War and Remembrance by Herman Wouk Read Free Book Online Page B

It was like dialogue in a dream. There the man stood in the cabin doorway, an official of Nazi Germany, a stoutish harmless-looking person, with glasses that gave him a bookish look. His hands holding the hat were folded before him in a peaceful, almost priestly way. Talking about his boys, praising Aaron’s work, he made a benign appearance; if anything — especially with the alto voice and proper manners — a bit soft and academic. The baby coughed, and Werner Beck looked at him. “Is your child well, Mrs. Henry?”
    Harshly she burst out, “How do you know my name? How did you know that we were at the Excelsior? And how did you find out we’d come here?”
    She could see that Aaron was pained by her manner. Rabinovitz’s face remained wooden. Dr. Beck replied in a patient tone, “The Gestapo keeps a current list, of course, of foreign nationals at Rome hotels. And the OVRA reported to the Gestapo that you had boarded this vessel.”
    “Then you’re in the Gestapo?”
    “No, Mrs. Henry. As I said, I’m a Foreign Ministry officer. Now, would you and your uncle care to lunch with me at the Grand Hotel? They say it has the best dining room in Naples.”
    Lips parted in silent stupefaction, Natalie looked to Jastrow, who said, “Surely you’re not serious, Werner.”
    “Why not? You might enjoy some good food and wine. You’ll be starting tomorrow on a long hard voyage.”
    “Tomorrow? That’s more than I know,” Rabinovitz spoke up, “and I’ve just come from the harbor master.”
    “Well, that is my information.”
    Natalie almost barked, “As soon as we set foot ashore we’ll be arrested and interned. You know that. So do we.”
    “I have police passes for both of you.” She shook her head violently at Jastrow. Dr. Beck quietly went on, “Suppose I withdraw so you can talk it over? If you’re hesitant, let’s just chat at the gangway before I leave. But it’squite safe for you to come ashore with me, and there really is much to discuss.”
    Jastrow struck in severely. “What were you doing in my hotel room, Werner?”
    “Professor, when Mussolini declared war, I thought I’d better offer you my help. I brought the Gestapo man to handle the Italian police.”
    “Why didn’t you call on me long before that?”
    With a sudden hangdog look at Natalie, Beck answered, “Shall I be candid? So as not to inflict an odious presence on you.” He lifted his hat, bowed, and left.
    Jastrow glanced doubtfully from the Palestinian to his niece.
    “Aaron, I’m not getting separated from Louis. Not for one minute!” Natalie turned strident. “I’m not even going out there to the gangway!”
    “What do you think?” Jastrow said to Rabinovitz, who turned up his hands. “Well, d’you suppose it’s all an elaborate scheme to collar me? Now that he’s found me, can’t he just get the OVRA to drag me off your ship, if that’s what he’s after?”
    “This way he’d avoid a fuss.”
    “How much of a fuss?”
    Rabinovitz bitterly grinned. “Not much of a fuss.”
    Jastrow pulled at his beard, eyes on his glowering niece. Then he reached for his hat and cloak. “Well, Natalie, I’ve been a confounded dunderhead right along. I may as well follow my nature. I shall go ashore with Werner Beck.”
    “Oh, by all means!” The baby was wailing now, and Natalie was beside herself. “Enjoy your lunch! Maybe his Gestapo pals will join you, to make things jollier.”
    Rabinovitz helped Jastrow with his cloak. “Find out all you can about our departure.”
    “I shall. If I don’t return,” said Jastrow to Natalie, as she rocked the screaming infant in her arms, “you’ll simply be rid of a millstone, won’t you?”
    Two hours passed. Hard rain cleared the deck of strollers. Natalie waited alone at the gangway under an umbrella, watching the dripping policeman pace the wharf. A small black Mercedes at last appeared through the rain. Dr. Beck got out to open the door for Dr. Jastrow, waved to her, and