As Christian helped himself to read the contents within the books strewn about and the notes therein, Florian returned with another young man: hair disheveled and wet, no shirt, and trousers rolled up from the bottom with no shoes on either. He was Thomas, and he was patient in his actions, taking his time to make his next moves. They entered without alerting Christian to their presence.

"Do you enjoy reading the private writings of others?" Florian asked.

Christian jumped in his seat. "No...just...I never realized General Bergmann was interested in experimental sciences."

"He isn't. I am," Thomas said. "Thomas Bergmann," he said as he extended his hand.

Christian shook Thomas' hand in kind.

"I'm sorry you had to come all this way just to hear bad news," Thomas said.

"What do you mean?" Christian said.

"We aren't accepting any new members into the lodge at the moment. Not anytime soon, really."

"Oh..."

"We've been experiencing difficulties with our experiments and in our studies, besides, with the war drawing closer to home--you understand."

"O--of course."

"But Florian told me about you. He showed me some of your research. If you can pass your entrance exam you just might be able to attend the academy."

"I..." Christian stuttered. "I missed the date for the exams."

"I know, but there's always next year."

Christian was left with his mouth agape. "And what am I to do for a year while I wait? I have no home to sleep in, no money for food, or--"

"There is a cafe called Le Chèvrefeuille by the waterfront. Just walk east and look for the statue of the sparrow. Ask inside the cafe for a woman named Valerie or a man named Arsène. They can give you food for free if you need it. Tell them Florian sent you," Florian said.

Thomas returned to the recesses of the house and Florian walked Christian out. The rain came down heavier than before with no rest in sight.