Part Four, The Standover Man Summary

When Hans Hubermann was a young man during World War I, he was in the army stationed in France. One of Hans' fellow soldiers was a young man named Erik Vandenburg, a Jew. This man was an accordion teacher before the war and he taught Hans how to play. One day, the sergeant asked who had good handwriting. Vandenburg volunteered Hans. Hans remained on base while the rest of his squad went into battle. None of the soldiers would return. Hans believes Vandenburg saved his life. Hans rescued Vandenburg's accordion from among his belongings and tried to return it to his widow. Frau Vandenburg did not want the instrument back, but accepted Hans' address when he offered to help the widow and her son in any way he could. Today is that day. Max Vandenburg...