much better,’ she remarked in delight. ‘Do you not admit it? And you will have noted that the discussions in committee were conducted in your language. That was for your benefit, Arnold.’
‘So tell me why I’m here,’ he insisted.
She took a deep breath and he tried with difficulty to drag his glance away from her bosom. ‘You rightly say, Arnold, that over the years our work in the recovery of looted antiques has been … what is the word … best with difficulties.’
‘Beset,’ he corrected her.
‘Of course. The response of various countries who subscribe to the UNESCO policy has been varied. But at last, some six months ago, agreement was reached. The idea of an international group has been discussed for some time, of course: it is now a reality. It has at last been recognized that if we are to trace so many items – looted from Iraq, Turkey, Italy, Nigeria, Syria, so many locations – a great deal of international co-operation is required.’ She reached for her glass and sipped at the red wine; a hint of pride crept into her tone. ‘I am glad to say that because of our work in Italy, in which you yourself have participated, Arnold, we have been recognized as a logical centre for the coordination of such international activity. But we cannot employ merely Italians. The idea of the group was thus agreed: Americaagreed to send us a representative person … which is the reason for the presence of Mr McMurtaghy here … and after that other countries fell into line. A co-ordinating committee was established: apart from myself, Alienor Donati, Joachim Schmidt and Michael McMurtagh, we also have corresponding members, Señor Fernando from Spain, my old friend Oscar Domingo from Brazil, Herr Kreutzer from Bonn, and certain other contacts within Europe to assist us. A separate sub-group has been established in South America, which reports to us at intervals.’
‘Why so much assistance from Latin America?’
‘The result of the last great international conflict: the Second World War. All conflicts throw up opportunities for looting. The Nazis who fled to Brazil, Chile and Venezuela after the end of the war did not go empty-handed. We know that we will be much exercised in tracing such loot and claiming its return. Our representatives in Chile and Brazil are active in that regard. Now we have established sound networks, stretching throughout the western world. Sadly, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia … they have refused to support our endeavours, but that is perhaps understandable in view of their political situations.’
‘When you say support …’
‘It is not just personnel.’ She smiled, gestured to the room in which they sat. ‘We all have to live. Funds have therefore been made available by the co-operating governments, administered here in Italy. These funds supply us with logistical support as well as to provide salaries for what we may call the front-line troops. Which include ourselves, but also the contacts we have in offices in other countries.’
‘So where exactly do I come into all this?’
‘I have explained that we have received support from the US and other countries, but, sad to say, the British Government has been slow to support our efforts. But a breakthrough was finally made, just recently, and funding has at last been promised to the group. But there has been a sticking point when I have requestedrepresentation. Discussions have been ongoing with regard to personnel. It seems in London there is a particularly fixed mindset among your civil service. What is it you call them, these high-ups. Chinese…?’
‘Mandarins,’ Arnold laughed.
‘That is it. So talks have been difficult. When funding agreements were finalized the next problem seemed almost intractable. Several names have been put forward to us as potential members of the group which I lead, but these people, they are notable for being pensioned-off academics, failed politicians or civil servants who are seeking an
‘So tell me why I’m here,’ he insisted.
She took a deep breath and he tried with difficulty to drag his glance away from her bosom. ‘You rightly say, Arnold, that over the years our work in the recovery of looted antiques has been … what is the word … best with difficulties.’
‘Beset,’ he corrected her.
‘Of course. The response of various countries who subscribe to the UNESCO policy has been varied. But at last, some six months ago, agreement was reached. The idea of an international group has been discussed for some time, of course: it is now a reality. It has at last been recognized that if we are to trace so many items – looted from Iraq, Turkey, Italy, Nigeria, Syria, so many locations – a great deal of international co-operation is required.’ She reached for her glass and sipped at the red wine; a hint of pride crept into her tone. ‘I am glad to say that because of our work in Italy, in which you yourself have participated, Arnold, we have been recognized as a logical centre for the coordination of such international activity. But we cannot employ merely Italians. The idea of the group was thus agreed: Americaagreed to send us a representative person … which is the reason for the presence of Mr McMurtaghy here … and after that other countries fell into line. A co-ordinating committee was established: apart from myself, Alienor Donati, Joachim Schmidt and Michael McMurtagh, we also have corresponding members, Señor Fernando from Spain, my old friend Oscar Domingo from Brazil, Herr Kreutzer from Bonn, and certain other contacts within Europe to assist us. A separate sub-group has been established in South America, which reports to us at intervals.’
‘Why so much assistance from Latin America?’
‘The result of the last great international conflict: the Second World War. All conflicts throw up opportunities for looting. The Nazis who fled to Brazil, Chile and Venezuela after the end of the war did not go empty-handed. We know that we will be much exercised in tracing such loot and claiming its return. Our representatives in Chile and Brazil are active in that regard. Now we have established sound networks, stretching throughout the western world. Sadly, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia … they have refused to support our endeavours, but that is perhaps understandable in view of their political situations.’
‘When you say support …’
‘It is not just personnel.’ She smiled, gestured to the room in which they sat. ‘We all have to live. Funds have therefore been made available by the co-operating governments, administered here in Italy. These funds supply us with logistical support as well as to provide salaries for what we may call the front-line troops. Which include ourselves, but also the contacts we have in offices in other countries.’
‘So where exactly do I come into all this?’
‘I have explained that we have received support from the US and other countries, but, sad to say, the British Government has been slow to support our efforts. But a breakthrough was finally made, just recently, and funding has at last been promised to the group. But there has been a sticking point when I have requestedrepresentation. Discussions have been ongoing with regard to personnel. It seems in London there is a particularly fixed mindset among your civil service. What is it you call them, these high-ups. Chinese…?’
‘Mandarins,’ Arnold laughed.
‘That is it. So talks have been difficult. When funding agreements were finalized the next problem seemed almost intractable. Several names have been put forward to us as potential members of the group which I lead, but these people, they are notable for being pensioned-off academics, failed politicians or civil servants who are seeking an
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