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"The Free Quebec Society," said Hunt, turning angry "I can think of no one else who could be responsible"

"I agree, but their guilt may never be proved"

"Why not?" asked Hunt "The FQS are either out of touch with reality or coet aith it The Mounties will never pernitude to escape unpunished As a radical movement they are finished"

"Do not be too optimistic, old friend My atteory as the bos of the last forty years Those were carried out by political a to FQS cells, ere apprehended and convicted The slaughter at James Bay was conceived and directed by professionals That much is known by the fact they left no trace of their existence The best guess by the chief commissioner of the Mounties is that they were hired from outside the country"

Hunt's eyes were steady "The FQS terrorists ht yet push us into a state of civil war"

"That must not come to pass," Sarveux said quietly "I will not allow it"

"It was you who threatened the use of troops to keep the separatists in line"

Sarveux smiled a dry smile "A bluff You are the first to know I never intended a military occupation of Quebec Repression of a hostile people would solve nothing"

Hunt reached in his pocket "I believe I'll have that pipe now"

"Please do"

The two men sat silent while the deputy prime minister puffed his briar bowl to life Finally he blew a blue cloud toward the ceiling

"So what happens now?" asked Hunt

"The Canada we knoill disintegrate while we stand helpless to prevent it," answered Sarveux sadly

"A totally independent Quebec was inevitable from the st

art Sovereignty association was o it alone Ontario and British Colus about nationhood"