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Updated: June 25, 2025
"Put him out," said Katrina, with a glance of disdain at the cowering man. "I will go," snarled Holknecht, and he wrenched from my grasp and darted toward the door. I followed, but he was fairly running down the passage and pursuit was too undignified a thing to consider. "You should have paid him," said Katrina, "for delivering my message." "I have paid him," I replied. "I paid him very well."
Since Katrina had learned of that, and this Holknecht was also aware that I was a man of unknown identity, it was very evident that they might set some serious investigation going. But the man's own remarks suggested a way out.
I stared stupidly at the man, and cold fear crept over me as he, with puzzled eyes, returned my gaze. "You are much changed," he said at last. "I hardly recognize you." "I have been very ill," I replied. Just then the head physician came into the room and seeing me talking to a stranger walked over to us. As I said nothing, Holknecht introduced himself.
Returning to my apartment, I found Holknecht still waiting. He insisted on taking the necklace to Katrina, but I feared to trust a man who accepted bribes so shamelessly, and decided to go with him and deliver it in person. Sullenly, Holknecht led the way to her apartment. Katrina sensuously gowned in flaming red was awaiting the outcome of her blackmailing venture.
And now, of course, I know very well that that was so, for the other Karl Armstadt would never have become a von of the Royal Level. He didn't have that much brains." As Holknecht was speaking I had been thinking rapidly. The thing I feared was that the affair of the mine and hospital should be investigated by some one with intelligence and authority.
He took his new task quite seriously. Turning to me and raising his voice as if to penetrate my dulled mentality, he began, "Do you not remember our work in the laboratory?" "Yes, the laboratory, the laboratory," I repeated vaguely. Holknecht described the laboratory in detail and gradually his talk drifted into an account of the chemical research.
Holknecht had seemed to me a servile fawning fellow and when I received my first promotion I had deserted him quite brutally for the very excellent reason that he had known the other Armstadt and I feared that his dulled intelligence might at any time be aroused to penetrate my disguise.
"His memory must be revived," continued the head physician, "and that can best be done by recalling the dominating interest of his mind." "Captain Armstadt was wholly absorbed in his research work in the laboratory," offered Holknecht. "Then," said the physician, "you must revive the activity of those particular brain cells." With that command the laboratory assistant was left in charge.
I listened eagerly to get the threads of the work I must needs do if I were to maintain my role as Armstadt. Knowing now that visitors were permitted me, I again grew apprehensive over the possible advent of Katrina. But no woman appeared, in fact I had not yet seen a woman among the Germans. Always it was Holknecht and, strictly according to his orders, he talked incessant chemistry.
And it may be that some one listened in on our conversation." "I do not see," I said, "how such a conversation should lead to the discovery of my identity the Holknecht theory is more reasonable but you did take a risk. Why did you do it?" "I wanted to tell him good-bye," said Marguerite. "It was hard enough that I could not see him." And she turned her face to the pillow and began to weep.
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