Hans Kirst - The Night of the Generals

“Splendid,” said von Seydlitz-Gabler.

Extracts from notes (not an official activity report) made by an agent known to the Sûreté under the designation A17A. These notes were in the possession of a Herr B., formerly a sergeant in German counterespionage, who has since published several informative works on his activities in Paris: “Notes made by A17A in the course of inquiries into a murder in the Rue de Londres. Third of seven conversations. Person interviewed: Ulrike von Seydlitz-Gabler. Subject of conversation specified by M. Prévert.

“I opened by saying that I was there on behalf of the Sûreté. I realized that there was no legal basis for my interrogating a member of the Wehrmacht. This was not an official interview, therefore, but the Sûreté would be grateful for co-operation.

“I also emphasized that my questions would be of a purely routine nature and were designed solely to fill in gaps. Their subject-matter was not directly related to any criminal offence at present under investigation. Five agents had been assigned to the case, and each of them had between seven and ten interviews to conduct.

“Fräulein von Seydlitz-Gabler eventually declared herself willing to co-operate with the Sûreté as requested. My first question: How long have you known a man named Rainer Hartmann?

“Ulrike von Seydlitz-Gabler: ‘I met Herr Hartmann in Warsaw. That was in 1942, almost two years ago, at a reception during which a Chopin recital took place. We only exchanged a few words that evening, but a few days later we bumped into each other at garrison headquarters. We talked for some time and then went for a walk, after which we arranged to meet again the following Sunday. Herr Hartmann always treated me as though my father were present and his behaviour was never anything but correct. To be frank, I had a hard time breaking down his reserve, although that didn’t happen in Warsaw. It happened much later on, here in Paris. However, I really don’t see what business that is of yours.’ ”

Extracts from instructions regarding Lieutenant-General Tanz, Officer Commanding the Nibelungen Division, drafted and issued by the C.S.O.1’s office: “To the clerk on duty, The surface of the Divisional Commander’s field desk is to be thoroughly wiped with a woollen cloth every morning before the commencement of duty. Additional polishing with wax is to be carried out every Monday morning and immediately after every change of position. Any scratches or dents are to be dealt with at once. Ink-spots must be treated with ink eradicator without delay. This is kept in the G.S.O.1’s office.

“The Divisional Commander’s desk must at all times be equipped with the following: ink, black and red; two penholders each with pen; a set of ball-point pens; three pencils, medium hard; two chinagraph pencils; one red pencil, thick; one green pencil, thin. All pencils to be sharpened, but none to within less than two-thirds of its original length. A double quantity of the abovementioned writing-materials is to be kept in reserve. The reserve compartment is in the left-hand drawer. No india-rubbers!”

To the Divisional Commander’s No.2 orderly: (The General had two personal orderlies. The No.1 orderly was responsible for indoor duties and the No.2 for outdoor. The following is an extract from their instructions, which covered a total of eight type-written sheets.)

Re: Iron Rations: “Since neither the commencement nor duration of any operation can be foreseen, care must be taken to ensure that a complete basic ration, or iron ration, is available at all times. This consists of the following items: one half-pound tin of dripping (rendered down and free of meat content); one half-pound tin of corned beef; one half-pound tin of game sausage; two packets of rusks, one white, one brown; a salt-cellar two-thirds full of dry, best-quality salt.

“Further equipment must include the following basic items: steel eating irons (not silver) comprising knife, fork, spoon and teaspoon; two Thermos flasks with corresponding pouches, blue for cold drinks, red for hot drinks; two large napkins for use as tablecloths; six small napkins, white, linen; two cups; at least fifty folded sheets of toilet paper, strong and coarse-grained, white or grey (no bright colours).”

Statement by ex-Sergeant Otto with special reference to the relationship between Ulrike von Seydlitz-Gabler and Lance-Corporal Hartmann: “Looking back on it now, I reckon those two led me up the garden path. I should have guessed, I suppose, but they were so bloody careful about it. They had every reason to be. If her ladyship had caught on there’d have been hell to pay.

“Kahlenberge must have got wind of their little game because he was always going on at me to tell him all I knew about it. I didn’t know much, so I invented a few things to keep Kahlenberge happy. What’s the point of having an imagination if you don’t use it?

“I’d lay odds on one thing, though. Running a general’s daughter like that must be a bit of all right. Handled the right way it could be a sort of insurance policy. Handled the wrong way—well, it’d be the exact opposite. Hartmann never had much luck. It didn’t matter where he trod, he always ended up with his foot in a turd.

“All the same, he still had Raymonde!”

Paris was beginning to get on General von Seydlitz-Gabler’s nerves. He felt increasingly old and enervated, surrounded by temptations and never at liberty to succumb to them.

The General often sought refuge in red wine, pretending that he wanted to bury himself in his work. On this particular evening he sent for a bottle of Mâcon and Melanie Neumaier, and had two glasses and a pile of papers brought to his study.

He eyed Melanie solicitously, a little like a breeder examining his favourite rabbit.

“It’s very late. I don’t want to overwork you.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” she exclaimed. “You know I’m always at your service.”

Melanie was an incomparable assistant, von Seydlitz-Gabler reflected, punctual as a clock and reliable as sunrise—ready for anything. This evening he felt inclined to test the extent of her readiness. He felt sure that it was unlimited, and the thought was immensely flattering.

To begin with, they concentrated exclusively on the files in front of them. None presented any particular problem, but each needed working on.

At intervals they refreshed themselves with Mâcon. The first bottle went quickly. Sergeant Lehmann, his face expressionless as a sheep’s, brought a second. His gloomy eyes were entirely devoid of interest. Years of experience had taught him that Melanie Neumaier was no more to the General than a piece of office furniture. It didn’t occur to him that the situation mightn’t last for ever. He left a third bottle ready and went to bed.

The night, however, had hardly begun. Von Seydlitz-Gabler raised his glass to Melanie with a wide, world-encompassing gesture. He drank with evident enjoyment and Melanie did the same.

“Perhaps you’d rather call it a day,” he said. “I’m sure there’s someone waiting for you.”

“Let him wait!” cried Melanie archly.

“I find that very flattering, my dear Melanie.” Von Seydlitz-Gabler’s voice had grown suddenly husky. The time was ripe and the fruit long since over-ripe. His bedroom was immediately next door to the study. He felt tempted.

“Come and sit next to me, my dear. We’ll be able to work more comfortably.”

Melanie Neumaier pulled her chair round the desk and placed it next to his.

Casually, as if to prop himself up, the General laid his hand on Melanie’s left thigh. She cautiously shifted her leg to give him a better purchase and, though she needed no fortifying, took another swig of red wine.