‘All you guys seem to have been at the same school. If I meet someone else from Missouri, it’s a big deal. I have some news for you: I have a new job!’

‘Many congratulations, Joe,’ said Pearson after a short period of hesitation. It was now Jenkins’ turn to bristle: he hated being called Joe – he didn’t want people to associate him with Stalin. ‘Does this mean a move away from London, perhaps?’

‘Ha! If I didn’t know you better, Roly, I’d think you wanted me to leave. No, for the time being, I’m going to continue to be based here at the embassy. Have you heard of the Counter Intelligence Corps?’

‘It’s an intelligence section within the United States Army, isn’t it?’

The American nodded his head, and Pearson asked him if that meant he was now a soldier.

‘No, I’m still with the Office of Strategic Services, but I’m attached to the Counter Intelligence Corps for a few months. They want to use my expertise.’

‘Do you get to wear a uniform now, Joe? I can recommend an excellent tailor in Jermyn Street if you have difficulty in finding one the right size.’

Jenkins glared at Sir Roland.

‘Well, jolly well done,’ said Tom Gilbey. ‘It’s always nice to be wanted, to have one’s achievements recognised. After all, you’ve been in the same post for an awfully long time as I understand it, eh?’

Jenkins bristled once more.

‘And it’s so nice you came all the way here from Grosvenor Square to give us the good news in person.’

‘That’s not the sole reason I came, Tom. It’s connected with it, though.’ The American pushed his chair back and smiled at both the men opposite him.

‘Do please tell us.’

‘One of the current operations of the Counter Intelligence Corps is to identify senior German officials who are wanted by various Allied countries but who in our estimation can in the long run be of assistance to the United States of America.’

‘I think you may need to explain that more clearly, Joe.’

‘I prefer Joseph, if that’s all right with you. There are thousands of senior Germans in custody in Germany and elsewhere in Europe, with many more still at liberty. Some are war criminals and must face Allied justice. But at the same time we’d be foolish to ignore the fact that there are some amongst them who can be of better use to the United States by working for us.’

‘You mean you’re recruiting Nazis?’

‘They’re not all Nazis, Roly.’

‘Well who are these new recruits of yours then?’

‘You know as well as I do that the focus in Europe has shifted dramatically. We now have to turn our attention to the Soviet Union, which is already extending its influence in eastern and central Europe in a way that represents a threat to the United States. One way of combating this is by having an effective intelligence operation in Europe, and there will be a small number of Germans who may be ideal operatives for us in this respect. Likewise we should acknowledge that the Germans have a considerable degree of expertise in many areas. For example, their tanks were superior to ours, their aircraft technology was first class, and the V1 and V2 rockets they developed meant that their scientists are the top guys in this field.’