“Brad Hudson and Christoph Brandt speak fluent German with an understanding of French learned in high school. If they come onboard, they’ll be given a refresher course. Samuel Barton speaks French like a native with a college minor in German. Bridgette Loring is fluent in French and German, as is Victoria Grayson. Besides their understanding of the languages, their personal skills and fields of study make them the most qualified for the assignments I have in mind. Also, none is married.” Alistair’s level gaze conveyed what did not need to be stated between the two men: They were therefore dispensable. “Only one comes with serious family responsibilities—Brad Hudson, so he may not be a player,” he continued. “Samuel Barton, the graduating civil engineer, actually sent in a request for an application form, and I’ve an appointment to meet with him in Oklahoma City, his hometown, on Monday. Victoria Grayson of Williamsburg, Virginia, you know about. She’s the fencer of foil who came to my attention in 1940.”

“Ah, yes, of the Virginia Graysons. Family’s richer than God,” Donovan said. “Let’s hope she goes for it.”

“Our Paris asset is in place and expecting her.”

Bill Donovan laid down the list and eyed his deputy appreciatively. “It was a stroke of genius how you got these names, my friend.”

Alistair accepted the compliment with a slight nod. His boss’s trust was what he liked most about working for Wild Bill Donovan. He allowed Alistair to do his job without requiring him to trot every idea or plan by him for interminable study or—God save them!—from the quagmire of a committee. Investigation and recruitment of a special few for certain missions was the purview of the man in brown. Early last year he had hit upon the idea of contacting college professors of particular disciplines to obtain the names of students fluent in German and French the agency could approach “to serve in a special capacity for the security of the United States.” The letter, written on OSS stationery, asked for any known details of their personal lives. These were listed by category: family, friends, interests, hobbies, social affiliations, religious preference, proclivities, temperament, political views, and the like. The psychology of the letterhead of a highly secret government agency had worked, and he’d heard from an amazing number of professors from whose replies he had compiled the list in his boss’s hands.

Wild Bill said, “Tell me about these boys and girls. Where are they now? I mean, where are they in life?”