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@@@@@Further, your nephew
Buckingham Pritchard
@@@@@Further, your nephew
Buckingham Pritchard here, freely, even enthusiastically, admits calling you with certain
information contained in that conversation and that you in turn emphatically stated that you had to
reach Paris immediatelyIs this true?”
“It is all completely true, Sir Henry
“Whom did you reach in Paris? What’s the telephone number?”
“With respect, sir, I am sworn to secrecy
At that succinct and totally unexpected reply, Jonathan Lemuel had lifted his astonished eyes to
the ceiling
Sykes, regaining his composure, put an end to the brief pause of amazementPritchard?”
“My nephew and I are part of an international organization involving the great leaders of the
world, and we have been sworn to secrecy
“Good God, he believes it,” muttered Sir Henry
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” said Lemuel, lowering his head“Our telephone service here is not the
most sophisticated, especially where pay phones are concerned, which I presume you were
instructed to use, but within a day or so that number can be tracedWhy not simply give it to Sir
Henry nowHe obviously needs to know quickly, so where is the harm?”
“The harm, sir, is to our superiors in the organization—that was made explicitly clear to me
personally
“What’s the name of this international organization?”
“I don’t know, Sir HenryThat is part of the confidensheeality, do you not see?”
“I’m afraid you’re the one who doesn’t see, MrPritchard,” said Sykes, his voice clipped, his
anger surfacing
“Oh, but I do, Sir Henry, and I shall prove it to you!” interrupted the deputy, looking at each
man as if to draw the skeptical Sykes and the astonished attorney, as well as his adoring nephew,
into his confidence“A large sum of money was wired from a private banking institution in
Switzerland directly to my own account here in MontserratThe instructions were clear, if flexible
Robert Ludlum ?? THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
362
The funds were to be used liberally in pursuit of the assignments delegated to me
Transportation, entertainment, lodgings—I was told I had complete discretion, but, of course, I
keep a record of all expenditures, as I do as the second highest officer of immigrationWho but
vastly superior people would put such trust in a man they knew only by an enviable reputation and
position?”
Henry Sykes and Jonathan Lemuel again looked at each other, astonishment and disbelief now
joined by total fascinationSir Henry leaned forward over the desk“Beyond this—shall we say—
in-depth observation of John StJacques requiring the obvious services of your nephew, have you
been given other assignments?”
“Actually not, sir, but I’m sure that as soon as the leaders see how expeditiously I have
performed, others will follow
Lemuel raised his hand calmly a few inches off the arm of his chair to inhibit a red-faced Sykes
“Tell me,” he said quickly, gently |