The White She-Wolf

by T.R.Dobbs

After a few misfortunes in a week, Colonel Klink has accepted a strings quartet called "The Bremen Quartet" to performs their try-out in Stalag XIII, free of charges. But the performers are hiding something both surprising and sinister within them. Will Colonel Hogan and some help (inside and outside Stalag XIII) to find answers before "The Bremen Quartet" performs their try-out?

7. Chapter 7

Author's Comment:

Sorry for the bad grammar.

2020 was a tough year for everyone, all of us, with the COVID-19, the pandemic, lockdowns and deaths. And my grandfather has passed away five days before Christmas and he just turned 88 least than a week. He died of natural causes (not COVID-19).

He's not in pain anyone. God bless him.

---

Chapter VII

Colonel Hogan, Colonel Klink and Sergeant Schultz sat down on the chairs in the Sergeant's Mess Hall. Fräulein Elisabeth remained standing. Those deep blue eyes of hers were inflamed with bloodshot after her breakdown earlier.

'So …' she answered in a calm voice. 'Where do you three want me to start?'

'Last night, Fräulein,' answered Colonel Klink willing. 'Who was that Lucky Kraut you were with at Hammelburg Park?'

Fräulein Elisabeth stared at him, puffy-eyed. 'I thought you might say that, Herr Kommandant. That Lucky Kraut I was with last night. His name is Herr Felix Wagner. He was oppose to be the first violinist of "The Bremen Quart–'

'He was oppose to be the first violinist … I don't quite follow you, Fräulein.'

'Me, too,' Sergeant Schultz commented. He was munching away on his cheese sandwich.

'Schultz! Don't talk with your mouth full in front of the Field Marshal's daughter!' snapped Colonel Klink.

Then there was a loud snap. It came from Colonel Hogan's fingers. 'Ah! I follow you, Fräulein. You replaced that Lucky Kraut so you could disguise yourself as Erick Stehle and then become the first violinist of "The Bremen Quartet." Am I right?'

Fräulein Elisabeth raised an eyebrow. 'You're getting warm, Flyboy, but not quite warm. It wasn't an easy task to replace Herr Wagner at Hammelburg Park in the middle of the night.'

'Why wasn't an easy task, Fräulein?' asked Colonel Klink.

Again she raised an eyebrow. 'Because you were following me as I was leading Herr Wagner into a Gestapo's trap, that's why it wasn't an easy task.' She said.

'The Gestapo's trap …?'

'Yes Herr Kommandant, those scary men that wear black uniform,' she replied in a sinister tone in her voice. Both Colonel Klink and Sergeant Schultz shuddered with fright. Sergeant Schultz gulped his sandwich down slowly. 'I noticed you following behind me and I didn't want you getting in the way with the Gestapo, especially that short, hot-headed Gestapo major, who hired me.'

'You meant Major Hochstetter?' said Colonel Hogan.

Fräulein Elisabeth turned to him. 'You know him?'

'He's a cheerful friend of Colonel Klink.'

Fräulein Elisabeth let out a loud scoff. 'Cheerful? That man frightens me! And Kaiser doesn't like him at all!'

'The Kaiser doesn't like Major Hochstetter, Fräulein?' answered Sergeant Schultz unthinkingly.

'What? Not the real Kaiser. My Kaiser – My dog. He's my dog! He's a German White Shepherd.'

'Oh.' That was the only reply Sergeant Schultz made.

Fräulein Elisabeth wondered why the Kommandant of Stalag XIII had picked the overweight dummkopf to be the Sergeant of the Guard in the first place. Or how did Sergeant Schultz even get into the German Army.

'Didn't you say that you hate working with those scary men that wear black uniform, Fräulein? You said it last-week,' said Colonel Hogan.

Fräulein Elisabeth snapped out and turned to Colonel Hogan in attention. 'Mine, mine, you do have a good memory, Flyboy.'

'And will you stop calling me Flyboy, Fräulein,' answered Colonel Hogan coolly.

'What else do you want to be call? Eh? What about Cowboy or Frank Sinatra?'

Colonel Klink sniggered quietly.

Colonel Hogan looked bitterly and then answered in a low voice. 'You might as well stick calling me Flyboy, Fräulein. But I do have a name you know. It's Colonel Robert E. Hogan.'

'I know that. And returning back to the subject: "The Bremen Quartet." Major Hochstetter had hired me, so I could disguise myself as Herr Erich Stehle, while Herr Wagner is taking care in the custody with the Gestapo. I need to sort Fräulein Mendelssohn, Herr Schumann and Herr Zimmer before they plot something big – Really big.'

Colonel Hogan, Colonel Klink and Sergeant Schultz exchanged concern-looks.

'"The Bremen Quartet" … They're plotting what, Fräulein?'

Fräulein Elisabeth sat on the table next to Colonel Klink, turning her body so she could see Colonel Hogan and Sergeant Schultz. She had a moment of silence. 'Herr Kommandant … I hope you have written out your will, because you aren't going to like this.'

Colonel Klink shook his head. 'I haven't written out a will yet.'

'Ach je! Alright, how could I say this?' muttered Fräulein Elisabeth as she turned to the anxious Kommandant. 'Herr Kommandant … "The Bremen Quartet", they are plotting to assassinate you tomorrow evening!'

It sounded like a joke. The two colonels and a sergeant were staring deadpan at the Fräulein.

'"The Bremen Quartet" plotting to assassinate me …?' answered Colonel Klink sniggering. 'You can't be serious, Fräulein. I have been almost assassinated a few times. How could they – Are you really sure, Fräulein?'

The look on Fräulein Elisabeth's face was like she wasn't joking at all. It was dead seriously. She was telling the truth.

Colonel Klink slid back on his seat and didn't he looked flabbergast.

Colonel Hogan was deep in thought. If his beloved Kommandant, Colonel Wilhelm Klink of Stalag XIII, get assassinate by "The Bremen Quartet" tomorrow night. Then Stalag XIII might get a new Kommandant. A gun hoist type. And then their operation will be out of business.

'Are they really going to assassinate the Kommandant, Fräulein?' answered Sergeant Schultz, sounding very keen.

'Sergeant Hans Schultz!' answered Colonel Hogan looking at the overweight, German sergeant astonish. 'I'm surprised of you! Do you want to see your commanding officer getting kill tomorrow night, right before your very eyes?'

'I'm surprised as well,' muttered Fräulein Elisabeth, staring at Colonel Hogan with interest.

'I won't be, Colonel Hogan. I'll be on night duty tomorrow evening,' replied Sergeant Schultz as he faced to his commanding officer. 'Don't worry, Herr Kommandant. You still have twenty-four hours to write out your will and –'

'Oh, shut up!' snapped Colonel Klink at Sergeant Schultz. The extremely nervous Kommandant looked down at his watch. 'I still have enough time to pack and head for Switzerland –'

'You are not deserting your post, Herr Kommandant,' warned Fräulein Elisabeth, snatching on Colonel Klink's right-wrist. 'If you're planning to depart for Switzerland, "The Bremen Quartet" … they might follow you until they succeed by silencing you for good.'

Fräulein Elisabeth performed a throat-slitting gesture with her finger across her slender neck.

Colonel Klink gasped. 'What am I going to do?! I'm a sitting duck if I stay here!'

'You meant a sitting eagle, Kommandant. I'm sorry, sir.' Colonel Hogan said. 'Take Schultz's advice, sir. Get starting to write down your will.'

Colonel Klink looked bad-temperedly. 'Please Hogan don't you listen to Schultz's advice!'

'Herr Schultz does have an excellent point, Herr Kommandant,' commented Fräulein Elisabeth, crossing her arms.

Sergeant Schultz beamed. 'Danke Fräulein. You are very kind.'

She bowed her head as she turned back to Colonel Klink. 'I meant, Herr Kommandant. If I were in yours boots, you should listen to your Sergeant of the Guard's advice: start writing down your will. And don't worry there's plenty of time left to rearrange your will.'

'Me worry, well of course I have to be worry, Fräulein! I'm the one who will be shot in the next twenty-four hours!'

'I didn't say anything about "shot", Herr Kommandant.'

Colonel Klink turned to Colonel Hogan, knowing that his POW Senior Officer had helped him before. 'You got to help me, Hogan!'

'Stop worrying, Kommandant. I wish I could help you, but I'm just a … Hold on a minute! I got an idea.'

'What is it, Hogan? What? What? What!'

'First you got to make a deal.'

Colonel Klink was flabbergasted. 'Make a deal? Do you realise I will be assassinate by a trio of musicians?'

'I'll – I meant us will save you by a trio of musicians, if you release the prisoners in the Cooler.'

Colonel Klink was speechless. Release the prisoners from the Cooler, after they called him many foul names.

'I am a loyal German Officer of the Third Reich, Hogan! My father and his father were in the German Army. I'll never release them after they called me,' Fräulein Elisabeth gasped in fright after Colonel Klink covered her ears with the palms of his hands, so she couldn't hear, 'ein Arschloch-Mischling!'

Colonel Klink had cursed in front his POW Senior Officer and Sergeant of the Guard. Sergeant Schultz clapped his hands to his mouth in horror as Colonel Klink uncovered Fräulein Elisabeth's ears.

'I know what you said, Herr Kommandant. I can read lips.' She replied.

'OK. It's your funeral then,' said Colonel Hogan. 'Planning a funeral isn't cheap. You don't have enough marks to rearrange a timber for your coffin, after you paid General Burkhalter's insurance for his house your destroyed last-week. Do you want to be buried in the dirt with no coffin, don't you?'

'Alright, alright,' said Colonel Klink as he couldn't take it any longer. 'They'll get release the day after the next,' shuddering in disgust, he imagined himself being buried without a coffin, 'What is your idea, Hogan?'

Colonel Hogan turned to Fräulein Elisabeth. 'What did you just said earlier, Fräulein?'

Fräulein Elisabeth looked perplex. 'I said about what, Flyboy? Said about Herr Schultz's advice?' She asked.

'No, no, Fräulein. You said that if you were in Colonel Klink's boots, because Halloween is coming early this year.'

The male Germans stared dumbfound at the American.

'Is there going to be another Colonel Klink, Colonel Hogan?' answered Sergeant Schultz. Colonel Hogan nodded as Sergeant Schultz's smile disappeared. 'You know what? I rather prefer signing-up combat at The Russian Front than staying here with two Devils with a monocle!'

Colonel Klink shook his fist at Sergeant Schultz. Fräulein Elisabeth made a quiet giggle.

'There isn't going to be another Devil with a monocle, Schultz,' said Colonel Hogan. He turned towards the Kommandant and the Fräulein. 'You, Fräulein Elisabeth von Muller aka The White She-Wolf and you, Colonel Wilhelm Klink, the Kommandant of Stalag XIII, will be switching places tomorrow's eve.'

'Huh?'

Colonel Klink didn't understand at all, but Fräulein Elisabeth did.

'I understand, Flyboy. You want me disguise as The Devil with a monocle and face "The Bremen Quartet."'

'Bingo!'

'But what I said earlier. It was a figure of speech, Flyboy.'

Colonel Klink stood up. 'You want Fräulein Elisabeth to dress-up as me?'

'It's only for tomorrow during the try-out, Kommandant. Fräulein Elisabeth, who will be in disguise as you, will be the newest first violinist in "The Bremen Quartet" a replacement for Herr Erich Stehle.'

'But will it be dangerous for the Field Marshal's daughter, Hogan? Now she will be the one to be assassinated! Why don't you dress-up as me than her, Hogan? You had done it before.'

'Have you seen me playing the violin with my eyes shut, Kommandant?'

Colonel Klink shook his head as a reply.

'There's your answer.' Colonel Hogan spun around to Fräulein Elisabeth. 'Are you willing to be face with them assassins, Fräulein? It could be dangerous.'

'Dangerous? Ha! I laugh at the face of danger, Flyboy,' answered Fräulein Elisabeth full of attitude. 'I have faced many dangers working as a private detective on weekdays. .And Halloween is my favourite holiday. But you got two problems.' She placed the blonde wig over-the-top of her brunette hair and then added the spectacles, disguising herself as Herr Erich Stehle again. 'What about him?'

'He's your problem, Fräulein. You can sort him out.'

Fräulein Elisabeth frowned. 'Thanks for your advice, Flyboy. I couldn't stand continue disguising as my character: Herr Erich Stehle any longer.' She said.

Colonel Klink looked curious. 'Why is that?'

'I think Fräulein Mendelssohn has a mad crush on me. You saw her gripping my arm and staring at me during rehearsals. Worse of all, she begs me to get … what another word I can say for … getting physical?'

'Oh, you meant getting laid,' said Colonel Hogan.

Sergeant Schultz almost choked on his last piece of sandwich. He coughed violently. 'You can't – Amen! You can't do that with the same sex, Fräulein! It isn't alo–'

Fräulein Elisabeth struck both of her hands on the table-top. The men could feel the vibrating on the table-top. 'Ich weiß was nicht erlaubt ist!' She snapped at Sergeant Schultz. Colonel Hogan couldn't understand her speaking German. 'Und ich bin immer noch wütend auf Sie, Herr Schultz, Sie platzen im Bettwürnisanstalt, während ich meine Strümpfe glättete!'

'What? You burst in the bedürfnisanstalt while Fräulein Elisabeth was in there straightening her stockings!' demanded Colonel Klink to Sergeant Schultz.

Fräulein Elisabeth sighed and turned towards Colonel Klink with an aggravate-look. Colonel Hogan let out a chuckle now knowing what she said in German. It was all thanks to his beloved Kommandant's translation.

'It was an accident, Herr Kommandant,' replied Sergeant Schultz. 'I didn't mean to.'

'You were lucky, Herr Schultz,' snarled Fräulein Elisabeth. 'But the next time, I won't give you another two thousand Marks or I'll tell Papa anything and he will transfer you to the Eastern Front.'

'You gave Schultz two thousand Marks?' Colonel Klink almost exclaimed at Fräulein Elisabeth.

'You shouldn't have locked the door in the restroom, Fräulein,' said Colonel Hogan.

Fräulein Elisabeth deeply sighed, while rubbing her eyelids. 'And the second problem is this: if I'll be in disguise as him,' pointing at Colonel Klink, 'what will he be disguise as?'

'She's quite right, Colonel Hogan.' replied Sergeant Schultz. 'What will the Devil with the monocle – I meant! What will the Kommandant be disguise as when she disguise as the Kommandant tomorrow's eve?'

'I better not disguise in a guard's uniform like last-time. As Private Klink,' snarled Colonel Klink.

'How on Earth did you demotion into a private, Herr Kommandant?' asked Fräulein Elisabeth.

Sergeant Schultz chuckled. 'I really had lots of fun with you as Private Klink, Herr Kommandant.'

'Would it be fun if I send you to the Russian Front, Schultz?' replied Colonel Klink threatening.

The smile on Sergeant Schultz's face had disappeared. 'Nein, Herr Kommandant.'

'Then shut up, you dummkopf!'

'What about you will be disguise as Major William Davis, Kommandant?' answered Colonel Hogan.

Colonel Klink agreed. 'It's better than Private Klink.'

'Who's Major William Davis, Colonel Hogan?' answered Sergeant Schultz.

'Schultz, I like you to meet the new American prisoner, Major William Davis,' said Colonel Hogan gesturing to Colonel Klink.

Fräulein Elisabeth pointed her finger at Colonel Klink. 'That will be Major Davis, Flyboy? Well … It's good enough for me.'

'Well Fräulein Elisabeth von Muller,' said Colonel Klink declaredly. 'We are in for a glorious performance tomorrow's evening.'

He held out his hand to shake Fräulein Elisabeth's, but Fräulein Elisabeth didn't take it. 'Will you stand at attention when you address to your Kommandant, Major Davis?' She answered mimicking her voice as Colonel Klink's.

'Hey! That's pretty good!' exclaimed Colonel Hogan.

'You sounded just like the Kommandant, Fräulein,' added Sergeant Schultz in amazement.

'Danke.'

'I do not speak like that, Fräulein.' commented Colonel Klink.

'Of course you do, Herr Kommandant. I'm just practicing. Now … Are there any questions?'

'I got one, Fräulein,' answered Sergeant Schultz. 'What if the plan doesn't work tomorrow's evening?'

She went silence.

'You won't be the only one, who will be writing out a will,' said Colonel Hogan to Colonel Klink. The American winked at Fräulein Elisabeth as she rolled her eyes.

'What's the time?' She asked.

'It's nearly quarter to eleven,' answered Colonel Klink, after looking down at him watch.

'It is precisely forty-two minutes to eleven, Fräulein,' added Sergeant Schultz.

Colonel Klink growled. 'Did she ask you, Schultz?'

'I don't care who's got the right time. May I borrow your phone in your office, Herr Kommandant? I need to cancel my performance tomorrow's evening where I regularly perform.'

'Of course, Fräulein, you can use my phone anytime as you like. Day or night. My Stalag is your Stalag.'

'A private detective on weekdays and tomorrow will be the weekends. You will be performing on stage as The White She-Wolf. Am I correct, Fräulein?' answered Colonel Hogan.

She let out a sigh that sounded like a yes. 'I got my hands full for tomorrow's evening here to be dress-up as the Devil with a monocle.' She smiled and winked mischievous at Colonel Klink.

'May I ask you where you regularly perform during weekends?' asked Colonel Hogan.

'I regularly perform at the Berchtesgaden every weekend, Flyboy. The Führer won't be happy of my special performance getting cancel tomorrow's evening at his headquarters.'

Colonel Hogan, as well, Colonel Klink and Sergeant Schultz stared at Fräulein Elisabeth astonish, mouths hanging open. She had been regularly performs at the Berchtesgaden. The Führer's headquarters. Every weekend – Saturday to Sunday.

'You're kidding!'

'I'm not kidding, Flyboy.'

'What's so special about your performance tomorrow's evening, Fräulein?' asked Sergeant Schultz.

Fräulein Elisabeth fell silence, and unable to speak. All she could do was looking down at the black-and-white photograph as it lay flat on the table with her handgun next to it.

It was Colonel Klink's photograph. The photograph of himself as a twelve year old boy, his ten year old younger brother: Wolfgang Klink and Fräulein Elisabeth von Muller's mother: Erika Stehle aged eleven.

She grabbed the handgun and tucked it away. 'You'll just to wait and see on tomorrow's evening, Herr Schultz.'

'But I'm on night-duty tomorrow night,' moaned Sergeant Schultz disappoint.

Colonel Klink smirked. 'What a shame.'

Fräulein Elisabeth sighed again. 'And I don't you all to tell anyone about me being here talking to you three,' she turned to Colonel Hogan, 'especially you. You see nothing. And you hear nothing.'

'Oh that I can do, Fräulein.' answered Sergeant Schultz.

Colonel Klink rolled his eyes. 'Oh boy.' He muttered.

'I know you would, Herr Schultz,' Fräulein Elisabeth turned back to Colonel Hogan, 'well, Flyboy?'

'I promise, Fräulein. I won't tell my men anything. Cross my heart and all,' added Colonel Hogan crossing his chest and smiling innocently.