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"You may be sure that I will, Herr Budd. Tell it to everyone you know."

The master of Germany returned to the seat at his desk. "I am obliged to you for bringing me

this portrait. I understand that you are having an exhibition?"

"Yes, Herr Reichskanzler; we should be honored if you would attend; or if you prefer, I will

bring other samples of the work."

"I wish I could arrange it. Also"—turning to Kurt—"I was hoping to have you come to my

apartment, where I have a piano. But I'm afraid I have to leave for Berlin. I was a happier man

when I had only a political party to direct; now, alas, I have a government as well, and

therefore a lover of music and art is compelled to give all his time and attention to the jealousies

and rivalries of small men."

The picture-viewing was over, and the attendant carried it out, backing away and bowing at

every step. The Führer turned to Kurt and asked about his music, and lifted a Komponist to

the skies by saying that Kurt had rendered a real service to the cause. "We have to show the

world that we National Socialists can produce talent and even genius, equal to the best of the

past. Science must be brought to reinforce inspiration so that the Herrenvolk may ascend to

new heights, and, if possible, raise the lesser tribes after them."

He turned to Heinrich. He wanted to hear all that a young official could tell him concerning

the Hitler Jugend and its progress. The efficient head of a great organization was getting data

about personalities and procedures over which he had control. He asked probing questions,

watching the respondent through half-closed eyes. He could be sure that this official was telling

him the truth, but it would be colored by the young man's enthusiastic nature. Heinrich was

hardly the one to report upon backstairs intrigue and treachery. "I wish I had more young men

like you," remarked the Reichskanzler, wistfully.

"You have thousands of them, mein Führer," replied the enraptured ex-forester; "men whom

you have never had an opportunity to meet."

"My staff try to shut me up as though I were an oriental despot," said Adi. "They talk to me

about physical danger—but I know that it is my destiny to live and complete my work."

VII

It was quite an interview, and Lanny was on pins and needles for fear the great man might rise

and say: "I am sorry, but my time is limited." Nobody could imagine anyone in a better humor;

and Lanny looked at Kurt, and would have winked at him, only Kurt was keeping his eyes fixed

upon his master and guide. Lanny tried telepathy, thinking as hard as he could: "Now! Now!"

"Mein Führer," said Kurt, "before we leave there is something which my friend Budd thinks I

ought to tell you."

"What is it?"

"A great misfortune, but not his fault. It happens that his half-sister is married into a Jewish

family."

"Dormerwetter!" exclaimed Adolf. "A shocking piece of news!"

"I should add that the husband is a fine concert violinist."

"We have plenty of Aryan artists, and no need to seek anything from that polluted race. What

is the man's name?"

"Hansi Robin."

"Robin? Robin?" repeated Hitler. "Isn't he the son of that notorious Schieber, Johannes?"

"Yes, mein Führer."

"She should divorce him." The great man turned upon Lanny. "My young friend, you should

not permit such a thing to continue. You should use your authority, you and your father and

the other men of the family."

"It happens that the couple are devoted to each other, Herr Reichskanzler; also, she is his

accompanist, and is now playing with him in a tour of the United States."

"But, Herr Budd, it is sordid and shameful to admit considerations of worldly convenience in

such a matter. Your sister is a Nordic blond like yourself?"

"Even more so."

"Yet she gets upon public platforms and advertises her ignominy! And think of what she is

doing to the future, the crime she commits against her children!"

"They have no children, Herr Reichskanzler. They are devoting their lives to art."

"It is none the less an act of racial pollution. Whether she has children or not, she is defiling

her own body. Are you not aware that the male seminal fluid is absorbed by the female, and thus

her bloodstream is poisoned by the vile Jewish emanations? It is a dreadful thing to

contemplate, and if it were a sister of mine, I would rather see her dead before my eyes; in

fact, I would strike her dead if I knew she intended to commit such an act of treason to her

race."

"I am sorry, Herr Reichskanzler; but in America we leave young women to choose their own

mates."

"And what is the result? You have a mongrel race, where every vile and debasing influence

operates freely, and every form of degradation, physical, intellectual, and moral, flourishes

unhindered. Travel that highway into hell, if you please, but be sure that we Germans are going

to preserve our purity of blood, and we are not going to let ourselves be seduced by tricky words

about freedom and toleration and humanitarianism and brotherly love and the rest. No Jew-