" Just one of the ifs , one of the marker buoys .sx ... If I had children I would teach them , 'Beware of unswerving loyalty .sx ' " .sx " Swerving loyalty doesn't seem to have been an unqualified success otherwise you wouldn't be going back to England to see if you did the right thing .sx ... " .sx It doesn't look as though I will be going back , " Hanson pulled in his line .sx One of the hooks had gone .sx He began to thread another with nylon .sx " Has it occurred to you that Perfidious Albion might be conspiring against you ?sx Why don't you pay a visit to the British Embassy where 'there's some corner of a foreign field that is for ever England' ?sx " .sx The stranger disappeared but the moon remained captured in the black orb .sx Hanson fed his line back into the water .sx It tugged immediately .sx He hauled it in and a fish leaped and slithered in the glow of the brazier .sx He gazed at it for a moment , tomorrow's lunch .sx Then he removed the hook from its mouth and dropped it into the water .sx Lena said :sx " Where are you going ?sx " .sx She stood at the front door of the apartment like a wife seeing her husband off to work , familiar dressing-gown over her sensible night-dress .sx " You don't usually ask .sx " .sx " You're leaving earlier than usual .sx " .sx " I'm going to the British Embassy .sx Catch them before they've put their protocol on .sx " .sx " About your visit to England ?sx " .sx " Someone's trying to stop me .sx Why not the British ?sx " .sx " Why would they do that ?sx " .sx " Because anyone who servers their allegiance to the Queen is a traitor whether they've escaped with State secrets or a packet of Kleenex .sx Because although I'm a Soviet citizen I'm a mongrel , Slavic-British , and can't be classified .sx Because I could cause a modicum of trouble by not turning up for my return flight to Moscow .sx But most importantly because I just don't matter .sx " .sx " You matter , " Lena said .sx " Ah , but to whom ?sx " .sx " To yourself .sx In the end that's all that counts .sx " .sx He kissed her and let himself out of the apartment .sx On the floor below the tortoise-head of Frolov , the historian , emerged .sx " So early , Comrade Hanson ?sx " .sx " A business appointment .sx " .sx " Lucky to have business these hard days .sx What is there left to buy and sell ?sx " Frolov , having finally acquitted Hanson of espionage , assumed he was a black marketeer .sx " How's the Revolution going ?sx " .sx " I write the truth .sx ... But these days it is difficult to reach conclusions - they change every day .sx " .sx Frolov's head withdrew into his apartment .sx Hanson ran down the last flight of stairs , navigated two cats , opened the double-doors and , observed by a single eye peering from between heavy curtains , made his way to his car .sx The British Embassy stood on a coveted site across the river from the Kremlin .sx It had been built by a sugar baron in the nineteenth century for his mistress and was baronial in a cosy sort of way .sx Here successions of diplomats had pussy-footed with the Kremlin leaders across the water , stoically endured predictable snubs , and eaten strawberries on the Queen's birthday with hostile emissaries including almost everyone except the Russians who , isolated from the forums of international debate , were most friendly .sx A militiaman at the gate demanded identification papers and regarded him speculatively as he perused them .sx " They're expecting me , " Hanson told him .sx " I telephoned yesterday - I need permission to do some filming here .sx " .sx The militiaman made a call and , with a jerk of his head , let him go .sx A receptionist , retired army NCO by the look of him , said a Mr Jarvis was expecting him and , tightening his lips , withdrew from his contaminating presence .sx Jarvis , young with clipped woolly hair and big , eavesdropping ears , led Hanson to a small office proportionate to his lowly rank .sx He sat behind a modest desk and said :sx " So we're making a movie , are we .sx " .sx " Why don't you relax , " Hanson said , settling himself on the other side of the desk .sx " I haven't come here to subvert you .sx " .sx " You'd have a hard job .sx " He pulled uneasily at his lower lip that had been cracked by the cold .sx " I'm sure I would .sx " .sx " So let's get to the point , shall we , " his voice searching for an authoritative pitch .sx " What do you want to film and why ?sx " .sx " The white ballroom ?sx " .sx " Impossible , " Jarvis said with satisfaction .sx " The landing where a young officer once blew out his brains because his girlfriend had found another lover ?sx " .sx " Out of the question .sx " Jarvis glanced at a photograph of a girl who looked like an aristocratic milkmaid as though he half expected a nod and a wink .sx " Exterior shots ?sx " .sx " A possibility .sx But , really , you must let me know what this film is all about .sx HE is adamant that the Embassy mustn't be compromised .sx " .sx " I should have thought HE had more important things on his mind - there is a civil war raging in Azerbaijan .sx " .sx " I don't think the ambassador's priorities need concern us , " Jarvis said .sx He picked up a small puzzle and began to coax silver balls into cups hollowed in black plastic .sx " What sort of a thriller ?sx A whodunnit ?sx " .sx " Sort of .sx We are only interested in the embassy because of its juxtaposition with the Kremlin .sx An ironic commentary on international hostilities .sx " .sx " Who's we ?sx " .sx " Members of the foreign community in Moscow .sx " .sx " Which members would those be ?sx " .sx " You know perfectly well which members .sx " .sx " Ah , those members .sx ... " Jarvis , gaining assurance , tuttutted at an errant silver ball .sx " So will that be all right , exterior shots I mean ?sx " .sx " We'll consider your application .sx " He smiled , drawing the girl in the photograph into the decision-making , and his ears moved infinitesimally .sx " Now if you'll excuse me .sx ... " .sx " There is one more thing .sx " .sx " Really ?sx " Jarvis consulted a schedule on his desk .sx " I don't think - " .sx " I want to see Gordon .sx And don't say Gordon who .sx I want to see Alistair Gordon , Flash as I believe he's known .sx " .sx " Mister Gordon is in Chancery .sx " .sx " I don't care whether he's in the potting shed , " Hanson said , " I want to see him .sx " .sx " I'm afraid that's impossible .sx " .sx " Why don't you pick up the phone and ask Flash ?sx " .sx " As you rightly pointed out there are more important things to hand .sx " He stood up .sx " I'll see you out .sx " .sx " I'm staying put .sx " .sx Jarvis pulled at his lip , blood oozed from the crack .sx He licked it .sx " I can have you thrown out .sx " .sx " A scene ?sx I don't think HE would like that .sx Violence and originality are a diplomat's cardinal crimes .sx " .sx Jarvis sat down .sx " Why do you want to see Fl - Mr Gordon ?sx " .sx " Why don't you just pick up that phone ?sx " .sx Jarvis glanced at the girl in the photograph .sx She must have nodded because he picked up the phone .sx " Alistair ?sx Brian Jarvis here .sx There's a chap called Hanson in my office who wants to see you .sx No HANSON .sx .. yes , that Hanson .sx .. no , I don't know what he wants .sx .. you will ?sx " He replaced the receiver .sx " Mr Gordon is coming to see you , " he said incredulously .sx He can't afford not to , Hanson thought .sx Gordon was a Second Secretary whose brief included surveillance of defectors in case any intelligence came their way .sx It almost never did but Gordon couldn't take any risks .sx Supposing I had wind of another Philby ?sx The door opened and Gordon came in .sx He reminded Hanson of a Swedish tennis-player whose Wimbledon hopes had been impaired by a predilection for intrigue .sx He was blond and boyish and his pin-striped suit was decently crumpled .sx He said to Jarvis :sx " Could you leave us together for a few minutes , Brian .sx See you at the Don-Under tonight ?sx " reminding Hanson that the beery club under the Australian Embassy was one of the many outposts of the West where he and his ilk were not welcome .sx " Right you are , Alistair .sx " Jarvis took a last glance at the photograph of the girl and exited gratefully .sx " Hallo , Bob , " Gordon said with a familiarity scarcely merited by their one previous meeting .sx " What can I do for you ?sx " He sat in Jarvis's chair .sx " I want to know why you've put the block on my return to England .sx " .sx " Do you now .sx To tell you the truth , Bob , I had no idea you wanted to go back .sx I thought you were more than happy in the country of your adoption .sx " .sx " Spare me the bullshit , Alistair .sx You knew as soon as my application came before the consul .sx " .sx " Did I ?sx Perhaps .sx It probably didn't seem all that important at the time .sx " .sx " The KGB have put a block on it , too .sx " .sx " Then why bother to come to me , old son ?sx " .sx " If I'm right one of my people - " .sx " Your people ?sx " .sx " Those you choose to call the Twilight Brigade ?sx " .sx " Really ?sx I hadn't heard that .sx But where the cap fits , eh ?sx " .sx " One of my people who was , possibly still is , an officer in the KGB has been in touch with his superiors and they have instructed OVIR not to give me an exit visa .sx " .sx " You chose to be a Russian , old son .sx " .sx " Now why would he do that ?sx " .sx " Search me .sx " Gordon put his feet on the desk and leaned back audaciously in the chair .sx " Nothing sinister , I shouldn't think .sx You only came across with ideals .sx " .sx " Sorry about those , " Hanson said .sx " So what do you want me to do ?sx We haven't put a block on you , as you put it .sx No need .sx Our friends are doing that for us .sx " .sx " But if they did give me an exit visa you would - " .sx " Put a block on it ?sx That eventuality hasn't arisen .sx Probably never will .sx You see in cases like this we work together , a sort of old boys' network , if you follow me .sx " He toyed with the tip of his tie , silver crown on navy blue , Vincent's , Oxford .sx " So if one gives permission the other follows suit ?sx " .sx " Something like that .sx " Gordon transferred his attentions from his tie to his carefully dishevelled hair .sx " So if you gave me the okay they might do the same ?sx " .sx " They might , " Gordon conceded .sx " But why should we give you the okay ?sx I can see no good reason , can you ?sx " .sx " Humanitarian grounds ?sx " .sx " Spare me your aged mother .sx She disowned you a quarter of a bloody century ago .sx " .sx " How about a poor old sod who just wants to see England once more before he falls off the perch ?sx " .sx " You're not that old , " said Gordon .sx " Anyway , what have you got to offer ?sx " .sx " Offer ?sx How can I have anything to offer ?sx I came here with nothing and I've got even less now .sx " .sx " You say you may have a KGB officer in your midst .sx His name would be marginally interesting .sx " .sx " Then why don't you ask your friends .sx " .sx " They are , " Gordon said , " remarkably reticent about certain matters .sx " .sx " I thought the espionage game was over .sx " .sx " That's what our friends would like you to think .sx What would happen to the unemployment figures if they disbanded the KGB ?sx " .sx " How can the identity of some has-been KGB officer among the defectors possibly interest you ?sx " .sx " Always a few ends to be tied up , " Gordon said .sx " It's not that important , of course , but we do like to know who stole the family silver .sx " .sx " Someone who was more important than he appeared to be ?sx " .sx " Put out a few feelers , old son .sx And don't forget the female of the species .sx Cambridge , weren't you ?sx " .sx " I don't betray people , " Hanson said .sx " No question of betrayal .sx " Gordon crossed his legs which were in disrespectful proximity to the milkmaid .sx " What's past is past .sx And I don't mean only Brits - Americans , Europeans .sx .. any nationality .sx Why , incidentally , do you think any of them would want to stop you going back ?sx " .sx " Because they think I'm betraying them ?sx " .sx " You seem to be obsessed with betrayal .sx " .sx " Telling the truth about their lives here .sx ... " .sx " But isn't this the fount of your beliefs ?sx Isn't this your rationale , your raison d' e-circ tre>foreign/> ?sx I thought you all fairly wallowed in equality .sx " .sx " You wouldn't understand , " Hanson said .sx " Oh I understand all right .sx Lack of initiative , lack of identity .sx ... Join the Party and we'll bury your character defects in dogma .sx Why not be a star ?sx A defector ?sx A spy even .sx Fulfilment , meaning .sx .. until your mentors cross the street when you try and shake them by the hand .sx " .sx " I hope for your sake , " Hanson said , " that this room is isn't bugged .sx " .sx