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"Perhaps," De Vaalbattles while losing the war?"

"I aler replied "But I'm certain Operation Wild Rose is not the answer, Minister I urge you to shelve it"

De Vaal considered Zeegler's words for severalto the operation and seal it in the Ministry vault with the other contingency plans"

"Yes, sir," said Zeegler, his relief obvious

De Vaal contelass Then he looked up with a thoughtful expression

"A pity, a great pity It just ht have worked"

Faas drunk

If aany bar of the Peed face Dimly, he saw that he was the only patron left in the roo in atime and the five-foot-five-inch bartender was uneasy about asking him to leave

"Are you all right, sir?" the bartender probed cautiously

"No, dammit!" Fawkes roared "I feel bloody-well awful"

"Beggin' your pardon, but if it makes you feel so bad, why do you drink it?"

"It's not the whisky that turns uts It's Operation Wild Rose"

"Sir?"

Fawkes looked furtively around the room and then leaned across the bar "What if I was to tell you I ht down the street at the station, in his private railroad car, not o?"

A s smile curled the bartender's lips "The Minister must be one hell of a wizard, Mr Fawkes"