The Eye of the Abyss by Marshall Browne Read Free Book Online

familiar with the Nuremberg Laws?’
    A chill came over the auditor. ‘Up to a point.’
    â€˜Up to a point.’ Dietrich mimicked the response. ‘You must pay attention to such matters, Schmidt. It’s every citizen’s duty to do so.’ He paced across the room. ‘All right! Since 1935, Jews have no citizenship – they’re merely subjects.You must know that! Several subsequent decrees have put other restrictions on them. For example, and this is the pertinent point, it’s against the law for a Jew to be employed in a firm such as Wertheims. I trust it’s now coming back to you.’
    Schmidt was hearing the competent lawyer giving a briefing, and taking in the sarcastic tone. The Nazi returned to the desk, flicked his ash neatly into a tray. ‘They’re required to identify themselves. Many don’t. Suspect individuals are everywhere amongst us. The Party’s determined to track them down, bring them under the law.’ He ceased pacing, stared at the auditor, and thought:What is going on behind that bland,
respectful exterior? He probed it, but no cracks. His eyes side-slipped … ‘The Reich will draw its strength, build the future on the purity of the Nordic race. The impure don’t fit into this picture. We in the Party are trained to identify such examples.’ He peered at the auditor and suddenly grinned. ‘Lesson completed! There’s the dogma, my forgetful friend.’
    Below in the street the traffic was muttering like a sleepy congregation at prayers. Schmidt absorbed the speech and felt the chill spread in him. He knew its impending conclusion. But with his last off-hand remark the Nazi’d again surprised him. Was it possible that the man was a cynic about Party dogma? He looked up from his desk-top as the Nazi spoke again.
    â€˜My dear fellow, I suspect that Fräulein Dressler may be a case in point.’ Schmidt gazed at Dietrich’s face. ’So it’s a very delicate situation. Herr Wertheim will be horrified. Though, we’re all human. His emotions might be involved.’
    So there it was. Though Schmidt had immediately guessed that the destination of the Nazi’s remarks was Fräulein Dressler, it was still a shock to hear him speak her name. Herr Wertheim wasn’t ignorant of her situation, common sense and Wagner vouched for that. Despite his prevaricating words, the Nazi would’ve assumed the G-D knew. Was he deviously, patronisingly, planning a way out for the old banker?
    â€˜You’ll go to the staff department and examine her dossier. If correct procedures are being followed her birth certificate will be there. Take down the details. I’m going to Berlin this afternoon for a few days. Report to me when I return.’
    â€˜Very well, Herr Director.’
    â€˜Be alert, Schmidt. Dangerous games are being played all around us.’ Dietrich nodded, turned on his heel, and took his austere thoughts out to the frigid corridor: Wertheims didn’t heat the hallways.
    Schmidt listened to the assured but curiously unbalanced
footsteps (one hitting the ground harder than the other?) until they faded away, leaving him with his thoughts. What dangerous games did Dietrich have in mind? Grimly he regarded his powerlessness.
    He took out his official diary and recorded the Nazi functionary’s instructions concerning the ‘special expenses’, dated and timed it. Fräulein Dressler’s image materialised in his mind’s eye. Three weeks ago she’d hardly figured in his thoughts. Now she seemed to be dominating them.
    Â 
    He discovered her very much in the flesh that afternoon when he turned a corner on the first floor. She was pinned to the wall within the stubby arms of Otto Wertheim. A second before he’d overheard: ‘You’re so strong and masterful, Herr Otto.’
    Clearly, Otto had accepted the remark at face value. Schmidt drew in a breath.