The very atmosphere was different. A sergeant in whose special charge we were placed regretted that he could not put proper rooms at our disposal. “But since the gentlemen will have to be quarantined first, they will perhaps understand if we keep them away from upholstered furniture.”
We had a wash, and an excellent meal, with a bottle of port.
“Did you meet any sentries?” we were asked.
“Not one.”
“Where did you cross over?”
“North of Sellingen.”
“You came over the swamp, then?” with elevated eyebrows.
“Yes, right across.”
“You were lucky. Up to a fortnight ago, sentries stood along the frontier at one hundred-meter intervals. Then they were withdrawn, because the swamp became impassable. You were fortunate, too, in getting across the Ems. A great many fugitives get drowned in it.”