Rendezvous With Danger Read Online Free Page B

degree that it was put away owing to its “ghastly and frightening” expression. A peasant’s wife eventually took it and installed it in her farm at Wies, and claimed that, while praying in front of it, she had seen tears on the face. This so-called miracle was the beginning of a rapid rise of pilgrims. By the seventeen forties it was quite famous and lots of people came. The original church at Wies was too small to hold them all and so the present church was built. It really is worth seeing, though I can’t promise any tears.’
    â€˜Sounds interesting. Providing I have a car I’ll do as you suggest and pay it a visit.’
    Ahead of us Niedernhall’s church spire pierced the skyline and the afternoon sun shone hotly down on the steep roofs of the surrounding houses, gilding them a rich, deep red. Minutes later we were sliding over the bridge, past the watch-tower and into the main street.
    â€˜Whereabouts are you staying?’
    â€˜Right at the far end of the village. Oh, do be careful, Stephen! We nearly ran over a hen then.’
    With a flurry of indignant feathers and a screech of protest the hen headed for the safety of the verge, and we continued through the narrow streets with Stephen giving every feathered jay-walker a toot on his horn.
    â€˜It’s the house on the left. The one with all the flowers outside, just before the horses.’
    A few yards beyond Frau Schmidt’s brightly-painted front door stood two carthorses harnessed to a high-sided cart loaded with wine casks. They looked very festive, with red poppies tucked gaily over each ear and large collars studded with polished brass around their necks. They hardly stirred their tails as Stephen drew up immediately in front of them.
    Scarcely waiting for the car to come to a halt, I was out and running through the narrow, dark passage that led from the street to Frau Schmidt’s living quarters.
    â€˜Frau Schmidt, has anyone …’
    â€˜So, you are back so soon,’ she said to me with a welcoming smile. ‘Vot was the matter, the day it is lovely.’
    â€˜No, it isn’t lovely at all. Someone stole my car.’
    â€˜Pardon. I not understand.’
    She rose from her chair and reached for a bottle of schnapps, pouring out a glass for herself and handing me another.
    â€˜Now, dat is not right.’
    It was obvious that Gunther Cliburn had not been here and that my car had not been returned. I sat down wearily, and said with a descriptive wave of the hand, ‘My car, wagen, gone, poof.’
    â€˜Gone. Gone vere? Vat is this gone?’
    â€˜It’s been stolen,’ I groaned. ‘ What on earth am I going to do?’
    She crossed the room, taking my hand in hers uncomprehendingly.
    â€˜Nein, nein, Susan, meine Liebe.’
    I managed a smile. ‘Please don’t get upset. I must go now. The sooner I see the police the better.’
    â€˜Polizei?’ The lines of worry on her face deepened.
    â€˜I’ll explain later, Frau Schmidt. I must go now.’
    With less haste than I had entered, I went back to the waiting car. Stephen looked up expectantly and I shook my head.
    â€˜He hasn’t been.’
    Dejectedly I opened the door and sank into the seat. Stephen looked at his watch, his lips set in a firm line.
    â€˜It’s ten to three, Susan. We’ll give him until three, then I’ll take you to the police station.’
    â€˜It’s what I should have done in the first place. It seemed so easy, though, when he said he’d handle it all.’
    â€˜Put not your trust …’ began Stephen. Then, realizing that I was really worried, his voice softened. ‘Hey, not so much of the high drama. We’ll get the whole thing sorted out. Stop worrying.’
    I flushed slightly. ‘ You must think me an awful fool.’
    â€˜Why? For having your car stolen? Don’t talk rubbish. Mind you,’ he added, ‘ it doesn’t