Blood Brothers by Ernst Haffner Read Free Book Online Page B

out, same with his trousers. In Berlin he’ll just turn them right way round so he doesn’t catch people’s attention from the outset.
    The strips of material are to be wrapped round legs, thighs and torso. On account of the cold, laddie! The cold times a sixty-mph wind. With your thin undergarments you’d be stiff as a board in no time, no feeling in your limbs, and the train wheels would grind you up. Obediently Willi takes off his outer garments, and allows himself to be wound about with the strips of blanket. Not too tight, mind, so that the blood can flow, but not so loose that they slip. Puts his trousers back on inside out, weskit and jacket over them, and then his anorak, again inside out. It barely fits over his jacket. Just before they head off for the shunting yard, Willi has to down a few glasses of schnapps. Their purpose is to keep his courage up and his blood going round.
    It takes minute knowledge of the terrain to approach the already-prepared Cologne-Berlin train without being seen. As long as they’re not on the actual rails, the wintry dusk keeps them from sight. But thereafter, they have to creep, crawl, slither and leap, taking advantage of every inch of shadow. Done it, thank God! They scurry along the side of the carriages. Not too near the back, there’s too much lateral movement. But not too close to the front either, otherwise the locomotive might spew glowing ashes over thehapless bundle cowering under the carriage. Franz stops at a second-class carriage. Nothing but the best, Willi thinks to himself. They creep right up to it, and Franz demonstrates the way he has to hunker over the broad axle. Then he pulls out two short ropes from his pocket, and attaches them to a couple of bars. Now Willi has a couple of handholds. Once again, Franz does the demonstration, and Willi shows him he can do it. With the train standing still, it looks straightforward. Once he’s in Berlin, Franz continues, best to hop off in some suburb, when the train’s waiting for the track to clear. On no account go into a station, that’s far too risky. Otherwise, wait till the passengers have all got off and the train is being put by. “All right then, sunshine, best of luck!” Willi gets into his crouch, and gives his friend a firm handshake. Franz slopes off.
    For a long time nothing happens to suggest the train is due for imminent departure. But then a huge express locomotive passes by, and is coupled to the front of the train. Willi feels the jolt run through the line of carriages. Soon after, some people walk by, the train crew. And then, with restrained power, the train moves off. The station is close. From the echoing sound of voices and rapid footfall, Willi Kludas can tell that they’re in the station hall. He can’t see anything, except if he lowers his head to the level of the axle and looks diagonally up. Feet going by, feet and legs about to climb into his carriage.
    Willi becomes aware of a series of chimes. He sidles across to the far side of his axle. It’s the guard walking alongside the train, striking the wheels with a hammer, checking for any flaws that might give rise to a disaster at high speed. Suddenly Willi can feel himself praying for something. If they getyou now, you’ll be in a prison cell within an hour. Maybe not that alluring, but if they don’t spot you, you could be a nasty mess on the tracks instead. An icy shudder goes through him. He has to press his trembling hands hard to the cold iron to master his fear. A couple of feet away, there are people in idle conversation, sending regards to Uncle and Auntie. A warm soft woman’s voice implores her “sweetheart” for goodness’ sake not to sit in the draft and catch his death of cold. Willi sees a pair of ladies’ shoes, and shapely calves. Boy oh boy, if she knew someone was looking up her skirts … He has to laugh, and that gets rid of the fear. He feels a little impatient. Come on now, let’s get the show on the road!