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Contunues
Chapter 7
I felt awkward carrying this wooden box. It was not particularly heavy. It was a trifle cumbersome. The Browns had given me a large shopping bag to carry it and hide it at the same time. By the time I reached Nethybrig Hotel it was dusk and I had already prepared my explanation, should I be challenged.
‘Good evening, Frau Richter.’
‘Fergus, please call me Mrs Richter. I’m not in Germany now.’
‘Can I take your bag?’
‘No, it’s all right, thank you. I’m just going to my room.’
‘Wait, there’s a letter from Otto for you.’ Fergus lifted it from the desk and handed it to me. Sure enough, on the back of the envelope Otto had signed his name.
‘You sit down and read it; I’ll take your bag up to your room.’
‘It’s all right; I’d prefer to read it in my room.’ I placed the letter in my bag and grabbed the handles before Fergus offered again.
In my bedroom I hid the radio under the bed making sure the pink seersucker bedcover draped down to the floor. I carefully opened the letter. I felt close to Otto as I followed his neat handwriting. It reminded me of Willy’s script.
I heard footsteps approaching.
‘You are back dear. How was your visit?’ Mother came up and sat on the bed. I noticed the bag appear when she sat down. A swinging of her legs would attract her attention. I had to think how I could explain that predicament, should it happen.
‘Very well, we had a delightful time. But, look a letter from Otto.’
His letter had come at the most opportune moment. Her attention now focussed exclusively on her grandchild, her only grandchild.
‘He tells me he’s at the Officer training school in Baden Baden.’
‘Going to be an officer, that’s good.’
‘He says he’s now an Untersturmführer.’
‘Oh, I see...what’s that?’
‘A second lieutenant. The lowest of the officer ranks but he goes on to say that after a year, he will be an Oberstumführer, a lieutenant.’
‘So he’s no longer staying with his uncle?’
‘No, he’s at a military college now.’
‘He’s not going to be a doctor like his father?’
‘Not yet, mother. After his training they will need doctors too. He hasn’t gone off the idea. It’s more that the nation needs a strong army and he’s following orders.’
‘I see. Does he say anything else?’
‘He sends his love to you and granddad; to me too, of course. It’s a short letter. I suspect they are told how many lines to write.’
‘I see. I never saw him as a soldier. Hilda, I hope he’ll be well looked after, he’s still a young man.’
‘I’m sure he’ll look after himself too.’ My heartbeat fluttered. I wished mother to leave but any rebuke would be ill advised.
‘When you reply, make sure you send our love.’
‘Of course I will.’
‘Well, the meal will be another half hour. You have a wee rest,’
‘Just what I need mother, a most welcome suggestion.’
Mother left the attic and descended the floors to the kitchen. I pushed the radio further back under the bed and went down to the telephone on the ground floor.
‘Mr Dynes?’
‘Yes, what news?’
‘I have the radio and codes,’ I said in hushed tones.
‘Whose codes?’
‘Mine and Eicke’s.’
‘The radio, what make?’ he inquired.
‘Delphin 7. You know it? It has a 800 mile range.’
‘Yes, you’ll need that. Don’t transmit please. I need to see you.’
‘But Eicke’s expecting me to contact him. Don’t you trust me?’
A silence ensued. My challenge was being evaluated. I listened intently. I found myself twiddling with my cardigan buttons.
‘Hilda, then send a brief message and note his reply.’
‘Of course I will.’
Fortunately no-one questioned my use of the telephone, this time or once before. I had to have a valid excuse for so many actions that I began to slow down. I became more deliberate in my actions as the lies grew by the day.
That night shortly after midnight, I opened the radio. I had a sharp pencil and a sharpener if required, to hand. I had my bedside light on and the hotel was as quiet as the night itself. I opened the top of the window gingerly. It resisted momentarily. Again I listened to hear if anyone had been disturbed.
Then I placed the box on my bed. I turned the set on seeing the bulb illuminate moments later. My code book was beside me on the bedside table. I then took the aerial and plugged it into the back. The cable led through the open window to the quiet darkness of the stone rear wall of the dormer window.
I secured my headphones and then gave my call sign.
‘Avalon to Muskel.’
I waited for a reply. I held one earpiece in place while the other focussed on any hotel noises. My stomach was in knots. I took a mouthful of water from the glass I had brought up with me for the night. How had I fallen into this espionage trap? Would I ever get out?
I dialled again.
Within twenty seconds the set came to life.
‘Muskel to Avalon. Greetings. Hope all well. Advise of any troop movements. In January report back to Hamburg in person. Over and out.’
Eicke seemed to be a man of few words but what he said was unambiguous. Had I disturbed him too late in the evening? Was he scared that any lengthy call might be detected in Elgin? I was not sure. I took the aerial down and packed the set away.
Only two points kept me awake. How could I report troop movement and the disappointing fact that I had been ordered to return in January.
Before breakfast I telephoned Thornton with the message.
The following day was as wet a day as I could imagine, wet and cold. Hailstones fell on the roadside outside the hotel like a scurrying of marbles heading one way down hill. Towards mid-day as I watched through the lounge window, a car slowly drove up. Its windscreen wipers flapped vigorously. It parked just out of sight of the hotel entrance. There were two occupants but very hard to distinguish. I notified reception that we had guests and made them ready to receive the men. I made myself scare retiring to the kitchen and placed a water filled kettle on the stove.
From the corridor I heard their voices and realised the home truth that I knew who they were. I grabbed a towel to dry my damp hands and walked smartly through to greet Messrs Dynes and Thornton.
‘Fergus, three lunches please, we shall dine in the library.’
I led the men through, along the corridor to the library situated on the east wing of the hotel.
‘Stunning views,’ said Dynes standing by the window.
‘I wish my lawn was as well kept,’ said Thornton
They looked around the room and Dynes closed the library door.
‘You will stay for lunch I presume?’ I asked.
‘Indeed, that will be much appreciated.’
‘Well, you received my call. What do I do now?’
‘I don’t think Eicke will be looking for a quick response. After all, he has set you off on a wild goose chase looking for troop movements,’ said Thornton fiddling with his peal cufflinks.
‘Do you think Eicke got any inkling of you being a double agent?’
‘I doubt it, Mr Dynes. The communication was not long. But my fear is that the Browns appear or become aware of us meeting.’
‘Don’t you worry about the Browns. Their natural home is in London. They are employees of the German Embassy. They got the early train from Inverness the morning after your meeting.’
‘I see. So I need not over worry about them?’
‘It only takes a day for them to return.’
Thornton was right. I must not let my guard down.
During a lunch of Cullen skink, Mr Dynes asked to see the radio for himself.
‘That might be awkward. I can’t let you follow me up to my room in the attic. That would not be appropriate. It would arouse suspicions.’
‘I see what you mean. Have you any other suggestion?’
I was not sure why, other than for nosiness, that they wanted to see the radio. But who was I to question my masters.
‘I can bring it down concealed in a bag. If you were to wait in the car, I could come out at an appropriate time. I’d have to make sure my mother was not aware or concerned.’
I saw the men contemplate the potential difficulty.
‘What if we found you alternative accommodation? That would make it easier to send messages and avoid suspicion.’
‘I can’t see how that would work. My father is poorly and my mother enjoys the extra help I can give, here at the hotel. I’d have to stay nearby and that does not fit well as I have accommodation with my parents which is not in jeopardy.’
Dynes pursed his lips. ‘Does your mother know about you returning to Hamburg?’
‘No, I plan to tell her after Christmas.’
Footsteps could be heard running along the corridor.
‘Schhhh, change the subject,’ I instructed as Mother entered the library.
‘Darling come quick, it’s your father...’
Dynes and Thornton stood up.
‘I think we should leave. There’s nothing more I can add to our discussion today. But we will keep in touch,’ said Dynes.
I entered my father’s bedroom where mother sat holding his hand. Father looked pale. His eyelids only a slit under which unfocussed eyes rested. His hands lay motionless on the bed. Mother wiped his brow with a damp cloth. It seemed to revive him momentarily.
‘Hil...da,’ he said. ‘I’m sorr...sorry. For...gi...’
‘Father you have nothing to be sorry for,’ I said as his voice trailed away. It had been an effort for him to speak.
Then as if he had fallen asleep we noticed not a breath came from his lips.
‘Dr Graham should be here soon darling,’ said mother recognising it was now too late.
I placed my hand on his brow and then lay a finger beneath his nose. I could detect no breath yet I was reluctant to cover his face with the bed sheet just yet.
‘Mother, father has died. Let’s wait for the doctor to come to confirm what we already know.’
I looked at my father at peace for several minutes, unable to take my eyes off his face. Only when I heard the hotel front door bell ring, did I wipe the tears from my eyes. I rose and left the room to answer. I saw Dr Graham head straight up the stairs.
‘Frau Richter, I’m pleased to see you. Are you home permanently now?’
‘Yes, for the time being Dr Graham. May I ask you to refer to me as Mrs Richter? I am a widow living in Scotland. I do not want to complicate things. I am sure you will understand.’
‘Indeed, now your father...’
‘Yes, please follow me. I fear it will be too late. We have come to our own conclusion.’
♦
(Rtd) Major James Campbell had taken his final breath that Tuesday afternoon at 1:35pm. The atmosphere in the hotel was sober but not depressing. Madge found great strength and gratitude in that I had managed to see my father before he died.
The funeral followed exactly a week later. At the gathering after the funeral at the hotel, there were representatives of his former regiment, and the town’s bankers and clergy not to mention the regulars who frequented the hotel’s public bar most nights and who would retire to their howff before the sun would set. The Masonic brethren were very well represented too. Most of the townsfolk attended the funeral. Although I recognised some, many were nameless to me. Then my face lit up. Approaching me was a woman in the prime of life. I knew her but had not seen her for years. My steps quickened as I opened my arms to her.
‘Vera, how kind of you to come to the funeral.’
‘My condolences Hilda.’
‘Thank you.’
‘I’m a married woman now. No longer Vera Caldwell, I married Tim Wild.’
‘Wild? That’s a name to conjure with.’
‘It’s a Wiltshire name, Hilda.’
‘My you have travelled far. Where are you living?’
‘Tim is the manager of Randall’s shoe shop in Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow. We live above the shop.’
‘And you? Are you working?’
‘Yes as a pharmacist in the local chemists.’
‘Local, Sauchiehall Street?’
‘Yes.’
‘You must have been travelling all night.’
‘It seems so.’
‘Are you staying overnight here?’
‘No, if you don’t mind Hilda, not this time.’
I looked at my neice. She was beautiful. I gave her a hug.
‘Ahhh Vera. I suppose you still blame me for bringing you to Germany on the eve of the First World War.’
‘Now I look back on it, it was the most exciting time of my life.’
‘Exciting! I was petrified what might happen if you were detained as an alien in their midst.’
‘No Hilda, that’s what you were in Hamburg.’
We laughed a nervous laugh for each of us knew how scary it was in 1914.
‘When are you going back?’ Vera asked.
‘I’ll stay a little longer.’
‘Yes...yes that’s a good idea.’
Just then mother passed by. I touched her arm.
‘Mum, a moment, here’s Vera.’
‘Ahh Vera, thank you so much for coming,’ mother said taking hold of her arm and patting it unconsciously.
The day passed quickly, too quickly. Family and friends drifted away with felicitations of good wishes for our futures and promises to keep in touch. I hoped they would for mother’s sake.
In a quiet moment, I found mother on her own.
‘Before he died, Dad seemed to be asking for forgiveness. Do you understand what he was trying to say?’
‘Forgiveness? No... I can’t imagine. I suppose it might have been something about his childhood or his army days. He never spoke much of those times,’ said Madge.
‘I don’t think it would have been his army days. Any forgiveness there would have been dealt with accordingly. No, he seemed to be apologising to me. I can’t see why,’ I said puzzled.
‘I would put it out of your mind. You won’t find the answer to that question now that he’s gone, so why search? I am afraid I can’t help you there Hilda. Let him beg his forgiveness for whatever it was with the Good Lord, who will be with him now.’
I went to bed not long after it became dark. An early night was on my mind, to recall a time of happier years growing up in Elgin, with two parents who were my world.
As I entered my loft room I noticed a glow from the crystal on the radio. I took it out from under the bed. I wished there was a key to the door, but there wasn’t. I closed the door shut. I placed my headphones over my ears and trailed the aerial out of the window. My pencil and pad were by my side. I answered the call with my code. It was Eicke.
‘Sorry to hear your father has died. Accept my condolences.’
My fingers quivered as I replied. ‘Thank you for your kind words, Avalon. Out.’
I returned the radio to its secret location, opened the bedroom door and wrung my hands. How could Eicke have possibly known of father’s death?
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Web Site:
The Reluctant Spt
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