Author’s note – Actual Nostradamus text, translated:
He will transfer into great Germany
Brabant and Flanders, Ghent, Bruges, Boulogne,
The truce feigned, the great Duke of Armenia,
Will assail Vienna and Cologne.
“You both are familiar with the passage?” Asked Fesel, looking first at Krafft, then over to Lucht. Both men nodded to the affirmative.
“Goebbels wants Nostradamus material for propaganda,” Fesel proclaimed, “and he has the feeling such material can also be used to create a positive tactical situation for the army. Our beloved Minister believes this passage, when interpreted correctly, can affect the outcome of a future military operation, and this is where you gentlemen come in.”
Besides being a pivotal point in Hitler’s life, the 1923 Putsch attempt was also the subject of the first published astrological warning related to Hitler’s horoscope. In the spring of 1923, Frau Elsbeth Ebertin from the northern city of Hamburg – one of Germany’s most popular astrological journalists – received a letter from one of Hitler’s many enthusiastic supporters with the request she cast the party leader’s horoscope. In Frau Ebertin’s article, published 4 months before the November Putsch in her monthly magazine, she wrote:
“The man of action, born on 20 April 1889, with the sun 29 degrees Aries, can expose himself to personal danger by an excessively incautious to show that he is to be taken very seriously – indeed he is destined to play a ‘Fuhrer-role’ in the future political battles, of his own, and for Germany. He is also destined to sacrifice himself for the German nation, even in the matter of life and death, for he has been significantly marked by courage in his past.”
(Author’s note: History has shown us that Frau Ebertin had never heard about the National Socialists – or even Hitler himself – at the time of casting his horoscope and writing the above descriptions, which occurred three months before the article was published. For in May of 1923, Hitler’s volkich movement in Bavaria was relatively unknown outside of southern Germany.)
Both Goebbels and Göring were especially impressed Frau Ebertin mentioned that Hitler was significantly marked by courage in his past, which also was an accurate description: Hitler had won the Iron Cross for bravery during the First World War.
While never mentioning whether or not he was impressed with the accuracy of Frau Ebertin’s profile, Hitler immediately used the description of him being destined to play the “Führer-role” (Leadership-role/position), in future political battles. From that moment on, he began having his followers address him as their Führer – leader of the party – which continued when he became leader of Germany as well – making yet another of Frau Ebertin’s predictions come true.
Hitler walked out of his spacious office and into a side room, which often served as his second home, and retreat – from the problems of the world as well as from his inner circle.
“Good evening, mein Führer.” Cooed a voice from the couch that also folded out into a bed. “Are you working late again?”
“Yes, Hans Mauss and several of my generals will be here at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow…” Hitler appeared to want to say more – but did not.
“Well, its 3:30 am now… you probably could get more sleep if you would just stay here tonight, you know.”
Only three other people were even aware that this teenaged girl and Hitler knew each other, and of those three, not one knew of their involvement. It’s been the Nazi Party’s – and history’s – best kept secret.
If the Painted Man was aware of Captain Payne’s mission while he was at the Purple Unicorn in Venlo, the point of his last briefing, then it was clear the British Captain was found out and expected even before he left England. It may even be the Germans knew about it months before while in training for this mission outside of Salsbury.
“Did you enjoy the food in Venlo?”
“Yea,” Payne’s thoughts returned to the current situation, “Loved the fact they give you free bread with your beer.”
“Yes, yes, that is an old Hollandisher trick by the way, there’s a lot of sea salt in their bread, you see… makes you thirsty so you order a third, fourth, and fifth beer.”
Several thoughts were happening in Payne’s mind at once, and by looking away from the Painted Man was the only way he could try to collect and organize them. It seems the Painted Man had indeed been to the Purple Unicorn, automatically making this British safe house ‘not safe’ at all. Come to think of it, Payne thought, the bread was salty. Further reflection had Payne note he did have three beers while there… or was it four? Was the British contact who briefed him there really working for the Nazis?
“Now, let’s look at all the people you talked to at the Purple Unicorn,” the Painted Man began, “there was Herr Heckler, Herr Hoogerwoerd, Frau Sieman, and of course my favorite lady there, Frauline Stover…”
A shiver went through Payne. If the Nazis knew these people, or if there was the possibility any one of them being a double agent – British operations in Holland were severely compromised.
“I really don’t remember who I talked to…” Payne answered, acting like his physical misery had affected his mental capability. Did the Painted Man already know whom I spoke with, or was he asking because he really didn’t know?
“Oh, Captain, please…” The Painted Man said while turning his back to Payne.
“No, really, I was drunk… five beers, remember?”
“I see.” Suddenly the Painted Man’s right arm raised as he turned back towards Payne, and out of the corner of his eye, Payne could see a bludgeon, which came creasing down on the top of his head. The pain was excruciating.
“Do you think we are stupid?” The second blow landed to coincide with the word he stressed. “Do you think I have time for such talk and… games?” The third and fourth blows came on the stressed words as well.
Payne’s entire head felt numb. What sight had slowly come back were now hundreds of tiny white dots seemingly blurring his vision. He closed his eyes as the hits were repeated, each one on a stressed word the Painted Man yelled – his shouts becoming louder and louder – with his voice and strikes becoming more and more out of control.
“I know when you arrived in Holland! I know what time you got up each morning while you were there. I know everyone you talked to there! I know what you talked about. I know who you were supposed to see here in Germany! I have the papers you sent to Belgian!
Suddenly the Painted Man stopped the yelling and beating, then turned towards the door and leaned over to catch his breath. A few moments later he turned towards Payne and appeared to take on a totally different personality.
“Let us start over. I really don’t want to continue with such a procedure. After all, I am only following orders… and as a fellow soldier, certainly you understand I must obey. Actually, I prefer not to engage in such barbaric behavior. There’s no point. We already know everything about you, your mission, your contacts… and even all the pretty little Dutch girls you slept with. But don’t worry, I won’t tell your wife. I don’t want to ruin your life. I only want a few answers.”