The Other Side of Midnight

"He will stay with the car," the General said.

Noelle stared at him. The chauffeur must not stay with the car or everything would be ruined. Yet Noelle dared not insist.

They walked on toward the cafe over the rough, uneven cobblestones. Suddenly, as she took a step, her ankle turned and Noelle fell, letting out a sharp cry of pain. General Scheider reached out and vainly tried to grab her before her body hit the cobblestones.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

The chauffeur, seeing what had happened, moved from behind the wheel of the car and started hurrying toward them.

"I'm so sorry," Noelle said. "I--I turned my ankle. It feels like it's broken."

General Scheider ran his hand expertly over her ankle. "There is no swelling. It is probably just a sprain. Can you stand on it?"

"I--I don't know," Noelle said.

The chauffeur reached her side and the two men lifted her to her feet. Noelle took a step and the ankle gave way under her.

"I'm sorry," she moaned. "If I could just sit down."

"Help me get her in there," General Scheider said, indicating the cafe.

With the two men supporting her on either side, they walked into the restaurant. As she walked through the door, Noelle risked a quick look back at the car. The two dock workers were at the trunk of the limousine.

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather go straight on to the Etratat?" the General was asking.

"No, believe me, I'll be fine," Noelle replied.

The proprietor led them to a corner table, and the two men eased Noelle into a chair.

"Are you in much pain?" General Scheider asked.

"A bit," Noelle replied. She put her hand on his. "Don't worry. I won't let this spoil anything for you, Hans."

At the moment Noelle and General Hans Scheider were sitting in the cafe, Colonel Mueller and two of his men were speeding into the city limits of Le Havre. The local captain of police had been roused from his sleep and was waiting for the Gestapo men in front of the police station. "A gendarme has located the General's car," he said. "It is parked down by the waterfront."

A gleam of satisfaction came into Colonel Mueller's face. "Take me there," he commanded.

Five minutes later, the Gestapo automobile with Colonel Mueller, his two men and the police captain raced up beside General Scheider's automobile on the pier. The men got out and surrounded the car. At that moment General Scheider, Noelle and the chauffeur were starting to leave the bistro. The chauffeur was the first to notice the men at the car. He started hurrying toward them.

"What's happening?" Noelle asked, and even as she spoke she recognized the figure of Colonel Mueller in the distance and felt a cold chill go through her.

"I don't know," General Scheider said. He started toward the limousine with long strides, Noelle limping after him.

"What are you doing here?" General Scheider asked Colonel Mueller as he reached the car.

"I am sorry to disturb your holiday," Colonel Mueller replied curtly. "I would like to inspect the trunk of your car, General."

"There is nothing but luggage in there."

Noelle reached the group. She noticed that the forklift had gone. The General and the Gestapo men were glaring at each other.

"I must insist, General. I have reason to believe that a wanted enemy of the Third Reich is hiding in there and that your guest is his accomplice."

General Scheider stared at him for a long moment, then turned to study Noelle.

"I don't know what "he's talking about," she said firmly.

The General's eyes traveled down to her ankle, then he made a decision and turned to his chauffeur. "Open it."