The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-31

Jagged corridors My companion and I had just time to exchange half 8 dozen words before we were rudely rushed in opposite directions-this time past the head of the fatal stairs until reached my future resting place. On my entering the room, three people got up from their plank beds; one was a young Turkish officer in full uniform, another was a dark eyed rogue in a black morning coat and bright green tie, while the third was a pockmarked individual in 3 gray suit.
 The young officer exchanged a, few words with my guard. "Ah, mon s!eur," he said. turning to me, we are to have the pleasure of your company" Unfortunately I re piled. You must allow us to intro duce ourselves he said with a bow. T am Prince V-. engaged to one of the Sultan's daughters This is H. Effendi," he continued. indi- eating the gentleman in the morn ing coat. "a lawyer and a great friend of mine; and this, turning to the pockmarked individual, lis A Pasha, an Egyptian" The "Gippy' and l looked at each other; he mo- toned me with an imploring gesture to keep silent. For the remainder of that night the Prince and discussed the political situation. He was just 9 little too noble and attentive. 'Of course" he finally said, II Elf fendi and I are not really prisoners: we are sitting on courts-martial, ana we stay here for convenience" "Oh"' I replied. At last the Prince and the lawyer left the room. I turned to the Gippy. "Who are those two Turks ?'' I asked. You must be CarefuI.' he exclaimed, they're prison spies,' "Oh, yes, I know" broke in. I've been here before. but why are they in prison?" The Prince for being com promised in q, palace scandal and for killing one of the guards And the lawyer?'' For falling in love with an Austrian woman and trying to desert to Austria with somebody else's money" And you 9" I'm a British subject and was therefore suspected of espionage" How long have you been here?'' I asked. "ElevE
 months" replied the "Gippy." My friend and l were put into one of the underground places. He died in. seven days from starYation.'
 For three weeks I was confined t9 this room without even the privilege of walking up and down the corridor. The two prison spies showed the greatest friendship to me, and skiIful- ly tried to lead me on to talk Of past events. They kept up the farce of not being free men, and as they enjoyed special privileges for the information they could get from their fellow pris- oners they were often absent from our prison room for many hours at a tune. This room had barred windows and bare walls; all the woodwork was infested with vermin; the only blanket, mattress and pillow supplied me by the prison authorities were in the same condition. There were no washing facilities, and the usual Tur- kish lack of sanitary arrangements. Until two parcels of medical comforts sent off by the British Red Cross sev- eral months before arrived, and reached the prison via the Dutch Embassy. I had not had any proper sleep. These God-sent parcels, con taining disinfectants and soap, and. in fact, all the things we were most in need of. changed imprison- ment from the ghastly to the bear able After the first three weeks conditions gradually frightened. l was moved from room to room. Demands to be court-martialled and to know cur sentence remained unanswered. Bulgaria gave in. This was said by the Turkish papers to make no diff ference, but the widest rumors filled Constantinople, and even penetrated to us in prison. Then came success sion of daylight air raids, the moral effect of which was tremendous. The first took place on the morning when the Turkish papers had officially published the fact that England had suggested peace. Turkey had consent ed to let President Wilson, whom she regarded as neutral, open negotia- tons AS the Turks were reading this in their morning papers six of our machiner Appeared over their heads.