If he knew anything at all about the craft, that reporter would be digging in.

Fortunately he had resources unsuspected by the reporter.

Legitimately he could send a secret-service operative to collect the mail--if Karlov decided to negotiate.

Still within his rights, he could use another operative to conduct the negotiations.
If in the end Karlov strayed into the net the use of the service for private ends would be justified.
Lord, those green stones! Well, why not?
Something in the world worth a hazard.

What had he in life but this second grand passion?
There shot into his mind obliquely an irrelevant question.