RheinharAt remarks about the Austrian.
In the large rented office overlooking the Sedlingerstrasse, Hitler gripped
the arms of his chair -and pushed himself up. He stood for a moment glaring
at Goebbels, but the thin cripple knew that Hitler’s anger was not directed
at him, only at his news.
“Pettes Schweinl Wir werden ffin zu seinen Landsort zur(Ick isendenl Lass
ilun zu scinen Kfihen zurtick gehenl”
Scarlett was leaning against the wall next to Hess. As usual when the
conversations taking place were in German- the willing Hess turned to
Ulster and spoke quietly.
“He’s very upset. Rheinhart may be an obstacle.”
“Wh3qv
“Goebbels doesn’t believe Rheinhart will openly support the movement. He
wants all the advantages without getting his tunic dirtyll’
“Rheinhart said he would. In Montb6liard he said he wouldl What’s Goebbels
talking about?” Scarlett found it necessary to watch hiniself. He really
didn t like Goebbels.
“He’s just told them what Rheinhart said about Hitler. Remember?” Hen
whispered with his band cupped in front of his mouth.
Scarlett raised his voim “Tbey should tell Rhemhart –no Hitler, no
marblesl Let him go shagl”
“Was ist los?” Hitler glowered at Hess and Sc~arlett. “Was sagt er, Hess?”
“Lass Rheinhart zurn Teufel gehenl”
Ludendorff laughed out of the comer of his mouth. “Das ist naivl”
“rell Rheinhart to do as we say or hes outl No troopsl No weaponsl No
uniformsl No one to pay for it allf I don’t payl No place to ft-ain them
without the inspection
280
team on his backl Hell listenl” Scarlett ignored Hess, who was rapidly
translating everything the former said.
Ludendorff broke in on Hess as he finished interpreting~
“Man kann einen Mann wie Rheinhart nicht drohen. Er ist ein einflussreich
Preussel”
Hess turned to Ulster Scarlett. “Herr Ludendorff says that Rheinhart will
not be threatened. He is a Junker.”
“He’s a frightened, overstuffed tin soldier, that’s what he ist He’s
running scared. He’s got the Russian shakesl He needs us and he knows itl”
Hess repeated ScadWs remarks. Ludendorff snapped his fingen in the
Heidelberg fashion, as if mocking a ridiculous statement
‘Von’t laugh at met I talked with him, not youl Ifs my moneyl Not yoursl”
Hess did not need to tritnslat& Ludendorff rose from his chair, as angry as
Scarlett.
Sag dem Amerikaw dass sem Gelt gibt thin noch Imp nicht das Recht uns
Befelile zu geben.”
Hess hesitate& “Herr IAUWDdorff does not believe dud yaw financud
conu*edons . . . as welcome as they
OY*u don’t have to finishl Tell him to go sha& tool Hes acting just the way
Rheinhaft otpectsf- Scarlett, who had not moved from his position against
the wall, pushed himed away and sprang forward affortlessly to his full
height
For a moment the &&& Intellectual Ludendorff was physirAlly afraid. He did
not bug the motives of this neurotic American. Ludendorff had often
suggested to Hitler and the others that this man who called himself
Bleinrich Krueger was a dangerous addition to their working drde. But be
had been consistently ovaTuled because Kroepr not only pommed what appeared
to be unlimited financial rmurces, but seemed to be able to enlist the
support. or at least the Interest, of incredibly Influaixtial
WIL he did not bug hinL
Etesantiany because Ludendorff was convinced that this KroW was stupid.
“May I remind you, Herr Kivegar, that I po~ a. working knowledge of the
English janguager
‘llien why don’t you we kr
aI do not feel it b-4xm is it said?-entimly necessay.”
281
^It is now, damn id”
Adolf Hitler’suddenly clapped his hands twice. sW3ifying an order of
silence. It was an irksome gesture to Ludendorff, but his respect for
Hitices talents-which bordered on awe-made -him accept such aggravations.
“Hald Beidel”
Hitler stepped away from the table. turning his back on all of them. He
stretched his arms, then clasped his hands behind hun. He said nothing for
several Moment96 yet no one interrupted his silence. For it was his
silence, and Goebbels, whose love of dwatrics was paramount. watched with
satisfaction the effect Hitler was having 04 the others.
Ludendorff, on the other hand, played the Same but remained annoyed. The
Hitler be, knew well was capable of poor judgment. Great vision, perhaps,
but often slipshod in decisions of everyday practical realitie& It was
unfortunate that he also resented debate on such mattem It made A difficult
for Rosenberg and himself, who know they were the true architects of the
new order. Ludendorff hoped that this particular instance was not 9OMS to
be another caw when HrUer overrode bus sound analysis. Like himself,
Rhemhart was -a Junket, proud and unbending. He had to be handled artfully
Who could know this better than the former field marshal of the imperial
army who was forced to maintam, his dignity in the midst of tragic defeat.
Ludendorff understood.
Adolf Hiner spoke quietly ,Nvir werden wie Herr Kroeger sast tum”
Herr Hitler agrees with you, Kroegerl” Hess touched Scarlett% sleeve,
delighted. He was forever being condescended to by the arrogant Ludendorff,
and this was not a small vIctory over hm Rheinhart was a prom If Kroeger
was correct, Ludendorff would look foolish.
Warum? Es ist sehr SeShrlich.-
Ludendorff had to argue aW=gh he knew at once it was no use.
Sie sind zu Vorsichtig die unnihigen Ziete% Ludendorff. Kroeger hat recht.
Aber wit werden einen Schft weiter gehen.”
Rudolf Hess expanded his chCSL He looked Pointedly at Ludendorff and
Goebbels as he nudged SWIett with his elbow.
,,Herr Hitler says that our friend Ludendorff is mis-
282
takenly cautious. He is fight Ludendorff is always cautious. . . . But Herr
Hitler wishes to elaborate on your suggestion. . . .”
Adolf Hitler began speaking slowly but firmly, lending a finality to each
German phrase. As he continued he watched with satisfaction the faces of
those listening. When he reached the end of his diatribe he spat out the
words.
“Da ist Montb6liardl”
For each it was a different’ evaluation with an underlying common
denominator-the man was a genius.
For Hess, Hitlees conclusion was equated with a startling flash of
political insight.
For Goebbels, Hitler had once again demonstratecr his ability to capitalize
on an opponent’s fundamental weakness.
For Ludendorff, the Atitrian had taken a mediocre idea, added his own
boldness, and emerged with a pkce of brilliant strategy.
Heinrich Kroeger–Scarlett—spoke. “What did he say, Hess?”
But it was not Rudolf Hess who answeicd. It was Erich Ludendorff, who did
not take his eyes off Adolf Hitler. “Herr Hitler has just . . . solidified
the military for us, Ktoeger. In a brief statement he has won us the
reluctant Prussians.”
“‘What?”
Rudolf Hess turned to Scarlett. “General Rheinhart will be told that unless
he does as we demand, the Versailles officials will be informed that he is
secretly negotiating illegal procurements. It is the truth. Montb6liard can
not be denied.1”
“He is a Junkerl” Ludendorff added. “Montb6liard is the key because it is
the truthl Rheinhart can not disavow what he has donel Even if he should be
tempted, there am too many who know-von Schnitzler, Kindorf. Even Kruppl
Rheinhart has broken his word.” And then Ludendorff laughed harshly. “Ibe
holy word of a Junkerl”
Hitler sniffed, briefly and spoke rapidly to Hess, gesturing his head
toward Ulster Scarlett.
“Der Fiihrer admires and appreciates you, Heinrich,” said Hess. “He asks
what of our friends in Zurich?”
“Everything is proceeding on schedule. Several errors
283
have been corrected. We may lose one of the rem thirteen… It’s no loss;
he’s a thief.”
“Nho is thatT’ Ludendorff exercised his very acceptable working knowledge
of English.
Thornton.09
“What of his land?” Ludendorff again.
Scarlett, now Kreeger, looked at the academic Ludendorff, the military
intellectual, with the contempt born of money. “I intend to buy it.-
“13 that not dangerousr’ Has was watching Ludendorff, who had quietly
translated what Scarlett said to Hitler. Both men showed signs of alarm.
“Not at all.”
“Perhaps not to you personally, my dashing young friend.” Ludendoiffs tone
was blandly incriminating. ‘TVho knows where your sympathies will lie six
months from now?”
“I resent thatl”
“YoWre not a German. This isn’t your battle.”
“I don’t have to be a Germanl And I don’t have to Justify myself to youl
… You want me out? Finel I’m outl … And with me go a dozen of the
richest men on earth … Oill Steell Industryl Steamship linest-
Hess no longer tried to be tactful. He looked toward Hitler, throwinghis
arms up in exasperation.
Hitler did not need to be prompted for he knew exactly what to do. He
crossed rapidly to the former general of the imperial German army and
struck the old mskn lightly across the mouth with the back of his band. It
was an insulting action-the very lightness of the blow was akm to
disciplining a small child. The two men exchanged words and Scarlett knew
the old Ludendorff had been severely, cruelly rebuked.
“My motives seem to be questioned, Herr Kroeger. I was merely-how is it