The Book of Kings by James Thackara

Author:James Thackara [Thackara, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lume Books
Published: 2020-07-31T22:00:00+00:00

7

David at once recognized one of the group as Hitler. His first impression was of someone his own height, a smug plebian of a type that he had never liked.

As the new arrivals gathered at the table, the politician, who was standing five steps away in a soldier’s coat, noticed the philosopher and his guest. With disconcerting warmth the man’s eyebrows rose, and David Sunda heard again the gloating tones that over the loudspeakers had recited conquered Russian cities. He felt his legs go weak, and his right palm rose defensively in a salute that he had never made before. There were introductions, and David—hearing himself introduced as Baron David Barthold von Sunda zu Saale—shook and kissed several hands with considerable charm. No one took much notice of him.

When the armaments chiefs were seated, waiters began to serve what looked like a Gemüseplatte. Hitler took a chair directly opposite Johann, facing the hall below.

And soon, like someone flailing in a strong current, David was entertaining these people with scenes from his return across Russia. He had quickly distinguished Doktor Todt from Hjalmar Schacht. And there was Goebbels, now engrossed with Johannes. David was about to mention the giant tanks he had seen in Siberia when he became conscious of a rumpled person seated on his right, gazing down over the rail. The hairless face turned to him.

“Baron Sunda?” inquired a cloying voice. “I was interested to hear from Doktor Godard that you would join us.”

“Professor Stodel?” David tried to concentrate. “Of the experiments with proteins and heredity?”

“You are well informed. And I was fascinated by your article on systems of global power.”

“I was unaware that Swiss journals were available here,” David said, trying to remember his argument at the time.

“Ha-ha! You underestimate the prestige of science in the modern state.”

Their exchange continued, despite a Wehrmacht officer who had just approached the table and bent next to Hitler’s ear. David felt momentarily calmed by the childlike self-confidence of the scientist, a person rewarded since youth for the pure contemplation of theory and natural law. The musicians below were playing “The Gold and Silver Waltz.”

“No, I liked that particularly.” Stodel reclined on the balustrade with his chin on his hand. “Your argument pushed the idea of legitimate rule to its furthest position; you mark the exact point of the crisis? Ah, but imagine our capacity to master populations through the study of what moves the collective will. Today a thousand dying Christs are insignificant beside the instinct of billions. We can sift and erase entire nations of undesirables, electrify the skies with our commands.”

More officers had come and gone through the low arches. In David’s head the turbulence intensified.

“What we must do is to recruit the enlightened minds from among our own peoples.”

“And liquidate the rest,” David offered, once again borne on the powerful current of these peoples’ unnatural confidence.

“Exactly so.” Stodel concluded with a sad smile. But before David could register alarm, he overheard more fragments from the politician now on his feet beyond the table of tea plates.

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