Politics are on hold for the Twelfth today. Time to take stock, to reflect, to try to figure whether a breakthrough is possible. To that end Gerry Adams and David Trimble must decide how far they are prepared to stretch their constituencies on the respective issues of arms and policing.
They are all due back here tomorrow at windy, leafy Weston Park, in Shropshire. At least we are told it is in Shropshire, although some insist it is really in Staffordshire. Gerry Kelly of Sinn Fein devised a good compromise. "Let's call it Shropfordshire."
As for the possibilities of compromise on the big issues, it will probably take us late into Friday night, or possibly even deeper into the weekend, before we know the answer to that question. None of the principals is talking up the prospects of a deal either publicly or privately but equally they say there are possibilities, and at least Sinn Fein and the Ulster Unionists, prodded by the SDLP and the Taoiseach and British Prime Minister, are getting down to serious business, talks insiders say.
There is general acknowledgement now that, contrary to Mr Trimble's initial position, these negotiations are about more than the single issue of IRA arms. And republicans have conceded too that as well as policing, demilitarisation, protecting the institutions, criminal justice, etc, the matter of weapons does truly have a place in proceedings - although the public line from Sinn Fein negotiators is still that arms is a matter for the IRA, not them.
When Mr Ahern and Mr Blair convened the second roundtable session at 9.30 p.m. on Tuesday the mood finally changed to one of serious engagement. It was still tentative and tetchy, but the focus had switched from recrimination to negotiation.
One Sinn Fein source pointed to elements of Mr Adams's speech in London on Tuesday night. It was obvious that republicans wanted arms put beyond use, that they wanted an end to all paramilitary groupings, including the IRA - that was the clear message from his address, he said. Unionists might not be conscious of the importance of these remarks, but in republican terms they were significant and should not be dismissed, he added.
One senior talks insider said this emphasis was welcomed. "That's fine, of course, but a little bit of evidence isn't too much to ask," he added, by way of a plea for republicans to outline what would happen on arms if policing, demilitarisation and other issues were tackled to their satisfaction.
It has been written here that the two governments have been trying to prompt Sinn Fein and the Ulster Unionists "to declare the colour of their money" in terms of what moves they can tolerate respectively on arms and policing. Mr Adams retorted yesterday evening: "When is Tony Blair going to show the colour of his money?"
That chiefly was a reference to what amendments Mr Blair is prepared to make to the Police Act to bring it into line with Patten. Much of yesterday was devoted to possible changes to the Act that would satisfy Sinn Fein and the SDLP, while not fatally alienating unionists.
Mr Adams said, and Seamus Mallon agreed with him, that Mr Blair has not gone far enough on policing. Mr Mallon said, and Mr Adams appeared to agree with him, that progress was made yesterday on policing and demilitarisation. Mr Mallon also said there was no corresponding progress on IRA arms. Perhaps tomorrow Mr Blair will reveal more of his cards on policing, demilitarisation, but it is still unclear whether republicans will do the same.