April 1, 1935
Palace of Nations, Geneva
The square outside the League of Nations building was lined with uniformed Swiss police.
They kept their hands folded behind their backs, eyes scanning for movement as motorcades crept toward the arched entrance of the Palace.
Inside, staff hurried to polish every railing, replace every flag pin, double-check every nameplate.
No fewer than eighteen nations had confirmed senior delegation attendance.
Five had sent their heads of government.
One had sent a man no one expected to show in person.
Adolf Hitler.
The French were the first to arrive.
Prime Minister Pierre-Étienne Flandin stepped out of a long black car flanked by Albert Lebrun, the President of the Republic.
They exchanged quiet words before entering the hall.
The French delegation wore muted expressions tired but focused.
"Do you believe he'll come?" Lebrun asked.
"He's already here," Flandin murmured. "Took a back entrance. Very polite."
