The Last Heroes (Men at War 1)

‘‘And you trust him?’’ el Glaoui pursued.

‘‘Yes,’’ el Ferruch said simply.

Thami el Glaoui nodded.

‘‘My friend was in the Hôtel Moulay Hassan, protected by my men. After my father was killed, they moved him to my apartment in the Hôtel d’Anfa.’’

‘‘Before or after the transaction was completed?’’ el Glaoui asked practically.

‘‘After, noble Father.’’

‘‘You are sure your profits are safe?’’ el Glaoui asked.

‘‘They are now deposited in the National City Bank of New York in Argentina. Later they will be transferred to New York.’’

‘‘And now that the Americans are drawn into the war?’’

El Ferruch did not respond to the question.

‘‘My friend is in danger,’’ he said.

‘‘Because of the business with the Argentine?’’

‘‘So far as the Germans are concerned, my friend should be in the German Army. He is an embarrassment to his father in Germany,’’ el Ferruch said. ‘‘His father is a German nobleman, a baron, and he is close to the Nazis.’’

‘‘And if his father is a German, so he should be,’’ Thami el Glaoui decided. ‘‘Is he a man or not?’’

‘‘In every way. He has taken the risks of our trade. My tribesmen respect him. And he enjoys women. But in the end, he thinks of himself as an American. And now that the Americans are in the war, he wishes to go to the American consulate in Rabat and put himself under their protection until he can be sent to America.’’

‘‘And you are asking me to let him go to the American consulate?’’ Thami el Glaoui asked.

‘‘I am asking your advice, noble Father,’’ el Ferruch said. ‘‘Fulmar has been approached three times by von Heurten-Mitnitz, who has suggested to him that there is a way for him to avoid induction into the German Army.’’

‘‘By informing on us?’’

‘‘Yes,’’ el Ferruch said.

‘‘And he told you this?’’

‘‘Yes,’’ el Ferruch said. ‘‘He is very loyal to me.’’

Thami el Glaoui inclined his head. Whether in agreement or skepticism el Ferruch was not sure.

‘‘Ahmed Mohammed has learned that the German secret police officer, Müller, intends to return Fulmar to Germany by force. Even though Fulmar has not refused their offer, and pretends that he is still considering it, the Germans now believe that he will never become a reliable agent for them.’’

‘‘Then why hasn’t Müller done it? Is Ahmed Mohammed sure of his information?’’

‘‘Ahmed Mohammed is always sure of his information,’’ el Ferruch said. ‘‘The Germans are reluctant to enter the Hôtel d’Anfa to take him. However, Germans are waiting outside the hotel grounds. The Sûreté and Deuxième Bureau will look the other way.’’

‘‘The Germans are ‘reluctant’ to enter the hotel because he is protected by your men, is that what you mean?’’

‘‘No,’’ el Ferruch said. ‘‘Because it would cause trouble with the American consulate.’’

‘‘Why doesn’t he telephone his consulate and ask for their protection?’’

‘‘He has tried that,’’ el Ferruch said. ‘‘No lines were available. I saw to that.’’

Thami el Glaoui looked at him in genuine admiration.