“I… I don’t know,” she answered. “I will need time to think and pray.”

“The time is short,” said Thaddeus. “Events are closing in upon us.”

55 Testimony of Urgency

55

Testimony of Urgency

That evening, after they had eaten supper, Baron von Dortmann requested that the five gather together again.

“I’ve asked you here,” began the baron after they were seated, “for some extremely important business—to share something with the two of you, Thaddeus and Matthew, that is of vital significance, because its impact upon you is even greater than this war which has broken out and now seems likely to engulf us all.”

Thaddeus and Matthew glanced at one another with questioning looks, wondering what information the baron could possibly possess about them that was on the level of international security.

“I’m afraid I’m really a rather mid-level diplomat, Baron,” laughed McCallum. “When all is said and done, my job is mostly bureaucratic. Perhaps I should contact my superiors and have you talk—”

The baron waved off the suggestion in midsentence with a chuckle and wave of the hand. “No, Thaddeus,” he said, “you misunderstand me. It is you and your son I desire to talk to. What I have to say is of an altogether different nature than world diplomacy. You came here to see if you could help us. You cannot know how much your concern means to me and my family. But now, as I have been praying for the past two hours, it has come to me that I too have something of equal importance that I must share, even offer to you. Since in all likelihood this will be our last evening together for a long time, it is now or never, as they say.”

Thaddeus nodded, though still not comprehending Baron von Dortmann’s meaning.

“Would either of you like some more coffee?”

Thaddeus nodded.

Marion rose from her seat next to her husband and refilled his cup, then the baron’s.

“Sabina, more tea?” she said, glancing toward her daughter.

“I have enough, Mama, thank you.”

Marion resumed her seat.

A brief pause followed. Then the baron began.

“I hope you’ll excuse my speaking very candidly, and, it may be, at some length.”

“Not at all,” said Thaddeus. “If something is as important as you say, I want to hear the unabridged version. We’ll stay as long as it takes.”

“Good. All right then, I’ll begin by affirming that I do not believe in chance encounters. Everything has a purpose. There are no accidents. All that is by way of saying that I do not believe our friendship together—my wife and daughter and myself, and the two of you—is merely coincidental.”

“Nor do I, Baron,” interjected McCallum. “My son and I have been greatly enriched from knowing you—knowing you all,” he added, looking toward Marion and Sabina.