"You understand the implications of that 'safe haven,' Alex?"
"It suggests someone high up in Berlin isn't quite as sure of the 'Final Vic-tory' as they would have people believe?"
"I'd like to go to the President with this safe haven business, but I'm not do-ing that on the basis of a 'reliable source' without a name."
"I'll ask him again," Graham said.
"No. You will tell him again."
They locked eyes for a long moment, then Graham shrugged. "You're the boss," he said.
"Yes, I am," Donovan said, and resumed reading.
"Are you going to the President with the name of the German vessel?" Gra-ham asked.
"If we board, much less sink, a Spanish ship on the high seas," Donovan said, visibly annoyed at the interruption, "we'll have to have a more reliable source than somebody we know only as 'Galahad.' No. I'm not going to the President with that."
"The Comerciante del Oceano Pacifico is one of the ships on our list," Gra-ham said.
"You're not listening, Alex. We need to know who Galahad is, how he came by this information, and why he's telling us. Now, can I finish reading this, please?"
2. IN RE AIRCRAFT: REQUIREMENTS TO MOVE AIRCRAFT HERE FOLLOW:
A. ENTIRE AIRCRAFT IS TO BE PAINTED IN COLOR KNOWN AS BEECHCRAFT STAGGER WING RED.
B. REGISTRATION NUMBERS Z DASH 5 8 4 3 REPEAT Z DASH 5 8 4 3 ARE TO BE PAINTED
(1) EIGHT INCH BLACK BLOCK LETTERS ON OUTWARD FACING SURFACES VERTICAL STABILIZERS APPROXIMATELY ONE FOOT FROM TOP.
(2) TWENTY-FOUR INCH BLACK BLOCK LETTERS CENTERED ON TOP SURFACE RIGHT WING
(3) AS (2) ABOVE EXCEPT UNDER SURFACE LEFT WING
C. LOCATION OF AIRFIELD FROM WHICH COVERT TAKEOFF PREFERABLY IN HOURS OF DARKNESS CAN BE MADE. WOULD APPRECIATE ONE HOUR OF COCKPIT FAMILIARIZATION AND TOUCH AND GOES.
D. AIRCRAFT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY ON ARRIVAL OF UNDERSIGNED AT AIRFIELD THEREFORE WILL NEED NAME OF 24 HOURADAY CONTACT OFFICER WITH AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER AIRCRAFT TO UNDERSIGNED AND CLEAR COVERT TAKEOFF.
E. WILL REQUIRE 48 TO 72 HOURS FROM RECEIPT YOUR NOTIFICATION FOR TRAVEL TO AIRFIELD. URGE SOONEST POSSIBLE ACTION YOUR PART.
STACHIEF END
TOP SECRET
LINDBERGH
"Well, it looks as if he's figured out how to take the airplane into Argentina, doesn't it?" Donovan asked. "Can we handle what he wants, painting it?"
"That shouldn't pose a problem," Graham said.
"He wants it painted. Painted red. 'Beechcraft Stagger-wing Red.' That's a color? What the hell's that all about?"
"I have no idea. But I'm sure he has his reasons."
"Wait a minute, " Donovan said. "There was something about that air-plane!"
"What about it?'"
"Helen!" Donovan raised his voice. "Can you lay your hands on the file about that airplane we sent to Brazil, Direction of the President?"