"Maybe there's another way out ofthis rattrap." Stanski smiled. "You think you could find me an armyofficer's uniform?"

Zinov was sitting at the bar when Stanskiwent in. One of the women, a blond, busty girl, sat next to the colonel,nibbling his ear. A bottle of champagne was in front of them, two glassespoured. The young captain and his girlfriend were nowhere to be seen.

Zinov said, "Ah, my friend, you'rejust in time for some champagne. We helped ourselves, I'm afraid. No sign ofGorev."

The colonel's eyes were glazed fromalcohol, and as Stanski sat down he said, "Your wife isn't joiningyou?"

"Tired, I'm afraid. She decided tohave a nap."

Zinov grinned crookedly. "My captainfriend and his lady had the same problem. Shame. This Crimean champagne isreally excellent. It has Maria here as tight as a rusty nut."

The young woman giggled and almost felloff her stool. Zinov grabbed her. "Hey, steady, old girl. We've still gotanother night to go."

The girl was pretty, her blond hair cutshort, but she wore too much make-up. Her blouse was open a couple of buttonsto reveal an ample bosom and her skirt rode halfway up her thighs. She tried tofocus on Stanski as she patted the bar stool next to her, a cigarette danglingfrom her fingers.

"Here, you sit beside me."

Zinov sipped champagne and grinned."You're talking to a newly married man, old girl. Right now he's beyondtemptation. Give him a couple of years of married life and try again."

"Well, I still think he'snice," the woman gushed drunkenly.

"We're all nice until you marryus." Zinov patted the girl's thigh and winked at Stanski. "Perhapsit's just as well that good wife of yours isn't here, my boy. She probablywouldn't approve. I know mine wouldn't." The colonel chuckled at his ownjoke.

:"Each to his own, Colonel."

"That's what I always say. Well,don't just stand there with a dry mouth. Have a drink."

Zinov poured a glass of champagne forStanski and another for himself and the girl. Stanski said quickly,"Actually, I came to ask you a favor."

:"Oh, and what's that?"

"I received an urgent call to reportback to Leningrad. My unit is setting out for winter training maneuverstomorrow night."

"Funny, I thought you had a slightlook of the army about you. But why didn't Gorev say you were a military man?

What's your rank and division?"

"Captain. The 17th Armored. Ibrought my uniform with me, half expecting a call, but not so soon."

"What a damned shame. Rather upsetyour honeymoon plans, hasn't it? I know one or two of the boys up the militaryladder in Leningrad. You want me to try and twist a few ears so you can stayon?"

"Thanks for the offer, sir, but I'manxious to get back. I've already promised my wife to make up for the honeymoonwith a trip to Odessa."

"Good for you. Duty first, eh?"

"I was really hoping you might beable to oblige us with a lift. The last train for Leningrad left half an hourago and the first one tomorrow morning leaves too late. Toomas mentioned youwere traveling to Leningrad and I wondered if you had a couple of empty seatsin the Emka. But forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn."

Zinov smiled drunkenly. "Nonsense. Apleasure, and I'd be glad of the company. I have an early start, mind. SevenA.M. Does that suit you?"

"Perfectly." Stanski finishedhis champagne and put down the glass. "My thanks for the drink, ComradeColonel."

"You're going so soon?"

"I've got some packing to do, I'mafraid. And I'd better tell my wife."

"Right, see you at seven,then."

The girl began rubbing Zinov's chest andthe colonel slapped her thigh. "That's assuming, of course, this littletigress here doesn't kill me with passion before the night's out."

It was almost midnight and Stanski sat atthe bedroom window smoking a cigarette. Anna came over and looked at him.

"You think it will work?"

He shrugged. "I can't think ofanything else besides the sewers, and we can't stay here. There's a chance thecheckpoints won't be as suspicious of a car with two officers in uniform. Andan officer's wife traveling with her husband shouldn't arouse too muchcuriosity."

"What if we're stopped?"

"Try not to seem like you'refrightened. The KGB can smell fear."

"You think it was Janne's plane thatalerted them?"

"Probably."

There was a knock on the door. Stanskiopened it and Gorev came in carrying an army captain's uniform, brown leatherbelt and holster, overcoat, cap and boots.

"It's the best I could do at shortnotice. Erik got everything from the army stores. The size should be all right,but the divisional flashes are a problem, I'm afraid. All they had was the 14thArmored."

"I'll just have to manage and hopeZinov was too drunk to remember I told him otherwise. Where is he?"

"In his bedroom with his girlfriend,drinking and wrecking my bed."

Stanski smiled. "Thanks,Toomas."

Gorev nodded and said anxiously, ,Well,good luck, both of you. See you in the morning."

When he had left Stanski tried on theuniform. He buckled on the holstered Tokarev pistol and leather belt over thetightwaisted officer's smock tunic, then adjusted his cap in the mirror.

Anna came in from the bathroom where shetoo had been dressing and Stanski said, "What do you think? Do Ipass?"

She looked at him. The blue eyes staredout arrogantly from under the broad-peaked officer's cap, and in his polishedboots and captain's stiff shoulderboards and wasted tunic he looked the part.

"I have to admit it suits you. Onlytry not to look so menacing.

"I'm a Russian officer. It comeswith the territory. Right, let me see what you'll be wearing."

Anna had changed into her clothes for themorning, a dark pleated skirt and a blouse opened at the neck. Her hair wasdown and her make-up emphasized her good looks. Stanski shook his head."An officer's wife ought to look suitably attractive, but not thatattractive. Your blouse would be better buttoned up to the neck and your hair'sgot to come up. Try to look a little dowdy."

"Thanks."

He reached over and pulled up her hairand tied it severely with a bow.

"That's better. Any nlilitiaman willbe drawn to look at a pretty face. Use your make-up more cleverly to avoidlooking too good and keep your scarf up around your neck. Are you wearingunderwear?"

" What?"

He half smiled. "You heard me. Areyou wearing underwear? The flimsy variety or something sturdier and warmer?

The kind my old babushka used to swearby."

"It's been ten below freezingoutside. What do you think?"

Stanski smiled. "good. Tuck thoseinto your underwear tomorrow." He handed her his sets of false papers."I suggest you do the same with your own, just in case they try a bodysearch at the checkpoints. A militiaman usually won't feel between a woman'slegs, unless he's a complete animal. But if he does, play the cards as theyfall."

Anna took the papers.

Stanski said, "And you'd betterleave your pistol with Toomas before we go. If we are stopped and searched andthey find it on you, it would only complicate matters."

"What about you?"

"I'm in uniform."

"How would you explain the silencedNa gant revolver?"

He smiled. "Let me worry aboutthat." He looked at her face seriously. "It's not going to be easyfrom now on, Anna. You understand that?"