Page:Storm Over Paris.pdf/279

Sometimes a child would start crying; then she would smack his face or stuff his mouth.

When the border guards caught up with her they would try to push her back into the hands of the militia. Then Anna would use some feminine strategy: she would start screaming to attract the sympathy of the nearby farm-folks. They would scramble out of their huts cursing and swearing at the brutality of the guards. While she lay prone on the ground in a simulated faint a good Samaritan would take her under his protection and steer her into safety. Once the children had found shelter on Swiss soil she would return and renew her activities.

With the landing of the Allied armies on the French mainland, her rescue work came to a halt. All forces were directed to the single task of quick liberation.

With extreme difficulty and at the risk of her life, Anna returned to Paris. One of the first people she contacted was Pierre, who commanded a Resistance force which was preparing for momentary action. When he saw her he burst into a shout of joyous disbelief, threw his arms about her, and covered her cheeks with kisses.

"Anna! Anna! A miracle again! You show up when you're most wanted. Where've you been?" His voice fell suddenly and his face saddened. "I've bad news for you. Mary has been deported."

"Where? When? How did it happen?" Anna gasped.

"Wait, that isn't all. Gertrude, too, was taken away."

Anna fell back. "Impossible," she moaned, her palms pressed against her brow. "It can't be! It can't be!"

"Don't worry, my dear," he assured her. "The Day of Vengeance is approaching."

He eyed her stony face, sadly, and began to pace the floor. He tried to drown her sorrow in a flood of words. "We've got