the hands of Hitler, Göring, and Goebbels. It was the salesman's first axiom that all European
nations were equally bad, and that whether the jaguar, the leopard, or the tiger came out on
top was of no concern to anybody outside the jungle.
Lanny read this letter to his wife, who said: "Don't you think it might be a good idea for me to
help your father?"
"You know, dear," he answered, "I have never been willing to exploit my marriage."
"Yes, but be sensible. I own a lot of stocks and bonds, and why shouldn't I exchange some of
them for Budd's?"
"Your father chose those investments very shrewdly, Irma. Some of them are still paying
large dividends, and Budd's isn't paying any."
"Yes, but the prices seem to find their level, according to the earnings." Irma had been
putting her mind on her financial affairs ever since she had got that terrific jolt in the panic.
"If we could get Budd stock at its present price, wouldn't it be safe to hold?"
"It wouldn't worry you to be financing munitions?"
"Why should it? Somebody's going to do it."
So there it was: everybody was "sensible" but Lanny. If the Nazis wanted automatics and
machine guns, there were many makes on the market, and why shouldn't Budd's get the
business as well as Vickers or Bofors or Skoda or Schneider-Creusot? Irma settled the matter.
"When we get this business out of the way, we'll run over to New York and get Robbie and
Uncle Joseph together and see what can be worked out."
Lanny said: "It's very kind of you." He knew it would have been unkind of him to say
anything else.
II
A letter from Kurt, begging them to drive to Stubendorf in this very lovely season of the year.
Kurt had no car, and couldn't afford the luxury of hopping about; but Seine Hochgeboren had
told him that any time Irma and Lanny would come, the Schloss was at their disposal. Lanny
hadn't told Kurt about Freddi. Now he was discussing whether to do it, and what to say, when
the telephone rang, and he heard the voice of Oberleutnant Furtwaengler: "Herr Budd, I am
happy to inform you that the government is prepared to release Johannes Robin."
Lanny's heart gave a thump. "That is certainly good news to me, Herr Oberleutnant."
"It is still your plan to drive him and his family to Belgium?"
"Whenever I am free to do so."
"You have the other members of the family with you?"
"I know where they are—at least, all but one of them. I am sorry to report that I have not
heard from the son, Freddi, for a long time."
"You have no idea where he has gone?"
"Not the slightest."
"Why didn't you let me know this?"
"I have been thinking that I would surely hear from him, and I didn't want to bother you or
the Minister-Präsident. I was sure that if he was a prisoner of the government, he would be
released along with his father."
"I cannot say anything about it, because I do not know the circumstances. An investigation will
have to be made. What do you wish to do about the others in the meantime?"
"I wish to take them out as soon as I am permitted to do so. I can come back for Freddi if you
find him."
"There would be no need for you to come unless you wished. We will surely send him out if
we find him."
"Very well. Shall I call at the Polizeiprasidium for Johannes?"
"That will be satisfactory."
"You understand that we wish very much to avoid newspaper reporters, especially the foreign
correspondents. For that reason it would be wise to leave as quickly as possible."
"We shall be pleased to co-operate with you to that end. We have the passports and exit
permits ready."
"Does that include the visas for Belgium?"
"Everything has been foreseen. We do things that way in Germany."
"I know," said Lanny. "It is one of your great virtues."
"I bid you farewell, Herr Budd, and hope to have the pleasure of seeing you when you again
visit Berlin."
"The same to you, Herr Oberleutnant. I am grateful for your many courtesies through this
somewhat trying affair."
"Not at all, Herr Budd. Allow me to say that your handling of the matter has been most
exemplary, and Seine Exzellenz wishes me to assure you of his sincere appreciation."
So they buttered each other, and clicked heels and bowed and scraped over the telephone;
when Lanny hung up, he turned to his wife and said: "Chuck your things into the bags and
we'll get going!"
He hastened to call the home of Rahel's parents, and she herself answered. "Good news," he
said. "Papa is to be released at once and I am going to get him at the prison. Is Mama far from
you?"
"A ten-minute drive."
"Call a taxi, take the baby and your bags, pick up Mama, and come to the Hotel Adlon as
quickly as you can. Irma will be waiting for you. We are leaving at once. Is that all clear?"
"Yes; but what—" He hung up quickly, for he knew she was going to ask about Freddi, and he
didn't care to impart this news. Let Mama have the painful duty!
III
Lanny drove to the great red brick building on the Alexanderplatz. Many who entered there
had not come out as quickly as they had hoped; but he with his magical American passport
