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Page 1: The Swiss Spy - 1.droppdf.com1.droppdf.com/files/NCFmh/the-swiss-spy-alex-gerlis.pdf · Gerlis lives in London, is married with two daughters and is represented by Gordon Wise at
Page 2: The Swiss Spy - 1.droppdf.com1.droppdf.com/files/NCFmh/the-swiss-spy-alex-gerlis.pdf · Gerlis lives in London, is married with two daughters and is represented by Gordon Wise at
Page 3: The Swiss Spy - 1.droppdf.com1.droppdf.com/files/NCFmh/the-swiss-spy-alex-gerlis.pdf · Gerlis lives in London, is married with two daughters and is represented by Gordon Wise at

TheSwissSpy

AlexGerlis

Page 4: The Swiss Spy - 1.droppdf.com1.droppdf.com/files/NCFmh/the-swiss-spy-alex-gerlis.pdf · Gerlis lives in London, is married with two daughters and is represented by Gordon Wise at
Page 5: The Swiss Spy - 1.droppdf.com1.droppdf.com/files/NCFmh/the-swiss-spy-alex-gerlis.pdf · Gerlis lives in London, is married with two daughters and is represented by Gordon Wise at

TheAuthorAlexGerliswasaBBCjournalistformorethan25yearsbeforeleavingin2011toconcentrateonhiswriting.Hisfirstnovel,TheBestofOurSpies(2012),isan

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espionagethrillersetintheSecondWorldWarandlikeTheSwissSpy,basedonrealevents.TheBestofOurSpieshasfeaturedprominentlyintheAmazonbestsellerchartsandhasreceivedmorethan270Amazonreviews.HisthirdnovelwillalsobesetintheSecondWorldWarand

Page 7: The Swiss Spy - 1.droppdf.com1.droppdf.com/files/NCFmh/the-swiss-spy-alex-gerlis.pdf · Gerlis lives in London, is married with two daughters and is represented by Gordon Wise at

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

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VisitingProfessorofJournalismattheUniversityofBedfordshire.

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ListofmaincharactersHenryHunterAlsoknownasHenriHesseMarleneHesseMotherofHenry.Formerly

Page 10: The Swiss Spy - 1.droppdf.com1.droppdf.com/files/NCFmh/the-swiss-spy-alex-gerlis.pdf · Gerlis lives in London, is married with two daughters and is represented by Gordon Wise at

knownasMaureenHunterErichHesse(deceased)HusbandofMarleneandstepfatherofHenryLouiseAliceHunter(deceased)AuntofHenryHunter

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CaptainEdgarBritishspymasterHon.AnthonyDavisCovernameforEdgarPatrickO’ConnorJrCovernameforEdgarChristopherPorter

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Edgar’sbossBasilRemington-BarberBritishspychiefinSwitzerlandSirRolandPearsonDowningStreetintelligencechief

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MadameLadnierContactatCreditSuisse,GenevaSandyMorganBritishspyinLisbonRolfEderAustrian,workingfortheBritishinSwitzerland

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FranzHermannBerlinlawyerandBritishagent.CodenameHugoFrauHermannMotherofFranzHermannWernerErnstGeneralmajorinGerman

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ArmyHighCommandGunterReinhartOfficialattheReichsbank,Berlin.MarriedtoGudrunRosaSternFirstwifeofGunterReinhart.MarriedtoHaraldStern

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AlfredSternSonofGunterReinhartandRosaSternSophiaSternDaughterofRosaSternandHaraldSternAloisJägerBerlinlawyer

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KatharinaHochBritishagentinStuttgart.CodenameMiloDieterHochBrotherofKatharinaHochManfredErhardContactinEssen.Codename

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LidoGertraudTraugott(deceased)‘Aunt’inEssenTelmoRochaMartinsOfficialinPortugueseForeignministry

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DonaMariadoRosarioSecretaryatPortugueseLegationinBerlinViktorKrasotkinRussianspymasterFatherJosefPriestatStHedwig’sCathedral,Berlin

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MichaelHedingerOfficialatBankLeu,ZürichAnatolyMikhailovichYevtushenkoRussianémigréinInterlaken,SwitzerlandTatyanaDmitriyevna

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YevtushenkoWifeofAnatolyRozaliaAnatolyevnaYevtushenkoDaughterofAnatolyandTatyanaNadezhdaAnatolyevnaYevtushenko

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DaughterofAnatolyandTatyanaNikolaiAnatolyevichYevtushenkoSonofAnatoly&Tatyana

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

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

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

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

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Prologue:London,22nd

June1941‘Itlookslikeit’sstarted.You’dbettercomeover.’

Itwasdarkintheroomandhewasunsureifthe

Page 30: The Swiss Spy - 1.droppdf.com1.droppdf.com/files/NCFmh/the-swiss-spy-alex-gerlis.pdf · Gerlis lives in London, is married with two daughters and is represented by Gordon Wise at

vaguelyfamiliarvoicenexttohimwaspartofadreamorwasrealand,ifso,whereitwascomingfrom.

‘AreyouthereEdgar?Canyouhearme?’

Herealisedhewasholdingthetelephoneinhishand.Hemusthavepickeditupinthemiddleofadreamin

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whichhe’dbeensurroundedbymeneventallerthanhim,allwearingblackuniformswithgleamingsmiles.Themenacethataccompaniedthemhadsuddenlyvanishedatthesoundofashrillbellandamancallinghisname.

‘Edgar!Areyouthere?’Heswitchedonthe

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bedsidelampandleanedbackonhispillow.ItwasChristopherPorter.Annoyingly,hiscigarettecasewasnotonthetable.

‘Yessir.’‘Atlast.IimagineI’ve

wokenyouup?’‘Attwoo’clockinthe

morning?Whatevermakes

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youthinkthat?’‘You’dbettercome

over.Lookslikeit’sallstarted.’

‘Notanotherfalsealarm,Ihope.’

‘Idon’tthinkso:you’dbettercomeandseeforyourself.’

Hedressedquickly,not

Page 34: The Swiss Spy - 1.droppdf.com1.droppdf.com/files/NCFmh/the-swiss-spy-alex-gerlis.pdf · Gerlis lives in London, is married with two daughters and is represented by Gordon Wise at

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

Therewasalightdrizzleashehurrieddown

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VictoriaStreetandbythetimehecrossedParliamentSquaretherainhadturnedheavy,causinghimtorundownWhitehall.Thecitywasenvelopedinthedarknessoftheblackout,whichmeanthesteppedinafewpuddles.Bythetimehearrivedattheentrancetotheheavily

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guardedbasementbeneathWhitehallhislightsummersuitwasquitedrenched,hissocksweresoggyandhewasbreathingheavily.Hejoinedasmallqueueofpeoplewaitingtobeallowedin.Thepervadingsmellwasthatofrain,sweatandcigarettesmoke.Heedgedhiswayto

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frontofthequeue,ignoringthemutteringbehindhim.

‘WhoshallIsayitisagainsir?’Thearmysergeantglancedanxiouslyatthemenbehindhim.

‘Itoldyou:Iwastelephonedjustbeforeandtoldtocomehere.Ireallydonotexpecttobekeptwaiting.

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Youunderstand?’Thesergeanthesitated:

hehadstrictordersaboutwhohewastoallowintothebasementandwhataccreditationtheyneeded.Thismanwastryingtobargehiswayin.Atthatmomentthedoortothebasementopenedandamantappedhim

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ontheshoulder.‘CaptainEdgariswith

me:beagoodchapandlethimthroughplease?’

Fiveminuteslatertheyhaddescendedseveralflightsofstairsandpassedthroughaseriesofguardeddoorways.Nowtheywereonanarrow

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platformoverlookingalargeandbrightlylitoperationsroom,itswallscoveredinhugemaps.Menandwomeninavarietyofuniformswereeitheronthephone,writingonbitsofpaperorclimbingladderstoadjustmarkersonthemaps.Anotherplatformtotheirleftwascrowdedwith

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seniorofficers.‘Sothisisitsir?’‘Seemstobe:itall

startedjustaftermidnight,ourtimethatis.TheGermanslaunchedairraidsagainstkeytargetsintheSoviet-controlledsectorofPoland.Soonafterthattheirlandforcescrossedtheborder.

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Hardtobetoopreciseatthemoment,buteverythingwe’repickingupseemstoindicatethisisamajorinvasion.Somereportssaythatover100Germandivisionsareinvolved.Otherreportssayitcouldbenearerto150.’

‘Reliablesources?’

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

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

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particularlygoodoneintheMinistryofForeignAffairs.’

Edgarshowednoreaction,asifnothinghewasbeingtoldwasnewstohim.Hefeltinhispocketsandrealisedhe’dforgottentobringcigarettes.

‘Whatdoesthefrontlooklike?’

Page 46: The Swiss Spy - 1.droppdf.com1.droppdf.com/files/NCFmh/the-swiss-spy-alex-gerlis.pdf · Gerlis lives in London, is married with two daughters and is represented by Gordon Wise at

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

PanzerGroup,weknowtheywereinthatarea.Thenallthewaydowntheborder,asfar

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

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‘Quitesomefront.’‘Well,ifthey’vereally

attackedfromtheBaltictotheBlackSea,that’swelloverathousandmiles.Extraordinaryiftheymanagetopullthatoff.’

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

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‘Whois?’Edgarlookeddownat

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

‘Nothingofficial.Apparentlythere’stalkof

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theirHighCommandhavingsentoutsomekindofalertaboutaninvasionsomethreehoursbeforetheGermansattacked,butwecan’tconfirmthat.Obviouslydidn’thaveanyeffect.CertainlytherewasaverynoticeableincreaseinradiotrafficinandoutofMoscow

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lastnight,butthenweknowtheSovietsarepronetogettingquitenoisyeverysooften.Allinall,itlooksliketheywerecaughtbysurprise.’

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

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***

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Chapter1:CroydonAirport,London,August1939Ashadeafter1.30ontheafternoonofMonday14th

August,20peopleemerged

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fromtheterminalbuildingatCroydonAirportandwereshepherdedacrossarunwaystilldampfromheavyovernightrain.

Theywereasomewhatdisparategroup,asinternationaltravellerstendtobe.SomewereBritish,someforeign;afewwomen,mostly

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

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

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

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

Whenthemanwiththe

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twobriefcasespresentedhispapers,thepoliceofficerresponsibleforcheckinglookedthroughthemwithextracarebeforenoddinginthedirectionofatallmanwhohadappearedbehindthepassenger.Hewasalsowearingatrilby,althoughhishadsuchawidebrimit

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wasn’tpossibletomakeoutanyfeaturesofhisface.

Thetallmansteppedforwardandimpatientlysnatchedthepassportfromthepoliceofficer.Heglancedatitbriefly,asifheknewwhattoexpect,thenturnedtothepassenger.

‘Wouldyoucomewith

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meplease,HerrHesse?’Itwasmoreofaninstructionthananinvitation.

‘What’stheproblem?Can’twesortwhateveritisouthere?’

‘Theremaynotbeaproblemsir,butit’dbebestifyoucamewithme.Itwillbemucheasiertotalkinside.’

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‘ButwhatifImissmyflight?Itleavesin20minutes.’

ThetallermansaidnothingbutgesturedtowardsablackAustin7thatpulledupalongsidethem.Bynowthelastpassengerhadboardedandthestepswerebeingwheeledawayfromthe

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aircraft.Theshortjourneybacktotheterminalwasconductedinsilence.Theyenteredtheterminalthroughasidedoorandwentuptoanofficeonthesecondfloor.

HerrHessefollowedthetallmanintothesmalloffice,whichwasdominatedbyalargewindow

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overlookingtheapronandtherunwaybeyondit.ThemantookaseatbehindthedeskinfrontofthewindowandgesturedtoHessetositontheotherside.

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

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insistonanexplanation.’Themanpointedatthe

chairandHessereluctantlysatdown,hisheadshakingashedidso.HeremovedhistrilbyandHessefoundhimselfstaringatoneofthemostunremarkablefaceshe’deverseen.Ithadthetannedcomplexionofsomeonewho

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spentplentyoftimeoutdoorsanddarkeyeswithapenetratingstare,butotherwisetherewasnothingaboutitthatwasmemorable.Hessecouldhavestaredatitforhoursandstillhaddifficultypickingitoutofacrowd.Themancouldhavebeenanythingfromlate-

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thirtiestomid-fifties,andwhenhespokeitwasingrammar-schooltones,withperhapstheveryslightesttraceofanorthernaccent.

‘MynameisEdgar.Doyousmoke?’

Hesseshookhishead.Edgartookhistimeselectingacigarettefromthesilver

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casehe’dremovedfromhisinsidepocketandlightingit.Heinspectedthelitendofthecigarette,turningitcarefullyinhishand,admiringtheglowandwatchingthepatternsmadebythewispsofsmokeastheyhungabovethedeskanddriftedtowardstheceiling.Heappearedtobein

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nohurry.BehindhimtheSwissairplanewasbeingpulledbyatractorinthedirectionoftherunway.AsilverImperialAirwaysplanewasdescendingsharplyfromthesouth,thesunbouncingoffitswings.

Edgarsatinsilence,lookingcarefullyattheman

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

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up,hewroteinhisnotebook:Complexion:pale,

almostunhealthy-looking,pasty.

Eyes:bright-green.Hair:darkandthick,

needscutting.Noseataslightangle

(left).Smiles.

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Build:slightlyoverweight.

Nervous,butsureofhimself.

Acolleaguehadtaughthimthistechnique.Toomanyofourfirstimpressionsofsomeonearecasualones,somuchsothattheybearlittlerelationtohowsomeone

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actuallylooks,hehadtoldhim.Asaconsequencewetendtoendupdescribingsomeoneinsuchgeneraltermsthatimportantfeaturestendtobedisregarded.Lookatthemforoneminute,forgetaboutthemforoneminuteandthenwritedownhalfadozenthingsaboutthem.

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Amanwhoatfirstglancewasdistinctlyordinary-looking,whoinothercircumstancesEdgarmightpassinthestreetwithoutnoticing,nowhadcharacteristicsthatmadehimeasiertorecall.

You’lldo.‘Thereareanumberof

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

‘Whywouldn’tIbe?’HessespokewithanimpeccableEnglishaccent

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thathadahintofupper-classdrawl.

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

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alsohaveaBritishpassportinthenameofHenryHunter?’

Themanhesitatedbeforenodding.Edgarnoticedhewasperspiring.

‘I’msureyou’dbemorecomfortableifyouremovedyourhatandcoat.’

TherewasanotherpausewhileHessegotupto

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hanghishatandcoatonthebackofthedoor.

‘Soyouacceptyou’realsoknownasHenryHunter?’

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

positionHerrHesse,Ithink

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I’dadoptamoreco-operativemanneraltogether.ImeanyourBritishpassport:theoneinthenameofHenryHunter.’

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

doubt,HerrHesse,Ishould

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tellyouIhavetherighttosearcheveryiteminyourpossession:theBritishpassportplease?’

Henryliftedthetanbriefcaseontohislap,angledittowardshimandopeneditjustwideenoughforonehandtoreachin.Heretrievedathickmanilaenvelope,from

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whichheremovedthepassportandhandedittoEdgarwhospentafewminutesstudyingit.

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

‘Correct.’EdgarhelduptheSwiss

passportinhislefthandand

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theBritishpassportinhisright,andmovedthemupanddown,asiftryingtoworkoutwhichweretheheavier.

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

‘Possibly,butIverylegitimatelyhavetwonationalities.Icannotsee…’

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

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equallyvalidpassport,butthistimeit’saSwissoneinadifferentname.’

Therewasalongsilence.ThroughthewindowbothmencouldseeSwissairflight1075edgeontotherunway.Edgarwalkedovertothewindowandgazedoutattheaircraftbeforeturning

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backtofaceHenry,raisinghiseyebrowsashedidso.

‘Anyexplanation?’Henryshrugged.Edgar

returnedtothedeskandreopenedhisnotebook.Hetookafountainpenfromhispocket.

‘Wecanreturntothebusinessofflightsina

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moment.Let’slookagainatyourdifferentnames.Whatcanyoutellmeaboutthat?’

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

‘Let’sseehowweget

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onwiththeexplanationyou’reabouttogiveme,eh?Youweretellingmehowyoumanagetohavetwonationalitiesandtwonames.’

Henryshrugged,asthoughhecouldnotunderstandwhythiswouldrequireanyexplanation.

‘Terribly

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

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

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behappytoclearmattersupattheBritishconsulateinGenevaifthathelps.DoyouthinkI’llbeabletomakethethreeo’clockGenevaflight?’

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

Henryshiftedinhis

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seat,clearlyuncomfortable.‘Idon’thaveacareeras

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

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someworkwithatravelagencyandabitoftranslation.I’vemanagedtokeepbusyenough.’

Edgarspentafewminutesflickingthroughhisnotebookandthetwopassports.Atonestage,hemadesomenotes,asifcopyingsomethingfromone

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ofthedocuments.Hethenconsultedamaphe’dremovedfromhisjacketpocket.

‘Yousaidthatyourstepfatherwasverywealthy…’

‘…Hediedacoupleofyearsago.’

‘Andwheredidyou

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live?’‘NearNyon,bythe

lake.’Edgarnodded

approvingly.‘ButIseeyounowlive

inthecentreofGeneva,ontheRuedeValais?’

‘That’sright.’‘Andhowwouldyou

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describethatarea?’‘Pleasantenough.’‘Really?FromwhatI

rememberofGenevathat’sratheronthewrongsideofthetracks.Overlookingtherailwaylineareyou?’

‘Toanextent,yes.’‘Well,eitheroneis

overlookingtherailwayline

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oroneisnot?’‘Yes,wedooverlook

it.’‘Soundsratherlikea

fallfromgrace.Wishtotellmeaboutit?’

EdgarselectedanothercigaretteandhehadsmokedmostofitbeforeHenrybegantoanswer.Heappearedtobe

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distressed,hisvoicenowmuchquieter.

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

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

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propertybythelakenearNyonturnedouttoberentedandthevariousbankaccountsmymotherhadaccesstoweremoreorlessempty.Wequicklywentfrombeingverycomfortabletoveryhardup:hencetheflatbytherailwayline.We’veonlybeenabletosurviveaswehavebecause

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

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difficulttimesonthecontinent.’

‘Asonegathers.SothepurposeofyourvisitbacktoEngland–togetawayfromitall?’

‘Familybusiness,friends.Thattypeofthing.’

Edgarstoodupandremovedhisjacket,drapingit

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

‘Familybusiness,

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

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aboutthefamilybusinessyoumentioned?’

‘Yousaid“we”.Whodoyoumeanby”we”?’

Edgarleanedback,pointedlyignoringthequestion.

‘Youweregoingtotellmeaboutyourfamilybusiness,MrHunter.’

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‘MyauntdiedinJuly.Shewasmylatefather’seldersister.Iwasattendingherfuneral.’

‘Mycondolences.Wereyouclosetoher?’

‘Notespecially,butIwasherclosestlivingrelative.’

‘Andyouarea

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beneficiaryofthewill,nodoubt?’

‘Yes.’‘Andhowmuchdid

youinherit,MrHunter?’TheSwissairDC-3was

nowbeginningtotaxidowntherunway.Atankerwasturningaroundinfrontofthebuilding,fillingtheroom

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withthesmelloffuel.Henryshiftedinhischair.

‘Bythesoundsofit,Isuspectyouprobablyalreadyknowtheanswertothat.’

Edgarhadreturnedtohischairandleanedbackinitsoittiltedagainstthewindow.Ashedidso,hecrossedhisarmshighonhis

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chest,staringlongandhardatHenry.

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

‘Beforeyoudo,couldI

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askwhetheryouareapoliceofficer?’

‘No.’‘Ifyou’renotapolice

officer,whatauthoritydoyouhavetoquestionmelikethis?’

Edgarlaughed,asifhefoundHenry’sremarktobegenuinelyamusing.

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‘MrHunter.WhenyoufindoutonwhatauthorityIoperateyouwillverymuchregretaskingthatquestion.So,shallItellyoumyversionofwhyIthinkyoucameoverhere?’

Henryloosenedhistieandturnedaroundinhischair,lookinglonginglyatthe

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door,asifhewerehopingsomeonewouldcomeinandexplainthewholebusinesshadbeenaterriblemisunderstanding.

‘LouiseAliceHunterwas,asyoucorrectlysay,yourlatefather’seldersisterandyouwereindeedheronlysurvivingrelative.’Edgarhad

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nowopenedhisnotebookandwasreferringtoitashespoke.‘Shewas82yearsofageandhadbeenaresidentintheGreenLawnsResidentialHomenearBuckinghamfornineyears.Thematronofthehomeinformsusthatyoudutifullycameovertovisitheronceayear.Youvisited

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herlastNovemberandthenagaininMay,shortlybeforeshedied.Oneachofthosevisitsyouwereaccompaniedbyhersolicitor.AmIcorrectsofar?’

Henrysaidnothing.‘Ishallassumethen

thatyouwillpointoutifanythingIsayisincorrect.

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Yourauntdiedonthe24th

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

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Henrynodded.‘Butthisiswherean

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

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

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

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sumofjustundersixthousandpounds:certainlyahandsomesum.Doesthissoundcorrecttoyou?’

‘Ifyousayso.YoudoseemtoknowagooddealmorethanIdo.’

‘Butthere’sasmallproblem,fromyourpointofview.Thatmoneycouldonly

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

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

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alongtime.I…’‘…You’remakinga

numberofassumptionshere,Edgar.WhatmakesyouthinkI’vedoneanythingimproper?I…’

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

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

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illegal.’Henryshiftedinhis

chairandpulledalargehandkerchieffromatrouserpockettomophisbrow.Edgarhadnowremovedapairofreadingglassesfromacrocodile-skincaseand,afterpolishingthemforlongerthannecessary,hebeganto

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readfromadocumenthe’dextractedfromthedeskdrawer.

‘Accordingtothebestlegaladviceavailabletome,there’snoquestionthatbothMrHartandyoucommittedacrime,namelyconspiracytodefraud.Mylearnedfriendstellmethatontheevidence

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they’veseen,aconvictionwouldbeextremelylikelyandatermofimprisonmentwouldalmostcertainlyensue.TheysaythereisampleprimafaceevidencetoshowyouhaveconspiredtodefraudHisMajesty’sExchequerofthedutiesowedtoitfromyourgreataunt’s

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

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toahealthissue,ashedescribesit,heallowedhimselftobepersuadedagainsthisbetterjudgementtoreleasethefunds.Headmitshereceivedamuchlargerfeethanhewouldordinarilyhaveexpected.Apparently…’

‘It’snotasbadasit

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

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certainlybeforeprobatewouldordinarilyhavebeengranted.’

‘Really?IthinkyouandMrHartcookedupasomewhatcleverschemewherebyyouwerecountingonwarbeingdeclared.MrHartbelievedthat,inthosecircumstances,hecouldapply

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

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

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

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‘Really?Allweneedtodonowisfindthemoney,ehHunter?Doyouwantmetohazardaguessastowhereitcouldbe?’

HenrysatverystillandstaredacrosstheairportasEdgarstoodupandwalkedaroundthedesk.OnceinfrontofHenryhebentdown

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topickupthetwoleatherbriefcasesandplacedthembothonthedesk.

‘Keys?’Withoutsaying

anythingordivertinghisgazefromtherunway,Henryreachedintotheinsidepocketofhisjacketandproducedasetofkeys,whichhehanded

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toEdgar.IttookEdgarafull20

minutestoremoveallthebundlesofbanknotesfromthetwobriefcases,assemblingthedifferentdenominationsinseparatepiles.Notawordwasexchangedduringthisprocess,whichHenry

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

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fiveswasbyfarthelargest.Edgarsteppedback

fromthedeskandstoodbesideHenry.Theentiresurfaceofthedeskwascoveredinmoney.

‘I’veonlyofcoursebeenabletodoanapproximatecount,butI’dsaythatthere’sseven

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thousandpoundsthere.Wouldthatbecorrect,MrHunter?’

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

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apparently.’‘Twohundredpounds

doesn’tseemtometobeverymuchconsideringtheimpactthisislikelytohaveonhisprofessionalcareer.’

‘It’sallbeenratherrushed,Edgar.Asitwassuchalargesumofcashwehadtowithdrawitfromamain

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branchoftheMidlandBankinthecity.Wewereonlyabletogetholdofitthismorning.’

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

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shalllookafterthemoneyandallyourpossessions.Weshallmeetagaininafewdays.’

***Afewminuteslater,HenryHunterhadbeenescortedfromtheairportinhandcuffs

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bythreeuniformedpoliceofficers.Intheofficeoverlookingtherunway,Edgarremovedhistie,litanothercigaretteanddialledaLondonnumberfromthetelephonenestlingbetweenthebundlesofbanknotesonthedesk.

‘It’sEdgar.’

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‘Ithoughtitmightbeyou.Howdiditgo?’

‘Verymuchaccordingtoplan.’

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

asyouputitPorter.’‘Andwhat’shelike?’‘Ratheraswewere

expecting.Notaltogetherthe

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mostagreeableoftypes,butthenthat’shardlyadisqualificationinourlineofwork,isit?’

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

‘No,nonewhatsoever.Hewasratherimpressiveinthatrespect,Imustsay.Had

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onenotbeenaware,onewouldreallyhavehadnoideaatall.’

‘Splendid.Whatnow?’‘Ithinkheneedsafew

daysonhisown.Itoughttobeeasyenoughafterthat.’

***

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Chapter2:London,August1939ItwasearlyonablazinghotMondayafternoon–oneofthefirsttrulyhotdaysthatAugust–whenEdgarsteppedoutintoWhitehallandpaused

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foragoodminuteortwoonthepavementtoenjoythesun.TherewasanuncharacteristicbounceinhisstepashestrolledupWhitehalltoTrafalgarSquarewherehecaughtthenumber12busandheadedwest.Heneededsometimetothinkandwhat,hethought,could

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beamorepleasantplacetodothatfromthanthetopdeckofaLondonbus?

HestayedonthebusuntilNottingHillGatethenwalkedovertoKensingtonParkRoad,takingcareashedidsotoensurehewasnotbeingfollowed.Hewasabouttowalk,butanumber52bus

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camealongandhedecidedtohopon.HestayedonthebusuntilitwashalfwaydownLadbrokeGrove.Hewaitedafullfiveminutesatthebusstoptoensurehistailwasclearthenheadednorth-westtowherethegrandeurofHollandParkpeteredouttoaseriesofplainandforgettable

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buildings.Hepassedagroceryshopwithalongandexcitedqueueoutsideitandbrieflywonderedwhetherheshouldjoinit,asonedidthesedays,butaglanceathiswatchmadehimrealiseheneededtohurry.

Edgarpausedoutsideasmallalley,allowedan

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elderlyladytobepulledpasthimbyapairofyappingterriersthenenteredthealley.Attheendofithepressedabellandalargeirongateswungopen.Hewasnowinasmallcourtyard:apolicemansalutedandunlockedadoorandfromthereEdgardescendedthreeflightsof

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stairsbeforefindinghimselfinwhatwas,toallintentsandpurposes,asmallpolicestation.

***

Minuteslaterhewassittinginastuffywindowlessroominthebasementwithapolice

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

Theinspectorremovedanotebookfromthetoppocketofhisuniformjacket

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andflickedthroughafewpages.

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

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lawyer.WekepthiminhiscelluntilWednesdayafternoonwhenhewasbroughtinhereandIreadhimtheriotact:toldhimthatunderemergencyregulationshehadnorighttoalawyer.HeaskedforacopyofthoseregulationsandItoldhimitwasinthepost,whichdidn’t

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seemtoreassurehim.Thursday:he’sstillmakingafusssowebringinacoupleoftheplainclothesboysasyousuggestedandthatdoesthetrick.Theytellhimhe’sbeingdoneforconspiracytocommitfraudandthatifhepleadsguiltyandisterriblyluckywiththejudgehemay

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getawaywithfiveyears.Otherwise,hecandoubleit.’

‘Andhowdidhetakethat?’

‘Verymuchaswewouldhavehoped:afewtearsbeforebedtime.Hebeggedtobeabletosendatelegramtohismother;toldanyonewho’dlistenthat

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therehadbeenaterriblemisunderstandingandhe’dhappilydonatethemoneytocharity.’

‘AndIpresumeyouthendidasIasked?’

‘Ofcourse:plainclothesboysreturnedonFridaymorningandheprovidesuswithaneatstatement,

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confessingall.Ihaveithere.’Fromadrawerinthe

deskbetweenhimandEdgartheinspectorproducedthreecloselytypedsheetsofpaper,eachsignedwithsomethingofaflourish.Edgarcarefullyreadthenre-readthestatement.

‘SignedonFriday18th

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August,good:andsincethen?’

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

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inaweek.Evenso…’‘You’rehesitating,

Hill.’‘It’sjustIwouldhave

expectedsomeonelikehimtobeevenmoreaffectedbyhisordeal.Accordingtotheguardshedoesn’tsleepwell,andhe’sunquestionablyshakenandhassignedthe

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

‘We’llsee,shallwe?Anyway,welldoneHill.

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Goodwork.Betterbringhimin.’

Despitewhatthepoliceinspectorhadsaid,HenryHunterlookedmorewornintheweeksinceEdgarhadlastseenhim,althoughhissmilewasstillinplace.Hehadlostabitofweight;darkringshadappearedaroundhiseyes

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alongwithtwoorthreeday’sgrowthofbeard.HeappearedtoberelievedtoseeEdgar.

‘Ithoughtwemaymeetagain.’

‘Howhasyourweekbeen,Hunter?Treatedwell?’

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

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letmehaveanewspaperandIcan’tbelieveI’munabletoseeasolicitororcontactmymother.Isthatright?’

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

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

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

‘Itisapolicestation,althoughyouareatpresenttheonlypersonincustodyinit.Iunderstandyourpredicamenthasbeenexplainedtoyoubysome

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officershere?’‘Yes.Conspiracyto

commitfraudapparentlyandifI’mvery,veryluckyIshallgetawaywithfiveyearsinprison.I’vesignedastatement.’

‘Anddidtheyaddthatifyou’refoundguiltyorpleadguiltythenallofthe

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moneywefoundinyourpossessionwillbeconfiscated?Aftertheotherbeneficiariesandthedutyhavebeenpaid,you’llbeleftwithnothing.’

‘Theydidn’tmentionthat,no.’

‘Soallinall,Hunter,abitofamesseh?’

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‘Soitwouldseem.’Alongsilenceensured

duringwhichEdgarlitacigaretteandwrotesomenotesinhisbook.

‘I’mtoldtheprisonregimeislikelytobeespeciallyharshduringwartime.Mostprisonersarerequiredtoundertakequite

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onerousphysicallabour.’Henrysaidnothing,

unsurehowhewasmeanttoreact.

‘However,thereisanalternativeHunter.Thereisawayofavoidingprisonandevenkeepingmostofyourmoney.You’dbeabletoreturntoSwitzerlandandsee

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yourmotheragain.’Henry’seyeslitupand,

suspiciousashewas,hefoundithardtosuppressathinsmile.

‘Tellmemore.’‘BeforeIcandothatI

needtoknowforsurewhetheryou’reinterestedornot.’

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‘Yes,ofcourseI’minterested.’

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

Henrynodded.

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

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

Henryleantforward,hishandstouchingthedesk,eagertohearmore.

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‘Whatwouldyourequiremetodo?’

‘IhadhopedI’dmadethatapparentMrHunter–Henry.Tohelpusgatherintelligence.’

‘Beaspy?’‘Correct.’Outsideinthecorridor

ametalgateslammedshut

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andtherewasamurmurofvoicespassingby.Henrylaughed.

‘Aspy?Youmustbejoking:whatonearthmakesyousosureI’muptothis?’

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

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

‘Whichis?’‘Ifyouturndownour

offer,thealternativeisa

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lengthyspellinoneofHisMajesty’sprisons.Furthermore,thereisthequestionofthemoney.’

‘Youmeanmyaunt’s?’‘Yes,thesixthousand

poundsthat’slegallyyoursbutwhichyou’llloseasaresultofthecourtcase.However,ifyouagreeto

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workforusthennotonlywilltherebenocourtcasebutyou’llalsoreceivethemoney:allsixthousandpoundsofit.AbankaccountwillbeopenedinyournameattheQuaidesBerguesbranchofCreditSuisseinGeneva.Ifyouacceptmyoffer,thesumoffivehundred

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poundswillbetransferredtothataccountimmediately.Thereafter,we’lltransferafurtheronehundredpoundsamonthintothataccountforaslongasyouworkforus.’

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

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receiveallmymoney!’‘Henry,you’renot

obligedtotakeupouroffer.Wecannotforceyoutobeaspy.Look,itmaybeawhilebeforewecalluponyourservices,butifyouundertakeanyspecificmissionsuccessfullythenwecanconsideradvancingfurther

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lumpsumsoffivehundredpounds.Andofcourse,we’llcoveranyexpensesyoumayincur.’

‘Howaboutifyouweretoadvanceathousandpounds?MymotherandIhaveconsiderabledebtstoclear.’

‘Henry:youreally

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aren’tinapositiontonegotiate.’

‘Willtherebeanydanger–yousaidsomethingabout“enemyterritory”?’

Edgarlaughed,standingupashedidso,stretchinghimself.

‘Ofcoursethere’llbedanger:plentyofit,I

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

‘Ten?IthoughtitwouldbefiveifIpleadedguilty?’

‘BelievemeHenry.If

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

Edgarhadexpected

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morequestions,morehesitationandmoresignsofnerves,butwithwhatseemedtobebarelyasecondthought,HenryHunterclappedhishandsandallowedhisthinsmiletobecomeabroadone.

‘AllsoundsmostinterestingEdgar.I’mreadytojoinyou.’

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***

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Chapter3:toFranceandSwitzerland,November1939HenryHunter’strainingasaBritishagenthadbeenentrustedtoaclassicsdonwhohadmovedfroma

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crumblingOxfordcollegetoacrumblingcountryhousesomewherenorthofLondonforthepurposeoftraininghisspecialscholars,ashelikedtocallthem.Henevertiredoftellingthemthatthetransitionfromteachingclassicstoteachingespionagewasanaturalone.

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

CaptainEdgarhadvisitedthecountryhouseonceaweektocheckonHenry’sprogress.Hewastakinghistime:physical

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fitnesswasanissue,aswashisradiotraining,buthewasregardedasabrilliantmapreaderandbecameproficientwitharevolver.ItwasonlytowardstheendofOctoberthattheclassicsdonconcededhewasmoreorlessready.

‘Myopinionisthatthecharacteristicsofaspyare

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

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

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theothersideofthestreet,slightlyapartfromthecrowdbutnotsomuchsothatpeoplewouldnoticethem.’

‘Veryinteresting,butdoesHuntermakeitasaspy?’

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

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

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

***

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Aweeklater,HenryandEdgarwerebeingdrivendownalaneonamoonlessnightwhenHenrychosetobreaktheuneasysilencethathadaccompaniedthemsinceleavingthecountryhouse.

‘Can’tseeabloodythinginthisdarkEdgar–andwhat’shappenedtoallthe

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roadsigns?’‘Iappreciatethatyou

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

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‘Andtheroadsigns?’‘Noneedtohelpany

Germanspieswhoarelost,isthere?’

‘Canyouatleasttellmewhereweare,Edgar?’

‘No.’‘You’retreatingmelike

I’mabloodyprisoner.’‘Whichbutforthe

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

‘HowcouldI?YouknowhowgratefulIamtoyou.’

‘Lessofthesarcasmifyouplease,Hunter.Icantell

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youwe’vebeendrivingsouthandwe’renowinHampshire,whichisasmuchasyouneedtoknow.’

‘AnyparticularpartofHampshire?’

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

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

***

FirstthinginthemorningforEdgarwasaroundtwohoursearlierthanHenryhadhoped

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

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bereadyintenminutes.Edgarwassittingata

longtableinalargeoffice,theroomalreadywreathedinsmoke.Hewaswearingacoatandahighwindowwasopen,lettinginthecoldmorningairandthedistinctivesmellofrecentlyturnedsoil.Thetablewas

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crowdedwithfilesanddocuments.AsHenryenteredtheroom,hewasfollowedinbyanothersoldierbearingatraywithapotoftea,toastandboiledeggs.

Henryhadlittleappetite,butEdgartuckedin.HeateinsilenceforfiveminuteswhileHenrynibbled

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onasliceoftoastandsippedtheweaktea.

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

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

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confideinanyonemakesitamostdifficultandstressfulexistence.Ineedhardlytellyoutheworldofespionageisnotoneofglamourorexcitement.Themostcommonemotionsareboredomandfear.’

Henrynodded.Thiswasnotthefirsttimehe’d

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heardthis,butnowhisreturntoSwitzerlandwasimminenthebegantofeelnervous.

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

Andsoitcontinuedfor

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manyhours.Asnoonapproachedandthesunbecamebrighter,sandwicheswerebroughtinalongwithacoupleofbottlesofbeer.EdgarbegantoappearmorerelaxedthanHenryhadeverseenhim.

‘Usuallyinthesesituations,Hunter,onespends

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

‘Youleavetonight,

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

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

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youunderstand?’Henrynodded.‘Good.Yourmotheris

expectingyou:sendheratelegramfromParisgivingdetailsofyourarrival.Onceyouarrive,you’lltellheraslittleaspossible.Allthelettersyouwrotewhileyouwerebeingtrainedhavebeen

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

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‘It’sgoingtobehardtoconvinceherwhythosefinancialarrangementstooksolong.’

‘Butnotaslongasitcouldhavebeen,eh?Don’ttryandexplaintoomuch.Justtellheritwasfarmorecomplicatedtotransfermoneyoutofthecountrythan

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you’drealisedandintheendyouhadtosettleforitbeingpaidininstalments.Theinitialfivehundredpoundsdepositandthetwohundredpoundsshehasbeensentshouldensureyoucannowleadamoreagreeablelifestyle,alongwiththeonehundredpoundspermonth,of

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course.’‘WhenwillIbe

contactedEdgar?HowwillIknowwhattodo?’

‘WithinadayortwoofyourarrivalbackinGenevayouaretogototheQuaidesBerguesbranchofCreditSuisse,wherewe’veopenedanaccountinyournameas

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

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

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

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ItalianLira.Ifthereareanychangesinyourcircumstances,youmustinformher.Doyouunderstandallthis?’

Henryunderstood.Edgargothimtorepeatit.

‘Whenwemakecontactwithyou,itwon’tbethroughMadameLadnier.Itcouldbe

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

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you’llbeapproachedinthestreetbysomeoneaskingfordirectionstotheOldTown.WhatisityoucallitinGeneva?’

‘Thevieilleville’.‘They’llbecarryinga

copyofthepreviousday’seditionoftheTribunedeGenève.Inreplytotheir

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

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

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

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ofthistomeHenry.’

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

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shouldn’tcountonbeingabletosleepontheboat.Inhisroomhesawacasehadbeencarefullypackedforhim,alongwithhistwobriefcases.Achangeofclotheswaslaidoutonthebed.Edgarexplainedthateverythinghadbeencarefullycheckedtoensurenothingincriminating

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wasinhispossessionincasehewassearched.

Hewaswokenat4.00andthesoldierwhohadbeenlookingafterhimtoldhimabathhadbeenprepared.By4.30hewasbackintheofficewherehisbriefinghadbeenheldthatmorning.Thesoldiercarriedhisbagand

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Henrycarriedhisownbriefcases.Edgarwasnervouslyfiddlingwithhisleathergloves.

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

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youarriveandsendatelegramwiththefollowingmessagetothisaddress.’

HehandedaslipofpapertoHenry.Themessageread:‘ArrivedsafelyParisstopregardstoallstop.’

‘Memorisethatanddestroythepaper.Thengotofindahoteland,thenext

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morning,takethetraintoGeneva.YouknowyourwayaroundParis?’

Henryshrugged.‘I’vebeenonceortwice.’

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

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guesthouseinFulhamtoshowyou’vebeenstayingtheresincethemiddleofAugust.InthisenvelopeismorepaperworkthanyoucouldimaginefromvariousfirmsofsolicitorsandtheMidlandBankrelatingtothereleaseofmoneyfromyouraunt’sestate,includinga

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terriblyhelpfulletterfromthebankexplainingthemoneycanonlybetransferredlegallytoaforeigncountryininstalments.CanIask,isyourmothertheinquisitivetype?’

‘Doyoumean,isshenosey?’

Edgarlaughed.‘Well,yes.’

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‘Shecouldnotbemorenosey,ifIwashonest.Alwayspokingaboutinmythings.’

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

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youraccountofwhyyouwerekepthereforsolong.It’sessentialsheneversuspectswhatyou’reupto,doyouunderstand?’

Henrynodded.‘Hangon,beforeyou

putallthatinyourbriefcase,here’ssomemoremoney:twentypoundsworthof

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FrenchfrancswhichoughttobemorethanenoughforyourhoteltomorrownightandthetickettoGeneva,plusmeals.AndhereinthisenvelopeisfiftypoundsworthofSwissFrancs,whichoughttocoveranyexpensesyoumayincurintheforeseeablefutureinSwitzerland.’

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Atfiveo’clockacarpulledupoutsidethebuildingandthetwomenlefttheofficeandwalkedquietlytoit.EdgarhelpedHenryputhiscasesinthebootthenjoinedhimintheback.

‘Ithoughtyou’dlikemetoseeyouoff.’

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***HenryHunterboardedtheSSWorthinginSouthamptonbeforethetroopsembarkedandwastakenstraighttoatinycabinintheofficers’quarters,whichhadabunkandlittleelse.Thecaptaincameinandtoldhimhewas

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toremaininthecabinforthedurationofthevoyage.

TheydockedinCherbourgjustafterseventhenextmorningandatnineo’clockthecaptaincameintohiscabin.Hewassafetoleavenow,allthetroopshaddisembarked.Ataxiwaswaitingonthequaytotake

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himtothestation.Henrywasshockedat

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

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

ThetrainpulledintoGareSaint-Lazarejustbefore

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

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intoit.HefoundthetelegrambureauandsentthemessagetoLondon.Hehadlittledoubthewouldbewatchedatthestation:requiringhimtosendthetelegramwasagoodwayofensuringthat.HethenwalkedoutofthevastconcourseofGareSaint-LazareandawayfromClichy

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anditstemptations.Thefurtheryouwalk

theharderitisforyoutobefollowed.

Soheheadedsouththeneast,downBoulevardHaussmannwheretheelegantshopsandstraightlinesaffordedhimplentyofopportunitytoobserveevery

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

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decidedtolookforsomewheretostayaroundRepubliqueandfoundasmallhotelbytheCanalSaintMartin,wherehetookacomfortableroomwithitsownprivatebathroomoverlooking,asrequested,thefrontofthehotel.Hethenspentanhoursittingbythe

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

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

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patronunderstood,butheslippedhimagenerousfewfrancsforwhathesaidwasanalreadyexcellentserviceandexplainedhemaybebacklate,perhapsverylate.Wouldthepatronbesogoodastolethimhaveakey?Ofcourse.Andwouldhealsobeabletoperhapsslipanoteunderhis

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

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itwouldbehispleasure,indeedhisdutyaspatrontodowhateverhecouldtoassist.

HenrywalkedoutintothebitterParisiannightair,whereawindhadsweptupthenearbySeineandwassettlingoverthecity.Hewaitedintheentranceofthe

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hotelfortenminutesand,oncehewascertainhewasalone,heheadedsouth,turningupthecollarofhiscoatashedidso.

Therealdangerofbeingaspyisthatwhichyoucourtyourself.

Heheadedinasouth-easterlydirection,awayfrom

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

Verywell.Youknow

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wheretocome.Giveusonehour.Becareful.

SohewalkeddownBoulevardVoltairethenfoundatinycaféinthePassageSaint-PierreAmelot.Therewerefourtwo-seatertables,crammedintoaspacewherethreewouldhavebeenatightsqueeze.Oneofthe

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tableswasoccupiedbyayoungcouple.Henrytookavacantone,makingsurehefacedthedoor.Heremainedthereforhalfanhour:dinnerwasabowlofsoupwithbreadandanexcellentomelette.

Ittookhim20minutestoreachhisdestinationfrom

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

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

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

Heknewtheareaverywellandpickeduphispace,

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dartingupanddownlittlealleys,doublingbackonhimself,pausingindarkeneddoorwaysandmakingitimpossibleforanyonetofollowhim.HeemergedintotheRuedeBretagneandslippedintotheentranceofalargegreybuildingwithenormousshutteredwindows

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

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***

‘Youlookverywell.You’velostweight.’

‘Yes,thankyouViktor.’Henryhesitated.Hewasabouttoreturnthecompliment,butrealisednothingcouldbefurtherfrom

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

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

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havenoticedthat,forabriefmoment,histhinsmilehaddisappeared.

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

TheywerespeakinginFrench,neitherman’snativelanguage,whichaddedtoa

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

‘Whatwillyoudrink?I

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seemtohaveeverythinghere.Whisky?’

‘No,notforme,thankyou.’

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

Theman’slookofconcernbrokeintoabroad

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

‘I’mascertainasIcanbe,’saidHenry.

Viktorshuffledhis

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largeframearoundinthechairtomakehimselfcomfortable.Fromasidetablehepickedupalargenotebook,expensivelyboundinbrownleather.Heproducedapencilfromhistoppocketandsharpeneditwithapenknifethatcamefromanotherpocket,

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allowingtheshavingstogatheronthefrontofhisjacket.HemadeafewnotesbeforelookingupatHenryandsmiling,asifcheckingonhimonceagain.

‘Wehavetwohours,maybethree.Youneedtotellmeeverything.’

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

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stoppedforacoffeeandcroissantnearbythencaughtatramontheBoulevardduTempledowntotheGaredeLyon.Hemanagedtobookagoodseatontheteno’clocktraintoGenevawherehefoundhimselfinacarriagewithsixotherpassengers:aformallydressedSwiss

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businessmanwhotuttedloudlyifanyonecametoonearhim;anelegantlydressed,elderlyFrenchladywhospentmostofthejourneysmilingwistfullyoutofthewindowanddidnotremoveherleatherglovesonceduringthejourney;andacouplewiththeirsonand

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

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TheparentsspoketothechildreninaccentedFrench,buttoeachotherinwhatsoundedtoHenrylikePolishandalsoastrangeversionofHighGermanhe’dneverheardbefore.Fromwhathecouldtell,theywereanxiousaboutcrossingtheborder.Thewifekeptaskingthe

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

Thejourneywas

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uneventfuluntilaroundaquartertosixwhenthetrainpulledintoGaredeBellegarde,thelaststationinFrancebeforetheSwissborder.Foraroundtenminutes,thetrainjuststoodstill,withnoapparentreasonforthedelay.Thebusinessmanlookedathis

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

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

Fiveminuteslater,twoSwissborderguardsanda

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

HenryshowedhisSwisspassport.OneSwissborderguardshowedittotheotherandtheybothnodded.‘NoproblemMonsieur

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

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behindthem.‘Thesepapersarenotin

order,’oneofthemsaidtothefather.

‘ButIwasassuredtherewouldbenoproblem.’

‘Well,thereis.YouhavenovalidpapershereallowingyoutoenterSwitzerland.Itisnot

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possible.’Thehusbandandwife

exchangedglances;thewifenodded.Doit.

‘PerhapsIcouldhaveawordwithyouinthecorridor?’Hegesturedtowardsthechildren.Awayfromthem,please.

Henrycouldjustmake

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

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‘YouaredeniedentrytoSwitzerland.Youhavetoleavethetrainnow,’heheardoneofthemsay.Henrynoticedtheotherguardgrabbedthebanknotes.

‘YouareinillegalpossessionofSwisscurrency.Weareconfiscatingit.’

Thegendarme

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

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elderlyladylookedshockedandthebusinessmanannoyedasbaggagewasremovedfromaroundhim.Aminuteorsolater,Henrywatchedasthefamilyemergedontothedesertedplatformandthetrainslowlybegantomoveagain.Thebusinessmanshookhisheadandmuttered

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theword‘juifs’.Theladyhadstoppedsmiling.

ThetrainpulledintoGareCornavinjustbeforeseveno’clock.OntheshortwalkhomeHenrywashitbytheicyblastfromthenearbyAlps,bouncingintothecityfromthelake.Despitethisandtheburdenshenow

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carried,hehadthemostunusualsensationofarrivingsomewherehecouldcallhome.

***

AtaroundthesametimethatHenryHunter’strainwasleavingGaredeLyon,Edgar

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tookacallonasecurelineinhisoffice.ItwasHurstfromtheParisstation.

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

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

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

‘Wheredidheendup?’

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‘TheMarais,aswesuspectedhewould.’

‘Andthepeoplehemetupwith:you’resureofwhotheyare?’

‘Yessir,we’reabsolutelycertain.Noquestionaboutit.’

***

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Chapter4:fromMarseillestoMoscow,December1939EarlyintheafternoonofthefirstMondayofDecemberalargemanwearingalong,darkcoatandasmartblack

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fedoramarchedwithsurprisingagilityupfromthevieuxportinMarseillestohispensionoverlookingtheportandtheMediterraneanbeyondit.

HewasRussian,butforthepurposesofhisvisithewasaSwedishshippingagentfromGothenburg.Hehad

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beenhangingaroundthevieuxportforafewfutiledays,hopingtomakecontactwithanAlgerianwhohadapparentlycontactedaCommunistPartyofficialinthecitywiththepromiseofsomesecretdocumentsofanunspecifiednature.ThePartyofficialhadnowdisappeared

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andtheAlgeriannevershowedup.Itwasthenatureofthejobhereflected,asthepensioncameintosight:unlikethefishermenhehadbeenwatchingthatmorningsellingtheircatchontheQuaidesBelges,aspyhadtobecomeusedthepreyonlyoccasionallysuccumbingto

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thebait.Hehaddecidedto

remaininMarseillesforanotherdayortwo;ashipwasdueinfromGreeceandGreekcrewsalwaysofferedtheopportunityofgoodcontacts.Butwhenhereturnedtohispensiontherewasatelegramwaitingfor

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him,sentfromthemainpostofficeinGothenburg.

‘Motherillstopreturnhomesooneststop’

TheRussianrarelyallowedhimselftheindulgenceofemotion,buthedidthatafternoon,sittingquietlyinhisroomforafewminutesafterhehadpacked

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andcontemplatingwhatasummonshomecouldmean.Hehadsurvived,ashelikedtoseeit,varioussuchcallsoverthepastfewyears,butfearedhisluckcouldnotholdoutmuchlonger.Asensationoffearsweptoverhimandittooktheremainsofthevodkabythesideofthebedanda

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coldbathbeforehecametohissenses.Ihavedonenothingwrong:Nooneintheserviceisindispensible,butIamclosertoitthanmany.

AnhourlaterhehadcheckedoutofthepensionandstoppedatthemainpostofficetosendatelegramtoGothenburgtotheeffectthat

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hewassoconcernedaboutmotherhewasreturninghome:lovetomotherstop.Thenheheadedtotheportoffice,wherehefoundthecaptainofaTurkishsteamerleavingthateveningforIstanbulwhowasmorethanhappytotakeapassenger,especiallyonewhowas

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offeringtopaysogenerously.Wehavealightload:withluckweshouldarriveonSaturday;maybeSunday.

ThesteamerdulyarrivedinIstanbulearlyontheSaturdayeveningandthecaptaintookhispassengerstraighttothehouseofhiswife’scousin,whosailedhis

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

Odessawasadayandahalf’shardsailingfromIstanbuland,encouragedby

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theRussian’sgenerosity,theskippermadeittherelateontheMondayafternoon.Hewentstraighttotherailwaystation:thenighttraintoMoscowwasleavingataquartertomidnight.Hehadtimetosendatelegramannouncinghisarrivalthenfindacaféwherehecouldeat

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familiarfoodandgetusedtohearingfamiliarlanguagesaroundhimonceagain.

Itwaspastmidnightwhenthetrainnoisilypulledoutofthestationand,asthefinallegofhisvoyagebegan,thefearthathadstruckhiminMarseillesreturned.Itkepthimwideawakeuntilthey

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reachedKharkovintheearlyhoursofthemorning,turninghisstomachintoknotsandmakinghisheartbeatfast.Alongwiththefearcamethedoubt:shouldIhavestayedinFrance?Icouldsoeasilyhavedisappearedfromthere.

ThetrainwasheldinKharkovforthreeorfour

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

BythetimedawnbrokeontheWednesdaymorningtheywereapproachingthe

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

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theparthecouldnevercometotermswith–wasthattheoneplaceyoucouldcallhome,theplaceyouriskedyourlifeforandsufferedallthehardshipsonbehalfof–wastheplaceyoufearedmost.Hewouldhavenoideawhetherthedaythathadjustbegunwouldendwitha

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

ThetrainpulledintoKurskystationateight

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o’clockandhewasmetontheplatformbytwoyoungmenwhoescortedhimtoawaitingcar,whichhedecidedwasabadsign.ItwasagloriousdayinMoscowandhebegantofeelquiteemotionalontheshortjourney.Heresolvedifhesurvivedthistripandwas

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

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indispensible.Whatmatteredmostwasthathedidoutlivehisluckandnowhefearedthishadrunoutonhim.

Thecardrovestraightintoabasement,whichhedecidedwasanotherbadsign.Hecouldfeelhiswholebodytremblingashewalkedwithhisunsmilingescorttothe

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lift.Ifitwentdownintothebasement,heknewthatwastheend.Momentslatertheyemergedontothefifthfloorandhehadtobitehisliptostoptearsofsheerrelief.Hewassteeredintoalargeofficewheretherewerehalfadozenofthemwaiting,allofwhomseemedtobepleasedtosee

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him.Fromthatgroup,afamiliarfigureemergedandhuggedthenewarrival.

‘Viktor:welcomehome.’

***Hehadbeensowellreceivedthatforadayortwoafterhis

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

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couldbe–doyourealisehowimportantheis?Weneedtohandlehimcarefully.

AfterthreedaysinMoscowhewastakentooneofthedachasoutsidethecitythattheserviceused.Forthefirsttimeinyearshecouldrelaxinthesilence.Awomancameineverydaytocook

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andclean,andayoungerwomanarrivedeveryeveningandstayedwithhimuntilthefollowingmorning.Theservicecouldbebrutalandcruel,especiallytoitsown,butitknewhowtolookafterthoseitwasespeciallypleasedwith.

Viktorstayedinthe

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dachaforaweekbeforetravellingtoStockholmandfromtherebyseabacktoFrance.ButnotonceduringthattimewasheeverindoubtthatheowedallthistoHenry.Doyourealisehowimportantheis,theyhadasked?

ButViktorcertainlydidn’tneedanyonetotellhim

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howimportantHenrywas.AnagenthehadrecruitedhadinturnbeenrecruitedbytheBritish.

DoIrealisehowimportantHenryis?

Importantenoughtohavekeptmealive.

***

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Chapter5:Switzerland,1929–1930ItwasafilthyeveningsometimeinlateJanuary1929whenHenryemergedfromthepink-stuccoedbuildingontheuniversity

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

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Hewasstilldebatingwhattodowhenhefeltahandonhisshoulder.

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

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handsomemaninhislatetwentieswithpiercingblueeyes,thickblackhairwhichtouchedhiscollarandadistinctiveParisianaccent.Henryhadneverheardanyonequitesocharismaticandmesmerising.Heworenotiebuthadasilkscarfwrappedstylishlyaroundhis

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

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solutionisinourhands–yourhands,’hehadtoldthe30orsopeoplesparselyarrangedaroundthelargelecturehall.

‘MynameisMarcelbytheway.’TheFrenchman’shandwasstillonhisshoulderashegentlysteeredhimbackintothebuilding.The

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meetinghadtakenplaceintheLawFacultyandMarcelguidedHenrythroughitscorridorsuntiltheyfoundadesertedseatingareaonthefirstfloor.Marcelunfurledhissilkscarf,revealingawhiteshirtwithtwoorthreebuttonsundone.HesmiledatHenry,histeethwhiteand

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perfectlystraight.‘Maybeintenor15

minutestherainwillstop,butit’sgoodtotalk.AreyouamemberoftheParty?’

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

‘Tellmewhy?’Itwasawhilebefore

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Henryreplied,duringwhichtimethenoiseoftherainbeatingonthewindowsgrewheavier.WhenitrainslikethisinGenevaitfeelslikeitwillrainforever.

‘Iliveinaprivilegedandbourgeoisworld,’saidHenryeventually.‘I’vevisitedGermanyandseen

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areaswherepeoplehavenojobsandlittlefood.EveninSwitzerland,youcangofromarichareatoonenearbythat’scompletelydifferentandthatjustseemswrongtome.Mymotherandmystep-fatherarealwayssayingacivilisedworldreliesonhavingsomepeoplemaking

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moneyandothersworkingforthem.Theysaythereasonwhypeoplearepooristhey’relazyandfeckless.Theyblameunemploymentontradeunionsandsocialists.IalwaysfindIdisagreewithwhatevertheysayaboutpoliticsandthepeopletheyseemtodespisethemostare

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

‘Really?Tellme,what

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areyoureading?’Marcelleanedforward,genuinelyinterested.

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

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PropertyandtheState,butit’sevenmoredifficult.’

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

‘Ido.’Marceledgedhischair

abitclosertoHenry’s.‘Icantellfromyouraccentthat

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you’renotfromGeneva.’‘No,IlivedinZürich

foranumberofyears.WemovedtoGenevalastyear.’

MarcelswitchedtoGerman.‘AndcanIaskwhatyoudo;areyouastudenthereattheuniversity?’

‘No…notyet.Mymotherisn’tkeenonme

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beingastudent.ShethinksI’llendupmixingwithpeopleshedisapprovesof.’

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

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

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havemore…warmth.’MarcelpattedHenryon

theknee.Afriend:someonetotrust.

‘Actually,I’moriginallyfromEngland.’

‘Really,where?’‘Iwasborninaplace

calledWoking;it’snotfarfromLondon.’

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‘AndhowdidyouendupinGeneva?’

‘It’salongstoryandaratherboringone,I’mafraid.’

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

MarceledgedhischairevenclosertoHenry’sand

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lookedathiscompanioninadmiration.‘Pleasetellme,Henry!’

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

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

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metaSwissbusinessman,ErichHesse.Shemarriedhimlaterthesameyear.’

‘Ratherquick?’‘Indeed:indecenthaste

washowpeopledescribedit.Butmymotherwasquiteunashamedaboutit.ShedislikedEnglandandwhatshedescribedasaprovincial

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

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addhewasalsoquiteabitolderthanmymother.Hewas65whentheymarried.’

‘SoyoumovedheretoSwitzerland?’

‘Yes.ToZürichatfirst,thiswaswherehisbusinessinterestswere.Welivedthereforaroundfiveyearsandmovedherelastyear.’

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‘WhythemovetoGeneva?’

‘Mystepfatherhaspropertyhere,thoughhehasalloverSwitzerland.Ithinkthemainreasonwasmymother:shealwayssaidshefoundZürichratherstuffybutshelovesGenevaandtheareaaroundit.Welivebythe

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lake,closetoNyon.’‘Andhowdidyou

becomesofluent?’‘Iturnedouttobe

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

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managedtomakemyselfmorepopularbyimpersonatingteachers–Iwasrathergoodatitandtheotherboyslovedit.Iwasalwaysplayingpranks,phoningteachersandpretendingtobetheheadmaster,thatkindofthing.WhenIarrivedin

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

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German,andsincemovingheremyFrenchhasreallycomeon.’

Marcelnoddedandsmiledintherightplaces.Hewassympatheticandfriendly,someoneHenryinstinctivelyfelthecouldtrust.Tohissurprise,Henryfoundhimselfopeningupevenmoretothis

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

MarcelswitchedtoEnglish,butonlyafterhehad

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lookedcarefullyaroundtheemptyroomandmovedhischairsoclosetoHenry’sthattheyweretouching.

‘You’reclearlyveryinterestedincommunism,Henry.’

‘Yes.’‘So,areyougoingto

jointheParty?’

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

Marcelsaidnothing.He

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leanedbackinhischairandlookedHenryupanddown.

‘Youdon’thavetojointheParty,youknow.’

‘Whatdoyoumean?’‘Whatmatters,Henry,

isthatyoubelieveinthecause,thatyoubelieveincommunism.’

‘I’mnotterriblysureI

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followyou.’Marcelpausedwhilea

manandawomanwalkedby,theirshoesreverberatinglongaftertheyhadpassedonthewoodenfloor.Therainnowsoundedasifithadturnedintoastorm.Marcelloweredhisheadandonlyraiseditveryslightlywhenhespoke

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again.‘Henry,ifonetruly

believesinthecause,thentherearemanydifferentwaysofservingit.Joiningthepartyandattendingmeetingshavetheirplace,butforsomeonesuchasyourself,theremaybeotherways…betterwaysinwhichyoucanhelpthe

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causemoreeffectively.’‘I’mstillnotreally

followingyou.Whyareyousointerestedinme?’

‘Becauseit’sclearyoubelieveinthecauseandthatyouareamanofmanyparts,notallofthemobviousones.Youhaveanaturalcautionaboutyou,alongwithan

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

‘Therewereotherpeopleatthemeeting.’

‘Sure,butdoanyof

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themknowwhoyouare,dotheyknowyourname?’

Henryshookhishead.‘Exactly.Forthetime

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

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abletointroduceyoutopeoplewhoshareourviews.Inthemeantime,Iaskyounottodiscussthiswithanyone.’

‘Buthowwillyouknowwheretofindme?’

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

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***

MarcelfoundhiminlateFebruary,aroundfourweeksaftertheyhadfirstmet.

Hewasinthelibraryattheuniversity,wherehespentmostweekdays.Itgothimawayfromhismotherand

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

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yourself’)andwasnowworkinghiswaythroughtheFrenchnovelists.OnthisparticulardayhewasfindingithardtoconcentrateonZola'sThérèseRaquinsointhemiddleoftheafternoonhewentforastrollalongthecorridors,pastthecrowdednoticeboardwherehehad

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firstspottedthehandwrittenposteradvertisingtheCommunistPartymeeting.WhenhereturntohisdeskhenoticedthathiscopyofThérèseRaquinwasclosed,withaslipofpaperpokingoutofthelastpagehehadbeenreading.ItwasacardfromabaronthePlacedela

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Taconnerieandinneathandwriting,‘Cesoir.6.’

ThebarwasintheshadowofSt-Pierrecathedralandwaslittlemorethanadimlylitcellar.Itwashardtomakeoutthefewothercustomers.Henryhadarrivedingoodtime–wellbeforesix–andfor30or40minuteshe

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

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cometotheconclusionthiswasverymuchforthebest.Whateverservingthecauseindifferentwaysmeant,itwasnotforhim.

HedidnotnoticeMarceluntilheslidintothechairoppositeandgreetedhimwarmly,placingtwoemptyglassesonthetable

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andproceedingtofillthembothfromabottleofredwinewhileholdingthecorkbetweenhisteeth.HegesturedforHenrytodrinkanditwasonlywhentheyhadbothfinishedandhehadrefilledtheirglassesthathespoke.

‘I’vecomefromParis

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

TheychattedforafewminutesandbythetimetheywerefinishingtheirthirdglassofwineMarcelsuggestedtheygoforawalk.Theyleftthebarinsilence.

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

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

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

‘Ofcourse.’WhatelsecanIsay?

‘Good.’Marcelstarted

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

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yourselfhardenough,it’llwork.Trustme.’

Marcelsaidnothingmore,butcontinuedtowalkonslowly.TheyhadnotgoneveryfarwhentheypassedanalleywayontheirleftandHenrynoticedMarcelpeeringintoit.Intheshadowshecouldjustmakeoutabulky

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figurestandingstillatthefarendofthealley.Theycarriedonwalking,butnowHenrycouldhearfootstepsbehindthem.TheyreachedthecornerofRuedelaValléeandMarcelstopped.Whentheyturnedroundalargemanwasstandingafewyardsbehindthem.Hewas

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wrappedinalong,blackcoat,itscollarturneduptoconcealthelowerhalfofhisface,withmuchoftheupperhalfhiddenbythebrimofalargefedora.

MarcelplacedahandonHenry’sshoulder:‘attends!’Wait.Hewalkedovertothemanandthey

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

Thethreeofthemstoodtogetherforamoment,nota

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wordbeingexchanged.Then,asifonasignal,Marcelturnedandwalkedquicklyaway,backalongRueVerdaine.

ItwasthelasttimeHenrywouldeverseehim.

***

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

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Thedriverturnedaroundandnodded,andwithoutawordbeingexchanged,theydroveoff.

ThecardrovefastthroughtheOldTown,thespeedandthemistmakingitdifficultforHenrytoworkoutwherehewas.Asfarashecouldtell,theywere

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

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

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ofgasandcabbages.Oncehehadclosedthe

shuttersandturnedonthefire,thelargemanlookedHenryupanddown,hisheadslowlymovingasifcheckinghimoutfromeveryangle.Hegesturedtoapairofchairsinfrontofthefireandremovedhisfedora,revealingalined

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facethatshowednohintofemotion.OnceHenryhadsatdown,themanunbuttonedhiscoatandloweredhimselfontothechairopposite.HeaddressedhiminFrench,whichhespokewithaheavyEasternEuropeanaccent.

‘Englishisyourfirstlanguage,yes?’

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Henrynodded.‘Andyoualsospeak

FrenchandGerman?’‘Yes,thoughI’mmore

comfortablewithFrench.’‘WeshallspeakFrench

inthatcase,IunderstanditbetterthanEnglish.TwoforeignersspeakingFrench;theywouldlikethatinParis.’

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‘HenryHunter.’Themanremovedhisovercoatandtookoutabrownleathernotebookfromoneofthepockets.Fromhistoppockethewithdrewapencilandbegansharpeningitwithapenknife,lettingtheshavingsfallonhisshirtbeforeheblewthemawayontothe

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floor.Hesquintedashecheckedthenotebook,thepencilnowlodgedinhismouthlikeacigar.

‘IknoweverythingIneedtoknowaboutyou,HenryHunter.’

‘NottoomuchIhope!’Anervouslaugh.

Overthecourseofthe

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nexthourthemandeliveredaquietmonologue.HetoldHenrythingsabouthimselfhehadthoughtno-oneelsecouldpossiblyknow,andotherthingshehadlongforgottenorhardlybeenawareof.Hegavehimthenameofthematernityhomewherehewasborn;revealed

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thenamesandaddressesoffamilymemberslongforgottenorneverheardof;informedhimofthenameoftheaccountancyfirmforwhichhisfatherworkedanddescribedinsomedetailhisroutine,suchasitwas,inGeneva:whenhelefthomeinNyon,hisrouteintotheOld

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Townandtothelibrary.Heknewthenameofeverybookhehadtakenout.HeknewthenamesofthebarsinthePâquishelikedtohangaroundin,wherehecutalonelyfigureasheeyedtheworkinggirlswithouteverquitemanagingtosumupthecouragetoapproachthem.

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Whenhehadfinished,hesmiledforthefirsttime,displayingasetoflargeteeth,halfofwhichseemedtobemadeofgold.Henrysatincredulous.

‘YoucancallmeViktor,bytheway.’Alongsilence,duringwhichHenrywonderedifhewasmeantto

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sayanything,buthehadnoideawhat.

‘MarceltellsmeyouwereabouttojointheSwissCommunistParty?’

‘Notquite:Iattendedoneofitsmeetings.ItoldhimIwasthinkingofjoining,nothingmorethanthat.Wehadanicechatafterthe

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meetingandhementionedsomethingaboutnotjoiningorattendingmeetings.HesaidtherewerebetterwaysIcouldhelpthecause.Iwasnotaltogethersurewhathemeant.’

‘YouwillworkformeHenryHunter:thatishowyou’llhelpthecause.Youare

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acommunist,yes?’Henrythought.‘Yes,I

suppose…’‘YouareidealHenry.

Youhavetwonationalitiesandthreelanguages.MostpeopleinEuropehavejustoneofeach.Youarethekindofpersonwhopeopledonotnoticetoomuch,ifyou

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understandwhatImean–youdon’tstandout.’

‘Whatdoesworkingforyouentail,Viktor?’

‘ItmeanswhatMarcelsaid:itisanotherwayofservingthecause.’

Fromanearbyrooftopaclockstruckeight.‘Look,Ioughttobegettingamove

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on.Ishouldhavebeenhomeagesagoandmymotherwillbegettingworried.PerhapsIcouldthinkaboutthingsforafewdays?’

Viktorwassmilingagain,displayingevenmoregoldteeththanbefore.Whenhesmiledhelookedfriendly,butthesecondthesmile

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

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startedworkingformethemomentwemet.’

***

Forthebestpartofayear,HenrywaslittlemorethanamessengerforViktor.Atfirstthisamountedtotakinganenvelopefrom–say–

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GenevatoParisthenstoppingoffinLyonstodeliveranotheroneonthereturnjourney.EvenHenry,normallynaïve,cametorealisetheseerrandsweretests.AboutonceamonththeerrandswouldcoincidewithmeetingViktor,usuallyinParisbutsometimesinother

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

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discretion;theabilitytoseeandremembereverything;howtoassumedifferentidentitiestotheextentthatyoubecamethatpersonforhowevershortaperiod;theimportanceofthinkingofnotjustonestepahead,buttwooreventhree,andatthesametimenotforgettingwhat

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you’dbeendoingbefore,yourcoverstory.

AtnostagedidViktoractuallysaywhoheworkedfor,althoughoveraperiodoftimeHenrycametounderstandthatheworkedforSovietintelligenceorpossiblyComintern,buthewasnevertotallysurewhich

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

TherewasatravelagencyinGeneva’sPetit-Saconnexthatwasafrontfor

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Viktor’soperationandHenrybecameacourierforthem.Itprovidedaperfectcoverforhistripsandmeanthismother,thoughcuriousandsomewhatdubiousastowhetheratravelagencywastherightjobforherson,didnotquestionhisfrequentabsences.

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Inthespringof1930,ViktorintroducedHenrytoaGermancalledPeterandaweeklaterHenryaccompaniedhimtoanisolatedfarmhouseinnorthernGermany,somewherebetweenHamburgandBremen.Therewerefiveotherrecruitsthere;

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twoGermanmen;aFrenchwomanandaDutchcouple.Allwereafewyearsolderthanhim.

Ontheseconddayatthefarmthesixrecruitsweretakentoashedandshownalitterofpuppies.Chooseoneeach:itcanbeyourcompanionwhileyouare

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

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ForthenextsixweekstheyweretrainedinwhatPeterdescribedasfieldcraft.Theylearnthowtocreateandusesecretmessagedrops;howtofollowpeoplewithoutbeingnoticedandinturnspotiftheywerebeingfollowedandhowtolosetheshadow.Theylearntunarmedcombat

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andhowtouseaseriesofhandguns;therewaseveninstructioninmakingbombsandotherformsofsabotage.Andintheevenings,therewerelectures:ideologicalinstructionwashowtheytermedit.Anyhintofdoubtaboutcommitmenttothecausewasspottedand

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eliminated.Bytheendofthefirstweek,everyonefullyunderstoodthatworkingforthecauseinthewaytheyweremeanttherewasnoroomwhatsoeverfordiscussion:withouttotalcommitmentandutterloyalty,theywouldfail.

Neverquestion;never

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discuss;neverhesitate.Andalongwiththis

therewereindividualsessions.HenryspenthourswithfirstanelderlyGermanmanandthenayoungerPolishwoman.Theywereintentonteasinganythingpersonaloutofhim.TheGermanmanseemedtobea

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psychiatristofsomesort,askingaseriesofapparentlyunrelatedquestionsandmakingextensivenotes.HeseemedtobepreoccupiedwithHenry’srelationshipwithhismother.

EverythingaboutthePolishwomanlookedsevere:hermanner,theheavyglasses

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

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

Thatnighthelayinbed,unabletosleepashetriedtomakesenseofwhat

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

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Polishwoman.Herhairwasnowlooseandshe’dlostherglasses,andwaswearingbrightredlipstickandperfumethatsmeltoflemons.Henryfoundhimselfunabletosayanything.

Sheleantoverandbrushedhisfacewithherhandthengentlypulledhis

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

Henryopenedhismouthtospeak,butsheplacedafingerinsidehislips,holdingitinthereforafew

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

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sideofthebed,thelightofthemoonlitupthefrontofherbody.

HadshenotremainedwithHenryforanhouraftertheyhadmadelove,hewouldhavereadilypasseditoffasoneofhismorepleasantdreams.Buttheylaytheretogetherandeverytimehe

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

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

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

Henrywasconfused,butatthesametimequitepleasedwithhimself.

Neverquestion;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.

Onhispenultimateday

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atthefarm,HenrywaswalkingwithPeterandFoxiinthewoods,whentheGermanturnedtohimandhandedhimapistol.

‘Shoother,’hesaid,pointingatthepuppy.

‘What!’Thepuppy’seyeslookedupathim,fullofjoy.

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‘Thelongeryouwaittheharderitwillbe.’

Henryfiddledaroundwithpistol,hopingthatatanymomentPeterwouldstophim.

‘Getonwithit.YoudoasItellyou.’

Henryfelthimselfdriftintoatranceand,asiffrom

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above,hesawhimselfcallFoxioverandcuddleher,allowinghertolickhisfacebeforeplacingthebarrelofthegunbehindherearsandpullingthetrigger.

AfterwardsPeterheldouthishandforthegunandHenrydidallhecouldtostophimselfcrying.Never

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question;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.

WhenhereturnedtoGenevaaftersixweeks,hefeltemotionallydrained:therewasnownothinghisnewmastersdidnotknowabouthim.Itwasasiftheypossessedhissoul.Hehadcometounderstand,even

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beforethetrip,thatViktorhadbeenputtinghimthroughaprocesswhichmeanttherewasnogoingback.Whetherhelikeditornot,hewasnowcommittedtothecause.Heknewthathisviewsoncommunismwerenowquiteimmaterial.

Bytheendof1930the

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

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

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meetingsitbecameapparentViktorworkedforCominternandhewouldreminisceabouttheRevolutionandhisearlydaysasanagent.HewoulddescribetoHenrythedangersheforesawinEurope.Aboveall,heseemedtoshowagenuineinterestinHenrythatneitherhismothernorhis

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step-fatherdid.HeclearlycaredandHenryfoundhimselfbeingfrankwithViktorinawayhewasunabletobewithanyoneelse.ViktorbegantorefertoHenryassynok.

ItwastheRussianforson.

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***

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

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

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singlesoul’,asheputit–couldhaveaninklingastowhatHenrywasuptoorwhohewasworkingfor.IttookfourdaysandthreenightsofwhatamountedtoaninterrogationforViktortosatisfyhimselfofthis.

Aweeklater,ViktorcametoGeneva–thefirst

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

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activitiesofTrotskyandhismadfollowers?Henryrepliedtruthfullythatheknewlittle,buthisallegiancewaswithComradeStalin.TraitorssuchasTrotskyandhisilkwereadistraction.

Viktorhadnoddedinagreementthenspokewellintotheearlyhoursofthe

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morning,fortifiedbyanendlesssupplyofstrongTurkishcoffeeandplentyofvodka.ViktorpatientlyexplainedtheaimsoftheLeftOpposition,howtheirargumentsmayhavehadsomemeritsintheirearlydays,buttheyhaddeviatedseriouslyfromthecorrect

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socialistcoursechartedbyLenin.HenryneededtobecleartherewasnoroomforwhatViktordescribedasabourgeoisindulgence.HenrysaidheunderstoodandwasgratefultoViktorforexplainingmatterssoclearly:hehadnodoubtTrotskyandhisfewremainingfollowers

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wereenemiesoftheSovietUnionandofsocialism,butsurelythematterhadbeendealtwith?HadTrotskynotbeenexpelledfromtheSovietUnion?

Itwasoneinthemorningnowandwhentheexhaustedpatronreturnedwithmorecoffee,Viktor

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dismissedhimsharplyinRussian.

‘Itoldhimtoleaveusalonesynok.WhatIamabouttosaynowismostimportant.TrotskyisindeedlivinginexileinTurkeyandmostofhissupportersintheSovietUnionhaveseentheerroroftheirways–oratleastclaim

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tohavedoneso:evenZinovievandKamenev.Othershavebeendealtwith.ButthedangerposedbyTrotskyandthoseofhisfollowersthatremainstillexists.TherearepowerfulsupportersofTrotskydispersedaroundEuropeandaslongastheyareableto

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operate,theyposeathreattous,whichwecannottolerate:wecannotputatrisktheachievementsoftheRevolution.Youunderstandthat?’

Henrynodded.‘Sodealingwiththem

isapriorityforourservice.’Henrynoddedagain:of

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course.Alongsilence

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

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‘ThisiswhereyouaregoingtoperformavitalrolefortheService,synok.’

***

HenryHunterspentthefirsttwoweeksofJuly1931inalargehouseontheoutskirtsofNeuchâtel,overlookingthe

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

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German,hewasbeingsentthereforawhile.

ViktoraccompaniedHenrytothehouseandremainedthereforthefirsttwodays.Peter,theGermanwhohadtakenhimtoHamburgforhistrainingthepreviousyearwasalsopresent.Fortwoweeks,Peter

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helpedHenryassumeanewidentity.JustbeforetheendofthefortnightinNeuchâtel,Viktorreturnedandafteracouplemoredays,hefinallysatisfiedhimselfHenryhadnowbecomeWilliamJarvis.

Accordingtohismuch-usedBritishpassport,WilliamJarvishadbeenborn

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

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teaching,shouldtheopportunityarise.

ThatopportunityhappilyaroseinInterlaken.

‘They’vebeenadvertisingforanEnglishtutoronandoffforweeks:they’llbedelightedaproperEnglishmanwhoalsohappenstobeateacher

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

Theywantsomeonetoimprovetheirchildren’sconversationalEnglish,that’sall.’

ThenightbeforeHenrytravelledtoInterlaken,Viktorhadgivenhimhisfinal

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briefing.‘AnatolyMikhailovich

Yevtushenko.’ThethreeofthemweresataroundafinelypolishedtableinthediningroomnearNeuchâtelandViktorhadalmostceremoniallyplacedaphotographofadistinguishedlookingmaninfrontof

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

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Party,whichyoumayormaynotknowwastheforerunneroftheCommunistParty.HewasactiveintheOctoberRevolutionandbegantorisethroughtheranksoftheParty.However,inaround1923or1924,hebecameaconfidantofTrotskyandsincethenthetwohave

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

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monthsagowediscoveredthattheywerelivinginInterlaken.’

ViktornoddedatPeter,whoopenedafolderandproducedaseriesofphotographsthathelaidoutinfrontofHenryasifdealingfromadeckofcards.

‘ThisisYevtushenko’s

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

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‘Andthat’stheirhouse?’

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

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Interlakenisawealthytown.’Viktormovedthe

photographsawayfromHenry.Hewantedhimtoconcentrateonwhathewasabouttosay.‘WehavebeenwatchingYevtushenkoveryclosely.WehavecometotheconclusionheisanimportantsourceoffinanceforTrotsky

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

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knowexactlyhowmuchmoneyisintheseaccounts,butwebelieveitcouldwellbeintheregionofeighthundredmillionSwissFrancs.Aswellasthefamily,thesethreemenliveinthehouse–Peter…’

TheGermanproducedaseriesofphotos,blurredshots

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

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middleoftheafternoon.Thefamilyveryrarelyleavethehouseand,whentheydo,theyarealwaysaccompaniedbyaguard.’

Viktortookoverspeakingnow.‘Approximatelyonceafortnight,Yevtushenkoleavesthehouseandtravelsfirstto

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BernandthentoZürich.Healwaysleavesearlyinthemorningandarrivesbacklateintheevening.Andhe’salwaysaccompaniedonthesetripsbytwooftheguards.WeknowthatinBernhevisitstheSwissVolksbankandinZürichhegoestotheUnionBankthentothe

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

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theprocess,wecanstarveTrotskyofthefundsthatarekeepinghismiserablemovementgoing.’

‘Andmyroleis…?’Henrysoundedconfused.

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

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thathappens,we’llbeabletomovetoournextstage.’

‘Andwhatdoesthatinvolve?’

‘You’llfindoutthensynok’saidViktor.

Neverquestion;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.

***

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Ithadallgoneaccordingtoplan,asthingstendedtodoinSwitzerland,especiallywhentheywereorganisedbyViktor.WilliamJarvishadtakenthetroubletowritefromEnglandtoreservearoomataninninthecentreofInterlaken.Hewasonthetop

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

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William,haddecidedthiscouldturnouttobeapleasantenoughtask.

HewaiteduntilhisseconddayinInterlakenbeforeenquiringinthebookshopaboutthediscreetsignintheirwindowseekinganEnglishtutorandthatafternoonhetelephonedthe

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numberthebookshopownerpassedontohim.TwodayslaterhewalkedthroughthetownandcrossedtheRiverAare,andthereonthenorthbankfoundthehouseontheveryedgeoftherisingforest.Itwasaperfectposition,separatedfromneighbouringhousesbytreesand

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surroundedbyahighwall,withthefrontgatesetintoit.Nexttothegatewasasmallwindow.Twolargemensearchedhimafterherangthebellandhewasthenledthroughtoalibrary

BothAnatolyYevtushenkoandhiswifeTatyanawereintheroom,but

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

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

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explained,buttheydidrequiretheassistanceoftutorsfromtimetotime.

Pleasetellmeaboutyourself,MrJarvis.

WilliamJarvisrememberedwhatViktorhadtoldhim:tellhimjustenough,nottoomuch…hewillbeclever,hewillspotany

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mistakes…concentrateonhowmuchyouwouldenjoytutoringhischildrenratherthantalkingaboutyourself.Avoidsoundingtoofluent:beslightlyhesitantwithdates.

AnatolyYevtushenkospoketohiswifeeverysoofteninRussian,evidentlygivingherthegistofwhat

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he’dbeentold.‘Areyouinterestedin

politics,MrJarvis?’‘I’mafraidnotsir.Ido

hopethatisn’taproblem?’‘No,notatall.And

whataboutforeignaffairs,doyoufollowthose?’

‘OnlywhatonereadsinTheTimessir,butIhaveto

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tellyoumymaininterestisliterature.Iwouldratherreadagoodbookthananewspaper!’

Andsoitwenton.Afterabriefconversationwithhiswife,AnatolyYevtushenkoofferedWilliamJarvisthepositionofEnglishtutortohischildren.They

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agreedthefeeandthathewouldcomefortwohourseverymorning.Theywouldreviewhispositionaftertwoweeks.

AttheendofthefirstweekWilliamJarviswassummonedintoAnatolyYevtushenko’sstudy.

‘Howlongdoyouplan

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tostayinInterlakenfor,MrJarvis?’

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

‘Wellthat’swhyI’veaskedtoseeyou.The

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childrenadoreyou:theyabsolutelyinsistwekeepyouforaslongaspossible.Forreasonsthataretoocomplicatedtoexplain,ourlifeisanisolatedoneandmywifeandIworryabouttheeffectofthatonthechildren.Alreadywecanseehowyou’vebeenabletohelp

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brightentheirlives.Fromnowon,we’dlikeyoutospendanhoureverydaywitheachchildandtostayforlunch,whichwillbeafurtheropportunityforyoutoconversewiththeminEnglish.’

Thiswastheroutineforthenextmonth.William

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Jarviswouldarriveatthehouseat11o’clockeverymorningapartfromSundayandringthebellonthewall.Theheavymetalgateswouldeventuallyopenandoneoftheguardswouldsearchhimbeforeanotherwouldleadhimthroughtothelibrary.Hewouldspendthefirsthour

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withNadezhda,whowasbyfarthebrightestofthethreechildren.Nikolaiwouldhavethesecondhour,whichwashardworkastheboycompletelylackeddiscipline,butseemedpleasedtohaveWilliamreadsimplestoriestohiminEnglish.Thenheandthethreechildrenwouldeat

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lunchtogether,speakingonlyEnglishduringthemeal.

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

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

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complexionfromherratherthanherfather.Whatshehadgotfromhim,though,weredarkbrowneyes,withanalmostunblinkinggaze.

Theywouldspendmuchofthetimeinthegarden,wanderingaround,talkinginEnglishbutmoreoftenthannotslippinginto

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

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foundithardtodootherthanlendasympatheticearandassureherifshewaspatientherlifewouldchangeforthebetter.HetoldheraboutlifeinEnglandandwhathehadseenofEuropeonhistravels.

CallmeRoza.Verywell–anddocall

meWilliam.

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WhatisashortformofWilliam?

Bill,Isuppose–orBilly.

RozapreferredBilly,andsosheandBillybecamefriends.Whentheydidreadfrombooksshewouldsitsoclosetohimthattheirbodiestouched.Rozahadahabit,a

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

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wouldsmileandwaituntilshehadoncemoresweptthehairfromherfacebeforegentlyremovingherhand.HeknewwhatRozawantedmorethananythingelsewascompanionship.William’sstorywasthathismotherhaddiedwhenhewasyoungandhisfatherhadremarried.This

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strucksomekindofchordwithRoza,whoseeyeswouldfillwithtearswhenhetoldheraboutbeingsenttoboardingschoolattheageofsixandhowhisstep-motherdidnotlikehim.HenryworriedhemaybegettingtooclosetoRoza,butthenViktorhadtoldhimtomakesure

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thathebecametrusted.Heknewthathewas

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

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

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andthefactthatshewasmostlycoveredbyatowelhecaughtaglimpseofherbreasts,smallerthanhehadimaginedthembutperfectlyshaped,withlocksofherdark,wethairhangingbetweenthem.Therewasabriefmomentwhenneitherofthemsaidanythingormoved,

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thenhesaid‘sorry’andswiftlyshutthedoorbeforehurryingdownstairs.Neitherofthemeversaidawordaboutit,butthatafternoonshewasevenfriendliertowardshim.

OnSundays–theonlydayonwhichhedidnotgotothehouse–Henrywouldtake

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thebusfromInterlakentoThun,wherehewouldmeetPeterinapark.TheywouldwalkwhileHenrywouldrecountwhathadhappenedduringtheweekandPeterwouldaskaseriesofquestions,occasionallypausingtowritesomethinginhisnotebook.Oncehetook

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Henrytoasmallapartmentaboveashopinthecentreofthetown,whereHenrywastoldtodrawdetailedplansofthehouse.

InthemiddleofAugust,hearrivedinThunonaSundaytobetakenstraighttotheapartmentbyPeter.Whentheyarrived,Viktor

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

‘Synok:PetertellsmethatsometimesyouandRoza

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areallowedtoleavethehouse?’ViktorwassittingdirectlyacrossanarrowtablefromHenry,watchinghimcarefully.DespitethestiflingAugustheattheRussianwaswearingaheavyjacket.ThethreeFrenchmenwereloungingbackintheirchairsandoneofthemhada

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revolverinashoulderholster.‘Well,yesandno.Roza

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

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houses.Ithasafencearoundit.’

PeterhandedamaptoViktor,pointingtoacircledarea.

‘Here?’Henrypickedupthe

mapandstudiedit.‘Yes,here.Youcangetintoitfromadoorsetinthegardenwall.

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

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afterwards.Iamtrusted.’‘Andtellmesynok:

whendothehousekeepersleave–isitstillintheafternoon?’

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

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TheFrenchmenandPeterallaskedquestionsandHenrymusthavedescribedthelayoutofthehouseadozentimes.Viktorthenoutlinedhisplan.Itwascleverandaudaciousandbythetimehehadfinished,Henryfeltquitesick.

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***Twomoreweeks.ViktorhaddecidedthatanothertwoweekswouldhelpensureWilliamJarviswasevenmoretrustedbytheYevtushenkosandthiswasimportant,becauseiftheydidn’ttrusthimthentheplan

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wouldn’twork.ThetwoweekswasalsoimportantbecauseAnatolyYevtushenko’slasttriptoBernandZürichhadbeenjustafewdayspreviously.Thetiminghadtoberight.

Theagreeddatewasthe1stSeptember,aTuesday.OntheThursdaybeforethat

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PeterhadarrivedinInterlakenandrentedanapartmentontheeastsideofthetown,closetoLakeBrienz.HenrycheckedoutoftheinnandmovedinwithPeter.

WilliamJarvisarrivedatthehousejustbefore11o’clockontheTuesday

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

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

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HeandRozawanderedintothegarden,withRozastrugglingtocountto100inEnglish.Thatwasthewayitworked:completeatasksuchascountingornamingthedaysoftheweekormonthsoftheyearandtheycouldgointothewoodsasareward.Rozabecamemaroonedin

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theseventies,butHenryannouncedthatwasgoodenough.Heunlockedthegardendoorandtheyspenttherestofthehourwalking.Henrykeptglancingaround,expectingtoseepeoplehiddenamongstthetreesorbeyondthefence,butitwasasdesertedandsilentas

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always,apartfromthesoundofwaterrushingontheAarebelowthem.

‘AreyoualrightBilly?’‘YesthankyouRoza,

whydoyouask?’‘You’reveryquiet.’

ShehadswitchedtoGermannow.‘Youkeeplookingaroundandyoudidn’teatany

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lunch.’‘I’mfinethankyou

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

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

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Billy,’shesaidinEnglish.‘Iama“prisoner”,

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

TheyspentmuchofthehourwithHenrydoinghisbesttosustainsomekindof

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

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Afterhereturnedthekeytotheguard’sroom,hewentintothelibrary,pausingonthewaytoremovetheboltonthesidedoorthatopenedintothegarden.Hishandswereshakingsomuchhefearedthesoundoftheboltsbeingremovedechoedaroundthehouse.

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They’llneedtomove:ItoldthemtheguardsusuallycheckthegardendoorsoonafterIlockit.

RozaandNadezhdawereinthelibrary.Hewouldhangaroundforafewminutes,ashehadstartedtodolately.HecouldhearNikolaiplayingupstairsand

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thetwolocalwomenleavingthehouse.Anatolywasinhisstudyandheimaginedthemotherwouldbeasleepupstairs.Fromthecornerofhiseyeheimaginedhecaughtamovementinthegarden,buthedidnotwanttolookup.Afewmomentslaterandthereweresomesoundsfrom

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thefrontofthehouse,nothingtoonoticeableatfirstbutthenitbecamemoreofacommotionandfirstNadezhdathenRozalookedup.Secondslatertherewasthesoundofshoutingdownthehallthenthreeloudpoppingnoisesfollowedbyascream,andthesoundof

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Anatolyshoutingandthenscufflinginthehall.Thedoortothelibraryburstopen.ThefirstpersoninsidewasoneoftheFrenchmen,followedbyPeterandbehindhimViktorandanotheroftheFrenchmenfrog-marchingAnatolyintotheroom.ThegirlsscreamedandViktorshoutedatthemin

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Russian,wavinghisrevolverattheirfather’sheadashedidso.Themessagewasclear:shutuporIshoot.

ViktorpushedAnatolyintoanarmchairandgesturedforthegirlstositonthefloor.Theycouldhearmovementupstairs.‘Goandseewhat’sgoingon,’ViktortoldPeter

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inFrench.ShortlyafterthatoneoftheotherFrenchmenappearedintheroom,draggingNikolaiinwithhimbyhishair.Tatyanafollowedasifinatrance,withPeterbringinguptherear.Nikolaiwasshovedtothefloornexttohisterrifiedsisterswhiletheirmotherwasguidedtoa

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chairoppositeherhusband.ViktoraddressedthefamilyinRussian,theninFrenchtoldPetertoseewhatwashappeningatthefrontofthehouse.WhenhereappeareditwaswiththethirdFrenchmanandthetwoofthemweredraggingalongoneoftheguards.Heappearedtobe

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badlywounded:hewasgroaningandhischestwascoveredinblood.

‘Whatabouttheothertwo?’askedViktor.

‘Dead,’saidthethirdFrenchman.

‘Andhim?’Hewasnoddingattheinjuredguard.

‘Tookoneinthechest.’

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‘Finishhimoff.’TheFrenchmanhad

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

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

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seeminglyunawareofwhatwasgoingon.HenrynoticedAnatolywasstaringathim.

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

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

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

ItwasonlywhenViktorhandedarevolvertoHenrythatitdawnedonthefamilyhehadbetrayedthem.Fromtheshockedlookonthefacesofthechildrenandthe

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glareofhateonthatofthefather,Henryrealisedthat,untilthatmoment,theymusthavethoughthetoohadbeencaughtupasavictiminthisnightmare.

AnatolywashauledupbyoneoftheFrenchmen,whohandcuffedhishandsbehindhisbackbefore

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marchinghimoutoftheroom.AshepassedHenry,AnatolystoppedandlookedHenrystraightintheeyebeforespittingout‘duBastard!’

Noneofthechildrenwantedanythingtodowiththeirtutor.Theyignoredallhisattemptstotalkin

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

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

‘EverythingwillbeallrightRoza,don’tworry.’

‘Youthinkso,doyouEnglishman?Inthatcaseyouhavenoideawhoisitpayingyou.’Sheshuffledoverto

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him,loweringhervoiceevenmore.‘Theywillkillusall,yourealisethat?’

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

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

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intothekitchen.‘Hefinallyunderstands

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

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

‘Howdoweknowhe’ll

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transferallthefundsunderhiscontrol?’askedPeter.

‘Wecan’tbetotallysure,butweknowfromfollowinghimthatthesearetheonlythreebankshe’severvisited.Imanagedtopersuadehimtoshowmewhatdocumentationhehadandtheaccountsamountto

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justoverninehundredmillionSwissFrancs:that’smorethanweestimated.Theywillbeverypleased.BytomorrownightthatmoneywillbeinaccountscontrolledbytheParty.’

‘AndwhathappensthenViktor?’TheGermanlookednervous,playingwith

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hiswatchstrapandbitinghisfingernails,glancingfirstatHenryandthenbackatViktor.

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

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

‘Don’tworryaboutitsynok.Weknowwhatwe’redoing.’

‘But…’Peterleanedoverthe

tableandgrabbedHenry’s

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

Neverquestion;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.

Viktortoldthembothtoshutup.Theywouldkeep

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

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off–we’llseeyouasusualonThursday.

Anatolywaswokenupatsixinthemorning.HenryhadbeenwithhiminhisbedroomalongwithPeterforthepastfewhoursandwassurprisedthattheRussianhadsleptatall.Theywatchedwhilehewashed,shavedand

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dressed.Whenhewasready,heturnedaroundandaddressedthem.

‘TellhimIwanttosaygoodbyetomyfamilybeforeIleave.’

TheycalledViktorupandtherewasashortexchangeinRussian.Theresultwasthat,asAnatoly

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

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HenrynoticedtheRussian’seyeswerefilledwithtears.

***

ViktorspentmuchofthatWednesdayinthestudy,behindAnatoly’sdesk.Thefirstphonecallcameat9.30:itwasLucienattheSwiss

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

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

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wasinthestudywhenJean-Marierangagainat1.30tosaythetransferhadbeenmade;theywerenowontheirwaytotheUnionBank.

‘Wait:ringmebackinhalfanhour.Ineedtomakeacallfirst.’

ViktordialledaZürichnumberand,afterashort

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

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beenspreadamongvariousuntraceableaccountsacrossEurope.Wearebetteratcapitalismthanthecapitalists!’

Bythreeo’clockthebusinesshadbeendone.NikolaihadspokentohisfatherbeforethetransactionatUnionBankthenLucien

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rangtosayithadbeencompleted.

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

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

ViktorpausedwhileLucienspokethenplacedthephonebackonthereceiver,holdingontoitforawhileafterputtingitdown.Hesighedandloosenedhistie.

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

Henrynodded.‘IsAnatolyonhiswaybackhere,Viktor?’

TheRussianpeeredathimasifthesunwasinhis

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eyes.‘TellPetertocomein.YoustayinthelibrarywithClaude.’

***

ThelongesthalfhourofHenryHunter’slifebeganverysoonafterthat.

Hewasinthelibrary

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

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

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Henry,lookingthroughhimasshewentpast,pullinghercardigantightlyaroundhershouldersandacrossherfront.

Tenminuteslater,withnosignofeitherofthegirls,therewasaknockatthedoor.ViktoropeneditslightlytorevealPeterontheotherside.

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TheGermannoddedbrieflybutsaidnothing.ViktornoddedhisheadapprovinglyandbrieflygrippedPeter’sshoulderinafriendlymanner.

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

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you’retoldto.’Fromtheguardroom

Henrycouldseethefrontgateandthequietroadbeyondit.Thesilencewaspiercedbyascream,onethatwasloudbutstoppedshortbyapoppingnoisethenthesoundofsomethingfalling.Henrywonderedwhethertogoand

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

Thedoortotheguardroomopened.Peterwasstandingthere.‘You’retogo

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

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Nikolai,twowoundsvisibleonhisbackandalargepoolofbloodemergingfromunderhim.

Henrywastooshockedtomoveandforawhilecouldsaynothing,untilhenoticedNikolai’sbackmoving.

‘He’sbreathingViktor!Nikolai’sbreathing.’Henry

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

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

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wavingaround.‘Becarefulwiththat

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

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

‘Comeon,quick,’saidClaude.Henryreleasedthesafetycatchandplacedthe

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

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thanshootinghispuppy.Claudehauledhimup.

‘Good.Welldone.Weneedtomovenow.’

***

Theyleftthehousejustbeforefouro’clock,aftertryingtomakeitappearasif

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

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shoehadfallenoffandwasupside-downonthecarpetinfrontofhim.Peterpushedinfrontofhimashetriedtoopenthebathroomdoor,placinghimselfbetweenHenryandthedoor.

‘Youdon’tneedtocomeinhere.’

‘Iwanttosee,’said

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Henry,barginghiswaypasttheGerman.

ThebodiesofRozaandNadezhdaweresprawledonthefloor,ontopofapoolofdarkbloodthathadspreadaroundtheroom.Theheadsofbothgirlswerejerkedatanunnaturalangle,facingeachother,theireyesopenandfull

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

‘What…’Peterhadnowpushed

pasthimandwasdrawingthecurtains.HesmiledatHenryandpointedatthegirlsandmadeacut-throatgesture.

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Henrystoodinthedoorwayforaminute,watchingasPeterhauledthebodiesofthetwogirlsintothebaththenthrewtowelsontothefloortosoakuptheblood.Hewasshockedtorealisehowun-shockedhefelt.Hismainconcernwasheshouldbecarefulnottostep

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intheblood.Henryleftthehouseas

normalthroughthefrontgateandheadedintotown,crossingtheriverandtowardsInterlakenWesttrainstation.HewashalfwaydownBahnhofstrassewhenthecarpulledup.PeterandClaudegotoutandwalkedtowards

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thestation.HenryclimbedintothepassengerseatnexttoViktor.

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

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whoshrugged.‘Wecouldn’taffordtohaveanywitnesses.’

Henrysaidnothing.Neverquestion;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.

InsteadofdrivingintoBern,theystoppedbrieflyinKönizthentooktheroadtowardsLausanne.ItwasonlythenthatHenryspoke.

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‘WhathappenedtoAnatoly?’‘Ithinkyoucanguess

synok.’‘Didheknowwhatwas

goingtohappentohim?’‘I’dimagineso:he’s

beenanapparatchikallhisadultlife.Heknowshowwework.He’dhaveknownwhattoexpect.’

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‘Sowhydidheco-operatethen?’

‘BecauseIpromisedhimthatifhedid,wewouldsparethechildren.’

‘Andhebelievedyou?’Viktorsaidnothingfor

awhileashethoughtaboutHenry’squestion.Theheadlightofanapproaching

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buscaughttheRussian’sgoldteethasheturnedtoreply.

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

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ofusnow.Youshouldbehappy.’

Laterthatnight,oncehehadarrivedhomeinNyonandlayinhisownbedforthefirsttimeinweeks,whatmostshockedHenrywastherealisationofhowmuchheagreedwithViktor.Hewasnowoneofthem.Hewas

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happy.Butheknewithadcomeataterrible,terribleprice.WhenhehadreturnedfromGermanythepreviousyearheknewtheyhadtakenpossessionofhissoul.

Nowtheyhaddestroyedit.

Thatnight,hehadthedreamforthefirsttime.

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***

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Chapter7:Berlin,January1940Onafoggywinter’safternooninthemiddleofJanuary,atallmanwithastoopedbearingthatgavehimamisleadinglyacademicair

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

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GunterReinharthaddevelopedahabitofleavingtheenormouscomplexthroughdifferentexitsondifferentdays.Hadsomeonebeenobservinghim,whichtheywouldhavenocausetodo,theymightbesuspicious.Buthedidnotvaryhisroutineforreasonsof

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security;thetruthwasfarmoreprosaicthanthat.Itaffordedhimtheopportunitytotakedifferentrouteshomeandoneachofthoserouteslayvariousbars,wherehecouldfurtherdelayhisarrivalthere.Atleastitgavehimsomethingtothinkaboutduringtheafternoon.

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TherewasnopointinleavingthroughtheUnterwasserstrasseexitbecausebeyondthatwasthecanal.HelikedtheanonymityandslightlyrougheredgetothebarsroundLeipzigerstrasse,butthatwasfurtherfromhome.LeavingthroughFranzösischestrasse

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meantheadingtowardstheUnterdenLinden,whichonecouldneveraccuseofofferinganonymity.Hewould,hedecided,leavethroughKurstrasseandfindsomewheretostopoffaroundJägerstrasse.

Thesedays,steppingoutintothestreetafterdark

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

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

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roadworks.Thentherewasthephosphorouspaint:gallonsofthestuffliberallysloshedonthepavementsandroadsurfacestogivepedestriansanddriverssomechanceofknowingwheretheywere.Theeffectwasquiteeerieandunsettling.Berlinatnightlookedasifit

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wasdeserted.Therewerereportsofnumeroustrafficaccidentsandpeoplebeingkilledfromwalkingintothingsorfallingoverintheblackout.ThesisterofoneofthesecretariesinhisofficehaddiedwhenshesteppedofftheplatformatKaiserhofstation.Andthentherewere

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

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

Thefewpeoplewhomovedaroundthecityatnightdidsotentatively,asif

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wadingthroughwater.Somehadtakentowhistlingorcoughingconstantlysoastoalertotherstotheirproximityandthusavoidbumpingintothem.Butthatwassomethingofaforlornhope:itwasimpossibletoavoidotherpeople.

Eventhoughthiswasa

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

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

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in.Sixmonthspreviously

hewouldhavebeenshakentothecorebywhathehadseen,butnowitwasquicklyforgotten.Hewasmoreconcernedwithfindingsomewheretodrink.Loomingoutofthedark,hespottedthedimblue-covered

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signforDasPotsdamerTaverne,abarheusedtovisitatleasttwiceaweek,thoughrecentlyithadbecomesomethingofafavouritehauntforagroupofyoungSSofficers.Giventhatthewholepointofgoingtothebarwastorelax,theywerethelastpeoplehe’dwantto

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findinthere.Hewalkedslowlydown

thesteepstepstothebasement,clutchingontotheironrailingsandkeepingacarefuleyeonthedabsofphosphorouspaintonthesteps.Thebarhadalowceilingwhichcausedhimtostoop.Throughtheblue-

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

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inuniform.Thebarmaidcaughthis

eyeashewaitedtoorderadrink.

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

‘Aweekperhaps?Nomorethanthat.Iwasinherelastweek.’

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Thekindofconversationrepeatedinbarsaroundtheworld,betweenbarmaidsandhusbandswhowouldrathernotgohome.

Shewasafriendlygirlwithbroadshouldersandhairthatlookedasifithadbeendyedyellow.Hiswife,inherusualwaspishmanner,would

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describeherintheunlikelyeventofherevermeetingherbysayingthatshehadseenbetterdays,butshehadfriendlyeyesandaseductivevoice,withadistinctiveBavarianaccent.Shekeptglancingathimasshepulledthebeer,hereyesdartingaround.Hestartedtomove

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away,hopingtofindaseatonhisown.Sheheldupherhand.Waitamoment.

Whenshehadfinishedservinganothercustomersheleanedovertotalkquietlytohim.

‘Amanwasinhereaskingaboutyou.’

Eightwordsno-one

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wantedtohearinBerlinin1940.

‘Whatman?’‘Idon’tknow,I’ve

neverseenhimherebefore.Hewasverypoliteandwell-spoken.ABerlinerdefinitely:woreanicecoat.’

‘Whenwasthis?’Sheleantbackasif

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tryingtocalculatetheanswer.‘LastThursday,Ithink:

andthenagainyesterday–Monday.’

GunterReinhartpulledupthestoolnexttohimandsatonit.Thiswasbadnews.Whocouldpossiblybecomingintoabartoaskabouthim?Peopleknew

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whereheworkedandwherehelived.

‘Andwhatdidyousay?’

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

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thesedays.Wasthatalright?’Notreally.‘Didhesayanything

else?’‘Wait’.Thebarmaid

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

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toyou.’ShehandedhimabookofmatcheswithDasPotsdamerTaverneonthefront.Helookedatitforawhile,puzzled.

‘Openit.’Neatlywritteninside

weretwodates.Den8Juni1901Den4Oktober1929

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‘Areyoualright?’GunterReinhartwas

evidentlynotalright.Thehandholdingthebookofmatcheswasshakingandtheotherwasgrippingthebartightly.Beadsofsweathadformedonhisforehead.Hecouldfeelhischesttightening.

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‘Pardon?’‘Areyoualright?You

lookshaken.’Heputthematchesin

histoppocketanddrankmostoftheglassofbeerinonego.Hepushedtheemptyglasstowardsherandnoddedforhertorefillit.

‘I’mfine,thankyou.

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DidthismansayhowIcouldcontacthim?’

‘Hesaidhe’dbehereatsixo’clockeveryThursdayandMondaynightuntilhewasabletomeetupwithyou.’

Reinhartstayedinthebarforanotherhourandthreemorebeersbeforehedecided

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

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enormousvoidonhisleft.Despitethebrisknight

airandabsenceofBritishbombers,hefoundhimselfbecomingincreasinglytenseratherthancomposed.Hehadcontinuouslycheckedthedatesbeforeleavingthebar.Therewasnoquestionaboutthem.

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Whyonearthwouldsomeonewritethedownthebirthdatesofhisfirstwifeandhiseldestson,especiallynowtheywerenolongerinBerlin?

***

Thefollowingmorning,

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Reinharttookextracareonhisjourneyintoworktoensurehewasn’tbeingfollowed,notthathewassurewhathewasmeanttodo.Hewasabanker:hisknowledgeofsubterfugewaslimitedtotheworldoffinance.Hecouldmovefundsfromonebankaccounttoanother

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

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maybeabittoocasually–whetheranyonehadbeenaskingforhim:perhapsoverthepastfewdays?Hissecretaryassuredhimthatno-onehadbeenaskingafterhim.Shelookedappalledattheverythoughtthatsomeonemighthaveenquiredofhimandshewouldnot

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havepassedtheinformationon.

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

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

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reekedofmothballs.HehadbeenpromotedfromhisnaturallevelasanassistantbankmanagersomewherenearMagdeburgsimplyduetoalongstandingloyaltytotheNaziPartyandasaconsequencewasnowutterlyoutofhisdepth.

Thenextday–

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

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becauseofservicetotheNaziPartyratherthananykindoffinancialcompetenceorknowledge.Reinhartproducedaseriesofcomplicatedbalancesheetsandlengthylistsoftransactions.Funkwasimpressedandconfusedinequalmeasure,butunableto

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ownuptothelatter.Theafternoonwent

slowlyand,asthesundisappearedoverBerlin,Reinhartwonderedwhetherhewasbeingledintoatrap.Maybehehadbeenabittoocleverbyhalf.Maybehe’dupsetonetoomanyoftheNaziPartybossesatthetop

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oftheReichsbank,whofelttheyhadcausetodistrusthim.GunterReinhart,themanwhoknowseverythingabouttheSwissaccounts:timetoputhiminhisplace.

DasPotsdamerTavernewasasquietasthepreviousnight.Henoddedatthebarmaidandshesmiled,

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slightlyshakingherhead:notyet.

Therewasatinytablewedgedintoacornerbehindthebar,andReinharttookaseatthere.Hewaitedasthebarbecamequieterandwasjustwonderinghowlongheshouldstaywhenhecaughtsightofamanwholooked

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vaguelyfamiliarandseemedtobeglancinginhisdirection.Themanremainedatthebar,toyingwithaglassofbeer.AfewminuteslaterheappearedatReinhart’stable.

‘DoyoumindifIsithere?’

Reinhartwasalmost

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

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

‘Wouldyoulikealight?’

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

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Den8Juni1901Den4Oktober1929Thistimeitwasinthe

unmistakablyfamiliarhandwritingofhisfirstwife.ThemanshiftedhischairevenclosertoReinhartandwhenhespokeagainitwasinaquietervoice.

‘Yourememberme,

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

‘IrememberyouFranz.Iguessitwasyouwho’sbeenaskingaboutmehere?’

Hermannnodded.‘What’sitallabout?

You’vegivenmeacoupleof

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sleeplessnights.’‘IfearI’mabouttogive

youmanymore.Yousee…’Hepaused.Acoupleof

Luftwaffeofficershadcomeintothebarandmovednoisilytowardsthem,lookingforsomewheretosit.Franzwaiteduntiltheymovedaway.

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

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Rosa?’Gunterfrowned,trying

toremember.‘Therewasaletterfrom

ParisinOctober.ShesentitatthebeginningofOctoberbutIdidn’treceiveituntiltheendofthemonth:itcameviaafriendofhersinSwitzerlandandthenthrough

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

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

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

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

‘Gunter,unlessyoukeepyourvoicedownandactnormally,we’regoingtohave

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aseriousproblem.Doyouunderstand?Drinksomeofyourbeer.Trytolookrelaxed.’

Gunternoddedandcomposedhimself.‘Iunderstand,butisthereanynews?’

‘Forthetimebeing,they’resafe.’

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‘Andthey’restillinParis?’

Hermannloweredhisheadandtalkedalittlemorequietly.

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

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

***

GunterReinharthadtowait

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

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commitmentsthatwerenoneofherbusinessandhewasabletoslipoutofthehouseoncetheyreturnedfromchurch.

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

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

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fromBrandenburgandtakesherbacktotheirhouseforlunch.Sheleavesat11inthemorningandtheybringherbackaroundfour,sothatdoesn’tleavemuchtime.’

Notmuchtime.‘There’snoreasonto

thinkanyonewillsuspectwhatyouareupto,Gunter,’

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

SohewalkedatanevenpaceacrossSpandauerStrasseandcaughttheS-

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

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southagain,gettingoffatPodbielskiAllee.

Hewasn’tfarnow:hehadnotseenhissonorRosafornearlysixmonths.Hehadassumedtheywereoutofthecountry.HisexcitementatseeingthemwasmixedwiththeshocktheywerestillinGermany.

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

Attheendoftheroad,heturnedleftintoKönigin-Luise-Strasse,acrossthe

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

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

Hedidasinstructed.Inothercircumstanceshewouldhaveenjoyedhiswalkon

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

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

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himin.Theystoodtogetherin

thedarkhallofasilenthouse.‘AretheyhereFranz?’‘Upstairs.Takeyour

shoesoff.’Gunterranupthestairs.

Onthelanding,waitingforhiminthegloom,washisex-wifeandtheirson.Behind

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them,peeringoutfrombehindadoorwasSophia,Rosa’sdaughterfromhersecondmarriage.

Alfredflunghimselfathisfather,holdinghimtightandburyinghisfaceinhischest.Guntercouldfeelthewarmtearsseepingthroughhisshirtandvest.Rosacame

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

HeheldbothRosaandAlfred,unsureofwhattosay.TheonlyfamilyIever

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wanted.Itwas2.30bythetime

GunterandRosawereabletobealoneinasmallroomonthetopfloorofthehouse.Franzhadtoldthemhewouldwaitwiththechildrenandkeepaneyeonthefront.Gunterwouldneedtobeawaybyaquartertofourto

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besafe.HeandRosasatquietlyforawhile,holdinghands.

‘IthoughtyouwereinParis,Rosa?‘

Hewastryinghardnottosoundangry.

‘Wewere.IwrotetoyouatthebeginningofOctober.Didyougetthe

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letter?’Henodded.She

shrugged.‘Haraldwasmeantto

joinusinthemiddleofOctober:he’dremainedinBerlinbecauseheneededtomakeafewarrangements.Theideawashe’dgetwhatmoneyhecouldoutofthe

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

‘Thatwastheidea.’‘Ipromiseyouthatwas

theplan.Asyouknow,Haraldhadbeenforcedtosell

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

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

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oftheNazis.Haveyouheardofit?’

‘OfcourseIhave–nearOranienburg.Areyousurehe’sthere?’

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

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alive,oratleasthewastwoweeksago,butIdon’tknowwhatstatehe’sin.’

‘Sowhyonearthdidyoucomebackhere?Whatwereyouthinkingof,Rosa?’

‘Idon’tknowwhatIwasthinking.Pleasedon’tbeangrywithme.Ithoughtifmyhusbandwasinprison

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herethenIshouldcomebacktohelphim.IthoughtIcouldgethimreleased.’

‘ButRosa,whataboutAlfred–andSophia?’

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

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moneyfrommycousinandIsoldallmyjewellery.IthoughtIcouldpayafineorabribeorsomethinglikethatandgetHaraldreleased.ButwhenIwenttothepolicestationtheyconfiscatedmypassportandwantedtoknowwhereIwasliving.Igavethemtheaddressoftheold

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

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

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childrenarequietandstayupstairstheyarealrightandshe’snoideathey’rehere.’

‘Andshedoesn’tsuspectyou?’

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

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

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

‘Andthechildren?’‘It’sterribleforthem

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

Guntersatforawhile

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withhisheadinhishands,deepinthought.

‘Whydidn’tyoucontactmebeforenow–Imean,onceyougotbacktoBerlin?’

Rosalookedathimlongandhard.Youdon’tknowwhy?

‘Gunter–youalways

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

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it’simpossible.We’retrappedhereinBerlin.’

Rosawasweepingnow,hertremblinghandholdingGunter’s.

‘IshouldneverhavedivorcedyouRosa,Iwas…’

‘Don’tblameyourselfGunter.Weagreeditwasforthebest.’

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‘No,Iwasbeingselfish.Thethreeofusshouldhaveleftafterthatdamnlawwaspassed.’

Theysatinsilenceforalongwhile.

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

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missesyousomuch.’‘Idon’tknowwhatto

doRosa.Doyouneedfoodormoney?’

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

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wouldGudrunnotunderstand?’

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

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

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everythingyouneedtoknowaboutthem.ThefactIwasoncemarriedtoaJewisaterriblesecretinthatfamily.Gudruninsiststhechildrenaren’tallowedtoknowaboutit.’

‘Butwhatarewegoingtodo,Gunter?’

‘Idon’tknowRosa.

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Givemetime,I’llthinkofsomething.’

***

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

Foreightlongmonths

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

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duringadramaticargumentonthenighthereturned.Shecouldnotunderstandwhyhehadreturnedwithsolittleoftheaunt’smoney.

Heexplainedtheirpredicamentoncemore,veryclearlyandveryslowly.

‘Rememberitwasyourcleverideatobypassprobate

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

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

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upin.YououghttobegratefulImanagedtogetanythingoutatallandreturninonepiece.’

‘Butit’sourmoneyHenry!’

‘Mymoneyactually–andnotallofitasitturnedout.Intheend,theauthoritiesacceptedmyexplanationthat

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

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

Sincethedeathofher

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secondhusband,MarleneHesse’sperfectlyformedworldhadsteadilyunravelled.Shenowacceptedthechangedsituationwiththeminimumofgrace.AtleasttheyhadbeenabletoaffordtorentalargerapartmentinamuchmorerespectablelocationjustoffQuaidu

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MontBlanc,whichwassomeconsolation.

Butthewaittobecontactedwasconsiderablymoretryingthanhismother.Twodaysafterhisreturn,HenryhadgoneasinstructedtotheQuaidesBerguesbranchofCreditSuisseandmadeanappointmenttosee

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MadameLadnierlaterthatmorning.Inasmallofficeinthebasementshewentthroughthedetailsoftheaccount,beforehandinghimafoldedpieceofpaper.Myhometelephonenumber:Ionlygivethistospecialclientsandthenonlytobeusedinparticular

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circumstances.Youunderstand?

Afterthat,nothing.AssoonastheymovedintotheirnewapartmenthewenttoseeMadameLadniertogiveherthedetails.Sheassuredhimthematterwouldbedealtwith.Hewasdesperatetoaskheriftherewasanynews,but

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managedtorestrainhimself.Hebegantofollowa

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

Christmascameand

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

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forgottenabouthim:atleastthemoneywasstillappearinginhisaccount.TherewastheoccasionalcontactfromViktorandhealwaystoldhimthesame:nonews.Loyaltywasprovingtobeamostcomplicatedbusiness.

AttheendofFebruary,hereceivedaphonecallfrom

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

Thesamehappenedat

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

OnthelastTuesdayinJune,Henryleftthe

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apartmentoffQuaiduMontBlancasusualat9.30.Itwasalreadyawarmmorning,withalightbreezeskimmingoverthelake.Asheheadedsouthforabriskwalkbeforebreakfastawomansweptpasthimbeforeslowingdownandstudyingamap.Ashedrewalongsidehershelooked

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surprised,thenspokeinFrenchwithaProvençalaccent,muchfasterthantheSwiss.

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

Itwassonatural,somatteroffact,thatHenrywas

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

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‘Ofcourse.Wouldyouprefertowalkortakethetram?’

Shesmiled.‘I’dprefertowalkifyouareabletoshowmethewaytogo.’

AnothersmileandaslighthesitationbeforeHenryreplied.

‘Well,I’mwalkingto

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theOldTownmyselfnow.Ifyouwish,you’remostwelcometofollowme.’

Shesmiledandtheatricallyheldoutanelegantlyglovedhand.Leadon.

‘TakeanyroutetotheOldTown.’

Henrytriedtowalkata

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normalpace,unsurewhatanormalpacefeltlike.HecrossedtheRhôneatthePontdesBergues,allowinghimselfaglancebehindtocheckthewomanwasstillfollowing.HecrossedtheRuedelaRôtisserieintotheOldTownandsoonafterthatthewomanovertookhim:it

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

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

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here.Heenteredthecafé.You’retoenterthe

buildingandwait.Ifno-onehasapproachedyouafterfiveminutes,youaretoleaveandreturnhome.

Heglancedathiswristwatchandtheclockonthewall.Withintwominutesamanenteredthecafé,

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smokingacigarandgreetingtwopeoplesatatanearbytable.HeshookhandswiththebarmanandwalkedstraightovertoHenry.

‘IamMarc.Wouldyoucaretojoinme?’

IfsomeonejoinsyouandintroducesthemselvesasMarcyou’retogowithhim.

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Hewilltakeyoutomeetyourmaincontact.Atthatmoment,yournewcareerwillhavebegun

Henrynodded.BesidethebarwasadoorthatMarcopened:afteryou.

Anarrowstaircasetwistedandturnedtothetopofthebuilding.Whenthey

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reachedasmalllanding,Marcgesturedforhimtowaitthenknockedthreetimesonapolishedoakdoor.

‘It’sme,Marc.Ihavethedelivery.’

Henryheardaboltbeingdrawnthenthedooropened.Itwasacornerroom,expensivelyfurnishedwithan

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

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ateapotandvariouscups.Thedoorwasopened

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

‘Ah,Hunter:welcome!

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

‘Nowdocomeinandmakeyourselfathome.MynameisBasilbytheway,like

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

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

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

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

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happens.HadhopedtobehackingmywayroundsomeofScotland’seasierlinkscoursesbynow,buttherewego.’

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

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hopingwe’dforgottenallaboutyou?’

‘Well,Ican’treallysay.Iimaginethat…’

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

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

Henryrelaxedabitnow.Thecivilisedservingofteaandthepromiseofalittleerrandsoundedquiteacceptable,perhapsevenfun.

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

TheHonBasilRemington-Barbertooka

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whiletoservetea,fussingfirstthatHenry’sandthenhisownteawasneithertooweaknortoostrong.Whenhewassatisfiedeverythingwasjustright,heleanedbackinhisarmchairandaddressedHenrythroughthesteamrisingfromhischinateacup.Henrywasbeginningtoenjoy

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hismorning.Hispleasurewastobeshort-lived.

‘Weunderstandyou’reveryfamiliarwithStuttgart,Hunter?’

‘Ibegyourpardon?’Henryfelthisthroattightening.

‘Stuttgart,theGermancity?’

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Henryplacedhisteacupdownonthesidetablenexttohim.Hishandswerebeginningtoshakeandheneededtocoverthatup,sohefoldedthemonhislap,crossingandthenun-crossinghislegsashedidso.

‘Yes,Iknowit.’‘Beenthereoften?’

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‘Onceortwice.’‘Really?’Henryshrugged.Not

sure.‘Quiteafewtimes,we

understandHunter.’‘Well,possibly…’‘Somethingyou

omittedtotellanyofmycolleaguesbackinEngland?’

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

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

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ratherimportantomission.Perhapsyou’dliketotellmeaboutitnow?’

Henrytriedtosoundascasualaspossible,hopingtoconveytheimpressionthathisknowledgeofStuttgartwasreallynothingveryimportant,thekindofthingonecouldsoeasilyforget.

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‘There’snotanawfullottosay.MystepfatherhadsomepropertyinStuttgart.Iusedtopopupthereeverysooftentokeepaneyeonthingsforhim.’

‘Howoftenwould‘everysooften’be,Hunter?’

‘Ireallycouldn’tsay.Onceortwiceayear,maybe.’

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

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understandthat.’Shouldn’tbeanything

toodangerous;awarm-up,ifyoulike.

‘EdgarimpliedmyfirstmissionwouldbewithinSwitzerland.’

‘Didhenow?Well,that’sEdgarforyou:anofficerbutnotquitea

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

‘Mystep-fatherhadafairamountofresidentialpropertyinStuttgart,inthebestareas:quitealotinGänseheidetotheeastofthecitycentreandmoreinthenorth,Azenbergand

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Killesbergmostly.Hehadlocalagentsthatlookedafterthem,buthelikedmetogoupthereonceaquartertocheckeverythingwasinorderandtooverseethetransferofhisrentalincomebacktoSwitzerland.’

‘SoyouvisitedStuttgartfourtimesayear.’

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‘Yes.’‘Forhowmanyyears?’‘Sevenoreight,

possiblymore.’‘Mathematicswas

nevermystrongestsubject,Hunter,butImakethatsomewhereintheregionof30visitstoStuttgart.’

‘Ifyousayso.’

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‘Ido.Soyou’reveryfamiliarwiththecity?’

‘Isupposeso.’‘Speakthelocal

dialect?’‘No,thoughIdo

understandit.’‘Andwheredidyou

stay?’‘UsuallyatHotel

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MarquardtinSchlossplatz.’‘Thatiscertainlyquite

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

***

HenryHuntercouldnever

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quiteseethepointofBern.Itwasaprettyenoughplace,withanundoubtedmedievalcharmandtheRiverAareleantacertainpicturesquedramatothecityasittwistedthroughthecentre.ButinatypicallySwisswayitwasrathertooawareofitsvirtues;alittlebittoosmug.Forthe

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past90yearsorsothecityhadbeenthecapitalofSwitzerlandandnowallroadsledtoitand,inthecaseofHenry’sjourneythereonawindyWednesdaymorning,sodidthetrains.

Attheendoftheirbriefingthepreviousday,theHonBasilRemington-Barber

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hadtoldhimtogetamoveon.Henryhadratherimaginedthismeantbytheendofthemonth,possiblywithinafortnight.

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

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instructions.’Heexplainedtohis

motherhewasvisitingfriendsinBasleforafewdaysandtookanearlymorningtraintoBern,arrivingatthestationinBahnhofplatzjustintimeforlunch.Henryhadbeenpleasantlysurprisedwhen

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Remington-BarbersuggestedhebookintotheSchweizerhof,thebesthotelinthecityandnomorethanashortstrollfromthestation.

‘RathergoesagainstthegrainHunterandcertainlypushestheexpenses,butthepointisyouhavetosticktoyourrole:asfarasthe

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

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

Makesureyou’reseenoutandaboutinthehotel.

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

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standingtoattentionastheydidso.

‘WhatbringsyoutoBern?’theyasked.HenryexplainedhewasfromGenevabutwashereinBerntoarrangeavisa:hewashopingvisitGermanysoononbusiness.

‘Whereabouts?’

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‘Stuttgart.’‘Verygood.IsHerr

HesselikelytobeinBerlinatanytimeinthefuture?’

‘Maybe.Youneverknow!’

‘Youmustlookmeupifyoudo,’saidoneofthemen.‘Therearesomanymisunderstandingsabout

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

Henrynoddedenthusiastically.Indeed.

‘Butifyou’reeverinBerlin,Icouldintroduceyou

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topeople.You’llbepleasantlysurprised.I’dbehappytobeofservice.’

WiththathepresentedHenrywithacard,bowedslightlythenleft.Henrylookedatit:

AloisJägerRechtsanwalt181Friedrichstraße

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BerlinABerlinlawyer;you

neverknow.

***

Thenextmorning,hevisitedtheGermanEmbassyonWilladingweg.Asheplannedhisjourneytherehe

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rememberedRemington-Barber’sinstructions.

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

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togetholdofme.’Hebreakfastedatthe

hotel,returnedtohisroombrieflythenstrolledcasuallythroughtheOldCity,pasttheMünster–theenormousGothiccathedral,overwhosemainentrancethesculptedparticipantsintheLastJudgementgazeddownat

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him,tryingtodecidewhetherhewaswickedorvirtuous.

HecrossedtheriveronKirchenfeldbrückeandsoonfoundataxiwhichtookhimtotheGermanEmbassy,locatedinaresidentialstreetintheeastofthecity.Alargeswastikahunglimplyovertheentrance,whichwasguarded

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byhalfadozenarmedGermansoldiers.InthestreetoutsideweretwoSwisspolicemen.

Hehadexpectedashortdelay,butnotthequeuethatgreetedhim.Thevisaoffice,themaninfrontofhimexplained,didnotopenuntil11.Itwouldcloseforlunchat

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

Hehadbeenstandingin

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thequeueforanhourandahalfwhenheheardafamiliarvoicebehindhim;Jäger,theBerlinlawyer.

‘MydearHesse,whatareyoudoinginthequeue?Comewithme.’

Totheobviousannoyanceofthepeopleinfrontofhim,Henrywas

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removedfromthequeueandescortedstraightintotheEmbassy.

Waithere.Itwas1.15nowandthe

visaofficehadclosedforlunch.TenminuteslaterandJägeremergedfromitwithaclearlyreluctantmanintow.

‘Hesse:HerrSoldner

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himselfwilllookafteryou.Youcouldnotbeinbetterhands.Hehasvolunteeredtocurtailhislunchbreakinordertodealwithyourvisa.’

ItwasevidentthatHerrSoldnerwasnomereclerk,asmuchashelookedlikeone.Astheymarchedthroughthe

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

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ofHerrSoldnershakinghandswithsomeofficersinblackuniforms.NexttothatwasasmallerphotographofHerrSoldnerwithwhatheassumedwasFrauSoldnerandtheirchildren.Onhislapelwasaswastikabadge.HegesturedforHenrytositdown,removedhisspectacles

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thenreadthroughHenry’sform,noddingattimes,makingnotesinthemargininplaces.

‘PleaseexplainthepurposeofyourvisittoStuttgart,HerrHesse.’

HenryspokeinstandardGerman,repeatingthestoryheandRemington-

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Barberhadagreed.‘Mystep-fatherhad

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

‘Doyouhaveanybank

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accountsinGermany,HerrHesse?’

‘No.’‘Doyouhavefriends

inStuttgart?’‘Morelike

acquaintances–businesscontacts.’

‘Theirnamesplease.’Henrygavethenames

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ofthetwolawyerstheydealtwith,alongwiththethreeagentswhohandledthevariousproperties.

HerrSoldnerwroteeachnamedown.Hethenlaiddownhispenandputonhisspectacles.

‘Thelastnameyougaveme,HerrHesse–oneof

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theagents.’‘Bermann?’‘Yes:firstname

please.’‘Heinz:Heinz

Bermann.’‘Afriendofyours?’‘AsIsay,moreofan

acquaintance,abusinessassociate.’

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‘WhendidyoulastseeBermann?’

‘LasttimeIwasinStuttgart,somethreeyearsago.’

‘Andwereyouplanningtoseehimthistime?’

‘Possibly.’‘Doyourealisethatif

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youdidso,HerrHesse,thatwouldbeinbreachoftheconditionsofyourvisa?’

‘Really…Why’sthat?’‘Theverystrong

likelihoodisthatBermannisaJew,anenemyofthestate.’

Withonlythebriefesthesitation,Henryslappedhisthighinannoyance.

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

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owedusmoney.Typical.’‘Ifhe’sstillinStuttgart,

HerrHesse,hewillnolongerhaveanyassetsinhisownname.’

Hewroteonaplainsheetofpaperandattachedittothevisaapplication,placingthecompletedocumentinatray.

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‘YourpassportpleaseHerrHesse.’

HehandedhisSwisspassportovertotheGerman.

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

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***

‘Theonethingwecouldgetunstuckonisiftheydelvetoofarback,’Remington-Barberhadtoldhim.‘TheonlyproblemwouldbeiftheyfoundouteitheryouoryourmotheralsohasBritish

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nationality.’‘That’dbemost

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

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

‘Well,theGermans

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wouldhavetodigverydeepindeedtofindallthisoutandthey’reonlygoingtodothatiftheysuspectanything.Obviously,wehopetheydon’t.’

Obviously.

***

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AnhourlaterAdolfHitlerwasoncemorestaringatHenryHunter,whowasattemptingtoremainascalmaspossibleafterbeingsummonedbacktoHerrSoldner’soffice.

‘Yourvisaisvalidfor30daysfromnextMonday,whichisthe1stofJuly.It

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expiresonthe30thJuly.You’llbeinbreachofyourvisaifyouareinGermanyafterthatdate:doyouunderstand?’

Henrynodded.HewashopingtobebackinSwitzerlandlongbeforethen.

‘You’reonlypermittedtostayinStuttgart.Whilein

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Germanyyoumustnottakepartinanypoliticalactivities;youareprohibitedfrommeetingorconsortingwithJews,criminalsorotherenemiesofthestate;youwillregisteratahotelwithintwohoursofyourarrivalandarenotpermittedtostayanywhereelseduringyour

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stay;youarenotallowedtoapproachanymilitaryestablishmentsorobserveanymovementsofthearmedforces;youarenotpermittedtotakephotographs.TheonlycurrencythatyouareallowedtouseinGermanyisReichsmarks:uponyourarrivalyou’retogotoabank

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andexchangeyourSwissFrancsforReichsmarks.Ishouldwarnyouthatusingtheblackmarketisregardedasaseriouscriminalactivity.Itshouldnotbenecessaryformetowarnyouthatshouldanyoneapproachyouandaskforyourhelp,particularlyinregardtobringing

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informationormessagesbacktoSwitzerland,thatisalsoregardedasaveryseriouscriminalactivity.Youshouldimmediatelyreportanysuchapproachtotheauthorities.Doyouunderstand?’

Henrydid.‘Good.Idohopeyou

enjoyyourvisittoGermany,

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HerrHesse.’

***

AnhourlaterHenryHunterenteredacobblersonanarcadeonKramgasseandexplainedtothebeardedmanjustvisiblebehindamoundofshoesonthecounterhe

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hadcaughttheheelofoneofhisshoesinthetramlinebythestation.Thecobblernoddedandliftedthecountertop,beckoningforHenrytocomethrough.

‘Goupthestairstotheverytop.Heiswaitingforyou.’

TheHonBasil

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Remington-BarbergreetedHenrywarmly.

‘BeautyofthisplaceisIcangetintoitthroughthebackofacaféaboutfivedoorsalong.Now,tellmehowyougoton.’

Remington-Barbercheckedthepassportandthevisa.Allinorder:good.He

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was,hesaid,ascertainashecouldbetheGermanssuspectednothing.ForthenexthourhegaveHenryadetailedbriefingontheStuttgartmission.

‘You’vegoteverythingHenry.Allclear?’

‘Yes,thoughyousayI’mgoingtobecontactedby

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thisMilo.I’mstillnotsurehowI’llknowit’shim?’

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

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

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caught.Remember,youdowhateverMilotellsyou,understand?’

Henrysaidhedid.‘Thereareplentyof

SwissFrancsinthisenvelopehere:changethemintoReichsmarksassoonasyouarrive–don’triskhidinganyonyou.Gobacknowtothe

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

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coupleofweeksbetweenthevisabeinggrantedandyouactuallytravellingthere:makesitappearyou’renotrushing.Understand?’

Henrynodded.‘Oneotherthing:be

carefulatnightinStuttgart.There’sacurfewonandfewplacestoeat,soyou’retostay

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inthehotel.Onthefirstnightcertainlyyoushouldorderroomservice:inmyexperiencethattendstodrawlessattentiontoyourself.’

‘AndhowwouldyoulikemetogettoStuttgart?’

‘OntheMondaymorning,youtakethetrainfromGenevatoZürich:tell

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

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toStuttgart.Itshouldonlytake50minutes,here’shopingtheRAFdoesn’tshootyoudown!’

***

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Chapter9:SalzburgAirport,July1940EarlyintheafternoonofthelastTuesdayinJuly,attheheightofsummer,halfadozenmenweredoingtheir

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besttoavoideachotherinastuffyroomoverlookingtherunwayatSalzburgAirport.ThemenwerealldressedinuniformsdenotinghighrankinvariousbranchesoftheGermanarmedforces:twostoodbythelargewindowbutwellapartfromeachother;anotherappearedtobe

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asleep;twootherswereleafingthroughtheircopiesoftheVőlkischerBeobachterandanotherwaspacingtheroom,drawinghardonacigarette.

AshortwhileaftertheclockstrucktwoanervousyoungLuftwaffeofficerenteredtheroom.Adelay:

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manyapologies.TheplanewasdelayedafterrefuellinginMunich.Departurewillnowbeatthreeo’clock–fouratthelatest.

Muchmutteringandshakingofheadsaroundtheroom:theyoungLuftwaffeofficerpausedinthedoorwayjustlongenoughtoremember

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togiveahurriedHeilHitlersalute,whichwasignoredbyalltheothers.

ThemanwhohadappearedtobeasleepstoodupandcarefullystraightenedhisKriegsmarineuniformbeforeleavingtheroom.Outsidewasasmalllawnwithflowersplantedneatly

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arounditsedges.Hestrolledupanddown,andwassoonjoinedbyanarmyofficer,oneofthetwomenwhohadbeenbythewindow.Theadmiralandthegeneralwalkedinstepalongsideeachotherinsilenceforawhile.Thegeneraltookhistimelightingalargecigarbefore

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addressinghiscompanion.‘Iseewecannoteven

relyontheLuftwaffetogetusbacktoBerlinontime!IimagineJodl’splanewasn’tdelayed.’

‘Heflewbacklastnight,Iunderstand:soonafterthebriefing,’saidtheadmiral,lookingaroundashe

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spoke.‘Heprobablydidn’twanttohangaroundtoolong.’

‘Indeed.Iassumehewantedtoavoidourquestions,’saidthegeneral,speakinginaloudervoicethanhiscompanion.

Theadmiralnoddedandlookedovereach

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shoulderbeforehespoke.‘Andhowisyourson?’

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

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code–awayofbroachingthesensitiveissueofwhatonereallythoughtaboutthewar.Itwasthesameasdiscussingfoodshortageswithpeople:questionsonlyaskedtopeopleyoucouldreallytrust.

‘Karliswellthankyou;he’sanOberleutnantnow,basedinPoland.Andyours–

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youhavetwodon’tyou?’‘Oneson,onedaughter.

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

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ThetwomenpausedtowatchaLuftwaffeJunkerspassengerplanepasslowoverheadfromthesouth,neatlyframedagainstUntersbergmountain.Theplanebankedtotheleftandbeganitsnoisyapproachtotherunway.

‘Thatmustbeour

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plane;wecouldwellbebackinBerlinthiseveningafterall.TellmeErnst:whatdoyoumakeofwhatJodlhadtosay…?’

GeneralmajorErnstturnedtofacehiscompanion,carefullystudyinghisface.Hewantedtobesurehewasnotbeingledintoatrap.

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‘Youmeanabout…?’Itwasclearhewantedtheadmiraltosayitfirst.

‘Theinvasionplans:whatelsewerewetherefor?’

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

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plans,incase…?’‘ComeonErnst:we’ve

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

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

TheGeneralmajorshrugged.Behindthema

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planewasnoisilytaxiinginfrontofthebuildingwheretheyhadbeenwaiting.‘Ithinkourflightwillbereadysoon,Hans.’

‘ComeonErnst,answermyquestion.IfyouwereaBritishgeneralyou’dbeverypleasedtohearGermanywasplanningtobreakitsalliance

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withtheSovietUnionandfightontwofronts,wouldyounot?’

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

***

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

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Zürich…wherevernext?’MarleneHessehad

littlechoicebuttoacceptherson’simminentandlargelyunexplaineddeparturewithhercustomarylackofgrace.Henryhadcometolearnthat,thesedays,allheneededtodowastellherwhathewasdoingthenleaveitatthat.

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HearrivedinZürichontheMondayandspentthenightinahotelonOetenbachgassewherehisflightticketswerewaitingforhim.HeleftthehotelearlythenextmorningandtooktheairportbusfromHauptbahnhofstationatseveno’clock.

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

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

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spyontheLuftwaffe!’Thecaptainwelcomed

themtoGermany,withanoticeablelackofenthusiasm.‘Pleaserespectallthespecialsecurityrulesinplaceattheairport.Pleasefollowallinstructions.PassengersfortheonwardflighttoBerlinshouldremain

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intheirseats.PassengersdisembarkinghereinStuttgartshouldensuretheyhavealltheirbelongingswiththem.WehopeyouhaveenjoyedflyingwithSwissair.WewishyouapleasantstayinStuttgart.’

Theplanetaxiedtoaremotepartoftheairport:

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outsidetheycouldhearshoutingandthenoiseofengines.Thepassengerswereleddownthestepstoabuswithblacked-outwindowsthathaddrawnupalongside.Henryhadnomorethan30secondstoglancearoundastheywereledontothebus:hecouldseeverylittle,other

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thanaringoftroopsaroundtheplaneandacoupleofoiltankersnearby.

Therewerefewotherpassengersinthevastterminalbuilding,althoughatthefarendHenrycouldseegroupsofmeninuniformhurryingalong.Attheotherendoftheterminalwerethe

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airlinedesks,mostofwhichappearedtobeabandoned.TherewereafewpeoplewaitingbyoneoftheDeutscheLufthansadesksbuttheonlyotherairlinedesksthatseemedtobeoperatingwereSwissairandAlaLittoria.Whilehewaited,therewereafew

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announcementsmadebyawomanjustmanagingtosuppressherSwabianaccent:‘Arrivingpassengersshouldwaituntiltheyarecalled;anypassengersfortheSwissairflighttoBerlinaretoproceedtothedeparturegateimmediately;afurtherdelayisannouncedontheDeutsche

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LufthansaflighttoLisbon,Portugal.’

Henrywasquestionedbytwomenstoodbehindthedesk;oneinSSuniform,theotherinacheapsuitwithaswastikabadgeoneachlapel.Behindthemwasalargeclockwithenormousswastikabannersdrapedoneitherside.

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Theyeachcheckedthevisa,silently.ThemanincivilianclothesleftthedeskatonestagewithHenry’spassport,butreturnedaminutelater.

‘HowlongareyouintendingtostayinStuttgart,HerrHesse?’

‘UntilFriday.’

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‘Youhaveareturnticket?’

Henryhandedittothemandtheybothstudiedit.

Andthepurposeofyourvisit?Whereareyoustaying?Withwhomwillyoubemeeting?Areyouawareoftherestrictionsofyourvisa?

Allquestionsthathad

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

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‘WewouldliketoknowmoreaboutyourbusinessaffairsinStuttgart,HerrHesse,’saidthecivilian.

Anunnecessarilydetailedandcomplicatedaccountofhisstep-father’sbusinessaffairsinStuttgartfollowed.Henrytoldthemhowhesuspectedtheyhad

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

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everythingbuthefeltitwashisdutytocomehereandseewhatwasgoingon…andsoon.Ithadthedesiredeffectofmakingthetwoofficialslookbored.HenryhopedtoGodthatpooroldHeinzBermannhadmanagedtogetoutofStuttgart:hewasadecentmanandalwaysvery

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charming.ItwouldbeashameifHenryhadjustaddedtohiswoes.

Aftertenminutes,Henrywastakenthroughtoasmallsideroomwhereheandhisbagswerethoroughlysearchedbytwopolicemen.Hiscopyofthatmorning’sNeueZürcherZeitungwas

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removedfromhisbriefcaseandthrownaway.Everythingelsewascarefullyexamined.Nothingelsearousedtheirsuspicion,otherthantheSwissFrancs.

‘Areyouchangingallofthesehere?’theofficialinchargeofthesearchasked.

Henrynodded.

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‘WaitherewhileIcountthem.’

Theofficiallefttheroom,returningwiththeFrancsfiveminuteslater.Later,Henrywoulddiscoverhe’dhelpedhimselftosomeofthemoney.

Heemergedfromthesideroomintothequeuein

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frontofyetanotherdesk,butthiswasamuchquickerprocess.HispassportwasstampedagainandhewasnowinGermany.

‘Youarenowpermittedtocrosstheborder,HerrHesse.Pleasegothecashier’swindowoverthereandchangeallmoneyinto

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Reichsmarks.WelcometoGermany.’

Henrychangedhismoneythenjoinedaqueuewhichhadformedjustoutsidetheterminalforthebusintothecity.Ittookhalfanhour.Again,thecurtainsweredrawnanditwasdifficulttomakeoutwhere

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

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blocks,andatthefinalonethreepolicemenclimbedonboardandcheckedeveryone’spapers.

‘Stuttgart-Mitte’announcedthedriver:ThebuspulledintoFürstenstrasse,justofftheenormousSchlossplatz.

Itwasnomorethan

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

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whichwashardtodescribebutheknewitwhenhewasthere.Stuttgarttodaydidnotfeellikesomewherehehadbeentobefore,itfeltasthoughhe’donlyeverseenitonfilm.Itnowhadanundoubtedmilitaryedge;somanyofthepeopleonthestreetsseemedtobewearing

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auniformofonetypeoranotherandtherewereanti-aircraftbatteriesontheSchlossplatz.Mostofthebuildingsweredrapedinlargered-and-blackswastikaflags.

BythetimehereachedtheHotelVictoriaonthecornerofFriedrichstrasseand

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KeplerstrasseandwalkedthroughitsornateentrancehehadabetterideawhyStuttgartfeltsounfamiliar.Itwasthepeopleandhowtheybehaved;theyweremovingaroundinsilence,avoidingeyecontactandwithhardlyanyonespeakingtoanyoneelse.Acityhehadonce

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foundfriendlynowhadadistinctlymenacingairtoit.Germanshadalwaysstruckhimasbeingsmartlydressedbutnow,comparedtotherelativesophisticationoftheSwiss,theylookeddrab.

Themanbehindthereceptiondeskdidatleastlookhimintheeye.‘Yes,we

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

Henrysaidthathewasandcompletedthevariousformshandedtohimbythereceptionist.Hewasthen

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escortedtohisroomonthethirdfloorbyanelderlyandevidentlyarthriticporter.Oncehehadunpacked,hedecidedtogoforawalkintheafternoon.Astemptingasitwastoremainintherelativesafetyofhisroom,heknewthatwoulddrawattentiontohimselfand

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wouldnotallowMilotheopportunitytoapproachhim,thoughhewasstillnonethewiserhowthatwasgoingtohappen.BackinBern,Remington-Barberhadbeendecidedlycrypticinthatrespect.

‘You’llbeapproachedbysomeoneusingthephrase

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

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

Remington-Barberhadaskedhimtorepeatit,manytimes.

‘Good:you’retodopreciselywhatMilotellsyou.Iftheysendyousomewhere,

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yougo.’SoHenrywandered

aroundthecentreofStuttgartforthebestpartofanhourandahalfand,asfarashecouldtell,hewasnotbeingfollowed.FromSchlossplatzhewalkeddownthePlanie,whichhadnowbecomeAdolfHitlerStrasseandtheninto

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

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

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

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

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of.Helefttheofficeafter

halfanhour,satisfiedthatanyonewatchingwouldfeelhehadindeedbeentheretoconductbusiness.Afewdoorsalonghefoundasmallbasementbar.Thebarmaidknewbetterthantoasktoomanyquestions,especially

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whensherealisedhewasSwiss.FromthebarhewalkedbackacrosstheSchlossplatztothehotel,concernedathowandwhenMilowasgoingtoapproachhim:hecouldhardlyspendthenextfewdayshangingaroundthehotel,goingfortheoccasionalwalkand

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eatinginhisroom.Hewanderedaround

thelobbyforawhilethenreturnedtohisroom.Heclosedtheheavycurtainsthenranahotbath,rested,readalittlebeforetelephoningreceptiontoorderhiseveningmeal.Therewerethreedishesonthemenu,onlyoneof

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whichwasavailable:sausagesandpotatoes.

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

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

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Whicheverwayyoulookedatit,hetoldhimself,travellingintoGermanyandmeetingwithanotheragentwashardlystraightforward.TheBritishwereunlikelytoriskanoviceagent’sfirstassignmentonanythingtoodangerous.Surelytheywouldsimplywanttoseewhetherhehad

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thenervestogothereandreturninonepiece?

ButwhatwasitViktorhadtoldhimattheweekend?Don’tthinktoomuchsynok:they’llknowwhattheyaredoing.

Therewasaneasychairneararadiatorbythewindowandhesatonit,kickingoff

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hisshoesandputtinghisfeetonthesmalltable.HebegantorecallanotherconversationwithEdgar,whenhehadimpliedtheymayadvancefivehundredpoundsofhisaunt’smoneyonsuccessfulcompletionofamission.Wouldthiscountasasuccessfulmission?Maybe

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hecouldnowaffordacar.Hewatchedthepatternsformingontheceilingbythelampshadebythebedwhenafirmknockonthedoordisturbedhistrainofthought.Hewasannoyed,assumingtheyhadcometocollecthisdinnertraywheninfacthehadleftitinthecorridor.

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‘Thetrayisoutthereforyou,’hecalledout.

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

‘Ithinktheremustbesomemistake,I…’

Acardoorslammedon

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Keplerstrassebelow,followedbythesoundofalorrymovingdowntheroad.

‘There’snoneedtoworrysir,Iamthedutymanager:ifyoucouldopenthedoorplease?’

ThewomanwhoHenryletintohisroomwaswearingthedark,formaluniformof

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

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

‘AreyouenjoyingyourstayattheHotelVictoria?’

‘Iam,but…’‘AndinStuttgart:you

areenjoyingStuttgart?Weusuallyhavesomerainin

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Stuttgartatthistimeofyear.’Henryfeltunsteadyon

hisfeet.Milo?‘Ibegyourpardon?’

Sherepeatedthephraseinapleasant,conversationalmanner.

‘WeusuallyhavesomeraininStuttgartatthistimeofyear.’

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Henrysatdownontheedgeofthebed,awarehewasshakingviolently.Hetookamomentortwotorememberhiscorrectresponse.

‘ThatmustbethecasealloverEurope.’

Wasitsafetohaveaconversationlikethisinahotelroom?

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

‘ThereisalwaysrainaroundtheAlpseveninsummer.’

‘Howwonderful,’shereplied,asthoughshereally

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meantit.Therewasalong

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

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anytraceoflipstick.‘SoyouareMilo?’He

wasspeakinginbarelymorethanawhisper.

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

‘Isitsafeinhere?’

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

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

‘Where?’‘Essen.IntheRuhr:

northofCologne.’‘No,Ican’tsayIhave.’

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‘Tomorrowwillbeyourfirstvisitthen.’

‘But…surelynot.Myvisadoesn’tpermitmetotraveloutsideofStuttgart.’

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

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DieterHoch.’Shehadremovedawalletfromthesuitcaseandemptieditscontentsontothebed.

‘DieterHochismybrother.Dieterisfouryearsolderthanyoubutthephotographinhisidentitycardhereisnotagoodoneandsowe’reconfidentyour

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

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asbeingSwiss.Youwilltakethissuitcase.’

‘Andyourbrotherisinonthis?’

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

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

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cleardaystogettoEssen,completeyourmissionandreturnhere.WewantyoubackinStuttgartbeforethecurfewonThursdaynight.’

‘Butwhataboutthehotel,won’tpeoplespotI’mnothere?’

‘Iamthedutymanagerforthenexttwonights.I’ll

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

‘AndwhatdoIdoinEssen?’

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‘DoyouknowanythingaboutEssen?’

Henryshrugged.Notreally.

‘Essenisamajorproducerofsteelandcoal.TheKruppsfamilyownmuchoftheindustryinthetown.Thesteelthat’sproducedthereisvitaltotheNaziwar

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

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that.’‘SoIjustwander

aroundEssendrawingmaps?’KatharinaHochlooked

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

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thetown,memorisewhatyouseethencompileagridoflocationswhichyouwillthenbringbacktoStuttgart.ThroughoutGermanylifeisdangerous,butinEssenespeciallyso.’

***

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

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himup.Helefttheroomas

quietlyaspossibleanddescendedthroughthefire-exitstairsattheendofthecorridortothebasementlevel,whereKatharinawaswaitingforhim.

Shelookedhimover,likeaparentcheckingachild

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wasproperlydressedforschool.Sheaskedhimtoemptyhispocketstobesurehewascarryingnothingincriminating:everythingwasinorder.

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

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

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

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nightaboutthepurposeofyourvisittoEssen,incaseanyoneasksyou?’

‘Visitinganaunt?’‘Correct:Gertraud

Traugottrecentlycelebratedher80thbirthdayandasyouhaven’tseenherinawhilethisisasurprisevisit.Shelivesinanapartmentinthe

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westofEssen,inAltendorf.Thisisheraddress,pleasecopyitdownnowinyourownhandwritingandputthepieceofpaperinyourwallet.’

ShewaitedwhileHenrypatientlycopieddowntheaddress,foldedthepieceofpaperandplaceditinthewallet.

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

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

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

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umbrellas.Oncethereandwhenitissafe,Lidowillbriefyouonwhat’stohappenduringyourstayinEssen.’

‘Andwhatifheisn’tthere?’

‘Ifheisn’tthereorifsomethinggoeswrong,youshouldtryandgetoutofEssenassoonaspossibleand

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

Henrytriedtotakeallthisin:thedetailwasonethingbutthesenseoffear

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quiteanother.Hewasbeginningtoshiver,despitethewarmthofthebasement.

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

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

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besttoholdoutfor24hours.That’llgiveusenoughtimetodismantleourcellhereinStuttgartandtrytoescape.’

Katharinaputherarmaroundhisshoulderandleanedclosetohim.Hermouthlookedevenmoreastonishingclose-up.Hereyesdidnotblinkasshe

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staredstraightintohis.‘Twentyfourhours,

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

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youwon’tarousesuspicion.Youmustleavenow.’

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

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That’sveryimportant.Doyouunderstand?’

Henoddedthatheunderstood.KatharinaledhimupasteepflightofconcretestepstoadoorthatleddirectlyontoKeplerstrasse.Shemotionedforhimtowaitwhileshelookedupanddownthe

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street,thenwavedhimtocomeup.Shepushedhimalongwithawhispered‘Goodluck’.

Itwasaquickfiveminutes’walkdownFriedrichstrassetothemainstation,whichwasreassuringlybusy.Henryhadjustenoughtimetostopata

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kioskandbuyabreadrollwithacoldsausageandacopyofthatmorning’sVőlkischerBeobachter.

HespottedtheFrankfurttrainonplatformsix,withblack-cladtroopsforminginlinestoboardit.Cloudsofsteamfloatedacrossthestation,andthe

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smellofengineoilandthesoundsofmetalandwhistlesandpeoplecallingoutallfeltoddlyreassuring.Heshowedhistickettothemanatthebarrierthenapolicemanaskedtocheckhispapers,butwasquicktowavehimthrough.Justashewasabouttoboardthetrain,hefelta

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

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***

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

Henryapologised

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

***

HewasbothsurprisedandrelievedwhenthetrainfromFrankfurtpulledintoEssen

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Mainat20minutespasttwothatWednesdayafternoon.Thejourneycouldnothavegonemoresmoothly;theStuttgarttrainhadarrivedinFrankfurtatten,allowinghimampletimetobuyhisticketforEssenandstillbeabletositinasmallcaféononeoftheplatforms,wherehe

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sippedacupofbitterersatzcoffeeandglancedattheVőlkischerBeobachter.HewasabletoboardtheEssentrainat10.30whenthebarrieropened,withthepolicemanondutygivinghisidentitycardnomorethanacursorylook.

Thetrainwaspacked

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

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

Hewasabouttoexplainwhenshebegantofadeaway,

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

AsthetrainreachedEssen,enormousfactories

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loomedoneithersideofthetrack,withthickplumesoffilthysmokereachingfarintothegreysky.ThestationwasnotnearlyaslargeastheonesinStuttgartorFrankfurt,andthereseemedtobelesssecurity.Therewasanoticeablesmellofcoalandindustrialfumes,andthe

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largeswastikaflagsdrapedabovetheplatformwerestreakedwithgrime.Hedecidednottogotothelost-propertyofficestraightaway;heneededtogetasenseofhissurroundings.Hestudiedthetimetableonthesideoftheticketoffice.IfheneededtoleaveEssenquicklythere

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wasatraintoDortmundintenminutesandonetoColognein20.Therewasacaféontheplatform,buthefelttoosickwithnervestoevenenterit.

Hewaiteduntil2.30thenenteredthelost-propertyoffice.AmaninDRuniformwasbehindalong,low

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counter,attendingtoanelderlylady.

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

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eyeoutforthem.’Henrywaiteduntilshe

hadleft.Themanbehindthecounterlookedtobeinhislatefiftiesatleast,hishairasteelywhite,andhemovedinaslowandquitedeliberatemanner.Helookedtired.Hismostnoticeablefeaturewasanimpressivepairof

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eyebrowsthatseemedtojoinupabovehisnoseandcurveupateitherend,lendinghimanowl-likeair.

‘CanIhelpyousir?’Henryglancedaround

toensuretheywereontheirown.

‘Iappeartohavelostmyumbrella.’

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Nopause,noflickerofunderstanding,nosignofanticipationfromthemanbehindthecounter.

‘Andwhendidyouloseitsir?’

‘Thismorning.It’sblackwithacarvedwoodenhandle.Myinitialsareengravedonthehandle:

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“DH”.’Themanbehindthe

countershookhishead.‘Ican’trecallit,but

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

Themanliftedupa

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sectionofthecounterandslowlyledHenrytoaroomatthebackoftheoffice.Heclosedthedoorandremovedhiscap,turningtofaceHenry.

‘I’mLido,bytheway.’‘Igatheredthat:

Dieter.’LidograspedHenry’s

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handandshookitwarmly.‘Therearesome

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

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war,apartfromtheirlives.’Lidospokequicklyand

quietly,lookingoutofthelittleofficewindowtowardsthecounterashedidso.

‘Justwaitamoment.’Awomanwithtwo

youngchildrenhadcomeinandLidowentovertothecounterandafteraveryquick

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conversationsheleft.HecamebacktoHenry.

‘Everyotherpersonwhocomesinherethinkswearetheleft-luggagedepartment.Itsaysveryclearlythatwe’relostproperty.StuttgartexplainedthatyourcoverforvisitingEssenistovisityouraunt,

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

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

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

***

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

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

Hecould.Healsorememberedhistrainingand

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theneedtoavoidwanderingaroundaplacewithoutanyapparentpurpose.HedecidedtousethehourandabithewasgoingtospendinthecentreofEssentopurchaseagiftforhisaunt:hewastheretocelebrateher80thbirthdayafterall.

Lidohadagreedthat

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

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

HefollowedLido’sinstructions:hehadplentyoftime,sohemadesurehedidnotrush.Lidohadsaidhethoughttheremaybea

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

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reachedbyclimbingdownacoupleofwornsteps.Therewasasignonthedoortoringthebellandwhenhedidsoitwasaminuteortwobeforetheelderlyownershuffledalongtounlockthestore.

‘Myapologies:whenI’mpreparingperfumesatthebackIlockthedoor,I’vehad

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

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Theshopwastiny,withallthewallsandcounterscoveredinbottlesofperfumeineveryimaginablesizeandcolour.Thesmellwasclosetooverpowering.

‘Now,howcanIhelpyou?’

Henryexplainedhewaslookingforaperfumeforhis

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

Henryexplainedhehadnotseenherinawhile,thiswasasurprisevisit.

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‘Youdon’tsoundasifyou’refromthisarea?’

‘No,I’mfrom…thesouth.’

‘Isee:whereaboutsinthesouth?’

‘Stuttgart,’saidHenry,regrettinghisanswerstraightaway.

‘Youdon’thavethat

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dreadfulSwabianaccent,thankGod!You’vetravelledalongwaytoseeyouraunt.WheredoessheliveinEssen?’

‘Altendorf.’‘Altendorf?Iknowit

well.Ilivedtheremyselfformanyyears,beforemywifediedandmychildrenleft

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Essen.What’syouraunt’sname?’

Henryhesitated.Therewassomethingabouttheownerhefoundunsettling.ItwasnottheNaziPartybadge,halfthepopulationofGermanyseemedtowearoneofthosethesedaysasfarashecouldtellanditwas

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probablygoodforbusiness.No,thequestionsseemedtobepointedandpersistentratherthanfriendly.ItwasasifhedistrustedHenry.

‘MaybeI’llcomebacklater.Ineedtodosomemoreshopping.’

‘Youraunt’sname,youweregoingtotellmeher

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name?’‘Gertraud.Gertraud

Traugott.’‘Gertraud?ButIknow

Gertraud,Iknowherverywell!Tellme,howareyourelatedtoher?’

Henrymomentarilyconsideredleavingtheshop,buthadalreadyrevealedtoo

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much;GertraudTraugott’snameandStuttgart.Trapped.

‘Itoldyou,she’smyaunt.’

‘Butonwhichside?’‘Mymotherwasher

sister.’Theoldmannoddedas

ifhewassatisfiedwiththeanswer.Henryfeltasenseof

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relief.Hehadover-reacted.‘Ah,soyou’re

Hannelore’sson?’‘That’sright,yes.’He

managedaweaksmileandfeltfaintlyrelieved.Theoldmanleantagainstthecounter,soclosethatHenrycouldsmellthegarliconhisbreath.

‘Gertraudhasnosister.

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

Theoldman’shandmovedalongthecountertowardsthetelephone.Henry

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reactedquickly.Hereachedoverthecounterandpushedthemanashardashecouldagainsttheshelvesbehindhim.Hisheadstruckoneofthelargeglassbottlesandheslumpedtothefloor.Afewofthebottlesfellontopofhim,theglassshatteringandtheperfumespillingoverthe

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man,whowasnowgroaning.Henrydartedovertothedoorandlockedit,turningthesignroundsothatitwouldshowthattheshopwasclosed.Geschlossen.

Heclimbedoverthecounteranddraggedthelimpbodyintothesmallpreparationroomattheback

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

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

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down.Thestrugglelastedforwhatseemedlikeanage.Hecouldfeelsomethinghotandwetagainsthishand.Bloodwastricklingoutoftheman’snose.

Thenitstopped.Thebodysuddenlyslumped,allresistancehadfloodedoutofitandHenryknewhewas

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

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heremovedallthenotesandleftitopen.Heturnedofftheshoplightsandwentbackintotheroom,takingcaretoshuttheinternaldoorandlockit.Hehadalreadynoticedtherewasanotherdoorfromtheroomwhichheassumedwouldleadoutside.Heundidtheboltsand

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

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

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sleeveandreekedofperfume.Hebundleditup,hopingtofindsomewherenearbytodisposeofit.

Hecarefullyopenedthedoortothealleywayoncemore.Itwasdarkand,asfarashecouldtell,deserted.Hepulledhistrilbylowoverhisfaceandhurrieddownthe

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

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

‘Whatthehellareyou

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doinghere?’hehissed.‘IthoughtItoldyoutomeetmeinHindenbergStrasse?’

Henryexplainedwhathadhappened.Lidosatwithhisheadinhishands.

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

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

‘That’stheproblemwiththistown,everyone

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knowseveryone.Didanyoneseeyouentertheshop?’

‘NotasfarasIknow.Itwasveryquiet.’

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

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werewearing,isthatright?’‘Yes.’‘Chooseoneofthe

blackonesthen.Andchangeyourhattoo.Choosesomethingdifferentfromthattrilby.You’dbettergivemethewatchyoutookfromhim.’

Lidoexaminedthe

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watchwithaprofessionalinterest.

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

‘Yes.’

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

Lidocalledhimbackjustashewasleavingthelost-propertyoffice.

‘Didyouremoveeverythingfromthepockets

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ofyourcoat?’‘Ididn’thaveanything

inthem,asfarasIwasaware.’

‘Areyousure?’Henrylefttheoffice

withoutreplying.Ifonlyhewassure.

***

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

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

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expected,butthephysicaleffectithad,sendingtremorsthroughouthisbody.ThebuildingsonthesouthsideoftheroadseemedtobedenserandeverysooftenLidowouldremovehishatandscratchhisheadforamomentortwobeforeputtingitbackon.Thatwasthesignalfor

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Henrytotakespecialnote,whichmaybetheentranceofanotherfactory,usuallywithaboardoutside.Mostoftheentranceshadsentriesoutsidethem,theirgazefollowinghimashewalkedpast.

ItsoonbecameobvioustoHenrythatgoodsweremovedaroundthefactories

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andthetownbyrail:atfrequentpointsontheirjourneytheroadwasbisectedbyrailwaylinesandbridges.Theyhadtowaitatoneortwoofthesefortrainstopass,whichgaveHenryagoodopportunitytolookaround.Hewasmakingmentalnotes;ofwheredifferentfactories

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wereinrelationtooneanother,theirnames,wheretherailwaylineswent,wherepowerplantswerelocated.

AfterawhilehenoticedLidohadsloweddownhispaceandkeptremovinghiscap,scratchinghishead.Afactorytotheirleftwasmoreorlessopentoroadandinit

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

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thegroup,alldressedinaroughgreyuniform.Heheardthemtalkingquietlyaswalkedpasthim:hewassuretheywerespeakingPolish.

Soonafterthat,theyemergedfromthecomplexoffactoriesalthoughthesmellandthenoiselingeredon.Theywerenowinthe

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Altendorfdistrict.Lidostoppedtotieashoelace,whichwasthesignalforHenrytodropbackfurther:theywerenearingtheapartment.Justafteraschool,LidoturnedrightintoRullichStrasseandatthatpointHenrysloweddownevenmoretoallowLidotogetout

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ofhissight.HeknewtoturnfromRullichStrasseintoEhrenzellerStrassethenintotheapartmentblocktowardstheendofthestreet.Itwasalargeblock;fourstoreyshighwiththeapartmentsopeningoutontoanexternalcorridor.

Therearesixapartmentsoneachfloor,all

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sharingthesamecorridor.Iaminnumber19onthesecondfloor.GertraudTraugott’sapartmentisjustalongfrommine,number22.

HenryreckonedLidohadhadthefiveminuteshesaidheneededtogetinsidehisownapartment,soheclimbedthestepstonumber

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

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Awomaninherfortiescameout.Shewaswearingafilthyapronwithtwoequallyfilthychildrenhuddledbehindher.

‘Whoareyouafter?’‘FrauTraugott,’he

replied.‘She’snothereand

withsomeluckshe’llnever

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comeback.Ihadenoughofherfrighteningthechildren.Whoareyouanyway?’

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

Lidohadnowemergedfromhisapartmentandjoinedthem.Henoddedpolitelyat

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thewomanandaskedifhecouldhelp.Henryexplainedhisstoryagain.LidoalsoinformedhimthatFrauTraugottwasnotthere.

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

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knowofahotelnearby?’‘You’llhavetohead

backintotown,’theneighboursaid,usheringherchildrenbackintotheirapartment.Shewassensingshemaybecalledupontohelpoutandherreluctancetodothatmarginallyoutweighedherinnate

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nosiness.‘Manfredwillhelpyou.

He’sanold-fashionedgentleman!’Withthatshelaughedanddisappearedbackinside,butnotbeforehearingLidoaskhimtojoinhiminhisapartment.

Number19wasneatandcosy.OnceLidohad

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lockedthedoorandcheckedallthecurtainsweredrawnheshowedHenryintoasmallsittingroom.Therewasatable,bookshelves,aneasychairandasofa:hegesturedforHenrytositdown.

‘Let’swaittenminutes.Iftheywerefollowingusthey’llcomebythen.Ifnot,

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

Afterasilenttenminutes,ManfredremovedhisjacketandtookHenry’sthenwentintothekitchen,

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emergingafewminuteslaterwithtwosteamingmugs.

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

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AsbachUraltbrandyfromashelfandpouredsomeintotheircoffeecups,withoutaskingHenry.

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

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

‘Pardon?’saidHenry.‘Stuttgartshouldhave

givenyousomethingforme…inapencilcase?’

‘Ohyes,sorry.I

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forgot.’Henryopenedthesuitcaseandremovedthepencilcasefromthezippedcompartmentinthelid.

Manfredhelditcarefullywithtwohandsandplaceditonthetable.Helefttheroomandreturnedwithasmalltowel,whichhefoldedinhalfandplacednexttothe

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

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‘Whatwerethey?’heasked.

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

‘YoumeanIcarriedthosedetonatorswithmeall

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thewayfromStuttgart?’‘Indeedyoudid.I’m

mostgrateful.’‘ButwhatifI’dbeen

searchedandthey’dfoundthem?’

‘Thenyouprobablywouldn’tbeherenow,wouldyou?Wetakesuchrisksallthetime.’

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Henrysankbackinthesofa.

‘Arethereanyothersurprises?’

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

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oneoftheforeignlabourersoraJew.It’sveryhandytheyblamethemforeverything.ItmakesiteasierfordecentAryanstocommitcrimes.’

Theybothlaughed.Henryspentthenexthourwritinginpencilwhathe’dseen,thentheysealedthepaperintotheliningofthe

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suitcase.Manfredpreparedaneveningmealandtheysatdownatthetabletoeat:ahotstewwithmorepotatoesthananythingelse.

‘Howlonghaveyoulivedhere,Manfred?’

‘ImovedtoEssenin1935.IwasateacherinDortmundwhentheNazis

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

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Dortmundandshewasabletoaltermyrecords.MysurnamewasErhartandshechangedittothealternativespellingofErhard.AllmypaperworkshowedmyChristiannameasHans,butshereplaceditwithmymiddlename,Manfred.SoHansErhartbecameManfred

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

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

‘Sohowdidyougetinvolvedinthisbusiness?’

‘Bychance:acouple

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cametolostpropertywhowereclearlyterrified.TheyweretryingtogetoutofEssenbuttheGestapowereafterthem.Withouthavingtimetothink,Iallowedthemtohideinofficeovernight.Thenextmorningtheygavemethephonenumberofacontactoftheirsandhe

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

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gatherintelligencefortheBritishsotheycanbombtheKruppsfactories.WithsomelucktheintelligencewegivethemwillbesogoodtheyhitKruppsratherthanthisapartmentblock.TherearesomeminingengineersattheKruppsMariamineinthenorthofEssenwhoare

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communistsympathisers:theycangetholdofdynamiteand,whoknows,withthedetonatorsyoubroughtmaybewecandosomedamagetothefactoriesourselves,withouthavingtorelyontheRAF.’

‘Maybethat’llbesafer.’

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

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thatwhentheGestapocomeformeIhavetimetotakeit.’

AfterManfredhadclearedthedinnerplateshereturnedtothesmallroomandcheckedthecurtainsonceagain.

‘Areyoureadyforsomeentertainment?’

Henrynodded,

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uncertainwhatManfredhadinmind.

Manfredwasbythebookcase,ontopofwhichwasaBakelitecabinet.

‘ThisisaVolksempfange:atriumphofGermanengineering.WhentheNaziscametopowertheyweresoproudoftheirability

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

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buttheysoonbannedthat.ApparentlytheyfeltthatitwasallNegroesandJews.Sonowtheyexpectustolistentotheirnonsense,buttheyfailedtotakeintoaccountthis…’

Manfredwasmovingthedialtotheleft,stationsmomentarilyburstingintolife

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thenfadingawayashewentthroughthem.Hesettledononestationandturnedthevolumeverylow,beckoningHenrytojoinhimcrouchedbythespeaker.

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

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

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

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alongwithRoza,whoinevitablyappearedbeforehimintheveryearlyhours,herfingersholdinghiswristandslowlytighteningoverthecourseofwhatfeltlikemanyhours.Therewasastrongwindthatnightandthewindowsinthesittingroom,whereHenrywastryingto

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sleeponthesofa,rattledviciously.Worsethanthatwasthefrontdoor,whichshookheavilywhencaughtbythewind:eachtimeithappenedheimaginedtheGestapohadcomeforthem.

ThenextmorningManfredwasupat6.30andtheysattogethereatingblack

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breadandjam,anddrinkingersatzcoffee.

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

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

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soonasyoucan.’Henrywatchedas

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

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TheylefttheapartmentjustaftersevenandHenryfollowedManfredtoAltendorfstation.Theytravellednorth,allowingHenryampleopportunitytoseeyetmoreKruppsfactoriesandtheMariaandAmaliemines.AtAltenessen,theychangedtrainsandtookone

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south:anyonefollowingthemwouldhavebeenimmediatelysuspiciousthattheyweretakingsuchacircuitousroutewhenamoredirectoneexisted,butitwasbusyandHenrywasconvincedno-onewaswatchingthem.EssenwaslikeStuttgart:peopleavoidedeyecontactwitheach

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other.Thenextstageofthejourneyhadtheaddedadvantageofbeingpainfullyslow,asthetraincrawleddownthetrackpastyetmorefactoriestotheNorthPassengerandGoodsstation.Itwasnowaquartertoeightand,asarranged,Manfredheadedstraighttothemain

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station.Henryhadmoretimeandwalkedslowly,takingaslightlylongerroutesoastotakeinthepowerstationandtheelectricitystationaroundViehoferStrasse.

Asheheadedtowardsthebahnhof,pleasedwithhismorning’sworkandrelievedtobebeginninghisjourney

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

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

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andthewordsGeheimeStaatpolizeiontheother.Gestapo.

‘Papers.’Hehandedoverhis

identitycard.‘Whereareyou

heading?’‘Thestation.’Thatseemedtosatisfy

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theman,whodidnotpresshim.

‘Openthesuitcase.’Herootedaroundinit

foramomentortwobutagainwassatisfied.

‘Yourwatch.’They’dbelookingfor

theoldman’swatch.Hiswasfine.

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TheGestapoofficerseemedsatisfied.

‘Onelastthing:letmeseeyourwallet.’

Henryhandeditover.HeandManfredhadagreeditwouldbebesttodisposeoftheReichsmarkshehadtakenfromthetill.‘Youneverknow,’Manfredhadsaid,

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

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appearasinnocuousasalltheothercontents.

ButitwasastheGestapomanhandedthewalletbacktohimandtoldhimhecouldgoonhiswaythatHenryhadthemostterriblethought.Herememberedtheslipofpaperwasnotinthewallet:hehad

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

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TheywouldfindthepieceofpaperandgototheapartmentblockinEhrenzellerStrasseandstartaskingquestions.Theladywiththefilthyaproninthenext-doorapartmentwouldhappilytellthemaboutthemanwhohadknockedonGertraudTraugott’sdoorandwhohadbeentakeninby

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HerrErhardatnumber19.Hislegswereshaking

ashehurriedtothestation.Thelargestationclockhadedgedpast9.10andhecouldseesteambillowingfromtheColognetrainonplatformthree.Therewasagoodchancetheywouldfindthecoatanymomentnow–

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

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Therewasmovementaroundplatformthree,theguardwasabouttoclosethegate.Henryranalongandmanagedtosqueezethroughintime.Hehoppedonboardasthebrakeswerenoisilyreleasedandthetrainbegantoeasealongtheplatform.

Everytimeheclosed

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hiseyesonthejourneybacktoStuttgarthesawManfred:heknewhecouldhavewarnedhimandgivenhimachancetoescape,butthatwouldhavedelayedhisowndeparturefromEssenandputhimselfatrisk.

PoorManfred,hethought:adecentenoughman

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whoseremainingambitioninlifewasthathecouldtakehissuicidepillbeforetheGestapogottohim.

Ijusthopehemanagesit.

***

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Chapter12:Lausanne,Bern,August1940HenrytravelledtoLausanneonMonday5thAugust,followingthelongweekendtocelebrateSwissNationalDaythepreviousFriday.He

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tooktheearlymorningpaddlesteamerfromGenevaand,whentheMontreuxdockedinLausanne,agleamingblackTractionAvantwaswaitingforhim.

Onthe20-minutedrivetoLutry,theAlpsrosehightohisleft,thelakesweepingbelowhimtotheright.That

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summeditup,hethought:caughtbetweentwopowerfulforces.Notunlikeservingtwomasters.

IttooktheCitroënafurthertenminutestoclimbthesteeproadoutofLutrytoanisolatedvillahighabovethetown.Henrywasledthroughtoamagnificently

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appointedlounge,withlargewindowsofferingsensationalviewsofthelake.Thefurniturewasofthebestquality,alongwithmagnificentcarpetsandcabinetscontainingenoughsilvertofundawarslightlysmallerthanthecurrentone.

Aswithallhismeetings

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withViktor,itbeganwithanembrace.AsHenryextricatedhimself,heturnedroundtoadmiretheroom.

‘Bitluxuriousisn’titViktor?’

‘Thelocationisverydiscreet:that’swhatmatters.’

‘Doyoulotownthis?’‘Weborrowitfroma

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goodfriend,synok.Wehaveverylittletimeforquestions;weneedtogettowork.’

Henryignoredhimandwalkedaroundtheroom,genuinelyadmiringit.ApairofchairsoneithersideofthefireplaceappearedtobegenuineLouisXV:Viktortoldhimhewasn’tpermitted

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tositonthem.SomeonebroughtinatrayofwhatsmelledlikepropercoffeeandhehelpedhimselftoacupbeforesinkingintoalargearmchairoppositeViktor,whohadhisbrownleathernotebookonhislapandwassharpeninghispencilwithapenknife,theshavings

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scatteringonthepreciouscarpet.

‘You’venotheardfromyourMrRemington-Barberyet?’

Henryshookhishead.SodidtheRussian.

‘Strange.I’dhavethoughthe’dhavecontactedyoubynow.Asfaraswecan

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

‘I’venoidea,butmaybethey’reunhappyaboutwhathappenedinEssen.’

Viktorraisedhiseyebrowsmomentarilyand

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lookedup.‘AndwhatdidhappeninEssen,Henry?’

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

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

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soundofViktorsharpeninghispencil.Henryleantforwardinhisseat,hiselbowsonhisthighs,staringdown.

‘What’sthemattersynok:youlookbotheredaboutsomething?’

‘He’llbedeadnow,won’the?’

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‘Who?’‘Manfred–Lido:do

youthinktheGermanswouldhavefoundhim?’

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

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findthecoatandthatwouldhaveledtoManfred.’

Henryshookhishead.‘Youseemtobe

upset?’Viktorlookedconfused.

‘Well,Iamactually,yes.Hewasadecentchapanditwasmymistakethatprobablydiditforhim.’

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

‘Ofcoursenot:hewasclearlyabadsort–aNazi.Ihadnoalternative.’

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

‘YouthinkIshouldtell

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himthen?’‘Ofcourse!It’salways

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

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goodifyoudon’ttellhim.’Itwassixo’clocknow.

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

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concisemanner.ListencarefullyHenry:

thisiswhat’sexpectedofyou.We’resatisfiedsofar

Henry,buttherearemanydifficultdaysahead.

It’stooriskyforustomeetonaregularbasis.Wecankeepaneyeonyoubutwemustkeepthesemeetings

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toaminimum.Youmustlearnto

operateonyourownbuttodoexactlywhatwewantyouto.

ItwasaquartertosevenwhenViktorfinished.

‘IthinkwecanriskdrivingyoubacktoGeneva,synok.Wenowneedtowait

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untilRemington-Barbercontactsyou:Iimaginethat’llbesoon.’

ViktorstoodupandembracedHenryoncemore.ThetwomenwhohadbroughtHenrytothevillahadcomebackintotheroom.Timetogo.

‘BeforeIgoViktor,

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there’ssomethingIneedtogetoffmychest.’

Viktorraisedhiseyebrowsandlookedathiswatch,clearlyirritated.‘Ifyoumust:goonthen.’

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

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games.IknowwhatIletmyselfinfor,Irealiseallthat.Butthereissomethingthat’smademeveryunhappyandIneedtotalkaboutit.’

Viktorshifteduncomfortablyandlookedatthetwoothermenintheroom.Henoddedatthemandtheybothleft.

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‘Goon,butmakeitquickHenry.’

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

Viktornoddedinagreement,unsurewhatwasgoingtocomenext.Henry

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pausedtocomposehimself.‘Iagreedtoworkfor

youbecauseIwasideologicallycommitted.’

‘Weknowthat.’‘AndIstillam.But

nowI’vestartedtolaymylifeontheline,Ican’tunderstandwhywesignedthatbloodypactwiththem

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

Viktorsankbackinto

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hischairandmotionedforHenrytodothesame.Heleantforward,placedhisenormoushandsonHenry’sknees,grippingthemquitetightly.

‘Whatyoumustunderstandsynokisthatthey’renotourfriends.Thereisnoquestionofthat.’

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‘Butourallies?That’sbadenough…Perhapsevenworse!’

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

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

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meanttomakeusfeelcomfortable;it’smeanttoprotectus.’

‘Well,IdofeeluncomfortableViktor.’

‘Anddoyouthinkyou’retheonlyone?’HegrippedHenry’skneesohardhewincedinpain.Hisraisedvoicemeantoneofthemen

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whohadbeensentoutoftheroompoppedhisheadroundthedoortocheckallwasinorder.ViktorstoodupandleantoverHenry,hishotbreathwasmoistandsmeltofalcohol.

‘Wearenotpermittedtheluxuryofpersonalfeelingsoropinions:theyare

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mereindulgences.Doyouunderstandthat?’

Henryedgedbackinhischair.

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

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

***

Henry’sjourneyfromEssentoStuttgarthadbeen

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uneventfulandwhenhearrivedattheHotelVictorialateontheThursdayafternoonKatharinaHochhadnotyetcomeonduty.Shecameuptohisroomlaterthatnighttocollectherbrother’sclothesandpapers.SheinsistedhewasnottotellheranydetailsoftheEssen

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

HehadremovedtheNaziPartymembershipbadge

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hehadtakenfromthedeadmanintheperfumeshopfromhislapelbeforearrivingatthehotel.Youneverknow,hethought.Hehiditintheliningofhiswashbag.

Shewasright–Bernwouldwanttoknoweverything,thoughhecouldnotunderstandwhyitwas

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

HenryhadtakentheSwissairflightfromStuttgart,

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

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wouldbeintouchontheMonday,ifnotbefore.

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

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returnedfromhismorningwalktobetoldbyhismotherthatamessengerhadcomeroundfromCreditSuisse.Therewasaletter.

‘Whatevercanbetheproblem,Henry?’

ItwasfromMadameLadnier.Henrytriedtoreaditawayfromthepryingeyesof

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hismother,whowastryingtomovebehindhim.

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

Atlast.Hefeltrelieved.Hismotherwaslookingat

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himanxiously,hereyebrowsraisedhigh.

‘What’stheproblemHenry?’

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

MadameLadnierwascalm

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andbusinesslike.HenryhadarrivedatthebranchinQuaidesBerguesatfivetotwoandastheclockstruckthehourabovethecashiers’countersMadameLadnieremergedfromadoorandusheredHenryintoasmallofficedownalongcorridor.

‘Howareyou,Herr

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Hesse?’‘Verywell,thankyou.’

DoIaskaboutthedelay,whyI’venotbeencontacted?DoImentionanythingaboutGermany?

‘Good.Youraccountisinorder.Pleasenowtakeafewminutestocheckyourstatementsandinitialeach

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pagetoindicateyou’vereadthem.’

Hescannedthroughthestatements,initiallingeachpage.Therewasnomessageforhimonanyofthepagesashethoughttheremaybe.HekeptglancingupatMadameLadnier,hopingforasmileoranodorsome

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acknowledgementofthesituation,butsheremainedasimpassiveasonewouldexpectofaSwissbankofficial.

Whenhehadfinished,hereturnedthepaperstoher.Shecheckedthemandplacedthemneatlyinafoldermarkedwithhisname.

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

Shehadstoodupnow,

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preparingtoleavetheroom.AsHenryrose,shecamearoundtohissideofthedeskandbenttopickupapieceofpaperfromthefloor.

‘Youappeartohavedroppedthispaper,HerrHesse.’

‘Idon’tthinkso,’Henryreplied.

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

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16thAugust,1pm.’MadameLadnierhelda

longmanicuredfingeroverhermouthincaseHenrywasinclinedtospeak.

HeleftGenevaonthe9.30trainontheFridaymorningandwasinBerningoodtimeforhisappointmenton

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

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Barberwasstandingbythewindow.

‘Goodtrip?’Hesoundedasthoughhewasenquiringafteraholiday.

‘Well,allthingsconsidered,yes.’

‘Allthingsconsidered?’‘Well,consideringI

wassentintoNaziGermany

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thenintotheheartoftheRuhrcarryingdetonatorsconcealedinmybaggage,yesitwasfinethankyou.’

‘I’mnotterriblysurewhatyouwereexpectingoldchap.’

‘Iwasexpectingthatit’dbeabitmoreofatestingthewatermission:youknow,

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seehowIgoton…’‘…Whichinasenseit

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

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trainingexerciseforyou,arewe,eh?’

‘Andthedetonators?’‘Oneofthepurposesof

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

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Ruhr,whichiswhereyoucamein.EvidentlyLidodidmanagetopassonthedetonatorstoanothermemberofthecellthemorningyouleft,sothatisrathergoodnews:withabitofluckwemaybeabletodosomedamagethere.Aerialbombingtendstobeabithit

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andmiss,butifwecanactuallyplantsomethinginsideafactoryoracoalmine–well,whoknows?’

‘IthinkIoughttohavebeentoldabitmoreaboutmymissionbeforeIwassentonit.’

‘Notsureitworkslikethatoldchap.Nottoputtoo

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

‘Yes,butwhatworriesmeiswhathesaidinthenextline:Theirsbuttodoanddie.’

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

‘Aboutwhat?’BasilRemington-

BarberstaredatHenryforquitealongtime,notinanaltogetherunfriendlymanner,hiseyebrowsraised

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quizzically.‘AboutwhatledtoLido

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

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thatshopkeeperchap–butnotallofit.’

Henryhadalreadydecidedtoexplainwhathadhappened,butconfirmationthatManfredwasdeadcausedHenrytoswallowhard.Whenheregainedhiscomposurehebegantorecountthestoryinmuchthe

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

‘YouleftEssenonthe

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

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takentothepoliceheadquartersinVirchowStrasse.’

‘Howdoyouknowthis?’

‘Oneofhisneighbours:mostlikelytheoneyoumet.Halftheneighbourhoodheardwhathappenedfromherandoneofourchapsthere

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overheardit.Asfarasthepoliceareconcerned,they’vepulledinanumberofretireddetectiveswhiletheyoungeronesareinthearmyandanotherofourcontactsheardallthisatthebarthattheyfrequent.ManfredwasatVirchowStrasserightthroughtheweekend:theGestapo

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

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night.Apparentlytheywereduetogivehimanotherworkingoverthenextday.Isupposeinonesensetheydidn’tkillhimassuch,butofcourse…’

‘Ofcourse.’Henryfeltbereft.‘DoyouthinkIshouldhavewarnedhim?’

‘Wellfromwhatyou

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

‘GoodLord…Idon’tknowwhattosay.’

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

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tobefrank,eventhat’spushingitwiththoseanimals.Butheheldoutforfarlongerthanthat:remarkablehowresilientpeoplecanbe.’

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

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outtoberather…messy.’BasilRemington-

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

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

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

‘I’dhavebeenangry

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

Remington-Barber

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clappedhishandsandusheredHenryovertoatablebythewindow,onwhichalargemapofEssenwasspreadout.

‘You’vebroughtyournoteswithyou?’

Henryhad.‘Good.Whatweneed

todonowisfillinallthe

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informationyoupickeduponthegroundagainstthismap.It’llbelikedoingajigsaw:shouldberatherfun.’

Henrywouldnothavedescribeditasfun.Theyspentanhourgoingoverthemap,Henrydoinghisbesttopointoutthelocationoffactoriesandotherkey

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

‘RAFoughttobechuffedwiththis,’heannounced,carefullyrolling

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itupandslippingitintoametaltube.Hethenstoodupandrubbedhishands,asifinexcitement.

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

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

‘Andwhathappensnow?’

‘Gohomeandwaitfor

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ustocontactyou,whichwe’lldothroughMadameLadnier.’

‘Andwhenmightthatbe?’

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

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

Henrywasalarmed.‘London!YouwantmetogotoLondon?’

Remington-Barberfrowned.‘Goodheavensno!

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Londonwillcometoyou.’

***

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Chapter13:Berlin,August1940Berlininthefirstfullsummerofthewarwasacityofsecretsandhushedconversations;acityatthecentreoftheconflictbuta

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longwayfromthesoundsormoreobviouseffectsofit.Theclosertothecentreofpower,themoresecretstherewereandthemorehushedconversationsbecame.Unlessyouknewsomeonewellandwereabsolutelysureyoucouldtrustthem,evenaroutineconversationwas

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guardedandrequiredacircuitousroutetoreachitspoint.

ForFranzHermann,suchacautiousapproachwasbynomeansanalienone.Asalawyerhewasusedtobeingcarefulandnon-committal;discretioncameassecondnaturetohim.Butlateinthe

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afternoonofanextremelypleasantTuesdayinthemiddleofAugusthewasmindfuloftheneedtobeevenmorecarefulthanusual.Hermannwasonhiswaytomeetaveryimportantclient,aGeneralintheArmyHighCommand.

Thelawyerhadlefthis

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officeinFriedrichstrassetovisitthisclientathishomeinMoabit.HermannheadedwestalongthenorthbankoftheRiverSpreeandatLehrterStationturnedintoAltMoabit,pastthePostStadion.FouryearsearlierhehadbeentherewatchingNorwayunexpectedlybeatGermany

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2-0toknockthehostsoutoftheOlympicsfootballtournament.HisinitialdisappointmentatthedefeathadbeenmorethancompensatedforbythefactHitlerwasatthegameandwasreportedasbeingfurious.HedecidedifHitlerwassoupsetbytheresultthen

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maybedefeatwasn’tsobadafterall.Yourenemy’senemy…

HalfwayalongStromStrassehereachedhisdestination:ahandsomeapartmentblock,overlookingtheKleinerTiergarten.Amaid,wholookedasthoughshewasstillinherteens,let

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himintotheapartmentonthetopfloorofthebuilding.

GeneralmajorWernerErnstwasinhisstudy,stillwearinghisuniform.Hemovedhislargeheadslowly,asifhehadabadneck.Hiseyeswerenoticeablelysmallincomparisontotherestofhisface.Hesmiledpolitely

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andpointedtooneoftwoarmchairsangledtowardsthewindow,asmallcoffeetablebetweenthem.Behindhimwereenormouspicturewindowsoverthepark.Abreezethathadnotbeenapparentonthestreetwascausingthetopsofthetreestoswaygentlyfromsideto

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side.‘Pleasedositdown

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

Theypausedwhiletheyoungmaidcamebackintotheroom,carryingatraythatsheplacedonthecoffee

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table.Hermanncouldsmellrealcoffee,anincreasinglyraresensationinBerlin.

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

TheGeneralmajor

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busiedhimselfpouringthecoffeeandofferingfreshlybakedbiscuitstohisguest.Hewaiteduntilheheardthefrontdooroftheapartmentclosebeforesignallingtohislawyerhecouldproceed.

ForthenexthalfhourFranzHermannwentthroughvariousdocumentswithhis

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

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

‘ThankyouHerrHermann.You’vedealwiththismattermostefficiently.I

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realiseit’stakensomeefforttosorteverythingout.I’mmostgratefultoyou.’

‘Apleasuresir.’Hermannbeganto

gatherthepapersandplacetheminhisbriefcase.

‘Willyoujoinmeforadrink,HerrHermann?Mywifehasgonetostaywithher

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sisterinPotsdamandit’sapleasureformenottoberuledbythestopwatchathomeforonce.’

Withoutwaitingforananswer,theGeneralmajorproducedabottleofArmagnacandpouredalargemeasureforhimselfandhisguest.Therewasalong

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silencewhilehesurveyedthedrinkbeforeputtingtheglasstohislipsandleaningbackinhisarmchair,histinyeyesfirststudyingFranzHermanncarefullyandthenclosing.Itwasawhilebeforeheopenedthem.

‘Doyouhavechildren,Hermann?’

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‘No,sir.’‘Ihopeyoudon’tthink

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

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

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

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profoundeffectonmethanI’dimagined.I’dhopedmysonwouldbecomeanarchitect…’

TheGeneralmajor’svoicetailedoff;heseemedtobepreoccupiedwithhisownthoughts.

‘Hopefullyhewon’tneedtoremaininthearmy

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fortoolongsir:victorywillbeourssoon!’

TheGeneralmajorlookedlongandhardatthelawyer.

‘Youthinkso,HerrHerrmann?Whatmakesyousosureofthat?’

Thelawyershifteduncomfortablyinhisseat.

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‘Onereadsinthepapershowwellthewarisgoing,thatit’sjustamatteroftimebeforeBritainsurrendersand…’

‘Andyoubelieveeverythingyoureadinthepapers,doyouHerrHermann?I’dthoughtlawyersweretrainedtoquestionthings,nottoaccept

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mattersatfacevalue.’Hermannshrugged,

unsureofwhattosayandwonderinghowhe’dallowedhimselftobecomedrawnintoaconversationlikethis.

‘Tellme,HerrHermann:areyouamemberoftheNaziParty?’

‘I’malawyersir.I’m

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notinvolvedinpolitics.’‘Manylawyersare

membersoftheNaziParty.’‘I’mnotoneofthem

sir.’GeneralmajorErnst

stoodupandunbuttonedhisjacketthenwalkedovertothewindow.ThetreesintheKleinerTiergartenhad

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stoppedswaying.TheGeneralmajorshutthewindowandturnedaround.

‘Wellifitmakesyoufeelanybetter,HerrHermann,noramI.’

Hermannstartedtogetup,relievedattheopportunitytofinishtheconversationatthatjuncture.The

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Generalmajorgesturedforhimtoremainseatedandsatdownnexttohim,pullinguphischairalongsidethelawyer’s.

‘You’reacleverchap,HerrHermann.’

‘Thankyousir.’‘You’renotjustavery

competentlawyer,butyou’re

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goodatmanagingtoappeartobewhatyouarenot.’

‘I’msorry,I’mnotsure…’

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

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yourself.ButIalsoknowthatyouhave–now,howcanIputthis–thatyouhavecontacts.’

Hermanncouldfeelhisbreathingtightenandtheroombecomehotter.Hedidhisbesttosoundrelaxed.

‘Isuspect,sir,theremustbeamisunderstanding

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here.Iamasyouoriginallydescribeme:alawyerwithnointerestinpolitics.ButpleasebeassuredIamaloyal…’

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

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IknowyouhavecertaincontactsandIwishtoavailmyselfofthem.’

FranzHermannsaidnothing.TheGeneralmajorleanedtowardshim,sotheirfaceswerejustinchesapart.HecouldsmellthebrandyonErnst’sbreathandseethetinyredlinesinhiseyes.

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‘Threeweeksago,onthe29thofJulytobeprecise,IwasinBadReichenhall.Haveyouheardofit?’

‘Ofcourse,averypleasantspatowninBavaria,nottoofarfromSalzburg.Myparentsspenttheirhoneymoonthere.’

‘Indeed.ButIwasn’t

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theretousethespa,Icanassureyou.Doyouhaveagoodmemory,Franz?’

‘Yessir.’‘Werner.Pleasecallme

Werner.You’llmakesuretomemorisewhatIsaynow.Writenothingdown.’

Hermannnodded.‘Myareaofexpertisein

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

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

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

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Hepouredtwomorelargemeasures.

‘Jodlisabusyman,hedoesnotgatherseniorofficersaroundhiminpleasantBavarianspatownswithoutverygoodreason.Andthereasonhegathereduslastmonthwasthat,nowthatFrancehasfallen,theFuhrer

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hasturnedhisattentiontowhoweattacknext.ThecommonbeliefisthatOperationSeaLionisourpriorityandwe’llsoonlaunchaninvasionofGreatBritain.Asyouknow,westartedouraerialassaultagainstthemoveramonthago.ButtheKriegsmarinehasserious

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

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showsnoinclinationwhatsoevertosurrender.’

Withthewindowclosed,theroomhadnowbecomequitestuffy.TheGeneralmajorstooduptoremovehisjacketandloosenhiscollar.

‘TheFuhrerhasinstructedColonelGeneral

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Jodltoexploreotheroptions,intheeventualitywedonotinvadeBritain.TheoptionwediscussedinBadReichenhallwasthatofinvadingtheSovietUnion.’

Duringtheshockedsilencethatfollowed,Hermannheardtheloudtickingofaclockfromthe

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

‘InvadetheSoviet

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Union?Butsurelythatwouldbemadness!Wehaveapactwiththem?’

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

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manyofusFranz–thoseofuswhoapproachmattersfromaprofessionalmilitarypointofviewasopposedtoanideologicalone–theprospectofinvadingtheSovietUnionisanightmare.Toattempttogointherewouldbetoignorethelessonsofhistory.Bismarck

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

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wellknownforneverdisagreeingwiththeFuhrer.’

‘Whenwillthisinvasiontakeplace?’

‘Tooearlytosay,Franz.Itmayneverhappen.ThepurposeofJodlgatheringusinBadReichenhallwastogetusthinkingintheoreticaltermsabouthowwemight

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

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cautious,tooconservative.’TheGeneralmajorwas

nowwreathedincigarsmoke,thecolourofgun-metal.Heleantbackinhischair,staringupattheceiling.

‘However,Franz,evenHitlerknowsthetimingofaninvasionwouldneedtobeverypreciseifwearen’ttobe

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

‘Whyonearthareyou

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tellingmethis?’‘Manyofusbelieve

thattoinvadetheSovietUnionwouldbesuicideforGermany.TherearegroupsofusintheBendlerblockwhoareofalikemind.Webelievewe’reactinginthebestinterestsofGermany.Asyoumightbeaware,theAbwehr

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hasitsheadquartersintheBendlerblock.AfewdaysagoIwastalkingwithanoldfriendwho’saveryseniorofficerintheAbwehr.HismotherdiedamonthagoandheaskedifIcouldrecommendagoodlawyertotakecareofeverything.Itoldhimaboutyouandthatwas

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that.ThenextdayheaskedmetogoforawalkwithhimalongthebanksoftheLandwehrCanal.HeconfidedinmethatyouhavecometotheattentionoftheAbwehr.’

‘Thisispreposteroussir.Itissimplyuntrue.Imustinsistthat…’

‘Franz,youmustnot

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

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theybelievedtheremaycomeatimewhentheywishedtousethischannel.Thattimehasnowcome.’

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

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beademocraticcountryandthatthiswarcouldruinus.’

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

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theSovietUnion?’‘Ofcourse.’Whenheleftthe

apartmenttherewasacooleveningbreeze,whichwasawelcomerelieffromthestuffinessoftheapartment,butthishadnocalmingeffectonHermann.Hefeltthehugetreesclosinginonhimand

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imaginedthepeoplearoundhimonthepavementwerealllookingathim.Hewouldhavetomovefast,hecouldnotaffordtothinkaboutthings.

***

WhenFranzHermannwas16

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or17,ithadbeenbrieflyfashionableamonghisgroupatschooltorootoutancientChineseproverbs,whichtheywouldthenquotetoeachotherasiftheyhadstumbleduponwordsofwisdomthatunlockedthesecretsoftheuniverse.Itwasallratherpretentiousanddidnotlast

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long.AcoupleoftheirgrouphadcontinuedtograspatvariousancientbeliefslongaftertheyhadleftschoolandtheyweretheoneswhohadbecomeearlymembersoftheNaziParty.

OneofthesayingstheyhadpassedaroundsoundedatfirstlikeaChinesegood-luck

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

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militaryservice;achildlessmarriageandaworthybutdullcareer.

Nowhewastrappedbetweenthegatesofheavenandthebanksofhell.Achanceremarkduringanunguardedconversationatadinnerpartyamonthafterthestartofthewarwasfollowed

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upbyaclandestinemeetingatthezooaweeklater.HeandtheelegantwomanwithaVienneseaccentwhohadhadslippedhimanoteasheleftthedinnerpartystoodalongsidetheelephantenclosurewatchingtheanimalssprayeachotherwithwater.Inoticedyoumade

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

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abouttensionsintheNaziPartyleadershipinBerlin?Wheredidyougetthatfrom?

Hehadwaitedfortwooftheelephantstofinishcallingtoeachother.Fromoneofmycolleagues,hetoldher.

Andwhatishisname?Hehadhesitatedbefore

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replying.TheVienneseladywasevidentlynotquitewhatsheseemed.FranzHermanncouldhavewalkedawayatthatpoint.Hecouldhavesaidhewantedtotakemattersnofurtherandwouldappreciateitiftheycouldbothforgettheyhadevermet.Shewashardlylikelytoreporthimto

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theGestapo.Buttherewassomethingalmostseductiveabouthermanner.Hefounditimpossiblenottoreplytoher.

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

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

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NazisinBerlinthatGoebbelscan’tbeaneffectiveGauleiterofthecityandMinisterforPropaganda.Theythinkheshouldconcentrateononeortheother.

Thisisveryinteresting,she’dreplied.You’reclearlyinapositiontopickupsuch

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information.I’dliketotellyouhowyoucanpassitontopeoplewhoneedtoknowthiskindofthing.Areyouwillingtodoso?

Hermannsaidhewas.Theywalkedroundtothetigerenclosurethenovertotheaquarium.Theladyhadslippedherglovedarm

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throughhisassheexplainedindetailhowhecouldmakecontactwiththerightpeople.

AndthenhispositionbecameevenmoreprecariousinDecemberwhenRosahadturneduponhisdoorstep.Whatcouldhedo:turnheraway?Itmadesensetolodgeherandthechildrenwithhis

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

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***

FranzHermannwouldhavepreferredtowalkandgivehimselfsomeopportunitytocomposehimself,buttimewasagainsthimsohetookatramfromAltMoabitintotheUnterdenLinden,gettingoffastopearlierthanheneeded

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toatthejunctionwithFriedrichstrasse.

Despitebeingsonear,hedecidedagainstpoppingbackintohisoffice:hadanyonebeenfollowinghimorspottedhiminthestreetitwouldhavelookednormalforhimtoreturntowork,buthewasinahurry.Hewalked

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alongtheUnterdenLindenforanothertwoblocksbeforeturningleftintotheOpernplatz.

Althoughhecametotheprettysquareatleasttwiceaweekandhaddonesoforyears,itnonethelesslefthimwithanuneasyfeeling.Hecouldneverforgetwhat

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

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acrossscrapsofpaperthathadsomehowescapedtheflames,floatingaroundthecityinadefiantmanner,daringpassers-bytostealalookatawordortwothatmaycorruptthem.

HissenseofapprehensionincreasedasheenteredStHedwig’s,the

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cathedralhe’dworshippedatsincehewasaboy.AlthoughtheylivedinDahlemandtherewereplentyofCatholicchurchesneartowheretheylived,hismotherwasoftheopiniontheirpietywasincreasedbyprayingattheseatoftheArchbishop.

Now,thecathedral

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servedaverydifferentpurposeforhim.

Themasswasjustcomingtoanendandmostofthecongregationwereleavingthechurch.Intheolddays,peoplewouldgatherinsmallgroupsandchat,butthatwasnotthedonethingnow.Youneverknewwhomaybe

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watching,orlistening.Hermannsatonhis

owntowardsthebackofthecathedral,watchingthesmallgroupofpriestsatthehighaltarastheybegantodisperse.Sureenough,thetallandslightlystoopedfigureoftheyoungpriesthewaslookingforemergedfromthe

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littlegroupandwalkedinlongstridestowardstheconfessionboxthatsatonitsowntotheside.

IalwaystakeconfessionaftermassonTuesdayandThursdayafternoons.OnthosedaysIusetheconfessionboxthat’sonitsown,theonenearthe

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

FranzHermannlefthisseatandwalkedtowardsthealtar,wherehekneltandcrossedhimselfbeforeapproachingtheconfessionboxtheyoungpriesthasgone

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into.Anoldmanwithscruffytrousershadjustentered,mutteringsilentlytohimselfashedidso.Thelawyersatdownnexttoanelegantlydressedladywithabluesilkscarfwrappedaroundherneck.ShewasclutchingaphotographofwhatlookedlikeaboyinLuftwaffe

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uniformanddabbinghereyeswithacrisp,whitehandkerchief.

Theoldmanshuffledout,stillmutteringtohimselfandtheelegantlydressedladyreplacedhim,herhighheelsechoingsharplyonthetiledfloor.Theconfessionboxwasinaperfectposition:unlike

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theonesgroupedtogetherontheothersideofthecathedral,thisonewasisolatedinaquietcloisterandthechairsweresomewayfromthebox:itwasimpossibletooverhearanything,noteventhesoundofvoices,letalonethewords.

Afewminuteslaterthe

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ladyemerged,stilldabbinghereyes.Hermannwalkedovertothebox,crossedhimself,closedtheheavyvelvetcurtainandkneltdown.

‘BlessmeFatherforIhavesinned.Ithasbeentwoweekssincemylastconfession.’

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HehadnotbeensureifFatherJosefwasawarehewasthere,buthelookedtowardsthegrilleandatthesoundofhisvoicehesawtheyoungpriestsitupsharply.AsFatherJosefglancedtowardshimhecaughtsightofthepriest’srednose,whichalwaysmadehimlookas

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thoughhehadjustcomeinfromthecold.

‘Goon,myson.’‘IhavesinnedFather.I

fearI’vebeentreatingourmaidtooharshlybecauseIsuspectedshewasstealingsomesmallchangeleftaroundthehouse,thoughInowthinkitwasnother.And

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

‘Andanyothersins,my

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son?’‘I’mafraidItookthe

Lord’snameinvain:Iuseditinadisrespectfulmanner.Iamsorryfortheseandallthesinsofmypastlife.’

‘Andthat’sit?’‘That’sit,Father.’The

lawyerthoughthehaddonequitewelltomusterthree

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thingshecouldpassoffassins.

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

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Lord’snameinvainmeantitwasurgent.

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

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

‘YesFather.’‘Ifshecannotmanage

thatordoesnotturnup,returnhereonTuesday.You

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hadbettersayanActofContrition,myson.’

‘IamheartilysorryforhavingoffendedyoumyLordandIdetestallmysins,becauseIdreadthelossofheavenandthepainsofhell.Ifirmlyresolvewiththehelpofyourgrace,toconfessmysins,todopenanceandto

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amendmylife.Amen.’Thepriestrepliedwith

aprayerofforgiveness.’GivethankstotheLordforHeisgood.’

Hermanncrossedhimselfandreplied,‘ForHismercyenduresforever.’

HelefttheConfessionBox:thewaitingchairshad

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nowfilled.HepausedinthemainbodyofthecathedralandsaidhisHailMarysandafewotherprayersthenhurriedoutandheadedhometoDahlem,hisreplytotheabsolutionrepeatinginhismindthroughoutthejourney.

‘ForHismercyenduresforever.’

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Hecertainlyhopedso.

***

TheMilitaryAttachéatthePortugueseLegationinBerlinwaswellawarehissecretaryattendedMasswhenevershecould.Althoughnotasdevoutashewouldliketobe,the

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Colonelwasratherimpressedashefoundreligiousobservanceinotherssomehowreassuring.AtleastitwasasignthathisDonaMariadoRosario,areservedwomanwhosharedlittleofherself,mustbetrustworthy.Hesometimeslikedtoimaginewhatsinshis

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secretaryhadtoconfessto.Sheledapiouslife:shedidnotdrinkorspeakoutofturn;shewasahardworkerandaloyalservantofthePortugueseGovernment,withaframedphotographofSalazaronherdesk.

Berlinwas,theColonelwasfondofreminding

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

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thatofhisstaff.SoitwasneitherunusualnorevenunexpectedwhenDonaMariadoRosarioenteredtheColonel’sofficewithaneatpileofdocumentsjustafterfiveo’clockontheafternoonofThursday15thAugust.

‘Theselettersneedtobesignedsir;eachoneis

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

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

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

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accesstosecretdocuments,butitmadelifesomucheasierand,ofcourse,howcouldsuchadevoutCatholicnotbetrustworthy?

DonaMariadoRosariohurriedoutoftheLegationataquarterpastfiveandarrivedatStHedwig’sCathedralintimefortheearlyevening

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Mass.Itwasclosetosixo’clockwhenshefinallyenteredtheConfessionBox,aslightearlyeveningchillnowaroundinthecloisters,causinghertopullherlightjackettightaroundhershoulders.

‘InthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandof

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theHolySpirit.Mylastconfessionwasoneweekago.’

FatherJoseflookedather,hisfacepressedtightagainstthegrilletocheckitreallywasher.

‘Whatareyoursins?’Shegavethecode:asin

ofgluttonytoindicateallwas

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wellandasinofspeakingillofsomeonebehindtheirbacktoensureshehadnothingtoreport.Thepriestspokeurgently.

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

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time.Ihopeyoucanmakeit?’

DonaMariaassuredthepriestshecould.Howarethings,thepriestaskedher?

Verybusy,shetoldhim.‘SomuchmaterialcomesthroughtheColonel’sofficethatIworklatemostnightsandI’mstartingearlier

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everymorningjusttofindthemostimportantpapers.It’sgettingmoreandmoreriskythough.Ifearthatsoonerorlatersomeonewillsuspectme.’

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

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toomuch.Don’tforget,youneedtomeetHugotomorrowandreportbackonwhathetellsyou.’

‘Iknow.’‘Doyouwanttopray?

ShallIgrantyouabsolution?’DonaMariadoRosario

wasalreadyupandpreparingtoleavetheconfessionbox.

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‘NothankyouFather.’Asshehurriedoutof

thechurchsheonlyjustrememberedtocrossherselfandpauseforaverybriefprayer.

***

Thefollowingday,the

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Friday,anunusualwindwhippedaroundthecentreofBerlin.Itappearedtolingeraboutfourfeetofftheground,creatingthestrangeeffectofleavesandsmallbitsoflitterflutteringaroundinmid-air.ThewindwasstillatplaywhenFranzHermannhurriedoutofhisofficeat

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

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morethanablock,whereofficeworkersandcivilservants–butnottoomanyofthem–likedtotaketheirlunch.

Heenteredandwalkedtowardsthenorth-westcornerwhereaseriesofoldbenchessurroundedanenormoustree.Perhapsbecausethebenches

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appearedsouncomfortableorthesizeofthetreeensuredthatthespotwaspermanentlyintheshade,thisareawasdeserted,apartfromanolive-skinnedwomaninherlatethirtiespoiseddemurelyontheedgeofoneofthebenches.Herjet-blackhairwaspulledbackfromaface

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thatwouldhavebeenprettier,butfortheabsenceofmake-upandthepresenceofaslightlydisapprovinglook.Shewaseatinganappleandanopenbookwasrestingonherlap.Hesatonthenextbenchandremovedhisjacket,takingoutapacketofcigarettesfromthejacketas

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hedidso.Heofferedonetothelady.

‘Nothankyousir.Idon’tsmoke,’sherepliedinaforeignaccent.

‘Verysensible:mywifedoesn’tapprove.’

‘Icanofferyouanappleinreturn.’

Andsotheexchange

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continued.Intheunlikelyeventofanyoneoverhearingtheconversationitwouldhavesoundedliketwostrangerspassingthetimeofday.Butsoontheyhadestablishedeachotherwassafe;theyhadnotbeenfollowedandhehadinformationtopasson.

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

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wasfacingtheground,occasionallylookinguptobesureno-oneelsewasaround.Hespokeveryquietly,butatavolumethatensuredDonaMariacouldheareverything.

‘HowquicklycanyougetamessagetoLisbon?’

Withoutlookingupfromthebook,shereplied.‘It

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dependshowlongitis,butthere’sabaggoingthisevening.IfIcantypeitupintimeIcouldgetitin.’

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

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

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seniorofficerstostartthinkingaboutplansfortheinvasionoftheSovietUnion.’

HelookedupatDonaMaria.Hereyebrowshadrisenveryslightlyandmomentarily,asthoughshe’dreadsomethinginterestinginherbook.Shetookadaintybitefromherapple.

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

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

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nowtotheLegationandtypeitupincodeintimeforthatevening’sDiplomaticBag.Wasthereanythingelse?

‘Ithinkthat’senough!’

***

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

Thesedays,FranzHermann’ssecretaryalwaysseemedtohave‘oneother

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

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seniorlawyershadretiredandnotbeenreplacedandtwoothershadjoinedthearmedforces,alongwithhalfofthejuniorlawyers.Asifthatwasnotbadenough,AloisJägernowseemedtospendmorethanhalfofthetimehewasmeanttobeatworkonNaziPartybusiness,whichmeant

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

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‘DoyourememberGeneralmajorWernerErnst,HerrHermann?’

HehadheardnothingfromtheGeneralsincetheirmeetinginAugust.Hehadhopednevertohearfromhimagain.Hedidhisbesttolookasifhewashavingalotoftroublerememberingwhothe

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Generalwas.‘You’llhavetoremind

me,Ilse.Wasitsomethingtodowithadisputewithhisbank?’

‘Nosir.Thatwasanotherarmyofficer.YouweresortingouttheaffairsofGeneralmajorErnst’slatemother.Itwasalltiedupin

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August.’‘Yes,ofcourse.I

remembernow.Doesn’theliveneartheKleinerTiergarten?’

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

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liketoseeyouabout.‘‘Youhavemydiary

Ilse,pleasearrangethemeeting.’

‘HesaiditwasurgentHerrHermann.’

HeknewIlsewouldexpecthimtoprotest:mattersarisingfromtheestateoftheGeneral’smotherallthese

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monthsoncouldhardlybeconstruedasurgent.ButhealsoknewthatiftheGeneralsaidheneededtoseehimurgentlythenitwasurgent.Hecouldfeelhimselfgettinghotagainandbecameawarehewasdrumminghisfingersloudlyonthedesk.

‘VerywellthenIlse.He

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caneithercomeinhereduringthedaytomorroworIcangotohisapartmentafterwork.’

‘Hesaidyou’retogotohisapartmenttonightsir.’

***

FranzHermannwaited

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impatientlyforIlsetoleavework,spendingthehalfhourbeforeshedidsooptimisticallytryingtothinkofapossiblegenuineproblemwiththeGeneralmajor’smother’sestate,whichheknewwashighlyunlikely.Hadtherereallybeenaproblemitwouldhave

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emergedsometimeago.HefearedthattheGeneralmajorwasabouttoentrusthimwithanothersecret.

HeallowedfiveminutestopassafterIlse’sdeparturethenleft,managingtofindararetaxiontheUnterdenLindentotakehimasfarasStormStrasse,from

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wherehewalkedtheshortdistancetoGeneralmajorErnst’sapartmentblock.Thesameteenagemaidlethimintotheapartment,whichwasnowinastateofchaos.

Therewerepackingcasespiledupinthehall,suitcasesassembledbythedoorandfurnitureand

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paintingscoveredindustsheets.AlargeladywhohetooktobeFrauErnstbrieflycameouttocheckwhothevisitorwasbutwentstraightbackintothekitchen,whereHermanncouldseeatleastoneothermaidbusyscrubbingthesides.GeneralmajorWernerErnst

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cametomeethiminthehall.‘Hermann:thankyou

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

Thestudywasina

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similarstateofupheavaltotherestoftheapartment,butthereweretwouncoveredarmchairstowardsthewindow,whichErnstledhislawyeroverto.

‘I’msorrytohearthereareproblemswiththeestatesir.I’dassumedeverythingwasconcludedina

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satisfactorymannerbackinAugust.’

TheGeneralmajorhadbeenrootingaroundinanearbypackingcase,fromwhichheproducedabottleofArmagnacandtwoglasses.HepouredalargemeasureforHermannandaconsiderablylargeronefor

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

‘OfcourseeverythingwassatisfactoryHermann.Youdidanexcellentjob.However,I’mafraidforthe

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

TheGeneralmajor

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

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finishedcigaretteintoanashtrayandtookacigarfromaboxontopofapackingcase;hedidn’tbothertoofferonetothelawyer.

‘Thingsaren’tgoodHermann.TheatmosphereintheBendlerblockisterrible.TheatmosphereinthewholeofBerlinisterrible.Everyone

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

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

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thinkHitler,Himmlerandtherestofthemwanttodiluteanypossiblesourcesofoppositiontothem.Maybeoppositionistoostrongaword;perhapswhatImeanisdisagreement.’

‘Doyouthinktheysuspectyouofhavingpassedoninformation?’

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TheGeneralmajorshookhisheadslowly,atthesametimeaslightinghiscigar.Hepausedawhileasheinhaleddeeply.

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

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

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

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producedetailedpapersaboutthedifficultiesinkeepingourforcesproperlysupplied.TellmeHermann:doyouknowhowfaritisfromourborderinPolandtoMoscow?’

Thelawyershookhishead.Noidea.

‘Over1,000kilometres.Toputthatinperspective,

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

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

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mymovetoWarsaw.’‘Sowhyareyou

packinguptheapartment?’‘Mywifedoesn’twant

toremainhereonherown.SheandhersisterinPotsdamaretalkingaboutmovingtotheirfamily’soldhuntinglodgenearMagdeburg.Shesaysshe’llfeelsaferthere.

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

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ThelawyernoddedandleanedclosertowardsErnst.

‘IhappentoknowthataweekbeforeChristmasHitlerissuedadetaileddirectiveabouttheinvasionoftheSovietUnion.TheFuhrerisverysparinginthenumberofdirectivesheissues,nomorethanoneor

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

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knowittalksabouttheinvasiontakingplaceinthemiddleofMay.Youmustpassthison:willyoudothat?’

‘Yes,butthey’llwanttoknowmoredetail,surely?’

‘I’msuretheywill,theymayevenwanttoseeacopyofthedirectivenodoubt,but

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

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estate!’Astheyleftthestudy

heplacedhishandonthelawyer’sshoulder.

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

AsFranzHermann

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headedhomethateveninghecouldnotrecalleverhavingfeltmoremiserable,orsoafraid.

***

‘Andthat’sthemessage?Nomore?’

DonaMariadoRosario

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andFranzHermannwerewalkingaroundtheenormoustreeintheparkbetweenWilhemstrasseandHermannGoringStrasse,awarethiswasmoreexposedthansittingonthebenchesaroundthetree,butithadbeenrainingandthebenchesweresodden:sittingonthem

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wouldhavelookedsuspicious.

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

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That’sfourmonthsaway.’‘Yes,I’dhavehoped

eventheBritishwouldbeabletoworkthatoneout,thankyou.’

***

FranzHermannhadmetDonaMariadoRosarioon

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Friday17thofJanuary.ThefollowingTuesday,Ilsecameintohisofficejustbeforelunch.Therehadbeenaphonecall.

‘Themansaidheunderstoodyouspecialisedinsortingoutestates,especiallycomplicatedones.HisunclerecentlydiedinBremenand

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

‘Bremenyousay?’‘YesHerrHermann.

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

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ThiswasonlythesecondtimethatFatherJosefhadcalledhimlikethis.Telephoninghimattheofficemeantsomethingwasup.TheBremenreferencemeantitwasextremelyurgent.Hewastoattendconfessionthatnight.

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***

‘InthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit.Mylastconfessionwasoneweekago.’

FatherJosefpressedhisfaceagainstthegrilleseparatingthetwomen.‘We

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

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

‘I’monlypassingonthemessage.Shesaidyouneededtoknowbeforeyoucouldmeetattheusual

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

Hermannshookhishead.

‘NothankyouFather:Iwouldn’tknowwheretobegin.’

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***

Inthe12monthssincehehadbeenreunitedwithhisfirstwifeandson,GunterReinharthaddonehisbesttovisitthematleastonceaweekatthehouseinDahlem.Inonerespectthearrangementhad

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heldupverywell.FranzHermann’smothercouldnothavebeenbetterlookedafterandthetalkofherhavingtomoveintoanursinghomeorevenahospitalwaslongforgotten.FrauHermannhadnoideaherexcellentnursewasactuallyadoctorandcertainlyhadnoideashewas

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Jewishandhadtwochildrenwithher.Herhearingwassopoorsheneverheardthefootstepsontheflooraboveherorthesubduedsoundofthechildren’svoices.

Butineveryotherrespect,theirpredicamentwasanincreasinglyhopelessone.ThesituationforJewsin

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Berlinworsenedbytheday:althoughitwasstillpossibleforsometoemigrate,thatwasforthosewhohadalltherightpaperworkandcouldaffordthepunitivetaxesbeingcharged.Eventhen,theyneededtofindsomewherethatwouldtakethem.MostofEuropewas

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

Gunter,RosaandFranzhadcomeupwithcountlessschemestogetthethreeof

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themoutofthecountry,butallhadtoomanyrisksandtoomanyflaws.GunterusuallyvisitedafterworkonaWednesday.ThatwasthedayhiswifetooktheirchildrentotheirpianolessonsinReinickendorfandafterwardstheystoppedforteaatafavouritecafeonHoltzdamm.

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Theyrarelyarrivedhomebefore7.30,soGunterfoundifheleftworkatfivehecouldgodowntoDahlem,spendanhourandahalfthereandbehomeinplentyoftime.

Hedidhisbesttotakesomefoodandmoneywithhim,andFranz’swifeSilke

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alwaystriedtobethereatthesametimesoshecouldsitwithFrauHermannwhileRosawentupstairstobewithGunterandthechildren.OnthelastWednesdayofJanuaryGunterarrivedatthehousetofindFranzHermannsittingintheroomupstairsthatRosausedasalounge.

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Rosafollowedhimintotheroom.

‘Wherearethechildren?IsAlfredalright?’askedGunter.

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

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oppositeGunterandRosa.Hisheadwasbowedlow.Ashetalked,hecontinuedtolookdownatthepatternedcarpet.

‘I’mafraidIhavesomebadnewsRosa.’

TherewasanaudibleintakeofbreathfromherandshegrippedGunter’sknee.

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‘Harald?’‘I’mafraidso.’RosaSternliftedher

headhighandturnedtothewindow,herheadrestingforawhileagainstthethickcurtains.Whensheturnedroundagainhereyeshadfilledwithtears.Gunterputhisarmroundherandpulled

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herclose.Sheletherheadfallonhisshoulder.

‘Tellmeeverything,Franz.’

‘I’lltellyouwhatIknow,Rosa.Asyou’reaware,wecouldhardlymakeadirectapproachtoSachsenhausen:pleasecanyoutellushowHaraldSternisgettingon?I

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hadbeguntohearthatwhenpeoplediedatSachsenhausenoranyoftheothercampsthey’vetakenBerlinersto,thepoliceturnupatthehomeofthenextofkin.Theybringtheirasheswiththem–alongwithabillforthecostoftheurn.’

‘Dowereallyneedall

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thisdetailFranz?’‘NoGunter,don’tbe

concernedonmypart.Ineedtohearthis.’

‘Ofcourse,youareHarald’snextofkin,butfortunatelytheauthoritiesdon’tknowwhereyouare.YourememberafewmonthsagoImanagedtotrackdown

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anaddressforhiselderbrother,Paul–inSpandau?Ivisitedhimandtoldhimthat,asfarasIknew,youwereinParis.Ifhe’squestionedbytheGestapo,hecan’ttellthemwhathedoesn’tknow.He’dheardnothingfromHaraldeitherbuthedidsayhe’dcontactmeifhedid.I

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didn’tgivehimanyofmydetails;again,it’stoorisky.ButIsaidI’dtryandvisithimeveryfewweeksand,ifhehadanynews,he’dbeabletogiveittomethen.Ivisitedhimyesterdayandhetoldme…’

Hermannpausedtoremoveahandkerchieffrom

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hispocketandheblewhisnosenoisily.Hisvoicewastremblingwhenhenextspoke.‘Theybroughttheurnroundlastweek.Theysayhediedofaheartcondition–naturalcauses.Apparentlythat’swhattheysaywitheveryone.I’msosorryRosa.’

Theensuingsilence

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lastedalifetimeand,ashappensinsuchcircumstances,eventhequietest,leastobtrusivesoundreverberatedaroundtheroom.Rosacriedsolidlyforthenexttenminutes,thenshestoodupandwalkedaroundtheroom,deepinthought.Whenshespoke,hervoice

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soundedresolute.‘I’vemadeadecisionGunter.DowhatyoucantogetAlfredout.It’llbeeasierifit’sjusthim,no?’

Bothmennodded:thisiswhattheyhadbeensayingformonths.

‘We’realldoomed.Alfredwillbetheeasiesttosmuggleout.Canyoudoit?’

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Hermannnoddedhisheadupanddownandfromsidetoside,weighingupthepossibilitiesofsuccess.Maybe;there’sachance.

‘WecantryRosa,Ipromiseyou,’saidGunter.‘Andthenwe’llgetyouandSophiaouttoo.’

Itwasseveno’clock

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beforeGunterReinhartleftthehouseonthecornerofKaiserWilhelmStrasseandArno-HolzStrasse.HermannsaidhewouldwalkwithhimtothestationwhileSilkelookedafterhismother,allowingRosatostaywiththedistraughtchildren.

Theywalkedinsilence

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untiltheywereonKönigin-Luise-Strasse,eachmanwrappedinhisownthoughtsandoverwhelmedbytheenormityofthesituationclosinginonthem.

‘WemustgetAlfredoutbeforeit’stoolate,’saidGunter.‘Butit’sgoingtobesodifficult,Franz,so

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dangerous.Theboyhasnopapers.IftherewasanywayIcouldgethimtoSwitzerlandthenI’veagoodfriendinZürichwhowouldtakecareofhim,buthowcanIgethimthere?’

FranzHermannsaidnothingforawhile,butGunternoticedhewas

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shakinghisheadthennoddingit,asifhewasdebatingwithhimself.Prosandcons.PodbielskiAlleestationwasinviewbythetimeHermannspoke,thoughonlyafterhehadcarefullylookedaroundtoensureno-onewaswithinearshot:thatwashowpeoplespokein

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Berlinthesedays.‘Thisisaboutyourson’slife,Gunter,soIcanabsolutelytrustyou,yes?’

‘Thatgoeswithoutsaying.’

‘Letmeaskyouaquestionfirst:howseniorareyouattheReichsbank?’

‘Seniorenough:Iruna

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department.’‘Andhowcloseareyou

toWaltherFunk?’‘Wearen’tfriendsas

such,butI’mgoodatmyjobandhereliesonmeforcertainmatters:IhandleourtransactionswiththeSwiss.That’sveryimportanttohim.’

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‘Andtheeconomiesofcountrieswe’veoccupied,doyougetinvolvedinthem?’

‘Toanextent,certainly,ifweneedtomovemoneyandgoldfromthosecountriestoSwitzerland.Whyareyouasking?’

‘Iwanttoknowhowtrustedyouareatthe

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Reichsbank.Afterall,youweremarriedtoaJew.’

‘Thatwasmanyyearsago,Franz.And,remember,Idivorcedher.It’snodoubtonafilesomewhere,butit’snotanissue.IevenmadesureIjoinedtheNaziParty.Inanswertoyourquestion,I’mtrusted.’

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‘Ihavesome…contacts,Gunter:peoplewhomaybeabletohelpgetAlfredoutofGermany.Butthey’dwantsomethinginreturn,somethingyoumaybeabletogetyourhandson.’

Thetwomenhadnowmovedtothesideofthepavement,standingnextto

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therailingsandbeneathatreewhosebranchesdescendedtojustabovetheirheads.Hermannpausedandtookadeepbreath,abouttotaketheplunge.

‘GoonHermann,whatisit?’

‘I’mgoingtoaskyouaboutsomething:ifyou’ve

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notheardofit,pleaseforgetIeveraskedthequestion.Doyouunderstand?’

Henodded.Thetwomenwaitedwhileanelderlycoupleandtheirdogstrolledpast,noddinginreplytotheirgreeting.

‘Haveyouevercomeacrossadocumentcalled

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Directive21?’Reinhartstaredat

Hermannlongandhard,hiseyesterrified.HelookedmoreshockedthanwhenhehadmetthelawyerinthebarandbeentoldRosaandthechildrenwerebackinBerlin.

‘Areyoubeingserious?’

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‘Yes.Areyouawareofit?’

‘Iam.Buthowonearthhaveyouheardaboutit?’

‘Forheaven’ssake,Gunter,keepyourvoicedown.Youdon’tneedtoknowthat.Haveyouactuallyseenit?’

‘Ihave.Doyouknow

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howtop-secretthisis?’‘Tellmehowyou’ve

hadaccesstoit?’‘Thereisonecopyin

theReichsbank.It’skeptinasafeinFunk’soffice,butI’vebeenabletoseeitbecausehe’sconcernedthatifthis…hangon,Hermann:youtellmewhatthisDirectiveis

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about–youtellmethatbeforeIsayanythingelse.’

‘It’saboutplanstoinvadetheSovietUnion.’

‘Verywellthen:Funkandnodoubtmanyoftheothersarenothingifnotgreedy.They’reconcernedthatif–when–thisinvasiontakesplaceweshouldhave

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plansinplacetogetourhandsonwhatassetswecanandgetthemintoourSwissbankaccounts.That’swhyIhaveaccess.’

‘Presumablyyoucan’ttakeitoutofFunk’soffice?’

‘Yesandno:ifIneedtoseeit,Ihavetoputarequestinwritingtohis

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privatesecretaryandifheapprovesitthenI’mallowedtoseeitinasecureroomnexttoFunk’soffice.’

‘Areyoualoneinthatroom?’

‘Funk’sprivatesecretaryismeanttostaywithme,buthe’sanimpatientsort:he’llusually

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stayforfiveminutesandifitlooksasthoughI’mgoingtobeanylonger,he’llgoandsitathisdesk,whichisjustoutsidethedoor.’

VeryslowlythetwomenwalkedtowardsPodbielskiAlleestation,talkingastheywent.Itwasgoneeighto’clockbefore

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GunterReinhartreturnedtohishouseinCharlottenburgandtheinevitablewrathofhiswife.Hewas,however,oblivioustoit.

Hehadtomakeaplan.

***

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Chapter15:LondonandLisbon,February1941OnablusteryTuesdayafternoonatthebeginningofFebruary,CaptainEdgarwassummonedtoChristopher

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Porter’sofficeonthetopfloorofabuildingbestdescribedasfunctional.EdgarstoodatthenarrowwindowoverlookingStJames’Square,hisbackturnedtohissuperiorwhoappearedtobeevenmoreillateaseinEdgar’spresencethannormal.

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‘Idowishyou’dsitdownEdgar.’

Edgarturnedround,leaningagainstthewindowledge.

‘Yousaidthiswasurgent,sir.’Therewasapausebeforethe‘sir’.

Porterclearedhisthroatandnervouslystraightened

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thefountain-penholderonhisdesk.‘IhavetotellyouEdgarthatI’mgettingallkindsofflakfromDowningStreet.It’smosttrying.’

‘I’msorrytohearthatsir:isthisinconnectionwithanythinginparticular?’

‘InconnectionwithourintelligencethatGermany

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maybeplanninganinvasionoftheSovietUnion.Youinsistedonitbeingacompletesecret,butnowDowningStreethascaughtwindofitandthey’renothappy,tosaytheveryleast.Theirview–andI’minformedit’sverymuchtheviewofthePrimeMinister–

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isthatweshouldhavesharedourintelligencesuchplansexistedmorewidelyfromtheoutset.’

‘Butwe’renotobligedtoshareeveryshredofunconfirmedintelligence,surely?’

‘IndeedEdgar–butthisismorethana“shredof

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unconfirmedintelligence”,isn’tit?WeknewaboutthemeetinginBadReichenhalllastJulyandweknowaboutthisdirectiveHitlerissuedinDecember,don’twe?ThePrimeMinisterisoftheviewthatthisisthesinglemostimportantareaofintelligenceatthemomentandwemust

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doeverythingwecantogetourhandsonit.It’sbeenmadeverycleartomethatourfailuretosharethisintelligenceisviewedmostseriously:theonewayinwhichwecanredeemourselvesisbygettingourhandsonthiswretcheddocument.If…’

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‘…Getourhandsonit!Areyoujoking?Ifthat’sseriouslytheviewofDowningStreetthenonehastobemostconcernedattheirgrasponreality.We’vebeentoldtherearenomorethanninecopiesofthisDirective21.Theideawecanobtainoneofthemisridiculous.

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HowdoyourchumsinDowningStreetproposewegoaboutthis?’

Porterwasnowbusyinghimselfmovingalargeblottingpadaroundonhisdesk.

‘You’llneedtogooutthere,Edgar.’

‘ToGermany?’

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‘Notifwecanavoidit.IwaswonderingaboutthatchapHunter?’

‘HenryHunter?’Edgarbegantopacetheroom,turningonceagaintostareoutofthewindow,deepinthought.‘That’snotabadideasir,I’llgrantyouthat.HistrialruninGermanylast

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yearwentwell.He’sstillinSwitzerland:he’sgotperfectcovertogointoGermany.’

‘ThebestbetwouldbeforyoutogettoSwitzerlandthroughPortugalandSpain:can’tseeanotherwayatthemoment.Onceyou’resafelytherewecantakeaview.’

EdgarstaredatPorter

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indisbeliefasitdawnedonhimhewasbeingserious.

‘Anyothercountryyou’dlikemetodropintowhileI’moverthere?Italyperhaps?Poland?AndhowdoyouproposeIgetoutthere?’

Portersmiledasheunlockedadrawerinhisdesk

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andremovedasmallpileofenvelopes.

‘That,Edgar,iswhereIthinkIcansurpriseevenyou!’

‘Youarebeingseriousthen?’

‘IndeedIamEdgar:notonlyseriousbutalsoresourceful.Youmayormay

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notbeawarethereisascheduleddailyairservicefromBristoltoLisbon.Youwon’tknowhowhardthishasbeen,butI’vemanagedtosecureyouaseatontheflightthisThursday.’

‘ThisThursday?’Edgarlookedsurprised.‘AndwhenIgettoLisbon?’

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‘Well,LisbonstationisverymuchSandyMorgan’sshow.He’llarrangeforyoutomeetupwithTelmoandthethreeofyoucanseewherewearewithregardstoourladyinBerlin.AfterthatMorganwillgetyouintoSpainandovertoBarcelona:therearescheduledSwissair

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flightsfromthereintoSwitzerland.FromBarcelonayou’regoingtohavetogointoSwitzerlandwithyourAmericancover:noalternative,I’mafraid:theSwissareterriblyjumpyaboutusatthemoment.’

***

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CaptainEdgarwasacutelyawareheappearedtohavebeencastasacharacterfromoneofthoseAgathaChristiecrimenovelsofwhichhiswifewassofond.

Itwasmiddayandheandtheothercharacterswereassembledinadraughtyroom

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atWhitchurchAirport,justoutsideBristol.Therewere15passengersincludingapriest,twoelderlywomenwrappedinfurs,awomanaccompaniedbyayoungboyandtwomenspeakingPortuguese.EdgarwashalfexpectingtobejoinedbyaBelgiandetectivewitha

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waxedmoustache.Ithadbeenanhour

sinceEdgarhadcheckedinfortheflight.Forthepurposesofthetrip,hewastravellingunderaBritishdiplomaticpassportinthenameoftheHonAnthonyDavis.The‘Hon’,Edgarassumed,wasanexampleof

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Porter’spublic-schoolhumour.TheHonAnthonyDavishadvariousletterswithhimtotheeffecthewouldbespendinganunspecifiedperiodoftimeattheBritishEmbassyinLisbondealingwith‘consularservices’.

Afewminutesaftermiddaythepassengerswere

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ledoutoftheroomandacrosstheaprontotheDC-3thatwouldbeflyingthemtoLisbon.Withinminutestheywereairborne,headingwestalongtheBristolChannelandouttowardssea.WhenthesoutherntipofIrelandpeekedoutofthelowcloudtheplanechangedcourse,atwhich

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pointthecaptainspoketothepassengers:

‘WelcomeaboardthisBOACflightfromBristoltoLisbon,whereweexpecttoarrivejustafterfourpmlocaltime.Duetowartimeflyingregulationswewillbeflyingatamaximumaltitudeofthreethousandfeet.’

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Edgarclosedhiseyesandtriedtorestasthecaptaincontinuedtospeak.HerecalledbeingtoldthepilotsontheseflightswereallDutch:theyhadmanagedtoflymostoftheKLMfleettoBritainjustbeforetheGermaninvasionoftheNetherlands,andtheyand

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theirplanesnowservicedthefewremainingBOACflights.

Tohissurprise,Edgarmusthavefallenasleepstraightawaybecausehewaswokenbyastern-lookingstewardessshakinghimbytheelbow.TheywerebeginningtheirdescentintoPortelaAirport.

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Theplanewasflyinglow,huggingthePortuguesecoast,theskycloudlessandtheremainsofthesunlightingupthelandtotheirleft.Edgarglancedtohisright:acrosstheaislethepriestwasferventlypraying,therosarygrippedtightlyinhishands.Theplanebanked

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sharplyoverthecity,buildingsrushingbyunderneaththem.Withinaminute,PortelaAirportappearedbelowthem.Thepilotmadeonepassoftheairport,turned180degreesthenbeganthefinalapproach.

***

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AttheBritishEmbassyjustofftheRuadeSãoDomingos,SandyMorgangreetedEdgarliketheoldfriendthathewas.Hehurriedoutfrombehindhisdeskinacrumpledwhitesuitandaftergraspinghimbythehandandwarmlyshakingit,removeda

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largebottleofBellsfromacabinetbythewindow.Twoglasseswereonhisdesk,oneofwhichhepushedtowardsEdgar.

‘Nowthenoldchap,betyoucandowithoneofthese?’

Edgarsmiled.‘Goodflight,Ihope?

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Beatsmehowwecangetawaywithit:can’tunderstandhowtheyjustdon’ttakeashotatourplanes.Mindyou,Isupposewe’ddothesametotheirs,eh?Handythough,can’ttellyouhowmuchusefulstuffwepickupattheairport.Wehavepeoplewatchingitthe

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wholetime.Germansdoaswell,soIsupposewecanceleachotherout.Evenpickuptheirnewspapers,whichLondonisratherkeenon.Anyway,cheers!’

Morgandownedhiswhisky,whichhadclearlynotbeenhisfirstoftheafternoon,inonegoandquicklyrefilled

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hisglassfromanewbottleheproducedfrombehindhisdesk.Edgarheldhishandoverhisglassandshookhishead.

‘Nowthen,quickrunthroughtheplan.Ideaisyoustayatmyplace,whichisinanannexeoftheembassy,sononeedforyoutobeseenout

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andabout.We’llsortyouaccreditationwiththeMinistryofForeignAffairstomorrow.CorrectmeifI’mwrong,butthestoryisyou’reheretocheckourconsularsystem?’

‘Somethinglikethat.’‘Funnilyenough,they

coulddowithsortingoutbut

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Ican’timagineyou’reinterestedinthat.Thatgivesyouthecoveryouneed:thePVDEkeepacarefuleyeonus,butit’snottoodifficulttofoolthem.Ideaisthatafteracoupleofdaysyou’llcomedownwithsomethingnastywhich’llkeepyouinbedforacoupleofweeks.Thedoctor

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weuseisaratherhelpfulchap;he’llbackupanystory.That’llgiveusenoughtimetogetyoutoBarcelonaandSwitzerlandthenbackagain,andhomewithoutthePVDEspottingit.Soundreasonable?’

Edgarnodded,slightlyunsure.SandyMorgan,

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despitehismanner,wasagoodoperator.Hewasoneofthefewstationchiefswhomhetrusted.

‘We’llmeetwithTelmooneitherSaturdayorSunday:it’squieterthen,easierallround.I’llonlyknowforsurelatetomorrow.Assumingthatgoeswell,you’llheadoffto

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SpainonMonday.MadridstationwilllookafteryouandgetyouovertoBarcelonaandaflightfromtheretoSwitzerland.You’llbeusinganAmericancover,Iunderstand?’

***

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Sundaywaswarm;italmostfeltspring-like.EdgarandMorgansatonthebalconyofMorgan’ssmallapartmentintheEmbassyannexe,sippingfreshcoffee.EdgarhadbeenawareMorganhadlefttheapartmentveryearlyinthemorning,beforesixasfarashecouldtell.

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‘Iwouldn’tsaythatTelmohasgotcoldfeetbuthe’snervous,Edgar.Thingsaren’tquiterightinthiscity.Portugalismeanttobeouroldestally,butSalazartrustsno-one:notus,nottheGermansandcertainlynotSpain.HeseemstohavegotitintohismindthatSpainhas

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planstoinvadethisplace.Upshotisthateveryoneisverytwitchy.ThePVDEarewatchingeveryoneandTelmoisworriedthey’rewatchinghim.HetriedtocryoffonFridaynightandthenagainlastnight,whichiswhyIhadtosneakoutthismorning.He’sagreedtomeet

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youEdgar,butbegentlewithhim.He’soneofus,afterall.’

‘Whenandwhere?’‘Thisafternoon:hope

youlikefootball.’

MorganandEdgarlefttheEmbassylaterthatmorning,halfanhourapart,andmetasarrangedatabaronthe

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Rossioanhourlater.Theythentravelledbytram,taxi,footandtramagain.Bythetimetheyhadfinishedtheirsecondtramjourneytheywerepartofacrowdheadinginonedirection.Theywere,Morganannounced,inLumiar.

‘We’reinthenorthof

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thecity,notfarfromtheairport.’

TwentyminuteslaterEdgarwasinsideafootballgroundforthefirsttimeinhislife.

‘QuickbriefingEdgar:you’renowintheCampodoLumiarwhichisthehomeofSportingClubedePortugal,

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whoarealwayscalledSporting.They’reoneofthetopclubsinthecountry;somewouldsaythetopclub,thoughIdaresayBenficaandPortomightdisagree.TheiropponentsthisafternoonareBarreirense,soit’ssomethingofalocalderby.’

Theywerewalking

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downthestandnow,Morganlookingcarefullyalongtherows.

‘Justsoyoudon’tappeartooignorant,Sportingplayingreen,Barreirenseinred.’

‘Andwhodowewanttowin,Sandy?’

‘Doesn’tmatter,does

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it?PersonallyIhaveasoftspotforBenfica,soIdon’tmind.Barreirensearequiteagoodsidethisyearsoitcouldbeaclosegame.Perhapsbestifyoudon’tshouttoomuchanyway.Clapintherightplaces.Ah…good,there’sTelmo;soheturnedupafterall.Nowremembertobenice

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tohim–makehimfeelwanted.Wedon’twanthimturningcoldonus,dowe?’

AttheveryendofarowTelmoRochaMartinswasstandingup,wavingcasuallyatthem.HereIam.Hewasshort–aboutfivefootfive,bald,withaneatmoustacheandround,black

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glasses.AlargecrowdhadalreadyformedintheCampodoLumiarandTelmo,wrappedinalarge,slightlyshabbyjacket,wasjustoneofthem.

ItwasthefirsttimeEdgarhadactuallymetTelmoRochaMartins,oneofthemostimportantBritish

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agentsinPortugal.Telmowasamiddle-rankingcivilservantinthePortugueseMinistryofForeignAffairs–notregardedhighlyenoughnorrankedsoseniorastobeconsideredadiplomat,butthekindofcivilservantwhoensureseverythingrunssmoothlywhileotherpeople

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grabtheglory.ThishadbeenasourceofincreasingresentmenttoTelmo,onethathadledhimtoapproachtheBritishwhenthewarstartedwithanoffertopassonthekindofinformationforwhichmoneychangedhands.

Now,hisstatusandhislowprofilesuitedhim

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perfectly.No-onesuspectedthisdiminutive,bespectacledmanforamoment.ThequalityofintelligencehepassedontotheBritishimprovedallthetime.HehadbeengivenaminiaturecameraandatfirstitwascopiesofMinistrybriefingpapersandsometelegrams

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fromoverseasembassiesthatwerepassedon.Then,inearly1940,TelmoaskedMorganatoneoftheirregularmeetingswhetherhewouldbeinterested,byanychance,inmorematerialfromBerlin?

RatherhadbeenMorgan’sresponse,carefultoshowhewasnottoo

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desperate.LondonhadbeencryingoutforanythingfromBerlin,suchwastheirpaucityofsourcesinthecity.Andwemeananything:evenbloodybustickets!

WhatTelmocameupwithwasmuchbetterthan‘bloodybustickets’.Therewerebriefingsfromthe

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Germanforeignministry,minutesofmeetingswithGermanofficials,assessmentsofthestrengthsandweaknessesofthearmedforces,telegrams:halfthecontentsofthediplomaticbag,asfarasMorgancouldworkout.AndfromwhatLondonwastellinghim,it

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wasallfirst-classstuff.Welldone.Plentymoreofthatwilldonicelythankyou!

ButMorganwasacautiouschap.HewaswellawarethisintelligencecomingoutofBerlincouldturnouttobetoogoodtobetrueand,ifthatwerethecase,hedidnotfancygettingthe

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blameforit.SooneSaturdayafternoonhetookTelmooutforadrivetoCascaisandtheywentforalongwalkalongtheseafront.

Londonwanttoknowhowcomeyou’regettingsuchgoodmaterialoutofBerlin?

TheyhadwalkedforquiteawhilewithTelmo

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sayingnothing,evidentlyweighingupwhetherornottocomeclean.

‘I’vebeenconsideringraisingthiswithyou.Ifthere’severaproblem,willyoupromiseyou’llensureyoucangetmetoEngland,maybeononeofyourconvoys?’

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‘I’ddomyverybestTelmo:whatkindofproblemwereyouthinkingof,though?’

‘Iftheyeversuspectedme,thatkindofthing.I’dliketogotoEngland.I’dliketohaveahouseinLondon.MaybeneartoBuckinghamPalace.’

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‘I’dcertainlyseewhatwecando.NotsurehowneartothePalace,buttherearesomeotherlovelypartsofLondon.’

‘AndifmysourceinBerlinwastoaccompanyme,wouldthatbeaproblem?’

‘No!Notatall.I’dneedtoknowwhothispersonis,of

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course…’‘Evenifweweren’t

married?’WhichwashowTelmo

RochaMartinscametotellSandyMorganallaboutDonaMariadoRosario.HetoldhimhowDonaMariahadbeenasecretarytohisheadofdepartmentintheMinistry

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ofForeignAffairs;howtheyhadbecomecloseandeventuallybecamelovers;howitwouldbeimpossibleforhimtoleavehiswifeandremaininhisjobandstayinPortugal.HetoldMorganabouthowDonaMariahadbecomeproficientinGermanandhadbeentransferredto

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theLegationinBerlin,butnotbeforehehadconfidedinherandshehadagreedtosupplyinformation.Inhercase,themotivationwaspersonalandpolitical.Herfiancéehadbeenimprisonedduringthe1926coupandhaddiedsoonafter.FollowingthisshehadleftPortoand

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movedtoLisbon,workingherwaythroughthevariousGovernmentministriesaroundthePraçadoComercio.

Telmohadchosenagoodspot.Theywereattheendofthefrontrowoftheirblock,sotherewasno-onesittinginfrontofthemorto

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theright.MorgansatbetweenTelmoandEdgar,actingasinterpreter.

‘We’reverygratefultoyouTelmo,’saidEdgarquietly,pausingwhileMorgantranslated.‘Very,verygrateful.Iwantyoutoknowhowmuchweappreciateyourhelp.Ican

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assureyouifthere’severa…problemhereinPortugal,we’lldoourverybesttogetyoutoLondon.’

Telmosmiledandnoddedhishead,nottakinghiseyesoffthepitch.‘I’mverygrateful.ButcanyoupromisemethisassurancewillalsoapplytoDona

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Maria?’‘Ofcourse.’Theypausedasthe

crowdrosearoundthem:aSportingplayerwasfouledontheedgeofthepenaltyarea.Theycontinuedtostandwhilethefreekickwastakenthensatdownafteritsoaredoverthebar.

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‘IneedtoaskyouaboutDonaMaria.She’ssendingalotofmaterial.Howissheabletodothis?Isshenotsuspectedatall?’

‘Iassureyousheiscareful.Becauseofmyjob,I’minapositiontoseethediplomaticbagsoonafteritarrivesattheMinistry,before

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anyoneelseotherthanaclerkhasseenit.I’mthenabletotakethematerial,whichisallincode.It’snotpossibleforotherpeopletospotit.No-onesuspectsus.ButIhavesomethingimportanttotellyou.’

TherewasanotherdelayasaBarreirensewinger

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beatasuccessionofSportingdefendersthenshotwide.‘Ourdefenceistooslowtoday,fartooslow,’Telmosaidthoughtfully.‘Listencarefully,please:DonaMariapassedonyourmessagetoHugo,aboutgettingholdofthisdocument.AmessagecamethroughonFriday.

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Hugowantsyoutoknowhemaybeabletogetholdofthedocument:itseemshehasasourcewhohasaccesstoit.Butthere’sapricetopay.’

‘Howmuch?’Sportingscoredandthe

crowdleaptup.Everyonearoundthemwerepattingtheircompanionsontheback,

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asifthey’dplayedapartinthegoal.Telmolookeddelighted.

‘Fortunatelyourattackismuchbetterthanourdefence,’hesaid.‘It’snotmoney.It’salotmorecomplicated.You’dbetterlistencarefully.’

Edgardidlisten

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carefully.Itwascomplicated.HewouldneedtogettoSwitzerlandassoonaspossible.

HewasonlyshakenoutofhisthoughtsbySporting’ssecondgoal.

Thegamefinished2-0.IfonlyeverythinginlifewassoclearcutEdgarthoughtas

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theyleftthegroundandTelmomeltedintothecrowd.

***

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Chapter16:London,February1941BynoononWednesday12thFebruary,ChristopherPorterhadbeenkeptwaitinginanarrowcorridorinadraughtyandheavilyguarded

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basementundertheAdmiraltybuildinginWhitehallforwelloveranhourpastthetimeofhisappointment.Whenhewasfinallycalledintotheofficeoutsidewhichhe’dbeenwaiting,therewasneitherapologynorexplanation,justamildlyexasperatedlook

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fromSirRolandPearson.‘HowcanIhelpyou,

Porter?’SirRolandhadoncebeenacolleague,butnowworkedinDowningStreetandcurrentlyhadtheearofthePrimeMinisteronallmatterstodowithintelligence.Hegavetheimpressionhewasnowfar

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tooimportantforhistimetobewasted.

‘Asyouknow,SirRoland,wemetonthe3rdwhenyoumadeclearthePrimeMinister’sfeelingsregardingourintelligencefromBerlinandthedirectiveregardingapossibleinvasionoftheSovietUnion.I

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subsequentlydispatchedEdgartoLisbon,wherehemetoursourceTelmoonSunday.’

‘Telmo:remindme?’‘TelmoRochaMartins:

heworksinthePortugueseMinistryofForeignAffairsinLisbonandhasproventobeanextremelyusefulsourceof

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informationforus.HismaininformantisDonaMariadoRosario,whoissecretarytotheMilitaryAttachéinthePortugueseLegationinBerlin.AswellaspassingoninformationthroughTelmo,shealsoservesasacontactforHugo–FranzHermann,theBerlinlawyerwhois

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workingforus.Anyinformationhehas,ormessageswehaveforhim,comesthroughDonaMariainthePortuguesediplomaticbag.’

Porterhadnowopenedanotebookandputonapairofreadingglasses.

‘WhenEdgarmet

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TelmoonSundayhepassedonthelatestfromHugo.WewereawareHugohasbeenshelteringaJewishfamily,whichwethoughtanunnecessaryriskandthereforedidnotwhollyapproveof.However,ittranspiresthisfamilymaybecriticalintermsofour

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obtainingacopyofthedirective.ThefamilyHugoisshelteringiscomprisedofRosaSternandhertwochildren:an11-year-oldboycalledAlfredandafive-year-oldgirlcalledSophia.Rosa’shusbandisabusinessmancalledHaraldStern,whowasarrestedbytheNazis

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sometimeinlate1939andsubsequentlydied–orwaskilled–inoneoftheirprisoncamps.SternwasthefatherofSophiabutnotofAlfred.Alfred’sfatherisoneGunterReinhart,Rosa’sfirsthusband.ReinhartisnotJewish:heandRosadivorcedin1935afterHitler’slawthat

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prohibitsmarriagesbetweenJewsandnon-Jews.’

‘Ihopethisfamilysagaisleadingsomewhereimportant,Porter.’

‘Itis,sir.Fromwhatweunderstand,ReinhartandRosaSternremainedongoodtermsandhedidwhathecouldtohelpthem.Rosaand

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thechildrenhadmovedtoParis,butreturnedtoBerlinwhenHaraldwasarrested–itseemshemayhaveremainedtheretotrytosortoutsomebusinessmatters.Nowthey’rebeinghiddeninthehomeofarelativeofHugo’s.However,ReinhartworksfortheReichsbank,wherehe

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occupiesafairlyseniorposition.PartofhisjobishelpingtomovemoneyoutofcountriesoccupiedbytheGermans.Inthisrespect,itappearshehasaccesstoacopyofthisDirective21.’

‘Goodheavens.’‘Goodheavensindeed.

YouseewhyIneededtogive

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youthebackground.’‘AndthisReinhart–he

cansupplyuswithDirective21?’

‘Yes,but…’‘…Hewantsmoney,I

imagine:howmuch?’‘Ionlywishitwerethat

simple.HisconditionisthatwesmugglehissonAlfred

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outofBerlin.ReinharthasafriendinZürich:onceAlfredhasbeensafelydeliveredtothatfriend,he’llreleaseacopyofDirective21toHugo.’

SirRolandhadleanedbackinhischairandwasstaringattheceiling,asifthesolutionmaybehiddeninthe

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cobwebshehadspottedabovethecoving.

‘SohowdowegetAlfredtoZürich?’

‘EvenaswespeakSirRoland,EdgarisonhiswaytoSwitzerland.WehaveanagenttherecalledHenryHunter.HunteralsohasagenuineSwissidentityandis

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abletotravelintoGermanywithit.Ayearagowesenthimthereonatestmissionofsorts,whichwentwell.I’vesaidtoEdgarthatheandBasilRemington-BarbermustcomeupwithaplantogetHuntertoBerlinandoutagainwithAlfred.’

‘Whichwon’tbe

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straightforward.’‘Indeed,SirRoland.

ButwehavetogetAlfredout–theprizeistoogreatnottoattemptit.’

SirRolandstoodup,walkedawayfromthetableandovertohisdesk,fromwhichhepickedupasilverboxandlitacigarettehe

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selectedfromit.HeofferedtheboxtoPorter,whorefused,thenremovedhisjacketandhungitoverthebackofhischair.OnthewallbehindhimwasamapofEuropeandforawhilehestudiedit,reacquaintinghimselfwiththevariouslocations.Withhisforefinger

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hetracedanangledlinesouthfromBerlintoZürich.

‘AndoncethisAlfredissafelydeliveredtothisfriendinZürich,wegetthereport?’

‘Oncethefriendhasconfirmedit.’

‘AndIpresumeHugothenhandsthereportovertoDonaMariawhatshername

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andshepopsitintothediplomaticbag,andwepickupthereportinLisbon?’

Porterclosedhisnotebookandfoldeduphisreadingglasses.Twicehestartedtospeak,buthesitated.Hewasclenchingthenunclenchinghisfistsandclearlyfindingdifficultyin

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knowingwheretostart.‘CanIbemostfrank

andmosthonestwithyou,SirRoland?’

‘I’dratherhopedthat’dbeenthecaseuptonowanyway,Porter.’

Porter’shandswerenowclaspedasifinprayer.Heinhaleddeeplybefore

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speaking.‘Themostobvious

routetobringthedirectiveoutofBerlinwouldindeedbethroughthePortuguesediplomaticbag,Iquiteagree.Butifthere’sanoverridingpurposetousobtainingthisdocument,it’stohelpprovetotheRussianstheir

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supposedalliesarenotwhattheyseemandinfacthaveplanstoinvadethem.Correct?’

SirRolandnodded.‘Uptonow,the

Russianshavechosentoignoreallthesewarnings,especiallytheonesthatcanbeattributedtous.Frankly,

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theydon’tbelievewhatwetellthem.They’reconvincedourmotivesaretostiruptroublebetweenthemandtheGermans.Theychoosetobelievewhateverintelligencewe’repassingtothemisfalse.Ourconcernisthatifwe–theBritish–showthemthedirectiveortellthem

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aboutitscontents,they’llsimilarlyignorethem,astheyhavealltheotherwarnings.Alltheconsiderableeffortofobtainingthedirectivewillhavebeenwasted.’

‘WhatdoyousuggestthenPorter?’

‘ThisiswhereIhavetobeveryfrank.HenryHunter,

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ouragentinSwitzerland,isnotquitewhatheseems.IthinkI’llhavethatcigaretteafterall,SirRoland.’

SirRolandrejoinedPorteratthetableandslidthesilvercigaretteboxacrossit,followedbyaboxofmatches.HenoticedPortershookslightlyashelithis

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cigarette.‘Wehadoureyeson

Hunterforsometime.He’sidealinmanyways:verygoodSwissidentity,speaksalltherelevantlanguages.EventheSwissbelieveheisSwiss,ifyougetwhatImean.Wepickedhimupherejustbeforethestartofthe

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war:hewastryingtosmuggleoutsomemoneyhe’dinheritedandwegavehimthechoiceofworkingforusorspendingafewyearsbreakingrocksorwhateverwemakepeopledoinprisonsthesedays.Hechosetoworkforus.’

‘Good.’

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‘However,whathedidn’tknow–andstilldoesn’t–isweknowsomethingelseabouthim,whichisthathe’dalreadybeenrecruitedasanagent:bytheRussians.’

SirRolandhadbeenmovinghiscigarettetowardshismouth.Nowhestopped,

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holdingitismid-air.HeleanedtowardsPorter.

‘Really?Whendidthishappen?’

‘Wethinkitwasaround1930or1931,SirRoland–acoupleofyearsafterhemovedtoGenevafromZürichwithhismotherandstep-father.BasilRemington-

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BarberhadaninformantintheGenevabranchoftheCommunistPartyofSwitzerland.Hethoughtwe’dbeinterestedbecauseHunterhaddualBritishandSwissnationalities.He’dseenHunteratoneortwomeetings,thenhedisappearedfromview.Normally,we

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wouldn’thaveattachedagooddealofimportancetothat:plentyofyoungchapsgotothesetypeofmeetingsthenloseinterest.ButRemington-Barber’sinformantthoughthe’dseenHunterchattingtoaFrenchchaprumouredtohavelinkswiththeComintern;andwe

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knowit’sawell-establishedrecruitmenttacticoftheSovietintelligenceagenciesforthemtokeepaneyeopenforlikelyrecruitswho’vejoinedortrytojointheirlocalcommunistparties.Whathappensistheyspotsomeonethenpersuadethemthebestwaytoservethecauseisnot

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tobeapartymemberbuttoworkforthem.Theyleavetheparty,allrecordsaredestroyedandtheydisplaynooutwardaffiliationwithorinterestincommunism–oftentheopposite,infact.WeassumethisiswhathappenedwithHunter.’

‘Andhowandwhendid

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yougettoknowhewasaSovietagent?’

‘Notuntilearly’39.Wethinkhemust’vebeentoldtolaylowuntiltheyneededhimand,certainlythewayhewaslivinginGeneva,no-onewouldhavehadanyreasonwhatsoevertosuspecthimWebecameveryinterestedin

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aSovietspymaster,chapcalledViktorKrasotkin.Verybrightchap:basedinParisbutmovesaroundWesternEuropeasifheownstheplace.Quitebrilliantactually,butourpeopleinPariswereawareofhimandforawhilehadsomeonequiteclosetohim.Thispersontippedusoff

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aboutanEnglishchapwithSwissnationalitywhowasoneofViktor’sagents.Onceweknewthis,wetriedtorecruithimandheratherfellintoourhands.’

‘Butwhathasthistodowiththedirective?’

‘OnceHenrydeliverstheboyAlfredtoZürichand

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Reinhartgetsthegreenlight,HenrycanreturntoBerlinandbringthedocumentbacktoSwitzerland.’

‘Thepointofthatbeing…?’

‘He’llbemadewellawarequitehowimportantthedocumentis–topsecret,etcetera.Weknowassoonas

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hegetsbacktoSwitzerland,he’sboundtoshowittoViktorKrasotkin,evenbeforehehandsitovertoEdgar.Thatway,theRussianswillknowit’sgenuine.It’llhavecomestraightfromthehorse’smouth,sotospeak.They’llhavetobelieveitthen,won’tthey?’

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***

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Chapter17:Zürich,February1941UndertheidentityofPatrickTO’ConnorJr,aUScitizen,EdgarleftMuntadasairportinBarcelonajustbeforeteninthemorningonSwissair

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flight1087.TheflightlandedontimeinLocarnoataquarterpastone.FivehourslaterhewasinasmallapartmentaboveahardwareshoponBasteiplatz.Hewasletinbyapleasant-lookingAustrianwhointroducedhimselfasRolf.

‘Noneedtoworry

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aboutRolf,’Remington-Barberhadassuredhim.‘Completelytrustworthy:he’sanAustriansocialdemocrat.WhitlockrecruitedhiminViennasometimearound’36.NazisrolledintoViennainMarch1938andRolfrolledoutsoonafterthat:hatestheGermansmorethanwedo,if

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that’spossible.Hisfiancée’saprisoneroftheirs.WhenWhitlockhadtoleaveViennaandhefoundoutRolfwashereinSwitzerland,herecommendedhimtome.’

***

BasilRemington-Barberand

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HenryHunterarrivedinZürichlateontheThursdayafternoonandcheckedintothesamehotelonOetenbachgassewhereHenryhadstayedthepreviousFebruary,thenightbeforehetravelledtoStuttgart.ThenextmorningRemington-BarberleftHenryinhisroom

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torestandmetEdgarasarrangedonBahnhofquai.TogethertheywatchedanoisybargemakeitswayuptheLimmat.

‘Hunteralright,ishe?’‘Afterafashion,yes.

PickedhimupyesterdaymorninginGenevaduringhismorningwalkandtoldhimto

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packhisbags,bidhisfarewellsandwe’reofftoZürich.It’sayearsincehewasinGermanyandIratherthinkheassumedwe’dforgottenabouthim.NotveryhappyIhaven’ttoldhimwhat’sgoingon,butthenIhardlyknowmyself,doI?’

‘Anddidyougivehim

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anopportunitytomakecontact?’

‘Naturally.Itoldhimwe’dcatchtheoneo’clocktraintoZürichandI’dmeethimbytheplatformwithhisticketataquartertoone.Thatgavehimampleopportunitytogetamessagetohisotherpeoplethatsomethingmaybe

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on.Goodtodanglebaitofsomekindinfrontofthem.’

‘Good,welldoneBasil.Sorrytobeelusive,butIneedtotracksomeonedown.ComealongtotheapartmentlaterthisafternoonwithHunter.’

***

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Allthingsconsidered,ithadnotbeenagooddayandahalfforHenryHunter,anditshowednosignsofimproving.OntheThursday,hehadbeenwhiskedawayfromGenevabyBasilRemington-Barber,withlittlebywayofanexplanation

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otherthan‘We’regoingtoZürich:packforafewdays.Don’tforgetyourpassport.’Thesubsequenttrainjourneyhadpassedmostlyinsilence,Remington-BarberdecliningtoansweranyofHenry’squestions.

ThenRemington-Barberhadorderedhimto

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remaininhisstuffylittlehotelroomformostofFridaymorning.Hehadnoideawhatwasgoingonorwhatwasgoingtohappen,sohewasfeelingincreasinglyanxious.Therewasasmallpartofhim–averysmallpart,admittedly–whichwasrelievedthat,afterayearof

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hearingnothingfromtheBritish,atlasttheynowseemedtohaveplansforhim.Anevensmallerpartofhimwasexcitedattheprospectofwhatthoseplansmayinvolve.HehadspentthepastyearreflectingonthefactthetriptoStuttgartandEssenhadbeenfraughtwithdanger,but

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theexcitementofhavingcompletedthemissionsosuccessfullyhadsurprisedhim.Themonthssincehadbeenamixtureofboredomandnervousanticipation:addedtothiswasthepressureofservingtwomasters.The100poundspaidintohisCreditSuisseaccounteach

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monthwassomeconsolation.NowRemington-Barber

hadsentafriendlyAustriancalledRolftobringhimtoasmallapartmentaboveahardwareshoponBasteiplatz.Itwas3.30intheafternoonandtheyhadbeenwaitinginthesparselyfurnishedloungeforthebestpartofanhour.

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HenrywassittingonanuncomfortablesofawhileRemington-Barbernervouslypacedtheroom,dartingovertothewindowoverlookingBasteiplatzeverytimeheheardfootstepsbelow.Thediplomathadsaidverylittlesincetheyhadarrivedthere.SitoverthereHenry;yes,

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we’rewaitingforsomeone;pleasebepatient.

Eventually,abellrangandRemington-BarbersentRolfdownstairstoopenthedoor.Henryheardtwopairsoffootstepsascendingthestairs.Atfirsthedidn’trecognisethetallfigurewearingatrilbyhatwhohad

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tostoopasheenteredthedoor.Butthenheremovedthetrilbyandsaid‘Henry’–nomorethanthat,just‘Henry’–beforetakingoffhisraincoatandslingingitoverachair,thenanglingthesinglearmchairsoitwasdirectlyfacingthesofa.

‘SitdownBasil,you’re

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makingmenervous.Noneedtokeeplookingoutofthewindow:no-onehasfollowedme;Icanassureyouofthat.Makeyourselfuseful–passmethatashtraythengoandsitnexttoHenry.Eitherofyouchapsfancyacigarette?’

Edgarloungedbackinthearmchair,stretchingout

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hislonglegssotheyalmosttouchedthefeetofthetwomenoppositehim.Notbotheringtostifleaseriesofyawnsheclosedhiseyesmomentarilyanditlookedforawhileasifhewasabouttofallasleep.Thenhesatupstraight,slappedhisthighsandrubbedhishands.

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‘Right–downtobusiness.Henry,youlookrathershockedtoseeme:understandableIsuppose.Iimagineyouratherhopedyou’dneverseemeagain,eh?’

Henrysaidnothing.‘Andareyoukeeping

wellHenry?’

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‘I’mwellthankyou.Andyou?’

‘BasiltellsmeyourlittletriptoGermanylastyearwentwell.’

HenrywasabouttoreplybutEdgarraisedahandtostophim.

‘Andthemoney’sgoingintoyouraccount

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everymonthaspromised,Ipresume?Alongwiththe500youreceivedafteryourtrip.’

Henryrepliedthatitwas.

‘WhichinasenseiswhyI’mhere:timeforyoutodosomethingmoretoearnthatmoney.HowaboutifIweretotellyouyou’regoing

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backtoGermany?’Henrydrummedhis

fingersonhiskneesandveryslowlynoddedhishead.‘ToEssen?’

‘Goodheavensno.Wecanhardlyhavethemurdererreturningtothesceneofhiscrime,canwe?’Edgarlaughedheartilyand

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Remington-Barberjoinedinnervously.

‘WethoughtBerlinwouldmakeanicechange.’

HenrygazedquizzicallyatEdgar,asifhewastryingtoworkoutwhetherthemanoppositehimwasbeingserious.

‘Berlin?’

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‘Yes,Henry,Berlin.CapitaloftheThirdReich.’

‘Really?’‘Yes,really.Look,I

couldtellyouallaboutitnow,butI’djustenduprepeatingmyselflateron.Wehaveachapcomingtoseeusinanhourorsoandwe’llputallofourcardsonthetable

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then.Talkingoftables,Basil,howaboutsometea,eh?’

BasilRemington-Barberheadedovertothesmallkitchen,pausinginitsdoorway.

‘Youcertainthischapisgoingtoturnup,Edgar?’

‘Don’tworryBasil.I’mcertainofit.Hereallyhasno

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alternative.’

***

CaptainEdgarhadfinallyapproachedthemanatlunchtimethatFriday.Itfelt,tohim,asifhe’dspenthalfofhislifefollowingpeople,waitingforhoursinthe

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shadowsofdoorwaysforthemtoappear,calculatingwhentheywouldemergeandwhatwouldthenbethebesttimeandplacetoapproachthem.Hehadlearntthroughyearsofexperiencethatmostpeopletendedtobeunpredictableintheirhabits,buthecouldhaveguessed

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thatifanyonewouldbeamanofpreciseroutineitwouldbeaSwissbanker.AndMichaelHedingerdidnotdisappointhim.

AccordingtothemessagethatHugosentthroughLisbon,GunterReinhart’sfriendinZürichwasamancalledMichael

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HedingerwhoworkedforBankLeu.Hedingerwasapparentlyaware‘inprinciple’,whateverthatmeant,thathisfriendGunterinBerlinwantedhimtohelplookafterhisson,buthewouldhavenoideahewasabouttobeapproached.

Edgarhadwatchedthe

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bankoverthepastcoupleofdays.Ithadbeenfoundedin1755andsomeoftheemployeeshewatchedcominginandoutlookedasthoughtheyhadbeentherethatlong.Nowitwasoneofthe‘BigSeven’Swissbanks:notoneofthelargest,butstillbigenoughtohaveitssnout

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intheGermantrough,alongwithalltheothers.WiththehelpofaporteratthebankwhohadbeenpaidgenerouslyinreturnfordoingnomorethangivingasignalwhenMichaelHedingerenteredthebuilding,Edgarhadbeenabletospothisquarry.

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HedingerlefttheheadofficeofBankLeuonParadeplatzatpreciselyoneo’clock,presumablyonhiswaytolunch.HeturnedintoBahnhofstrasseandEdgardecidednowwasthetimehehadtomakehismove.

‘HerrHedinger,mayIhaveawordwithyou?’Edgar

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spokeinGerman.Hehadapproachedthe

bankerfrombehind,havinggotasclosetohimaspossibleandmakingsureheplacedhimselfbetweenthemanandtheroad.Itwasawell-practisedtechnique,aswasthefriendlybutfirmhandontheman’selbowand

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theenforcedshakingofhishand.Holdonearm,shaketheotherarm:takecontrol.Thatway,anyonewatchingwouldassumeitwasachanceencounterbetweentwoacquaintances.

‘Ibegyourpardon?’Hedingerreplied,soundingsurprisedratherthan

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annoyed.ThiswasencouragingbutEdgarcouldnotassumethiswouldlastforlong.

‘Ineedtotalktoyouaboutaratherimportantmatter,HerrHedinger.Istheresomewherequietperhapswecouldgo?’

‘Idon’tknowwhoyou

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are.What’sthisabout?’NowHedingerwasbeginningtosoundannoyed,andamanandwomanturnedtolookatthemastheypassedby.PeoplewerenotaccustomedtoraisedvoicesonthestreetsofZürich.

EdgaredgedevenclosertoHedinger.‘It’sin

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connectionwithGunterReinhartinBerlin,HerrHedinger.’

Edgarwasnotpreparedforthereactionthatfollowed.HehadhopedthatatthementionofReinhart,Hedingerwouldrelaxandwanttoknowmore:quitepossiblyhehadexpectedto

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becontactedandmayevenberelieved.WhathehadnotexpectedwastoseethelookofsheerpanicandfearthatspreadacrossHedinger’sface.Edgarcouldnotbesure,butitlookedasifhiseyeshadfilledwithtears.Thebankerappearedunsteadyonhisfeet.

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‘Comewithme.’MichaelHedinger

meeklyallowedEdgartoshepherdhimacrossBahnhofstrasseandthenontoKappelergassewheretheysettledonabenchoverlookingtheriver.Edgarcouldseethemannexttohimwasterrified.Edgartookhis

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timelightingacigaretteandheldthepacketinfrontoftheotherman.Hedingershookhishead.‘No,Idon’tsmoke.’

‘What’syourname,what’sthisabout?Pleasetellme!’

Edgarignoredthefirstquestion.‘Itoldyou:it’sinconnectionwithGunter

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Reinhart.YouknowHerrReinhart–fromtheReichsbankinBerlin?’

‘I’mnotsure.Whydoyouask?’

‘It’saverystraightforwardquestion,HerrHedinger.Eitheryouknowhimoryoudon’t?’

‘Weareacquaintances,

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inaprofessionalcapacity.’Edgarhadpreparedhis

nextline:HerrReinharthasaskedforhelpinbringinghissonAlfredoutofBerlinandhetellsusyouarepreparedtolookafterhiminZürich.Butbeforehehadanopportunitytospeak,Hedingergrippedhisforearm

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andturnedtofaceEdgar.Hewasamanofmediumheight,butwiththekindofshrunkenappearancereservedforthoseofespeciallynervousdisposition.Withhisunhealthilypalecomplexion,wateryblueeyeswithscarcelyatraceofeyebrowabovethemandhisfew

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remainingwispsofhairdancinginthewind,heremindedEdgarofanEnglishcountryclergyman,thetypesenttoonlythemostundemandingofparishes.Nowhelookedlikeaclergymanwhohadbeencaughtinacompromisingsituationandwasabouttobe

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defrocked.Hewasutterlyterrified.Edgarcouldsmellitonhisbreath.

‘I’vealwaysfearedthismomentandhadresolvedthatif–when–itcameabout,I’dimmediatelybehonest.’Hedinger’svoicetrembledashespoke.‘It’sallbeenaterriblemisunderstanding…a

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mostunfortunatemisunderstanding.HerrReinhartwantedtodivertsomeofthefundsfromGermanyintoaprivateaccountinhisnameand,inamomentofweakness,Iagreed.AndinamomentofevengreaterweaknessIacceptedsomemoneyfrom

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HerrReinhartformyself…formyefforts.Iregretteditimmediately.Mymoneyisheldinaseparateaccount.Icanarrangetohaveitpaidbacktoyouwithinamatterofdays.Icanseetoitthisafternooninfact.’

EdgarloosenedthegripHedingerhadonhisarmand

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stooduptofacetheriver.Inaworldofsurprises,itwasveryrareforonetoshockhim,butthisonehad.Bythesoundsofit,HedingerandReinhartwereinvolvedinaschemetosmuggleGermanstatefundsoutofGermanyintotheirownprivateaccountshereinZürich.

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HedingermusthaveassumedEdgarwasaGermanofficial.Heturnedaround:Hedingerwastrembling,hisfeettappingontheground.

‘IhaveayoungfamilyandI’magoodman:Igotochurcheveryweek.PleaseunderstandIdidn’tintendtokeepyourmoney.I’msureI

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canhaveitallreturnedtoyouthisafternoon–alongwiththemoneyinHerrReinhart’sprivateaccount.’

‘AretheseaccountswithBankLeu?’

‘Naturally.’‘Doyouhavethe

accountnumbersplease?’Hedingerobediently

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removedaslimblacknotebookfromhisjacketpocketandturnedthepageswithtremblingfingersthathadtheappearanceofhavingbeenmanicured.FromwhatEdgarcouldsee,thenotebookwasfullofnumbers,figures,initialsanddates.Edgaropenedhisownnotebook

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and,turningtoablankpage,wrote‘Reinhart’then‘Hedinger’.

‘Writetheaccountnumbersunderneatheachnameplease.Don’tforgettoputdownhowmuchmoneyisineachaccount.I’msurewecanresolvethismatterinasatisfactorymanner.Ifyou

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co-operate,HerrHedinger,thereshouldbenoneedforustotakefurtheraction.’

Hedingergraspedthebaitlikeahungryfish,eagerlycopyingdowntheaccountnumbers.Whenhehadfinishedhehandedthenotebookwithitsincriminatinglistsofbank

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accountsbacktoEdgar.‘CanIaskyousir,are

youfromtheGestapo?’Edgarlaughed:the

outcometotheencounterwithMichaelHedingerhadbeenfarbetterthanhecouldhavehoped.

‘Well,that’swhereIthinkI’mgoingtosurprise

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you,HerrHedinger.’

***

‘Howcanyoubesosurehe’llturnupEdgar?’

‘Becauseit’snotinhisinterestsnottoturnup.’

BasilRemington-Barbershookhisheadand

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movedawayfromhisspotbythewindowoverlookingBasteiplatz,whichhehadoccupiedonandoffthroughouttheafternoon.

‘Well,IwishIwereabletoshareyourconfidence.Inmyexperience,thingsdon’talwaysturnoutquiteasplanned.’

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‘Basil,dostoppacingaroundandsitdownquietly,asHenry’sdoing.It’snowfiveo’clock.Atthismoment,ourvisitorwillbeleavinghisofficeonParadeplatzandcommencinghisshortwalkhere.Itwilltakehimsixminutes;Itimeditmyselfearlierthisafternoon.Infact,

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Iwalkedtheroutethreetimesandittakessixminutesand20seconds,butIwouldn’twantyoutothinkI’mapedant.He’llbewithusby5.10attheverylatest,markmywords.WhatisittheysayabouttheSwissandclockwork?Andjustonewarning:hemaytellusthings

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we’realreadyawareof–liketheboy,Alfred.Pretendit’sthefirsttimewe’veheardit,eh?

AtsevenminutespastfiveaknowingsmilecrossedEdgar’sfaceasthebellrang.HegaveRemington-Barbera‘toldyou’lookandwentdownstairstolettheirvisitor

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in.TwominuteslaterMichaelHedingerhadjoinedthethreeEnglishmenintheapartment.

Foramomentthefourofthemsatinanuncomfortablesilence.Thenewcomerwasinastateofconsiderablenervousness.Hehaddeclinedofferstoremovehiscoatandhadonly

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reluctantlytakenoffhisglovesandhat.Hewasclutchingabrownbriefcasetohischestandwasclearlyedgy,jumpingatthesoundofacarenginebackfiringandatadoorslamminginanapartmentabove.Edgarhadplacedhimselfattheheadofthetable:Hedingerwas

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sittingtohisleft,oppositetheothertwomen.

WhenEdgarbegantospeakitwasinitiallytoHenryandRemington-Barber.

‘Henry,Basil–thisisMichaelHedinger.IwillspeakinGermanbytheway:HerrHedinger’sEnglishisverylimited.HerrHedinger

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worksforBankLeu,ofwhichmoreinduecourse.PerhapsIshouldexplainthatwhenHerrHedingerandIfirstmet,somefourhoursago,therewassomethingofamisunderstanding.Itwasperhapsafortunatemisunderstandingfrommypointofview,lesssofrom

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HerrHedinger’s.Isthatnotcorrect?’

Thebankerlookedupinanabsent-mindedmanner,witha‘whatme?’expression.HenoddedmeeklyinreplytoEdgar’squestion.

‘Nottoputtoofineapointonit,itturnsoutHerrHedingerhereinZürichand

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HerrReinhartinBerlinhavebeenoperatinga…howcanoneputit…aschemewherebyaproportionofthefundstransferredfromtheReichsbanktothesafekeepingofBankLeuhavebeendivertedintoprivatenumberedaccounts:onebelongingtoHerr

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Reinhart,theothertoHerrHedinger.Isthatcorrect,HerrHedinger?’

HedingerbegantospeakbutwasstoppedbyEdgar.‘You’llhaveampleopportunitytotalkinduecourse,HerrHedinger.It’saveryriskybutlucrativescheme.HerrHedingertells

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methatofthemillionsofReichsmarkstransferredthroughHerrReinhart’soperationattheReichsbanktoBankLeu,some25,000haveendedupintheprivateaccounts–that’saround2,000poundssterling.Isthatnotcorrect,HerrHedinger?’

Henodded,avoiding

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eyecontactwithanyonearoundthetable.

‘Andthemoneyissplitequally,isitnot?’Again,Hedingernodded.

‘NowthisiswhereHerrHedingermustbekickinghimself.WhenIapproachedhimearliertoday,Iknewnothingofthisscheme.

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However,theprivateenterprisewithHerrReinharthasobviouslybeenonHerrHedinger’sconscienceandheassumedIwasanofficial–aGermanofficial,wouldyouplease–investigatingthematter.BeforeI’devenhadanopportunitytoexplainwhatI’dapproachedhim

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about,heconfessed.HaveIaccuratelysummedupwhathappened,HerrHedinger?’

TheSwisscoughedandspokeinasoftvoice.‘Ineverintendedtokeepthemoney,butGunter–HerrReinhart–isaverypersuasiveman:heinsistedthatwiththeamountsbeingtransferredandthefact

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someofitwasobtainedfromprivateaccountsbytheReichsbank,well…hesaidit’dbeimpossibleforouraccountstobetraced.Hemaywellhavebeencorrect,butI’vebeenterrifiedI’dbecaughtandI’dlosemyjobandmyhouse–somuchsothatI’vebeenanervous

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wreckinrecentweeks.Ifeltitwasjustamatteroftimebeforesomeonecameforme.WhenyouapproachedmeonBahnhofstrasseIassumedI’dbeencaught:Iwasalmostrelieved,hencemyrathertoohastyconfession.’

Heshruggedhisshouldersandspreadhis

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handsoutina‘sothereweare’manner.

Sothereweare.‘AsItoldyouearlier,

HerrHedinger,Icouldn’tcarelessaboutthemoney.Keepit.Asfaraswe’reconcerned,it’sbetterit’sinyouraccountandthatofHerrReinhartthaninone

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belongingtotheReichsbank.Themoneyisn’tourconcern.NeitherBankLeunortheReichsbankneedfindoutaboutit:youwillkeepyourjobandyourfinehouse.Butahappyoutcomeofthatmisunderstandingisourknowledgeofithasensuredyourcompleteco-operation,

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HerrHedinger,amIcorrect?’‘Indeed.’‘Sonowwecometo

ourmainbusiness,ofwhichwespokebrieflyandofwhichHenryhereisunaware.HerrHedinger,forthesakeofmycolleagueshere,pleasetellmeagainaboutyourrelationshipwithHerr

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Reinhart.’TheSwissclearedhis

throatandpausedforawhile,clearlygivingcarefulconsiderationtowhathewasabouttosay.HissoftvoiceandthecarefulwayinwhichhespokeremindedEdgarevenmoreofacountryvicar,someonemoresuitedto

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talkingtoelderlyladiesthanspies.

‘GunterandIhaveknowneachotherforsomefiveyears.Asyou’reaware,GunteroccupiesaseniorpositionintheforeigndepartmentoftheReichsbank.He’sbeeninvolvedwiththetransferof

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fundsfromtheReichsbanktoforeignbanks,andBankLeuis,inthisrespect,oneoftheirmainclients.I’vebeenworkingintheinternationaldivisionofBankLeuforanumberofyearsandI’mcurrentlyitsdeputyhead.Youshouldbeawarethereisaverycloserelationship

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betweenGermanyandtheSwissbanks:they’reanimportantclientforusandwe’reveryimportanttothem:anefficientanddiscreetwayofmovingfundsinandoutofthecountry.Notalltheirfunds,ithastobeacknowledged,havebeenobtainedinentirelylegal

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ways.Aspartofmyjob,IoverseeourrelationshipwiththeReichsbank,soovertheyearsIhavevisitedBerlinonaregularbasisandIthinkit’sreasonabletosayGunterandIhavebecomegoodfriends.Wefoundwehavemuchincommon;ittookusacoupleofyearstoreallytrusteach

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otherbut,oncewedid,wefoundwecouldconfideineachother.We’vebeenabletotalkfranklyaboutourprivatelivesandourworries.Aboutayearago,whenIwasinBerlin,hetookmeintohisconfidenceandtoldmeasecretthathesaidifitcameout,wouldcosthimhisjob

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andquitepossiblyhisfreedom.WhatI’mabouttosaywillstaywithinthesewalls?’

Edgarlaughed.‘We’rehardlylikelytoinformtheGestapo,arewe?’

‘Irealisethat,butI’mdivulgingsomethingtoldtomeincompleteconfidence.

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WhatGuntertoldmewasthis:hehadmarriedawomancalledRosain1924,whenhewas29.Rosa,Ithink,wastwoorthreeyearsyoungerthanhim.HedescribesRosaastheloveofhislife.ShehappenedtobeJewishbutwasnotpractisingandGuntersaidtheirdifferencesof

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religionweresimplynotanissue,oratleastnotforthem.TheirsonAlfredwasbornin1929,sohe’snow11or12.GunterabsolutelydotesonAlfred.Hedescribedtheirlifetogetherasidyllic,butthatbegantochangewhentheNaziscametopowerin1933.Untilthen,notmanypeople

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knewRosawasJewish,butlifebecameincreasinglyuncomfortable.ThentheNazisstartedtobringinalltheseanti-Jewishlawsandoneofthem,in1935Ithinkitwas,bannedmarriagesbetweenJewsandnon-Jews.Sotheyhadachoice,eitherleavethecountryorget

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divorced.MayItroubleyouforadrinkplease?’

TherewasapausewhileRemington-Barberdisappearedintothekitchen,emergingafewminuteslaterwithatrayoftea,ajugofwaterwithglassesandabottleofwhisky.Hedingerpouredhimselfaglassof

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water.‘Guntertoldmetheir

originalplanwastoemigrate:they’dhavehadtoleaveeverythingbehind,payaheftytaxthenfindsomewherethat’dgivethemanentryvisa.Nonetheless,theywerepreparedtodothat.Butthenitwasmadevery

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cleartoGunterthatunlesshedivorcedRosaimmediately,he’dlosehisjobattheReichsbank.FromwhatIunderstand,theybothstilllovedeachotherandsawthedivorceasatemporarymeasure:RosaandAlfredwouldtrytogotoEnglandorFrancethenGunterwould

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jointhemthereandthey’dremarry.ButforreasonsofwhichI’munclear,RosadelayedleavingGermany:IthinkitmayhavebeenshereallywantedtogotoEnglandbutshecouldn’tgetanentryvisa.Gunter,meanwhile,wasfindinglifedifficult.Hemetawoman

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calledGudrunandtheymarried–Ithinkhefeltthat,untilheremarried,there’dalwaysbesuspicionabouthim.HeremainedincontactwithRosa,butitwasdifficultandin1936sheremarried–aJewishmancalledHaraldStern.Theysoonhadadaughter,Sophia.My

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understandingisallthiswasdonewithGunter’sblessing,becauseHarald’splanwasforthemalltomovetoFrance,andGunterjustwantedRosaandAlfredtobesafe.Gunterevenhelpedthemfinanciallyandtriedtoobtaintherightpapers.’

‘Couldhenothavehad

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custodyofAlfredhimself?’askedBasilRemington-Barber.

‘Agoodquestion:Guntertoldmehecouldhavedoneandifhehadcontestedcustodyhe’dalmostcertainlyhavewon,thoughAlfred’sstatuswouldbeadifficultone.TheNazissaythat

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anyonewhohasthreeormoreJewishgrandparentsisaJew.SomeonelikeAlfred,whohastwoJewishgrandparents,iswhattheNaziscallamischlinge,whichmeansa‘crossbreed’–likeadog.Nonetheless,GunterfelthecouldhavetakenAlfredinanddealtwiththat–thereare

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ways,youknow.ButGudrun,hissecondwife,wouldhavenoneofit.Asfarasshewas–andis–concerned,he’stohavenocontactwhatsoeverwithhisfirstfamily.

‘NowwhatIamabouttosayiscomplicatedandhighlysensitive:forgivemeifI’munclearastotheexact

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dates.Essentially,whatIbelievehappenedisthatsoonafterwarwasdeclared,RosadidgotoPariswiththetwochildrenandHaraldwasmeanttofollowthem.ButhewasarrestedandtakentoacampforJewsandpoliticalprisoners,calledSachsenhausen.Forsome

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foolishreason,inanactofuttermadness,RosaretunedtoBerlinwiththechildreninanefforttogetHaraldfreed.Shefailedandhadtogointohiding,andafewmonthslatersheheardHaraldwasdead.’

‘AndhasGunterbeenintouchwiththem?’

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‘Yes,sinceJanuaryorFebruary1940.There’saBerlinlawyercalledFranzHermannwho’sanoldfriendofRosa’s.He’shidingRosaandthechildreninhismother’shouseinthecityandGunterisabletovisitthem.They’retrappedtherethough.Hermannistheconnection

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betweenGunterandRosaandthechildren.’

‘AndyousaythatGuntertoldyouallthislastyear?’

‘Yes.’‘Doyouremember

whenlastyear?’‘MaybeMarch…

possiblyApril.Infact,that

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waswhenhestarteddivertingthemoneyintoourprivateaccounts–hesaidthereasonhewasdoingthiswasthatheneededthemoneywastohelpRosaandAlfred.IwaslastinBerlinattheveryendofJanuary,justacoupleofweeksago.ItwasaveryshortvisitandIonlysawGunter

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onhisownverybriefly.HesaidtomethatifhewereabletoarrangeforAlfredtobebroughtoutofGermany,wouldIpromisetolookafterhiminSwitzerland?Isaidyes…WhatelsecouldIsay?That’swhyhetoldmeaboutthelawyer,Hermann.Healsosaidhemayevenneedmy

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assistancetohelpgetAlfredout.ThatwasthelastIheard–untilwemettoday.’

MichaelHedingerlookedlessnervousnow,asifhewaspleasedtohavegotthingsoffhischest.Hispaleheadwaswetwithperspiration,thestrandsofhairnowplasteredtoit.

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Edgarwasnoddinghishead,takingeverythinginandthinking,whileHenrylookedbemused,unsureofwhathisroleinallthiswasmeanttobe.ItwasEdgarwhospokenext.

‘HowoftendoyougotoBerlin?’

‘Perhapseveryother

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month.’‘AndotherBankLeu

officials,howoftendotheygo?’

‘Hardtosayexactly,butonaveryregularbasis.Look,theReichsbankisoneofourmostimportantclients,butit’saverysensitiverelationship.Themoney

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they’replacingwithuscomesfromsourcesthatrequireutmostdiscretiononourpart.’

‘Whatdoyoumeanbythat?’

‘TheNazishaveconfiscatedmillionsofReichsmarksfromJewsandplunderedmoneyfromthe

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countriesthey’veoccupied.Theyneedtomovethatmoneyaround;somuchofitcomestobankslikeourstobeconvertedintoSwissFrancs,whichisprobablythesafestcurrencyintheworldatthemoment.They’realsosendingusalotofgold,notjustus–alltheSwissbanks.

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ThebusinesswegetfromGermanyisextremelyprofitable,soweprefertodealwiththeReichsbankinperson.Weaskveryfewquestionsandweleavenothingtochance.’

‘DoyousendcourierstoGermany?’

‘Ofcourse.Every

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week,ifnotmorefrequently.Documentsneedtobesigned,lettersneedtobedelivered.Couriersareaveryimportantpartofourrelationshipwiththem.’

‘Andthesecouriersare…?’

‘EmployeesofBankLeuorpeoplewhodothison

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aregularbasis–peopleweknowandtrust.’

Edgarwasthinkingandlookingaroundthetable.HiseyesfellonHenry,andhesmiledwhileaddressingtheSwiss.‘TellmeHerrHedinger,doyouhavetheauthoritytodecidewhocanbeacourieronyourbehalf?’

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‘Yes,infactonlyinNovemberIusedmyownbrother-in-law.’

‘Isee.’EdgarwasstilllookingdirectlyatHenryashespoke.Henrywasbeginningtofeeluncomfortable.‘SoHenryherecouldbecomeoneofyourcouriers?’

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‘I’mnotsure,maybehe…’

‘Youdon’tneedtoworry.HerrHesseisaSwisscitizenandaregularvisitortoGermanyhimself.Ihavenodoubthe’dbeamostcapablecourieronbehalfofBankLeu.’

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***

MichaelHedingerlefttheapartmentat6.30.Beforehewent,EdgarpressedhimonhowsoonhecouldarrangeHenry’saccreditation.

‘It’snowFridayevening,soobviouslyIcan’tdoanythingbeforeMonday.

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It’lltakemeafewdaysfromthen.Wehaveaprocedureatthebank,yousee.FortunatelyI’minapositiontoorganisemyowncouriers,butthepaperworkhastobedoneproperly,otherwisewe’llarousesuspicion.IfHerrHessecangivemehispassportnow,that’llspeed

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thingsup.Also,rememberI’llneedtosortoutpaperworkforAlfred.Thatwon’tbeeasy.’

EdgarnoddedatHenry,wholookedasshockedashehaddonewhenhefirstheardabouttheplansforhistriptoBerlin.Heremovedhispassportfromhisjacket

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pocketandhandeditovertoHedinger.

‘Howsoonthen?’‘Bytheendofnext

week.I’msureIcanhaveitsortedbythen.’

‘Endoftheweek!Ithoughtitcouldbedoneinadayortwo.’

TheSwissshookhis

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headvigorously.‘No,no,no–Itoldyou,wehaveourprocedures.Ineedtofillintheform,sendittothecorrectdepartment,theyneedtoprocessit,thentheformhastobecounter-signedbyadirector.Oncethat’salldone,IneedtoarrangeHerrHesse’sregistrationasan

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officialcourierofBankLeuwiththeGermanconsulatehereinZürich.Icanassureyouit’lltakeaweek.HopefullybynextFridaymorningit’llbesorted.’

TheyagreedtheywouldmeetagainattheapartmentthefollowingFridaylunchtime.Aswellas

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Henry’saccreditation,HedingerwouldbringalongdocumentsforhimtotaketoBankLeu’sclientsinBerlin.TheywaitedforMichaelHedingertoleavetheapartmentandallthreeofthemstoodatthewindowwatchinghimcrossBasteiplatz.

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‘IthoughtthatwentratherwellEdgar.Goodwork.’

‘ThankyouBasil.ThisschemeofhisandReinhartreallyismosthelpful.Iwasabletotellhimthatunlesshefullyco-operatedwithus,wemaybeobligedtoinformtheSwissauthorities.Itmeans

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thatwehavehimoverabarrel.So,Henry,you’regoingtoBerlin.LookingforwardtoitIhope?’

Henryhadpouredhimselfaglassofwhiskythathedrankinonego.‘It’smadness:youseriouslywantmetogotoBerlinpretendingtobeacourierforaSwiss

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Bankthenreturnaccompaniedbyan11-year-oldhalf-Jewishboy?It’llneverwork.’

‘Whyshouldn’tit?YourSwissidentityisperfectlygenuineandyourvisittoStuttgartlastyearwould’vebeeninorderasfarastheGermansare

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concerned.Afterall,they’venoideayouwenttoEssen.Ifyougetquestioned,yousimplysayyounowhaveajobasacourierforabank.’

‘Andtheboy?’‘We’llseewhat

paperworkHedingercomesupwith,butit’sinhisinterestsforittobegood.’

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‘It’llhavetobemorethangood,Edgar.I’mnotsurewhetheryou’reawareofit,buttheSwissaredoingtheirlevelbesttostopJewscrossingtheborderfromGermany.They’llbelookingoutforthelikesofhim.’

‘Yes,I’mawareofthat,thankyouHenry.Butthey’ll

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notbelookingoutforthelikesofyou,willthey?Andthefacthe’swithyou,inwhatevercapacity…wellthatoughttoensureasafepassage.Anyway,that’sonlyhalfofthestory.’

‘Whatdoyoumean?’‘Obviouslywedidn’t

wanttosaytoomuchinfront

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ofHerrHedinger,butgoingtoBerlinandcomingbackwiththeboyisonlyhalfyourmission.OncetheboyissafelyinZürich,HerrHedingerwillsendacodedmessagetoGunterReinhart.HerrReinharthasanextremelyimportantdocumentthathe’llhandover

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tousonceheknowshissonissafe.It’sadocumentthatcoulddeterminethefuturecourseofthewar,soit’svitalit’sbroughtoutofGermanyassoonaspossible.’

‘How’sitgoingtobebroughtout,Edgar?’

‘Byyou,Henry!’

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***

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Chapter18:Switzerland,February1941AfterthemeetingintheapartmentontheBasteiplatz,HenrywasinstructedtoreturntoGenevaforafewdayswhileMichaelHedinger

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sortedoutallthepaperwork.‘Basilwillcomeand

collectyouontheThursday.Justactnormallyuntilthen,’hadbeenEdgar’sadvice.

AssoonasHenryarrivedatGareCornavinontheSaturdayhewalkedtoaphoneboothinaquietareaatthebackofthestation.The

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callwasbriefand,asaresultofit,hefoundhimselfontheMondayeveningintheprivateroomatthebackoftheArmenianrestaurantinGrand-LancywhereViktorhadfirsttakenhimin1931.

‘So,EdgarhimselfwasinZürich,washesynok?’Viktorsoundedincredulous,

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somuchsohehadpouredhimselfanotherglassofsomethingthattoHenrytastedlikeliquorice-flavouredacid.‘Idon’tsupposehetoldyouhowhegottoSwitzerland?’

Henryshookhishead.‘Ipresumehecameonsomeroundaboutroute.’

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‘I’mnotinterestedinpresumptions,synok.I’minterestedinfacts.It’squiteafeattotravelfromEnglandtoSwitzerlandthesedays,soitwasobviouslybyaroundaboutroute:hewashardlygoingtoflydirect,washe?I’dbecurioustoknowwhatthatrouteis.Youknow,

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itwouldbeapleasuretomeetyourCaptainEdgar.Ithinkwe’dhavemuchincommon,despiteeverything.TellmeHenry,thismustbeimportantifEdgarhimselfhascometoSwitzerland.’

‘IhavetogotoBerlinnextweek.I’llbeusingmyownidentityandactingasa

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courierforBankLeu.I’vetobringaboybackfromBerlin,aJew,orahalf-Jewtobeprecise.OnceIdelivertheboytoZürichI’msupposedtoreturntoBerlin,whereI’llbegivenadocumenttobringbacktoSwitzerland.’

‘That’sit?’Henrylaughed.‘That’s

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it?Surely,smugglingaJewoutofGermanythenreturningtocollectadocumentisenoughisn’tit?’

‘WhatImeantwaswhetheryoucantellmeanymore.’

‘Edgarsaidthedocumentissoimportantitcoulddecidethefuturecourse

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ofthewar.Iaskedhimwhathemeantandhewasreluctanttotellmeatfirst,butItoldhimifIwasgoingtoputmylifeonthelinebygoingintoBerlintwicethenIhadarighttoknow.Sohetoldmeit’sadocumentfromtheverytopoftheReich–thosewerehiswords–aboutaproposed

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GermaninvasionoftheSovietUnion.’

ViktorhadremovedapencilfromhistoppocketandhadbeenintheprocessofsharpeningitwhenHenrysaidthis.Hestopped,theknifepoisedinmid-air,pointingtowardsHenry.

‘Saythatagain.’

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‘ThedocumentistodowithaproposedGermaninvasionoftheSovietUnion.’

HenrycouldhaveswornthedeeplinesontheRussian’sfacegrewashetookinwhathe’djustbeentold.

‘Edgartoldyouthis?’‘Yes:heseemedto

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regrethavingtoldmeassoonashe’ddoneso,butIwasquitepersuasive,don’tyouthink?’

‘WhenyoureturnfromBerlinthesecondtime–withthedocument,thatis–didhesaywhereyougo?’

‘Zürich,becausethat’swhereI’msupposedtobe

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based:itwouldlooksuspicioustoGermansifIwentelsewhereinSwitzerland.However,onceIgettoZürich,I’mtohandtheroutinebankpapersovertothecontactatBankLeuthenheadstraighttoBerntogivethedocumenttoEdgar.’

Viktorlookedworried,

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loweringhisheadinthoughtthenlookinguptotheceilingforinspiration.

‘PlansforaGermaninvasionoftheSovietUnion,yousay?’

Henrynodded.‘Youdon’tknowwhat

dayyouwillbebackinZürichwiththedocument,do

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yousynok?’‘No.Edgarsaidthatall

beingwellIgoonthefirsttriptoBerlinaweektoday,whichIthinkisthe24th.Dependingonhowthingsgo,I’llprobablybebacktherethefollowingMonday,whichwouldbe3rdMarch,Isuppose.SoIguessI’llbe

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backinZürichsometimethatweek.MaybetheWednesday:thesoonerthebetter.’

‘We’llbewaitinginZürichforyou:don’theadtoBernuntilwe’vemadecontactwithyou.Doyouunderstand?’

‘Ofcourse.ButhowwillyouknowwhenI’m

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there?EdgarsaysI’mnottohangaroundinZürich:I’mtogofromthestationtoBankLeu,handoverthebank’spapersthengostraightbacktothestationandtraveltoBern.’

Viktorremovedhisheavycoatandpacedaroundtheroom.Fromaninside

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jacketpockethetookoutasmallnotebookandleafedthroughit.Whenhefoundwhathewaslookedforhewroteonapieceofpaper,whichhethenhandedtoHenry.

‘Here,memorisethisnumber.WhenyouarrivebackinZürich,ringitandsay

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Peteriscomingroundfordinner:thatisall.Peteriscomingroundfordinner.They’llreplybyaskingifyou’rebringingwinewithyou.Ifyousayyes,we’llknowyouhavethedocument.We’llmeetyouatZürichHauptbahnhofexactlyonehourafterthephonecall,you

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understand?’

***

ThejourneytoBerlinbeganinZürich,intheborrowedapartmentabovethehardwareshoponBasteiplatz.MichaelHedingerarrivedashadeafteraquarterpastoneonthe

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Friday,breathlessandbusilyexplaininghowhehadbeenwaitingononeextradocument.

‘Ihavetobebackatmyofficebytwoo’clockforameeting.Ihaveeverythinghere.’

FromhisbrownleatherbriefcaseHedingerremoveda

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numberofitems,whichheplacedneatlyinfrontofhimonthetable.HetookHenriHesse’sSwisspassportfromthetopofthepileandhandedittohim.

‘Allisinorder,HerrHesse.ThankstoourexcellentrelationshipwiththeGermanconsulateherein

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ZürichyourpassportnowallowsyoutotravelfreelybetweenSwitzerlandandGermanyamaximumofsixtimesoverthenextsixmonths–until20thAugusttobeprecise.Thatisaroutinearrangementforourcouriers.’

EdgarandRemington-Barberbothstudiedthevisa,

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emblazonedwithaswastikaandarampanteagle,andmadeapprovingnoises.

‘Andherearethedocumentsyou’recarryingfromBankLeutotheReichsbankinBerlin,fortheattentionofHerrReinhart:theyare,ofcourse,thepurposeofyourtripasfaras

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theGermanauthoritiesareconcerned.You’llseethey’reallinsealedenvelopes.I’daskthattheyremainthatwayuntilthey’rehandedover.Inthisenvelope…’hepassedalongwhiteenvelopewiththebank’scresttoHenry,‘isyourletterofaccreditationfromthebankandhereare

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yourrailticketsfromZürichtoBerlin:youchangeatStuttgart.It’salongjourney,butyou’lltravelfirst-classwhichisverytolerable.I’vetakenthelibertyofbookingyouonthetrainthatdepartsZürichatsixo’clockonMondaymorning.YoushouldbeinBerlinbysix

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o’clockthatevening.’Anotherenvelopewas

handedtoHenry.‘InBerlinyou’llstayat

theKaiserhof:ourcourierseitherstaythereorattheExcelsioronAskanischerPlatz,buttheKaiserhofisrathercharmingandisslightlyclosertothecentre.

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It’scertainlymorediscreetthantheAdlon:everyonestaysattheAdlon,itisnotprivateenoughIthink–toomanyjournalistsandpossiblyspies.Here’stheletterofconfirmationfromtheKaiserhof.Thebillwillbesettleddirectlybythebank,youdon’tneedtoworry

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aboutthat.Yourroomwillbeen-suite.’

Henrycheckedthecontentsoftheenvelope.

‘Veryefficient,HerrHedinger,’saidEdgar.‘Itrustyou’veaddressedthesomewhatmorecomplicatedissueofyoungAlfred?’

Hedingernodded.‘I’m

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proposinghetravelsundertheidentityofmyownson,Andreas.’

Thebankerpulledalargewhitehandkerchieffromapocketandusedittowipehisforehead.Hehesitatedawhilebeforehespokeagain.‘Ihavetobehonestwithyou,thishasbeen

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mostdifficult.I’vehadsleeplessnightsoverit.I’venevermetAlfredbutGunterhasshownmephotographsofhim.Alfredis11or12.Myownson,Andreas,isten,butistallforhisage.Iwouldn’tsayAndreasandAlfredlookalike,butIthinkwithabitofimagination,youcould

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ensurethatattheveryleasttheydon’tlooktoodifferent,ifyouseewhatImean.Here’shispassport.’

ThethreemenstudiedthepassportphotoofAndreasHedinger.Hisblackhairwasstraightandhadadistinctivepartinglowdownontheleftside.Heworeapairofround,

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wire-framedglasses.‘Herearethevery

glassesAndreasiswearinginthatpicture.’Hedingerbroughtapairofspectaclesoutofhisbriefcase.‘Weboughthimabrand-newpairyesterday.IthinkifyoumakesureAlfred’shairislikeAndreas’sandhewearsthese

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glasses,thenyouhaveachance.’

‘Haveyoutoldyourwifeaboutthis?’

‘Ihadto.Ifthisworks,we’llneedtokeepAndreasoffschooluntilAlfredarrivesinZürich.Also,I’vehadtotellheraboutAlfred:he’llbecomingtostaywithus,after

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all.’‘Whatdoesshethinkof

it?’‘Fortunately,Helgais

braverthanme.She’saverydevoutwomanandbelievesthisisherChristianduty.Aslongasthere’snodangertoAndreas,thenshe’llgoalongwithit.’

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‘That’sallverywell,butwhyonearthwouldAndreasbeinBerlin–andwithme?’Henrywasholdingtheboy’spassport.‘WhatamItosaywhenI’maskedwhatI’mdoinginBerlinwiththesonofmybossatBankLeu?Andwhatabouthowhegotthere–won’ttheyspothe

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didn’tcomeintoGermanywithme?’Henrysoundedannoyed.

‘Turntothethirdpageofthepassportplease,’saidHedinger.‘ThisiswheremyrelationshipwiththepassportclerkattheGermanconsulatepaidoff.Iaskedhimtostampthepassportshowingthat

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AndreasenteredGermanythiscomingMonday–the24th.IexplainedthiswasatreatforAndreas.Asever,hewasmostobliging:giventhewaythebanklooksafterhim,heoughttobe.InthisenvelopeisthetrainticketforAlfredtousefromBerlintoZürich.It’sareturn,showing

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theoutwardpartofthejourney–fromZürichtoBerlin–wasonMonday24th

February.There’snoreasonwhytheGermanborderguardsshouldquestionthisandtheSwissoughtnottobedifficultaboutallowingaSwissboytore-enterhiscountry.’

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‘Andthestory,HerrHedinger?’askedRemington-Barber.‘Wealwaysneedtohaveaverygoodstory.’

‘Areward!AndreashasdonesowellatschoolIpromisedhimavisittoBerlin.Iwasplanningtotakehimmyselfbuthavebeenunabletoarrangeitbecause

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I’msobusy,soIaskedoneofmycourierstodoso.AndreasisfascinatedbyeverythingheseesaboutGermany,themarching–everything.Heissoexcited.’

Henrysatverystillwithhisheadinhishands.EdgarraisedhiseyebrowshighandlookedatRemington-Barber

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whoshookhishead.‘Henry:anybetter

ideas?’‘NoneIcanthinkofat

themoment.’‘Basil?’Remington-Barber

shookhishead.‘It’sabitthin,tobehonest,butthenveryfewcoverstoriesare

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quiteaswatertightaswe’dlikethemtobe.Wehavetorelyonno-oneprobingtoodeeply.Isupposeitdoesatleasthavethemeritofbeingrelativelysimple.Aslongasno-onepushestoohardonwhyamerecourierwouldbeentrustedwithtakinghisboss’ssontoBerlin.Perhaps

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wecouldsayHenry’salsoaclosefamilyfriendofyours:maybeyourwifecouldwritealetterthankinghimforputtinghimselfoutandallthat?’

‘That’sagoodidea,Basil,’saidEdgar.

‘HerrHedinger,you’llneedtogiveHenrysome

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importantinformation:youraddress,whatAndreaslikesanddoesn’tlike,allabouthisschool,sports–thatkindofthing,’saidRemington-Barber.‘Alfredwillhavetolearnallthatincasehe’squestioned.’

Edgarsighedloudly,stoodupandpacedaround

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theroom,atrailofcigarettesmokefollowinginhiswake.

‘Let’sbefrank.IftheGestapopullinAlfredandinterrogatehim,thewholethingwillfallapart.Wehavetohope,asBasilsays,wedon’tgettothatpoint;thatno-oneprobestoodeep.Ifnoneofuscancomeupwith

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abettertale,Isupposethat’sit.HerrHedinger,you’dbettergetbacktothebank.CanIsuggestyouinviteHenryroundtoyourhouseattheweekend?ThatwayhecanfamiliarisehimselfwithAndreasandyourfamily.Basil,Ithinkyououghttogotoo.’

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***

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Chapter19:Berlin,February1941HenryHunterarrivedattheKaiserhofhotelonWilhelmstrasseafewminutesaftersixo’clockontheeveningofMonday24th

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February.Itwasonlyhissecond-evervisittoGermany’scapital,thefirstbeingin1934or1935–hecouldn’trememberforsure–whenhehadaccompaniedhismotherasalatereplacementforhisstep-father,whohadpulledout‘becauseofbusiness.’Herememberedhis

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motherbeingcharmedbyBerlin,inarathernaïveway.Utterlyoblivioustothepolitics,shewasmuchtakenwithwhatshesawaspeople’senthusiasmandtheenormousswastikasdrapedfromthebuildings.Sheadmiredthedramaticcoloursandthewaytheyswayedverygently,

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evenintheabsenceofabreeze.ForHenry,thevisitwassimplyanaffirmationofwhathebelievedin:hecouldnotwaittogetoutofthecity,vowingnevertoreturn.

Butnowhehadreturned.Thehotelmadeafussofhim,assuringhimthatBankLeuweremostvalued

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clientsandwouldheliketomakeareservationfordinner?Therewerenumerousformsandcardstofillin,whichhedidwiththeutmostcare.HehadspenttheweekendgoingthroughthetripindetailwithRemington-BarberandEdgar,andhehadbeenwarnedaboutthehotel

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cards.TheyweredestinedfortheGestapo,whichhadaspecialofficeinBerlinwhereeverynightthecardsofnewlyarrivedforeignerswouldbecarefullyexaminedagainsttheGestapo’smeticulousrecords.

Remington-Barberhadbeenquitecandid.‘Ifthey’ve

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gotanythingagainstyoufromlastyear’sStuttgarttrip,thenalarmbellswillgooff.They’lleitherhaulyououtofbedthatnightorfirstthinginthemorning.That’sthebadnews,Henry.Goodnewsisthatifthey’venothingadverseonyourfile–andthere’snoreasonwhythey

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should–thenyou’reintheclear:shouldmaketherestofthetripthatmucheasier,relativelyspeaking.’

Henryatelittlefordinnerthatnightandsleptbadly,alerttoeverysoundonthecorridorashewaitedfortheGestapotocomeandarresthimforthemurderof

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theowneroftheperfumeshopinEssen.Atfourinthemorninghewasconvincedhecouldhearfootstepsinthecorridorandfinallydecidedtounlockthedoorandhavealook,butthelongpassagewaywasdeserted,apartfromneatpairsofshoesoutsideanumberofthedoors.

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Hefeltabitmorerelaxedanddriftedasleep,onlytobevisitedbythefamiliarfaceofRoza–herimagefarmoreinfocusanditspresenceremainingforlongerthanusual.Shespentmuchofthenightaskingquestions,buteachtimehetriedtoreplyhefoundhe

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couldn’tformthewords.WhenhewokeontheTuesdaymorning,hewasexhausted,butashelayinbedhismoodlifted.Itwasaquartertoeightandinthecorridorhecouldhearthechambermaidsgathering.Atleast,hedecided,he’dpassedthescrutinyofwhichever

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Gestapoclerkhadbeenscrutinisingthehotelregistrationcardsovernight.

Thisupbeatmoodcontinuedashewentdowntobreakfast,despitehavingtowalkdowncorridorsandstairsadornedwithagallery’sworthofframedphotographscommemoratingHitler’s

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variousvisitstothehotel,ofwhichthereappearedtobemany.

HeknewhewaslikelytobeinBerlinuntilFriday.AccordingtoHedinger,itwasnotunusualforthebank’scourierstohavetowaitafewdaystocollectthereturndocuments,andEdgarand

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Remington-BarberwereclearthatafewdayswouldbeessentialforAlfredtoprepareforthejourneytoSwitzerland.

‘Ifallgoestoplan,’saidRemington-Barber,‘youandAlfredwillcomeoutonFridaymorning.Afterthatitdependsonyourjourney:

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withaveryfairwindyoucouldbeinZürichlateFriday,butmorelikelySaturday.MakesureyousendHedingeratelegramfromStuttgartwhenyouknowwhattrainyou’regoingtobeon.’

HewasdueattheReichsbankatteno’clockand

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hisinstructionsweretogobytaxi:itwasnotdonetowalkthestreetscarryingimportantpapers.HenriHessefromBankLeuenteredthebankthroughtheenormousdoorsonFranzösischestrasse.Itwasteno’clockandhehadbeenwarnedtoexpectdelays.Hewasnottobedisappointed.

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Firsthewassearched,thenhehadtoreporttoreception,whichwasatall,polished-oakdeskbehindwhicharowofserious-lookingreceptionistspeereddown.Afterthathewasgivenaformandsentovertoanotherdesktofillitin.Whenhereturnedtothemainreception

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desk,theformwascarefullycheckedandonlythendidthereceptionistdeigntotelephoneGunterReinhart’soffice.HerrReinhartwillbewithyouinduecourse.Pleasewaitoverthere.

‘Overthere’wasasmallwaitingareawherehalfadozenotherpeoplewere

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sittingquietly.ThemanoppositewasclutchingaSwisspassportandapadlockedbriefcase.HetoldHenryhewasacourier,fromtheBaslerHandelsbank.HewassurprisednottohaveseenHenrytherebefore,hesaid:sometimestherecouldbeasmanyashalfadozen

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couriersattheReichsbankfromthedifferentSwissbanks.

ThemangotupandsatnexttoHenry.Hewasnomorethanfivefeettallandwaswearingadark,formalsuitthatseemedtobeasizetoolargeforhim.Hestretcheduptowhisperin

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Henry’sear.‘Idon’tknowwho

needstheothermore–usortheGermans.IusedtoworkfortheSBCinBasle:Ican’ttellyouhowmuchworktheyweregettingfromthissideoftheborder.BaslerHandelsbankhasrecruitedfiveofusinthepastcouple

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ofmonths.FromwhatIunderstand,it’sbeenevenbusierforyoulotinZürich,isthatright?’

‘Indeed.’Henryshiftedtohisleft,awayfromtheman,whosebreathreekedofstaletobacco.

‘Idon’twanttoknowwheretheGermansare

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gettingallthisgoldandcashfrom–butwhatIdoknowisthatifitwasn’tforusthey’dbestuckwithit.We’redoingthemabigfavour–andwe’remakingalotofmoneyintheprocess.HowarethingswithBankLeu?’

‘Yes…verygood,thankyou.’

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‘So,whereareyoustaying?Maybetonight…’

Atthatpointasecretaryappearedinfrontofthem,agoldswastikatheonlytouchofcolouronherdarksuit.

‘BankLeu?’Henrystoodup.‘Comewithme.’Fiveminuteslater

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Henrywasinthesmall,deeplycarpetedofficeofGunterReinhart.Reinharthadassuredhissecretarytheywouldnotbeneedingcoffeeandyes,thankyou,hehadallthepapersheneeded.Thatwouldbeall,thankyou.

Itwassilentintheofficeapartfromtheticking

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ofaclockthatHenrycouldn’tsee.HeandGunterReinharteyedeachothercarefully.Reinhartwaitedamomentthenwalkedovertoclosethedoorhissecretaryhadleftajar.HegesturedforHenrytositandhelduphishand–wait.Aminutelaterhewalkedsoftlyovertothe

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door,openedit,lookedaround,closeditagainandcametositathisdesk.

‘Mysecretaryis–howcanIputittactfully–veryefficientbutnosey.She’sthekindofpersonwholikestoknoweverything.That’sbadenough,butinthesetimes–thatcanbequiteaproblem.

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RecentlyshejoinedtheNaziPartyandshe’sforevertellingmeabouthowherhusbandhasbecomesomekindofpartyrepresentativeinthestreetwheretheylive.Thatmeanstheyspyontheirneighbours,sonaturallyIassumeshespiesonme.I’mverycarefulwithher.’

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Gunterhadrelaxedabitnowandhismannerhadnowbecomenoticeablyfriendlier.HereachedacrossthedeskandheldouthishandtoshakeHenry’s.‘I’mGunterReinhart,bytheway,asyou’venodoubtgathered.I’mpleasedtomeetyou.Youhavethedocuments?It’s

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importantthey’rehereandinorder.Wedon’twantpeoplequestioningwhyyoucame!’

HenryhandedovertheenvelopescontainingtheBankLeudocuments.Reinhartopenedthemcarefullywithadagger-likeletteropener.Heglancedoverthedocumentsthenputthem

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tothesideofhisdesk.‘I’lldealwiththem

whenwe’vefinished.ThedocumentsforyoutotakebacktoZürichwon’tbereadyuntillateThursday,yourealisethat?’

‘SoIunderstand.’‘It’snotunusualfora

couriertohangaroundBerlin

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forafewdays.’HehadlefthisdesknowandcometositnexttoHenry,speakingmorequietly.

‘Mostcouriersseemendupatthezoo,I’venoideawhy–Isupposetheygetbored.It’snotasiftheycangotoalibrary,notnowwe’veburnedmostofthebooks

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worthreading!Asfarasyou’reconcerned,youwon’tgetbored:we’veplentytokeepyoubusy.’Reinhartpausedandcoughed.Hehesitatedbeforeheresumedspeaking,thistimeinanevenlowervoice.HegesturedforHenrytoleancloser.

‘Ican’ttellyouhow

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gratefulIam…’Reinhartlookedasthoughhewasovercomebyemotion.‘Myfamilysituation…hasbeenasourceofgreatstress.It’sbeenexplainedtoyou,Itakeit?’

‘Yes.’‘Ishouldneverhave

divorcedRosa.Wethoughtit

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wasforthebest.Weassumeditwouldbeashort-termmeasureandthatmaybetheNaziswouldchangetheirmindsorgoaway.Howcouldwehavebeensostupidastothinkthat?Oncewerealisedthatwasnevergoingtohappen,ourplanwasforRosaandAlfredtomoveto

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anothercountryandI’djointheminduecourse,butitdidn’tturnoutlikethat.Webothremarried.AtleastIbelievedthey’dbesafeoncetheymovedtoParis,buttofindthey’dreturnedtoBerlin…Madness:itwasaterribleshock.Nowthey’retrappedhereandI’vebeen

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desperatetofindawayofgettingthemout.ForawhileRosawantedthethreeofthemtoremaintogether,butonceshefoundoutaboutHarald’sdeath,sheagreedwithmethat,attheveryleast,wemustgetAlfredout.Oncehe’sinSwitzerlandthenIcanseewhatcanbedonewith

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RosaandofcourseSophia,too.Butfornow,gettingAlfredoutofGermanyisthepriority.That’swhatIprayfor.’

‘DoesAlfredknowabouttheplan?’

‘Notyet.You’regoingtomeethimthisafternoon.You’llobviouslyneedto

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spendsometimewithhim.Rosaknowsthere’saplanandsheknowssomethingwillhappenthisweek,butshedoesn’tknowthedetails–forthatmatter,neitherdoI.Tellmebrieflywhattheplanis:ifyoustaytoolongthenmysecretarywillbecomesuspicious.’

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HenrytookAndreasHedinger’spassportoutofhisjacketpocketandcarefullyplaceditontheblotterpadonReinhart’sdesk.

‘TheplanisforAlfredtoaccompanymebacktoZürichusingthisidentity–AndreasisMichaelHedinger’sson.’

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Reinhartnodded.Iknow.

‘Thispassportistwoyearsold,soanyonelookingatitwouldn’tbesurprisedthepersoninthephotographhaschanged.Also,IhavewithmetheveryspectaclesAndreasiswearinginthephoto.YoucanseeAndreas

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hasquiteadistinctivehairstyle…’

Reinhartpickedupthepassportandputonhisownglasses.Heturnedonhisdesklampandstudiedthedocumentcarefully,hisfaceimpassive.

‘Andreas’shairismuchdarkerthanAlfred’s.Asfar

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ashishairisconcerned,AlfredinheritedmyAryangenesratherthanhismother’s.I’dalwaysthoughtthat’dbeanadvantage.’

‘We’vethoughtofhowtodealwiththequestionofhishaircolour.I’vebroughtsomeblackdyewithme:it’sbackinthehotel.Ifwecan

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useitonAlfredthenstylehishairtolooklikeAndreas,itmaywork:especiallywiththeglasses.’

‘It’scertainlyfeasible;there’snodoubtaboutthat.Buthowcomeyou’llbeaccompaniedbacktoZürichbytheboy?’

Henrybreathedin

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deeply,anxiousnottobetrayanyofhisownscepticism.‘Thestorywilldependonusnotbeingquestionedtoomuchbut,inanutshell,aswellasactingasacourierforBankLeu,IamalsoposingasafamilyfriendoftheHedinger’s.It’sbecauseofthatIbroughtAndreaswith

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metoBerlinasatreat.’Reinhartsaidnothing

butstaredatHenryforagoodfewminutes.

‘That’sit?’Henryshruggedhis

shoulders.Yes,Iknow…don’ttellme.

‘Youthinkit’llwork?’‘Hopefully.Onthe

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positiveside,thepassportisagenuineSwissone.Aslongasthey’renotsuspicious,theyprobablywon’tpushAlfredtoohard.’

Reinhartsnappedthepassportshut,handeditbacktoHenry,turnedoffhisdesklampandwalkedovertothewindow.Helookedoutover

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theSpreekanalthenturnedtofaceHenry.

‘ThealternativeistosmuggleAlfredoutandthat’stoodangerous.Thisplanwillhavetowork.Andyouknowaboutthedocumentthat’llbereleasedonlyonceIknowAlfredissafeinZürich?’

Henrynodded.

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‘Good.You’retomeetFranzHermannatoneo’clock.Hewillescortyoutothehousewherethey’reallhiding.Letmegiveyouyourinstructions:you’llneedtolistencarefully.Incidentally,HerrHesse,areyoufondofflowers?’

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***

HenrywentfromtheReichsbankbacktotheKaiserhof,wherehesoughtouttheconcierge.‘Ihaveanunexpectedlyfreeafternoon.IwonderifyoucouldsuggestanythingImightdo?’

Theconciergesmiled

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obligingly.Pleasecouldhehavehisguest’sdetails?

HenryrecalledwhatGunterReinharthadtoldhimthatmorning.‘AnythingyoudiscusswiththemcouldbereportedbacktotheGestapo,theyliketokeeptabsonforeigners–soyourplanswillneedtoappearplausible:

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usethemtocreateanalibi.’‘Andwhatwouldyou

beinterestedindoing,sir?’theconciergeasked.‘Thecinemamaybe,orshopping?’

Henryshookhishead.‘I’vebeenspendingso

muchtimeindoorsthatIwouldn’tmindsomefreshair.’

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‘Thezooperhaps?It’swithintheTiergartensoyoucouldcombinethetwo.’

Henryshookhishead.‘Tobehonest,I’mnotverykeenonanimals.Theymakemenervous.’

‘Iquiteunderstand,sir.Doyouwanttostayinthecity?’

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‘Ithinkso,it’llbedarksoon.’

‘That’strue.IwasgoingtosuggestavisittoPotsdam,butperhapsthat’sforanotherday.Areyoubyanychanceinterestedinplantsandgardens?’

‘Yes,Iamactually.’Hemanagedtosoundjustthe

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rightsideofenthusiastic.‘Well,wehavean

excellentBotanischerGartendowninDahlem.It’saquitewonderfulhavenofpeaceandquietinthecity,andthegardensaremostbeautiful.’

Henrymanagedtolookasifhewashavingsecondthoughts.‘InDahlemyou

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say:isn’tthatfaraway?’‘Notatallsir’saidthe

concierge,‘it’snomorethansixorsevenstopsontheS-BahnfromAnhalter.Thegardensarejustafewminutes’walkfromBotanischerGartenstation.Here,letmeshowyouhowtogetthere.’

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***

Everyminuteofyourvisitwillbelacedwithdanger,butnomomentwillbemoredangerousthantheoneinwhichyoudropyourguard.

Edgar’spartingwordshadbeenmenacingenough,

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buttheyhardlybegantodescribewhatHenryencounteredatAnhalter.Thestationwasbusy,butunnaturallyquietapartfromthenoiseofdogsbarkinginthedistance.Anumberofthepeoplewereexitingthestationasheenteredit,lookingovertheirshoulders

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andapparentlyrelievedtobeintheopenair.Henoticedtherewerealargenumberoftroopsmillingaround,dressedintheblackuniformoftheSSratherthanthegreyoftheWehrmacht.HepurchasedareturntickettoBotanischerGarten,makingsuretoasktheclerkbehind

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thetinywindowifheknewhowlongitwouldtakeforhimtowalktothegardensfromthestation.

Continuingtofeelpleasedwithhowthingshadgone,heheadedfortheplatform,whichwaswhenhesawthem.Hisfirstimpressionwasitwasalotof

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peoplewaitingforonetrain,especiallyatlunchtime.Maybeanouting.Theyweretwoplatformsaway,crowdedtogetherandhemmedinbytheSSmenintheirblackuniforms.SomeoftheSShadAlsatianswiththem,andthoughtheyheldthemonashortleashtheyallowedthem

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torearupatthepeopleontheplatform.Allthewhiletherewasnon-stopbarking,whicheverysooftenorchestratedwiththesoundofatrain’swhistleorastationannouncement.

Henrymovedalonghisplatform,tryingtogetabetterview.Thecrowdwasmixed:

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men,womenandchildren;oldandyoung.Theyseemedtobequitewell-dressedandallthewereeithercarryingsuitcasesorclutchingbundles.Fromwhathecouldsee,theSSmenwerecheckingwhatthepeoplehadwiththemandafewofthebundlesendedupbeing

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strewnontheplatform,withsomeclothingspillingoverontothetrack.

Hewasstilltryingtomakesomesenseofitwhenhistrainpulledintotheplatformandtherewasascrambletoboard.Henrypositionedhimselfbyawindowlookingoutontothe

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crowdedplatform.Thewindowwasdirtyanditwashardtomakeoutmuchdetailthroughthescreenofsootandgrease.Withhissleeve,hetriedtocleanhissideoftheglassandashedidsohecaughttheeyeofthewomanwhohadsatdownoppositehim.Shefollowedhisgaze

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acrossthetrackthenlookeddown,intentlystudyingtherailticketshewasclutchinginherglovedhands.Heleanedforwardtogetabetterview,butthenthedoorsofthetrainslammed,aguardcalledoutandthetrainlurchedforward.Withinsecondsthecrowdofpeople

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ontheoppositeplatformbecameablurandsoontheywereoutofAnhalter.

‘Doyouknowwhotheywere?’heaskedthelady.

Shelookedaroundherbeforeanswering.‘Youdon’tknow?’

Heshookhishead.

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‘Jews:they’vestartedtotakethemaway,’shesaidinamatter-of-facttone.

‘Whereto?’Aticketinspectorhad

appearednexttothemandtheybothsilentlyhandedhimtheirtickets.Sheglancedupathim.Keepquiet.Overthecracklyspeakerthedriver

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announcedthenextstation:‘Grossgorsenstrasse.’

Theladystoodup,smoothinghercoatasshedidso.Beforemovingintotheaisleshebentdownand,barelypausing,whisperedintoHenry’sear.‘Whereveritistheytakethemto,theydon’tcomeback.’

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HegotoffthetrainatBotanischerGarten,crossedtheUnterdenEichenandenteredthegardens.HedidhisbesttoappeareverybittheinterestedvisitorandmadeleisurelyprogresstotheItalianGarden,whichwasactuallyquitebeautifulandin

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othercircumstanceswouldhavebeenanidealplacetorelax.

Ifyou’renotapproachedbyhimwithintenminutesofenteringtheItalianGarden,walkbacktothestationandtravelbacktoAnhalterthentothehotel.Justactnormally.Just

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becausehedoesn’tturnupdoesn’tnecessarilymeansomethingiswrong.

HehadbeenintheItalianGardensapproachingtenminuteswhenasmartlydressedmanwithabroad-brimmedhatcameuptohimandspokeinaneducatedBerlinaccent.

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‘Excusemesir;couldyoupointmeinthedirectionofthegreenhouses?’

‘I’msorry,butI’mnotveryfamiliarwiththegardens.Icantellyouthelakeisinthatdirectionthough,’saidHenry,stickingcarefullytohisscript.

Themanheldouthis

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handandshookHenry’s.‘I’mFranz.I’mpleasedtomeetyou.Everythingappearstobeinorder.We’llspendanotherfewminutesseparatelyinthesegardensthenI’llheadout.Followmeatasafedistance.We’llexitthroughKönigin-Luise-Strasse.If,atanystage,Iremovemyhat

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thenthat’sasignalsomethingiswrong.Inthatcase,keeponwalkingandmakeyourwaybacktothestation,forwhichyou’llneedtotakeacircuitousroute.Assumingeverythingisinorder,you’llseemeenterahouse–nomorethanfiveminutesfromhere.Allowtwominutesfrom

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whenIenterbeforeyouapproach.There’sasmallwindowabovethefrontdoor.Onlyapproachthehouseifthecurtainsinthatwindowareopen.Ifthey’reclosed,headbacktothehotel.Haveyougotallthat?’

Henrynodded.‘Good.Nowpointme

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inanortherlydirection.I’msureno-one’swatchingus,butjustincasetheyare,they’llseeyoudirectingme.’

ForthenextfewminutestheystrolledapartaroundtheItaliangarden.Henrydidhisbesttoappearfascinatedbytheplants.AgroupofyoungLuftwaffe

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officerswerealsowalkingaroundandhewonderediftheirpresencemightcauseadelay,butthenhenoticedthelawyerheadoutofthegardens.HefollowedhimuntilheenteredthewhitehouseonthecornerofArno-HolzStrasse.

Allowtwominutesfrom

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whenIenterbeforeyouapproach.

Hehadslowedhispacerightdownandallowedhimselfonequickglancebehindhim.Theareaappearedtobedeserted.Inahouseacrossthestreetamaidhadcomeouttoputsomethinginabinandwas

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lookingathim.HebentdowntotiehisshoelacesandaglanceathiswatchtoldhimaminuteandahalfhadelapsedsinceHermannhadenteredthehouse.Hewouldheadovernow.

Thecurtainsinthesmallwindowabovetheporchwereopenandashe

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walkeddownthepaththefrontdooropened.Hermannwasinthehall,gesturingforhimtogoupstairs.Thelandingwasdark;hecouldonlyjustmakeouttwodoorwaysinacorridor.Oneofthemopenedandatfirstthewomaninthedoorwaywasonlyinsilhouette,with

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thelightfloodinginbehindher.Shegesturedforhimtocomeintotheroom.Itwasasmallloungewithtwosofasandatableinthecorner:aboyandagirlweresittingonthesofa.Bynow,FranzHermannhadjoinedhimandmadetheintroductions.‘AlfredandSophia.’Theboy

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andthegirlbothstoodupandshookhishand,thegirlonlyafterbeingpromptedtodosobyherbrother.‘HerrHesseisafriendofthefamilyfromSwitzerland,fromZürich,’saidHermann.

Alfredlookedyoungerthanhis12years:hehadapleasantfacethatshowed

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signsofbeginningtoturnhandsomeandthefairhairhisfatherhaddescribed.Hewasthinandslightlygaunt-looking,withapale,unhealthycomplexionthatnodoubtowedmuchtohavingbeenconfinedindoorsforsolong.Hehadanaturalsmile,butitdidrevealasetof

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yellowteeth.Henrywasunableto

gaugewhetherAlfred’ssisterlookedolderoryoungerthanfive,butSophiadidshareherbrother’sunhealthilypalecomplexion.Sheheldherheaddownandstaredupatwhoevershewaslookingatwithenormous,darkeyesthat

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managedtoappearbothinnocentandknowingatthesametime.Shehadaheadofthick,darkhairthatfelloverherthinshouldersandwasaclutchingadirtytoyrabbitclosetoher.

AndthisisRosa.Rosa.Roza.

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Withlong,darkhairthatflowedoverherslimshouldersanddarkeyesthatsparkled,thisRosalookedtoomuchlikeherRussiannamesake.Inalesserlightshecouldeasilybemistakenforher.AndthoughitwastenyearssinceHenryhadlastseenRozaintheflesh,in

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truthhe’dseenherimagemostnightssincethen,fartoostarkandtoolifeliketohaveallowedhertofadefromhismemory.ThisRosawasasheimaginedRozawouldhavegrownuptobe:thefaceslightlymorelined,thesmallbreastsnowfullerundertheblouseandcardigan,theeyes

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havinglivedthatmuchlongerandexperiencedthatmuchmore.Hefullyexpectedhertogentlytouchhiswristandthen,asshewaswonttodointhedreams,griphimtightlyandadmonishhim.‘YouweretheonepersonIthoughtunderstoodme,youweresomeoneItrusted,’she’dsaid

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then,certainintheknowledgeofthefatethatawaitedher.

Roza.Rosasmiledandshook

hishandthenaskedthechildrentoleavetheroom.

‘Goupstairs.I’llcallyoudownlater.Andremember,bequiet!’

Thechildrensilently

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shuffledoutoftheroom.WhenRosaspokeagainHenrynoticedshedidsoinsuchasoftvoiceitwasbarelyaboveawhisper.

‘ThisisthehouseofFranz’smother.Sheiselderlyandinfirm,andIlookafterher.I’madoctor,butasfarasshe’sconcerned,I’manurse.

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ShehasnoideaI’mJewishandnordoesshehaveanyinklingthechildrenarehere,whichiswhywehavetobesoquiet.Herhearingisverybad,butwe’recarefulnonetheless.Thechildrennevergodownstairs.Wehavebeenhereforwelloverayearandlifeisbarelytolerable.

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Thechildrenhavetoliveinsilence:wecan’triskputtingthelightsonwhenitgetsdark.We’resogratefultoFranz,butlifeisdifficult:wehavelimitedfood,despiteFranz’sgenerosity.Gunterhelpstoo,buthehastobecarefulashiswifeknowsnothing.Weliveinconstant

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fearthatsomeonewillfindoutaboutus.GunterfeelsthatatleastweshouldtrytogetAlfredout,he’sinsistentaboutthatandI’vecomeroundtoacceptingit,eventhoughitbreaksmyheart.Iunderstandyou’vecometohelp;I’msograteful.Pleasetelluseverything.’

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OverthefollowinghourHenrywentthroughtheplanindetail.Rosawasimpassive,perchedontheedgeofthesofa,straight-backedandoccasionallyaskinghimtorepeathimself.Once,Rosaplacedherhandonhis,allowingherlong,thinfingerstobrushhiswrist.

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HenrymusthaveshowedhisemotionsbecauseFranzHermannleantforward.

‘Areyoualright,Henri?’

‘Pardon?’Hefeltasifthoughhe’djustwokenup,momentarilyunsureofexactlywherehewas.

‘Areyoualright?You

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lookworried.’‘No,no…I’mfine.I

wasjustthinkingaboutwhatwehavetodo.There’ssomuchdetailtothinkabout.’

TheybothagreedthatifAlfred’shaircouldbedyedandstyledlikethatofAndreas,then,alongwiththeglasses,hewouldhavea

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reasonableresemblancetotheSwissboy,especiallygiventhatthepassportphotographwastakentwoyearspreviously.EventhemostrigorouspersoninspectingitwouldhavetoacknowledgeAndreashadaged.

‘Alfredisanintelligentboy,’saidRosa.‘Iknowthat

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mostmotherswouldsaythat,butheis.I’msurehe’llbeabletorememberthedetailsofthecoverstory,buthowhe’llactunderpressureisadifferentmatter:wesimplydon’tknow,dowe?He’swellawareofhowmuchdangerwe’rein.He’llknowhemayneverseeusagain.’

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HenryonlyrealisedRosawascryingwhenhesawFranzhadmovedclosertoherandhadacomfortingarmaroundhershoulder.Henrylookedfirstatthefloorthenatthewindow,awkwardandunsureofwhattosay.AtfirstheslidalongthesofatowardsRosa,thinkingitwashis

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placetocomforthertoo,butthenhecheckedhimself.Itwouldnotdotoappeartoofamiliar.Howcouldhebegintoexplainhimself?

‘Inmanyrespects,we’rewell-prepared,’saidFranz.‘Youhavethepassportandtherailticket,andyousaidsomethingaboutthe

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Swisssideoftheborderbeingpotentiallythehardestpartofthejourney.FromwhatI’vealsoheard,that’scorrect:theSwissareverystrictaboutwhotheyletin:oneoftheirowncitizensoughtnottobeaproblem.TheGermanswillbemoreconcernedwithsomeonewhohasaGerman

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passporttryingtoleavethecountry.TheprioritynowistostartworkwithAlfred.’

Rosastoodupandwalkedovertothewindow,drawingthecurtain.

‘I’dbettergoandcheckonyourmother,Franz.ThenletmehavesometimealonewithAlfred.I’dliketotell

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himmyself.Howlongcanyoustay,HerrHesse?’

‘IsupposeIhaveafewhours?’

‘No,no,’saidHermann.‘It’lllooksuspiciousifyouarrivebacktoolateattheKaiserhof.There’snoquestionthey’llbekeepinganoteonyour

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movements,whichhappenswithallforeignvisitors.YoucanhaveonehourwithAlfredthencomebacktomorrow,whenyou’llhaveallday.’

***

ItwastheFriday,thelastday

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ofFebruary,andasthetrainpulledoutofPotsdamstationHenrynoticedthatAlfred,whohecouldnowonlythinkofasAndreasHedinger,wascrying.

Itwasaveryprivatecry,thesilenttypewhereafewtearstrickledownthecheekandanysobsare

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suppressedbyacoughandbitingthelip.Andreashadshiftedinhisseatsohewaslookingdirectlyoutofthewindowandneitheroftheotherpassengersinthecarriagecouldpossiblyseehisface.Henrycaughtglimpsesofhiminprofile,alongwiththereflectionof

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hisfaceonthewindow.Alfredhadheldhimself

togethersofarthatmorningandovertheprevioustwodays.Tenminutespreviously,he’dpassedhisfirstmajortest.Securityatthestationhadbeenlighterthanthey’dexpected,withthemaincheckbeingtoensurethe

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ticketswereinorder.ButHenryknewthatsoonerorlatertheywouldbequestioned,andthathadhappenedduringthewaitatPotsdamstationwhenaGestapoofficerhadenteredtheircompartment,withtwoWehrmachtsoldierswaitingincorridoroutside.

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Tickets.Identitydocuments.Quick.

TheGestapoofficer’seyesdartedfromHenrytoAndreasandbackagain,thentotheothertwomen.Bothappearedtobetravellingonbusiness:onetoJenaandtheothertoWürzburg.TheGestapoofficerseemed

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satisfiedwiththeirpapers.ThenitwasHenry’sturn.

‘YourticketistoStuttgart.’

‘Yes:thenwe’retravellingtoZürich.’

‘Letmeseethosetickets.’

HestudiedthemthensaidtoAlfred,‘Youare

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travellingtogether?’‘Yes.’‘Youarerelated?’‘No,Andreasistheson

ofafriendandcolleague.He’sbeeninBerlinvisitingwhileIwasonbusinessinthecity.Hisparentsaskedmetolookafterhim.’

‘Whatisyour

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business?’‘Iworkforabank:

BankLeu.Here’smyletterofaccreditation.’

TheGestapomanreadeverywordthenturnedtoAlfred.‘You:yourpapers.’

Alfredhandedoverthepassport.

Sayaslittleaspossible

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and,whenyoudo,don’tspeaktooclearly:theGermanswillobviouslyexpectaSwisspersontohaveanaccent.

‘What’syourdateofbirth?’

Thatwasnoproblem.They’dbeenworkingveryhardoverthepastcoupleof

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days.Twomorequestions

andI’llbegintoworry.‘Andwheredidyou

visitinBerlin?’Henrydidbeginto

worry.SurelytheGestapomanwouldspotAlfredwasspeakingwithaBerlinaccent,certainlynotaSwissone.

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‘Pardon?’‘Isaid,wheredidyou

visitinBerlin?’Thecarriagedoor

openedandoneoftheWehrmachtsoldierscamein.

‘Ottowantsyourhelpinthefront:there’saproblem.’

Tooeasy.Everyminute

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ofyourvisitwillbelacedwithdanger.

Butthatwasthat.HenrywantedtotellAlfredhowwellhehaddone,butallhewasabletodowassmile.

***

Alfredhadbeenamodel

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student,carefullywritingdownthedetailsheneededtoremembertopassasAndreasHedingerfromZürichandmemorisingthestoryabouthowhehadcometobeinBerlinwithHerrHesse,whowassuchagoodfriendofhisparents.Hewassogoodtohaveagreedtotakehimto

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Berlinwithhim.Myfatherissobusy,I

hardlyseehimthesedays!HekeptpromisingtotakemetoBerlinandwasalwayscancelling.HerrHessehasbeensoverykind!

Thatwastheagreedlinetheywouldtakeifanyonequestionedwhyhe

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wasinBerlinwithHenry.InanefforttopersuadeAlfredtobelieveinthestory,theyallkeptupthepretenceofhowplausibleitwas.Theadultsknewthefirstlineoftheirdefencelayinthepaperwork:ifthatinanywayfailedtoconvince,thenthestorywouldbeprobedand

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Henryknewitwouldnotstanduptoalotofscrutiny.Theirdisplaysofconfidenceinthestorymusthaveworked:bythetimetheygotonthetraininBerlin,Henryhadevencometobelieveithimself.

HenryhadgonetotheReichsbankfirstthingonthe

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Wednesdaymorning–thebriefestoftrips,justenoughtobeabletoshowthehotelwherehewasgoing.Fromthere,hetravelleddowntoDahlemandspentthewholedaywithAlfred.GunterReinharthadjoinedthemforanhourintheafternoon:whenheleft,itwastosay

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farewelltoAlfred.HefollowedthesamepatternontheThursday.FranzbroughtAlfredtothestationontheFridaymorning.Hishairhadbeencutanddyed,andalongwiththewire-framedspectacles,thepassageoftimeandtherelativelypoorqualityofthephotograph,he

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presentedmorethanapassingresemblancetoAndreasHedinger.Alfredstoodontheplatformclutchinghissmallknapsackwithafewclothesandoneortwootherinnocuousitemsinit.InthepocketofhisjacketwastheSwisspassport,hislifeline.Franzshookhandsbriefly

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withbothofthemanddisappearedintothecrowd.

***

AfterPotsdam,therehadbeenalongwaitinLeipzigandwhenthetrainfinallyleftthecityitmovedveryslowlythroughSaxony,meaning

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theyweremorethantwohoursbehindschedulewhentheyarrivedinJena.Henryspentthelonghoursalternatingbetweenstaringoutofthewindowandclosinghiseyesbut,whenhedidso,Rozawasstaringathimasalways.

Henryknewtheir

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chancesofgettingintoSwitzerlandthatnightwereremote.BythetimethetraincrossedoverfromThuringiaintoBavaria,therainthathadaccompaniedthemsinceJenahadbecomeincessant.Alfredsatquietlyinoneposition:hehadeatenverylittleapartfromasausageandmilk

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HenryhadboughtontheplatformatLeipzig.SincePotsdamhehadappearedcomposed.

TherewasanotherlongwaitinWürzburgandtheywerejoinedintheircarriagebythreenewpassengers:awomanwithapinchedfaceaccompaniedbyapretty

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teenagedaughterandaWaffenSSObersturmführerwhowasonesmallglassofsomethingshortofbeingdrunk.HenrysawtheboytenseastheSSofficerstumbledintothecarriage.Atthesightofthegirl,whocouldhavebeennomorethan17,theObersturmführer’s

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eyeslitup.Forthenexthalfhourhedidhisbesttoimpressher,whilethegirltriedtoignorehim,helpedbythecleardisapprovalofhermother.

Thenheturnedhisattentiontotheboy.Whereareyoufrom?Switzerland?ILOVESwitzerland!TheSwiss

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areourfriends!YOUaremyfriend.WherehaveyoubeeninGermany?TellmewhatyousawinBerlin.

HenrystruggledhardtoconcealhisamazementasAlfredconfidentlyenthusedabouteverythinghe’dseeninBerlin,notleastthesoldiers–helovedseeingthesoldiers

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andthemarching,anditwassoexciting,farmoreexcitingthananythingwehaveinZürichorindeedanywhereinSwitzerland.He’dlovetoreturntoGermany,maybewhenhewasolderhecouldeven…

FortunatelytheSSmanseemedtobeobliviousto

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Alfred’sapparentlackofaSwissaccent,helpednodoubtbythecontentsoftheflaskhe’dfinishedsincejoiningthetrain.WithinminuteshehadinsistedonbeingcalledKarlandwasshowingAlfredhisMauserautomaticanddescribinghowhehadcapturedParissingle-handed.

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Whenyou’reoldenoughtomeetgirls,Andreas,thefirstplaceyougoisParis!WhichfootballteamdoyousupportAndreas?FCZürich?Ah,Grasshoppers!Agoodteam.

Justoutsidethecity,stillintheblanketdarknessofthecountryside,thetrainpulledtoanoisyhalt.Itwas

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seveno’clock.Silenceforafewminutes,thenshoutingandthesoundofdogsbarking.Ittookaneternityforthecommotiontoworkitswaydownthetrain.Whenitreachedthem,aGestapoofficerwhoseemedtobewiderthanhewastallsqueezedintotheir

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compartment,breathlessandwithsweatdrippingfromhisbrow.Hewaswearingaleatherraincoatthatwassotightitremainedunbuttoned.HelookedaroundthenshoutedatAlfred.

‘You:getup…now!’Henryclutchedtheseat

tostophimselfswaying.The

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boywassoterrifiedhedidnotmoveamuscle,butalltheblooddrainedfromhisface.

‘Didyounothearme?Comewithmenow.’

TheSSObersturmführerroseslowlyandslightlyunsteadily,standingdirectlyinfrontoftheGestapoofficerandvery

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closetohim.Hewasatleastafoottallerthantheothermanandusedeveryinchofthattoensurehelookeddownonhimwiththemaximumeffect.

‘What’stheproblem?’‘We’vehadreportsthat

someJewishboysgotonthetrainatWürzburg.Thepolice

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discoveredsomeoftheverminhidinginacellarandhadbeenchasingthegang:theylastsawtheminthevicinityofthestation.We’recheckingallyouthsonthetrain.’

‘Well,Andreasismyfriendandit’simpossiblehe’sJewish.’

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HewasshoutingattheGestapoofficer,flecksofspitsprayingontotheotherman’sreddeningface.WhentheGestapoofficerreplied,itwasinamuchmoreuncertainvoice.

‘Andhowdoyouknowthat?’

‘Becausehe’sSwiss!’

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Thebigmanwipedhisfacewithhissleeve,clearlypuzzledbytheObersturmführer’slogic.

‘Istillneedtocheckhispapersandquestionhimthough…’HeheldhisarmouttowardsAlfred,beckoninghimtojoinhim.TheObersturmführergrabbed

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holdoftheGestapoman’sarmandpusheditdown.

‘Youwon’tneedtobedoingthat.’

‘Howcome?’‘BecauseIgotonthe

trainatWürzburgandAndreaswasalreadyonit,sostopwastingyourtime.’

TheGestapoofficer

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appearedreluctanttoargue.BynowapairofAlsatianswerebarkingoutsidetheopendoorofthecompartment.‘Letmehavealookatyourpassport,’hesaidtotheboy.

Andreaspassedittohim.HenrynoticedtheGestapoman’shandsweretremblingashequickly

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flickedthroughthepassport,beforehandingitback.

‘That’sallinorder.’‘Nexttime,tryand

servetheReichinmoreusefulways,’theObersturmführerspatathimasheleftthecompartment,defeated.

Itwasnineo’clockby

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thetimethetrainarrivedinStuttgart.HenryknewhecouldhavegonetothenearbyHotelVictoria,whereheimaginedthatKatharinaHochwasstillthenightmanager,butitwouldbetoorisky.Hedecidedinsteadtheywouldstayovernightinthestation,wheretherewasalargeair-

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raidshelter.ThefirsttraintoZürichwasat8.20inthemorning,whichmeanthewouldalsohaveanopportunitytosendatelegramtoHedinger.

Theair-raidshelterwheretheysleptwascrowded.Theboywasstillinastateofanxietyandstress

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fromtheeventsoftheday,andHenryhadtowhispertohimhowwellhehaddone;howproudhisparentswouldbeofhim.We’renearlytherenow,you’llbesafe.Theyfoundacornerofawidebenchatthebackoftheshelterintowhichtheywedgedthemselves.Henry

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puthisarmroundtheboyandgraduallyfelthimrelax,andwithinafewminuteshewasfastasleep,onwhathebothhopedandfearedwouldbehislastnightinhishomeland.

***

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Chapter20:Stuttgart,Zürich&Berlin,March1941Forthefirstfewhoursintheair-raidshelterinStuttgart,Henryhardlyslept.Thespottheyhadfoundturnedoutto

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haveanoisypiperunningdirectlyaboveitandeverytimehedroppedoffhewassoonwokenbythesoundofclanginghissingair.Then,whenhedidsleep,Rozawouldappear:heradmonishingeyesfixedonhim,tellinghimwhatheknewalltoowell.Forafull

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hourshehauntedhim:shewasthereifheshuthiseyestightandstilltherewhenheopenedthemwideandtherewhenheheldhisheadtightinhishands.

Butthenthestrangestthinghappened:Rozastaredathiminherfamiliarfashion,hereyesfullofsadnessand

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hatred.Butthenherfacebegantodissolveandwhenitcamebackintofocusthedarkbrowneyeswerethereaswasthedarkhairflowingoverslimshoulders,butnowthefeaturesbelongedtoRosaand,withthat,anunexpectedcalmcameoverHenry.Rosawasnolesssad,buttherewas

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thefaintestofsmilesonherfaceandalookofpleadinginhereyes.AndastheverybeginningsofanideabegantoemergeinHenry’smind,acalmhewasquiteunusedtocameoverhimandthefewhoursofsleepbetweenthenandwhenhewokeupwerethedeepesthe’dexperienced

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foryears.Peoplebegantoleave

theshelterfromsixinthemorningandbyhalfsixitwasalmostdeserted.Henryhadhopedtostayuntilnearertoeighto’clock,butwhentheyventuredupontothemainstationconcoursetheyspottedacaféwasopenand

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theywereabletoremainthereforthenexthourandahalf.Ateight,thetelegramboothinthestationopenedandHenrysentamessagetoMichaelHedinger,whoheknewwouldhavegoneintothebankthatmorningasarranged.

DepartingStuttgart

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8.20stopArrivingZürich2.40stopPapersallinorderstop

Papersallinorder:Alfrediswithme,asuccessfulmission…sofar.

ThetrainleftStuttgartat8.30butthenwasheldataredlightontheoutskirtsofthecitytoallowamilitary

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traintopass,itsopentruckscarryingdozensoftanks.BylunchtimeithadmadeitssteadyprogressthroughSwabiatowardsthebordertownofSingen,thelaststopinGermanybeforeSwitzerland.Theywereheldatanisolatedplatform,wheretheyweretoldbya

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loudspeakerannouncementthatanypassengerswishingtotravelonintoSwitzerlandshouldremainintheircompartments:allotherpassengersshouldleavethetrainforthwith.

Forhalfanhourtherewasnosignofanything.Therewasjustoneother

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passengerintheircompartment,animmaculatelydressedGermanmanwiththelongeleganthandsofapianistandthecomplexionofsomeonewhorarelyventuredoutdoors.Hehadspentmostofthejourneyreadingsheetmusicandattendingtohisnails,

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occasionallyremovingawatchfromhisjacketwithaflourish,studyingitwithsomefascination,tuttingthenreturningittohispocket.Eventually,thedelayinSingenwastoomuchforhim.Hewasgoingtoseewhatwasgoingon,hetoldHenry,andleftthecompartment.Henry

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leanedovertoAlfred,whohehadnoticedlookedconsiderablymorerelaxedthanyesterday.‘Don’tforget,thisisthemostdangerouspartofthejourney.TheSwissborderpolicewillbewatchingforanyonetryingtogetintoSwitzerlandwhoshouldn’t.Don’tmakeany

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mistakes.Soonyou’llbeabletorelax.Youhavedoneverywell,myboy.Butbecarefulnow…’

AlfredlookedworriedandHenrywasn’tsurehe’dsaidtherightthing.MaybeIshouldhavejustkeptquiet.

Theirfellowpassengerreturnedtothecarriage.

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‘They’vegottowaitfortheSwisspolicetoarrive,’hetoldthem.‘IthoughttheSwissweremeanttobeefficient.Ridiculous.’

TenminuteslatertheSwissborderpolicearrivedontheplatform,wheretheyandtheGermanofficersgreetedeachotherlikeold

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friends.Workinginpairs–oneSwiss,oneGerman–theywentthroughthetraincompartmentbycompartment.

TheSwissofficerwhoeventuallyarrivedlookednomorethan20.Hecheckedthepassportofthepianist,askedtoseehisreturnticketthen

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handedthemtotheGermanpoliceman.Bothappearedtobesatisfied.

TheofficerthenturnedtoHenry.Passport.ItwasonlywhenhesawtheSwisspassportandsaid‘grüezi’thatafatalflawintheirplantheyhadoverlookeduntilnowhitHenryhardintheface.

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TheSwissborderpolicemanhadusedthetraditionalSwiss-Germangreeting.IfhewasgoingtospeakinSwiss-German,theboywouldnotunderstand.Heandhisstorywouldunravelveryquickly.

‘WherehaveyoutravelledfrominGermany?’

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heasked,stillspeakinginSwiss-German.

‘I’vebeeninBerlin,onbusinessforBankLeu.Here’smyletterofaccreditation.’HenrymadeapointofreplyinginstandardGerman.

Theyoungpolicemantookitandreaditcarefully.

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‘SohowlonghaveyoubeeninGermanyfor?’StillinSwiss-German.

‘SinceMonday.’StandardGerman.Ithadbecomelikeasurrealgame.

‘Theboy:ishewithyou?’

‘Andreasisthesonoffriends.He’sbeenvisiting

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Berlin.’Henryhadtriedtoavoidlookingattheboy,butcaughtaglimpseofhisworriedfaceashementionedhim.

‘AndyoustayedwhereinBerlin?’

‘Jan,Ikeeptellingyou!SpeakproperGerman;don’tconfuseme!’Itwasthe

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Germanpoliceman,standinginthedoorwayofthecarriageandclearlyimpatient.

HisSwisscounterpartshruggedandtookthepassportofAndreasHedinger.Hecheckedthevisa,lookedupatAlfredandbackagainatthephoto,repeatingthisthreeorfour

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times,hisbright-blueeyesdartingupanddown.

‘Howoldareyou?’HespokeinstandardGerman.AlfredgaveAndreas’ageanddateofbirth.

‘DidyouenjoyBerlin?’‘Yessir,thankyou.But

I’mlookingforwardtogoinghome.’

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***

HewasinZürichforlessthan40hours.

Theyarrivedinthecityatthreeo’clockontheSaturdayafternoonandweremetatthestationbyHerrandFrauHedinger.Alfredhad

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shownnosignsofreliefastheycrossedtheborderintoSwitzerlandandbythetimetheyarrivedatthestationhewasinastateofshock,totallyoverwhelmedbywhatwashappeningtohim.Thefacthewasfreeandsafedidnotseemtooccurtohimashewaswarmlygreetedbythe

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Hedingers.FrauHedingerledAlfredovertothestationcaféforahotchocolatewhileMichaelHedingerandHenryfoundaquietbench.Henryhandedoverthepapers.

‘Everythingwasinorder?’

‘Yes,thankyou.Yourarrangementswerevery

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good;faultlessinfact.’Atallmaninatrilby

wasstrollingpurposefullytowardsthem:itseemedhehadappearedfromnowhere.HeremovedhisleatherglovesandshookHenry’shand.

‘Sothat’sAlfred,eh?’‘Iwonderedwhenyou

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mightshowup,Edgar.’‘Youdidn’timagineI’d

missthis,didyou?Itrusttherewerenoproblems?’

‘No.Itwasnerve-wracking,butwe’vearrivedinonepiece.’

‘AsIcansee.Hedinger,haveyousortedyourwretcheddocumentsout?’

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HedingertookthesealedenvelopesfromHenryandhandedhimafewmoreinreturn.‘You’rereturningtoBerlinonMonday,’hesaidashestoodup.‘Edgarwilltellyouallaboutit.Hehasyourtickets.’

‘You’regoingtobealrightwiththeboy?’

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Hedingernodded.‘Andyou’llsendthe

telegramtoReinhart?’‘FirstthingMonday

morning,aswearranged.’‘Won’tReinhartwant

toknowsoonerthatAlfred’sarrivedsafely?’

‘I’msurehewould,butthisallhastolookproper,’

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saidEdgar.‘It’dbeoddforanofficialoftheReichsbanktoreceiveatelegramfromBankLeuonaSaturdayacknowledgingsafereceiptsofpapers.It’llhavetowaituntilMonday.BythetimeyouseeReinhartonTuesdaymorning,he’llknowAlfredarrivedsafelyandhecan

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handtheotherdocumentovertoyou.GoonHedinger,you’dbettertakeAlfredoff.Henry,perhapsyouwanttogoandsaygoodbye?’

AlfredhadrelaxedbythetimeHenryapproachedhimandFrauHedingerinthestationcafé.Hehadbeendrinkingahotchocolateand

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wasdevouringanenormouscreampastry.Hehadabiggrinonhisface.

‘Alfredwastellingmehelovesdogsbuthasneverhadone.He’ssolookingforwardtomeetingMitzi!Andguesswhat,HerrHesse?She’sexpectingpuppies!I’vetoldAlfredhecanchooseone

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ofthemtobehisveryownpet.’

HenryembracedAlfredandpromisedhe’dcomeandvisithim.Hemustn’tworry;everythingwouldbefine.WhenhereleasedtheboyfromhisembracehenoticedAlfred’seyesweremoist.Hekeptsaying‘thankyou’and

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ashedisappearedoutofthestationheturnedroundandgaveHenryanervouslittlewave.

***

HenryandEdgarspentwhatremainedoftheweekendintheapartmentabovethe

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hardwareshoponBasteiplatz.Whentheyarrivedthere,BasilRemington-Barberwasmakingupacampbedinthelounge.Thethreeofthemsataroundthetable.

‘You’rebookedonthesixo’clocktrainonMondaymorning.ThatgotyouintoBerlinthatevening,didn’t

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it?’‘Yes:Iwasfortunate

withtheconnectioninStuttgart.Comingbackyesterdaywasadifferentmatter.True,weleftBerlinabitlater,butwhetheritwasbombdamageorsomethingelse,itwasamuchslowerjourney:hencethereasonwe

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hadtostayoverinStuttgart.’‘Itrustthatyoudidn’t

goanywhereneartheVictoria?’askedRemington-Barber.

‘No,westayedovernightinthestation–inanair-raidshelter.’

‘Let’sgetdowntobusiness.Here’syourticket

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forMonday.Wewanttogetyouandthedocumentbackhereasquicklyaspossible,sotheplanisthatyougototheReichsbankfirstthingontheTuesdaymorning,handBankLeu’senvelopestoReinhartandhe’llgiveyoutheonestobebroughtbackhere.Oneofthesealedenvelopeswill

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containthedocument–he’llletyouknowwhichone.AccordingtoHedinger,neithertheGermannortheSwisspolicehaveevertriedtoopenasealedenvelopefromanyofthebanks.Iimaginethat’dbebadforbusiness.Icanseenoreasonwhyyoushouldn’tbeableto

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leaveBerlinbylunchtime.Iknowthecouriersoftenhangaroundforafewdays,butweneedtogetyoubackheresowe’llriskit.Youwon’tmakeitintoSwitzerlandthatnight,butgotoStuttgartthentakethefirsttrainoutonWednesdaymorning.Doesthatallmakesense?’

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‘Yes…butshouldn’tthedocumentbeconcealed?’

‘Wethoughtofthat,’saidRemington-Barber,‘butiftheydecidetosearchyouthenthey’llprobablyfinditanyway.AsEdgarsays,theydon’ttouchbankenvelopes.You’rebookedintheKaiserhofthere–here’sthe

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telegramconfirmingit.Youstillhavetheletterofaccreditationfromthebank?Good.Andofcourseyourpassporthasthecorrectvisas.TellmeHenry,what’sGunterReinhartlike?’

Henryshrugged.‘He’saGermanbanker,whichseemstoberatherlikea

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SwissbankerandIdaresayBritishbankers:efficientenough,butwhatdoyouwantmetosay?I’lldoubtwe’llbecomeclosefriends,ifthat’swhatyoumean.He’sverytall,too,forwhatit’sworth.’

‘WhatIthinkwemean,’saidRemington-

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Barber,‘iswhatkindofachapdoyouthinkheis?Ishetrustworthy?Afterall,we’veusedoneofourfewagentsabletotravelinandoutofGermanytohelphissonescape.Howdoweknowthisdocumenthe’spromisingusisgenuine,orisitatrick.Hashejustbeenleadingusalong

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asarusetogetAlfredout?’‘I’vereallynoidea,’

saidHenry.‘Heseemsgenuineenough.Isupposeifthedocumentturnsouttobeeitherafakeornotexistatallthenherunstheriskofupsettingusandthatcouldhaveimplicationsforhisownsafety–andthatofRosaand

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Sophia.’EdgarandRemington-

Barberlookedateachother,partiallyreassured.

‘Yousee,hestillwantstohelpRosaescapeandobviouslythatmeanslittleSophiatoo.’

‘IcanseewhyReinhartwantedtogethissonout,but

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whyhisex-wife?’‘Heobviouslycares

verymuchforherand,tobefrankwithyou,Icanseewhy.Shereallyisthemostmarvellouswoman,youknow.She’sbeenholedupinthathouseforwelloverayearnow.PoorlittleSophiacanbarelyspeak;she’sso

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terrifiedofmakinganoise.Itwouldbemarvellousifwecoulddosomethingtohelpthem.’

‘Ibegyourpardon?’EdgarwasstaringatHenryasifhehadcompletelymisheardhim.

‘IwasjustsayingIthoughtit’dbemarvellousif

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wecouldhelpAlfred’smotherandsister.’

Edgarsatthereopen-mouthed.ItwasRemington-Barberwhospokenext.

‘Helpinwhatway,Henry?’

‘PossiblyhelpthemtoleaveGermany?’

‘HasReinhartasked

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youraisethis?’‘No.’‘Soit’snotacondition

ofhishandingoverthedocument?’

‘No.’‘Sowhyonearthare

youraisingthematterthen?’‘Don’tforgetI’vejust

comebackfromBerlin,

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Edgar.It’slikeabloodyprisoncamp,uniformseverywhere.Itcanonlybeamatteroftimebeforethey’recaught.Iftherewasanywaywecouldhelpgetthemoutbeforethathappensthenwe’dbedoingthedecentthing.’

Edgarslammedthetablewithhishand.‘Areyou

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starkravingmad?Whothehelldoyouthinkweare–theRedbloodyCross?’

‘Iwasonlythinking…’‘Welldon’t.What’sgot

intoyou?Haveyoufalleninlovewiththiswomanorsomething?’

Henryhesitatedasherealisedthatwasexactlywhat

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hehaddone.Hecouldfeelhisfacereddening.‘No,notatall.Ijustfeelawfullysorryforthem.’

‘Welldon’t,’saidEdgar,whowasnolongershouting.‘Inourprofession,wesimplycan’taffordtohavethosekindsoffeelings.Doyouunderstand?’

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UntiltheysawhimoffatthestationearlyontheMondaymorning,Henrywasneveralone.EitherEdgarorRemington-Barberwasalwaysnearhim.WhenhegotupintheearlyhoursoftheSundaymorningtogotothebathroom,Edgarwas

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awakeinthelounge,sittinginanarmchairhehadangledtofacetheopenloungedoor.HenrywonderedwhethertalkingaboutRosahadcausedthemtodistrusthim.Hehadlearnthislesson.

Hewaswokenatfouro’clockontheMondaymorningforhisfinalbriefing.

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‘WhenyougetbackhereonWednesdaygostraighttoBankLeuonParadeplatz;handtheenvelopesovertoHedinger,apartfromtheoneforus.Understood?’

Yes.‘Usethetelephonein

Hedinger’sofficetocallthisnumber.BothEdgarandI

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willbeinBern.Oneofuswillanswer.Telluswhattrainyou’recatchingfromZürichandI’llmeetyouatBernstation.You’llbebackhomeinGenevathatevening.’

‘Assumingeverythinggoeswell,’saidEdgar,‘we’llputafurther500poundsinto

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yourCreditSuisseaccount.TwotripsinandoutofGermany,you’llhavedeservedit.’

Henrytoldthemhowgratefulhewas.‘Justonethingthough,’hesaid.‘ItseemstobethemostenormousefforttogotoBerlin,bringtheboyoutand

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gobackagaintocollectthisdocument.’

‘OnlywayofdoingitHenry:Gunterwillonlyreleasethedocumentoncehe’ssurehissonissafeinSwitzerland.We’vealreadytoldyouthat.’

‘Mustbeadamnimportantdocumentthen.’

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‘That,Henry,isforustodecide.Oh…andoneotherthing,’saidEdgarastheypreparedtoleavetheapartment.‘ThatRosawoman:don’tbetemptedtogoanywherenearher.Forgetabouther.Understand?’

Henryassuredthemheunderstood.

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***

GunterReinharthadlefthomejustafterseveno’clockontheMondaymorningand,asluckwouldhaveit,theU-Bahnandthetramswereallrunningsosmoothlyhewasconcernedhewouldarriveat

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worktooearly.Itwouldnotdotobenoticed.SohegotoffthetramearlyontheUnterdenLindenandwalkedtherestoftheway.BythetimeheturnedontoFranzösischestrasseitwas7.40,whichwasstillearlybuthopefullynotsoearlyhewoulddrawattentionto

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himself.HetriedtoappearascasualaspossibleasheenteredtheReichsbankonWerderscherMarkt,butashefoundhimselfaloneinthecorridorsleadingtohisofficehispacequickened.

Hewaiteduntilfivepasteight,thenhepickedupthetelephonehehadbeen

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staringatsincehehadarrivedinhisofficeanddialledaninternalnumber.

Yes,HerrReinhart:atelegramhasindeedarrivedforyou.Ibegyourpardon?Yes,fromZürich.FromBankLeu.Ourmessengerstartsathalfpasteight.I’llensurehebringsitstraighttoyou.

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GunterReinhartcouldnotbeartowaitevenforhalfanhour,soeventhoughitwasunusualforhimtodoso,hewentdownhimselftothetelegrambureauinthebasement.Hedidmanagetorestrainhimselffromopeningthetelegramuntilhewasbackinhisoffice.

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DocumentationallinorderstopCourierwithyouagainTuesdaystopAllwellstopHedingerstop.

Hereadthetelegramtwicebeforefoldingitupcarefully,slippingitintoanenvelopeandplacingitinthebottomofhisbriefcase.Hefeltheawaveofemotion

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overwhelmhimforaminuteorso.AlfredwassafeinSwitzerland.Nowhehadtokeephissideofthebargain.

HetelephonedFunk’sprivatesecretaryataquarterpastnine.

‘Whydoyouneedtoseeit,Reinhart?’

Funk’sprivatesecretary

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wasanunpleasantmanwhohadahabitoffollowinghismasteraroundlikeadog,hishandsheldinapparentsupplicationbeforehim,anadmiringsmileonhisface.Hetookconsiderablepleasureincontrollingpeople’saccesstotheMinisterandgenerallymakinglifemoredifficultin

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anefforttomakehimselfseemsomehowimportant.

‘BecauseHerrFunkhasaskedIprepareapaperondealingwithassetsthatmaycomeunderourcontrolshouldcertaineventshappenandtocompletethatpapertotheMinister’ssatisfactionIneedtoseethedocument

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oncemore.’‘When?’‘Thismorning.’‘Thismorning!

Impossible:IneedtoaccompanyHerrFunktotheReichstag.Inanycase,Reinhart,youknowyouneedtoputyourrequestinwriting.’

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‘Verywell.PerhapsyouwouldinformtheMinisterIwillnotbeabletolethimhavethatpaperbytheendoftoday.’

Therewasalongpause,duringwhichGuntercouldhearthePrivateSecretary’sworriedbreathingattheotherendoftheline.

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‘Verywell,youcancomeupnowifyoupromisetobequick.’

HewaitedinthesecureroombehindFunk’sofficewhiletheprivatesecretaryfussedaround;makingsurethedocumentwasinorderandsignedfor.HestoodbehindReinhartasheopened

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thedocumentonthetableinfrontofhim.Therewasadistinctsmellofmothballsfromthesecretary’sthree-piecesuit,whichhadaNaziPartybadgeononelapelandaswastikaontheother.

‘Howlongwillyoube?’

‘Maybehalfanhour,

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possiblyabitlonger.’‘I’mmeanttoremain

withyou,’theprivatesecretarysaidimpatiently,‘butIhavetoprepareforthismeetingattheReichstag.I’llcomebackin20minutes.Remember;don’twriteonthedocument!’

Reinharthadpractised

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inhislockedstudyathomeovertheweekendandhereckonedhecouldphotographthewholeofDirective21intenminutes.Hewaitedforfivethenwalkedovertothedoor,whichtheprivatesecretaryhadleftajar.Throughthegaphecouldseethemanbusyat

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hisdeskattheotherendoftheouteroffice.Hewaitedanotherminutethenpushedthedoorabitmore,soitwasstillopen,butonlyjust.

ThecameraFranzHermannhadgivenhimwastinyandhehadbeenwarneditwasverysensitive,sohehadtoconcentrateon

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remainingasstillaspossibleashephotographedeachpagetwice.Hehadplacedhimselfwithhisbacktothedoor,whichwouldgivehimasecondortwotoreactbutthedangerofbeingcaughtwasstillacute.

Ittook12minutestocompletethetaskandhe

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allowedafurtherfiveminutestocheckthedocumentwasinorder,thathehadmadesomenotesandtocomposehimself.Whentheprivatesecretaryreturnedhewasabletoannouncehewasready.

‘Wouldyouliketocheckmynotes?’

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ThesecretaryglancedatthemthencheckedtheDirectivecarefully.Heseemedtobeslightlydisappointedeverythingwasinorder.

***

HenryHunterarrivedin

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BerlinslightlylaterthanhehadthepreviousMondayandthestaffattheKaiserhofseemedtobepleasedtoseehimagain.Theconciergeenquiredwhetherherequiredadviceonanytripsduringhisstay,butHenryassuredhimthiswasamuchshortervisit:heexpectedtoleaveBerlin

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thenextday.Henoticedtheconciergemakingadiscreetnoteashewalkedawayfromhisdesk.

HewasinGunterReinhart’sofficeby10.10ontheTuesdaymorning.ReinhartcarefullyopenedthesealedenvelopesfromBankLeuandsignedareceiptfor

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eachone,makinganoteinaledgeronhisdeskashedidso.

‘Pleasesitdown,HerrHesse.You’remakingmenervousstandingthere;thiswilltakeafewminutesmore.’

Reinhartquietlywalkedovertohisofficedoorand

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openedit,checkingno-onewasoutside.Whenhecamebackin,hesilentlyslippedalockdown.HegesturedforHenrytomovehischairnearerthedesk.

‘Everythingisinorder,’hewasspeakingquietly.‘IreceivedthetelegramfromHerrHedingerthismorning:

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hetoldmethepackagearrivedsafely.Thankyou:tellme,howwasthejourney?’

Henrytoldhimthejourneywasfine.Sowasthepackage.

‘ItgoeswithoutsayingthatI’mindebtedtoyou,butI’mnowabouttorepaythatdebtinfull.Therearefour

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envelopeshere,’hepointedtoapileofbulkyenvelopesonthedeskinfrontofhim,‘foryoutotaketoBankLeu.You’llsignfortheseinamoment.Thisone…’Reinhartpointedtothethirdenvelopeinthepile,‘istheonethat’stogoelsewhere.Youunderstand–Idon’t

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needtobemoreexplicit,doI?’

Reinhartheldupthepackage,whichasfarasHenrycouldseewasidenticaltotheotherthree.‘You’llseethere’satinytearontheflapoftheenvelopehere,canyousee?And,onthefront,thiscornerofthelabelhascome

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slightlyloose.There’sonefinalwayofdistinguishingthisenvelope:theothershaveafull-stopaftertheword‘Reichsbank’–beforeouraddress.Onthisone,there’sacomma.Inallotherrespects,it’sidenticaltotheotherthree.TellthemIhadtophotographit:obviouslyI

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couldn’tpossiblytaketheoriginal.Thedocumentisonfilminhere.’

***

ItwasaquartertoelevenwhenhelefttheReichsbank:hewouldneedtobeatthestationby2.30,givinghima

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shadeunderfourhourstodowhathehadplanned.Hewascuttingitveryfine;hewouldneedtohurry.

Hewalked,neithertoofastnortooslowly,downbythecanalasfarastheSpittelmarktU-Bahnstation.Hepassedoneortwoshopsontheway,buthedidn’t

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wanttogointooneuntilhewasfurtherawayfromWerderscherMarkt.ThejourneytoGleisdreiecktook12minutes;itwasnowaquarterpasteleven.Hechangedlines,headingwesttoWittenbergPlatzwherehechangedontoanotherU-Bahnline,nowheadingsouth.By

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thetimehearrivedatPodbielskiAlleeitwasaquartertotwelve.Thelastlegofthejourneyhadtakenhimmuchlongerthanhehadexpected.Itwouldtakeatleastanothertenminutestogetthereandheneededtofindashopfirst.

Hecameacrossa

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paradeofthreeshops:onewithacollectionofladiesdresseshangingforlornlybehindadustywindow,anotherappearedtobesomekindofbookshopwithmorepicturesofHitlerthanbooksandthethirdwasagrocers.Hewasannoyedtoseeaqueueofadozenorsopeople

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waitingoutsidetheshop:hewasn’tsurehehadthetimetowait.

‘HowlongwillIhavetoqueuefor?’heaskedthemanatthefrontofthequeue.Themanwaswearingasuitandasmartovercoat,buthisposturewasstoopedandhehadasallowexpression.He

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lookedasifhehadnotunderstoodthequestion:Henryrepeatedit.Themansaidnothingbutpointedtoahandwrittensignstucktotheinsideoftheshop’sglassdoor.

Jewsmayonlyshopherebetweenfouro’clockandfiveo’clock.

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TapedbeneathitwasacartooncutoutfromanewspapershowingaJewishmanwithalongnosestealingfoodfromangelic-lookingchildren.

‘I’msureyoucangoinnow,’saidtheman.‘It’suswhohavetowait.’

Theshopkeeperhad

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tinyeyesandanenormousbellythatappearedtorestonthecounter-top.Hisfacewasheavilypockmarkedandtherewasagrowinglayerofperspirationonhisforehead.

‘Ifeellikehavingabatheverytimethoseratscomeinhere,’hesaid,gesturingatthequeueoutside

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thewindow.‘Someofthemstartqueuingfirstthinginthemorning,youknow?There’snotmuchtheycanbuythesedays:notevenwhitebreadorvegetables!Goodthingtoo.I’mhappytotaketheirmoneythough,betterthatIhaveitthansomeothers:Ijoinedthepartybefore’33,so

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IreckonI’mentitledtoit.Now,howcanIhelpyousir?’

‘Ineedtobuysomefood,butI’mafraidIhavenorationbook.’

‘Norationbook?’Theman’stinyeyesnarrowed.Aproblem.

‘I’mfromSwitzerland,

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yousee.I’mvisitingfriendsforlunchandwouldliketotakethemsomefoodasagift.I’dbehappytopayinSwissFrancs,ifthathelps.’

Theshopkeeper’slittleeyeslitup.Nolongeraproblem.

HeindicatedforHenrytomovetothebackofthe

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shop,whereitwasdarkerandfurtherawayfromthepryingeyesofthepeoplequeuingoutside.

‘Ofcourse,’hewhispered.‘Youunderstandit’shardtochargeyoutheexactrate,becauseofdifficulties,youunderstand?’

Henryunderstood.He

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wouldbeverygenerous,heassuredtheshopkeeper.

Fiveminuteslaterhelefttheshop,unabletolookatthepeoplewaitinguntilfourbeforetheycouldenter.Thequeueseemedtohavegrownsincehehadgonein.

Withintenminuteshewasknockinggentlyatthe

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doorofthewhitehouseonthecornerofArno-HolzStrasse.Theinteriorofthehousewasdarkandhecouldnothearasound.Hewaitedaminuteandthenknockedagain.Aladybeingpulledalongbytwoyappingdogswatchedhimcarefullyasshepassedby.Stillnoreply.He

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knockedoncemore.Itwasnowpastmiddayandhewasbeginningtoworry.Hebecameawareofaslightmovementtohisright,wherethecurtainsweredrawnonthewindowofthefrontroom.Afewsecondslater,heheardRosa’sworriedvoicefrombehindthedoor.

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‘Whoisitplease?’‘It’sme,Henri!’The

dooropenedquicklyandahandpokedout,gesturingforhimtoenter.Quickly.

Sincehe’dbeguntoformulatethisplan,hehadimaginedthatRosawouldbeoverwhelmedwithgratitudetoseehim.Shewouldbe

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relieved.Instead,shelookedhorrified.

‘It’smeRosa:Henri.’‘Iknowit’syou.You

mustkeepyourvoicedown.Whatonearthareyoudoinghere?What’sthematter?What’shappenedtoAlfred?’

HerdarkbrowneyeswerejustlikeRoza’s,but

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nowtheywereredaroundthelids,asthoughshehadbeencrying.

‘Everything’salrightRosa.IcametovisityouandSophia.I’vebroughtfood.’

‘ButwhataboutAlfred?Pleasetellme.’

‘Alfred’ssafe,Rosa,’Henrymovedcloserashe

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spoke,placingahandonhershoulders.Shebackedaway.‘He’sinZürich.Imanagedtogethimtheresafely.Youdon’tneedtoworry.’

‘Youshouldn’thavecomehere.It’ssodangerous.Goupstairsquickly.Youcan’tstaylong.IhavetogiveFrauHermannherlunch.Go

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upstairsandletmesettleher.I’llbeafewminutes.’

InthesmallloungeupstairstherewasnosignofSophia.Whenshefinallycameupstairs,HenryaskedRosawhereshewas.

‘Inbed:she’sbeentherealmostallthetimesinceAlfredleft.Shemisseshimso

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muchthatit’smakingherill.Hewaswonderfultoher,heronlycompanion.Idon’tthinkshe’sutteredmorethanhalfadozensentencessinceheleft.’

‘Wellperhapsthese’llcheerherup.’Henrytriumphantlyemptiedthecontentofhisbagontherug

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andplacedapacketofsweetsandsomechocolatetooneside,thenhandedRosaalargecheese,alongsausage,abagoffruitandanotherofvegetables.Rosalookedembarrassed.

‘Idon’tknowwhattosay.’Tearswerestreamingdownherface.Sheknelt

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downbesidehimandgentlytouchedhiswristwithherfingers,holdingthemthereforafewsecondsbeforebusyingherselfsortingthefood.‘Ofcourse,I’mverygrateful,butyoucominghereissodangerous.’

Henryraisedhiseyebrows.

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‘I’mserious,Henri.Ouronlyhopeistostayherewithno-onefindingout.Franzdoeshisbesttoensurewegetasfewvisitorsaspossible,butneighboursspyoneachotherandwatchoutforcomingsandgoings.’

‘ComewithmeRosa:youandSophia,comewith

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me.’Shelookedathimasif

shehadmisheardwhathehadsaid.

‘Comewhere?’‘BacktoSwitzerland.’Sheburstoutlaughing.

‘Henri–doyouthinkwehaven’tthoughtabouthowwecanescapeeversincewe

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gothere?It’simpossible:we’venopapersotherthanourownandtheyareuselessbecauseI’mwantedbytheGestapo.Iknowyou’retryingtobekindbut…’Sheheldupherhandsinagestureofhelplessness.

‘Butyoucan’tstayhere,Rosa.Whatif

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somethinghappenstotheoldlady?Andwhataboutfood?Peoplesayit’sbecomingscarcer.Thenthere’stheneighbours…someonecouldinformonyou.Icouldhelpyou.Icouldgetpapers.’

Rosawaslookingathimasifshehadmisheardhimagain.

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‘Howcanyoudothat?’Atthatmomentthere

wasaweakshoutfromdownstairs.

‘ImustgoHenri:FrauHermannwantsherlunch.’

Henrygrabbedherbythearmandmovedtowardsher.‘I’llgetpapersRosa,I’llbeback.Trustme.’

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Asshestoodup,Henrydidtoo,positioninghimselfimmediatelyinfrontofher.

‘Henri,please:Ihavetogotoher.Youmustleavenow.Inanycase,sometimesanoldfriendcomestoseeheronTuesdays.Pleaseletmegetthrough.’

Hehesitatedfora

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moment,wonderingwhetheritwouldbewrongtoembraceher.Hehadexpectedhertobemoregrateful.Shepushedpasthimandheadeddownstairs,beckoningforhimtofollowher,afingerpressedtoherlipsforhimtokeepquiet.

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***

HeeventuallyleftBerlinonatrainforNurembergjustbeforethree,onlyafewminuteslate,andthejourneywasmuchquickerthantheonetoStuttgartafewdaysearlier.HearrivedinNurembergatseveno’clock

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anditfeltlikeagarrisontown,troopseverywhere.Theconcourseofthestationwasaseethingmassofgreyuniform,withasprinklingofblack.Hecouldseefewothercivilians.

Hejoinedalongqueueofsoldiersattheticketofficeandhadenoughtimeto

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observethatmostofthembelongedtotheSeventeenthInfantryDivision:agiftforEdgar.WhenhereachedthewindowhediscoveredthefirsttraintoStuttgartwasat8.20thenextmorning.‘Allbeingwell,’addedtheticketclerkashecarefullystampedtheninitialledHenry’sticket.

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HenrycalculatedhecouldbeinStuttgartsometimelatemorningandZürichbymid-afternoon.Allbeingwell.

Theclerktoldhimhewouldfindthehotelsifheturnedleftoutofthestationandwalkedovertothenextblock.Therehefounda

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selectionofgreybuildings,eachreflectingtheubiquitousuniformsmillingaroundonthestreet.Hewentintothefirstthreehotels,eachmoremiserablethanthepreviousoneandsettledonthefourthonlybecauseitwasnowpouringwithrainandhewasexhausted.

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Asthemanagerlaboriouslycompletedthepaperworkthatwouldallowhimtheprivilegeofbeingaguestthereforonenight,Henryhadanopportunitytohavealookintowhatthemanagercalledthediningroom.Ifpushed,Henrywouldhavedescribeditasa

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workhouse,amemoryfromDickensiannovelsreadoutloudattheendofdarkautumnafternoonsatschoolinEngland.

‘You’dbettergoandeatnow,thediningroomclosesin20minutes,’themanagersaidinwhatHenrythoughtcouldbeanAustrian

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accent.‘I’malright,thankyou,’

saidHenry,thesmellofgreaseandtobaccosettlingalreadyatthebackofhisthroat.‘IthinkI’lleatelsewhere.’

‘You’llbelucky:thereisno“elsewhere”thesedays.Leaveyourcasehereandgo

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inandeat.’Hereluctantlywentin

tothediningroom,havingpasseduptheofferofleavinghiscasewiththemanager.Thereweretwolongtablesinsideandeachhadsixorsevenmen–onlymen–hunchedaroundit,alleyeingeachothersuspiciouslyand

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spooningblackstewintotheirmouthsinapparentunison.

Henryfoundasmallspaceattheendofonetableandthemannexttohimreluctantlymovedalongnomorethananinchortwo.Nosoonerhadhesatdownthanafilthyhanddepositedabowlinfrontofhim.Thethumb

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andonefingerweredippedinthestew.Henrymovedhisgazeupthehandandthefrayedsleevejustaboveit:bothbelongedtoahunchedbodyandpalefacefleckedwithredsores,awomaninherfiftieswholookedasifshewereabouttocollapse.

Aplateofblackbread

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waspushedinfrontofhim,alongwithaglassofwaterybeer.No-onewasspeakingtoanyoneelsearoundthetableandHenrywasgratefulforthat.

Hisnightwasnotanymorecomfortable:theroomhadbarefloorboardsandjustonesmallthreadbarerugby

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thebed.TherewasabasinwithastainedsinkbyawindowthathadacrackintheglassandHenrydoubtedthesheetshadbeenchangedsincethelastguestbutone.Astherewasnofunctioninglockonthedoor,hewedgedthesinglechairintheroomagainstitandlayonthebed

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fullyclothed,hisbriefcasecontainingthesealedenvelopesunderapillowthatsmeltofsweat.Inthedistancehecouldhearthemuffledsoundofexplosions:hecouldnottellwhetheritwasbombsoranti-aircraftfire,butwhenhewentovertothewindowandpeeledback

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theblackoutcurtainhecouldseeflashesfartothenorth.

Heleftthehotelatseveninthemorning,themanagerandthewomanfromthediningroomconfusedastowhyhedeclinedtheirofferofbreakfast(‘butyou’vepaidforitsir!’).

Forthenexthourthe

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stationcaféprovidedawelcomerefugefromtheall-pervadingodourofthehotel.TheStuttgarttrainleftontimeandtheconnectionfromtheretoZürichwasgoodandhearrivedat2.10.Hewasunderpressurenow.TherewasatraintoBernat5.10,whichwastheonehewould

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needtocatchifEdgarandRemington-Barberwerenottobetoosuspiciousabouthislatearrival.Itoughttogivehimenoughtime,butonlyjust.

HeneededtogettoBankLeuassoonaspossible,butonlyafterhehadmadethephonecall.Therewasa

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bankofphoneboothsonthemainstationconcourse,buttheyfelttoopublicsoheleftthestationandwalkedacrosstotheBahnhofquai,wherehefoundacaféwithphoneboothattherear,wellawayfromthefewcustomers.HerangthenumberViktorhadgivenhim.

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‘Yes?’‘Peteriscominground

fordinner.’Apauseandamuffled

noiseattheotherendoftheline,whichsoundedasifthepersonhadplacedtheirhandoverthereceiverandwastalkingtosomeoneelseintheroom.

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‘Andwillyoubebringingwinewithyou?’

‘Yes.’Withthat,thelinewent

dead.Hecheckedhiswatch:itwas2.25:accordingtoViktor’sinstructionshewastobeatthestationexactlyonehourafterthephonecall.Thatwouldleavehimjust

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overanhourandahalftocatchhistrain:hewouldneedtohurry.HeleftthecafébythebackdoorandtookataxitoBankLeu’sheadofficeonParadeplatz.

MichaelHedingerwasapparentlyinahurry.Hecamedowntothereception

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andtookHenryuptohisofficeonthetopfloor.HecheckedthethreeenvelopesfromtheReichsbankforBankLeu.

‘Andthefourthenvelopeisforyourfriends?’

‘Yes.’‘Whendoyousee

them?’

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‘I’mgoingtoBernnow.MayIuseyourphonetotellthemwhattimeI’mlikelytobethere?’

Hedingergesturedatthephone:bemyguest.

Edgaranswered:‘Welcomehome.Whatkeptyou?’

‘I’mcatchingthetrain

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attenpastfive:IoughttobeinBernbyeightatthelatest.WhereshallImeetyou?’

‘Don’tworryoldchap,we’llmeetyou.’

Thatwasthat:itwasnowaquartertothree,hehadplentyoftime.HecouldevenaffordtostrollbacktothestationalongBahnhofstrasse,

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whichwouldatleastgivehimtimetocomposehimself.

‘Andallwentwell?’askedHedinger.

‘Yes…yes,thankyou.’‘AndIpresumeyou

wishtoaskmeaquestion?’Henryhadnoideawhat

theSwisswasonabout.‘I’msorry?’

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‘Alfred!Don’tyouwanttoknowhowheis?’

‘Ofcourse,ofcourse!HowisAlfred?’

‘Mywifeandthechildrenandthedogmakesuchafussofhim:it’sasifhehasbeenreleasedfromprison.He’ssuchasweetboyandveryconsiderate.We’ll

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takegoodcareofhim.He’sobviouslysadthough.Atnightwecanhearhimsobbinginhisroom.Hemustmisshismother.’

***

Arrivingtooearlyforarendezvousisasdangerous

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asbeinglateforone.Hehadarrivedoutside

theHauptbahnhofataquarterpastthree,tenminutesearly.Withoutthinking,hehadcontinuedintothestation,assuminghewouldfindabarthengooutontotheconcoursetenminuteslater.Thisiswhathedid,butno

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soonerhadhesteppedoutontotheconcoursethanhewasawareoftwomeneithersideofhim,marchinghimoutofasideexit.OneofthemwasViktor,hisfaceimpassivebuthisvoicenotdisguisinghisfury.

‘Wesaidbeatthestationonehourafterthe

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phonecall,not50minutes.Whatdoyouthinkyouareuptosynok?’

HenryshookhimselffromViktorandtheotherman,whohadnowsteppedbackintotheshadows.

‘Learntodoasyouaretold,Henry,youunderstand?Now,followme–stay

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behindme.Iwillgointoashopandthroughtotheback.Youaretodolikewise.Sergeiwillbebehindyou.’

Theshopwasanarrowtobacconistinawarrenofalleysbehindthestation.ThecountertopwasalreadyopenwhenHenryarrived.Viktorwasinaroomattheback,

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alongwithashrivelled-lookingmanhalfthesizeoftheRussian.HewasdressedinafadedpinstripesuitandpeeredupatHenrythroughthickglassesthatsatunsteadilyonthebridgeofhisnose.

‘HaveyouspokenwithEdgar?’Viktorsounded

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impatient.‘Yes.’‘Whereishe?’‘InBern:they’re

expectingmetobeonthetrainthatleaveshereattenpastfive.I’venoexcusefornotbeingonthatone.’

‘Don’tworry,youwillbe.Youhaveit?’Viktor

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lookedanxious.Henrytookthesealed

Reichsbankenvelopeoutofhisbriefcase,butheldontoitwhilehespoke.

‘IdoViktor,butit’ssealed.HowareyougoingtoopenitwithoutEdgarandRemington-Barberrealising?’

Viktortookthe

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envelopeandpasseditovertotheman,addressinghiminGerman.

‘Arndt,whatdoyoureckon?’

Themantooktheenvelopeandhelditunderthelight,turningitveryslowlyonewayandtheother,movingitclosetohiseyes

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thenrunninghisfingersalongitseverysurface.Henoddedandrepliedintoasqueaky,high-pitchedvoice.

‘Thisshouldn’tbeaproblem.Givemeanhour,butIwanteveryoneoutofhere.’

‘Apartfromme,’saidViktor.

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‘Ofcourse,apartfromyou,Viktor,’Arndtsaidobediently,half-bowingashespoke.

AsHenrylefttheroomhecouldseethemanarrangingalargecamera,alampandvarioustoolsonabench.Hewasabouttooperate.Henryspentthenext

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15minutesstandingsilentlyinthealleybehindthetobacconistwithSergei.WhenViktorcalledHenrybackin,hewasclearlyfindingithardtocontainhisexcitement.LittleArndtwaspackingawayhisequipment,thesurgeryover.Theenvelopewashandedtohim.

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‘Examineit,please.Seehowperfectitis.’

Henrylookedatitcarefully.Itwasimpossibletoseehowitcouldhavebeenopened.Withahugearmaroundhisshoulder,ViktorshepherdedHenrytoacorneroftheroomandwhisperedintohisear.

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‘Wehavemadeacopy:youhavenoideahowimportantitis,synok.WewilltransmittheentiretexttoMoscowtonight.Youhave40minutesbeforeyourtrain,sotellmeeverythingyoucanaboutthismanwhosuppliedthedocument.It’ssoimportantthatMoscowwill

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askmemanyquestionsaboutit:Ineedtohavetheanswers.’

‘BeforeIdothatViktor,Ineedtoaskafavourofyou.’

Viktorlookedathimpuzzled:afavour?Henrydidnotaskfavoursofthem.Theyaskedfavoursofhim.

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‘Whatisit?’heasked,hardlymanagingtohidehisirritation.

HelookedattheRussian,wishinghewasmoresympatheticattimes.Evensomegratitudewouldn’thavegoneamiss.

‘Idon’twanttosoundlikeI’mgoingsoftor

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anything,andI’vecopedverywellinGermanysofar,butIhavethisworrythey’llsendmebackthere,andsoonerorlater,I…’

‘Why,havetheysaidanythingaboutthat,synok?’

‘No,butIgettheimpressiontheydon’texactlyhaveateamofagents

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queuingupattheborderwaitingtobesentintoGermany.IfeelexposedwhenI’minBerlinandIwaswondering:doyouhaveanyoneIcouldcontactthere–inanemergency?’

Henryshrugged,eagerViktorshouldnotthinktherequestanunusualone.What

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IamItodo–tellhimI’mdeterminedtogobackthereanyway?

ViktorlookedatHenry,suspiciousatfirstbutthenmoreunderstanding.

‘LetmeseewhatIcando,Henry.There’stheembassy,butIdon’ttrustanyonethere.Idohavesome

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people,I’llletyouknow.Now,tellmehowyougotthisdocument.’

***

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Chapter21:London,March1941EdgararrivedatWhitchurchAirportjustafter12.30onMonday10thMarchonBOACflight777fromLisbon.AblackHumber

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ImperialwithmilitaryplateswasparkedclosetothebaseoftheaircraftstepsandthreehourslateritdepositedanexhaustedEdgaroutsidethebuildingoverlookingStJames’sSquarewhereChristopherPorterwaswaitingforhiminhisofficeonthetopfloor.

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EdgarhandedoverthefilmofDirective21toPorter,whopromptlylefttheroom,returningfiveminuteslater.

‘We’llhavethatdevelopedstraightawayandsentofftotheanalyststonight.They’vebeentoldtodealwithitasamatterofpriority.We’llmeethere

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tomorrowafternoontohearwhattheymakeofit.ButwelldoneEdgar:somethingofacouptogetourhandsonthat.How’sourchapHunter?’

Edgarleanedbackinhischair,barelystiflingayawn.‘Turnsouttoberathergoodathisjobactually.Not

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someoneyou’dautomaticallythinkofasspymaterial,butIsupposethat’sthewholepoint,isn’tit?Irememberthatclassicsdonwhotrainedhimsayinghelooksforpeoplewho’reslightlyapartfromthecrowdbutnotsomuchthatpeoplewouldnoticethem.Hesaidhe’d

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nevercomeacrosssomeonewhofittedthatbillquitesowellasHunter.He’ssurvivedthreemissionsintoNaziGermanynow:ifhelookedoractedlikeaspyhewouldn’thavelastedmorethananhourortwo.’

‘Andhisothermasters…Wouldtheyhave

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seentheDirective?’‘Icertainlyhopeso.We

allowedhimenoughtimeinZürich.OneofBasil’smenspottedhimleavingthestationwithViktor,soIthinkwecanassumetheyhavethedocument.Thereisoneconcern,though…’

‘WithHunter?’

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‘No,withourPortuguesefriendsactually.WhenIcamebackthroughLisbonSandywasinabitofaflapaboutTelmo.He’sbeenratherelusiveandSandy’sworriedhemaybegettingcoldfeet.TelmoseemstothinkthePVDEmaybeontohim,thoughthere

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doesn’tseemtobeanyevidenceforthat.Personally,Ithinkhe’sjustgettingtwitchy;agentsgetlikethatfromtimetotime,asyouknow.Thereisawell-foundedconcernaboutDonaMariathough.’

‘TheladyinBerlin?’‘Correct.’

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‘Telmosaysshe’sbeentransferredwithinthePortugueseLegationthere:she’snolongerworkingfortheMilitaryAttaché,she’snowwiththeFirstSecretary.’

‘Ademotion?’‘Notassuch,butit

givesherlessaccesstothekindofintelligencewe’re

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interestedinandalsototheDiplomaticbag.ApparentlytheFirstSecretaryisquitehighupthehierarchyattheLegation,buthisroleismoreceremonial.She’sworriedtheymaybewatchingher:she’scertainherdeskwassearchedrecentlyandshethinksshe’sbeentailedona

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fewoccasions’‘Bywhom?’‘NottheGermans;

securitypeoplefromtheLegation.Also,herhomeleavehasbeenbroughtforwardto24thMarch:whichistwoweeksonMonday.She’sworriedthatonceshereturnstoLisbonshewon’t

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beallowedbackagain.TelmoisdemandinganabsolutepromisefromusthattheminuteDonaMariaarrivesinPortugal,weputbothoftheminhidingandbringthemtoBritainassoonaspossible.’

‘Andyousaid?’‘Yes,ofcourse.Itold

Sandytoagreetowhateverhe

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asksfor.ItoldhimtosaythatoncetheygettoEnglandthey’llbegivenmoney,ahouseandnewidentities.Ihopethat’sinorder?’

‘Oh,I’msuretheServicewillbehappytofindthemsomelove-nestsomewhereorother.’

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***

Thefollowingafternoon,EdgarandChristopherPorterwereinalargemap-roominthebasementoftheStJames’sSquareoffice,alongwithanumberofcolleaguesfromtheServiceandafewmeninuniform.Copiesof

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Directive21werehandedroundbyalankyBrigadierfromArmyIntelligencewhocutacolourfulfigurewithhisfloridfaceandalargeblack-and-greystripedmoustache.WhenhespokeitwaswithaWelshaccent.

‘TheseareEnglishtranslations,asyou’llsee.

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Thedocumentitselfisastonishing,quiteastonishing.Letmequote:“TheGermanArmedForcesmustbeprepared,evenbeforetheconclusionofthewaragainstEngland,tocrushSovietRussiainarapidcampaign.”Thatlastbit–crushingtheSovietUnion–

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isunderlined.TheDirectivesayspreparationsfortheinvasion“…willbeconcludedby15thMay1941”.’

Therewasmurmuringaroundtheroom,andpeoplelookedateachotherwithraisedeyebrowsandbarelyconcealedsurprise.

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‘Theyevenhaveacodename:OperationBarbarossa.However,wemustbecautious.Themostimportantquestionwehavetoaddressiswhetherthedocumentisgenuinebecausethere’snopointinusactinguponitifwefeelthat,onbalance,it’snotwhatitpurportstobe.

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We’vehadalltypesofexpertsstudyingthiseversincewegotourhandsonit.’

TheBrigadierremovedapairofreadingglassesfromacaseinfrontofhimandglancedatsomehandwrittennotes.

‘Firstofall,we’vehadtheDirectivesubjectedto

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somethingcalledtextanalysisbyaGermanexpert.Whathedoesiscompareonetextwithothers,toseeifthey’refromthesamesource.Hebelievesit’sverysimilartootheronesreleasedbyHitler.Iquotefromhisreport:“Itfeelsidenticalintermsoftone,syntaxandvocabularyto

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otherdocumentsreleasedbyHitler.Themixtureofrhetoricandmilitarydetail,theconstantreferencetohimselfintermsofordersbeinggivenanddecisionsbeingmade–allthatisveryfamiliar.”

‘Thenthere’sthequestionofhowfeasibleitis

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thatGermanywouldconsiderbreakingitspactwiththeSovietUnion.Theconsensusisthisisperfectlylikely.TheNazishateCommunistsandRussiansandSlavsalmostasmuchastheyhatetheJews.Infact,theytendtoseethemasoneandthesamething:whentheythinkofaRussian,

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theyseeaJewishcommunist.Sothepactwasasurpriseinonerespect,butnotinanother–Hitlerwasbeingshrewd.Hewasbuyingtime,ensuringhisEasternFrontremainedquietwhileheconqueredWesternEuropeandattemptedaninvasionoftheBritishIsles.So,breaking

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thepactwouldnotbeasurprise,itwasonlyeverashort-termruse.’

TheBrigadierwalkedovertoalargemaponthewallbehindhim.

‘Soifweacceptthisdocumentisgenuine,thenweneedtoanalyseitsfeasibilityfromamilitarypointofview.

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It’sanextremelyambitiousplan:onewhichdependsonco-operationfromtheFinnsinthenorthandtheRomaniansinthesouth,whichmaybeaproblemasthey’reunlikelytobeascommittedtoaninvasionoftheSovietUnionastheGermansare.Italsodepends

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ontwoothercriticalfactors:asignificantelementofsecrecyandsurprise,andtheRedArmybeingutterlyill-preparedforthis.WedoknowtheRedArmyisn’tinagoodstate,butevenso…’

TheBrigadierwaslookingatthemapthenatthedirective.Hepeeredclosely

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atthemapandpointedtoaspotaroundthePolish-Russianborder.

‘HitlerseemstobetalkingaboutconcentratingthemainGermanthrusthere,aroundthePripetMarshes.HetalksabouthavingtwoArmyGroupsoperatingnorthoftheMarshesandoneArmy

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Groupsouthofit.ThekeyobjectofthesoutherngrouplooksliketheUkraine,withallitsagricultureandindustry.Theaimsofthenortherngroups,itsayshere,areLeningradandMoscow.ThisiswhathesaysaboutMoscow:“Thecaptureofthiscitywouldrepresenta

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decisivepoliticalandeconomicsuccess,andwouldalsobringaboutthecaptureofthemostimportantrailwayjunctions.”’

AcolonelwearingtheinsigniaofaGuardsregimentwalkednoisilyovertothemap,hisbootsechoingonthefloor.Afterstudyingitfora

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whileheturnedaroundandspokeunnecessarilyloudly,eachsyllablecarefullyenunciated.‘Personally,Ican’tseetheGermansattemptingthiswithlessthan100divisions–talkaboutputtingallyoureggsinonebasket.IfHitlerthinkshe’sgoingtogetasfarasMoscow

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theonlyadviceIcangivehimisthathe’dbettergetamoveon.OncethatRussianwinterstartseventhegreatestarmyintheworlddoesn’tstandachance.Fromalogisticspointofviewthiswouldappeartobealmostimpossible.’

Forthenexttwohours

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themencrowdedintothemap-roomweigheduptheprosandconsofDirective21.Alltheparticipantstookitinturntoplaydevil’sadvocateateveryopportunity,butthediscussionkeptcomingbacktoapointofagreement:onthebalanceofprobabilities,thedocumentwasagenuine

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one.Itwasteno’clockthat

eveningwhenPorterandEdgarwentuptotheofficeonthetopfloor.Porterpulledbacktheblackoutblindsandturnedoffhisdesklamp,allowingthelightfromthefullmoontofilltheroom.Forawhiletheysatinsilence,

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pickingattheplateofstalesandwichesonthedeskbetweenthem.

‘Andwhathappensnow?’

‘NumberTenwillbeinformedfirstthinginthemorning,’saidPorter.‘I’mtoldthePrimeMinisterandEdendiscussedthematter

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thismorningoncetheyknewthedirectivehadarrived.Theyagreedthatifthismeetingconcludedthedirectiveisgenuinewe’dnotwasteanytime.We’dgetacopyofitovertoMoscowassoonaspossibleandCrippshimselfwilltakeittotheKremlin.So,welldoneEdgar

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–you’vedoneanexcellentjob.TheSovietscanhardlyignoreDirective21now,canthey?ItcorroboratesthecopyHuntershowedViktor.’

ThetwomenlefttheofficetogetherandwalkedasfarasPallMall.

‘YoulookexhaustedEdgar.’

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‘I’vebookedtwoweeksleavesir.’

‘Splendid.Iexpectyourfamilywillbepleasedtoseeyou.HeadingdowntoDorsetareyou?’

Edgarcarriedonwalkinginsilence,apparentlyoblivioustowhatPorterhadbeensaying.Theyhadnow

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reachedWaterlooPlace,fromwhereeachwouldbegoingindifferentdirections.

‘Probablynotsir:asfarasmyfamilyareconcerned,I’mintheFarEast:it’seasierthatway.IshallprobablysleepforaweekthengowalkingonmyowninScotland.’

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PorterslappedEdgarontheback.‘Understood:Fivehaveaninterestingcaseonatthemomentandhavebeenaskingforyourhelp,butfirsthaveagoodrest.Remember,Idon’twanttoseeyouforafortnight,that’sanorder.’

***

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EdgarhadgonestraighttohissmallapartmentinamansionblockbehindVictoriaStreetandsleptmostofthenextdayandagooddealofthedayafterthat.BytheThursday,hefeltrestedandevenslightlybored.Hevisitedthedentist,hadhishaircutand

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begantosuspectthattwoweeksoffmaybeaweektoolong.HedecidedtowaituntilaftertheweekendbeforedecidingwhethertogotoScotland,stayinLondonorevengobacktowork.ThedecisionwasmadeforhimbyaringonhisdoorbellearlyontheMondaymorning.Itwasa

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driverherecognisedfromtheofficesinStJames.

Verysorrytobotheryousir:MrPorterwouldliketoseeyousir.Nowsir,ifyoudon’tmindcomingwithme.There’sacarwaitingoutsidesir.

ChristopherPorterwaspacingupanddownhis

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office,managingtolookbothangryandembarrassed.HetoldEdgartoshutthedoorandsitdown.

‘IthoughtIwasunderordersnottoseeyouforafortnight?’

‘YouwereEdgar,butthoseweremyordersandIconsiderI’mallowedtobreak

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them.I’mnotgoingtobeataboutthebush:there’sbeenachangeofheart.It’sallWinston’sfault–andthebloodyForeignOffice.Wouldn’tbesurprisedifFivehaven’ttriedtoqueerourpitchtoo.’

‘I’mnotsureI’mfollowingyousir.’

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‘Letmelaythecardsonthetablethen.Asyouknow,weagreedthecopyoftheOperationBarbarossadirectiveHunterbroughtbackfromBerlinisgenuine.ItwassentincodetoMoscowandStaffordCrippstookittotheKremlinandhandedittoMolotovpersonallyon

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Thursday.CrippssaidthatMolotovappearedtobeangry,buthecouldn’ttellwhetherhewasangrywithhimortheGermans,ormorelikelyitwasjusthisusualdemeanour.ThenlastnightIwassummonedtoDowningStreet.Apparentlythey’vebeenhavingsecond

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thoughts.’‘Secondthoughtsabout

what?’‘Aboutwhatweshould

betellingtheSovietsafterall.Theirthinking–andonehastoacknowledgeitdoeshaveacertainlogictoit–isthatthewholebusinesscouldreboundonus.Asthingsstandatthe

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moment,Hitler’spriorityisstilltoinvadeGreatBritain,eventhoughweseemtobedoingaratherdecentjobofdefendingourselves.IfthisOperationBarbarossaturnsouttobetrue,it’lltakeanenormouspressureoffus.Hitlerwillbedilutinghisforcesbyfightingontwo

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frontsanditmakesthechancesofevenanattemptedGermaninvasionoftheseshores–letaloneasuccessfulone–veryremoteindeed.IcanhearthetinkleofteacupsapproachingEdgar;shallwepauseforamoment?’

Fiveminuteslater,fortifiedbysurprisingly

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strongcupsoftea,Porterresumed.‘IftheSovietsfinallychoosetobelievetheBarbarossaDirectiveandotherintelligence,andaccepttheGermansdohavehostileintentionstowardsthem,they’llstoptrustingtheGermans,shoreuptheirdefencesandreinforcethe

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border.ThatwouldmakeaGermaninvasionoftheSovietUnionsignificantlylesslikely.ThequestionthatNumberTenhavebeenaskingthemselvesisthis:wouldsuchanoutcomebeinourbestinterests?’

Edgarleantbackinhischairandremovedacigarette

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fromhissilvercase.Hewashalfwaythroughsmokingitwhenhereplied.‘Soyou’resayingthere’snowafeelingit’sactuallyinourinterestsforGermanyandtheSovietUniontogotowar?’

‘Absolutely:iftheygotowarwitheachotherthenthechancesofaninvasionof

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BritainsignificantlydiminishandatthesametimeGermanyrisksadangerouswarintheeastthattheycouldwelllose.’

‘Sowhenyousaythatthere’sbeenachangeofheart…’

‘WhatImeanbythatistheynowwantustoplay

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downthefactGermanyhasplanstoinvadetheSovietUnion.TheythinkweshouldswitchfromdoingthedecentthingandtellingtheSovietsabouttheGermanplanstoactuallymisleadingthem,tellingthemquitetheopposite.’

‘Bitbloodylateforthat

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isn’tit,forChrist’ssake!I’msorrysir,butit’sbeenoneoftheintelligencecoupsofthewarthusfartogetholdofthatdirectiveandmakesuretheSovietsseeit,andnowyou’resayingit’sallbeenabloodywasteoftime.Jesus!’

‘Don’tshoutEdgar,please.RememberI’monly

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themessenger.I…’‘…Andyousaid

somethingaboutthemnowwanting“us”toplaydownreportsofGermanintentionsandevenmisleadthem.Howoneartharewegoingtodothat?’

‘I’mafraiditmeanswenowneedtoprovidethe

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SovietswithanotherreportcourtesyofyourmanHunter,onewhichreflectsseriousGermanconcernsaboutOperationBarbarossaandtalksofitspostponementatleast,possiblyevenitscancellation.Ihavetosayit’snotentirelyunfeasible:youyourselfsaidHugo’sGeneral

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admittedtherewereseriousconcernsinthearmyhighcommandaboutinvadingtheSovietUnion.Thisreportwouldsimplyreflectthose.’

‘Andhowdo“we”getholdofsuchadocument?’

‘Pleasedon’tbesosarcastic.NavalIntelligenceareapparentlyrathergoodat

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thiskindofthing.ThismorningI’veaskedourpeopletotalktotheirpeopleandseewhattheycancomeupwith.I’vetoldthemIwantittobereadybytheendoftheweek.’

‘AndhowdowethengetittotheRussians?’

Porterheapedanother

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spoonfulofsugarintohistea,sippeditthenstoodupandwalkedovertothewindow,lookingoutofitashespoke.

‘YousaidthatDonaMariadoRosariohastoleaveBerlinon24thMarch,whichisaweekonMonday–correct?ThisreportneedstobetakentoLisbon,where

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TelmoistogetitintothediplomaticbagtoBerlin.InherfinalactofserviceforusinBerlin,DonaMariawillpassthereportontoHugo.HuntercanthengobacktoBerlintocollectitsohecanlettheSovietsseeitwhenhereturnstoSwitzerland–asbefore.Igrantyouit’sa

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complicatedroutebywhichtogetittotheSoviets,buthopefullyit’sonetheyregardasplausible.’

‘BythesoundsofitPorter,theHonAnthonyDavisisabouttoreturntoLisbon.’

‘Correct,Edgar:andthereaftertoSwitzerland.’

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***

LateontheafternoonofSunday16thMarch,EdgarwasbackinChristopherPorter’soffice.EdgarnoticedPorterwaslookinguncharacteristicallyconfident.Hehadabroadgrinonhis

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face.Onthedeskbetweenthemwasablack,leather-boundbook,withanornatecrossonthepaddedfrontcover.

‘Contemplatingthepriesthoodareyousir?’

‘Now,nowEdgar.YoumayrememberthatwhenwemetlastMondayIsaidwe’d

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needtoconcoctareportpurportingtoshowtheGermanswerenowhavingsecondthoughtsaboutinvadingtheSovietUnion?’

Edgarnodded.‘AndyouwantthisreporttofallintoSoviethands?’

Porterrubbedhishandsandtenderlypickedupthe

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leather-boundbook.HepasseditovertoEdgar.Thewords‘ABíbliaSagrada’wereetchedontothecoveringoldleaf.Edgargentlypickeditupandturneditroundinhishands.

‘Careful,Edgar.Theteamthatputthistogetherwantustoknowhowmuch

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troubletheywenttotogetholdofabibleinPortuguese.They’vedoneaprettyimpressivejobthough.Here,passittome.’Portertookthebibleandopeneditattheinsidebackcover.ThethickpaperwaslooseandPortercarefullypeeleditawaytorevealagap,foldedinto

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whichwasadocumentthathecarefullyremovedandopened:threepagesonbrownpaper,typedinGermanwithsomescrawledhandwrittennotes.

‘ThisistheRostockReport:it’sanoteonameetingsupposedlyheldacoupleofweeksagoin

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Rostock,onthe3rdand4thMarch.Ifyoulookhere,itliststhevariousparticipants…’Porterturnedthepage.‘Andonthispageitdescribesthepurposeofthemeeting:“ToreviewplansforproposedcampaignagainsttheSovietUnion(OperationBarbarossa).”Thenext

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sectionisessentiallyasummaryofwhatwasinDirectiveNumber21.’

PorterwascheckingthedocumentagainstatypedsheetinEnglish.‘ItmakesthecasefortheinvasionoftheSovietUnionandrepeatsprettymuchwhatwasinDirective21.Thenwehavea

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rathercleverlinkfromtheHitlerdirectivetothefakereport.Wealreadyknowthatattheendofthefirstone,Hitlersaid“IawaitsubmissionoftheplansofCommanders-in-Chiefonthebasisofthisdirective.Thepreparationsmadebyallbranchesofthearmedforces,

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togetherwithtimetables,aretobereportedtomethroughtheHighCommandoftheArmedForces.”WhatfollowsisineffecttheCommanders-in-Chiefdoingjustthat.’

AgainPorterwasconsultinghistypedsheet,theEnglishtranslation.‘There’saratherlongsectiondetailing

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thesubmissionsofallthedifferentservices,Idon’tproposetogointodetail.Butthenthere’saparagraphconcludingthus:“ItistheunanimousviewoftheOKW,OKH,OKL,OKM”–thosebeingtheHighCommandsoftheArmedForces,theArmy,theAirForceandtheNavy–

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“thatforthereasonssummarisedbelow,OperationBarbarossashouldbepostponeduntilthespringof1942attheearliest.”Itthengoesontogivethosereasons:areyouhappyformetoreadthemouttoyou?’

Edgarnodded.Hewasleaningbackinhischair,his

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eyeshalfshutasiftofullyabsorbwhatwasbeingreadtohim.

‘“NumberOne–weareoftheopinionthatourintelligenceservicesmayhaveseriouslyunderestimatedboththesizeandthestrengthoftheSovietforces.TheabilityofStalinto

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motivatetheRedArmyissignificant.

‘“NumberTwo–weconsiderthatourownplannersmayhaveoverestimatedourabilitytosupplyourforcesadequatelyiftheadvancethroughSovietterritoryisasrapidasitwillneedtobe.Thereisaserious

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dangerthatourforcescouldbedangerouslyexposedbyshortagesofammunition,fuelandfood.

‘“NumberThree–OperationBarbarossadependsontheco-operationofFinnishandRomanianforces.Weareoftheopinionthisco-operationcannotbe

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takenforgrantedandcouldleavethenorthernandsouthernsectionsofourfrontvulnerable.

‘“NumberFour–theRussianwinterpresentsaverysevererisktoourforces.ToachieveourobjectiveofcapturingMoscowbeforetheonsetofthewinter,wewould

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recommendthatOperationBarbarossaislaunchedbyearlyMay.Atpresent,factorssuchastheYugoslaviacampaignmeanthatthisishighlyunlikely.Theriskofmaintaininganoffensiveduringthewinterisunacceptable.

‘“NumberFive–Great

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Britainisprovingtobefarmoreresolutethatwehadexpected.Wehadbeenoftheopinioneithertheywouldhavesurrenderedbynoworwouldhavebeenweakenedtotheextentthataninvasioncouldbelaunched.Thatisnotthecaseandthereforewehavetotakeintoaccountthe

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factthatwewouldbefightingontwofronts.”

‘There’sabitmoreaboutfuturemeetingsandsuchlike,butthat’sthegistofit.Whatdoyouthink?’

Edgarsaidnothingbutaskedtolookatthereport.Ashereadthroughithenoddedapprovingly,onceortwice

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allowingaknowingsmiletocrosshisface.

‘It’sgoodenoughtomaketheSovietspauseatleast.DependsonwhatmoodStalinisin:thatlineabouthisabilitytomotivatetheRedArmyisaclevertouch–doesnoharmtoappealtotheman’sego.Myfeelingisthat

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attheveryleastit’llconfusetheSoviets.’

‘Andattheverybest?’Edgarglancedagainat

thereportandturneditroundinhishands,asifcheckingitsweight.‘Attheverybest,they’llbelieveit:it’sgood.’

‘Providedwecanmakesuretheyseethedamnthing,’

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saidPorter.‘Theplaniswesealthereportinthebible–I’veevenbeensuppliedwithspecialglueforthatpurpose–andyoutakeittoLisbon:youhaveaseatontomorrow’sflightfromBristol.TelmowillhavetogetthebibleinthediplomaticbagtoDonaMariaandshe’llpassitonto

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Hugo.Allbeingwell,that’llhappenonThursdayorFriday.Meanwhile,BasilRemington-BarberhasbeentoldtomakesurewegetHunterouttoBerlinforaweekonMonday,wherehe’llcollectthereportandbringitbacktoZürich.Naturallywe’recountingonhim

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showingthereporttoViktorfirst.’

Edgarnoddedapprovingly.Porterpickedupsomeotherpapersonthedesk.

‘TheseareforSandytoshowtoTelmo.They’rethecarrotwe’redanglinginfrontofhimandDonaMaria.This

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photographhere…’hehandedoverapictureofaprettythatchedcottage,withabroadexpanseofwisteriaacrossitsfront.‘ThisistheplacewecantellTelmowe’verentedforhimandDonaMariatoliveinoncetheygethere.AndthisisastatementfromBarclays

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BankintheStrandconfirmingthataccountshavebeenopenedineachoftheirnamestothetuneoffivehundredpoundseach.Thentherearevariousotherbitsandpieces,allamountingtowhatwehopeisademonstrationofourpositiveintenttowardsthem.’

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***

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Chapter22:Portugal,Switzerland&Berlin,March1941‘AndwhatifTelmorefuses?He’ssonervousatthemoment,he’shardly

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communicatingwithmeatthemoment.TopersuadehimtosendthisontoBerlinisgoingtobeextremlydifficult,Edgar.’

ItwaslateintheafternoononMonday17thMarchandSandyMorganwasfarfromhisconvivialself.Infrontofhimwasthe

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black,leather-boundbible.‘Tellhimit’sanorder.’‘Yes,yes–I

understandthatEdgar:youdon’tneedtokeeprepeatingit.AllIcansayiswe’repushingourluck.Remember,he’sundernoobligationtoobeyourorders.’

‘Look,Sandy,you

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havetomakehimrealisethisisinhisbestinterests.ShowhimthepictureofthecottagetheServicehassortedoutforhimandshowhimthebankstatementsandalltherestofit.Inshort,promisehimtheearth,anythingtomakesurehesendsthebibleovertoDonaMariaandgetsherto

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handitovertoHugo.IfhesayshewantstoplaycricketforEnglandatLord’s,tellhimit’snoproblem.IfhewantsteawiththeKingandQueenatBuckinghambloodyPalace,askhimhowmanysugarshetakes.PromisehimtheminuteDonaMariaarrivesbackinLisbon,you’ll

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spiritbothofthemintoasafehouse–tellhimthatSandy,heneedstohearit.’

‘Andwhatifhe’sstilldifficult?’

‘Tellhimthatunlessheco-operatesyou’llgostraighttotheRuaVictorCordonandtellthePVDEallabouthimandDonaMaria.Andmake

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sureheknowswemeanit.’

***

OntheWednesdaymorningthetelephonerangtwiceinthespaceoffiveminutesintheapartmentHenrysharedwithhismotherjustoffQuaiduMontBlanc.Onthefirst

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occasionhismotheransweredandafteraminutesaid‘pasdeproblème’inasomewhatresentfulmanner,asifherbeingdisturbedwasindeedaproblem.Wrongnumber.

Whenthephonerangafewminuteslater,Henryanswered.AladyspokeveryquicklyinFrench.

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‘MonsieurHesse,thisisMadameLadnieratCreditSuisse.Ineedtoseeyouurgentlyhereatthebank:twoo’clockthisafternoon.Now,pleaserespondtothiscallasifIhavecalledthewrongnumberagain.Twoo’clock.’

‘No,it’snot,’repliedHenry,awarehewas

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soundingratheraggressive.‘Youhavethewrongnumber.Pleasedon’tdisturbusagain.’

Attwoo’clockhewasusheredfromthereceptionintheQuaidesBerguesbranchofCreditSuissebyMadameLadnier,takenthroughawarrenofcorridorsatthe

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backofthebankandupastaircasetothefirstfloor.Sheunlockedthedoortoasmallofficethenopenedaninterconnectingdoor.LoungingonaleathersofaontheothersideoftheroomwasBasilRemington-Barber.

‘Whenyou’vefinished,ringmeonthistelephone.

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I’monextension18,’saidMadameLadnier.

‘Henry,Henry–hownicetoseeyou.Docomein,sitdown.SorryIcan’tofferyouadrinkbutitseemsSwissbanksaren’tverygoodonthatscore.Apologies,too,forallthesubterfuge:Ineededtocontactyou

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urgentlyandhadtoratherprevailuponMadameLadniertomakethecalls.All’swellthatendswell,eh?’

HenrysatdownonamoreformalchairoppositeRemington-Barber.

‘Look,Henry–littlebitawkwardthis:Iknowwepromisedyouanicelongrest

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butsomethingurgenthascroppedup.’Remington-Barberstoodupandpacedaroundtheroom,atonestageslappingHenryjoviallyontheshoulders.

‘Ratherannoyingreally,butI’mafraidweneedtosendyoubacktoBerlinsomewhatsoonerthanwe’d

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envisaged.Wethoughttherewasanoutsidechanceofthatbutwedidn’timagineit’dbequitesosoon.’

BasilRemington-Barberhadreturnedtothesofaandseemedabitlesshesitantnowhehadpassedonthemessage.

‘Whenwouldthisbe?’

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Henrysoundedcasual,evenratherkeen.

‘Monday,I’mafraid.HedingerissortingthingsoutfromtheZürichend,andEdgarwantstoseeyouthereonSaturday.IhavetoreturntoBernthisafternoonbutI’lltraveloverwithyouonSaturdaymorning.

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ApparentlysomeoftheSwissbankshavestartedtoflytheircouriersinandout–seemslessriskyifthey’recarryingimportantdocuments–andhethinkshecanfindsometop-levelpapersforyoutotakein.PlanisforyoutoflyinviaStuttgartonMondaymorningandoutthenextday

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bythesameroute–meansyoushouldbebackinZürichearlyTuesdayevening:handoverthebankpaperstoHedingerthenhoponthelasttraintoGeneva,whereI’llmeetyou.Withanyluckyou’llbeinyourownbedbymidnight.’

Henrydidhisbestto

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affectatoneofmildannoyance.‘Andwhatisitthat’ssoimportantnow?’

‘Anotherdocument,nothingtodowithReinhartthistime:thisoneisevenmoreimportantthanthelastone.Hermannwillpassitontoyouandyoubringitbacktous.’

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***

HenryarrivedattheluxuryvillahighaboveLutryatFridaylunchtime.Hewaitedfor20minutesinthemagnificentlounge,watchingtheferrythathadbroughthimtoLausannethatmorning

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headingalongthelaketowardsMontreuxandanotherferrysteamingintheoppositedirectiontowardsGeneva.ItwasacleardayandhehadagoodviewofÉvian-les-BainsontheFrenchsideofthelake.

Outsidetherewasaslammingofcardoors

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followedbythesoundofmenspeakingRussianinthehallway.Viktordidnotsomuchwalkintotheroomasstormintoit,slammingthedoorashedidso.Hewaswearingalong,blackcoat,glovesandablackHomburghat.‘Getmeacoffee,’Viktorshoutedatwhoeverwas

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outsidetheroom.‘Thisisurgent,isit

synok?’‘Ofcourse,otherwiseI

wouldn’thavecontactedyou.’

‘IwasinVienna,’Viktorsaid,asifbeinginViennawasareasonwhyheshouldnothavebeen

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contacted.ThedooropenedagainandoneofViktor’smencameinwithatrayofcoffeeandsandwiches.Stillwearinghiscoatandhat,buthavingremovedthegloves,Viktorsatdownandbegantodevourthefoodinfrontofhim.HeindicatedtoHenryheshouldjoinhim.Viktorate

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mostofthesandwichesandfinishedtwocupsofcoffeebeforeheremovedhishat,tossingitontoachaiselongueontheothersideoftheroom.Hewasstillwearinghisovercoatandfromoneofitsinsidepocketsheremovedaleathernotebook.Aknifeemergedfromanotherpocket

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andtheRussianbegantosharpenhispencilinanaggressivemanner.

‘Moscowisverysatisfiedwiththematerialyoubroughtbacktwoweeksagobytheway.Verysatisfiedindeed.’

‘Good:IthinkImayhavemore.’

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Viktorstoppedsharpeningthepencilandblewtheshavingsfromitoffhiscoatontothefloor.

‘Really?Fromthesamesource?’

‘I’mnottoosure,itsoundslikeit’sfromthelawyerthistime,ratherthantheReichsbank.But

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Remington-Barberdidsay“thisoneisevenmoreimportantthanthelastone”.’

‘Hetoldyouthat?’‘Yes,twodaysago.’‘Theytellyoualot,

Henry.’‘Maybetheytrustme.’‘Maybetheydo,maybe

that’showtheBritishoperate.

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Wetendnottobesoforthcoming.Whatarethetravelarrangementsthistime?’

‘TheywantmeinZürichonSaturday–apparentlyEdgar’sgoingtobethere–thenI’mtoflytoBerlinonMonday,viaStuttgart.Backthesameway

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onTuesday.IstillhavetodeliverbankdocumentsovertoHedinger,that’smycoverafterall,thencatchthelatetrainfromZürichtoGeneva,whereIgivethedocumenttoRemington-Barber.’

‘AlrightHenry:wemakethesamearrangementasbefore.Whenyoureturnto

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ZürichonTuesdayyougostraighttoBankLeuthentothestation.Fromtherewe’llmeetyouandwe’llgotohavethedocumentcopied.Areyousuretheyweren’tsuspiciouslasttime?’

‘I’msure:theyseemedverypleasedwithhowthingshadgone.’

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Viktorstoodup,slowlyhaulinghimselfoutofthechairandwalkingovertothewindowbeforeturningtofaceHenry.Hisenormousframeappearedasasilhouette,withthesunbehindhim.

‘Letmetellyousynok,it’spossibletobepleasedand

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suspiciousatthesametime.ButIthinkifEdgarishereagain,itmustmeanthedocumentisatleastasimportantasthelastone.Istillfinditodd,though,thattheydon’tmeetyouinZürichtocollectthedocument.’

‘TheBritishdon’tlikeZürich,Ikeeptellingyou.

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EveryonespeaksGermanthere,ortheirversionofit.TheyfeelsaferonthissideofSwitzerland.’

‘AlrightHenry,yougobacktoGenevanowandwe’llseeyouinZürichonTuesday.’

‘Thereisonething…’‘What’sthatHenry?

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YouwanttoaskmeagainifI’mstillabeliever?’

‘InZürichIaskedafavour–ifyoucouldgivemethedetailsofanycomradesIcouldcontactinBerlin,inanemergency.’

Viktornoddedhishead:yes,Iremember.TheRussiansatbackinthechairopposite

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Henry.‘Iusedtorunnetworks

inBerlin,Henry.Tobehonest,itwasasurprisinglyeasycityforustooperatein:evenafterHitlercametopowerin’33.I’mconvincedtherewerestillmorecommunistsinthecitythanNazis–andmanycommitted

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onesatthat,veryideologicalandverydisciplined.That’swhatIrealisedaboutGermans,theyliketohaveanideology,whetherit’sCommunismorSocialismorNazismorCatholicism.’

Viktorpausedandthoughtforamoment.‘It’safewyearsnowsinceI

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operatedinBerlinandmostofmynetworkshaveeitherbeenarrested,switchedovertotheNazis,leftGermany,orhavebeentakenoverbytheNKVDortheGRUboysattheembassy.ButIhavekeptacouple:I’mgoingtotellyouhowtocontactoneofthem,listencarefully.’

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Henryleanedforwardinhisseat;hewasjustinchesfromtheRussianandcouldsmellcoffeeonhisbreath.

‘There’sanagentcalledKato,whoI’venoreasontobelievehasleftBerlin.Katowasmyprizeagent;Iwasnevergoingtogivethemup.DoyouknowWedding?’

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‘I’veheardofit,butneverbeenthere.’

‘JustnorthofCharlottenburg,notfarfromthecentre.TheimportantthingaboutWeddingisthatitwasalwaysacommuniststrongholdandevennowIunderstandit’samoreamenablepartofthecityfor

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us,whichdoesn’tmeanit’ssafe.CatchtheU-BahnlinethatgoesnorththroughFriederichstrasseandOranienburg,andgetoffatLeopoldPlatz.Fromthere,walknorthalongMüllerstrasseandturnintoWannitzStrasse.IfyoucometoAmsterdamerStrasse

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you’vegonetoofar.Haveyougotallthatsofar?’

Henrynodded.‘OnWannitzStrasse

you’llseearowoffiveorsixshopsunderalargeapartmentblock.Oneofthoseshopssellsitemsforthekitchen–pots,pans,plates;thatkindofthing.Gointhereandaskif

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youcanleavesomethingforaFrauSchreinerinapartment12.Tellthepersonyou’vecomefromDresdentodeliverit.Thereplyyoushouldexpectisthatthey’llsaytheirsisterlivesinDresden.You’llknowthenyou’redealingwithKato:handthemtheenvelope.Initwillbea

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messagefromme:Iwillwriteitnow.Oncetheyreadit,they’llgiveyoutheirfullco-operation.Youdon’tneedtoworryaboutthemessage,bytheway,there’llbenothingincriminatinginit:itwilllooklikeashoppinglist.’

‘AndhowwillIknowthemanintheshopisKato?’

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‘Youwill,don’tworry.Inanycase,Katoisawoman.’

***

Thatsameday,atthePortugueseLegationinBerlin,DonaMariadoRosariohadtowaituntilthe

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FirstSecretarylefttheofficeatfivebeforeshecouldopenthebiblewhichhadarrivedinthatday’sdiplomaticbag.

Telmo’smessagethepreviousdayhadtoldherexactlywheretolookandhowurgenteverythingwas.ShecarefullyremovedtheRostockReportfromthe

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bookandplaceditinsideanenvelope,whichsheslippedintoherhandbag.Afterthat,shestuffedsomeblankpaperintothegapwherethedocumenthadbeenandgluedthecardbackinplacebeforeplacingthebibleinoneofthedrawers.

Shedelayedleavingthe

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Legationuntil5.30,timingherdeparturetocoincidewiththatofanumberoftheothersecretaries.ShewalkedwiththemforawhilethenquietlypeeledawayfromthelittlegroupandheadedforOpernplatzandthevastsanctityofStHedwig’s.

SheknewFatherJosef

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wasnotduetobetakingconfessionthatnight,buthewouldbeassistingattheMass.Shewouldsittowardsthefrontandwearherredscarf:hewouldknowthensheneededtoseehimurgently.

FatherJosefwasoneofanumberofpriestsonthe

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altarduringMassandnotoncedidDonaMarianoticehimlookingather.WhenitwastimetotakeCommunion,DonaMariachosetojointhesmallqueueinfronthim.Hebentdownasshereceivedthewaferandwhisperedinherear:‘Gototheundercroft;waitformethere.’

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Theundercroftwasdesertedandshesatquietlyonanarrowwoodenbenchsetbackintheshadows.Afterafewminutessheheardgentlefootstepsechoingtowardsher.WithoutacknowledgingherbutlookingallaroundhimFatherJosefwalkedtothefurthest

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chapelandbeckonedhertofollow.

‘Arewesafehere?’sheaskedhimwhentheywerealone.

‘Forafewminutes,withanyluck.IrarelyseepeopledownhereaftereveningMass.What’stheproblem?’

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‘IhavesomethingurgentforHugo.’

‘Verywell:I’llsendamessageforhimtocometoconfessiontomorrow:thenyoucanmeethimonFriday.’

‘NoFather!Ican’twaitthatlong,itmaybetoodangerous.I’mreturningtoPortugalonMondayandI

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fearformysafety.Aftertoday,Ican’tdoanythingelse.’

‘Sowhatdoyouwantmetodo?’FatherJoseflookedterrified.Amessenger,I’llbenomorethanamessenger.That’swhathehadsaidinthebeginning.

DonaMariaremoved

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theenvelopefromherhandbagandpusheditintothepriest’shands.

‘Here,pleasegivethistoHugo,Father.’

‘No,Ican’tdothat.’‘YouhavetoFather.’

Atthatmoment,theybothheardthesoundofheavyfootstepswalkingtowards

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them.Theprieststartedtosaysomethingthenslippedtheenvelopeintothefoldsofhiscassockandsunktohiskneesinprayer.Bythetimehehadfinished,DonaMariahadslippedaway.

***

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Chapter23:Berlin,March1941HenryHunterarrivedinZürichontheSaturdayafternoonandallthroughtheweekendwasbriefedbyEdgarandRemington-Barber

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onwhatwasexpectedofhiminBerlin.Ifallwentwell,hewasassured,hewouldbeinthecityforlittlemorethan24hours.

HenrytriedhardnottoshowhewaspleasedhewastobereturningtoBerlin.Hefeltmorerelaxedthanhehadformorethantenyears:he

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wasgoingonhisownmission,aswellastheirs.

HeleftZürichairportonthefirstlegofthejourneyearlyontheMondaymorningandbythetimehelandedinStuttgartitwasaclearday.Itwasayearandamonthsincehehadlastbeenattheairportandthistimetheplanetaxied

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toanevenmoreremotesection,wellawayfromanybuildingsandthefewLuftwaffeplaneshecouldmakeoutinthedistance.Whenallthepassengershaddisembarked,theywerecountedonthetarmacthendividedintotwogroups.ThoseremaininginStuttgart

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weretoboardabusthatwouldtakethemtotheterminalbuilding;thoseflyingontoBerlinweretotransfertothewaitingJunkersJu-52plane.

TheflightforBerlintookoffhalfanhouraftertheyhadlandedinStuttgartandtwohoursand20minutes

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latertheyhadlandedatTempelhof:gettingthroughsecuritytookalmostaslong.Forthefirsthourafterhelandedhewaskeptinasmallroomwiththethreeothernon-Germanpassengers.Onebyone,theyweretakenintoaroomtobequestionedandhewasthethirdtogoin.Hewas

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inthereforjustunderanhour,duringwhichtimehewassearched,aswashiscase,thenhewasthoroughlyquestioned.HowmanytimeshaveyoubeentoBerlin?;whatdoyoudowhenyou’rehere?;wheredoyoueat?;doyoumeetanyonenotconnectedwithyourwork?;

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whyhaveyouflownintoBerlinonthisoccasion?;whatviewsdoyouhaveonthepoliciesofourgovernment?;haveyoumetanyJewswhileinGermany?;orcommunists?;pleasetellmeagain,howmanytimeshaveyoubeentoBerlin?;whatdoyoudowhenyou’re

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here…?Thenanotherwait,this

timeonhisownattheendofanoverlitcorridor,followedbyafewmorequestionsandfinallyhewasabletoleavetheairport.OnEdgar’sadvice,hewalkedovertoFlughafenstation,fromwherehetooktheU-Bahn

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northforthreestopsasfarasKochStrasse.FromthereitwasashortwalkacrossWilhelmStrassetotheExcelsioronAskanischerPlatz,wherearoomhadbeenreservedforhim.Itwasanenormoushotel,withwellover500roomsand,asfarasHenrycouldtell,eightornine

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restaurants.BothEdgarandRemington-Barberfelttheanonymityofthehotelwouldbemoresuitableforthisvisit.

Itwas2.30bythetimehecheckedintohisnarrowroomonthethirdfloor,overlookingSaarlandStrasse.Theroomwasoverheated,butwhenheopenedthe

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windowthenoiseofthecityfloodedinandhefoundhimselfunabletothinkproperly.

‘Staythereuntilthenextmorning,’Edgarhadtoldhim,whichwasallverywellbutthatleftnotimeforanything.Tuesdaywasgoingtobeverytightasitwas:

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meetingHugoatnineo’clocktocollectthedocumentthentotheReichsbanktoexchangepaperswithGunterReinhart.Afterthat,hewassupposedtogotoTempelhofingoodtimetocatchthe12.30flighttoStuttgart.

Maybe.Hemanagedtostayin

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thehotelroomfor20minutes,pacingupanddown,stillnotfullydecidedonhiscourseofaction.Thereweretoomanyflawstohisplan;itdependedtoomuchonchanceanditmeantignoringeverythinghehadbeentrainedtodooverthepasttenyears.Hewastrulycaught

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betweenarockandahardplace.

Hismindstillunresolved,heleftthehotelthroughasideentranceandfromStadtMittecaughttheU-BahnnorthasfarasLeopoldPlatz.HewasinWeddingandhewasabouttousethefavourhehadasked

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ofViktor.Dependingonhowthatwentwouldhelpmakeuphismind.

CarefullyfollowingViktor’sinstructionsheturnedintoWannitzStrasseandspottedthesmallparadeofshopswiththehardwareshopinthemiddle.Hewalkedpastitfromthe

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oppositesideoftheroadand,whenhenoticedawomanleaving,crossedtheroadandentered.

Theshopwasempty:behindthecounterwasawell-builtwoman,inherlatethirtiesorpossiblyolder.Shehadanuntidynestofhairthatwasturninggreyandaface

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noticeablemainlyforthethickmascaraaroundherbright-greeneyesandthedarklipstick,whichwasclosertoblackthanred.OnthewallbehindherwasasmallframedphotographofHitler,nexttoashelf-fullofwhitecandles.Theysmiledateachotherandhespenta

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minuteortwoshowingundueinterestinacoppersaucepan.Hecheckedtheinsidepocketofhisjacket:Viktor’snotewasthere,inanenvelopefromthehotel.Youdon’tneedtoworryaboutthemessagebytheway,there’llbenothingincriminatinginit:itwilllooklikeashopping

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list.‘CanIhelpyou?’The

womanhadcomeoutfrombehindthecounterandwasalongsidehim.Shepointedtothecoppersaucepanhewasholding.‘Thisisbestquality:acompanyinMagdeburgmanufacturesthem.’

‘I’vecomefrom

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Dresden,’saidHenry,awarehisvoicesoundeduncertain.Hewastryingtospeakquietly.‘I’vesomethingforFrauSchreinerinapartment12:pleasecouldIleaveithere?’

Thewomanglancedanxiouslytowardsthedoorthenedgedslowlyback

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towardsthecounter.‘Ofcourse:mysisterisfromDresden.’

Kato.Thewomancasually

walkedbackbehindthecounter,smilingatHenry,whosmiledbackather.Therewassilenceasshelookedathim,waitingfor

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himtospeak.‘Youhavesomething

forme,maybe?’‘I’msorry,yes,I

forgot.’Hehandedtheenvelopetoher.

Sheremovedthenotefromtheenvelopeandmomentarilygaspedasshebegantoreadit.Thehand

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holdingthenotewasshaking,whileherothersteadiedherselfonthecounter.Heheardherquietlysay,‘Viktor’.Whenshehadfinishedreading,sheindicatedforhimtowaitandwenttoaroombehindthecounter.Therewasabriefsmellofburning.Sheback

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cameoutwithtwolitcigarettes,andhandedonetoHenry.

‘Nothankyou.Idon’tsmoke.’

‘Smokeitplease:incaseanyonecomesin.It’sbettertodisguisethesmell.So,youareacomrade?’

Henrynodded.A

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comrade.‘IneverthoughtI’d

hearfromViktoragain,never.IknowI’mnotsupposedtoaskanyquestions,butjusttellmethis–ishewell?’Hereyesweremoistandthehandholdingthecigarettewasshaking,somuchsosheusedherother

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handtosteadyit.Shelovedhim.Shestill

does.‘Yes.’Shelookedathim

quizzically,hopinghewouldsaymore,buthejustsmiledandnoddedhishead.

‘Hesaysyou’retobetrustedandI’mtohelpyou,’

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saidKato.‘I’veheardnothingfromanyoneforoverayear.Therewerefiveofus,allloyaltoViktor.Hetoldusnottotrustanyoneattheembassy.TwocomradesmanagedtoescapetoSweden,anotherwasarrestedanddiedatSachsenhausenandonedisappeared:she’sa

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JewandIsuspectshe’sgoneunderground.I’mfortunatenoneofourcellwentovertotheNazis:thathappenedwithanumberofcomrades.Whatdoyouneed–somewheretostay,somemoney?’

‘Isitsafetotalkhere?’‘Ofcourse!Doyou

thinkI’dbedoingitifit

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wasn’t?There’sno-oneinthebackandIcanseewhoevercomesin.Takethesaucepanfromthestand,andoneortwoothers–wecanmakeitlookasifyoucan’tdecidewhichonetobuy:mennevercananyway.Tellmewhatyouneed.’Herhandsstillshookassheinhaleddeeply

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onthecigarette,andhergreeneyesdancedwithamixtureoffearandexcitement.

WhenhehadfinishedtellingKatowhatheneeded,heexpectedhertosayitwasimpossible,butsheactednomoresurprisedthanifhehadorderedanewdiningset.

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‘Youwantthisfortomorrowmorningyousay?’

‘Yesplease.’‘Whattime?’‘Around11o’clock,

possiblyabitlater,butcertainlybynoon.Fromhere?’

‘No,mostcertainlynot.Whenyouleavehere,we’ll

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neverseeeachotheragain.YoushouldavoidWeddinganyway,theGestapohavetoomanypeoplearoundhere.Whatyouwantwillbereadyfrom11o’clock.WillyoubearoundthecentreofBerlin?’

‘Yes.’‘Doyouknow

Ku’damm?’

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Heshookhishead.‘Itisactuallycalled

Kurfürstendamm,buteveryoneknowsitasKu’damm.It’saverywell-knownstreetinthesouthofCharlottenburg:beforethewaritwasveryfashionable.Now,nowhereisfashionable.GotoUhlandStrasseU-Bahn

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andcomeoutontheKurfürstendammexit,thencrosstheroadandheadwestfortwoorthreeblocks–notfar.OnthecornerofKurfürstendammandBleibtreustrasse,you’llseeakiosksetbackinthewall;itsellsnewspapers,cigarettes,thatkindofthing.Don’tbe

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putoffbytheswastikasandthepicturesofHitler.Telltheoldladyinthekioskyou’vecometocollectMagda’scigarettes:she’llhandyouapackofJuno.Whatyouneedwillbeinsidethepacket,butputitstraightinyourpocket,buyanewspaperandleave.CarryonupBleibtreustrasse

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andtakethesecondleft,NiebuhrStrasse.OpenthepacketwhenyougetintoNiebuhrStrasse,there’llbeanotetheretellingyouwheretogo.Now,Ineedtocheckyou’verememberedallthat.’

***

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Atsixo’clockonthemorningofTuesday25thMarch,Henryfinallygaveuptryingtoforcehimselfbacktosleep,ashehadbeenattemptingtodoformostofthenight.Theyhadallcometovisithimduringhisbriefspellsofsleep:Roza,ofcourse,butalsoherbrotherandtheman

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intheperfumeshopinEssen.EvenFoxithedog.They’dallbeenshoutingathim.RosahadappearedandforabriefmomentshesatontheendofthebedalongsideRoza.

Henryhadabaththensatonthefloor,withmapsspreadoutbeforehim.Hehadbeenabsorbedinthese

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sincereturningtotheExcelsiorlatethepreviousafternoon.Hecouldseetheroutes;therewasnodoubtaboutthat.Hewanderedovertothewindow.DownonSaarlandStrasseagroupofWaffenSSwerehappilychattingawayandslappingeachotherontheback.Not

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forthefirsttimesincehearrivedinBerlin,hefeltrealfear.Hischesttightenedandthemapsshookashishandstrembled.

Idon’thavetodothis.I’mnotcommittedtoanything.IfIabandonmyplansnow,no-onewillknow.

Backtothemaps:

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duringhistrainingbytheBritishhehadbeentoldhewasanaturalmapreader:hecouldstudyamapanditscontentswouldcometolife;hewasimmediatelyabletopicturetheareaasifhewereobservingitfromaboveandcouldenvisagedifferentroutesandalltheoptions

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availabletohim.Firstofalltherewasthe

mapofBerlin,thenthatofGermany.Itappearedstraightforward;heknewwherehehadtobeandhowtogetthere,buthecouldnotforeseethehazardsandheknewtherewouldbeplentyofthose.

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HecheckedoutoftheExcelsiorat8.30thatmorning,assuringoneoftheover-attentivemanagersondutyhehadindeedenjoyedhisstay,everythinghadindeedbeentohissatisfactionandhewouldmostcertainlyconsiderstayingattheExcelsiorwhenhereturnedto

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Berlin.Therewasalight

drizzleashewalkedtotheOpernplatz,wheretheexpanseofStHedwig’sCathedralrosebeforehim.HeremindedhimselfofEdgar’sinstructions.

Don’tenterthecathedralbeforefivetonine.

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HepausedattheentrancetoOpernplatz.Itwas8.50and,realisingitwastooearly,hefoundastonebenchtositon,despitetherain.Hewaited,steelinghimselftogoin.Hehadapassionatedislikeofchurches,buoyedbyafearhehadfirstencounteredinhischildhood,

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thatchurchesweretheoneplacewheresecretsweren’tsafe;eventhestatuesandgargoylesseemedtoknowallabouthim.

Fivetonine.Enterthecathedral

throughthemainentrance.Afewpeoplewere

comingdownthestepsafter

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theeighto’clockMass.Anddon’tforgetto

crossyourself.Findaseatabout

halfwayalong,betweentheentranceandmainaltar.

Thecathedralwasenormousandtheremusthavebeennomorethantwodozenpeopledottedaround

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it,sittingaloneorinpairs,allinsilentprayer.

Ifhe’sseenallisclear,Hugowillappearonthesamerowasyouandsittwoorthreeseatsaway.Don’texpecttoseehimbefore9.10.Butifhehasn’tappearedby9.20,leavethechurchandwalkbacktoUnterden

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Linden.Don’tlookaroundforhim.

Tenpastnine.ThecathedralwasmuchemptiernowasthelastMassworshippershadleftandmadetheirwaytowork.Hetriedhardtoclosehiseyesandhopesomespiritualfeelingwouldcometohim,

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somethingtoreassurehimandtellhimeverythingwouldturnoutright.Nothing,butatleasttheghostofRozadidnotappear.Hebecameawareofascrapeofchairsalongsidehimassomeonemoveddownhisrow.

Don’tlookdirectlyathim,butdolookinhis

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directionsoyoucanbesureit’shim.

ItwasHugo,dressedinalongblackcoat,andclutchingahatandbriefcase.

Ifheplaceshisbriefcaseonachaireithersideofhimthat’sasignofdanger.Leaveimmediately.Ifthebriefcaseremainsonthe

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floor,alliswell.Thebriefcasewason

thefloor.HesawHugoremoveabiblefromthesmallwoodenreceptacleonthebackofthechairinfrontofhimandslipsomethingintoit.

RemainwhereyouareuntilHugohasfinishedand

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left.Thenyou’llknowhowtoretrievethedocument.

AfterfiveminutesHugofinishedpraying.Hereturnedthebibletowherehehadtakenitfrom,stoodupandleft.

Thedocumentwillbefoldedinthemiddleofthebible.Removeitassoonas

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youcan.Hestoodupand

straightenedhiscoat,andwhenhesatdownagainitwasintheseatnexttotheoneHugohadpreviouslyoccupied.HepickedupthebibleHugohadleftandopenedit:thedocumentwasindeedinthecentre,foldedas

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ifreadytobeinsertedintoanarrowenvelope.Heglancedaround,butno-onewasclosetohimorlookinginhisdirection,apartfromareproachfulmedievalsaintortwo.Withinseconds,thedocumentwasinsidehisjacketpocket.

Onceyou’veretrieved

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thedocumentremaininyourseatforanotherfiveminutes.Remembertopray.

Hethumbedthroughthebibleandstoppedrandomly.Itwasapsalm,130:‘WaitingfortheRedemptionoftheLord’.‘OutofthedepthsIhavecriedtoyouOLord.Lord

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hearmyvoice!’Ashiverrandownhisspineandhelookeduptoseeifanyonewaswatchinghimnow.Helookedbackatthepsalm.‘ForwiththeLordthereismercy,AndwithHimisabundantredemption’.

Hefoundhimselfshakingandbecomingsohot

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thesweatfromhishandswasstainingthepage.HeglancedupandsawastoneangelonapillarnearhimlookedlikeRoza.Hehadneverbeenareligiousman;itwasalientohisideology.Buthewasquiteclearnow.Whathehadjustreaddecidedhim.Hewascertain.Hehadtoconcentrate

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veryhardnowtorememberEdgar’sinstructions.

Putthebiblebackbehindtheseatandleavethecathedral.Don’tforgettokneelandcrossyourself.There’sachapeljustbeforetheporchfromwhereyouleavethecathedral.Hugowillbeinthere:ifhegetsup

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toleaveasyougopastandhiscoatisfoldedacrosshisarm,you’llknowalliswell.He’llfollowyoubutdon’tlookround.LeavethroughOpernplatzthenwalkdownOberwallstrasse:ifHugoiscertainyou’renotbeingfollowedhe’llapproachyoubeforeyougointothe

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Reichsbanktocheckeverythingisinorder.

AshewalkedpastthechapelheglimpsedHugobeginningtofollowhimout,hiscoatfoldedacrosshisarm.HewalkedthroughOpernplatzbackintoUnterdenLindenand,afterablock,turnedrightinto

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Oberwallstrasse,whichwasalong,narrowstreetleadingdowntoFranzösischestrasseandtheReichsbank.Abouthalfwayalongtheroadwasfilledwithrubblefromwhatappearedtobeabombedbuilding.Hepausedtolookupatit,allowingHugotocatchupwithhim.

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‘Everythingappearstobealright.I’llwalkwithyouasfarastheReichsbank.Youhavethedocumentsafe?’

‘It’shereinmypocket,’saidHenry.

‘Good.MakesureyougetaproperenvelopefromReinharttoputitin,alongwithsomeotherReichsbank

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papers–anddon’tforgettogethimtosealit.It’sessentialitlookslikeanormalletterfromtheReichsbanktoBankLeu,I’msureyourealisethat.ThengostraighttoTempelhof.’

‘Franz!’Asmartlydressedman

wasstridingtowardsthem.

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‘Ohno,’Hugomuttered,thenunderhisbreathsaid,‘Givemeaminute;Ineedtogetridofhim.I’mgivingyoudirectionstotheReichsbank,rememberthat.’

‘WhatareyoudoingdownhereFranz?Youshouldbeintheoffice.I’monthewaytheremyself.’

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Henryhadafeelingheknewtheman,butcouldnotplacehim.HewaswearingaformalsuitandspokewithaBerlinaccent.HehadbeguntostareatHenry,asifherecognisedhimtoo.

‘YesAlois,I’monmywaytotheofficetoo.I’dbeenatMassandthisgentleman

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askedmetodirecthimtotheReichsbank.’

‘Ithinkwemayhavemet.’ThemanHermannhadcalledAloishadnowturnedtofaceHenry,positioninghimselfuncomfortablyclose.Henrywasconvincedtheyhadmet,buthadnoideawhenorwhere.

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‘AreyoufromSwitzerland,byanychance?’

Henryrepliedthathewas.Hecouldnowremembertheman.FranzHermannwasstandingbehindhimandlookingworried.

‘Alois–Idoneedtogettotheoffice.Perhapsyou’lljoinme?I’msureour

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friendnowknowshiswaytotheReichsbank.’

AloisignoredHermann.‘Iremembernow!Bern,lastJune–wemetattheSchweizerhof.MynameisAloisJäger:IsaidyoushouldcontactmeifyouwereeverinBerlin.Doyourecallourmeeting?’

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HenrynoticedtheNaziPartybadgeonJäger’slapel.‘Yes…’hesaidhesitantly,appearingtorecollecttheirmeetingfromthebackofhismemory.‘Idoremember.OfcourseIdo.’

‘YounameisHenri,correct?’

Henrynodded.

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‘AndwhatbringsyoutoBerlin?’

‘I’mhereonbusiness.’‘Forwhom,mayIask?’‘BankLeu–Iworkfor

BankLeuinZürich.IhavebusinessontheirbehalfattheReichsbank.’

‘Ah–aSwissbanker!I’mmostimpressed.Ihave

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somegoodfriendsattheReichsbank.PerhapsyouknowHerr…’

‘Ishouldexplain,HerrJäger–I’mjustacourier.MydealingswiththeReichsbankarelimitedtodeliveringandcollectingdocuments,I’mafraid.’

‘Don’tworrymy

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friend.It’sallveryimportant.I’mtoldthesupportwe’regettingfromtheSwissbanksisprovingtobealifelineforGermany:suchdiscretion–we’resograteful.Andyou’refromZürich,amostcharmingcity,so…proper.’

Jägerpausedforamoment.‘ButI’mconfused

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HerrHesse,’hesaid.‘WhenwemetinBernyousaidyouwerefromGeneva?YouweretravellingtoStuttgart,Ithink,onbusiness.IrecallthatbecauseIrememberwonderingwhysuchagoodGermanspeakerwasfromGeneva.’

Henrycouldsee

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Hermann’seyesshinewithfear.‘Geneva,yousay?Ahyes!ForawhileIdidlivethere,butnowIliveinZürichandworkforBankLeu.’

‘Soyou’renolongerinbusiness?’

‘No,nolonger.’‘Isee,’saidJäger,

soundingunsure.‘Andwhata

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remarkablecoincidencethatnotonlyshouldIencounteryoutodayinBerlin,butyoushouldalsobetalkingwithmygoodfriendandcolleagueHerrHermann.Youlookedasthoughyoukneweachother–itshowswhatahospitablecityBerlinhasbecomeundertheFührer.Perhapswecould

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havedinnertonight–thethreeofus?’

HenryexplainedhewasleavingBerlinthatday.‘Infact,IhaveaflightfromTempelhofat12.30.’

‘Well,IwantyoutopromisethenexttimeyouareinBerlin,you’llcontactme?Weshallhaveameal

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together.WhatdoyouthinkFranz?’

AllthreemenagreedthiswasamostagreeableideaastheywalkedtogethertotheendofOberwallstrasse,wheretheyenthusiasticallyshookhands:AloisJägerandFranzHermannthenturnedrighttowardstheirofficein

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Friederichstrasse,HenrylefttowardsWerderscherMarkt.

Henrywasshocked.JägerwasclearlysuspiciousandthefacthewaswearingaNaziPartybadgeandHugolookedsohorrifiedwasaworry.Hewouldhavehadevenmorecauseforconcernhadhelookedaroundjust

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beforeheenteredtheReichsbankandnoticedtheformalfigureofAloisJägerwatchinghimfromtheothersideoftheroad.

***

WhenHenriHessepresentedhimselfattheReichsbank

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receptionhisheartwasracing,hischestfelttight,hewasperspiringheavilyandbeginningtofeelquiteunwell.Itwas10.30.Hisoptionswerestillopen:hecouldexchangedocumentswithReinhart,gotoTempelhof,returntoSwitzerlandandpleaseboth

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hismasters.Butthechancereadingofthepsalminthecathedralhadmadeuphismind:hewouldtakeamuchharderoption,butoneheknewwouldbringhimpeace.

GunterReinhartappearedtohaveagedtenyearsintheshorttimesinceHenryhadlastseenhimand,

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otherthanthankinghimonceagainfortakingAlfredtoSwitzerland,saidverylittle.HetooktheenvelopefromBankLeu,signedforitandhandedoverthesealedenvelopeforhimtotakebacktoSwitzerland.

‘Ineedyoutogivemeanotherenvelope,perhaps

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withanotherdocumentinit?’saidHenry.‘I’dthenliketoputsomethinginmyselfandaskyoutore-sealit.’

TheGermanlookeduncomfortable.

‘IsaidtoHedinger,thishastobethelasttime.Ican’triskthisanymore.YoutookAlfredtoSwitzerland,for

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whichI’meternallygrateful,andinreturnIsuppliedthedirective.NowI’vedoneyouthisonemorefavour.Lifeisgettingtoodangerous:ifIgiveanymorecausetosuspectme,thennotonlywillIbeindangerbutsowillRosaandSophia,nottomentionmywifeand

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children,ofcourse.Youmustpromisemethis,don’taskmetohelpagain.Don’tcomebacktoBerlin,youunderstand?It’stoodangerous,fartoodangerous.’

Hetookanotherenvelopefromadrawer,foundafewsheetsfroma

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trayonhisdeskandslippedthemin.HenrycarefullyinsertedthepapershehadtakenfromthebiblebetweenthesheetsandhandedtheenvelopebacktoReinharttosealit.

HenrypromisedReinharttheywouldnevermeetagain,whichwasnot

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difficultashehadeveryintentionofkeepingit.Itwasunusualforhimtomakeapromiseheintendedtokeep.

AfterleavingWerderscherMarkt,hetravelledbyU-BahntoUhlandStrasse.Kato’sinstructionshadbeenclearenough.Hecameoutonthe

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Kurfürstendammexit,crossedtheroadthenheadedwestasfarasthecornerwithBleibtreustrasse.

Sureenough,therewasakiosksetbackinthewall,withnarrowswastikabannershangingdownfromeithersideofalargeadvertisingsign:‘BerlinRauchtJuno’;

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BerlinsmokesJuno.LuckyBerlin.

Theoldladyinthekioskappearedtobewearingtwocoatsandhadascarfwrappedroundherheadwithawoollenhatontopit.BehindherwasalargepictureofHitlerataslightlyjauntyangleandinfrontof

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herasmallqueueofpeopleinahurry.Hecourteouslyallowedawomaninafurcoattogofirstso,bythetimeitwashisturntobeserved,therewasno-oneelsewaiting.

‘IhavecometocollectMagda’scigarettes.’

Theoldladyglancedup

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athimandheldeyecontactforamomentbeforeshescannedthestreetbehindhim.Hewonderedwhetherhewasmeanttosayanythingelse:hadheforgottensomething?Headded‘Please’andsmiled.

Shebentdownand,fromunderthecounter,

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producedawhitepacketofJunocigarettes,whichshepressedintohishands.Asheslippedthepacketintohispocket,hecouldtelltherewassomethingheavierinsidethancigarettes.BynowhehadbeenjoinedatthefrontofthekioskbytwoWaffenSSofficers.Hepickedupacopy

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oftheVölkischerBeobachterandplacedtwoReichsmarksintotheoldlady’smittenedhands.BythetimeshehadpocketedthemoneyshehadalreadyturnedherattentiontotheSSmen.

NiebuhrStrassewasaquietstreet,inmarkedcontrasttothebustleofthe

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Ku’damm.HestoodinthedoorwayofadressshopandremovedthepacketofJunofromhispocket.Therewereonlyfourorfivecigarettesinitandheplacedonestraightintomouthandlitit–itwouldhavelookedtoosuspicioustodootherwise.Tuckedintothepacketwasa

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carkeyattachedtoasmallmetaldiskwiththeword‘Opel’engravedonit.Therewasalsoafoldedslipofpaper,whichheunwrapped:UTM142.

Helookeddownthestreet.Therewerefewcarsparkedonitbuthecouldnotseetheonehewaslooking

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for.HewalkeddowntheblockandthelastcaronthecornerbeforeSchlüterstrassewasanOpelSuper6sedan:UTM142.Itwasahandsomecar;fourdoors,darkgreen,whitewalltyresandneithertoocleannortoodirtythatitmightstandout.

Heunlockedthedoor

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andsettledintothedriver’sseat.Thecarhadamustysmelltoit,amixtureofdampandoldleather.‘I’lldomybesttogetholdofthepapersyouneed,butitwon’tbeeasy,’Katohadtoldhimthepreviousafternoon.‘WhateverIcangetwillbeintheglovebox,insidethelog

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book.’Hereachedacrossto

thegloveboxinfrontofthepassengerseatandremovedtheblack-leatherlogbook,withtheword‘Opel’infadedsilveronthecover.Thebackcoverofthebookformedasleeveandwithinthatwaswhathehadaskedfor:

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identitycardsandaformshowingthattheownerofUTM142wasentitledtobuypetrol.Tuckedbehindthelogbookwassomethinghardwrappedinathickgreycloth.

‘ThecarhasbeenhiddeninWeissenseesincebeforethewarbegan,’Katohadtoldhim.‘Amechanic

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who’sasecretPartymemberhasbeenlookingafterit.HenowworksinanSSgarage,sohe’sbeenabletoobtainthecorrectdocumentation.I’vekeptthepaperworkuptodate.Iwaskeepingitforanemergency,butifViktorsays…Theidentitycardswon’tbeeasy,notwithso

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littletime.It’spossibletopurchasethesethingsthough;theblackmarketisveryactiveatthemoment.DoyouhavemoneyIcanuse,byanychance?’

HehadhandedherasubstantialsumofSwissFrancsandhereyeslitup.‘Thatshouldmakeitmuch

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easier,’shesaid.‘I’lldowhatIcan.’

Apolicemanhadwalkedpastthecarandnow,inhisrear-viewmirror,Henrycouldseehimturningaroundandheadingslowlybackinhisdirection.Heneededtomove,butfirstheremovedfromhispocketatightly

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wrappedpieceofpaper,fromwhichheproducedtheNaziPartymembershipbadgehehadtakenfromtheperfumeshopownerinEssen.Hepinneditcarefullytohislapelandcheckedinthemirroritwasataproperangle.Thecarstartedfirsttime,ifrathernoisilyandlurchedforward

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asheselectedthegears.HedroveslowlydownthesidestreetstogetafeelofthecarbeforeturningintoKurfürstendamm.

Createacommentary:decideyourroute,writeitdownthenmemorisethatrouteinthespokenform.Whenyou’redrivingalong,

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keeprecitingthecommentary,itmeansyoucanavoidusingamapanddrawingattentiontoyourself.

EastalongKurfürstendamm,thenrightintoJoachimstalerStrasse,whichbecomesKaiserAllee.Therewassurprisinglylittletrafficontheroad,thoughhe

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hadtobecarefulofthetrams.TheOpelwasheavybutpowerful,andhehadtoconcentratehardtokeephisspeedundercontrol.

ThroughWilmersdorfandFriedenau.KaiserAlleeleadsintoReinStrasse.AttheendofReinStrasseyouwillseetheBotanischerGarten

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signposted.TurnrightintoGrunewaldStrasse:youwillknowwhereyouarefromthere.

Itwas11.20.ThejourneyhadbeenquickerthanheimaginedandtheOpelnowhandledbeautifully:hehadlittledoubtthatonceitgotouton

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theopenroaditwouldperformwell,assumingtheygotthatfar.InKaiserWilhelmStrasseheeasedthecarslowlytoahaltinapositionwherehecouldseethehouseonthecornerofArno-HolzStrasse.

AtvariousstagessincehehadarrivedinBerlinhe

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hadbeentellinghimselfhedidnotneedtodothis,thathecouldpulloutnow.No-onewouldknowifhedid,withthepossibleexceptionofKato.HecoulddriveontowardsTempelhof,abandonthecarandstillhavetimetocatchthe12.30flighttoBerlin–therewasjustabout

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enoughtime–andforabriefmomenthehesitated.

ThentheimageofRozaappearedagain,smilingthistimeandthesenseofcalmthathehadfirstencounteredintheair-raidshelterinStuttgartstationreturned.

Heleftthecarandwalkedovertothehouse,

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knowingtherewasnogoingback.

***

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Chapter24:leavingBerlin,March1941HenryHunter’scareerasasecretagentceasedthemomentheknockedonthedoorofthehousewhereRosaSternwashiding.Hehad

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beenaSovietspysince1930andaBritishoneforayearandhalf.Servingfirstonethentwomastershadrequiredhimtobeconstantlyonhisguard,andtobeincontrolandexercisecautionallthetime.Despitesometimesaffectinganairofdetachmentandpossiblycomingacross

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asabittooquestioning,Henryknewhehadsurvivedbecausehehadactuallyalwaysdonewhathewastold.

Now,hewasdoingtheopposite.Fromthismomentonhewasturninghisbackontheobediencethathaddictatedhislifeforprevious

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tenyears.Hewouldbeexploitinghistrainingforhisowninterests.

WhenRosaopenedthedoorshelookedasthoughshe’dseenaghost.

‘Whatonearthareyoudoinghere?Itoldyouitwastoodangeroustoreturn:youhavetoleavenow!Ohmy

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GodHenrithisissodangerous.Pleasego.Please!’

‘LetmeinRosa.Ineedtoexplain.You’llunderstandwhenItellyouwhyI’mhere.Youknowit’sdangerousformetostandhere.Please.’

Soshelethiminandhurriedhimupstairswhile

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shesettledFrauHermann.Whenshecameuptothesmallloungeonthefirstfloorshelookflusteredandstoodbythecloseddoor,armsfolded.

‘WhatisitHenri–andhowcomeyou’restillinBerlin?MyGod–what’sthat?’Shewaspointingatthe

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NaziPartymembershipbadgeonhislapel.‘You’renot…’

‘Don’tworryRosa;it’stostopmelookingsuspicious.’

Shelaughedsarcastically.‘ASwisscitizenwalkingroundBerlinwearingaNaziPartybadge:youthinkthatdoesn’tlooksuspicious?’

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‘ListentomeRosa.You’reindanger,youandSophia.’

‘ThanksfortellingmethatHenri.Don’tyouthinkI’malreadyverywellawareofthat?’

‘No,no…WhatImeanisyou’reinimmediatedanger.Youhavetoleavethe

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housenow!’Shegaspedandmoved

awayfromthedoor,movingtothesofaoppositeHenry.

‘Whatdoyoumean?’‘IsawFranzthis

morning.Hetoldmehe’sheardthroughacontactthattheGestapohavebeeninformedyou’rehidinginthis

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area:they’vebeentoldyou’reinahouseinoneoftheroadsjustnorthoftheBotanischerGarten.They’replanningtosearcheveryhouse.Thesearchcouldbeginatanytime.’

‘ButFranzwashereyesterday,heneversaidawordaboutthis.I’dhave

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knownifsomethingwaswrong,surely?’

‘Isawhimearlythismorning:he’donlyjustheard.’

‘Areyousure?’‘OfcourseI’msure.

WhyelsedoyouthinkI’mhere?’

‘ButFranzhadaplan

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we’duseifwe’reeverindanger:he’dtelephoneanduseacodeword,thenSophiaandIwouldgotoPankow,whereafriendofhishasashopandwe’dbeabletohideintheattic.He…’

‘There’snotimeRosa.I’msureFranzmadealltheseplansbutmaybehepanicked.

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Itoldyou,theycouldstartthehouse-to-housesearchatanytime.Wehavetoleavenow.’

‘We?’‘Yes.I’vegotacar.I’m

goingtotakeyouandSophia,butweneedtoleavenow.’

‘ThisismadnessHenri.WehavenoproperpapersandwhataboutFrau

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Hermann?Ican’tjustabandonher.’

‘IhavepapersRosa,here–look.’

HehandedhertheidentitycardsKatohadleftforhiminthecar,hersinthenameofDagmarKeufer,Sophia’sinthenameofGiselaKeufer.Rosastudied

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themcarefully.‘ThephotographsHenri

–they’renotevenofus!’‘No,ofcoursenot–

therewasnotime.Buttheycouldbeofyou:theyoughttobegoodenoughforabasiccheck,they’renottoobadandIhaveacardinthenameofErichKeufer,sowe’llbe

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abletopretendtobeafamily.YouseeouraddressisinFrankfurt:wecansaywe’redrivingthere.’

‘ToFrankfurt–areyoumad?We’llbeluckytogetoutofBerlin.AndwhatdowedowhenwegettoFrankfurt–buyahouse,jointheNaziParty?’

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‘We’renotgoingtoFrankfurt,Rosa.We’regoingtoSwitzerland.I’vegotSwisspapersforyouandSophia,too,Ihadthempreparedonlylastweek.They’reverygood,butIthinkwecanonlyriskusingthemwhenwe’remuchclosertotheborder.’

Rosawaspacing

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aroundtheroominacircle,shakingherheadandrunningherhandthroughherhair.‘I’msorryHenributthisdoesn’tmakesensetome.Youseemtohavegotholdofthesepapersveryquickly–IthoughtyousaiditwasonlythismorningthatFranztoldyouheheardwewerein

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danger?’‘Canbehonestwith

youRosa?WhenIfirstvisitedyouhereitwasapparentyoursituationwastoodangerous.Ithoughtsomethinglikethiswouldhappen,butIdidn’twanttovoicemyfearstoFranzashe’sbeensogoodtoyou.I

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wassoworriedIhadtheseidentitycardsprepared:justincase.’

Rosasankbackinthesofa,lookingoverwhelmedandconfused.SheclearlythoughtHenry’splanwascrazy,butthensowasremaininginthehouseiftherereallywasachanceit

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wasabouttobesearchedbytheGestapo.Henrywassureshewasfarfromconvincedbuthewascountingonhernotriskingherlifeandthatofherdaughterbyignoringhim.

‘AndFrauHermann?’‘Makehercomfortable

andtellheryou’llbebacklater.Franzwillcomeround

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afterwork.Rosa,weneedtomovefast–youneedtogetSophiaready.Packafewthings,butnothingthatidentifiesyouorSophia.Wealsoneedtotakefoodandblankets;wemightnotbeabletostop.’

Rosawasbackbythedoornow,herhandonthe

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handle.ShepeeredatHenrysceptically.

‘PerhapsIshouldcontactFranz?We’vegotanagreedsystemtouseinanemergency–Itelephonehimpretendingtobeasecretaryfromanotherlawfirm.’

‘NoRosa!Undernocircumstances!Franzsaidhe

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thinksthey’llbelisteningintoalltelephonecallsinthisarea–maybethat’swhyhehasn’tcontactedyouhimself.Ifyouphonehimathisofficeitcouldrevealyourlocationandbringhimundersuspicion.Youmustdonothingthatwoulddrawattentiontothishouse,doyou

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understand?’OnceRosadecidedshe

hadnoalternativebuttogoalongwithHenry,shemovedfastanddecisively.ShegaveFrauHermannherlunchearlyandtoldhershewouldbebacklater.ShepackedasmallsuitcaseforherandSophia,tellingthelittlegirl

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theyweregoingonalongjourneyandifshewasaverygoodgirlanddideverythingshewasaskedto,andtoldanyonewhoaskedhernamewasGisela,shewouldseeAlfred.Butonlyifyou’regood.AndonlyifyourememberyournameisGisela.

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HenrydecidedtobringthecarrightoutsidethehouseratherthanriskRosaandSophiabeingseencrossingtheroadwithasuitcase.

***

Alwaysseeacarjourneyinthesamewayasoneonfoot–

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asaseriesofshortjourneys:acartripfromLondontoEdinburgh,forexample,shouldbebrokendownintoaseriesofshorterstages–LondontoNorthampton,NorthamptontoNottingham,NottinghamtoSheffield,etcetera.Thesearemucheasiertoexplainifstopped,aslong

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asyouhaveafeasiblestoryreadytoexplainthatjourney.

ThisaspectofhisBritishtrainingandmorewasracingaroundinHenry’smindastheyleftthehouseinArno-HolzStrasseatnoon.Theywerejustaheadoftheschedulehehadinhismindwhentheypulledintoalayby

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justoutsidePotsdam40minuteslater.Heturnedofftheengineandtookoutaroadmapfrombesidehisseat.

‘Here,letmeshowyouourroute.’

‘Whereto?’‘ToSwitzerland,Itold

you.’

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‘You’reserious,aren’tyou?Howarewegoingtogetthatfar?’

‘Letmeshowyou,Ihaveitallplanned.’

Henryopenedoutthemap,allowingittorestonthedashboardandtheirlaps.HemovedtowardsRosaastheylookedatit.Ashegotcloser

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hecaughtthescentofadelicateperfume.Sheflickedherhairoutofhereyes,lookingcarefullyatthemapashepointedattheSwissborder.

‘IknowwhereSwitzerlandis.’

‘Therearetwopossibleroutes,Rosa.Thisonehere–

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I’vecalledthattheeastroute.It’smoredirect.We’dgosouth-westinmoreorlessastraightline:Leipzig;Bayreuth;Nuremberg;Ulm.TheplanwouldbetocrosstheborderaroundLakeKonstanz…’

‘Attempttocrosstheborder,Henri.’

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‘Attempttocrosstheborderthen.IunderstandtheLakeKonstanzpartofthefrontiercanbeabitlessdangerousthansomeothercrossings.Butthat’dtakeusthroughBavariaandclosetotheborderwiththeProtectorate,whereI’mtoldsecurityisespeciallystrong’.

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HenryleantoverRosatounfoldmoreofthemap.Herhairbrushedhisface.

‘ThisiswhatIcallthewestroute:it’smuchmorecircuitous.We’ddrivetoBrunswickthendowntowardsStuttgartbeforecrossingtheborderaroundSingen,withanoptiontogo

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overthemountains.IthastheadvantageoftakingusclosetoFrankfurt,whichiswhereouridentitycardssaywearefrom.’

Rosastudiedthemapforawhile.Shefrowned.

‘Isupposeyourwestrouteisthelesseroftwoevils.Doyouknowhowlong

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it’lltakeus?’‘Fromhereto

Brunswickisjustover110miles,butI’mplanningtocomeoffthemainroadsandsticktothesideroadsasmuchasIcan.Ifanyoneaskswhy,justsayyougetcarsickonmainroads.Ithinkwe’llgetsouthofBrunswick–

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maybeasfarasGöttingen–beforeitgetsdark.Wecanthenlookforawoodtodriveintoandhideforthenight.We’llbe200milesfromStuttgart:wecanbetherebyWednesdaynightanddrivetoSwitzerlandontheThursday.’

Rosasaidnothing,but

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shruggedasifinreluctantagreement.HenryrestartedtheOpelandtheypulledoutintotheroad.

‘Youmustdriveslower,please–andnotsoclosetothecentreoftheroad.Youhadthisallplanned,didn’tyou?’

‘Whatdoyoumean?’

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‘You’retoonearthekerbnow,justslowdownabit,’saidRosa.‘AreyouseriouslytellingmeyousawFranzthismorningandsincethenyou’vesortedallthisout,includingworkingouthowlongit’sgoingtotake?’

‘Yesandno.ItoldyouRosa,sinceIfirstmetyouI’d

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beensoconcernedatthedangeryouwereinthatI’dgivensomeconsiderationtothis.AndwhenFranztoldmethismorningIhadtomovefast.’

Tothesurpriseofbothofthem,thejourneytoBrunswickwasuneventful.Wheretheycould,they

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droppedoffthemainroad:theLowerSaxonycountrysidewasidealforthiskindofdriving,withplentyofsmallnarrowroadsleadingoffthelargerones.Ontheoccasionstheypassedpoliceormilitaryvehiclesnointerestwaspaidtothem:ahusbandandwifeandtheir

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daughteroutforadrive.AfewmilestothenorthofGöttingen,withthelightbeginningtofail,theycameacrossawoodwithatrackleadingintoitfromtheroad.Henrystoppedthecarandmanagedtoopenacreakywoodengate,thendroveasdeepintothewoodas

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possible.WhenhewalkedbacktoshutthegateitwasimpossibletoseetheOpelfromtheroad.Itwaswhenhereturnedtothecar,feelingpleasedwithhimselfandalmostrelaxed,thatSophiastartedcrying.Itwasasoftcryatfirst,almostaseriesofsobs,butthenitbecame

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louder.‘Whatisitdarling?’WhenSophiareplied

shespokesoquietlyhermotherhadtoleanacrossthefrontseattohearher.

‘Ican’thearyoudarling;you’llneedtospeakup.’

‘ButIcan’t,Mama,’

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shewhispered.‘Youtoldmetowhisper.Yousaidpeoplemustn’thearmespeak.’

Rosaturnedaroundandstrokedherdaughter’sface.

‘It’salrightnowdarling.Youdon’tneedtowhisperhereinthecar:onlyifthereareotherpeoplearound.Now,whatwereyou

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goingtosay?’‘I’mfrightened.’Each

wordpunctuatedbyanoisysob.

‘Whatareyoufrightenedof?’

‘Thegoblins!Therearealwaysgoblinsinaforest.’

‘Therearenosuchthingasgoblins,’saidHenry

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impatiently.‘And,inanycase,thisisnotaforest,it’sawood.’

ThisonlyseemedtomakethingsworseandSophia’scryturnedintoawail.RosaleftthefrontseatandwenttositnexttoSophiaintheback.Afteralongcuddle,thelittlegirlcalmed

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down.‘Wherearewegoing?’‘Youshouldrestnow

darling.’‘Butwherearewe

going?’Sophiasoundedasifwaspleadingwithhermother.

‘Somewheresafedarling.Now,pleaserest.’

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‘Ifwe’regoingsomewheresafe,doesitmeanwe’llseeAlfredthere?’

‘Yesdarling,Itoldyouwewould,especiallyifyou’reagoodgirl.Youshouldrestnow.’

‘Willwealsoseepapainthesafeplace?Whydon’tyoutellme?’

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Rosadidn’treply.Henryglancedbackather,herheadhaddroppedandshewastappingherteethwithherknucklesashereyesfilledwithtears.Sophiawassittingwithherlegshuncheduptoherface,herenormousdarkeyesunblinkingastheylookedupathimfrombehind

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herkneecaps.Inthegloomherpaleskinnowappearedchalky-white.Shegavehimthebeginningsofasmileandwavedoneofthepawsofthedirty,white,one-earedrabbitshewasclutchingatHenry,whowavedbackawkwardly.

‘Ifyou’requiet,Sophia,andbehavevery,verywell,’

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saidHenry,‘thenIpromisethatwhenwegettothesafeplaceyou’llgetapresent.Butyouhavetobequiet.’

‘Whatkindofpresent?’Henryshrugged.

‘Chocolates.’Thelittlegirlsaid

nothingbutpulledaface.‘Whataboutanew

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rabbit?Thatonelooksveryold–it’sonlygotoneear.’

‘ButIloveMrRabbit!Youcan’ttakehimaway!’

Thelittlegirlstartedcryingagain.Rosapulledherclose.

‘No-oneisgoingtotakeMrRabbitawaydarling.Henrimeantwe’llbuyyoua

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friendforMrRabbit.’Duringthelongsilence

thatfollowedthelightdimmedquicklyandwhenSophiaspokeagainitwasalmostdark.

‘It’llbeniceforMrRabbittohaveafriend,won’titMama?’

‘Yesdarling.Youtryto

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restnow.’‘Becausewedon’thave

friendsanymore,dowe?’‘Whatdoyoumean

darling?’‘Alfredtoldmethat.He

saidthereasonwehadtobesoquietinthehouseandnotgonearthewindowisbecauseno-oneisourfriend.

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Isthattrue?’Rosasaidnothing,but

busiedherselfarrangingablanketaroundSophia,allowingtherabbit’sheadtopokeoutofthetop.

‘Herearesomebiscuitsdarling.Eatthosethentrytogettosleep.’

Shemunchedatthe

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biscuits,hereyeslookingaroundthecar,unblinking.

‘Whyisno-oneourfriend,Mama?’

‘Don’tkeepaskingquestions,darling.Wherewe’regoing,everyonewillbeourfriend.’

‘IsHenriourfriend?’Intherear-viewmirror

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HenrycaughtRosa’sfaceasshehesitatedbrieflybeforereplying.

‘Yes,darling.Sleepnow.’

Henrywatchedthroughthemirror,waitingforSophiatofallasleep.Whenshefinallydid,heclearedhisthroatandturnedaroundto

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talk.Nowwasthetime,hehaddecided,tobehonestwithRosa.Maybethenshewouldseehiminabetterlight.

Butwhenheturned,Rosawasfastasleeptooandthemomenthadpassed.

***

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OntheTuesdaymorning,beforetheOpelhadevenleftBerlin,FranzHermannwasbecomingincreasinglyworried.HehadbeenunnervedbytheencounterwithAloisJägerinOberwallstrasseandevenmoresobythewayhis

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colleaguehadbeensincethen.FirstofallJägerhadonlywalkedwithhimpartofthewaytotheoffice,thenhadsuddenlystoppedandsaidheneededtogobackandchecksomething.Backattheofficehehadcomeintoseehim.

‘Ifyouhadnottoldme

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otherwise,Franz,thenI’dhavethoughtyouandthatSwissmankneweachother.Youlookedlikeyouwereacquaintances,ratherthanonestrangergivingdirectionstoanother.’

HeassuredJägerhewasmistaken:hehadbeentomorningMassand,ashe’d

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leftthecathedral,themanhadaskedhimfordirections.Hehadevengonesomewhatoutofhiswaytomakesurethemanwenttherightway.

‘AndfancythecoincidenceofmehavingmethiminBernlastyear!’

FranzagreedwithJägeritwasindeedacoincidence.

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It’sasmallworld,astheysay.

‘Butsostrange.WhenIwasinBern,hewasabouttotraveltoStuttgartonbusiness–IevenhelpedhimwithhisvisaatourEmbassythere.HewasstayingattheSchweizerhof,which,Itellyou,Franz,isavery

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expensivehotel.Andnowlook–he’samerecourier.’

‘Perhapshefellonhardtimes,Alois.’

‘Perhaps.’Bothmencontinuedto

beuneasyabouttheencounter.AswasthecustomonTuesdays,theseniorlawyersatthepractice

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lunchedtogetherandthetwomeneyedeachotherthroughoutthemeal.HermannwasworriedJägerdidnotbelievehimandJägerwasconvincedHermannwasnervous.Whentheywentbackintotheirrespectiveoffices,eachmanclosedhisdoorandmadeaphonecall.

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Jägermadehisfirst,telephoningagoodfriendofhiswhowasinchargeoftheGestapoofficeinTreptow.‘TellmeLothar,’hesaidafterabriefexchangeofpleasantries,‘youmusthavegoodcontactswithyourcolleaguesatTempelhof,no?You’repractically

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neighbours…Good,Ithoughtasmuch.Domeafavourwillyou,Lothar?I’msureit’snothing,perhapsjustmebeingsuspicious,butcouldyoudiscreetlycheckwhetheraSwisscitizencalledHenriHessetravelledonaflightfromTempelhoftoStuttgartataround12.30today?’

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Lotharaskedoneortwoquestions.WeareverythoroughintheGestapo,youknowAlois!Bothmenlaughed.Lotharcheckedtheexactspellingoftheman’sname.Andcouldyoudescribehim?

‘Perhapsmid-thirties;averageheight,slightly

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overweight.Palecomplexion,darkishhairasfarasIcouldtell,buthewaswearingatrilbyhat.’

‘I’llseewhatIcandoAlois.’

AtthesametimeinhisofficeonefloorbelowJäger’s,FranzHermannwaspacingupanddown.

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Somethingwasnotright,buthehadnoideawhathecoulddoaboutit.Hepickedupthetelephoneanddialledhismother’snumberinDahlem.Atleasthecouldbereassuredallwaswellthere.

***

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CaptainEdgarandBasilRemington-BarberhadtravelledtoGenevaafterspendingtheweekendwithHenryinZürich.TheybasedthemselvesataperfectlydecentifsomewhatanonymoushotelwithinsightofCornavinrailwaystation,wheretheyhopedtomeet

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HenrylateontheTuesdaynight.

Thehotelhadbeenchosencarefully:aswellastheirproximitytothestation,theyhadbeenabletobooktworoomsonthetopfloor,setapartfromtheothersonthecorridor.Eachroomhadatelephoneandtheymade

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sure,fromthemomenttheyarrived,oneofthemwouldalwaysbebesideit.Theydidnotexpecttohearanythinguntil4.30onTuesdayafternoonattheearliest,whenHunter’sflightfromStuttgartwasscheduledtolandatZürich.Rolfwouldbewaitingattheairporttosee

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HenryarriveandcheckhetravelledontoZürich;oneofRolf’smenwouldthenbeatthestationtowatchHenrymeetingwiththeRussiansandcatchthetraintoGeneva.EdgarandRemington-BarberensuredtheywerebothwaitingbythephoneinGenevafromfouro’clockon

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theTuesdayafternoon.Ataquarterpast,Remington-BarberobservedHenry’sflightoughttobelandingandtheyshouldbehearingfromRolfatanymoment.

‘It’satightschedulewe’veallowedhim,Edgar.HehastogotoBankLeu,thenmeetupwithhisRussian

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chap,allowthemtocopythedocumentandstillmakethatlasttraintoGeneva.’

‘He’llbefineBasil.Whydon’tyousitdownandrelax?HedingerwillstayonaslateasheneedstoandthelasttraintoGenevaleavesataquartertoeight.Pleasestopworrying.Youcanpourus

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anotherdrinkifyouthinkthat’llhelp.’

Byfiveo’clockEdgar,ifpressed,wouldhavedescribedhimselfasconcerned.Fiveminutesafterthatthephonerangandbothmenjumped.Remington-Barberansweredit.Yes,HelloRolf…Isee…Yes…

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No…Areyousure?…Andyou’vecheckedthere?…DoitagainpleaseRolf…Yes…Probably…Callusbackintenminutes.Ashereplacedthephonehishandswereshaking.

‘Well?’askedEdgar.‘Henrywasn’tonthe

flight.’

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‘Areyousure?’Edgar’sfacewasjustinchesfromhiscolleague’s.

‘YouheardwhatIsaid,Edgar.RolfEderisnofool,he’soneofthebestmenI’veeverhadinthefield,doesn’tmissathing.Hesaidtherewere12passengerswhocameofftheSwissairflight

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andHunterwasn’toneofthem.’

‘MaybehemissedtheconnectionatStuttgart?Afterall,therewasonlya20-minutegapbetweentheBerlinflightlandingandtheZürichflighttakingoff…’

‘Yes,butthey’reconnectingflights.Ifthe

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BerlinflightislatetheyholdtheZürichone.It’spossiblehemissedtheflightfromBerlin,butit’sunlikely:hehadampletimetomeetHugo,gototheReichsbankthengettoTempelhof.’

WhenRolfcalledbacktenminuteslaterhesaidhe’dbeenabletochecktheflight’s

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manifestwithaSwissaircontact:thoughaHenriHessehadbeenbookedin,hehadnotbeenontheconnectingflightfromBerlin.EdgarsnatchedthephonefromRemington-Barber.

‘Rolf?It’sme,Edgar.Look,yourbestbetistogettothestationinZürichas

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soonaspossibleandjoinyourmanthere.SeeifyoucanspotViktorandhischaps.IfHenry’snotgoingtoshowupthey’llprobablygetworriedatsomestageandbreakcover.Justseewhatthey’reupto.Ifweseethemlookingforhim,thenatleastthattellsussomething.’

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‘JesusChrist!’saidEdgar,slammingthephonedownandpacingtheroom.‘Basil…YoutelephoneHedingerandaskifhiscourierhasarrivedfromBerlin.Ican’timaginehewillhavedone,butthere’sadistantpossibilityhemayhaveheardfromhimor

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Reinhart.Infact,askhimtosendatelegramtoReinhartaskingifallwentwellwiththecourier,thentellHedingertostayonuntilatleastseven.JesusChrist.’

Byeighto’clocktheyknewlittlemore.MichaelHedingertoldthemhehadneitherheardfromnorseen

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hiscourierandpromisedtosendatelegramtoReinhartthatnight.Rolfreportedhehadmanagedtogettothestationbysixo’clock,wherehewasjoinedbythreeofhismen.AtseventheyspottedViktorprowlingaround,lookinganxious.TherewasnosignofHunterboarding

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thelasttraintoGenevaoranyoftheonesbeforeit.Viktorhadbeenwaitingbytheticketbarrier,hisfacecreasedinangerasthetraindeparted.

‘Atleasthe’sletthemdowntoo.’

‘WhatdowedoEdgar?’

Edgarcontinuedtopace

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theroomangrily,cursingunderhisbreath.‘It’sthatbloodywoman,I’msureitis.JesusChrist.We’dbettergetonthefirsttraintoZürichinthemorning.’

***

Themoodinadingyrented

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apartmentbetweentherailwaytracksandtheriverinZürichwasscarcelyanybetter.EachofthefourmenwhohadbeenwithhimatthestationwerebroughtinonebyoneandquestionedbyViktor,but,ashehadbeentherehimself,therewaslittlepointinit.Henryhadnot

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comeanywherenearthestation.

‘Heseemstohavedisappeared,’saidViktor.

‘Whenwemethimlastweek,hesaidsomethingabouthavingaskedyouforthedetailsofanycomradeshecouldcontactinBerlin,inanemergency,’saidoneof

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Viktor’smen.‘So…?’‘SoIwasthinkingthat

ifyoudidgivehimdetailsofanycomradesinBerlin,thentheymightknowwhat’shappenedtohim.’

Viktorsaidnothingforawhile,thinkinghowlittlehecouldtrusteventhoseclosest

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tohim.‘You’remistaken.I’ve

nocomradesleftinmynetworkinBerlin:they’veallgone–eitherescaped,disappeared,deadorbecomeNazis.ItoldhimtocontacttheEmbassy.’

‘Really?Ithoughtyoudidn’ttrustanyonethere?’

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‘Idon’t,’saidViktor‘Idon’ttrustanyone.’

***

BackinBerlinthatTuesdayeveningAloisJägerfinallyheardbackfromhisfriendintheGestapo.Itwas6.30andJägerhadremainedbehindin

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hisofficeawaitingthecall.‘Yousayhisnameis

HenriHesseandhe’saSwisscitizen?’

‘Yes,’saidJäger.‘Well,Inotonly

contactedHeinrichatTempelhofbutIactuallywentovertheretohisofficemyself,soIwasabletolook

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atallthepaperwork.TherewerethreeSwissnationalsontheDeutscheLuftHansaflightthatleftforStuttgartat12.30,butnoneofthemhadthatname.Theofficerinchargeofcheckingthepapersasthepassengersboardedtheplanesaid,asfarashecouldrecall,oneoftheSwisswasa

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womanandtheothertwoweremenineithertheirfiftiesorsixties.’

‘Hewasn’tonthatflightthen,obviously.’

‘However,’saidLothar,‘hewasbookedontothatflight,hejustdidn’tturnupforit.Andfurthermore,there’sarecordofhimhaving

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arrivedatTempelhofyesterday,ontheflightfromStuttgart.Whatisitthatconcernsyouaboutthisman,Alois?’

Jägerthoughtlongandhard.

‘I’mnotsure,Lothar.Somethingabouthimdoesn’tquiteaddup.Andnow

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missinghisflightlikethat…’Veryodd,theyboth

agreed–somuchsotheydecidedtomeetupthenextdaytodiscussthematter.

***

FranzHermannhadtelephonedhismother’s

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housefivetimesontheTuesdayafternoonandeachtimethecallwentunansweredhisanxietyincreased.By4.55hedecidedhehadtogodowntoDahlemtocheck,buthewaswaryofAloisJäger;hedecideditwouldbeunwisetoleavetheofficebeforehim.Normally

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hiscolleaguewassopreoccupiedwithNaziPartymeetingsintheeveningheinvariablydepartedtheofficenolaterthanfiveo’clock,butthatdayitwas6.30beforeheleft.

Assoonashedid,FranzHermannmadehisexittoo.Itwasnearlyquarterpast

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sevenbeforehearrivedathismother’shouseonArno-HolzStrasse.Heknockedonthedoorbuttherewasnoanswer,soheusedhisownkeytolethimselfin.Thehousefeltemptyandtherewasnoreplywhenhecalledout.Thelightswereondownstairsbuttheupperfloorsweredark.

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Certainhewaswalkingintoatrapheheadedfortheroomatthebackoverlookingthegarden,wherehismotherspentherdays.

Hefoundherproppedupinherarmchair,swathedinblanketswithatraynexttoherandhereyesredfromcrying.

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‘I’vebeencallingherforhoursFranz!’shesaidinahoarsevoice.‘Shesaidsomethingaboutgoingoutbutthatyou’dbeherelater.Whatdoesshethinkshe’supto?I’vebeenonmyownallthistime.I’mdesperatetogotothetoiletandIhaven’thadmyeveningmealyet.The

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telephonewasringingbutIcouldn’treachit!’

Settingasidehisfear,FranzHermannactedswiftly.Hehelpedhismothertothetoiletthensettledherbeforegoingupstairs.TherewasnosignofRosaandSophia,andwithinhalfanhourhehadgatheredupanyitems

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belongingtothemorthatcouldevenbeassociatedwiththem.Hebundledeverythingintooldlaundrybagsandcarriedthemintotheattic,wherehelockedtheminanoldtrunk,whichhethencoveredwitholdtennisrackets,acellocaseandotherremindersofwhenlifewas

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morenormal.Whenhecame

downstairshetelephonedGunterReinhartathishome.Heknewitwasabigrisk,buthehadnoalternative.

‘Didyourcouriervisittoday?’

‘Yes–why?’‘Andwasheacting

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normally?’‘Ithinkso,hardtotell

really.Isthereaproblem?’‘No,no,no–ofcourse

not.Iwasjustcheckingwhattimeheleftyou?’

‘I’mnottoosure,Iwouldsayby10.30.Somethinglikethat.’

‘Perhapswe’llmeet

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tomorrowforachat?’saidthelawyer,hopingtheothermanwouldrecognisetheurgencyinhisvoice.

‘Yes,perhapsthatwouldbeagoodidea.’

AfterthatHermanntelephonedhiswifeandtoldherhewouldstayathismother’shousetonightasthe

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nursehadbeencalledaway.HetelephonedhissisterwiththesadnewsthatthenursewhocaredsowellfortheirmotherhadbeencalledbacktoBremerhavenbecauseherhusbandhadbeenkilledatsea.Itwasterrible,theybothagreed.Thepoornursehadnoideahowlongshewould

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bethere,butinthemeantimetheyneededtosortouttheirmother.Hermann’ssisterpausedforawhilethensaidifhecouldlookafterheruntilThursday,shewouldcomeoverandbringherbacktoBrandenburg.Shecanstaywithusforaweekorso:Iimaginethenursewillbe

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backbythen.‘I’msureshewill,’

repliedFranz.

***

ItwassometimeafterdawnontheWednesdaybeforeenoughlighttowakethempenetratedthewoodlandjust

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tothenorthofGöttingen.Sophiawasupsetagainwhenshewokeup.Thetalltreesfrightenedherandshewantedtoknowiftherewasnosuchthingasgoblins,whataboutwitches?Hardlyreassuredbyhermother’spromisethattheywerequitesafe,shethenwantedtoknowwhenshe

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wasgoingtoseeAlfred.‘Soon,darling.’‘Whenissoon,Mama?’Henryhadbeenoutof

thecarforafewminutesandhadjustreturned.

‘Thesoonerwecanleavethisplace,thebetter,’hesaid.

‘Giveusafewminutes,

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Henri,’saidRosa.‘Sophia,eatthesebiscuitsanddrinkthemilk,thenwecanbeonourway.’

‘ToseeAlfredandPapa?’

‘Maybenottoday,buthopefullysoon.Andremember,darling,ifanyoneasks,yournameisGisela:

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GiselaKeufer.We’llallplaythatgameuntilwemeetAlfred,doyouunderstand?’

HenrycheckedthemapandtriedtoshowtheroutetoRosa,butshewasn’tinterested.

‘It’samazingwe’vegotthisfar,Henry.Ourluckcan’tholdoutmuchlonger.’She

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spokequietlysoSophiacouldnothear,buttherewasnodisguisingtheannoyanceandfearinhervoice.

‘Idon’tseewhynot,especiallyifwekeeptothebackroads.’

‘Whatifthey’relookingforus?’

‘Howwouldanyone

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know?Franzisunlikelytoreportus,ishe?’

Theywaiteduntilseveno’clockbeforestartingoff,firstheadingsouththroughGöttingenthenkeepingtothepatchworkofsmallerroadsuntiltheyreachedWürzburgatlunchtime.Theyneededtostopforpetrol,whichwas

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risky,butWürzburgwasjust70mileswestofFrankfurt,theirsupposedhometown.Theydroveslowlythroughthetowncentre,lookingoutforapetrolstation.Thefirstonetheyfoundhadapolicevanwaitingatoneofthetwopumps,sotheydroveon.Thenjustbeforetheriver

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theycametoagaragewithasolitarypumpandanelderlyownersittingoutsideonabenchwithalargedogsittingnexttohimandlessthananinchofalitcigaretteprotrudingfromhislips.Heaskedtoseethedocumentsentitlingthemtopetrol.

‘IfIwasmindedtobe

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difficult,’hesaidinagruffBavarianaccent,‘thenI’dsayyou’reonlyentitledtohalfatank.’Hesmiled,revealingamouthfilledwithnear-blackteeth.Thecigarettestubseemedtobestucktohislowerlip.Theman’seyesfocussedontheNaziPartybadgeonHenry’slapeland

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swiftlyhismoodbecamelesshostile.‘But,fortunatelyforyousir,I’mnotmindedtobedifficult.Ihadadeliveryyesterday–thefirstforoveraweek.I’llfillyouupbutyoudon’tneedtotellanyonethat.Comeinside.Ittakeslongerthesedaystodothepaperworkthanitdoesto

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repairacar…Maybeevenlongerthanittakestobuildone.’Theman’sthroatylaughechoedaroundtheworkshopbeforebreakingintoaviolentcough.

Theywentovertoacounteratthesideofthegarage.Theownercheckedthepaperworkpainfully

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slowly:helookedattheidentitycardinthenameofErichKeuferandthedocumentsshowingthattheOpelSuper6sedan,registrationnumberUTM142,wasentitledtopetroleverytendays.HenryglancedoutofthegarageandsawRosalookingworried:

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thiswastakingalongtime.Theownerwroteslowlyinalargeledger.

‘Sotellme,areyoureturningtoFrankfurt?’

‘No,we’rejustonourwayfromthere.We’revisitingmywife’sfamilyinNuremberg.’

‘Yousoundlikeyou

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maynotbefromFrankfurt?’‘Wellspottedmy

friend:I’velivedalloverGermany,whichexplainsmyaccent!’

Theownernoddedandhandedbackthepaperwork,whichwasnowcoveredingreygreasemarks.‘Oddthatyourpetrolentitlement

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documentwaslaststampedinBerlin.’

WhenhereturnedtothecarSophiawasasleeponthebackseatandRosalookedpaleandtense.

‘Whydidittakesolong?’

‘Paperwork,’hesaid.

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***

Thegarageowner,JürgenNeumann,wasaworriedmanashewatchedtheOpelSuper6pullawayawkwardlyfromtheforecourtofhisgarage.Hewasnotapoliticalmanbyanymeansandnorwasheanygoodatkeepinghis

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mouthshut,andthatwashisproblem.Inrecentmonthshehadrathertooopenlycomplainedtohisdecreasingnumberofcustomers,abouttheinfrequencyofhisdeliveries,thecostoffoodandthelackofbusiness.Thishadledtoaseriesofvisits,firstlyfromaWürzburg

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policeofficerwhohappenedtobeafriendofhis,andculminatedinavisitfromthedeputyheadofthelocalGestapo,whowasnofriendatall.

Thiscomplaininghastostop.Ifyou’reouttomaketroublethenbeassuredwecanmakeplentyoftroublefor

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you.It’sabouttimeyouweremoreco-operativewithus.

Andthathadbeenfollowedbyanoticeabledropinbusinessandinthedeliveryoffuel.SonowJürgenNeumannhaddecidedenoughwasenough.Unlesshewentoutofhiswaytoingratiatehimselfwiththe

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powersthatbehewouldhavetoclosedownhisbusiness.HepickedupthetelephoneanddialledthenumberofthedeputyheadofthelocalGestapo,themanwhohadrecentlygivenhimhiswarning.

‘It’sprobablynothing,sir,butIdidpromiseto

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contactyouwithanyinformation.’

HeexplainedaboutthecarthathadcomefromFrankfurtbutwhosepetrolentitlementdocumentwaslaststampedinBerlin,andwhosedriversaidtheywereheadingforNurembergbuthaddrivenoffintheother

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direction.Itallseemedrather…odd.

DoIhavetheregistrationnumbersir?OfcourseIdo.

***

ThreehoursbeforethegarageownerinWürzburgcontacted

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theGestapooffice,aladyinBerlinrangherlocalpolicestationandbeganinasimilarmanner.

‘It’sprobablyoflittleconsequenceandIwasunsurewhethertotroubleyou,butIthoughtI’dpassonthisinformationincaseyouwereinterested.’

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TheofficerwhotookthecallatDahlempolicestationwaswellusedtothis.Thesedaysheseemedtospendhalfhistimetakingcallsfrompeopleeagertoinformonneighbours,workcolleagues,friendsandevenfamily.Thisonesoundedlittledifferentandhetook

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downthedetails.Thelady,aFrauWerner,saidshelivedinArno-HolzStrasseandalthoughshewasmindingherownbusinessandwascertainlynotthekindofpersontospyonherneighboursshecouldn’thelpbutnoticesomethingunusualthepreviousmorning–yes,

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Tuesday.‘There’sanelderly

personwholivesoppositeme:aFrauHermann.Ihardlyeverseeherthesedays,she’svirtuallyhousebound.Shehasanurse,Iunderstand,whoalsohardlyeverleavesthehouse.Butyesterday,itmusthavebeenaroundnoon,I

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happenedtonoticeamanleavethehouseandwalkovertoacarparkedjustacrosstheroad.HethenparkedimmediatelyoutsideFrauHermann’shouse.Withintwoorthreeminutes,nomorethanthat,IsawthemancomeoutofthehousealongwithFrauHermann’snurseand

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withthemwasayounggirl.Theyallseemedtoberathernervous,lookingaround.I’veneverseenachildgoinginoroutofthathousebefore:never.Howolddoyousay?Fourorfive,I’mnotsure.Theywereinahurry.DoIthinktheysawme?No:Idon’twantyoutothinkbad

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ofme,sir,butIwaskneelingdownonthefloor,peeringthroughagapinthenetcurtains…Asithappens,sir,yesIdid.Areyouready?ItwasanOpel–I’mnotsurewhatmodel,butitwasdarkgreenandtheregistrationnumberwas…Doyouhaveapenready?UTM142.’

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Upuntilacoupleofweekspreviously,thepolicemanwouldhaveannoyedbythiscall,asitwouldhavemeanthoursofworkjusttosatisfythewhimofanoseyneighbour.Butrecentlytheruleshadchanged.Afteroneortwounfortunateincidents,the

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GestapohadrealisedcriminalsandotherstheywereinterestedinwerefindingittooeasytomovearoundtheReichbycar.Asthesepeopledrovefromonetownordistricttoanother,therewasnopropersystemofkeepingtrackofthem.SotheGestapobroughtinanew

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one:thedetailsofanycarstheGestapoorothersectionsofthepolicewereinterestedinwouldbepassedontoacentralcontrolinBerlin.

Suitsmefine:moreworkforthem,lessforme,thoughttheofficer.HefilledintheformandtookitupstairstotheGestapoliaison

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officeinthestation.Still,hethought,theywillbepleasedenoughwiththisone.

It’snotoftenwegetaregistrationnumber.

***

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Chapter25:theBlackForest,March1941FranzHermannwokeearlyonWednesdaymorning,checkedonhismotherthenwalkedaroundthehousehehadgrownupin,preoccupied

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withthoughtsthathadplayedaroundinhisheadallnight.Heneededtomovefast.

Oncehismotherwassettled,heleftthehousethroughthebackgate,fromwhereitwasaswiftten-minutewalktohisownhome.Heexplainedhisplanstohiswife.Beforeleaving

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thehouse,hetelephonedhissisterthentheoffice,tellingthemhewouldbeslightlylateasheneededtoseeaclientonhiswayin.

HerarelyusedhiscarthesedaysbuttheDaimlerstartedatthethirdattemptandwithintwominuteshewasbackathismother’s

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house,parkedbythebackgatehehaddepartedthroughbarelyhalfanhourpreviously.Hetoldhismothershewouldbecomingtohishouseforadayortwo,thenhissisterwouldcollectherandshewouldgoandstaywithherinBrandenburgforaweekorso.Hopefully

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afterthatthenursewouldreturnandeverythingwouldbebacktonormal.Hismotherwasconfusedbuttherewasnotimetoargue.

Onceshewassettledathishouse,heleftforwork,butnotbeforestoppingonceagainathismother’s,wherehespentanhourchecking

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againtherewerenosignsanyonehadbeenthereforatleastadayortwo.

Hemadeapointofleavingthehousethoughthefrontdoorandboldlywalkingovertothehouseopposite,fromwheretheladycarefullyobservedallthecomingsandgoingsinthestreet.Ashe

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approachedherdoorhenoticedthenetcurtainsinthefrontwindowtwitch;amomentlaterthedooropened,asplitsecondbeforehehadknocked.

‘FrauWerner,IthoughtI’dletyouknowincaseanyoneasksthatthere’llbeno-oneatmymother’shouse

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forafewdays.Infact,she’snotbeentheresinceSunday–she’sstayingwithmywifeandme.HernursehashadtoreturntoBremerhavensuddenly:adeath,I’mafraid.Herhusbandwasinthenavy,hediedinthecauseoftheReich.’

Thewomanwasvery

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gratefultobetold.ShetoldFranzshehadwonderedaboutFrauHermannbecauseonlythepreviousdayshehadseenthenurseleavethehousewithaman…andayounggirl.Theyhadbeencarryingacaseandsomeotherthingstheyhadputinthebootofacarparkedoutsidethehouse

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thendrivenoff.‘Ohreally?’Hewas

tryinghisbesttosoundconfusedratherthanshocked.‘Couldyoudescribetheman?’

WithunerringaccuracyshedescribedHenriHesse.FranzHermanndidhisbesttolooknonethewiser.‘AsI

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say,FrauWerner,mymotherhasbeenstayingwithussinceSunday.I’venoideaaboutthisman;it’spossiblehewastakinghertoBremerhaven.’

‘Andwhataboutthegirl?’

‘AsfarasI’mawarenochildhasbeeninthehouseforaverylongtime.Howold

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wouldyousayshewas?’‘Perhapsfourorfive,

hardtosay.Ididn’tgetaperfectview,youunderstand.Shewassuchaslightthing.’

‘Andyou’recertaintheycamefrommymother’shouse?Maybetheywerejustpassers-by.’

Shewascertain.She

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justhappenedtobecleaningthewindowsatthetime–bycoincidence.

‘Idon’tsupposeyousawwhatcaritwas,byanychance?’

‘Ido,HerrHermann:itwasanOpel,adark-greenone.Andnotonlythat:Ievenwrotedowntheregistration

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number.Butdon’tworry;I’vegivenallthedetailstothepolice.’

***

WhentheyleftWürzburg,Henryannouncedtheywouldheadsouth-west,intotheBlackForest.

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‘TheBlackForest?’‘Yes,Rosa,theBlack

Forest.’‘You’recrazy!Doyou

stillreadfairytales?’Sophiastartedtocryin

thebackseat.Shedidn’twanttogointoaforest.Shewasafraidofwitches.Henryturnedroundandsnappedat

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thelittlegirl.‘Itoldyou!There’sno

suchthingaswitches,orgoblins.Orfairies,forthatmatter.’

Sophia’scryingbecamelouder.

‘Don’tshoutather:she’salittlegirl.She’sfrightenedandshe’snotthe

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onlyone.’‘TrustmeRosa,the

BlackForeststretchesdowntotheSwissborder:italmostgoesasfarasBasle!’

‘I’mawareofthat,butdoyoureallythinkwecanjuststrollovertheborder?MaybetheSSorwhoever’sguardingitwillhelpcarryour

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cases!’‘Listentome,Rosa:our

Swisspapersareverygood,farsuperiortotheGermanones.I’musingmyownpapersandImanagedtogetonesthatshowyou’remywifeandshe’sourdaughter.They’rehiddenintheboot.Whenwegetneartheborder

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wecanusethem,butwe’llneedtoabandonthecarfirst.’

Theystucktothesideroadsand,at4.30,emergedfromalonglaneontothemainroadatHeilbronn,beforetakingtheroadtoPforzheimandfromthereintotheBlackForest.

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***EdgarandRemington-BarberarrivedinZürichonWednesdayafternoonandweremetatthestationbyRolf,whotookthemtoanotheroftheirsafehouses,anapartmentaboveabaronPredigerplatz.Onthewayup,

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hecollectedabottleofwhisky.

‘Ithinkit’sabitearlyforthat,’Edgarsaidoncetheywereinthesmallapartment.

‘NotwhenyouhearwhatI’mabouttotellyou,’saidtheAustrian.‘IwenttoseeHedingerthismorning,

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he’djustheardfromReinhart.ApparentlyHenrididcometoReinhart’sofficeattheReichsbankyesterdaymorningtocollectthedocuments.LastnightHugocalledReinharttoaskwhetherHenrihadbeentohisofficeandtheyarrangedtomeetuptoday,whichthey

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didatlunchtime.ItseemsthatratherthanheadingforTempelhof,HenriheadedforHugo’smother’shouseinDahlem.’

IntheshockedsilencethatfollowedRemington-Barberlookedconfused,asifhehadnotheardproperlywhatRolfhadsaid.Edgar

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hadheardclearlyenoughandlookedfurious.

‘No!’‘Yes,I’mafraidso.

Hugoknowsthisbecausehewastelephoninghismother’shouseallTuesdayafternoonandwhentherewasnoreplyhewentroundthereafterwork.Hismotherwasall

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alone;therewasnosignofRosaorherdaughter.Thismorninghespoketoaneighbourwho’dseenRosaleavethehousewithayounggirlandamanwhoseemstomatchHenry’sdescription.TheydroveoffinagreenOpel.’

Edgarleanedoverto

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thewhiskybottleandpouredhimselfameasurethatinothercircumstanceswouldbedescribedasexcessive.Hedrankmostofit,repeating‘JesusChrist’severaltimes.

‘Howonearthhashemanagedtogetholdofacar?’

‘Yourguessisasgood

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asmine,Basil:thefoolprobablystoleit.CarryonRolf.’

‘Reinhartisinaterriblestate,accordingtoHedinger.HethinkstheGestapoareabouttoknockonhisdoorand,ofcourse,Hugoisworriedsicktoo–notleastbecausewhenhewaswith

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HenryonTuesdaymorningtheybumpedintoacolleagueofhiswhoisnotonlyanactiveNazibutalsoclaimshe’dmetHenryinBernayearago.’

Remington-BarberwaswatchingEdgarverycarefully,expectinghimtoexplodeatanymoment,but

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heremainedcalm.Edgardrankthewhiskyremaininginhisglass,removedhisjacket,loosenedhistieandwalkedovertothewindow.‘ThankyouRolf.Bythesoundsofit,HenrydecidedthatratherthanreturntoSwitzerlandasinstructed,he’dturnhisreturnjourney

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intosomekindofrescuemission.’Edgarwasspeakingverycalmly,asifeverythinghesaidhadaperfectlogictoit.

‘Buthe’scarryingtheRostockReport,Edgar.It’smeanttobefallingintothehandsofourSovietfriends!’

Edgarturnedfromthe

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window.‘ThankyouBasil,I’drealisedthat.’

***

ByMarch1941fewpeopleinGermanywouldhavebeenfoolishenoughtoaccusetheGestapoofinefficiency.Whenthedeputyheadofthe

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GestapoinWürzburgwasinformedbythegarageowneraboutthe‘odd’dark-greenOpelSuper6,hesimplyfollowedprocedure.Hesentatelexgivingthedetailsofthecartohisregionalheadquarters,whereinturnthedutyofficerfollowedprocedureandpassedonthe

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detailsofthecartothenewcentralcontrolroominBerlin.Aroundthreeo’clockthatWednesdayafternoonanofficeratthecontrolroomintheGestapoheadquartersinPrinz-Albrecht-Strassewasreviewingthe‘alerts’receivedsincehislunchbreak.Whenhespottedthata

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dark-greenOpel,registrationnumberUTM142,hadbeenaddedtothewatchlisthethoughttherewassomethingfamiliaraboutit,sohecheckedthatmorning’salerts.Sureenough,theGestapoliaisonofficeatDahlempolicestationhadpassedondetailsofthesamecar:a

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womanwholivedinArno-HolzStrassehadobservedaman,womanandyounggirlleavinganeighbour’shouseandgettingintothecar.Theyseemed,accordingtotheneighbour,‘nervous’.

Theofficerwroteuphisnotes:thecarwasseeninBerlinatnoonontheTuesday

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andjustover24hourslateritwasinWürzburg.Itwouldcertainlybeworthputtingthisoneoutfornationalalert:heshouldhavebeenlessscepticalaboutthisnewsystem,maybeitwasworkingafterall.Andthankheavensforfrightenedbusinessownersandnosey

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neighbours,whatwouldtheGestapodowithoutthem?

Atfouro’clockthatWednesdayafternoonofficerReinhardGoetzleftthepolicestationinPforzheimforaroutinepatrol,briefed–amongotherthings–tokeepaneyeoutforthedark-greenOpel.‘Berlinisinterestedand

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itwaslastseeninWürzburg,’hehadbeentold.‘Itwasheadingsouth–soyouneverknow.It’stheGestapowho’reinterested,sokeepyoureyespeeled.’

ThetrafficpolicemanheadedeastonhisBMWmotorbikeandafterawhilechangeddirection:southinto

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theBlackForest.Atfiveo’clockhedecidedhehadearnedhisfirstcigarettebreak,sojustbeforethesmalltownofTiefenbronnhepulledintoaclearinginanareawheretheforestwasstartingtobecomedense.Hewouldbeabletoenjoyhiscigaretteinpeace.Butashe

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turnedintotheclearinghenoticedacarwasalreadythere.Adark-greenOpelSuper6.Heparkedhismotorbikesoitblockedthepathbacktotheroadandwalkedovertochecktheregistrationnumberofthecar.

Henrywasonhisown

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inthecarwhenGoetzpulledintotheclearing,RosahavingtakenSophiaintothetreestogotothetoilet.Hewatchedastheofficerparkedhisbikeandheadedtowardsthecar.Henryglancedtohisleft,buttherewasnosignofRosaandSophia.Watchingthepolicemanallthetime,he

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leanedovertothegloveboxandremovedthebundleofgreyclothfrombehindthelogbook.ThepolicemansmiledathimfromadistanceandHenrysmiledbackasthepolicemanmovedinawidearctothefrontofthecar.Henryheldthebundlebelowthesteeringwheelandslowly

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unwrappedit.Bynow,theofficerwasinfront,peeringdownattheregistrationplate.HelookedupatHenryandmadeamotionwithhisfingerstounwindthewindow.

OfficerGoetzbentdownbythewindow,hisfaceinchesfromHenry’s.

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‘Isthisyourcar?’‘Yes.’‘Wherehaveyoucome

fromtoday?’‘Frankfurt.’‘Andwhereareyou

going?’‘We’rejustoutfora

drive–toseetheforest.’‘We?’

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‘Mywifeanddaughter–they’vegonetothetoiletdownthere.’

‘HaveyoubeeninBerlininthepastdayorso?’

‘Berlin?No,ofcoursenot!’

‘OrWürzburgtoday?’Henryhesitatedfortoo

long.Hehadnoideahowto

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respond.‘Maybe…Westoppedatatownforpetrol.Idon’tknowwhatitwascalled.’

‘Right:getoutofthecarnow,Iwanttocheckyourpapers.’

Henoticedthepoliceman’srighthandmovingtowardstheholster

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onhishipandknewhehadjustsecondstoact.ThepolicemansteppedbackasHenryopenedthecardoorandatthatmomentbothheardthevoicesofRosaandSophiaemergingfromthetrees.AsthepolicemanglancedintheirdirectionHenrypushedtherevolver

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intohisstomachandfired.Itwasamuffledshotandthemanstaggeredbackbeforecollapsingtotheground.Hewasstillconsciousandtryingtoremovehisownpistolfromitsholster.Behindhim,HenrycouldhearRosaandSophiascreaming.Hesteppedtowardstheprone

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bodyofthepoliceman.Apoolofbloodwasformingbeneathhimashetriedtolifthisownrevolver,buthedidn’thavethestrength.Henryheldhisgunnomorethanafewinchesfromtheman’sheadandpulledthetrigger.Intheensuingseconds,hisworldslipped

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intoslowmotion.Hewasawareofa

chunkoftheman’sheadflyingaway,ofgoresplatteringaroundhim,ofthesoundoftheshotbouncingoffeverytreeintheforestandwhatappearedtobethousandsofbirdsswarmingineverydirection.Thenthere

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wereRosaandSophiastandinginfrontofhim,theirmouthswideopeninsilentscreams.Bynowhehadsunktohisknees,thegunstillinhishand,staringatthebodyofthethirdpersonhehadkilled.

Foratimehecouldnothearanythingotherthanthe

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ringingofgunfireinhisears.WhenhishearingbegantoreturnRosawasshoutingathim.

‘Whatonearthhaveyoudone?You’vekilledapoliceman!’

‘CalmdownandgetSophiaintothecar.Weneedtosortthingsout.’

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RosabundledherdaughterintothebackoftheOpelandcamebackovertohim.

‘Hewaslookingforus.Hecheckedthenumberplatethenaskedwhetherwe’dbeeninBerlinorinWürzburgtoday.HetoldmetogetoutofthecarandIcouldseehe

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wasreachingforhisgun.HewasdistractedwhenheheardyousoIknewIhadtodosomething.Weneedtomovehimandhisbike–quickly.’

Ittookthetwoofthemtenminutestocarrytheman’sbodyasdeepintotheforestastheycouldmanage,coveringitwithundergrowth.

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WhileHenrywheeledthemotorbikefaramongstthetreesinanotherdirection,Rosadidherbesttocleanupthegroundwherethemanhadbeenshot.

‘Whatdowedonow?’Theywerebothstandingbythecar,breathlessandfilthy.

‘Weneedtogetaway

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fromhereasquicklyaspossible.’

‘EvenIcouldhaveworkedthatout.Whichdirectiondoweheadin?TowardstheSwissborder?’

‘No,notnow–it’stoolateandhe’llbereportedmissingsoon.Wedon’twanttobestuckintheforestor

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evenneartheborderwhenthathappens.’

‘Sowheredowegothen?’

‘We’llgotoStuttgartandditchthecar.’

Rosasniffed.‘Andwhatdoyouproposewedothen–checkintothebesthotelintown?’

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‘Somethinglikethat–yes.’

***

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Chapter26:MunichandStuttgart,MarchandApril,1941‘Basil,withoutinanywaywishingtoappearrude,mayIsuggestyoupause,takeadeepbreaththenstartagain?’

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ItwastheeveningofFriday28thMarch,andEdgarandBasilRemington-BarberhadbeenstuckintheapartmentabovethebarinZürichsinceWednesday.TheyhadheardnothingfurtheraboutHenrysinceHedinger’sreportthathehadlastbeenseeninBerlinon

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Tuesday.ThecircumstantialevidencehehadpossiblyleftBerlinwithRosaandherdaughterwasbadenough;thefacthehadtheRostockReportwithhimratherthanitbeinginSoviethandswasdisastrous.

NowBasilhadreceivedaphonecallfromthe

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embassyinBern:somenews.‘I’msorryEdgar;the

tensiondoesrathergettooneattimes.They’reinStuttgart.’

‘Who?’‘Henry,Rosaandher

daughter.’‘JesusChrist:Iknewit.

Whatonearthdoeshe

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imaginehe’supto?Ishesafe?’

‘Forthetimebeing,yes,thoughI’dsayconsideringtheircircumstances,safeisaveryrelativeword.‘

‘Andhowdoweknowthis?’

‘YourememberMilo,

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theNightManagerattheHotelVictoria?Well,we’veheardfromher.ShecontactsusincodebytelextoatravelagentinBern,onewithwhichwehaveanunderstanding.It’sasafeformofcommunication–ahotelconfirmingbookingswithatravelagent,terriblyroutine

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stuff–ifabitcumbersome.Itratherreliesonthetravelagentpassingthemessagesontousquickly.AndthoughMilosentthetelexonThursdaynight,thetravelagentdidn’tseeituntilthismorningand,forreasonsthataren’tentirelyapparent,waiteduntilthisafternoon

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beforeinformingmyofficeattheembassy.Theyinturnseemtohavetakentheirtimebeforethinkingoflettingmeknow.Ishallbehavingharshwordswiththemaboutthis,Icanassureyou.’

‘SohowdoesMiloknowaboutthem?’

‘Becausethey’reinher

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hotelEdgar.’

***

BythetimetheylefttheBlackForest,itwas5.30ontheWednesdayeveningandittookthemanothertwoandaquarterhourstoreachStuttgart.Itwasaquarterto

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eightwhenHenryparkedatthenorthernendoftheSchlossplatz,asnearashedaredtotherailwaystation.Astheyparked,asquadronofHeinkelfightersflewlowoverhead.

‘You’resurethisisgoingtowork?’askedRosa,notforthefirsttimesince

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he’dexplainedhisplan.‘No,Rosa,I’mnotsure.

Butit’sourbesthope.They’reboundtofindthecarandIjusthopethey’llassumewemusthavecaughtatrain,sowithanyluckthey’lllookforpeopleleavingStuttgartratherthanstayinginit.Andwhenwewalkawayfromthe

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car,we’lllookliketravellerswho’vejustarrivedbytrain.’

IttookthemfiveminutestowalkfromtheSchlossplatztotheHotelVictoria,RosacarryinganexhaustedSophia.InsteadofgoingtothemainentranceonFriedrichstrassetheywalkedintoKeplerstrasseattheside

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ofthehotel.Itwasquiet,thenightwasdrawinginandtherewasnomovementinthestreet.Inaroomabovethem,possiblytherestaurant,theycouldhearpeoplelaughingandglassesclinking.HenrymovedRosaandSophiaintoaconcealeddoorway.

‘Waithereandkeepan

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eyeonme.IfIcangetthedooropen,watchoutformysignalthenhurryalongbutdon’trun.’

‘Andifyoucan’t?’Henryhesitated.‘Don’t

worry:I’llthinkofsomething.’

KeepingasclosetothewallaspossibleHenryedged

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towardsthedoorthatledtothebasementofthehotel.HehadlastbeentherewithMiloonthemorningofhisjourneytoEssenthepreviousyear.HehadnoideawhetherMilowasstillworkingatthehotel.Forallheknew,shecouldhavebeenarrested,butitwastheonlyplanhecouldthink

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of.Thedoortothe

basementwasstiff,butstartedtogiveafterafewpushesandwhenheusedhisshoulderitsprungopen.Hedescendedthesteepconcretesteps:thebasementwaswarmanddimlylit,beyondthemachineryhecouldmake

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outalaundryarea.Afterthatwasadoorheseemedtorememberledtothestairsintothemainpartofthehotel.Therewasnosignofanyonedownthere.

HeclimbedbackupthestairsandgesturedforRosaandSophiatojoinhim.Oncetheyweresafelyin,heshut

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thedoorandwhisperedtoRosa.

‘We’llfindsomewhereinheretohideandaftermidnightI’llgouptothehotelandseeifshe’sthere.’

‘Yousaythiswomanisondutyatnight?’

‘Mostnights,butnoteverynight.ButIhavetotell

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you,Rosa,it’snearlyayearsinceIsawher,Ican’tevenbesureshe’sstillhere.’

Theyfoundacornerofthebasementthatwasdarkandwarm,andhuddledtogether.TheygavewhatlittlefoodtheyhadlefttoSophiaandsoonshefellasleepinhermother’sarms.

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Atmidnight,Henrydecidedtogoupintothehotel.

‘HowdoIlook?’‘Terrible!Here,letme

seewhatIcando.’Tenderly,Rosawipedhisfaceandbrushedhisclothesdown.Shetookabrushfromherhandbagtotidyhishair.

‘That’sbetter.You

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haveyourSwisspaperswithyou?’

Henrypattedhisjacketpocket.Afewminuteslaterhewasonthegroundfloorofthehotelandwalkingacrossthedesertedfoyertothereceptiondesk,whereayoungnightporterwasonhisown.

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‘CanIhelpyousir?’‘Yes,Ihadsome

dealingsbeforewithamosthelpfulmanager.Iwonderedifshewasondutytonight?HernamewasKatharinaHoch,Iseemtorecall.’

‘FrauleinHoch:indeedsheissir.MayIaskyourname?’

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‘HerrHesse–fromSwitzerland.’

‘Thankyousir.Andwhichroomareyouin?’

‘Ibegyourpardon?’‘WhichroomshallItell

heryou’restayingin?’Beforehecouldthink

whattosay,KatharinaHochemergedfromtheoffice

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behindthereceptiondesk.ItwasagoodjobthenightporterhadhisbacktoherbecausehereyeswidenedinfearasshesawHenry.Shesteadiedherselfagainstthedoorframeandwipedherbrowbeforeregaininghercomposure.

‘HerrHesse!Howgood

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tohavesuchanhonouredguestbackwithus.Pleasedocomethroughtomyoffice.’

ShetookHenrydownacorridoratthebackofthereceptionandintoanotheroffice.

‘Whatthehellareyoudoinghere?’shesaidaftermakingsureno-onehad

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followedthem.‘Hiding.’Shestaredathimfora

minute,slowlyshakingherhead.

‘Wellyoucan’t.It’stoodangerous.Everythingissodangerousnowthatwedonothingotherthanpasstheoddbitofinformationonto

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Bern.Asforhelpingagentsandhidingpeople,that’sathingofthepast.You’venoideahowmuchofariskitisforyoutobehere.Youmustleave.’

‘Ican’t.’‘Youhaveto,please.

Sinceyouwerelasthere,thesituationhasgotsomuch

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worse.Everyoneinformsoneveryoneelseasamatterofcourse.’

‘ButIcan’tleave.’‘Youhaveto,Itold

you.Icangiveyousomemoneyandsomethingtoeat,thenyougo.Howdidyougetinhere?’

‘Throughthebasement,

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yourememberyoutookmetherethemorningIwenttoEssen?’

‘Youmustleavethatwaythen.’

‘Ican’t,I’mnotonmyown.AndIkilledapolicemantoday.’

***

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KatharinaHochsaidnothingasHenrytoldhisstory.Bythetimehehadfinishedshewasrunningherfingersthroughherhair.Henoticedshewasnowwearingabright-redlipstick,whichmanagedtomakeherlipslooklesssensuousthan

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before.‘Iwasfoolishenough

toimaginewemaybesafe,’shesaid.

‘Whatdoyoumean?’‘MybrotherDieter–

yourememberyouusedhisidentitywhenyoutravelledtoEssen–heevenjoinedtheNaziPartyafteryouleft,the

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situationhasbecomethatbad.Wethoughtthatmayhelpusiftherewasanysuspicion.Nowwhathappens?YoukillapolicemanandturnupherewithtwoJews.Whatdoyouexpectustodo?’

‘HelpusgettoSwitzerland.Iwashopingtodrivetotheborder,butIcan’t

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usethecarnow.It’stoorisky.They’reobviouslylookingforit.’

‘Andhowdoyouproposetogettotheborder?They’llbesearchingforyou:hideinthebasementtonight,butnolongerthanthatplease.I’llhavetosendamessagetoBern,butI’llwaituntil

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tomorrownight,ImusttotalktoDieterfirst.’

‘WhyareyousendingamessagetoBern?’

‘AtleastwecanletBasilknowyou’rehere.Hemayhaveanidea.’

***

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‘IstheonlywaywecancommunicatewithMilothroughthistravelagent?’

Edgarwaschain-smokingnowandsittingclosetoBasilRemington-Barber,asifhewereinterrogatinghim.

‘It’snottheonlyway,Edgar,butit’sbyfarthe

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safestway.Theproblemisit’snowFridayeveningandthetravelagentdoesn’treopenuntilMondaymorning.Inthemeantime,wecouldsendatelexdirecttothehotel,butthat’snotwithoutrisks.AtleastweknowMilo’sondutytonightandovertheweekendsothe

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chancesareshe’llbetheonlypersontoseeit.’

Edgarstoodupandwalkedslowlyaroundtheroom,atrailofcigarettesmokefollowinginhiswake.

‘ThefirsttimeImetHenrywasinAugust1939,atCroydonAirport.Ihadtoremindmyselfthat

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appearancescanbedeceptive,thathemayhavelookedandevenactedassomethingofanonentity,buttherewasclearlymoretohimthanthat.Irecallsayinghewasactuallyratherimpressive.Nohintwhatsoeverwhohewasreallyworkingforandtherewasadangerwecould

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underestimatehim.Godknowswhatwe’retomakeofhimnow.’

Remington-BarberstartedtospeakbutEdgarhelduphishand.I’mthinking.

‘Whattelexmachinewouldyouusefromthisend?’

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‘OneofRolf’scontactsworksinahotelhereinZürich.Wecangetamessageoutthroughhertonight.It’sopenI’mafraid,butneedsmust.’

AnotherpausewhileEdgarpacedtheroom,deepinthought.

‘Youreadytowritethis

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downBasil?TellMilotoletHenryknowhe’stoleaveStuttgartandgetbacktoSwitzerlandassoonaspossible.He’stocomeonhisown.Undernocircumstancesshouldheattempttobringthatwomanandherdaughteroutwithhim.He’salreadybeentoldwe’renottheRed

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Cross.Thatlastbitisn’tpartofthemessage.’

***

KatharinaHochwentdowntothebasementintheearlyhoursoftheThursdaymorning.Itwasnotonlyforreasonsofhumanityshe

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realisedshecouldnotturnthethreeofthemoutontothestreet.Itwaslikelytheywouldbearrestedwithinminutesandoneofthemwasboundtosaysomethingaboutthehotel.SherealisedshewouldhavetohidethemuntilatleastshehadspokenwithDieter.

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Atthebackofthebasementwasanarrowcorridor,nomorethanfivefeethigh.Itledtoaroombehindthemainboilers,whichhadbeenusedtostoreequipment.Nowitwasemptyandseldom-visited.Sheledthethreeofthemin.Theroomhadnolights,arancid

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smellandthescuttlingsoundofmice.Itssavinggracewasthatitwaswarmandsafe,forthetimebeing.Oncetheywereinside,shebroughtdownblanketsandsomefood,andtoldthemtoremainthereuntilhernextvisit:shewouldcomedownwhenitwassafe.

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Itwas3.30ontheSaturdaymorningbeforetheynextsawher,holdingatorchandcarryingabagwithsomefoodinit.SheaskedHenrytocomeoutwithher.

‘Ican’tstaylong,there’saproblemwiththeplumbingononeofthefloorsandIreallyneedtobearound

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tosupervisethings.’Theywereattheendof

thecorridor,backinthemainpartofthebasement.

‘We’veheardfromBern.You’reunderorderstoreturntoSwitzerland.’

‘Good!Itoldyouthat’swherewewanttogo.’

‘Justyou:themessage

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isveryclear.You’retogobackonyourown.’

‘What–andleavethem?Ofcoursenot,they’recomingwithme.Whatdidyourbrotherhavetosay?’

‘Accordingtohim,thepoliceattherailwaystationaresearchingforyou.Theyhaveyournames,butno

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photographs,whichIsupposeissomething.Theyfoundthecar,naturally,andthefactitwassoclosetothestationmeanstheythinkyoumaynotbeinthecity,butthatisn’tthepoint:assoonasyouleavethehotelyou’llbeatrisk.TheonlychanceyouhaveisforDietertodriveyou

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southonSunday,whichishisdayoff.Hemaybeabletogetholdofavanfromtherailways,sothatoughttobesafe.He’lltrytogetyouasclosetotheborderaspossible.Youstandachanceifyoutryandcrossatnight:alone.’

‘ButItoldyou,I’mnot

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goinganywherewithoutRosaandSophia.’

***

ThenexttimeEdgarandRemington-BarberheardfromStuttgartwasonthemorningofMonday31st

March.Milohadsentatelex

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overnighttothetravelagentsinBernandthistimethemessagewaspassedonpromptly.

‘AccordingtoMilo,’saidRemington-Barber,followingEdgarashepacedaroundtheroom.‘Henryabsolutelyrefusestoleavethebasementofthehotelwithout

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theothers.DieterturneduponSundaywithhisvan,butHenrywouldn’tbudge.Miloandherbrotherareattheirwits’end.Theyknowtheycan’tturfthemoutofthebasementbecausethethreeofthemtogetherareboundtobecaughtwithinminutes.Butshe’sconvincedit’sonlya

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matteroftimebeforesomeonefindsthem.IftheGestapohaven’tcaughtthemelsewherethey’llassumetheymuststillbeinStuttgartandshe’sworriedthey’llsearchthehotel.’

‘Tellhertoholdonthen.Keeptheminthebasementandwe’llsort

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somethingout.DoyoustillhavethatcacheofGermanidentities?’

‘Yes,butI’mdowntothree,possiblyfour,whichI’dsayIcantotallytrust.’

‘Wherearethey?’‘InthesafeinBern.’‘Bettergetthemsent

hereassoonaspossible.

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WhataboutgoodSwissidentities,doyouhavemanyofthose?’

‘Acouplethatarewatertight,Edgar.I’llgetthemtosendthose.’

‘HowmuchdoyoutrustRolf,Basil?’

‘I’vetoldyou,he’soneofourbest,noquestionabout

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it:typeofchapyou’dwanttoopenthebattingwith.’

That’sBasil’sworld,thoughtEdgar.Judgingpeopleonwhetheryoutrustthemenoughtoopenthebattingwithyou.

‘Andonthetrainyoumentionedsomethingabouthimhavingbeenacrossthe

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borderbefore–intoGermany,Imean.’

‘Yes,late’39itmusthavebeen.WeneededtogetsomecashtoanagentIwasrunninginFreiburg.WesentRolfinoverthemountainsandhecamebackthesameway.’

‘You’dbettergethim

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uphere.’WhenRolfjoinedthem,

Edgargesturedforhimtositdown.RolfwasonlyslightlyshorterthanEdgar.Hewasslimandsprightlylooking,thekindofpersonwhowasalwaysmoving,butinanenergeticratherthannervousmanner.And,withhisblond

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hairandblueeyes,hewasfarclosertotheAryanidealthanhisfellowAustrian,AdolfHitler.Rolf’sundoubtedgoodlooksweremarredbyonecharacteristicthough:large,protrudingearsthatgavehimaslightlycomicalappearance.Heinvariablyhadapleasantsmileonhis

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face,ashedidnow.‘Iunderstandyou’re

familiarwithGermany,Rolf?’

‘I’vebeenmanytimes,thoughofcoursenotrecently.’

‘Andexcusemeasking,butdoyousoundlikeanAustrianwhenyou’rethere?’

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‘Agoodquestion:IcansoundlikeaSwisswhenI’minSwitzerland,anAustrianinAustriaandaGermanwhenI’minGermany.IsuppressmyVienneseaccentinGermany,it’stoodistinctive.Whydoyouask?’

‘BecauseyouandIaregoingtoGermany.’

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ToEdgar’ssurprise,Rolf’ssmilewaswiderthanbefore.

***

TheycrossedtheborderlateonthemorningofTuesday1st

April.TheGermanidentitypapershadarrivedfromBern

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lateonMondayafternoonandanotherofRolf’scontactshadworkedthroughthenighttoturnEdgarandRolfintoimpeccableGermancitizens.RolfEderhadbecomeLudwigKühn,anengineerfromLandshut,justnorthofMunich.EdgarbecameKarlAlbrecht,abusinessmanfrom

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Hanover,acityhewasnotonlyfamiliarwithafterhavingspentayearatuniversitythere,butforwhichhecouldalsomanagethecorrectaccent.

‘Ihopethischapofyoursisreliable,’saidEdgarastheydrovetowardsLakeKonstanzfromZürich.Both

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RolfandBasilRemington-Barberlookedateachother,unsureofwhoshouldanswer.

‘AllIcansayishehasn’tletusdownsofar,’saidRemington-Barber.

‘Andhowmanytimeshaveyouusedhim?’

Alongpause.‘Once.’

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Edgarsaidnothingbutslowlyshookhishead.

‘Atshortnoticehe’souronlyoption,’saidRolf.‘We’repayinghimalotofmoneyandhe’srunninganenormousrisk.’

TheypulledoffthemainroadbetweenthesmalltownsofRorschachand

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Arbon,andafterawhilethetracktheywereonpeteredtoadeadendandtheyfoundthemselvessurroundedbytrees,withthelakejustvisiblethroughthem.TheywaitedforfiveminutesandonceRemington-Barberwascertaintheyhadnotbeenfollowednorwerebeing

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watched,theysetoffthroughthesmallwood.Whentheyemergedtheyfoundthemselvesatasmalljetty,withtheblackwaterofthelakelappinghighagainstitandtheshorelinesofbothGermanyandAustriaclearlyvisible.Rolfremovedapairofbinocularsfromhisjacket

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andscannedthelake.HehandedthebinocularstoEdgarandpointedtoatinyshapeinthemiddleofthewater.

‘That’sher.She’llbewithusinmaybe15minutes.We’llwaitinthetreesuntilshearrives.’

Twentyminuteslater

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thefishingboathadpulledupalongsidethejettyandthethreemenwerescramblingacrossit.Theskipper,whohadadeeplytannedfaceandaheavymoustache,snatchedthethickenvelopeRemington-Barberhandedtohim.HegesturedforRolfandEdgartogobelowdeck,

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wheredespitethenoiseoftheidlingenginetheycouldheartheconversationgoingonabovethem.

‘Don’tworryPaul,it’sallhere:SwissFrancsandReichsmarks.’

‘Andthosetwo–they’renotgoingtocausetroublearethey?’

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‘Ofcoursenot.’‘Andyoupromiseme

they’renotJews.’‘AreyoucrazyPaul?

WhatJewswouldwanttoescapefromSwitzerlandtoGermany?’

‘Oneswho’vemoneyhiddenthere.Theystillcontrolmanybusinesses,you

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know.’‘NoPaul,Ipromiseyou

they’renotJews.You’dbettergetamoveon.Yourbrotherknowswhattodo?Don’tforgetthat’swhywe’repayingyousomuch.It’sforthewholejourney.’

‘Don’tworry,heknowswhattodo.You’regettingus

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onthecheap.I’mthinkingofputtingmypriceup.’

AstheboatpulledawayfromthejettyandacceleratedintothemainbodyofthelakeEdgarrealisedtheyhadnotproperlysaidgoodbyetoRemington-Barber,whichwasprobablyjustaswell.Sendingagentsintoenemy

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territorywasalwaystheworstpartofthejob,notsodifferentfrompronouncingadeathsentence.

Theyremainedintheholdthroughoutthecrossing.Theybrieflycaughtsightofthetwoothercrewmembers,aboywholookedasifheshouldbeinschoolanda

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giantofamanwhohadapermanentgrinandseemedtocommunicatethroughsignlanguage.

‘We’vebeenluckysofartoday,’saidtheskipperwhenhecamedownintotheholdforaminute.‘TheSwissandGermanpatrolboatsareallnearKonstanzattheother

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endofthelake–there’sbeensomerowthereaboutfishingrights.TheAustriansarelazy:they’rejustputtingoutonepatrolboatadayatthemomentandtheyseemtoprefertostayaroundBregenz.There’sasmalllandingjustoutsideNonnenhorn–Johanneswill

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bewaitingtherewithhistruck.Ifit’sallclear,we’llpullinthere.Ifnot,we’llcontinueintoportandwe’llgetyouofftheboatlateron,whenitisquiet.’

Onthefirstpasstheremusthavebeenasignalallwaswell,becausetheboatsuddenlycutitsspeedand

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turnedsharplytotheshore.Oncetheboatwastiedup,theywerecalleduptothedeck,wheretheskipperhadbeenjoinedbyamanwholookedlikehisidenticaltwin.Johannes.Afteraquickshakingofhands,theywerehurriedalongtoanarrowroadandintothebackofa

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vanwaitingthere.Therewasjustenoughroomforthetwoofthembetweenthecratesoffish.Oncehewasinthedrivingseat,Johannesturnedaround.‘Ican’tpretendthiswillbeanythingotherthanaveryuncomfortablejourney,butI’llgetyoutoMunichingoodtime,don’tworry.And

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weshouldbefineifwe’restopped:allmypapersareinorder.You’restayingattheHotelBayerischerHof,yes?’

‘Iam,’saidEdgar.‘Myfriendisstayingatasmalleronebythestation.’

***

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TheyarrivedinMunichjustbeforefiveo’clockandduringthejourneyEdgarandRolftalkedthroughtheirplans.TheywouldhavenocontactwitheachotherwhiletheywereinMunichoronthejourneytoStuttgart,soifonewascaughttherewasachancetheotherwouldmake

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it.‘I’mnotterriblysure

whywe’retakingthisroutetoStuttgart:it’shardlythemostdirectway,’saidRolf.

‘True,butwhenwearriveinStuttgartit’llbeastravellersfromMunich.Thatshouldmakeusfarlesssuspicious.’

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JohannesdroppedbothRolfandEdgaroffinasidestreetbyMunichHauptbahnhof.ItwasonlyaroundthecornerfromthestationhotelwheretheAustrianwouldbestayingandforEdgartheten-minutewalktotheBayerischerHofonPromenadeplatznotonly

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meanthewouldnotbeseengettingoutofavandeliveringfishatthehotel,butalsogavehimtheopportunityforabitoffreshairandthechanceforthesmellofthevantoevaporate.

OntheWednesdaymorningbothmenwereoneighto’clocktrainfrom

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MunichtoStuttgart.TheyhadstoodclosetoeachotherontheconcourseattheHauptbahnhof,asarranged,butdidnotexchangeawordnormakeeyecontact.Bothwerecarryingasmallsuitcaseintheirlefthandandholdingtheirhatsintheirright,thesignalallwaswell.They

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purchasedseatsatoppositeendsofthesamecarriagesotheycouldspotiftherewereanyproblems,butthejourneywasstraightforward.TheirpaperswerecheckedastheyboardedthetrainandonceduringthejourneyafterthestopatAugsburg,buteachtimetheguardsseemedmore

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botheredtheirticketswereinorder.

Bothmenhadboughtcopiesofthatday’seditionoftheMünchnerNeuesteNachrichtenandtheymadesuretheywereprominentastheyarrivedinStuttgart,wheresecuritywasfarmorenoticeable.Theirpaperswere

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checkedbutneithermanwaspulledoutofthequeuefortheirbagstobesearched.TheytookdifferentroutestotheHotelVictoria,Edgararriving15minutesafterRolf.

Milohadreservedroomsforthetwomenclosetoeachotheronthesecond

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floorandjustacrossthecorridorfromthebackstairsthatleddowntothehotelbasement.HiddeninanenvelopetapedtotheundersideofthewardrobeinRolf’sroomwasakeytothebasementandanoteastowheretofindHenry,RosaandSophia.Itwas1.30inthe

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afternoonwhenEdgarreckoneditwouldbesafetoknockonRolf’sdoor.Thetwomenstoodinthetinybathroom,thetaprunningtomasktheirvoices.

‘Youhavethekey?’Rolfdangleditinfront

ofEdgar.‘Shesaysthey’rehidinginaroomattherearof

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thebasement–here,she’sdrawnamap.’RolfhandedthepieceofpapertoEdgar.

‘Idon’tlikethefactshetooksucharisk,puttingitdownonpaperlikethat.’

‘Whatelsewasshemeanttodo?Youneedtodecide,whendowegodownanddowegotogether?’

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‘Justletmehaveanotherlookatthatnote.’Edgarreaditcarefully,noddinghishead,formulatingaplan.‘Shesaysshecomesondutyat11o’clocktonightandwe’retowaitinourrooms.She’llcomeuptousbetween11.30andmidnight,apparently.Idon’tthinkwe

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canriskwaitinguntilthen,they’vebeenherealmostaweekalready.YouhaveHenry’snewidentitypapers?’

Rolfgesturedtowardshissmallsuitcase.

‘Good.LetmetellyoutheplanthenyougodownandbringHunteruphere.’

Rolfwasimpressed

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withEdgar’splan;itwasnotwithoutconsiderableriskandwouldrequirenervesofsteel,butitwasclever.Hethenlefttheroomandwentdownthebackstairsthatleddowntothebasement.Ittookhimtenminutestocheckitwasclearthennavigatehiswaythroughtotheroomhiddenbehindthe

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boiler.WhenRosaheardhimshecriedoutinfear.

‘It’smeHenry:Rolf.YouremembermefromZürich?’

HenryclaspedRolfbythearms.

‘It’salrightRosa–don’tcrySophia.Rolf’safriend.He’scometorescue

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us.Areyouhereonyourown,Rolf…Whencanweleave?’

RosahadlitacandleintheroomandRolfglancedaroundinthedimlight.Itwascramped,withrustyequipmentagainstthewalls,andblanketsandanoldmattressonthefloor.The

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heatwasoppressiveandtherewasafoulsmell.

‘Yes,we’veaplan,don’tworry.FirstyouneedtocomewithmeHenry,justforfewminutes–don’tworryRosa,hewon’tbelong.’

***

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TherewasonlyenoughspaceforthethreementostandmoreorlessshouldertoshoulderinRolf’sbathroom,whichmeantEdgarandHenrywerefacingeachother.WhenEdgarfinallyspoke,afteraminuteoflookingHenryupanddownwiththemakingsofasneeronhis

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face,hisvoicecouldonlyjustbeheardabovethenoiseofthetap.

‘AsmuchasI’mareasonablemanHenryandI’mpreparedtogiveyouthebenefitofthedoubt,Istruggletoseehowyoucanpossiblymanagetocomeupwithasatisfactory

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explanationforallthis.’‘Forallwhat,Edgar?’Edgarinchedcloserto

Henry,clenchingandunclenchinghisfists.

‘Forwhat?YouweresupposedtoflyfromBerlintoZürichlastTuesdaymorningthenmeetmyselfandBasilandinGeneva.What

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happened?’Anembarrassedsmile

onHenry’sfaceandashrugoftheshoulders.WhatcanIsay?

‘IbenttherulesalittlebitanddecidedtorescueRosaandSophiaatthesametime.IthoughtifIdidsothenGunterReinhartwouldbe

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betterdisposedtowardsusandprovideuswithmoreintelligence.’

‘Ohreally,Henry?I’veneverregardedmyselfasparticularlynaïve,butI’dbeborderingonthecertifiableifIweretobelieveawordofwhatyou’resaying.You’vesetyourselfupassome

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knightinshiningarmour,rescuingadamselindistress…’

‘Ithoughtthere’dbenoharm…’Henryshifteduncomfortably,hisfacenowflushedred.

‘Noharm?’Edgar’svoicewasraisedforasplitsecondbeforeRolfnudged

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him.‘You’veseriouslyjeopardisedthismission,thepurposeofwhich–incaseyou’veforgotten–wastocollectadocumentfromHugoandbringitbacktoSwitzerland.Doyouhavethatdocument?’

Henrycoughedandsteppedawayasfarashewas

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ablefromEdgar.‘I’mafraidnot.Iknow

thisisgoingtosounddreadful,Edgar,butafterweleftBerlinitdawnedonmetherewasapossibilitywecouldbecaught.IthoughttheworstthingthatcouldthenhappenfromaBritishpointofviewwasforthe

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documentswouldfallintoGermanhands,soIburntthem.’

‘Where?’‘Insomewoodswhere

wewerehidingontheTuesdaynight.I’msosorry,IknowIfailedinmymission,butIfeltthealternativewouldbefarworse.’

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Edgarturnedaround,facingthefrostedwindow.‘JesusChrist,’wasallhecouldsay.

‘WeneedtogetyoubacktoSwitzerlandassoonaspossible.Wecan’triskyoubeingcaughtbytheGermans,astemptingasthatmaybeinsomerespects.Heavenknows

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whatyou’dsaytotheGestapo…’

‘Now,lookhereEdgar…’

‘No,youlookhere,Hunter.RolfandIareputtingourlivesatriskbyattemptingtorescueyou.Theveryleastyoucandoisco-operate,youunderstand?’

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‘Iwill,butI’mnotleavingwithoutRosaandSophia.I’madamantaboutthat.’

‘SoI’mtoldandweunderstandthat.We’llgetthemout,too,don’tworry,wehaveitallworkedout.We’veverygoodGermanidentitypapersforyou:your

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photoandeverything.WealsohavenewSwisspapers,asyoucanhardlyre-enterasHenriHesse,notafterallthefussyou’vecaused.’

‘ButwhataboutRosaandSophia?’

‘We’vepapersforthemtoo,butyoucan’tleavetogetherasthey’llbelooking

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forthethreeofyou.Ifyoutravelseparatelyit’llbelessconspicuous.You’llleavefirstwithRolfandtakethetraintoSwitzerland:yourdocumentationisgoodenoughtoriskthatkindofjourney.Wecan’triskRosaandSophiabeingstoppedandquestioned,soI’lldrivethem

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tothebordermyself.’HenrystaredatEdgar,

hisfacefullofscepticism.‘Really,you’resure

this’llwork?’‘It’sthebestway,

Henry,believeme.Dieterissortingoutthecar:we’llbeabletohideSophiaundertherearseat,andRosaandIwill

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looklikeamarriedcouple.’‘ButhowcanIbesure

you’llfollowon?’‘I’mhardlylikelyto

stayoninStuttgart,amI?’‘Youpromisemethis

Edgar–onyourlife:thatyou’llbringRosaandSophiaoutwithyou?’

‘Ipromiseyou,Henry.

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Youcantrustme.Nowweneedtomovefast.YouandRolfmustleavethisafternoon.DieterwillbringthecartonightsoI’llfollowwithRosaandSophiainthemorning.Allbeingwell,we’llmeetupinZüricheithertomorroworFriday.’

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RolfaccompaniedHenrybacktothebasement,whereheexplainedthesituationtoRosa.HecouldtellHenrywasuneasy,hehadhisheadinhishandsandkeptshakingit.WhenRolfhadexplainedeverything,HenryturnedtoRosa.

‘Whatdoyouthink?’

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‘I’mnotsurewhatyoumean?’

‘Shouldwegoalongwiththis,doastheyask?’

‘Whatelsecanwepossiblydo?They’reright:thethreeofuswillnevermakeitanywhereneartheborderonourown,letalonecrossit.Norcanwestayhere:

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it’sonlyamatteroftimebeforewegetcaught.Wehavetodoasyourfriendssuggest.’

Therewasabriefgoodbye,hurriedalongbyRolf.AfewminuteslaterheandHenrywerebackinRolf’sbedroom.

‘It’saquartertothree,’

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saidEdgar.‘There’satrainfromStuttgartleavingat3.30,thelastonetocrossthebordertonight.YouandRolfwillcatchit,butfirstyouneedtohaveashaveandabath,andgetchanged:youlookamessandsmelllikeyouhaven’thadaproperwashfordays.You’dbetter

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getundressedinherewhileRolfrunsthebathforyou.’

AssoonasHenrywentintothebathroomEdgarwhisperedurgentlytoRolf.TheAustrianpositionedhimselfbythebathroomdoorwhileEdgarfranticallysearchedHenry’sclothesandcase.Ittookhimfiveminutes

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beforehefoundwhathewaslookingfor.HethenmeticulouslyreplacedeverythingashehadfounditandbeckonedRolfover.Throughthebathroomdoortheycouldhearthesoundofsplashing.EdgarwasholdingthreesheetsofbrownpaperwithGermantypeonthem.

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‘TheRostockReport!’heannounced,wavingittriumphantlyatRolf.‘Forsomereasonhe’stakenitoutoftheenvelope.’

‘Areyousure?’Rolfwhispered.

‘OfcourseI’msure:IsawitinLondon,’repliedEdgar.

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‘Wherewasit?’Edgarwasholdinga

pairofthick,darktrousers.‘Insidethelining,look–that’swhyImadehimgetundressedinhere,soIcouldcheckhisclothes.’

‘Buthowcomeyouknewhehadit?Hetoldushe’dburntit.’

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‘Keepyourvoicedown,Rolf.WhenIwastalkingwithBasiltheotherdayItoldhimhowonecouldveryeasilyunderestimateHenry.Isimplydidn’tbelievewhathetoldusandmyinstinctwascorrect:hemayhaveembarkedonthismadmissiontorescueRosaand

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Sophiabut,despiteeverything,hecouldn’triskupsettinghisSovietmastersbynotdeliveringthisreportbacktothem.AllthemorereasontogethimbacktoZürichassoonaspossible.’

ThroughthebathroomdoorcamethesloshingnoiseofHenrygettingoutofthe

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bath.‘Areyougoingtobe

long?’Edgarasked,ashecarefullyreplacedtheenvelope.

‘Fiveminutes,nomoreIpromise.’

‘AndwhatdoIdowithhimwhenwegettoZürich?’Rolfwhispered.

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‘Checkhimintoahotel,oneofthesmalleronesaroundthestation.TellhimtostaytherewhileyoumakecontactwithBasil.Thenleavehim,makesurehethinkshe’sonhisownforawhile.Haveoneyourboyskeepawatch,butit’svitalhe’sleftalone.’

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‘Notlongnow–mindifIusebothtowels?’

Edgarassuredhimhecoulduseasmanytowelsashewished.

***

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Chapter27:Stuttgart,April1941FromthewindowofhisroomEdgarhadwatchedRolfandHenryastheyleftthehotel,bothseeminglyrelaxedandchattingaway.Theygavethe

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appearanceofamicablecolleagues:asmallgroupofmenintheblackuniformoftheWaffenSSwalkedtowardsthem,buttherewasnohesitationinthestepofeitheragent,andtheSSmenpolitelypartedtoallowthetwomentowalkonthrough.Edgarcontinuedtowatchas

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thepairwalkeddownFriedrichstrassetowardsthestation,eventuallydisappearingasdotsintothedistance.

Hewouldhavetoremaininthehotelthatevening.Rolf–LudwigKühn–hadexplainedtothereceptionisthehadbeen

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calledbacktoLandshut.Soinconvenient,I’msosorry.Iinsistonpayingformyroom.

Edgarhadbeendiscreetlywatchingthisashescannedanearbynoticeboard.Thereceptionisthadinsistedthiswasn’tnecessary(‘thesethingshappen,HerrKühn’),butEdgarknewif

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twoguestscheckedoutwithinhoursoftheirarrivalitcouldarousesuspicion.Inanyevent,heneededtoseeMilo.Hewouldstaythenightandslipawayinthemorning:aheadofthehounds,withanyluck.

Edgarateearlyinthehotel’sornatebutlargely

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deserteddiningroomandretiredtohisroom.HewouldwaituntilMilocameondutyat11o’clock.

***

Becausehehadbeeninhisroomonthesecondfloorsinceeighto’clockEdgarwas

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unawareofwhatwashappeningbelowhim.

Thepolicehadturnedupatnine:themanagerwasaskedtogatherallthestafftogetherinanoffice.Theywantedtoknowifafamilyofthree–amanandwomanintheirmid-tolate-thirtiesandagirl,perhapsfourorfive

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yearsold–hadbeenstayingatthehotel.Unfortunately,thepolicetoldthem,theyhadnophotographs,buttheyhadnamesanddescriptions.Pleasethinkcarefully;rememberthey’llprobablyhaveuseddifferentnames.ThemanisSwiss;thewomanandchildareJews.It’s

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possibletheymayhavesplitup.

Theypassedaroundthesheetswiththenamesanddescriptionsonthem.No-onerecognisedthem.Butatthebackoftheroomwastheyoungnightporter,whohadjustcomeonduty.Hestaredatthesheet;grippingittight

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inthehopeno-onewouldnoticehishandsshaking.Helookedupandaroundtheroom,thenbackagainatthesheetofpaper,hopinghehadmisreadthenameonitthefirsttimehehadlookedatit.Itwasstillthere:‘HenriHesse,Switzerland.’Andthenthedescription:

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unmistakablythatofthemanwhohadturneduptheweekbeforeaskingtoseeKatharinaHoch.

Eventhoughhehadsaidnothingaboutitatthetime,theporterhadthoughttherewassomethingoddaboutthesituation.WhenFrauleinHochhadtakenthe

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mantoanofficewellawayfromreceptionhehadcheckedtheregister.Therewasno-onestayingatthehotelcalledHesse.ItwasnothisplacetosayanythingtoFrauleinHochandhehadthoughtnomoreofit,untilnow.

‘You’reallcertain

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you’venotcomeacrossthesepeople,thesecriminals?’Thepoliceofficerinchargelookedasthoughhewereinahurry.‘Weneedtomoveon,you’renottheonlyhotelinStuttgart,youknow.Lookoncemore,butremember:withholdinginformationfromtheauthoritiesisaserious

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crime.’Attheendofthemonth

theporterwasleavingthehotel,thetimehadcomeforhimtojointhearmy.Whathadhisfathertoldhimeventhebeforethewarstarted?Keepyourheaddown.Don’tgetinvolved.Don’texpressanopinion,nevervolunteer

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anddoasyou’retold.Thatwashisinstinct,to

keephisheaddownandsaynothing.Butthenwhatwouldhappeniftheycaughtthismanandtheyfoundouthehadspokentohimthatnightandhadfailedtomentionit?Aseriouscrime.

Thepolicedecidedthey

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weregoingtogetnohelpfromthestaffattheVictoriaandtoldthemtogobacktowork.Oneoftheofficersbrushedpasthimashelefttheroom.

‘PleasecouldIhaveawordwithyousir?’

‘Isitinconnectionwiththismatter?’

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‘Ithinkitmaybe,yes.’Theofficercalledone

ofhiscolleaguesoverandthetwopolicemenshepherdedthenightportertoaquietcorner.‘Tellus.’

‘I’mnotsurehowrelevantthisis,sir,butaweekagoIwasondutyatreception.Sometimeafter

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midnightagentlemanappearedatreceptionandaskedifKatharinaHochwasonduty.’

‘Who’sshe?’‘She’stheNight

Manager.’‘Hesaidhisnamewas

Hesse,fromSwitzerland.Iaskedhimwhichroomhe

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wasstayinginbut,beforehehadachancetotellme,FrauleinHochappearedfromherofficebehindmeandgreetedtheman,whosheappearedtoknow.Shethentookhimdownaprivatecorridortoanofficewellawayfromreception.’

‘Whichdaywasthis?’

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‘Wednesday,soreallyitwasintheearlyhoursofThursdaymorning.’

‘You’veseenthedescriptionoftheman;doesitmatchthatofthemanyousaw?’

‘Itdoessir,verymuchso.’

‘Andwhathappened

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afterthat?’‘Hemusthavebeen

withFrauleinHochforawhile–Ididn’tseehimagain.’

‘Andishestillstayinghere?’

‘Wellthat’stheoddthing,sir.Icheckedhisnameontheregisterandtherewas

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norecordofhimstayingherethatnight.’

Theofficersignalledtotheotherpolicemenwithhimtowait.Hespokekindlytotheyoungporter,wholookedterrified.‘We’renottheGestapo,youknow!’

‘AndFrauleinHoch–whenisshenextonduty?’

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Theporterglancedathiswatch,theonehisgrandparentshadboughthimforhislastbirthday.‘Injustoveranhour,sir–at11o’clock.’

***

Edgarspenttheeveninginhis

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room,alternatingbetweenrestingonthebedandalmostrelaxingtogettingupandpacingaround,peekingoutintothestreetthroughthethickcurtainsorpausingbythedoorincaseanyonemaybeapproaching.

Hebecameawareofalotofactivitybelowhis

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window,carspullingupandpeopleenteringthehotel,andafairamountoftalking.Itwas,hedecided,whatonemightexpectfromabusycity-centrehoteland,inanycase,hewasnotmindedtolookoutofthewindowanddrawattentiontohimself.Hewouldwaitinhisroomuntil

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Milocameup,asshehadpromised.Hewaitedpatiently,evenwhen11.30hadgone,withmidnightsoonafter.Whoknowshowbusyshemaybe?Anotherhalf-hour.

Therewasnosignofherbyhalfpastmidnight,whenheallowedhimselfto

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openhisdoorasquietlyaspossibleandglanceupanddownthecorridor.Itwasemptyandtherewasnonoteonthefloor.Anhourlatewasworrying,therewasnodenyingthat.Edgarstoodwithhisbacktothedoor,surveyingtheroom.Hetriedtoimaginehowitwouldlook

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tosomeonecomingintoquestionhim.Itlookedordinaryenoughbuthewasmoreconcernedabouthisfalseidentity.ThepapersforKarlAlbrechtfromHanoverweregoodenough,buthewasnotsurehowlonghecouldsustainhisstoryifanyonesuspectedhim.

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Byoneo’clockhedecidedtogodowntoreception.Hewouldaskiftheyhadanyaspirinforaheadache.ForsomereasonIwasunabletogetthroughonthetelephone!

Hetookthemainstairsdowntothereception.Heopenedtheglassdoorsonto

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thelandingbeforethefinalflightofstairssweptdowntotheentrancelobby,onlytobepushedasidebyauniformedpolicemanrunningpasthim.Edgarpausedthenedgedslowlytowardsthestaircase,justabletoseeintothelobbywhilestillhiddenintheshadowsofthelanding.The

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areawascrowdedwithpoliceandGestapo,andinthemiddleofthemwasayoungwoman.Shetoweredaboveamaninanill-fittingsuit,whowasstandinginfrontofher.

‘FrauleinHoch,youhavespenttwohoursrefusingtogiveasatisfactoryexplanationastowhythis

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HerrHessecametoseeyou.’‘Look,Ikeeptelling

you,whydoyounotbelieveme?’Shesoundedannoyed–exactlyasEdgarwouldexpecthertodoinsuchcircumstances.Don’tcomeacrossasdefensive:themoreaggressiveyouarethemoretheymaybelieveyou.‘Iknow

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nothingabouthim.Hewasaguestwhohadstayedherelastyear.HeaskedtoseemebecausehewasstayingattheMarquardtonSchlossplatzandwantedtoseeifhecouldtransferhere,buthedidn’twanttomakeafussaboutit.’

‘Atmidnight?’Theshortmanintheill-fittingsuit

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lookedconfused,unsurewhethertobelieveher.Edgartookastepbackintotheshadows.Hecouldnowhardlyseewhatwasgoingon,buthecouldstillhearclearly.

‘Verywell,’saidtheman.‘RemaininyourofficeFrauleinHoch.Oberg,seal

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thehotel;makesurethereareguardsoneveryfloor.No-onecomesinorout.Firstthinginthemorning,weshallthoroughlysearchthisplace.’

***

Edgarcreptbacktohisroomonthesecondfloor.They

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clearlyknewHunterhadbeenatthehotel,buthehadnoideahow.HadHenryandRolfbeenarrestedbeforetheyreachedtheborder?Ifthatwasthecase,itwaspossibleHunterwouldnotonlyhavetoldthemaboutbeingintheHotelVictoriainStuttgartbutwouldalsohave

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saidsomethingabouthim–butthen,ifthatwasthecase,theywouldbelookingforhimnowratherthanwaitingforthemorning.

Edgarwentintothebathroom,undressedandwashedhisfaceincoldwater.Speculatingonwhatmayhavehappenedmerelyserved

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tostophimthinkingaboutmoreimportantmatters:whattodonow.Hechangedintohispyjamasandpulledbackthesheetsandblanketsonthebed:iftheydidcometohisroomitmustlookasifhehadbeenasleep.

Therewasnoquestionnowofhisgoingdowntothe

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basement,eventowarnRosa.Whatwouldbethepoint?UnlessRosahadheardthecommotionanddecidedtoescapetheywouldbefoundinthemorning.

Edgardozedoffinaseriesof15-to20-minutespellsduringthenight.Eachtimehewokehelaystillin

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bed,listeningforanyhintofasound.Thenhewouldrollslowlyoutofthebedandcrawlalongthefloortothedoor.Bylyingflathewasabletolookthroughtheinch-highgapatthebottom,butnotoncecouldheseeanyonenearhisroom.

Atsixo’clockhe

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decidedhecouldnotriskdozingoffagain.Seveno’clock,hedecided,wastheearliesthecouldleavethehotelwithoutitlookingsuspiciouslyearly.Hecheckedhissmallcase.Therewasnothinginittogivehimaway,otherthanhisSwisspapers,andtheywereso

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skilfullyconcealedintheliningtheywouldpassanyroutinesearch.Atseveno’clockhedidafinalcheckoftheroom,emptiedallhispockets,lookedoverhispapersforwhatfeltlikethehundredthtimeandlefttheroom.

Thelobbywas

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beginningtofillwithpoliceandGestapo:itwasobviousthesearchhadbegun.Allaroundwasthesoundofdoorsslammingandbootsmovingheavilyacrosscorridorsandrooms.

‘CanIhelpyousir?’Itwasamanager,hisfacepaleanddrawn,hisfingers

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nervouslyintertwiningwitheachother.Nexttohimwasanotherman,hisarmsfolded,lookingEdgarupanddown.

‘Yes,’saidEdgar,placinghisroomkeyonthedeskinfrontofthemanager.‘Iwishtocheckout,please.IfImaysettlemyaccount?’

‘Mostcertainlysir,’

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saidthemanager,scanningthehotelregister.‘Yourname,please?’

‘KarlAlbrecht.’‘FromHanover,Isee.’‘Areyoureturningto

Hanovernow?’Itwastheotherman.Ashespokehesteppedforward,holdingouthisGestapoidentitybadge.

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‘Yourpapers,please.’Edgarhandedoverthe

papersforKarlAlbrecht.TheGestapomanlookedatthemcarefully.‘Pleasecanyouconfirmyouraddress?’Edgarrecitedit,hopinghewasnotoverplayinghisHanoverianaccent.Theothermanlookedovertotheregister,whichthe

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managerwasstillholding.‘Justashortvisitthen?’

‘Indeed.Thankfullymybusinessherewentwell.’He’snowgoingtoaskmeaboutthisbusiness.Edgarglancedathiswatch.

‘AreyouinahurryHerrAlbrecht?’

‘Well,there’satrainto

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Frankfurtat7.30whichI’dliketocatchifatallpossible;ithasagoodconnectiontoHanover.’

‘Indeed.ComeoverhereandI’llexamineyourcase.’

Edgarmovedovertoatablebythesideofthereceptiondesk.Asheplaced

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hiscaseonthetabletherewasanoisetohisright.Itwasjustashoutatfirst,followedbythecommotionofpeoplerunningandthenmoreshouting.

‘Quick,we’vefoundthem!’Itwasapoliceman,runningpastreception.TheGestapomanwhowasabout

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tosearchEdgarlookedupandaround,clearlyeagertojoinin.HeruffledthroughEdgar’ssuitcase,lookingupinthedirectionthenoisewascomingfromformostofthetime.

‘Emptyyourpockets,quickly.’

Edgarplacedthe

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contentsofhispocketsonthetable.Themanshuffledthemaround,findingithardtodisguisehishaste.Thenoisewasgettingclosernow.Edgarturnedaround,intimetoseeawomanandyounggirlbeingmanhandledacrossthereceptionarea;theywerebothblinkingandlooked

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terrified.RosaandSophia.ThepolicemenandGestapowhohadfoundthembroughtthemtoahaltinfrontofthereception.TheywerejustyardsfromEdgar.HeturnedaroundandlookedattheGestapoman.

‘CanIleavenow?’Theothermanwas

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alreadymovingfromaroundthetable.‘Yes,yes.Go.’

Theseniorofficerandtheshortmanintheill-fittingsuitmovedovertoRosaandherdaughter.

‘Wefoundthemhidinginaroomatthebackofthebasement,sir.’

‘Whatabouttheman?’

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‘Itwasjustthem,sir.’‘You’recertain?’‘Yes,butwe’re

continuingtosearchthebasement.’

‘Wemustsearcheveryinchofthiswretchedhotel.What’syourname?’

RosaclutchedSophia,butamandraggedthechild

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away.Ashedidso,atoyrabbitthelittlegirlhadbeenholdingfelltothefloor.Apolicemankickeditoutoftheway.

‘DagmarKeufer,fromFrankfurt.Ihavepapers.Thisismydaughter,Gisela.’

TheGestapoofficerheldhishandoutforthe

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papers.Helookedthemoverandsnorted,passingthemtoacolleague.

‘Ajoke!Notevengoodforgeries–thephotographslooknothinglikeyou!You,littlegirl.What’syourname?Comeon!’

HehadbentdowninfrontofSophia,handsresting

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onhisknees.Sophia’seyeswerewidewithfearasshetriedtolookathermother.

‘Goon,yourname!’‘Idon’tknow.’Tears

werestreamingdownherface.

‘Youdon’tknow!Whatgirldoesn’tknowherownname,eh?It’sSophia,isn’t

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it?SophiaStern?’‘Yes,’shesaid,

soundingrelieved.Edgartookhistimeinpickingupeverythinghehadremovedfromhispocketsandputtingthemback.TheywerestillsearchingforHenry:hemusthavegotawayafterall.

‘So,’saidtheGestapo

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man,standingdirectlyinfrontofRosa.Asheshouted,hisspitcoveredherface.‘IfthisisSophiaStern,youmustbeRosaStern.I’mpleasedtomeetyou.’Rosasaidnothing.

‘Where’stheSwissman?’

‘Idon’tknow.’‘Hewasherewith

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you?’Shenodded.‘Yes,but

heleft.’‘When?’‘Yesterday.’‘Wheredidhego.’‘Idon’tknow.’‘Washeonhisown?’Therewasalongpause

beforeRosareplied.

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‘Yes.’TheGestapoofficerhit

RosasohardthatEdgarheardthecrackofbone.Leavenow,go,apolicemanwasindicating.Go.Noneofyourbusiness.

‘I’mnotgoingtotellyouanything.’Rosa’svoicewasdefiant,evenconfident.

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‘Ithinkyoumaynow!’Edgarstraightenedhis

coatandmovedtowardsthedoor.HeturnedaroundtoseetheGestapomanholdingarevolveragainstSophia’shead,thebarrelburiedinthegirl’sthickhair.Oneofficersteppedbackandanotherheldoutahand,asifto

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restrainthemanwiththegun.‘Youtellmeexactly

whereheisandwho’shelpingyou!’

‘ButIdon’tknow.’Rosasoundedpanicked,nolongerdefiant.

BecausehewasholdingtherevolverdirectlyagainstSophia’shead,neitherthe

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soundofthegunnoritsechowerenearlyasloudasEdgarwouldhaveexpected,especiallyinarelativelyconfinedspace.Thentherewasthesilence.Edgarsteppedclosertothehotelexit,notcertainhecouldavoidbeingsick.Henoticedahorrifiedlookonthefaceof

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apolicemanandbroadgrinsonthefacesofothers.Thenthescreamcame.Itwasrestrainedatfirst,likesomeonecallingfromadistance.BythetimeEdgarreachedthehotelentranceithadturnedintoawail,soloudpeopleinthestreetstoppedtoseewhatitwas.

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HeturnedintoFriedrichstrasse,pausingtocomposehimselfbeforequickeninghisstridetowardsthestation.Witheverystepthattookhimawayfromthehotel,thescreambecamelouder.Heturnedintoasmallalley,crouchedbehindalargedustbinandvomited.The

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noisedrownedoutthescream,butfornomorethanasecondortwo.Hewaitedaminutethenhurriedtothestation.

Duringtheshortwalk,somethingdiedinsideEdgar.Hefelttearswellinginhiseyesandhepulledhishatdownlowtohidethem.He

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hadneverexperiencedanythingquiteasdreadfulasthisandwasquiteunpreparedforitsimpact.Hecontinuedtohearthescreamlongafterheenteredthestation,thenoiseofthetrainsunabletomuffleit.Thescreamwasstillringinginhisearsasheaskedtheclerkforaticket;he

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hearditabovethesoundofthetrainthattookhimsouth.

ItwasthelastsoundheheardasheslippedoutofGermanythatnightandthefirstsoundheheardasheenteredSwitzerland.

***

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Chapter28:Zürich,April1941EdgararrivedbackinZürichonthemorningofFriday,4th

April.Hehadstartedoutfrom

Stuttgarttheprevious

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morningwellawareofhowperilousthejourneycouldbe,butthroughoutithewasaccompaniedasenseofalmostsurrealdetachment,broughtaboutbytheshockofwhathehadseenatthehotelandtheconsequencesofhisownfailuretodoanything.Haditbeenaroutinesearch

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ofthehotelorhadtheybeentippedoff?Ifitwasthelatter,whocouldhavetoldthem?

HehadbeenforcedtodeceiveHenry:heknewthatpromisinghimhe’dhelpRosaandSophiaescapewastheonlywaytoensurehewouldleavethehotelwithRolf.TryingtobringRosa

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andSophiawithhimbacktoSwitzerlandwasalwaysariskhesimplycouldn’tcontemplate;theywouldneverhavestoodachance.Evengoingintothebasementtowarnthemwouldhavebeentoodangerous.

ButthesightoflittleSophiabeingshotincold

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bloodhadutterlyoverwhelmedhim.Forafewhours,hisdefencesweredownandhisnormallypin-sharpjudgementwasblunted.Whenhelookedbackonthatdayinthemonthsandyearsthatfollowed,herealisedthatformuchofithehardlycaredwhathappenedtohim.Itwas

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notjustSophia:hedidnotwanttocontemplatewhatfateawaitedRosa,andhedoubtedMiloandherbrotherwouldsurviveeither.Forallheknew,RolfandHenrymayevenhavebeencaughtafterall.IthadbeenanutterdisasterandwhatwoulddispleaseLondonmostwas

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thepossibilitythattheRussianswouldnotevengettoseetheRostockReport.But,forafewhoursthatday,itdidnotbotherhimatall.

Edgar’strance-likestatecontinuedashebrokealltherulesbynottakingthefirsttrainoutofStuttgart.Instead,afterbuyinghis

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ticket,hesatinacornerofthedraughtystationbuffet,nibblingasausageandsippingatanersatzcoffeehe’dallowedtogetcold.By8.30,asenseofrealityslowlybegantoreturntohimastheinitialshockthawedandhebegantothinkmoreclearly.RolfandHenrywouldhave

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triedtocrosstheborderafterSingenandhedecidedtotryadifferentroute,justincase.Hechosetowaitforatrainthatwouldgivehimotheroptionsandcaughtoneheadingsouthat9.30.Thetrainwascrowded,withalargenumberofsoldiersonboard.Abouttenminutesout

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ofStuttgartawomanbrushedpasthimasshepushedherwaydownthecarriage.Evenfrombehindtherewassomethingfamiliaraboutherand,assheturnedtoopenthedoorattheotherendofthecarriage,Edgarcaughtaglimpseofherface:hadhenotthoughtthatatthat

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momentshewasinthehandsoftheGestapohewouldhaveswornitwasKatarinaHoch.

HedidnotspotthewomanagainandleftthetrainatTuttlingen.Itwas11.45andaccordingtothetimetableonthewallofthedesertedforecourttherewasatraintoWaldshut-Tiengen

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leavingat2.20.Waldshut-TiengensatonnorthernbankoftheRhine,withSwitzerlandontheotherside:itwouldbeasaferplacetocrosstheborder.

Theticketofficewasclosed,soEdgarwalkedintothetownandcameacrossaninn.Theinnkeeperwas

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leaningagainstthebar,seeminglyintentonavoidingservinganyone.Edgarhadtopositionhimselfdirectlyinfrontofthemanandcoughloudlytoattracthisattention.Whenhediddeigntolookathisnewcustomeritwaswithapairofeyesthatneverstoppedblinking.

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‘Yes?’‘I’mlookingforaroom

please,justforacoupleofhours.’

Theeyesblinkedfasterthennarrowed.‘Acoupleofhours?Whatkindofaplacedoyouthinkweare?’

‘Iamsorry,there’samisunderstanding.I’vebeen

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travellingforalongwhileandI’mjustlookingforsomewheretohaveabathandchangemyclothesbeforeIreturnhometoGeneva.I’mcatchingatraininacoupleofhours.’

TheinnkeeperleanedclosertoEdgar.‘Butthejourneyfromhereto

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Switzerlandwilltakeyoujusttwohours.’

‘Irealisethat,butthenIhavetotravelontoMontreux,whichmeansI’llarrivehomelate.Look,I’mhappytopaythefulldailyratefortheroomifthathelps.’

Edgarpeeleda

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generousamountofReichsmarksfromhiswalletandslippedthemintotheinnkeeper’shand,whoseeyesstoppedblinkingforamoment.Hesmiledbriefly,allowingEdgaraglimpseofdirtyyellowteeth.

‘Noproblem,sir,useroomfour.Here’sthekey.

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CanIsendsomefoodup?’Edgarsaidthatwould

notbenecessary,hewouldeatlater.Onceintheroomhelockedthedoor,jammedachairagainstitandplacedhissmallsuitcaseonthebed.Ittookhimtenminutestocarefullyunthreadtheliningjustfarenoughtoextracthis

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Swisspapers.HewasnowMarcRassierfromMontreux.WhatremainedofKarlAlbrechtwastornupintolittlepiecesthenburntinanashtray,thecharredscrapsflusheddownthetoilet.Oncehehadwashedandchanged,Edgarwentbacktothebarandorderedlunch,leaving

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theinnassoonashefeltitwasreasonabletodoso.

The2.20trainarrivedontimetotakeMarcRassiertoWaldshut-Tiengen,arrivingatthestationinthenorthofthetownathalfpastfour.AnelderlypolicemancheckedhisSwisspapersasheleftthestation.

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‘Areyoutakingthebusacrosstheborder?’

Hehadsavedhimfromaskingthequestion.‘Yes.Whendoesitleave?’

‘Anhour:you’llneedtoregisterforitthough.Theyhavetocheckeveryonewhogetson.Waitoverthere–thoseladiesaregoingtoo.’

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EdgarwaitedwithtwoSwiss-Germanwomen,whowerethankfullyasreservedashewouldhaveexpectedthemtobe,especiallywhentheyrealisedhewasFrench-speaking.At5.30anoisybluebuspulledupinfrontofthestation,bywhichtimeanotherfourpeoplewerein

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thewaitingarea.Apolicecararrivedandayoungofficer,wearingasmartraincoatandleathergloves,checkedeveryone’spaperwork.

‘What’sbeenthepurposeofyourvisittoGermany,HerrRassier?Ineedtoknowwhereyou’vevisitedintheReich.’

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EdgaraffectedbrokenGerman.Iamsorry;myGermanispoor.DoyouspeakFrenchperhaps?

Hedidn’t.OneoftheSwiss-Germanladiesexplainedtotheofficerthiswastypical.‘Theymakenoeffort:theyexpectustospeakFrenchbutyouneverhear

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themspeakGerman!’ShespoketoEdgarin

slowFrench.‘Hewantstoknowwhereyou’vebeeninGermany.’

Edgarlaunchedintoalengthytravelogue,coveringasmuchofGermanyashecouldmanageandspeakingquickly.TheSwiss-German

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ladyclearlydidnotunderstandtoomuchofwhathesaid.

‘I’mnotterriblysure,sir,’shetoldthepoliceofficer.‘Theyspeaksofast.HeseemstohavebeeninMunichandelsewhereinBavaria,asfarasIcangather.Hesayshehasmany

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documentsifyouwanttocheckthem.’

Behindthemthequeuehadlengthened.Theofficercheckedthepapersagain.‘AndyouenteredGermanywhere?’

Edgarmanagedtolookirritatedandtookbackhispassport.‘Look,itsayshere–

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Munich;bytrain,oneweekago.’

‘Isee.Youmayboardnow.’

Itwasapproachingsixo’clockwhenthebuspulledawayfromthestation,drivingslowlythroughthetownandoverthebridgecrossingtheRhine.Oncetheywereonthe

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Swissside,theypulledalongsideanarrowbuilding,wheretheirpaperswerecheckedbytheSwisspolice.HalfanhourlaterthebushadarrivedinBaden.Itwasseveno’clockandhewasbackinSwitzerland,butfeltlittlesenseofelation.

‘Whattimeisthenext

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bustoZürich?’heaskedthedriver.

‘Aquarterpastseven.’‘AnddoIcatchitfrom

here?’‘Yes.’Thedriverhad

turnedofftheengineandwaslockingup,anxioustoleave.

Edgarputhissuitcasedownandsettledonthe

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benchinsidethesmallbusshelter.Thedriversetoff,turningaroundafterhehadwalkedpastEdgar.

‘Iwouldn’tmakeyourselftoocomfortable.Itleavesatquarterpastseveninthemorning.’

***

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Itwas8.30ontheFridaymorningwhenEdgarwalkedslowlyacrossBasteiplatztothesmallapartmentabovethehardwareshop.HehadthoughtabouttelephoningBasilRemington-BarberfromBadenthepreviousnightorwhenhearrivedinZürich,

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buthaddecidedagainstit.Afewhours’sleepinasmallinninBadenhadclearedhismindandnowtheenormityofwhathadhappenedwashittinghimhard.HeneededtimetoconsiderquitehowtoexplainthisdisastertoLondon:adebacle,theywouldcallit,thesepeople

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whoseonlyexperienceofdangerwasdodgingthetrafficaroundTrafalgarSquareonthewaytotheirclubs.HewouldprobablyendupinWaleslookingaftermunitions,ifhewaslucky.

Remington-Barberansweredthedoor,lookingasifhehadseenaghost.Inthe

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loungeRolfandHenryweresittingaroundthetable.Itwasawhilebeforeanyonesaidanything.

‘Well,thisisquitesomereunion,’saidRemington-Barberfinally,soundingquitejolly.

‘Whendidyoutwoarrive?’Edgarasked.

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‘Yesterday,’saidRolf,whohadnowcomeovertoEdgarandwasshakinghimwarmlybythehand.Henrywashalf-standing,half-sitting,sayingnothingandpeeringbeyondEdgar,lookingtoseeifanyonewasbehindhim.

‘Plainsailing?’asked

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Edgar,asheremovedhishatandcoat,anddroppedthemontothearmchair.

‘Surprisinglyso,’saidRolf.‘WhenwearrivedatthestationinStuttgartIsawthetraintoSingenwasdelayeduntilfouro’clock,buttherewasonetoUlmleavingalmostimmediately.From

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there,wefoundanothertrainwasleavingsoonforFriedrichshafen.WebookedintoahoteloverlookingthelakeandyesterdaymorningwetookabustoKonstanz.WecrossedtheborderthereusingourSwisspassportsthentookatraintoZürich.’

‘Wherearethey,

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Edgar?’HenryhadstoodupnowandwalkedpastEdgarintothehallway.Heopenedthedooroftheapartment,camebackinandwalkedovertothewindowoverlookingBasteiplatz.

‘Youpromisedmeyou’dbringRosaandSophiawithyou.Wherethehellare

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they?’Hisvoicehadanurgenttonetoit,louderandmorebrokenthanusual.

EdgarsignalledtoRolftostandbythedoor.‘SitdownHenry.’Heledhimovertothesofaandsathimdown,thenplacedhimselfinthearmchair.

‘I’mafraidthey’renot

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here.I’msorry.’‘Wherearethey?’Edgarhesitated:hehad

rehearsedseveralversionsofwhattosayinanswertothisinevitablequestionandwasquicklydecidingwhichonetouse.

‘I’msorryHenry,Ireallyam…Buttheywere

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arrestedbeforeIhadachancetogetthemoutofthehotel.I…’

‘Arrestedbywhom?’HenryhadstoodupfromthesofaandonlysatwhenRemington-Barberguidedhimdownwithafirmhandonhisshoulder.

‘Don’tshout,’said

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Edgar.‘IpromiseyouthisissomethingIregretjustasmuchasyoudo,butI’msorrytosayitwastheGestapo.TheymusthavecometothehotellateontheWednesdaynight.I’mnotsurewhathappened,butbecauseMilohadn’tmadecontactwithmeIdecidedtogodownandfind

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herataroundoneinthemorning.AsIwentdown,IsawshewasbeingquestionedinthereceptionareaandIheardthemsaytheyweregoingtosearchthehotelinthemorning.Therewerepoliceeverywhere.Iwentbacktomyroomandremainedthereuntilsevenin

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themorning.IftherewasanywayIcouldhavegonedowntothebasementIwouldhavedone,buteverytimeIlookedoutthedoortherewerepolicepatrollingthecorridor.WhenIwentdowntocheckout,IsawRosaandSophiabeingledaway.’

‘Andyoudidn’ttryto

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warnthemoranything?’Henrywasshoutingso

loudlynowthatRolfshutthewindowsandRemington-Barberslammedtheloungedoor.

‘ItoldyouHenry,Ijustdidn’tgetachance,Ipromiseyou.TheGestapowereallovertheplace.Iwasworried

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thatifIwentdownintothebasementIcouldbecaughtandthatwouldalertthebastardstosearchdownthere.I…’

Henryhadbeguntocry.Itstartedasagentlesobbingbutwithinaminutehadturnedintouncontrollableweeping,tearsstreakinghis

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cheeks.Remington-Barberstoodawkwardlyinfrontofhimholdingoutahandkerchief,whileRolfsatnexttoHenryandplacedanarmaroundhisshoulder,butnothingwouldconsolehim.Hewasgrief-strickenandeveryoneintheroomknewtherewasnothingtobesaid

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thatcouldbeinanywayreassuring.

Henrydidnothingotherthanweepforfiveminutes.Bynow,Remington-BarberhadtakenEdgar’splaceinthearmchair.Heheldaglassofwaterandinhisopenhandweretwolargewhitetablets.

‘Taketheseoldchap:

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they’llhelpyourestandwhenyouwakeupitwillbewithaclearerhead.’Henrylookedatthetabletsandtookthemoneatatime.Withinfiveminuteshewasstretchedoutonthesofa,fastasleep.Theywaitedanotherfiveminutesthencarriedhimintothebedroom,whichRolf

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lockedfromtheoutside.‘He’llnotwakefor

mostoftheday.’‘Well,beforehedoes,

weneedtochecksomething,’saidEdgar.

TheyemptiedallHenry’spossessionsonthefloorandsearchedthemcarefully,payingparticular

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attentiontothetrouserstheyhadlastseeninthehotelroominStuttgart.Thereporttheyhadfoundtherewasnowheretobeseen.AsfarastheRussianswereconcerned,hewouldhaveservedhispurpose.

‘Well,that’sarelief,’saidRemington-Barber.

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‘ThankyouBasil.Ionlytoldhimhalfofit,youknow.’

‘Wellwhateveryoudo,betternottotellhimtheotherhalf,’saidRolf.‘InthehotelinFriedrichshafenlastnightwegottalking:IwastellinghimaboutFrieda,myfiancéeinVienna–aboutnothaving

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anyideaofwhat’shappenedtoherandallthat.Henryopenedupabit:IcantellyouhewasabsolutelysetonrescuingRosaandthechild.Heregardeditasamission,themostimportantthinginhislife.Idon’tthinkloveorromancecomesintoit,hekeptgoingonabouthowifhe

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savedRosathenhecouldsavehimself.Iaskedhimtotellmemore,buthesaiditwastooterribletotalkabout.Ittorturedhimtoeventhinkaboutit.Hesaidhehopedthatoncewe’drescuedRosaandherdaughter,he’dfindsomesortofpeace.Heclammedupafterthat.’

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‘Weretheykilled?’‘Thelittlegirlwas,

Basil.Shotincoldblood,justyardsfromme.Godknowswhatthey’vedonetoRosa.Inthe…’

‘Areyoualright,Edgar?Youseemabitchokedupyourself.Wouldyoulikeacoupleofthese

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pills?’Edgarhadmovedover

tothetable,hisbacktoRemington-BarberandRolf.Forawhilehesaidnothing.Whenhedid,itwasinanunusuallyfalteringvoice.

‘Betternot,weneedtotalk.I’llhelpmyselftothisScotch,ifyoudon’tmind

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Basil.Rolf,youtellmewhathappenedwhenyougotbackhere.That’sthemostimportantthingrightnow.’

RolfandRemington-BarberjoinedEdgaratthetable.

‘IdidexactlyasyousaidEdgar,’saidRolf.‘AssoonaswearrivedinZürichI

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bookedusintoasmallhotelonLöwenstrasse.OncewewereintheroomItoldHenrytowaitwhileIwentdownthereceptionandfromthereIwasabletocallBasilandhealertedmywatchers.IstayedintheroomwithHenryforanhour,bywhichtimeIreckonedmymenwouldbe

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inposition,soItoldhimIwasgoingoutforacoupleofhourstofindoutwhereBasilwasandtoseewhenit’dbesafeforustocomehere.Isaidhecouldgoforawalkifhefancied,butnottogofarandcertainlytobetherewhenIgotback.IwalkedoffdownLöwenstrasse.Mywatchers

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sayheleftthehotelfiveminuteslaterandwentintoabaracrosstheroadtousethephone.Hestayedinthebarforabout15minutesandwasdoinghisbesttoseeifhewasbeingwatched.Thenheleftthebarandwalkeduptothestation.HemetupwithViktorbyoneofthesuburban

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platformsandmywatcherssaytheysawHenryhandanenvelopeovertohim.TheyspokeforaboutfiveminutesthenHenrymadehiswaybacktothehotel.WhenIreturned,ItoldhimI’dmadecontactwithBasilandweweretocomehereandwaitforyou–andhereweare.’

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EdgarleanedoverandpattedtheAustrianonthearm.‘WelldoneRolf,welldone.MaybeLondonwon’tseethisasquitethetotaldisasterIfearedtheymight.’

‘Isupposethatmeanseverythinghasworkedoutratherwellintheend,ehEdgar?’saidRemington-

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Barber.‘RatheragainsttheoddsImustsay,butthegoingturnedouttobeinourfavour.I’velostmycellinStuttgart,whichisadamnshame,butthentheydidlastsomewhatlongerthanIthoughttheywould.’

‘Can’tyouseewestillhaveaseriousproblem,

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Basil?’‘NotsureI’mwithyou,

Edgar.Tragicaboutthelittlegirlandonewouldn’tratethechancesofhermother,Miloorherbrotherveryhighly,butsurelyintermsofour…’

‘ThinkBasil,think.Henry’stheproblem.’

‘Buthehandedthe

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documentovertotheRussiansand…’

‘Yes,butconsiderthis:theGermanswereclearlyafteraHenriHessefromSwitzerland.Theyknewhewasthemanwho’dtakenRosaandSophiafromBerlin.Nodoubtthey’llinformtheSwiss,who’lltakeaverydim

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viewofthisindeed.ThelastthingtheywantisforoneoftheircitizenstouseSwitzerlandasabasetocausetroublefortheGermans:they’renotkeenonbitingthehandthatfeedsthem,arethey?’

‘No.’‘Henryentered

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Switzerlandyesterdayonfalsepapers,whichbuysussometime–butthat’snotalong-termsolution.Eitherhestayshiddenfortherestofthewar,whichtomeisn’tfeasibleorhereturnstoGenevaunderhisproperidentity.’

‘Isee…Andgets

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arrestedbytheSwiss,nodoubt.’

‘Yes,’saidEdgar.‘Andthinkthenoftheimplicationsforallourworkhereifhestartstospillthebeans.TheSwisswillknowwhatwe’reupto,sowilltheGermansandquitepossiblytheSoviets,too.’

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‘Ifhestartstospillthebeans,surely.’

Edgarstoodup,brushedhimselfdownandloosenedhistie.

‘We’renotgoingtobeabletotakethatriskBasil.’

***

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TheyleftZürichinthemiddleoftheafternoononMonday7thApril.Rolf,whowasdriving,hadborrowedaCitroenTUBvanfromanotherofhiscontacts,andEdgarandRemington-Barbersatnexttohiminthefront.TheyheadedsouththenpassedthroughLuzern,

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SarnenandthevalleysofUnterwalden.

Theydroveslowly:theywereinnohurry,hadnodesiretodrawattentiontothemselvesandinanycasethevanmadeworryingnoiseswhenitfeltitwasbeingpushedtoohard.‘Ratherlikeawoman,’Basilhadsaid,but

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noneofthemwereinthemoodforhumour.

Itwasonlyseveno’clockwhentheyarrivedinBrienzand,despiteeverything,itwasstilltooearly.Theywouldneedtobuysometime.Theyfoundasmallinnwithenoughspacetoparkthevanattheback,in

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theshadows,andtookitinturnstogoinside,onebyone.Thoughnoneofthemwouldadmitit,no-onewantedtobeleftinthevanontheirown.

EdgarandRemington-Barberwereinthevantogetherataroundeighto’clock.Theoldermanattemptedtobreakthe

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silence.‘Rumbusinessthis,

Edgar.’Edgarsaidnothing,but

noddedhishead.Rumbusiness,noquestionofthat:messyonetoo.

‘Lordknowswhat’llhappenifwe’restopped.’

‘Itoldyou,Basil.

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You’reaBritishdiplomat:youhaveyourpapers.You’reonEmbassybusiness.Theycan’ttouchyouorthevan.Pleasestopworrying.’

‘Butif…if…anythinggoeswrong,allhellwillbreakloose.HeavensknowwhatLondonwillhavetosay.’

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‘Basil,’Edgarturnedaroundtofacehiscolleague.‘Whateverhappenswillbemoreacceptablethanthealternative.And,inanycase,nothing’sgoingtogowrong.Pullyourselftogether.’

TheyleftBrienzat8.30,astwilightturnedtodarkness,anddrovealongthe

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northshoreofthelake,stoppinginasidestreetinInterlakenforanotherhourtolettheskiesdarkenfurtherandensuretheyhadn’tbeenfollowed.

Itwasteno’clockwhentheypulledoutofthetown,drivingalongthetrackacrossthenorthshoreofLakeThun.

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Itwasonlyafewdayspastthenewmoonandthat,alongwiththethickbanksoftreesoneithersideofthetrack,ensuredtheywerenowdrivinginneartotalblackness.Rolfbroughtthespeedofthevandowntotenmilesanhour.Shortlyaftertheypassedasignfor

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Steinbruchtheyspottedaclearingtotheirleft,andEdgartoldRolftopullin.Waithere.

Edgarcheckedhistorchandrevolveranddisappearedintothetrees.Hewasgoneforfiveminutes.‘This’lldo,’hesaid.‘Thelakeisjustthroughthetreesandthere’sa

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decentslopewhich’llhelpus.Rolf,reverseasfarasyoucanintothetreesthenwecantakethedinghydownfirst.’

Oncetheyhadplacedthedinghybytheshoretheywalkedbacktothevan.

‘Howfaroutwillweneedtogo?’askedRemington-Barber.

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‘ThunissupposedtobeoneofthedeepestlakesinSwitzerland:fiveminutesrowingshouldgetusoutasfarasweneed.’

Theystruggledfromthemomenttheyhauleditoutofthebackofthevan,thethreeofthemmanhandlingitanddraggingitthroughthetrees.

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TheypausedtwiceforBasilRemington-Barbertothrowupand,oncethey’dreachedthedinghy,theyreturnedtothevanfortheropesandweights.Bythetimetheypushedthedinghyintotheseeminglysolidlakeitwas11.30andtheworldaroundthemwascompletelysilent.

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EdgarandRolfroweduntiltheyfelttheywerefarenoughout.

‘Youdoyourbesttoholdtheboatsteady,Basil:RolfandIwilldotherest.’

‘Shouldn’twe…Idon’tknow…saysomething?’

‘Likewhat,Basil?’‘Aprayer,perhaps?

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Seemsthedecentthingtodo.’

‘Ifyoumust,Basil.Bequickthough.’

BasilRemington-BarbermutteredhiswaythroughPsalm23,pausingafterthewords‘stillwaters’andstrugglingwiththe‘walkthroughthevalleyofthe

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shadowofdeath’,soundingdecidedlytearfulbytheend.

Thenthedeedwasdone.Ittookthemlessthanfiveminutestorowbacktoshore.Backinthevan,no-onesaidaworduntiltheysawthelightsofBern.

‘Ididn’tknowyouwerethereligioustype,

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Basil.’‘I’mnot,Edgar.Church

everysooftenandallthat,butnothingserious.Whydoyoumentionit?’

‘Knowingthewholeofthatpsalm,offbyheart.’

Anironiclaugh.‘Forcedtolearnitatprepschool.Thechaplainwould

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beatthelivingdaylightsoutofyouifyougotonewordwrong.NeverimaginedI’dhavecausetouseit,notlikethatatanyrate.IwasthinkingwhileIwasrecitingit,youknow.Thatreferencetothe“presenceofmineenemies”:whowouldyousayhisenemieswere?’

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ItwasalongwhilebeforeEdgarreplied.

‘Everyonewashisenemy,Basil.That,I’mafraid,isaconsequenceofservingmorethanonemaster.’

***

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IthadtakentwodaysforHenryHunter,whosebodytheyhadconsignedtothedepthsofLakeThun,todie.

OnceEdgarhadpersuadedBasilRemington-Barbertheyhadnoalternative,theycameupwithaplan.TheywokeHenryupattwoo’clockinthe

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afternoon,whenhewasstilldrowsy,andmadehimdrinksomewater,intowhichtheyhaddissolvedsevenofthetablets.Theywereconvincedhewouldnotwakeup,butoneofthemremainedintheroomwithhimallthetime.Althoughhisbreathingbecamemoreshallowandat

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timesheappearedtobeonthevergeofslippingaway,heheldonthroughSaturdayandbytheSundaymorninghisbreathingsoundedstronger.Theycrushedadozentabletsintoasaucerandturneditintoapastewithabitofwaterwhichtheyspoonedinhismouth,butstruggledto

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getmuchofitdownhim.StillHenryhungon.By

theSundayeveningtheywereconvincedtheyneededtodosomethingelse.Remington-Barberwasinaterriblestate,red-eyed,shakingandpacingaroundtheapartment.Hehadconvincedhimselfsomethingwasboundtogowrongand

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theywouldallbearrested,creatingadiplomaticincidentintheprocess.Rolfsuggestedhewentoutforawalk.EdgarandRolfstoodatthewindowwatchinghimcrossBasteiplatzandthennoddedtoeachother.Weneedtogetonwithit.

Edgarremovedhis

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jacketandrolleduphissleeves,andthetwomenenteredthebedroom.Henrywasnowstirringandmakingnoisesasthoughheweretryingtospeak.AsEdgarapproachedhim,Henryhalf-openedhiseyesandhismouthmoved.

‘Comeon,Rolf,quick.’

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‘He’stryingtosaysomething,Edgar.’

‘Exactly:let’sgetonwithit.’

ThesoundscomingfromHenry’smouthwereindistinct,butjustbeforeEdgarputthepillowoverhisfaceandRolfheldhimdown,therewasonewordtheyboth

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heardclearly.Rosa.Therewasaverybrief

andone-sidedstruggle,buttheybothagreedafterwardsitwasprobablypainless.Hewouldhavebeentoodruggedtoknowwhatwasgoingon,theyassuredeachother.

‘Hecouldn’thaveknownathing,’saidRolf.

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EdgarstraightenedhissleevesasheturnedtotheAustrian.

‘Heknewtoomuch.’

***

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EpilogueRosaSternwastakentotheGestapoheadquartersintheoldHotelSilberbuildingonDorotheenstrasse,justsouthoftheSchlossplatzandnotfarfromtheHotelVictoria.Shewasinsuchastateofshockshedidnotuttera

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word.Shesatverystillinhercell,staringatthewall,herhandscrossedneatlyonherlapandhermouthslightlyopen,occasionallybreakingintotheslightestofsmiles.ApsychiatristbroughtinbytheGestapoassuredthemshewasnotputtinganythingon.Itwas,hetoldthem,oneof

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themostextremecasesofcatatoniahehadeverseen.Couldshe,byanychance,havebeensubjectedtoaserioustraumarecently?

‘Soshe’sgonemadthen?’theGestapoofficerasked.

‘Youcouldputitlikethat:Ifindit’smuchmore

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commonthesedays.’Theytriedfora

fortnight,convincedthatwhenshedidspeakshewouldhaveplentytoreveal.WhowashelpingherinBerlin,forinstance?WherehadHessegone?

ButRosasaidnothing,sittingquietly,occasionally

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swayingveryslowlyasiflisteningtoapieceofsoothingmusicandonceinawhilemouthingsomethingsilenttothewall.Intheend,aGestapoofficerstormedintohercellandheldhisrevolverinfrontofher,buttherewasstillnoreaction.Whenhehitherhardaroundthefaceshe

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didn’tmakeanoiseandstayedinthesamepositionasshehadlandedonthefloor.Whenhekneltbesideherandreleasedthesafetycatchshedidnotblink.Heshotherfourtimes,onlystoppingwhenhisgunjammed.

***

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RosaStern’sfirsthusband,GunterReinhart,managedtoavoidsuspicion.HewasquestionedontwooccasionsthatApril,butwasabletopersuadetheGestapothatHessewasamerecourierfromoneofthemanySwissbankshedealtwithandhis

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contactwithhimwasconfinedtothehandingoverofdocuments.IwishIcouldhelp,butIreallyrememberlittleabouthim…Hewassuchaninconsequentialman.

ReinhartassuredtheGestapohehadnothadanycontactwithhisfirstwifesincetheirdivorcein1935

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andithadbeenmanyyearssincehehadseenhisson.Thelasthehadheard,AlfredwasinFrance.TheGestapoofficerassuredhimthiswasoneofanumberofunresolvedaspectsofthiscase.

***

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FranzHermannalsoavoidedcomingundersuspicion.Becauseheknewthewomanwholivedoppositehadalreadycontactedthepolice,hedecidedtorisktakingmattersintohisownhands.Withhismothersafelyathissister’sinBrandenburg,he

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wenttohislocalpolicestationinDahlemandreportedthenursehehadhiredtolookafterherhaddisappeared.ShementionedsomethingaboutherhusbandbeingkilledandhavingtoreturntoBremerhaven,butnowI’mnotsure…Andaveryhelpfulneighbourtold

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meshe’dseenthenurseleavethehousewithamanandayounggirl,anddriveoffinanOpel.IhopeI’mnotwastingyourtime,butI’mbecomingverysuspicious…

TheGestapoofficerinchargeofinvestigatingthewholebusinessofHenriHesseandRosaandSophia

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decidedhebelievedFranzHermann’saccount:afterall,hadnotthelawyerreportedthematterhimselftothepolice?

FranzHermann’sgoodfortuneonlylasteduntilJuly1944whenhewasoneofmanythousandsofpeoplearrestedaftertheattempton

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Hitler’slife.AlthoughtheGestaponeversuspectedhimofbeingaBritishagent,therewasenoughcircumstantialevidencetolinkhimwiththeresistancetoHitlerandhewassenttoSachsenhausenconcentrationcamp,wherehewasmurderedinNovember1944.

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***

EdgarandBasilRemington-BarberagreedthatasMarleneHessehadbeenunawareofherson’sintelligenceactivities,anycontactwithherwouldbecounter-productive.Shehadwaited

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untilthesecondweekofAprilbeforereportinghersonmissingtothepoliceinGeneva.Theycouldtellhernothing,butappearedtobeveryinterestedinwhatshecouldtellthem:couldHerrHessehaveperhapstravelledtoGermany?Couldsheprovidealistofhisassociates

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inSwitzerland?Sheinsistedsheknewnothingandpromisedtoletthemknowifsheheardfromherson.

MarleneHesse’sincomedisappearedalongwithherson.EdgarwasadamantitwouldbetoosuspiciousifanymoneywastransferredfromHenry’s

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accountatCreditSuisse.Thelastthingweneed:whatifshetellstheSwisspoliceandtheytryandtrackthemoney?They’regoodatthattypeofthing.MadameLadnierwasprevailedupontoclosetheaccountandensuretherewasnotraceofithavingeverexisted.

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HerreducedcircumstancesmeantMarleneHessehadtomovetoadrabbedsitinablockbetweentworailwaylines,earningalivingasacleaner.

***

Viktorwasnotaltogether

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surprisedHenryhaddisappearedafterhehandedtheRostockReportovertohimattherailwaystation.HehadlongwonderedwhentheBritishwoulddiscoverthemantheyhadrecruitedasanagentin1939hadbeenaSovietspyformanyyearsbeforethat.Moscowseemed

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pleasedwiththeRostockReport:itreassuredthemaGermaninvasionwasunlikelyandStalinuseditasvindicationofhisconvictionthatreportsofinvasionplanswerejusttheBritishbeingmischievous.ViktorwaswellawarethatHenry’sdisappearancecouldcast

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doubtontheveracityofthereport,sohedecidedtosaynothingtoMoscow:iftheywerepleased,whyupsetthem?

AsfarasHenrywasconcerned,heassumedEdgarhadkilledhim,whichwaswhathisservicewouldhavedoneinthesame

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circumstances.Itwasashame:helikedsynokandhehadbeenagoodagent,buthehadlastedfarlongerthanViktorhadexpected.InearlyJune,hetoldMoscowHenryhadbeenrecalledtoLondon.

ViktorKrasotkin’sencounterswithBritishIntelligenceresumedinearly

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1944whenheturnedupinVienna,whereheremaineduntilatleasttheendofthewar.

***

RolfEdercontinuedtoworkforBritishintelligence.Edgarhadbeensoimpressedbyhim

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thatwhenhebecameinvolvedinplansforaclandestinemissioninsideAustriahehadnohesitationinrecommendingRolf.HeslippedintoViennainearly1944andwasstilloperatingtherewhentheRedArmyliberatedthecityinApril1945.

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***

CaptainEdgarreturnedtoLondonsoonafterHenryHunter’sdeath.Themissionwasdeemedasuccessbythosewhopronouncedonsuchthings,thoughitwasalsoacknowledgedithadnot

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beenwithoutitsunfortunateaspects.OperationBarbarossameantGermanycommitteditselftofightingontwofrontsinEuropeandBritishmilitarychiefswereconvincedthiswasafatalerror.Edgarwascreditedwithhavingrunasuccessfulintelligenceoperation,helpingtoensure

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theSovietUnionwasattheveryleastconfusedastoGermanintentionsandatbest–thankstotheRostockReport–convincedtherewouldbenoinvasion.

TheEnd

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Author’snoteTheSwissSpyisaworkoffictionand,withafewobviousexceptions,allthecharactersinthebookarefictional.Havingsaidthat,thebookisbasedonactual

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historicaleventsandinthatrespectIhaveendeavouredtobeasauthenticandaccurateaspossible.

Therewasindeedahigh-levelmeetingofseniorGermanmilitaryfiguresintheBavariantownofBadReichenhallinJuly1940,whereplanstoinvadethe

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SovietUnionwerefirstdiscussed,notwithstandingthefactthetwocountriesweresupposedlyboundbyaNon-AggressionPactatthetime.Hitler’sDirectiveno21referredtointhebookisgenuine:itwasreleasedon18thDecemberthatyearandoutlinedplansforOperation

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Barbarossa,theinvasionoftheSovietUnion.TheRostockReportfeaturedinthebookisaworkoffiction.

OperationBarbarossabeganon22ndJune1941andHitlerexpectedtoconcludeitwithinjustafewmonths.Intheevent,itendedindisasterforGermany.Theyfailedto

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reachMoscowbythetimetheRussianwintertookhold,allowingtheRedArmytoregroupandpushtheGermansback.TheGermanssufferedacrushingdefeatintheBattleofStalingradinFebruary1943andOperationBagrationinJune1944wasthestartofGermany’sdefeat

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ontheeasternfront.Thereisagooddealof

evidencetoshowtheSovietUnionignoreddozensofcredibleintelligencereportsabouttheplannedGermaninvasion.Manyofthesecamefromtheirownintelligenceservices,includingacopyofahandbooktobeusedby

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GermantroopsintheSovietUnion,whichwaspassedontotheSovietEmbassyinBerlinbyaGermanCommunistprinter.AsfortheBritishintelligence,Stalinwasconvincedthesereportsweredisinformation,designedtoprovokeawarbetweentheSovietUnionand

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Germany.Hedescribedthemas‘Englishprovocation’.SothoughthemissionsatthecoreofTheSwissSpyarefictionalones,theideaofBritishintelligenceusingothersourcestoinformtheSovietUnionwouldbequiteinkeepingwithwhatwashappeningatthetime.

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Ihavedonemybesttoensuredetailssuchasstreetnames,thelocationsofembassies,railwaystations,airportsandothernamedbuildingsandplacesareaccurate.Manyofthehotelsreferredtointhebookexistedand,insomecases,stilldo.TheAdloninBerlinseemsto

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bethepreferredhotelinmostSecondWorldWarespionagenovels,butinfactboththeExcelsiorandtheKaiserhof,whereHenryHunterstayed,wereequallyprominentatthetime.BothweredestroyedbyAlliedbombing,aswastheHotelVictoriainStuttgart,whichhadbeenthemain

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hotelinthecity.Readersmaywonder

whetheritreallywaspossibletoflyoncommercialroutesinEuropeduringtheSecondWorldWar.Theansweristhatitwas,mostcommonlyifthedepartureordestinationairportswereinneutralcountries.MuntadasAirport

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inBarcelonawasamajorhubfortravelaroundEurope,aswasPortelaAirportinLisbonandZürichAirport.Duringthewar,WhitchurchAirportinBristolreplacedCroydonAirportasGreatBritain’smaincommercialterminal:thesiteisnowahousingestate.InJune1943aBOAC

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flightfromLisbontoBristolwasshotdownbytheLuftwaffeovertheBayofBiscay.Allfourcrewand13passengerswerekilled,includingthefamousBritishactorLeslieHoward.ItwasoneofveryfewattacksoncivilianflightsinEuropeduringthewar.Thenamesof

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theairlines,thetypeofaircraftusedandtheflightdetailsinthebookare,tothebestofmyknowledge,accurate.

TheRomanCatholiccathedralofStHedwigwasdestroyedinanAlliedairraidinMarch1943(ithassincebeenreconstructed).

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AlthoughFatherJosefisfictional,apriestatStHedwig,BernhardLichtenberg,wasarrestedforpubliclyprotestingatNazipoliciestowardsJewsandtheeuthanasiaprogramme.HediedwhilebeingtransportedtoDachauinNovember1943.

Thisisprobablynotthe

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placetogointodetailabouttheconsiderablecomplicityoftheSwissbanksintheNaziwareffort.However,itiswellestablishedtherewasanactiverelationship,tosaytheleast,betweentheReichsbankandmostofthemajorSwissbanks,includingBankLeu.BankLeuwasan

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independentbankuntilitbecamepartofCreditSuissein1990.

TosavefellowfootballfanstheeffortIhadtogoto,IcanassureyouthematchbetweenSportingLisbonandBarreirensethatfeaturesinChapter15didactuallytakeplaceonthe9thFebruary

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1941–andSportingdidindeedwin2-0.

Iwouldliketothankmyagent,GordonWiseatCurtisBrownandhiscolleagueRichardPikefortheirhelp,encouragementandsoundadvice.Gordonrightlyhasanoutstandingreputationasan

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agentandIrealisehowfortunateIamtobeoneofhisclients.Iwouldalsoliketothankmypublishers,Studio28,andespeciallyitseditorsRufusPurdyandAliceLutyens.RufusfirstsawTheSwissSpywhenImistakenlythoughtitwasthefinishedarticle:thefacthehas

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contributedsosignificantlytoitscurrentstateistestamenttohiseditorialbrilliance.

And,finally,mythanksandlovetomydaughtersAmyandNicoleandmywife,Sonia.Itcannotbeeasylivingwithawriter,notleastonewhowondersaloudhowtokillsomeoneandwho,at

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times,livesexclusivelyinaworldthatexistedmorethan70yearsago.Asateacher,Soniaisaveryastuteandfrankreader:draftchaptersarereturnedwithplentyofannotationsinredbiro,theoccasionaltickcompensatingforthemorefrequentexclamationmarks.

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AlexGerlisLondon,February2015

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Alsoavailable

TheBestofOurSpies

AlexGerlis’sthrillingdebutnovel

France,July1944:amonth

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aftertheAlliedlandingsinNormandyandtheliberationofEuropeisunderway.InthePasdeCalais,NathalieMercier,ayoungBritishSpecialOperationsExecutivesecretagentworkingwiththeFrenchResistance,disappears.InLondon,herhusbandOwenQuinn,an

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officerwithRoyalNavyIntelligence,discoversthetruthaboutherroleintheAllies’sophisticateddeceptionattheheartofD-Day.Appalledbutdetermined,QuinnsetsoffonaperiloushuntthroughFranceinsearchofhiswife.Withthehelpofthe

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ResistancehefindsNathalie,butthenthebitternessofwaranditsinsatiableappetiteforrevenge,catchupwiththemindramaticfashion.BasedonrealeventsoftheSecondWorldWar,TheBestofOurSpiesisathrillingtaleofinternationalintrigue,love,

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deceptionandespionage.Readanexcerptnow:

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Chapter1:NorthernFrance,May1940Thefirsttimetheysaw

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GermantroopswasaroundeighthoursaftertheyhadleftAmiens.

Fearhadsweptthroughthe20ofthem,mostlystrangerswhohadsilentlycometogetherbyhappeningtobeonthesameroadatthesametimeandmovinginthesamedirection.‘Don’thead

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north,’theyhadbeenwarnedinAmiens.‘You’rewalkingintoabattle.’

Someoftheoriginalgrouphadheededthatadviceandstayedinthetown.Adozenofthemhadcarriedon.Theywererefugeesnow,sotheykeptmoving.Ithadquicklybecomeahabit,they

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couldn’tstopthemselves.Atall,stoopedman

calledMarcelhadassumedtheroleofleaderandguide.Hewasadentist,fromChartres,hetoldthem.Therestofthegroupnoddedandwerehappytofollowhim.

Marceldecidedthemainroadwouldbetoo

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dangerous,sotheydroppeddowntofollowthepathoftheSomme,passingthroughthesmallvillagesthathuggedtheriverasittwistedthroughPicardy.Thevillageswereunnaturallysilent,apartfromtheangrybarkingofdogsthattookturnstoescortthemthroughtheirterritory.

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Anxiousvillagerspeeredfrombehindpartiallydrawncurtainsorhalf-closedshutters.

Occasionally,achildwouldventureouttostareatthem,butwouldquicklybecalledhomebyanurgentshout.Somevillagerswouldcomeoutandofferthem

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waterandalittlefood,butwererelievedtoseethemmoveon.Refugeesmeantwarandno-onewantedthewartolingerintheirvillage.Inacoupleoftheplaces,oneortwomorerefugeesjoinedthem.No-oneaskedtojoin,no-onewasrefused.Theyjusttaggedalong,swellingtheir

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numbers.Ontheoutskirtsofthe

villageofAilly-sur-Sommeamiddle-agedcouplecameoutfromtheircottageandofferedthegroupwaterandfruit.Theysatonthegrassvergewhilethecoupleappearedtoarguequietlyintheirdoorway.Andthat’swhen

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theycalledherout.‘Madame,pleasecan

wehaveawordwithyou?’Shewassittingnearest

tothehouse,butwasn’tsureiftheymeanther.Shelookedaroundincasetheywereaddressingsomeoneelse.

‘Please,couldwespeakwithyou?’themanasked

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again.Shewalkedslowlyover

tothedoorway.Maybetheyhadtakenpityonherandweregoingtoofferameal.Orabed.Shesmiledatthecouple.Behindthem,inthegloomofthehallway,shecouldmakeoutapairofpiercingeyes.

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‘Madame.Youseemadecentlady.Pleasehelpus.’Themansoundeddesperate.‘Aladypassedthroughthevillagelastweek.’

Therewasapause.‘FromParis,’hiswife

added.‘Yes,shewasfrom

Paris.Shesaidshehadtofind

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somewhereintheareatohideandaskedustolookafterherdaughter.Shepromisedshe’dbebackforherinadayortwo.Shesaidshe’dpayusthen.Shepromisedtobegenerous.Butthatwasaweekago.Wecan’tlookafterthegirlanylonger.TheGermanscouldarriveanyday

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now.Youmusttakeher!’Shelookedaround.The

groupwasgettingupnow,preparingtomoveon.

‘Whyme?’sheasked.‘Becauseyoulook

decentandmaybeifyou’refromacityyou’llunderstandherways.Areyoufromacity?’

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Shenodded,whichtheytookassomekindofassent.Thewomanusheredthegirlfrominsidethecottage.Shelookednomorethansixyearsold,withdarkeyesandlongcurlyhair.Shewasdressedinawell-madebluecoatandhershoesweresmartandpolished.Apale-brown

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leathersatchelhungacrosshershoulders.

‘Hername’sSylvie,’themansaid.HiswifetookSylvie’shandandplaceditinthewoman’s.

‘Butwhataboutwhenhermotherreturns?’

Thewifewasalreadyretreatingintothedark

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interiorofthecottage.‘Areyoucoming?’It

wasMarcel,callingouttoherashestartedtoleadthegroupoff.Hisvoicesoundedalmostjolly,asiftheywereonaweekendramble.

Themanleanedtowardsher,speakingdirectlyintoherearsothelittlegirl

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couldnothear.‘Shewon’tbeback,’hesaid.Heglancedaroundatthegirlandloweredhisvoice.‘They’reJews.Youmusttakeher.’

Withthat,hequicklyfollowedhiswifeintothecottageandslammedthedoorbehindthem.

Shehesitatedonthe

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doorstep,stillholdingthelittlegirl’shand.Shecouldhearthedoorbeingbolted.Sheknockedonittwoorthreetimes,buttherewasnoresponse.

Shethoughtoftryingtogoaroundtotherearofthecottage,butshewaslosingsightofhergroupnow.

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Sylviewasstillholdingherhand,glancingupatheranxiously.Shekneltdowntospeaktothelittlegirl.

‘Areyouallright?’Shetriedtosoundreassuring.Sylvienodded.

‘Doyouwanttocomewithme?’

Thelittlegirlnodded

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againandmuttered‘Yes.’ThisisthelastthingI

need.Shethoughtofleaving

herthere,onthedoorstep.They’llhavetotakeherbackin.Shepaused.Ineedtodecidequickly.Maybeasfarasthetown,there’llbesomewhereshecangothere.

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Bythetimetheyhadwalkeddownthepathandstartedtofollowthegroup,theshuttersinthecottagehadclosed.

ItwasastheyleftthenextvillagethattheycameacrosstheGermans.Theyemergedfrombehindthetreesonebyone,withtheir

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greyuniforms,blackbootsandoddlyshapedhelmets,notsayingaword.Slowly,theycircledthegroup,whichhadcometoahalt,toofrightenedtomove.TheGermansoldiersmovedintopositionlikepiecesonachessboard.Theywavedtheirmachinegunstoherdthe

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groupintothemiddleoftheroad.

Shewasterrified.They’regoingtoshootus.Thelittlegirlclutchedherhand.

Shebreathedinandoutdeeply.Rememberthetrainingtheygaveyou,shetoldherself:

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Whenyou’reinapotentiallydangeroussituation,don’ttrytobeanonymous.

Neverlookaway,orattheground.Don’tavoideyecontact.

Ifyou’reinagrouporacrowd,avoidstandinginthemiddle,whichiswhere

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they’dexpectyoutohide.Ifyoufearyou’reabout

tobefoundout,resistthetemptationtoownup.It’safairassumptionthatthepersonquestioningyouorsearchingyouwillmisstheobvious.

Sheheardshoutingfrombehindthetreesand

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overtheshoulderofthesoldiernearesttohershespottedtwoofficersemerging.OneofthemwasspeakingloudlyinbadFrench.

‘We’regoingtosearchyouthenyoucanmoveon.Areanyofyoucarryingweapons?’

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Everyonearoundherwasshakingtheirhead.ShenoticedSylvieshookherstoo.

Hewaitedawhileincaseanyonechangedtheirmind.‘ArethereanyJewsinthisgroup?’

Therewassilence.Peopleglancedsuspiciouslyatthosestoodaroundthem.

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Attheword‘Jews’thelittlegirl’shandtighteneditsgriponherswithastrengthshecouldnothaveimagined.ShelookeddownandsawSylviehadherheadbowedandappearedtobesobbing.Sherealisedtheextentofherpredicament.IftheycaughtherlookingafteraJewish

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child,shewouldhavenoexcuses.

‘Mymenwillcomeandsearchyounow.I’msureyou’llallco-operate.’

Toolate.Thesoldiersspreadthe

groupoutalongtheroadandbegansearchingpeople.Marcelwascloseandwas

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searchedbeforeher.Thesoldiersearchinghimgesturedtohimtoremovehiswristwatch.Marcelstartedtoprotest,untiloneoftheofficerswalkedover.Hesmiled,lookedatthewatchthathadbeenpassedtohim,noddedapprovinglyandslippeditintohisjacket

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pocket.Alongtheline,membersofthegroupwerebeingrelievedofpossessions:watches,piecesofjewellery–evenabottleofcognac.

Thesoldierwhocametosearchherappearedtobeinhisteens.Hishandsshookashetookheridentitycard.Shenoticedhislipsmoved

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silentlyashetriedtoreadwhatitsaid.Oneoftheofficersappearedbehindhimandtookthecard.

‘You’vecomealongway.’Hehandeditbacktoher.

Shenodded.‘Isthisyoursister?’He

wasstaringintentlyatthe

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littlegirl.Shegavethefaintestof

nods.‘She’syoursister,

then?’Shehesitated.She

hadn’tsaidanythingyet.Shecoulddonow.Theywouldn’tharmachild.Thelittlegirlnowplacedherotherhand

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aroundherwrist,strokingherforearmasshedidso.

‘Yes.She’smysister.’SherepliedinGerman,speakingquietlyandhopingno-oneelseinthegroupheardher.Tryingtoappearasrelaxedaspossible,shesmiledsweetlyattheofficerwhowasprobablyinhismid-

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twenties,thesameageasher.Shethrewherheadback,allowingherlonghairtosettleoverhershoulders.

Ifyou’reanattractivewoman–atthatpointtheinstructorhadbeenlookingdirectlyather,alongwiththerestofthem–don’thesitatetouseyourcharmsonmen.

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Theofficerraisedhiseyebrowsapprovinglyandnodded.

‘AndwheredidyoulearntospeakGerman?’

‘Atschool.’‘Agoodschoolthen.

Anddoesyoursisterhaveanidentitycard?’

Itwastoolate.She

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shouldhaverealisedthiswouldhappen.Doeshesuspectsomething?Shedoesn’tlookanythinglikeme.Hercomplexionissomuchdarker.Shehadlostthechancetotellthemthetruth.

‘Shelostit.’‘Where?’‘InAmiens.AGypsy

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stoleitfromher.’Theofficernodded

knowingly.Heunderstood.Whatdoyouexpect?Gypsies.Don’twewarnpeopleaboutthem?Thieves.AlmostasbadastheJews.Almost.

Heloweredhimselfdownonhishaunchessohe

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wasateyelevelwiththelittlegirl.

‘Andwhat’syourname?’

Therewasapause.Thelittlegirlpeeredupatherforapproval.Shenoddedandsmiled.

Tellhim.‘Sylvie.’

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‘Sylvieisanicename.Sylviewhat?’

‘Sylvie.’‘Whatisyoursurname

–yourfullname?’‘Sylvie.’‘So,yournameis

‘SylvieSylvie?’Theofficerwasbeginningtosoundexasperated.Sylviewas

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whimpering.‘I’msorry,sir.She’s

frightened.It’stheguns.She’sneverseenanybefore.’

‘Well,she’dbettergetusedtothem,hadn’tshe?’Theofficerwasstandingupnow.Notsatisfied.

Fromtheeasttherewasaseriesofexplosions

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followedbyanexchangeofriflefire.

Theofficerhesitated.Hewantedtocontinuewiththeinterrogation,buttheotherofficerwasshoutingouturgentinstructionstothesoldiers.

‘Allright,moveon,’hesaidtoher.

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Itwasonlywhenthesoldiersdisappearedbackintothewoodsandthegroupmovedonthatsherealisedhowpetrifiedshewas.Herheartwasrammingagainstherribsandcoldsweatwasrunningdownherback.Thelittlegirlwalkedonobedientlybesideher,butshe

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couldfeelandseeherbodytrembling.

Asthegroupwalkedslowlyalongtheroad,sherealisedshewasstrokingSylvie’shair,hertremblinghandcuppingthechild’scheeks,wipingawaythetearswithherthumb.

Notforthefirsttime

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andcertainlynotforthelast,shehadsurprisedherself.

***

Theyhadwalkedforanotherhour.Marceldroppedbackatonestageandsidleduptoher.

‘Andwheredidshe

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comefrom?’HegesturedatSylvie,whowasstillclutchingherhand.

‘Thecouplewhogaveuswaterandfruitoutsidetheircottage.Thelastvillagebutone.Theymademetakeher.’

‘Yourealise…?’‘OfcourseIdo!’

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‘Aren’tyoutakingabitofarisk?’

‘Aren’tweall?’Marcelhadspotteda

forestaheadofthemandsaidthatthedeepertheygotintoit,thesaferthey’dbe.But,asshewasbeginningtorealisewasthecaseinthecountryside,distanceswere

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hardtojudgeandtheforestwasnotquiteasnearasitseemed.Bythetimetheyfoundaclearing,everyonewasexhausted.

ThatnightshefoundherselfwithSylvieontheedgeofthegroup,restingnexttoanoldmanandhiswife.Astherestofthegroup

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slepttheoldmangaveherhisblanket,assuringherhewasn’tcold.Sylviewascurledupalongsideherundertheblanket,fastasleep.

Theoldmanhadalsogivenherthelastofhiswater.Hewasn’tthirsty,heassuredher.Themoonlightpokedthroughthecanopyofthe

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forest,thetopsofsomeofthetreesswayingverygentlydespitetheabsenceofanybreeze.Theoldmanmovedclosertoherandspokequietly:heandhiswifehadlostboththeirsonsatVerdunandhadprayedtheywouldneverseeanotherwar.Hehadtriedtoleadadecentlife.

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Hewenttochurch,hepaidhistaxes,hehadnevervotedforthecommunists.Heworkedontherailways,butwasnowretired.TheycouldnotstandthethoughtofbeinginPariswhenitwasoccupied,sonowtheywereheadingtothetownwherehiswife’ssisterlived,he

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explained.Itwasboundtobepeacefulthere.

‘Youlooksomuchlikeourdaughter,’hesaid,pattingheraffectionatelyonthewrist.‘Youhavethesameslimfigure,thesamebeautifullong,darkhair,thesamedarkeyes.WhenmywifeandIsawyouforthe

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firsttimeyesterday–webothremarkedonthat!’

‘Wheredoesyourdaughterlive?’

Theoldmansaidnothing,buthiseyesmoistenedasheheldhishandoverhers.Theoldmanwaskind,buttherewassomethingabouthimthatunsettledher.

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Asshelaydownonthecoldearth,afamiliaryetunwelcomecompaniondescendeduponher.Thememory.Theoldman,sherealised,remindedherofherfather.Hetooworkedontherailways.Thesamedarkeyesthatcouldn’thidethesuffering.Thesame

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awkwardness.Thereasonshewasherenow.

She’dtriedsohardtoforgetherfather,butnowthedarkmemorieswerestirred,sheknewshewouldbetroubledfortherestofthenight.

Shesleptinshort,unsatisfactoryburstsasshe

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alwaysdidwhenherfathercamebacktoher.Atonestageshewokewithastart,awareshemusthavecriedoutinhersleep.Shelookedaroundandnoticedtheoldman’seyes,glintinginthemoonlight,staringather.Whensheawokeinthemorningshefeltstiffand

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cold.Asthegroupmovedoff,shefellinwiththeoldmanandhiswife,butthekindnessofthepreviousnighthadgoneandheignoredher.

***

‘Comecloser.’

Itwaslaterthat

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afternoonandthegrouphadpausedattheedgeoftheforest,throughwhichtheyhadbeenwalkingallday.Theoldmanwhowascallingouttoherwasnowslumpedatthebaseofthetreeandhadagedtenyearsinthepasttenminutes.Hislegsweretwistedunderhimandhis

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skinwasasgreyasthebarkhewasrestingagainst.Hiswifekneltbyhisside,anxiouslygrippinghisrightarmwithbothhands.Heheldhisotherarmouttowardsher,fingersurgentlybeckoninghertohim.

‘Comehere,’hecalledout.Hisvoicewasrasping

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andangry.Therestofthegroupweremovingoff,leavingjustherandSylviewiththeoldmanandhiswife.

Shelookeddowntheforestpath,wheretherestofthegroupwasnowdisappearingbeyondthesunbeams.Theyknewthere

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wasnothingtheycoulddoforthemanandwereanxioustotryandreachthetownbeforenightfall.ShecouldjustmakeoutMarcel,hisshortwalkingstickwavinghighabovehisheadtoencouragethemalong.

‘Leavehim,’Marcelhadsaid.‘Iwarnedeveryone

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nottodrinkfromtheponds.Thiswatercanbelikeapoison.Hetooktherisk.Wemustmoveon.’

Shehesitated.Ifshelostcontactwiththegroupshecouldbestrandedintheforest,butshehadmadethemistakeofstoppingtohelpwhenthemancollapsedand

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itwouldseemoddifsheabandonedhimnow.

Shekneltbyhisside.Aroundthetreewasacarpetofbracken;green,brownandsilver.Hislipswereturningblueandspittlefleckedwithbloodwasdribblingdownthesidesofhismouth.Hiseyeswereheavilybloodshotand

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hisbreathingwaspainfullyslow.Hedidn’thavelongtogo.Sherecognisedthesigns.Shewouldsoonbeabletorejointhegroup.

‘Closer.’Hisvoicewasnowlittlemorethanaharshwhisper.Withashakinghandhepulledherheadtowardshis.Hisbreathwashotand

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smelledfoul.‘Iheardyoulastnight,’

hesaid.Shepulledback,apuzzledlookonherface.

Henodded,pullingherbacktowardshim,glancingathiswifeashedidso,checkingshecouldnothear.‘Iheardyoucryout,’hewhispered.‘Iheardwhatyou

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said.’Hewaitedtoregainhis

breath,hiswholebodyheavingashedidso.Hisreddenedeyesblazedwithfury.

‘Thisvictorywillbeyourgreatestdefeat.’

***

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Laterthatafternoonsherealisedhowsoonyoubecomeinuredtothesightsandthesmellsofwar.Theyhadatendencytocreepuponyou,allowingtimeforthemindtoprepareitselfforwhatitwasabouttoexperience.Butnotthe

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sounds.Thesoundsofwarmaybenomoreshocking,buttheyhadatendencytoarrivewithoutwarning,imposingthemselvesinthemostbrutalmanner.Youwereneverpreparedforthem.

SoitwasonthatdustyafternoonattheendofMay,wherethePicardy

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countrysidehadbeguntogivehintsofanearbybutunseensea,andwhereasmallgroupofFrenchciviliansdesperatelytryingtofleethewarfoundtheyhadwalkedrightintoit.

Ittookafewsecondsforherandmostoftheothersinthecolumntorealisethat

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thecrackingsoundahundredyardsorsoaheadofthemhadbeenagunshot.Maybeitwastheshockofthestrangemetallicnoisethatseemedtoechoineverydirection,morelikelywasthefactitwasthefirsttimemostofthemhadeverheardagun.Inasplitsecond,shereassembledin

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hermindwhatshehadjustseenandheard.Momentsearlier,thetallfigureofMarcelhadbeenremonstratingwiththeGermanofficer.Shecouldbarelymakeoutwhathewassaying,althoughshedidheartheword‘civilians’morethanonce,ashepointedin

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theirdirectionwithhiswalkingstick.ThentherewasthecrackingnoiseandnowMarcelwasontheground,thedusty,light-greysurfaceoftheroadturningadarkcolourbeneathhim.

Awaveoffearrolledthroughthesmallgroupthathadbeenheldupbeyondthe

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makeshiftGermancheckpointwheretheshootinghadtakenplace.Iknowthearea,Marcelhadtoldthem.IcanhandletheGermans.

Apartfromthewomanwithfourchildrenandthreeelderlycouples,thegroupwasmainlywomenontheirown.Allfools,shethought.

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Allallowingthemselvestobeherdedlikecattle.AllpartofthereasonwhyFrancehadbecomewhatitwas.

Sheknewshehadmadeaterriblemistake.Shecouldhaveheadedinanydirection,otherthaneast.Thatwouldhavebeensuicide.Whenshelookedatwhereshehad

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endedupnow,shemayaswellhavegoneeast.Sherealisednow,ofcourse,southwouldhavebeenbest.Duewestwouldhavebeensafe,too;notassafeasthesouth,butbetter.Buttohavecomenorthwasadisaster.

Itwasn’tasifshehadbeenfollowingthecrowds.

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HalfofFrancehadbeenonthemoveandeachpersonseemedtobeheadinginadifferentdirection.Shehadmadeuphermindwhenshelefthomethatshewouldheadnorthanditwasn’tinhernaturetochangehermind.Shehadtrieditafewweeksagoandthiswaswhyshewas

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insomuchtroublenow.Itwascrazythough.Whenshewasagirlonthewaytothecoastfortheonlyhappyfamilyholidayshecouldremember,theyhadpassedthroughAbbeville.Ithadbeenanidyllicday,nomorethanafewhoursrespiteonalongjourney,butforsome

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reasonthiswaswhereshehaddecidedtohead.

TheGermanofficerwalkedovertowhereMarcellayontheground,thepistolstillinhishand.Withhisbootherolledthebodyoverontoitsbackthennoddedtotwoofhismen.Theypickedalegeachanddraggedthecorpse

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totheditchbythesideoftheroad.Alongredsmearappearedwherehisbodyhadbeen.Theofficerinspectedhisbootandwipeditcleanonthegrass.

OneofthesoldierscameovertothegroupandspoketothemslowlyinFrench.Theyweretocome

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forwardonebyone.Theyweretoshowtheiridentitycardstotheofficerwhohadshotthemanand,aftertheyhadbeensearched,theywouldbeallowedtocarryonintothetown.

Thelighthadnotstartedtofadeyetandbeyondthecheckpointshecouldsee

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theoutskirtsofthetownquiteclearly.Plumesofdarksmokehungoverit,allremarkablystraightandnarrow,asifthetownlaybeneathaforestofpinetrees.

Shecouldn’triskthecheckpoint.Notwiththisidentitycard.ThefirstGermanstheyhad

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encounteredhadnotpaidmuchattentiontopeople’sidentities.They’dbeenmoreintentonfindingwhatloottheycouldlaytheirhandson.Thischeckpointseemedtobemorethorough.Shehadknownshewouldhavetofindanotheridentityandassumedshewouldgettheopportunity

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inthetown.ShehadnotcountedoncomingacrosstheGermanssoearly,no-onehad.ThelastnewsshehadheardwasthattheyhadnotyetreachedCalais.ThatiswhatMarcelhadtoldthemandnowhisfeetwerestickingoutoftheditchinfrontofthem,hisbloodnow

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turningblackonthesurfaceoftheroad.

Sheedgedtowardstherearofthecolumn,lookingaroundherasshedidso.Shespottedheropportunity.Thesoldiersweredistractedbydealingwiththemotherandherfourchildren,allofwhomwerecrying.No-onewas

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watchingthegroup.SheleanedovertoSylvie,whowasstillclutchingherwrist,andwhisperedthatshewasgoingtothetoiletinthefield.Shewouldbebackinaminute.Thelittlegirl’seyesfilledwithtears.Reluctantly,shereachedinherpocketandtookoutthebarofchocolate.

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Itwasthelastofthebarsthathadoncefilledhercoatpocketsanditwasallshehadlefttoeat.ShepresseditintoSylvie’spalm,noticingitwassoftandhadbeguntomelt.

‘Ifyou’reagoodgirlandkeepveryquiet,youcanhaveallofthis!’Shewastryinghardtosoundasgentle

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aspossible.Shelookedaround.No-onewaslookingather.Towardsthefrontofthecolumnshesawthesmartlydressedladyinhermid-thirtieswho’dtoldhershewasalawyerfromParis,headingforthefamilyhomeinNormandy.

‘Youseethatnicelady

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there?Theonewiththesmartbrowncoat?She’lllookafteryou.Butdon’tworry,I’llbebacksoon.’

Stillcrouchingdown,sheedgedtowardstheditchthenthroughanarrowgapinthehedge.Thecornwashighinthefieldandnotfaraway,asifexpertlypaintedontothe

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landscape,wasalargewoodthatseemedtotaperasitspreadtowardsthetown.Shewaitedforamoment.ShewascertaintheGermanshadnotcountedhowmanytherewereintheirgroup,sohopefullythey’dnotrealiseonepersonhadcreptaway.Iftheydidcomeandlookfor

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hernow,shewasnearenoughtothehedgetobeabletopersuadethemshewasjustrelievingherself.

ItlookedasifshehadlandedinanImpressionistpainting:thegoldenyellowofthecorn,theblueoftheskyunbrokenbycloudandaheadthedarkgreenofthewood.A

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timelybreezehadpickedupandthecornwasswayingslowly.Itwoulddisguisehermovingthroughit.Ifshecouldmakeittothewoodshewouldhaveagoodchanceofreachingthetownunderthecoverofthetreesandthefadinglight.

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***

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ALSOAVAILABLEFROMSTUDIO28BERLIN:DAYZERO–

GREGORYLEE

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Berlin,1947.ThefirststirringsoftheColdWarbeginastheliberatingarmiesoftheWestandtheSovietUnionlockhornsoverterritoryandresourcesamidtheashesoftheThirdReich.IntothisedgyworldofruinedbuildingsandshatteredlivesarrivesMitchellDelaney,an

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Americannewspaperreporterwithanagendathathasnothingtodowithideology.Toreclaimthelovehelostattheoutbreakofwarandfindthetruthbehindaseriesofmurders,hemustnegotiatethecheckpointsandtwitchymilitarypresenceofacityinthecollectivethroesof

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paranoia–nottomentionasinistermenacefromthepastthatcreepsevercloser.Ataut,tensethrillerfromGregoryLee,thebestsellingauthorofTheNeroDecree,Berlin:DayZeroisaveryhumantaleofsurvivalandresourcefulnessintheshadowofafast-closingIronCurtain.

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It'salsoachillingportraitofaseminalmomentintime,therepercussionsofwhichwestillfeeltoday.

TobuytheUKversionofBerlin:DayZero,clickhere.TobuytheUSversionofBerlin:DayZero,clickhere.

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LONDON1945:LIFEINTHEDEBRISOFWAR–MAUREEN

WALLER

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SeventyyearshaspassedsinceLondoncelebratedtheendof

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WorldWarTwo.But1945wasn’tallaboutflag-wavingontheMallandChurchill’sVforVictory;inthemonthsbeforetheceasefire,thecityhadbeenpepperedwithGermanrocketsandnearlybroughttoitskneesbydeath,destruction,foodshortagesandhomelessness.Yetthroughitall,thecitycopedwiththehorrors,andLondonerskeptcalmandcarriedon.

London1945istheirstory.

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Inthisfascinatinghistoryofoneofthecapital’smostmomentousyears,MaureenWallerlooksathowordinarypeoplefromalloverLondoncopedwithcrisis;andshepaystributetotheirspirit,courageandresilience.Inacitywherereceivinganeggamonthwasaluxuryandfamiliesweredividedforyearsatatime,oftennevertocometogetheragain,itwasthelittlepleasuresthatsustained

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morale:It’sThatManAgainonthewireless,Hollywoodmovies,black-marketoranges,AmericanGIs…

AndifLondonersthoughttheendofhostilitieswouldimprovetheirlot,theywereinforashock.Demobbedsoldiersreturnedtoacityofbombed-outhouses,massunemployment,continuedrationing,nottomentionanewly-independentfemale

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populationchangedbeyondrecognition.

Acolourfulandveryhumanhistoryofachangingcity,London1945revealshow,inthebomb-shatteredstreetsofthecapital,thefoundationsofourmodernsocietywerelaid.

TobuytheUKversionofLondon1945:LifeintheDebrisofWar,clickhere.