I feel myself going rigid with fear. What happens if I have to go to the police, and they really want to put me to sleep? Oh no – all this is happening just because I came up with an idiotic plan! I try to make myself as small as possible and squeeze myself really tight between Daniel and Caroline. Clinging to Daniel’s trouser leg, I notice he’s starting to tremble. How awful! He’s obviously really scared of me. My fate is sealed; the two of them are sure to hand me over to the police. I lower my muzzle and start to howl.

‘Rabies!’ Daniel exclaims in a choked voice, and trembles even more. ‘That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard!’

Well, what do you know! Daniel isn’t trembling with fear – he’s shaking with laughter! I jump spontaneously onto his lap in relief and lick his face.

‘Whoops, Hercules! As you can see, Mr Diekamp, this little fellow is quite chipper. Whatever was going on with him yesterday was certainly not rabies. Maybe you’ve mixed him up with another dog.’

Diekamp glares at me.

‘No, this was no mix-up. But if you want to put your own health in jeopardy by not following this up, be my guest!’ Diekamp snorts indignantly one more time, then turns on his heel and heads out of the park.

Daniel shakes his head. ‘There are certainly some real wackos out there. Rabies – what nonsense.’

‘Hmm, I’m starting to get a little worried now.’

‘Worried? Why? Hercules is as fit as a fiddle. Just take a look at him. There’s nothing wrong with him.’

‘Yes, but do you remember last week? The hobo? He also said that Hercules was acting strangely. Maybe he is sick.’

Caroline’s voice sounds quite upset. Damn – what have I done!

‘I mean, convulsions, foaming at the mouth – I once read somewhere that dogs can have epileptic fits. And once you know what they have, you can treat it, the same way you can with humans.’

Daniel sighs. ‘Well, OK then, let’s stop by your vet if that’ll make you feel better. It’s also a nice walk from here in this lovely weather, so it’s a good idea anyway.’

Caroline nods. ‘Yes, I’ll call Dr Wagner right away.’

•

‘I can already tell you something reassuring at the outset, Ms Neumann. So far, Hercules appears to be in the best of health. Clear eyes, a cold nose, good body tension – so I would rule out an infection.’

Once again, I’m on the cold metal table in Dr Wagner’s consulting room, letting him fiddle around with me, resigned to my fate. I feel so miserable that I don’t even take advantage of the opportunity to check out Dr Wagner’s blue eyes. But what can I say? It’s my own fault. It would of course be only fair for Mr Beck to share some of this retribution, but that’s not the way the world works. Wagner pats my head, then he turns back to Caroline and Daniel, who are standing next to the table and watching the whole procedure attentively.