The gnome chuckled. “Your lives, of course,” he said. “But let me sweeten the pot a little.”The gnome reached inside his robe, and pulled out ... bulging sack of gold. It wasn’t clear where that sack had been hiding in his robe previously. The gnome untied the string securing the sack, and gold pieces could be seen glittering inside the sack.The gnome smirked, and poured the gold pieces on the ground in front of him. “Take it, and go,” he said.“Let’s just get the gold and go,” Fender said to the. She moved it away from the light as she reached under the desktop for something."Please, speak English. I understand it well, though I do not speak it so perfect. Do not worry," she explained."I need a room. I got lost in the forest and am running out of petrol. Tomorrow I can phone for someone to pick me up. I just need to stay the night," I said, struggling to keep my English simple and not doing very well at it."That is no problem, we have rooms. Normally, we take only special bookings. Now. So long. I left New York 11 hours earlier and arrived in Chicago at about 10:00 am. I thought to myself never again. Next time I would fly. I wondered through the long corridors in Chicago’s Amtrak Station looking for Ivona; a bright, sexy, Polish girl who had come to the United States illegally. Ivona, who was tall, blond and a body to die for, was every man’s dream. She treated me like a King when we were together. I was her first, but wouldn’t be her last. She exploded just thinking about my. Bonnie had become totally enamored with him despite Ellie taking her aside."Bonnie, Honey, I know you think the world and all of Dr. Grafton, but..." Isn't he wonderful, Ellie?" she beamed."Well, yes, of course, but..." But what?" Well, he's divorced and..." I know." Well, he sort of has a reputation." What kind of reputation?" As a -- ladies man."Bonnie laughed. "Oh, Ellie, he's just been very nice to me. He knows I'm married." Just the same, I'd tread lightly if I were you. You did say your.