"That indeed will be something to watch, Herr Reiehsminister." The great man started to
explain how it could be done; and from that abnormally wide mouth there poured a torrent of
words. Lanny had observed the same thing with Hitler and Mussolini and many lesser
propagandists—they forgot the difference between an audience of four and an audience of four
million, and were willing to expend as much energy on the former as on the latter. Crooked
Juppchen went on and on, and perhaps would have talked all night; but his tactful wife chose
an opportunity when he was taking in breath, and said: "The Herr Reichsminister Doktor has
a hard day's work behind him and has another before him. He ought to have some sleep."
The others started to their feet at once; and so they missed hearing about the
which the new government was going to build all over Germany. They thanked both host and
hostess, and took their departure quickly. After they had delivered Heinrich to his home and
were safely alone in their car, Irma said: "Well, do you think you got away with it?"
"We can't tell a thing, in this world of intrigue. Goebbels will think the matter over and
decide where his interests lie."
Irma had understood a little of the conversation here and there.
She remarked: "At least you got the dirt on Dr. Ley!"
"Yes," replied her husband; "and if we have the fortune to meet Dr. Ley, we'll get the dirt on
Dr. Goebbels!"
18
I
Lanny wasn't taking his father's suggestion of reporting to the American Embassy. The
attache who was Robbie's old friend was no longer there. The Ambassador was a Hoover
appointee, a former Republican senator from Kentucky and Robbie Budd's type of man; but he
was ill, and had gone to Vichy, France, from which place he had given an interview defending
the Nazi regime. As for Lanny himself, he didn't expect any serious trouble, but if it came, he
would put it up to the Embassy to get him out. He had agreed with Irma that when he went
out alone he would set a time for his return; if anything delayed him he would telephone, and
if he failed to do this, she would report him as missing.
In the morning they took things easy; had breakfast in bed and read the papers, including
interviews with themselves, also full accounts of the Reichstag session and other Nazi doings.
Their comments were guarded, for they had to expect some form of spying. Except when they
were alone in their car, everything in Germany was to be wonderful, and only code names were
to be used. Heinrich was "Aryan," Goebbels was "Mr. Mouth," and the Frau Minister "Mrs.
Mouth." Disrespectful, but they were young and their manners were "smart."
There came a telephone call from Freddi; he gave no name, but Lanny, knowing his voice,
said promptly: "We saw some fine Bouguereau paintings last night, and are waiting for a call
telling us the price. Call later." Then he settled down and wrote a note to Mrs. Dingle, in Paris,
enclosing various newspaper clippings, and saying: "The picture market appears promising and
we hope to make purchases soon. The clarinet and other instruments are in good condition."
While he was writing, one of Irma's friends, the Fürstin Donnerstein, called up to invite the
young couple to lunch. Lanny told Irma to accept for herself. It was a waste of time for her to
sit through long interviews with officials in the German language; let her go out and spread
the news about Johannes, and find out the reaction of "society" to the disappearance of a
Jewish financier. Lanny himself would wait in their suite for messages.
They were dressing, when the telephone rang. The "personal secretary" to Herr
Reichsminister Doktor Goebbels announced: "The Herr Reichsminister wishes you to know
that he has taken entire charge of the matter which you brought to his attention, and he will
report to you as soon as he has completed investigations."
Lanny returned his thanks, and remarked to his wife: "We are getting somewhere!"
Irma replied: "He was really a quite agreeable person, Lanny." He looked at her, expecting a
small fraction of a wink; but apparently she meant it. He would have liked to say: "Too bad his
public speeches aren't as pleasant as his private conversation." But that could be said only in
the car.
He added a postscript to the note to his mother: "I have just been given reason to hope that
our deal may go through quickly." He was about to offer to accompany Irma to the luncheon,
when there came a tap upon the door, and a bellboy presented a card, reading:
"Bring the Herr up." Studying the card, he could tell something about the visitor, for the
Germans do not customarily put the title "Herr" on their cards, and this was a crudity.
