Somewhat unnerved by what he felt were Germanic currents in a man whom he had taken to be just an Italian intellectual who ate flowers, Strassnitzky cautiously argued that the records are secret, part of the War Office. How do you expect to match the number with the man? I haven't the slightest idea, Alessandro said, almost arrogantly, but God is directly in charge of all things relating to life and death. That I've learned in the war. You think God is going to get you the operations records of the Austrian army? I don't know, but if He were, wouldn't you imagine that the first thing He'd do would be to have me conveyed to Vienna?
Strassnitzky expresses discomfort with Alessandro, perceiving hidden Germanic traits in a man he initially thought was simply a whimsical Italian intellectual. He argues that the military records are confidential, questioning how one could associate identities with mere numbers. In response, Alessandro displays a certain arrogance, suggesting that divine providence governs all aspects of life and death, implying an unforeseen connection between spiritual guidance and earthly matters.
Alessandro's confident assertion about God's involvement raises doubts about Strassnitzky's skepticism. When challenged on whether divine intervention would indeed provide him access to military records, Alessandro provocatively wonders if such provision would lead to his straightforward transport to Vienna, emphasizing the randomness of fate amidst the war's chaos and his profound faith in divine oversight.
