Part Three: The Growing Conflict — Chapter 6 - The Barman of the Ritz

What the devil can she be up to?

It is ten to four and there is not a minute to spare. In the staff cloakroom, Frank is pacing up and down. The acrid smell of sweat stings his nostrils, although they are numbed from the cigarettes he has been chain-smoking all morning.

For the hundredth time, the barman pats his pocket. In it is the note he hastily wrote as soon as he and Elmiger parted, a note warning Blanche of the danger she is facing and of his off-the-cuff lie about her father being a deacon in Cleveland.

As long as she sticks to the story, this whole thing will blow over.

But he needs to get the message to Blanche before Süss questions her. The idea of Frank going up to the Auzellos’ apartments, even on the pretext that they have ordered champagne, is unthinkable: the risk of being spotted is too great. He had racked his brains, frantically trying to think of a way to get the note to Blanche before it was too late. If only there were someone—anyone—among the staff he could depend on. Then he remembered Marie Sénéchal. He has helped and advised her in the past, he knows she trusts him; she will help him get the message to Blanche. After all, Marie used to work as chambermaid for the Auzellos. Claude and Blanche are fond of her. Frank feverishly checked the staff rota: Marie is due to start her shift at four o’clock. Five minutes from now.

Where the hell can she be?

Finally, the door opens and a light flickers on.

Hiding behind a wooden locker, Frank peers out to make sure that it is her, only emerging when he sees who it is. Marie Sénéchal gives a start.

“Monsieur Meier?”

“Hello, Marie,” Frank says in a whisper. “I needed to see you.”

Her surprised expression gives way to one of fear.

“Am I going to be fired?”

“No, no, not at all! Why would you think such a thing?”

“Something terrible happened today.”

Frank feels a wave of panic.

“What happened? Tell me.”

“Anna was dismissed. They accused her of being a German officer’s mistress.”

“Yes, yes, I know that,” Frank whispers, relieved.

“No, you don’t understand…” She bursts into tears. “It wasn’t Anna… it was me!”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m the one who fell in love with a German, not Anna.”

Frank tries to get his thoughts in order. Ever since this morning, things have been moving too fast.

“Come on,” he says, taking her by the arm, “let’s get out of here. We’ll go to the pantry, there won’t be anyone there.”

As Marie Sénéchal walks on ahead, Frank can see that she is trembling.

“What is all this about?” he says in a low voice as they slip into the pantry.

“The head housekeeper Delmas, that old bitch, did it out of spite. The other day, Anna said she was going to complain to the manager about the drunk German officer who tried to grope her one night and Delmas told her to keep her trap shut. Anna called her a brothel madam and a bitch. They’ve been at each other’s throats for months. Madame Delmas has been pocketing the tips that are meant for us, and Anna had had enough. The rest of us told Anna to just let it go. Who cares if you’re being groped by some drunken officer. As long as you work hard at the Ritz, you’re safe. The stupid girl should have kept her mouth shut. Now she’s out on the streets. Please God she’ll find another job soon. Rooms are so expensive now in Paris.”

“But what about you? Who is this German officer?”

“Karl Sommer, General von Stülpnagel’s aide-de-camp. He’s a captain. I’m scared to death they’ll fire me too!”

Frank sits, flabbergasted. Marie puts her face in her hands and sobs even louder.

“You need to put a stop to this affair right away,” Frank orders gruffly.

“I can’t!”

“Why not?”

“I’m not a tart, Monsieur Meier. I really love Karl. He cares for me.”

Frank takes a deep breath and says sternly:

“Marie, you have to listen very carefully, do you understand? No one can know about you and this man. No one! You risk losing your job.”

“Yes, Monsieur Meier,” Marie hiccups, wiping her eyes.

“Now, I need to ask you a favor. It’s urgent and it’s very important.”

“Yes, Monsieur Meier.”

Frank takes the envelope from his pocket and holds it out to Marie.

“I’d like you to give this note to Madame Auzello as soon as possible. She likes you, she trusts you. I need you to give it to her in person. And no one can know I gave it to you, is that clear?”

“Yes, monsieur.” Marie looks a little puzzled.

Frank looks at her gravely.

“I’m relying on you, Marie. It is vital that Madame Auzello gets this note today.”

“I understand.”

“Off you go, then.”

“Yes, monsieur,” she says, and turns to leave.

Then Frank has a sudden idea.

“Wait a minute. You do the housekeeping for General von Stülpnagel, don’t you?”

“Yes…”

“Is he in the hotel right now? No one has seen him for some time.”

Marie hesitates. Frank watches her closely. She wants to say more, clearly, but she will need some gentle coaxing.

“You seem concerned, Marie. Is there anything else you want to share with me? Of course, if there is anything that poses a threat to the hotel, then you would be within your rights to tell me.”

“Yes, sir. Well, the general has been ill for the past week. There’s a doctor looking after him, but his fever still hasn’t broken. Me and the other chambermaids, we take turns sitting with him in the afternoon. It’s strange, usually he’s as stiff as a ramrod and his hair is impeccably combed. These days, he’s unshaven, his hair is a mess, his skin is yellow, and he’s a little delirious. I almost find myself getting to like him.”

“Do you ever chat to him?”

“We say hello and goodbye, but that’s all. Today he just dozed off.”

“I wish him a speedy recovery, Marie. Is that all?”

Marie nods.

“You look after yourself. And don’t breathe a word of this to anyone. Now, run off and give that note to Madame Auzello.”

“You can count on me, Monsieur Meier, I’ll go up right now.”