the swiss spy - 1.droppdf.com1.droppdf.com/files/ncfmh/the-swiss-spy-alex-gerlis.pdf · gerlis...

TheSwissSpy

AlexGerlis

TheAuthorAlexGerliswasaBBCjournalistformorethan25yearsbeforeleavingin2011toconcentrateonhiswriting.Hisfirstnovel,TheBestofOurSpies(2012),isan

espionagethrillersetintheSecondWorldWarandlikeTheSwissSpy,basedonrealevents.TheBestofOurSpieshasfeaturedprominentlyintheAmazonbestsellerchartsandhasreceivedmorethan270Amazonreviews.HisthirdnovelwillalsobesetintheSecondWorldWarand

willbeasequeltoTheSwissSpy.HeisalsotheauthorofTheMiracleofNormandy,publishedin2014asanon-fictionKindleSingle.AlexGerlislivesinLondon,ismarriedwithtwodaughtersandisrepresentedbyGordonWiseattheCurtisBrownliteraryagency.Heisa

VisitingProfessorofJournalismattheUniversityofBedfordshire.

ListofmaincharactersHenryHunterAlsoknownasHenriHesseMarleneHesseMotherofHenry.Formerly

knownasMaureenHunterErichHesse(deceased)HusbandofMarleneandstepfatherofHenryLouiseAliceHunter(deceased)AuntofHenryHunter

CaptainEdgarBritishspymasterHon.AnthonyDavisCovernameforEdgarPatrickO’ConnorJrCovernameforEdgarChristopherPorter

Edgar’sbossBasilRemington-BarberBritishspychiefinSwitzerlandSirRolandPearsonDowningStreetintelligencechief

MadameLadnierContactatCreditSuisse,GenevaSandyMorganBritishspyinLisbonRolfEderAustrian,workingfortheBritishinSwitzerland

FranzHermannBerlinlawyerandBritishagent.CodenameHugoFrauHermannMotherofFranzHermannWernerErnstGeneralmajorinGerman

ArmyHighCommandGunterReinhartOfficialattheReichsbank,Berlin.MarriedtoGudrunRosaSternFirstwifeofGunterReinhart.MarriedtoHaraldStern

AlfredSternSonofGunterReinhartandRosaSternSophiaSternDaughterofRosaSternandHaraldSternAloisJägerBerlinlawyer

KatharinaHochBritishagentinStuttgart.CodenameMiloDieterHochBrotherofKatharinaHochManfredErhardContactinEssen.Codename

LidoGertraudTraugott(deceased)‘Aunt’inEssenTelmoRochaMartinsOfficialinPortugueseForeignministry

DonaMariadoRosarioSecretaryatPortugueseLegationinBerlinViktorKrasotkinRussianspymasterFatherJosefPriestatStHedwig’sCathedral,Berlin

MichaelHedingerOfficialatBankLeu,ZürichAnatolyMikhailovichYevtushenkoRussianémigréinInterlaken,SwitzerlandTatyanaDmitriyevna

YevtushenkoWifeofAnatolyRozaliaAnatolyevnaYevtushenkoDaughterofAnatolyandTatyanaNadezhdaAnatolyevnaYevtushenko

DaughterofAnatolyandTatyanaNikolaiAnatolyevichYevtushenkoSonofAnatoly&Tatyana

ContentsPrologue:London,22ndJune1941Chapter1:CroydonAirport,London,August1939Chapter2:London,August1939Chapter3:toFranceandSwitzerland,November1939Chapter4:fromMarseillestoMoscow,December1939

Chapter5:Switzerland,1929–1930Chapter6:Switzerland,1931Chapter7:Berlin,January1940Chapter8:Geneva&Bern,June1940Chapter9:SalzburgAirport,July1940Chapter10:Stuttgart,July1940Chapter11:Essen,July1940Chapter12:Lausanne,Bern,August1940Chapter13:Berlin,August1940Chapter14:Berlin,January1941

Chapter15:LondonandLisbon,February1941Chapter16:London,February1941Chapter17:Zürich,February1941Chapter18:Switzerland,February1941Chapter19:Berlin,February1941Chapter20:Stuttgart,Zürich&Berlin,March1941Chapter21:London,March1941Chapter22:Portugal,Switzerland&Berlin,March1941

Chapter23:Berlin,March1941Chapter24:leavingBerlin,March1941Chapter25:theBlackForest,March1941Chapter26:MunichandStuttgart,MarchandApril,1941Chapter27:Stuttgart,April1941Chapter28:Zürich,April1941EpilogueALSOAVAILABLEFROMSTUDIO28

Prologue:London,22nd

June1941‘Itlookslikeit’sstarted.You’dbettercomeover.’

Itwasdarkintheroomandhewasunsureifthe

vaguelyfamiliarvoicenexttohimwaspartofadreamorwasrealand,ifso,whereitwascomingfrom.

‘AreyouthereEdgar?Canyouhearme?’

Herealisedhewasholdingthetelephoneinhishand.Hemusthavepickeditupinthemiddleofadreamin

whichhe’dbeensurroundedbymeneventallerthanhim,allwearingblackuniformswithgleamingsmiles.Themenacethataccompaniedthemhadsuddenlyvanishedatthesoundofashrillbellandamancallinghisname.

‘Edgar!Areyouthere?’Heswitchedonthe

bedsidelampandleanedbackonhispillow.ItwasChristopherPorter.Annoyingly,hiscigarettecasewasnotonthetable.

‘Yessir.’‘Atlast.IimagineI’ve

wokenyouup?’‘Attwoo’clockinthe

morning?Whatevermakes

youthinkthat?’‘You’dbettercome

over.Lookslikeit’sallstarted.’

‘Notanotherfalsealarm,Ihope.’

‘Idon’tthinkso:you’dbettercomeandseeforyourself.’

Hedressedquickly,not

botheringtoshave.Justashewasabouttoleavehisflathenoticedahalf-glassofwhiskyonthesideboard.Hehesitatedforamomentthendrankit.IfwhatPortersaysistrue,thismaybethelastchanceforadrinkforsometime.

Therewasalightdrizzleashehurrieddown

VictoriaStreetandbythetimehecrossedParliamentSquaretherainhadturnedheavy,causinghimtorundownWhitehall.Thecitywasenvelopedinthedarknessoftheblackout,whichmeanthesteppedinafewpuddles.Bythetimehearrivedattheentrancetotheheavily

guardedbasementbeneathWhitehallhislightsummersuitwasquitedrenched,hissocksweresoggyandhewasbreathingheavily.Hejoinedasmallqueueofpeoplewaitingtobeallowedin.Thepervadingsmellwasthatofrain,sweatandcigarettesmoke.Heedgedhiswayto

frontofthequeue,ignoringthemutteringbehindhim.

‘WhoshallIsayitisagainsir?’Thearmysergeantglancedanxiouslyatthemenbehindhim.

‘Itoldyou:Iwastelephonedjustbeforeandtoldtocomehere.Ireallydonotexpecttobekeptwaiting.

Youunderstand?’Thesergeanthesitated:

hehadstrictordersaboutwhohewastoallowintothebasementandwhataccreditationtheyneeded.Thismanwastryingtobargehiswayin.Atthatmomentthedoortothebasementopenedandamantappedhim

ontheshoulder.‘CaptainEdgariswith

me:beagoodchapandlethimthroughplease?’

Fiveminuteslatertheyhaddescendedseveralflightsofstairsandpassedthroughaseriesofguardeddoorways.Nowtheywereonanarrow

platformoverlookingalargeandbrightlylitoperationsroom,itswallscoveredinhugemaps.Menandwomeninavarietyofuniformswereeitheronthephone,writingonbitsofpaperorclimbingladderstoadjustmarkersonthemaps.Anotherplatformtotheirleftwascrowdedwith

seniorofficers.‘Sothisisitsir?’‘Seemstobe:itall

startedjustaftermidnight,ourtimethatis.TheGermanslaunchedairraidsagainstkeytargetsintheSoviet-controlledsectorofPoland.Soonafterthattheirlandforcescrossedtheborder.

Hardtobetoopreciseatthemoment,buteverythingwe’repickingupseemstoindicatethisisamajorinvasion.Somereportssaythatover100Germandivisionsareinvolved.Otherreportssayitcouldbenearerto150.’

‘Reliablesources?’

‘Bletchleysaytheycanbarelycopewithalltheradiotraffic:noisiestnightofthewar,theysay.PlentyofgoodstuffcomingthroughHelsinkitoo.TheFinnsareprettymuchinbedwiththeGermansnowasyouknow;wouldn’tbesurprisedtoseethemjoiningtheparty.

They’realsowellpluggedintoallkindsofsourcesinRussia.Closeproximityandallthat.Stockholmstationissendingbroadlythesamemessage.MorgansentthreemessagesfromLisbonlastnightsayinghethoughtitwasimminent–twodifferentsourcesapparently,one

particularlygoodoneintheMinistryofForeignAffairs.’

Edgarshowednoreaction,asifnothinghewasbeingtoldwasnewstohim.Hefeltinhispocketsandrealisedhe’dforgottentobringcigarettes.

‘Whatdoesthefrontlooklike?’

ChristopherPorterpointedtoanenormousmapofEuropeoppositethem.‘Startingupthereinthenorth–wherethatreddiamondis–they’vecertainlycrossedintoLatvia.Probablythe4th

PanzerGroup,weknowtheywereinthatarea.Thenallthewaydowntheborder,asfar

southastheUkraine.LooksliketheRomaniansmaybeinvolvedthere,possiblytheHungarianstoo.SeeBrestonthemap…there?That’swherethemainthrustmaywellbe,thoughit’sabitearlytosayforsure.BetweenthereandLublin:northandsouthofthePripetMarshes.’

‘Quitesomefront.’‘Well,ifthey’vereally

attackedfromtheBaltictotheBlackSea,that’swelloverathousandmiles.Extraordinaryiftheymanagetopullthatoff.’

Edgarstaredatthemapforagoodfiveminutes.‘He’scrazy,isn’the?’

‘Whois?’Edgarlookeddownat

Porter,surprised.‘Hitler.He’sleftitfartoolate.LookhowfartheyarefromMoscow,over600miles.Talkingofwhich,muchnoisecomingoutofthere?’

‘Nothingofficial.Apparentlythere’stalkof

theirHighCommandhavingsentoutsomekindofalertaboutaninvasionsomethreehoursbeforetheGermansattacked,butwecan’tconfirmthat.Obviouslydidn’thaveanyeffect.CertainlytherewasaverynoticeableincreaseinradiotrafficinandoutofMoscow

lastnight,butthenweknowtheSovietsarepronetogettingquitenoisyeverysooften.Allinall,itlooksliketheywerecaughtbysurprise.’

‘Well,’saidEdgar,removinghisjacket,‘itwasn’tasifwedidn’twarnthem.’

***

Chapter1:CroydonAirport,London,August1939Ashadeafter1.30ontheafternoonofMonday14th

August,20peopleemerged

fromtheterminalbuildingatCroydonAirportandwereshepherdedacrossarunwaystilldampfromheavyovernightrain.

Theywereasomewhatdisparategroup,asinternationaltravellerstendtobe.SomewereBritish,someforeign;afewwomen,mostly

men;themajoritysmartlydressed.Oneofthepassengerswasamanofaverageheightandmildlychubbybuild.Acloserlookwouldshowbright-greeneyesthatdartedaround,eagertotakeeverythinginandanosethatwasbentslightlytotheleft.Hehadamouththat

seemedfixedatthebeginningsofasmile,andtheoveralleffectwasofayoungerfaceonanolderbody.DespitetheheavyAugustsun,themanwaswearingalongraincoatandatrilbyhatpushedbackonhishead.Ineachhandhecarriedalargebriefcase;oneblack,

onelighttan.Perhapsbecauseoftheburdenofacoatandtwocases,orpossiblyduetohisnaturaldisposition,hewalkedapartfromthegroup.Atonepointheabsent-mindedlyveeredtowardsaKLMairlinerbeforeamaninuniformdirectedhimbacktowardstheothers.

AminuteorsolaterthegroupassembledatthestepsofaSwissairplane,alongsideaboardindicatingitsdestination:‘Service1075:Basle.’Aqueueformedasthepassengerswaitedforticketsandpassportstobechecked.

Whenthemanwiththe

twobriefcasespresentedhispapers,thepoliceofficerresponsibleforcheckinglookedthroughthemwithextracarebeforenoddinginthedirectionofatallmanwhohadappearedbehindthepassenger.Hewasalsowearingatrilby,althoughhishadsuchawidebrimit

wasn’tpossibletomakeoutanyfeaturesofhisface.

Thetallmansteppedforwardandimpatientlysnatchedthepassportfromthepoliceofficer.Heglancedatitbriefly,asifheknewwhattoexpect,thenturnedtothepassenger.

‘Wouldyoucomewith

meplease,HerrHesse?’Itwasmoreofaninstructionthananinvitation.

‘What’stheproblem?Can’twesortwhateveritisouthere?’

‘Theremaynotbeaproblemsir,butit’dbebestifyoucamewithme.Itwillbemucheasiertotalkinside.’

‘ButwhatifImissmyflight?Itleavesin20minutes.’

ThetallermansaidnothingbutgesturedtowardsablackAustin7thatpulledupalongsidethem.Bynowthelastpassengerhadboardedandthestepswerebeingwheeledawayfromthe

aircraft.Theshortjourneybacktotheterminalwasconductedinsilence.Theyenteredtheterminalthroughasidedoorandwentuptoanofficeonthesecondfloor.

HerrHessefollowedthetallmanintothesmalloffice,whichwasdominatedbyalargewindow

overlookingtheapronandtherunwaybeyondit.ThemantookaseatbehindthedeskinfrontofthewindowandgesturedtoHessetositontheotherside.

‘Sitdown?ButI’mgoingtomissmyflight!Whatonearthisthisallabout?Allmypapersareinorder.I

insistonanexplanation.’Themanpointedatthe

chairandHessereluctantlysatdown,hisheadshakingashedidso.HeremovedhistrilbyandHessefoundhimselfstaringatoneofthemostunremarkablefaceshe’deverseen.Ithadthetannedcomplexionofsomeonewho

spentplentyoftimeoutdoorsanddarkeyeswithapenetratingstare,butotherwisetherewasnothingaboutitthatwasmemorable.Hessecouldhavestaredatitforhoursandstillhaddifficultypickingitoutofacrowd.Themancouldhavebeenanythingfromlate-

thirtiestomid-fifties,andwhenhespokeitwasingrammar-schooltones,withperhapstheveryslightesttraceofanorthernaccent.

‘MynameisEdgar.Doyousmoke?’

Hesseshookhishead.Edgartookhistimeselectingacigarettefromthesilver

casehe’dremovedfromhisinsidepocketandlightingit.Heinspectedthelitendofthecigarette,turningitcarefullyinhishand,admiringtheglowandwatchingthepatternsmadebythewispsofsmokeastheyhungabovethedeskanddriftedtowardstheceiling.Heappearedtobein

nohurry.BehindhimtheSwissairplanewasbeingpulledbyatractorinthedirectionoftherunway.AsilverImperialAirwaysplanewasdescendingsharplyfromthesouth,thesunbouncingoffitswings.

Edgarsatinsilence,lookingcarefullyattheman

infrontofhimbeforegettinguptolookoutofthewindowforafullminute,timingitonhiswristwatch.Duringthattimeheavoidedthinkingabouttheotherman,keepinganypictureormemoryoutofhismind.Whentheminutewasup,heturnedaroundandsatdown.Withoutlooking

up,hewroteinhisnotebook:Complexion:pale,

almostunhealthy-looking,pasty.

Eyes:bright-green.Hair:darkandthick,

needscutting.Noseataslightangle

(left).Smiles.

Build:slightlyoverweight.

Nervous,butsureofhimself.

Acolleaguehadtaughthimthistechnique.Toomanyofourfirstimpressionsofsomeonearecasualones,somuchsothattheybearlittlerelationtohowsomeone

actuallylooks,hehadtoldhim.Asaconsequencewetendtoendupdescribingsomeoneinsuchgeneraltermsthatimportantfeaturestendtobedisregarded.Lookatthemforoneminute,forgetaboutthemforoneminuteandthenwritedownhalfadozenthingsaboutthem.

Amanwhoatfirstglancewasdistinctlyordinary-looking,whoinothercircumstancesEdgarmightpassinthestreetwithoutnoticing,nowhadcharacteristicsthatmadehimeasiertorecall.

You’lldo.‘Thereareanumberof

thingsthatpuzzlemeaboutyou,HerrHesse.AreyouhappywithmecallingyouHerrHesse,bytheway?’AsCaptainEdgarspokehewaslookingattheman’sSwisspassport,asifreadingfromit.

‘Whywouldn’tIbe?’HessespokewithanimpeccableEnglishaccent

thathadahintofupper-classdrawl.

‘Well,’saidEdgar,tappingthedeskwiththepassportashedidso.‘That’soneofanumberofthingsaboutyouthatpuzzlesme.You’retravellingunderthisSwisspassportinthenameofHenriHesse.Butdoyounot

alsohaveaBritishpassportinthenameofHenryHunter?’

Themanhesitatedbeforenodding.Edgarnoticedhewasperspiring.

‘I’msureyou’dbemorecomfortableifyouremovedyourhatandcoat.’

TherewasanotherpausewhileHessegotupto

hanghishatandcoatonthebackofthedoor.

‘Soyouacceptyou’realsoknownasHenryHunter?’

Themannoddedagain.‘Passport?’‘Youhaveitthere.’‘IfIwereinyour

positionHerrHesse,Ithink

I’dadoptamoreco-operativemanneraltogether.ImeanyourBritishpassport:theoneinthenameofHenryHunter.’

‘Whataboutit?’‘Ishouldliketoseeit.’HenryHunterhesitated.‘Fortheavoidanceof

doubt,HerrHesse,Ishould

tellyouIhavetherighttosearcheveryiteminyourpossession:theBritishpassportplease?’

Henryliftedthetanbriefcaseontohislap,angledittowardshimandopeneditjustwideenoughforonehandtoreachin.Heretrievedathickmanilaenvelope,from

whichheremovedthepassportandhandedittoEdgarwhospentafewminutesstudyingit.

‘HenryRichardHunter:bornSurrey,6thNovember,1909;makingyou29.’

‘Correct.’EdgarhelduptheSwiss

passportinhislefthandand

theBritishpassportinhisright,andmovedthemupanddown,asiftryingtoworkoutwhichweretheheavier.

‘Bitodd,isn’tit?Twopassports:differentnames,sameperson?’

‘Possibly,butIverylegitimatelyhavetwonationalities.Icannotsee…’

‘Wecancometothatinamoment.ThefirstthingthenthatpuzzlesmeaboutyouisyouhaveaperfectlyvalidBritishpassportinthenameofHenryHunter,whichyouusedtoenterthiscountryonthe1stAugust.But,twoweekslater,you’retryingtoleavethecountryusingan

equallyvalidpassport,butthistimeit’saSwissoneinadifferentname.’

Therewasalongsilence.ThroughthewindowbothmencouldseeSwissairflight1075edgeontotherunway.Edgarwalkedovertothewindowandgazedoutattheaircraftbeforeturning

backtofaceHenry,raisinghiseyebrowsashedidso.

‘Anyexplanation?’Henryshrugged.Edgar

returnedtothedeskandreopenedhisnotebook.Hetookafountainpenfromhispocket.

‘Wecanreturntothebusinessofflightsina

moment.Let’slookagainatyourdifferentnames.Whatcanyoutellmeaboutthat?’

‘WillIbeabletogetonthenextflight?There’sonetoGenevaatthreeo’clockIthink.ItwouldbemostinconvenientifIdidn’tgetbacktoSwitzerlandtoday.’

‘Let’sseehowweget

onwiththeexplanationyou’reabouttogiveme,eh?Youweretellingmehowyoumanagetohavetwonationalitiesandtwonames.’

Henryshrugged,asthoughhecouldnotunderstandwhythiswouldrequireanyexplanation.

‘Terribly

straightforward,really.IwasbornhereinSurreyasithappens,henceHenryHunterandtheBritishpassport.MyfatherdiedwhenIwas14andayearorsolatermymothermetaSwissmanandmarriedhimfairlysoonafter.WemovedtoSwitzerland,firsttoZürichandthenGeneva.

WhenIwas18,IbecameaSwissnational,andforthepurposesofthatIusedmystepfather’ssurname.Intheprocess,HenrybecameHenri.Soyousee,there’sreallynomystery.IapologiseifitturnsouttohavebeeninanywayirregularasfarastheBritishGovernmentisconcerned:I’d

behappytoclearmattersupattheBritishconsulateinGenevaifthathelps.DoyouthinkI’llbeabletomakethethreeo’clockGenevaflight?’

‘Thereareafewmorequestions,MrHunter.I’msureyouunderstand.Whatisyourjob?’

Henryshiftedinhis

seat,clearlyuncomfortable.‘Idon’thaveacareeras

such.MystepfatherwasverywealthyandhadpropertyalloverSwitzerland.Itravelaroundtocheckonthem–keepthetenantshappyandmakesuretheypaytheirrentontime,thatkindofthing:nothingonerous.Ialsodid

someworkwithatravelagencyandabitoftranslation.I’vemanagedtokeepbusyenough.’

Edgarspentafewminutesflickingthroughhisnotebookandthetwopassports.Atonestage,hemadesomenotes,asifcopyingsomethingfromone

ofthedocuments.Hethenconsultedamaphe’dremovedfromhisjacketpocket.

‘Yousaidthatyourstepfatherwasverywealthy…’

‘…Hediedacoupleofyearsago.’

‘Andwheredidyou

live?’‘NearNyon,bythe

lake.’Edgarnodded

approvingly.‘ButIseeyounowlive

inthecentreofGeneva,ontheRuedeValais?’

‘That’sright.’‘Andhowwouldyou

describethatarea?’‘Pleasantenough.’‘Really?FromwhatI

rememberofGenevathat’sratheronthewrongsideofthetracks.Overlookingtherailwaylineareyou?’

‘Toanextent,yes.’‘Well,eitheroneis

overlookingtherailwayline

oroneisnot?’‘Yes,wedooverlook

it.’‘Soundsratherlikea

fallfromgrace.Wishtotellmeaboutit?’

EdgarselectedanothercigaretteandhehadsmokedmostofitbeforeHenrybegantoanswer.Heappearedtobe

distressed,hisvoicenowmuchquieter.

‘Aftermystepfatherdied,ittranspiredhehadanotherfamily,inLuzern.Ofcourse,withhindsightthatexplainswhyhespentsomuchtimeinZürichonbusiness;mymotherneveraccompaniedhimonthose

trips.ThefamilyinLuzern,itturnedout,weretheonlylegitimatefamilyasfarasSwisslawisconcernedandthereforehadfirstclaimonhisestate.Idon’tfullyunderstandwhy,butmymother’slawyerassuresusthereisnothingwhatsoeverwecandoaboutit.The

propertybythelakenearNyonturnedouttoberentedandthevariousbankaccountsmymotherhadaccesstoweremoreorlessempty.Wequicklywentfrombeingverycomfortabletoveryhardup:hencetheflatbytherailwayline.We’veonlybeenabletosurviveaswehavebecause

mymotherhadsomefundsofherown,notverymuch,andherjewellery:fortunatelytherewasquitealotofthat.She’shadtosellmostofit.Idoasmuchfreelancetranslationaspossibleattheinternationalorganisations,butworkisn’teasytofindatthemoment.Theseare

difficulttimesonthecontinent.’

‘Asonegathers.SothepurposeofyourvisitbacktoEngland–togetawayfromitall?’

‘Familybusiness,friends.Thattypeofthing.’

Edgarstoodupandremovedhisjacket,drapingit

carefullyoverthebackofhischairbeforewalkingtothefrontofthedeskandsittingonit.Hiskneeswerejustinchesfromtheotherman’sface.Whenhespokeitwasinaveryquietvoice,asiftherewassomeoneelseintheroomhedidn’twanttohear.

‘Familybusiness,

friends.Thattypeofthing…WhatyouneedtoknowMrHunteristhatwealreadyknowanawfullotaboutyou.Wehave,astheysay,beenkeepingsomethingofaneyeonyou.Itwouldsaveagooddealoftimeifyouweretobehonestwithme.Sopleasecouldyoubemorespecific

aboutthefamilybusinessyoumentioned?’

‘Yousaid“we”.Whodoyoumeanby”we”?’

Edgarleanedback,pointedlyignoringthequestion.

‘Youweregoingtotellmeaboutyourfamilybusiness,MrHunter.’

‘MyauntdiedinJuly.Shewasmylatefather’seldersister.Iwasattendingherfuneral.’

‘Mycondolences.Wereyouclosetoher?’

‘Notespecially,butIwasherclosestlivingrelative.’

‘Andyouarea

beneficiaryofthewill,nodoubt?’

‘Yes.’‘Andhowmuchdid

youinherit,MrHunter?’TheSwissairDC-3was

nowbeginningtotaxidowntherunway.Atankerwasturningaroundinfrontofthebuilding,fillingtheroom

withthesmelloffuel.Henryshiftedinhischair.

‘Bythesoundsofit,Isuspectyouprobablyalreadyknowtheanswertothat.’

Edgarhadreturnedtohischairandleanedbackinitsoittiltedagainstthewindow.Ashedidso,hecrossedhisarmshighonhis

chest,staringlongandhardatHenry.

‘WhatI’mcuriousabout,MrHunter,iswhethermyanswerisgoingtobethesameasyours.HowaboutifIendeavourtoanswermyownquestionandyoustopmeifIsayanythingincorrect?’

‘Beforeyoudo,couldI

askwhetheryouareapoliceofficer?’

‘No.’‘Ifyou’renotapolice

officer,whatauthoritydoyouhavetoquestionmelikethis?’

Edgarlaughed,asifhefoundHenry’sremarktobegenuinelyamusing.

‘MrHunter.WhenyoufindoutonwhatauthorityIoperateyouwillverymuchregretaskingthatquestion.So,shallItellyoumyversionofwhyIthinkyoucameoverhere?’

Henryloosenedhistieandturnedaroundinhischair,lookinglonginglyatthe

door,asifhewerehopingsomeonewouldcomeinandexplainthewholebusinesshadbeenaterriblemisunderstanding.

‘LouiseAliceHunterwas,asyoucorrectlysay,yourlatefather’seldersisterandyouwereindeedheronlysurvivingrelative.’Edgarhad

nowopenedhisnotebookandwasreferringtoitashespoke.‘Shewas82yearsofageandhadbeenaresidentintheGreenLawnsResidentialHomenearBuckinghamfornineyears.Thematronofthehomeinformsusthatyoudutifullycameovertovisitheronceayear.Youvisited

herlastNovemberandthenagaininMay,shortlybeforeshedied.Oneachofthosevisitsyouwereaccompaniedbyhersolicitor.AmIcorrectsofar?’

Henrysaidnothing.‘Ishallassumethen

thatyouwillpointoutifanythingIsayisincorrect.

Yourauntdiedonthe24th

Julyandyouflewhereonthe1stAugust,whichwasaTuesday,ifIamcorrect.YoutravelledstraighttoBuckinghamshire,wherethefuneraltookplacelastThursday,whichwouldhavebeenthe9th.Sofar,nothingremarkable,eh?’

Henrynodded.‘Butthisiswherean

otherwiseveryordinarystorydoesbecomesomewhatlessordinary:sordid,perhaps.IamnowrelyingonastatementkindlyprovidedbyaMrMartinHart,who,asyou’reaware,isyouraunt’ssolicitorandthemanwho

accompaniedyouonyourlastvisitstoyouraunt.AccordingtoMrHart,youraunt’sestateamountedtoanotinsubstantialeightthousandpounds,allofwhichwasheldinadepositaccountadministeredbyMrHart.Youareindeedabeneficiaryofthatwill;themain

beneficiarymostcertainly,but–crucially–notthesolebeneficiary.Therewerebequeststotallingsomeonethousandpoundstovariousfriends,staffandcharities,butafterMrHarthaddeductedfeesduetohimanddutywaspaidtoExchequer,youwouldexpecttoreceivea

sumofjustundersixthousandpounds:certainlyahandsomesum.Doesthissoundcorrecttoyou?’

‘Ifyousayso.YoudoseemtoknowagooddealmorethanIdo.’

‘Butthere’sasmallproblem,fromyourpointofview.Thatmoneycouldonly

bepassedtoyouonceprobatewasgranted,whichcouldtakemanymonths,perhapsevenuptoayear.We’vealreadyestablishedyouandyourmotherhaveseriousfinancialproblems.Yourinheritancewouldrestoreyoutoapositionoffinancialsecurity.Youwouldonce

againbewealthy.However,waitingforprobateisbadenough,butwiththeverylikely–somewouldsayimminent–possibilityofwar,youhadaquiteunderstandableconcernthatyoumaynotbeabletogetthatmoneyoutofEnglandandintoSwitzerlandforquite

alongtime.I…’‘…You’remakinga

numberofassumptionshere,Edgar.WhatmakesyouthinkI’vedoneanythingimproper?I…’

‘MrHunter,whosaidanythingaboutdoinganythingimproper?Icertainlydidn’t.But,asyou

raisethesubject,letmetellyouwhatthemostobligingMrHarthastoldus.Accordingtohim,hewasprevaileduponbyyoutocutafewcorners,asheputit,andtoensuretheentirefundsofthedepositaccountwerereleasedstraightaway.Thisisnotonlyimproper,itisalso

illegal.’Henryshiftedinhis

chairandpulledalargehandkerchieffromatrouserpockettomophisbrow.Edgarhadnowremovedapairofreadingglassesfromacrocodile-skincaseand,afterpolishingthemforlongerthannecessary,hebeganto

readfromadocumenthe’dextractedfromthedeskdrawer.

‘Accordingtothebestlegaladviceavailabletome,there’snoquestionthatbothMrHartandyoucommittedacrime,namelyconspiracytodefraud.Mylearnedfriendstellmethatontheevidence

they’veseen,aconvictionwouldbeextremelylikelyandatermofimprisonmentwouldalmostcertainlyensue.TheysaythereisampleprimafaceevidencetoshowyouhaveconspiredtodefraudHisMajesty’sExchequerofthedutiesowedtoitfromyourgreataunt’s

estateandyouhadconspiredtopreventtheotherbeneficiariesofthewillfromreceivingthemoneybequeathedtothem.Fraud,MrHunter,isamostseriouscriminaloffence.ConfrontedwithourevidenceMrHarthas,asIsay,beenmostco-operative.Heclaimsthatdue

toahealthissue,ashedescribesit,heallowedhimselftobepersuadedagainsthisbetterjudgementtoreleasethefunds.Headmitshereceivedamuchlargerfeethanhewouldordinarilyhaveexpected.Apparently…’

‘It’snotasbadasit

sounds,Ihavetotellyou.’EdgarwastakenabackbyhowforcefulHenrywassounding.‘ItoldHartthatifIwasabletotakethemoneytoSwitzerlandwhileIcould,thenI’dbeinapositiontoreturnthemoneyowedtotheexchequerandtheotherbeneficiariesverysoon,

certainlybeforeprobatewouldordinarilyhavebeengranted.’

‘Really?IthinkyouandMrHartcookedupasomewhatcleverschemewherebyyouwerecountingonwarbeingdeclared.MrHartbelievedthat,inthosecircumstances,hecouldapply

tobegrantedastayofprobateuntilsuchatimeasyouwereinapositiontoclaim.Inotherwords,MrHunter,hewouldusethewarasanexcuse:pretendtokeepthemoneyinthedepositaccountuntilafterthewar,wheneverthatis.Except,ofcourse,themoneywouldnot

beinthedepositaccount,itwouldbewithyouinSwitzerland.Apparently,he–you–maywellhavegotawaywithithadnotthematronatthehomeoverheardsomeconversationaboutitbetweenyourselfandMrHart,andcontactedthepolice.’

‘Itwouldallhavebeenpaidback,Ipromiseyou.OnceIdepositeditinSwitzerland,IwouldhavetransferredwhatIowedback.ItseemedeasiertosendthemoneybackfromSwitzerlandratherthanwaitforprobatethenhaveittransferredfromLondon.’

‘Really?Allweneedtodonowisfindthemoney,ehHunter?Doyouwantmetohazardaguessastowhereitcouldbe?’

HenrysatverystillandstaredacrosstheairportasEdgarstoodupandwalkedaroundthedesk.OnceinfrontofHenryhebentdown

topickupthetwoleatherbriefcasesandplacedthembothonthedesk.

‘Keys?’Withoutsaying

anythingordivertinghisgazefromtherunway,Henryreachedintotheinsidepocketofhisjacketandproducedasetofkeys,whichhehanded

toEdgar.IttookEdgarafull20

minutestoremoveallthebundlesofbanknotesfromthetwobriefcases,assemblingthedifferentdenominationsinseparatepiles.Notawordwasexchangedduringthisprocess,whichHenry

watchedwithsomeinterest,asifhehadneverseensomuchmoneybefore.BythetimeEdgarhadfinished,therewerefourpiles:onecomprisedthebundlesoftenshillingnotes,anothertheonepoundnotes,thenfivepoundnotesandtenpoundnotes.Thepileofthelarge,white

fiveswasbyfarthelargest.Edgarsteppedback

fromthedeskandstoodbesideHenry.Theentiresurfaceofthedeskwascoveredinmoney.

‘I’veonlyofcoursebeenabletodoanapproximatecount,butI’dsaythatthere’sseven

thousandpoundsthere.Wouldthatbecorrect,MrHunter?’

‘Moreorless.Ithinkyou’llfindit’smorelikesixthousand,eighthundredpounds.MrHartclaimedratherlateinthedayheneededanothertwohundredpounds–forexpenses,

apparently.’‘Twohundredpounds

doesn’tseemtometobeverymuchconsideringtheimpactthisislikelytohaveonhisprofessionalcareer.’

‘It’sallbeenratherrushed,Edgar.Asitwassuchalargesumofcashwehadtowithdrawitfromamain

branchoftheMidlandBankinthecity.Wewereonlyabletogetholdofitthismorning.’

‘Yes,I’mawareofallthatMrHunter.’EdgarwasstillstandingnexttoHenry,withahandonhisshoulder.‘Inamomentsomecolleaguesofminearegoingtocomeandtakeyouaway.I

shalllookafterthemoneyandallyourpossessions.Weshallmeetagaininafewdays.’

***Afewminuteslater,HenryHunterhadbeenescortedfromtheairportinhandcuffs

bythreeuniformedpoliceofficers.Intheofficeoverlookingtherunway,Edgarremovedhistie,litanothercigaretteanddialledaLondonnumberfromthetelephonenestlingbetweenthebundlesofbanknotesonthedesk.

‘It’sEdgar.’

‘Ithoughtitmightbeyou.Howdiditgo?’

‘Verymuchaccordingtoplan.’

‘Good.We’reonthen?’‘Yes.Indeed.We’reon,

asyouputitPorter.’‘Andwhat’shelike?’‘Ratheraswewere

expecting.Notaltogetherthe

mostagreeableoftypes,butthenthat’shardlyadisqualificationinourlineofwork,isit?’

‘Tootrue…and,um,anyhintatallof…youknow?’

‘No,nonewhatsoever.Hewasratherimpressiveinthatrespect,Imustsay.Had

onenotbeenaware,onewouldreallyhavehadnoideaatall.’

‘Splendid.Whatnow?’‘Ithinkheneedsafew

daysonhisown.Itoughttobeeasyenoughafterthat.’

***

Chapter2:London,August1939ItwasearlyonablazinghotMondayafternoon–oneofthefirsttrulyhotdaysthatAugust–whenEdgarsteppedoutintoWhitehallandpaused

foragoodminuteortwoonthepavementtoenjoythesun.TherewasanuncharacteristicbounceinhisstepashestrolledupWhitehalltoTrafalgarSquarewherehecaughtthenumber12busandheadedwest.Heneededsometimetothinkandwhat,hethought,could

beamorepleasantplacetodothatfromthanthetopdeckofaLondonbus?

HestayedonthebusuntilNottingHillGatethenwalkedovertoKensingtonParkRoad,takingcareashedidsotoensurehewasnotbeingfollowed.Hewasabouttowalk,butanumber52bus

camealongandhedecidedtohopon.HestayedonthebusuntilitwashalfwaydownLadbrokeGrove.Hewaitedafullfiveminutesatthebusstoptoensurehistailwasclearthenheadednorth-westtowherethegrandeurofHollandParkpeteredouttoaseriesofplainandforgettable

buildings.Hepassedagroceryshopwithalongandexcitedqueueoutsideitandbrieflywonderedwhetherheshouldjoinit,asonedidthesedays,butaglanceathiswatchmadehimrealiseheneededtohurry.

Edgarpausedoutsideasmallalley,allowedan

elderlyladytobepulledpasthimbyapairofyappingterriersthenenteredthealley.Attheendofithepressedabellandalargeirongateswungopen.Hewasnowinasmallcourtyard:apolicemansalutedandunlockedadoorandfromthereEdgardescendedthreeflightsof

stairsbeforefindinghimselfinwhatwas,toallintentsandpurposes,asmallpolicestation.

***

Minuteslaterhewassittinginastuffywindowlessroominthebasementwithapolice

inspector.‘WhatIwouldliketoknowiswhathisgeneralmoodislike:whathedoes;howhebehaves;whathesays–thatkindofthing,InspectorHill.I’msureyouknowthescore.’

Theinspectorremovedanotebookfromthetoppocketofhisuniformjacket

andflickedthroughafewpages.

‘Let’sseethen…inaprettybadmoodwhenhearrivedhereonMondaynight,shoutingtheodds,insistinghehadarighttoalawyer.Shutuponcehe’dhadsomethingtoeat.Nextdayhewasonagainabouta

lawyer.WekepthiminhiscelluntilWednesdayafternoonwhenhewasbroughtinhereandIreadhimtheriotact:toldhimthatunderemergencyregulationshehadnorighttoalawyer.HeaskedforacopyofthoseregulationsandItoldhimitwasinthepost,whichdidn’t

seemtoreassurehim.Thursday:he’sstillmakingafusssowebringinacoupleoftheplainclothesboysasyousuggestedandthatdoesthetrick.Theytellhimhe’sbeingdoneforconspiracytocommitfraudandthatifhepleadsguiltyandisterriblyluckywiththejudgehemay

getawaywithfiveyears.Otherwise,hecandoubleit.’

‘Andhowdidhetakethat?’

‘Verymuchaswewouldhavehoped:afewtearsbeforebedtime.Hebeggedtobeabletosendatelegramtohismother;toldanyonewho’dlistenthat

therehadbeenaterriblemisunderstandingandhe’dhappilydonatethemoneytocharity.’

‘AndIpresumeyouthendidasIasked?’

‘Ofcourse:plainclothesboysreturnedonFridaymorningandheprovidesuswithaneatstatement,

confessingall.Ihaveithere.’Fromadrawerinthe

deskbetweenhimandEdgartheinspectorproducedthreecloselytypedsheetsofpaper,eachsignedwithsomethingofaflourish.Edgarcarefullyreadthenre-readthestatement.

‘SignedonFriday18th

August,good:andsincethen?’

‘Weallowedhimtostewovertheweekend.Otherthanbeingbroughttothisroomandintothecorridoroutsidehiscellforexerciseacoupleoftimesaday,he’sbeenlockedinhiscellallday.Hehasn’tseendaylight

inaweek.Evenso…’‘You’rehesitating,

Hill.’‘It’sjustIwouldhave

expectedsomeonelikehimtobeevenmoreaffectedbyhisordeal.Accordingtotheguardshedoesn’tsleepwell,andhe’sunquestionablyshakenandhassignedthe

confession,buthehasaresolveabouthimIwouldn’thaveexpected.Whenhewasfirstbroughtherehewasanervouscharacter:quitejumpy.ButIwarnyouEdgar,there’sacertainsteelabouthim.’

‘We’llsee,shallwe?Anyway,welldoneHill.

Goodwork.Betterbringhimin.’

Despitewhatthepoliceinspectorhadsaid,HenryHunterlookedmorewornintheweeksinceEdgarhadlastseenhim,althoughhissmilewasstillinplace.Hehadlostabitofweight;darkringshadappearedaroundhiseyes

alongwithtwoorthreeday’sgrowthofbeard.HeappearedtoberelievedtoseeEdgar.

‘Ithoughtwemaymeetagain.’

‘Howhasyourweekbeen,Hunter?Treatedwell?’

‘Well,Ihaven’tbeentortured,ifthat’swhatyoumean.Buttheywouldn’teven

letmehaveanewspaperandIcan’tbelieveI’munabletoseeasolicitororcontactmymother.Isthatright?’

‘Dependsonwhatyoumeanby“isthatright?”,Hunter.What’scorrectisyou’venotbeenabletocontacteitheralawyeroryourmother,whetherthat’s

inorderisentirelyanothermatter.You’lldiscoverinduecoursethatwehaveverygoodreasonsforpursuingthiscourseofaction.Wehave,incidentally,takenthelibertyofsendingheratelegraminyournamesayingthatalliswellandshe’snottoworry.’

‘CanIask,Edgar,whetherthisaregularpolicestationthough?Idoseemtoberather…isolated.’

‘Itisapolicestation,althoughyouareatpresenttheonlypersonincustodyinit.Iunderstandyourpredicamenthasbeenexplainedtoyoubysome

officershere?’‘Yes.Conspiracyto

commitfraudapparentlyandifI’mvery,veryluckyIshallgetawaywithfiveyearsinprison.I’vesignedastatement.’

‘Anddidtheyaddthatifyou’refoundguiltyorpleadguiltythenallofthe

moneywefoundinyourpossessionwillbeconfiscated?Aftertheotherbeneficiariesandthedutyhavebeenpaid,you’llbeleftwithnothing.’

‘Theydidn’tmentionthat,no.’

‘Soallinall,Hunter,abitofamesseh?’

‘Soitwouldseem.’Alongsilenceensured

duringwhichEdgarlitacigaretteandwrotesomenotesinhisbook.

‘I’mtoldtheprisonregimeislikelytobeespeciallyharshduringwartime.Mostprisonersarerequiredtoundertakequite

onerousphysicallabour.’Henrysaidnothing,

unsurehowhewasmeanttoreact.

‘However,thereisanalternativeHunter.Thereisawayofavoidingprisonandevenkeepingmostofyourmoney.You’dbeabletoreturntoSwitzerlandandsee

yourmotheragain.’Henry’seyeslitupand,

suspiciousashewas,hefoundithardtosuppressathinsmile.

‘Tellmemore.’‘BeforeIcandothatI

needtoknowforsurewhetheryou’reinterestedornot.’

‘Yes,ofcourseI’minterested.’

‘Verywellthen.Thisis,toallintentsandpurposes,thepointofnoreturn.OnceItellyouwhatthealternativeis,youroptionsreallyareverylimited.Doyouunderstandthat?’

Henrynodded.

‘IworkforaGovernmentagencywhosepurposeistogatherintelligence.Asyou’renodoubtaware,thiscountryisperilouslyclosetowarwithGermany.WeurgentlyneedtoexpandandimproveourintelligencenetworksacrossEurope;they’reinapretty

woefulstateatthemoment.Asstrangeasitmayseem,MrHunter,youareverywellplacedindeed.YouhavegenuineSwissandBritishpassports,andarefluentinGermanandFrench.’

Henryleantforward,hishandstouchingthedesk,eagertohearmore.

‘Whatwouldyourequiremetodo?’

‘IhadhopedI’dmadethatapparentMrHunter–Henry.Tohelpusgatherintelligence.’

‘Beaspy?’‘Correct.’Outsideinthecorridor

ametalgateslammedshut

andtherewasamurmurofvoicespassingby.Henrylaughed.

‘Aspy?Youmustbejoking:whatonearthmakesyousosureI’muptothis?’

‘Wearen’t:we’llgiveyousometraining,ofcourse,butourpriorityistogetyoubacktoSwitzerland.That’s

whereweneedyoutobe.Forus,yourdualidentityandyourabilitytomovearoundwhatmaybeenemyterritoryasaSwissnationalareinvaluable.Anddon’tforget,wehaveaholdoveryou.’

‘Whichis?’‘Ifyouturndownour

offer,thealternativeisa

lengthyspellinoneofHisMajesty’sprisons.Furthermore,thereisthequestionofthemoney.’

‘Youmeanmyaunt’s?’‘Yes,thesixthousand

poundsthat’slegallyyoursbutwhichyou’llloseasaresultofthecourtcase.However,ifyouagreeto

workforusthennotonlywilltherebenocourtcasebutyou’llalsoreceivethemoney:allsixthousandpoundsofit.AbankaccountwillbeopenedinyournameattheQuaidesBerguesbranchofCreditSuisseinGeneva.Ifyouacceptmyoffer,thesumoffivehundred

poundswillbetransferredtothataccountimmediately.Thereafter,we’lltransferafurtheronehundredpoundsamonthintothataccountforaslongasyouworkforus.’

Henryfrowned,tryingtoworksomethingout.‘Hangon.Atthatrate,itcouldtake,Idon’tknow,yearsformeto

receiveallmymoney!’‘Henry,you’renot

obligedtotakeupouroffer.Wecannotforceyoutobeaspy.Look,itmaybeawhilebeforewecalluponyourservices,butifyouundertakeanyspecificmissionsuccessfullythenwecanconsideradvancingfurther

lumpsumsoffivehundredpounds.Andofcourse,we’llcoveranyexpensesyoumayincur.’

‘Howaboutifyouweretoadvanceathousandpounds?MymotherandIhaveconsiderabledebtstoclear.’

‘Henry:youreally

aren’tinapositiontonegotiate.’

‘Willtherebeanydanger–yousaidsomethingabout“enemyterritory”?’

Edgarlaughed,standingupashedidso,stretchinghimself.

‘Ofcoursethere’llbedanger:plentyofit,I

imagine.What’sthepointofbeingabloodyspyotherwise!Butifyouaskme,evenwiththatriskofdanger,it’sstillamoreagreeablelifestylethantenyearshardlabourhere.’

‘Ten?IthoughtitwouldbefiveifIpleadedguilty?’

‘BelievemeHenry.If

youdeclinemyofferandthisgoestocourt,it’llbetenyears.Comeonnow…’Edgartappedhiswatch.‘What’sittobe?Areyoucomingwithme,orshallIleaveyouherewiththepoliceforthewheelsofjusticetostartrolling?’

Edgarhadexpected

morequestions,morehesitationandmoresignsofnerves,butwithwhatseemedtobebarelyasecondthought,HenryHunterclappedhishandsandallowedhisthinsmiletobecomeabroadone.

‘AllsoundsmostinterestingEdgar.I’mreadytojoinyou.’

***

Chapter3:toFranceandSwitzerland,November1939HenryHunter’strainingasaBritishagenthadbeenentrustedtoaclassicsdonwhohadmovedfroma

crumblingOxfordcollegetoacrumblingcountryhousesomewherenorthofLondonforthepurposeoftraininghisspecialscholars,ashelikedtocallthem.Henevertiredoftellingthemthatthetransitionfromteachingclassicstoteachingespionagewasanaturalone.

‘Classics,’hewouldsay,‘areallaboutwar,humanfailings,chanceandintrigue:notsoverydifferenttospying.’

CaptainEdgarhadvisitedthecountryhouseonceaweektocheckonHenry’sprogress.Hewastakinghistime:physical

fitnesswasanissue,aswashisradiotraining,buthewasregardedasabrilliantmapreaderandbecameproficientwitharevolver.ItwasonlytowardstheendofOctoberthattheclassicsdonconcededhewasmoreorlessready.

‘Myopinionisthatthecharacteristicsofaspyare

innate.Itisaskilloneisbornwith:itis,Ibelieve,partofsomeone’spersonality.Yousee,wealltoooftenmakethemistakeoftakingsomeonewhoappearstohavealltheattributesofaspythentraintheminthespecificsofthejob.TheycouldflythroughthetrainingwithanA-plus,

butthatwouldn’tnecessarilymakethemagoodspy.SomeofthoseA-plustypesmakehopelessspiesoncethey’reoutinthefield.Atrulyeffectivespywillhavesomepersonalityflaworsuchlikewhichmarksthemoutfromothers.Theyareusedtowalkingintheshadows,on

theothersideofthestreet,slightlyapartfromthecrowdbutnotsomuchsothatpeoplewouldnoticethem.’

‘Veryinteresting,butdoesHuntermakeitasaspy?’

‘Goodheavens,yes,Edgar.Idon’tthinkI’veevercomeacrosssomeonequite

sowell-qualified.Themostdangerousmomentforaspyiswhentheymakethattransitionfromwhatonemightcall“normalsociety”intotheworldofespionage.Forthevastmajorityofpeoplethatcanbetoogreatawrench,theyhavetoomuchtolose.Butifyoufeelyou’ve

neverreallybeenpartofsociety,thatyou’vealwaysbeenonthemarginsofit,thenyou’reanaturalspy.I’verarelycomeacrosssuchagoodexampleofthisthanHunter.’

***

Aweeklater,HenryandEdgarwerebeingdrivendownalaneonamoonlessnightwhenHenrychosetobreaktheuneasysilencethathadaccompaniedthemsinceleavingthecountryhouse.

‘Can’tseeabloodythinginthisdarkEdgar–andwhat’shappenedtoallthe

roadsigns?’‘Iappreciatethatyou

havebeenholedupinthecountryforthepastthreemonthsorsoHenry,butitcan’thaveescapedevenyourattentionthatwe’renowatwarwithGermany,evenifitdoesn’tactuallyfeellikeit.Hencetheblackout.’

‘Andtheroadsigns?’‘Noneedtohelpany

Germanspieswhoarelost,isthere?’

‘Canyouatleasttellmewhereweare,Edgar?’

‘No.’‘You’retreatingmelike

I’mabloodyprisoner.’‘Whichbutforthe

graceofGodandmyowngoodoffices,Hunter,youactuallywouldbe–andformanyyears.Don’tforgetthat.’

‘HowcouldI?YouknowhowgratefulIamtoyou.’

‘Lessofthesarcasmifyouplease,Hunter.Icantell

youwe’vebeendrivingsouthandwe’renowinHampshire,whichisasmuchasyouneedtoknow.’

‘AnyparticularpartofHampshire?’

‘Obviously,Hunter,butyoudon’tneedtoknowanymorethanthat.Inanycase,you’llbegonewithinadayor

two.Look,we’vearrived:bettergoandgetsomesleep.We’llstartthebriefingfirstthinginthemorning.’

***

FirstthinginthemorningforEdgarwasaroundtwohoursearlierthanHenryhadhoped

itwouldbe.Itwasstilldarkwhenhewaswokenbyaknockatthedoor,followedbythesoundofakeyturninginthelockandastiffboltslidingopen.Thesoldierwhowokehim–thesameonewho’descortedhimtotheroomthepreviousnight–announcedhewouldneedto

bereadyintenminutes.Edgarwassittingata

longtableinalargeoffice,theroomalreadywreathedinsmoke.Hewaswearingacoatandahighwindowwasopen,lettinginthecoldmorningairandthedistinctivesmellofrecentlyturnedsoil.Thetablewas

crowdedwithfilesanddocuments.AsHenryenteredtheroom,hewasfollowedinbyanothersoldierbearingatraywithapotoftea,toastandboiledeggs.

Henryhadlittleappetite,butEdgartuckedin.HeateinsilenceforfiveminuteswhileHenrynibbled

onasliceoftoastandsippedtheweaktea.

‘Right:nowwebegin!Tonight,Hunter,youwillbeginyourjourneybacktoSwitzerland.Ineedtobeveryclearandyouneedtofullyunderstandthatfromnowon,youareworkingforBritishIntelligence.It’sarolethat

carriesfewrewardsandprivileges,otherthanthatofservingyourcountry.Ontheotherhand,you’llfindthislifethathasbeenchosenforyouwillhaveplentyofresponsibilityandnotafewdangers.There’llbelongperiodsoftediumandyou’llfindthefactthatyoucan’t

confideinanyonemakesitamostdifficultandstressfulexistence.Ineedhardlytellyoutheworldofespionageisnotoneofglamourorexcitement.Themostcommonemotionsareboredomandfear.’

Henrynodded.Thiswasnotthefirsttimehe’d

heardthis,butnowhisreturntoSwitzerlandwasimminenthebegantofeelnervous.

‘I’llspendthenextfewhoursbriefingyou.Ishallremindyouofwhatisexpectedofyou.I’lltellyoueverythingyouneedtoknow.’

Andsoitcontinuedfor

manyhours.Asnoonapproachedandthesunbecamebrighter,sandwicheswerebroughtinalongwithacoupleofbottlesofbeer.EdgarbegantoappearmorerelaxedthanHenryhadeverseenhim.

‘Usuallyinthesesituations,Hunter,onespends

agooddealofone’stimemakingsuresomeoneinyourpositionisabsolutelyfamiliarwiththeirnewidentity.Inyourcase,however,theHenriHesseidentityissogood,there’dbenomeritwhatsoeverinfurnishingyouwithanewandfalseone.

‘Youleavetonight,

Henry.IknowthatflyingisyourpreferredmethodoftravelaroundEurope,butI’mafraidthatnowwe’reatwartherearenomorecivilianflightstoeitherFranceorSwitzerland,soyou’regoingbyboat.Atroopship,theSSWorthingisleavingSouthamptonthisevening.

She’stakingacontingentoftheRoyalFusiliersovertheChannel.She’lldockatCherbourgearlytomorrowmorningandyou’lltravelfromtheretoParis.YouwillstayinParistomorrownightthentravelbytrainthefollowingdaytoGeneva,usingyourSwissidentity.Do

youunderstand?’Henrynodded.‘Good.Yourmotheris

expectingyou:sendheratelegramfromParisgivingdetailsofyourarrival.Onceyouarrive,you’lltellheraslittleaspossible.Allthelettersyouwrotewhileyouwerebeingtrainedhavebeen

sentontoher,alongwithtwopaymentsofonehundredpoundsintoherownbankaccount.Asfarasshe’sconcerned,youwerestayingataguesthouseinFulhamwhileyouweresortingoutyouraunt’swill.Thatwastheaddressfromwhereyourlettersweresent.’

‘It’sgoingtobehardtoconvinceherwhythosefinancialarrangementstooksolong.’

‘Butnotaslongasitcouldhavebeen,eh?Don’ttryandexplaintoomuch.Justtellheritwasfarmorecomplicatedtotransfermoneyoutofthecountrythan

you’drealisedandintheendyouhadtosettleforitbeingpaidininstalments.Theinitialfivehundredpoundsdepositandthetwohundredpoundsshehasbeensentshouldensureyoucannowleadamoreagreeablelifestyle,alongwiththeonehundredpoundspermonth,of

course.’‘WhenwillIbe

contactedEdgar?HowwillIknowwhattodo?’

‘WithinadayortwoofyourarrivalbackinGenevayouaretogototheQuaidesBerguesbranchofCreditSuisse,wherewe’veopenedanaccountinyournameas

promised.YouaretoaskforanappointmentwithMadameLadnier.Undernocircumstancesareyoutoseeanyoneelsethere.MadameLadnierisaseniorclerkthereandlooksafternewclients.Youaretogothroughpaperworkwithher,thenshe’llactivatetheaccount

andyou’llbeabletoaccessthemoney.MadameLadnieris,veryindirectly,acontactofours,butyoumustneverdiscussintelligencematterswithher:sheisnomorethanaconduit,amessengerifyoulike.However,ifyouneedtocontactusurgently,youcandosothroughher.Youcan

dothiseitheratthebank,whichispreferable,oronherhometelephonenumber–shewillgivethattoyou.That,youunderstand,ismostirregular,sopleasedobediscreet.Ifyouneedtocontactusurgently,simplytellheryouneedtochangesomeSwissFrancsinto

ItalianLira.Ifthereareanychangesinyourcircumstances,youmustinformher.Doyouunderstandallthis?’

Henryunderstood.Edgargothimtorepeatit.

‘Whenwemakecontactwithyou,itwon’tbethroughMadameLadnier.Itcouldbe

inanythingfromacoupleofweekstoafewmonths.Dependsonwhatweneedyoutodo.Chancesarethatthefirstjobwillbesomethingrelativelystraightforward,probablywithinSwitzerland.Shouldn’tbeanythingtoodangerous;awarm-up,ifyoulike.Whatwillhappenisthis:

you’llbeapproachedinthestreetbysomeoneaskingfordirectionstotheOldTown.WhatisityoucallitinGeneva?’

‘Thevieilleville’.‘They’llbecarryinga

copyofthepreviousday’seditionoftheTribunedeGenève.Inreplytotheir

question,you’retoaskthemifthey’dprefertowalkortotakethetram.They’lltellyouthey’dprefertowalkifyoucanpointthemintherightdirection.You’llexplainyouarewalkingthatwayandthey’rewelcometofollowyou.TakeanyroutetotheOldTown.Atsomepoint

afterenteringit,they’llovertakeyou.You’renottoacknowledgethem,justcarryonwalkingatthesamepace,butnowyou’refollowingthem.WhenyouseethemplacetheTribunedeGenèveinawastebinoutsideabuilding,youaretoenterthebuildingandwait.Ifno-one

hasapproachedyouafterfiveminutes,youleavethebuildingandreturnhome.ButifsomeonejoinsyouandintroducesthemselvesasMarc,youaretogowithhim.Hewilltakeyoutomeetyourmaincontact.Atthatmoment,yournewcareerwillhavebegun.Pleaserepeatall

ofthistomeHenry.’

***Edgar’sbriefingfinishedjustafter1.00andHenrywasescortedbacktohisroom.Edgarurgedhimtotryandgetsomesleep:itwasgoingtobealongnightandhe

shouldn’tcountonbeingabletosleepontheboat.Inhisroomhesawacasehadbeencarefullypackedforhim,alongwithhistwobriefcases.Achangeofclotheswaslaidoutonthebed.Edgarexplainedthateverythinghadbeencarefullycheckedtoensurenothingincriminating

wasinhispossessionincasehewassearched.

Hewaswokenat4.00andthesoldierwhohadbeenlookingafterhimtoldhimabathhadbeenprepared.By4.30hewasbackintheofficewherehisbriefinghadbeenheldthatmorning.Thesoldiercarriedhisbagand

Henrycarriedhisownbriefcases.Edgarwasnervouslyfiddlingwithhisleathergloves.

‘There’satrainfromCherbourgat10.15inthemorning,whichyou’retotaketoParis.You’retogotothetelegrambureauinsideGareSaint-Lazareassoonas

youarriveandsendatelegramwiththefollowingmessagetothisaddress.’

HehandedaslipofpapertoHenry.Themessageread:‘ArrivedsafelyParisstopregardstoallstop.’

‘Memorisethatanddestroythepaper.Thengotofindahoteland,thenext

morning,takethetraintoGeneva.YouknowyourwayaroundParis?’

Henryshrugged.‘I’vebeenonceortwice.’

Edgarpointedtothetable.‘HereareyourBritishandSwisspassports,whichwe’vebeenlookingafterforyou.Here’sareceiptforthe

guesthouseinFulhamtoshowyou’vebeenstayingtheresincethemiddleofAugust.InthisenvelopeismorepaperworkthanyoucouldimaginefromvariousfirmsofsolicitorsandtheMidlandBankrelatingtothereleaseofmoneyfromyouraunt’sestate,includinga

terriblyhelpfulletterfromthebankexplainingthemoneycanonlybetransferredlegallytoaforeigncountryininstalments.CanIask,isyourmothertheinquisitivetype?’

‘Doyoumean,isshenosey?’

Edgarlaughed.‘Well,yes.’

‘Shecouldnotbemorenosey,ifIwashonest.Alwayspokingaboutinmythings.’

‘Good.Don’tshowalltheselettersanddocumentstoher,then,justleavethemforhertofind.It’llbemuchmoreconvincingthatwayandshethenoughttobelieve

youraccountofwhyyouwerekepthereforsolong.It’sessentialsheneversuspectswhatyou’reupto,doyouunderstand?’

Henrynodded.‘Hangon,beforeyou

putallthatinyourbriefcase,here’ssomemoremoney:twentypoundsworthof

FrenchfrancswhichoughttobemorethanenoughforyourhoteltomorrownightandthetickettoGeneva,plusmeals.AndhereinthisenvelopeisfiftypoundsworthofSwissFrancs,whichoughttocoveranyexpensesyoumayincurintheforeseeablefutureinSwitzerland.’

Atfiveo’clockacarpulledupoutsidethebuildingandthetwomenlefttheofficeandwalkedquietlytoit.EdgarhelpedHenryputhiscasesinthebootthenjoinedhimintheback.

‘Ithoughtyou’dlikemetoseeyouoff.’

***HenryHunterboardedtheSSWorthinginSouthamptonbeforethetroopsembarkedandwastakenstraighttoatinycabinintheofficers’quarters,whichhadabunkandlittleelse.Thecaptaincameinandtoldhimhewas

toremaininthecabinforthedurationofthevoyage.

TheydockedinCherbourgjustafterseventhenextmorningandatnineo’clockthecaptaincameintohiscabin.Hewassafetoleavenow,allthetroopshaddisembarked.Ataxiwaswaitingonthequaytotake

himtothestation.Henrywasshockedat

howFrancehadchanged.Everywherethereweretroops–BritishaswellasFrench–andpeoplelookedpinched,worriedandinahurry.Noneofwhichwerecharacteristicshe’dusuallyassociatewiththeFrench.Normallythe

trainjourneywouldhavebeenjolly,withpeoplechatting.Now,itwasquiet.Peoplestaredoutofthewindowsandsaidlittle.Itwasasifawholenationwaswrappedinitsownthoughts,unwillingtoshareitsfears.

ThetrainpulledintoGareSaint-Lazarejustbefore

threeo’clock:thejourneyhadtakenlongerthanscheduledduetoalengthyandunexplainedstopoutsideCaen.IfCherbourghadbeenquietandthetrainsilent,GareSaint-Lazarewasnot.HalfofParisseemedtobeleavingthroughthestationandtheotherhalfarriving

intoit.HefoundthetelegrambureauandsentthemessagetoLondon.Hehadlittledoubthewouldbewatchedatthestation:requiringhimtosendthetelegramwasagoodwayofensuringthat.HethenwalkedoutofthevastconcourseofGareSaint-LazareandawayfromClichy

anditstemptations.Thefurtheryouwalk

theharderitisforyoutobefollowed.

Soheheadedsouththeneast,downBoulevardHaussmannwheretheelegantshopsandstraightlinesaffordedhimplentyofopportunitytoobserveevery

anglearoundhim.Heenteredaleatherwearshoptolookatwalletsandatabactobuymatches,andinBoulevardStMartinhejoinedalongqueueinapatisserietobuyanalmondcroissant.Theten-minutewaitallowedhimenoughtimetobecertainno-onewasfollowing.He

decidedtolookforsomewheretostayaroundRepubliqueandfoundasmallhotelbytheCanalSaintMartin,wherehetookacomfortableroomwithitsownprivatebathroomoverlooking,asrequested,thefrontofthehotel.Hethenspentanhoursittingbythe

window,behindthehalf-openshutters,observingthestreetbelow.Whenhewasascertainashecouldbethatno-onehadfollowedhimandno-onewaswatchingfromthestreet,heclosedtheshuttersanddrewthecurtain.Afterabathandaresthelefthisroomatsixthirty.

Hadanyonecheckedinsincehisarrival,heaskedthepatronatreception?Hewasnotsureifacolleaguewasjoininghimornot.Thepatronshookhishead.Heunderstood,hesaid,withaknowingandevenconspiratoriallook.Henrywasn’tsurewhatitwasthe

patronunderstood,butheslippedhimagenerousfewfrancsforwhathesaidwasanalreadyexcellentserviceandexplainedhemaybebacklate,perhapsverylate.Wouldthepatronbesogoodastolethimhaveakey?Ofcourse.Andwouldhealsobeabletoperhapsslipanoteunderhis

doortolethimknowifhisfriendarrived,orindeedifanyoneelsecheckedinorevenaskedforhim?Naturally,saidthepatron.Itwouldmypleasure.Henryknewthat,thisbeingParis,thepatronwouldassumethatHenrywasconductinganaffair:insuchcircumstances

itwouldbehispleasure,indeedhisdutyaspatrontodowhateverhecouldtoassist.

HenrywalkedoutintothebitterParisiannightair,whereawindhadsweptupthenearbySeineandwassettlingoverthecity.Hewaitedintheentranceofthe

hotelfortenminutesand,oncehewascertainhewasalone,heheadedsouth,turningupthecollarofhiscoatashedidso.

Therealdangerofbeingaspyisthatwhichyoucourtyourself.

Heheadedinasouth-easterlydirection,awayfrom

hisdestination.OntheRuedeCrussol,justbeforeitcrossedBoulevardVoltaire,hefoundatelephonekiosk.Thecalllastednomorethan30seconds,muchofwhichwastakenupbyapausebythepersonwhohadansweredthephone.

Verywell.Youknow

wheretocome.Giveusonehour.Becareful.

SohewalkeddownBoulevardVoltairethenfoundatinycaféinthePassageSaint-PierreAmelot.Therewerefourtwo-seatertables,crammedintoaspacewherethreewouldhavebeenatightsqueeze.Oneofthe

tableswasoccupiedbyayoungcouple.Henrytookavacantone,makingsurehefacedthedoor.Heremainedthereforhalfanhour:dinnerwasabowlofsoupwithbreadandanexcellentomelette.

Ittookhim20minutestoreachhisdestinationfrom

thecafé.TheMaraiswasonceswampland,thenhometothearistocracyandnow,asfarasHenrycouldtell,inanadvancedstateofdecay.Itwasthekindofareaofwhichpeoplewouldsayithadknownbetterdays,thoughno-onealivecouldrememberthosebetterdays.ButHenry

likedtheanonymityoftheMarais,withitsobviousedgeofdangerthatmeantpeoplehurriedalongandavoidedeachother.Itwasn’trelaxedandgivenovertoenjoymentoflife,likemostotherpartsofParis.Ithaditsdifferentgroups;theJewsandtheirsynagoguesandlittleshops

aroundtheRuedeRosiers;thosetoopoortohavetheirownplaceandlivingwithothersinlargecrumblinghouses;theprostituteswhocouldn’tmakeitinClichy;thegamblers,thedrinkersandtheanarchists.

Heknewtheareaverywellandpickeduphispace,

dartingupanddownlittlealleys,doublingbackonhimself,pausingindarkeneddoorwaysandmakingitimpossibleforanyonetofollowhim.HeemergedintotheRuedeBretagneandslippedintotheentranceofalargegreybuildingwithenormousshutteredwindows

andwaited.Onthewallinsidetheentrancewasaseriesofbells,oneforeachofthe20apartments.Underthebellssomeonehaddrawnasmallcircleinpencil.Ontheoppositewalltheyhaddrawnasquare.Itwassafe.Hepressedabellandwentstraightuptothetopfloor.

***

‘Youlookverywell.You’velostweight.’

‘Yes,thankyouViktor.’Henryhesitated.Hewasabouttoreturnthecompliment,butrealisednothingcouldbefurtherfrom

thetruth:theothermanwasbiggerthanever,hisfaceheavilylinedandhislargenoseevenredder.Viktorhadgreetedhimwithanembraceandhadheldhiminitforawhile,whichmadeHenryfeellessthancomfortable.Asheslowlyemergedfromthehug,themanheldhimatarm’s

lengthbytheshoulders–onehandoneach–asiftoadmirehim.ForamomentHenryfearedthemanwasabouttokisshimonthecheeks,ashewaswonttodo.HewasalwaysnervousintheViktor’spresence,notleastafteralonggap,asnow.Anyonelookingathimwould

havenoticedthat,forabriefmoment,histhinsmilehaddisappeared.

‘Iwasn’tsurewe’deverseeyouagain.Come,sitdown.Wehavemuchtotalkabout.’

TheywerespeakinginFrench,neitherman’snativelanguage,whichaddedtoa

formal,eventenseairintheroom.Twoothermenstoodeithersideofthewindow,keepingwatchthroughhalf-openshutters.Anothermanenteredtheroomandannounceditwasallclear:no-onehadfollowedhim.Hewassureofthat.

‘Whatwillyoudrink?I

seemtohaveeverythinghere.Whisky?’

‘No,notforme,thankyou.’

‘Really?That’sthefirsttimeI’veknownyoutoturndownawhisky.Whathavetheydonetoyou?’

Theman’slookofconcernbrokeintoabroad

grinashepouredhimselfadrinkandpulledhischairclosertoHenry’s.‘Thisreallyhasbeenamostunexpecteddevelopment,mostunexpected.Andyou’recertaintheysuspectnothing?’

‘I’mascertainasIcanbe,’saidHenry.

Viktorshuffledhis

largeframearoundinthechairtomakehimselfcomfortable.Fromasidetablehepickedupalargenotebook,expensivelyboundinbrownleather.Heproducedapencilfromhistoppocketandsharpeneditwithapenknifethatcamefromanotherpocket,

allowingtheshavingstogatheronthefrontofhisjacket.HemadeafewnotesbeforelookingupatHenryandsmiling,asifcheckingonhimonceagain.

‘Wehavetwohours,maybethree.Youneedtotellmeeverything.’

***Henryreturnedtothehoteljustbeforeonethatmorning.Therewasnonoteunderthedoorfromthepatron.Despitehisexhaustion,hesleptonlyfitfullyandwokeatseveno’clock.Hecheckedoutofthehotelanhourlater,

stoppedforacoffeeandcroissantnearbythencaughtatramontheBoulevardduTempledowntotheGaredeLyon.Hemanagedtobookagoodseatontheteno’clocktraintoGenevawherehefoundhimselfinacarriagewithsixotherpassengers:aformallydressedSwiss

businessmanwhotuttedloudlyifanyonecametoonearhim;anelegantlydressed,elderlyFrenchladywhospentmostofthejourneysmilingwistfullyoutofthewindowanddidnotremoveherleatherglovesonceduringthejourney;andacouplewiththeirsonand

daughterwhowere,asfarasHenrycouldtell,ayearortwoeithersideoften.Theyseemedtobeoverburdenedwithsuitcasesandotherbags,someofwhichtheyhadtokeepinthecorridor.Whenthechildrenspoke,whichwasnotveryoften,theydidsowithstrongParisianaccents.

TheparentsspoketothechildreninaccentedFrench,buttoeachotherinwhatsoundedtoHenrylikePolishandalsoastrangeversionofHighGermanhe’dneverheardbefore.Fromwhathecouldtell,theywereanxiousaboutcrossingtheborder.Thewifekeptaskingthe

husbandifallthepaperworkwasinorder.Ihopeso.Whoknows?Wheneveroneofthefamilyspoke,theSwissbusinessmanlookedannoyed.OnmorethanoneoccasionhecaughtHenry’seye,hopingtosharehisdisapprovalwithhim.

Thejourneywas

uneventfuluntilaroundaquartertosixwhenthetrainpulledintoGaredeBellegarde,thelaststationinFrancebeforetheSwissborder.Foraroundtenminutes,thetrainjuststoodstill,withnoapparentreasonforthedelay.Thebusinessmanlookedathis

watchandshookhishead.TheFrenchladycontinuedtolookoutofthewindow,smiling.Thentheyheardvoices,workingtheirwayslowlydownthetrain.ThroughthewindowHenrycouldjustmakeouttheshapeofgendarmespatrollingalongthetracks.Thevoicesgrew

nearerandtheparentslookedevenmoreanxious.Everythingwillbealright?,thewifeaskedthehusband,inthestrangeGermandialect.Ihavenoideathehusbandreplied.SpeakinFrenchnow:onlyinFrench.

Fiveminuteslater,twoSwissborderguardsanda

Frenchgendarmeenteredthecarriage.‘Papersplease,’hesaid.‘Aroutinecheck:we’llhaveyouonyourwayinaminute.’

HenryshowedhisSwisspassport.OneSwissborderguardshowedittotheotherandtheybothnodded.‘NoproblemMonsieur

Hesse.’Norwasthereanyproblemwiththebusinessmanandtheelegantlydressedlady.Butforthefamily,itwasdifferent.Bothguardslookedatthepapersinsomedetailandshooktheirheads,passingvariousdocumentstothebored-lookinggendarme

behindthem.‘Thesepapersarenotin

order,’oneofthemsaidtothefather.

‘ButIwasassuredtherewouldbenoproblem.’

‘Well,thereis.YouhavenovalidpapershereallowingyoutoenterSwitzerland.Itisnot

possible.’Thehusbandandwife

exchangedglances;thewifenodded.Doit.

‘PerhapsIcouldhaveawordwithyouinthecorridor?’Hegesturedtowardsthechildren.Awayfromthem,please.

Henrycouldjustmake

outthemanpleadingwiththeguards,bothofwhomlookedstone-faced.‘PerhapsIcouldpayforthevisasnow,Ihavethefunds?’Henrycouldseethemanopenhiswalletandattempttopressawadofbanknotesintothehandofoneoftheguards,whorefusedtotakeit.

‘YouaredeniedentrytoSwitzerland.Youhavetoleavethetrainnow,’heheardoneofthemsay.Henrynoticedtheotherguardgrabbedthebanknotes.

‘YouareinillegalpossessionofSwisscurrency.Weareconfiscatingit.’

Thegendarme

shrugged.Thisisnotmyproblem.Thefathercamebackintothecarriage,crestfallenanddefeated.Hiswifewasdoingherbestnottocryandthechildrenlookedfrightened,asiftheyknewwhatwashappening.Thegendarmehelpedthemtoremovetheircases.The

elderlyladylookedshockedandthebusinessmanannoyedasbaggagewasremovedfromaroundhim.Aminuteorsolater,Henrywatchedasthefamilyemergedontothedesertedplatformandthetrainslowlybegantomoveagain.Thebusinessmanshookhisheadandmuttered

theword‘juifs’.Theladyhadstoppedsmiling.

ThetrainpulledintoGareCornavinjustbeforeseveno’clock.OntheshortwalkhomeHenrywashitbytheicyblastfromthenearbyAlps,bouncingintothecityfromthelake.Despitethisandtheburdenshenow

carried,hehadthemostunusualsensationofarrivingsomewherehecouldcallhome.

***

AtaroundthesametimethatHenryHunter’strainwasleavingGaredeLyon,Edgar

tookacallonasecurelineinhisoffice.ItwasHurstfromtheParisstation.

‘WelldoneEdgar,you’vefoundabitofastarthere.Hedidn’thalfgivemychapstherun-around.’

‘Youdidn’tlosehim,didyouHurst?There’llbeallhelltopayifyoudid.’

‘ComeonEdgar,yououghttoknowmyboysbetterthanthat.He’sverygood,butintheendhemadethemistakeofassumingonecanonlybetrackedfrombehind.Wemanagedtokeeptabsonhimalllastnight,butonlyjust.’

‘Wheredidheendup?’

‘TheMarais,aswesuspectedhewould.’

‘Andthepeoplehemetupwith:you’resureofwhotheyare?’

‘Yessir,we’reabsolutelycertain.Noquestionaboutit.’

***

Chapter4:fromMarseillestoMoscow,December1939EarlyintheafternoonofthefirstMondayofDecemberalargemanwearingalong,darkcoatandasmartblack

fedoramarchedwithsurprisingagilityupfromthevieuxportinMarseillestohispensionoverlookingtheportandtheMediterraneanbeyondit.

HewasRussian,butforthepurposesofhisvisithewasaSwedishshippingagentfromGothenburg.Hehad

beenhangingaroundthevieuxportforafewfutiledays,hopingtomakecontactwithanAlgerianwhohadapparentlycontactedaCommunistPartyofficialinthecitywiththepromiseofsomesecretdocumentsofanunspecifiednature.ThePartyofficialhadnowdisappeared

andtheAlgeriannevershowedup.Itwasthenatureofthejobhereflected,asthepensioncameintosight:unlikethefishermenhehadbeenwatchingthatmorningsellingtheircatchontheQuaidesBelges,aspyhadtobecomeusedthepreyonlyoccasionallysuccumbingto

thebait.Hehaddecidedto

remaininMarseillesforanotherdayortwo;ashipwasdueinfromGreeceandGreekcrewsalwaysofferedtheopportunityofgoodcontacts.Butwhenhereturnedtohispensiontherewasatelegramwaitingfor

him,sentfromthemainpostofficeinGothenburg.

‘Motherillstopreturnhomesooneststop’

TheRussianrarelyallowedhimselftheindulgenceofemotion,buthedidthatafternoon,sittingquietlyinhisroomforafewminutesafterhehadpacked

andcontemplatingwhatasummonshomecouldmean.Hehadsurvived,ashelikedtoseeit,varioussuchcallsoverthepastfewyears,butfearedhisluckcouldnotholdoutmuchlonger.Asensationoffearsweptoverhimandittooktheremainsofthevodkabythesideofthebedanda

coldbathbeforehecametohissenses.Ihavedonenothingwrong:Nooneintheserviceisindispensible,butIamclosertoitthanmany.

AnhourlaterhehadcheckedoutofthepensionandstoppedatthemainpostofficetosendatelegramtoGothenburgtotheeffectthat

hewassoconcernedaboutmotherhewasreturninghome:lovetomotherstop.Thenheheadedtotheportoffice,wherehefoundthecaptainofaTurkishsteamerleavingthateveningforIstanbulwhowasmorethanhappytotakeapassenger,especiallyonewhowas

offeringtopaysogenerously.Wehavealightload:withluckweshouldarriveonSaturday;maybeSunday.

ThesteamerdulyarrivedinIstanbulearlyontheSaturdayeveningandthecaptaintookhispassengerstraighttothehouseofhiswife’scousin,whosailedhis

trawlerintheBlackSea.Yes,saidthecousin.HewouldbesettingoffasusualonSundaymorning:yes,hewouldbehappytosailtoOdessafirst;yes,thatisverygenerous.Thankyousir!

Odessawasadayandahalf’shardsailingfromIstanbuland,encouragedby

theRussian’sgenerosity,theskippermadeittherelateontheMondayafternoon.Hewentstraighttotherailwaystation:thenighttraintoMoscowwasleavingataquartertomidnight.Hehadtimetosendatelegramannouncinghisarrivalthenfindacaféwherehecouldeat

familiarfoodandgetusedtohearingfamiliarlanguagesaroundhimonceagain.

Itwaspastmidnightwhenthetrainnoisilypulledoutofthestationand,asthefinallegofhisvoyagebegan,thefearthathadstruckhiminMarseillesreturned.Itkepthimwideawakeuntilthey

reachedKharkovintheearlyhoursofthemorning,turninghisstomachintoknotsandmakinghisheartbeatfast.Alongwiththefearcamethedoubt:shouldIhavestayedinFrance?Icouldsoeasilyhavedisappearedfromthere.

ThetrainwasheldinKharkovforthreeorfour

hours.Asusual,therewasnoexplanationandnocomplaintsfromhisfellowpassengers.HeleftthetraintosendanothertelegramtoMoscow:hedidn’twantthemtothinkhewasn’tcoming.

BythetimedawnbrokeontheWednesdaymorningtheywereapproachingthe

outskirtsofMoscowandthetrainsloweddown.TheRussiantriedhardtocomposehimself.Thecruellestpartofthisjobwasnotthelonelinessorthedangerorthestressofswappingidentitieseveryfewdays:thatwasalltobeexpected.No,theworstpart–

theparthecouldnevercometotermswith–wasthattheoneplaceyoucouldcallhome,theplaceyouriskedyourlifeforandsufferedallthehardshipsonbehalfof–wastheplaceyoufearedmost.Hewouldhavenoideawhetherthedaythathadjustbegunwouldendwitha

bullettotheheadinthebasement.Ithadhappenedtosomanyothers,afterall.Butthenhepulledhimselftogetherasherememberedwhattheyinstilledintoallthenewrecruits:Neverquestion;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.

ThetrainpulledintoKurskystationateight

o’clockandhewasmetontheplatformbytwoyoungmenwhoescortedhimtoawaitingcar,whichhedecidedwasabadsign.ItwasagloriousdayinMoscowandhebegantofeelquiteemotionalontheshortjourney.Heresolvedifhesurvivedthistripandwas

sentbackintothefield,hewouldmakeplans.Nexttimehewassummonedback,he’ddisappear.Hehadworkedfortheservicesince1920;hehadoutlivedallthosehehadbeenrecruitedwithandmanymorerecruitedafterhim.Heknewhewasgood,buthealsoknewthathewasnot

indispensible.Whatmatteredmostwasthathedidoutlivehisluckandnowhefearedthishadrunoutonhim.

Thecardrovestraightintoabasement,whichhedecidedwasanotherbadsign.Hecouldfeelhiswholebodytremblingashewalkedwithhisunsmilingescorttothe

lift.Ifitwentdownintothebasement,heknewthatwastheend.Momentslatertheyemergedontothefifthfloorandhehadtobitehisliptostoptearsofsheerrelief.Hewassteeredintoalargeofficewheretherewerehalfadozenofthemwaiting,allofwhomseemedtobepleasedtosee

him.Fromthatgroup,afamiliarfigureemergedandhuggedthenewarrival.

‘Viktor:welcomehome.’

***Hehadbeensowellreceivedthatforadayortwoafterhis

arrivalinMoscowhewonderedwhetherthiswassomekindofelaboratetrap.Butitwasn’t:theywereclearlyverypleasedwithhim,butmostofalltheywantedtoknowaboutHenry.Whowouldhavethoughtit?Telluseverything?Doesherealisehowimportanthe

couldbe–doyourealisehowimportantheis?Weneedtohandlehimcarefully.

AfterthreedaysinMoscowhewastakentooneofthedachasoutsidethecitythattheserviceused.Forthefirsttimeinyearshecouldrelaxinthesilence.Awomancameineverydaytocook

andclean,andayoungerwomanarrivedeveryeveningandstayedwithhimuntilthefollowingmorning.Theservicecouldbebrutalandcruel,especiallytoitsown,butitknewhowtolookafterthoseitwasespeciallypleasedwith.

Viktorstayedinthe

dachaforaweekbeforetravellingtoStockholmandfromtherebyseabacktoFrance.ButnotonceduringthattimewasheeverindoubtthatheowedallthistoHenry.Doyourealisehowimportantheis,theyhadasked?

ButViktorcertainlydidn’tneedanyonetotellhim

howimportantHenrywas.AnagenthehadrecruitedhadinturnbeenrecruitedbytheBritish.

DoIrealisehowimportantHenryis?

Importantenoughtohavekeptmealive.

***

Chapter5:Switzerland,1929–1930ItwasafilthyeveningsometimeinlateJanuary1929whenHenryemergedfromthepink-stuccoedbuildingontheuniversity

campus.TherainsweptintoGenevafromeverydirection:theAlps,thelake,France.Hepausedattheendoftheflightofsteps,alreadydrenchedandwonderingwhethertodashintotheOldTownthroughLesBastionsorgobackintothebuildingandwaitfortheraintoabate.

Hewasstilldebatingwhattodowhenhefeltahandonhisshoulder.

‘Youaredecidingwhethertobravetherain?Metoo:whoknowswhenitwillstop?WhenitrainslikethisinGenevaitfeelslikeitwillrainforever.’Itwasthelastspeakeratthemeeting,a

handsomemaninhislatetwentieswithpiercingblueeyes,thickblackhairwhichtouchedhiscollarandadistinctiveParisianaccent.Henryhadneverheardanyonequitesocharismaticandmesmerising.Heworenotiebuthadasilkscarfwrappedstylishlyaroundhis

neck,andwhenhespokeitwasabouttheinjusticesinEuropeandaroundtheworld,andhowonlytheCommunistPartyhadtheanswer.Henryhadfeltthehairsriseonthebackofhisneck;tearshadevencometohiseyes.‘Europeisincrisis:capitalismisincrisis.The

solutionisinourhands–yourhands,’hehadtoldthe30orsopeoplesparselyarrangedaroundthelargelecturehall.

‘MynameisMarcelbytheway.’TheFrenchman’shandwasstillonhisshoulderashegentlysteeredhimbackintothebuilding.The

meetinghadtakenplaceintheLawFacultyandMarcelguidedHenrythroughitscorridorsuntiltheyfoundadesertedseatingareaonthefirstfloor.Marcelunfurledhissilkscarf,revealingawhiteshirtwithtwoorthreebuttonsundone.HesmiledatHenry,histeethwhiteand

perfectlystraight.‘Maybeintenor15

minutestherainwillstop,butit’sgoodtotalk.AreyouamemberoftheParty?’

‘Notyet,’repliedHenry.‘I’mthinkingaboutit.’

‘Tellmewhy?’Itwasawhilebefore

Henryreplied,duringwhichtimethenoiseoftherainbeatingonthewindowsgrewheavier.WhenitrainslikethisinGenevaitfeelslikeitwillrainforever.

‘Iliveinaprivilegedandbourgeoisworld,’saidHenryeventually.‘I’vevisitedGermanyandseen

areaswherepeoplehavenojobsandlittlefood.EveninSwitzerland,youcangofromarichareatoonenearbythat’scompletelydifferentandthatjustseemswrongtome.Mymotherandmystep-fatherarealwayssayingacivilisedworldreliesonhavingsomepeoplemaking

moneyandothersworkingforthem.Theysaythereasonwhypeoplearepooristhey’relazyandfeckless.Theyblameunemploymentontradeunionsandsocialists.IalwaysfindIdisagreewithwhatevertheysayaboutpoliticsandthepeopletheyseemtodespisethemostare

communists.Thatgotmethinking.Ifmymotherandstep-fatheraresoopposedtocommunism,thenmaybeitcan’tbethatbad.WhenIsawanoticeforthismeetinginthelibrary,IthoughtI’dcomealong.I’mreadingalotaboutitatthemoment.’

‘Really?Tellme,what

areyoureading?’Marcelleanedforward,genuinelyinterested.

‘I’vereadTheCommunistManifesto,ofcourse,andallthreevolumesofCapital,thoughIcan’tpretendIfoundthateasy-going.NowI’mreadingTheOriginoftheFamily,Private

PropertyandtheState,butit’sevenmoredifficult.’

‘Iunderstand,Engelsisn’ttheeasiestpersontoread,buthisideas–they’reexcellent,doyouagree?’

‘Ido.’Marceledgedhischair

abitclosertoHenry’s.‘Icantellfromyouraccentthat

you’renotfromGeneva.’‘No,IlivedinZürich

foranumberofyears.WemovedtoGenevalastyear.’

MarcelswitchedtoGerman.‘AndcanIaskwhatyoudo;areyouastudenthereattheuniversity?’

‘No…notyet.Mymotherisn’tkeenonme

beingastudent.ShethinksI’llendupmixingwithpeopleshedisapprovesof.’

‘Likecommunists?’‘Likecommunists.’‘Isuspectyou’renota

nativeofZüricheither?I’mnotSwissmyself:I’mfromParis.Icanalwaystellwhensomeoneisn’tSwiss:they

havemore…warmth.’MarcelpattedHenryon

theknee.Afriend:someonetotrust.

‘Actually,I’moriginallyfromEngland.’

‘Really,where?’‘Iwasborninaplace

calledWoking;it’snotfarfromLondon.’

‘AndhowdidyouendupinGeneva?’

‘It’salongstoryandaratherboringone,I’mafraid.’

‘No,no–notatall.People’sstoriesarealwaysmorefascinatingthantheyrealise.Dotellme.’

MarceledgedhischairevenclosertoHenry’sand

lookedathiscompanioninadmiration.‘Pleasetellme,Henry!’

‘Well,asIsay,it’snotterriblyremarkable.Myfatherwasanaccountantandagooddealolderthanmymother.Hediedsuddenlyin1923.Mymotherwasstillinherearlyfortiesand,though

weweren’trich,mymotherhadaspirationstowealth.Sheinheritedalife-insurancepolicyuponmyfather’sdeathand,asfarasIcanrecall,shesetaboutspendingit–furs,jewellery–thattypeofthing.WespentmostofthatsummerontheFrenchRivieraandinAntibesshe

metaSwissbusinessman,ErichHesse.Shemarriedhimlaterthesameyear.’

‘Ratherquick?’‘Indeed:indecenthaste

washowpeopledescribedit.Butmymotherwasquiteunashamedaboutit.ShedislikedEnglandandwhatshedescribedasaprovincial

lifestyle.Shewantedglamourandwealth,andErichHesseofferedallthat.Intheshortperiodfollowingthedeathofmyfather,she’dquicklybecomeaccustomedtoacertainstandardofliving,so,HerrHessewasanextremelyattractiveproposition:financiallyatleast.Ioughtto

addhewasalsoquiteabitolderthanmymother.Hewas65whentheymarried.’

‘SoyoumovedheretoSwitzerland?’

‘Yes.ToZürichatfirst,thiswaswherehisbusinessinterestswere.Welivedthereforaroundfiveyearsandmovedherelastyear.’

‘WhythemovetoGeneva?’

‘Mystepfatherhaspropertyhere,thoughhehasalloverSwitzerland.Ithinkthemainreasonwasmymother:shealwayssaidshefoundZürichratherstuffybutshelovesGenevaandtheareaaroundit.Welivebythe

lake,closetoNyon.’‘Andhowdidyou

becomesofluent?’‘Iturnedouttobe

somethingofanaturallinguist,’saidHenry.‘I’dneverreallyfittedinwellinEngland.Ididn’texcelatschoolandIwasbadatsport,soIwasbulliedabit.I

managedtomakemyselfmorepopularbyimpersonatingteachers–Iwasrathergoodatitandtheotherboyslovedit.Iwasalwaysplayingpranks,phoningteachersandpretendingtobetheheadmaster,thatkindofthing.WhenIarrivedin

Switzerlandat13,Idiscoveredmytalentforimpersonationwasagodsendforlearninglanguages:notsomuchthevocabularyandthegrammar,whichIfoundeasyenough,butinimitatingtheaccentandthenuanceofspeech.InZürichIbecamefluentinGermanandSwiss-

German,andsincemovingheremyFrenchhasreallycomeon.’

Marcelnoddedandsmiledintherightplaces.Hewassympatheticandfriendly,someoneHenryinstinctivelyfelthecouldtrust.Tohissurprise,Henryfoundhimselfopeningupevenmoretothis

stranger:thecoldnessofhismother;hislackofarelationshipwithhisstep-father;hisloneliness;hisboredom;hiscuriosityabouttheworldaroundhimandhisfrustrationatnotbeingabletosatisfythat.

MarcelswitchedtoEnglish,butonlyafterhehad

lookedcarefullyaroundtheemptyroomandmovedhischairsoclosetoHenry’sthattheyweretouching.

‘You’reclearlyveryinterestedincommunism,Henry.’

‘Yes.’‘So,areyougoingto

jointheParty?’

‘Probably.I’mabitnervousaboutwhatmymotherandstep-fatherwillthink.Iknowit’snothingtodowiththem,but,iftheyfoundout,they’dthrowmeoutofthehouse.Buttheywon’tneedtoknow,willthey?’

Marcelsaidnothing.He

leanedbackinhischairandlookedHenryupanddown.

‘Youdon’thavetojointheParty,youknow.’

‘Whatdoyoumean?’‘Whatmatters,Henry,

isthatyoubelieveinthecause,thatyoubelieveincommunism.’

‘I’mnotterriblysureI

followyou.’Marcelpausedwhilea

manandawomanwalkedby,theirshoesreverberatinglongaftertheyhadpassedonthewoodenfloor.Therainnowsoundedasifithadturnedintoastorm.Marcelloweredhisheadandonlyraiseditveryslightlywhenhespoke

again.‘Henry,ifonetruly

believesinthecause,thentherearemanydifferentwaysofservingit.Joiningthepartyandattendingmeetingshavetheirplace,butforsomeonesuchasyourself,theremaybeotherways…betterwaysinwhichyoucanhelpthe

causemoreeffectively.’‘I’mstillnotreally

followingyou.Whyareyousointerestedinme?’

‘Becauseit’sclearyoubelieveinthecauseandthatyouareamanofmanyparts,notallofthemobviousones.Youhaveanaturalcautionaboutyou,alongwithan

inquisitivemind.Youspeakthreelanguages.YouhaveaSwisspassportandaBritishone.AndtheonlypersonwhoknowsthatyouareinterestedintheParty,thatyoucametothemeetingtonight,isme.’

‘Therewereotherpeopleatthemeeting.’

‘Sure,butdoanyof

themknowwhoyouare,dotheyknowyourname?’

Henryshookhishead.‘Exactly.Forthetime

being,canIaskyounottojointhePartyorattendanymeetings?Inafewweeks,maybetwoorthree,possiblylonger,Iwillapproachyou.WewillmeetandImaybe

abletointroduceyoutopeoplewhoshareourviews.Inthemeantime,Iaskyounottodiscussthiswithanyone.’

‘Buthowwillyouknowwheretofindme?’

MarcelpattedHenry’sknee.‘Don’tworry:findingyouwillnotbeaproblem.’

***

MarcelfoundhiminlateFebruary,aroundfourweeksaftertheyhadfirstmet.

Hewasinthelibraryattheuniversity,wherehespentmostweekdays.Itgothimawayfromhismotherand

step-father,andawayfromNyonandthehomeoverlookingthelake.Hetendedtoarriveatthelibraryaround11inthemorningandleavearoundfour.OnMarcel’sadvicehehadstoppedreadingpoliticalworks(‘there’snoneedtodrawunnecessaryattentionto

yourself’)andwasnowworkinghiswaythroughtheFrenchnovelists.OnthisparticulardayhewasfindingithardtoconcentrateonZola'sThérèseRaquinsointhemiddleoftheafternoonhewentforastrollalongthecorridors,pastthecrowdednoticeboardwherehehad

firstspottedthehandwrittenposteradvertisingtheCommunistPartymeeting.WhenhereturntohisdeskhenoticedthathiscopyofThérèseRaquinwasclosed,withaslipofpaperpokingoutofthelastpagehehadbeenreading.ItwasacardfromabaronthePlacedela

Taconnerieandinneathandwriting,‘Cesoir.6.’

ThebarwasintheshadowofSt-Pierrecathedralandwaslittlemorethanadimlylitcellar.Itwashardtomakeoutthefewothercustomers.Henryhadarrivedingoodtime–wellbeforesix–andfor30or40minuteshe

satonasmalltablefacingtheentranceandcontemplatedwhathemayhavelethimselfinto.Untilthatevening,hehaddecidedthatMarcelwasjustanenthusiastwhohadperhapsbecomecarriedaway.Hewas,inHenry’sopinion,unlikelyevertocontacthimagainandhe’d

cometotheconclusionthiswasverymuchforthebest.Whateverservingthecauseindifferentwaysmeant,itwasnotforhim.

HedidnotnoticeMarceluntilheslidintothechairoppositeandgreetedhimwarmly,placingtwoemptyglassesonthetable

andproceedingtofillthembothfromabottleofredwinewhileholdingthecorkbetweenhisteeth.HegesturedforHenrytodrinkanditwasonlywhentheyhadbothfinishedandhehadrefilledtheirglassesthathespoke.

‘I’vecomefromParis

thismorning,whichiswhyI’mlate.Howhaveyoubeenkeepingmyfriend?Tellmewhatyou’rereading.’

TheychattedforafewminutesandbythetimetheywerefinishingtheirthirdglassofwineMarcelsuggestedtheygoforawalk.Theyleftthebarinsilence.

Bynow,agreymisthaddescendedontheOldTownandthecathedralwasonlyjustvisibleinfrontofthem.Theywalkedinsilencealongthedesertedstreets,asiftheyweretheonlypeopleinthecity.TheyturnedintoRueVerdaine,thenMarcelplacedanarminfrontofHenry,

gesturingforhimtowait.Theystoodstillforawhile:aheadofthemtheycouldjustmakeoutthesoundoffootsteps.Marcelglancedathiswatch,anglinghishandtotryandcatchwhatlighttherewasfromthestreetlamp.HenoddedandthenlookedstraightatHenry.

‘Youdobelieve,don’tyou?’WhenHenrydidnotreplybutonlylookedathimasifhedidnotunderstand,herepeatedthequestion.‘Inthecause,Imean.Youstillbelieveincommunism?’

‘Ofcourse.’WhatelsecanIsay?

‘Good.’Marcelstarted

towalkforwardagain,veryslowly.HeplacedahandinHenry’sbacksohewouldjoinhim.‘You’llfindthatifyoubelieve,thatwillhelp.It’sdifficultenoughevenifyoudobelieve,butimpossibleifyoudon’t.Don’tallowyourselftoharbourdoubts.Ifyouforce

yourselfhardenough,it’llwork.Trustme.’

Marcelsaidnothingmore,butcontinuedtowalkonslowly.TheyhadnotgoneveryfarwhentheypassedanalleywayontheirleftandHenrynoticedMarcelpeeringintoit.Intheshadowshecouldjustmakeoutabulky

figurestandingstillatthefarendofthealley.Theycarriedonwalking,butnowHenrycouldhearfootstepsbehindthem.TheyreachedthecornerofRuedelaValléeandMarcelstopped.Whentheyturnedroundalargemanwasstandingafewyardsbehindthem.Hewas

wrappedinalong,blackcoat,itscollarturneduptoconcealthelowerhalfofhisface,withmuchoftheupperhalfhiddenbythebrimofalargefedora.

MarcelplacedahandonHenry’sshoulder:‘attends!’Wait.Hewalkedovertothemanandthey

spokeforaminute,nomorethanthat.Theyweren’tspeakingFrenchorGerman.AsfarasHenrycouldtell,itwasRussianorPolish.Whentheyhadfinishedtalking,MarcelturnedandbeckonedforHenrytojointhem.

Thethreeofthemstoodtogetherforamoment,nota

wordbeingexchanged.Then,asifonasignal,Marcelturnedandwalkedquicklyaway,backalongRueVerdaine.

ItwasthelasttimeHenrywouldeverseehim.

***

AsMarceldisappearedintothemistthemaninthelong,blackcoatandhatmovedoffintheotherdirection,makingitclearHenryshouldfollowhim.HalfwaydownRuedelaVallée,hestoppedbyaparkedCitroenandopenedtherearpassengerdoor,allowingHenrytoenterfirst.

Thedriverturnedaroundandnodded,andwithoutawordbeingexchanged,theydroveoff.

ThecardrovefastthroughtheOldTown,thespeedandthemistmakingitdifficultforHenrytoworkoutwherehewas.Asfarashecouldtell,theywere

headingsouththroughChampelbutthenhenoticedtheywereheadingbackintothecity,drivingalongthebanksoftheRiverAvre.SoontheywereinJonction,aworking-classdistrictHenrywasquiteunfamiliarwith.Thedriverstoppedforawhile,hiseyesfixedonthe

rear-viewmirrorthenstartedagain.Lessthanaminutelater,hebrakedsuddenlythenreversedhardintoanarrowalleyway,stoppingalongsidealargewoodendoor.Henrywasguidedoutofthecar,throughthedoorandquicklyupaflightofstepsintoasmallatticroomwhichsmelt

ofgasandcabbages.Oncehehadclosedthe

shuttersandturnedonthefire,thelargemanlookedHenryupanddown,hisheadslowlymovingasifcheckinghimoutfromeveryangle.Hegesturedtoapairofchairsinfrontofthefireandremovedhisfedora,revealingalined

facethatshowednohintofemotion.OnceHenryhadsatdown,themanunbuttonedhiscoatandloweredhimselfontothechairopposite.HeaddressedhiminFrench,whichhespokewithaheavyEasternEuropeanaccent.

‘Englishisyourfirstlanguage,yes?’

Henrynodded.‘Andyoualsospeak

FrenchandGerman?’‘Yes,thoughI’mmore

comfortablewithFrench.’‘WeshallspeakFrench

inthatcase,IunderstanditbetterthanEnglish.TwoforeignersspeakingFrench;theywouldlikethatinParis.’

‘HenryHunter.’Themanremovedhisovercoatandtookoutabrownleathernotebookfromoneofthepockets.Fromhistoppockethewithdrewapencilandbegansharpeningitwithapenknife,lettingtheshavingsfallonhisshirtbeforeheblewthemawayontothe

floor.Hesquintedashecheckedthenotebook,thepencilnowlodgedinhismouthlikeacigar.

‘IknoweverythingIneedtoknowaboutyou,HenryHunter.’

‘NottoomuchIhope!’Anervouslaugh.

Overthecourseofthe

nexthourthemandeliveredaquietmonologue.HetoldHenrythingsabouthimselfhehadthoughtno-oneelsecouldpossiblyknow,andotherthingshehadlongforgottenorhardlybeenawareof.Hegavehimthenameofthematernityhomewherehewasborn;revealed

thenamesandaddressesoffamilymemberslongforgottenorneverheardof;informedhimofthenameoftheaccountancyfirmforwhichhisfatherworkedanddescribedinsomedetailhisroutine,suchasitwas,inGeneva:whenhelefthomeinNyon,hisrouteintotheOld

Townandtothelibrary.Heknewthenameofeverybookhehadtakenout.HeknewthenamesofthebarsinthePâquishelikedtohangaroundin,wherehecutalonelyfigureasheeyedtheworkinggirlswithouteverquitemanagingtosumupthecouragetoapproachthem.

Whenhehadfinished,hesmiledforthefirsttime,displayingasetoflargeteeth,halfofwhichseemedtobemadeofgold.Henrysatincredulous.

‘YoucancallmeViktor,bytheway.’Alongsilence,duringwhichHenrywonderedifhewasmeantto

sayanything,buthehadnoideawhat.

‘MarceltellsmeyouwereabouttojointheSwissCommunistParty?’

‘Notquite:Iattendedoneofitsmeetings.ItoldhimIwasthinkingofjoining,nothingmorethanthat.Wehadanicechatafterthe

meetingandhementionedsomethingaboutnotjoiningorattendingmeetings.HesaidtherewerebetterwaysIcouldhelpthecause.Iwasnotaltogethersurewhathemeant.’

‘YouwillworkformeHenryHunter:thatishowyou’llhelpthecause.Youare

acommunist,yes?’Henrythought.‘Yes,I

suppose…’‘YouareidealHenry.

Youhavetwonationalitiesandthreelanguages.MostpeopleinEuropehavejustoneofeach.Youarethekindofpersonwhopeopledonotnoticetoomuch,ifyou

understandwhatImean–youdon’tstandout.’

‘Whatdoesworkingforyouentail,Viktor?’

‘ItmeanswhatMarcelsaid:itisanotherwayofservingthecause.’

Fromanearbyrooftopaclockstruckeight.‘Look,Ioughttobegettingamove

on.Ishouldhavebeenhomeagesagoandmymotherwillbegettingworried.PerhapsIcouldthinkaboutthingsforafewdays?’

Viktorwassmilingagain,displayingevenmoregoldteeththanbefore.Whenhesmiledhelookedfriendly,butthesecondthesmile

disappearedhisdemeanourbecamecoldandmenacing.‘No,no,noHenryHunter,’hesaid,shakinghishead.‘Itdoesn’tworklikethat,I’mafraid.I’mnotadvertisingavacancyataSwissbank,I’mnotlookingforamantodelivercheese.Youarealreadyworkingforme:you

startedworkingformethemomentwemet.’

***

Forthebestpartofayear,HenrywaslittlemorethanamessengerforViktor.Atfirstthisamountedtotakinganenvelopefrom–say–

GenevatoParisthenstoppingoffinLyonstodeliveranotheroneonthereturnjourney.EvenHenry,normallynaïve,cametorealisetheseerrandsweretests.AboutonceamonththeerrandswouldcoincidewithmeetingViktor,usuallyinParisbutsometimesinother

cities.Hewas,herealised,beingtrained:ViktorwouldtalkatlengthineitherEnglishorFrenchaboutwhathelpinghimreallymeant.Heexplainedtherudimentsofespionage:theneedtofitintoanyenvironmentorcircumstancewithoutbeingnoticed;theneedfor

discretion;theabilitytoseeandremembereverything;howtoassumedifferentidentitiestotheextentthatyoubecamethatpersonforhowevershortaperiod;theimportanceofthinkingofnotjustonestepahead,buttwooreventhree,andatthesametimenotforgettingwhat

you’dbeendoingbefore,yourcoverstory.

AtnostagedidViktoractuallysaywhoheworkedfor,althoughoveraperiodoftimeHenrycametounderstandthatheworkedforSovietintelligenceorpossiblyComintern,buthewasnevertotallysurewhich

branchitactuallywas.Henry’sinstinctstoldhimthelessheknewthebetter.Viktorbegantotalkaboutthe‘service’andthatbecamehowtheyreferredtowhohisnewemployerswere.

TherewasatravelagencyinGeneva’sPetit-Saconnexthatwasafrontfor

Viktor’soperationandHenrybecameacourierforthem.Itprovidedaperfectcoverforhistripsandmeanthismother,thoughcuriousandsomewhatdubiousastowhetheratravelagencywastherightjobforherson,didnotquestionhisfrequentabsences.

Inthespringof1930,ViktorintroducedHenrytoaGermancalledPeterandaweeklaterHenryaccompaniedhimtoanisolatedfarmhouseinnorthernGermany,somewherebetweenHamburgandBremen.Therewerefiveotherrecruitsthere;

twoGermanmen;aFrenchwomanandaDutchcouple.Allwereafewyearsolderthanhim.

Ontheseconddayatthefarmthesixrecruitsweretakentoashedandshownalitterofpuppies.Chooseoneeach:itcanbeyourcompanionwhileyouare

here!Havingadogwillmakeyourstayhereeasier,theyweretold.Henrychosethesmallestofthelitter,ablackpuppythathenamedFoxi.He’dtakeFoxiforwalkstwoorthreetimesadayand,aswiththeotherrecruitsandtheirpuppies,theybecameinseparable.

ForthenextsixweekstheyweretrainedinwhatPeterdescribedasfieldcraft.Theylearnthowtocreateandusesecretmessagedrops;howtofollowpeoplewithoutbeingnoticedandinturnspotiftheywerebeingfollowedandhowtolosetheshadow.Theylearntunarmedcombat

andhowtouseaseriesofhandguns;therewaseveninstructioninmakingbombsandotherformsofsabotage.Andintheevenings,therewerelectures:ideologicalinstructionwashowtheytermedit.Anyhintofdoubtaboutcommitmenttothecausewasspottedand

eliminated.Bytheendofthefirstweek,everyonefullyunderstoodthatworkingforthecauseinthewaytheyweremeanttherewasnoroomwhatsoeverfordiscussion:withouttotalcommitmentandutterloyalty,theywouldfail.

Neverquestion;never

discuss;neverhesitate.Andalongwiththis

therewereindividualsessions.HenryspenthourswithfirstanelderlyGermanmanandthenayoungerPolishwoman.Theywereintentonteasinganythingpersonaloutofhim.TheGermanmanseemedtobea

psychiatristofsomesort,askingaseriesofapparentlyunrelatedquestionsandmakingextensivenotes.HeseemedtobepreoccupiedwithHenry’srelationshipwithhismother.

EverythingaboutthePolishwomanlookedsevere:hermanner,theheavyglasses

andthewayherhairwaspulledintoatightbun.Sheinsistedhetellhereverythingabouthispersonallife.Hadheeverhadagirlfriend,forinstance?Henryhadblushedandmutteredsomethingabouttherebeingoneortwo,butnothingserious.Hadheeversleptwithawoman,she

asked–oraman?Henrywassoshockedthathereadilytoldthetruth.No,hehadneversleptwithawoman.Thethoughtofsleepingwithaman,hesaid,hadsimplyneveroccurredtohim.

Thatnighthelayinbed,unabletosleepashetriedtomakesenseofwhat

washappeningtohim.Hefelttrapped,drawnintoalifehe’dneverhavewillinglychosen,butonewhichdidatleastoffersomeprospectofexcitement.Hehadjustdriftedtosleepwhenhewaswokenbysomeonesittingonhisbedandturningonthebedsidelamp.Itwasthe

Polishwoman.Herhairwasnowlooseandshe’dlostherglasses,andwaswearingbrightredlipstickandperfumethatsmeltoflemons.Henryfoundhimselfunabletosayanything.

Sheleantoverandbrushedhisfacewithherhandthengentlypulledhis

headtowardshersandkissedhim.‘Howcanweletyougooutintotheworldandnotknowwhattodowithawoman?’shesaidsoftly.‘Thatwouldbe…risky.’

Henryopenedhismouthtospeak,butsheplacedafingerinsidehislips,holdingitinthereforafew

momentsbeforepullingitslowlyaway.Shestoodupandremovedherdressinggownsoshewastotallynaked.Thenshestoodstillforamoment,hereyebrowsraised,invitingHenrytolookather,silhouettedbythebedsidelamp.Throughagapinthecurtainontheother

sideofthebed,thelightofthemoonlitupthefrontofherbody.

HadshenotremainedwithHenryforanhouraftertheyhadmadelove,hewouldhavereadilypasseditoffasoneofhismorepleasantdreams.Buttheylaytheretogetherandeverytimehe

triedtosaysomething,whichhefeltheoughttodo,sheplacedafingeronhislipsandshookherhead–herlonghairbrushinghisbareshoulders.Asthefirsthintofdawnpeeredthroughthehalfdrawncurtains,sheclimbedoutofbedandgotdressed.‘Weneverdiscussthis,you

understand?Thiswassomethingyouneededtodo:thereisasayingthattherearemoresecretstobefoundinabedthaninasafe.ForyourfirsttimeyouwerequitegoodHenry,butnexttimerememberyoudon’tneedtorushsomuch.Trynottothinkaboutwhatyou’re

doing:itwillcomenaturally,it’sthemostnaturalthingwedo.Atleastnexttimewon’tbeyourfirst.’

Henrywasconfused,butatthesametimequitepleasedwithhimself.

Neverquestion;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.

Onhispenultimateday

atthefarm,HenrywaswalkingwithPeterandFoxiinthewoods,whentheGermanturnedtohimandhandedhimapistol.

‘Shoother,’hesaid,pointingatthepuppy.

‘What!’Thepuppy’seyeslookedupathim,fullofjoy.

‘Thelongeryouwaittheharderitwillbe.’

Henryfiddledaroundwithpistol,hopingthatatanymomentPeterwouldstophim.

‘Getonwithit.YoudoasItellyou.’

Henryfelthimselfdriftintoatranceand,asiffrom

above,hesawhimselfcallFoxioverandcuddleher,allowinghertolickhisfacebeforeplacingthebarrelofthegunbehindherearsandpullingthetrigger.

AfterwardsPeterheldouthishandforthegunandHenrydidallhecouldtostophimselfcrying.Never

question;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.

WhenhereturnedtoGenevaaftersixweeks,hefeltemotionallydrained:therewasnownothinghisnewmastersdidnotknowabouthim.Itwasasiftheypossessedhissoul.Hehadcometounderstand,even

beforethetrip,thatViktorhadbeenputtinghimthroughaprocesswhichmeanttherewasnogoingback.Whetherhelikeditornot,hewasnowcommittedtothecause.Heknewthathisviewsoncommunismwerenowquiteimmaterial.

Bytheendof1930the

errands,asViktorlikedtocallthem,becamemoreserious:clandestinetripstothemoredangerouscornersofEurope;fleetingencounterswithwarywomenandfrightenedmen;switchingidentitybeforehurryingoutofthecountry.Therewereevensometripsto

Britain,whereheusedhisHenryHunteridentitytoenterandleave.HewasseeingViktoratleastonceamonth,probablynearertoonceeverythreeweeks.Viktoralwaysallowedplentyoftimefortheirmeetings;itwasifheenjoyedthem.Duringthecourseofthese

meetingsitbecameapparentViktorworkedforCominternandhewouldreminisceabouttheRevolutionandhisearlydaysasanagent.HewoulddescribetoHenrythedangersheforesawinEurope.Aboveall,heseemedtoshowagenuineinterestinHenrythatneitherhismothernorhis

step-fatherdid.HeclearlycaredandHenryfoundhimselfbeingfrankwithViktorinawayhewasunabletobewithanyoneelse.ViktorbegantorefertoHenryassynok.

ItwastheRussianforson.

***

Chapter6:Switzerland,1931TheeventthatwouldchangeHenry’slifeforevertookplaceinthesummerof1931,butitsoriginscameearlierthatyearinParis.Atthe

beginningofMarch,HenrywassummonedtotheFrenchcapital,tooneofthesafehousesViktorusedintheMarais.UnlikehisusualmeetingswithViktor,thisonewasmorechargedandstretchedoveraperiodofdays.Viktorwantedtosatisfyhimselfthatno-one–‘nota

singlesoul’,asheputit–couldhaveaninklingastowhatHenrywasuptoorwhohewasworkingfor.IttookfourdaysandthreenightsofwhatamountedtoaninterrogationforViktortosatisfyhimselfofthis.

Aweeklater,ViktorcametoGeneva–thefirst

timehe’dbeenthereforsomemonths.OveralongdinnerinaprivateroomatthebackofaseedyArmenianrestaurantinGrand-Lancy,Viktortalkedpolitics.WhatdidHenryunderstandabouteventsintheSovietUnion,aboutthedangerousandcounter-revolutionary

activitiesofTrotskyandhismadfollowers?Henryrepliedtruthfullythatheknewlittle,buthisallegiancewaswithComradeStalin.TraitorssuchasTrotskyandhisilkwereadistraction.

Viktorhadnoddedinagreementthenspokewellintotheearlyhoursofthe

morning,fortifiedbyanendlesssupplyofstrongTurkishcoffeeandplentyofvodka.ViktorpatientlyexplainedtheaimsoftheLeftOpposition,howtheirargumentsmayhavehadsomemeritsintheirearlydays,buttheyhaddeviatedseriouslyfromthecorrect

socialistcoursechartedbyLenin.HenryneededtobecleartherewasnoroomforwhatViktordescribedasabourgeoisindulgence.HenrysaidheunderstoodandwasgratefultoViktorforexplainingmatterssoclearly:hehadnodoubtTrotskyandhisfewremainingfollowers

wereenemiesoftheSovietUnionandofsocialism,butsurelythematterhadbeendealtwith?HadTrotskynotbeenexpelledfromtheSovietUnion?

Itwasoneinthemorningnowandwhentheexhaustedpatronreturnedwithmorecoffee,Viktor

dismissedhimsharplyinRussian.

‘Itoldhimtoleaveusalonesynok.WhatIamabouttosaynowismostimportant.TrotskyisindeedlivinginexileinTurkeyandmostofhissupportersintheSovietUnionhaveseentheerroroftheirways–oratleastclaim

tohavedoneso:evenZinovievandKamenev.Othershavebeendealtwith.ButthedangerposedbyTrotskyandthoseofhisfollowersthatremainstillexists.TherearepowerfulsupportersofTrotskydispersedaroundEuropeandaslongastheyareableto

operate,theyposeathreattous,whichwecannottolerate:wecannotputatrisktheachievementsoftheRevolution.Youunderstandthat?’

Henrynodded.‘Sodealingwiththem

isapriorityforourservice.’Henrynoddedagain:of

course.Alongsilence

followed,duringwhichViktorremovedhisjacket,loosenedhistieandlookedatHenryinaquizzicalmanner,asifexpectinghimtosaysomething.Henryshiftedinhischair,unsureofhowtoreact.

‘ThisiswhereyouaregoingtoperformavitalrolefortheService,synok.’

***

HenryHunterspentthefirsttwoweeksofJuly1931inalargehouseontheoutskirtsofNeuchâtel,overlookingthe

lake.HehadbeentoldtoexpecttobeawayfromGenevaforatleastamonth,possiblyagooddeallonger.Asfarashismotherandstep-fatherwereconcerned,thetravelagencyhe’dbeenworkingforhadacquiredanewbranchinStGallenand,asHenryspokegoodSwiss-

German,hewasbeingsentthereforawhile.

ViktoraccompaniedHenrytothehouseandremainedthereforthefirsttwodays.Peter,theGermanwhohadtakenhimtoHamburgforhistrainingthepreviousyearwasalsopresent.Fortwoweeks,Peter

helpedHenryassumeanewidentity.JustbeforetheendofthefortnightinNeuchâtel,Viktorreturnedandafteracouplemoredays,hefinallysatisfiedhimselfHenryhadnowbecomeWilliamJarvis.

Accordingtohismuch-usedBritishpassport,WilliamJarvishadbeenborn

inNorwichandwas,at26,afewyearsolderthanHenry.AftergraduatingfromCambridge,JarvishadbecomeateacherandhadmovedtoSwitzerlandforayearthankstoalegacyfromarecentlydeceasedandmuch-loveduncle.Hisaimwastotravelanddosomeoccasional

teaching,shouldtheopportunityarise.

ThatopportunityhappilyaroseinInterlaken.

‘They’vebeenadvertisingforanEnglishtutoronandoffforweeks:they’llbedelightedaproperEnglishmanwhoalsohappenstobeateacher

applies,’Viktorhadtoldhim.‘ButI’mnotateacher!’‘Youdon’tneedtobe.

Theywantsomeonetoimprovetheirchildren’sconversationalEnglish,that’sall.’

ThenightbeforeHenrytravelledtoInterlaken,Viktorhadgivenhimhisfinal

briefing.‘AnatolyMikhailovich

Yevtushenko.’ThethreeofthemweresataroundafinelypolishedtableinthediningroomnearNeuchâtelandViktorhadalmostceremoniallyplacedaphotographofadistinguishedlookingmaninfrontof

Henry.‘AnatolyMikhailovichYevtushenko,bornKazanin1884:bourgeoisfamily,butbecameactiveinsocialistpoliticswhenhewasatuniversityinMoscow.HebecamealawyerandwasoneoftheveryearlymembersoftheRussianSocialDemocraticLabour

Party,whichyoumayormaynotknowwastheforerunneroftheCommunistParty.HewasactiveintheOctoberRevolutionandbegantorisethroughtheranksoftheParty.However,inaround1923or1924,hebecameaconfidantofTrotskyandsincethenthetwohave

becomeclose.In1924YevtushenkotookupapositioninthefinancedepartmentoftheParty.Inearly1928,notlongafterTrotskywassentoninternalexile,YevtushenkoandhisfamilydisappearedwhileonholidayinCrimea.Welosttrackofthem,butafew

monthsagowediscoveredthattheywerelivinginInterlaken.’

ViktornoddedatPeter,whoopenedafolderandproducedaseriesofphotographsthathelaidoutinfrontofHenryasifdealingfromadeckofcards.

‘ThisisYevtushenko’s

wife,TatyanaDmitriyevna,’saidPeter.‘Weunderstandshesuffersfromadebilitatinglungcondition,whichmaywellbethereasonwhytheyarelivinginInterlaken.ThisisRozaliaAnatolyevna,sheis17.NadezhdaAnatolyevnais14andthisistheson,NikolaiAnatolyevich.Heis11.’

‘Andthat’stheirhouse?’

‘Indeed.Averyfinehouseasyoucansee,butalsoaverysecureone.Thiswallrunsallarounditandis12feethigh.ItisnotaltogetherunusualforhousestohavesuchsecurityinSwitzerland:peopleliketheirprivacyand

Interlakenisawealthytown.’Viktormovedthe

photographsawayfromHenry.Hewantedhimtoconcentrateonwhathewasabouttosay.‘WehavebeenwatchingYevtushenkoveryclosely.WehavecometotheconclusionheisanimportantsourceoffinanceforTrotsky

andhismovement,somethingtheServicehaslongsuspected.WeknownowthatinthefewmonthsbeforeheescapedfromtheSovietUnion,YevtushenkochannelledlargesumsofmoneyfromMoscowintoSwissbankaccounts.Onlyhehasaccesstothem.Wedon’t

knowexactlyhowmuchmoneyisintheseaccounts,butwebelieveitcouldwellbeintheregionofeighthundredmillionSwissFrancs.Aswellasthefamily,thesethreemenliveinthehouse–Peter…’

TheGermanproducedaseriesofphotos,blurredshots

ofthreedifferentmen.‘Theyareguards,allRussians.Theystayinthehouseandvetwhoevercomesinorevenapproachesit.Alocalwomanandherdaughteractashousekeepers:theyarriveearlyinthemorninganddothecleaning,cookingandshopping.Theyleaveinthe

middleoftheafternoon.Thefamilyveryrarelyleavethehouseand,whentheydo,theyarealwaysaccompaniedbyaguard.’

Viktortookoverspeakingnow.‘Approximatelyonceafortnight,Yevtushenkoleavesthehouseandtravelsfirstto

BernandthentoZürich.Healwaysleavesearlyinthemorningandarrivesbacklateintheevening.Andhe’salwaysaccompaniedonthesetripsbytwooftheguards.WeknowthatinBernhevisitstheSwissVolksbankandinZürichhegoestotheUnionBankthentothe

EidgenössischeBank.Ourassumptionisthat,oncethere,he’sabletotransfermoneyfromtheaccountshecontrolstothoseofTrotsky’ssupportersaroundEuropeoreventoTrotskyhimself.Ouraimisverysimple:thatmoneywasstolenfromthePartyandwewantitback.In

theprocess,wecanstarveTrotskyofthefundsthatarekeepinghismiserablemovementgoing.’

‘Andmyroleis…?’Henrysoundedconfused.

‘Tobecomethefamily’sEnglishtutor,synok,andbecometrustedbythem.Thatmaytakeweeks.Once

thathappens,we’llbeabletomovetoournextstage.’

‘Andwhatdoesthatinvolve?’

‘You’llfindoutthensynok’saidViktor.

Neverquestion;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.

***

Ithadallgoneaccordingtoplan,asthingstendedtodoinSwitzerland,especiallywhentheywereorganisedbyViktor.WilliamJarvishadtakenthetroubletowritefromEnglandtoreservearoomataninninthecentreofInterlaken.Hewasonthetop

floorwithasmallbalcony,fromwhichhecouldseeLakeThuntothewest,LakeBrienztotheeast,themountainsoftheJungfrauandtheGrindelwaldtothesouth,withtheHarderKulmandEmmentalbeyondittothenorth.Henry,whonowhadtothinkofhimselfas

William,haddecidedthiscouldturnouttobeapleasantenoughtask.

HewaiteduntilhisseconddayinInterlakenbeforeenquiringinthebookshopaboutthediscreetsignintheirwindowseekinganEnglishtutorandthatafternoonhetelephonedthe

numberthebookshopownerpassedontohim.TwodayslaterhewalkedthroughthetownandcrossedtheRiverAare,andthereonthenorthbankfoundthehouseontheveryedgeoftherisingforest.Itwasaperfectposition,separatedfromneighbouringhousesbytreesand

surroundedbyahighwall,withthefrontgatesetintoit.Nexttothegatewasasmallwindow.Twolargemensearchedhimafterherangthebellandhewasthenledthroughtoalibrary

BothAnatolyYevtushenkoandhiswifeTatyanawereintheroom,but

theinterviewwasconductedbythehusbandinpassableGerman.Hiswife,heexplained,didnotspeakthelanguage.TatyanaYevtushenkowasathinwoman,withskinsopaleitwasthecolourofchalkand,evenonawarmJulyday,shewasdressedforwinter.

AnatolyYevtushenkotoldWilliamJarvisthefamilyhadmovedaroundEuropebuthadsettledhereinSwitzerland.‘Becauseofmybusiness,’hesaid,inatonethatmadeitclearhedidnotneedtoelaborate.Forthemostpart,theyeducatedthechildrenthemselves,he

explained,buttheydidrequiretheassistanceoftutorsfromtimetotime.

Pleasetellmeaboutyourself,MrJarvis.

WilliamJarvisrememberedwhatViktorhadtoldhim:tellhimjustenough,nottoomuch…hewillbeclever,hewillspotany

mistakes…concentrateonhowmuchyouwouldenjoytutoringhischildrenratherthantalkingaboutyourself.Avoidsoundingtoofluent:beslightlyhesitantwithdates.

AnatolyYevtushenkospoketohiswifeeverysoofteninRussian,evidentlygivingherthegistofwhat

he’dbeentold.‘Areyouinterestedin

politics,MrJarvis?’‘I’mafraidnotsir.Ido

hopethatisn’taproblem?’‘No,notatall.And

whataboutforeignaffairs,doyoufollowthose?’

‘OnlywhatonereadsinTheTimessir,butIhaveto

tellyoumymaininterestisliterature.Iwouldratherreadagoodbookthananewspaper!’

Andsoitwenton.Afterabriefconversationwithhiswife,AnatolyYevtushenkoofferedWilliamJarvisthepositionofEnglishtutortohischildren.They

agreedthefeeandthathewouldcomefortwohourseverymorning.Theywouldreviewhispositionaftertwoweeks.

AttheendofthefirstweekWilliamJarviswassummonedintoAnatolyYevtushenko’sstudy.

‘Howlongdoyouplan

tostayinInterlakenfor,MrJarvis?’

‘Afewmonths,possibly.Ihopetolearntoski,soIsupposeI’mintherightplace.ItdependsonwhetherIcanfindworktohelppayformystay.’

‘Wellthat’swhyI’veaskedtoseeyou.The

childrenadoreyou:theyabsolutelyinsistwekeepyouforaslongaspossible.Forreasonsthataretoocomplicatedtoexplain,ourlifeisanisolatedoneandmywifeandIworryabouttheeffectofthatonthechildren.Alreadywecanseehowyou’vebeenabletohelp

brightentheirlives.Fromnowon,we’dlikeyoutospendanhoureverydaywitheachchildandtostayforlunch,whichwillbeafurtheropportunityforyoutoconversewiththeminEnglish.’

Thiswastheroutineforthenextmonth.William

Jarviswouldarriveatthehouseat11o’clockeverymorningapartfromSundayandringthebellonthewall.Theheavymetalgateswouldeventuallyopenandoneoftheguardswouldsearchhimbeforeanotherwouldleadhimthroughtothelibrary.Hewouldspendthefirsthour

withNadezhda,whowasbyfarthebrightestofthethreechildren.Nikolaiwouldhavethesecondhour,whichwashardworkastheboycompletelylackeddiscipline,butseemedpleasedtohaveWilliamreadsimplestoriestohiminEnglish.Thenheandthethreechildrenwouldeat

lunchtogether,speakingonlyEnglishduringthemeal.

Afterlunch,hewouldteachRozaliaforthefinalhour.Veryquickly,hecametoappreciatethiswasthepartofthedayhemostlookedforwardto.AtfirsthehadseenRozaliaaslittlemorethanachildbut,onherown,

awayfromherparentsandhersisterandbrother,shewasmoreofayoungwoman.Herthick,longbrownhairfellwellbelowhershouldersandshewasconstantlysweepingitawayfromherface.Herskinwasn’taspaleashermother’s,butshe’dcertainlyinheritedher

complexionfromherratherthanherfather.Whatshehadgotfromhim,though,weredarkbrowneyes,withanalmostunblinkinggaze.

Theywouldspendmuchofthetimeinthegarden,wanderingaround,talkinginEnglishbutmoreoftenthannotslippinginto

German.HerGermanwasnottoobadandshedidherbesttoignorehisattemptstospeakinEnglish.Shewas,Henryrealised,desperatelylonely.Shehadfledherhomecountryandwasnowtrappedinahousesurroundedbyhighwalls.SosheconfidedinMrJarvis,asshecalledhim.He

foundithardtodootherthanlendasympatheticearandassureherifshewaspatientherlifewouldchangeforthebetter.HetoldheraboutlifeinEnglandandwhathehadseenofEuropeonhistravels.

CallmeRoza.Verywell–anddocall

meWilliam.

WhatisashortformofWilliam?

Bill,Isuppose–orBilly.

RozapreferredBilly,andsosheandBillybecamefriends.Whentheydidreadfrombooksshewouldsitsoclosetohimthattheirbodiestouched.Rozahadahabit,a

mannerismeven,oftouchinghisarmandallowingherfingerstobrieflyholdhimbythewrist.He’dnoticedherdoingthistotheotherstoo,sohedidnotimagineshemeantanyspecialaffectionforhim,butonceortwicehetriedtoreturnthegesture–placinghishandontopofhers.She

wouldsmileandwaituntilshehadoncemoresweptthehairfromherfacebeforegentlyremovingherhand.HeknewwhatRozawantedmorethananythingelsewascompanionship.William’sstorywasthathismotherhaddiedwhenhewasyoungandhisfatherhadremarried.This

strucksomekindofchordwithRoza,whoseeyeswouldfillwithtearswhenhetoldheraboutbeingsenttoboardingschoolattheageofsixandhowhisstep-motherdidnotlikehim.HenryworriedhemaybegettingtooclosetoRoza,butthenViktorhadtoldhimtomakesure

thathebecametrusted.Heknewthathewas

developingfeelingsforRoza,buthealsoknewhewasn’tinapositiontodoanythingaboutthem.Shewouldneverbeallowedtoleavethehousewithoutaguardand,athome,therewerealwaysothersaround.Onemorning,after

hehadbeenthereforamonthorso,thedownstairstoiletwasbeingrepairedandhewastoldtousethebathroomupstairs,whichhewouldnormallyneverdo.Whenheopenedthebathroomdoor,hewasmetbythesightofRoza,whohadjuststeppedoutofthebath.Despitethesteam

andthefactthatshewasmostlycoveredbyatowelhecaughtaglimpseofherbreasts,smallerthanhehadimaginedthembutperfectlyshaped,withlocksofherdark,wethairhangingbetweenthem.Therewasabriefmomentwhenneitherofthemsaidanythingormoved,

thenhesaid‘sorry’andswiftlyshutthedoorbeforehurryingdownstairs.Neitherofthemeversaidawordaboutit,butthatafternoonshewasevenfriendliertowardshim.

OnSundays–theonlydayonwhichhedidnotgotothehouse–Henrywouldtake

thebusfromInterlakentoThun,wherehewouldmeetPeterinapark.TheywouldwalkwhileHenrywouldrecountwhathadhappenedduringtheweekandPeterwouldaskaseriesofquestions,occasionallypausingtowritesomethinginhisnotebook.Oncehetook

Henrytoasmallapartmentaboveashopinthecentreofthetown,whereHenrywastoldtodrawdetailedplansofthehouse.

InthemiddleofAugust,hearrivedinThunonaSundaytobetakenstraighttotheapartmentbyPeter.Whentheyarrived,Viktor

waswaitingwiththreeFrenchmen,whowereintroducedasLucien,ClaudeandJean-Marie:theconversationthatfollowed–whichlastedwellintotheevening–wasconductedinFrench.

‘Synok:PetertellsmethatsometimesyouandRoza

areallowedtoleavethehouse?’ViktorwassittingdirectlyacrossanarrowtablefromHenry,watchinghimcarefully.DespitethestiflingAugustheattheRussianwaswearingaheavyjacket.ThethreeFrenchmenwereloungingbackintheirchairsandoneofthemhada

revolverinashoulderholster.‘Well,yesandno.Roza

hasalotofspirit,shefeelslikeacagedanimalinthathouse,butherparentswon’tallowhertogointothetown,certainlynotwithoutaguard.However,behindthehouseisasmall,privatewood,justfortheresidentsofthenearby

houses.Ithasafencearoundit.’

PeterhandedamaptoViktor,pointingtoacircledarea.

‘Here?’Henrypickedupthe

mapandstudiedit.‘Yes,here.Youcangetintoitfromadoorsetinthegardenwall.

Herfatheragreedwecangoforawalkinthere,solongasit’sjustforafewminutesandwepromisenottoleavethewood.Theguardshavethekey:Atfirstthey’dcomealongtoletusoutandtheninagain,butnowtheydon’tbother.Ihavetocollectitfromthemandreturnit

afterwards.Iamtrusted.’‘Andtellmesynok:

whendothehousekeepersleave–isitstillintheafternoon?’

‘Yes.Theymakethelunchthenpreparetheeveningmeal.They’reusuallygonebythreeo’clock.’

TheFrenchmenandPeterallaskedquestionsandHenrymusthavedescribedthelayoutofthehouseadozentimes.Viktorthenoutlinedhisplan.Itwascleverandaudaciousandbythetimehehadfinished,Henryfeltquitesick.

***Twomoreweeks.ViktorhaddecidedthatanothertwoweekswouldhelpensureWilliamJarviswasevenmoretrustedbytheYevtushenkosandthiswasimportant,becauseiftheydidn’ttrusthimthentheplan

wouldn’twork.ThetwoweekswasalsoimportantbecauseAnatolyYevtushenko’slasttriptoBernandZürichhadbeenjustafewdayspreviously.Thetiminghadtoberight.

Theagreeddatewasthe1stSeptember,aTuesday.OntheThursdaybeforethat

PeterhadarrivedinInterlakenandrentedanapartmentontheeastsideofthetown,closetoLakeBrienz.HenrycheckedoutoftheinnandmovedinwithPeter.

WilliamJarvisarrivedatthehousejustbefore11o’clockontheTuesday

morning.Bynowtheguardsweremorerelaxedwithhim,evenquitefriendly.HewentthroughtothelibraryandhadhislessonswithNadezhdaandNikolai.Bythetimetheywentintothediningroomforlunchhewasfeelingsickwithnervesandanticipation.Hehardlyateanything,but

no-oneseemedtonotice.Hemanagedtokeepthechildrendistractedbyplaying‘Ispy’.Afterlunchhewenttotheguard’sroomatthefrontofthehousetocollectthekey.TheguardwhospokethebestGermanhandedittohim,withawarningtomakesurehelockeditproperly.

HeandRozawanderedintothegarden,withRozastrugglingtocountto100inEnglish.Thatwasthewayitworked:completeatasksuchascountingornamingthedaysoftheweekormonthsoftheyearandtheycouldgointothewoodsasareward.Rozabecamemaroonedin

theseventies,butHenryannouncedthatwasgoodenough.Heunlockedthegardendoorandtheyspenttherestofthehourwalking.Henrykeptglancingaround,expectingtoseepeoplehiddenamongstthetreesorbeyondthefence,butitwasasdesertedandsilentas

always,apartfromthesoundofwaterrushingontheAarebelowthem.

‘AreyoualrightBilly?’‘YesthankyouRoza,

whydoyouask?’‘You’reveryquiet.’

ShehadswitchedtoGermannow.‘Youkeeplookingaroundandyoudidn’teatany

lunch.’‘I’mfinethankyou

Roza.Isleptbadlylastnight,that’sall.Look,youreallymustspeakEnglish.Pleasetry.’

‘Why?What’sthepoint?We’llnevervisitEngland.We’llneverleavethishouse.Iamaprison,

Billy,’shesaidinEnglish.‘Iama“prisoner”,

Roza.That’swhatyoumeanttosay.Aprisonisabuildinginwhichtheprisonersarekept.I’msureyou’llgettovisitEnglandoneday.’

TheyspentmuchofthehourwithHenrydoinghisbesttosustainsomekindof

conversationinEnglish.But,asever,Rozawaswrappedupinherthoughts.WhentheywentbackintothegardenHenrytoldRozatogoonaheadwhilehemadeaplayoflockingthegardendoor.Itappearedshut,buthekickedastoneagainstitjustincasethewindblewitopen.

Afterhereturnedthekeytotheguard’sroom,hewentintothelibrary,pausingonthewaytoremovetheboltonthesidedoorthatopenedintothegarden.Hishandswereshakingsomuchhefearedthesoundoftheboltsbeingremovedechoedaroundthehouse.

They’llneedtomove:ItoldthemtheguardsusuallycheckthegardendoorsoonafterIlockit.

RozaandNadezhdawereinthelibrary.Hewouldhangaroundforafewminutes,ashehadstartedtodolately.HecouldhearNikolaiplayingupstairsand

thetwolocalwomenleavingthehouse.Anatolywasinhisstudyandheimaginedthemotherwouldbeasleepupstairs.Fromthecornerofhiseyeheimaginedhecaughtamovementinthegarden,buthedidnotwanttolookup.Afewmomentslaterandthereweresomesoundsfrom

thefrontofthehouse,nothingtoonoticeableatfirstbutthenitbecamemoreofacommotionandfirstNadezhdathenRozalookedup.Secondslatertherewasthesoundofshoutingdownthehallthenthreeloudpoppingnoisesfollowedbyascream,andthesoundof

Anatolyshoutingandthenscufflinginthehall.Thedoortothelibraryburstopen.ThefirstpersoninsidewasoneoftheFrenchmen,followedbyPeterandbehindhimViktorandanotheroftheFrenchmenfrog-marchingAnatolyintotheroom.ThegirlsscreamedandViktorshoutedatthemin

Russian,wavinghisrevolverattheirfather’sheadashedidso.Themessagewasclear:shutuporIshoot.

ViktorpushedAnatolyintoanarmchairandgesturedforthegirlstositonthefloor.Theycouldhearmovementupstairs.‘Goandseewhat’sgoingon,’ViktortoldPeter

inFrench.ShortlyafterthatoneoftheotherFrenchmenappearedintheroom,draggingNikolaiinwithhimbyhishair.Tatyanafollowedasifinatrance,withPeterbringinguptherear.Nikolaiwasshovedtothefloornexttohisterrifiedsisterswhiletheirmotherwasguidedtoa

chairoppositeherhusband.ViktoraddressedthefamilyinRussian,theninFrenchtoldPetertoseewhatwashappeningatthefrontofthehouse.WhenhereappeareditwaswiththethirdFrenchmanandthetwoofthemweredraggingalongoneoftheguards.Heappearedtobe

badlywounded:hewasgroaningandhischestwascoveredinblood.

‘Whatabouttheothertwo?’askedViktor.

‘Dead,’saidthethirdFrenchman.

‘Andhim?’Hewasnoddingattheinjuredguard.

‘Tookoneinthechest.’

‘Finishhimoff.’TheFrenchmanhad

beenholdingarevolverbyhisside.Nowhekneltdownbytheguardandyankeduphishead,forcingthebarrelofthegunintohismouth.Ashedidso,theguardseemedtobecomefullyconscious,hiseyesopeningwide,clearly

terrified.ThethreechildrenscreamedandwereonlysilencedwhenViktorshoutedatthem.WhentheFrenchmanpulledthetrigger,theguard’sheadslumped.Therefollowedalongsilencethenthesobbingofthethreechildren.Tatyanasatverystill,clearlyinshockand

seeminglyunawareofwhatwasgoingon.HenrynoticedAnatolywasstaringathim.

ViktorspoketothefamilyinRussian,pointingatAnatolyandwavinghispistolaround.Theyallnodded.Weunderstand.ThenhespokeinFrench.‘I’mgoingtoseparatethemnow.’

HepointedtothethreeFrenchmen.‘I’lltakeAnatolyintothestudy;heandIhavemuchtotalkabout.Oneofyouwillcomeintothestudywithme,theothertwohadbetterkeepaneyeontherestofthehouse–makesureoneofyoustaysintheguardroom,weneedtokeep

aneyeonthefront.Peter,youstayinhere.William,youtoo:trytokeepthechildrendistracted.You’llneedthis.’

ItwasonlywhenViktorhandedarevolvertoHenrythatitdawnedonthefamilyhehadbetrayedthem.Fromtheshockedlookonthefacesofthechildrenandthe

glareofhateonthatofthefather,Henryrealisedthat,untilthatmoment,theymusthavethoughthetoohadbeencaughtupasavictiminthisnightmare.

AnatolywashauledupbyoneoftheFrenchmen,whohandcuffedhishandsbehindhisbackbefore

marchinghimoutoftheroom.AshepassedHenry,AnatolystoppedandlookedHenrystraightintheeyebeforespittingout‘duBastard!’

Noneofthechildrenwantedanythingtodowiththeirtutor.Theyignoredallhisattemptstotalkin

English.Nadezhdaspentmostofthetimequietlysobbing,sittingonthefloorbyhermother’schair.LittleNikolailookedconfusedandterrified,whileRozastaredathimwithblazingeyes.‘YouweretheonepersonIthoughtunderstoodme,youweresomeoneItrusted,’shesaid

inGerman,inaquietbutangryvoice.‘Youknowwhatwillhappentousnow,don’tyou?’

‘EverythingwillbeallrightRoza,don’tworry.’

‘Youthinkso,doyouEnglishman?Inthatcaseyouhavenoideawhoisitpayingyou.’Sheshuffledoverto

him,loweringhervoiceevenmore.‘Theywillkillusall,yourealisethat?’

Peterleanedoverfromthenearbychairwherehewassitting,‘Shutup’heshoutedatRoza.HeturnedtoHenryandspokeinFrench:‘Don’ttalkwithheranymore.’Fromthestudy

therewasthesoundofraisedvoicesinRussian,mostlyViktor,butAnatolytoo.TheafternoonturnedintoeveningandoneoftheFrenchmenbroughtfoodintothelibrary,butapartfromNikolai,noneofthefamilyateanything.Whenitbegantoturndark,ViktorcalledHenryandPeter

intothekitchen.‘Hefinallyunderstands

wemeanbusiness.IthinkherealiseshehasnoalternativebuttodowhatIsay.There’satraintoBernat7.20tomorrowmorning:LucienandJean-Mariewillgowithhim.He’llbeattheSwissVolksbankwhenitopensand

I’veagreedhecantelephoneheretoreassurehimselfeveryoneissafe.Thenhe’lltransferallthefundsfromtheSwissVolksbank.Afterthat,they’lltraveltoZürichandrepeattheprocedureattheUnionandEidgenössischeBanks.’

‘Howdoweknowhe’ll

transferallthefundsunderhiscontrol?’askedPeter.

‘Wecan’tbetotallysure,butweknowfromfollowinghimthatthesearetheonlythreebankshe’severvisited.Imanagedtopersuadehimtoshowmewhatdocumentationhehadandtheaccountsamountto

justoverninehundredmillionSwissFrancs:that’smorethanweestimated.Theywillbeverypleased.BytomorrownightthatmoneywillbeinaccountscontrolledbytheParty.’

‘AndwhathappensthenViktor?’TheGermanlookednervous,playingwith

hiswatchstrapandbitinghisfingernails,glancingfirstatHenryandthenbackatViktor.

‘We’llsee.I’vetoldhimhe’llbebroughtbackhereandthatafewhoursafterweleavethetownwe’llphonethelocalpolicetoreleasethem.’

‘Rozatoldmethatthey’reallgoingtobekilled,’saidHenry.‘Whywouldshesaythat?’

‘Don’tworryaboutitsynok.Weknowwhatwe’redoing.’

‘But…’Peterleanedoverthe

tableandgrabbedHenry’s

forearm,verytight.‘Don’tyourememberanything?Wejustdoaswe’retold.Thisisn’tthatstupidgameyouplayfordaysatatimeinEngland,understand?’

Neverquestion;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.

Viktortoldthembothtoshutup.Theywouldkeep

Anatolyapartfromtherestofthefamilythatnight.TwoofthemwouldguardhimwhiletheothersstayedwithTatyanaandthechildreninthelibrary,takingitinturnstosleep.Anatolywasmadetotelephonethehousekeepers:youaren’trequiredtomorrow,pleasetaketheday

off–we’llseeyouasusualonThursday.

Anatolywaswokenupatsixinthemorning.HenryhadbeenwithhiminhisbedroomalongwithPeterforthepastfewhoursandwassurprisedthattheRussianhadsleptatall.Theywatchedwhilehewashed,shavedand

dressed.Whenhewasready,heturnedaroundandaddressedthem.

‘TellhimIwanttosaygoodbyetomyfamilybeforeIleave.’

TheycalledViktorupandtherewasashortexchangeinRussian.Theresultwasthat,asAnatoly

camedownstairs,hewentintothelibraryandhuggedeachmemberofhisfamily,butsaidnothingotherthanawordortwoinRussiantoeachone.Whenhehadfinishedhuggingthelastone,Nadezhda,heturnedsharplyandswiftlylefttheroom.Ashepassedhiminthehall

HenrynoticedtheRussian’seyeswerefilledwithtears.

***

ViktorspentmuchofthatWednesdayinthestudy,behindAnatoly’sdesk.Thefirstphonecallcameat9.30:itwasLucienattheSwiss

Volksbank.PeterbroughtRozathroughfromthelibraryandputheronthephonetoherfather.Yes,we’realright.Whenareyoucominghome?Whatarethey…?Thephonewassnatchedbackfromher.ThirtyminuteslaterandLucienrangagain.Themoneyhadbeentransferred.

TheywerenowontheirwaytoZürich.Thenextphonecallcameataquartertoone.ItwasJean-MarietosaytheyhadarrivedinZürichandwereabouttogointoEidgenössischeBank.Thistime,Nadezhdawasbroughtinfromthelibrarytoassureherfatherallwaswell.Henry

wasinthestudywhenJean-Marierangagainat1.30tosaythetransferhadbeenmade;theywerenowontheirwaytotheUnionBank.

‘Wait:ringmebackinhalfanhour.Ineedtomakeacallfirst.’

ViktordialledaZürichnumberand,afterashort

conversationinwhichhesaidnomorethanafewwords,alargesmilefilledhisface,displayingthefamiliargoldteeth.‘Goodnews,synok.ThefundsfrombothbankshavealreadybeentransferredtoouraccountinCreditSuisse.Beforethecloseofbusinesstodaytheywillhave

beenspreadamongvariousuntraceableaccountsacrossEurope.Wearebetteratcapitalismthanthecapitalists!’

Bythreeo’clockthebusinesshadbeendone.NikolaihadspokentohisfatherbeforethetransactionatUnionBankthenLucien

rangtosayithadbeencompleted.

‘IsYevtushenkointheroomwithyou?’ViktorwasspeakingwithLucien.‘Rightthen,don’tsayanything,butwhenIhavefinishedsayoutloudyouwillbeonthe4.15trainfromZürichandyouexpecttobebackin

Interlakenbyeighto’clock,youunderstand?Youknowwhattodo,Lucien…IwillseeyouinParis.’

ViktorpausedwhileLucienspokethenplacedthephonebackonthereceiver,holdingontoitforawhileafterputtingitdown.Hesighedandloosenedhistie.

‘Allgood,synok.Thetransfershavetakenplace.Moscowwillbedelighted.Now,Trotskyhasnomoremoney.’

Henrynodded.‘IsAnatolyonhiswaybackhere,Viktor?’

TheRussianpeeredathimasifthesunwasinhis

eyes.‘TellPetertocomein.YoustayinthelibrarywithClaude.’

***

ThelongesthalfhourofHenryHunter’slifebeganverysoonafterthat.

Hewasinthelibrary

withClaude,keepinganeyeonTatyanaandthethreechildrenwhenViktorappearedinthedoorway.HespokeinRussian,andRozaandNadezhdabothraisedtheirhands.ViktorpointedatNadezhdaandgesturedupstairs.‘I’veaskediftheywantanopportunitytouse

thebathroom,’hesaidtoHenryinFrench.ViktorclosedthelibrarydoorasNadezhdawentupstairs.Viktorsaidnothingbutglancedathiswatchthenupattheceiling,hisbackagainstthecloseddoor.AfterfiveminuteshespoketoRoza.Yourturn.Shebrushedpast

Henry,lookingthroughhimasshewentpast,pullinghercardigantightlyaroundhershouldersandacrossherfront.

Tenminuteslater,withnosignofeitherofthegirls,therewasaknockatthedoor.ViktoropeneditslightlytorevealPeterontheotherside.

TheGermannoddedbrieflybutsaidnothing.ViktornoddedhisheadapprovinglyandbrieflygrippedPeter’sshoulderinafriendlymanner.

‘Gointotheguardroom,’hesaidtoHenry,‘andtellClaudetocomehere.Youremainthere;keepaneyeontheroad.Don’tleaveuntil

you’retoldto.’Fromtheguardroom

Henrycouldseethefrontgateandthequietroadbeyondit.Thesilencewaspiercedbyascream,onethatwasloudbutstoppedshortbyapoppingnoisethenthesoundofsomethingfalling.Henrywonderedwhethertogoand

seewhatwashappening,despiteViktor’sinstructions.NextcamethesoundofNikolaishriekingandanotherpoppingnoise,followedbytwomore.Afterthat,moresilence.

Thedoortotheguardroomopened.Peterwasstandingthere.‘You’retogo

tothelibrary.’Whenhegotthere,ViktorandClaudewerestandinginthemiddleoftheroom,revolversintheirhands.ThebodyofTatyanawasthrownbackinherchair,hereyesandmouthwideopenandalargewoundonherforehead.Prostrateonthefloorinfrontofherwas

Nikolai,twowoundsvisibleonhisbackandalargepoolofbloodemergingfromunderhim.

Henrywastooshockedtomoveandforawhilecouldsaynothing,untilhenoticedNikolai’sbackmoving.

‘He’sbreathingViktor!Nikolai’sbreathing.’Henry

felthimselfswaying.Claudewalkedovertotheboyandwithhisfootturnedhimover.Nikolaiwasbreathingveryslowly.Hisfacewaswhite,buthiseyesweremovingasifhewashavingtroublefocussing.ClaudelookedupatViktor:whatdoyouwantmetodo?

Viktorheldupahand:wait.‘Henry,youfinishhimoff.Itisatraditioninourservice:everyoneonamissionshouldtakepart.’TheRussianpressedhisownrevolverintoHenry’shand:thebarrelwasstillhot.Henry’shandwasshakingsomuchthatthegunwas

wavingaround.‘Becarefulwiththat

thing,pleaseHenry.You’dbetterusetwohands’saidViktor.‘Andbequick.Weneedtogetoutofhere.’Henrybreathedindeeply.Neverquestion;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.Hecalmlywalkedoverto

Nikolaiandkneltdownbyhim.Theboy’sheadmovedslowlytowardshim,hiseyeslockingontoHenry’sashismouthopened,allowingatrickleofbloodtoslidedownhischin.

‘Comeon,quick,’saidClaude.Henryreleasedthesafetycatchandplacedthe

revolveragainstNikolai’stemple.Henoticedhewastryingtosaysomething:hearinghimsaysomething–anything–wouldbemorethanhecouldbear.Whenhepressedthetriggerhefeltthesplatterofbloodandfleshonhimbeforeheheardthesound.Ithadbeennoharder

thanshootinghispuppy.Claudehauledhimup.

‘Good.Welldone.Weneedtomovenow.’

***

Theyleftthehousejustbeforefouro’clock,aftertryingtomakeitappearasif

arobberyhadgonedreadfullywrong.Theyopenedthesafeandmadethestudylookasifithadbeenransacked.HenrywentupstairswithPetertohelpfindanyjewellery.AstheywalkedpastthebathroomHenrystoppedsuddenly.Agirl’slegwaspokingoutofthedoor.Its

shoehadfallenoffandwasupside-downonthecarpetinfrontofhim.Peterpushedinfrontofhimashetriedtoopenthebathroomdoor,placinghimselfbetweenHenryandthedoor.

‘Youdon’tneedtocomeinhere.’

‘Iwanttosee,’said

Henry,barginghiswaypasttheGerman.

ThebodiesofRozaandNadezhdaweresprawledonthefloor,ontopofapoolofdarkbloodthathadspreadaroundtheroom.Theheadsofbothgirlswerejerkedatanunnaturalangle,facingeachother,theireyesopenandfull

offear.Roza’shandhadreachedouttohersister’s,herfingersclutchingoneofNadezhda’swrists.

‘What…’Peterhadnowpushed

pasthimandwasdrawingthecurtains.HesmiledatHenryandpointedatthegirlsandmadeacut-throatgesture.

Henrystoodinthedoorwayforaminute,watchingasPeterhauledthebodiesofthetwogirlsintothebaththenthrewtowelsontothefloortosoakuptheblood.Hewasshockedtorealisehowun-shockedhefelt.Hismainconcernwasheshouldbecarefulnottostep

intheblood.Henryleftthehouseas

normalthroughthefrontgateandheadedintotown,crossingtheriverandtowardsInterlakenWesttrainstation.HewashalfwaydownBahnhofstrassewhenthecarpulledup.PeterandClaudegotoutandwalkedtowards

thestation.HenryclimbedintothepassengerseatnexttoViktor.

TheydrovenorthtowardsBern,butwerewellpastThunbeforeeitherofthemspoke.‘Yourealisetherewasnoalternative,don’tyousynok?’ViktorturnedbrieflytowardsHenry,

whoshrugged.‘Wecouldn’taffordtohaveanywitnesses.’

Henrysaidnothing.Neverquestion;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.

InsteadofdrivingintoBern,theystoppedbrieflyinKönizthentooktheroadtowardsLausanne.ItwasonlythenthatHenryspoke.

‘WhathappenedtoAnatoly?’‘Ithinkyoucanguess

synok.’‘Didheknowwhatwas

goingtohappentohim?’‘I’dimagineso:he’s

beenanapparatchikallhisadultlife.Heknowshowwework.He’dhaveknownwhattoexpect.’

‘Sowhydidheco-operatethen?’

‘BecauseIpromisedhimthatifhedid,wewouldsparethechildren.’

‘Andhebelievedyou?’Viktorsaidnothingfor

awhileashethoughtaboutHenry’squestion.Theheadlightofanapproaching

buscaughttheRussian’sgoldteethasheturnedtoreply.

‘Probablynot,butwhatchoicedidhehave?HewantedtobelievethatI–we–wouldsparethechildrenandhiswife.Look,you’reaskingtoomanyquestionssynok.Youdidwell,justleaveitatthat.Youareone

ofusnow.Youshouldbehappy.’

Laterthatnight,oncehehadarrivedhomeinNyonandlayinhisownbedforthefirsttimeinweeks,whatmostshockedHenrywastherealisationofhowmuchheagreedwithViktor.Hewasnowoneofthem.Hewas

happy.Butheknewithadcomeataterrible,terribleprice.WhenhehadreturnedfromGermanythepreviousyearheknewtheyhadtakenpossessionofhissoul.

Nowtheyhaddestroyedit.

Thatnight,hehadthedreamforthefirsttime.

***

Chapter7:Berlin,January1940Onafoggywinter’safternooninthemiddleofJanuary,atallmanwithastoopedbearingthatgavehimamisleadinglyacademicair

lefthisofficeattheReichsbankonWerderscherMarktinthecentreofBerlin,bythecanal.Itwas5.30,somewhatlaterthanmostotherpeopleheworkedwith.Thelaterheleftwork,hereasoned,thelaterhewouldarrivehomeandthatsuitedhimfine.

GunterReinharthaddevelopedahabitofleavingtheenormouscomplexthroughdifferentexitsondifferentdays.Hadsomeonebeenobservinghim,whichtheywouldhavenocausetodo,theymightbesuspicious.Buthedidnotvaryhisroutineforreasonsof

security;thetruthwasfarmoreprosaicthanthat.Itaffordedhimtheopportunitytotakedifferentrouteshomeandoneachofthoserouteslayvariousbars,wherehecouldfurtherdelayhisarrivalthere.Atleastitgavehimsomethingtothinkaboutduringtheafternoon.

TherewasnopointinleavingthroughtheUnterwasserstrasseexitbecausebeyondthatwasthecanal.HelikedtheanonymityandslightlyrougheredgetothebarsroundLeipzigerstrasse,butthatwasfurtherfromhome.LeavingthroughFranzösischestrasse

meantheadingtowardstheUnterdenLinden,whichonecouldneveraccuseofofferinganonymity.Hewould,hedecided,leavethroughKurstrasseandfindsomewheretostopoffaroundJägerstrasse.

Thesedays,steppingoutintothestreetafterdark

waslikedescendingintoatunnel.ReinharthadmixedfeelingsabouttheblackoutthatdescendeduponBerlinatdusk.Ontheonehand,itconferredanatmosphereofprivacyonthecity.Youfeltyouwereinyourownworld.Ontheother,therewasnoquestionitmadelifemore

difficult.Therewerenostreetlights,buildingsweredarkandthetramsmovedaroundlikeghosttrains.Carshadjustasmallstripofpaperovertheirheadlights.Anylightsthatwereallowedwerecoveredinbluepaper,whilelow-levelredlampsmarkeddangerspotssuchas

roadworks.Thentherewasthephosphorouspaint:gallonsofthestuffliberallysloshedonthepavementsandroadsurfacestogivepedestriansanddriverssomechanceofknowingwheretheywere.Theeffectwasquiteeerieandunsettling.Berlinatnightlookedasifit

wasdeserted.Therewerereportsofnumeroustrafficaccidentsandpeoplebeingkilledfromwalkingintothingsorfallingoverintheblackout.ThesisterofoneofthesecretariesinhisofficehaddiedwhenshesteppedofftheplatformatKaiserhofstation.Andthentherewere

therumours.Berlinthrivedonrumoursanyway;theyhadbeenpartanessentialpartofitspre-wardiet.Now,rumoursweredisseminatedinmorehushedandguardedtones.Thelatestwasthatamurdererwastakingadvantageoftheblackoutandhadalreadykilledadozen

youngwomen.Therehadevenbeenobliquereferencestoitinthenewspapers.Naturally,thepolicesaidtheysuspectedthepersonresponsiblewasJewish;orPolish;orboth.

Thefewpeoplewhomovedaroundthecityatnightdidsotentatively,asif

wadingthroughwater.Somehadtakentowhistlingorcoughingconstantlysoastoalertotherstotheirproximityandthusavoidbumpingintothem.Butthatwassomethingofaforlornhope:itwasimpossibletoavoidotherpeople.

Eventhoughthiswasa

routeheknewverywell,onnightslikethis,whentherewasnomoonlight,GunterReinhartcouldnotfindhisbearings.JustaftertheintersectionwithFriedrichstrasse,hecameacrossagroupofmensilentlybeatingupamanontheground.Hepausedfora

moment,takinginthesurrealnatureofwhathewaswitnessingbeforehedecidedtocrosstheroad.Hehadlearnedtokeepwellawayfromtrouble.Suddenly,alongblackcarsweptpassedhimandstopped.Veryquickly,themanwhowasbeingattackedwasbundled

in.Sixmonthspreviously

hewouldhavebeenshakentothecorebywhathehadseen,butnowitwasquicklyforgotten.Hewasmoreconcernedwithfindingsomewheretodrink.Loomingoutofthedark,hespottedthedimblue-covered

signforDasPotsdamerTaverne,abarheusedtovisitatleasttwiceaweek,thoughrecentlyithadbecomesomethingofafavouritehauntforagroupofyoungSSofficers.Giventhatthewholepointofgoingtothebarwastorelax,theywerethelastpeoplehe’dwantto

findinthere.Hewalkedslowlydown

thesteepstepstothebasement,clutchingontotheironrailingsandkeepingacarefuleyeonthedabsofphosphorouspaintonthesteps.Thebarhadalowceilingwhichcausedhimtostoop.Throughtheblue-

browncigarettesmokehecouldseeperhapshalfadozenothercustomersspreadout:allalone,allsmoking,alldrinkingquietly,allsittingasfarastheycouldmanagefromeachother.Likehim,theywereavoidinggoinghome.TherewasnosignoftheSS,orindeedanyoneelse

inuniform.Thebarmaidcaughthis

eyeashewaitedtoorderadrink.

‘Howareyou?’sheasked.‘Ihaven’tseenyouforawhile.’

‘Aweekperhaps?Nomorethanthat.Iwasinherelastweek.’

Thekindofconversationrepeatedinbarsaroundtheworld,betweenbarmaidsandhusbandswhowouldrathernotgohome.

Shewasafriendlygirlwithbroadshouldersandhairthatlookedasifithadbeendyedyellow.Hiswife,inherusualwaspishmanner,would

describeherintheunlikelyeventofherevermeetingherbysayingthatshehadseenbetterdays,butshehadfriendlyeyesandaseductivevoice,withadistinctiveBavarianaccent.Shekeptglancingathimasshepulledthebeer,hereyesdartingaround.Hestartedtomove

away,hopingtofindaseatonhisown.Sheheldupherhand.Waitamoment.

Whenshehadfinishedservinganothercustomersheleanedovertotalkquietlytohim.

‘Amanwasinhereaskingaboutyou.’

Eightwordsno-one

wantedtohearinBerlinin1940.

‘Whatman?’‘Idon’tknow,I’ve

neverseenhimherebefore.Hewasverypoliteandwell-spoken.ABerlinerdefinitely:woreanicecoat.’

‘Whenwasthis?’Sheleantbackasif

tryingtocalculatetheanswer.‘LastThursday,Ithink:

andthenagainyesterday–Monday.’

GunterReinhartpulledupthestoolnexttohimandsatonit.Thiswasbadnews.Whocouldpossiblybecomingintoabartoaskabouthim?Peopleknew

whereheworkedandwherehelived.

‘Andwhatdidyousay?’

‘Heseemedlikeaniceman,butIdidn’twanttosaymuch.Ontheotherhand,Ididn’twanttolie.Ijustsaidyoucomeinhereeverysooften:aboutonceaweek

thesedays.Wasthatalright?’Notreally.‘Didhesayanything

else?’‘Wait’.Thebarmaid

kneltdownandemergedwithherhandbag,whichsherummagedthrough.‘Here,I’vefoundit.Hesaidthatifyoucomein,I’mtogivethis

toyou.’ShehandedhimabookofmatcheswithDasPotsdamerTaverneonthefront.Helookedatitforawhile,puzzled.

‘Openit.’Neatlywritteninside

weretwodates.Den8Juni1901Den4Oktober1929

‘Areyoualright?’GunterReinhartwas

evidentlynotalright.Thehandholdingthebookofmatcheswasshakingandtheotherwasgrippingthebartightly.Beadsofsweathadformedonhisforehead.Hecouldfeelhischesttightening.

‘Pardon?’‘Areyoualright?You

lookshaken.’Heputthematchesin

histoppocketanddrankmostoftheglassofbeerinonego.Hepushedtheemptyglasstowardsherandnoddedforhertorefillit.

‘I’mfine,thankyou.

DidthismansayhowIcouldcontacthim?’

‘Hesaidhe’dbehereatsixo’clockeveryThursdayandMondaynightuntilhewasabletomeetupwithyou.’

Reinhartstayedinthebarforanotherhourandthreemorebeersbeforehedecided

towalkallthewayhometoCharlottenburg.Itwasalongwalk,butheneededthetimetocomposehimself.HecrossedHermannGoringStrasse,whichpeoplewouldquietlyjokewasalmostaswideasthemanhimself,andintoCharlottenburgerChaussee,theTiergartenan

enormousvoidonhisleft.Despitethebrisknight

airandabsenceofBritishbombers,hefoundhimselfbecomingincreasinglytenseratherthancomposed.Hehadcontinuouslycheckedthedatesbeforeleavingthebar.Therewasnoquestionaboutthem.

Whyonearthwouldsomeonewritethedownthebirthdatesofhisfirstwifeandhiseldestson,especiallynowtheywerenolongerinBerlin?

***

Thefollowingmorning,

Reinharttookextracareonhisjourneyintoworktoensurehewasn’tbeingfollowed,notthathewassurewhathewasmeanttodo.Hewasabanker:hisknowledgeofsubterfugewaslimitedtotheworldoffinance.Hecouldmovefundsfromonebankaccounttoanother

withoutleavingatrace,buthehadnoideahowtowalkfromoneplacetoanotherwithoutbeingspottedand,inanycase,hetoweredabovemostotherpeople.Itwouldn’tbehardtofollowhim.WhenhearrivedattheReichsbankhecasuallyenquiredofhissecretary–

maybeabittoocasually–whetheranyonehadbeenaskingforhim:perhapsoverthepastfewdays?Hissecretaryassuredhimthatno-onehadbeenaskingafterhim.Shelookedappalledattheverythoughtthatsomeonemighthaveenquiredofhimandshewouldnot

havepassedtheinformationon.

HisheadofdepartmentinformedhimthatFunkwantedtoseethemboththenextmorning:hewantedanurgentandup-to-datereportonsomeofthenewSwissbankaccounts.‘You’renottoworry,’heassuredhisheadof

department.‘Theinformationwillbeready.’PullingitalltogetherwasatleastadistractionforReinhart,butitdidmeanhisheadofdepartmentfussedaroundhimfortherestoftheday.Hewasarotundmanwhosesuitwasalwaystootight,withbadbreathandclothesthat

reekedofmothballs.HehadbeenpromotedfromhisnaturallevelasanassistantbankmanagersomewherenearMagdeburgsimplyduetoalongstandingloyaltytotheNaziPartyandasaconsequencewasnowutterlyoutofhisdepth.

Thenextday–

Thursday–followedasleeplessnight.ThemeetingwithWaltherFunkprovedtobebutatwo-hourdistraction,evensomethingofanamusement.ThePresidentoftheReichsbank,whodoubledasHitler’sMinisterofEconomics,wassomeoneelsewho’dbeenpromoted

becauseofservicetotheNaziPartyratherthananykindoffinancialcompetenceorknowledge.Reinhartproducedaseriesofcomplicatedbalancesheetsandlengthylistsoftransactions.Funkwasimpressedandconfusedinequalmeasure,butunableto

ownuptothelatter.Theafternoonwent

slowlyand,asthesundisappearedoverBerlin,Reinhartwonderedwhetherhewasbeingledintoatrap.Maybehehadbeenabittoocleverbyhalf.Maybehe’dupsetonetoomanyoftheNaziPartybossesatthetop

oftheReichsbank,whofelttheyhadcausetodistrusthim.GunterReinhart,themanwhoknowseverythingabouttheSwissaccounts:timetoputhiminhisplace.

DasPotsdamerTavernewasasquietasthepreviousnight.Henoddedatthebarmaidandshesmiled,

slightlyshakingherhead:notyet.

Therewasatinytablewedgedintoacornerbehindthebar,andReinharttookaseatthere.Hewaitedasthebarbecamequieterandwasjustwonderinghowlongheshouldstaywhenhecaughtsightofamanwholooked

vaguelyfamiliarandseemedtobeglancinginhisdirection.Themanremainedatthebar,toyingwithaglassofbeer.AfewminuteslaterheappearedatReinhart’stable.

‘DoyoumindifIsithere?’

Reinhartwasalmost

certainthismanwasafriendofhisfirstwife’sfamily,alawyer–specialisinginbankingandfinance,ratherintelligentandabittooliberalforhisliking:Catholic.FirstnameFranz,ifherememberedcorrectly.Hedoubted,though,thiswasthemanwhohadgonetosuch

lengthstomeethim.Afterall,bumpingintoanacquaintanceinthecentreofBerlinwashardlythemostremarkableofcoincidences.Themanproducedapacketofcigarettes,tookoneoutandplaceditinReinhart’shand.

‘Wouldyoulikealight?’

Reinharthesitated.Themanreachedintohispocketandfoundabookofmatches,onewithDasPotsdamerTaverneonthefront.AsheopenedithecasuallyangledthepacketsothatReinhartcouldclearlyseeit.Again,twodateswerehandwrittenontheinsideofthepacket.

Den8Juni1901Den4Oktober1929Thistimeitwasinthe

unmistakablyfamiliarhandwritingofhisfirstwife.ThemanshiftedhischairevenclosertoReinhartandwhenhespokeagainitwasinaquietervoice.

‘Yourememberme,

Gunter?FranzHermann.Justactnormally,don’tspeaktooloudortooquietly.Smileoccasionally.’

‘IrememberyouFranz.Iguessitwasyouwho’sbeenaskingaboutmehere?’

Hermannnodded.‘What’sitallabout?

You’vegivenmeacoupleof

sleeplessnights.’‘IfearI’mabouttogive

youmanymore.Yousee…’Hepaused.Acoupleof

Luftwaffeofficershadcomeintothebarandmovednoisilytowardsthem,lookingforsomewheretosit.Franzwaiteduntiltheymovedaway.

‘Good,thisisnotaconversationwe’dwantthemtooverhear.StoplookingsoworriedGunter;you’lldrawattentiontoyourself.Justrelaxandsmile:we’refriendswho’vemetinabar.Don’tlooklikeyou’rebeinginterrogatedbytheGestapo.Whendidyoulasthearfrom

Rosa?’Gunterfrowned,trying

toremember.‘Therewasaletterfrom

ParisinOctober.ShesentitatthebeginningofOctoberbutIdidn’treceiveituntiltheendofthemonth:itcameviaafriendofhersinSwitzerlandandthenthrough

mybrother.‘Howcome?’‘Idon’tknowifyou’re

aware,butIremarriedsoonafterRosaandIdivorced.Fartoosoon,asit’sturnedout.Butwehavechildrenandit’sasituationI’mstuckwith.Gudrunwon’ttoleratemehavinganycontact

whatsoeverwitheitherRosaorAlfred.Asfarasshe’sconcerned,Ihavenothingtodowiththem.It’ssafershethinksthat:she’sbecomeadevotedNazi,liketherestofherfamily.ThefactIwasoncemarriedtoaJewandhadasonwithherisaterriblethinginGudrun’seyes.I’ve

hadtopromiseherIhavenocontactwhatsoeverwithRosaandAlfred,thatI’vedisownedthem.HaveyouheardfromherFranz:iseverythingalright?WhataboutAlfred?’

‘Gunter,unlessyoukeepyourvoicedownandactnormally,we’regoingtohave

aseriousproblem.Doyouunderstand?Drinksomeofyourbeer.Trytolookrelaxed.’

Gunternoddedandcomposedhimself.‘Iunderstand,butisthereanynews?’

‘Forthetimebeing,they’resafe.’

‘Andthey’restillinParis?’

Hermannloweredhisheadandtalkedalittlemorequietly.

‘AsmilepleaseGunter,youneedtosmile.We’reoldfriendsmeetingforarelaxeddrink.Good,that’sbetter.Youneedtoprepareyourself

forwhatI’mabouttosay.They’resafe,forthetimebeing:Rosa,AlfredandlittleSophia.ButIdon’tknowforhowlong.They’reinhidingyousee.HereinBerlin.’

***

GunterReinharthadtowait

threedaysbeforehecouldseehissonandhisex-wife,alongwithheryoungdaughter.Havingtowaitthatlongwasbadenough,butvisitingthemonaSundaypresentedaddedproblems.Sundaywasthedayhiswifedemandedhisundividedattention,butheinsistedhehadwork

commitmentsthatwerenoneofherbusinessandhewasabletoslipoutofthehouseoncetheyreturnedfromchurch.

‘They’relivingwithmymotherinDahlem:neartheBotanischerGarten,’Hermannhadtoldhimatthebar.‘Mymotherhasbecome

quiteunwell,unabletolookafterherself.Sheinsistsonstayingintheoldfamilyhome.Sheneededsomeonetoliveinandlookafterherand,luckily,withherqualificationsandexperience,Rosaisideal.She’lltellyouthefullstory.OnSundays,mybrother-in-lawdrivesover

fromBrandenburgandtakesherbacktotheirhouseforlunch.Sheleavesat11inthemorningandtheybringherbackaroundfour,sothatdoesn’tleavemuchtime.’

Notmuchtime.‘There’snoreasonto

thinkanyonewillsuspectwhatyouareupto,Gunter,’

Franzhadwarnedhim,‘butbecareful.Assumeyou’rebeingfollowedandtakebasicprecautions:walkatanevenpace,don’tkeeplookingbehindyou–thatkindofthing.’

SohewalkedatanevenpaceacrossSpandauerStrasseandcaughttheS-

BahnatWestend.HedidasHermannhadadvised:makingsurehegotontothebusiestcarriageandwatchingoutforanyonegettingonatthesametimeashim.ThetrainworkeditswaysouthataSundaypace.AtSchmargendorf,hechangedtotheU-Bahnthenheaded

southagain,gettingoffatPodbielskiAllee.

Hewasn’tfarnow:hehadnotseenhissonorRosafornearlysixmonths.Hehadassumedtheywereoutofthecountry.HisexcitementatseeingthemwasmixedwiththeshocktheywerestillinGermany.

FromPodbielskiAllee,heheadeddownPeterLenneStrassetowardstheBotanischerGarten.HehadmemorisedHermann’sinstructions.‘Writenothingdown.’

Attheendoftheroad,heturnedleftintoKönigin-Luise-Strasse,acrossthe

squarethencontinuedalongGrunewaldStrasse.‘YouknowKaiserWilhelmStrasse,Gunter?RunsoffGrunewaldStrasse.Turnintothere:firstrightisArno-HolzStrasse.Thewhitehouseonthecorneriswheremymotherlives.I’llbetherefrom12.Ifthecurtainsare

drawninwindowdirectlyabovethefrontdoor,it’ssafetoapproach,butpleaseonlydosoifyoubelieveyou’venotbeenfollowed.Otherwise,headdowntotheBotanischerGartenataleisurelypace.’

Hedidasinstructed.Inothercircumstanceshewouldhaveenjoyedhiswalkon

whathadturnedouttobeanunseasonablywarmafternoon.ThehousewasasHermannhaddescribedit,thefrontgardendeepandheavywithtrees,thewallswhiteandinneedofrepaintingandabovethefrontdoor,awindow.Thecurtainsweredrawn.

Helookedaroundhimoncemore,butthestreetsweredeserted.Hehadnotbeenfollowed.Heunlatchedanoisyirongateandwalkeddownthepath.Asheapproachedtheporch,thefrontdooropenedandbehindithecouldseeFranzHermann,silentlyushering

himin.Theystoodtogetherin

thedarkhallofasilenthouse.‘AretheyhereFranz?’‘Upstairs.Takeyour

shoesoff.’Gunterranupthestairs.

Onthelanding,waitingforhiminthegloom,washisex-wifeandtheirson.Behind

them,peeringoutfrombehindadoorwasSophia,Rosa’sdaughterfromhersecondmarriage.

Alfredflunghimselfathisfather,holdinghimtightandburyinghisfaceinhischest.Guntercouldfeelthewarmtearsseepingthroughhisshirtandvest.Rosacame

uptohimandheldhisface,kissinghimtenderlyoneachcheek,herhandcuppingthebackofhisneck.Hecouldfeeltearswellinginhiseyes.LittleSophiawavedathim.Hewavedback.

HeheldbothRosaandAlfred,unsureofwhattosay.TheonlyfamilyIever

wanted.Itwas2.30bythetime

GunterandRosawereabletobealoneinasmallroomonthetopfloorofthehouse.Franzhadtoldthemhewouldwaitwiththechildrenandkeepaneyeonthefront.Gunterwouldneedtobeawaybyaquartertofourto

besafe.HeandRosasatquietlyforawhile,holdinghands.

‘IthoughtyouwereinParis,Rosa?‘

Hewastryinghardnottosoundangry.

‘Wewere.IwrotetoyouatthebeginningofOctober.Didyougetthe

letter?’Henodded.She

shrugged.‘Haraldwasmeantto

joinusinthemiddleofOctober:he’dremainedinBerlinbecauseheneededtomakeafewarrangements.Theideawashe’dgetwhatmoneyhecouldoutofthe

business,whichwasn’tmuch,andtransferittoSwitzerland.Thenwe’dhavesomethingtoliveonand,togetherwiththemoneyyougaveus,wemaybeabletogettoAmerica.’

‘Thatwastheidea.’‘Ipromiseyouthatwas

theplan.Asyouknow,Haraldhadbeenforcedtosell

thebusinesstotwoofhismanagersforafractionofwhatitwasworth.Bothofthemweremenwhowerefriendsofhis,whohe’dalwayshelpedinthepast.They’dalwayssaidthey’dhelphimandoneofthemdid,buttheotherrefused.Idon’tknowexactlywhathappened,

butfromwhatIcangatherHaraldwasreportedtotheGestapofortryingtogetmoneyoutofGermany,whichisillegalforaJew.Isuspectthemanagerhe’dfallenoutwithreportedhim.SoHaraldwasarrestedandtakentoSachsenhausen–it’saspecialcampforprisoners

oftheNazis.Haveyouheardofit?’

‘OfcourseIhave–nearOranienburg.Areyousurehe’sthere?’

‘Believeme,I’msure.Terriblethingshappenthere.Idon’tliketothinkaboutwhathemustbegoingthrough.Iknowhe’sstill

alive,oratleasthewastwoweeksago,butIdon’tknowwhatstatehe’sin.’

‘Sowhyonearthdidyoucomebackhere?Whatwereyouthinkingof,Rosa?’

‘Idon’tknowwhatIwasthinking.Pleasedon’tbeangrywithme.Ithoughtifmyhusbandwasinprison

herethenIshouldcomebacktohelphim.IthoughtIcouldgethimreleased.’

‘ButRosa,whataboutAlfred–andSophia?’

‘IknowGunter.Butremember,weleftGermanyforFranceinJuly.I’dnoideahowbadthingshadbecome.InParisIborrowedsome

moneyfrommycousinandIsoldallmyjewellery.IthoughtIcouldpayafineorabribeorsomethinglikethatandgetHaraldreleased.ButwhenIwenttothepolicestationtheyconfiscatedmypassportandwantedtoknowwhereIwasliving.Igavethemtheaddressoftheold

flatinPankowwewerestayingatandtheyonlyletmegobecauseIhadpapersshowingIwasregisteredthere.Iknewthey’dcomeforus,butfortunately,I’dleftthechildrenwithmyoldcolleagueMariainKreuzbergwhileIwenttothepolicestation.WhenIleft,Iwent

straighttoKreuzberg,pickedupAlfredandSophiathencontactedFranz.Hetookustohishouseforafewdaysthencameupwiththisplanforustomoveinherewithhismother.It’sworkedoutwell:theoldladyisalmostdeafandcan’tclimbthestairs,soaslongasthe

childrenarequietandstayupstairstheyarealrightandshe’snoideathey’rehere.’

‘Andshedoesn’tsuspectyou?’

‘She’sbeentoldI’manursefromthenorthwhosehusbandisintheNavy.Ofcourse,Idon’tletonI’madoctor.Icanuseallmyskills

tokeepheralive:ifshedies,we’llhavetoleavethehouse.IhavesomepapersFranzmanagedtogetshowingI’mfromBremerhaven,butthey’renotgoodenoughtotravelwith.Franzcomesroundmostdays.Theoldladyhasveryfewvisitorsotherthanthat:oneortwo

friendswhopopinforanhoureverysooften,buttheyalwayscallfirst.Franz’ssisterdoesn’tknowthetruthaboutme,andIthinkshe’sjustgratefulsomeoneislookingafterhermothersoshedoesn’thaveto.’

‘Andthechildren?’‘It’sterribleforthem

here;theyjusthavetostayupstairsallday.PoorSophiahasnoideawhat’sgoingon,otherthanherfatherisinprisonandshehastokeepquietallthetime.Alfredunderstands,ofcourse.Thatmakesitworse,Isuppose.HemissesyouterriblyGunter.’

Guntersatforawhile

withhisheadinhishands,deepinthought.

‘Whydidn’tyoucontactmebeforenow–Imean,onceyougotbacktoBerlin?’

Rosalookedathimlongandhard.Youdon’tknowwhy?

‘Gunter–youalways

saidIwasn’ttocontactyoudirectly.YousaidGudrundoesn’tallowit.Ididn’tknowwhatyoursituationwas,whetheritwassafe.Ialsothoughtyou’dbeangrywithme.Iwashopingwe’dfindawaybacktoFrance:Franzwasgoingtoseeifhecouldfindfalsepapers,but

it’simpossible.We’retrappedhereinBerlin.’

Rosawasweepingnow,hertremblinghandholdingGunter’s.

‘IshouldneverhavedivorcedyouRosa,Iwas…’

‘Don’tblameyourselfGunter.Weagreeditwasforthebest.’

‘No,Iwasbeingselfish.Thethreeofusshouldhaveleftafterthatdamnlawwaspassed.’

Theysatinsilenceforalongwhile.

‘It’s3.15Gunter.Franzsaysyou’retoleavesoon.PleasespendsometimewithAlfredbeforeyougo.He

missesyousomuch.’‘Idon’tknowwhatto

doRosa.Doyouneedfoodormoney?’

‘Yes,butwhatwereallyneedistogetout:evenifyoucanjustsaveAlfred.AsfarastheNazisareconcerned,he’sonlyahalf-Jew.Couldyoutakehim,

wouldGudrunnotunderstand?’

Gunterlaughed.‘Understand?EvenifIsaidyou’dabandonedAlfredandI’dfoundhiminthemiddleofBerlin,shewouldn’twanttoknow.WhenwegotmarriedshemademepromiseIwouldnever,everhave

anythingtodowiththetwoofyouagain.Frankly,Iwouldn’tputitpasthertoturnhimin.Herbrother,Norbert,whohasalltheintelligenceofafieldmousebutwithlessofthepersonality–he’snowabigshotintheNaziPartyinBergdorf,whichsays

everythingyouneedtoknowaboutthem.ThefactIwasoncemarriedtoaJewisaterriblesecretinthatfamily.Gudruninsiststhechildrenaren’tallowedtoknowaboutit.’

‘Butwhatarewegoingtodo,Gunter?’

‘Idon’tknowRosa.

Givemetime,I’llthinkofsomething.’

***

Chapter8:Geneva&Bern,June1940‘Donothingunusualandcertainlynothingthat’slikelytodrawattentiontoyourself.’

Foreightlongmonths

HenryhadfollowedEdgar’sadvice,leadinganunremarkableexistence.Thewaitingtobecontactedwastediousandlivingwithhismotherevenmoreso.Thefacthewasnowincontrolofthepursestringswasmorethanshecouldbear.Itwas‘intolerable’,sheannounced

duringadramaticargumentonthenighthereturned.Shecouldnotunderstandwhyhehadreturnedwithsolittleoftheaunt’smoney.

Heexplainedtheirpredicamentoncemore,veryclearlyandveryslowly.

‘Rememberitwasyourcleverideatobypassprobate

andformetoattempttobringallthemoneybackhereassoonaspossible,’saidHenry.‘Thatprovedtobesimplyimpossible–andillegal:Icouldhaveendedupinprison.I’vetoldyouwhathappened:IhadtogotoLondonandstaythereforallthattimetosortoutthe

money.Iwastangledupinreelsandreelsofredtape,thenwarwasdeclaredatthebeginningofSeptember,whichmademattersalmostimpossible.TheBritishGovernmentsimplydon’twanttoreleasemoneyoverseas,theysaytheycan’tbesurewhosehandsit’llend

upin.YououghttobegratefulImanagedtogetanythingoutatallandreturninonepiece.’

‘Butit’sourmoneyHenry!’

‘Mymoneyactually–andnotallofitasitturnedout.Intheend,theauthoritiesacceptedmyexplanationthat

there’dbeenamisunderstandingovertheWill.Iwasfortunate.Thenittookafewmoreweeksforprobatetobegranted.Afterthat,Ihadtoobtainagreementthatthemoneycouldbereleased,but,asItoldyou,Idon’tgetitinonesum.Youwereadvanced200

pounds.I’llbeabletoaccessafurther500overthenextfewdaysandtherestwillcomethroughattherateof100poundspermonth.It’snottheamountwe’dhopedfor,mother,butit’senoughforustobeabletolivefarmorecomfortably.’

Sincethedeathofher

secondhusband,MarleneHesse’sperfectlyformedworldhadsteadilyunravelled.Shenowacceptedthechangedsituationwiththeminimumofgrace.AtleasttheyhadbeenabletoaffordtorentalargerapartmentinamuchmorerespectablelocationjustoffQuaidu

MontBlanc,whichwassomeconsolation.

Butthewaittobecontactedwasconsiderablymoretryingthanhismother.Twodaysafterhisreturn,HenryhadgoneasinstructedtotheQuaidesBerguesbranchofCreditSuisseandmadeanappointmenttosee

MadameLadnierlaterthatmorning.Inasmallofficeinthebasementshewentthroughthedetailsoftheaccount,beforehandinghimafoldedpieceofpaper.Myhometelephonenumber:Ionlygivethistospecialclientsandthenonlytobeusedinparticular

circumstances.Youunderstand?

Afterthat,nothing.AssoonastheymovedintotheirnewapartmenthewenttoseeMadameLadniertogiveherthedetails.Sheassuredhimthematterwouldbedealtwith.Hewasdesperatetoaskheriftherewasanynews,but

managedtorestrainhimself.Hebegantofollowa

routine,inthehopeitwouldmakeiteasierforwhoeverwouldapproachhim:leavingtheapartmentatacertaintime,returningtoitatacertaintime,anafternoonwalk,theshops…

Christmascameand

went,celebratedmostlyinsilencewithhisstill-embitteredmother,andJanuarybroughtthesnowsdownfromtheAlps,butstillnocontact.Bytheendofthemonth,he’dstartedtowonderifhewouldeverbecontactedanddecidedthiswouldbenobadthing.Perhapsthey’d

forgottenabouthim:atleastthemoneywasstillappearinginhisaccount.TherewastheoccasionalcontactfromViktorandhealwaystoldhimthesame:nonews.Loyaltywasprovingtobeamostcomplicatedbusiness.

AttheendofFebruary,hereceivedaphonecallfrom

MadameLadnier.Couldhecomeintothebanktosignadocument?Youaren’ttoworry,sheassuredhim.They’vetoldmetotellyouthatyouwillbecontactedinduecourse,butitmaytakeafewmonths.Remainpatient–anddiscreet.

Thesamehappenedat

theendofApril:theywantmetoassureyouthatyou’venotbeenforgotten.Bepatient.Itshouldn’tbetoolongnow.Viktorwasnotsurprisedwhenhetoldhim:there’snorushsynok–that’showpeoplelikeusoperate.

OnthelastTuesdayinJune,Henryleftthe

apartmentoffQuaiduMontBlancasusualat9.30.Itwasalreadyawarmmorning,withalightbreezeskimmingoverthelake.Asheheadedsouthforabriskwalkbeforebreakfastawomansweptpasthimbeforeslowingdownandstudyingamap.Ashedrewalongsidehershelooked

surprised,thenspokeinFrenchwithaProvençalaccent,muchfasterthantheSwiss.

‘I’msorrysir,Iappeartobelost!I’mlookingfortheOldTown.Doyouknowtheway?’

Itwassonatural,somatteroffact,thatHenrywas

takenabackandthoughtthiscouldn’tpossiblybethecontact,whohe’dassumed,wouldbeaman.Itmustbeacoincidence,hethought,butthenhenoticedshewascarryingacopyofMonday’sTribunedeGenève.Ittookhimamomenttocomposehimself.

‘Ofcourse.Wouldyouprefertowalkortakethetram?’

Shesmiled.‘I’dprefertowalkifyouareabletoshowmethewaytogo.’

AnothersmileandaslighthesitationbeforeHenryreplied.

‘Well,I’mwalkingto

theOldTownmyselfnow.Ifyouwish,you’remostwelcometofollowme.’

Shesmiledandtheatricallyheldoutanelegantlyglovedhand.Leadon.

‘TakeanyroutetotheOldTown.’

Henrytriedtowalkata

normalpace,unsurewhatanormalpacefeltlike.HecrossedtheRhôneatthePontdesBergues,allowinghimselfaglancebehindtocheckthewomanwasstillfollowing.HecrossedtheRuedelaRôtisserieintotheOldTownandsoonafterthatthewomanovertookhim:it

wasnowhisturntofollowher.Shewalkedthroughalleyways,crossedroads,waitedoncornersandeventuallytheyemergedontoRuedel’HôteldeVille.Herpacedidnotchange,otherthanwhenshepausedbrieflyatashopwindow.Henrywaswonderinghowlongthis

wouldgoonfor,butthentheycrossedintotheGrand-RueandthereonthecornerwastheBrasseriedeHôteldeVilleandoutsideitawaste-paperbin,intowhichshedroppedhercopyofTribunedeGenève.Shecarriedonwalking,butHenryknewhisrendezvouswouldtakeplace

here.Heenteredthecafé.You’retoenterthe

buildingandwait.Ifno-onehasapproachedyouafterfiveminutes,youaretoleaveandreturnhome.

Heglancedathiswristwatchandtheclockonthewall.Withintwominutesamanenteredthecafé,

smokingacigarandgreetingtwopeoplesatatanearbytable.HeshookhandswiththebarmanandwalkedstraightovertoHenry.

‘IamMarc.Wouldyoucaretojoinme?’

IfsomeonejoinsyouandintroducesthemselvesasMarcyou’retogowithhim.

Hewilltakeyoutomeetyourmaincontact.Atthatmoment,yournewcareerwillhavebegun

Henrynodded.BesidethebarwasadoorthatMarcopened:afteryou.

Anarrowstaircasetwistedandturnedtothetopofthebuilding.Whenthey

reachedasmalllanding,Marcgesturedforhimtowaitthenknockedthreetimesonapolishedoakdoor.

‘It’sme,Marc.Ihavethedelivery.’

Henryheardaboltbeingdrawnthenthedooropened.Itwasacornerroom,expensivelyfurnishedwithan

ornatefireplaceandathickcarpet:onewallwastakenupwithafloor-to-ceilingbookcase,manyofthevolumesleather-bound.OnaFrench-polishedsideboardtherewasanexquisitecut-glassdecanterwithmatchingglassesonasilvertray.Nexttothatwasanothertray,with

ateapotandvariouscups.Thedoorwasopened

byadappermaninhissixtieswhowaswearingathree-piecesuit.Hisiron-greyhair,goingwhiteatthesides,wasslickedback,slightlylongerthanHenrywouldhaveexpected.

‘Ah,Hunter:welcome!

Atlonglast.Welcomeindeed.SorryaboutallthisJohnBuchanstuff.Notreallymyidea:seemstobetheformthesedays.Apparentlywecan’tbetoocareful.’Itwasadistinctlyupper-classdrawl.

‘Nowdocomeinandmakeyourselfathome.MynameisBasilbytheway,like

intheSwisscity.’‘Pardon?’‘Basle,Hunter.The

Swissseemstofinditamusing,oratleasttheywoulddoiftheyallowedthemselvestheindulgenceofasenseofhumour.BasilRemington-Barber.There’san‘Hon’thatgoesinfrontof

thenameifyou’reasticklerforthatkindofthing.AsfarastheSwissareconcerned,I’macommercialattachéattheBritishEmbassyinBern.Asfarasyou’reconcerned,IrunthestationouthereinSwitzerlandandifyou’restillconfusedthatmeansIlookafterallintelligencematters

fromourplaceonThunstrasse.Thoughtit’dbeaquietplacetowindupmycareer.Hadratherexpectedtohaveretiredbynow,butI’mtoldthere’sawaronandsomeoneinLondonhasdecidedI’mindispensible:helpsIspeakthelingoIsuppose,allofthemasit

happens.HadhopedtobehackingmywayroundsomeofScotland’seasierlinkscoursesbynow,buttherewego.’

Withthat,heswitchedtoSwiss-German,alternatingbetweenitandGerman.‘Now,tellmeHunter,areyouraringtogoorhadyoubeen

hopingwe’dforgottenallaboutyou?’

‘Well,Ican’treallysay.Iimaginethat…’

‘Bitofbothprobably,perfectlyunderstandable–notknowingistheworstpart.Sorryaboutthedelay,butthegoodnewsis–thewaiting’sover.ThefallofFrancehas

ratherspurredLondonintoactionasfarasIcangather.Wehavealittleerrandforyou.Butfirstofall,let’shavesometea:milkandsugar?’

Henryrelaxedabitnow.Thecivilisedservingofteaandthepromiseofalittleerrandsoundedquiteacceptable,perhapsevenfun.

WhatwasitEdgarhadpromised?Chancesarethefirstjobwillbesomethingrelativelystraightforward,probablywithinSwitzerland.Shouldn’tbeanythingtoodangerous;awarm-up,ifyoulike.

TheHonBasilRemington-Barbertooka

whiletoservetea,fussingfirstthatHenry’sandthenhisownteawasneithertooweaknortoostrong.Whenhewassatisfiedeverythingwasjustright,heleanedbackinhisarmchairandaddressedHenrythroughthesteamrisingfromhischinateacup.Henrywasbeginningtoenjoy

hismorning.Hispleasurewastobeshort-lived.

‘Weunderstandyou’reveryfamiliarwithStuttgart,Hunter?’

‘Ibegyourpardon?’Henryfelthisthroattightening.

‘Stuttgart,theGermancity?’

Henryplacedhisteacupdownonthesidetablenexttohim.Hishandswerebeginningtoshakeandheneededtocoverthatup,sohefoldedthemonhislap,crossingandthenun-crossinghislegsashedidso.

‘Yes,Iknowit.’‘Beenthereoften?’

‘Onceortwice.’‘Really?’Henryshrugged.Not

sure.‘Quiteafewtimes,we

understandHunter.’‘Well,possibly…’‘Somethingyou

omittedtotellanyofmycolleaguesbackinEngland?’

Henryhesitatedforlongerthanheknewheshould.‘Forgotratherthanomitted,I’dsay.’Hewasnotconvincedbyhisownanswer.NorwasBasilRemington-Barber,whoshookhisheadinmilddisapproval.‘Iratherknowthefeeling;Iseemtoforgettheoddthingthese

days.MywifetellsmeI’mstartingtoremindherofhowherfatherwasjustbeforehewentcompletelypotty!Theoldboyhadtobelockedupafterheshotoneofhisgamekeepers:thoughthewasapheasant,apparently.Thepointis,though,thatnotmentioningStuttgartisa

ratherimportantomission.Perhapsyou’dliketotellmeaboutitnow?’

Henrytriedtosoundascasualaspossible,hopingtoconveytheimpressionthathisknowledgeofStuttgartwasreallynothingveryimportant,thekindofthingonecouldsoeasilyforget.

‘There’snotanawfullottosay.MystepfatherhadsomepropertyinStuttgart.Iusedtopopupthereeverysooftentokeepaneyeonthingsforhim.’

‘Howoftenwould‘everysooften’be,Hunter?’

‘Ireallycouldn’tsay.Onceortwiceayear,maybe.’

‘Myverystrongadvice,Hunter,’Remington-Barberhadnowdispensedwiththebonhomie,‘wouldbeyou’retotallyhonestfromnowon.Yousee,yourfirstmissionistogouptoStuttgartandthemoreweknowaboutyourfamiliaritywiththecity,thebetter.Idohopeyou

understandthat.’Shouldn’tbeanything

toodangerous;awarm-up,ifyoulike.

‘EdgarimpliedmyfirstmissionwouldbewithinSwitzerland.’

‘Didhenow?Well,that’sEdgarforyou:anofficerbutnotquitea

gentleman.Grammarschool,I’mtold.Now,tellmeallaboutStuttgart.’

‘Mystep-fatherhadafairamountofresidentialpropertyinStuttgart,inthebestareas:quitealotinGänseheidetotheeastofthecitycentreandmoreinthenorth,Azenbergand

Killesbergmostly.Hehadlocalagentsthatlookedafterthem,buthelikedmetogoupthereonceaquartertocheckeverythingwasinorderandtooverseethetransferofhisrentalincomebacktoSwitzerland.’

‘SoyouvisitedStuttgartfourtimesayear.’

‘Yes.’‘Forhowmanyyears?’‘Sevenoreight,

possiblymore.’‘Mathematicswas

nevermystrongestsubject,Hunter,butImakethatsomewhereintheregionof30visitstoStuttgart.’

‘Ifyousayso.’

‘Ido.Soyou’reveryfamiliarwiththecity?’

‘Isupposeso.’‘Speakthelocal

dialect?’‘No,thoughIdo

understandit.’‘Andwheredidyou

stay?’‘UsuallyatHotel

MarquardtinSchlossplatz.’‘Thatiscertainlyquite

anomission,Hunter.Don’tworrytoomuch;I’msureyou’reabouttomorethanmakeupforit.’

***

HenryHuntercouldnever

quiteseethepointofBern.Itwasaprettyenoughplace,withanundoubtedmedievalcharmandtheRiverAareleantacertainpicturesquedramatothecityasittwistedthroughthecentre.ButinatypicallySwisswayitwasrathertooawareofitsvirtues;alittlebittoosmug.Forthe

past90yearsorsothecityhadbeenthecapitalofSwitzerlandandnowallroadsledtoitand,inthecaseofHenry’sjourneythereonawindyWednesdaymorning,sodidthetrains.

Attheendoftheirbriefingthepreviousday,theHonBasilRemington-Barber

hadtoldhimtogetamoveon.Henryhadratherimaginedthismeantbytheendofthemonth,possiblywithinafortnight.

‘Afortnight?YoumustbejokingHunter.No,thisweek.GetuptoBerntomorrow,sortoutyourvisathenI’llgiveyouyourprecise

instructions.’Heexplainedtohis

motherhewasvisitingfriendsinBasleforafewdaysandtookanearlymorningtraintoBern,arrivingatthestationinBahnhofplatzjustintimeforlunch.Henryhadbeenpleasantlysurprisedwhen

Remington-BarbersuggestedhebookintotheSchweizerhof,thebesthotelinthecityandnomorethanashortstrollfromthestation.

‘RathergoesagainstthegrainHunterandcertainlypushestheexpenses,butthepointisyouhavetosticktoyourrole:asfarasthe

Germansareconcerned,you’reanaffluentSwissgentlemanwhowishestotraveltoStuttgartonbusiness.SuchpeoplestayattheSchweizerhof,I’mafraid.Makesureyou’reseenoutandaboutinthehotel.Therearesomethinglike115,000peopleinthiscityandIthink

ifyoutookthespiesaway,it’dbelessthan100,000.MostofthespieshangaroundtheSchweizerhof,soit’sgoodtobeseen,justbeingyourself.Bookyourselfinfortwonights.IjusthopeLondonbuyit.’

Makesureyou’reseenoutandaboutinthehotel.

Oncehehadcheckedinandchangedhewentdowntotherestaurant.Therestaurantmanageraskedhimtowaitatthebar,wherehefoundhimselfalongsidetwoveryformallydressed,middle-agedmenspeakinginGerman.ThetwoGermansgreetedhimcorrectly,almost

standingtoattentionastheydidso.

‘WhatbringsyoutoBern?’theyasked.HenryexplainedhewasfromGenevabutwashereinBerntoarrangeavisa:hewashopingvisitGermanysoononbusiness.

‘Whereabouts?’

‘Stuttgart.’‘Verygood.IsHerr

HesselikelytobeinBerlinatanytimeinthefuture?’

‘Maybe.Youneverknow!’

‘Youmustlookmeupifyoudo,’saidoneofthemen.‘Therearesomanymisunderstandingsabout

Germanythesedays.I’msureyou’renotoneofthosepeoplewhothinksnothingbutbadofGermany;weare,afterall,ofthesamerace,yes?’

Henrynoddedenthusiastically.Indeed.

‘Butifyou’reeverinBerlin,Icouldintroduceyou

topeople.You’llbepleasantlysurprised.I’dbehappytobeofservice.’

WiththathepresentedHenrywithacard,bowedslightlythenleft.Henrylookedatit:

AloisJägerRechtsanwalt181Friedrichstraße

BerlinABerlinlawyer;you

neverknow.

***

Thenextmorning,hevisitedtheGermanEmbassyonWilladingweg.Asheplannedhisjourneytherehe

rememberedRemington-Barber’sinstructions.

‘Whateveryoudo,Hunter,keepwellawayfromwhereweareinThunstrasse.There’sagoodchanceyoumaybeseen,theGermansprettymuchkeepapermanentwatchoutsideourplace.Youknowhowyouare

togetholdofme.’Hebreakfastedatthe

hotel,returnedtohisroombrieflythenstrolledcasuallythroughtheOldCity,pasttheMünster–theenormousGothiccathedral,overwhosemainentrancethesculptedparticipantsintheLastJudgementgazeddownat

him,tryingtodecidewhetherhewaswickedorvirtuous.

HecrossedtheriveronKirchenfeldbrückeandsoonfoundataxiwhichtookhimtotheGermanEmbassy,locatedinaresidentialstreetintheeastofthecity.Alargeswastikahunglimplyovertheentrance,whichwasguarded

byhalfadozenarmedGermansoldiers.InthestreetoutsideweretwoSwisspolicemen.

Hehadexpectedashortdelay,butnotthequeuethatgreetedhim.Thevisaoffice,themaninfrontofhimexplained,didnotopenuntil11.Itwouldcloseforlunchat

one,re-openagainatthreeandthencloseatfive.Themanlookedupanddownthequeue.Theydonothurry,hetoldHenry,butwithsomeluckyoumaybeseensometimearoundfour.Thenyouwillhavetoreturntomorrowtocollectthevisa.

Hehadbeenstandingin

thequeueforanhourandahalfwhenheheardafamiliarvoicebehindhim;Jäger,theBerlinlawyer.

‘MydearHesse,whatareyoudoinginthequeue?Comewithme.’

Totheobviousannoyanceofthepeopleinfrontofhim,Henrywas

removedfromthequeueandescortedstraightintotheEmbassy.

Waithere.Itwas1.15nowandthe

visaofficehadclosedforlunch.TenminuteslaterandJägeremergedfromitwithaclearlyreluctantmanintow.

‘Hesse:HerrSoldner

himselfwilllookafteryou.Youcouldnotbeinbetterhands.Hehasvolunteeredtocurtailhislunchbreakinordertodealwithyourvisa.’

ItwasevidentthatHerrSoldnerwasnomereclerk,asmuchashelookedlikeone.Astheymarchedthroughthe

groundflooroftheembassytohisofficeonthethirdfloor,colleaguesgreetedhimwitha‘SiegHeil’,whichhereturnedenthusiastically.Hisofficewaswellappointed,overlookingthegardensattherear.TherewasaportraitofHitleronthewallandalargephotographonthedesk

ofHerrSoldnershakinghandswithsomeofficersinblackuniforms.NexttothatwasasmallerphotographofHerrSoldnerwithwhatheassumedwasFrauSoldnerandtheirchildren.Onhislapelwasaswastikabadge.HegesturedforHenrytositdown,removedhisspectacles

thenreadthroughHenry’sform,noddingattimes,makingnotesinthemargininplaces.

‘PleaseexplainthepurposeofyourvisittoStuttgart,HerrHesse.’

HenryspokeinstandardGerman,repeatingthestoryheandRemington-

Barberhadagreed.‘Mystep-fatherhad

somebusinessinterestsinStuttgart,propertymostly.Unfortunately,hediedtwoyearsagoandIwanttoensuretherearenooutstandingliabilities.Tyinguplooseends,ifyoulike.’

‘Doyouhaveanybank

accountsinGermany,HerrHesse?’

‘No.’‘Doyouhavefriends

inStuttgart?’‘Morelike

acquaintances–businesscontacts.’

‘Theirnamesplease.’Henrygavethenames

ofthetwolawyerstheydealtwith,alongwiththethreeagentswhohandledthevariousproperties.

HerrSoldnerwroteeachnamedown.Hethenlaiddownhispenandputonhisspectacles.

‘Thelastnameyougaveme,HerrHesse–oneof

theagents.’‘Bermann?’‘Yes:firstname

please.’‘Heinz:Heinz

Bermann.’‘Afriendofyours?’‘AsIsay,moreofan

acquaintance,abusinessassociate.’

‘WhendidyoulastseeBermann?’

‘LasttimeIwasinStuttgart,somethreeyearsago.’

‘Andwereyouplanningtoseehimthistime?’

‘Possibly.’‘Doyourealisethatif

youdidso,HerrHesse,thatwouldbeinbreachoftheconditionsofyourvisa?’

‘Really…Why’sthat?’‘Theverystrong

likelihoodisthatBermannisaJew,anenemyofthestate.’

Withonlythebriefesthesitation,Henryslappedhisthighinannoyance.

‘Youdon’tsay!WellthatwouldexplainalotHerrSoldner.Ididn’twanttosaytoomuchbeforeIwenttherebutwenevertotallytrustedthisBermann.Wealwayssuspectedhewasbeinglessthanhonestwithus.Thatwasoneofthereasonsformyvisit,tofindoutwhetherhe

owedusmoney.Typical.’‘Ifhe’sstillinStuttgart,

HerrHesse,hewillnolongerhaveanyassetsinhisownname.’

Hewroteonaplainsheetofpaperandattachedittothevisaapplication,placingthecompletedocumentinatray.

‘YourpassportpleaseHerrHesse.’

HehandedhisSwisspassportovertotheGerman.

‘Pleasewaitinthereceptiononthegroundfloor.IwillcallyouwhenI’mready.You’llunderstandIneedtomakesomeenquiries.’

***

‘Theonethingwecouldgetunstuckonisiftheydelvetoofarback,’Remington-Barberhadtoldhim.‘TheonlyproblemwouldbeiftheyfoundouteitheryouoryourmotheralsohasBritish

nationality.’‘That’dbemost

unlikely.MymotherhatedbeingMaureenHunter,shethoughtitsoundedcommon.She’salwaysregardedbecomingMarleneHesseandtakingonSwissnationalityastheheightofsophistication,andI’mcertainshehasn’t

usedherEnglishnameorBritishidentityin17years.Also,rememberwemovedfromZürichtoGenevaaftershemarried.IbecameaSwissnationalin1927and,asfarastheSwissauthoritiesareconcerned,I’mHenriHesse.’

‘Well,theGermans

wouldhavetodigverydeepindeedtofindallthisoutandthey’reonlygoingtodothatiftheysuspectanything.Obviously,wehopetheydon’t.’

Obviously.

***

AnhourlaterAdolfHitlerwasoncemorestaringatHenryHunter,whowasattemptingtoremainascalmaspossibleafterbeingsummonedbacktoHerrSoldner’soffice.

‘Yourvisaisvalidfor30daysfromnextMonday,whichisthe1stofJuly.It

expiresonthe30thJuly.You’llbeinbreachofyourvisaifyouareinGermanyafterthatdate:doyouunderstand?’

Henrynodded.HewashopingtobebackinSwitzerlandlongbeforethen.

‘You’reonlypermittedtostayinStuttgart.Whilein

Germanyyoumustnottakepartinanypoliticalactivities;youareprohibitedfrommeetingorconsortingwithJews,criminalsorotherenemiesofthestate;youwillregisteratahotelwithintwohoursofyourarrivalandarenotpermittedtostayanywhereelseduringyour

stay;youarenotallowedtoapproachanymilitaryestablishmentsorobserveanymovementsofthearmedforces;youarenotpermittedtotakephotographs.TheonlycurrencythatyouareallowedtouseinGermanyisReichsmarks:uponyourarrivalyou’retogotoabank

andexchangeyourSwissFrancsforReichsmarks.Ishouldwarnyouthatusingtheblackmarketisregardedasaseriouscriminalactivity.Itshouldnotbenecessaryformetowarnyouthatshouldanyoneapproachyouandaskforyourhelp,particularlyinregardtobringing

informationormessagesbacktoSwitzerland,thatisalsoregardedasaveryseriouscriminalactivity.Youshouldimmediatelyreportanysuchapproachtotheauthorities.Doyouunderstand?’

Henrydid.‘Good.Idohopeyou

enjoyyourvisittoGermany,

HerrHesse.’

***

AnhourlaterHenryHunterenteredacobblersonanarcadeonKramgasseandexplainedtothebeardedmanjustvisiblebehindamoundofshoesonthecounterhe

hadcaughttheheelofoneofhisshoesinthetramlinebythestation.Thecobblernoddedandliftedthecountertop,beckoningforHenrytocomethrough.

‘Goupthestairstotheverytop.Heiswaitingforyou.’

TheHonBasil

Remington-BarbergreetedHenrywarmly.

‘BeautyofthisplaceisIcangetintoitthroughthebackofacaféaboutfivedoorsalong.Now,tellmehowyougoton.’

Remington-Barbercheckedthepassportandthevisa.Allinorder:good.He

was,hesaid,ascertainashecouldbetheGermanssuspectednothing.ForthenexthourhegaveHenryadetailedbriefingontheStuttgartmission.

‘You’vegoteverythingHenry.Allclear?’

‘Yes,thoughyousayI’mgoingtobecontactedby

thisMilo.I’mstillnotsurehowI’llknowit’shim?’

‘AndItoldyou,don’tworry.Milowillfindyou:youhavememorisedthecodessoyouwillknow.Thelessyouknowbeforeyoumeetup,thesaferitis.’

‘IncaseI’mcaught?’‘Exactly,incaseyou’re

caught.Remember,youdowhateverMilotellsyou,understand?’

Henrysaidhedid.‘Thereareplentyof

SwissFrancsinthisenvelopehere:changethemintoReichsmarksassoonasyouarrive–don’triskhidinganyonyou.Gobacknowtothe

Schweizerhofandcheckout:there’sadirecttraintoGenevaat6.30.BeforeyouleavetheSchweizerhof,askthemtomakeyouareservationattheHotelVictoriainStuttgart,arrivingonTuesdaythe16th,leavingontheFriday–the19th.Itlooksbetterifyouleavea

coupleofweeksbetweenthevisabeinggrantedandyouactuallytravellingthere:makesitappearyou’renotrushing.Understand?’

Henrynodded.‘Oneotherthing:be

carefulatnightinStuttgart.There’sacurfewonandfewplacestoeat,soyou’retostay

inthehotel.Onthefirstnightcertainlyyoushouldorderroomservice:inmyexperiencethattendstodrawlessattentiontoyourself.’

‘AndhowwouldyoulikemetogettoStuttgart?’

‘OntheMondaymorning,youtakethetrainfromGenevatoZürich:tell

yourmotheryou’llbethereallweek.Giveherthisaddress;we’llcoveranycontactsthere.StayovernightattheCentralPlazahotelbyOetenbachgasse,it’sverynearthestation:aroomhasbeenbookedforyouthere.OnTuesdaymorningthere’saSwissairflightfromZürich

toStuttgart.Itshouldonlytake50minutes,here’shopingtheRAFdoesn’tshootyoudown!’

***

Chapter9:SalzburgAirport,July1940EarlyintheafternoonofthelastTuesdayinJuly,attheheightofsummer,halfadozenmenweredoingtheir

besttoavoideachotherinastuffyroomoverlookingtherunwayatSalzburgAirport.ThemenwerealldressedinuniformsdenotinghighrankinvariousbranchesoftheGermanarmedforces:twostoodbythelargewindowbutwellapartfromeachother;anotherappearedtobe

asleep;twootherswereleafingthroughtheircopiesoftheVőlkischerBeobachterandanotherwaspacingtheroom,drawinghardonacigarette.

AshortwhileaftertheclockstrucktwoanervousyoungLuftwaffeofficerenteredtheroom.Adelay:

manyapologies.TheplanewasdelayedafterrefuellinginMunich.Departurewillnowbeatthreeo’clock–fouratthelatest.

Muchmutteringandshakingofheadsaroundtheroom:theyoungLuftwaffeofficerpausedinthedoorwayjustlongenoughtoremember

togiveahurriedHeilHitlersalute,whichwasignoredbyalltheothers.

ThemanwhohadappearedtobeasleepstoodupandcarefullystraightenedhisKriegsmarineuniformbeforeleavingtheroom.Outsidewasasmalllawnwithflowersplantedneatly

arounditsedges.Hestrolledupanddown,andwassoonjoinedbyanarmyofficer,oneofthetwomenwhohadbeenbythewindow.Theadmiralandthegeneralwalkedinstepalongsideeachotherinsilenceforawhile.Thegeneraltookhistimelightingalargecigarbefore

addressinghiscompanion.‘Iseewecannoteven

relyontheLuftwaffetogetusbacktoBerlinontime!IimagineJodl’splanewasn’tdelayed.’

‘Heflewbacklastnight,Iunderstand:soonafterthebriefing,’saidtheadmiral,lookingaroundashe

spoke.‘Heprobablydidn’twanttohangaroundtoolong.’

‘Indeed.Iassumehewantedtoavoidourquestions,’saidthegeneral,speakinginaloudervoicethanhiscompanion.

Theadmiralnoddedandlookedovereach

shoulderbeforehespoke.‘Andhowisyourson?’

TheGeneralmajorpaused,slightlysurprisedbythequestion.Inthecircleshemovedin,inBerlin,askingquestionsaboutanacquaintance’sfamily,especiallyaboutsonsinthearmedforces,wasaformof

code–awayofbroachingthesensitiveissueofwhatonereallythoughtaboutthewar.Itwasthesameasdiscussingfoodshortageswithpeople:questionsonlyaskedtopeopleyoucouldreallytrust.

‘Karliswellthankyou;he’sanOberleutnantnow,basedinPoland.Andyours–

youhavetwodon’tyou?’‘Oneson,onedaughter.

ErnstjoinedtheKriegsmarinenaturally,butunlikehisfather,unclesandgrandfather,heseemstoprefertobeunderthewaterratherthanonitssurface.He’swiththe7thU-boatflotillabasedinKiel.’

ThetwomenpausedtowatchaLuftwaffeJunkerspassengerplanepasslowoverheadfromthesouth,neatlyframedagainstUntersbergmountain.Theplanebankedtotheleftandbeganitsnoisyapproachtotherunway.

‘Thatmustbeour

plane;wecouldwellbebackinBerlinthiseveningafterall.TellmeErnst:whatdoyoumakeofwhatJodlhadtosay…?’

GeneralmajorErnstturnedtofacehiscompanion,carefullystudyinghisface.Hewantedtobesurehewasnotbeingledintoatrap.

‘Youmeanabout…?’Itwasclearhewantedtheadmiraltosayitfirst.

‘Theinvasionplans:whatelsewerewetherefor?’

‘HeonlywantsustoplanforaninvasionoftheSovietUnion,Hans.That’sprobablyprudentdon’tyouthink–tomakecontingency

plans,incase…?’‘ComeonErnst:we’ve

knowneachotherforyears!IwaswatchingyouyesterdayduringJodl’sbriefing,youhardlylookedenthusiastic.It’smadness,youmustknowthatbetterthanme.JustimagineforamomentyouwereaBritishgeneralrather

thanaGermanoneandyou’dfoundouttheFuhrerhadorderedhishighcommandtoturnupinBadReichenhallyesterdaytobeinstructedtoplanforaninvasionoftheSovietUnion.You’dbedelighted,wouldn’tyou?’

TheGeneralmajorshrugged.Behindthema

planewasnoisilytaxiinginfrontofthebuildingwheretheyhadbeenwaiting.‘Ithinkourflightwillbereadysoon,Hans.’

‘ComeonErnst,answermyquestion.IfyouwereaBritishgeneralyou’dbeverypleasedtohearGermanywasplanningtobreakitsalliance

withtheSovietUnionandfightontwofronts,wouldyounot?’

‘Ithinkthatmorethananything,Hans,Iwouldbesurprised.SosurprisedinfactthatI’dstruggletobelieveit.’

***

Chapter10:Stuttgart,July1940‘IwasonlyaskingwhatbusinessitisyouhaveinZürich,Henry.SurelyIhavearighttoask?Oneminuteyou’reofftoBasle,then

Zürich…wherevernext?’MarleneHessehad

littlechoicebuttoacceptherson’simminentandlargelyunexplaineddeparturewithhercustomarylackofgrace.Henryhadcometolearnthat,thesedays,allheneededtodowastellherwhathewasdoingthenleaveitatthat.

HearrivedinZürichontheMondayandspentthenightinahotelonOetenbachgassewherehisflightticketswerewaitingforhim.HeleftthehotelearlythenextmorningandtooktheairportbusfromHauptbahnhofstationatseveno’clock.

Theflightleftontimeat8.15,theSwissairDC-3bankingheavilytotheeastbeforeclimbingnoisilythroughthecloudthenappearingtofloatastheyheadednorthandcrossedtheborder.TheplanelandedatStuttgartEchterdingenjustafter9.30;afewminutes

beforetheyhadbeguntheirdescent,thetwostewardesseshadcomeroundanddrawnallthecurtains.Henrywasinasingleseat,butheheardamanacrosstheaislefromhimexplaintohisneighbourinFrenchthattheyalwaysdidthis:‘It’samilitaryairportnow.Theydon’twantusto

spyontheLuftwaffe!’Thecaptainwelcomed

themtoGermany,withanoticeablelackofenthusiasm.‘Pleaserespectallthespecialsecurityrulesinplaceattheairport.Pleasefollowallinstructions.PassengersfortheonwardflighttoBerlinshouldremain

intheirseats.PassengersdisembarkinghereinStuttgartshouldensuretheyhavealltheirbelongingswiththem.WehopeyouhaveenjoyedflyingwithSwissair.WewishyouapleasantstayinStuttgart.’

Theplanetaxiedtoaremotepartoftheairport:

outsidetheycouldhearshoutingandthenoiseofengines.Thepassengerswereleddownthestepstoabuswithblacked-outwindowsthathaddrawnupalongside.Henryhadnomorethan30secondstoglancearoundastheywereledontothebus:hecouldseeverylittle,other

thanaringoftroopsaroundtheplaneandacoupleofoiltankersnearby.

Therewerefewotherpassengersinthevastterminalbuilding,althoughatthefarendHenrycouldseegroupsofmeninuniformhurryingalong.Attheotherendoftheterminalwerethe

airlinedesks,mostofwhichappearedtobeabandoned.TherewereafewpeoplewaitingbyoneoftheDeutscheLufthansadesksbuttheonlyotherairlinedesksthatseemedtobeoperatingwereSwissairandAlaLittoria.Whilehewaited,therewereafew

announcementsmadebyawomanjustmanagingtosuppressherSwabianaccent:‘Arrivingpassengersshouldwaituntiltheyarecalled;anypassengersfortheSwissairflighttoBerlinaretoproceedtothedeparturegateimmediately;afurtherdelayisannouncedontheDeutsche

LufthansaflighttoLisbon,Portugal.’

Henrywasquestionedbytwomenstoodbehindthedesk;oneinSSuniform,theotherinacheapsuitwithaswastikabadgeoneachlapel.Behindthemwasalargeclockwithenormousswastikabannersdrapedoneitherside.

Theyeachcheckedthevisa,silently.ThemanincivilianclothesleftthedeskatonestagewithHenry’spassport,butreturnedaminutelater.

‘HowlongareyouintendingtostayinStuttgart,HerrHesse?’

‘UntilFriday.’

‘Youhaveareturnticket?’

Henryhandedittothemandtheybothstudiedit.

Andthepurposeofyourvisit?Whereareyoustaying?Withwhomwillyoubemeeting?Areyouawareoftherestrictionsofyourvisa?

Allquestionsthathad

alreadybeenaskedattheembassyinBern:Remington-Barberhadwarnedhimofthis.Routine:they’lljusttryingtocatchyouout:they’llbelookingtocompareyouranswers:nothingtoworryabout.Justplayastraightbat.Don’tsmiletoomuch.Don’tgetimpatient.

‘WewouldliketoknowmoreaboutyourbusinessaffairsinStuttgart,HerrHesse,’saidthecivilian.

Anunnecessarilydetailedandcomplicatedaccountofhisstep-father’sbusinessaffairsinStuttgartfollowed.Henrytoldthemhowhesuspectedtheyhad

beenmishandledbyamancalledHeinzBermann–atthementionofwhichtherewasaknowinglookbetweenthetwoGermans–andhowfollowinghisstep-father’sdeath,whichwasprobablyhastenedbytheactivitiesofthisHeinzBermann,itwastakingtimetounravel

everythingbuthefeltitwashisdutytocomehereandseewhatwasgoingon…andsoon.Ithadthedesiredeffectofmakingthetwoofficialslookbored.HenryhopedtoGodthatpooroldHeinzBermannhadmanagedtogetoutofStuttgart:hewasadecentmanandalwaysvery

charming.ItwouldbeashameifHenryhadjustaddedtohiswoes.

Aftertenminutes,Henrywastakenthroughtoasmallsideroomwhereheandhisbagswerethoroughlysearchedbytwopolicemen.Hiscopyofthatmorning’sNeueZürcherZeitungwas

removedfromhisbriefcaseandthrownaway.Everythingelsewascarefullyexamined.Nothingelsearousedtheirsuspicion,otherthantheSwissFrancs.

‘Areyouchangingallofthesehere?’theofficialinchargeofthesearchasked.

Henrynodded.

‘WaitherewhileIcountthem.’

Theofficiallefttheroom,returningwiththeFrancsfiveminuteslater.Later,Henrywoulddiscoverhe’dhelpedhimselftosomeofthemoney.

Heemergedfromthesideroomintothequeuein

frontofyetanotherdesk,butthiswasamuchquickerprocess.HispassportwasstampedagainandhewasnowinGermany.

‘Youarenowpermittedtocrosstheborder,HerrHesse.Pleasegothecashier’swindowoverthereandchangeallmoneyinto

Reichsmarks.WelcometoGermany.’

Henrychangedhismoneythenjoinedaqueuewhichhadformedjustoutsidetheterminalforthebusintothecity.Ittookhalfanhour.Again,thecurtainsweredrawnanditwasdifficulttomakeoutwhere

theywere,otherthanbyoccasionalglimpsesthroughthefrontwindow.Henrythoughtherecognisedoneortwofamiliarsightsand,asfarashecouldtell,therewerefewsignsofthewar,otherthanagooddealofmilitarytrafficontheroad.Theypassedthroughtworoad-

blocks,andatthefinalonethreepolicemenclimbedonboardandcheckedeveryone’spapers.

‘Stuttgart-Mitte’announcedthedriver:ThebuspulledintoFürstenstrasse,justofftheenormousSchlossplatz.

Itwasnomorethan

threeorfourminutes’walktothehotelandHenryknewtheareawell,butsomehowthecitycentredidnotfeelfamiliar.Thebuildingswerethesameandherecognisedthestreetnamesandknewexactlywherehewas.But,forhim,thecityhadalwayshadauniqueatmosphere,

whichwashardtodescribebutheknewitwhenhewasthere.Stuttgarttodaydidnotfeellikesomewherehehadbeentobefore,itfeltasthoughhe’donlyeverseenitonfilm.Itnowhadanundoubtedmilitaryedge;somanyofthepeopleonthestreetsseemedtobewearing

auniformofonetypeoranotherandtherewereanti-aircraftbatteriesontheSchlossplatz.Mostofthebuildingsweredrapedinlargered-and-blackswastikaflags.

BythetimehereachedtheHotelVictoriaonthecornerofFriedrichstrasseand

KeplerstrasseandwalkedthroughitsornateentrancehehadabetterideawhyStuttgartfeltsounfamiliar.Itwasthepeopleandhowtheybehaved;theyweremovingaroundinsilence,avoidingeyecontactandwithhardlyanyonespeakingtoanyoneelse.Acityhehadonce

foundfriendlynowhadadistinctlymenacingairtoit.Germanshadalwaysstruckhimasbeingsmartlydressedbutnow,comparedtotherelativesophisticationoftheSwiss,theylookeddrab.

Themanbehindthereceptiondeskdidatleastlookhimintheeye.‘Yes,we

haveareservationforyouHerrHesse,’hesaid,holdingupthetelegramfromtheSchweizerhofinBern.‘You’restayingforthreenights,correct?’

Henrysaidthathewasandcompletedthevariousformshandedtohimbythereceptionist.Hewasthen

escortedtohisroomonthethirdfloorbyanelderlyandevidentlyarthriticporter.Oncehehadunpacked,hedecidedtogoforawalkintheafternoon.Astemptingasitwastoremainintherelativesafetyofhisroom,heknewthatwoulddrawattentiontohimselfand

wouldnotallowMilotheopportunitytoapproachhim,thoughhewasstillnonethewiserhowthatwasgoingtohappen.BackinBern,Remington-Barberhadbeendecidedlycrypticinthatrespect.

‘You’llbeapproachedbysomeoneusingthephrase

“WeusuallyhavesomeraininStuttgartatthistimeofyear,”’Remington-Barberhadsaid.‘Youaretoreply,“ThatmustbethecasealloverEurope.”Inresponsethey’llsay,“SurelytheremustberainovertheAlps.”You’llreply,“ThereisalwaysrainaroundtheAlps

eveninsummer,”andwhentheysay“Howwonderful,”thenyou’llknowit’sMiloandthatit’ssafe.’

Remington-Barberhadaskedhimtorepeatit,manytimes.

‘Good:you’retodopreciselywhatMilotellsyou.Iftheysendyousomewhere,

yougo.’SoHenrywandered

aroundthecentreofStuttgartforthebestpartofanhourandahalfand,asfarashecouldtell,hewasnotbeingfollowed.FromSchlossplatzhewalkeddownthePlanie,whichhadnowbecomeAdolfHitlerStrasseandtheninto

Charlottenplatz,whichwasnowDanziger-Freiheit.Adifferentcity.Hesatonbenches,pausedbyshopwindows–noticingthereseemedtobefarlessintheshopsthanonpreviousvisits.Hecrossedtheroadandbackagain,allowinganyonewantingtoapproachhim

plentyofopportunitytodoso.Hewasbeginningtogetasenseofwhatacountryatwarfeltlike:itwasasifthehorizonwasdiminishedandtherewaslessairtobreathe.Lesscolour,somuchquieterandtheubiquitousslogansonbuildingsandflagshangingfromthem.FromDanziger-

Freiheit,heheadednorthtoNeckarstrasse,whereoneofhisstep-father’spropertyagentshadtheiroffices.Hedecidedtogoin,justincasehewasbeingfollowed:itwasgoodtobeabletoshowthereasonshehadgivenforvisitingStuttgartappearedtobegenuine.HerrLanghoff

tookhimintohisofficeandwashappytotalkforawhile:timeswereveryhard;manypeoplehadjoinedthemilitary;Jewishpropertywasbeinggivenawaywhichmeantlessbusinessforthem;no,asHerrHessewassurelyaware,allofhisstep-father’spropertieshadbeendisposed

of.Helefttheofficeafter

halfanhour,satisfiedthatanyonewatchingwouldfeelhehadindeedbeentheretoconductbusiness.Afewdoorsalonghefoundasmallbasementbar.Thebarmaidknewbetterthantoasktoomanyquestions,especially

whensherealisedhewasSwiss.FromthebarhewalkedbackacrosstheSchlossplatztothehotel,concernedathowandwhenMilowasgoingtoapproachhim:hecouldhardlyspendthenextfewdayshangingaroundthehotel,goingfortheoccasionalwalkand

eatinginhisroom.Hewanderedaround

thelobbyforawhilethenreturnedtohisroom.Heclosedtheheavycurtainsthenranahotbath,rested,readalittlebeforetelephoningreceptiontoorderhiseveningmeal.Therewerethreedishesonthemenu,onlyoneof

whichwasavailable:sausagesandpotatoes.

Afterhismealheleftthetray,asinstructed,inthecorridoroutsidehisroom.Itwasonlyeighto’clock,buthebegantothinkaboutsettlingdownforthenight.Hewasbeginningtothinkthistripwasnomorethanatestby

BritishIntelligencetoseehowhecoped–whetherhecouldgetinandoutofGermanyandnomorethanthat.Themorehethoughtaboutit,themoresenseitmade.Afterall,hadn’tEdgarmoreorlesstoldhimhisfirstmissionwouldbesomethingrelativelystraightforward?

Whicheverwayyoulookedatit,hetoldhimself,travellingintoGermanyandmeetingwithanotheragentwashardlystraightforward.TheBritishwereunlikelytoriskanoviceagent’sfirstassignmentonanythingtoodangerous.Surelytheywouldsimplywanttoseewhetherhehad

thenervestogothereandreturninonepiece?

ButwhatwasitViktorhadtoldhimattheweekend?Don’tthinktoomuchsynok:they’llknowwhattheyaredoing.

Therewasaneasychairneararadiatorbythewindowandhesatonit,kickingoff

hisshoesandputtinghisfeetonthesmalltable.HebegantorecallanotherconversationwithEdgar,whenhehadimpliedtheymayadvancefivehundredpoundsofhisaunt’smoneyonsuccessfulcompletionofamission.Wouldthiscountasasuccessfulmission?Maybe

hecouldnowaffordacar.Hewatchedthepatternsformingontheceilingbythelampshadebythebedwhenafirmknockonthedoordisturbedhistrainofthought.Hewasannoyed,assumingtheyhadcometocollecthisdinnertraywheninfacthehadleftitinthecorridor.

‘Thetrayisoutthereforyou,’hecalledout.

Afemalevoicereplied.‘Thankyou,HerrHesse.PleasecouldIcomein?Wehavemanagedtolocateyourmissingcase.’

‘Ithinktheremustbesomemistake,I…’

Acardoorslammedon

Keplerstrassebelow,followedbythesoundofalorrymovingdowntheroad.

‘There’snoneedtoworrysir,Iamthedutymanager:ifyoucouldopenthedoorplease?’

ThewomanwhoHenryletintohisroomwaswearingthedark,formaluniformof

thehotelstaff.Onherlapelwasabadge:KatharinaHoch,NightManager.Sheclosedthedoorcarefullybehindherthenlookedhimupanddown,asifcheckinghimout.‘Itisgoodnewswefoundyourcase,HerrHesse.’Shewascarryingasmall,leatherbag.

‘There’sbeenamistake,I’mafraid.Ihavemycasehere.Ionlybroughttheonewithme.’

‘AreyouenjoyingyourstayattheHotelVictoria?’

‘Iam,but…’‘AndinStuttgart:you

areenjoyingStuttgart?Weusuallyhavesomerainin

Stuttgartatthistimeofyear.’Henryfeltunsteadyon

hisfeet.Milo?‘Ibegyourpardon?’

Sherepeatedthephraseinapleasant,conversationalmanner.

‘WeusuallyhavesomeraininStuttgartatthistimeofyear.’

Henrysatdownontheedgeofthebed,awarehewasshakingviolently.Hetookamomentortwotorememberhiscorrectresponse.

‘ThatmustbethecasealloverEurope.’

Wasitsafetohaveaconversationlikethisinahotelroom?

‘Surely,’shesaid,checkingbehindthecurtainsthenglimpsingintothebathroom,‘surelytheremustberainovertheAlps?’

‘ThereisalwaysrainaroundtheAlpseveninsummer.’

‘Howwonderful,’shereplied,asthoughshereally

meantit.Therewasalong

silence.AnothercardoorslammedonKeplerstrasse;thesoundofdistantlaughter.Thewomansmiledathiminwhatinothercircumstanceshe’dhavetakentoquiteaseductivemanner.Hermouthwasquitebeautiful,without

anytraceoflipstick.‘SoyouareMilo?’He

wasspeakinginbarelymorethanawhisper.

‘IamMilo,yes–don’tlooksoshocked.Look,Iamonduty,soIdon’thavetoolongandwehavemuchtotalkabout.’

‘Isitsafeinhere?’

‘Doyoumeanarewebeinglistenedto?Youdon’tneedtobeconcerned.WeprovidetheGestapowithalistofallnewguestsandtheonestheyhavesomeinterestinwehavetoputinspecialroomsonthefifthfloor,soyoudon’tneedtoworry,notfornowatleast.’

Sheliftedthesuitcaseontothebedandopenedit.Itwasfullofmen’sclothes,alongwithahatandapairofblackshoes.‘HaveyoueverbeentoEssen,HerrHesse?’

‘Where?’‘Essen.IntheRuhr:

northofCologne.’‘No,Ican’tsayIhave.’

‘Tomorrowwillbeyourfirstvisitthen.’

‘But…surelynot.Myvisadoesn’tpermitmetotraveloutsideofStuttgart.’

‘That’swhatallthisisabout.’Shepointedtothesuitcaseonthebed.‘HenriHessewillnotbetravellingtoEssen.Youwilltravelas

DieterHoch.’Shehadremovedawalletfromthesuitcaseandemptieditscontentsontothebed.

‘DieterHochismybrother.Dieterisfouryearsolderthanyoubutthephotographinhisidentitycardhereisnotagoodoneandsowe’reconfidentyour

identitydocumentswillpassabasicexamination.It’llworkaslongasno-onehasanyreasontosuspectyou.You’llonlyweartheseclotheshere:theyallbelongtomybrother.EverythingyouwearwillbeGerman-made.Theremustbenothingonyouthatcouldidentifyyou

asbeingSwiss.Youwilltakethissuitcase.’

‘Andyourbrotherisinonthis?’

‘Ofcourse:webothdowhatwecantohelptheBritish.Wearen’tNazis,youmayhavegatheredthat.DieterisamanagerwiththerailwayhereinStuttgart,

whichmeanshe’sabletotravelmorefreelyontrains.He’sworkedforthepastsevendaysandfinishedthisevening,sonowhe’soffworkuntilFridaymorning.He’llremainathomeuntilthenandwon’tleavethehouse:he’lltellmyparentsheisunwell.Thatgivesyoutwo

cleardaystogettoEssen,completeyourmissionandreturnhere.WewantyoubackinStuttgartbeforethecurfewonThursdaynight.’

‘Butwhataboutthehotel,won’tpeoplespotI’mnothere?’

‘Iamthedutymanagerforthenexttwonights.I’ll

ensureallthepaperworkisinorder.I’llalsocomeupduringthenighttoensuretheroomlooksasthoughsomeone’ssleptinit.AsIsay,no-onesuspectsyou.TheGestapoiskeptbusyenoughwithpeopleitdoessuspect.’

‘AndwhatdoIdoinEssen?’

‘DoyouknowanythingaboutEssen?’

Henryshrugged.Notreally.

‘Essenisamajorproducerofsteelandcoal.TheKruppsfamilyownmuchoftheindustryinthetown.Thesteelthat’sproducedthereisvitaltotheNaziwar

effort.TheBritishwishtodestroythefactories,buttheirintelligenceispoor.SomeofthelocationstheBritishareawareofarenolongerinuse,othershavebeenopened.They’reintheprocessofcompilingamuchmoreaccuratemapofEssen.That’syourmission,toassistin

that.’‘SoIjustwander

aroundEssendrawingmaps?’KatharinaHochlooked

irritated.‘I’llgiveyouthedetailsofhowtomakecontactwithsomeoneinEssen.Butthisisgoingtobeadangerousmission:you’llberequiredtomovearound

thetown,memorisewhatyouseethencompileagridoflocationswhichyouwillthenbringbacktoStuttgart.ThroughoutGermanylifeisdangerous,butinEssenespeciallyso.’

***

HewaswokenatfiveinthemorningbyKatharinaHoch;agentleraponthedoorsoasnottodisturbotherguests.Hewashedandshavedthendressedinherbrother’sclothesanddouble-checkedtheminutiaeofhisnewidentity:address,dateofbirth–thedetailsthatcouldtrip

himup.Helefttheroomas

quietlyaspossibleanddescendedthroughthefire-exitstairsattheendofthecorridortothebasementlevel,whereKatharinawaswaitingforhim.

Shelookedhimover,likeaparentcheckingachild

wasproperlydressedforschool.Sheaskedhimtoemptyhispocketstobesurehewascarryingnothingincriminating:everythingwasinorder.

‘Thisisyourticketherefortherailjourney:thetrainleavesatsixo’clock,in25minutes.It’sscheduledto

arriveinFrankfurtatteno’clock:Dietersaysthistraintendstorunontimeasit’scarryingtroops,soislesslikelytobesubjecttodelays.AtFrankfurtyoushouldpurchaseatickettoEssen:there’sadirectservicethatdepartsataquartertoelevenandisduetoarriveinEssen

ataquarterpasttwoor14.15,that’showtheylikeustorefertoitthesedays,presumablytheythinkitmakeseverythingsoundmoreefficient.DietersaysheknowslessaboutthatpartoftheDRnetwork,soyoumayencounterdelays.NowyourememberItoldyoulast

nightaboutthepurposeofyourvisittoEssen,incaseanyoneasksyou?’

‘Visitinganaunt?’‘Correct:Gertraud

Traugottrecentlycelebratedher80thbirthdayandasyouhaven’tseenherinawhilethisisasurprisevisit.Shelivesinanapartmentinthe

westofEssen,inAltendorf.Thisisheraddress,pleasecopyitdownnowinyourownhandwritingandputthepieceofpaperinyourwallet.’

ShewaitedwhileHenrypatientlycopieddowntheaddress,foldedthepieceofpaperandplaceditinthewallet.

‘Butyouaren’ttogostraighttothataddress.WhenyouarriveatEssenstation,you’retogotothelost-propertyoffice,whichislocatedbehindthemainticketoffice.You’llfindit’swellsignposted.IntheunlikelyeventthatyouarriveinEssenbeforetwoo’clock,don’tgo

thereanyearlier.Ifyouarriveafterfouro’clock,waitoutsidetheoffice.YouhaveacontactinEssenwho’sgoingtohelpyouandheworksinthelost-propertyoffice.HiscodenameisLido.He’salwaysonhisowntherebetweentwoandfour.Gointotheofficeandaskif

anyone’shandedinagentleman’sumbrella,whichyoumislaidthatmorning.He’llaskyoutodescribeitandyou’llsayit’sblackwithacarvedwoodenhandleengravedwiththeinitials‘DH’.He’llthenaskyoutocomeintothebackoftheofficetoinspectthe

umbrellas.Oncethereandwhenitissafe,Lidowillbriefyouonwhat’stohappenduringyourstayinEssen.’

‘Andwhatifheisn’tthere?’

‘Ifheisn’tthereorifsomethinggoeswrong,youshouldtryandgetoutofEssenassoonaspossibleand

headbacktoStuttgart.Lidohasverylimitedinformationaboutwhoyouareorevenwhereyou’recomingfrom,soyoursecurityshouldn’tbecompromisedifhe’sarrested.’

Henrytriedtotakeallthisin:thedetailwasonethingbutthesenseoffear

quiteanother.Hewasbeginningtoshiver,despitethewarmthofthebasement.

‘It’snearlyaquartertosix;youneedtogetamoveon.Wearyourhat;it’llhelpmaskyouridentity.Carrytheraincoat.ThenextthingIhavetosayisveryimportant:intheeventofyoubeing

arrested,yourstorywillnotstandalotofscrutiny.Itwon’ttaketheGestapolongtofindoutyou’renotDieterHochorthatGertraudTraugottisnotyouraunt.Hopefully,itwon’tcometothat,butifyoudofindyourselfbeinginterrogatedbytheGestapoyoumustdoyour

besttoholdoutfor24hours.That’llgiveusenoughtimetodismantleourcellhereinStuttgartandtrytoescape.’

Katharinaputherarmaroundhisshoulderandleanedclosetohim.Hermouthlookedevenmoreastonishingclose-up.Hereyesdidnotblinkasshe

staredstraightintohis.‘Twentyfourhours,

that’sallthatweask.Tellthemyou’reaSwisscitizenandyourpassportishereinthehoteltoproveit.Theyprobablywon’tkillyou–theGermanscan’taffordtoupsettheSwiss.Butifyoukeepyourwitsaboutyouhopefully

youwon’tarousesuspicion.Youmustleavenow.’

‘Thereisonefinalthingyoushouldknow,’shesaid.‘There’sapencilcaseinthesuitcase,inazippedcompartmentinthelid.Undernocircumstancesshouldyoutakeitoutofthecaseoropenit.You’retogiveitLido.

That’sveryimportant.Doyouunderstand?’

Henoddedthatheunderstood.KatharinaledhimupasteepflightofconcretestepstoadoorthatleddirectlyontoKeplerstrasse.Shemotionedforhimtowaitwhileshelookedupanddownthe

street,thenwavedhimtocomeup.Shepushedhimalongwithawhispered‘Goodluck’.

Itwasaquickfiveminutes’walkdownFriedrichstrassetothemainstation,whichwasreassuringlybusy.Henryhadjustenoughtimetostopata

kioskandbuyabreadrollwithacoldsausageandacopyofthatmorning’sVőlkischerBeobachter.

HespottedtheFrankfurttrainonplatformsix,withblack-cladtroopsforminginlinestoboardit.Cloudsofsteamfloatedacrossthestation,andthe

smellofengineoilandthesoundsofmetalandwhistlesandpeoplecallingoutallfeltoddlyreassuring.Heshowedhistickettothemanatthebarrierthenapolicemanaskedtocheckhispapers,butwasquicktowavehimthrough.Justashewasabouttoboardthetrain,hefelta

handonhisshoulderandwhenheturnedrounditwasanofficerinblackuniform.HenoticedthedistinctiveDeathHeadsymbol:SS.Hefeltlikelaughing.HehadnotevenmanagedtoboardthetraintoFrankfurt.Ithadallbeenatrap.

***

Chapter11:Essen,July1940‘Doyouhavealight?’Theofficerwasholdinganunlitcigaretteandsmiling.‘Iseemtohavefoundmyselfwithaunitwhereno-onesmokes.Imaginethat!’

Henryapologised

profusely.‘Idon’tsmokeeither.’PerhapsIoughttotakeitup,hethoughtasheclimbedintohiscarriage.

***

HewasbothsurprisedandrelievedwhenthetrainfromFrankfurtpulledintoEssen

Mainat20minutespasttwothatWednesdayafternoon.Thejourneycouldnothavegonemoresmoothly;theStuttgarttrainhadarrivedinFrankfurtatten,allowinghimampletimetobuyhisticketforEssenandstillbeabletositinasmallcaféononeoftheplatforms,wherehe

sippedacupofbitterersatzcoffeeandglancedattheVőlkischerBeobachter.HewasabletoboardtheEssentrainat10.30whenthebarrieropened,withthepolicemanondutygivinghisidentitycardnomorethanacursorylook.

Thetrainwaspacked

allthewaytoCologne,soheclosedhiseyestoavoidbeingdrawnintoconversationduringthejourneyuptheRuhr.Inevitably,ashebegantodoze,Rozaappearedbeforehim:gentleatfirst,asalways.Herfingerslightlytouchinghiswristandashysmileasshetossedherhair

backfromherface.Thenthefingersgraspedhiswristsotightlyhecouldfeelthepain,andthatwasfollowedbyherlookingathimwithmorehatethanhecouldimagine:‘Youknowwhatwillhappentousnow,don’tyou?’

Hewasabouttoexplainwhenshebegantofadeaway,

askingonefurtherquestionasshedidso:‘Whereareyougoing?’Hesatupwithastart,concernedhemayhavesaidsomething,butno-oneinthecarriagesomuchaslookedathim.WhereamIgoing?Whereindeed?

AsthetrainreachedEssen,enormousfactories

loomedoneithersideofthetrack,withthickplumesoffilthysmokereachingfarintothegreysky.ThestationwasnotnearlyaslargeastheonesinStuttgartorFrankfurt,andthereseemedtobelesssecurity.Therewasanoticeablesmellofcoalandindustrialfumes,andthe

largeswastikaflagsdrapedabovetheplatformwerestreakedwithgrime.Hedecidednottogotothelost-propertyofficestraightaway;heneededtogetasenseofhissurroundings.Hestudiedthetimetableonthesideoftheticketoffice.IfheneededtoleaveEssenquicklythere

wasatraintoDortmundintenminutesandonetoColognein20.Therewasacaféontheplatform,buthefelttoosickwithnervestoevenenterit.

Hewaiteduntil2.30thenenteredthelost-propertyoffice.AmaninDRuniformwasbehindalong,low

counter,attendingtoanelderlylady.

‘IcanassureyouI’velookedverycarefullyandmorethanonce,asyouask.There’snosignofyourgloves.Theymaystillbeelsewhereinthestation:Isuggestyoutryagaintomorrow.I’llkeepaspecial

eyeoutforthem.’Henrywaiteduntilshe

hadleft.Themanbehindthecounterlookedtobeinhislatefiftiesatleast,hishairasteelywhite,andhemovedinaslowandquitedeliberatemanner.Helookedtired.Hismostnoticeablefeaturewasanimpressivepairof

eyebrowsthatseemedtojoinupabovehisnoseandcurveupateitherend,lendinghimanowl-likeair.

‘CanIhelpyousir?’Henryglancedaround

toensuretheywereontheirown.

‘Iappeartohavelostmyumbrella.’

Nopause,noflickerofunderstanding,nosignofanticipationfromthemanbehindthecounter.

‘Andwhendidyouloseitsir?’

‘Thismorning.It’sblackwithacarvedwoodenhandle.Myinitialsareengravedonthehandle:

“DH”.’Themanbehindthe

countershookhishead.‘Ican’trecallit,but

perhapsyou’dliketocomebehindthecounterandhavealook?We’vequiteacollectionofumbrellashere,sir:Icouldopenashop!’

Themanliftedupa

sectionofthecounterandslowlyledHenrytoaroomatthebackoftheoffice.Heclosedthedoorandremovedhiscap,turningtofaceHenry.

‘I’mLido,bytheway.’‘Igatheredthat:

Dieter.’LidograspedHenry’s

handandshookitwarmly.‘Therearesome

umbrellasoverthere,pretendtobelookingthroughthem.I’lllookoutthewindowincaseanyonecomesin,butit’sveryquietatthistimeoftheafternoon.It’squietmostofthetimenow.Peopledon’tseemtolosethingsinthe

war,apartfromtheirlives.’Lidospokequicklyand

quietly,lookingoutofthelittleofficewindowtowardsthecounterashedidso.

‘Justwaitamoment.’Awomanwithtwo

youngchildrenhadcomeinandLidowentovertothecounterandafteraveryquick

conversationsheleft.HecamebacktoHenry.

‘Everyotherpersonwhocomesinherethinkswearetheleft-luggagedepartment.Itsaysveryclearlythatwe’relostproperty.StuttgartexplainedthatyourcoverforvisitingEssenistovisityouraunt,

yes?LetmetellyouthenthatGertraudTraugottisanelderlyneighbourofmine.IliveinanapartmentblockinAltendorf;herapartmentistwodoorsdownfromme.However,GertraudTraugotthasnotbeeninherapartmentforthreeorfourmonthsnow.Shestartedtoloseherminda

yearago,thoughsheseemedcapableenoughoflookingafterherself.InNovembertheytookherintoasanatoriumnearOberhausen.Iwenttovisitherlastmonth:shetellseveryonetheresheisengagedtotheKaiserandsheiswaitingforhimtocomeandtakeheraway.I’mnot

surehowlongshe’llbethere–onehearsterriblerumoursthesedaysaboutwhattheyaredoingtopeoplelikeher,butthatisanotherstory.Now,youneedtolistenverycarefullyandI’lltellyouwhatyouneedtodo.’

***

AttentothreeHenryleftthestationbythenorthexitandheadedintothecentreofEssen.Ifinishworkatfour,Lidohadsaid.WaitformebytheHindenburgStrasseexit:Iwillcomeoutjustafterfivepastfour.FollowmeallthewaytoAltendorf–I’llmake

sureItakearoutethattakesyoupastasmanyfactoriesaspossible.Makesureyoumemoriseeverything.Anddon’tforgettofollowmeatasafedistance,nottooclose,nottoofar.Canyourememberallthat?

Hecould.Healsorememberedhistrainingand

theneedtoavoidwanderingaroundaplacewithoutanyapparentpurpose.HedecidedtousethehourandabithewasgoingtospendinthecentreofEssentopurchaseagiftforhisaunt:hewastheretocelebrateher80thbirthdayafterall.

Lidohadagreedthat

thiswasagoodidea.GopasttheHandelshofHotelandtheOperaHouseandyou’llreachAdolfHitlerPlatz.Thebestplacestogoshoppingaretothenorthandthewestofthat–aroundVereinStrasseandLogenStrasse.Anyideaofwhatkindofgiftyou’regoingtobuy?

Perfume,theyhadagreed.Anywomanappreciatesperfume;no-oneisgoingtothinkthat’sanoddgift.

HefollowedLido’sinstructions:hehadplentyoftime,sohemadesurehedidnotrush.Lidohadsaidhethoughttheremaybea

perfumeshopsomewherepastLogenStrasse.Itwasn’tsomethingheeverhadoccasiontoshopforthesedays,he’dsaid.InanarcadeoffLimbeckerStrassehefoundexactlywhathewaslookingfor,aquaintParfümerie:allwoodenbeamsandleadedwindows,

reachedbyclimbingdownacoupleofwornsteps.Therewasasignonthedoortoringthebellandwhenhedidsoitwasaminuteortwobeforetheelderlyownershuffledalongtounlockthestore.

‘Myapologies:whenI’mpreparingperfumesatthebackIlockthedoor,I’vehad

peoplestealingbottlesinthepast.PerhapsIshouldbemoretrustingthesedays.Afterall,it’snotasifJewscomeintotheshopanymore’.HenrynoticedhewaswearingthedistinctiveroundNaziPartymembershipbadgeonhislapel,ablackswastikastarkonawhitebackground.

Theshopwastiny,withallthewallsandcounterscoveredinbottlesofperfumeineveryimaginablesizeandcolour.Thesmellwasclosetooverpowering.

‘Now,howcanIhelpyou?’

Henryexplainedhewaslookingforaperfumeforhis

aunt,forher80thbirthday.Theownerperusedtheshelves:‘Maybesomethingwithlavenderinit,whichisalwayspopularwitholderladies–orperhapsbergamot?Whatkindofaladyisshe?’

Henryexplainedhehadnotseenherinawhile,thiswasasurprisevisit.

‘Youdon’tsoundasifyou’refromthisarea?’

‘No,I’mfrom…thesouth.’

‘Isee:whereaboutsinthesouth?’

‘Stuttgart,’saidHenry,regrettinghisanswerstraightaway.

‘Youdon’thavethat

dreadfulSwabianaccent,thankGod!You’vetravelledalongwaytoseeyouraunt.WheredoessheliveinEssen?’

‘Altendorf.’‘Altendorf?Iknowit

well.Ilivedtheremyselfformanyyears,beforemywifediedandmychildrenleft

Essen.What’syouraunt’sname?’

Henryhesitated.Therewassomethingabouttheownerhefoundunsettling.ItwasnottheNaziPartybadge,halfthepopulationofGermanyseemedtowearoneofthosethesedaysasfarashecouldtellanditwas

probablygoodforbusiness.No,thequestionsseemedtobepointedandpersistentratherthanfriendly.ItwasasifhedistrustedHenry.

‘MaybeI’llcomebacklater.Ineedtodosomemoreshopping.’

‘Youraunt’sname,youweregoingtotellmeher

name?’‘Gertraud.Gertraud

Traugott.’‘Gertraud?ButIknow

Gertraud,Iknowherverywell!Tellme,howareyourelatedtoher?’

Henrymomentarilyconsideredleavingtheshop,buthadalreadyrevealedtoo

much;GertraudTraugott’snameandStuttgart.Trapped.

‘Itoldyou,she’smyaunt.’

‘Butonwhichside?’‘Mymotherwasher

sister.’Theoldmannoddedas

ifhewassatisfiedwiththeanswer.Henryfeltasenseof

relief.Hehadover-reacted.‘Ah,soyou’re

Hannelore’sson?’‘That’sright,yes.’He

managedaweaksmileandfeltfaintlyrelieved.Theoldmanleantagainstthecounter,soclosethatHenrycouldsmellthegarliconhisbreath.

‘Gertraudhasnosister.

ShehadabrotherbuthewaskilledintheGreatWarandhadnochildren.Andshe’snotlivedinAltendorfformonths.Youcan’tbehernephew.Whothehellareyou?’

Theoldman’shandmovedalongthecountertowardsthetelephone.Henry

reactedquickly.Hereachedoverthecounterandpushedthemanashardashecouldagainsttheshelvesbehindhim.Hisheadstruckoneofthelargeglassbottlesandheslumpedtothefloor.Afewofthebottlesfellontopofhim,theglassshatteringandtheperfumespillingoverthe

man,whowasnowgroaning.Henrydartedovertothedoorandlockedit,turningthesignroundsothatitwouldshowthattheshopwasclosed.Geschlossen.

Heclimbedoverthecounteranddraggedthelimpbodyintothesmallpreparationroomattheback

oftheshopandclosedthedoor.Theoldmanwasbleedingfromtheheadandsoakedinperfume.Henrycouldhearsomeonetryingtoopenthedoor,thehandleturningagainstthelockandthenaknock.Theshopkeeperstirred,asiftryingtocallout.Henryheldonehandfirmly

againsthismouththengrippedhisheadwiththeother.Hestruggled,soHenrykneltontopofhim,onekneepressedhardintohischest,untilhiseyesbulgedandhisfaceturnedbright-red.Theknockingstoppedanditwasquietoutside,butHenrycontinuedtoholdtheman

down.Thestrugglelastedforwhatseemedlikeanage.Hecouldfeelsomethinghotandwetagainsthishand.Bloodwastricklingoutoftheman’snose.

Thenitstopped.Thebodysuddenlyslumped,allresistancehadfloodedoutofitandHenryknewhewas

dead.Forafewminuteshesatonthefloor,catchinghisbreathandgatheringhisthoughts,watchingtheoldmanforanysignoflife.Thesmellsofcitron,sandalwoodandrosefilledtheroom.Hewentbackintotheshopanddrewtheblindsonthedoorandwindows.Fromthetill,

heremovedallthenotesandleftitopen.Heturnedofftheshoplightsandwentbackintotheroom,takingcaretoshuttheinternaldoorandlockit.Hehadalreadynoticedtherewasanotherdoorfromtheroomwhichheassumedwouldleadoutside.Heundidtheboltsand

carefullyopeneditjustafewinches.Outsidewasanarrow,enclosedalleyway,thebuildingsoppositealmostwithintouchingdistance.Hewentbackinsidetheshopandremovedtheoldman’swristwatch:thisneededtolooklikearobbery.Hewasabouttoleavewhenhehad

anotherthought.Fromtheoldman’slapel,heremovedtheNaziPartymembershipbadge,checkedthatnothingwasengravedonthebackthenputitonhisownjacket.Ashedid,henoticedhisraincoat,whichhadbeenontheflooralongsidetheman,hadsomebloodstainsonthe

sleeveandreekedofperfume.Hebundleditup,hopingtofindsomewherenearbytodisposeofit.

Hecarefullyopenedthedoortothealleywayoncemore.Itwasdarkand,asfarashecouldtell,deserted.Hepulledhistrilbylowoverhisfaceandhurrieddownthe

alleyway,eventuallyemergingintoWebsterStrasse.Justbeforehedid,henoticedalargebinthatwasnearlyfull.Helookedaroundhimthenleantintothebin,pushinghiscoatasfarinsideashecouldmanage,coveringitoverasbesthecouldwiththeotherrubbish.

LidowasshockedtoseehimwhenheappearedintheLostPropertyOffice.Itwasfivetofourandhewaspreparingtoclosefortheday.Fortunately,therewasno-oneelsethere.Lidogesturedforhimtocometotheofficeattheback.

‘Whatthehellareyou

doinghere?’hehissed.‘IthoughtItoldyoutomeetmeinHindenbergStrasse?’

Henryexplainedwhathadhappened.Lidosatwithhisheadinhishands.

‘I’msorry,butIhadnoalternative.Forsomereason,hesuspectedme.Ishouldneverhavegivenhim

GertraudTraugott’snameofcourse,buthowonearthwasItoknowheknewher…What’rethechancesofthat?IfIhadn’tgivenanameitwouldhavelookedsuspicioustoo.AtleastIdidmybesttomakeitlooklikearobbery.’

‘That’stheproblemwiththistown,everyone

knowseveryone.Didanyoneseeyouentertheshop?’

‘NotasfarasIknow.Itwasveryquiet.’

‘Atleastyougotridofthecoat.Thatcouldidentifyyoutoo.Here,chooseanotherone,thereareadozenorsoontherackoverthere.Itwasadark-brownraincoatyou

werewearing,isthatright?’‘Yes.’‘Chooseoneofthe

blackonesthen.Andchangeyourhattoo.Choosesomethingdifferentfromthattrilby.You’dbettergivemethewatchyoutookfromhim.’

Lidoexaminedthe

watchwithaprofessionalinterest.

‘Shame,it’sagoodwatch,buttoodistinctive.I’llloseitdownadrain.Myguessisit’llbeafewhoursatleastbeforehe’sdiscovered.You’resureyoulockedthedoor?’

‘Yes.’

‘Let’shopeso.We’dbettergobacktotheoriginalplan.YouleavenowandstartfollowingmeonceIemergeinHindenburgStrasse.’

Lidocalledhimbackjustashewasleavingthelost-propertyoffice.

‘Didyouremoveeverythingfromthepockets

ofyourcoat?’‘Ididn’thaveanything

inthem,asfarasIwasaware.’

‘Areyousure?’Henrylefttheoffice

withoutreplying.Ifonlyhewassure.

***

LidoemergedfromthestationintoHindenburgStrasseattenpastfour.Withoutpausing,changinghispaceorlookingaroundhim,hewalkedon,turningleftattheKruppsHotelthenleftagainintowhat,toallintentsandpurposes,looked

likeafactory.Toweringabovehimoneithersideoftheroadwerevastindustrialbuildings,whosesheerheightshutoutmuchofthedaylight.Hecouldfeelthefumesfillhislungs,butthemostoverpoweringsensewasthenoise:itwasnotsimplythevolume,thatwastobe

expected,butthephysicaleffectithad,sendingtremorsthroughouthisbody.ThebuildingsonthesouthsideoftheroadseemedtobedenserandeverysooftenLidowouldremovehishatandscratchhisheadforamomentortwobeforeputtingitbackon.Thatwasthesignalfor

Henrytotakespecialnote,whichmaybetheentranceofanotherfactory,usuallywithaboardoutside.Mostoftheentranceshadsentriesoutsidethem,theirgazefollowinghimashewalkedpast.

ItsoonbecameobvioustoHenrythatgoodsweremovedaroundthefactories

andthetownbyrail:atfrequentpointsontheirjourneytheroadwasbisectedbyrailwaylinesandbridges.Theyhadtowaitatoneortwoofthesefortrainstopass,whichgaveHenryagoodopportunitytolookaround.Hewasmakingmentalnotes;ofwheredifferentfactories

wereinrelationtooneanother,theirnames,wheretherailwaylineswent,wherepowerplantswerelocated.

AfterawhilehenoticedLidohadsloweddownhispaceandkeptremovinghiscap,scratchinghishead.Afactorytotheirleftwasmoreorlessopentoroadandinit

hecouldseehalf-builttanksandwhatappearedtobeheavyartillerylinedupinayard.Abitfurtherontheyhadtopause:asoldierwasorderingpedestrianstostandbackwhileagroupofworkers,allundercloseguard,wereledpast.Therewereabout30gauntmenin

thegroup,alldressedinaroughgreyuniform.Heheardthemtalkingquietlyaswalkedpasthim:hewassuretheywerespeakingPolish.

Soonafterthat,theyemergedfromthecomplexoffactoriesalthoughthesmellandthenoiselingeredon.Theywerenowinthe

Altendorfdistrict.Lidostoppedtotieashoelace,whichwasthesignalforHenrytodropbackfurther:theywerenearingtheapartment.Justafteraschool,LidoturnedrightintoRullichStrasseandatthatpointHenrysloweddownevenmoretoallowLidotogetout

ofhissight.HeknewtoturnfromRullichStrasseintoEhrenzellerStrassethenintotheapartmentblocktowardstheendofthestreet.Itwasalargeblock;fourstoreyshighwiththeapartmentsopeningoutontoanexternalcorridor.

Therearesixapartmentsoneachfloor,all

sharingthesamecorridor.Iaminnumber19onthesecondfloor.GertraudTraugott’sapartmentisjustalongfrommine,number22.

HenryreckonedLidohadhadthefiveminuteshesaidheneededtogetinsidehisownapartment,soheclimbedthestepstonumber

22.Incommonwithalltheotherapartmentsintheblockitwasshabbywithpaintpeelingfromthedoortorevealwarpedwood.Heknocked,buttherewasnosignoflife.Heknockedagainandwaited.Heknockedoncemoreandthedooroftheapartmentnextdooropened.

Awomaninherfortiescameout.Shewaswearingafilthyapronwithtwoequallyfilthychildrenhuddledbehindher.

‘Whoareyouafter?’‘FrauTraugott,’he

replied.‘She’snothereand

withsomeluckshe’llnever

comeback.Ihadenoughofherfrighteningthechildren.Whoareyouanyway?’

‘Arelation,fromoutoftown:I’minEssenonbusinessandthoughtI’dpopintoseeher.’

Lidohadnowemergedfromhisapartmentandjoinedthem.Henoddedpolitelyat

thewomanandaskedifhecouldhelp.Henryexplainedhisstoryagain.LidoalsoinformedhimthatFrauTraugottwasnotthere.

Henrymanagedtolooksuitablydisappointed.‘Oh,Icountedonherbeinghere,’hesaid.‘Iwashopingtostaywithhertonight.Doyou

knowofahotelnearby?’‘You’llhavetohead

backintotown,’theneighboursaid,usheringherchildrenbackintotheirapartment.Shewassensingshemaybecalledupontohelpoutandherreluctancetodothatmarginallyoutweighedherinnate

nosiness.‘Manfredwillhelpyou.

He’sanold-fashionedgentleman!’Withthatshelaughedanddisappearedbackinside,butnotbeforehearingLidoaskhimtojoinhiminhisapartment.

Number19wasneatandcosy.OnceLidohad

lockedthedoorandcheckedallthecurtainsweredrawnheshowedHenryintoasmallsittingroom.Therewasatable,bookshelves,aneasychairandasofa:hegesturedforHenrytositdown.

‘Let’swaittenminutes.Iftheywerefollowingusthey’llcomebythen.Ifnot,

wecanrelax,ifsuchathingispossiblethesedays.YoucancallmeManfredbytheway.Idon’tneedtoknowyourrealname,asfarasI’mconcerned,youareDieter.’

Afterasilenttenminutes,ManfredremovedhisjacketandtookHenry’sthenwentintothekitchen,

emergingafewminuteslaterwithtwosteamingmugs.

‘It’swhatwecallcoffeethesedays.Coffeewasmypassion.I’massumingI’llneverdrinkpropercoffeeagain.’Hesatthereshakinghishead,sippingatthedrinkandpullingafaceashetastedit.Heremovedabottleof

AsbachUraltbrandyfromashelfandpouredsomeintotheircoffeecups,withoutaskingHenry.

‘You’llfinditmakesitmorepalatable,’hesaid.‘I’llmakeussomethingtoeatsoon.Butnowyoumuststartmakingnotesofwhatyousaw.There’safalseliningto

yoursuitcase.Whenyou’vefinishedwiththenotes,we’llsealtheminthere.BeforeIforget,youhavesomethingforme?’

‘Pardon?’saidHenry.‘Stuttgartshouldhave

givenyousomethingforme…inapencilcase?’

‘Ohyes,sorry.I

forgot.’Henryopenedthesuitcaseandremovedthepencilcasefromthezippedcompartmentinthelid.

Manfredhelditcarefullywithtwohandsandplaceditonthetable.Helefttheroomandreturnedwithasmalltowel,whichhefoldedinhalfandplacednexttothe

pencilcase,whichheslowlyopened.Fromit,heextractedthreebrass,pen-likeobjects,onebyone.Hegingerlyplacedthemonthetowelandcarefullywrappedthemup.Helefttheroomandreturnedaminuteorsolater.HehandedthepencilcasebacktoHenry.

‘Whatwerethey?’heasked.

‘Those?Oh,they’repencildetonators.Forexplosives,youunderstand.I’llpassthemonquicklytothepeoplewhoknowwhattodowiththem.’

‘YoumeanIcarriedthosedetonatorswithmeall

thewayfromStuttgart?’‘Indeedyoudid.I’m

mostgrateful.’‘ButwhatifI’dbeen

searchedandthey’dfoundthem?’

‘Thenyouprobablywouldn’tbeherenow,wouldyou?Wetakesuchrisksallthetime.’

Henrysankbackinthesofa.

‘Arethereanyothersurprises?’

‘Youarethemanforsurprises,Dieter,eh?You’dhardlybeeninEssenfortwohoursbeforeyoukilledoneofourcitizens.Withsomeluck,thepolicewillassumeit’s

oneoftheforeignlabourersoraJew.It’sveryhandytheyblamethemforeverything.ItmakesiteasierfordecentAryanstocommitcrimes.’

Theybothlaughed.Henryspentthenexthourwritinginpencilwhathe’dseen,thentheysealedthepaperintotheliningofthe

suitcase.Manfredpreparedaneveningmealandtheysatdownatthetabletoeat:ahotstewwithmorepotatoesthananythingelse.

‘Howlonghaveyoulivedhere,Manfred?’

‘ImovedtoEssenin1935.IwasateacherinDortmundwhentheNazis

cametopowerandasIwasasocialdemocratIlostmyjob.Soonafterthatmywifediedand,asyoucanimagine,Iwasindespair:onmyownandwithnojobandanapparentenemyofthestate.However,mysister-in-lawhadafairlyseniorpositionatthelocalauthorityin

Dortmundandshewasabletoaltermyrecords.MysurnamewasErhartandshechangedittothealternativespellingofErhard.AllmypaperworkshowedmyChristiannameasHans,butshereplaceditwithmymiddlename,Manfred.SoHansErhartbecameManfred

Erhard:verysimple,butveryeffective.ThethingaboutusGermansyouseeisthatwecanbetooefficient,toomethodical.HadIbeenHansErhartthentheauthoritieswouldhavetrackedmedown,butasallthepaperworkisinorderforManfredErhard,hehasnoproblems.Imovedto

Essen,gotthisapartmentandajobatthestation.Asfaraspeopleareconcerned,IamwhatIappeartobe,aratherlonelyrailwayworkerwholivesonhisownandbothersno-one.’

‘Sohowdidyougetinvolvedinthisbusiness?’

‘Bychance:acouple

cametolostpropertywhowereclearlyterrified.TheyweretryingtogetoutofEssenbuttheGestapowereafterthem.Withouthavingtimetothink,Iallowedthemtohideinofficeovernight.Thenextmorningtheygavemethephonenumberofacontactoftheirsandhe

arrangedtocollectthemandmanagedtosmugglethemoutoftown.AfewdayslaterthatcontactcametoseemeandaskedifI’dliketostayinvolved,tohelpfromtimetotime.Ihadnooptionofcourse,whatcouldIdo?Iwasalreadyinvolved.Ourmainrolenowistohelp

gatherintelligencefortheBritishsotheycanbombtheKruppsfactories.WithsomelucktheintelligencewegivethemwillbesogoodtheyhitKruppsratherthanthisapartmentblock.TherearesomeminingengineersattheKruppsMariamineinthenorthofEssenwhoare

communistsympathisers:theycangetholdofdynamiteand,whoknows,withthedetonatorsyoubroughtmaybewecandosomedamagetothefactoriesourselves,withouthavingtorelyontheRAF.’

‘Maybethat’llbesafer.’

‘We’reasmallcellandit’sverydangerouswork,whichgoeswithoutsaying.Sofarwe’vebeenveryluckybutthatcan’tlast.I’m63now,Ihavelittletolivefor.HelpingtoresisttheNazisgivesmesomepurpose,butIknowI’llnotsurvivelong.Ihaveasuicidepill:Ijusthope

thatwhentheGestapocomeformeIhavetimetotakeit.’

AfterManfredhadclearedthedinnerplateshereturnedtothesmallroomandcheckedthecurtainsonceagain.

‘Areyoureadyforsomeentertainment?’

Henrynodded,

uncertainwhatManfredhadinmind.

Manfredwasbythebookcase,ontopofwhichwasaBakelitecabinet.

‘ThisisaVolksempfange:atriumphofGermanengineering.WhentheNaziscametopowertheyweresoproudoftheirability

tocommunicatewithusordinaryfolktheyhadthisradioreceiverbuilt.Itwascheap,thisonecostmesomethinglike70marksanditworkswell.It’simportantforthemwecatchallthespeechesandfallfortheirpropaganda.Forme,Ienjoyedlisteningtothejazz,

buttheysoonbannedthat.ApparentlytheyfeltthatitwasallNegroesandJews.Sonowtheyexpectustolistentotheirnonsense,buttheyfailedtotakeintoaccountthis…’

Manfredwasmovingthedialtotheleft,stationsmomentarilyburstingintolife

thenfadingawayashewentthroughthem.Hesettledononestationandturnedthevolumeverylow,beckoningHenrytojoinhimcrouchedbythespeaker.

‘TheBBC,’Manfredwaspointingatthedialontheradio.‘We’lllistentotheirGerman-languageservice.It’s

excellent.Iftheycatchyoulisteningtoaforeignradiostationyoucanendupinprison.Goebbelsclearlydoesn’tlikehisownpropagandatobecontaminated,sonowIspendpartofmyeveningskneltbytheradio,withthevolumesolowIcanonlyjusthearit.’

Henrydidn’tsleepthatnight,wrackedashisbodywaswithexhaustionandfear.Everytimehebegantodropoff,hesawthebulgingeyesoftheshopownerorwouldheartheresignedtoneofManfred,amanwhoknewhisfate.Itwasanotherfacethatwouldnowhaunthim,

alongwithRoza,whoinevitablyappearedbeforehimintheveryearlyhours,herfingersholdinghiswristandslowlytighteningoverthecourseofwhatfeltlikemanyhours.Therewasastrongwindthatnightandthewindowsinthesittingroom,whereHenrywastryingto

sleeponthesofa,rattledviciously.Worsethanthatwasthefrontdoor,whichshookheavilywhencaughtbythewind:eachtimeithappenedheimaginedtheGestapohadcomeforthem.

ThenextmorningManfredwasupat6.30andtheysattogethereatingblack

breadandjam,anddrinkingersatzcoffee.

‘Istartworkateighto’clock.YoushouldaimtocatchthequarterpastninetraintoCologne.We’regoingtogoonamoreroundaboutroutetothestation,butit’sonethat’llenableyoutoseemuchmoreofEssen.It’svery

busyatthistimeofthemorning,soweshouldbealright,butwhoknows?Keepaneyeonmeandmakesureyoumemorisewellwhatyousee–and,remember,ifyouseemeremovemycapandputitinmypocket,we’reindanger.Ifthathappens,justignoremeandgetawayas

soonasyoucan.’Henrywatchedas

Manfredpackedhislunchneatlyintoatinbox,leavingspaceforthedetonatorswrappedinthetowel.‘I’dbetterbecarefulIdon’teatthem!’Bothmenlaughednervously,gratefulforthebriefdiversionofhumour.

TheylefttheapartmentjustaftersevenandHenryfollowedManfredtoAltendorfstation.Theytravellednorth,allowingHenryampleopportunitytoseeyetmoreKruppsfactoriesandtheMariaandAmaliemines.AtAltenessen,theychangedtrainsandtookone

south:anyonefollowingthemwouldhavebeenimmediatelysuspiciousthattheyweretakingsuchacircuitousroutewhenamoredirectoneexisted,butitwasbusyandHenrywasconvincedno-onewaswatchingthem.EssenwaslikeStuttgart:peopleavoidedeyecontactwitheach

other.Thenextstageofthejourneyhadtheaddedadvantageofbeingpainfullyslow,asthetraincrawleddownthetrackpastyetmorefactoriestotheNorthPassengerandGoodsstation.Itwasnowaquartertoeightand,asarranged,Manfredheadedstraighttothemain

station.Henryhadmoretimeandwalkedslowly,takingaslightlylongerroutesoastotakeinthepowerstationandtheelectricitystationaroundViehoferStrasse.

Asheheadedtowardsthebahnhof,pleasedwithhismorning’sworkandrelievedtobebeginninghisjourney

back,hebecameawareofacommotionaheadofhim.ToolateherealisedhewasverynearLimbeckerStrasse,wheretheParfümeriewas.Therewerepoliceeverywhere,stoppingallpedestriansandcorallingthemintodifferentlines.Hethoughtofturningaround,but

soonfoundhimselfbeingpointedtoaqueue.Tenminuteslaterhewasatthefrontofit.Apolicemandirectedhimtowardsamaninalongtrenchcoat,whobeckonedhim:comehere.Themanheldoutanovalmetalwarrantdisc:therewastheNazieagleononeside

andthewordsGeheimeStaatpolizeiontheother.Gestapo.

‘Papers.’Hehandedoverhis

identitycard.‘Whereareyou

heading?’‘Thestation.’Thatseemedtosatisfy

theman,whodidnotpresshim.

‘Openthesuitcase.’Herootedaroundinit

foramomentortwobutagainwassatisfied.

‘Yourwatch.’They’dbelookingfor

theoldman’swatch.Hiswasfine.

TheGestapoofficerseemedsatisfied.

‘Onelastthing:letmeseeyourwallet.’

Henryhandeditover.HeandManfredhadagreeditwouldbebesttodisposeoftheReichsmarkshehadtakenfromthetill.‘Youneverknow,’Manfredhadsaid,

‘someshopkeepersmarktheirnotesortherecouldbespecksofbloodonthem.’Henrywascertaintherewasnothingtoworryaboutinthewallet,nothingthatwouldarousesuspicion.Hedidhavetheslipofpaper,withthenameandaddressinAltendorfofhisaunt,butthatwould

appearasinnocuousasalltheothercontents.

ButitwasastheGestapomanhandedthewalletbacktohimandtoldhimhecouldgoonhiswaythatHenryhadthemostterriblethought.Herememberedtheslipofpaperwasnotinthewallet:hehad

transferredittohiscoatpocketjustbeforehearrivedinEssenthepreviousday.Forsomereason,he’ddecideditwouldbesaferthere.Andnowitwasintheblood-stainedandperfume-soakedcoathe’dabandonedandwhichtherewaseverychancewouldbediscovered.

TheywouldfindthepieceofpaperandgototheapartmentblockinEhrenzellerStrasseandstartaskingquestions.Theladywiththefilthyaproninthenext-doorapartmentwouldhappilytellthemaboutthemanwhohadknockedonGertraudTraugott’sdoorandwhohadbeentakeninby

HerrErhardatnumber19.Hislegswereshaking

ashehurriedtothestation.Thelargestationclockhadedgedpast9.10andhecouldseesteambillowingfromtheColognetrainonplatformthree.Therewasagoodchancetheywouldfindthecoatanymomentnow–

maybetheyhadalreadyfounditandhadalreadyspokenwiththewomanattheapartments.Maybetheywereontheirwaytothestation.Heknewheshouldgotothelost-propertyofficetowarnManfred,buthealsoknewifhedidsothenhe’dalmostcertainlymissthetrain.

Therewasmovementaroundplatformthree,theguardwasabouttoclosethegate.Henryranalongandmanagedtosqueezethroughintime.Hehoppedonboardasthebrakeswerenoisilyreleasedandthetrainbegantoeasealongtheplatform.

Everytimeheclosed

hiseyesonthejourneybacktoStuttgarthesawManfred:heknewhecouldhavewarnedhimandgivenhimachancetoescape,butthatwouldhavedelayedhisowndeparturefromEssenandputhimselfatrisk.

PoorManfred,hethought:adecentenoughman

whoseremainingambitioninlifewasthathecouldtakehissuicidepillbeforetheGestapogottohim.

Ijusthopehemanagesit.

***

Chapter12:Lausanne,Bern,August1940HenrytravelledtoLausanneonMonday5thAugust,followingthelongweekendtocelebrateSwissNationalDaythepreviousFriday.He

tooktheearlymorningpaddlesteamerfromGenevaand,whentheMontreuxdockedinLausanne,agleamingblackTractionAvantwaswaitingforhim.

Onthe20-minutedrivetoLutry,theAlpsrosehightohisleft,thelakesweepingbelowhimtotheright.That

summeditup,hethought:caughtbetweentwopowerfulforces.Notunlikeservingtwomasters.

IttooktheCitroënafurthertenminutestoclimbthesteeproadoutofLutrytoanisolatedvillahighabovethetown.Henrywasledthroughtoamagnificently

appointedlounge,withlargewindowsofferingsensationalviewsofthelake.Thefurniturewasofthebestquality,alongwithmagnificentcarpetsandcabinetscontainingenoughsilvertofundawarslightlysmallerthanthecurrentone.

Aswithallhismeetings

withViktor,itbeganwithanembrace.AsHenryextricatedhimself,heturnedroundtoadmiretheroom.

‘Bitluxuriousisn’titViktor?’

‘Thelocationisverydiscreet:that’swhatmatters.’

‘Doyoulotownthis?’‘Weborrowitfroma

goodfriend,synok.Wehaveverylittletimeforquestions;weneedtogettowork.’

Henryignoredhimandwalkedaroundtheroom,genuinelyadmiringit.ApairofchairsoneithersideofthefireplaceappearedtobegenuineLouisXV:Viktortoldhimhewasn’tpermitted

tositonthem.SomeonebroughtinatrayofwhatsmelledlikepropercoffeeandhehelpedhimselftoacupbeforesinkingintoalargearmchairoppositeViktor,whohadhisbrownleathernotebookonhislapandwassharpeninghispencilwithapenknife,theshavings

scatteringonthepreciouscarpet.

‘You’venotheardfromyourMrRemington-Barberyet?’

Henryshookhishead.SodidtheRussian.

‘Strange.I’dhavethoughthe’dhavecontactedyoubynow.Asfaraswecan

tell,you’renotbeingwatched.Youcertainlyweren’tfollowedtoday.Hedoesn’tseemtobeverysuspicious,doeshe?’

‘I’venoidea,butmaybethey’reunhappyaboutwhathappenedinEssen.’

Viktorraisedhiseyebrowsmomentarilyand

lookedup.‘AndwhatdidhappeninEssen,Henry?’

Henrytookadeepbreath.Hehadbeendreadingthismoment.Hewasn’tsurewhohefearedtellingmost:Remington-BarberorViktor.HeclosedhiseyesandcarefullyrecountedthedetailsofhistriptoGermany.He

haddecidedtoleavenothingout:thekillingoftheoldmanintheshopandthefacthiscarelessnesshadalmostcertainlycompromisedManfred.Viktorallowedhimtospeakuninterrupted,carefullytakingnotes.Whenhefinished,therewasalongsilence,brokenonlybythe

soundofViktorsharpeninghispencil.Henryleantforwardinhisseat,hiselbowsonhisthighs,staringdown.

‘What’sthemattersynok:youlookbotheredaboutsomething?’

‘He’llbedeadnow,won’the?’

‘Who?’‘Manfred–Lido:do

youthinktheGermanswouldhavefoundhim?’

Viktorshrugged.‘I’dimagineso.Whateverwethinkofthem,wecan’taccusethemofnotbeingthorough,canwe?I’dbemostsurprisediftheydidn’t

findthecoatandthatwouldhaveledtoManfred.’

Henryshookhishead.‘Youseemtobe

upset?’Viktorlookedconfused.

‘Well,Iamactually,yes.Hewasadecentchapanditwasmymistakethatprobablydiditforhim.’

‘Hewasasocialdemocrat,Henry:theirfateistoendupdead.Andnowhe’savictimofwar.Howdoyoufeelaboutkillingthemaninshop?Hasthatupsetyouasmuch?’

‘Ofcoursenot:hewasclearlyabadsort–aNazi.Ihadnoalternative.’

‘Indeed.IimagineitwassomewhateasierthanwiththeboyinInterlaken,orthepuppy.That’swhywetrainyoulikethatHenry,soyou’reusedtokilling.AsfarasyourMrRemington-Barberisconcerned,it’syourfirst.’

‘YouthinkIshouldtell

himthen?’‘Ofcourse!It’salways

goodtohaveanagentwho’skilledinthefield.I’mnotsurewhetheranEnglishgentlemanwillapproveornot,butheoughttobeimpressedwithit.Inanycase,hemayalreadybeawareofitanditwon’tlook

goodifyoudon’ttellhim.’Itwassixo’clocknow.

Viktorcheckedbackthroughhisnotebook,noddinghisheadatvariouspoints.Heseemedpleased,thoughHenryknewbetterthantoexpecthimtoactuallysayhewas.ItwasnowViktor’sturntospeak,inhisdeliberateand

concisemanner.ListencarefullyHenry:

thisiswhat’sexpectedofyou.We’resatisfiedsofar

Henry,buttherearemanydifficultdaysahead.

It’stooriskyforustomeetonaregularbasis.Wecankeepaneyeonyoubutwemustkeepthesemeetings

toaminimum.Youmustlearnto

operateonyourownbuttodoexactlywhatwewantyouto.

ItwasaquartertosevenwhenViktorfinished.

‘IthinkwecanriskdrivingyoubacktoGeneva,synok.Wenowneedtowait

untilRemington-Barbercontactsyou:Iimaginethat’llbesoon.’

ViktorstoodupandembracedHenryoncemore.ThetwomenwhohadbroughtHenrytothevillahadcomebackintotheroom.Timetogo.

‘BeforeIgoViktor,

there’ssomethingIneedtogetoffmychest.’

Viktorraisedhiseyebrowsandlookedathiswatch,clearlyirritated.‘Ifyoumust:goonthen.’

‘IjustwantedtosayI’mriskingmylifenow.I’vetoldyouwhathappenedinEssen.I’mnotplaying

games.IknowwhatIletmyselfinfor,Irealiseallthat.Butthereissomethingthat’smademeveryunhappyandIneedtotalkaboutit.’

Viktorshifteduncomfortablyandlookedatthetwoothermenintheroom.Henoddedatthemandtheybothleft.

‘Goon,butmakeitquickHenry.’

‘Iagreedtoworkwithyou–foryou–becauseIbelieveinyourcause:Iseeitasmycausetoo.Youknowthat.’

Viktornoddedinagreement,unsurewhatwasgoingtocomenext.Henry

pausedtocomposehimself.‘Iagreedtoworkfor

youbecauseIwasideologicallycommitted.’

‘Weknowthat.’‘AndIstillam.But

nowI’vestartedtolaymylifeontheline,Ican’tunderstandwhywesignedthatbloodypactwiththem

lastyear.Imean,theyweremeanttobeourswornenemy,theystoodforeverythingwedespiseandnowIhavetogetusedtothefactthey’reourallies,ourfriendseven.Thatseemswrongtome.WhosesideamImeanttobeonnow?’

Viktorsankbackinto

hischairandmotionedforHenrytodothesame.Heleantforward,placedhisenormoushandsonHenry’sknees,grippingthemquitetightly.

‘Whatyoumustunderstandsynokisthatthey’renotourfriends.Thereisnoquestionofthat.’

‘Butourallies?That’sbadenough…Perhapsevenworse!’

‘Hardlyeventhat.It’sanon-aggressionpactHenry;that’sall–amatterofexpediency.Ishouldn’tquoteTrotskyofcourse,butacoupleofyearsagohesaid“theendmayjustifythe

meansaslongasthereissomethingthatjustifiestheend.”Thatendisthevictoryoverfascismandthetriumphofcommunism.Thepactistobuyustimetoachievethat.Ourfeelingsaboutthemhaven’tchanged,butweneedtobereadyandthispactallowsustodothat.It’snot

meanttomakeusfeelcomfortable;it’smeanttoprotectus.’

‘Well,IdofeeluncomfortableViktor.’

‘Anddoyouthinkyou’retheonlyone?’HegrippedHenry’skneesohardhewincedinpain.Hisraisedvoicemeantoneofthemen

whohadbeensentoutoftheroompoppedhisheadroundthedoortocheckallwasinorder.ViktorstoodupandleantoverHenry,hishotbreathwasmoistandsmeltofalcohol.

‘Wearenotpermittedtheluxuryofpersonalfeelingsoropinions:theyare

mereindulgences.Doyouunderstandthat?’

Henryedgedbackinhischair.

‘Wedoasweareinstructed,allofus.Maybewepermityoutoomanybourgeoisindulgences,synok.Haveyouforgotten?Neverquestion;neverdiscuss;never

hesitate.Youwoulddowelltorememberthatmoreoftenthanyouevidentlydo.Otherwise,synok,you’llbeinalotoftrouble.’

***

Henry’sjourneyfromEssentoStuttgarthadbeen

uneventfulandwhenhearrivedattheHotelVictorialateontheThursdayafternoonKatharinaHochhadnotyetcomeonduty.Shecameuptohisroomlaterthatnighttocollectherbrother’sclothesandpapers.SheinsistedhewasnottotellheranydetailsoftheEssen

trip.Idon’tneedtoknowanythingelse.SavethatforBern.They’llwanttoknoweverything.Hecouldn’tdecidewhethershehadanyinklingofwhathadgoneoninEssen,butifshedidshegavenohintofit.

HehadremovedtheNaziPartymembershipbadge

hehadtakenfromthedeadmanintheperfumeshopfromhislapelbeforearrivingatthehotel.Youneverknow,hethought.Hehiditintheliningofhiswashbag.

Shewasright–Bernwouldwanttoknoweverything,thoughhecouldnotunderstandwhyitwas

takingquitesolong.Beforethemission,Remington-BarberhadtoldhimhewasnottoinitiateanycontactwhenhegotbacktoSwitzerland.‘Justwait,I’llbeintouch.Bepatient.Apparentlyit’savirtue.’

HenryhadtakentheSwissairflightfromStuttgart,

whichlandedinZürichjustbefore4.30ontheFridayafternoon,andhadmanagedtocatchatrainstraightbacktoGeneva.Hewasutterlyexhausted.Hehadhardlysleptforthepastweek:hisplannowwastocatchuponsleepthatweekend.HeassumedRemington-Barber

wouldbeintouchontheMonday,ifnotbefore.

Butnothing:nothingontheMondaynorthefollowingday.Northerestofthatweeknor,indeed,thefollowingone.HisvisittoViktorinthehillsaboveLausannecameandwent,anditwasthemiddleofAugustwhenhe

returnedfromhismorningwalktobetoldbyhismotherthatamessengerhadcomeroundfromCreditSuisse.Therewasaletter.

‘Whatevercanbetheproblem,Henry?’

ItwasfromMadameLadnier.Henrytriedtoreaditawayfromthepryingeyesof

hismother,whowastryingtomovebehindhim.

‘Iwouldliketomeetwithyoutodaytoreviewrecenttransactions.Twoo’clockthisafternoon,QuaidesBergues.GiselleLadnier(Madame).’

Atlast.Hefeltrelieved.Hismotherwaslookingat

himanxiously,hereyebrowsraisedhigh.

‘What’stheproblemHenry?’

‘There’snoproblemmother,noneatall.Ihaveameetingtoreviewmyaccount.It’sjustroutine.’

MadameLadnierwascalm

andbusinesslike.HenryhadarrivedatthebranchinQuaidesBerguesatfivetotwoandastheclockstruckthehourabovethecashiers’countersMadameLadnieremergedfromadoorandusheredHenryintoasmallofficedownalongcorridor.

‘Howareyou,Herr

Hesse?’‘Verywell,thankyou.’

DoIaskaboutthedelay,whyI’venotbeencontacted?DoImentionanythingaboutGermany?

‘Good.Youraccountisinorder.Pleasenowtakeafewminutestocheckyourstatementsandinitialeach

pagetoindicateyou’vereadthem.’

Hescannedthroughthestatements,initiallingeachpage.Therewasnomessageforhimonanyofthepagesashethoughttheremaybe.HekeptglancingupatMadameLadnier,hopingforasmileoranodorsome

acknowledgementofthesituation,butsheremainedasimpassiveasonewouldexpectofaSwissbankofficial.

Whenhehadfinished,hereturnedthepaperstoher.Shecheckedthemandplacedthemneatlyinafoldermarkedwithhisname.

‘Thankyouverymuchforcomingin,HerrHesse.I’mpleasedyouraccountisallinorder.I’dalsoaskyoutotakethispamphletwithyou:itexplainsthevariousoptionsshouldyouwishtoinvestanyofyourfundswithCreditSuisse.’

Shehadstoodupnow,

preparingtoleavetheroom.AsHenryrose,shecamearoundtohissideofthedeskandbenttopickupapieceofpaperfromthefloor.

‘Youappeartohavedroppedthispaper,HerrHesse.’

‘Idon’tthinkso,’Henryreplied.

Shehandedhimthesmallpieceofpaper,hergazemakingitclearitwasforhim.ItwasareceiptfromthecobblersinBernwherehehadmetRemington-BarberbeforethetriptoGermany.Scrawledunderneaththepriceofashoerepairwerethewords:‘CollectionFriday

16thAugust,1pm.’MadameLadnierhelda

longmanicuredfingeroverhermouthincaseHenrywasinclinedtospeak.

HeleftGenevaonthe9.30trainontheFridaymorningandwasinBerningoodtimeforhisappointmenton

Kramgasse.Therewerenocustomerssoheenteredtheleatheremporium,wherethecobblerglancedupandnodded,holdingafewtacksbetweenhislipsandahammerinhishand.Heliftedthecountertopandpointedthewayupthestairswiththehammer.BasilRemington-

Barberwasstandingbythewindow.

‘Goodtrip?’Hesoundedasthoughhewasenquiringafteraholiday.

‘Well,allthingsconsidered,yes.’

‘Allthingsconsidered?’‘Well,consideringI

wassentintoNaziGermany

thenintotheheartoftheRuhrcarryingdetonatorsconcealedinmybaggage,yesitwasfinethankyou.’

‘I’mnotterriblysurewhatyouwereexpectingoldchap.’

‘Iwasexpectingthatit’dbeabitmoreofatestingthewatermission:youknow,

seehowIgoton…’‘…Whichinasenseit

was,’saidRemington-Barber.‘Havingsaidthat,we’rehardlygoingtogotothetroubleofgettingyouintoGermanyandtaketheriskofexposingsomeofourveryfewremainingagentstherejustaspartofasimple

trainingexerciseforyou,arewe,eh?’

‘Andthedetonators?’‘Oneofthepurposesof

yourtrip,Henry.I’mtoldweBritishmakefirst-classdetonators.WemanagedtogetafewintoStuttgartattheendoflastyear,butweneededtomovesometothe

Ruhr,whichiswhereyoucamein.EvidentlyLidodidmanagetopassonthedetonatorstoanothermemberofthecellthemorningyouleft,sothatisrathergoodnews:withabitofluckwemaybeabletodosomedamagethere.Aerialbombingtendstobeabithit

andmiss,butifwecanactuallyplantsomethinginsideafactoryoracoalmine–well,whoknows?’

‘IthinkIoughttohavebeentoldabitmoreaboutmymissionbeforeIwassentonit.’

‘Notsureitworkslikethatoldchap.Nottoputtoo

fineapointonit,youdoasyou’retold.YourememberwhatTennysonsaid?Theirsnottoreasonwhy.You’reoneofthe“theirs”,ifyoucatchmydrift.’

‘Yes,butwhatworriesmeiswhathesaidinthenextline:Theirsbuttodoanddie.’

‘Let’shopeitdoesn’tcometothat.Noreasonwhyitshould.Nowthen,oldchap,caretotellmeaboutit?’

‘Aboutwhat?’BasilRemington-

BarberstaredatHenryforquitealongtime,notinanaltogetherunfriendlymanner,hiseyebrowsraised

quizzically.‘AboutwhatledtoLido

beingarrestedandkilled:andbeagoodchapandleavenothingout,eh?It’dbesafeforyoutoassumethatyouwere–howshallIputit–observedwhileyouwereinEssen.Wehaveagoodideaofwhathappened,evenwith

thatshopkeeperchap–butnotallofit.’

Henryhadalreadydecidedtoexplainwhathadhappened,butconfirmationthatManfredwasdeadcausedHenrytoswallowhard.Whenheregainedhiscomposurehebegantorecountthestoryinmuchthe

samewayashehadwithViktor.UnliketheRussian,Remington-Barberinterruptedhimfrequently,littlequestionstohelphimonhiswayorclarifyapoint.Whenhefinished,heaskedRemington-BarberwhathadhappenedtoLido.

‘YouleftEssenonthe

Thursday.Asweunderstandit,thateveninghewaspulledinbytheGestapo.Apparentlythey’darrivedathisapartmentintheafternoon,turnedtheplaceupsidedownandwerewaitingforhimwhenhegothome.Thankheavensthedetonatorsweren’tthere.Hewasthen

takentothepoliceheadquartersinVirchowStrasse.’

‘Howdoyouknowthis?’

‘Oneofhisneighbours:mostlikelytheoneyoumet.Halftheneighbourhoodheardwhathappenedfromherandoneofourchapsthere

overheardit.Asfarasthepoliceareconcerned,they’vepulledinanumberofretireddetectiveswhiletheyoungeronesareinthearmyandanotherofourcontactsheardallthisatthebarthattheyfrequent.ManfredwasatVirchowStrasserightthroughtheweekend:theGestapo

gavehimtheirstandardworkingover.NotpleasantstuffHenry:they’rebloodybarbarians.HewasabloodypulpwhentheytookhimtotheProvincialPrisonacrosstheroadonZweigertStrasse.TheGestapohadanothergoathimontheMondaythen,byallaccounts,hediedthat

night.Apparentlytheywereduetogivehimanotherworkingoverthenextday.Isupposeinonesensetheydidn’tkillhimassuch,butofcourse…’

‘Ofcourse.’Henryfeltbereft.‘DoyouthinkIshouldhavewarnedhim?’

‘Wellfromwhatyou

say,youdidn’thavetime,didyou?Ifyou’ddonethatthenyou’dhavemissedtheColognetrainandyouweren’ttoknowhowlongitwouldtakethemtofindthecoatandthetrailwhichwouldleadtoLido.’

‘GoodLord…Idon’tknowwhattosay.’

‘Whatevertheydidtohim,hedidn’tutteraword:gavenothingaway.Ifhe’dsungstraightaway,theymayevenhavepickedyouupinStuttgart–possiblyevenbeforeyougotthere,butturnsouthewasabraveman.Wealwaystellourchapstoholdoutfor24hours,though,

tobefrank,eventhat’spushingitwiththoseanimals.Butheheldoutforfarlongerthanthat:remarkablehowresilientpeoplecanbe.’

‘Andbrave.’‘Indeed.’‘Andtheshopkeeper?’‘Whatabouthim?’‘I’msorryifthatturned

outtoberather…messy.’BasilRemington-

Barberlookedconfused.‘Messy?Notatall!Youdidabsolutelytherightthing.Itwouldhavebeenmessyhadyouattemptedtoextricateyourselffromthesituationinanyotherway.No,we’veallbeenratherimpressed:itwas

desperatelyunluckytheshopkeeperknewGertraudTraugott.Notyourfault.Importantthingisyouacteddecisively.Don’tlooksoworried,Henry!’

‘Iratherthoughtthatyou’dbe…Idon’tknow…angrywithme?’

‘I’dhavebeenangry

hadyounottoldmewhathappened.And,asIsaid,youwereobservedinEssen:whatyoutoldmetallieswithwhatwealreadyknew.Andthere’snoharmwhatsoeverinhavinganagentwhoknowshowtokill,nottoputtoofineapointonit,eh?’

Remington-Barber

clappedhishandsandusheredHenryovertoatablebythewindow,onwhichalargemapofEssenwasspreadout.

‘You’vebroughtyournoteswithyou?’

Henryhad.‘Good.Whatweneed

todonowisfillinallthe

informationyoupickeduponthegroundagainstthismap.It’llbelikedoingajigsaw:shouldberatherfun.’

Henrywouldnothavedescribeditasfun.Theyspentanhourgoingoverthemap,Henrydoinghisbesttopointoutthelocationoffactoriesandotherkey

buildings.Forallhisbonhomieandapparentdiffidence,Remington-BarberturnedouttobehighlyadeptatteasinginformationoutofHenry.By2.30themapwasmuchmoredetailed.

‘RAFoughttobechuffedwiththis,’heannounced,carefullyrolling

itupandslippingitintoametaltube.Hethenstoodupandrubbedhishands,asifinexcitement.

‘Rightthen!Ifyouhurry,you’llcatchthesixo’clocktraintoGeneva:savesusanotherhotelbill,eh?Andtalkingofmoney,Londonareverypleasedwith

themission.Edgarsaystotellyouthat500poundswillbeputintoyourCreditSuisseaccountnextweek:saysyou’llknowwhatallthat’sabout.Ihateanythingtodowithmoney.’

‘Andwhathappensnow?’

‘Gohomeandwaitfor

ustocontactyou,whichwe’lldothroughMadameLadnier.’

‘Andwhenmightthatbe?’

‘GoodquestionHenry.Thetruthis,I’venoidea.Couldbenextweek,couldbenextyear.TheonlythingI’dsayisifLondonweresopleasedwiththismission,the

nextonecouldbealotmoreinteresting.Somethingtolookforwardto!Sodon’tworry,I’msureLondonwillwanttoseeyousoon.’

Henrywasalarmed.‘London!YouwantmetogotoLondon?’

Remington-Barberfrowned.‘Goodheavensno!

Londonwillcometoyou.’

***

Chapter13:Berlin,August1940Berlininthefirstfullsummerofthewarwasacityofsecretsandhushedconversations;acityatthecentreoftheconflictbuta

longwayfromthesoundsormoreobviouseffectsofit.Theclosertothecentreofpower,themoresecretstherewereandthemorehushedconversationsbecame.Unlessyouknewsomeonewellandwereabsolutelysureyoucouldtrustthem,evenaroutineconversationwas

guardedandrequiredacircuitousroutetoreachitspoint.

ForFranzHermann,suchacautiousapproachwasbynomeansanalienone.Asalawyerhewasusedtobeingcarefulandnon-committal;discretioncameassecondnaturetohim.Butlateinthe

afternoonofanextremelypleasantTuesdayinthemiddleofAugusthewasmindfuloftheneedtobeevenmorecarefulthanusual.Hermannwasonhiswaytomeetaveryimportantclient,aGeneralintheArmyHighCommand.

Thelawyerhadlefthis

officeinFriedrichstrassetovisitthisclientathishomeinMoabit.HermannheadedwestalongthenorthbankoftheRiverSpreeandatLehrterStationturnedintoAltMoabit,pastthePostStadion.FouryearsearlierhehadbeentherewatchingNorwayunexpectedlybeatGermany

2-0toknockthehostsoutoftheOlympicsfootballtournament.HisinitialdisappointmentatthedefeathadbeenmorethancompensatedforbythefactHitlerwasatthegameandwasreportedasbeingfurious.HedecidedifHitlerwassoupsetbytheresultthen

maybedefeatwasn’tsobadafterall.Yourenemy’senemy…

HalfwayalongStromStrassehereachedhisdestination:ahandsomeapartmentblock,overlookingtheKleinerTiergarten.Amaid,wholookedasthoughshewasstillinherteens,let

himintotheapartmentonthetopfloorofthebuilding.

GeneralmajorWernerErnstwasinhisstudy,stillwearinghisuniform.Hemovedhislargeheadslowly,asifhehadabadneck.Hiseyeswerenoticeablelysmallincomparisontotherestofhisface.Hesmiledpolitely

andpointedtooneoftwoarmchairsangledtowardsthewindow,asmallcoffeetablebetweenthem.Behindhimwereenormouspicturewindowsoverthepark.Abreezethathadnotbeenapparentonthestreetwascausingthetopsofthetreestoswaygentlyfromsideto

side.‘Pleasedositdown

HerrHermann:you’llhavetoexcuseme,I’veonlyjustreturnedfromworkandI’venothadtimetochange.’

Theypausedwhiletheyoungmaidcamebackintotheroom,carryingatraythatsheplacedonthecoffee

table.Hermanncouldsmellrealcoffee,anincreasinglyraresensationinBerlin.

‘ThankyouAnke,don’tyouworry,I’llpourthecoffee.AndFrauErnstremindedmeit’syournightoff.Youmayleaveearlyifyouwish.’

TheGeneralmajor

busiedhimselfpouringthecoffeeandofferingfreshlybakedbiscuitstohisguest.Hewaiteduntilheheardthefrontdooroftheapartmentclosebeforesignallingtohislawyerhecouldproceed.

ForthenexthalfhourFranzHermannwentthroughvariousdocumentswithhis

importantclient.Asignaturehereplease;anexplanationnecessarythere;anothersignatureherethankyou;justaninitialherewillsuffice;letmeexplainthissheet;Ihavetakenthelibertyofhavingthisformalreadywitnessed;onemoresignaturethere;allisinorder.

‘Therewearesir.Ithinkyou’llfindthebusinessoffinalisingyourmother’sestateisnowcomplete.I’destimatethefundswillbeinyourbankaccountwithinthemonth.’

‘ThankyouHerrHermann.You’vedealwiththismattermostefficiently.I

realiseit’stakensomeefforttosorteverythingout.I’mmostgratefultoyou.’

‘Apleasuresir.’Hermannbeganto

gatherthepapersandplacetheminhisbriefcase.

‘Willyoujoinmeforadrink,HerrHermann?Mywifehasgonetostaywithher

sisterinPotsdamandit’sapleasureformenottoberuledbythestopwatchathomeforonce.’

Withoutwaitingforananswer,theGeneralmajorproducedabottleofArmagnacandpouredalargemeasureforhimselfandhisguest.Therewasalong

silencewhilehesurveyedthedrinkbeforeputtingtheglasstohislipsandleaningbackinhisarmchair,histinyeyesfirststudyingFranzHermanncarefullyandthenclosing.Itwasawhilebeforeheopenedthem.

‘Doyouhavechildren,Hermann?’

‘No,sir.’‘Ihopeyoudon’tthink

it’simpertinentofmetoask,butit’ssomethingI’vebeenthinkingaboutrecently.Thismaybeastrangethingforanarmyofficertosay,butI’venoticedamongmycolleaguesthattheoneswithoutchildrenseemtohaveaverydifferent

attitudetothewarthantheoneswiththem,especiallythosewithsons.MyownsonisbasedinPoland,HerrHermann.HeisanOberleutnantandjust22yearsold.Asanarmyofficer,I’veneverheldanyfearsformyownsafety.Ofcourse,I’vealwaysdonemybestto

avoidmakingrashjudgementsthatcouldcauseharmtomenundermycommand.Butnowmyownsonisasoldier,I’vefoundthat’shavinganunexpectedeffectonmyattitudetothewar:I’mmorecautious,Iworryaboutthecourseofthewar.It’shadamuchmore

profoundeffectonmethanI’dimagined.I’dhopedmysonwouldbecomeanarchitect…’

TheGeneralmajor’svoicetailedoff;heseemedtobepreoccupiedwithhisownthoughts.

‘Hopefullyhewon’tneedtoremaininthearmy

fortoolongsir:victorywillbeourssoon!’

TheGeneralmajorlookedlongandhardatthelawyer.

‘Youthinkso,HerrHerrmann?Whatmakesyousosureofthat?’

Thelawyershifteduncomfortablyinhisseat.

‘Onereadsinthepapershowwellthewarisgoing,thatit’sjustamatteroftimebeforeBritainsurrendersand…’

‘Andyoubelieveeverythingyoureadinthepapers,doyouHerrHermann?I’dthoughtlawyersweretrainedtoquestionthings,nottoaccept

mattersatfacevalue.’Hermannshrugged,

unsureofwhattosayandwonderinghowhe’dallowedhimselftobecomedrawnintoaconversationlikethis.

‘Tellme,HerrHermann:areyouamemberoftheNaziParty?’

‘I’malawyersir.I’m

notinvolvedinpolitics.’‘Manylawyersare

membersoftheNaziParty.’‘I’mnotoneofthem

sir.’GeneralmajorErnst

stoodupandunbuttonedhisjacketthenwalkedovertothewindow.ThetreesintheKleinerTiergartenhad

stoppedswaying.TheGeneralmajorshutthewindowandturnedaround.

‘Wellifitmakesyoufeelanybetter,HerrHermann,noramI.’

Hermannstartedtogetup,relievedattheopportunitytofinishtheconversationatthatjuncture.The

Generalmajorgesturedforhimtoremainseatedandsatdownnexttohim,pullinguphischairalongsidethelawyer’s.

‘You’reacleverchap,HerrHermann.’

‘Thankyousir.’‘You’renotjustavery

competentlawyer,butyou’re

goodatmanagingtoappeartobewhatyouarenot.’

‘I’msorry,I’mnotsure…’

‘Youdoanexcellentjobofappearingtobeamild-manneredlawyer,withnointerestinpolitics.You’requietandyou’rediscreet.Youdon’tdrawattentionto

yourself.ButIalsoknowthatyouhave–now,howcanIputthis–thatyouhavecontacts.’

Hermanncouldfeelhisbreathingtightenandtheroombecomehotter.Hedidhisbesttosoundrelaxed.

‘Isuspect,sir,theremustbeamisunderstanding

here.Iamasyouoriginallydescribeme:alawyerwithnointerestinpolitics.ButpleasebeassuredIamaloyal…’

‘Please,please,HerrHermann.I’msureyou’reallofthesethings.But,yousee,Iknowthere’smoretoyouthanthatandyou’llfindI’mnotaltogetherunsympathetic.

IknowyouhavecertaincontactsandIwishtoavailmyselfofthem.’

FranzHermannsaidnothing.TheGeneralmajorleanedtowardshim,sotheirfaceswerejustinchesapart.HecouldsmellthebrandyonErnst’sbreathandseethetinyredlinesinhiseyes.

‘Threeweeksago,onthe29thofJulytobeprecise,IwasinBadReichenhall.Haveyouheardofit?’

‘Ofcourse,averypleasantspatowninBavaria,nottoofarfromSalzburg.Myparentsspenttheirhoneymoonthere.’

‘Indeed.ButIwasn’t

theretousethespa,Icanassureyou.Doyouhaveagoodmemory,Franz?’

‘Yessir.’‘Werner.Pleasecallme

Werner.You’llmakesuretomemorisewhatIsaynow.Writenothingdown.’

Hermannnodded.‘Myareaofexpertisein

thearmyislogistics.It’snotaglamorousjob,butfewpeopleinthehighcommandknowbetterthanmehowtomoveourtroopsaroundinanefficientmannerandensurethey’rewellsupplied.That’sperhapsthemostunderestimatedpartofwarfare.Itisonethingto

advancefast,especiallyagainstaweakenemy,butitisquiteanothertoensuretheintegrityofanadvanceismaintainedbyhavinggoodsuppliesoffood,fuelandammunition.That’swhatIexcelat.ButI’mnottellingyouallthistomakemeseemimportant.ThereasonIwas

inBadReichenhallwasbecausetheChiefofStaff,GeneralJodl,washoldingatop-secretmeetingthereontheexpressinstructionsoftheFuhrerhimself.YouwillhavesomemoreArmagnac,Franz?It’squiteexcellent,oneofthemoretangiblebenefitsofourconquestofFrance.’

Hepouredtwomorelargemeasures.

‘Jodlisabusyman,hedoesnotgatherseniorofficersaroundhiminpleasantBavarianspatownswithoutverygoodreason.Andthereasonhegathereduslastmonthwasthat,nowthatFrancehasfallen,theFuhrer

hasturnedhisattentiontowhoweattacknext.ThecommonbeliefisthatOperationSeaLionisourpriorityandwe’llsoonlaunchaninvasionofGreatBritain.Asyouknow,westartedouraerialassaultagainstthemoveramonthago.ButtheKriegsmarinehasserious

doubtswe’lleverbeabletosuccessfullyinvadetheBritishIsles.Ourhopeiswewinwhatthey’recallingtheBattleofBritain,gainairsupremacyandthisleadstovictory.Butthatdoesn’tappearlikely.TheRAFisprovingtobearesoluteopponentandChurchill

showsnoinclinationwhatsoevertosurrender.’

Withthewindowclosed,theroomhadnowbecomequitestuffy.TheGeneralmajorstooduptoremovehisjacketandloosenhiscollar.

‘TheFuhrerhasinstructedColonelGeneral

Jodltoexploreotheroptions,intheeventualitywedonotinvadeBritain.TheoptionwediscussedinBadReichenhallwasthatofinvadingtheSovietUnion.’

Duringtheshockedsilencethatfollowed,Hermannheardtheloudtickingofaclockfromthe

hall.ThetreetopsintheKleinerTiergartenhadbeguntoswayagain.TheGeneralmajorreachedovertoasidetableandopenedaboxofcigars.Heofferedonetothelawyer,whodeclined,thenslowlylitoneforhimself.

‘InvadetheSoviet

Union?Butsurelythatwouldbemadness!Wehaveapactwiththem?’

‘It’snotasoutrageousasyouthinkitis,Franz.ThatpactwasdesignedtokeepoureasternbordersquietwhilewedealtwithWesternEurope.Now,IhavenolovefortheSovietUnionbut,for

manyofusFranz–thoseofuswhoapproachmattersfromaprofessionalmilitarypointofviewasopposedtoanideologicalone–theprospectofinvadingtheSovietUnionisanightmare.Toattempttogointherewouldbetoignorethelessonsofhistory.Bismarck

himselfsaidthesecretofpoliticswasto“makeagoodtreatywithRussia”,whichisofcoursewhatwedid.Fromamilitarypointofview,invadingtheSovietUnionhasallthepotentialtoendindisaster.EvenFieldMarshallKeitelistryingtodissuadeHitlerfromtheideaandheis

wellknownforneverdisagreeingwiththeFuhrer.’

‘Whenwillthisinvasiontakeplace?’

‘Tooearlytosay,Franz.Itmayneverhappen.ThepurposeofJodlgatheringusinBadReichenhallwastogetusthinkingintheoreticaltermsabouthowwemight

prepareforsuchaplan.It’ssosensitiveandsosecret,wecandolittlemorethanthinkaboutit.ThefinaldecisionwillrestwiththeFuhrer.AftertheconquestoftheLowCountriesandFrance,he’sconvincedhe’samilitarygenius:hethinksweolderWehrmachtofficersaretoo

cautious,tooconservative.’TheGeneralmajorwas

nowwreathedincigarsmoke,thecolourofgun-metal.Heleantbackinhischair,staringupattheceiling.

‘However,Franz,evenHitlerknowsthetimingofaninvasionwouldneedtobeverypreciseifwearen’ttobe

caughtoutintheRussianwinter.Ifwe’venotachievedourobjectivesbythestartofthewinterthenwe’redoomed.Sowe’dneedtoattackbymid-Mayatthelatest.Thenwehaveachanceofsuccess,althoughnotaverygoodone.’

‘Whyonearthareyou

tellingmethis?’‘Manyofusbelieve

thattoinvadetheSovietUnionwouldbesuicideforGermany.TherearegroupsofusintheBendlerblockwhoareofalikemind.Webelievewe’reactinginthebestinterestsofGermany.Asyoumightbeaware,theAbwehr

hasitsheadquartersintheBendlerblock.AfewdaysagoIwastalkingwithanoldfriendwho’saveryseniorofficerintheAbwehr.HismotherdiedamonthagoandheaskedifIcouldrecommendagoodlawyertotakecareofeverything.Itoldhimaboutyouandthatwas

that.ThenextdayheaskedmetogoforawalkwithhimalongthebanksoftheLandwehrCanal.HeconfidedinmethatyouhavecometotheattentionoftheAbwehr.’

‘Thisispreposteroussir.Itissimplyuntrue.Imustinsistthat…’

‘Franz,youmustnot

worry.’Hepattedthelawyeronthearminareassuringmanner.‘Justbevery,verygratefulit’stheAbwehrandnottheGestapo.Accordingtomyfriend,they’reawareyou’reabletochannelinformationtotheAllies.They’vepermittedyoutocarryondoingthisbecause

theybelievedtheremaycomeatimewhentheywishedtousethischannel.Thattimehasnowcome.’

Hermannheldouthishandsina‘whatcanIsay’gesture.‘I’mnotatraitorsir.IconsidermyselftobealoyalGerman.IhappentobelievethatGermanyshould

beademocraticcountryandthatthiswarcouldruinus.’

‘No-oneissayingyou’reatraitor.NoramI,forthatmatter.Weallhaveourdifferentmotives.Willyoupassonthisinformation,aboutthemeetingatBadReichenhallandthepossibilityofaninvasionof

theSovietUnion?’‘Ofcourse.’Whenheleftthe

apartmenttherewasacooleveningbreeze,whichwasawelcomerelieffromthestuffinessoftheapartment,butthishadnocalmingeffectonHermann.Hefeltthehugetreesclosinginonhimand

imaginedthepeoplearoundhimonthepavementwerealllookingathim.Hewouldhavetomovefast,hecouldnotaffordtothinkaboutthings.

***

WhenFranzHermannwas16

or17,ithadbeenbrieflyfashionableamonghisgroupatschooltorootoutancientChineseproverbs,whichtheywouldthenquotetoeachotherasiftheyhadstumbleduponwordsofwisdomthatunlockedthesecretsoftheuniverse.Itwasallratherpretentiousanddidnotlast

long.AcoupleoftheirgrouphadcontinuedtograspatvariousancientbeliefslongaftertheyhadleftschoolandtheyweretheoneswhohadbecomeearlymembersoftheNaziParty.

OneofthesayingstheyhadpassedaroundsoundedatfirstlikeaChinesegood-luck

wish:‘mayyouliveininterestingtimes.’Thetwistwasitwasactuallyacurse.Hehadneverquiteunderstoodwhyhopingsomeonelivedininterestingtimeswasacurse.Allhislifehehadwishedhislifehadbeenmoreinteresting:anobedientstudent;notfitfor

militaryservice;achildlessmarriageandaworthybutdullcareer.

Nowhewastrappedbetweenthegatesofheavenandthebanksofhell.Achanceremarkduringanunguardedconversationatadinnerpartyamonthafterthestartofthewarwasfollowed

upbyaclandestinemeetingatthezooaweeklater.HeandtheelegantwomanwithaVienneseaccentwhohadhadslippedhimanoteasheleftthedinnerpartystoodalongsidetheelephantenclosurewatchingtheanimalssprayeachotherwithwater.Inoticedyoumade

someremarksabouttheregime.You’dbestbecarefulwhereandtowhomyousaysuchthings.Henodded,herealisedhehadbeencareless;hiswifehadtoldhimasmuchinnouncertaintermsontheirwayhome.Toomuchgoodwinehadbeenhisexcuse.Butyoualsosaidsomething

abouttensionsintheNaziPartyleadershipinBerlin?Wheredidyougetthatfrom?

Hehadwaitedfortwooftheelephantstofinishcallingtoeachother.Fromoneofmycolleagues,hetoldher.

Andwhatishisname?Hehadhesitatedbefore

replying.TheVienneseladywasevidentlynotquitewhatsheseemed.FranzHermanncouldhavewalkedawayatthatpoint.Hecouldhavesaidhewantedtotakemattersnofurtherandwouldappreciateitiftheycouldbothforgettheyhadevermet.Shewashardlylikelytoreporthimto

theGestapo.Buttherewassomethingalmostseductiveabouthermanner.Hefounditimpossiblenottoreplytoher.

AloisJäger:weworkatthesamelawfirm.He’ssomebigshotintheleadershipoftheNaziPartyinBerlin.Asfarashe’sconcerned,I’mcompletelyapolitical.Ipick

upalotofhislegalworkwhilehe’sonNaziPartybusiness,sohehasreasontobegratefultome.Hecan’thelpgossiping.IhearhimtalkaboutGoebbels:hecan’tstandhim,theyjustdon’tgeton.But,fromwhatIgather,there’safeelingsharedamonganumberofsenior

NazisinBerlinthatGoebbelscan’tbeaneffectiveGauleiterofthecityandMinisterforPropaganda.Theythinkheshouldconcentrateononeortheother.

Thisisveryinteresting,she’dreplied.You’reclearlyinapositiontopickupsuch

information.I’dliketotellyouhowyoucanpassitontopeoplewhoneedtoknowthiskindofthing.Areyouwillingtodoso?

Hermannsaidhewas.Theywalkedroundtothetigerenclosurethenovertotheaquarium.Theladyhadslippedherglovedarm

throughhisassheexplainedindetailhowhecouldmakecontactwiththerightpeople.

AndthenhispositionbecameevenmoreprecariousinDecemberwhenRosahadturneduponhisdoorstep.Whatcouldhedo:turnheraway?Itmadesensetolodgeherandthechildrenwithhis

mother,andhewassureitwouldonlybeforafewweeks,butthatwaseight,ninemonthsago.NowhewasaBritishspyandharbouringaJewishfamily,andheunderstoodwhy‘mayyouliveininterestingtimes’wasindeedacurse.

***

FranzHermannwouldhavepreferredtowalkandgivehimselfsomeopportunitytocomposehimself,buttimewasagainsthimsohetookatramfromAltMoabitintotheUnterdenLinden,gettingoffastopearlierthanheneeded

toatthejunctionwithFriedrichstrasse.

Despitebeingsonear,hedecidedagainstpoppingbackintohisoffice:hadanyonebeenfollowinghimorspottedhiminthestreetitwouldhavelookednormalforhimtoreturntowork,buthewasinahurry.Hewalked

alongtheUnterdenLindenforanothertwoblocksbeforeturningleftintotheOpernplatz.

Althoughhecametotheprettysquareatleasttwiceaweekandhaddonesoforyears,itnonethelesslefthimwithanuneasyfeeling.Hecouldneverforgetwhat

happenedtheresevenyearsbefore,inMay1933,whentheNazishadburnedtensofthousandsofbooks.Thesmellhadlingeredfordays,andforweeksafterwardspeoplewouldcomeacrosstinypilesofashthroughoutthearea.Evenmonthslateritwasn’tuncommontocome

acrossscrapsofpaperthathadsomehowescapedtheflames,floatingaroundthecityinadefiantmanner,daringpassers-bytostealalookatawordortwothatmaycorruptthem.

HissenseofapprehensionincreasedasheenteredStHedwig’s,the

cathedralhe’dworshippedatsincehewasaboy.AlthoughtheylivedinDahlemandtherewereplentyofCatholicchurchesneartowheretheylived,hismotherwasoftheopiniontheirpietywasincreasedbyprayingattheseatoftheArchbishop.

Now,thecathedral

servedaverydifferentpurposeforhim.

Themasswasjustcomingtoanendandmostofthecongregationwereleavingthechurch.Intheolddays,peoplewouldgatherinsmallgroupsandchat,butthatwasnotthedonethingnow.Youneverknewwhomaybe

watching,orlistening.Hermannsatonhis

owntowardsthebackofthecathedral,watchingthesmallgroupofpriestsatthehighaltarastheybegantodisperse.Sureenough,thetallandslightlystoopedfigureoftheyoungpriesthewaslookingforemergedfromthe

littlegroupandwalkedinlongstridestowardstheconfessionboxthatsatonitsowntotheside.

IalwaystakeconfessionaftermassonTuesdayandThursdayafternoons.OnthosedaysIusetheconfessionboxthat’sonitsown,theonenearthe

highaltar.Onlycometomethen.No-onecanoverhearusthere.Itissafer.Oratleast,notasdangerous.

FranzHermannlefthisseatandwalkedtowardsthealtar,wherehekneltandcrossedhimselfbeforeapproachingtheconfessionboxtheyoungpriesthasgone

into.Anoldmanwithscruffytrousershadjustentered,mutteringsilentlytohimselfashedidso.Thelawyersatdownnexttoanelegantlydressedladywithabluesilkscarfwrappedaroundherneck.ShewasclutchingaphotographofwhatlookedlikeaboyinLuftwaffe

uniformanddabbinghereyeswithacrisp,whitehandkerchief.

Theoldmanshuffledout,stillmutteringtohimselfandtheelegantlydressedladyreplacedhim,herhighheelsechoingsharplyonthetiledfloor.Theconfessionboxwasinaperfectposition:unlike

theonesgroupedtogetherontheothersideofthecathedral,thisonewasisolatedinaquietcloisterandthechairsweresomewayfromthebox:itwasimpossibletooverhearanything,noteventhesoundofvoices,letalonethewords.

Afewminuteslaterthe

ladyemerged,stilldabbinghereyes.Hermannwalkedovertothebox,crossedhimself,closedtheheavyvelvetcurtainandkneltdown.

‘BlessmeFatherforIhavesinned.Ithasbeentwoweekssincemylastconfession.’

HehadnotbeensureifFatherJosefwasawarehewasthere,buthelookedtowardsthegrilleandatthesoundofhisvoicehesawtheyoungpriestsitupsharply.AsFatherJosefglancedtowardshimhecaughtsightofthepriest’srednose,whichalwaysmadehimlookas

thoughhehadjustcomeinfromthecold.

‘Goon,myson.’‘IhavesinnedFather.I

fearI’vebeentreatingourmaidtooharshlybecauseIsuspectedshewasstealingsomesmallchangeleftaroundthehouse,thoughInowthinkitwasnother.And

I’vebeenguiltyofthesinofenvy:afriendhasbeenabletofindsomebest-qualityclothandhaditmadeintofinesuit–youmustknowhowhardthatisinthesetimesandIfindit’sbeenthecauseoffeelingsofjealousyinmyself.’

‘Andanyothersins,my

son?’‘I’mafraidItookthe

Lord’snameinvain:Iuseditinadisrespectfulmanner.Iamsorryfortheseandallthesinsofmypastlife.’

‘Andthat’sit?’‘That’sit,Father.’The

lawyerthoughthehaddonequitewelltomusterthree

thingshecouldpassoffassins.

Thepriestwouldbede-codinghismessage.Theconfessionoftreatingthemaidtooharshlywasforsecurity:alliswell,I’mnotbeingfollowed.Thesinofenvyindicatedheneededtomeethiscontact.Takingthe

Lord’snameinvainmeantitwasurgent.

‘Isee.’Thepriestcoughed,pausingtotakeeverythingin.Throughthegrill,Hermanncouldseethepriest’sheadbobupanddown,therednoseclearlyvisibleinthegloom.‘SaythreeHailMarysandprayfor

yoursins.ShewillnextbeinonThursday,myson.Iwillpassonyourmessage.MeetherattheusualplaceattheusualtimeontheFriday.Canyoumanagethat?’

‘YesFather.’‘Ifshecannotmanage

thatordoesnotturnup,returnhereonTuesday.You

hadbettersayanActofContrition,myson.’

‘IamheartilysorryforhavingoffendedyoumyLordandIdetestallmysins,becauseIdreadthelossofheavenandthepainsofhell.Ifirmlyresolvewiththehelpofyourgrace,toconfessmysins,todopenanceandto

amendmylife.Amen.’Thepriestrepliedwith

aprayerofforgiveness.’GivethankstotheLordforHeisgood.’

Hermanncrossedhimselfandreplied,‘ForHismercyenduresforever.’

HelefttheConfessionBox:thewaitingchairshad

nowfilled.HepausedinthemainbodyofthecathedralandsaidhisHailMarysandafewotherprayersthenhurriedoutandheadedhometoDahlem,hisreplytotheabsolutionrepeatinginhismindthroughoutthejourney.

‘ForHismercyenduresforever.’

Hecertainlyhopedso.

***

TheMilitaryAttachéatthePortugueseLegationinBerlinwaswellawarehissecretaryattendedMasswhenevershecould.Althoughnotasdevoutashewouldliketobe,the

Colonelwasratherimpressedashefoundreligiousobservanceinotherssomehowreassuring.AtleastitwasasignthathisDonaMariadoRosario,areservedwomanwhosharedlittleofherself,mustbetrustworthy.Hesometimeslikedtoimaginewhatsinshis

secretaryhadtoconfessto.Sheledapiouslife:shedidnotdrinkorspeakoutofturn;shewasahardworkerandaloyalservantofthePortugueseGovernment,withaframedphotographofSalazaronherdesk.

Berlinwas,theColonelwasfondofreminding

whoeverwouldlisten,notaneasypostingandperhapsthemostimportantofallofPortugal’soverseasmissions.Aneutralcountryhadtoleanonewaythentheother,dependinguponthewindofwar.Itrequiredfleetoffootandtheutmostdiscretion,andtheColonelinturndemanded

thatofhisstaff.SoitwasneitherunusualnorevenunexpectedwhenDonaMariadoRosarioenteredtheColonel’sofficewithaneatpileofdocumentsjustafterfiveo’clockontheafternoonofThursday15thAugust.

‘Theselettersneedtobesignedsir;eachoneis

appendedtotheirrelevantfile;ifyoucansignthembeforeyouleave,Icanensurethey’reintheDiplomaticBagonFridayevening.I’mleavingnowtogotothecathedral,butI’mhappytoreturnlaterifyourequireme,sir.OtherwiseI’llbeinfirstthinginthemorning.’

‘That’sfine,’theColoneltoldhissecretary.‘I’llsignthepapersandseeyoufirstthing.Intruth,shearrivedatworksometimebeforehedid.Shewasinvariablyintheofficeby7.30,whenfewotherstaffwerearound.Hewasunsurewhyshecameinquiteso

early,buthehadeveryreasontobemostgratefultoherfordoingso.Hewouldarriveatworkbetween8.30and9.00tofindallhispapersinorderandeverythingneatlysetoutonhisdesk,hisdayalreadyorganisedforhim.Ofcourse,hewastechnicallyinbreachofprotocolbyallowingher

accesstosecretdocuments,butitmadelifesomucheasierand,ofcourse,howcouldsuchadevoutCatholicnotbetrustworthy?

DonaMariadoRosariohurriedoutoftheLegationataquarterpastfiveandarrivedatStHedwig’sCathedralintimefortheearlyevening

Mass.Itwasclosetosixo’clockwhenshefinallyenteredtheConfessionBox,aslightearlyeveningchillnowaroundinthecloisters,causinghertopullherlightjackettightaroundhershoulders.

‘InthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandof

theHolySpirit.Mylastconfessionwasoneweekago.’

FatherJoseflookedather,hisfacepressedtightagainstthegrilletocheckitreallywasher.

‘Whatareyoursins?’Shegavethecode:asin

ofgluttonytoindicateallwas

wellandasinofspeakingillofsomeonebehindtheirbacktoensureshehadnothingtoreport.Thepriestspokeurgently.

‘Hugo’sbeenhere:twodaysago.Heneedstoseeyouassoonaspossible.Itoldhimitwouldbetomorrow,theusualplaceandtheusual

time.Ihopeyoucanmakeit?’

DonaMariaassuredthepriestshecould.Howarethings,thepriestaskedher?

Verybusy,shetoldhim.‘SomuchmaterialcomesthroughtheColonel’sofficethatIworklatemostnightsandI’mstartingearlier

everymorningjusttofindthemostimportantpapers.It’sgettingmoreandmoreriskythough.Ifearthatsoonerorlatersomeonewillsuspectme.’

‘Maybemoderateyourhours.Thematerialyou’resendingbackissogood,I’mtold,thatyoushouldnotrisk

toomuch.Don’tforget,youneedtomeetHugotomorrowandreportbackonwhathetellsyou.’

‘Iknow.’‘Doyouwanttopray?

ShallIgrantyouabsolution?’DonaMariadoRosario

wasalreadyupandpreparingtoleavetheconfessionbox.

‘NothankyouFather.’Asshehurriedoutof

thechurchsheonlyjustrememberedtocrossherselfandpauseforaverybriefprayer.

***

Thefollowingday,the

Friday,anunusualwindwhippedaroundthecentreofBerlin.Itappearedtolingeraboutfourfeetofftheground,creatingthestrangeeffectofleavesandsmallbitsoflitterflutteringaroundinmid-air.ThewindwasstillatplaywhenFranzHermannhurriedoutofhisofficeat

oneo’clock.Hewasgoingforawalk,hetoldhissecretary,reassuringherhe’dbebackintimeforhistwoo’clockmeeting.HeturnedintoBehrenstrassethenleftintoWilhemstrasse.InbetweenWilhemstrasseandHermannGoringStrassewasasmallpark,takingupno

morethanablock,whereofficeworkersandcivilservants–butnottoomanyofthem–likedtotaketheirlunch.

Heenteredandwalkedtowardsthenorth-westcornerwhereaseriesofoldbenchessurroundedanenormoustree.Perhapsbecausethebenches

appearedsouncomfortableorthesizeofthetreeensuredthatthespotwaspermanentlyintheshade,thisareawasdeserted,apartfromanolive-skinnedwomaninherlatethirtiespoiseddemurelyontheedgeofoneofthebenches.Herjet-blackhairwaspulledbackfromaface

thatwouldhavebeenprettier,butfortheabsenceofmake-upandthepresenceofaslightlydisapprovinglook.Shewaseatinganappleandanopenbookwasrestingonherlap.Hesatonthenextbenchandremovedhisjacket,takingoutapacketofcigarettesfromthejacketas

hedidso.Heofferedonetothelady.

‘Nothankyousir.Idon’tsmoke,’sherepliedinaforeignaccent.

‘Verysensible:mywifedoesn’tapprove.’

‘Icanofferyouanappleinreturn.’

Andsotheexchange

continued.Intheunlikelyeventofanyoneoverhearingtheconversationitwouldhavesoundedliketwostrangerspassingthetimeofday.Butsoontheyhadestablishedeachotherwassafe;theyhadnotbeenfollowedandhehadinformationtopasson.

Hermannshiftedtotheendofhisparkbench,sohewasnearertotheoneDonaMariadoRosariowassittingon.Shehadopenedherbookandwasgivingtheappearanceofavidlyreadingfromit.Thelawyerwasbentforward,busysmoking,hiselbowsrestingonhislap.He

wasfacingtheground,occasionallylookinguptobesureno-oneelsewasaround.Hespokeveryquietly,butatavolumethatensuredDonaMariacouldheareverything.

‘HowquicklycanyougetamessagetoLisbon?’

Withoutlookingupfromthebook,shereplied.‘It

dependshowlongitis,butthere’sabaggoingthisevening.IfIcantypeitupintimeIcouldgetitin.’

‘You’llhaveto,it’surgent.Thisiswhatyouneedtotellthem.ColonelGeneralJodlheldameetingatBadReichenhallonthe29thofJuly.Myinformant,asenior

officerintheOKH,waspresent.I’mnotgivinghisname,notatthemoment.Apparentlythey’renowentertainingthepossibilitythatBritainmaynotcapitulateafterallandHitlerwantstohavealternativeplansinplace.ThepurposeofJodl’smeetingwastoget

seniorofficerstostartthinkingaboutplansfortheinvasionoftheSovietUnion.’

HelookedupatDonaMaria.Hereyebrowshadrisenveryslightlyandmomentarily,asthoughshe’dreadsomethinginterestinginherbook.Shetookadaintybitefromherapple.

‘Myinformantsaysalotoftheprofessionalarmyofficersareagainsttheideaofinvasionastheythinkit’llendinfailure.ThethinkingisthatanyinvasionwillhavetostartbythemiddleofMaybecauseit’dneedtobeoverbytheonsetofwinter.Haveyougotallthat?’

DonaMariasaidshehad.Hermannnoticedherfacehadrelaxednowandshehadevenallowedherselfaslightsmileasshebrieflyturnedtowardshim.Heaskedhertorepeatwhathehadtoldher.Herrepetitionwasimpressivelyword-perfect.Shewould,shesaid,return

nowtotheLegationandtypeitupincodeintimeforthatevening’sDiplomaticBag.Wasthereanythingelse?

‘Ithinkthat’senough!’

***

Chapter14:Berlin,January1941‘Oh,justoneothermatter,HerrHermann.’

Thesedays,FranzHermann’ssecretaryalwaysseemedtohave‘oneother

matter’thatneededtobedealtwith.Beforethewar,therehadbeenenoughworkforthenineseniorlawyersinthefirmat181Friedrichstrassetobekeptbusyandwell-paid,butnotsomuchthattheywereoverstretched.Thathadallchangednow:oneofthe

seniorlawyershadretiredandnotbeenreplacedandtwoothershadjoinedthearmedforces,alongwithhalfofthejuniorlawyers.Asifthatwasnotbadenough,AloisJägernowseemedtospendmorethanhalfofthetimehewasmeanttobeatworkonNaziPartybusiness,whichmeant

theremainingfiveseniorshadtopickupmoreandmoreofJäger’swork.Itwasnotasiftheycouldcomplain;theyjusthadtogoalongwithit.AsfarasHermannwasconcerned,asdistastefulasitfelt,atleastitaffordedthefirmadegreeofpoliticalprotection.

‘DoyourememberGeneralmajorWernerErnst,HerrHermann?’

HehadheardnothingfromtheGeneralsincetheirmeetinginAugust.Hehadhopednevertohearfromhimagain.Hedidhisbesttolookasifhewashavingalotoftroublerememberingwhothe

Generalwas.‘You’llhavetoremind

me,Ilse.Wasitsomethingtodowithadisputewithhisbank?’

‘Nosir.Thatwasanotherarmyofficer.YouweresortingouttheaffairsofGeneralmajorErnst’slatemother.Itwasalltiedupin

August.’‘Yes,ofcourse.I

remembernow.Doesn’theliveneartheKleinerTiergarten?’

‘That’scorrectsir.Herangtodaywhileyouwereinameeting.Hesaysoneortwoissueshavearisenregardinghismother’sestatethathe’d

liketoseeyouabout.‘‘Youhavemydiary

Ilse,pleasearrangethemeeting.’

‘HesaiditwasurgentHerrHermann.’

HeknewIlsewouldexpecthimtoprotest:mattersarisingfromtheestateoftheGeneral’smotherallthese

monthsoncouldhardlybeconstruedasurgent.ButhealsoknewthatiftheGeneralsaidheneededtoseehimurgentlythenitwasurgent.Hecouldfeelhimselfgettinghotagainandbecameawarehewasdrumminghisfingersloudlyonthedesk.

‘VerywellthenIlse.He

caneithercomeinhereduringthedaytomorroworIcangotohisapartmentafterwork.’

‘Hesaidyou’retogotohisapartmenttonightsir.’

***

FranzHermannwaited

impatientlyforIlsetoleavework,spendingthehalfhourbeforeshedidsooptimisticallytryingtothinkofapossiblegenuineproblemwiththeGeneralmajor’smother’sestate,whichheknewwashighlyunlikely.Hadtherereallybeenaproblemitwouldhave

emergedsometimeago.HefearedthattheGeneralmajorwasabouttoentrusthimwithanothersecret.

HeallowedfiveminutestopassafterIlse’sdeparturethenleft,managingtofindararetaxiontheUnterdenLindentotakehimasfarasStormStrasse,from

wherehewalkedtheshortdistancetoGeneralmajorErnst’sapartmentblock.Thesameteenagemaidlethimintotheapartment,whichwasnowinastateofchaos.

Therewerepackingcasespiledupinthehall,suitcasesassembledbythedoorandfurnitureand

paintingscoveredindustsheets.AlargeladywhohetooktobeFrauErnstbrieflycameouttocheckwhothevisitorwasbutwentstraightbackintothekitchen,whereHermanncouldseeatleastoneothermaidbusyscrubbingthesides.GeneralmajorWernerErnst

cametomeethiminthehall.‘Hermann:thankyou

forcomingsosoon.Ihavetogoawayverysoonandneedtosortoutsomeannoyingpaperworkbeforedoingso.Anke,pleaseensurewe’renotdisturbed.FollowmeHermann.’

Thestudywasina

similarstateofupheavaltotherestoftheapartment,butthereweretwouncoveredarmchairstowardsthewindow,whichErnstledhislawyeroverto.

‘I’msorrytohearthereareproblemswiththeestatesir.I’dassumedeverythingwasconcludedina

satisfactorymannerbackinAugust.’

TheGeneralmajorhadbeenrootingaroundinanearbypackingcase,fromwhichheproducedabottleofArmagnacandtwoglasses.HepouredalargemeasureforHermannandaconsiderablylargeronefor

himself.Ashesatdown,heshiftedhisheavyarmchairclosetoHermann’s,sothetwoarmrestsweretouching.Whenhespoke,itwasinaquietvoice.

‘OfcourseeverythingwassatisfactoryHermann.Youdidanexcellentjob.However,I’mafraidforthe

sakeofappearance,I’vehadtomakeabitofafuss:ItoldFrauErnstyou’vebeenlessthanefficientandIwroteasmuchinalettertomyson.HehasnowbeentransferredtoNorwayandIassumethecensorswillbereadinghispost.’

TheGeneralmajor

stoodupandstretchedhimselfthenwalkedovertothecurtains,pullingthemtogether.HermannnoticedtheGeneralmajorlookedmoredrawnthanbefore,histinyeyesslightlybloodshot.Heappearedtohavelostsomeweightandhisfacewasmorelined.Hetwistedahalf-

finishedcigaretteintoanashtrayandtookacigarfromaboxontopofapackingcase;hedidn’tbothertoofferonetothelawyer.

‘Thingsaren’tgoodHermann.TheatmosphereintheBendlerblockisterrible.TheatmosphereinthewholeofBerlinisterrible.Everyone

suspectseveryoneelseofconspiringagainstthem:it’shardtoknowwhototrust.TheprofessionalsoldiersintheHighCommandandtheleadershipoftheAbwehrarethemostdistrusted,Ifear.EvenifyoujointheNaziPartyitdoesn’tseemtomakeanydifferencethesedays.I

feltobligedtojoininNovemberbutIstillthinkpeoplearesuspiciousofme.ThereasonforallthisupheavalintheapartmentisthatI’mbeingtransferredtoWarsaw.Inmyview,it’squiteunnecessary;Icandomyjobjustaswell,ifnotbetter,fromBerlin.ButI

thinkHitler,Himmlerandtherestofthemwanttodiluteanypossiblesourcesofoppositiontothem.Maybeoppositionistoostrongaword;perhapswhatImeanisdisagreement.’

‘Doyouthinktheysuspectyouofhavingpassedoninformation?’

TheGeneralmajorshookhisheadslowly,atthesametimeaslightinghiscigar.Hepausedawhileasheinhaleddeeply.

‘No,no,no!LookHermann,iftheydid,Iwouldn’tbehere–andnor,Isuspect,wouldyou.IwasverycarefulandIassumeyou

havebeentoo.Thethingis,eversincethemeetingatBadReichenhallattheendofJuly,anumberoftheseniorofficerslikemyselfwhowereaskedtothinkaboutthepossibilityofinvasionhavebeenadvisingcaution.Noteveryone,byanymeans.Toomanypeoplefeeltheyhaveto

saywhattheFuhrerwantstohear,sotheyenthusiasticallygoalongwithit.Anumberofothers,itshouldbesaid,actuallyagreewithinvadingtheSovietUnion.Butforpeoplelikemyself,wellwe’vedonenothingthatcouldbeconstruedastreason.Inmycase,I’vebeenableto

producedetailedpapersaboutthedifficultiesinkeepingourforcesproperlysupplied.TellmeHermann:doyouknowhowfaritisfromourborderinPolandtoMoscow?’

Thelawyershookhishead.Noidea.

‘Over1,000kilometres.Toputthatinperspective,

fromourwesternborder,saynearSaarbrücken,toParisisaround340kilometres:soaninvasionoftheSovietUnionwouldbethreetimesthatdistance.And,letmetellyou,theroadsinFranceareconsiderablybetter.Aswellastheterrain,youalsohavetotakeintoaccountother

factorsliketheweatherandyoucanseehowriskyaninvasionbecomes.That’swhatI’vebeensayinginmyreports:Iamverycarefultosticktothefacts.Butit’snotdonemeanyfavours.Theyarekeepinganeyeonpeoplelikeme.Theydon’tcompletelytrustme,hence

mymovetoWarsaw.’‘Sowhyareyou

packinguptheapartment?’‘Mywifedoesn’twant

toremainhereonherown.SheandhersisterinPotsdamaretalkingaboutmovingtotheirfamily’soldhuntinglodgenearMagdeburg.Shesaysshe’llfeelsaferthere.

Look,Hermann,there’ssomethingelseIneedtotellyou,oneotherpieceofinformationforyoutopassonthroughyourcontacts.This’llhavetobethelastinformationIgive.It’stoodangerousforustomeetagainand,inanycase,inafewdaysI’llbeinWarsaw.’

ThelawyernoddedandleanedclosertowardsErnst.

‘IhappentoknowthataweekbeforeChristmasHitlerissuedadetaileddirectiveabouttheinvasionoftheSovietUnion.TheFuhrerisverysparinginthenumberofdirectivesheissues,nomorethanoneor

twoamonth.AndthisoneissosecretthatIwasonlyabletoglanceatitinthepresenceofothers,certainlynotallowedtotakeacopyaway–whichisperhapsanotherreasonwhyIknowI’mnolongertrusted.I’monlyvaguelyawareofwhat’sinthisdirective,thoughIdo

knowittalksabouttheinvasiontakingplaceinthemiddleofMay.Youmustpassthison:willyoudothat?’

‘Yes,butthey’llwanttoknowmoredetail,surely?’

‘I’msuretheywill,theymayevenwanttoseeacopyofthedirectivenodoubt,but

itisvery,veryrestricted.FromwhatIgather,therewereonlyninecopies.IfyouonlygetacrossthattheinvasionisstillonandscheduledforthemiddleofMay,that’simportant.You’dbetterleavenow,Hermann.I’mgladwe’vefinallybeenabletosortoutmymother’s

estate!’Astheyleftthestudy

heplacedhishandonthelawyer’sshoulder.

‘Idoubtwe’llmeetagain,Hermann.Maybeoneday,ifcircumstancesareverydifferent.Butwhoknows,eh?Goodluck.’

AsFranzHermann

headedhomethateveninghecouldnotrecalleverhavingfeltmoremiserable,orsoafraid.

***

‘Andthat’sthemessage?Nomore?’

DonaMariadoRosario

andFranzHermannwerewalkingaroundtheenormoustreeintheparkbetweenWilhemstrasseandHermannGoringStrasse,awarethiswasmoreexposedthansittingonthebenchesaroundthetree,butithadbeenrainingandthebenchesweresodden:sittingonthem

wouldhavelookedsuspicious.

‘Iknowit’snotlongbutitisveryimportant.Remember,HitlerissuedthedirectiveaweekbeforeChristmas:they’restillplanningtoinvadetheSovietUnionandthey’retalkingaboutthemiddleofMay.

That’sfourmonthsaway.’‘Yes,I’dhavehoped

eventheBritishwouldbeabletoworkthatoneout,thankyou.’

***

FranzHermannhadmetDonaMariadoRosarioon

Friday17thofJanuary.ThefollowingTuesday,Ilsecameintohisofficejustbeforelunch.Therehadbeenaphonecall.

‘Themansaidheunderstoodyouspecialisedinsortingoutestates,especiallycomplicatedones.HisunclerecentlydiedinBremenand

hewantedtoknowifwehadanofficethere.Isaid“no”,andhesaidnottoworryandthatmaybehe’dcallback.’

‘Bremenyousay?’‘YesHerrHermann.

I’mnotsurewhyhe’dthinkwehadanofficeinBremen,butthereyouare.Now,theseletters…’

ThiswasonlythesecondtimethatFatherJosefhadcalledhimlikethis.Telephoninghimattheofficemeantsomethingwasup.TheBremenreferencemeantitwasextremelyurgent.Hewastoattendconfessionthatnight.

***

‘InthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit.Mylastconfessionwasoneweekago.’

FatherJosefpressedhisfaceagainstthegrilleseparatingthetwomen.‘We

needtobequick.Ihaveamessagefromher:shepassedonyourmessageandhasbeencontactedurgently.Apparentlyyoutalkedaboutadocument.Don’ttellmeanythingaboutit,butthey’resayingtheyneedtoseeit.That’sthemessage.Doyouunderstand?’

‘IunderstandFather,butIhaven’tgotit.I’llseewhatIcando,buttheyneedtounderstandmysourcehasleftBerlin.Thisisgoingtobeverydifficult.’

‘I’monlypassingonthemessage.Shesaidyouneededtoknowbeforeyoucouldmeetattheusual

rendezvous,incaseyoucangetholdofit.Doyourbest,myson:I’msureGodwillguideyou.Doyouwanttotakeconfession?’

Hermannshookhishead.

‘NothankyouFather:Iwouldn’tknowwheretobegin.’

***

Inthe12monthssincehehadbeenreunitedwithhisfirstwifeandson,GunterReinharthaddonehisbesttovisitthematleastonceaweekatthehouseinDahlem.Inonerespectthearrangementhad

heldupverywell.FranzHermann’smothercouldnothavebeenbetterlookedafterandthetalkofherhavingtomoveintoanursinghomeorevenahospitalwaslongforgotten.FrauHermannhadnoideaherexcellentnursewasactuallyadoctorandcertainlyhadnoideashewas

Jewishandhadtwochildrenwithher.Herhearingwassopoorsheneverheardthefootstepsontheflooraboveherorthesubduedsoundofthechildren’svoices.

Butineveryotherrespect,theirpredicamentwasanincreasinglyhopelessone.ThesituationforJewsin

Berlinworsenedbytheday:althoughitwasstillpossibleforsometoemigrate,thatwasforthosewhohadalltherightpaperworkandcouldaffordthepunitivetaxesbeingcharged.Eventhen,theyneededtofindsomewherethatwouldtakethem.MostofEuropewas

occupied.TherewererumoursaboutSweden,evenSpain.TheplacemostpeopleaspiredtogotowasSwitzerland,butthosebordersweresealedtight,onbothsides.

Gunter,RosaandFranzhadcomeupwithcountlessschemestogetthethreeof

themoutofthecountry,butallhadtoomanyrisksandtoomanyflaws.GunterusuallyvisitedafterworkonaWednesday.ThatwasthedayhiswifetooktheirchildrentotheirpianolessonsinReinickendorfandafterwardstheystoppedforteaatafavouritecafeonHoltzdamm.

Theyrarelyarrivedhomebefore7.30,soGunterfoundifheleftworkatfivehecouldgodowntoDahlem,spendanhourandahalfthereandbehomeinplentyoftime.

Hedidhisbesttotakesomefoodandmoneywithhim,andFranz’swifeSilke

alwaystriedtobethereatthesametimesoshecouldsitwithFrauHermannwhileRosawentupstairstobewithGunterandthechildren.OnthelastWednesdayofJanuaryGunterarrivedatthehousetofindFranzHermannsittingintheroomupstairsthatRosausedasalounge.

Rosafollowedhimintotheroom.

‘Wherearethechildren?IsAlfredalright?’askedGunter.

‘They’refine.You’llseeAlfredinaminute.Ineedtotalkwithyoufirst.’Hermannwasleaningforwardonthelowsofa,