11

The Gestapo’s informant’s tip had been correct. The stolen Documents Division truck was found concealed near an orchard less than fifteen miles from Berlin. At least fifty newly printed and validated Reich passports were missing. So were uncountable numbers of other official permits.

The loss of the documents was not the only discovery. The truck contained a cache of recently missing goods. Included in the loot were uniforms taken from a Wehrmacht officers’ club and many pieces of clothing stolen from three of the better Berlin shops. Two cases of ammunition and a crate of Lugers were also uncovered.

The most curious discovery was found in the front seat of the truck cab. There could be little doubt that it was the clothing locker stolen from von Schleiben in Munich. The General was contacted by phone, and the details of the discovery were painstakingly recounted to him.

A special car raced the locker back to Berlin despite the air raid.