“The dragon drinks from the fountain,” Hui whispered into his wrist-communicator. “Cherry blossoms tremble in the wind.” He folded up his newspaper and strolled through the crowd of passengers.

Across the train station, Donnelly rose from the bench and walked briskly toward the large clock looming over the hall. 3:31, it read. Behind him on the bench sat a red leather briefcase. He did not look at Hui as the Chinese agent handed him the folded newspaper.

Without breaking stride, Hui picked up the leather case and continued out the gate and onto the Istanbul train. The transfer had been a success.

After he looked up and down the passageway, Hui ducked into his curtained berth and opened the case. There they were. Two La Crosse Technology WT-2171U Digital Atomic Travel Alarm Clocks. Each received a daily transmission from the U.S. atomic beacon in Fort Collins, for accurate time. Compact in size, but endowed with prominent snooze buttons. Donnelly did not disappoint. Hui had the American atomic secrets. His superiors would be pleased.

Outside the train station, Donnelly sat on a bench under a flowering tree and opened the newspaper. The envelope was inside. He counted the bills. It was all there. Thirteen dollars, including shipping. Now Donnelly knew the price of his soul.

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