Blackest of Lies by Bill Aitken

in my entire life,” said Fitzgerald, spluttering.  “The very thought that some barber surgeon could stand in the shoes of a man of Lord Kitchener’s stature and get away with it is beyond the pale, to say the least.”
    “Well, actually, he’s a microbiologist, specialising in the infection of wounds but he’s had to be a bit of an all-rounder due to current circumstances.”
    Fitzgerald froze him with a stare.  “How can you possibly imagine that he would have the presence to carry the thing off, even at a distance?  I will have absolutely nothing to do with such an imbecilic idea.”  Fitzgerald was evidently not impressed.
    “And you will tell the PM this, personally, Colonel?” said Thompson quietly.  Fitzgerald looked like a stopped clock, allowing Thompson to turn his attention back to Hubert.  “I have to admit, I thought you had something there, Hubert, but ...”
    “Well, let’s just think about it for a moment, sir,” said Hubert.  He looked around at the other three.  It was plain from Fitzgerald’s face that he, for one, would not think about it for a second, but he persisted.  “Colonel Farmer is now working in a discreet little convalescent home in Hampstead – Farnham House – I did some time there, after Netley.  I can meet with him tonight or tomorrow morning and talk it over with him.  He is about the same build as Lord Kitchener – perhaps a little more weight – but nothing strenuous from the tailoring point of view.  Colonel Fitzgerald could provide us with Lord Kitchener’s normal undress uniform and that side of things could be sorted out right away.  Taking Monday to alter the others, we’re left with all day Tuesday and perhaps Wednesday, if we can spin a good enough yarn at the War Office.  We can use that time to give Henry the basic grounding he’d need to survive a day in London.  He simply has to be seen entering and leaving the building for the thing to work.  In fact, he doesn’t have to speak to a soul all day if we can shift his diary around.  The main thing is to be seen. ”
    “That will mean bringing his personal staff into the secret, Hubert.” said Kell.  “How many others have to be told before that secret is common knowledge?”
    “Well, that’s not necessarily true,” Fitzgerald conceded.  “His ADC and suchlike can be given tasks out of the building.  Out of town, even.  It is his secretary who is the key to the matter.  She guards the outer office.  Nothing gets through to Lord Kitchener without her permission.  I have seen generals turned away from her desk empty-handed.”  He paused, as the thought struck him.  “Poor Joan.  She’ll be devastated.”
    Thompson looked across at Kell.  Could it possibly work?  After all, doubles had been used throughout history.  Why not now?  “And you think that a day or two would be enough for this doctor to carry it off, Hubert?” he asked.
    “Well, remember, he’s not just ‘a doctor’.  He is a senior military officer – that’s enormously in his favour and saves us a lot of time.  Personally, I think that he should be seen about town on Wednesday.  As I say, no-one in their right mind is going to try to sit Lord Kitchener down and interrogate him about intimate family matters, so I would think that only the briefest details need to be gone into.  The same applies to the military situation and his secretary can help him by avoiding situations where Henry would be caged in a room with someone who knows him well.  Current names, places and decisions are the critical things and most of that we could deal with in a day.  Just get him into the public eye and we are safe for a while.  It gives us time to think. ”
    “And what exactly are your thoughts, Kell?” said Thompson.
    “I agree with Colonel Fitzgerald.  It is the most preposterous thing I have heard in my life.  However, having said that, I cannot conceive of any alternative.  But I would stipulate one