She was wearing a purple, silk blouse, jeans, high boots, and a headband that matched the blouse.
She also had a gun at her side.
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She approached the two of them, watching them with suspicion.
"Princess," Remo said.
"Do not approach me," she said, pointing the gun toward him.
"You generally stroll around Central Park after midnight?" Remo asked.
"I was supposed to meet someone here."
"Who?"
"Someone who answered an ad I placed . . ."
"In Contract magazine," Remo suggested.
Her eyes widened. "How did you know that?"
"Because we did the same thing."
"And these things . . ." she pointed her gun toward the dead men ". . . these were what you met?"
"I don't think so. I thought maybe you could tell me who they are," Remo said.
"And how would I know?" she asked.
"Because it's just a little much of a coincidence that someone sends eight goons to kill us and then you show up. Checking up on their work?"
"Don't be preposterous," she snapped indignantly. "If I had sent someone to kill you, you would be dead."
"Then put the gun away," Remo said.
She looked at the pistol in her hand as if she had just realized it was there. She lowered it slowly.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know who I would meet here. It seemed to me the only way to help my brother."
"So you placed an ad. That was a chancy thing to do, Princess. Did you come alone?"
"No. Pakir stopped by my apartment just as I was leaving. He insisted on coming with me."
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"Where is he then?" Remo asked. M "Pakir, I would advise you not to use that tone
"I made him wait in the car." f with me," she said coldly.
"You're a brave lady," Remo said. i "I mean no disrespect, but it is dangerous here in
"I am devoted to my brother." 8 this park as is well known. I want you removed to
"Then look at the faces of these men and see if I safety."
you recognize them." 1 The Princess ignored him and turned back to
In the dark, the Princess had to stoop to look at 1 Remo. "Do you think these men have any connec-
the corpses. She carefully looked at each one. Then I tion with my brother?"
she stood up. 1 "I can't say," Remo answered. "What do you
"I do not know any of them." 1 know about the person you were supposed to meet
"Thank you," Remo said. "I know it wasn't pleas- f here tonight?"
ant." 1 "Nothing. My advertisement was answered. I was
"You killed so many, just the two of you." m told to put a telephone number in the New York
"They were poorly trained," Remo assured her. Times where I could be reached. I was called by a
They looked up to see Perce Pakir approaching.
If he was surprised to see Remo and Chiun there, he did not show it. He ignored the two men.
"Princess, you are not hurt?"
"I am not."
"Good. Did you accomplish what you set out to do?"
"No, Pakir."
He pointed at the bodies. "Who are these people?"
"They set upon our two friends here and were vanquished," Princess Sarra said.
Pakir stroked his beard and surveyed the bodies of the eight men. He was clad in a simple business suit, but the ruby rings that adorned his fingers showed that this was no ordinary businessman.
"I commend you," he said to Remo, bowing slightly. To the Princess, he said, "I think, perhaps, we should be getting back. Remember I warned against this action."
man. He told me to be here tonight. At twelve-thirty."