15 SEPTEMBER 1939, Page 15

It was then that I had a bright idea. I

telephoned to another German friend of mine, a man of older years, who has lived for long in London. I told him the story and said that I would send the student round to see him. It would, I felt sure, be of great comfort to the poor young man to have a talk with a fellow-German of greater experience. To my amazement the man refused ; such a visit, he said, might be "compromising." He must consider his own position first. I had done this man some service in the past ; this was the only request that I had ever made of him ; I did not conceal my contempt for his conduct.