Possible Clues:

• Stratagem and skill shown by diplomat in charge
• Pussy is up to sound like a clock for an manoeuvre
• Part of a war plan
• Stratagem or manoeuvre
• Skilful move
• Manoeuvre or skilful procedure
• The manoeuvre is to get beginning of the play into the middle of this
• Military manoeuvre
• The plan is to have the beginning of the play in the middle
• Start of play comes in the middle