The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-05-27

Half an hour earlier the Ministry Of
the Interior telephoned for the third
time during the night offering the
help of the Reichswehr troops who
we're standing in readiness, but he
had refused it. The police COM
mander had promised him shortly
after midnight that all resistance
would be crushed by the dawn of
May 3rd Ten minutes later the
commanders car had left the presi-
dents villa with full powers for IN
hampered action and up to nov not
a single ineligible report had come
through from the Alexanderplatz.
Would it not have been better if he
had run across himself? But the
commander had been dead against
it,
NervouSly he put down his cigar.
Evidently he could not stand the
heavy tobacco any longer.
"Berger-what is the time?"
The official jumped. Two min
utes to six. sir After pause he
added. Perhaps some black coffee
would do you good, sir?" He made
2 Slight bow in his chair towards his
chief as he said it. When he OBJ
served that the president did NOT
take the slightest notice. he leaned
back again in his chair If all goes
we'll, he was thinking, Il shall per-
haps get two days additional leave.
But. by God wouldn't like to be in
his skin! What he must feel like
a fine social Democrat" His thoughts
became confused again.
The thick-set figure of the presi-
dent was standing at the window. He
pushed the velvet curtain aside. The
first cold. grey-blue light of dawn
came in the high window and ming
led with the yellow rays Of the cleo
trio chandelier, producing an IN
pleasant dead light.
Outside the wrought-iron gates the
president saw the ew-moistened he'll
NETS Of the police on guard. They
were kicking their heels to keep warm.
Behind the dew-laden gardens of the
quiet suburb a grey streak appeared
en- the horizon. The third of May!
The fat, perspiring face dropped
with soft sound against the cool
windowpane. The hours of inactive
waiting had eaten into the bull-like
brutality of the former metal worker
like devouring acid.
In the pale light of dawn, the flab-
by face Of the president with its ex-
preeSionless. CLASSY gaze, was frozen
to distorted yellow mask.
The telephone rang
The official jumped up and took
the receiver.
Halo. Halo. Yes. Yes. The
Presidents room. Yes. Speaking
Ye7. Yes. At once!'' The official
turned. receiver in hand
Northern district group command
on the line, sir-action commenced
five minutes ago."
Tire tired face of the president
relaxed-he smiled.
Crete took two and three steps at
a time as she dashed down the stairs
in number 3. Close behind her was
biiC UdLh-IldAtQ ldCbOly gin HUH
Manohs'. Doors slammed and were
bolted from the inside An iron pail
rolled noisely down the steps and
was left lying in a corner. From
the alley the heavy noise of an ar
mored car shook the house.
TAX . TAX tax tax rrrrrrtak
The short, sharp bark Of a ma
chine-gun. Plaster and dust fell
from the dirty grey walls of the pas
sage. A third person came out Of a
door which slammed behind him and
stumbled heavily downstairs behind
the two girls. 1t was still dark on
the narrow stairs.
The front door was torn open just
as Crete had reached the last step
in her attempt to escape through the
passage at the back. In the grey
light Of the morning stood the sharp
silhouette of man with rlumpled,
disordered hair. The left arm hung
stiffly down, black moisture trickled
over his hand. The paper boy Of the