Story of a Secret State: My Report to the World by Jan Karski

Author:Jan Karski [Karski, Jan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626160316
Amazon: 1626160317
Publisher: Georgetown Univ Pr
Published: 2014-01-15T08:00:00+00:00

18

Execution of a Traitor

THE THREE OF US gazed at each other without uttering a word. I felt that it was Lucien’s place to break the ice, and I decided that if he were to persist in being rude, I would maintain a stubborn silence myself. It seemed to me that some obscure point of pride was becoming involved as the silence prolonged itself and became increasingly oppressive. I had changed my attitude and was about to let fly some pointed remark when Lucien, to my complete surprise and indignation, tugged his young friend’s sleeve and withdrew with him to a corner of the room. They whispered together for a moment or two and then came forward again. Their strange behavior was now beginning to infuriate me. As they approached the center of the room, I advanced to meet them and said harshly:

“If you prefer privacy, Lucien, just let me know and I’ll leave you two gentlemen alone.”

Lucien looked at me in genuine astonishment and then his expression changed to one of comprehension, and finally even to mild amusement.

“Oh, wait a minute, Witold,” he said apologetically. “We really did not mean to be rude. We had some urgent business and I’m afraid I completely forgot my manners. I’m terribly sorry.”

It was my turn to feel embarrassed. My insistence on good manners had been ridiculous. I had taken offense at a trifle. I muttered something sheepishly. We both were caught up for a moment in a little comic orgy of mutual apology. Lucien finally dispelled it.

“I would like you to meet Kostrzewa,” he said in a businesslike fashion.

Kostrzewa’s sober expression vanished instantly and he broke into a cordial, youthful smile, his wide blue eyes candid and friendly. He appeared much less guarded and constrained. Apparently he had now sized me up and had formed an opinion of me.

“I’ve seen you around the village,” he said easily and sociably. “I’m very glad to meet you.”

I liked Kostrzewa and found him difficult to pigeonhole. He could appear innocent and guileless, and yet at the same time he was shrewd and determined. He was probably a tough customer in a pinch, I decided, and let it go at that. We all then wasted time demonstrating our ability to socialize and make up for the previous oversights. Kostrzewa made the least effort, letting friendly smiles and nods of agreement be his contribution to the humdrum conversation about the estate and local conditions that engaged Lucien and myself.

My curiosity about the purpose of the visit and Lucien’s anxiety finally ended these banalities. Somewhat noncommittally Lucien asked me if I would do him a favor.

“Of course,” I replied. “What is it?”

“Nothing very special. We wish to settle some petty affair in a few days and we need someone to do sentry duty for us.”

This reserve nettled me. I felt he owed it to me to unbend a bit more.

“Can’t you add anything to what you have told me?” I demanded.

“There is really nothing to add. All you have to do is to hide behind a tree and when you see anybody coming, whistle our tune.

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