“Maybe he did and maybe he didn’t,” said Alex. “I’ve learned that the life of the open mind is much more interesting than that of the skeptic. Here are my notes on Himmler and alchemy, for what they’re worth.” Alex tossed the notebook to Patton. “Some of that is pretty well documented—like Himmler’s being bamboozled by Heinz Kurschildgen and Karl Malchus, but most of it is rumor and speculation and guesswork and theories.”

“This is incredible,” said Patton, paging through the notebook.

“Not the sort of thing you find in a typical history book,” said Alex.

“Because rumor and speculation are not the same as fact,” said Nemo.

“True,” said Alex, “and most of it is probably utter bullshit, but I have known facts to turn out to be lies and rumors to turn out to be secrets.”

“So what is the rumor and speculation about Projekt Alchemie?” said Patton.

“It varies,” said Alex, “but the basics are that Himmler used H-Sonderkommando not just to try to scientifically prove the superiority of the Aryan race but for occult research as well.”

“Research like how to turn lead into gold?” said Patton.

“I’ve never come across the word ‘lead,’ ” said Alex. “All the stories I’ve heard are a little more veiled than that. The word I hear most often is ‘Ausgangsmaterialien.’ ”

“What’s that mean?” said Patton.

“Base materials,” said Alex.

“And did he succeed?” said Patton. “In turning base materials into gold?”

“That’s the question, isn’t it?” said Alex. “I’ve met people who say that he did, but I’ve met people who say a lot of things.”

“Have you ever met anyone who mentioned something called the Fourteen Words?” said Patton.

“You’re kidding, right?” said Alex.

“No,” said Patton. “Why do you ask?”

“Because the Fourteen Words are among the things I’ve had to sandblast off my garden wall. A lot of people don’t appreciate what I do and some people perhaps appreciate it too much—either way, whether they are put there out of disapproval or support, I’ve certainly seen the Fourteen Words more than once.”

“You sound like you’re just the person we need to talk to,” said Nemo, leaning forward in his seat and showing a real interest in the conversation for the first time. “What are these Fourteen Words?”

“What makes you ask?” said Alex.

“A friend of ours mentioned them,” said Patton.

“Interesting friends you have.”

“Look,” said Nemo, standing, “are you going to tell us what they are or not?”

“Take it easy there, buddy,” said Patton, grabbing Nemo by the arm and pulling him back to his chair.

“It’s no secret,” said Alex. “The Fourteen Words are a sort of motto for the neo-Nazi, white supremacist movement. There are a few different versions, but the most common is ‘We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.’ ”