“It’s a city with two million people, ninety miles southwest of New York.”
“Two million! That’s incredible. Is your name there Toné Stara?”
“No.” Wolfe hesitated. “It is not a question of being frank with you, Comrade Stritar. It is merely that I would not want any inquiries made among my friends or associates until I return. As soon as I arrive I’ll let you know, and of course give you my American name and address. One thing you should tell me now; in case I have money to send, which is very probable, I would want to be sure it reaches you safely. How would I send dollars?”
Stritar pursed his lips. “I’ll think it over and let you know. You’re right, it should be properly arranged. When are you leaving, and how?”
“We have no papers.”
“I know.”
“Also, I’ll be frank, we want to get away as soon possible. You must forgive us if we feel that we are in danger. I know that the police here are under you and are therefore extremely efficient, but today weheard that Russian tell Comrade Zov that he had to come to the fort when he got his message, because he knew what to expect if he didn’t. So not only can they get messages to Titograd, but also if the messages are not heeded they can do something about it. They will certainly not let the death of that Dmitri Shuvalov go unavenged, not to mention the other two. We are not comfortable in Titograd.”
“No one saw you. No one knows you were there.”
“Danilo Vukcic knows, and his friends. My suspicions of Vukcic may be unfounded, but I have them. He may be in Albania now, to report about us. And that suggests another matter, though it is not our concern.”
“What other matter?”