considering that. The security here is immense and varied. Technicians and others arrive and depart to check the equipment. I will say you are exterior patrols who have been sent to cover the grounds outside the wall. Your clothing will support the lie."
"Sehr gut, " said Dietz.
"You speak German?"
"Einigermassen. "
"Then you tell whoever may ask, it will be more authoritative."
"I'm not dressed like them."
"You obviously are under those clothes you removed from the guards." - "Jean-Pierre Villier said Drew, as if the name had suddenly struck him out of thin air. "
"Clothes are the chameleon," or something like that."
"What are you talking about, chlopak?"
"We're going about this the wrong way.. .. Strip, Captain, down to your shorts!"
Four minutes later, Latham and Dietz, minus their fatigues, were in the far-better-fitting paramilitary uniforms of the neo-Nazi guards.
The black cloth covered the bloodstains and the single rip in the commando's back, while the webbed belts accommodated both their knives, garrotes, and small automatic Berettas.
Chapter Forty-Six
"Tuck in your shirts, especially the rear," ordered the colonel.
"Looks more tailored that way."
"Heil Hitler," said Dietz, glancing approvingly at what he could see of himself in the dim blue light of the cabana.
"You mean Heil [email protected]," Drew corrected him, equally pleased with his appearance.
"The only thing you say is Valsweh," Cons-Op."
"Remember, Frenchmen, I'm your commanding officer," said Witkowski.
"If any questions are asked, I answer them."
[email protected] bien, mon Colonel," agreed Etranger Two.
"Ready, guys?" said Dietz, picking up the two semiautomatics and handing one to Latham.
"As ready as we'll ever be." Drew turned to the women, who rose together from the canvas chairs, the young Adrienne frightened, trembling, the older Elyse pale and resigned.
"I don't make judgments, only practical observations as I see them," continued Latham.
"You're afraid, and so am I, because what these two younger fellows do, I usually don't-I've been forced to. Believe me, somebody has to, that's all I can tell you. Remember, if we get out of this, we'll be on your side with the authorities.. .. Let's go."
he first of the kitchen help to see the uniformed Latham and Dietz come through the door were two Tmen at a long butcher-block table, one chopping vegetables, the other straining liquid through a sieve. Startled, they looked at each other, then back at Drew and the captain, who instantly separated in military fashion, permitting the camouflaged Witkowski to walk and stop between them. Grimfaced, they bent their elbows quickly in the informal Nazi salute, as if the colonel were a man of considerable stature, an impression the G-2 veteran reenforced.
"Sprechen Sic Deutsch? Falls night, parlezvous [email protected]?he barked.
"Deutsch, mein Herr!" said the astonished vegetable chef, continuing in German.
"This is a place for food, sir, and only we can be trusted.. .. If I may, sir, who-who are you, sir?"
4 1This is Oberst Wachner of the Fourth Reich!" announced Dietz in clipped German, his eyes looking straight ahead.
"He and his security colleagues were ordered by Berlin to inspect the outer grounds without notification. Kommen Sic her!"
On command, the Etranger agents, gripping the arms of the two courtesans of the. Eagle's Nest, marched through the open door.
"Can you identify these women?" fairly snarled Witkowski.
"We found them walking freely around the pool and the tennis court. It is very lax here!"
"We are permitted to do so, you fool!" cried the white gowned Elyse.
"I don't care who you are, tell your apes to take their hands off us, or start paying money!"
Well?" shouted "Oberst Wachner," staring at the kitchen help.
"Oh, yes, sir," said one chef, "they are guests here."
"And our contract does not include servicing strangers, only other guests to whom we have been properly introduced!" Elyse glared at Witkowski. The colonel nodded; the agent du combat removed his hand, as did One from the miniskirted Adrienne.
"I believe you owe us an apology," said the older, far more intelligent call girl.
"Madame." The colonel elaborately clicked his heels and bowed his head barely an inch or two, immediately turning back to the cooks.
"As you may gather, our assignment here is to analyze the security measures without interference from those who would cover up the flaws if they knew we were here. If you like, call Berlin to verify our presence."
"Ach nein, mein Herr! This happened before, several years ago, and we certainly understand. We are merely kitchen chefs, and would never interfere."
"Sehr gut! Are you the only ones on duty?"
"At the moment, yes, sir. Our associate, Stoltz, left for his room an hour ago. He must be up at six o'clock to