The Boy Who Dared: List 5

Oma grows accustomed to the incessant tapping, the constant ring of the carriage return.

The stamper is a brazen touch, but it's Karl who astounds Helmuth and Rudi with the risks he takes.

His hands are gnarled, his fingers thick and crooked.

Düwer whistles softly, looks at Helmuth with keen admiration.

He begins to read slowly and clearly, enunciating each word importantly:
'"On the eleventh of August 1942 the court found Helmuth Hübener guilty of listening to a foreign radio station and distributing the news heard in connection with conspiracy to commit high treason and treasonable support of the enemy.’"

He begins to read slowly and clearly, enunciating each word importantly:
'"On the eleventh of August 1942 the court found Helmuth Hübener guilty of listening to a foreign radio station and distributing the news heard in connection with conspiracy to commit high treason and treasonable support of the enemy.’"

In the end, they find all the incriminating evidence just where Helmuth said—the Rola radio, a pile of assorted leaflets, notebooks, manuscripts of handbills, shorthand notes, and the Remington typewriter with seven carbon sheets of paper stuck between the carriage rollers.

In the end, they find all the incriminating evidence just where Helmuth said—the Rola radio, a pile of assorted leaflets, notebooks, manuscripts of handbills, shorthand notes, and the Remington typewriter with seven carbon sheets of paper stuck between the carriage rollers.

"Such interesting reading," says Müssner sarcastically, leaning over the typewriter. "It says, 'Who is inciting whom?'" He reads a section out loud. "'All accusations against the American government...lack any truthful basis. They are fabricated, malicious, and remain symptoms of the deepest hatred—'"

"Such interesting reading," says Müssner sarcastically, leaning over the typewriter. "It says, 'Who is inciting whom?'" He reads a section out loud. "'All accusations against the American government...lack any truthful basis. They are fabricated, malicious, and remain symptoms of the deepest hatred—'"

The square of sunshine moves, diffuses, grows faint yellow.

He plods down the corridor, outside to the transport van.

He prays, not for deliverance, but for strength.

Helmuth sits on the edge of the cot, head in hands, and sobs. Huge, wracking sobs. He hates himself, hates what he has done.

Helmuth tunes out the guards, narrows his eyes to slits, blocks out the dazzling wall, stands, nose one inch from the wall. Nothing fazes him.

The Gestapo are precise. Methodical.

He's sure that Karl understands, sure that Karl knows that Helmuth has taken the blame, sure Karl understands not to say anything that will implicate himself more during his interrogation.

He's a nervous man wearing a crooked red bow tie and a Nazi party pin on his lapel.

At once, everyone rises as seven justices enter. Three wear bloodred caps and flowing red robes with a large golden eagle emblazoned on the front.

Gestapo agent Müssner details each interrogation, word by word from his notes, saying things like, "after lengthy remonstrations" and "after emphatic admonishments Hübener was moved to make a confession about the extent of his destructive activity."

Gestapo agent Müssner details each interrogation, word by word from his notes, saying things like, "after lengthy remonstrations" and "after emphatic admonishments Hübener was moved to make a confession about the extent of his destructive activity."

Helmuth grunts at the words. That's what the Gestapo call beatings and torture. Remonstrations and admonishments.

Justice Fikeis rehashes the same questions the boys had answered under interrogation, but there's a different edge to his questions now.

Helmuth takes a deep breath, and in the most contemptible manner he can muster, says, "Jawohl, ihr lügt."

Pandemonium breaks out among the justices.

Helmuth's insolence launches Justice Fikeis to his feet.

Herr Doctor Knie argues that Helmuth succumbed to the enemy propaganda because he was too immature to resist the temptation.

He replaces the essay, claps the folder shut, slams his fist down on top. "This defendant acted with the thought and cunning of an adult! Consequently he is to be sentenced as an adult. Without exception this precocious young man has long since outgrown his youth."

"The court orders the following to be sentenced," he says in a smug, satisfied voice.

He hopes his letters comfort them. Bring them solace.