After a convivial meeting with Hans Wilsdorf, David returned to Bern in the late afternoon with sixty Rolex watches, eight of them in a finely-fitted leather sample case. He also had bundles of brochures, certificates of accuracy, data sheets, order forms and calling cards in addition to a thick information portfolio to study.

Maria was in her suite when he knocked on the door. They kissed, then stood in a silent hug just inside until she finally spoke. "I sense it went well."

"Beyond my imaginings. Far beyond." He gave her a squeeze. "Let's lie in bed and pleasure as I tell you about it." He began undoing the buttons down the back of her blouse.

"Do you want to bathe first, clean and rewarm from the drive?"

"No need. The enclosed coachwork keeps not only the dust out, but also the weather, and the heater kept me comfortably warm the entire trip. The Lancia is far finer to drive than the lorry."

Twenty-five minutes later, after having paused for Maria to focus on her third climax, David resumed his recount of the meeting. "So I get ten percent of the wholesale price for each watch order I receive. But the best part is, if I sell directly to a customer, rather than to a retailer, I also make whatever markup I apply."

"That's a fine incentive for you to sell directly to the Army officers, as if you need one." She giggled. "The opportunity to speak with them and have them share too much information."

"How did you find out about that, selling to the Army?"

"I added fact to fact to fact and got a whole bunch." She shifted her hips a little more vigorously. "You're going to Freiburg and Donaueschingen. There are major Army bases in each, and each is near rail lines you destroyed. You mentioned selling directly, so Army officers seem logical."

"You're very observant and —"

"I'm also very close to another... Oh, God..." She began trembling.

He held her tight as she convulsed, shuddering with her.

Freiburg, Germany — Tuesday 14 December 1915

After their morning exercises and a leisurely breakfast together, David had driven north to Basel and crossed into Germany, the border guard liking his story of assisting the war effort by providing the world's most accurate watches to the Army. He parked the Lancia in front of the gasthaus where he had met Maria, and he went in for lunch.

He sat at the same corner table as he had seven and a half months previously, and while he waited for his weißwürste unt spätsle, he reminisced. Unbelievable what has happened since I met her. What if I hadn't? Would I have made it safely across? Likely not. Probably would have been taken by a sniper at the weir at Eggingen like we saw.

He paused his thoughts while the frau served his lunch, then he continued. I was being careful to protect Maria and Rachel. On my own, I would have blundered into the soldiers' snare. God, life is so tenuous, so fleeting. Here, then not. I need to get back to the here, back to the now. He shook his head. Eat, David, then go play spy.

As he ate, he read the copy of Volkswacht, the local newspaper he had bought. A small article on the third page talked about the road through the Hell Valley still being closed with no estimate on its reopening. Toward the end of the article was mention that the earthquake had also closed the road and rail line between Triberg and Wolfach, adding that little information has been made available.

Following his lunch, David drove to the Kaserne and explained to the guard at the gate that he wished to display and demonstrate the world's most accurate wristwatches to the officers. After he had shown his calling card and the display case, he was taken to the guard office, where he repeated his request to the guard officer.

An hour and a quarter later, he was set up in the foyer of the Officers' Mess of the Badisches Infanterie-Regiment as the officers came in for afternoon coffee. His Rolex placard and the display case attracted immediate attention, and he engaged the officers in a lively discussion on accuracy. More stopped as they arrived, picking up brochures and examining the samples.

Within a quarter hour, David had made two sales and had confirmed to several inquiring officers that he would be here again at the end of the afternoon. In conversation with one, he asked if there was another route to Donaueschingen for tomorrow. "Ich lese in der Volkswacht, die Straße ist durch das Höllental geschlossen... I read in the Volkswacht that the road was closed through the Hell Valley."

"Ja, es gab einen massiven Steinschlag auf der Straße und der Bahnlinie am Freitag... Yes, there was a massive rockfall onto both the road and the tracks on Friday."

"Die Zeitung erwähnte ein Erdbeben... The newspaper mentioned an earthquake."

"Das ist für die Öffentlichkeit. Wir vermuten, dass es von Sympathisanten im Elsaß oder Lothringen gemacht wurde... This is for the public. We suspect it was done by sympathisers in Alsace or Lorraine. Many of the French-speaking there are still loyal to France."

"Was ist meine beste Route nach Donaueschingen?... What is my best route to Donaueschingen?"

"Nach Waldkirch, dann weiter nach Furtwangen und Vohrenbach... Up through Waldkirch, then across to Furtwangen and Vohrenbach. It's seventy kilometres, rather than fifty-five, and the road is much smaller and winding. It can't carry heavy weight, so the convoys —"

"Vielen Dank, ich sehe, ich habe ein anderes wollen zu kaufen... Thank you, I see I have another wanting to buy."

"Ich komme heute abend mit mehr Geld zurück. Ich will auch eins... I'll be back this evening with more money. I want one also."

"Welches Modell. Ich setze eins für Sie... Which model. I'll set one aside for you."

David enjoyed continuing interest and sales, and by the time he had packed up at nineteen thirty, he had sold seventeen watches and had gathered a good understanding of the effects the closed rail lines were having, not only locally, but through the region. He drove up the valley to Waldkirch and took a room for the night. This is easier than selling potatoes, and the harvest is far more valuable.