condensed master

The Reluctant Agent
A Compelling Story of Espionage
a large reception area. The smooth stone floor and walls gave a feeling of
coolness, in contrast to the heat outside. Carved wooden seats were placed
against three of the walls, and a rectangular table of similar design, positioned in
the centre of the room, supported a large coloured eastern vase. His guide
stopped and pointed to one of the seats, indicating that Will should sit and wait.
The large door opposite was half open, revealing a room well lit with natural
light. Will was suddenly aware that his guide was no longer in the room, and a
feeling of apprehension came over him as he waited, wondering what was to
happen next. The room was deathly quiet, reminding him of the small stone walled
vestry, in his church back home.
During the last few hours events had been testing his ability to cope, and the
next incident may be no exception. A faint rustling could be heard coming from the
room, but he could not distinguish whether it was human or animal. Concentrating
on that part of the room visible through the open door, there were noticeable
changes in the light and dark of the shadows. There was definitely someone inside.
The still air was abruptly disturbed by the sound of a chair being dragged
across the floor followed by footsteps, and within seconds a man appeared in the
doorway stepping into full view on the opposite side of the table.
Will stood up looking directly across the room at the person he was obviously
intended to meet, but could not believe his eyes. The two men remained motionless
for a few more seconds looking at each other, which was enough time to confirm
that it was a man he had met in Aden, on a previous voyage.
They had both moved simultaneously to get around the table, and Will
extended his hand. "I have met you before, you have a radio shop in Aden, forgive
me, but I have forgotten your name." By this time the men were face to face, and
his host was obviously taken aback by Will's remark.
In perfect Oxford English he replied. "I believe we have. Please call me Omah,
come in and sit down." Will followed him inside.
A large old desk monopolized the centre of the room, with sundry pieces of
small furniture and tables placed on scatter rugs around the perimeter. Oil paintings
adorned two of the walls, on the third a glass gun cabinet containing several
antique pistols. A six bladed fan was faintly whirring in the centre of the tall ceiling,
from which Will could feel the cool changes of air as they passed over his sweating
body.
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