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“Oh, you’re American,” the man said in German, and then turned and said, “It’s all right, dear, they’re Americans.”
Then the man asked, “How can I help you, Sergeant?”
“We’re looking for Herr Luther Stauffer,” Freddy said.
“May I ask why?”
“It’s a family matter, not official,” Freddy said.
“A family matter?” the man asked, taking a close look at Cronley.
“A family matter,” Freddy repeated.
“I am Luther Stauffer.”
“Lieutenant,” Freddy said in English, “I think we found your cousin.”
Hessinger, Cronley, and Finney all decided, judging by the man’s reaction to Freddy’s question, that Luther Stauffer spoke—or at least understood—English.
“Tell him, Sergeant, please, that I have some things for him from his aunt, Wilhelmina Stauffer Cronley,” Cronley said.
Freddy did so.
“Give him the box, Sergeant Finney,” Cronley ordered.
As Finney extended the box, Stauffer pulled the door fully open and said, gesturing, “Please come in.”
“What did he say?” Cronley asked.
Hessinger made the translation.
“Then go in,” Cronley ordered.
“Yes, sir.”
They found themselves in a small living room.
Finney extended the box to Stauffer again.
“This is for me?” Stauffer asked.
“From your aunt, Wilhelmina Stauffer Cronley,” Hessinger said. “You are that Luther Stauffer, right? Frau Cronley is your aunt?”
“Yes,” Stauffer said, as he put the box on the table.
“If that’s so,” Hessinger said, “then Lieutenant Cronley is your cousin.”
Stauffer and Cronley looked at each other. Stauffer put out his hand, and Cronley took it.
Stauffer turned to his wife and quite unnecessarily announced, “The officer is my cousin.” Then he turned to Cronley and said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.”
Cronley almost told him, but at the last second caught himself, and instead asked, “What’s he asking?”
“He wants to know your name,” Hessinger said.
“James. James D. Cronley Junior.”
Stauffer took his hand again and said, “James. Ich bin Luther.”
