This letter was either retained by Madame Brousse or by her mother, most likely her mother. Obviously no operative would want to be caught with any evidence suggesting that they were leading a double life. The letter was signed, J. Howard, a name commonly used by British intelligence as a generic cover, much as the British Passport Office was the cover for SIS operations at foreign embassies.
Here is the envelope as addressed to Cynthia’s mother. Note the postmark, 26 November 1940.
Source: Churchill Archives Center, Churchill College, Cambridge
Harford Montgomery Hyde Papers, “Cynthia” File number 2/5-6
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