Onkel reveals to his nephew that he and Dieter Kruger, the Communist the nephew was investigating, share a secret bond of complicity in a murder from 1923. Onkel explains that in 1923, he gave permission for Doll's paramilitary unit to beat a suspected "traitor" in Parchim. However, Doll and the others stayed too long at the pub and overdid it in the woods, killing the man. Onkel served a year in prison, while Doll received a 10 year sentence but only served 5. Therefore, Onkel considers Doll to have taken the fall for him.

1. ‘. . . I was thinking. Now I’m down here I may as well look in at the
Brown House.’
‘What for? It’s one big cobweb.’
‘Mm. But they’ve got the SA stuff for ’33 and ’34. You never know.’
‘Who are you after exactly?’
‘Oh. Some Communist.’
‘Name? . . . Wait. Don’t tell me. Dieter Kruger.’
I was sharply surprised, but I went on languidly, ‘Yes. Kruger. How
odd. And why’s it so funny, Onkel?’
‘Dear oh dear. Oh, dear oh dear oh dear. I’m sorry.’ He coughed, and hawked
into the fire. ‘Well. In the first place the whole Kruger business is an absolute
hoot. It always sets me off. And now, Neffe, to add to the gaiety of nations, you
my boy, unless I’m very much mistaken, you my boy are stuffing Frau Doll.’

2. ‘Not so, Onkel. In the Kat Zet? It’s hardly the
place.’ ‘Mm. A bit on the grim side, I imagine.’
‘Yes. A bit on the grim side. Now hang on, sir. You’re too far ahead of
me. I’m lost.’
‘All right. All right,’ he said and wiped his eyes. ‘In early November I got a
teletype from the Commandant. About Kruger. Haven’t answered yet, but
I’ll have to. See, the thing is, Neffe, he and I have a sacred bond.’
‘What a one you are for surprises tonight, Onkel.’
‘The most sacred bond there is. More hallowed than the marriage vow.
Complicity in murder.’
‘Oh. Do tell.’
‘Finish this, Golo,’ he said, handing me the cognac. ‘There. Early ’23, Neffe.
Doll’s paramilitary unit identified a “traitor” in its midst. In Parchim. I was innocent,
your honour! All I did was pass on permission for a beating. But Doll and his boys
stayed too long in the pub, and then overdid it in the woods. I served a year.

3. Don’t you remember – no camping that summer? Doll got ten. You could say he
took the fall for me, a bit. Served five. Anyway, why’s he bothered about