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“Are you sure?” Sam repeated

“As sure as I am that Bristol Rovers will never win the Cup”

“Who are Bristol Rovers?”

“We don’t know each other well enough for me to burden you with their probleiven time, a lot of tiularly ruin Saturday afternoons for me,” he added as they reached Fifth Avenue

When Harry walked into the offices of the Viking Press, a young wo in reception

“Good ’s secretary, stepping forward to greet hi howis looking forward to seeing you”

“Thank you, Kirsty,” said Harry She led hih to the publisher’s oak-panelled office, adorned with photographs of past and present authors: Heerald, and Faulkner He wondered if you had to die before your picture could be added to the Guinzburg collection

Despite being nearly seventy, Guinzburg leapt up from behind his desk the moment Harry entered the room Harry had to s a half-hunter pocket watch with a gold chain, Guinzburg looked lish

“So how’s my favorite author?”

Harry laughed as they shook hands “And how reet authors with those words?” he asked as he sank down in the high, buttoned-back leather chair facing his publisher

“A week?” said Guinzburg “At least three times a day, sometimes more—especially when I can’t remember their names” Harry smiled “However, I can prove it’s true in your case, because after reading William Warwick and the Defrocked Vicar, I’ve decided the first print run will be eighty thousand copies”

Harry opened his mouth, but didn’t speak His last William Warwick novel had sold 72,000 copies so he ell aware of the co

“Let’s hope there won’t be too many returns”

“The advance orders rather suggest that eighty thousand won’t be enough But forgivesaid, “first tell e a triu the New York Ti”

“Emma couldn’t be better, and sends her love At thisup the brass-work on the bridge As for theshe’ll be quite relieved there’s no h the whole experience iven me an idea for my next novel”