or a look-see myself. But frankly, I don't trust a
Russian any farther than I can throw one."

"How many Russians have you met?" Loo said mildly. "Or are your
opinions formed solely by what you have read in American
publications?"

Hank frowned at him. "You seem to be a little on the anti-American
side."

"I'm not," Loo said. "But not pro-American either. I find much that is
ridiculous in the propaganda of both the Soviets and the West."

"Gentlemen," Paco said, "the conversation is fascinating, but I must
leave you. The ladies, crowding the decks above, know not that my
presence graces this ship. It shall be necessary that I enlighten
them. _Adios amigos!_"

* * * * *

The _Baltika_ displaced eight thousand four hundred ninety-six tons
and had accommodations for three hundred thirty passengers. Of these,
Hank Kuran estimated, approximately half were Scandinavians or British
being transported between London, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki
on the small liner's way to Leningrad.

Of the tourists, some seventy-five or so, Hank estimated that all but
half a dozen were convinced that Russian skunks didn't stink, in spite
of the fact that thus far they'd never been there to have a whiff. The
few such as Loo Motlamelle, who was evidently the son of some African
paramount chief, and Paco Rodriquez, had also never been to Russia but
at least had open minds.

Far from black bread and borscht, he found the food excellent. The
first morning they found caviar by the pound nestled in bowls of ice,
as part of breakfast. He said across the table to Paco, "Propaganda. I
wonder how many people in Russia eat caviar."

Paco spooned a heavy dip of it onto his bread and grinned back. "This
type of propaganda I can appreciate. You Yankees should try it."

Char was also eating at the other side of the community type table.
She said, "How many Americans eat as well as the passengers on United
States Lines ships?"

It was as good an opportunity as any for Hank to place his character
in the eyes of his fellow Progressive Tours pilgrims. His need was to
establish himself as a moderately square tourist on his way to take a
look-see at highly publicized Russia. Originally, the C.I.A. men had
wanted him to be slightly pro-Soviet, but he hadn't been sure he could
handle that convincingly enough. More comfortable would be a role as
an averagely anti-Russian tourist--not fanatically so, but averagely.
If