"Higgins, Jack - Sheba" - читать интересную книгу автора (Higgins Jack)

Romero lit a cigarette and sat on one of the sofas. The baron handed him a glass and sat opposite. 'All very intriguing, this business.'

'And also highly secret.'

'But of course. I'm not prying. In fact, I'd rather not know.' He raised his glass. 'But I'll drink to your success anyway.'

At that moment the red phone rang. Romero said, 'With your permission?'

'But of course. I'll leave you to it.'

The Baron went out and Romero picked up the phone. 'Hans, is that you?'

'Who else?' Ritter said. 'How did it go?'

'Perfect,' Romero told him. 'A superb aircraft. I couldn't be more pleased. Tell the Admiral we're on our way.'

Ritter knocked on the door and went in. Canaris was drinking tea, one of the dachshunds on his lap. He looked up.

'What is it, Hans?'

'Romero has just spoken to me from Lisbon, Herr Admiral. The Catalina is perfect and the sale will be concluded tomorrow.'

'Excellent.' Canaris nodded. 'Do an additional report bringing everything up to date and I'll make an appointment for us to see the Fiihrer.'

'At once, Herr Admiral.'

As Ritter limped to the door, Canaris called, 'Oh, and Hans.'

'Yes, Herr Admiral?'

'We'll take Muller with us.'

The summons came sooner than they had expected and took them to the Chancellery for an appointment at ten o'clock that night. They picked up Muller at the Univer- sity on the way and the news that he was to meet the Fiihrer shocked him completely.

When they reached the reception area of Hitler's suite the aide on duty rose to greet them. 'I understand you have a report for the Fiihrer, Herr Admiral.'

'That's right,' Canaris said.

The aide held out his hand. 'He would like to read it before seeing you.'

'Of course.'

Canaris gave him the file; the aide opened the door and went in. Canaris nodded to the other two and they sat down.

Muller was trembling slightly and Canaris said, 'Are you all right?'

'For God's sake, how do you expect me to feel, Admiral. This is the Fiihrer we're talking about. What do I say?'

'As little as possible,' Canaris told him and added with some irony, 'Remember he's a great man and behave accordingly.'