Back In Action

37. The Sappers Arrive

David watched the last of the soldiers disappear around the bend, then glanced at his watch again. Twelve seventeen. Give the fellows another hour. He ran various scenarios through his mind. Could have been caught crossing the border. Might have been seen coming down through the forested slopes on this side. Likely, their stories of fleeing French conscription would hold unless a soldier recognised the strange Quebecois accent.

He stared across the lake at the snowy peaks rising above the blue ridges. If they had been apprehended, they would have been held, not turned back. If they were captured, where are they? Why were there twelve soldiers coming out of the trees? Why spread out like that and in groups of two? Was it a routine patrol? Or was it men coming back from helping handle an incident? Too many questions. Need to stop thinking.

The movement at the edge of the trees startled him from his thoughts, and he turned his head to watch two deer bolt from the forest, bound across the road and scamper up the grassy knoll on the other side. So graceful, so spry. When the deer had disappeared from view, he turned his eyes back to the trees and held them out of focus, watching for movement.

If the soldiers had been involved in searching for border crossers or in their apprehension, they would have questioned me. I'd be suspicious to them sitting here at the obvious end of the route. More motion in the trees snapped his eyes into focus, and he saw a man cup the top of his head with an open hand.

David looked up and down the road, then copied the signal as he breathed a loud sigh. He climbed from the cab and opened the lorry's rear doors while motioning for the men to climb in and pointing to the basket of food. "Nous mangerons en route. Les deux supérieurs devant ... We'll eat along the way. The two senior in the front."

As David drove up the hill toward the village of Givrins, Sergeant Gerrard Perrier introduced himself and described their adventures. "We were on top of the second ridge, with the lake in sight again, when we spot two soldiers below, Sir. Lucky for us, we were set up in a good place to watch them from above. They move across the slopes in pairs, maybe a good two dozen of them."

"Twelve came out here and down along the road. Two spoke briefly with me. The others must have come out beyond the bend."

"We figured, with the time of day, they were going to lunch, Sir. So we waited until we saw the first of them reach the road. When we saw two at your truck, we knew you would think the soldiers had slowed us. Sometimes it is better to let time make the explanation."

"Wise thinking, Sergeant." David nodded. "Speaking of lunch, there's a basket of sandwiches and apples here – and one in the back."

Shortly after four, David wheeled the lorry into the side courtyard of the Ambassador's residence, set the brake and switched off the magneto. "Here's your home for the night. Let's get the men unloaded and oriented, then we can do a full debrief."

Sonnenhang, Switzerland — Tuesday 26 October

After an early breakfast on Tuesday morning, David supervised the loading of two large trunks and a long wooden crate into the rear of the lorry. Once they had been securely lashed in place, cushions and pads were put on their tops, and the Sappers climbed aboard for the drive to Sonnenhang.

Ten to noon, less than half as long as doing it in the rain. David thought as he pulled to a stop in the courtyard, where he was greeted by Rachel and Georg.

After the Sappers were shown to their quarters, they returned to unload the crate of tunnelling equipment and lug it to the tool shed. Then they carried the two trunks containing their work clothing to their quarters. Following introductions to the sabotage team, they all paused for lunch, David and Herman joining them.