At the van, Colonel Derrick Albrecht ordered Mademoiselle Colbert brought inside the former Abwehr headquarters while Karl was to drive the others to an alternate location for the interrogation of prisoners. “Put them in the cell with the window overlooking the courtyard,” Derrick instructed.

“And Mademoiselle Colbert?” Karl dared to ask.

“She will remain here.” Derrick turned on his heel and struck off again for his office while Victoria was hoisted from the back of the van by SS personnel under the worried eye of Karl, unable to prevent her rough handling. Victoria managed to exchange only a brief glance with her three teammates before she was whisked away and the van doors slammed shut.

Her hands were rebound immediately after being untied to relieve her of her coat and to allow her to go to the toilettes, then she was taken to an interrogation chamber, where once again she was left under a hot, blinding light. Swallowing down nausea from a dry mouth, Victoria wondered if here she’d be made to strip. The colonel would like nothing better than to see her nude. Presently, he entered with a female SS corporal. He carried an instrument kit that looked like a metal plumber’s box with a swastika emblazoned on the lid. Victoria could see nothing in his face and manner to suggest that he was the man of civility and courtesy that she knew. He ignored her as he set the box upon the table.

“Corporal, take the prisoner back to the toilettes,” he ordered. “I don’t want a mess in here, but keep her hands tied until she is in the stall, then retie them when she leaves, and when you return her, make sure we are not disturbed.”

“Jawohl, Herr Colonel!”

The corporal, an oak tree of a woman, had been transferred from 84 Avenue Foch to Abwehr headquarters at the colonel’s request and was familiar with the contents of the black box. As she directed the prisoner to the toilettes, she studied Victoria’s face with its cut lip and said in fragmented French as she untied Victoria’s hands, “You’d better get a good look at that pretty Gesicht of yours in the mirror while you’re in here, mademoiselle. It will be the last time you’ll ever see it as it is now.”