16 FEBRUARY 1940, Page 6

I have just been reading a curious little book called

Was Hitler's Maid (John Long, 2S. 6d.) by a German wo who claims to have been in domestic service for so two or three years (the dates are a little vague) at Bercht gaden. As with most of such volumes, the question how much to believe of statements which it is almost possible to check. All I will say at this moment is that b the time I had finished my initial scepticism had several sizeable dents in it. Some of the sketches of Berchtes- gaden personalities, notably Karl Ossietz, Herr Hider' private astrologer, make singularly good reading, whateva their authenticity.