‘He’ll pass it on to his friend Benedict, who will pass it on to the Germans.’

‘He will. So giving it to Grimm will be a stupid thing to do, won’t it, Captain Ellis.’

‘It will, sir. But I’m an idiot, sir.’

‘Then go and do something idiotic, Captain Ellis,’ the general said and his eyes were filled with fire.

‘Yes, sir.’ The young officer saluted and marched out of the room. In the office Sergeant Grimm was polishing his silver hand and shifting from one foot to the other. His narrow eyes flicked around, nervously. ‘Ah, there you are, Captain Ellis. They wouldn’t let me into the meeting to take notes for you.’

‘No, it was a secret meeting just for the colonels.’

‘But I could have made notes and kept a record for you,’ Silver Hand said with a small whine in his voice. ‘It’s my job.’

‘No need, Grimm. The notes were all made by the Australians. They’re going to lead the attack on 9th September.’

‘Are they?’ Grimm breathed.

‘Ah... sorry... I’m supposed to keep my mouth shut,’ the captain said with a silly grin. ‘You’ll keep your mouth shut though, Grimm, won’t you?’

‘Yes, sir.’ That mouth was tight as a rat trap. The small eyes were fixed on the green folder under Captain Ellis’s arm. ‘Can I put that away for you, sir?’

‘Ah, this copy has to be kept safe. Locked away where no one can see it. I need to find a secure place.’

‘I can do that for you, sir,’ the sergeant said and his hand snaked towards the file.

Captain Ellis clutched it to the brass buttons on his jacket. ‘Spies, Grimm.’

‘Spies, sir?’

‘If a spy got his hands on this the whole plan would be ruined. The Germans would know the Australians will lead the attack eighty miles to the north of here on 9th September. We can’t have that.’

‘No, sir. So I will put it somewhere safe.’

‘The Germans would pay a fortune to get their hands on this.’

‘A fortune?’

‘Ten thousand pounds – maybe even fifty.’

Silver Hand’s voice was a croak. His mouth seemed dust dry. His hand reached forward and touched the file. Slowly, slowly Captain Ellis released it. ‘Don’t read it, Grimm.’

‘I wouldn’t read it if you paid me ten thousand pounds,’ he said with a creaking laugh. ‘Or fifty thousand.’

The young officer slapped the sergeant on the arm. ‘Good man. I can trust you to do the right thing with this.’

‘You can, sir, oh you can.’

And Captain Ellis marched down the corridor to the general’s office. Silver Hand muttered, ‘Idiot.’

Captain Ellis smiled at the general. ‘Idiot.’

22 August 1918: Bray

‘My friends,’ the mayor said to the people of Bray, who had gathered around the Town Hall steps. ‘As you know, the British are on their way back.’