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boat.” David looked around like a caged animal.
    â€œYou can stay in our room. No one will need to know.” Amanda grabbed David’s hand. “Come quickly.”
    Leah followed, shaking her head.

10
    A manda.” Leah tugged at her friend’s sleeve and hissed, “What do you think you are doing?”
    â€œDon’t worry. It’ll be OK.” Amanda looked over her shoulder. “I think I hear someone coming. Quick, let’s hide in here.” She pulled David with her into an open doorway. Leah followed.
    Seconds later, footsteps clomped past and up the stairs.
    Amanda let out her breath. “That was close.” She looked around the dimly lit room. “I wonder what they use this room for.”
    Clang!
    â€œBlimey, I tripped over something—again.” Leah held up a round, shiny object. “This time, it wasn’t a foot. Looks like a cymbal.”
    Amanda’s eyes grew accustomed to the dim light. She noticed violins, accordions, drums, saxophones and clarinets strewn around like dead bodies. “This must be where they store instruments for the entertainment.”
    â€œIt is,” said David as he stroked a violin.
    â€œHave you played on this boat?” asked Amanda.
    â€œYes, before I was told I wasn’t allowed on the boat.”
    â€œWhy?”
    He shook his head. “I don’t know.”
    Amanda narrowed her eyes. “And how did you hurt your thumb?”
    â€œErr, shouldn’t we be getting out of here before we get caught?” asked Leah. She looked both ways down the hall. “The coast is clear.”
    They worked their way back up to the room without being seen.
    â€œAll right! We are here.” Leah crossed her arms and leaned back, clicking their door closed behind her. “Now what?”
    â€œDavid can sleep in the bathtub. There are extra blankets and pillows. It’s probably more comfortable than sleeping on the street. We can bring him food from our meals. There’s always way too much anyway.”
    â€œLooks like you thought of everything, Amanda.” Leah rubbed her forehead. “Why do I have a feeling this will all go terribly wrong?”
    â€œI—I don’t need to stay and be trouble. I vill leave the boat at next stop.” David blinked to stop tears from escaping.
    Amanda glanced at Leah.
    â€œYou will be safe with us. Don’t worry.” Leah patted the young boy’s shoulder. “We are expected for lunch so we should go. Just keep very quiet and don’t answer the door.”

    â€œYou two must have worked up quite an appetite walking around Passau,” said Amanda’s mom when she saw the plates piled high with food from the buffet.
    â€œIt’s been a long time since breakfast, and we did do a lot of walking,” replied Amanda.
    â€œI’m glad to see you made it on the boat on time,” said Leah’s dad. “I didn’t see you board.”
    â€œOh, I saw them.” Amanda’s dad jumped in the conversation. “They came on board with a younger girl. “Who is your new friend?”
    Amanda’s ears turned red. “Someone we met in town.” She took a large forkful of potato salad. “This is soooo good. We should get the recipe, Mom.”
    â€œI’m so pleased you are making friends,” said Mrs. Anderson.
    Leah nodded while she filled a buttered bun with cold cuts and cheese. “I’m taking this back to the room in case I get hungry. Dinner is late tonight.” She placed the bun in her napkin and rolled it up.
    â€œGood idea,” Amanda chimed. She piled cookies in a napkin.
    â€œMeet us on the top deck soon. We’ll be passing some nice scenery. Bring your camera, Amanda,” said Don Ross. “Perhaps you’ll see your new friend again.”
    When they got back to the room, Leah turned to Amanda. “Whew, that was close.” She unwrapped the bun and gave it to