Her eyes told Wilde that she considered him a poor substitute for her heroic husband, and he wasn’t about to argue.

‘Look, Frau Somerfeld,’ he said. ‘I understand that I may not be what you were hoping for – but I had no idea what I was letting myself in for either. I was sent here to collect a package. Nothing more. Now I’m told the package is a little girl.’

She waved away his protestations as if they were of no interest and returned to the subject of his cover story.

‘What you are is a free worker – and that is what your ID papers will say. So dredge up as much French as you can. When I have to speak to you in front of others, I will use very simple language to you. Look for my head movements – if I’m expecting a “Oui, madame” response, I will make an almost imperceptible nod of the head. Likewise, a shake for a “Non”. And we must hope we come across no francophone members of the Gestapo.’ She met his eyes. ‘Now then, voulez-vous quelque chose à boire, Monsieur Sable?’

‘Oui, s’il vous plait.’

‘Well, that’s something at least. Try to exaggerate the accent – you sound too American. God, it will be a miracle if either of us gets out of this alive.’

‘What about that drink?’

She raised an eyebrow and half a smile.

‘Jim Vanderberg tells me you like whisky.’

‘Really? You have whisky? Nothing would suit me better.’

She fetched a bottle and two tumblers from a sideboard and poured two drinks, then clinked glasses.

‘Cheers. Prost.’

‘Salut.’

She downed the drink in one swallow.

‘Now I must leave you and go to fetch your papers. It is safer you stay here – every trip out without them is a risk. Don’t touch the blackouts – I can do without a twenty-mark fine.’

‘OK. I understand.’

‘When I come back, we will eat, then a few hours’ sleep. In the night we will drive to Kossertheim – about an hour from here – and pick up our package. Like the Gestapo, we shall arrive just before dawn. The German school day begins at eight o’clock, so we must be there before seven-thirty at the very latest.’

‘Wait a minute – can we talk a bit more? We need to think what we do when – if – we manage to remove the package? How do we look after her? More importantly, how do we get her to safety?’

‘By sea, but I will give you the details later. We will talk over some supper and more whisky. Don’t worry, though – I have made arrangements. In the meantime, I will find the uniform of my old chauffeur for you. He was about your height, but a little wider around the waist. A couple of stitches should fix it. It will help you, because we Germans always respect a uniform.’

‘Even a chauffeur’s uniform?’

‘Even that.’