‘Yes, the general is a fool.’

‘Not the general. You.’

‘But...’

‘They have set you up. It’s all too neat. Who knew you were looking for the Whippet plans?’

‘Only the German soldier boy and he’s dead. I saw him shot.’

‘Then he must have told someone before he died.’

‘Probably the farm girl. I wish I’d killed her when I had the chance.’

‘It doesn’t matter how they found out. The British knew you were looking for Whippet plans and so they handed them to you. They want you to run like a fox so they can set the hounds to catch us both.’

‘I have the plans here...’ Sergeant Grimm said. He patted the backpack as if his friend could see it.

‘They will be phony plans. You still have that key to the general’s safe?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then use it to get the real plans. You’ll see they’re different. The ones in your hand are fake.’

‘I’ll call you back.’

Sergeant Grimm tiptoed into the school hall as quietly as army boots would allow. The other clerks were busy with messages and calls. The general had left to meet a French commander. Grimm slipped into the office, opened the safe and flicked through files till he came to ‘Tanks’ and ‘Whippet’. ‘Now who’s the fool?’ Grimm muttered to himself. ‘You didn’t think I’d check, did you, General?’

He slid the papers inside his tunic jacket then hurried back to his own office and picked up the phone. ‘I have them. Plans for the Whippet from the safe. And a note on its weakness.’

‘Compare them to the ones they gave you.’

Grimm put his hand inside the bag. ‘There are no plans here. Just maps and food. Ellis must have given me the wrong backpack.’ He reached into the front pocket and read the paper inside it. His mouth went dry. ‘Wait a moment, Benedict.’ He read through the letter a second time, just to be sure. He whistled.

‘Do you have the real plans, Grimm?’ Benedict asked.

‘I do. And I have something even better. It’s a pass signed by the general. It says that no one may stop or question the person carrying it. Do you know what this means?’

‘Yes. You have the real plans... and no one can stop you bringing them to me. Leave now before they know you’re gone. You’ll be with me in a couple of days.’

‘I want to deal with the girl before I leave,’ Grimm growled.

‘You don’t have time,’ Benedict shouted. ‘If they tried to feed you fake secrets they must know you’re a traitor. You need to get away fast. Remember, you may still be followed.’

‘Calm down. I have this pass. I can go where no one can follow me. And I can get there as quick as the wind. I may even see you later today.’