Kornelius Martens

Elderly man with snow-white hair. Head waiter at the Ankermann restaurant. Lives two houses away from the boarding house. Wears a black tailcoat that fits impeccably, a perfectly tied white bow tie, and white cloth gloves. Typically stands beside the sideboard during gatherings in the breakfast room.

Arrived at the boarding house of his own accord as soon as he heard about the incident. Moves silently; appears at the table with a steaming coffee pot without being summoned. Bows slightly when introduced. Stands ramrod straight with military stillness; moves with rehearsed precision when called upon. Speaks only when directly addressed and answers in terse, unadorned statements. Winds the grandfather clock in the corridor every evening as a fixed nightly routine. When nervous, betrays himself through tiny physical tells — straightening an already perfectly straight fork, going pale, involuntarily drawing himself further upright when his name is called. Initially reserved when the silver spoon incident is raised; attempts subtly to silence Pierre before directly confronting the matter. When cornered, lowers his gaze and gives a quiet, fragile explanation rather than outright denial.

Minimal and precise. Delivers observed facts — including Feddersen's last known words — verbatim, anchoring times by reference to concrete routines such as the clock-winding. When emotionally pressured, his voice does not rise but becomes quieter and more fragile.