When David and Maria were satisfied with the phrasing and tone of the letter to Wilhelm, she closed her notebook and breathed a sigh. "What else have you that we can handle while driving?"

He pointed ahead. "The Munster's spire is now peeking above the trees, and we'll soon be in the tangle of Bern traffic. Not enough time to get into anything."

She looked up from her lap. "Oh, my! Time seems to have flown."

"Always does that when I'm immersed in a task."

"You'll be even more immersed now. With Rick back in Sonnenhang, you have to handle both the attaché and aide roles – plus your espionage." She chuckled. "But, at least, you don't have to babysit Windhead."

"True. His replacement is due to arrive on Thursday, so it'll be far easier for me."

Maria grimaced. "Easier? How do you know he's not another spoilt noble brat, complements of the old farts in the War Office?"

David chuckled. "To ensure it wouldn't be, I suggested to William that he recommend one of his agents. He selected Bryce, and Lloyd-George has approved."

"Bryce? Who is he?"

"Tompkins, my batman at Oxford – remember I wrote about him?" David shrugged and smiled. "He played the valet role for the first weeks of the course, and when the Service was satisfied about my suitability, Bryce introduced himself as Captain Tompkins. He had been covertly observing and gently guiding me – assessing me and reporting to William."

Maria giggled. "The generals likely assess Prinz Wilhelm's activities and report to the top."

"Indeed. Thus, my need for care with my visits."

"Would they see anything odd about this? About your repeat visits with him?"

"Only that Wilhelm has taken an intense interest in wine. But they saw that in the cellar in Worms and during the watch negotiations the next day in the hotel."

"But that would have been his titular aide and some lower generals. The top ones weren't there."

"Oh, but they were there. Falkenhayn and his senior staff had come to Worms to inspect and check on preparations for the assault on Verdun." He glanced at Maria and grinned. "During our meetings, Wilhelm let enough slip for us to piece this together when I returned to Bern."

She nodded. "And this is how you knew they were going to attack."

"And when – because of the delivery schedule for the watches."

"Little bits and pieces. Like a fretted puzzle. The pieces make no sense unless they're assembled."

David chuckled. "As I did here. Fretted puzzle confused me until you continued. At home, we called them jigsaw puzzles."

Thursday, 1st June 1916

On Thursday afternoon, David stood on the platform, watching the Lausanne train pull into the station. As it slowed, he walked along to the first-class carriages, like he remembered Maria doing on his return from Oxford. Less than eight months ago. Amazing the changes since then.

When the train stopped, he watched the disembarking passengers, and when he recognised Bryce, he raised his arm high, waved and strode toward him. "Welcome to Bern."

As they shook hands, Bryce chuckled and said, "You needn't have waved, David; you're unmistakable in any crowd."

"So I've been told. Thus, my constant need for caution." He nodded over his shoulder, along the platform toward the front of the train. "I have a redcap with a cart, ready for your baggage."

"Thank you. Organised, as always."

David shrugged. "You taught me well."

With the baggage loaded, they got into the Lancia, and immediately the doors were closed, Bryce asked, "Did you complete the tunnel? Disrupt any rail lines?"

"Yes, and yes." David chuckled. "I see you've been out of the need-to-know circle."

Bryce nodded. "R said you would soon get me up to speed."

"Yes, he told me to spare no details." David glanced at his watch. "Too late to visit the Embassy today, but we've planned for you to meet with the key players at dinner this evening. We'll now go directly to the residence and allow you to settle in."

"Residence?"

"The mansion provided for the Ambassador – massive and elegant, and as he often says, with far too many rooms. A suite has been prepared for you, and while you unpack, I can give you an overview of our operations and how we see you fitting into them."

A while later, David pulled to a stop beneath the port-cochère, and as he stepped out of the car, he said, "We'll have the butler organise taking your trunk and bags up."

"Butler?"

"Yes, and a full household staff. The Ambassador's role includes official entertaining here, so it's essential."

Half a minute later, the footman opened the door to his knock, "Good afternoon, Colonel Berry."

"Thank you, James. This is Major Tompkins, our new resident. Please have the butler informed that ..." He paused as the butler approached and cleared his throat. "Ah, Stanley. The major's trunk, cases and bags are in the boot and back seat."

"I shall have them taken up, sir." He nodded toward the stairs. "Your wife returned about ten minutes ago."

"Thank you, Stanley."

As they headed up the stairs, Brice asked, "Colonel? Wife?"

David chuckled. "Substantive Major with a temporary to Lieutenant-Colonel for the Military Attaché appointment."

"Oh, my! So much catching up to do. And the wife?"

"Maria. We unofficially wed while evading over the mountains from Germany, and we made it official Christmas Eve." He nodded toward a door as they passed it. "This is our suite; yours is at the end of the hall. I'll introduce you later, but first, we have some catching up to do."

For the next half-hour or so, while Bryce unpacked and arranged, David gave him an overview, beginning with the key staff in the embassy and their roles. "Among these, only the Ambassador, Colonel Picot and John Wallinger are aware of the covert operations."

"Operations such as destroying German railways?"

"It had initially been, but after we closed the three southern lines from December well into the spring, the War Office saw it was more important to impair the German ability to manufacture munitions. We did that last month, blowing eight of their gasworks in the Central Rhine Basin. They've moved thousands of soldiers from the Front to guard what they see as vulnerable sites."

David chuckled. "Thus, they identify them for us, and we report their coordinates for the French aerial bombers. With so many guards now in place, we've changed our focus to subversion."

"Subversion?"

"Yes, far less dangerous, but the War Office sees it as potentially far more effective. The first of the teams headed into Germany this week. Some should have returned by next Wednesday when we visit Sonnenhang."

"Sonnenhang?"

"In Schaffhausen, overlooking the German border. That's where the tunnel is, and its extension should break through next Wednesday. I want to be there to celebrate with them, and it would be a fine opportunity for you to see the pointy end of the operation."