22 Pieter Lawrence trial will sniff it out,” said Bill, would love to get their “The “they hands on this stuff Imagine the dramatic headlines. There’s no way we can allow Hurst to announce his discovery” He looked through a further batch of papers. had a report “I’ve on this person.” He studied his notes for a moment and continued. he’s a bachelor aged 58 living on his own in a large “Apparently, house in Southsea. He inherited a fortune made in property and now devotes his time to astronomy He is secretary of the local Astronomical Society and has his own small observatory I imagine that’s why he lives in Southsea... clearer skies.” asked in disbelief. “Southsea?” does his serious work from an observatory in Mexico, “He which he pays for.” Bill Charman outlined the plan to offer Hurst time on government facilities, provided he first signed the Official Secrets Act and agreed not to make his work public. “I understand he is a great egotist,” he said. we may be able “Well, to flatter him. We’ll appreciate the brilliance of his achievements and promise him public recognition. He may find that hard to resist.” he does resist,” Blake. then?” “Suppose “What it gets more difficult,” said Bill, have to keep him “Then “We’ll by some other means.” mean well have to arrest him?” “Abu Bill thought for a moment. wouldn’t put it quite like that. We’ll “I keep him talking.... in a secure place.” takes two to talk. Suppose he doesn’t want to. No violence, I “It hope?” don’t see it coming to that.” “I The Minister became increasingly concerned. At first doubtful, he was now anxious about what could be the political
22 Pieter Lawrence “The will sniff it out,” said Bill, “they would love to get their hands on this stuff Imagine the dramatic headlines. There’s no way we can allow Hurst to announce his discovery” He looked through a further batch of papers. “I’ve had a report on this person.” He studied his notes for a moment and continued. “Apparently, he’s a bachelor aged 58 living on his own in a large house in Southsea. He inherited a fortune made in property and now devotes his time to astronomy He is secretary of the local Astronomical Society and has his own small observatory I imagine that’s why he lives in Southsea... clearer skies.” “Southsea?” asked in disbelief. “He does his serious work from an observatory in Mexico, which he pays for.” Bill Charman outlined the plan to offer Hurst time on government facilities, provided he first signed the Official Secrets Act and agreed not to make his work public. “I understand he is a great egotist,” he said. “Well, we may be able to flatter him. We’ll appreciate the brilliance of his achievements and promise him public recognition. He may find that hard to resist.” “Suppose he does resist,” Blake. “What then?” “Then it gets more difficult,” said Bill, “We’ll have to keep him by some other means.” “Abu mean well have to arrest him?” Bill thought for a moment. “I wouldn’t put it quite like that. We’ll keep him talking.... in a secure place.” “It takes two to talk. Suppose he doesn’t want to. No violence, I hope?” “I don’t see it coming to that.” The Minister became increasingly concerned. At first doubtful, he was now anxious about what could be the political trial
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