English Translation

12 Copy translation of a smuggled letter from the prisoner R i c h te r , dated 27.l2.39. My True. Lida and children. I thank you for the letters I have received in Br.. I believe they have strengthened me. I beg your forgiveness that I have brought you into such inconveniences. The European crisis has shaken me and throws me around like a misguided leaf. I am prepared for everything, even for the worst. I don't want to scare you, but I do want to explain that I have come into a new situation mentally, morally and physically and that I do not suffer in any way. I surrender my destiny, I do not accuse anyone of anything, and I ask all of you to forgive me. I am still waiting for the course of things that I cannot influence. I don't suffer from fear, from no terror, and as a whole I sleep well. I'm not missing anything, because I want nothing. Remember, faithful Lida, that I've always been a philosopher, if you want a Christian...... One thing, however, lies in my heart. It is not impossible that our basis of existence is disturbed. I therefore see no other way out than to turn to our relatives humbly, perhaps also to acquaintances. Brother K a r l , because of our brotherly love I ask You sincerely, accept You to our family, be a second father to my children. I would welcome it with pleasure, if you would adopt D u s a n, I hereby give my consent. D u sa n is the only bearer of my name. I do not know what possibilities there are for Dusan, it is for me that he comes into an appropriate decent life. For the same thing that I ask concerning Dusan Karl, I also ask the aunt J a r m i l a to accept my daughter. I also request V e r a and (unreadable) her consent. I see faithful L i d a at M i l o s a refuge, he will not marry any more and you would lead the household very well. If you agree with these proposals, then give me the understanding that you explicitly mention Karl, Jarmila, Milos in the letter. Address: German police prison, Prague Pankratz.