Stars & Stripes Triumphant by Harry Harrison

pleasure. A short while later Fox and Korzhenevski joined him.
    "That was too closely run for me," Fox said. "I thought I was no stranger to fear, yet I am forced to admit that I am still quaking inside. I think that it was something about being so defenseless while being surrounded by one's enemies. I realize all too clearly now that it is one thing to issue orders to field agents—and another thing altogether to do the job yourself. A most humbling experience. I respected my agents before, but now I have nothing but outright admiration for those who face this kind of danger on a daily basis."
    The Count nodded in agreement; Sherman merely shrugged. "What is past is done. Battles cannot be refought."
    Korzhenevski smiled. "I envy you your calm, General. To a man of war the affair at Greenwich must have been no more than an amusing incident."
    "Quite the opposite. I found it most disconcerting to feel so helpless while surrounded by the enemy. I think I prefer the battlefield."
    "I sincerely regret putting you in such danger," the Count said. "I will plan better in the future and work hard to avoid such encounters."
    "Then what do you think we should do next?" Sherman asked.
    "That is for you to tell me. But you should know that at this moment we are approaching a very sensitive part of Britain. Not too far from here, on the south coast of England, are the main naval ports of Southampton and Plymouth. Almost all of the British fleet is based at one or the other of them. I am sure there will be matters of great interest at those two ports."
    "Must we risk detection by sailing into military ports?" Fox asked, worried. "I am afraid that last night's disturbing proximity to the enemy was more than enough for me for the time being."
    "I am tempted to agree with Gus," Sherman said. "I see no reason to put our heads into the lion's jaws yet again."
    The Count bowed and clicked his heels. "I acknowledge your superior wisdom and withdraw any suggestion of a visit to either of these seaports. The fact is that I have other agents in England, people who are above suspicion, who can look in on them and chart their ship movements if they are so ordered. Please put the entire matter from your minds."
    Sherman nodded agreement. "Being naval officers, you gentlemen naturally look to the sea and matters maritime. For me it is the land and the terrain that is most important. I would be pleased if we could take that into consideration. I would like to know a good bit more about the English fortresses, countryside, and railroads—"
    "But of course!" the Count called out, clapping his hands with pleasure. "I have Russian charts below, but they begin at the coastline and reveal little or nothing of the country's interior. My general—we must get you a copy of a Bradshaw."
    "I'm afraid that I don't understand..."
    "But I do," Fox said. "I have one in my library in WashingtonCity—which of course will be of no help to us here. A Bradshaw is an English publication that contains timetables of all the trains that run in the British Isles."
    "I would certainly be pleased to have one."
    "And that you shall," the Count said. "I had planned a stop at Dover for fresh supplies from the ship's chandlers there. While that is being done I shall visit a local bookshop. Since Dover is the main port of entry from the continent, they will certainly have this invaluable guide for sale there."
    The good weather still held, so Korzhenevski ordered luncheon to be served on deck. They did not wait for Wilson, who was still deeply involved in his charts and drawings. They had cold beetroot soup that the Count referred to as borscht, which they greatly enjoyed. Along with the ever-flowing champagne. By the time they had finished, they were already anchored outside DoverHarbor. The Count excused himself and took the boat ashore to arrange for the provisions. Sherman and Fox enjoyed a cheroot on deck while awaiting his return.
    "I want no more meetings with the British