The Shadowboxer by Noel; Behn Page A

mutilation of a corpse. The acuteness of his emotional response is reflected by the fact that more than eighty days elapsed before his next escape attempt.
    â€œWhich murder is he responding to,” von Schleiben interjected, “Tramont’s or Benke’s—or both?”
    â€œI would think Tramont’s death would have the greatest effect, Obergruppenfuehrer. It is the murder of someone he knows, someone he is very close to. It is quite possible that Spangler has few friends. I think Spangler felt not only the guilt of murdering a friend—even at the friend’s request—but the added guilt of having involved him in underground activities in the first place. The extent of his emotions toward Tramont is seen in the rage with which he murders and mutilates Benke.”
    â€œAnd after these double killings,” von Schleiben asked, “Spangler waits his eighty-odd days and then returns to test his number and location theories?”
    â€œI would say so, Obergruppenfuehrer. We see that he frees two—”
    â€œWhat other patterns?” von Schleiben interjected.
    â€œObergruppenfuehrer?”
    â€œWhat other patterns in the dossier make you think we are dealing with one man?”
    â€œHis methodology of assassination, Obergruppenfuehrer. Tramont and the prisoners were killed by having their necks snapped backward —a quick, easy way to inflict death. Gestapo, SS guards and Kripo had their necks snapped forward , a longer, more painful way to die. This second method also tells us of Spangler’s extreme strength. Few men are powerful enough to snap the human neck forward.”
    â€œWill he always kill by one of these two methods?”
    â€œI would think so, Obergruppenfuehrer. He may do other things to the corpse afterward, but the killing must be done with his own hands in one of the two ways already described. Might I have a glass of water?”
    Von Schleiben’s fingers drummed on the table top. “Do you think Spangler is coming for the Tolan woman?” he finally asked.
    â€œIt is my opinion that he will, Obergruppenfuehrer.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œThere are two possible explanations, Herr Obergruppenfuehrer. First, Spangler has joined forces with an organization which is interested in both Vetter and the Tolan girl. Spangler probably began his underground career working with a small religious resistance group, the group for which he freed his first three prisoners, the three priests. From that point forward he operated independently or with a few close associates at most. From that point forward his primary motivation was an all-consuming obsession with concentration camps. That is why, with the exception of Ebansee, he never raided the same camp twice. That is why, except for the three priests, he has never freed prisoners with similar occupations.
    â€œThe one thing the dossier shows us quite clearly is that never once has Spangler brought out a political prisoner. Now not only does he free Vetter, but he lets it be known he will come after Hilka Tolan, both of them convicted of political crimes. I therefore conclude that Spangler still is not interested in political prisoners—but someone else is.”
    â€œYou said there were two possible explanations for Spangler’s coming for the girl. What is the second?”
    â€œIt is more speculation than deduction, Herr Obergruppenfuehrer.”
    â€œI will be the judge of that. Proceed.”
    â€œIt is conceivable that Spangler is intentionally telling you when and where and whom he is after.”
    â€œAre you saying that Spangler is assisting in his own capture?”
    â€œIt is possible he has always been doing so, Herr Obergruppenfuehrer.”
    â€œExplain.”
    â€œSpangler’s dominant characteristic is his intelligence, quite an amazing intelligence. It is displayed everywhere we look. We see his ability to enter and leave concentration camps at will, to