When it was over, Mr. Kaufman seemed a bit stronger. He sat up straighter in the bed. "It was robbers," he said. "I think they were following the tent city around looking for trouble. The biggest one thought I was some rich idiot walking by myself in the woods. Decided he'd stab me for my money. I got back up. Then he panicked." He pointed at the half dozen stab holes in his side.
He put his head in his hands. "I am so sorry."
John didn't know how to feel about that. By now he'd figured out that his master was not normal, but John wasn't normal either. And why was there any reason to be sorry about that?
"So we're not going to Göttingen right now?" John said.
"I had an idea," Mr. Kaufman said. He made a wan smile. "Suppose you carry the ticket and I go as luggage. I think I could fit into a cello case, don't you?"
"If you say so," John said.
John stayed by the bed for a while and they talked about their plans to smuggle Mr. Kaufman to Göttingen. Mr. Kaufman was going to be all right. He was weak, but he was sitting up talking and he was interested in the future again. John brought him some books so he could read, then got up to leave.
"John."
John stopped, turned.
"You did a good job," Mr. Kaufman said. "Thank you."
John nodded, suddenly feeling overly formal, and bowed out of the room. He closed the door and he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. He'd done a good job. In the darkness of the hall, he broke into a big, secret smile.
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John of the Rhine Page 3