Softly then, André heard a little rasping cricket-sound that was repeated almost at once from the meadow.
More helmeted men crept up to the group. They said, “Hi, Sarge, what now?”
The stocky sergeant had been studying the darkened scene around him. Now he said, “We’re too far inland.” He looked down at André. “Listen, kid. You really mean you want to help us Americans—you aren’t up to no tricks?”
André frowned. “I’ve been waiting to help for a long time. It is my country here.”
The sergeant’s face softened a little. “Okay, I believe you. But listen. Where’s your folks?”
“My family has gone away,” André explained. “But they’ll be home soon. What do you want me to do?”
“You just tell us how far it is to the nearest road across that lagoon—”
André interrupted excitedly, “First, I must tell you, there are at least six Nazis in our barn. They have machine guns trained on the road. I’ll show you the way around the back wall. You could catch them from behind.”
The sergeant stiffened. “You, Slim, stay here with the kid, out of range—and both of you keep down,” he ordered.
Several shapes moved quietly off into the black field.