Человек в высоком замке

           They’llbeherewithinfifteenminutesofthetimewepickthisWegenerup."Hehadlosthisjoking,clowningmanner.

           "Nostringquintetviolinists,"Reisssaid.

           KreuzvomMeeredidnotanswer."We’llhavehimsometimethismorning,sobeready.YoucantelltheJapsthathe’sahomosexualoraforger,orsomethinglikethat.Wantedforamajorcrimebackhome.Don’ttellthemhe’swantedforpoliticalcrimes.Youknowtheydon’trecognizeninetypercentofNationalSocialistlaw."

           "Iknowthat,"Reisssaid."Iknowwhattodo."Hefeltirritableandputupon.Wentovermyhead,hesaidtohimself.Asusual.ContactedtheChancery.Thebastards.

           Hishandswereshaking.CallfromDoctorGoebbels;didthatdoit?Awedbythemighty?Orisitresentment,feelingofbeinghemmedin…goddamthesepolice,hethought.Theygetstrongerallthetime.They’vegotGoebbelsworkingforthemalready;they’rerunningtheReich.

           ButwhatcanIdo?Whatcananybodydo?

           Resignedlyhethought,Bettercooperate.Notimetobeonthewrongsideofthisman;hecanprobablygetwhateverhewantsbackhome,andthatmightincludethedismissalofeverybodyhostiletohim.

           "Icansee,"hesaidaloud,"thatyoudidnotexaggeratetheimportanceofthismatter,HerrPolizeifuhrer.Obviously,thesecurityofGermanyherselfhangsonyourquickdetectionofthisspyortraitororwhateverheis."Inwardly,hecringedtohearhischoiceofwords.

           However,KreuzvomMeerelookedpleased."Thankyou,Consul."

           "Youmayhavesavedusall."