Chapter 11

Paul had followed Leduc's automobile for the past hour, staying a safe distance behind in his own rented vehicle as they traveled the slick wet streets of Paris, crossing the fabulous city of sin. He had not believed the Doctor nor his wife when earlier in the evening at dinner, they had told him of Janet's worsened condition. But they had substantiated his greatest fear... she was addicted, yet to what particular drug Leduc had not said.

My poor, sweet darling... Damn, he had wanted to see her, to go to her so badly, but Leduc had opposed the idea. Seeing him in her present condition, the Doctor had insisted, would only bring her deeper fits of remorse, and presently she needed any thing but that. She was content to rest there and await his return, Leduc had said, but he was certain once she was aware her husband was back from his mission she would want to leave the sanitarium and she was frankly not well enough to do so.

Paul had not pressed the point with the Doctor, but there was something in the mystery enshrouding the whole episode that did not set quite right with him. Why didn't they want him to know even where the sanitarium was located? The handsome Frenchman had actually been somewhat indignant about it, maintaining it would be perhaps easier for him if he did not know its whereabouts. Certainly, Paul felt, that was abnormal procedure... and so he had left and waited in the shadows outside the Leduc villa, intent upon remaining there as long as necessary, until the Doctor led him to his Janet.

Shortly, the Frenchman had left in his limousine and Paul had followed. It was a dark night, raining, and he dare not let his quarry get too much of a lead on him. And then, at last, they were in a less populated, outskirt section of the city when the Doctor's vehicle swung into a large circle-drive before a sparsely lighted, palatial older mansion.

Paul parked in the street and waited. Finally, he stepped out into the night and approached the drive that entered the estate. The mansion, itself, sat some three-hundred yards back in, almost hidden behind giant trees and great shrubs. No where, could he find a sign. It might, or might not be the alleged sanitarium. But surely, someone in the surrounding area would know.

He surveyed the darkened street and on a corner a half-block away he saw the dim lights of what might be a commercial establishment of some nature. He headed off toward it.

It was a small tobacco shop. Paul entered and a thin, frail, elderly man smiled at him from behind the counter.

"Des cigarettes," Paul said, pointing toward a particular brand displayed.

"Oui," replied the old man. "Will there be something else?" he inquired in French.

"No, thank you... unless you can tell me where the sanitarium is located around here?"

"The sanitarium... ?" The old man thought a few moments, then shook his head. "I fear I cannot help you. I know of nothing like this in the area."

"I see," said Paul, disappointed as he paid the man. Then, "The old mansion up the street... the one that sets back in... do you know who lives there?"

For a moment the little man studied him, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. Finally, he said, "You said who lives there?"

"Yes... who?" Paul repeated.

The old man smiled wryly. "But you are joking with me." He lowered his voice until it was just above a whisper. "Surely, you know... as does every gentleman in all of Paris..."

Paul watched him closely as he made a negative head-shake. "I am afraid that I am ignorant then."

The old man chuckled. "So... I know now that you are not a gentleman of the night... for that is the Palace of Pleasure... once owned by the nefarious Count Leduc. And certainly, you have heard of that foul monster." Paul said nothing and the old man leaned closer until he could smell the wine on his breath. "They say that the most wicked of sensual pleasures may be bought there for fantastic prices... and with the most beautiful women one has ever seen."

Paul swallowed tightly, a knot of fear welling up into his throat. Good Lord! Could it be? He moistened his dry lips nervously. "And the police? Do they know of this... this brothel?"

The little man shrugged. "Who knows? I have heard one might find even people of authority frequenting the Great Room, but I would not know for certain, Monsieur, for I am but a poor man and the likes of me would never be allowed."

"I see," said Paul, taking up his cigarettes. "Well... thank you very much for the information. Good night."

"Bonne nuit, M'sieu'."

Paul walked slowly back to his car. Perhaps, he thought, I'm doing Leduc a great injustice... but then, there were the things that Hans Friestag had mentioned about the Palais de Plaisir and the Grande Chambre... and the fact that the old man had spoken of a nefarious Count Leduc... Dear Jesus! Was it possible that the Doctor was more than just a physician... and had somehow placed his own Janet in this fantastic bordello... forcing her to prostitute herself? But those things had gone out with the dark ages, he thought... God almighty, he didn't know... but he intended to find out... that is if the American Embassy carried any weight at all in France!

When Janet had awakened, following the brutal murder of Erabas, Doctor Leduc no longer pretended. He had called for assistance and four powerful Moroccans had come to hold her spread-eagle on bed, then the Frenchman had thrown a sheet over her and whipped her with a leather strap for letting the giant have his way with her... lashing her thighs, her buttocks, her stomach, pelvis and breasts... until again she had fainted from the unmerciful beating.

They had aroused her then and taken her to an all mirrored room, some nine-by-nine in dimensions, with but a bed furnishing it. There, she had been left with only a sheet to cover her nakedness and Vailante lying in a corner to guard her.

But before he left her, Doctor Leduc had snarled, "Now, my American bitch, we are through playing games. If you have not reasoned out your fate as yet, then I will tell you. This is the Palace of Pleasure, the most exquisite whore house in the world... and you are now a permanent inmate... until you are no longer of any value to me. In short, my pig, you are now a common whore, and will fuck and suck or whatever else our exclusive clientele asks of you without the slightest hesitation. If you in any way defy me I will increase your drug dosage... then deny it to you until you go mad from the agonies."

"Oh, my God..." Janet moaned. "Why? Why? What have I done to you that you would do this horrible thing to me? My God, please, please, Doctor... ?"

"Bitch!" Leduc half-screamed at her, drawing his hand back to strike her, but then remembering that he might blemish his delectable property and restrained himself. "Don't ever address me in any other way but Master! Do you understand me? You are nothing but a slave for the rest of your days... just as I was in your filthy American prison for ten years. Now, we are going to balance that score!"

"Oooohhh, Paul... Paul," Janet babbled almost incoherently.

"You can forget your beloved husband," spat Leduc. "You will not see that stupid oaf again, or anyone, only those whom I send to you!" He still held the strap and now he brought it down viciously against the bed. "Now, get down on your knees in front of me, you big titted slut!"