The Secret Generations by John Gardner

behind Abbeville, Giles started to study the moves which had occurred in the late August of 1346. He was a firm believer in the theory that one learns from the follies and wisdoms of the past, but, as he moved the blocks of fighting men around the map, part of his mind dwelt on his daughter-in-law, Bridget, who, with Malcolm, would now be well on her way back to Ireland. He hoped that, in spite of Malcolm ’s lack of interest, Bridget – now a Railton in Giles’ eyes – would see where her loyalties lay.
    *
    As his train finally pulled into the Lehrte Railway Station, Gustav Steinhauer recalled the Kaiser’s particular orders to him, on that day just before Christmas 1908.
    The Kaiser had discovered the officers of the Army High Command were anxious to take over all matters concerned with intelligence, including the handling of agents already placed by the Foreign Ministry into other European countries. They were planning to effect this take-over within the next two to three years.
    The Kaiser had confided in Steinhauer that his great worry was the way in which this would affect matters of intelligence – particularly over the question of sea power.
    ‘ I realize that you are in a position to contact our spies already buried on foreign soil, Steinhauer,’ he said, ‘but these men and women will come under military control when the High Command gets its way. What I .need is my own man, and I see you as my man. Am I correct?’
    ‘ Of course, Majesty.’
    ‘ Good. Then you will report certain matters to me, and to me alone. When the military establish themselves as the Fatherland’s spymasters, you will co-operate with them. But you will not betray this one confidence to them. You will place your own agent – a man who is well trained, knows about naval matters, is familiar with sabotage and the other skills of spies – in England. You will control him. You will not betray him to those who will be your new masters.’
    ‘ Yes, Majesty.’
    ‘ You would be able to do this, and mislead your military spymasters?’ The Kaiser frowned, looking directly into Steinhauer’s eyes.
    ‘ Of course, Majesty. They’ll never be able to find, or identify, him.’
    ‘ Good,’ the Kaiser gave a short nod. ‘Very good indeed. Now, to this man, who will live as a ghost, you will select him; train him; send him out; and report the full facts to me alone. You understand?’
    Steinhauer understo od. He interviewed eleven possibilities, all of whom turned out to be flawed. Then the petty officer, Hans-Helmut Ulhurt, came to his notice – the ideal choice. A man with all the right credentials, but a man who would have to be not only trained but also tamed. A man who required discipline.
    As he boarded the Stadtbahn train for Neuweissensee, Steinhauer hoped the crushing of Ulhurt ’s leg had almost performed the taming for him. Soon, the training phase would end, and his tame spy could be tested in the field. Ireland, perhaps, would be a good starting point. He was pleased with that idea.
     

 
    Chapter Four
     
    Giles Railton had trained himself to manage on only four hours of sleep each night. Between three in the morning and dawn he was often at his best. Some of his most constructive plans came to mental fruition in those twilight hours; though, sometimes, he was out and about.
    On a Wednesday night, a few weeks after The General’s funeral, he walked the streets of London. He knew every road and alley blindfold and, in fact, could always find his way, even in pitch darkness or thickest fog. It was not a knack, but a self-taught art, for he could do the same in most of the great capitals of Europe, not to mention places as far away as Cairo and Calcutta.
    On this morning the journey was simple – Eccleston Square to his son’s house in King Street. The task was one which a messenger could easily have carried out, but the intriguer in Giles’ nature made it a pleasure for him to do the job alone.
    Nobody either heard or