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Ritter nodded slowly. 'As you say, Reichsleiter.'

'Good,' Bormann said. 'Excellent. I'd get some sleep now if I were you. Rattenhuber here will see that you and Hoffer get a pass that will get you out of here some time tomorrow afternoon. I may not see you again before you go, although I'll try. If not, good luck.'

He held out his hand. Ritter hesitated, then took it briefly. Rattenhuber held open the door for him. As he closed it, Bormann went round the desk. When he turned there was a strange expression on his face.

'My honour, Willi. He asked me to swear on my honour. Did you ever hear of such a thing with almost everyone else I know doubting its very existence for the past twenty years or more?'

Hoffer was waiting in the canteen and leaned over excitedly as Ritter sat down. 'What was it all about?'

'I'm not sure, Erich,' Ritter said. 'You see, there was what he told me and what he missed out. Still, for what it's worth ...'

He leaned forward, his hands on the folder, and started to talk.

6

At Schloss Arlberg it was still snowing when Schenck knocked at the door and entered Hesser's office. The colonel was standing at the window, looking out across the valley. He turned and walked to the desk.

'So, the situation is still the same?'

'I'm afraid so, Herr Oberst. We are still unable to get through to Berlin.'

'And the radio?'

'Stern has visited every village in these parts without success. There are certain to be radios in the area, of course, that may well use the right type of valve, but as the Herr Oberst knows, their possession in this district has been declared illegal for more than a year now. Those individuals guilty of breaking the law are unlikely to admit to the fact at this stage.'

'Understandable in the circumstances.' Hesser sat down. 'The time for a definite decision has come.'

'So it would appear, Herr Oberst.'

Hesser sat for a moment, plucking at his empty sleeve. 'As I said yesterday, I will not make an order of this business. I would be failing in my duty if I didn't point out that it could be extremely hazardous. In the fluid state of the front line in this area, any enemy unit you run into may be inclined to shoot first and ask questions afterwards. You understand this?'

'Perfectly.'

'And you're still willing to take a chance?'

'Herr Oberst,' Schenck said, 'I'm an old man by military standards, perhaps too old for this sort of game. I last saw action on the Western Front in 1918, but it would be quite out of the question for you to go, sir, and certainly improper to send one of the other ranks on such a mission. As I am the only other available officer, it would seem to me that we have little choice in the matter.'

'Who would you take with you?'

'Schmidt, I think. He's my own age, but an excellent driver. We'll take one of the field cars.'

'Very well,' Hesser said. 'It would seem, as you say, that there is no other choice. Please bring General Canning and Colonel Birr and I'll inform them of my decision.'

'They are outside now, Herr Oberst.'

Schenck moved to the door and Hesser said, 'Schenck?'

'Herr Oberst.'

'I appreciate this. You're a brave man.'

'No, Herr Oberst, anything but that. A very frightened man.' Schenck smiled. 'But I do have a wife and two daughters I'm more than anxious to see again. What I do now, I'm doing for them. The best thing for all of us, believe me.'

'Yes, perhaps you're right.'

Schenck went out and returned a few moments later with Canning and Birr. The general came forward eagerly. 'Well, have you come to a decision?'

Hesser nodded. 'Oberleutnant Schenck will be leaving.' Here, he glanced at his watch. 'At noon precisely. He'll take a field car and one driver with him and he will search for an Allied unit somewhere in the general direction of Innsbruck. You agree, Schenck?'

'Whatever you say, Herr Oberst.'

'Thank God you've come to your senses,' Canning said. 'Can we go now and tell the others?'

'I don't see why not.'

Canning and Birr turned to the door and Hesser stood up. 'One