Beneath the Dover Sky by Murray Pura Read Free Book Online

argument?” asked the baron.
    “Oh, you know. The Germany of 1924 is a different Germany from the Germany of ’22 or ’23. Berlin is getting a grip on inflation, the workforce is increasing, wages are improving—all of that. So Hitler will not have the base to draw from anymore; therefore, he does not need to be in detention. Apparently he will renounce violence and his former political beliefs.”
    “He won’t change!” responded Albrecht.
    “Of course not. But that is what officials want to believe, and he is only too happy to appear to give them what they want.” The man pulled a large envelope from a briefcase at his feet. “We should not stay here much longer. Take this. One of our men inside the castle was able to get his hands on drafts of the book Hitler is writing. He made copies. It will be published in 1925.”
    The baron examined the envelope. “You have read his manuscript?”
    “Most of it.”
    “Well?”
    “It’s the same sort of thing we have heard at his street rallies since 1920. Germany for Germans. Purebloods only. No immigration. Death to the Jews. Secure boundaries against the Russians. Down with communism. Open the east for German settlement. It’s all there, just more polished and refined. A friend is editing it for him.”
    “We can’t stop the publication?”
    “No, Baron. We can only prepare ourselves to argue against his arguments in print.” The man turned to Albrecht. “Which is where you come in, Herr Professor. We need a book from you to coincide with the release of Hitler’s propaganda.”
    “I am a theologian,” protested Albrecht, “not a politician.”
    “And Germany remains very religious with its mix of Lutherans and Catholics and Evangelicals. I am not asking you to pen rubbish. Counter Hitler’s ideology from the Bible, from your own personalconvictions, from the history of the Christian faith, whatever you wish, but write as well and as deeply as you have ever done.”
    “I have a full course load this coming term.”
    “Will you or won’t you help us? The baron was sure you could be relied upon.”
    “It’s a question of time.”
    The man leaned towards Albrecht. “Hitler has an uncanny ability to draw the German people into his sphere. You saw that at his street rallies. Forty thousand people at one.”
    “I remember.”
    “So now his ideas will go from one end of Germany to the other with this book. Suppose instead of 40,000 he rallies 40 million to his beliefs? Can you not try to rally those same 40 million to the Christian point of view instead? Is there any possibility you can bring Germany closer to the teachings of Jesus Christ than Herr Hitler’s book brings them to the teachings of the Nazi Party?”

    June
    Dover Sky
    “Lady Catherine! Lady Catherine!”
    Catherine stood up. She looked beautiful in her white summer dress. “Yes? Sean and I are down here with the swans. Whatever is the matter, Skitt?”
    Skitt came running down to the pond, and the swans quickly sailed away from shore.
    “A letter just came for you by special post. I didn’t want it to sit by your place setting until tea.”
    “A letter? Who is it from?”
    Skitt handed it to her, yanking his cap from his head, his face scarlet from his run. “Doesn’t say. It’s not from England, that’s all I know.”
    “Oh!” Her face turned as white as her dress when she glanced at the envelope. “Germany!”
    “Is everything all right?”
    “I hope so. Yes, yes, I expect so. Thank you, Skitt. I shall see you up at the manor.”
    “May I be of further help, m’lady?”
    “Oh no. You’re a dear for running it down to me. Bless you.”
    Skitt turned and headed back as Catherine sat down on the grass by Sean. He was playing with a long, white swan feather that had been shed near a tree. She held the letter in her hand, debated about opening it now or waiting. She decided to open it. With one hand on Sean’s small back, she read Albrecht’s note:
    Dear Lady