Free Hostage by Geoffrey Household Page B

have forgotten. We nuclear physicists have made it all look so safe with our underground explosions and Pacific tests and Siberian tests. What does this generation know of Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Just a horror of war, they say. Not much worse than the firestorm in Dresden, they say. I tell you, it has to be seen. The effect of that damnable weapon has to be seen. And it will be – from the French coast, from the south-west and from Ireland. That will show them how easily fissile material can be acquired and how appalling is the result. Just imagine a gang of anarchists getting hold of such a bomb! Once we can exhibit its power our anti-nuclear forces will gain strength all over the world, even in Russia.’
    ‘The material was not very easily acquired, Dr Shallope. It was an extremely expensive operation which cost a man’s life.’
    ‘Did it indeed? I am sorry. I am very sorry. But what is a man’s life when our demonstration may save millions?’
    I pointed out to him that his doubts about this Atlantic operation were fully justified and that if he worked out the details for himself instead of accepting authority he would see it. The people who had studied his strong feelings and his conscience, inventing this improbable story to fit them, were not a secret anti-nuclear society at all, and the bomb which he had made at Roke’s Tining – I threw in the name to show him how much I knew – was in fact for the use of what he called a gang of anarchists.
    ‘Who are you? Why should I believe you?’ he shouted.
    I then had the difficult and unexpected task of persuading him to believe what he didn’t want to believe, for I needed all the information he could give me.
    The fictitious scheme of an exemplary Atlantic explosion was impressive though I can see no way of avoiding a disastrous effect on shipping. Shallope knew that but would not admit it. I have no doubt that he had been brain-washed for months and Rex or the bearded tiger or some foreigner of their calibre eventually produced a dozen foolscap pages of operational analysis which finally blinded our technician with unfamiliar, paramilitary techniques.
    ‘Do you read the papers, Dr Shallope?’
    ‘Not every day, I am afraid.’
    ‘You remember the attempted bombing of a Telephone Exchange when three persons were caught and the case against them dismissed on the ground of mistaken identity?’
    ‘Indeed I do. A scandal! The police are getting most careless in preparing prosecutions.’
    ‘Has it occurred to you that the Government could have been afraid of retaliation if the three were found guilty?’
    ‘Unthinkable! The Government would not be afraid of a few bombs. They have shown that very often.’
    ‘But they might be afraid of one single bomb.’
    ‘I don’t believe what you are suggesting,’ he replied in great agitation.
    ‘Where did your suppliers get the U235 from?’
    ‘Somewhere on the Continent. There are several possible sources which have caused us anxiety.’
    ‘Another item of news, Dr Shallope! Do you remember all the excitement about a theft of arms in Libya shipped out by a motor cruiser which subsequently disappeared?’
    ‘Shortage of front page drivel! One of those sensations they never follow up!’
    ‘Why should the Libyans have publicised a theft so insignificant that it could be carried in a motor cruiser? That was your graphite, your U235. It was brought on by ship from the Mediterranean and then, as you know, smuggled in by helicopter.’
    ‘I dare say! I dare say! But that does not mean it is in the hands of anarchists.’
    ‘The people you have met – do they strike you as belonging to a woolly, anti-nuclear society? This cunning arrangement of meetings with you? The deadly young woman with the fuzzy beard of whom I think you have been a little afraid? The brilliant organisation all the way from Libya to Roke’s Tining? Doesn’t it all suggest ruthlessness and long experience?’
    ‘I admit you have me very