The Serpent's Egg Page #3

My name is Frau Holle.

I am Manuelas landlady.

Manuela just had time

to tell me about you on her way out.

You are welcome to stay here

with me for a short time.

These sudden changes in weather

make my back ache,

so I must stay in bed all the day.

Still, its nice with a peep

of sun in November,

isnt it, Herr Rosenberg?

Would you care

for a glass of sherry?

I am very attached to Manuela.

If you forgive my saying so,

I am as fond of her

as if she were my own daughter.

Prosit, Herr Rosenberg.

She is so kind and naive.

Its as if all the terrible things going on

around us didntt concern her.

I think your sister-in-law is heading

for trouble, Herr Rosenberg.

The odd thing about Manuela

is that she doesnt defend herself.

Nothing must happen to her.

Take this new job now.

Theres something odd about it.

The Society for Church Democracy-

what is that, Herr Rosenberg?

It isnt even in the phone book.

I must go now, Frau Holle.

How much is the rent?

Should I pay in advance?

It doesnt matter.

But if you have money,

I dont mind.

You have dollars, havent you?

Shall we say $3 a month?

Or is that too much?

No, of course not.

Have you been crying?

No. Why?

It just seemed so.

Forgive me, Herr Rosenberg.

Good-bye, Frau Holle.

Good-bye, Herr Rosenberg.

We have been waiting for you.

May I ask you

where youve been all night?

I couldnt very well

sleep in that room.

- Where have you been?

- With my sister-in-law.

She lives at 35 Bergmannstrasse,

doesnt she?

- Yes, I think so.

- Think?

- I think its number 35.

- Well, now you know.

- May I pack some things?

- Not yet, Rosenberg.

I must ask you to come with us

to the morgue to identify someone.

- I have to?

- Im afraid I must insist.

Well, then, wed better get going.

Id advise you to smoke

down there. It helps.

- Do you recognize that girl?

- Yes.

- Who is she?

- Greta Hofer.

- How do you happen to know her?

- She was engaged to my brother.

- When did you see her last?

- A week ago.

- Was your brother on good terms...

- Yes, I think so.

Frulein Hofers been assaulted.

Cause of death... drowning.

Do you recognize this man?

No.

- Are you quite sure?

- No.

Think hard, Rosenberg.

Its important.

- Hes like someone.

- Who?

Hes like my father.

- You can do better than that.

- Thats all.

Hes like my father.

My father died five years ago.

Someone stuck a very thin hypodermic

needle into this mans heart.

A liquid of some sort was injected

into the left ventricle,

a poison that must have caused him

hideous pain before he died,

which probably took several hours.

So you havent seen

this man before?

Have you seen this woman before?

Yes.

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