Ashenden - The British Agent

During the First World War, a writer named Ashenden, introduced only by his last name, is enlisted as an agent through threats and promises by «R.», a Colonel with British Intelligence. He is sent to Switzerland where he becomes involved in a number of counter-intelligence operations; these he accomplishes by means of persuasion, bribery, blackmail, or coincidence. He does not use a weapon. The book is a collection of loosely linked stories by W. Somerset Maugham. It is partly based on the author's experience as a member of British Intelligence in Europe during the First World War.

Table of Contents:

R.

A Domiciliary Visit

Miss King

The Hairless Mexican

The Dark Woman

The Greek

A Trip to Paris

Giulia Lazzari

Gustav

The Traitor

Behind the Scenes

His Excellency

The Flip of a Coin

A Chance Acquaintance

Love and Russian Literature

Mr. Harrington's Washing