a circumstantial confirmation of the fact. I read on.
As a consequence, I feel that I must ask you to do the best you can at the moment. I would like to be able to tell you to engage additional assistance in any case. I am afraid, however, that the turnover being handled through the Milan office does not warrant the expenditure. I heartily approve of your actions with regard to the girl engaged by Bellinetti (without permission I may add) and to the increased wages for the boy; but we must go cautiously. Bellinetti’s salary is not, as you know, insignificant, while your own is also chargeable to the Milan office.
While we are on the subject of turnover (this, I thought, was a rather skilful juxtaposition of ideas) I should like to remind you of our conversation when you were in Wolverhampton concerning the works extension. This, I am glad to say, has been completed since you left, and we should be in production shortly. The great thing now is to get it busy and keep it busy. I want you to make every effort to make fresh contacts at your end. Our German competitors are, I know, doing quite well in Italy, which means that there is the business to be had. I suggest in this connection that you draw freely on your “ special appropriation.” When in Milan do as Rome does! (I could see him beaming happily over this jest.) I do not want the money wasted, naturally; but Spartacus has a name for generosity which you will do well to maintain. I look forward to your news with interest.
The rest was kind regards, best wishes and a huge signature.
My first reaction was one of irritation. How on earth could I be expected to make new contacts? I had not yet had time to make sure of the old ones. And then another thought put that aspect of the business out of my head. It had been Fitch who had explained to me the details of what he referred to with mournful jocularity as the “corruption fund.” Mr. Pelcher had used the word “appropriation.” So had Vagas. Ferning had possibly told him about it. It was also possible that Ferning’s successes on behalf of Spartacus had had something to do with Vagas. Vagas had hinted as much himself. In that case my solitary efforts were not going to prove very productive by comparison. It would end by my being in the absurd position of having to explain to Mr. Pelcher that Ferning had only been able to get business by doing a little espionage on the side. The fact that I should be totally unable to produce any proof that this preposterous assertion were true would make it look like a very silly and rather churlish excuse. Mr. Pelcher would probably say, “ De mortuis nil nisi bonum.”
And there was another disquieting thought. What Vagas had given Vagas could probably take away; and if he had been responsible for Ferning’s securing valuable contracts, my failure to fall in with his wishes might even lead to a loss of existing turnover. Mr. Pelcher would not like that at all. Neither should I. Even if I were able to secure new business to make up for the loss, my commission arrangement only held good for turnover over and above the original figure.
I shrugged. It was, after all, mere supposition and too early yet to start complaining. What I had to do was to make the best of things as they were and do my best to get new business. It would, I reflected on a sudden wave of optimism, be nice to be able to present Mr. Pelcher with the Commendatore’s eight hundred thousand lire order. I should certainly see the Commendatore in the morning.
I undressed, got into bed and closed my eyes.
It had been a tiring day-another tiring day-and I hadn’t written to Claire since Tuesday. That was something I must do without fail to-morrow-write to Claire. I had a lot to tell her. The question was whether it was wise to put it in a letter. Probably not. But still…
My feet began to get warm. The warmth stole up my legs to my body. Vagas could say what he liked about the Parigi, but the beds were comfortable. I felt drowsy. I ought to see about my passport again in the morning. What a lot there was to do! Rome-Berlin axis. What an odd idea that of Zaleshoff’s! A world turning on an axis not its own. You would get a sort of cam action. Did people ever use eccentric spheres for anything? Probably not. There was no point in such a thing. It was useless. A pity that. There ought to be some use for a spherical cam. Perhaps I could find a use for it, some way of transmitting power with lower losses. The Marlow Spherical Cam Action. Patents Applied For in All Countries and the U. S. Absurd!
And then, as I drew nearer to sleep, two sentences of Zaleshoff’s began to recur in my mind. Vagas is working overtime. I eased my pillow until it was wedged under my shoulder. As long as the Ovra don’t see that you’re in touch with him, you’re all right. I began to regulate their rhythm to my breathing. Then, as my mind slid gently below the surface of consciousness, I forgot both the sentences.
I was to be reminded of the second before many hours had passed.
On my way to the Commendatore’s office at the Ordnance Department the following morning, I called at the Consulate for news of my passport.
There was no news. The fact did not surprise me. It was obvious that the Consulate was doing its best to get satisfaction, but there wasn’t much to be said to the police authorities’ blank assurances that the passport had been mislaid. The Consul couldn’t very well express disbelief and insist upon searching the Amministrazione with his own hands. I was again assured that if I wished to leave the country I could be furnished with a Document of Identity to take me across the frontiers. I expressed my thanks politely and went my way. There was nothing else I could do.
From the fuss attending my application to see him, I concluded that the Commendatore was even more important a person than Vagas’ references to him had seemed to me to imply. Lips were pursed doubtfully. Had I an appointment with the Commendatore? No? Ah, then, it was difficult. It would be best if I wrote for an appointment. I persisted. Eventually, on the understanding that I knew the Commendatore personally and that, although I had no definite appointment with him, he was expecting me, I was allowed to fill in a form stating my name and business. I put down my name, hesitated, then wrote across the space left for the description of my business: “The subject of your conversation with General Vagas.” I sat down prepared for a long wait, but two minutes later I was ushered by a uniformed secretary through a pair of tall double doors into the Commendatore’s office.
In his carpeted office, behind his expensive desk and without his wife, Commendatore Bernabo looked considerably more impressive than I had thought at first. He was dressed in a dark suit with a flower in the buttonhole. He frowned, fingered the flower, then motioned me to a chair. We disposed of the usual courtesies. He twirled his moustache a trifle impatiently and became businesslike.
“What can I do for you, Signore?”
This, I decided, was mere fencing. Obviously he had understood my message.
“General Vagas was, I believe, good enough to intimate to you, Commendatore, that my company might be of assistance to you.”
“And so?”
“And so I should very much like to be given the opportunity of tendering for the machinery you need. I don’t think I need enlarge on the reputation of the Spartacus S2 machine. Your government has already displayed its confidence in that connection.”
He nodded, but said nothing. It was heavy going, but I went on.
“Naturally, Commendatore, I appreciate that you have a personal responsibility in seeing that the best material is secured.” I placed a slight emphasis on the word “personal.” I wanted to get the conversation on a more confidential footing.
“Naturally it must be of the best.”
I tried a more direct method of attack.
“I am prepared to offer personal guarantees to you, Commendatore, concerning the quality of the Spartacus machine.”
He pulled at his moustaches thoughtfully. Then his eyes met mine for a second. “And when would these guarantees be forthcoming, Signore?”
This was distinctly better.
“On the signing of the contract, Commendatore.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Not before?”
“A provisional guarantee might be arranged, Commendatore, as evidence of our confidence in the matter. The figure two was mentioned by General Vagas. If we were perhaps to say one per cent. in cash as a provisional guarantee and the remainder…?”
He held up his hand. “I understand perfectly, Signore. I am agreeable to that course. You may submit your tender. Good morning.” He stood up and extended his hand.
“Thank you, Commendatore. Perhaps you would be so good as to arrange for me to have specifications in order that we may submit our estimate.”
He looked puzzled. “Specifications, Signore? I do not understand you. They were given to General Vagas for
