Page 356 - The Book Thief

They rode up to Grande Strasse, where Rudy stopped and waited.

Well, Liesel asked, what is it?

Rudy pointed. Look closer.

Gradually, they rode to a better position, behind a blue spruce tree. Through the
prickly branches, Liesel noticed the closed window, and then the object leaning
on the glass.

Is that . . . ?

Rudy nodded.

They debated the issue for many minutes before they agreed it needed to be
done. It had obviously been placed there intentionally, and if it was a trap, it was
worth it.

Among the powdery blue branches, Liesel said, A book thief would do it.

She dropped the bike, observed the street, and crossed the yard. The shadows of
clouds were buried among the dusky grass. Were they holes for falling into, or
patches of extra darkness for hiding in? Her imagination sent her sliding down
one of those holes into the evil clutches of the mayor himself. If nothing else,
those thoughts distracted her and she was at the window even quicker than shed
hoped.

It was like The Whistler all over again.

Her nerves licked her palms.

Small streams of sweat rippled under her arms.

When she raised her head, she could read the title. The Complete Duden
Dictionary and Thesaurus. Briefly, she turned to Rudy and mouthed the words,
Its a dictionary. He shrugged and held out his arms.

She worked methodically, sliding the window upward, wondering how all of this
would look from inside the house. She envisioned the sight of her thieving hand