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instruments."
"You have a reason?"Sherman asked, frowning.
"A very good one, my dear general.We are now in the heartland of a country
which, while not an enemy country, would still object to the presence of
foreign observers inside their military establishments. I am sure that Mr. Fox
here will agree that the authorities would not take kindly to the presence of
what they would surely see as spies in their midst. CommanderJohnstone will be
coming aboard soon, and our little ship must be Russian to the core. There are
English as well as Russian books in my cabin but that is to be expected. Mr.
Fox, might I ask you to undertake a delicate task for me?"
"And that is?"
"Would you I do not dare say 'search' would you see to it that none of you
possess any English documents? Or anything else such as clothing labels that
might identify you as Americans."
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"That is a most reasonable request."
His mien was most serious;Sherman nodded grim agreement. If they were
discovered, it would be a severe and momentous disaster.
Dinner was a time of great stress. CommanderJohnstone was no empty-headed
aristocrat like the Honorable RichardMacTavish . He was a professor of
navigation, well versed in astronomy and mathematics, and he shrewdly examined
the three disguised officers when he was introduced to them.Johnstone only
sipped his champagne as he and the Count became involved in a technical
discussion of Russian and British naval merits. When the meal was finally
finished and the port passed around the table, the Count gave them blessed
relief.
"I'm afraid thatChikhachev here must relieveSimenov on the bridge whileTyrtov
andMakarov have their duties to perform."
"A pleasure to meet you gentlemen,"Johnstone said; there was much heel
clicking in return. As they filed out,Johnstone spoke to the Count. "You must
write down their names for me for the invitations. Your arrival at this time
was most fortuitous. There will be a formal dinner at the college tomorrow,
celebrating the Queen's birthday. You and they will be our honored guests."
Shermanclosed the door on the English officer's voice and muttered a savage
oath. Fox nodded agreement as they went down the passageway.
"Dangerous. Very dangerous indeed," Fox said darkly.
CountKorzhenevski summoned them to the wardroom as soon as his guest had
departed.
"This is going to be a situation where we must tread carefully," he said.
"Any way of avoiding it?"Shermanasked.
"I am afraid not. But we can better the odds. Commander Wilson, for a number
of reasons, should stay aboard. LieutenantSimenov will abandon the engine room
and go in his place. Mr. Fox is skilled in these matters and will play his
role well. So it will be up to you, General Sherman, to be an actor in a game
that is far removed from your career in the field."
"I do not understand."
"Let me clarify. If I am correct, when you as an officer are involved in
combat, you receive reports, make decisions, and act upon them. It is legend
that in the thick of battle you are the most cool, the most courageous of men.
Now you must summon up your intelligence to face a different kind of battle.
You must do the part of a middle-aged Russian naval officer who may well have
faced some of your fellow diners in battle. You don't likethem, perhaps you
are suspicious of their true intent in having you there. We Russians can be
very gloomy and suspicious and that is how you must feel. Not displaying these
emotions at all times, but feeling them. Do you understand?"
"I think that I do. It is something like being in a play, acting a role."
"Perfectly expressed," Fox said happily. "I think that tomorrow you will do
fine, just fine."
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The meal, while a strain, went as well as could be expected. They were seated
with the junior officers, far from the high table with its admirals and even a
marine general. Toasts were drunk to the Queen, something the Americans had
mixed feelings about. It was noisy and hot, which made it very easy to drink
too much, so caution had to be shown.Sherman was seated across from a veteran
naval captain who had many decorations and much gold bullion on his uniform.
After his first terse nod of greeting, the captain had ignored the Russians
and attended to the eating and drinking. Now, very much in his cups, he began
to take a firm dislike toSherman .
"You speak English,Russki ? Do you know what I am saying?"
He raised his voice as though volume would increase comprehension.
"Nyet,nyet ,"Shermansaid, then turned away and sipped from his wineglass.
"I'll bet you do. Sitting there and eavesdropping on your betters."
Fox saw what was happening and tried to defuse the situation."Pardonnez-moi,
monsieur," Fox said."Moncompagnonneparle pasanglais .Parlez-vousfrançais?"
"And none of that frogtalk either. Your lot should not be here. We whipped
you like curs in theCrimea , now you come crawling around like spies..."
Korzhenevski, farther down the table, stood up quickly and barked what
sounded like an order in Russian. LieutenantSimenov pushed his chair back from
the table and jumped to his feet; Fox and Sherman saw what was happening and
stood as well.
"I am afraid that our presence here is an embarrassment and that we must
leave," the Count said.
"You'll leave when you are damn well told to leave," the captain shouted,
climbing unsteadily to his feet.
It was CommanderJohnstone who appeared suddenly and tried hard to calm the
situation.
"This isnot the time nor place for this "
"I agree, Mark,"Korzhenevski said, pointing his thumb toward the door. "It
would be wisest, though, if my officers and I just left. Thank you for your
kindness."
They beat a quick retreat, anxious to be clear of the situation, relieved
when the door closed behind them to cut off the captain's drunken shouts.
"That was not good,"Korzhenevski said as soon as they were out of the
building. "There is still much bad feeling here about theCrimea , and this
sort of thing only stirs up old hatreds. We don't dare sail tonight, much as I
would like to.Too suspicious. But we will start back downriver in the morning
as soon as I can get a pilot."
No one slept well that night. At dawn, one by one, they assembled in the main
cabin, where the steward had set out a steaming pot of fresh coffee.
"I shall return with the pilot as soon as is possible," the Count said. He
put down his cup and slapped his side pocket, which clanked heavily. "I am [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]