CHAPTER SIX
_England Must Never Die_
It was a few moments before Colonel Fraser of British Intelligence begantalking. He sat staring unseeingly down at his bandaged left hand asthough he were choosing the words he would speak. Presently, though, helifted his head and looked at Dave and Freddy.
"Adolf Hitler's greatest goal in life is to crush the British Empirecompletely," the Colonel began speaking. "No matter what other battlesor minor engagements his troops and his air force may win, they are butsteps toward his great goal--the defeat of England. However, in order todefeat England, Hitler must invade and conquer these British Isles. Hecannot bring us to our knees from across the Channel. He has got tocome over here and beat us into submission. Invasion of England! Thosewords are on the tongue of every German today."
The colonel paused and pulled a battered pipe from his pocket and apouch of tobacco. He started to fill the pipe, then stopped and glancedquestioningly at Air Vice-Marshal Saunders. The high ranking R.A.F.officer smiled and nodded his head.
"Certainly, Colonel," he said. "Go right ahead and smoke."
The Intelligence officer smiled his thanks for permission and lighted uphis pipe.
"Yes, invasion of England is the German password today," he said whenthe pipe was going. "And ever since Dunkirk and the fall of France theGermans have been preparing for the great attempt. We have beenpreparing, too--preparing to meet that invasion and throw it back intothe Channel. I do not have to tell you of the preparations we have made.You've seen them countless times from the air, and you have no doubtseen them on the ground. Also, like every other man in uniform inEngland, you both have been constantly on the alert and ready to answeran invasion attempt alarm. Well, the attempt was not made right afterDunkirk. It was not made in the month of July. Nor was it made duringthe month of August. Why?"
Colonel Fraser paused to tamp down the tobacco in his pipe with afingertip.
"Why?" he repeated. He shrugged and made a little gesture with his pipe."I do not know," he said. "No one in England knows. As a matter of fact,I'm quite sure that only Hitler knows. Of course we can guess at athousand reasons why the attempt has not been made, yet. But it ispossible that they might all be wrong. This much we _do_ know. It hasnot been made, yet. And this is something we can also be equallypositive is true. The desire to invade and conquer England _has not leftHitler's mind for a single second_. The instant he believes that all isready, he will give his generals the order to invade us. I mean, bythat, to _attempt_ to invade us!"
The colonel gave some more attention to his pipe and then continued.
"Naturally, we haven't been so foolish as simply to prepare in everypossible way we can, and then sit back and wait for him to strike. TheR.A.F. Bombing Command has been blasting away at Nazi invasion bases onthe French, Belgian, and Netherlands coasts night after night, as youboth well know. The Navy has been on constant patrol seeking for signsof invasion. It is not known by many people, but we have even done alittle invading of our own. Small detachments of sapper troops haveslipped ashore in France under the cover of darkness, and made shortraids as far inland as Lille. And as you two well know, the R.A.F. hasmade countless photo and reconnaissance patrols over the occupiedcountries. And lastly, but by no means least, British Intelligenceagents have been sent into the occupied countries, and they have beenworking day and night, too, in an effort to ferret out scraps ofinformation regarding Hitler's invasion plans. Now!"
The Intelligence officer paused for breath, or perhaps for emphasis.
"Now, this is what I'm leading up to," he said. "The raids we've made,the pictures we've taken, the reports of pilots, and the reports of myown Intelligence agents indicate very strongly that the invasion attemptwill be made soon. Perhaps in a couple of weeks, and perhaps in acouple of days. This month, September, the tides and the weather willall be in Hitler's favor. Frankly, I would be willing to stake my lifethat the attempt will be made sometime this month, but I have no ideawhether it will be near the first of the month, or near the last, oreven in the middle. That date, however, is something we have absolutely_got to find out_. And that is why I am now speaking to you two chaps."
A quivering sensation like a charge of high voltage electricity shotthrough Dave. A thousand questions hovered on the tip of his tongue, buthe held them in check.
"If there is anything I can do, sir," he said quietly, "I most certainlywant to do it."
"And so do I!" Freddy exclaimed with deep feeling. "No matter what itis, sir."
"I told you, Colonel," Air Vice-Marshal Saunders spoke up. "I told youyou could count on Dawson and Farmer."
The Intelligence officer seemed not to hear. He sat staring at the twoyouths. Dave had the strange feeling that the man was staring right intohis brain and reading the thoughts there. A moment or so later theColonel gave a short nod of his head and continued.
"No matter what Hitler tries, we'll beat him at it," he said. "If theinvasion attempt comes tonight, we're ready, and we'll beat him. That,however, is not the way we want to beat him. We want to beat him_before_ he's hardly got started; to smash him _before_ he's even comewithin sight of our shores. In order to do that, though, _we must knowthe exact date set for the attempt_. That date can be learned. In fact,I almost learned it one day last week. I didn't because a GermanMesserschmitt pilot shot down and killed the man who was bringing thatinformation back here to me in England!"
The colonel suddenly stopped and seemed to have trouble with his throat.He swallowed a couple of times, then half turned and shot a faintfrowning glance at Air Vice-Marshal Saunders. Dave looked at the R.A.F.officer just in time to catch the glint of deep sympathy and feelingthat flickered through his eyes. Then Colonel Fraser went on speakingagain.
"I spoke of sending my Intelligence agents to the occupied countries.Well, some of them have been there since the war started. A few of themhave been there all their lives--were born there, in fact. Intelligenceand Secret Service agents are not always recognized citizens of thecountry they serve, you know. The agent of whom I speak now is aBelgian. All during the last war he fought side by side with Britishsoldiers to free his country from Germany's grip. He is too old to fightas a soldier in this war, but he is fighting again to free his countryfrom Germany's iron grip--Hitler's iron grip. He is doing his fightingin the dark and under cover, but more often than not that kind offighting is more dangerous than fighting in the open. Every second ofthe day and night his life is in danger. He never knows when the hand ofthe German Gestapo may drop on his shoulder. He does not even expect thecourtesy of being captured as a spy, in fact. He fully expects to beshot in the back the moment the Nazis realize who he is. But thatconstant danger does not stop him fighting for one single instant. Heloves Belgium, the real Belgium, and he will gladly give his life tohelp England free Belgium of the Nazi chains of indescribable tyranny. Icould talk all day of the things that man has already done for England'scause, but I won't. Just let me say that he has done enough to win theVictoria Cross a dozen times over."
The colonel took a moment to light his pipe, which had gone out. Hepuffed smoke toward the ceiling, and smiled faintly.
"That man has gathered more valuable information for me," he said, "thanthe whole British Intelligence Service put together. And, strange as itmay sound, I have never met him personally. I hope some day to have thatgreat honor, but somehow I rather doubt that I will. Anyway, he is theone man who can tell us when the invasion attempt will be made. Now,wait! I can tell from the expression that just this instant came intoyour faces, that you're wondering why he hasn't sent the informationalong to me. Well, he has tried to, several times. The last time wasonly last week. However, though I hate the very thought of the Nazis, Ido not consider them as blind, stupid fools. They are ruthless andbarbaric, but they are also very brainy, and are cunning and fiendishlyclever beyond words. Naturally, they wish to keep their invasion attemptdate a secret just as much as we wish to find it out. And so they areleaving no stone unturned to
see that it remains a secret. To give it toyou straight from the shoulder, five of my best agents have contactedthis Belgian, but not one of them has returned to England alive. Everyone has been caught in the invisible web the Nazis have thrown aboutEurope."
A cold lump suddenly formed in Dave's stomach, but he sat perfectlymotionless and kept his eyes on Colonel Fraser's face. After a momentthe cold lump gradually disappeared. He could guess now why he andFreddy had been summoned to Air Vice-Marshal Saunders' office. There wasa job to be done--a job with danger and death constantly hovering about.But after the first start the truth had given him, he no longer feltfright or even slight uneasiness. He felt only the desire to servehumanity and civilization to the last ounce of his strength, and to thelast drop of his blood. If the world and civilization went down underHitler's heel, then life would not be worth the living. He felt that wayas he returned the colonel's steady gaze. And the quiet rigidity ofFreddy sitting in the chair next to his told him that his English palfelt exactly the same way.
"I can see you two are getting the point," Colonel Fraser suddenly shotat them. "I want to be fair with you, so I ask you this question. Doyou want me to continue, or would you rather return to active duty atyour squadron?"
"We want you to continue, sir," Dave said, speaking for himself andFreddy.
"Yes, quite," Freddy added. "What can we do to serve, sir?"
The Intelligence officer smiled briefly; then his face became hard andstern, and there was a ringing note in his voice as he spoke.
"There is only one way in and out of Europe, today," he said. "That's byair. This Belgian I spoke of lives in Antwerp. The address is SixteenRue Chartres. That street is down by the docks on the right bank of theScheldt River. He was a marine engineer in his day, and the last I knewhe was working for the Germans occupying the city, doing the odd jobshis age would permit. He is close to seventy. He is blind in one eye,and he is not over five feet six inches tall. His hair is grey, ofcourse, and he has a beard. All this I'm saying I'll repeat in detaillater. I'm just running over it briefly, now, to give you some pictureof the man I hope you can find. Not only hope, but _pray_ you will find.
"But to get on with this: I am convinced that it is sheer suicide forany of my agents to try and contact this Belgian. Antwerp, like everyother occupied city of importance, is policed day and night by theGestapo and German counter-espionage agents. Therefore a man wouldcreate suspicion no matter how well he might be established in the city.And remember, I said the only way in _and_ out is by air. This highlyimportant job has got to be tackled by one or more pilots. Now--anddon't take offense, you chaps--a couple of _Belgian peasant boys_ wouldbe less likely to be noticed by the Germans than grown men. And if thosetwo Belgian peasant boys could _fly a plane_, then so much the better.You follow me, eh?"
"Right with you, sir!" Dave blurted out enthusiastically. "And Freddyand I both happen to speak the languages, too."
Colonel Fraser laughed.
"Don't worry," he chuckled, "I had checked on _that_ little detailbefore I asked the air vice-marshal, here, to send for you. Yes, youboth are boys--though doing the job of men, believe me--and you both arepilots, and you both speak the languages that will be necessary. And,perhaps the most important thing, you have the courage and the spiritthat will keep you going until the job is done. Let me say right here,though, I can't spread the danger angle too thick. It _is_ a mightydangerous job. To give it to you from the shoulder again, everythingwill be in the Germans' favor, not in yours. If either of you iscaught--well, no power on earth will be able to save you. The Nazis willshoot too quickly for that."
The Intelligence officer stopped speaking in order to let the truemeaning of his words sink home.
"We know how to shoot a bit ourselves, sir," Freddy spoke up in a steadyvoice. "So I guess you might say that evens things up some, you know."
"We'll take our chances against any Nazi with itching trigger fingers,"Dave said grimly. "But I suppose you've got a definite plan of actionfor us, sir? I mean--"
Dave cut himself off as the Intelligence officer nodded his headabruptly.
"Certainly," he said. "As you know, the Bomber Command is making raidsdeep into Germany night after night. Well, tonight you two will go alongin one of our bombers, as passengers, you might say. It will be in abomber of a formation heading for Berlin. They will head for Berlin on aflight route that will take them close to Antwerp. At a certain pointyou and Farmer will bail out. You'll be dressed as refugee peasant lads,of course, but as the plane will pass over high, you'll have oxygenmasks and chest tanks for the parachute drop. When you land you willbury your parachutes and masks, and make your way to Sixteen RueChartres."
Colonel Fraser shrugged and gestured with his pipe, which had long sincegone out again.
"That ends the first part of the plan," he continued. "The instant youbail out, you will be on your own. You may even lose touch with eachother coming down in the darkness. But _Sixteen Rue Chartres_ is yourgoal. And the man you are to get in touch with is known as PierreDeschaud. He will give you the information we must have. He knows thedate, I'll--I'll stake my life on that. He will give you theinformation, and he will do what he can to help you get back to England.There are several air fields at Antwerp. That we know, of course, fromdaily photos we have taken. We also know that two or three squadrons ofthe German _Luftwaffe_ are stationed there. Pierre Deschaud will helpyou steal one of the planes for your flight back to England."
Colonel Fraser stopped abruptly, got out of his chair and began to pacethe room. Suddenly he stopped in front of them.
"Any questions?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," Freddy spoke up before Dave could open his mouth. "There wasone thing you didn't mention. We may know who Pierre Deschaud is when wemeet him, but how is he to know who _we_ are? Isn't there some code wordor sign he would recognize? After all, we could be anybody, as far ashe's concerned, perhaps even Nazis trying to smoke him out."
The stern look suddenly left Colonel Fraser's face. Beaming, he leanedover and patted Freddy's back.
"Good lad!" he said with sincere feeling. "That's just the question Iwanted you to ask. Didn't tell you because I wanted to see if you'dthink of bringing it up. Yes, there is a code word. It is Houyet.Remember that. _Houyet!_ That's the name of the little village in whichDeschaud was born almost seventy years ago. When he hears you say that,he'll know that you come from me. And now, I've said enough for a while.We'll meet again before tonight and go over every little item in detail.I do, however, want to say this. I am a colonel, and chief of BritishIntelligence, but it is chaps like you, chaps with your courage, andyour will to fight against no matter what odds, who will win this warfor England and the rest of the decent part of the world. I salute youfor accepting this dangerous mission, and I also salute you because Iknow in my heart that you will win through. And so, until later in theday, gentlemen."
A minute more and Colonel Fraser had taken his departure. Dave andFreddy stood silently staring at each other; grimly reading each other'sthoughts--two separate thoughts that really blended into one. Here was areal chance to serve, and they would not flinch or falter for a singleinstant.
"Well, Dawson and Farmer," Air Vice-Marshal Saunders suddenly broke thefew moments of silence, "England is counting on you again. And likeColonel Fraser, I, too, know that you will come through. I, too, saluteyou."
Dave's heart looped over with pride as the vice-marshal clicked hisheels and saluted smartly. Dave and Freddy solemnly returned the salute,and their hearts were close to bursting with the thrilling joy of thatmoment.
"And now," the air vice-marshal said as he lowered his hand, "I want totell you something that may help if the going should get hard. It'ssomething that proves the trust and belief that Colonel Fraser has inyou--something that will make you come through, if only for his sake.You recall he spoke of almost receiving that information last week? Ofhow the man flying it back to England was trapped and shot down by aMesserschmitt pilot?"
"Yes
, sir," Freddy said as Dave nodded.
"That man was only twenty years old," Air Vice-Marshal Saunders said,"just a few years older than you chaps. He could fly a plane, but hecouldn't serve in the R.A.F., or in any of the active fighting branchesof the service, because of physical reasons. He was part cripple. Hetried to serve England as an Intelligence agent. He did valuable workfor which his memory will long be honored. He gave all he had, his life,for England. His name was Richard Fraser. He was Colonel Fraser's onlyson. For his sake, as well as for England, you must succeed."
Dave had to swallow the lump in his throat before he could speak.
"Dick Fraser," he murmured more to himself. "That's a swell name, and Ibet he was a swell fellow, too. You bet we'll succeed, sir. If it's thelast thing we do, we'll find this Pierre Deschaud and come back with theinformation England needs."
Freddy Farmer cleared his own throat and nodded vigorously.
"You have our word on that, sir," he said evenly. "We won't let youdown. We won't let England down!"
"Amen!" Air Vice-Marshal Saunders whispered softly.