Человек в высоком замке

           "I’mtryingtoreadthisbook,forGod’ssake!"

           Itwashopeless.Heknewit.

           "AnothercodedradiogramiscominginfromBerlin."Pferdehufsaid."Icaughtaglimpseofitastheystarteddecodingit.Itdealswiththepoliticalsituation."

           "Whatdiditsay?"Reissmurmured,rubbinghisforeheadwithhisthumbandfingers.

           "DoctorGoebbelshasgoneontheradiounexpectedly.Amajorspeech."Thesecretarywasquiteexcited."We’resupposedtotakethetext—they’retransmittingitoutofcode—andmakesureit’sprintedbythepress,here."

           "Yes,yes,"Reisssaid.

           Themomenthissecretaryhadleftoncemore.Reissreopenedthebook.Onemorepeek,despitemyresolution.Hethumbedthepreviousportion.

           …insilenceKarlcontemplatedtheflag-drapedcasket.Herehelay,andnowhewasgone,reallygone.Noteventhedemon-inspiredpowerscouldbringhimback.Theman—orwasitafterallUebermensch?—whomKarlhadblindlyfollowed,worshiped…eventothebrinkofthegrave.AdolfHitlerhadpassedbeyond,butKarlclungtolife.Iwillnotfollowhim,Karl’smindwhispered.Iwillgoon,alive.Andrebuild.Andwewillallrebuild.Wemust.

           Howfar,howterriblyfar,theLeader’smagichadcarriedhim.