‘Well, in the first instance I want him to communicate to his master in Germany that Klara Rieger is dead and her body disposed of. We won’t have him anywhere near a radio until we’re absolutely sure of him, of course. The chances of him sending a coded warning are too high. But once we’ve done that, Klara will be a whole lot safer.’

Wilde laughed. ‘You’ve forgotten something, Eaton – the rather large matter of Mr Bodie Cashbone. As soon as he gets the chance, he’ll be splashing Klara’s name and picture all over the newspapers and organising leaflet drops to the Fatherland.’

‘Which is what I want to talk to you about. Now then, I’ve had a change of heart about the girl. I have an idea – but if it’s to work you must trust me and tell me where you’re hiding her.’

‘You know I’m not going to do that.’

‘First listen.’

‘Shoot.’

‘Over the years, Wilde, you and I have worked together pretty well. We haven’t always seen eye to eye, but it’s fair to say we have been of assistance to each other. If I do something for you now, however, I will have to go way beyond anything I have done before and you will be in my eternal debt. Do you understand?’

Wilde took a sip of his tea. ‘Carry on.’

‘I think I have a solution, but it will mean betraying my country and, more to the point, disobeying orders that come from the very top of the Secret Intelligence Service. If word of this gets out, my career will be dead and I may very well end up in the Tower. The slightest suspicion would be enough.’

Wilde was definitely intrigued now.

‘You had better tell me more, then.’

‘Will you take me to her?’

‘Look, Eaton. Just asking me to trust you isn’t enough. I’m pretty damned sure, for instance, that it was you who put Cashbone on to Rupert Weir’s house in Girton.’

‘I confess that was me. But things are different now.’

‘Of course, I want to trust you. We all want this to be over. But you must give me some clue what you are planning.’

‘Fair enough. I believe I have a way of spiriting Klara to safety. No one will know she has gone, or that she ever existed. I’m not going to explain more until you allow me into your hideaway.’

‘It’s flimsy as hell, Eaton. I need to talk to Lydia about this.’