But time is of the essence. I need to get back to Berlin.
And I need time to think, and its Christmas. Ive promised to go up country to a bull ranch a friend of mine called Barbosa runs. Used to be a great torero in Spain where they like sharp horns. Ill be back in three days.
But Mr Devlin, Schellenberg tried again.
If you want me, youll have to wait. Devlin clapped him on the shoulder. Come on now, Walter, Christmas in Lisbon? Lights, music, pretty girls? At this present moment theyve got a blackout in Berlin and I bet its snowing. Which would you rather have?
Schellenberg started to laugh helplessly and behind them, Frear got up and went out.
Urgent business had kept Dougal Munro at his office at SOE Headquarters on the morning of Christmas Day. He was about to leave when Jack Carter limped in. It was just after noon.
Munro said, I hope its urgent, Jack. Im due for Christmas lunch with friends at the Garrick.
I thought youd want to know about this, sir. Carter held up a signal flimsy. From Major Frear, our man in Lisbon. Friend Devlin.
Munro paused. What about him?
Guess who he was locked in conversation with last night at a Lisbon club? Walter Schellenberg.
Munro sat down at his desk. Now what in the hell is the good Walter playing at?
God knows, sir.
The Devil, more like. Signal Frear most immediate. Tell him to watch what Schellenberg gets up to. If he and Devlin leave Portugal together I want to know at once.
Ill get right on to it, sir, Carter told him and hurried out.
It had tried to snow over Christmas, but in London on the evening of the 27th, it was raining when Jack Carter turned into a small mews near Portman Square not far from SOE Headquarters; which was why he had chosen it when hed received a phone call from Vargas. The café was called Marys Pantry, blacked out, but when he went in the place was bright with Christmas decorations and holly. It was early evening and there were only three or four customers.
Vargas sat in the corner drinking coffee and reading a newspaper. He wore a heavy blue overcoat and there was a hat on the table. He had olive skin, hollow cheeks and a pencil moustache, his hair brilliantined and parted in the centre.
Carter said, This had better be good.
Would I bother you if it were not, señor? Vargas asked. Ive heard from my cousin in Berlin.
And?
They want more information about Steiner. Theyre interested in mounting a rescue operation.
Are you certain?
That was the message. They want all possible information as to his whereabouts. They seem to think you will move him from the Tower.
Whos they? The Abwehr?
No. General Schellenberg of the SD is in charge. At least that is who my cousin is working for.
Carter nodded, fiercely excited, and got up. I want you to phone me on the usual number at eleven, old chum, and dont fail. He leaned forward. This is the big one, Vargas. Youll make a lot of cash if youre smart.
He turned and went out and hurried along Baker Street as fast as his game leg would allow.
In Lisbon at that precise moment Walter Schellenberg was climbing the steep cobbled alley in Alfama towards the Lights of Lisbon. He could hear the music even before he got there. When he went inside, the place was deserted except for the barman and Devlin at the piano.
The Irishman stopped to light a cigarette and smiled. Did you enjoy your Christmas, General?
It could have been worse. And you?
The bulls were running well. I got trampled. Too much drink taken.
A dangerous game.
Not really. They tip the ends of the horns in Portugal. Nobody dies.
It hardly seems worth the candle, Schellenberg said.
And isnt that the fact? Wine, grapes, bulls and lots and lots of sun, thats what I had for Christmas, General. He started to play Moonlight on the Highway. And me thinking of old Al Bowlly in the Blitz, London, fog in the streets. Now isnt that the strange thing?
Schellenberg felt the excitement rise inside him. Youll go?
On one condition. I can change my mind at the last minute if I think the thing isnt watertight.
My hand on it.
Devlin got up and they walked out to the terrace. Schellenberg said, Well fly out to Berlin in the morning.
You will, General, not me.
But Mr Devlin
You have to think of everything in this game, you know that. Look down there. Over the wall, Frear had come in and was talking to one of the waiters as he wiped down the outside tables. Hes been keeping an eye on me, old Frear. Hes seen me talking to the great Walter Schellenberg. I should think that would figure in one of his reports to London.
So what do you suggest?
You fly back to Berlin and get on with the preparations. Therell be plenty to do. Arrange the right papers for me at the Legation, travelling money and so on and Ill come the low-risk way by rail. Lisbon to Madrid, then the Paris Express. Fix it up for me to fly from there if it suits or I could carry on by train.
It would take you two days at least.
As I say, youll have things to do. Dont tell me the work wont be piling up.
Schellenberg nodded. Youre right. So, lets have a drink on it. To our English enterprise.
Holy Mother of God, not that, General. Someone used that phrase to me last time. They didnt realize thats how the Spanish Armada was described and look what happened to that lot.
Then to ourselves, Mr Devlin, Schellenberg said. I will drink to you and you will drink to me, and they went back inside.
Munro sat at his desk in the Haston Place flat and listened intently as Carter gave him the gist of his conversation with Vargas.
He nodded. Two pieces of the jigsaw, Jack. Schellenbergs interested in rescuing Steiner and where is Schellenberg right now? In Lisbon hobnobbing with Liam Devlin. Now, what conclusion does that lead you to?
That he wants to recruit Devlin to the cause, sir.
Of course. The perfect man. Munro nodded. This could lead to interesting possibilities.
Such as?
Munro shook his head. Just thinking out loud. Time to think of moving Steiner anyway. What would you suggest?
Theres the London Cage in Kensington, Carter said.
Come off it, Jack. Thats only used for processing transients, isnt it? Prisoners of war such as Luftwaffe aircrews.
Theres Cockfosters, sir, but thats just a cage, too, and the school opposite Wandsworth Prison. A number of German agents have been held there. Munro wasnt impressed and Carter tried again. Of course theres Mytchett Place in Hampshire. Theyve turned that into a miniature fortress for Hess.
Who lives there in splendour so solitary that in June nineteen forty-one he jumped from a balcony and tried to kill himself. No, thats no good. Munro went to the window and looked out. The rain had turned to sleet now. Time I spoke with friend Steiner, I think. Well try and make it tomorrow.
Fine, sir. Ill arrange it.
Munro turned. Devlin there is a photo on file?
Passport photo, sir. When he was in Norfolk he had to fill in an aliens registration form. Thats a must for Irish citizens and it requires a passport photo. Special Branch ran it down. Its not very good.
They never are, those things. Munro suddenly smiled. Ive got it, Jack. Where to hold Steiner. That place in Wapping. St Marys Priory.
The Little Sisters of Pity, sir? But thats a hospice for terminal cases.
They also look after chaps whove had breakdowns, dont they? Gallant RAF pilots whove cracked up?
Yes, sir.
And youre forgetting that Abwehr agent Baum in February. The one who got shot in the chest when Special Branch and MI5 tried to pick him up in Bays-water. They nursed him at the Priory and interrogated him there. Ive seen the reports. MI5 dont use it regularly, I know that for a fact. It would be perfect. Built in the seventeenth century. They used to be an enclosed order so the whole place is walled. Built like a fortress.
Ive never been, sir.
I have. Strange sort of place. Protestant for years when Roman Catholics were proscribed, then some Victorian industrialist who was a religious crank turned it into a hostel for people off the street. It stood empty for years and then in nineteen ten some benefactor purchased it. The place was reconsecrated Roman Catholic and the Little Sisters of Pity were in business. He nodded, full of enthusiasm. Yes, I think the Priory will do nicely.