"One day, out riding, she ventured to my grandfather's farm. Her horse had a stone lodged in his hoof, and she sought my assistance to remove it. We invited her to partake of the noon meal. She joined us that day and on many occasions after, until Adolph found out. It was unspeakable that his beloved would lower herself to befriend a family of Jews and actually enjoy a meal with them."
Jacob shook his head as if to shake off the bitterness then looked directly into the eyes of Stewart Menzies. "He forbade her to come to us again. When she didn't return my phone calls, I rode to the villa. Adolph was gone, but Frau Raubal ordered me to leave the premises and not return because Geli wished never to see me again."
Jacob blinked several times, obviously suffering from strong emotion. "I didn't understand, but I retreated. That evening I received a call from the cook that worked for Frau Raubin. Her husband is Jewish, and she was sympathetic to Geli. She informed me of the discord between Adolph and Geli. Geli chose to disobey Adolph and was coming to see me. When she rode her horse to our rendezvous, she was frightened. Adolph was pushing her to marry him. I…asked her to marry me, and she agreed."
Jacob paused, watching the reaction of the intelligence man he hoped would be able to help him. There was no sign he felt sympathetic.
Jacob steeled his heart and persevered. "She returned home that day after a brief interlude, so she wouldn't arouse suspicion. I was to send a message through the cook when I arranged for the wedding. I located a Jewish rabbi who agreed to perform the ceremony, and we married three days later. Geli came to the farm with me as my wife.
"When Adolph discovered our union, he became crazed. I was beaten by his SS soldiers and left lying in the road for dead. He took Geli away and had the marriage annulled. He then forced her to stay at his Munich apartment and took her everywhere he went." Jacob choked on the words, and his voice faltered. "Unfortunately for Adolph, there was something he couldn't annul. Geli was pregnant, but she hid it from him until it was too late for him to terminate the pregnancy. He sent her back to the villa to have the baby, surrounded at all times by his soldiers. As soon as the baby was born, Geli was kept locked in her room."
Menzies finally spoke, polite interest in his voice. "What did you do about this?"
"I watched the house. When I recognized one of the guards as a childhood companion, I begged him to help me. It wasn't hard to convince him. He said everyone could hear Geli weeping inside her room. She was miserably unhappy.
"I sneaked into the house up to her room. She looked like a pasty-skinned skeleton, and at first, I wondered if her mind was intact. She gave me the baby, our son, but said she was too weak to make an escape. She urged me to wait for her in London with my relatives. I gave in. I thought surely Adolph would release her to go to her child. My family agreed to flee with me. That was in September of 1930." Jacob's chin came up, and he stared straight ahead. "Geli didn't make it."
"What happened to her?"
"She chose to end her suffering. She was buried in Vienna. You can check it. This is a copy of our wedding certificate."
Jacob dropped the evidence on the desk. Menzies reached for it and scrutinized the document for a few seconds.
"Suppose I believe you. What then? This is a personal vendetta. There's nothing here to convince me that Hitler is a threat to England."
"You say you've read Mein Kampf. I'm sure there are many who didn't believe he intends to do all he spoke of in that book. Let me share more recent evidence of his intentions and ability to accomplish his aims."
"I'm listening."
"He outlawed all political parties except the Nazi party. He eliminated the historic states of our country after using one of them to gain the ability to run for office. He isn't a German citizen. It is illegal for him to hold office. He eradicated freedom of speech. All press is controlled by the state. He instituted laws that remove all Jewish civil servants from positions of public service. Jewish judges have been physically removed from courtrooms, Jewish lawyers disbarred, and patent agents and tax advisors dismissed. At the instigation of the Nazi Party, Jewish stores are boycotted. Jewish children are no longer allowed to go to school with the Aryan children." Jacob glanced triumphantly at Menzies. "Are you aware that he instituted re- education camps where anyone who opposes him is taken and beaten…or slaughtered? People just disappear!"
"Can you be more specific…names…dates?"
Jacob listed Hitler's rival party members and the months when they'd disappeared. He also related the area of Germany that had been utilized for the "camps." Then he said something that finally got a spark out of Menzies.
"Hitler's own party started the Reichstag fire on Feb. 27, 1933, to convince the German people and President von Hindenburg that the Communists were a threat to Germany's survival. The President signed a decree, The Emergency Ordinance, which suspends civil liberties and legalizes the terror begun by Hitler's personal Nazi army, the Sturmabteilung, or S.A. His soldiers arrested and beat or murdered anyone they wanted. This hid his true purpose."
"Which would be what?"
"To eliminate the last vestiges of resistance in the old party members and generals. The remaining few members of Reichstag that were opposed to him are too afraid to disagree. He forced congress to amend the Constitution, transferring all legislative authority from the Reichstag to himself. Hitler can create any law he wishes."
"How have you obtained this information? If the general German public is unaware of Hitler's plans, how does a Jewish refugee know of them?"
"The cook that helped me abduct my son was taken away for questioning. Her husband was arrested soon after. They never returned. There were those in our community who were able to obtain information. Friedl, Geli's sister, was able to send news for a while. That avenue of contact has been removed, but she did pass on my name to others whom she thought would be sympathetic."
"Are you saying there's already a network of resistance against Hitler? In Germany?"
"Yes. On February 3, three days after Hitler was appointed Chancellor, he convened a meeting for the top Wehrmacht officials. He stated that if France had any statesmen, she would not allow Germany to rearm but would attack the Reich. This and other comments were overheard by many non-official personnel from secretaries to bellboys to waiters. The reports are passed to those considered sympathetic to our cause. Did you know the Austrian Chancellor Dollfuss was assassinated on orders from Hitler? Soon the German military will enter the neutral Saar region."
Menzies tapped his desk with a pen for several seconds then took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Members of the foreign press stationed in Germany have substantiated many of the facts you relate, Mr. Cohen. Still, you're a displaced Jew…a German. What can you do?"
"Place me where I can become the most damaging weapon you have against Hitler. He will move against you. He's the totalitarian dictator of Germany, head of state, head of legislature, and head of the military. Everything he promised in Mein Kampf will be brought to fruition."
"At present, there's nothing. If you continue to send information through my office, I'll endeavor to place you in the thick of things if and when Hitler shows his hand."
Jacob swallowed hard. Not quite what he wanted to hear. He could only stare at the man who stood between him and his revenge.
Menzies settled back in his chair and sighed. "Look…I can't relate classified information without reliable verification of your…uh…facts. You might well be a plant put in place by Hitler himself."
"I understand." As Jacob rose, he dropped several photographs on Menzies' desk. "Here are a few souvenirs of what you have to look forward to if Hitler gets a foothold in your country or anyone else's."
He turned for the door. He tasted the bitter pill of failure as bile rose in his throat.
"Wait!" Menzies called. "Leave your number. I…may contact you."
Jacob gestured at the papers he'd already given Menzies. "You have it. But I won't wait long. There has to be someone who'
ll listen."
The door closed, and Menzies picked up the photographs.
April 1, 1933, was written on the back in cramped English. It was a photograph taken of a poster. "The Jews have till 10 a.m. on Saturday to reflect. Then the struggle commences. The Jews of the world want to destroy Germany. German people resist! Don't buy from Jews!"
Another picture revealed a German Jew walking down a German street, escorted by armed guards, stripped of his shoes and trousers, and carrying a placard that read- I am a Jew, but I have no complaints about the Nazis.
Menzies held doubts about what the British were prepared to endure for the sake of peace. Why couldn't his superiors see what was at stake? Obviously, few men in authority suspected Hitler's true intentions or had the gumption to do anything about it.
Months later, the German military entered the neutral Saar region. Menzies read the news with trepidation. He waited several days, expecting the intervention of the French and British governments. It seemed those in power would accept almost anything as long as their own countries weren't forced into the conflict.
Jacob finally received a call. "This is Menzies. Come back to my office. I may have something for you."
When Jacob bent to ruffle the blond curls on his son's head and give him one more kiss, he knew it could be for the last time. If he had to lose his life to stop Hitler, so be it. No sacrifice was too great to protect those he loved.
His father held tightly to him. "Jacob, see what you have to live for. Would you leave Geli's child without a father? Let those trained for war, make war. We are farmers."
"We won't be safe anywhere if someone doesn't do something. Take care of my Jacob. Tell him of his mother and father. I'll be back."
He walked out the door and closed it with quiet determination. He would see to it that Adolph Hitler was stopped once and for all.
This time Jacob didn't hesitate in the reception area of the SIS but headed straight for the office he'd visited earlier. He knocked on the door, and when a voice said come in, he received a shock. A stranger sat behind the desk. Had he made a mistake? Surely this was the same corner room. A substantially younger man sat gazing at Jacob, his brows raised and eyes wide with question. He looked familiar, but Jacob wasn't sure.
"May I help you?" the man asked.
"I met someone here…in this office. He called and asked me to come back. His name was Stewart Menzies."
"Aah. He uses my office from time to time." He stood. "Follow me. You're Jacob Cohen?"
"Yes."
Jacob followed him out the door, only slightly surprised the man knew of him.
They walked further down the narrow hallway then up several flights of stairs. "Sorry about the climbing. It will be better if fewer people see you here."
They paused before the entry to the fifth floor. The man took out a key and opened the door, allowing Jacob to pass before him. He again took the lead until he reached a closed metal door at the end of the corridor.
When he knocked, they received an immediate answer, and the door opened.
Stewart Menzies stood and held out his hand. "Thank you for coming, Mr. Cohen. Won't you have a seat?"
He ushered them in, and Jacob glanced up when the young man joined them.
"Jacob Cohen, meet Brad Gilderchrest."
The two men shook hands as Menzies continued his explanation. "Brad fronts for me. It's not always a good idea for me to show too much interest initially, so I utilize his talents and his office."
Jacob nodded. The owner of the scrupulously neat desk was this young man with the close-cropped fair hair. Already, these circumstances seemed totally alien to a simple farmer.
Menzies sat on the corner of his desk and stared at Jacob. "Consider this meeting confidential. Few people in this country, as yet, recognize the full intent of Adolph Hitler. I'm one of the few. That's why Brad made sure you ended up in his office days ago. I know you want to go out in the field, but there isn't anywhere I can send you. However, I do need information, and I know someone who believes as you, another Jew, Bertold Jacob. You already have much in common."
Jacob and Jacob. How could this man help him? "What does he do?"
"Exactly as you. He records everything Germany does and makes predictions. He's determining Hitler's order of battle. He's a genius, and he'll know how to use you." Menzies picked up a slip of paper. "This is where you can find him. Memorize it. He'll be expecting you. Your code name is Insidious."
Jacob laughed aloud.
"I'm glad you find it amusing."
Jacob smiled at him for the first time. "I think it's perfect. But whom does it describe, me or Hitler?"
Menzies gave a faint smile in return. "Both. Gilderchrest will show you out. Keep me informed."
He turned away to sit behind his desk. The interview was at an end, but the training had just begun.
According to the tests at the training facility, Jacob wasn't the type to become an undercover agent, but desperate times drive a man beyond himself. He received a new identity and learned French in a miraculously short time. He trained in the art of subversion and subterfuge until he could think and look like someone from any walk of life. His intense desire to become a part of the resistance against Hitler probably allowed him to excel at these things.
He discovered something else, too. He met a minister who helped his family and other Jewish refugees. Reverend Whyte and Jacob walked together every day that last month in England. For the most part, Jacob listened as the Reverend encouraged him to let go of rage and murder, to fight the good fight for the right reasons.
"Jacob, you know anger is like murder to God. If you ask Him, He'll help you get rid of it. But you must make the decision to lay down all that was before and trust God to take care of it. I don't know why your wife had to suffer, but I see God working to bring something good out of her sacrifice. Coming here was a blessing for your family. They will prosper and grow. And you, my friend, have blessed my life so completely in my last days. What would life have been like if your family never came here?"
"I don't know, Reverend. I'm tired of trying to figure it out. All I see now is what I must do."
They had held this conversation many times, but today seemed more significant.
"That's another blessing God has brought from suffering. For the forces of good to defeat the forces of evil, there must be those who are ready to lay down their lives. You are ready, morally, to make that sacrifice. Are you ready spiritually?"
Jacob had known the question would come. He had anticipated it, even thought about what his answer would be. "No, but I'm ready to answer the call. I haven't found a way to forgive Adolph for what he's done, but I'm willing for God to take that burden from me…if He wants it."
"Oh, Jacob, He wants that very much. In fact, I read something in First Peter that I thought would help you." Reverend Whyte opened his Bible and found the passage he had underlined. "Verses 6 through 11. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
Jacob stared at the ground. It was as if the entire passage had been written especially for him. A roaring lion did seek to devour all that was dear to him. And it had become a burden, a care, that was dragging Jacob down. If Yeshua wanted to take that burden and strengthen Jacob, he could find the will to go on.
He looked gratefully at Reverend Whyte, not knowing what to say. "It's just what I needed, Reverend."
Jacob left for France with a newfound faith and the mortal skills to defeat the enem
y. Father, help me vanquish the enemy because man's attempts to defeat Hitler seem to fail. Help me overcome.
Chapter 2
June 20, 1940
They were coming! The Germans had broken through the French defenses, and bypassed the Maginot Line.
Chloe leaned over the parapet of the chateau and watched as villagers scurried around in terror. Many vowed they wouldn't give up their land without a fight, but if Paris had fallen, what chance had the tiny village of Cachet?
She spent most of the day helping Madame de Mornay hide the most brilliant of the chateau's treasures.
"Chloe, you've been faithful to me since you were a little girl. Now you must be faithful to France as well." Chloe nodded, not understanding what Madame could possibly mean. "The Germans are coming this way, and we must hide the treasures of our people. Come."
Madame hastened through the stone passageways of the ancient chateau, while Chloe followed in her footsteps. Once they gained the sanctuary of Madame's private salon, she turned a key in the lock and marched inside her deep closet. Chloe waited outside, unsure.
Madame called impatiently. "Quickly, little one. Time is precious."
Chloe rolled her eyes at the nickname. She'd been working for Madame since her twelfth birthday, but surely Madame knew she was now twenty-two.
She stepped into the deep recesses of the closet, where Madame waited for her, hand perched elegantly on her hip.
"Here. You see the stone is not flush with the others?" Madame pointed at a spot near her head.
"Oui, Madame."
"Now watch carefully, Chloe." Madame took her hand and counted down five stone blocks. "You see, five only." She held up five fingers. "It's easy to remember. Now push."
Madame backed away, inviting Chloe to push against the fifth stone. Chloe thought it would require a great amount of strength to shove against it, but as soon as she braced herself, the stone slid backward, and the back wall of Madame's closet fell away to reveal a room.
Madame marched inside, indicating many hooks bored into the walls. "That is where generations of protectors have hidden the relics of our past. We must collect the paintings and hang them in here until the Germans are vanquished. We will also hide whatever jewelry I cannot take with me."
All Things New Page 2