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times more likely that there had been some purpose in what had befallen an American visitor; also

in this sudden change of front, this explosion of friendliness and familiarity. Last-minute rescues

belong in melodramas, where they are no accidents, but have been carefully contrived. Lanny

had begun to suspect this particularly hair-raising denouement.

The Minister-Präsident of Prussia didn't keep him long in suspense. There was a large stack

of papers on his desk and he was obviously a busy fat man. "Jawohl, Herr Budd!" he said.

"You had the opportunity of studying our penal institutions at first hand; also our methods of

dealing with Jew Schieber! You can testify that they are effective."

"I had no opportunity to observe the outcome, Exzellenz."

"I will see that you are informed about it, if you so desire. Do you have any idea who that

Jew was?"

"It so happens that I had met him in Berlin society."

"Indeed? Who was he?"

"His name is Solomon Hellstein."

"Ach! Our w eltberühmter Shylock! You will indeed have an interesting story to tell the

outside world."

Lanny thought he saw a hint. "You will remember, Exzellenz, that you asked me to say nothing

to the outside world about the case of Johannes Robin. Fourteen months have passed, and still I

have not done so."

"I have made a note of the fact, Herr Budd, and appreciate your good judgment. But now

there is a quite different set of circumstances. We have a saying in German: Es hängt ganz

davon ab."

Lanny supplied the English: "It all depends."

"Also, Herr Budd! Would you be greatly embarrassed if I should suggest that you narrate the

story of what you saw this morning?"

"I should be somewhat puzzled, Exzellenz."

"It is a bright idea which occurs to me. Are you still interested in that Jude Itzig of yours?" This

is a German name of jeering derived from the Hebrew word for Isaac, which is Yitzchock.

"If you mean the son of Johannes Robin, I am still deeply interested, Exzellenz."

"I have recently learned that he is in the Lager at Dachau. Would you like to have him turned

loose?"

"Aber naturlich, Exzellenz."

"Na, also! I offer him to you in exchange for a small service which you may render me. Go to

Paris and tell the members of the Hellstein family what you have seen happening to their Berlin

representative. You know them, possibly?"

"It happens that I know them rather well."

"I will explain to you: This Dreck-Jude has succeeded in shipping a fortune out of Germany,

and we were not so fortunate as in the case of Robin, we do not know where the money is. The

family is scattered all over Europe, as you know. We have no claim to their money, but we intend

to have Solomon's, every mark of it— if we have to flay him alive."

"You wish me to tell them that?"

"They know it already. All you have to tell is what you saw with your own eyes. Make it as

realistic as you know how."

"Am I to mention that you have asked me to tell them?"

"If you do that, they may suspect your good faith. It will be better not to refer to me. Simply

tell what happened to you and what you saw."

"And then, Exzellenz?"

"Then I will release your pet Jew."

"How am I to let you know that I have done my part?"

"I have my agents, and they will report to me. The story will be all over Paris in a few hours.

It will be a good thing, because our rich Schieber have got the idea that we dare not touch

them, and they think they can bleed Germany to death."

"I get your point, Exzellenz. How will I know where I am to get Freddi Robin?"

"Leave your Paris address with Furtwaengler, and within a day or two after you have talked

with the Hellsteins he will telephone you and arrange to ship your precious Itzig to the French

border. Is that according to your wishes?"

"Quite so, Exzellenz. I can see no reason why I shouldn't comply with your request."

"Abgemacht! It is a deal. It has been a pleasure to meet you, Herr Budd; and if, after you think

it over, you wish to do more business with me, come and see me at any time."

"Danke schon, Exzellenz. I will bear your suggestion in mind and perhaps avail myself of the

opportunity."

"Dem Mutigen ist das Glück hold!" The fat commander had risen from his chair to speed his

parting guest, and now favored him with a staggering slap upon the back, and a burst of

merriment which left the visitor uncertain whether he was being laughed with or at.

III

So Lanny went out from the presence of this half-naked freebooter, and was courteously

driven back to his hotel by the young staff officer. Evidently Lanny's papers had been brought

along on the trip from Munich, for Furtwaengler put his passport and his six thousand marks into

his hands; also an exit permit. He promised to have Lanny's clothes and other belongings

forwarded to Juan. The American didn't lay any claim to the money which had been found on

the body of Hugo Behr!