Человек в высоком замке

           Historicitybondedintonylontileoffloor.

           Mr.Ramseymethiminside."YourcourageistopicforpanegyricdownbelowattheTimes,"hebegan."Anarticledepicting—"MakingoutMr.Tagomi’sexpressionhebrokeoff.

           "Answerregardingpressingmatters,"Mr.Tagomisaid."GeneralTedeki?Thatis,quondamMr.Yatabe?"

           "OncarefullyobscureflightbacktoTokyo.Redherringsstrewnhitherandyon."Mr.Ramseycrossedhisfingers,symbolizingtheirhope.

           "PleaserecountregardingMr.Baynes."

           "Idon’tknow.Duringyourabsenceheappearedbriefly,evenfurtively,butdidnottalk."Mr.Ramseyhesitated."PossiblyhereturnedtoGermany."

           "FarbetterforhimtogototheHomeIslands,"Mr.Tagomisaid,mostlytohimself.Inanycase,itwaswiththeoldgeneralthattheirconcern,ofimportantnature,lay.Anditisbeyondmyscope,Mr.Tagomithought.Myself,myoffice;theymadeuseofmehere,whichnaturallywasproperandgood.Iwastheir—whatisitdeemed?Theircover.

           Iamamask,concealingthereal.Behindme,hidden,actualitygoeson,safefrompryingeyes.

           Odd,hethought.Vitalsometimestobemerelycardboardfront,likecarton.Bitofsatorithere,ifIcouldlayholdofit.Purposeinoverallschemeofillusion,couldwebutfathom.Lawofeconomy:nothingiswaste.Eventheunreal.Whatasublimityintheprocess.

           MissEphreikianappeared,hermanneragitated."Mr.Tagomi.Theswitchboardsentme."

           "Becool,miss,"Mr.Tagomisaid.Thecurrentoftimeurgesusalong,hethought.