The Angry Hills - Leon Uris [76]
“Hey, wienerschnitzel!”
Oberg whirled about.
“Hey, why don’t you be a good bloke and send us over to the other side of the yard with the P.O.W.’s?”
“Aha, my two British saboteurs.”
“Now, come on, wienerschnitzel. In another two days we’ll be as nutty as your guards.”
“I take it, Herr Masterton, you’ve had enough of Greek criminals?”
“I’ve had enough of you savin’ the world from communism. I just don’t like the ’ospitality ’ere.”
For some curious reason, Colonel Oberg seemed to feel some affection for Ben Masterton. A smile cracked his Prussian lips.
“And while you’re about it,” Ben said, “I’d like to know what ’appened to our cobber?”
“The Jew?”
“The British soldier.”
“Rather unfortunate, Ben. He took ill—quite ill...”
“I’ll bet he did!”
Oberg looked angry at first, then sighed in disgust. He turned to his clerk. “See that Herr Masterton and his friend are taken to Gestapo tomorrow and sent over to the P.O.W. compound on return.”
“Thanks, matey.”
“Masterton, do me a favor. The next time you escape—please don’t get recaptured.”
“But, Jay,” Ben said, “you don’t have to pay Axiotis no hundred thousand drachmas to just take out one simple little note for you.”
“Look, stop asking questions, Ben. I’ve got to get it out tonight.”
Ben shrugged. “But a hundred thousand drachmas...”
Axiotis nodded. A grin broke out on the ancient jailer’s face as he pocketed the money. He was told that a return message would bring another hundred thousand. The note was addressed to Lazarus, a truck farmer in Chalandri with instructions to get the message to Lisa immediately.
It read:
Helena: I am in Averof. Tomorrow I am to be taken to Gestapo for questioning. Vassili.
FIVE
HEILSER’S FACE TIGHTENED AS he crumpled the message. He was in serious trouble now. Von Ribbentrop had certainly selected the worst possible time for a visit to Greece. British escapees were roaming all over the country and resistance was increasing daily. Just how many documents had already been stolen from the Germans would be known when and if Morrison made his escape and contacted the British. Konrad Heilser sat on a powder keg and the fuse grew short.
He gulped a sedative and rubbed his throbbing temples. The old self-assurance was shattered now. If only he could lay hands on Morrison and learn the names on the Stergiou list, it would throw the entire Underground into a panic. He sank into a chair behind his marble-top desk and mixed another sedative.
Zervos entered without knocking. He smiled at his squirming confederate. No matter who took over the Gestapo, he, Zervos, was secure in his position.
“Konrad,” Zervos said, “it is time for our appointment with Lisa.”
Heilser thumbed through the papers on his desk. “You go. Colonel Oberg phoned this morning from Averof. He is sending two British escapees over for questioning.”
“Oh? Anyone of importance?”
“Only that nuisance, Ben Masterton. I wish he’d make one of his escapes good.”
“The other?”
Heilser looked at the preliminary report. “New Zealander, name of Linden—Jay Linden. First time. We have no records on him.”
Zervos smirked. “I’ll give your regards to Lisa.” He turned toward the door.
“Wait. Inform Lisa she is to meet me at my suite at the Grande Bretagne tonight at eight o’clock.”
“It won’t do you any...”
“Do as I say!”
“Very well, Konrad.”
Heilser went to the couch, stretched out and rubbed his temples. How his head ached! How it ached!
“Masterton! Linden! Come with us!”
Several guards surrounded the two men as they stepped from the cell. Mike’s and Ben’s wrists were handcuffed behind them.
They were marched down a long corridor, the sound of the guards’ heels resounding hollowly.
After a series of locked doors they emerged in the courtyard of the prison.
Two black cars were waiting.
“You, Linden, in the first auto!”
Mike sat between a pair of plainclothes Gestapo men. An armed soldier sat in the front seat alongside the