Colonel Berry

Chapter Twenty

David walked out the front door of Zeughaus Schaffhausen and headed into Randenstraße and along it toward the centre of town and the train station, retracing in his mind the route he had driven on Saturday. Less than a kilometre. Ten minutes. Twelve with this load. 

Shortly before nineteen hundred, he arrived in Bahnhofstraße and walked along it to the station, his heart sinking as a locomotive hissed steam and belched smoke when it began pulling out. At the ticket wicket inside, the clerk told him that the last train of the day for Winterthur had just departed. "When is the first in the morning?"

"Seven twenty."

"And connections to Bern?"

"It would be best if you wait here until the eight-ten. Save a long wait for the first connection from Winterthur."

David nodded, then asked to buy tickets through to Bern." As he watched the clerk prepare the first ticket, he said, "Sorry, I should have told you First Class."

The clerk set the ticket aside and began another, and when they had been completed and paid for, David asked, "Where would I find the most convenient room? A hotel or a gasthaus, it doesn't matter."

"Economical or comfortable?"

David laughed as he jostled his duffel bag and rifle on his shoulders. "After the Zeughaus, I'd prefer comfort."

"I suggest Hotel Rüden. It's little more than a five-minute walk." The clerk slid a map across the counter and pointed.

"Walk back down Bahnhofstraße to the second street, the one across from the railway overpass. That's Oberstadt, and the hotel is only thirty or so metres along, just into the historic old town."

"Thank you. And for dining?"

"You'll find no better cuisine in this area than at the Rüden." He nodded to David's load. "Done for another two years? Or heading to serve."

David smiled and nodded. "Done. Now back to reality." He thanked the clerk and headed out of the station and into Bahnhofstraße, thinking, I suppose I do look like the soldiers coming and going for their two weeks. Great system. And keeping weapons and ammunition at home makes them always ready to defend. He shook his head. Part of the price of neutrality.

A little over five minutes later, David turned the corner to see an uninterrupted row of ancient buildings lining each side of the street. The sun had just set, and some of the windows were lit, giving a magical quality to the scene. He entered the hotel and stepped up to the reception desk. "I've missed the last train. Have you a room for the night?"

The young woman smiled, adjusting her chignon as she replied. "We have a variety, both with or without facilities."

"A simple room, but with all conveniences, please."

After David had signed the register and received his key, he asked, "May I reserve a table for dinner?"

"It's not busy this evening, so there is no need." She smiled up into his eyes, pausing a moment before continuing. "But the dining room doesn't open until nineteen-thirty."

He glanced at his watch. "Thank you. And breakfast begins when? I've an early train."

She adjusted her hair again, then the sleeve of her dress as she wet her lips. "Cold begins at six thirty, then hot from seven."

"Wonderful, I prefer hot, and that gives me plenty of time to enjoy." He gave her the smile Maria had told him was his most alluring, then he hefted his load and walked across the lobby to the stairs, thinking, Why wasn't this one of the men instead of me? With all they've learned from Maria's discussions, they would have easily seen her interest. He chuckled to himself. God! Was it obvious.

As he climbed the stairs, his mind drifted back to Maria that first night in the gasthaus and her show of interest. In his room, he set his load down and looked at the bed, nodding. He undressed, took a hand towel from the rack and lay on his back to relieve his tensions.

Bern, Switzerland —Wednesday, 19 April 1916

After a relaxing breakfast, David caught the eight-ten from Schaffhausen, connected to the nine-fifteen from Winterthur and then the ten-forty from Zürich. From the station in Bern, he walked to the Embassy, where he was greeted and let through the side passage from the foyer to the inner sanctum, surprising Rick when he walked into his office.

"What are you doing back so soon, Sir? I thought you had another two and a half weeks."

"New developments." He set his satchel, rifle and duffel bag down and shook Rick's offered hand. "I need to brief the Ambassador. Is Henry about today?"

"I saw him before lunch."

"Do you still have Windbag in check?"

"I do. He's caused no further trouble." Rick chuckled. "He appears to enjoy menial tasks and no responsibility."

"That's what I saw." David turned toward the door, then looking over his shoulder, he said, "We'll talk later. I must go."

The Ambassador replied to the knock on his open door, "Come in."

"Good afternoon, Sir" David strode across the room as Evelyn rose to greet him.

"You're back early. Something amiss?"

"All is fine, Sir. New connections and new developments. Would you know whether Henry is available? He should be made aware of this."

Evelyn pushed the white button on his desk, and a short while later, Mrs Hutchins stepped in, asking, "Yes, Sir?"

"Tell Colonel Picot that David has returned and is in my office."

When the secretary left, Evelyn pointed to a chair. "Please sit. Have you eaten?"

"I have, thank you, on the train. I tried to telephone last evening, but the hotel was unable to make the connection. Same this morning. There must be wires down. Did Maria make it back safely on Sunday?"

"Yes, she did." The Ambassador looked askance. On the train? You didn't drive?"

"I thought it would be easier if Maria drove here and back, rather than juggling six trains."

"Hmm. That's a Government vehicle. Not wise."

"I purchased it from the War Office and have had it registered in my Swiss name. It would be dangerous to be caught with a British Government vehicle in Germany."

Evelyn nodded. "Details. You are always so good with details. I..."

He was interrupted by a distinctive knock on the door. "Come in Henry."