Amanda on the Danube: The Sounds of Music

by Darlene Foster

  The door opened. They stepped onto the platform. Amanda turned to Leah and said, “Well done, my friend!”

  She glanced at the train as it left the station and noticed the man in the red coat and breeches still on board. She did a double take. Her eyebrows shot up. He was not a man after all. He was a woman. A woman who looked an awful lot like Enid Schmidt.

  18

  Back on board the boat, Amanda and Leah were able to hustle David to their room.

  Amanda crossed her arms and gave David her most serious look. “Now, we are going to dinner. Please, don’t answer the door. No matter what.”

  The young boy nodded. “Ja. I will not make that mistake again.”

  At dinner, Amanda’s mom asked, “Did you tell Jozsef about the violin, sweetie?”

  Amanda gulped. “Yes, I saw him in the hallway and told him. You were right, Mom. He didn’t seem to be too worried about it. He said not to mention it.” Amanda looked down at her plate and stirred her veggies with her fork. She hated lying to her mom and always had a feeling her mom could tell.

  She looked up and noticed a gold pendant in the shape of a treble clef hanging on her mother’s neck. “Mom, where did you get that beautiful necklace?”

  “Your dad bought it for me in Vienna today.” Evelyn Ross fingered the piece of jewellery. “I will remember this wonderful trip every time I wear it.” She beamed at her husband and the lost violin was forgotten.

  The girls brought food back to the room for David.

  “Danke. You have been good to me.” He took a bite of bread. “Is the violin still safe?”

  Amanda lowered her eyes. “Sorry, David. It’s gone.” She told him in a halting voice what happened when she tried to give it to the person she thought was a monk. “I feel awful about this. You trusted me to keep it safe for you.” She felt a lump in her throat.

  “It is these terrible people. I think they want it for another boy. I heard them talking. I think his name is…Sebastian. They took me from this room to get the violin. Maybe they thought that I would lead them to it.” Tears welled up in the boy’s eyes.

  “Maybe they took you away so I would give them the violin in exchange for your safety,” said Amanda.

  “What is so special about that violin, David?” asked Leah.

  “It is a family heirloom, left to me by my mother. I never knew my parents, they both died when I was a baby. I lived in a Kinderheime, a children’s home, until a kind farmer and his wife came and took me to their home outside Nuremberg. They loved it when I played my violin for them and said I had a natural talent. When they died in a car accident a few months ago, the farm was left to their older son who doesn’t like me. So, I ran away in the middle of the night with only my violin and the clothes on my back.”

  “How did you survive?” asked Amanda.

  “I made some money by busking.” David looked away in the distance. “I must have some family somewhere. Someone must know about my parents and the violin. I heard about Vienna, the city of music, and stowed away on this boat to get there. The maker of the violin is from Vienna; it is on the label inside.”

  Leah looked at the bandage. “So, how did you hurt your thumb?”

  “Some people chased me and tried to take my violin. I caught my thumb on a broken hook in a closet where I hid from them.”

  “I wonder if those people were Klaus, Enid and Sebastian.” Amanda knit her brows and looked at David. “What exactly does the label inside the violin say?”

  “Blaue Donau Luthier, Wien. It means Blue Danube Violin Maker, Vienna. Under that is also a number, 2897.”

  “Amanda, we told our parents we would go to the lounge and watch the entertainment with them.” Leah tugged at Amanda’s sleeve.

  “Yes, yes, we better go. See you later, David.” Amanda pulled out a can of Coca-Cola from her backpack and handed it to the young boy. “Here is something to drink.”

  Amanda noticed Jozsef in the lounge before the show started. She excused herself from the others and approached him. “May I ask you something, Jozsef?”

  “Ja, fräulein. What can I do for you?”

  “Have you heard of the Blue Danube Violin Maker in Vienna?”

  “Ja. That is where I had my violin made. They have been making violins for many years and are known for their superb craftsmanship. They have a shop in Budapest as well. I will stop in and have my violin serviced tomorrow.”

  “May I come along? I would love to see how they make violins and I have a question to ask them.”

  “But of course. I will be there after lunch. I can meet you at the front door. It is on the main street and has a sign outside.”

  Amanda’s eyes sparkled. “Thank you so much!”

  That night Amanda couldn’t sleep. She was excited to visit the violin makers and perhaps get some answers for David. Her thoughts drifted to David and his sad life. Thinking about her large family back in Canada—all her aunts, uncles and cousins—she couldn’t imagine not having a family.

  As the sun rose the following morning, The Sound of Music made its way down the Danube and into the city of Budapest. Amanda stood beside her mom on the top deck. She gazed in amazement at the majestic buildings on both sides of the water. They passed under many bridges connecting the two parts of the city.

  Michael provided a commentary over the PA system. He explained, “Budapest is actually three cities in one. On the hilly west bank is Buda, built in the thirteenth century and Obuda, the oldest, dating back to Roman times. On the east side is Pest, the largest of the three, still surrounded by the walls built to keep out invaders.” Excited to tell the passengers about his hometown he continued, “Gypsy violinists led Hungarian troops into battle in ancient times. Even today those melodies can be heard in the tunes of our fine musicians.”

  “I love this place,” said Amanda.

  “It does look like an interesting place to explore,” said her mom.

  “Then we better hurry. Let’s have breakfast and catch the tour bus,” said Amanda as she scampered down the stairs.

  The bus took them to Heroes’ Square where a tour guide met them. She pointed out the Millennium Column soaring thirty-six metres above, topped with a statue of the archangel Gabriel holding the crown of St. Stephan. Around the base of the column, horses carrying fierce warriors with pointy helmets, long coats, and big, scary moustaches stood ready to attack.

  Behind the tall column stood an impressive marble semi-circle colonnade. Statues of former kings and other important heroes in the history of Hungary stood between pillars. On top, figures of horses and chariots appeared ready to swoop down on the crowd at any minute. The tour guide, a university student, explained in detail the figures and their significance to the long history of Hungary.

  Leah leaned over and whispered, “This is dead boring.”

  “It is,” agreed Amanda. “Let’s look at the figures close up.”

  The girls scurried over to the colonnade.

  “Amanda, Leah, I need to talk to you.”

  “OMG! It’s Klaus Schmidt again. Hurry, let’s hide behind one of the statues.” Amanda pulled Leah closer.

  “You don’t understand. I—I want to help you find the violin.” Klaus huffed and puffed as he struggled to keep up with the girls.

  Amanda and Leah weaved between the life-like tarnished bronze figures. They peered around an old king and saw Klaus laying on the ground.

  Leah gasped. “It looks like he isn’t breathing. We need to see if he’s all right.”

  19

  A crowd gathered around Klaus. Amanda and Leah got to him just as Michael burst through the crowd, followed by Tabeeb. The two men leaned over the older man, ready to perform first aid. Klaus opened his eyes and sat up, pushing them away.

  “I am fine. Just too old to be running, that’s all.” He chuckled and attempted to stand up. He fell back down with a plop.

  “An ambulance is on its way, Mr. Schmidt. Please stay put.” Michael put his hand firmly on the old
er man’s shoulder. “Should we contact your wife?”

  “My wife?” Klaus looked confused for a moment. “Oh, no. That is fine. She will only worry.”

  Amanda noticed her father looking over at the crowd. “We better get back,” she said to Leah.

  “Everything all right over there?” asked Don Ross.

  “I think so. Mr. Schmidt, from the boat, collapsed. He seems to be OK but an ambulance is on its way,” replied Amanda.

  “It’s time to get back on the bus,” said her dad.

  To get to the Buda side of the city, the bus crossed Chain Bridge, guarded on each end by fierce stone lions. The tour guide explained that it was the first permanent stone bridge connecting Pest and Buda, and was constructed by the same man who built some famous London bridges. The bus took them to the top of Castle Hill and dropped them off.

  Amanda sucked in a quick breath. “I can’t believe this!”

  Surrounded by a gorgeous church with a colourful tiled roof and a stone building with seven gleaming white stone towers, she felt like she was in Disneyland.

  The tour guide pointed to the building with the towers and said, “I suggest you start by visiting the Fisherman’s Bastion, once a fish market. The seven turrets represent the seven tribes that founded present-day Hungary in 895. You will be able to take great pictures of the city and bridges from the long terraces. St. Matthias Church also offers many photographic opportunities.”

  The group climbed a stone stairway leading to an archway. High on an ornate pedestal, a statue of a majestic king, mounted on his horse, greeted them. A glowing gold halo encircled his crowned head. In his hand, he carried a cross. A plaque explained he was St. Stephan, the first Christian king of Hungary.

  “So, that is why so many things are named St. Stephan,” Amanda noted.

  Between the legs of the horse, she thought she saw a boy with curly blond hair looking at them. “We left David safely locked in our room, right?” she asked Leah.

  “Yes, of course. Why?”

  “I thought I saw a blond, curly-haired boy behind the statue.”

  “There is more than one boy with curly blond hair around here, you know.” Leah rolled her eyes. “Sebastian also has curly blond hair, remember?”

  “That’s true,” replied Amanda.

  “Wow, what a view,” remarked Amanda as they walked down the long terrace. She couldn’t stop snapping pictures of the Danube and the picturesque city through the carved archways. “These pictures are like postcards!”

  “May I use your mobile, Dad, to take some pictures and send them to my mates?” asked Leah.

  “Sure, just be careful with it.” Mr. Anderson handed Leah his cell phone.

  Leah took some selfies of her and Amanda with the city behind them. “These are crackers.” She hit send. “We’re going to take some pictures of the church now, Dad.”

  On the way to the church, the girls passed a dreadlocked knight in a red and white striped tunic, holding a large golden eagle on a gloved wrist. He looked up at them and smiled.

  “Cute,” whispered Leah when they were out of earshot.

  Amanda shrugged. “I guess so.”

  The church rose up in front of them. On top of the tallest spire, a carved black raven with a gold ring in its mouth perched on a gold ball.

  “Wow, does he ever have a bird’s eye view of the city! Don’t you just love these brightly coloured tiled roofs the churches have over here.” Amanda snapped more pictures. She noticed Leah staring at her phone with a scowl on her face. “What’s up?”

  “Well, I am totally hacked off now. That bloke, the one I thought was my boyfriend, is now hanging out with the girl I thought was my best friend. I am so off boys right now.” Leah turned the phone off and put it in her back pocket. “You were saying?”

  “I’m so sorry, Leah.” Amanda hugged her friend.

  “It’s OK. You are my only true friend anyway. Why don’t you stand by the church door and I’ll take a picture of you with your camera.”

  Another knight, wearing the same red and white striped tunic and a hood partially covering his face, appeared with a bird on his wrist.

  “May I have my picture taken with you,” asked Amanda.

  The knight nodded. Leah took the picture.

  “Thanks,” said Amanda.

  The knight leaned over and said softly, “I am watching you.” Then he walked on down the pathway.

  Amanda felt a chill run through her body and thought, ‘What did he mean by that?’ She took the camera from Leah and viewed the picture. The knight looked familiar.

  “Leah, look at this picture. Who does the knight look like to you?”

  “No way. He—she looks like Enid Schmidt!” Leah scratched her head. “What is going on?”

  They looked at each other and began to run after the knight. Dodging tourists, running around statues, and scattering a group of pigeons, they kept their eyes on the woman.

  They ran past the knight with dreadlocks.

  He yelled, “That person is not a real falconer!”

  “We know!” shouted the girls.

  The knight put his eagle on a perch and joined them in their pursuit. When they noticed Enid go up the stairs of the Fisherman’s Bastion, the knight held his finger to his lips and veered off to the left. The girls followed Enid up the stairs. But when they entered the square, she had disappeared.

  Leah pointed to the statue of St. Stephan. A splash of red could be seen between the horse’s legs. Amanda went one way and Leah the other. On the other side of the statue, they found the dreadlocked knight with Enid in his grip.

  “Let go of me, you brute!” The woman struggled to release herself from his firm hold.

  “We do not take kindly to people impersonating a falconer. It takes years of training. You need to know how to handle birds of prey.” With one hand, he picked up the falcon laying on the ground. “And what is this?” He shook the bird in her face.

  “I didn’t hurt it. It isn’t real.”

  “I can see that.”

  He handed the bird to the girls. “Would you like a toy falcon? Steiff toys do look very lifelike, don’t they?”

  Amanda placed her hands on her hips. “Enid, what are you doing? Your husband just collapsed in Heroes’ Square and here you are masquerading as a falconer!”

  “He is not my husband, you meddling little fool. You should mind your own business.” Enid spat out her words. “Where is that boy who thinks he is another Mozart? And where is that violin you were supposed to give to me for safe-keeping?”

  20

  This place is full of psychos and weirdos.” Leah shook her head and heaved a sigh. “We had better get back to the bus before it leaves without us.”

  The girls left the real falconer to deal with the imposter.

  “Where did you get the toy falcon?” asked Leah’s mother when they got on the waiting bus.

  “You could say a sort of knight in shining armour gave it to us,” replied Leah with a smirk.

  The bus took them back to the boat for lunch where Amanda devoured potato pancakes with sour cream and applesauce. “Yum, these are so good. I think I’ll try making them when we get home.” She took another bite. “I want to go back into town after lunch.”

  “So do I,” said Mrs. Anderson. “I’d love to do some more shopping. The shoes here are fabulous.”

  “Not more shopping!” Mr. Anderson chortled. “I best come along then, so you don’t buy too much.”

  They all took the short walk to the main street of town. Shops and restaurants of all sorts lined the crowded pedestrian street. Colourful kiosks, selling handmade crafts, toys, spices and other items filled the centre. Leah and her mother stopped to look at a rack of pashmina scarves. While they decided which to buy, Amanda scanned the shops until she saw a sign hanging over a small doorway:

  Blue Danube Violin Makers

  Her heart skipped a beat. “Mom, I want to look in that violin shop. I’ll meet you along here in
a few minutes.”

  A bell tinkled when she entered the shop. The smell of cedar and varnish greeted her. Violins of all sizes and shades hung from racks like dresses in a clothing shop. She looked up and saw more violins dangling from the ceiling.

  ‘How would you ever pick one from all of these incredible instruments?’ Amanda wondered.

  “I see you made it.” Jozsef appeared from a back room with a serious-looking gentleman. “This is the young woman I mentioned, Heinrich.” Jozsef introduced Amanda to Heinrich Mueller, the owner of the store.

  “You have a question for me?” asked Mr. Mueller.

  “Yes, I wondered if you could tell me anything about a violin you once made for someone. The number under your label is 2897.”

  The man stiffened. He pulled his round glasses down and looked over the rim. “This is unbelievable. You are the second person to ask me about this very same instrument. A young man brought in this violin just this morning, inquiring about it. I told him to come back this afternoon after I looked it up in our files. We keep records of all the violins we have made and sold over the years.” He pulled out a piece of paper from the file folder in his hand. “This particular violin was made in 1912 for the Steiner family. It is a very valuable instrument.”

  “What about the family? Does it still exist?” asked Amanda.

  Jozsef went pale. “Ja. This is my mother’s family. Her niece, Anna, was an accomplished violinist. She fell out with her family when she married a man her parents disapproved of. She died young, never seeing her family again. My mother has often mentioned the family violin that had been handed down through the generations. She told me that Anna was the last person to play it. She also thought Anna had two sons, twins I believe. They would be about ten years old by now. We have no idea what happened to them.”