Hochstetter had Carter drive to his camp near Eberbach and hid the car in a well concealed spot. He ordered both of them to stay in the car. Then, Hochstetter got out of the car from his spot behind Carter. With his gun still aimed at Frau Linkmeyer, he ordered Carter out. Once Carter had complied, he demanded, "Put your hands behind your back and try nothing or the Frau dies."

Carter did as commanded, wincing a little as the movement caused a stabbing pain in his shoulder. Never relaxing his aim, Hochstetter reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of handcuffs. He tossed them onto the seat beside Frau Linkmeyer. "You will slowly move this way and get out," he told her. "Then, I want you to put those on him. And no monkey business. Understand?"

"Ja," responded Frau Linkmeyer as she followed his instructions.

Hochstetter sneered. "Now, you will get my pack from the trunk and we will go someplace where we can talk." He kept Frau Linkmeyer covered while she got his pack, then momentarily pointed his gun in one direction. "That way. Schnell!" His aim returned again to Frau Linkmeyer and his two prisoners had little choice but to obey.

Once they had reached his camp, Hochstetter ordered, "Drop the pack and sit down. Both of you!" After they had done so, Hochstetter started pacing beside them, towering over them, gun in hand. "Now, I want answers. You, Frau Linkmeyer, I've heard rumors. Is it true that you betrayed the glorious Third Reich and provided vital information to the Allies?"

"The Third Reich was anything but glorious," she responded.

Hochstetter sharply slapped her face. "I will not stand for your insolence."

"Leave her alone," Carter insisted.

Hochstetter turned his attention towards Carter. "So, you would prefer to talk first, eh? I always suspected that Colonel Hogan was behind all the sabotage in the area around Stalag 13...him and his close associates. I was right. Admit it."

Carter took a very military stance. "My name is Andrew Carter, rank Technical sergeant, service num--"

"That's not what I asked," Hochstetter snarled. "You will admit the sabotage…Now!"

Carter stood his ground. "Andrew Carter, Technical--"

A furious Hochstetter slugged Carter's injured shoulder, hard. Carter winced and could not keep from emitting a small moan as the action thrust him backwards and blood started to ooze from his wound once more. "Bah!" growled Hochstetter. "I will get the truth from both of you…sooner or later."

"Not even if you kill me," Carter declared.

Hochstetter glared at him. "We shall see. But I don't plan to kill you…yet. The two of you are merely bait for my trap. Colonel Hogan and that incompetent fool Klink are the ones I really want. I will see them pay for what they did to the Third Reich."

Frau Linkmeyer started to move towards Carter, who seemed to be getting a little woozy. "What do you think you're doing?" Hochstetter demanded.

"In case you haven't noticed, this man's been wounded," she answered, sarcastically. "If you want to prevent infection and have him live to be your bait, you'll let me see to it."

Hochstetter eyed her critically. "Have you done anything like that before?"

"Nein. But I'll do my best."

"Never mind. Just sit over there by that tree. I'll take care of it."

Frau Linkmeyer considered it a moment, then moved to the indicated tree which was a considerable distance away. Hochstetter picked up his pack, then went over and knelt down of the ground beside Carter. He lay his pistol on the ground at his side, within easy reach should he need it. Then, he reached in his pocket and pulled out a lighter and a pocket knife.

Carter watched as Hochstetter used the lighter to sterilize the knife. He didn't really want Hochstetter digging on his shoulder with that knife, but cuffed like he was he didn't seem to have any choice. Hochstetter reached in his pack and got his first aid kit. He opened it and took out a bottle of iodine. He poured some over Carter's wound, then started to dig for the bullet. Before long, Carter mercifully passed out. Hochstetter continued to work until he had successfully removed the bullet and cauterized the wound. Then, he applied some sulfa powder and a bandage.

"I didn't know you were a medic," commented Frau Linkmeyer.

"I'm not," Hochstetter sardonically explained. "Just a little basic first aid I picked up in the field…tending a couple fallen comrades as a matter of necessity."

"Did they live?"

"Unfortunately, no." Hochstetter glanced back at the unconscious Carter. "But then, their injuries were worse than his. I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

- - -

The heroes searched for hours, till long past midnight, for their two missing colleagues but to no avail. Finally, they returned to Heidelberg for a quick rest and a bite to eat before resuming the search. Marie and LeBeau headed for their apartment above the restaurant while the others headed back to the bookstore. Hogan went below to check with Baker to see if he'd heard anything. A quiet Klink went to his apartment, which now seemed so empty without Frau Linkmeyer there.

Newkirk entered his apartment and looked into Felix's room. The kid was fast asleep. It was only then that Newkirk realized Felix probably hadn't eaten since lunch the day before. None of them had. Well, he'd see that the kid had a sizable breakfast in the morning. With that thought, Newkirk headed for his own room to turn in himself.

- - -

Hogan had been asleep for about an hour when there was a knock at his door. He went to answer it and found Klink standing there. "What are you doing up?" he asked.

"Couldn't sleep," answered Klink, as Hogan admitted him into the room.

"It appears neither can I," declared Hogan, as he showed Klink into the living room and they both sat down. "Now, what's the problem?"

Klink thought about it a moment. "The place…it seems so…well, empty with her. That Hochstetter…if he's harmed her one bit I'll…I'll…"

Hogan couldn't keep from chuckling a little. "I don't believe it," he announced.

Klink was puzzled. "What so funny?"

"You've actually done it."

"Done what?"

"Fallen in love with her."

Brushing the air with his hand, Klink protested, "Ridiculous."

"Is it?" asked Hogan, as he walked over to a closet where his extra bedding was stored. He opened it, pulled out a spare pillow and blanket, and tossed them to Klink. "Think about it. Now, try to get some sleep--you can use my sofa--and let me get mine. We'll have to get back to the search soon."

Hogan headed back towards his own bedroom and left Klink to make his bed on the sofa.

- - -

Newkirk and Felix sat at the table having breakfast. Felix had scarcely touched his. "Go on. Eat your breakfast," Newkirk ordered.

"I really not all that hungry," Felix responded.

Newkirk eyed Felix with concern. "You should be. You haven't eaten since yesterday noon. We have enough other things to worry about right now."

Knowing what Newkirk referred to and remembering his decision not to cause any problems, Felix tried to choke down his food.

Noticing this, Newkirk reached over and gently squeezed the boy's arm, reassuringly. "Don't worry. We'll find them."

"All right," agreed Felix, as he continued to force the food down.

Of course, Newkirk intentionally left out the depth of their concern over what that condition might be, a concern that had consumed them since they had first learned of the kidnapping.

- - -

Meanwhile, in Hogan's apartment, Klink and Hogan had just finished their breakfast. Hogan was puzzled that Klink had been so quiet during the meal. Finally, Klink said, "All right, Hogan. Go ahead and say I told you so."

Even more puzzled, Hogan asked, " 'I told you so,' what?"

"What you said last night…well, I guess it was earlier this morning. You know, that I've fallen in love with Frau Linkmeyer. I didn't plan to. I guess…" Klink shrugged. "It just…happened. I'm not sure when. Now, Hochstetter has her and I can't stop worrying about it."

"We're going to find them. And they'll be okay," Hogan tried to reassure him.

"Can you guarantee that?" Klink wondered.

"No. But I wish I could," Hogan had to admit.

"I wish you could too," Klink agreed.

Before long, the rest of the searchers arrived to join them as prearranged. They had just started planning the search for the day when there was another knock at the door. Hogan went to answer it. Except for Marie, they all recognized the voice as the individual announced, "Hogan, nice to see you again, Old Man. Wish it could be under better circumstances, what?"

Newkirk exchanged glances with LeBeau. "Oh, blimey," he sighed.

"Can things get any worse?" LeBeau quietly observed.

"Colonel Crittendon, what are you doing here?" they heard Hogan ask.

"Was at our headquarters on business when the chaps from yours contacted ours. Asked them to keep a lookout for Hochstetter and his prisoners but leave the mission to you," Crittendon explained. "I always admired your lad, Carter. Figured you could use a little help, what with my commando training and all. Thought I'd pop in and lend a hand."

"Thought you'd pop in, huh?" Hogan repeated, as Crittendon made his way past him and entered the room.

"Right you are. From past experience, I realize this Hochstetter is bad news. So, what's the plan?"

"We were just discussing it when we were interrupted," Hogan declared, as they walked over to join the others.

"Well, don't let me stop you," remarked Crittendon, sitting down next to Newkirk. "The sooner the planning's done, the sooner we can move into action, what? Carry on."

Hogan sighed as he prepared to continue going over the day's plans. Their situation was definitely not improving.