31.   But even top advisers say they are not privvy to what the two men are thinking about appointments, at least not until shortly before they are announced.

32.   But he and his top advisers said that this was the most probable theory being explored.

33.   But Hill Republicans, as well as members of interest groups friendly to the White House, said that the president and his top advisers were distracted.

34.   But his top advisers were deeply split about whether to take the deal.

35.   But his top advisers said this was the theory being explored most closely.

36.   But George Weisz, a top adviser to Hull who lobbied for the bill, said there will not be a mass exodus.

37.   But Lehman was the top adviser on U.S. deals, topping Merrill and Goldman.

38.   But if the governor seemed unruffled by the time constraints of a presidential race, his handful of top advisers are starting to get antsy.

39.   But in a recent meeting with his top advisers on Bosnia, Clinton asked if Milosevic could be counted on to deliver the Bosnian Serb leaders.

40.   But Mrs. Kumaratunga and her top advisers say they are confident that opinion is shifting in their direction, not only among the Sinhalese but also among Tamils.