The Legion of the Lost, стр. 54
She, too, stood by the window.
She was smaller than von Lichner, but Palfrey was startled when he saw her face; she was so obviously a relative, almost certainly von Lichner’s sister. Her lips were the same full, sensitive shape, and her eyes might have been von Lichner’s. Her hair was fair, not ginger; that was the only major difference – except that she was dressed poorly, very differently from the immaculate, dandified Baron. She wore black with touches of colour at the neck, waist and sleeves that were just the wrong shade of red; her hat was a salmon pink. She looked dowdy, although she gave the impression that she tried very hard to be smart.
Then she smiled at Palfrey and all thoughts of her clothes went out of his mind; smiling, she was charming.
‘I am glad to meet you, Herr Professor!’ she said.
Palfrey inclined his head.
‘A privilege!’ he mumbled.
‘And a surprise, I’ve no doubt!’ She spoke in German, but Palfrey saw a smile in her eyes as well as on her lips, which gave the impression that she was not taking him or herself very seriously.
‘I hardly knew that anyone was aware of my departure from Switzerland,’ said Palfrey.
‘Your departure from Switzerland?’ she raised her eyebrows, just as von Lichner had done in the cave near the fjord. ‘That is very good, Herr Professor, but you need not pretend with me. I know who you are, of course, I am in my brother’s full confidence.’
Palfrey gulped.
‘Perhaps we don’t understand each other? Your brother?’ He made the words a question.
‘The Baron von Lichner,’ she said. ‘I came to repeat our earlier warning—it is not safe for you to stay long in Berlin. Ridzer and Machez are in the new prison at Potsdamer Platz. Only the most important prisoners are kept there and it is impossible for anyone to get in and out without full per mission and personal escort. It is known that you are here to try to get them away. After the others, they are taking no chances at all. There are photographs of all of you inside the prison. There are guards at every door and every passage. I tell you that it is hopeless to try to get inside. You must either give it up, or—’
She stopped, shrugged her shoulders and stepped back.
Palfrey said: ‘That sounds bad.’
‘It is bad, but you have proved yourself to be wise in the past. If you are really sensible now you will get out of Berlin as quickly as possible. My brother will get in touch with you at Potsdam. You will be much safer there, where we can give you more protection.’
Palfrey said: ‘I don’t know how much you’ve been told, gnädige Fräulein, but perhaps you’ll remind the Baron that I promised to listen to him after I had Ridzer and Machez out of Europe. That still stands. If I don’t get them—’ he broke off, smiling a little aimlessly. ‘That would be a pity. And there would be no deal.’
‘We can betray you any time we wish,’ she said; there was a dangerous note in her voice, her eyes were hard and cruel, all traces of laughter had disappeared.
‘Too bad!’ drawled Palfrey. ‘Wouldn’t you do better to help me get my men? I mean, it would give me some cause for gratitude and a better reason for listening to you. After all, it cuts both ways. If the Baron wants my co-operation badly enough he’ll have to earn it. He certainly won’t earn or get it by sending the news to the authorities.’
She eyed him in silence and he needed no telling that she was raging inwardly.
He went on: ‘There are other things. How much do you know about the Legion of the Lost, gnädige Fräulein? I might be more accommodating in return for information about that. After all—’ he was surprised to find that he was actually enjoying himself! – ‘I want to be fair.’
It meant something to her; her eyes betrayed that.
‘I shall give him your message,’ she said.
‘Thanks!’ said Palfrey. ‘And another thing, Fräulein Lichner. There was a most unfortunate occurrence at the Palace of Gold last night. A youth with a club foot was among those arrested and I’m afraid he will be badly treated. I know your brother’s dislike of brutality and violence. If he could help in any way to procure the young man’s release—’
‘It is quite impossible,’ she said decisively.
‘Too bad!’ said Palfrey. ‘But perhaps he’ll try.’
She drew a deep breath, her cheeks flushed and angry.
‘What kind of man are you?’ she demanded. ‘We are offering you help and safety. You have no chance of escaping from Germany without it, yet you try to impose conditions. It is absurd!’ She stamped her foot, encased in the ridiculously high-heeled shoe. ‘It is madness!’
‘Oh, yes,’ said Palfrey. ‘The English are mad. Didn’t Dr. Goebbels tell you?’
‘It is becoming obvious that he sometimes tells the truth,’ snapped the Fräulein von Lichner. ‘I ask you again to change your mind. You will be safe in Potsdam, but will only meet more danger in Berlin.’
‘Possibly!’ said Palfrey. ‘But I came here to get Ridzer and Machez. I should hate to go without them.’ He smiled. ‘You’ll pass that on to the Baron, also?’
She stared at him, her lips parted. Then she pursed them, drew herself up and walked past him. Her exit was impressive; for the first time Palfrey felt a sense of disquiet, wondering whether he had done the right thing. He turned after her and opened the door, hearing the door next to it close; obviously Stefan had been listening-in.
‘I hope—’ began Palfrey.
He stopped abruptly, for there was a sudden outburst of voices from downstairs.
He recognised Frau Witt’s, scolding, her tones growing more angry and strident with every moment. A man appeared to be