Stars & Stripes Triumphant by Harry Harrison Read Free Book Online Page B

draped him with towels, wet his beard and hair, even his eyebrows, then combed in a jet-black dye. With a murmured apology one of them even tinted his eyelashes with mascara. It was all done very quickly, and they were finished even as the stewards carried in the breakfast dishes; then his beard was trimmed into a more Russian shape. He admired himself in a mirror as the barbers bowed deeply and backed from the compartment.
    "You look quite rakish," Fox said, "and irresistible to the ladies."
    He indeed looked much younger, Sherman realized, for the dye had not only colored his red hair, but eliminated the strands of gray that were beginning to appear.
    "Barbers and tailors available on call," he said. "What other surprises do you have for us, Count Korzhenevski?"
    "Why, there are farriers, blacksmiths, surgeons, lawyers—whatever you wish," the Count said. "We tend to take the long view in Russia. Preparing today for tomorrow's exigencies. Some would call these people of ours spies—and perhaps they are. But they are also reliable and patriotic Russian people who were paid well to emigrate and settle in this foreign land. They are now part of the community, here and in other countries—but they always stand ready to answer the call from the motherland when needed."
    "Do you have your agents in England, too?" Sherman asked.
    "But of course. In every country where our homeland has an interest."
    "In the United States as well?" Gus asked quietly.
    "You don't really want me to answer that, do you? Enough to say that our two great countries are allied and united in this glorious mission."
    A sailor entered and saluted, then said something to the Count. He nodded, and the man left.
    "All the visitors are now ashore. Let our prosperous voyage begin." Even as he spoke, a steam whistle wailed and the decking vibrated as the engines came up to speed. "Pardon me for requesting that you remain belowdecks until we are out to sea. In the meantime—enjoy your breakfast."
    They did. Gus introduced Sherman to the joys of beluga caviar. Washed down, despite the hour, with chilled vodka. Thus began the first day of their perilous voyage.
    When they finally came out on deck, the flat Belgian coastline was only a line behind them on the horizon. "We are steaming north for a bit," the Count said. "When we get closer to the British Isles, it is important that we approach from the northeast, presumably coming from Russia. We shall sight Scotland first, then coast slowly south toward England. Now—if you will permit me, I will show you how to salute and walk in the proper Russian manner."
    They laughed a good deal as they paraded around the deck, until they could perform to Korzhenevski's satisfaction. It was warm work and they welcomed the chilled champagne that followed.
    "Next we will learn a little Russian," the Count said. "Which you will be able to use when we meet the English. Da means 'yes,' nyet is 'no,' and spaseba means 'thank you.' Master these and very soon I will teach you to say 'I do not speak English.' Which is, 'Prostite, no yane govoriu poangliyski.' But we shall save that for a later time. Nevertheless, when you have done that, you will have learned all of the Russian that you will ever need during our visit here. The British are not known for their linguistic ability, so you need have no fear of being found out by any of them."
    When the Count left to attend to ship's business, Wilson, for the second time, voiced his reservations.
    "This trip, this scouting out of the British coast, is there any specific reason for our going? Are we looking for anything in particular?"
    "I do not take your meaning," Fox said, although he had a good idea what was troubling the naval officer.
    "I mean no offense—but it must be admitted that at the present time our country is at peace with England. Won't our mission be, well, at the least—provocative? And, if we are caught in the act, why, there will surely be international