On the morning of September 29, 1961, Ms. K., 89 years old, was waiting for two people whom she didn’t know, who were interested in renting her basement at Bernauer Straße 44. Shortly before noon a man and a woman rang the doorbell. After they entered the apartment, they walked right over to the window, intending to flee. When Ms. K. let out a cry of fear, the fugitives covered her mouth. Neighbors who had heard the scream alarmed the border guards. By the time they entered the apartment, the couple had already jumped out the window.