The Cordova daily times., 1918-08-28

anyway" l could hear another re- mark.
 Il had an idea that Pat and his comrades might spend Christmas in Berlin" I could hear another admit ting, but I did not think any other part of Germany would appeal to him very much"
 Mrs. OBrien, did Pat write you how many German prisoners he brought back with him?" I could hear still another creduous friend inqulr- ing.
 It was all very amusing and grati- flying to me and must confess I felt quite cocky as I walked into the war department to report.
 For tn" next five days I was kept very busy answering questions put to III" by tn" military authorities regard ing what | had observed nS to condi- tlOns in Germany and behind the lines.
 What reported was taken down by n stcnOgrupher and made part of the official records, but | did not give them my story in narrative form. The lnlbltIt. ibll l WIS hnlt 10 give WIS naturally of interest to various branches of the service. and experts in every line of government work took 1t in turns tn question me. On" morn ing would be devoted, for instance, to answering questions of Il military nnture-German methods behind the front line trenches, tactics, morale of troops and similar matters. Then the aviation experts would take whnck at me and discuss with me all l had observed of German flying corps methods and equipment. Then, again, the food expects would interrognte me ns to what l had learned of food conditions in Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium, and as had lived pretty close to the ground for tn" best part of Seventy-two days l was ahl" to give them some fairly accurate reports as to actual agricultural conditions, many of the things I told them prob- ably having more significance to them thag they had to me, .,,. .'"..-.-
 There were many things I had ob served which have not referred tO in these pages becnuS" their value to us might be diminished if the Germans Knew we were aware of them, but they were all reported to the nuthori- lie. and 1t was very gratifying to me to hear that the experts considered some of them of the greatest value.
 One of the most amusing incidents of my return occurred when called at my bankers in London to get my per sou:1 effects.
 The practice in th" Royal Flying corps when Il pilot k reported mis- sing is to have two of his comrades assigned to go through his belongings. check them over, dr>trny anything that it might not be to his interest to preserve, and send the whole buSi- ness to his banker or his home, as the ease may be. Every letter is read through, but their contents is never afterwards discussed or revealed in any way. If the pilot Is finally re- ported dead. his effects are forwarded to his next of kin, but while he Is of ficlally only missing" or is known to be a prisoner of war; they are kept either at the squadron headquarters or sent to his bankers.
 In my case as soon us it was learned that I had fallen from the sky, 1t was assumed that I had been killed and my chum, Paul Ranry, and another officer detailed to check over my ef- fcCts The list they made and to which they affixed their signatures. nS I have previously mentioned, Is now In my possession and is one of the most treasured souvenirs of my adventure
 My trunk was sent to Cox & Co. in due course, and now that l was in London thought 1 would go and claim it.
 When l arrived at the bank l ap- piled to the proper window for my mail and trunk.
 "Who are you?" I was asked rather sharply.
 'W"ii, I guess no one has any greater right to Pat O'Brien's effects than I have" replied, "and I would be obliged to you If you would look them up for me"
 That may be all right, my friend. replied the clerk, "but according to our records Lieutenant O'B-icn k prisoner of war in Germany and we can't very well turn over his effects to anyone else unless either you pre- sent proof that he is dead and that you are his lawful representative, or else deliver to us n properly authrntt- ticated order from him to give them to you"
 He was very positive about 1t all. but quite polite, and I thought I would kid him no more
 Well" I said, "I cant very well present proofs to you that Pat O'Brien Is dead, but l will do the best can to prove to you that he Is alive, and if you haven't quite forgotten his sig nature I guess I can write you out an order that will answer all your re- quirements and enable you to give me Pat OBrien's belongings without run DiD0 ppu riSGSp and Ynv