is all supposed to be kept in a deep tank until decisions are made!"
"Somebody jumped the gun," said Drew.
"The sprinters began running before the starter's pistol was fired."
"Have you any idea what you're saying?"
"Oh, yes, I certainly do."
"Then, goddammit, tell me! I have a meeting at ten o'clock with the Secretary of State and the DCI-"
"Be careful what you say," interrupted Latham rapidly.
"What in God's name does that mean?"
"The Agency's AA-Zero computers were compromised. The Briiderschaft-that's the name the ncos call themselves-knew all about Harry's operation. Code Sting, objectives, even the projected time of his mission-two years plus. It was all picked up from Langley."
"This is shit-kicking nuts!" roared the director of Con sOp
"How did you find out?"
"From a woman named De Vries, whose husband was Harry's runner in the old East Berlin. He was killed by the Stasi, and she's on our side. She works at the embassy now, and says she has a few scores to terminate. I believe her."
"Can you be certain?"
"Nothing's in cement, but I think so."
"What does Moreau think?"
"Moreau?"
"Yes, of course. Claude Moreau, the Deuxi&me."
"I thought you had Harry's list."
4"So ?"
"He's on it. I was ordered not to tell him anything."
Following a short gasp, the silence from Washington was electrifying. Finally, Sorenson spoke quietly, ominously.
"Who gave you that order? Courtland?"
"Presumably relayed from on high.. .. Wait a minute. You have Harry's list-"
"I have a list that was sent to me."
"Then you've got Moreau's name. Did you miss it?"
"No, because it's not there. "what .. . ?"
"It was understood that for maximum security, certain names were 'selectively withheld."
"From you?"
"Those were the words."
"They're bullshit!
"Yes, I know."
"Can you think of a reason-any reason?"
"I'm trying to, believe me.. .. Among the upper echelons it's common knowledge that Moreau and I worked closely together-"
"Yes, you mentioned Istanbul-"
"That was our last posting; there were others. We were a good team and whenever it was feasible, the analysts in Washington and Paris paired us."
"Would that be reason enough to exclude -him from your list?"
"Possibly," replied the director of Cons-Op, now barely audible.
"The argument could be made, but not convincingly. You see, he saved my life in Istanbul."
"We all try to do that kind of thing if we're in a position to, usually on the assumption that the favor might be returned someday."
"That's why it's not a convincing argument. Still, a bond is indelibly formed isn't it?"
"Within limits and depending on the circumstances.", "Well said."
"It's axiomatic.. .. I'm to reach Moreau this afternoon. There's a lead on -a rental car our actor picked up 'playing secret agent.
What should I do?"
"Normally," began Sorenson, "even abnormally, I'd consider Claude's name on that list to be ludicrous."
"Agreed," interrupted Latham.
"Yet Harry brought it out. The fact that he's your brother notwithstanding-"
"Again axiomatic," Drew broke in curtly.
"I find it extremely difficult to believe Harry could be fooled, and turned is out of the question."
"Again-agreed," mumbled Latham.
"So where are we? If your woman friend is genuine, the Agency's been penetrated, and there's obviously someone in either French intelligence or our own who spotted Moreau's name and by extension doesn't trust me."
"That's ludicrous!" said Drew, raising his voice and instantly lowering it as heads turned at several tables in front of his booth.
"It's a hell of a shock, I'll say that much."
"I'm going to call Harry in London. Tell him our thoughts."
"He's sequestered."
"Not to me. When he was fourteen and I was eight, to get away from me and read one of his goddamned books, he climbed a tree and got stuck. I said I'd rescue him if he promised never to avoid me again-he was kind of a wimp about climbing down, you know what I mean?"
"On such oaths are the secrets of the world nullified. If you reach him, for God's sake, call me back. If you can't -and it sticks in my craw to say it-follow the ambassador's order. Cooperate with Claude, but keep silent."
Drew pressed the button marked Finis, touched the Parlez, and dialed. The operator at the Gloucester hotel in London, after repeated rings, observed that Mr. Wendell Moss was not in his room. Latham left a simple message.
"Call Paris. Keep calling."
And Karin de Vries arrived, practically racing between the tables.
1, Thank God you're here!" she cried, sitting down quickly, her words whispered, intense.
"It's all over the street and the embassy's in an uproar. A French government car was attacked by terrorists below us in the Gabriel!" Karin abruptly stopped, aware of the blank look in Drew's eyes. She frowned in silence, her lips forming