Burkhalter stared at the hat for a long period of time. He had no idea what to think at that moment. For once in his life, Hochstetter had physical proof of Hogan possibly being involved with a sabotage assignment from only God knows who and where.
"Where...where...where did you get that from, Major?" Klink gasped. He was sure he was about to faint at that moment right in front of both Burkhalter and Hochstetter. He also did not want Hogan to be the one causing all the explosions. He was basically Klink's only friend and being his friend, the Kommandant did not want to see Hogan be tortured and beaten to death by the gestapo.
"One of my officers in command found it near a bush a couple meters away from the explosion site." Hochstetter said, gruff.
Burkhalter took the hat gently out of Hochstetter's hands and examined it carefully. He nodded and put it on Klink's desk.
"It does look a lot similar to Colonel Hogan's hat, Major." Burkhalter commented. He was now interested in further investigating Colonel Hogan's possible involvement with the explosion. He thought, perhaps, that the gestapo major had been maybe right all along, and he was just learning that.
"General Burkhalter, I can assure you that no one last night escaped from camp. No alarms, no guards, and no guard dogs were alerted of such a thing. After all, no one has had a successful escape from Stalag 13." Klink said, the last part proudly.
"Yes, Klink; we all know of your 'no escape' record." Burkhalter groaned. He and Hochstetter had only heard the spiel a few hundred times, now.
"I will investigate for another 48 hours at the site of the explosion. After that, I will consider having everyone questioned in this camp...especially the men in barracks two." Hochstetter said, sneering at Klink who, once again, had shivered back down into his chair and grew silent.
"Major Hochstetter," Klink began. He gulped and continued with his thought. "If it's Colonel Hogan you suspect was involved, how are you gonna question anybody here in camp? The man you need to speak with is currently unconscious and may not even come out of it."
"If that's the case, death will be a suitable punishment for that man enough as it is. If he does, somehow, come out of his 'coma', I will question him in the most extreme ways possible with our methods."
"You say 'coma' as if you expect he's faking it."
"Knowing Hogan, I wouldn't be surprised if he were using the excuse to get out of questioning."
"Major, a doctor has examined him and everything. Colonel Hogan's medical report is right there on my desk, if you care to look at it." Klink softly spoke, as he pointed to a red portfolio holding several medical documents regarding Hogan's current condition and possible outcomes while his hand shook with tremors.
"Klink, I want you to make copies of these documents for me immediately. I will go to the hospital tomorrow evening and speak with the doctor caring for Hogan myself." Hochstetter ordered.
"Yes sir, Major," Klink replied, rising from his chair. The Kommandant grabbed the file and walked out into the main office where his secretary, Hilda, worked in the daytime. She too had been saddened to hear the news regarding Hogan. She found him a kind, gentle, and attractive man.
Burkhalter followed Klink out of his office to further discuss what Hochstetter had just presented in front of them. Once alone in the Kommandant's office, Hochstetter rubbed his hands together and smiled with malice. I've got you right where I want you, now, Hogan. Now that General Burkhalter and that bumbling idiot Klink have seen some physical evidence, I've got them by a hook, Hochstetter thought to himself.
In Hogan's quarters, Kinch had put away the coffee pot after hearing both Hochstetter and Burkhalter leave, though they knew they would soon return. He slowly turned around and looked at LeBeau, Newkirk, and Carter who were all standing there. Their eyes were wide, and their faces were filled with terror.
LeBeau gulped before speaking. "That's why mon Colonel went back."
"He went to go get his hat...since that ruddy explosion injured him, he never got the chance and bring it back." Newkirk groaned.
"We should've known something. We all saw Colonel not wearing his hat...it must have slipped our minds, since we were so concerned about him getting help." Carter stated, growing afraid.
"Oh, we're in a real sticky wicket now, aren't we." Newkirk moaned.
"Oh, Colonel...where are we, when we need you? You would know how to get us out of this mess." LeBeau pleaded looking up towards the ceiling.
"What are we gonna do, Kinch?" Carter asked, worried.
"We might still be able to save ourselves from this mess." Kinch said, beginning to pace. He resembled acting like Hogan quite well, while doing so.
"Oh, and how do yah suppose we do that, mate?" Newkirk retorted.
"We could have Colonel flown out to London. He'd be safe, there." Carter suggested.
"It's too risky in his condition. Besides that, the filthy bosche would grow too suspicious of his sudden disappearance." LeBeau said.
"Okay; I know one thing. From this point onward, we always have two people standing guard at the barracks door, whenever we expose the tunnel. On top of that, none of us will go out on an assignment by themselves. We'll go in parties of two or more." Kinch began.
"What do we do about Hochstetter, though?" LeBeau asked.
"We need to get the Colonel's hat back, for one thing. We know it's in Klink's office, and it'll more than likely stay there, until the investigation is over."
"Yeah; if we get a hold of the Gov'nor's hat, they no longer have any physical evidence of anything." Newkirk chimed in.
"It may help some, but since both Burkhalter and Klink have seen it, we still have a problem on our hands." Kinch replied, as he continued pacing.
"I'll sneak into Klink's office tonight after he goes to sleep and get it."
"Have LeBeau come with you. Starting now, we all go in pairs of at least two."
"Got 'cha, mate,"
"Oui, Kinch," LeBeau said.
"Understood, Kinch," Carter added.
"But what are we gonna do about saving the Colonel and the operation?" LeBeau asked, still worried.
"I'll think of something. For the moment, we have to take every precaution as much as possible. We can't put the Colonel in any more danger than he's already in." Kinch answered.
"I agree; Colonel's far more important to me than the operation." Carter said, protective of his commanding officer.
"In order to protect the Colonel, we have to protect the operation." Newkirk commented, slightly agitated.
"And how do we do that with Hochstetter; he's not exactly stupid, like the Kommandant is." LeBeau retorted.
"What about Burkhalter?" Newkirk asked.
"Burkhalter can be persuaded more easily; he actually has some kind of liking towards the Colonel, so he won't be too much of a problem for us. It's Hochstetter and the gestapo we have to worry about." Kinch answered.
"I wish I could see the Colonel." Carter sadly said.
Newkirk sighed and wrapped an arm around his best friend.
Kinch looked over at the young sergeant and gave a small smile.
"I'll talk to Klink in the morning about how often we can go see Colonel. If I don't like the amount of time, I'll try to get as much time as I can." Kinch said, friendly.
Carter nodded, feeling a wave of emotions hitting him. He gulped a knot down his throat and clenched his eyes shut to fight back from crying.
Newkirk sighed and continued rubbing Carter's back.
"God, I wish he were here, right now." Newkirk sighed.
"A little less than 48 hours he has left, before he's out of immediate danger. He'll make it, mes amis, I know he will. He can do it!" LeBeau said, optimistic.
"Louis's right, guys; remember when Colonel first got so sick with pneumonia? Wilson wasn't sure he was gonna make it, but he did. If he can get through a severe case of viral pneumonia, he can get through this with flying colors." Kinch added in.
"I hope so, Kinch. Even if he gets past these next 48 hours, we still don't know if he'll ever come out of his coma." Newkirk said.
"That we can only pray and hope God answers them."
All of them nodded.
"Why don't we all grab some coffee; it might help clear our thoughts out and think of a plan to save Colonel and the operation." Kinch suggested.
The four of them walked out of Hogan's room, turned off the light, and closed the door. They made their way towards the table, each of them with a cup of coffee, and began discussing what had to be done.
Newkirk had gotten Hogan's hat back without a problem. As irritated as Hochstetter was about Klink reporting the news, both them and Burkhalter were still highly suspicious and remained with the plan to investigate Hogan's possible involvement with the explosion.
Another 48 hours went by, and Dr. Klaussner had notified Klink that Hogan had made it through the critical period. Klink told Kinch, Newkirk, Carter, and LeBeau the news, and they were all relieved. Hogan now only had to wake up from his coma, and the four remained hopeful and prayed for their commanding officer's health and for him to come back to them. Kinch had also managed Klink to permit them two visits a week with Hogan, until he got better or until they all knew for certain that there was no chance of him waking up, again.
For the meanwhile, the four men were up to their ears in stress, as they continued struggling to come up with a plan to save themselves, Hogan, and the operation. Several suggestions had been made, but none of them were logical, safe, or able to be accomplished.
Since Klink would not let Kinch or any of the men go visit Hogan until Sunday, Newkirk and LeBeau were assigned to go out to the hospital later that evening to go visit and check up on their commanding officer to make sure he was doing alright.
That morning, Kinch, Newkirk, LeBeau, and Carter stood in their two lines outside the barracks reporting for roll call. The empty spot where Hogan should be standing still irked the four men slightly. They knew he was supposed to be there with all of them and taking the final steps into recovering from his pneumonia. Sadly, that was not the case, and the four men had to acknowledge that and go on without Hogan as best as they could. They all knew how heartbroken Hogan would be, if he knew his men were not able to function without him there.
Schultz had finished counting all fourteen prisoners, who were shivering in the brutal morning weather. It was not long, before they heard a door slam shut and a voice ring out throughout the entire camp.
"Reeeeeeepoooooorrrrt," Klink said, thunderously.
"All prisoners here and accounted for, Herr Kommandant." Schultz reported, saluting to Klink.
"Excellent, Schultz," Klink spoke, smiling. He turned his attention to the prisoners. "Gentlemen, it has been a while since I've done this, so I will inform you on how the glorious Third Reich is succeeding in the war." Klink began.
A storm of moans and boos cried out from the men, until Klink ordered them to stop.
"As I was saying, the Third Reich in all of its glory continues to thrive in high command and power." Klink continued.
"Does that mean you're surrendering?!" Newkirk asked, smiling.
The rest of the men started to snicker softly.
"That'll be enough, Corporal Newkirk." Klink ordered.
"By the way, how is old Bubblebrain doing, anyways?" Kinch asked.
"Old Bubblebrain is doing just…" Klink realized finally what Kinch had said, and his face grew with anger. "Diiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssmissssssssssed!" Klink said angry, as he saluted sharp.
As they were all about to scatter, a gestapo staff car pulled into Stalag 13 and parked besides the Kommandantur's.
Klink gulped now growing anxious.
"Major Hochstetter," Klink gasped.
He hurried his way towards the car with Schultz following behind him.
The other prisoners dispersed among themselves, as Kinch, Newkirk, Carter, and LeBeau huddled around one another.
"Hochstetter; what's that old Kraut doing out here so early in the morning?" Newkirk asked.
"I hope it's not the questioning he was considering." LeBeau quivered.
"Not likely; there would be more gestapo staff cars, if that were the case." Kinch said, as he continued keeping watch of Klink and Schultz, who were now greeting Hochstetter.
"So, if it's not questioning, why is he here?" Carter asked.
The four of them saw two more officers get out from the back with someone in a USA Army Air Corps. officer's uniform handcuffed. From what they could tell, it looked like a colonel.
"Who's that bloke?" Newkirk asked.
The four prisoners saw Klink and Hochstetter enter with Schultz, the two gestapo officers, and the man in custody into the Kommandantur's.
"Gentlemen, I believe a coffee break should be called to order." Kinch said.
The other three nodded and entered the barracks and made their way to Hogan's room. Kinch plugged in the coffee pot, and the four of them began to listen in on the Germans in Klink's office.
"Major Hochstetter, to what do I owe this visit?" Klink asked, trying to hide his anxiety. Hochstetter rolled his eyes, as it was obvious how much he made the Kommandant quiver in his presence.
"Klink, this man was brought to gestapo headquarters about two days ago and kept under supervised watch for anything suspicious. We have decided now to turn him over to you as a prisoner." Hochstetter replied.
Klink glared at the man who sat in front of him. The man was a colonel without a doubt. His hands now uncuffed and uniform was identical to Hogan's. The Kommandant was slightly wishing his Senior POW Officer was there with him at the moment to help him get the gestapo to leave camp. What he wouldn't give for an interruption from him, right now.
"Alright, Colonel, talk. Who are you?" Klink asked, in his most intimidating voice possible.
The man crossed his legs and wrapped his arms around himself, glaring coldly at the Kommandant.
"I asked you a question, Colonel, now what is your name?" Klink asked, again. His annoyance was beginning to grow.
"Colonel Jackson Matthews, serial number R7674177." Matthews snarled.
"Where's your base, Colonel Matthews?" Klink asked.
Matthews did not answer.
"Colonel Matthews, where's your base location?" Klink bellowed.
Nothing.
"Colonel, unless you answer my questions, I will have you thrown in solitary confinement in the cooler! Now where is your base location?" Klink asked, growing irritated with the man. He was more annoyed with him than Hogan ever made him feel.
"Jackson Matthews, Colonel, serial number R7674177." Matthews repeated.
Hochstetter stepped in front of Klink.
"The gestapo can make you talk, if you refuse to answer voluntarily, Colonel. I would advise you to answer Kommandant Klink's questions, or you'll be forced to answer mine!" Hochstetter hissed.
"Colonel Jackson Matthews, serial number R7674…" Hochstetter cut Matthews off.
"Colonel, enough with it and answer the question!" Hochstetter barked.
Matthews slid back in his seat and glared in Hochstetter's eyes showing he was not afraid of him. He continued to sit there and not speak.
"Schultz, throw this man in the cooler! Perhaps three days of solitary confinement will get him to talk." Klink ordered.
"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant." Schultz replied. He began to walk towards Matthews, when Hochstetter stopped him by holding up a hand.
"No; assign him to a barracks, Klink. Perhaps one of your prisoners will get him to talk." Hochstetter ordered.
"Yes sir, Major," Klink said. The old Kommandant snapped his head at Matthews and looked at him. "Let's go, Colonel."
Matthews rose to his feet and followed Klink while glaring at him with pure hatred in his eyes. After putting on his coat, cap, and gloves, Klink left his office with the new prisoner following behind him.
Kinch, Newkirk, Carter, and LeBeau put away the coffee pot and left Hogan's quarters. They all quickly sat down with cups of coffee acting casual, when Klink barged in with the prisoner following him from behind. Kinch, Newkirk, Carter, and LeBeau rose to their feet and stood next to one another, as their eyes met Klink's.
"Good morning, Kommandant." Kinch greeted.
"Who's the Yank?" Newkirk sneered. He was not afraid to show his opinion about the new colonel in camp.
"Gentlemen, this is your new Senior POW Officer, Colonel Jackson Matthews." Klink replied, smiling smugly.