Человек в высоком замке

           Heseatedhimselfontheconsul’sdesk,tookawadoffoldedpaperfromhiscoatpocket,unfoldedthepaperlaboriously,hislipsmoving."CovernameisBaynes.PosingasaSwedishindustrialistorsalesmanorsomethingconnectedwithmanufacturing.Receivedphonecallthismorningateight-tenfromJapaneseofficialregardingappointmentatten-twentyintheJap’soffice.We’representlytryingtotracethecall.Probablywillhaveittracedinanotherhalfhour.They’llnotifymehere."

           "Isee,"Reisssaid.

           "Now,wemaypickupthisfellow,"KreuzvomMeerecontinued."Ifwedo,we’llnaturallysendhimbacktotheReichaboardthenextLufthansaplane.However,theJapsorSacramentomayprotestandtrytoblockit.They’llprotesttoyou,iftheydo.Infact,theymaybringenormouspressuretobear.Andthey’llrunatruckloadofthoseTokkokatoughstotheairport."

           "Youcan’tkeepthemfromfindingout?"

           "Toolate.He’sonhiswaytothisappointment.Wemayhavetopickhimuprightthereonthespot.Runin,grabhim,runout."

           "Idon’tlikethat,"Reisssaid."Supposehisappointmentiswithsomeextremelyhigh-placeJapofficials?TheremaybeanEmperor’spersonalrepresentativeinSanFrancisco,rightnow.Iheardarumortheotherday—"

           KreuzvomMeereinterrupted."Itdoesn’tmatter.He’saGermannational.SubjecttoReichslaw."

           AndweknowwhatReichslawis,Reissthought.

           "IhaveaKommandosquadready,"KreuzvomMeerewenton."Fivegoodmen."Hechuckled.