The Serpent's Egg Read Online Free PDF

room of his special status. This was the Assistant Director of Military Intelligence, Sidney Blenkinsop-Smythe, known to everyone as ‘B-S.’
    The meeting was drawing to a close, the participants gathering their papers together, the table littered with empty water jugs, half-empty glasses, and overflowing ashtrays.
    At the head of the table, Air Commodore Frank Scott, spoke in a stentorian tone. “Unless there’s any other business, Gentlemen…?”
    A Royal Navy Admiral slid one of the windows open to expel the foul air.
    “Shouldn’t we be discussing Hitler’s invasion of Austria? It seems to me that he’s far too big for his britches and if we don’t do something about the man soon we will have a full-scale war on our hands.” The speaker was the youngest man in the room, a colonel wearing a cap decorated with the dark tartan of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders).
    The Air Commodore responded, “We are all aware of the fall of Austria, Colonel, but that is not a matter for discussion here. No doubt the Foreign Office will react to this news. Need I remind you, the focus of this committee is on possible future contingencies, not on military exigencies and certainly not on diplomacy?”
    B-S rose to his feet. “There is just one more item that I would like to raise, if I may, Air Commodore.”
    The Air Commodore ceded the floor to the Assistant Director of Military Intelligence with a wave of his fingers.
    “We have discussed ad nauseam the vexing questions of the United States and Japan. I think the committee should consider the likely disposition of the Soviets in the event of a war with Germany. The military might of that vast country should not be overlooked.”
    Air Commodore Scott looked at his watch, “We discussed this six months ago, B-S. Unless you have new intelligence to shed light on Stalin’s intentions…?”
    “We have reports of ongoing diplomatic activity between Ribbentrop’s Foreign Office and the Soviets, yes.”
    “Probably a lot of saber-rattling. Herr Hitler makes his intentions toward the Bolsheviks abundantly clear in his book, and the mutual animosity between Communism and Fascism has been well documented.”
    “I agree, sir, but in light of our terms of reference, I feel it would be prudent to consider what our response should be in the event of the various scenarios that might arise.”
    A red-faced general coughed. “If I might make a suggestion, Air Commodore, I believe we should consider two contingent scenarios. The first, a hostile action by the Soviets against the Germans and Stalin’s other east European neighbors, and second the reverse scenario of a military engagement by Hitler’s forces to the East. An examination of the possible downstream effects of those two scenarios could be illuminating to everyone around this table.” 
    The Air Commodore gave the proposition a moment’s thought. “Very well, I shall include it on the agenda for next month. Assemble a small team, B-S, and prepare a brief report for the next meeting. Now, if there’s nothing else…”
     

 
     
    Chapter 11
     
    August 1938
     
     
    Saturday afternoon, August 6, Max and Anna were preparing to go to the grocery shop. There was a sharp rap on the apartment door.
    Max answered, “Who’s there?”
    “Madam Krauss sent me.” A woman’s voice.
    Anna took off her coat and patted her hair in front of the mirror that hung over the mantel. “This is it, Max.” She crossed herself. “Please God, let it be good news. Let her in.”
    Max slid the bolt and opened the door.
    The woman introduced herself as Greta – no surname – and explained that she needed some further details to help with their Marriage Application.
    Max offered her a seat in an armchair. He sat on the sofa. Anna perched beside him, hands in her lap.
    Greta started with a question. “Madam Krauss tells me you work for the Government, Max-Christian. Where do you work?”
    “Please call me Max, Frau Greta. I’m with the