provocative. This kind of thing is just an immature pose. I’m certain if war broke out tomorrow they would sign up just as fast as their fathers did.’
‘I’m sure that’s true. Bloody shameful nonsense all the same.’
Sir Horace put down his cup, wandered over to the window of the library and stared down at the churning traffic on Wilhelmstrasse below. Along the principal thoroughfare of the government district, housing the Reich Chancellery and the Foreign Office, a pair of gleaming Mercedes-Benz 770s containing Nazi top brass could be seen cruising.
‘The thing is, Quinn, these are interesting times. We are officially still feeling our way with the new regime. We don’t want to antagonize them. In some respects their hatred for the Reds is shared at home.’
Leo nodded. That much was clear from what Hugo Chambers said. For some years now the British Security Service, which monitored domestic subversion, had focused all its energies on the threats within Britain from the Left. It was only recently that anyone had taken a closer interest in the activities of the Right.
‘As we all know, there’s a rapidly growing body of Englishmen who favour disarmament at all costs. You know the sort of thing they say. That the last war should mark the end to all wars. Any rearming is sanctioning large-scale murder. I’m sure you’ve heard the kind of thing.’
‘Frequently.’
‘I think we both agree that a powerful England is vital to ensure peace. Yet these pacifists at home have no idea of the effect their talk has on our reputation abroad. I’ve already been informed that various associates of Herr Hitler believe our young people are “soft”. If they think Hitler has any time for pacifists, they are much mistaken. To Hitler, man is a fighting animal and any country which does not fight back deserves to be overtaken. I fear this new administration brings out the worst traits in the citizens too. Jingoism, brutality, all this business about the Jews. It leaves a very nasty taste in the mouth.’
Rumbold turned and a brilliant, diplomatic charm suddenly illuminated his features, as though by a switch. That was the kind of thing you simply couldn’t learn, Leo thought. It was purely Darwinian. It had to be bred into you, as in Sir Horace’s case it had. He came from a long line of baronets, and had travelled the globe in a distinguished career. As well as German, he spoke fluent Arabic and Japanese.
‘Now, Quinn, you’re very busy at the moment, I’m sure.’
‘We have Jews coming to the office daily. There’s a queue by the time I arrive, and it doesn’t go away until I leave. It’s hard to turn them away.’
‘I can see it getting busier. So I hope this request I have for you doesn’t take you away from your work too much. I know you’re frightfully well connected on the social side.’
Leo gave a polite laugh. ‘For once I fear your intelligence is wide of the mark.’
‘None the less, this is merely an eyes-and-ears brief. It shouldn’t be too onerous. I’m leaving soon, as you know.’
‘I very much regret it, sir.’
‘As do I, though with the way things are, my lady wife, I think, will be glad to spend more time in England. And what one’s wife says, as you have yet to find out, Quinn, is law.’ He smiled, removed his glasses, rubbed his watery eyes, and replaced them.
‘This is what I had in mind. I want you to keep an eye on any visitors you may meet who pass through here from England, especially those who are mingling with the Nazi élite. Some of them are very young, impressionable, you know, and they get caught up in the excitement of the moment. They make friends with handsome Nazi officers, and they don’t see the whole picture, do you get my drift?’
‘I think so.’
‘They see a country whose economy is on its knees, and they think Herr Hitler is the answer to everyone’s prayers. It’s not their fault that they are unable to see beyond the glamour, but it
‘I’m sure that’s true. Bloody shameful nonsense all the same.’
Sir Horace put down his cup, wandered over to the window of the library and stared down at the churning traffic on Wilhelmstrasse below. Along the principal thoroughfare of the government district, housing the Reich Chancellery and the Foreign Office, a pair of gleaming Mercedes-Benz 770s containing Nazi top brass could be seen cruising.
‘The thing is, Quinn, these are interesting times. We are officially still feeling our way with the new regime. We don’t want to antagonize them. In some respects their hatred for the Reds is shared at home.’
Leo nodded. That much was clear from what Hugo Chambers said. For some years now the British Security Service, which monitored domestic subversion, had focused all its energies on the threats within Britain from the Left. It was only recently that anyone had taken a closer interest in the activities of the Right.
‘As we all know, there’s a rapidly growing body of Englishmen who favour disarmament at all costs. You know the sort of thing they say. That the last war should mark the end to all wars. Any rearming is sanctioning large-scale murder. I’m sure you’ve heard the kind of thing.’
‘Frequently.’
‘I think we both agree that a powerful England is vital to ensure peace. Yet these pacifists at home have no idea of the effect their talk has on our reputation abroad. I’ve already been informed that various associates of Herr Hitler believe our young people are “soft”. If they think Hitler has any time for pacifists, they are much mistaken. To Hitler, man is a fighting animal and any country which does not fight back deserves to be overtaken. I fear this new administration brings out the worst traits in the citizens too. Jingoism, brutality, all this business about the Jews. It leaves a very nasty taste in the mouth.’
Rumbold turned and a brilliant, diplomatic charm suddenly illuminated his features, as though by a switch. That was the kind of thing you simply couldn’t learn, Leo thought. It was purely Darwinian. It had to be bred into you, as in Sir Horace’s case it had. He came from a long line of baronets, and had travelled the globe in a distinguished career. As well as German, he spoke fluent Arabic and Japanese.
‘Now, Quinn, you’re very busy at the moment, I’m sure.’
‘We have Jews coming to the office daily. There’s a queue by the time I arrive, and it doesn’t go away until I leave. It’s hard to turn them away.’
‘I can see it getting busier. So I hope this request I have for you doesn’t take you away from your work too much. I know you’re frightfully well connected on the social side.’
Leo gave a polite laugh. ‘For once I fear your intelligence is wide of the mark.’
‘None the less, this is merely an eyes-and-ears brief. It shouldn’t be too onerous. I’m leaving soon, as you know.’
‘I very much regret it, sir.’
‘As do I, though with the way things are, my lady wife, I think, will be glad to spend more time in England. And what one’s wife says, as you have yet to find out, Quinn, is law.’ He smiled, removed his glasses, rubbed his watery eyes, and replaced them.
‘This is what I had in mind. I want you to keep an eye on any visitors you may meet who pass through here from England, especially those who are mingling with the Nazi élite. Some of them are very young, impressionable, you know, and they get caught up in the excitement of the moment. They make friends with handsome Nazi officers, and they don’t see the whole picture, do you get my drift?’
‘I think so.’
‘They see a country whose economy is on its knees, and they think Herr Hitler is the answer to everyone’s prayers. It’s not their fault that they are unable to see beyond the glamour, but it
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