that be all right?”
“I don’t see why not,” Sir George replied. “I can easily leave my friends in the first-class enclosure for a few minutes. As long as you think it’s safe to show your face.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Chavasse said. “I’ll only be a dot among several thousand people.” He replaced the receiver and hurriedly finished dressing.
He left a brief note for Anna, left the apartment, and walked through the quiet streets to the nearest station, where he caught a crowded underground train.
When they reached Farmsen, he mingled with the large crowd that streamed toward the entrance of the race track. As he passed through the turnstiles, he saw a couple of bored-looking policemen leaning against the barrier and chatting. He ignored them and moved on quickly, passing round the great curve of the track, and entered the second-class enclosure.
The first race was just finishing and he stood at the rail and watched the light, two-wheeled sulkies bounce on the corners, the drivers hanging grimly onto the reins as the horses trotted toward the finishing line at an incredible speed. There was a roar from the crowd, and a moment later, the result was announced over the loudspeaker.
He looked across into the first-class enclosure and checked his watch. There were still ten minutes to go. He sauntered across to the grandstand and went into the bar. For the moment, trade seemed to be slack and he ordered a beer and lit a cigarette. As he carried his drink across to a corner table, Sir George Harvey appeared in the entrance.
He came straight over and sat down. “Don’t you think you’re asking for trouble showing your face in a public place like this?”
Chavasse shook his head. “There’s safety in numbers.”
“I still think it’s damned risky,” Sir George said. “But now you
“But I didn’t,” Chavasse said. “As far as I know, he’s still alive and kicking.” He went on to describe what had really taken place.
When he had finished, Sir George leaned back in his chair, a slight frown on his face. “It’s the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever heard of. So Steiner and this Kruger fellow are presumably working for the Nazi underground?”
“It certainly looks that way.”
“And this other chap,” Sir George said. “The one who saved your bacon. I suppose he’s working for the people who spirited Eichmann away to Israel?”
Chavasse nodded. “That’s about the size of it.”
Sir George shook his head in bewilderment. “You know, even during the war, when this sort of thing came under my department, I never heard anything quite like it. Dammit all, man, we went through six years of hell to give these Nazis what was coming to them, and here they are sticking their heads up again and apparently able to get away with it.”
“But not for long,” Chavasse said. “The very fact that they have to work underground is an encouraging sign.” He lit another cigarette. “You had a message for me.”
“So I did,” Sir George said. “I’m sorry, I was forgetting. Your Chief wanted you to know they’ve got a line on Muller. He was Bormann’s orderly. Apparently, in civilian life he’d been a valet. His family lived in Hamburg and he had one sister. They were all killed in the bombing in 1943. Does that help at all?”
Chavasse shook his head. “Not really. The only thing I didn’t already know was that Muller was once Bormann’s orderly. That at least explains their connection. The sister’s still alive. Until yesterday we knew where she was living and working, but for the moment we’ve lost track of her.”
“Then obviously you must find her again,” Sir George said. “She may be the key to the whole thing.”
Chavasse shook his head. “Muller is the key to the whole thing. He’s the one we’ve got to find.” He glanced at his watch. “I’d better be making a move.”
Sir George nodded. “It might be wiser. I’ll walk down to the gates with you.”
They left the bar and moved through the crowd, following the broad curve of the track. As they walked, Chavasse said, “By the way, did you tell the Chief anything about this mess when he spoke to you on the telephone?”
Sir George shook his head emphatically. “No, I thought perhaps you’d want to handle that yourself.”
They had passed where the cars were parked and were moving toward the gate through the stream of people who were still coming in. Chavasse started to thank him, but Sir George suddenly caught hold of his arm and jerked him violently around.
As they started to move back the way they had come, Chavasse said, “What’s wrong?”
“Steiner’s standing at the gates with half-a-dozen policemen,” Sir George said.
Chavasse glanced back over his shoulder quickly. Steiner and his men had obviously only just arrived, and they stood around him in a group as he gave them their instructions. As Chavasse watched, they moved away, taking up prearranged positions so that all the exits were covered.
“For God’s sake, come on, man,” Sir George said, and pulled him into the car park.
As they moved between the crowded vehicles, Chavasse said, “There’s bound to be another way out of this damn place.”
“No need to worry about that,” Sir George said, and halted beside a Mercedes. “
“Not on your life,” Chavasse told him. “I’m not getting you involved in this.”
He started to turn away, and Sir George grabbed hold of his arm and held him with a grip of surprising strength. His face flushed, and when he spoke, his voice shook with anger. “What sort of a man do you think I am?” he demanded. “I’m not going to stand by and see a pack of damned Nazis have their way. You’re going to get on the floor in the back of the car with a rug over you and we’re going out that main gate. Do you understand?”
The years seemed to have fallen away from him, and for the moment, he was once more the young colonel who had led his men over the top at the Somme armed with a swagger stick, his belt and buttons gleaming.
He opened the rear door of the Mercedes. “Get in!” he said.
Chavasse hesitated, and then he shrugged and did as he was ordered. He lay on the floor and Sir George covered him with a rug and closed the door. A moment later and they moved slowly away.
They came to a halt and steps approached. As the man started to speak, Chavasse held his breath, and then he heard Steiner’s voice break in angrily. “Leave this to me. Go back to your post.” He leaned down to the window and said in his careful, clipped English, “Sorry you’ve been troubled, Sir George.”
“Ah, Inspector Steiner,” Sir George said. “Who are you looking for this time?”
Chavasse could almost see Steiner’s characteristic shrug. “No one in particular, Sir George. It’s an old police custom to spread a net when there is a large crowd. It is surprising how often it pays with a good haul. I regret you have been inconvenienced.”
The car moved on and picked up speed. Chavasse remained on the floor for another five minutes, and then he pushed back the rug and sat in the rear seat. “That was close.”
Sir George shook his head. “I wasn’t worried for a minute.” He laughed excitedly. “You know, I’m beginning to enjoy this, Chavasse. I’ve been living my safe, ordered, and rather stuffy existence for so long now, I’d almost forgotten what it could be like to take a chance.”
“You’ve taken enough for one day,” Chavasse said. “You can stop any time you like and let me out. I’ll catch the U-Bahn back into town.”
Sir George shook his head. “Nothing doing, my boy. I’ll take you to where you want to go.”
“And what about your friends?” Chavasse reminded him. “They’ll be wondering what’s happened to you.”
Sir George swore mildly. “You’re right, I suppose. Where can I drop you then?”
“We’re coming into Hellbrook,” Chavasse said. “You can stop outside the underground station. I can manage fine from there.”
A few moments later, the car drew in to the side of the road and Chavasse got out. He leaned in at the window. “Thanks for everything. You deserve a medal.”
Sir George snorted. “Just remember to call on me if you need any more help.” He chuckled. “You know, you’ve given me a new lease on life. I don’t think I’ve enjoyed myself so much for years.”
The big car turned and roared back along the road to Farmsen. Chavasse stood there, watching it go and
