The Return of Gunner Asch by Hans Hellmut Kirst

Author:Hans Hellmut Kirst [Kirst, Hans Hellmut]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: war, Humour
ISBN: 9780515040876
Publisher: Fontana
Published: 1957-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

"Herr Brack," said Captain Ted Boernes, who was very satisfied with the way the conversation was developing and had refilled the whiskey glasses, "I'm glad to be able to tell you that I can let you decide your own future."

"And what am I to understand by that?"

"You have three alternatives, Herr Brack. You can take your uniform off and change into civilian clothes. That would be a speeded-up version of the normal procedure: release from prisoner-of-war status after preliminary screening. You could then do just as you liked, and live wherever you liked in American-occupied territory."

"And the other alternatives, Captain?"

"I could give you a free escort to Colonel Thompson. He would look after you from then on. As far as my information goes, there's a chance you might be employed on economic reconstruction."

"An arrangement between business friends," muttered James I into his glass before draining the whiskey down.

"And the third alternative, Captain?"

"You can remain here and collaborate with us--with me personally if you want to. I'd really be delighted if you would, Herr Brack."

"But there's also," said James II very quietly, "a fourth alternative for Herr Brack."

"What?"

"You keep your uniform, are completely re-equipped and make your way, tonight if possible, through our front line--in advance of us. You could then prepare our reception for us."

"You're not as stupid as you look, Pastor," said James I generously. "I might even have thought of that idea myself."

"An unusual proposal," said Ted Boernes guardedly. "I don't know what Colonel Thompson would say to it."

"Colonel Thompson," said James I, who was fascinated by this admittedly bold but, in his eyes, no way unusual proposal, "is only a relation of Lieutenant Brack. He's not his guardian!"

Hinrichsen was deeply agitated, and unable to hide the fact. He sat there--massive, silent, motionless. His eyes shone feverishly. He stared at Brack, who looked thoughtfully at his glass.

"Must I decide at once?" asked the lieutenant.

"Of course not," the captain hastened to assure him.

"Then please let me think the suggestion over for a moment."

James I now set to work in his own fashion on Major Hinrichsen, who had laid his wounded arm carefully on the arm of the chair. The interrogation took place without any particular severity and yet was utterly ruthless. James I fired his questions at top speed at the fat major, who was now very much on the alert. What Hinrichsen didn't see was that James II had slipped quietly into the background with his chair and was taking notes of the conversation.

"Where did you live? What did you do there? What income did you have, on the average, per year? How much did you earn in 1928? And how much in 1936? When did you join the Wehrmacht? How did you come to be a major? What medals have you won? Have you served in the German-occupied territories and if so, in what capacity? Do you belong to the National Socialist Party, any branches or societies affiliated to it? Do you have any relations who hold

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