Chapter 14. On temporary duty, acting as ghosts.

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Hidden shelter in the house of a Latin professor - composed for concealment of Jews, but never used, now becomes a hideout professor’s son and his colleague - dismobbed from guerrilla - a life, divided only by a few planks from German soldiers - one of them discovers the place and men - instead shooting or get them executed, plays chess with them - strange, an astonishing friendship follows - first notion, some Germans are human, maybe better than us.

Angus froze immovable on wooden planks of a board, between them in the dim twilight a diffuse light came from the space between the cracks from the clear day below. Over the big rectangle of floor, rather low mounted the house roof, from wooden planks too, felt with bitumen cartoon. It consisted of four parts, two rhomboidal about 12,5 m at the floor and maybe 8 m on the top and two triangles about 8 m at the bottom. The darkness jollied only two small windows in these triangles, whereas on the rhombs two greater valves remained closed and secured with metal mainstays. No light should pass from sky downwards, because the secret compartment, greater than the so-called priest-hole should stay invisible. Only if there was none danger, the valves could open to let in more light for reading or a chess-play. If the entrance between the false and real roof opened, always the valves were first closed. In case of an alarm causing a need of speedy retreat and closing the secret door, no glimmers of light could betray this from within.

Matthew lain too on the board a little away and on the other side, below the opposite rhomb of the roof professor Iaruga, none of them winced. But thought the quiet tranquility, interrupted by the steps of German solider below, loud gasped the stentorian hiss of the professor breath.

- "Good God" - thought Angus - "He is unaware of the business, but puffs and wheezes so, a sleeping man would arouse. If he would be a little nearby, I could thrust him, or in another way call his attention. But it is to long a distance and not a chance to move, in certainly would betray us."

The steps below stopped, the soldier halted on and just listened.

- "Wer ist da? (Who is there)" - he called.

A dead silence, only the breathing turned louder.

- "Wer ist da?" - again.

It seemed impossible before, the professor could breathe any louder, but now he really rattled.

- "Antworte, oder ich werde schissen! (do answer, or I shall shoot)" - the yeoman become clearly vexed.

- "Nothing to wonder" - thought Angus - "I would be not at ease myself, hearing such terrifying sounds."

The soldier reached into the holster. With a gun in hand he came to the spot, where lay the professor and from where spread the resonance.

- "Wer ist da?" -

- Der Wirt dieses Hauses (the houseowner) - Professor decided to answer, raised himself and raised the trapdoor, what simultaneously directed a short downward ladder. Angus sit up, resigned. He could not rise, because in the spot he laid the roof was to low, there was not enough room.

Further silence had no sense at all, as if the soldier in fact did shoot, even not effectively, this would cause alarm in the whole troop.

- A cool customer, bold son of the gun, but has more courage than sound reason. He goes in into a swarthy vent, but too dark, before his eyes adapt he can’t see anything, at his best only twinkle - reasoned to himself Angus. - I could finish him off in a sec, but what would happen to my parents, not to speak of Matthew father here and mother down the house. -

Over the planks of the floor emerged the head of the yeoman and hand with elated pistol.

* * *

Professor Jaruga, who taught Angus Latin and Polish language and with whose son Angus closed a friendship, made his study before the WWI on Krakow University. (After diploma he studied one or two years more the German literature in Wien). At the time he attached to the literal movement of Młoda Polska (Jung Poland), going in a black pelerine and a wide hat and wished to become a poet. Contemporary Kraków over-spilled with poets and writers, some excellent, sparkled with intellectual life, there were many he cold take example off. But the young student of Latin and Polish literature came to conclusion, that his verses, if formally correct and adapted to modern fashion, are a flat imitation, unconscious plagiarism, borrowing, lacking personal tenor and inside fire, engagement and originality. He was fit rather for a critic than creative work.

He verified this on his own and on others creations, no doubt left. He had exactly the right talent, but then, to become a critic, it was necessary to establish his own literary success, make his own name. Rather irrational, to judge the quality of a hen eggs there is not need to lay his own first. In fact, the ability to note, study and critic any creative work is a serious impediment to spread his wings. Seeing his own lacks and vacancies even more distinct as the alien, he wanted not be a laughingstock and brushed them aside.

Disheartened, he tried at least realize his second ideal, step between the simple people and work for them. With two faculty diplomas, be began an unpaid practice of a teacher in college, After the WW I the condition changed, there was a demand for educated candidates and he got a post in Gimnazium in Ostrowiec. With opinion of excellent, if rather demanding teacher he shortly got a professor nomination, stabilizing there. Maybe he found compensation, towering intellectually over the youngsters; he never shown this to the students, but the domination may heal his wounded ego, an inadequate value complex. Anyway, being a perfectionist, the critic sense became an asset on this position, whereas before it seriously hampered his creative ability.

Following the example of his youth ideal, Lucian Rydel, he married a simple village girl and at first the marriage turned unexpectedly successful, in a hot love. Matthew, mentioned before (not a full year older) college and friend of Angus, was a fruit of this. The love remained, but a plain country girl was with reserve accepted in social area as well socially and the wedlock remained in vacuum, rather alone. Step-by-step they turned to misanthropy, isolating themselves from people. Maybe there was some feeling of defeat. Angus, coming often unannounced to his friend, once heard as Miss Jaruga sang alone in the kitchen, rather a sentimental and silly song about a butterfly with broken wings. The melancholy in a small, but unexpected nice voice was surely genuine. The professor as an intellectual soon got familiar with privacy and even began to cultivate this. Short of his work and study, he found too hobbies in domestic jobs.

One was the horticulture, especially of the plums. He fetched, even imported, often inoculated himself rare sorts of plums and tried to bred new species and new varmints of them. The second, more important, was carpentry.

He liked all the "do-it-yourself", but especially work in the wood, bought yourself a carpenter bench and spent there a few hours almost daily, feeling there easy and relaxed. After a hectic day he found there rest, leisure and fun, in fact he often corrected the exercises of his students on this bench. If weary, refreshed himself with his hobby, sometimes only selecting the wood and projecting the further use or laying it of for drying, sometime only touched it solid and imagined what he could do. In the end cut it, formed, checked the shape, smoothed and corrected. Supposing the result was not satisfying, he simply burned down the ripe article and started anew. This way he could be always perfect, there was never any failure, never any inferiority complex. There remained only the products, which his over-critic sense could accept, only the perfect, the bad he could destroy. With time he got good in carpentry and as joiner.

To be sure this was only a hobby, without any practical value, as psychic comfort. Professor of college, it was a high prestige position with matching high wages.

Capsule: Organization, condition and shape of Polish elementary and advanced (high) schools (colleges) in the prewar period.

The Polish country in the period between the two WW had his strong and weak sides, successes and failures. Certainly the most spectacular achievement was the new organization of the elementary and high schools. Alas, carried out too late, only two last year’s came out alumni (absolvents), later after this excellent pattern functioned further the secret school in occupation and finally three years after the war. The last proper "Matura" (alumni final examines) took place in 1948 (so with the first in 1938, the rewarding mode lasted, including the conspiracy period, only about a decade. Already in 1948-9 began the manipulation and changes, after 1950 the schools in Poland aping after the Soviets, became comparable with the worst model on the globe. Only the old teaching cadre for a few years more held the schools over the bottom, touched about 1954. It could be not any worse, only a little better in the following years. But in the few years it functioned, the Polish education pattern became better than the average of the Europe and the America. Only the exclusive private schools (especially in Switzerland), were still better about 1939.

After the WW I more as ten years continued the pattern fixed by the former enemy states, which for longtime held Poland in slavery. With some differences, it was a four-grade elementary schools and eight grade colleges, called "Gimnazium" (nothing to do with gymnastic and gymnasiums in US). Already in 1919y a convention of teachers, called The Teacher Parliament, advised a reform of schools, with the 7- grade common (popular) elementary school as minimum, followed by the higher college. But in a country devastated by the WW I, next with the Bolshevik war, ruined economy and before regeneration, the great crises, it took years and years. It was difficult to find money even for the existing education system, in fact the expenses must go down and the situation got rather worse than better. Only in 1932, as the worst of the World Crises passed, began the reform of school, called after the name of contemporary Prime Minister Jędrzejewicz Reform. Nevertheless the reform was controversial, met with fierce opposition. Angus heard and remembered this even in 1935y, when he began attend the school. In fact, it was rather a make-believe reform. The two first grades of Gimnazium turned a shift to the elementary school, the seventh grade introduced only in a minor part of elementary schools for the children, who would not continue the education in colleges. Yet, still existed many four grade elementary schools, especially in rare populated or poor country area. The people heard that after finishing the four grades, the already older and stronger children may change the school and go a longer way to the bigger, already reformed schools. The 4-grade schools still existed along, with the 6-grades and a minority of full 7-grades, it was impossible to find the means and money. At the time Angus was not at the age to understand the matter, but he remembered, the critics said, about a million of the children become badly discriminated, some remaining out of schools at all. (He thought them lucky beggars.) Maybe this was the cause why mother sent him to the best in town, but expensive beyond imagination private school, where he could learn at the astronomical cost of 60 zl monthly. He felt guilty and never came over this till for good results, he was able to reduce the expense to half of the rate; well this still was enormous a sum and he felt guilty in his conscience. In the war this pattern remained similar, he attended still the private lessons and the parents paid heavily even, if they all had next to nothing for meals. But it proved a best investment, the only one that proved safe and worth it.

The reform finished minister Świętosławski, a professor and former rector of the Technical University in Warsaw, turning it in a success. Well, he had more money with the recovering economy, but most of all he achieved it by better programs and excellent handbooks. Most of all, he chose a loot of people, many from Lwów, so much, that his opponents called them often "a clique", or "a bunch from Lwów". But it was an excellent choice; even now people remember some names, as Banach and Stożek, Tołłoczko, many others. Beside their scientific career, they wrote excellent handbooks for the new schools.

From the time of "The Commission for the People Education" in the last year’s of the old Respublika with Potocki, Kołłątaj and Staszic, there was in Poland never a body of men of such great format. An astonishing, rare coincidence, that before the final calamity, both the first and the second Republic left over great schools, where the students learned and continued the tradition. After many years of slavery the state thank to this could reborn, as Phoenix from ashes. The only drawback may be, the absolvent were so good, too good to survive, too many of them perished, best of the best dying first.

As Angus began attend the school, the dispute and controversies continued, the colleges were still under reform and the elementary schools only recently reformed, after the new pattern. It was now the six grade elementary school, the four grade "gimnasium" and two or three grade "liceum".

The optional seventh class of the elementary school destined for the children ending their education was a novelty. More so, as there and in all classes of the lyceums the method of teaching changed from the former "sitting, rating and listening" to an open free discussion of any problems taken from life, without taboos. In all ending classes both elementary school and college the lessons should be intelligent and carefully prepared after the university method. In short, the final grades should prepare the student for real life; but certainly this needed tutors with open mind and after it only started, should be further developed. But the best step was new programs and magnificent and beautiful written handbooks.

Not all the elementary schools provided the optional seventh class. In fact in a deep province, if there were schools with few children and teachers, sometimes functioned the old, four graded schools programs. There were problems with finishing even the compulsory, fifth and sixth classes in other schools, not mentioning the seventh. The cause always the same, lack of money. Really, the great reform was still in progress. But the success was obvious and it was a feeling it shall be better and better. This attracted the best people.

In short, even if the education reform was never complete and there remained many problems, if never working with the full efficiency, it gave a few generations of people on high-level. Many young people capital and excellent become splendid idealists. Sure, neither the school nor the education alone can alter the true nature of people. Nevertheless, a good deal of the merit of the honorable behavior of the Polish youth in the WW II and in the tragic years after is up to the credit of those great and beautiful schools. Also remains tradition and luck, that in the worst years, the schools modeled after the Soviet fashion never turned as bad as in Soviets, happened by compromise between the pressure of tyranny and the remaining human nature of the teachers.

* * *

At the time in Poland the social position of teachers in all schools was high, even if the wages in elementary schools were not enough. But even after the WW II, as they become quite miserable, the profession still met with respect. About the same apply to the professors of colleges, with the difference that before the war, they were comfortable off, satisfactory salaried. For the worth of one hour, professor Iaruga for example could buy several ladders, whereas making one took him several weeks: that’s why his hobby was by some people thought as odd.

After a time teaching as a contract teacher, to acknowledge his efforts by his colleagues and the college council Iaruga become nominated a permanent professor with many privileges. From this moment his position became stable and independent like as a judge, for example there was no way to fire him.

Later professor Iaruga bought a site and built a house and got in wedlock producing a son. As the Muslims say, fulfilled all task a proper man should do (except for of fighting the Ungodly).

The Gimnazium and Liceum im. J. Chreptowicza was located at the west edge of Ostrowiec. On the outskirts of town, on the bare terrain called "Błonia", divided by the Starachowice roadway, on the southern side banked the college’ building. On the opposite side the new erected buildings of a new, big modern elementary school, collected pupils from several former little schools. Both of them had around big yards and playgrounds, which anyway took only a small % of the empty terrain of the meadow around. Some distance further away from the roadway retired two more streets south and two norths, with the bigger Piaski Street (a former village). Next there followed both sides the forests. Between the trees opposite the Piaski crossing there mounted building "Bursa" (students Hostel) housing about 60 senior students (and in the war and occupation time, the displaced former prisoners). More of the college students lived-in the in the private "stancja" (youth hostels) placed around in bigger distance.

Professor Iaruga bought the land for the site about 2,5 to 3 km beyond the town limit, near to the roadway to Starachowice, but hidden about a 400 m inside in the forest on the north side. The house he built was not typical, but rather according to his taste and imagination, similar to a mountain hut. But with different roof, in fact like a French muster called mansard covered with bitumen cartoon with zinc fragments; project was on the top of it place the shingles. Then again there were none mountain style ornaments nor knickknacks, only solid wood with a fundament of stone. Exactly before the war, professor changed both the entrance doors from serial for the made by him with much care and impressive, made also the frame and the wooden steps construction on the front of the house.

The house fused into the forest, incorporated with environment right between close-by trees (from three, sides a garden on the fourth) was invisible from the roadway. As mentioned, the roadway to Starachowice ran near college, after turning a few little streets and the "Bursa" property, housing students, left behind the town limits. On the right, north side stretched on a high terrain an old, impressive forest. On the left, south side a belt or rather a triangle of land covered with young trees and under bush getting thinner and thinner with a large meadow below, cut by the river Kamienna. Before the professor site, the meadow touched the roadway, the belt of young trees ended and a view stretched to the small village Romanów, with a railroad bridge. An artificial lake below and a construction for regulating the river level, on top of which was a road bridge. There began an artificial stream or rather a canal supplying water to the Ironworks, called "Kuźniczka". On the opposite side there were hills, covered with trees and to the house ran upward a path, the house located by the top of the hill, partly on the hillside. The front side fundament was about one meter higher, than the back side, as in the mountain huts and behind was a big garden with orchard. The path began by a little soggy swamp in a depression by the roadway and run up the hill, being also hardly noticeable. Some 1,5 km before, about one km from the town limits, the great forest on the right side of the roadway disrupted the so called Workers Colony. It consisted of about hundred of uniform red bricks houses with small gardens build by Ostrowiec Ironworks for the workers.

Some people said, the Colony was build deliberately beyond town limits to oust from the town council elections people with opinions left-wing, especially the communists. However, Angus knew a few boys living there and to be sure never met or even heard of any being left-wing extremists. Contrary, he met some living in town and never knowing the Colony, who openly demonstrated their communist beliefs. (At the time, in occupation, the Poles between themselves spoke much more openly and straight, than in the followed period. Only when the second occupation, by Soviets, followed, in fact many of them bitterly regretted this; the Soviets informed by his adherents, happened more dangerous and gruesome than the Germans).

Anyway, most of the people expressed opinion, that it was a bogus theory and making fun of it, laughing told, that they with good grace would ape communist. That is, if in result they could be "repressed" by an opportunity to get a nice house with garden as well as live in a healthy and friendly, in fact beautiful environment. It looked, as if the "revolting capitalist" applied civilized tactics, like a blessing in disguise.

In fact, the Iron Works took several such no-profit efforts; it was an exemplary social action, maybe done in public interest, beneficiary, maybe as sound publicity. Alas, this stopped too early in the Great Crisis and recession, because of lack of money.

Next to the workers colony stretched more forest, hedged, so probably in private hands. But in the time of war the owner probably was not able to take proper care of it, because from the side of the road the hedge penetrated multiple tear and holes. The same happened from the side of the workers colony and from the third side, of the ground road, running parallel to the roadway. This country way has a hedge too from the other side, there stood in three parcels three big, incomplete houses in construction, which stopped in 1939 and suspended during the occupation time.

The only whole hedge of this rather young forest of more as hundred of ha was on the fourth side, bordering to an old, great forest. In all other parts, the gaps allowed free passage of people, collecting the dry wood for fuel, occasionally the mushrooms, and blackberries. Sometimes even whole cut trees, but the least rather rarely, because first the gaps in the hedges were not big enough, not easy to transport greater objects and afterwards there were not easy ways. Angus made some excursions into this young forest rather of plain curiosity, but anyway preferred to go a bit longer, to the great and beautiful old forest.

This terrain was much more diversified. There occurred parts with old, big pines, but also of mixed forest, sometimes different foliage trees, sometime only oaks, some clearings, meadows, little fields in agriculture and some in virgin state, covered with perennials, bushes, ticket. It was a natural forest and especially charming, because it was the so-called character of the fertile bottom, quite different from character of dry bottom forest, usually monoculture of pine, with which Angus was familiar.

It was exactly the forest, in which he survived the nightmare days of June and big part of 1940 summer, the tragic catastrophe of France and triumph of Germany. The days of final calamity when all hopes broke down, life lost all sense. The days, when father with firm hand, held him on the brink of a tomb in the unwanted life, compelling him in never-ending working space over counting arithmetic exercises. To this forest they walked both everyday, choosing a secluded and comfy place to take a temporary bivouac and the next six to eight hours the external world ceased to exist. There remained only numbers and the speedy solving of books problems, transforming the text in numbers and construction of formulas and final count and solution. Only a plain arithmetic, but the tempo was never satisfactory, Angus considered it from the side of father inhuman tyranny and mistreating. Only later he understood, that this way father saved him from a breakdown, turned his mind from the stupid decision of suicide after the France capitulation. After the tragedy of losing the war, losing all the hopes, when the world seemed not be worth living in Hitler’s hands. Paradoxically this happened under pretext of agreement, that if nothing changes, father promised to consider the suicide of the whole family, but only it there would be no possibility of further running away, emigration. Present-days happened many suicides, many people did feel like Angus.

This constant hectic work, diverting the mind from reality allowed to survive the deep depression and saved Angus psychic, but also this way father transferred his most important in his life ability to the son. As Angus was almost unable to think, they walked back home for dinner and then back in the same forest and continued the work till dark. The days were long, but often Angus had to complete the day task by the electricity on his cot, before sleeping in. From all the accessible books with exercises, the first ones Angus finished first in about one week, after about two months it was one book for two days, sometime even less. He got the knack of solving the problems in memory without writing it on paper, closing his eyes he saw the numbers and was able to do the counting. This included even multiplying four or five cipher numbers in his mind, so he only marginally noted on paper what were the following steps and right then wrote the result. At the end even father need more time to verify the solutions, the Angus to get them. The only that Angus had to learn more, was simplifying the count by doing it only to the necessary accuracy. To cut the ciphers after the coma not after the result, but before to win the time and estimate the possible difference. In his further life Angus was able to calculate quicker, as any one could make it on calculator or computer, in fact quicker, as anyone would find the calculator or sit to the computer. Even better it this would be only rough result. It was a great benefit in the schools and in further life.

Finally they did all the exercise books and handbooks that Father could buy in the town. In autumn it was Angus, who helped the father to survive the worst period of time, as Hitler still triumphed and it seemed, nothing could change this. But not with mathematic, rather playing with him cards. There happened similar phenomena. They begun playing in triplet or occasionally only the two of them, but after several months they could not find any third to complete. In fact any another player has not a chance and after the first experience, wished not play anymore. That’s why the both played only two with an imaginary third (jack or "grandfather"). This simplified the play; there remained only mixing the cards and giving them out. After bidding they displayed the unknown third part and in a few words agreed to result which was clear from the first look. After the cards lay open, all was clear and there was no place for the unexpected, they know each other to good to make any mistake. Very rarely there could happen difference of opinions, if so, it was enough if one of them would point out, what beginning he would make. Exceptionally they would play a short sequence and this was enough to predetermine the result. Such they played the whole days, from the early morning to the sleep. Only after it become obvious, that England defense remained successful and shall continue the fight; this second creasy marathon came to the end.

Now to this forest father with Angus came usually from the side of the ground road, in distance of 2-3 km north from the turnpike to Starachowice. Only after the hedge they turned in the direction south, sometimes direct after the hedge, sometimes about one or several km further. They were aware, there is some sole house there, but they never approached and viewed it.

Only in summer 1942 Angus got familiar with the house of professor Iaruga, when he began to attend the lections of Latin and the Polish language. But next followed a long pause, when to escape the interest of "Arbeitsamt" he had to attend the Business School and next he took on to volunteer the guerrilla, but this short episode disrupted an almost deadly sickness. But he continued the learning from autumn of 1943 and from this time on began his close friendship with the professor’ son, the young Matthew. Step-by-step, they got almost constant together, meeting every day. But as for now, they were going to visit one other along the main roadway.

The whole time of the war, the family of professor had luck. A great part of this luck happened thanks to the lonely house, hidden from view like hermitage, invisible to the end of 1944, when the whole terrain around got full of the German soldiers with the front retreating to Germany.

* * *

Capsule: The high schools and education in conspiracy.

As mentioned, any education of Polish children beyond the elementary level was prohibited, and building Ostrowiec College with the yard and next terrain taken by the German Army. The same happened to the new great elementary school on the opposite side of the roadway. First they used it as quarters, but in autumn 1941 with a lot of meadow the Germans hedged it by several lines of barbed wire and under the open sky arranged there a temporary camp for the Soviet POW. They allowed to live or rather die them, poor blokes, here on the ground, while the escort lived-in the buildings. This was the place, where Angus watched the described in Chapter 8 horrors.

However already as early as 1940 the Ostrowiec College began teaching again in conspiracy, surely at another localization and illegal. In the occupied country Polish underground agencies of the Polish Government in Emigration reinstituted on all administration levels. The central delegate and in the counties and Voivodships (provinces) the delegacies, as commissary organs of the Government Delegate, in close cooperated with the main political parties. In fact, this formed a local autonomy, as much as was possible in time of occupation, but more developed as before, and more so as postwar. One of the top tasks was the education. In Ostrowiec, like in the other counties, reinstituted the secret college and in following time a second.

As understood, the conditions of learning were specific, there existed none defined site, the classes met at varying and secret places, usually in private houses and in smaller groups, several up to umpteen students. Angus as the most numerous saw a class of 15 students and heard that class of twenty or more remained outright forbade, but maybe this was only a rumor or local practice. The scientific program and the Professors Council remained exactly as before the war, but there were less working hours with the teachers and more of homework. However even so with more of lesser groups, the number of the teachers proved inadequate, the schools themselves had to copy with this, seeking new assistants with University education as temporary, contract teachers. Usually it was, the former nominated, full professors remained responsible for realizing program and the rank of education in his specialty; also the final examines.

Cardinally the education was free or the happened only slight, symbolic charges and even from them a student in poor condition could be discharged. These who could afford it, offered more, or bid from own free will extra funds according to measure of theirs possibility. The teachers got salary from funds of the local Underground county delegacy. Sure, it was a minimum pay; because of rapid inflation, all the prices soared from day-to-day. To be exact, they existed parallel two universal systems of prices: the real and the official, compulsory, regulated by occupants. Also two markets, the mandatory, official and the real, called by the occupants "black" market. The cost of the provision on the real market soared to the end of 1943 up to about 10 000 percent (for example butter from 2 to 200 zł).

The regulated prices on the official market remained unchanged, but in fact food could be bought only on cards. For a working person, the amount on the card reduced to about 10 percent of the needed for survival. Even so, the not working for the occupants were not entitled. So in fact the system was a fiction, everybody to remain at life had to buy food at the "black" market. Sure, the cards for the Germans were different; they could occasionally buy something on the official market. In fact they did so only with some luxury; anyway, in fact they preferred a plain robbery. By occupant's law, the black market and the "speculation" were prohibited and would be "mit dem Tode bestraft" - punished with dead. In fact, this applied rarely, but it was an ideal pretext for robbery. Every German soldier or Police member, well, any German at all, could find a trader transporting provision. Well, even a farmer with a supply "exceeding the allowed amount from the cards" and take this, "confiscate", or maybe "find the hidden goods, but not their owner". This happened constantly in the trains, on the stations and by the main roads and ended with the total loss. Sometimes the Germans would even pay the nominal worth of the food, being about 1 % of real worth, sometimes only take the goods, sometimes mishandle the owner, if he was not happy about the proceedings. Only, if he dared to protest and wanted to go to higher instances, he would finish in a concentration camp. I never heard of an outright execution. To tell it straight, Hitler paid his adherents and later soldiers with opportunity to free robbery. So it was with the Jews, who were murdered only after milking them dry first, both in Germany as later in the whole Europe. The same happened to the Poles, but here the final mass murder should follow only as the Germans shall have enough men and guns free to carry out this. In fact, Hitler found so a steady and long support because for most Nazi, the war became at first a good business.

The wages in the controlled by German firms and factories remained exactly as before war, so the workers could not survive, but instead of a rise they could buy more in the cantinas or special shops. Also occasionally they could get an extra supply by an extra "Bezugschein" - a permit (document), allowing buying. In fact the card and Bezugscheins, given by the German Officers, made up a second, better money. The few and small Polish firm paid nominal, allowed wages and the rest direct from hand-to-hand. To explain it short, German paid all in a worthless money and the Polish workers had no choice, but to stay at work, because this keep them away from prison or worse repressions; in effect a system of slavery. The only way the money remained good were the municipal charges and duties, because to keep up the fiction, they also remained constant. Almost all people found themselves a second work as source of survival.

Comparing to this, the wages paid in the secret colleges to the Professors were low, yet not altogether a bad fiction. They had some real worth, but certainly were not lavish. Similar as the whole underground structures, all the professionals, including also the military, got in conspiracy minimum pay, only as much, to survive. One could say, they lived half from ideas and in half from inadequate salary. But the whole economy of underground was low and shaky it was a miracle that it still functioned. At least the teachers as some compensation could after normal working space give private lections.

Now, these private teaching was good, heavily paid, but despite this there was a market for it, where the demand surpassed the offers. For example in Ostrowiec a private lection with a top teacher would cost about 400 zł. an hour (being as in every regular school only 45 min.). To explain it better, when the inflation changed from day, the real value of one lection was about two kg of butter. (Now in the wartime, provision was the real value and the two kg of butter were about as much as the monthly salary of an unqualified worker.) Nevertheless Angus parents directed him the whole wartime only to private lessons. No matter, if they had or had not any butter; no matter, if at times they had nothing to eat at all and would go hungry a day or two - always his education had a top priority.

Well, this alone one could maybe explained as some fixed idea of his mother; but in fact Angus was no exception. He learned in small "completes", the groups being in average 2 - 4 students and some of them lived in well-to do families, they owned a great farm or even a real estate, as one member of nobility. But some were in poor conditions. One of the colleagues (mentioned in Chapter 8) was a plain worker in Ostrowiec Ironworks and his father too. Their wages would be enough probably for two lections. So the father decided to sell half of his house, an asset he worked for lifelong. He invested this all in his son education

Well, it was an astonishing miracle indeed, how strong the high cost of learning motivated the efforts of the students. They would work till they dropped to manage the entire material perfect and to show, that they are able to learn even more. Teachers did not need apply any pressure, sometimes, after checking the students knowledge it happened, that somebody missed some part or did not manage understand it correctly. If it would be necessary to repeat the lection, it was the worst possible punishment - and regrets. The finances became the whip.

Just once, when in deep crisis as the whole family ate only potatoes some months, bread being too expensive, not mentioning milk, Angus’ parents had no choice but stop the expense for private tutoring. Angus joined the normal, underground college free cost. But after he went there and told parents, that at the class were some students, who did not know the lection and the tempo of learning was as slow, as in regular class before the war, this was the adventure end. The mutual decision was, there is no sense from an intensive learning come down to the slow, better to take a break. Anyway, Angus had to attend for one year the professional school, and then some bad luck occurred, but he unexpectedly survived. One year later began with Professor Iaruga the fourth course of Latin and Polish language, the only two courses lacking to "Little matura", to finish the "Gimnazium" (secondary school). Next would follow the "Liceum" and in prospective the university study.

The point of this remarks is, the attitude and atmosphere of learning this way, with a full engagement and speed, was something special and different from all experienced before and after. And the greatest wonder, best learned the poor, which could barely afford private tutoring. On the other side, only once Angus learned with a son of rich father from nobility owning an estate and he was not exactly neither stupid nor lazy, he tried his best, but somehow without effect. This ended so, than nobody wanted to learn with him, he must study alone as a single student. He lacked the motivation.

But enough digressions, we come back to professor Iaruga. Like all his workmates the other professors, he began to teach in the underground college, if rather reluctantly. With time, he began also to accept pupils for private tutoring. Being an excellent teacher and already famous for high-level, he had many candidates and could choose between them but he accepted only a few, as much as he feel he could teach with some effect. This only added to his fame, as he accepted one, for the student this became almost ennoblement.

With a flow of time, this became a routine, almost normal. He managed to prevent any contacts, with the occupant and dedicate himself only to his work. Every morning he cycled to the city, and at different spots and various times conducted the tutoring in various class as told. He never carried with himself anything what could compromise him, no handbooks, nor any notes, always moved being "clean". Some problem was with his students' notebooks, but after consideration he decided to correct them right there, where he had the lection or somewhere near about, without transporting this home and back.

A man already in advanced age and provided with al necessary identification cards and documents was not subject of any serious danger on his way. Although if caught point-blank in the class and teaching and with luck not shot right on the spot or during the flight, at best he could expect the concentration camp with all his students. The result exactly the same, only the dying would take a bit longer. But really the likelihood was low. To tell the truth, all Polish People living there deserved by the German Law a punishment of death by the sheer fact that they still lived; if they obeyed the law, they should long ago perish from hunger. Not only buying food on a black market, day-to-day more of the minor offenses would be announced as punished with death, in result there followed some "inflation" of all rules, nobody respected them anymore.

But there was a problem, no one is perfect. With all his intelligence and imagination, Iaruga was rather timid, well maybe not fainthearted but softhearted and soft-boned. Not simply terrified, he was in sheer panic on his way to the underground college. What good would be all his knowledge and humanistic culture against an armed strong primitive? Not only a bullet, the buff of rifle or even the ironclad boots of a German soldier would suffice to ripe off the best head; he always preferred a distance from the savage barbarians. (They had boots with nails in very close one to another, which would be very effective on a parade, but caused, that a German soldier one would heard long before he would see. Angus considered the US Army boots on a soft sole much more practical; he got such boots from the humanitarian help of US in 1940 and they would be forever if not a German bullet in 1944). But he had a strong feeling for his duty and would do this even if dying of fear, so day by day he would mount his bike and advance to his classes. He still would be very cautious and ride with his eyes almost around his head, but no real danger happened and he accepted the risk. Anyway, the occupants had more serious task, as hunt for the illegal students and underground schools, this could be dealt of final after the military victory. In fact to the end of occupation the secret college functioned without a single disaster.

In fact, more real was the danger resulting from this, that many young students were also members of different conspiracies and in first place secret military organizations. Sure, the schools announced prohibition bearing to the classes any compromising documents or materials and especially arms. The apprentices told to come to the class clear, also the houses where meet the classes should be "pure ". But boys would be boys, stupid and often irresponsible. Besides, the greatest hazard would happen, if anyone of them would be traced by Gestapo, who may be checking all his contacts because of another cause. So the alarms went up in his head every time, as anyone of his students become arrested, killed, or even managed to escape. Also, from time to time in the city happened some police action, raid or hunt for people. One could eat a bullet or only get arrested without any cause as only being at the wrong time in the wrong place.

The life was unfair indeed: the young fools behaved as it they did not know the meaning of fear, why could the not transfuse some excess of the courage to the seniors, more experienced and clever? Both sides could be better of with this.

Nevertheless, no matter what he suffered, he should never but never let anyone, especially of his students, to guess this. He should remain calm and steady despite everything, if he showed any fear, he would lose their respect and this would make impossible to teach them any longer. In fact, it would be much better to die. So he retreated into Olympus. He became sarcastic and laconic, talked only about professional matters, never allowing any personal comment. Only after coming back home, he could throw of the mask and feel safe again. This was why he developed the only weakness. After the hectic day, coming back he relaxed allowing himself one small glass of brandy. Never any more.

A short rest, sometimes dedicated to his hobby, work in wood and the family of three would eat a simple dinner in the room next to kitchen or right in the kitchen. Then Iaruga would open the front door, from the side of the roadway and the forest and there would arrive his private pupils. The lections took place in the bibliotheca, the first room from front (or the last, from the back entrance and kitchen).

* * *

His family, consisting of wife and son, lived as in hermitage, almost never leaving the house and site. First Iaruga insisted, that they both newer walked along the motorway as far to the former Gimnazium (college), now the quarters of Germans. But especially they shall be careful of the place, where ended the meadow and began the dense buildings. The roadway went down, the motorway in the limits of town was former called Sienkiewicz (Sienkievitsh) Street, but the Germans changed the name for Radom Street. On the right side there stood two three-storied tenement houses, one from red bricks and the other plastered white, which now were the local site of Gestapo.

Iaruga himself disliked this way and always, if the destination allowed this, would take another, usually before the Gimnazium building, turning right along the Żeromski Street and down to the little wooden bridge. Then along the flood embankment either crossing the second bridge downtown to the city, or straight on to the quiet suburb Częstocice, where a great part of the classes meet.

The wife listened to his advice, as always he had with her a strong of influence. She rarely left the house and garden and if ever, only a short distance, and mostly to the near forest. It was more difficult dealing with his son, boys at this age (in March 1943 he was exactly 15 yeas) are hard to hold at home. So at least they closed a bargain on new terms, the boy could cycle to the Żeromski Street and to the river Kamienna. Once a month, occasionally twice if the situation remained calm, accompanied his father to Częstocice (opposite border of Ostrowiec), meet some members of mother family and return by him. It was a cautious course, they cycled single, but at distance they remained in an eye contact. If there would be any imminent danger, the school would be the first to know and if this happened, he would leave the boy with the distant family for the night, or even for a pair of days. From the documents, the boy had a "Kennkarte" (ID). Well, he lacked the Arbaitskarte (works document), but anyway, as the address was outside the town, he should say he is a country boy, working on a farm. Sure, if there would be a hunt for men to work in the war economy, it would be no-good at all, as many displaced people he would be put in a transport to Germany, becoming a slave worker. But on this rather empty terrain way, the likelihood of police checkpoint was almost null.

Finally, Iaruga decided to teach his son himself, although it was contrary to his beliefs, that parents should never teach his own children. He closed a deal with his conscience, never teaching his son with any other students and demanding from him more, as from the others, what means a lot. He tried also interest him in his own hobby, tinkering in wood and the boy had a gift for tinkering. But in difference from father and probably to stretch his independence, he chose his own territory, preferring rather the mechanics to carpentry (with good success). Also about the gardening, he rather preferred to eat all the rare sorts of plums being the pride of father, than cultivate the trees.

Despite all this efforts, Matthew still felt lonely, lacking the company in his own age area. Therefore he so quickly developed a close friendship with Angus (in fact they took to each other). Great advantage was the fact, that Angus lived almost exactly at the town limits, some distance from the Gimnazium, in short on this terrain, on which according to the agreement with professor Iaruga, Matthew could move freely. It was considered comparatively safe and the parents had nothing against the almost daily visits.

* * *

Before the war, Ostrowiec was a town with large, almost 40% of Jewish population and it was nothing unusual, that between them and the Poles occurred occasionally conflicts. Some Poles generally disliked Jews, although almost all had "their own" befriended Jews, some of the Jews disliked Poles, but also made exception for "their own", befriended Poles. It certainly has nothing to do with any anti-Semitism, the situation more complicated. It was the nature of these people, who acted always free in his sympathies and dislikes, there was also much conflicts between the Poles and Poles, or between Jews and Jews.

Sure, there was never in Poland any legalized anti-Semitism, never any such laws or such rules. The only ruling ever questioned by the press, was forbidding of ritual slaughter. But this never measured against the Hebrew religion, only against inflicting suffering to the killed animals, a simple civilized precaution. The rules of the Longstanding Order could be saved, if at a little higher cost. And if some newspaper commented on this, well, it may be said that if they would exist a Polish anti-Semitism, it would have never of murderous character: Rather a monkey’s, not wolfish business.

Nevertheless in a country, where even some neighboring villages or city quarters did not like not one other, remaining on a warpath, there happened also some fighting between Poles and Yews; the last were also not exactly angels or defenseless victims. If hooked, they defended themselves efficiently. It was not a pure chance, the Makabi clubs supplied several best boxers and pugilists, some of them occurred in the Polish representation team.

Also in the Ostrowiec Gimnazium happened some conflicts. The situation was complicated: the students from the town were more liberal, also Jews generally more dedicated to education. Among the boys from city who were in majority, the Poles from city accepted them. But the boys from the country, not accustomed to such close contact, in great part were against (as almost none Jews lived-in the country). Now the worst situation was in suburbs, because of a sharp economics competition and tension between the people living there. Sometime the education council has troubles to soften the conflicts. Professor Iaruga as well as other members of the council was unanimously against any anti-Semitism. Well, with one exception, but even he showed this not in public, only in private: showed by backing to those students, who did not like the Jews. Rather strange, but after the war exactly he was the only from the elderly teachers, who appeased the communist regime and in result began the career. He was never popular between the teachers.

Iaruga tried always to behave just in an Olympic carriage and treated all students exactly equal. But to be sure, he had some weakness to one of the disciples, well, it was a feeling mixed with some jealousy because this student was able of something, what professor oneself tried and failed: he wrote good verses. Meaning not only a beautiful language, but also full of inner gleam and spirit, well, Gods sparkle, exactly this what Iaruga recognized as lacking in his own literary efforts and resigned. Precisely now he watched, how a Jew developed into an outstanding Polish poet.

Iaruga watched him some jealousy and marvel, but never showing this, full neutral, neither favoring nor mistreating. When war erupted, this student had exactly one year more to end the school. But now he could no learn anymore, separated in the ghetto from the school. Well in the Warsaw Ghetto there were secret colleges, even University, but in Ostrowiec the Jewish community filled in all details the occupant's orders, never any resistance and illegal activity.

Capsule: Fate of the Jews in GG, including the Ostrowiec Ghetto.

It is necessary to explain one important, but rather too little known to the world opinion, fact. For almost two years, about to end of summer 1941 y. Germans applied mass murder and extermination only to the Poles. They did not murder at the time the Jews, so many people talked, it is safer to be a Jew than a Pole. Well, there happened individual cases of murder of Jews and generally the suffered humiliation, persecution and of course robbery. They must wear all days a visible sigh of group identity on their clothing, forced to live in ghetto’s with steady worsening sharp enclosure. After a time the occupants insisted on a segregation and isolation of the Jewish and Polish society. Simultaneously they began to ooze and soon to pour a stream of anti-Semitic propaganda, pure poison of feud and contempt. They spread the false lye, that Jews want not risk their own blood but instead manipulated into the war the Poles.

It would be enough to read the contemporary newspapers, called reptile press to notice, how twisted were the - so-called - "facts", first so stupid that quite funny. Already in October 1939 they published an absurd nonsense, the Jews demolished, using explosives, a monument of Kosciushko in Łódź. The Poles should revenge themselves by setting in brand a Jewish synagogue. But next they resigned from such untruth and changed to comments like: "Look, the cowardly Jews subordinated themselves to the German orders and they live now safe. Now the German authorities only teach them honest work without parasitic on others and beyond this leave them in pace. But the Poles are born rebels, therefore it is a sad necessary to kill most them. (This fragment taken from "Posener Tageblatt", where they tolerated none newspaper in Polish).

Usually, the Polish community remained resistant to Nazi propaganda all the way and even too much, accepting not even genuine news, if from German newspaper. But this needed time to develop, at the start this perfidy propaganda penetrated to a part of people, even later if repeated constantly. In the next years and under the Soviet occupation this continued.

In the first two years Jews too were too executed in public, only individual, never in mass. All the collective executions, the public show mass shootings and the concentration camps were at first reserved for Poles. Few people remember now, that Oświęcim (Ausschwitz) and other Death camps, the industrialized factories of cadavers, before used for extermination of Jews, used the bodies of Poles as raw material. The experimental production, elaboration of the most effective and economic methods of killing, beginning from the natural starvation, trough the assassination after the Soviets method, one-shot in the back of the head, to the lethal injections. (The most economical happened by using only 1 -2 g of phenol near the heart area, or the killing with gas.) The last two became most advanced technologically and some time it seemed, as if the cheap and continuous process has an advantage over the second, production in batches. But finally the marketing and lobbing by the chemical concern "Farbenidustrie" effected in well-paid contract for the "Cyclone", releasing hydrocyanic acid in reaction with water.

Next, the research on the corpses destruction. All this progress developed using only the Polish material. Only the last research project, about the future profitable using of the mortal remains, was still in progress with the Jewish dead bodies, but to the war end nobody got the first price.

In autumn 1941 this suddenly changed, Germans started the mass extermination of Jews. They did not stop to assassinate Poles, neither putting them in the concentration camps, but the tempo decreased. It is simple, all industrial factories have their maximum production ability and this they now reached. Necessary was extending existing camps (most speedy achieved by creating branches of the already productive, modern and improved) and construction of the next. Besides, the staff of the specialized death forces had full arms of work, became overburdened.

However, despite all theories probably in Hitler’s plans most important was the question of money. This applies to the whole WW II, which does not pass into normal category of war. In fact, it was more as a barbarian attempt to dominate the Europe and in further perspective the whole world, as the Germans sung. The old countries had to become broken with terror, programmed murder of civil population by inhuman methods till destroying the morale of opponents. The fundamental fact is, it was "Mord und Raub"- robbery with murder, on a huge scale, never known in history; not only as an extra advantage, like the Napoleonic "let war feed the war", but as the main task. Or rather a careful planned and organized bandit assault on worldwide scale, which should remain not simply mentioned in news or ballads, but make the history. The victims and the witness should became murdered out, or at least terrorized to the point guarantying never create any problems.

The robbery was the state business, of the whole "Tausendjaehriges III Reich" with their Government, state organs and offices, but small bites left over for the officers and executives, well, even to simple soldiers, who took the contributions. To be sure, the top executives took often a fat bite, and everyone who could, followed the example. With a participation in official robbery and creating opportunity to private robbery paid Hitler his creatures and created a massive backing of his program. Now, astonishing how short is a people’ memory, but I saw, heard and remember, how unwilling and uneasy, reluctantly and without any enthusiasm went at first the German people into the war. Well, Hitler managed to drag them in. The Herman Goering comment to this (digested short) was:

"Naturally, the common people don't want war ... But after all it is the leaders of a country who fix the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy… a fascist … or a communist dictatorship. The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders that is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are under attack, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works … in every country".

He should know the wheels within wheels; anyway he became himself the top one of the "getting rich quick".

The people became manipulated. However unhappy at the beginning, in a short time Hitler demoralized his soldiers and officers turned them in dedicated and enthusiastic followers by free robbery and graft and his popularity soared. He bought this for the price.

Death, terror and robbery, robbery and terror the most easy and fat bites were certainly the Jews. Even before the war, right at the start of Hitler’s regime, The German Jews became victims of extortion and robbery, in this manner financing Hitler’s party and buying new members and backing. The economic base of Hitler success was the "free" gifts of these, who feel endangered - and next the robbery. And the pattern, the victims of felony are by the culprit always slandered and presented in most hideous light, is one of the self-evident laws of psychology. His line would be - "yes, maybe this was cruel, but they deserved it".

So it appears logical the state, the Nazi and finally a big part of folk, all the people who had the opportunity, extorted the ransom from the Jews. Officially from the communities, with the Ghetto council collecting the money, the German in authority declared only the sum demanded; but also privately and quietly, in private. The Nazi learned a lot from the experience of former years. In Germany, some of the Jews not only managed to run to other countries, but also take with them some of the money and possessions. The "valid, legitimate bandits" lost a substantial part of the wealth, what a shame. Next, in Austria and in Czechoslovakia also some Jews run away and sometimes the rich ones were allowed, it they left behind all their assets. But still, the more intelligent manage save some crumbs and besides, once over the border they could tell what happened, they made a bad opinion and bad press.

In fact, a criminal who only kills and next robs his victims, always finds only a part of bounty, a kidnapper is able to extort more as ransom. The Nazi with time developed a progress in efficiency: now they first marked the victims, making them distinct visible, next transferred them to the Ghettos, after a time closed the Ghettos and isolated them more and more. First they milked the Jews dry and next blooded them white, finally murdering the leftover survivors. No living witness any more, at the end of the war, a special Demolcommandos tried even to rub out traces of the crimes, for example the tombs.

Well, there is another theory, already presented in Chapter 3, mentioned in Chapter 8 and shortly in other places. As the source of Hitler’s anti-Semitic ideas or folly it suggested the ill-famed forgery, "Protocols of the Elders’ of Zion council" ("Protocols of the masterminds of Zion"). There is no sense to repeat this. But after consideration, author came to conclusion, this all was an obvious window dressing. Hitler wanted not appear what he in fact was, a chief of cutthroats, who made a career from a common mercenary and propagandist for hire to the bandit chief. More so, after he took important place in the government and finally became an unlimited dictator, dedicated still to bandit methods in the global politic. He needed a legend and found this thanks to Alfred Rosenberg which in his obscure and rather muddy books repeated a sensational thriller from the end of 19 century.

The original author of the story is unknown, what means there were several reasonable guesses, but it is impossible to lay a finger on one definite person from a close bunch.

From more as a century, there were close contacts between Russian and Polish freedom fighters and reformators; alas, they had the same task and targets, but never coordinated their efforts. First, the Russian idealistic reformators lost the gamble and everything, including their lives, next the Polish in 1830-1, but in both countries the ideas survived. At the time of next Polish rising, in 1963, many Russian liberals, even from the Army, supported the Polish effort, some fighting on the side of he rebels. One of contemporary best friend of Poland was Alexander Hercen, who had to run from Russia and edited the Progressive "Kołkoł" (The bell) in England. After time, the progressive community option from French, turned to English orientation. Alexander II started some progress after English muster, with juries and local government.

But after death of Emperor Alexander II the ultraconservatives prevailed, headed by the Alexander Pobiedonoscew, the Over-procurator of the Saint All-Russian Synod. He began construction of a theocratic state, being really in charge of state business and built a religious program and ideology of Russian Greek Orthodox Church. One of the former progressives, the writer Fiodor Dostoyevsky became a reactionary (also an arch enemy of Poles, all Polish and all the western Europe). He turned the "spiritus movens" of the bunch of the "young rabid reporters" of the newspaper "Russkoje Znamie", in next future owned by the "Związek Ludu Rosyjskiego" (known as "Czarna sotnia", the black hundreds). Probably the ghostwriter of the pamphlet was M. Gołowinski with one of the Procurators of the Saint Synod, Sergius Nilus acting as redactor responsible, in close cooperation of the "Ochrana" officer P. Raczkowski.

The pamphlet indeed well written, a pure poison, made a potent impression on the obscure minds of uneducated people, used as a standard introduction of "Pogroms". Terror by mass-murders of Jews in Russian Empire, the first in Kiszyniów, appeared in a short time and all next always began from import and distribution of this propaganda material. Some appeared also on the territory inhabited by Polish population, in Bialystok and Siedlce and it is symptomatic, the Poles took no part in the crimes, quite contrary, supported the Jews. This is public knowledge, taken not only from the contemporary memoirs, but especially from the communicate of an independent Jewish Investigation Committee, published in Leipzig and Koeln in 1910y. (The pogrom in Siedlce happened in 25- 27 October 1906). The important fragments in short: - "It is clear, the "pogroms" of political character, can be conducted on the Polish territory only by direct engaging of the Russian Army. There is no question of the "Pogroms" of the Russian type, the people there are civilized and unable to such a savagery. The Russian authority proved unable to push the Poles to these excesses and there is not a perspective, the Poles may agree to be an instrument of the hated, Russian Government and religious fanatics."-

As a matter of fact, the Poles too become badly oppressed by the Greek Orthodox Church, being Roman Catholics. The Greek Orthodox Church in the program presented by Konstantin Pobiedonoscew (befriended with Fiodor Dostoyevsky) should be extreme intolerant. It was a program of hate to all other religions, including also these of Christian faith, Catholicism, Protestantism, any beliefs and visions, coming from west. The idea of Pan-Slavism should support a unitary, state controlled Greek-orthodox religion. The west Slavic people, who accepted Rome-Catholic faith, should be treated harsh as traitors. The future Pan-Slavic state at first should include Constantinople, all Balkan, and a substantial part of Central Europe. All Slavic nations there should be russicized by force, no other language as Russian allowed and no independent culture. It was not defined, what should happen to the non-Slavic nations living on the territory, like Greeks, Hungarian, Rumanians, Latvians., but obviously they could suspect the worst. Creating of this universal state should be considered as the first step with absolute priority by all means, straight or not. Sure not a chance to achieve this without wars. Considering it was only a program of the extreme, but in fact created and supported by the people in control at the top, maybe, the socialistic revolution was not the worst what could happen. These sure are totalitarian ideas, a combination similar to Nazi, with addition of religious fanatics could be even more deadly.

Hitler was a monster, a clear mental case and his madness developed more and more, but he certainly was not an idiot. Surely, he never believed in this story, but it was like a devil sent blessing, first-class propaganda material.

The original pattern of the pamphlet wrote Eugeniusz Sue, a true master of suspense, but concerning the Jesuits. In the next incarnation the same paper with changed names denounced the international conspiracy of Buonapartists and the third and final came to the Jews. Every time it appeared convincing and effective, in fact, going vintage, more and more so, as if fragments implanted in the human subconscious memory. Every repetition the pattern appeared a little more familiar, never mind the people concerned.

The Nazi, a party of mercenaries, predators and attracting many common bandits, at first grow and get his strength devouring the Jews right in Germany. Hitler probably felt nothing personal about the victims, but he did learn quickly and like Stalin, decided that it is better to left no living witness, to rub them out. In the first years some Jews lost only their property, but managed to run away from Germany border and made afterwards much bad blood. Within next year’s, Nazi corrected the procedures, by including and developing new inventions. At the time the war began and the Polish campaign ended, the Jews were not outright murdered nor put in prison or concentration camps; they were at first isolated. Branded with so called by the Germans mark of disgrace, is was the David stern on a yellow material (or white), which should be visible and distinguished over the clothes from a distance, there were instructions in detail of the matter. Missing this mark, the person could be punished with instant death (Chapter 5 described such a death of a Jewish child, that happened in January 1940). Nevertheless, this was only a case of disciplining the poor victims, but first, they could feel safer, than the Poles - for a time.

The next action was putting the marked people together, creating the ghettos and again nothing indicated the terrible purpose. For a time the occupants announced this as only an administrative regulation. The first Ghettos formed in October, more so in November 1939, to the end of year it was a common practice, but still, often the Jews were allowed a delay moving in there - if they paid. Once there, they could move to better quarters and enjoy many privileges so long, as they had the money. First the Ghettos closed not fully. Surely, there was a curfew, but the Poles could get in and the Jews out for a time. However they could not travel, not even take a step on a train. In ghettos thery created Jewish councils and Jewish police, but they could only propose things, in fact how best execute the orders of a German chief. First, they had to collect the money, both the demanded officially and also the graft, "greasing the palm" of the German administration. After a short time, the Ghettos were enclosed (for the surety of Jews and order, of course) and every person going out or in had to announce this and get an permission. But it was still possible to get such a permit and for example in October 1940 Angus of his own initiative found in Ostrowiec Ghetto a carpenter, who made and sold to Angus’ parents beds and some furniture. With the coming of winter it became more and more essential to sleep in the beds and their own were left in Poznań and probably used by the Germans, who took everything of their possessions. Even in Mai 1941 they still could hire the same carpenter, who made some more furniture in the next house, but this time there were more formalities and the had to pay graft for the permit, an additional cost. But after the Germans invaded the Soviets, the Ghettos were closed and the control became much detailed, it was more difficult to get any permission to move anything in or out and the demanded graft soared. Every little load of provision, wood or any other fuel was accompanied with demand of higher and higher graft, the condition of living in the Ghettos dramatically worsted.

Only in the second half of 1940 Ghettos became obligatory in the whole GG and the small ones (primary the minimum set at 500 people) moved to the great ones. Every such action was an opportunity to extract more money. Already after the first winter it was obvious dying out of Jewish society, the second winter was still worse. They were very few babies. Nothing unexpected, considering the Polish Jews from the start took this war exceptionally seriously and mobilized all manpower disposable, never mind, if this was from a patriotic feeling and solidarity with the Poles or recognizing the coming danger. Bad luck, a total loss; they remained secondary in the mobilization plans of the Army and the bulk never got arms, very few could fire them in anger. A mutual loss, they would be not a bit less motivated soldiers, than the Poles and then they were all arrested and put to the Soviet camps in Siberia. More as 80% of the number of 600.000 men able to fight perished there. The remaining community had not strength left, without men; they were unable to fight back, to protect the families. That was the ground, that Jews did not oppose the occupants like the Poles and not a lack of courage.

Hitler feel not satisfied with the campaigns in 1939 and 1940. They were victorious, but not decisive and especially there were to less, much to less of the deed. This was no mysticism, no secret, if there is difficult to comprehend so much warped psyche. He from his youth developed a deep inferiority complex and drawing his depressing, dark pictures of middle age buildings, fortresses, dreamed how he could take revenge on all the creatures who did not acknowledge his genius. He lived at the very bottom and had to accept every disgrace and dishonor, but looking at the drawings, one could imagine the deep dungeons and chambers of torture in the castles, where he would locate his unworthy companions. The great warriors killed many opponents, and the rest tormented at his pleasure, the more people they killed, the more grow their fame. He already declared this at the beginning of Polish campaign, indicating the examples of Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, which battled rather cruel wars. However his subjects followed not his intent in full, well, not in one percent and he had to accept this. The French campaign was even worse, only about half of the dead.

Well, after two years of successes and with the entire media firm in his hands, he could manipulate the people and at least make them serfs of his will. The Germans were not much of individualists; they had a natural tendency to order and obedience. Still, he could not openly announce his task, slay not in thousands, but in millions, well, many, tens, finally hundred of millions, definitely more, than any of the mightiest, great chiefs of war ever killed before. He must lead them step by step, convince them, that all the victims really deserve to die, that they all are bad, the very essence of evil, that it is really a cleaning of the world. To make fiends with common people, it takes time.

The first steps were, the fabrication about the Jewish plot, actually controlling the whole world and fairy tale of the two races in conflict. One noble, absolutely the best, but pushed from the first place, which they deserved and turned down in position of subjects - the German race most with the most superb, Nordic type. And the arch enemy, the vile, foul, degenerated, repulsive and perverted Semitic race. The Semites have not real strength, but live as parasites on real worthy men and rule the world by deception and foul play. However, here comes the white knight, Hitler, sent by providence to free the good and punish, root out the bad. To do it good and proper, in is necessary to apply the methods of breeding known in agriculture and veterinary, reduce the mongrels and undesirable offsprings and breed the best, pure line. And who may be the man destined to decide, who shall live and who die?

Evidently, Hitler was not an idiot, he concocted the story with a practical purpose. He was a hypocrite, layer, charlatan and cheater and he needed fanatics.

The Barbarossa plan should be the beginning of a new war, total, zoological, with lots of deed. Already two weeks before the aggression, Hitler announced the directive about the POW, all only suspected enemies or possibly dangerous in future should be killed, better too many as too less. Especially the political commissars and Jews, which according to his twisted theory, should be the core and leading spirit of the Red Army and the Soviet government. The segregation and execution had to take place right behind the front, after extracting the vital information. A devil's plan, but rational after devis’ logic. Right behind front it was hard to say, when exactly the enemies were shot, and there would be not neutral witness. Anyway, the Soviets did not ratify the Geneva agreement, which Hitler explained, that the soviet POW had no right to any humanitarian treatment.

Even before the directive, he ordered preparing the Special Commands, of executors who would conduct further selection and killing, but not much of the POW. This would be unnecessary, considering that anyway almost none of the millions taken in the first year survived, but for murdering the civil population, in the first line the Jews. At first Nazi formed three such units in Nord and three in South, consisting of about one battalion of men, if this word may be adequate. A major part was not even SS, ordinary reserve police battalions, who had his hands full of work. Like the GPU executors, they shot the victims one after another and after, in evenings drunk a lot of alcohol, to kill their memory. They were not exactly devils, but only commanded by devils and they had not much choice, to kill or be killed.

The first news appeared in a communicate from the "Fuehrer Haupt-quatier" dated 3-th of July. It said, the soviet POW by Minsk shoot themselves their political commissars and commanders of Jewish origin and only afterwards surrounded to the Germans laying down the weapons. As this is rather unlikely, obviously the only possible explanation is, the members of the Special Commands must do this in Soviet uniforms, like they at first acted among the civil population, in disguise. Already days before, nearly a week after this war started, began the so-called cleaning actions, German inspired mass murders of Jews by the local population on the territory taken by Wehrmacht from the Soviets. At least in part of them local people mentioned presence of alien strong men, probably members of the Special Commands in civil closes. The only difference with the old Russian "pogroms" was the numbers of victims, going up to thousands. As already described in Chapter 8, the events reported the German press without mentioning the Commands. The pattern always the same: after the Red Army flight, the local people discovered the unimaginable horrors in prisons and GPU quarters and shocked to the deep of their souls, took revenge on the Jews, being the true culprits. If the pogroms did not already happen, they happened after such reportage.

This press news continued the whole July and the first days of August, after convincing the German people, the murder of Jews was a spontaneous reaction of the local population, which survived the Jewish abuse, it stopped. Arranging the scenario of organizing of the "spontaneous reactions" took to much time, without the spectacle the Special Commandos could work more efficient. They were not numerous, all in all the Commandos may amount to one, top two regular regiments, but after their work turned in routine, the daily crop would be at least ten thousands of corpses, in average even more. After many years, in Germany some of them published memoirs, shoving the fate of the executioners, extreme hard and heartbreaking. A lot ended with a permanent depression and spirit damage, they could never rebuild their lives, poor souls. Still, as others commented, better to be a butcher than a sheep.

So, at the back of the east front, began the Holocaust; in GG, people still couldn’t believe in this.

The fate of the Polish Jews all the time got worse, if only because they came to the end of their means. The German already milked them dry, and now came over to bleeding the white. The Jews were at end of their money, and the Germans demanded more and more graft. They closed now the ghettos definite. Every transport, wood, fuel, provision was possible only after paying more, as the black market worth of the consignment. In Ghetto the prices were about double or more of the price on the other side of enclosure. Even after getting them illegal in, the goods could be confiscated and sold again, eventually confiscated again and sold illegal the third time. Only potatoes rarely confiscated, because of low value in result, became popular, much demanded in Ghettos. In 1939, the occupants named the norm of food on a working person 1800 Kcal, but then diminished it several times, finally amounted about 180 Kcal, most certainly not enough to survive. The ghettos overcrowded, with revolting sanitary conditions, no medicines. The people died of hunger and being already weak, from sickness, but the Germans denounced them even for the epidemics’, caused by the inhuman conditions of life. However, they still hoped, that if not all, some of them should survive, the strongest, the richest. Or maybe the worst ones, the traitors, serving the Germans. The people are not angels and even some angels turned devils, traitors happened also between Jews, Poles, all nationalities.

The third occupation winter turned tragic indeed. The frost not so bad, as 1939/40, but with hunger and cold, a big part of Jews perished.

At the same time perished at least about 4 millions on Soviets, a lion's part other POW, these also from cold and hunger and almost up to one million of Germans. Well, at least Hitler achieved his ambitions.

Still Hitler had not enough; he waited for his bloody meat too long. Already in 1940 began the design of the "General Plan Ost" (East), exactly as Stalin was still the best friend of Hitler. Similar the smaller plan, what to do with Poland, began at the end of 1938, when in policy between Germany and Poland the no-aggression pact was at its peak. Hitler and his proxies accented without stop, how much they value it.

Responsible for planning was Professor Konrad Meyer-Hetling, (general Biology and Agriculture economy, Director of the Agrarian Institute of the Berlin University. This may point to, the breeding program for people like animals was not a funny business, but taken literally and seriously. Himmler, being too a former specialist of breeding and responsible for realization of the Plan, as the Reichskommissar for Germanization and Reichsfuehrer of SS, picked him personally to this task. Prof K. Mayer got his spoors planning the resettlement, cleansing and Germanization of the Polish territories, incorporated in Germany. He was present in Poznań at the time, when Angus and his mother came into concentration camp. Sure, he has nothing to do with fulfilling the action, only the planning and supervision. He became honored with several state and party duties and the rank of SS- Obersturmbannfuehrer (about equivalent to Colonel), if the GPO succeeded, he no doubt should become a General.

Now the point is, the GPO expressively accounted, on the territory chosen for the pure race breeding remained some 51 millions of unwanted "aliens" needing disposing off (only so much, because a great number already evacuated or run away). The plan did not precise the meaning of "disposing off", but the officer giving his opinion had some doubt and asked, what shall be precisely the fate of Poles. There were some calculations, for example from the Czech, about 50% should be expected for Germanization, Ukrainians about 30%, Byelorussian 15%, but the Poles, despite often Nordic Type, dedicated archenemy of Germans, inclined to conspiracy, probably would remain ever unfit. If pushed from Europe to West-Siberia, they would create there a secondary resistance center. On the other side, the final solution similar to the Jews, would make some problem with nearly 30 million people and could cause bad impression. Also all the other Slavic nations may afterwards expect the same fate and fight to the end. Himmler answered short, that all Poles should become finished off, after total exploiting them.

All these nations should work for the breeding of 100 million of pure race Germans (the expense calculated for about 45 billion mark, considering the low cost of the serfs work), and next the second 100 million. With the people exchangeable, about as much of the inadequate should be eliminated and anyway, this would be only the beginning, the breeding of a better race and elimination of "subhuman" should continue in the whole Europe. What a splendid feeling, decide of life-or-death of hundreds of millions, it would mean become almost equal to God.

However, Germany could realize this plan only after the successful war, now had neither the men, nor the means necessary to carry it out. Still, after Hitler tasted the blood, he could not control himself, his madness speeded up. Already killing all Soviet POW was irrational, against Germany interest. Not to mention, that if he behaved a little human, he could already take Moscow and at least all Russia to the Ural (the Soviets surrendered at first rather easily). Besides, this was bad business, spending the work potential of these people for nothing more, as ambition of one man. Alfred "Almost" Roseberg, former close friend and first proxy tried to explain this to Hitler, but it was a much unfortunate experience. The German People were at the time so effectively manipulated by the press, that they commented the horrors, if they saw them, with "The more of POW dies, the better for us".

In public opinion, Hitler was guilty of the death by freezing of more, as half million of German soldiers, because Wehrmacht was wrong equipped for the harsh winter. Double so many, including the shot, who could not shot back, because the weapons went dead with wrong oiling, the motors immovable with unsuitable fuel. So now, he took revenge on the people he had in his hands, freezing dead millions POW by holding them on an open terrain during the worst wetter. If so, it was much worse than barbarian cruelty, it was barbarian stupidity.

20 January 1942 the Conference in Wannsee decided slay all remaining Jews (without Hitler presence, but certainly according to his orders). Already before began, on small-scale, transport of Polish Jews to the concentration camps, where the survival rate was even worse, as in Ghettos. The exhausted, starved skeletons died often in the transport (but still happened yet no mass murder in GG). Yet in the East, the holocaust continued and the first transports of Jews from West Europe arrived to Riga to be slaughtered there. Also, before finding the solution of the Jewish question, as forerunner of this innovation happened the final solution of the Gypsies Question. So there was not much doubt between the members of this Conference what to expect, it was a pure, or rather dirty, formality.

Strange, why at all arrange the conference, if the murders East progressed already in full swing and there survivors in GG Ghettos were anyway a dying out community. The author thinks, it was rather a conference to honor Reinhardt Heydrich, "the Blond Beast", and not to take any new decisions. "The man with an iron heart" (such a compliment from the second in the history of the mankind mass murderer, Hitler, is certainly competent) made all the time an astonishing career. Exactly in the last time he stepped in the first line of Nazi dignitaries, if living long enough, he certainly would oust his patron and protector Himmler. In next future, being already Hitler favorite, he possibly could kill him and take his place.

The direct mass murder in GG Ghettos began only in summer 1942, after butchering in the East about 1,5 million people. In the early 1942 still Jews lived and died there only because of the harsh conditions, herded together in an insufficient area without proper sanitary, in cold and starving from hunger. Sure they had to work hard, doing whatever the Germans ordered. The Ghettos in GG functioned now like the concentration camps and the people there dyed out from the same causes, before the industrial killing in camps developed. However, there was still some food smuggled in and until the December of 1941, flow in the American humanitarian help. For example in Warsaw Ghetto the food supplied mainly by Joint allowed to held up the public cookers and canteens, where the people could free cost get a bowl of soup. I never heard, if the Ostrowiec Ghetto precipitated in this humanitarian help, probably little, but in the small Ghettos, the smuggling in of food was easier. Also, in the Ostrowiec Ghetto happened some epidemics, especially typhoid diseases, which one could expect in such bad, filthy living conditions. However, the German allowed neither help nor medicines, only in the houses or partly the streets ordered quarantine, it was really letting the people to die without any help. At the same time, the Germans started a propaganda campaign, denouncing the Jews as the source of typhoid and epidemics and accusing them of creation of a public danger. (On the other side, the German soldiers and policies believed it, afraid of delusions of their own propaganda. It was sometimes possible to save life or avoid a control, get around the danger by simulating an epidemic disease, especially typhoid. Such experience happened to Angus after his firs attempt to volunteer to the guerrilla, see Chapter 10).

In Mai 1942 the first statement and report of the tragedy of Polish Jews, prepared by Bund, transferred the Polish curriers delivering it to the Polish Emigration Government. A protest of the Polish community on emigration followed, but the English press and official Allies public centers remained quiet, the problem ignored and often declared as a Polish fabrication, fairy tales about terror and horror.

22 July 1942 started the mass murder on Polish Jews in the greatest Ghetto of Warsaw, but already earlier, it began in some of the others. The Germans named this "Operation Reinhardt", after the name of Reinhardt Heydrich (already shot by Czechs). Even then, the Germans officially declared, the action it is only a resettlement; the Jews had to travel for further compulsory work in the East. They kept up the appearances, created false hopes of the victims to rob them more effectively and probably to make some of the Jews traitors more eager. To the horrible end, they all believed, it is possible to save oneself, that some shall survive - the richest, a part already bought passports, permission and billets of leave. Or the wiles (traitors happened between Jews, also between Poles and all nations), who expected a compensation for their treason. But they would be not exceptions, Hitler learned from Stalin, rubbed out all witness. All the time the transports traveled to the death camps, Bełżec, Treblinka, Sobiebór, a few also to Oświęcim (Auschwitz; the last one, reserved mostly for the foreign Jews).

After the first bad experience, collusion of silence by the English Press, the Polish messenger Jan Karski prepared the next report, documented with much care. Especially chosen as a man of excellent memory, he personally visited several times secretly the Ghetto and even the concentration camp, to be able to speak as a witness. On 25-th November 1942 the report was officially presented to the allied British Government. This time the proof was complete, nobody could call it "Polish lye" - as before.

Next the messenger traveled personally to US, but even then the courier met with suspicion and could not persuade lifting the ban of publication. (The known talk with First Judge Felix Frankfurter, who concluded: "I will not say direct you are lying, but I can't believe in this"). The information remained censored, debarred from publicity. Finally Karski in desperation turned to the World Jewish Congress, but futile. On the personal appeal of President Roosevelt, the Jewish organizations agreed to further silence. It was the Germans, who did the dirty work, but it looked as it the whole world approved. Even the Jews, living in prosperity in safe countries, forgot their poor compatriots in bad luck. The voice of Poland remained ignored, analogical as in the (much smaller) case of Katyń.

10-th of December, the Polish Government again officially appealed to the Allies to take some repressions against Germany because of murders of Polish citizens of the Jewish nationality.

The self-sustaining, voluntary action of help to the Jewish population started first from the initiative of a history writer, Miss Sophie Kossak-Szczucka. After a time, in September 1942 formed a secret Council for the Help to the Jews "Żegota". From 4-th of December on, it became an official organ of the KWC (Directorate of Civil Resistance), an institution attached to the Delegate of the Emigration Government in Poland. Because of negative answers from the allies with signals of disapproval and displeasure, the Polish Resistance tried a single relief to the dying. Alas, it was already too late and anyway the dimension of this action and the possibility could be only modest. At first, the only means collected from the donations made to the underground press, next the Delegate for the Country and KWC supplied more, but they never had much at disposition. With Poles too murdered, there was no way to save all. However, the Polish people were the only ones who cared and did do something. Maybe not enough, but as much as they could. The whole free world did nothing at all. It the Polish underground would have some support, it probably could save more of the Jews, if sure not a big part.

After from about 440 000 of Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto remained only 70 000 in the remains of the Ghetto (Germ." Restghetto") am 19-th April 1944 erupted a rising and the fighting continued more, as three weeks.

In Ostrowiec nothing so heroic happened, the people still alive went transported off just days before, the dead with a few children remained on the streets. These events and the view of the area some hours later already described in Chapter 9. In the nearby Częstocice, remained a camp with some Jews fit to work.

12-th of may 1943 the representative of Polish Jews in the Polish Council on emigration, substituting parliament, Szmul Zigelbojm, committed suicide, the last try to take the attention of Free World opinion to the horror and tragedy. Well, the democracy and freedom are for the best, but the free people many times acted egoistically and ugly. The censorship muzzle in this cause has nothing to do with military regards, they did it exclusively for disinformation of own community, exactly as dirty a disgrace, as the Nazi or communist propaganda.

The murder continued, in Oświęcim the last gassing happened by the end of October 1944. In Majdanek, the Germans announced the Harvest Festivity am 3-th of November 1944, killing the rest of about 18 000 people.

In December 1944 the "Demol" (Demolition) Commandos destroyed by explosives the camp death machinery and appliances. Also in Ostrowiec, they destroyed a great part of the Jewish cemetery ("Kirkut") with the fresh tombs, the older tombstones already used for the road construction, luckily some remained in a not too bad standing with possibility of later recovery. In fact, it is curious, what may be so important in Ostrowiec Ghetto the Germans decided to use explosives there?

* * *

Professor Jaruga had few radical opinions, never fundamental national views; he was neither anti- nor file-Semite. He also dreamed not of rescue to all Jews, what anyway would be unreal. But as a dedicated teacher, he wanted merely save one Jew, his student. Precisely this, on whom he looked with envy, which has the sparkle of spirit, refused by God to his teacher; a coming Polish poet.

Jaruga thought over the problem carefully and exact, aware, the decision may endanger not only his life, but also of his family. Sure, all he did connected with danger, after German law threatened with death and for a time he lived much afraid. Yet, there was a difference. Germany had some more important matters now, than hunt for secret schools. Although he began his work with a thrill and cycling to the lessons, felt a super-agent and conspirator in steady danger, soon used to this duty. Now he remained careful and felt that with this, he could meet the worst only by an unlucky coincidence or mixed in another investigation. By example, marketing food the punishment too could be death, but all people did so. But this was another kettle of fish. Hunting of hiding Jews belonged to the proprieties, the most important task of the occupation forces. If the German police found a Jew, sudden death would embrace with him all people, which helped him, with no exceptions. As example, it would happen instantly on the place.

However, after detailed considerations Jaruga decided, that it is possible to solve all the problems so, that except extraordinary, far-fetched events the risk remains in reasonable limits. Only the fact, that he lived-in a lonely placed house set up a big trump. But the most important was his manual ability of carpentry, his hobby. In a new build, still not finished house it would be possible to build in perfect hiding places, in which he may keep a man a longtime, almost permanently. He is able to do it himself, without anybody knowing.

Sure, he must project this technically perfect, without the smallest error. His hobby, previously only a likable spending of time and spiritual rest, shall now decide about life-or-death of a group of people, including his family and him. One bad detail, small flaw turning notice, could lose them all.

For the next part of description as well as the plot essential is explaining of the peculiarity of the hiding-places, also display the sketch of the house and the next environment. The house of Jaruga family placed about 400m away from the highway in the depth of forest, near the top of a hill. From the side of the highway, the ground got down, close by the highway it became quite soggy, there was a small swamp and around it a narrow path, that only after in the forest became more wide. Anyway the only ground way to the house to drive a wagon was from the other side. Pines of the forest remained close to the house, only a few meters, making it almost invisible.

Opposite, from the north side, there terrain was flat and about 0,5 ha set up a garden and orchard enclosed by a hedge with a gate. Next, there was young forest and bushes a little meadow and a second solitary house, then the big forest where Angus in 1940 learned speedy math., however never coming close to the highway. The greenery of garden with the hedge between the bushes was also similar; to distinguish it would be necessary to come close by.

Jaruga build his house from wood, covered also with wooden roof, encased with bitumen cardboard. He wanted ornate this with shingles on top, but war stopped finishing the work. The house stood on a foundation from large stones. From the back entrance (flat ground with the garden, it was about 30-40 cm high, from the front on the slope of hill, about one meter more, so there were stairs with a platform where he could place an armchair. After a short time, the professor throw away the ready door and made a new one, ornate, also added many details to the main entrance, steps and platform. The house copied the mountaineers' cottages, although without the decorations and ornaments, which the professor wanted to make personally in free time. There was not any central corridor, only a small vestibule by the front entrance and a second by the back entrance, and next the tree rooms and kitchen enfiladed (forming a suite, one could walk one after another).

The second vestibule contained also staircase, leading to the upper floor. On this floor the walls from crude wooden beams detached two, pretty big rooms. One, by the staircase constituted the guest room, well arranged, but without oven, the heating assured the brick kitchen chimney in the left corner. Room on the opposite side of house provided a carpentry workshop, one of the tree for professor hobby. All the rest of attic formed a broad corridor or great hall with a side extension in the center. Matthew told Angus, that there was planned a third room, for him, but yet not ready, first they would necessary make a window.

However, now the planned room was only a central extension of the attic, the most dark corner, because as for now, the only windows appeared by the opposite ends on the long axis of the attic. The roof was not a simple twofold, but a mansard, broken. There was not a big cellar, but only two little basements under the vestibules. The one by the kitchen, for the winter supplies and the second, by the front entrance, for workshop and warehouse for the more worthy tools.

Of course in these conditions the most simple was construction in the part of the house without a cellar, a new, secret basement. Sure, separated from the existing by a coating if earth, so, that neither a tapping, nor even a hole of walls, making a probationary slots would show anything. Jaruga built such a covert basement, similar to the so called in England "priest-holes", first in the kitchen. The access was by the kitchen oven, where the floor was covered with a sheet of metal, in case, some red-hot coals dropped on the wooden floor. First, this assured tightness, because it was already known, that in case of quick house-searches the Germans usually pour out a bucket of water on the floor and watch the sinking.

The "priest-hole" leaned on one side to the foundations of the kitchen-oven. Professor used the chimney to make a ventilating ditch and a second for intake of fresh air, so the little place remained dry and aired. It has the dimensions of about 80 x 120cm only, of course no satisfactory for permanent hide-out, but enough, one person or in extremity even two could hide a few hours in case of alarm.

Anyway, there was not a question of longer habitation, for this was necessary more comfortable and roomy place, but the first construction was a good exercise and may be useful in unexpected crises. Besides the professor, rather content with his first work got by this more confidence.

So now the time has come to plan the main hiding place, where a person could spend a few months, if necessary. Although the Poles steady believed, soon the devils may take Hitler, nevertheless professor was not such optimist, he appraised the affairs sober, or so he believed. In fact, nobody at the time assumer, the war may take almost four years. The people reacted like the mortally tired wanderers, who always hope they had only to walk to the next visible point and this should be the end.

Jaruga took longtime and much reflection, where could he find enough room to situate the permanent secret shelter. Building any double walls on the ground level would be inadequate, the difference if dimensions would be obvious. He thought about the upper floor, imagining the hiding-place by the guestroom or by the workshop, still it would be little better, if maybe not so visible at the first look. But any most simple measurement would be enough to betray the place, too great a risk. Anyway, going and thinking, suddenly he came on the best conception: the roof. Well, the broken mansard roof, screened by the close to the house pines, was almost invisible from outside, the forest. Nearby one could see only the edge of the roof, not the collapsing line, if inside, there was nothing showing the dimensions. A double roof would be perfect.

The simple draft (blueprint)

Between the artificial, make-believe roof and the genuine, external roof would be very much space, in fact about hundred square meters (12m x 8m).

Well, maybe a little less, taking in account, that with diminishing height, in center almost 2m, but near the wall dropping to 0, fewer than 7m could be in fact used. Sure, there would be details needing much care. First the material used for construction must look exactly like the old one, the wood of the same age, even the same dirt on the surface. And next a covert, well masked entrance.

Certainly, it should need astonishing amount of work, especially for an amateur. The professor, only a hobbyist in carpentry, decided to do all himself. He considered it indispensable, a basic condition of safety. The secret he would share only with the close family, his wife and son, not a living soul more. First, he told them about his idea and assured their accord, after all they should take part in the risk, so it would be only fair too ask about the acceptance. Naturally, they agreed and he could count on some voluntary help, of his son, only 14 y. now, 15 y as they came to finish and without experience, but strong and healthy.

However, even engineering of the small "priest-hole" took several weeks of time. The double roof was many times serious task, but he never had experience with such great objects, he only relaxed himself in pastime with simple details, the biggest yet being the front entrance and door. Now, he appraised, it would probably take him half a year, but even so he was too optimistic. In realty, it was more as double. Anyway, with time he came to conviction, the idea is basically sound and he shall manage realizing it. So, not waiting for finish of work, he decided to approach the underground contacts and organizations to prepare the escape from Ghetto of the concerned person.

This also demanded careful planning. Like as by construction of the secret shelter, also now Jaruga decided firm to settle all personally, without admitting into secret any unnecessary people. In short: "Hold the cards, all the time close by the medals". Alas, meantime the conditions in Ghetto changed very much for worse. In the autumn of 1942 separating of Yews was complete, total. There was no way to go in Ghetto, more so take a Jew out, if only for a short time, for example a business deal or doing some professional work. Jaruga catcht unprepared with this, in fact never a man of action, lost too much time already. Nonetheless, he was a man able to think logically and sure, to solve any problem, if only he had time to think logically and take the correct analysis.

He acted cautious, aware, the occupants may have less interest in smuggling and black market, even in some underground movement, as for example organizing education, but react speedy and violent in priority cases. Almost at the same days they hung thirty hostages publicly on the market of Ostrowiec. If something concerned their current interest, they applied mass terror regardless, and murder of Jews surely they accounted to top priorities. Any person helping Jews should take in consideration an instant death.

On the other side professor, looking around, assumed, that most danger and calamities is a result of national character of the Poles. He considered his compatriots as unsettled, talkative, rather gossipy, unreserved punters, their tongues their worst foes. Almost two centuries of conspiracy changed nothing; some called the Poles the French of the north region. If so, probably because contrary to the English people, living with reserve, even isolation between the neighbors, Poles are always more concerned with theirs, than his own interest. A great, maybe the greatest part of tragedies and casualties of the occupation time was due to uncontrolled chatter, sinless babbling. For example the treason of Motor, a greatest tragedy of the "Gloomy" group, began from a gossip comment of two ladies, like:"Imagine my dear, the son of our friend, the officer, returned! I now know from the best source, he already is in the country."

The professor determined, never make any such mistake and quite confident, an intelligent man may think, anticipate and evade the obvious blunders. With reasonable care, there should be not great danger. Well, this was sound common reason, but he forgot the unexpected. Exactly this, what began, when the German soldiers took quarter in his house, and the climax (crisis) appears described in the first page of this Chapter.

But coming now back: Jaruga decided, to do all himself and never say an unnecessary word. However, if this principle was correct with building of a safe house, there was no way he could himself extract a Jew from the enclosure of Ghetto. To organize an escape, he needed some assistance.

* * *

As mentioned, the plight of the Jews turned worse, as Jaruga came to the end of building; it was already a dying out community. Years ago, after the Polish campaign it seemed, they are better of than the Poles, the Germans are after only after their property, not after the very life. Next, in one to two months, they had to take the visible mark, the David's Star. In December 1939 Angus saw a Jewish girl, still a child, shot on the street, because a German soldier claimed, this "sign of dishonor" was invisible. (It was a deep frost, nearly -40 C, so the poor child took on top any warm closes she was able too). About half y. later the Ghettos became compulsory, but still not closed. In 1940 and still in 1941 Angus parents hired from Ghetto some Jewish carpenter, because the Germans robbed with the apartment, all theirs furniture. In 1942 this would be already impossible, wit the Ghetto closed tight. Still, the Jews came out to work, but only under armed escort. A longtime, Angus daily saw the trucks full of Jews, driven to the road construction. The young boys, sometimes also girls, singed loud the Polish military songs, like: "Wojenko, wojenko…", "Ułani, Ułani…" or "Przybyli ułani…" (Arrived the cavalry soldiers…). Sometimes they sang also Polish patriotic songs, like "Z dymem pożarów…" or even the Polish national anthem, only the "Rota" they left of, because some soldiers know the melody and once this ended with a tragedy. Later, they most sing a special composed to Germans order song "There came Hitler a pure gold and taught Jews to work".

The polish people, especially the children, tried to throw pieces of bread, the escort threatened with arms, but never shooting. Once when Angus too did this, a cycling by soldier called Angus and when he did not stop, throw his iron horse, chased and catch Angus and hit him several times. First Angus cap, and next him too fell to earth, but nothing worse followed.

In the end of year, the voluntary citizen organization for the help to Jews, created by the writer Zofia Kossak-Szczucka, became attached to the underground Polish Delegate of Polish Government on Exile. Also, it began cooperating with the Command of the Home Army. In the Underground press appeared appeals for collecting money and gifts. Such appeals happened before, for different task, beginning with the needs of Underground press, for the warm closes to the guerrilla in winter and many others. The pattern of this was such, that the punter willing to offer something, used back the same way, by which before he got the underground newspaper. After some time, in the press appeared acknowledgement of receipt with the indicated by the punter pseudo or password. Usually the money traveled along many hands, however the author never heard or read about anything missing. In fact, the organization money could not vanish because of strong pressure of public opinion, it would be an offense much worse than sacrilege and the worst scum would be afraid to take any. This does not mean, it never happened, but if so, it sure must be a rare exception. It is unnecessary to stress the point, that in the years the amount o collected means diminished, because most of the people had barley the funds to survive. The Underground State also, functioned only be some miracle. The fact, that part of the money for the most needs, including the Home Army, and now the lives or death of people, must be collected by public charity, shows the desperate conditions.

Professor Jaruga noticed the appeal, which appeared in "Biuletyn Informacyjny" (the greatest central and official newspaper of AK and Underground State) and concluded, it is an opportunity to make a contact. He declared his whole pension, received in the secret College, maybe permanently or for a term (I do not know exactly) and proposed the whole education council may donate something too. He anyway was better of, as the top humanist and lived from private lessons, the regular fee constantly declared for some better task. Some of old teachers, who had the best opinion, had too enough private lessons and better income, as the temporary, being worse of. However, all shared this action and offered, if surely less, as much as they could. But anyway, his deed made an impact and he got thanks from the organization Żegota. This was exactly what he wanted (not the thanks but the contact) and more. It so happened, that one of the contacts was his former student from early third decade, who after Matura became an Army officer. Now he lived in Warsaw, become an adjutant of Bor and member of the AK Command, temporary detached to Żegota. A coincidence, he was an older brother of a friend of Angus from the Business School, Maciek Kwiecieński, but sure, Angus never met the rotmistrz (cavalry-captain) Kwiecieński.

Rotmistrz meet Professor and listened to his project. He told, the Latin was his nightmare and dread, but for Jaruga personally he had always greatest respect and now he does all, but only the possible. The impossible is up to professor. With all due admiration and knowing his logic and sound reason, he nevertheless sees the chances black. But if Professor already is determined and adamant to persuasion, so he shall contact him with the local chief of "Żegota".

Jaruga was disappointed and he said so, indicating, that the essence of his surety is, nobody, but nobody knowing about his project. That is, why he did all necessary with his own hands and never discussed this with anyone, but only his family, who anyway shall live together with the fugitive and share common fate. And that is, why he decided to seek contact in such complicated manner. Now, he hoped he may talk with only one person, because he needs professional help and he can not organize the escape himself.

Yes, but now this task became difficult - explained Kwiecieński. - We have few contacts in Ostrowiec Ghetto. Usually we work together with Jewish organizations such, as ŻZW or ŻOB, but it seems, they newer formed their branches in Ostrowiec, only in Warsaw and the big cities. It seems, all is here in the hands of Judenrat (the Jewish Council) and Jewish Police, which takes orders direct from Germans and cooperates even closer, as with Judenrat. In fact, there is a competition in appeasement. We have only few contacts with solitary persons, mostly of Jewish intelligence, in part polonized. Anyway, as many as we could, we picked out long ago, as this was easier, but only such people, who look like Poles and with necessary papers, can keep the appearances. The construction of safe house is your original plan and I already forgot all about this, I have professionally a very bad memory. But beside this, all we do in Ostrowiec is transfers of some food, the most cheap, as flour and cereals. Better products supply the professional smugglers for such customers who pay. The main problem is, we lack the necessary means and that’s, why your generous help made such an impact, we could at least buy the peas and beans. To tell it straight, I hoped to win you for the program permanently and wanted to talk in person. This is pure desperation, so many lives and such mini (tiny) help. -

- I am sorry, but I am not fit for conspirator work, I would be not good at it. I do not feel able to change a world, not even a small part. I want do only a small deed which I think I mange. I can not save all Jews, so I want try save only one concrete man. I feel his life may be important in future for Polish and maybe world literature. -

- Well, professor, in this case you are most competent judge. I do what I can, contacting you with the person leading the action "Żegota" in Ostrowiec.

- Yes, but! I did try very much to contact one person only. It more people shall know, I going to give shelter to Jews, or even only one Jew, it somebody talks, then I never save any, but shall perish with my whole family. -

- I can not do it myself, I have my duties, and this problem may take more time, more as I could take. However, the person I refer to is also you student and knowing you well enough, mutually and he certainly shall do everything possible. Anyway, I also would insist this case being extreme important, but this would be unnecessary. Like I, he always remembered his professor with reverence and even as a boy, he was discreet and even laconic. And concerning me, we never meet and never talked during the war.-

So it happened, the Jaruga dealt in future with the young Kawiorski, this one from the Piaski Street who did the final College examine (called matura) in 1938y.

According to Jaruga wishes, he never came to Professor home, nor Jaruga to his (He has a separate small bungalow on Kawiorski possession, with a separate gate from the forest). They only meet, short, in the city.

Capsule: The futile attempt of saving a boy from Ghetto.

Kawiorski found a way to send a message to the poet in Ghetto and proposed two possible plans of escape. The first was by the graveyard, so-called Kirkut, where everyday took place burials (the high mortality following the bad conditions already mentioned). Kirkut, lay at the north border of Ghetto, strong watched by armed guards, but this at days. In the nights, there was the police hour and moreover the whole area became closed and prohibited. Yet exactly at nights there came transport of food, usually packed in long but slim bags from linen or canvas, about 10kg weight if flour, up to 15kg with beans. One or top two such bags could one person conceal under closes. Before, they remained hidden in some adapted tombs. The professional smugglers used the same way, but some more complicated procedures, I do not know exactly.

Some people said later, the term "the dead contact box" first was used because of tombs or even coffins, but this is not correct. Anyway, the people accompanying the burials and later returning were counted and there was not an easy way for the living to remain secretly at Kirkut. However, Kawiorski though it possible with some preparations, if risky. But if unlucky, this could close the vital way of food transport.

The second option, on which they finally decided, founded on some peculiarity of Ghetto site. The Ostrowiec Ghetto consisted of two parts, divided by a communication gap accessible for pedestrians from the market, very steep, downtown along the Kościelna (Church) Street, in fact a small by-street. This was the briefest shortcut to the city center, much attended, often crowded. Sure it was fenced off with barbed wire and supervised by Jewish Police,

Anyway, Kawiorski assured, he can organize a short obstruction, a stop and disturbance and in this short time it would be possible for an agile boy to slip between the wires. This was already practiced for letters and occasionally, transfer of small packages. In this case, two more people should stretch apart the wires, helping, then throw over the clothes of the escapee some another over-cloth and progress mimicking an animated talk.

Unfortunately, the young poet rejected the simple plan despite the good prospects of success. He already lost one of his parents, and the other became sick (author newer knew, was the dead mother or father). But he wanted to remain with the sick to the end, whatever. In these circumstances, Jaruga took chances, which before he considered irresponsible, he wrote a short message to the still living parent. It was a little page and written so, the text could understood only by the receiver, certainly unsigned and with plea, to burn it right after reading. This risky action brought the desired effect, the boy was persuaded and agreed, but only if his younger brother, a child, may accompany him. This complicated very much the case. It was already autumn, Jaruga still not ready with building, anyway, the place between top of the roof, with temperatures failing to -40C grades would equal with death of the child. They decided to lay off till the frost pass over.

Alas, a few days before this the situation changed again. Unexpectedly, the steep passage was closed with barriers, all fences strengthened. On them appeared announcements, that people should keep off; going close by may be shot by guards without further warning.

There were several guesses, what happened and why. Some people supposed, the Ghetto shall change into a full local Concentration Camp, others, there happened some bad luck at smuggling. Many talked about next try to extract a big sum of money as ransom.

However, after the Jewish People already lost all the Germans had not interest to wait any more. Angus almost missed the terrible day, described about half of Chapter IX. As he walked to the School in late morning, all looked normal, the Ghetto silent. Not any noise, not a movement, not a smoke from chimneys. The poor souls had no wood; they fired the last furniture, but still sparing this for the next cold days to come. As he came back all finished. The Germans announced, the Jews had to gather together and after hours of exercising, formed the columns and rushed them to the station to the cattle wagons. The day was already warmer, the Streets wet from high heaps of thawing snow, but Angus knew the experience of cattle wagons in the cold night. Anyway, they had not a longtime to live, they traveled only to Oświęcim. Nevertheless, something he found curious. The Ghetto contained first up to about twenty thousands, at the end supposedly then thousands, but from the station drove only a few trains. Either the Germans respected not the norms, "eight horses or 40 people for a wagon" or in fact survived only several thousands of people.

* * *

Some strange madness got in Angus, as he left his colleagues and dived between the fences into Ghetto. He found not a soul alive only the corpses, some of children, between thrown over-rests of household. The shattering understanding came to him with such a fright, as never before or after, he lost his way on a limited territory, between the dead.

Nobody needed help anymore and he found the opposite gate wide open, no guards and no shots, he came out alive after all; for more report, see back.

Clear, that Angus heard not a word about Professor' project, but only over almost two years after, as he lived there, in this secret place. But he noticed some trouble. He already finished one of classes coached by him and closed friendship with his son, if at the time not exactly close. He got alarmed, as some time after these events the professor began to occur in the doors of the pub, where Angus worked. At afternoons, coming back home, he dismounted the bicycle and coming to the counter, took a small glass, the so called "hundred" (of ccm) of the "bimber" (moonshine spirit), which stood under the buffet (the top decorated monopole vodka). A few seconds he looked ad Angus wildly then poured this down with one gulp and went out. But sometimes he demanded a second "hundred". Angus didn't know, haw to behave and where to look in front of his teacher. Naturally, he dared not any comment, but it shattered him, that a man of such intellect, whom he always considered so high over himself and topping the common people, falls down. He already saw one brave cavalry soldier from the Hubal troop, people told a former hero, who turned drunkard. In Angus position behind the counter, pouring the drinks and looking at the customers like animals in Zoo, one could only drink himself or develop a deep hate to alcohol. With Angus happened the second; that is, he dimly remembered what taught him mother, there are special alcohols for gentlemen. But gentlemen never get drunk; never lose control, maybe because of different, high sort drinks they use. Like father, he despised the stink of low-grade alcohols and even more of drunken men.

With luck, professor ceased to drop in and after some time mumbled occasionally, he passed a bad time of his life and hopes for his student discretion. In fact, Jaruga as all high-standard people, had bad regrets; he assumed, he failed by his own fault. Well, he did as much as was in him and anyway, if the future developed as it did, there would be no chance any people living in this house could survive. He calculated right and composed a wonder of safe house, but he never anticipated the Germans living there a longtime.

The friendship of Matthew with Angus developed; they meet almost every day alternatively, once in Angus and next time in Matthew home. In June and July 1944 Angus a lion part of time lived-in Jaruga house, even his parents spent there some days, as the front came near. Angus played whole days chess with Matthew; if the weather was good, in the garden, if not, indoors; they often spent much time on the top floor. Or so Angus supposed, all the time he had never a blue notion, the true top floor is hidden up, over them. Matthew never mentioned a word, not one letter.

When Angus returned home in the second half of October the first day he remained indoors, sleeping. On the next, parents told, Matthew returned from guerrilla a few days before and already asked about Angus. They advised him to go to his home and remain there a few days The Jaruga house, solitary and hidden in forest, was the best place to remain temporary invisible. Up to now, nobody sought him; nobody took interest about where he was. In the first week of August, there came one document, from "Arbeitsamt", but after the Arbeitsamt evacuated with all German city offices. In fact they flew in panic and now instead of city commissary, The Wehrmacht set up an Army Commandant as in front area. But the panic and flight stopped, as the Red Army ended the offensive, remaining now inactive along the Vistula river and waiting till Wehrmacht crushes the Warsaw rising. Much Germans came back, including Arbeitsamt and Gestapo. Disoriented (during former evacuation they destroyed or lost archives), they did not continue former investigations. But rather got busy with roundups of people. They needed desperately more slaves for the armaments' fabrics, especially young, both boys and girls; but were not choosers, any man or woman would do, if still fit. They dropped even charges to prisoners, stopped the executions of already sentenced, only added them to transports leaving for Germany every few days.

So in fact there was not much risk, the Arbeitsamt may remember him as a wanted person, find name or address without registers, yet it would be too stupid to let catch himself and sent causally. The enemy he fought not to bad and not to good, well not an exemplary soldier, the penalty of 25 lashes still pending, which he accepted and expected. But work for Germany, never, this would be too much!

Next day before dawn Angus went to the Jaruga' house and found there an incredible surprise. Already the priest-hole in the kitchen was a masterwork, if only for a quick, temporary use in case of unexpected crisis. But over the attic, where he many hours played chess, or occasionally helped colleague tampering with something, what a wonder! The double roof was hard to imagine, unbelievable. The very place, where he sat many times, looking up on the planks of the ceiling, opened a disguised valve, counterweight by coming down short ladder. The size of the surface was imposing, more as 80 square meters, although standing was possible only in the middle of the long axis. But most important was, the whole safe place made by professor own hand, there was not any helper with knowledge, but only the son Matthew. The construction was ready at the end of 1942, but in vain, Jaruga was unable to save the young poet mentioned. But now came a second chance, a good work rare remains without some reward, if only consolation price. His doing could save now his son, and by the way, also Angus. Already in the time, when they went to guerrilla, Jaruga again overlooked and refreshed all details; the wood with time dried and shrunk a little. Some places appeared little slots, but they were visible only, looking from dark (so was the double roof) to light. But it remained his secret, what he did, the planks never squeaked under foot.

In the first days Matthew and Angus placed in the double roof his personal belongings and mattresses'. They only slept there but in the day lived inside the house, or in the garden. They washed thoroughly the whole body several times, to get off the characteristic "aroma" of smoked dirt, which from some distance betrayed the "forest men". With luck they had no louses, Angus left his pack only in the least days before demobilization, by anthill, but anyway, temporary there was better over care with hygiene. They rested, between wolfing down all food in the house and the rest of the noble plums from plum trees, professor's pride and on the third day already found the chessboard. The nights rather chilly, but in the days the sun operated and it became warm enough.

On the fourth day unexpected came German soldiers, almost surprising Matthew and Angus. With no time to reach the upper floor, they dived into the "priest-hole", the only time it was used. The soldier inspected in details the whole house, Jaruga guiding them around and talking fluently. He made his diploma from Latin, but next spend years in Wien, studying Literature. At the start, he even taught German, besides Polish and Latin languages. But they could understand nothing, if occasionally hearing the voices. After several hours, the soldiers left and they too, but only the hiding place. Professor told them the news: a troop of Germans takes the quarters in this house, they require the two rooms at the front, his bibliotheca and living room, letting him the use of the kitchen and bedroom. Besides, they take also the guestroom on the upper floor, but left him the dark attic and the room used as workshop free. On the ground level shall live four officers, in the upper guestroom one younger officer and three of the noncommissioned. The troop took also the second house some distance north, not a full km deeper in the forest and the soldiers shall live in tents, spread on an open glade halfway between those houses.

Matthew and Angus moved to the double roof and settled there for good. The safe house, well, rather the safe part of the house stood now before the hard-and-fast fixed examine. Its maker and designer never anticipated such a test. He considered a simple search, a police examination with revision, in worst case a 24 or 48-hour ambush. However, living with the invaders for a longtime, was different kettle of fish, it seemed too much, impossible. Anyway, it was the only way, not much choice. A question of luck, what happens first: either the Germans move off, or finally they find the runaways, living direct over they heads. The boys, separated only by planks with dilatations, resting immobile on the top, could see and watch all, by placing the eye right near a slot. They could see without being seen, as long as their side remained darker as the lodging of the Germans, the light came from down up, the little chunks between planks shinning. Looking was possible only from the dark into the bright side, that’s simple enough. They had to live in twig light at clear days, pitch-dark at nights, never artificial light, only a little diffuse.

The problem was to remain noiseless, not simply as mouse behind a broom, according to a Polish saying, but as a cloud on sky, soft, fluent and soundless. Not as living creatures, but as bodiless shadows. As mentioned, the house build from wood occasionally squeaks, here too one could hear the steps and squeaks of the floors and staircase, yet Jaruga applied some magic and the timber used for the double roof construction almost never squeaked.

Nevertheless, almost was not enough, if one second, one unfortunate movement could betray their presence. They had to learn behave as true ghost.

At first it seemed an interesting, new adventure. They came from the war exhausted, but several days of rest revived them, well they felt as fit as never before, able to anything, concentrated, self-assured, no way to miss anything. To say it short, after coming alive from the past danger, followed a natural euphoria. And this continued still in the first days of life on borrowed time. They started with exercising the expertise of seeing at the minimum of light, moving on arms and legs; remember feeling the space around, more so, of every single plank. In the full night, there was almost none light, yet even so some places signaled the direction, being a little less dark than others. There are creatures, which live, using only other senses, without eyes, by feeling. The boys tried now to learn this, but only part of time. They trained too the second most important sense, hearing, to be exact, hearing without being heard. Anyway, they transferred their bunks in the most distant corner of the double roof, because sleeping direct over the soldiers heads, they could attract the attention be an involuntary move. Now, if they wanted to watch the soldiers, they had to crawl on all fours more as ten m.

Soon, Matthew and Angus knew the soldiers day’ pattern by heart, in fact they got away before 8 o’clock in morning, sometimes returning for a few minutes, and the spent the whole day away. After they left, the boys could lift the roof valves, look and hear all around the house, let in more light and fresh air and read the books. Usually one read below the valve from the front of the house (with the roadway below, the second from the backside (garden). This way the could not only hear whenever anyone was in or around the house, but also approaching, the heavy ironclad boots of the soldiers announced them from a distance. Yet, there was no way to see, with the roof broken and the valves in the higher and more flat part, it was impossible to look near the house, and further the view covered the crown of the trees.

Besides sounds from nearby, some 300m north worked a broadcast ond occasionally they could hear a call: Hauptman Kroll! And usually after some twenty seconds, with a stentorian voice - Hauptman Kro-o-o-ooll!!! Matthew remarked to Angus, what do they need the radio for, with such a voice. The stationed there squad consisted of a couple of batteries of AAA, the guns spaced around the Romanów bridges (the railroad seemingly tender, see Chapter IX) and the water source for the Ironworks, still working for Wehrmacht. Some guns they detached to cover also the roadway to Starachowice and Silesia. In the forest stationed the base, supply and command.

Now both on the front as in the air stayed a calmness. From erupting of the Warsaw Rising Stalin stopped the fighting, giving the Germans a free hand and plenty of time too kill the belligerent insurgents an after this, finish off the Partisan and guerrilla squads. In fact, he preferred, the Germans rub out dogged over they independence, because wiping out The I Wilno Division AK and others allies, raised some questions if asked gently. Even now, after Warsaw fall and dissolution of AK, he left them more time to do this solid and proper, according to German good order. Anyway, at the front remained an idyll. Also the AAA had never occasion to shoot, not even a second Kukuruźnik flew near- by, as in July.

Still, for Matthew and Angus if weapons had not such magic spell as before, anyway they felt a magnetic attraction. In the room below on the walls hang three belts with holsters and one pistol lay on a small table beside a correct covered mattress. Certainly they knew, the cannot even dream, but they could not resist, someday they went down, when the Germans walked to breakfast in the field cantina, near the broadcast. (They sometimes took the guns after, but never when eating.)

There was a Parabellum, much wished and praised in guerrilla, two Walters, which they knew, but rather theoretically a standard policies' weapon, rather curious how the two came here and some handgun they did not know. Anyway, Matthew allowed not Angus to investigate only look and touch it without taking in hand. No ways to reload threw out a round or check the mechanism.

- We could take out the first round and throw away a little powder only so much the bullet lost some speed and turns harmless, or with luck stop in the barrel and block it - proposed Angus

- You are creasy. You may risk your stupid head to heart content, but remember, for such madness, in the house responsible would by my parents. In fact we should never go there, but we still have some time, before the Germans return. I believe, even in we hear them coming we would still have time to run, but not, if we allow yourself for a fascination or discussion. Put the weapon in their place exactly, as they were and scram off - answered the vice of sound reason, from the mouth of Matthew.

They did not go to this room any more, to avoid temptation. They decided rather to push all belongings with themselves to the opposite end ot the double roof and never look at the soldiers from above, because the idle waiting influenced their mental balance. At least it did to Angus, Matthew kept more sound reason. Anyway they had to control themselves. In fact Angus began dread that importunity of thinking and planning (or rather persistent stupidity) may be a hard problem. He catch himself wanting to do just anything to break the dead calm and did not discuss this with Matthew, wanting not infect him with this creasy way of thinking, but memorized this for future. In fact, a typical problem of dreamers.

Minor inconveniences were the alternating changes of temperature. Despite the late autumn, on sunny days the low, black roof got so hot, they had to strip to shorts; nevertheless they looked with trouble, if the dropping sweat does not signal their presence. Angus tried to dream, how cold shall here be at night and how he then will enjoy the memory of a hot day. So why does he not enjoy this now, and at night the cold, but always only the memory? Could he not conserve a little of the "now" for later?

Little details, but gave him nerves. Anyway, it was the passive survival, which got him down, sometimes so bad, that he was serious afraid of madness. There were moments, when he hated his companion and friend, Matthew so much, he could strike him, without any reason, never mind the noise would hear the soldiers. Or he imagined in night, how speedy the fire would catch the roof, with the wood dry as pulver, he could not run away, but the Germans too would have not a chance. In short, he was afraid he may go creasy and tried an all-out effort to remain sane. Anyway, he experienced on himself that people under compulsion may have the worst problems with own reason.

Books they had, rather in excess, but they were not for entertaining, light reading, rater a professional library, chosen by a humanist for concrete task or preferences. A lion part in foreign languages, many Latin. Some books had too Matthew, but they were left-over's from his youth, for children. Well, they were still boys, but the war caused that they got mature before the time. Jaruga recommended strongly to Angus, "De bello Gallico" and to the son "De bello civile".

- Caesar wrote an excellent sensation thriller, a model of condensed conciseness. No one superfluous word, one important info or happening chases another, all of them a plain reality. You already did the fourth class and know some fragments, Matthew knows it all and may help if necessary, or you may ask direct me. I shall help gratis and franco. Catch the opportunity. A little intellectual effort is exactly what does you good, takes time and keep you shipshape mentally, you need some exercise any one I can guaranty, you never feel bored. It is a book exciting the imagination, the top criminal story by comparison is a flat babbling. And besides, you have a natural tendency use to many words and to long text. See, how a true master can economize the words. Multitude of information in minimum of words, an elite, top school of riding, nobody before or after could do it better. If you survive this all and ever in senile age want write anything, you may follow no better example - encouraged him Jaruga.

A rather strange prediction, considering, it came from a teacher, who on the first lection directed Angus to inflate a short essay of 1,5-page to seven pages, exactly, not a verse less, not a verse more.

At his young age, Angus held criminal thrillers in a deep contempt, only later began to read them. So now this did not persuade him to buy the idea. But next he remembered how his father induced him to mathematics and this proved an excellent project, after breaking first ice it opened him a new word. This is advice of professional and it may be worth to try it.

But probably he lacked the right predisposition, because as after struggle he overcome this book and dry, if precise logic, but never took neither Latin nor Cesar in his heart. If anything, using long sentences like the ones of Cicero, but without their beauty. And always too many words, from which every one seemed, only too him, indispensable. He would rather pull out teeth, than a word from text, so important were they to the writer, if unnecessary to reader.

Anyway, systematic work stabilized his psychic. Also, he then catch a simple method to learn languages, reading the familiar text without checking every word, but applying intelligent guess, like the children do, learning speaking. In the future he expanded this pattern for learning foreign languages, allowing himself to read the lower, simple sort of books, sensation thrillers, even horrors. After years, he learned read even the German language, overcoming former reluctance and prejudice and found it doubtless beautiful. And ever, reading the unknown, he found the first familiar words similar to some Latin.

From accessible Polish books, Angus was in no mood for poetry, maybe because the classic he learned recently. From his private choice, he knew by heart Asnyk, Ujejski Anczyc and Kasprowicz and in worst moments recited long fragments, so now had enough of it. For a change he took ten booklets with translations of Shakespeare Works, although he did not like to read such creation, natural rather to listening. But he remembered a book "A chase after full life" by Frank Harris, who presented Shakespeare works were as second only to Holy Script. The booklets included detailed comments and for an outsider this was more interesting, than the plays. So he muddled trough the first, next second and the third teen, bud considered Harris opinion unduly exaggerated. For the, immature and sophisticated kid, Shakespeare presented only one strong side, a deep knowledge of human nature and courts. All the rest he considered an artificial addition (invention).

Anyway, they could read only several hours a day. Only the chess they could play after dark, by touch and shortly even by memory.

Besides the spiritual, the needs of body still existed. Being not true ghost, the boys had to eat, drink and do something opposite. In the first days, they only slept in the double roof and did hide there, if around happened some stranger. Usually they remained in the garden and ate in the house, one after another, first on the table should be not too much dishes and second one should always watch out the adjoining terrain. But when the German soldiers took quarter, the food and water must be transported to the secret part of the house. This work accepted professor, who as house owner doing some small repairs had the allowance to use the front entrance and his workshop in the second room in attic. He regretted much, that by construction of "priest-hole" and the ventilating conduit in the chimney he missed the opportunity to add a small lift, allowing transport of supplies and water. He already planed, how he could do it. As for now, Angus felt badly, causing his professor, one he had in deep respect, so much inconvenience, but this did all matter of fact, as the most natural way.

The critical day professor brought precisely the supplies, covered with some bits of timber, when one of the noncommissioned officers unexpectedly returned home for something forgotten. They heard him coming and professor Jaruga in time stepped in the hiding place and closed the secret valve.

However, he did not behave like an Indian, especially breathing much to loud. And that is, why the chapter began so.

* * *

The German soldier went up and stood by the valve and near the professor, looking around. Angus was right, stepping from the sunshine into the dark interior, he saw nothing and after half minute still very little. He was vulnerable, could be an easy prey, but Angus sat resigned on the floor, Matthew too, some distance off. He could do nothing, any action would call calamity on the heads of professor and his wife. Bad luck, they gambled and lost, nothing doing and this was the end of it. He could now only behave so, the older people got not in worse trouble. Maybe the German satisfy with Angus and Matthew bodies, let parents in pace. Anyway, the speaking well German language Professor was the only person, who could invent something and try to explain the situation. Strange, but up to now the soldiers taking accommodation here behaved quite decent, not as the occupants met before. Maybe, Wehrmacht contained some decent human beings? Anyway, he expected not be shot outright. He already knew that even catching the former guerrillas, the Germans instead of kill, sent them now all as slave-workers to Germany. They search them with the help of still functioning informers and after arrest put them near Szewna into dug in earth pits, hedged and covered with barbed wire. Then periodically transport of slaves, desperate necessary for German war industry, traveled under armed escort.

- Dass ist mein Sohn - began Jaruga - und sein Freund. Alle beide noch ganz young boys, aber die Zeiten sind jetzt so ... (This is my son with a friend. Quite young, but the times are so bad…

- The soldier broke in his words - Ich verstehe schon.- And after some seconds added. - Ich verstehe alles. Sie brachen nichts mehr zu zagen.- ( I understand, no need to say any more).

- After short silence, he suddenly decided, put the gun in holster and raising an empty hand, pointed to the chessboard with dissolved figures and asked: Kan Ich manchmal hier kommen ganz privat, Schach zu spilen?

- He speaks - translated the professor, - that he would want play chess. He could come, if nothing unexpected occurs, every second day before midday, he has then free time, his colleagues are busy. If however, little probable, someone other would come, he will go out opposite and delay him a moment and meanwhile you shall hide. -

- If I heard and understand him right, if I could believe - added helplessly Jaruga - this perhaps means, that he remains silent and tell not a word to anybody of our meeting. -

* * *

- It seems impossible - appraised some time after the situation Angus, as the soldier took from the room below, whatever he was after and went in direction of radio and commandant tent. - Sure he makes his report to the commandant and in short time we may expect, more soldiers shall take us. Maybe alone he felt odd and strange. Better to dress now and prepare for a long journey. -

- I also think so - agreed Matthew. -

So do descend now below and eat the breakfast downstairs. It they take you, better to have something in the stomach, nobody knows, how long you had to remain hungry. We may explain, that we lived in the house together, and when the Germans quartered in, you went to sleep in the attic in order not to press tight into one room. Then, we may try to explain, this was never any hiding place, only the attic was temporary so arranged being still in construction. You spent there only the nights, as you did often before, wanting not disturbing anyone. You may suggest, you were a little afraid, but not because of any bad conscience, but of respect for the armed men. This is not a convincing explanation, but the best I can think of. Take with you provision and anything that could mark it was a permanent hiding-place.

So they took with them the supplies, water and the chamber pots. Next, they chose the clothes, arranged small packages with food and a few personal belongings. Next, they sat all to breakfast, prepared by the gulping the tears Miss Jaruga. So passed one hour, next another and nobody went for them.

- Let’s go to the garden. We may sit there on a bench under the plum tree, the garden is strongly unshaved, what shall make us invisible. Call us, when the German came after us. Weather is a beauty, we can tell, we often sat there and that’s, why we were rarely home, because we go indoors only to sleep. And by the way, we may pump all the buckets and bowl full of water and wash thoroughly, first it is already high time, and hard to tell, when we may have the next opportunity. With the rest we may water the garden. -

Next hours elapsed in expecting the Germans, who shall probably take them and displace to slave-work in Germany, after a temporary stay in one of the described dens enclosed with barbed wire. They comforted with hope, it will already be not too long, because the war distinctly came to end. They almost added the constantly repeated from years words "maybe a few weeks, at worst a couple months". Angus proposed, they could take the chances and run away into the forest, which was around the garden, but Matthew did not agree.

- Remember that if we will run away, responsibility will carry my parents. I anyway remain, and you may do what you want. But anyway there is not much sense. Even if they take us, it shall be not for long. We were already in worse circumstances, we shall hold on. Germany is already in hopeless position and it goes only worse, they have to surrender soon. It they had a pinch of sense, they would already do it long ago. -

- Okay, I never said anything and from now on shall remain quiet and noiseless. Probably I would not succeed, because only the garden is now free of Germans, but they are all around, we are almost in center between encampments. Maybe it would be possible after dark, but now I sure drop the project. -

They waited so to the dinner, which they ate indoors. But when the expectations still did not fulfill and in short the German soldiers may return to quarter, they too got upstairs and to the hiding place, but still not sure, what may follow. They took with them no food, only water. The soldiers returned, they heard them, but nobody searched for the boys.

Listen - whispered Angus, when they read by the half-opened valve in the top of roof, using the rest of daylight, - did Caesar to the time of civil war continue still being such creasy automobile driver?

- What got into you, have you any fever or got worse sick?

- No, but how is this, every time if Vercyngetorix or any other Gall or other tribes tried to do something, always "Caesar autem venit" and make order. (In Polish, "autem" means by automobile). A true Satan of a driver! But talking now serious, I was sure, they drive us today also "autem" (with an automobile, motorcar). -

- Well, I too can still not believe, they took us not. But fall not in joy too early, maybe it follows soon. -

- Why the delay? -

- I do not have an idea. Maybe this soldier prepares any show number, will arrest us in a spectacular manner, to win admiration and make career.-

- I do not know. I had an impression that he looks like a proper, decent man. -

- I never met meet any proper German yet.-

- Neither did I. However, how many Germans did you meet? Probably rather few and from a distance. They sent here the worst scum, leftovers no good in Germany. This may be misleading like the difference between these ofscurings, with whom we fought first and the regular front soldiers. The first would run, even if they outnumbered us ten to one, but the second were about equal adversaries, maybe only not familiar with guerrilla fighting, too much discipline, too less own initiative. But, if they lived-in the same condition, probably they too would get soon the knack.

- I think latest tomorrow the affair clear itself. On the other side, if he really does not inform about us, he shares the same risk with us. His skin is as much, or rather as few worth, as our. I do not know exactly, what they do with honest, fair German, but I suspect, about the same, as with honest Poles. Maybe that is, why it is so difficult to meet a proper German, because they must pretend to be bad, camouflage themselves not only before the authority, but often from their own fellows. -

Nevertheless they slept soundly, used to sleep when and how long they could. Morning elapsed quietly and before midday cam the German noncommissioned officer with Professor, possibly wanting by this underline, there is no reason to worry. Besides, at first it was necessary a translator, neither Angus nor Matthew knew the German language, with exception of a couple of words taken from the newspapers. The front communiqués appeared in German press about 24 hour earlier, as in the reptile press and they could almost write such communiqués themselves. They began standard with "An den Ostfront griff der Feind mit starken Verbaenden vergeblich an...(In east attacked the enemy in vain...). They ended invariably with an oversize number of "feindlichen Fliegers abgeschossen", what Angus read aloud as "feindliche Fliegen" - flies. It was a known fact, as the war turned bad for Germany, they exaggerated the numbers of destroyed ships, airships, anything. However it was not the best place to make fun from this, a German soldier may have different sense of enjoyment.

Professor remained only through a few minutes, translating the introductory conversation and the proposal, play not in exactly the hiding place, but in the broad attic before the guestroom. There was enough place for a little table and chairs and if someone came, he displaces the figure so as if he was trying to solve a chess problem. His partners at the time may easily withdraw to the double roof. If they left the valve open and the ladder down, it would be a matter of seconds.

This is a sound project, and the soldier says you shall hear any arriving person wait enough and he easily can cause a few second of delay. Now I left you alone, buy may and will watch down - told professor

At first, the conditions appeared a little queer and next they started the talk with presenting themselves, so did the soldier. To be sure, his name was Kroll, similar, to the captain Krol, a name they heard day by day called by the broadcast station, but, as he stressed, with two l.

He added, in the battery there are seven more Kroll’s and Krol’s, in fact on the trans-Odra river Silesia, where stationed first the battery and he lived, it is a very popular name.

- In Polish Król means Koenig (The King), so this is a high eminent name - explained Matthew.

Step-by-step, they could to understand a few each other, in fact gesturing with hands and foots more as with tongue. The German too did catch some polish words. He mentioned, he meet on Silesia many Poles in neighborhood and familiarized a bit with hearing their language, bud added he considers himself a hundred percent German without any polish blood or origin.

So now lets take serious work, you chose - told Angus, stretching closed hands, one with the white and the other with a black knave.

The first two parties Angus and Matthew lost quickly. The soldier opened with two central knaves and after this lead out the figures speedy, never losing one notion without aim, from the very start, all the time continuing effective attack. They had all the time play a desperate defense, which anyway crumbled. This was a shock, not only because they lost, but also discredited themselves in disgraceful manner. They never meet such adversary, nor a play on such level. Next, the queue was up to Angus and he chose the white. Nevertheless, he resigned from offensive and arranged a Sicilian defense, still reinforcing it with second defensive line. The German was slight surprised, but he took the initiative. This game lasted longer, Angus all the time tried for mutual insurance of all figures, but accepted every possible exchange, aiming at remiss. Nevertheless, he lost again, if the game was more a dogged one.

- For today enough - he told Germany - and tomorrow resolutely, I do not have time, but day after tomorrow I have stuff that pogramy long.

- Yes, we shall then "Rache nehmen"! - Tried fun Matthew, who beforehand looked to German dictionary.

Wieso Rache, was habe Ich denn getan? - asked surprised or maybe alarmed soldier.

- No ,hier, Rache - here, on Chess board - clumsily tried to elucidate Mateush.

- Ach yes, so sagen Sie doch revangieren! - (In German, Rache had a more sinister meaning, like a vengeance, bloody).

In the time of WW II, but also before and a few years after the game of chess became very popular. To understand this one should remember that at the time computer games were unknown, computers did not exist. Anyway in occupation it was risky to play any game in public. The whole market of games divided ("in partes tres, quorum sunt") between cads, checkers and Chess, the last found many young enthusiasts as high intellectual. Angus learned the basics still before war, rather badly, being still a child. It was much more interesting and sophisticated, than any other, but he could not find partners, being a child. Occasionally his cousins may do him the honor, if they wanted something in return from him. His knowledge ended about, how to miss the "mat" (losing the King and the game, especially the so -called "shoemaker matt" in just three moves. If he lasted to over twenty moves, he was happy.

With this minimal experience, Angus began to play in the field hospital with the wounded. Any contact with the worshipped heroes he considered a greatest luck and honor. A great majority began to play chess, most of them only now, on the hospital bed. They too, especially the badly wounded, had a difficulty finding a partner, who could walk to theirs bed. Only a few weeks, but Angus all the hours remained full busy, always someone summoned him with a hand. They learned all together and he quick pulled up, at the end, he sometimes lost plays deliberately.

Next followed a dead season, lacking the partners. When father returned, he wanted not play, because he admittedly had a high opinion about chess, but considered for him to learn is already too late. Not a chance to become a great player, and he wanted not be a poor player. Father agreed only to play cards what Angus managed satisfactory, and occasionally checkers. Then, Angus played a few games with his first teacher of math, alas the difference was too great. This ended with borrowing a book, badly damaged, the pages ended on gambits, before the modern arrangements. At first, even the gambits were too much, but next, in 1944 and about three years more it became his preferred opening. Moreover, in old newspapers Angus found the records of famous games, played still before the WW I, for example between Aljechin and Capablanca. He repeated them, but alone. Slowly, he began to lose his enthusiasm, but then he found again willing partners for a quick game between colleagues in the Business School. In the secret completes also almost all students played chess. Some better, some worse, anyway Angus pulled up again up and now played pretty well.

Not only could he now find partners between his acquaintances, but also conversely, by the chessboard he learned new colleagues, tied acquaintances and found sometime friends. Even more, when former he was happy to find a partner with good heart, who agreed to play with a poor player, now it was often he the better, permitting a play with a feeble one. Both in Business School, as at the underground completes he found friends, playing chess. Finally he found a stable partner and friend, Matthew, who was as much fascinated by chess as Angus, or even more. Now they played at each occasion, every time and everywhere they could, day by day and month by month. Only in the last months, they took to more valid affairs, could not play and lost some skill. But to carry such a defeat? This seemed impossible!

And with whom? With a soldier of an enemy army, a German, the first and only they knew personally. The shocking news was, they feel neither hate nor dread, but respect for him, a proper man and with an intellectual advantage, he beat them in chess how he wanted. They played in deep secret, bound with danger to him and to them, but sure, this increased his value and importance. Yet, what about ambition, not only personal but also national? Lose, and precisely with a German, it was too much. They could not accept this.

The rest of the day and the next they spent by the chessboard, trying to refresh the expertise and knowledge, refresh the memory from the handbook. Alas, it was incomplete, the information outdated, ended about a century ago. They never knew the modern style, if only what they had from amateurs like themselves. Only now they experienced and realised, how much they need the knack and system of a speedy bring forward the figures and a steady attack, pressure without frills, decorative movements. Alternatively, if being on the receiving end of the whip, a foretelling, constant defense, with eventuality to catch the initiative at first opportunity. They tried to ape so much, as they noticed and do some exercise.

The next conquest happened more balanced. Admittedly, the German won the first games, with Angus, Matthew and Angus again, but with effort and after obstinate fight. In the forth party, with Matthew, he committed a small error and from this moment, Matthew gained and held overpower. Suddenly the German resigned, surrounding the party although still nothing suggested a loss; maybe he saw better the perspective. The fifth part lasted long and at least the soldier proposed an equal draw, their time run out and it was better to finish.

Since then, they played every second day, sometimes also the days between. The German normally held the upper hand, but no excessively, he won about 75% games and they slowly improved, chiefly as Angus and Matthew repeated and analyzed the parties between themselves. Anyway, it was high-fly play, delivering plenty of satisfaction to all.

Gradually they began to talk a little when playing or especially by intervals. They knew too less words, so professor delivered a couple of dictionaries, they could express simple enunciations with animated gesture, hands and legs. Also the soldier, had exceptional as for a German ability for languages, he sized, or perhaps reminded himself some words in Polish. He obviously took much interest in the position of his interlocutors, probably curious, longed for a candid talk, but understood the necessary reservation. He proposed himself - "Wir sprechen niemals ueber Politics and Krieg" (we never talk politics or about war). Also, Matthew and Angus remained careful, even suspicious. Only weeks after, as the soldiers already left, they believed him and had to accept their doubts as groundless. But, now and then, they talked a little about years of his youth, before the war.

In fact, they understand one other only partly, and guessed the rest. But they grasped so much, the soldier born in 1922y and in 1939 finished the grammar school, then mobilized in 1940. To late to take part in the French campaign, but he was already in Greece, although never in a battle. This was the end, he never mentioned further, with only one exception.

If they understood him right, (they were never sure), about ten days ago, anyway about end of October, after they arrived to the area, he had an order to detach number of men for a special action. The men, he was one of them, with some other unknown detached front soldiers formed a collective squad, commanded by SD uniformed officers and accompanied by some men in civilian dress. The least he thought be translators. They went to an village and only then he heard, this is part of subsidiary combing rear of front operation, searching one house after another. The civilian officials spoke Polish, but were not plain translators, in fact they had papers with lists of men and many detailed information's, which showed, what and where to seek. He was present, when in one of the peasant houses, they detained one young man and next found in a presaged place a hiding with weapon. Now the boy, who behaved quiet, if rather lost, dropped in despair and began to cry. At first, they thought he is afraid and tried to explain to him, they had not an order to kill anybody, would not shoot him, only take him to Ostrowiec. He shall get a transport to Germany and work there, this shall be all. However, when the wanted to take the rifle he turned violent, rushed on them and tried to tear it out. In resulting tumult they shot him. It was a bad reminiscence and this all returned to him, as he found them, decided never to repeat this.

They understood the story and the spirit of the dead boy, only too right. At the end of their guerrilla epopee, they had enough, even a surplus of weapons. Yet they remembered the first weeks, the desire for a genuine weapon, the blind worship and love of the gun and the happiness, when they had it at least. Angus felt his monstrous riffle an irrational relation, bewitched attachment above life (although it almost broke his back). Only later, this changed step-by-step. Maybe, this boy gained his dream gun only recently.

Sure, the remarks pointed, the soldier is not a fool and guessed who they may be. And as matter of fact, they never said one word or make a gesture, which may suggest they too guessed or understood well, they behaved so if for them it was something beyond comprehension. And, as they knew nothing about guns, long or handguns. Anyway, even if they could speak freely, how could they explain these feelings to someone, who never needed to take weapon from enemy, but got all ready, weapon and munitions. One who never experienced the guerrilla, could never to catch the specific peculiarities, probably not even imagine this. (To be sure, the analogy was even stronger, as Matthew brought home a rifle, now hidden in a hollowed out beam. Anyway, nobody could find it, short of taking apart the whole house.)

In short, probably they guessed about each other a lot, but never said anything. They keep the appearances, even if it was an obvious windows dressi*ng. But the soldier told the one more story, without a comment, but indirect showing his sentiments. As student of grammar school, like others he was a member of Hitlerjugend. On some of the gatherings with excursion, one of the instructors ordered every boy in charge to catch and bring any creature so nobody could see this. The boys came from this exercise mostly with cats, two with dogs and a few with hens, one with some other bird. At the campfire instructor ordered the boys to imagine the animals are the enemies of the of Third Reich, both the country and people and deserve the death. They shall kill the animals, processing the cruelest torture, they are able to invent. A second group of boys, with a second instructor had the same exercise and he heard the second man urging too the boys, to show no mercy to the foes, it would be weakness. He did, as if he wanted to burn the cat in the fire, but rather clumsily, in order the cat may tear away and run. Of course, he never confessed he did so on purpose, shower scratches on the hands, but anyway became punished. Also, a full year longer he had a bad life and much sweat. Instead the two, who did the assassinations most cruel were rewarded and soon accessed something, what the soldier called a corps of motor drivers' of SS or similar. Already in 1939 they were SS-men and till now full Officers.

Much of the story was so strange, hard to believe, that Angus was afraid he did not catch it exactly, guessed right. Anyway, one was clear: their play partner was never a dedicated Nazi and had not much love for SS. Angus had an impression, that generally it was not much love between Wehrmacht and SS, maybe only in this troop. One must take in consideration, the battery of "Flak"(AA Guns) counted to the "Educated Army". Even so, Matthew and Angus discussed between themselves the matter, not sure, if they understood this or guessed right. However, after the war, Angus heard more of similar reports. It seems, it was a standard procedure of Nazi upbringing or at least checking and selecting the right people for special service.

Capsule: Recruiting ideal candidates for the state affairs' terror.

Soviets had a much easier task. Dzierżyński had at his disposition a huge number of homeless children, which parents perished in the civil war. To survive, they united in teams and tried larceny, simple thieving, brigandage and in fact any juvenile delinquency and criminal offenses. It were a genuine wolf's pack with wolf's rights, these children experienced about all, except love, care and protection, exactly this, what common children found in their families. This was precisely the cause, and not from any humane rouses, that Dzierżyński took care on them. There was a great, unrestricted source, where he could seek and find the most ruthless, brutal, vile, without conscience and any human feelings. He would promote them to a preferential position, but discipline them and teach obedience, next they became ideal "Checists". Pretending the devil who invented this satanic plan was a dove of a man with a noble heart dedicated to the homeless children, was hypocrisy and cynics indeed.

The Nazi had never so a gorgeous recruitment base with young's, could choose rather between adults with warped psyche, degenerated by war. However, the young people living in families have human nature and reflexes, which the criminal government and organizations considered set-back and limits. Therefore it would be necessary a natural selection to take out the worst, with ruthless reflexes and a time period, for coaching and training.

* * *

- I do not know what to think and how evaluate the Germans- told Matthew. Previously all was limpid and I was sure, I known what to expect. Now, do you remember the Mickiewicz verse, "The Germans too are human beings"? Without and doubt they are and some even better as us, well, at least better than I. To tell the truth, I do not know if I would be able to behave as Kroll. If the other soldiers found us here in our secret place and somebody came on the fact, that Kroll knew about this and did not tell his Command, probably they would sentence him to death. At least, they would transfer him to a penal company on the most dangerous section of front. I do not know about you, but I doubt very much, if I could accept such a risk. Consider, he did this for unknown people (at first). All this happened in natural way, without long considerations and he never mentioned this to us after. -

- We, I mean my family, also wanted to save a person, hiding it here, I remember and know, what I talking about. Look, they were hesitations, apprehension, second thoughts, reflections and finally it all came to nothing. And he reacted, as it would be the simplest action under sun. If there are more such Germans, this war is a bloody nonsense. Anyway, this changes my whole view of the world. The Germans had bad luck, being the first to fell in the power of felons and criminals. The first to suffer the losses, and when the bandits had power over whole nation, they commanded them to attack the next people. If they would succeed, they would onset other countries, rotting the people there and continue this to the end of free world. For example, Poland could happen also in the power of such a mad felon, pressed to attack the innocent. Horrific, I am scared cold at such though. -

- A nice talk but still premature. I too though, the only good German is a dead one. A simplification, but sufficient and consisting with all we faced. I could accept, it was a mistake and change the memory of the war, but after the war. But perhaps, we are mislead now and the German try gain our trust, get more information which maybe would be difficult to extort from us by direct inquiry? We had to remain prudent, all the time. Who knows, how this ends, if they do not take us and confront with every word we said? We can give not the smallest lead - Angus oneself did not believe all this, but considered this a necessity, better be too careful than sorry. -

- You talk as if you left behind a sound reason. I see the man and I am ready to put my head and more, that he is a proper and candid guy.

Any suspicion of him about double-crossing is absurd.-

- I hope so too, but our conviction is quite different from duty of prudence. You may put your head or any other part wherever you want, but it would be too bad to risk another people lives. The soldier certainly is bright and may guess about us, but foolish or not, we hold the existing line and if conversation turns more detailed, we simply play the fools and that is that. Only after he goes, we will be certain, alas. -

Anyway, any more detailed conversation never happened, more so fishing for information's. Anyway, if this would be the aim, for such task the Germans would chose a man with better communicate skill. As it was, there was more of dumb showing than words, both sides only guessed, what thinks or wants to tell the talk partner.

However as near the end of November Kroll told them this may be the end of his visits because the troop got orders to move an they shall leave in next day's. Angus could not keep anymore the prudence and permitted a few open words.

- Was meinen Sie - zapytał - ist der Krieg nicht verloren, Hitler kaput? (What do you think, is not the war lost?

- After a moment of silence Kroll agreed with this, that there is not more any hope and only a quick peace may save Germany from annihilation.

- Und wie lange wird es noch dauern? (How much longer it takes?)

- Kroll only moved the arms.

- Wir haben eine Proposition. Bei naechsten Stop, verloren sich und kommen zurueck hier. Wir werden einen zivil Anzug besorgen und Sie bleiben mit uns bis zum Frieden. Wir sagen dann, Sie sind ein anstaendiger und guter Mensch - not very grammatical, however intelligibly told Angus. (We have a proposition. By the next Stop, get lost and come back here. We shall get civil clothes and you remain here with us to the peace. We shall vote for you, tell you are a propped and good man.)

- Danke, aber Ich kann's nich tun,- (than you, but I can not - answered Kroll. A further moment of silence, and then Kroll also clumsily, repeating the same words so in order to this rubbed up to interlocutors, began to explain that he can understand. However, he still he is a Geman and never forgets it. - "You have your country and so do I, I cannot abandon my compatriots and my country, whatever happens. I do want very much a peace, chiefly because this is only judicious exit, I do not believe in wonders. But, I have to be with my people to end and I will fulfill my duty. To say it straight, I have to tell you that if we met on opposite sides, though with sorrow, I would shoot at you and he tried to kill. Sorry to speak so, but I suppose you think the same and understand me. But maybe, we meet in a better time.-

Again followed a pause and in cut Matthew, telling that now he would consider it a honor to shake a hand. Until now, they never did so, they bade good-bye only by word, sometimes even with smile, but the whole war neither Matthew nor Angus never shook hands with any German.

After short moment. Kroll stood up with a knock of boots and stiffly stretched the arm. Matthew and Angus followed likewise. Next day there ruled an animated motion below and the day after the Germans departed.

No other troop took quarters in vicinity. They expected a soon end of war. It was visible, Germans do not have any serious power, but the front died, not any recoils to hear, only still the Germans pulled out more and more troops, moving them west. On the Wisła river, remained only the decorations.

- Do you now, you were right about this German - said Angus - and I think, he did me a honor shaking my hand. I hope, I may become a proper man, like him.

* * *