V for Vengeance Read Free Page B

him to pack up the clothes and things which are likely to be of most use to me in two suitcases, then to deposit them at the Gare de Lyon and bring the cloakroom checks to me here.’
    â€˜You’re going to leave Paris?’ she asked.
    â€˜No. My orders are to remain here in hiding, but to carry on the fight against the Nazis by every means in my power unless a formal peace is agreed between the Allied and German Governments.’
    â€˜But I thought you said that within a few days now the French Army will be compelled to—to surrender?’
    â€˜I fear so,
chérie.
But that does not mean the final triumph of our enemies. The Norwegian and Dutch Governments have already established themselves in London for the purpose of continuing the war with all their resources outside Europe, and, although the French Army in France may be forced to lay down its arms, we shall still have our Empire and our Fleet. Paul Reynaud seems to be a man of courage, and he will almost certainly transfer his Government to North Africa with the intention of carrying on the struggle from there. In any case, my Chief’s last orders, which reached me in code early this morning, were to ignore any armistice which might be agreed in France and to work underground against the enemy as long as they remain in Paris. But we must not delay. Every moment is precious. Slip out now and telephone for me, while I have a wash and try to make myself a little more presentable.’
    Kissing him swiftly she stood up. Without bothering to get her hat she went on to the landing and ran downstairs.
    The nearest call-box was round the corner about two hundred yards away. The street was quite deserted, as upon this grim evening of the occupation the citizens of Paris who had remained had locked their doors and were gathered gloomily within their own homes, lest by their very presence in the streets they should seem to be paying homage to their conquerors.
    Georges’ Uncle Luc was the Mayor of Batignolles, and Madeleine wondered if at this time of emergency he would be at the Town Hall; but she decided first to try his own home. The telephone was still working, although on a restricted service; it was over twenty minutes before she could get through. When she did it was Uncle Luc’s house-keeper who answered, and the poor woman was in a great state of distress. A party of Germans had arrived at the house about a quarter of an hour before. They had spent some ten minutesquestioning
Monsieur le Maire
and had driven off, taking him with them. Madeleine thanked her, endeavoured to reassure her fears, and hanging up fled back down the street towards her own apartment.
    When she reached it Georges was just coming out of the bathroom, his dark hair now smooth, his clothes brushed, and looking much more like his normal cheerful self than when he had first arrived.
    Breathless from running up the stairs, Madeleine panted out her news, and Georges’ face immediately became grave.
    He was not greatly attached to his uncle and only rented a room in his house for convenience as a permanent place to keep his most cherished belongings and to sleep in on his occasional visits to Paris. There had, in fact, been a certain coldness between them for some time past, on account of a divergence of their political opinions.
    â€˜I don’t think the old boy will come to any harm,’ he said after a moment, ‘because he’s a member of the
Croix de Fer
, and the Nazis are sure to endeavour to establish good relations with our Fascists, as they’re the most likely people to give them the co-operation they will need to keep order in Paris. It’s a possibility that they’re pulling in all the mayors as a temporary measure, or to give them their instructions collectively. On the other hand, there’s just a chance that the Nazis went to Batignolles in the hope of finding me there, and that they’ve taken Uncle Luc off to question