Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7 Nobody at the table seemed to breathe. Had his little sister really called a Nazi colonel a deadly snake? Hugo edged closer to Gertie, ready to grab her for a quick escape. But to Hugo's shock, Kohl smiled.

"Well, thank you, Liebchen," he said, reaching out to touch Gertie's cheek with his black-gloved hand. "I am most fascinated by snakes." Mom stood up and whisked Gertie out of her seat. "Poor baby is exhausted," she said with a nervous smile. In a flash, they disappeared from the dining room. Kohl stood there a moment, not seeming to mind the nervous silence. "I look forward to seeing you all again," he said finally. And with a bow he turned and walked back to where his men were waiting. Everyone at the table seemed to exhale with relief as the Nazis left the dining room. "Such an odd man!" Miss Crowther said, reaching for a drink of water. "What on earth is he doing on the Hindenburg?" demanded Mr. Lenz. Mr. Merrick looked around, alert for eavesdroppers. "I believe Kohl is searching for a

spy." Marty and Hugo looked at each other with wide eyes. A spy! "Someone stole a top secret document from the Nazis," Mr. Merrick continued. "It contains a list of Nazis living secretly in America hatching dangerous plots against the United States. The spy has smuggled this paper onto the Hindenburg so he can take it to the American government." "And how do you know this?" Mr. Lenz said. "I have some important friends," Mr. Merrick said. "That is all I can say." "That spy must be a courageous man," Dad said. "Or woman," said Miss Crowther, raising her pointy eyebrows. "Actually, the Nazis do believe this spy is a man," Mr. Merrick said. Dad turned to Mr. Singer. "What do you think?"

Mr. Singer looked thoughtful for a moment. "I think the Hindenburg would be a dangerous place for a spy," he said. "A large ocean liner would be far better. A person can blend in with thousands of passengers and could easily remain hidden." Hugo had to agree. The ship to Africa had been huge and crowded. Just getting from the dining room to their cabin took fifteen minutes. Hugo once got so lost he was sure he'd never find his family again. "And how would a spy get secret papers past the guards at the airport?" Mr. Singer asked. Another good point, Hugo thought. Who could forget that long line at the Frankfurt airport? Miss Crowther's pointy eyebrows rose up even higher. "Perhaps there's a ghost on the Hindenburg, too," she said wryly. "Or a vampire," chuckled Mr. Lenz. Mr. Merrick frowned.

"I don't think this is funny," he said. "If there is a spy on this airship, I fear for his life. Kohl will surely catch him before we get to America. He'll lock him up somewhere on this zeppelin and bring him back to Germany." He looked around. "Or he'll shoot him on the spot!" "Mr. Merrick, please!" Miss Crowther scolded. "You're going to give us nightmares." Miss Crowther was right. That night, Hugo had a dream that he found a cobra in his bed, a cobra with pale blue eyes and bloodred stripes. But this time Panya wasn't there to chase it away, and the cobra grew and grew, its angry hood flaring into a pair of enormous, slithery wings. The hideous snake smiled at Hugo with yellow fangs dripping with venom. Hugo woke up in a sweat, gripping his throat. And it was a long time before he fell asleep again.