Hidden Gold by Ella Burakowski

Author:Ella Burakowski [Burakowski, Ella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Nonfiction, History, Holocaust
ISBN: 9781927583746
Google: 5Xc5rgEACAAJ
Amazon: 1927583748
Publisher: Second Story Press
Published: 2015-10-01T05:59:07.724194+00:00

Part Three

The Barn

Chapter 21

Moving in

November 21, 1942

It was time. All the planning and lying will be over tonight, thought Jozef, as he made his way back to Hanosz’s farm. He would have to act panicky and frantic, which was not going to be hard, if he was to convince Hanosz to let the Jews go. He arrived back, but left the horse and hay wagon in the middle of the field so he could run through it and storm into the house, breathless. It was an extremely dark night, the air was biting cold, and it had snowed again, but he would have no trouble leading them all to their new hiding place. Jozef rushed into the house yelling, “The Germans are coming, they’re on their way.”

Hanosz and Marta stood paralyzed, staring at him.

“Quick, Hanosz! We must get the Jews out of here. They can’t be found here!” The plan worked. Jozef’s hysteria was contagious, and he managed to plant the fear of God into Hanosz, but his job was not over. He knew Hanosz’s first reaction would be to shoot them all and throw their bodies into the woods.

Jozef spoke without giving Hanosz a chance to think. “I’m going to take the Jews and hide in the woods. I’ll bring them back only when it’s safe, after the soldiers leave. Once the Germans pass through Kolkow, they will head west to finish their sweep of the towns. Pińczów will be empty, and I’ll finally be able to collect the money. Then you can do what you want with the Golds.”

Hanosz stroked his chin. He quickly determined Jozef was right. It would take too long to dispose of the Jews his way. Besides, if he killed them now, it would mean he’d endured living with them for nothing. It would be better to let them go with Jozef. After all, Jozef was as desperate for their money as he was.

“Go,” Hanosz said as he fell back into his chair. Nessa had already packed a few things and was ready to leave. As soon as she heard Hanosz’s approval, she was up the ladder. “Hurry,” she said to the Golds. “We have to leave, the Germans are on their way.” It took only seconds for the Golds to make their way down. The whole thing was going better than expected. What a fool that stupid Hanosz is, Jozef chortled to himself.

•••

Once again the Golds were on the move. With Jozef in the lead, they walked quickly through the field and into the forest. The trees served as a protective barricade from the wind and prying eyes. It wasn’t until they were a safe distance from Hanosz’s farm that Hanna spoke.

“Stop!” she said in an authoritative tone. They all turned to look at her. “Where are we going, Jozef?” Hanna asked. Jozef, caught up in making this plan work, had completely forgotten to divulge any information to the Golds.

“To another farmer,” he said. “Wiktor Stanczyk. He has a barn where he will

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