20

The morning after, you found Sir Basil Pinewood alone in the library, standing by the fire.

“A sorry business,” he said at once. “Still, you have twice prevented December from faltering. They would not have sent for you again without reason.”

You said nothing.

Wesley, who was by the window, turned his head. Snowell closed the book he had been holding.

“You have read my letter,” you said.

“One hears things in a house like this," Sir Basil responded.

“That line appears in only one invitation,” Snowell said.

Sir Basil spoke briefly of the roads and the weather, and excused himself.

When he had gone, Wesley crossed to the table and looked down at the chessboard.

“We are moving too far forward,” he said. “We will have to rewind the game."

This is a help retractor. In the current position, White has just completed a legal move. First, retract the last move made by White, followed by retracting the last move made by Black. Then play forward: Black and White each make 2 moves, with White's second move delivering stalemate. Both players cooperate througout.