Quest for the Secret Keeper by Victoria Laurie

believe we have much time to waste. King Leopold surrendered to the Germans this morning.”
    Ian had heard the news buzzing on the lips of most of the funeral attendees. Everyone speculated that it was only a matter of days before the Nazis broke through the French lines, especially with the full retreat of British soldiers on the move. Ian could feel the anxious knot in his stomach tighten at the prospect of having the Germans so close to his homeland, and it tightened even more when he thought of them marching into Paris and discovering Madame Lafitte and Océanne. He shuddered to think what might become of them at the hands of the Germans.
    “How are you planning to get to Paris?” Thatcher asked next.
    “We’re sailing,” Theo told him, revealing the plans they’d finalized only the day before. “On the earl’s yacht. We’re to leave tomorrow before dawn and sail to Boulogne.”
    Thatcher frowned. “The earl’s yacht will make a large target if you get caught behind enemy lines, Theo.”
    “That’s why we have a plan,” Ian told him. “Jaaved and Argos will helm the ship from Boulogne farther down the coast to Le Havre, where the earl has a good friend who will make sure to keep his boat safe. Then Jaaved and Argos will meet us in Paris at the …”
    Ian couldn’t remember the name of the fountains, so he looked to Jaaved, who smiled and said, “Fontaines de la Concorde.”
    “Yes, the Fontaines de la Concorde,” Ian repeated, attempting to commit it to memory.
    “Why aren’t Jaaved and Argos staying with the earl’s yacht?” Thatcher asked. “What I mean is France could be overrun in a matter of days, my friends, and it might be safer for both of them if they stay with the earl’s yacht and wait for you.”
    “No,” said Theo with that faraway look in her eyes. “They
must
come to Paris. It’s very important, in fact.”
    “Why, Theo?” Thatcher asked.
    Theo’s look grew pensive, and she focused on her schoolmaster’s face. “I’ve no idea, Mr. Goodwyn, but I do know it’s terribly important.”
    Thatcher nodded, satisfied with her answer, and Ian marveled at how much trust Theo’s word had among the adults who knew her well. “Has the earl gained permission from the admiral to launch his boat tomorrow?”
    All boats coming into and leaving Dover port were now required to gain permission from the office of the admiral. It was the only way to control the heavy wharf traffic and ensure that those boats coming in weren’t filled with spies or saboteurs.
    Ian frowned. “Not yet, sir. The admiral’s a bit suspicious of the earl’s intentions these days, and I’m afraid I’m the cause of it.”
    Thatcher’s brow creased with an unspoken question,and Ian had to explain the events surrounding poor Madam Dimbleby. “My heavens!” Thatcher exclaimed when he heard the news about the kindly headmistress. “Is she recovering?”
    “Yes,” Eva told him. “She will live, but there’s nothing I can do to mend her broken heart over the loss of her cousin. That will take time, I’m afraid.”
    Thatcher laced his fingers together and looked at each of the people, gathered round the table. “Leave your port pass to me,” he said. “I will make sure it is granted and that you have a clear path out to the channel. You’ll likely be required to leave very early indeed, so be ready.”
    Everyone at the table breathed a huge sigh of relief and thanked the schoolmaster.
    Thatcher got up from the table then, carrying his teacup and saucer to the sink, and everyone seemed to take that as a sign that it was time to leave. He offered to drive them, but the dispirited group voted to walk instead. Ian knew he’d welcome the exercise, even if the weather was still foul. They gave their farewells to the kind Mr. Goodwyn and struck out in the rain again.
    Carl and Ian ended up walking together not far behind Jaaved and Argos, who were in the lead and obviously anxious to get back to the keep. Eva