The writer went on to describe a culture of violence, which he claimed was tacitly endorsed by the headmaster and senior members of staff. His most startling assertion, however, was that the suicide of a boy reported in 1894 was, in fact, a case of manslaughter, being the direct result of a heinous practice known as “doing the night watch.” This was a form of punishment meted out by older boys, in which the victim was made to stand on a dormitory window ledge from “lights out” until dawn. Sadly for Domokos Pikler a nocturnal cloudburst made the ledge slippery, and he fell to his death.
Rheinhardt drew the paper closer. I hope that the authorities-such as they are-will be mindful of this, my candid and truthful revelation. Alas, for personal reasons my identity must remain undisclosed. Sincerely, Herr G., “Vienna.
When Rheinhardt had finished reading, he placed the newspaper on Brugel s desk.
“Pikler… Pikler,” said Rheinhardt. “I don't remember the name.”
“One of old Schonwandt's cases. He retired the following year… not a very competent detective.” The commissioner said nothing for a few moments-and his habitual scowl became even darker and heavier than usual. “This afternoon,” he continued, “I received a telephone call from one of the education minister's aides. He discoursed-at some length-on the importance of maintaining public confidence in Austria's military schools and hoped that, should the article you have just read come to the emperor's attention, Minister Rellstab will be able to assure His Majesty that the security office treats such accusations very seriously and that any fatalities occurring in military schools are always thoroughly investigated. I explained that you were still in the process of making inquiries… and that you would be submitting a final report on the death of Thomas Zelenka in due course.”
“But, sir… I can't possibly proceed with my pursuit of Herr Kiss and continue investigating Zelenka's death. Saint Florian's is situated in the woods: a long drive from the center of Vienna. It would take me-”
“You are no longer operating under Inspector von Bulow's command,” the commissioner interrupted.
“I have your permission to return to Saint Florian's?”
Brugel nodded dismissively He did not have the good grace to articulate an affirmative response.
“Thank you, sir,” said Rheinhardt, suppressing the urge to leap from his chair and exclaim with delight.
For once, Rheinhardt left the commissioner's office in a happy mood. He swaggered down the corridor, humming the ebullient victorious theme from the final movement of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.
He rapped on von Bulow's door, waited an inexcusably long time for permission to enter, and found von Bulow hunched over his desk, writing a report with a gold fountain pen. The supercilious inspector did not look up. His bald pate shone like a billiard ball.
“Von Bulow?”
“Ah, Rheinhardt, I'm glad you're here… There's something I need you to do this afternoon.”
Von Bulow kept his head bowed and continued with his task.
“I'm afraid,” said Rheinhardt, “that you'll have to get your assistant to do it.”
The shiny bald pate was suddenly replaced by von Bulow's angry face.
“What did you say?”
“You'll have to get your assistant to do it,” Rheinhardt repeated, enunciating each syllable as if he were talking to someone who was partially deaf.
“That isn't possible,” said von Bulow coldly. “He's otherwise engaged.”
“Then you'll have to do it.”
Von Bulow's eyes narrowed as he grasped the significance of Rheinhardt's airy insolence.
“What… what's happened?”
“I've been reassigned to the Saint Florian investigation.”
“Who has reassigned you?”
“Commissioner Brugel, of course.”
“But that's not-”
“Possible?” Rheinhardt smiled. “Perhaps you would be so kind as to collect Herr Kiss's photograph later this morning? I will have no further use for it.”
The look of shocked bemusement on von Bulow's face gave Rheinhardt inestimable pleasure.
On returning to his office Rheinhardt sat at his desk, where he found a note from Haussmann: Fanousek Zelenka would like to see you.
25
Steininger, Freitag, and Drexler were playing cards on the floor. They were sitting cross-legged on an old blanket that had been spread out for their comfort. The tableau they created recalled the Middle East: they might have been gamesters at a bazaar. Wolf was lying on some cushions a short distance away reading Beyond Good and Evil. They were all smoking, and the lost room was filled with gently undulating hazy veils of cigarette smoke.
“I'd like to get into the cavalry” said Steininger. “I have a cousin in the cavalry. He wears a very handsome uniform. He told me to join because you get to ride spirited horses and attract the attention of girls.”
“My father disapproves,” said Freitag.
“What? Of girls?” said Steininger, grinning.
“No, of the cavalry,” said Freitag. “He says it's corrupt. Who do you want to join, Drexler?
Freitag swigged some slivovitz from a bottle and handed it to Steininger.
“I haven't decided yet,” Drexler replied.
“You're not thinking of the civil service, are you?” said Freitag indignantly. “I can't think of anything more dull.”
Drexler looked over his spectacles. “I haven't decided yet,” he repeated calmly.
Steininger belched.
“Must you be so disgusting?” asked Wolf, without taking his eyes from his book.
Steininger shrugged, and, ignoring Wolf, said: “What about the infantry, Freitag?”
“The foot rags?” Freitag replied. “Possibly.”
Wolf tutted.
“What?” said Freitag.
“I suppose the infantry are all right,” said Wolf sarcastically. “If you want to die an utterly pointless death defending Greeks from Turks and Turks from Greeks.”
Steininger and Freitag looked puzzled.
“He's talking about Crete,” said Drexler.
“Crete?” said Steininger. “What about Crete?”
“That's where the Eighty-seventh were sent,” said Wolf. “The Christians rebelled against the Muslims, and the Greeks landed two thousand soldiers to help them overthrow the Ottoman sultan. The Eighty-seventh were sent over to separate the opponents-and they were given excellent new white uniforms so that they would be especially conspicuous in the bright sun and easy for agitators to pick off! Yes, you two join the infantry… I can't think of anything more noble, can you, than to selflessly lay down one's life for one's Greek and Turkish brothers? Your parents will be most proud.”
Steininger pushed out his lower lip. “Well, it's easy for you to criticize us, Wolf. But you haven't told us where you're going.”
“Yes, Wolf, where are you going?” Freitag repeated, the pitch of his voice raised slightly in irritation.
Wolf sighed and-still without turning to look at them-said in pointedly weary tones: “I do not intend to prance around on a horse in order to attract the attention of witless females. Nor do I intend to waste my life in some garrison town-where the only person who can read without moving his lips is the local doctor. I do not intend to meet a premature end trying to suppress some meaningless peasants’ revolt in Transylvania, and I most certainly don't intend to stand between two barbarian races hell-bent on each other's annihilation, thousands of miles away from home. No… I have other plans.”
“What plans?” asked Freitag.
“Oh, do shut up, Freitag,” said Wolf. “Can't you see that I'm trying to read?”
26
It was late afternoon when Rheinhardt arrived in Land-strasse. He had not forewarned the Zelenkas of his intention to visit; consequently, he was not surprised to find the bungalow empty. Removing a box of cigars from his coat, he passed the time puffing contentedly and contemplating the gasworks through a trail of rising smoke. Perhaps, on account of his elated state, these bleak edifices no longer looked ugly. They appeared romantic-like the dolmen tombs of mythic warriors, or the watchtowers of Valhalla.