Zinov eased on the brakes and pulled inbehind the car in front. He tapped the steering wheel impatiently with hisfingers.

"Damn it. I suppose there's not muchwe can do but wait our turn." He looked back at Stanski and Anna as hepulled out a pack of cigarettes. "Smoke, anyone? Crimean black. Guaranteedto leave you gasping."

Stanski took one, but Anna declined.Stanski touched the flame of his match to Zinov's cigarette, then looked backat Anna. Her mouth was tense with strain and she stared back at him.

They all heard a vehicle rattle oncobbles. Stanski looked ahead and saw a green army Zil drive up to thecheckpoint from the opposite direction. The car braked to a halt and a manstepped out.

He wore a black KGB uniform and officer'scap and a heavy black overcoat and galoshes, Stanski noticed he wore only oneleather glove on his left hand, The hand looked stiff and he guessed it wasfalse.

The KGB man crossed to a uniformedofficer at the checkpoint and spoke heatedly with him. Moments later theofficer turned and barked an order and the militiamen manning the checkpointstarted to work more smartly.

Klieg lamps and arc lamps sprang to life,flooding the cobbled street. More militia appeared, as if some of them had beensleeping in the back of their cars and had been shaken awake. The KGB officerhad obviously made an impression because the second truck was being searchedmore thoroughly. There was a bustle of activity and the darkness came alivewith stern orders and answering voices.

Stanski felt Anna's hand grip his tightlyas they watched the scene. He counted twelve militia and army personnel, plusthe KGB man with the leather glove and his driver. Five agonizing minutespassed and the truck showed no sign of being allowed through. Behind them, morevehicles had joined the queue.. Zinov finally slammed his fist on the steeringwheel. "Damn it to hell! At this rate we'll be lucky to make Leningrad bymidnight."

Suddenly the truck was allowed throughand the car in front of them started to move up. It was searched just asthoroughly, the driver's papers scrutinized, and the KGB man watched it allwith interest as he leaned against a wall smoking a cigarette. Stanski swore tohimself and felt a cold sweat break out all over his body.

He quietly unbuttoned the flap of hisTokarev pistol and made sure the safety catch was off. He leaned across toAnna, sensing her growing fear.

"Get ready to move if we have to runfor it," he whispered. "Try to make it back to the inn."

Zinov glanced around suddenly. "Yousaid something?" Stanski smiled and said quickly, "Perhaps we shouldhave taken the train, Colonel."

"My apologies, this is damnedridiculous."

"Not your fault."

"True, but I think it's damn welltime I had a word with the officer in charge. We can't hang around all day, forheaven's sake, or we'll both be late."

But suddenly it was their turn as the carin front was waved through. The barrier came down again as Zinov advanced theEmka, halted and rolled down his window. The flood from the arc lamps washedthe car in a blinding pool of light and a militiaman ran forward.

"Right, get out of the car and haveyour papers ready."

Zinov flushed red at the militiaman'sbluntness. He flashed his ID. "You're talking to a colonel in the KGB.Watch your damned manners." He waved toward the barrier. "Allow us topass and be quick about it."

The militiaman looked at Zinov's ID andshook his head. "Everyone's got to be checked and their vehicles searched.So just do as you're told and we'll get this over with as quickly aspossible."

Zinov could hardly contain his anger atthe man's impertinence. "We'll damn well see about that! Who's in chargehere?"

It won't make any difference, comrade.His name's Major Lukin, KGB Moscow. So in the meantime, step out of thecar."

Stanski and Anna tensed at the mention ofthe name, but Zinov seemed completely to lose his head.

"Shut up, you insolent fool, andtell the officer in charge I want to see him. Now!"

The roar from Zinov made the militiamanjump. The man turned and raised a hand and signaled the KGB man, the one namedLukin, who had been watching the proceedings.

He strode over. "Is there aproblem?"

"Look here, Lukin, or whatever yourname is," said Zinov. "You're talking to a colonel in the KGB, and myfriends and I are in a hurry. We've got important business in Leningrad."

"I'm afraid no one passes withoutbeing checked and searched."

"On whose damned authority?"

Lukin produced his ID and held it out forZinov to inspect. "On mine. There is a search for enemy agents inprogress." Zinov examined Lukin's ID and said, "That's all very well,but as you can appreciate, you're delaying us."

"I'm delaying everyone, Colonel, butI'm sure you realize I have a job to do. Now, would you all please step out ofthe car and have your papers ready."

Zinov flushed a deep red, then steppedout and slammed the door after him. The militiaman examined his papers firstwhile two men moved to search the car. Stanski and Anna slid out from the rearas Lukin's eyes showed a sudden interest.

He stepped forward. "Papers, please,Captain."

Stanski handed them across. For a longtime the major looked at Stanski's face, then examined the papers, before helooked up and said, "And who is this lady?"

"My wife, Comrade Major. We've beenstaying in Tallinn on a short visit."

"And the purpose of your visit toTallinn, Captain Petrovsky?"

Stanski smiled and nodded at Anna."Our honeymoon, comrade."

"Where were you staying?"

"With a relative of my wife's in theold town. Is there a problem, Comrade Major?"

Lukin studied Stanski's face."Indeed there is. We're looking for a man and a woman, enemy agents whoparachuted into Estonia the night before last. As it happens, our informationsuggests they're about the ages of you and your wife here."

He looked at Anna. "So you say thislady is your wife?" Stanski said proudly, "Indeed she is, comrade. Wewere married three days ago." He smiled. "And I can assure you,major, she's not an enemy agent."

There was a laugh from one of themilitiamen standing nearby, but Lukin's expression didn't change.

He said evenly, "My congratulationsto both of you. May I see your papers also, madam?"

"Of course."

Anna fumbled in her handbag and handedthem over. Lukin examined the documents thoroughly, flashing his light on thepaper, feeling it, rubbing his thumb against the page. He didn't hand them backto Anna but looked at Stanski, then examined his papers again, doing the same.

"Your destination, CaptainPetrovsky?"

"Leningrad."

"For what purpose?"

"To rejoin my division."

"And which division is that?"

"The 14th Armored. There are wintermaneuvers imminent at Novgorod and I'm afraid I have to rejoin."

The major glanced at Stanski's 14thArmored uniform flashes. "Would you mind if we searched yourluggage?"

Stanski shrugged. "Of course not,Major."

Lukin snapped his fingers and amilitiaman appeared. "Remove the captain's luggage and search itthoroughly. His wife's also." He looked at Stanski again as suddenly twomilitiamen came forward with their Tokarev machine-pistols at the ready, as ifsensing trouble.

Zinov came over and interrupted."Look, Major, is that really necessary?

We're in a damned hurry. This officer isknown personally to me. And also the young lady. I happen to stay frequentlywith her uncle here in Tallinn."