d to stalwart
masculinity, they had succeeded in reaching my side.

So great was my relief at being rescued, I forbore altogether from
scolding them; and, besides, my thoughts were distracted into other and
even more perturbing channels when a search of my person revealed to me
that unknown persons had taken advantage of the excitement of the moment
to invade my pockets and make away with such minor belongings as a
silver watch, a fountain pen, a spectacle case, a slightly used
handkerchief, an unused one carried for emergencies, and the neat
patent-clasp purse in which I customarily kept an amount of small change
for casual purchases. I lost no time in getting my charges indoors, for
it was quite plain that there must be thieves about.

In the midst of all this I despatched the first of a series of
cablegrams to Mr. William Jennings Bryan. I realise now that I should
have addressed you direct, but at the moment it seemed to me fitting
that the head of our State Department should be advised of our
situation.

From memory I am able to reproduce the language of this first message.
It ran:

Am detained here, with eight young lady students
of Fernbridge Seminary. Have absolutely no desire
to become personally involved in present European
crisis. Kindly notify American Ambassador to have
French Government provide special train for our
immediate use. Pressing and urgent!

Having signed this with my full name, and with my temporary address
added, I hastened with it to the nearest cable office. The official to
whom I tendered it apparently knew no English, but from his manner I
gathered that he felt disinclined to accept and transmit it. I was in
no mood to be thwarted by petty technicalities, however, and on my
pressing into his hand a considerable amount of money in five-franc
notes he took both currency and cablegram, with a shrug of his
shoulders, signifying acquiescence.

It was because I tarried on and on amid tumultuous scenes for another
twenty-four hours, awaiting the taking of proper steps by Mr. Bryan,
that more precious time was lost. Hour after hour, within the refuge of
our hotel parlour, itself a most depressing chamber, I sat, my hands
clasped, my charges clustered about me, our trunks packed, our lesser
belongings bestowed for travel, awaiting word from him. None came. I am
loath to make the accusation direct, but I must tell you that I never