“Lady Forsythe is my partner, and that is all you need to know.”
Our guest looked over at me. “My sister’s husband spoke of this in his earlier telegram. You are familiar with the sword,ja?”
I nodded. It seemed that Herr Schmidt had shared a great deal with his wife’s brother.
Schneider grinned. “I am good with the blade as well in my work.” He opened the satchel and retrieved a rather nasty-looking knife.
“I have my tools so that I can find work in London. And this. I keep it very sharp. It is good to be able to protect oneself.”
Very much so, I thought.
I did like him, however deferred to Brodie with his greater experience in such matters. It seemed that he had made a decision.
“Ye will do,” Brodie told him. “Now, for what lies ahead if all goes accordin’ to plan. So that we may all leave.”
Brodie explained that we were waiting to hear about a ‘transaction’ that was to take place by way of an auction. He then inquired what Schneider knew about Szábo.
“If the rumors are true, he is mostdangerous,” the one word he used to describe him, then explained. “He is Hungarian, not German.” He almost spat out the words.
“Not a man to be trusted. He has killed many, but the bodies are never found. They disappear, even rumors of thePolizeidirektorhere. They look the other way when it is to their advantage. And there are other stories about things he has done in France, and England. Always for money, a great deal of money.” He looked from me to Brodie.
“Is he to be part of the auction?”
“He is responsible for the item that is to be auctioned to the highest bidder.”
Schneider looked at me. “This is very dangerous for a woman.”
“She will be participating in the auction, if we receive word that the others are acceptable to the idea,” Brodie explained.
“Ah!” Schneider exclaimed and laid the knife down on the table. “She will need protection.” He looked at Brodie.
“You should not stay here. If one man knows you are here, others will know.”
It was obvious that Brodie had thought of that.
“Ye know of a place?”
Schneider nodded. “It is not far, where I have made deliveries in the district.” There was a look over at me.
“It is not as fine as the hotel, but it is clean and safe. You can get your messages here while we plan what is to be done.”
It seemed that we had taken on a partner, or at least an associate who was quite willing to do whatever was necessary to guarantee his passage to England.
Schneider waited just outside the hotel entrance while we packed our few pieces of clothing.
As for the room, Brodie told me to leave it as it was. Our breakfast service had been collected with fresh linens and soaps provided in the adjoining bathroom.
The reservation had been left open as we had no way of knowing how long we might need to remain in Frankfurt. As far as anyone else might be concerned, we were still there or soon to return.
On our way to meet with Herr Schneider, Brodie stopped at the front desk and informed the clerk that we did not wish to be disturbed in our room, and that he would be returning to the desk from time to time to inquire about any messages.
With that we left the hotel.
The ‘residenschloss’where Schneider made his weekly deliveries was in the same district, however, off the main citycenter from the hotel, where those not of the means to stay in the hotel could still afford to stay in the city.
It was a two-story former private residence of some city official in the medieval period, with an arched entrance and a round corner tower above the second story. Over the entrance were a pair of carved plaster lions supporting a crown.
“These are good people,” Schneider assured us as the driver departed.
