The_Book_Thief_Complete

8/13/2019 The_Book_Thief_Complete

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THE BOOK THIEF ByMARKUS ZUSAK

Table of Contents

Title Page

DediationPRO!O"UEDEATH A#D CHOCO!ATEBESIDE THE RAI!$A% !I#ETHE EC!IPSETHE F!A"

PART O#E & t'e g(a)e digge(*s 'andboo+

ARRI,A! O# HIMME! STREET"RO$I#" UP A SAUME#SCHTHE $OMA# $ITH THE IRO# FISTTHE KISS & -A C'ild'ood Deision Ma+e(.THE /ESSE O$E#S I#CIDE#TTHE OTHER SIDE OF SA#DPAPERTHE SME!! OF FRIE#DSHIPTHE HEA,% $EI"HT CHAMPIO# OF THE SCHOO!&%ARD

PART T$O & t'e s'o0lde( s'(0gA "IR! MADE OF DARK#ESS

THE /O% OF CI"ARETTESTHE TO$# $A!KERDEAD !ETTERSHIT!ER*S BIRTHDA%1 2345255 PERCE#T PURE "ERMA# S$EATTHE "ATES OF THIE,ER%BOOK OF FIRE

PART THREE & 6ein+a67fTHE $A% HOMETHE MA%OR*S !IBRAR%E#TER THE STRU""!ERTHE ATTRIBUTES OF SUMMERTHE AR%A# SHOPKEEPERTHE STRU""!ER1 CO#TI#UEDTRICKSTERSTHE STRU""!ER1 CO#C!UDED

PART FOUR & t'e stando)e( 6anTHE ACCORDIO#IST & -T'e Se(et !ife of Hans H0be(6ann.


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A "OOD "IR!A SHORT HISTOR% OF THE /E$ISH FIST FI"HTERTHE $RATH OF ROSA!IESE!*S !ECTURETHE S!EEPERTHE S$APPI#" OF #I"HTMARESPA"ES FROM THE BASEME#T

PART FI,E & t'e 8'istle(THE F!OATI#" BOOK -Pa(t I.THE "AMB!ERS & -A SE,E#&SIDED DIE.RUD%*S %OUTHTHE !OSERSSKETCHESTHE $HIST!ER A#D THE SHOESTHREE ACTS OF STUPIDIT% & B% RUD% STEI#ERTHE F!OATI#" BOOK -Pa(t II.

PART SI9 & t'e d(ea6 a((ie(DEATH*S DIAR%: 234;THE S#O$MA#THIRTEE# PRESE#TSFRESH AIR1 A# O!D #I"HTMARE1 A#D $HAT TO DO $ITH A /E$ISH CORPSEDEATH*S DIAR%: CO!O"#ETHE ,ISITORTHE SCHMU#ZE!ERDEATH*S DIAR%: THE PARISIA#S

PART SE,E# & t'e o67lete d0den ditiona(y and t'esa0(0sCHAMPA"#E A#D ACCORDIO#STHE TRI!O"%THE SOU#D OF SIRE#STHE SK% STEA!ERFRAU HO!TZAPFE!*S OFFERTHE !O#" $A!K TO DACHAUPEACETHE IDIOT A#D THE COAT ME#

PART EI"HT & t'e 8o(ds'a+e(

DOMI#OES A#D DARK#ESSTHE THOU"HT OF RUD% #AKEDPU#ISHME#TTHE PROMISE KEEPER*S $IFETHE CO!!ECTORTHE BREAD EATERSTHE HIDDE# SKETCHBOOK


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THE A#ARCHIST*S SUIT CO!!ECTIO#

PART #I#E & t'e last '06an st(ange(THE #E9T TEMPTATIO#THE CARDP!A%ERTHE S#O$S OF STA!I#"RADTHE A"E!ESS BROTHERTHE ACCIDE#TTHE BITTER TASTE OF


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T'at*s 0s0ally 'o8 I see t'ings=

O( at least1 'o8 I t(y=

HERE IS A SMA!! FACT %o0 a(e going to die=I a6 in all t(0t'f0lness atte67ting to be 'ee(f0l abo0t t'is 8'ole to7i1 t'o0g' 6ost 7eo7lefind t'e6sel)es 'inde(ed in belie)ing 6e1 no 6atte( 6y 7(otestations= Please1 t(0st 6e= I 6ostdefinitely an be 'ee(f0l= I an be a6iable= Ag(eeable= Affable= And t'at*s only t'e A*s= /0stdon*t as+ 6e to be nie= #ie 'as not'ing to do 8it' 6e=

REACTIO# TO THE AFOREME#TIO#ED FACT Does t'is 8o((y yo0> I 0(ge yo0&&don*t be af(aid= I*6 not'ing if not fai(=&&Of o0(se1 an int(od0tion=

A beginning=

$'e(e a(e 6y 6anne(s>

I o0ld int(od0e 6yself 7(o7e(ly1 b0t it*s not (eally neessa(y= %o0 8ill +no8 6e 8elleno0g' and soon eno0g'1 de7ending on a di)e(se (ange of )a(iables= It s0ffies to say t'at atso6e 7oint in ti6e1 I 8ill be standing o)e( yo01 as genially as 7ossible= %o0( so0l 8ill be in6y a(6s= A olo( 8ill be 7e('ed on 6y s'o0lde(= I 8ill a((y yo0 gently a8ay=

At t'at 6o6ent1 yo0 8ill be lying t'e(e -I (a(ely find 7eo7le standing 07.= %o0 8ill be a+edin yo0( o8n body= T'e(e 6ig't be a diso)e(y? a s(ea6 8ill d(ibble do8n t'e ai(= T'e onlyso0nd I*ll 'ea( afte( t'at 8ill be 6y o8n b(eat'ing1 and t'e so0nd of t'e s6ell1 of 6yfootste7s=

T'e @0estion is1 8'at olo( 8ill e)e(yt'ing be at t'at 6o6ent 8'en I o6e fo( yo0> $'at8ill t'e s+y be saying>

Pe(sonally1 I li+e a 'oolate&olo(ed s+y= Da(+1 da(+ 'oolate= Peo7le say it s0its 6e= I do1'o8e)e(1 t(y to enoy e)e(y olo( I see&&t'e 8'ole s7et(06= A billion o( so fla)o(s1 none oft'e6 @0ite t'e sa6e1 and a s+y to slo8ly s0+ on= It ta+es t'e edge off t'e st(ess= It 'el7s 6e(ela=

A SMA!! THEOR% Peo7le obse()e t'e olo(s of a day only at its beginnings and ends1 b0t to 6e it*s @0ite lea( t'at a day 6e(ges t'(o0g' a

60ltit0de of s'ades and intonations1 8it' ea' 7stin+e(ing 6o6ent= A single 'o0( an onsist of t'o0sands of diffe(ent olo(s= $ay yello8s1 lo0d&s7at bl0es= M0(+y da(+nesses= In 6y line of 8o(+1 I 6a+e it a 7oint to notie t'e6=As I*)e been all0ding to1 6y one sa)ing g(ae is dist(ation= It +ee7s 6e sane= It 'el7s 6eo7e1 onside(ing t'e lengt' of ti6e I*)e been 7e(fo(6ing t'is ob= T'e t(o0ble is1 8'o o0lde)e( (e7lae 6e> $'o o0ld ste7 in 8'ile I ta+e a b(ea+ in yo0( sto+&standa(d (eso(t&style


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)aation destination1 8'et'e( it be t(o7ial o( of t'e s+i t(i7 )a(iety> T'e ans8e(1 of o0(se1 isnobody1 8'i' 'as 7(o67ted 6e to 6a+e a onsio0s1 delibe(ate deision&&to 6a+edist(ation 6y )aation= #eedless to say1 I )aation in in(e6ents= In olo(s=

Still1 it*s 7ossible t'at yo0 6ig't be as+ing1 8'y does 'e e)en need a )aation> $'at does 'eneed dist(ation f(o6>

$'i' b(ings 6e to 6y net 7oint=

It*s t'e lefto)e( '06ans=

T'e s0()i)o(s=

T'ey*(e t'e ones I an*t stand to loo+ at1 alt'o0g' on 6any oasions I still fail= I delibe(atelysee+ o0t t'e olo(s to +ee7 6y 6ind off t'e61 b0t no8 and t'en1 I 8itness t'e ones 8'o a(eleft be'ind1 (06bling a6ong t'e igsa8 70le of (ealiation1 des7ai(1 and s0(7(ise= T'ey'a)e 70nt0(ed 'ea(ts= T'ey 'a)e beaten l0ngs=

$'i' in t0(n b(ings 6e to t'e s0bet I a6 telling yo0 abo0t tonig't1 o( today1 o( 8'ate)e(t'e 'o0( and olo(= It*s t'e sto(y of one of t'ose 7e(7et0al s0()i)o(s&&an e7e(t at being left

be'ind=

It*s 0st a s6all sto(y (eally1 abo0t1 a6ong ot'e( t'ings:

A gi(l So6e 8o(ds An ao(dionist So6e fanatial "e(6ans A /e8is' fist fig'te( And @0ite a lot of t'ie)e(yI sa8 t'e boo+ t'ief t'(ee ti6es=

BESIDE THE RAI!$A% !I#EFi(st 07 is so6et'ing 8'ite= Of t'e blinding +ind=

So6e of yo0 a(e 6ost li+ely t'in+ing t'at 8'ite is not (eally a olo( and all of t'at ti(ed so(tof nonsense= $ell1 I*6 'e(e to tell yo0 t'at it is= $'ite is 8it'o0t @0estion a olo(1 and7e(sonally1 I don*t t'in+ yo0 8ant to a(g0e 8it' 6e=

A REstin+e(URI#" A##OU#CEME#T Please1 be al61 des7ite t'at 7(e)io0s t'(eat= I a6 all bl0ste(&& I a6 not )iolent= I a6 not 6aliio0s= I a6 a (es0lt=%es1 it 8as 8'ite=

It felt as t'o0g' t'e 8'ole globe 8as d(essed in sno8= !i+e it 'ad 70lled it on1 t'e 8ay yo070ll on a s8eate(= #et to t'e t(ain line1 foot7(ints 8e(e s0n+en to t'ei( s'ins= T(ees 8o(eblan+ets of ie=

As yo0 6ig't e7et1 so6eone 'ad died=


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T'ey o0ldn*t 0st lea)e 'i6 on t'e g(o0nd= Fo( no81 it 8asn*t s0' a 7(oble61 b0t )e(y soon1t'e t(a+ a'ead 8o0ld be lea(ed and t'e t(ain 8o0ld need to 6o)e on=

T'e(e 8e(e t8o g0a(ds=

T'e(e 8as one 6ot'e( and 'e( da0g'te(=

One o(7se=

T'e 6ot'e(1 t'e gi(l1 and t'e o(7se (e6ained st0bbo(n and silent=

$ell1 8'at else do yo0 8ant 6e to do>

T'e g0a(ds 8e(e tall and s'o(t= T'e tall one al8ays s7o+e fi(st1 t'o0g' 'e 8as not in 'a(ge=He loo+ed at t'e s6alle(1 (o0nde( one= T'e one 8it' t'e 0iy (ed fae=

$ell1 8as t'e (es7onse1 8e an*t 0st lea)e t'e6 li+e t'is1 an 8e>

T'e tall one 8as losing 7atiene= $'y not>

And t'e s6alle( one dang nea( e7loded= He loo+ed 07 at t'e tall one*s 'in and (ied1S7innst d0> A(e yo0 st07id> T'e ab'o((ene on 'is 'ee+s 8as g(o8ing t'i+e( by t'e6o6ent= His s+in 8idened= Co6e on1 'e said1 t(ai7sing o)e( t'e sno8= $e*ll a((y allt'(ee of t'e6 ba+ on if 8e 'a)e to= $e*ll notify t'e net sto7=

As fo( 6e1 I 'ad al(eady 6ade t'e 6ost ele6enta(y of 6ista+es= I an*t e7lain to yo0 t'ese)e(ity of 6y self&disa77oint6ent= O(iginally1 I*d done e)e(yt'ing (ig't:

I st0died t'e blinding1 8'ite&sno8 s+y 8'o stood at t'e 8indo8 of t'e 6o)ing t(ain= I7(atially in'aled it1 b0t still1 I 8a)e(ed= I b0+led&&I bea6e inte(ested= In t'e gi(l=C0(iosity got t'e bette( of 6e1 and I (esigned 6yself to stay as long as 6y s'ed0le allo8ed1and I 8at'ed=

T8enty&t'(ee 6in0tes late(1 8'en t'e t(ain 8as sto77ed1 I li6bed o0t 8it' t'e6=

A s6all so0l 8as in 6y a(6s=

I stood a little to t'e (ig't=

T'e dyna6i t(ain g0a(d d0o 6ade t'ei( 8ay ba+ to t'e 6ot'e(1 t'e gi(l1 and t'e s6all 6aleo(7se= I lea(ly (e6e6be( t'at 6y b(eat' 8as lo0d t'at day= I*6 s0(7(ised t'e g0a(ds didn*tnotie 6e as t'ey 8al+ed by= T'e 8o(ld 8as sagging no81 0nde( t'e 8eig't of all t'at sno8=

Pe('a7s ten 6ete(s to 6y left1 t'e 7ale1 e67ty&sto6a'ed gi(l 8as standing1 f(ost&st(i+en=

He( 6o0t' itte(ed=

He( old a(6s 8e(e folded=

Tea(s 8e(e f(oen to t'e boo+ t'ief*s fae=

THE EC!IPSE#et is a signat0(e bla+1 to s'o8 t'e 7oles of 6y )e(satility1 if yo0 li+e= It 8as t'e da(+est6o6ent befo(e t'e da8n=


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T'is ti6e1 I 'ad o6e fo( a 6an of 7e('a7s t8enty&fo0( yea(s of age= It 8as a bea0tif0l t'ingin so6e 8ays= T'e 7lane 8as still o0g'ing= S6o+e 8as lea+ing f(o6 bot' its l0ngs=

$'en it (as'ed1 t'(ee dee7 gas'es 8e(e 6ade in t'e ea(t'= Its 8ings 8e(e no8 sa8n&offa(6s= #o 6o(e fla77ing= #ot fo( t'is 6etalli little bi(d=

SOME OTHER SMA!! FACTS So6eti6es I a((i)e too ea(ly= I (0s'1 and so6e 7eo7le ling longe( to life t'an e7eted=

Afte( a s6all olletion of 6in0tes1 t'e s6o+e e'a0sted itself= T'e(e 8as not'ing left togi)e=

A boy a((i)ed fi(st1 8it' l0tte(ed b(eat' and 8'at a77ea(ed to be a toolbo= $it' g(eatt(e7idation1 'e a77(oa'ed t'e o+7it and 8at'ed t'e 7ilot1 ga0ging if 'e 8as ali)e1 at8'i' 7oint1 'e still 8as= T'e boo+ t'ief a((i)ed 7e('a7s t'i(ty seonds late(=

%ea(s 'ad 7stin+e(ed1 b0t I (eognied 'e(=

S'e 8as 7anting=

F(o6 t'e toolbo1 t'e boy too+ o0t1 of all t'ings1 a teddy bea(=

He (ea'ed in t'(o0g' t'e to(n 8inds'ield and 7laed it on t'e 7ilot*s 'est= T'e s6iling bea(sat '0ddled a6ong t'e (o8ded 8(e+age of t'e 6an and t'e blood= A fe8 6in0tes late(1 Itoo+ 6y 'ane= T'e ti6e 8as (ig't=

I 8al+ed in1 loosened 'is so0l1 and a((ied it gently a8ay=

All t'at 8as left 8as t'e body1 t'e d8indling s6ell of s6o+e1 and t'e s6iling teddy bea(=

As t'e (o8d a((i)ed in f0ll1 t'ings1 of o0(se1 'ad 'anged= T'e 'o(ion 8as beginning to'a(oal= $'at 8as left of t'e bla+ness abo)e 8as not'ing no8 b0t a s(ibble1 anddisa77ea(ing fast=

T'e 6an1 in o67a(ison1 8as t'e olo( of bone= S+eleton&olo(ed s+in= A (0ffled 0nifo(6= Hiseyes 8e(e old and b(o8n&&li+e offee stains&&and t'e last s(a8l f(o6 abo)e fo(6ed 8'at1to 6e1 a77ea(ed an odd1 yet fa6ilia(1 s'a7e= A signat0(e=

T'e (o8d did 8'at (o8ds do=

As I 6ade 6y 8ay t'(o0g'1 ea' 7e(son stood and 7layed 8it' t'e @0ietness of it= It 8as a

s6all onotion of disointed 'and 6o)e6ents1 60ffled sentenes1 and 60te1 self&onsio0st0(ns=

$'en I glaned ba+ at t'e 7lane1 t'e 7ilot*s o7en 6o0t' a77ea(ed to be s6iling=

A final di(ty o+e=

Anot'e( '06an 70n' line=

He (e6ained s'(o0ded in 'is 0nifo(6 as t'e g(aying lig't a(6&8(estled t'e s+y= As 8it' 6any


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of t'e ot'e(s1 8'en I began 6y o0(ney a8ay1 t'e(e see6ed a @0i+ s'ado8 again1 a final6o6ent of eli7se&&t'e (eognition of anot'e( so0l gone=

%o0 see1 to 6e1 fo( 0st a 6o6ent1 des7ite all of t'e olo(s t'at to0' and g(a77le 8it' 8'at Isee in t'is 8o(ld1 I 8ill often at' an eli7se 8'en a '06an dies=

I*)e seen 6illions of t'e6=

I*)e seen 6o(e eli7ses t'an I a(e to (e6e6be(=

THE F!A"T'e last ti6e I sa8 'e( 8as (ed= T'e s+y 8as li+e so071 boiling and sti((ing= In so6e 7laes1 it8as b0(ned= T'e(e 8e(e bla+ (06bs1 and 7e77e(1 st(ea+ed a(oss t'e (edness=

Ea(lie(1 +ids 'ad been 7laying 'o7sot' t'e(e1 on t'e st(eet t'at loo+ed li+e oil&stained 7ages=$'en I a((i)ed1 I o0ld still 'ea( t'e e'oes= T'e feet ta77ing t'e (oad= T'e 'ild(en&)oiesla0g'ing1 and t'e s6iles li+e salt1 b0t deaying fast=

T'en1 bo6bs=

T'is ti6e1 e)e(yt'ing 8as too late=

T'e si(ens= T'e 0+oo s'(ie+s in t'e (adio= All too late=

$it'in 6in0tes1 6o0nds of on(ete and ea(t' 8e(e sta+ed and 7iled= T'e st(eets 8e(e(07t0(ed )eins= Blood st(ea6ed till it 8as d(ied on t'e (oad1 and t'e bodies 8e(e st0+ t'e(e1li+e d(ift8ood afte( t'e flood=

T'ey 8e(e gl0ed do8n1 e)e(y last one of t'e6= A 7a+et of so0ls=

$as it fate>

Misfo(t0ne>

Is t'at 8'at gl0ed t'e6 do8n li+e t'at>

Of o0(se not=

!et*s not be st07id=

It 7(obably 'ad 6o(e to do 8it' t'e '0(led bo6bs1 t'(o8n do8n by '06ans 'iding in t'elo0ds=

%es1 t'e s+y 8as no8 a de)astating1 'o6e&oo+ed (ed= T'e s6all "e(6an to8n 'ad beenfl0ng a7a(t one 6o(e ti6e= Sno8fla+es of as' fell so lo)elily yo0 8e(e te67ted to st(et' o0t

yo0( tong0e to at' t'e61 taste t'e6= Only1 t'ey 8o0ld 'a)e so('ed yo0( li7s= T'ey 8o0ld'a)e oo+ed yo0( 6o0t'=

Clea(ly1 I see it=

I 8as 0st abo0t to lea)e 8'en I fo0nd 'e( +neeling t'e(e=

A 6o0ntain (ange of (0bble 8as 8(itten1 designed1 e(eted a(o0nd 'e(= S'e 8as l0t'ing at aboo+=

A7a(t f(o6 e)e(yt'ing else1 t'e boo+ t'ief 8anted des7e(ately to go ba+ to t'e base6ent1 to


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8(ite1 o( to (ead t'(o0g' 'e( sto(y one last ti6e= In 'indsig't1 I see it so ob)io0sly on 'e( fae=

S'e 8as dying fo( it&& t'e safety of it1 t'e 'o6e of it&&b0t s'e o0ld not 6o)e= Also1 t'ebase6ent didn*t e)en eist any6o(e= It 8as 7a(t of t'e 6angled landsa7e=

Please1 again1 I as+ yo0 to belie)e 6e=

I 8anted to sto7= To (o0' do8n=

I 8anted to say:

I*6 so((y1 'ild=

B0t t'at is not allo8ed=

I did not (o0' do8n= I did not s7ea+=

Instead1 I 8at'ed 'e( a8'ile= $'en s'e 8as able to 6o)e1 I follo8ed 'e(=

S'e d(o77ed t'e boo+=

S'e +nelt=

T'e boo+ t'ief 'o8led=

He( boo+ 8as ste77ed on se)e(al ti6es as t'e lean07 began1 and alt'o0g' o(de(s 8e(e gi)enonly to lea( t'e 6ess of on(ete1 t'e gi(l*s 6ost 7(eio0s ite6 8as t'(o8n aboa(d a ga(baget(0+1 at 8'i' 7oint I 8as o67elled= I li6bed aboa(d and too+ it in 6y 'and1 not (ealiingt'at I 8o0ld +ee7 it and )ie8 it se)e(al t'o0sand ti6es o)e( t'e yea(s= I 8o0ld 8at' t'e7laes 8'e(e 8e inte(set1 and 6a()el at 8'at t'e gi(l sa8 and 'o8 s'e s0()i)ed= T'at is t'ebest I an do&& 8at' it fall into line 8it' e)e(yt'ing else I s7etated d0(ing t'at ti6e=

$'en I (eollet 'e(1 I see a long list of olo(s1 b0t it*s t'e t'(ee in 8'i' I sa8 'e( in t'efles' t'at (esonate t'e 6ost= So6eti6es I 6anage to float fa( abo)e t'ose t'(ee 6o6ents= I'ang s0s7ended1 0ntil a se7ti t(0t' bleeds to8a(d la(ity=

T'at*s 8'en I see t'e6 fo(60late=

THE CO!ORS

RED: $HITE: B!ACK:T'ey fall on to7 of ea' ot'e(= T'e s(ibbled signat0(e bla+1 onto t'e blinding global 8'ite1onto t'e t'i+ so07y (ed=

%es1 often1 I a6 (e6inded of 'e(1 and in one of 6y )ast a((ay of 7o+ets1 I 'a)e +e7t 'e( sto(yto (etell= It is one of t'e s6all legion I a((y1 ea' one et(ao(dina(y in its o8n (ig't= Ea' onean atte67t&& an i66ense lea7 of an atte67t&&to 7(o)e to 6e t'at yo01 and yo0( '06aneistene1 a(e 8o(t' it=

He(e it is= One of a 'andf0l=

T'e Boo+ T'ief=


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If yo0 feel li+e it1 o6e 8it' 6e= I 8ill tell yo0 a sto(y=

I*ll s'o8 yo0 so6et'ing=

PART O#Et'e g(a)e digge(*s 'andboo+

feat0(ing:'i66el st(eet&&t'e a(t of 0ss6a+ing&&an i(onfisted 8o6an&&a +iss atte67t&&esse o8ens&&sand7a7e(&&t'e s6ell of f(iends'i7&&a 'ea)y8eig't 'a67ion&&and t'e 6ot'e( of all 8ats'ens

ARRI,A! O# HIMME! STREETT'at last ti6e=

T'at (ed s+y = = =

Ho8 does a boo+ t'ief end 07 +neeling and 'o8ling and flan+ed by a 6an&6ade 'ea7 of(idi0lo0s1 g(easy1 oo+ed&07 (0bble>

%ea(s ea(lie(1 t'e sta(t 8as sno8=

T'e ti6e 'ad o6e= Fo( one=

A SPECTACU!AR!% TRA"IC MOME#T A t(ain 8as 6o)ing @0i+ly= It 8as 7a+ed 8it' '06ans= A si&yea(&old boy died in t'e t'i(d a((iage=T'e boo+ t'ief and 'e( b(ot'e( 8e(e t(a)eling do8n to8a(d M0ni'1 8'e(e t'ey 8o0ld soonbe gi)en o)e( to foste( 7a(ents= $e no8 +no81 of o0(se1 t'at t'e boy didn*t 6a+e it=

HO$ IT HAPPE#ED T'e(e 8as an intense s70(t of o0g'ing= Al6ost an ins7i(ed s70(t= And soon afte(&&not'ing=$'en t'e o0g'ing sto77ed1 t'e(e 8as not'ing b0t t'e not'ingness of life 6o)ing on 8it' as'0ffle1 o( a nea(&silent t8it'= A s0ddenness fo0nd its 8ay onto 'is li7s t'en1 8'i' 8e(e ao((oded b(o8n olo( and 7eeling1 li+e old 7aint= In des7e(ate need of (edoing=

T'ei( 6ot'e( 8as aslee7=

I ente(ed t'e t(ain=

My feet ste77ed t'(o0g' t'e l0tte(ed aisle and 6y 7al6 8as o)e( 'is 6o0t' in an instant=

#o one notied=

T'e t(ain gallo7ed on=


11/287

Ee7t t'e gi(l=

$it' one eye o7en1 one still in a d(ea61 t'e boo+ t'ief&&also +no8n as !iesel Me6inge(&&o0ld see 8it'o0t @0estion t'at 'e( yo0nge( b(ot'e(1 $e(ne(1 8as no8 side8ays and dead=

His bl0e eyes sta(ed at t'e floo(=

Seeing not'ing=

P(io( to 8a+ing 071 t'e boo+ t'ief 8as d(ea6ing abo0t t'e F f0'(e(1 Adolf Hitle(= In t'e d(ea61s'e 8as attending a (ally at 8'i' 'e s7o+e1 loo+ing at t'e s+0ll&olo(ed 7a(t in 'is 'ai( and

t'e 7e(fet s@0a(e of 'is 60sta'e= S'e 8as listening ontentedly to t'e to((ent of 8o(dss7illing f(o6 'is 6o0t'= His sentenes glo8ed in t'e lig't= In a @0iete( 6o6ent1 'e at0ally(o0'ed do8n and s6iled at 'e(= S'e (et0(ned t'e s6ile and said1 "0ten Tag1 He(( F '(e(=$ie ge't*s di( 'e0t> S'e 'adn*t lea(ned to s7ea+ too 8ell1 o( e)en to (ead1 as s'e 'ad (a(elyf(e@0ented s'ool= T'e (eason fo( t'at s'e 8o0ld find o0t in d0e o0(se=

/0st as t'e F '(e( 8as abo0t to (e7ly1 s'e 8o+e 07=

It 8as /an0a(y 233= S'e 8as nine yea(s old1 soon to be ten=

He( b(ot'e( 8as dead=

One eye o7en=

One still in a d(ea6=

It 8o0ld be bette( fo( a o67lete d(ea61 I t'in+1 b0t I (eally 'a)e no ont(ol o)e( t'at=

T'e seond eye 067ed a8a+e and s'e a0g't 6e o0t1 no do0bt abo0t it= It 8as eatly 8'enI +nelt do8n and et(ated 'is so0l1 'olding it li67ly in 6y s8ollen a(6s= He 8a(6ed 07

soon afte(1 b0t 8'en I 7i+ed 'i6 07 o(iginally1 t'e boy*s s7i(it 8as soft and old1 li+e ie(ea6= He sta(ted 6elting in 6y a(6s= T'en 8a(6ing 07 o67letely= Healing=

Fo( !iesel Me6inge(1 t'e(e 8as t'e i67(isoned stiffness of 6o)e6ent and t'e stagge(edonsla0g't of t'o0g'ts= Es sti66t ni't= T'is isn*t 'a77ening= T'is isn*t 'a77ening=

And t'e s'a+ing=

$'y do t'ey al8ays s'a+e t'e6>

%es1 I +no81 I +no81 I stin+e(06e it 'as so6et'ing to do 8it' instint= To ste6 t'e flo8 of t(0t'=He( 'ea(t at t'at 7oint 8as sli77e(y and 'ot1 and lo0d1 so lo0d so lo0d=

St07idly1 I stayed= I 8at'ed=

#et1 'e( 6ot'e(=

S'e 8o+e 'e( 07 8it' t'e sa6e dist(a0g't s'a+e=

If yo0 an*t i6agine it1 t'in+ l06sy silene= T'in+ bits and 7iees of floating des7ai(= Andd(o8ning in a t(ain=

Sno8 'ad been falling onsistently1 and t'e se()ie to M0ni' 8as fo(ed to sto7 d0e to fa0ltyt(a+ 8o(+= T'e(e 8as a 8o6an 8ailing= A gi(l stood n06bly net to 'e(=


12/287

In 7ani1 t'e 6ot'e( o7ened t'e doo(=

S'e li6bed do8n into t'e sno81 'olding t'e s6all body=

$'at o0ld t'e gi(l do b0t follo8>

As yo0*)e been info(6ed1 t8o g0a(ds also eited t'e t(ain= T'ey dis0ssed and a(g0ed o)e(8'at to do= T'e sit0ation 8as 0nsa)o(y to say t'e least= It 8as e)ent0ally deided t'at allt'(ee of t'e6 s'o0ld be ta+en to t'e net to8ns'i7 and left t'e(e to so(t t'ings o0t=

T'is ti6e1 t'e t(ain li67ed t'(o0g' t'e sno8ed&in o0nt(y=

It 'obbled in and sto77ed=

T'ey ste77ed onto t'e 7latfo(61 t'e body in 'e( 6ot'e(*s a(6s=

T'ey stood=

T'e boy 8as getting 'ea)y=

!iesel 'ad no idea 8'e(e s'e 8as= All 8as 8'ite1 and as t'ey (e6ained at t'e station1 s'eo0ld only sta(e at t'e faded lette(ing of t'e sign in f(ont of 'e(= Fo( !iesel1 t'e to8n 8asna6eless1 and it 8as t'e(e t'at 'e( b(ot'e(1 $e(ne(1 8as b0(ied t8o days late(= $itnessesinl0ded a 7(iest and t8o s'i)e(ing g(a)e digge(s=

A# OBSER,ATIO# A 7ai( of t(ain g0a(ds= A 7ai( of g(a)e digge(s= $'en it a6e do8n to it1 one of t'e6 alled t'e s'ots= T'e ot'e( did 8'at 'e 8as told= T'e @0estion is1 8'at if t'e ot'e( is a lot 6o(e t'an one>Mista+es1 6ista+es1 it*s all I see6 a7able of at ti6es=

Fo( t8o days1 I 8ent abo0t 6y b0siness= I t(a)eled t'e globe as al8ays1 'anding so0ls to t'eon)eyo( belt of ete(nity= I 8at'ed t'e6 t(0ndle 7stin+e(i)ely on= Se)e(al ti6es1 I 8a(ned 6yselft'at I s'o0ld +ee7 a good distane f(o6 t'e b0(ial of !iesel Me6inge(*s b(ot'e(= I did not'eed 6y ad)ie=

F(o6 6iles a8ay1 as I a77(oa'ed1 I o0ld al(eady see t'e s6all g(o07 of '06ans standingf(igidly a6ong t'e 8asteland of sno8= T'e e6ete(y 8elo6ed 6e li+e a f(iend1 and soon1 I8as 8it' t'e6= I bo8ed 6y 'ead=

Standing to !iesel*s left1 t'e g(a)e digge(s 8e(e (0bbing t'ei( 'ands toget'e( and 8'ining

abo0t t'e sno8 and t'e 0((ent digging onditions= So 'a(d getting t'(o0g' all t'e ie1 andso fo(t'= One of t'e6 o0ldn*t 'a)e been 6o(e t'an fo0(teen= An a77(entie= $'en 'e 8al+eda8ay1 afte( a fe8 doen 7aes1 a bla+ boo+ fell inno0o0sly f(o6 'is oat 7o+et 8it'o0t 'is+no8ledge=

A fe8 6in0tes late(1 !iesel*s 6ot'e( sta(ted lea)ing 8it' t'e 7(iest= S'e 8as t'an+ing 'i6 fo('is 7e(fo(6ane of t'e e(e6ony=

T'e gi(l1 'o8e)e(1 stayed=


13/287

He( +nees ente(ed t'e g(o0nd= He( 6o6ent 'ad a((i)ed=

Still in disbelief1 s'e sta(ted to dig= He o0ldn*t be dead= He o0ldn*t be dead= He o0ldn*t&&

$it'in seonds1 sno8 8as a()ed into 'e( s+in=

F(oen blood 8as (a+ed a(oss 'e( 'ands=

So6e8'e(e in all t'e sno81 s'e o0ld see 'e( b(o+en 'ea(t1 in t8o 7iees= Ea' 'alf 8asglo8ing1 and beating 0nde( all t'at 8'ite= S'e (ealied 'e( 6ot'e( 'ad o6e ba+ fo( 'e( only8'en s'e felt t'e boniness of a 'and on 'e( s'o0lde(= S'e 8as being d(agged a8ay= A 8a(6s(ea6 filled 'e( t'(oat=

A SMA!! IMA"E1 PERHAPS G T$E#T% METERS A$A% $'en t'e d(agging 8as done1 t'e 6ot'e( and t'e gi(l stood and b(eat'ed= T'e(e 8as so6et'ing bla+ and (etang0la( lodged in t'e sno8= Only t'e gi(l sa8 it= S'e bent do8n and 7i+ed it 07 and 'eld it fi(6ly in 'e( finge(s= T'e boo+ 'ad sil)e( 8(iting on it=T'ey 'eld 'ands=

A final1 soa+ing fa(e8ell 8as let go of1 and t'ey t0(ned and left t'e e6ete(y1 loo+ing ba+se)e(al ti6es=

As fo( 6e1 I (e6ained a fe8 6o6ents longe(=

I 8a)ed=

#o one 8a)ed ba+=

Mot'e( and da0g'te( )aated t'e e6ete(y and 6ade t'ei( 8ay to8a(d t'e net t(ain toM0ni'=

Bot' 8e(e s+inny and 7ale=

Bot' 'ad so(es on t'ei( li7s=

!iesel notied it in t'e di(ty1 fogged&07 8indo8 of t'e t(ain 8'en t'ey boa(ded 0st befo(e6idday= In t'e 8(itten 8o(ds of t'e boo+ t'ief 'e(self1 t'e o0(ney ontin0ed li+e e)e(yt'ing

'ad 'a77ened=

$'en t'e t(ain 70lled into t'e Ba'n'of in M0ni'1 t'e 7stin+e(enge(s slid o0t as if f(o6 a to(n7a+age= T'e(e 8e(e 7eo7le of e)e(y stat0(e1 b0t a6ong t'e61 t'e 7oo( 8e(e t'e 6ost easily(eognied= T'e i67o)e(is'ed al8ays t(y to +ee7 6o)ing1 as if (eloating 6ig't 'el7= T'eyigno(e t'e (eality t'at a ne8 )e(sion of t'e sa6e old 7(oble6 8ill be 8aiting at t'e end of t'et(i7&&t'e (elati)e yo0 (inge to +iss=

I t'in+ 'e( 6ot'e( +ne8 t'is @0ite 8ell= S'e 8asn*t deli)e(ing 'e( 'ild(en to t'e 'ig'e(e'elons of M0ni'1 b0t a foste( 'o6e 'ad a77a(ently been fo0nd1 and if not'ing else1 t'ene8 fa6ily o0ld at least feed t'e gi(l and t'e boy a little bette(1 and ed0ate t'e6 7(o7e(ly=


14/287

T'e boy=

!iesel 8as s0(e 'e( 6ot'e( a((ied t'e 6e6o(y of 'i61 sl0ng o)e( 'e( s'o0lde(= S'e d(o77ed'i6= S'e sa8 'is feet and legs and body sla7 t'e 7latfo(6=

Ho8 o0ld t'at 8o6an 8al+>

Ho8 o0ld s'e 6o)e>

T'at*s t'e so(t of t'ing I*ll ne)e( +no81 o( o67(e'end&&8'at '06ans a(e a7able of=

S'e 7i+ed 'i6 07 and ontin0ed 8al+ing1 t'e gi(l linging no8 to 'e( side=

A0t'o(ities 8e(e 6et and @0estions of lateness and t'e boy (aised t'ei( )0lne(able 'eads=!iesel (e6ained in t'e o(ne( of t'e s6all1 d0sty offie as 'e( 6ot'e( sat 8it' len'edt'o0g'ts on a )e(y 'a(d 'ai(=

T'e(e 8as t'e 'aos of goodbye=

It 8as a goodbye t'at 8as 8et1 8it' t'e gi(l*s 'ead b0(ied into t'e 8oolly1 8o(n s'allo8s of'e( 6ot'e(*s oat= T'e(e 'ad been so6e 6o(e d(agging=


15/287

T'e a( 6o)ed on1 8it' !iesel d(eading t'e last1 let'al t0(n=

T'e day 8as g(ay1 t'e olo( of E0(o7e=

C0(tains of (ain 8e(e d(a8n a(o0nd t'e a(=

#ea(ly t'e(e= T'e foste( a(e lady1 F(a0 Hein(i'1 t0(ned a(o0nd and s6iled= Dein ne0esHei6= %o0( ne8 'o6e=

!iesel 6ade a lea( i(le on t'e d(ibbled glstin+e( and loo+ed o0t=

A PHOTO OF HIMME! STREET T'e b0ildings a77ea( to be gl0ed toget'e(1 6ostly s6all 'o0ses and a7a(t6ent blo+s t'at loo+ ne()o0s= T'e(e is 60(+y sno8 s7(ead o0t li+e a(7et= T'e(e is on(ete1 e67ty 'at&stand t(ees1 and g(ay ai(=A 6an 8as also in t'e a(= He (e6ained 8it' t'e gi(l 8'ile F(a0 Hein(i' disa77ea(ed inside=He ne)e( s7o+e= !iesel stin+e(06ed 'e 8as t'e(e to 6a+e s0(e s'e 8o0ldn*t (0n a8ay o( to fo(e'e( inside if s'e ga)e t'e6 any t(o0ble= !ate(1 'o8e)e(1 8'en t'e t(o0ble did sta(t1 'e si67ly

sat t'e(e and 8at'ed= Pe('a7s 'e 8as only t'e last (eso(t1 t'e final sol0tion=

Afte( a fe8 6in0tes1 a )e(y tall 6an a6e o0t= Hans H0be(6ann1 !iesel*s foste( fat'e(= Onone side of 'i6 8as t'e 6edi06&'eig't F(a0 Hein(i'= On t'e ot'e( 8as t'e s@0at s'a7e ofRosa H0be(6ann1 8'o loo+ed li+e a s6all 8a(d(obe 8it' a oat t'(o8n o)e( it= T'e(e 8as adistint 8addle to 'e( 8al+= Al6ost 0te1 if it 8asn*t fo( 'e( fae1 8'i' 8as li+e (eased&07a(dboa(d and annoyed1 as if s'e 8as 6e(ely tole(ating all of it= He( '0sband 8al+ed st(aig't18it' a iga(ette s6olde(ing bet8een 'is finge(s= He (olled 'is o8n=

T'e fat 8as t'is:

!iesel 8o0ld not get o0t of t'e a(=

$as ist los 6it de6 Kind> Rosa H0be(6ann in@0i(ed= S'e said it again= $'at*s 8(ong8it' t'is 'ild> S'e st0+ 'e( fae inside t'e a( and said1 #a1 +o66= Ko66=

T'e seat in f(ont 8as fl0ng fo(8a(d= A o((ido( of old lig't in)ited 'e( o0t= S'e 8o0ld not6o)e=

O0tside1 t'(o0g' t'e i(le s'e*d 6ade1 !iesel o0ld see t'e tall 6an*s finge(s1 still 'oldingt'e iga(ette= As' st06bled f(o6 its edge and l0nged and lifted se)e(al ti6es 0ntil it 'it t'eg(o0nd= It too+ nea(ly fifteen 6in0tes to oa 'e( f(o6 t'e a(= It 8as t'e tall 6an 8'o did it=


16/287

E)ent0ally1 !iesel Me6inge( 8al+ed ginge(ly inside= Hans H0be(6ann 'ad 'e( by one 'and=He( s6all s0itase 'ad 'e( by t'e ot'e(= B0(ied beneat' t'e folded laye( of lot'es in t'ats0itase 8as a s6all bla+ boo+1 8'i'1 fo( all 8e +no81 a fo0(teen&yea(&old g(a)e digge( in ana6eless to8n 'ad 7(obably s7ent t'e last fe8 'o0(s loo+ing fo(= I 7(o6ise yo01 I i6agine'i6 saying to 'is boss1 I 'a)e no idea 8'at 'a77ened to it= I*)e loo+ed e)e(y8'e(e=E)e(y8'e(e I*6 s0(e 'e 8o0ld ne)e( 'a)e s0s7eted t'e gi(l1 and yet1 t'e(e it 8as&&a bla+boo+ 8it' sil)e( 8o(ds 8(itten against t'e eiling of 'e( lot'es:

THE "RA,E DI""ER*S HA#DBOOK A T8el)e&Ste7 "0ide to "(a)e&Digging S0ess P0blis'ed by t'e Baye(n Ce6ete(y stin+e(oiationT'e boo+ t'ief 'ad st(0+ fo( t'e fi(st ti6e&&t'e beginning of an ill0st(io0s a(ee(=

"RO$I#" UP A SAUME#SCH%es1 an ill0st(io0s a(ee(=

I s'o0ld 'asten to ad6it1 'o8e)e(1 t'at t'e(e 8as a onside(able 'iat0s bet8een t'e fi(st

stolen boo+ and t'e seond= Anot'e( note8o(t'y 7oint is t'at t'e fi(st 8as stolen f(o6 sno8and t'e seond f(o6 fi(e= #ot to o6it t'at ot'e(s 8e(e also gi)en to 'e(= All told1 s'e o8nedfo0(teen boo+s1 b0t s'e sa8 'e( sto(y as being 6ade 07 7(edo6inantly of ten of t'e6= Oft'ose ten1 si 8e(e stolen1 one s'o8ed 07 at t'e +it'en table1 t8o 8e(e 6ade fo( 'e( by a'idden /e81 and one 8as deli)e(ed by a soft1 yello8&d(essed afte(noon=

$'en s'e a6e to 8(ite 'e( sto(y1 s'e 8o0ld 8onde( eatly 8'en t'e boo+s and t'e 8o(dssta(ted to 6ean not 0st so6et'ing1 b0t e)e(yt'ing= $as it 8'en s'e fi(st set eyes on t'e (oo68it' s'el)es and s'el)es of t'e6> O( 8'en Ma ,andenb0(g a((i)ed on Hi66el St(eeta((ying 'andf0ls of s0ffe(ing and Hitle(*s Mein Ka67f > $as it (eading in t'e s'elte(s> T'elast 7a(ade to Da'a0> $as it T'e $o(d S'a+e(> Pe('a7s t'e(e 8o0ld ne)e( be a 7(eiseans8e( as to 8'en and 8'e(e it o0((ed= In any ase1 t'at*s getting a'ead of 6yself= Befo(e8e 6a+e it to any of t'at1 8e fi(st need to to0( !iesel Me6inge(*s beginnings on Hi66elSt(eet and t'e a(t of e(+&6a+ing:

U7on 'e( a((i)al1 yo0 o0ld still see t'e bite 6a(+s of sno8 on 'e( 'ands and t'e f(osty bloodon 'e( finge(s= E)e(yt'ing abo0t 'e( 8as 0nde(no0(is'ed= $i(eli+e s'ins= Coat 'ange( a(6s=S'e did not 7(od0e it easily1 b0t 8'en it a6e1 s'e 'ad a sta()ing s6ile=

He( 'ai( 8as a lose eno0g' b(and of "e(6an blond1 b0t s'e 'ad dange(o0s eyes= Da(+b(o8n= %o0 didn*t (eally 8ant b(o8n eyes in "e(6any a(o0nd t'at ti6e= Pe('a7s s'e (eei)edt'e6 f(o6 'e( fat'e(1 b0t s'e 'ad no 8ay of +no8ing1 as s'e o0ldn*t (e6e6be( 'i6= T'e(e8as (eally only one t'ing s'e +ne8 abo0t 'e( fat'e(= It 8as a label s'e did not 0nde(stand=

A STRA#"E $ORD Co660nistS'e*d 'ea(d it se)e(al ti6es in t'e 7ast fe8 yea(s=

Co660nist=

T'e(e 8e(e boa(ding'o0ses (a66ed 8it' 7eo7le1 (oo6s filled 8it' @0estions= And t'at8o(d= T'at st(ange 8o(d 8as al8ays t'e(e so6e8'e(e1 standing in t'e o(ne(1 8at'ing f(o6t'e da(+= It 8o(e s0its1 0nifo(6s= #o 6atte( 8'e(e t'ey 8ent1 t'e(e it 8as1 ea' ti6e 'e( fat'e(8as 6entioned= S'e o0ld s6ell it and taste it= S'e 0st o0ldn*t s7ell o( 0nde(stand it= $'ens'e as+ed 'e( 6ot'e( 8'at it 6eant1 s'e 8as told t'at it 8asn*t i67o(tant1 t'at s'e s'o0ldn*t


17/287

8o((y abo0t s0' t'ings= At one boa(ding'o0se1 t'e(e 8as a 'ealt'ie( 8o6an 8'o t(ied totea' t'e 'ild(en to 8(ite1 0sing 'a(oal on t'e 8all= !iesel 8as te67ted to as+ 'e( t'e6eaning1 b0t it ne)e( e)ent0ated= One day1 t'at 8o6an 8as ta+en a8ay fo( @0estioning= S'edidn*t o6e ba+=

$'en !iesel a((i)ed in Mol'ing1 s'e 'ad at least so6e in+ling t'at s'e 8as being sa)ed1 b0tt'at 8as not a o6fo(t= If 'e( 6ot'e( lo)ed 'e(1 8'y lea)e 'e( on so6eone else*s doo(ste7>$'y> $'y>

$'y>

T'e fat t'at s'e +ne8 t'e ans8e(&&if only at t'e 6ost basi le)el&&see6ed beside t'e 7oint=He( 6ot'e( 8as onstantly si+ and t'e(e 8as ne)e( any 6oney to fi 'e(= !iesel +ne8 t'at=B0t t'at didn*t 6ean s'e 'ad to ae7t it= #o 6atte( 'o8 6any ti6es s'e 8as told t'at s'e8as lo)ed1 t'e(e 8as no (eognition t'at t'e 7(oof 8as in t'e abandon6ent= #ot'ing 'angedt'e fat t'at s'e 8as a lost1 s+inny 'ild in anot'e( fo(eign 7lae1 8it' 6o(e fo(eign 7eo7le=

Alone=

T'e H0be(6anns li)ed in one of t'e s6all1 boli+e 'o0ses on Hi66el St(eet= A fe8 (oo6s1 a

+it'en1 and a s'a(ed o0t'o0se 8it' neig'bo(s= T'e (oof 8as flat and t'e(e 8as a s'allo8base6ent fo( sto(age= It 8as s077osedly not a base6ent of ade@0ate de7t'= In 2331 t'is8asn*t a 7(oble6= !ate(1 in *4; and *41 it 8as= $'en ai( (aids sta(ted1 t'ey al8ays needed to(0s' do8n t'e st(eet to a bette( s'elte(=

In t'e beginning1 it 8as t'e 7(ofanity t'at 6ade an i66ediate i67at= It 8as so )e'e6ent and7(olifi= E)e(y seond 8o(d 8as eit'e( fa(tbad o( ttot o( t(ee 7ee= Fo( 7eo7le 8'oa(en*t fa6ilia( 8it' t'ese 8o(ds1 I s'o0ld e7lain= Sa01 of o0(se1 (efe(s to 7igs= In t'e ase oft(aintoot1 it se()es to astigate1 be(ate1 o( 7lain '06iliate a fe6ale= 7ig in t'e fo(est -7(ono0ned8olf6an. is fo( a 6ale= 7ig*s b0nny an be t(anslated di(etly into stin+e('ole= T'at 8o(d1'o8e)e(1 does not diffe(entiate bet8een t'e sees= It si67ly is=

Sa0e7an1 d0 d(e+iges !iesel*s foste( 6ot'e( s'o0ted t'at fi(st e)ening 8'en s'e

(ef0sed to 'a)e a bat'= %o0 filt'y 7ig $'y 8on*t yo0 get 0nd(essed> S'e 8as good atbeing f0(io0s= In fat1 yo0 o0ld say t'at Rosa H0be(6ann 'ad a fae deo(ated 8it' onstantf0(y= T'at 8as 'o8 t'e (eases 8e(e 6ade in t'e a(dboa(d tet0(e of 'e( o67leion=

!iesel1 nat0(ally1 8as bat'ed in aniety= T'e(e 8as no 8ay s'e 8as getting into any bat'1 o(into bed fo( t'at 6atte(= S'e 8as t8isted into one o(ne( of t'e losetli+e 8as'(oo61 l0t'ingfo( t'e noneistent a(6s of t'e 8all fo( so6e le)el of s077o(t= T'e(e 8as not'ing b0t d(y7aint1 diffi0lt b(eat'1 and t'e del0ge of ab0se f(o6 Rosa=

!ea)e 'e( alone= Hans H0be(6ann ente(ed t'e f(ay= His gentle )oie 6ade its 8ay in1 as ifsli77ing t'(o0g' a (o8d= !ea)e 'e( to 6e=

He 6o)ed lose( and sat on t'e floo(1 against t'e 8all= T'e tiles 8e(e old and 0n+ind=

%o0 +no8 'o8 to (oll a iga(ette> 'e as+ed 'e(1 and fo( t'e net 'o0( o( so1 t'ey sat in t'e(ising 7ool of da(+ness1 7laying 8it' t'e tobao and t'e iga(ette 7a7e(s and HansH0be(6ann s6o+ing t'e6=

$'en t'e 'o0( 8as 071 !iesel o0ld (oll a iga(ette 6ode(ately 8ell= S'e still didn*t 'a)e abat'=

SOME FACTS ABOUT HA#S HUBERMA##


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He lo)ed to s6o+e= T'e 6ain t'ing 'e enoyed abo0t s6o+ing 8as t'e (olling= He 8as a 7ainte( by t(ade and 7layed t'e 7iano ao(dion= T'is a6e in 'andy1 es7eially in 8inte(1 8'en 'e o0ld 6a+e a little 6oney 7laying in t'e 70bs

of Mol'ing1 li+e t'e Knolle(= He 'ad al(eady 'eated 6e in one 8o(ld 8a( b0t 8o0ld late( be 70t into anot'e( -as a 7e()e(se +ind of (e8a(d.1 8'e(e 'e 8o0ld so6e'o8 6anage to a)oid 6e again=To 6ost 7eo7le1 Hans H0be(6ann 8as ba(ely )isible= An 0n&s7eial 7e(son= Ce(tainly1 'is7ainting s+ills 8e(e eellent= His 60sial ability 8as bette( t'an a)e(age= So6e'o81 t'o0g'1and I*6 s0(e yo0*)e 6et 7eo7le li+e t'is1 'e 8as able to a77ea( as 6e(ely 7a(t of t'eba+g(o0nd1 e)en if 'e 8as standing at t'e f(ont of a line= He 8as al8ays 0st t'e(e= #ot

notieable= #ot i67o(tant o( 7a(ti0la(ly )al0able=

T'e f(0st(ation of t'at a77ea(ane1 as yo0 an i6agine1 8as its o67lete 6isleadene1 let*ssay= T'e(e 6ost definitely 8as )al0e in 'i61 and it did not go 0nnotied by !iesel Me6inge(=-T'e '06an 'ild&&so 60' annie( at ti6es t'an t'e st07efyingly 7onde(o0s ad0lt=. S'e sa8it i66ediately=

His 6anne(=

T'e @0iet ai( a(o0nd 'i6=

$'en 'e t0(ned t'e lig't on in t'e s6all1 allo0s 8as'(oo6 t'at nig't1 !iesel obse()ed t'est(angeness of 'e( foste( fat'e(*s eyes= T'ey 8e(e 6ade of +indness1 and sil)e(= !i+e soft

sil)e(1 6elting= !iesel1 07on seeing t'ose eyes1 0nde(stood t'at Hans H0be(6ann 8as 8o(t' alot=

SOME FACTS ABOUT ROSA HUBERMA## S'e 8as fi)e feet1 one in' tall and 8o(e 'e( b(o8ny g(ay st(ands of elasti 'ai( in a b0n= To s077le6ent t'e H0be(6ann ino6e1 s'e did t'e 8as'ing and i(oning fo( fi)e of t'e 8ealt'ie( 'o0se'olds in Mol'ing= He( oo+ing 8as at(oio0s= S'e 7ossessed t'e 0ni@0e ability to agg(a)ate al6ost anyone s'e e)e( 6et= B0t s'e did lo)e !iesel Me6inge(= He( 8ay of s'o8ing it 0st 'a77ened to be st(ange= It in)ol)ed bas'ing 'e( 8it' 8ooden s7oon and 8o(ds at )a(io0s inte()als=$'en !iesel finally 'ad a bat'1 afte( t8o 8ee+s of li)ing on Hi66el St(eet1 Rosa ga)e 'e( aneno(6o0s1 in0(y&ind0ing '0g= #ea(ly 'o+ing 'e(1 s'e said1 Sa0e7an1 d0 d(e+iges&&it*s abo0t ti6e


19/287

Afte( a fe8 6ont's1 t'ey 8e(e no longe( M(= and M(s= H0be(6ann= $it' a ty7ial fistf0l of8o(ds1 Rosa said1 #o8 listen1 !iesel&&f(o6 no8 on yo0 all 6e Ma6a= S'e t'o0g't a6o6ent= $'at did yo0 all yo0( (eal 6ot'e(>

!iesel ans8e(ed @0ietly= Ma6a&&also Ma6a=

$ell1 I*6 Ma6a #06be( T8o1 t'en= S'e loo+ed o)e( at 'e( '0sband= And 'i6 o)e(t'e(e= S'e see6ed to ollet t'e 8o(ds in 'e( 'and1 7at t'e6 toget'e(1 and '0(l t'e6 a(osst'e table= T'at Sa0e(1 t'at filt'y 7ig&&yo0 all 'i6 Pa7a1 0nde(stand> Unde(stand>

%es1 !iesel 7(o67tly ag(eed=


20/287

ao(dion and 7lay fo( 'e(= !iesel 8o0ld sit 07 and '061 'e( old toes len'ed 8it'eite6ent= #o one 'ad e)e( gi)en 'e( 60si befo(e= S'e 8o0ld g(in 'e(self st07id1 8at'ingt'e lines d(a8ing t'e6sel)es do8n 'is fae and t'e soft 6etal of 'is eyes&&0ntil t'e s8ea(inga((i)ed f(o6 t'e +it'en=

STOPTHAT#OISE1 SAUKER!

Pa7a 8o0ld 7lay a little longe(=

He 8o0ld 8in+ at t'e gi(l1 and l06sily1 s'e*d 8in+ ba+=

A fe8 ti6es1 70(ely to inense Ma6a a little f0(t'e(1 'e also b(o0g't t'e inst(06ent to t'e+it'en and 7layed t'(o0g' b(ea+fast=

Pa7a*s b(ead and a6 8o0ld be 'alf eaten on 'is 7late1 0(led into t'e s'a7e of bite 6a(+s1and t'e 60si 8o0ld loo+ !iesel in t'e fae= I +no8 it so0nds st(ange1 b0t t'at*s 'o8 it felt to'e(= Pa7a*s (ig't 'and st(olled t'e toot'&olo(ed +eys= His left 'it t'e b0ttons= -S'e es7eiallylo)ed to see 'i6 'it t'e sil)e(1 s7a(+led b0tton&&t'e C 6ao(=. T'e ao(dion*s s(at'ed yets'iny bla+ ete(io( a6e ba+ and fo(t' as 'is a(6s s@0eeed t'e d0sty bello8s1 6a+ing it

s0+ in t'e ai( and t'(o8 it ba+ o0t= In t'e +it'en on t'ose 6o(nings1 Pa7a 6ade t'eao(dion li)e= I g0ess it 6a+es sense1 8'en yo0 (eally t'in+ abo0t it=

Ho8 do yo0 tell if so6et'ing*s ali)e>

%o0 'e+ fo( b(eat'ing= T'e so0nd of t'e ao(dion 8as1 in fat1 also t'e anno0ne6ent ofsafety= Daylig't= D0(ing t'e day1 it 8as i67ossible to d(ea6 of 'e( b(ot'e(= S'e 8o0ld 6iss'i6 and f(e@0ently (y in t'e tiny 8as'(oo6 as @0ietly as 7ossible1 b0t s'e 8as still glad to bea8a+e= On 'e( fi(st nig't 8it' t'e H0be(6anns1 s'e 'ad 'idden 'e( last lin+ to 'i6&& T'e"(a)e Digge(*s Handboo+&&0nde( 'e( 6att(ess1 and oasionally s'e 8o0ld 70ll it o0t and'old it= Sta(ing at t'e lette(s on t'e o)e( and to0'ing t'e 7(int inside1 s'e 'ad no idea 8'atany of it 8as saying= T'e 7oint is1 it didn*t (eally 6atte( 8'at t'at boo+ 8as abo0t= It 8as8'at it 6eant t'at 8as 6o(e i67o(tant=

THE BOOK*S MEA#I#"2= T'e last ti6e s'e sa8 'e( b(ot'e(=;= T'e last ti6e s'e sa8 'e( 6ot'e(=

So6eti6es s'e 8o0ld 8'is7e( t'e 8o(d Ma6a and see 'e( 6ot'e(*s fae a '0nd(ed ti6es in asingle afte(noon= B0t t'ose 8e(e s6all 6ise(ies o67a(ed to t'e te((o( of 'e( d(ea6s= At t'oseti6es1 in t'e eno(6o0s 6ileage of slee71 s'e 'ad ne)e( felt so o67letely alone=

As I*6 s0(e yo0*)e al(eady notied1 t'e(e 8e(e no ot'e( 'ild(en in t'e 'o0se=

T'e H0be(6anns 'ad t8o of t'ei( o8n1 b0t t'ey 8e(e olde( and 'ad 6o)ed o0t= Hans /0nio(

8o(+ed in t'e ente( of M0ni'1 and T(0dy 'eld a ob as a 'o0se6aid and 'ild 6inde(= Soon1t'ey 8o0ld bot' be in t'e 8a(= One 8o0ld be 6a+ing b0llets= T'e ot'e( 8o0ld be s'ootingt'e6=

S'ool1 as yo0 6ig't i6agine1 8as a te((ifi fail0(e=

Alt'o0g' it 8as state&(0n1 t'e(e 8as a 'ea)y Cat'oli infl0ene1 and !iesel 8as !0t'e(an= #ott'e 6ost a0s7iio0s sta(t= T'en t'ey diso)e(ed s'e o0ldn*t (ead o( 8(ite=

H06iliatingly1 s'e 8as ast do8n 8it' t'e yo0nge( +ids1 8'o 8e(e only 0st lea(ning t'e


21/287

al7'abet= E)en t'o0g' s'e 8as t'in&boned and 7ale1 s'e felt giganti a6ong t'e 6idget'ild(en1 and s'e often 8is'ed s'e 8as 7ale eno0g' to disa77ea( altoget'e(=

E)en at 'o6e1 t'e(e 8asn*t 60' (oo6 fo( g0idane=

Don*t as+ 'i6 fo( 'el71 Ma6a 7ointed o0t= T'at olly gal= Pa7a 8as sta(ing o0t t'e8indo81 as 8as often 'is 'abit= He left s'ool in fo0(t' g(ade=

$it'o0t t0(ning a(o0nd1 Pa7a ans8e(ed al6ly1 b0t 8it' )eno61 $ell1 don*t as+ 'e(1 eit'e(=He d(o77ed so6e as' o0tside= S'e left s'ool in t'i(d g(ade=

T'e(e 8e(e no boo+s in t'e 'o0se -a7a(t f(o6 t'e one s'e 'ad se(eted 0nde( 'e( 6att(ess.1and t'e best !iesel o0ld do 8as s7ea+ t'e al7'abet 0nde( 'e( b(eat' befo(e s'e 8as told in no0ne(tain te(6s to +ee7 @0iet= All t'at 606bling= It 8asn*t 0ntil late(1 8'en t'e(e 8as a bed&8etting inident 6idnig't6a(e1 t'at an et(a (eading ed0ation began= Unoffiially1 it 8asalled t'e 6idnig't lstin+e(1 e)en t'o0g' it 0s0ally o66ened at a(o0nd t8o in t'e 6o(ning=Mo(e of t'at soon= In 6id&Feb(0a(y1 8'en s'e t0(ned ten1 !iesel 8as gi)en a 0sed doll t'at'ad a 6issing leg and yello8 'ai(=

It 8as t'e best 8e o0ld do1 Pa7a a7ologied=

$'at a(e yo0 tal+ing abo0t> S'e*s l0+y to 'a)e t'at 60'1 Ma6a o((eted 'i6=

Hans ontin0ed 'is ea6ination of t'e (e6aining leg 8'ile !iesel t(ied on 'e( ne8 0nifo(6=Ten yea(s old 6eant Hitle( %o0t'= Hitle( %o0t' 6eant a s6all b(o8n 0nifo(6= Being fe6ale1!iesel 8as en(olled into 8'at 8as alled t'e BDM=

E9P!A#ATIO# OF THE ABBRE,IATIO# It stood fo( B0nd De0ts'e( M d'en&& Band of "e(6an "i(ls=T'e fi(st t'ing t'ey did t'e(e 8as 6a+e s0(e yo0( 'eil Hitle( -side note&t'at stin+s. 8as 8o(+ing 7(o7e(ly=T'enyo0 8e(e ta0g't to 6a(' st(aig't1 (oll bandages1 and se8 07 lot'es= %o0 8e(e also ta+en'i+ing and on ot'e( s0' ati)ities= $ednesday and Sat0(day 8e(e t'e designated 6eetingdays1 f(o6 t'(ee in t'e afte(noon 0ntil fi)e=

Ea' $ednesday and Sat0(day1 Pa7a 8o0ld 8al+ !iesel t'e(e and 7i+ 'e( 07 t8o 'o0(s late(=T'ey ne)e( s7o+e abo0t it 60'= T'ey 0st 'eld 'ands and listened to t'ei( feet1 and Pa7a 'ada iga(ette o( t8o=

T'e only aniety Pa7a b(o0g't 'e( 8as t'e fat t'at 'e 8as onstantly lea)ing= Manye)enings1 'e 8o0ld 8al+ into t'e li)ing (oo6 -8'i' do0bled as t'e H0be(6anns* bed(oo6.170ll t'e ao(dion f(o6 t'e old 07boa(d1 and s@0eee 7ast in t'e +it'en to t'e f(ont doo(=

As 'e 8al+ed 07 Hi66el St(eet1 Ma6a 8o0ld o7en t'e 8indo8 and (y o0t1 Don*t be 'o6etoo late

#ot so lo0d1 'e 8o0ld t0(n and all ba+=

Sa0e( !i+ 6y stin+e( I*ll s7ea+ as lo0d as I 8ant

T'e e'o of 'e( s8ea(ing follo8ed 'i6 07 t'e st(eet= He ne)e( loo+ed ba+1 o( at least1 not0ntil 'e 8as s0(e 'is 8ife 8as gone= On t'ose e)enings1 at t'e end of t'e st(eet1 ao(dion


22/287

ase in 'and1 'e 8o0ld t0(n a(o0nd1 0st befo(e F(a0 Dille(*s o(ne( s'o71 and see t'e fig0(e8'o 'ad (e7laed 'is 8ife in t'e 8indo8= B(iefly1 'is long1 g'ostly 'and 8o0ld (ise befo(e 'et0(ned again and 8al+ed slo8ly on= T'e net ti6e !iesel sa8 'i6 8o0ld be at t8o in t'e6o(ning1 8'en 'e d(agged 'e( gently f(o6 'e( nig't6a(e=

E)enings in t'e s6all +it'en 8e(e (a0o0s1 8it'o0t fail= Rosa H0be(6ann 8as al8ays

tal+ing1 and 8'en s'e 8as tal+ing1 it too+ t'e fo(6 of s'i67fen= S'e 8as onstantly a(g0ingand o67laining= T'e(e 8as no one to (eally a(g0e 8it'1 b0t Ma6a 6anaged it e7e(tly e)e(y'ane s'e 'ad= S'e o0ld a(g0e 8it' t'e enti(e 8o(ld in t'at +it'en1 and al6ost e)e(ye)ening1 s'e did= One t'ey 'ad eaten and Pa7a 8as gone1 !iesel and Rosa 8o0ld 0s0ally(e6ain t'e(e1 and Rosa 8o0ld do t'e i(oning=

A fe8 ti6es a 8ee+1 !iesel 8o0ld o6e 'o6e f(o6 s'ool and 8al+ t'e st(eets of Mol'ing8it' 'e( 6a6a1 7i+ing 07 and deli)e(ing 8as'ing and i(oning f(o6 t'e 8ealt'ie( 7a(ts ofto8n= Kna07t St(stin+e(e1 Heide St(stin+e(e= A fe8 ot'e(s= Ma6a 8o0ld deli)e( t'e i(oning o( 7i+07 t'e 8as'ing 8it' a d0tif0l s6ile1 b0t as soon as t'e doo( 8as s'0t and s'e 8al+ed a8ay1s'e 8o0ld 0(se t'ese (i' 7eo7le1 8it' all t'ei( 6oney and lainess=

Too 7(idef0l to 8as' t'ei( o8n lot'es1 s'e 8o0ld say1 des7ite 'e( de7endene on

t'e6=

Hi61 s'e a0sed He(( ,ogel f(o6 Heide St(stin+e(e= Made all 'is 6oney f(o6 'is fat'e(= Het'(o8s it a8ay on 8o6en and d(in+= And 8as'ing and i(oning1 of o0(se=

It 8as li+e a (oll all of so(n=

He(( ,ogel1 He(( and F(a0 Pfaffel' ()e(1 Helena S'6idt1 t'e $einga(tne(s= T'ey 8e(e allg0ilty of so6et'ing=

A7a(t f(o6 'is d(0n+enness and e7ensi)e le'e(y1 E(nst ,ogel1 ao(ding to Rosa1 8asonstantly s(at'ing 'is lo0se&(idden 'ai(1 li+ing 'is finge(s1 and t'en 'anding o)e( t'e6oney= I s'o0ld 8as' it befo(e I o6e 'o6e1 8as 'e( s066ation=

T'e Pfaffel' ()e(s s(0tinied t'e (es0lts= #ot one (ease in t'ese s'i(ts1 7lease1* Rosai6itated t'e6= #ot one 8(in+le in t'is s0it=* And t'en t'ey stand t'e(e and ins7et it all1(ig't in f(ont of 6e= Rig't 0nde( 6y nose $'at a t0(+ey&&8'at====

T'e $einga(tne(s 8e(e a77a(ently st07id 7eo7le 8it' a onstantly 6olting Sa0e7an of aat= Do yo0 +no8 'o8 long it ta+es 6e to get (id of all t'at f0(> It*s e)e(y8'e(e

Helena S'6idt 8as a (i' 8ido8= T'at old (i77le&&sitting t'e(e 0st 8asting a8ay= S'e*sne)e( 'ad to do a day*s 8o(+ in all 'e( life=

Rosa*s g(eatest disdain1 'o8e)e(1 8as (ese()ed fo( J "(ande St(stin+e(e= A la(ge 'o0se1 'ig' on a'ill1 in t'e 077e( 7a(t of Mol'ing=

T'is one1 s'e*d 7ointed o0t to !iesel t'e fi(st ti6e t'ey 8ent t'e(e1 is t'e 6ayo(*s 'o0se=T'at (oo+= His 8ife sits at 'o6e all day1 too 6ean to lig't a fi(e&&it*s al8ays f(eeing int'e(e= S'e*s (ay= S'e 70nt0ated t'e 8o(ds= Absol0tely= C(ay= At t'e gate1 s'e6otioned to t'e gi(l= %o0 go=

!iesel 8as 'o((ified= A giant b(o8n doo( 8it' a b(stin+e( +no+e( stood ato7 a s6all flig't ofste7s= $'at>

Ma6a s'o)ed 'e(= Don*t yo0 8'at* 6e1 Sa0e7an Mo)e it=


23/287

!iesel 6o)ed it= S'e 8al+ed t'e 7at'1 li6bed t'e ste7s1 'esitated1 and +no+ed=

A bat'(obe ans8e(ed t'e doo(=

Inside it1 a 8o6an 8it' sta(tled eyes1 'ai( li+e fl0ff1 and t'e 7ost0(e of defeat stood in f(ont of

'e(= S'e sa8 Ma6a at t'e gate and 'anded t'e gi(l a bag of 8as'ing= T'an+ yo01 !ieselsaid1 b0t t'e(e 8as no (e7ly= Only t'e doo(= It losed=

%o0 see> said Ma6a 8'en s'e (et0(ned to t'e gate= T'is is 8'at I 'a)e to 70t 07 8it'=T'ese (i' basta(ds1 t'ese lay s8ine = = =

Holding t'e 8as'ing as t'ey 8al+ed a8ay1 !iesel loo+ed ba+= T'e b(stin+e( +no+e( eyed 'e(f(o6 t'e doo(=

$'en s'e finis'ed be(ating t'e 7eo7le s'e 8o(+ed fo(1 Rosa H0be(6ann 8o0ld 0s0ally 6o)eon to 'e( ot'e( fa)o(ite t'e6e of ab0se= He( '0sband= !oo+ing at t'e bag of 8as'ing and t'e'0n'ed 'o0ses1 s'e 8o0ld tal+1 and tal+1 and tal+= If yo0( 7a7a 8as any good1 s'einfo(6ed !iesel e)e(y ti6e t'ey 8al+ed t'(o0g' Mol'ing1 I 8o0ldn*t 'a)e to do t'is= S'e

sniffed 8it' de(ision= A 7ainte( $'y 6a((y t'at Sand8'i' T'at*s 8'at t'ey told 6e&&6yfa6ily1 t'at is= T'ei( footste7s (0n'ed along t'e 7at'= And 'e(e I a61 8al+ing t'e st(eetsand sla)ing in 6y +it'en bea0se t'at Sa0e( ne)e( 'as any 8o(+= #o (eal 8o(+1 any8ay=/0st t'at 7at'eti ao(dion in t'ose di(t 'oles e)e(y nig't=

%es1 Ma6a=

Is t'at all yo0*)e got to say> Ma6a*s eyes 8e(e li+e 7ale bl0e 0to0ts1 7asted to 'e( fae=

T'ey*d 8al+ on=

$it' !iesel a((ying t'e sa+=

At 'o6e1 it 8as 8as'ed in a boile( net to t'e sto)e1 '0ng 07 by t'e fi(e7lae in t'e li)ing(oo61 and t'en i(oned in t'e +it'en= T'e +it'en 8as 8'e(e t'e ation 8as=

Did yo0 'ea( t'at> Ma6a as+ed 'e( nea(ly e)e(y nig't= T'e i(on 8as in 'e( fist1 'eatedf(o6 t'e sto)e= !ig't 8as d0ll all t'(o0g' t'e 'o0se1 and !iesel1 sitting at t'e +it'en table18o0ld be sta(ing at t'e ga7s of fi(e in f(ont of 'e(=

$'at> s'e*d (e7ly= $'at is it>

T'at 8as t'at Holta7fel= Ma6a 8as al(eady o0t of 'e( seat= T'at Sa0e7an 0st s7at ono0( doo( again=

It 8as a t(adition fo( F(a0 Holta7fel1 one of t'ei( neig'bo(s1 to s7it on t'e H0be(6anns* doo(

e)e(y ti6e s'e 8al+ed 7ast= T'e f(ont doo( 8as only 6ete(s f(o6 t'e gate1 and let*s 0st sayt'at F(a0 Holta7fel 'ad t'e distane&&and t'e a0(ay=

T'e s7itting 8as d0e to t'e fat t'at s'e and Rosa H0be(6ann 8e(e engaged in so6e +ind ofdeade&long )e(bal 8a(= #o one +ne8 t'e o(igin of t'is 'ostility= T'ey*d 7(obably fo(gotten itt'e6sel)es=

F(a0 Holta7fel 8as a 8i(y 8o6an and @0ite ob)io0sly s7itef0l= S'e*d ne)e( 6a((ied b0t 'adt8o sons1 a fe8 yea(s olde( t'an t'e H0be(6ann offs7(ing= Bot' 8e(e in t'e a(6y and bot'8ill 6a+e a6eo a77ea(anes by t'e ti6e 8e*(e finis'ed 'e(e1 I stin+e(0(e yo0=


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In t'e s7itef0l sta+es1 I s'o0ld also say t'at F(a0 Holta7fel 8as t'o(o0g' 8it' 'e( s7itting1too= S'e ne)e( negleted to s70+ on t'e doo( of n06be( t'i(ty&t'(ee and say1 Sand 8'i'ea' ti6e s'e 8al+ed 7ast= One t'ing I*)e notied abo0t t'e "e(6ans:

T'ey see6 )e(y fond of 7igs=

A SMA!! %es&&yo0 got it=$'en a 8o6an 8it' an i(on fist tells yo0 to get o0t t'e(e and lean s7it off t'e doo(1 yo0 doit= Es7eially 8'en t'e i(on*s 'ot=

It 8as all 0st 7a(t of t'e (o0tine1 (eally=

Ea' nig't1 !iesel 8o0ld ste7 o0tside1 8i7e t'e doo(1 and 8at' t'e s+y= Us0ally it 8as li+es7illage&&old and 'ea)y1 sli77e(y and g(ay&&b0t one in a 8'ile so6e sta(s 'ad t'e ne()e to(ise and float1 if only fo( a fe8 6in0tes= On t'ose nig'ts1 s'e 8o0ld stay a little longe( and

8ait=

Hello1 sta(s=

$aiting=

Fo( t'e )oie f(o6 t'e +it'en=

O( till t'e sta(s 8e(e d(agged do8n again1 into t'e 8ate(s of t'e "e(6an s+y=

THE KISS -A C'ild'ood Deision Ma+e(.As 8it' 6ost s6all to8ns1 Mol'ing 8as filled 8it' 'a(ate(s= A 'andf0l of t'e6 li)ed onHi66el St(eet= F(a0 Holta7fel 8as only one ast 6e6be(=

T'e ot'e(s inl0ded t'e li+es of t'ese:

R0dy Steine(&&t'e boy net doo( 8'o 8as obsessed 8it' t'e bla+ A6e(ian at'lete /esseO8ens= F(a0 Dille(&&t'e sta0n' A(yan o(ne(&s'o7 o8ne(= To66y M lle(&&a +id 8'ose '(oni ea( infetions 'ad (es0lted in se)e(al o7e(ations1 a7in+ (i)e( of s+in 7ainted a(oss 'is fae1 and a tendeny to t8it'= A 6an +no8n 7(i6a(ily as Pfiffi+0s&&8'ose )0lga(ity 6ade Rosa H0be(6ann loo+ li+e a8o(ds6it' and a saint=

On t'e 8'ole1 it 8as a st(eet filled 8it' (elati)ely 7oo( 7eo7le1 des7ite t'e a77a(ent (ise of"e(6any*s eono6y 0nde( Hitle(= Poo( sides of to8n still eisted=

As 6entioned al(eady1 t'e 'o0se net doo( to t'e H0be(6anns 8as (ented by a fa6ily alledSteine(= T'e Steine(s 'ad si 'ild(en= One of t'e61 t'e infa6o0s R0dy1 8o0ld soon beo6e!iesel*s best f(iend1 and late(1 'e( 7a(tne( and so6eti6e atalyst in (i6e= S'e 6et 'i6 on t'est(eet=

A fe8 days afte( !iesel*s fi(st bat'1 Ma6a allo8ed 'e( o0t1 to 7lay 8it' t'e ot'e( +ids= On


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Hi66el St(eet1 f(iends'i7s 8e(e 6ade o0tside1 no 6atte( t'e 8eat'e(= T'e 'ild(en (a(ely)isited ea' ot'e(*s 'o6es1 fo( t'ey 8e(e s6all and t'e(e 8as 0s0ally )e(y little in t'e6=

Also1 t'ey ond0ted t'ei( fa)o(ite 7asti6e1 li+e 7(ofessionals1 on t'e st(eet= Soe(= Tea6s8e(e 8ell set= "a(bage ans 8e(e 0sed to 6a(+ o0t t'e goals=

Being t'e ne8 +id in to8n1 !iesel 8as i66ediately s'o)ed bet8een one 7ai( of t'ose ans=-To66y M lle( 8as finally set f(ee1 des7ite being t'e 6ost 0seless soe( 7laye( Hi66elSt(eet 'ad e)e( seen=.

It all 8ent niely fo( a 8'ile1 0ntil t'e fatef0l 6o6ent 8'en R0dy Steine( 8as 07ended in t'esno8 by a To66y M lle( fo0l of f(0st(ation=

$'at> To66y s'o0ted= His fae t8it'ed in des7e(ation= $'at did I do>

A 7enalty 8as a8a(ded by e)e(yone on R0dy*s tea61 and no8 it 8as R0dy Steine( against t'ene8 +id1 !iesel Me6inge(=

He 7laed t'e ball on a g(0bby 6o0nd of sno81 onfident of t'e 0s0al o0to6e= Afte( all1R0dy 'adn*t 6issed a 7enalty in eig'teen s'ots1 e)en 8'en t'e o77osition 6ade a 7oint ofbooting To66y M lle( o0t of goal= #o 6atte( 8'o6 t'ey (e7laed 'i6 8it'1 R0dy 8o0ld

so(e=

On t'is oasion1 t'ey t(ied to fo(e !iesel o0t= As yo0 6ig't i6agine1 s'e 7(otested1 andR0dy ag(eed=

#o1 no= He s6iled= !et 'e( stay= He 8as (0bbing 'is 'ands toget'e(=

Sno8 'ad sto77ed falling on t'e filt'y st(eet no81 and t'e 60ddy foot7(ints 8e(e gat'e(edbet8een t'e6= R0dy s'0ffled in1 fi(ed t'e s'ot1 and !iesel di)ed and so6e'o8 defleted it8it' 'e( elbo8= S'e stood 07 g(inning1 b0t t'e fi(st t'ing s'e sa8 8as a sno8ball s6as'inginto 'e( fae= Half of it 8as 60d= It st0ng li+e (ay=

Ho8 do yo0 li+e t'at> T'e boy g(inned1 and 'e (an off in 70(s0it of t'e ball=

Sa0e(1 !iesel 8'is7e(ed= T'e )oab0la(y of 'e( ne8 'o6e 8as at'ing on fast=

SOME FACTS ABOUT RUD% STEI#ER He 8as eig't 6ont's olde( t'an !iesel and 'ad bony legs1 s'a(7 teet'1 gangly bl0e eyes1 and 'ai( t'e olo( of a le6on= One of si Steine( 'ild(en1 'e 8as 7e(6anently '0ng(y=On Hi66el St(eet1 'e 8as onside(ed a little (ay= T'is 8as on ao0nt of an e)ent t'at8as (a(ely s7o+en abo0t b0t 8idely (ega(ded as T'e /esse O8ens Inident1 in 8'i''e 7ainted 'i6self 'a(oal bla+ and (an t'e 255 6ete(s at t'e loal 7laying field onenig't=

Insane o( not1 R0dy 8as al8ays destined to be !iesel*s best f(iend= A sno8ball in t'e fae iss0(ely t'e 7e(fet beginning to a lasting f(iends'i7=

A fe8 days afte( !iesel sta(ted s'ool1 s'e 8ent along 8it' t'e Steine(s= R0dy*s 6ot'e(1Ba(ba(a1 6ade 'i6 7(o6ise to 8al+ 8it' t'e ne8 gi(l1 6ainly bea0se s'e*d 'ea(d abo0t t'esno8ball= To R0dy*s (edit1 'e 8as 'a77y eno0g' to o67ly= He 8as not t'e 0nio(6isogynisti ty7e of boy at all= He li+ed gi(ls a lot1 and 'e li+ed !iesel -'ene1 t'e sno8ball.=


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In fat1 R0dy Steine( 8as one of t'ose a0daio0s little basta(ds 8'o at0ally fanied 'i6self8it' t'e ladies= E)e(y 'ild'ood see6s to 'a)e eatly s0' a 0)enile in its 6idst and 6ists=He*s t'e boy 8'o (ef0ses to fea( t'e o77osite se1 70(ely bea0se e)e(yone else e6b(aes t'at7a(ti0la( fea(1 and 'e*s t'e ty7e 8'o is 0naf(aid to 6a+e a deision= In t'is ase1 R0dy 'adal(eady 6ade 07 'is 6ind abo0t !iesel Me6inge(=

On t'e 8ay to s'ool1 'e t(ied to 7oint o0t e(tain land6a(+s in t'e to8n1 o( at least1 'e6anaged to sli7 it all in1 so6e8'e(e bet8een telling 'is yo0nge( siblings to s'0t t'ei( faesand t'e olde( ones telling 'i6 to s'0t 'is= His fi(st 7oint of inte(est 8as a s6all 8indo8 on t'eseond floo( of an a7a(t6ent blo+=

T'at*s 8'e(e To66y M lle( li)es= He (ealied t'at !iesel didn*t (e6e6be( 'i6= T'et8it'e(> $'en 'e 8as fi)e yea(s old1 'e got lost at t'e 6a(+ets on t'e oldest day of t'eyea(= T'(ee 'o0(s late(1 8'en t'ey fo0nd 'i61 'e 8as f(oen solid and 'ad an a8f0l ea(a'ef(o6 t'e old= Afte( a 8'ile1 'is ea(s 8e(e all infeted inside and 'e 'ad t'(ee o( fo0(o7e(ations and t'e doto(s 8(e+ed 'is ne()es= So no8 'e t8it'es=

!iesel 'i6ed in1 And 'e*s bad at soe(=

T'e 8o(st=

#et 8as t'e o(ne( s'o7 at t'e end of Hi66el St(eet= F(a0 Dille(*s=

A# IMPORTA#T #OTE ABOUT FRAU DI!!ER S'e 'ad one golden (0le=F(a0 Dille( 8as a s'a(7&edged 8o6an 8it' fat glstin+e(es and a nefa(io0s gla(e= S'e de)elo7edt'is e)il loo+ to diso0(age t'e )e(y idea of stealing f(o6 'e( s'o71 8'i' s'e o07ied 8it'soldie(li+e 7ost0(e1 a (ef(ige(ated )oie1 and e)en b(eat' t'at s6elled li+e 'eil Hitle(= T'es'o7 itself 8as 8'ite and old1 and o67letely bloodless= T'e s6all 'o0se o67(essed besideit s'i)e(ed 8it' a little 6o(e se)e(ity t'an t'e ot'e( b0ildings on Hi66el St(eet= F(a0 Dille(

ad6iniste(ed t'is feeling1 dis'ing it o0t as t'e only f(ee ite6 f(o6 'e( 7(e6ises= S'e li)ed fo('e( s'o7 and 'e( s'o7 li)ed fo( t'e T'i(d Rei'= E)en 8'en (ationing sta(ted late( in t'e yea(1s'e 8as +no8n to sell e(tain 'a(d&to&get ite6s 0nde( t'e o0nte( and donate t'e 6oney to t'e#ai Pa(ty= On t'e 8all be'ind 'e( 0s0al sitting 7osition 8as a f(a6ed 7'oto of t'e F '(e(= Ifyo0 8al+ed into 'e( s'o7 and didn*t say 'eil Hitle(1 yo0 8o0ldn*t be se()ed= As t'ey8al+ed by1 R0dy d(e8 !iesel*s attention to t'e b0llet7(oof eyes lee(ing f(o6 t'e s'o78indo8=

Say 'eil* 8'en yo0 go in t'e(e1 'e 8a(ned 'e( stiffly= Unless yo0 8ant to 8al+ a littlefa(t'e(= E)en 8'en t'ey 8e(e 8ell 7ast t'e s'o71 !iesel loo+ed ba+ and t'e 6agnified eyes8e(e still t'e(e1 fastened to t'e 8indo8=

A(o0nd t'e o(ne(1 M0ni' St(eet -t'e 6ain (oad in and o0t of Mol'ing. 8as st(e8n 8it'slos'=

As 8as often t'e ase1 a fe8 (o8s of t(oo7s in t(aining a6e 6a('ing 7ast= T'ei( 0nifo(6s8al+ed 07(ig't and t'ei( bla+ boots f0(t'e( 7oll0ted t'e sno8= T'ei( faes 8e(e fied a'eadin onent(ation=

One t'ey*d 8at'ed t'e soldie(s disa77ea(1 t'e g(o07 of Steine(s and !iesel 8al+ed 7astso6e s'o7 8indo8s and t'e i67osing to8n 'all1 8'i' in late( yea(s 8o0ld be 'o77ed off att'e +nees and b0(ied= A fe8 of t'e s'o7s 8e(e abandoned and still labeled 8it' yello8 sta(sand anti&/e8is' sl0(s= Fa(t'e( do8n1 t'e '0(' ai6ed itself at t'e s+y1 its (oofto7 a st0dy of


27/287

ollabo(ated tiles= T'e st(eet1 o)e(all1 8as a lengt'y t0be of g(ay&&a o((ido( of da67ness17eo7le stoo7ed in t'e old1 and t'e s7las'ed so0nd of 8ate(y footste7s=

At one stage1 R0dy (0s'ed a'ead1 d(agging !iesel 8it' 'i6=

He +no+ed on t'e 8indo8 of a tailo(*s s'o7=

Had s'e been able to (ead t'e sign1 s'e 8o0ld 'a)e notied t'at it belonged to R0dy*s fat'e(=T'e s'o7 8as not yet o7en1 b0t inside1 a 6an 8as 7(e7a(ing a(tiles of lot'ing be'ind t'eo0nte(= He loo+ed 07 and 8a)ed=

My 7a7a1 R0dy info(6ed 'e(1 and t'ey 8e(e soon a6ong a (o8d of )a(io0s&sied Steine(s1ea' 8a)ing o( blo8ing +isses at t'ei( fat'e( o( si67ly standing and nodding 'ello -in t'ease of t'e oldest ones.1 t'en 6o)ing on1 to8a(d t'e final land6a(+ befo(e s'ool=

THE !AST STOP T'e (oad of yello8 sta(sIt 8as a 7lae nobody 8anted to stay and loo+ at1 b0t al6ost e)e(yone did= S'a7ed li+e a long1

b(o+en a(61 t'e (oad ontained se)e(al 'o0ses 8it' lae(ated 8indo8s and b(0ised 8alls= T'eSta( of Da)id 8as 7ainted on t'ei( doo(s= T'ose 'o0ses 8e(e al6ost li+e le7e(s= At t'e )e(yleast1 t'ey 8e(e infeted so(es on t'e in0(ed "e(6an te((ain=

S'ille( St(stin+e(e1 R0dy said= T'e (oad of yello8 sta(s=

At t'e botto61 so6e 7eo7le 8e(e 6o)ing a(o0nd= T'e d(ile 6ade t'e6 loo+ li+e g'osts=#ot '06ans1 b0t s'a7es1 6o)ing abo0t beneat' t'e lead&olo(ed lo0ds=

Co6e on1 yo0 t8o1 K0(t -t'e oldest of t'e Steine( 'ild(en. alled ba+1 and R0dy and!iesel 8al+ed @0i+ly to8a(d 'i6=

At s'ool1 R0dy 6ade a s7eial 7oint of see+ing !iesel o0t d0(ing t'e b(ea+s= He didn*t a(e

t'at ot'e(s 6ade noises abo0t t'e ne8 gi(l*s st07idity= He 8as t'e(e fo( 'e( at t'e beginning1and 'e 8o0ld be t'e(e late( on1 8'en !iesel*s f(0st(ation boiled o)e(= B0t 'e 8o0ldn*t do itfo( f(ee=

THE O#!% THI#" $ORSE THA# A BO% $HO HATES %OU A boy 8'o lo)es yo0=In late A7(il1 8'en t'ey*d (et0(ned f(o6 s'ool fo( t'e day1 R0dy and !iesel 8aited onHi66el St(eet fo( t'e 0s0al ga6e of soe(= T'ey 8e(e slig'tly ea(ly1 and no ot'e( +ids 'adt0(ned 07 yet= T'e one 7e(son t'ey sa8 8as t'e g0tte(&6o0t'ed Pfiffi+0s=

!oo+ t'e(e= R0dy 7ointed=

A PORTRAIT OF PFIFFIKUS He 8as a deliate f(a6e= He 8as 8'ite 'ai(= He 8as a bla+ (ainoat1 b(o8n 7ants1 deo67osing s'oes1 and a 6o0t'&&and 8'at a 6o0t' it 8as=Hey1 Pfiffi+0s

As t'e distant fig0(e t0(ned1 R0dy sta(ted 8'istling=


28/287

T'e old 6an si60ltaneo0sly st(aig'tened and 7(oeeded to s8ea( 8it' a fe(oity t'at an onlybe des(ibed as a talent= #o one see6ed to +no8 t'e (eal na6e t'at belonged to 'i61 o( atleast if t'ey did1 t'ey ne)e( 0sed it= He 8as only alled Pfiffi+0s bea0se yo0 gi)e t'at na6eto so6eone 8'o li+es to 8'istle1 8'i' Pfiffi+0s 6ost definitely did= He 8as onstantly8'istling a t0ne alled t'e Radet+y Ma('1 and all t'e +ids in to8n 8o0ld all o0t to 'i6 andd07liate t'at t0ne= At t'at 7(eise 6o6ent1 Pfiffi+0s 8o0ld abandon 'is 0s0al 8al+ing style-bent fo(8a(d1 ta+ing la(ge1 lan+y ste7s1 a(6s be'ind 'is (ainoated ba+. and e(et 'i6self todeli)e( ab0se= It 8as t'en t'at any i67(ession of se(enity 8as )iolently inte((07ted1 fo( 'is)oie 8as b(i66ing 8it' (age=

On t'is oasion1 !iesel follo8ed R0dy*s ta0nt al6ost as a (efle ation=

Pfiffi+0s s'e e'oed1 @0i+ly ado7ting t'e a77(o7(iate (0elty t'at 'ild'ood see6s to(e@0i(e= He( 8'istling 8as a8f0l1 b0t t'e(e 8as no ti6e to 7e(fet it=

He 'ased t'e61 alling o0t= It sta(ted 8it' "e'* s'eissen and dete(io(ated (a7idly f(o6t'e(e= At fi(st1 'e le)eled 'is ab0se only at t'e boy1 b0t soon eno0g'1 it 8as !iesel*s t0(n=

%o0 little sl0t 'e (oa(ed at 'e(= T'e 8o(ds lobbe(ed 'e( in t'e ba+= I*)e ne)e( seen yo0befo(e Fany alling a ten&yea(&old gi(l a sl0t= T'at 8as Pfiffi+0s= It 8as 8idely ag(eed t'at'e and F(a0 Holta7fel 8o0ld 'a)e 6ade a lo)ely o07le= "et ba+ 'e(e 8e(e t'e last8o(ds !iesel and R0dy 'ea(d as t'ey ontin0ed (0nning= T'ey (an 0ntil t'ey 8e(e on M0ni'St(eet=

Co6e on1 R0dy said1 one t'ey*d (eo)e(ed t'ei( b(eat'= /0st do8n 'e(e a little=

He too+ 'e( to H0be(t O)al1 t'e sene of t'e /esse O8ens inident1 8'e(e t'ey stood1 'ands in7o+ets= T'e t(a+ 8as st(et'ed o0t in f(ont of t'e6= Only one t'ing o0ld 'a77en= R0dysta(ted it= H0nd(ed 6ete(s1 'e goaded 'e(= I bet yo0 an*t beat 6e=

!iesel 8asn*t ta+ing any of t'at= I bet yo0 I an=

$'at do yo0 bet1 yo0 little Sa0e7an> Ha)e yo0 got any 6oney>

Of o0(se not= Do yo0>

#o= B0t R0dy 'ad an idea= It 8as t'e lo)e( boy o6ing o0t of 'i6= If I beat yo01 I get to+iss yo0= He (o0'ed do8n and began (olling 07 'is t(o0se(s=

!iesel 8as ala(6ed1 to 70t it 6ildly= $'at do yo0 8ant to +iss 6e fo(> I*6 filt'y=

So a6 I= R0dy lea(ly sa8 no (eason 8'y a bit of filt' s'o0ld get in t'e 8ay of t'ings= It'ad been a 8'ile bet8een bat's fo( bot' of t'e6=

S'e t'o0g't abo0t it 8'ile ea6ining t'e 8eedy legs of 'e( o77osition= T'ey 8e(e abo0te@0al 8it' 'e( o8n= T'e(e*s no 8ay 'e an beat 6e1 s'e t'o0g't= S'e nodded se(io0sly= T'is8as b0siness= %o0 an +iss 6e if yo0 8in= B0t if I 8in1 I get o0t of being goalie at soe(=

R0dy onside(ed it= Fai( eno0g'1 and t'ey s'oo+ on it=

All 8as da(+&s+ied and 'ay1 and s6all 'i7s of (ain 8e(e sta(ting to fall=

T'e t(a+ 8as 60ddie( t'an it loo+ed=

Bot' o67etito(s 8e(e set=


29/287

R0dy t'(e8 a (o+ in t'e ai( as t'e sta(ting 7istol= $'en it 'it t'e g(o0nd1 t'ey o0ld sta(t(0nning=

I an*t e)en see t'e finis' line1 !iesel o67lained=

And I an>

T'e (o+ 8edged itself into t'e ea(t'=

T'ey (an net to ea' ot'e(1 elbo8ing and t(ying to get in f(ont= T'e sli77e(y g(o0nd sl0(7edat t'ei( feet and b(o0g't t'e6 do8n 7e('a7s t8enty 6ete(s f(o6 t'e end=

Sna71 $a71 and B((+ yel7ed R0dy= I*6 o)e(ed in 7oo7

It*s not 7oo71 !iesel o((eted 'i61 it*s 60d1 alt'o0g' s'e 'ad 'e( do0bts= T'ey*d slidanot'e( fi)e 6ete(s to8a(d t'e finis'= Do 8e all it a d(a81 t'en>

R0dy loo+ed o)e(1 all s'a(7 teet' and gangly bl0e eyes= Half 'is fae 8as 7ainted 8it' 60d=

If it*s a d(a81 do I still get 6y +iss>

#ot in a 6illion yea(s= !iesel stood 07 and fli+ed so6e 60d off 'e( a+et=

I*ll get yo0 o0t of goalie=

Sti+ yo0( goalie=

As t'ey 8al+ed ba+ to Hi66el St(eet1 R0dy fo(e8a(ned 'e(= One day1 !iesel1 'e said1yo0*ll be dying to +iss 6e=

B0t !iesel +ne8=

S'e )o8ed=

As long as bot' s'e and R0dy Steine( li)ed1 s'e 8o0ld ne)e( +iss t'at 6ise(able1 filt'ySa0e(1 es7eially not t'is day= T'e(e 8e(e 6o(e i67o(tant 6atte(s to attend to= S'e loo+eddo8n at 'e( s0it of 60d and stated t'e ob)io0s=

S'e*s going to +ill 6e=

S'e1 of o0(se1 8as Rosa H0be(6ann1 also +no8n as Ma6a1 and s'e )e(y nea(ly did +ill 'e(=T'e 8o(d Sa0e7an feat0(ed 'ea)ily in t'e ad6inist(ation of 70nis'6ent= S'e 6ade6ine6eat o0t of 'e(=

THE /ESSE O$E#S I#CIDE#TAs 8e bot' +no81 !iesel 8asn*t on 'and on Hi66el St(eet 8'en R0dy 7e(fo(6ed 'is at of'ild'ood infa6y= $'en s'e loo+ed ba+1 t'o0g'1 it felt li+e s'e*d at0ally been t'e(e= In 'e(6e6o(y1 s'e 'ad so6e'o8 beo6e a 6e6be( of R0dy*s i6agina(y a0diene= #obody else6entioned it1 b0t R0dy e(tainly 6ade 07 fo( t'at1 so 60' t'at 8'en !iesel a6e to (eollet'e( sto(y1 t'e /esse O8ens inident 8as as 60' a 7a(t of it as e)e(yt'ing s'e 8itnessedfi(st'and=

It 8as 23= T'e Oly67is= Hitle(*s ga6es=


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/esse O8ens 'ad 0st o67leted t'e 4 2556 (elay and 8on 'is fo0(t' gold 6edal= Tal+ t'at'e 8as s0b'06an bea0se 'e 8as bla+ and Hitle(*s (ef0sal to s'a+e 'is 'and 8e(e to0teda(o0nd t'e 8o(ld= E)en t'e 6ost (aist "e(6ans 8e(e a6aed 8it' t'e effo(ts of O8ens1 and8o(d of 'is feat sli77ed t'(o0g' t'e (a+s= #o one 8as 6o(e i67(essed t'an R0dy Steine(=

E)e(yone in 'is fa6ily 8as (o8ded toget'e( in t'ei( fa6ily (oo6 8'en 'e sli77ed o0t and6ade 'is 8ay to t'e +it'en= He 70lled so6e 'a(oal f(o6 t'e sto)e and g(i77ed it in t'es6allness of 'is 'ands= #o8= T'e(e 8as a s6ile= He 8as (eady=

He s6ea(ed t'e 'a(oal on1 nie and t'i+1 till 'e 8as o)e(ed in bla+= E)en 'is 'ai((eei)ed a one&o)e(=

In t'e 8indo81 t'e boy g(inned al6ost 6aniaally at 'is (efletion1 and in 'is s'o(ts and tan+to71 'e @0ietly abd0ted 'is olde( b(ot'e(*s bi+e and 7edaled it 07 t'e st(eet1 'eading fo(H0be(t O)al= In one of 'is 7o+ets1 'e*d 'idden a fe8 7iees of et(a 'a(oal1 in ase so6eof it 8o(e off late(=

In !iesel*s 6ind1 t'e 6oon 8as se8n into t'e s+y t'at nig't= Clo0ds 8e(e stit'ed a(o0nd it=

T'e (0sty bi+e (06bled to a 'alt at t'e H0be(t O)al fene line and R0dy li6bed o)e(= He

landed on t'e ot'e( side and t(otted 8eedily 07 to8a(d t'e beginning of t'e '0nd(ed=Ent'0siastially1 'e ond0ted an a8+8a(d (egi6en of st(et'es= He d0g sta(ting 'oles intot'e di(t=

$aiting fo( 'is 6o6ent1 'e 7aed a(o0nd1 gat'e(ing onent(ation 0nde( t'e da(+ness s+y18it' t'e 6oon and t'e lo0ds 8at'ing1 tig'tly=

O8ens is loo+ing good1 'e began to o66entate= T'is o0ld be 'is g(eatest )ito(y e)e(= == =

He s'oo+ t'e i6agina(y 'ands of t'e ot'e( at'letes and 8is'ed t'e6 l0+1 e)en t'o0g' 'e+ne8= T'ey didn*t 'a)e a 'ane=

T'e sta(te( signaled t'e6 fo(8a(d= A (o8d 6ate(ialied a(o0nd e)e(y s@0a(e in' of H0be(tO)al*s i(06fe(ene= T'ey 8e(e all alling o0t one t'ing= T'ey 8e(e 'anting R0dySteine(*s na6e&&and 'is na6e 8as /esse O8ens=

All fell silent=

His ba(e feet g(i77ed t'e soil= He o0ld feel it 'olding on bet8een 'is toes=

At t'e (e@0est of t'e sta(te(1 'e (aised to (o0'ing 7osition&&and t'e g0n li77ed a 'ole int'e nig't=

Fo( t'e fi(st t'i(d of t'e (ae1 it 8as 7(etty e)en1 b0t it 8as only a 6atte( of ti6e befo(e t'e

'a(oaled O8ens d(e8 lea( and st(ea+ed a8ay=

O8ens in f(ont1 t'e boy*s s'(ill )oie (ied as 'e (an do8n t'e e67ty t(a+1 st(aig't to8a(dt'e 07(oa(io0s a77la0se of Oly67i glo(y= He o0ld e)en feel t'e ta7e b(ea+ in t8o a(oss 'is'est as 'e b0(st t'(o0g' it in fi(st 7lae= T'e fastest 6an ali)e=

It 8as only on 'is )ito(y la7 t'at t'ings t0(ned so0(= A6ong t'e (o8d1 'is fat'e( 8asstanding at t'e finis' line li+e t'e bogey6an= O( at least1 t'e bogey6an in a s0it= -As7(e)io0sly 6entioned1 R0dy*s fat'e( 8as a tailo(= He 8as (a(ely seen on t'e st(eet 8it'o0t as0it and tie= On t'is oasion1 it 8as only t'e s0it and a dis'e)eled s'i(t=.


31/287

$as ist los> 'e said to 'is son 8'en 'e s'o8ed 07 in all 'is 'a(oal glo(y= $'at t'e 'ellis going on 'e(e> T'e (o8d )anis'ed= A b(eee s7(ang 07= I 8as aslee7 in 6y 'ai( 8'enK0(t notied yo0 8e(e gone= E)e(yone*s o0t loo+ing fo( yo0=

M(= Steine( 8as a (e6a(+ably 7olite 6an 0nde( no(6al i(06stanes= Diso)e(ing one of 'is'ild(en s6ea(ed 'a(oal bla+ on a s066e( e)ening 8as not 8'at 'e onside(ed no(6ali(06stanes= T'e boy is (ay1 'e 60tte(ed1 alt'o0g' 'e oneded t'at 8it' si +ids1so6et'ing li+e t'is 8as bo0nd to 'a77en= At least one of t'e6 'ad to be a bad egg= Rig'tno81 'e 8as loo+ing at it1 8aiting fo( an e7lanation= $ell>

R0dy 7anted1 bending do8n and 7laing 'is 'ands on 'is +nees= I 8as being /esse O8ens=He ans8e(ed as t'o0g' it 8as t'e 6ost nat0(al t'ing on ea(t' to be doing= T'e(e 8as e)enso6et'ing i67liit in 'is tone t'at s0ggested so6et'ing along t'e lines of1 $'at t'e 'elldoes it loo+ li+e> T'e tone )anis'ed1 'o8e)e(1 8'en 'e sa8 t'e slee7 de7(i)ation 8'ittled0nde( 'is fat'e(*s eyes=

/esse O8ens> M(= Steine( 8as t'e ty7e of 6an 8'o 8as )e(y 8ooden= His )oie 8asang0la( and t(0e= His body 8as tall and 'ea)y1 li+e oa+= His 'ai( 8as li+e s7linte(s= $'atabo0t 'i6>

%o0 +no81 Pa7a1 t'e Bla+ Magi one=

I*ll gi)e yo0 bla+ 6agi= He a0g't 'is son*s ea( bet8een 'is t'06b and fo(efinge(=

R0dy 8ined= O81 t'at (eally '0(ts=

Does it> His fat'e( 8as 6o(e one(ned 8it' t'e la66y tet0(e of 'a(oal onta6inating'is finge(s= He o)e(ed e)e(yt'ing1 didn*t 'e> 'e t'o0g't= It*s e)en in 'is ea(s1 fo( fo(t0ne*s sa+e=Co6e on=

On t'e 8ay 'o6e1 M(= Steine( deided to tal+ 7olitis 8it' t'e boy as best 'e o0ld= Only int'e yea(s a'ead 8o0ld R0dy 0nde(stand it all&& 8'en it 8as too late to bot'e( 0nde(standing

anyt'ing=

THE CO#TRADICTOR% PO!ITICS OF A!E9 STEI#ER Point One: He 8as a 6e6be( of t'e #ai Pa(ty1 b0t 'e did not 'ate t'e /e8s1 o( anyone else fo( t'at 6atte(= Point T8o: Se(etly1 t'o0g'1 'e o0ldn*t 'el7 feeling a 7e(entage of (elief -o( 8o(se&&gladness. 8'en /e8is' s'o7 o8ne(s 8e(e 70t o0t of b0siness&& 7(o7aganda info(6ed 'i6 t'at it 8as only a 6atte( of ti6e befo(e a 7lag0e of /e8is' tailo(s s'o8ed 07 and stole 'is 0sto6e(s= Point T'(ee: B0t did t'at 6ean t'ey s'o0ld be d(i)en o0t o67letely> Point Fo0(: His fa6ily= S0(ely1 'e 'ad to do 8'ate)e( 'e o0ld to s077o(t t'e6= If t'at 6eant being in t'e 7a(ty1 it 6eant being in t'e 7a(ty= Point Fi)e: So6e8'e(e1 fa( do8n1 t'e(e 8as an it' in 'is 'ea(t1 b0t 'e 6ade it a 7oint not to s(at' it= He 8as af(aid of 8'at 6ig't o6e lea+ing o0t=


32/287

T'ey 8al+ed a(o0nd a fe8 o(ne(s onto Hi66el St(eet1 and Ale said1 Son1 yo0 an*t goa(o0nd 7ainting yo0(self bla+1 yo0 'ea(>

R0dy 8as inte(ested1 and onf0sed= T'e 6oon 8as 0ndone no81 f(ee to 6o)e and (ise and falland d(i7 on t'e boy*s fae1 6a+ing 'i6 nie and 60(+y1 li+e 'is t'o0g'ts= $'y not1 Pa7a>

Bea0se t'ey*ll ta+e yo0 a8ay=

$'y>

Bea0se yo0 s'o0ldn*t 8ant to be li+e bla+ 7eo7le o( /e8is' 7eo7le o( anyone 8'o is = = =not 0s=

$'o a(e /e8is' 7eo7le>

%o0 +no8 6y oldest 0sto6e(1 M(= Ka0f6ann> $'e(e 8e bo0g't yo0( s'oes>

%es=

$ell1 'e*s /e8is'=

I didn*t +no8 t'at= Do yo0 'a)e to 7ay to be /e8is'> Do yo0 need a liense>

#o1 R0dy= M(= Steine( 8as stee(ing t'e bi+e 8it' one 'and and R0dy 8it' t'e ot'e(= He8as 'a)ing t(o0ble stee(ing t'e on)e(sation= He still 'adn*t (elin@0is'ed t'e 'old on 'isson*s ea(lobe= He*d fo(gotten abo0t it= It*s li+e yo0*(e "e(6an o( Cat'oli=

O'= Is /esse O8ens Cat'oli>

I don*t +no8 He t(i77ed on a bi+e 7edal t'en and (eleased t'e ea(=

T'ey 8al+ed on in silene fo( a 8'ile1 0ntil R0dy said1 I 0st 8is' I 8as li+e /esse O8ens1Pa7a=

T'is ti6e1 M(= Steine( 7laed 'is 'and on R0dy*s 'ead and e7lained1 I +no81 son&&b0tyo0*)e got bea0tif0l blond 'ai( and big1 safe bl0e eyes= %o0 s'o0ld be 'a77y 8it' t'at? is t'atlea(>

B0t not'ing 8as lea(=

R0dy 0nde(stood not'ing1 and t'at nig't 8as t'e 7(el0de of t'ings to o6e= T8o and a 'alfyea(s late(1 t'e Ka0f6ann S'oe S'o7 8as (ed0ed to b(o+en glstin+e(1 and all t'e s'oes 8e(efl0ng aboa(d a t(0+ in t'ei( boes=

THE OTHER SIDE OF SA#DPAPERPeo7le 'a)e defining 6o6ents1 I s077ose1 es7eially 8'en t'ey*(e 'ild(en= Fo( so6e it*s a/esse O8ens inident= Fo( ot'e(s it*s a 6o6ent of bed&8etting 'yste(ia:

It 8as late May 2331 and t'e nig't 'ad been li+e 6ost ot'e(s= Ma6a s'oo+ 'e( i(on fist= Pa7a8as o0t= !iesel leaned t'e f(ont doo( and 8at'ed t'e Hi66el St(eet s+y=

Ea(lie(1 t'e(e 'ad been a 7a(ade=

T'e b(o8n&s'i(ted et(e6ist 6e6be(s of t'e #SDAP -ot'e(8ise +no8n as t'e #ai Pa(ty.


33/287

'ad 6a('ed do8n M0ni' St(eet1 t'ei( banne(s 8o(n 7(o0dly1 t'ei( faes 'eld 'ig'1 as if onsti+s= T'ei( )oies 8e(e f0ll of song1 0l6inating in a (oa(ing (endition of De0ts'landbe( Alles= "e(6any o)e( E)e(yt'ing=

As al8ays1 t'ey 8e(e la77ed=

T'ey 8e(e s70((ed on as t'ey 8al+ed to 8'o +no8s 8'e(e=

Peo7le on t'e st(eet stood and 8at'ed1 so6e 8it' st(aig't&a(6ed sal0tes1 ot'e(s 8it' 'andst'at b0(ned f(o6 a77la0se= So6e +e7t faes t'at 8e(e onto(ted by 7(ide and (ally li+e F(a0Dille(1 and t'en t'e(e 8e(e t'e satte(ings of odd 6en o0t1 li+e Ale Steine(1 8'o stood li+e a'06an&s'a7ed blo+ of 8ood1 la77ing slo8 and d0tif0l= And bea0tif0l= S0b6ission=

On t'e foot7at'1 !iesel stood 8it' 'e( 7a7a and R0dy= Hans H0be(6ann 8o(e a fae 8it' t'es'ades 70lled do8n=

SOME CRU#CHED #UMBERS In 231 35 7e(ent of "e(6ans s'o8ed 0nflin'ing s077o(t fo( Adolf Hitle(= T'at lea)es 25 7e(ent 8'o didn*t= Hans H0be(6ann belonged to t'e 25 7e(ent= T'e(e 8as a (eason fo( t'at=In t'e nig't1 !iesel d(ea6ed li+e s'e al8ays did= At fi(st1 s'e sa8 t'e b(o8ns'i(ts 6a('ing1b0t soon eno0g'1 t'ey led 'e( to a t(ain1 and t'e 0s0al diso)e(y a8aited= He( b(ot'e( 8assta(ing again=

$'en s'e 8o+e 07 s(ea6ing1 !iesel +ne8 i66ediately t'at on t'is oasion1 so6et'ing 'ad'anged= A s6ell lea+ed o0t f(o6 0nde( t'e s'eets1 8a(6 and si+ly= At fi(st1 s'e t(iedon)ining 'e(self t'at not'ing 'ad 'a77ened1 b0t as Pa7a a6e lose( and 'eld 'e(1 s'e (iedand ad6itted t'e fat in 'is ea(=

Pa7a1 s'e 8'is7e(ed1 Pa7a1 and t'at 8as all= He o0ld 7(obably s6ell it=

He lifted 'e( gently f(o6 t'e bed and a((ied 'e( into t'e 8as'(oo6= T'e 6o6ent a6e a fe86in0tes late(=

$e ta+e t'e s'eets off1 Pa7a said1 and 8'en 'e (ea'ed 0nde( and 70lled at t'e fab(i1so6et'ing loosened and landed 8it' a t'0d= A bla+ boo+ 8it' sil)e( 8(iting on it a6e'0(tling o0t and landed on t'e floo(1 bet8een t'e tall 6an*s feet=

He loo+ed do8n at it=

He loo+ed at t'e gi(l1 8'o ti6idly s'(0gged=

T'en 'e (ead t'e title1 8it' onent(ation1 alo0d: T'e "(a)e Digge(*s Handboo+=

So t'at*s 8'at it*s alled1 !iesel t'o0g't=

A 7at' of silene stood a6ong t'e6 no8= T'e 6an1 t'e gi(l1 t'e boo+= He 7i+ed it 07 ands7o+e soft as otton=

A ; A=M= CO#,ERSATIO# Is t'is yo0(s> %es1 Pa7a=


34/287

Do yo0 8ant to (ead it> Again1 %es1 Pa7a= A ti(ed s6ile= Metalli eyes1 6elting= $ell1 8e*d bette( (ead it1 t'en=Fo0( yea(s late(1 8'en s'e a6e to 8(ite in t'e base6ent1 t8o t'o0g'ts st(0+ !iesel abo0t

t'e t(a06a of 8etting t'e bed= Fi(st1 s'e felt et(e6ely l0+y t'at it 8as Pa7a 8'o diso)e(edt'e boo+= -Fo(t0nately1 8'en t'e s'eets 'ad been 8as'ed 7(e)io0sly1 Rosa 'ad 6ade !ieselst(i7 t'e bed and 6a+e it 07= And be @0i+ abo0t it1 Sa0e7an Does it loo+ li+e 8e*)e gotall day>. Seond1 s'e 8as lea(ly 7(o0d of Hans H0be(6ann*s 7a(t in 'e( ed0ation= %o08o0ldn*t t'in+ it1 s'e 8(ote1 b0t it 8as not so 60' t'e s'ool 8'o 'el7ed 6e to (ead= It 8asPa7a= Peo7le t'in+ 'e*s not so s6a(t1 and it*s t(0e t'at 'e doesn*t (ead too fast1 b0t I 8o0ldsoon lea(n t'at 8o(ds and 8(iting at0ally sa)ed 'is life one= O( at least1 8o(ds and a 6an8'o ta0g't 'i6 t'e ao(dion = = =

Fi(st t'ings fi(st1 Hans H0be(6ann said t'at nig't= He 8as'ed t'e s'eets and '0ng t'e6 07=#o81 'e said 07on 'is (et0(n= !et*s get t'is 6idnig't lstin+e( sta(ted=

T'e yello8 lig't 8as ali)e 8it' d0st=

!iesel sat on old lean s'eets1 as'a6ed1 elated= T'e t'o0g't of bed&8etting 7(odded 'e(1 b0ts'e 8as going to (ead= S'e 8as going to (ead t'e boo+=

T'e eite6ent stood 07 in 'e(=

,isions of a ten&yea(&old (eading geni0s 8e(e set alig't=

If only it 8as t'at easy=

To tell yo0 t'e t(0t'1 Pa7a e7lained 07f(ont1 I a6 not s0' a good (eade( 6yself=

B0t it didn*t 6atte( t'at 'e (ead slo8ly= If anyt'ing1 it 6ig't 'a)e 'el7ed t'at 'is o8n (eading7ae 8as slo8e( t'an a)e(age= Pe('a7s it 8o0ld a0se less f(0st(ation in o7ing 8it' t'e gi(l*sla+ of ability=

Still1 initially1 Hans a77ea(ed a little 0no6fo(table 'olding t'e boo+ and loo+ing t'(o0g' it=

$'en 'e a6e o)e( and sat net to 'e( on t'e bed1 'e leaned ba+1 'is legs angling o)e( t'eside= He ea6ined t'e boo+ again and d(o77ed it on t'e blan+et= #o8 8'y 8o0ld a nie gi(lli+e yo0 8ant to (ead s0' a t'ing>

Again1 !iesel s'(0gged= Had t'e a77(entie been (eading t'e o67lete 8o(+s of "oet'e o(any ot'e( s0' l06ina(y1 t'at 8as 8'at 8o0ld 'a)e sat in f(ont of t'e6= S'e atte67ted toe7lain= I&& 8'en = = = It 8as sitting in t'e sno81 and&& T'e soft&s7o+en 8o(ds fell off t'eside of t'e bed1 e67tying to t'e floo( li+e 7o8de(=

Pa7a +ne8 8'at to say1 t'o0g'= He al8ays +ne8 8'at to say=

He (an a 'and t'(o0g' 'is slee7y 'ai( and said1 $ell1 7(o6ise 6e one t'ing1 !iesel= If I dieanyti6e soon1 yo0 6a+e s0(e t'ey b0(y 6e (ig't=

S'e nodded1 8it' g(eat sine(ity=

#o s+i77ing 'a7te( si o( ste7 fo0( in 'a7te( nine= He la0g'ed1 as did t'e bed 8ette(=


35/287

$ell1 I*6 glad t'at*s settled= $e an get on 8it' it no8=

He ad0sted 'is 7osition and 'is bones (ea+ed li+e it'y floo(boa(ds= T'e f0n begins=

A67lified by t'e still of nig't1 t'e boo+ o7ened&&a g0st of 8ind=

!oo+ing ba+1 !iesel o0ld tell eatly 8'at 'e( 7a7a 8as t'in+ing 8'en 'e sanned t'e fi(st7age of T'e "(a)e Digge(*s Handboo+= As 'e (ealied t'e diffi0lty of t'e tet1 'e 8aslea(ly a8a(e t'at s0' a boo+ 8as 'a(dly ideal= T'e(e 8e(e 8o(ds in t'e(e t'at 'e*d 'a)et(o0ble 8it' 'i6self= #ot to 6ention t'e 6o(bidity of t'e s0bet= As fo( t'e gi(l1 t'e(e 8as as0dden desi(e to (ead it t'at s'e didn*t e)en atte67t to 0nde(stand= On so6e le)el1 7e('a7ss'e 8anted to 6a+e s0(e 'e( b(ot'e( 8as b0(ied (ig't= $'ate)e( t'e (eason1 'e( '0nge( to (eadt'at boo+ 8as as intense as any ten&yea(&old '06an o0ld e7e(iene=

C'a7te( one 8as alled T'e Fi(st Ste7: C'oosing t'e Rig't E@0i76ent= In a s'o(tint(od0to(y 7stin+e(age1 it o0tlined t'e +ind of 6ate(ial to be o)e(ed in t'e follo8ing t8enty7ages= Ty7es of s'o)els1 7i+s1 glo)es1 and so fo(t' 8e(e ite6ied1 as 8ell as t'e )ital need to7(o7e(ly 6aintain t'e6= T'is g(a)e digging 8as se(io0s=

As Pa7a fli+ed t'(o0g' it1 'e o0ld s0(ely feel !iesel*s eyes on 'i6= T'ey (ea'ed o)e( and

g(i77ed 'i61 8aiting fo( so6et'ing1 anyt'ing1 to sli7 f(o6 'is li7s=

He(e= He s'ifted again and 'anded 'e( t'e boo+= !oo+ at t'is 7age and tell 6e 'o8 6any8o(ds yo0 an (ead=

S'e loo+ed at it&&and lied=

Abo0t 'alf=

Read so6e fo( 6e= B0t of o0(se1 s'e o0ldn*t= $'en 'e 6ade 'e( 7oint o0t any 8o(ds s'eo0ld (ead and at0ally say t'e61 t'e(e 8e(e only t'(ee&&t'e t'(ee 6ain "e(6an 8o(ds fo(t'e= T'e 8'ole 7age 60st 'a)e 'ad t8o '0nd(ed 8o(ds on it=

T'is 6ig't be 'a(de( t'an I t'o0g't=

S'e a0g't 'i6 t'in+ing it1 0st fo( a 6o6ent=

He lifted 'i6self fo(8a(d1 (ose to 'is feet1 and 8al+ed o0t=

T'is ti6e1 8'en 'e a6e ba+1 'e said1 At0ally1 I 'a)e a bette( idea= In 'is 'and1 t'e(e 8asa t'i+ 7ainte(*s 7enil and a sta+ of sand7a7e(= !et*s sta(t f(o6 s(at'= !iesel sa8 no(eason to a(g0e=

In t'e left o(ne( of an 07t0(ned 7iee of sand7a7e(1 'e d(e8 a s@0a(e of 7e('a7s an in' ands'o)ed a a7ital A inside it= In t'e ot'e( o(ne(1 'e 7laed a lo8e(ase one= So fa(1 so good=

A1 !iesel said=

A fo( 8'at>

S'e s6iled= A7fel=

He 8(ote t'e 8o(d in big lette(s and d(e8 a 6iss'a7en a77le 0nde( it= He 8as a 'o0se7ainte(1not an a(tist= $'en it 8as o67lete1 'e loo+ed o)e( and said1 #o8 fo( B=

As t'ey 7(og(essed t'(o0g' t'e al7'abet1 !iesel*s eyes g(e8 la(ge(= S'e 'ad done t'is at


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s'ool1 in t'e +inde(ga(ten lstin+e(1 b0t t'is ti6e 8as bette(= S'e 8as t'e only one t'e(e1 and s'e8as not giganti= It 8as nie to 8at' Pa7a*s 'and as 'e 8(ote t'e 8o(ds and slo8lyonst(0ted t'e 7(i6iti)e s+et'es=

A'1 o6e on1 !iesel1 'e said 8'en s'e st(0ggled late( on= So6et'ing t'at sta(ts 8it' S= It*seasy= I*6 )e(y disa77ointed in yo0=

S'e o0ldn*t t'in+=

Co6e on His 8'is7e( 7layed 8it' 'e(= T'in+ of Ma6a=

T'at 8as 8'en t'e 8o(d st(0+ 'e( fae li+e a sla7= A (efle g(in= SAUME#SCH s'es'o0ted1 and Pa7a (oa(ed 8it' la0g'te(1 t'en @0ieted=

S'''1 8e 'a)e to be @0iet= B0t 'e (oa(ed all t'e sa6e and 8(ote t'e 8o(d1 o67leting it8it' one of 'is s+et'es=

A T%PICA! HA#S HUBERMA## ART$ORK

Pa7a s'e 8'is7e(ed= I 'a)e no eyes

He 7atted t'e gi(l*s 'ai(= S'e*d fallen into 'is t(a7= $it' a s6ile li+e t'at1 Hans H0be(6annsaid1 yo0 don*t need eyes= He '0gged 'e( and t'en loo+ed again at t'e 7it0(e1 8it' a faeof 8a(6 sil)e(= #o8 fo( T=

$it' t'e al7'abet o67leted and st0died a doen ti6es1 Pa7a leaned o)e( and said1 Eno0g'fo( tonig't>

A fe8 6o(e 8o(ds>

He 8as definite= Eno0g'= $'en yo0 8a+e 071 I*ll 7lay ao(dion fo( yo0=

T'an+s1 Pa7a=

"ood nig't= A @0iet1 one&syllable la0g'= "ood nig't1 Sa0e7an

"ood nig't1 Pa7a=

He s8it'ed off t'e lig't1 a6e ba+1 and sat in t'e 'ai(= In t'e da(+ness1 !iesel +e7t 'e( eyeso7en= S'e 8as 8at'ing t'e 8o(ds=

THE SME!! OF FRIE#DSHIPIt ontin0ed=

O)e( t'e net fe8 8ee+s and into s066e(1 t'e 6idnig't lstin+e( began at t'e end of ea'nig't6a(e= T'e(e 8e(e t8o 6o(e bed&8etting o0((enes1 b0t Hans H0be(6ann 6e(ely(e7eated 'is 7(e)io0s lean07 'e(ois and got do8n to t'e tas+ of (eading1 s+et'ing1 and(eiting= In t'e 6o(ning*s ea(ly 'o0(s1 @0iet )oies 8e(e lo0d=

On a T'0(sday1 0st afte( 7=6=1 Ma6a told !iesel to get (eady to o6e 8it' 'e( and deli)e(so6e i(oning= Pa7a 'ad ot'e( ideas=

He 8al+ed into t'e +it'en and said1 So((y1 Ma6a1 s'e*s not going 8it' yo0 today=


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Ma6a didn*t e)en bot'e( loo+ing 07 f(o6 t'e 8as'ing bag= $'o as+ed yo01 Mat'lo+>Co6e on1 !iesel=

S'e*s (eading1 'e said= Pa7a 'anded !iesel a steadfast s6ile and a 8in+= $it' 6e= I*6tea'ing 'e(= $e*(e going to t'e A67e(&& 07st(ea61 8'e(e I 0sed to 7(atie t'e ao(dion=

#o8 'e 'ad 'e( attention=

Ma6a 7laed t'e 8as'ing on t'e table and eage(ly 8o(+ed 'e(self 07 to t'e a77(o7(iate le)elof yniis6= $'at did yo0 say>

I t'in+ yo0 'ea(d 6e1 Rosa=

Ma6a la0g'ed= $'at t'e 'ell o0ld yo0 tea' 'e(> A a(dboa(d g(in= U77e(0t 8o(ds=!i+e yo0 o0ld (ead so 60'1 yo0 Sa0e(

T'e +it'en 8aited= Pa7a o0nte(70n'ed= $e*ll ta+e yo0( i(oning fo( yo0=

%o0 filt'y&& S'e sto77ed= T'e 8o(ds 7(o77ed in 'e( 6o0t' as s'e onside(ed it= Be ba+befo(e da(+=

$e an*t (ead in t'e da(+1 Ma6a1 !iesel said=

$'at 8as t'at1 Sa0e7an>

#ot'ing1 Ma6a=

Pa7a g(inned and 7ointed at t'e gi(l= Boo+1 sand7a7e(1 7enil1 'e o(de(ed 'e(1 andao(dion one s'e 8as al(eady gone= Soon1 t'ey 8e(e on Hi66el St(eet1 a((ying t'e8o(ds1 t'e 60si1 t'e 8as'ing=

As t'ey 8al+ed to8a(d F(a0 Dille(*s1 t'ey t0(ned a(o0nd a fe8 ti6es to see if Ma6a 8as stillat t'e gate1 'e+ing on t'e6= S'e 8as= At one 7oint1 s'e alled o0t1 !iesel1 'old t'at i(oning

st(aig't Don*t (ease it

%es1 Ma6a

A fe8 ste7s late(: !iesel1 a(e yo0 d(essed 8a(6 eno0g'>

$'at did yo0 say>

Sa0e7an d(e+iges1 yo0 ne)e( 'ea( anyt'ing A(e yo0 d(essed 8a(6 eno0g'> It 6ig't getold late(

A(o0nd t'e o(ne(1 Pa7a bent do8n to do 07 a s'oelae= !iesel1 'e said1 o0ld yo0 (oll 6e

a iga(ette>

#ot'ing 8o0ld gi)e 'e( g(eate( 7leas0(e=

One t'e i(oning 8as deli)e(ed1 t'ey 6ade t'ei( 8ay ba+ to t'e A67e( Ri)e(1 8'i' flan+edt'e to8n= It 8o(+ed its 8ay 7ast1 7ointing in t'e di(etion of Da'a01 t'e onent(ation a67=

T'e(e 8as a 8ooden&7lan+ed b(idge=

T'ey sat 6aybe t'i(ty 6ete(s do8n f(o6 it1 in t'e g(stin+e(1 8(iting t'e 8o(ds and (eading t'e6alo0d1 and 8'en da(+ness 8as nea(1 Hans 70lled o0t t'e ao(dion= !iesel loo+ed at 'i6 and


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listened1 t'o0g' s'e did not i66ediately notie t'e 7e(7leed e7(ession on 'e( 7a7a*s faet'at e)ening as 'e 7layed=

PAPA*S FACE It t(a)eled and 8onde(ed1 b0t it dislosed no ans8e(s= #ot yet=T'e(e 'ad been a 'ange in 'i6= A slig't s'ift=

S'e sa8 it b0t didn*t (ealie 0ntil late(1 8'en all t'e sto(ies a6e toget'e(= S'e didn*t see 'i68at'ing as 'e 7layed1 'a)ing no idea t'at Hans H0be(6ann*s ao(dion 8as a sto(y= In t'eti6es a'ead1 t'at sto(y 8o0ld a((i)e at Hi66el St(eet in t'e ea(ly 'o0(s of 6o(ning18ea(ing (0ffled s'o0lde(s and a s'i)e(ing a+et= It 8o0ld a((y a s0itase1 a boo+1 and t8o@0estions= A sto(y= Sto(y afte( sto(y= Sto(y 8it'in sto(y=

Fo( no81 t'e(e 8as only t'e one as fa( as !iesel 8as one(ned1 and s'e 8as enoying it=

S'e settled into t'e long a(6s of g(stin+e(1 lying ba+=

S'e losed 'e( eyes and 'e( ea(s 'eld t'e notes=

T'e(e 8e(e1 of o0(se1 so6e 7(oble6s as 8ell= A fe8 ti6es1 Pa7a nea(ly yelled at 'e(= Co6eon1 !iesel1 'e*d say= %o0 +no8 t'is 8o(d? yo0 +no8 it /0st 8'en 7(og(ess see6ed to beflo8ing 8ell1 so6e'o8 t'ings 8o0ld beo6e lodged=

$'en t'e 8eat'e( 8as good1 t'ey*d go to t'e A67e( in t'e afte(noon= In bad 8eat'e(1 it 8ast'e base6ent= T'is 8as 6ainly on ao0nt of Ma6a= At fi(st1 t'ey t(ied in t'e +it'en1 b0tt'e(e 8as no 8ay=

Rosa1 Hans said to 'e( at one 7oint=

S'e loo+ed 07 f(o6 t'e sto)e= $'at>

I*6 as+ing yo01 I*6 begging yo01 o0ld yo0 7lease s'0t yo0( 6o0t' fo( 0st fi)e 6in0tes>

%o0 an i6agine t'e (eation=

T'ey ended 07 in t'e base6ent=

T'e(e 8as no lig'ting t'e(e1 so t'ey too+ a +e(osene la671 and slo8ly1 bet8een s'ool and'o6e1 f(o6 t'e (i)e( to t'e base6ent1 f(o6 t'e good days to t'e bad1 !iesel 8as lea(ning to(ead and 8(ite=

Soon1 Pa7a told 'e(1 yo0*ll be able to (ead t'at a8f0l g(a)es boo+ 8it' yo0( eyes losed=

And I an get o0t of t'at 6idget lstin+e(=

S'e s7o+e t'ose 8o(ds 8it' a g(i6 +ind of o8ne(s'i7=

In one of t'ei( base6ent sessions1 Pa7a dis7ensed 8it' t'e sand7a7e( -it 8as (0nning o0t fast.and 70lled o0t a b(0s'= T'e(e 8e(e fe8 l00(ies in t'e H0be(6ann 'o0se'old1 b0t t'e(e 8asan o)e(s077ly of 7aint1 and it bea6e 6o(e t'an 0sef0l fo( !iesel*s lea(ning= Pa7a 8o0ld saya 8o(d and t'e gi(l 8o0ld 'a)e to s7ell it alo0d and t'en 7aint it on t'e 8all1 as long as s'e


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got it (ig't= Afte( a 6ont'1 t'e 8all 8as (eoated= A f(es' e6ent 7age=

So6e nig'ts1 afte( 8o(+ing in t'e base6ent1 !iesel 8o0ld sit (o0'ed in t'e bat' and 'ea(t'e sa6e 0tte(anes f(o6 t'e +it'en=

%o0 stin+1 Ma6a 8o0ld say to Hans= !i+e iga(ettes and +e(osene=

Sitting in t'e 8ate(1 s'e i6agined t'e s6ell of it1 6a77ed o0t on 'e( 7a7a*s lot'es= Mo(et'an anyt'ing1 it 8as t'e s6ell of f(iends'i71 and s'e o0ld find it on 'e(self1 too= !iesel lo)edt'at s6ell= S'e 8o0ld sniff 'e( a(6 and s6ile as t'e 8ate( ooled a(o0nd 'e(=

THE HEA,% $EI"HT CHAMPIO# OF THE SCHOO!& %ARDT'e s066e( of *3 8as in a '0((y1 o( 7e('a7s !iesel 8as= S'e s7ent 'e( ti6e 7laying soe(8it' R0dy and t'e ot'e( +ids on Hi66el St(eet -a yea(&(o0nd 7asti6e.1 ta+ing i(oning a(o0ndto8n 8it' Ma6a1 and lea(ning 8o(ds= It felt li+e it 8as o)e( a fe8 days afte( it began=

In t'e latte( 7a(t of t'e yea(1 t8o t'ings 'a77ened=

SEPTEMBER #O,EMBER 2332= $o(ld $a( T8o begins=2= !iesel Me6inge( beo6es t'e 'ea)y8eig't 'a67ion of t'e s'ool ya(d=

T'e beginning of Se7te6be(=

It 8as a ool day in Mol'ing 8'en t'e 8a( began and 6y 8o(+load in(eased=

T'e 8o(ld tal+ed it o)e(=

#e8s7a7e( 'eadlines (e)eled in it=

T'e F '(e(*s )oie (oa(ed f(o6 "e(6an (adios= $e 8ill not gi)e 07= $e 8ill not (est= $e8ill be )ito(io0s= O0( ti6e 'as o6e=

T'e "e(6an in)asion of Poland 'ad beg0n and 7eo7le 8e(e gat'e(ed e)e(y8'e(e1 listening tot'e ne8s of it= M0ni' St(eet1 li+e e)e(y ot'e( 6ain st(eet in "e(6any1 8as ali)e 8it' 8a(=T'e s6ell1 t'e )oie= Rationing 'ad beg0n a fe8 days ea(lie(&&t'e 8(iting on t'e 8all&&andno8 it 8as offiial= England and F(ane 'ad 6ade t'ei( dela(ation on "e(6any= To steal a7'(ase f(o6 Hans H0be(6ann:

T'e f0n begins=

T'e day of t'e anno0ne6ent1 Pa7a 8as l0+y eno0g' to 'a)e so6e 8o(+= On 'is 8ay 'o6e1'e 7i+ed 07 a disa(ded ne8s7a7e(1 and (at'e( t'an sto77ing to s'o)e it bet8een 7aint ans

in 'is a(t1 'e folded it 07 and sli77ed it beneat' 'is s'i(t= By t'e ti6e 'e 6ade it 'o6e and(e6o)ed it1 'is s8eat 'ad d(a8n t'e in+ onto 'is s+in= T'e 7a7e( landed on t'e table1 b0t t'ene8s 8as sta7led to 'is 'est= A tattoo= Holding t'e s'i(t o7en1 'e loo+ed do8n in t'e 0ns0(e+it'en lig't=

$'at does it say> !iesel as+ed 'i6= S'e 8as loo+ing ba+ and fo(t'1 f(o6 t'e bla+o0tlines on 'is s+in to t'e 7a7e(=

Hitle( ta+es Poland1* 'e ans8e(ed1 and Hans H0be(6ann sl067ed into a 'ai(=De0ts'land be( Alles1 'e 8'is7e(ed1 and 'is )oie 8as not (e6otely 7at(ioti=


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T'e fae 8as t'e(e again&&'is ao(dion fae=

T'at 8as one 8a( sta(ted=

!iesel 8o0ld soon be in anot'e(=

#ea(ly a 6ont' afte( s'ool (es06ed1 s'e 8as 6o)ed 07 to 'e( (ig'tf0l yea( le)el= %o0 6ig'tt'in+ t'is 8as d0e to 'e( i67(o)ed (eading1 b0t it 8asn*t= Des7ite t'e ad)ane6ent1 s'e still(ead 8it' g(eat diffi0lty= Sentenes 8e(e st(e8n e)e(y8'e(e= $o(ds fooled 'e(= T'e (easons'e 8as ele)ated 'ad 6o(e to do 8it' t'e fat t'at s'e bea6e dis(07ti)e in t'e yo0nge( lstin+e(=S'e ans8e(ed @0estions di(eted

The_Book_Thief_Complete

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