Summary

Hartmann lies on the top bunk in the berth he shares with Sauer. He reflects on the vastness of Germany, knowing that his feelings of responsibility and awe for his country sound like Nazi nationalism. He mourns the loss of “honest patriotism” (157). Just before dawn, he carefully removes the document and gun and steps past Sauer’s perfectly aligned boots on his way to the bathroom. Even the sink taps bear swastikas. He locks the door and shaves, then crouches under the sink. He pries away the panel and hides his gun. He wears the document under his shirt. In the berth, he finds the nearly-naked Sauer searching his suitcase. Sauer casually explains that he must be suspicious of anyone near Hitler. Hartmann asks whether Sauer wants to search his body too, and Sauer claps him heartily on the back and...