"I don't recall mentioning the State Department," Courtney replied.
"You didn't. I was honoring your friend by rating him among the diplomats."
He ignored my thrust. "Ever been to Valeria?" he asked.
I nodded.
"Recently?"
"About six years ago."
"Is that the last time?"
"What are you driving at?" I asked.
He answered with another question: "Seen the last number of the London Illustrated News?"
"No," I answered.