Reluctantly, the policeman sobered. "Yes, what about him?"

"Well, he was American all right, but he’s spent a lot of time in Europe; in Germany, I think. I just realized it. What was it he said? ‘So, now we find out.’ No, it was, ‘So, now we see.’ That’s not American syntax. And he said it the way a German would: ‘So, now…we see.’ Americans don’t do that. The construction isn’t American, and certainly the rhythm isn’t. Could be he had German parents, but I don’t think so. I think he’s an American who’s been here a long time."

Lau was unimpressed. "I’m not sure I buy that. But please,"-he held up a hand as Gideon began to speak-"I don’t think I can handle another linguistics lecture. Doc, are you going to be in Heidelberg a while?"

"No, I leave Sunday morning for Sicily. I have to give some lectures there next week. But I’ll be back in Heidelberg the week after. Probably arrive a week from Sunday."

"Fine. I might want to get in touch with you."

"Okay, but I won’t be staying here. I’ll be at the Bachelor Officers’ Quarters. Cheaper. And a lot more convenient to the classes."

"Good idea. The BOQ will be safer, too."

"What do you mean? You don’t think they’ll come again?"

"No, no," said Lau, "I doubt it." A pause, then the sudden grin again. "I was thinking about your landlady over there by the sideboard. She looks like she’d like to poison you."

Gideon smiled thinly. "Yes. I think she holds me re sponsible for that broken mirror." "It’s not only that," said Lau. "She doesn’t trust you." "She doesn’t trust me?" "Uh uh. She never found the key you broke the mirror with, you know." "Well, yes, I assume one of those two guys-" "And she says you tried to steal it from her yesterday afternoon. You know she turned in a police report on that?" This was news to Gideon. "You’re kidding!" he said. "No, I’m not kidding," said Lau, but he was laughing again, and Gideon laughed along.