Человек в высоком замке

           "Sir,theGermanconsulishere.Hewantstospeaktoyou."SheglancedfromhimtoMr.Ramseyandback,herfaceunnaturallypale."Theysayhewashereinthebuildingearlier,too,buttheyknewyou—"

           Mr.Tagomiwavedhersilent."Mr.Ramsey.Pleaserecollectformetheconsul’sname."

           "FreiherrHugoReiss,sir."

           "NowIrecall."Well,hethought,evidentlyMr.Childandidmeafavorafterall.Bydecliningtoreacceptthegun.

           Carryinghisbriefcase,helefthisofficeandwalkedoutintothecorridor.

           Therestoodaslightlybuilt,well-dressedwhite.Close-cutorangehair,shinyblackEuropeanleatherOxfords,erectposture.Andeffeminateivorycigaretteholder.Nodoubthe.

           "HerrH.Reiss?"Mr.Tagomisaid.

           TheGermanbowed.

           "Hasbeenfact,"Mr.Tagomisaid,"thatyouandIhaveintimespastconductedbusinessbymail,phone,etcetera.Butneveruntilnowsawfacetoface."

           "Anhonor,"HerrReisssaid,advancingtowardhim."Evenconsideringtheirritatinglydistressingcircumstances."

           "Iwonder,"Mr.Tagomisaid.

           TheGermanraisedaneyebrow.

           "Excuseme,"Tagomisaid."Mycognitionhazedoverduetothoseindicatedcircumstances.Frailtyofclay-madesubstance,onemightconclude."

           "Awful,"HerrReisssaid.Heshookhishead."WhenIfirst—"

           Mr.Tagomisaid,"Beforeyoubeginlitany,letmespeak."

           "Certainly."

           "IpersonallyshotyourtwoSDmen,"Mr.Tagomisaid.