationleavingthelittlegroupofofficials,nowreinforcedbyfourrather
shamefacedconductors,withhandsraisedinbenediction.
Thirtyfivemiles,halfanhour,togo!Coffeeanddoughnutswerebroughtroundbythe
nurses,and(Goldfingerthoughtofeverything)forthosewhosenervesneededit,two
grainsofdexedrine.Thenurseswerepale,silent.Therewerenojokes,nosmartremarks.
Thetrainwaselectricwithtension.
Aftertenminutestherewasasuddenslackeningofspeedandasharphissfromthe
brakes.Coffeewasspilled.Thetrainalmoststopped.Thentherewasajerkanditgathered
speedagain.Anewhandhadtakenoveronthedeadman'shandle.
Afewminuteslater,Mr.Strapcamehurryingthroughthetrain.'Tenminutestogo!On
yourtoes,folks!SquadsA,BandCgettheirequipmenton.Everything'sgoingfine.Stay
calm.Rememberyourduties.'HehurriedthroughtothenextcompartmentandBond
heardthevoicerepeatingitsmessage.
BondturnedtoOddjob.'Listen,youape,I'mgoingtothelavatoryandprobablyMiss.
Mastertonwilltoo.'Heturnedtothegirl.Whataboutit,Tilly?'
'Yes,'shesaidindifferently,'IsupposeI'dbetter.'
169

Bondsaid,'Well,goahead.'
TheKoreanbesidethegirllookedinquiringlyatOddjob.Oddjobshookhishead.
Bondsaid,'UnlessyouleaveheraloneI'mgoingtostartafight.Goldfingerwon'tlikethat.'
Heturnedtothegirl.'Goahead,Tilly.I'llseetotheseapes.'
OddjobutteredaseriesofbarksandsnarlswhichtheotherKoreanseemedto
understand.Theguardgotupandsaid,'Okay,butnotlockingthedoor.'Hefollowedthe
girldownthePullmanandstoodandwaitedforhertocomeout.
OddjobcarriedoutthesameroutinewithBond.Onceinside,Bondtookoffhisrightshoe,
slidouttheknifeandslippeditdowninsidethewaistbandofhistrousers.Oneshoe
wouldnowhavenoheel,butnoonewasgoingtonoticethatthismorning.Bondwashed
himself.Thefaceinthemirrorwaspaleandthebluegreyeyesdarkwithtension.Hewent
outandbacktohisseat.
Nowtherewasadistantshimmerawaytotherightandahintoflowbuildingsrisinglikea
mirageintheearlymorninggroundmist.Theyslowlydefinedthemselvesashangarswith
asquatcontroltower.GodmanField!Thesoftpoundinghowlofthetrainslackened.Some
trimmodernvillas,partofanewhousingdevelopment,slidby.Theyseemedtobe
unoccupied.Now,ontheleft,therewastheblackribbonofBrandenburgStationRoad.
Bondcraned.ThegleamingmodernsprawlofFortKnoxlookedalmostsoftinthelight
mist.Aboveitsjaggedoutlinetheairwasdearascrystalnotatraceofsmoke,no
breakfastscooking!Thetrainslowedtoacanter.OnStationRoadtherehadbeenabad
motoraccident.Twocarsseemedtohavemetheadon.Thebodyofamansprawledhalf
outofasmasheddoor.Theothercarlayonitsbacklikeadeadbeetle.Bond'sheart
pounded.Themainsignalboxcameandwent.Overtheleverssomethingwhitewas
draped.Itwasaman'sshirt.Insidetheshirtthebodyhungdown,itsheadbelowthelevel
ofthewindow.Arowofmodernbungalows.Abodycladinsingletandtrousersflatonits
faceinthemiddleofatrimlawn.Thelinesofmowngrasswerebeautifullyexactuntil,
neartheman,themowerhadwrittenanuglyflourishandhadthencometorestonits
sideinthenewlyturnedearthof,theborder.Alineofwashingthathadbrokenwhenthe
womanhadgraspedit.Thewomanlayinawhitepileatoneendofthesaggingstringof
familyunderclothes,clothsandtowels.Andnowthetrainwasmovingatwalkingpace
intothetownandeverywhere,downeverystreet,oneverysidewalk,therewerethe
sprawlingfiguressingly,inclumps,inrockingchairsontheporches,inthemiddleof
intersectionswherethetrafficlightsstillunhurriedlytickedofftheircolouredsignals,in
carsthathadmanagedtopullupandinothersthathadsmashedintoshopwindows.
Death!Deadpeopleeverywhere.Nomovement,nosoundsavetheclickofthemurderer's
ironfeetashistrainslidthroughthegraveyard.
Nowtherewasbustleinthecarriages.BillyRingcamethroughgrinninghugely.He
stoppedbyBond'schair.'Ohboy!'hesaiddelightedly,'oldGoldiecertainlyslippedthem
theMickyFinn!Toobadsomepeoplewereoutforaridewhentheygothit.Butyouknow
whattheysayaboutomelettes:can'tmake'emwithoutyoubreaksomeeggs,right?'
Bondsmiledtightly.'That'sright.'
170

BillyRingmadehissilentOofalaughandwentonhisway.
ThetraintrundledthroughBrandenburgStation.Nowtherewerescoresofbodiesmen,
women,children,soldiers.Theplatformwasscribbledwiththem,facesupwardstothe
roof,downinthedust,cradledsideways.Bondsearchedformovement,foraninquisitive
eye,foratwitchinghand.
Nothing!Wait!Whatwasthat?Thinlythroughtheclosedwindowtherecameasoft,
mewingwail.Threeperambulatorsstoodagainsttheticketoffice,themotherscollapsed
besidethem.Ofcourse!Thebabiesintheperambulatorswouldhavedrunkmilk,notthe
deadlywater.
Oddjobgottohisfeet.SodidthewholeofGoldfinger'steam.ThefacesoftheKoreans
wereindifferent,unchanged,onlytheireyesflickeredconstantlylikenervousanimals.The
Germanswerepale,grim.Nobodylookedatanyoneelse.Silentlytheyfiledtowardsthe
exitandlinedup,waiting.
TillyMastertontouchedBond'ssleeve.Hervoicetrembled.'Areyousurethey'reonly
asleep?IthoughtIsawsomesortof...sortoffrothonsomeofthelips.'
Bondhadseenthesamething.Thefrothhadbeenpink.Hesaid,'Iexpectsomeofthem
wereeatingsweetsorsomethingwhentheyfellasleep.YouknowwhattheseAmericans
arealwayschewingsomething.'Hesoftlymouthedthenextwords.'Stayawayfromme.
Theremaybeshooting.'Helookedhardathertoseesheunderstood.
Shenoddeddumbly,notlookingathim.Shewhisperedoutofthecornerofhermouth,
'I'mgoingtogetnearPussy.She'lllookafterme.'
Bondgaveherasmileandsaid'Good',encouragingly.
Thetrainclickedslowlyoversomepointsandslidtorest.Therecameoneblastofthe
diesel'swindhorn.Thedoorsswungopenandthedifferentgroupspiledoutontothe
platformoftheBullionDepositorysiding.
Noweverythingwentwithmilitaryprecision.Thevarioussquadsformedupintheirbattle
orderfirstanassaultgroupwidisubmachineguns,thenthestretcherbearerstogetthe
guardandotherpersonneloutofthevault(surelyanunnecessaryrefinementnow,
thoughtBond)thenGoldfinger'sdemolitionteamtenmenwiththeirbulkytarpaulin
coveredpackagethenamixedgroupofsparedriversandtrafficcontrolmen,thenthe
groupofnurses,nowallarmedwithpistols,whoweretostayinthebackgroundwitha
heavilyarmedreservegroupthatwastodealwithanyunexpectedinterferencefrom
anybodywho,asGoldfingerhadputit,'mightwakeup'.
BondandthegirlhadbeenincludedintheCommandGroupwhichconsistedof
Goldfinger,Oddjobandthefivegangleaders.Theyweretobestationedontheflatroofs
ofthetwodiesellocomotiveswhichnowstood,asplanned,beyondthesidingbuildings
andinfullviewoftheobjectiveanditsapproaches.Bondandthegirlweretohandlethe
maps,thetimetablesandthestopwatch,andBondwastowatchoutforfumblesand
171

delaysandbringthematoncetoGoldfinger'sattentiontoberectifiedbywalkietalkie
withdiesquadleaders.Whenthebombwasduetobefired,theywouldtakeshelter
behindthediesels.
Therecameadoubleblastfromthewindhornand,asBondandthegirlclimbedtotheir
positionontheroofofthefirstdiesel,theassaultsquad,followedbytheothersections,
doubledacrossthetwentyyardsofopengroundbetweentherailwayandBullion
Boulevard.BondedgedascloseashecouldtoGoldfinger.Goldfingerhadbinocularstohis
eyes.Hismouthwasclosetothemicrophonestrappedtohischest.ButOddjobstood
betweenthem,asolidmountainofflesh,andhiseyes,uninterestedinthedramaofthe
assault,neverflickeredfromBondandthegirl.
Bond,undercoverofscanninghisplasticmapcaseandkeepinganeyeonthestopwatch,
measuredinchesandangles.Heglancedatthenextdoorgroupofthefourmenandthe
woman.
Theyweregazing,infrozenattention,atthescenebeforethem.NowJackStrapsaid
excitedly,'They'rethroughthefirstgates.'Bond,puttinghalfhismindtoworkonhisown
plans,tookaquicklookatthebattlefield.
Itwasanextraordinaryscene.Inthecentrestoodthehugesquatmausoleum,thesun
glintingoffthepolishedgraniteofitswalls.Outsidethebigopenfieldinwhichitstood,
theroadstheDixieHighway,VineGroveandBullionBoulevardwerelinedwithtrucks
andtransporterstwodeepwiththerecognitionflagsofthegangsflyingfromthefirstand
lastvehicleofeachconvoy.Theirdriverslaypiledupoutsidetheshelterofthe
surroundingguardwallofthevaultwhile,throughthemaingate,pouredthetidy
disciplinedsquadsfromthetrain.Outsidethisworldofmovementtherewasabsolute
stillnessandsilenceasiftherestofAmericawasholdingitsbreathatthecommittalofthis
giganticcrime.Andoutsidelaythebodiesofthesoldiers,sprawlingwheretheyhadfallen
thesentriesbytheirpillboxes,stillclutchingtheirautomaticpistols,and,insidethe
protectingwall,tworaggedsquadsofsoldiersinbattledress.Theylayinvague,untidy
heaps,somebodiesathwartorontopoftheirneighbours.Outside,betweenBullion
Boulevardandthemaingate,twoarmouredcarshadcrashedintoeachotherandnow
stoodlocked,theirheavymachinegunspointing,oneatthegroundandtheotheratthe
sky.Adriver'sbodysprawledoutoftheturretofoneofthevehicles.
DesperatelyBondlookedforasignoflife,asignofmovement,ahintthatallthiswasa
carefulambush.Nothing!Notacatmoved,notasoundcameoutofthecrowded
buildingsthatformedabackdroptothescene.Onlythesquadshurriedabouttheirtasks
ornowstoodwaitingintheirplanneddispositions.
Goldfingerspokequietlyintohismicrophone.'Laststretcherout.Bombsquadready.
Preparetotakeover.'
Nowthecoveringtroopsandthestretcherbearerswerehurryingfortheexit,getting
downundercoveroftheguardwall.Therewouldbefiveminutes'delaytoclearthearea
beforethebombsquad,nowwaitingbunchedatthemaingate,wouldgoin.

172

Bondsaidefficiently,'They'reaminuteaheadoftime.'
GoldfingerlookedpastOddjob'sshoulder.Thepaleeyeswereaflame.Theystaredinto
Bond's.
Goldfinger'smouthtwistedintoaharshsnarl.Hesaidthroughhisteeth,'Yousee,Mr.
Bond.YouwerewrongandIwasright.TenmoreminutesandIshallbetherichestmanin
theworld,therichestmaninhistory!Whatdoyousaytothat?'Hismouthspatoutthe
words.
Bondsaidequably,'I'lltellyouafterthosetenminutesareup.'
'Willyou?'saidGoldfinger.'Maybe.'Helookedathiswatchandspokerapidlyintohis
microphone.
TheGoldfingersquadlopedslowlythroughthemaingate,theirheavyburdenslungfrom
fourshouldersinacradleofwebbing.
GoldfingerlookedpastBondatthegroupontheroofoftheseconddiesel.Hecalledout
triumphantly,'Anotherfiveminutes,gentlemen,andthenwemusttakecover.'Heturned
hiseyesonBondandaddedsoftly,'Andthenwewillsaygoodbye,Mr.Bond.Andthank
youfortheassistanceyouandthegirlhavegivenme.'
Outofthecornerofhiseye,Bondsawsomethingmovingmovinginthesky.Itwasa
black,whirlingspeck.Itreachedthetopofitstrajectory,pausedandthencametheear
splittingcrackofamaroonsignal.
Bond'sheartleapt.Aquickglanceshowedhimtheranksofdeadsoldiersspringingtolife,
themachinegunsonthelockedarmouredcarsswingingtocoverthegates.Aloudspeaker
roaredfromnowhere,'Standwhereyouare.Laydownyourarms.'Buttherecameafutile
crackleoffirefromoneoftherearguardcoveringpartyandthenallhellbrokeloose.
Bondseizedthegirlroundthewaistandjumpedwithher.
Itwasatenfootdroptotheplatform.Bondbrokehisfallwithhislefthandandhoistedthe
girltoherfeetwithajerkofhiship.Ashebegantorun,closetothetrainforcover,he
heardGoldfingershout,'Getthemandkillthem.'AsplatterofleadfromGoldfinger's
automaticwhippedatthecementtohisleft.ButGoldfingerwouldhavetoshootleft
handed.ItwasOddjobthatBondfeared.
Now,asBondtoredowntheplatformwiththegirl'shandinhis,heheardthelightning
scuffleoftherunningfeet.
Thegirl'shandtuggedathim.Shescreamedangrily,'No,No.Stop!Iwanttostaycloseto
Pussy.I'llbesafewithher.'
Bondshoutedback,'Shutup,youlittlefool!Runlikehell!'Butnowshewasdraggingat
him,checkinghisspeed.Suddenlyshetoreherhandoutofhisandmadetodartintoan
173

openPullmandoor.Christ,thoughtBond,that'stornit!Hewhippedtheknifeoutofhis
beltandswirledtomeetOddjob.
TenyardsawayOddjobhardlypausedinhisrush.Onehandwhippedoffhisridiculous,
deadlyhat,aglancetotakeaimandtheblacksteelhalfmoonsangthroughtheair.Its
edgecaughtthegirlexactlyatthenapeoftheneck.Withoutasoundshefellbackwards
ontotheplatforminOddjob'spath.ThehurdlewasjustenoughtoputOddjoboffthe
flyinghighkickhehadstartedtolaunchatBond'shead.Heturnedthekickintoaleap,his
lefthandcuttingtheairtowardsBondlikeasword.
Bondduckedandstruckupwardsandsidewayswithhisknife.Itgothomesomewhere
neartheribsbutthemomentumoftheflyingbodyknockedtheknifeoutofhishand.
Therewasatinkleontheplatform.NowOddjobwascomingbackathim,apparently
unharmed,hishandsoutstretchedandhisfeetsplayedbackreadyforanotherleapora
kick.Hisbloodwasup.Theeyeswereredandtherewasafleckofsalivaattheopen,
pantingmouth.
Abovetheboomandrattleofthegunsoutsidethestation,threeblastssoundedonthe
diesel'swindhorn.Oddjobsnarledangrilyandleapt.Bonddivedatfulllengthsideways.
Somethinghithimagiganticblowontheshoulderandsenthimsprawling.Now,he
thoughtashehittheground,nowthedeathstroke!Hescrambledclumsilytohisfeet,his
neckhunchedintohisshoulderstobreaktheimpact.ButnoblowcameandBond'sdazed
eyestookinthefigureofOddjobflyingawayfromhimuptheplatform.
Alreadytheleadingdieselwasonthemove.Oddjobgottoitandleaptforthefootplate.
Foramomenthehung,hislegsscrabblingforafoothold.Thenhehaddisappearedinto
thecabinandthehugestreamlinedenginegatheredspeed.
BehindBondthedoorofthequartermaster'sofficeburstopen.Therewasthehammerof
runningfeetandayell'Santiago!'St.James,thebattlecryofCortezthatLeiterhadonce
jokinglyallottedtoBond.
Bondswivelled.ThestrawhairedTexan,cladinhiswartimeMarineCorpsbattledress,was
poundinguptheplatformfollowedbyadozenmeninkhaki.Hecarriedaoneman
bazookabythesteelhookheusedforarighthand.Bondrantomeethim.Hesaid,'Don't
shootmyfox,youbastard.Giveover.'HesnatchedthebazookaoutofLeiter'shandand
threwhimselfdownontheplatform,splayingouthislegs.Nowthedieselwastwo
hundredyardsawayandabouttocrossthebridgeovertheDixieHighway.Bondshouted,
'Standclear!'togetthemenoutoflineoftherecoilflash,clickedupthesafeandtook
carefulaim.Thebazookashudderedslightlyandthetenpoundarmourpiercingrocket
wasonitsway.Therewasaflashandapuffofbluesmoke.Somebitsofmetalflewoffthe
rearoftheflyingengine.Butthenithadcrossedthebridgeandtakenthecurveandwas
away.'Notbadforarookie,'commentedLeiter.'Mayputthereardieselout,butthose
jobsaretwinsandhecanmakeitontheforwardengine.'
Bondgottohisfeet.Hesmiledwarmlyintothehawklike,slategreyeyes.'Youbungling
oaf,'hesaidsarcastically,'whyinhelldidn'tyoublockthatline?'

174

'Listen,shamus.Ifyou'vegotanycomplaintsaboutthestagemanagementyoucantell
themtothePresident.Hetookpersonalcommandofthisoperationandit'sahoney.
There'saspotterplaneoverheadnow.They'llpickupthedieselandwe'llhaveold
Goldilocksinthehoosegowbymidday.Howwerewetoknowhewasgoingtostayaboard
thetrain?'HebrokeoffandthumpedBondbetweentheshoulderblades.'Hell,I'mgladto
seeyou.ThesemenandIweredetailedofftogiveyouprotection.We'vebeendodging
aroundlookingforyouandgettingshotatbybothsidesforourpains.'Heturnedtothe
soldiers.'Ain'tthatright,men?'
Theylaughed.'Sureis,Cap'n.'
BondlookedaffectionatelyattheTexanwithwhomhehadsharedsomanyadventures.
Hesaidseriously,'Blessyou,Felix.You'vealwaysbeengoodatsavingmylife.Itwasdarn
nearlytoolatethistime.I'mafraidTillyMasterton'shadit.'Hewalkedoffupthetrain
withFelixathisheels.Thelittlefigurestilllaysprawledwhereshehadfallen.Bondknelt
besideher.Thebrokendollangleoftheheadwasenough.Hefeltforherpulse.Hegot
up.Hesaidsoftly,'Poorlittlebitch.Shedidn'tthinkmuchofmen.'Helookeddefensively
atLeiter.'Felix,Icouldhavegotherawayifshe'donlyfollowedme.'
Leiterdidn'tunderstand.HeputhishandonBond'sarmandsaid,'Surekid.Takeiteasy.'
Heturnedtohismen.'TwoofyoucarrythegirlintotheQM'sofficeoverthere.O'Brien,
yougofortheambulance.Whenyou'vedonethat,stopoverattheCommandpostand
give'emthefacts.Saywe'vegotCommanderBondandI'llbringhimrightover.'
Bondstoodandlookeddownatthelittleemptytangleoflimbsandclothes.Hesawthe
bright,proudgirlwiththespottedhandkerchiefroundherhairintheflyingTR3.Nowshe
hadgone.
Highupoverhisheadawhirlingspecksoaredintothesky.Itreachedthetopofitsflight
andpaused.Therecamethesharpcrackofthemaroon.Itwastheceasefire.

175

176

ChapterTwentyTwo
TheLastTrick
Itwastwodayslater.FelixLeiterwasweavingtheblackStudillacfastthroughthelanesof
dawdlingtrafficontheTriboroughbridge.TherewasplentyoftimetocatchBond'splane,
theeveningBOACMonarchtoLondon,butLeiterenjoyedshakingupBond'slowopinion
ofAmericancars.Nowthesteelhookthatheusedforarighthandbangedthegearlever
intosecondandthelowblackcarleaptforanarrowspacebetweenagiantrefrigerator
truckandamooningOldsmobilewhoserearwindowwasalmostobscuredbyholiday
stickers.
Bond'sbodyjerkedbackwiththekickofthe300b.h.p.andhisteethsnappedshut.When
themanoeuvrewascompleted,andtheangryhootinghadvanishedbehindthem,Bond
saidmildly,'It'stimeyougraduatedoutoftheKiddicarclassandboughtyourselfan
expresscarriage.Youwanttogetcracking.Thispedallingalongagesone.Oneofthese
daysyou'llstopmovingaltogetherandwhenyoustopmovingiswhenyoustarttodie.'
Leiterlaughed.Hesaid,'Seethatgreenlightahead?BetIcanmakeitbeforeitgoesred.'
Thecarleaptforwardasifithadbeenkicked.TherewasabriefhiatusinBond'slife,an
impressionofsnipelikeflightandofasteelwallofcarsthatsomeonepartedbeforethe
whiplashofLeiter'stripleklaxons,ahundredyardswhenthespeedometertouchedninety
andtheywereacrossthelightsandcruisinggenteellyalonginthecentrelane.
Bondsaidcalmly,'YoumeetthewrongtrafficcoparidthatPinkertoncardofyourswon't
begoodenough.Itisn'tsomuchthatyoudriveslowly,it'sholdingbackthecarsbehind
they'llbookyoufor.ThesortofcaryouneedisaniceelderlyRollsRoyceSilverGhostwith
bigplateglasswindowssoyoucanenjoythebeautiesofnature'Bondgesturedtowardsa
hugeautomobilejunkheapontheirright.'Maximumfiftyanditcanstopandevengo
backwardsifyouwantto.Bulbhorn.Suityoursedatestyle.Matteroffactthereshouldbe
oneonthemarketsoonGoldfinger's.Andbythesametoken,whatthehell'shappened
toGoldfinger?Haven'ttheycaughtupwithhimyet?'
Leiterglancedathiswatchandedgedintotheoutsidelane.Hebroughtthecardownto
forty.Hesaidseriously,'Tellyouthetruth,we'reallabitworried.Thepapersareneedling
us,orratherEdgarHoover'scrowd,likehell.Firsttheyhadagripeatthesecurityclamp
downonyou.Wecouldn'ttellthemthatwasn'tourfaultandthatsomeoneinLondon,an
oldlimeycalledM,hadinsistedonit.Sothey'regettingtheirownback.Saywe'redragging
ourfeetandsoforth.AndI'mtellingyou,James'Leiter'svoicewasglum,apologetic'we
justhaven'taclue.Theycaughtupwiththediesel.Goldfingerhadfixedthecontrolsat
thirtyandhadletitrunondowntheline.SomewhereheandtheKoreanhadgotoffand
probablythisGaloregirlandthefourhoodsaswellbecausethey'vevanishedtoo.We
foundhistruckconvoy,ofcourse,waitingontheeastboundhighwayoutofElizabethville.
Butneveradriver,mostprobablyscattered,butsomewherethere'sGoldfingeranda
prettytoughteamhidingup.Theydidn'tgettotheSverdlovskcruiseratNorfolk.Wehada
plainclothesguardscatteredroundthedocksandtheyreportthatshesailedtoschedule
withoutanystrangersgoingaboard.Notacat'sbeennearthatwarehouseonEastRiver
andnoone'sshownatIdlewildorthefrontiersMexicoandCanada.Formymoney,that
177

JedMidnighthassomehowgotthemouttoCuba.Ifthey'dtakentwoorthreetrucksfrom
theconvoyanddrivenlikehelltheycouldhavegotdowntoFlorida,somewherelike
DaytonaBeach,bytheearlyhoursofD+1.AndMidnight'sdarnwellorganizeddown
there.TheCoastGuardsandtheAirForcehaveputoutallthey'vegot,butnothing's
shownyet.ButtheycouldhavehiddenupduringthedayandgotovertoCubaduringthe
night.It'sgoteverybodyworriedashellandit'snohelpthatthePresident'shoppingmad.'
BondhadspentthepreviousdayinWashingtontreadingthethickest,richestredcarpet.
TherehadbeenspeechesattheBureauoftheMint,abigbrasslunchatthePentagon,an
embarrassingquarterofanhourwiththePresident,andtherestofthedayhadbeenhard
workwithateamofstenographersinEdgarHoover'ssuiteofofficeswithacolleagueof
Bond'sfromStationAsittingin.Attheendofthat,therehadbeenabriskquarterofan
hour'stalkwithMontheEmbassytransatlanticscrambler.Mhadtoldhimwhathadbeen
happeningontheEuropeanendofthecase.
AsBondhadexpected,Goldfinger'scabletoUniversalExporthadbeentreatedas
emergency.ThefactoriesatReculverandCoppethadbeensearchedandextraevidence
ofthegoldsmugglingrackethadbeenfound.TheIndianGovernmenthadbeenwarned
abouttheMeccaplanethatwasalreadyenrouteforBombayandthatendofthe
operationwasonthewaytobeingcleanedup.TheSwissSpecialBrigadehadquickly
foundBond'scarandhadgotontotheroutebywhichBondandthegirlhadbeentaken
toAmerica,butthere,atIdlewild,theFBIhadlostthescent.Mseemedpleasedwiththe
wayBondhadhandledOperationGrandSlam,buthesaidtheBankofEnglandwere
worryinghimaboutGoldfinger'stwentymillionpoundsingold.Goldfingerhadassembled
allthisattheParagonSafeDepositCo.inNewYorkbuthadwithdrawnitonD1.Heand
hismenhaddrivenitawayinacoveredtruck.TheBankofEnglandhadreadyanOrderin
Counciltoimpoundthegoldwhenitwasfoundandtherewouldthenbeacasetoprove
thatithadbeensmuggledoutofEngland,oratleastthatitwasoriginallysmuggledgold
whosevaluehadbeenincreasedbyvariousdoubtfulmeans.Butthiswasnowbeing
handledbytheUSTreasuryandtheFBIand,sinceMhadnojurisdictioninAmerica,Bond
hadbettercomehomeatonceandhelptidythingsup.Ohyesattheendofthe
conversationM'svoicehadsoundedgrufftherehadbeenaverykindrequesttothePM
thatBondshouldbeallowedtoaccepttheAmericanMedalofMerit.OfcourseMhadhad
toexplainviathePMthattheServicedidn'tgoinforthosesortofthingsparticularly
fromforeigncountries,howeverfriendlytheywere.Toobad,butMknewthatthiswas
whatBondwouldhaveexpected.Heknewtherules.Bondhadsaidyesofcourseand
thankyouverymuchandhe'dtakethenextplanehome.
Now,astheymotoredquietlydowntheVanWyckExpressway,Bondwasfeelingvaguely
dissatisfied.Hedidn'tlikeleavingraggedendstoacase.Noneofthebiggangstershad
beenputinthebagandhehadfailedinthetwotaskshehadbeengiven,toget
GoldfingerandgetGoldfinger'sbullion.ItwasnothingbutamiraclethatOperationGrand
Slamhadbeenbroken.IthadbeentwodaysbeforetheBeechcrafthadbeenservicedand
thecleanerwhofoundthenotehadgottoPinkerton'sonlyhalfanhourbeforeLeiterwas
duetogoofftotheCoastonabigracingscandal.
ButthenLeiterhadreallygotcrackingtohischief,thentotheFBIandthePentagon.The
FBI'sknowledgeofBond'srecord,pluscontactwithMthroughtheCentralIntelligence
Agency,hadbeenenoughtogetthewholecaseuptothePresidentwithinanhour.After
178

thatithadjustbeenacaseofbuildingupthegiganticbluffinwhichalltheinhabitantsof
FortKnoxhadparticipatedinonewayoranother.Thetwo'Japanese'hadbeentaken
easilyenoughanditwasconfirmedbyChemicalWarfarethatthethreepintsofGBcarried
asginintheirbriefcaseswouldhavebeenenoughtoslaytheentirepopulationofFort
Knox.Thetwomenhadbeenquicklyandforciblygrilledintoexplainingtheformoftheall
clearcabletoGoldfinger.Thecablehadbeensent.ThentheArmyhaddeclared
emergency.RoadandrailandairblockshadturnedbackalltraffictotheFortKnoxarea
withtheexceptionofthegangsterconvoyswhichhadnotbeenhindered.Therestwas
playactingrightdowntothepinkfrothandthesquallingbabieswhichitwasthought
wouldaddnicetouchesofverisimilitude.
Yes,ithadallbeenverysatisfactorysofarasWashingtonwasconcerned,butwhatabout
theEnglishend?WhoinAmericacaredabouttheBankofEngland'sgold?Whocaredthat
twoEnglishgirlshadbeenmurderedinthecourseofthisbusiness?Whoreallyminded
thatGoldfingerwasstillatlibertynowthatAmerica'sbullionwassafeagain?
TheyidledacrossthedrabplainofIdlewild,pastthetenmilliondollarsteelandcement
skeletonsthatwouldonedaybeanadultairport,andpulledupoutsidethemakeshift
huddleofconcreteboxesthatBondknewsowell.Alreadythewellmanneredironvoices
werereachingouttothem.'PanAmericanWorldAirwaysannouncesthedepartureofits
PresidentFlightPA100','TransworldAirwayscallingCaptainMurphy.CaptainMurphy,
please.'AndthepearshapedvowelsandfluteddictionofBOAC,'BOACannouncesthe
arrivalofitsBermudanFlightBA491.Passengerswillbedisembarkingatgatenumber
neyne.'
BondtookhisbagandsaidgoodbyetoLeiter.Hesaid,'Well,thanksforeverything,Felix.
Writetomeeveryday.'
Leitergrippedhishandhard.Hesaid,'Surething,kid.Andtakeiteasy.Tellthatold
bastardMtosendyoubackoversoon.Nextvisitwe'lltakesometimeofffromthe
razzmatazz.Timeyoucalledinonmyhomestate.Liketohaveyoumeetmyoilwell.'Bye
now.'
Leitergotintohiscarandacceleratedawayfromthearrivalbay.Bondraisedhishand.The
Studillacdryskiddedoutontotheapproachroad.Therewasanansweringglintfrom
Leiter'ssteelhookoutofthewindowandhewasgone.
Bondsighed.HepickeduphisbagandwalkedinandovertotheBOACticketcounter.
Bonddidn'tmindairportssolongashewasaloneinthem.Hehadhalfanhourtowait
andhewasquitecontenttowanderthroughthemillingcrowds,haveabourbonandsoda
attherestaurantandspendsometimechoosingsomethingtoreadatthebookstore.He
boughtBenHogan'sModernFundamentalsofGolfandthelatestRaymondChandlerand
saunteredalongtotheSouvenirShoptoseeifhecouldfindanamusinggimmicktotake
backtohissecretary.
Nowtherewasaman'svoiceontheBOACannouncingsystem.Itcalledoutalonglistof
Monarchpassengerswhowererequiredattheticketcounter.TenminuteslaterBondwas
179

payingforoneofthelatestandmostexpensiveballpointpenswhenheheardhisown
namebeingcalled.'WillMr.JamesBond,passengeronBOACMonarchflightNo.510to
GanderandLondon,pleasecometotheBOACticketcounter.Mr.JamesBond,please.'It
wasobviouslythatinfernaltaxformtoshowhowmuchhehadearnedduringhisstayin
America.OnprincipleBondneverwenttotheInternalRevenueOfficeinNewYorktoget
clearanceandhehadonlyoncehadtoargueitoutatIdlewild.
HewentoutoftheshopandacrosstotheBOACcounter.Theofficialsaidpolitely,'MayI
seeyourhealthcertificate,please,Mr.Bond?'
Bondtooktheformoutofhispassportandhandeditover.
Themanlookedatitcarefully.Hesaid,'I'mverysorry,sir,butthere'sbeenatyphoidcase
atGanderandthey'reinsistingthatalltransitpassengerswhohaven'thadtheirshotsin
thelastsixmonthsshouldbetoppedup.It'smostannoying,sir,butGander'sverytouchy
aboutthesethings.Toobadwecouldn'thavemanagedadirectflight,butthere'sastrong
headwind.'
Bondhatedinoculations.Hesaidirritably,'Butlookhere,I'mstuffedwithshotsofone
kindoranother.Beenhavingthemfortwentyyearsforonedamnedthingoranother!'He
lookedround.
TheareaneartheBOACdeparturegateseemedcuriouslydeserted.Hesaid,'Whatabout
theotherpassengers?Wherearethey?'
'They'veallagreed,sir.Justhavingtheirshotsnow.Itwon'ttakeaminute,sir,ifyou'll
comethisway.'
'Ohwell.'Bondshruggedhisshouldersimpatiently.Hefollowedthemanbehindthe
counterandthroughadoortotheBOACstationmanager'soffice.
Therewastheusualwhiteclotheddoctor,amaskoverthebottomofhisface,theneedle
heldready.'Lastone?'heaskedoftheBOACofficial.
'Yes,Doctor.'
'Okay.Coatoffandleftsleeveup,please.Toobadthey'resosensitiveupatGander.'
'Damnedsighttoobad,'saidBond.'Whataretheyafraidof?Spreadingtheblackdeath?'
Therecamethesharpsmellofthealcoholandthejaboftheneedle.'Thanks,'saidBond
gruffly.Hepulleddownhissleeveandmadetopickhiscoatupfromthebackofthechair.
Hishandwentdownforit,missedit,wentondown,downtowardsthefloor.Hisbody
divedafterthehand,down,down,down...
Allthelightswereonintheplane.Thereseemedtobeplentyofspareplaces.Whydidhe
havetogetstuckwithapassengerwhosearmwashoggingthecentralarmrest.Bond
madetogetupandchangehisseat.Awaveofnauseasweptoverhim.Heclosedhiseyes
180

andwaited.Howextraordinary!Hewasneverairsick.Hefeltthecoldsweatonhisface.
Handkerchief.Wipeitoff.
Heopenedhiseyesagainandlookeddownathisarms.Thewristswereboundtothe
armsofhischair.Whathadhappened?Hehadhadhisshotandthenpassedoutor
something.Hadhegotviolent?Whatthehellwasallthisabout?Heglancedtohisright
andthenstared,aghast.Oddjobwassittingthere.Oddjob!OddjobinBOACuniform!
Oddjobglancedincuriouslyathimandreachedforthesteward'sbell.Bondheardthe
prettydingdongbackinthepantry.
Therewastherustleofaskirtbesidehim.Helookedup.ItwasPussyGalore,trimand
freshintheblueuniformofastewardess!Shesaid,'Hi,Handsome.'Shegavehimthe
deep,searchinglookherememberedsowellfromwhen?Fromcenturiesago,inanother
life.
Bondsaiddesperately,'ForChrist'ssake,what'sgoingon?Wheredidyoucomefrom?'
Thegirlsmiledcheerfully,'Eatingcaviaranddrinkingchampagne.YouBritisherssurelive
thelifeofReillywhenyougetuptwentythousandfeet.NotasignofaBrusselssproutand
ifthere'steaIhaven'tgotaroundtoityet.Now,youtakeiteasy.Unclewantstotalkto
you.'Shesauntereduptheaisle,swingingherhips,anddisappearedthroughthecockpit
door.
NownothingcouldsurpriseBond.Goldfinger,inaBOACcaptain'suniformthatwasrather
toolargeforhim,thecapsquarelyonthecentreofhishead,closedthecockpitdoor
behindhimandcamedowntheaisle.
HestoodandlookedgrimlydownatBond.'Well,Mr.Bond.SoFatewishedustoplaythe
gameout.Butthistime,Mr.Bond,therecannotpossiblybeacardupyoursleeve.Ha!'
Thesharpbarkwasamixtureofanger,stoicismandrespect.'Youcertainlyturnedoutto
beasnakeinmypastures.'Thegreatheadshookslowly.'WhyIkeptyoualive!WhyI
didn'tcrushyoulikeabeetle!Youandthegirlwereusefultome.Yes,Iwasrightabout
that.ButIwasmadtohavetakenthechance.Yes,mad.'Thevoicedroppedandwent
slow.'Andnowtellme,Mr.Bond.Howdidyoudoit?Howdidyoucommunicate?'
Bondsaidequably,'Wewillhaveatalk,Goldfinger.AndIwilltellyoucertainthings.But
notuntilyouhavetakenoffthesestrapsandbroughtmeabottleofbourbon,ice,soda
waterandapacketofChesterfields.Then,whenyouhavetoldmewhatIwishtoknow,I
willdecidewhattotellyou.Asyousay,mysituationisnotfavourable,oratleastitdoesn't
appeartobe.SoIhavenothingtoloseandifyouwanttogetsomethingoutofmeitwill
beonmyownterms.'
Goldfingerlookedgravelydown.'Ihavenoobjectiontoyourconditions.Outofrespectfor
yourabilitiesasanopponent,youshallspendyourlastjourneyincomfort.Oddjob'the
voicewassharp.'RingthebellforMiss.Galoreandundothosestraps.Getintotheseatin
front.Thereisnoharmhecandoattherearoftheplanebutheisnottoapproachthe
181

cockpitdoor.Ifneedbe,killhimatonce,butIprefertogethimtoourdestinationalive.
Understand?'
'Arrgh.'
FiveminuteslaterBondhadwhathewanted.Thetrayinfrontofhimwasdownandonit
werehiswhiskyandcigarettes.Hepouredhimselfastiffbourbon.Goldfingerwasseated
inthechairacrosstheaisle,waiting.Bondpickeduphisdrinkandsippedit.Hewasabout
totakeadeeperdrinkwhenhesawsomething.Heputtheglasscarefullydownwithout
disturbingthelittleroundpapercoasterthathadstucktothebottomofhisglass.Helita
cigarette,pickeduphisdrinkagainandremovedtheicecubesandputthembackinthe
icebucket.Hedrankthewhiskydownahnosttotheend.
Nowhecouldreadthewordsthroughthebottomoftheglass.Hecarefullyputtheglass
downwithoutdisturbingthecoaster.Themessagehadread,'I'mwithyou.XXX.P.'
Bondturnedandmadehimselfcomfortable.Hesaid,'Nowthen,Goldfinger.Firstofall,
what'sgoingon,howdidyougetthisplane,whereareweheading?'
Goldfingercrossedonelegovertheother.HegazedawayfromBond,uptheaisle.Hesaid
inarelaxed,conversationaltone,'Itookthreetrucksanddroveacrosscountrytothe
vicinityofCapeHatteras.Oneofthetruckscontainedmypersonalhoardofgoldbullion.
Theothertwocontainedmydrivers,sparepersonnelandthosegangsters.Irequirednone
ofthemexceptMiss.Galore.IkeptanucleusofthestaffIwouldneed,paidofftheothers
withhugesumsanddispersedthemgraduallyalongtheroute.AtthecoastIhelda
meetingwiththefourgangleadersinadesertedplace,havingleftMiss.Galoreunder
somepretextwiththetrucks.Ishotthefourmeninmyusualfashiononebulletforeach.
Iwentbacktothetrucksandexplainedthatthefourmenhadchosenmoneyand
independentaction.Iwasnowleftwithsixmen,thegirlandthebullion.Ihiredaplane
andflewtoNewark,NewJersey,thecratesofgoldbeingpassedoffasleadforXray
plates.FromthereIproceededalonetoacertainaddressinNewYorkfromwhichItalked
withMoscowbyradioandexplainedthemishaptoOperationGrandSlam.Inthecourse
ofthetalkImentionedyourname.Myfriends,whomIbelieveyouknow,'Goldfinger
lookedhardatBond,'passunderthegenericnameofSMERSH.Theyrecognizedthename
ofBondandtoldmewhoyouwere.Iatonceunderstoodagreatdealofwhathad
previouslybeenhiddenfromme.SMERSHsaidtheywouldgreatlyliketointerviewyou.I
ponderedthematter.InduecourseIconceivedtheplanwhichyounowseeinoperation.
Posingasafriendofyours,Ihadnodifficultyinfindingouttheflightonwhichyouwere
booked.ThreeofmymenwereformerlyoftheLuftwaffe.Theyassuredmetherewould
benodifficultyinflyingthisplane.Therestwasmeredetail.Bycoolbluffing,
impersonationandtheuseofacertainamountofforce,alltheBOACpersonnelat
Idlewild,thecrewofthisplaneandthepassengersweregiventhenecessaryinjections
fromwhichtheywillnowberecovering.Wechangedclotheswiththeunconsciouscrew,
thebullionwasloadedontheplane,youweredealtwithandcarriedoutonastretcher
andinduecoursethenewBOACcrew,withtheirstewardess,boardedtheplaneandwe
tooktotheair.'

182

Goldfingerpaused.Heliftedahandresignedly.'Ofcoursethereweresmallhitches.We
weretoldto"followtaxiwayAlphatorunwayfour",anditwasonlybyfollowingaKLM
planethatweweresuccessful.TheIdlewildroutinewasnoteasytomasterandwemust
haveseemedsomewhatclumsyandinexperienced,but,Mr.Bond,withassurance,strong
nervesandagruff,intimidatingmanneritisneverdifficulttooverridetheCivilService
mentalityofwhat,afterall,areminoremployees.Iunderstandfromthewirelessoperator
thatasearchforthisplaneisunderway.Theywerealreadyquestioningusbeforewe
wereoutofVHPrangeatNantucket.ThentheDistantEarlyWarningsystemqueriedus
onhighfrequency.Thatdidnotdisturbme.Wehaveenoughfuel.Wehavealreadyhad
clearancefromMoscowforEastBerlin,KievorMurmansk.Weshalltakewhicheverroute
theweatherdictates.Thereshouldbenotrouble.Ifthereis,Ishalltalkmywayoutofit
ontheradio.NooneisgoingtoshootdownavaluableBOACplane.Themysteryand
confusionwillprotectusuntilwearewellwithinSovietterritoryandthen,ofcourse,we
shallhavedisappearedwithouttrace.'
ToBondtherehadbeennothingfantastic,nothingimpossibleaboutGoldfingersincehe
hadheardthedetailsofOperationGrandSlam.ThetheftofaStratocruiser,asGoldfinger
hadexplainedit,waspreposterous,butnomoresothanhismethodsofsmugglinggold,
hispurchaseofanatomicwarhead.Whenoneexaminedthesethings,whiletheyhada
touchofmagic,ofgeniuseven,theywerelogicalexercises.Theywerebizarreonlyintheir
magnitude.EventhetinymanoeuvreofcheatingMr.DuPonthadbeenquitebrilliantly
contrived.Therewasnodoubtaboutit,Goldfingerwasanartistascientistincrimeas
greatinhisfieldasCelliniorEinsteinintheirs.
'Andnow,Mr.BondoftheBritishSecretService,wemadeabargain.Whathaveyouto
tellme?Whoputyouontome?Whatdidtheysuspect?Howdidyoumanagetointerfere
withmyplans?'Goldfingersatback,placedhishandsacrosshisstomachandlookedatthe
ceiling.
BondgaveGoldfingeracensoredversionofthetruth.Hementionednothingabout
SMERSHorthelocationofthepostboxandhesaidnothingaboutthesecretsofthe
Homer,adevicethatmightbenewtotheRussians.Heconcluded,'Soyousee,Goldfinger,
youonlyjustgotaway.ButforTillyMasterton'sinterventionatGeneva,you'dhavebeen
inthebagbynow.You'dbesittingpickingyourteethinaSwissprisonwaitingtobesent
toEngland.YouunderestimatetheEnglish.Theymaybeslow,buttheygetthere.You
thinkyou'llbeprettysafeinRussia?Iwouldn'tbetoosure.We'vegotpeopleevenoutof
therebeforenow.I'llgiveyouonelastaphorismforyourbook,Goldfinger:"Nevergoa
bearofEngland."'

183

184

ChapterTwentyThree
T.L.C.Treatment
Theplanethrobbedon,highabovetheweather,overthegreatmoonlitlandscape.The
lightshadbeenturnedout.Bondsatquietlyinthedarknessandsweatedwithfearat
whathewasgoingtodo.
Anhourbefore,thegirlhadbroughthimdinner.Therewasapencilhiddeninthenapkin.
ShehadmadesometoughremarksforthebenefitofOddjobandgoneaway.Bondhad
eatensomescrapsoffoodanddrunkagooddealofbourbonwhilehisimaginationhunted
roundtheplanewonderingwhathecouldconceivablydotoforceanemergencylanding
atGanderorsomewhereelseinNovaScotia.Asalastresort,couldhesetfiretothe
plane?Hetoyedwiththeidea,andwiththepossibilityofforcingtheentrancehatchopen.
Bothideas,seemedimpracticableandsuicidal.Tosavehimthetroubleofponderingover
them,themanwhomBondhadseenbeforeattheBOACticketcounter,oneofthe
Germans,camethroughandstoppedbyBond'schair.
HegrinneddownatBond.'BOACtakesgoodcareofyou,isn'tit?MisterGoldfingerthinks
youmighthavefoolishnotions.Iamtokeepaneyeontherearoftheplane.Sojustsit
backandenjoytheride,isn'tit?'
WhenBonddidn'tanswer,themanwentonbacktotherearsection.
SomethingwasnaggingatBond'smind,somethingconnectedwithhispreviousthoughts.
Thatbusinessaboutforcingthehatch.Nowwhatwasitthathadhappenedtothatplane,
flyingoverPersiabackin'57?Bondsatforawhileandstaredwithwide,unseeingeyesat
thebackoftheseatinfrontofhim.Itmightwork!Itjustconceivablymight!
Bondwroteontheinsideofthenapkin,'I'lldomybest.Fastenyourseatbelt.XXX.J.'
WhenthegirlcametotakehistrayBonddroppedthenapkinandthenpickeditupand
handedittoher.Heheldherhandandsmiledupintothesearchingeyes.Shebenttopick
upthetray.Shekissedhimquicklyonthecheek.Shestraightenedherself.Shesaid
toughly,'I'llseeyouinmydreams,Handsome,'andwentofftothegalley.
AndnowBond'smindwasmadeup.Hehadworkedoutexactlywhathadtobedone.The
incheshadbeenmeasured,theknifefromhisheelwasunderhiscoatandhehadtwisted
thelongestendofhisseatbeltroundhisleftwrist.Allheneededwasonesignthat
Oddjob'sbodywasturnedawayfromthewindow.ItwouldbetoomuchtoexpectOddjob
togotosleep,butatleasthecouldmakehimselfcomfortable.Bond'seyesneverleftthe
dimprofilehecouldseereflectedinthePerspexoblongofthewindowoftheseatinfront,
butOddjobsatstolidlyunderthereadinglighthehadprudentlykeptburning,hiseyes
staringattheceiling,hismouthslightlyopenandhishandsheldreadyandrelaxedonthe
armsofhischair.
Onehour,twohours.Bondbegantosnore,rhythmically,drowsily,hehopedhypnotically.
NowOddjob'shandshadmovedtohislap.Theheadnoddedonceandpulleditselfup,
185

shiftedtogetmorecomfortable,turnedawayfromthepiercingeyeoflightinthewall,
restedonitsleftcheekawayfromthewindow!
Bondkepthissnoresexactlyeven.GettingundertheKorean'sguardwouldbeasdifficult
asgettingpastahungrymastiff.Slowly,inchbyinch,hecrouchedforwardontheballsof
hisfeetandreachedwithhisknifehandbetweenthewallandOddjob'sseat.Nowhis
handwasthere.Nowtheneedlesharptipofthedaggerwasaimedatthecentreofthe
squareinchofPerspexhehadchosen.Bondgraspedtheendofhisseatbelttightlyinhis
hand,drewtheknifebacktwoinchesandlunged.
Bondhadhadnoideawhatwouldhappenwhenhecutthroughthewindow.Allheknew
fromthePressreportsofthePersiancasewasthatthesuctionoutofthepressurized
cabinhadwhirledthepassengernexttothewindowoutthroughthewindowandinto
space.Now,ashewhippedbackhisdagger,therewasafantastichowl,almostascreamof
air,andBondwassuckedviolentlyagainstthebackofOddjob'sseatwithaforcethattore
theendoftheseatbeltfromhishand.Overthebackoftheseathewitnessedamiracle.
Oddjob'sbodyseemedtoelongatetowardsthehowlingblackaperture.Therewasacrash
ashisheadwentthroughandhisshouldershittheframe.Then,asiftheKorean'sbody
wastoothpaste,itwasslowly,footbyfoot,suckedwithaterriblewhistlingnoisethrough
theaperture.NowOddjobwasouttohiswaist.Nowthehugebuttocksstuckandthe
humanpastemovedonlyinchbyinch.Then,withaloudboom,thebuttocksgotthrough
andthelegsdisappearedasifshotfromagun.
Afterthatcametheendoftheworld.Withanappallingcrashofcrockeryfromthegalley,
thehugeplanestoodonitsnoseanddived.ThelastthingBondknewbeforeheblacked
outwasthehighscreamoftheenginesthroughtheopenwindowandafleetingvisionof
pillowsandrugswhippingoutintospacepasthiseyes.Then,withafinaldesperate
embraceoftheseatinfront,Bond'soxygenstarvedbodycollapsedinasearoflungpain.
ThenextthingBondfeltwasahardkickintheribs.Therewasatasteofbloodinhis
mouth.Hegroaned.Againthefootsmashedintohisbody.Painfullyhedraggedhimselfto
hiskneesbetweentheseatsandlookedupthrougharedfilm.Allthelightswereon.
Therewasathinmistinthecabin.Thesharpdepressurizationhadbroughttheairinthe
cabindownbelowthedewpoint.Theroaroftheenginesthroughtheopenwindowwas
gigantic.Anicywindsearedhim.Goldfingerstoodoverhim,hisfacefiendishunderthe
yellowlight.Therewasasmallautomaticdeadsteadyinhishand.Goldfingerreached
backhisfootandkickedagain.Bondlitwithablastofhotrage.Hecaughtthefootand
twisteditsharply,almostbreakingtheankle.TherecameascreamfromGoldfingeranda
crashthatshooktheplane.Bondleaptfortheaisleandthrewhimselfsidewaysanddown
ontotheheapofbody.Therewasanexplosionthatburnedthesideofhisface.Butthen
hiskneethuddedintoGoldfinger'sgroinandhislefthandwasoverthegun.
Forthefirsttimeinhislife,Bondwentberserk.Withhisfistsandkneeshepoundedthe
strugglingbodywhileagainandagainhecrashedhisforeheaddownontotheglistening
face.Theguncamequaveringtowardshimagain.AlmostindifferentlyBondslashed
sidewayswiththeedgeofhishandandheardtheclatterofmetalamongtheseats.Now
Goldfinger'shandswereathisthroatandBond'satGoldfinger's.Down,downwentBond's
thumbsintothearteries.Hethrewallhisweightforward,gaspingforbreath.Wouldhe
blackoutbeforetheothermandied?Wouldhe?Couldhestandthepressureof
186

Goldfinger'sstronghands?Theglisteningmoonfacewaschanging.Deeppurpleshowed
throughthetan.Theeyesbegantonickerup.ThepressureofthehandsonBond'sthroat
slackened.Thehandsfellaway.Nowthetonguecameoutandlolledfromtheopenmouth
andtherecameaterriblegarglingfromdeepinthelungs.Bondsatastridethesilentchest
andslowly,onebyone,unhingedhisrigidfingers.
Bondgaveadeepsighandkneltandthenstoodslowlyup.Dazedlyhelookedupand
downthelightedplane.Bythegalley,PussyGalorelaystrappedinherseatlikeaheapof
washing.Fartherdown,inthemiddleoftheaisle,theguardlayspreadeagled,onearm
andtheheadatridiculousangles.Withoutabelttoholdhimwhentheplanedived,he
musthavebeentossedattherooflikearagdoll.
Bondbrushedhishandsoverhisface.Nowhefelttheburnsonhispalmandcheeks.
Wearilyhewentdownonhiskneesagainandsearchedforthelittlegun.ItwasaColt.25
automatic.Heflickedoutthemagazine.Threeroundsleftandoneinthechamber.Bond
halfwalked,halffelthiswaydowntheaisletowherethegirllay.Heunbuttonedher
jacketandputhishandagainstherwarmbreast.Theheartflutteredlikeapigeonunder
hispalm.Heundidtheseatbeltandgotthegirlfacedownonthefloorandkneltastride
her.Forfiveminuteshepumpedrhythmicallyatherlungs.Whenshebegantomoan,he
gotupandleftherandwentondowntheaisleandtookafullyloadedLugeroutofthe
deadguard'sshoulderholster.Onthewaybackpasttheshamblesofthegalleyhesawan
unbrokenbottleofbourbonrollinggentlytoandfroamongthewreckage.Hepickeditup
andpulledthecorkandtilteditintohisopenmouth.Theliquorburnedlikedisinfectant.
Heputthecorkbackandwentforward.Hestoppedforaminuteoutsidethecockpitdoor,
thinking.Then,withagunineachhand,heknockedtheleverdownandwentthrough.
Thefivefaces,blueintheinstrumentlights,turnedtowardshim.Themouthsmadeblack
holesandtheeyesglintedwhite.Heretheroaroftheengineswasless.Therewasasmell
offrightsweatandcigarettesmoke.Bondstoodwithhislegsbraced,thegunsheld
unwavering.Hesaid,'Goldfinger'sdead.IfanyonemovesordisobeysanorderIshallkill
him.Pilot,what'syourposition,course,heightandspeed?'
Thepilotswallowed.Hehadtogathersalivabeforehecouldspeak.Hesaid,'Sir,weare
aboutfivehundredmileseastofGooseBay.Mr.Goldfingersaidwewouldditchtheplane
asnearthecoastnorthofthereaswecouldget.WeweretoreassembleatMontrealand
Mr.Goldfingersaidwewouldcomebackandsalvagethegold.Ourgroundspeedistwo
hundredandfiftymilesperhourandourheighttwothousand.'
'Howmuchflyingcanyoudoatthataltitude?Youmustbeusingupfuelprettyfast.'
'Yes,sir.Iestimatethatwehaveabouttwohoursleftatthisheightandspeed.'
'Getmeatimesignal.'
Thenavigatoransweredquickly,'JusthadonefromWashington,sir.Fiveminutestofive
am.Dawnatthislevelwillbeinaboutanhour.'
'WhereisWeathershipCharlie?'
187

'Aboutthreehundredmilestothenortheast,sir.'
'Pilot,doyouthinkyoucanmakeGooseBay?'
'No,sir,byaboutahundredmiles.Wecanonlymakethecoastnorthofthere.'
'Right.AltercourseforWeathershipCharlie.Operator,callthemupandgivemethemike.'
'Yes,sir.'
Whiletheplaneexecutedawidecurve,Bondlistenedtothestaticandbrokensnatchesof
voicethatsoundedfromtheamplifierabovehishead.Theoperator'svoicecamesoftlyto
him,'OceanStationCharlie.ThisisSpeedbird510.GALGYcallingCforCharlie,GALGY
callingCharlie,GALGY...'
Asharpvoicebrokein.'GALGYgiveyourposition.GALGYgiveyourposition.Thisis
GanderControl.Emergency.GALGY...'
Londoncameoverfaintly.Anexcitedvoicebeganchattering.Nowvoiceswerecomingat
themfromalldirections.Bondcouldimaginethefixbeingquicklycoordinatedatallflying
controlstations,thebusymenunderthearcsworkingonthebigplot,telephonesbeing
lifted,urgentvoicestalkingtoeachotheracrosstheworld.ThestrongsignalofGander
Controlsmotheredallothertransmissions.
'We'velocatedGALGY.We'vegotthematabout50Nby70E.Allstationsstop
transmitting.Priority.Irepeat,wehaveafixonGALGY...'
SuddenlythequietvoiceofCforCharliecamein.'ThisisOceanStationCharliecalling
Speedbird510.CharliecallingGALGY.Canyouhearme?ComeinSpeedbird510.'
Bondslippedthesmallgunintohispocketandtooktheofferedmicrophone.Hepressed
thetransmitterswitchandtalkedquietlyintoit,watchingthecrewovertheoblongof
plastic.
'CforCharliethisisGALGYSpeedbirdhijackedlasteveningatIdlewild.Ihavekilledthe
manresponsibleandpartlydisabledtheplanebydepressurizingthecabin.Ihavethecrew
atgunpoint.NotenoughfueltomakeGoosesoproposetoditchasclosetoyouas
possible.Pleaseputputlineofflares.'
Anewvoice,avoiceofauthority,perhapsthecaptain's,cameovertheair.'Speedbirdthis
isCforCharlie.Yourmessageheardandunderstood.Identifythespeaker.Irepeatidentify
thespeakerover.'
Bondsaidandsmiledatthesensationhiswordswouldcause,'SpeedbirdtoCforCharlie.
ThisisBritishSecretServiceagentNumber007,IrepeatNumber007.WhitehallRadiowill
confirm.IrepeatcheckwithWhitehallRadioover.'

188

Therewasastunnedpause.Voicesfromroundtheworldtriedtobreakin.Somecontrol,
presumablyGander,clearedthemofftheair.CforCharliecameback,'SpeedbirdthisisC
forCharliealiastheAngelGabrielspeakingokayI'llcheckwithWhitehallandWilcothe
flaresbutLondonandGanderwantmoredetails...'
Bondbrokein,'SorryCforCharliebutIcan'tholdfivemeninmysightsandmakepolite
conversationjustgivemetheseaconditionswouldyouandthenI'mgoingofftheairtill
wecomeintoditchover.'
'OkaySpeedbirdIseethepointwindhereforcetwoseaconditionslongsmoothswellno
brokencrestsyoushouldmakeitokayI'llsoonhaveyouontheradarandwe'llkeep
constantwatchonyourwavelengthhavewhiskyforoneandiroasforfivewaitinggood
luckover.'
Bondsaid,'ThanksCforCharlieaddacupofteatothatorderwouldyouI'vegotapretty
girlonboardthisisSpeedbirdsayingoverandout.'
Bondreleasedtheswitchandhandedthemicrophonetotheradioofficer.Hesaid,'Pilot,
they'reputtingdownflaresandkeepingconstantwatchonourwavelength.Windforce
two,longsmoothswellwithnobrokencrests.Nowtakeiteasyandlet'stryandgetoutof
thisalive.AssoonaswehitthewaterI'llgetthehatchopen.Untilthenifanyonecomes
throughthecockpitdoorhegetsshot.Right?'
Thegirl'svoicesoundedfromthedoorbehindBond.'Iwasjustcomingtojointheparty
butIwon'tnow.Gettingshotdoesn'tagreewithme.Butyoumightcallthatmanbackand
makeittwowhiskies.Teamakesmehiccup.'
Bondsaid,'Pussy,getbacktoyourbasket.'Hegavealastglanceroundthecockpitand
backedoutofthedoor.
Twohours,twoyears,laterBondwaslyinginthewarmcabininWeathershipCharlie
listeningdreamilytoanearlymorningradioprogrammefromCanada.Variouspartsofhis
bodyached.Hehadgottothetailoftheplaneandmadethegirlkneeldownwithher
headcradledinherarmsontheseatofachair.Thenhehadwedgedhimselfinbehindand
overherandhadheldherlifejacketedbodytightlyinhisarmsandbracedhisbackagainst
thebackoftheseatbehindhim.
Shehadbeennervouslymakingfacetiousremarksabouttheindelicacyofthisposition
whenthebellyoftheStratocruiserhadthuddedintothefirstmountainofswellata
hundredmilesanhour.
Thehugeplaneskippedonceandthencrashednosefirstintoawallofwater.Theimpact
hadbrokenthebackoftheplane.Theleadenweightofthebullioninthebaggage
compartmenthadtorntheplaneinhalf,spewingBondandthegirloutintotheicyswell,
litredbythelineofflares.
Theretheyhadfloated,halfstunned,intheiryellowlifejacketsuntilthelifeboatgotto
them.Bythentherewereonlyafewchunksofwreckageonthesurfaceandthecrew,
189

withthreetonsofgoldroundtheirnecks,wereontheirwaydowntothebedofthe
Atlantic.Theboathuntedfortenminutesbutwhennobodiescametothesurfacethey
gaveupthesearchandchuggedbackupthesearchlightbeamtotheblessedwallofiron
oftheoldfrigate.
TheyhadbeentreatedlikeamixtureofroyallyandpeoplefromMars.Bondhadanswered
thefirst,mosturgentquestionsandthenithadallsuddenlyseemedtobetoomuchfor
histiredmindtocopewith.Nowhewaslyingluxuriatinginthepeaceandtheheatofthe
whiskyandwonderingaboutPussyGaloreandwhyshehadchosenshelterunderhiswing
ratherthanunderGoldfinger's.Theconnectingdoorwiththenextcabinopenedandthe
girlcamein.Shewaswearingnothingbutagreyfisherman'sjerseythatwasdecentby
halfaninch.Thesleeveswererolledup.ShelookedlikeapaintingbyVertes.Shesaid,
'PeoplekeeponaskingifI'dlikeanalcoholrubandIkeeponsayingthatifanyone'sgoing
torubmeit'syou,andifI'mgoingtoberubbedwithanythingit'syouI'dliketoberubbed
with.'Sheendedlamely,'SohereIam.'
Bondsaidfirmly,'Lockthatdoor,Pussy,takeoffthatsweaterandcomeintobed.You'll
catchcold.'Shedidasshewastold,likeanobedientchild.
ShelayinthecrookofBond'sarmandlookedupathim.Shesaid,notinagangster's
voice,oraLesbian's,butinagirl'svoice,'WillyouwritetomeinSingSing?'
Bondlookeddownintothedeepbluevioleteyesthatwerenolongerhard,imperious.He
bentandkissedthemlightly.Hesaid,'Theytoldmeyouonlylikedwomen.'
Shesaid,'Inevermetamanbefore.'Thetoughnesscamebackintohervoice.'Icome
fromtheSouth.Youknowthedefinitionofavirgindownthere?Well,it'sagirlwhocan
runfasterthanherbrother.InmycaseIcouldn'trunasfastasmyuncle.Iwastwelve.
That'snotsogood,James.Yououghttobeabletoguessthat.'
Bondsmileddownintothepale,beautifulface.Hesaid,'AllyouneedisacourseofTLC.'
'What'sTLC?'
'ShortforTenderLovingCaretreatment.It'swhattheywriteonmostpaperswhenawaif
getsbroughtintoachildren'sclinic.'
'I'dlikethat.'Shelookedatthepassionate,rathercruelmouthwaitingabovehers.She
reachedupandbrushedbackthecommaofblackhairthathadfallenoverhisright
eyebrow.Shelookedintothefiercelyslittedgreyeyes.'When'sitgoingtostart?'
Bond'srighthandcameslowlyupthefirm,muscledthighs,overtheflatsoftplainofthe
stomachtotherightbreast.Itspointwashardwithdesire.Hesaidsoftly,'Now.'His
mouthcameruthlesslydownonhers.
TheEnd

190