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Arthur Pendelton dipped his fountain pen into the heavy glass inkwell and rubbed his aching temples , dreading the next sentence from across the mahogany table . It was three in the morning in the seaside villa , the coal stoves had long burned down to grey ash , and the two delegations had been arguing over a single territorial clause for five hours . The foreign minister spoke with glacial deliberateness ; the chief envoy , with barely concealed irritation . Between them sat Arthur , whose voice had grown hoarse from turning blunt ultimatums into polite diplomatic phrasing . " Tell the minister that we cannot accept this phrasing , " the envoy said , tapping a blunt pencil against the typed draft . " Nor will Parliament ratify any agreement containing such ambiguities . " Arthur translated the warning without embellishment . He knew he ought to soften the sharpest edges of the envoy's delivery , but professional duty forbade him to do so . Across the table , the minister listened impassively through his spectacles . " Our delegation offered generous concessions yesterday , " the minister replied through his own interpreter , whose tired voice cracked with exhaustion . " We will not offer more tonight , nor do our generals advise us to . " The room fell into heavy silence . Outside the tall arched windows , the Black Sea broke against the stony shore with a rhythmic , indifferent crash . Arthur watched the junior secretaries shift uncomfortably on their gilded chairs . One aide gathered discarded carbon copies from the carpet ; another , empty tea glasses . " Is there any alternative formulation available ? " the envoy asked , turning his red - rimmed eyes toward Arthur . " I believe so , sir , " Arthur answered quietly , opening a supplementary folder he had prepared during the afternoon recess . " The legal attachés drafted two compromise options before dinner . The first relies on international arbitration ; the second , on joint administration of the port . " The envoy looked at the sheets skeptically . " Has the minister reviewed either ? " " He has not , " Arthur said . " At least , not in the present revised form . " The minister gestured with an open hand , indicating that Arthur should read the second proposal aloud . Arthur did so with steady , measured cadence , pronouncing each article clearly so both transcriptionists could follow . When he finished , neither delegate spoke immediately . The envoy studied the green felt of the table ; the minister , the distant ceiling moldings . Finally , the minister gave a brief , curt nod and picked up his fountain pen . " Insert the maritime clause , " the envoy said , his voice softer now . " We shall sign the preliminary memorandum before sunrise . " Arthur let out a breath he felt he had been holding since midnight , dipped his pen once more , and began to write .
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