‘At the Kommandatura building. I’ll have a driver take you.’

‘Thanks. And by the way, have you seen Lieutenant Heck this morning? He had an early breakfast. Where would he be, do you think?’

‘I saw him. He said he was going out for a walk. But that was three or four hours ago. Is he in his room?’

‘No.’

‘Well, feel free to have a look around the place. He must be back by now.’

‘Actually, I’d like a sober half-hour talk with you, Richard. Legend had it in London that you once met Hitler . . .’

‘That’s not legend, Tom, that’s the God’s honest truth. I had lunch with the guy.’

‘In which case I’d very much like to get your take on him. Everything I’ve heard so far is from people who thought the bastard was God’s gift to Germany. So I want your instinct: suicide or escape? Hiding in his homeland or a foreign country? That sort of thing. I promise I won’t hold you to it.’

Helms smiled. He had dark, swept-back hair and habitually wore a happy-go-lucky grin. It seemed to Wilde that he looked more like an estate agent than a spy chief. But maybe that was his secret. It had to be a plus to go unnoticed in the dark world of espionage. ‘Let’s go sit down with some coffee then, Tom. Let me reminisce to my heart’s content.’

*

Helms had been a young reporter for United Press who was in the right place at the right time covering the Nuremberg annual rally in 1936 when he was given an invitation for lunch with the Führer on the following day.

‘I was picked up in a big open-top Mercedes with a Polish reporter and some Nazi bigwig, and we were taken to listen to a speech by Hitler.’ Then they followed his car to the old Nuremberg Castle where they were introduced to Hitler.

‘I’m ashamed to say it, because I always loathed Nazism, but he was an impressive man. He understood politics, he had a firm handshake, a smile for every guest and an easy manner. But you know he didn’t look so good close up. His skin was poor, his hair greying, and he mumbled his words when he spoke to you. Only his eyes commanded attention, his blue eyes, they were something. Brilliant and bright.’

‘What did you learn about his character?’

‘He didn’t suffer doubts. When discussing world affairs, you or I might say, “I think the UN is a great idea” or “I believe Truman will make a fine president.” But Hitler wouldn’t say that, even if he thought it – which I confess is unlikely – because he never prefaced any of his opinions with the words “I think” or “I believe”. That’s what I noticed about him. He stated opinions as bald facts.’

‘So, the moment of truth: suicide or escape?’