aGo away. Donat ever let me see your horrid face again,a he said, then taking out his handkerchief, he burst into tears.
The previous evening, Sergas Holtz walked into Herman Radnitzas study and placed a blue vanity box on the desk.
aYour instructions, sir, have been carried out,a he said.
Radnitz smiled.
aExcellent! Tell me about it.a Holtz looked bored.
aThere was no problem, sir. The Lepskis with their friends went out to lunch. Bradey went the restaurant also for lunch. I took the opportunity and switched the boxes.a aHave the box opened and let me see the icon,a Radnitz said.
Holtz took the box and left the study. He handed the box to Mythen.
aThere is an object concealed in the bottom of this box,a he said. aMr. Radnitz wants to see it,a and he walked away.
Half an hour later, Mythen entered Radnitzas study, and with reverent care, laid the Catherine the Great icon on the desk before Radnitz.
aA magnificent treasure, sir, if I may be permitted to say so,a he said.
Radnitz picked up the icon, his toad-like face alight with pleasure.
aYou are right, Mythen,a he said. aOne of the greatest treasures in the world. See if you can contact Vasili Vrenschov. Tell him to come as soon as he can.a * * *
It wasnat until the following day, when Pierre and Claudette Duvine were planning to get rid of the Lepskis, and Bradey was disguising himself as John Willis, that Vrenschovas Beetle VW drew up outside Radnitzas villa. He plodded up the marble steps with the heavy tread of an old man.
Mythen opened the front door, looked sharply at Vrenschov and asked, aYou look poorly, Mr. Vrenschov. You are not well?a aNo. I will not be staying for lunch,a Vrenschov said, his fat face the picture of gloom.
aNot staying to lunch? That is most unfortunate. The chef has cooked a special pheasant pie for you. Are you sure?a Vrenschov moaned softly.
aI will not be staying to lunch.a aThat is most regrettable, sir. Please follow me.a Radnitz had seen the shabby VW arrive. He had placed the icon on his desk. He sat back, clasping his fat hands and completely relaxed. Either way he couldnat lose, he told himself. If the Soviet government wouldnat give him the Dam contract, at least he would get eight million dollars for the return of the icon, but, of course to get the Dam contract was much more important.
When Vrenschov plodded into the study, Radnitz knew immediately the Dam contract wasnat to be his. Well, all right, he had the icon. Not the ace card, but at least the king.
aCome in, Vasili,a he said, a rasp in his voice. aWhat is the news?a aUnfortunately, Mr. Radnitz, my people have decided to postpone the building of the dam for several years. They accept your estimate, but due to the sudden economic crisis, due to the shortage of grain, they feel money should not be spent on the dam.a aBut perhaps after this crisis?a Radnitz asked, his toad-like smile stiffening.
aWe can but hope.
aAt least, they accepted my estimate?a Vrenschov nodded.
Radnitz pointed to the icon.
aYou see, Vasili, I have got this precious work of art. What do your masters say? Are they prepared to pay me eight million dollars for the return of this magnificent treasure?a Vrenschov looked like a man about to die.
aI fear not, Mr. Radnitz.a Radnitz stiffened. He glared at Vrenschov.
aWhat are you saying? This icon is one of the oldest possessions Russia owns! It is worth twenty or even more million dollars! It has caused the President of the United States to be embarra.s.sed. What will they give me for it?a Vrenschov crushed his greasy hat between his hands.
aI fear nothing, Mr. Radnitz.a Radnitz reared back.
aNothing?a aI have talked to the Minister of Arts,a Vrenschov said. aHe is a great admirer of yours, Mr. Radnitz. He has instructed me to confide in you a state secret in view of the fact that you are such a good friend of our country. Thirty years ago, when Premier Stalin was our ruler, the Catherine the Great icon was stolen. No one knows who stole it. The then Minister of Arts knew he would be placed before a firing squad if the news leaked out. He had a very clever replica made and this replica has been on show at the Hermitage until it was stolen from Washington.a He pointed a trembling finger at the icon on Radnitzas desk. aThat sir, is the replica. The Minister of Arts told me to ask you to accept it as a souvenir of your continued interest in the Soviet Union.a He turned and practically ran out of the room, leaving Radnitz staring bleakly at the icon.