‘Ideas do not have to be expressed in words to be dangerous, Minister.’
‘We do not hinder truth, Mr Foster — only the facile repetition of lies. But we must have a long undisturbed conversation about such things, for I would be glad to hear your opinions. Tell me, how did you find Madame Deltchev last night? In good health?’
I sensed rather than heard Pashik’s sharply indrawn breath. Brankovitch’s gaze rested on me with unwavering affability.
‘She seemed very well.’
He smiled again. ‘She is not being persecuted?’
‘Not that I’m aware of.’
‘We have tried to spare her as much as possible. Naturally her position is difficult and we have to protect her against possible demonstrations. But I am glad to hear that she is well. You are the only journalist who has interviewed her, I think.’
‘I think so.’
He nodded vaguely. ‘I am so glad to have had this opportunity of meeting you, Mr Foster,’ he said. ‘We must have another talk. Most interesting.’
He nodded again and turned away. The secretary slid past me after him. The interview was at an end.
I looked at Pashik. His face was quite expressionless. He stepped up to me.
‘Do you wish to go now, Mr Foster?’
‘Yes, I think so.’
‘You did not tell me that you had seen Madame Deltchev,’ he said as we walked away.
‘No. I thought you’d prefer not to know.’
‘We must hope no harm is done.’
‘What harm can be done?’
He shrugged. ‘Such things attract attention.’
‘Does that matter?’
‘We must hope not. But I would have preferred that you had told me. I could at least have prevented the embarrassment.’
‘What embarrassment? The sentries on the house looked at my permit. They reported. What of it?’
‘You do not understand.’
‘I’m afraid I don’t. I think you’re over-anxious, as I’ve said before.’
‘I think my opinion about that may be better informed, Mr Foster.’
‘I’m sorry, Pashik. I certainly have no wish to compromise you, but I have a job to do.’
‘I have the responsibility, Mr Foster.’
‘You must try to shoulder it.’
Before he could answer, there were quick footsteps behind us. Pashik turned round as if he expected to be attacked. It was Sibley.
‘Hullo there,’ he said breezily; ‘how are you, Foster? And you, Georghi my friend? What a dreadful party! When are we going to have that drink? Now? I feel the need.’
‘Please excuse me,’ said Pashik hastily, ‘I must go to my office. Mr Foster, you have messages to send.’
‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’
He hesitated. We had reached the door. He gave up. ‘Very well. Good night, Mr Foster. Good night, Mr Sibley.’
‘Good night.’
He went, leaving a slip-stream of malodorous disapproval.
Sibley chuckled. ‘Poor little man,’ he said.
CHAPTER NINE
We went to a nearby cafe and ordered drinks. Then Sibley disappeared to make a telephone call. When he came back the drinks had arrived. He picked his up, peered into it as if it were a crystal ball, then downed it at a gulp.
‘Well, what do you think?’ he said grimly.
‘About this evening’s performance?’
‘Performance! Exactly.’ He snapped his fingers at the waiter for another drink. ‘Incredible, isn’t it?’
‘In what way do you mean?’
‘Oh, all of it. That old, old routine! Prejudice, friends? Not a bit of it! Anyway, judge for yourselves, friends. Here are the simple facts given as simply as we know how — the facts about the Brotherhood. What has that to do with Deltchev? Who said it had anything to do with him? You’re drawing the conclusions, friends, not us. We’re only giving you the nasty facts. And to show you that the facts are really nasty we’ll pull an old atrocity story out of the bag. Castration and rape, friends! Yes, we thought that’d get you where it hurts. What has that to do with Deltchev? Well, we don’t say definitely that it has anything to do with him but — well, you’re drawing the conclusions and we can’t stop you, can we? In fact, although we’re not exactly saying so, the same ugly thought is beginning to cross our minds now. How clever of you to think of it first, friends! But it does seem fantastic, doesn’t it? Though, wait! Isn’t there a historical precedent that fits the situation like a glove? Of course it does. In fact, there is one point of coincidence we didn’t mention. When Murat decided to destroy the Carbonari he gave the job to his police chief. The police chief destroyed a lot of people, and Murat thought the job was done until he found out that the police chief had always been a Carbonaro himself and that the Cousins were stronger than ever. Strange, isn’t it, friends? How clever of you to remember without our telling you! Any more questions? Yes? Well, let’s not get into tiresome arguments. Let’s have some caviare and a nice glass of aerated cat water. They make me tired.’ He swallowed another large plum brandy and sat back.
‘Another drink?’
‘For God’s sake, yes.’ He leaned forward, his face slightly flushed, his lips still wet with brandy. ‘How does one deal with it, Foster?’
‘Brankovitch’s press conference?’ I signalled to the waiter.
‘All of it. The whole phoney business. Perhaps it’s all right for you. You’ve got plenty of time. A series of articles, weeks hence. But I’m supposed to be sending news. All I’ve got through so far are those damned official bulletins. I suppose Pashik sends those to your people?’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you know what I’d like to do?’ His dull, hot eyes brooded on mine.
‘No, what?’
‘I’d like to put it across them. I’d like to split the whole damn business wide open.’ He frowned suddenly as if with irritation at himself. ‘Take no notice. I had drinks before the party.’ He smiled slyly and lowered his voice. ‘Can you keep a secret, Foster?’
‘Yes.’
‘The funny thing is I can do it.’
‘Do what?’
‘What I said — break it open.’ He looked round cautiously and leaned farther forward. ‘I’ve found a way round this bloody censorship.’
‘Oh, yes?’ My heart began to beat rather unpleasantly.
‘I can’t tell you the details because I swore not to, but there’s a little man in the Propaganda Ministry who doesn’t like the regime any more than we do and he’ll play. Of course, if he was found out he’d be lucky if they hanged him quickly, but he’s prepared to take the risk. There’s only one snag.’ He paused. I waited. ‘He can’t do it more than once and the deadline’s tomorrow.’
‘That should give you time.’
‘It’s a risk.’ He frowned at the table as the waiter put fresh drinks down. ‘A big risk. If I’m caught, I’m out. Of course, that wouldn’t matter to you. It’s not your living. But, by God, it’s a risk I’d like to take.’
‘The little man in the Propaganda Ministry must think it worth while.’
