On December 12, 1923, in Munich, someone rang the door of the apartment at Römerstraße 12—beggingly and politely.
“Who is it?” the man asked, standing by the doorframe so that, if a shot happened, it wouldn’t be able to reach him.
“Your friends from the headquarters of the National Socialist Workers’ Party of Germany.”
The man opened the door; he slowly, carefully studied the newcomer—a young man with a high forehead and blue eyes slightly slanted upward. His appearance suggested impatient intent, yet at the same time it was calm.