Free A Certain Music by Walters & Spudvilas Page A

followed Herr Giersch past the weavers and across the floor to Herr Graf, who also pointed and nodded, and led the way through level two.
    On level three they paused.
    Heads turned as Herr Graf hurried to where the girl, on her hands and knees, was sifting through scraps. He motioned to her to follow him. She went with acceptance as she always had, not knowing what wrong it was that she might have done out of ignorance, or thoughtlessness. Or fear ...
    At the entrance to level three Herr Graf stopped. 'This is the one,' he said.
    The girl raised her head, she stared into gold buckles, gold braid, the colour crimson. At two men ...
    'She has the hair,' remarked the first. 'And the eyes are blue ... '
    The second carried a scroll tied with a ribbon. He held it out. 'Come here,' he said.
    The girl stepped closer.
    'Is that your name?'
    'Yes.'
    'This is for you.'
    Both men bowed briefly to the girl, to Herr Giersch and Herr Graf, and walked away.
    The girl clutched the thing in her hand. She looked for Rita.
    Workers gathered.
    'Open it,' came a voice, that of Herr Graf.
    Her hands were cold, her fingers stiff. She tugged at the bow. It fell loose and unwound the ribbon. The ribbon was blue. She gazed at the twisted thread ...
    'Go on.'
    She rolled out the scroll. On it were notes of music ...
    At the top were the words Für Elise .
    It was signed Ludwig van Beethoven.