In the evening when Anton returned to the hotel he had a telephone call from Coventry, located to the north of London. It was a call from Mr. Snow, a business associate of the Russian company for whom Anton worked.
Mr Snow: Mr. Smirnov, I'm calling to send my apologies to Mr. Nikolaev, your chief, for our default.
Anton: Don't worry we have received your payment and everything seems all right. I spoke with Mr. Nikolaev before my departure. He does not bear any grudges against you.
Mr. Snow: I'm very glad to hear that. But still I want to assure you that such things will never happen again.
Anton: Good. I'll pass it on to Mr. Nikolaev on my return to Moscow.
Here are two letters relating to the default mentioned by Mr. Snow received and sent by him some time before this talk took place: