Mr. Dussel is taken into the Franks' hiding place after the Franks and the van Daans consider which of their acquaintances might be best suited to joining them, as they feel there is room in the annex for one more person. Mr. Dussel is astonished when he discovers where the hiding place actually is, as rumors had been spread that the Franks had escaped to Belgium. He asks many questions about life in the annex and how it works, and he is given a copy of the rules for living there, which set out the daily routines.

Mr. Dussel is able to tell the inhabitants of the annex much about the outside world which they have been unaware of. For example, he lets them know that, sadly, many of their friends and acquaintances have been taken away by German soldiers, who patrol the streets night after night, knocking on doors and asking whether there are any Jews inside. The Germans are equipped with lists, and when they do find a Jewish family, the whole family is immediately taken away. The only way to escape being caught in this fashion is to go into hiding as the Franks have done. Sometimes a bounty is even offered for information as to how to find Jews whom the Germans believe to be still in the area. It is now quite clear to Anne that if the family had not gone into hiding, they might well be dead by this point.