Chapter 4

The lower bunk had no sooner dropped over the tunnel entrance, then the door to barracks two burst open, and Schultz entered, seemingly out of breath.

Despite their feelings of grief at the moment, Kinch and LeBeau led Schultz to the bench and waited for him to catch his breath. After a few minutes, the rotund guard was able to speak.

"The Kommandant wants me to tell you that Colonel Hogan is alive and is enroute to the hospital."

WHAT!!!" the three men all said at once, stunned. Then, they all started speaking at once.

Schultz motioned for them to quiet down. "We were waiting for the guards to remove the bodies from the Kommandant's office when I noticed Colonel Hogan's fingers moving and the Kommandant and I both heard moaning. When he checked Colonel Hogan, he discovered he was still alive. He had me call for an ambulance to come and take him to the nearest hospital. The Kommandant went with him to make sure Colonel Hogan received the best care. That is all I know."

Kinch, a smile on his face, let the tears roll down his face unashamedly. "Schultz, that's the best news you could have given us. I love you."

"Oui, mon ami," LeBeau added, also crying. "The Kommandant will make sure the Colonel is well treated so he can get better. He must get well."

"Thanks, Schultz," Carter chimed in, eyes wet with unshed tears, but a smile on his face. "Schultz, do you think Klink might let us go visit the Colonel once he's better? So we can kinda see for ourselves."

"I'm not sure about that, Carter," the rotund guard replied, slowly getting up. "The Kommandant said he would come by once he returned from the hospital. You can ask him when he stops by. But now, I have to get back to my post." He started towards the door. Kinch held it open for him. As Schultz passed him, Kinch slapped him on the back.

"We appreciate you telling us, Schultz. And thank you very much for telling us. Goodnight."

"You're welcome. Gute Nacht."

Kinch closed the door. Letting out a deep breath he didn't know he'd been holding, he turned to the others. "My God, the Colonel's alive!" He wiped his face with both hands.

"Oui, mon ami," LeBeau smiled broadly. "And he will get well. You'll see."

Carter smiled as well. "We have to let Newkirk know the great news," he said softly.

Kinch sighed wearily. "We will, Andrew. But first, let's wait until Klink comes and tells us his condition. At least this way we'll have some information for him."

Carter wiped his face with the back of his hand. "Boy, Colonel Hogan's alive. A guy couldn't ask for any better news than that. And LeBeau's right. He'll get better. He will." He has to get well, Carter thought. But for now, Carter thought, he would keep that thought to himself.

It was near midnight by the time a very tired Kommandant Klink returned to Stalag 13 and aproached barracks two. He saw the lights were still on, but for once he didn't seem to have a problem with this violation of the camp rules. He knew the men were waiting up for news on Colonel Hogan's condition. He opened the door and noticed Kinch, Carter and LeBeau all seated at the table drinking coffee. Exhausted, Klink slowly sat down on the bench. He looked at each of the men solemnly and saw each of them looking at him for some indication the news would be good. He sighed.

"Schultz told us the good news, Kommandant," Kinch began. "How is the Colonel?"

Klink took off his cap and tossed it on the table. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Colonel Hogan is alive, but lost a lot of blood. They had to give him six pints of blood during surgery to remove the bullets," he said softly.

"How did you manage to convince them of that?" asked LeBeau, raising his eyebrows. "I mean, considering the treatment prisoners-of-war get in German hospitals, why would they even treat him in addition to giving him six pints of blood?"

Klink swallowed nervously. "I saw they weren't going to treat him at all unless he was someone of extreme importance. So, I told them a small white lie so they would treat and care for him."

Kinch's eyes narrowed. "What kind of white lie, Kommandant?" he asked.

"I'd rather not discuss that right now, Sergeant Kinchloe, except to say, I'll have to live with the consequences of telling such a lie."

The men all exchanged worried looks. As bad as this news was, each felt Klink was still withholding something far worse from them.

"But there's something else, isn't there?" asked Kinch fearfully.

"Yes, there is. As of this moment, Colonel Hogan is in a coma. The doctors don't know when or even if he'll come out of it."