Helmut von Heurten-Mitnitz leaned forward and spoke softly.
“You will notice, Johnny,” he said dryly, “that, with a few exceptions, the crispness of the salute is in inverse proportion to the importance of the saluter.” Muller laughed. Von Heurten-Mitnitz had put into words what he had himself noticed, especially that the whole salute and “Heil” business had become mandatory. Young officers–and especially young SS officers–and zealous Party officials came to attention and saluted so crisply they almost quivered.
Senior officers, both military and Party, were almost to a man far more sloppy. As often as not they’ for got” the
“Heil, Hitler,” or said it in a mumble.
It was as if they were saying, “That liale dance is of course necessary for you underlings, but certainly not for someone like myself, of unquestioned loyalty and importance.” Muller then rose to his feet. “I am going to piss,” he said, giving a very sloppy Nazi greeting to von Heurten-Mitnitz. “Heil Hitler, Herr Minister.”
“Heil Hitler, Herr Standartenfuhrer, “von Heurten-Mitnitz replied, returning an even more casual salute.
And as he walked across the marble-floored lobby of the Adlon to the men’s room, two Gestapo agents and an SS-SD Sturmbannfuhrer, standing in conversation by one of the tall marble columns, recognized him and gave the Nazi salute in a manner that would have pleased Adolf Hitler himself.
And they smiled with pleasure when he returned it with a casual movement of his lower arm and said, “Was 1st los? instead of’ Heil Hitler.” Now Muller thought of that incident in the Adlon. And thought again that he had learned a good deal from the Pomeranian aristocrat since he had come to know him. Helmut von Heurten-Mitnitz was a very smart fellow.
He hoped von Heurten-Mitnitz was smart enough to keep them from being caught, doing what they were now doing.
“I’m doing fine, Herr Standartenfuhreg” Peis said. “And may I say that it is a pleasure to see you so soon again?”
“I had a very good time on New Year’s Eve, Wilhelm,” Muller said.
“A very good time.”
“I’m glad,” Peis said, then added, “I thought you might like her.”
“And they’ve given me a new car, and I thought I should take it for a run and see how it handles, and here I am, Wilhelm.”
“A new car, Herr Standartenfuhrer?” Muller motioned him to the window and pointed out the Opel Admiral.
“Very nice,” Peis said. “You must have a friend in the transport office, Herr Standartenfuhrer. A good friend.”
“You know how it goes, Wilhelm,” Muller said, one hand washes the other.” Peis nodded understanding.
“First things first,” Muller said. “I for got to apply for gasoline coupons.
You know how it is.”
“No problem whatsoever, Herr Standartenfuhrer,” Peis said. “We’ll fill it up here, and then I’ll give you whatever ration coupons you require.” “Very good of you, Peis,” Muller said.
“I will be in your debt.”
“Not at all, Herr Standartenfuhrer. My pleasure.”
“And, since I am here, I thought, I might telephone Fraulein Dyer and ask if she’s free. If she is, perhaps you and your lady friend–any one of your many extraordinarily lovely lady friends–might wish to have dinner with me?”
“I would be delighted,” Peis said. “If you would permit me, Herr Standartenfuhrer, I would be happy to telephone the lady and make the arrangements. And I presume you would like to stay at the Kurhotel again?”
“What I thought I would do, Wilhelm,” Muller said, ais visit my mother this afternoon, and then we could meet for drinks at half past six at the Kurhotel?”
“Consider it done, Herr Standartenfuhrer,” Peis said. “And if I may make the suggestion, why don’t I turn my car over to you this afternoon?
Then I could have the Admiral serviced and fueled, awaiting you at the Kurhotel.”
“I am really getting deeply into your debt, Wilhelm,” Muller said.
“Not at all, Herr Standartenfuhrer.”
“I was thinking, Wilhelm, of giving the lady a little present,” Muller said.
“Do you think there would be something, a small porcelain perhaps, or a painting, something like that, in protective custody? “I will pick it out myself,” Peis said. “And have it delivered this afternoon.”