‘No,’ she said, ‘I don’t think so. It wouldn’t make a killer out of a normal man. But for a man already disposed to kill, I think it’s quite possible that this kind of story and drawing might have a profound effect on him. And as you know from your own reading of Berg, Kurten himself was of the opinion that the more salacious kind of crime reporting had very definitely affected him.’

She crossed her legs, the sibilance of her stockings drawing my thoughts to their tops, to her garters and finally to the lacy paradise that I imagined existed there. My stomach tightened at the thought of running my hand up her skirt, at the thought of her stripped naked before me, and yet still speaking intelligently to me. Exactly where is the beginning of corruption?

‘I see,’ I said. ‘And what would be your professional opinion of the man who published this story? I mean Julius Streicher.’

‘A hatred like this is almost certainly the result of a great mental instability.’ She paused for a moment. ‘Can I tell you something in confidence?’

‘Of course.’

‘You know that Matthias Goering, the chairman of this institute, is the prime minister’s cousin?’

‘Yes.’

‘Streicher has written a lot of poisonous nonsense about medicine as a Jewish conspiracy, and psychotherapy in particular. For a while the future of mental health in this country was in jeopardy because of him. Consequently Dr Goering has good reason to wish Streicher out of the way, and has already prepared a psychological evaluation of him at the prime minister’s orders. I’m sure that I could guarantee the cooperation of this institute in any investigation involving Streicher.’

I nodded slowly.

‘Are you investigating Streicher?’

‘In confidence?’

‘Of course.’

‘I don’t honestly know. Right now let’s just say that I’m curious about him.’

‘Do you want me to ask Dr Goering for help?’

I shook my head. ‘Not at this stage. But thanks for the offer. I’ll certainly bear it in mind.’ I stood up, and went to the door. ‘I’ll bet you probably think quite highly of the prime minister, him being the patron of this institute. Am I right?’

‘He’s been good to us, it’s true. Without his help I doubt there would be an institute. Naturally we think highly of him for that.’