The letter intimated that he had prepared a voluminous account of his experiences. Two or three days later I learned from another source that he had been "having a hard, rough, and exciting time," and that he could relate one of the most fascinating and sensational stories concerning the treatment meted out to our compatriots by the German authorities. I also learned that a closely written diary and a mass of other papers were on their way to me; that they were in safe keeping just over the frontier, the bearer waiting patiently for the most favourable moments to smuggle them into safety. This diary and other documents contained material which he desired me to make public with all speed in order to bring home to the British public a vivid impression of what our fellow-countrymen were suffering in the German prison camps.

The papers never reached me. Why, is related in the following pages. In prosecuting discreet enquiries to discover their whereabouts I learned, early in October 1915, that "Mahoney will be home before Christmas." My informant declined to vouchsafe any further particulars beyond the cryptic remark, "He's got something smart up his sleeve."

Knowing full well that my friend was a man of infinite resource and initiative I was not surprised to learn a week or two later that "Ruhleben knew Mahoney no longer." He had got away. His plans had proved so successful as to exceed the sanguine anticipations which he had formed.

On December 9, 1915, the day after his return to his wife and children, who had been keyed up to the highest pitch of excitement by the welcome news, we met again. His appearance offered convincing testimony as to the privations he had suffered, but I was completely surprised by the terrible tale he unfolded.

When the story narrated in the following pages was submitted to the publishers they received it with incredulity. After making enquiries concerning Mr. Mahoney's credentials they accepted his statements as being accurate, but my friend, to set the matter beyond all dispute, insisted upon making a statutory declaration as to their accuracy in every detail.

People in these islands were stirred to profound depths of horror by the cold-blooded murders of Nurse Cavell and Captain Fryatt, of whose trials nothing was heard until the sentences had been executed. A certain amount of curiosity has been aroused concerning the Teuton methods of conducting these secret trials. Henry C. Mahoney passed through a similar experience, although he escaped the extreme penalty. Still, the story of his trial will serve to bring home to the public some idea of the manner in which Germany strives to pursue her campaign of frightfulness behind closed doors.

Frederick A. Talbot.

CONTENTS

[PRISON ONE—WESEL]
chapter page
[I.] Arrested as a Spy11
[II.] Committed to Wesel Prison29
[III.] How Germany Drives Her Prisoners Mad44
[IV.] My Secret Midnight Trial60
[V.] Waiting to be Shot74

[PRISON TWO—SENNELAGER]
the black hole of germany
[VI.] Our "Luxurious Hotel"91
[VII.] Breaking us in at Sennelager105
[VIII.] Badgering the British Heroes at Mons119
[IX.] The Persecution of the Priests136
[X.] Tying Prisoners to the Stake—The Favourite Punishment148
[XI.] The Reign of Terror165
[XII.] The Reign of Terror—Continued180
[XIII.] "The Bloody Night of Sept. 11"196
[XIV.] The Guardian of the Camp209
[XV.] The Aftermath of the 11th225

[PRISON THREE—KLINGELPUTZ]
[XVI.] Free on "Pass" in Cologne237
[XVII.] Re-imprisoned at Klingelputz253

[PRISON FOUR—RUHLEBEN]
[XVIII.] The Camp of Abandoned Hope266
[XIX.] Organising the Communal City of Ruhleben280
[XX.] How I Made Money in Ruhleben Camp301
[XXI.] How The American Ambassador Was Deceived316