world communism!'
Heydrich stepped back from the raw force of Hitler's zeal.
'The British Empire was not forged by men who whined at the sight of a
little blood, Heydrich. The English understand that to create, one must
first destroy. That out of death comes life!' Hitler wiped his brow-
'So YOu see -- -' Heydrich did see. He saw that Hitler-from
Machiavellian genius or sheer desperation-had decided to extend the
tactics of terror, which had served him so well during the Party's early
expansion, into the realm of international policy.
Heydrich also saw that this decision would immeasurably raise his value
to Hitler vis-A-vis purely military officers.
Where another man might recognize imminent disaster, Heydrich saw
opportunity. hands together, 'be 'So, ' Hitler concluded, bringing his
ginning now, you will devote all your energies to devising a method by
which Winston Churchill and George the Sixth can be liquidated. Three
limits must define your plan. First, your mission cannot be
accomplished in such a way as to incriminate Germany or the National
Socialist Party. Second, you will conduct all inquiries involved in
your t)lanning in in such a way that neither Reichsfiihrer Hi mler,
Admiral Canaris, nor any other member of the High Command becomes aware
of your mission. And finally, the mission must be carried out on the
tenth of May-the glorious anniversary of our historic westward
invasion!'
Heydrich blanched. The Fuhrer had just placed restrictions on the
operation that would make success all but impossible. Even if a bolt of
lightning were to strike down Churchill and the king in Trafalgar
Square, accusing fingers would still point to Germany. Yet despite this
grim truth, Heydrich elected to keep silent. He had seen what happened
to men who protested to Adolf Hitler that his orders were impossible.
'Am I to understand, my Fuhrer, that I am to assassinate these men?'
Hitler exploded. 'Were you not listening? The thought of making
Winston Churchill a martyr turns my stomach, but alive he hounds me like
the devil incarnate. I want him dead! The king too!'
Heydrich's mind reeled at the implications of this order. If what the
Fuhrer said about Nazi sympathizers in England was true, the plan could
actually work. But what were the odds of that? The terror bombin of
London and other population centers had hardened Britain's will to
adamant; the reports of all his agents confirmed this. Could there
really still be Englishmen who feared Stalin more than they feared
Hitler? Men to whom profits meant more than national honor?
Men to whom a guarantee of safety from Adolf Mtler was worth more than a
pr-e-war Deutschemark?
'Do not think I labor under any illusions,' Hitler said, almost
telepathically. 'The English have no love for me, or for things German.
But they understand me, Heydrich. I represent absolute power
concentrated in the head of the state, and the English respect that.
Their industlialists and nobles fear Stalin and his hordes far more than
my policies.
Communism-power seized by millions of fanatical workers who cannot wait
to tear down the ivied walls of traditionthat is like the plague to the
English, the Black Death come again!'
A sharp knock on the bedroom door halted Hitler in midstream.
Martin Bormann opened the door and stood there stubbornly, ignoring
Heydrich. 'You asked me to inform you when the generals finished their
dinner, my Fuhrer.'
'So I did, Bormann, thank you. Dismissed.'
Bormann reluctantly closed the door. Hitler folded his arms and peered
closely at Heydrich. 'Do you foresee difficulties, Herr
Obergruppenftihrer?'
'None, my Fuhrer,' Heydrich replied automatically.
Hitler raised his chin and smiled. 'That is why I selected you for this
mission. The word impossible is one you never learned. If my generals
had the same attitude, we would be in Moscow by now.'
Heydrich inclined his head briefly.
'I am going you give you a name, Heydrich. You will never repeat it.
You will never write it down. This is t e Englishman you may contact if
there is vital information you cannot obtain by any other means.
Churchill's likely. whereabouts, such matters as that. His name is
Robert Stanton@' 'Lord Granville?' Heydrich ejaculated. He reddened.
'I apologize for the interruption, my Fuhrer, but 'But he is the last
man you would have guessed to betray his king?' Hitler smiled wickedly.
'That is good. Just remember, you will never use his name@nly his code
name.
Lord Granville is Mordred.'
While Heydrich's brain raced, Hitler said, 'I'll go downstairs first.
You follow in a few minutes. I don't want MY generals to know of our
meeting. On the eleventh of May I shall present them with afait
accompli, just as I did with my 1939 pact with Stalin. That should
stiffen their resolve when they cross into Russia!'
,It should indeed, my Fuhrer!'
'The operation must take place on t'he tenth of May, Heydrich.
Other wheels are already in motion. When your plan is ready, call
Bormann and say the word Mordred- He'll set up another meeting.'
Hitler reached for the door handle, then paused. 'By the way, about
those files you have compiled on potential traitors. is Hess among
them?'
Heydrich nodded solemnly.
'Burn his file.'
'The moment I return to Berlin, my Fuhrer-' Hitler saluted smartly.
'Guten Abend, Herr Obergruppenfiihrer.' the closing door.
In Heydrich's 'Heil Hitler!' died against spite of his pounding heart,
he resumed his cross-legged position on the edge of the bed. He sat
absolfately still, and before five minutes passed, his throbbing pulse
had returned to a point of equilibrium that most men of eighteen would
be hard put to equal at rest. He stood deliberately, passed a slim hand
over his blond hair, and walked into the hallHalfway down the stairs, he
heard a ftirtive noise behind him. Eva Braun again? Bener to let it
pass, he thought. But he could not. His predatory instincts were too
strong. With the stealth of a leopard, Heydrich turned and crept back
