Tuesday, 17 November, 1942
Dear Kitty, Mr. Dussel has arrived. All went well. Miep had told him that he must be at a special place in front of the Post Office at 11 o’clock, where a man would meet him. Mr. Dussel was standing at the rendezvous dead on time.
Mr. Kleiman, who knows Mr. Dussel too; went up to him and told him that the said gentleman could not come, but asked whether he would just go to Miep at the office. Kleiman got into a tram and went back to the office; while Mr. Dussel walked in the same direction. At twenty past eleven Mr.
Dussel tapped at the office door. Miep helped him off with his coat, so that the yellow star would not be seen, and took him to the private office, where Kleiman engaged him in conversation until the charwoman had gone. Then Miep went upstairs with Mr. Dussel under the pretext that the private office was needed for something, opened the swinging cupboard, and stepped inside before the eyes of the dumbfounded Mr. Dussel.
We all sat around the table upstairs, waiting with coffee and cognac to greet the newcomer. Miep showed him into our sitting room first. He recognized our furniture at once, and had not the remotest idea that we were there, above his head. When Miep told him he nearly passed out with surprise. But luckily Miep didn’t give him much time and took him straight upstairs.
Mr. Dussel sank into a chair, speechless, and looked at us all for a while, as if he had to really take it all in first. After a while he stuttered “Aber … but are you nicht in Belgium? The officer, the auto, they were not coming?
Your escape was not working?”
We explained everything to him, that we had spread the story about the soldiers and the car on purpose to put people, and especially the Germans, on the wrong track, should they try to find us.
Mr. Dussel was again struck dumb by such ingenuity and, when he had explored further our super practical exquisite little ‘Secret Annexe,’ he could do nothing but gaze about him in astonishment.
We all had lunch together. Then he had a little nap and joined us for tea, tidied up his things a bit (Miep had brought them beforehand), and began to feel more at home. Especially when he received the following typed, Secret Annexe Rules (van Daan product).
PROSPECTUS AND GUIDE TO THE SECRET ANNEXE Special institution as temporary residence for Jews and suchlike.
Open all the year round. Beautiful, quiet, free from woodland surroundings, in the heart of Amsterdam. Can be reached by trams 13 and 17, also by car or bicycle. In special cases also on foot, if the Germans prevent the use of
transport.
Board and lodging: Free.
Special fat-free diet.
Running water in the bathroom (alas, no bath) and on various inside and outside walls.
Ample storage room for all types of goods.
Own radio centre, direct communication with London, New York, Tel Aviv, and numerous other stations. This appliance is only for residents’ use after 6 o’clock in the evening. No stations are forbidden, on the understanding that German stations are only listened to in special cases, such as classical music and the like.
Rest hours: 10 o’clock in the evening until 7:30 in the morning. 10:15 on Sundays. Residents may rest during the day, conditions permitting, as the directors indicate. For reasons of public security rest hours must be strictly observed!
Holidays (outside the home): postponed indefinitely.
Use of language. Speak softly at all times, by order! All civilised languages are permitted, therefore no German!
Lessons: One written shorthand lesson per week. English, French, Mathematics, and History at all times.
Small Pets—Special Department (permit is necessary): Good treatment
available (vermin excepted).
Mealtimes:
Breakfast, every day except Sundays and Bank Holidays, 9 a.m. Sundays and Bank Holidays, 11:30 a.m. approximately.
Lunch: (not very big):1:15 p.m, to 1:45 p.m.
Dinner: cold and/or hot: no fixed time (depending on the news broadcast).
Duties: Residents must always be ready to help with office work.
Baths: The washtub is available for all residents from 9 a.m. on Sundays.
The W.C., kitchen, private office or main office, whichever preferred, are available.
Alcoholic Beverages: only with doctor’s prescription.
