‘All we want to do is borrow a car. You could return it within a day. Anyway, do you have a better idea?’

‘I’m really not sure. I don’t like it.’

‘What are their politics?’

She was frowning. ‘Well, they are not part of any underground resistance. Like many people, they just keep their heads down and look forward to the day this is all over and the criminals are all dead or in prison rather than running the country. They would certainly not help us if they knew the truth about us and what we are doing. And as for you, Tom – well, they are educated people who speak French. They’d see through you in an instant.’

‘How far are these friends from here?’

‘Ten to twelve kilometres, I think. Two, three hours walk.’

‘We have to do it. We’ll work out a story on the way.’

*

Wilde tapped the ground with his stick. The trapdoor was well hidden under a covering of brush and leaves and it was ten minutes before they found it. When they prised it open, Wilde saw movement in the darkness of a small underground chamber, as the occupant shrank back into a corner.

Sunny knelt at the edge of the pit.

‘Fräulein Rieger – Klara – we are your friends.’ Her voice was warm and encouraging, like a nurse or a nanny. ‘Your father has sent us.’ She was speaking softly, in German.

The chamber was at least eight feet deep and six feet long by four feet wide, with a couple of steps leading down into the darkness. Like a front-line bunker, it had supporting beams, walls fortified with planking and duckboards at the base. It was reasonably dry but the smell was musty and it was cold and unfriendly. No place for a child.

Wilde wondered how long the hide had been there. At what age did Matthias Rieger first bring her here and instruct her in its use? He must have trained her well over the years to seek out this sanctuary without question when danger threatened. But how long would she have stayed here if they had not come and found her?

Right now she was terrified. Like a cornered animal.

The girl did not say a word, but her eyes were wide. Wilde was sure he could hear her teeth chattering. Poor child, she must have been cowering in the darkness for an hour, perhaps two. She must be freezing. Of course, he could step down into the cave and lift her out, but much better if she were to emerge of her own volition; it would not be a good start to use physical coercion of any kind on the girl. If this was to work, if they were to preserve the ‘package’, she would have to learn to trust them in very short order.

Sunny had a box of matches and lit one beneath her own face, so that the girl could see her, and smiled kindly. She lit two more.