The Judge and His Hangman by Friedrich Dürrenmatt

Author:Friedrich Dürrenmatt [Friedrich Dürrenmatt]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781782273516
Publisher: Pushkin Press
Published: 2017-03-10T16:00:00+00:00

12

But he recovered. After the attack, he felt an unusual sensation: complete freedom from pain. He heated some wine and drank it in small, careful sips. That was all he ate or drank. He didn’t refrain, however, from taking his customary walk though the city and across the Bundesterrasse. He was still half unconscious, but the air was so pure, as if washed by the storm, that he felt himself reviving with each step.

When Lutz saw Barlach come into his office, he noticed nothing; perhaps he was too preoccupied with his own bad conscience. He decided to tell Barlach about his talk with von Schwendi right away, instead of waiting till the end of the day. For this purpose, he assumed a cold impersonal stance, puffing out his chest like the general in Traffelet’s picture above him, and briefed the old man in a clipped and curt telegram style. But to his boundless surprise, the inspector raised no objection. He was in complete agreement: pending instructions from the federal government, the investigation should be limited to an examination of Schmied’s life. Lutz was so surprised that he gave up his pose and became chatty and affable.

“Naturally I’ve found out some things about Gastmann,” he said, “and I know enough about him to be certain that he couldn’t possibly be the killer.”

“Of course,” the old man said.

Lutz, who had received some new data from Biel during his lunch hour, put on an air of assurance.

“Born in Pockau, Saxony, son of a leather merchant. Starts out as an Argentinian—must have emigrated as a young man, serves as Argentine ambassador to China. After that he’s French, usually away on some long trip abroad. He was awarded the Cross of the Foreign Legion and is known as a scientist, published several works on questions of biology. As for his character: the man was elected to the French Academy and declined to accept the honor. I find that impressive.”

“Interesting trait,” Barlach said.

“We’re still investigating his two servants. They have French passports, but it seems they’re from the Emmental. That was a nasty joke he had them play on us at the funeral.”

“That appears to be Gastmann’s sense of humor,” the old man said.

“He’s probably upset about the death of his dog. But we have even greater cause to be upset. This whole Schmied case is putting us in a very wrong light. We can count ourselves lucky that I’m on friendly terms with von Schwendi. Gastmann is a man of international cachet, and he enjoys the full confidence of Swiss industrialists.”

“Then he must be all right,” Barlach said.

“His character is above all suspicion.”

“Definitely,” the old man nodded.

“Unfortunately we can no longer say the same about Schmied.” With these words, Lutz concluded the conversation. He picked up the receiver and asked the operator to connect him with the House of Parliament.

But as Lutz sat waiting with the receiver against his ear, the inspector, who had already turned to leave, stopped and said:

“I have to ask you for a week’s sick leave, Dr.

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