[30]. Since the 14th, the Spook had controlled our diet, allowing us no meat, but “tomorrow” (20th March) was the Ski Club dinner, and we wanted a “bust” before going on to bare bread. We were starving in preparation for a medical examination, should the “escape” plan fail. We tried (by secret signal to Matthews) to stop Posh Castle from sending us food from the 14th March, but our friend Price insisted on continuing until after the big dinner at least, and would have gone on for ever in the face of any opposition but our own.
[31]. The greyhounds were expensive—about £T20 each, I believe.
[32]. Spink was the originator of ski-ing in Yozgad, and to his tact in dealing with the Commandant the credit of the Ski Club is due.
[33]. Really because time was getting short and we must soon face the doctors.
[34]. The curious will find a description in “450 Miles to Freedom.”
[35]. This, we believe, is the first instance in modern times of correspondence between a spook and a Government office.
[36]. A most unfortunate explanation, as events proved.
[37]. The telegram was dispatched from Constantinople on March 29th and reached Yozgad on the afternoon of April 1st. It was in cipher, and read as follows: “With reference to your letter of March 18th, 1334” (i.e., the report of the trial dictated by the Spook) “the two officers who have been communicating with the townspeople should be released from imprisonment, and their punishment should be to stop them writing letters to their relations for one month.”
[38]. See our previous arrangement with O’Farrell, p. 118.
[39]. Pure water is useful on a voyage to Cyprus.