Page 191 - The Book Thief

decided that a new course of action needed to be taken. They examined the piece

of paper Max was handed upon his desertion. Thats righthis desertion, not only
his escape. That was how he viewed it, amid the grotesquerie of his relief. We
already know what was written on that piece of paper:

ONE NAME, ONE ADDRESS
Hans Hubermann
Himmel Street 33, Molching

Its getting worse, Walter told Max. Anytime now, they could find us out. There
was much hunching in the dark. We dont know what might happen. I might get
caught. You might need to find that place. . . . Im too scared to ask anyone for
help here. They might put me in. There was only one solution. Ill go down there
and find this man. If hes turned into a Naziwhich is very likelyIll just turn
around. At least we know then, richtig ?

Max gave him every last pfennig to make the trip, and a few days later, when
Walter returned, they embraced before he held his breath. And?

Walter nodded. Hes good. He still plays that accordion your mother told you
aboutyour fathers. Hes not a member of the party. He gave me money. At this

stage, Hans Hubermann was only a list. Hes fairly poor, hes married, and theres
a kid.

This sparked Maxs attention even further. How old?

Ten. You cant have everything.

Yes. Kids have big mouths.

Were lucky as it is.

They sat in silence awhile. It was Max who disturbed it.

He must already hate me, huh?