Morning-Noon-and-Night - By Sidney Sheldon Page 0,1

Stanford's trademark. Where Stanford went, Prince went. it was rumored that at Harry Stanford's command, the animal would tear out a person's throat. No one, wanted to test that rumor. Dmitri sat by himself at a table near the hotel entrance, carefully observing the other patrons as they came and went., Stanford turned to Sophia. ' I order for you, my deart 611lease.1 Harry Stanford prided himself on being a gourmet. He ordered a green salad andfricass,6e de lotte for both of them. As they were being served their main course, Danielle Roux, who ran the hotel with her husband, Franr, ois, approached the table and smiled. '. Is everything all right, Monsieur Stanfordt ', Madame Roux.' And it was going to be. They are pygmies, trying to fell a giant. They're in for a big disappointment. Sophia said, ''ve never been here before. It's such a lovely village-' Stanford turned his attention to her. Dmitri had picked her up for him in Nice a day earlier. '. Stanford, I brought someone for you." problemt. Stanford had asked. Dmitri had grinned. '." He had seen her in the lobby of the Hotel Negresco, and had approached her. ' me, do you speak English?".' She had a lilting Italian accent. ' man I work for would like you to have dinner with him.' She had been indignant. ''m not a puttana! I'm an actress she had said haughtily. n fact, she had had a walk-on part in Pupi Avati's last film, and a role with two lines of dialogue in a Giuseppe Tornatore film. ' would I have dinner with a stranger?' Dmitri had taken out a wad of hundred-dollar bills. He pushed five into her hand. ' friend is very generous. He has a yacht, and he is lonely.' He had watched her expression go through a series of changes from indignation, to curiosity, to interest. ' it happens, I'm between pictures.' She smiled. ' would probably do no harm to have dinner with your friend."

"Good. He will be pleased." is he?".-Paul-de-Vence.' Dmitri had chosen well. Italian. In her late twenties. A sensuous, catlike face. Full-breasted figure. Now, looking at her across the table, Harry Stanford made a decision. ' you like to travel, Sophia?" adore it."

"Good. We'll go on a little trip. Excuse me a moment.' Sophia watched as he walked into the restaurant and to a public telephone outside the men's room. Stanford put ajeton in the slot and dialed. ' operator, please.' Seconds later, a voice said, ' lop6atrice maritime." want to put in a call to the yacht Blue Skies. Whiskey bravo lima nine eight zero ...' The conversation lasted five -minutes, and when Stanford was finished, he dialed the airport at Nice. The conversation was shorter this time. When Stanford was through talking, he spoke to Dmitri, who rapidly left the restaurant. Then he returned to Sophia. ' you ready?". ''s take a walk.' He needed time to work out a plan. It was a perfect day. The sun had splashed pink clouds across the horizon and'rivers of silver light ran through the streets..

They strolled along the Rue Grande, past the tgjise, the beautiful twelfth-century church, and stopped at the boulangerie in front of the@ Arch to buy some fresh baked bread '. When they came out, one of the three watchers ' standing outside, busily studying the church.

Dmitri was also waiting for them. Harry Stanford handed the bread to Sophia. ' don't you take this up to the house? I'll be along in a few minutes! ' right! She smiled and said softly, ', caro! Stanford watched her leave, then motioned to Dm itri. ' did you find ouff "The woman and one of the men are staying at Le Hameau, on the road to La Colle! Harry Stanford knew the place.-. It was a whitewashed farmhouse with an orchard a mile west of St.-Paul-de-Vence. ' the other onet ' Le Mas d'Artigny.' Le Mas d'Artigny was a Provenw mansion on a hillside two miles west of St.-Paul-de-Vence. ' do you want me to do with them, sirt '. I'll take care of them.' Harry Stanford's villa was on the Rue de Casette, next to the mairie, in an area of narrow cobblestone streets and very old houses. The villa was a five-level house made of old stone and plaster. Two levels below the main house were a garage and an old cave used as a wine cellar. A stone staircase led to upstairs