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given the controversial nature of his work, which may or may not have caused men to mutiny on the Western Front. The ‘peace’ college he has envisioned grows with the help of parents of men who went to war but who later read his book and were persuaded to lay down arms.” She sighed. “If nothing else, Greville Liddicote could sell an idea; however, he drew back from support of the debate, which one would think represents a certain pinnacle of achievement—not to mention acceptance by the university establishment when they extended an invitation for a young college to present a team at an annual debate that always draws the attention of the press.” She looked at Roth, her line of questioning clearly unsettling him. “Why do you think he was against the idea, Dr. Roth? And, more to the point, why have you maintained that he supported it as much as you—and please do not deny my assertion; I was outside the door of his office and heard the argument.”

“He was wrong to want to decline the invitation.”

“Why?”

“Because the debate will be the making of the college. We wouldn’t be the first college to gladly relinquish our independence when asked to join the university—and inclusion in the debate, as well as other collaborations, promises a move in the right direction. Greville allowed his fears to overwhelm him.”

“What fears?” Maisie was leaning forward now, her body relaxed just enough to suggest empathy for Roth’s position.

“The subject matter is controversial, because it raises the question as to whether Germany’s Nazi Party should receive our support when it comes to power—as it surely will. On the one hand, the university’s colleges can better weather the storms that might come from supporting such a motion, if that is the outcome of the debate. On the other, Greville was concerned about the effect the debate might have on our very diverse student community. We all get along very well, but he thought it would drive a wedge between the cultures represented here. If you are familiar with Herr Hitler’s book, Mein Kampf, you will know that he has a particularly vociferous position when it comes to what he describes as ‘the Jewish peril.’ Greville was concerned that the debate might be offensive to our students who are Jewish.”

“Those fears seem grounded to me, Dr. Roth,” said Maisie.

“But we must not draw back, especially if our team is on the side of peace, of reconciliation, of going forward with an olive branch.”

Maisie sat back in the chair again, wondering how to couch her words. “You have Robson Headley on the team, and—”

“Miss Dobbs, you are a junior member of staff, and if you have not realized this already, I will tell you. The college depends upon the support of those who believe in our mission here, especially in terms of moneys with which to build for the future. We have to prepare for challenges to our curriculum. Many of our students, though graduates in their own countries, are still young and impressionable—they have come here, or been sent by parents, in the belief that they will play a part in maintaining what is a fragile peace, much like a stone thrown into the lake sends out ripples, only we hope those ripples become waves.” He cleared his throat, removed the spectacles a second time, and cleaned the lenses with his handkerchief, replacing the spectacles as he continued. “Robson Headley expressed a desire to be part of the team, and will lead our students in their debates. I concede that he may be the indulged son of a wealthy man, but his father is a man who has in turn indulged us and never questioned how his money is spent in this college, urging only that we continue our work.”

Maisie bit her lip. Did Roth know of Headley’s connection to the Ortsgruppe? If she told him, he might deduce not only that she was making inquiries, but that they were quite separate from the police investigation led by MacFarlane. Should she ask about Delphine Lang? She was not sure how to proceed and retain the integrity of her work, but she knew she had to take the conversation further.

“Are you aware that Mr. Headley is