Человек в высоком замке

           Sowewillberelievedinanumberofhours,Mr.Tagomisaidtohimself.PossiblybyJapaneseMarinesfromacarrier,armedwithmachinesgunsandmortars.

           Operatingthroughofficialchannelsishighlyefficientintermsoffinalresult…butthereisregrettabletimelag.Downbelowus,blackshirthooligansarebusyclubbingsecretariesandclerks.

           However,therewaslittlemorethathepersonallycoulddo.

           "IwonderifitwouldbeworthtryingtoreachtheGermanconsul,"Mr.Baynessaid.

           Mr.TagomihadavisionofhimselfsummoningMissEphreikianinwithhertaperecorder,totakedictationofurgentprotesttoHerrH.Reiss.

           "IcancallHerrReiss,"Mr.Tagomisaid."Onanotherline."

           "Please,"Mr.Baynessaid.

           StillholdinghisColt.44collector’sitem,Mr.Tagomipressedabuttononhisdesk.Outcameanon-listedphoneline,especiallyinstalledforesotericcommunication.

           HedialedthenumberoftheGermanconsulate.

           "Goodday,Whoiscalling?"Accentedbriskmalefunctionaryvoice.Undoubtedlyunderling.

           Mr.Tagomisaid,"HisExcellencyHerrReiss,please.Urgent.ThisisMr.Tagomi,here.RankingImperialTradeMission,TopPlace."Heusedhishard,no-nonsensevoice.

           "Yessir.Amoment,ifyouwill."Alongmoment,then.Nosoundatallonthephone,notevenclicks.Heismerelystandingtherewithit,Mr.Tagomidecided.StallingthroughtypicalNordicwile.

           ToGeneralTedeki,waitingontheotherphone,andMr.Baynes,pacing,hesaid,"Iamnaturallybeingputoff."

           Atlastthefunctionary"svoiceonceagain.