Bellringer by J. Robert Janes

thought he was on to something juicy. ‘ Ach, I know nothing of such things. Colonel Kessler must have held this Chevreul woman of yours in high regard, for he specifically asked that if you thought it best, she be allowed to continue her valuable work. “It keeps them happy,” he said.’
    And so much for who was going to be held responsible for letting the séances and all the rest of it continue but. . . ‘Untersturmführer Weber told you this, did he?’
    ‘That is correct, since the outgoing Kommandant was no longer present to do so himself.’
    ‘Séances night after night?’
    ‘Sometimes two sessions if the sign of the Zodiac is in conjunction with atmospheric conditions, but no more than ten to fifteen in attendance at any one time. Otherwise, the spirits might become distracted.’
    ‘And ten times fifty American dollars. . . ’
    ‘Profitable perhaps, but ach, there are others of them who do it. The circle, the holding of hands with the eyes closed and thoughts concentrated, the table that tilts when the fingertips are pressed to it as the questions are asked by the medium who strives to make contact with the deceased. The crystal ball, as well, and the Ouija board, the palm readings too, and tea leaves—they get tea in those parcels of theirs, Kohler. Tea when we have none!’
    And so much for Jundt’s not knowing a damn thing about the spiritualistic goings-on around the camp. ‘But these other mediums aren’t as good as Madame Chevreul?’
    ‘I believe his very words were, “She is the only one who can do it.”’
    According to Untersturmführer Weber. ‘Had the Colonel tried others?’
    ‘Several, I gather. Weber will know.’
    ‘And the name of the Colonel’s interpreter? Just for the record.’
    Did Kohler already suspect there was a killer amongst those at that last Saturday evening’s séance? ‘Colonel Kessler spoke English, which he was perfecting, and perfect French. That was why he was chosen for this position.’
    ‘Then tell me, why was he recalled?’
    Certainly Weber had let Berlin know how things were, Jundt felt, but the recall had come with such short notice that one had to wonder. Perhaps it would be best, though, to offer some other reason so as to distance oneself further. ‘The languages, mein Lieber . With so many Allied prisoners of war to be interrogated, the High Command have had to make choices. Now, is there anything else?’
    The pork was even colder. ‘Just one thing, Colonel. Why on earth was that poor unfortunate girl’s body left at the bottom of that elevator shaft? Surely someone should have—’
    ‘Removed her? Is this what you mean?’
    ‘You know it is.’
    ‘Kohler, Kohler,’ he muttered, shaking his head in dismay at such insubordination. ‘Colonel Kessler had ordered that she not be touched until the two detectives from Paris had examined her. Need I remind you that you were to have been here late last Sunday or on Monday? An eight-hour trip becomes a delay of six days? The Untersturmführer had to have guards posted on every floor of that verdammt hotel to keep those bitches from trying to see her and destroying what might well have been valuable evidence. One can’t see her, by the way. Not from above. I made certain of that. The elevator shaft is far too dark.’
    ‘Did any of the doctors get to her?’
    ‘The Scotsman was awakened by one of those women who wore dark horn-rimmed glasses. A Sister Jane then asked that a priest be summoned and the last rites given.’
    ‘And were they?’
    Another cigarette would be best, the offer of one expected but withheld. ‘The Untersturmführer, as was correct, told her that, like everyone else, God would have to wait for you. That third-storey gate should simply not have been open. When I first arrived here four days ago, the Untersturmführer and I made a thorough examination of every facet of the camp. I tell you Kohler, that padlock was on and secure last Saturday at seventeen hundred hours,