Faked Passports by Dennis Wheatley Page B

the 8th; but we were shot down a couple of miles on the far side of this wood and have been hiding here ever since.”
    â€œ
Ach so
! I knew nothing of this as I escape from the Capital only last night.”
    â€œThen, I take it that all hope of the
Putsch
succeeding has been abandoned?”
    Colonel-Baron von Lutz nodded despondently. “It might haf succeeded if Hitler had been blown up in Munich as was planned, but swiftly it becomes known that he had escape the bomb and all Army leaders outside Berlin postponed action. This makes him free to concentrate his entire effort against those who in the Capital had risen. He sent bombing squadrons against us early yesterday morning which caused many casualties at the Artillery and Tank Depots. Battalions of S.S. and S.A. men were rushed to the city from all quarters of the Reich. By afternoon our situation desperate became. At six o’clock five of our leading Generals haf taken decision to give their brother-officers chances to escape, also to save further slaughter of their men by issuing the cease fire order and giving themselves up. I haf the goot fortune to get away by automobile but I walked the last twelve kilometres point to point so that of the local people none should see me to my estate arrive.”
    â€œA sad ending to a gallant effort,
Herr Oberst-Baron
,” Gregory said, in an attempt to hearten the elderly officer, “but it is only a postponement. Germany will yet throw off the Nazi yoke.”
    â€œMost true. But in the meantime the names of all who attacked the Gestapo Chiefs in the Adlon and of many other officers who participated in the revolt will haf been listed. If among the dead their bodies are not found they will be hunted, as the hares, to all corners of the Reich. Few of us who were in the rising of the 8th will live to see the day of freedom.”
    â€œAs far as you’re concerned …” Gregory paused to step back and support himself against a tree “… since you managed to get this far there’s a decent chance that you may be able to remain in hiding until the time when there is a successful revolution.”
    Von Lutz brushed up his grey moustache. “I shall certainly endeavour to do so; but if the Nazis hunt me out I intend to sell my life very dear.”
    â€œIt seems that the three of us are in the same boat,” Gregory smiled weakly; “although Charlton, here, could surrender peaceably if he wished, since when he was shot down he was acting as an R.A.F. officer on duty.”
    â€œOh, if there’s any fighting you can count me in,” Freddie shrugged. “I’d rather take a chance with you two now than be starved to death in a prisoners-of-war camp. We couldn’t put up much of a fight without arms; but perhaps the Baron could help us there?”
    â€œYes; arms and food—that’s what we need,” muttered Gregory. “I’m afraid, though, that in my case I shan’t be able to give much of an account of myself for a day or two.”
    Von Lutz gave him a searching look. “You are pale. And surely those stains under your left arm are dried blood? Are you wounded?”
    â€œI got one through the shoulder during that fight at the Adlon. The wound’s not dangerous but it’s become inflamed, and I’ve an idea that I was delirious last night.”
    â€œYou certainly were,” Freddie supplemented. “How’re youfeeling now?”
    â€œPretty groggy. I’m still running a temperature.”
    â€œFor a hunted man that is bad.” The Baron’s lined face creased into a frown. “We must do what we can for you. The Gestapo had their hands filled yesterday but by now they will on a nation-wide round-up haf started. They may come to makesearch of my house at any time. But my family and my servants will do all possible to protect me. They will keep look-out while your wound is being made clean. To the house,