ney for cold weather, how my husband's business called
for his immediate presence, and so forth, all of which we had gone over
at least three times a week since my arrest, and all of which was a
matter of complete indifference to the secret police. They had failed to
find any proof of espionage, which was their charge against us, and my
letter, their only evidence, had been passed on and was snarled up
somewhere in official red-tape. Now they washed their hands of me.

"We can do nothing. It is out of our hands." He was extremely courteous,
speaking German for my benefit. "It is unfortunate that Frau Pierce
should have written the letter. I was obliged to send it on to the
General Staff. You should have a reply soon."

There was nothing more to be said. Douglas was conciliatory, almost
ingratiating. My nerves gave way.

"A reply soon!" I burst out. "I'm sick of waiting. If we have the
liberty of the city, surely there can't be anything very serious against
us. It's an outrage keeping our passports. I'm an American and I demand
them." I was almost crying.

"You must demand them through your Ambassador, meine Frau."

I knew that he knew we had been telegraphing him since our arrest and my
impotence made me speechless with rage. Douglas took advantage of my
condition to beat a hasty retreat.

As we were going through the doorway, the chief said carelessly, "By
the way, how did you happen to find this house?"

"I have been here before," Douglas replied.

"Thank you. I was only curious."

I could feel the spies' eyes on my back as we went down the path.

"Mrs. Pierce--Mrs. Pierce, you must not lose your temper that way."

"I don't care!" I cried. "I had no way to express what I felt."

"I know," Douglas agreed thoughtfully.

We hailed a droshky and got in.

"I have a friend--a Pole," said Douglas. "For no reason except that he
was a Pole, they made a _revision_ at his house, and among other things
took away every calling card they found. They made a _revision_ then on
each one of those people whose names they found. Though they found
nothing incriminating in his possession, they make him report every day
at the police headquarters. A year ago he was a giant in strength. Now
he is a sick man. The uselessness of it. Nothing was found against him,
and yet he is followed and watched. What are they driving at? They are
wearing him to the bone with their persecution." He shrugged his
shoulders and laughed suddenly.