“As a matter of fact, sir,” said Bömelburg, “we rather think that Grynszpan might have gone to Toulouse.”

“If that’s the case, then what’s Geissler doing in Vichy?”

“Setting up this Kuhnt Commission,” said Bömelburg. “To be fair to Geissler, for a while there was also a rumor that Grynszpan was in Vichy, too. But Toulouse now looks like a better bet.”

“Bömelburg? Karl. Correct me if I’m wrong,” said Knochen. “But I seem to recall that this French concentration camp at Le Vernet—where Captain Gunther’s quarry may be imprisoned—is in the Ariège département, in the mid-Pyrenees. That’s near Toulouse, is it not?”

“Quite near, sir,” agreed Bömelburg. “Toulouse is in the neighboring department of Haute-Garonne and about sixty kilometers north of Le Vernet.”

“Then it strikes me,” said Knochen, “that you and Captain Gunther should both get yourselves to Toulouse as quickly as possible. Perhaps the day after tomorrow. Bömelburg? You can remain in Toulouse and look for Grynszpan while Gunther here travels further south, to Le Vernet. Have the Marquis find someone to go with Gunther and Kestner to smooth over any ruffled French feathers. Meanwhile, I shall send a telegram to Philippe le Gaga in Vichy and inform him of what is happening. I daresay that by the time you get down there we will have a clearer idea of who to arrest and who to leave where they are.”

“Any trains running down that way yet, sir?” This was Kestner.

“I’m afraid not.”

“Pity. That’s rather a long drive. About six hundred kilo meters. You know, it might be an idea to take a leaf out of the Führer’s book and fly down there from Le Bourget. In a couple of hours we could be in Biarritz, where a motorized detachment from the SS-VT or secret GFP could take us on to Le Vernet and Toulouse.”

“Agreed.” Knochen looked at Hagen. “See to it. And find out if there are there any motorized detachments of SS operating that far south.”

“Yes, sir, there are,” said Hagen. “In which case the only question that remains is whether these men should be wearing uniforms when they cross the demarcation line into the French zone.”

“An officer’s uniform might lend us more authority, sir,” argued Kestner.

“Gunther? What do you think?” asked Knochen.