"When do I start?" The question, and the acceptance were natural thoughts in Ian's mind. How he hated leaving anything half-uncover- ed- -or worse, given it over to another!

"We'll do best by proceeding slowly. Of course, you won't need the extensive briefing another might-in point of fact, that's the prime reason of utilizing you instead of another, more qualified agent.” That was almost an insult! Ian began a slow smoulder.

The Chief continued impassively. "Living with the Liverpool crowd for six months has given you the perfect cover. It's unbeatable, because you know everybody—and I suppose everybody knows you. That's where we need a double-six's peculiar talents—you again, for infiltra- tion. Well, then, let's get on with it." The Chief leaned forward de- cisively. “I think the first step would be to change your hair style and obtain a new wardrobe-expenses covered of course. I can't really say much about those things you're wearing."

"It's at the top of my list of things to do," Ian assured him.

"Eh? Oh, yes. Hmm." The Chief seemed to have lost the train of his thoughts. "I think—I think you'd do best to hold on a bit.” He was silent for another moment, then said earnestly, "See here, 661, this isn't so much an order as a request, eh? But it's a request based on a necessity and that makes it an order. Do you follow me?" "No." Ian was amused at the SC's discomfit.

"We shall have to pull a rather abrupt switch of character this time -and with the cooperation of Medical Section, I believe we shall pull it off. You shall pull it off,” he corrected. "From your reports and from Stations G and F-Berlin and Paris, we know where the information channel runs. But our main problem is getting an operator into the network. At present, I would say it is impossible even for a master dou- ble-Six. So, we must look at our entire approach in a new light. Now, then Ivan knows for a fact that we don't use females as first-line opera- tives. He does, but we don't-we can't afford the extra training to make up for the difference in backgrounds—either time-wise or the ef- fort to simulate all the differences necessary to make a first-rate opera- tive. Women in the organization slow things down, they distract the other operators and just as you need them, badly, they usually need an obstetrician! Be that as it may, we still have the sort of situation where a female operator might appear to be desirable and that's where you come in.”

10