The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-12-18

Il
mense man. inordinately gross and
gold speetaeles. He was roaring IN
4 loud. angry voice.
Hes not comel There you areI
Again we shall have all the trouble
for nothingi"
thought he looked an extraor-
dinarily bad-tempered individual.
and I fervently prayed that should
not be brought before him
The doors were flung open With
q rush the hall was invaded with .
heterogeneous mob Of people hud-
died pellmel1 together and driven
along before = line OF soldiers For
an hour or more babel reigneh- Of
ficlals- bawied at the public; the
place rang with the sounds %
angry alteration After = furious
dispute one man, wildly gesticulat-
ing. was dragged away By two sol
dfers.
never saw such q thorough ex-
animation in my life. Peoples bags
were literally turned upside down
and every single object pried into
and besnunKled- After the customs
examination passengers were pass
ed on to the searching rooms. the
men to one side, the women 70 the
other. caught sight OF q female
searcher lolling at q door
q monstrous and grim female who
reminded me OF those dreadful
bathing women at the seaside in
our early youth.
The fat official had vanished into
an Office leading on the customs
hall. He was. surmised. the last
instance. for several passengers. in
GLIDING a very respectfully dressed
old lady. were driven into the Side
office and were seen no more.
During all this scene OF confusion
no one had taken any notice OF me.
Ny guard looked straight in front
OF him and said never q word
When the hall was all but cleared, \
man came to the OFFICES door and
made a sign to my sentinel.
At q table in the office, which, de-
spite the sunshine outside, Was
heated like a greenhouse, I found
the fat official Something had
evidently upset him. for his brows
were elouded with anger and his
massiff-like cheeks were trembling
with irritation. He thrust hand
out as entered.
your papersY he grunted.
handed over my passport.
Directly he had examined Il, red
flush spread over hts cheeks and
forehead and he brought his hand
down on the table with a crash
The sentry beside me WINGED per
eeptibly.
'Tes not vised." the fat official
screamed IN a voice shrill with an
ger. Its worthless what
good do you think is this to mer'
Excuse me ." said in
German.
Il won't excuse you" he reared
SWho are you? What do you want
In Germany? You've, been to Lon
don. see by this passport"
Il had no time to get my passport
stamped at the consulate at Rotter-
dam" said. At arrived there too
late In the evening. I could not
wait. am going to Berlin on most
important business"
That's nothing to do with Il. the
man shouted. "Your passport is not
in order You're not a German.
You're an American. We Germans
know what to think OF our Ameri-
can friends. especially those who
come from London"
A voice outside shouted: Mach
Berlin allies einsteigen." I said a.
politely as could, despite my grow
Ing annoyance:
I don't wish TO miss my train.
Ny journey to Berlin is OF the ut
most Importance. trust the train
can be held until / have satisfied
you OF my good faith. have here
a card from Herr Won Steinhardt.D
"I don't care a rap for Herr Won
Steinhardt or Herr Won anybody
Id -
said CURLY to a cringing secretary
beside him: HAS he been search
sd?"
The secretary cast q frightened
look at the sentry.
mo. Herr Major" said the secre-
larry.
'weII. take him away and strip
nin and bring me anything you
ind!'
The sentry spun on his heel Ike
IN automaton.
The moment had come to play my
asst card, felt: could not risk
,eing delayed on the frontier lest
;teIze and his friends should catch
ip with me. / was surprised TO
Ind that apparently they had not
elegraphed to have me stopped
"Orc moment, Herr Major"
aid.
Take him away:" The fat man
waved me aside
81 warn you." I continued, shat
am on important business. J. can
onvince you OF that. too. ONLY
9" and looked round the Of
ce. "All these must co."
To my amazement the fat mans
niger vanished utterly. He stared
{ me. then took on his spectaeles
nd polished them with his hand
erchief. After this he>ssid nonchal-
ntly: Everybody get outside ex-
ept this gentleman" The sentry.
rho had spun round on his heel
gain. seemed about to speak: his
dice expired before It came out oe
is mouth: he saluted. spun round
gain and followed the rest out OF
he room.
whAn the place was cleared
ulled my left brace out OF the arm
ole OF my waistcoat and displayed
le silver star.
The fat man sprang up.
'SThe Herr Doktor must excuse
le; am overwhelmed: had no
lea that the Herr Doktor was not
ne OF these tiresome American
pies that are overrunning our
ountry. The Herr Doktor will un-
srstand. II the Herr
oktor had but said ."
Herr Major" ! said. endeavoring
put as much insolence as could
Ito my voice (that is what a Ger
an understands). 81 am not IN the
- -