Chapter 6 --- Taking a Chance

The barracks door burst open and the rotund figure of Sergeant Schultz ambled inside.

"Raus! Everybody out for roll call! Schnell! Let's go! Raus!"

Grumbling, the prisoners slowly made their way outside. Kinch had his hands stuffed in his pockets while LeBeau had his arms folded. Newkirk's hands were stuffed in the pockets of his trousers, and Carter had a smile on his face as usual. Hogan, in his customary place in formation was watching the three new arrivals. Captain Davidson stood beside Newkirk while Sergeants Randall and Mitchell were beside Carter in the back row. All three men appeared nervous as this was their first roll call. Hogan and Newkirk exchanged looks. Then Hogan glanced over his shoulder at Kinch. So far nothing had been discovered about the three that could be considered troubling. But Hogan was troubled after Newkirk and Kinch had voiced their concern that Randall and Mitchell had asked a lot of questions about him in particular. Of course, that could be because they were new and weren't sure what to expect from him, or what he expected from them. But that alone wasn't enough of a reason to accuse or even suspect any of the trio of being anything but who they said they were.

Schultz finished counting each prisoner and spun around as the figure of Kommandant Klink appeared. Schultz saluted.

"Herr Kommandant, all prisoners present and accounted for."

Klink saluted in return. "Very good, Schultz." Smiling like a Cheshire cat, Klink looked at the prisoners.

"Gentlemen, I suppose you're all wondering why you haven't been dismissed yet."

"The suspense is killing us, Kommandant," Hogan commented with a wry grin. His remark drew a few snickers from the others.

Klink ignored Hogan's remark. But Hogan could see the smile on his face was a bit more forced than before. "Since you're so curious, Colonel Hogan, I will tell you. We are going to be having an important visitor today. A Major Wilhelm Von Strasser of the SS will be visiting us today. And I want no problems and no shenanigans from any of you. And that means especially you, Hogan."

The mentioning of Von Strasser's name caused Randall's eyes to suddenly look up in Klink's direction. His reaction didn't go unnoticed by someone.

Hogan faked hurt feelings. "Believe me, Kommandant, we'll make sure you and your guest get everything you deserve. Won't we men?"

There were cheers and hoots from the other prisoners.

"Okay, quiet down," Hogan ordered.

Klink seemed to relax. "Thank you Colonel Hogan. That's all. Schultz, dismiss your men." He saluted.

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant," Schultz returned the salute. Turning towards the prisoners as Klink walked away, Schultz dismissed them. He started to leave when Hogan called out to him. He turned around.

"What is it, Colonel Hogan?" Schultz asked tiredly.

"Klink is all gung-ho about this SS Major," Hogan remarked as Kinch, Carter, LeBeau and Newkirk gathered around them to listen. "Who is he?"

"Colonel Hogan, the big shot didn't tell me anything. I know nothing! Nothing!"

Hogan reached inside his bomber jacket and slowly slid out a chocolate candy bar. "Are you sure about that, Schultz?" he asked with an impish grin.

Schultz licked his lips at the sight of the candy bar. Hogan waved it in front of him.

"It's chocolate with peanuts. Your favorite."

Looking around to make sure he wasn't being watched, Schultz snatched the candy bar from Hogan's hand. He leaned in closer. "This SS Major called the Kommandant before roll call this morning to say he was on his way here and wanted to see him."

"Did he say what it was about, Schultzie?" asked Newkirk innocently.

Schultz held out his hand, palm upward. Hogan reached inside his jacket and pulled out another chocolate bar. He placed it in the guard's big hand.

"Danke. All I know is that it has something to do with Stalag 13 and one of the prisoners."

Hogan's eyes narrowed. "Which prisoner, Schultz?" he asked, concerned.

"That I do not know. Even the Kommandant does not know."

"Okay, Schultz, thanks." Hogan motioned with his head for the others to follow him to the barracks. Schultz shrugged and then decided not to ask. He turned and walked away, unwrapping one of his candy bars.

Hogan sat down on the bench outside barracks two with LeBeau and Carter sitting on opposite sides of him. Newkirk, lighting a cigarette, rested one foot on the bench, while Kinch leaned against the barracks wall with arms folded.

"What do you think,Colonel?" asked LeBeau.

"I don't know," was Hogan's reply. "We didn't find out anything after checking them out thoroughly. But after that near disaster with Benson(1), we can't afford another mistake like that. But I am curious which of the prisoners this Von Strasser is interested in."

"Colonel, that reminds me...." said Carter. "There's something you oughtta know."

Hogan looked at his young sergeant. "What is it, Carter?"

"Well, when Klink mentioned Von Strasser's name, I noticed Sergeant Randall acted like the name was familar to him."

Hogan let out a deep breath. "He did, eh?"

"Yes, sir."

"What do you think, Colonel?" asked Kinch. "Think Randall might be a phony?"

"He'd get my vote right about now," added Newkirk, puffing on his cigarette.

"I don't know," Hogan replied solemnly. "Reacting to a Kraut's name doesn't exactly make someone a traitor. But, I am curious about this Von Strasser and which prisoner he's interested in."

"But what do we in the meanwhile, Gov'nor?" asked Newkirk. "I mean, we've been sneaking around in our own barracks trying not to let these chaps know about our operation until we can clear them. We can't keep sneaking around like this, especailly with this bloody SS Major coming here."

"I know, I know," Hogan replied. He looked around at each man. "What do you fellas think? Newkirk?"

The Englander took a long drag on his cigarette. "Well, we can't do business this way. And with this SS Major coming here, things could get dicey in a hurry. And we really didn't find anything. I say we tell 'em."

"Carter?"

"I agree with Newkirk. We should tell 'em."

"LeBeau?"

The Frenchman sighed and bit his lower lip. "Oui. I agree with Newkirk and Carter, Colonel. We should tell them. But, we should also keep an eye on them at the same time."

Hogan looked up at his radioman. "Kinch?"

"Well, I still don't trust Mitchell, but you can't condemn somebody just because you think they might be phony. And it's true we haven't found anything anywhere. And London has verified everything they've told us. Therefore, I say we tell 'em, but like LeBeau says, we keep an eye on them as well just in case."

Hogan let out a deep breath. "Okay," he said slowly getting to his feet and tucking the crutches under each arm. "Let's show 'em the operation."

Kinch opened the barracks door and stood aside allowing Hogan to pass. He followed behind him with Carter and Newkirk bringing up the rear. Once inside, Hogan poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table. Newkirk and Carter sat down on either side of Hogan with Kinch and LeBeau standing behind him. Hogan looked around the barracks and noticed Randall and Davidson seated on Randall's bunk sharing a private laugh between friends. Mitchell was laying on his bunk reading a magazine.

"Captain Davidson, Sergeant Mitchell, Sergeant Randall, I want all of you to come join us at the table for a moment. We need to have a talk."

Davidson and Randall looked at each other before getting up and approaching the table. Mitchell tossed his magazine aside and approached as well.

"Did any of us do something wrong, Colonel?" Davidson asked, nervous.

Hogan shook his head, his face not revealing what was on his mind. "Nobody did anything wrong, Captain. We had a talk amongst ourselves and decided to tell you three exactly what it is we do here."

"Do, sir?" asked Mitchell with raised eyebrows. He chuckled. "I mean, the only thing I see us doing is being prisoners-of-war."

Hogan smirked. "Uh, not exactly. Newkirk, you and Kinch can give 'em the guided tour. When you're finished, bring them all into my office."

"Yes, sir," both men replied. They led the trio to the double bunk in the far corner of the room. Kinch banged on the hidden mechanism of the upper bunk and everyone watched the shocked expressions of the three as they watched the lower bunk rise and the ladder drop.

"Olsen, keep watch at the door," Hogan ordered without turning his head.

"Right, Colonel." The young man jumped up and cracked open the barracks door to keep watch.

After Kinch, Newkirk and their three guests disappeared down into the tunnel, Hogan took a drink of coffee. He glanced at LeBeau and then Carter. "Well? What do you think?"

"I guess only time will tell, Colonel," said Carter.

"Oui," LeBeau agreed. "I just hope time doesn't run out for us by showing them our operation."

Hogan took a long drink of coffee. He spoke without looking at either of them. "That's why we're gonna keep a close eye on the three of them afterwards."

(1) Corporal Martin Benson was an assassin out to kill Hogan and General Burkhalter in THE LONG ROAD BACK.