he said, “if we stepped in and prevented this, we would stand to lose everything, monsieur. We would lose Gorssmann, surely. We would lose the one man who may mean more to Europe’s destiny than even Hitler thought he might mean. This is the very man you would like to meet, monsieur. It is the man who will buy from Gorssmann. We cannot afford this.”Baron wanted to say something. He still could not speak.“This has happened quickly, I admit,” Follet said. “But we are used to this. One acts when one can, not before—usually after, when it is too late.” He stopped speaking abruptly, watching Baron closely now.“You mean you want me to continue with Gorssmann? Just as though I never came to you?”“It’s up to you,” Follet said. But Baron saw the obvious relief in the man’s eyes. “Entirely up to you. You will leave here, just as you came in. Free and not free. We will never bother you, perhaps. Remember this, monsieur. From the time you leave this building, we do not even know you exist beyond what anyone knows from the newspapers.
