Long-eared pet

Usage examples of basset.

Bob Renwick ii thinking of an indirect way to reach Basset, make hirn listen, but only when the timing is right.

Quickly his private computer recalled the facts: Arizona-spring of 1974-visit to Victor Basset, multi-millionaire- fabulous art collection -lunch on a terrace - a girl with golden hair, a face and figure to match its splendour, large round sunglasses leaving eyes an enigma -girl?

Woman, rather, no more than thirty, indispensable apparently, quite efficient, obviously trusted by Basset to keep his correspondence and guests in good order.

Washington, a vast mansion in spreading grounds, seldom used since Basset had settled in Arizona for his health.

Times critic, who had visited Basset for an interview, had recognized her.

In Arizona it was easy to know what women he could meet: all were visitors to Basset Ranch.

He could see Basset now, although it was three years since they had met: friendly but impassive, quick to listen, slow to speak.

You see, Mr Basset is known to be a long-time friend of otir Hungarian.

She branched off at once, away from the Basset Hill museum and its potential director.

Also a letter from Victor Basset authorizing him to select a picture and bid for it at auction.

Victor Basset and his entourage, including her own secretary, his valet who was also his chauffeur, had been established there for the last week, allowing him to make easy trips to Basset Hill and inspect its structural alterations.

It would have to be a good story - Basset would soon detect any flaw and would think she was asking permission for a pleasure jaunt just at the time he might need her in Washington.

He himself was unable to attend - he was in the middle of urgent and intricate negotiations with his Prague source about the sale of a Renoir in the near future - a sound investment - a real acquisition for the French Impressionist room at Basset Hill.

Except, Basset might point out that if there was any delay in her arrival at Vienna, she would be too late for the auction.

She found, to her surprise, that she was just in time: William, now acting as valet, told her Mr Basset was leaving in ten minutes for an appointment.