The German paused and gestured a series of mighty explosions with his two hands.
“So!” he shouted. “There will be no more Panama Canal. We will return here as soon as possible, and there will be U-boats waiting to take us away to other fields of battle. But I have neglected to mention the part you two will play.”
The Nazi paused again and leered at them, his two eyes like burning coals of hatred.
“I will arrange for you two to be able to make a complete report to the dear Colonel Welsh, when you three meet again after death!” the man suddenly cried. “You will be able to tell him everything, then. All the details on how the Canal was destroyed. An eye witness account it shall be, because you two are going to see it all with your eyes. Yes, as my personal guests.”
Von Stutgardt had another laughing spell, and it was a couple of moments before he continued.
“That is very good, my personal guests!” he chuckled. “In a Vultee there is room for three—a pilot, a radio man, and the rear gunner. So I shall take you two along with me. And when it is all over, when you have seen all there is to see, I will dump you out over Ninety-Six’s field. Or course you will not be wearing parachutes, and you will be bound hand and foot. But you will reach the ground, of course, and there should be enough of you left to be identified. You know, I wonder if dear Colonel Welsh will weep very much when he finds out. You have failed him miserably this time, you know.”
“This time isn’t over yet, you dirty rotter!” Freddy Farmer blurted out. “But continue with your little speech. We are amused, too. Very much indeed. Go ahead, you blasted murderer! Have your sport while you may!”
Von Stutgardt’s eyes seemed to shoot off sparks as he glared at Freddy. For a moment Dave feared the Nazi was going to use his Luger, and he got set to hurl himself at the man. Von Stutgardt’s face was white with rage, and his upper lip was trembling. But he did not use the Luger he clutched in his right hand. With a tremendous effort he gained mastery over his emotions. He slowly lowered the Luger and twitched one corner of his mouth in what was supposed to be a mocking smile.
“I will dump you out last, my swine English friend!” he bit off at Freddy. “That will add to my pleasure, to watch you die last. But I waste too much time here. Ask the guards for anything you like. You won’t get it, of course. Sweet dreams, then, you two stupid little fools—until tomorrow at dawn!”
With a curt nod for each of them, and a parting smirk, von Stutgardt swung around on his heel and walked rapidly away.