"I am glad you have not yet gone to the lecture," he said. "Herr General wishes to speak to you. You will come with me."
Stan looked at O'Malley and O'Malley looked at Stan. Stan spoke smoothly.
"Couldn't we see the general after the lecture? We'd like very much to hear the colonel."
"It will not wait. Herr General is a very impatient man."
There was nothing to do but go with Hans. Stan and O'Malley walked along the hallway with the corporal, keeping a sharp watch for Sim. They did not see him in the hallway or downstairs. Hans took them past the guards at the outer garden gate and across the street to another house. In a small hall room he nodded toward chairs.
"You will be called," he said, then turned and hurried away.
The outer door was open and the boys could see two sentries standing on the front porch.
"We have to get out o' here," O'Malley said.
"Not a chance. There's no window and those two guards would see us before we got within ten feet of them," Stan answered. "It's just a case of sitting tight and hoping Sim waits for us."
Near where they were sitting a door opened into another room. Stan leaned over and looked at the door. It was not latched firmly and was open about a half inch. He could hear men talking in the other room. They were speaking in German.