The Marian Martyrs of Rosica

146 The Marian Martyrs of Rosica this is most likely — the Commandant’s secretary, a reprehen- sible sort, had her say in the matter. Anyway, they told me to go to Glembokie. But how could I get there? The whole territory around Glembokie was overrun by the partisans and the roads were mined. I had to go to Latvia, to Dvinsk, even though it wasn’t my country; I would take a better turkey and maybe I would manage. I managed, but I was very afraid. I went to the office in Dzwinske. This time the turkey went where it was supposed to go. As the official was signing the permit and I was sitting meekly in the waiting room, whose nasty red head should appear? Of course, the Commandant’s secretary. A moment later, the commandant came in too, with her, of course. They pointed to me. Shouting erupted in Ger- man, so I didn’t understand anything. But I didn’t have to understand much to know what was going on. The Latvian offi- cial did not say a word. Nothing. He was like a wall, mute. I was sitting there waiting to see what was going to happen. The Commandant shouted to his heart’s content and left. Then the official quickly handed me the signed pass and said: “Please leave Dzwinsk immediately.” Later on it was easier to get permits. The proud rulers were only thinking about going back to the Fatherland. Another turkey appeared in my stead in Braslaw, along with a letter announcing that I was sick. I thought it didn’t matter where I got my pass if it was issued by the German authorities. So I packed up immediately. A narrow gauge train took me to Dukszty. There was a train to Vilnius immediately. I had to change trains many times. I stopped in Grodno. I stopped in Bialystok, taking advantage of the hospitality of Msgr. Abramowicz, the pastor at St. Roch’s. And finally from Bialy- stok I went to Warsaw, where I made a sensation. “How did you get here?” They said in wonder. “By train, dear, by train,” I replied. I wanted to visit Father Provincial Sobczyk, but he was dying in a hospital. He had exhausted his heart so much help-