That day i walked to gestapo headquarters. the red-and-black swastika flew from the flagpole. uniformed germans were everywhere. it was a well-known fact that people who entered this building did not always leave it again. i entered the building and inquired of the soldiers on guard where this austrian had his office. i was told which office, and went directly there. it was a medium-sized room, filled with desks, all occupied by workers who were busily typing. the austrian's desk was in the corner of the room. he sat behind it facing me when i entered. his name was karl silberbauer. i went up to his desk and stood with my back to the typists. i'd been thrown off by the fact that he wasn't alone, so all i did was stand there, briefly looking into his eyes. any spoken words would have been audible throughout the room, so i just stood and didn't say a word. all i did was rub my thumb against the two fingers beside it, the index finger and the middle finger – the sign for money. why does miep choose to visit gestapo headquarters? she is no longer afraid of the germans. she seeks a friendship with the austrian. she believes the austrian owes her money. she is desperate to find for her friends.