‘Don’t worry – you need only tell me as much as you feel able to. It may be safer for you to leave out any names and addresses. That cuts down the risk. If it helps, I know Tom Gilbey. He recruited me, and I recruited Browning for him. I operate completely independently of any other British intelligence interests in Denmark; it’s safer that way. Even Gilbey’s people in Stockholm don’t know about me. If Tom gave you this address, it shows he obviously trusts you. And by the look of you, you’re going to have to trust me. Let me get you some water.’

Jensen had pulled two chairs up alongside a workbench, various bike parts scattered around them.

‘I don’t suppose you have any aspirin, do you?’ Prince asked. ‘I think I may have caught something.’

A few minutes later, he began to feel slightly better. ‘Gilbey sent me over here in November. There’s an agent here – a Danish woman – who’s been looking after me. She provided me with somewhere to stay and a new identity, and she’s passed messages and intelligence to and from London via the MI6 station in Stockholm. I’ve twice been on missions inside Germany. Could I trouble you for some more water?’

Jensen refilled his glass and told Prince to rest for a moment.

‘On my last mission, I was arrested, although they didn’t discover I was a British agent. Nevertheless, they sent me to a concentration camp near Hamburg. From there I was sent to Lübeck, and I managed to escape on a Danish ship that was sailing to Copenhagen.’

‘What was the name of the ship?’

‘The Strand Stjerne.’

‘When and where did it arrive?’

‘In Holmen, early on Wednesday morning. I’m losing track of time. Is it Friday today?’

Jensen nodded.

‘Because I was going to be away for several weeks on this mission, the Danish woman and I had agreed to a safety signal, but it never appeared. I have no idea what to do. I have no papers, I’m unwell and I’m desperate. I know Gilbey said to approach Browning only in the most extreme of circumstances, but I think this must qualify.’

It was only when he’d finished speaking that Prince realised quite how unwell he suddenly felt. He had the sensation of the room spinning round, and his vision was blurred. His body felt as if it was tightly wrapped in a rough, very hot blanket, and a wave of nausea rode through him. He was aware of a person moving towards him and saying something, though he couldn’t make out any words. After that, he sensed he was lying down, overcome by dizziness. He tried to say something but was unable to form any words. When he attempted to lift his head, there was a jarring pain and everything went black.