But failed because it had been smuggled out of Vienna just prior to the battle and he never did get his hands on it? To underestimate its significance or the power that it holds LJ, would be extremely foolhardy. You see, Hitler along with the others, whose hands it fell into, knew only too well that it’s not enough too simply own it. You have to be a true believer for it to work and protect you. Hitler was obsessed with not only the legend, which he truly believed in, but was also flirting with the darker side of the occult. So that in his own mind he was without any doubt, destined to become the next Emperor of his New World Order. But forgive me, as usual I’m rambling on. Of course, it may be that the cavern holds the key to all of this. But, I feel that the SS being involved is very intriguing. Were they there merely to ensure that the spear was protected or was it that Himmler and Donitz were going to hide more than the spear there.
What do you think?”
“Umm, Himmler was definitely a tricky character.”
LJ said, but before he could continue Lord Asquith continued his rhetoric.
“You know that he believed Hitler to be a reincarnation of past warriors and kings. So much so, that he was totally consumed with the Aryan myth, and only chose officers that were pure Aryan decent from at least one hundred and seventy years back. Furthermore, he felt that children should be conceived in Nordic cemeteries in order to manifest spirits of the heroes buried there. He actually published a list of cemeteries for breeding, you know?” “This was an organisational genius, LJ. Someone who held meetings in the great hall of a rambling old castle, and where they all sat at a royal round table. They say that beneath this hall was a crypt filled with urns containing the last mortal remains of heroes destined for worship.
Himmler was also completely obsessed with the Teutonic
Order, to the point where past and present were telescoped together. One important thing that we should also remember is that Himmler, like Hitler, used certain occult practices to communicate with so called, ‘Eastern Masters’ that were no longer human, but divine.”
“Such as?” LJ asked.
“Well, his favourite method was to pick out a fine male specimen from the SS, and behead him. Shocking isn’t it? Then he would use the head to communicate with. All very strange if you ask me.”
LJ took out a clean white handkerchief and blew his nose loudly into it. “But that apart, it also remains a fact that in those last months of the war, many of the top
Nazis were lining there own pockets. So why not Himmler and Donitz with gold bars. After all, it’s a currency that is acceptable anywhere.” LJ said.
“Look, LJ, it’s getting late. Why don’t I get my assistant, Tom Attwood on to it, he’ll be here for at least another hour or so? Regular bloodhound.” He slipped the copies of the two letters back into their envelope and gave them back to LJ who put them into his briefcase. “That’s good of you, Oliver. But, as long as he can be trusted, I really do want this matter to be kept low key and between ourselves. You understand of course”
“I’d have thought that after all these years, you wouldn’t actually deem it necessary to say that. You forget, I know how paranoid you are about secrecy. And of course I’ll be discreet with him. But, he will have to be told something?”
“Okay, then tell him that the U-boat is one thought to have disappeared under dubious circumstances at the end of the war. And, you’re helping me look into it’s possible last known whereabouts, because it was carrying stolen antiquities and religious artefacts from France to South America. And of course, I apologise for even thinking that you would be anything less than discreet, old son.” “No need to apologise but just for the record who is actually involved?”
“The only people who know the details apart from you and I are, Nathan Cunningham and of course the
Partners of Ferran & Cardini. You do appreciate that I had to brief them about this revelation. It will be at their sole discretion, as to whether the firm will get involved any further with this matter or if the whole thing is simply shoved over to the Ministry of Defence. If the answer is a yes, then I’ll see how quickly before we can mount an assignment down to Jersey.”
LJ stepped out of the British Museum into a clear bright evening. Guy Roberts was waiting outside with the engine of the luxury Mercedes already running. It was eight-twenty, just enough time for him to collect Nathan from the flat, and drive the short distance to the Ritz Grill for dinner at nine.
Both men decided on sirloin steak, sitting opposite each other at the small circular table in the dining room, with coffee and cigars in the bar afterwards which was where the manager found them.
“Ah, there you are Mr Levenson-Jones. Lord
Asquith’s chauffeur gave me this message a few moments ago, sir. He asked me to ensure that you received it before you leave us this evening.”
“Thank you, Gerald.” The manager bid them a good evening, and left. LJ ripped open the envelope without ceremony. He read the brief hand written message that Oliver had sent. “Well, that’s a turn up for the book.
He wants us both to meet him at the museum first thing tomorrow morning. I really didn’t think that he would be interested, you know. After all, he was all in favour of handing it to the ministry to be covered up and forgotten about. Must have had a change of heart, I suppose.” Nathan said, “Does he say why he wants to see us?” “No, just to be there promptly at eight o’clock, and to make sure that you’re with me.”
The next morning they were driven to the British Museum and escorted down to Oliver Asquith’s office.
Professor Asquith was sitting behind his desk when security showed them in. “LJ, and Commander Cunningham, it’s so good to meet you at last.” He got up, and came round the desk to shake hands with the two men. “Please come in, and have a seat.” A moment later Tom Attwood, Asquith’s assistant, entered the room. He was a good-looking young man in his late twenties with brown eyes and shoulder length dark hair. “Ah, there you are Tom, what have you got for us?”
“No further revelations about the missing U-boat, or its movement during those last days of the war, I’m afraid Professor. But, I am waiting to hear back from one of my sources in Berlin.” He glanced down at his watch. “And, in fact he should have sent the email by now. If you’ll excuse me, professor, gentlemen? I’ll just go and take a look.”
Tom Attwood left the room, and Asquith said, “Gentlemen, while my assistant is out of the room, I would like to tell you something of the history and myth that surrounds the Spear of Destiny, and it’s many imitations.”
“Forgive my ignorance, but why are there so many replicas of the spear in existence?” Nathan asked.
“To be precise, Commander, there not really replicas. In fact, there are three or maybe four other spears that are all said to be the original. One is kept in Kracow, Poland, St. Louis took another to Paris, following his return from the Crusades in Palestine in the thirteenth century. The third was sent to Pope Innocent VIII by the Ottoman Sultan Bajazet II in 1492 and is now encased in one of the pillars supporting the dome of St. Peters Basilica. Hitler would have almost certainly had a forth replica made. And that accounts for the one that the Americans captured. I would put money on it and say that the real spear was most definitely in the hands of Adolf Hitler between March 1938 and May 1945. Some historians even believe that it was because of the protective power of the spear that enabled him to rise to power, and sweep through Europe at the speed he did.” Oliver said.