Is the story that Ames sent the secret of the Clipper Chips to Moscow unlikely? Well, yes. There are no escrow agents because there aren't any keys yet. Plus, it is unlikely that the specific design got to him. But Dorothy characterizes the entire rumor as absurd and I don't think that this is the case. It seems entirely plausible to me that someone in Ames position could severely compromise the Clipper system. Why? Someone in Ames position would presumably need access to Clipper encrypted calls to conduct counter-intelligence operations. Remember some of the first customers will be the DOJ, a good place to put a mole. So if someone in Ames wanted a Clipper key, he could probably ask the escrow agents for it and get it, no questions asked. Dorothy uses arguments like Ames wouldn't have a "Need to Know." This really isn't a strong point. Ames is accused of being a spy. Spies, by definition, circumvent "need to know" requirements. I believe that they found some documents in Ames possession that he was not authorized to hold. The specific rumor is probably false, but I think that the Ames case is a perfect proof of what will almost certainly go wrong with the Clipper system. Someone will rat. History has shown time and time again that three can keep a secret if two are dead. Me and the two Clipper Agencies make three.