Человек в высоком замке

           "TheSanFranciscoPoliceDepartmentsummonedme,"HerrReisssaid,blowingoffensive-smellingcigarettesmokearoundthemboth."ForhoursI’vebeendownattheKearnyStreetStationandatthemorgue,andthenI’vebeenreadingovertheaccountyourpeoplegavetotheinvestigatingpoliceinspectors.Absolutelydreadful,this,fromstarttofinish."Mr.Tagomisaidnothing.

           "However,"HerrReisscontinued,"thecontentionthatthehoodlumsareconnectedwiththeReichhasn’tbeenestablished.AsfarasI’mconcernedthewholematterisinsane.I’msureyouactedabsolutelyproperly,Mr.Tagori."

           "Tagomi."

           "Myhand,"theconsulsaid,extendinghishand."Let’sshakeagentlemen’sagreementtodropthis.It’sunworthy,especiallyinthesecriticaltimeswhenanystupidpublicitymightinflamethemobmind,tothedetrimentofbothournations’interests."

           "Guiltnonethelessisonmysoul,"Mr.Tagomisaid."Blood,HerrReiss,canneverbeeradicatedlikeink."

           Theconsulseemednonplused.

           "Icraveforgiveness,"Mr.Tagomisaid."Youcannotgiveittome,though.Possiblynoonecan.IintendtoreadfamousdiarybyMassachusetts’ancientdivine,GoodmanC.Mather.Deals,Iamtold,withguiltandhell-fire,etal."

           Theconsulsmokedhiscigaretterapidly,intentlystudyingMr.Tagomi.

           "Allowmetonotifyyou,"Mr.Tagomisaid,"thatyournationisabouttodescendintogreatervilenessthanever.