The man noted the missing thumb of Chris’s hand with a curl of his lip. “Louis Mueller, director of the sports program of the academy,” he said in German, giving Chris’s four fingers a quick, crushing squeeze. “I assume you were informed that classes start promptly at seven o’clock around here. Instructors are to be at their posts thirty minutes after morning curfew.” The implication was that the early reporting time was out of the realm of Chris’s coaching experience. “I do not tolerate tardiness.”

“Of course not,” Chris said equably.

“Also, you need to know that we do not coddle our students. We push them to their physical limits. Any slack from that duty by one of my instructors, and I have the authority to dismiss him and report him to my superiors. Is that understood?”

Chris acquiesced with an understanding nod. “Perfectly.”

Mueller’s glance fell to Chris’s thumbless right hand. “I must tell you frankly, Herr Bauer, that I was surprised, if not shocked, that with your handicap, you were even considered for a position here.”

Chris sat back down. “I have never found it to be a handicap, Herr Mueller.”

“It better not be.”

It was as Jules Garnier had warned him. Claus Bauer had been put on notice. Louis Mueller would be watching his new physical education instructor. The slightest slipup, and he would be out.

“Very well, then,” the man said when Chris did not respond. “Now I see that you have your students’ roster on your desk. I must point out to you the names of several boys in the school that you must give…special attention to.” Louis Mueller glanced at him sharply. “You do know what I mean?”

“I am afraid that I must ask for enlightenment.”

The director sighed as if he should have expected such ignorance from the likes of his new instructor. With exaggerated patience, he explained, “As I have said and apparently must repeat, we do not tolerate slack from the students for any reason. There are no allowances made for those who are undersized and immature for their ages. You have three of those sort assigned to your class.” He came around the desk to run a sausage-sized finger down the student roster and jabbed at three names. “Him, him, and him,” he said. “You are to see that they measure up to the demands of the curriculum. If they do not, they will be severely disciplined. A sheet is attached to the roster that describes the forms of correction allowed, which you will administer.”