Человек в высоком замке

           SoclearlyitwastheReichwhomtheTokyoauthoritieshadinmind,notquasi-disloyalcliquesintheHomeIslands.Thekeyphrase,"Skimmilkinhisdiet,"referredtoPinafore,totheeeriesongthatexpoundedthedoctrine,"…Thingsareseldomwhattheyseem—Skimmilkmasqueradesascream."AndtheIChing,whenMr.Tagomihadconsultedit,hadfortifiedhisinsight.Itscommentary:

           Hereastrongmanispresupposed.Itistruehedoesnotfitinwithhisenvironment,inasmuchasheistoobrusqueandpaystoolittleattentiontoform.Butasheisuprightincharacter,hemeetswithresponse…

           Theinsightwas,simply,thatMr.Bayneswasnotwhatheseemed;thathisactualpurposeincomingtoSanFranciscowasnottosignadealforinjectionmolds.That,infact,Mr.Bayneswasaspy.

           Butforthelifeofhim,Mr.Tagomicouldnotfigureoutwhatsortofspy,forwhomorforwhat.

           Atone-fortythatafternoon,RobertChildanwithenormousreluctancelockedthefrontdoorofAmericanArtisticHandcraftsInc.Heluggedhisheavycasestothecurb,hailedapedecab,andtoldthechinktotakehimtotheNipponTimesBuilding.

           Thechink,gaunt-faced,hunchedoverandperspiring,gaspedaplace-consciousacknowledgmentandbeganloadingMr.Childan’sbagsaboard.Then,havingassistedMr.Childanhimselfintothecarpet-linedseat,thechinkclickedonthemeter,mountedhisownseatandpedaledoffalongMontgomeryStreet,amongthecarsandbuses.

           TheentiredayhadbeenspentfindingtheitemforMr.