Page 294 - The Book Thief

THE FLOATING BOOK (Part II)

At the beginning of December, victory finally came to Rudy Steiner, though not
in a typical fashion.

It was a cold day, but very still. It had come close to snowing.

After school, Rudy and Liesel stopped in at Alex Steiners shop, and as they
walked home, they saw Rudys old friend Franz Deutscher coming around the
corner. Liesel, as was her habit these days, was carrying The Whistler. She liked
to feel it in her hand. Either the smooth spine or the rough edges of paper. It was

she who saw him first.

Look. She pointed. Deutscher was loping toward them with another Hitler Youth
leader.

Rudy shrank into himself. He felt at his mending eye. Not this time. He searched
the streets. If we go past the church, we can follow the river and cut back that
way.

With no further words, Liesel followed him, and they successfully avoided
Rudys tormentorstraight into the path of another.

At first, they thought nothing of it.

The group crossing the bridge and smoking cigarettes could have been anybody,
and it was too late to turn around when the two parties recognized each other.

Oh, no, theyve seen us.

Viktor Chemmel smiled.

He spoke very amiably. This could only mean that he was at his most dangerous.
Well, well, if it isnt Rudy Steiner and his little whore. Very smoothly, he met
them and snatched The Whistler from Liesels grip. What are we reading?