Sowerbutt's Delivery

Nero slowed the Ford at the guard post at the main entrance to Luton Hoo. From the faint lights flickering inside the huts, they could see a beefy Redcap sergeant standing in the road, a Lee Enfield rifle slung over his shoulder, his hand held up in a halt sign. As the Ford came to a halt, a mobile searchlight was switched on in defiance of the blackout, bathing the car in light. A second Redcap walked around the car with 2 Alsatians, barking and sniffing the car's wheels. After the sergeant peered inside the vehicle, checked the occupants and ticked some papers on a clipboard, the barrier was opened and Nero eased the car forward. A Beds and Herts Regiment captain smartly marched out of one of the guard huts, barked orders at a group of soldiers who snapped to attention and saluted. As the Ford drove up the driveway, Sowerbutt noticed the soldiers were on full alert, patrols marching around the buildings, several machine-gun posts manned and a scattering of Redcaps with Alsatians straining at their leashes. A civilian in a business suit came down the steps to welcome the visitor as he alighted from the car. Not a word was said as the man wearing the uniform of an SS Oberstgruppenfuhrer walked stiffly into the house. "Talkative bastard, wasn't he, guv?" Nero said as they drove away. "Regular barrel of laughs," Sowerbutt smiled. "Let's hope he brings peace."

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