‘You’re quite right about the interview,’ I said. ‘Whoever translated it got it wrong. In the original Russian, Slavin quite clearly states that the double was recruited while involved in some sort of black operation in Germany at the end of the war. It sounds like he might have been part of Father’s junket and become entangled with this woman. Did Father give you any idea how many people he had out there with him, if any?’

Chief shook his head. ‘He didn’t tell me anything at all about the operation - just that it was vital it continued.’

‘All right. Still, the fact that you were openly working at British headquarters clearly rules you out as the double. I’ll explain the whole thing to Henry as soon as he gets here. When was it you said he was coming over, again?’

‘Henry? Nine.’

I glanced at my watch. It had just gone half eight. Pritchard might even be early, knowing him.

Chief was taking a congratulatory draught of Becherovka: he was in the clear now. He must have read the file this morning and panicked - not that another traitor on his watch would lead to calls for him to resign, but that his being stationed in the British Zone in ’45 might bring him under suspicion of actually being the traitor. His position as Head of the Service was no guarantee of protection: Five’s Deputy Head had almost lost his mind after being investigated by other officers in ’66. Even a Chief could be brought down. He had probably spotted the omission in the translation some time during the afternoon. It exonerated him, but he knew it would cut more ice if someone else pointed it out. Of the officers who would be hunting the double agent, I was the only one with good enough Russian to spot it - outside Soviet Section, ‘Tolstoy’ and ‘Turgenev’ were about all anyone could muster. Additionally, I would have good reason to protect him, as he was a family friend and my father had apparently asked for his help. So he had called me in to get his story straight before tomorrow’s meeting. ‘It can’t possibly be Chief,’ I’d tell them. ‘There’s been a translation cock-up.’ Good old Paul.

‘Of course,’ I said, ‘Henry won’t be the only one who will need convincing.’

He looked up, alarmed. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Osborne and Farraday,’ I said.

‘Yes, yes, of course. I see that. But can’t you explain it to them, too?’

‘I thought you’d already discussed it with them,’ I said lightly, raising my glass. It was empty, and I made sure he noticed.

‘What? No, not yet.’ He stood up and walked over to the drinks cabinet. ‘I thought it best to sound you and Henry out first.’