n practice. Moreover, the old charge was liable to be trotted
out at any odd moment at the caprice of my oppressors. The authorities
had never acquitted me of being a spy. On the other hand they had never
pronounced me guilty. I was forced to accept the former interpretation
from my transference to the internment camps, as if I had been merely a
detained civilian. My reasons for believing that I had been acquitted of
the grave charge were supported by the fact that in Germany, a person
who has been found guilty of espionage, and who escapes the death
penalty, is condemned to solitary confinement in a military prison.

The charge of espionage being in a condition of suspended animation as
it might be termed, coupled with the fact that no one knew whenever,
wherever, and how it might suddenly be revived to my detriment, did not
conduce to my peace of mind. On one occasion I received a pretty rude
shock. I filled up an application for release upon medical grounds, but
upon being summoned before the authorities I was told point-blank that I
should be kept a prisoner until the end of the war, exchange or no
exchange.

The uncertainty became intolerable. I wrote a lengthy letter to the
American Ambassador explaining my unfortunate and doubtful position and
expressing the hope that he might be able to bring the matter to a
decision. In common with my fellow-prisoners, I had always cherished the
belief that a letter addressed to the American Embassy was regarded as
confidential and inviolable; at all events was not to be opened, except
with the express permission of the prisoner or the Ambassador. But my
faith was rudely dispelled. I dispatched my communication only to
receive a curt summons to appear before an officer, who bluntly informed
me that my letter could not be sent to the Embassy because it was
sealed. It was handed back to me with the injunction that the envelope
must be left open.

Now, if letters containing complaints and addressed to our sole
Protector are sent unsealed it is only logical to assume that the German
officials apprise themselves of the character of the "grouse." By so
doing they become as wise as the Ambassador--if the letter ever reaches
him. By having access to all communications, a letter is permitted to go
forward if it suits the officials, but not before they have made a note
of the grievance in order to be able to take the necessary remedial
steps before the Ambassador intervenes.

In my p