There was no need to shove. The boys dived inside and the German closed the door. He moved to a window and pulled down the blind, then he faced them. He was a short man with a beefy face. His stomach rolled out over a wide leather belt.
“I get you clothes,” he said gruffly.
Disappearing into another room he returned after a time with an armload of clothing which he tossed on a table. The boys changed into rough shirts and dungarees. The clothing was coarse, but it was clean. The German gathered up their uniforms.
“These I burn,” he said and left with them.
“We have to move on at once,” Sim said. “This place will be searched before morning. The Germans are very thorough.”
The boys seated themselves and waited. Their host was gone for a long time. Finally Sim got up.
“I’ll go hurry him along,” he said. “You stay right here.” He left the room hurriedly.
“Sim is no nut. He has this all worked out,” O’Malley said.
“He certainly has,” Stan agreed. He got up and moved to the door Sim had just closed. Opening it gently he went into a dark room. Feeling his way he moved to another door. He could see a shaft of light under the door. Halting with his hand on the knob, he listened. Sim was talking with their underground agent in German. Stan opened the door quickly. The two men whirled about and faced him.
“I didn’t know you spoke German,” Stan said.