The Watcher Read Free Page A

speak German, and he nodded agreeably. They spoke back and forth, and I could tell some of the conversation was about me because they would look at me. I heard the word Unterseeboot and knew Adrie was telling him about our trip across the ocean in the submarine.
    After some conversation between them, I noticed a look of surprise, followed by disappointment on Adrie’s face. What had he told her that caused her distress? I wondered.
    Admiral Canaris then took a key from his desk and motioned for us to follow him outside to the parking lot at the back of the building. He took us to a shiny two-door silver-gray car. He unlocked the doors and motioned for Adrie to get into the driver’s seat. Admiral Canaris stood by, explaining various switches and gears and turning on the windshield wipers, the lights, and the horn. Adrie started the engine, and after she said danke a dozen or more times, I realized then that he had given her the car.
    The admiral opened the passenger-side door and signaled for me to get in. Then, standing back, he gave us a little salute, pointed to the driveway, and went back into the building.
    â€œThis was the surprise. We have an auto!” Adrie whispered. “And what a beauty!”
    â€œIt looks brand-new,” I said, admiring the leather seats and shiny knobs and equipment. “What kind of car is it?”
    â€œIt’s a 1939 Opel Kapitän. There haven’t been new cars in Germany since 1940. Now we don’t need to call a taxi for every little thing.” Adrie concentrated as she drove out to the road and pulled in to a line of traffic.
    â€œHow come he gave it to you?”
    She shrugged and raised her eyebrows. “I guess I can thank you for this. Since you are living with me now, hethinks it will be better that I don’t travel outside of Germany for a while.”
    â€œBecause of me?”
    â€œWell, not just because of you,” she explained. “It’s more likely because my face has been plastered all over newspapers in America and England since we were nearly captured back in Maine. It would be dangerous for me to work outside of Germany now. In any case, he gave me the car for everyday use, as well as for future Abwehr assignments I might have in this country.”
    As we turned onto the Autobahn, the busy highway Hitler had built, Adrie gave a little whistle. “This is a powerful car. It’s one of the last government-owned automobiles. There aren’t many left, so I’m fortunate to get this beauty. It will make up somewhat for the projects I was hoping to get.”
    Projects she hoped to get. So it was because of me that she wouldn’t get them.
    Adrie shifted gears and stepped hard on the accelerator. “Hang on to your hat!”
    I held my breath as we zoomed off, passing all the other speeding cars on the Autobahn.

5
Deadly Dogs
    W e had been driving for an hour or so, and I wondered where we were going. After several minutes Adrie glanced at her watch and said, “I do have to see someone up the road here—about work.”
    â€œOh, do you have to?” I complained, and then fearing she would be angry, I added, “I was hoping we could do something—just the two of us—like yesterday.”
    â€œIt’s essential that I deal with some important things while we are here.” She turned a corner and came to a stop outside a large facility. “I have an idea. You might be interested in seeing how SS police dogs are trained for service. It will give you something to do while you’re waiting for me.”
    Adrie took me into a building and spoke to an officer behind the desk. Then she said to me, “You are invited to watch while those uniformed men work with the dogs.” As she turned to go she added, “Oh, I told them you don’tspeak German. They’ll have someone speak to you in English.”
    The man behind the desk motioned for me to come with him. We walked