At the Narrow Passage Read Online Free PDF

hadn't even developed a really decent radio yet.

"Nevertheless," Sir Gerald was saying, "the Germans seem to have gotten

somewhere with the idea. Seems they have a rather bright group of young

scientists working for them, developing the theories of some fellow

named Eisenstein or something. He has been dead for years, I'm told,

but he left some rather impressive theories that weren't published until

a few years ago, and then only in the Holy Roman Empire. The book fell

into our hands only a few months ago. And then we began getting reports

that the Imperials were actually trying to build such a bomb."

Kar-hinter waved Sir Gerald to silence with a careless, unconscious

gesture of one accustomed to command.

"It is not necessary to tell you," Kar-hinter said, facing the three of

us, "what atomic weapons in the hands of the Holy Roman Empire would do

to our efforts here. They could, of course, if produced in sufficient

quantities, put the Imperial Germans in command of this entire Line,

even with their primitive delivery systems -- and we certainly cannot

afford that." He paused. "Please go on, Sir Gerald."

"Yes, of course," the British general said. "Well, as soon as we learned

of the German efforts, we sent intelligence teams in to gather more

detailed information." Sir Gerald paused reflectively for a moment,

then continued. "The first two teams failed to report back. The third

team did come back, rather badly mauled, I must say, but with some

information." Sir Gerald paused again.

"Yes?" I asked.

"The Imperial Germans have a plant on the Baltic, near Königsberg,

actually on the Gulf of Danzig," Sir Gerald went on slowly. "It's very

well hidden and extremely well guarded. We are not exactly sure what

they're doing there, but it is in some way connected with the atom bomb

project. That is all we know." The British general looked at Kar-hinter.

"Thank you, Sir Gerald," Kar-hinter said. "As you might suspect, His

Majesty, King George, ordered that this information be turned over to

us. When we learned of the Imperial efforts to build nuclear weapons,

we gave His Majesty a simplified explanation of just what they are.

His own physicists were able to confirm this to his satisfaction.

"Sir Gerald was then put in charge of the British operation to prevent

the construction of the bomb, with our technical advice. We do not wish nuclear weapons in this Timeline at this stage." The Krith looked

at Sir Gerald. "As much as we admire and respect the British Empire, we

are in no position to give them nuclear weapons, nor will we assist in

their local production. Considering the world conditions on this Line,

we cannot tolerate nuclear weapons. I hope you understand, Sir Gerald."

"Of course," Sir Gerald said without conviction. "It has been explained

to me several times."

"Very good," Kar-hinter said, imitating a human smile without much success.

"Will you proceed, please, Sir Gerald?"

"There is very little more to tell," the British general said. "We have

made three attempts to gain entry into the Baltic plant. All have failed

miserably. Considering its location within the Empire, it is, of course,

impossible for us to get a large force near it, even by sea. Nor, I doubt,

would it do us much good. As I said, the plant is well guarded: there are

several regiments of infantry stationed within a few miles of the plant,

and the Third Imperial Fleet is presently situated at Gdansk. The emperor

is taking no chances of our getting anywhere near it. And, of course,

we have now put him on guard."

"Then I assume you're planning a cross-Line attack?" I asked Kar-hinter.

"Ah!" Kar-hinter exclaimed, then made another of those expressions

that were supposed to be smiles. He motioned to Pall to refill our

wineglasses, scratched himself thoughtfully in an intimate place, and

finally spoke. "It has been considered." He looked at Sir Gerald. "What

Eric is asking, Sir Gerald, is whether we will