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establish a force in an

alternate Timeline where the area is uninhabited and then skud the force

into the plant and destroy it."

"Well, I was thinking of simply skudding a bomb across," I said.

"As I said, such things have been considered," Kar-hinter said, "though

if we were to do so we would probably skud a spy in first to see exactly

what they are doing there. But, ah, no. To answer your question, we will

not do that. We are already interfering with this Line a bit more than is

wise, or so the Tromas in the Homeline tell us. They will allow a

cross-Line venture only after we have tried all other avenues. If all else

fails, then we will be allowed to cross-Line at the Baltic plant. As I

said before, this Line is not to be allowed nuclear weapons under any circumstances." He glanced at Sir Gerald.

"I'm sure you know best, Kar-hinter," Sir Gerald said, though he didn't

seem to really mean it.

"Then what?" I asked.

"Now it seems," Kar-hinter said, belching politely and raising his

wineglass, "a very fortunate set of circumstances has arisen that may

allow us to gain all the information we need without ever approaching the

Baltic plant." Kar-hinter, like a second-rate actor, paused dramatically.

"And what's that?" I asked on cue.

"The Imperial Germans have placed Count Albert von Heinen in charge of

the atomic project. As well as being a distant cousin of the emperor,

he is a highly trained engineer -- for this Line -- and has made himself

an impressive record as a military field commander. Quite a young man,

as well, I understand."

"Now it seems that Count von Heinen is presently visiting Beaugency.

I am not sure why, but as I said, he is a man of many talents. Just why

he is in Beaugency is of no great moment. The fact that he is here is of

great importance to us. We shall kidnap him."

Kar-hinter paused again, finished his glass of wine, placed the empty

glass on the table with a flourish. As he continued to speak, he paced

back and forth at the head of the table, his short tail whipping in

the air.

"Von Heinen will be spending the night in a villa just north of Beaugency.

His American wife is with him, I understand, so we shall take her when we

kidnap him. It may be that she can give us some additional information."

"I don't follow you," I said.

"The wife?" Kar-hinter asked. "An American, I said. Doesn't that mean

anything to you, Eric? Ah, well, let me tell you. The Countess von Heinen,

née Sally Beall, is the daughter of the late Archer Beall. What

does that mean to you?"

"The ARA leader?" Tracy asked, speaking for the first time since the

conversation began.

"Exactly, my dear Hillary," Kar-hinter said. "The late Mr. Beall, killed

recently in the New York riots, was one of the major leaders of the

American Republican Army, as well as president of the Mad Anthony Wayne

Society. A very, very important man in American revolutionary circles."

Sir Gerald's red face showed obvious anger at the mention of the Bealls.

As a loyal British officer -- though he was, I believe, born in the

American colonies -- he was properly outraged at the rebels in America

who were causing so much trouble during the war, siding with the Imperial

Germans by their very presence, draining desperately needed troops from

the European war.

"Beall's daughter married Von Heinen for purely political reaons, I am

told," Kar-hinter said. "To cement German and American rebel relations,

so to speak. But her capture will be merely a by-product of the main

effort -- an in-depth interrogation of Count von Heinen."

In-depth interrogation , Kar-hinter had just said. Mind probe! Now

just how in hell were they going to pull that off, I wondered.

"Let me outline the plan, gentlemen," Kar-hinter said, scratching his

more intimate parts again. "We will go into greater detail later. But

for now, the high points. You, Eric" -- Kar-hinter pointed a finger at

me -- "assuming that you wish to take out a new