"Ladies and gentlemen, we come to the high spot of the auction." "A particularly fine, later Derwatt." "May we see the painting once more?" "There are few Derwatts left on the market; this may be your last chance." "Lot 1 32." "I have several written bids." "I'll start at 1 7,500 marks." "I wouldn't bid so high." "I'm doubtful of it." "I had that painting for three days." "Look at the colors." "The blue's not right..." "It'll be a sure-fire proposition in America." "In Texas they'll be grabbing for it." "Sixty-two thousand marks, Mr. Winter." " Satisfied?" " Very." " How's Daniel?" " He's fine." "Are you taking the painting with you?" "This didn't reach our reserve price." "You mustn't take that seriously." "Zimmermann's under a lot of pressure." "He's a good picture-framer..." "... butnolongeracompetentrestorer." "He's ill." "A blood disease." "Little hope of recovery." "The treatment's expensive, too." "His wife has to help support them." "You should be asleep." "Where were you?" " What woke you up?" " The noisy trucks." "We're staying home now." "May I leave the light on?" "Stop this drama, Tom." "Sixty marks, wasn't it?" "It's a bit more, I'm afraid." "Mother left it to me; my brother has no eye for art." "It's another twenty marks." "It will go into my bag." "Eighty marks." "I'm very pleased with it." "You're a sly one." "I'll put it up in its old place." "Eighty marks!" "My German is terrible." "Make me a frame." "Not with the left hand!" "Daniel, no!" "You were dreaming." ""l was shocked to hear that your illness is worse." ""l was embarrassed to speak to you about it." ""Let me know if money is a problem." "I'll be in New York for three weeks."" "That's right, he's in Canada." ""What are friends for?" "You must not give up." "Yours." "Allan."" "Written at the airport." ""... yourillnessis worse."" "Why didn't he speak before?" "Who told him?" "I should be the first to know." "BACK SHORTLY" "My most interesting patient..." "... butI 'venotimetoseeyounow." "I just need a minute." "At my last examination, were the results really unfavorable?" "You saw the test reports..." "... andwediscussedthem." "There are no alarming developments." " Do you feel worse?" " Not at all." "It's just that a friend of mine has heard somewhere that I ..." "... haven'tmuchlongertolive ." "Where did this friend hear such nonsense?" "Not from me." "Your condition remains unchanged." "It's rumor-mongering." "Your wife's gone to the post office." "You spoke to Allan Winter before yesterday's auction, Herr Gantner." " Did you talk about me?" " No." "Why?" " You know about my illness." " But I'd never discuss it." "Someone's been spreading an idiotic story about me." "It can't have been done maliciously." "My name is Raoul Duplat." "You don't know me." "Do you speak French?" "You're out of breath; you know you shouldn't over-exert yourself." "So you noticed." "You left your scarf and cap here." "I wanted to ask you to take the next sample now." "I was just going home." "Please, I'd feel easier in my mind." "Herr Zimmermann, I wanted to tell you earlier." "In your situation there is no certainty." "No doctor in the world..." "... couldguaranteeyoufiveyears, one year, a month." "Where could he have heard?" "The doctor says it's all nonsense." "He says I shouldn't worry;" "my condition is unchanged." "It's only a rumor." "Gantner knows nothing about it, or so he says." "Daniel, my son." "Will he remember me?" ""My father had a moustache."" ""We lived near the harbor."" "It's starting all over again." "The last time was three months ago." "Now it's starting again." "I was on my way to you." "How were the tests?" "The results can't be ready yet." "We only sent the samples to the laboratory this morning." " Perhaps they're ready." " Check with me in two days." "You could telephone now." "It's pointless - there are no results yet." "Sometimes I can't make you out." "Anyway, the results will be the same as the last." "What if they're worse?" "Sometimes I think you'd like that." "I'm going to Paris." "Why?" "A client has got me an appointment at the American Hospital." "They have specialists." " You're leaving tonight?" " Tomorrow morning." "Very early." "The flight is at 7:30." "All because of the telegram?" "It worried me very much." "I'd like to know how things really are." "If I put it off, I'll never do it." "Suppose the telegram wasn't from Allan?" "Who else would have sent it?" "Mommy, shall I answer it?" "Ask who it is." "No, only my mother." "The doctor." "She isn't here yet; she's just coming." "Idiot, you look in the side, not the top." "Idiot yourself!" "Daniel, be careful with those things." "He isn't here today, he's in Paris." "I thought you knew about it." "Any message for him?" "is the Reeperbahn still as exciting?" "Are you Swiss?" "I studied in Berne." "But you're Swiss, too." "From Zurichhegel." "Then you can stand a lot." "Have you hurt yourself?" "We saw you from the window." " l thought you'd be back this morning." " l took the first plane." " Did you bring me anything?" " l'm sorry, I had no time." " Have you been bleeding?" " Just a bit, nothing serious." "What did the doctors say?" "They can't say if it's worse until they've seen my case notes." "Our doctor must send them." "There wasn't time to tell you this morning." "The doctors in Paris advanced me some money..." "... becauseI 'llprobablyhaveto go there again." "That must mean it's serious, or they wouldn't give you money." "They're taking a risk and so am I." "And if it's successful?" "If it's successful, then I can live a few more years." "That was the Paris specialist." "He'll be here tomorrow on business and he wants to see me." "He wants to continue the treatment." "I don't believe you." "I simply don't believe you." "You went to Paris for quite another reason." "What sort of reason?" "How do I know?" "You never tell me anything." "Count me out." "Munich." "We really must be going." "Have a nice trip." "A present?" "I gave him one when he brought the engraving." "You seem to know him well." " Hello, a letter for Zimmermann." " Thank you." "A friend is in there." "He's sick... a friendof ours." "It's occupied." "It's busy." "Ticket, please." "Just a moment." "This time I've brought you something." "What is that?" "It's a gyroscope - that's what it's called." "Your hand shook, but you threaded it." "I've had enough!" "Who was that?" "Your specialist again?" "I'd like to know the truth, for once." "Don't tell me tales about check-ups, not on a Sunday." "I'm sure your sudden trips are part of Gantner and Ripley's crooked deals." "What dirty work are you doing?" "What are they paying you?" "I've had enough of your skulking, lying." "Please be quiet." "I feel so deserted by you, so betrayed." "The worst is that you're using your illness to deceive me." "What do I care what you're up to with your American friend?" "Be glad you know nothing about this." "No, that's not it." "Where were you on the train?" "You don't want anything?" "I've heard of you." "97,000 marks!" "Where from?" "The doctors in Paris and Munich have made a bet." "A bet on my life." "Who do you think will win?" "That's the stake." "You're mad." "I get nothing out of it." "Swine!" "I've looked for you everywhere." "Let's go home." "We can discuss things." "In peace and quiet." "I've seen the doctor." "You were deceived in Paris." "Those medical reports were faked." "Let's go home." "You needn't explain now." "Try to sleep a little." "Where's he going?" "I think he wants to get to the sea." "Shouldn't I drive?" "I'll make it to Hamburg." "Back to Daniel." "One day you'll have to explain everything to him." "Marianne, it's getting so dark."