Lanny got a copy of the paper, and did not fail to note that the publisher was the man with whom Kurt had been getting acquainted in Mrs. Emily's drawing room. Lanny hadn't forgotten what his father had told him concerning the method by which “miracles” were brought about in the journalistic world. Before the war the Russians had sent gold to Paris and paid cash for the support of French newspapers; and now the Germans were trying to buy mercy! Could it be that Kurt had moved into those higher regions where a man was safe from both police and military authorities?
III
One couldn't talk about such matters over the telephone, so Lanny went that afternoon to call upon his mother. He rode up in the lift unannounced and tapped on her door. “Who is it?” she called; and when he answered she opened the door cautiously, and after she had let him in, whispered: “Kurt is here!”
The German officer gave no sign until Beauty went to the door of the inner room and called him. When he emerged, Lanny saw that he had adopted fashionable afternoon garb, in which he looked handsome. He wore a little mustache, trimmed close in English fashion, and his straw-colored hair, which had been perhaps a quarter of an inch long when Lanny first met him at Hellerau, was now of a length suited to a musician. Kurt was pale, but easy in manner; if the life of a secret agent was wearing on his nerves, his friends were not going to be troubled with the fact. “I thought I owed it to you both to let you know I'm all right,” he said to Lanny.
“Isn't it dangerous to come here, Kurt?”
“Things are all right with me so far as I know. Don't ask more.”
The other held up the newspaper, saying: “I was bringing my mother a copy of this.” There was a flash of the eyes between the two friends, but no more was said.
They seated themselves, and Kurt drew his chair close, so that he could speak in a low tone. He asked first what Lanny knew about the intentions of the Peace Conference regarding the district of Stubendorf; Lanny had to tell him the worst, that it was surely going to the Poles. Then Kurt wanted to know about the blockade; Lanny outlined different projects which were being discussed, and the attitude of various personalities he knew or knew about. Kurt repaid his friend by talking about developments in Germany, information which might be valuable to the Crillon staff.
This talk went on for quite a while. When there came a lull, Beauty remarked: “Kurt has told me something that I think you ought to know about, Lanny — his marriage.”
“Marriage!” exclaimed Lanny, dumfounded. The smile went off the other's face.