“They axe now deposited in the National City Bank of New York in Argentina. Later they will be transferred to New York.”
“And now that the Americans are drawn into the war?”
El Ferruch did not respond to the question.
“My friend is in danger,” he said.
“Because of the business with the Argentine?”
“So far as the Gerrnans are concerned, my friend should be in the German Army. He is an embarrassment to his father in Germany,” el Ferruch said. “His father is a German nobleman, a baron, and he is close to the Nazis.”
“And if his father is a German, so he should be,” Thami el Glaoui decided. “Is he a man or not?”
“in every way. He has taken the risks of our trade. My tribesmen respect him. And he enjoys women. But in the end, he thinks of himself as an American. And now that the Americans are in the war, he wishes to go to the American consulate in Rabat and put himself under their protection until he can be sent to America.”
“And you are asking me to let him go to the American consulate?” Thami el Glaoui asked.
“I am asking your advice, noble Father,” el Ferruch said. “Fulmar has been approached three times by von Heurten-Mitnitz, who has suggested to him that there is a way for him to avoid induction into the German Army.”
“By informing on us?”
“Yes,” el Ferruch said.
“And he told you this?”
“Yes,” el Ferruch said. “He is very loyal to me.”
Thami el Glaoui inclined his head. Whether in agreements or skepticism el Ferruch was not sure.
“Ahmed Mohammed has learned that the German secret police officer, Miffler, intends to return Fulmar to Germany by force. Even though Fulmar has not refused their offer, and pretends that he is still considering it, the Germans now believe that he will never become a reliable agent for them.”
“Then why hasn’t MULLER done it? Is Ahmed Mohammed sure of his inforination?”
“Ahmed Mohammed is always sure of his information,” el Ferruch said. “The Germans are reluctant to enter the Hotel d’anfa to take him. However, Germans are waiting outside the hotel grounds. The Sfiret6 and Deuxi@me Bureau will look the other way. 5 @
“The Germans are ‘reluctant’ to enter the hotel because he is protected by your men, is that what you mean?”
“No,” el Ferruch said. “Because it would cause trouble with the American consulate.”
“Why doesn’t he telephone his consulate and ask for their protection?”
“He has tried that,” el Ferruch said. “No lines were available. I saw to that.”
Thanii el Glaoui looked at him in genuine admiration.
“I would rather he did not contact the American consulate,” el Ferruch continued. ’61 want to take him to Ksar es Souk.”
“I am old and don’t think clearly. It is hard to see where you are heading.”
“In the future, as the Americans come more and more into the war, we will need someone to inform us about American attitudes and perhaps to use as a go-between.” and intentions- ve become interested, my son,” Thami el Glaoui said after he let that sink in a moment, “that the Filipinos have elected to fight beside the Americans against the Japanese.”
“I don’t quite follow,” el Ferruch said.
“They do so for one of two reasons,” el Glaoui said. “Because they prefer the devil they know. Or because they believe the Americans claim that they will grant them independence. What I am saying is that the French profess to be willing to grant us independence, and I don’t believe them. Why do you suppose the Filipinos believe the Americans?”
“Perhaps because they are telling the truth el Ferruch said.
“An interesting thought,” el Glaoui said.
“The Americans also gave back Cuba to the Cubans,” el Ferruch said.
“If they now possessed Morocco, would they give it back to us?” el Glaoui asked rhetorically.
El Ferruch raised both hands, palms up, an elaborate gesture meaning, “Who could tell?”
“You have a plan to get your guest past the Germans?”
“I have, but plans go wrong sometimes,” El Ferruch said.
“You are asking me if this is worth an armed confrontation between your men and the Gernians-and possibly the Sfiret6 and the Deuxi6me Bureau?”