Introduction

The children had concluded their good night song. Max saw Maria about to walk away; he took hold of her arm. His impresario mind saw dollar signs. He spoke. "Georg, she must join the party."

Maria tried her best to politely decline his invitation. She was unsuccessful and Georg took Max's side. In her final attempt to refuse, she stated she wasn't properly dressed. Georg didn't accept her refusal. Again he spoke to her. "You can go change. We'll wait."

Maria had no choice. She left to go to her room. She had no idea, Elsa was behind her. She caught the door before it closed. In a soft voice she asked. "May I help you?"

Maria was gracious in accepting her help. Elsa was a jealous woman, fighting for the man she thought was hers. She kept Maria engaged in conversation. She spoke these words, "a man can't resist a woman who's in love with him."

Maria didn't believe her. So Elsa continued, "What's so nice; he thinks he's in love with you."

Maria became distraught and uttered the words Elsa wanted to hear. "I must go." Immediately, Maria found her carpet bag and began to pack.

Elsa left. Convinced, Maria was returning to the Abbey.

It Begins

Maria cautiously, opened her bedroom door. She looked down both ends of the hall. She saw no one. Again she paused at the end which joined the balcony. She went down the first set of stairs. She set her guitar case on the floor and descended the final four steps.

Maria placed her letter on the table near the Captain's study. She took one last look at the grand foyer and stepped out into the unknown. It wasn't dark; the outside lights were bright; and the light from all the windows shed light on the circle.

No chauffeurs were there; the gate was open. She walked along the dirt road, passed the end of the wall that surrounded the villa's property. The music slowly faded. There were no more lights; it was dark.

It was so dark that a man blended into the background. The night was still; any slight sound was audible. Maria heard the rustle of pant legs brushing together as he walked. Maria paused and allowed him to catch up. In seconds, the person was walking beside her.

"Are you alright, Maria?"

"I am, only surprised it went according to the plan."

"I was assured it would. Let me carry your guitar."

"I know I can't take it with me; I didn't want to leave it there."

"I'll take care of it. Did you pack the dress you were wearing?"

"I did; and others I thought would be most useful."

The road took them by the family's church. "Maria, you need to go in the church. You will exit out the rear. Sam is waiting for you in the Abbey's car. He has his instructions. Maria, I have no doubt you will be safe; give me a hug." The two embraced. Maria walked into the church and out the back door.

"Hello Sam, how's everything at the Abbey?"

Sam was the caretaker but he knew what was happening. "Everyone is saddened by the news of events coming out of Germany."

"Yes, so am I; it's a most terrible time. I hope my small part will help."

Maria's friend had waited until he heard the car drive away; he too would be traveling soon. Maria and Sam traveled in silence. He parked the car in the alley by the graveyard.

"Maria, go down the stairs in the back of the graveyard. Knock on the door, they're waiting for you."

"Thank you, Sam."

Maria hurried down the stairs. She took a deep breath and knocked. The door immediately opened. Maria saw a familiar smile. She genuflected before the Reverend Mother who immediately pulled her to her feet. "The Bishop can only stay a few minutes."

"Hello, Maria, I want you to know; Pope Pius has given the mission his blessing. He wants everyone to do whatever they can to thwart this evil that is about to engulf all of us. Remember, you are one part of the greater plan; it's like putting together a puzzle."

"Thank you, Bishop, I want to help any way I can." She knelt to receive his blessing.

"Come with me Maria; we need to talk."

The Reverend Mother took her down a secret passage. "Maria, I believe you have been in this room before."

"Yes, Reverend Mother, when the weather was bad, I found several rooms where I could sing without being heard."

"I'm not surprised. Go on in Maria." The room was lit by a lantern.

The Reverend Mother removed one of the pictures from the wall. Maria saw it was hiding a hole in the wall. "I never knew it held hiding places."

"Long ago, the priests would hide the Blessed Sacrament to keep invaders from destroying it. I received your instructions a week ago; I didn't want to take them to my office; so I hid them here. In this portfolio is everything you need to travel safely. You will spend the night at the guest house."

They walked there in silence. "Try and get some sleep; I'll see you in the morning. Remember, my child, you will not be alone; God will be walking beside you."

"Yes, Reverend Mother, I believe He will be holding my hand."

Maria read the papers in the portfolio. "This is interesting. I will travel in my postulant dress. My dance dress is for later, hmmmmn. I wonder why? Oh well, I'll learn soon enough." She slipped the portfolio into her satchel.

She looked in the wardrobe; her postulant dress was hanging there. She took her nightgown from her bag and changed. Her ugly grey dress and hat would be left in the room. Maria smiled as she remembered Brigitta's words and Kurt's reprimand. I hope they make rags of it; it really is too ugly for anyone to wear.

Maria said her prayers. Tonight they did not offer her comfort; she tried to give her worries to the Lord but it was difficult. She lay there a long time before sleep came. It was not restful or long.

Back at the villa, the last guest had left. Elsa and Georg had said goodnight. Elsa went to her room, Georg to his study. He found Maria's note. He kept its contents to himself. He ascended the front stairs tonight, for a reason. He was thinking. Good the governess's door is closed. The children will think she had a late night. He went on to his bedroom.

The next day he and Maria would begin to put the puzzle together. Maria was lying in bed, wide awake. She soon heard the bells calling everyone to morning prayers. Maria dressed in her postulant calf length black dress and the short black cape with a white collar. She fastened the short veil with the white band on her head. She joined the others in the chapel.

She had been instructed to stay behind and wait for the others to leave. The Reverend Mother extinguished the prayer candle. She maintained her pious demeanor as she walked to where Maria was waiting.

"You need to have breakfast first, Maria. I'll walk with you to the dining room."

Maria and the Reverend Mother walked side by side. None of the others were surprised to see her; their prayers had included her. They didn't know the exact nature of her task.

When breakfast was over, she received silent hugs. Reverend Mother accompanied her back to her room in the guest house. There she used the bathroom and picked up her bag.

"Are you ready, Maria?"

She looked around the room again. "I think I have everything."

"Your traveling companion is waiting by the graveyard. I'll introduce you."

In the alley, Maria saw a priest waiting. "Maria, this is Father Pierre Renaldi. He will travel with you until you arrive in Basel Switzerland."

"Pleased to meet you, Father. I feel so much better to have you traveling with me."

"My pleasure, Maria, it's the least I could do to help the Holy Father in his mission. I see our car has arrived."

The Reverend Mother blessed both of them; she watched until she could no longer see the car. She whispered. "I pray this plan will help."

Back at the villa Georg found his children waiting for him in the dining room. "Where is everyone?"

"Late night Kurt, you know your Uncle Max and Baroness Schrader need their sleep."

"And Fräulein Maria," Brigitta asked.

"The Bishop asked to see her at the request of the Pope."

"Are you teasing, Father?"

"Now Brigitta, you know I don't make up stories. After breakfast, I have work to do. Why don't you take your walk this morning; I hear it's going to rain in the afternoon."

The children went outside; they talked. "What are you thinking, Friedrich?"

"Something is not right, Liesl. Maybe Fräulein Maria went to the Abbey. Let's go there."

Franz found them before they got to the Abbey. "Could you possibly be looking for your Fräulein?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

"I know everything, children; I know the Bishop requested to see her. Let's go see him."

"We can do that?"

"Of course, Louisa, he's a very nice man."

They walked to the Bishop's residence on the other side of the Abbey. He was waiting for them along with the Reverend Mother.

"I knew you would come looking for your Fräulein. She has some important work to do for the Church."

"Then it's really true. Did the Pope really ask you to meet with her?" Louisa asked.

"He sent me special instructions for her. Reverend Mother will talk with you."

"Please come with me. Girls, would you like to hold my hands?" She held out her arms. Gretl and Marta each took a hand; they left the Bishop's office.

Franz spoke to the Bishop. "That went well."

The Bishop concurred, and then added, "I hope they don't get frightened."

When the children didn't come home, Georg knew the plan had worked. He turned his attention to Elsa. He found her sitting in the shade on the veranda. Georg wasted no time; he wasn't in the mood for small talk.

"I know you thought I brought you here with the intention of asking for your hand in marriage."

He saw her about to speak. "I'm not finished. I know what you did last night. You put on a great face when we danced. How dare you tell anyone who I can or cannot love.

"We were never in love; you know that. I wish you well, Elsa. Franz will drive you to the train station when he returns from an errand. I have one request."

"Go on."

"Tell no one, Maria left last night."

"I won't utter a word, Georg. I wish you well. It won't take me long to pack; I'm sure I will be ready to go when he returns."

"Thank you, Elsa."

She didn't know the children were gone; she only knew they weren't around. But Max did. He was contacted by Maria's man of the night.

"Everything went well; go ahead and contact the others."

Max didn't need to hide from Georg; they were both on the same page. Georg did express concern. "I still worry about the children, Max."

"I do too; there was no other way. They'll be fine; I worry about us. What we are attempting is brazen."

"We need to do what we can to prevent this evil from overtaking the world."

"I need to use the telephone."

"Go ahead, Max; I'll be in my room packing."

Max began his calls. "Operator, please connect me to the palace in Genovia."

Royal Palace of Genovia, how may I help you?

"I need to speak with Joseph Edwards."

One moment, please

Joseph Edwards, may I help you?

"Joe, old buddy, this is Max."

It's been a while; what's up?

"Georg needs you; you're the only one he trusts."

I'll talk to Clarice but I'm sure she will understand.

"I thank you and so does Georg. You will get your instructions soon; a well-trusted messenger will deliver them."

Max's next call was in the United States. In moments the connection was made. Max heard. Woodward Construction, how may I direct your call?"

"Robert, please."

Robert Woodward speaking.

"Hello, old pal; it's Max."

My goodness, this is a surprise.

"I need your help."

How?

"I need you to meet a ship in New York City; details will come later."

Shouldn't be a problem, I'll be waiting for the details.

Max mumbled. "That was the easy part; now every detail must complete the puzzle."

By this time, Franz had returned. He knew about his task. After several trips, he had her luggage loaded in the car. "Are you ready to go, Elsa?"

"More than ready, Vienna is where I belong."

The train station wasn't far; they rode in silence. A train attendant helped load her luggage and then helped Elsa up the step to the train car. She didn't even say goodbye. Franz wasn't one bit sad to see her leave; in fact he was elated. He had bad feelings about her; he didn't know why.

The children had willingly followed the Reverend Mother. She held Marta and Gretl's hands firmly; she sensed they were scared.

They left out the back door to the alley. Friedrich and Liesl saw them immediately, a couple who were among their father's best friends, Harold and Eleanor Ebersol. Even Marta and Gretl knew them; they relaxed their hand grip.

Harold spoke. "Children, please get in the car, we're going for a ride."

"To see Fräulein Maria?"

"No, Gretl, she's busy right now."

They asked no more questions. Harold's big car fit everyone comfortably. Friedrich was looking out the window. He knew they were leaving the city. He finally asked. "Where are you taking us? Does father know we are with you?"

Eleanor answered. "Yes, your father knows. We're going somewhere, where we can talk in private. It's not far."

Harold had driven them to a boarding school that was closed for the summer; he had a key to the back door. The children had been taught, not to question adults. Friedrich politely broke that rule.

"Frau Eleanor, what's going on?"

Brigitta wasn't so polite. "Good question, Friedrich, all of us want an answer."

"Don't be so impolite, Brigitta."

"Why not Kurt, we deserve an answer."

"I know."

"You do, Liesl."

"Rolf told me a German Colonel Schneider is here from Berlin. He said Father may be in trouble if he doesn't support the Germans."

"I'm afraid your sister is correct. You can't return to the villa; the Germans are always watching it. Everyone will leave there soon. We will stay here for the night. Let's get inside."

Harold unlocked the door. They went inside and walked a corridor to a large room.

"We will sleep here tonight. You can see there are plenty of beds in this big room; there are dressing compartments for you to change into your nightclothes."

Eleanor could see their question. "Yes, we have your things from home."

"This is better than a good mystery novel."

"Brigitta, don't let your imagination get carried away."

"It is, Kurt."

It was past the noon hour. Harold was waiting at the back door. A truck drove up and parked. Arrangements had been made for food to be brought from a near-by restaurant. Their meal was brought to the dining room of the school. While the servers prepared the table, Harold returned to the sleeping room.

"Eleanor, our meal is waiting."

The children followed Harold and took seats at tables in the dining room of the school.

"Children, you're not eating very much."

"I think worry has our stomachs in knots, Frau Eleanor."

"I understand, Liesl. Try and eat a little."

The servers heard all this; they brought out the children's favorite, apple strudels and ice cream. That they ate and the children let out a loud "thank you."

"Let's go back to the sleeping room. I know there are some games you can play to pass the time."

Brigitta played Old Maid with Marta and Gretl. The others found a board game to play.

The restaurant had left an evening snack, apples, cheese and cookies and a pitcher of milk. The adults knew they needed to be up early in the morning; they encouraged the children to eat and get ready for bed. Liesl helped Marta and Gretl. She read them a story. They fell asleep quickly.

Friedrich was having a conversation with Harold. Liesl sat down by them. "Can you tell us about Father and Fräulein Maria, Herr Harold?"

"Nothing specific children, only that each is following a well thought out plan. Your plan will take you out of Austria. We will stop in Paris for a few days. And can we please drop this mister formality. Call me, Uncle Harold."

"Brigitta, I can tell you are thinking."

"I am, sir. Is the villa completely empty?"

"It will be very soon. It's hoped the church will be able to use it for seminary students. All the people who worked for your father have been included in a plan to get them to safety."

"Including Frau Schmidt?"

"Yes, there's a good chance you will see all of them again."

"I think you should get some sleep."

"We'll try, Frau Eleanor."

A/N: Many of you may recognize the country of Genovia. Yes, it is from the Princess Diaries movies. You may not recognize the name Robert Woodward. It too comes from a movie, One Special Night. The other main character is a woman doctor, Catherine. The movie ends with them kissing. Those of us who are fan fiction authors presume they get married; in my stories they do.

Both of them are fiction, so I can place the characters in my story.