"The madame has decided to eat with the others after you've finished." He exited out a side door and quickly reappeared with three staff women trailing behind him, each carrying a silver domed tray. They sat the trays in front of me as two more women appeared carrying wine, water, and glasses. The flavorful aromas hit me one by one as they pulled the domes off. "Chicken Kiev, rare roast beef and poached salmon with fresh dill, all with accompanying vegetables," Diltz said, taking a serving spoon from one of the girls.

"I'll start with the fish," I said.

He placed a filet on my plate along with rice and steamed brussels sprouts. "Will there be anything else?"

"Well..." I hesitated.

"Yes, sir?"

"It's just that I feel sort of uncomfortable eating alone in this large room."

"Yes?"

"Would you join me?"

Mr. Diltz looked surprised and took a few seconds to answer. "Yes of course." He took a seat two chairs down from the end. "Bring some rye rolls and seltzer please," he said to the girl standing next to the side door.

"Have you ever been to Zurich before?" he asked

"No. This is my first trip to Europe since... It's been a while." I said. She reappeared and sat the rolls between us.

"I'm sorry you have to eat alone like this. There's little I can do about it, but I'm embarrassed that I didn't think about it when I prepared for your arrival. Please excuse the oversight."

"It's alright. It was explained to me," I said. "You know why I'm here don't you?"

"Oh yes," he answered.

"But you're not one of them are you?"

"No, my position as the caretaker here is something different. You could say I'm an organizer, a secretary of sorts," he said, buttering a roll.

"How did you start here? I mean why you?"

"I inherited the position. My family has a unique relationship with the Cognomina. The men in my family have been caretakers here for five generations. We are the only people in the world they can completely trust."

"How long have you been here?"

"I took over after my father's death in 1974."

I thought about his answer as I ate. "Poppy said the last newcomer, the last neophyte, to enter was in the 1920s, so you've never received someone like me."

"That is correct sir. It's a first for both of us you might say," he said reaching for his drink. "Please let me know if there are any inadequacies in the accommodations."

"Everything is great so far. But I might need you to make a map for me, something that points out places of interest nearby if it's no trouble. I want to explore a little and Poppy said she had an appointment, so it looks like I'm solo tonight."