A Matter of Honor

Dear Colonel,

Over the past year, we have come to know each other quite well. You have never disguised your distaste for the National Socialist party, but you have at all times behaved with the courtesy of an officer and a gentleman.

During the year you cannot have failed to notice that I have been receiving from one of the guards a regular supply of Havana cigars—one of the few pleasures I have been permitted, despite my incarceration. The cigars themselves have also served another purpose, as each one contained a capsule with a small amount of poison. Enough to allow me to survive my trial, while ensuring that I shall cheat the executioner.

My only regret is that you, as the officer in charge of the watch during the period when I am most likely to die, may be held responsible for something to which you were never a party. To make amends for this I enclose a document in the name of one Emmanuel Rosenbaum which should help with any financial difficulties you face in the near future.

All that will be required of you …

“Anyone at home?” shouted Lawrence. Adam folded up the pieces of paper, walked quickly over to the bookcase, and inserted them alongside the original letter in the Bible seconds before Lawrence put his head around the door.

“Bloody traffic,” said Lawrence cheerfully. “I can’t wait to be appointed chairman of the bank and be given that luxury flat on the top floor, not to mention the chauffeur and the company car.”

Adam laughed. “Had another hard day at the office, darling?” he mimicked, before joining him in the kitchen. Adam started removing food from the refrigerator.

“Guess who’s coming to dinner?” said Lawrence as each new delicacy appeared.

“A rather attractive German girl, I hope,” said Adam.

“What do you mean, ‘hope’?”

“Well, it could hardly have been described as a formal invitation, so I’m not certain she’ll turn up.”

“If that’s the situation, I may as well hang around in case she gives you the elbow and you need someone to help you eat that lot.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I think you’ll find it’s your turn to be missing, presumed dead. Anyway, what about Carolyn?” said Adam.

“Carolyn was yesterday’s girl, to quote the esteemed Harold Wilson. How did you come across your gnädiges Fräulein?”

“She was working at a food store in Knightsbridge.”

“I see. We’re down to shop assistants now.”

“I have no idea what she is or even what her name is, come to that,” said Adam. “But I am hoping to find out tonight. As I said, your turn to disappear.”

“Natürlich. As you see, you can rely on me to provide a helping hand if you need anything translated.”

“Just put the wine in the fridge and set the table.”

“Are there no serious jobs for a man of my accomplishments to be entrusted with?” said Lawrence with a chuckle.

When eight o’clock chimed, the table was set, and Adam had everything ready on the boil. By eight-thirty both of them stopped pretending and Adam served up two plates of frankfurters, salami and lettuce with a baked potato and sauerkraut. He then hung up his Marx Brothers apron behind the kitchen door and took the chair opposite Lawrence, who had begun pouring the wine.

“Oh, mein liebes Mädchen, you look ravishing in that Harris tweed jacket,” said Lawrence, raising his glass.

Adam was just about to retaliate with the vegetable spoon when there was a loud knock on the front door. The two men stared at each other before Adam leaped up to open it. Standing in the doorway was a man well over six foot with shoulders like a professional bouncer’s. By his side, dwarfed by him, was the girl that Adam had invited to dinner.

“This is my brother, Jochen,” she explained. Adam was immediately struck by how beautiful she looked in a dark blue patterned blouse and pleated blue skirt that fell just below the knee. Her long dark hair, now hanging loose, looked as if it had just been washed and shone even under the forty-watt light bulb that hung in the hall.

“Welcome,” said Adam, more than a little taken aback.

“Jochen is just dropping me off.”

“Yes, of course,” said Adam. “Do come in and have a drink, Jochen.”

“No, I thank you. I have a date as well, but I will pick up Heidi at eleven o’clock, if all right by you?”

“Fine by me,” said Adam, at last learning her name.