Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13 "What are you doing here?" Kohl hissed. "It is forbidden for you to be in this part of the zeppelin." "I'm sorry," Hugo answered, his voice shaking. "My sister is sick, sir. She wanted to see our dog. I came to get him. I know it's against the rules."

Kohl took a step closer, and Panya began to growl menacingly. "Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr." Panya only made that noise when he saw cobras or scented a leopard or some other dangerous beast that could threaten Hugo or Gertie. Hugo didn't doubt that given the chance, the dog would attach its jaws to Kohl's throat. "Silence that wretched little Hund," the Nazi thundered. "Or I will have it thrown from the zeppelin." Hugo pulled Panya closer into his chest. "A crew member reported that he saw a man back here," Kohl said. "It is urgent that we find him. This man is very dangerous." Somehow Hugo managed to look Kohl right in the eye. "There is no one back here, sir," Hugo said softly. "Only me." Kohl inched closer to Hugo.

"You know, young man, I can always tell if a person is lying. A liar's sweat gives off a stench, like rotting flesh." He leaned in, putting his nose close to Hugo's face. He sniffed. Panya growled, but Hugo held him back. Maybe this Nazi really did have the power to sniff out a lie. Some animals could smell fear, Hugo knew. But Hugo hadn't lied, not really. Mr. Singer wasn't here. Not anymore. "The man we are looking for is a filthy criminal," Kohl said. "He is a traitor. Anyone caught helping this man will be arrested." "I'm telling the truth, sir," Hugo said, his voice more steady now. "You can come with me to see my parents. The doctor has been with my sister for hours." Colonel Kohl kept his icy eyes on Hugo. But now Hugo could see it — the unmistakable look of disappointment on the Nazi's face.

Kohl hadn't caught the spy. He'd caught a boy with his dog. And by now the real spy was on his way back to the passenger area. "Don't let me see you back here again," Kohl warned. "If I do, I will lock you up." Then he ordered one of the crew members to take Hugo back to his cabin. Mom and Dad stared in shock when Hugo walked in with Panya. He went straight over to Gertie. Without a word, he put Panya down on the bed. Gertie opened her eyes and gasped. And then she looked at Hugo as if he really had brought her the moon. Her face became more peaceful as Panya snuggled up to her. Hugo watched as his sister drifted off to sleep. "Hugo, how?" Mom said. "Did Mr. Singer help you?" Dad said.

Hugo nodded but said nothing more. He knew he couldn't tell Mom and Dad what he'd seen. If Mr. Singer got caught, and Kohl figured out that Mom and Dad knew the truth, they could be arrested — or worse. Hugo climbed into bed next to his sister and their dog, wrapping his arms around both of them. He was done thinking for now. The worst was over, he told himself. Later that morning, the Hindenburg would land. And nothing more could go wrong.