Lisbon 1941 A secret agent walks into a casino.
In his pocket is eighty thousand dollars in cash to cover the expenses of his next mission.
Observing him from a discreet distance is one of his spymasters - a naval intelligence
officer named Ian Fleming.
As a frequent visitor, the agent nods to familiar faces here and there - then his gaze settles
upon one man in particular.
Sat at the baccarat table is an obnoxious Lithuanian businessman who is so wealthy that
when he holds the bank he never sets a limit on the amounts of money his fellow players
can bet because he thinks - in these cash strapped war years- he can always match them.
The agent thinks he's an arrogant wanker.
He sits down at the table, the Lithuanian, as usual, declares an open bank..
"Banque ouverte," The agent reaches into his pocket and peels
off $50,000.
A crowd gathers and the Lithuanian - who has to match the bet - pulls the face of a man
who has just soiled himself.
Watching from the shadows, Fleming is horrified that money vital to the war effort could be
wasted.
The agent, however, knows that the casino must first agree to cover the Lithuanians
side of the bet should he be unable to pay and that is something they never do.
There is no danger of the money being lost.
The agent reminds the croupier that allowing anyone to call Banque ouverte," is a breach
of their code.
Then, in full view of the casino's patrons, he upbraids the humiliated Lithuanian for
being a "disgrace and an annoyance to serious players" before picking up his money and walking
out - glancing at Fleming who he knew was watching him the whole time.
Impressed by his style, the author-in-waiting starts making notes.
The debonair spy and playboys name is Dusan Popov a 29-year-old Serbian double agent pretending
to work for the Nazis while actually serving the Allies.
As a student in Freiburg, Popov could already speak several languages and possessed a passionate
dislike of National Socialism.
Every Friday Nazi students would host a lavish dinner for those, like Popov, who were attending
from abroad.
Afterwards, they engaged in "spontaneous" debates which -because they had secretly studied
the subjects beforehand - they would invariably win.
When Popov found out, he managed to learn of the subjects in advance himself and being
an intelligent, erudite speaker, make the Nazis look like total morons in front of the
other students.
With war looming he made himself available to the British and was given the initial codename
of "Scout."
His ability to think quickly and seamlessly engage with people from all strata's of society
made him ideal agent material.
When war finally broke out, Popov allowed himself to be recruited into Nazi Intelligence
"The Abwher".
Ab VAIR After skilfully bluffing his way through a
series of brutal and complex interrogations about his racial background and political
beliefs he became one of their most trusted operatives.
The Nazis trust, however, was spectacularly misplaced.
Posted to Lisbon, Popov approached MI6 and offered himself as a double agent.
Arriving in Bristol in the winter of 1940, he was met by a chauffeur and driven to the
Savoy Hotel in London.
Interrogated by the allies he told them that disorganisation and in-fighting among Nazi
officials meant that the much-feared invasion of Great Britain wouldn't actually happen.
If proven right it would be an impressive introduction.
While MI6 investigated his claims Popov was free to explore London and indulge his love
of fast cars, expensive drink and women - many of whom subsequently enjoyed the view from
the window of his Savoy suite.
One of the theories that he was given a new codename of "Tricycle" because he enjoyed
convivial threesomes could have begun at this time.
Or maybe not.
Popov spent Christmas day 1940 lunching at Quaglinos, playing billiards at The Lansdowne
Club in Berkeley Square, returning to the Savoy for dinner and champagne before heading
to a nightclub for dancing and making new friends.
An army major who accompanied him on this festive jaunt remembers that "he took part
in the Christmas bonhomous rioting, well lubricated by champagne and viewing things through rose-tinted
spectacles."
When the invasion of Great Britain didn't happen, his MI6 bosses accepted that was both
useful and could be trusted.
In their final meeting before Popov returned to Lisbon, his new commander, the head of
MI6, Major General Stewart Menzies known as "C", brusquely but accurately summed up how
he saw Popov's character.
"You are honest but without scruples.
Your instincts and intuitions are stronger than your intelligence, which is way above
average.
Your conscience never bothers you.
You are ambitious and ruthless and you can be cruel, although in an animal and not a
sick way.
When you are frightened you don't panic.
Danger is a stimulant for you".
You don't like following orders, you better learn to otherwise you will be a very dead
spy."
Popov's mission was to travel from Lisbon to America and present the FBI with information
he had gathered from German Intelligence about possible Axis targets in America.
Arriving in New York aboard a Pan Am flying boat, Popov met with FBI agents and as a sign
of good faith gave them details of a new German development to conceal photographs and documents
called a "Micro Dot".
He also advised them that a lot of attention was being paid by the Germans to the suitability
of potential American military targets including a place called Pearl Harbour.
The agents said they'd be in touch and a bemused Popov Popov was told he would have to wait
a few weeks for an appointment with FBI chief J Edger Hoover - he decided to wait in comfort.
Popov installed himself in a Park Avenue apartment and began spending his impressive expenses
- after all if one's cover is that of a wealthy playboy one must do ones best to blend in.
He "blended in" with as many beautiful women as he could while wining and dining highly
visibly in the finest New York nightspots - often being photographed by the gossip columns.
A disapproving and somewhat suspicious FBI bugged his hotel room but all they discovered
was that he was having a much better time than they were.
Bored of the clumsy scrutiny and still with no invite to see J Edgar, Popov took one of
his lady friends on a well-earned break to Florida.
Relaxing on the beach he was slightly nonplussed to be approached by an FBI agent - sweltering
in the heart, wearing suit and tie.
He informed Popov that by bringing a woman across state lines for "Immoral Purposes"
he was contravening the Mann Act and could be arrested.
Popov polity told him to "Fuck Off" Back in New York, a tanned and relaxed Popov
continued to laugh in the face of his low profile by reigniting an affair with a beautiful
French film star named Simone Simon.
This was all too much for the strict moral compass of J Edgar Hoover - well known for
his dislike of playboys, foreigners and double agents - who was livid.
"You come here from nowhere and within six weeks install yourself in a Park Avenue penthouse,
chase film stars, break a serious law and try to corrupt my officers.
I'm telling you right now I won't stand for it."
He screamed at Popov when the two finally met.
Reminding him that perhaps he'd be better off investigating the threat of an attack
on Pearl Harbour than having a go at a flamboyant foreign double agent, Popov received short
shrift.
"Maybe you want to teach me how to do my job?"
snarled Hoover "Mr Hoover sir," said Popov as he got up to
leave "I don't think anyone will ever teach you anything."