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Page 10
A
few weeks later Hanussen found another assistant - far more efficient and
clever than the Baroness. His name was Dzino Ismet, an ex-officer
of Yugoslav origin. The clairvoyant met him in a night club where Dzino was
enjoying himself with two very young and pretty twin girls called Marion and
Margot. Hanussen "clairvoyantly" decided that two women were too
many for one man - especially when that one man was practically broke. He
made Dzino an offer: he would pay his debts if he became his confidential
secretary. "What
does a secretary working for you have to do?" the ex-officer asked. "A
great deal. To see much and talk little, that's the first rule. The
strangest people ask to see me, Dzino. They all have to wait their turn -
even if they are cabinet ministers. Some wait half an hour or two hours,
others two or several days. Before they are admitted, I must now their
names, whether they have money, whether they deceive their wives, what party
they vote and what they want - or do not want-to hear. I need a bright man
without scruples. I think you are the right one... What do I expect you to
do? Eavesdrop on conversations. Go through the pockets of their overcoats.
Pump their chauffeurs. Put a pretty woman on to them. Or private detectives.
Make them drunk! Tell me what illnesses they had and of what they are
afraid. Everything's grist to the mill. Do what you like but get me
information. Don't look so startled! Even a clairvoyant can't know
everything. I need someone who saves me the drudgery. You can make a couple
of thousand marks a month to start with - twice as much - and before long
ten times! You'll drive your own car. You'll marry the prettiest woman in
Berlin." He
shook the other man's shoulder as Dzino still stared at him. "Well,
what is it? You're near the bottom now, aren't you? You've even considered
marrying a greengrocer's fat widow, haven't you?" "That's
quite true," the ex-officer relaxed and laughed. "Why do you need
an assistant if you know everything?"
"Yes or no?"
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