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investigation was checking the staff list, Sister Speakley told him you were on weekend leave. Perhaps you ought to go and let them know you’re back . . . and about Karl Blume.’
    â€˜What do you mean?’ Christabel frowned.
    â€˜Well, you do know where he went, even if he didn’t go with you,’ Peggy pointed out.
    Christabel looked uncertain. ‘I’ll think about it,’ she demurred. ‘You keep quiet and say nothing . . . right?’
    â€˜I’m certainly not going to say anything. I don’t want to be in trouble,’ Peggy blustered, her face flushing. ‘I still think you should let someone know,’ she added, leaving the room before Christabel could answer.
    As she put her shoes back on, Christabel decided that she would go and tell Sister Speakley what she knew about Karl Blume’s disappearance.
    â€˜You did the right thing in reporting this to me, Nurse Montgomery,’ Sister Speakley told her approvingly.
    Privately, she wondered if Nurse Montgomery had led the young German officer on, but there seemed to be no point in making an issue aboutit since the Military Police had taken the matter over and it was out of her hands. All she need do was send Nurse Montgomery along to speak to Sergeant Williams who was in charge of the inquiries. If he believed her story, then everything would be cleared up quickly and quietly and the nursing staff would be exonerated over any carelessness on their part in allowing Karl Blume to leave the hospital.
    Christabel mentally rehearsed her story to make sure that she made it clear that she had not in any way collaborated with the young German. Every detail, however, went out of her mind when she entered the office the military police had taken over, and she recognised the sergeant sitting behind the desk as Dennis Williams, one of her former patients.
    â€˜Nurse Montgomery!’ He stood up and leaned across the desk to shake her hand.
    â€˜You’re looking well, Sergeant Williams. Are you fully recovered?’ she asked, smiling up into his dark eyes.
    â€˜As a result of your nursing I am quite fit again,’ he told her with a mock seriousness that had them both laughing.
    Convincing Dennis Williams that Karl had followed her was simplicity itself. He was so relieved to have information about the missing German that he didn’t question her story.
    â€˜And you say that as far as you know he simply disappeared when you reached the Exchange.Are you quite sure that he didn’t follow you? You see, he might be hiding somewhere near your home.’
    â€˜I suppose that’s possible,’ Christabel agreed. ‘You don’t think he’s dangerous, do you?’ she asked worriedly.
    â€˜I hope not, but, you never know, these Huns can be crafty devils. Are both your parents at home?’
    â€˜Yes and my younger sister. Oh dear, if he causes any trouble or hurts any of them, I’ll feel so guilty!’ Tears misted the intense blue of Christabel’s eyes as she gazed up at him.
    â€˜Try not to worry. We’ll soon have him back in custody now that we know where he might be,’ Dennis promised. ‘I’ve got a vehicle and a team of men outside and we’ll go straight to your home and make a thorough search of the neighbourhood. You’d better come along with us; I’ll need directions on how to get there. Do you have to ask Sister Speakley for permission, or are you ready to leave right away?’
    â€˜I had better inform her about what is happening, as I am supposed to be on duty in about an hour.’
    Â 
    It was a bumpy ride in the army truck, but sitting in front next to Dennis, reminiscing about the people they’d known when he’d been a patient, Christabel was barely aware of any discomfort.
    Their exchange of gossip didn’t keep her from worrying about what might be happening ifKarl had followed her home and was hiding out