Chapter 14

After leaving the hospital, the drive back to camp was in silence. Kinch sat in the front passenger seat with Carter, LeBeau and Newkirk in the back. Even Schultz was quiet for awhile until they neared the area where they had picked up Newkirk. Schultz glanced in the rearview mirror. "That was a very nice thing you boys did at the end."

"Thanks, Schultz," Carter replied softly. "But we would have preferred Colonel Hogan had been concious when we saluted him."

Kinch looked at the rotund sergeant. "Schultz, can you stop the car at the spot where you picked up Newkirk and let him out of the car."

"What for? Isn't he coming back to camp and turn himself in to the Kommandant?"

"No really," Kinch replied, reaching into his jacket again and pulling out another chocolate bar. "He's hiding out with the under...."

"Stop! I don't want to hear it! I hear nothing! Nothing!" He snatched the candy bar from Kinch. "But then again, it is none of my business." Schultz slowed down the car and allowed Newkirk to get out. The Englander said goodbye to Schultz and the others before disappearing back into the woods. Kinch climbed into the back seat with the others. Schultz then continued on his way back to camp.

Doctor Prust entered Hogan's room with the nurse to check Hogan's vitals following the visit from his friends. He immediately noticed the photo on Hogan's chest with his hand lying on top of it. He assumed the visitors had placed the photo there and had put the hand atop it to keep it in place. Unzipping the oxygen tent the doctor and nurse both entered the confined space and the nurse began checking blood pressure, pulse and temperature. Prust lifted Hogan's hand and placed it back at his side, then, picked up the photo and studied it. He still suspected he had seen three of the four men before. Shrugging, he put the photo back on Hogan's chest. Then, he continued writing the vitals as the nurse gave him the numbers. Suddenly he paused. He and the nurse both stared.

Hogan's hand slowly raised again and fell atop the photo as if he were holding onto it for dear life.

Prust leaned over closer. "Colonel Hogan, can you hear me? Can you open your eyes for me?"

There was no response from the Colonel.

"Colonel Hogan." Prust gently slapped the comatose man's face on each cheek. "Try to open your eyes for me, Colonel." Again there was no response. Letting out a deep breath, Prust straightened and looked at the nurse. "Continue taking his vitals, nurse. I must call General Burkhalter and the Kommandant of Stalag 13. They must both be kept informed of any change in Colonel Hogan's condition."

Klink had just hung up the telephone when his office door opened and Sergeant Schultz ambled in. He was still a bit depressed after the hospital visit. He saluted the Kommandant. "Herr Kommandant, the three prisoners are back in the barracks. And I must report there was no monkey business whatsoever."

Klink returned the salute. "Very good, Schultz. How is Colonel Hogan?"

Schultz sighed. "He's doing all right, I guess, Herr Kommandant," the guard replied. "He is in an oxygen tent to help him breathe. Herr Kommandant, seeing Colonel Hogan like this is very upsetting."

Klink massaged his forehead. "I can only imagine, Schultz. Did he respond at all to the visit by Kinchloe, Carter and LeBeau?"

"Nein, Herr Kommandant."

"You know, Schultz...." Klink slowly got up from behind his desk and walked over to the window. Opening it, he gazed out into the compound at the other prisoners milling about involved in various activities. "....If there's no change soon, I may have to consider having Colonel Hogan sent home where he can be treated and making Sergeant Kinchloe the new permanent POW officer."

"Herr Kommandant, are you certain you want to do that? I mean, the men are very loyal to Colonel Hogan."

Klink turned away from the window and faced Schultz. He was agitated. "Don't you think I know that, dummkopf? But I can't leave this situation hanging unresolved indefinitely, even though I'm trying to give Hogan as much time as I can to come out of the coma. Don't forget, Schultz, he's the only survivor of the three people who were shot in my office that night. General Burkhalter has questions. I have questions. We need answers. And Colonel Hogan is the only one who can supply the answers."

Just then, his telephone rang. Klink picked it up. "Colonel Klink speaking. Heil Hitler," he said with a smile. Suddenly, his expression changed. "Yes, Doctor Prust. How are you? My sergeant and I were....what? What did you say?" Klink slowly sat down. "I see. Is that good?" Klink suddenly smiled. "Danke, doctor, danke. Heil Hitler." He hung up and looked at Schultz, a wide smile on his face. He rubbed his hands together enthusiastically like a small expectant child.

"Good news, Herr Kommandant?" asked Schultz.

"Better than good, Schultz. That was Doctor Prust. He called to say after the visit by Hogan's men, Colonel Hogan had a delayed reaction to their visit."

"He did?"

"Yes he did. It seems the doctor found an old photo of Hogan and his men laying on his chest in his hospital bed with Hogan's hand laying on top of it. He moved his hand to get a look at the photo, and then put it back on Hogan's chest. Then, right in front of him and the nurse, Hogan's hand moved and fell on top of the photo which is how they originally found it. Isn't that marvellous, Schultz?"

Schultz allowed a smile to appear. "Jawohl, Herr Kommandant. It is very good news indeed. May I go tell the prisoners?"

"Yes you may, Schultz. Dismissed." He saluted his guard. Schultz gave a hurried salute and turned around. He quickly exited the Kommandant's office.

General Burkhalter sat behind his desk trying to go over some reports wthout success. Sighing, he massaged his temples as the headache started. His telephone suddenly rang. Burkhalter picked up the receiver as he tried again to read the reports. "Heil Hitler. General Burkhalter here." He suddenly smiled. "Doctor Prust. How are you. I hope you're calling to tell me some good news." His eyes narrowed a bit. "I see. Does that mean there's a chance he could be coming out of it soon? I see. No, no. Thank you for calling. Heil Hitler." Burkhalter hung up his phone and, getting, up, grabbed his topcoat and cap. He was in a hurry to get to Stalag 13.

Schultz was out of breath by the time he burst into barracks two. It took several minutes for him to catch his breath after sitting on the bench. Kinch, Carter and LeBeau gathered around him.

"What's the matter, Schultz?" asked Kinch. "You're out of breath."

Schultz nodded as he continued trying to catch his breath.

"Something you want to tell us?" asked Lebeau.

Schultz nodded again.

"What is it? Is it important?" asked Kinch.

"Is it about Colonel Hogan?" asked Carter, worried.

Schultz nodded.

Kinch, Carter and LeBeau looked at each other, worry and fear on their faces. "Did something happen to the Colonel?" asked LeBeau.

Schultz, by now, had caught his breath. "Don't worry. It is nothing bad."

There was a collective sigh of relief from the men.

"Then what is it?" asked Kinch.

"The Kommandant receive a telephone call from Doctor Prust. It seems Colonel Hogan's hand was found on top of that picture you left behind. The doctor thought perhaps one of you had done that to hold the photo in place, so the doctor removed the photo to look at it. When he put the photo back where he had found it, Colonel Hogan's hand moved and lay back on top of the photo."

"Are you saying the Colonel's hand moved by itself, Schultz?" asked Carter, hopeful he was hearing right.

"Jawohl. That is what the Kommandant told me."

There were cheers and excitement amongst the trio at the news.

"Maybe Colonel Hogan did hear us talking to him, after all," said Carter with a smile.

"Looks that way," Kinch added.

"Schultzie, that's terrific news!" exclaimed LeBeau. "Thanks for stopping by and telling us." With a effort, the Frenchman pulled Schultz to his feet and Kinch led him towards the door.

"Thanks for stopping by with this great news, Schultz," Kinch replied, opening the door. "Now, we have work to do."

"What kind of work? You're not planning on escaping, are you?" Schultz said in a low voice. His eyes darted around the barracks nervously.

Kinch looked at the other two, and then at the guard. "Escape? Of course not, Schultz. But we have to let Newkirk know the good news."

"How would you do that? No, don't tell me."

"We're gonna contact him on our hidden radio, Schultz."

Schultz chuckled. "Hidden radio. Jolly jokers. All of you."

LeBeau smiled innocently. "We really do have a hidden radio, Schultzie," he said sweetly.

"I know nothing! I hear nothing! And I see nothing!" Schultz left quickly. Kinch, with a grin on his face, closed the door. He turned and faced the others.

"Sounds like the Colonel might be starting to come out of his coma."

"Oui. Perhaps he will come out of it before our next visit."

Carter looked at Kinch. "You were right, Kinch."

"Right? About what, Carter?"

"You said to think positive and I did. Maybe if I continue to think positive, Colonel Hogan and Newkirk will both be back before long."

Kinch smiled at the young sergeant fondly. Perhaps the news about their Colonel was the start of things returning to normal for the men of barracks two. Only time would tell, Kinch told himself.