Free Escape From Paris by Carolyn G. Hart Page B

cubbyhole. They left the little flashlight with him so he could see to eat.
    â€œDon’t get out until one of us comes for you,” Robert warned. “You’ll know it’s one of us because we’ll whistle, just like I did tonight.”
    They waited until he was again shut behind the back of the bin, then they closed the lid and began to feel their way toward the stairs. They paused when they reached the top, opening the door slowly, quietly, waiting a long moment, but no one stirred in the corridor. They slipped out, eased the door closed behind them, and moved swiftly toward the front of the house. Once on the stairs going to the second floor, they began to relax.
    â€œAunt Linda,” Robert began, “do you really think my father—”
    The bright swath of light from the opening door surprised both of them. They looked up startled.
    Mme. Bizien stepped out into the hall. “Who is it?” she demanded. “Who goes there?”
    Linda was in the lead. Mme. Bizien peered past her. “Is that a man? Oh, it’s you, Robert.”
    â€œGood evening, Madame,” he said politely.
    â€œGood evening,” Linda said formally, but she didn’t pause, she kept on walking. She and Robert climbed the stairs in silence. Behind them, Mme. Bizien stood on the landing, watching.
    â€œThat woman’s a menace,” Linda said angrily, when they were safely back in the Masson apartment.
    Eleanor nodded. “I’m afraid so. I’m afraid she really is. She must know that we are suspected of hiding a soldier.”
    â€œHow could she know?”
    â€œThe soldiers searched every apartment, Linda, while you went with Krause and his men to the garage.”
    â€œYou can bet the lousy Biziens couldn’t wait to Heil Hitler!”
    â€œRobert!” his mother said automatically, looking toward him. Her face changed. “Are those the lieutenant’s clothes?”
    Robert dropped the bundle onto the couch.
    â€œYes. Daddy’s clothes fit him.”
    â€œTake the clothes a couple of blocks away. Put them in a dustbin. Make sure no one sees you.”
    â€œRight now?”
    â€œYes. We mustn’t take a chance that they be found here. Hurry. And Robert, go down the back way. Don’t let the Biziens see you.”
    â€œOkay.”
    When he was gone, Linda said unhappily, “I’ve really put us in a hole, haven’t I?”
    Her sister, frowning in thought, hadn’t quite heard. “Hmm?”
    â€œEleanor, I’m terribly sorry. I’ve put you and Robert in dreadful danger.”
    â€œDanger?” Eleanor looked at Linda with sudden attention. Linda’s slender fair face was pale, her dark blue eyes huge. Eleanor wished abruptly that she knew this younger sister better. But Linda must be made of the right stuff for she had taken the chance, hidden the lieutenant in the car, brought him here. Danger? Who cared about danger after the past hideous weeks, hot and empty and quiet with the somber quiet of death, a dying nation. And Andre somewhere? Or was he anywhere? Was Andre, vigorous, abrupt, forceful Andre, nothing but a memory in her mind? Oh dear God, Andre, where are you?
    â€œI know it was wrong,” Linda was saying hesitantly, “If I had it to do over again. . .”
    Eleanor said sharply, “If you had it to do over again, what would you do, Linda?”
    Linda looked away, looked down. Her shining red-blond hair fell forward, hid her face.
    â€œWell?”
    Unwillingly, Linda lifted her head. “I don’t know. I don’t know.”
    â€œLinda, listen to me. You did the right thing. If I had been there that morning, if he had asked me, and it had looked, as it did to you, that the thing could be done, why, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it. Of course, you did the right thing.”
    The right thing, yes, Linda thought, it had been right. But it was still dangerous and she