>>6012082Count von Schulenberg (51SW)
We are greeted at the door of Count Von Schulenburg's residence by a man whose glare is unfriendly and forbidding. His walrus mustache and stiff bearing remind us more of a sergeant in the Prussian guard than a butler.
Before the man can shut the door in our faces, as he shows every sign of doing, our companion spews forth a stream of guttural sounds in a language that must bear some resemblance to German, for the butler steps back, clicks is heels, and admits us. Our companion, for his part, cannot resist a mischievous wink in our direction.
Count Von Schulenberg sits waiting for us behind his desk in the study. Physically he's a bit of a surprise to us. Short and rotund, he looks slightly absurd in his tight-fitting uniform, more like an overdressed tram conductor than a military man. We suspect, on the evidence of a half-filled glass of clear liquid on his desk, that his florid complexion is due as much to his penchant for tippling as to the tightness of his collar.
If his stature and shape, his rosy cheeks, grey hair and whiskers-- his bushy side whiskers loop down to his chin and back up to connect with his mustache-- put us in mind of Ol' Saint Nick, his manner conjures up a very different image. He is very cold, devoid of any emotion save possibly anger. He notices my attention to a magnificent gun collection which fines one wall and asks me, in a flat tone of voice suggesting disinterest in an answer, if I have a liking for guns. I barely begin a reply before the Count cuts me off.
"Now gentlemen, what is your business?"
We explain our mission and ask if we may put some questions to him. We take his stony silence as consent to do so.
"Were you aware that Grant Arms Company was developing a new weapon for the British government?"
"I knew of such a weapon, of course, but no details concerning it. But since no company can compete with our own [Krupp Works], I was not very interested.
"Do you remember where you were in the evening of March 9th?"
He raises an eyebrow with an implication of the question. While he is deciding whether to answer or not, he lights a cigarette. We can't help but notice the B&H on the cigarette. Finally he speaks.
"I recall quite well. I went to the home of Hector Del Guerra, Military Attache to the Spanish government."
(cont.)
