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cooperating – in a sort of way.’
    â€˜He’ll know more than we do about Zaire.’
    â€˜It’s Mozambique he’s most interested in.’
    â€˜In that case Davis is your man, sir. He’s more abreast of things there than I am.’
    â€˜Oh yes, of course, Davis. I haven’t yet met Davis.’
    â€˜Another thing, sir. When I was in Pretoria, I didn’t get on at all well with this man Muller. If you look further back in my file – it was he who tried to blackmail me under the race laws. That was why your predecessor told me to get out as fast as I could. I don’t think that would help our personal relations. It would be better to have Davis deal with him.’
    â€˜All the same you are Davis’s superior, and you are the natural officer to see him. It won’t be easy, I know that. Knives out on both sides, but he’ll be the one who’s taken by surprise. You know exactly what not to show him. It’s very important to guard our agents – even if it means keeping some important material dark. Davis hasn’t your personal experience of BOSS – and their Mr Muller.’
    â€˜Why do we have to show him anything, sir?’
    â€˜Have you ever wondered, Castle, what would happen to the West if the South African gold mines were closed by a racial war? And a losing war perhaps, as in Vietnam. Before the politicians have agreed on a substitute for gold. Russia as the chief source. It would be a bit more complicated than the petrol crisis. And the diamond mines . . . De Beers are more important than General Motors. Diamonds don’t age like cars. There are even more serious aspects than gold and diamonds, there’s uranium. I don’t think you’ve been told yet of a secret White House paper on an operation they call Uncle Remus.’
    â€˜No. There have been rumours . . .’
    â€˜Like it or not, we and South Africa and the States are all partners in Uncle Remus. And that means we have to be pleasant to Mr Muller – even if he did blackmail you.’
    â€˜And I have to show him . . .?’
    â€˜Information on guerrillas, blockade-running to Rhodesia, the new chaps in power in Mozambique, Russian and Cuban penetration . . . economic information . . .’
    â€˜There’s not much left, is there?’
    â€˜Go a bit carefully on the Chinese. The South Africans are too much inclined to lump them with the Russians. The day may come when we need the Chinese. I don’t like the idea of Uncle Remus any more than you do. It’s what the politicians call a realistic policy, and realism never got anyone very far in the kind of Africa I used to know. My Africa was a sentimental Africa. I really loved Africa, Castle. The Chinese don’t, nor do the Russians nor the Americans – but we have to go with the White House and Uncle Remus and Mr Muller. How easy it was in the old days when we dealt with chiefs and witch doctors and bush schools and devils and rain queens. My Africa was still a little like the Africa of Rider Haggard. It wasn’t a bad place. The Emperor Chaka was a lot better than Field-Marshal Amin Dada. Oh well, do your best with Muller. He’s the personal representative of the big BOSS himself. I suggest you see him first at home – it would be a salutary shock for him.’
    â€˜I don’t know if my wife would agree.’
    â€˜Tell her I asked you to. I leave it to her – if it’s too painful . . .’
    Castle turned at the door, remembering his promise. ‘Could I have a word with you about Davis, sir?’
    â€˜Of course. What is it?’
    â€˜He’s had too long at a London desk. I think that at the first opportunity we ought to send him to Lourenço Marques. Exchange him for 69300 who must need a change of climate by now.’
    â€˜Has Davis suggested that?’
    â€˜Not exactly, but I think