anything for you, Hans.”
At the moment Noelle and General Hans Scheider were sitting in the café, Colonel Mueller and two of his men were speeding into the city limits of Le Havre. The local captain of police had been roused from his sleep and was waiting for the Gestapo men in front of the police station.“ A gendarme has located the General’ s car,” he said.“ It is parked down by the waterfront.”
A gleam of satisfaction came into Colonel Mueller’ s face.“ Take me there,” he commanded.
Five minutes later, the Gestapo automobile with Colonel Mueller, his two men and the police captain raced up beside General Scheider’ s automobile on the pier. The men got out and surrounded the car. At that moment General Scheider, Noelle and the chauffeur were starting to leave the bistro. The chauffeur was the first to notice the men at the car. He started hurrying toward them.
“ What’ s happening?” Noelle asked, and even as she spoke she recognized the figure of Colonel Mueller in the distance and felt a cold chill go through her.
“ I don’ t know,” General Scheider said. He started toward the limousine with long strides, Noelle limping after him.
“ What are you doing here?” General Scheider asked Colonel Mueller as he reached the car.
“ I am sorry to disturb your holiday,” Colonel Mueller replied curtly.“ I would like to inspect the trunk of your car, General.”
“ There is nothing but luggage in there.”
Noelle reached the group. She noticed that the forklift had gone. The General and the Gestapo men were glaring at each other.
“ I must insist, General. I have reason to believe that a wanted enemy of the Third Reich is hiding in there and that your guest is his accomplice.”
General Scheider stared at him for a long moment, then turned to study Noelle.“ I don’ t know what“ he’ s talking about,” she said firmly.
The General’ s eyes traveled down to her ankle, then he made a decision and turned to his chauffeur.“ Open it.”
“ Yes, General.”
All eyes were riveted on the trunk as the chauffeur reached for the handle and turned it. Noelle felt suddenly faint. Slowly the lid opened.
The trunk was empty.“ Someone has stolen our luggage!” exclaimed the chauffeur. Colonel Mueller’ s face was mottled with fury.“ He got away!”