The Darkroom of Damocles Read Online Free Page A

to wear those brown overalls instead. When the bombing started the prison governor opened the gates, which is how they came to be walking the streets again.
    â€˜Do you know what I told them? I said: what do you take me for? For an idiot who never reads the papers? The pair of you were smuggled into the country on some freighter before the invasion began! You’re saboteurs! You can start saying your prayers if you’re that way inclined, because you’re about to meet your Maker!
    â€˜I happen to see three of our soldiers carrying rifles, and I get them to finish off those two jokers pronto. If I’d had my service pistol I’d have done it myself!’
    The wardrobe was still open. Dorbeck reached inside for apair of shoes. His boots thudded to the floor. He knotted one of Osewoudt’s ties around his neck and went back into the shop.
    â€˜Hey!’ Osewoudt called after him. ‘Don’t you want an overcoat? It gets cold on a motorbike.’
    â€˜No need, and thanks a lot. Hide the uniform. I’ll send your suit back as soon as I can.’
    Dorbeck righted his motorcycle and started the engine.
    â€˜Where did you get that motorbike?’
    â€˜Commandeered it!’
    He laughed, the engine roared. As he rode off he threw Osewoudt a look over his shoulder.
    Osewoudt gathered up the uniform and the boots and took them down to the cellar, where he hid them beneath a pile of old packing material.

Evert Turlings returned from the prison camp with a deep suntan.
    â€˜Fine chaps, those Germans, Osewoudt! Another three months and they’ll have beaten England too! It’s the strongest army in the world! Hitler’s a genius! Who’d have thought he’d let all the POWs go?’
    The chemist’s son helped himself to a packet of cigarettes without asking, and tore it open.
    â€˜I’m completely converted,’ he said. ‘They’ve taught us a lesson and we’d better take it to heart! We’ve seen what a rotten democracy is worth. The whole lot packing off to London, leaving the fighting army in the lurch. It was criminal to make us fight the Germans without weapons, without aircraft, without anything. And then running away the moment things go wrong! I’ve got the message. It’s the dawn of a new age, all the little states will have to go. We’re heading for a united Europe. A Europe led by Germany, of course. The Germans have shown what they’re worth, they’re entitled to take the lead. The more we Dutch get together with the Germans, the better it’ll be. Hitler’s good-hearted. The Germanic brother folk, that’s what he calls us. He praised the Dutch rank and file for their bravery, he’s released the POWs. There’s work to be done, he said, and he’s right.’
    â€˜I’ve no head for politics,’ said Osewoudt.
    â€˜You’re not the only one here in Holland. Did you read about that officer?’
    â€˜What officer?’
    â€˜In the paper last night. While Rotterdam was being bombed, a Dutch army officer ordered two innocent German POWs to be shot in the street, just like that. The very idea! Hitler’s too good-hearted, I’m telling you! That officer’s got a lot coming to him when they catch him. Shooting harmless POWs! Only a Dutchman would do that. Turns tail on the battlefield at the first shot, but doesn’t think twice about shooting defenceless POWs. He’d better give himself up as soon as possible. Otherwise the whole Dutch nation will be made to pay.’
    â€˜Perhaps we’re not a very manly nation,’ Osewoudt said, lowering his eyes.
    Turlings slipped the cigarettes into his pocket and reached for the handle of the shop door.
    â€˜I’ll be back! Bring you a couple of interesting articles from
Volk en Vaderland
, good plain-speaking stuff. It’s a month now since the capitulation, and it’s time to take a stand.
Stop and