an older, stern-looking man, wearing a gown and talking about arithmetic. A blackboard on the wall behind him was covered in hastily scribbled formulas and calculations. Johann knew many of the terms, and he listened intently, holding his ear as close to the window as he could. It had been a long time since he’d last exercised his mind. He drank in every word like a man dying of thirst.
To his disappointment, the lecture was soon over and the students pushed their way outside. Johann gathered from their relieved expressions and scraps of conversations that they’d meet again for their next bender in just a few hours.
Johann waited a few moments before entering the room. The man at the lectern was packing his papers into a leather satchel. He was almost completely bald and very thin; his gown hung loosely on him like clothes on a scarecrow. He looked up with irritation, and Johann saw that he wasn’t as old as he’d first thought. He was probably in his late thirties, but his serious and dignified demeanor made him appear much older.
“The lecture has just finished,” the doctor said irritably. “If you overslept, ask one of your drunken pals to tell you what they learned today—although I doubt they understood anything at all.” He looked Johann up and down. “And wash yourself before you show up next time. You’re a disgrace to the whole university!”
“I . . . I’m not a student,” replied Johann uncertainly. “Are you Doctor Jodocus Gallus?”
The skinny man nodded impatiently. “Why are you asking?”
“I’ve got a letter for you.” Johann handed him the tattered piece of paper he’d carried next to his heart for so many weeks. Jodocus Gallus studied the seal and gasped with surprise. “A letter from old Archibaldus, after all these years! Is it true? I think I wasn’t even a magister yet the last time I saw him.”
He broke the seal, unfolded the paper, awkwardly put on his eye glasses, and read the letter. Finally, he looked back up at Johann. This time his expression wasn’t irritable but curious. He blinked at Johann from behind his glasses.
“Well, if Archibaldus is to be believed, you’re a veritable prodigy. Where did you meet my old friend from our student days?”
“On . . . on a journey to Venice. He was my teacher for a while.”
“And? How is he doing?”
“Oh, he sends his regards. He’s decided to stay in Venice a while longer—the climate agrees with his old bones, he says.” Johann thought he better not tell the doctor about the gruesome death of his friend.
“Ah, beautiful Venice! La Serenissima!” Jodocus Gallus gave a wistful smile. “How I’d love to be there with Archibaldus now instead of here in this stinking Palatinate backwater. They call it a university town, but in reality the so-called scholars do everything to prevent learning from happening. And those lazy students aren’t any better. Paris, Rome, Prague—those are modern universities, but Heidelberg? Bah! Even Leipzig has better and more advanced teachers.”
Johann decided to say nothing and just give the occasional nod while the doctor grumbled and moaned. Finally, Rector Gallus concluded his litany with a dismissive gesture. “But let’s quit lamenting. Archibaldus believes you’re a good student. Do you have money to pay for your matriculation? Any references?”
“No,” replied Johann. He still had a few coins left, but he knew that it would never be enough for the matriculation fees.
“Hang on—let me get this straight.” Jodocus Gallus raised his eyebrows, looking like a bird of prey about to swoop down on a mouse. “You have no money, you don’t come from a wealthy or at least honorable family, and you have no references other than this old rag?”
Johann shook his head dejectedly. Suddenly the whole plan seemed ludicrous to him. How could he have believed the university would take him in? Jodocus Gallus gave a roaring laugh.
“Typical Archibaldus!” He grinned. “Did you really think a crumpled letter from my old friend would be enough? I may be the rector, but I can’t do as I please. What would the chancellor say if I simply smuggled you in?”
“I . . . I’m sorry for wasting your precious time,” said Johann. He gave a shrug and gestured at the blackboard with the formulas from the lecture. “And I thank you for the introduction to Euclid’s fifth postulate. I listened to your lecture from outside and thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Gallus looked surprised. “You know Euclid’s elements?”
“Magister Archibaldus taught me,” said Johann in a low