Человек в высоком замке

           Onmymother’sbody—Igiveyoumyword.I’llbespeciallyconsiderate,andifyouwanttomakeanissueoutofmyexperience—I’llgiveyoutheadvantageofthat.You’llloseyourjitters;Icanrelaxyouandimproveyou,innotverymuchtime,either.You’vejusthadbadluck."

           Shenodded,cheeredabit.Butshestillfeltcoldandsad,andshestilldidnotknowquitewhy.

           Tobeginhisday,Mr.NobusukeTagomitookamomenttobealone.HesatinhisofficeintheNipponTimesBuildingandcontemplated.

           Already,beforehehadlefthishousetocometohisoffice,hehadreceivedIto’sreportonMr.Baynes.Therewasnodoubtintheyoungstudent’smind;Mr.BayneswasnotaSwede.Mr.BayneswasmostcertainlyaGermannational.

           ButIto’sabilitytohandleGermaniclanguageshadneverimpressedeithertheTradeMissionsortheTokkoka,theJapanesesecretpolice.Thefoolpossiblyhassniffedoutnothingtospeakof,Mr.Tagomithoughttohimself.Maladroitenthusiasm,combinedwithromanticdoctrines.Detect,alwayswithsuspicion.

           Anyhow,theconferencewithMr.BaynesandtheelderlyindividualfromtheHomeIslandswouldbeginsoon,induecourse,whatevernationalMr.Bayneswas.AndMr.Tagomilikedtheman.Thatwas,hedecided,conceivablythebasictalentofthemanhighlyplaced—suchashimself.Toknowagoodmanwhenhemethim.Intuitionaboutpeople.Cutthroughallceremonyandoutwardform.Penetratetotheheart.

           Theheart,lockedwithintwoyinlinesofblackpassion.