"Here is the shaft," Tony said as they halted in the black darkness under a tree.
Stan could see nothing that looked like a shaft or like the roof of a wine cellar.
"We must be careful not to disturb the vines or the bushes." Tony laughed softly. "Mr. Sachetti went to a great deal of trouble in hiding the cellar and the shaft. He said they ruined the beauty of his garden." Tony was pushing aside bushes as he spoke. Finally he called very softly. "Come now."
The raiders moved under the spreading branches of the tree and from there they crawled under a leafy vine. They found an open shaft with a high metal cone over it. Tony and Arno went down first. When the general tried it he had trouble squeezing down the shaft. Stan was the last to slip through. He lowered the guns and grenades to Allison before he descended. Sliding down he found himself in total darkness.
"Now we have to hide. The Germans will be coming down here often for wine." Tony spoke eagerly. "We'll hide behind the vats containing the new crop of grapes. The Germans will drink only the old wines. They are on this side."
Feeling their way they located a row of huge barrels and crawled in behind them. Stan and Allison located themselves near the outside barrel.
"We can hear the doors open when anyone comes down here," Tony said. "The hinges are rusty and will squeak loudly."
"How about dressing your wound now, Tony?" General Bolero suggested. "I will tend to it myself."