best to get your brother. He has had his instructions and as soon as he can get away he will. That was not soon enough for me. It had to be him or you. So I sent for you.” 

 He stopped and cleared his throat. Desmond stared at him. He could hardly believe his eyes. This quiet, deliberate man was actually embarrassed. 

 “Okewood,” the Chief went on, “you know I like plain speaking, and therefore you won’t make the mistake of thinking I’m trying to flatter you.” 

 Desmond made a gesture. 

 “Wait a moment and hear me out,” the Chief went on. “What is required for this job is a man of great courage and steady nerve. Yes, we have plenty of fellows like that. But the man I am looking for must, in addition to possessing those qualities, know German and the Germans thoroughly, and when I say thoroughly I mean to the very core so that, if needs be, he may be a German, think German, act German. I have men in my service who know German perfectly and can get themselves up to look the part to the life. But they have never been put to the real, the searching test. Not one of them has done what you and your brother successfully accomplished. The first time I came across you, you had just come out of Germany after fetching your brother away. To have lived for weeks in Germany in wartime and to have got clear away is a feat which shows that both you and he can be trusted to make a success of one of the most difficult and critical missions I have ever had to propose. Francis is not here. That’s why I want you.” 

 The Chief paused as if weighing something in his mind. 

 “It’s not the custom of either service, Okewood,” he said, “to send a man to certain death. You’re not in this creepy, crawly business of ours. You’re a pukka soldier and keen on your job. So I want you to know that you are free to turn down this offer of mine here and now, and go back to France without my thinking a bit the worse of you.” 

 “Would you tell me something about it?” asked Desmond. 

 “I’m sorry I can’t,” replied the other. “There must be only two men in this secret, myself and the fellow who undertakes the mission. Of course, it’s not certain death. If you take this thing on, you’ll have a sporting chance for your life, but that’s all. It’s going to be a desperate game played against a desperate opponent. Now do you understand why I didn’t want you to think I was flattering you? You’ve got your head screwed on 

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