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so I think.” Saint-Germain closed his eyes again, settling back for the luxury of a long soak.
    “What are you going to do?” Rogerio asked, recognizing this attitude of withdrawal; he had seen it many times in the past and knew there was little he could do to change Saint-Germain’s mind once he entered this state.
    “I’m going to consider the implications of what Colonel Senda tells me—tomorrow at quarter past ten.” He sank a little deeper into the warm water. “Until then, I will do my utmost to keep from jumping to unfounded conclusions.”
    “What about well-founded ones?” Rogerio asked, an edge in his voice.
    “When I know which is which, I will decide what is to be done,” said Saint-Germain in a tone that seemed almost bored.
    Knowing there was nothing more he could do, Rogerio left Saint-Germain to his bath and went to set out his evening clothes.
     
    T EXT OF A LETTER FROM A RMANDO P RADERA IN C ÓRDOBA TO C RISTOBAL L AS T RUCHES IN M ADRID .
    17, Avenida de los Feos
    Córdoba, España
    9 January, 1936
    Cristobal Las Truches
    Departamento de los Extranjeros
    Madrid, España
     
    Señor Las Truches,
    In response to your letter of December 14, I am delighted to answer your inquiries in regard to Ferenc Ragoczy, le Comte de Saint-Germain, who is the principal investor in this company, and for whom I serve as accountant in regard to Eclipse Aeroplano Industrias. I write to you from my residence, for it would be awkward to explain our correspondence to those who work with me. I ask that you will be similarly discreet.
    As you are already aware, the Comte has been the head of this company in all but name for the last five years. When he bought La Mancha Aeroplano Industrias, the business was failing. He renamed and reorganized the business from the sort of airplanes we manufacture to the way in which we sell them. He has also enabled us to appeal to markets in France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Scandinavia. Under his guidance, the company has not only recovered, it has prospered and expanded. This has meant that we have been able to double our production in the last two years and to sell every airplane we produce.
    Our most successful airplane is the Scythian Type 44, which has been used to deliver mail and other lightweight shipping purposes. It has two engines, can seat up to four, and has a range of 590 kilometers under normal flying conditions. Last year this plant produced fifty-eight of these airplanes, as well as sixteen of our Spartan Type 29, which is designed for the private sportsman. It also has two engines, can seat up to six, and has a range of 720 kilometers. Our Moghul Type 17 is currently undergoing redesign, the Type 18 will be available early next year. It has four engines, can seat ten, and has a range of 680 kilometers, making all three airplanes among the best in their respective classes. The Comte has said he would like to add another two models to our production in the next three years, and he has been searching out engineers to help us improve our designs. It is his goal to produce an airplane that has a range of 800 kilometers, can carry a dozen, and can be used for service to smaller cities where airfields are more primitive than most modern airplanes require. He offers good pay and fine working conditions, which has made it possible for him to select the most skilled technicians and designers currently working in Europe.
    You ask if any of his airplanes have military potential—I am not a designer and so I have no opinion beyond telling you that he has never attempted to see his airplanes go to any military force anywhere in the world. He has made it his policy to avoid entanglements with the military, for he cannot engage in strategic enterprises so long as he is in control of the company: as a foreigner, he has said his situation is such that he should not put himself in the position of having to support one regime more than another. Some of our staff have tried to