Читать книгу The Crooked Olive Branch - Frederick Munn - Страница 25
ОглавлениеChapter 17
Peter concentrated on counting how much cash in all denominations they had.
“That’s all we can muster Hal. We’ve only fifteen pounds left in travellers’ cheques, some Deutsch Marks, a few Austrian Schillings even less in Swiss Francs. The travellers ‘cheques will be useless because the banks will be closed when we arrive. This will leave us short of cash. Do you agree we hand the lot over?” Peter looked across at Hal, who didn’t answer.
Hal was now sitting with Mim on his lap looking out of the train window. Mim had woken up and immediately scrambled back on to his knee. Peter watched them for a short while.
He did not repeat the question.
Mim’s head was leant against Hal’s chest and unusually for them they were not interacting.
They presented a picture of deep thought if not melancholy. Mim, sucking her thumb, had clearly continued to pick up Hal’s mood.
Dorothy Price arrived outside the compartment, as Peg had done earlier. She watched Hal and Mim through the window. It did not take long to for her to work out the problem. Peg had summed up the troubles and advised her well. She took a deep breath, tapped on the glass and slid the door open.
“I’m not interrupting anything am I?”
Peter was surprised by yet another unexpected visit. “No of course not,” he replied politely.
Hal turned from his window gazing. Miriam shot round his back and buried her face in his jacket. Dorothy feeling the tension and disturbed by it, realised it was up to her to dispel this if possible.
She opened a difficult conversation.
“I haven’t had a chance to speak with you privately.”
She indicated the seat next to Peter. “Mind if I sit down?”
Not having recovered their composure neither Hal nor Peter managed to answer immediately.
Time appeared to stand still for a very long second or two before Peter sprang to his feet.
“Sorry, of course please sit.” Feeling awkward, he sat down in silence.
Hal and he had worked out last night that this woman was more in command than they first thought.
Hal detached himself from Mim and held out his hand. Hal managed ‘Hi’ before lapsing into silence. Both felt like schoolboys up before the head. Dorothy smiled at each in turn.
Peter aware of the tension, tried to relieve this by handing her the currency.
“This is all we can muster. You are welcome to all.”
He guessed that was why she was here.
Hal, with Mim still clinging to his arm added, “Sure, you can take the lot if it’s of any use.”
Dorothy smiled, took the money then took both their hands, Peter with her left and Hal with her right, to their surprise and consternation. “Thank you,” she said and took another breath. “Peter, Hal, I know just how difficult this is for you.” She paused again before continuing. “Little do you realise just how difficult this is for me.”
Neither friend replied unsure still what this was all about. This over familiar woman suddenly appearing centre stage was overwhelming them.
Dorothy looked down at the floor. She took a little while before she continued.
Finally, she looked up, took another deep breath before saying quietly.
“I want to thank you both, you have been brilliant and need, no, deserve an apology.”
She looked from one to the other as she did so, squeezing their hands as she said to each in turn. “We are so sorry.”
“Sorry?” echoed the two men in unison sensing they were about to learn something.
“Yes, sincere apologies and explanations are in order. First, I need you to assure me that whatever is said does not leave this compartment. It may not matter if this is the last trip we make. We cannot be sure about that. If we can we must try and complete more rescue missions.”
Dorothy looked at the two friends who didn’t answer.
“Can we count on your cooperation to keep this confidential, repeat nothing?”
She asked again squeezing their hands.
Peter and Hal nodded. “Sure thing, we couldn’t risk future trips.” It was Hal who answered for both. “Where to start?” She thought for a moment before turning to Peter and continuing.
“Helga and Dieter were well known to you, that we knew. In fact, we know a lot about you Peter and all your histories.”
She paused again, clearly finding this difficult. “Helga is a cousin of mine on my mother’s side. A distant cousin neverthe-less we have stayed in touch especially lately.”
Peter was surprised. “You are Jewish?”
Dorothy smiled and nodded.
“There was I thinking you were Welsh, with the name Price,” he added, still feeling a little awkward and confused.
Dorothy realised that it would be difficult to ‘break the ice’. She was unsure how her explanation would be received after the gross liberties they had taken with their holiday plans particularly those with Henry Steading.
She released their hands which she had held on to for far too long, sat back and thought perhaps this was not such a good idea after all. She then began to explain the origin of her name, hoping to release the tension which was affecting all three.
“As a refugee I came to England with my parents, from Eastern Europe in 1901. Price is a name I adopted later.”
Hal interrupted Dorothy. “Is this part of the explanation?”
“No. I was just answering Peter,” Dorothy explained.
“I don’t know about you Pete, but I would like to hear this explanation.” Hal looked directly at Dorothy. Feeling uncomfortable with Hal’s eyes on her, she turned to his friend.
“Peter, I promise you that all Dieter intended originally was for you to lodge with the Kesslers. They would have provided excellent accommodation for you both throughout your stay and your presence would afford some protection against their probable arrest.”
“Arrested, why?” Hal although having heard the story at least in part was interested hoping to learn more.
“They are Jews and that is enough reason in Nazi Germany. Dr Kessler is a prominent figure, a lecturer at the university. He was outspoken, witty and clever mostly to the Nazis’ discomfort.”
“Not so very clever,” Hal muttered after managing to clear himself from Mim’s clutches. She was falling asleep sucking her thumb allowing him to reach for his notebook.
Dorothy clearly did not wish to be drawn into a question and answer session with Hal, so she continued to address her comments to Peter.
“We thought that your presence would give ‘breathing space’ while we arranged for the necessary papers to move them into Austria, then out to Switzerland. You could have gone about your holiday and returned home none the wiser. We are so sorry it didn’t work out as we’d hoped.”
She turned to Hal. “We are particularly sorry that this involved you Mr. Steading.”
Hal and Peter looked at each other with a, ‘now we are beginning to understand’ look as Dorothy continued.
“When we learned you were coming, Mr. Steading we were elated. An American in the house might have made all the difference, an ace in the pack. The Nazis moved three days before you were due to arrive. I think the rest you either know or can work out. Dieter being arrested, Helga only just getting out. The rest we made up ‘on the hoof’.”
“Some hoof,” muttered Hal who was no longer making notes. “And the house in Austria?”
“The summer residence was sheer chance. The Jewish owners leaving at the end of the season gave us full use till the end of the month. All the staff had left apart from two retainers, seasonal staff packing up for the winter.”
“Very convenient.” Henry was still not convinced. It seemed too pat to swallow.
“Mr. Steading.” Sensing hostility, Dorothy began to speak.
Hal interrupted. “Look, drop the Mr. Steading.” Realising he was sounding hostile, he added more gently, “Please, I am not hostile. I just need to figure this out.”
“Hal,” Dorothy started again, “we did use you shamelessly once we learned about your press card. Also, you were cajoled into being Papa Yo. This now turns out to be a serious miscalculation.
A sad and bad one on our part. We are so sorry.”
Peter looked across at Hal wondering about his reaction to these revelations. Hal was looking down at Mim who was now fast asleep. He did not speak so Dorothy continued.
“These are desperate times and we are dealing with a ruthless enemy.” She paused before adding:
“So sorry, but we also needed to be ruthless.”
When Hal finally spoke, he did so quietly with so much emotion. “It served to get Mim and the other kids out. I guess we don’t care that much what you did. Still, it was taking one hell of a liberty with our time. Then you dupe me into playing Papa to this little girl.” He sighed.
“This is really messing me up.”
The silence which followed weighed heavily on Dorothy until she felt compelled to make further explanation. “It was your press card which drove us. An American and a gentleman of the press. We couldn’t have wished for a better protection. We knew the Nazi influence in Austria was gaining more and more ground in addition, they were desperate to discover our cell. They were frustrated that we had only to nip over the border from Bavaria. They started using this growing influence in Austria.”
“You were using me. We’d figured that much. Why put Jewish on Mim’s papers? Surely you could have used any nationality any religion but Jew.”
“Yes,” added Peter. “Surely that was risky?”
“Miriam’s papers were done in a rush. Any diligent officer could have picked up on Austrian or German papers. Miriam speaking only German was even riskier. Choosing to use Czechoslovakian papers covered this risk. I disagree that putting Jew was risky. It was the last thing that they were looking for. Checking papers from Czechoslovakia would be difficult. Using Sudaten Juden helped divert them from the documents’ validity. All they focused on was that, as we hoped. Not the forged papers. It worked even though we think the officer appeared to suspect something.”
“What if it hadn’t worked?”
“Again, we thought you would be all right. Being an American,” Dorothy paused, “Well we hoped.
We were desperate. If that officer had read his newsletter to look for a fifty-year- old woman and a three-year- old little girl probably travelling separately, it could have scuppered us.
That one word, Jew, addled their brains and we got away with it. They may even have thought that Helga and Miriam were in the school party. That could have been why they held them up at the border.”
“Did you also figure out what to do if they had arrested me?” Hal asked pointedly.
Dorothy was now feeling uncomfortable.
“I suppose that could have happened. We thought your press card would save that. We counted on it. Rightly, as it turned out. They wouldn’t wish for their activities to be broadcast in the wider world, especially in America.”
Hal recognised, even sympathised with and admired the motive and logic. Aware of Dorothy’s discomfort, he attempted to lighten the atmosphere.
“My heart was beating so hard I figured the Goons might hear it. Fortunately, I was not thinking about being arrested at the time.”
“My heart was thumping, I could scarcely breathe.” Peter said, also relieved that the conversation had changed tack.
“And mine, it nearly jumped out of my chest.” Dorothy picked up on the change of tone adding, “then when you tackled them about the other children I nearly collapsed.”
Hal and Peter were shocked into speaking in unison.
“You were there? On the train?”
“You have not been out of our sight since Munich.”
“You were in Munich?”
“No, I joined the train at the same station as you taking over surveillance when the hire car dropped you and the porter took your luggage.” Dorothy explained.
This exchange disturbed Mim who slid down off Hal’s lap and he took the opportunity to stand and stretch. Childlike, she held up her arms to be picked up again. Hal did so with the instinct of a parent. Mim put her arms around his neck and leant her head against his.
Dorothy noticed all this and realised that Peg was not exaggerating the bond that existed between the two. Back in Hal’s arms Mim watched and listened to the exchanges being aware of her mentioned name. Hal’s manner was natural, tolerant and loving yet matter of fact.
Dorothy noted the love and the ease of expectancy each had, one of the other.
“Were Peg and Daphne on the train with you?” Peter asked.
“No, they know nothing and must know nothing of anything other than their end of this operation, although I trust them implicitly. It is best not.”
“So how is it you come to know each other?”
“Peg and I were at school together. We were best friends. We have stayed closely in touch even though she has lived in Paris since the war.”
“And Daphne?” Peter persisted knowing that Hal at least needed to hear everything.
“She’s great, she’s resting. Modestly claims she is doing this for free travel, board and lodgings,” Dorothy said, now relaxing having dealt with the awkward questions.
“Resting?” Hal asked.
“She’s an actress,” it was Peter who answered, “and a good one too, certainly fooled me.”
“Tuss speaks French and passable German which is useful moving German-speaking children through Zurich and France.”
“Tuss? You keep calling her Tuss?”
“She was not just my best friend from school, she was my only friend at first. We hoped to be called Dot and Peg but, kids being kids, we ended up as Soft Chuff and Tussy.”
Peter winced. “How come?”
“My birth name phonetically in English sounds like Soft Chuff. It is Polish spelled S-A-W-C-Z-U-C.” She spelled it out. “I pleaded with my father to change our name. He would have none of it and replied, ‘we changed when the family moved into Poland centuries ago. Get used to it, this is a tolerant country. The English will understand.’
“I said I am sick of having to spell it out all the time. The truth was I was embarrassed at school. My father said it is the price we have to pay. So, as soon as I was old enough, I changed it to Price.
Tuss said that I had a new price tag.”
“And Peg lives in Paris?”
“Yes, she has had liaisons there, lives over a shop in Montmartre. You can find her there most summers. Apart from teaching English in the evenings, she sells knick-knacks to the tourists. Usually at the top of the steps, that is unless the police have moved her on. It is where she gets the dark tan.”
“She’s glad to help out or do you run these ventures together?” Peter continued to question. Hal was content to make notes.
“Tuss likes to, she has issues, doesn’t like inactivity, needs to help the children. Come September she’s at a loose end.”
Dorothy gave a huge sigh. “It is a massive relief to get this off my chest, thank you gentlemen.”
She stood up to leave. “Thank you, we can’t thank you both enough and thanks for the money.”
Both friends stood up but once again it was Peter who answered.
“We thank you for the opportunity. We are proud to have been part of this.”
He turned to Hal. “That goes for us both doesn’t it Hal?” His friend did not speak he just nodded and as he did a single tear squeezed from his right eye and began to trickle down his cheek, Mim raised her head from Hal’s shoulder watched for a second then stuck out her tiny forefinger, touched the tear then wiped it away with the palm.
Dorothy took in every move of this little drama then turned to go before turning back and speaking quietly. “Mr. Steading, Hal, we understand, but just think, Mim is a refugee and you a bachelor. How is it possible for you to be granted parentage let alone care for and raise this three-year-old little girl? She is Jewish. It’s a non-starter.” She turned to go.
“I promise you we will do all possible to see her safely settled. I give you my word to do all I can to ensure that you are kept in touch.”
Dorothy registered the shock evident on Hal’s face. She again turned to leave, uncertain how to deal with it. She stopped at the door and without turning added, “Miriam is not officially on our list. She is travelling separately and under separate papers. I suppose she will be dealt with by immigration as such.”
Picking up on this comment, Peter took Helga’s note from his pocket.
“Helga has appointed me as guardian for Mim. This to be confirmed when I meet her London solicitors.” He passed the letter to Dorothy who read but did not comment directly.
“I’ll be sending you back Miriam’s attaché case then.” Dorothy was referring to the case they handed over yesterday. Dorothy deliberated for some seconds before adding,“Which happens to have a false bottom.”
Relieved to have completed a very difficult task, she hurried away.
“Why did she say that? Strange!”
Hal hadn’t moved showing little interest.
“She knew, Hal. She knew.” Peter, realising that Hal was struggling tried to divert his thoughts.
He tried again. “What do you think?”
“I guess. Then she could have set the whole scene. What do you think Pete?”
Peter didn’t answer at once wondering where his friend was going.
Hal continued, “It gives us a get out. Don’t you see? Letting us go our own way with Mim.”
Peter looked at his friend, who was willing him to answer. He was getting the feeling that he was being trapped into a situation, not for the first time that week. He certainly didn’t take kindly to the phrase ‘it gives us a get out’.
Used to being constantly manipulated by his father, Peter was both cautious and scared of committing himself. Choosing his words carefully he said thoughtfully, “No. I believe that Helga gave me this responsibility because she knows me and trusts me to do the right thing for Miriam. That means seeing her settled into a good Jewish family and secure. I will be in England so she had little option but to choose me. There was no one else.”
“But Mim wants to be with me. I know she does, she’ll be heartbroken.”
It was Peter’s turn to be lost for words. Hal pushed harder.
“Look Pete, I didn’t major in con-a-kid routines. I need some help.”
Peter looked at his friend who was pleading desperately, thinking to himself. ‘Am I just being jealous and obstructive?’
Mindful of his shameful behaviour over the last days he decided to sound constructive.
“If we do, and I say if, we decide to try and keep Mim, plans will be needed. First, to get through immigration. Then the Jewish Council or whoever deals with orphaned or displaced refugee children nowadays.”
Hal lowered his voice. “Pete, please ship off the subject. The kid knows we are arguing about her. Imagine yourself in her place at three … how- how …” He then lost it. His voice trailed to a hoarse whisper. Hal took hold of Mim and held her close. Peter immediately recalled his own trauma as a six year old and in that split second fully understood.
Dorothy returned with the attaché case. Aware that she was interrupting something serious, she handed it in with a brief. “I’ll leave you to sort this now.” Without waiting for a reply, she left.
Peter was glad of the interruption giving him time to think. He seized upon it and began to search through the contents.
“You are darned right. We do need plans.” Hal managed to answer. Ignoring the interruption, he didn’t wish to let this discussion die. Not yet anyway.
Peter studiously ignored the remark and started to examine the attaché case. A small solid sided structure of the sort carried by solicitors and bankers. Inside were three folders neatly labelled, which he placed on the seat. Taking out a pocket-knife he felt around the edges of the case.
“It feels like there is a false bottom,” he said, measuring the outside and the inside. “There’s perhaps a half inch difference, but how do we get in there?”
“Can’t be much room. Half an inch you say?” Despite his wish to continue the discussion about Mim, Hal was as eager as Peter to find out what was in the case.
“I guess Pete it can only be a thin card covered with the cloth lining. Get your knife and slit round the edges.”
“I don’t think we should do that Hal.” Peter was clearly appalled at the thought.
Hal, however, was a little impatient to see what it contained.
“Pete, you are now official guardian of Mim’s affairs.”
Mim now more relaxed and curious as any child took her thumb out of her mouth and repeated, “Mim’s affairs.”
Peter, happy now the conversation had veered away from the custody of the little girl, looked up and smiled. “Yes, young lady I am the keeper of the keys to your estate.”
He was beginning to understand Hal’s attachment to this little girl.
“Although there are a couple of lawyers between us and absolute clearance. Still here goes,”
Peter said, reminding Hal that nothing was cut and dried. He examined the case while speaking. Then he decided to stick the penknife through the cloth and slit along three sides revealing a thin board loose insert. Removing this, he took out two envelopes and a small canvas bag.
One envelope was handwritten addressed to Verfehlen Miriam Kessler in copper plate handwriting along with a brief message in Gothic German.
The other envelope was neither sealed nor addressed and contained large denomination bank notes in Deutsch Marks, Swiss Francs and French Francs. Peter counted the money while Hal picked up the sealed envelope.
“Guess this one is from your Ma and Pa, Mim. What does this say underneath, Pete? This bit in fancy writing?”
Peter, counting the money and adding up the total in his head, looked up and took the envelope.
“It says something to the effect that this is to be opened up by Miriam at the time of her understanding to be determined by Helga or Dieter at their discretion. Or else by an appointed attorney at law should this be correct.” He then returned to counting the money.
Hal meanwhile was stood holding Mim close. “God, Pete, how sad is that?”
“Hal,” said Peter, “there must be upwards of two hundred pounds Sterling here, nearly one hundred in French Francs. We can use this to cover all costs. I can replace this when we get back.”
This information jolted Hal out of his sad moment.
“How much?” he exclaimed.
“About eight hundred Dollars’ worth. A bloody fortune.” Peter was clearly astounded.
“What’s in the canvas bag?” Hal asked. Peter was already opening it and emptying the contents. “Two rings, diamond I think and a jewelled brooch.” He whispered in awe. “They look the real thing to me. Set in gold. Oh! Another smaller bag.” He loosened the string and emptied several cut stones on to his palm. Neither spoke for a few seconds, they just stared, unable to take in the implications of this stash. It was Hal who spoke first.
“Pete, this could stop me from adopting.”
“You can’t anyway and even if you could, what difference does a bit of money make?”
“A bit of money. Jeepers. That is not a bit of money, as you exclaimed before we saw the jewels it’s a bloody fortune. That my friend is the first time I’ve heard you swear since you were a Fresher at Cambridge. That’s how impressed you were.”
“How does this affect you Hal?” Peter was back arguing Mim’s future logically.
“Folk will think I’m after her money.”
“It is a lot of money not a fortune and you’ve got to accept that you were never in the hunt. This will not change anything Hal.”
Hal sighed and looked down at the little girl who was looking from one to the other as they spoke. “Best watch what we say, she is taking in every word.”
Peter continued to look through the first folder. “She’ll need to know sooner or later.”
Hal ignored this comment saying, “What have you there Pete?”
“Deeds to the Munich property. Useless now is my guess.”
“Useless! You really think so?”
“Sadly, yes,” Peter answered continuing, “all is not lost thanks to a very astute Dr Kessler. This second folder contains bonds and share certificates, also something which looks as though it is a bank reference for a bank in Zurich. No doubt the solicitors in London will fill in the gaps.”
“What gaps?”
“There is much more to this story than we realise. We will probably never know the extent of or the value of the estate, but it is certainly substantial.”
Peter tapped the third folder which was sealed and addressed to the lawyers in Zurich and London. “This, I assume, contains legal documents containing the transfer of executive authority pending Mim reaching her majority.”
Mim on hearing her name went over to the folder and also tapped it with a finger, repeating “Mim.”
Peter appeared to be thinking. Sh turned to look enquiringly at Hal, who smiled and said.
“Yes, Mim all yours.” Then he continued to question his friend. “How does this affect you Pete?”
Peter did not answer, not being sure of his position. Knowing just why his friend was asking the question.
Hal persisted. “As her guardian in the U.K?”
Peter still did not answer this question directly.
“I suppose we could also use some cash to have lunch in the dining car and ask Dorothy to join us. There’s some sorting out to do.”
Hal immediately challenged him. “Why? It seems to me she gave us carte blanche to do as we please.” “It seems,” said Peter emphatically, “she knows a lot more than she is telling.”
“And you think she will give with the rest? Well, I don’t think she will. The only reason she has told us so much already was either because she was obliged to or out of necessity.”
“Necessity?”
“The money, Pete. She knew it was there. They need it for tonight’s accommodation for the kids. She thought twice about telling us about the false bottom. She only did so as she was leaving. After you showed her Helga’s note naming you as guardian and executor.”
Peter thought for some while before speaking.
“You are right, Hal. What do reckon she would have done about the cash if it were not for Helga’s note? Would she have gone in anyway?”
“I figure she was in a fix, knowing it was there. Your guess is as good as mine whether she would feel justified in opening the attaché case or using the money. Your showing of the letter got her off the hook. She is sat back there right now hoping to hear from you with an offer to loan the cash.”
“So, I take her the French Francs?” Peter looked at his friend.
“Your decision buddy, you’re the guy in charge hereon in.”
Peter left at once and was gone some time. As soon as the door had closed behind him, Mim stood on the seat, put her arms around Hal’s neck, kissed him then sat down at his side before sliding on to her back and his lap, looked up and smiled. Then she fell fast asleep secure in the knowledge that she was going ‘Nach hause mit Papa Yo.’
“I guess you didn’t get much sleep last night my little cookie. Mom used to put me down in the afternoons,” Hal whispered. He looked out of the window at the countryside sliding past, left alone with thoughts and the rhythm of the train.
