Page 30 (1/2)

“That er,” warned the ambassador “The Soviets are no

t known for rushing into anything, especially if it wasn’t their idea in the first place It ah, because I can tell you the Politburo has been surprised by the support you’ve received from the international community However, the other side of that coin is that you’re now considered … persona non grata”

He led his guest down a marble corridor, dominated by portraits of British monarchs who had not suffered the sa double door was pulled open by two servants, although the aht into his study, took his place behind a large uncluttered desk, and waved Harry into the seat opposite him

“I have given instructions that we are not to be disturbed,” said Trevelyan as he selected a key from a chain and unlocked his desk drawer

He pulled out a file and extracted a single sheet of paper which he handed to Harry “Take your time, Mr Clifton You are not under the same restrictions that Sir Alan imposed on you”

Harry began to study a random list of names, addresses, and telephone nuic to theone over it a second time, he said, “I think I have it, sir”

The incredulous look on the aested that he wasn’t convinced “Well, let’s be sure, shall we?” He retrieved the list and replaced it with a couple of sheets of embassy notepaper and a fountain pen

Harry took a deep breath and began to write out the twelve names, nine addresses, and twenty-one telephone numbers Once he’d completed the task, he handed his effort back to the aainst the original

“You spelt Pengelly with one ‘1’ instead of two”

Harry frowned

“Perhaps you’d be kind enough to repeat the exercise, Mr Clifton,” the aht to Harry’s first effort

Harry completed his second attempt far more quickly

“Bravo,” said the a it “I only wish you were a member of my staff Now, as we can assume the Soviets will have read the note I left at your hotel, perhaps we shouldn’t disappoint them” He pressed a button under his desk and a few ain and two members of staff dressed in white linen jackets and black trousers entered, pushing a trolley

Over a breakfast of hot coffee, brown toast, Oxfordthat had been produced by a chicken, the two land’s chances in the forthcoainst the South Africans—Harry felt that England would win, the a—Harry in favor, the a they were able to agree on They never once touched on the real reason they were having breakfast together

When the trolley was reive h to carry out the exercise one more time?”