"You're beginning to talk like them, drink like them; next you'll want to murder and rape in the streets like them. At least I know where my loyalties lie."

Lugovoy studied the cigar thoughtfully. "So do i. What I accomplish here will have grave effects on our nation's policy toward the United States. It is of far greater importance than your KGB's petty theft of industrial secrets."

Suvorov appeared too mellowed by the wine to respond angrily to the psychologist's remarks. "Your actions will be reported to our superiors."

"I've told you endlessly. This project is underwritten by President Antonov himself."

"I don't believe you.

Lugovoy lit the ciiiarette and blew a puff of smoke toward the ceiling. "Your opinion is irrelevant."

"We must find a means to contact the outside." Suvorov's voice rose.

"You're crazy," Lugovoy said seriously. "I'm telling you, no I'm ordering you not to interfere. Can't you use your eyes, your brain?

Look around you. All this was in preparation for years. Every detail has been carefully planned to carry out this operation. Without Madame Bougainville's organization, none of this would have been possible."

"We are her prisoners," Suvorov protested.

"What's the difference, so long as our government benefits?"

"We should be masters of the situation," Suvorov insisted. "We must get the President out of here and into the hands of our own people so he can be interrogated. The secrets you can pry from his mind are beyond comprehension."

Lugovoy shook his head'in exasperation. He did not know what else to say. Trying to reason with a mind scored by patriotic fervor was like trying to teach calculus to a drunk. He knew that when it was all over Suvorov would write up a report depicting him as unreliable and a potential threat to Soviet security. Yet he laughed inwardly. If the experiment succeeded, President Antonov might be of a mood to name him Hero of the Soviet Union.

He stood up, stretched and yawned. "I think I'll catch a few hours' sleep. We'll begin programming the President's responses first thing in the morning."

"What time is it now?" Suvorov inquired dully. "I've lost all track of day and night in this tomb."

"Five minutes to midnight."

Suvorov yawned and sprawled on a couch. "You go ahead to bed.

I'm going to have another drink. A good Russian never leaves the room before the bottle is empty."

"Good night," said Lugovoy. He turned and entered the hallway.

Suvorov waved halfheartedly and pretended he was on the verge of dozing off. But he studied the second hand of his watch for three minutes. Then he rose swiftly, crossed the room and noiselessly made his way down the hallway to where it made a ninetydegree turn toward the sealed elevator. He stopped and pressed his body to the wall and glanced around the edge of the corner.