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Page 30
Still I kept my end up very creditably, I think.
"And not a bad accomplishment, either," I said, smiling brightly, "if
one has to visit London in war-time."
Schmalz smiled back with perfect courtesy. But he continued to stare
relentlessly at me. I felt scared.
"What is Schmalz jabbering about now?" said one of the dug-outs. I
translated for the benefit of the company. My r�sum� gave the dug-out
who had spoken the opportunity for launching out on an interminable
anecdote about an ulster he had bought on a holiday at Brighton. The
story lasted until the white-gloved orderly came and announced that "a
gentleman" was there, asking for the Herr Major.
"That'll be your man," exclaimed the Major, starting up--I noticed he
made no attempt to bring the stranger in. "Come, let us go to him!"
I stood up and took my leave. Schmalz came to the door of the anteroom
with us.
"You are going to Berlin?" he asked.
"Yes," I replied.
"Where shall you be staying?" he asked again.
"Oh, probably at the Adlon!"
"I myself shall be in Berlin next week for my medical examination, and
perhaps we may meet again. I should much like to talk more with you
about America ... and London. We must have mutual acquaintances."
I murmured something about being only too glad, at the same time making
a mental note to get out of Berlin as soon as I conveniently could.
CHAPTER VIII
I HEAR OF CLUBFOOT AND MEET HIS EMPLOYER
As we went down the staircase, the Major whispered to me:
"I don't think your man wished me to know his name, for he did not
introduce himself when he arrived and he does not come to our Casino.
But I know him for all that: it is the young Count von Boden, of the
Uhlans of the Guard: his father, the General, is one of the Emperor's
aides-de-camp: he was, for a time, tutor to the Crown Prince."
A motor-car stood at the door, in it a young man in a grey-blue military
great-coat and a flat cap with a pink band round it. He sprang out as we
appeared. His manner was most _empress�_. He completely ignored my
companion.
"I am extremely glad to see you, Herr Doktor," he said. "You are
most anxiously expected. I must present my apologies for not being
at the station to welcome you, but, apparently, there was some
misunderstanding. The arrangements at the station for your reception
seem to have broken down completely ..." and he stared through his
monocle at the old Major, who flushed with vexation.
"If you will step into my car," the young man added, "I will drive you
to the station. We need not detain this gentleman any longer."
I felt sorry for the old Major, who had remained silent under the
withering insolence of this young lieutenant, so I shook hands with him
cordially and thanked him for his hospitality. He was a jovial old
fellow after all.
The young Count drove himself and chatted amiably as we whirled through
the streets. "I must introduce myself," he said: "Lieutenant Count von
Boden of the 2nd Uhlans of the Guard. I did not wish to say anything
before that old chatterbox. I trust you have had a pleasant journey. Von
Steinhardt, of our Legation at the Hague, was instructed to make all
arrangements for your comfort on this side. But I was forgetting, you
and he must be old acquaintances, Herr Doktor!"
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