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“And just leave it? Like that?” Albright stood staring at the opening as Halstead began to walk away with the camera still in hand. Halstead took a step backward and grabbed Albright by the wrist while motioning with a cock of his head for Williams to follow. “You’ve told me yourself time and time again how illegal this all is. Let’s get away while we still have the chance.” He tugged at the professor until the latter joined him and the others in a trot out of the tunnel and up the stairway. The truck that was leading the dust cloud had come into view by the time the foursome had reached the top of the steps. Halstead exchanged the camera for Hess’s rifle, and ordered Hess to start the Locomobile’s engine. Then he ordered the two Americans to join his deputy, and kneeled down into a firing position. The foreman had already joined the rest of the workmen in a furious dash further down the valley and away from the approaching soldiers. Halstead’s aim was true, and both front tires of the British truck were blown as the Locomobile’s engine revved into life. Halstead stood up and began his retreat to the getaway car as a squad of troops piled out of their truck. Albright ran past Halstead and in the direction of the British, waving his arms in the air with his white handkerchief in one hand. Williams, after a fearful glance at Halstead’s rifle, dashed after his fellow countryman. “Farewell, gentlemen,” Halstead called over his shoulder as he ran with equal speed toward the backseat of the Locomobile. “We shall meet again.” He planted both feet on the running board and threw the carbine in the backseat as he barked, “Drive, Rudi, drive,” without realizing he was still speaking English. Rudi understood the English well enough to obey, and sped away from the tomb and the soldiers. Halstead, firmly gripping the nearest surfaces of the speeding vehicle, looked back to see Albright and Williams being approached by a pair of rifle-toting Tommies. Then Halstead stuck his head beneath the top of the car, and shoved himself, facefirst, into the backseat. Halstead reached down to the floorboard to place a protective hand on the camera Hess had dropped in the backseat, and the Darbeitpartei leader stopped to savor the mild relief from the heat that the passing air provided. |