Newkirk changed into a set of civilian clothes that Rik had loaned him before making it back to Stalag 13. He ditched the truck at the motor pool, and from there he found his way back to the barracks via the underground. He banged on the false bunk and waited for someone to open it.
The bunk slid up and LeBeau greeted him. "Welcome back, mon ami," LeBeau said, extending his hand to help the other up.
"Good to be back, mate," Newkirk replied, dusting himself off.
Colonel Hogan, Kinch, and Carter crowded around the Brit. They welcomed him with smiles and open arms, but their eyes were hungry for details.
"Did James make it to the sub OK?" Hogan asked first.
"Yes, sir, Colonel. Captain O'Hare came up and took him in," Newkirk replied.
"And there was no sign of the Gestapo?" Hogan continued.
"Or those two German officers?" interjected Carter.
Newkirk shook his head. "No sign of either. Any word on them from your end?"
"Nothing that Klink's let slip," Hogan said. "Speaking of Klink, he's set to take you out of solitary today. Better hurry up and get you back there."
The men dispersed to allow Newkirk a moment to change into his RAF uniform before LeBeau and Hogan snuck the Brit back into solitary.
Dawn turned into a grey morning. Newkirk laid down on the bed with the blanket wrapped around him. He shivered and chattered his teeth together just as Klink opened the cell door.
"Your five days in solitary are over, Newkirk. I hope by now you have learned your lesson and will become a model prisoner," Klink said.
Newkirk slowly got up from the bed with the blanket pulled tight around him. "You're not pulling me leg now, sir?" the Brit asked.
Klink stomped his foot on the ground and yelled, "Get out!"
The Brit dropped the blanket and shouldered his way past Klink. "All you had to do was say so," he mumbled.
The day moved on without any more shenanigans. "The cool down phase" London called it. Not that Newkirk was looking for any shenanigans. Once the adrenaline from helping James wore off, all the Brit wanted was a ruddy nap.
Though there was no rest for the weary. During the second roll call of the day, a military car pulled up at the gates. It didn't look like General Burkhalter's car nor Major Hochstetter's car. LeBeau looked to Newkirk and Newkirk looked to Colonel Hogan. The American kept his eyes on the car as it pulled up in front of Klink's office.
The Commandant came out of his office, ready to receive his report from Schultz. He stopped in his tracks when the passenger side door popped open to reveal Major Klaus. His uniform was disheveled, and his hair stuck out at odd ends. Klink stared at the other, completely taken aback.
"Major Klaus? What happened?" he asked, taking a step towards the man.
The Major held up his hand to the Colonel and sneered. "Your inefficiency happened, Colonel Klink," he began and looked around the line up before marching over to the British Corporal. He pointed at Newkirk and said, "I encountered this man in Essen yesterday with our escaped prisoner. He was going by the name of Henry Gobshire."
"I think you're mistaken, Major. His name isn't Henry Gobshire. And he's been in solitary for the past five days," Colonel Hogan said.
Klink gave the American a look before adding, "And he was checked on 3 times a day. He was there every time."
"I want these barracks torn apart! These men are hiding my prisoner and perhaps an even bigger operation," the Major shouted. He called for guards that did not come. "What is the meaning of this insubordination?!"
"Major, you have no grounds to destroy this camp or order Klink's men around," Hogan replied.
"Silence, Colonel Hogan," Klink ordered, trying to take control of the situation. "But he's right, Major, you can't take apart Stalag 13 without reason."
"My reason is I suspect my prisoner is here getting help from your prisoners!" Major Klaus yelled.
"I'm sorry, Major, but I must deny your request on the grounds that it is simply impossible. I must also ask you to please leave Stalag 13."
Two guard came to the Major's side, ready to "assist". Major Klaus balled his fist and seethed, "So you'd run the risk of harboring a fag in the camp?"
"What's a fag?" Klink asked.
Before the Major could respond, Newkirk butted in and explained, "A fag is British slang for cigarette. It's very common to pick up once you start fraternizing with the prisoners."
"Fraternizing with the prisoners you say? Guards," Klink yelled. Major Klaus looked at Klink bug eyed as the two guards grabbed him. His mouth opened and closed like a fish's as Klink ordered, "Put this man in solitary until the Gestapo can get here."
The soldiers saluted and dragged a screaming Major Klaus to the solitary unit. Newkirk struggled to suppress a smirk. Now Klaus would get a taste of his own medicine.