Secrets with girls, like loaded guns with boys, are never valued till they make a noise.
(George Crabbe)
Gitel, his secretary, interrupted Isaak Teitelbaum’s cosy after-lunch nap.
“It’s this Okhrana operative again, Isaak, Her Bazarov, on the phone. – He would like to make an appointment with you.”
Groaning, Teitelbaum set up on his sofa, rubbing his eyes.
“Is the bloke in town already?”
“Yes, he’s at the Russian embassy.”
“Okay, tell him he just can hop in now for a jolly cup of coffee – and make some fresh coffee, please.”
Fifteen minutes later, Boris J. Bazarov arrived and first of all delivered a flower bouquet to Gitel.
“For the speedy service, Miss Katz; always a pleasure to deal with you.”
After shaking hands with Teitelbaum, both men sat down in the conversation pit of Teitelbaum’s office, which provided a magnificent view of Byalistok and Nai-Byalistok, the government district. While Gitel served the coffee, they exchanged courtesies and made some small talk.
“Well, what leads you to me again?” asked Teitelbaum, when Gitel had minced out of the office and closed the door.
“Just wanted to let you know that our operation has been successful. – We apprehended Bobkova, and the Tsarina got her precious money back. That substantially reduced her enmity opposite our prime minister. – How’s Boikova doing?”
“Gee, she’s pretty much traumatised, as could be expected. – What did you do with Bobkova?”
“Ah, I would have eliminated her in Argentina, but General Diterikhs insisted that she be brought back to Russia. You know, the General is kind of romantic and gallant when it comes to dames. He even dreamt of making her an Okhrana agent. Luckily, he finally realised that this wouldn’t work…”
“And what happened to Miss Bobkova’s escort, Miss Mandlstajn? She’s a citizen of the Heymshtot, after all.”
“That’s what I wanted to discuss with you. – While the General dismissed the idea of recruiting Bobkova, he still wants to win Miss Mandlstajn for the Okhrana. The woman really would make an eminent operative. – But I don’t think it will work. – And I reckon I can dissuade the General from this idea – if you offer Gurkov and Billinsky in exchange for Miss Mandlstajn.”
“The two spooks we arrested when they tried to copy our Stats Armej’s alarm calendar?”
“Well, you know how it is. – Anyway, would you be interested in the deal?”
“One private person, who doesn’t even work for the Seichl, in exchange for two professional spies? Doesn’t look to me like a fair deal… – Actually, I think that the information you have on the German experimental rocket site near Wolgast – and Miss Mandlstajn – would make a fair counterpoise for Gurkov and Billinsky.”
Bazarov smiled appreciatively.
“So, the Abwehr seized your mole in Colonel Milch’s office? A pity! – Well, yes, I could imagine that we could make available this information, if you add your dossier dealing with Mister Goddard to the deal…”
December 1st, 1933, was a cold and sunless day. Some five centimetres of snow were – on average – covering the Heymshtot. But for Fajga Mandlstajn, who had just arrived with a train coming from Russia, it was a bright and joyous day. The Russians had treated her quite well; nevertheless she had always felt like a prisoner. Even General Diterikhs’ gallantry hadn’t made her feel at home. And working for the Okhrana had been completely out of question… Although she had been born in Russia, she no longer had ties to Russia. She was a proud and faithful citizen of the Heymshtot now – and would never betray her adopted nation.
A stranger, who introduced himself as Isaak Teitelbaum, awaited her on the platform and welcomed her back home. He had an offer to make…