Then there had been comments here and there, hints that Korsch was already making what he might call “contingency plans” in case the war didn’t turn out as they had all assumed it would. The references were sufficiently veiled so that any form of treason could be denied if Gustav should take it into his head to try to turn on him. But at the same time, Korsch let it be known that he liked Gustav and would take care of him when the time came, if he continued to show himself loyal now.

As Gustav pondered all these things in his scheming brain, with images of Sabina and her father and Emil Korsch all vying for prominence in his mind’s eye, the thought began to come whether he might not accomplish his ends with all three in a single masterstroke of cunning genius.

A smile slowly spread across his young face.

His eyes, indeed all his features and entire demeanor, had taken on such a look of steel that Sabina would not have recognized him. Though he could be said to be handsome, and in this respect was as unlike his mentor Emil Korsch as two men could likely be, the icy dispassion of countenance struck a similarly frozen chord. National socialism reduced its adherents to machines, a quality always evidenced by the loss of sparkle in the eyes. To feel compassion, sympathy, or tenderness was death to Nazism.

All Gustav was capable of feeling was a prideful determination that he would possess Sabina von Dortmann. But he must plan his moves with care.

Why could he not ingratiate himself with Korsch all the more with the very sort of information that would bring the proud and mighty Baron von Dortmann down from his high perch? The notion was so brilliant and well conceived he could not believe he had not thought of it before now! Korsch hated Christians and he would jump at a chance to arrest someone of the baron’s stature. They had spoken of the baron years ago, but then had allowed him to drift out of the forefront of consideration.

Yes, the baron could well be the door to his future, thought Gustav. And if he could gain power over Sabina in the process, putting her in a position where she would have to marry him to save her own beautiful but haughty skin, so much the better!

The smile now widened, and in the quiet of his room, Gustav von Schmundt laughed to himself. He would put Korsch in his debt and Sabina in his power, and get rid of the baron—all at one and the same time!

He hated to stoop to it. He wouldn’t exactly call it cowardly, but by any standards it was a low thing to do. Yet sometimes ruthless measures were called for, and this was such a time.

He picked up the phone to call home.

76 The Holy Box

76

The Holy Box