62 
Intelligence in the Alliance
It was not often that the German military confided in the Prussian Intelligence Service. Especially at these levels. Rald Wolfrik knew something big was in the wind the moment he was summoned to Berlin.
But why him? he wondered. Unless the information he had passed on from Scarlino had paid off.
Even he did not realize the level of the meeting to which he was bound until he walked into the room and saw Generaloberst von Bülow himself along with two or three others.
They wasted no time getting to the business at hand.
“I have been informed,” began the generaloberst to Wolfrik, “that you are involved in the covert British operation.”
Wolfrik nodded.
“Something has come up which may affect our plans—a defection . . . a serious one, at the highest level.”
“How high?”
“My own top assistant,” replied von Bülow. “He knows of the assassination as well as our invasion plans.”
“You are, I assume, taking measures to prevent him from reaching England.”
“Unfortunately, it is too late for that. He is already in enemy hands.”
“In England?”
“He slipped out of sight in Greece. We suspect that he is still on the Continent.”
“Then he must be intercepted.”
“Our orders are to eliminate him, along with the others. That is why we brought you here. We want you to handle the affair. Your Swiss contact, I believe, is serviceable in such matters.”
“As might be our young English friend. He recently passed an important test, and we believe he will suit our purposes perfectly. In addition, we have learned more about the organization of which he is part. It is called the Fountain of Light.”
“I am well acquainted with one or two of its principles,” rejoined von Bülow. “They operate out of a large house in Vienna. This is excellent. They will be able to help you. I will arrange to have you briefed in a few important matters tomorrow. Then get down to Vienna and contact a man called Barclay. He has helped me set up what has been a very effective link across the Channel. Tell me, is the young Englishman personally acquainted with the prime minister?”
“Not to my knowledge. But he is said to have sufficient contacts to enable him to walk straight into Downing Street without raising suspicions.”
“Does he know?”
“Of course not. With such types, it is always best not to divulge too much until you have them caught in such a tight squeeze they have no alternative but to go along.”
“And your Swiss colleague?”
“I will contact him immediately. He is presently in Zurich. I will tell him to leave the other matter for now and meet me in Köln the moment I have arranged things with this Barclay.”