wife’s lame friend. What are we to suppose — that while Vogl was examining her wasted leg he was overcome with passion?’
‘She could have seduced him. She could have offered him particular
‘And why would she have done that?’
‘To spite Frau Vogl.’
‘Frau Vogl was Frau Wirth’s friend.’
‘A beautiful, healthy, talented, successful friend — feted by society and loved by her husband. One could grow to resent such a friend if one was a lame laundry worker.’
Rheinhardt considered Liebermann’s proposal and shook his head.
‘No … you are wrong.’
Liebermann smiled.
‘I might be wrong — but not
‘What are you doing tomorrow?’
‘Actually, I’m having the day off.’
‘Then I hope,’ said Rheinhardt, ‘you haven’t arranged to do anything important.’
55
LIEBERMANN AND RHEINHARDT MET mid-morning for coffee and proceeded directly to Frau Vogl’s salon. On entering, they found the vestibule empty. They waited a few moments to be received but no one came to greet them.
‘What do we do now?’ asked Rheinhardt. Liebermann pointed to an electric bell push mounted on the wall and pressed it.
A faint ringing emanated from somewhere within the building.
In due course, the door at the rear of the vestibule opened and a young woman with blonde hair entered. They both recognised her from their visit to Frau Vogl’s house.
‘Inspector,’ said the young woman.
‘Fraulein,’ Rheinhardt responded, bowing.
‘Was Madame expecting you? She didn’t say—’
‘No,’ Rheinhardt cut in. ‘Frau Vogl wasn’t expecting me; however, I would be most grateful if she would spare us a few minutes of her valuable time.’
‘What shall I tell her?’
‘That I wish to speak with her.’
‘In connection with …?’
‘A matter of utmost importance.’
‘Madame is upstairs with the machinists. I’ll let her know that you’re here.’ Then she curtsied and excused herself. The sound of her footsteps — remarkably heavy for a young woman — could be heard as she made her ascent.
Several minutes later the figure of Kristina Vogl appeared in the doorway. She was wearing a blue dress which complemented her eyes and her dark hair had been skilfully arranged in a bouffant wave. A few loose strands hung down past her ears: a hint of dishabille which softened her features and carried with it a suggestion of the bedroom. Above her heart was a large brooch. It was square-shaped, partitioned into quadrants by a silver cross, and each of these quadrants was filled with colourful semi-precious stones.
‘Inspector,’ Kristina said warmly. ‘What a surprise.’ She advanced and offered Rheinhardt her hand, which he took and kissed. When he lifted his head, he took a step backwards, as if he could not tolerate standing so close to such a radiant being.
‘Frau Vogl,’ he said, unable to conceal his admiration.
‘May I get you some refreshment, inspector? Some tea, perhaps?’
‘No, thank you.’
Kristina addressed her assistant: ‘Wanda, is the reception room ready?’
‘Yes, madame,’ replied the young woman.
‘We’ll continue when I’ve finished with Inspector Rheinhardt and Doctor Liebermann. Run along now.’ Liebermann was surprised that Frau Vogl could remember his name — particularly as she had not taken the trouble to acknowledge his presence. ‘This way, please, gentlemen.’
She led them to a large room which so overwhelmed the young doctor that he found himself surveying his surroundings in a state of blissful enchantment. Being a devotee of all things modern he was almost incapacitated by the white lacquered walls and the long mirrors, the glass lamps and the elegant simplicity of the furniture. The cuboid table looked very much like the one he had purchased for his smoking room.
‘Beautiful,’ said Liebermann. ‘Is the decor by Moser?’
‘Moser and Hoffmann: if you are interested, there are some examples of their jewellery-work displayed in the vitrine.’ Liebermann looked through the tilted window at the treasures displayed within. His attention was immediately captured by a bracelet, made from coral salamanders. ‘Please,’ the hostess continued. ‘Do sit down, inspector.’
Rheinhardt waited for Kristina to settle before lowering himself onto one of the hoop-backed chairs.
‘Herr doctor …’ said Rheinhardt, looking up at his friend. ‘Would you care to join us?’
‘Of course,’ said Liebermann, a little embarrassed. ‘My apologies.’
With some difficulty, he pulled himself away from the vitrine. Taking one of the vacant places, he addressed Frau Vogl: ‘Delightful. I am very fond of Moser. I have a table just like this one.’
‘By Moser?’
‘Yes.’
Kristina’s expression showed that she was impressed; however, she did not enccourage Liebermann to elaborate. Instead, she turned to face Rheinhardt.
‘Inspector, I must congratulate you. When I saw the headline on the front page of the Wiener Zeitung … well, you cannot imagine my relief. My dear husband was so worried for my safety he would not let me leave the house without an escort! It is wonderful to be free of fear once again.’
‘Frau Vogl, you are most kind, but I did not catch Sprenger alone. Much of the credit for his capture must go to my colleague here — Doctor Liebermann — who, for professional reasons, prefers his police activities to remain unreported in the newspapers.’
Kristina glanced at Liebermann, somewhat uneasily.
‘You wanted to speak to me concerning a matter of utmost importance. I presume it has something to do with poor Selma.’
‘Yes,’ said Rheinhardt. ‘That is correct. There are some aspects of Fraulein Wirth’s circumstances which require clarification. You may be able to help us.’
‘Oh?’
‘You will recall that during our prior interview, you suggested that Fraulein Wirth might have found an admirer.’
‘I …’ Kristina hesitated and shook her head. ‘I really don’t know. I pitied Selma. Her life was never easy and she seemed to be the recipient of more than her fair share of bad luck. I was always hoping that she would meet someone. I think in my eagerness to see her happily married I rashly overestimated the significance of the small changes I observed in her dress and manner.’
‘Frau Vogl,’ Liebermann ventured. ‘What were these small changes?’
‘Oh,’ Kristina replied. ‘I can’t remember, precisely. She smiled more: I suppose one would say she was … I don’t know, more
‘And her dress?’ Liebermann pressed.
