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By Root 577 0

available, Tommy just sat there, trying to avoid eye contact with the policemen, and continued his conversation with the enemy officers. He felt the Danish detectives studying the guests methodically, as if they were looking for someone in particular, until their gaze settled on his table. ‘To behave normally at that moment was the hardest thing of all,’ he said. ‘I was scared stiff they would recognize me.’ Then, however, the policemen simply walked away. The sea of German uniforms in Sneum’s corner of the room must have thrown the detectives off the scent. Either that or they had come to the hotel with a completely different agenda. As he watched them leave, Tommy hid his relief in the same way he had suppressed his fear, by sipping his coffee as though nothing had happened. However, the incident told him he had to get out of the Astoria as soon as he could. His stay had been interesting and eventful, but it had run its course.

While he was packing his bags after breakfast, there was a knock on the door and Sneum heard someone whistling ‘The Marseillaise’ outside. Taking his pistol, he opened the door cautiously and saw a man he recognized as a messenger for the Princes. He was summoned to meet Lunding and Gyth at the Jaegersborg Kaserne barracks at seven o’clock that evening. No further explanation was given, but Tommy was left in no doubt that he had to comply.

Later, as he checked out, a German officer tapped him on the shoulder. He froze, then turned round with a manufactured smile on his face. The German, an acquaintance during his stay, was smiling too. He just wanted to say goodbye.

Having ensured he was not followed, Tommy arrived at the barracks at the given time. Lunding and Gyth were already there, along with Major Per Winkel. Lunding seemed to be relishing the prospect of this latest encounter with his least favorite spy. ‘Sneum, every day you stay here, you become more of a liability. You’ve recently been seen in the company of German officers again. What the hell do you think you’re playing at?’

Tommy was in no mood for a dressing down. ‘Gentlemen, in order to evade capture, it is often necessary to hide in places where you are least likely to be hunted. I’m sorry if that surprises you.’ Later, Tommy revealed: ‘They were scared of me. They thought I was going on too hard and not being careful enough, that the Germans would find out. But I had always told them that if you want results you must take risks. They were scared for their own safety, I think.’

Lunding ordered Sneum to leave Denmark for Sweden immediately, or face the consequences. Gyth tried to soften the threat by suggesting that once the heat had died down, he might be able to return.

Tommy was suspicious, especially when Lunding advised him to reveal his true identity at once if the Swedish authorities apprehended him. He didn’t see why he should cooperate with the Swedes, even when Lunding insisted that it would be in his best interests to do so. The Swedish police would pass the information back to the Danish authorities, the Prince explained, and the Germans would be satisfied that Sneum was safely under lock and key. Then, after a couple of weeks, when the storm had blown over, the Swedes would let Tommy out, so that he could make his way to the British Legation in Stockholm. From there, he could make his way back to England.

It all sounded too good to be true, and Tommy continued to voice his concerns.

Gyth, the most refined of the Princes, saw that the agent remained deeply sceptical. Using his natural charm, he tried to assuage any doubts. ‘Sneum, you have my word of honor as a gentleman. The deal with the Swedes has been done. You just have to put together another plan to escape from Denmark.’

‘And don’t be long, Sneum,’ warned Lunding, with much less warmth.

Chapter 34

DEFIANCE AND LOYALTY

AS HE TRIED TO STAY one step ahead of the Danish police, who might yet deliver him to a German torture chamber, Thomas Sneum was contacted in mid-March by his cousin, Knud Nielsen, the port-master in Copenhagen. Nielsen revealed that