TheSwissSpy

AlexGerlis

TheAuthorAlexGerliswasaBBCjournalistformorethan25yearsbeforeleavingin2011toconcentrateonhiswriting.Hisfirstnovel,TheBestofOurSpies(2012),isan

espionagethrillersetintheSecondWorldWarandlikeTheSwissSpy,basedonrealevents.TheBestofOurSpieshasfeaturedprominentlyintheAmazonbestsellerchartsandhasreceivedmorethan270Amazonreviews.HisthirdnovelwillalsobesetintheSecondWorldWarand

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

VisitingProfessorofJournalismattheUniversityofBedfordshire.

ListofmaincharactersHenryHunterAlsoknownasHenriHesseMarleneHesseMotherofHenry.Formerly

knownasMaureenHunterErichHesse(deceased)HusbandofMarleneandstepfatherofHenryLouiseAliceHunter(deceased)AuntofHenryHunter

CaptainEdgarBritishspymasterHon.AnthonyDavisCovernameforEdgarPatrickO’ConnorJrCovernameforEdgarChristopherPorter

Edgar’sbossBasilRemington-BarberBritishspychiefinSwitzerlandSirRolandPearsonDowningStreetintelligencechief

MadameLadnierContactatCreditSuisse,GenevaSandyMorganBritishspyinLisbonRolfEderAustrian,workingfortheBritishinSwitzerland

FranzHermannBerlinlawyerandBritishagent.CodenameHugoFrauHermannMotherofFranzHermannWernerErnstGeneralmajorinGerman

ArmyHighCommandGunterReinhartOfficialattheReichsbank,Berlin.MarriedtoGudrunRosaSternFirstwifeofGunterReinhart.MarriedtoHaraldStern

AlfredSternSonofGunterReinhartandRosaSternSophiaSternDaughterofRosaSternandHaraldSternAloisJägerBerlinlawyer

KatharinaHochBritishagentinStuttgart.CodenameMiloDieterHochBrotherofKatharinaHochManfredErhardContactinEssen.Codename

LidoGertraudTraugott(deceased)‘Aunt’inEssenTelmoRochaMartinsOfficialinPortugueseForeignministry

DonaMariadoRosarioSecretaryatPortugueseLegationinBerlinViktorKrasotkinRussianspymasterFatherJosefPriestatStHedwig’sCathedral,Berlin

MichaelHedingerOfficialatBankLeu,ZürichAnatolyMikhailovichYevtushenkoRussianémigréinInterlaken,SwitzerlandTatyanaDmitriyevna

YevtushenkoWifeofAnatolyRozaliaAnatolyevnaYevtushenkoDaughterofAnatolyandTatyanaNadezhdaAnatolyevnaYevtushenko

DaughterofAnatolyandTatyanaNikolaiAnatolyevichYevtushenkoSonofAnatoly&Tatyana

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

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

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

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

Prologue:London,22nd

June1941‘Itlookslikeit’sstarted.You’dbettercomeover.’

Itwasdarkintheroomandhewasunsureifthe

vaguelyfamiliarvoicenexttohimwaspartofadreamorwasrealand,ifso,whereitwascomingfrom.

‘AreyouthereEdgar?Canyouhearme?’

Herealisedhewasholdingthetelephoneinhishand.Hemusthavepickeditupinthemiddleofadreamin

whichhe’dbeensurroundedbymeneventallerthanhim,allwearingblackuniformswithgleamingsmiles.Themenacethataccompaniedthemhadsuddenlyvanishedatthesoundofashrillbellandamancallinghisname.

‘Edgar!Areyouthere?’Heswitchedonthe

bedsidelampandleanedbackonhispillow.ItwasChristopherPorter.Annoyingly,hiscigarettecasewasnotonthetable.

‘Yessir.’‘Atlast.IimagineI’ve

wokenyouup?’‘Attwoo’clockinthe

morning?Whatevermakes

youthinkthat?’‘You’dbettercome

over.Lookslikeit’sallstarted.’

‘Notanotherfalsealarm,Ihope.’

‘Idon’tthinkso:you’dbettercomeandseeforyourself.’

Hedressedquickly,not

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

Therewasalightdrizzleashehurrieddown

VictoriaStreetandbythetimehecrossedParliamentSquaretherainhadturnedheavy,causinghimtorundownWhitehall.Thecitywasenvelopedinthedarknessoftheblackout,whichmeanthesteppedinafewpuddles.Bythetimehearrivedattheentrancetotheheavily

guardedbasementbeneathWhitehallhislightsummersuitwasquitedrenched,hissocksweresoggyandhewasbreathingheavily.Hejoinedasmallqueueofpeoplewaitingtobeallowedin.Thepervadingsmellwasthatofrain,sweatandcigarettesmoke.Heedgedhiswayto

frontofthequeue,ignoringthemutteringbehindhim.

‘WhoshallIsayitisagainsir?’Thearmysergeantglancedanxiouslyatthemenbehindhim.

‘Itoldyou:Iwastelephonedjustbeforeandtoldtocomehere.Ireallydonotexpecttobekeptwaiting.

Youunderstand?’Thesergeanthesitated:

hehadstrictordersaboutwhohewastoallowintothebasementandwhataccreditationtheyneeded.Thismanwastryingtobargehiswayin.Atthatmomentthedoortothebasementopenedandamantappedhim

ontheshoulder.‘CaptainEdgariswith

me:beagoodchapandlethimthroughplease?’

Fiveminuteslatertheyhaddescendedseveralflightsofstairsandpassedthroughaseriesofguardeddoorways.Nowtheywereonanarrow

platformoverlookingalargeandbrightlylitoperationsroom,itswallscoveredinhugemaps.Menandwomeninavarietyofuniformswereeitheronthephone,writingonbitsofpaperorclimbingladderstoadjustmarkersonthemaps.Anotherplatformtotheirleftwascrowdedwith

seniorofficers.‘Sothisisitsir?’‘Seemstobe:itall

startedjustaftermidnight,ourtimethatis.TheGermanslaunchedairraidsagainstkeytargetsintheSoviet-controlledsectorofPoland.Soonafterthattheirlandforcescrossedtheborder.

Hardtobetoopreciseatthemoment,buteverythingwe’repickingupseemstoindicatethisisamajorinvasion.Somereportssaythatover100Germandivisionsareinvolved.Otherreportssayitcouldbenearerto150.’

‘Reliablesources?’

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

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

particularlygoodoneintheMinistryofForeignAffairs.’

Edgarshowednoreaction,asifnothinghewasbeingtoldwasnewstohim.Hefeltinhispocketsandrealisedhe’dforgottentobringcigarettes.

‘Whatdoesthefrontlooklike?’

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

PanzerGroup,weknowtheywereinthatarea.Thenallthewaydowntheborder,asfar

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

‘Quitesomefront.’‘Well,ifthey’vereally

attackedfromtheBaltictotheBlackSea,that’swelloverathousandmiles.Extraordinaryiftheymanagetopullthatoff.’

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

‘Whois?’Edgarlookeddownat

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

‘Nothingofficial.Apparentlythere’stalkof

theirHighCommandhavingsentoutsomekindofalertaboutaninvasionsomethreehoursbeforetheGermansattacked,butwecan’tconfirmthat.Obviouslydidn’thaveanyeffect.CertainlytherewasaverynoticeableincreaseinradiotrafficinandoutofMoscow

lastnight,butthenweknowtheSovietsarepronetogettingquitenoisyeverysooften.Allinall,itlooksliketheywerecaughtbysurprise.’

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

***

Chapter1:CroydonAirport,London,August1939Ashadeafter1.30ontheafternoonofMonday14th

August,20peopleemerged

fromtheterminalbuildingatCroydonAirportandwereshepherdedacrossarunwaystilldampfromheavyovernightrain.

Theywereasomewhatdisparategroup,asinternationaltravellerstendtobe.SomewereBritish,someforeign;afewwomen,mostly

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

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

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

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

Whenthemanwiththe

twobriefcasespresentedhispapers,thepoliceofficerresponsibleforcheckinglookedthroughthemwithextracarebeforenoddinginthedirectionofatallmanwhohadappearedbehindthepassenger.Hewasalsowearingatrilby,althoughhishadsuchawidebrimit

wasn’tpossibletomakeoutanyfeaturesofhisface.

Thetallmansteppedforwardandimpatientlysnatchedthepassportfromthepoliceofficer.Heglancedatitbriefly,asifheknewwhattoexpect,thenturnedtothepassenger.

‘Wouldyoucomewith

meplease,HerrHesse?’Itwasmoreofaninstructionthananinvitation.

‘What’stheproblem?Can’twesortwhateveritisouthere?’

‘Theremaynotbeaproblemsir,butit’dbebestifyoucamewithme.Itwillbemucheasiertotalkinside.’

‘ButwhatifImissmyflight?Itleavesin20minutes.’

ThetallermansaidnothingbutgesturedtowardsablackAustin7thatpulledupalongsidethem.Bynowthelastpassengerhadboardedandthestepswerebeingwheeledawayfromthe

aircraft.Theshortjourneybacktotheterminalwasconductedinsilence.Theyenteredtheterminalthroughasidedoorandwentuptoanofficeonthesecondfloor.

HerrHessefollowedthetallmanintothesmalloffice,whichwasdominatedbyalargewindow

overlookingtheapronandtherunwaybeyondit.ThemantookaseatbehindthedeskinfrontofthewindowandgesturedtoHessetositontheotherside.

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

insistonanexplanation.’Themanpointedatthe

chairandHessereluctantlysatdown,hisheadshakingashedidso.HeremovedhistrilbyandHessefoundhimselfstaringatoneofthemostunremarkablefaceshe’deverseen.Ithadthetannedcomplexionofsomeonewho

spentplentyoftimeoutdoorsanddarkeyeswithapenetratingstare,butotherwisetherewasnothingaboutitthatwasmemorable.Hessecouldhavestaredatitforhoursandstillhaddifficultypickingitoutofacrowd.Themancouldhavebeenanythingfromlate-

thirtiestomid-fifties,andwhenhespokeitwasingrammar-schooltones,withperhapstheveryslightesttraceofanorthernaccent.

‘MynameisEdgar.Doyousmoke?’

Hesseshookhishead.Edgartookhistimeselectingacigarettefromthesilver

casehe’dremovedfromhisinsidepocketandlightingit.Heinspectedthelitendofthecigarette,turningitcarefullyinhishand,admiringtheglowandwatchingthepatternsmadebythewispsofsmokeastheyhungabovethedeskanddriftedtowardstheceiling.Heappearedtobein

nohurry.BehindhimtheSwissairplanewasbeingpulledbyatractorinthedirectionoftherunway.AsilverImperialAirwaysplanewasdescendingsharplyfromthesouth,thesunbouncingoffitswings.

Edgarsatinsilence,lookingcarefullyattheman

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

up,hewroteinhisnotebook:Complexion:pale,

almostunhealthy-looking,pasty.

Eyes:bright-green.Hair:darkandthick,

needscutting.Noseataslightangle

(left).Smiles.

Build:slightlyoverweight.

Nervous,butsureofhimself.

Acolleaguehadtaughthimthistechnique.Toomanyofourfirstimpressionsofsomeonearecasualones,somuchsothattheybearlittlerelationtohowsomeone

actuallylooks,hehadtoldhim.Asaconsequencewetendtoendupdescribingsomeoneinsuchgeneraltermsthatimportantfeaturestendtobedisregarded.Lookatthemforoneminute,forgetaboutthemforoneminuteandthenwritedownhalfadozenthingsaboutthem.

Amanwhoatfirstglancewasdistinctlyordinary-looking,whoinothercircumstancesEdgarmightpassinthestreetwithoutnoticing,nowhadcharacteristicsthatmadehimeasiertorecall.

You’lldo.‘Thereareanumberof

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

‘Whywouldn’tIbe?’HessespokewithanimpeccableEnglishaccent

thathadahintofupper-classdrawl.

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

alsohaveaBritishpassportinthenameofHenryHunter?’

Themanhesitatedbeforenodding.Edgarnoticedhewasperspiring.

‘I’msureyou’dbemorecomfortableifyouremovedyourhatandcoat.’

TherewasanotherpausewhileHessegotupto

hanghishatandcoatonthebackofthedoor.

‘Soyouacceptyou’realsoknownasHenryHunter?’

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

positionHerrHesse,Ithink

I’dadoptamoreco-operativemanneraltogether.ImeanyourBritishpassport:theoneinthenameofHenryHunter.’

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

doubt,HerrHesse,Ishould

tellyouIhavetherighttosearcheveryiteminyourpossession:theBritishpassportplease?’

Henryliftedthetanbriefcaseontohislap,angledittowardshimandopeneditjustwideenoughforonehandtoreachin.Heretrievedathickmanilaenvelope,from

whichheremovedthepassportandhandedittoEdgarwhospentafewminutesstudyingit.

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

‘Correct.’EdgarhelduptheSwiss

passportinhislefthandand

theBritishpassportinhisright,andmovedthemupanddown,asiftryingtoworkoutwhichweretheheavier.

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

‘Possibly,butIverylegitimatelyhavetwonationalities.Icannotsee…’

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

equallyvalidpassport,butthistimeit’saSwissoneinadifferentname.’

Therewasalongsilence.ThroughthewindowbothmencouldseeSwissairflight1075edgeontotherunway.Edgarwalkedovertothewindowandgazedoutattheaircraftbeforeturning

backtofaceHenry,raisinghiseyebrowsashedidso.

‘Anyexplanation?’Henryshrugged.Edgar

returnedtothedeskandreopenedhisnotebook.Hetookafountainpenfromhispocket.

‘Wecanreturntothebusinessofflightsina

moment.Let’slookagainatyourdifferentnames.Whatcanyoutellmeaboutthat?’

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

‘Let’sseehowweget

onwiththeexplanationyou’reabouttogiveme,eh?Youweretellingmehowyoumanagetohavetwonationalitiesandtwonames.’

Henryshrugged,asthoughhecouldnotunderstandwhythiswouldrequireanyexplanation.

‘Terribly

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

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

behappytoclearmattersupattheBritishconsulateinGenevaifthathelps.DoyouthinkI’llbeabletomakethethreeo’clockGenevaflight?’

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

Henryshiftedinhis

seat,clearlyuncomfortable.‘Idon’thaveacareeras

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

someworkwithatravelagencyandabitoftranslation.I’vemanagedtokeepbusyenough.’

Edgarspentafewminutesflickingthroughhisnotebookandthetwopassports.Atonestage,hemadesomenotes,asifcopyingsomethingfromone

ofthedocuments.Hethenconsultedamaphe’dremovedfromhisjacketpocket.

‘Yousaidthatyourstepfatherwasverywealthy…’

‘…Hediedacoupleofyearsago.’

‘Andwheredidyou

live?’‘NearNyon,bythe

lake.’Edgarnodded

approvingly.‘ButIseeyounowlive

inthecentreofGeneva,ontheRuedeValais?’

‘That’sright.’‘Andhowwouldyou

describethatarea?’‘Pleasantenough.’‘Really?FromwhatI

rememberofGenevathat’sratheronthewrongsideofthetracks.Overlookingtherailwaylineareyou?’

‘Toanextent,yes.’‘Well,eitheroneis

overlookingtherailwayline

oroneisnot?’‘Yes,wedooverlook

it.’‘Soundsratherlikea

fallfromgrace.Wishtotellmeaboutit?’

EdgarselectedanothercigaretteandhehadsmokedmostofitbeforeHenrybegantoanswer.Heappearedtobe

distressed,hisvoicenowmuchquieter.

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

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

propertybythelakenearNyonturnedouttoberentedandthevariousbankaccountsmymotherhadaccesstoweremoreorlessempty.Wequicklywentfrombeingverycomfortabletoveryhardup:hencetheflatbytherailwayline.We’veonlybeenabletosurviveaswehavebecause

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

difficulttimesonthecontinent.’

‘Asonegathers.SothepurposeofyourvisitbacktoEngland–togetawayfromitall?’

‘Familybusiness,friends.Thattypeofthing.’

Edgarstoodupandremovedhisjacket,drapingit

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

‘Familybusiness,

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

aboutthefamilybusinessyoumentioned?’

‘Yousaid“we”.Whodoyoumeanby”we”?’

Edgarleanedback,pointedlyignoringthequestion.

‘Youweregoingtotellmeaboutyourfamilybusiness,MrHunter.’

‘MyauntdiedinJuly.Shewasmylatefather’seldersister.Iwasattendingherfuneral.’

‘Mycondolences.Wereyouclosetoher?’

‘Notespecially,butIwasherclosestlivingrelative.’

‘Andyouarea

beneficiaryofthewill,nodoubt?’

‘Yes.’‘Andhowmuchdid

youinherit,MrHunter?’TheSwissairDC-3was

nowbeginningtotaxidowntherunway.Atankerwasturningaroundinfrontofthebuilding,fillingtheroom

withthesmelloffuel.Henryshiftedinhischair.

‘Bythesoundsofit,Isuspectyouprobablyalreadyknowtheanswertothat.’

Edgarhadreturnedtohischairandleanedbackinitsoittiltedagainstthewindow.Ashedidso,hecrossedhisarmshighonhis

chest,staringlongandhardatHenry.

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

‘Beforeyoudo,couldI

askwhetheryouareapoliceofficer?’

‘No.’‘Ifyou’renotapolice

officer,whatauthoritydoyouhavetoquestionmelikethis?’

Edgarlaughed,asifhefoundHenry’sremarktobegenuinelyamusing.

‘MrHunter.WhenyoufindoutonwhatauthorityIoperateyouwillverymuchregretaskingthatquestion.So,shallItellyoumyversionofwhyIthinkyoucameoverhere?’

Henryloosenedhistieandturnedaroundinhischair,lookinglonginglyatthe

door,asifhewerehopingsomeonewouldcomeinandexplainthewholebusinesshadbeenaterriblemisunderstanding.

‘LouiseAliceHunterwas,asyoucorrectlysay,yourlatefather’seldersisterandyouwereindeedheronlysurvivingrelative.’Edgarhad

nowopenedhisnotebookandwasreferringtoitashespoke.‘Shewas82yearsofageandhadbeenaresidentintheGreenLawnsResidentialHomenearBuckinghamfornineyears.Thematronofthehomeinformsusthatyoudutifullycameovertovisitheronceayear.Youvisited

herlastNovemberandthenagaininMay,shortlybeforeshedied.Oneachofthosevisitsyouwereaccompaniedbyhersolicitor.AmIcorrectsofar?’

Henrysaidnothing.‘Ishallassumethen

thatyouwillpointoutifanythingIsayisincorrect.

Yourauntdiedonthe24th

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

Henrynodded.‘Butthisiswherean

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

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

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

sumofjustundersixthousandpounds:certainlyahandsomesum.Doesthissoundcorrecttoyou?’

‘Ifyousayso.YoudoseemtoknowagooddealmorethanIdo.’

‘Butthere’sasmallproblem,fromyourpointofview.Thatmoneycouldonly

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

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

alongtime.I…’‘…You’remakinga

numberofassumptionshere,Edgar.WhatmakesyouthinkI’vedoneanythingimproper?I…’

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

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

illegal.’Henryshiftedinhis

chairandpulledalargehandkerchieffromatrouserpockettomophisbrow.Edgarhadnowremovedapairofreadingglassesfromacrocodile-skincaseand,afterpolishingthemforlongerthannecessary,hebeganto

readfromadocumenthe’dextractedfromthedeskdrawer.

‘Accordingtothebestlegaladviceavailabletome,there’snoquestionthatbothMrHartandyoucommittedacrime,namelyconspiracytodefraud.Mylearnedfriendstellmethatontheevidence

they’veseen,aconvictionwouldbeextremelylikelyandatermofimprisonmentwouldalmostcertainlyensue.TheysaythereisampleprimafaceevidencetoshowyouhaveconspiredtodefraudHisMajesty’sExchequerofthedutiesowedtoitfromyourgreataunt’s

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

toahealthissue,ashedescribesit,heallowedhimselftobepersuadedagainsthisbetterjudgementtoreleasethefunds.Headmitshereceivedamuchlargerfeethanhewouldordinarilyhaveexpected.Apparently…’

‘It’snotasbadasit

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

certainlybeforeprobatewouldordinarilyhavebeengranted.’

‘Really?IthinkyouandMrHartcookedupasomewhatcleverschemewherebyyouwerecountingonwarbeingdeclared.MrHartbelievedthat,inthosecircumstances,hecouldapply

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

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

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

‘Really?Allweneedtodonowisfindthemoney,ehHunter?Doyouwantmetohazardaguessastowhereitcouldbe?’

HenrysatverystillandstaredacrosstheairportasEdgarstoodupandwalkedaroundthedesk.OnceinfrontofHenryhebentdown

topickupthetwoleatherbriefcasesandplacedthembothonthedesk.

‘Keys?’Withoutsaying

anythingordivertinghisgazefromtherunway,Henryreachedintotheinsidepocketofhisjacketandproducedasetofkeys,whichhehanded

toEdgar.IttookEdgarafull20

minutestoremoveallthebundlesofbanknotesfromthetwobriefcases,assemblingthedifferentdenominationsinseparatepiles.Notawordwasexchangedduringthisprocess,whichHenry

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

fiveswasbyfarthelargest.Edgarsteppedback

fromthedeskandstoodbesideHenry.Theentiresurfaceofthedeskwascoveredinmoney.

‘I’veonlyofcoursebeenabletodoanapproximatecount,butI’dsaythatthere’sseven

thousandpoundsthere.Wouldthatbecorrect,MrHunter?’

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

apparently.’‘Twohundredpounds

doesn’tseemtometobeverymuchconsideringtheimpactthisislikelytohaveonhisprofessionalcareer.’

‘It’sallbeenratherrushed,Edgar.Asitwassuchalargesumofcashwehadtowithdrawitfromamain

branchoftheMidlandBankinthecity.Wewereonlyabletogetholdofitthismorning.’

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

shalllookafterthemoneyandallyourpossessions.Weshallmeetagaininafewdays.’

***Afewminuteslater,HenryHunterhadbeenescortedfromtheairportinhandcuffs

bythreeuniformedpoliceofficers.Intheofficeoverlookingtherunway,Edgarremovedhistie,litanothercigaretteanddialledaLondonnumberfromthetelephonenestlingbetweenthebundlesofbanknotesonthedesk.

‘It’sEdgar.’

‘Ithoughtitmightbeyou.Howdiditgo?’

‘Verymuchaccordingtoplan.’

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

asyouputitPorter.’‘Andwhat’shelike?’‘Ratheraswewere

expecting.Notaltogetherthe

mostagreeableoftypes,butthenthat’shardlyadisqualificationinourlineofwork,isit?’

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

‘No,nonewhatsoever.Hewasratherimpressiveinthatrespect,Imustsay.Had

onenotbeenaware,onewouldreallyhavehadnoideaatall.’

‘Splendid.Whatnow?’‘Ithinkheneedsafew

daysonhisown.Itoughttobeeasyenoughafterthat.’

***

Chapter2:London,August1939ItwasearlyonablazinghotMondayafternoon–oneofthefirsttrulyhotdaysthatAugust–whenEdgarsteppedoutintoWhitehallandpaused

foragoodminuteortwoonthepavementtoenjoythesun.TherewasanuncharacteristicbounceinhisstepashestrolledupWhitehalltoTrafalgarSquarewherehecaughtthenumber12busandheadedwest.Heneededsometimetothinkandwhat,hethought,could

beamorepleasantplacetodothatfromthanthetopdeckofaLondonbus?

HestayedonthebusuntilNottingHillGatethenwalkedovertoKensingtonParkRoad,takingcareashedidsotoensurehewasnotbeingfollowed.Hewasabouttowalk,butanumber52bus

camealongandhedecidedtohopon.HestayedonthebusuntilitwashalfwaydownLadbrokeGrove.Hewaitedafullfiveminutesatthebusstoptoensurehistailwasclearthenheadednorth-westtowherethegrandeurofHollandParkpeteredouttoaseriesofplainandforgettable

buildings.Hepassedagroceryshopwithalongandexcitedqueueoutsideitandbrieflywonderedwhetherheshouldjoinit,asonedidthesedays,butaglanceathiswatchmadehimrealiseheneededtohurry.

Edgarpausedoutsideasmallalley,allowedan

elderlyladytobepulledpasthimbyapairofyappingterriersthenenteredthealley.Attheendofithepressedabellandalargeirongateswungopen.Hewasnowinasmallcourtyard:apolicemansalutedandunlockedadoorandfromthereEdgardescendedthreeflightsof

stairsbeforefindinghimselfinwhatwas,toallintentsandpurposes,asmallpolicestation.

***

Minuteslaterhewassittinginastuffywindowlessroominthebasementwithapolice

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

Theinspectorremovedanotebookfromthetoppocketofhisuniformjacket

andflickedthroughafewpages.

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

lawyer.WekepthiminhiscelluntilWednesdayafternoonwhenhewasbroughtinhereandIreadhimtheriotact:toldhimthatunderemergencyregulationshehadnorighttoalawyer.HeaskedforacopyofthoseregulationsandItoldhimitwasinthepost,whichdidn’t

seemtoreassurehim.Thursday:he’sstillmakingafusssowebringinacoupleoftheplainclothesboysasyousuggestedandthatdoesthetrick.Theytellhimhe’sbeingdoneforconspiracytocommitfraudandthatifhepleadsguiltyandisterriblyluckywiththejudgehemay

getawaywithfiveyears.Otherwise,hecandoubleit.’

‘Andhowdidhetakethat?’

‘Verymuchaswewouldhavehoped:afewtearsbeforebedtime.Hebeggedtobeabletosendatelegramtohismother;toldanyonewho’dlistenthat

therehadbeenaterriblemisunderstandingandhe’dhappilydonatethemoneytocharity.’

‘AndIpresumeyouthendidasIasked?’

‘Ofcourse:plainclothesboysreturnedonFridaymorningandheprovidesuswithaneatstatement,

confessingall.Ihaveithere.’Fromadrawerinthe

deskbetweenhimandEdgartheinspectorproducedthreecloselytypedsheetsofpaper,eachsignedwithsomethingofaflourish.Edgarcarefullyreadthenre-readthestatement.

‘SignedonFriday18th

August,good:andsincethen?’

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

inaweek.Evenso…’‘You’rehesitating,

Hill.’‘It’sjustIwouldhave

expectedsomeonelikehimtobeevenmoreaffectedbyhisordeal.Accordingtotheguardshedoesn’tsleepwell,andhe’sunquestionablyshakenandhassignedthe

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

‘We’llsee,shallwe?Anyway,welldoneHill.

Goodwork.Betterbringhimin.’

Despitewhatthepoliceinspectorhadsaid,HenryHunterlookedmorewornintheweeksinceEdgarhadlastseenhim,althoughhissmilewasstillinplace.Hehadlostabitofweight;darkringshadappearedaroundhiseyes

alongwithtwoorthreeday’sgrowthofbeard.HeappearedtoberelievedtoseeEdgar.

‘Ithoughtwemaymeetagain.’

‘Howhasyourweekbeen,Hunter?Treatedwell?’

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

letmehaveanewspaperandIcan’tbelieveI’munabletoseeasolicitororcontactmymother.Isthatright?’

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

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

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

‘Itisapolicestation,althoughyouareatpresenttheonlypersonincustodyinit.Iunderstandyourpredicamenthasbeenexplainedtoyoubysome

officershere?’‘Yes.Conspiracyto

commitfraudapparentlyandifI’mvery,veryluckyIshallgetawaywithfiveyearsinprison.I’vesignedastatement.’

‘Anddidtheyaddthatifyou’refoundguiltyorpleadguiltythenallofthe

moneywefoundinyourpossessionwillbeconfiscated?Aftertheotherbeneficiariesandthedutyhavebeenpaid,you’llbeleftwithnothing.’

‘Theydidn’tmentionthat,no.’

‘Soallinall,Hunter,abitofamesseh?’

‘Soitwouldseem.’Alongsilenceensured

duringwhichEdgarlitacigaretteandwrotesomenotesinhisbook.

‘I’mtoldtheprisonregimeislikelytobeespeciallyharshduringwartime.Mostprisonersarerequiredtoundertakequite

onerousphysicallabour.’Henrysaidnothing,

unsurehowhewasmeanttoreact.

‘However,thereisanalternativeHunter.Thereisawayofavoidingprisonandevenkeepingmostofyourmoney.You’dbeabletoreturntoSwitzerlandandsee

yourmotheragain.’Henry’seyeslitupand,

suspiciousashewas,hefoundithardtosuppressathinsmile.

‘Tellmemore.’‘BeforeIcandothatI

needtoknowforsurewhetheryou’reinterestedornot.’

‘Yes,ofcourseI’minterested.’

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

Henrynodded.

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

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

Henryleantforward,hishandstouchingthedesk,eagertohearmore.

‘Whatwouldyourequiremetodo?’

‘IhadhopedI’dmadethatapparentMrHunter–Henry.Tohelpusgatherintelligence.’

‘Beaspy?’‘Correct.’Outsideinthecorridor

ametalgateslammedshut

andtherewasamurmurofvoicespassingby.Henrylaughed.

‘Aspy?Youmustbejoking:whatonearthmakesyousosureI’muptothis?’

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

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

‘Whichis?’‘Ifyouturndownour

offer,thealternativeisa

lengthyspellinoneofHisMajesty’sprisons.Furthermore,thereisthequestionofthemoney.’

‘Youmeanmyaunt’s?’‘Yes,thesixthousand

poundsthat’slegallyyoursbutwhichyou’llloseasaresultofthecourtcase.However,ifyouagreeto

workforusthennotonlywilltherebenocourtcasebutyou’llalsoreceivethemoney:allsixthousandpoundsofit.AbankaccountwillbeopenedinyournameattheQuaidesBerguesbranchofCreditSuisseinGeneva.Ifyouacceptmyoffer,thesumoffivehundred

poundswillbetransferredtothataccountimmediately.Thereafter,we’lltransferafurtheronehundredpoundsamonthintothataccountforaslongasyouworkforus.’

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

receiveallmymoney!’‘Henry,you’renot

obligedtotakeupouroffer.Wecannotforceyoutobeaspy.Look,itmaybeawhilebeforewecalluponyourservices,butifyouundertakeanyspecificmissionsuccessfullythenwecanconsideradvancingfurther

lumpsumsoffivehundredpounds.Andofcourse,we’llcoveranyexpensesyoumayincur.’

‘Howaboutifyouweretoadvanceathousandpounds?MymotherandIhaveconsiderabledebtstoclear.’

‘Henry:youreally

aren’tinapositiontonegotiate.’

‘Willtherebeanydanger–yousaidsomethingabout“enemyterritory”?’

Edgarlaughed,standingupashedidso,stretchinghimself.

‘Ofcoursethere’llbedanger:plentyofit,I

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

‘Ten?IthoughtitwouldbefiveifIpleadedguilty?’

‘BelievemeHenry.If

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

Edgarhadexpected

morequestions,morehesitationandmoresignsofnerves,butwithwhatseemedtobebarelyasecondthought,HenryHunterclappedhishandsandallowedhisthinsmiletobecomeabroadone.

‘AllsoundsmostinterestingEdgar.I’mreadytojoinyou.’

***

Chapter3:toFranceandSwitzerland,November1939HenryHunter’strainingasaBritishagenthadbeenentrustedtoaclassicsdonwhohadmovedfroma

crumblingOxfordcollegetoacrumblingcountryhousesomewherenorthofLondonforthepurposeoftraininghisspecialscholars,ashelikedtocallthem.Henevertiredoftellingthemthatthetransitionfromteachingclassicstoteachingespionagewasanaturalone.

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

CaptainEdgarhadvisitedthecountryhouseonceaweektocheckonHenry’sprogress.Hewastakinghistime:physical

fitnesswasanissue,aswashisradiotraining,buthewasregardedasabrilliantmapreaderandbecameproficientwitharevolver.ItwasonlytowardstheendofOctoberthattheclassicsdonconcededhewasmoreorlessready.

‘Myopinionisthatthecharacteristicsofaspyare

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

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

theothersideofthestreet,slightlyapartfromthecrowdbutnotsomuchsothatpeoplewouldnoticethem.’

‘Veryinteresting,butdoesHuntermakeitasaspy?’

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

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

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

***

Aweeklater,HenryandEdgarwerebeingdrivendownalaneonamoonlessnightwhenHenrychosetobreaktheuneasysilencethathadaccompaniedthemsinceleavingthecountryhouse.

‘Can’tseeabloodythinginthisdarkEdgar–andwhat’shappenedtoallthe

roadsigns?’‘Iappreciatethatyou

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

‘Andtheroadsigns?’‘Noneedtohelpany

Germanspieswhoarelost,isthere?’

‘Canyouatleasttellmewhereweare,Edgar?’

‘No.’‘You’retreatingmelike

I’mabloodyprisoner.’‘Whichbutforthe

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

‘HowcouldI?YouknowhowgratefulIamtoyou.’

‘Lessofthesarcasmifyouplease,Hunter.Icantell

youwe’vebeendrivingsouthandwe’renowinHampshire,whichisasmuchasyouneedtoknow.’

‘AnyparticularpartofHampshire?’

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

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

***

FirstthinginthemorningforEdgarwasaroundtwohoursearlierthanHenryhadhoped

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

bereadyintenminutes.Edgarwassittingata

longtableinalargeoffice,theroomalreadywreathedinsmoke.Hewaswearingacoatandahighwindowwasopen,lettinginthecoldmorningairandthedistinctivesmellofrecentlyturnedsoil.Thetablewas

crowdedwithfilesanddocuments.AsHenryenteredtheroom,hewasfollowedinbyanothersoldierbearingatraywithapotoftea,toastandboiledeggs.

Henryhadlittleappetite,butEdgartuckedin.HeateinsilenceforfiveminuteswhileHenrynibbled

onasliceoftoastandsippedtheweaktea.

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

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

confideinanyonemakesitamostdifficultandstressfulexistence.Ineedhardlytellyoutheworldofespionageisnotoneofglamourorexcitement.Themostcommonemotionsareboredomandfear.’

Henrynodded.Thiswasnotthefirsttimehe’d

heardthis,butnowhisreturntoSwitzerlandwasimminenthebegantofeelnervous.

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

Andsoitcontinuedfor

manyhours.Asnoonapproachedandthesunbecamebrighter,sandwicheswerebroughtinalongwithacoupleofbottlesofbeer.EdgarbegantoappearmorerelaxedthanHenryhadeverseenhim.

‘Usuallyinthesesituations,Hunter,onespends

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

‘Youleavetonight,

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

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

youunderstand?’Henrynodded.‘Good.Yourmotheris

expectingyou:sendheratelegramfromParisgivingdetailsofyourarrival.Onceyouarrive,you’lltellheraslittleaspossible.Allthelettersyouwrotewhileyouwerebeingtrainedhavebeen

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

‘It’sgoingtobehardtoconvinceherwhythosefinancialarrangementstooksolong.’

‘Butnotaslongasitcouldhavebeen,eh?Don’ttryandexplaintoomuch.Justtellheritwasfarmorecomplicatedtotransfermoneyoutofthecountrythan

you’drealisedandintheendyouhadtosettleforitbeingpaidininstalments.Theinitialfivehundredpoundsdepositandthetwohundredpoundsshehasbeensentshouldensureyoucannowleadamoreagreeablelifestyle,alongwiththeonehundredpoundspermonth,of

course.’‘WhenwillIbe

contactedEdgar?HowwillIknowwhattodo?’

‘WithinadayortwoofyourarrivalbackinGenevayouaretogototheQuaidesBerguesbranchofCreditSuisse,wherewe’veopenedanaccountinyournameas

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

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

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

ItalianLira.Ifthereareanychangesinyourcircumstances,youmustinformher.Doyouunderstandallthis?’

Henryunderstood.Edgargothimtorepeatit.

‘Whenwemakecontactwithyou,itwon’tbethroughMadameLadnier.Itcouldbe

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

you’llbeapproachedinthestreetbysomeoneaskingfordirectionstotheOldTown.WhatisityoucallitinGeneva?’

‘Thevieilleville’.‘They’llbecarryinga

copyofthepreviousday’seditionoftheTribunedeGenève.Inreplytotheir

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

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

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

ofthistomeHenry.’

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

shouldn’tcountonbeingabletosleepontheboat.Inhisroomhesawacasehadbeencarefullypackedforhim,alongwithhistwobriefcases.Achangeofclotheswaslaidoutonthebed.Edgarexplainedthateverythinghadbeencarefullycheckedtoensurenothingincriminating

wasinhispossessionincasehewassearched.

Hewaswokenat4.00andthesoldierwhohadbeenlookingafterhimtoldhimabathhadbeenprepared.By4.30hewasbackintheofficewherehisbriefinghadbeenheldthatmorning.Thesoldiercarriedhisbagand

Henrycarriedhisownbriefcases.Edgarwasnervouslyfiddlingwithhisleathergloves.

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

youarriveandsendatelegramwiththefollowingmessagetothisaddress.’

HehandedaslipofpapertoHenry.Themessageread:‘ArrivedsafelyParisstopregardstoallstop.’

‘Memorisethatanddestroythepaper.Thengotofindahoteland,thenext

morning,takethetraintoGeneva.YouknowyourwayaroundParis?’

Henryshrugged.‘I’vebeenonceortwice.’

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

guesthouseinFulhamtoshowyou’vebeenstayingtheresincethemiddleofAugust.InthisenvelopeismorepaperworkthanyoucouldimaginefromvariousfirmsofsolicitorsandtheMidlandBankrelatingtothereleaseofmoneyfromyouraunt’sestate,includinga

terriblyhelpfulletterfromthebankexplainingthemoneycanonlybetransferredlegallytoaforeigncountryininstalments.CanIask,isyourmothertheinquisitivetype?’

‘Doyoumean,isshenosey?’

Edgarlaughed.‘Well,yes.’

‘Shecouldnotbemorenosey,ifIwashonest.Alwayspokingaboutinmythings.’

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

youraccountofwhyyouwerekepthereforsolong.It’sessentialsheneversuspectswhatyou’reupto,doyouunderstand?’

Henrynodded.‘Hangon,beforeyou

putallthatinyourbriefcase,here’ssomemoremoney:twentypoundsworthof

FrenchfrancswhichoughttobemorethanenoughforyourhoteltomorrownightandthetickettoGeneva,plusmeals.AndhereinthisenvelopeisfiftypoundsworthofSwissFrancs,whichoughttocoveranyexpensesyoumayincurintheforeseeablefutureinSwitzerland.’

Atfiveo’clockacarpulledupoutsidethebuildingandthetwomenlefttheofficeandwalkedquietlytoit.EdgarhelpedHenryputhiscasesinthebootthenjoinedhimintheback.

‘Ithoughtyou’dlikemetoseeyouoff.’

***HenryHunterboardedtheSSWorthinginSouthamptonbeforethetroopsembarkedandwastakenstraighttoatinycabinintheofficers’quarters,whichhadabunkandlittleelse.Thecaptaincameinandtoldhimhewas

toremaininthecabinforthedurationofthevoyage.

TheydockedinCherbourgjustafterseventhenextmorningandatnineo’clockthecaptaincameintohiscabin.Hewassafetoleavenow,allthetroopshaddisembarked.Ataxiwaswaitingonthequaytotake

himtothestation.Henrywasshockedat

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

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

ThetrainpulledintoGareSaint-Lazarejustbefore

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

intoit.HefoundthetelegrambureauandsentthemessagetoLondon.Hehadlittledoubthewouldbewatchedatthestation:requiringhimtosendthetelegramwasagoodwayofensuringthat.HethenwalkedoutofthevastconcourseofGareSaint-LazareandawayfromClichy

anditstemptations.Thefurtheryouwalk

theharderitisforyoutobefollowed.

Soheheadedsouththeneast,downBoulevardHaussmannwheretheelegantshopsandstraightlinesaffordedhimplentyofopportunitytoobserveevery

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

decidedtolookforsomewheretostayaroundRepubliqueandfoundasmallhotelbytheCanalSaintMartin,wherehetookacomfortableroomwithitsownprivatebathroomoverlooking,asrequested,thefrontofthehotel.Hethenspentanhoursittingbythe

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

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

patronunderstood,butheslippedhimagenerousfewfrancsforwhathesaidwasanalreadyexcellentserviceandexplainedhemaybebacklate,perhapsverylate.Wouldthepatronbesogoodastolethimhaveakey?Ofcourse.Andwouldhealsobeabletoperhapsslipanoteunderhis

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

itwouldbehispleasure,indeedhisdutyaspatrontodowhateverhecouldtoassist.

HenrywalkedoutintothebitterParisiannightair,whereawindhadsweptupthenearbySeineandwassettlingoverthecity.Hewaitedintheentranceofthe

hotelfortenminutesand,oncehewascertainhewasalone,heheadedsouth,turningupthecollarofhiscoatashedidso.

Therealdangerofbeingaspyisthatwhichyoucourtyourself.

Heheadedinasouth-easterlydirection,awayfrom

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

Verywell.Youknow

wheretocome.Giveusonehour.Becareful.

SohewalkeddownBoulevardVoltairethenfoundatinycaféinthePassageSaint-PierreAmelot.Therewerefourtwo-seatertables,crammedintoaspacewherethreewouldhavebeenatightsqueeze.Oneofthe

tableswasoccupiedbyayoungcouple.Henrytookavacantone,makingsurehefacedthedoor.Heremainedthereforhalfanhour:dinnerwasabowlofsoupwithbreadandanexcellentomelette.

Ittookhim20minutestoreachhisdestinationfrom

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

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

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

Heknewtheareaverywellandpickeduphispace,

dartingupanddownlittlealleys,doublingbackonhimself,pausingindarkeneddoorwaysandmakingitimpossibleforanyonetofollowhim.HeemergedintotheRuedeBretagneandslippedintotheentranceofalargegreybuildingwithenormousshutteredwindows

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

***

‘Youlookverywell.You’velostweight.’

‘Yes,thankyouViktor.’Henryhesitated.Hewasabouttoreturnthecompliment,butrealisednothingcouldbefurtherfrom

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

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

havenoticedthat,forabriefmoment,histhinsmilehaddisappeared.

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

TheywerespeakinginFrench,neitherman’snativelanguage,whichaddedtoa

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

‘Whatwillyoudrink?I

seemtohaveeverythinghere.Whisky?’

‘No,notforme,thankyou.’

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

Theman’slookofconcernbrokeintoabroad

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

‘I’mascertainasIcanbe,’saidHenry.

Viktorshuffledhis

largeframearoundinthechairtomakehimselfcomfortable.Fromasidetablehepickedupalargenotebook,expensivelyboundinbrownleather.Heproducedapencilfromhistoppocketandsharpeneditwithapenknifethatcamefromanotherpocket,

allowingtheshavingstogatheronthefrontofhisjacket.HemadeafewnotesbeforelookingupatHenryandsmiling,asifcheckingonhimonceagain.

‘Wehavetwohours,maybethree.Youneedtotellmeeverything.’

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

stoppedforacoffeeandcroissantnearbythencaughtatramontheBoulevardduTempledowntotheGaredeLyon.Hemanagedtobookagoodseatontheteno’clocktraintoGenevawherehefoundhimselfinacarriagewithsixotherpassengers:aformallydressedSwiss

businessmanwhotuttedloudlyifanyonecametoonearhim;anelegantlydressed,elderlyFrenchladywhospentmostofthejourneysmilingwistfullyoutofthewindowanddidnotremoveherleatherglovesonceduringthejourney;andacouplewiththeirsonand

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

TheparentsspoketothechildreninaccentedFrench,buttoeachotherinwhatsoundedtoHenrylikePolishandalsoastrangeversionofHighGermanhe’dneverheardbefore.Fromwhathecouldtell,theywereanxiousaboutcrossingtheborder.Thewifekeptaskingthe

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

Thejourneywas

uneventfuluntilaroundaquartertosixwhenthetrainpulledintoGaredeBellegarde,thelaststationinFrancebeforetheSwissborder.Foraroundtenminutes,thetrainjuststoodstill,withnoapparentreasonforthedelay.Thebusinessmanlookedathis

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

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

Fiveminuteslater,twoSwissborderguardsanda

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

HenryshowedhisSwisspassport.OneSwissborderguardshowedittotheotherandtheybothnodded.‘NoproblemMonsieur

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

behindthem.‘Thesepapersarenotin

order,’oneofthemsaidtothefather.

‘ButIwasassuredtherewouldbenoproblem.’

‘Well,thereis.YouhavenovalidpapershereallowingyoutoenterSwitzerland.Itisnot

possible.’Thehusbandandwife

exchangedglances;thewifenodded.Doit.

‘PerhapsIcouldhaveawordwithyouinthecorridor?’Hegesturedtowardsthechildren.Awayfromthem,please.

Henrycouldjustmake

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

‘YouaredeniedentrytoSwitzerland.Youhavetoleavethetrainnow,’heheardoneofthemsay.Henrynoticedtheotherguardgrabbedthebanknotes.

‘YouareinillegalpossessionofSwisscurrency.Weareconfiscatingit.’

Thegendarme

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

elderlyladylookedshockedandthebusinessmanannoyedasbaggagewasremovedfromaroundhim.Aminuteorsolater,Henrywatchedasthefamilyemergedontothedesertedplatformandthetrainslowlybegantomoveagain.Thebusinessmanshookhisheadandmuttered

theword‘juifs’.Theladyhadstoppedsmiling.

ThetrainpulledintoGareCornavinjustbeforeseveno’clock.OntheshortwalkhomeHenrywashitbytheicyblastfromthenearbyAlps,bouncingintothecityfromthelake.Despitethisandtheburdenshenow

carried,hehadthemostunusualsensationofarrivingsomewherehecouldcallhome.

***

AtaroundthesametimethatHenryHunter’strainwasleavingGaredeLyon,Edgar

tookacallonasecurelineinhisoffice.ItwasHurstfromtheParisstation.

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

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

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

‘Wheredidheendup?’

‘TheMarais,aswesuspectedhewould.’

‘Andthepeoplehemetupwith:you’resureofwhotheyare?’

‘Yessir,we’reabsolutelycertain.Noquestionaboutit.’

***

Chapter4:fromMarseillestoMoscow,December1939EarlyintheafternoonofthefirstMondayofDecemberalargemanwearingalong,darkcoatandasmartblack

fedoramarchedwithsurprisingagilityupfromthevieuxportinMarseillestohispensionoverlookingtheportandtheMediterraneanbeyondit.

HewasRussian,butforthepurposesofhisvisithewasaSwedishshippingagentfromGothenburg.Hehad

beenhangingaroundthevieuxportforafewfutiledays,hopingtomakecontactwithanAlgerianwhohadapparentlycontactedaCommunistPartyofficialinthecitywiththepromiseofsomesecretdocumentsofanunspecifiednature.ThePartyofficialhadnowdisappeared

andtheAlgeriannevershowedup.Itwasthenatureofthejobhereflected,asthepensioncameintosight:unlikethefishermenhehadbeenwatchingthatmorningsellingtheircatchontheQuaidesBelges,aspyhadtobecomeusedthepreyonlyoccasionallysuccumbingto

thebait.Hehaddecidedto

remaininMarseillesforanotherdayortwo;ashipwasdueinfromGreeceandGreekcrewsalwaysofferedtheopportunityofgoodcontacts.Butwhenhereturnedtohispensiontherewasatelegramwaitingfor

him,sentfromthemainpostofficeinGothenburg.

‘Motherillstopreturnhomesooneststop’

TheRussianrarelyallowedhimselftheindulgenceofemotion,buthedidthatafternoon,sittingquietlyinhisroomforafewminutesafterhehadpacked

andcontemplatingwhatasummonshomecouldmean.Hehadsurvived,ashelikedtoseeit,varioussuchcallsoverthepastfewyears,butfearedhisluckcouldnotholdoutmuchlonger.Asensationoffearsweptoverhimandittooktheremainsofthevodkabythesideofthebedanda

coldbathbeforehecametohissenses.Ihavedonenothingwrong:Nooneintheserviceisindispensible,butIamclosertoitthanmany.

AnhourlaterhehadcheckedoutofthepensionandstoppedatthemainpostofficetosendatelegramtoGothenburgtotheeffectthat

hewassoconcernedaboutmotherhewasreturninghome:lovetomotherstop.Thenheheadedtotheportoffice,wherehefoundthecaptainofaTurkishsteamerleavingthateveningforIstanbulwhowasmorethanhappytotakeapassenger,especiallyonewhowas

offeringtopaysogenerously.Wehavealightload:withluckweshouldarriveonSaturday;maybeSunday.

ThesteamerdulyarrivedinIstanbulearlyontheSaturdayeveningandthecaptaintookhispassengerstraighttothehouseofhiswife’scousin,whosailedhis

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

Odessawasadayandahalf’shardsailingfromIstanbuland,encouragedby

theRussian’sgenerosity,theskippermadeittherelateontheMondayafternoon.Hewentstraighttotherailwaystation:thenighttraintoMoscowwasleavingataquartertomidnight.Hehadtimetosendatelegramannouncinghisarrivalthenfindacaféwherehecouldeat

familiarfoodandgetusedtohearingfamiliarlanguagesaroundhimonceagain.

Itwaspastmidnightwhenthetrainnoisilypulledoutofthestationand,asthefinallegofhisvoyagebegan,thefearthathadstruckhiminMarseillesreturned.Itkepthimwideawakeuntilthey

reachedKharkovintheearlyhoursofthemorning,turninghisstomachintoknotsandmakinghisheartbeatfast.Alongwiththefearcamethedoubt:shouldIhavestayedinFrance?Icouldsoeasilyhavedisappearedfromthere.

ThetrainwasheldinKharkovforthreeorfour

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

BythetimedawnbrokeontheWednesdaymorningtheywereapproachingthe

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

theparthecouldnevercometotermswith–wasthattheoneplaceyoucouldcallhome,theplaceyouriskedyourlifeforandsufferedallthehardshipsonbehalfof–wastheplaceyoufearedmost.Hewouldhavenoideawhetherthedaythathadjustbegunwouldendwitha

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

ThetrainpulledintoKurskystationateight

o’clockandhewasmetontheplatformbytwoyoungmenwhoescortedhimtoawaitingcar,whichhedecidedwasabadsign.ItwasagloriousdayinMoscowandhebegantofeelquiteemotionalontheshortjourney.Heresolvedifhesurvivedthistripandwas

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

indispensible.Whatmatteredmostwasthathedidoutlivehisluckandnowhefearedthishadrunoutonhim.

Thecardrovestraightintoabasement,whichhedecidedwasanotherbadsign.Hecouldfeelhiswholebodytremblingashewalkedwithhisunsmilingescorttothe

lift.Ifitwentdownintothebasement,heknewthatwastheend.Momentslatertheyemergedontothefifthfloorandhehadtobitehisliptostoptearsofsheerrelief.Hewassteeredintoalargeofficewheretherewerehalfadozenofthemwaiting,allofwhomseemedtobepleasedtosee

him.Fromthatgroup,afamiliarfigureemergedandhuggedthenewarrival.

‘Viktor:welcomehome.’

***Hehadbeensowellreceivedthatforadayortwoafterhis

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

couldbe–doyourealisehowimportantheis?Weneedtohandlehimcarefully.

AfterthreedaysinMoscowhewastakentooneofthedachasoutsidethecitythattheserviceused.Forthefirsttimeinyearshecouldrelaxinthesilence.Awomancameineverydaytocook

andclean,andayoungerwomanarrivedeveryeveningandstayedwithhimuntilthefollowingmorning.Theservicecouldbebrutalandcruel,especiallytoitsown,butitknewhowtolookafterthoseitwasespeciallypleasedwith.

Viktorstayedinthe

dachaforaweekbeforetravellingtoStockholmandfromtherebyseabacktoFrance.ButnotonceduringthattimewasheeverindoubtthatheowedallthistoHenry.Doyourealisehowimportantheis,theyhadasked?

ButViktorcertainlydidn’tneedanyonetotellhim

howimportantHenrywas.AnagenthehadrecruitedhadinturnbeenrecruitedbytheBritish.

DoIrealisehowimportantHenryis?

Importantenoughtohavekeptmealive.

***

Chapter5:Switzerland,1929–1930ItwasafilthyeveningsometimeinlateJanuary1929whenHenryemergedfromthepink-stuccoedbuildingontheuniversity

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

Hewasstilldebatingwhattodowhenhefeltahandonhisshoulder.

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

handsomemaninhislatetwentieswithpiercingblueeyes,thickblackhairwhichtouchedhiscollarandadistinctiveParisianaccent.Henryhadneverheardanyonequitesocharismaticandmesmerising.Heworenotiebuthadasilkscarfwrappedstylishlyaroundhis

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

solutionisinourhands–yourhands,’hehadtoldthe30orsopeoplesparselyarrangedaroundthelargelecturehall.

‘MynameisMarcelbytheway.’TheFrenchman’shandwasstillonhisshoulderashegentlysteeredhimbackintothebuilding.The

meetinghadtakenplaceintheLawFacultyandMarcelguidedHenrythroughitscorridorsuntiltheyfoundadesertedseatingareaonthefirstfloor.Marcelunfurledhissilkscarf,revealingawhiteshirtwithtwoorthreebuttonsundone.HesmiledatHenry,histeethwhiteand

perfectlystraight.‘Maybeintenor15

minutestherainwillstop,butit’sgoodtotalk.AreyouamemberoftheParty?’

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

‘Tellmewhy?’Itwasawhilebefore

Henryreplied,duringwhichtimethenoiseoftherainbeatingonthewindowsgrewheavier.WhenitrainslikethisinGenevaitfeelslikeitwillrainforever.

‘Iliveinaprivilegedandbourgeoisworld,’saidHenryeventually.‘I’vevisitedGermanyandseen

areaswherepeoplehavenojobsandlittlefood.EveninSwitzerland,youcangofromarichareatoonenearbythat’scompletelydifferentandthatjustseemswrongtome.Mymotherandmystep-fatherarealwayssayingacivilisedworldreliesonhavingsomepeoplemaking

moneyandothersworkingforthem.Theysaythereasonwhypeoplearepooristhey’relazyandfeckless.Theyblameunemploymentontradeunionsandsocialists.IalwaysfindIdisagreewithwhatevertheysayaboutpoliticsandthepeopletheyseemtodespisethemostare

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

‘Really?Tellme,what

areyoureading?’Marcelleanedforward,genuinelyinterested.

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

PropertyandtheState,butit’sevenmoredifficult.’

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

‘Ido.’Marceledgedhischair

abitclosertoHenry’s.‘Icantellfromyouraccentthat

you’renotfromGeneva.’‘No,IlivedinZürich

foranumberofyears.WemovedtoGenevalastyear.’

MarcelswitchedtoGerman.‘AndcanIaskwhatyoudo;areyouastudenthereattheuniversity?’

‘No…notyet.Mymotherisn’tkeenonme

beingastudent.ShethinksI’llendupmixingwithpeopleshedisapprovesof.’

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

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

havemore…warmth.’MarcelpattedHenryon

theknee.Afriend:someonetotrust.

‘Actually,I’moriginallyfromEngland.’

‘Really,where?’‘Iwasborninaplace

calledWoking;it’snotfarfromLondon.’

‘AndhowdidyouendupinGeneva?’

‘It’salongstoryandaratherboringone,I’mafraid.’

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

MarceledgedhischairevenclosertoHenry’sand

lookedathiscompanioninadmiration.‘Pleasetellme,Henry!’

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

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

metaSwissbusinessman,ErichHesse.Shemarriedhimlaterthesameyear.’

‘Ratherquick?’‘Indeed:indecenthaste

washowpeopledescribedit.Butmymotherwasquiteunashamedaboutit.ShedislikedEnglandandwhatshedescribedasaprovincial

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

addhewasalsoquiteabitolderthanmymother.Hewas65whentheymarried.’

‘SoyoumovedheretoSwitzerland?’

‘Yes.ToZürichatfirst,thiswaswherehisbusinessinterestswere.Welivedthereforaroundfiveyearsandmovedherelastyear.’

‘WhythemovetoGeneva?’

‘Mystepfatherhaspropertyhere,thoughhehasalloverSwitzerland.Ithinkthemainreasonwasmymother:shealwayssaidshefoundZürichratherstuffybutshelovesGenevaandtheareaaroundit.Welivebythe

lake,closetoNyon.’‘Andhowdidyou

becomesofluent?’‘Iturnedouttobe

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

managedtomakemyselfmorepopularbyimpersonatingteachers–Iwasrathergoodatitandtheotherboyslovedit.Iwasalwaysplayingpranks,phoningteachersandpretendingtobetheheadmaster,thatkindofthing.WhenIarrivedin

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

German,andsincemovingheremyFrenchhasreallycomeon.’

Marcelnoddedandsmiledintherightplaces.Hewassympatheticandfriendly,someoneHenryinstinctivelyfelthecouldtrust.Tohissurprise,Henryfoundhimselfopeningupevenmoretothis

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

MarcelswitchedtoEnglish,butonlyafterhehad

lookedcarefullyaroundtheemptyroomandmovedhischairsoclosetoHenry’sthattheyweretouching.

‘You’reclearlyveryinterestedincommunism,Henry.’

‘Yes.’‘So,areyougoingto

jointheParty?’

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

Marcelsaidnothing.He

leanedbackinhischairandlookedHenryupanddown.

‘Youdon’thavetojointheParty,youknow.’

‘Whatdoyoumean?’‘Whatmatters,Henry,

isthatyoubelieveinthecause,thatyoubelieveincommunism.’

‘I’mnotterriblysureI

followyou.’Marcelpausedwhilea

manandawomanwalkedby,theirshoesreverberatinglongaftertheyhadpassedonthewoodenfloor.Therainnowsoundedasifithadturnedintoastorm.Marcelloweredhisheadandonlyraiseditveryslightlywhenhespoke

again.‘Henry,ifonetruly

believesinthecause,thentherearemanydifferentwaysofservingit.Joiningthepartyandattendingmeetingshavetheirplace,butforsomeonesuchasyourself,theremaybeotherways…betterwaysinwhichyoucanhelpthe

causemoreeffectively.’‘I’mstillnotreally

followingyou.Whyareyousointerestedinme?’

‘Becauseit’sclearyoubelieveinthecauseandthatyouareamanofmanyparts,notallofthemobviousones.Youhaveanaturalcautionaboutyou,alongwithan

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

‘Therewereotherpeopleatthemeeting.’

‘Sure,butdoanyof

themknowwhoyouare,dotheyknowyourname?’

Henryshookhishead.‘Exactly.Forthetime

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

abletointroduceyoutopeoplewhoshareourviews.Inthemeantime,Iaskyounottodiscussthiswithanyone.’

‘Buthowwillyouknowwheretofindme?’

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

***

MarcelfoundhiminlateFebruary,aroundfourweeksaftertheyhadfirstmet.

Hewasinthelibraryattheuniversity,wherehespentmostweekdays.Itgothimawayfromhismotherand

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

yourself’)andwasnowworkinghiswaythroughtheFrenchnovelists.OnthisparticulardayhewasfindingithardtoconcentrateonZola'sThérèseRaquinsointhemiddleoftheafternoonhewentforastrollalongthecorridors,pastthecrowdednoticeboardwherehehad

firstspottedthehandwrittenposteradvertisingtheCommunistPartymeeting.WhenhereturntohisdeskhenoticedthathiscopyofThérèseRaquinwasclosed,withaslipofpaperpokingoutofthelastpagehehadbeenreading.ItwasacardfromabaronthePlacedela

Taconnerieandinneathandwriting,‘Cesoir.6.’

ThebarwasintheshadowofSt-Pierrecathedralandwaslittlemorethanadimlylitcellar.Itwashardtomakeoutthefewothercustomers.Henryhadarrivedingoodtime–wellbeforesix–andfor30or40minuteshe

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

cometotheconclusionthiswasverymuchforthebest.Whateverservingthecauseindifferentwaysmeant,itwasnotforhim.

HedidnotnoticeMarceluntilheslidintothechairoppositeandgreetedhimwarmly,placingtwoemptyglassesonthetable

andproceedingtofillthembothfromabottleofredwinewhileholdingthecorkbetweenhisteeth.HegesturedforHenrytodrinkanditwasonlywhentheyhadbothfinishedandhehadrefilledtheirglassesthathespoke.

‘I’vecomefromParis

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

TheychattedforafewminutesandbythetimetheywerefinishingtheirthirdglassofwineMarcelsuggestedtheygoforawalk.Theyleftthebarinsilence.

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

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

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

‘Ofcourse.’WhatelsecanIsay?

‘Good.’Marcelstarted

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

yourselfhardenough,it’llwork.Trustme.’

Marcelsaidnothingmore,butcontinuedtowalkonslowly.TheyhadnotgoneveryfarwhentheypassedanalleywayontheirleftandHenrynoticedMarcelpeeringintoit.Intheshadowshecouldjustmakeoutabulky

figurestandingstillatthefarendofthealley.Theycarriedonwalking,butnowHenrycouldhearfootstepsbehindthem.TheyreachedthecornerofRuedelaValléeandMarcelstopped.Whentheyturnedroundalargemanwasstandingafewyardsbehindthem.Hewas

wrappedinalong,blackcoat,itscollarturneduptoconcealthelowerhalfofhisface,withmuchoftheupperhalfhiddenbythebrimofalargefedora.

MarcelplacedahandonHenry’sshoulder:‘attends!’Wait.Hewalkedovertothemanandthey

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

Thethreeofthemstoodtogetherforamoment,nota

wordbeingexchanged.Then,asifonasignal,Marcelturnedandwalkedquicklyaway,backalongRueVerdaine.

ItwasthelasttimeHenrywouldeverseehim.

***

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

Thedriverturnedaroundandnodded,andwithoutawordbeingexchanged,theydroveoff.

ThecardrovefastthroughtheOldTown,thespeedandthemistmakingitdifficultforHenrytoworkoutwherehewas.Asfarashecouldtell,theywere

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

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

ofgasandcabbages.Oncehehadclosedthe

shuttersandturnedonthefire,thelargemanlookedHenryupanddown,hisheadslowlymovingasifcheckinghimoutfromeveryangle.Hegesturedtoapairofchairsinfrontofthefireandremovedhisfedora,revealingalined

facethatshowednohintofemotion.OnceHenryhadsatdown,themanunbuttonedhiscoatandloweredhimselfontothechairopposite.HeaddressedhiminFrench,whichhespokewithaheavyEasternEuropeanaccent.

‘Englishisyourfirstlanguage,yes?’

Henrynodded.‘Andyoualsospeak

FrenchandGerman?’‘Yes,thoughI’mmore

comfortablewithFrench.’‘WeshallspeakFrench

inthatcase,IunderstanditbetterthanEnglish.TwoforeignersspeakingFrench;theywouldlikethatinParis.’

‘HenryHunter.’Themanremovedhisovercoatandtookoutabrownleathernotebookfromoneofthepockets.Fromhistoppockethewithdrewapencilandbegansharpeningitwithapenknife,lettingtheshavingsfallonhisshirtbeforeheblewthemawayontothe

floor.Hesquintedashecheckedthenotebook,thepencilnowlodgedinhismouthlikeacigar.

‘IknoweverythingIneedtoknowaboutyou,HenryHunter.’

‘NottoomuchIhope!’Anervouslaugh.

Overthecourseofthe

nexthourthemandeliveredaquietmonologue.HetoldHenrythingsabouthimselfhehadthoughtno-oneelsecouldpossiblyknow,andotherthingshehadlongforgottenorhardlybeenawareof.Hegavehimthenameofthematernityhomewherehewasborn;revealed

thenamesandaddressesoffamilymemberslongforgottenorneverheardof;informedhimofthenameoftheaccountancyfirmforwhichhisfatherworkedanddescribedinsomedetailhisroutine,suchasitwas,inGeneva:whenhelefthomeinNyon,hisrouteintotheOld

Townandtothelibrary.Heknewthenameofeverybookhehadtakenout.HeknewthenamesofthebarsinthePâquishelikedtohangaroundin,wherehecutalonelyfigureasheeyedtheworkinggirlswithouteverquitemanagingtosumupthecouragetoapproachthem.

Whenhehadfinished,hesmiledforthefirsttime,displayingasetoflargeteeth,halfofwhichseemedtobemadeofgold.Henrysatincredulous.

‘YoucancallmeViktor,bytheway.’Alongsilence,duringwhichHenrywonderedifhewasmeantto

sayanything,buthehadnoideawhat.

‘MarceltellsmeyouwereabouttojointheSwissCommunistParty?’

‘Notquite:Iattendedoneofitsmeetings.ItoldhimIwasthinkingofjoining,nothingmorethanthat.Wehadanicechatafterthe

meetingandhementionedsomethingaboutnotjoiningorattendingmeetings.HesaidtherewerebetterwaysIcouldhelpthecause.Iwasnotaltogethersurewhathemeant.’

‘YouwillworkformeHenryHunter:thatishowyou’llhelpthecause.Youare

acommunist,yes?’Henrythought.‘Yes,I

suppose…’‘YouareidealHenry.

Youhavetwonationalitiesandthreelanguages.MostpeopleinEuropehavejustoneofeach.Youarethekindofpersonwhopeopledonotnoticetoomuch,ifyou

understandwhatImean–youdon’tstandout.’

‘Whatdoesworkingforyouentail,Viktor?’

‘ItmeanswhatMarcelsaid:itisanotherwayofservingthecause.’

Fromanearbyrooftopaclockstruckeight.‘Look,Ioughttobegettingamove

on.Ishouldhavebeenhomeagesagoandmymotherwillbegettingworried.PerhapsIcouldthinkaboutthingsforafewdays?’

Viktorwassmilingagain,displayingevenmoregoldteeththanbefore.Whenhesmiledhelookedfriendly,butthesecondthesmile

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

startedworkingformethemomentwemet.’

***

Forthebestpartofayear,HenrywaslittlemorethanamessengerforViktor.Atfirstthisamountedtotakinganenvelopefrom–say–

GenevatoParisthenstoppingoffinLyonstodeliveranotheroneonthereturnjourney.EvenHenry,normallynaïve,cametorealisetheseerrandsweretests.AboutonceamonththeerrandswouldcoincidewithmeetingViktor,usuallyinParisbutsometimesinother

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

discretion;theabilitytoseeandremembereverything;howtoassumedifferentidentitiestotheextentthatyoubecamethatpersonforhowevershortaperiod;theimportanceofthinkingofnotjustonestepahead,buttwooreventhree,andatthesametimenotforgettingwhat

you’dbeendoingbefore,yourcoverstory.

AtnostagedidViktoractuallysaywhoheworkedfor,althoughoveraperiodoftimeHenrycametounderstandthatheworkedforSovietintelligenceorpossiblyComintern,buthewasnevertotallysurewhich

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

TherewasatravelagencyinGeneva’sPetit-Saconnexthatwasafrontfor

Viktor’soperationandHenrybecameacourierforthem.Itprovidedaperfectcoverforhistripsandmeanthismother,thoughcuriousandsomewhatdubiousastowhetheratravelagencywastherightjobforherson,didnotquestionhisfrequentabsences.

Inthespringof1930,ViktorintroducedHenrytoaGermancalledPeterandaweeklaterHenryaccompaniedhimtoanisolatedfarmhouseinnorthernGermany,somewherebetweenHamburgandBremen.Therewerefiveotherrecruitsthere;

twoGermanmen;aFrenchwomanandaDutchcouple.Allwereafewyearsolderthanhim.

Ontheseconddayatthefarmthesixrecruitsweretakentoashedandshownalitterofpuppies.Chooseoneeach:itcanbeyourcompanionwhileyouare

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

ForthenextsixweekstheyweretrainedinwhatPeterdescribedasfieldcraft.Theylearnthowtocreateandusesecretmessagedrops;howtofollowpeoplewithoutbeingnoticedandinturnspotiftheywerebeingfollowedandhowtolosetheshadow.Theylearntunarmedcombat

andhowtouseaseriesofhandguns;therewaseveninstructioninmakingbombsandotherformsofsabotage.Andintheevenings,therewerelectures:ideologicalinstructionwashowtheytermedit.Anyhintofdoubtaboutcommitmenttothecausewasspottedand

eliminated.Bytheendofthefirstweek,everyonefullyunderstoodthatworkingforthecauseinthewaytheyweremeanttherewasnoroomwhatsoeverfordiscussion:withouttotalcommitmentandutterloyalty,theywouldfail.

Neverquestion;never

discuss;neverhesitate.Andalongwiththis

therewereindividualsessions.HenryspenthourswithfirstanelderlyGermanmanandthenayoungerPolishwoman.Theywereintentonteasinganythingpersonaloutofhim.TheGermanmanseemedtobea

psychiatristofsomesort,askingaseriesofapparentlyunrelatedquestionsandmakingextensivenotes.HeseemedtobepreoccupiedwithHenry’srelationshipwithhismother.

EverythingaboutthePolishwomanlookedsevere:hermanner,theheavyglasses

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

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

Thatnighthelayinbed,unabletosleepashetriedtomakesenseofwhat

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

Polishwoman.Herhairwasnowlooseandshe’dlostherglasses,andwaswearingbrightredlipstickandperfumethatsmeltoflemons.Henryfoundhimselfunabletosayanything.

Sheleantoverandbrushedhisfacewithherhandthengentlypulledhis

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

Henryopenedhismouthtospeak,butsheplacedafingerinsidehislips,holdingitinthereforafew

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

sideofthebed,thelightofthemoonlitupthefrontofherbody.

HadshenotremainedwithHenryforanhouraftertheyhadmadelove,hewouldhavereadilypasseditoffasoneofhismorepleasantdreams.Buttheylaytheretogetherandeverytimehe

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

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

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

Henrywasconfused,butatthesametimequitepleasedwithhimself.

Neverquestion;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.

Onhispenultimateday

atthefarm,HenrywaswalkingwithPeterandFoxiinthewoods,whentheGermanturnedtohimandhandedhimapistol.

‘Shoother,’hesaid,pointingatthepuppy.

‘What!’Thepuppy’seyeslookedupathim,fullofjoy.

‘Thelongeryouwaittheharderitwillbe.’

Henryfiddledaroundwithpistol,hopingthatatanymomentPeterwouldstophim.

‘Getonwithit.YoudoasItellyou.’

Henryfelthimselfdriftintoatranceand,asiffrom

above,hesawhimselfcallFoxioverandcuddleher,allowinghertolickhisfacebeforeplacingthebarrelofthegunbehindherearsandpullingthetrigger.

AfterwardsPeterheldouthishandforthegunandHenrydidallhecouldtostophimselfcrying.Never

question;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.

WhenhereturnedtoGenevaaftersixweeks,hefeltemotionallydrained:therewasnownothinghisnewmastersdidnotknowabouthim.Itwasasiftheypossessedhissoul.Hehadcometounderstand,even

beforethetrip,thatViktorhadbeenputtinghimthroughaprocesswhichmeanttherewasnogoingback.Whetherhelikeditornot,hewasnowcommittedtothecause.Heknewthathisviewsoncommunismwerenowquiteimmaterial.

Bytheendof1930the

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

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

meetingsitbecameapparentViktorworkedforCominternandhewouldreminisceabouttheRevolutionandhisearlydaysasanagent.HewoulddescribetoHenrythedangersheforesawinEurope.Aboveall,heseemedtoshowagenuineinterestinHenrythatneitherhismothernorhis

step-fatherdid.HeclearlycaredandHenryfoundhimselfbeingfrankwithViktorinawayhewasunabletobewithanyoneelse.ViktorbegantorefertoHenryassynok.

ItwastheRussianforson.

***

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

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

singlesoul’,asheputit–couldhaveaninklingastowhatHenrywasuptoorwhohewasworkingfor.IttookfourdaysandthreenightsofwhatamountedtoaninterrogationforViktortosatisfyhimselfofthis.

Aweeklater,ViktorcametoGeneva–thefirst

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

activitiesofTrotskyandhismadfollowers?Henryrepliedtruthfullythatheknewlittle,buthisallegiancewaswithComradeStalin.TraitorssuchasTrotskyandhisilkwereadistraction.

Viktorhadnoddedinagreementthenspokewellintotheearlyhoursofthe

morning,fortifiedbyanendlesssupplyofstrongTurkishcoffeeandplentyofvodka.ViktorpatientlyexplainedtheaimsoftheLeftOpposition,howtheirargumentsmayhavehadsomemeritsintheirearlydays,buttheyhaddeviatedseriouslyfromthecorrect

socialistcoursechartedbyLenin.HenryneededtobecleartherewasnoroomforwhatViktordescribedasabourgeoisindulgence.HenrysaidheunderstoodandwasgratefultoViktorforexplainingmatterssoclearly:hehadnodoubtTrotskyandhisfewremainingfollowers

wereenemiesoftheSovietUnionandofsocialism,butsurelythematterhadbeendealtwith?HadTrotskynotbeenexpelledfromtheSovietUnion?

Itwasoneinthemorningnowandwhentheexhaustedpatronreturnedwithmorecoffee,Viktor

dismissedhimsharplyinRussian.

‘Itoldhimtoleaveusalonesynok.WhatIamabouttosaynowismostimportant.TrotskyisindeedlivinginexileinTurkeyandmostofhissupportersintheSovietUnionhaveseentheerroroftheirways–oratleastclaim

tohavedoneso:evenZinovievandKamenev.Othershavebeendealtwith.ButthedangerposedbyTrotskyandthoseofhisfollowersthatremainstillexists.TherearepowerfulsupportersofTrotskydispersedaroundEuropeandaslongastheyareableto

operate,theyposeathreattous,whichwecannottolerate:wecannotputatrisktheachievementsoftheRevolution.Youunderstandthat?’

Henrynodded.‘Sodealingwiththem

isapriorityforourservice.’Henrynoddedagain:of

course.Alongsilence

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

‘ThisiswhereyouaregoingtoperformavitalrolefortheService,synok.’

***

HenryHunterspentthefirsttwoweeksofJuly1931inalargehouseontheoutskirtsofNeuchâtel,overlookingthe

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

German,hewasbeingsentthereforawhile.

ViktoraccompaniedHenrytothehouseandremainedthereforthefirsttwodays.Peter,theGermanwhohadtakenhimtoHamburgforhistrainingthepreviousyearwasalsopresent.Fortwoweeks,Peter

helpedHenryassumeanewidentity.JustbeforetheendofthefortnightinNeuchâtel,Viktorreturnedandafteracouplemoredays,hefinallysatisfiedhimselfHenryhadnowbecomeWilliamJarvis.

Accordingtohismuch-usedBritishpassport,WilliamJarvishadbeenborn

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

teaching,shouldtheopportunityarise.

ThatopportunityhappilyaroseinInterlaken.

‘They’vebeenadvertisingforanEnglishtutoronandoffforweeks:they’llbedelightedaproperEnglishmanwhoalsohappenstobeateacher

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

Theywantsomeonetoimprovetheirchildren’sconversationalEnglish,that’sall.’

ThenightbeforeHenrytravelledtoInterlaken,Viktorhadgivenhimhisfinal

briefing.‘AnatolyMikhailovich

Yevtushenko.’ThethreeofthemweresataroundafinelypolishedtableinthediningroomnearNeuchâtelandViktorhadalmostceremoniallyplacedaphotographofadistinguishedlookingmaninfrontof

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

Party,whichyoumayormaynotknowwastheforerunneroftheCommunistParty.HewasactiveintheOctoberRevolutionandbegantorisethroughtheranksoftheParty.However,inaround1923or1924,hebecameaconfidantofTrotskyandsincethenthetwohave

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

monthsagowediscoveredthattheywerelivinginInterlaken.’

ViktornoddedatPeter,whoopenedafolderandproducedaseriesofphotographsthathelaidoutinfrontofHenryasifdealingfromadeckofcards.

‘ThisisYevtushenko’s

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

‘Andthat’stheirhouse?’

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

Interlakenisawealthytown.’Viktormovedthe

photographsawayfromHenry.Hewantedhimtoconcentrateonwhathewasabouttosay.‘WehavebeenwatchingYevtushenkoveryclosely.WehavecometotheconclusionheisanimportantsourceoffinanceforTrotsky

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

knowexactlyhowmuchmoneyisintheseaccounts,butwebelieveitcouldwellbeintheregionofeighthundredmillionSwissFrancs.Aswellasthefamily,thesethreemenliveinthehouse–Peter…’

TheGermanproducedaseriesofphotos,blurredshots

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

middleoftheafternoon.Thefamilyveryrarelyleavethehouseand,whentheydo,theyarealwaysaccompaniedbyaguard.’

Viktortookoverspeakingnow.‘Approximatelyonceafortnight,Yevtushenkoleavesthehouseandtravelsfirstto

BernandthentoZürich.Healwaysleavesearlyinthemorningandarrivesbacklateintheevening.Andhe’salwaysaccompaniedonthesetripsbytwooftheguards.WeknowthatinBernhevisitstheSwissVolksbankandinZürichhegoestotheUnionBankthentothe

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

theprocess,wecanstarveTrotskyofthefundsthatarekeepinghismiserablemovementgoing.’

‘Andmyroleis…?’Henrysoundedconfused.

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

thathappens,we’llbeabletomovetoournextstage.’

‘Andwhatdoesthatinvolve?’

‘You’llfindoutthensynok’saidViktor.

Neverquestion;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.

***

Ithadallgoneaccordingtoplan,asthingstendedtodoinSwitzerland,especiallywhentheywereorganisedbyViktor.WilliamJarvishadtakenthetroubletowritefromEnglandtoreservearoomataninninthecentreofInterlaken.Hewasonthetop

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

William,haddecidedthiscouldturnouttobeapleasantenoughtask.

HewaiteduntilhisseconddayinInterlakenbeforeenquiringinthebookshopaboutthediscreetsignintheirwindowseekinganEnglishtutorandthatafternoonhetelephonedthe

numberthebookshopownerpassedontohim.TwodayslaterhewalkedthroughthetownandcrossedtheRiverAare,andthereonthenorthbankfoundthehouseontheveryedgeoftherisingforest.Itwasaperfectposition,separatedfromneighbouringhousesbytreesand

surroundedbyahighwall,withthefrontgatesetintoit.Nexttothegatewasasmallwindow.Twolargemensearchedhimafterherangthebellandhewasthenledthroughtoalibrary

BothAnatolyYevtushenkoandhiswifeTatyanawereintheroom,but

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

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

explained,buttheydidrequiretheassistanceoftutorsfromtimetotime.

Pleasetellmeaboutyourself,MrJarvis.

WilliamJarvisrememberedwhatViktorhadtoldhim:tellhimjustenough,nottoomuch…hewillbeclever,hewillspotany

mistakes…concentrateonhowmuchyouwouldenjoytutoringhischildrenratherthantalkingaboutyourself.Avoidsoundingtoofluent:beslightlyhesitantwithdates.

AnatolyYevtushenkospoketohiswifeeverysoofteninRussian,evidentlygivingherthegistofwhat

he’dbeentold.‘Areyouinterestedin

politics,MrJarvis?’‘I’mafraidnotsir.Ido

hopethatisn’taproblem?’‘No,notatall.And

whataboutforeignaffairs,doyoufollowthose?’

‘OnlywhatonereadsinTheTimessir,butIhaveto

tellyoumymaininterestisliterature.Iwouldratherreadagoodbookthananewspaper!’

Andsoitwenton.Afterabriefconversationwithhiswife,AnatolyYevtushenkoofferedWilliamJarvisthepositionofEnglishtutortohischildren.They

agreedthefeeandthathewouldcomefortwohourseverymorning.Theywouldreviewhispositionaftertwoweeks.

AttheendofthefirstweekWilliamJarviswassummonedintoAnatolyYevtushenko’sstudy.

‘Howlongdoyouplan

tostayinInterlakenfor,MrJarvis?’

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

‘Wellthat’swhyI’veaskedtoseeyou.The

childrenadoreyou:theyabsolutelyinsistwekeepyouforaslongaspossible.Forreasonsthataretoocomplicatedtoexplain,ourlifeisanisolatedoneandmywifeandIworryabouttheeffectofthatonthechildren.Alreadywecanseehowyou’vebeenabletohelp

brightentheirlives.Fromnowon,we’dlikeyoutospendanhoureverydaywitheachchildandtostayforlunch,whichwillbeafurtheropportunityforyoutoconversewiththeminEnglish.’

Thiswastheroutineforthenextmonth.William

Jarviswouldarriveatthehouseat11o’clockeverymorningapartfromSundayandringthebellonthewall.Theheavymetalgateswouldeventuallyopenandoneoftheguardswouldsearchhimbeforeanotherwouldleadhimthroughtothelibrary.Hewouldspendthefirsthour

withNadezhda,whowasbyfarthebrightestofthethreechildren.Nikolaiwouldhavethesecondhour,whichwashardworkastheboycompletelylackeddiscipline,butseemedpleasedtohaveWilliamreadsimplestoriestohiminEnglish.Thenheandthethreechildrenwouldeat

lunchtogether,speakingonlyEnglishduringthemeal.

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

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

complexionfromherratherthanherfather.Whatshehadgotfromhim,though,weredarkbrowneyes,withanalmostunblinkinggaze.

Theywouldspendmuchofthetimeinthegarden,wanderingaround,talkinginEnglishbutmoreoftenthannotslippinginto

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

foundithardtodootherthanlendasympatheticearandassureherifshewaspatientherlifewouldchangeforthebetter.HetoldheraboutlifeinEnglandandwhathehadseenofEuropeonhistravels.

CallmeRoza.Verywell–anddocall

meWilliam.

WhatisashortformofWilliam?

Bill,Isuppose–orBilly.

RozapreferredBilly,andsosheandBillybecamefriends.Whentheydidreadfrombooksshewouldsitsoclosetohimthattheirbodiestouched.Rozahadahabit,a

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

wouldsmileandwaituntilshehadoncemoresweptthehairfromherfacebeforegentlyremovingherhand.HeknewwhatRozawantedmorethananythingelsewascompanionship.William’sstorywasthathismotherhaddiedwhenhewasyoungandhisfatherhadremarried.This

strucksomekindofchordwithRoza,whoseeyeswouldfillwithtearswhenhetoldheraboutbeingsenttoboardingschoolattheageofsixandhowhisstep-motherdidnotlikehim.HenryworriedhemaybegettingtooclosetoRoza,butthenViktorhadtoldhimtomakesure

thathebecametrusted.Heknewthathewas

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

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

andthefactthatshewasmostlycoveredbyatowelhecaughtaglimpseofherbreasts,smallerthanhehadimaginedthembutperfectlyshaped,withlocksofherdark,wethairhangingbetweenthem.Therewasabriefmomentwhenneitherofthemsaidanythingormoved,

thenhesaid‘sorry’andswiftlyshutthedoorbeforehurryingdownstairs.Neitherofthemeversaidawordaboutit,butthatafternoonshewasevenfriendliertowardshim.

OnSundays–theonlydayonwhichhedidnotgotothehouse–Henrywouldtake

thebusfromInterlakentoThun,wherehewouldmeetPeterinapark.TheywouldwalkwhileHenrywouldrecountwhathadhappenedduringtheweekandPeterwouldaskaseriesofquestions,occasionallypausingtowritesomethinginhisnotebook.Oncehetook

Henrytoasmallapartmentaboveashopinthecentreofthetown,whereHenrywastoldtodrawdetailedplansofthehouse.

InthemiddleofAugust,hearrivedinThunonaSundaytobetakenstraighttotheapartmentbyPeter.Whentheyarrived,Viktor

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

‘Synok:PetertellsmethatsometimesyouandRoza

areallowedtoleavethehouse?’ViktorwassittingdirectlyacrossanarrowtablefromHenry,watchinghimcarefully.DespitethestiflingAugustheattheRussianwaswearingaheavyjacket.ThethreeFrenchmenwereloungingbackintheirchairsandoneofthemhada

revolverinashoulderholster.‘Well,yesandno.Roza

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

houses.Ithasafencearoundit.’

PeterhandedamaptoViktor,pointingtoacircledarea.

‘Here?’Henrypickedupthe

mapandstudiedit.‘Yes,here.Youcangetintoitfromadoorsetinthegardenwall.

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

afterwards.Iamtrusted.’‘Andtellmesynok:

whendothehousekeepersleave–isitstillintheafternoon?’

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

TheFrenchmenandPeterallaskedquestionsandHenrymusthavedescribedthelayoutofthehouseadozentimes.Viktorthenoutlinedhisplan.Itwascleverandaudaciousandbythetimehehadfinished,Henryfeltquitesick.

***Twomoreweeks.ViktorhaddecidedthatanothertwoweekswouldhelpensureWilliamJarviswasevenmoretrustedbytheYevtushenkosandthiswasimportant,becauseiftheydidn’ttrusthimthentheplan

wouldn’twork.ThetwoweekswasalsoimportantbecauseAnatolyYevtushenko’slasttriptoBernandZürichhadbeenjustafewdayspreviously.Thetiminghadtoberight.

Theagreeddatewasthe1stSeptember,aTuesday.OntheThursdaybeforethat

PeterhadarrivedinInterlakenandrentedanapartmentontheeastsideofthetown,closetoLakeBrienz.HenrycheckedoutoftheinnandmovedinwithPeter.

WilliamJarvisarrivedatthehousejustbefore11o’clockontheTuesday

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

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

HeandRozawanderedintothegarden,withRozastrugglingtocountto100inEnglish.Thatwasthewayitworked:completeatasksuchascountingornamingthedaysoftheweekormonthsoftheyearandtheycouldgointothewoodsasareward.Rozabecamemaroonedin

theseventies,butHenryannouncedthatwasgoodenough.Heunlockedthegardendoorandtheyspenttherestofthehourwalking.Henrykeptglancingaround,expectingtoseepeoplehiddenamongstthetreesorbeyondthefence,butitwasasdesertedandsilentas

always,apartfromthesoundofwaterrushingontheAarebelowthem.

‘AreyoualrightBilly?’‘YesthankyouRoza,

whydoyouask?’‘You’reveryquiet.’

ShehadswitchedtoGermannow.‘Youkeeplookingaroundandyoudidn’teatany

lunch.’‘I’mfinethankyou

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

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

Billy,’shesaidinEnglish.‘Iama“prisoner”,

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

TheyspentmuchofthehourwithHenrydoinghisbesttosustainsomekindof

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

Afterhereturnedthekeytotheguard’sroom,hewentintothelibrary,pausingonthewaytoremovetheboltonthesidedoorthatopenedintothegarden.Hishandswereshakingsomuchhefearedthesoundoftheboltsbeingremovedechoedaroundthehouse.

They’llneedtomove:ItoldthemtheguardsusuallycheckthegardendoorsoonafterIlockit.

RozaandNadezhdawereinthelibrary.Hewouldhangaroundforafewminutes,ashehadstartedtodolately.HecouldhearNikolaiplayingupstairsand

thetwolocalwomenleavingthehouse.Anatolywasinhisstudyandheimaginedthemotherwouldbeasleepupstairs.Fromthecornerofhiseyeheimaginedhecaughtamovementinthegarden,buthedidnotwanttolookup.Afewmomentslaterandthereweresomesoundsfrom

thefrontofthehouse,nothingtoonoticeableatfirstbutthenitbecamemoreofacommotionandfirstNadezhdathenRozalookedup.Secondslatertherewasthesoundofshoutingdownthehallthenthreeloudpoppingnoisesfollowedbyascream,andthesoundof

Anatolyshoutingandthenscufflinginthehall.Thedoortothelibraryburstopen.ThefirstpersoninsidewasoneoftheFrenchmen,followedbyPeterandbehindhimViktorandanotheroftheFrenchmenfrog-marchingAnatolyintotheroom.ThegirlsscreamedandViktorshoutedatthemin

Russian,wavinghisrevolverattheirfather’sheadashedidso.Themessagewasclear:shutuporIshoot.

ViktorpushedAnatolyintoanarmchairandgesturedforthegirlstositonthefloor.Theycouldhearmovementupstairs.‘Goandseewhat’sgoingon,’ViktortoldPeter

inFrench.ShortlyafterthatoneoftheotherFrenchmenappearedintheroom,draggingNikolaiinwithhimbyhishair.Tatyanafollowedasifinatrance,withPeterbringinguptherear.Nikolaiwasshovedtothefloornexttohisterrifiedsisterswhiletheirmotherwasguidedtoa

chairoppositeherhusband.ViktoraddressedthefamilyinRussian,theninFrenchtoldPetertoseewhatwashappeningatthefrontofthehouse.WhenhereappeareditwaswiththethirdFrenchmanandthetwoofthemweredraggingalongoneoftheguards.Heappearedtobe

badlywounded:hewasgroaningandhischestwascoveredinblood.

‘Whatabouttheothertwo?’askedViktor.

‘Dead,’saidthethirdFrenchman.

‘Andhim?’Hewasnoddingattheinjuredguard.

‘Tookoneinthechest.’

‘Finishhimoff.’TheFrenchmanhad

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

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

seeminglyunawareofwhatwasgoingon.HenrynoticedAnatolywasstaringathim.

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

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

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

ItwasonlywhenViktorhandedarevolvertoHenrythatitdawnedonthefamilyhehadbetrayedthem.Fromtheshockedlookonthefacesofthechildrenandthe

glareofhateonthatofthefather,Henryrealisedthat,untilthatmoment,theymusthavethoughthetoohadbeencaughtupasavictiminthisnightmare.

AnatolywashauledupbyoneoftheFrenchmen,whohandcuffedhishandsbehindhisbackbefore

marchinghimoutoftheroom.AshepassedHenry,AnatolystoppedandlookedHenrystraightintheeyebeforespittingout‘duBastard!’

Noneofthechildrenwantedanythingtodowiththeirtutor.Theyignoredallhisattemptstotalkin

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

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

‘EverythingwillbeallrightRoza,don’tworry.’

‘Youthinkso,doyouEnglishman?Inthatcaseyouhavenoideawhoisitpayingyou.’Sheshuffledoverto

him,loweringhervoiceevenmore.‘Theywillkillusall,yourealisethat?’

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

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

intothekitchen.‘Hefinallyunderstands

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

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

‘Howdoweknowhe’ll

transferallthefundsunderhiscontrol?’askedPeter.

‘Wecan’tbetotallysure,butweknowfromfollowinghimthatthesearetheonlythreebankshe’severvisited.Imanagedtopersuadehimtoshowmewhatdocumentationhehadandtheaccountsamountto

justoverninehundredmillionSwissFrancs:that’smorethanweestimated.Theywillbeverypleased.BytomorrownightthatmoneywillbeinaccountscontrolledbytheParty.’

‘AndwhathappensthenViktor?’TheGermanlookednervous,playingwith

hiswatchstrapandbitinghisfingernails,glancingfirstatHenryandthenbackatViktor.

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

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

‘Don’tworryaboutitsynok.Weknowwhatwe’redoing.’

‘But…’Peterleanedoverthe

tableandgrabbedHenry’s

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

Neverquestion;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.

Viktortoldthembothtoshutup.Theywouldkeep

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

off–we’llseeyouasusualonThursday.

Anatolywaswokenupatsixinthemorning.HenryhadbeenwithhiminhisbedroomalongwithPeterforthepastfewhoursandwassurprisedthattheRussianhadsleptatall.Theywatchedwhilehewashed,shavedand

dressed.Whenhewasready,heturnedaroundandaddressedthem.

‘TellhimIwanttosaygoodbyetomyfamilybeforeIleave.’

TheycalledViktorupandtherewasashortexchangeinRussian.Theresultwasthat,asAnatoly

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

HenrynoticedtheRussian’seyeswerefilledwithtears.

***

ViktorspentmuchofthatWednesdayinthestudy,behindAnatoly’sdesk.Thefirstphonecallcameat9.30:itwasLucienattheSwiss

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

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

wasinthestudywhenJean-Marierangagainat1.30tosaythetransferhadbeenmade;theywerenowontheirwaytotheUnionBank.

‘Wait:ringmebackinhalfanhour.Ineedtomakeacallfirst.’

ViktordialledaZürichnumberand,afterashort

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

beenspreadamongvariousuntraceableaccountsacrossEurope.Wearebetteratcapitalismthanthecapitalists!’

Bythreeo’clockthebusinesshadbeendone.NikolaihadspokentohisfatherbeforethetransactionatUnionBankthenLucien

rangtosayithadbeencompleted.

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

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

ViktorpausedwhileLucienspokethenplacedthephonebackonthereceiver,holdingontoitforawhileafterputtingitdown.Hesighedandloosenedhistie.

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

Henrynodded.‘IsAnatolyonhiswaybackhere,Viktor?’

TheRussianpeeredathimasifthesunwasinhis

eyes.‘TellPetertocomein.YoustayinthelibrarywithClaude.’

***

ThelongesthalfhourofHenryHunter’slifebeganverysoonafterthat.

Hewasinthelibrary

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

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

Henry,lookingthroughhimasshewentpast,pullinghercardigantightlyaroundhershouldersandacrossherfront.

Tenminuteslater,withnosignofeitherofthegirls,therewasaknockatthedoor.ViktoropeneditslightlytorevealPeterontheotherside.

TheGermannoddedbrieflybutsaidnothing.ViktornoddedhisheadapprovinglyandbrieflygrippedPeter’sshoulderinafriendlymanner.

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

you’retoldto.’Fromtheguardroom

Henrycouldseethefrontgateandthequietroadbeyondit.Thesilencewaspiercedbyascream,onethatwasloudbutstoppedshortbyapoppingnoisethenthesoundofsomethingfalling.Henrywonderedwhethertogoand

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

Thedoortotheguardroomopened.Peterwasstandingthere.‘You’retogo

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

Nikolai,twowoundsvisibleonhisbackandalargepoolofbloodemergingfromunderhim.

Henrywastooshockedtomoveandforawhilecouldsaynothing,untilhenoticedNikolai’sbackmoving.

‘He’sbreathingViktor!Nikolai’sbreathing.’Henry

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

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

wavingaround.‘Becarefulwiththat

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

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

‘Comeon,quick,’saidClaude.Henryreleasedthesafetycatchandplacedthe

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

thanshootinghispuppy.Claudehauledhimup.

‘Good.Welldone.Weneedtomovenow.’

***

Theyleftthehousejustbeforefouro’clock,aftertryingtomakeitappearasif

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

shoehadfallenoffandwasupside-downonthecarpetinfrontofhim.Peterpushedinfrontofhimashetriedtoopenthebathroomdoor,placinghimselfbetweenHenryandthedoor.

‘Youdon’tneedtocomeinhere.’

‘Iwanttosee,’said

Henry,barginghiswaypasttheGerman.

ThebodiesofRozaandNadezhdaweresprawledonthefloor,ontopofapoolofdarkbloodthathadspreadaroundtheroom.Theheadsofbothgirlswerejerkedatanunnaturalangle,facingeachother,theireyesopenandfull

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

‘What…’Peterhadnowpushed

pasthimandwasdrawingthecurtains.HesmiledatHenryandpointedatthegirlsandmadeacut-throatgesture.

Henrystoodinthedoorwayforaminute,watchingasPeterhauledthebodiesofthetwogirlsintothebaththenthrewtowelsontothefloortosoakuptheblood.Hewasshockedtorealisehowun-shockedhefelt.Hismainconcernwasheshouldbecarefulnottostep

intheblood.Henryleftthehouseas

normalthroughthefrontgateandheadedintotown,crossingtheriverandtowardsInterlakenWesttrainstation.HewashalfwaydownBahnhofstrassewhenthecarpulledup.PeterandClaudegotoutandwalkedtowards

thestation.HenryclimbedintothepassengerseatnexttoViktor.

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

whoshrugged.‘Wecouldn’taffordtohaveanywitnesses.’

Henrysaidnothing.Neverquestion;neverdiscuss;neverhesitate.

InsteadofdrivingintoBern,theystoppedbrieflyinKönizthentooktheroadtowardsLausanne.ItwasonlythenthatHenryspoke.

‘WhathappenedtoAnatoly?’‘Ithinkyoucanguess

synok.’‘Didheknowwhatwas

goingtohappentohim?’‘I’dimagineso:he’s

beenanapparatchikallhisadultlife.Heknowshowwework.He’dhaveknownwhattoexpect.’

‘Sowhydidheco-operatethen?’

‘BecauseIpromisedhimthatifhedid,wewouldsparethechildren.’

‘Andhebelievedyou?’Viktorsaidnothingfor

awhileashethoughtaboutHenry’squestion.Theheadlightofanapproaching

buscaughttheRussian’sgoldteethasheturnedtoreply.

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

ofusnow.Youshouldbehappy.’

Laterthatnight,oncehehadarrivedhomeinNyonandlayinhisownbedforthefirsttimeinweeks,whatmostshockedHenrywastherealisationofhowmuchheagreedwithViktor.Hewasnowoneofthem.Hewas

happy.Butheknewithadcomeataterrible,terribleprice.WhenhehadreturnedfromGermanythepreviousyearheknewtheyhadtakenpossessionofhissoul.

Nowtheyhaddestroyedit.

Thatnight,hehadthedreamforthefirsttime.

***

Chapter7:Berlin,January1940Onafoggywinter’safternooninthemiddleofJanuary,atallmanwithastoopedbearingthatgavehimamisleadinglyacademicair

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

GunterReinharthaddevelopedahabitofleavingtheenormouscomplexthroughdifferentexitsondifferentdays.Hadsomeonebeenobservinghim,whichtheywouldhavenocausetodo,theymightbesuspicious.Buthedidnotvaryhisroutineforreasonsof

security;thetruthwasfarmoreprosaicthanthat.Itaffordedhimtheopportunitytotakedifferentrouteshomeandoneachofthoserouteslayvariousbars,wherehecouldfurtherdelayhisarrivalthere.Atleastitgavehimsomethingtothinkaboutduringtheafternoon.

TherewasnopointinleavingthroughtheUnterwasserstrasseexitbecausebeyondthatwasthecanal.HelikedtheanonymityandslightlyrougheredgetothebarsroundLeipzigerstrasse,butthatwasfurtherfromhome.LeavingthroughFranzösischestrasse

meantheadingtowardstheUnterdenLinden,whichonecouldneveraccuseofofferinganonymity.Hewould,hedecided,leavethroughKurstrasseandfindsomewheretostopoffaroundJägerstrasse.

Thesedays,steppingoutintothestreetafterdark

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

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

roadworks.Thentherewasthephosphorouspaint:gallonsofthestuffliberallysloshedonthepavementsandroadsurfacestogivepedestriansanddriverssomechanceofknowingwheretheywere.Theeffectwasquiteeerieandunsettling.Berlinatnightlookedasifit

wasdeserted.Therewerereportsofnumeroustrafficaccidentsandpeoplebeingkilledfromwalkingintothingsorfallingoverintheblackout.ThesisterofoneofthesecretariesinhisofficehaddiedwhenshesteppedofftheplatformatKaiserhofstation.Andthentherewere

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

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

Thefewpeoplewhomovedaroundthecityatnightdidsotentatively,asif

wadingthroughwater.Somehadtakentowhistlingorcoughingconstantlysoastoalertotherstotheirproximityandthusavoidbumpingintothem.Butthatwassomethingofaforlornhope:itwasimpossibletoavoidotherpeople.

Eventhoughthiswasa

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

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

in.Sixmonthspreviously

hewouldhavebeenshakentothecorebywhathehadseen,butnowitwasquicklyforgotten.Hewasmoreconcernedwithfindingsomewheretodrink.Loomingoutofthedark,hespottedthedimblue-covered

signforDasPotsdamerTaverne,abarheusedtovisitatleasttwiceaweek,thoughrecentlyithadbecomesomethingofafavouritehauntforagroupofyoungSSofficers.Giventhatthewholepointofgoingtothebarwastorelax,theywerethelastpeoplehe’dwantto

findinthere.Hewalkedslowlydown

thesteepstepstothebasement,clutchingontotheironrailingsandkeepingacarefuleyeonthedabsofphosphorouspaintonthesteps.Thebarhadalowceilingwhichcausedhimtostoop.Throughtheblue-

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

inuniform.Thebarmaidcaughthis

eyeashewaitedtoorderadrink.

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

‘Aweekperhaps?Nomorethanthat.Iwasinherelastweek.’

Thekindofconversationrepeatedinbarsaroundtheworld,betweenbarmaidsandhusbandswhowouldrathernotgohome.

Shewasafriendlygirlwithbroadshouldersandhairthatlookedasifithadbeendyedyellow.Hiswife,inherusualwaspishmanner,would

describeherintheunlikelyeventofherevermeetingherbysayingthatshehadseenbetterdays,butshehadfriendlyeyesandaseductivevoice,withadistinctiveBavarianaccent.Shekeptglancingathimasshepulledthebeer,hereyesdartingaround.Hestartedtomove

away,hopingtofindaseatonhisown.Sheheldupherhand.Waitamoment.

Whenshehadfinishedservinganothercustomersheleanedovertotalkquietlytohim.

‘Amanwasinhereaskingaboutyou.’

Eightwordsno-one

wantedtohearinBerlinin1940.

‘Whatman?’‘Idon’tknow,I’ve

neverseenhimherebefore.Hewasverypoliteandwell-spoken.ABerlinerdefinitely:woreanicecoat.’

‘Whenwasthis?’Sheleantbackasif

tryingtocalculatetheanswer.‘LastThursday,Ithink:

andthenagainyesterday–Monday.’

GunterReinhartpulledupthestoolnexttohimandsatonit.Thiswasbadnews.Whocouldpossiblybecomingintoabartoaskabouthim?Peopleknew

whereheworkedandwherehelived.

‘Andwhatdidyousay?’

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

thesedays.Wasthatalright?’Notreally.‘Didhesayanything

else?’‘Wait’.Thebarmaid

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

toyou.’ShehandedhimabookofmatcheswithDasPotsdamerTaverneonthefront.Helookedatitforawhile,puzzled.

‘Openit.’Neatlywritteninside

weretwodates.Den8Juni1901Den4Oktober1929

‘Areyoualright?’GunterReinhartwas

evidentlynotalright.Thehandholdingthebookofmatcheswasshakingandtheotherwasgrippingthebartightly.Beadsofsweathadformedonhisforehead.Hecouldfeelhischesttightening.

‘Pardon?’‘Areyoualright?You

lookshaken.’Heputthematchesin

histoppocketanddrankmostoftheglassofbeerinonego.Hepushedtheemptyglasstowardsherandnoddedforhertorefillit.

‘I’mfine,thankyou.

DidthismansayhowIcouldcontacthim?’

‘Hesaidhe’dbehereatsixo’clockeveryThursdayandMondaynightuntilhewasabletomeetupwithyou.’

Reinhartstayedinthebarforanotherhourandthreemorebeersbeforehedecided

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

enormousvoidonhisleft.Despitethebrisknight

airandabsenceofBritishbombers,hefoundhimselfbecomingincreasinglytenseratherthancomposed.Hehadcontinuouslycheckedthedatesbeforeleavingthebar.Therewasnoquestionaboutthem.

Whyonearthwouldsomeonewritethedownthebirthdatesofhisfirstwifeandhiseldestson,especiallynowtheywerenolongerinBerlin?

***

Thefollowingmorning,

Reinharttookextracareonhisjourneyintoworktoensurehewasn’tbeingfollowed,notthathewassurewhathewasmeanttodo.Hewasabanker:hisknowledgeofsubterfugewaslimitedtotheworldoffinance.Hecouldmovefundsfromonebankaccounttoanother

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

maybeabittoocasually–whetheranyonehadbeenaskingforhim:perhapsoverthepastfewdays?Hissecretaryassuredhimthatno-onehadbeenaskingafterhim.Shelookedappalledattheverythoughtthatsomeonemighthaveenquiredofhimandshewouldnot

havepassedtheinformationon.

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

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

reekedofmothballs.HehadbeenpromotedfromhisnaturallevelasanassistantbankmanagersomewherenearMagdeburgsimplyduetoalongstandingloyaltytotheNaziPartyandasaconsequencewasnowutterlyoutofhisdepth.

Thenextday–

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

becauseofservicetotheNaziPartyratherthananykindoffinancialcompetenceorknowledge.Reinhartproducedaseriesofcomplicatedbalancesheetsandlengthylistsoftransactions.Funkwasimpressedandconfusedinequalmeasure,butunableto

ownuptothelatter.Theafternoonwent

slowlyand,asthesundisappearedoverBerlin,Reinhartwonderedwhetherhewasbeingledintoatrap.Maybehehadbeenabittoocleverbyhalf.Maybehe’dupsetonetoomanyoftheNaziPartybossesatthetop

oftheReichsbank,whofelttheyhadcausetodistrusthim.GunterReinhart,themanwhoknowseverythingabouttheSwissaccounts:timetoputhiminhisplace.

DasPotsdamerTavernewasasquietasthepreviousnight.Henoddedatthebarmaidandshesmiled,

slightlyshakingherhead:notyet.

Therewasatinytablewedgedintoacornerbehindthebar,andReinharttookaseatthere.Hewaitedasthebarbecamequieterandwasjustwonderinghowlongheshouldstaywhenhecaughtsightofamanwholooked

vaguelyfamiliarandseemedtobeglancinginhisdirection.Themanremainedatthebar,toyingwithaglassofbeer.AfewminuteslaterheappearedatReinhart’stable.

‘DoyoumindifIsithere?’

Reinhartwasalmost

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

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

‘Wouldyoulikealight?’

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

Den8Juni1901Den4Oktober1929Thistimeitwasinthe

unmistakablyfamiliarhandwritingofhisfirstwife.ThemanshiftedhischairevenclosertoReinhartandwhenhespokeagainitwasinaquietervoice.

‘Yourememberme,

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

‘IrememberyouFranz.Iguessitwasyouwho’sbeenaskingaboutmehere?’

Hermannnodded.‘What’sitallabout?

You’vegivenmeacoupleof

sleeplessnights.’‘IfearI’mabouttogive

youmanymore.Yousee…’Hepaused.Acoupleof

Luftwaffeofficershadcomeintothebarandmovednoisilytowardsthem,lookingforsomewheretosit.Franzwaiteduntiltheymovedaway.

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

Rosa?’Gunterfrowned,trying

toremember.‘Therewasaletterfrom

ParisinOctober.ShesentitatthebeginningofOctoberbutIdidn’treceiveituntiltheendofthemonth:itcameviaafriendofhersinSwitzerlandandthenthrough

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

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

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

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

‘Gunter,unlessyoukeepyourvoicedownandactnormally,we’regoingtohave

aseriousproblem.Doyouunderstand?Drinksomeofyourbeer.Trytolookrelaxed.’

Gunternoddedandcomposedhimself.‘Iunderstand,butisthereanynews?’

‘Forthetimebeing,they’resafe.’

‘Andthey’restillinParis?’

Hermannloweredhisheadandtalkedalittlemorequietly.

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

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

***

GunterReinharthadtowait

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

commitmentsthatwerenoneofherbusinessandhewasabletoslipoutofthehouseoncetheyreturnedfromchurch.

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

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

fromBrandenburgandtakesherbacktotheirhouseforlunch.Sheleavesat11inthemorningandtheybringherbackaroundfour,sothatdoesn’tleavemuchtime.’

Notmuchtime.‘There’snoreasonto

thinkanyonewillsuspectwhatyouareupto,Gunter,’

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

SohewalkedatanevenpaceacrossSpandauerStrasseandcaughttheS-

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

southagain,gettingoffatPodbielskiAllee.

Hewasn’tfarnow:hehadnotseenhissonorRosafornearlysixmonths.Hehadassumedtheywereoutofthecountry.HisexcitementatseeingthemwasmixedwiththeshocktheywerestillinGermany.

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

Attheendoftheroad,heturnedleftintoKönigin-Luise-Strasse,acrossthe

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

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

Hedidasinstructed.Inothercircumstanceshewouldhaveenjoyedhiswalkon

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

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

himin.Theystoodtogetherin

thedarkhallofasilenthouse.‘AretheyhereFranz?’‘Upstairs.Takeyour

shoesoff.’Gunterranupthestairs.

Onthelanding,waitingforhiminthegloom,washisex-wifeandtheirson.Behind

them,peeringoutfrombehindadoorwasSophia,Rosa’sdaughterfromhersecondmarriage.

Alfredflunghimselfathisfather,holdinghimtightandburyinghisfaceinhischest.Guntercouldfeelthewarmtearsseepingthroughhisshirtandvest.Rosacame

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

HeheldbothRosaandAlfred,unsureofwhattosay.TheonlyfamilyIever

wanted.Itwas2.30bythetime

GunterandRosawereabletobealoneinasmallroomonthetopfloorofthehouse.Franzhadtoldthemhewouldwaitwiththechildrenandkeepaneyeonthefront.Gunterwouldneedtobeawaybyaquartertofourto

besafe.HeandRosasatquietlyforawhile,holdinghands.

‘IthoughtyouwereinParis,Rosa?‘

Hewastryinghardnottosoundangry.

‘Wewere.IwrotetoyouatthebeginningofOctober.Didyougetthe

letter?’Henodded.She

shrugged.‘Haraldwasmeantto

joinusinthemiddleofOctober:he’dremainedinBerlinbecauseheneededtomakeafewarrangements.Theideawashe’dgetwhatmoneyhecouldoutofthe

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

‘Thatwastheidea.’‘Ipromiseyouthatwas

theplan.Asyouknow,Haraldhadbeenforcedtosell

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

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

oftheNazis.Haveyouheardofit?’

‘OfcourseIhave–nearOranienburg.Areyousurehe’sthere?’

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

alive,oratleasthewastwoweeksago,butIdon’tknowwhatstatehe’sin.’

‘Sowhyonearthdidyoucomebackhere?Whatwereyouthinkingof,Rosa?’

‘Idon’tknowwhatIwasthinking.Pleasedon’tbeangrywithme.Ithoughtifmyhusbandwasinprison

herethenIshouldcomebacktohelphim.IthoughtIcouldgethimreleased.’

‘ButRosa,whataboutAlfred–andSophia?’

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

moneyfrommycousinandIsoldallmyjewellery.IthoughtIcouldpayafineorabribeorsomethinglikethatandgetHaraldreleased.ButwhenIwenttothepolicestationtheyconfiscatedmypassportandwantedtoknowwhereIwasliving.Igavethemtheaddressoftheold

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

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

childrenarequietandstayupstairstheyarealrightandshe’snoideathey’rehere.’

‘Andshedoesn’tsuspectyou?’

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

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

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

‘Andthechildren?’‘It’sterribleforthem

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

Guntersatforawhile

withhisheadinhishands,deepinthought.

‘Whydidn’tyoucontactmebeforenow–Imean,onceyougotbacktoBerlin?’

Rosalookedathimlongandhard.Youdon’tknowwhy?

‘Gunter–youalways

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

it’simpossible.We’retrappedhereinBerlin.’

Rosawasweepingnow,hertremblinghandholdingGunter’s.

‘IshouldneverhavedivorcedyouRosa,Iwas…’

‘Don’tblameyourselfGunter.Weagreeditwasforthebest.’

‘No,Iwasbeingselfish.Thethreeofusshouldhaveleftafterthatdamnlawwaspassed.’

Theysatinsilenceforalongwhile.

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

missesyousomuch.’‘Idon’tknowwhatto

doRosa.Doyouneedfoodormoney?’

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

wouldGudrunnotunderstand?’

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

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

everythingyouneedtoknowaboutthem.ThefactIwasoncemarriedtoaJewisaterriblesecretinthatfamily.Gudruninsiststhechildrenaren’tallowedtoknowaboutit.’

‘Butwhatarewegoingtodo,Gunter?’

‘Idon’tknowRosa.

Givemetime,I’llthinkofsomething.’

***

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

Foreightlongmonths

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

duringadramaticargumentonthenighthereturned.Shecouldnotunderstandwhyhehadreturnedwithsolittleoftheaunt’smoney.

Heexplainedtheirpredicamentoncemore,veryclearlyandveryslowly.

‘Rememberitwasyourcleverideatobypassprobate

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

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

upin.YououghttobegratefulImanagedtogetanythingoutatallandreturninonepiece.’

‘Butit’sourmoneyHenry!’

‘Mymoneyactually–andnotallofitasitturnedout.Intheend,theauthoritiesacceptedmyexplanationthat

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

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

Sincethedeathofher

secondhusband,MarleneHesse’sperfectlyformedworldhadsteadilyunravelled.Shenowacceptedthechangedsituationwiththeminimumofgrace.AtleasttheyhadbeenabletoaffordtorentalargerapartmentinamuchmorerespectablelocationjustoffQuaidu

MontBlanc,whichwassomeconsolation.

Butthewaittobecontactedwasconsiderablymoretryingthanhismother.Twodaysafterhisreturn,HenryhadgoneasinstructedtotheQuaidesBerguesbranchofCreditSuisseandmadeanappointmenttosee

MadameLadnierlaterthatmorning.Inasmallofficeinthebasementshewentthroughthedetailsoftheaccount,beforehandinghimafoldedpieceofpaper.Myhometelephonenumber:Ionlygivethistospecialclientsandthenonlytobeusedinparticular

circumstances.Youunderstand?

Afterthat,nothing.AssoonastheymovedintotheirnewapartmenthewenttoseeMadameLadniertogiveherthedetails.Sheassuredhimthematterwouldbedealtwith.Hewasdesperatetoaskheriftherewasanynews,but

managedtorestrainhimself.Hebegantofollowa

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

Christmascameand

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

forgottenabouthim:atleastthemoneywasstillappearinginhisaccount.TherewastheoccasionalcontactfromViktorandhealwaystoldhimthesame:nonews.Loyaltywasprovingtobeamostcomplicatedbusiness.

AttheendofFebruary,hereceivedaphonecallfrom

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

Thesamehappenedat

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

OnthelastTuesdayinJune,Henryleftthe

apartmentoffQuaiduMontBlancasusualat9.30.Itwasalreadyawarmmorning,withalightbreezeskimmingoverthelake.Asheheadedsouthforabriskwalkbeforebreakfastawomansweptpasthimbeforeslowingdownandstudyingamap.Ashedrewalongsidehershelooked

surprised,thenspokeinFrenchwithaProvençalaccent,muchfasterthantheSwiss.

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

Itwassonatural,somatteroffact,thatHenrywas

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

‘Ofcourse.Wouldyouprefertowalkortakethetram?’

Shesmiled.‘I’dprefertowalkifyouareabletoshowmethewaytogo.’

AnothersmileandaslighthesitationbeforeHenryreplied.

‘Well,I’mwalkingto

theOldTownmyselfnow.Ifyouwish,you’remostwelcometofollowme.’

Shesmiledandtheatricallyheldoutanelegantlyglovedhand.Leadon.

‘TakeanyroutetotheOldTown.’

Henrytriedtowalkata

normalpace,unsurewhatanormalpacefeltlike.HecrossedtheRhôneatthePontdesBergues,allowinghimselfaglancebehindtocheckthewomanwasstillfollowing.HecrossedtheRuedelaRôtisserieintotheOldTownandsoonafterthatthewomanovertookhim:it

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

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

here.Heenteredthecafé.You’retoenterthe

buildingandwait.Ifno-onehasapproachedyouafterfiveminutes,youaretoleaveandreturnhome.

Heglancedathiswristwatchandtheclockonthewall.Withintwominutesamanenteredthecafé,

smokingacigarandgreetingtwopeoplesatatanearbytable.HeshookhandswiththebarmanandwalkedstraightovertoHenry.

‘IamMarc.Wouldyoucaretojoinme?’

IfsomeonejoinsyouandintroducesthemselvesasMarcyou’retogowithhim.

Hewilltakeyoutomeetyourmaincontact.Atthatmoment,yournewcareerwillhavebegun

Henrynodded.BesidethebarwasadoorthatMarcopened:afteryou.

Anarrowstaircasetwistedandturnedtothetopofthebuilding.Whenthey

reachedasmalllanding,Marcgesturedforhimtowaitthenknockedthreetimesonapolishedoakdoor.

‘It’sme,Marc.Ihavethedelivery.’

Henryheardaboltbeingdrawnthenthedooropened.Itwasacornerroom,expensivelyfurnishedwithan

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

ateapotandvariouscups.Thedoorwasopened

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

‘Ah,Hunter:welcome!

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

‘Nowdocomeinandmakeyourselfathome.MynameisBasilbytheway,like

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

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

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

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

happens.HadhopedtobehackingmywayroundsomeofScotland’seasierlinkscoursesbynow,buttherewego.’

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

hopingwe’dforgottenallaboutyou?’

‘Well,Ican’treallysay.Iimaginethat…’

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

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

Henryrelaxedabitnow.Thecivilisedservingofteaandthepromiseofalittleerrandsoundedquiteacceptable,perhapsevenfun.

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

TheHonBasilRemington-Barbertooka

whiletoservetea,fussingfirstthatHenry’sandthenhisownteawasneithertooweaknortoostrong.Whenhewassatisfiedeverythingwasjustright,heleanedbackinhisarmchairandaddressedHenrythroughthesteamrisingfromhischinateacup.Henrywasbeginningtoenjoy

hismorning.Hispleasurewastobeshort-lived.

‘Weunderstandyou’reveryfamiliarwithStuttgart,Hunter?’

‘Ibegyourpardon?’Henryfelthisthroattightening.

‘Stuttgart,theGermancity?’

Henryplacedhisteacupdownonthesidetablenexttohim.Hishandswerebeginningtoshakeandheneededtocoverthatup,sohefoldedthemonhislap,crossingandthenun-crossinghislegsashedidso.

‘Yes,Iknowit.’‘Beenthereoften?’

‘Onceortwice.’‘Really?’Henryshrugged.Not

sure.‘Quiteafewtimes,we

understandHunter.’‘Well,possibly…’‘Somethingyou

omittedtotellanyofmycolleaguesbackinEngland?’

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

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

ratherimportantomission.Perhapsyou’dliketotellmeaboutitnow?’

Henrytriedtosoundascasualaspossible,hopingtoconveytheimpressionthathisknowledgeofStuttgartwasreallynothingveryimportant,thekindofthingonecouldsoeasilyforget.

‘There’snotanawfullottosay.MystepfatherhadsomepropertyinStuttgart.Iusedtopopupthereeverysooftentokeepaneyeonthingsforhim.’

‘Howoftenwould‘everysooften’be,Hunter?’

‘Ireallycouldn’tsay.Onceortwiceayear,maybe.’

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

understandthat.’Shouldn’tbeanything

toodangerous;awarm-up,ifyoulike.

‘EdgarimpliedmyfirstmissionwouldbewithinSwitzerland.’

‘Didhenow?Well,that’sEdgarforyou:anofficerbutnotquitea

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

‘Mystep-fatherhadafairamountofresidentialpropertyinStuttgart,inthebestareas:quitealotinGänseheidetotheeastofthecitycentreandmoreinthenorth,Azenbergand

Killesbergmostly.Hehadlocalagentsthatlookedafterthem,buthelikedmetogoupthereonceaquartertocheckeverythingwasinorderandtooverseethetransferofhisrentalincomebacktoSwitzerland.’

‘SoyouvisitedStuttgartfourtimesayear.’

‘Yes.’‘Forhowmanyyears?’‘Sevenoreight,

possiblymore.’‘Mathematicswas

nevermystrongestsubject,Hunter,butImakethatsomewhereintheregionof30visitstoStuttgart.’

‘Ifyousayso.’

‘Ido.Soyou’reveryfamiliarwiththecity?’

‘Isupposeso.’‘Speakthelocal

dialect?’‘No,thoughIdo

understandit.’‘Andwheredidyou

stay?’‘UsuallyatHotel

MarquardtinSchlossplatz.’‘Thatiscertainlyquite

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

***

HenryHuntercouldnever

quiteseethepointofBern.Itwasaprettyenoughplace,withanundoubtedmedievalcharmandtheRiverAareleantacertainpicturesquedramatothecityasittwistedthroughthecentre.ButinatypicallySwisswayitwasrathertooawareofitsvirtues;alittlebittoosmug.Forthe

past90yearsorsothecityhadbeenthecapitalofSwitzerlandandnowallroadsledtoitand,inthecaseofHenry’sjourneythereonawindyWednesdaymorning,sodidthetrains.

Attheendoftheirbriefingthepreviousday,theHonBasilRemington-Barber

hadtoldhimtogetamoveon.Henryhadratherimaginedthismeantbytheendofthemonth,possiblywithinafortnight.

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

instructions.’Heexplainedtohis

motherhewasvisitingfriendsinBasleforafewdaysandtookanearlymorningtraintoBern,arrivingatthestationinBahnhofplatzjustintimeforlunch.Henryhadbeenpleasantlysurprisedwhen

Remington-BarbersuggestedhebookintotheSchweizerhof,thebesthotelinthecityandnomorethanashortstrollfromthestation.

‘RathergoesagainstthegrainHunterandcertainlypushestheexpenses,butthepointisyouhavetosticktoyourrole:asfarasthe

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

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

Makesureyou’reseenoutandaboutinthehotel.

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

standingtoattentionastheydidso.

‘WhatbringsyoutoBern?’theyasked.HenryexplainedhewasfromGenevabutwashereinBerntoarrangeavisa:hewashopingvisitGermanysoononbusiness.

‘Whereabouts?’

‘Stuttgart.’‘Verygood.IsHerr

HesselikelytobeinBerlinatanytimeinthefuture?’

‘Maybe.Youneverknow!’

‘Youmustlookmeupifyoudo,’saidoneofthemen.‘Therearesomanymisunderstandingsabout

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

Henrynoddedenthusiastically.Indeed.

‘Butifyou’reeverinBerlin,Icouldintroduceyou

topeople.You’llbepleasantlysurprised.I’dbehappytobeofservice.’

WiththathepresentedHenrywithacard,bowedslightlythenleft.Henrylookedatit:

AloisJägerRechtsanwalt181Friedrichstraße

BerlinABerlinlawyer;you

neverknow.

***

Thenextmorning,hevisitedtheGermanEmbassyonWilladingweg.Asheplannedhisjourneytherehe

rememberedRemington-Barber’sinstructions.

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

togetholdofme.’Hebreakfastedatthe

hotel,returnedtohisroombrieflythenstrolledcasuallythroughtheOldCity,pasttheMünster–theenormousGothiccathedral,overwhosemainentrancethesculptedparticipantsintheLastJudgementgazeddownat

him,tryingtodecidewhetherhewaswickedorvirtuous.

HecrossedtheriveronKirchenfeldbrückeandsoonfoundataxiwhichtookhimtotheGermanEmbassy,locatedinaresidentialstreetintheeastofthecity.Alargeswastikahunglimplyovertheentrance,whichwasguarded

byhalfadozenarmedGermansoldiers.InthestreetoutsideweretwoSwisspolicemen.

Hehadexpectedashortdelay,butnotthequeuethatgreetedhim.Thevisaoffice,themaninfrontofhimexplained,didnotopenuntil11.Itwouldcloseforlunchat

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

Hehadbeenstandingin

thequeueforanhourandahalfwhenheheardafamiliarvoicebehindhim;Jäger,theBerlinlawyer.

‘MydearHesse,whatareyoudoinginthequeue?Comewithme.’

Totheobviousannoyanceofthepeopleinfrontofhim,Henrywas

removedfromthequeueandescortedstraightintotheEmbassy.

Waithere.Itwas1.15nowandthe

visaofficehadclosedforlunch.TenminuteslaterandJägeremergedfromitwithaclearlyreluctantmanintow.

‘Hesse:HerrSoldner

himselfwilllookafteryou.Youcouldnotbeinbetterhands.Hehasvolunteeredtocurtailhislunchbreakinordertodealwithyourvisa.’

ItwasevidentthatHerrSoldnerwasnomereclerk,asmuchashelookedlikeone.Astheymarchedthroughthe

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

ofHerrSoldnershakinghandswithsomeofficersinblackuniforms.NexttothatwasasmallerphotographofHerrSoldnerwithwhatheassumedwasFrauSoldnerandtheirchildren.Onhislapelwasaswastikabadge.HegesturedforHenrytositdown,removedhisspectacles

thenreadthroughHenry’sform,noddingattimes,makingnotesinthemargininplaces.

‘PleaseexplainthepurposeofyourvisittoStuttgart,HerrHesse.’

HenryspokeinstandardGerman,repeatingthestoryheandRemington-

Barberhadagreed.‘Mystep-fatherhad

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

‘Doyouhaveanybank

accountsinGermany,HerrHesse?’

‘No.’‘Doyouhavefriends

inStuttgart?’‘Morelike

acquaintances–businesscontacts.’

‘Theirnamesplease.’Henrygavethenames

ofthetwolawyerstheydealtwith,alongwiththethreeagentswhohandledthevariousproperties.

HerrSoldnerwroteeachnamedown.Hethenlaiddownhispenandputonhisspectacles.

‘Thelastnameyougaveme,HerrHesse–oneof

theagents.’‘Bermann?’‘Yes:firstname

please.’‘Heinz:Heinz

Bermann.’‘Afriendofyours?’‘AsIsay,moreofan

acquaintance,abusinessassociate.’

‘WhendidyoulastseeBermann?’

‘LasttimeIwasinStuttgart,somethreeyearsago.’

‘Andwereyouplanningtoseehimthistime?’

‘Possibly.’‘Doyourealisethatif

youdidso,HerrHesse,thatwouldbeinbreachoftheconditionsofyourvisa?’

‘Really…Why’sthat?’‘Theverystrong

likelihoodisthatBermannisaJew,anenemyofthestate.’

Withonlythebriefesthesitation,Henryslappedhisthighinannoyance.

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

owedusmoney.Typical.’‘Ifhe’sstillinStuttgart,

HerrHesse,hewillnolongerhaveanyassetsinhisownname.’

Hewroteonaplainsheetofpaperandattachedittothevisaapplication,placingthecompletedocumentinatray.

‘YourpassportpleaseHerrHesse.’

HehandedhisSwisspassportovertotheGerman.

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

***

‘Theonethingwecouldgetunstuckonisiftheydelvetoofarback,’Remington-Barberhadtoldhim.‘TheonlyproblemwouldbeiftheyfoundouteitheryouoryourmotheralsohasBritish

nationality.’‘That’dbemost

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

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

‘Well,theGermans

wouldhavetodigverydeepindeedtofindallthisoutandthey’reonlygoingtodothatiftheysuspectanything.Obviously,wehopetheydon’t.’

Obviously.

***

AnhourlaterAdolfHitlerwasoncemorestaringatHenryHunter,whowasattemptingtoremainascalmaspossibleafterbeingsummonedbacktoHerrSoldner’soffice.

‘Yourvisaisvalidfor30daysfromnextMonday,whichisthe1stofJuly.It

expiresonthe30thJuly.You’llbeinbreachofyourvisaifyouareinGermanyafterthatdate:doyouunderstand?’

Henrynodded.HewashopingtobebackinSwitzerlandlongbeforethen.

‘You’reonlypermittedtostayinStuttgart.Whilein

Germanyyoumustnottakepartinanypoliticalactivities;youareprohibitedfrommeetingorconsortingwithJews,criminalsorotherenemiesofthestate;youwillregisteratahotelwithintwohoursofyourarrivalandarenotpermittedtostayanywhereelseduringyour

stay;youarenotallowedtoapproachanymilitaryestablishmentsorobserveanymovementsofthearmedforces;youarenotpermittedtotakephotographs.TheonlycurrencythatyouareallowedtouseinGermanyisReichsmarks:uponyourarrivalyou’retogotoabank

andexchangeyourSwissFrancsforReichsmarks.Ishouldwarnyouthatusingtheblackmarketisregardedasaseriouscriminalactivity.Itshouldnotbenecessaryformetowarnyouthatshouldanyoneapproachyouandaskforyourhelp,particularlyinregardtobringing

informationormessagesbacktoSwitzerland,thatisalsoregardedasaveryseriouscriminalactivity.Youshouldimmediatelyreportanysuchapproachtotheauthorities.Doyouunderstand?’

Henrydid.‘Good.Idohopeyou

enjoyyourvisittoGermany,

HerrHesse.’

***

AnhourlaterHenryHunterenteredacobblersonanarcadeonKramgasseandexplainedtothebeardedmanjustvisiblebehindamoundofshoesonthecounterhe

hadcaughttheheelofoneofhisshoesinthetramlinebythestation.Thecobblernoddedandliftedthecountertop,beckoningforHenrytocomethrough.

‘Goupthestairstotheverytop.Heiswaitingforyou.’

TheHonBasil

Remington-BarbergreetedHenrywarmly.

‘BeautyofthisplaceisIcangetintoitthroughthebackofacaféaboutfivedoorsalong.Now,tellmehowyougoton.’

Remington-Barbercheckedthepassportandthevisa.Allinorder:good.He

was,hesaid,ascertainashecouldbetheGermanssuspectednothing.ForthenexthourhegaveHenryadetailedbriefingontheStuttgartmission.

‘You’vegoteverythingHenry.Allclear?’

‘Yes,thoughyousayI’mgoingtobecontactedby

thisMilo.I’mstillnotsurehowI’llknowit’shim?’

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

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

caught.Remember,youdowhateverMilotellsyou,understand?’

Henrysaidhedid.‘Thereareplentyof

SwissFrancsinthisenvelopehere:changethemintoReichsmarksassoonasyouarrive–don’triskhidinganyonyou.Gobacknowtothe

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

coupleofweeksbetweenthevisabeinggrantedandyouactuallytravellingthere:makesitappearyou’renotrushing.Understand?’

Henrynodded.‘Oneotherthing:be

carefulatnightinStuttgart.There’sacurfewonandfewplacestoeat,soyou’retostay

inthehotel.Onthefirstnightcertainlyyoushouldorderroomservice:inmyexperiencethattendstodrawlessattentiontoyourself.’

‘AndhowwouldyoulikemetogettoStuttgart?’

‘OntheMondaymorning,youtakethetrainfromGenevatoZürich:tell

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

toStuttgart.Itshouldonlytake50minutes,here’shopingtheRAFdoesn’tshootyoudown!’

***

Chapter9:SalzburgAirport,July1940EarlyintheafternoonofthelastTuesdayinJuly,attheheightofsummer,halfadozenmenweredoingtheir

besttoavoideachotherinastuffyroomoverlookingtherunwayatSalzburgAirport.ThemenwerealldressedinuniformsdenotinghighrankinvariousbranchesoftheGermanarmedforces:twostoodbythelargewindowbutwellapartfromeachother;anotherappearedtobe

asleep;twootherswereleafingthroughtheircopiesoftheVőlkischerBeobachterandanotherwaspacingtheroom,drawinghardonacigarette.

AshortwhileaftertheclockstrucktwoanervousyoungLuftwaffeofficerenteredtheroom.Adelay:

manyapologies.TheplanewasdelayedafterrefuellinginMunich.Departurewillnowbeatthreeo’clock–fouratthelatest.

Muchmutteringandshakingofheadsaroundtheroom:theyoungLuftwaffeofficerpausedinthedoorwayjustlongenoughtoremember

togiveahurriedHeilHitlersalute,whichwasignoredbyalltheothers.

ThemanwhohadappearedtobeasleepstoodupandcarefullystraightenedhisKriegsmarineuniformbeforeleavingtheroom.Outsidewasasmalllawnwithflowersplantedneatly

arounditsedges.Hestrolledupanddown,andwassoonjoinedbyanarmyofficer,oneofthetwomenwhohadbeenbythewindow.Theadmiralandthegeneralwalkedinstepalongsideeachotherinsilenceforawhile.Thegeneraltookhistimelightingalargecigarbefore

addressinghiscompanion.‘Iseewecannoteven

relyontheLuftwaffetogetusbacktoBerlinontime!IimagineJodl’splanewasn’tdelayed.’

‘Heflewbacklastnight,Iunderstand:soonafterthebriefing,’saidtheadmiral,lookingaroundashe

spoke.‘Heprobablydidn’twanttohangaroundtoolong.’

‘Indeed.Iassumehewantedtoavoidourquestions,’saidthegeneral,speakinginaloudervoicethanhiscompanion.

Theadmiralnoddedandlookedovereach

shoulderbeforehespoke.‘Andhowisyourson?’

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

code–awayofbroachingthesensitiveissueofwhatonereallythoughtaboutthewar.Itwasthesameasdiscussingfoodshortageswithpeople:questionsonlyaskedtopeopleyoucouldreallytrust.

‘Karliswellthankyou;he’sanOberleutnantnow,basedinPoland.Andyours–

youhavetwodon’tyou?’‘Oneson,onedaughter.

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

ThetwomenpausedtowatchaLuftwaffeJunkerspassengerplanepasslowoverheadfromthesouth,neatlyframedagainstUntersbergmountain.Theplanebankedtotheleftandbeganitsnoisyapproachtotherunway.

‘Thatmustbeour

plane;wecouldwellbebackinBerlinthiseveningafterall.TellmeErnst:whatdoyoumakeofwhatJodlhadtosay…?’

GeneralmajorErnstturnedtofacehiscompanion,carefullystudyinghisface.Hewantedtobesurehewasnotbeingledintoatrap.

‘Youmeanabout…?’Itwasclearhewantedtheadmiraltosayitfirst.

‘Theinvasionplans:whatelsewerewetherefor?’

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

plans,incase…?’‘ComeonErnst:we’ve

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

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

TheGeneralmajorshrugged.Behindthema

planewasnoisilytaxiinginfrontofthebuildingwheretheyhadbeenwaiting.‘Ithinkourflightwillbereadysoon,Hans.’

‘ComeonErnst,answermyquestion.IfyouwereaBritishgeneralyou’dbeverypleasedtohearGermanywasplanningtobreakitsalliance

withtheSovietUnionandfightontwofronts,wouldyounot?’

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

***

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

Zürich…wherevernext?’MarleneHessehad

littlechoicebuttoacceptherson’simminentandlargelyunexplaineddeparturewithhercustomarylackofgrace.Henryhadcometolearnthat,thesedays,allheneededtodowastellherwhathewasdoingthenleaveitatthat.

HearrivedinZürichontheMondayandspentthenightinahotelonOetenbachgassewherehisflightticketswerewaitingforhim.HeleftthehotelearlythenextmorningandtooktheairportbusfromHauptbahnhofstationatseveno’clock.

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

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

spyontheLuftwaffe!’Thecaptainwelcomed

themtoGermany,withanoticeablelackofenthusiasm.‘Pleaserespectallthespecialsecurityrulesinplaceattheairport.Pleasefollowallinstructions.PassengersfortheonwardflighttoBerlinshouldremain

intheirseats.PassengersdisembarkinghereinStuttgartshouldensuretheyhavealltheirbelongingswiththem.WehopeyouhaveenjoyedflyingwithSwissair.WewishyouapleasantstayinStuttgart.’

Theplanetaxiedtoaremotepartoftheairport:

outsidetheycouldhearshoutingandthenoiseofengines.Thepassengerswereleddownthestepstoabuswithblacked-outwindowsthathaddrawnupalongside.Henryhadnomorethan30secondstoglancearoundastheywereledontothebus:hecouldseeverylittle,other

thanaringoftroopsaroundtheplaneandacoupleofoiltankersnearby.

Therewerefewotherpassengersinthevastterminalbuilding,althoughatthefarendHenrycouldseegroupsofmeninuniformhurryingalong.Attheotherendoftheterminalwerethe

airlinedesks,mostofwhichappearedtobeabandoned.TherewereafewpeoplewaitingbyoneoftheDeutscheLufthansadesksbuttheonlyotherairlinedesksthatseemedtobeoperatingwereSwissairandAlaLittoria.Whilehewaited,therewereafew

announcementsmadebyawomanjustmanagingtosuppressherSwabianaccent:‘Arrivingpassengersshouldwaituntiltheyarecalled;anypassengersfortheSwissairflighttoBerlinaretoproceedtothedeparturegateimmediately;afurtherdelayisannouncedontheDeutsche

LufthansaflighttoLisbon,Portugal.’

Henrywasquestionedbytwomenstoodbehindthedesk;oneinSSuniform,theotherinacheapsuitwithaswastikabadgeoneachlapel.Behindthemwasalargeclockwithenormousswastikabannersdrapedoneitherside.

Theyeachcheckedthevisa,silently.ThemanincivilianclothesleftthedeskatonestagewithHenry’spassport,butreturnedaminutelater.

‘HowlongareyouintendingtostayinStuttgart,HerrHesse?’

‘UntilFriday.’

‘Youhaveareturnticket?’

Henryhandedittothemandtheybothstudiedit.

Andthepurposeofyourvisit?Whereareyoustaying?Withwhomwillyoubemeeting?Areyouawareoftherestrictionsofyourvisa?

Allquestionsthathad

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

‘WewouldliketoknowmoreaboutyourbusinessaffairsinStuttgart,HerrHesse,’saidthecivilian.

Anunnecessarilydetailedandcomplicatedaccountofhisstep-father’sbusinessaffairsinStuttgartfollowed.Henrytoldthemhowhesuspectedtheyhad

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

everythingbuthefeltitwashisdutytocomehereandseewhatwasgoingon…andsoon.Ithadthedesiredeffectofmakingthetwoofficialslookbored.HenryhopedtoGodthatpooroldHeinzBermannhadmanagedtogetoutofStuttgart:hewasadecentmanandalwaysvery

charming.ItwouldbeashameifHenryhadjustaddedtohiswoes.

Aftertenminutes,Henrywastakenthroughtoasmallsideroomwhereheandhisbagswerethoroughlysearchedbytwopolicemen.Hiscopyofthatmorning’sNeueZürcherZeitungwas

removedfromhisbriefcaseandthrownaway.Everythingelsewascarefullyexamined.Nothingelsearousedtheirsuspicion,otherthantheSwissFrancs.

‘Areyouchangingallofthesehere?’theofficialinchargeofthesearchasked.

Henrynodded.

‘WaitherewhileIcountthem.’

Theofficiallefttheroom,returningwiththeFrancsfiveminuteslater.Later,Henrywoulddiscoverhe’dhelpedhimselftosomeofthemoney.

Heemergedfromthesideroomintothequeuein

frontofyetanotherdesk,butthiswasamuchquickerprocess.HispassportwasstampedagainandhewasnowinGermany.

‘Youarenowpermittedtocrosstheborder,HerrHesse.Pleasegothecashier’swindowoverthereandchangeallmoneyinto

Reichsmarks.WelcometoGermany.’

Henrychangedhismoneythenjoinedaqueuewhichhadformedjustoutsidetheterminalforthebusintothecity.Ittookhalfanhour.Again,thecurtainsweredrawnanditwasdifficulttomakeoutwhere

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

blocks,andatthefinalonethreepolicemenclimbedonboardandcheckedeveryone’spapers.

‘Stuttgart-Mitte’announcedthedriver:ThebuspulledintoFürstenstrasse,justofftheenormousSchlossplatz.

Itwasnomorethan

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

whichwashardtodescribebutheknewitwhenhewasthere.Stuttgarttodaydidnotfeellikesomewherehehadbeentobefore,itfeltasthoughhe’donlyeverseenitonfilm.Itnowhadanundoubtedmilitaryedge;somanyofthepeopleonthestreetsseemedtobewearing

auniformofonetypeoranotherandtherewereanti-aircraftbatteriesontheSchlossplatz.Mostofthebuildingsweredrapedinlargered-and-blackswastikaflags.

BythetimehereachedtheHotelVictoriaonthecornerofFriedrichstrasseand

KeplerstrasseandwalkedthroughitsornateentrancehehadabetterideawhyStuttgartfeltsounfamiliar.Itwasthepeopleandhowtheybehaved;theyweremovingaroundinsilence,avoidingeyecontactandwithhardlyanyonespeakingtoanyoneelse.Acityhehadonce

foundfriendlynowhadadistinctlymenacingairtoit.Germanshadalwaysstruckhimasbeingsmartlydressedbutnow,comparedtotherelativesophisticationoftheSwiss,theylookeddrab.

Themanbehindthereceptiondeskdidatleastlookhimintheeye.‘Yes,we

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

Henrysaidthathewasandcompletedthevariousformshandedtohimbythereceptionist.Hewasthen

escortedtohisroomonthethirdfloorbyanelderlyandevidentlyarthriticporter.Oncehehadunpacked,hedecidedtogoforawalkintheafternoon.Astemptingasitwastoremainintherelativesafetyofhisroom,heknewthatwoulddrawattentiontohimselfand

wouldnotallowMilotheopportunitytoapproachhim,thoughhewasstillnonethewiserhowthatwasgoingtohappen.BackinBern,Remington-Barberhadbeendecidedlycrypticinthatrespect.

‘You’llbeapproachedbysomeoneusingthephrase

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

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

Remington-Barberhadaskedhimtorepeatit,manytimes.

‘Good:you’retodopreciselywhatMilotellsyou.Iftheysendyousomewhere,

yougo.’SoHenrywandered

aroundthecentreofStuttgartforthebestpartofanhourandahalfand,asfarashecouldtell,hewasnotbeingfollowed.FromSchlossplatzhewalkeddownthePlanie,whichhadnowbecomeAdolfHitlerStrasseandtheninto

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

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

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

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

of.Helefttheofficeafter

halfanhour,satisfiedthatanyonewatchingwouldfeelhehadindeedbeentheretoconductbusiness.Afewdoorsalonghefoundasmallbasementbar.Thebarmaidknewbetterthantoasktoomanyquestions,especially

whensherealisedhewasSwiss.FromthebarhewalkedbackacrosstheSchlossplatztothehotel,concernedathowandwhenMilowasgoingtoapproachhim:hecouldhardlyspendthenextfewdayshangingaroundthehotel,goingfortheoccasionalwalkand

eatinginhisroom.Hewanderedaround

thelobbyforawhilethenreturnedtohisroom.Heclosedtheheavycurtainsthenranahotbath,rested,readalittlebeforetelephoningreceptiontoorderhiseveningmeal.Therewerethreedishesonthemenu,onlyoneof

whichwasavailable:sausagesandpotatoes.

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

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

Whicheverwayyoulookedatit,hetoldhimself,travellingintoGermanyandmeetingwithanotheragentwashardlystraightforward.TheBritishwereunlikelytoriskanoviceagent’sfirstassignmentonanythingtoodangerous.Surelytheywouldsimplywanttoseewhetherhehad

thenervestogothereandreturninonepiece?

ButwhatwasitViktorhadtoldhimattheweekend?Don’tthinktoomuchsynok:they’llknowwhattheyaredoing.

Therewasaneasychairneararadiatorbythewindowandhesatonit,kickingoff

hisshoesandputtinghisfeetonthesmalltable.HebegantorecallanotherconversationwithEdgar,whenhehadimpliedtheymayadvancefivehundredpoundsofhisaunt’smoneyonsuccessfulcompletionofamission.Wouldthiscountasasuccessfulmission?Maybe

hecouldnowaffordacar.Hewatchedthepatternsformingontheceilingbythelampshadebythebedwhenafirmknockonthedoordisturbedhistrainofthought.Hewasannoyed,assumingtheyhadcometocollecthisdinnertraywheninfacthehadleftitinthecorridor.

‘Thetrayisoutthereforyou,’hecalledout.

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

‘Ithinktheremustbesomemistake,I…’

Acardoorslammedon

Keplerstrassebelow,followedbythesoundofalorrymovingdowntheroad.

‘There’snoneedtoworrysir,Iamthedutymanager:ifyoucouldopenthedoorplease?’

ThewomanwhoHenryletintohisroomwaswearingthedark,formaluniformof

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

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

‘AreyouenjoyingyourstayattheHotelVictoria?’

‘Iam,but…’‘AndinStuttgart:you

areenjoyingStuttgart?Weusuallyhavesomerainin

Stuttgartatthistimeofyear.’Henryfeltunsteadyon

hisfeet.Milo?‘Ibegyourpardon?’

Sherepeatedthephraseinapleasant,conversationalmanner.

‘WeusuallyhavesomeraininStuttgartatthistimeofyear.’

Henrysatdownontheedgeofthebed,awarehewasshakingviolently.Hetookamomentortwotorememberhiscorrectresponse.

‘ThatmustbethecasealloverEurope.’

Wasitsafetohaveaconversationlikethisinahotelroom?

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

‘ThereisalwaysrainaroundtheAlpseveninsummer.’

‘Howwonderful,’shereplied,asthoughshereally

meantit.Therewasalong

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

anytraceoflipstick.‘SoyouareMilo?’He

wasspeakinginbarelymorethanawhisper.

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

‘Isitsafeinhere?’

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

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

‘Where?’‘Essen.IntheRuhr:

northofCologne.’‘No,Ican’tsayIhave.’

‘Tomorrowwillbeyourfirstvisitthen.’

‘But…surelynot.Myvisadoesn’tpermitmetotraveloutsideofStuttgart.’

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

DieterHoch.’Shehadremovedawalletfromthesuitcaseandemptieditscontentsontothebed.

‘DieterHochismybrother.Dieterisfouryearsolderthanyoubutthephotographinhisidentitycardhereisnotagoodoneandsowe’reconfidentyour

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

asbeingSwiss.Youwilltakethissuitcase.’

‘Andyourbrotherisinonthis?’

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

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

cleardaystogettoEssen,completeyourmissionandreturnhere.WewantyoubackinStuttgartbeforethecurfewonThursdaynight.’

‘Butwhataboutthehotel,won’tpeoplespotI’mnothere?’

‘Iamthedutymanagerforthenexttwonights.I’ll

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

‘AndwhatdoIdoinEssen?’

‘DoyouknowanythingaboutEssen?’

Henryshrugged.Notreally.

‘Essenisamajorproducerofsteelandcoal.TheKruppsfamilyownmuchoftheindustryinthetown.Thesteelthat’sproducedthereisvitaltotheNaziwar

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

that.’‘SoIjustwander

aroundEssendrawingmaps?’KatharinaHochlooked

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

thetown,memorisewhatyouseethencompileagridoflocationswhichyouwillthenbringbacktoStuttgart.ThroughoutGermanylifeisdangerous,butinEssenespeciallyso.’

***

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

himup.Helefttheroomas

quietlyaspossibleanddescendedthroughthefire-exitstairsattheendofthecorridortothebasementlevel,whereKatharinawaswaitingforhim.

Shelookedhimover,likeaparentcheckingachild

wasproperlydressedforschool.Sheaskedhimtoemptyhispocketstobesurehewascarryingnothingincriminating:everythingwasinorder.

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

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

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

nightaboutthepurposeofyourvisittoEssen,incaseanyoneasksyou?’

‘Visitinganaunt?’‘Correct:Gertraud

Traugottrecentlycelebratedher80thbirthdayandasyouhaven’tseenherinawhilethisisasurprisevisit.Shelivesinanapartmentinthe

westofEssen,inAltendorf.Thisisheraddress,pleasecopyitdownnowinyourownhandwritingandputthepieceofpaperinyourwallet.’

ShewaitedwhileHenrypatientlycopieddowntheaddress,foldedthepieceofpaperandplaceditinthewallet.

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

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

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

umbrellas.Oncethereandwhenitissafe,Lidowillbriefyouonwhat’stohappenduringyourstayinEssen.’

‘Andwhatifheisn’tthere?’

‘Ifheisn’tthereorifsomethinggoeswrong,youshouldtryandgetoutofEssenassoonaspossibleand

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

Henrytriedtotakeallthisin:thedetailwasonethingbutthesenseoffear

quiteanother.Hewasbeginningtoshiver,despitethewarmthofthebasement.

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

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

besttoholdoutfor24hours.That’llgiveusenoughtimetodismantleourcellhereinStuttgartandtrytoescape.’

Katharinaputherarmaroundhisshoulderandleanedclosetohim.Hermouthlookedevenmoreastonishingclose-up.Hereyesdidnotblinkasshe

staredstraightintohis.‘Twentyfourhours,

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

youwon’tarousesuspicion.Youmustleavenow.’

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

That’sveryimportant.Doyouunderstand?’

Henoddedthatheunderstood.KatharinaledhimupasteepflightofconcretestepstoadoorthatleddirectlyontoKeplerstrasse.Shemotionedforhimtowaitwhileshelookedupanddownthe

street,thenwavedhimtocomeup.Shepushedhimalongwithawhispered‘Goodluck’.

Itwasaquickfiveminutes’walkdownFriedrichstrassetothemainstation,whichwasreassuringlybusy.Henryhadjustenoughtimetostopata

kioskandbuyabreadrollwithacoldsausageandacopyofthatmorning’sVőlkischerBeobachter.

HespottedtheFrankfurttrainonplatformsix,withblack-cladtroopsforminginlinestoboardit.Cloudsofsteamfloatedacrossthestation,andthe

smellofengineoilandthesoundsofmetalandwhistlesandpeoplecallingoutallfeltoddlyreassuring.Heshowedhistickettothemanatthebarrierthenapolicemanaskedtocheckhispapers,butwasquicktowavehimthrough.Justashewasabouttoboardthetrain,hefelta

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

***

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

Henryapologised

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

***

HewasbothsurprisedandrelievedwhenthetrainfromFrankfurtpulledintoEssen

Mainat20minutespasttwothatWednesdayafternoon.Thejourneycouldnothavegonemoresmoothly;theStuttgarttrainhadarrivedinFrankfurtatten,allowinghimampletimetobuyhisticketforEssenandstillbeabletositinasmallcaféononeoftheplatforms,wherehe

sippedacupofbitterersatzcoffeeandglancedattheVőlkischerBeobachter.HewasabletoboardtheEssentrainat10.30whenthebarrieropened,withthepolicemanondutygivinghisidentitycardnomorethanacursorylook.

Thetrainwaspacked

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

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

Hewasabouttoexplainwhenshebegantofadeaway,

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

AsthetrainreachedEssen,enormousfactories

loomedoneithersideofthetrack,withthickplumesoffilthysmokereachingfarintothegreysky.ThestationwasnotnearlyaslargeastheonesinStuttgartorFrankfurt,andthereseemedtobelesssecurity.Therewasanoticeablesmellofcoalandindustrialfumes,andthe

largeswastikaflagsdrapedabovetheplatformwerestreakedwithgrime.Hedecidednottogotothelost-propertyofficestraightaway;heneededtogetasenseofhissurroundings.Hestudiedthetimetableonthesideoftheticketoffice.IfheneededtoleaveEssenquicklythere

wasatraintoDortmundintenminutesandonetoColognein20.Therewasacaféontheplatform,buthefelttoosickwithnervestoevenenterit.

Hewaiteduntil2.30thenenteredthelost-propertyoffice.AmaninDRuniformwasbehindalong,low

counter,attendingtoanelderlylady.

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

eyeoutforthem.’Henrywaiteduntilshe

hadleft.Themanbehindthecounterlookedtobeinhislatefiftiesatleast,hishairasteelywhite,andhemovedinaslowandquitedeliberatemanner.Helookedtired.Hismostnoticeablefeaturewasanimpressivepairof

eyebrowsthatseemedtojoinupabovehisnoseandcurveupateitherend,lendinghimanowl-likeair.

‘CanIhelpyousir?’Henryglancedaround

toensuretheywereontheirown.

‘Iappeartohavelostmyumbrella.’

Nopause,noflickerofunderstanding,nosignofanticipationfromthemanbehindthecounter.

‘Andwhendidyouloseitsir?’

‘Thismorning.It’sblackwithacarvedwoodenhandle.Myinitialsareengravedonthehandle:

“DH”.’Themanbehindthe

countershookhishead.‘Ican’trecallit,but

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

Themanliftedupa

sectionofthecounterandslowlyledHenrytoaroomatthebackoftheoffice.Heclosedthedoorandremovedhiscap,turningtofaceHenry.

‘I’mLido,bytheway.’‘Igatheredthat:

Dieter.’LidograspedHenry’s

handandshookitwarmly.‘Therearesome

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

war,apartfromtheirlives.’Lidospokequicklyand

quietly,lookingoutofthelittleofficewindowtowardsthecounterashedidso.

‘Justwaitamoment.’Awomanwithtwo

youngchildrenhadcomeinandLidowentovertothecounterandafteraveryquick

conversationsheleft.HecamebacktoHenry.

‘Everyotherpersonwhocomesinherethinkswearetheleft-luggagedepartment.Itsaysveryclearlythatwe’relostproperty.StuttgartexplainedthatyourcoverforvisitingEssenistovisityouraunt,

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

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

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

***

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

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

Hecould.Healsorememberedhistrainingand

theneedtoavoidwanderingaroundaplacewithoutanyapparentpurpose.HedecidedtousethehourandabithewasgoingtospendinthecentreofEssentopurchaseagiftforhisaunt:hewastheretocelebrateher80thbirthdayafterall.

Lidohadagreedthat

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

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

HefollowedLido’sinstructions:hehadplentyoftime,sohemadesurehedidnotrush.Lidohadsaidhethoughttheremaybea

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

reachedbyclimbingdownacoupleofwornsteps.Therewasasignonthedoortoringthebellandwhenhedidsoitwasaminuteortwobeforetheelderlyownershuffledalongtounlockthestore.

‘Myapologies:whenI’mpreparingperfumesatthebackIlockthedoor,I’vehad

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

Theshopwastiny,withallthewallsandcounterscoveredinbottlesofperfumeineveryimaginablesizeandcolour.Thesmellwasclosetooverpowering.

‘Now,howcanIhelpyou?’

Henryexplainedhewaslookingforaperfumeforhis

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

Henryexplainedhehadnotseenherinawhile,thiswasasurprisevisit.

‘Youdon’tsoundasifyou’refromthisarea?’

‘No,I’mfrom…thesouth.’

‘Isee:whereaboutsinthesouth?’

‘Stuttgart,’saidHenry,regrettinghisanswerstraightaway.

‘Youdon’thavethat

dreadfulSwabianaccent,thankGod!You’vetravelledalongwaytoseeyouraunt.WheredoessheliveinEssen?’

‘Altendorf.’‘Altendorf?Iknowit

well.Ilivedtheremyselfformanyyears,beforemywifediedandmychildrenleft

Essen.What’syouraunt’sname?’

Henryhesitated.Therewassomethingabouttheownerhefoundunsettling.ItwasnottheNaziPartybadge,halfthepopulationofGermanyseemedtowearoneofthosethesedaysasfarashecouldtellanditwas

probablygoodforbusiness.No,thequestionsseemedtobepointedandpersistentratherthanfriendly.ItwasasifhedistrustedHenry.

‘MaybeI’llcomebacklater.Ineedtodosomemoreshopping.’

‘Youraunt’sname,youweregoingtotellmeher

name?’‘Gertraud.Gertraud

Traugott.’‘Gertraud?ButIknow

Gertraud,Iknowherverywell!Tellme,howareyourelatedtoher?’

Henrymomentarilyconsideredleavingtheshop,buthadalreadyrevealedtoo

much;GertraudTraugott’snameandStuttgart.Trapped.

‘Itoldyou,she’smyaunt.’

‘Butonwhichside?’‘Mymotherwasher

sister.’Theoldmannoddedas

ifhewassatisfiedwiththeanswer.Henryfeltasenseof

relief.Hehadover-reacted.‘Ah,soyou’re

Hannelore’sson?’‘That’sright,yes.’He

managedaweaksmileandfeltfaintlyrelieved.Theoldmanleantagainstthecounter,soclosethatHenrycouldsmellthegarliconhisbreath.

‘Gertraudhasnosister.

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

Theoldman’shandmovedalongthecountertowardsthetelephone.Henry

reactedquickly.Hereachedoverthecounterandpushedthemanashardashecouldagainsttheshelvesbehindhim.Hisheadstruckoneofthelargeglassbottlesandheslumpedtothefloor.Afewofthebottlesfellontopofhim,theglassshatteringandtheperfumespillingoverthe

man,whowasnowgroaning.Henrydartedovertothedoorandlockedit,turningthesignroundsothatitwouldshowthattheshopwasclosed.Geschlossen.

Heclimbedoverthecounteranddraggedthelimpbodyintothesmallpreparationroomattheback

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

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

down.Thestrugglelastedforwhatseemedlikeanage.Hecouldfeelsomethinghotandwetagainsthishand.Bloodwastricklingoutoftheman’snose.

Thenitstopped.Thebodysuddenlyslumped,allresistancehadfloodedoutofitandHenryknewhewas

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

heremovedallthenotesandleftitopen.Heturnedofftheshoplightsandwentbackintotheroom,takingcaretoshuttheinternaldoorandlockit.Hehadalreadynoticedtherewasanotherdoorfromtheroomwhichheassumedwouldleadoutside.Heundidtheboltsand

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

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

sleeveandreekedofperfume.Hebundleditup,hopingtofindsomewherenearbytodisposeofit.

Hecarefullyopenedthedoortothealleywayoncemore.Itwasdarkand,asfarashecouldtell,deserted.Hepulledhistrilbylowoverhisfaceandhurrieddownthe

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

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

‘Whatthehellareyou

doinghere?’hehissed.‘IthoughtItoldyoutomeetmeinHindenbergStrasse?’

Henryexplainedwhathadhappened.Lidosatwithhisheadinhishands.

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

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

‘That’stheproblemwiththistown,everyone

knowseveryone.Didanyoneseeyouentertheshop?’

‘NotasfarasIknow.Itwasveryquiet.’

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

werewearing,isthatright?’‘Yes.’‘Chooseoneofthe

blackonesthen.Andchangeyourhattoo.Choosesomethingdifferentfromthattrilby.You’dbettergivemethewatchyoutookfromhim.’

Lidoexaminedthe

watchwithaprofessionalinterest.

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

‘Yes.’

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

Lidocalledhimbackjustashewasleavingthelost-propertyoffice.

‘Didyouremoveeverythingfromthepockets

ofyourcoat?’‘Ididn’thaveanything

inthem,asfarasIwasaware.’

‘Areyousure?’Henrylefttheoffice

withoutreplying.Ifonlyhewassure.

***

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

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

expected,butthephysicaleffectithad,sendingtremorsthroughouthisbody.ThebuildingsonthesouthsideoftheroadseemedtobedenserandeverysooftenLidowouldremovehishatandscratchhisheadforamomentortwobeforeputtingitbackon.Thatwasthesignalfor

Henrytotakespecialnote,whichmaybetheentranceofanotherfactory,usuallywithaboardoutside.Mostoftheentranceshadsentriesoutsidethem,theirgazefollowinghimashewalkedpast.

ItsoonbecameobvioustoHenrythatgoodsweremovedaroundthefactories

andthetownbyrail:atfrequentpointsontheirjourneytheroadwasbisectedbyrailwaylinesandbridges.Theyhadtowaitatoneortwoofthesefortrainstopass,whichgaveHenryagoodopportunitytolookaround.Hewasmakingmentalnotes;ofwheredifferentfactories

wereinrelationtooneanother,theirnames,wheretherailwaylineswent,wherepowerplantswerelocated.

AfterawhilehenoticedLidohadsloweddownhispaceandkeptremovinghiscap,scratchinghishead.Afactorytotheirleftwasmoreorlessopentoroadandinit

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

thegroup,alldressedinaroughgreyuniform.Heheardthemtalkingquietlyaswalkedpasthim:hewassuretheywerespeakingPolish.

Soonafterthat,theyemergedfromthecomplexoffactoriesalthoughthesmellandthenoiselingeredon.Theywerenowinthe

Altendorfdistrict.Lidostoppedtotieashoelace,whichwasthesignalforHenrytodropbackfurther:theywerenearingtheapartment.Justafteraschool,LidoturnedrightintoRullichStrasseandatthatpointHenrysloweddownevenmoretoallowLidotogetout

ofhissight.HeknewtoturnfromRullichStrasseintoEhrenzellerStrassethenintotheapartmentblocktowardstheendofthestreet.Itwasalargeblock;fourstoreyshighwiththeapartmentsopeningoutontoanexternalcorridor.

Therearesixapartmentsoneachfloor,all

sharingthesamecorridor.Iaminnumber19onthesecondfloor.GertraudTraugott’sapartmentisjustalongfrommine,number22.

HenryreckonedLidohadhadthefiveminuteshesaidheneededtogetinsidehisownapartment,soheclimbedthestepstonumber

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

Awomaninherfortiescameout.Shewaswearingafilthyapronwithtwoequallyfilthychildrenhuddledbehindher.

‘Whoareyouafter?’‘FrauTraugott,’he

replied.‘She’snothereand

withsomeluckshe’llnever

comeback.Ihadenoughofherfrighteningthechildren.Whoareyouanyway?’

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

Lidohadnowemergedfromhisapartmentandjoinedthem.Henoddedpolitelyat

thewomanandaskedifhecouldhelp.Henryexplainedhisstoryagain.LidoalsoinformedhimthatFrauTraugottwasnotthere.

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

knowofahotelnearby?’‘You’llhavetohead

backintotown,’theneighboursaid,usheringherchildrenbackintotheirapartment.Shewassensingshemaybecalledupontohelpoutandherreluctancetodothatmarginallyoutweighedherinnate

nosiness.‘Manfredwillhelpyou.

He’sanold-fashionedgentleman!’Withthatshelaughedanddisappearedbackinside,butnotbeforehearingLidoaskhimtojoinhiminhisapartment.

Number19wasneatandcosy.OnceLidohad

lockedthedoorandcheckedallthecurtainsweredrawnheshowedHenryintoasmallsittingroom.Therewasatable,bookshelves,aneasychairandasofa:hegesturedforHenrytositdown.

‘Let’swaittenminutes.Iftheywerefollowingusthey’llcomebythen.Ifnot,

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

Afterasilenttenminutes,ManfredremovedhisjacketandtookHenry’sthenwentintothekitchen,

emergingafewminuteslaterwithtwosteamingmugs.

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

AsbachUraltbrandyfromashelfandpouredsomeintotheircoffeecups,withoutaskingHenry.

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

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

‘Pardon?’saidHenry.‘Stuttgartshouldhave

givenyousomethingforme…inapencilcase?’

‘Ohyes,sorry.I

forgot.’Henryopenedthesuitcaseandremovedthepencilcasefromthezippedcompartmentinthelid.

Manfredhelditcarefullywithtwohandsandplaceditonthetable.Helefttheroomandreturnedwithasmalltowel,whichhefoldedinhalfandplacednexttothe

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

‘Whatwerethey?’heasked.

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

‘YoumeanIcarriedthosedetonatorswithmeall

thewayfromStuttgart?’‘Indeedyoudid.I’m

mostgrateful.’‘ButwhatifI’dbeen

searchedandthey’dfoundthem?’

‘Thenyouprobablywouldn’tbeherenow,wouldyou?Wetakesuchrisksallthetime.’

Henrysankbackinthesofa.

‘Arethereanyothersurprises?’

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

oneoftheforeignlabourersoraJew.It’sveryhandytheyblamethemforeverything.ItmakesiteasierfordecentAryanstocommitcrimes.’

Theybothlaughed.Henryspentthenexthourwritinginpencilwhathe’dseen,thentheysealedthepaperintotheliningofthe

suitcase.Manfredpreparedaneveningmealandtheysatdownatthetabletoeat:ahotstewwithmorepotatoesthananythingelse.

‘Howlonghaveyoulivedhere,Manfred?’

‘ImovedtoEssenin1935.IwasateacherinDortmundwhentheNazis

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

Dortmundandshewasabletoaltermyrecords.MysurnamewasErhartandshechangedittothealternativespellingofErhard.AllmypaperworkshowedmyChristiannameasHans,butshereplaceditwithmymiddlename,Manfred.SoHansErhartbecameManfred

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

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

‘Sohowdidyougetinvolvedinthisbusiness?’

‘Bychance:acouple

cametolostpropertywhowereclearlyterrified.TheyweretryingtogetoutofEssenbuttheGestapowereafterthem.Withouthavingtimetothink,Iallowedthemtohideinofficeovernight.Thenextmorningtheygavemethephonenumberofacontactoftheirsandhe

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

gatherintelligencefortheBritishsotheycanbombtheKruppsfactories.WithsomelucktheintelligencewegivethemwillbesogoodtheyhitKruppsratherthanthisapartmentblock.TherearesomeminingengineersattheKruppsMariamineinthenorthofEssenwhoare

communistsympathisers:theycangetholdofdynamiteand,whoknows,withthedetonatorsyoubroughtmaybewecandosomedamagetothefactoriesourselves,withouthavingtorelyontheRAF.’

‘Maybethat’llbesafer.’

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

thatwhentheGestapocomeformeIhavetimetotakeit.’

AfterManfredhadclearedthedinnerplateshereturnedtothesmallroomandcheckedthecurtainsonceagain.

‘Areyoureadyforsomeentertainment?’

Henrynodded,

uncertainwhatManfredhadinmind.

Manfredwasbythebookcase,ontopofwhichwasaBakelitecabinet.

‘ThisisaVolksempfange:atriumphofGermanengineering.WhentheNaziscametopowertheyweresoproudoftheirability

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

buttheysoonbannedthat.ApparentlytheyfeltthatitwasallNegroesandJews.Sonowtheyexpectustolistentotheirnonsense,buttheyfailedtotakeintoaccountthis…’

Manfredwasmovingthedialtotheleft,stationsmomentarilyburstingintolife

thenfadingawayashewentthroughthem.Hesettledononestationandturnedthevolumeverylow,beckoningHenrytojoinhimcrouchedbythespeaker.

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

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

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

alongwithRoza,whoinevitablyappearedbeforehimintheveryearlyhours,herfingersholdinghiswristandslowlytighteningoverthecourseofwhatfeltlikemanyhours.Therewasastrongwindthatnightandthewindowsinthesittingroom,whereHenrywastryingto

sleeponthesofa,rattledviciously.Worsethanthatwasthefrontdoor,whichshookheavilywhencaughtbythewind:eachtimeithappenedheimaginedtheGestapohadcomeforthem.

ThenextmorningManfredwasupat6.30andtheysattogethereatingblack

breadandjam,anddrinkingersatzcoffee.

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

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

soonasyoucan.’Henrywatchedas

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

TheylefttheapartmentjustaftersevenandHenryfollowedManfredtoAltendorfstation.Theytravellednorth,allowingHenryampleopportunitytoseeyetmoreKruppsfactoriesandtheMariaandAmaliemines.AtAltenessen,theychangedtrainsandtookone

south:anyonefollowingthemwouldhavebeenimmediatelysuspiciousthattheyweretakingsuchacircuitousroutewhenamoredirectoneexisted,butitwasbusyandHenrywasconvincedno-onewaswatchingthem.EssenwaslikeStuttgart:peopleavoidedeyecontactwitheach

other.Thenextstageofthejourneyhadtheaddedadvantageofbeingpainfullyslow,asthetraincrawleddownthetrackpastyetmorefactoriestotheNorthPassengerandGoodsstation.Itwasnowaquartertoeightand,asarranged,Manfredheadedstraighttothemain

station.Henryhadmoretimeandwalkedslowly,takingaslightlylongerroutesoastotakeinthepowerstationandtheelectricitystationaroundViehoferStrasse.

Asheheadedtowardsthebahnhof,pleasedwithhismorning’sworkandrelievedtobebeginninghisjourney

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

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

andthewordsGeheimeStaatpolizeiontheother.Gestapo.

‘Papers.’Hehandedoverhis

identitycard.‘Whereareyou

heading?’‘Thestation.’Thatseemedtosatisfy

theman,whodidnotpresshim.

‘Openthesuitcase.’Herootedaroundinit

foramomentortwobutagainwassatisfied.

‘Yourwatch.’They’dbelookingfor

theoldman’swatch.Hiswasfine.

TheGestapoofficerseemedsatisfied.

‘Onelastthing:letmeseeyourwallet.’

Henryhandeditover.HeandManfredhadagreeditwouldbebesttodisposeoftheReichsmarkshehadtakenfromthetill.‘Youneverknow,’Manfredhadsaid,

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

appearasinnocuousasalltheothercontents.

ButitwasastheGestapomanhandedthewalletbacktohimandtoldhimhecouldgoonhiswaythatHenryhadthemostterriblethought.Herememberedtheslipofpaperwasnotinthewallet:hehad

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

TheywouldfindthepieceofpaperandgototheapartmentblockinEhrenzellerStrasseandstartaskingquestions.Theladywiththefilthyaproninthenext-doorapartmentwouldhappilytellthemaboutthemanwhohadknockedonGertraudTraugott’sdoorandwhohadbeentakeninby

HerrErhardatnumber19.Hislegswereshaking

ashehurriedtothestation.Thelargestationclockhadedgedpast9.10andhecouldseesteambillowingfromtheColognetrainonplatformthree.Therewasagoodchancetheywouldfindthecoatanymomentnow–

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

Therewasmovementaroundplatformthree,theguardwasabouttoclosethegate.Henryranalongandmanagedtosqueezethroughintime.Hehoppedonboardasthebrakeswerenoisilyreleasedandthetrainbegantoeasealongtheplatform.

Everytimeheclosed

hiseyesonthejourneybacktoStuttgarthesawManfred:heknewhecouldhavewarnedhimandgivenhimachancetoescape,butthatwouldhavedelayedhisowndeparturefromEssenandputhimselfatrisk.

PoorManfred,hethought:adecentenoughman

whoseremainingambitioninlifewasthathecouldtakehissuicidepillbeforetheGestapogottohim.

Ijusthopehemanagesit.

***

Chapter12:Lausanne,Bern,August1940HenrytravelledtoLausanneonMonday5thAugust,followingthelongweekendtocelebrateSwissNationalDaythepreviousFriday.He

tooktheearlymorningpaddlesteamerfromGenevaand,whentheMontreuxdockedinLausanne,agleamingblackTractionAvantwaswaitingforhim.

Onthe20-minutedrivetoLutry,theAlpsrosehightohisleft,thelakesweepingbelowhimtotheright.That

summeditup,hethought:caughtbetweentwopowerfulforces.Notunlikeservingtwomasters.

IttooktheCitroënafurthertenminutestoclimbthesteeproadoutofLutrytoanisolatedvillahighabovethetown.Henrywasledthroughtoamagnificently

appointedlounge,withlargewindowsofferingsensationalviewsofthelake.Thefurniturewasofthebestquality,alongwithmagnificentcarpetsandcabinetscontainingenoughsilvertofundawarslightlysmallerthanthecurrentone.

Aswithallhismeetings

withViktor,itbeganwithanembrace.AsHenryextricatedhimself,heturnedroundtoadmiretheroom.

‘Bitluxuriousisn’titViktor?’

‘Thelocationisverydiscreet:that’swhatmatters.’

‘Doyoulotownthis?’‘Weborrowitfroma

goodfriend,synok.Wehaveverylittletimeforquestions;weneedtogettowork.’

Henryignoredhimandwalkedaroundtheroom,genuinelyadmiringit.ApairofchairsoneithersideofthefireplaceappearedtobegenuineLouisXV:Viktortoldhimhewasn’tpermitted

tositonthem.SomeonebroughtinatrayofwhatsmelledlikepropercoffeeandhehelpedhimselftoacupbeforesinkingintoalargearmchairoppositeViktor,whohadhisbrownleathernotebookonhislapandwassharpeninghispencilwithapenknife,theshavings

scatteringonthepreciouscarpet.

‘You’venotheardfromyourMrRemington-Barberyet?’

Henryshookhishead.SodidtheRussian.

‘Strange.I’dhavethoughthe’dhavecontactedyoubynow.Asfaraswecan

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

‘I’venoidea,butmaybethey’reunhappyaboutwhathappenedinEssen.’

Viktorraisedhiseyebrowsmomentarilyand

lookedup.‘AndwhatdidhappeninEssen,Henry?’

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

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

soundofViktorsharpeninghispencil.Henryleantforwardinhisseat,hiselbowsonhisthighs,staringdown.

‘What’sthemattersynok:youlookbotheredaboutsomething?’

‘He’llbedeadnow,won’the?’

‘Who?’‘Manfred–Lido:do

youthinktheGermanswouldhavefoundhim?’

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

findthecoatandthatwouldhaveledtoManfred.’

Henryshookhishead.‘Youseemtobe

upset?’Viktorlookedconfused.

‘Well,Iamactually,yes.Hewasadecentchapanditwasmymistakethatprobablydiditforhim.’

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

‘Ofcoursenot:hewasclearlyabadsort–aNazi.Ihadnoalternative.’

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

‘YouthinkIshouldtell

himthen?’‘Ofcourse!It’salways

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

goodifyoudon’ttellhim.’Itwassixo’clocknow.

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

concisemanner.ListencarefullyHenry:

thisiswhat’sexpectedofyou.We’resatisfiedsofar

Henry,buttherearemanydifficultdaysahead.

It’stooriskyforustomeetonaregularbasis.Wecankeepaneyeonyoubutwemustkeepthesemeetings

toaminimum.Youmustlearnto

operateonyourownbuttodoexactlywhatwewantyouto.

ItwasaquartertosevenwhenViktorfinished.

‘IthinkwecanriskdrivingyoubacktoGeneva,synok.Wenowneedtowait

untilRemington-Barbercontactsyou:Iimaginethat’llbesoon.’

ViktorstoodupandembracedHenryoncemore.ThetwomenwhohadbroughtHenrytothevillahadcomebackintotheroom.Timetogo.

‘BeforeIgoViktor,

there’ssomethingIneedtogetoffmychest.’

Viktorraisedhiseyebrowsandlookedathiswatch,clearlyirritated.‘Ifyoumust:goonthen.’

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

games.IknowwhatIletmyselfinfor,Irealiseallthat.Butthereissomethingthat’smademeveryunhappyandIneedtotalkaboutit.’

Viktorshifteduncomfortablyandlookedatthetwoothermenintheroom.Henoddedatthemandtheybothleft.

‘Goon,butmakeitquickHenry.’

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

Viktornoddedinagreement,unsurewhatwasgoingtocomenext.Henry

pausedtocomposehimself.‘Iagreedtoworkfor

youbecauseIwasideologicallycommitted.’

‘Weknowthat.’‘AndIstillam.But

nowI’vestartedtolaymylifeontheline,Ican’tunderstandwhywesignedthatbloodypactwiththem

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

Viktorsankbackinto

hischairandmotionedforHenrytodothesame.Heleantforward,placedhisenormoushandsonHenry’sknees,grippingthemquitetightly.

‘Whatyoumustunderstandsynokisthatthey’renotourfriends.Thereisnoquestionofthat.’

‘Butourallies?That’sbadenough…Perhapsevenworse!’

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

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

meanttomakeusfeelcomfortable;it’smeanttoprotectus.’

‘Well,IdofeeluncomfortableViktor.’

‘Anddoyouthinkyou’retheonlyone?’HegrippedHenry’skneesohardhewincedinpain.Hisraisedvoicemeantoneofthemen

whohadbeensentoutoftheroompoppedhisheadroundthedoortocheckallwasinorder.ViktorstoodupandleantoverHenry,hishotbreathwasmoistandsmeltofalcohol.

‘Wearenotpermittedtheluxuryofpersonalfeelingsoropinions:theyare

mereindulgences.Doyouunderstandthat?’

Henryedgedbackinhischair.

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

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

***

Henry’sjourneyfromEssentoStuttgarthadbeen

uneventfulandwhenhearrivedattheHotelVictorialateontheThursdayafternoonKatharinaHochhadnotyetcomeonduty.Shecameuptohisroomlaterthatnighttocollectherbrother’sclothesandpapers.SheinsistedhewasnottotellheranydetailsoftheEssen

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

HehadremovedtheNaziPartymembershipbadge

hehadtakenfromthedeadmanintheperfumeshopfromhislapelbeforearrivingatthehotel.Youneverknow,hethought.Hehiditintheliningofhiswashbag.

Shewasright–Bernwouldwanttoknoweverything,thoughhecouldnotunderstandwhyitwas

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

HenryhadtakentheSwissairflightfromStuttgart,

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

wouldbeintouchontheMonday,ifnotbefore.

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

returnedfromhismorningwalktobetoldbyhismotherthatamessengerhadcomeroundfromCreditSuisse.Therewasaletter.

‘Whatevercanbetheproblem,Henry?’

ItwasfromMadameLadnier.Henrytriedtoreaditawayfromthepryingeyesof

hismother,whowastryingtomovebehindhim.

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

Atlast.Hefeltrelieved.Hismotherwaslookingat

himanxiously,hereyebrowsraisedhigh.

‘What’stheproblemHenry?’

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

MadameLadnierwascalm

andbusinesslike.HenryhadarrivedatthebranchinQuaidesBerguesatfivetotwoandastheclockstruckthehourabovethecashiers’countersMadameLadnieremergedfromadoorandusheredHenryintoasmallofficedownalongcorridor.

‘Howareyou,Herr

Hesse?’‘Verywell,thankyou.’

DoIaskaboutthedelay,whyI’venotbeencontacted?DoImentionanythingaboutGermany?

‘Good.Youraccountisinorder.Pleasenowtakeafewminutestocheckyourstatementsandinitialeach

pagetoindicateyou’vereadthem.’

Hescannedthroughthestatements,initiallingeachpage.Therewasnomessageforhimonanyofthepagesashethoughttheremaybe.HekeptglancingupatMadameLadnier,hopingforasmileoranodorsome

acknowledgementofthesituation,butsheremainedasimpassiveasonewouldexpectofaSwissbankofficial.

Whenhehadfinished,hereturnedthepaperstoher.Shecheckedthemandplacedthemneatlyinafoldermarkedwithhisname.

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

Shehadstoodupnow,

preparingtoleavetheroom.AsHenryrose,shecamearoundtohissideofthedeskandbenttopickupapieceofpaperfromthefloor.

‘Youappeartohavedroppedthispaper,HerrHesse.’

‘Idon’tthinkso,’Henryreplied.

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

16thAugust,1pm.’MadameLadnierhelda

longmanicuredfingeroverhermouthincaseHenrywasinclinedtospeak.

HeleftGenevaonthe9.30trainontheFridaymorningandwasinBerningoodtimeforhisappointmenton

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

Barberwasstandingbythewindow.

‘Goodtrip?’Hesoundedasthoughhewasenquiringafteraholiday.

‘Well,allthingsconsidered,yes.’

‘Allthingsconsidered?’‘Well,consideringI

wassentintoNaziGermany

thenintotheheartoftheRuhrcarryingdetonatorsconcealedinmybaggage,yesitwasfinethankyou.’

‘I’mnotterriblysurewhatyouwereexpectingoldchap.’

‘Iwasexpectingthatit’dbeabitmoreofatestingthewatermission:youknow,

seehowIgoton…’‘…Whichinasenseit

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

trainingexerciseforyou,arewe,eh?’

‘Andthedetonators?’‘Oneofthepurposesof

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

Ruhr,whichiswhereyoucamein.EvidentlyLidodidmanagetopassonthedetonatorstoanothermemberofthecellthemorningyouleft,sothatisrathergoodnews:withabitofluckwemaybeabletodosomedamagethere.Aerialbombingtendstobeabithit

andmiss,butifwecanactuallyplantsomethinginsideafactoryoracoalmine–well,whoknows?’

‘IthinkIoughttohavebeentoldabitmoreaboutmymissionbeforeIwassentonit.’

‘Notsureitworkslikethatoldchap.Nottoputtoo

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

‘Yes,butwhatworriesmeiswhathesaidinthenextline:Theirsbuttodoanddie.’

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

‘Aboutwhat?’BasilRemington-

BarberstaredatHenryforquitealongtime,notinanaltogetherunfriendlymanner,hiseyebrowsraised

quizzically.‘AboutwhatledtoLido

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

thatshopkeeperchap–butnotallofit.’

Henryhadalreadydecidedtoexplainwhathadhappened,butconfirmationthatManfredwasdeadcausedHenrytoswallowhard.Whenheregainedhiscomposurehebegantorecountthestoryinmuchthe

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

‘YouleftEssenonthe

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

takentothepoliceheadquartersinVirchowStrasse.’

‘Howdoyouknowthis?’

‘Oneofhisneighbours:mostlikelytheoneyoumet.Halftheneighbourhoodheardwhathappenedfromherandoneofourchapsthere

overheardit.Asfarasthepoliceareconcerned,they’vepulledinanumberofretireddetectiveswhiletheyoungeronesareinthearmyandanotherofourcontactsheardallthisatthebarthattheyfrequent.ManfredwasatVirchowStrasserightthroughtheweekend:theGestapo

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

night.Apparentlytheywereduetogivehimanotherworkingoverthenextday.Isupposeinonesensetheydidn’tkillhimassuch,butofcourse…’

‘Ofcourse.’Henryfeltbereft.‘DoyouthinkIshouldhavewarnedhim?’

‘Wellfromwhatyou

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

‘GoodLord…Idon’tknowwhattosay.’

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

tobefrank,eventhat’spushingitwiththoseanimals.Butheheldoutforfarlongerthanthat:remarkablehowresilientpeoplecanbe.’

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

outtoberather…messy.’BasilRemington-

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

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

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

‘I’dhavebeenangry

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

Remington-Barber

clappedhishandsandusheredHenryovertoatablebythewindow,onwhichalargemapofEssenwasspreadout.

‘You’vebroughtyournoteswithyou?’

Henryhad.‘Good.Whatweneed

todonowisfillinallthe

informationyoupickeduponthegroundagainstthismap.It’llbelikedoingajigsaw:shouldberatherfun.’

Henrywouldnothavedescribeditasfun.Theyspentanhourgoingoverthemap,Henrydoinghisbesttopointoutthelocationoffactoriesandotherkey

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

‘RAFoughttobechuffedwiththis,’heannounced,carefullyrolling

itupandslippingitintoametaltube.Hethenstoodupandrubbedhishands,asifinexcitement.

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

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

‘Andwhathappensnow?’

‘Gohomeandwaitfor

ustocontactyou,whichwe’lldothroughMadameLadnier.’

‘Andwhenmightthatbe?’

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

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

Henrywasalarmed.‘London!YouwantmetogotoLondon?’

Remington-Barberfrowned.‘Goodheavensno!

Londonwillcometoyou.’

***

Chapter13:Berlin,August1940Berlininthefirstfullsummerofthewarwasacityofsecretsandhushedconversations;acityatthecentreoftheconflictbuta

longwayfromthesoundsormoreobviouseffectsofit.Theclosertothecentreofpower,themoresecretstherewereandthemorehushedconversationsbecame.Unlessyouknewsomeonewellandwereabsolutelysureyoucouldtrustthem,evenaroutineconversationwas

guardedandrequiredacircuitousroutetoreachitspoint.

ForFranzHermann,suchacautiousapproachwasbynomeansanalienone.Asalawyerhewasusedtobeingcarefulandnon-committal;discretioncameassecondnaturetohim.Butlateinthe

afternoonofanextremelypleasantTuesdayinthemiddleofAugusthewasmindfuloftheneedtobeevenmorecarefulthanusual.Hermannwasonhiswaytomeetaveryimportantclient,aGeneralintheArmyHighCommand.

Thelawyerhadlefthis

officeinFriedrichstrassetovisitthisclientathishomeinMoabit.HermannheadedwestalongthenorthbankoftheRiverSpreeandatLehrterStationturnedintoAltMoabit,pastthePostStadion.FouryearsearlierhehadbeentherewatchingNorwayunexpectedlybeatGermany

2-0toknockthehostsoutoftheOlympicsfootballtournament.HisinitialdisappointmentatthedefeathadbeenmorethancompensatedforbythefactHitlerwasatthegameandwasreportedasbeingfurious.HedecidedifHitlerwassoupsetbytheresultthen

maybedefeatwasn’tsobadafterall.Yourenemy’senemy…

HalfwayalongStromStrassehereachedhisdestination:ahandsomeapartmentblock,overlookingtheKleinerTiergarten.Amaid,wholookedasthoughshewasstillinherteens,let

himintotheapartmentonthetopfloorofthebuilding.

GeneralmajorWernerErnstwasinhisstudy,stillwearinghisuniform.Hemovedhislargeheadslowly,asifhehadabadneck.Hiseyeswerenoticeablelysmallincomparisontotherestofhisface.Hesmiledpolitely

andpointedtooneoftwoarmchairsangledtowardsthewindow,asmallcoffeetablebetweenthem.Behindhimwereenormouspicturewindowsoverthepark.Abreezethathadnotbeenapparentonthestreetwascausingthetopsofthetreestoswaygentlyfromsideto

side.‘Pleasedositdown

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

Theypausedwhiletheyoungmaidcamebackintotheroom,carryingatraythatsheplacedonthecoffee

table.Hermanncouldsmellrealcoffee,anincreasinglyraresensationinBerlin.

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

TheGeneralmajor

busiedhimselfpouringthecoffeeandofferingfreshlybakedbiscuitstohisguest.Hewaiteduntilheheardthefrontdooroftheapartmentclosebeforesignallingtohislawyerhecouldproceed.

ForthenexthalfhourFranzHermannwentthroughvariousdocumentswithhis

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

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

‘ThankyouHerrHermann.You’vedealwiththismattermostefficiently.I

realiseit’stakensomeefforttosorteverythingout.I’mmostgratefultoyou.’

‘Apleasuresir.’Hermannbeganto

gatherthepapersandplacetheminhisbriefcase.

‘Willyoujoinmeforadrink,HerrHermann?Mywifehasgonetostaywithher

sisterinPotsdamandit’sapleasureformenottoberuledbythestopwatchathomeforonce.’

Withoutwaitingforananswer,theGeneralmajorproducedabottleofArmagnacandpouredalargemeasureforhimselfandhisguest.Therewasalong

silencewhilehesurveyedthedrinkbeforeputtingtheglasstohislipsandleaningbackinhisarmchair,histinyeyesfirststudyingFranzHermanncarefullyandthenclosing.Itwasawhilebeforeheopenedthem.

‘Doyouhavechildren,Hermann?’

‘No,sir.’‘Ihopeyoudon’tthink

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

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

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

profoundeffectonmethanI’dimagined.I’dhopedmysonwouldbecomeanarchitect…’

TheGeneralmajor’svoicetailedoff;heseemedtobepreoccupiedwithhisownthoughts.

‘Hopefullyhewon’tneedtoremaininthearmy

fortoolongsir:victorywillbeourssoon!’

TheGeneralmajorlookedlongandhardatthelawyer.

‘Youthinkso,HerrHerrmann?Whatmakesyousosureofthat?’

Thelawyershifteduncomfortablyinhisseat.

‘Onereadsinthepapershowwellthewarisgoing,thatit’sjustamatteroftimebeforeBritainsurrendersand…’

‘Andyoubelieveeverythingyoureadinthepapers,doyouHerrHermann?I’dthoughtlawyersweretrainedtoquestionthings,nottoaccept

mattersatfacevalue.’Hermannshrugged,

unsureofwhattosayandwonderinghowhe’dallowedhimselftobecomedrawnintoaconversationlikethis.

‘Tellme,HerrHermann:areyouamemberoftheNaziParty?’

‘I’malawyersir.I’m

notinvolvedinpolitics.’‘Manylawyersare

membersoftheNaziParty.’‘I’mnotoneofthem

sir.’GeneralmajorErnst

stoodupandunbuttonedhisjacketthenwalkedovertothewindow.ThetreesintheKleinerTiergartenhad

stoppedswaying.TheGeneralmajorshutthewindowandturnedaround.

‘Wellifitmakesyoufeelanybetter,HerrHermann,noramI.’

Hermannstartedtogetup,relievedattheopportunitytofinishtheconversationatthatjuncture.The

Generalmajorgesturedforhimtoremainseatedandsatdownnexttohim,pullinguphischairalongsidethelawyer’s.

‘You’reacleverchap,HerrHermann.’

‘Thankyousir.’‘You’renotjustavery

competentlawyer,butyou’re

goodatmanagingtoappeartobewhatyouarenot.’

‘I’msorry,I’mnotsure…’

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

yourself.ButIalsoknowthatyouhave–now,howcanIputthis–thatyouhavecontacts.’

Hermanncouldfeelhisbreathingtightenandtheroombecomehotter.Hedidhisbesttosoundrelaxed.

‘Isuspect,sir,theremustbeamisunderstanding

here.Iamasyouoriginallydescribeme:alawyerwithnointerestinpolitics.ButpleasebeassuredIamaloyal…’

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

IknowyouhavecertaincontactsandIwishtoavailmyselfofthem.’

FranzHermannsaidnothing.TheGeneralmajorleanedtowardshim,sotheirfaceswerejustinchesapart.HecouldsmellthebrandyonErnst’sbreathandseethetinyredlinesinhiseyes.

‘Threeweeksago,onthe29thofJulytobeprecise,IwasinBadReichenhall.Haveyouheardofit?’

‘Ofcourse,averypleasantspatowninBavaria,nottoofarfromSalzburg.Myparentsspenttheirhoneymoonthere.’

‘Indeed.ButIwasn’t

theretousethespa,Icanassureyou.Doyouhaveagoodmemory,Franz?’

‘Yessir.’‘Werner.Pleasecallme

Werner.You’llmakesuretomemorisewhatIsaynow.Writenothingdown.’

Hermannnodded.‘Myareaofexpertisein

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

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

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

Hepouredtwomorelargemeasures.

‘Jodlisabusyman,hedoesnotgatherseniorofficersaroundhiminpleasantBavarianspatownswithoutverygoodreason.Andthereasonhegathereduslastmonthwasthat,nowthatFrancehasfallen,theFuhrer

hasturnedhisattentiontowhoweattacknext.ThecommonbeliefisthatOperationSeaLionisourpriorityandwe’llsoonlaunchaninvasionofGreatBritain.Asyouknow,westartedouraerialassaultagainstthemoveramonthago.ButtheKriegsmarinehasserious

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

showsnoinclinationwhatsoevertosurrender.’

Withthewindowclosed,theroomhadnowbecomequitestuffy.TheGeneralmajorstooduptoremovehisjacketandloosenhiscollar.

‘TheFuhrerhasinstructedColonelGeneral

Jodltoexploreotheroptions,intheeventualitywedonotinvadeBritain.TheoptionwediscussedinBadReichenhallwasthatofinvadingtheSovietUnion.’

Duringtheshockedsilencethatfollowed,Hermannheardtheloudtickingofaclockfromthe

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

‘InvadetheSoviet

Union?Butsurelythatwouldbemadness!Wehaveapactwiththem?’

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

manyofusFranz–thoseofuswhoapproachmattersfromaprofessionalmilitarypointofviewasopposedtoanideologicalone–theprospectofinvadingtheSovietUnionisanightmare.Toattempttogointherewouldbetoignorethelessonsofhistory.Bismarck

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

wellknownforneverdisagreeingwiththeFuhrer.’

‘Whenwillthisinvasiontakeplace?’

‘Tooearlytosay,Franz.Itmayneverhappen.ThepurposeofJodlgatheringusinBadReichenhallwastogetusthinkingintheoreticaltermsabouthowwemight

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

cautious,tooconservative.’TheGeneralmajorwas

nowwreathedincigarsmoke,thecolourofgun-metal.Heleantbackinhischair,staringupattheceiling.

‘However,Franz,evenHitlerknowsthetimingofaninvasionwouldneedtobeverypreciseifwearen’ttobe

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

‘Whyonearthareyou

tellingmethis?’‘Manyofusbelieve

thattoinvadetheSovietUnionwouldbesuicideforGermany.TherearegroupsofusintheBendlerblockwhoareofalikemind.Webelievewe’reactinginthebestinterestsofGermany.Asyoumightbeaware,theAbwehr

hasitsheadquartersintheBendlerblock.AfewdaysagoIwastalkingwithanoldfriendwho’saveryseniorofficerintheAbwehr.HismotherdiedamonthagoandheaskedifIcouldrecommendagoodlawyertotakecareofeverything.Itoldhimaboutyouandthatwas

that.ThenextdayheaskedmetogoforawalkwithhimalongthebanksoftheLandwehrCanal.HeconfidedinmethatyouhavecometotheattentionoftheAbwehr.’

‘Thisispreposteroussir.Itissimplyuntrue.Imustinsistthat…’

‘Franz,youmustnot

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

theybelievedtheremaycomeatimewhentheywishedtousethischannel.Thattimehasnowcome.’

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

beademocraticcountryandthatthiswarcouldruinus.’

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

theSovietUnion?’‘Ofcourse.’Whenheleftthe

apartmenttherewasacooleveningbreeze,whichwasawelcomerelieffromthestuffinessoftheapartment,butthishadnocalmingeffectonHermann.Hefeltthehugetreesclosinginonhimand

imaginedthepeoplearoundhimonthepavementwerealllookingathim.Hewouldhavetomovefast,hecouldnotaffordtothinkaboutthings.

***

WhenFranzHermannwas16

or17,ithadbeenbrieflyfashionableamonghisgroupatschooltorootoutancientChineseproverbs,whichtheywouldthenquotetoeachotherasiftheyhadstumbleduponwordsofwisdomthatunlockedthesecretsoftheuniverse.Itwasallratherpretentiousanddidnotlast

long.AcoupleoftheirgrouphadcontinuedtograspatvariousancientbeliefslongaftertheyhadleftschoolandtheyweretheoneswhohadbecomeearlymembersoftheNaziParty.

OneofthesayingstheyhadpassedaroundsoundedatfirstlikeaChinesegood-luck

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

militaryservice;achildlessmarriageandaworthybutdullcareer.

Nowhewastrappedbetweenthegatesofheavenandthebanksofhell.Achanceremarkduringanunguardedconversationatadinnerpartyamonthafterthestartofthewarwasfollowed

upbyaclandestinemeetingatthezooaweeklater.HeandtheelegantwomanwithaVienneseaccentwhohadhadslippedhimanoteasheleftthedinnerpartystoodalongsidetheelephantenclosurewatchingtheanimalssprayeachotherwithwater.Inoticedyoumade

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

abouttensionsintheNaziPartyleadershipinBerlin?Wheredidyougetthatfrom?

Hehadwaitedfortwooftheelephantstofinishcallingtoeachother.Fromoneofmycolleagues,hetoldher.

Andwhatishisname?Hehadhesitatedbefore

replying.TheVienneseladywasevidentlynotquitewhatsheseemed.FranzHermanncouldhavewalkedawayatthatpoint.Hecouldhavesaidhewantedtotakemattersnofurtherandwouldappreciateitiftheycouldbothforgettheyhadevermet.Shewashardlylikelytoreporthimto

theGestapo.Buttherewassomethingalmostseductiveabouthermanner.Hefounditimpossiblenottoreplytoher.

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

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

NazisinBerlinthatGoebbelscan’tbeaneffectiveGauleiterofthecityandMinisterforPropaganda.Theythinkheshouldconcentrateononeortheother.

Thisisveryinteresting,she’dreplied.You’reclearlyinapositiontopickupsuch

information.I’dliketotellyouhowyoucanpassitontopeoplewhoneedtoknowthiskindofthing.Areyouwillingtodoso?

Hermannsaidhewas.Theywalkedroundtothetigerenclosurethenovertotheaquarium.Theladyhadslippedherglovedarm

throughhisassheexplainedindetailhowhecouldmakecontactwiththerightpeople.

AndthenhispositionbecameevenmoreprecariousinDecemberwhenRosahadturneduponhisdoorstep.Whatcouldhedo:turnheraway?Itmadesensetolodgeherandthechildrenwithhis

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

***

FranzHermannwouldhavepreferredtowalkandgivehimselfsomeopportunitytocomposehimself,buttimewasagainsthimsohetookatramfromAltMoabitintotheUnterdenLinden,gettingoffastopearlierthanheneeded

toatthejunctionwithFriedrichstrasse.

Despitebeingsonear,hedecidedagainstpoppingbackintohisoffice:hadanyonebeenfollowinghimorspottedhiminthestreetitwouldhavelookednormalforhimtoreturntowork,buthewasinahurry.Hewalked

alongtheUnterdenLindenforanothertwoblocksbeforeturningleftintotheOpernplatz.

Althoughhecametotheprettysquareatleasttwiceaweekandhaddonesoforyears,itnonethelesslefthimwithanuneasyfeeling.Hecouldneverforgetwhat

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

acrossscrapsofpaperthathadsomehowescapedtheflames,floatingaroundthecityinadefiantmanner,daringpassers-bytostealalookatawordortwothatmaycorruptthem.

HissenseofapprehensionincreasedasheenteredStHedwig’s,the

cathedralhe’dworshippedatsincehewasaboy.AlthoughtheylivedinDahlemandtherewereplentyofCatholicchurchesneartowheretheylived,hismotherwasoftheopiniontheirpietywasincreasedbyprayingattheseatoftheArchbishop.

Now,thecathedral

servedaverydifferentpurposeforhim.

Themasswasjustcomingtoanendandmostofthecongregationwereleavingthechurch.Intheolddays,peoplewouldgatherinsmallgroupsandchat,butthatwasnotthedonethingnow.Youneverknewwhomaybe

watching,orlistening.Hermannsatonhis

owntowardsthebackofthecathedral,watchingthesmallgroupofpriestsatthehighaltarastheybegantodisperse.Sureenough,thetallandslightlystoopedfigureoftheyoungpriesthewaslookingforemergedfromthe

littlegroupandwalkedinlongstridestowardstheconfessionboxthatsatonitsowntotheside.

IalwaystakeconfessionaftermassonTuesdayandThursdayafternoons.OnthosedaysIusetheconfessionboxthat’sonitsown,theonenearthe

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

FranzHermannlefthisseatandwalkedtowardsthealtar,wherehekneltandcrossedhimselfbeforeapproachingtheconfessionboxtheyoungpriesthasgone

into.Anoldmanwithscruffytrousershadjustentered,mutteringsilentlytohimselfashedidso.Thelawyersatdownnexttoanelegantlydressedladywithabluesilkscarfwrappedaroundherneck.ShewasclutchingaphotographofwhatlookedlikeaboyinLuftwaffe

uniformanddabbinghereyeswithacrisp,whitehandkerchief.

Theoldmanshuffledout,stillmutteringtohimselfandtheelegantlydressedladyreplacedhim,herhighheelsechoingsharplyonthetiledfloor.Theconfessionboxwasinaperfectposition:unlike

theonesgroupedtogetherontheothersideofthecathedral,thisonewasisolatedinaquietcloisterandthechairsweresomewayfromthebox:itwasimpossibletooverhearanything,noteventhesoundofvoices,letalonethewords.

Afewminuteslaterthe

ladyemerged,stilldabbinghereyes.Hermannwalkedovertothebox,crossedhimself,closedtheheavyvelvetcurtainandkneltdown.

‘BlessmeFatherforIhavesinned.Ithasbeentwoweekssincemylastconfession.’

HehadnotbeensureifFatherJosefwasawarehewasthere,buthelookedtowardsthegrilleandatthesoundofhisvoicehesawtheyoungpriestsitupsharply.AsFatherJosefglancedtowardshimhecaughtsightofthepriest’srednose,whichalwaysmadehimlookas

thoughhehadjustcomeinfromthecold.

‘Goon,myson.’‘IhavesinnedFather.I

fearI’vebeentreatingourmaidtooharshlybecauseIsuspectedshewasstealingsomesmallchangeleftaroundthehouse,thoughInowthinkitwasnother.And

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

‘Andanyothersins,my

son?’‘I’mafraidItookthe

Lord’snameinvain:Iuseditinadisrespectfulmanner.Iamsorryfortheseandallthesinsofmypastlife.’

‘Andthat’sit?’‘That’sit,Father.’The

lawyerthoughthehaddonequitewelltomusterthree

thingshecouldpassoffassins.

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

Lord’snameinvainmeantitwasurgent.

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

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

‘YesFather.’‘Ifshecannotmanage

thatordoesnotturnup,returnhereonTuesday.You

hadbettersayanActofContrition,myson.’

‘IamheartilysorryforhavingoffendedyoumyLordandIdetestallmysins,becauseIdreadthelossofheavenandthepainsofhell.Ifirmlyresolvewiththehelpofyourgrace,toconfessmysins,todopenanceandto

amendmylife.Amen.’Thepriestrepliedwith

aprayerofforgiveness.’GivethankstotheLordforHeisgood.’

Hermanncrossedhimselfandreplied,‘ForHismercyenduresforever.’

HelefttheConfessionBox:thewaitingchairshad

nowfilled.HepausedinthemainbodyofthecathedralandsaidhisHailMarysandafewotherprayersthenhurriedoutandheadedhometoDahlem,hisreplytotheabsolutionrepeatinginhismindthroughoutthejourney.

‘ForHismercyenduresforever.’

Hecertainlyhopedso.

***

TheMilitaryAttachéatthePortugueseLegationinBerlinwaswellawarehissecretaryattendedMasswhenevershecould.Althoughnotasdevoutashewouldliketobe,the

Colonelwasratherimpressedashefoundreligiousobservanceinotherssomehowreassuring.AtleastitwasasignthathisDonaMariadoRosario,areservedwomanwhosharedlittleofherself,mustbetrustworthy.Hesometimeslikedtoimaginewhatsinshis

secretaryhadtoconfessto.Sheledapiouslife:shedidnotdrinkorspeakoutofturn;shewasahardworkerandaloyalservantofthePortugueseGovernment,withaframedphotographofSalazaronherdesk.

Berlinwas,theColonelwasfondofreminding

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

thatofhisstaff.SoitwasneitherunusualnorevenunexpectedwhenDonaMariadoRosarioenteredtheColonel’sofficewithaneatpileofdocumentsjustafterfiveo’clockontheafternoonofThursday15thAugust.

‘Theselettersneedtobesignedsir;eachoneis

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

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

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

accesstosecretdocuments,butitmadelifesomucheasierand,ofcourse,howcouldsuchadevoutCatholicnotbetrustworthy?

DonaMariadoRosariohurriedoutoftheLegationataquarterpastfiveandarrivedatStHedwig’sCathedralintimefortheearlyevening

Mass.Itwasclosetosixo’clockwhenshefinallyenteredtheConfessionBox,aslightearlyeveningchillnowaroundinthecloisters,causinghertopullherlightjackettightaroundhershoulders.

‘InthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandof

theHolySpirit.Mylastconfessionwasoneweekago.’

FatherJoseflookedather,hisfacepressedtightagainstthegrilletocheckitreallywasher.

‘Whatareyoursins?’Shegavethecode:asin

ofgluttonytoindicateallwas

wellandasinofspeakingillofsomeonebehindtheirbacktoensureshehadnothingtoreport.Thepriestspokeurgently.

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

time.Ihopeyoucanmakeit?’

DonaMariaassuredthepriestshecould.Howarethings,thepriestaskedher?

Verybusy,shetoldhim.‘SomuchmaterialcomesthroughtheColonel’sofficethatIworklatemostnightsandI’mstartingearlier

everymorningjusttofindthemostimportantpapers.It’sgettingmoreandmoreriskythough.Ifearthatsoonerorlatersomeonewillsuspectme.’

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

toomuch.Don’tforget,youneedtomeetHugotomorrowandreportbackonwhathetellsyou.’

‘Iknow.’‘Doyouwanttopray?

ShallIgrantyouabsolution?’DonaMariadoRosario

wasalreadyupandpreparingtoleavetheconfessionbox.

‘NothankyouFather.’Asshehurriedoutof

thechurchsheonlyjustrememberedtocrossherselfandpauseforaverybriefprayer.

***

Thefollowingday,the

Friday,anunusualwindwhippedaroundthecentreofBerlin.Itappearedtolingeraboutfourfeetofftheground,creatingthestrangeeffectofleavesandsmallbitsoflitterflutteringaroundinmid-air.ThewindwasstillatplaywhenFranzHermannhurriedoutofhisofficeat

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

morethanablock,whereofficeworkersandcivilservants–butnottoomanyofthem–likedtotaketheirlunch.

Heenteredandwalkedtowardsthenorth-westcornerwhereaseriesofoldbenchessurroundedanenormoustree.Perhapsbecausethebenches

appearedsouncomfortableorthesizeofthetreeensuredthatthespotwaspermanentlyintheshade,thisareawasdeserted,apartfromanolive-skinnedwomaninherlatethirtiespoiseddemurelyontheedgeofoneofthebenches.Herjet-blackhairwaspulledbackfromaface

thatwouldhavebeenprettier,butfortheabsenceofmake-upandthepresenceofaslightlydisapprovinglook.Shewaseatinganappleandanopenbookwasrestingonherlap.Hesatonthenextbenchandremovedhisjacket,takingoutapacketofcigarettesfromthejacketas

hedidso.Heofferedonetothelady.

‘Nothankyousir.Idon’tsmoke,’sherepliedinaforeignaccent.

‘Verysensible:mywifedoesn’tapprove.’

‘Icanofferyouanappleinreturn.’

Andsotheexchange

continued.Intheunlikelyeventofanyoneoverhearingtheconversationitwouldhavesoundedliketwostrangerspassingthetimeofday.Butsoontheyhadestablishedeachotherwassafe;theyhadnotbeenfollowedandhehadinformationtopasson.

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

wasfacingtheground,occasionallylookinguptobesureno-oneelsewasaround.Hespokeveryquietly,butatavolumethatensuredDonaMariacouldheareverything.

‘HowquicklycanyougetamessagetoLisbon?’

Withoutlookingupfromthebook,shereplied.‘It

dependshowlongitis,butthere’sabaggoingthisevening.IfIcantypeitupintimeIcouldgetitin.’

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

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

seniorofficerstostartthinkingaboutplansfortheinvasionoftheSovietUnion.’

HelookedupatDonaMaria.Hereyebrowshadrisenveryslightlyandmomentarily,asthoughshe’dreadsomethinginterestinginherbook.Shetookadaintybitefromherapple.

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

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

nowtotheLegationandtypeitupincodeintimeforthatevening’sDiplomaticBag.Wasthereanythingelse?

‘Ithinkthat’senough!’

***

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

Thesedays,FranzHermann’ssecretaryalwaysseemedtohave‘oneother

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

seniorlawyershadretiredandnotbeenreplacedandtwoothershadjoinedthearmedforces,alongwithhalfofthejuniorlawyers.Asifthatwasnotbadenough,AloisJägernowseemedtospendmorethanhalfofthetimehewasmeanttobeatworkonNaziPartybusiness,whichmeant

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

‘DoyourememberGeneralmajorWernerErnst,HerrHermann?’

HehadheardnothingfromtheGeneralsincetheirmeetinginAugust.Hehadhopednevertohearfromhimagain.Hedidhisbesttolookasifhewashavingalotoftroublerememberingwhothe

Generalwas.‘You’llhavetoremind

me,Ilse.Wasitsomethingtodowithadisputewithhisbank?’

‘Nosir.Thatwasanotherarmyofficer.YouweresortingouttheaffairsofGeneralmajorErnst’slatemother.Itwasalltiedupin

August.’‘Yes,ofcourse.I

remembernow.Doesn’theliveneartheKleinerTiergarten?’

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

liketoseeyouabout.‘‘Youhavemydiary

Ilse,pleasearrangethemeeting.’

‘HesaiditwasurgentHerrHermann.’

HeknewIlsewouldexpecthimtoprotest:mattersarisingfromtheestateoftheGeneral’smotherallthese

monthsoncouldhardlybeconstruedasurgent.ButhealsoknewthatiftheGeneralsaidheneededtoseehimurgentlythenitwasurgent.Hecouldfeelhimselfgettinghotagainandbecameawarehewasdrumminghisfingersloudlyonthedesk.

‘VerywellthenIlse.He

caneithercomeinhereduringthedaytomorroworIcangotohisapartmentafterwork.’

‘Hesaidyou’retogotohisapartmenttonightsir.’

***

FranzHermannwaited

impatientlyforIlsetoleavework,spendingthehalfhourbeforeshedidsooptimisticallytryingtothinkofapossiblegenuineproblemwiththeGeneralmajor’smother’sestate,whichheknewwashighlyunlikely.Hadtherereallybeenaproblemitwouldhave

emergedsometimeago.HefearedthattheGeneralmajorwasabouttoentrusthimwithanothersecret.

HeallowedfiveminutestopassafterIlse’sdeparturethenleft,managingtofindararetaxiontheUnterdenLindentotakehimasfarasStormStrasse,from

wherehewalkedtheshortdistancetoGeneralmajorErnst’sapartmentblock.Thesameteenagemaidlethimintotheapartment,whichwasnowinastateofchaos.

Therewerepackingcasespiledupinthehall,suitcasesassembledbythedoorandfurnitureand

paintingscoveredindustsheets.AlargeladywhohetooktobeFrauErnstbrieflycameouttocheckwhothevisitorwasbutwentstraightbackintothekitchen,whereHermanncouldseeatleastoneothermaidbusyscrubbingthesides.GeneralmajorWernerErnst

cametomeethiminthehall.‘Hermann:thankyou

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

Thestudywasina

similarstateofupheavaltotherestoftheapartment,butthereweretwouncoveredarmchairstowardsthewindow,whichErnstledhislawyeroverto.

‘I’msorrytohearthereareproblemswiththeestatesir.I’dassumedeverythingwasconcludedina

satisfactorymannerbackinAugust.’

TheGeneralmajorhadbeenrootingaroundinanearbypackingcase,fromwhichheproducedabottleofArmagnacandtwoglasses.HepouredalargemeasureforHermannandaconsiderablylargeronefor

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

‘OfcourseeverythingwassatisfactoryHermann.Youdidanexcellentjob.However,I’mafraidforthe

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

TheGeneralmajor

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

finishedcigaretteintoanashtrayandtookacigarfromaboxontopofapackingcase;hedidn’tbothertoofferonetothelawyer.

‘Thingsaren’tgoodHermann.TheatmosphereintheBendlerblockisterrible.TheatmosphereinthewholeofBerlinisterrible.Everyone

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

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

thinkHitler,Himmlerandtherestofthemwanttodiluteanypossiblesourcesofoppositiontothem.Maybeoppositionistoostrongaword;perhapswhatImeanisdisagreement.’

‘Doyouthinktheysuspectyouofhavingpassedoninformation?’

TheGeneralmajorshookhisheadslowly,atthesametimeaslightinghiscigar.Hepausedawhileasheinhaleddeeply.

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

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

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

producedetailedpapersaboutthedifficultiesinkeepingourforcesproperlysupplied.TellmeHermann:doyouknowhowfaritisfromourborderinPolandtoMoscow?’

Thelawyershookhishead.Noidea.

‘Over1,000kilometres.Toputthatinperspective,

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

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

mymovetoWarsaw.’‘Sowhyareyou

packinguptheapartment?’‘Mywifedoesn’twant

toremainhereonherown.SheandhersisterinPotsdamaretalkingaboutmovingtotheirfamily’soldhuntinglodgenearMagdeburg.Shesaysshe’llfeelsaferthere.

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

ThelawyernoddedandleanedclosertowardsErnst.

‘IhappentoknowthataweekbeforeChristmasHitlerissuedadetaileddirectiveabouttheinvasionoftheSovietUnion.TheFuhrerisverysparinginthenumberofdirectivesheissues,nomorethanoneor

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

knowittalksabouttheinvasiontakingplaceinthemiddleofMay.Youmustpassthison:willyoudothat?’

‘Yes,butthey’llwanttoknowmoredetail,surely?’

‘I’msuretheywill,theymayevenwanttoseeacopyofthedirectivenodoubt,but

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

estate!’Astheyleftthestudy

heplacedhishandonthelawyer’sshoulder.

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

AsFranzHermann

headedhomethateveninghecouldnotrecalleverhavingfeltmoremiserable,orsoafraid.

***

‘Andthat’sthemessage?Nomore?’

DonaMariadoRosario

andFranzHermannwerewalkingaroundtheenormoustreeintheparkbetweenWilhemstrasseandHermannGoringStrasse,awarethiswasmoreexposedthansittingonthebenchesaroundthetree,butithadbeenrainingandthebenchesweresodden:sittingonthem

wouldhavelookedsuspicious.

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

That’sfourmonthsaway.’‘Yes,I’dhavehoped

eventheBritishwouldbeabletoworkthatoneout,thankyou.’

***

FranzHermannhadmetDonaMariadoRosarioon

Friday17thofJanuary.ThefollowingTuesday,Ilsecameintohisofficejustbeforelunch.Therehadbeenaphonecall.

‘Themansaidheunderstoodyouspecialisedinsortingoutestates,especiallycomplicatedones.HisunclerecentlydiedinBremenand

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

‘Bremenyousay?’‘YesHerrHermann.

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

ThiswasonlythesecondtimethatFatherJosefhadcalledhimlikethis.Telephoninghimattheofficemeantsomethingwasup.TheBremenreferencemeantitwasextremelyurgent.Hewastoattendconfessionthatnight.

***

‘InthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit.Mylastconfessionwasoneweekago.’

FatherJosefpressedhisfaceagainstthegrilleseparatingthetwomen.‘We

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

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

‘I’monlypassingonthemessage.Shesaidyouneededtoknowbeforeyoucouldmeetattheusual

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

Hermannshookhishead.

‘NothankyouFather:Iwouldn’tknowwheretobegin.’

***

Inthe12monthssincehehadbeenreunitedwithhisfirstwifeandson,GunterReinharthaddonehisbesttovisitthematleastonceaweekatthehouseinDahlem.Inonerespectthearrangementhad

heldupverywell.FranzHermann’smothercouldnothavebeenbetterlookedafterandthetalkofherhavingtomoveintoanursinghomeorevenahospitalwaslongforgotten.FrauHermannhadnoideaherexcellentnursewasactuallyadoctorandcertainlyhadnoideashewas

Jewishandhadtwochildrenwithher.Herhearingwassopoorsheneverheardthefootstepsontheflooraboveherorthesubduedsoundofthechildren’svoices.

Butineveryotherrespect,theirpredicamentwasanincreasinglyhopelessone.ThesituationforJewsin

Berlinworsenedbytheday:althoughitwasstillpossibleforsometoemigrate,thatwasforthosewhohadalltherightpaperworkandcouldaffordthepunitivetaxesbeingcharged.Eventhen,theyneededtofindsomewherethatwouldtakethem.MostofEuropewas

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

Gunter,RosaandFranzhadcomeupwithcountlessschemestogetthethreeof

themoutofthecountry,butallhadtoomanyrisksandtoomanyflaws.GunterusuallyvisitedafterworkonaWednesday.ThatwasthedayhiswifetooktheirchildrentotheirpianolessonsinReinickendorfandafterwardstheystoppedforteaatafavouritecafeonHoltzdamm.

Theyrarelyarrivedhomebefore7.30,soGunterfoundifheleftworkatfivehecouldgodowntoDahlem,spendanhourandahalfthereandbehomeinplentyoftime.

Hedidhisbesttotakesomefoodandmoneywithhim,andFranz’swifeSilke

alwaystriedtobethereatthesametimesoshecouldsitwithFrauHermannwhileRosawentupstairstobewithGunterandthechildren.OnthelastWednesdayofJanuaryGunterarrivedatthehousetofindFranzHermannsittingintheroomupstairsthatRosausedasalounge.

Rosafollowedhimintotheroom.

‘Wherearethechildren?IsAlfredalright?’askedGunter.

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

oppositeGunterandRosa.Hisheadwasbowedlow.Ashetalked,hecontinuedtolookdownatthepatternedcarpet.

‘I’mafraidIhavesomebadnewsRosa.’

TherewasanaudibleintakeofbreathfromherandshegrippedGunter’sknee.

‘Harald?’‘I’mafraidso.’RosaSternliftedher

headhighandturnedtothewindow,herheadrestingforawhileagainstthethickcurtains.Whensheturnedroundagainhereyeshadfilledwithtears.Gunterputhisarmroundherandpulled

herclose.Sheletherheadfallonhisshoulder.

‘Tellmeeverything,Franz.’

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

hadbeguntohearthatwhenpeoplediedatSachsenhausenoranyoftheothercampsthey’vetakenBerlinersto,thepoliceturnupatthehomeofthenextofkin.Theybringtheirasheswiththem–alongwithabillforthecostoftheurn.’

‘Dowereallyneedall

thisdetailFranz?’‘NoGunter,don’tbe

concernedonmypart.Ineedtohearthis.’

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

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

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

Hermannpausedtoremoveahandkerchieffrom

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

Theensuingsilence

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

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

Bothmennodded:thisiswhattheyhadbeensayingformonths.

‘We’realldoomed.Alfredwillbetheeasiesttosmuggleout.Canyoudoit?’

Hermannnoddedhisheadupanddownandfromsidetoside,weighingupthepossibilitiesofsuccess.Maybe;there’sachance.

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

Itwasseveno’clock

beforeGunterReinhartleftthehouseonthecornerofKaiserWilhelmStrasseandArno-HolzStrasse.HermannsaidhewouldwalkwithhimtothestationwhileSilkelookedafterhismother,allowingRosatostaywiththedistraughtchildren.

Theywalkedinsilence

untiltheywereonKönigin-Luise-Strasse,eachmanwrappedinhisownthoughtsandoverwhelmedbytheenormityofthesituationclosinginonthem.

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

dangerous.Theboyhasnopapers.IftherewasanywayIcouldgethimtoSwitzerlandthenI’veagoodfriendinZürichwhowouldtakecareofhim,buthowcanIgethimthere?’

FranzHermannsaidnothingforawhile,butGunternoticedhewas

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

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

‘Thatgoeswithoutsaying.’

‘Letmeaskyouaquestionfirst:howseniorareyouattheReichsbank?’

‘Seniorenough:Iruna

department.’‘Andhowcloseareyou

toWaltherFunk?’‘Wearen’tfriendsas

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

‘Andtheeconomiesofcountrieswe’veoccupied,doyougetinvolvedinthem?’

‘Toanextent,certainly,ifweneedtomovemoneyandgoldfromthosecountriestoSwitzerland.Whyareyouasking?’

‘Iwanttoknowhowtrustedyouareatthe

Reichsbank.Afterall,youweremarriedtoaJew.’

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

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

Thetwomenhadnowmovedtothesideofthepavement,standingnextto

therailingsandbeneathatreewhosebranchesdescendedtojustabovetheirheads.Hermannpausedandtookadeepbreath,abouttotaketheplunge.

‘GoonHermann,whatisit?’

‘I’mgoingtoaskyouaboutsomething:ifyou’ve

notheardofit,pleaseforgetIeveraskedthequestion.Doyouunderstand?’

Henodded.Thetwomenwaitedwhileanelderlycoupleandtheirdogstrolledpast,noddinginreplytotheirgreeting.

‘Haveyouevercomeacrossadocumentcalled

Directive21?’Reinhartstaredat

Hermannlongandhard,hiseyesterrified.HelookedmoreshockedthanwhenhehadmetthelawyerinthebarandbeentoldRosaandthechildrenwerebackinBerlin.

‘Areyoubeingserious?’

‘Yes.Areyouawareofit?’

‘Iam.Buthowonearthhaveyouheardaboutit?’

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

‘Ihave.Doyouknow

howtop-secretthisis?’‘Tellmehowyou’ve

hadaccesstoit?’‘Thereisonecopyin

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

about–youtellmethatbeforeIsayanythingelse.’

‘It’saboutplanstoinvadetheSovietUnion.’

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

plansinplacetogetourhandsonwhatassetswecanandgetthemintoourSwissbankaccounts.That’swhyIhaveaccess.’

‘Presumablyyoucan’ttakeitoutofFunk’soffice?’

‘Yesandno:ifIneedtoseeit,Ihavetoputarequestinwritingtohis

privatesecretaryandifheapprovesitthenI’mallowedtoseeitinasecureroomnexttoFunk’soffice.’

‘Areyoualoneinthatroom?’

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

stayforfiveminutesandifitlooksasthoughI’mgoingtobeanylonger,he’llgoandsitathisdesk,whichisjustoutsidethedoor.’

VeryslowlythetwomenwalkedtowardsPodbielskiAlleestation,talkingastheywent.Itwasgoneeighto’clockbefore

GunterReinhartreturnedtohishouseinCharlottenburgandtheinevitablewrathofhiswife.Hewas,however,oblivioustoit.

Hehadtomakeaplan.

***

Chapter15:LondonandLisbon,February1941OnablusteryTuesdayafternoonatthebeginningofFebruary,CaptainEdgarwassummonedtoChristopher

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

‘Idowishyou’dsitdownEdgar.’

Edgarturnedround,leaningagainstthewindowledge.

‘Yousaidthiswasurgent,sir.’Therewasapausebeforethe‘sir’.

Porterclearedhisthroatandnervouslystraightened

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

‘I’msorrytohearthatsir:isthisinconnectionwithanythinginparticular?’

‘InconnectionwithourintelligencethatGermany

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

isthatweshouldhavesharedourintelligencesuchplansexistedmorewidelyfromtheoutset.’

‘Butwe’renotobligedtoshareeveryshredofunconfirmedintelligence,surely?’

‘IndeedEdgar–butthisismorethana“shredof

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

doeverythingwecantogetourhandsonit.It’sbeenmadeverycleartomethatourfailuretosharethisintelligenceisviewedmostseriously:theonewayinwhichwecanredeemourselvesisbygettingourhandsonthiswretcheddocument.If…’

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

HowdoyourchumsinDowningStreetproposewegoaboutthis?’

Porterwasnowbusyinghimselfmovingalargeblottingpadaroundonhisdesk.

‘You’llneedtogooutthere,Edgar.’

‘ToGermany?’

‘Notifwecanavoidit.IwaswonderingaboutthatchapHunter?’

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

yearwentwell.He’sstillinSwitzerland:he’sgotperfectcovertogointoGermany.’

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

EdgarstaredatPorter

indisbeliefasitdawnedonhimhewasbeingserious.

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

Portersmiledasheunlockedadrawerinhisdesk

andremovedasmallpileofenvelopes.

‘That,Edgar,iswhereIthinkIcansurpriseevenyou!’

‘Youarebeingseriousthen?’

‘IndeedIamEdgar:notonlyseriousbutalsoresourceful.Youmayormay

notbeawarethereisascheduleddailyairservicefromBristoltoLisbon.Youwon’tknowhowhardthishasbeen,butI’vemanagedtosecureyouaseatontheflightthisThursday.’

‘ThisThursday?’Edgarlookedsurprised.‘AndwhenIgettoLisbon?’

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

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

***

CaptainEdgarwasacutelyawareheappearedtohavebeencastasacharacterfromoneofthoseAgathaChristiecrimenovelsofwhichhiswifewassofond.

Itwasmiddayandheandtheothercharacterswereassembledinadraughtyroom

atWhitchurchAirport,justoutsideBristol.Therewere15passengersincludingapriest,twoelderlywomenwrappedinfurs,awomanaccompaniedbyayoungboyandtwomenspeakingPortuguese.EdgarwashalfexpectingtobejoinedbyaBelgiandetectivewitha

waxedmoustache.Ithadbeenanhour

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

Porter’spublic-schoolhumour.TheHonAnthonyDavishadvariousletterswithhimtotheeffecthewouldbespendinganunspecifiedperiodoftimeattheBritishEmbassyinLisbondealingwith‘consularservices’.

Afewminutesaftermiddaythepassengerswere

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

pointthecaptainspoketothepassengers:

‘WelcomeaboardthisBOACflightfromBristoltoLisbon,whereweexpecttoarrivejustafterfourpmlocaltime.Duetowartimeflyingregulationswewillbeflyingatamaximumaltitudeofthreethousandfeet.’

Edgarclosedhiseyesandtriedtorestasthecaptaincontinuedtospeak.HerecalledbeingtoldthepilotsontheseflightswereallDutch:theyhadmanagedtoflymostoftheKLMfleettoBritainjustbeforetheGermaninvasionoftheNetherlands,andtheyand

theirplanesnowservicedthefewremainingBOACflights.

Tohissurprise,Edgarmusthavefallenasleepstraightawaybecausehewaswokenbyastern-lookingstewardessshakinghimbytheelbow.TheywerebeginningtheirdescentintoPortelaAirport.

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

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

***

AttheBritishEmbassyjustofftheRuadeSãoDomingos,SandyMorgangreetedEdgarliketheoldfriendthathewas.Hehurriedoutfrombehindhisdeskinacrumpledwhitesuitandaftergraspinghimbythehandandwarmlyshakingit,removeda

largebottleofBellsfromacabinetbythewindow.Twoglasseswereonhisdesk,oneofwhichhepushedtowardsEdgar.

‘Nowthenoldchap,betyoucandowithoneofthese?’

Edgarsmiled.‘Goodflight,Ihope?

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

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

Morgandownedhiswhisky,whichhadclearlynotbeenhisfirstoftheafternoon,inonegoandquicklyrefilled

hisglassfromanewbottleheproducedfrombehindhisdesk.Edgarheldhishandoverhisglassandshookhishead.

‘Nowthen,quickrunthroughtheplan.Ideaisyoustayatmyplace,whichisinanannexeoftheembassy,sononeedforyoutobeseenout

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

‘Somethinglikethat.’‘Funnilyenough,they

coulddowithsortingoutbut

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

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

Edgarnodded,slightlyunsure.SandyMorgan,

despitehismanner,wasagoodoperator.Hewasoneofthefewstationchiefswhomhetrusted.

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

SpainonMonday.MadridstationwilllookafteryouandgetyouovertoBarcelonaandaflightfromtheretoSwitzerland.You’llbeusinganAmericancover,Iunderstand?’

***

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

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

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

youEdgar,butbegentlewithhim.He’soneofus,afterall.’

‘Whenandwhere?’‘Thisafternoon:hope

youlikefootball.’

MorganandEdgarlefttheEmbassylaterthatmorning,halfanhourapart,andmetasarrangedatabaronthe

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

‘We’reinthenorthof

thecity,notfarfromtheairport.’

TwentyminuteslaterEdgarwasinsideafootballgroundforthefirsttimeinhislife.

‘QuickbriefingEdgar:you’renowintheCampodoLumiarwhichisthehomeofSportingClubedePortugal,

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

Theywerewalking

downthestandnow,Morganlookingcarefullyalongtherows.

‘Justsoyoudon’tappeartooignorant,Sportingplayingreen,Barreirenseinred.’

‘Andwhodowewanttowin,Sandy?’

‘Doesn’tmatter,does

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

tohim–makehimfeelwanted.Wedon’twanthimturningcoldonus,dowe?’

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

glasses.AlargecrowdhadalreadyformedintheCampodoLumiarandTelmo,wrappedinalarge,slightlyshabbyjacket,wasjustoneofthem.

ItwasthefirsttimeEdgarhadactuallymetTelmoRochaMartins,oneofthemostimportantBritish

agentsinPortugal.Telmowasamiddle-rankingcivilservantinthePortugueseMinistryofForeignAffairs–notregardedhighlyenoughnorrankedsoseniorastobeconsideredadiplomat,butthekindofcivilservantwhoensureseverythingrunssmoothlywhileotherpeople

grabtheglory.ThishadbeenasourceofincreasingresentmenttoTelmo,onethathadledhimtoapproachtheBritishwhenthewarstartedwithanoffertopassonthekindofinformationforwhichmoneychangedhands.

Now,hisstatusandhislowprofilesuitedhim

perfectly.No-onesuspectedthisdiminutive,bespectacledmanforamoment.ThequalityofintelligencehepassedontotheBritishimprovedallthetime.HehadbeengivenaminiaturecameraandatfirstitwascopiesofMinistrybriefingpapersandsometelegrams

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

RatherhadbeenMorgan’sresponse,carefultoshowhewasnottoo

desperate.LondonhadbeencryingoutforanythingfromBerlin,suchwastheirpaucityofsourcesinthecity.Andwemeananything:evenbloodybustickets!

WhatTelmocameupwithwasmuchbetterthan‘bloodybustickets’.Therewerebriefingsfromthe

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

wasallfirst-classstuff.Welldone.Plentymoreofthatwilldonicelythankyou!

ButMorganwasacautiouschap.HewaswellawarethisintelligencecomingoutofBerlincouldturnouttobetoogoodtobetrueand,ifthatwerethecase,hedidnotfancygettingthe

blameforit.SooneSaturdayafternoonhetookTelmooutforadrivetoCascaisandtheywentforalongwalkalongtheseafront.

Londonwanttoknowhowcomeyou’regettingsuchgoodmaterialoutofBerlin?

TheyhadwalkedforquiteawhilewithTelmo

sayingnothing,evidentlyweighingupwhetherornottocomeclean.

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

‘I’ddomyverybestTelmo:whatkindofproblemwereyouthinkingof,though?’

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

‘I’dcertainlyseewhatwecando.NotsurehowneartothePalace,buttherearesomeotherlovelypartsofLondon.’

‘AndifmysourceinBerlinwastoaccompanyme,wouldthatbeaproblem?’

‘No!Notatall.I’dneedtoknowwhothispersonis,of

course…’‘Evenifweweren’t

married?’WhichwashowTelmo

RochaMartinscametotellSandyMorganallaboutDonaMariadoRosario.HetoldhimhowDonaMariahadbeenasecretarytohisheadofdepartmentintheMinistry

ofForeignAffairs;howtheyhadbecomecloseandeventuallybecamelovers;howitwouldbeimpossibleforhimtoleavehiswifeandremaininhisjobandstayinPortugal.HetoldMorganabouthowDonaMariahadbecomeproficientinGermanandhadbeentransferredto

theLegationinBerlin,butnotbeforehehadconfidedinherandshehadagreedtosupplyinformation.Inhercase,themotivationwaspersonalandpolitical.Herfiancéehadbeenimprisonedduringthe1926coupandhaddiedsoonafter.FollowingthisshehadleftPortoand

movedtoLisbon,workingherwaythroughthevariousGovernmentministriesaroundthePraçadoComercio.

Telmohadchosenagoodspot.Theywereattheendofthefrontrowoftheirblock,sotherewasno-onesittinginfrontofthemorto

theright.MorgansatbetweenTelmoandEdgar,actingasinterpreter.

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

assureyouifthere’severa…problemhereinPortugal,we’lldoourverybesttogetyoutoLondon.’

Telmosmiledandnoddedhishead,nottakinghiseyesoffthepitch.‘I’mverygrateful.ButcanyoupromisemethisassurancewillalsoapplytoDona

Maria?’‘Ofcourse.’Theypausedasthe

crowdrosearoundthem:aSportingplayerwasfouledontheedgeofthepenaltyarea.Theycontinuedtostandwhilethefreekickwastakenthensatdownafteritsoaredoverthebar.

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

‘Iassureyousheiscareful.Becauseofmyjob,I’minapositiontoseethediplomaticbagsoonafteritarrivesattheMinistry,before

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

TherewasanotherdelayasaBarreirensewinger

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

Hugowantsyoutoknowhemaybeabletogetholdofthedocument:itseemshehasasourcewhohasaccesstoit.Butthere’sapricetopay.’

‘Howmuch?’Sportingscoredandthe

crowdleaptup.Everyonearoundthemwerepattingtheircompanionsontheback,

asifthey’dplayedapartinthegoal.Telmolookeddelighted.

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

Edgardidlisten

carefully.Itwascomplicated.HewouldneedtogettoSwitzerlandassoonaspossible.

HewasonlyshakenoutofhisthoughtsbySporting’ssecondgoal.

Thegamefinished2-0.IfonlyeverythinginlifewassoclearcutEdgarthoughtas

theyleftthegroundandTelmomeltedintothecrowd.

***

Chapter16:London,February1941BynoononWednesday12thFebruary,ChristopherPorterhadbeenkeptwaitinginanarrowcorridorinadraughtyandheavilyguarded

basementundertheAdmiraltybuildinginWhitehallforwelloveranhourpastthetimeofhisappointment.Whenhewasfinallycalledintotheofficeoutsidewhichhe’dbeenwaiting,therewasneitherapologynorexplanation,justamildlyexasperatedlook

fromSirRolandPearson.‘HowcanIhelpyou,

Porter?’SirRolandhadoncebeenacolleague,butnowworkedinDowningStreetandcurrentlyhadtheearofthePrimeMinisteronallmatterstodowithintelligence.Hegavetheimpressionhewasnowfar

tooimportantforhistimetobewasted.

‘Asyouknow,SirRoland,wemetonthe3rdwhenyoumadeclearthePrimeMinister’sfeelingsregardingourintelligencefromBerlinandthedirectiveregardingapossibleinvasionoftheSovietUnion.I

subsequentlydispatchedEdgartoLisbon,wherehemetoursourceTelmoonSunday.’

‘Telmo:remindme?’‘TelmoRochaMartins:

heworksinthePortugueseMinistryofForeignAffairsinLisbonandhasproventobeanextremelyusefulsourceof

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

workingforus.Anyinformationhehas,ormessageswehaveforhim,comesthroughDonaMariainthePortuguesediplomaticbag.’

Porterhadnowopenedanotebookandputonapairofreadingglasses.

‘WhenEdgarmet

TelmoonSundayhepassedonthelatestfromHugo.WewereawareHugohasbeenshelteringaJewishfamily,whichwethoughtanunnecessaryriskandthereforedidnotwhollyapproveof.However,ittranspiresthisfamilymaybecriticalintermsofour

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

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

prohibitsmarriagesbetweenJewsandnon-Jews.’

‘Ihopethisfamilysagaisleadingsomewhereimportant,Porter.’

‘Itis,sir.Fromwhatweunderstand,ReinhartandRosaSternremainedongoodtermsandhedidwhathecouldtohelpthem.Rosaand

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

occupiesafairlyseniorposition.PartofhisjobishelpingtomovemoneyoutofcountriesoccupiedbytheGermans.Inthisrespect,itappearshehasaccesstoacopyofthisDirective21.’

‘Goodheavens.’‘Goodheavensindeed.

YouseewhyIneededtogive

youthebackground.’‘AndthisReinhart–he

cansupplyuswithDirective21?’

‘Yes,but…’‘…Hewantsmoney,I

imagine:howmuch?’‘Ionlywishitwerethat

simple.HisconditionisthatwesmugglehissonAlfred

outofBerlin.ReinharthasafriendinZürich:onceAlfredhasbeensafelydeliveredtothatfriend,he’llreleaseacopyofDirective21toHugo.’

SirRolandhadleanedbackinhischairandwasstaringattheceiling,asifthesolutionmaybehiddeninthe

cobwebshehadspottedabovethecoving.

‘SohowdowegetAlfredtoZürich?’

‘EvenaswespeakSirRoland,EdgarisonhiswaytoSwitzerland.WehaveanagenttherecalledHenryHunter.HunteralsohasagenuineSwissidentityandis

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

‘Whichwon’tbe

straightforward.’‘Indeed,SirRoland.

ButwehavetogetAlfredout–theprizeistoogreatnottoattemptit.’

SirRolandstoodup,walkedawayfromthetableandovertohisdesk,fromwhichhepickedupasilverboxandlitacigarettehe

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

hetracedanangledlinesouthfromBerlintoZürich.

‘AndoncethisAlfredissafelydeliveredtothisfriendinZürich,wegetthereport?’

‘Oncethefriendhasconfirmedit.’

‘AndIpresumeHugothenhandsthereportovertoDonaMariawhatshername

andshepopsitintothediplomaticbag,andwepickupthereportinLisbon?’

Porterclosedhisnotebookandfoldeduphisreadingglasses.Twicehestartedtospeak,buthesitated.Hewasclenchingthenunclenchinghisfistsandclearlyfindingdifficultyin

knowingwheretostart.‘CanIbemostfrank

andmosthonestwithyou,SirRoland?’

‘I’dratherhopedthat’dbeenthecaseuptonowanyway,Porter.’

Porter’shandswerenowclaspedasifinprayer.Heinhaleddeeplybefore

speaking.‘Themostobvious

routetobringthedirectiveoutofBerlinwouldindeedbethroughthePortuguesediplomaticbag,Iquiteagree.Butifthere’sanoverridingpurposetousobtainingthisdocument,it’stohelpprovetotheRussianstheir

supposedalliesarenotwhattheyseemandinfacthaveplanstoinvadethem.Correct?’

SirRolandnodded.‘Uptonow,the

Russianshavechosentoignoreallthesewarnings,especiallytheonesthatcanbeattributedtous.Frankly,

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

aboutitscontents,they’llsimilarlyignorethem,astheyhavealltheotherwarnings.Alltheconsiderableeffortofobtainingthedirectivewillhavebeenwasted.’

‘WhatdoyousuggestthenPorter?’

‘ThisiswhereIhavetobeveryfrank.HenryHunter,

ouragentinSwitzerland,isnotquitewhatheseems.IthinkI’llhavethatcigaretteafterall,SirRoland.’

SirRolandrejoinedPorteratthetableandslidthesilvercigaretteboxacrossit,followedbyaboxofmatches.HenoticedPortershookslightlyashelithis

cigarette.‘Wehadoureyeson

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

war:hewastryingtosmuggleoutsomemoneyhe’dinheritedandwegavehimthechoiceofworkingforusorspendingafewyearsbreakingrocksorwhateverwemakepeopledoinprisonsthesedays.Hechosetoworkforus.’

‘Good.’

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

SirRolandhadbeenmovinghiscigarettetowardshismouth.Nowhestopped,

holdingitismid-air.HeleanedtowardsPorter.

‘Really?Whendidthishappen?’

‘Wethinkitwasaround1930or1931,SirRoland–acoupleofyearsafterhemovedtoGenevafromZürichwithhismotherandstep-father.BasilRemington-

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

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

knowit’sawell-establishedrecruitmenttacticoftheSovietintelligenceagenciesforthemtokeepaneyeopenforlikelyrecruitswho’vejoinedortrytojointheirlocalcommunistparties.Whathappensistheyspotsomeonethenpersuadethemthebestwaytoservethecauseisnot

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

‘Andhowandwhendid

yougettoknowhewasaSovietagent?’

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

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

aboutanEnglishchapwithSwissnationalitywhowasoneofViktor’sagents.Onceweknewthis,wetriedtorecruithimandheratherfellintoourhands.’

‘Butwhathasthistodowiththedirective?’

‘OnceHenrydeliverstheboyAlfredtoZürichand

Reinhartgetsthegreenlight,HenrycanreturntoBerlinandbringthedocumentbacktoSwitzerland.’

‘Thepointofthatbeing…?’

‘He’llbemadewellawarequitehowimportantthedocumentis–topsecret,etcetera.Weknowassoonas

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

***

Chapter17:Zürich,February1941UndertheidentityofPatrickTO’ConnorJr,aUScitizen,EdgarleftMuntadasairportinBarcelonajustbeforeteninthemorningonSwissair

flight1087.TheflightlandedontimeinLocarnoataquarterpastone.FivehourslaterhewasinasmallapartmentaboveahardwareshoponBasteiplatz.Hewasletinbyapleasant-lookingAustrianwhointroducedhimselfasRolf.

‘Noneedtoworry

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

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

***

BasilRemington-Barberand

HenryHunterarrivedinZürichlateontheThursdayafternoonandcheckedintothesamehotelonOetenbachgassewhereHenryhadstayedthepreviousFebruary,thenightbeforehetravelledtoStuttgart.ThenextmorningRemington-BarberleftHenryinhisroom

torestandmetEdgarasarrangedonBahnhofquai.TogethertheywatchedanoisybargemakeitswayuptheLimmat.

‘Hunteralright,ishe?’‘Afterafashion,yes.

PickedhimupyesterdaymorninginGenevaduringhismorningwalkandtoldhimto

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

‘Anddidyougivehim

anopportunitytomakecontact?’

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

on.Goodtodanglebaitofsomekindinfrontofthem.’

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

***

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

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

ThenRemington-Barberhadorderedhimto

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

hearingnothingfromtheBritish,atlasttheynowseemedtohaveplansforhim.Anevensmallerpartofhimwasexcitedattheprospectofwhatthoseplansmayinvolve.HehadspentthepastyearreflectingonthefactthetriptoStuttgartandEssenhadbeenfraughtwithdanger,but

theexcitementofhavingcompletedthemissionsosuccessfullyhadsurprisedhim.Themonthssincehadbeenamixtureofboredomandnervousanticipation:addedtothiswasthepressureofservingtwomasters.The100poundspaidintohisCreditSuisseaccounteach

monthwassomeconsolation.NowRemington-Barber

hadsentafriendlyAustriancalledRolftobringhimtoasmallapartmentaboveahardwareshoponBasteiplatz.Itwas3.30intheafternoonandtheyhadbeenwaitinginthesparselyfurnishedloungeforthebestpartofanhour.

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

we’rewaitingforsomeone;pleasebepatient.

Eventually,abellrangandRemington-BarbersentRolfdownstairstoopenthedoor.Henryheardtwopairsoffootstepsascendingthestairs.Atfirsthedidn’trecognisethetallfigurewearingatrilbyhatwhohad

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

‘SitdownBasil,you’re

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

Edgarloungedbackinthearmchair,stretchingout

hislonglegssotheyalmosttouchedthefeetofthetwomenoppositehim.Notbotheringtostifleaseriesofyawnsheclosedhiseyesmomentarilyanditlookedforawhileasifhewasabouttofallasleep.Thenhesatupstraight,slappedhisthighsandrubbedhishands.

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

Henrysaidnothing.‘Andareyoukeeping

wellHenry?’

‘I’mwellthankyou.Andyou?’

‘BasiltellsmeyourlittletriptoGermanylastyearwentwell.’

HenrywasabouttoreplybutEdgarraisedahandtostophim.

‘Andthemoney’sgoingintoyouraccount

everymonthaspromised,Ipresume?Alongwiththe500youreceivedafteryourtrip.’

Henryrepliedthatitwas.

‘WhichinasenseiswhyI’mhere:timeforyoutodosomethingmoretoearnthatmoney.HowaboutifIweretotellyouyou’regoing

backtoGermany?’Henrydrummedhis

fingersonhiskneesandveryslowlynoddedhishead.‘ToEssen?’

‘Goodheavensno.Wecanhardlyhavethemurdererreturningtothesceneofhiscrime,canwe?’Edgarlaughedheartilyand

Remington-Barberjoinedinnervously.

‘WethoughtBerlinwouldmakeanicechange.’

HenrygazedquizzicallyatEdgar,asifhewastryingtoworkoutwhetherthemanoppositehimwasbeingserious.

‘Berlin?’

‘Yes,Henry,Berlin.CapitaloftheThirdReich.’

‘Really?’‘Yes,really.Look,I

couldtellyouallaboutitnow,butI’djustenduprepeatingmyselflateron.Wehaveachapcomingtoseeusinanhourorsoandwe’llputallofourcardsonthetable

then.Talkingoftables,Basil,howaboutsometea,eh?’

BasilRemington-Barberheadedovertothesmallkitchen,pausinginitsdoorway.

‘Youcertainthischapisgoingtoturnup,Edgar?’

‘Don’tworryBasil.I’mcertainofit.Hereallyhasno

alternative.’

***

CaptainEdgarhadfinallyapproachedthemanatlunchtimethatFriday.Itfelt,tohim,asifhe’dspenthalfofhislifefollowingpeople,waitingforhoursinthe

shadowsofdoorwaysforthemtoappear,calculatingwhentheywouldemergeandwhatwouldthenbethebesttimeandplacetoapproachthem.Hehadlearntthroughyearsofexperiencethatmostpeopletendedtobeunpredictableintheirhabits,buthecouldhaveguessed

thatifanyonewouldbeamanofpreciseroutineitwouldbeaSwissbanker.AndMichaelHedingerdidnotdisappointhim.

AccordingtothemessagethatHugosentthroughLisbon,GunterReinhart’sfriendinZürichwasamancalledMichael

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

Edgarhadwatchedthe

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

intheGermantrough,alongwithalltheothers.WiththehelpofaporteratthebankwhohadbeenpaidgenerouslyinreturnfordoingnomorethangivingasignalwhenMichaelHedingerenteredthebuilding,Edgarhadbeenabletospothisquarry.

HedingerlefttheheadofficeofBankLeuonParadeplatzatpreciselyoneo’clock,presumablyonhiswaytolunch.HeturnedintoBahnhofstrasseandEdgardecidednowwasthetimehehadtomakehismove.

‘HerrHedinger,mayIhaveawordwithyou?’Edgar

spokeinGerman.Hehadapproachedthe

bankerfrombehind,havinggotasclosetohimaspossibleandmakingsureheplacedhimselfbetweenthemanandtheroad.Itwasawell-practisedtechnique,aswasthefriendlybutfirmhandontheman’selbowand

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

‘Ibegyourpardon?’Hedingerreplied,soundingsurprisedratherthan

annoyed.ThiswasencouragingbutEdgarcouldnotassumethiswouldlastforlong.

‘Ineedtotalktoyouaboutaratherimportantmatter,HerrHedinger.Istheresomewherequietperhapswecouldgo?’

‘Idon’tknowwhoyou

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

EdgaredgedevenclosertoHedinger.‘It’sin

connectionwithGunterReinhartinBerlin,HerrHedinger.’

Edgarwasnotpreparedforthereactionthatfollowed.HehadhopedthatatthementionofReinhart,Hedingerwouldrelaxandwanttoknowmore:quitepossiblyhehadexpectedto

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

‘Comewithme.’MichaelHedinger

meeklyallowedEdgartoshepherdhimacrossBahnhofstrasseandthenontoKappelergassewheretheysettledonabenchoverlookingtheriver.Edgarcouldseethemannexttohimwasterrified.Edgartookhis

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

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

Edgarignoredthefirstquestion.‘Itoldyou:it’sinconnectionwithGunter

Reinhart.YouknowHerrReinhart–fromtheReichsbankinBerlin?’

‘I’mnotsure.Whydoyouask?’

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

‘Weareacquaintances,

inaprofessionalcapacity.’Edgarhadpreparedhis

nextline:HerrReinharthasaskedforhelpinbringinghissonAlfredoutofBerlinandhetellsusyouarepreparedtolookafterhiminZürich.Butbeforehehadanopportunitytospeak,Hedingergrippedhisforearm

andturnedtofaceEdgar.Hewasamanofmediumheight,butwiththekindofshrunkenappearancereservedforthoseofespeciallynervousdisposition.Withhisunhealthilypalecomplexion,wateryblueeyeswithscarcelyatraceofeyebrowabovethemandhisfew

remainingwispsofhairdancinginthewind,heremindedEdgarofanEnglishcountryclergyman,thetypesenttoonlythemostundemandingofparishes.Nowhelookedlikeaclergymanwhohadbeencaughtinacompromisingsituationandwasabouttobe

defrocked.Hewasutterlyterrified.Edgarcouldsmellitonhisbreath.

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

mostunfortunatemisunderstanding.HerrReinhartwantedtodivertsomeofthefundsfromGermanyintoaprivateaccountinhisnameand,inamomentofweakness,Iagreed.AndinamomentofevengreaterweaknessIacceptedsomemoneyfrom

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

EdgarloosenedthegripHedingerhadonhisarmand

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

HedingermusthaveassumedEdgarwasaGermanofficial.Heturnedaround:Hedingerwastrembling,hisfeettappingontheground.

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

canhaveitallreturnedtoyouthisafternoon–alongwiththemoneyinHerrReinhart’sprivateaccount.’

‘AretheseaccountswithBankLeu?’

‘Naturally.’‘Doyouhavethe

accountnumbersplease?’Hedingerobediently

removedaslimblacknotebookfromhisjacketpocketandturnedthepageswithtremblingfingersthathadtheappearanceofhavingbeenmanicured.FromwhatEdgarcouldsee,thenotebookwasfullofnumbers,figures,initialsanddates.Edgaropenedhisownnotebook

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

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

co-operate,HerrHedinger,thereshouldbenoneedforustotakefurtheraction.’

Hedingergraspedthebaitlikeahungryfish,eagerlycopyingdowntheaccountnumbers.Whenhehadfinishedhehandedthenotebookwithitsincriminatinglistsofbank

accountsbacktoEdgar.‘CanIaskyousir,are

youfromtheGestapo?’Edgarlaughed:the

outcometotheencounterwithMichaelHedingerhadbeenfarbetterthanhecouldhavehoped.

‘Well,that’swhereIthinkI’mgoingtosurprise

you,HerrHedinger.’

***

‘Howcanyoubesosurehe’llturnupEdgar?’

‘Becauseit’snotinhisinterestsnottoturnup.’

BasilRemington-Barbershookhisheadand

movedawayfromhisspotbythewindowoverlookingBasteiplatz,whichhehadoccupiedonandoffthroughouttheafternoon.

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

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

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

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

AtsevenminutespastfiveaknowingsmilecrossedEdgar’sfaceasthebellrang.HegaveRemington-Barbera‘toldyou’lookandwentdownstairstolettheirvisitor

in.TwominuteslaterMichaelHedingerhadjoinedthethreeEnglishmenintheapartment.

Foramomentthefourofthemsatinanuncomfortablesilence.Thenewcomerwasinastateofconsiderablenervousness.Hehaddeclinedofferstoremovehiscoatandhadonly

reluctantlytakenoffhisglovesandhat.Hewasclutchingabrownbriefcasetohischestandwasclearlyedgy,jumpingatthesoundofacarenginebackfiringandatadoorslamminginanapartmentabove.Edgarhadplacedhimselfattheheadofthetable:Hedingerwas

sittingtohisleft,oppositetheothertwomen.

WhenEdgarbegantospeakitwasinitiallytoHenryandRemington-Barber.

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

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

HerrHedinger’s.Isthatnotcorrect?’

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

‘Nottoputtoofineapointonit,itturnsoutHerrHedingerhereinZürichand

HerrReinhartinBerlinhavebeenoperatinga…howcanoneputit…aschemewherebyaproportionofthefundstransferredfromtheReichsbanktothesafekeepingofBankLeuhavebeendivertedintoprivatenumberedaccounts:onebelongingtoHerr

Reinhart,theothertoHerrHedinger.Isthatcorrect,HerrHedinger?’

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

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

Henodded,avoiding

eyecontactwithanyonearoundthetable.

‘Andthemoneyissplitequally,isitnot?’Again,Hedingernodded.

‘NowthisiswhereHerrHedingermustbekickinghimself.WhenIapproachedhimearliertoday,Iknewnothingofthisscheme.

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

about,heconfessed.HaveIaccuratelysummedupwhathappened,HerrHedinger?’

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

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

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

Heshruggedhisshouldersandspreadhis

handsoutina‘sothereweare’manner.

Sothereweare.‘AsItoldyouearlier,

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

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

HerrHedinger,amIcorrect?’‘Indeed.’‘Sonowwecometo

ourmainbusiness,ofwhichwespokebrieflyandofwhichHenryhereisunaware.HerrHedinger,forthesakeofmycolleagueshere,pleasetellmeagainaboutyourrelationshipwithHerr

Reinhart.’TheSwissclearedhis

throatandpausedforawhile,clearlygivingcarefulconsiderationtowhathewasabouttosay.HissoftvoiceandthecarefulwayinwhichhespokeremindedEdgarevenmoreofacountryvicar,someonemoresuitedto

talkingtoelderlyladiesthanspies.

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

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

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

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

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

andquitepossiblyhisfreedom.WhatI’mabouttosaywillstaywithinthesewalls?’

Edgarlaughed.‘We’rehardlylikelytoinformtheGestapo,arewe?’

‘Irealisethat,butI’mdivulgingsomethingtoldtomeincompleteconfidence.

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

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

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

divorced.MayItroubleyouforadrinkplease?’

TherewasapausewhileRemington-Barberdisappearedintothekitchen,emergingafewminuteslaterwithatrayoftea,ajugofwaterwithglassesandabottleofwhisky.Hedingerpouredhimselfaglassof

water.‘Guntertoldmetheir

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

cleartoGunterthatunlesshedivorcedRosaimmediately,he’dlosehisjobattheReichsbank.FromwhatIunderstand,theybothstilllovedeachotherandsawthedivorceasatemporarymeasure:RosaandAlfredwouldtrytogotoEnglandorFrancethenGunterwould

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

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

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

‘Couldhenothavehad

custodyofAlfredhimself?’askedBasilRemington-Barber.

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

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

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

‘NowwhatIamabouttosayiscomplicatedandhighlysensitive:forgivemeifI’munclearastotheexact

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

foolishreason,inanactofuttermadness,RosaretunedtoBerlinwiththechildreninanefforttogetHaraldfreed.Shefailedandhadtogointohiding,andafewmonthslatersheheardHaraldwasdead.’

‘AndhasGunterbeenintouchwiththem?’

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

betweenGunterandRosaandthechildren.’

‘AndyousaythatGuntertoldyouallthislastyear?’

‘Yes.’‘Doyouremember

whenlastyear?’‘MaybeMarch…

possiblyApril.Infact,that

waswhenhestarteddivertingthemoneyintoourprivateaccounts–hesaidthereasonhewasdoingthiswasthatheneededthemoneywastohelpRosaandAlfred.IwaslastinBerlinattheveryendofJanuary,justacoupleofweeksago.ItwasaveryshortvisitandIonlysawGunter

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

assistancetohelpgetAlfredout.ThatwasthelastIheard–untilwemettoday.’

MichaelHedingerlookedlessnervousnow,asifhewaspleasedtohavegotthingsoffhischest.Hispaleheadwaswetwithperspiration,thestrandsofhairnowplasteredtoit.

Edgarwasnoddinghishead,takingeverythinginandthinking,whileHenrylookedbemused,unsureofwhathisroleinallthiswasmeanttobe.ItwasEdgarwhospokenext.

‘HowoftendoyougotoBerlin?’

‘Perhapseveryother

month.’‘AndotherBankLeu

officials,howoftendotheygo?’

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

they’replacingwithuscomesfromsourcesthatrequireutmostdiscretiononourpart.’

‘Whatdoyoumeanbythat?’

‘TheNazishaveconfiscatedmillionsofReichsmarksfromJewsandplunderedmoneyfromthe

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

ThebusinesswegetfromGermanyisextremelyprofitable,soweprefertodealwiththeReichsbankinperson.Weaskveryfewquestionsandweleavenothingtochance.’

‘DoyousendcourierstoGermany?’

‘Ofcourse.Every

week,ifnotmorefrequently.Documentsneedtobesigned,lettersneedtobedelivered.Couriersareaveryimportantpartofourrelationshipwiththem.’

‘Andthesecouriersare…?’

‘EmployeesofBankLeuorpeoplewhodothison

aregularbasis–peopleweknowandtrust.’

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

‘Yes,infactonlyinNovemberIusedmyownbrother-in-law.’

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

‘I’mnotsure,maybehe…’

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

***

MichaelHedingerlefttheapartmentat6.30.Beforehewent,EdgarpressedhimonhowsoonhecouldarrangeHenry’saccreditation.

‘It’snowFridayevening,soobviouslyIcan’tdoanythingbeforeMonday.

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

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

EdgarnoddedatHenry,wholookedasshockedashehaddonewhenhefirstheardabouttheplansforhistriptoBerlin.Heremovedhispassportfromhisjacket

pocketandhandeditovertoHedinger.

‘Howsoonthen?’‘Bytheendofnext

week.I’msureIcanhaveitsortedbythen.’

‘Endoftheweek!Ithoughtitcouldbedoneinadayortwo.’

TheSwissshookhis

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

officialcourierofBankLeuwiththeGermanconsulatehereinZürich.Icanassureyouit’lltakeaweek.HopefullybynextFridaymorningit’llbesorted.’

TheyagreedtheywouldmeetagainattheapartmentthefollowingFridaylunchtime.Aswellas

Henry’saccreditation,HedingerwouldbringalongdocumentsforhimtotaketoBankLeu’sclientsinBerlin.TheywaitedforMichaelHedingertoleavetheapartmentandallthreeofthemstoodatthewindowwatchinghimcrossBasteiplatz.

‘IthoughtthatwentratherwellEdgar.Goodwork.’

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

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

Henryhadpouredhimselfaglassofwhiskythathedrankinonego.‘It’smadness:youseriouslywantmetogotoBerlinpretendingtobeacourierforaSwiss

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

‘Whyshouldn’tit?YourSwissidentityisperfectlygenuineandyourvisittoStuttgartlastyearwould’vebeeninorderasfarastheGermansare

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

‘Andtheboy?’‘We’llseewhat

paperworkHedingercomesupwith,butit’sinhisinterestsforittobegood.’

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

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

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

‘Whatdoyoumean?’‘Obviouslywedidn’t

wanttosaytoomuchinfront

ofHerrHedinger,butgoingtoBerlinandcomingbackwiththeboyisonlyhalfyourmission.OncetheboyissafelyinZürich,HerrHedingerwillsendacodedmessagetoGunterReinhart.HerrReinharthasanextremelyimportantdocumentthathe’llhandover

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

‘How’sitgoingtobebroughtout,Edgar?’

‘Byyou,Henry!’

***

Chapter18:Switzerland,February1941AfterthemeetingintheapartmentontheBasteiplatz,HenrywasinstructedtoreturntoGenevaforafewdayswhileMichaelHedinger

sortedoutallthepaperwork.‘Basilwillcomeand

collectyouontheThursday.Justactnormallyuntilthen,’hadbeenEdgar’sadvice.

AssoonasHenryarrivedatGareCornavinontheSaturdayhewalkedtoaphoneboothinaquietareaatthebackofthestation.The

callwasbriefand,asaresultofit,hefoundhimselfontheMondayeveningintheprivateroomatthebackoftheArmenianrestaurantinGrand-LancywhereViktorhadfirsttakenhimin1931.

‘So,EdgarhimselfwasinZürich,washesynok?’Viktorsoundedincredulous,

somuchsohehadpouredhimselfanotherglassofsomethingthattoHenrytastedlikeliquorice-flavouredacid.‘Idon’tsupposehetoldyouhowhegottoSwitzerland?’

Henryshookhishead.‘Ipresumehecameonsomeroundaboutroute.’

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

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

‘IhavetogotoBerlinnextweek.I’llbeusingmyownidentityandactingasa

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

‘That’sit?’Henrylaughed.‘That’s

it?Surely,smugglingaJewoutofGermanythenreturningtocollectadocumentisenoughisn’tit?’

‘WhatImeantwaswhetheryoucantellmeanymore.’

‘Edgarsaidthedocumentissoimportantitcoulddecidethefuturecourse

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

GermaninvasionoftheSovietUnion.’

ViktorhadremovedapencilfromhistoppocketandhadbeenintheprocessofsharpeningitwhenHenrysaidthis.Hestopped,theknifepoisedinmid-air,pointingtowardsHenry.

‘Saythatagain.’

‘ThedocumentistodowithaproposedGermaninvasionoftheSovietUnion.’

HenrycouldhaveswornthedeeplinesontheRussian’sfacegrewashetookinwhathe’djustbeentold.

‘Edgartoldyouthis?’‘Yes:heseemedto

regrethavingtoldmeassoonashe’ddoneso,butIwasquitepersuasive,don’tyouthink?’

‘WhenyoureturnfromBerlinthesecondtime–withthedocument,thatis–didhesaywhereyougo?’

‘Zürich,becausethat’swhereI’msupposedtobe

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

Viktorlookedworried,

loweringhisheadinthoughtthenlookinguptotheceilingforinspiration.

‘PlansforaGermaninvasionoftheSovietUnion,yousay?’

Henrynodded.‘Youdon’tknowwhat

dayyouwillbebackinZürichwiththedocument,do

yousynok?’‘No.Edgarsaidthatall

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

backinZürichsometimethatweek.MaybetheWednesday:thesoonerthebetter.’

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

‘Ofcourse.ButhowwillyouknowwhenI’m

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

Viktorremovedhisheavycoatandpacedaroundtheroom.Fromaninside

jacketpockethetookoutasmallnotebookandleafedthroughit.Whenhefoundwhathewaslookedforhewroteonapieceofpaper,whichhethenhandedtoHenry.

‘Here,memorisethisnumber.WhenyouarrivebackinZürich,ringitandsay

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

understand?’

***

ThejourneytoBerlinbeganinZürich,intheborrowedapartmentabovethehardwareshoponBasteiplatz.MichaelHedingerarrivedashadeafteraquarterpastoneonthe

Friday,breathlessandbusilyexplaininghowhehadbeenwaitingononeextradocument.

‘Ihavetobebackatmyofficebytwoo’clockforameeting.Ihaveeverythinghere.’

FromhisbrownleatherbriefcaseHedingerremoveda

numberofitems,whichheplacedneatlyinfrontofhimonthetable.HetookHenriHesse’sSwisspassportfromthetopofthepileandhandedittohim.

‘Allisinorder,HerrHesse.ThankstoourexcellentrelationshipwiththeGermanconsulateherein

ZürichyourpassportnowallowsyoutotravelfreelybetweenSwitzerlandandGermanyamaximumofsixtimesoverthenextsixmonths–until20thAugusttobeprecise.Thatisaroutinearrangementforourcouriers.’

EdgarandRemington-Barberbothstudiedthevisa,

emblazonedwithaswastikaandarampanteagle,andmadeapprovingnoises.

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

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

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

o’clockthatevening.’Anotherenvelopewas

handedtoHenry.‘InBerlinyou’llstayat

theKaiserhof:ourcourierseitherstaythereorattheExcelsioronAskanischerPlatz,buttheKaiserhofisrathercharmingandisslightlyclosertothecentre.

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

aboutthat.Yourroomwillbeen-suite.’

Henrycheckedthecontentsoftheenvelope.

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

Hedingernodded.‘I’m

proposinghetravelsundertheidentityofmyownson,Andreas.’

Thebankerpulledalargewhitehandkerchieffromapocketandusedittowipehisforehead.Hehesitatedawhilebeforehespokeagain.‘Ihavetobehonestwithyou,thishasbeen

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

ensurethatattheveryleasttheydon’tlooktoodifferent,ifyouseewhatImean.Here’shispassport.’

ThethreemenstudiedthepassportphotoofAndreasHedinger.Hisblackhairwasstraightandhadadistinctivepartinglowdownontheleftside.Heworeapairofround,

wire-framedglasses.‘Herearethevery

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

glasses,thenyouhaveachance.’

‘Haveyoutoldyourwifeaboutthis?’

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

all.’‘Whatdoesshethinkof

it?’‘Fortunately,Helgais

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

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

didn’tcomeintoGermanywithme?’Henrysoundedannoyed.

‘Turntothethirdpageofthepassportplease,’saidHedinger.‘ThisiswheremyrelationshipwiththepassportclerkattheGermanconsulatepaidoff.Iaskedhimtostampthepassportshowingthat

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

theoutwardpartofthejourney–fromZürichtoBerlin–wasonMonday24th

February.There’snoreasonwhytheGermanborderguardsshouldquestionthisandtheSwissoughtnottobedifficultaboutallowingaSwissboytore-enterhiscountry.’

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

‘Areward!AndreashasdonesowellatschoolIpromisedhimavisittoBerlin.Iwasplanningtotakehimmyselfbuthavebeenunabletoarrangeitbecause

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

Henrysatverystillwithhisheadinhishands.EdgarraisedhiseyebrowshighandlookedatRemington-Barber

whoshookhishead.‘Henry:anybetter

ideas?’‘NoneIcanthinkofat

themoment.’‘Basil?’Remington-Barber

shookhishead.‘It’sabitthin,tobehonest,butthenveryfewcoverstoriesare

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

wecouldsayHenry’salsoaclosefamilyfriendofyours:maybeyourwifecouldwritealetterthankinghimforputtinghimselfoutandallthat?’

‘That’sagoodidea,Basil,’saidEdgar.

‘HerrHedinger,you’llneedtogiveHenrysome

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

Edgarsighedloudly,stoodupandpacedaround

theroom,atrailofcigarettesmokefollowinginhiswake.

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

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

***

Chapter19:Berlin,February1941HenryHunterarrivedattheKaiserhofhotelonWilhelmstrasseafewminutesaftersixo’clockontheeveningofMonday24th

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

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

evenintheabsenceofabreeze.ForHenry,thevisitwassimplyanaffirmationofwhathebelievedin:hecouldnotwaittogetoutofthecity,vowingnevertoreturn.

Butnowhehadreturned.Thehotelmadeafussofhim,assuringhimthatBankLeuweremostvalued

clientsandwouldheliketomakeareservationfordinner?Therewerenumerousformsandcardstofillin,whichhedidwiththeutmostcare.HehadspenttheweekendgoingthroughthetripindetailwithRemington-BarberandEdgar,andhehadbeenwarnedaboutthehotel

cards.TheyweredestinedfortheGestapo,whichhadaspecialofficeinBerlinwhereeverynightthecardsofnewlyarrivedforeignerswouldbecarefullyexaminedagainsttheGestapo’smeticulousrecords.

Remington-Barberhadbeenquitecandid.‘Ifthey’ve

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

should–thenyou’reintheclear:shouldmaketherestofthetripthatmucheasier,relativelyspeaking.’

Henryatelittlefordinnerthatnightandsleptbadly,alerttoeverysoundonthecorridorashewaitedfortheGestapotocomeandarresthimforthemurderof

theowneroftheperfumeshopinEssen.Atfourinthemorninghewasconvincedhecouldhearfootstepsinthecorridorandfinallydecidedtounlockthedoorandhavealook,butthelongpassagewaywasdeserted,apartfromneatpairsofshoesoutsideanumberofthedoors.

Hefeltabitmorerelaxedanddriftedasleep,onlytobevisitedbythefamiliarfaceofRoza–herimagefarmoreinfocusanditspresenceremainingforlongerthanusual.Shespentmuchofthenightaskingquestions,buteachtimehetriedtoreplyhefoundhe

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

Gestapoclerkhadbeenscrutinisingthehotelregistrationcardsovernight.

Thisupbeatmoodcontinuedashewentdowntobreakfast,despitehavingtowalkdowncorridorsandstairsadornedwithagallery’sworthofframedphotographscommemoratingHitler’s

variousvisitstothehotel,ofwhichthereappearedtobemany.

HeknewhewaslikelytobeinBerlinuntilFriday.AccordingtoHedinger,itwasnotunusualforthebank’scourierstohavetowaitafewdaystocollectthereturndocuments,andEdgarand

Remington-BarberwereclearthatafewdayswouldbeessentialforAlfredtoprepareforthejourneytoSwitzerland.

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

withaveryfairwindyoucouldbeinZürichlateFriday,butmorelikelySaturday.MakesureyousendHedingeratelegramfromStuttgartwhenyouknowwhattrainyou’regoingtobeon.’

HewasdueattheReichsbankatteno’clockand

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

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

desk,theformwascarefullycheckedandonlythendidthereceptionistdeigntotelephoneGunterReinhart’soffice.HerrReinhartwillbewithyouinduecourse.Pleasewaitoverthere.

‘Overthere’wasasmallwaitingareawherehalfadozenotherpeoplewere

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

couriersattheReichsbankfromthedifferentSwissbanks.

ThemangotupandsatnexttoHenry.Hewasnomorethanfivefeettallandwaswearingadark,formalsuitthatseemedtobeasizetoolargeforhim.Hestretcheduptowhisperin

Henry’sear.‘Idon’tknowwho

needstheothermore–usortheGermans.IusedtoworkfortheSBCinBasle:Ican’ttellyouhowmuchworktheyweregettingfromthissideoftheborder.BaslerHandelsbankhasrecruitedfiveofusinthepastcouple

ofmonths.FromwhatIunderstand,it’sbeenevenbusierforyoulotinZürich,isthatright?’

‘Indeed.’Henryshiftedtohisleft,awayfromtheman,whosebreathreekedofstaletobacco.

‘Idon’twanttoknowwheretheGermansare

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

‘Yes…verygood,thankyou.’

‘So,whereareyoustaying?Maybetonight…’

Atthatpointasecretaryappearedinfrontofthem,agoldswastikatheonlytouchofcolouronherdarksuit.

‘BankLeu?’Henrystoodup.‘Comewithme.’Fiveminuteslater

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

Itwassilentintheofficeapartfromtheticking

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

door,openedit,lookedaround,closeditagainandcametositathisdesk.

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

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

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

importantthey’rehereandinorder.Wedon’twantpeoplequestioningwhyyoucame!’

HenryhandedovertheenvelopescontainingtheBankLeudocuments.Reinhartopenedthemcarefullywithadagger-likeletteropener.Heglancedoverthedocumentsthenputthem

tothesideofhisdesk.‘I’lldealwiththem

whenwe’vefinished.ThedocumentsforyoutotakebacktoZürichwon’tbereadyuntillateThursday,yourealisethat?’

‘SoIunderstand.’‘It’snotunusualfora

couriertohangaroundBerlin

forafewdays.’HehadlefthisdesknowandcometositnexttoHenry,speakingmorequietly.

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

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

‘Ican’ttellyouhow

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

‘Yes.’‘Ishouldneverhave

divorcedRosa.Wethoughtit

wasforthebest.Weassumeditwouldbeashort-termmeasureandthatmaybetheNaziswouldchangetheirmindsorgoaway.Howcouldwehavebeensostupidastothinkthat?Oncewerealisedthatwasnevergoingtohappen,ourplanwasforRosaandAlfredtomoveto

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

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

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

‘DoesAlfredknowabouttheplan?’

‘Notyet.You’regoingtomeethimthisafternoon.You’llobviouslyneedto

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

HenrytookAndreasHedinger’spassportoutofhisjacketpocketandcarefullyplaceditontheblotterpadonReinhart’sdesk.

‘TheplanisforAlfredtoaccompanymebacktoZürichusingthisidentity–AndreasisMichaelHedinger’sson.’

Reinhartnodded.Iknow.

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

hasquiteadistinctivehairstyle…’

Reinhartpickedupthepassportandputonhisownglasses.Heturnedonhisdesklampandstudiedthedocumentcarefully,hisfaceimpassive.

‘Andreas’shairismuchdarkerthanAlfred’s.Asfar

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

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

useitonAlfredthenstylehishairtolooklikeAndreas,itmaywork:especiallywiththeglasses.’

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

Henrybreathedin

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

metoBerlinasatreat.’Reinhartsaidnothing

butstaredatHenryforagoodfewminutes.

‘That’sit?’Henryshruggedhis

shoulders.Yes,Iknow…don’ttellme.

‘Youthinkit’llwork?’‘Hopefully.Onthe

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

Reinhartsnappedthepassportshut,handeditbacktoHenry,turnedoffhisdesklampandwalkedovertothewindow.Helookedoutover

theSpreekanalthenturnedtofaceHenry.

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

Henrynodded.

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

***

HenrywentfromtheReichsbankbacktotheKaiserhof,wherehesoughtouttheconcierge.‘Ihaveanunexpectedlyfreeafternoon.IwonderifyoucouldsuggestanythingImightdo?’

Theconciergesmiled

obligingly.Pleasecouldhehavehisguest’sdetails?

HenryrecalledwhatGunterReinharthadtoldhimthatmorning.‘AnythingyoudiscusswiththemcouldbereportedbacktotheGestapo,theyliketokeeptabsonforeigners–soyourplanswillneedtoappearplausible:

usethemtocreateanalibi.’‘Andwhatwouldyou

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

Henryshookhishead.‘I’vebeenspendingso

muchtimeindoorsthatIwouldn’tmindsomefreshair.’

‘Thezooperhaps?It’swithintheTiergartensoyoucouldcombinethetwo.’

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

‘Iquiteunderstand,sir.Doyouwanttostayinthecity?’

‘Ithinkso,it’llbedarksoon.’

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

‘Yes,Iamactually.’Hemanagedtosoundjustthe

rightsideofenthusiastic.‘Well,wehavean

excellentBotanischerGartendowninDahlem.It’saquitewonderfulhavenofpeaceandquietinthecity,andthegardensaremostbeautiful.’

Henrymanagedtolookasifhewashavingsecondthoughts.‘InDahlemyou

say:isn’tthatfaraway?’‘Notatallsir’saidthe

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

***

Everyminuteofyourvisitwillbelacedwithdanger,butnomomentwillbemoredangerousthantheoneinwhichyoudropyourguard.

Edgar’spartingwordshadbeenmenacingenough,

buttheyhardlybegantodescribewhatHenryencounteredatAnhalter.Thestationwasbusy,butunnaturallyquietapartfromthenoiseofdogsbarkinginthedistance.Anumberofthepeoplewereexitingthestationasheenteredit,lookingovertheirshoulders

andapparentlyrelievedtobeintheopenair.Henoticedtherewerealargenumberoftroopsmillingaround,dressedintheblackuniformoftheSSratherthanthegreyoftheWehrmacht.HepurchasedareturntickettoBotanischerGarten,makingsuretoasktheclerkbehind

thetinywindowifheknewhowlongitwouldtakeforhimtowalktothegardensfromthestation.

Continuingtofeelpleasedwithhowthingshadgone,heheadedfortheplatform,whichwaswhenhesawthem.Hisfirstimpressionwasitwasalotof

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

torearupatthepeopleontheplatform.Allthewhiletherewasnon-stopbarking,whicheverysooftenorchestratedwiththesoundofatrain’swhistleorastationannouncement.

Henrymovedalonghisplatform,tryingtogetabetterview.Thecrowdwasmixed:

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

strewnontheplatform,withsomeclothingspillingoverontothetrack.

Hewasstilltryingtomakesomesenseofitwhenhistrainpulledintotheplatformandtherewasascrambletoboard.Henrypositionedhimselfbyawindowlookingoutontothe

crowdedplatform.Thewindowwasdirtyanditwashardtomakeoutmuchdetailthroughthescreenofsootandgrease.Withhissleeve,hetriedtocleanhissideoftheglassandashedidsohecaughttheeyeofthewomanwhohadsatdownoppositehim.Shefollowedhisgaze

acrossthetrackthenlookeddown,intentlystudyingtherailticketshewasclutchinginherglovedhands.Heleanedforwardtogetabetterview,butthenthedoorsofthetrainslammed,aguardcalledoutandthetrainlurchedforward.Withinsecondsthecrowdofpeople

ontheoppositeplatformbecameablurandsoontheywereoutofAnhalter.

‘Doyouknowwhotheywere?’heaskedthelady.

Shelookedaroundherbeforeanswering.‘Youdon’tknow?’

Heshookhishead.

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

‘Whereto?’Aticketinspectorhad

appearednexttothemandtheybothsilentlyhandedhimtheirtickets.Sheglancedupathim.Keepquiet.Overthecracklyspeakerthedriver

announcedthenextstation:‘Grossgorsenstrasse.’

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

HegotoffthetrainatBotanischerGarten,crossedtheUnterdenEichenandenteredthegardens.HedidhisbesttoappeareverybittheinterestedvisitorandmadeleisurelyprogresstotheItalianGarden,whichwasactuallyquitebeautifulandin

othercircumstanceswouldhavebeenanidealplacetorelax.

Ifyou’renotapproachedbyhimwithintenminutesofenteringtheItalianGarden,walkbacktothestationandtravelbacktoAnhalterthentothehotel.Justactnormally.Just

becausehedoesn’tturnupdoesn’tnecessarilymeansomethingiswrong.

HehadbeenintheItalianGardensapproachingtenminuteswhenasmartlydressedmanwithabroad-brimmedhatcameuptohimandspokeinaneducatedBerlinaccent.

‘Excusemesir;couldyoupointmeinthedirectionofthegreenhouses?’

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

Themanheldouthis

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

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

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

Henrynodded.‘Good.Nowpointme

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

ForthenextfewminutestheystrolledapartaroundtheItaliangarden.Henrydidhisbesttoappearfascinatedbytheplants.AgroupofyoungLuftwaffe

officerswerealsowalkingaroundandhewonderediftheirpresencemightcauseadelay,butthenhenoticedthelawyerheadoutofthegardens.HefollowedhimuntilheenteredthewhitehouseonthecornerofArno-HolzStrasse.

Allowtwominutesfrom

whenIenterbeforeyouapproach.

Hehadslowedhispacerightdownandallowedhimselfonequickglancebehindhim.Theareaappearedtobedeserted.Inahouseacrossthestreetamaidhadcomeouttoputsomethinginabinandwas

lookingathim.HebentdowntotiehisshoelacesandaglanceathiswatchtoldhimaminuteandahalfhadelapsedsinceHermannhadenteredthehouse.Hewouldheadovernow.

Thecurtainsinthesmallwindowabovetheporchwereopenandashe

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

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

andthegirlbothstoodupandshookhishand,thegirlonlyafterbeingpromptedtodosobyherbrother.‘HerrHesseisafriendofthefamilyfromSwitzerland,fromZürich,’saidHermann.

Alfredlookedyoungerthanhis12years:hehadapleasantfacethatshowed

signsofbeginningtoturnhandsomeandthefairhairhisfatherhaddescribed.Hewasthinandslightlygaunt-looking,withapale,unhealthycomplexionthatnodoubtowedmuchtohavingbeenconfinedindoorsforsolong.Hehadanaturalsmile,butitdidrevealasetof

yellowteeth.Henrywasunableto

gaugewhetherAlfred’ssisterlookedolderoryoungerthanfive,butSophiadidshareherbrother’sunhealthilypalecomplexion.Sheheldherheaddownandstaredupatwhoevershewaslookingatwithenormous,darkeyesthat

managedtoappearbothinnocentandknowingatthesametime.Shehadaheadofthick,darkhairthatfelloverherthinshouldersandwasaclutchingadirtytoyrabbitclosetoher.

AndthisisRosa.Rosa.Roza.

Withlong,darkhairthatflowedoverherslimshouldersanddarkeyesthatsparkled,thisRosalookedtoomuchlikeherRussiannamesake.Inalesserlightshecouldeasilybemistakenforher.AndthoughitwastenyearssinceHenryhadlastseenRozaintheflesh,in

truthhe’dseenherimagemostnightssincethen,fartoostarkandtoolifeliketohaveallowedhertofadefromhismemory.ThisRosawasasheimaginedRozawouldhavegrownuptobe:thefaceslightlymorelined,thesmallbreastsnowfullerundertheblouseandcardigan,theeyes

havinglivedthatmuchlongerandexperiencedthatmuchmore.Hefullyexpectedhertogentlytouchhiswristandthen,asshewaswonttodointhedreams,griphimtightlyandadmonishhim.‘YouweretheonepersonIthoughtunderstoodme,youweresomeoneItrusted,’she’dsaid

then,certainintheknowledgeofthefatethatawaitedher.

Roza.Rosasmiledandshook

hishandthenaskedthechildrentoleavetheroom.

‘Goupstairs.I’llcallyoudownlater.Andremember,bequiet!’

Thechildrensilently

shuffledoutoftheroom.WhenRosaspokeagainHenrynoticedshedidsoinsuchasoftvoiceitwasbarelyaboveawhisper.

‘ThisisthehouseofFranz’smother.Sheiselderlyandinfirm,andIlookafterher.I’madoctor,butasfarasshe’sconcerned,I’manurse.

ShehasnoideaI’mJewishandnordoesshehaveanyinklingthechildrenarehere,whichiswhywehavetobesoquiet.Herhearingisverybad,butwe’recarefulnonetheless.Thechildrennevergodownstairs.Wehavebeenhereforwelloverayearandlifeisbarelytolerable.

Thechildrenhavetoliveinsilence:wecan’triskputtingthelightsonwhenitgetsdark.We’resogratefultoFranz,butlifeisdifficult:wehavelimitedfood,despiteFranz’sgenerosity.Gunterhelpstoo,buthehastobecarefulashiswifeknowsnothing.Weliveinconstant

fearthatsomeonewillfindoutaboutus.GunterfeelsthatatleastweshouldtrytogetAlfredout,he’sinsistentaboutthatandI’vecomeroundtoacceptingit,eventhoughitbreaksmyheart.Iunderstandyou’vecometohelp;I’msograteful.Pleasetelluseverything.’

OverthefollowinghourHenrywentthroughtheplanindetail.Rosawasimpassive,perchedontheedgeofthesofa,straight-backedandoccasionallyaskinghimtorepeathimself.Once,Rosaplacedherhandonhis,allowingherlong,thinfingerstobrushhiswrist.

HenrymusthaveshowedhisemotionsbecauseFranzHermannleantforward.

‘Areyoualright,Henri?’

‘Pardon?’Hefeltasifthoughhe’djustwokenup,momentarilyunsureofexactlywherehewas.

‘Areyoualright?You

lookworried.’‘No,no…I’mfine.I

wasjustthinkingaboutwhatwehavetodo.There’ssomuchdetailtothinkabout.’

TheybothagreedthatifAlfred’shaircouldbedyedandstyledlikethatofAndreas,then,alongwiththeglasses,hewouldhavea

reasonableresemblancetotheSwissboy,especiallygiventhatthepassportphotographwastakentwoyearspreviously.EventhemostrigorouspersoninspectingitwouldhavetoacknowledgeAndreashadaged.

‘Alfredisanintelligentboy,’saidRosa.‘Iknowthat

mostmotherswouldsaythat,butheis.I’msurehe’llbeabletorememberthedetailsofthecoverstory,buthowhe’llactunderpressureisadifferentmatter:wesimplydon’tknow,dowe?He’swellawareofhowmuchdangerwe’rein.He’llknowhemayneverseeusagain.’

HenryonlyrealisedRosawascryingwhenhesawFranzhadmovedclosertoherandhadacomfortingarmaroundhershoulder.Henrylookedfirstatthefloorthenatthewindow,awkwardandunsureofwhattosay.AtfirstheslidalongthesofatowardsRosa,thinkingitwashis

placetocomforthertoo,butthenhecheckedhimself.Itwouldnotdotoappeartoofamiliar.Howcouldhebegintoexplainhimself?

‘Inmanyrespects,we’rewell-prepared,’saidFranz.‘Youhavethepassportandtherailticket,andyousaidsomethingaboutthe

Swisssideoftheborderbeingpotentiallythehardestpartofthejourney.FromwhatI’vealsoheard,that’scorrect:theSwissareverystrictaboutwhotheyletin:oneoftheirowncitizensoughtnottobeaproblem.TheGermanswillbemoreconcernedwithsomeonewhohasaGerman

passporttryingtoleavethecountry.TheprioritynowistostartworkwithAlfred.’

Rosastoodupandwalkedovertothewindow,drawingthecurtain.

‘I’dbettergoandcheckonyourmother,Franz.ThenletmehavesometimealonewithAlfred.I’dliketotell

himmyself.Howlongcanyoustay,HerrHesse?’

‘IsupposeIhaveafewhours?’

‘No,no,’saidHermann.‘It’lllooksuspiciousifyouarrivebacktoolateattheKaiserhof.There’snoquestionthey’llbekeepinganoteonyour

movements,whichhappenswithallforeignvisitors.YoucanhaveonehourwithAlfredthencomebacktomorrow,whenyou’llhaveallday.’

***

ItwastheFriday,thelastday

ofFebruary,andasthetrainpulledoutofPotsdamstationHenrynoticedthatAlfred,whohecouldnowonlythinkofasAndreasHedinger,wascrying.

Itwasaveryprivatecry,thesilenttypewhereafewtearstrickledownthecheekandanysobsare

suppressedbyacoughandbitingthelip.Andreashadshiftedinhisseatsohewaslookingdirectlyoutofthewindowandneitheroftheotherpassengersinthecarriagecouldpossiblyseehisface.Henrycaughtglimpsesofhiminprofile,alongwiththereflectionof

hisfaceonthewindow.Alfredhadheldhimself

togethersofarthatmorningandovertheprevioustwodays.Tenminutespreviously,he’dpassedhisfirstmajortest.Securityatthestationhadbeenlighterthanthey’dexpected,withthemaincheckbeingtoensurethe

ticketswereinorder.ButHenryknewthatsoonerorlatertheywouldbequestioned,andthathadhappenedduringthewaitatPotsdamstationwhenaGestapoofficerhadenteredtheircompartment,withtwoWehrmachtsoldierswaitingincorridoroutside.

Tickets.Identitydocuments.Quick.

TheGestapoofficer’seyesdartedfromHenrytoAndreasandbackagain,thentotheothertwomen.Bothappearedtobetravellingonbusiness:onetoJenaandtheothertoWürzburg.TheGestapoofficerseemed

satisfiedwiththeirpapers.ThenitwasHenry’sturn.

‘YourticketistoStuttgart.’

‘Yes:thenwe’retravellingtoZürich.’

‘Letmeseethosetickets.’

HestudiedthemthensaidtoAlfred,‘Youare

travellingtogether?’‘Yes.’‘Youarerelated?’‘No,Andreasistheson

ofafriendandcolleague.He’sbeeninBerlinvisitingwhileIwasonbusinessinthecity.Hisparentsaskedmetolookafterhim.’

‘Whatisyour

business?’‘Iworkforabank:

BankLeu.Here’smyletterofaccreditation.’

TheGestapomanreadeverywordthenturnedtoAlfred.‘You:yourpapers.’

Alfredhandedoverthepassport.

Sayaslittleaspossible

and,whenyoudo,don’tspeaktooclearly:theGermanswillobviouslyexpectaSwisspersontohaveanaccent.

‘What’syourdateofbirth?’

Thatwasnoproblem.They’dbeenworkingveryhardoverthepastcoupleof

days.Twomorequestions

andI’llbegintoworry.‘Andwheredidyou

visitinBerlin?’Henrydidbeginto

worry.SurelytheGestapomanwouldspotAlfredwasspeakingwithaBerlinaccent,certainlynotaSwissone.

‘Pardon?’‘Isaid,wheredidyou

visitinBerlin?’Thecarriagedoor

openedandoneoftheWehrmachtsoldierscamein.

‘Ottowantsyourhelpinthefront:there’saproblem.’

Tooeasy.Everyminute

ofyourvisitwillbelacedwithdanger.

Butthatwasthat.HenrywantedtotellAlfredhowwellhehaddone,butallhewasabletodowassmile.

***

Alfredhadbeenamodel

student,carefullywritingdownthedetailsheneededtoremembertopassasAndreasHedingerfromZürichandmemorisingthestoryabouthowhehadcometobeinBerlinwithHerrHesse,whowassuchagoodfriendofhisparents.Hewassogoodtohaveagreedtotakehimto

Berlinwithhim.Myfatherissobusy,I

hardlyseehimthesedays!HekeptpromisingtotakemetoBerlinandwasalwayscancelling.HerrHessehasbeensoverykind!

Thatwastheagreedlinetheywouldtakeifanyonequestionedwhyhe

wasinBerlinwithHenry.InanefforttopersuadeAlfredtobelieveinthestory,theyallkeptupthepretenceofhowplausibleitwas.Theadultsknewthefirstlineoftheirdefencelayinthepaperwork:ifthatinanywayfailedtoconvince,thenthestorywouldbeprobedand

Henryknewitwouldnotstanduptoalotofscrutiny.Theirdisplaysofconfidenceinthestorymusthaveworked:bythetimetheygotonthetraininBerlin,Henryhadevencometobelieveithimself.

HenryhadgonetotheReichsbankfirstthingonthe

Wednesdaymorning–thebriefestoftrips,justenoughtobeabletoshowthehotelwherehewasgoing.Fromthere,hetravelleddowntoDahlemandspentthewholedaywithAlfred.GunterReinharthadjoinedthemforanhourintheafternoon:whenheleft,itwastosay

farewelltoAlfred.HefollowedthesamepatternontheThursday.FranzbroughtAlfredtothestationontheFridaymorning.Hishairhadbeencutanddyed,andalongwiththewire-framedspectacles,thepassageoftimeandtherelativelypoorqualityofthephotograph,he

presentedmorethanapassingresemblancetoAndreasHedinger.Alfredstoodontheplatformclutchinghissmallknapsackwithafewclothesandoneortwootherinnocuousitemsinit.InthepocketofhisjacketwastheSwisspassport,hislifeline.Franzshookhandsbriefly

withbothofthemanddisappearedintothecrowd.

***

AfterPotsdam,therehadbeenalongwaitinLeipzigandwhenthetrainfinallyleftthecityitmovedveryslowlythroughSaxony,meaning

theyweremorethantwohoursbehindschedulewhentheyarrivedinJena.Henryspentthelonghoursalternatingbetweenstaringoutofthewindowandclosinghiseyesbut,whenhedidso,Rozawasstaringathimasalways.

Henryknewtheir

chancesofgettingintoSwitzerlandthatnightwereremote.BythetimethetraincrossedoverfromThuringiaintoBavaria,therainthathadaccompaniedthemsinceJenahadbecomeincessant.Alfredsatquietlyinoneposition:hehadeatenverylittleapartfromasausageandmilk

HenryhadboughtontheplatformatLeipzig.SincePotsdamhehadappearedcomposed.

TherewasanotherlongwaitinWürzburgandtheywerejoinedintheircarriagebythreenewpassengers:awomanwithapinchedfaceaccompaniedbyapretty

teenagedaughterandaWaffenSSObersturmführerwhowasonesmallglassofsomethingshortofbeingdrunk.HenrysawtheboytenseastheSSofficerstumbledintothecarriage.Atthesightofthegirl,whocouldhavebeennomorethan17,theObersturmführer’s

eyeslitup.Forthenexthalfhourhedidhisbesttoimpressher,whilethegirltriedtoignorehim,helpedbythecleardisapprovalofhermother.

Thenheturnedhisattentiontotheboy.Whereareyoufrom?Switzerland?ILOVESwitzerland!TheSwiss

areourfriends!YOUaremyfriend.WherehaveyoubeeninGermany?TellmewhatyousawinBerlin.

HenrystruggledhardtoconcealhisamazementasAlfredconfidentlyenthusedabouteverythinghe’dseeninBerlin,notleastthesoldiers–helovedseeingthesoldiers

andthemarching,anditwassoexciting,farmoreexcitingthananythingwehaveinZürichorindeedanywhereinSwitzerland.He’dlovetoreturntoGermany,maybewhenhewasolderhecouldeven…

FortunatelytheSSmanseemedtobeobliviousto

Alfred’sapparentlackofaSwissaccent,helpednodoubtbythecontentsoftheflaskhe’dfinishedsincejoiningthetrain.WithinminuteshehadinsistedonbeingcalledKarlandwasshowingAlfredhisMauserautomaticanddescribinghowhehadcapturedParissingle-handed.

Whenyou’reoldenoughtomeetgirls,Andreas,thefirstplaceyougoisParis!WhichfootballteamdoyousupportAndreas?FCZürich?Ah,Grasshoppers!Agoodteam.

Justoutsidethecity,stillintheblanketdarknessofthecountryside,thetrainpulledtoanoisyhalt.Itwas

seveno’clock.Silenceforafewminutes,thenshoutingandthesoundofdogsbarking.Ittookaneternityforthecommotiontoworkitswaydownthetrain.Whenitreachedthem,aGestapoofficerwhoseemedtobewiderthanhewastallsqueezedintotheir

compartment,breathlessandwithsweatdrippingfromhisbrow.Hewaswearingaleatherraincoatthatwassotightitremainedunbuttoned.HelookedaroundthenshoutedatAlfred.

‘You:getup…now!’Henryclutchedtheseat

tostophimselfswaying.The

boywassoterrifiedhedidnotmoveamuscle,butalltheblooddrainedfromhisface.

‘Didyounothearme?Comewithmenow.’

TheSSObersturmführerroseslowlyandslightlyunsteadily,standingdirectlyinfrontoftheGestapoofficerandvery

closetohim.Hewasatleastafoottallerthantheothermanandusedeveryinchofthattoensurehelookeddownonhimwiththemaximumeffect.

‘What’stheproblem?’‘We’vehadreportsthat

someJewishboysgotonthetrainatWürzburg.Thepolice

discoveredsomeoftheverminhidinginacellarandhadbeenchasingthegang:theylastsawtheminthevicinityofthestation.We’recheckingallyouthsonthetrain.’

‘Well,Andreasismyfriendandit’simpossiblehe’sJewish.’

HewasshoutingattheGestapoofficer,flecksofspitsprayingontotheotherman’sreddeningface.WhentheGestapoofficerreplied,itwasinamuchmoreuncertainvoice.

‘Andhowdoyouknowthat?’

‘Becausehe’sSwiss!’

Thebigmanwipedhisfacewithhissleeve,clearlypuzzledbytheObersturmführer’slogic.

‘Istillneedtocheckhispapersandquestionhimthough…’HeheldhisarmouttowardsAlfred,beckoninghimtojoinhim.TheObersturmführergrabbed

holdoftheGestapoman’sarmandpusheditdown.

‘Youwon’tneedtobedoingthat.’

‘Howcome?’‘BecauseIgotonthe

trainatWürzburgandAndreaswasalreadyonit,sostopwastingyourtime.’

TheGestapoofficer

appearedreluctanttoargue.BynowapairofAlsatianswerebarkingoutsidetheopendoorofthecompartment.‘Letmehavealookatyourpassport,’hesaidtotheboy.

Andreaspassedittohim.HenrynoticedtheGestapoman’shandsweretremblingashequickly

flickedthroughthepassport,beforehandingitback.

‘That’sallinorder.’‘Nexttime,tryand

servetheReichinmoreusefulways,’theObersturmführerspatathimasheleftthecompartment,defeated.

Itwasnineo’clockby

thetimethetrainarrivedinStuttgart.HenryknewhecouldhavegonetothenearbyHotelVictoria,whereheimaginedthatKatharinaHochwasstillthenightmanager,butitwouldbetoorisky.Hedecidedinsteadtheywouldstayovernightinthestation,wheretherewasalargeair-

raidshelter.ThefirsttraintoZürichwasat8.20inthemorning,whichmeanthewouldalsohaveanopportunitytosendatelegramtoHedinger.

Theair-raidshelterwheretheysleptwascrowded.Theboywasstillinastateofanxietyandstress

fromtheeventsoftheday,andHenryhadtowhispertohimhowwellhehaddone;howproudhisparentswouldbeofhim.We’renearlytherenow,you’llbesafe.Theyfoundacornerofawidebenchatthebackoftheshelterintowhichtheywedgedthemselves.Henry

puthisarmroundtheboyandgraduallyfelthimrelax,andwithinafewminuteshewasfastasleep,onwhathebothhopedandfearedwouldbehislastnightinhishomeland.

***

Chapter20:Stuttgart,Zürich&Berlin,March1941Forthefirstfewhoursintheair-raidshelterinStuttgart,Henryhardlyslept.Thespottheyhadfoundturnedoutto

haveanoisypiperunningdirectlyaboveitandeverytimehedroppedoffhewassoonwokenbythesoundofclanginghissingair.Then,whenhedidsleep,Rozawouldappear:heradmonishingeyesfixedonhim,tellinghimwhatheknewalltoowell.Forafull

hourshehauntedhim:shewasthereifheshuthiseyestightandstilltherewhenheopenedthemwideandtherewhenheheldhisheadtightinhishands.

Butthenthestrangestthinghappened:Rozastaredathiminherfamiliarfashion,hereyesfullofsadnessand

hatred.Butthenherfacebegantodissolveandwhenitcamebackintofocusthedarkbrowneyeswerethereaswasthedarkhairflowingoverslimshoulders,butnowthefeaturesbelongedtoRosaand,withthat,anunexpectedcalmcameoverHenry.Rosawasnolesssad,buttherewas

thefaintestofsmilesonherfaceandalookofpleadinginhereyes.AndastheverybeginningsofanideabegantoemergeinHenry’smind,acalmhewasquiteunusedtocameoverhimandthefewhoursofsleepbetweenthenandwhenhewokeupwerethedeepesthe’dexperienced

foryears.Peoplebegantoleave

theshelterfromsixinthemorningandbyhalfsixitwasalmostdeserted.Henryhadhopedtostayuntilnearertoeighto’clock,butwhentheyventuredupontothemainstationconcoursetheyspottedacaféwasopenand

theywereabletoremainthereforthenexthourandahalf.Ateight,thetelegramboothinthestationopenedandHenrysentamessagetoMichaelHedinger,whoheknewwouldhavegoneintothebankthatmorningasarranged.

DepartingStuttgart

8.20stopArrivingZürich2.40stopPapersallinorderstop

Papersallinorder:Alfrediswithme,asuccessfulmission…sofar.

ThetrainleftStuttgartat8.30butthenwasheldataredlightontheoutskirtsofthecitytoallowamilitary

traintopass,itsopentruckscarryingdozensoftanks.BylunchtimeithadmadeitssteadyprogressthroughSwabiatowardsthebordertownofSingen,thelaststopinGermanybeforeSwitzerland.Theywereheldatanisolatedplatform,wheretheyweretoldbya

loudspeakerannouncementthatanypassengerswishingtotravelonintoSwitzerlandshouldremainintheircompartments:allotherpassengersshouldleavethetrainforthwith.

Forhalfanhourtherewasnosignofanything.Therewasjustoneother

passengerintheircompartment,animmaculatelydressedGermanmanwiththelongeleganthandsofapianistandthecomplexionofsomeonewhorarelyventuredoutdoors.Hehadspentmostofthejourneyreadingsheetmusicandattendingtohisnails,

occasionallyremovingawatchfromhisjacketwithaflourish,studyingitwithsomefascination,tuttingthenreturningittohispocket.Eventually,thedelayinSingenwastoomuchforhim.Hewasgoingtoseewhatwasgoingon,hetoldHenry,andleftthecompartment.Henry

leanedovertoAlfred,whohehadnoticedlookedconsiderablymorerelaxedthanyesterday.‘Don’tforget,thisisthemostdangerouspartofthejourney.TheSwissborderpolicewillbewatchingforanyonetryingtogetintoSwitzerlandwhoshouldn’t.Don’tmakeany

mistakes.Soonyou’llbeabletorelax.Youhavedoneverywell,myboy.Butbecarefulnow…’

AlfredlookedworriedandHenrywasn’tsurehe’dsaidtherightthing.MaybeIshouldhavejustkeptquiet.

Theirfellowpassengerreturnedtothecarriage.

‘They’vegottowaitfortheSwisspolicetoarrive,’hetoldthem.‘IthoughttheSwissweremeanttobeefficient.Ridiculous.’

TenminuteslatertheSwissborderpolicearrivedontheplatform,wheretheyandtheGermanofficersgreetedeachotherlikeold

friends.Workinginpairs–oneSwiss,oneGerman–theywentthroughthetraincompartmentbycompartment.

TheSwissofficerwhoeventuallyarrivedlookednomorethan20.Hecheckedthepassportofthepianist,askedtoseehisreturnticketthen

handedthemtotheGermanpoliceman.Bothappearedtobesatisfied.

TheofficerthenturnedtoHenry.Passport.ItwasonlywhenhesawtheSwisspassportandsaid‘grüezi’thatafatalflawintheirplantheyhadoverlookeduntilnowhitHenryhardintheface.

TheSwissborderpolicemanhadusedthetraditionalSwiss-Germangreeting.IfhewasgoingtospeakinSwiss-German,theboywouldnotunderstand.Heandhisstorywouldunravelveryquickly.

‘WherehaveyoutravelledfrominGermany?’

heasked,stillspeakinginSwiss-German.

‘I’vebeeninBerlin,onbusinessforBankLeu.Here’smyletterofaccreditation.’HenrymadeapointofreplyinginstandardGerman.

Theyoungpolicemantookitandreaditcarefully.

‘SohowlonghaveyoubeeninGermanyfor?’StillinSwiss-German.

‘SinceMonday.’StandardGerman.Ithadbecomelikeasurrealgame.

‘Theboy:ishewithyou?’

‘Andreasisthesonoffriends.He’sbeenvisiting

Berlin.’Henryhadtriedtoavoidlookingattheboy,butcaughtaglimpseofhisworriedfaceashementionedhim.

‘AndyoustayedwhereinBerlin?’

‘Jan,Ikeeptellingyou!SpeakproperGerman;don’tconfuseme!’Itwasthe

Germanpoliceman,standinginthedoorwayofthecarriageandclearlyimpatient.

HisSwisscounterpartshruggedandtookthepassportofAndreasHedinger.Hecheckedthevisa,lookedupatAlfredandbackagainatthephoto,repeatingthisthreeorfour

times,hisbright-blueeyesdartingupanddown.

‘Howoldareyou?’HespokeinstandardGerman.AlfredgaveAndreas’ageanddateofbirth.

‘DidyouenjoyBerlin?’‘Yessir,thankyou.But

I’mlookingforwardtogoinghome.’

***

HewasinZürichforlessthan40hours.

Theyarrivedinthecityatthreeo’clockontheSaturdayafternoonandweremetatthestationbyHerrandFrauHedinger.Alfredhad

shownnosignsofreliefastheycrossedtheborderintoSwitzerlandandbythetimetheyarrivedatthestationhewasinastateofshock,totallyoverwhelmedbywhatwashappeningtohim.Thefacthewasfreeandsafedidnotseemtooccurtohimashewaswarmlygreetedbythe

Hedingers.FrauHedingerledAlfredovertothestationcaféforahotchocolatewhileMichaelHedingerandHenryfoundaquietbench.Henryhandedoverthepapers.

‘Everythingwasinorder?’

‘Yes,thankyou.Yourarrangementswerevery

good;faultlessinfact.’Atallmaninatrilby

wasstrollingpurposefullytowardsthem:itseemedhehadappearedfromnowhere.HeremovedhisleatherglovesandshookHenry’shand.

‘Sothat’sAlfred,eh?’‘Iwonderedwhenyou

mightshowup,Edgar.’‘Youdidn’timagineI’d

missthis,didyou?Itrusttherewerenoproblems?’

‘No.Itwasnerve-wracking,butwe’vearrivedinonepiece.’

‘AsIcansee.Hedinger,haveyousortedyourwretcheddocumentsout?’

HedingertookthesealedenvelopesfromHenryandhandedhimafewmoreinreturn.‘You’rereturningtoBerlinonMonday,’hesaidashestoodup.‘Edgarwilltellyouallaboutit.Hehasyourtickets.’

‘You’regoingtobealrightwiththeboy?’

Hedingernodded.‘Andyou’llsendthe

telegramtoReinhart?’‘FirstthingMonday

morning,aswearranged.’‘Won’tReinhartwant

toknowsoonerthatAlfred’sarrivedsafely?’

‘I’msurehewould,butthisallhastolookproper,’

saidEdgar.‘It’dbeoddforanofficialoftheReichsbanktoreceiveatelegramfromBankLeuonaSaturdayacknowledgingsafereceiptsofpapers.It’llhavetowaituntilMonday.BythetimeyouseeReinhartonTuesdaymorning,he’llknowAlfredarrivedsafelyandhecan

handtheotherdocumentovertoyou.GoonHedinger,you’dbettertakeAlfredoff.Henry,perhapsyouwanttogoandsaygoodbye?’

AlfredhadrelaxedbythetimeHenryapproachedhimandFrauHedingerinthestationcafé.Hehadbeendrinkingahotchocolateand

wasdevouringanenormouscreampastry.Hehadabiggrinonhisface.

‘Alfredwastellingmehelovesdogsbuthasneverhadone.He’ssolookingforwardtomeetingMitzi!Andguesswhat,HerrHesse?She’sexpectingpuppies!I’vetoldAlfredhecanchooseone

ofthemtobehisveryownpet.’

HenryembracedAlfredandpromisedhe’dcomeandvisithim.Hemustn’tworry;everythingwouldbefine.WhenhereleasedtheboyfromhisembracehenoticedAlfred’seyesweremoist.Hekeptsaying‘thankyou’and

ashedisappearedoutofthestationheturnedroundandgaveHenryanervouslittlewave.

***

HenryandEdgarspentwhatremainedoftheweekendintheapartmentabovethe

hardwareshoponBasteiplatz.Whentheyarrivedthere,BasilRemington-Barberwasmakingupacampbedinthelounge.Thethreeofthemsataroundthetable.

‘You’rebookedonthesixo’clocktrainonMondaymorning.ThatgotyouintoBerlinthatevening,didn’t

it?’‘Yes:Iwasfortunate

withtheconnectioninStuttgart.Comingbackyesterdaywasadifferentmatter.True,weleftBerlinabitlater,butwhetheritwasbombdamageorsomethingelse,itwasamuchslowerjourney:hencethereasonwe

hadtostayoverinStuttgart.’‘Itrustthatyoudidn’t

goanywhereneartheVictoria?’askedRemington-Barber.

‘No,westayedovernightinthestation–inanair-raidshelter.’

‘Let’sgetdowntobusiness.Here’syourticket

forMonday.Wewanttogetyouandthedocumentbackhereasquicklyaspossible,sotheplanisthatyougototheReichsbankfirstthingontheTuesdaymorning,handBankLeu’senvelopestoReinhartandhe’llgiveyoutheonestobebroughtbackhere.Oneofthesealedenvelopeswill

containthedocument–he’llletyouknowwhichone.AccordingtoHedinger,neithertheGermannortheSwisspolicehaveevertriedtoopenasealedenvelopefromanyofthebanks.Iimaginethat’dbebadforbusiness.Icanseenoreasonwhyyoushouldn’tbeableto

leaveBerlinbylunchtime.Iknowthecouriersoftenhangaroundforafewdays,butweneedtogetyoubackheresowe’llriskit.Youwon’tmakeitintoSwitzerlandthatnight,butgotoStuttgartthentakethefirsttrainoutonWednesdaymorning.Doesthatallmakesense?’

‘Yes…butshouldn’tthedocumentbeconcealed?’

‘Wethoughtofthat,’saidRemington-Barber,‘butiftheydecidetosearchyouthenthey’llprobablyfinditanyway.AsEdgarsays,theydon’ttouchbankenvelopes.You’rebookedintheKaiserhofthere–here’sthe

telegramconfirmingit.Youstillhavetheletterofaccreditationfromthebank?Good.Andofcourseyourpassporthasthecorrectvisas.TellmeHenry,what’sGunterReinhartlike?’

Henryshrugged.‘He’saGermanbanker,whichseemstoberatherlikea

SwissbankerandIdaresayBritishbankers:efficientenough,butwhatdoyouwantmetosay?I’lldoubtwe’llbecomeclosefriends,ifthat’swhatyoumean.He’sverytall,too,forwhatit’sworth.’

‘WhatIthinkwemean,’saidRemington-

Barber,‘iswhatkindofachapdoyouthinkheis?Ishetrustworthy?Afterall,we’veusedoneofourfewagentsabletotravelinandoutofGermanytohelphissonescape.Howdoweknowthisdocumenthe’spromisingusisgenuine,orisitatrick.Hashejustbeenleadingusalong

asarusetogetAlfredout?’‘I’vereallynoidea,’

saidHenry.‘Heseemsgenuineenough.Isupposeifthedocumentturnsouttobeeitherafakeornotexistatallthenherunstheriskofupsettingusandthatcouldhaveimplicationsforhisownsafety–andthatofRosaand

Sophia.’EdgarandRemington-

Barberlookedateachother,partiallyreassured.

‘Yousee,hestillwantstohelpRosaescapeandobviouslythatmeanslittleSophiatoo.’

‘IcanseewhyReinhartwantedtogethissonout,but

whyhisex-wife?’‘Heobviouslycares

verymuchforherand,tobefrankwithyou,Icanseewhy.Shereallyisthemostmarvellouswoman,youknow.She’sbeenholedupinthathouseforwelloverayearnow.PoorlittleSophiacanbarelyspeak;she’sso

terrifiedofmakinganoise.Itwouldbemarvellousifwecoulddosomethingtohelpthem.’

‘Ibegyourpardon?’EdgarwasstaringatHenryasifhehadcompletelymisheardhim.

‘IwasjustsayingIthoughtit’dbemarvellousif

wecouldhelpAlfred’smotherandsister.’

Edgarsatthereopen-mouthed.ItwasRemington-Barberwhospokenext.

‘Helpinwhatway,Henry?’

‘PossiblyhelpthemtoleaveGermany?’

‘HasReinhartasked

youraisethis?’‘No.’‘Soit’snotacondition

ofhishandingoverthedocument?’

‘No.’‘Sowhyonearthare

youraisingthematterthen?’‘Don’tforgetI’vejust

comebackfromBerlin,

Edgar.It’slikeabloodyprisoncamp,uniformseverywhere.Itcanonlybeamatteroftimebeforethey’recaught.Iftherewasanywaywecouldhelpgetthemoutbeforethathappensthenwe’dbedoingthedecentthing.’

Edgarslammedthetablewithhishand.‘Areyou

starkravingmad?Whothehelldoyouthinkweare–theRedbloodyCross?’

‘Iwasonlythinking…’‘Welldon’t.What’sgot

intoyou?Haveyoufalleninlovewiththiswomanorsomething?’

Henryhesitatedasherealisedthatwasexactlywhat

hehaddone.Hecouldfeelhisfacereddening.‘No,notatall.Ijustfeelawfullysorryforthem.’

‘Welldon’t,’saidEdgar,whowasnolongershouting.‘Inourprofession,wesimplycan’taffordtohavethosekindsoffeelings.Doyouunderstand?’

UntiltheysawhimoffatthestationearlyontheMondaymorning,Henrywasneveralone.EitherEdgarorRemington-Barberwasalwaysnearhim.WhenhegotupintheearlyhoursoftheSundaymorningtogotothebathroom,Edgarwas

awakeinthelounge,sittinginanarmchairhehadangledtofacetheopenloungedoor.HenrywonderedwhethertalkingaboutRosahadcausedthemtodistrusthim.Hehadlearnthislesson.

Hewaswokenatfouro’clockontheMondaymorningforhisfinalbriefing.

‘WhenyougetbackhereonWednesdaygostraighttoBankLeuonParadeplatz;handtheenvelopesovertoHedinger,apartfromtheoneforus.Understood?’

Yes.‘Usethetelephonein

Hedinger’sofficetocallthisnumber.BothEdgarandI

willbeinBern.Oneofuswillanswer.Telluswhattrainyou’recatchingfromZürichandI’llmeetyouatBernstation.You’llbebackhomeinGenevathatevening.’

‘Assumingeverythinggoeswell,’saidEdgar,‘we’llputafurther500poundsinto

yourCreditSuisseaccount.TwotripsinandoutofGermany,you’llhavedeservedit.’

Henrytoldthemhowgratefulhewas.‘Justonethingthough,’hesaid.‘ItseemstobethemostenormousefforttogotoBerlin,bringtheboyoutand

gobackagaintocollectthisdocument.’

‘OnlywayofdoingitHenry:Gunterwillonlyreleasethedocumentoncehe’ssurehissonissafeinSwitzerland.We’vealreadytoldyouthat.’

‘Mustbeadamnimportantdocumentthen.’

‘That,Henry,isforustodecide.Oh…andoneotherthing,’saidEdgarastheypreparedtoleavetheapartment.‘ThatRosawoman:don’tbetemptedtogoanywherenearher.Forgetabouther.Understand?’

Henryassuredthemheunderstood.

***

GunterReinharthadlefthomejustafterseveno’clockontheMondaymorningand,asluckwouldhaveit,theU-Bahnandthetramswereallrunningsosmoothlyhewasconcernedhewouldarriveat

worktooearly.Itwouldnotdotobenoticed.SohegotoffthetramearlyontheUnterdenLindenandwalkedtherestoftheway.BythetimeheturnedontoFranzösischestrasseitwas7.40,whichwasstillearlybuthopefullynotsoearlyhewoulddrawattentionto

himself.HetriedtoappearascasualaspossibleasheenteredtheReichsbankonWerderscherMarkt,butashefoundhimselfaloneinthecorridorsleadingtohisofficehispacequickened.

Hewaiteduntilfivepasteight,thenhepickedupthetelephonehehadbeen

staringatsincehehadarrivedinhisofficeanddialledaninternalnumber.

Yes,HerrReinhart:atelegramhasindeedarrivedforyou.Ibegyourpardon?Yes,fromZürich.FromBankLeu.Ourmessengerstartsathalfpasteight.I’llensurehebringsitstraighttoyou.

GunterReinhartcouldnotbeartowaitevenforhalfanhour,soeventhoughitwasunusualforhimtodoso,hewentdownhimselftothetelegrambureauinthebasement.Hedidmanagetorestrainhimselffromopeningthetelegramuntilhewasbackinhisoffice.

DocumentationallinorderstopCourierwithyouagainTuesdaystopAllwellstopHedingerstop.

Hereadthetelegramtwicebeforefoldingitupcarefully,slippingitintoanenvelopeandplacingitinthebottomofhisbriefcase.Hefeltheawaveofemotion

overwhelmhimforaminuteorso.AlfredwassafeinSwitzerland.Nowhehadtokeephissideofthebargain.

HetelephonedFunk’sprivatesecretaryataquarterpastnine.

‘Whydoyouneedtoseeit,Reinhart?’

Funk’sprivatesecretary

wasanunpleasantmanwhohadahabitoffollowinghismasteraroundlikeadog,hishandsheldinapparentsupplicationbeforehim,anadmiringsmileonhisface.Hetookconsiderablepleasureincontrollingpeople’saccesstotheMinisterandgenerallymakinglifemoredifficultin

anefforttomakehimselfseemsomehowimportant.

‘BecauseHerrFunkhasaskedIprepareapaperondealingwithassetsthatmaycomeunderourcontrolshouldcertaineventshappenandtocompletethatpapertotheMinister’ssatisfactionIneedtoseethedocument

oncemore.’‘When?’‘Thismorning.’‘Thismorning!

Impossible:IneedtoaccompanyHerrFunktotheReichstag.Inanycase,Reinhart,youknowyouneedtoputyourrequestinwriting.’

‘Verywell.PerhapsyouwouldinformtheMinisterIwillnotbeabletolethimhavethatpaperbytheendoftoday.’

Therewasalongpause,duringwhichGuntercouldhearthePrivateSecretary’sworriedbreathingattheotherendoftheline.

‘Verywell,youcancomeupnowifyoupromisetobequick.’

HewaitedinthesecureroombehindFunk’sofficewhiletheprivatesecretaryfussedaround;makingsurethedocumentwasinorderandsignedfor.HestoodbehindReinhartasheopened

thedocumentonthetableinfrontofhim.Therewasadistinctsmellofmothballsfromthesecretary’sthree-piecesuit,whichhadaNaziPartybadgeononelapelandaswastikaontheother.

‘Howlongwillyoube?’

‘Maybehalfanhour,

possiblyabitlonger.’‘I’mmeanttoremain

withyou,’theprivatesecretarysaidimpatiently,‘butIhavetoprepareforthismeetingattheReichstag.I’llcomebackin20minutes.Remember;don’twriteonthedocument!’

Reinharthadpractised

inhislockedstudyathomeovertheweekendandhereckonedhecouldphotographthewholeofDirective21intenminutes.Hewaitedforfivethenwalkedovertothedoor,whichtheprivatesecretaryhadleftajar.Throughthegaphecouldseethemanbusyat

hisdeskattheotherendoftheouteroffice.Hewaitedanotherminutethenpushedthedoorabitmore,soitwasstillopen,butonlyjust.

ThecameraFranzHermannhadgivenhimwastinyandhehadbeenwarneditwasverysensitive,sohehadtoconcentrateon

remainingasstillaspossibleashephotographedeachpagetwice.Hehadplacedhimselfwithhisbacktothedoor,whichwouldgivehimasecondortwotoreactbutthedangerofbeingcaughtwasstillacute.

Ittook12minutestocompletethetaskandhe

allowedafurtherfiveminutestocheckthedocumentwasinorder,thathehadmadesomenotesandtocomposehimself.Whentheprivatesecretaryreturnedhewasabletoannouncehewasready.

‘Wouldyouliketocheckmynotes?’

ThesecretaryglancedatthemthencheckedtheDirectivecarefully.Heseemedtobeslightlydisappointedeverythingwasinorder.

***

HenryHunterarrivedin

BerlinslightlylaterthanhehadthepreviousMondayandthestaffattheKaiserhofseemedtobepleasedtoseehimagain.Theconciergeenquiredwhetherherequiredadviceonanytripsduringhisstay,butHenryassuredhimthiswasamuchshortervisit:heexpectedtoleaveBerlin

thenextday.Henoticedtheconciergemakingadiscreetnoteashewalkedawayfromhisdesk.

HewasinGunterReinhart’sofficeby10.10ontheTuesdaymorning.ReinhartcarefullyopenedthesealedenvelopesfromBankLeuandsignedareceiptfor

eachone,makinganoteinaledgeronhisdeskashedidso.

‘Pleasesitdown,HerrHesse.You’remakingmenervousstandingthere;thiswilltakeafewminutesmore.’

Reinhartquietlywalkedovertohisofficedoorand

openedit,checkingno-onewasoutside.Whenhecamebackin,hesilentlyslippedalockdown.HegesturedforHenrytomovehischairnearerthedesk.

‘Everythingisinorder,’hewasspeakingquietly.‘IreceivedthetelegramfromHerrHedingerthismorning:

hetoldmethepackagearrivedsafely.Thankyou:tellme,howwasthejourney?’

Henrytoldhimthejourneywasfine.Sowasthepackage.

‘ItgoeswithoutsayingthatI’mindebtedtoyou,butI’mnowabouttorepaythatdebtinfull.Therearefour

envelopeshere,’hepointedtoapileofbulkyenvelopesonthedeskinfrontofhim,‘foryoutotaketoBankLeu.You’llsignfortheseinamoment.Thisone…’Reinhartpointedtothethirdenvelopeinthepile,‘istheonethat’stogoelsewhere.Youunderstand–Idon’t

needtobemoreexplicit,doI?’

Reinhartheldupthepackage,whichasfarasHenrycouldseewasidenticaltotheotherthree.‘You’llseethere’satinytearontheflapoftheenvelopehere,canyousee?And,onthefront,thiscornerofthelabelhascome

slightlyloose.There’sonefinalwayofdistinguishingthisenvelope:theothershaveafull-stopaftertheword‘Reichsbank’–beforeouraddress.Onthisone,there’sacomma.Inallotherrespects,it’sidenticaltotheotherthree.TellthemIhadtophotographit:obviouslyI

couldn’tpossiblytaketheoriginal.Thedocumentisonfilminhere.’

***

ItwasaquartertoelevenwhenhelefttheReichsbank:hewouldneedtobeatthestationby2.30,givinghima

shadeunderfourhourstodowhathehadplanned.Hewascuttingitveryfine;hewouldneedtohurry.

Hewalked,neithertoofastnortooslowly,downbythecanalasfarastheSpittelmarktU-Bahnstation.Hepassedoneortwoshopsontheway,buthedidn’t

wanttogointooneuntilhewasfurtherawayfromWerderscherMarkt.ThejourneytoGleisdreiecktook12minutes;itwasnowaquarterpasteleven.Hechangedlines,headingwesttoWittenbergPlatzwherehechangedontoanotherU-Bahnline,nowheadingsouth.By

thetimehearrivedatPodbielskiAlleeitwasaquartertotwelve.Thelastlegofthejourneyhadtakenhimmuchlongerthanhehadexpected.Itwouldtakeatleastanothertenminutestogetthereandheneededtofindashopfirst.

Hecameacrossa

paradeofthreeshops:onewithacollectionofladiesdresseshangingforlornlybehindadustywindow,anotherappearedtobesomekindofbookshopwithmorepicturesofHitlerthanbooksandthethirdwasagrocers.Hewasannoyedtoseeaqueueofadozenorsopeople

waitingoutsidetheshop:hewasn’tsurehehadthetimetowait.

‘HowlongwillIhavetoqueuefor?’heaskedthemanatthefrontofthequeue.Themanwaswearingasuitandasmartovercoat,buthisposturewasstoopedandhehadasallowexpression.He

lookedasifhehadnotunderstoodthequestion:Henryrepeatedit.Themansaidnothingbutpointedtoahandwrittensignstucktotheinsideoftheshop’sglassdoor.

Jewsmayonlyshopherebetweenfouro’clockandfiveo’clock.

TapedbeneathitwasacartooncutoutfromanewspapershowingaJewishmanwithalongnosestealingfoodfromangelic-lookingchildren.

‘I’msureyoucangoinnow,’saidtheman.‘It’suswhohavetowait.’

Theshopkeeperhad

tinyeyesandanenormousbellythatappearedtorestonthecounter-top.Hisfacewasheavilypockmarkedandtherewasagrowinglayerofperspirationonhisforehead.

‘Ifeellikehavingabatheverytimethoseratscomeinhere,’hesaid,gesturingatthequeueoutside

thewindow.‘Someofthemstartqueuingfirstthinginthemorning,youknow?There’snotmuchtheycanbuythesedays:notevenwhitebreadorvegetables!Goodthingtoo.I’mhappytotaketheirmoneythough,betterthatIhaveitthansomeothers:Ijoinedthepartybefore’33,so

IreckonI’mentitledtoit.Now,howcanIhelpyousir?’

‘Ineedtobuysomefood,butI’mafraidIhavenorationbook.’

‘Norationbook?’Theman’stinyeyesnarrowed.Aproblem.

‘I’mfromSwitzerland,

yousee.I’mvisitingfriendsforlunchandwouldliketotakethemsomefoodasagift.I’dbehappytopayinSwissFrancs,ifthathelps.’

Theshopkeeper’slittleeyeslitup.Nolongeraproblem.

HeindicatedforHenrytomovetothebackofthe

shop,whereitwasdarkerandfurtherawayfromthepryingeyesofthepeoplequeuingoutside.

‘Ofcourse,’hewhispered.‘Youunderstandit’shardtochargeyoutheexactrate,becauseofdifficulties,youunderstand?’

Henryunderstood.He

wouldbeverygenerous,heassuredtheshopkeeper.

Fiveminuteslaterhelefttheshop,unabletolookatthepeoplewaitinguntilfourbeforetheycouldenter.Thequeueseemedtohavegrownsincehehadgonein.

Withintenminuteshewasknockinggentlyatthe

doorofthewhitehouseonthecornerofArno-HolzStrasse.Theinteriorofthehousewasdarkandhecouldnothearasound.Hewaitedaminuteandthenknockedagain.Aladybeingpulledalongbytwoyappingdogswatchedhimcarefullyasshepassedby.Stillnoreply.He

knockedoncemore.Itwasnowpastmiddayandhewasbeginningtoworry.Hebecameawareofaslightmovementtohisright,wherethecurtainsweredrawnonthewindowofthefrontroom.Afewsecondslater,heheardRosa’sworriedvoicefrombehindthedoor.

‘Whoisitplease?’‘It’sme,Henri!’The

dooropenedquicklyandahandpokedout,gesturingforhimtoenter.Quickly.

Sincehe’dbeguntoformulatethisplan,hehadimaginedthatRosawouldbeoverwhelmedwithgratitudetoseehim.Shewouldbe

relieved.Instead,shelookedhorrified.

‘It’smeRosa:Henri.’‘Iknowit’syou.You

mustkeepyourvoicedown.Whatonearthareyoudoinghere?What’sthematter?What’shappenedtoAlfred?’

HerdarkbrowneyeswerejustlikeRoza’s,but

nowtheywereredaroundthelids,asthoughshehadbeencrying.

‘Everything’salrightRosa.IcametovisityouandSophia.I’vebroughtfood.’

‘ButwhataboutAlfred?Pleasetellme.’

‘Alfred’ssafe,Rosa,’Henrymovedcloserashe

spoke,placingahandonhershoulders.Shebackedaway.‘He’sinZürich.Imanagedtogethimtheresafely.Youdon’tneedtoworry.’

‘Youshouldn’thavecomehere.It’ssodangerous.Goupstairsquickly.Youcan’tstaylong.IhavetogiveFrauHermannherlunch.Go

upstairsandletmesettleher.I’llbeafewminutes.’

InthesmallloungeupstairstherewasnosignofSophia.Whenshefinallycameupstairs,HenryaskedRosawhereshewas.

‘Inbed:she’sbeentherealmostallthetimesinceAlfredleft.Shemisseshimso

muchthatit’smakingherill.Hewaswonderfultoher,heronlycompanion.Idon’tthinkshe’sutteredmorethanhalfadozensentencessinceheleft.’

‘Wellperhapsthese’llcheerherup.’Henrytriumphantlyemptiedthecontentofhisbagontherug

andplacedapacketofsweetsandsomechocolatetooneside,thenhandedRosaalargecheese,alongsausage,abagoffruitandanotherofvegetables.Rosalookedembarrassed.

‘Idon’tknowwhattosay.’Tearswerestreamingdownherface.Sheknelt

downbesidehimandgentlytouchedhiswristwithherfingers,holdingthemthereforafewsecondsbeforebusyingherselfsortingthefood.‘Ofcourse,I’mverygrateful,butyoucominghereissodangerous.’

Henryraisedhiseyebrows.

‘I’mserious,Henri.Ouronlyhopeistostayherewithno-onefindingout.Franzdoeshisbesttoensurewegetasfewvisitorsaspossible,butneighboursspyoneachotherandwatchoutforcomingsandgoings.’

‘ComewithmeRosa:youandSophia,comewith

me.’Shelookedathimasif

shehadmisheardwhathehadsaid.

‘Comewhere?’‘BacktoSwitzerland.’Sheburstoutlaughing.

‘Henri–doyouthinkwehaven’tthoughtabouthowwecanescapeeversincewe

gothere?It’simpossible:we’venopapersotherthanourownandtheyareuselessbecauseI’mwantedbytheGestapo.Iknowyou’retryingtobekindbut…’Sheheldupherhandsinagestureofhelplessness.

‘Butyoucan’tstayhere,Rosa.Whatif

somethinghappenstotheoldlady?Andwhataboutfood?Peoplesayit’sbecomingscarcer.Thenthere’stheneighbours…someonecouldinformonyou.Icouldhelpyou.Icouldgetpapers.’

Rosawaslookingathimasifshehadmisheardhimagain.

‘Howcanyoudothat?’Atthatmomentthere

wasaweakshoutfromdownstairs.

‘ImustgoHenri:FrauHermannwantsherlunch.’

Henrygrabbedherbythearmandmovedtowardsher.‘I’llgetpapersRosa,I’llbeback.Trustme.’

Asshestoodup,Henrydidtoo,positioninghimselfimmediatelyinfrontofher.

‘Henri,please:Ihavetogotoher.Youmustleavenow.Inanycase,sometimesanoldfriendcomestoseeheronTuesdays.Pleaseletmegetthrough.’

Hehesitatedfora

moment,wonderingwhetheritwouldbewrongtoembraceher.Hehadexpectedhertobemoregrateful.Shepushedpasthimandheadeddownstairs,beckoningforhimtofollowher,afingerpressedtoherlipsforhimtokeepquiet.

***

HeeventuallyleftBerlinonatrainforNurembergjustbeforethree,onlyafewminuteslate,andthejourneywasmuchquickerthantheonetoStuttgartafewdaysearlier.HearrivedinNurembergatseveno’clock

anditfeltlikeagarrisontown,troopseverywhere.Theconcourseofthestationwasaseethingmassofgreyuniform,withasprinklingofblack.Hecouldseefewothercivilians.

Hejoinedalongqueueofsoldiersattheticketofficeandhadenoughtimeto

observethatmostofthembelongedtotheSeventeenthInfantryDivision:agiftforEdgar.WhenhereachedthewindowhediscoveredthefirsttraintoStuttgartwasat8.20thenextmorning.‘Allbeingwell,’addedtheticketclerkashecarefullystampedtheninitialledHenry’sticket.

HenrycalculatedhecouldbeinStuttgartsometimelatemorningandZürichbymid-afternoon.Allbeingwell.

Theclerktoldhimhewouldfindthehotelsifheturnedleftoutofthestationandwalkedovertothenextblock.Therehefounda

selectionofgreybuildings,eachreflectingtheubiquitousuniformsmillingaroundonthestreet.Hewentintothefirstthreehotels,eachmoremiserablethanthepreviousoneandsettledonthefourthonlybecauseitwasnowpouringwithrainandhewasexhausted.

Asthemanagerlaboriouslycompletedthepaperworkthatwouldallowhimtheprivilegeofbeingaguestthereforonenight,Henryhadanopportunitytohavealookintowhatthemanagercalledthediningroom.Ifpushed,Henrywouldhavedescribeditasa

workhouse,amemoryfromDickensiannovelsreadoutloudattheendofdarkautumnafternoonsatschoolinEngland.

‘You’dbettergoandeatnow,thediningroomclosesin20minutes,’themanagersaidinwhatHenrythoughtcouldbeanAustrian

accent.‘I’malright,thankyou,’

saidHenry,thesmellofgreaseandtobaccosettlingalreadyatthebackofhisthroat.‘IthinkI’lleatelsewhere.’

‘You’llbelucky:thereisno“elsewhere”thesedays.Leaveyourcasehereandgo

inandeat.’Hereluctantlywentin

tothediningroom,havingpasseduptheofferofleavinghiscasewiththemanager.Thereweretwolongtablesinsideandeachhadsixorsevenmen–onlymen–hunchedaroundit,alleyeingeachothersuspiciouslyand

spooningblackstewintotheirmouthsinapparentunison.

Henryfoundasmallspaceattheendofonetableandthemannexttohimreluctantlymovedalongnomorethananinchortwo.Nosoonerhadhesatdownthanafilthyhanddepositedabowlinfrontofhim.Thethumb

andonefingerweredippedinthestew.Henrymovedhisgazeupthehandandthefrayedsleevejustaboveit:bothbelongedtoahunchedbodyandpalefacefleckedwithredsores,awomaninherfiftieswholookedasifshewereabouttocollapse.

Aplateofblackbread

waspushedinfrontofhim,alongwithaglassofwaterybeer.No-onewasspeakingtoanyoneelsearoundthetableandHenrywasgratefulforthat.

Hisnightwasnotanymorecomfortable:theroomhadbarefloorboardsandjustonesmallthreadbarerugby

thebed.TherewasabasinwithastainedsinkbyawindowthathadacrackintheglassandHenrydoubtedthesheetshadbeenchangedsincethelastguestbutone.Astherewasnofunctioninglockonthedoor,hewedgedthesinglechairintheroomagainstitandlayonthebed

fullyclothed,hisbriefcasecontainingthesealedenvelopesunderapillowthatsmeltofsweat.Inthedistancehecouldhearthemuffledsoundofexplosions:hecouldnottellwhetheritwasbombsoranti-aircraftfire,butwhenhewentovertothewindowandpeeledback

theblackoutcurtainhecouldseeflashesfartothenorth.

Heleftthehotelatseveninthemorning,themanagerandthewomanfromthediningroomconfusedastowhyhedeclinedtheirofferofbreakfast(‘butyou’vepaidforitsir!’).

Forthenexthourthe

stationcaféprovidedawelcomerefugefromtheall-pervadingodourofthehotel.TheStuttgarttrainleftontimeandtheconnectionfromtheretoZürichwasgoodandhearrivedat2.10.Hewasunderpressurenow.TherewasatraintoBernat5.10,whichwastheonehewould

needtocatchifEdgarandRemington-Barberwerenottobetoosuspiciousabouthislatearrival.Itoughttogivehimenoughtime,butonlyjust.

HeneededtogettoBankLeuassoonaspossible,butonlyafterhehadmadethephonecall.Therewasa

bankofphoneboothsonthemainstationconcourse,buttheyfelttoopublicsoheleftthestationandwalkedacrosstotheBahnhofquai,wherehefoundacaféwithphoneboothattherear,wellawayfromthefewcustomers.HerangthenumberViktorhadgivenhim.

‘Yes?’‘Peteriscominground

fordinner.’Apauseandamuffled

noiseattheotherendoftheline,whichsoundedasifthepersonhadplacedtheirhandoverthereceiverandwastalkingtosomeoneelseintheroom.

‘Andwillyoubebringingwinewithyou?’

‘Yes.’Withthat,thelinewent

dead.Hecheckedhiswatch:itwas2.25:accordingtoViktor’sinstructionshewastobeatthestationexactlyonehourafterthephonecall.Thatwouldleavehimjust

overanhourandahalftocatchhistrain:hewouldneedtohurry.HeleftthecafébythebackdoorandtookataxitoBankLeu’sheadofficeonParadeplatz.

MichaelHedingerwasapparentlyinahurry.Hecamedowntothereception

andtookHenryuptohisofficeonthetopfloor.HecheckedthethreeenvelopesfromtheReichsbankforBankLeu.

‘Andthefourthenvelopeisforyourfriends?’

‘Yes.’‘Whendoyousee

them?’

‘I’mgoingtoBernnow.MayIuseyourphonetotellthemwhattimeI’mlikelytobethere?’

Hedingergesturedatthephone:bemyguest.

Edgaranswered:‘Welcomehome.Whatkeptyou?’

‘I’mcatchingthetrain

attenpastfive:IoughttobeinBernbyeightatthelatest.WhereshallImeetyou?’

‘Don’tworryoldchap,we’llmeetyou.’

Thatwasthat:itwasnowaquartertothree,hehadplentyoftime.HecouldevenaffordtostrollbacktothestationalongBahnhofstrasse,

whichwouldatleastgivehimtimetocomposehimself.

‘Andallwentwell?’askedHedinger.

‘Yes…yes,thankyou.’‘AndIpresumeyou

wishtoaskmeaquestion?’Henryhadnoideawhat

theSwisswasonabout.‘I’msorry?’

‘Alfred!Don’tyouwanttoknowhowheis?’

‘Ofcourse,ofcourse!HowisAlfred?’

‘Mywifeandthechildrenandthedogmakesuchafussofhim:it’sasifhehasbeenreleasedfromprison.He’ssuchasweetboyandveryconsiderate.We’ll

takegoodcareofhim.He’sobviouslysadthough.Atnightwecanhearhimsobbinginhisroom.Hemustmisshismother.’

***

Arrivingtooearlyforarendezvousisasdangerous

asbeinglateforone.Hehadarrivedoutside

theHauptbahnhofataquarterpastthree,tenminutesearly.Withoutthinking,hehadcontinuedintothestation,assuminghewouldfindabarthengooutontotheconcoursetenminuteslater.Thisiswhathedid,butno

soonerhadhesteppedoutontotheconcoursethanhewasawareoftwomeneithersideofhim,marchinghimoutofasideexit.OneofthemwasViktor,hisfaceimpassivebuthisvoicenotdisguisinghisfury.

‘Wesaidbeatthestationonehourafterthe

phonecall,not50minutes.Whatdoyouthinkyouareuptosynok?’

HenryshookhimselffromViktorandtheotherman,whohadnowsteppedbackintotheshadows.

‘Learntodoasyouaretold,Henry,youunderstand?Now,followme–stay

behindme.Iwillgointoashopandthroughtotheback.Youaretodolikewise.Sergeiwillbebehindyou.’

Theshopwasanarrowtobacconistinawarrenofalleysbehindthestation.ThecountertopwasalreadyopenwhenHenryarrived.Viktorwasinaroomattheback,

alongwithashrivelled-lookingmanhalfthesizeoftheRussian.HewasdressedinafadedpinstripesuitandpeeredupatHenrythroughthickglassesthatsatunsteadilyonthebridgeofhisnose.

‘HaveyouspokenwithEdgar?’Viktorsounded

impatient.‘Yes.’‘Whereishe?’‘InBern:they’re

expectingmetobeonthetrainthatleaveshereattenpastfive.I’venoexcusefornotbeingonthatone.’

‘Don’tworry,youwillbe.Youhaveit?’Viktor

lookedanxious.Henrytookthesealed

Reichsbankenvelopeoutofhisbriefcase,butheldontoitwhilehespoke.

‘IdoViktor,butit’ssealed.HowareyougoingtoopenitwithoutEdgarandRemington-Barberrealising?’

Viktortookthe

envelopeandpasseditovertotheman,addressinghiminGerman.

‘Arndt,whatdoyoureckon?’

Themantooktheenvelopeandhelditunderthelight,turningitveryslowlyonewayandtheother,movingitclosetohiseyes

thenrunninghisfingersalongitseverysurface.Henoddedandrepliedintoasqueaky,high-pitchedvoice.

‘Thisshouldn’tbeaproblem.Givemeanhour,butIwanteveryoneoutofhere.’

‘Apartfromme,’saidViktor.

‘Ofcourse,apartfromyou,Viktor,’Arndtsaidobediently,half-bowingashespoke.

AsHenrylefttheroomhecouldseethemanarrangingalargecamera,alampandvarioustoolsonabench.Hewasabouttooperate.Henryspentthenext

15minutesstandingsilentlyinthealleybehindthetobacconistwithSergei.WhenViktorcalledHenrybackin,hewasclearlyfindingithardtocontainhisexcitement.LittleArndtwaspackingawayhisequipment,thesurgeryover.Theenvelopewashandedtohim.

‘Examineit,please.Seehowperfectitis.’

Henrylookedatitcarefully.Itwasimpossibletoseehowitcouldhavebeenopened.Withahugearmaroundhisshoulder,ViktorshepherdedHenrytoacorneroftheroomandwhisperedintohisear.

‘Wehavemadeacopy:youhavenoideahowimportantitis,synok.WewilltransmittheentiretexttoMoscowtonight.Youhave40minutesbeforeyourtrain,sotellmeeverythingyoucanaboutthismanwhosuppliedthedocument.It’ssoimportantthatMoscowwill

askmemanyquestionsaboutit:Ineedtohavetheanswers.’

‘BeforeIdothatViktor,Ineedtoaskafavourofyou.’

Viktorlookedathimpuzzled:afavour?Henrydidnotaskfavoursofthem.Theyaskedfavoursofhim.

‘Whatisit?’heasked,hardlymanagingtohidehisirritation.

HelookedattheRussian,wishinghewasmoresympatheticattimes.Evensomegratitudewouldn’thavegoneamiss.

‘Idon’twanttosoundlikeI’mgoingsoftor

anything,andI’vecopedverywellinGermanysofar,butIhavethisworrythey’llsendmebackthere,andsoonerorlater,I…’

‘Why,havetheysaidanythingaboutthat,synok?’

‘No,butIgettheimpressiontheydon’texactlyhaveateamofagents

queuingupattheborderwaitingtobesentintoGermany.IfeelexposedwhenI’minBerlinandIwaswondering:doyouhaveanyoneIcouldcontactthere–inanemergency?’

Henryshrugged,eagerViktorshouldnotthinktherequestanunusualone.What

IamItodo–tellhimI’mdeterminedtogobackthereanyway?

ViktorlookedatHenry,suspiciousatfirstbutthenmoreunderstanding.

‘LetmeseewhatIcando,Henry.There’stheembassy,butIdon’ttrustanyonethere.Idohavesome

people,I’llletyouknow.Now,tellmehowyougotthisdocument.’

***

Chapter21:London,March1941EdgararrivedatWhitchurchAirportjustafter12.30onMonday10thMarchonBOACflight777fromLisbon.AblackHumber

ImperialwithmilitaryplateswasparkedclosetothebaseoftheaircraftstepsandthreehourslateritdepositedanexhaustedEdgaroutsidethebuildingoverlookingStJames’sSquarewhereChristopherPorterwaswaitingforhiminhisofficeonthetopfloor.

EdgarhandedoverthefilmofDirective21toPorter,whopromptlylefttheroom,returningfiveminuteslater.

‘We’llhavethatdevelopedstraightawayandsentofftotheanalyststonight.They’vebeentoldtodealwithitasamatterofpriority.We’llmeethere

tomorrowafternoontohearwhattheymakeofit.ButwelldoneEdgar:somethingofacouptogetourhandsonthat.How’sourchapHunter?’

Edgarleanedbackinhischair,barelystiflingayawn.‘Turnsouttoberathergoodathisjobactually.Not

someoneyou’dautomaticallythinkofasspymaterial,butIsupposethat’sthewholepoint,isn’tit?Irememberthatclassicsdonwhotrainedhimsayinghelooksforpeoplewho’reslightlyapartfromthecrowdbutnotsomuchthatpeoplewouldnoticethem.Hesaidhe’d

nevercomeacrosssomeonewhofittedthatbillquitesowellasHunter.He’ssurvivedthreemissionsintoNaziGermanynow:ifhelookedoractedlikeaspyhewouldn’thavelastedmorethananhourortwo.’

‘Andhisothermasters…Wouldtheyhave

seentheDirective?’‘Icertainlyhopeso.We

allowedhimenoughtimeinZürich.OneofBasil’smenspottedhimleavingthestationwithViktor,soIthinkwecanassumetheyhavethedocument.Thereisoneconcern,though…’

‘WithHunter?’

‘No,withourPortuguesefriendsactually.WhenIcamebackthroughLisbonSandywasinabitofaflapaboutTelmo.He’sbeenratherelusiveandSandy’sworriedhemaybegettingcoldfeet.TelmoseemstothinkthePVDEmaybeontohim,thoughthere

doesn’tseemtobeanyevidenceforthat.Personally,Ithinkhe’sjustgettingtwitchy;agentsgetlikethatfromtimetotime,asyouknow.Thereisawell-foundedconcernaboutDonaMariathough.’

‘TheladyinBerlin?’‘Correct.’

‘Telmosaysshe’sbeentransferredwithinthePortugueseLegationthere:she’snolongerworkingfortheMilitaryAttaché,she’snowwiththeFirstSecretary.’

‘Ademotion?’‘Notassuch,butit

givesherlessaccesstothekindofintelligencewe’re

interestedinandalsototheDiplomaticbag.ApparentlytheFirstSecretaryisquitehighupthehierarchyattheLegation,buthisroleismoreceremonial.She’sworriedtheymaybewatchingher:she’scertainherdeskwassearchedrecentlyandshethinksshe’sbeentailedona

fewoccasions’‘Bywhom?’‘NottheGermans;

securitypeoplefromtheLegation.Also,herhomeleavehasbeenbroughtforwardto24thMarch:whichistwoweeksonMonday.She’sworriedthatonceshereturnstoLisbonshewon’t

beallowedbackagain.TelmoisdemandinganabsolutepromisefromusthattheminuteDonaMariaarrivesinPortugal,weputbothoftheminhidingandbringthemtoBritainassoonaspossible.’

‘Andyousaid?’‘Yes,ofcourse.Itold

Sandytoagreetowhateverhe

asksfor.ItoldhimtosaythatoncetheygettoEnglandthey’llbegivenmoney,ahouseandnewidentities.Ihopethat’sinorder?’

‘Oh,I’msuretheServicewillbehappytofindthemsomelove-nestsomewhereorother.’

***

Thefollowingafternoon,EdgarandChristopherPorterwereinalargemap-roominthebasementoftheStJames’sSquareoffice,alongwithanumberofcolleaguesfromtheServiceandafewmeninuniform.Copiesof

Directive21werehandedroundbyalankyBrigadierfromArmyIntelligencewhocutacolourfulfigurewithhisfloridfaceandalargeblack-and-greystripedmoustache.WhenhespokeitwaswithaWelshaccent.

‘TheseareEnglishtranslations,asyou’llsee.

Thedocumentitselfisastonishing,quiteastonishing.Letmequote:“TheGermanArmedForcesmustbeprepared,evenbeforetheconclusionofthewaragainstEngland,tocrushSovietRussiainarapidcampaign.”Thatlastbit–crushingtheSovietUnion–

isunderlined.TheDirectivesayspreparationsfortheinvasion“…willbeconcludedby15thMay1941”.’

Therewasmurmuringaroundtheroom,andpeoplelookedateachotherwithraisedeyebrowsandbarelyconcealedsurprise.

‘Theyevenhaveacodename:OperationBarbarossa.However,wemustbecautious.Themostimportantquestionwehavetoaddressiswhetherthedocumentisgenuinebecausethere’snopointinusactinguponitifwefeelthat,onbalance,it’snotwhatitpurportstobe.

We’vehadalltypesofexpertsstudyingthiseversincewegotourhandsonit.’

TheBrigadierremovedapairofreadingglassesfromacaseinfrontofhimandglancedatsomehandwrittennotes.

‘Firstofall,we’vehadtheDirectivesubjectedto

somethingcalledtextanalysisbyaGermanexpert.Whathedoesiscompareonetextwithothers,toseeifthey’refromthesamesource.Hebelievesit’sverysimilartootheronesreleasedbyHitler.Iquotefromhisreport:“Itfeelsidenticalintermsoftone,syntaxandvocabularyto

otherdocumentsreleasedbyHitler.Themixtureofrhetoricandmilitarydetail,theconstantreferencetohimselfintermsofordersbeinggivenanddecisionsbeingmade–allthatisveryfamiliar.”

‘Thenthere’sthequestionofhowfeasibleitis

thatGermanywouldconsiderbreakingitspactwiththeSovietUnion.Theconsensusisthisisperfectlylikely.TheNazishateCommunistsandRussiansandSlavsalmostasmuchastheyhatetheJews.Infact,theytendtoseethemasoneandthesamething:whentheythinkofaRussian,

theyseeaJewishcommunist.Sothepactwasasurpriseinonerespect,butnotinanother–Hitlerwasbeingshrewd.Hewasbuyingtime,ensuringhisEasternFrontremainedquietwhileheconqueredWesternEuropeandattemptedaninvasionoftheBritishIsles.So,breaking

thepactwouldnotbeasurprise,itwasonlyeverashort-termruse.’

TheBrigadierwalkedovertoalargemaponthewallbehindhim.

‘Soifweacceptthisdocumentisgenuine,thenweneedtoanalyseitsfeasibilityfromamilitarypointofview.

It’sanextremelyambitiousplan:onewhichdependsonco-operationfromtheFinnsinthenorthandtheRomaniansinthesouth,whichmaybeaproblemasthey’reunlikelytobeascommittedtoaninvasionoftheSovietUnionastheGermansare.Italsodepends

ontwoothercriticalfactors:asignificantelementofsecrecyandsurprise,andtheRedArmybeingutterlyill-preparedforthis.WedoknowtheRedArmyisn’tinagoodstate,butevenso…’

TheBrigadierwaslookingatthemapthenatthedirective.Hepeeredclosely

atthemapandpointedtoaspotaroundthePolish-Russianborder.

‘HitlerseemstobetalkingaboutconcentratingthemainGermanthrusthere,aroundthePripetMarshes.HetalksabouthavingtwoArmyGroupsoperatingnorthoftheMarshesandoneArmy

Groupsouthofit.ThekeyobjectofthesoutherngrouplooksliketheUkraine,withallitsagricultureandindustry.Theaimsofthenortherngroups,itsayshere,areLeningradandMoscow.ThisiswhathesaysaboutMoscow:“Thecaptureofthiscitywouldrepresenta

decisivepoliticalandeconomicsuccess,andwouldalsobringaboutthecaptureofthemostimportantrailwayjunctions.”’

AcolonelwearingtheinsigniaofaGuardsregimentwalkednoisilyovertothemap,hisbootsechoingonthefloor.Afterstudyingitfora

whileheturnedaroundandspokeunnecessarilyloudly,eachsyllablecarefullyenunciated.‘Personally,Ican’tseetheGermansattemptingthiswithlessthan100divisions–talkaboutputtingallyoureggsinonebasket.IfHitlerthinkshe’sgoingtogetasfarasMoscow

theonlyadviceIcangivehimisthathe’dbettergetamoveon.OncethatRussianwinterstartseventhegreatestarmyintheworlddoesn’tstandachance.Fromalogisticspointofviewthiswouldappeartobealmostimpossible.’

Forthenexttwohours

themencrowdedintothemap-roomweigheduptheprosandconsofDirective21.Alltheparticipantstookitinturntoplaydevil’sadvocateateveryopportunity,butthediscussionkeptcomingbacktoapointofagreement:onthebalanceofprobabilities,thedocumentwasagenuine

one.Itwasteno’clockthat

eveningwhenPorterandEdgarwentuptotheofficeonthetopfloor.Porterpulledbacktheblackoutblindsandturnedoffhisdesklamp,allowingthelightfromthefullmoontofilltheroom.Forawhiletheysatinsilence,

pickingattheplateofstalesandwichesonthedeskbetweenthem.

‘Andwhathappensnow?’

‘NumberTenwillbeinformedfirstthinginthemorning,’saidPorter.‘I’mtoldthePrimeMinisterandEdendiscussedthematter

thismorningoncetheyknewthedirectivehadarrived.Theyagreedthatifthismeetingconcludedthedirectiveisgenuinewe’dnotwasteanytime.We’dgetacopyofitovertoMoscowassoonaspossibleandCrippshimselfwilltakeittotheKremlin.So,welldoneEdgar

–you’vedoneanexcellentjob.TheSovietscanhardlyignoreDirective21now,canthey?ItcorroboratesthecopyHuntershowedViktor.’

ThetwomenlefttheofficetogetherandwalkedasfarasPallMall.

‘YoulookexhaustedEdgar.’

‘I’vebookedtwoweeksleavesir.’

‘Splendid.Iexpectyourfamilywillbepleasedtoseeyou.HeadingdowntoDorsetareyou?’

Edgarcarriedonwalkinginsilence,apparentlyoblivioustowhatPorterhadbeensaying.Theyhadnow

reachedWaterlooPlace,fromwhereeachwouldbegoingindifferentdirections.

‘Probablynotsir:asfarasmyfamilyareconcerned,I’mintheFarEast:it’seasierthatway.IshallprobablysleepforaweekthengowalkingonmyowninScotland.’

PorterslappedEdgarontheback.‘Understood:Fivehaveaninterestingcaseonatthemomentandhavebeenaskingforyourhelp,butfirsthaveagoodrest.Remember,Idon’twanttoseeyouforafortnight,that’sanorder.’

***

EdgarhadgonestraighttohissmallapartmentinamansionblockbehindVictoriaStreetandsleptmostofthenextdayandagooddealofthedayafterthat.BytheThursday,hefeltrestedandevenslightlybored.Hevisitedthedentist,hadhishaircutand

begantosuspectthattwoweeksoffmaybeaweektoolong.HedecidedtowaituntilaftertheweekendbeforedecidingwhethertogotoScotland,stayinLondonorevengobacktowork.ThedecisionwasmadeforhimbyaringonhisdoorbellearlyontheMondaymorning.Itwasa

driverherecognisedfromtheofficesinStJames.

Verysorrytobotheryousir:MrPorterwouldliketoseeyousir.Nowsir,ifyoudon’tmindcomingwithme.There’sacarwaitingoutsidesir.

ChristopherPorterwaspacingupanddownhis

office,managingtolookbothangryandembarrassed.HetoldEdgartoshutthedoorandsitdown.

‘IthoughtIwasunderordersnottoseeyouforafortnight?’

‘YouwereEdgar,butthoseweremyordersandIconsiderI’mallowedtobreak

them.I’mnotgoingtobeataboutthebush:there’sbeenachangeofheart.It’sallWinston’sfault–andthebloodyForeignOffice.Wouldn’tbesurprisedifFivehaven’ttriedtoqueerourpitchtoo.’

‘I’mnotsureI’mfollowingyousir.’

‘Letmelaythecardsonthetablethen.Asyouknow,weagreedthecopyoftheOperationBarbarossadirectiveHunterbroughtbackfromBerlinisgenuine.ItwassentincodetoMoscowandStaffordCrippstookittotheKremlinandhandedittoMolotovpersonallyon

Thursday.CrippssaidthatMolotovappearedtobeangry,buthecouldn’ttellwhetherhewasangrywithhimortheGermans,ormorelikelyitwasjusthisusualdemeanour.ThenlastnightIwassummonedtoDowningStreet.Apparentlythey’vebeenhavingsecond

thoughts.’‘Secondthoughtsabout

what?’‘Aboutwhatweshould

betellingtheSovietsafterall.Theirthinking–andonehastoacknowledgeitdoeshaveacertainlogictoit–isthatthewholebusinesscouldreboundonus.Asthingsstandatthe

moment,Hitler’spriorityisstilltoinvadeGreatBritain,eventhoughweseemtobedoingaratherdecentjobofdefendingourselves.IfthisOperationBarbarossaturnsouttobetrue,it’lltakeanenormouspressureoffus.Hitlerwillbedilutinghisforcesbyfightingontwo

frontsanditmakesthechancesofevenanattemptedGermaninvasionoftheseshores–letaloneasuccessfulone–veryremoteindeed.IcanhearthetinkleofteacupsapproachingEdgar;shallwepauseforamoment?’

Fiveminuteslater,fortifiedbysurprisingly

strongcupsoftea,Porterresumed.‘IftheSovietsfinallychoosetobelievetheBarbarossaDirectiveandotherintelligence,andaccepttheGermansdohavehostileintentionstowardsthem,they’llstoptrustingtheGermans,shoreuptheirdefencesandreinforcethe

border.ThatwouldmakeaGermaninvasionoftheSovietUnionsignificantlylesslikely.ThequestionthatNumberTenhavebeenaskingthemselvesisthis:wouldsuchanoutcomebeinourbestinterests?’

Edgarleantbackinhischairandremovedacigarette

fromhissilvercase.Hewashalfwaythroughsmokingitwhenhereplied.‘Soyou’resayingthere’snowafeelingit’sactuallyinourinterestsforGermanyandtheSovietUniontogotowar?’

‘Absolutely:iftheygotowarwitheachotherthenthechancesofaninvasionof

BritainsignificantlydiminishandatthesametimeGermanyrisksadangerouswarintheeastthattheycouldwelllose.’

‘Sowhenyousaythatthere’sbeenachangeofheart…’

‘WhatImeanbythatistheynowwantustoplay

downthefactGermanyhasplanstoinvadetheSovietUnion.TheythinkweshouldswitchfromdoingthedecentthingandtellingtheSovietsabouttheGermanplanstoactuallymisleadingthem,tellingthemquitetheopposite.’

‘Bitbloodylateforthat

isn’tit,forChrist’ssake!I’msorrysir,butit’sbeenoneoftheintelligencecoupsofthewarthusfartogetholdofthatdirectiveandmakesuretheSovietsseeit,andnowyou’resayingit’sallbeenabloodywasteoftime.Jesus!’

‘Don’tshoutEdgar,please.RememberI’monly

themessenger.I…’‘…Andyousaid

somethingaboutthemnowwanting“us”toplaydownreportsofGermanintentionsandevenmisleadthem.Howoneartharewegoingtodothat?’

‘I’mafraiditmeanswenowneedtoprovidethe

SovietswithanotherreportcourtesyofyourmanHunter,onewhichreflectsseriousGermanconcernsaboutOperationBarbarossaandtalksofitspostponementatleast,possiblyevenitscancellation.Ihavetosayit’snotentirelyunfeasible:youyourselfsaidHugo’sGeneral

admittedtherewereseriousconcernsinthearmyhighcommandaboutinvadingtheSovietUnion.Thisreportwouldsimplyreflectthose.’

‘Andhowdo“we”getholdofsuchadocument?’

‘Pleasedon’tbesosarcastic.NavalIntelligenceareapparentlyrathergoodat

thiskindofthing.ThismorningI’veaskedourpeopletotalktotheirpeopleandseewhattheycancomeupwith.I’vetoldthemIwantittobereadybytheendoftheweek.’

‘AndhowdowethengetittotheRussians?’

Porterheapedanother

spoonfulofsugarintohistea,sippeditthenstoodupandwalkedovertothewindow,lookingoutofitashespoke.

‘YousaidthatDonaMariadoRosariohastoleaveBerlinon24thMarch,whichisaweekonMonday–correct?ThisreportneedstobetakentoLisbon,where

TelmoistogetitintothediplomaticbagtoBerlin.InherfinalactofserviceforusinBerlin,DonaMariawillpassthereportontoHugo.HuntercanthengobacktoBerlintocollectitsohecanlettheSovietsseeitwhenhereturnstoSwitzerland–asbefore.Igrantyouit’sa

complicatedroutebywhichtogetittotheSoviets,buthopefullyit’sonetheyregardasplausible.’

‘BythesoundsofitPorter,theHonAnthonyDavisisabouttoreturntoLisbon.’

‘Correct,Edgar:andthereaftertoSwitzerland.’

***

LateontheafternoonofSunday16thMarch,EdgarwasbackinChristopherPorter’soffice.EdgarnoticedPorterwaslookinguncharacteristicallyconfident.Hehadabroadgrinonhis

face.Onthedeskbetweenthemwasablack,leather-boundbook,withanornatecrossonthepaddedfrontcover.

‘Contemplatingthepriesthoodareyousir?’

‘Now,nowEdgar.YoumayrememberthatwhenwemetlastMondayIsaidwe’d

needtoconcoctareportpurportingtoshowtheGermanswerenowhavingsecondthoughtsaboutinvadingtheSovietUnion?’

Edgarnodded.‘AndyouwantthisreporttofallintoSoviethands?’

Porterrubbedhishandsandtenderlypickedupthe

leather-boundbook.HepasseditovertoEdgar.Thewords‘ABíbliaSagrada’wereetchedontothecoveringoldleaf.Edgargentlypickeditupandturneditroundinhishands.

‘Careful,Edgar.Theteamthatputthistogetherwantustoknowhowmuch

troubletheywenttotogetholdofabibleinPortuguese.They’vedoneaprettyimpressivejobthough.Here,passittome.’Portertookthebibleandopeneditattheinsidebackcover.ThethickpaperwaslooseandPortercarefullypeeleditawaytorevealagap,foldedinto

whichwasadocumentthathecarefullyremovedandopened:threepagesonbrownpaper,typedinGermanwithsomescrawledhandwrittennotes.

‘ThisistheRostockReport:it’sanoteonameetingsupposedlyheldacoupleofweeksagoin

Rostock,onthe3rdand4thMarch.Ifyoulookhere,itliststhevariousparticipants…’Porterturnedthepage.‘Andonthispageitdescribesthepurposeofthemeeting:“ToreviewplansforproposedcampaignagainsttheSovietUnion(OperationBarbarossa).”Thenext

sectionisessentiallyasummaryofwhatwasinDirectiveNumber21.’

PorterwascheckingthedocumentagainstatypedsheetinEnglish.‘ItmakesthecasefortheinvasionoftheSovietUnionandrepeatsprettymuchwhatwasinDirective21.Thenwehavea

rathercleverlinkfromtheHitlerdirectivetothefakereport.Wealreadyknowthatattheendofthefirstone,Hitlersaid“IawaitsubmissionoftheplansofCommanders-in-Chiefonthebasisofthisdirective.Thepreparationsmadebyallbranchesofthearmedforces,

togetherwithtimetables,aretobereportedtomethroughtheHighCommandoftheArmedForces.”WhatfollowsisineffecttheCommanders-in-Chiefdoingjustthat.’

AgainPorterwasconsultinghistypedsheet,theEnglishtranslation.‘There’saratherlongsectiondetailing

thesubmissionsofallthedifferentservices,Idon’tproposetogointodetail.Butthenthere’saparagraphconcludingthus:“ItistheunanimousviewoftheOKW,OKH,OKL,OKM”–thosebeingtheHighCommandsoftheArmedForces,theArmy,theAirForceandtheNavy–

“thatforthereasonssummarisedbelow,OperationBarbarossashouldbepostponeduntilthespringof1942attheearliest.”Itthengoesontogivethosereasons:areyouhappyformetoreadthemouttoyou?’

Edgarnodded.Hewasleaningbackinhischair,his

eyeshalfshutasiftofullyabsorbwhatwasbeingreadtohim.

‘“NumberOne–weareoftheopinionthatourintelligenceservicesmayhaveseriouslyunderestimatedboththesizeandthestrengthoftheSovietforces.TheabilityofStalinto

motivatetheRedArmyissignificant.

‘“NumberTwo–weconsiderthatourownplannersmayhaveoverestimatedourabilitytosupplyourforcesadequatelyiftheadvancethroughSovietterritoryisasrapidasitwillneedtobe.Thereisaserious

dangerthatourforcescouldbedangerouslyexposedbyshortagesofammunition,fuelandfood.

‘“NumberThree–OperationBarbarossadependsontheco-operationofFinnishandRomanianforces.Weareoftheopinionthisco-operationcannotbe

takenforgrantedandcouldleavethenorthernandsouthernsectionsofourfrontvulnerable.

‘“NumberFour–theRussianwinterpresentsaverysevererisktoourforces.ToachieveourobjectiveofcapturingMoscowbeforetheonsetofthewinter,wewould

recommendthatOperationBarbarossaislaunchedbyearlyMay.Atpresent,factorssuchastheYugoslaviacampaignmeanthatthisishighlyunlikely.Theriskofmaintaininganoffensiveduringthewinterisunacceptable.

‘“NumberFive–Great

Britainisprovingtobefarmoreresolutethatwehadexpected.Wehadbeenoftheopinioneithertheywouldhavesurrenderedbynoworwouldhavebeenweakenedtotheextentthataninvasioncouldbelaunched.Thatisnotthecaseandthereforewehavetotakeintoaccountthe

factthatwewouldbefightingontwofronts.”

‘There’sabitmoreaboutfuturemeetingsandsuchlike,butthat’sthegistofit.Whatdoyouthink?’

Edgarsaidnothingbutaskedtolookatthereport.Ashereadthroughithenoddedapprovingly,onceortwice

allowingaknowingsmiletocrosshisface.

‘It’sgoodenoughtomaketheSovietspauseatleast.DependsonwhatmoodStalinisin:thatlineabouthisabilitytomotivatetheRedArmyisaclevertouch–doesnoharmtoappealtotheman’sego.Myfeelingisthat

attheveryleastit’llconfusetheSoviets.’

‘Andattheverybest?’Edgarglancedagainat

thereportandturneditroundinhishands,asifcheckingitsweight.‘Attheverybest,they’llbelieveit:it’sgood.’

‘Providedwecanmakesuretheyseethedamnthing,’

saidPorter.‘Theplaniswesealthereportinthebible–I’veevenbeensuppliedwithspecialglueforthatpurpose–andyoutakeittoLisbon:youhaveaseatontomorrow’sflightfromBristol.TelmowillhavetogetthebibleinthediplomaticbagtoDonaMariaandshe’llpassitonto

Hugo.Allbeingwell,that’llhappenonThursdayorFriday.Meanwhile,BasilRemington-BarberhasbeentoldtomakesurewegetHunterouttoBerlinforaweekonMonday,wherehe’llcollectthereportandbringitbacktoZürich.Naturallywe’recountingonhim

showingthereporttoViktorfirst.’

Edgarnoddedapprovingly.Porterpickedupsomeotherpapersonthedesk.

‘TheseareforSandytoshowtoTelmo.They’rethecarrotwe’redanglinginfrontofhimandDonaMaria.This

photographhere…’hehandedoverapictureofaprettythatchedcottage,withabroadexpanseofwisteriaacrossitsfront.‘ThisistheplacewecantellTelmowe’verentedforhimandDonaMariatoliveinoncetheygethere.AndthisisastatementfromBarclays

BankintheStrandconfirmingthataccountshavebeenopenedineachoftheirnamestothetuneoffivehundredpoundseach.Thentherearevariousotherbitsandpieces,allamountingtowhatwehopeisademonstrationofourpositiveintenttowardsthem.’

***

Chapter22:Portugal,Switzerland&Berlin,March1941‘AndwhatifTelmorefuses?He’ssonervousatthemoment,he’shardly

communicatingwithmeatthemoment.TopersuadehimtosendthisontoBerlinisgoingtobeextremlydifficult,Edgar.’

ItwaslateintheafternoononMonday17thMarchandSandyMorganwasfarfromhisconvivialself.Infrontofhimwasthe

black,leather-boundbible.‘Tellhimit’sanorder.’‘Yes,yes–I

understandthatEdgar:youdon’tneedtokeeprepeatingit.AllIcansayiswe’repushingourluck.Remember,he’sundernoobligationtoobeyourorders.’

‘Look,Sandy,you

havetomakehimrealisethisisinhisbestinterests.ShowhimthepictureofthecottagetheServicehassortedoutforhimandshowhimthebankstatementsandalltherestofit.Inshort,promisehimtheearth,anythingtomakesurehesendsthebibleovertoDonaMariaandgetsherto

handitovertoHugo.IfhesayshewantstoplaycricketforEnglandatLord’s,tellhimit’snoproblem.IfhewantsteawiththeKingandQueenatBuckinghambloodyPalace,askhimhowmanysugarshetakes.PromisehimtheminuteDonaMariaarrivesbackinLisbon,you’ll

spiritbothofthemintoasafehouse–tellhimthatSandy,heneedstohearit.’

‘Andwhatifhe’sstilldifficult?’

‘Tellhimthatunlessheco-operatesyou’llgostraighttotheRuaVictorCordonandtellthePVDEallabouthimandDonaMaria.Andmake

sureheknowswemeanit.’

***

OntheWednesdaymorningthetelephonerangtwiceinthespaceoffiveminutesintheapartmentHenrysharedwithhismotherjustoffQuaiduMontBlanc.Onthefirst

occasionhismotheransweredandafteraminutesaid‘pasdeproblème’inasomewhatresentfulmanner,asifherbeingdisturbedwasindeedaproblem.Wrongnumber.

Whenthephonerangafewminuteslater,Henryanswered.AladyspokeveryquicklyinFrench.

‘MonsieurHesse,thisisMadameLadnieratCreditSuisse.Ineedtoseeyouurgentlyhereatthebank:twoo’clockthisafternoon.Now,pleaserespondtothiscallasifIhavecalledthewrongnumberagain.Twoo’clock.’

‘No,it’snot,’repliedHenry,awarehewas

soundingratheraggressive.‘Youhavethewrongnumber.Pleasedon’tdisturbusagain.’

Attwoo’clockhewasusheredfromthereceptionintheQuaidesBerguesbranchofCreditSuissebyMadameLadnier,takenthroughawarrenofcorridorsatthe

backofthebankandupastaircasetothefirstfloor.Sheunlockedthedoortoasmallofficethenopenedaninterconnectingdoor.LoungingonaleathersofaontheothersideoftheroomwasBasilRemington-Barber.

‘Whenyou’vefinished,ringmeonthistelephone.

I’monextension18,’saidMadameLadnier.

‘Henry,Henry–hownicetoseeyou.Docomein,sitdown.SorryIcan’tofferyouadrinkbutitseemsSwissbanksaren’tverygoodonthatscore.Apologies,too,forallthesubterfuge:Ineededtocontactyou

urgentlyandhadtoratherprevailuponMadameLadniertomakethecalls.All’swellthatendswell,eh?’

HenrysatdownonamoreformalchairoppositeRemington-Barber.

‘Look,Henry–littlebitawkwardthis:Iknowwepromisedyouanicelongrest

butsomethingurgenthascroppedup.’Remington-Barberstoodupandpacedaroundtheroom,atonestageslappingHenryjoviallyontheshoulders.

‘Ratherannoyingreally,butI’mafraidweneedtosendyoubacktoBerlinsomewhatsoonerthanwe’d

envisaged.Wethoughttherewasanoutsidechanceofthatbutwedidn’timagineit’dbequitesosoon.’

BasilRemington-Barberhadreturnedtothesofaandseemedabitlesshesitantnowhehadpassedonthemessage.

‘Whenwouldthisbe?’

Henrysoundedcasual,evenratherkeen.

‘Monday,I’mafraid.HedingerissortingthingsoutfromtheZürichend,andEdgarwantstoseeyouthereonSaturday.IhavetoreturntoBernthisafternoonbutI’lltraveloverwithyouonSaturdaymorning.

ApparentlysomeoftheSwissbankshavestartedtoflytheircouriersinandout–seemslessriskyifthey’recarryingimportantdocuments–andhethinkshecanfindsometop-levelpapersforyoutotakein.PlanisforyoutoflyinviaStuttgartonMondaymorningandoutthenextday

bythesameroute–meansyoushouldbebackinZürichearlyTuesdayevening:handoverthebankpaperstoHedingerthenhoponthelasttraintoGeneva,whereI’llmeetyou.Withanyluckyou’llbeinyourownbedbymidnight.’

Henrydidhisbestto

affectatoneofmildannoyance.‘Andwhatisitthat’ssoimportantnow?’

‘Anotherdocument,nothingtodowithReinhartthistime:thisoneisevenmoreimportantthanthelastone.Hermannwillpassitontoyouandyoubringitbacktous.’

***

HenryarrivedattheluxuryvillahighaboveLutryatFridaylunchtime.Hewaitedfor20minutesinthemagnificentlounge,watchingtheferrythathadbroughthimtoLausannethatmorning

headingalongthelaketowardsMontreuxandanotherferrysteamingintheoppositedirectiontowardsGeneva.ItwasacleardayandhehadagoodviewofÉvian-les-BainsontheFrenchsideofthelake.

Outsidetherewasaslammingofcardoors

followedbythesoundofmenspeakingRussianinthehallway.Viktordidnotsomuchwalkintotheroomasstormintoit,slammingthedoorashedidso.Hewaswearingalong,blackcoat,glovesandablackHomburghat.‘Getmeacoffee,’Viktorshoutedatwhoeverwas

outsidetheroom.‘Thisisurgent,isit

synok?’‘Ofcourse,otherwiseI

wouldn’thavecontactedyou.’

‘IwasinVienna,’Viktorsaid,asifbeinginViennawasareasonwhyheshouldnothavebeen

contacted.ThedooropenedagainandoneofViktor’smencameinwithatrayofcoffeeandsandwiches.Stillwearinghiscoatandhat,buthavingremovedthegloves,Viktorsatdownandbegantodevourthefoodinfrontofhim.HeindicatedtoHenryheshouldjoinhim.Viktorate

mostofthesandwichesandfinishedtwocupsofcoffeebeforeheremovedhishat,tossingitontoachaiselongueontheothersideoftheroom.Hewasstillwearinghisovercoatandfromoneofitsinsidepocketsheremovedaleathernotebook.Aknifeemergedfromanotherpocket

andtheRussianbegantosharpenhispencilinanaggressivemanner.

‘Moscowisverysatisfiedwiththematerialyoubroughtbacktwoweeksagobytheway.Verysatisfiedindeed.’

‘Good:IthinkImayhavemore.’

Viktorstoppedsharpeningthepencilandblewtheshavingsfromitoffhiscoatontothefloor.

‘Really?Fromthesamesource?’

‘I’mnottoosure,itsoundslikeit’sfromthelawyerthistime,ratherthantheReichsbank.But

Remington-Barberdidsay“thisoneisevenmoreimportantthanthelastone”.’

‘Hetoldyouthat?’‘Yes,twodaysago.’‘Theytellyoualot,

Henry.’‘Maybetheytrustme.’‘Maybetheydo,maybe

that’showtheBritishoperate.

Wetendnottobesoforthcoming.Whatarethetravelarrangementsthistime?’

‘TheywantmeinZürichonSaturday–apparentlyEdgar’sgoingtobethere–thenI’mtoflytoBerlinonMonday,viaStuttgart.Backthesameway

onTuesday.IstillhavetodeliverbankdocumentsovertoHedinger,that’smycoverafterall,thencatchthelatetrainfromZürichtoGeneva,whereIgivethedocumenttoRemington-Barber.’

‘AlrightHenry:wemakethesamearrangementasbefore.Whenyoureturnto

ZürichonTuesdayyougostraighttoBankLeuthentothestation.Fromtherewe’llmeetyouandwe’llgotohavethedocumentcopied.Areyousuretheyweren’tsuspiciouslasttime?’

‘I’msure:theyseemedverypleasedwithhowthingshadgone.’

Viktorstoodup,slowlyhaulinghimselfoutofthechairandwalkingovertothewindowbeforeturningtofaceHenry.Hisenormousframeappearedasasilhouette,withthesunbehindhim.

‘Letmetellyousynok,it’spossibletobepleasedand

suspiciousatthesametime.ButIthinkifEdgarishereagain,itmustmeanthedocumentisatleastasimportantasthelastone.Istillfinditodd,though,thattheydon’tmeetyouinZürichtocollectthedocument.’

‘TheBritishdon’tlikeZürich,Ikeeptellingyou.

EveryonespeaksGermanthere,ortheirversionofit.TheyfeelsaferonthissideofSwitzerland.’

‘AlrightHenry,yougobacktoGenevanowandwe’llseeyouinZürichonTuesday.’

‘Thereisonething…’‘What’sthatHenry?

YouwanttoaskmeagainifI’mstillabeliever?’

‘InZürichIaskedafavour–ifyoucouldgivemethedetailsofanycomradesIcouldcontactinBerlin,inanemergency.’

Viktornoddedhishead:yes,Iremember.TheRussiansatbackinthechairopposite

Henry.‘Iusedtorunnetworks

inBerlin,Henry.Tobehonest,itwasasurprisinglyeasycityforustooperatein:evenafterHitlercametopowerin’33.I’mconvincedtherewerestillmorecommunistsinthecitythanNazis–andmanycommitted

onesatthat,veryideologicalandverydisciplined.That’swhatIrealisedaboutGermans,theyliketohaveanideology,whetherit’sCommunismorSocialismorNazismorCatholicism.’

Viktorpausedandthoughtforamoment.‘It’safewyearsnowsinceI

operatedinBerlinandmostofmynetworkshaveeitherbeenarrested,switchedovertotheNazis,leftGermany,orhavebeentakenoverbytheNKVDortheGRUboysattheembassy.ButIhavekeptacouple:I’mgoingtotellyouhowtocontactoneofthem,listencarefully.’

Henryleanedforwardinhisseat;hewasjustinchesfromtheRussianandcouldsmellcoffeeonhisbreath.

‘There’sanagentcalledKato,whoI’venoreasontobelievehasleftBerlin.Katowasmyprizeagent;Iwasnevergoingtogivethemup.DoyouknowWedding?’

‘I’veheardofit,butneverbeenthere.’

‘JustnorthofCharlottenburg,notfarfromthecentre.TheimportantthingaboutWeddingisthatitwasalwaysacommuniststrongholdandevennowIunderstandit’samoreamenablepartofthecityfor

us,whichdoesn’tmeanit’ssafe.CatchtheU-BahnlinethatgoesnorththroughFriederichstrasseandOranienburg,andgetoffatLeopoldPlatz.Fromthere,walknorthalongMüllerstrasseandturnintoWannitzStrasse.IfyoucometoAmsterdamerStrasse

you’vegonetoofar.Haveyougotallthatsofar?’

Henrynodded.‘OnWannitzStrasse

you’llseearowoffiveorsixshopsunderalargeapartmentblock.Oneofthoseshopssellsitemsforthekitchen–pots,pans,plates;thatkindofthing.Gointhereandaskif

youcanleavesomethingforaFrauSchreinerinapartment12.Tellthepersonyou’vecomefromDresdentodeliverit.Thereplyyoushouldexpectisthatthey’llsaytheirsisterlivesinDresden.You’llknowthenyou’redealingwithKato:handthemtheenvelope.Initwillbea

messagefromme:Iwillwriteitnow.Oncetheyreadit,they’llgiveyoutheirfullco-operation.Youdon’tneedtoworryaboutthemessage,bytheway,there’llbenothingincriminatinginit:itwilllooklikeashoppinglist.’

‘AndhowwillIknowthemanintheshopisKato?’

‘Youwill,don’tworry.Inanycase,Katoisawoman.’

***

Thatsameday,atthePortugueseLegationinBerlin,DonaMariadoRosariohadtowaituntilthe

FirstSecretarylefttheofficeatfivebeforeshecouldopenthebiblewhichhadarrivedinthatday’sdiplomaticbag.

Telmo’smessagethepreviousdayhadtoldherexactlywheretolookandhowurgenteverythingwas.ShecarefullyremovedtheRostockReportfromthe

bookandplaceditinsideanenvelope,whichsheslippedintoherhandbag.Afterthat,shestuffedsomeblankpaperintothegapwherethedocumenthadbeenandgluedthecardbackinplacebeforeplacingthebibleinoneofthedrawers.

Shedelayedleavingthe

Legationuntil5.30,timingherdeparturetocoincidewiththatofanumberoftheothersecretaries.ShewalkedwiththemforawhilethenquietlypeeledawayfromthelittlegroupandheadedforOpernplatzandthevastsanctityofStHedwig’s.

SheknewFatherJosef

wasnotduetobetakingconfessionthatnight,buthewouldbeassistingattheMass.Shewouldsittowardsthefrontandwearherredscarf:hewouldknowthensheneededtoseehimurgently.

FatherJosefwasoneofanumberofpriestsonthe

altarduringMassandnotoncedidDonaMarianoticehimlookingather.WhenitwastimetotakeCommunion,DonaMariachosetojointhesmallqueueinfronthim.Hebentdownasshereceivedthewaferandwhisperedinherear:‘Gototheundercroft;waitformethere.’

Theundercroftwasdesertedandshesatquietlyonanarrowwoodenbenchsetbackintheshadows.Afterafewminutessheheardgentlefootstepsechoingtowardsher.WithoutacknowledgingherbutlookingallaroundhimFatherJosefwalkedtothefurthest

chapelandbeckonedhertofollow.

‘Arewesafehere?’sheaskedhimwhentheywerealone.

‘Forafewminutes,withanyluck.IrarelyseepeopledownhereaftereveningMass.What’stheproblem?’

‘IhavesomethingurgentforHugo.’

‘Verywell:I’llsendamessageforhimtocometoconfessiontomorrow:thenyoucanmeethimonFriday.’

‘NoFather!Ican’twaitthatlong,itmaybetoodangerous.I’mreturningtoPortugalonMondayandI

fearformysafety.Aftertoday,Ican’tdoanythingelse.’

‘Sowhatdoyouwantmetodo?’FatherJoseflookedterrified.Amessenger,I’llbenomorethanamessenger.That’swhathehadsaidinthebeginning.

DonaMariaremoved

theenvelopefromherhandbagandpusheditintothepriest’shands.

‘Here,pleasegivethistoHugo,Father.’

‘No,Ican’tdothat.’‘YouhavetoFather.’

Atthatmoment,theybothheardthesoundofheavyfootstepswalkingtowards

them.Theprieststartedtosaysomethingthenslippedtheenvelopeintothefoldsofhiscassockandsunktohiskneesinprayer.Bythetimehehadfinished,DonaMariahadslippedaway.

***

Chapter23:Berlin,March1941HenryHunterarrivedinZürichontheSaturdayafternoonandallthroughtheweekendwasbriefedbyEdgarandRemington-Barber

onwhatwasexpectedofhiminBerlin.Ifallwentwell,hewasassured,hewouldbeinthecityforlittlemorethan24hours.

HenrytriedhardnottoshowhewaspleasedhewastobereturningtoBerlin.Hefeltmorerelaxedthanhehadformorethantenyears:he

wasgoingonhisownmission,aswellastheirs.

HeleftZürichairportonthefirstlegofthejourneyearlyontheMondaymorningandbythetimehelandedinStuttgartitwasaclearday.Itwasayearandamonthsincehehadlastbeenattheairportandthistimetheplanetaxied

toanevenmoreremotesection,wellawayfromanybuildingsandthefewLuftwaffeplaneshecouldmakeoutinthedistance.Whenallthepassengershaddisembarked,theywerecountedonthetarmacthendividedintotwogroups.ThoseremaininginStuttgart

weretoboardabusthatwouldtakethemtotheterminalbuilding;thoseflyingontoBerlinweretotransfertothewaitingJunkersJu-52plane.

TheflightforBerlintookoffhalfanhouraftertheyhadlandedinStuttgartandtwohoursand20minutes

latertheyhadlandedatTempelhof:gettingthroughsecuritytookalmostaslong.Forthefirsthourafterhelandedhewaskeptinasmallroomwiththethreeothernon-Germanpassengers.Onebyone,theyweretakenintoaroomtobequestionedandhewasthethirdtogoin.Hewas

inthereforjustunderanhour,duringwhichtimehewassearched,aswashiscase,thenhewasthoroughlyquestioned.HowmanytimeshaveyoubeentoBerlin?;whatdoyoudowhenyou’rehere?;wheredoyoueat?;doyoumeetanyonenotconnectedwithyourwork?;

whyhaveyouflownintoBerlinonthisoccasion?;whatviewsdoyouhaveonthepoliciesofourgovernment?;haveyoumetanyJewswhileinGermany?;orcommunists?;pleasetellmeagain,howmanytimeshaveyoubeentoBerlin?;whatdoyoudowhenyou’re

here…?Thenanotherwait,this

timeonhisownattheendofanoverlitcorridor,followedbyafewmorequestionsandfinallyhewasabletoleavetheairport.OnEdgar’sadvice,hewalkedovertoFlughafenstation,fromwherehetooktheU-Bahn

northforthreestopsasfarasKochStrasse.FromthereitwasashortwalkacrossWilhelmStrassetotheExcelsioronAskanischerPlatz,wherearoomhadbeenreservedforhim.Itwasanenormoushotel,withwellover500roomsand,asfarasHenrycouldtell,eightornine

restaurants.BothEdgarandRemington-Barberfelttheanonymityofthehotelwouldbemoresuitableforthisvisit.

Itwas2.30bythetimehecheckedintohisnarrowroomonthethirdfloor,overlookingSaarlandStrasse.Theroomwasoverheated,butwhenheopenedthe

windowthenoiseofthecityfloodedinandhefoundhimselfunabletothinkproperly.

‘Staythereuntilthenextmorning,’Edgarhadtoldhim,whichwasallverywellbutthatleftnotimeforanything.Tuesdaywasgoingtobeverytightasitwas:

meetingHugoatnineo’clocktocollectthedocumentthentotheReichsbanktoexchangepaperswithGunterReinhart.Afterthat,hewassupposedtogotoTempelhofingoodtimetocatchthe12.30flighttoStuttgart.

Maybe.Hemanagedtostayin

thehotelroomfor20minutes,pacingupanddown,stillnotfullydecidedonhiscourseofaction.Thereweretoomanyflawstohisplan;itdependedtoomuchonchanceanditmeantignoringeverythinghehadbeentrainedtodooverthepasttenyears.Hewastrulycaught

betweenarockandahardplace.

Hismindstillunresolved,heleftthehotelthroughasideentranceandfromStadtMittecaughttheU-BahnnorthasfarasLeopoldPlatz.HewasinWeddingandhewasabouttousethefavourhehadasked

ofViktor.Dependingonhowthatwentwouldhelpmakeuphismind.

CarefullyfollowingViktor’sinstructionsheturnedintoWannitzStrasseandspottedthesmallparadeofshopswiththehardwareshopinthemiddle.Hewalkedpastitfromthe

oppositesideoftheroadand,whenhenoticedawomanleaving,crossedtheroadandentered.

Theshopwasempty:behindthecounterwasawell-builtwoman,inherlatethirtiesorpossiblyolder.Shehadanuntidynestofhairthatwasturninggreyandaface

noticeablemainlyforthethickmascaraaroundherbright-greeneyesandthedarklipstick,whichwasclosertoblackthanred.OnthewallbehindherwasasmallframedphotographofHitler,nexttoashelf-fullofwhitecandles.Theysmiledateachotherandhespenta

minuteortwoshowingundueinterestinacoppersaucepan.Hecheckedtheinsidepocketofhisjacket:Viktor’snotewasthere,inanenvelopefromthehotel.Youdon’tneedtoworryaboutthemessagebytheway,there’llbenothingincriminatinginit:itwilllooklikeashopping

list.‘CanIhelpyou?’The

womanhadcomeoutfrombehindthecounterandwasalongsidehim.Shepointedtothecoppersaucepanhewasholding.‘Thisisbestquality:acompanyinMagdeburgmanufacturesthem.’

‘I’vecomefrom

Dresden,’saidHenry,awarehisvoicesoundeduncertain.Hewastryingtospeakquietly.‘I’vesomethingforFrauSchreinerinapartment12:pleasecouldIleaveithere?’

Thewomanglancedanxiouslytowardsthedoorthenedgedslowlyback

towardsthecounter.‘Ofcourse:mysisterisfromDresden.’

Kato.Thewomancasually

walkedbackbehindthecounter,smilingatHenry,whosmiledbackather.Therewassilenceasshelookedathim,waitingfor

himtospeak.‘Youhavesomething

forme,maybe?’‘I’msorry,yes,I

forgot.’Hehandedtheenvelopetoher.

Sheremovedthenotefromtheenvelopeandmomentarilygaspedasshebegantoreadit.Thehand

holdingthenotewasshaking,whileherothersteadiedherselfonthecounter.Heheardherquietlysay,‘Viktor’.Whenshehadfinishedreading,sheindicatedforhimtowaitandwenttoaroombehindthecounter.Therewasabriefsmellofburning.Sheback

cameoutwithtwolitcigarettes,andhandedonetoHenry.

‘Nothankyou.Idon’tsmoke.’

‘Smokeitplease:incaseanyonecomesin.It’sbettertodisguisethesmell.So,youareacomrade?’

Henrynodded.A

comrade.‘IneverthoughtI’d

hearfromViktoragain,never.IknowI’mnotsupposedtoaskanyquestions,butjusttellmethis–ishewell?’Hereyesweremoistandthehandholdingthecigarettewasshaking,somuchsosheusedherother

handtosteadyit.Shelovedhim.Shestill

does.‘Yes.’Shelookedathim

quizzically,hopinghewouldsaymore,buthejustsmiledandnoddedhishead.

‘Hesaysyou’retobetrustedandI’mtohelpyou,’

saidKato.‘I’veheardnothingfromanyoneforoverayear.Therewerefiveofus,allloyaltoViktor.Hetoldusnottotrustanyoneattheembassy.TwocomradesmanagedtoescapetoSweden,anotherwasarrestedanddiedatSachsenhausenandonedisappeared:she’sa

JewandIsuspectshe’sgoneunderground.I’mfortunatenoneofourcellwentovertotheNazis:thathappenedwithanumberofcomrades.Whatdoyouneed–somewheretostay,somemoney?’

‘Isitsafetotalkhere?’‘Ofcourse!Doyou

thinkI’dbedoingitifit

wasn’t?There’sno-oneinthebackandIcanseewhoevercomesin.Takethesaucepanfromthestand,andoneortwoothers–wecanmakeitlookasifyoucan’tdecidewhichonetobuy:mennevercananyway.Tellmewhatyouneed.’Herhandsstillshookassheinhaleddeeply

onthecigarette,andhergreeneyesdancedwithamixtureoffearandexcitement.

WhenhehadfinishedtellingKatowhatheneeded,heexpectedhertosayitwasimpossible,butsheactednomoresurprisedthanifhehadorderedanewdiningset.

‘Youwantthisfortomorrowmorningyousay?’

‘Yesplease.’‘Whattime?’‘Around11o’clock,

possiblyabitlater,butcertainlybynoon.Fromhere?’

‘No,mostcertainlynot.Whenyouleavehere,we’ll

neverseeeachotheragain.YoushouldavoidWeddinganyway,theGestapohavetoomanypeoplearoundhere.Whatyouwantwillbereadyfrom11o’clock.WillyoubearoundthecentreofBerlin?’

‘Yes.’‘Doyouknow

Ku’damm?’

Heshookhishead.‘Itisactuallycalled

Kurfürstendamm,buteveryoneknowsitasKu’damm.It’saverywell-knownstreetinthesouthofCharlottenburg:beforethewaritwasveryfashionable.Now,nowhereisfashionable.GotoUhlandStrasseU-Bahn

andcomeoutontheKurfürstendammexit,thencrosstheroadandheadwestfortwoorthreeblocks–notfar.OnthecornerofKurfürstendammandBleibtreustrasse,you’llseeakiosksetbackinthewall;itsellsnewspapers,cigarettes,thatkindofthing.Don’tbe

putoffbytheswastikasandthepicturesofHitler.Telltheoldladyinthekioskyou’vecometocollectMagda’scigarettes:she’llhandyouapackofJuno.Whatyouneedwillbeinsidethepacket,butputitstraightinyourpocket,buyanewspaperandleave.CarryonupBleibtreustrasse

andtakethesecondleft,NiebuhrStrasse.OpenthepacketwhenyougetintoNiebuhrStrasse,there’llbeanotetheretellingyouwheretogo.Now,Ineedtocheckyou’verememberedallthat.’

***

Atsixo’clockonthemorningofTuesday25thMarch,Henryfinallygaveuptryingtoforcehimselfbacktosleep,ashehadbeenattemptingtodoformostofthenight.Theyhadallcometovisithimduringhisbriefspellsofsleep:Roza,ofcourse,butalsoherbrotherandtheman

intheperfumeshopinEssen.EvenFoxithedog.They’dallbeenshoutingathim.RosahadappearedandforabriefmomentshesatontheendofthebedalongsideRoza.

Henryhadabaththensatonthefloor,withmapsspreadoutbeforehim.Hehadbeenabsorbedinthese

sincereturningtotheExcelsiorlatethepreviousafternoon.Hecouldseetheroutes;therewasnodoubtaboutthat.Hewanderedovertothewindow.DownonSaarlandStrasseagroupofWaffenSSwerehappilychattingawayandslappingeachotherontheback.Not

forthefirsttimesincehearrivedinBerlin,hefeltrealfear.Hischesttightenedandthemapsshookashishandstrembled.

Idon’thavetodothis.I’mnotcommittedtoanything.IfIabandonmyplansnow,no-onewillknow.

Backtothemaps:

duringhistrainingbytheBritishhehadbeentoldhewasanaturalmapreader:hecouldstudyamapanditscontentswouldcometolife;hewasimmediatelyabletopicturetheareaasifhewereobservingitfromaboveandcouldenvisagedifferentroutesandalltheoptions

availabletohim.Firstofalltherewasthe

mapofBerlin,thenthatofGermany.Itappearedstraightforward;heknewwherehehadtobeandhowtogetthere,buthecouldnotforeseethehazardsandheknewtherewouldbeplentyofthose.

HecheckedoutoftheExcelsiorat8.30thatmorning,assuringoneoftheover-attentivemanagersondutyhehadindeedenjoyedhisstay,everythinghadindeedbeentohissatisfactionandhewouldmostcertainlyconsiderstayingattheExcelsiorwhenhereturnedto

Berlin.Therewasalight

drizzleashewalkedtotheOpernplatz,wheretheexpanseofStHedwig’sCathedralrosebeforehim.HeremindedhimselfofEdgar’sinstructions.

Don’tenterthecathedralbeforefivetonine.

HepausedattheentrancetoOpernplatz.Itwas8.50and,realisingitwastooearly,hefoundastonebenchtositon,despitetherain.Hewaited,steelinghimselftogoin.Hehadapassionatedislikeofchurches,buoyedbyafearhehadfirstencounteredinhischildhood,

thatchurchesweretheoneplacewheresecretsweren’tsafe;eventhestatuesandgargoylesseemedtoknowallabouthim.

Fivetonine.Enterthecathedral

throughthemainentrance.Afewpeoplewere

comingdownthestepsafter

theeighto’clockMass.Anddon’tforgetto

crossyourself.Findaseatabout

halfwayalong,betweentheentranceandmainaltar.

Thecathedralwasenormousandtheremusthavebeennomorethantwodozenpeopledottedaround

it,sittingaloneorinpairs,allinsilentprayer.

Ifhe’sseenallisclear,Hugowillappearonthesamerowasyouandsittwoorthreeseatsaway.Don’texpecttoseehimbefore9.10.Butifhehasn’tappearedby9.20,leavethechurchandwalkbacktoUnterden

Linden.Don’tlookaroundforhim.

Tenpastnine.ThecathedralwasmuchemptiernowasthelastMassworshippershadleftandmadetheirwaytowork.Hetriedhardtoclosehiseyesandhopesomespiritualfeelingwouldcometohim,

somethingtoreassurehimandtellhimeverythingwouldturnoutright.Nothing,butatleasttheghostofRozadidnotappear.Hebecameawareofascrapeofchairsalongsidehimassomeonemoveddownhisrow.

Don’tlookdirectlyathim,butdolookinhis

directionsoyoucanbesureit’shim.

ItwasHugo,dressedinalongblackcoat,andclutchingahatandbriefcase.

Ifheplaceshisbriefcaseonachaireithersideofhimthat’sasignofdanger.Leaveimmediately.Ifthebriefcaseremainsonthe

floor,alliswell.Thebriefcasewason

thefloor.HesawHugoremoveabiblefromthesmallwoodenreceptacleonthebackofthechairinfrontofhimandslipsomethingintoit.

RemainwhereyouareuntilHugohasfinishedand

left.Thenyou’llknowhowtoretrievethedocument.

AfterfiveminutesHugofinishedpraying.Hereturnedthebibletowherehehadtakenitfrom,stoodupandleft.

Thedocumentwillbefoldedinthemiddleofthebible.Removeitassoonas

youcan.Hestoodupand

straightenedhiscoat,andwhenhesatdownagainitwasintheseatnexttotheoneHugohadpreviouslyoccupied.HepickedupthebibleHugohadleftandopenedit:thedocumentwasindeedinthecentre,foldedas

ifreadytobeinsertedintoanarrowenvelope.Heglancedaround,butno-onewasclosetohimorlookinginhisdirection,apartfromareproachfulmedievalsaintortwo.Withinseconds,thedocumentwasinsidehisjacketpocket.

Onceyou’veretrieved

thedocumentremaininyourseatforanotherfiveminutes.Remembertopray.

Hethumbedthroughthebibleandstoppedrandomly.Itwasapsalm,130:‘WaitingfortheRedemptionoftheLord’.‘OutofthedepthsIhavecriedtoyouOLord.Lord

hearmyvoice!’Ashiverrandownhisspineandhelookeduptoseeifanyonewaswatchinghimnow.Helookedbackatthepsalm.‘ForwiththeLordthereismercy,AndwithHimisabundantredemption’.

Hefoundhimselfshakingandbecomingsohot

thesweatfromhishandswasstainingthepage.HeglancedupandsawastoneangelonapillarnearhimlookedlikeRoza.Hehadneverbeenareligiousman;itwasalientohisideology.Buthewasquiteclearnow.Whathehadjustreaddecidedhim.Hewascertain.Hehadtoconcentrate

veryhardnowtorememberEdgar’sinstructions.

Putthebiblebackbehindtheseatandleavethecathedral.Don’tforgettokneelandcrossyourself.There’sachapeljustbeforetheporchfromwhereyouleavethecathedral.Hugowillbeinthere:ifhegetsup

toleaveasyougopastandhiscoatisfoldedacrosshisarm,you’llknowalliswell.He’llfollowyoubutdon’tlookround.LeavethroughOpernplatzthenwalkdownOberwallstrasse:ifHugoiscertainyou’renotbeingfollowedhe’llapproachyoubeforeyougointothe

Reichsbanktocheckeverythingisinorder.

AshewalkedpastthechapelheglimpsedHugobeginningtofollowhimout,hiscoatfoldedacrosshisarm.HewalkedthroughOpernplatzbackintoUnterdenLindenand,afterablock,turnedrightinto

Oberwallstrasse,whichwasalong,narrowstreetleadingdowntoFranzösischestrasseandtheReichsbank.Abouthalfwayalongtheroadwasfilledwithrubblefromwhatappearedtobeabombedbuilding.Hepausedtolookupatit,allowingHugotocatchupwithhim.

‘Everythingappearstobealright.I’llwalkwithyouasfarastheReichsbank.Youhavethedocumentsafe?’

‘It’shereinmypocket,’saidHenry.

‘Good.MakesureyougetaproperenvelopefromReinharttoputitin,alongwithsomeotherReichsbank

papers–anddon’tforgettogethimtosealit.It’sessentialitlookslikeanormalletterfromtheReichsbanktoBankLeu,I’msureyourealisethat.ThengostraighttoTempelhof.’

‘Franz!’Asmartlydressedman

wasstridingtowardsthem.

‘Ohno,’Hugomuttered,thenunderhisbreathsaid,‘Givemeaminute;Ineedtogetridofhim.I’mgivingyoudirectionstotheReichsbank,rememberthat.’

‘WhatareyoudoingdownhereFranz?Youshouldbeintheoffice.I’monthewaytheremyself.’

Henryhadafeelingheknewtheman,butcouldnotplacehim.HewaswearingaformalsuitandspokewithaBerlinaccent.HehadbeguntostareatHenry,asifherecognisedhimtoo.

‘YesAlois,I’monmywaytotheofficetoo.I’dbeenatMassandthisgentleman

askedmetodirecthimtotheReichsbank.’

‘Ithinkwemayhavemet.’ThemanHermannhadcalledAloishadnowturnedtofaceHenry,positioninghimselfuncomfortablyclose.Henrywasconvincedtheyhadmet,buthadnoideawhenorwhere.

‘AreyoufromSwitzerland,byanychance?’

Henryrepliedthathewas.Hecouldnowremembertheman.FranzHermannwasstandingbehindhimandlookingworried.

‘Alois–Idoneedtogettotheoffice.Perhapsyou’lljoinme?I’msureour

friendnowknowshiswaytotheReichsbank.’

AloisignoredHermann.‘Iremembernow!Bern,lastJune–wemetattheSchweizerhof.MynameisAloisJäger:IsaidyoushouldcontactmeifyouwereeverinBerlin.Doyourecallourmeeting?’

HenrynoticedtheNaziPartybadgeonJäger’slapel.‘Yes…’hesaidhesitantly,appearingtorecollecttheirmeetingfromthebackofhismemory.‘Idoremember.OfcourseIdo.’

‘YounameisHenri,correct?’

Henrynodded.

‘AndwhatbringsyoutoBerlin?’

‘I’mhereonbusiness.’‘Forwhom,mayIask?’‘BankLeu–Iworkfor

BankLeuinZürich.IhavebusinessontheirbehalfattheReichsbank.’

‘Ah–aSwissbanker!I’mmostimpressed.Ihave

somegoodfriendsattheReichsbank.PerhapsyouknowHerr…’

‘Ishouldexplain,HerrJäger–I’mjustacourier.MydealingswiththeReichsbankarelimitedtodeliveringandcollectingdocuments,I’mafraid.’

‘Don’tworrymy

friend.It’sallveryimportant.I’mtoldthesupportwe’regettingfromtheSwissbanksisprovingtobealifelineforGermany:suchdiscretion–we’resograteful.Andyou’refromZürich,amostcharmingcity,so…proper.’

Jägerpausedforamoment.‘ButI’mconfused

HerrHesse,’hesaid.‘WhenwemetinBernyousaidyouwerefromGeneva?YouweretravellingtoStuttgart,Ithink,onbusiness.IrecallthatbecauseIrememberwonderingwhysuchagoodGermanspeakerwasfromGeneva.’

Henrycouldsee

Hermann’seyesshinewithfear.‘Geneva,yousay?Ahyes!ForawhileIdidlivethere,butnowIliveinZürichandworkforBankLeu.’

‘Soyou’renolongerinbusiness?’

‘No,nolonger.’‘Isee,’saidJäger,

soundingunsure.‘Andwhata

remarkablecoincidencethatnotonlyshouldIencounteryoutodayinBerlin,butyoushouldalsobetalkingwithmygoodfriendandcolleagueHerrHermann.Youlookedasthoughyoukneweachother–itshowswhatahospitablecityBerlinhasbecomeundertheFührer.Perhapswecould

havedinnertonight–thethreeofus?’

HenryexplainedhewasleavingBerlinthatday.‘Infact,IhaveaflightfromTempelhofat12.30.’

‘Well,IwantyoutopromisethenexttimeyouareinBerlin,you’llcontactme?Weshallhaveameal

together.WhatdoyouthinkFranz?’

AllthreemenagreedthiswasamostagreeableideaastheywalkedtogethertotheendofOberwallstrasse,wheretheyenthusiasticallyshookhands:AloisJägerandFranzHermannthenturnedrighttowardstheirofficein

Friederichstrasse,HenrylefttowardsWerderscherMarkt.

Henrywasshocked.JägerwasclearlysuspiciousandthefacthewaswearingaNaziPartybadgeandHugolookedsohorrifiedwasaworry.Hewouldhavehadevenmorecauseforconcernhadhelookedaroundjust

beforeheenteredtheReichsbankandnoticedtheformalfigureofAloisJägerwatchinghimfromtheothersideoftheroad.

***

WhenHenriHessepresentedhimselfattheReichsbank

receptionhisheartwasracing,hischestfelttight,hewasperspiringheavilyandbeginningtofeelquiteunwell.Itwas10.30.Hisoptionswerestillopen:hecouldexchangedocumentswithReinhart,gotoTempelhof,returntoSwitzerlandandpleaseboth

hismasters.Butthechancereadingofthepsalminthecathedralhadmadeuphismind:hewouldtakeamuchharderoption,butoneheknewwouldbringhimpeace.

GunterReinhartappearedtohaveagedtenyearsintheshorttimesinceHenryhadlastseenhimand,

otherthanthankinghimonceagainfortakingAlfredtoSwitzerland,saidverylittle.HetooktheenvelopefromBankLeu,signedforitandhandedoverthesealedenvelopeforhimtotakebacktoSwitzerland.

‘Ineedyoutogivemeanotherenvelope,perhaps

withanotherdocumentinit?’saidHenry.‘I’dthenliketoputsomethinginmyselfandaskyoutore-sealit.’

TheGermanlookeduncomfortable.

‘IsaidtoHedinger,thishastobethelasttime.Ican’triskthisanymore.YoutookAlfredtoSwitzerland,for

whichI’meternallygrateful,andinreturnIsuppliedthedirective.NowI’vedoneyouthisonemorefavour.Lifeisgettingtoodangerous:ifIgiveanymorecausetosuspectme,thennotonlywillIbeindangerbutsowillRosaandSophia,nottomentionmywifeand

children,ofcourse.Youmustpromisemethis,don’taskmetohelpagain.Don’tcomebacktoBerlin,youunderstand?It’stoodangerous,fartoodangerous.’

Hetookanotherenvelopefromadrawer,foundafewsheetsfroma

trayonhisdeskandslippedthemin.HenrycarefullyinsertedthepapershehadtakenfromthebiblebetweenthesheetsandhandedtheenvelopebacktoReinharttosealit.

HenrypromisedReinharttheywouldnevermeetagain,whichwasnot

difficultashehadeveryintentionofkeepingit.Itwasunusualforhimtomakeapromiseheintendedtokeep.

AfterleavingWerderscherMarkt,hetravelledbyU-BahntoUhlandStrasse.Kato’sinstructionshadbeenclearenough.Hecameoutonthe

Kurfürstendammexit,crossedtheroadthenheadedwestasfarasthecornerwithBleibtreustrasse.

Sureenough,therewasakiosksetbackinthewall,withnarrowswastikabannershangingdownfromeithersideofalargeadvertisingsign:‘BerlinRauchtJuno’;

BerlinsmokesJuno.LuckyBerlin.

Theoldladyinthekioskappearedtobewearingtwocoatsandhadascarfwrappedroundherheadwithawoollenhatontopit.BehindherwasalargepictureofHitlerataslightlyjauntyangleandinfrontof

herasmallqueueofpeopleinahurry.Hecourteouslyallowedawomaninafurcoattogofirstso,bythetimeitwashisturntobeserved,therewasno-oneelsewaiting.

‘IhavecometocollectMagda’scigarettes.’

Theoldladyglancedup

athimandheldeyecontactforamomentbeforeshescannedthestreetbehindhim.Hewonderedwhetherhewasmeanttosayanythingelse:hadheforgottensomething?Headded‘Please’andsmiled.

Shebentdownand,fromunderthecounter,

producedawhitepacketofJunocigarettes,whichshepressedintohishands.Asheslippedthepacketintohispocket,hecouldtelltherewassomethingheavierinsidethancigarettes.BynowhehadbeenjoinedatthefrontofthekioskbytwoWaffenSSofficers.Hepickedupacopy

oftheVölkischerBeobachterandplacedtwoReichsmarksintotheoldlady’smittenedhands.BythetimeshehadpocketedthemoneyshehadalreadyturnedherattentiontotheSSmen.

NiebuhrStrassewasaquietstreet,inmarkedcontrasttothebustleofthe

Ku’damm.HestoodinthedoorwayofadressshopandremovedthepacketofJunofromhispocket.Therewereonlyfourorfivecigarettesinitandheplacedonestraightintomouthandlitit–itwouldhavelookedtoosuspicioustodootherwise.Tuckedintothepacketwasa

carkeyattachedtoasmallmetaldiskwiththeword‘Opel’engravedonit.Therewasalsoafoldedslipofpaper,whichheunwrapped:UTM142.

Helookeddownthestreet.Therewerefewcarsparkedonitbuthecouldnotseetheonehewaslooking

for.HewalkeddowntheblockandthelastcaronthecornerbeforeSchlüterstrassewasanOpelSuper6sedan:UTM142.Itwasahandsomecar;fourdoors,darkgreen,whitewalltyresandneithertoocleannortoodirtythatitmightstandout.

Heunlockedthedoor

andsettledintothedriver’sseat.Thecarhadamustysmelltoit,amixtureofdampandoldleather.‘I’lldomybesttogetholdofthepapersyouneed,butitwon’tbeeasy,’Katohadtoldhimthepreviousafternoon.‘WhateverIcangetwillbeintheglovebox,insidethelog

book.’Hereachedacrossto

thegloveboxinfrontofthepassengerseatandremovedtheblack-leatherlogbook,withtheword‘Opel’infadedsilveronthecover.Thebackcoverofthebookformedasleeveandwithinthatwaswhathehadaskedfor:

identitycardsandaformshowingthattheownerofUTM142wasentitledtobuypetrol.Tuckedbehindthelogbookwassomethinghardwrappedinathickgreycloth.

‘ThecarhasbeenhiddeninWeissenseesincebeforethewarbegan,’Katohadtoldhim.‘Amechanic

who’sasecretPartymemberhasbeenlookingafterit.HenowworksinanSSgarage,sohe’sbeenabletoobtainthecorrectdocumentation.I’vekeptthepaperworkuptodate.Iwaskeepingitforanemergency,butifViktorsays…Theidentitycardswon’tbeeasy,notwithso

littletime.It’spossibletopurchasethesethingsthough;theblackmarketisveryactiveatthemoment.DoyouhavemoneyIcanuse,byanychance?’

HehadhandedherasubstantialsumofSwissFrancsandhereyeslitup.‘Thatshouldmakeitmuch

easier,’shesaid.‘I’lldowhatIcan.’

Apolicemanhadwalkedpastthecarandnow,inhisrear-viewmirror,Henrycouldseehimturningaroundandheadingslowlybackinhisdirection.Heneededtomove,butfirstheremovedfromhispocketatightly

wrappedpieceofpaper,fromwhichheproducedtheNaziPartymembershipbadgehehadtakenfromtheperfumeshopownerinEssen.Hepinneditcarefullytohislapelandcheckedinthemirroritwasataproperangle.Thecarstartedfirsttime,ifrathernoisilyandlurchedforward

asheselectedthegears.HedroveslowlydownthesidestreetstogetafeelofthecarbeforeturningintoKurfürstendamm.

Createacommentary:decideyourroute,writeitdownthenmemorisethatrouteinthespokenform.Whenyou’redrivingalong,

keeprecitingthecommentary,itmeansyoucanavoidusingamapanddrawingattentiontoyourself.

EastalongKurfürstendamm,thenrightintoJoachimstalerStrasse,whichbecomesKaiserAllee.Therewassurprisinglylittletrafficontheroad,thoughhe

hadtobecarefulofthetrams.TheOpelwasheavybutpowerful,andhehadtoconcentratehardtokeephisspeedundercontrol.

ThroughWilmersdorfandFriedenau.KaiserAlleeleadsintoReinStrasse.AttheendofReinStrasseyouwillseetheBotanischerGarten

signposted.TurnrightintoGrunewaldStrasse:youwillknowwhereyouarefromthere.

Itwas11.20.ThejourneyhadbeenquickerthanheimaginedandtheOpelnowhandledbeautifully:hehadlittledoubtthatonceitgotouton

theopenroaditwouldperformwell,assumingtheygotthatfar.InKaiserWilhelmStrasseheeasedthecarslowlytoahaltinapositionwherehecouldseethehouseonthecornerofArno-HolzStrasse.

AtvariousstagessincehehadarrivedinBerlinhe

hadbeentellinghimselfhedidnotneedtodothis,thathecouldpulloutnow.No-onewouldknowifhedid,withthepossibleexceptionofKato.HecoulddriveontowardsTempelhof,abandonthecarandstillhavetimetocatchthe12.30flighttoBerlin–therewasjustabout

enoughtime–andforabriefmomenthehesitated.

ThentheimageofRozaappearedagain,smilingthistimeandthesenseofcalmthathehadfirstencounteredintheair-raidshelterinStuttgartstationreturned.

Heleftthecarandwalkedovertothehouse,

knowingtherewasnogoingback.

***

Chapter24:leavingBerlin,March1941HenryHunter’scareerasasecretagentceasedthemomentheknockedonthedoorofthehousewhereRosaSternwashiding.Hehad

beenaSovietspysince1930andaBritishoneforayearandhalf.Servingfirstonethentwomastershadrequiredhimtobeconstantlyonhisguard,andtobeincontrolandexercisecautionallthetime.Despitesometimesaffectinganairofdetachmentandpossiblycomingacross

asabittooquestioning,Henryknewhehadsurvivedbecausehehadactuallyalwaysdonewhathewastold.

Now,hewasdoingtheopposite.Fromthismomentonhewasturninghisbackontheobediencethathaddictatedhislifeforprevious

tenyears.Hewouldbeexploitinghistrainingforhisowninterests.

WhenRosaopenedthedoorshelookedasthoughshe’dseenaghost.

‘Whatonearthareyoudoinghere?Itoldyouitwastoodangeroustoreturn:youhavetoleavenow!Ohmy

GodHenrithisissodangerous.Pleasego.Please!’

‘LetmeinRosa.Ineedtoexplain.You’llunderstandwhenItellyouwhyI’mhere.Youknowit’sdangerousformetostandhere.Please.’

Soshelethiminandhurriedhimupstairswhile

shesettledFrauHermann.Whenshecameuptothesmallloungeonthefirstfloorshelookflusteredandstoodbythecloseddoor,armsfolded.

‘WhatisitHenri–andhowcomeyou’restillinBerlin?MyGod–what’sthat?’Shewaspointingatthe

NaziPartymembershipbadgeonhislapel.‘You’renot…’

‘Don’tworryRosa;it’stostopmelookingsuspicious.’

Shelaughedsarcastically.‘ASwisscitizenwalkingroundBerlinwearingaNaziPartybadge:youthinkthatdoesn’tlooksuspicious?’

‘ListentomeRosa.You’reindanger,youandSophia.’

‘ThanksfortellingmethatHenri.Don’tyouthinkI’malreadyverywellawareofthat?’

‘No,no…WhatImeanisyou’reinimmediatedanger.Youhavetoleavethe

housenow!’Shegaspedandmoved

awayfromthedoor,movingtothesofaoppositeHenry.

‘Whatdoyoumean?’‘IsawFranzthis

morning.Hetoldmehe’sheardthroughacontactthattheGestapohavebeeninformedyou’rehidinginthis

area:they’vebeentoldyou’reinahouseinoneoftheroadsjustnorthoftheBotanischerGarten.They’replanningtosearcheveryhouse.Thesearchcouldbeginatanytime.’

‘ButFranzwashereyesterday,heneversaidawordaboutthis.I’dhave

knownifsomethingwaswrong,surely?’

‘Isawhimearlythismorning:he’donlyjustheard.’

‘Areyousure?’‘OfcourseI’msure.

WhyelsedoyouthinkI’mhere?’

‘ButFranzhadaplan

we’duseifwe’reeverindanger:he’dtelephoneanduseacodeword,thenSophiaandIwouldgotoPankow,whereafriendofhishasashopandwe’dbeabletohideintheattic.He…’

‘There’snotimeRosa.I’msureFranzmadealltheseplansbutmaybehepanicked.

Itoldyou,theycouldstartthehouse-to-housesearchatanytime.Wehavetoleavenow.’

‘We?’‘Yes.I’vegotacar.I’m

goingtotakeyouandSophia,butweneedtoleavenow.’

‘ThisismadnessHenri.WehavenoproperpapersandwhataboutFrau

Hermann?Ican’tjustabandonher.’

‘IhavepapersRosa,here–look.’

HehandedhertheidentitycardsKatohadleftforhiminthecar,hersinthenameofDagmarKeufer,Sophia’sinthenameofGiselaKeufer.Rosastudied

themcarefully.‘ThephotographsHenri

–they’renotevenofus!’‘No,ofcoursenot–

therewasnotime.Buttheycouldbeofyou:theyoughttobegoodenoughforabasiccheck,they’renottoobadandIhaveacardinthenameofErichKeufer,sowe’llbe

abletopretendtobeafamily.YouseeouraddressisinFrankfurt:wecansaywe’redrivingthere.’

‘ToFrankfurt–areyoumad?We’llbeluckytogetoutofBerlin.AndwhatdowedowhenwegettoFrankfurt–buyahouse,jointheNaziParty?’

‘We’renotgoingtoFrankfurt,Rosa.We’regoingtoSwitzerland.I’vegotSwisspapersforyouandSophia,too,Ihadthempreparedonlylastweek.They’reverygood,butIthinkwecanonlyriskusingthemwhenwe’remuchclosertotheborder.’

Rosawaspacing

aroundtheroominacircle,shakingherheadandrunningherhandthroughherhair.‘I’msorryHenributthisdoesn’tmakesensetome.Youseemtohavegotholdofthesepapersveryquickly–IthoughtyousaiditwasonlythismorningthatFranztoldyouheheardwewerein

danger?’‘Canbehonestwith

youRosa?WhenIfirstvisitedyouhereitwasapparentyoursituationwastoodangerous.Ithoughtsomethinglikethiswouldhappen,butIdidn’twanttovoicemyfearstoFranzashe’sbeensogoodtoyou.I

wassoworriedIhadtheseidentitycardsprepared:justincase.’

Rosasankbackinthesofa,lookingoverwhelmedandconfused.SheclearlythoughtHenry’splanwascrazy,butthensowasremaininginthehouseiftherereallywasachanceit

wasabouttobesearchedbytheGestapo.Henrywassureshewasfarfromconvincedbuthewascountingonhernotriskingherlifeandthatofherdaughterbyignoringhim.

‘AndFrauHermann?’‘Makehercomfortable

andtellheryou’llbebacklater.Franzwillcomeround

afterwork.Rosa,weneedtomovefast–youneedtogetSophiaready.Packafewthings,butnothingthatidentifiesyouorSophia.Wealsoneedtotakefoodandblankets;wemightnotbeabletostop.’

Rosawasbackbythedoornow,herhandonthe

handle.ShepeeredatHenrysceptically.

‘PerhapsIshouldcontactFranz?We’vegotanagreedsystemtouseinanemergency–Itelephonehimpretendingtobeasecretaryfromanotherlawfirm.’

‘NoRosa!Undernocircumstances!Franzsaidhe

thinksthey’llbelisteningintoalltelephonecallsinthisarea–maybethat’swhyhehasn’tcontactedyouhimself.Ifyouphonehimathisofficeitcouldrevealyourlocationandbringhimundersuspicion.Youmustdonothingthatwoulddrawattentiontothishouse,doyou

understand?’OnceRosadecidedshe

hadnoalternativebuttogoalongwithHenry,shemovedfastanddecisively.ShegaveFrauHermannherlunchearlyandtoldhershewouldbebacklater.ShepackedasmallsuitcaseforherandSophia,tellingthelittlegirl

theyweregoingonalongjourneyandifshewasaverygoodgirlanddideverythingshewasaskedto,andtoldanyonewhoaskedhernamewasGisela,shewouldseeAlfred.Butonlyifyou’regood.AndonlyifyourememberyournameisGisela.

HenrydecidedtobringthecarrightoutsidethehouseratherthanriskRosaandSophiabeingseencrossingtheroadwithasuitcase.

***

Alwaysseeacarjourneyinthesamewayasoneonfoot–

asaseriesofshortjourneys:acartripfromLondontoEdinburgh,forexample,shouldbebrokendownintoaseriesofshorterstages–LondontoNorthampton,NorthamptontoNottingham,NottinghamtoSheffield,etcetera.Thesearemucheasiertoexplainifstopped,aslong

asyouhaveafeasiblestoryreadytoexplainthatjourney.

ThisaspectofhisBritishtrainingandmorewasracingaroundinHenry’smindastheyleftthehouseinArno-HolzStrasseatnoon.Theywerejustaheadoftheschedulehehadinhismindwhentheypulledintoalayby

justoutsidePotsdam40minuteslater.Heturnedofftheengineandtookoutaroadmapfrombesidehisseat.

‘Here,letmeshowyouourroute.’

‘Whereto?’‘ToSwitzerland,Itold

you.’

‘You’reserious,aren’tyou?Howarewegoingtogetthatfar?’

‘Letmeshowyou,Ihaveitallplanned.’

Henryopenedoutthemap,allowingittorestonthedashboardandtheirlaps.HemovedtowardsRosaastheylookedatit.Ashegotcloser

hecaughtthescentofadelicateperfume.Sheflickedherhairoutofhereyes,lookingcarefullyatthemapashepointedattheSwissborder.

‘IknowwhereSwitzerlandis.’

‘Therearetwopossibleroutes,Rosa.Thisonehere–

I’vecalledthattheeastroute.It’smoredirect.We’dgosouth-westinmoreorlessastraightline:Leipzig;Bayreuth;Nuremberg;Ulm.TheplanwouldbetocrosstheborderaroundLakeKonstanz…’

‘Attempttocrosstheborder,Henri.’

‘Attempttocrosstheborderthen.IunderstandtheLakeKonstanzpartofthefrontiercanbeabitlessdangerousthansomeothercrossings.Butthat’dtakeusthroughBavariaandclosetotheborderwiththeProtectorate,whereI’mtoldsecurityisespeciallystrong’.

HenryleantoverRosatounfoldmoreofthemap.Herhairbrushedhisface.

‘ThisiswhatIcallthewestroute:it’smuchmorecircuitous.We’ddrivetoBrunswickthendowntowardsStuttgartbeforecrossingtheborderaroundSingen,withanoptiontogo

overthemountains.IthastheadvantageoftakingusclosetoFrankfurt,whichiswhereouridentitycardssaywearefrom.’

Rosastudiedthemapforawhile.Shefrowned.

‘Isupposeyourwestrouteisthelesseroftwoevils.Doyouknowhowlong

it’lltakeus?’‘Fromhereto

Brunswickisjustover110miles,butI’mplanningtocomeoffthemainroadsandsticktothesideroadsasmuchasIcan.Ifanyoneaskswhy,justsayyougetcarsickonmainroads.Ithinkwe’llgetsouthofBrunswick–

maybeasfarasGöttingen–beforeitgetsdark.Wecanthenlookforawoodtodriveintoandhideforthenight.We’llbe200milesfromStuttgart:wecanbetherebyWednesdaynightanddrivetoSwitzerlandontheThursday.’

Rosasaidnothing,but

shruggedasifinreluctantagreement.HenryrestartedtheOpelandtheypulledoutintotheroad.

‘Youmustdriveslower,please–andnotsoclosetothecentreoftheroad.Youhadthisallplanned,didn’tyou?’

‘Whatdoyoumean?’

‘You’retoonearthekerbnow,justslowdownabit,’saidRosa.‘AreyouseriouslytellingmeyousawFranzthismorningandsincethenyou’vesortedallthisout,includingworkingouthowlongit’sgoingtotake?’

‘Yesandno.ItoldyouRosa,sinceIfirstmetyouI’d

beensoconcernedatthedangeryouwereinthatI’dgivensomeconsiderationtothis.AndwhenFranztoldmethismorningIhadtomovefast.’

Tothesurpriseofbothofthem,thejourneytoBrunswickwasuneventful.Wheretheycould,they

droppedoffthemainroad:theLowerSaxonycountrysidewasidealforthiskindofdriving,withplentyofsmallnarrowroadsleadingoffthelargerones.Ontheoccasionstheypassedpoliceormilitaryvehiclesnointerestwaspaidtothem:ahusbandandwifeandtheir

daughteroutforadrive.AfewmilestothenorthofGöttingen,withthelightbeginningtofail,theycameacrossawoodwithatrackleadingintoitfromtheroad.Henrystoppedthecarandmanagedtoopenacreakywoodengate,thendroveasdeepintothewoodas

possible.WhenhewalkedbacktoshutthegateitwasimpossibletoseetheOpelfromtheroad.Itwaswhenhereturnedtothecar,feelingpleasedwithhimselfandalmostrelaxed,thatSophiastartedcrying.Itwasasoftcryatfirst,almostaseriesofsobs,butthenitbecame

louder.‘Whatisitdarling?’WhenSophiareplied

shespokesoquietlyhermotherhadtoleanacrossthefrontseattohearher.

‘Ican’thearyoudarling;you’llneedtospeakup.’

‘ButIcan’t,Mama,’

shewhispered.‘Youtoldmetowhisper.Yousaidpeoplemustn’thearmespeak.’

Rosaturnedaroundandstrokedherdaughter’sface.

‘It’salrightnowdarling.Youdon’tneedtowhisperhereinthecar:onlyifthereareotherpeoplearound.Now,whatwereyou

goingtosay?’‘I’mfrightened.’Each

wordpunctuatedbyanoisysob.

‘Whatareyoufrightenedof?’

‘Thegoblins!Therearealwaysgoblinsinaforest.’

‘Therearenosuchthingasgoblins,’saidHenry

impatiently.‘And,inanycase,thisisnotaforest,it’sawood.’

ThisonlyseemedtomakethingsworseandSophia’scryturnedintoawail.RosaleftthefrontseatandwenttositnexttoSophiaintheback.Afteralongcuddle,thelittlegirlcalmed

down.‘Wherearewegoing?’‘Youshouldrestnow

darling.’‘Butwherearewe

going?’Sophiasoundedasifwaspleadingwithhermother.

‘Somewheresafedarling.Now,pleaserest.’

‘Ifwe’regoingsomewheresafe,doesitmeanwe’llseeAlfredthere?’

‘Yesdarling,Itoldyouwewould,especiallyifyou’reagoodgirl.Youshouldrestnow.’

‘Willwealsoseepapainthesafeplace?Whydon’tyoutellme?’

Rosadidn’treply.Henryglancedbackather,herheadhaddroppedandshewastappingherteethwithherknucklesashereyesfilledwithtears.Sophiawassittingwithherlegshuncheduptoherface,herenormousdarkeyesunblinkingastheylookedupathimfrombehind

herkneecaps.Inthegloomherpaleskinnowappearedchalky-white.Shegavehimthebeginningsofasmileandwavedoneofthepawsofthedirty,white,one-earedrabbitshewasclutchingatHenry,whowavedbackawkwardly.

‘Ifyou’requiet,Sophia,andbehavevery,verywell,’

saidHenry,‘thenIpromisethatwhenwegettothesafeplaceyou’llgetapresent.Butyouhavetobequiet.’

‘Whatkindofpresent?’Henryshrugged.

‘Chocolates.’Thelittlegirlsaid

nothingbutpulledaface.‘Whataboutanew

rabbit?Thatonelooksveryold–it’sonlygotoneear.’

‘ButIloveMrRabbit!Youcan’ttakehimaway!’

Thelittlegirlstartedcryingagain.Rosapulledherclose.

‘No-oneisgoingtotakeMrRabbitawaydarling.Henrimeantwe’llbuyyoua

friendforMrRabbit.’Duringthelongsilence

thatfollowedthelightdimmedquicklyandwhenSophiaspokeagainitwasalmostdark.

‘It’llbeniceforMrRabbittohaveafriend,won’titMama?’

‘Yesdarling.Youtryto

restnow.’‘Becausewedon’thave

friendsanymore,dowe?’‘Whatdoyoumean

darling?’‘Alfredtoldmethat.He

saidthereasonwehadtobesoquietinthehouseandnotgonearthewindowisbecauseno-oneisourfriend.

Isthattrue?’Rosasaidnothing,but

busiedherselfarrangingablanketaroundSophia,allowingtherabbit’sheadtopokeoutofthetop.

‘Herearesomebiscuitsdarling.Eatthosethentrytogettosleep.’

Shemunchedatthe

biscuits,hereyeslookingaroundthecar,unblinking.

‘Whyisno-oneourfriend,Mama?’

‘Don’tkeepaskingquestions,darling.Wherewe’regoing,everyonewillbeourfriend.’

‘IsHenriourfriend?’Intherear-viewmirror

HenrycaughtRosa’sfaceasshehesitatedbrieflybeforereplying.

‘Yes,darling.Sleepnow.’

Henrywatchedthroughthemirror,waitingforSophiatofallasleep.Whenshefinallydid,heclearedhisthroatandturnedaroundto

talk.Nowwasthetime,hehaddecided,tobehonestwithRosa.Maybethenshewouldseehiminabetterlight.

Butwhenheturned,Rosawasfastasleeptooandthemomenthadpassed.

***

OntheTuesdaymorning,beforetheOpelhadevenleftBerlin,FranzHermannwasbecomingincreasinglyworried.HehadbeenunnervedbytheencounterwithAloisJägerinOberwallstrasseandevenmoresobythewayhis

colleaguehadbeensincethen.FirstofallJägerhadonlywalkedwithhimpartofthewaytotheoffice,thenhadsuddenlystoppedandsaidheneededtogobackandchecksomething.Backattheofficehehadcomeintoseehim.

‘Ifyouhadnottoldme

otherwise,Franz,thenI’dhavethoughtyouandthatSwissmankneweachother.Youlookedlikeyouwereacquaintances,ratherthanonestrangergivingdirectionstoanother.’

HeassuredJägerhewasmistaken:hehadbeentomorningMassand,ashe’d

leftthecathedral,themanhadaskedhimfordirections.Hehadevengonesomewhatoutofhiswaytomakesurethemanwenttherightway.

‘AndfancythecoincidenceofmehavingmethiminBernlastyear!’

FranzagreedwithJägeritwasindeedacoincidence.

It’sasmallworld,astheysay.

‘Butsostrange.WhenIwasinBern,hewasabouttotraveltoStuttgartonbusiness–IevenhelpedhimwithhisvisaatourEmbassythere.HewasstayingattheSchweizerhof,which,Itellyou,Franz,isavery

expensivehotel.Andnowlook–he’samerecourier.’

‘Perhapshefellonhardtimes,Alois.’

‘Perhaps.’Bothmencontinuedto

beuneasyabouttheencounter.AswasthecustomonTuesdays,theseniorlawyersatthepractice

lunchedtogetherandthetwomeneyedeachotherthroughoutthemeal.HermannwasworriedJägerdidnotbelievehimandJägerwasconvincedHermannwasnervous.Whentheywentbackintotheirrespectiveoffices,eachmanclosedhisdoorandmadeaphonecall.

Jägermadehisfirst,telephoningagoodfriendofhiswhowasinchargeoftheGestapoofficeinTreptow.‘TellmeLothar,’hesaidafterabriefexchangeofpleasantries,‘youmusthavegoodcontactswithyourcolleaguesatTempelhof,no?You’repractically

neighbours…Good,Ithoughtasmuch.Domeafavourwillyou,Lothar?I’msureit’snothing,perhapsjustmebeingsuspicious,butcouldyoudiscreetlycheckwhetheraSwisscitizencalledHenriHessetravelledonaflightfromTempelhoftoStuttgartataround12.30today?’

Lotharaskedoneortwoquestions.WeareverythoroughintheGestapo,youknowAlois!Bothmenlaughed.Lotharcheckedtheexactspellingoftheman’sname.Andcouldyoudescribehim?

‘Perhapsmid-thirties;averageheight,slightly

overweight.Palecomplexion,darkishhairasfarasIcouldtell,buthewaswearingatrilbyhat.’

‘I’llseewhatIcandoAlois.’

AtthesametimeinhisofficeonefloorbelowJäger’s,FranzHermannwaspacingupanddown.

Somethingwasnotright,buthehadnoideawhathecoulddoaboutit.Hepickedupthetelephoneanddialledhismother’snumberinDahlem.Atleasthecouldbereassuredallwaswellthere.

***

CaptainEdgarandBasilRemington-BarberhadtravelledtoGenevaafterspendingtheweekendwithHenryinZürich.TheybasedthemselvesataperfectlydecentifsomewhatanonymoushotelwithinsightofCornavinrailwaystation,wheretheyhopedtomeet

HenrylateontheTuesdaynight.

Thehotelhadbeenchosencarefully:aswellastheirproximitytothestation,theyhadbeenabletobooktworoomsonthetopfloor,setapartfromtheothersonthecorridor.Eachroomhadatelephoneandtheymade

sure,fromthemomenttheyarrived,oneofthemwouldalwaysbebesideit.Theydidnotexpecttohearanythinguntil4.30onTuesdayafternoonattheearliest,whenHunter’sflightfromStuttgartwasscheduledtolandatZürich.Rolfwouldbewaitingattheairporttosee

HenryarriveandcheckhetravelledontoZürich;oneofRolf’smenwouldthenbeatthestationtowatchHenrymeetingwiththeRussiansandcatchthetraintoGeneva.EdgarandRemington-BarberensuredtheywerebothwaitingbythephoneinGenevafromfouro’clockon

theTuesdayafternoon.Ataquarterpast,Remington-BarberobservedHenry’sflightoughttobelandingandtheyshouldbehearingfromRolfatanymoment.

‘It’satightschedulewe’veallowedhim,Edgar.HehastogotoBankLeu,thenmeetupwithhisRussian

chap,allowthemtocopythedocumentandstillmakethatlasttraintoGeneva.’

‘He’llbefineBasil.Whydon’tyousitdownandrelax?HedingerwillstayonaslateasheneedstoandthelasttraintoGenevaleavesataquartertoeight.Pleasestopworrying.Youcanpourus

anotherdrinkifyouthinkthat’llhelp.’

Byfiveo’clockEdgar,ifpressed,wouldhavedescribedhimselfasconcerned.Fiveminutesafterthatthephonerangandbothmenjumped.Remington-Barberansweredit.Yes,HelloRolf…Isee…Yes…

No…Areyousure?…Andyou’vecheckedthere?…DoitagainpleaseRolf…Yes…Probably…Callusbackintenminutes.Ashereplacedthephonehishandswereshaking.

‘Well?’askedEdgar.‘Henrywasn’tonthe

flight.’

‘Areyousure?’Edgar’sfacewasjustinchesfromhiscolleague’s.

‘YouheardwhatIsaid,Edgar.RolfEderisnofool,he’soneofthebestmenI’veeverhadinthefield,doesn’tmissathing.Hesaidtherewere12passengerswhocameofftheSwissairflight

andHunterwasn’toneofthem.’

‘MaybehemissedtheconnectionatStuttgart?Afterall,therewasonlya20-minutegapbetweentheBerlinflightlandingandtheZürichflighttakingoff…’

‘Yes,butthey’reconnectingflights.Ifthe

BerlinflightislatetheyholdtheZürichone.It’spossiblehemissedtheflightfromBerlin,butit’sunlikely:hehadampletimetomeetHugo,gototheReichsbankthengettoTempelhof.’

WhenRolfcalledbacktenminuteslaterhesaidhe’dbeenabletochecktheflight’s

manifestwithaSwissaircontact:thoughaHenriHessehadbeenbookedin,hehadnotbeenontheconnectingflightfromBerlin.EdgarsnatchedthephonefromRemington-Barber.

‘Rolf?It’sme,Edgar.Look,yourbestbetistogettothestationinZürichas

soonaspossibleandjoinyourmanthere.SeeifyoucanspotViktorandhischaps.IfHenry’snotgoingtoshowupthey’llprobablygetworriedatsomestageandbreakcover.Justseewhatthey’reupto.Ifweseethemlookingforhim,thenatleastthattellsussomething.’

‘JesusChrist!’saidEdgar,slammingthephonedownandpacingtheroom.‘Basil…YoutelephoneHedingerandaskifhiscourierhasarrivedfromBerlin.Ican’timaginehewillhavedone,butthere’sadistantpossibilityhemayhaveheardfromhimor

Reinhart.Infact,askhimtosendatelegramtoReinhartaskingifallwentwellwiththecourier,thentellHedingertostayonuntilatleastseven.JesusChrist.’

Byeighto’clocktheyknewlittlemore.MichaelHedingertoldthemhehadneitherheardfromnorseen

hiscourierandpromisedtosendatelegramtoReinhartthatnight.Rolfreportedhehadmanagedtogettothestationbysixo’clock,wherehewasjoinedbythreeofhismen.AtseventheyspottedViktorprowlingaround,lookinganxious.TherewasnosignofHunterboarding

thelasttraintoGenevaoranyoftheonesbeforeit.Viktorhadbeenwaitingbytheticketbarrier,hisfacecreasedinangerasthetraindeparted.

‘Atleasthe’sletthemdowntoo.’

‘WhatdowedoEdgar?’

Edgarcontinuedtopace

theroomangrily,cursingunderhisbreath.‘It’sthatbloodywoman,I’msureitis.JesusChrist.We’dbettergetonthefirsttraintoZürichinthemorning.’

***

Themoodinadingyrented

apartmentbetweentherailwaytracksandtheriverinZürichwasscarcelyanybetter.EachofthefourmenwhohadbeenwithhimatthestationwerebroughtinonebyoneandquestionedbyViktor,but,ashehadbeentherehimself,therewaslittlepointinit.Henryhadnot

comeanywherenearthestation.

‘Heseemstohavedisappeared,’saidViktor.

‘Whenwemethimlastweek,hesaidsomethingabouthavingaskedyouforthedetailsofanycomradeshecouldcontactinBerlin,inanemergency,’saidoneof

Viktor’smen.‘So…?’‘SoIwasthinkingthat

ifyoudidgivehimdetailsofanycomradesinBerlin,thentheymightknowwhat’shappenedtohim.’

Viktorsaidnothingforawhile,thinkinghowlittlehecouldtrusteventhoseclosest

tohim.‘You’remistaken.I’ve

nocomradesleftinmynetworkinBerlin:they’veallgone–eitherescaped,disappeared,deadorbecomeNazis.ItoldhimtocontacttheEmbassy.’

‘Really?Ithoughtyoudidn’ttrustanyonethere?’

‘Idon’t,’saidViktor‘Idon’ttrustanyone.’

***

BackinBerlinthatTuesdayeveningAloisJägerfinallyheardbackfromhisfriendintheGestapo.Itwas6.30andJägerhadremainedbehindin

hisofficeawaitingthecall.‘Yousayhisnameis

HenriHesseandhe’saSwisscitizen?’

‘Yes,’saidJäger.‘Well,Inotonly

contactedHeinrichatTempelhofbutIactuallywentovertheretohisofficemyself,soIwasabletolook

atallthepaperwork.TherewerethreeSwissnationalsontheDeutscheLuftHansaflightthatleftforStuttgartat12.30,butnoneofthemhadthatname.Theofficerinchargeofcheckingthepapersasthepassengersboardedtheplanesaid,asfarashecouldrecall,oneoftheSwisswasa

womanandtheothertwoweremenineithertheirfiftiesorsixties.’

‘Hewasn’tonthatflightthen,obviously.’

‘However,’saidLothar,‘hewasbookedontothatflight,hejustdidn’tturnupforit.Andfurthermore,there’sarecordofhimhaving

arrivedatTempelhofyesterday,ontheflightfromStuttgart.Whatisitthatconcernsyouaboutthisman,Alois?’

Jägerthoughtlongandhard.

‘I’mnotsure,Lothar.Somethingabouthimdoesn’tquiteaddup.Andnow

missinghisflightlikethat…’Veryodd,theyboth

agreed–somuchsotheydecidedtomeetupthenextdaytodiscussthematter.

***

FranzHermannhadtelephonedhismother’s

housefivetimesontheTuesdayafternoonandeachtimethecallwentunansweredhisanxietyincreased.By4.55hedecidedhehadtogodowntoDahlemtocheck,buthewaswaryofAloisJäger;hedecideditwouldbeunwisetoleavetheofficebeforehim.Normally

hiscolleaguewassopreoccupiedwithNaziPartymeetingsintheeveningheinvariablydepartedtheofficenolaterthanfiveo’clock,butthatdayitwas6.30beforeheleft.

Assoonashedid,FranzHermannmadehisexittoo.Itwasnearlyquarterpast

sevenbeforehearrivedathismother’shouseonArno-HolzStrasse.Heknockedonthedoorbuttherewasnoanswer,soheusedhisownkeytolethimselfin.Thehousefeltemptyandtherewasnoreplywhenhecalledout.Thelightswereondownstairsbuttheupperfloorsweredark.

Certainhewaswalkingintoatrapheheadedfortheroomatthebackoverlookingthegarden,wherehismotherspentherdays.

Hefoundherproppedupinherarmchair,swathedinblanketswithatraynexttoherandhereyesredfromcrying.

‘I’vebeencallingherforhoursFranz!’shesaidinahoarsevoice.‘Shesaidsomethingaboutgoingoutbutthatyou’dbeherelater.Whatdoesshethinkshe’supto?I’vebeenonmyownallthistime.I’mdesperatetogotothetoiletandIhaven’thadmyeveningmealyet.The

telephonewasringingbutIcouldn’treachit!’

Settingasidehisfear,FranzHermannactedswiftly.Hehelpedhismothertothetoiletthensettledherbeforegoingupstairs.TherewasnosignofRosaandSophia,andwithinhalfanhourhehadgatheredupanyitems

belongingtothemorthatcouldevenbeassociatedwiththem.Hebundledeverythingintooldlaundrybagsandcarriedthemintotheattic,wherehelockedtheminanoldtrunk,whichhethencoveredwitholdtennisrackets,acellocaseandotherremindersofwhenlifewas

morenormal.Whenhecame

downstairshetelephonedGunterReinhartathishome.Heknewitwasabigrisk,buthehadnoalternative.

‘Didyourcouriervisittoday?’

‘Yes–why?’‘Andwasheacting

normally?’‘Ithinkso,hardtotell

really.Isthereaproblem?’‘No,no,no–ofcourse

not.Iwasjustcheckingwhattimeheleftyou?’

‘I’mnottoosure,Iwouldsayby10.30.Somethinglikethat.’

‘Perhapswe’llmeet

tomorrowforachat?’saidthelawyer,hopingtheothermanwouldrecognisetheurgencyinhisvoice.

‘Yes,perhapsthatwouldbeagoodidea.’

AfterthatHermanntelephonedhiswifeandtoldherhewouldstayathismother’shousetonightasthe

nursehadbeencalledaway.HetelephonedhissisterwiththesadnewsthatthenursewhocaredsowellfortheirmotherhadbeencalledbacktoBremerhavenbecauseherhusbandhadbeenkilledatsea.Itwasterrible,theybothagreed.Thepoornursehadnoideahowlongshewould

bethere,butinthemeantimetheyneededtosortouttheirmother.Hermann’ssisterpausedforawhilethensaidifhecouldlookafterheruntilThursday,shewouldcomeoverandbringherbacktoBrandenburg.Shecanstaywithusforaweekorso:Iimaginethenursewillbe

backbythen.‘I’msureshewill,’

repliedFranz.

***

ItwassometimeafterdawnontheWednesdaybeforeenoughlighttowakethempenetratedthewoodlandjust

tothenorthofGöttingen.Sophiawasupsetagainwhenshewokeup.Thetalltreesfrightenedherandshewantedtoknowiftherewasnosuchthingasgoblins,whataboutwitches?Hardlyreassuredbyhermother’spromisethattheywerequitesafe,shethenwantedtoknowwhenshe

wasgoingtoseeAlfred.‘Soon,darling.’‘Whenissoon,Mama?’Henryhadbeenoutof

thecarforafewminutesandhadjustreturned.

‘Thesoonerwecanleavethisplace,thebetter,’hesaid.

‘Giveusafewminutes,

Henri,’saidRosa.‘Sophia,eatthesebiscuitsanddrinkthemilk,thenwecanbeonourway.’

‘ToseeAlfredandPapa?’

‘Maybenottoday,buthopefullysoon.Andremember,darling,ifanyoneasks,yournameisGisela:

GiselaKeufer.We’llallplaythatgameuntilwemeetAlfred,doyouunderstand?’

HenrycheckedthemapandtriedtoshowtheroutetoRosa,butshewasn’tinterested.

‘It’samazingwe’vegotthisfar,Henry.Ourluckcan’tholdoutmuchlonger.’She

spokequietlysoSophiacouldnothear,buttherewasnodisguisingtheannoyanceandfearinhervoice.

‘Idon’tseewhynot,especiallyifwekeeptothebackroads.’

‘Whatifthey’relookingforus?’

‘Howwouldanyone

know?Franzisunlikelytoreportus,ishe?’

Theywaiteduntilseveno’clockbeforestartingoff,firstheadingsouththroughGöttingenthenkeepingtothepatchworkofsmallerroadsuntiltheyreachedWürzburgatlunchtime.Theyneededtostopforpetrol,whichwas

risky,butWürzburgwasjust70mileswestofFrankfurt,theirsupposedhometown.Theydroveslowlythroughthetowncentre,lookingoutforapetrolstation.Thefirstonetheyfoundhadapolicevanwaitingatoneofthetwopumps,sotheydroveon.Thenjustbeforetheriver

theycametoagaragewithasolitarypumpandanelderlyownersittingoutsideonabenchwithalargedogsittingnexttohimandlessthananinchofalitcigaretteprotrudingfromhislips.Heaskedtoseethedocumentsentitlingthemtopetrol.

‘IfIwasmindedtobe

difficult,’hesaidinagruffBavarianaccent,‘thenI’dsayyou’reonlyentitledtohalfatank.’Hesmiled,revealingamouthfilledwithnear-blackteeth.Thecigarettestubseemedtobestucktohislowerlip.Theman’seyesfocussedontheNaziPartybadgeonHenry’slapeland

swiftlyhismoodbecamelesshostile.‘But,fortunatelyforyousir,I’mnotmindedtobedifficult.Ihadadeliveryyesterday–thefirstforoveraweek.I’llfillyouupbutyoudon’tneedtotellanyonethat.Comeinside.Ittakeslongerthesedaystodothepaperworkthanitdoesto

repairacar…Maybeevenlongerthanittakestobuildone.’Theman’sthroatylaughechoedaroundtheworkshopbeforebreakingintoaviolentcough.

Theywentovertoacounteratthesideofthegarage.Theownercheckedthepaperworkpainfully

slowly:helookedattheidentitycardinthenameofErichKeuferandthedocumentsshowingthattheOpelSuper6sedan,registrationnumberUTM142,wasentitledtopetroleverytendays.HenryglancedoutofthegarageandsawRosalookingworried:

thiswastakingalongtime.Theownerwroteslowlyinalargeledger.

‘Sotellme,areyoureturningtoFrankfurt?’

‘No,we’rejustonourwayfromthere.We’revisitingmywife’sfamilyinNuremberg.’

‘Yousoundlikeyou

maynotbefromFrankfurt?’‘Wellspottedmy

friend:I’velivedalloverGermany,whichexplainsmyaccent!’

Theownernoddedandhandedbackthepaperwork,whichwasnowcoveredingreygreasemarks.‘Oddthatyourpetrolentitlement

documentwaslaststampedinBerlin.’

WhenhereturnedtothecarSophiawasasleeponthebackseatandRosalookedpaleandtense.

‘Whydidittakesolong?’

‘Paperwork,’hesaid.

***

Thegarageowner,JürgenNeumann,wasaworriedmanashewatchedtheOpelSuper6pullawayawkwardlyfromtheforecourtofhisgarage.Hewasnotapoliticalmanbyanymeansandnorwasheanygoodatkeepinghis

mouthshut,andthatwashisproblem.Inrecentmonthshehadrathertooopenlycomplainedtohisdecreasingnumberofcustomers,abouttheinfrequencyofhisdeliveries,thecostoffoodandthelackofbusiness.Thishadledtoaseriesofvisits,firstlyfromaWürzburg

policeofficerwhohappenedtobeafriendofhis,andculminatedinavisitfromthedeputyheadofthelocalGestapo,whowasnofriendatall.

Thiscomplaininghastostop.Ifyou’reouttomaketroublethenbeassuredwecanmakeplentyoftroublefor

you.It’sabouttimeyouweremoreco-operativewithus.

Andthathadbeenfollowedbyanoticeabledropinbusinessandinthedeliveryoffuel.SonowJürgenNeumannhaddecidedenoughwasenough.Unlesshewentoutofhiswaytoingratiatehimselfwiththe

powersthatbehewouldhavetoclosedownhisbusiness.HepickedupthetelephoneanddialledthenumberofthedeputyheadofthelocalGestapo,themanwhohadrecentlygivenhimhiswarning.

‘It’sprobablynothing,sir,butIdidpromiseto

contactyouwithanyinformation.’

HeexplainedaboutthecarthathadcomefromFrankfurtbutwhosepetrolentitlementdocumentwaslaststampedinBerlin,andwhosedriversaidtheywereheadingforNurembergbuthaddrivenoffintheother

direction.Itallseemedrather…odd.

DoIhavetheregistrationnumbersir?OfcourseIdo.

***

ThreehoursbeforethegarageownerinWürzburgcontacted

theGestapooffice,aladyinBerlinrangherlocalpolicestationandbeganinasimilarmanner.

‘It’sprobablyoflittleconsequenceandIwasunsurewhethertotroubleyou,butIthoughtI’dpassonthisinformationincaseyouwereinterested.’

TheofficerwhotookthecallatDahlempolicestationwaswellusedtothis.Thesedaysheseemedtospendhalfhistimetakingcallsfrompeopleeagertoinformonneighbours,workcolleagues,friendsandevenfamily.Thisonesoundedlittledifferentandhetook

downthedetails.Thelady,aFrauWerner,saidshelivedinArno-HolzStrasseandalthoughshewasmindingherownbusinessandwascertainlynotthekindofpersontospyonherneighboursshecouldn’thelpbutnoticesomethingunusualthepreviousmorning–yes,

Tuesday.‘There’sanelderly

personwholivesoppositeme:aFrauHermann.Ihardlyeverseeherthesedays,she’svirtuallyhousebound.Shehasanurse,Iunderstand,whoalsohardlyeverleavesthehouse.Butyesterday,itmusthavebeenaroundnoon,I

happenedtonoticeamanleavethehouseandwalkovertoacarparkedjustacrosstheroad.HethenparkedimmediatelyoutsideFrauHermann’shouse.Withintwoorthreeminutes,nomorethanthat,IsawthemancomeoutofthehousealongwithFrauHermann’snurseand

withthemwasayounggirl.Theyallseemedtoberathernervous,lookingaround.I’veneverseenachildgoinginoroutofthathousebefore:never.Howolddoyousay?Fourorfive,I’mnotsure.Theywereinahurry.DoIthinktheysawme?No:Idon’twantyoutothinkbad

ofme,sir,butIwaskneelingdownonthefloor,peeringthroughagapinthenetcurtains…Asithappens,sir,yesIdid.Areyouready?ItwasanOpel–I’mnotsurewhatmodel,butitwasdarkgreenandtheregistrationnumberwas…Doyouhaveapenready?UTM142.’

Upuntilacoupleofweekspreviously,thepolicemanwouldhaveannoyedbythiscall,asitwouldhavemeanthoursofworkjusttosatisfythewhimofanoseyneighbour.Butrecentlytheruleshadchanged.Afteroneortwounfortunateincidents,the

GestapohadrealisedcriminalsandotherstheywereinterestedinwerefindingittooeasytomovearoundtheReichbycar.Asthesepeopledrovefromonetownordistricttoanother,therewasnopropersystemofkeepingtrackofthem.SotheGestapobroughtinanew

one:thedetailsofanycarstheGestapoorothersectionsofthepolicewereinterestedinwouldbepassedontoacentralcontrolinBerlin.

Suitsmefine:moreworkforthem,lessforme,thoughttheofficer.HefilledintheformandtookitupstairstotheGestapoliaison

officeinthestation.Still,hethought,theywillbepleasedenoughwiththisone.

It’snotoftenwegetaregistrationnumber.

***

Chapter25:theBlackForest,March1941FranzHermannwokeearlyonWednesdaymorning,checkedonhismotherthenwalkedaroundthehousehehadgrownupin,preoccupied

withthoughtsthathadplayedaroundinhisheadallnight.Heneededtomovefast.

Oncehismotherwassettled,heleftthehousethroughthebackgate,fromwhereitwasaswiftten-minutewalktohisownhome.Heexplainedhisplanstohiswife.Beforeleaving

thehouse,hetelephonedhissisterthentheoffice,tellingthemhewouldbeslightlylateasheneededtoseeaclientonhiswayin.

HerarelyusedhiscarthesedaysbuttheDaimlerstartedatthethirdattemptandwithintwominuteshewasbackathismother’s

house,parkedbythebackgatehehaddepartedthroughbarelyhalfanhourpreviously.Hetoldhismothershewouldbecomingtohishouseforadayortwo,thenhissisterwouldcollectherandshewouldgoandstaywithherinBrandenburgforaweekorso.Hopefully

afterthatthenursewouldreturnandeverythingwouldbebacktonormal.Hismotherwasconfusedbuttherewasnotimetoargue.

Onceshewassettledathishouse,heleftforwork,butnotbeforestoppingonceagainathismother’s,wherehespentanhourchecking

againtherewerenosignsanyonehadbeenthereforatleastadayortwo.

Hemadeapointofleavingthehousethoughthefrontdoorandboldlywalkingovertothehouseopposite,fromwheretheladycarefullyobservedallthecomingsandgoingsinthestreet.Ashe

approachedherdoorhenoticedthenetcurtainsinthefrontwindowtwitch;amomentlaterthedooropened,asplitsecondbeforehehadknocked.

‘FrauWerner,IthoughtI’dletyouknowincaseanyoneasksthatthere’llbeno-oneatmymother’shouse

forafewdays.Infact,she’snotbeentheresinceSunday–she’sstayingwithmywifeandme.HernursehashadtoreturntoBremerhavensuddenly:adeath,I’mafraid.Herhusbandwasinthenavy,hediedinthecauseoftheReich.’

Thewomanwasvery

gratefultobetold.ShetoldFranzshehadwonderedaboutFrauHermannbecauseonlythepreviousdayshehadseenthenurseleavethehousewithaman…andayounggirl.Theyhadbeencarryingacaseandsomeotherthingstheyhadputinthebootofacarparkedoutsidethehouse

thendrivenoff.‘Ohreally?’Hewas

tryinghisbesttosoundconfusedratherthanshocked.‘Couldyoudescribetheman?’

WithunerringaccuracyshedescribedHenriHesse.FranzHermanndidhisbesttolooknonethewiser.‘AsI

say,FrauWerner,mymotherhasbeenstayingwithussinceSunday.I’venoideaaboutthisman;it’spossiblehewastakinghertoBremerhaven.’

‘Andwhataboutthegirl?’

‘AsfarasI’mawarenochildhasbeeninthehouseforaverylongtime.Howold

wouldyousayshewas?’‘Perhapsfourorfive,

hardtosay.Ididn’tgetaperfectview,youunderstand.Shewassuchaslightthing.’

‘Andyou’recertaintheycamefrommymother’shouse?Maybetheywerejustpassers-by.’

Shewascertain.She

justhappenedtobecleaningthewindowsatthetime–bycoincidence.

‘Idon’tsupposeyousawwhatcaritwas,byanychance?’

‘Ido,HerrHermann:itwasanOpel,adark-greenone.Andnotonlythat:Ievenwrotedowntheregistration

number.Butdon’tworry;I’vegivenallthedetailstothepolice.’

***

WhentheyleftWürzburg,Henryannouncedtheywouldheadsouth-west,intotheBlackForest.

‘TheBlackForest?’‘Yes,Rosa,theBlack

Forest.’‘You’recrazy!Doyou

stillreadfairytales?’Sophiastartedtocryin

thebackseat.Shedidn’twanttogointoaforest.Shewasafraidofwitches.Henryturnedroundandsnappedat

thelittlegirl.‘Itoldyou!There’sno

suchthingaswitches,orgoblins.Orfairies,forthatmatter.’

Sophia’scryingbecamelouder.

‘Don’tshoutather:she’salittlegirl.She’sfrightenedandshe’snotthe

onlyone.’‘TrustmeRosa,the

BlackForeststretchesdowntotheSwissborder:italmostgoesasfarasBasle!’

‘I’mawareofthat,butdoyoureallythinkwecanjuststrollovertheborder?MaybetheSSorwhoever’sguardingitwillhelpcarryour

cases!’‘Listentome,Rosa:our

Swisspapersareverygood,farsuperiortotheGermanones.I’musingmyownpapersandImanagedtogetonesthatshowyou’remywifeandshe’sourdaughter.They’rehiddenintheboot.Whenwegetneartheborder

wecanusethem,butwe’llneedtoabandonthecarfirst.’

Theystucktothesideroadsand,at4.30,emergedfromalonglaneontothemainroadatHeilbronn,beforetakingtheroadtoPforzheimandfromthereintotheBlackForest.

***EdgarandRemington-BarberarrivedinZürichonWednesdayafternoonandweremetatthestationbyRolf,whotookthemtoanotheroftheirsafehouses,anapartmentaboveabaronPredigerplatz.Onthewayup,

hecollectedabottleofwhisky.

‘Ithinkit’sabitearlyforthat,’Edgarsaidoncetheywereinthesmallapartment.

‘NotwhenyouhearwhatI’mabouttotellyou,’saidtheAustrian.‘IwenttoseeHedingerthismorning,

he’djustheardfromReinhart.ApparentlyHenrididcometoReinhart’sofficeattheReichsbankyesterdaymorningtocollectthedocuments.LastnightHugocalledReinharttoaskwhetherHenrihadbeentohisofficeandtheyarrangedtomeetuptoday,whichthey

didatlunchtime.ItseemsthatratherthanheadingforTempelhof,HenriheadedforHugo’smother’shouseinDahlem.’

IntheshockedsilencethatfollowedRemington-Barberlookedconfused,asifhehadnotheardproperlywhatRolfhadsaid.Edgar

hadheardclearlyenoughandlookedfurious.

‘No!’‘Yes,I’mafraidso.

Hugoknowsthisbecausehewastelephoninghismother’shouseallTuesdayafternoonandwhentherewasnoreplyhewentroundthereafterwork.Hismotherwasall

alone;therewasnosignofRosaorherdaughter.Thismorninghespoketoaneighbourwho’dseenRosaleavethehousewithayounggirlandamanwhoseemstomatchHenry’sdescription.TheydroveoffinagreenOpel.’

Edgarleanedoverto

thewhiskybottleandpouredhimselfameasurethatinothercircumstanceswouldbedescribedasexcessive.Hedrankmostofit,repeating‘JesusChrist’severaltimes.

‘Howonearthhashemanagedtogetholdofacar?’

‘Yourguessisasgood

asmine,Basil:thefoolprobablystoleit.CarryonRolf.’

‘Reinhartisinaterriblestate,accordingtoHedinger.HethinkstheGestapoareabouttoknockonhisdoorand,ofcourse,Hugoisworriedsicktoo–notleastbecausewhenhewaswith

HenryonTuesdaymorningtheybumpedintoacolleagueofhiswhoisnotonlyanactiveNazibutalsoclaimshe’dmetHenryinBernayearago.’

Remington-BarberwaswatchingEdgarverycarefully,expectinghimtoexplodeatanymoment,but

heremainedcalm.Edgardrankthewhiskyremaininginhisglass,removedhisjacket,loosenedhistieandwalkedovertothewindow.‘ThankyouRolf.Bythesoundsofit,HenrydecidedthatratherthanreturntoSwitzerlandasinstructed,he’dturnhisreturnjourney

intosomekindofrescuemission.’Edgarwasspeakingverycalmly,asifeverythinghesaidhadaperfectlogictoit.

‘Buthe’scarryingtheRostockReport,Edgar.It’smeanttobefallingintothehandsofourSovietfriends!’

Edgarturnedfromthe

window.‘ThankyouBasil,I’drealisedthat.’

***

ByMarch1941fewpeopleinGermanywouldhavebeenfoolishenoughtoaccusetheGestapoofinefficiency.Whenthedeputyheadofthe

GestapoinWürzburgwasinformedbythegarageowneraboutthe‘odd’dark-greenOpelSuper6,hesimplyfollowedprocedure.Hesentatelexgivingthedetailsofthecartohisregionalheadquarters,whereinturnthedutyofficerfollowedprocedureandpassedonthe

detailsofthecartothenewcentralcontrolroominBerlin.Aroundthreeo’clockthatWednesdayafternoonanofficeratthecontrolroomintheGestapoheadquartersinPrinz-Albrecht-Strassewasreviewingthe‘alerts’receivedsincehislunchbreak.Whenhespottedthata

dark-greenOpel,registrationnumberUTM142,hadbeenaddedtothewatchlisthethoughttherewassomethingfamiliaraboutit,sohecheckedthatmorning’salerts.Sureenough,theGestapoliaisonofficeatDahlempolicestationhadpassedondetailsofthesamecar:a

womanwholivedinArno-HolzStrassehadobservedaman,womanandyounggirlleavinganeighbour’shouseandgettingintothecar.Theyseemed,accordingtotheneighbour,‘nervous’.

Theofficerwroteuphisnotes:thecarwasseeninBerlinatnoonontheTuesday

andjustover24hourslateritwasinWürzburg.Itwouldcertainlybeworthputtingthisoneoutfornationalalert:heshouldhavebeenlessscepticalaboutthisnewsystem,maybeitwasworkingafterall.Andthankheavensforfrightenedbusinessownersandnosey

neighbours,whatwouldtheGestapodowithoutthem?

Atfouro’clockthatWednesdayafternoonofficerReinhardGoetzleftthepolicestationinPforzheimforaroutinepatrol,briefed–amongotherthings–tokeepaneyeoutforthedark-greenOpel.‘Berlinisinterestedand

itwaslastseeninWürzburg,’hehadbeentold.‘Itwasheadingsouth–soyouneverknow.It’stheGestapowho’reinterested,sokeepyoureyespeeled.’

ThetrafficpolicemanheadedeastonhisBMWmotorbikeandafterawhilechangeddirection:southinto

theBlackForest.Atfiveo’clockhedecidedhehadearnedhisfirstcigarettebreak,sojustbeforethesmalltownofTiefenbronnhepulledintoaclearinginanareawheretheforestwasstartingtobecomedense.Hewouldbeabletoenjoyhiscigaretteinpeace.Butashe

turnedintotheclearinghenoticedacarwasalreadythere.Adark-greenOpelSuper6.Heparkedhismotorbikesoitblockedthepathbacktotheroadandwalkedovertochecktheregistrationnumberofthecar.

Henrywasonhisown

inthecarwhenGoetzpulledintotheclearing,RosahavingtakenSophiaintothetreestogotothetoilet.Hewatchedastheofficerparkedhisbikeandheadedtowardsthecar.Henryglancedtohisleft,buttherewasnosignofRosaandSophia.Watchingthepolicemanallthetime,he

leanedovertothegloveboxandremovedthebundleofgreyclothfrombehindthelogbook.ThepolicemansmiledathimfromadistanceandHenrysmiledbackasthepolicemanmovedinawidearctothefrontofthecar.Henryheldthebundlebelowthesteeringwheelandslowly

unwrappedit.Bynow,theofficerwasinfront,peeringdownattheregistrationplate.HelookedupatHenryandmadeamotionwithhisfingerstounwindthewindow.

OfficerGoetzbentdownbythewindow,hisfaceinchesfromHenry’s.

‘Isthisyourcar?’‘Yes.’‘Wherehaveyoucome

fromtoday?’‘Frankfurt.’‘Andwhereareyou

going?’‘We’rejustoutfora

drive–toseetheforest.’‘We?’

‘Mywifeanddaughter–they’vegonetothetoiletdownthere.’

‘HaveyoubeeninBerlininthepastdayorso?’

‘Berlin?No,ofcoursenot!’

‘OrWürzburgtoday?’Henryhesitatedfortoo

long.Hehadnoideahowto

respond.‘Maybe…Westoppedatatownforpetrol.Idon’tknowwhatitwascalled.’

‘Right:getoutofthecarnow,Iwanttocheckyourpapers.’

Henoticedthepoliceman’srighthandmovingtowardstheholster

onhishipandknewhehadjustsecondstoact.ThepolicemansteppedbackasHenryopenedthecardoorandatthatmomentbothheardthevoicesofRosaandSophiaemergingfromthetrees.AsthepolicemanglancedintheirdirectionHenrypushedtherevolver

intohisstomachandfired.Itwasamuffledshotandthemanstaggeredbackbeforecollapsingtotheground.Hewasstillconsciousandtryingtoremovehisownpistolfromitsholster.Behindhim,HenrycouldhearRosaandSophiascreaming.Hesteppedtowardstheprone

bodyofthepoliceman.Apoolofbloodwasformingbeneathhimashetriedtolifthisownrevolver,buthedidn’thavethestrength.Henryheldhisgunnomorethanafewinchesfromtheman’sheadandpulledthetrigger.Intheensuingseconds,hisworldslipped

intoslowmotion.Hewasawareofa

chunkoftheman’sheadflyingaway,ofgoresplatteringaroundhim,ofthesoundoftheshotbouncingoffeverytreeintheforestandwhatappearedtobethousandsofbirdsswarmingineverydirection.Thenthere

wereRosaandSophiastandinginfrontofhim,theirmouthswideopeninsilentscreams.Bynowhehadsunktohisknees,thegunstillinhishand,staringatthebodyofthethirdpersonhehadkilled.

Foratimehecouldnothearanythingotherthanthe

ringingofgunfireinhisears.WhenhishearingbegantoreturnRosawasshoutingathim.

‘Whatonearthhaveyoudone?You’vekilledapoliceman!’

‘CalmdownandgetSophiaintothecar.Weneedtosortthingsout.’

RosabundledherdaughterintothebackoftheOpelandcamebackovertohim.

‘Hewaslookingforus.Hecheckedthenumberplatethenaskedwhetherwe’dbeeninBerlinorinWürzburgtoday.HetoldmetogetoutofthecarandIcouldseehe

wasreachingforhisgun.HewasdistractedwhenheheardyousoIknewIhadtodosomething.Weneedtomovehimandhisbike–quickly.’

Ittookthetwoofthemtenminutestocarrytheman’sbodyasdeepintotheforestastheycouldmanage,coveringitwithundergrowth.

WhileHenrywheeledthemotorbikefaramongstthetreesinanotherdirection,Rosadidherbesttocleanupthegroundwherethemanhadbeenshot.

‘Whatdowedonow?’Theywerebothstandingbythecar,breathlessandfilthy.

‘Weneedtogetaway

fromhereasquicklyaspossible.’

‘EvenIcouldhaveworkedthatout.Whichdirectiondoweheadin?TowardstheSwissborder?’

‘No,notnow–it’stoolateandhe’llbereportedmissingsoon.Wedon’twanttobestuckintheforestor

evenneartheborderwhenthathappens.’

‘Sowheredowegothen?’

‘We’llgotoStuttgartandditchthecar.’

Rosasniffed.‘Andwhatdoyouproposewedothen–checkintothebesthotelintown?’

‘Somethinglikethat–yes.’

***

Chapter26:MunichandStuttgart,MarchandApril,1941‘Basil,withoutinanywaywishingtoappearrude,mayIsuggestyoupause,takeadeepbreaththenstartagain?’

ItwastheeveningofFriday28thMarch,andEdgarandBasilRemington-BarberhadbeenstuckintheapartmentabovethebarinZürichsinceWednesday.TheyhadheardnothingfurtheraboutHenrysinceHedinger’sreportthathehadlastbeenseeninBerlinon

Tuesday.ThecircumstantialevidencehehadpossiblyleftBerlinwithRosaandherdaughterwasbadenough;thefacthehadtheRostockReportwithhimratherthanitbeinginSoviethandswasdisastrous.

NowBasilhadreceivedaphonecallfromthe

embassyinBern:somenews.‘I’msorryEdgar;the

tensiondoesrathergettooneattimes.They’reinStuttgart.’

‘Who?’‘Henry,Rosaandher

daughter.’‘JesusChrist:Iknewit.

Whatonearthdoeshe

imaginehe’supto?Ishesafe?’

‘Forthetimebeing,yes,thoughI’dsayconsideringtheircircumstances,safeisaveryrelativeword.‘

‘Andhowdoweknowthis?’

‘YourememberMilo,

theNightManagerattheHotelVictoria?Well,we’veheardfromher.ShecontactsusincodebytelextoatravelagentinBern,onewithwhichwehaveanunderstanding.It’sasafeformofcommunication–ahotelconfirmingbookingswithatravelagent,terriblyroutine

stuff–ifabitcumbersome.Itratherreliesonthetravelagentpassingthemessagesontousquickly.AndthoughMilosentthetelexonThursdaynight,thetravelagentdidn’tseeituntilthismorningand,forreasonsthataren’tentirelyapparent,waiteduntilthisafternoon

beforeinformingmyofficeattheembassy.Theyinturnseemtohavetakentheirtimebeforethinkingoflettingmeknow.Ishallbehavingharshwordswiththemaboutthis,Icanassureyou.’

‘SohowdoesMiloknowaboutthem?’

‘Becausethey’reinher

hotelEdgar.’

***

BythetimetheylefttheBlackForest,itwas5.30ontheWednesdayeveningandittookthemanothertwoandaquarterhourstoreachStuttgart.Itwasaquarterto

eightwhenHenryparkedatthenorthernendoftheSchlossplatz,asnearashedaredtotherailwaystation.Astheyparked,asquadronofHeinkelfightersflewlowoverhead.

‘You’resurethisisgoingtowork?’askedRosa,notforthefirsttimesince

he’dexplainedhisplan.‘No,Rosa,I’mnotsure.

Butit’sourbesthope.They’reboundtofindthecarandIjusthopethey’llassumewemusthavecaughtatrain,sowithanyluckthey’lllookforpeopleleavingStuttgartratherthanstayinginit.Andwhenwewalkawayfromthe

car,we’lllookliketravellerswho’vejustarrivedbytrain.’

IttookthemfiveminutestowalkfromtheSchlossplatztotheHotelVictoria,RosacarryinganexhaustedSophia.InsteadofgoingtothemainentranceonFriedrichstrassetheywalkedintoKeplerstrasseattheside

ofthehotel.Itwasquiet,thenightwasdrawinginandtherewasnomovementinthestreet.Inaroomabovethem,possiblytherestaurant,theycouldhearpeoplelaughingandglassesclinking.HenrymovedRosaandSophiaintoaconcealeddoorway.

‘Waithereandkeepan

eyeonme.IfIcangetthedooropen,watchoutformysignalthenhurryalongbutdon’trun.’

‘Andifyoucan’t?’Henryhesitated.‘Don’t

worry:I’llthinkofsomething.’

KeepingasclosetothewallaspossibleHenryedged

towardsthedoorthatledtothebasementofthehotel.HehadlastbeentherewithMiloonthemorningofhisjourneytoEssenthepreviousyear.HehadnoideawhetherMilowasstillworkingatthehotel.Forallheknew,shecouldhavebeenarrested,butitwastheonlyplanhecouldthink

of.Thedoortothe

basementwasstiff,butstartedtogiveafterafewpushesandwhenheusedhisshoulderitsprungopen.Hedescendedthesteepconcretesteps:thebasementwaswarmanddimlylit,beyondthemachineryhecouldmake

outalaundryarea.Afterthatwasadoorheseemedtorememberledtothestairsintothemainpartofthehotel.Therewasnosignofanyonedownthere.

HeclimbedbackupthestairsandgesturedforRosaandSophiatojoinhim.Oncetheyweresafelyin,heshut

thedoorandwhisperedtoRosa.

‘We’llfindsomewhereinheretohideandaftermidnightI’llgouptothehotelandseeifshe’sthere.’

‘Yousaythiswomanisondutyatnight?’

‘Mostnights,butnoteverynight.ButIhavetotell

you,Rosa,it’snearlyayearsinceIsawher,Ican’tevenbesureshe’sstillhere.’

Theyfoundacornerofthebasementthatwasdarkandwarm,andhuddledtogether.TheygavewhatlittlefoodtheyhadlefttoSophiaandsoonshefellasleepinhermother’sarms.

Atmidnight,Henrydecidedtogoupintothehotel.

‘HowdoIlook?’‘Terrible!Here,letme

seewhatIcando.’Tenderly,Rosawipedhisfaceandbrushedhisclothesdown.Shetookabrushfromherhandbagtotidyhishair.

‘That’sbetter.You

haveyourSwisspaperswithyou?’

Henrypattedhisjacketpocket.Afewminuteslaterhewasonthegroundfloorofthehotelandwalkingacrossthedesertedfoyertothereceptiondesk,whereayoungnightporterwasonhisown.

‘CanIhelpyousir?’‘Yes,Ihadsome

dealingsbeforewithamosthelpfulmanager.Iwonderedifshewasondutytonight?HernamewasKatharinaHoch,Iseemtorecall.’

‘FrauleinHoch:indeedsheissir.MayIaskyourname?’

‘HerrHesse–fromSwitzerland.’

‘Thankyousir.Andwhichroomareyouin?’

‘Ibegyourpardon?’‘WhichroomshallItell

heryou’restayingin?’Beforehecouldthink

whattosay,KatharinaHochemergedfromtheoffice

behindthereceptiondesk.ItwasagoodjobthenightporterhadhisbacktoherbecausehereyeswidenedinfearasshesawHenry.Shesteadiedherselfagainstthedoorframeandwipedherbrowbeforeregaininghercomposure.

‘HerrHesse!Howgood

tohavesuchanhonouredguestbackwithus.Pleasedocomethroughtomyoffice.’

ShetookHenrydownacorridoratthebackofthereceptionandintoanotheroffice.

‘Whatthehellareyoudoinghere?’shesaidaftermakingsureno-onehad

followedthem.‘Hiding.’Shestaredathimfora

minute,slowlyshakingherhead.

‘Wellyoucan’t.It’stoodangerous.Everythingissodangerousnowthatwedonothingotherthanpasstheoddbitofinformationonto

Bern.Asforhelpingagentsandhidingpeople,that’sathingofthepast.You’venoideahowmuchofariskitisforyoutobehere.Youmustleave.’

‘Ican’t.’‘Youhaveto,please.

Sinceyouwerelasthere,thesituationhasgotsomuch

worse.Everyoneinformsoneveryoneelseasamatterofcourse.’

‘ButIcan’tleave.’‘Youhaveto,Itold

you.Icangiveyousomemoneyandsomethingtoeat,thenyougo.Howdidyougetinhere?’

‘Throughthebasement,

yourememberyoutookmetherethemorningIwenttoEssen?’

‘Youmustleavethatwaythen.’

‘Ican’t,I’mnotonmyown.AndIkilledapolicemantoday.’

***

KatharinaHochsaidnothingasHenrytoldhisstory.Bythetimehehadfinishedshewasrunningherfingersthroughherhair.Henoticedshewasnowwearingabright-redlipstick,whichmanagedtomakeherlipslooklesssensuousthan

before.‘Iwasfoolishenough

toimaginewemaybesafe,’shesaid.

‘Whatdoyoumean?’‘MybrotherDieter–

yourememberyouusedhisidentitywhenyoutravelledtoEssen–heevenjoinedtheNaziPartyafteryouleft,the

situationhasbecomethatbad.Wethoughtthatmayhelpusiftherewasanysuspicion.Nowwhathappens?YoukillapolicemanandturnupherewithtwoJews.Whatdoyouexpectustodo?’

‘HelpusgettoSwitzerland.Iwashopingtodrivetotheborder,butIcan’t

usethecarnow.It’stoorisky.They’reobviouslylookingforit.’

‘Andhowdoyouproposetogettotheborder?They’llbesearchingforyou:hideinthebasementtonight,butnolongerthanthatplease.I’llhavetosendamessagetoBern,butI’llwaituntil

tomorrownight,ImusttotalktoDieterfirst.’

‘WhyareyousendingamessagetoBern?’

‘AtleastwecanletBasilknowyou’rehere.Hemayhaveanidea.’

***

‘IstheonlywaywecancommunicatewithMilothroughthistravelagent?’

Edgarwaschain-smokingnowandsittingclosetoBasilRemington-Barber,asifhewereinterrogatinghim.

‘It’snottheonlyway,Edgar,butit’sbyfarthe

safestway.Theproblemisit’snowFridayeveningandthetravelagentdoesn’treopenuntilMondaymorning.Inthemeantime,wecouldsendatelexdirecttothehotel,butthat’snotwithoutrisks.AtleastweknowMilo’sondutytonightandovertheweekendsothe

chancesareshe’llbetheonlypersontoseeit.’

Edgarstoodupandwalkedslowlyaroundtheroom,atrailofcigarettesmokefollowinginhiswake.

‘ThefirsttimeImetHenrywasinAugust1939,atCroydonAirport.Ihadtoremindmyselfthat

appearancescanbedeceptive,thathemayhavelookedandevenactedassomethingofanonentity,buttherewasclearlymoretohimthanthat.Irecallsayinghewasactuallyratherimpressive.Nohintwhatsoeverwhohewasreallyworkingforandtherewasadangerwecould

underestimatehim.Godknowswhatwe’retomakeofhimnow.’

Remington-BarberstartedtospeakbutEdgarhelduphishand.I’mthinking.

‘Whattelexmachinewouldyouusefromthisend?’

‘OneofRolf’scontactsworksinahotelhereinZürich.Wecangetamessageoutthroughhertonight.It’sopenI’mafraid,butneedsmust.’

AnotherpausewhileEdgarpacedtheroom,deepinthought.

‘Youreadytowritethis

downBasil?TellMilotoletHenryknowhe’stoleaveStuttgartandgetbacktoSwitzerlandassoonaspossible.He’stocomeonhisown.Undernocircumstancesshouldheattempttobringthatwomanandherdaughteroutwithhim.He’salreadybeentoldwe’renottheRed

Cross.Thatlastbitisn’tpartofthemessage.’

***

KatharinaHochwentdowntothebasementintheearlyhoursoftheThursdaymorning.Itwasnotonlyforreasonsofhumanityshe

realisedshecouldnotturnthethreeofthemoutontothestreet.Itwaslikelytheywouldbearrestedwithinminutesandoneofthemwasboundtosaysomethingaboutthehotel.SherealisedshewouldhavetohidethemuntilatleastshehadspokenwithDieter.

Atthebackofthebasementwasanarrowcorridor,nomorethanfivefeethigh.Itledtoaroombehindthemainboilers,whichhadbeenusedtostoreequipment.Nowitwasemptyandseldom-visited.Sheledthethreeofthemin.Theroomhadnolights,arancid

smellandthescuttlingsoundofmice.Itssavinggracewasthatitwaswarmandsafe,forthetimebeing.Oncetheywereinside,shebroughtdownblanketsandsomefood,andtoldthemtoremainthereuntilhernextvisit:shewouldcomedownwhenitwassafe.

Itwas3.30ontheSaturdaymorningbeforetheynextsawher,holdingatorchandcarryingabagwithsomefoodinit.SheaskedHenrytocomeoutwithher.

‘Ican’tstaylong,there’saproblemwiththeplumbingononeofthefloorsandIreallyneedtobearound

tosupervisethings.’Theywereattheendof

thecorridor,backinthemainpartofthebasement.

‘We’veheardfromBern.You’reunderorderstoreturntoSwitzerland.’

‘Good!Itoldyouthat’swherewewanttogo.’

‘Justyou:themessage

isveryclear.You’retogobackonyourown.’

‘What–andleavethem?Ofcoursenot,they’recomingwithme.Whatdidyourbrotherhavetosay?’

‘Accordingtohim,thepoliceattherailwaystationaresearchingforyou.Theyhaveyournames,butno

photographs,whichIsupposeissomething.Theyfoundthecar,naturally,andthefactitwassoclosetothestationmeanstheythinkyoumaynotbeinthecity,butthatisn’tthepoint:assoonasyouleavethehotelyou’llbeatrisk.TheonlychanceyouhaveisforDietertodriveyou

southonSunday,whichishisdayoff.Hemaybeabletogetholdofavanfromtherailways,sothatoughttobesafe.He’lltrytogetyouasclosetotheborderaspossible.Youstandachanceifyoutryandcrossatnight:alone.’

‘ButItoldyou,I’mnot

goinganywherewithoutRosaandSophia.’

***

ThenexttimeEdgarandRemington-BarberheardfromStuttgartwasonthemorningofMonday31st

March.Milohadsentatelex

overnighttothetravelagentsinBernandthistimethemessagewaspassedonpromptly.

‘AccordingtoMilo,’saidRemington-Barber,followingEdgarashepacedaroundtheroom.‘Henryabsolutelyrefusestoleavethebasementofthehotelwithout

theothers.DieterturneduponSundaywithhisvan,butHenrywouldn’tbudge.Miloandherbrotherareattheirwits’end.Theyknowtheycan’tturfthemoutofthebasementbecausethethreeofthemtogetherareboundtobecaughtwithinminutes.Butshe’sconvincedit’sonlya

matteroftimebeforesomeonefindsthem.IftheGestapohaven’tcaughtthemelsewherethey’llassumetheymuststillbeinStuttgartandshe’sworriedthey’llsearchthehotel.’

‘Tellhertoholdonthen.Keeptheminthebasementandwe’llsort

somethingout.DoyoustillhavethatcacheofGermanidentities?’

‘Yes,butI’mdowntothree,possiblyfour,whichI’dsayIcantotallytrust.’

‘Wherearethey?’‘InthesafeinBern.’‘Bettergetthemsent

hereassoonaspossible.

WhataboutgoodSwissidentities,doyouhavemanyofthose?’

‘Acouplethatarewatertight,Edgar.I’llgetthemtosendthose.’

‘HowmuchdoyoutrustRolf,Basil?’

‘I’vetoldyou,he’soneofourbest,noquestionabout

it:typeofchapyou’dwanttoopenthebattingwith.’

That’sBasil’sworld,thoughtEdgar.Judgingpeopleonwhetheryoutrustthemenoughtoopenthebattingwithyou.

‘Andonthetrainyoumentionedsomethingabouthimhavingbeenacrossthe

borderbefore–intoGermany,Imean.’

‘Yes,late’39itmusthavebeen.WeneededtogetsomecashtoanagentIwasrunninginFreiburg.WesentRolfinoverthemountainsandhecamebackthesameway.’

‘You’dbettergethim

uphere.’WhenRolfjoinedthem,

Edgargesturedforhimtositdown.RolfwasonlyslightlyshorterthanEdgar.Hewasslimandsprightlylooking,thekindofpersonwhowasalwaysmoving,butinanenergeticratherthannervousmanner.And,withhisblond

hairandblueeyes,hewasfarclosertotheAryanidealthanhisfellowAustrian,AdolfHitler.Rolf’sundoubtedgoodlooksweremarredbyonecharacteristicthough:large,protrudingearsthatgavehimaslightlycomicalappearance.Heinvariablyhadapleasantsmileonhis

face,ashedidnow.‘Iunderstandyou’re

familiarwithGermany,Rolf?’

‘I’vebeenmanytimes,thoughofcoursenotrecently.’

‘Andexcusemeasking,butdoyousoundlikeanAustrianwhenyou’rethere?’

‘Agoodquestion:IcansoundlikeaSwisswhenI’minSwitzerland,anAustrianinAustriaandaGermanwhenI’minGermany.IsuppressmyVienneseaccentinGermany,it’stoodistinctive.Whydoyouask?’

‘BecauseyouandIaregoingtoGermany.’

ToEdgar’ssurprise,Rolf’ssmilewaswiderthanbefore.

***

TheycrossedtheborderlateonthemorningofTuesday1st

April.TheGermanidentitypapershadarrivedfromBern

lateonMondayafternoonandanotherofRolf’scontactshadworkedthroughthenighttoturnEdgarandRolfintoimpeccableGermancitizens.RolfEderhadbecomeLudwigKühn,anengineerfromLandshut,justnorthofMunich.EdgarbecameKarlAlbrecht,abusinessmanfrom

Hanover,acityhewasnotonlyfamiliarwithafterhavingspentayearatuniversitythere,butforwhichhecouldalsomanagethecorrectaccent.

‘Ihopethischapofyoursisreliable,’saidEdgarastheydrovetowardsLakeKonstanzfromZürich.Both

RolfandBasilRemington-Barberlookedateachother,unsureofwhoshouldanswer.

‘AllIcansayishehasn’tletusdownsofar,’saidRemington-Barber.

‘Andhowmanytimeshaveyouusedhim?’

Alongpause.‘Once.’

Edgarsaidnothingbutslowlyshookhishead.

‘Atshortnoticehe’souronlyoption,’saidRolf.‘We’repayinghimalotofmoneyandhe’srunninganenormousrisk.’

TheypulledoffthemainroadbetweenthesmalltownsofRorschachand

Arbon,andafterawhilethetracktheywereonpeteredtoadeadendandtheyfoundthemselvessurroundedbytrees,withthelakejustvisiblethroughthem.TheywaitedforfiveminutesandonceRemington-Barberwascertaintheyhadnotbeenfollowednorwerebeing

watched,theysetoffthroughthesmallwood.Whentheyemergedtheyfoundthemselvesatasmalljetty,withtheblackwaterofthelakelappinghighagainstitandtheshorelinesofbothGermanyandAustriaclearlyvisible.Rolfremovedapairofbinocularsfromhisjacket

andscannedthelake.HehandedthebinocularstoEdgarandpointedtoatinyshapeinthemiddleofthewater.

‘That’sher.She’llbewithusinmaybe15minutes.We’llwaitinthetreesuntilshearrives.’

Twentyminuteslater

thefishingboathadpulledupalongsidethejettyandthethreemenwerescramblingacrossit.Theskipper,whohadadeeplytannedfaceandaheavymoustache,snatchedthethickenvelopeRemington-Barberhandedtohim.HegesturedforRolfandEdgartogobelowdeck,

wheredespitethenoiseoftheidlingenginetheycouldheartheconversationgoingonabovethem.

‘Don’tworryPaul,it’sallhere:SwissFrancsandReichsmarks.’

‘Andthosetwo–they’renotgoingtocausetroublearethey?’

‘Ofcoursenot.’‘Andyoupromiseme

they’renotJews.’‘AreyoucrazyPaul?

WhatJewswouldwanttoescapefromSwitzerlandtoGermany?’

‘Oneswho’vemoneyhiddenthere.Theystillcontrolmanybusinesses,you

know.’‘NoPaul,Ipromiseyou

they’renotJews.You’dbettergetamoveon.Yourbrotherknowswhattodo?Don’tforgetthat’swhywe’repayingyousomuch.It’sforthewholejourney.’

‘Don’tworry,heknowswhattodo.You’regettingus

onthecheap.I’mthinkingofputtingmypriceup.’

AstheboatpulledawayfromthejettyandacceleratedintothemainbodyofthelakeEdgarrealisedtheyhadnotproperlysaidgoodbyetoRemington-Barber,whichwasprobablyjustaswell.Sendingagentsintoenemy

territorywasalwaystheworstpartofthejob,notsodifferentfrompronouncingadeathsentence.

Theyremainedintheholdthroughoutthecrossing.Theybrieflycaughtsightofthetwoothercrewmembers,aboywholookedasifheshouldbeinschoolanda

giantofamanwhohadapermanentgrinandseemedtocommunicatethroughsignlanguage.

‘We’vebeenluckysofartoday,’saidtheskipperwhenhecamedownintotheholdforaminute.‘TheSwissandGermanpatrolboatsareallnearKonstanzattheother

endofthelake–there’sbeensomerowthereaboutfishingrights.TheAustriansarelazy:they’rejustputtingoutonepatrolboatadayatthemomentandtheyseemtoprefertostayaroundBregenz.There’sasmalllandingjustoutsideNonnenhorn–Johanneswill

bewaitingtherewithhistruck.Ifit’sallclear,we’llpullinthere.Ifnot,we’llcontinueintoportandwe’llgetyouofftheboatlateron,whenitisquiet.’

Onthefirstpasstheremusthavebeenasignalallwaswell,becausetheboatsuddenlycutitsspeedand

turnedsharplytotheshore.Oncetheboatwastiedup,theywerecalleduptothedeck,wheretheskipperhadbeenjoinedbyamanwholookedlikehisidenticaltwin.Johannes.Afteraquickshakingofhands,theywerehurriedalongtoanarrowroadandintothebackofa

vanwaitingthere.Therewasjustenoughroomforthetwoofthembetweenthecratesoffish.Oncehewasinthedrivingseat,Johannesturnedaround.‘Ican’tpretendthiswillbeanythingotherthanaveryuncomfortablejourney,butI’llgetyoutoMunichingoodtime,don’tworry.And

weshouldbefineifwe’restopped:allmypapersareinorder.You’restayingattheHotelBayerischerHof,yes?’

‘Iam,’saidEdgar.‘Myfriendisstayingatasmalleronebythestation.’

***

TheyarrivedinMunichjustbeforefiveo’clockandduringthejourneyEdgarandRolftalkedthroughtheirplans.TheywouldhavenocontactwitheachotherwhiletheywereinMunichoronthejourneytoStuttgart,soifonewascaughttherewasachancetheotherwouldmake

it.‘I’mnotterriblysure

whywe’retakingthisroutetoStuttgart:it’shardlythemostdirectway,’saidRolf.

‘True,butwhenwearriveinStuttgartit’llbeastravellersfromMunich.Thatshouldmakeusfarlesssuspicious.’

JohannesdroppedbothRolfandEdgaroffinasidestreetbyMunichHauptbahnhof.ItwasonlyaroundthecornerfromthestationhotelwheretheAustrianwouldbestayingandforEdgartheten-minutewalktotheBayerischerHofonPromenadeplatznotonly

meanthewouldnotbeseengettingoutofavandeliveringfishatthehotel,butalsogavehimtheopportunityforabitoffreshairandthechanceforthesmellofthevantoevaporate.

OntheWednesdaymorningbothmenwereoneighto’clocktrainfrom

MunichtoStuttgart.TheyhadstoodclosetoeachotherontheconcourseattheHauptbahnhof,asarranged,butdidnotexchangeawordnormakeeyecontact.Bothwerecarryingasmallsuitcaseintheirlefthandandholdingtheirhatsintheirright,thesignalallwaswell.They

purchasedseatsatoppositeendsofthesamecarriagesotheycouldspotiftherewereanyproblems,butthejourneywasstraightforward.TheirpaperswerecheckedastheyboardedthetrainandonceduringthejourneyafterthestopatAugsburg,buteachtimetheguardsseemedmore

botheredtheirticketswereinorder.

Bothmenhadboughtcopiesofthatday’seditionoftheMünchnerNeuesteNachrichtenandtheymadesuretheywereprominentastheyarrivedinStuttgart,wheresecuritywasfarmorenoticeable.Theirpaperswere

checkedbutneithermanwaspulledoutofthequeuefortheirbagstobesearched.TheytookdifferentroutestotheHotelVictoria,Edgararriving15minutesafterRolf.

Milohadreservedroomsforthetwomenclosetoeachotheronthesecond

floorandjustacrossthecorridorfromthebackstairsthatleddowntothehotelbasement.HiddeninanenvelopetapedtotheundersideofthewardrobeinRolf’sroomwasakeytothebasementandanoteastowheretofindHenry,RosaandSophia.Itwas1.30inthe

afternoonwhenEdgarreckoneditwouldbesafetoknockonRolf’sdoor.Thetwomenstoodinthetinybathroom,thetaprunningtomasktheirvoices.

‘Youhavethekey?’Rolfdangleditinfront

ofEdgar.‘Shesaysthey’rehidinginaroomattherearof

thebasement–here,she’sdrawnamap.’RolfhandedthepieceofpapertoEdgar.

‘Idon’tlikethefactshetooksucharisk,puttingitdownonpaperlikethat.’

‘Whatelsewasshemeanttodo?Youneedtodecide,whendowegodownanddowegotogether?’

‘Justletmehaveanotherlookatthatnote.’Edgarreaditcarefully,noddinghishead,formulatingaplan.‘Shesaysshecomesondutyat11o’clocktonightandwe’retowaitinourrooms.She’llcomeuptousbetween11.30andmidnight,apparently.Idon’tthinkwe

canriskwaitinguntilthen,they’vebeenherealmostaweekalready.YouhaveHenry’snewidentitypapers?’

Rolfgesturedtowardshissmallsuitcase.

‘Good.LetmetellyoutheplanthenyougodownandbringHunteruphere.’

Rolfwasimpressed

withEdgar’splan;itwasnotwithoutconsiderableriskandwouldrequirenervesofsteel,butitwasclever.Hethenlefttheroomandwentdownthebackstairsthatleddowntothebasement.Ittookhimtenminutestocheckitwasclearthennavigatehiswaythroughtotheroomhiddenbehindthe

boiler.WhenRosaheardhimshecriedoutinfear.

‘It’smeHenry:Rolf.YouremembermefromZürich?’

HenryclaspedRolfbythearms.

‘It’salrightRosa–don’tcrySophia.Rolf’safriend.He’scometorescue

us.Areyouhereonyourown,Rolf…Whencanweleave?’

RosahadlitacandleintheroomandRolfglancedaroundinthedimlight.Itwascramped,withrustyequipmentagainstthewalls,andblanketsandanoldmattressonthefloor.The

heatwasoppressiveandtherewasafoulsmell.

‘Yes,we’veaplan,don’tworry.FirstyouneedtocomewithmeHenry,justforfewminutes–don’tworryRosa,hewon’tbelong.’

***

TherewasonlyenoughspaceforthethreementostandmoreorlessshouldertoshoulderinRolf’sbathroom,whichmeantEdgarandHenrywerefacingeachother.WhenEdgarfinallyspoke,afteraminuteoflookingHenryupanddownwiththemakingsofasneeronhis

face,hisvoicecouldonlyjustbeheardabovethenoiseofthetap.

‘AsmuchasI’mareasonablemanHenryandI’mpreparedtogiveyouthebenefitofthedoubt,Istruggletoseehowyoucanpossiblymanagetocomeupwithasatisfactory

explanationforallthis.’‘Forallwhat,Edgar?’Edgarinchedcloserto

Henry,clenchingandunclenchinghisfists.

‘Forwhat?YouweresupposedtoflyfromBerlintoZürichlastTuesdaymorningthenmeetmyselfandBasilandinGeneva.What

happened?’Anembarrassedsmile

onHenry’sfaceandashrugoftheshoulders.WhatcanIsay?

‘IbenttherulesalittlebitanddecidedtorescueRosaandSophiaatthesametime.IthoughtifIdidsothenGunterReinhartwouldbe

betterdisposedtowardsusandprovideuswithmoreintelligence.’

‘Ohreally,Henry?I’veneverregardedmyselfasparticularlynaïve,butI’dbeborderingonthecertifiableifIweretobelieveawordofwhatyou’resaying.You’vesetyourselfupassome

knightinshiningarmour,rescuingadamselindistress…’

‘Ithoughtthere’dbenoharm…’Henryshifteduncomfortably,hisfacenowflushedred.

‘Noharm?’Edgar’svoicewasraisedforasplitsecondbeforeRolfnudged

him.‘You’veseriouslyjeopardisedthismission,thepurposeofwhich–incaseyou’veforgotten–wastocollectadocumentfromHugoandbringitbacktoSwitzerland.Doyouhavethatdocument?’

Henrycoughedandsteppedawayasfarashewas

ablefromEdgar.‘I’mafraidnot.Iknow

thisisgoingtosounddreadful,Edgar,butafterweleftBerlinitdawnedonmetherewasapossibilitywecouldbecaught.IthoughttheworstthingthatcouldthenhappenfromaBritishpointofviewwasforthe

documentswouldfallintoGermanhands,soIburntthem.’

‘Where?’‘Insomewoodswhere

wewerehidingontheTuesdaynight.I’msosorry,IknowIfailedinmymission,butIfeltthealternativewouldbefarworse.’

Edgarturnedaround,facingthefrostedwindow.‘JesusChrist,’wasallhecouldsay.

‘WeneedtogetyoubacktoSwitzerlandassoonaspossible.Wecan’triskyoubeingcaughtbytheGermans,astemptingasthatmaybeinsomerespects.Heavenknows

whatyou’dsaytotheGestapo…’

‘Now,lookhereEdgar…’

‘No,youlookhere,Hunter.RolfandIareputtingourlivesatriskbyattemptingtorescueyou.Theveryleastyoucandoisco-operate,youunderstand?’

‘Iwill,butI’mnotleavingwithoutRosaandSophia.I’madamantaboutthat.’

‘SoI’mtoldandweunderstandthat.We’llgetthemout,too,don’tworry,wehaveitallworkedout.We’veverygoodGermanidentitypapersforyou:your

photoandeverything.WealsohavenewSwisspapers,asyoucanhardlyre-enterasHenriHesse,notafterallthefussyou’vecaused.’

‘ButwhataboutRosaandSophia?’

‘We’vepapersforthemtoo,butyoucan’tleavetogetherasthey’llbelooking

forthethreeofyou.Ifyoutravelseparatelyit’llbelessconspicuous.You’llleavefirstwithRolfandtakethetraintoSwitzerland:yourdocumentationisgoodenoughtoriskthatkindofjourney.Wecan’triskRosaandSophiabeingstoppedandquestioned,soI’lldrivethem

tothebordermyself.’HenrystaredatEdgar,

hisfacefullofscepticism.‘Really,you’resure

this’llwork?’‘It’sthebestway,

Henry,believeme.Dieterissortingoutthecar:we’llbeabletohideSophiaundertherearseat,andRosaandIwill

looklikeamarriedcouple.’‘ButhowcanIbesure

you’llfollowon?’‘I’mhardlylikelyto

stayoninStuttgart,amI?’‘Youpromisemethis

Edgar–onyourlife:thatyou’llbringRosaandSophiaoutwithyou?’

‘Ipromiseyou,Henry.

Youcantrustme.Nowweneedtomovefast.YouandRolfmustleavethisafternoon.DieterwillbringthecartonightsoI’llfollowwithRosaandSophiainthemorning.Allbeingwell,we’llmeetupinZüricheithertomorroworFriday.’

RolfaccompaniedHenrybacktothebasement,whereheexplainedthesituationtoRosa.HecouldtellHenrywasuneasy,hehadhisheadinhishandsandkeptshakingit.WhenRolfhadexplainedeverything,HenryturnedtoRosa.

‘Whatdoyouthink?’

‘I’mnotsurewhatyoumean?’

‘Shouldwegoalongwiththis,doastheyask?’

‘Whatelsecanwepossiblydo?They’reright:thethreeofuswillnevermakeitanywhereneartheborderonourown,letalonecrossit.Norcanwestayhere:

it’sonlyamatteroftimebeforewegetcaught.Wehavetodoasyourfriendssuggest.’

Therewasabriefgoodbye,hurriedalongbyRolf.AfewminuteslaterheandHenrywerebackinRolf’sbedroom.

‘It’saquartertothree,’

saidEdgar.‘There’satrainfromStuttgartleavingat3.30,thelastonetocrossthebordertonight.YouandRolfwillcatchit,butfirstyouneedtohaveashaveandabath,andgetchanged:youlookamessandsmelllikeyouhaven’thadaproperwashfordays.You’dbetter

getundressedinherewhileRolfrunsthebathforyou.’

AssoonasHenrywentintothebathroomEdgarwhisperedurgentlytoRolf.TheAustrianpositionedhimselfbythebathroomdoorwhileEdgarfranticallysearchedHenry’sclothesandcase.Ittookhimfiveminutes

beforehefoundwhathewaslookingfor.HethenmeticulouslyreplacedeverythingashehadfounditandbeckonedRolfover.Throughthebathroomdoortheycouldhearthesoundofsplashing.EdgarwasholdingthreesheetsofbrownpaperwithGermantypeonthem.

‘TheRostockReport!’heannounced,wavingittriumphantlyatRolf.‘Forsomereasonhe’stakenitoutoftheenvelope.’

‘Areyousure?’Rolfwhispered.

‘OfcourseI’msure:IsawitinLondon,’repliedEdgar.

‘Wherewasit?’Edgarwasholdinga

pairofthick,darktrousers.‘Insidethelining,look–that’swhyImadehimgetundressedinhere,soIcouldcheckhisclothes.’

‘Buthowcomeyouknewhehadit?Hetoldushe’dburntit.’

‘Keepyourvoicedown,Rolf.WhenIwastalkingwithBasiltheotherdayItoldhimhowonecouldveryeasilyunderestimateHenry.Isimplydidn’tbelievewhathetoldusandmyinstinctwascorrect:hemayhaveembarkedonthismadmissiontorescueRosaand

Sophiabut,despiteeverything,hecouldn’triskupsettinghisSovietmastersbynotdeliveringthisreportbacktothem.AllthemorereasontogethimbacktoZürichassoonaspossible.’

ThroughthebathroomdoorcamethesloshingnoiseofHenrygettingoutofthe

bath.‘Areyougoingtobe

long?’Edgarasked,ashecarefullyreplacedtheenvelope.

‘Fiveminutes,nomoreIpromise.’

‘AndwhatdoIdowithhimwhenwegettoZürich?’Rolfwhispered.

‘Checkhimintoahotel,oneofthesmalleronesaroundthestation.TellhimtostaytherewhileyoumakecontactwithBasil.Thenleavehim,makesurehethinkshe’sonhisownforawhile.Haveoneyourboyskeepawatch,butit’svitalhe’sleftalone.’

‘Notlongnow–mindifIusebothtowels?’

Edgarassuredhimhecoulduseasmanytowelsashewished.

***

Chapter27:Stuttgart,April1941FromthewindowofhisroomEdgarhadwatchedRolfandHenryastheyleftthehotel,bothseeminglyrelaxedandchattingaway.Theygavethe

appearanceofamicablecolleagues:asmallgroupofmenintheblackuniformoftheWaffenSSwalkedtowardsthem,buttherewasnohesitationinthestepofeitheragent,andtheSSmenpolitelypartedtoallowthetwomentowalkonthrough.Edgarcontinuedtowatchas

thepairwalkeddownFriedrichstrassetowardsthestation,eventuallydisappearingasdotsintothedistance.

Hewouldhavetoremaininthehotelthatevening.Rolf–LudwigKühn–hadexplainedtothereceptionisthehadbeen

calledbacktoLandshut.Soinconvenient,I’msosorry.Iinsistonpayingformyroom.

Edgarhadbeendiscreetlywatchingthisashescannedanearbynoticeboard.Thereceptionisthadinsistedthiswasn’tnecessary(‘thesethingshappen,HerrKühn’),butEdgarknewif

twoguestscheckedoutwithinhoursoftheirarrivalitcouldarousesuspicion.Inanyevent,heneededtoseeMilo.Hewouldstaythenightandslipawayinthemorning:aheadofthehounds,withanyluck.

Edgarateearlyinthehotel’sornatebutlargely

deserteddiningroomandretiredtohisroom.HewouldwaituntilMilocameondutyat11o’clock.

***

Becausehehadbeeninhisroomonthesecondfloorsinceeighto’clockEdgarwas

unawareofwhatwashappeningbelowhim.

Thepolicehadturnedupatnine:themanagerwasaskedtogatherallthestafftogetherinanoffice.Theywantedtoknowifafamilyofthree–amanandwomanintheirmid-tolate-thirtiesandagirl,perhapsfourorfive

yearsold–hadbeenstayingatthehotel.Unfortunately,thepolicetoldthem,theyhadnophotographs,buttheyhadnamesanddescriptions.Pleasethinkcarefully;rememberthey’llprobablyhaveuseddifferentnames.ThemanisSwiss;thewomanandchildareJews.It’s

possibletheymayhavesplitup.

Theypassedaroundthesheetswiththenamesanddescriptionsonthem.No-onerecognisedthem.Butatthebackoftheroomwastheyoungnightporter,whohadjustcomeonduty.Hestaredatthesheet;grippingittight

inthehopeno-onewouldnoticehishandsshaking.Helookedupandaroundtheroom,thenbackagainatthesheetofpaper,hopinghehadmisreadthenameonitthefirsttimehehadlookedatit.Itwasstillthere:‘HenriHesse,Switzerland.’Andthenthedescription:

unmistakablythatofthemanwhohadturneduptheweekbeforeaskingtoseeKatharinaHoch.

Eventhoughhehadsaidnothingaboutitatthetime,theporterhadthoughttherewassomethingoddaboutthesituation.WhenFrauleinHochhadtakenthe

mantoanofficewellawayfromreceptionhehadcheckedtheregister.Therewasno-onestayingatthehotelcalledHesse.ItwasnothisplacetosayanythingtoFrauleinHochandhehadthoughtnomoreofit,untilnow.

‘You’reallcertain

you’venotcomeacrossthesepeople,thesecriminals?’Thepoliceofficerinchargelookedasthoughhewereinahurry.‘Weneedtomoveon,you’renottheonlyhotelinStuttgart,youknow.Lookoncemore,butremember:withholdinginformationfromtheauthoritiesisaserious

crime.’Attheendofthemonth

theporterwasleavingthehotel,thetimehadcomeforhimtojointhearmy.Whathadhisfathertoldhimeventhebeforethewarstarted?Keepyourheaddown.Don’tgetinvolved.Don’texpressanopinion,nevervolunteer

anddoasyou’retold.Thatwashisinstinct,to

keephisheaddownandsaynothing.Butthenwhatwouldhappeniftheycaughtthismanandtheyfoundouthehadspokentohimthatnightandhadfailedtomentionit?Aseriouscrime.

Thepolicedecidedthey

weregoingtogetnohelpfromthestaffattheVictoriaandtoldthemtogobacktowork.Oneoftheofficersbrushedpasthimashelefttheroom.

‘PleasecouldIhaveawordwithyousir?’

‘Isitinconnectionwiththismatter?’

‘Ithinkitmaybe,yes.’Theofficercalledone

ofhiscolleaguesoverandthetwopolicemenshepherdedthenightportertoaquietcorner.‘Tellus.’

‘I’mnotsurehowrelevantthisis,sir,butaweekagoIwasondutyatreception.Sometimeafter

midnightagentlemanappearedatreceptionandaskedifKatharinaHochwasonduty.’

‘Who’sshe?’‘She’stheNight

Manager.’‘Hesaidhisnamewas

Hesse,fromSwitzerland.Iaskedhimwhichroomhe

wasstayinginbut,beforehehadachancetotellme,FrauleinHochappearedfromherofficebehindmeandgreetedtheman,whosheappearedtoknow.Shethentookhimdownaprivatecorridortoanofficewellawayfromreception.’

‘Whichdaywasthis?’

‘Wednesday,soreallyitwasintheearlyhoursofThursdaymorning.’

‘You’veseenthedescriptionoftheman;doesitmatchthatofthemanyousaw?’

‘Itdoessir,verymuchso.’

‘Andwhathappened

afterthat?’‘Hemusthavebeen

withFrauleinHochforawhile–Ididn’tseehimagain.’

‘Andishestillstayinghere?’

‘Wellthat’stheoddthing,sir.Icheckedhisnameontheregisterandtherewas

norecordofhimstayingherethatnight.’

Theofficersignalledtotheotherpolicemenwithhimtowait.Hespokekindlytotheyoungporter,wholookedterrified.‘We’renottheGestapo,youknow!’

‘AndFrauleinHoch–whenisshenextonduty?’

Theporterglancedathiswatch,theonehisgrandparentshadboughthimforhislastbirthday.‘Injustoveranhour,sir–at11o’clock.’

***

Edgarspenttheeveninginhis

room,alternatingbetweenrestingonthebedandalmostrelaxingtogettingupandpacingaround,peekingoutintothestreetthroughthethickcurtainsorpausingbythedoorincaseanyonemaybeapproaching.

Hebecameawareofalotofactivitybelowhis

window,carspullingupandpeopleenteringthehotel,andafairamountoftalking.Itwas,hedecided,whatonemightexpectfromabusycity-centrehoteland,inanycase,hewasnotmindedtolookoutofthewindowanddrawattentiontohimself.Hewouldwaitinhisroomuntil

Milocameup,asshehadpromised.Hewaitedpatiently,evenwhen11.30hadgone,withmidnightsoonafter.Whoknowshowbusyshemaybe?Anotherhalf-hour.

Therewasnosignofherbyhalfpastmidnight,whenheallowedhimselfto

openhisdoorasquietlyaspossibleandglanceupanddownthecorridor.Itwasemptyandtherewasnonoteonthefloor.Anhourlatewasworrying,therewasnodenyingthat.Edgarstoodwithhisbacktothedoor,surveyingtheroom.Hetriedtoimaginehowitwouldlook

tosomeonecomingintoquestionhim.Itlookedordinaryenoughbuthewasmoreconcernedabouthisfalseidentity.ThepapersforKarlAlbrechtfromHanoverweregoodenough,buthewasnotsurehowlonghecouldsustainhisstoryifanyonesuspectedhim.

Byoneo’clockhedecidedtogodowntoreception.Hewouldaskiftheyhadanyaspirinforaheadache.ForsomereasonIwasunabletogetthroughonthetelephone!

Hetookthemainstairsdowntothereception.Heopenedtheglassdoorsonto

thelandingbeforethefinalflightofstairssweptdowntotheentrancelobby,onlytobepushedasidebyauniformedpolicemanrunningpasthim.Edgarpausedthenedgedslowlytowardsthestaircase,justabletoseeintothelobbywhilestillhiddenintheshadowsofthelanding.The

areawascrowdedwithpoliceandGestapo,andinthemiddleofthemwasayoungwoman.Shetoweredaboveamaninanill-fittingsuit,whowasstandinginfrontofher.

‘FrauleinHoch,youhavespenttwohoursrefusingtogiveasatisfactoryexplanationastowhythis

HerrHessecametoseeyou.’‘Look,Ikeeptelling

you,whydoyounotbelieveme?’Shesoundedannoyed–exactlyasEdgarwouldexpecthertodoinsuchcircumstances.Don’tcomeacrossasdefensive:themoreaggressiveyouarethemoretheymaybelieveyou.‘Iknow

nothingabouthim.Hewasaguestwhohadstayedherelastyear.HeaskedtoseemebecausehewasstayingattheMarquardtonSchlossplatzandwantedtoseeifhecouldtransferhere,buthedidn’twanttomakeafussaboutit.’

‘Atmidnight?’Theshortmanintheill-fittingsuit

lookedconfused,unsurewhethertobelieveher.Edgartookastepbackintotheshadows.Hecouldnowhardlyseewhatwasgoingon,buthecouldstillhearclearly.

‘Verywell,’saidtheman.‘RemaininyourofficeFrauleinHoch.Oberg,seal

thehotel;makesurethereareguardsoneveryfloor.No-onecomesinorout.Firstthinginthemorning,weshallthoroughlysearchthisplace.’

***

Edgarcreptbacktohisroomonthesecondfloor.They

clearlyknewHunterhadbeenatthehotel,buthehadnoideahow.HadHenryandRolfbeenarrestedbeforetheyreachedtheborder?Ifthatwasthecase,itwaspossibleHunterwouldnotonlyhavetoldthemaboutbeingintheHotelVictoriainStuttgartbutwouldalsohave

saidsomethingabouthim–butthen,ifthatwasthecase,theywouldbelookingforhimnowratherthanwaitingforthemorning.

Edgarwentintothebathroom,undressedandwashedhisfaceincoldwater.Speculatingonwhatmayhavehappenedmerelyserved

tostophimthinkingaboutmoreimportantmatters:whattodonow.Hechangedintohispyjamasandpulledbackthesheetsandblanketsonthebed:iftheydidcometohisroomitmustlookasifhehadbeenasleep.

Therewasnoquestionnowofhisgoingdowntothe

basement,eventowarnRosa.Whatwouldbethepoint?UnlessRosahadheardthecommotionanddecidedtoescapetheywouldbefoundinthemorning.

Edgardozedoffinaseriesof15-to20-minutespellsduringthenight.Eachtimehewokehelaystillin

bed,listeningforanyhintofasound.Thenhewouldrollslowlyoutofthebedandcrawlalongthefloortothedoor.Bylyingflathewasabletolookthroughtheinch-highgapatthebottom,butnotoncecouldheseeanyonenearhisroom.

Atsixo’clockhe

decidedhecouldnotriskdozingoffagain.Seveno’clock,hedecided,wastheearliesthecouldleavethehotelwithoutitlookingsuspiciouslyearly.Hecheckedhissmallcase.Therewasnothinginittogivehimaway,otherthanhisSwisspapers,andtheywereso

skilfullyconcealedintheliningtheywouldpassanyroutinesearch.Atseveno’clockhedidafinalcheckoftheroom,emptiedallhispockets,lookedoverhispapersforwhatfeltlikethehundredthtimeandlefttheroom.

Thelobbywas

beginningtofillwithpoliceandGestapo:itwasobviousthesearchhadbegun.Allaroundwasthesoundofdoorsslammingandbootsmovingheavilyacrosscorridorsandrooms.

‘CanIhelpyousir?’Itwasamanager,hisfacepaleanddrawn,hisfingers

nervouslyintertwiningwitheachother.Nexttohimwasanotherman,hisarmsfolded,lookingEdgarupanddown.

‘Yes,’saidEdgar,placinghisroomkeyonthedeskinfrontofthemanager.‘Iwishtocheckout,please.IfImaysettlemyaccount?’

‘Mostcertainlysir,’

saidthemanager,scanningthehotelregister.‘Yourname,please?’

‘KarlAlbrecht.’‘FromHanover,Isee.’‘Areyoureturningto

Hanovernow?’Itwastheotherman.Ashespokehesteppedforward,holdingouthisGestapoidentitybadge.

‘Yourpapers,please.’Edgarhandedoverthe

papersforKarlAlbrecht.TheGestapomanlookedatthemcarefully.‘Pleasecanyouconfirmyouraddress?’Edgarrecitedit,hopinghewasnotoverplayinghisHanoverianaccent.Theothermanlookedovertotheregister,whichthe

managerwasstillholding.‘Justashortvisitthen?’

‘Indeed.Thankfullymybusinessherewentwell.’He’snowgoingtoaskmeaboutthisbusiness.Edgarglancedathiswatch.

‘AreyouinahurryHerrAlbrecht?’

‘Well,there’satrainto

Frankfurtat7.30whichI’dliketocatchifatallpossible;ithasagoodconnectiontoHanover.’

‘Indeed.ComeoverhereandI’llexamineyourcase.’

Edgarmovedovertoatablebythesideofthereceptiondesk.Asheplaced

hiscaseonthetabletherewasanoisetohisright.Itwasjustashoutatfirst,followedbythecommotionofpeoplerunningandthenmoreshouting.

‘Quick,we’vefoundthem!’Itwasapoliceman,runningpastreception.TheGestapomanwhowasabout

tosearchEdgarlookedupandaround,clearlyeagertojoinin.HeruffledthroughEdgar’ssuitcase,lookingupinthedirectionthenoisewascomingfromformostofthetime.

‘Emptyyourpockets,quickly.’

Edgarplacedthe

contentsofhispocketsonthetable.Themanshuffledthemaround,findingithardtodisguisehishaste.Thenoisewasgettingclosernow.Edgarturnedaround,intimetoseeawomanandyounggirlbeingmanhandledacrossthereceptionarea;theywerebothblinkingandlooked

terrified.RosaandSophia.ThepolicemenandGestapowhohadfoundthembroughtthemtoahaltinfrontofthereception.TheywerejustyardsfromEdgar.HeturnedaroundandlookedattheGestapoman.

‘CanIleavenow?’Theothermanwas

alreadymovingfromaroundthetable.‘Yes,yes.Go.’

Theseniorofficerandtheshortmanintheill-fittingsuitmovedovertoRosaandherdaughter.

‘Wefoundthemhidinginaroomatthebackofthebasement,sir.’

‘Whatabouttheman?’

‘Itwasjustthem,sir.’‘You’recertain?’‘Yes,butwe’re

continuingtosearchthebasement.’

‘Wemustsearcheveryinchofthiswretchedhotel.What’syourname?’

RosaclutchedSophia,butamandraggedthechild

away.Ashedidso,atoyrabbitthelittlegirlhadbeenholdingfelltothefloor.Apolicemankickeditoutoftheway.

‘DagmarKeufer,fromFrankfurt.Ihavepapers.Thisismydaughter,Gisela.’

TheGestapoofficerheldhishandoutforthe

papers.Helookedthemoverandsnorted,passingthemtoacolleague.

‘Ajoke!Notevengoodforgeries–thephotographslooknothinglikeyou!You,littlegirl.What’syourname?Comeon!’

HehadbentdowninfrontofSophia,handsresting

onhisknees.Sophia’seyeswerewidewithfearasshetriedtolookathermother.

‘Goon,yourname!’‘Idon’tknow.’Tears

werestreamingdownherface.

‘Youdon’tknow!Whatgirldoesn’tknowherownname,eh?It’sSophia,isn’t

it?SophiaStern?’‘Yes,’shesaid,

soundingrelieved.Edgartookhistimeinpickingupeverythinghehadremovedfromhispocketsandputtingthemback.TheywerestillsearchingforHenry:hemusthavegotawayafterall.

‘So,’saidtheGestapo

man,standingdirectlyinfrontofRosa.Asheshouted,hisspitcoveredherface.‘IfthisisSophiaStern,youmustbeRosaStern.I’mpleasedtomeetyou.’Rosasaidnothing.

‘Where’stheSwissman?’

‘Idon’tknow.’‘Hewasherewith

you?’Shenodded.‘Yes,but

heleft.’‘When?’‘Yesterday.’‘Wheredidhego.’‘Idon’tknow.’‘Washeonhisown?’Therewasalongpause

beforeRosareplied.

‘Yes.’TheGestapoofficerhit

RosasohardthatEdgarheardthecrackofbone.Leavenow,go,apolicemanwasindicating.Go.Noneofyourbusiness.

‘I’mnotgoingtotellyouanything.’Rosa’svoicewasdefiant,evenconfident.

‘Ithinkyoumaynow!’Edgarstraightenedhis

coatandmovedtowardsthedoor.HeturnedaroundtoseetheGestapomanholdingarevolveragainstSophia’shead,thebarrelburiedinthegirl’sthickhair.Oneofficersteppedbackandanotherheldoutahand,asifto

restrainthemanwiththegun.‘Youtellmeexactly

whereheisandwho’shelpingyou!’

‘ButIdon’tknow.’Rosasoundedpanicked,nolongerdefiant.

BecausehewasholdingtherevolverdirectlyagainstSophia’shead,neitherthe

soundofthegunnoritsechowerenearlyasloudasEdgarwouldhaveexpected,especiallyinarelativelyconfinedspace.Thentherewasthesilence.Edgarsteppedclosertothehotelexit,notcertainhecouldavoidbeingsick.Henoticedahorrifiedlookonthefaceof

apolicemanandbroadgrinsonthefacesofothers.Thenthescreamcame.Itwasrestrainedatfirst,likesomeonecallingfromadistance.BythetimeEdgarreachedthehotelentranceithadturnedintoawail,soloudpeopleinthestreetstoppedtoseewhatitwas.

HeturnedintoFriedrichstrasse,pausingtocomposehimselfbeforequickeninghisstridetowardsthestation.Witheverystepthattookhimawayfromthehotel,thescreambecamelouder.Heturnedintoasmallalley,crouchedbehindalargedustbinandvomited.The

noisedrownedoutthescream,butfornomorethanasecondortwo.Hewaitedaminutethenhurriedtothestation.

Duringtheshortwalk,somethingdiedinsideEdgar.Hefelttearswellinginhiseyesandhepulledhishatdownlowtohidethem.He

hadneverexperiencedanythingquiteasdreadfulasthisandwasquiteunpreparedforitsimpact.Hecontinuedtohearthescreamlongafterheenteredthestation,thenoiseofthetrainsunabletomuffleit.Thescreamwasstillringinginhisearsasheaskedtheclerkforaticket;he

hearditabovethesoundofthetrainthattookhimsouth.

ItwasthelastsoundheheardasheslippedoutofGermanythatnightandthefirstsoundheheardasheenteredSwitzerland.

***

Chapter28:Zürich,April1941EdgararrivedbackinZürichonthemorningofFriday,4th

April.Hehadstartedoutfrom

Stuttgarttheprevious

morningwellawareofhowperilousthejourneycouldbe,butthroughoutithewasaccompaniedasenseofalmostsurrealdetachment,broughtaboutbytheshockofwhathehadseenatthehotelandtheconsequencesofhisownfailuretodoanything.Haditbeenaroutinesearch

ofthehotelorhadtheybeentippedoff?Ifitwasthelatter,whocouldhavetoldthem?

HehadbeenforcedtodeceiveHenry:heknewthatpromisinghimhe’dhelpRosaandSophiaescapewastheonlywaytoensurehewouldleavethehotelwithRolf.TryingtobringRosa

andSophiawithhimbacktoSwitzerlandwasalwaysariskhesimplycouldn’tcontemplate;theywouldneverhavestoodachance.Evengoingintothebasementtowarnthemwouldhavebeentoodangerous.

ButthesightoflittleSophiabeingshotincold

bloodhadutterlyoverwhelmedhim.Forafewhours,hisdefencesweredownandhisnormallypin-sharpjudgementwasblunted.Whenhelookedbackonthatdayinthemonthsandyearsthatfollowed,herealisedthatformuchofithehardlycaredwhathappenedtohim.Itwas

notjustSophia:hedidnotwanttocontemplatewhatfateawaitedRosa,andhedoubtedMiloandherbrotherwouldsurviveeither.Forallheknew,RolfandHenrymayevenhavebeencaughtafterall.IthadbeenanutterdisasterandwhatwoulddispleaseLondonmostwas

thepossibilitythattheRussianswouldnotevengettoseetheRostockReport.But,forafewhoursthatday,itdidnotbotherhimatall.

Edgar’strance-likestatecontinuedashebrokealltherulesbynottakingthefirsttrainoutofStuttgart.Instead,afterbuyinghis

ticket,hesatinacornerofthedraughtystationbuffet,nibblingasausageandsippingatanersatzcoffeehe’dallowedtogetcold.By8.30,asenseofrealityslowlybegantoreturntohimastheinitialshockthawedandhebegantothinkmoreclearly.RolfandHenrywouldhave

triedtocrosstheborderafterSingenandhedecidedtotryadifferentroute,justincase.Hechosetowaitforatrainthatwouldgivehimotheroptionsandcaughtoneheadingsouthat9.30.Thetrainwascrowded,withalargenumberofsoldiersonboard.Abouttenminutesout

ofStuttgartawomanbrushedpasthimasshepushedherwaydownthecarriage.Evenfrombehindtherewassomethingfamiliaraboutherand,assheturnedtoopenthedoorattheotherendofthecarriage,Edgarcaughtaglimpseofherface:hadhenotthoughtthatatthat

momentshewasinthehandsoftheGestapohewouldhaveswornitwasKatarinaHoch.

HedidnotspotthewomanagainandleftthetrainatTuttlingen.Itwas11.45andaccordingtothetimetableonthewallofthedesertedforecourttherewasatraintoWaldshut-Tiengen

leavingat2.20.Waldshut-TiengensatonnorthernbankoftheRhine,withSwitzerlandontheotherside:itwouldbeasaferplacetocrosstheborder.

Theticketofficewasclosed,soEdgarwalkedintothetownandcameacrossaninn.Theinnkeeperwas

leaningagainstthebar,seeminglyintentonavoidingservinganyone.Edgarhadtopositionhimselfdirectlyinfrontofthemanandcoughloudlytoattracthisattention.Whenhediddeigntolookathisnewcustomeritwaswithapairofeyesthatneverstoppedblinking.

‘Yes?’‘I’mlookingforaroom

please,justforacoupleofhours.’

Theeyesblinkedfasterthennarrowed.‘Acoupleofhours?Whatkindofaplacedoyouthinkweare?’

‘Iamsorry,there’samisunderstanding.I’vebeen

travellingforalongwhileandI’mjustlookingforsomewheretohaveabathandchangemyclothesbeforeIreturnhometoGeneva.I’mcatchingatraininacoupleofhours.’

TheinnkeeperleanedclosertoEdgar.‘Butthejourneyfromhereto

Switzerlandwilltakeyoujusttwohours.’

‘Irealisethat,butthenIhavetotravelontoMontreux,whichmeansI’llarrivehomelate.Look,I’mhappytopaythefulldailyratefortheroomifthathelps.’

Edgarpeeleda

generousamountofReichsmarksfromhiswalletandslippedthemintotheinnkeeper’shand,whoseeyesstoppedblinkingforamoment.Hesmiledbriefly,allowingEdgaraglimpseofdirtyyellowteeth.

‘Noproblem,sir,useroomfour.Here’sthekey.

CanIsendsomefoodup?’Edgarsaidthatwould

notbenecessary,hewouldeatlater.Onceintheroomhelockedthedoor,jammedachairagainstitandplacedhissmallsuitcaseonthebed.Ittookhimtenminutestocarefullyunthreadtheliningjustfarenoughtoextracthis

Swisspapers.HewasnowMarcRassierfromMontreux.WhatremainedofKarlAlbrechtwastornupintolittlepiecesthenburntinanashtray,thecharredscrapsflusheddownthetoilet.Oncehehadwashedandchanged,Edgarwentbacktothebarandorderedlunch,leaving

theinnassoonashefeltitwasreasonabletodoso.

The2.20trainarrivedontimetotakeMarcRassiertoWaldshut-Tiengen,arrivingatthestationinthenorthofthetownathalfpastfour.AnelderlypolicemancheckedhisSwisspapersasheleftthestation.

‘Areyoutakingthebusacrosstheborder?’

Hehadsavedhimfromaskingthequestion.‘Yes.Whendoesitleave?’

‘Anhour:you’llneedtoregisterforitthough.Theyhavetocheckeveryonewhogetson.Waitoverthere–thoseladiesaregoingtoo.’

EdgarwaitedwithtwoSwiss-Germanwomen,whowerethankfullyasreservedashewouldhaveexpectedthemtobe,especiallywhentheyrealisedhewasFrench-speaking.At5.30anoisybluebuspulledupinfrontofthestation,bywhichtimeanotherfourpeoplewerein

thewaitingarea.Apolicecararrivedandayoungofficer,wearingasmartraincoatandleathergloves,checkedeveryone’spaperwork.

‘What’sbeenthepurposeofyourvisittoGermany,HerrRassier?Ineedtoknowwhereyou’vevisitedintheReich.’

EdgaraffectedbrokenGerman.Iamsorry;myGermanispoor.DoyouspeakFrenchperhaps?

Hedidn’t.OneoftheSwiss-Germanladiesexplainedtotheofficerthiswastypical.‘Theymakenoeffort:theyexpectustospeakFrenchbutyouneverhear

themspeakGerman!’ShespoketoEdgarin

slowFrench.‘Hewantstoknowwhereyou’vebeeninGermany.’

Edgarlaunchedintoalengthytravelogue,coveringasmuchofGermanyashecouldmanageandspeakingquickly.TheSwiss-German

ladyclearlydidnotunderstandtoomuchofwhathesaid.

‘I’mnotterriblysure,sir,’shetoldthepoliceofficer.‘Theyspeaksofast.HeseemstohavebeeninMunichandelsewhereinBavaria,asfarasIcangather.Hesayshehasmany

documentsifyouwanttocheckthem.’

Behindthemthequeuehadlengthened.Theofficercheckedthepapersagain.‘AndyouenteredGermanywhere?’

Edgarmanagedtolookirritatedandtookbackhispassport.‘Look,itsayshere–

Munich;bytrain,oneweekago.’

‘Isee.Youmayboardnow.’

Itwasapproachingsixo’clockwhenthebuspulledawayfromthestation,drivingslowlythroughthetownandoverthebridgecrossingtheRhine.Oncetheywereonthe

Swissside,theypulledalongsideanarrowbuilding,wheretheirpaperswerecheckedbytheSwisspolice.HalfanhourlaterthebushadarrivedinBaden.Itwasseveno’clockandhewasbackinSwitzerland,butfeltlittlesenseofelation.

‘Whattimeisthenext

bustoZürich?’heaskedthedriver.

‘Aquarterpastseven.’‘AnddoIcatchitfrom

here?’‘Yes.’Thedriverhad

turnedofftheengineandwaslockingup,anxioustoleave.

Edgarputhissuitcasedownandsettledonthe

benchinsidethesmallbusshelter.Thedriversetoff,turningaroundafterhehadwalkedpastEdgar.

‘Iwouldn’tmakeyourselftoocomfortable.Itleavesatquarterpastseveninthemorning.’

***

Itwas8.30ontheFridaymorningwhenEdgarwalkedslowlyacrossBasteiplatztothesmallapartmentabovethehardwareshop.HehadthoughtabouttelephoningBasilRemington-BarberfromBadenthepreviousnightorwhenhearrivedinZürich,

buthaddecidedagainstit.Afewhours’sleepinasmallinninBadenhadclearedhismindandnowtheenormityofwhathadhappenedwashittinghimhard.HeneededtimetoconsiderquitehowtoexplainthisdisastertoLondon:adebacle,theywouldcallit,thesepeople

whoseonlyexperienceofdangerwasdodgingthetrafficaroundTrafalgarSquareonthewaytotheirclubs.HewouldprobablyendupinWaleslookingaftermunitions,ifhewaslucky.

Remington-Barberansweredthedoor,lookingasifhehadseenaghost.Inthe

loungeRolfandHenryweresittingaroundthetable.Itwasawhilebeforeanyonesaidanything.

‘Well,thisisquitesomereunion,’saidRemington-Barberfinally,soundingquitejolly.

‘Whendidyoutwoarrive?’Edgarasked.

‘Yesterday,’saidRolf,whohadnowcomeovertoEdgarandwasshakinghimwarmlybythehand.Henrywashalf-standing,half-sitting,sayingnothingandpeeringbeyondEdgar,lookingtoseeifanyonewasbehindhim.

‘Plainsailing?’asked

Edgar,asheremovedhishatandcoat,anddroppedthemontothearmchair.

‘Surprisinglyso,’saidRolf.‘WhenwearrivedatthestationinStuttgartIsawthetraintoSingenwasdelayeduntilfouro’clock,buttherewasonetoUlmleavingalmostimmediately.From

there,wefoundanothertrainwasleavingsoonforFriedrichshafen.WebookedintoahoteloverlookingthelakeandyesterdaymorningwetookabustoKonstanz.WecrossedtheborderthereusingourSwisspassportsthentookatraintoZürich.’

‘Wherearethey,

Edgar?’HenryhadstoodupnowandwalkedpastEdgarintothehallway.Heopenedthedooroftheapartment,camebackinandwalkedovertothewindowoverlookingBasteiplatz.

‘Youpromisedmeyou’dbringRosaandSophiawithyou.Wherethehellare

they?’Hisvoicehadanurgenttonetoit,louderandmorebrokenthanusual.

EdgarsignalledtoRolftostandbythedoor.‘SitdownHenry.’Heledhimovertothesofaandsathimdown,thenplacedhimselfinthearmchair.

‘I’mafraidthey’renot

here.I’msorry.’‘Wherearethey?’Edgarhesitated:hehad

rehearsedseveralversionsofwhattosayinanswertothisinevitablequestionandwasquicklydecidingwhichonetouse.

‘I’msorryHenry,Ireallyam…Buttheywere

arrestedbeforeIhadachancetogetthemoutofthehotel.I…’

‘Arrestedbywhom?’HenryhadstoodupfromthesofaandonlysatwhenRemington-Barberguidedhimdownwithafirmhandonhisshoulder.

‘Don’tshout,’said

Edgar.‘IpromiseyouthisissomethingIregretjustasmuchasyoudo,butI’msorrytosayitwastheGestapo.TheymusthavecometothehotellateontheWednesdaynight.I’mnotsurewhathappened,butbecauseMilohadn’tmadecontactwithmeIdecidedtogodownandfind

herataroundoneinthemorning.AsIwentdown,IsawshewasbeingquestionedinthereceptionareaandIheardthemsaytheyweregoingtosearchthehotelinthemorning.Therewerepoliceeverywhere.Iwentbacktomyroomandremainedthereuntilsevenin

themorning.IftherewasanywayIcouldhavegonedowntothebasementIwouldhavedone,buteverytimeIlookedoutthedoortherewerepolicepatrollingthecorridor.WhenIwentdowntocheckout,IsawRosaandSophiabeingledaway.’

‘Andyoudidn’ttryto

warnthemoranything?’Henrywasshoutingso

loudlynowthatRolfshutthewindowsandRemington-Barberslammedtheloungedoor.

‘ItoldyouHenry,Ijustdidn’tgetachance,Ipromiseyou.TheGestapowereallovertheplace.Iwasworried

thatifIwentdownintothebasementIcouldbecaughtandthatwouldalertthebastardstosearchdownthere.I…’

Henryhadbeguntocry.Itstartedasagentlesobbingbutwithinaminutehadturnedintouncontrollableweeping,tearsstreakinghis

cheeks.Remington-Barberstoodawkwardlyinfrontofhimholdingoutahandkerchief,whileRolfsatnexttoHenryandplacedanarmaroundhisshoulder,butnothingwouldconsolehim.Hewasgrief-strickenandeveryoneintheroomknewtherewasnothingtobesaid

thatcouldbeinanywayreassuring.

Henrydidnothingotherthanweepforfiveminutes.Bynow,Remington-BarberhadtakenEdgar’splaceinthearmchair.Heheldaglassofwaterandinhisopenhandweretwolargewhitetablets.

‘Taketheseoldchap:

they’llhelpyourestandwhenyouwakeupitwillbewithaclearerhead.’Henrylookedatthetabletsandtookthemoneatatime.Withinfiveminuteshewasstretchedoutonthesofa,fastasleep.Theywaitedanotherfiveminutesthencarriedhimintothebedroom,whichRolf

lockedfromtheoutside.‘He’llnotwakefor

mostoftheday.’‘Well,beforehedoes,

weneedtochecksomething,’saidEdgar.

TheyemptiedallHenry’spossessionsonthefloorandsearchedthemcarefully,payingparticular

attentiontothetrouserstheyhadlastseeninthehotelroominStuttgart.Thereporttheyhadfoundtherewasnowheretobeseen.AsfarastheRussianswereconcerned,hewouldhaveservedhispurpose.

‘Well,that’sarelief,’saidRemington-Barber.

‘ThankyouBasil.Ionlytoldhimhalfofit,youknow.’

‘Wellwhateveryoudo,betternottotellhimtheotherhalf,’saidRolf.‘InthehotelinFriedrichshafenlastnightwegottalking:IwastellinghimaboutFrieda,myfiancéeinVienna–aboutnothaving

anyideaofwhat’shappenedtoherandallthat.Henryopenedupabit:IcantellyouhewasabsolutelysetonrescuingRosaandthechild.Heregardeditasamission,themostimportantthinginhislife.Idon’tthinkloveorromancecomesintoit,hekeptgoingonabouthowifhe

savedRosathenhecouldsavehimself.Iaskedhimtotellmemore,buthesaiditwastooterribletotalkabout.Ittorturedhimtoeventhinkaboutit.Hesaidhehopedthatoncewe’drescuedRosaandherdaughter,he’dfindsomesortofpeace.Heclammedupafterthat.’

‘Weretheykilled?’‘Thelittlegirlwas,

Basil.Shotincoldblood,justyardsfromme.Godknowswhatthey’vedonetoRosa.Inthe…’

‘Areyoualright,Edgar?Youseemabitchokedupyourself.Wouldyoulikeacoupleofthese

pills?’Edgarhadmovedover

tothetable,hisbacktoRemington-BarberandRolf.Forawhilehesaidnothing.Whenhedid,itwasinanunusuallyfalteringvoice.

‘Betternot,weneedtotalk.I’llhelpmyselftothisScotch,ifyoudon’tmind

Basil.Rolf,youtellmewhathappenedwhenyougotbackhere.That’sthemostimportantthingrightnow.’

RolfandRemington-BarberjoinedEdgaratthetable.

‘IdidexactlyasyousaidEdgar,’saidRolf.‘AssoonaswearrivedinZürichI

bookedusintoasmallhotelonLöwenstrasse.OncewewereintheroomItoldHenrytowaitwhileIwentdownthereceptionandfromthereIwasabletocallBasilandhealertedmywatchers.IstayedintheroomwithHenryforanhour,bywhichtimeIreckonedmymenwouldbe

inposition,soItoldhimIwasgoingoutforacoupleofhourstofindoutwhereBasilwasandtoseewhenit’dbesafeforustocomehere.Isaidhecouldgoforawalkifhefancied,butnottogofarandcertainlytobetherewhenIgotback.IwalkedoffdownLöwenstrasse.Mywatchers

sayheleftthehotelfiveminuteslaterandwentintoabaracrosstheroadtousethephone.Hestayedinthebarforabout15minutesandwasdoinghisbesttoseeifhewasbeingwatched.Thenheleftthebarandwalkeduptothestation.HemetupwithViktorbyoneofthesuburban

platformsandmywatcherssaytheysawHenryhandanenvelopeovertohim.TheyspokeforaboutfiveminutesthenHenrymadehiswaybacktothehotel.WhenIreturned,ItoldhimI’dmadecontactwithBasilandweweretocomehereandwaitforyou–andhereweare.’

EdgarleanedoverandpattedtheAustrianonthearm.‘WelldoneRolf,welldone.MaybeLondonwon’tseethisasquitethetotaldisasterIfearedtheymight.’

‘Isupposethatmeanseverythinghasworkedoutratherwellintheend,ehEdgar?’saidRemington-

Barber.‘RatheragainsttheoddsImustsay,butthegoingturnedouttobeinourfavour.I’velostmycellinStuttgart,whichisadamnshame,butthentheydidlastsomewhatlongerthanIthoughttheywould.’

‘Can’tyouseewestillhaveaseriousproblem,

Basil?’‘NotsureI’mwithyou,

Edgar.Tragicaboutthelittlegirlandonewouldn’tratethechancesofhermother,Miloorherbrotherveryhighly,butsurelyintermsofour…’

‘ThinkBasil,think.Henry’stheproblem.’

‘Buthehandedthe

documentovertotheRussiansand…’

‘Yes,butconsiderthis:theGermanswereclearlyafteraHenriHessefromSwitzerland.Theyknewhewasthemanwho’dtakenRosaandSophiafromBerlin.Nodoubtthey’llinformtheSwiss,who’lltakeaverydim

viewofthisindeed.ThelastthingtheywantisforoneoftheircitizenstouseSwitzerlandasabasetocausetroublefortheGermans:they’renotkeenonbitingthehandthatfeedsthem,arethey?’

‘No.’‘Henryentered

Switzerlandyesterdayonfalsepapers,whichbuysussometime–butthat’snotalong-termsolution.Eitherhestayshiddenfortherestofthewar,whichtomeisn’tfeasibleorhereturnstoGenevaunderhisproperidentity.’

‘Isee…Andgets

arrestedbytheSwiss,nodoubt.’

‘Yes,’saidEdgar.‘Andthinkthenoftheimplicationsforallourworkhereifhestartstospillthebeans.TheSwisswillknowwhatwe’reupto,sowilltheGermansandquitepossiblytheSoviets,too.’

‘Ifhestartstospillthebeans,surely.’

Edgarstoodup,brushedhimselfdownandloosenedhistie.

‘We’renotgoingtobeabletotakethatriskBasil.’

***

TheyleftZürichinthemiddleoftheafternoononMonday7thApril.Rolf,whowasdriving,hadborrowedaCitroenTUBvanfromanotherofhiscontacts,andEdgarandRemington-Barbersatnexttohiminthefront.TheyheadedsouththenpassedthroughLuzern,

SarnenandthevalleysofUnterwalden.

Theydroveslowly:theywereinnohurry,hadnodesiretodrawattentiontothemselvesandinanycasethevanmadeworryingnoiseswhenitfeltitwasbeingpushedtoohard.‘Ratherlikeawoman,’Basilhadsaid,but

noneofthemwereinthemoodforhumour.

Itwasonlyseveno’clockwhentheyarrivedinBrienzand,despiteeverything,itwasstilltooearly.Theywouldneedtobuysometime.Theyfoundasmallinnwithenoughspacetoparkthevanattheback,in

theshadows,andtookitinturnstogoinside,onebyone.Thoughnoneofthemwouldadmitit,no-onewantedtobeleftinthevanontheirown.

EdgarandRemington-Barberwereinthevantogetherataroundeighto’clock.Theoldermanattemptedtobreakthe

silence.‘Rumbusinessthis,

Edgar.’Edgarsaidnothing,but

noddedhishead.Rumbusiness,noquestionofthat:messyonetoo.

‘Lordknowswhat’llhappenifwe’restopped.’

‘Itoldyou,Basil.

You’reaBritishdiplomat:youhaveyourpapers.You’reonEmbassybusiness.Theycan’ttouchyouorthevan.Pleasestopworrying.’

‘Butif…if…anythinggoeswrong,allhellwillbreakloose.HeavensknowwhatLondonwillhavetosay.’

‘Basil,’Edgarturnedaroundtofacehiscolleague.‘Whateverhappenswillbemoreacceptablethanthealternative.And,inanycase,nothing’sgoingtogowrong.Pullyourselftogether.’

TheyleftBrienzat8.30,astwilightturnedtodarkness,anddrovealongthe

northshoreofthelake,stoppinginasidestreetinInterlakenforanotherhourtolettheskiesdarkenfurtherandensuretheyhadn’tbeenfollowed.

Itwasteno’clockwhentheypulledoutofthetown,drivingalongthetrackacrossthenorthshoreofLakeThun.

Itwasonlyafewdayspastthenewmoonandthat,alongwiththethickbanksoftreesoneithersideofthetrack,ensuredtheywerenowdrivinginneartotalblackness.Rolfbroughtthespeedofthevandowntotenmilesanhour.Shortlyaftertheypassedasignfor

Steinbruchtheyspottedaclearingtotheirleft,andEdgartoldRolftopullin.Waithere.

Edgarcheckedhistorchandrevolveranddisappearedintothetrees.Hewasgoneforfiveminutes.‘This’lldo,’hesaid.‘Thelakeisjustthroughthetreesandthere’sa

decentslopewhich’llhelpus.Rolf,reverseasfarasyoucanintothetreesthenwecantakethedinghydownfirst.’

Oncetheyhadplacedthedinghybytheshoretheywalkedbacktothevan.

‘Howfaroutwillweneedtogo?’askedRemington-Barber.

‘ThunissupposedtobeoneofthedeepestlakesinSwitzerland:fiveminutesrowingshouldgetusoutasfarasweneed.’

Theystruggledfromthemomenttheyhauleditoutofthebackofthevan,thethreeofthemmanhandlingitanddraggingitthroughthetrees.

TheypausedtwiceforBasilRemington-Barbertothrowupand,oncethey’dreachedthedinghy,theyreturnedtothevanfortheropesandweights.Bythetimetheypushedthedinghyintotheseeminglysolidlakeitwas11.30andtheworldaroundthemwascompletelysilent.

EdgarandRolfroweduntiltheyfelttheywerefarenoughout.

‘Youdoyourbesttoholdtheboatsteady,Basil:RolfandIwilldotherest.’

‘Shouldn’twe…Idon’tknow…saysomething?’

‘Likewhat,Basil?’‘Aprayer,perhaps?

Seemsthedecentthingtodo.’

‘Ifyoumust,Basil.Bequickthough.’

BasilRemington-BarbermutteredhiswaythroughPsalm23,pausingafterthewords‘stillwaters’andstrugglingwiththe‘walkthroughthevalleyofthe

shadowofdeath’,soundingdecidedlytearfulbytheend.

Thenthedeedwasdone.Ittookthemlessthanfiveminutestorowbacktoshore.Backinthevan,no-onesaidaworduntiltheysawthelightsofBern.

‘Ididn’tknowyouwerethereligioustype,

Basil.’‘I’mnot,Edgar.Church

everysooftenandallthat,butnothingserious.Whydoyoumentionit?’

‘Knowingthewholeofthatpsalm,offbyheart.’

Anironiclaugh.‘Forcedtolearnitatprepschool.Thechaplainwould

beatthelivingdaylightsoutofyouifyougotonewordwrong.NeverimaginedI’dhavecausetouseit,notlikethatatanyrate.IwasthinkingwhileIwasrecitingit,youknow.Thatreferencetothe“presenceofmineenemies”:whowouldyousayhisenemieswere?’

ItwasalongwhilebeforeEdgarreplied.

‘Everyonewashisenemy,Basil.That,I’mafraid,isaconsequenceofservingmorethanonemaster.’

***

IthadtakentwodaysforHenryHunter,whosebodytheyhadconsignedtothedepthsofLakeThun,todie.

OnceEdgarhadpersuadedBasilRemington-Barbertheyhadnoalternative,theycameupwithaplan.TheywokeHenryupattwoo’clockinthe

afternoon,whenhewasstilldrowsy,andmadehimdrinksomewater,intowhichtheyhaddissolvedsevenofthetablets.Theywereconvincedhewouldnotwakeup,butoneofthemremainedintheroomwithhimallthetime.Althoughhisbreathingbecamemoreshallowandat

timesheappearedtobeonthevergeofslippingaway,heheldonthroughSaturdayandbytheSundaymorninghisbreathingsoundedstronger.Theycrushedadozentabletsintoasaucerandturneditintoapastewithabitofwaterwhichtheyspoonedinhismouth,butstruggledto

getmuchofitdownhim.StillHenryhungon.By

theSundayeveningtheywereconvincedtheyneededtodosomethingelse.Remington-Barberwasinaterriblestate,red-eyed,shakingandpacingaroundtheapartment.Hehadconvincedhimselfsomethingwasboundtogowrongand

theywouldallbearrested,creatingadiplomaticincidentintheprocess.Rolfsuggestedhewentoutforawalk.EdgarandRolfstoodatthewindowwatchinghimcrossBasteiplatzandthennoddedtoeachother.Weneedtogetonwithit.

Edgarremovedhis

jacketandrolleduphissleeves,andthetwomenenteredthebedroom.Henrywasnowstirringandmakingnoisesasthoughheweretryingtospeak.AsEdgarapproachedhim,Henryhalf-openedhiseyesandhismouthmoved.

‘Comeon,Rolf,quick.’

‘He’stryingtosaysomething,Edgar.’

‘Exactly:let’sgetonwithit.’

ThesoundscomingfromHenry’smouthwereindistinct,butjustbeforeEdgarputthepillowoverhisfaceandRolfheldhimdown,therewasonewordtheyboth

heardclearly.Rosa.Therewasaverybrief

andone-sidedstruggle,buttheybothagreedafterwardsitwasprobablypainless.Hewouldhavebeentoodruggedtoknowwhatwasgoingon,theyassuredeachother.

‘Hecouldn’thaveknownathing,’saidRolf.

EdgarstraightenedhissleevesasheturnedtotheAustrian.

‘Heknewtoomuch.’

***

EpilogueRosaSternwastakentotheGestapoheadquartersintheoldHotelSilberbuildingonDorotheenstrasse,justsouthoftheSchlossplatzandnotfarfromtheHotelVictoria.Shewasinsuchastateofshockshedidnotuttera

word.Shesatverystillinhercell,staringatthewall,herhandscrossedneatlyonherlapandhermouthslightlyopen,occasionallybreakingintotheslightestofsmiles.ApsychiatristbroughtinbytheGestapoassuredthemshewasnotputtinganythingon.Itwas,hetoldthem,oneof

themostextremecasesofcatatoniahehadeverseen.Couldshe,byanychance,havebeensubjectedtoaserioustraumarecently?

‘Soshe’sgonemadthen?’theGestapoofficerasked.

‘Youcouldputitlikethat:Ifindit’smuchmore

commonthesedays.’Theytriedfora

fortnight,convincedthatwhenshedidspeakshewouldhaveplentytoreveal.WhowashelpingherinBerlin,forinstance?WherehadHessegone?

ButRosasaidnothing,sittingquietly,occasionally

swayingveryslowlyasiflisteningtoapieceofsoothingmusicandonceinawhilemouthingsomethingsilenttothewall.Intheend,aGestapoofficerstormedintohercellandheldhisrevolverinfrontofher,buttherewasstillnoreaction.Whenhehitherhardaroundthefaceshe

didn’tmakeanoiseandstayedinthesamepositionasshehadlandedonthefloor.Whenhekneltbesideherandreleasedthesafetycatchshedidnotblink.Heshotherfourtimes,onlystoppingwhenhisgunjammed.

***

RosaStern’sfirsthusband,GunterReinhart,managedtoavoidsuspicion.HewasquestionedontwooccasionsthatApril,butwasabletopersuadetheGestapothatHessewasamerecourierfromoneofthemanySwissbankshedealtwithandhis

contactwithhimwasconfinedtothehandingoverofdocuments.IwishIcouldhelp,butIreallyrememberlittleabouthim…Hewassuchaninconsequentialman.

ReinhartassuredtheGestapohehadnothadanycontactwithhisfirstwifesincetheirdivorcein1935

andithadbeenmanyyearssincehehadseenhisson.Thelasthehadheard,AlfredwasinFrance.TheGestapoofficerassuredhimthiswasoneofanumberofunresolvedaspectsofthiscase.

***

FranzHermannalsoavoidedcomingundersuspicion.Becauseheknewthewomanwholivedoppositehadalreadycontactedthepolice,hedecidedtorisktakingmattersintohisownhands.Withhismothersafelyathissister’sinBrandenburg,he

wenttohislocalpolicestationinDahlemandreportedthenursehehadhiredtolookafterherhaddisappeared.ShementionedsomethingaboutherhusbandbeingkilledandhavingtoreturntoBremerhaven,butnowI’mnotsure…Andaveryhelpfulneighbourtold

meshe’dseenthenurseleavethehousewithamanandayounggirl,anddriveoffinanOpel.IhopeI’mnotwastingyourtime,butI’mbecomingverysuspicious…

TheGestapoofficerinchargeofinvestigatingthewholebusinessofHenriHesseandRosaandSophia

decidedhebelievedFranzHermann’saccount:afterall,hadnotthelawyerreportedthematterhimselftothepolice?

FranzHermann’sgoodfortuneonlylasteduntilJuly1944whenhewasoneofmanythousandsofpeoplearrestedaftertheattempton

Hitler’slife.AlthoughtheGestaponeversuspectedhimofbeingaBritishagent,therewasenoughcircumstantialevidencetolinkhimwiththeresistancetoHitlerandhewassenttoSachsenhausenconcentrationcamp,wherehewasmurderedinNovember1944.

***

EdgarandBasilRemington-BarberagreedthatasMarleneHessehadbeenunawareofherson’sintelligenceactivities,anycontactwithherwouldbecounter-productive.Shehadwaited

untilthesecondweekofAprilbeforereportinghersonmissingtothepoliceinGeneva.Theycouldtellhernothing,butappearedtobeveryinterestedinwhatshecouldtellthem:couldHerrHessehaveperhapstravelledtoGermany?Couldsheprovidealistofhisassociates

inSwitzerland?Sheinsistedsheknewnothingandpromisedtoletthemknowifsheheardfromherson.

MarleneHesse’sincomedisappearedalongwithherson.EdgarwasadamantitwouldbetoosuspiciousifanymoneywastransferredfromHenry’s

accountatCreditSuisse.Thelastthingweneed:whatifshetellstheSwisspoliceandtheytryandtrackthemoney?They’regoodatthattypeofthing.MadameLadnierwasprevailedupontoclosetheaccountandensuretherewasnotraceofithavingeverexisted.

HerreducedcircumstancesmeantMarleneHessehadtomovetoadrabbedsitinablockbetweentworailwaylines,earningalivingasacleaner.

***

Viktorwasnotaltogether

surprisedHenryhaddisappearedafterhehandedtheRostockReportovertohimattherailwaystation.HehadlongwonderedwhentheBritishwoulddiscoverthemantheyhadrecruitedasanagentin1939hadbeenaSovietspyformanyyearsbeforethat.Moscowseemed

pleasedwiththeRostockReport:itreassuredthemaGermaninvasionwasunlikelyandStalinuseditasvindicationofhisconvictionthatreportsofinvasionplanswerejusttheBritishbeingmischievous.ViktorwaswellawarethatHenry’sdisappearancecouldcast

doubtontheveracityofthereport,sohedecidedtosaynothingtoMoscow:iftheywerepleased,whyupsetthem?

AsfarasHenrywasconcerned,heassumedEdgarhadkilledhim,whichwaswhathisservicewouldhavedoneinthesame

circumstances.Itwasashame:helikedsynokandhehadbeenagoodagent,buthehadlastedfarlongerthanViktorhadexpected.InearlyJune,hetoldMoscowHenryhadbeenrecalledtoLondon.

ViktorKrasotkin’sencounterswithBritishIntelligenceresumedinearly

1944whenheturnedupinVienna,whereheremaineduntilatleasttheendofthewar.

***

RolfEdercontinuedtoworkforBritishintelligence.Edgarhadbeensoimpressedbyhim

thatwhenhebecameinvolvedinplansforaclandestinemissioninsideAustriahehadnohesitationinrecommendingRolf.HeslippedintoViennainearly1944andwasstilloperatingtherewhentheRedArmyliberatedthecityinApril1945.

***

CaptainEdgarreturnedtoLondonsoonafterHenryHunter’sdeath.Themissionwasdeemedasuccessbythosewhopronouncedonsuchthings,thoughitwasalsoacknowledgedithadnot

beenwithoutitsunfortunateaspects.OperationBarbarossameantGermanycommitteditselftofightingontwofrontsinEuropeandBritishmilitarychiefswereconvincedthiswasafatalerror.Edgarwascreditedwithhavingrunasuccessfulintelligenceoperation,helpingtoensure

theSovietUnionwasattheveryleastconfusedastoGermanintentionsandatbest–thankstotheRostockReport–convincedtherewouldbenoinvasion.

TheEnd

Author’snoteTheSwissSpyisaworkoffictionand,withafewobviousexceptions,allthecharactersinthebookarefictional.Havingsaidthat,thebookisbasedonactual

historicaleventsandinthatrespectIhaveendeavouredtobeasauthenticandaccurateaspossible.

Therewasindeedahigh-levelmeetingofseniorGermanmilitaryfiguresintheBavariantownofBadReichenhallinJuly1940,whereplanstoinvadethe

SovietUnionwerefirstdiscussed,notwithstandingthefactthetwocountriesweresupposedlyboundbyaNon-AggressionPactatthetime.Hitler’sDirectiveno21referredtointhebookisgenuine:itwasreleasedon18thDecemberthatyearandoutlinedplansforOperation

Barbarossa,theinvasionoftheSovietUnion.TheRostockReportfeaturedinthebookisaworkoffiction.

OperationBarbarossabeganon22ndJune1941andHitlerexpectedtoconcludeitwithinjustafewmonths.Intheevent,itendedindisasterforGermany.Theyfailedto

reachMoscowbythetimetheRussianwintertookhold,allowingtheRedArmytoregroupandpushtheGermansback.TheGermanssufferedacrushingdefeatintheBattleofStalingradinFebruary1943andOperationBagrationinJune1944wasthestartofGermany’sdefeat

ontheeasternfront.Thereisagooddealof

evidencetoshowtheSovietUnionignoreddozensofcredibleintelligencereportsabouttheplannedGermaninvasion.Manyofthesecamefromtheirownintelligenceservices,includingacopyofahandbooktobeusedby

GermantroopsintheSovietUnion,whichwaspassedontotheSovietEmbassyinBerlinbyaGermanCommunistprinter.AsfortheBritishintelligence,Stalinwasconvincedthesereportsweredisinformation,designedtoprovokeawarbetweentheSovietUnionand

Germany.Hedescribedthemas‘Englishprovocation’.SothoughthemissionsatthecoreofTheSwissSpyarefictionalones,theideaofBritishintelligenceusingothersourcestoinformtheSovietUnionwouldbequiteinkeepingwithwhatwashappeningatthetime.

Ihavedonemybesttoensuredetailssuchasstreetnames,thelocationsofembassies,railwaystations,airportsandothernamedbuildingsandplacesareaccurate.Manyofthehotelsreferredtointhebookexistedand,insomecases,stilldo.TheAdloninBerlinseemsto

bethepreferredhotelinmostSecondWorldWarespionagenovels,butinfactboththeExcelsiorandtheKaiserhof,whereHenryHunterstayed,wereequallyprominentatthetime.BothweredestroyedbyAlliedbombing,aswastheHotelVictoriainStuttgart,whichhadbeenthemain

hotelinthecity.Readersmaywonder

whetheritreallywaspossibletoflyoncommercialroutesinEuropeduringtheSecondWorldWar.Theansweristhatitwas,mostcommonlyifthedepartureordestinationairportswereinneutralcountries.MuntadasAirport

inBarcelonawasamajorhubfortravelaroundEurope,aswasPortelaAirportinLisbonandZürichAirport.Duringthewar,WhitchurchAirportinBristolreplacedCroydonAirportasGreatBritain’smaincommercialterminal:thesiteisnowahousingestate.InJune1943aBOAC

flightfromLisbontoBristolwasshotdownbytheLuftwaffeovertheBayofBiscay.Allfourcrewand13passengerswerekilled,includingthefamousBritishactorLeslieHoward.ItwasoneofveryfewattacksoncivilianflightsinEuropeduringthewar.Thenamesof

theairlines,thetypeofaircraftusedandtheflightdetailsinthebookare,tothebestofmyknowledge,accurate.

TheRomanCatholiccathedralofStHedwigwasdestroyedinanAlliedairraidinMarch1943(ithassincebeenreconstructed).

AlthoughFatherJosefisfictional,apriestatStHedwig,BernhardLichtenberg,wasarrestedforpubliclyprotestingatNazipoliciestowardsJewsandtheeuthanasiaprogramme.HediedwhilebeingtransportedtoDachauinNovember1943.

Thisisprobablynotthe

placetogointodetailabouttheconsiderablecomplicityoftheSwissbanksintheNaziwareffort.However,itiswellestablishedtherewasanactiverelationship,tosaytheleast,betweentheReichsbankandmostofthemajorSwissbanks,includingBankLeu.BankLeuwasan

independentbankuntilitbecamepartofCreditSuissein1990.

TosavefellowfootballfanstheeffortIhadtogoto,IcanassureyouthematchbetweenSportingLisbonandBarreirensethatfeaturesinChapter15didactuallytakeplaceonthe9thFebruary

1941–andSportingdidindeedwin2-0.

Iwouldliketothankmyagent,GordonWiseatCurtisBrownandhiscolleagueRichardPikefortheirhelp,encouragementandsoundadvice.Gordonrightlyhasanoutstandingreputationasan

agentandIrealisehowfortunateIamtobeoneofhisclients.Iwouldalsoliketothankmypublishers,Studio28,andespeciallyitseditorsRufusPurdyandAliceLutyens.RufusfirstsawTheSwissSpywhenImistakenlythoughtitwasthefinishedarticle:thefacthehas

contributedsosignificantlytoitscurrentstateistestamenttohiseditorialbrilliance.

And,finally,mythanksandlovetomydaughtersAmyandNicoleandmywife,Sonia.Itcannotbeeasylivingwithawriter,notleastonewhowondersaloudhowtokillsomeoneandwho,at

times,livesexclusivelyinaworldthatexistedmorethan70yearsago.Asateacher,Soniaisaveryastuteandfrankreader:draftchaptersarereturnedwithplentyofannotationsinredbiro,theoccasionaltickcompensatingforthemorefrequentexclamationmarks.

AlexGerlisLondon,February2015

Alsoavailable

TheBestofOurSpies

AlexGerlis’sthrillingdebutnovel

France,July1944:amonth

aftertheAlliedlandingsinNormandyandtheliberationofEuropeisunderway.InthePasdeCalais,NathalieMercier,ayoungBritishSpecialOperationsExecutivesecretagentworkingwiththeFrenchResistance,disappears.InLondon,herhusbandOwenQuinn,an

officerwithRoyalNavyIntelligence,discoversthetruthaboutherroleintheAllies’sophisticateddeceptionattheheartofD-Day.Appalledbutdetermined,QuinnsetsoffonaperiloushuntthroughFranceinsearchofhiswife.Withthehelpofthe

ResistancehefindsNathalie,butthenthebitternessofwaranditsinsatiableappetiteforrevenge,catchupwiththemindramaticfashion.BasedonrealeventsoftheSecondWorldWar,TheBestofOurSpiesisathrillingtaleofinternationalintrigue,love,

deceptionandespionage.Readanexcerptnow:

Chapter1:NorthernFrance,May1940Thefirsttimetheysaw

GermantroopswasaroundeighthoursaftertheyhadleftAmiens.

Fearhadsweptthroughthe20ofthem,mostlystrangerswhohadsilentlycometogetherbyhappeningtobeonthesameroadatthesametimeandmovinginthesamedirection.‘Don’thead

north,’theyhadbeenwarnedinAmiens.‘You’rewalkingintoabattle.’

Someoftheoriginalgrouphadheededthatadviceandstayedinthetown.Adozenofthemhadcarriedon.Theywererefugeesnow,sotheykeptmoving.Ithadquicklybecomeahabit,they

couldn’tstopthemselves.Atall,stoopedman

calledMarcelhadassumedtheroleofleaderandguide.Hewasadentist,fromChartres,hetoldthem.Therestofthegroupnoddedandwerehappytofollowhim.

Marceldecidedthemainroadwouldbetoo

dangerous,sotheydroppeddowntofollowthepathoftheSomme,passingthroughthesmallvillagesthathuggedtheriverasittwistedthroughPicardy.Thevillageswereunnaturallysilent,apartfromtheangrybarkingofdogsthattookturnstoescortthemthroughtheirterritory.

Anxiousvillagerspeeredfrombehindpartiallydrawncurtainsorhalf-closedshutters.

Occasionally,achildwouldventureouttostareatthem,butwouldquicklybecalledhomebyanurgentshout.Somevillagerswouldcomeoutandofferthem

waterandalittlefood,butwererelievedtoseethemmoveon.Refugeesmeantwarandno-onewantedthewartolingerintheirvillage.Inacoupleoftheplaces,oneortwomorerefugeesjoinedthem.No-oneaskedtojoin,no-onewasrefused.Theyjusttaggedalong,swellingtheir

numbers.Ontheoutskirtsofthe

villageofAilly-sur-Sommeamiddle-agedcouplecameoutfromtheircottageandofferedthegroupwaterandfruit.Theysatonthegrassvergewhilethecoupleappearedtoarguequietlyintheirdoorway.Andthat’swhen

theycalledherout.‘Madame,pleasecan

wehaveawordwithyou?’Shewassittingnearest

tothehouse,butwasn’tsureiftheymeanther.Shelookedaroundincasetheywereaddressingsomeoneelse.

‘Please,couldwespeakwithyou?’themanasked

again.Shewalkedslowlyover

tothedoorway.Maybetheyhadtakenpityonherandweregoingtoofferameal.Orabed.Shesmiledatthecouple.Behindthem,inthegloomofthehallway,shecouldmakeoutapairofpiercingeyes.

‘Madame.Youseemadecentlady.Pleasehelpus.’Themansoundeddesperate.‘Aladypassedthroughthevillagelastweek.’

Therewasapause.‘FromParis,’hiswife

added.‘Yes,shewasfrom

Paris.Shesaidshehadtofind

somewhereintheareatohideandaskedustolookafterherdaughter.Shepromisedshe’dbebackforherinadayortwo.Shesaidshe’dpayusthen.Shepromisedtobegenerous.Butthatwasaweekago.Wecan’tlookafterthegirlanylonger.TheGermanscouldarriveanyday

now.Youmusttakeher!’Shelookedaround.The

groupwasgettingupnow,preparingtomoveon.

‘Whyme?’sheasked.‘Becauseyoulook

decentandmaybeifyou’refromacityyou’llunderstandherways.Areyoufromacity?’

Shenodded,whichtheytookassomekindofassent.Thewomanusheredthegirlfrominsidethecottage.Shelookednomorethansixyearsold,withdarkeyesandlongcurlyhair.Shewasdressedinawell-madebluecoatandhershoesweresmartandpolished.Apale-brown

leathersatchelhungacrosshershoulders.

‘Hername’sSylvie,’themansaid.HiswifetookSylvie’shandandplaceditinthewoman’s.

‘Butwhataboutwhenhermotherreturns?’

Thewifewasalreadyretreatingintothedark

interiorofthecottage.‘Areyoucoming?’It

wasMarcel,callingouttoherashestartedtoleadthegroupoff.Hisvoicesoundedalmostjolly,asiftheywereonaweekendramble.

Themanleanedtowardsher,speakingdirectlyintoherearsothelittlegirl

couldnothear.‘Shewon’tbeback,’hesaid.Heglancedaroundatthegirlandloweredhisvoice.‘They’reJews.Youmusttakeher.’

Withthat,hequicklyfollowedhiswifeintothecottageandslammedthedoorbehindthem.

Shehesitatedonthe

doorstep,stillholdingthelittlegirl’shand.Shecouldhearthedoorbeingbolted.Sheknockedonittwoorthreetimes,buttherewasnoresponse.

Shethoughtoftryingtogoaroundtotherearofthecottage,butshewaslosingsightofhergroupnow.

Sylviewasstillholdingherhand,glancingupatheranxiously.Shekneltdowntospeaktothelittlegirl.

‘Areyouallright?’Shetriedtosoundreassuring.Sylvienodded.

‘Doyouwanttocomewithme?’

Thelittlegirlnodded

againandmuttered‘Yes.’ThisisthelastthingI

need.Shethoughtofleaving

herthere,onthedoorstep.They’llhavetotakeherbackin.Shepaused.Ineedtodecidequickly.Maybeasfarasthetown,there’llbesomewhereshecangothere.

Bythetimetheyhadwalkeddownthepathandstartedtofollowthegroup,theshuttersinthecottagehadclosed.

ItwasastheyleftthenextvillagethattheycameacrosstheGermans.Theyemergedfrombehindthetreesonebyone,withtheir

greyuniforms,blackbootsandoddlyshapedhelmets,notsayingaword.Slowly,theycircledthegroup,whichhadcometoahalt,toofrightenedtomove.TheGermansoldiersmovedintopositionlikepiecesonachessboard.Theywavedtheirmachinegunstoherdthe

groupintothemiddleoftheroad.

Shewasterrified.They’regoingtoshootus.Thelittlegirlclutchedherhand.

Shebreathedinandoutdeeply.Rememberthetrainingtheygaveyou,shetoldherself:

Whenyou’reinapotentiallydangeroussituation,don’ttrytobeanonymous.

Neverlookaway,orattheground.Don’tavoideyecontact.

Ifyou’reinagrouporacrowd,avoidstandinginthemiddle,whichiswhere

they’dexpectyoutohide.Ifyoufearyou’reabout

tobefoundout,resistthetemptationtoownup.It’safairassumptionthatthepersonquestioningyouorsearchingyouwillmisstheobvious.

Sheheardshoutingfrombehindthetreesand

overtheshoulderofthesoldiernearesttohershespottedtwoofficersemerging.OneofthemwasspeakingloudlyinbadFrench.

‘We’regoingtosearchyouthenyoucanmoveon.Areanyofyoucarryingweapons?’

Everyonearoundherwasshakingtheirhead.ShenoticedSylvieshookherstoo.

Hewaitedawhileincaseanyonechangedtheirmind.‘ArethereanyJewsinthisgroup?’

Therewassilence.Peopleglancedsuspiciouslyatthosestoodaroundthem.

Attheword‘Jews’thelittlegirl’shandtighteneditsgriponherswithastrengthshecouldnothaveimagined.ShelookeddownandsawSylviehadherheadbowedandappearedtobesobbing.Sherealisedtheextentofherpredicament.IftheycaughtherlookingafteraJewish

child,shewouldhavenoexcuses.

‘Mymenwillcomeandsearchyounow.I’msureyou’llallco-operate.’

Toolate.Thesoldiersspreadthe

groupoutalongtheroadandbegansearchingpeople.Marcelwascloseandwas

searchedbeforeher.Thesoldiersearchinghimgesturedtohimtoremovehiswristwatch.Marcelstartedtoprotest,untiloneoftheofficerswalkedover.Hesmiled,lookedatthewatchthathadbeenpassedtohim,noddedapprovinglyandslippeditintohisjacket

pocket.Alongtheline,membersofthegroupwerebeingrelievedofpossessions:watches,piecesofjewellery–evenabottleofcognac.

Thesoldierwhocametosearchherappearedtobeinhisteens.Hishandsshookashetookheridentitycard.Shenoticedhislipsmoved

silentlyashetriedtoreadwhatitsaid.Oneoftheofficersappearedbehindhimandtookthecard.

‘You’vecomealongway.’Hehandeditbacktoher.

Shenodded.‘Isthisyoursister?’He

wasstaringintentlyatthe

littlegirl.Shegavethefaintestof

nods.‘She’syoursister,

then?’Shehesitated.She

hadn’tsaidanythingyet.Shecoulddonow.Theywouldn’tharmachild.Thelittlegirlnowplacedherotherhand

aroundherwrist,strokingherforearmasshedidso.

‘Yes.She’smysister.’SherepliedinGerman,speakingquietlyandhopingno-oneelseinthegroupheardher.Tryingtoappearasrelaxedaspossible,shesmiledsweetlyattheofficerwhowasprobablyinhismid-

twenties,thesameageasher.Shethrewherheadback,allowingherlonghairtosettleoverhershoulders.

Ifyou’reanattractivewoman–atthatpointtheinstructorhadbeenlookingdirectlyather,alongwiththerestofthem–don’thesitatetouseyourcharmsonmen.

Theofficerraisedhiseyebrowsapprovinglyandnodded.

‘AndwheredidyoulearntospeakGerman?’

‘Atschool.’‘Agoodschoolthen.

Anddoesyoursisterhaveanidentitycard?’

Itwastoolate.She

shouldhaverealisedthiswouldhappen.Doeshesuspectsomething?Shedoesn’tlookanythinglikeme.Hercomplexionissomuchdarker.Shehadlostthechancetotellthemthetruth.

‘Shelostit.’‘Where?’‘InAmiens.AGypsy

stoleitfromher.’Theofficernodded

knowingly.Heunderstood.Whatdoyouexpect?Gypsies.Don’twewarnpeopleaboutthem?Thieves.AlmostasbadastheJews.Almost.

Heloweredhimselfdownonhishaunchessohe

wasateyelevelwiththelittlegirl.

‘Andwhat’syourname?’

Therewasapause.Thelittlegirlpeeredupatherforapproval.Shenoddedandsmiled.

Tellhim.‘Sylvie.’

‘Sylvieisanicename.Sylviewhat?’

‘Sylvie.’‘Whatisyoursurname

–yourfullname?’‘Sylvie.’‘So,yournameis

‘SylvieSylvie?’Theofficerwasbeginningtosoundexasperated.Sylviewas

whimpering.‘I’msorry,sir.She’s

frightened.It’stheguns.She’sneverseenanybefore.’

‘Well,she’dbettergetusedtothem,hadn’tshe?’Theofficerwasstandingupnow.Notsatisfied.

Fromtheeasttherewasaseriesofexplosions

followedbyanexchangeofriflefire.

Theofficerhesitated.Hewantedtocontinuewiththeinterrogation,buttheotherofficerwasshoutingouturgentinstructionstothesoldiers.

‘Allright,moveon,’hesaidtoher.

Itwasonlywhenthesoldiersdisappearedbackintothewoodsandthegroupmovedonthatsherealisedhowpetrifiedshewas.Herheartwasrammingagainstherribsandcoldsweatwasrunningdownherback.Thelittlegirlwalkedonobedientlybesideher,butshe

couldfeelandseeherbodytrembling.

Asthegroupwalkedslowlyalongtheroad,sherealisedshewasstrokingSylvie’shair,hertremblinghandcuppingthechild’scheeks,wipingawaythetearswithherthumb.

Notforthefirsttime

andcertainlynotforthelast,shehadsurprisedherself.

***

Theyhadwalkedforanotherhour.Marceldroppedbackatonestageandsidleduptoher.

‘Andwheredidshe

comefrom?’HegesturedatSylvie,whowasstillclutchingherhand.

‘Thecouplewhogaveuswaterandfruitoutsidetheircottage.Thelastvillagebutone.Theymademetakeher.’

‘Yourealise…?’‘OfcourseIdo!’

‘Aren’tyoutakingabitofarisk?’

‘Aren’tweall?’Marcelhadspotteda

forestaheadofthemandsaidthatthedeepertheygotintoit,thesaferthey’dbe.But,asshewasbeginningtorealisewasthecaseinthecountryside,distanceswere

hardtojudgeandtheforestwasnotquiteasnearasitseemed.Bythetimetheyfoundaclearing,everyonewasexhausted.

ThatnightshefoundherselfwithSylvieontheedgeofthegroup,restingnexttoanoldmanandhiswife.Astherestofthegroup

slepttheoldmangaveherhisblanket,assuringherhewasn’tcold.Sylviewascurledupalongsideherundertheblanket,fastasleep.

Theoldmanhadalsogivenherthelastofhiswater.Hewasn’tthirsty,heassuredher.Themoonlightpokedthroughthecanopyofthe

forest,thetopsofsomeofthetreesswayingverygentlydespitetheabsenceofanybreeze.Theoldmanmovedclosertoherandspokequietly:heandhiswifehadlostboththeirsonsatVerdunandhadprayedtheywouldneverseeanotherwar.Hehadtriedtoleadadecentlife.

Hewenttochurch,hepaidhistaxes,hehadnevervotedforthecommunists.Heworkedontherailways,butwasnowretired.TheycouldnotstandthethoughtofbeinginPariswhenitwasoccupied,sonowtheywereheadingtothetownwherehiswife’ssisterlived,he

explained.Itwasboundtobepeacefulthere.

‘Youlooksomuchlikeourdaughter,’hesaid,pattingheraffectionatelyonthewrist.‘Youhavethesameslimfigure,thesamebeautifullong,darkhair,thesamedarkeyes.WhenmywifeandIsawyouforthe

firsttimeyesterday–webothremarkedonthat!’

‘Wheredoesyourdaughterlive?’

Theoldmansaidnothing,buthiseyesmoistenedasheheldhishandoverhers.Theoldmanwaskind,buttherewassomethingabouthimthatunsettledher.

Asshelaydownonthecoldearth,afamiliaryetunwelcomecompaniondescendeduponher.Thememory.Theoldman,sherealised,remindedherofherfather.Hetooworkedontherailways.Thesamedarkeyesthatcouldn’thidethesuffering.Thesame

awkwardness.Thereasonshewasherenow.

She’dtriedsohardtoforgetherfather,butnowthedarkmemorieswerestirred,sheknewshewouldbetroubledfortherestofthenight.

Shesleptinshort,unsatisfactoryburstsasshe

alwaysdidwhenherfathercamebacktoher.Atonestageshewokewithastart,awareshemusthavecriedoutinhersleep.Shelookedaroundandnoticedtheoldman’seyes,glintinginthemoonlight,staringather.Whensheawokeinthemorningshefeltstiffand

cold.Asthegroupmovedoff,shefellinwiththeoldmanandhiswife,butthekindnessofthepreviousnighthadgoneandheignoredher.

***

‘Comecloser.’

Itwaslaterthat

afternoonandthegrouphadpausedattheedgeoftheforest,throughwhichtheyhadbeenwalkingallday.Theoldmanwhowascallingouttoherwasnowslumpedatthebaseofthetreeandhadagedtenyearsinthepasttenminutes.Hislegsweretwistedunderhimandhis

skinwasasgreyasthebarkhewasrestingagainst.Hiswifekneltbyhisside,anxiouslygrippinghisrightarmwithbothhands.Heheldhisotherarmouttowardsher,fingersurgentlybeckoninghertohim.

‘Comehere,’hecalledout.Hisvoicewasrasping

andangry.Therestofthegroupweremovingoff,leavingjustherandSylviewiththeoldmanandhiswife.

Shelookeddowntheforestpath,wheretherestofthegroupwasnowdisappearingbeyondthesunbeams.Theyknewthere

wasnothingtheycoulddoforthemanandwereanxioustotryandreachthetownbeforenightfall.ShecouldjustmakeoutMarcel,hisshortwalkingstickwavinghighabovehisheadtoencouragethemalong.

‘Leavehim,’Marcelhadsaid.‘Iwarnedeveryone

nottodrinkfromtheponds.Thiswatercanbelikeapoison.Hetooktherisk.Wemustmoveon.’

Shehesitated.Ifshelostcontactwiththegroupshecouldbestrandedintheforest,butshehadmadethemistakeofstoppingtohelpwhenthemancollapsedand

itwouldseemoddifsheabandonedhimnow.

Shekneltbyhisside.Aroundthetreewasacarpetofbracken;green,brownandsilver.Hislipswereturningblueandspittlefleckedwithbloodwasdribblingdownthesidesofhismouth.Hiseyeswereheavilybloodshotand

hisbreathingwaspainfullyslow.Hedidn’thavelongtogo.Sherecognisedthesigns.Shewouldsoonbeabletorejointhegroup.

‘Closer.’Hisvoicewasnowlittlemorethanaharshwhisper.Withashakinghandhepulledherheadtowardshis.Hisbreathwashotand

smelledfoul.‘Iheardyoulastnight,’

hesaid.Shepulledback,apuzzledlookonherface.

Henodded,pullingherbacktowardshim,glancingathiswifeashedidso,checkingshecouldnothear.‘Iheardyoucryout,’hewhispered.‘Iheardwhatyou

said.’Hewaitedtoregainhis

breath,hiswholebodyheavingashedidso.Hisreddenedeyesblazedwithfury.

‘Thisvictorywillbeyourgreatestdefeat.’

***

Laterthatafternoonsherealisedhowsoonyoubecomeinuredtothesightsandthesmellsofwar.Theyhadatendencytocreepuponyou,allowingtimeforthemindtoprepareitselfforwhatitwasabouttoexperience.Butnotthe

sounds.Thesoundsofwarmaybenomoreshocking,buttheyhadatendencytoarrivewithoutwarning,imposingthemselvesinthemostbrutalmanner.Youwereneverpreparedforthem.

SoitwasonthatdustyafternoonattheendofMay,wherethePicardy

countrysidehadbeguntogivehintsofanearbybutunseensea,andwhereasmallgroupofFrenchciviliansdesperatelytryingtofleethewarfoundtheyhadwalkedrightintoit.

Ittookafewsecondsforherandmostoftheothersinthecolumntorealisethat

thecrackingsoundahundredyardsorsoaheadofthemhadbeenagunshot.Maybeitwastheshockofthestrangemetallicnoisethatseemedtoechoineverydirection,morelikelywasthefactitwasthefirsttimemostofthemhadeverheardagun.Inasplitsecond,shereassembledin

hermindwhatshehadjustseenandheard.Momentsearlier,thetallfigureofMarcelhadbeenremonstratingwiththeGermanofficer.Shecouldbarelymakeoutwhathewassaying,althoughshedidheartheword‘civilians’morethanonce,ashepointedin

theirdirectionwithhiswalkingstick.ThentherewasthecrackingnoiseandnowMarcelwasontheground,thedusty,light-greysurfaceoftheroadturningadarkcolourbeneathhim.

Awaveoffearrolledthroughthesmallgroupthathadbeenheldupbeyondthe

makeshiftGermancheckpointwheretheshootinghadtakenplace.Iknowthearea,Marcelhadtoldthem.IcanhandletheGermans.

Apartfromthewomanwithfourchildrenandthreeelderlycouples,thegroupwasmainlywomenontheirown.Allfools,shethought.

Allallowingthemselvestobeherdedlikecattle.AllpartofthereasonwhyFrancehadbecomewhatitwas.

Sheknewshehadmadeaterriblemistake.Shecouldhaveheadedinanydirection,otherthaneast.Thatwouldhavebeensuicide.Whenshelookedatwhereshehad

endedupnow,shemayaswellhavegoneeast.Sherealisednow,ofcourse,southwouldhavebeenbest.Duewestwouldhavebeensafe,too;notassafeasthesouth,butbetter.Buttohavecomenorthwasadisaster.

Itwasn’tasifshehadbeenfollowingthecrowds.

HalfofFrancehadbeenonthemoveandeachpersonseemedtobeheadinginadifferentdirection.Shehadmadeuphermindwhenshelefthomethatshewouldheadnorthanditwasn’tinhernaturetochangehermind.Shehadtrieditafewweeksagoandthiswaswhyshewas

insomuchtroublenow.Itwascrazythough.Whenshewasagirlonthewaytothecoastfortheonlyhappyfamilyholidayshecouldremember,theyhadpassedthroughAbbeville.Ithadbeenanidyllicday,nomorethanafewhoursrespiteonalongjourney,butforsome

reasonthiswaswhereshehaddecidedtohead.

TheGermanofficerwalkedovertowhereMarcellayontheground,thepistolstillinhishand.Withhisbootherolledthebodyoverontoitsbackthennoddedtotwoofhismen.Theypickedalegeachanddraggedthecorpse

totheditchbythesideoftheroad.Alongredsmearappearedwherehisbodyhadbeen.Theofficerinspectedhisbootandwipeditcleanonthegrass.

OneofthesoldierscameovertothegroupandspoketothemslowlyinFrench.Theyweretocome

forwardonebyone.Theyweretoshowtheiridentitycardstotheofficerwhohadshotthemanand,aftertheyhadbeensearched,theywouldbeallowedtocarryonintothetown.

Thelighthadnotstartedtofadeyetandbeyondthecheckpointshecouldsee

theoutskirtsofthetownquiteclearly.Plumesofdarksmokehungoverit,allremarkablystraightandnarrow,asifthetownlaybeneathaforestofpinetrees.

Shecouldn’triskthecheckpoint.Notwiththisidentitycard.ThefirstGermanstheyhad

encounteredhadnotpaidmuchattentiontopeople’sidentities.They’dbeenmoreintentonfindingwhatloottheycouldlaytheirhandson.Thischeckpointseemedtobemorethorough.Shehadknownshewouldhavetofindanotheridentityandassumedshewouldgettheopportunity

inthetown.ShehadnotcountedoncomingacrosstheGermanssoearly,no-onehad.ThelastnewsshehadheardwasthattheyhadnotyetreachedCalais.ThatiswhatMarcelhadtoldthemandnowhisfeetwerestickingoutoftheditchinfrontofthem,hisbloodnow

turningblackonthesurfaceoftheroad.

Sheedgedtowardstherearofthecolumn,lookingaroundherasshedidso.Shespottedheropportunity.Thesoldiersweredistractedbydealingwiththemotherandherfourchildren,allofwhomwerecrying.No-onewas

watchingthegroup.SheleanedovertoSylvie,whowasstillclutchingherwrist,andwhisperedthatshewasgoingtothetoiletinthefield.Shewouldbebackinaminute.Thelittlegirl’seyesfilledwithtears.Reluctantly,shereachedinherpocketandtookoutthebarofchocolate.

Itwasthelastofthebarsthathadoncefilledhercoatpocketsanditwasallshehadlefttoeat.ShepresseditintoSylvie’spalm,noticingitwassoftandhadbeguntomelt.

‘Ifyou’reagoodgirlandkeepveryquiet,youcanhaveallofthis!’Shewastryinghardtosoundasgentle

aspossible.Shelookedaround.No-onewaslookingather.Towardsthefrontofthecolumnshesawthesmartlydressedladyinhermid-thirtieswho’dtoldhershewasalawyerfromParis,headingforthefamilyhomeinNormandy.

‘Youseethatnicelady

there?Theonewiththesmartbrowncoat?She’lllookafteryou.Butdon’tworry,I’llbebacksoon.’

Stillcrouchingdown,sheedgedtowardstheditchthenthroughanarrowgapinthehedge.Thecornwashighinthefieldandnotfaraway,asifexpertlypaintedontothe

landscape,wasalargewoodthatseemedtotaperasitspreadtowardsthetown.Shewaitedforamoment.ShewascertaintheGermanshadnotcountedhowmanytherewereintheirgroup,sohopefullythey’dnotrealiseonepersonhadcreptaway.Iftheydidcomeandlookfor

hernow,shewasnearenoughtothehedgetobeabletopersuadethemshewasjustrelievingherself.

ItlookedasifshehadlandedinanImpressionistpainting:thegoldenyellowofthecorn,theblueoftheskyunbrokenbycloudandaheadthedarkgreenofthewood.A

timelybreezehadpickedupandthecornwasswayingslowly.Itwoulddisguisehermovingthroughit.Ifshecouldmakeittothewoodshewouldhaveagoodchanceofreachingthetownunderthecoverofthetreesandthefadinglight.

***

ALSOAVAILABLEFROMSTUDIO28BERLIN:DAYZERO–

GREGORYLEE

Berlin,1947.ThefirststirringsoftheColdWarbeginastheliberatingarmiesoftheWestandtheSovietUnionlockhornsoverterritoryandresourcesamidtheashesoftheThirdReich.IntothisedgyworldofruinedbuildingsandshatteredlivesarrivesMitchellDelaney,an

Americannewspaperreporterwithanagendathathasnothingtodowithideology.Toreclaimthelovehelostattheoutbreakofwarandfindthetruthbehindaseriesofmurders,hemustnegotiatethecheckpointsandtwitchymilitarypresenceofacityinthecollectivethroesof

paranoia–nottomentionasinistermenacefromthepastthatcreepsevercloser.Ataut,tensethrillerfromGregoryLee,thebestsellingauthorofTheNeroDecree,Berlin:DayZeroisaveryhumantaleofsurvivalandresourcefulnessintheshadowofafast-closingIronCurtain.

It'salsoachillingportraitofaseminalmomentintime,therepercussionsofwhichwestillfeeltoday.

TobuytheUKversionofBerlin:DayZero,clickhere.TobuytheUSversionofBerlin:DayZero,clickhere.

LONDON1945:LIFEINTHEDEBRISOFWAR–MAUREEN

WALLER

SeventyyearshaspassedsinceLondoncelebratedtheendof

WorldWarTwo.But1945wasn’tallaboutflag-wavingontheMallandChurchill’sVforVictory;inthemonthsbeforetheceasefire,thecityhadbeenpepperedwithGermanrocketsandnearlybroughttoitskneesbydeath,destruction,foodshortagesandhomelessness.Yetthroughitall,thecitycopedwiththehorrors,andLondonerskeptcalmandcarriedon.

London1945istheirstory.

Inthisfascinatinghistoryofoneofthecapital’smostmomentousyears,MaureenWallerlooksathowordinarypeoplefromalloverLondoncopedwithcrisis;andshepaystributetotheirspirit,courageandresilience.Inacitywherereceivinganeggamonthwasaluxuryandfamiliesweredividedforyearsatatime,oftennevertocometogetheragain,itwasthelittlepleasuresthatsustained

morale:It’sThatManAgainonthewireless,Hollywoodmovies,black-marketoranges,AmericanGIs…

AndifLondonersthoughttheendofhostilitieswouldimprovetheirlot,theywereinforashock.Demobbedsoldiersreturnedtoacityofbombed-outhouses,massunemployment,continuedrationing,nottomentionanewly-independentfemale

populationchangedbeyondrecognition.

Acolourfulandveryhumanhistoryofachangingcity,London1945revealshow,inthebomb-shatteredstreetsofthecapital,thefoundationsofourmodernsocietywerelaid.

TobuytheUKversionofLondon1945:LifeintheDebrisofWar,clickhere.

TobuytheUSversionofLondon1945:LifeintheDebrisofWar,clickhere.