“My Dearest Elsa,” Albert Einstein wrote as he began another
letter to his wife. “I am an old man now, but I’m about to take
what I believe to be one of the most important trips of my life. I
leave tomorrow for California. I must pull together all my
resources and quickly arrive. There is a call, I cannot explain it,
but I must follow.”
Bert mused over his words. “Would they say enough?” he thought,
“Can I even explain it to myself?”
Rather than continue to muse, he sealed the letter, called for his
assistant and asked her to post it right away.
“I am leaving for California in the morning. Please contact the
airport and get me a ticket on the earliest flight out,” he told
her.
“Where will you be staying?” she asked
“It’s not important. I will arrange for lodging and transportation
when I get there. I must leave as soon as possible. It is a matter
of great urgency!”
She left, shaking her head. Bert had been known for his
eccentricities, but this was more unusual than most. Why the haste?
Why the mystery?