‘I hope so. We swept the place thoroughly before taking possession, and we hadn’t mentioned to the Soviets or anyone else beforehand that we would be coming here. Why, are you worried about diehard Germans or our friends?’

‘All of them. I need to call Eaton privately.’

‘Well, I know better than to inquire what it’s about. Use the phone in my office. There’s a gramophone in there. I like to play a bit of Glenn Miller while I’m making important calls. A pleasant way to muffle my own voice, I find.’

‘Thank you.’

‘And I would be delighted if you and Heck could join me at my place for dinner. I have a local girl cooking and she does a great schnitzel.’

Wilde happily accepted the offer. Half an hour later he got a line through to Eaton at 54 Broadway, London.

‘Hello, Tom, how are things in Deutschland?’

‘Pretty wrecked actually, Philip. Can’t see how they’ll ever rebuild the place to be frank.’

‘You can blame Bomber Harris for that. By the way, I like the accompaniment. Is that the divine Billie Holiday?’

‘What A Little Moonlight Can Do. Can you hear me OK?’

‘Just about. This is for my ears only I take it.’

‘Indeed. I need your help. Your advice at least. I am in contact with an important member of Soviet intelligence. He wants political asylum in return for a great deal of information. What would the British line be?’

‘You’re an American, Wilde. Why not take this to Bill Donovan?’

‘My man wants to come to England. Cambridge to be precise. He also wants money.’

‘Well, he wouldn’t be the first Russian in Cambridge. What sort of information is he offering?’

‘In the first instance, he’s offering help with my quest. After that I’m not certain – we’ve only had a preliminary discussion. Hang on, the record’s ending.’

‘Can we have some more Billie?’

‘I was thinking Lester Young – Lady Be Good.’

‘Perfect.’

Wilde switched the record, then picked up the phone again. ‘As for what he could offer MI6, I have to be honest and tell you that I don’t know. Also, this must be conditional on sharing with the OSS.’

‘Naturally. I wouldn’t have it any other way.’

‘My man is very cagey, very nervous. He says he trusts me, but he’s well aware that he’s on extremely thin ice.’

‘Has he said why he wants to give us all this wonderful information? Has he given up on communism?’

‘I have no idea about his politics. He seems to think he is falling foul of Beria and Abakumov and if one doesn’t put a bullet in his head, the other one will.’

‘Ah, well, yes, I see his point of view. Definitely living on borrowed time if he’s got those two fellows on his case. You say he trusts you, but do you trust him?’