Chapter 14 -- Home Sweet Home

The Stalag 13 truck pulled up behind some dense shrubbery yet out of view from the guard tower's spotlight as it roamed the area outside of camp.

Hogan climbed out of the back of the truck with one of the two guards. Lancelot peered out at Hogan and the two men looked at each other.

"Paul will stay with you in the tunnel until we get your men back in camp. It'll be better if you're not alone until you're feeling better. Also, your men suggest that you remain in the tunnel for the time being, Colonel."

Hogan shrugged. "Might as well." He found himself grinning. "I don't think Klink's ready to see a ghost yet." He then looked at his men. He could see in their eyes that they hated to be separated from him at this moment. "I'll be all right," he assured them. He gave them a wink and then he and the guard turned and disappeared into the brush heading for the tree stump which was the entrance to their emergency tunnel. The men watched their Colonel until he was out of sight. Then, they all sat back as the truck headed for the main gates of Stalag 13.

Again inside Barracks two, LeBeau, Carter, Kinch and Newkirk were busily replacing all of the Colonel's things back inside his quarters exactly where he had them. But they all decided they would keep the bomber jacket and crusher cap hidden for awhile and 'officially' present them to Hogan themselves. So, they hid them inside LeBeau's locker.

"I'm still confused," said Carter after everything was done. "I mean, why don't we just give the Colonel his jacket and cap?"

Newkirk rolled his eyes in exasperation. "We're gonna give them to him regardless, Andrew," he said, lighting a cigarette. "But...should he decide to stay, we want to make it official, that's all."

Carter smiled slightly. "Oh, I get it now."

Newkirk shook his head. "No, you don't, Andrew," he said, slightly annoyed. He and the others turned and looked when they heard the sound of the lower bunk rising exposing the tunnel entrance. Carter hurried to the door to keep watch as Colonel Hogan climbed up the ladder and stepped into the barracks. He placed a hand on the bedframe as a wave of dizziness overtook him from the sudden action of climbing up the ladder into the barracks. He swayed a bit. In an instant, Newkirk, Kinch and LeBeau were beside him. Kinch wrapped an arm around Hogan's waist and helped him to the table so he could sit down. Hogan massaged his temple.

"Maybe you shouldn't have left the tunnel, sir," Kinch remarked. "You're still a little shaky on your feet. Also, somebody could see you."

"I know," Hogan replied softly. He still felt dizzy, nauseous and ill although not as bad as he did when he was in Abwehr headquarters. Folding his arms in front of him on the table, Hogan laid his head down and closed his eyes.

"Are you feeling all right, Colonel?" asked LeBeau, concerned. He put a hand on the Colonel's shoulder.

"I'm just very tired, LeBeau," Hogan replied, not opening his eyes.

"Schultz is coming!" Carter suddenly yelled.

Hogan sat up straight and tried getting to his feet. He staggered. LeBeau caught him before he fell flat on his face.

"I'll get him into his quarters," he told Kinch. "Just keep Schultz out of there." Hogan allowed the little Frenchman to guide him into his quarters and close the door. Once inside, he eased Hogan onto the lower bunk, and himself into the chair at the Colonel's desk and waited. "Try to get some sleep, Colonel," he said softly. "I'll fix you something to eat after Schultz leaves."

"Thanks, LeBeau," Hogan mumbled as sleep overtook him rapidly.

Schultz, upon entering the barracks, found Kinch, Newkirk and Carter seated at the table. Newkirk and Carter were playing gin. Kinch was playing solitaire.

"What can we do for you, Schultzie?" Newkirk asked the rotund prison guard. He laid his cards on the table. "Gin," he said with a grin at Carter. Carter threw down his cards.

"Where is the cockroach?" Schultz asked, having looked around the barracks and not seeing LeBeau. "I need to speak with him."

"Oh, you mean LeBeau? He's resting in what used to be Colonel Hogan's quarters. This business with the Gestapo and Colonel Hogan has really upset him."

Schultz looked at the closed door of Hogan's quarters, debating whether or not to enter. The men of Barracks two were just beginning to adjust to life without their Colonel, and he didn't want to be responsible for causing any problems. After a minute, he shrugged his shoulders. "It's not important," he told the others. "I'll talk with him later."

"Was it something important, Schultzie?" asked Kinch, looking up at the 300 pound guard. "Maybe you want him to make you some apple strudel. Was that it?"

At the mentioning of LeBeau's apple strudel, Schultz smacked his lips. His mouth began to water. He could almost taste the Frenchman's pastry. Suddenly, he straightened up. "No! That's not it!" he said. "But, now that you mention the strudel..."

"We'll tell him, Schultz," said Kinch. Gathering up his cards, Kinch shuffled them. He noticed Schultz wasn't leaving. "Did you remember what you wanted to tell LeBeau?"

"Oh, yes. Now I remember.The Kommandant wants LeBeau to prepare a dinner for him and his guest tonight, and for you boys to act as waiters."

"Klink's having company?" asked Carter. "Who is it? A girl?"

"No, Andrew," said Newkirk, rolling his eyes. "What self-respecting girl would be seen with Klink?"

Schultz smiled at Newkirk's comment. "Only one who's desperate!" he muttered, chuckling. Then he became serious. "That's not funny, Newkirk. No. His guest is Major Teppel."

Hearing Morrison's name made the men pause. Something must have happened for him to be coming to Stalag 13. But what? Kinch got to his feet

and escorted Schultz to the barracks door. "We'll tell LeBeau what you told us, Schultz," he said. "But we have things to do, so you have to leave now."

Schultz allowed himself to be ushered out the door. "You won't forget about the strudel, will you?"

"Nope. I promise."

Schultz smiled and left. Kinch closed the barracks door. He motioned for Baker to keep watch at the door. Then he went to Hogan's quarters and gently opened the door and peered in. Seeing him, LeBeau motioned for him to be quiet as Hogan was finally asleep. Kinch motioned for the Frenchman to come into the barracks area. The Frenchman glanced at the Colonel as he quietly got up and left the room, closing the door behind him.

"Did something happen?" he asked, concerned.

Kinch related what Schultz had said about the dinner and the strudel. LeBeau became alarmed. "Why would Morrison be coming here?" he asked. "Something must be wrong."

"Maybe. Maybe not," Kinch remarked. "He might just be checking up on the Colonel."

"And if you believe that's all it is, you're balmy, mate," remarked Newkirk. He looked at LeBeau. "The Colonel all right?"

"Oui. He finally fell asleep." LeBeau folded his arms. "I'm worried about Colonel Hogan," he added. "He doesn't look well at all."

"Maybe we should have Wilson take a look at him just to be safe," Carter suggested.

The others exchanged looks.

"That's a good idea, Andrew," said Kinch, impressed. "Go to barracks twelve and get him. But don't tell him it's Colonel Hogan. Just say someone in barracks two needs his attention and could he come right away. And frankly, I'd feel a whole lot better if the Colonel saw a doctor myself."

"Right away." Carter bolted from the barracks. Alone, the others sat at the table. LeBeau suddenly looked depressed.

"What's the matter, Louie?" asked Kinch.

LeBeau shrugged his shoulders. "Kinch, do you think Colonel Hogan will leave?"

"I'm not sure. I mean, how many chances has the Colonel had to return home without the Krauts searching for him? This may be the only one."

Newkirk lit a cigarette. "Not Colonel Hogan," he remarked. "There is no bloody way he would ever leave without us. Even if he had a chance to. I bet he stays."

LeBeau got to his feet. "If you need me, I'll be sitting with the Colonel until it's time to prepare dinner." The others watched him head towards Hogan's quarters. After LeBeau closed the door, Newkirk turned to Kinch. "Y'know the Colonel will have to stay in the tunnels until his being back can be explained.That's if he decides to stay, that is. We can't have anybody see him before then."

"I know," Kinch replied. He felt something was troubling the Englander. "What's wrong, Newkirk? The Colonel will be okay."

"I know, Kinch, I know," Newkirk replied softly, putting out his cigarette.

"Then what's wrong? What's troubling you?"

Newkirk looked Kinch directly in the eyes. "Kinch, what if I'm wrong. What if the Colonel decides to leave. I mean, how do we continue without him?"

Kinch let out a deep breath. He'd been thinking the same thing. He shrugged. "In that case, we continue the best way we know how, Newkirk. The best way we know how."