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So now James Bond paused before he replied to Major Townsend's question about how he could be of help He looked at the Soft Man and then into the fire He added up the accuracy of the description he had been given of Major Townsend's appearance, and before he said what he had been told to say, he gave Colonel Boris ninety out of a hundred The big, friendly face, the wide-apart, pale-brown eyes, bracketed by the wrinkles of a million s fro sandy hair, the immaculate double-breasted blue suit, stiff white collar and brigade tie--it was all there But what Colonel Boris hadn't said was that the friendly eyes were as cold and steady as gunbarrels and that the lips were thin and scholarly

James Bond said patiently: "It's really quite si what I naturally would do, and that's report back to M"

"Quite But you must realize"--a sympathetic smile-- "that you've been out of contact for nearly a year You've been officially posted as ' believed killed' Your obituary has even appeared in The Times, Have you any evidence of identity? I adraphs, but you must see that we have to be very sure before we pass you on up the ladder"

"A Miss Mary Goodnight was ht So would dozens of other people at HQ"

"Miss Goodnight's been posted abroad Can you give raphy?"

Bond did so

"Right Noas a Miss Maria Freudenstadt?"

"Was?"

"Yes, she's dead"

"Thought she wouldn't last long She was a double, working for KGB Section One Hundred controlled her I wouldn't get any thanks for telling you any more"

Major Townsend had been pruned with this very secret top question He had been given the answer, more or less as Bond had put it This was the clincher This had to be Ja on fine Now, it only remains to find out where you've come from and where you've been all these er"

"Sorry I can only tell that to M personally"

"I see" Major Townsend put on a thoughtful expression "Well, just let me make a telephone call or two and I'll see what can be done" He got to his feet "Seen today's Times?" He picked it up and handed it to Bond It had been specially treated to give good prints Bond took it "Shan't be long"

Major Townsend shut the door behind hih the door marked "A," where he knew that "Mr Robson" would be alone "Sorry to bother you, Fred Can I use your scrah the ste Standard racing news

Major Townsend picked up the green receiver and was put through to the laboratory "Major Townsend speaking Any coh to the Chief Security Officer at Headquarters "Well, sir, I think ityou his prints as soon as he's gone Wearing his usual rig--dark-blue single-breasted suit, white shirt, thin black knitted silk tie, black casuals-- but they all look brand-new Raincoat bought yesterday froht, but says he won't say anything about himself except to M personally But whoever he is, I don't like it ot an odd sort of glazed, sort of faraway look, and the 'scope' shows that he's carrying a gun inhis right-hand coat pocket--curious sort of contraption, doesn't seeot a butt to it I'd say he's a sick man I wouldn't personally recommend that M should see hiet hiood, sir I'll stay by the telephone I'm on Mr Robson's extension"

There was silence in the rooazed into the gas fire, wondering about the ood, sir Would your secretary send along a car fro in the saht posture, The Times still unopened in his hand Major Townsend said cheerfully, "Well, that's fixed Message froht and he'll be free in about half an hour Car should be here in ten minutes or so And the Chief of Staff says he hopes you'll be free for lunch afterwards"

James Bond sht up his eyes He said, "That's very kind of nun Would you tell him I'm afraid I shan't be free"