Free Faked Passports by Dennis Wheatley

deprived of her African possessions after the last Great War? In the last half-dozen years Hitler would have established huge arsenals and air-bases in German West, Tanganyika and the Cameroons and would have turned their ports into heavily-fortified lairs for great flotillas of commerce raiders and submarines. The coming of the aeroplane, the increased range of U-boats and fast motorcraft, the destructive power of mines and direct communication by wireless had absolutely revolutionised strategy in the last quarter of a century and would have made such enemy bases a hundred times more potent as factors in the struggle than they were in 1914. With them in her hands Germany would have been able totally to disrupt Britain’s sea traffic in both the South Atlantic and the Indian Ocean, cuttingher and France off entirely from the Eastern hemisphere in which lay the greater part of both their Empires. In addition Hitler’s African bombing squadrons would have had Johannesburg, Cairo, Cape Town and the Suez Canal at their mercy; and any determined attempt to protect these African territories would have necessitated Britain and France detaching so large a proportion of their Air Forces from the main theatre of operations that they could have been left virtually defenceless at home. A
Blitzkrieg
then might even have caused the Democracies to lose the war. Freddie paled with his intensity as he added firmly: “That is why never, never again must Germany be allowed to hold one square mile of African soil.”
    At half past twelve Magda came out, bringing with her a welcome hot lunch. Gregory had fallen into a troubled sleep so they did not disturb him but hoped that he would sleep on, as complete rest was what he needed. They ate the meal while she waited with them and when she had gone settled themselves to try to pass a little time by dozing where they sat. At three they roused up again and lit cigarettes.
    It was soon afterwards that they distinctly heard two reports echo through the wood, and realised with quick apprehension that one of the sentries had sighted suspicious visitors. From fear that the smell or sight of the smoke might betray them if some of the Gestapo men, who were probably arriving, came out through the back of the house and began poking about on the fringe of the wood, they stubbed out their cigarettes; then crouched down in the gully under cover of the brambles and waited in anxious silence.
    For over an hour they remained there listening for the lightestfootfalls but nothing stirred in the wood except the occasional flutter of a bird or the scampering of some small animal in the undergrowth. At last, as the shadows were beginning to fall they heard a rustling which gradually grew nearer and, peering through the bushes, von Lutz saw that it was the maid, Lenchen.
    She was gathering sticks in her outspread apron and as he watched he saw that she was working her way towards them. Two minutes later, without looking at him, she stooped for some sticks on the edge of the gully and whispered swiftly:
    â€œDo not show yourself,
Heer Oberst-Baron.
Two car-loads of Black Guards arrived at ten past three; they ransacked the house, the barns and the outbuildings, but found nothing. They appeared to be satisfied after they had questioned us, as we all said that we had not seen you since the first week in October, and the cars have just driven off back to Brandenburg; but they have left two of the men behind who are to be billeted in the house in case you should suddenly arrive here.
Fräulein
Magda sent me to tell you this and to explain that she may not be able to bring your
Abendessen
at the usual hour in case they suspect and follow her; but one of us will manage to slip out with cold food for you some time during the evening.”
    As the girl talked she kept moving, and having delivered her message she began to work her way back to the house, gathering more firewood as she went.
    â€œ
Teufel