Mortal Mischief

indicating that he didn't need to justify himself.

'Well . . .' said Rheinhardt, puffing out his cheeks, hopelessly searching for words that might express his surprise.

39

'EXCUSE ME, STEFAN,' said Liebermann, leaning forward and sniffing around the lapels of Kanner's jacket. Kanner's posture stiffened with embarrassment and discomfort.

'Well?' said Kanner.

'Not a trace.'

'Nor should there be. This suit was collected from the cleaner's this morning and I took my shirt straight out of the airing cupboard – it hasn't been anywhere near my wardrobe.'

'Excellent. Are you ready?'

'Yes,' said Kanner, although the tone of his voice suggested quite the opposite.

Liebermann slapped his hands on Kanner's shoulders and gave him a good-humoured shake.

'You'll be fine. Trust me.'

He opened the door for Kanner who reluctantly stepped out into the corridor. They walked its length and began to climb the austere stone staircase.

'I asked Nurse Rupius to meet us at nine-thirty.'

'Max, if your experiment makes me look foolish in any way – I will expect to be compensated.'

'Dinner at the Bristol?'

'Done.'

'But you won't look foolish.'

When they reached the second floor, the two men turned along a narrow passage, on either side of which were examination rooms. 'This is the one,' said Liebermann. Pausing for a moment, he looked at his wristwatch. 'We're late.' He turned the door handle and pushed the door wide open.

Inside, Nurse Rupius and Miss Lydgate were sitting next to each other.

The nurse stood up: 'Doctor Liebermann, Doctor Kanner.'

Her cheeks flushed a little.

'Good morning, Nurse Rupius,' said Liebermann. 'And Miss Lydgate – good morning.' Turning, and gesturing towards his friend, Liebermann said, 'Miss Lydgate, you will no doubt remember my colleague, Doctor Stefan Kanner.'

The English woman looked at Kanner, her gaze limpid.

'I do not recollect being formally introduced.'

Kanner executed a small bow and advanced with caution, keeping his gaze trained on the patient.

'Doctor Kanner is here today to examine your throat,' said Liebermann. 'He has much experience of treating nervous coughs and bronchial disorders, and I would very much value his opinion.'

Liebermann took a step backwards, leaving Kanner standing on his own.

'How are you feeling today, Miss Lydgate?' asked Kanner, very tentatively.

Looking up, Amelia Lydgate stared into Kanner's bright blue eyes.

'I do not believe, Doctor Kanner, that there has been any change in my condition.'

'I see,' said Kanner, moving forward warily. As he did so, Miss Lydgate's left hand flew up and Kanner stopped dead in his tracks. The patient covered her mouth and began to cough. Kanner looked back at Liebermann who gave a single curt nod, urging his friend to proceed. Kanner took a deep breath and drew up a wooden chair.

Sitting directly in front of his patient, Kanner smiled, and said: 'Would you open your mouth, Miss Lydgate? As wide as you can, please.'

Lydgate opened her mouth and Kanner peered down her throat.

'Now, if you would just turn towards the window and tilt your head back a little . . . Good. Now say Ahhh.'

Amelia Lydgate did as she was told.

Kanner moved his chair forward, nervously glancing down at Miss Lydgate's unpredictable right hand. He opened his medical bag and took out a small spatula.

'This may feel a little uncomfortable.' He placed the spatula on her tongue and pressed down.

'Would you cough, please?'

She coughed.

'And again – a little louder. Thank you.'

He removed the spatula and handed it to Nurse Rupius. Reaching into his bag, he picked up a stethoscope.

'Please lean forward.'

Standing up, Kanner placed the chest-piece at several points on her back and asked Miss Lydgate to either cough or breathe in deeply.

'Very good,' he said finally, removing the stethoscope. As he did so, Nurse Rupius handed him the spatula, which she had disinfected and dried by the sink. He dropped the stethoscope and spatula back into his bag and closed the hasp.

'Thank you,' he said. Then, turning to Liebermann and picking up his bag, he added: 'The examination is complete.' He was grinning with relief.

'Nurse Rupius,' said Liebermann, 'would you take Miss Lydgate back to the ward?'

The nurse smiled, and pushed Miss Lydgate's wheelchair forward.

As Liebermann opened the door, he addressed his patient: 'I'll be along in a few minutes, Miss Lydgate, after I've spoken to Doctor Kanner.'

He closed the door.

'Well,' said Kanner. 'Quite extraordinary. Remarkable, in fact.'

'See? I told you it would be all right.'

Kanner shook his head. 'So it was all because of my cologne.'

'That's right. Minister Schelling wears the same one.'

'Minister Schelling?'

'Yes, Stefan – the man who tried to rape her.'

40

COSIMA VON RATH was struck by the change in Frau Holderlin's appearance. She looked much younger. Her hair had been dyed red, piled up in plaits and was held in place by a large tortoiseshell comb. She was wearing an exquisitely cut dress of scarlet tulle, with light brown doeskin shoes that matched her stockings precisely. The overall effect of the transformation was marred, however, by the persistence of her nervous blinking.

'He is a strange man,' said Cosima, 'without a doubt. However, I fear that he is also a bad man.'

Frau Holderlin offered the heiress some more tea and guglhupf – which she politely declined.

'It was delicious, Juno – but I cannot eat another crumb.'

She appealed to her host by resting a hand on her bulging stomach.

Frau Holderlin nodded. 'I must say,' she continued, 'I've never felt entirely comfortable in the Count's company.'

'Do you know the story?' said Cosima, nonchalantly stroking the flowered chintz of the arm of the sofa on which she sat.

Frau Holderlin leaned forward. 'I've heard rumours, of course. Nonsense, I'm sure. That he—' She blinked twice. 'That he killed his father to inherit the estate, and then squandered the family fortune.'

Cosima laughed.

'He is a bad man, but I do not think that he would have killed his own father. The