wondered if Hull was beginning to understand, but the secretary’s facer
betrayed no expression.
“You spoke of the file Canfield has requested from the archives. What is
it?”
“That was my next consideration, Mr. Secretary.” Ellis folded over another
page. “The file is only a number to us, but the number gives us the year of
its entry…. It’s nineteen twenty-six, the fourth quarter of twenty-six to
be mall
“And what are the terms of classification?”
“Maximum. It can be released only by an executive order signed by the
president for reasons of national security.19
“I presume that one of the signators-witnesses to the file-was a man then
employed by the Department of the Interior by the name of Matthew
Canfield.”
The brigadier was visibly upset but continued to hold the white folder
firmly between his thtLmb and forefinger. “That is correct.”
“And now he wants it back or he refuses to make contact with Kroeger.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I trust you have pointed out to him the illegality of his position?”
“I have personally threatened him with a court-martial. . His only reply
was that its our choice to refuse bim.99
“And then no contact Is made with Kroeger?”
“Yes’ sir. . . . Ifs my opinion that Major Canfield would rather face
spending the rest of his life in a military prison thin alter his
p9sition.”
Cordell Hull rose from his chak and faced the general. ‘Vould you care to
summarizer,
“It is my belief that the April Red referred to by Hq’ rich Kroeger is the
boy, Andrew Roland. I think he’s Kroegees son. The initials are the same.
The boy was
12
bom in April, nineteen twenty-six. I believe that Heinrich Kroner is Ulster
ScsrletL”
“He died in Zurich.” Hull watched the general closely.
“The circumstances are suspecL There is on record only a death certificate
from an obscure court in a small village. thirty miles outside of Zurich
and untraceable affidavits of witnesses never heard of before or since.”
Hull stared coolly into the general’s eyes. “You realize what you’re
saying? Scarlatti is one of the corporate giants.s.
“I do, sir. I contend further that Major Canfield is aware of Kroner’s
identity and intends to destroy the file.”
“Do you believe that it’s a conspiracy? A conspiracy to conceal the
identity of Kroner2”
“I don’t know. . . . I’m not very good at putting into words another
persQn*s motives. But Major Canfield’s reactions seem so intensely private
that I’m inclined to believe that it’s a highly personal matter.”
Hull smiled. “I think you’re very good with words…. However, you do
believe that the truth is in the file? And if it is, why would Canfield
bring it to our attention? Certainly he knows that if we can get it for
him, we certainly can get it for ourselves. We might never have been aware
of it, had he kept silenL”
“As I said, CanflelWs an experienced man. rni sure he’s acting on the
premise that we soon will be aware of
“How?”
“Through Kroner. . . . And Canfield has set the condition that the file’s
seals be intact. He’s an expert, sir. He’d know if they were tampered
with.”
Cordell Hull walked around his desk past the brigadier with his hands
clasped behind his back. His gait was stM his health obviously failing.
Brayduck had been right, thought the secretary of state. If even the
specter of a relationship between the powerful American industrialists and
the German High Command became known, regardless of how remote or haw long
in the past, it could tear the country apart. Especially during a national
election.
“In your judgment if we delivered the file to Major Canfield, would he
produce . April Red . . . for this meeting with Kroegerr,
“I believe he would.”
13
“Why? lies a cruel thing to do to an eighteen-year-old toy.”
The general hesitated. ‘Tm not sure he has an alternative. Theres nothing
to prevent Kroeger from making other arrangements.”
Huff stopped pacing and looked at the brigadier general. He had made up his
mind. “I shall have the president sign an executive order for the file.
However, and frankly I place this as a condition for his signature, your
suppositions are to remain between thetwo of us.”
‘The two Of usrI
“I shall brief President Roosevelt on the substance of our conversation,
but I will not burden him with conjectures which may prove to be unfounded.
Your ‘theory may be nothing more than a series of recorded coincidences
easily explained.”
“I understandLff
“But if you are correct, Heinrich Kroeger could trigger an internal
collapse in Berlin. Germany’s in a death struggle. . . . As you’ve pointed
out, he’s had extraordinary staying power. He’s part of the elite corps
surrounding Hitler. The Praetorian Guard revolts against Caesar. if you’re
wrong, however, then we must both think of two people who will soon be on
their way to Bern. And may God have mercy on our souls.”
Brigadier General Ellis replaced the pages in the white folder, picked up
the attach6 case at his feet, and walked to the large black door. As be
closed it behind him, he saw that Hull was staring at him. He had an
uncomfortable feeling in -the pit of his stomach.
Hull was not thinking about the general, however. He was remembering that
warm afternoon long ago in the House of Representatives. Member after
member had gotten up and read glowing tributes into the Congressional
Record eulogizing a brave young American who was presumed dead. Everyone
from both parties had expected him, the honorable member from the great
state of Tennessee, to add his comments. Heads kept turning toward his desk
in anticipation.
Cordell Hull was the only member of the house who was on a first-name basis
with the renowned Elizabeth Scarlatti, that legend in her own time. The
mother of the brave young man being glorified for posterity in the Con-
gress, of the United States.
14
For In spite of their political differences, Hull and his wife bad been
friends with Elizabeth Scarlatti for yeam
Yet he had remained silent that warm afternoon.
He had known Ulster Stewart Scarlett, and he had despised him.
is
CHAPTER 2
The brown sedan with the United States Army insignia on both doors turned
right on Twenty-second Street and entered Gramercy Square.
In the back seat Matthew Canfield leaned forward, taking the briefcase off
his lap and placing it at his feeL He pulled the right sleeve of his
overcoat down to conceal the thick silver chain, which was tightly wound
around his wrist and looped through the metal handle of the case,
He knew that the contents of the briefcase, or more specifically, his
possession of its contents, signified the end for him. When it was all
over, and if he were still alive, they would crucify him if a way could be
found that would exonerate the military.
The army car made two left turns and stopped by the entrance of the
Gramercy Arms Apartments. A uniformed doorman opened the rear door and
Canfield stepped out.
“I want you back here in half an hour,” he toid his driver. “No later.”
The pale sergeant, obviously conditioned by his superior’s babits, replied,
“I’ll be back in twenty minutes, gar.”
The, major nodded appreciatively, turned, and went into the building. As he
rode the elevator up, the major numbly realized bow tired he was. Each
number seemed to stay lighted far longer than it should have; the time
lapse between the floors seemed interminable. And yet he was in no burry.
No hurry, whatsoever.
16
Eighteen years. The end of the he but not the end of the fear. That would
come only when Kroeger was dead. What would be left was guilt. He could
live with the guilt, for it would be his alone and not the boy’s or
Janet!s.
It would be his death, too. Not JanetL Not Andrew’s. if death was called
for, it would be big. He’d make sure of that
He would not leave Bern, Switzerland, until Kroeger was dead.
Kroeger or himself.
in all likelihood, both of them.
Out of the elevator he turned left and stepped down the short hallway to a
door. He unlocked the door and stepped into a large, comfortable living
room, furnished in Italian provincial style. Two huge bay windows over-
looked the park, and various doors led to the bedrooms, dining room the
pantry, and the library. Canfield stood for a moment and thought
unavoidably that all this, too, went back eighteen years.
The library door opened and a young man walked OuL He nodded to Canfield
without enthusiasm. “Hello, Dad.”
Canfield stared at the boy. It took a great deal of strength not to rush to
his son and hold him.
His son.
And not his son.
He knew if he attempted such a gesture. it would be rejected. The boy was
wary now and, although he tried not to show it, afraid.