The sergeant flicked through the pages and then dropped the book into the barrow. What do you mean chemical?
Carey was enthusiastic. Papermaking is as much a chemical process as mechanical. Theres the sulphite and the sulphate and the clay-all have to be worked out in exact formulae for the making of different kinds of paper. Ill show you what I mean. He dug into the wheelbarrow and brought up a roll of papers. These are the calculations for that kind of thing. Look; these are the equations for making tissue paper of cosmetic quality and here the calculations for ordinary newsprint.
The sergeant waved away the papers from under his nose. Im sorry, he said. I have no authority to let you pass. I will have to consult my captain. He turned to go back into the guard house.
Perrrkele! swore Carey, giving the r its full Finnish value. You know damned well by the head count that thirty-six came in and only thirty-four went out.
The sergeant halted in mid-stride. Slowly he turned and looked at the guard who shrugged helplessly. Well? he asked acidly.
The guard was out of luck. I havent put it in the book yet.
How many went out tonight?
Thirty-four, plus the driver.
How many came in this morning?
I dont know. I wasnt on duty this morning.
You dont know! The sergeant was apoplectic. Then whats the use of doing a head count? He took a deep breath. Bring me the book, he said arctically.
The guard bobbed his head and went into the guard house at the double. He emerged in less than fifteen seconds and handed the sergeant a small record book. The sergeant turned the pages and then gave the guard a look that ought to have frozen the blood in his veins. Thirty-six came in, he said softly. And you didnt know.
The luckless guard had the sense to keep his mouth shut. The sergeant checked his watch. When did the bus go through?
About three-quarters of an hour ago.
About! the sergeant screamed. Youre supposed to know to the second. He slapped the page. Youre supposed to record it in here. He snapped his mouth shut into a straight line and the temperature fell. For about three-quarters of an hour two foreign nationals have been wandering on the wrong side of the frontier without anyone knowing about it. Am I supposed to tell that to the captain? His voice was low.
The guard was silent. Well, speak up! the sergeant yelled.
I... I dont know, said the guard miserably.
You dont know, repeated the sergeant in freezing tones. Well, do you know this? Do you know what would happen to me he slapped himself on the chest to me if I told him that? Within a week Id be serving on the Chinese frontier and so would you, you little turd, but that wouldnt make me any happier.
Carey tried to look unconcerned; he was not supposed to know Russian. He saw the beginnings of a grin appear on Armstrongs face and kicked him on the ankle.
Stand to attention! roared the sergeant, and the guard snapped straight, his back like a ramrod. The sergeant went very close to him and peered at him from a range of six inches. I have no intention of serving on the Chinese frontier, he said. But I will guarantee one thing. Within a week youll be wishing you were on the Chinese frontier and on the Chinese side of it.
He withdrew. Youll stay there until I tell you to move, he said quietly, and came over to Carey. Whats your name? he asked in Finnish.
Mäenpää, said Carey. Rauno Mäenpää. Hes Simo Velling.
Your passes?
Carey and Armstrong produced their passes and the sergeant scrutinized them. He handed them back. Report here when you come in tomorrow. Report to me and no one else.
Carey nodded. We can go?
You can go, said the sergeant tiredly. He swung around and yelled at the unfortunate guard, Well, what are you waiting for? The grass to grow between your toes? Raise that barrier.
The guard was electrified into sudden action. He raised the barrier and Armstrong pushed the wheelbarrow to the other side. Carey was about to follow when he paused. He turned to the sergeant and said, Papermaking is very interesting, you know. When the factory is working you ought to go and see it. Very spectacular.
I might do that, said the sergeant.
Carey nodded pleasantly and followed Armstrong. He took a deep breath as though it was a different kind of air.
Thirty-Four
Schmidt consulted his watch. One minute. He dropped a cigarette stub on the floor and put his foot on it.
Well wait, said McCready. He nodded to Denison. Check the windows see if theres anyone out there. You too, Harding.
Denison went to the window. All was quiet and nothing moved except water ripples in the distance and the reeds which swayed stiffly in the light breeze. All quiet.
Here, too, said Harding, who was at the back window. Not a thing stirring on the mountain.
I think youre trying to pull a fast one, said McCready. It would be a hell of a joke if there was just one man out there.
Schmidt shrugged. Wait for it.
Denison saw a movement in the reed bed at the edge of the marsh. Theres something or someone out there. Its a man. Hes...
His words were cut off by staccato explosions. In front of the hut the ground danced and soil fountained under the impact of bullets. An upthrown stone hit the pane of glass in front of Denison and the glass fractured and starred. He ducked hastily.
The noise stopped, chopping off into a dead silence.
McCready let out his breath. Automatic weapons. At least three.
Five, said Schmidt. Seven men eight including me. His hand dipped into his pocket and came back out with the packet of cigarettes. Ive just cast my vote.
McCready casually laid down his pistol on the table. Power grows out of the barrel of a gun. Your guns are bigger.
I thought youd see sense, said Schmidt approvingly. Wheres the map, or whatever it is?
Give it to him, said McCready.
Denison took a folded sheet of paper from his pocket and held it out to Schmidt who examined it with interest. His interest turned to bafflement. Is this all?
Thats all, said Denison.
This word Schmidt stumblingly pronounced It Luonnonpuisto. What does it mean?
A literal translation would be nature park, said McCready. The other three words mean lake, hill and gap. The numbers are co-ordinates in degrees of a circle. If you can find a lake, a hill and a gap in that exact relationship, all in a nature park, then youve solved the problem. He smiled at Schmidt. I cant say I wish you better luck than weve had.
Not much to go on, said Schmidt. And this is a photocopy.
Someone snatched the original at Kevo. Our friend there got a bump on the head. So it wasnt you, then?
Obviously it wasnt, said Schmidt. The Americans?
I dont think so.
I do think so, stated Schmidt. Because they arent here. Perhaps theyre back at Kevo measuring angles with a theodolite like he was doing. He pointed at Denison.
Maybe, said McCready non-committally.
Schmidt stared at the paper. This is foolishness. Why didnt he give the name of the nature park?
Why should he? asked McCready. He knew it. That is just an aide-mémoire just for the figures. You see, Merikken knew where the papers were and expected to dig them up himself he didnt expect to be killed in an air raid. But since one bit of rough country looked very much like another he took the precaution of measuring those angles. He offered Schmidt a derisory smile. Those papers will be a hell of a job to find especially with interference.
Schmidt had a sour expression on his face as he folded the paper and put it into his pocket. Wheres your theodolite?
Over there in the corner.
You dont mind if I borrow it? His voice was heavily ironic.
Go ahead; we can get another.
Schmidt stood up, went to the door and opened it. He shouted something in Czech and came back into the room. Put your guns on the table.
McCready hesitated, then said, All right, everybody; put your guns with mine.
Youre showing sense, said Schmidt. Neither of us can afford a shooting incident especially if people are killed. He laughed. If only I have the guns well both be safe.
Diana reluctantly laid down her gun and Harding followed suit. When the door opened to admit another man there were five pistols laid out. The man was carrying an automatic rifle and when Schmidt saw that McCready was looking at it with wary interest he laughed, and said, We borrowed some of your NATO weapons. Theyre not bad. He spoke to the man and pointed at the back packs, then he picked up the pistols, put three of them into his pockets and held the other two in his hands.
You spoke of interference, he said to McCready. You will not interfere. You are out of the game.
The other man was dumping the contents of the packs on the floor. He gave a startled exclamation as he came upon McCreadys collapsible rifle. Schmidt smiled, and said, Always trying, Mr McCready but that I expect. You will stay in this hut. If you attempt to leave it there is a grave danger of being shot dead.
How long for?
Schmidt shrugged. For as long as I consider necessary.
Diana spoke up. Well need water.
Schmidt regarded her speculatively, then nodded abruptly. I am not an inhumane man. He pointed to Harding and Denison. You and you will bring water now. The rest will stay here.
Denison picked up the two empty buckets, and Harding said, Well need as much as possible. Ill take the bowls.
The man with the automatic rifle slung it over his shoulder together with McCreadys rifle. He picked up the theodolite and its tripod and left the hut followed by Denison and Harding, and Schmidt brought up the rear, a gun in each hand.
McCready watched them go down to the edge of the marsh, and cocked an eye at Diana. They seem to have bought it, he said softly. For the next few weeks all the nature parks in Finland will be crawling with Czechs wielding theodolites. That ought to make the Finns properly suspicious.
Denison walked down to the marsh acutely aware that the man behind him was holding a pair of pistols. He bent down and began to fill the buckets. Schmidt lobbed the pistols one at a time into the marsh, using an over arm throw like a cricketer. He spaced them well out and Denison knew they would be irrecoverable. He straightened his back and said, How will we know when its safe to come out of the hut?