Legacy of a Spy Read Online Free Page A

“Do you think you have all this straight?”
    George frowned. “I think so. Let’s see, all meeting times will be one hour later than stated. The Winkler Café in Salzburg means the Hofbraü Haus in Munich, and the Bundesbahn Hotel means the southwest corner of the Staatsbrücke in Salzburg. A negative answer means everything is understood and will be complied with. A qualified yes with another hour means okay, same place, but at the new time, again plus one hour. An unqualified yes means the meeting can’t be held. I’m not to call you yet. You will identify yourself as Karl, and we will speak Swiss German. You will identify yourself by asking immediately for the correct time. Should either of us wish to break into clear conversation, we should ask how Horst is. If the answer is that he’s ill, it’s okay to go ahead. But if the person says that he is fine, then that person will call back as soon as he deems it safe to do so or will give another number where he can be reached in an hour.”
    “Good,” said Slater. “This may all seem like hogwash to you, but I assure you it’s of the utmost importance. Don’t forget it.
    “Now,” he continued, “the next thing to arrange are the danger signals.” George looked puzzled. “I’ve got to know,” said Slater, “if you think someone is following you. That’s for my protection. For your protection, you need the same information.”
    The word “protection” and the idea of being followed caused a responsive twinge in Hollingsworth, but his admiration for the man he knew as Carmichael was rapidly increasing.
    “In Munich, I will be standing by the blue-and-white parking sign nearest the Hofbraü, and I will be looking for this Mercedes. Remember, George, you must always use the same car. If my hat is on, keep right on going and wait for me at the Bundesbahn Hotel restaurant, where we first met. If I don’t show within two hours, forget me and go home. I’ll try to phone. If I take my hat off, everything is all right as far as I know. If the meeting is to be in Salzburg, follow the same procedure, but wait for me at the Hotel Horn in the Getreide Gasse. Better get a city plan, so you will know where it is. In both cases take at least fifteen to twenty minutes to get to the second meeting place.”
    “Sure,” said George, “but why?”
    “Because,” said Slater evenly, “if I get there first, I can watch you go in and satisfy myself that you aren’t being tailed.”
    “I see.” Putnam had been right; Carmichael was not going to trust him entirely. “What do I do to indicate that I’m being followed?”
    “In the case of Salzburg, you will be turning right to cross the Staatsbrücke. Turn on your right directional signal and move past me. I’ll know. In Munich you will be turning left. Use your left signal and keep on going. My arrival, before you, at the second meeting place will allow me to tell whether you are clean. If I don’t meet you, you’ll know you’re still under surveillance.” Slater looked carefully at George. “If you think you have all that, repeat it. If not, let’s go over it again.”
    The two men went over and over the entire procedure. George was finally convinced he had never learned any lesson so thoroughly. By the time Slater was satisfied that George had the signals straight, they had reached the outskirts of Munich.
    “I have one more request to make, George, before you drop me at the Hofbraü. I want you to have Wyman at the bar of the Baur-au-lac Hotel in Zurich at 10:30 tomorrow morning. You can invite him for coffee.”
    “I’ll try, but Wyman and I aren’t on very good terms.”
    “Then get someone else to invite him, Putnam himself, if necessary, but get him there. I would like to look Wyman over in the flesh.”
    “Right.” It was obvious that Carmichael really knew his business. “I don’t suppose I could drive you to Zurich?” George smiled.
    “I’m afraid not.” Slater returned the smile.
    The