Page:Storm Over Paris.pdf/291

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knew. The most delicate missions were entrusted to her. Without a betraying flicker of her features she would receive and convey vital information.

She also brought news to Rose from the outside world, maintaining her morale, filling her with her own deep courage and faith in the future.

It was Morris Berger who had drawn Rose into the Resistance movement. The great mass tragedy that had stricken the world had awakened in Berger a brilliant organizing ability, but he felt the Jewish tragedy most, since it was part of his being and cried out in the death-agony of his wife Gertrude. And in his heart welled a terrible vengeance like flood-waters drowning all pity in him, all remorse. He was Life embattled against Death, and Life at bay knew no way but to strike back until Death itself was put to death.

Most of his energies were devoted to organizing resistance among the Jewish elements of Paris. He recruited partisans throughout the city and its suburbs; drew all sections of the Jewish population into the task; and filled others with new courage and hope.

As a consequence his influence grew-and so did the danger to which he was constantly exposed. Eventually, when the air of Paris became too perilous, when the livid wound on the side of his head made him an open target for the Nazis and their collaborators, his superiors ordered him to leave the city. Nothing had affected him; he had borne his personal anguish stoically, even conquering his grief over the loss of his wife; he had made the Resistance the iron core of his being and he went out into the provinces pursuing his task with more fervor than ever. Every inch of his being was geared to battle, to the heroic task of liberation. Sometimes he would actually start in terror at the thought that one day the war would be over. What would he do then?