The One Man by Andrew Gross

imagined. That put you to the test.” Everyone knew the Big Man had single-handedly held off a German machine gun position while wounded several times, saving his entire unit. He flipped through Blum’s file for another moment, then placed it back on the table. “So we’re prepared to give you that chance, son, what you’ve been asking for, if you’re up for it…”
    â€œThe chance for what, sir?” Blum looked back at him, sure that somewhere he had missed their meaning.
    â€œTo do something more. Isn’t that what you asked for, Lieutenant?” The OSS chief took one more sip of coffee, then put down the cup. “As you said, to do what is necessary.”

 
    TWELVE
    They refilled their cups as Captain Strauss, whom Blum was now certain was a Jew himself, likely of German descent, mapped out why they had called him there.
    The captain began a little vaguely. “As you know, Lieutenant, Poland is an extremely unforgiving place now … to be a Jew. And then to ask someone, someone who has been able to get himself out, at no small risk to himself, and then start to build a new life … to consider, at great personal sacrifice for his new country … perhaps even the world…” Strauss cleared his throat and looked at Blum. “There would, of course, be no negative consequences should you feel that what we’re about to ask of you is too much.”
    Both Donovan and Strauss had their eyes fixed on Blum. There was an extended silence in the room.
    â€œYou want me … to go back ?” Blum said, as it finally became clear to him just what they were asking.
    â€œNot just go back…” the captain said. He got up with his file and came around the table, pulling up the chair next to Blum. “We want you to locate someone there for us. In Poland. And bring him back out for us.”
    â€œOut of Poland ?” Blum continued to stare, not quite believing. “You know how difficult that would be.”
    The captain nodded. “I’m afraid what we’re proposing is even a bit trickier than that, Lieutenant…” He took a breath and opened his file. “No doubt you’ve heard of the labor camps over there?”
    â€œOf course, but please forgive me, Captain, these are labor camps in name only. Word is, people are shipped there and never heard from ever again. Families, entire towns. In fact, these are death camps,” Blum stated. “I think we both know that.”
    The captain didn’t reply, but in his knowing nod and Donovan’s continued steady stare, it became clear to Blum precisely what they wanted. “You want to send me back to Poland. To one of those … camps ?” he asked.
    â€œTo a place called Auschwitz.” Colonel Donovan took the lead. “I believe Oswiecim is the town’s actual name. You’ve heard of it?”
    Maybe not by that specific name, Blum nodded in the way when something terribly grave and unutterable is better left unsaid. But the whispers from Jewish enclaves all through Europe were rampant with what was happening in places like that—places so dark, so filled with evil and death, it stretched the mind to even believe they could be true. “Yes. I’ve heard.”
    â€œWe need someone who’s familiar with this area and who speaks the language. And who would…” Strauss looked at him. “Fit in.”
    â€œFit in…?” Blum repeated, still not sure what they were asking of him.
    â€œWhat we’re proposing, Lieutenant,” the man known as “Wild Bill” Donovan leaned forward and set his deep-set eyes on Blum, “is to sneak you into there, inside the camp, I’m saying, and for you to bring someone back out.”
    â€œInto the camp?” Blum stared back in consternation. “Who…?”
    â€œA fair question.” Captain Strauss took over for his boss. “But