The Spy in Black Page #3

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and that the large fleet in Scapa watching,

- You couldn't get to the Irish Channel...

- I know that. What's your plan?

Two cruisers squadrons will sweep southward.

I know that too. It is routine.

But wouldn't you give an eye to know when, where & how?

- Do you know?

- Everything except the actual time, and I'll get it.

- Which squads?

- The 1st and 5th.

And the course?

Here it is, pencil line. East of Swona.

If we got submarines to rendez-vous...

- In Sandwick Bay.

- In Sandwick Bay,

- We could bag the lot,

- Exactly.

They may alter the course, but I'll find out.

- From whom?

- My brother. He is flag captain.

- He too...?

- No. It's a case of brotherly trust.

When will this movement take place?

Tomorrow. Next day. Anytime.

But you'll get plenty of notice.

We can't take submarines off blockade duty on suppositions.

Supposition nothing! Those squadrons are going to sail.

- The date?

- I'll get it.

It would be the biggest smash of the war.

Then, we understand each other?

I hope so.

- To our next meeting.

- To our next meeting.

Mind you, behave yourself.

- Mr Ashington, what is your ship?

- The old Warspite.

She won't be going out with the squad?

- She's laid out for repairs, as usual.

- Pity.

You see, children. When look at this

little island of ours, you realize it is...

... the protector of much larger countries and continents.

I know you don't like it but this isn't for a German audience.

- You've almost persuade me to become British.

- What would I say next?

There's the bit about the empire where the sun never sets.

But it needs explain.

Which way it goes? West-East or East-West?

It worries me. I bet children will know.

I shouldn't worry. You can teach them more important things.

How to get to an island guarded like Gibraltar.

How to twist British and German

officers round your little finger.

Lots of things never taught in school.

Doesn't all that belong to evening school for grown-ups?

It is evening, and I am a grown-up.

But you're not one of my pupils.

Tell me:
what became of the real Miss Burnett?

- You know "Red Riding Hood"?

- It had a happy ending...

That's why this story is different.

- She met with an accident?

- Yes, an accident.

- Were you present?

- I obey orders in my service.

What a service!

Have you ever fire a torpedo on an unarmed ship?

- That's different!

- It's certainly more of the same.

Why do you look down on me?

I obey orders, as you obey yours.

We don't choose the jobs we do.

We are parts of a machine of destruction. Like it or not.

Where is the key?

Here.

Good night.

Thank you, children. That's very nice.

Now you may dismiss.

- Thank you very much. Good day.

- Good day.

- Any news?

- I got it. They sail tomorrow.

- What time?

- 7:
00 a.m.

- No changes?

- No changes.

- You get in touch with your ship tonight.

- Be ready to leave at ten o'clock.

- Tonight?

- Of course. Good work.

- What is all this?

- Fraulein Thiel leaves with me.

- This is the Reverend Hector Mathews.

- Is it? I mean, how'd you do?

I'm sorry I can't shake hands. My name's

John Harris. I'm looking for the school.

- To what purpose, may I ask?

- See my fiancee, Ms. Burnett.

Ms Burnett didn't tell me she had any

connection with an English character.

No; but she soon will have.

If you are going to stay on the island

you may have a room at my house.

- Far cheaper than lodging at the post office.

- Would it? I mean, that's very kind.

- May bring your fiancee to dinner tonight.

- Well...

If you give me your meat coupons, we will make a roast.

- They're in my inside pocket and I rather...

- Allow me.

At 7:
30 sharp.

- You wanted her to remain...

- Who cares what I want? Don't you see...

- I only see one thing: my orders.

- Where are they?

- Here.

- What do you mean here?

What were the actual orders?

On completion of the mission you'll be taken on board.

- On completion?

- Yes, on completion.

And, is it completed?

Until your submarines come up with

our squadrons the job hasn't even began.

- I think he's right.

- No other way of looking at it.

I shall leave with a message. And tell Schuster

to depart tomorrow night for both of us.

Now you're talking sense.

- Who's that?

- Turn off the light.

I'm awfully sorry. There must be another room.

Come on in.

Thank you. Not expect to see officers staying here.

- It is difficult to find accomodation.

- Right.

- We were just gonna have tea.

- Join us.

Oh no really; I came to find my fiancee, Miss Burnett.

- Is she here?

- Milk and sugar?

- Very kind.

- Let me take it.

More than kind of you. It's rather heavy.

- How'd you do?

- Sit down.

Thank you.

Wasn't strange of me not letting

her know that I'd arrive?

- Your tea.

- Thank you.

Well, I should give her a shout.

I'm averse to shouting. All of us here.

Well, in that case...

She'll be surprised to find me here, won't she?

- Cake?

- No, thank you.

I brought this gramophone, and heaps of new records.

Have you heard "The Soldier's March"?

It's rather large, but it has a beautiful tune.

I don't recognize that metal ribbon.

- What is it?

- The Iron Cross, second class.

Second class... Then you must be a prisoner of war.

No. You are.

Oh dear!

Oh, they haven't arrived yet!

During a war, lateness for a meal is not only incivility but criminal waste.

- I'm scare the meat will burn.

- I bring it nonetheless.

I will not wait longer.

I'm greatly disappointed on Rev. Harris.

For what we are to receive may the

Lord make us truly thankful. Amen.

- Don't bite these, are macaroni.

- I should have some expla...

- Better wait here for them to come.

- Why?

- 'Stay here!

- Hurry.

- Who is it?

- Rev. Matthews and his wife.

Excuse me.

- Good evening my dear.

- You chose a high night to play calls.

Obligations to society take precedence over nature.

- That's rather a compliment.

- A compliment was not my intention. We waited an hour.

- Outside?

- At table.

- At table?

- Precisely.

- He's upset about the meat.

- Our concern has nothing to do with material.

If you and Rev. could not come, courtesy demands a message.

- Then were you expecting us?

- You must have received our invitation.

- I'm afraid not. I had no idea.

- I find hard to believe he failed to convey it.

- I'm afraid he did.

- That's odd.

If I were your fiance, to see you after so long,

- ... I would forget everything else.

- Perhaps you would explain...

- The minute he arrived, he had a nasty attack.

- Attack?

Yes, sort of a suffocation. He wasn't able to say anything.

Oh, he is ill? I'm greatly relieved.

I put a room at his disposal. I

couldn't understand his not coming.

He's gone to bed an hour ago.

- It is the most sensible.

- An embarrassing situation.

Ms. Matthews should stay tonight.

- Shall I?

- There's no need for that.

As a Minister, I say that your position ...

- As a future wife?

- People might talk.

In wartime? Do not worry about me.

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