I hope he doesnt think were going to send him back by the next train to collect the boy? Youve made that clear?
Michael got up to fetch the cigarette box from the sideboard. When he replied, he was safely out of Danseys sight. Not in so many words, sir. I thought Id leave it until today.
Dansey refused a cigarette. That was foolish of you.
I hadnt the heart to do it.
Kendall had come off the boat train at Victoria yesterday afternoon. The little man had been wearing a baggy Hungarian suit; he had no luggage, apart from the contents of his pockets; he had so little money left that Michael had had to give him the cab fare home. His return journey from Prague had taken him the better part of a fortnight. Despite all he had gone through, he had been pathetically happy full of himself like a dog who believed he had earned his masters approval.
I hope your hearts in better shape this afternoon. Dansey glanced at his watch. Hes late.
At that moment, they heard the doorbell. A moment later, Mrs Granger, Michaels landlady, showed Kendall into the room. He bustled in, shook hands with Michael and looked enquiringly at Dansey.
Mr Hayward, Michael said with a wave of his arm. A colleague of mine. A spurt of mischief made him add: Just imagine he isnt here.
Kendall was about to hold out his hand but Dansey confounded the move by giving him the slightest of nods and becoming lost in contemplation of the fire.
When he had settled his guest in a chair and given him a cigarette, Michael produced an envelope from his inside pocket. He handed it to Kendall.
Its rather more than the sum we agreed on, he said awkwardly. Youve done a very good job. Had I known it was going to be so difficult we wouldnt have asked you to go.
And I certainly wouldnt have suggested you took the boy with you.
Kendall stuffed the envelope in his pocket without looking at its contents. Only too glad to be of use, he mumbled. Hope you dont mind that I had to pretend I was a ah senior officer. It was the only way to get those chaps to cooperate.
Not at all.
It made it all the worse, Michael thought, that Kendall had done so well. He had been recruited as nothing more than a courier on the lowest of levels, but he had had to deal with problems which would have taxed an experienced agent. It was hardly his fault that his job had lost what little importance it originally had when Moravec arrived in London.
When do you want me to go back?
Captain Kendall. Michael paused, wishing Dansey was at the other end of London. As a matter of fact, it would be better if you didnt go back. Your face is known, you see. You couldnt go back under your own name because theres no exit stamp on your passport. The Gestapo has almost certainly circularized your description. Quite frankly, your return could jeopardize the whole operation destroy the value of the work youve done for us.
Kendall sat there with his mouth open as he grappled with the meaning of Michaels words. He sagged in the chair: the jauntiness had been sponged out of him.
But what about Hugh my son?
Michael glanced at Dansey but Uncle Claude was still staring at the fire. Well tell the Embassy about him. You can let us have his address? Im sure theyll get him home almost as soon as you could. Itll have to be carefully handled, of course.
Kendall nodded, apparently satisfied. Michael felt a sudden revulsion for the mans stoicism. Did his warped sense of patriotism obliterate his affection for his son? It was uncanny: Kendall was less concerned about his son than about the fact that His Majestys Government didnt propose to send him back to Prague.
Kendall scribbled Spiegels address in his pocket book, tore out the page and passed it to Michael.
Then theres my luggage, he said. Can the Embassy send someone round to the Michalov Palace? Its only just around the corner.
Of course. Michael stood up, hoping that Kendall would take the hint. One of our people will telephone you in the next few days and arrange a meeting. Wed like to get your firsthand impressions of the invasion in detail.
But Kendall remained in his chair. I notice a lot of changes here since I got back. Even Chamberlain seems to realize that wars inevitable. Does this mean youll be expanding your permanent establishment?
Its a possibility. Michael moved slowly towards the door. It was more than a possibility: he knew for a fact that both SIS and Z Organization were actively trawling for recruits and had been since Munich.
Kendall got to his feet. Then I wonder if youd consider myself and Stephen my eldest boy. Hes a bright lad and good at languages too. St Pauls, you know.
Ill mention your name, of course. Naturally I cant promise anything its not my department.
Michael showed Kendall out. When he got back to the sitting room, he found Dansey jabbing the coals with a poker.
I think Ill take that drink now, Stanhope-Smith.
Michael crossed to the sideboard. What do you think of Kendalls offer?
I think we can get along quite well without the services of Captain Kendall or his wretched son. Even if he has been to St Pauls. We may be moving on to a war footing but there are limits.
Michael handed Dansey a small whisky and soda. About the other son: shall I approach the Embassy through the FO or get on to SIS?
Neither. Dansey finished his drink in a single swallow and wiped his moustache with his handkerchief. Now I must be off. If necessary you can get hold of me through the PMs office.
But we cant just abandon the boy.
Why not? Hes of no importance. Kendalls not going to make a fuss, especially if he thinks you might give him a job. Even if he did make a fuss, we could muzzle him with the Official Secrets Act.
But we do have a moral obligation
Our moral obligations, as you choose to put it, lie elsewhere, Stanhope-Smith. Getting that boy out would be a purely sentimental gesture. Im sorry, but the risk is unacceptable. The FO wouldnt cooperate for a start: theyve had to tread very carefully in Prague for the last fortnight. And Ive no intention of compromising either SIS or Z. I wouldnt be at all surprised if the Germans have already got the boy and his communist hosts under observation.
We could send in a nursemaid to bring the boy out an amateur like Kendall.
Dansey picked up his hat and coat. When I need your advice I shall ask for it. Dont bother to come down: Ill see myself out.
When Dansey had gone, Michael kicked the sofa until the pain forced him to stop. He had known before that he was involved in a dirty business; but this was the first time that Dansey had rubbed his nose in it quite so hard.
For a moment he toyed with the idea of resignation. But that would rebound on his godfathers head, especially at a time like this when the country was readying itself for war. Michael tried to ignore the thought that it would also be financial suicide: his rent was due tomorrow, on the first of the month; both his tailor and his wine merchant had presented him with extraordinarily large bills; and Betty Chandos was proving an expensive hobby.
But he had to do something anything to prove to himself that he had not sold his soul entirely to Uncle Claude. He picked up the telephone and dialled the number of a house in Queen Annes Gate. He used the private line to the flat, rather than the switchboard number for the rest of the building. Dansey would be furious, but with luck he wouldnt hear about it until it was too late.
But he had to do something anything to prove to himself that he had not sold his soul entirely to Uncle Claude. He picked up the telephone and dialled the number of a house in Queen Annes Gate. He used the private line to the flat, rather than the switchboard number for the rest of the building. Dansey would be furious, but with luck he wouldnt hear about it until it was too late.
May I speak to Admiral Sinclair? Its Michael Stanhope-Smith.
He breathed a sigh of relief when the secretary said his godfather was in. If he didnt do it now, he suspected that he would never find the courage to try again.
Uncle? Its Michael. Ive found two possible new boys for you. I wonder if you could let them know downstairs.
II