Reichardt cleared his throat.
“Yes?” the general asked sharply.
“We — we did not reach infinite neutron increase today,” Reichardt explained, “because the size of our present pile is insufficient.” Again he cleared his throat. “Increasing the size by fifty percent and using exactly the same geometry, a self-sustaining chain reaction will definitely occur….”
“How will you accomplish this?”
“We must obtain an additional seven hundred and fifty kilograms of heavy water and a similar weight of uranium.”
“Are these supplies available?”
“Yes. At Stadtilm and elsewhere. It is a matter of logistics.”
“It will be arranged. At once. It is in accordance with the Führer Order of January Thirty-first.” He looked straight at Reichardt. “With these supplies brought here — when can you conduct your final test?”
Reichardt glanced around at his colleagues. They remained silent. He sighed.
“The nineteenth,” he said, “April the nineteenth.”
One of the other scientists spoke up.
“Herr Obergruppenführer,” he said quietly, “you do realize that even if we are successful, it will be many months after the pile has gone critical — before a bomb can be constructed?”
It was Himmelmann. Harbicht mentally reviewed what he knew about the man: Himmelmann, Gustav, physicist. Like Decker? Born in Austria. Not a party member. Believed apolitical — totally involved in his scientific work….
The general waved a hand in dismissal.
“The Führer is aware of that. He has made plans for such contingencies. These plans will be revealed to you at the proper time.” He consulted his notebook. “Secondly. What is the power of a completed atomic bomb?”
Reichardt cleared his throat. “Exact calculations cannot be made at this time, General. We — we estimate one bomb will have the power of several thousand tons of high explosive.”
“So.” The general was obviously impressed, trying not to show it. “It would level an entire city?”
“It would.”
The general nodded with satisfaction. He made a note in his little book.
“There is, of course, also the possibility that once a chain reaction occurs — it cannot be controlled,” Himmelmann said, his voice soft.
The general looked startled “Meaning?”
Himmelmann shrugged. “Total annihilation.”
The general turned to Reichardt. “Professor?”
Reichardt coughed nervously. “It — it is possible, of course,” he said. “Although we — we have full confidence that we can control any such — ah — occurrence…” He cleared his throat apologetically.
“I see.” The general paused. “Meine Herren, it is the Führer's wish that you proceed with all possible dispatch in an effort to bring the Haigerloch Project to a successful conclusion at the earliest possible moment….” He frowned. “I must impress on you the utmost importance of your task — and the essential secrecy with which it must be carried out.” He looked at Harbicht.
“Area security is under your jurisdiction?” he asked.
“It is, Herr Obergruppenführer,” Harbicht answered smartly. “Tight security is in force. All precautions have been taken. My command is on a constant alert status.”
“Good.”
Harbicht heaved a mental sigh of relief as the SS general turned back to the scientists.
“Meine Herren,” the general said solemnly, “I have been authorized to impart to you the following top-secret information.” He paused dramatically. “Two targets have been chosen for annihilation by atomic bombing. One of them — or both— will be struck. Target number one requires particularly careful planning and precise execution. It will be mounted as a variant of the earlier combination relay plan for extreme long-range bomber operations which was discarded only because of the limitation on bomb-load capacity. A consideration which will now be eliminated! Target number two requires considerably less effort. Both Reichsmarschall Goering and Grossadmiral Doenitz have assured the Führer that all-out emergency measures would make both operations possible. The entire Luftwaffe and the Navy will, of course, cooperate to the fullest extent. Delivery of the bombs is feasible!.. Meine Herren”—he looked gravely around the room—“gentlemen. The two targets chosen by our Führer, Adolf Hitler, are Washington and London….”
Corny's instructions had been explicit. Sig and Dirk had had no trouble finding the address where they were to contact Otto Storp. Corny had assured them that by the time they got there Storp would be expecting them and be familiar with the passwords: Gemini — Prussian Blue….
Hechingen had been the capital of the principality of Hohen-zollern-Hechingen until 1850, when Prussia had “acquired” it. A few miles south of town the ancient Hohenzollern Castle imperiously crowned a mountaintop. They had seen it from the highway on their way to town.
The Storp house was a modest one-story building on a side street, much like the other houses on the street. Across from it was a tiny park — more like an afterthought for an empty lot. Two benches stood close together at one end.
Dirk and Sig sat on one of the benches, sharing the rest of the Landbrot baked by Frau Eichler — and unobtrusively observing the Storp house. They were eager to meet Otto Storp — and apprehensive. They knew how dependent they would be on him and how important to their success he would be. But they did not know him. Even though Corny had shown the highest respect for him and his resourcefulness, they still wondered what he'd turn out to be like. In a few minutes he would hold their lives in his hands….
They had been sitting on the bench for over twenty minutes watching the house, munching the bread. During that time they had observed three persons entering the house — and leaving. One man, middle twenties, and one elderly couple. They had stayed inside only a few minutes before reappearing and walking rapidly away.
Dirk was uneasy. What was going on? It could have nothing to do with Storp's underground work, he felt; the man's cell would be extremely small with highly limited activity. What, then? Trouble?
It was getting dark. They would have to make their move. They could not afford to be caught in town with no place to spend the night.
Dirk looked at Sig. “Well,” he said, “shall we?”
Sig nodded. “Let's do it.”
They walked across the street. They rang the bell at the front door. After a short wait, the door was opened. A pretty girl in her twenties stood in the doorway. She looked at the two men questioningly.
“Bitte?” she asked. “Yes, please?”
“Excuse me, Fräulein,” Dirk said. “Is this the house of Otto Storp?”
The girl nodded solemnly. “You are friends?” she asked.
“Yes,” Dirk said. “May we see him?”
Again the girl nodded. She stood aside to let them enter. “This way, please,” she said. She started down the corridor. Dirk and Sig followed.
The girl stopped at a door. She opened it. “Bitte,” she said.
Dirk and Sig entered the room. Heavy drapes were drawn across the windows. The first thing they saw were the two large candles burning. The next was the open coffin cradling the body of a pale young man. Heavily applied makeup could not hide the ugly purplish bruise across his forehead and temple….
They had found Otto Storp.