‘I think it will take us more than a week or two to find this Ferret,’ said Prince.

‘And in any case, it doesn’t make sense…’ Hanne was shaking her head as she spoke.

‘I beg your pardon?’

‘Going to Munich makes no sense.’

‘In what way, Hanne?’ Tom Gilbey had turned to face her.

‘If this man is on the run and was caught in Munich before being released, then surely the last place in Europe where he’ll now be is Munich? He’ll know it’s too dangerous for him.’

Both Gilbey and Prince nodded.

‘I see your point, but I thought if you rode into the city and let your dogs have a good run around the place, then sooner or later you’re bound to pick up his scent.’

Prince turned to his wife. ‘Mr Gilbey is using hunting metaphors. I’ll explain later. In any case, sir, I agree with Hanne: we might not only be wasting our time in Munich, but given the nature of the city, we could alert people that we’re searching for this man’s real identity. Odd to have nothing but a nickname to go on – maybe it’s an indication of how important he is.’

‘You said the last place we know where he was during the war was Amsterdam: is that right?’

‘Yes, Hanne. You could go there.’

‘And before that it was Paris?’

Gilbey nodded.

‘Maybe if we start off in Paris… There are bound to be plenty of people there who’ll be able to help us.’

‘Don’t overestimate the gratitude of the French, Prince.’

‘I still think that will be a more productive place to start.’

‘Fair enough, and I suppose you do have a perfect cover story, don’t you?’

‘What’s that, sir?’

‘Your honeymoon!’

‘You look confused, Richard – as if you’re not sure.’

They were on the train back to Lincoln and had a compartment to themselves. Before they left, Tom Gilbey told them that as they were now on a new mission, they could start claiming expenses, so they’d decided to travel first class.

‘I’m not confused. I just thought we’d want time to think about it. We’ve got Henry to consider too, remember. And also – well, I am surprised at how keen you are to go. After all, we’ve only been married for a week, and what… four months ago you were in a concentration camp. I’d have thought running round Europe after Nazis would be the last thing you’d want to do.’

‘But that’s the point, Richard.’

‘What is?’

‘That I was in a concentration camp until May. I nearly died. I saw suffering and cruelty I could never have imagined – the way prisoners were shot for just looking at an officer, and the dreadful medical experiments. I suffered terribly myself and yet I was one of the lucky ones. Before the war, and for part of it, I was a senior police officer in Copenhagen, as you know. Although I knew I was taking a risk when I became a British agent, I never envisaged I’d see what I did. I’m haunted by what I encountered and I know I’ll continue to be unless I do something about it – and this is my opportunity. That’s why I am so keen to go on this mission. We are both highly experienced agents, Richard. You know we can catch this Ferret. And it will be an opportunity for revenge.’