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Halstead was pulling his own coat off the rack when Putzi returned the office phone’s receiver to its cradle. “Göring said he ‘understood.’ Where are you headed, mein Führer?” “To keep my appointment with Hoffman and let him know what a terrible weekend he’s in for. Keep on eye on headquarters with Geli for me, will you, Putzi?” Halstead asked, referring to the typist who had resumed her work. “Yes, mein Führer.” Putzi collapsed into a chair next to the telephone to call Hess. “I shall be back this afternoon.” Halstead rushed out the door and down the steps before hurrying off down the street to keep his hard-won lunch appointment with the Bavarian Premier.
############“I appreciate your concern for the well-being of both myself and Bavaria, Herr Hitler, but I must be frank and admit that I don’t give much credence to these rumors of a coup d’etat. The Army is angry, but they will get over it—” “Fine, do not listen to me!” Halstead snapped across the dining table at Johannes Hoffman, causing the Prime Minister, his two flanking aides, and the butler clearing the dishes to jerk back. Then, more softly, “I apologize for my outburst, but I feel very strongly about this. This time the rumors are true. In less than forty-eight hours, the Berlin government will be overthrown. Twenty-four hours after that, the local Reichswehr will take Bavarian matters into its own hands and throw you out as well. Gustav von Kahr will be installed in your place, as virtual dictator.” Hoffman looked nervously at the butler departing with a tray full of half-eaten bratwurst, potatoes, and sauerkraut. “Again—” “Do not ‘again’ me, Herr Premierminister! I am offering you the protection of my forces—” |