George outlined the Stanley Levison problem briskly, leaving out nothing but the wiretap request. “Bobby sent me here to urge you, as strongly as I can, to break all ties with Mr. Levison,” he said in conclusion. “It’s the only way to protect yourself from the charge of being a fellow traveler with the Communists—an accusation that can do untold harm to the movement that you and I both believe in.”

When he had finished, King said: “Stanley Levison is not a Communist.”

George opened his mouth to ask a question.

King held up a hand to silence him: he was not a man to tolerate interruption. “Stanley has never been a member of the Communist Party. Communism is atheistical, and I as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ would find it impossible to be the close friend of an atheist. But—” He leaned forward across the desk. “That is not the whole truth.”

He was silent for a few moments, but George knew that he was not supposed to speak.

“Let me tell you the whole truth about Stanley Levison,” King went on at last, and George felt he was about to hear a sermon. “Stanley is good at making money. This embarrasses him. He feels he should spend his life helping others. So, when he was young, he became . . . entranced. Yes, that’s the word. He was entranced by the ideals of Communism. Although he never joined, he used his remarkable talents to help the Communist Party of the USA in various ways. Soon he saw how wrong he was, broke the association, and gave his support to the cause of freedom and equality for the Negro. And so he became my friend.”

George waited until he was sure King had finished, then he said: “I’m deeply sorry to hear this, Reverend. If Levison has been a financial adviser to the Communist Party, he is forever tainted.”

“But he has changed.”

“I believe you, but others will not. By continuing a relationship with Levison you will be giving ammunition to our enemies.”

“So be it,” said King.

George was flabbergasted. “What do you mean?”

“Moral rules must be obeyed when it doesn’t suit us. Otherwise, why would we need rules?”

“But if you balance—”

“We don’t balance,” King said. “Stanley did wrong to help the Communists. He has repented and is making amends. I’m a preacher in the service of the Lord. I must forgive as Jesus does and welcome Stanley with open arms. Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons. I myself am too often in need of God’s grace to refuse mercy to another.”

“But the cost—”

“I’m a Christian pastor, George. The doctrine of forgiveness goes deep into my soul, deeper even than freedom and justice. I could not go back on it for any prize.”

George realized his mission was doomed. King was completely sincere. There was no prospect of changing his mind.