What did the soldiers expect to see at the bottom of the basket in Number the Stars?

In "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry, the soldiers expected to find Jewish people hiding in the basket, as they were conducting searches for those in hiding. The protagonist, Annemarie, fears that they would discover her friend Ellen, who is Jewish, hidden beneath the fabric. The soldiers' presence heightens the tension, as the characters must rely on quick thinking and bravery to protect their loved ones. Ultimately, the expectation of the soldiers underscores the danger and fear that pervaded the lives of those living under Nazi occupation.