The Other Side of Midnight

"Thank you."

Noelle replaced the receiver and hurried into the bedroom to check her luggage once more. There must be no mistake. The front doorbell rang, and Noelle went into the living room and opened the door.

General Scheider stood in the corridor, his chauffeur, a young captain, behind him. General Scheider was out of uniform and looked very distinguished in a flawlessly cut charcoal-gray suit and a soft blue shirt and black tie. "Good evening," he said formally. He stepped inside, then nodded to his chauffeur.

"My bags are in the bedroom," Noelle said. She indicated the door.

"Thank you, Fraulein." The captain walked into the bedroom. General Scheider came over to Noelle and took her hands. "Do you know what I have been thinking about all day?" he asked. "I was thinking you might not be here, that you might change your mind. Every time the phone rang, I was afraid."

"I keep my promises," Noelle said. She watched as the captain came out of the bedroom carrying her makeup case and overnight bag. "Is there anything else?" he asked.

"No," Noelle said. "That's all."

The captain carried the suitcases out of the apartment.

"Ready?" General Scheider asked.

"Let's have a drink before we go," Noelle replied quickly. She walked over to a bottle of champagne on the bar, resting in a bucket of ice.

"Let me." He moved over to the ice bucket and opened the champagne.

"What shall we drink to?" he asked.

"Etratat."

He studied her a moment and then said, "Etratat."

They touched glasses in a toast and drank. As Noelle set her glass down, she surreptitiously glanced at her wristwatch. General Scheider was talking to her, but Noelle only half-heard the words. Her mind was visualizing what was happening downstairs. She must be very careful. If she moved too quickly or too slowly it would be fatal. For everyone.

"What are you thinking about?" General Scheider asked.

Noelle turned quickly. "Nothing."

"You were not listening."

"I'm sorry. I suppose I was thinking about us." She turned to him and gave him a quick smile.

"You puzzle me," he said.

"Aren't all women a puzzle?"

"Not like you. I would never believe that you are capricious and yet"--he made a gesture--"first you will not see me at all and now we are suddenly spending a weekend in the country."

"Are you sorry, Hans?"

"Of course not. But still I ask myself--why the country?"

"I told you."

"Ah yes," General Scheider said. "It is romantic. That is something else that puzzles me. I believe you are a realist, not a romanticis

t."

"What are you trying to say?" Noelle asked.

"Nothing," the General replied easily. "I am just thinking aloud. I enjoy solving problems, Noelle. In time I will solve you."

She shrugged. "Once you have the solution, the problem might not be interesting."