Человек в высоком замке

           Aheavysetmiddle-agedJapaneseman,well-dressedinaBritishovercoat,pointedOxfords,bowler,stoodalittleaheadoftheothers,withayoungerJapanesebesidehim.OnhiscoatlapelheworethebadgeoftherankingPacificTradeMissionoftheImperialGovernment.Thereheis,Baynesrealized.Mr.N.Tagomi,comepersonallytomeetme.

           Startingforward,theJapanesecalled,"HerrBaynes—goodevening."Hisheadtiltedhesitantly.

           "Goodevening,Mr.Tagomi,"Baynessaid,holdingouthishand.Theyshook,thenbowed.TheyoungerJapanesealsobowed,beaming.

           "Bitcold,sir;onthisexposedfield,"Mr.Tagomisaid."WeshallbeginreturntriptodowntowncitybyMissionhelicopter.Isthatso?Ordoyouneedtousethefacilities,andsoforth?"HescrutinizedMr.Baynes’faceanxiously.

           "Wecanstartrightnow,"Baynessaid."Iwanttocheckinatmyhotel.Mybaggage,however—"

           "Mr.Kotomichiwillattendtothat,"Mr.Tagomisaid."Hewillfollow.Yousee,sir,atthisterminalittakesalmostanhourwaitinginlinetoclaimbaggage.Longerthanyourtrip."

           Mr.Kotomichismiledagreeably.

           "Allright,"Baynessaid.

           Mr.Tagomisaid,"Sir,Ihaveagifttograft."

           "Ibegyourpardon?"Baynessaid.

           "Toinviteyourfavorableattitude."Mr.Tagomireachedintohisovercoatpocketandbroughtoutasmallbox."Selectedfromamongthefinestobjectsd’artofAmericaavailable."Heheldoutthebox.

           "Well,"Baynessaid."Thanks."Heacceptedthebox