‘You know, Mr Dulles, you are not making this a very attractive proposition.’

‘Not attractive? To be the man who brings Adolf Hitler to book? There are millions who would love the chance. You have it.’

Except he didn’t want it. He wanted to be a husband, a father and a historian. Anyway, he knew he’d never get a crazy idea like this past Lydia. ‘Yes, of course, I would like to see him dealt with,’ he said tentatively. ‘We all would. But someone else is going to have to bring him in.’

‘When you are in Bavaria,’ the colonel said, as though he hadn’t heard Wilde rejecting the mission, ‘I will be close at hand at CIC Garmisch to supply you with all your needs – men for a raid when you have identified the hideout, specialist equipment, weapons, anything. Of course we’re close to the Austrian border, which is now partly French zone. They are aware of our undertaking, but not involved. They will not be a hindrance.’

It was time to bring this conversation to a halt. Wilde rose from his chair, and his guests did likewise, Eaton struggling to push himself up with his right hand on the edge of the table.

‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘I’m not doing it.’

‘You want justice, Professor Wilde?’ Dulles asked.

‘Naturally. But the answer is no, and that’s the end of the matter.’

‘I want justice very badly. I lost friends to that monster – as did you. Look, at least think it over, won’t you? Sleep on it.’

‘The answer will be the same tomorrow, and the day after.’

Dulles sighed heavily and met Wilde’s eyes full on. ‘OK, Professor,’ he said at last. ‘I must accept your decision.’

‘Thank you.’

‘But the mission aside, I have to say it has been a real pleasure to meet you after all the great work you’ve done.’

‘Likewise. And good luck to whoever gets the job.’

Dulles removed his pipe and shook his head slowly. ‘You know, we weren’t flattering you. There is no one else suitable for this task. It could take quite a while finding someone, and by then the trail might have gone cold.’

‘Just out of interest, what will you do with Adolf if you find him?’

None of the three men answered.

*

As the visitors were leaving, Eaton clutched Wilde’s arm. ‘I’m staying in Cambridge tonight, at Templeman’s. I’ll call you in the morning if that’s all right. It would be good to catch up, chat about old times.’

‘Of course. I’ll be in college later, but join us here for coffee, if you like.’

‘That would be a pleasure.’

With the door closed, Lydia gave her husband a long hard look which seemed to say, What was that all about, Tom? Then, after he had explained what was being asked of him and his response, she just shook her head and said, ‘I give up. I married you for better or worse, so do what you have to do.’