His head snapped around with a semblance of his old speed, and he nodded. He turned back to the view, annoyed with himself. Two years ago, maybe three, he'd have heard the man coming. Sensed it. But the instincts had to fade, eventually. His skills had gone, and very thoroughly.

"Not at all," he said, finally, eyes fixing on the panorama before him again. "Your German is excellent," he replied, in English. "A trace of Swabian to it. You had a good teacher."

He paused, his still-clear blue eyes focused on the horizon.

"You are here for the reunion?" The man scarcely looked old enough.