Jacobs looked at Henkell. “For Christ’s sake, don’t tell him,” he said.

“Why not?” asked Henkell.

“You don’t know anything about the guy,” he said. “And have you forgotten that you and Eric are working for the American government? I would use the word ‘secret,’ only I don’t think you guys know how to spell it.”

“He’s staying in my house,” said Henkell. “I trust Bernie.”

“I’m still trying to figure out why that is,” said Jacobs. “Or is it just an SS thing? Old comrades. What?”

I was still wondering a little about that myself.

“I told you why,” said Henkell. “Eric gets a bit lonely, sometimes. Possibly even suicidal.”

“Jesus, I wish I was as lonely as Eric is,” snorted Jacobs. “That broad who looks after him, Engelbertina, or whatever her name is. How anyone could be lonely with her around sure beats me.”

“He does have a point,” I said.

“You see? Even the kraut agrees with me,” said Jacobs.

“I wish you wouldn’t use that word,” said Henkell.

“‘Kraut’? What’s wrong with it?”

“It’s like me calling you a kike,” said Henkell. “Or a yid.”

“Yeah, well, get used to it, buddy,” said Jacobs. “The yids are in charge now. And you krauts will have to do what you’re told.”

Henkell looked at me and, quite deliberately, as if to irritate the major, said, “We’re working on finding a cure for malaria.”

Jacobs sighed loudly.

“I thought there was a cure for that,” I said.

“No,” said Henkell. “There are several treatments. Some of them are more effective than others. Quinine. Chloroquine. Atebrin. Proguanil. Some of them have rather unpleasant side effects. And of course, in time, the disease will become resistant to these drugs. No, when I say a cure, I mean something more than that.”

“Give him the keys to the safe, why don’t you?” said Jacobs.

Henkell continued, hardly deterred by the Ami’s obvious displeasure. “We’re working on a vaccine. Now that really would be something worthwhile, wouldn’t you say so, Bernie?”

“I guess so.”

“Come and have a look.” Henkell ushered me through the first set of glass doors. Jacobs followed.

“We have two sets of glass doors to keep things extra warm in the lab. You may find you have to remove your jacket.” He closed the first set of glass doors before opening the second set. “If I’m in here for any length of time, I usually wear just a tropical shirt. It really is quite tropical in here. Like a hothouse.”

As soon as the second set of doors was open, the heat hit me. Henkell had not exaggerated. It was like walking into a South American jungle. Jacobs had already started to sweat. I removed my jacket and rolled up my sleeves.