Newkirk's mind was racing; how was he going to get out of this one? Don't panic, he told himself, stay calm…c'mon, you can bloody do this!

"Who, me?" Newkirk asked, looking at Wagner innocently, while secretly slipping the camera back into his pocket. "I just got 'ere meself, sir. As a matter of fact, I saw someone sneakin' out of Klink's office not two minutes ago, and thought I'd come over and 'ave a look. Oh, and I found this briefcase on the desk 'ere," he said, nodding his head toward it, "Is it yours?"

"Enough!" Wagner yelled, his face turning red with fury. "I'm not a fool! I've been standing on the other side of that door all night," he continued, waving his arm behind him to indicate the door leading to Klink's quarters, "And the only one who has been in this office is you!"

Fear shot through Newkirk and he swallowed hard as the realization struck him; this whole thing was a trap!

Wagner lowered his voice. "You've put me in a terrible position, you know," he said angrily, "That information you stole from me two weeks ago; they're blaming me for letting it fall into the hands of the Allies." He took a step forward, keeping his pistol aimed steadily at Newkirk. "You are a spy, and I'm sure you are aware of what we do to spies. Perhaps I should save myself a lot of trouble and shoot you right now!" He glared at Newkirk for a moment, and then walked over to the door that led to the outer office, keeping his sights on the Corporal. He reached over and flicked on the light switch; illuminating the pile of papers scattered across Klink's desk, the empty briefcase lying next to them, and the door to the safe hanging wide open.

Newkirk blinked rapidly for a moment when the light hit his eyes, and then got a good look at Captain Wagner. He was tall, about Colonel Hogan's height, had a rather slim build, and his light brown hair was already beginning to recede at the top. He wore glasses that made him look old, but he suspected that Wagner wasn't much older than himself. But what scared him; really scared him, was the sheer anger and determination emanating from his eyes. He knew he was in big trouble; and this time, there didn't seem to be a way out.

Wagner spoke up; his voice calm now. "But I have a better idea, Englander," he stated, "I'm going to take you in to Gestapo Headquarters for questioning. I know a certain Major Hochstetter who would be very interested to know what happened here."

At the mention of Hochstetter, Newkirk felt himself break out in a cold sweat.

"And when my superiors hear about this," Wagner added, "I should be in the clear, Ja?" He approached the desk, motioning for Newkirk to back away. When he got there, he reached over and grabbed the briefcase, unlocking the handcuffs that were still dangling from the handle. "Hold out your arms!" He ordered, stepping in front of Newkirk. He slapped the cuffs on Newkirk's wrists, and then proceeded to put his papers back in the case. After he closed and locked the case, he placed it back in the safe and closed the door, latching it shut. Then he gestured toward the door with his gun, and Newkirk walked out of the office; Wagner right behind him.


Carter was awake; lying on his bunk, staring up at the bottom of the rack above him. He had heard Newkirk slip out earlier, on his way to raid Klink's safe, and he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep until Newkirk was back safe and sound. As the minutes ticked by, he started to become concerned; it didn't usually take this long, did it? He waited another minute, and then got up and went to the door, opening it just a crack until he could see across the compound to Klink's office. His eyes widened as he noticed the light radiating from the window of the building, and his concern turned to panic. He wheeled around and raced to Colonel Hogan's quarters, flinging open the door without a second thought.

"Colonel!" Carter shouted, his voice sounding shaky, "Colonel, wake up! Newkirk's in trouble!"

Hogan's eyes flew open. He instantly sat up, and swung his legs over the top bunk, stealing himself for the jump to the floor. As he landed, he asked, "What's wrong, Carter?"

"There's a light on in Klink's office, and Newkirk's still over there!"

Hogan set a personal best for getting dressed in a hurry. He flew out of his quarters and, upon reaching the barrack's door to the outside, jerked it open and headed quickly over to the Kommandant's office. As he neared the steps, he saw Newkirk exiting the outer door, followed closely by Captain Wagner. And then he noticed something else, something that made his blood freeze faster than the zero-degree temperature outside; Newkirk had handcuffs on!

"What's going on, here?" Hogan demanded, directing his attention to Wagner, "What are you doing with my Corporal?"

"Ah, you must be the famous Colonel Hogan I've heard so much about!" Wagner exclaimed. A cold smile appeared on his face for a brief moment, and then was gone. "I think you know what's going on, Colonel. I caught this man breaking into Klink's safe, and I intend to take him in for questioning."

Hogan looked at Newkirk; saw the fear in his eyes that he was trying desperately to mask, and felt a knot form in the pit of his stomach. He knew he had to stop Captain Wagner from taking Newkirk out of camp.

Just then Sergeant Schultz rounded the corner of the building. He'd been making his rounds, and when he saw the three men standing in front of Klink's office, he hurried over to them.

"Colonel Hogan, Captain Wagner…" Schultz called out, then caught sight of the cuffs on Newkirk's wrists, and inhaled sharply. "Newkirk! Was ist los?"

"Schultz, go get Colonel Klink," Hogan said, glancing at him. Then he turned his attention to Wagner. "You can't just waltz out of here with one of my men, Captain," he challenged, "Not without clearing it through Klink."

"Colonel Hogan," Wagner shot back, "You should know by now that the Gestapo can do anything it wants. I certainly don't need Colonel Klink's permission…or yours!"

Schultz was halfway to Klink's quarters when the Kommandant himself opened the door and stepped out, looking in the direction of the commotion going on in front of his office. He quickly strode over to the small group, while Schultz turned and followed him, saying; "Kommandant, Colonel Hogan wants to see you. He's talking to Captain Wagner, and Newkirk is there also, and he has handcuffs on!"

"I can see for myself, Schultz!" Klink shouted irritably at the Sergeant. As he walked up to the men who were gathered at the bottom of the stairs leading to his office, he exclaimed, "Will someone please tell me what's going on? It's one o'clock in the morning!"

"I will, Colonel," Hogan spoke up first, "This Gestapo Captain wants to take Newkirk out of camp, but I told him that he can't do that without your approval, and he's got no reason to…"

"I have every reason, Colonel," Wagner interrupted, addressing Klink. "This man was acting suspiciously."

"What was he doing?" Klink asked.

"He was…rummaging through your office, Kommandant." Wagner lied.

Hogan shot a suspicious glance at Wagner, wondering what he was up to.

Klink looked at Newkirk. "Corporal Newkirk, is that true?"

"To be honest, sir," Newkirk answered, "I was only lookin' for some extra paper to write a letter to the Red Cross. I wanted to tell 'em to stop puttin' sardines in the boxes; they're givin' me ruddy indigestion!"

"Well, if that's all he was doing," Klink replied, looking back at Wagner, "I hardly think it's necessary to take him to…"

"Colonel Klink," Wagner responded curtly, "My job is to investigate suspicious activity. Now, if you're going to defend this man's actions, I may consider that suspicious as well. Surely you don't want to come to Gestapo Headquarters with us, do you?"

Klink's eyes widened. "No, of course not, Captain!"

"Then I suggest you retrieve my briefcase, and we'll be on our way."

"Certainly, Captain Wagner," Klink said nervously, "I'll get it for you right away!" He turned and headed up the stairs, and into his office.

So much for Klink's help! Hogan thought, frustrated but not surprised.

When Klink was out of earshot, Hogan looked at Wagner and his eyes narrowed. "Why didn't you tell Klink about the safe?"

"Because I'm not about to share the credit for capturing this spy." Wagner answered.

"He's not a spy!" Hogan exclaimed, a note of desperation in his voice. He was beginning to realize that he wasn't going to be able to stop Wagner from taking Newkirk away.

"Oh come now, Colonel Hogan," Wagner said calmly. "If half of what Major Hochstetter has told me is true about you, and I suspect it is, I should be taking you in for questioning as well."

"That's fine with me, Captain," Hogan replied, "Besides, according to the Geneva Convention, I'm allowed to be present when you interrogate one of my men." If I can't keep Newkirk here, Hogan thought to himself, then I'm going with him.

Wagner smiled. "The Gestapo is not so concerned about the Geneva Convention, Colonel. And since your Corporal here is the only one I actually caught in Klink's office, he's the only one I need to question…for now."

Just then Klink returned, carrying Wagner's briefcase. As he handed it to him, he asked, clearly still nervous, "Is there anything else I can do for you, Captain?"

"No thank you, Colonel Klink," Wagner told him, "That will be all." He walked over to his car followed by Klink, who was still trying to placate him, and opened the front seat; leaning in to put the briefcase on the passenger side.

As soon as Wagner's head disappeared into the car, Newkirk sidled up to Hogan and glanced down at his coat pocket. "Colonel, the camera!" He hissed at him.

Hogan immediately understood. He thrust his hand into Newkirk's pocket and pulled out the camera, which he then stuffed quickly into his own.

Wagner finished what he was doing and straightened up, turning to look at Hogan and Newkirk. He opened the door to the back seat and said, "Get in, Corporal."

Hogan grabbed Newkirk's arm quickly and gave it a squeeze. He stared intensely into his frightened eyes and told him in a low voice, "Don't worry, we'll get you out of there."

"I hope so, gov'nor," Newkirk whispered back, then walked over to the car and slid into the back seat.

Wagner shut the car door, and then climbed into the driver's seat. He started up the car and headed towards the gate.

Hogan watched him drive away, a lump forming in his throat, resisting the urge to run after him and drag Newkirk out of the car before they left camp. He turned to look at Klink, who had come up to stand next to him. "Colonel, how could you let Captain Wagner just take Newkirk away like that?" He snapped at him, angry now.

"I'm sorry Colonel Hogan, but I had no choice!" Klink answered defensively. "Besides," he added in that scolding tone of his, "Newkirk shouldn't have been out of the barracks in the first place, and you know it."

Hogan glared at him for a moment, and then turned and walked to the barracks, not even waiting for Klink to dismiss him. As he entered, he saw his remaining men clustered near the entrance; no doubt they'd had the door open a crack, and had watched the entire thing.

"What happened, Colonel?" Carter was the first to ask, "Why did Captain Wagner take Newkirk with him when he left?"

"Because he caught Newkirk in Klink's office with the safe open!" Hogan practically yelled. "And it's my fault…I should have gone over there with him…I never should have sent him alone!"

"Colonel, you can't blame yourself," Kinch said. "If you'd gone to the office with Newkirk, then Captain Wagner would be taking you away, too."

"At least Newkirk wouldn't be facing the Gestapo by himself." Hogan let out a big sigh, and then a look of grim determination came over him. "Alright, here's what we're gonna do," he stated, "Kinch, I want you to contact the underground and ask them to have somebody watch Gestapo Headquarters. I want to know the minute Wagner shows up there with Newkirk."

"Yes, sir," Kinch replied, and headed for the bunk that opened up to the tunnels below.

"LeBeau, I want you to check our Gestapo uniforms; see if we have one for a high-ranking General."

"Oui, Colonel," LeBeau said, turning to follow Kinch. Suddenly he looked back at Hogan. "Colonel, what if we don't have a General's uniform?"

"Do you think you could make one by tomorrow night?" Hogan asked him.

"If you need it to save Newkirk, I will finish it tonight!" LeBeau exclaimed.

Hogan gave him a small smile. "Thanks, LeBeau," he replied.

"What about me, Colonel?" Carter asked, anxious to help get his friend back.

"Carter, I'm going to want some explosives with timers on them; set for five minutes. And I also want some smoke bombs…think you can do it?"

"They'll be ready when you are, sir!" Carter said excitedly as he took off after Kinch and LeBeau.

And now we wait. And Hogan found that to be the hardest part of all.


The hours passed excruciatingly slowly, and still they hadn't heard anything. Hogan was pacing the floor in the main barracks; working out the details in his head as to how they were going to rescue Newkirk. LeBeau and Carter were seated at the long table in the middle of the room, trying not to look as worried as they felt. LeBeau had discovered earlier that they had the perfect Gestapo uniform in their collection, and Carter had already assembled the explosives.

Suddenly the false bottom bunk banged up, and Kinch climbed out. Hogan stopped pacing and looked at him expectantly.

"Colonel, I just got word from the underground," Kinch informed him, "Captain Wagner arrived at Gestapo Headquarters a few minutes ago."

"It's about time, Kinch!" He exclaimed, relieved. "They should have gotten there over an hour ago!"

"Uh, there's something else, Colonel," Kinch said quietly.

Hogan took one look at Kinch's worried expression, and a feeling of dread passed through him. "What is it, Kinch?" he asked, knowing he wouldn't like the answer.

"The underground said that the Captain showed up alone…Newkirk wasn't with him."

7