‘I am to be your guide and interpreter, Herr Esser.’

‘That sounds like menial work for someone of your seniority, Herr Offenbach.’

‘Not at all – you are a very important person. I must see that your every need is catered for.’

‘I guess I should be flattered.’

‘Of course, we would not wish to hinder you in any way, but I must do my duty. You come from the peaceful streets and fields of America; here we are engaged in the greatest war in history. Which means precautions are needed. I am sorry to say that relations between your country and mine are not as good as they might be. Also, the British are making air raids. We wish to take care of you. We would not want anything to happen to our esteemed American visitor . . .’

Was that some kind of threat? If so, Offenbach managed to conceal it with a warm smile and the briefest touch of his delicate fingers on Wilde’s shoulder. Wilde decided that Anton Offenbach was either an artist or a pianist in his spare time. He also found himself wondering about the man’s time at Oxford; it brought up all sorts of unpleasant possibilities. What if Wilde were to run into someone who had studied at Cambridge recently? The thought didn’t bear thinking about.

‘And I can tell you, sir,’ Offenbach continued, ‘that Reichsminister Todt himself is very much looking forward to meeting you tomorrow morning. He spends much time with the Führer at the Wolfsschanze, but by good fortune he is in Berlin for a day or two and you are at the top of his appointments list.’

Wilde felt his stomach churning. God, how could he – a history professor – talk technical detail with a man of such renown as Fritz Todt? This was the man who’d built the autobahns and now had total control over Germany’s war machine. He affected a dubious expression.

‘To be honest, Offenbach, I’m more interested in meeting your industrialists – they’re the ones who will understand what I can offer. As I’m sure you’re aware, I am a great admirer of Herr Hitler and the National Socialist ideology, but this mission of mine is pure business. Money, not politics.’

‘Please, do not underestimate Herr Doktor Todt. He is a highly qualified engineer and will understand you perfectly, however intricate your explanations. And, of course, as armaments and munitions minister he holds the purse strings and is answerable only to the Führer himself.’

‘But I’ll be able to meet the industry men, too?’

‘Of course.’

‘OK, but before meeting Herr Doktor Todt I intend to visit the US embassy.’

Offenbach was clearly shocked. ‘Why would you wish to do that, Herr Esser?’

‘To pay my respects. I am not here illegally, and just because I wish to trade with Germany, that does not make me a traitor to America, even if I have to bypass certain embargoes. My company . . . we are not politicians or crusaders. Profit is paramount.’