The Eagle has Flown by Jack Higgins Read Free Book Online Page A

you.'
     
     
'There's a man we want, an Irishman _ Liam Devlin.'
     
     
Schellenberg took Devlin's photo from his wallet and passed it across. 'He worked for Abwehr for a while. The IRA connection. Walked out of a hospital in Holland the other week. Our information is that he's here, working as a waiter at a club in Alfama.'
     
     
'The old quarter?' The Baron nodded. 'If he's Irish, this man, I hardly need to point out that makes him officially a neutral. A situation of some delicacy.'
     
     
'No rough stuff needed,' Schellenberg said. 'I hope we can persuade him to come back peaceably. I have a job to offer him that could be rather lucrative.'
     
     
'Fine,' the Baron said. 'Just remember that our Portuguese friends really do value their neutrality. Even more so now that victory seems to be slipping away from us. However, Captain Eggar, my police attache here, should be able to assist you.' He picked up his phone and spoke to an aide. As he put it down he said, 'I caught a glimpse of your companion.'
     
     
'SturmbannFuhrer Horst Berger - Gestapo,' Schellenberg said.
     
     
'Doesn't look your sort.'
     
     
'A Christmas present from the ReichsFuhrer. I didn't have much choice.'
     
     
'Like that, is it?'
     
     
There was a knock at the door and a man in his forties slipped in. He had a heavy moustache and wore a brown gaberdine suit that didn't fit too well. A professional policeman, Schellenberg recognized the type.
     
     
'Ah, there you are, Eggar. You know General Schellenberg, don't you?'
     
     
'Of course. A great pleasure to see you again. We met during the course of the Windsor affair in nineteen forty.'
     
     
'Yes, well we prefer to forget all about that these days.' Schellenberg passed Devlin's photo across. 'Have you seen this man?'
     
     
Eggar examined it. 'No, General.'
     
     
'He's Irish, ex-IRA if you ever can be ex-IRA, age thirty-five. He worked for Abwehr for a while. We want him back. Our latest information is that he's been working as a waiter at a bar called Flamingo.'
     
     
'I know the place.'
     
     
'Good. You'll find my aide, Major Berger of the Gestapo, outside. Bring him in.' Eggar went out and returned with Berger and Schellenberg made the introductions. 'Baron von Hoyningen-Heune, Minister to the Legation and Captain Eggar, police attache. Sturmbannfuhrer Berger.' Berger, in his dark suit with that ravaged face of his, was a chilling presence as he nodded formally and clicked his heels. 'Captain Eggar knows this Flamingo place. I want you to go there with him and check if Devlin still works there. If he does, you will not, I repeat not, contact him in any way. Simply report to me.' Berger showed no emotion, and turned to the door. As he opened it Schellenberg called, 'During the nineteen thirties Liam Devlin was one of the most notorious gunmen in the IRA. You gentlemen would do well to remember that fact'
     
     
The remark, as Berger immediately knew, was aimed at him. He smiled faintly, 'We will, General,' turned and went out followed by Eggar.
     
     
'A bad one that. You're welcome to him. Still...' The Baron checked his watch. 'Just after five, Walter. How about a glass of champagne?'
     
     
Major Arthur Frear was fifty-four and looked older, with his crumpled suit and white hair. He'd have been retired by now on a modest pension leading a life of genteel poverty in Brighton or Torquay. Instead, thanks to Adolf Hitler, he was employed as military attache at the British Embassy in Lisbon where he unofficially represented SOE.
     
     
The Lights of Lisbon at the southern edge of the Alfama district was one of his favourite places. How convenient that Devlin was playing piano there although there was no sign of him at the moment. Devlin, in fact, was watching him through a bead curtain at the rear. He wore a linen suit in off-white, dark hair falling across his forehead, the vivid blue eyes full of amusement as they surveyed Frear. The first Frear knew of his presence was