Chapter 3, Two Hundred Dirty Dishes Summary

The dishes have stacked up in Rudi's absence, and the waitress complains to Teo, the cook, about Rudi. Teo Zurbriggen is an old, crippled man who works with Rudi in the kitchen of the Beau Site Hotel. He defends the boy and makes up a cover story that Rudi is with his sick mother. The waitress doesn't believe him. Teo was injured leading the attempt on the Citadel with Rudi's father. Josef and another climber were killed, while Teo luckily escaped with a bad limp and a paralyzed arm. He still yearns for climbing and encourages Rudi often. Teo is often sad at the view of the mountains from his work.

Franz Learner, Rudi's uncle, arrives, looking for Rudi. Teo attempts to cover for the boy, but the waitress ruins his story. Franz is furious...