The three of them—Hess, Goebbels, and Kroeger—had driven through the night from Montbéliard to Munich, where Hitler and Ludendorff awaited a report of their meeting with Rheinhart. If the conference had gone well, Ludendorff’s plan was to be set in motion. Each faction of the Reichstag possessing any serious following would be alerted that a coalition was imminent. Promises would be made, threats implied. As the Reichstag’s sole member of the National Socialist party and its candidate for president the previous year, Ludendorff would be listened to. He was the soldier-thinker. He was slowly regaining the stature he had thrown away in defeat at the Meuse-Argonne.
Simultaneously and in twelve different cities anti-Versailles demonstrations would be staged, where the police had been paid handsomely not to interfere. Hitler was to travel to Oldenburg, in the center of the northwest Prussian territory, where the great military estates were slowly going to seed—massive remembrances of past glories. A huge rally would be mounted and it was planned that Rheinhart himself would make an appearance.
Rheinhart was enough to give credence to the party’s military support. It was more than enough; it would be a momentary climax fitting their current progress. Rheinhart’s recognition of Hitler would leave no room for doubt as to where the generals were leaning.
Ludendorff looked upon the act as a political necessity. Hitler looked upon it as a political coup. The Austrian lance corporal was never unmoved by the anticipation of Junker approval. He knew that it was his destiny to have it—demand it!—but nonetheless it filled him with pride, which was why he was furious now.
The ugly little Goebbels had just finished telling Ludendorff and Hitler of Rheinhart’s remarks about the Austrian.
In the large rented office overlooking the Sedlingerstrasse, Hitler gripped the arms of his chair and pushed himself up. He stood for a moment glaring at Goebbels, but the thin cripple knew that Hitler’s anger was not directed at him, only at his news.
“Fettes Schwein! Wir werden ihn zu seinen Landsort zurück senden! Lass ihm zu seinen Kühen zurück gehen!”
Scarlett was leaning against the wall next to Hess. As usual when the conversations taking place were in German, the willing Hess turned to Ulster and spoke quietly.
“He’s very upset. Rheinhart may be an obstacle.”
“Why?”
“Goebbels doesn’t believe Rheinhart will openly support the movement. He wants all the advantages without getting his tunic dirty!”
“Rheinhart said he would. In Montbéliard he said he would! What’s Goebbels talking about?” Scarlett found it necessary to watch himself. He really didn’t like Goebbels.
“He’s just told them what Rheinhart said about Hitler. Remember?” Hess whispered with his hand cupped in front of his mouth.
Scarlett raised his voice. “They should tell Rheinhart—no Hitler, no marbles! Let him go shag!”
“Was ist los?” Hitler glowered at Hess and Scarlett. “Was sagt er, Hess?”
“Lass Rheinhart zum Teufel gehen!”
Ludendorff laughed out of the corner of his mouth. “Das ist naiv!”
“Tell Rheinhart to do as we say or he’s out! No troops! No weapons! No uniforms! No one to pay for it all! I don’t pay! No place to train them without the inspection teams on his back! He’ll listen!” Scarlett ignored Hess, who was rapidly translating everything the former said.
Ludendorff broke in on Hess as he finished interpreting.
“Man kann einen Mann wie Rheinhart nicht drohen. Er ist ein einflussreich Preusse!”
Hess turned to Ulster Scarlett. “Herr Ludendorff says that Rheinhart will not be threatened. He is a Junker.”
“He’s a frightened, overstuffed tin soldier, that’s what he is! He’s running scared. He’s got the Russian shakes! He needs us and he knows it!”
Hess repeated Scarlett’s remarks. Ludendorff snapped his fingers in the Heidelberg fashion, as if mocking a ridiculous statement.
“Don’t laugh at me! I talked with him, not you! It’s my money! Not yours!”
Hess did not need to translate. Ludendorff rose from his chair, as angry as Scarlett.
“Sag dem Amerikaner dass sein Gelt gibt ihm noch lange nicht das Recht uns Befehle zu geben.”
Hess hesitated. “Herr Ludendorff does not believe that your financial contributions … as welcome as they are …”
“You don’t have to finish! Tell him to go shag, too! He’s acting just the way Rheinhart expects!” Scarlett, who had not moved from his position against the wall, pushed himself away and sprang forward effortlessly to his full height.