London, England           Major Thorpington stuffed the original German documents in his pocket.           As he catalogued the duplicates, there was a knock at the door. Someone tried turning the handle. When the door didn't budge, the person outside knocked harder.           The Major found Mr. Harrington waiting on the other side.           “Why the lock?” The aide paused. “Major are you all right? You look terrible.”           “I’m just feeling a bit under the weather. I locked the door for a few minutes, so I could take a bromide and close my eyes for a bit. It wouldn’t do to leave the door unlocked if I weren’t up to snuff. A lot of important papers cross my desk, you know, and it wouldn’t do to leave them unprotected.”           “Have you catalogued the documents I brought you earlier?”           “Yes, of course.” The Major handed over the copied documents. “Don’t keep the Prime Minister waiting.”           After the aide left, the Major grabbed his hat and coat and walked over to his superior’s office.           “Are you alright, Thorpington? You look like you’re at death’s door.”           “I’m feeling a bit under the weather. I thought I might go home and rest up. Beat it before it beats me, so to speak.”           “I’ll have someone take over for you. Rest up Major. We can’t have a good man like you getting too sick to do the King’s work.” *           The air was thick with fog and drizzle. The Major’s ultimate destination was his home, but he took a circuitous route, checking frequently to see if anyone were following him. He found a phone box near Victoria Station and after one last check to make sure he was completely alone, he dialed Cliveden and asked for Siegfried Feuermacht.           “May I ask who’s calling?” It was a query he was not expecting.           After a long pause punctuated by more than one “Uh…” he blurted, “Just tell him it’s a business associate.”           Several minutes passed before the phone was picked up on the other end.           “This is Feuermacht.”           “Is it safe to talk?”           “Major Thorpington?”           “I have what you’re looking for.”           Feuermacht paused. He knew there was one other phone at Cliveden, an extension in Waldorf’s office. He listened carefully for the slight buzz that usually alerted him that someone was on the other line. There was no extraneous sound.           “You must have the lady deliver it.”           “No. Victoria mustn't be involved.”           “Major, Lady Méliès is very much involved. Besides, it’s much too dangerous for you and I to be seen together. I suggest you ask the lady if she wants to save her brother’s life. I’m sure she’ll willingly comply. Tell her to prepare to go away for a few days. Call me tonight at eight and identify yourself as Smythe, my boot maker. Let me know Lady Méliès’s answer.”           “Go away for a few days? With you? Absolutely not.”           “Major, not only does William Tyning’s life depend on this, but the future peace of England, as well. These papers do not pertain to the safety and security of your country, but if you don’t cooperate, my associates might become incensed enough to take out their anger on British soil. You wouldn’t like that, Major. Do what’s best for the lady, her brother, and your country. Deliver the message. I’ll speak with you tonight.” *           Victoria was reading the afternoon post in Wills' sitting room. She looked up when she heard the maid clear her throat. “Major Thorpington is here to see you, Ma’am. Shall I show him into the front parlour?”           “Yes, of course. Tell him I’ll be there in a moment.” She had been restless ever since Feuermacht told her she was the only one who could save William’s life, because it wasn't true. She had to depend on others to help her. She had little control over the matter and that worried her. *           Thorpington was standing in front of the fireplace when she entered the room.           “Any news?”           “Yes, but I don’t like it. I have the papers Feuermacht wants. But Victoria, he wants you to deliver them. And I have to draw the line at that. This is not women's work.”           “Women’s work, Major? I’d stop at nothing to save Will’s life.”           “Feuermacht is out of his mind. He wants you to prepare to go away for a few days.”           “To see Wills?”           “More likely to deliver the documents to a remote place and give the Nazis time to cover their trail. They don’t want this plan traced back to them. They keep demanding complete secrecy. It’s a wonder I didn’t have a heart attack trying to get the dossier. I just hope the War Office doesn’t realize the documents have been switched.”           “You switched them? What did you put in their place?”           “An exact copy. Feuermacht certainly gave me enough hints so I would know the documents when I saw them. I left a copy for the P.M. so our boys could crack the code and figure out what the Nazis are up to. I just don’t like getting you involved.”           It’s my choice, Major. They want me to do it. I want to do it. Settled. Now what?”           “I’m supposed to call Feuermacht tonight at eight. He’ll tell me then, what the next step is.”           “Please, I want to hear from you as soon as you’ve spoken to him.” *** Share | Code Name: Evangeline is available in its entirety on Kindle Don't own a Kindle? Download a free app to read Kindle books on your iPhone and iPod Touch. Or get the free app to read Kindle books on your PC.