The Fourth Estate

“Nothing, Sam. It’s just that you’ve made me realize that this is one gamble I’m not willing to take.” He paused for a moment, and just before the car came to a halt, said firmly, “Don’t stop, Sam. Just keep on driving.”

17.

The Times

24 March 1948

WESTERN POWERS BOYCOTT BERLIN MEETINGS AFTER RUSSIAN WITHDRAWAL

“It was extremely kind of you to come and see me at such short notice, Captain Armstrong.”

“Not at all, Julius. In times of trouble we Jews must stick together.” Armstrong slapped the publisher on the shoulder. “Tell me, how can I help?”

Julius Hahn rose from behind his desk, and paced round the room as he took Armstrong through the catalog of disasters that had befallen his company during the past two months. Armstrong listened attentively. Hahn returned to his seat and asked, “Do you think there is anything you can do?”

“I’d like to, Julius. But as you understand better than most, the American and Russian sectors are a law unto themselves.”

“I was afraid that would be your response,” said Hahn. “But I’ve often been told by Arno that your influence stretches far beyond the British sector. I wouldn’t have considered bothering you if my situation were not desperate.”

“Desperate?” asked Armstrong.

“I’m afraid that’s the only word to describe it,” said Hahn. “If the problem continues for another month, some of my oldest customers will lose confidence in my ability to deliver, and I may have to close down one, possibly two, of my plants.”

“I had no idea it was that bad,” said Armstrong.

“It’s worse. Although I can’t prove it, I have a feeling the man behind this is Captain Sackville—who you know I’ve never got on with.” Hahn paused. “Do you think it’s possible that he’s simply anti-Semitic?”

“I wouldn’t have thought so,” said Armstrong. “But then, I don’t know him that well. I’ll see if I can use some of my contacts to find out if anything can be done to help you.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you, Captain Armstrong. If you were able to help, I would be eternally grateful.”

“I’m sure you would, Julius.”

* * *

Armstrong left Hahn’s office and ordered his driver to take him to the French sector, where he exchanged a dozen bottles of Johnnie Walker Black Label for a case of claret that even Field Marshal Auchinleck hadn’t sampled on his recent visit.

On his way back to the British sector, Armstrong decided to drop in on Arno Schultz and find out if Hahn was telling him the whole story. When he walked into Der Telegraf’s office, he was surprised to find that Arno was not at his desk. His deputy, whose name Armstrong could never remember, explained that Mr. Schultz had been granted a twenty-four-hour permit to visit his brother in the Russian sector. Armstrong didn’t even realize that Arno had a brother. “And, Captain Armstrong,” said the deputy, “you’ll be pleased to know that we had to print 400,000 copies again last night.”

Armstrong nodded and left, feeling confident that everything was falling into place. Hahn would have to agree to his terms within a month if he hoped to remain in business. He checked his watch and instructed Benson to drop by Captain Hallet’s office. When he arrived there he placed the dozen bottles of claret on Hallet’s desk before the captain h

ad a chance to say anything.

“I don’t know how you do it,” said Hallet, opening his top drawer and taking out an official-looking document.

“Each to his own,” said Armstrong, trying out a cliché he had heard Colonel Oakshott use the previous day.

For the next hour Hallet took Armstrong clause by clause through a draft contract, until he was certain that he fully understood its implications, and also that it met his requirements.

“And if Hahn agrees to sign this document,” said Armstrong when they had reached the final paragraph, “can I be certain that it will stand up in an English court of law?”

“There’s no doubt about that,” said Stephen.

“But what about Germany?”

“The same applies. I can assure you, it’s absolutely watertight—although I’m still puzzled—” the lawyer hesitated for a moment “—as to why Hahn would part with such a large slice of his empire in exchange for Der Telegraf.”

“Let’s just say that I’m also able to sort out one or two of his requirements,” said Armstrong, placing a hand on the case of claret.