Beyond Ringstrasse in the modern part of Cologne the streets were unusually dark. The boulevard was mushy with melting snow and few people walked the footpaths. It was still a few minutes to the bridge which crossed the Rhine and the centre of activity in the great city. A city which, as well as being noted for its University and Cathedral, boasted great trade in wine, porcelain and drugs.

The taxi hurried across the bridge and weaved its way through the cumulative traffic as it neared the city’s heart. Outside a large old building that survived the war, the driver pulled up quickly, as if he had unexpectedly just located the address. A young man, trussed up in a heavy overcoat and fur cap hopped out. With a quick glance to either side of him, he mad his way to the front door. He hesitated momentarily and, as if he had changed his mind, reduced his walking pace and slowly made his way to a side alley that bordered the building and became engulfed in the surrounding darkness.

The fire exit door on the fifth floor opened deliberately slow and, after making sure that no one was around in the corridor, the man in the overcoat made his way to one of the offices. It was quite obvious, he knew his destination.

With an ear placed against the door he listened for sounds of activity inside. After a moment’s hesitation, he seemed to be satisfied because he turned the doorknob, pushed the door slightly forward just enough to allow him to slide through and gently close it after him.

The hands of the old fashioned analog clock on the desk in the centre of the room read 10.35 p.m. Oak panels decked the walls of the office and interior decorators had spared no expense or talent. Several wall paintings hung at preferred places and built in shelves held an enviable extensive library.

A single thick Persian rug blanketed most of the floor and muted the footsteps of the man pacing up and down the room. One of the two men that occupied the room sat listening at the massive antique desk with one hand nervously resting under his chin. His face was haggard and the pupils of his eyes looked frighteningly through the widened eyelids. The other man paced feverishly around the room and occasionally pounded on the oak desk.

Outside the office door in the corridor was silence. The commercial tenants of the other rooms on the 17^th floor had all closed their doors at 5.00 p.m. and gone home. The only brief sound of muffled footsteps came from a cleaning contractor as he entered the lift and made his way up to the floor above.