The Legion of the Lost, стр. 36

Stefan said: ‘You aren’t forgetting that he believes we are going to Berlin? If he really knows that, then he will have attended to everything. If he is lying now, just to ensure that we do not kill him—’ Stefan shrugged. ‘There will not be a great deal of hope for either Machez or Ridzer.’

Brian chuckled.

‘Nor for us! But we should have an idea of whether he means what he says or not.’

‘Ye-es, but it will be a stringent test,’ said Stefan with a grimace. ‘I should like to take him with us to England. But the difficulties are nearly insuperable. On the whole—well, I shall make it unanimous, Sap! I am agreeable to your suggestion. With—’ He paused to search for a word. ‘With one reservation. That we send word to Trenborg about what we are doing,’ said Stefan quietly. ‘I have not forgotten what happened in Norway after we left. We do not want that to happen at Trenborg. We should make it quite clear to von Lichner that if it does—’ he paused, before adding weightily: ‘If it does, we shall stay in Germany at least long enough to make sure that he is killed. He might be impressed by that. It is worth trying. Certainly we should do all that we can to help our friends. He has heard the fat Hans speak,’ Stefan reminded him, ‘so Hans should be warned of the danger. Hans and Carlson might be able to leave Trenborg together eventually.’ He ran a hand through his hair. ‘There are many complications and I do not like them, but—’

Brian spoke quietly: ‘Almost the first time we met, Stefan, I argued about the same thing. What was most important? Individuals, or the main issue? I was all for individuals then, but you put me right.’

Stefan eyed him evenly, shrugged, then smiled a little.

‘And now you put me right? Good, Brian! We will leave it to you, Sap.’

‘There’s one other thing,’ Brian said. ‘We could make him tell us whether he knows anything about von Otten and our main quarry.’

‘We could, yes. But should we? It would tell him what we’re after, and we’re going to release him.’

They made their way back to von Lichner, who was still sitting with his back to the wall. He eyed them closely as they entered the cave; it was clear that he had been on tenterhooks.

They stood looking down on him until he snapped: ‘Well, what is your decision?’

There was a fringe of perspiration on the German’s forehead. His face was pale, his eyes narrowed and wary.

‘We’re going to give you half a chance,’ said Palfrey. ‘We’re leaving you here—or somewhere nearby. We’re going to finish our work in Germany and the continent. Afterwards—’ he smiled, meditatively – ‘you will know exactly what we are doing and where we are, you say, so you can make contact with us again. We’ll listen to you then.’

‘How long will your work take you?’

‘That will depend upon what interference we get,’ said Palfrey gently. ‘If you mean what you say, you can make it easier for us. If you can’t—’ he shrugged.

‘With some people I can make all necessary arrangements, but I have no influence with the Gestapo. You must understand that. I am not alone in looking for you now. I belong to a different faction from Himmler’s. I cannot guarantee that you will not be stopped by him and his Gestapo—nor by the army. I shall do my best,’ said von Lichner urgently. ‘Beyond that I can do nothing. I am not all-powerful.’

‘No-o,’ mused Palfrey; then softly: ‘You had better be powerful in one direction, von Lichner. There must be no reprisals in Trenborg for sheltering us—no reprisals at all. Otherwise there’s not only no bargain, but—’ he paused—‘Our next task will be very simple. It’s always easier to kill a man than to take him out of the country. Your life will be forfeit if any are taken in Trenborg.’

‘I tell you I can make no guarantees,’ the German said in a hoarse voice. ‘I do not agree with the policy of mass slaughter, but—’

‘You’re not all-powerful,’ Palfrey said abruptly. ‘You’ve told us that once. But you’ll be wise to get power enough for this.’ He turned to Stefan. ‘Tie his hands again, will you?’ he said. To von Lichner: ‘We’ll see that word gets to the Kommandant in Fredericia to come and look for you here—it might not be until tomorrow.’ He took two small slabs of chocolate from his pocket and put them on the man’s knee. ‘You’ll be able to get at them if you’re really hungry,’ he added, and turned away.

Stefan finished and they stepped to the entrance. Von Lichner stared at them, his eyes protruding slightly, his lips parted. At the entrance to the cave, Palfrey said: ‘No reprisals in Trenborg, remember!’

Then he left the cave. He could hear von Lichner’s heavy breathing, fancied that the man called out but checked himself. He went on, in the wake of Stefan and Brian.

They were two miles outside Wylen as far as they could judge, walking behind a hedge to make sure that they were not seen by anyone on the road. It was very quiet; the clouds of the morning had dispersed and it was quite warm. The field across which they walked was of stubble, the crop having been gathered some time before. Rounding a corner, they found themselves face to face with two oldish men and a woman.

So great was the shock that they drew back swiftly. Brian uttered a sharp exclamation, Palfrey’s heart began to beat fast. The trio stared at them, equally dumbfounded.

Palfrey saw the eyes of the woman widen. She whispered something to her companions, but Palfrey did not catch what it was. There was a short, tense silence before one of them said slowly: ‘You have no need to fear us, please understand. We have heard something of what has happened; we