“We’re uncertain what effect prolonged exposure to unrefined pitchblende has on the human body, but you can bet it’s not good—for two reasons. One is that Marie Curie, who discovered the stuff, died from its effect; and the other is that the Blues come down the mine shaft only when they have to. And even then only for short periods and wearing face masks. So if you’re down the pit, try to cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief.

“On the positive side, the food here is good and plentiful and brutality is kept to a minimum. There are good washing facilities—after all, this was a German camp before it was a Russian one—and we’re allowed a day off once a week; but only because they have to check the lifting gear and the gas levels. Radon gas, I’m told. Colorless, odorless, and that’s about all I know about it, except I’m sure it’s also hazardous. Sorry, that’s another negative. And since we’re back on the side of the debits, I may as well mention now that in this camp the MVD employs a number of Germans as recruiting officers for some new people’s police they’re planning to create in the Soviet zone of occupied Germany. A secret police designed to be a German arm of the MVD. The establishment of such a police force in Germany is banned by the rules of the Allied Control Commission, but that doesn’t mean they’re not going to do it under the table, by subterfuge. But they can’t do it at all if they don’t have the men to do it, so be careful what you say and do, for they will most certainly interrogate and interview you at length. D’you hear? I want no renegades under my command. These Germans the Ivans have working for them are communists. Veteran communists from the old KPD. What we were fighting against. The ugly face of European Bolshevism. If there were some among you who doubted the truth of our National Socialist cause, I imagine you have learned that it was you who were mistaken, not the leader. Remember what I’ve said and watch yourself.”