Carter was the first to regain consciousness. His injured shoulder had started bleeding again and was even more tender from being jostled about during the accident.

He noticed that Major Hochstetter was lying unconscious in the seat beside him, having let the gun slip from his grasp to the floor below. It must have fired once when it did so or during the accident as Carter noticed a bullet hole on the back of the passenger seat in front of him.

Glancing towards the driver's seat, Carter could see that Frau Linkmeyer was still seated behind the wheel, her arm hanging at an odd angle. She, too, appeared to be unconscious.

Realizing that he smelled gas, Carter decided that he would have to act quickly. He opened the door and got out. He walked around to the driver's side and tried to open the door, only to find that it wouldn't budge. The frame was bent enough to prevent its opening. Carter's concern deepened as he noticed the fire under the hood steadily increasing in size. Therefore, he hurried back to the passenger side and succeeded in opening that front door. He reached across and, trying to be as gentle as possible so as not to further damage her arm, pulled Frau Linkmeyer towards him. It was a difficult task, however, as his hands were still cuffed in front of him.

Finally, he managed to get the unconscious woman pulled from the car and dragged her to an area a safe distance away.

Carter watched the burning car for a moment. It wouldn't be long before the fire reached the interior or contacted the leaking gas and caused the tank to explode. He could still picture Major Hochstetter lying on the seat next to him, a bleeding gash above one eye.

During the war, they had planted explosives which had resulted in people's deaths. But they were no longer at war. Carter decided that if he abandoned Major Hochstetter to his fate, that would make him little better than the Gestapo major. Therefore, he decided to return to the car.

After wasting no time opening the door and pulling Hochstetter out, Carter started to drag him towards the place where he had left Frau Linkmeyer. He had succeeded in getting about halfway when Hochstetter stirred and opened his eyes.

"What do you think you're doing?" growled Hochstetter, trying to pull free.

"The car! It's about to explode!" cried Carter, as he released Hochstetter.

Upon realizing that fact, Hochstetter ordered, "Run! Schnell!"

That was one order Carter was glad to obey as the two of them dashed off and dove to the ground next to Frau Linkmeyer. Less than a minute later, the car exploded.

Hochstetter gazed at the intensely burning car for a moment, a puzzled expression appearing on his face. Then, he glanced over at Carter. "You saved my life. Why?" he wondered.

"I'm not entirely sure," Carter answered. "For one thing, unlike the Gestapo, I place a high value on human life."

"Insolence," hissed Hochstetter, raising his hand to slap Carter's face. He stopped his hand in midair, however, as he recalled how Carter had just saved his life. Hochstetter lowered his hand and his tone became a bit more gentler, with just a touch of harshness. "Just don't be insolent. Now, that explosion is bound to call attention. We have to get out of here. Let me see your hands."

As Carter complied, Hochstetter reached in his pocket, pulled out a key and unlocked the cuffs on Carter's wrists. Once he'd done so, he examined Frau Linkmeyer and frowned. "She is still unconscious," he declared. "Which means, we shall have to carry her."

"You really think we should," Carter protested. "I mean, her arm looks like it's busted and who knows how badly hurt she is."

Hochstetter considered it for a moment. "You may be right," he agreed. "Besides, she would only slow us down. Let's go."

Carter was very unhappy about that suggestion. "You want to just leave her here."

"Like I said before, the explosion will call attention. Someone will find her soon." Then, Hochstetter reached into a concealed pocket on the inside of his jacket and pulled out a gun. "Or, I can put her out of her misery."

"No, don't do that," Carter quickly pleaded, giving the gun a puzzling look. "We can leave her here and they can get her to a hospital."

"Wise choice." Noticing Carter's interest in his gun, Hochstetter waved it slightly and said, "I carry a spare. Now, shall we go." Hochstetter gestured in one direction. "That way. After you."

After one final glance at Frau Linkmeyer, Carter started off in the direction that Hochstetter had indicated. He didn't like leaving her alone but she was sure to be found soon. Then, she could get the medical attention she needed and be free from Hochstetter's clutches.

With the gun still in hand, Hochstetter followed him away from the road.

- - -

They had traveled several miles when Carter suddenly dropped to the ground. "I have to rest," he declared.

Hochstetter waved the gun, threateningly. "Get up. We have to keep going."

Carter remained where he was. "I can't." Closing his eyes tightly, he pleaded, "Just make it quick."

Hochstetter took a moment to survey his prisoner. It was obvious that Carter was in poor shape. Relenting a little, Hochstetter said, "Those hills are not far. I'm familiar with them. There's a place we can hide till nightfall. Just hold out till then. Since this area seems uninhabited and no one is following, perhaps we can travel a bit more slowly."

"I'll try," Carter conceded. "But I'm not sure I can make it."

"We shall see." Hochstetter returned the gun to his pocket, then reached out to help Carter to his feet. "Now, we must move on."

Carter accepted Hochstetter's help and soon they were on their way again.

Less than a half hour later, they arrived at their destination. "You can rest till tonight," Hochstetter told a grateful Carter, as the latter dropped to the ground, exhausted.

- - -

Hogan and the other searchers returned from another unsuccessful day of combing the countryside, having discovered only one minor clue. They had been back only a few minutes when Baker came up from below. "Colonel, we've just received this message," he said, handing a paper to Hogan.

As Hogan read the paper, the concern he felt was obvious to the others. "What is it, Gov'nor?" asked Newkirk.

"Oui, mon Colonel," wondered LeBeau at about the same time.

Hogan glanced solemnly in Klink's direction. Noticing this, with some trepidation, Klink asked, "It's Frau Linkmeyer, isn't it?"

Nodding, Hogan answered, "Yeah. It seems there was an accident a few miles north of Karlstadt. A woman fitting her description was found near the scene and was taken to the hospital earlier today. She regained consciousness soon after she was found but appears confused and is suffering from amnesia. She's been diagnosed as having a severe concussion and a broken arm."

"I have to go to her," insisted Klink.

"Soon," Hogan agreed.

Newkirk took a step closer to Hogan. "And the others, sir?"

Hogan frowned. "The woman was the only one found in the area. The car had gone off the road, apparently rolled over, and sprung a leak in the gas tank. It later exploded. How far they could have proceeded on foot hinges on how seriously they were injured."

"We have to find Carter," declared a worried LeBeau.

"We will," stated Hogan, trying to convince himself as well as the others. He walked over to where he kept his maps, picked one up and carried it to the dining room table. The others drew close to observe. After spreading it out, Hogan stared silently at it for minute. He was beginning to see a pattern. "They seem to be moving northeast. First, the camp we found at Eberbach." Hogan glanced at Newkirk. "Then, when you showed Hochstetter's photo to that shopkeeper in Wertheim, he recognized him and told you and Schultz that Hochstetter had purchased supplies there this morning. Now, they've had this accident near Karlstadt. Continuing on, you reach…"

As Hogan tapped the town's location with his finger, all those present spoke almost in unison. "Hammelburg!"

"Of course," Hogan confirmed. "Hochstetter's old stomping ground. He's bound to be familiar with countless good hiding spots. However, he may be overlooking one very small detail."

With a slight grin, Newkirk suggested, "So do we."

"Exactly." Hogan rolled up the map. "Okay everyone. We'll be heading out within an hour and staying in the Hammelburg area. Get anything you think you may need. Klink, we'll stop by the hospital in Karlstadt on the way. Baker, you'll continue to monitor the radio and keep an eye on things here."

Giving their acknowledgements, the others quickly left for their own apartments to get ready. Schultz went with Klink and Baker went back below. Soon, only Hogan, Crittendon and Marya remained in the living room. Crittendon walked over to join Hogan.

"I say, Old Man, you seem to have figured things out quite nicely, what?" observed Crittendon.

"I know Hochstetter. And the pattern was obvious," Hogan responded.

"Right you are. Uh…How long do you think it will take to find them?

Hogan shook his head. "I'm not sure. There's a lot of ground to cover, but we will find them. I'm not giving up till we do."

From the sofa, Marya declared, "I know you will, Hogan, darling. I have every confidence in you."

Hogan spared her a quick glance. "Thanks. Now, if you two will excuse me, I have things to do. You two can freshen up…grab a bite to eat…whatever you like. Just be ready to leave when we are. I'm waiting for no one."

"We won't be tardy," Crittendon assured him.

"Of course not," Marya agreed, as Hogan left the room.

- - -

The nearly full moon made traveling at night much easier. Carter and Hochstetter had walked several miles when Carter began to weary again. Noticing this, Hochstetter said, "It's not much further now. We're almost to our destination."

"Good," stated Carter.

Then, Carter noticed a landmark that seemed very familiar. During the last few miles, he'd seen several that appeared so and he was having an uncanny feeling of déjà vu. His suspicions were confirmed as they reached the top of the hill. Below them, in the moonlight, he could see what remained of Stalag 13. Not all of the buildings had been destroyed by the bombs in the tunnels. The damaged remnants of some were still standing. An exhausted Carter sank to his knees, the distraught look on his face quite visible.

Hochstetter grinned at Carter's reaction. "See. I'm not such a bad fellow. I brought you home."