Berg said: “Aw…what the hell!”
He turned away; began to walk towards the car.
* * * *
Fifteen minutes later Berg brought the car to a standstill outside Gendarmerie Headquarters. The sentry stood nonchalantly at the top of the steps. He yawned as Berg got out of the car. Berg grinned at him; walked slowly up the steps through the doorway, along the passage. His heart was beating a little quickly. He wondered what the situation would be inside the room. His right hand was in his coat pocket. He clasped Nielenberg’s heavy Mauser pistol by the barrel.
Berg opened the door; stepped into the room. Almost he could hear himself breathing a sigh of relief. Ransome and Hilde were still seated, bound to the chairs, where he had left them. The girl’s face was tired and drawn. Ransome was leaning
