When Silver Hand and Father Benedict Gaulle stepped out of the church door they saw Marius and Aimee running through the gate and heading east. ‘Go after them,’ the traitor roared.

‘Are you mad? Go after them yourself.’

‘I can’t run with this damaged ankle.’

‘And I can’t run down the streets, chasing two peasants, while I’m dressed in my robes. I’d look like a madman. I have to stay here and report on British troop movements. I can’t keep spying if the bishop sacks me.’

‘We need to stop them,’ Grimm hissed.

‘Why? We have the plans the Fatherland wants. You can cross the lines and go over to Germany. They will pay you well. When we have won the war you will be a hero.’

Grimm glared. ‘Maybe,’ he said.

He bent to pick up his backpack. He looked inside and his face turned pale. ‘Have you moved my bag?’

‘Of course I haven’t.’

Sergeant Grimm called across to the gravedigger. ‘This isn’t mine. Have you seen the pack I left here five minutes ago?’

The old man nodded. ‘Those kids took it.’

Silver Hand gave a roar like a wounded bull. ‘Our fortune’s in that pack,’ he groaned.

‘Calm down,’ the priest said and gripped the traitor by the shoulders. ‘Remember what the Bible says... Be strong and brave. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’

‘Why did the Lord your God let me hurt my ankle?’ Grimm spat.

‘You fell hundreds of feet from an aeroplane. Your life was spared. The ankle will heal. Those thieving brats can’t move fast. Take your time. You will catch them.’

Grimm breathed deeply. Then he hobbled to the church gate. ‘They have the pass from General Bruce too. It’ll make it harder for me to move through the British lines.’

Father Gaulle nodded. ‘You are the same size as I am. Let me lend you my spare robes. If you look like a priest then no one will stop you. I’ve walked through the British lines many times. They see the dog collar and the priest and not the man. They don’t even notice my German accent. Come inside. I will give you the robes and a new pack of food.’

Grimm turned slowly back to the church. Half an hour later he was on his way.

Ten minutes after that a man in a black cloak arrived at the church gate. He rested his cane on a gravestone and asked the gravedigger about two young peasants. The old man pointed the way to the east. As the watcher picked up his cane the gravedigger said, ‘And that new priest followed them.’

‘New priest?’

‘Aye. The Father here’s a German. The other one was British, but they seemed thick as thieves.’

‘Ah.’ The follower sighed and nodded.