Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14 THE NEXT MORNING THURSDAY, MAY 6 Overnight, the weather had turned dark and stormy. The Hindenburg flew down the coast of New England through a tunnel of thick gray clouds. The patter of rain sounded like a million rocks pounding against the zeppelin.

But the mood was brighter inside their cabin because Gertie had woken up without a fever. As they were getting dressed for breakfast, there was a knock on the cabin door. Hugo's heart dropped into his stomach. What if it was Colonel Kohl coming to arrest him, and Mom and Dad, too? What if he'd caught Mr. Singer? But Mom opened the door, and Hugo almost fainted with happiness at the sight of Mr. Singer and Marty. Marty rushed over to hug Gertie, and to meet Panya. She didn't notice the long look Hugo and Mr. Singer shared. With that one look, Mr. Singer managed to tell Hugo he was safe. For now. Gertie felt well enough to go to breakfast, and Panya didn't whimper too much when they left him in the cabin. The whole dining room seemed to light up when Gertie walked in. They sat with

their friends, and the usual lively chatter rose up around them. But all Hugo could think about was Colonel Kohl. The Nazi had stalked his prey to the cargo room last night. He had lost the trail. But Kohl would not give up. Mr. Singer was still in terrible danger. He wouldn't be safe until he was off the Hindenburg. Hugo just wanted this zeppelin to land. But the stormy weather slowed them down, and the hours dragged on. Hugo passed the time with Gertie and Marty in the lounge. At noon they flew over Boston, but it was so cloudy Hugo barely got a glimpse of Fenway Park. By 3:00 P.M. they'd made it to New York City, and the clouds cleared. The ship dipped down so they could see the 102-story Empire State Building, the tallest building in the world. They could actually see people waving to them from the building's observation deck.

Lakehurst, New Jersey, was a short distance from New York City, and hopes rose that the zeppelin would finally be able to land. Packed suitcases lined the hallways. Some passengers even put on their coats. But then word came that a new line of thunderstorms had rolled in, and that landing would be too dangerous. The zeppelin zoomed away from New York City and back out to sea. Mom brought Gertie to the cabin to nap with Panya. And for hours Hugo and Marty sat together as the zeppelin circled slowly over the New Jersey coast. Thunder rumbled all around them, and they could see the huge waves pounding angrily against the shore. It was close to 7:00 P.M. when the skies finally started to clear, and rays of sun broke through the clouds. Hugo felt the airship turn sharply and then gain speed. "I think we're going to land!" Marty said. And sure enough, within just a few minutes, the Lakehurst airfield came into view.

Hugo spotted an enormous building — the Hindenburg's hangar. Beyond it was a big open field where the landing crew was already waiting. There must have been at least two hundred men. Meanwhile the lounge was filling up with passengers. People lined up at the windows, just as they had three days ago when the Hindenburg took off. Mr. Singer appeared. "You should get your family," he said to Hugo. "We'll be on the ground within minutes." They shared a smile, and a feeling of relief washed over Hugo. But it didn't last long. Because just then a voice called out. "Herr Singer!" Hugo whipped around. Kohl was walking toward them with the other two Nazi officers. He looked at Mr. Singer. "Herr Singer, could you join us in the control car? Captain Pruss has asked for you."

Hugo's guts turned to jelly. But Mr. Singer remained calm. "I'll be delighted to see the captain after we land," he said. Kohl stepped forward. "I'm afraid it's urgent," he said coldly. He pulled his gun from his belt. Marty screamed. And then, Kaboom!