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"Before my own conscience and in the light of my duty to the Fatherland I will not entrust such power to a party which intends to make use of it so one-sidedly ! . . . You are to be then in opposition! I trust you will oppose in a way that will be chivalrous, and I enjoin you in your future course to keep always in mind your duty to the Fatherland and your responsibility to the German people." Adolf Hitler made no promise, clicked his heels, bowed, left the room. He rushed into conference with other Nazi leaders before returning to his headquarters at Munich. Chancellor von Papen dashed in another direction to a Cabinet meeting. Old Paul took his cane and walked slowly under the linden trees in the Chancellery garden. Thus ended a week of as tense plotting, bargaining and intrigue as Germany has seen since the War. Hauptmann von Schleicher. The most important man in Germany today, the man who foresaw this crisis, brought it on and was confidently prepared last week to deal with it, was not at the fateful interview. Generalleutnant Kurt von Schleicher, Minister of Defense, sat at his desk in the War Office fingering a paper in his desk drawer which he has had drawn up for days. If published, it will declare martial law throughout Germany, and the indefinite suspension of the Reichstag and parliamentary government. Pleasant, unassuming Kurt von Schleicher was born in Brandenburg, not far from Berlin, in 1882. In 1900 he entered the army at the age of 18. in the midst of the great final period of the German Empire. Because of the von in his name and his family connections he was able to get a commission in the Third Guard Regiment as a Leutnant. Thirteen years later diligent Leutnant von Schleicher won a place on the General Staff and a promotion as Hauptmann (Captain). At the outbreak of the War Hauptmann von Schleicher found himself one of the office staff of brilliant, erratic General Ludendorff. Promotion came slowly. It was 1918 before Hauptmann von Schleicher won his majority. In the bloody days of 1919 German authorities suddenly discovered the usefulness of quiet, unassuming Major von Schleicher. When the remnants of the old army were being reorganized in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles he helped General Hans von Seeckt organize the Reichswehr and quietly took up a post in the Defense Ministry. In 1926 he became Oberst (Colonel), in 1929 Generalmajor, holding down a job that friends thought should satisfy him for the rest of his life—chief of the Ministry's Organization Department. Apparently he was devoid of ambition, a confirmed bachelor with a ready smile and a fund of smoking car stories. He delighted in large pale cigars and French red wine. He went stag hunting every autumn and celebrated every kill with a carefully chosen dinner. Last year three things happened to change his entire life. To the amazement of social Berlin, confirmed Bachelor von Schleicher married his cousin, became a Generalleutnant, and developed political ambitions.