Chapter 29: Miss X

1  ‘Sample of the tempting’: ‘Miss X’, Time Magazine, 28 March, 1938.

2  ‘Britain’s counter-espionage’: ‘Foreigner Named by British Agent,’ Baltimore Sun, 12 February, 1938.

3  ‘stylish’: ‘Stylish “Miss X” Tells of Trapping British Arms Spy’, Washington Post, 8 February, 1938.

4  ‘black two-piece’: ‘Girl Tells of Net in British Spy Case’, Atlanta Constitution, 8 February, 1938.

5  ‘slim’, ‘blonde’: ‘Woman Turns Spy to Foil Plot to Steal British Arms Secrets’, Atlanta Constitution, 4 February, 1938.

6  ‘Fair-haired’: ‘Aircraft and Gun Plans’, Manchester Guardian, 4 February, 1938.

7  ‘exceptionally pretty’: ‘Miss X’, Time Magazine, 28 March, 1938.

8  ‘a real spy hunt’: Sam Brewer, ‘Joins with Red Plotters, Then Tips War Office’, Chicago Tribune, 4 February, 1938.

9  ‘many fictional trials’: T. J. Hamilton, ‘British Spy Case Tinged with Irony’, New York Times, 13 February, 1938.

10  ‘Was there ever’: Editorial, ‘Miss X’, Atlanta Constitution, 12 February, 1938.

11  ‘asked her if she’: Quoted in Masters, Man Who Was M, 69.

12  ‘Big, blue eyes’: H. J. J. Sargint, ‘Spy Fighters Guard Name of “Miss X”’, Atlanta Constitution, 10 February, 1938.

13  ‘would not be surprised’: 23 March, 1938, KV 2/1793.

14  ‘was whisked away’: ‘“Miss X” Describes Capture of Spies’, New York Times, 8 February, 1938.

15  ‘I wanted to get’: Masters, Man Who Was M, 72–73.

16  ‘nasty fingers’: S. S. Birch, ‘Britain’s Bravest Girl Traps Russ Master Spy’, Telegram, 23 April, 1949.

17  ‘Spy Fighters Guard’: H. J. J. Sargint, ‘Spy Fighters Guard Name of “Miss X”’, Atlanta Constitution, 10 February, 1938.

18  ‘Miss G’: KV 2/2159/52a; Washington Post, 4 February, 1938.

19  ‘the comparatively small’: ‘Charges Under Official Secrets Act’, Manchester Guardian, 15 March, 1938.

20  ‘with the sole and vulgar’: Ibid.

21  ‘I do not propose’: Ibid.

22  ‘the closest enquiries’: KV 2/2159/52a.

23  ‘leading pre-war penetration’: Andrew, Defence of the Realm, 220.