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trucks. You and your men wait a good hour, then go into the first houses you come to. What do you suppose their occupants will think of you?"
    "That we're deserters."
    Schmitt smiled. "You are a gifted child. And that's just what I want to happen. If there are partisans in the place, they certainly won't keep you waiting long. They'll try to make contact with you, and if they don't, you must take the initiative yourselves. In either case you let me know at once, though of course without arousing the partisans' suspicions—I rely on your common sense. Once we've got hold of one of those boys, well soon have him telling us what we want to know."
    "I wouldn't be too sure, sir."
    "You can leave that to me. There are one or two tricks to make even the dumb talk."
    "You don't know Czechs."
    "I know people. It's worth trying anyhow. If it doesn't work, then well just have been unlucky. And now about the place." He bent over the map again. "We haven't a big choice. Including Denes and Szomolnok there are about four villages. The first two won't be any good for you because we're supposed to be searching there. So where shall we send you?"
    "To Oviz, sir," said Kolodzi, without looking at the map.
    Schmitt gave him a sharp glance. "How d you work that out?"
    "It's a place I used to know."
    "I see." Schmitt studied the map. "Oviz lies outside the circle ... a good six miles from Szomolnok. A bit far, I feel; must be over four hours' walk in this snow. Can we get there at all with the trucks?"
    "The road's good, it goes past Svedler."
    "Even so." Schmitt gnawed at his lower lip. "It lies outside the circle," he said again.
    Kolodzi yawned. "The partisans certainly won't be bothering about your circle."
    "You may have something there. Still, we've got to limit the space we search in. What sort of a place is this Oviz?"
    "Pretty small, a few dozen houses. In the middle of the forest, with mountains on all sides—the perfect partisan village."
    "All right then, that's the way it will be." Schmitt leaned back and stared at the table. "Excuse my excessive curiosity, but you said there's a girl you're engaged to, didn't you?"
    "Yes," said Kolodzi.
    "Then I'm surprised you didn't stay with her. What will happen to her when the Russians come?"
    "She's going to Olmutz the day after tomorrow."
    "And your mother? Or was that only an excuse?"
    "I don't need excuses. She'll be with my mother."
    "And if the Russians get to Olmutz?"
    Kolodzi did not answer. At last, Schmitt rose. "Let's get ready then. You'll ride in my truck. Wait a moment." He went to a corner where his belongings were lying. "An heirloom," he said, picking up a large pair of binoculars; Kolodzi had often seen him wearing them. "A sort of mascot; my grandfather used to take them along with him whenever he went out hunting. So I don't want to lose them." He held them undecidedly in his hand, then gave them to Kolodzi. "You might need them in Oviz," he said casually. "You can give them back to me afterward. But don't lose them, they mean a lot to me, and this is the first time I've let anyone else have them."
    Kolodzi looked into his eyes and saw a strange expression there. "You'll get them back, sir," he said quietly.
    "Good." Schmitt put a hand on Kolodzi's shoulder. "You're certainly going to be very useful to me just now. Which is why I'm glad you came back. Is there anything else you want to know?"
    "I can't think of anything, sir."
    "All right then."
     
     
    Returning to his billet, Kolodzi found Vohringer lying on his bed ready for the move. He sat up when Kolodzi came in, and asked: "Was she pleased to see you?"
    "My mother?"
    "Her too."
    "Yes, quite pleased." Kolodzi sat down by Vohringer on the bed. "What d'you think they're going to do with us?"
    "Something awful, I suppose. Do you happen to know?"
    "Yes, Schmitt told me. Guess."
    "Don't feel like it," grunted Vohringer.
    "We're clearing off—deserting."
    "At last."
    "What do you mean by at last?"
    "At last you've seen