Read Online The Secret War by Dennis Wheatley, Tony Morris - Free Book Online Page B

together. We can’t understand her ill-treatment of her Jewish citizens, but that’s about the only difference of opinion between us.”
    â€œYou may think so and I, a Frenchman, agree that at heart Britain is nearer to Germany than she is to France, but there is a far more serious question between you than Germany’s determination to become one hundred per cent. Aryan. Have you so soon forgotten that the whole of her Colonial Empire was taken from her after the great War, and that Britain annexed her most valued possessions?”
    â€œOf course she’d like to have German West and Tanganyika Territory back but we’re not willing to give them up—that’s true.”
    â€œIt is. Germany raised the question of the return of her Colonies before she left the League, but she received no satisfaction. The soulless intelligence we have to fight misses nothing. It has worked upon the minds of the German people ever since. Never for a day are they allowed to forget what they consider to be this great injustice and insult to their pride as a nation. Why have they made their country an armed camp again? Not to crush France, although they hate us. They have been preparing for the chance which will soon be given them: the opportunity to regain their lost Empire.”
    Lovelace showed a keener interest now. This was no longer a question of high moral principle alone. It touched in him a deeper and more primitive chord: the welfare of his own country. “How will they try to bring Germany in?” he asked quickly.
    The plump Frenchman leaned forward and tapped the table. “We return now to their immediate intention. Their present plan; you understand me? If they secure this Abyssinian concession they will tempt Germany into purchasing it at a very reasonable price. An arrangement has already been made to that effect.”
    â€œBut surely that would set the Germans and Italians at loggerheads?”
    Barrotet smiled a little pityingly. “On the contrary,it will bring them together. The concession is a double-edged weapon in that it will provide Abyssinia with just enough money to make things difficult for the Italians. Mussolini dare not retreat and throw in his hand. If he is forced to it he will go down fighting. His people already consider Britain to be behind the Abyssinian resistance, and that she is doing her best to hamstring Italy by the application of these, only partially successful, sanctions. Yet he is no fool, and before he allows his countrymen to force him he will seek allies.”
    â€œAnd then?”
    â€œHe will say to the Germans: ‘These concessions which you have purchased in Abyssinia are no good until you can operate them fully. I will offer you something better. For many months Britain has been concentrating her strength in the eastern Mediterranean, Egypt and the Sudan. At home she is almost defenceless. I will attack and hold her main forces in Africa while you devastate London and her principal centres of population from the air. Afterwards we will divide the British Empire between us.”
    Lovelace looked up from his pipe. “How about France?”
    â€œDare France go to Britain’s aid even if she wishes to do so? Mussolini’s main army is still in Europe. Could France afford to risk a simultaneous attack by Italy in the south and the newly-equipped German armies in the north?”
    â€œIn such circumstances the British Army would be sent to your assistance.”
    Barrotet lifted his dark eyes to heaven. “Pardon, my friend. You naturally consider the British Army an important factor, but you forget that in recent years you have allowed it to shrink to a few divisions. Your home forces to-day may be excellent, but in numbers they are less than those of the weakest Balkan state. No army which you could place in the European field could possibly turn the scale for France against the combinedmight of reborn Italy and new Germany. It