“You bet I’ll have a look! And woe to you if you’ve deceived me. So now, let’s go.”

“But…” Silbermann heard the boy swallow.

“Let’s go, boy, get a move on,” said the voice of the portly man.

“Am I going to be sent to a concentration camp?” asked the boy.

“We’ll have to see about all that. Come on, Cohn, forward march, Cohn.”

“But I haven’t done anything…”

“Are you trying to play one of your little Jew-tricks on me? You can still manage that, eh? Come on, I’m not going to eat you, you little garlic-head … come on, hop to it.”

The steps faded. Silbermann opened the door and just managed to see the stout man pushing the dark-haired boy he had noticed earlier around the corner into the next corridor.

SIX

The headlamps cut a large swath of white light through the darkness, and the forest, which reached right up to the road, seemed full of shadows. Trees suddenly loomed tall, then merged with the darkness and disappeared.

Franz was driving at near maximum speed. He was nervous and agitated. I definitely have to be back within the hour, he thought. This is the first time I’ve taken the car on my own and it’s going to be the last time, too. I’ve never even had Gertrud out for a spin. But a thousand marks … a thousand marks!

A car came from the other direction and he quickly lowered his beam.

He was worried. I’m risking everything, he thought. All on account of a rich Jew. But a thousand marks. Besides, Gertrud would have considered me a coward, and God knows I’ve already been through enough. If everything works out we’ll be in good shape. That girl has more courage than a lot of men. And the poor fellow in back? He may be a rich Jew, but these days things aren’t exactly rosy for him, either. I might even feel sorry for him if I had the time. For now the thing to do is take the thousand marks and marry Gertrud. It’s almost enough to make me want to take a rich Jew to the border every week! For a thousand marks!

And if I get caught? Then it’s all over. They’re not going to let me off a second time. Still, I’ve risked my neck so often for nothing except the cause, so why shouldn’t I dare to do something for myself, just once?

He stopped the car. Then he turned to Silbermann, who was sitting in back: “Here’s the best place to get out. I know the area a little. Earlier I helped some comrades get across. I didn’t take money for that.”

“Naturally,” said Silbermann as he got out.

“That’s right,” said Franz. “Frankly, I’m not so keen on the Jews myself. I had a Jewish boss earlier on. And he didn’t exactly make me jump for joy, let me tell you. Believe me, this is the first time that I’m taking money for helping someone. And if it hadn’t been for Gertrud and if she hadn’t twisted my arm, we wouldn’t be here…”