My heart was throbbing with joy, but, alas, then appeared the Judas. A young fellow, in perfectly fitting civilian clothes, went up to the officer and spoke to him in raised tones. “It is quite out of the question that these people should be allowed to leave without having all their belongings thoroughly searched. I am convinced they are Germans.” We exclaimed loudly at this, but to no end, though the English officer obeyed this blackguard with evident reluctance and contempt. However, the examination took place. Everything was turned upside down. The rascal ferreted about everywhere, but seemed unable to find any incriminating marks on any of our belongings. Suddenly he whipped round, tore open my coat, turned out my breast-pockets and said triumphantly to the officer who stood at his side, “You see, there is neither a name nor a monogram. It is a sure sign that he is a German, and that he has destroyed all initials.” Oh, if I could but have brained the reptile!
As we were soon to learn, this civilian was the representative of the firm of Thomas Cook Brothers in Gibraltar, and acted on the ships in the dual capacity of d—— spy and interpreter. His German was so pure that he must have enjoyed our hospitality in Germany for many years. How many wretched creatures probably owe their undoing to this busybody!
Once more we five were driven on deck like cattle. At this moment Judas number two appeared, who had been fetched by Cook’s agent. This was a first-class Swiss passenger, and at the instigation of the arch-sneak he was to try us in Swiss dialect. Of course we all failed miserably. Our protests were useless. Not even when I told them the wildest tales about knowing no German, as I had left Switzerland with my parents when a child of three, and had settled with them in Italy, and that after that I had drifted to America. I talked nineteen to the dozen in good Italian and American, and I nearly succeeded; but the snake hissed again—and my hopes were dashed to the ground.
The English officer refused us any further hearing; but only remarked that more Swiss had passed through Gibraltar than there were in the whole world. Bursting with a frenzy that bordered on madness, I was led away. I quickly gathered my few traps and was able unobserved to slip a scrap of paper into a German lady’s hand, which she later faithfully delivered to my relatives. A sailor rudely propelled me down the gangway into the pinnace, where the other poor wretches already sat, completely crushed. On the arrival of the English officer with his minion we started.
The Swiss traitor stood at the breast-rail of the ship and grinned gloatingly at us. Thereupon I was unable to contain myself any longer, but jumped up and shook my fist at him, yelling out an invective. Hysterical, treacherous laughter sounded back.
But a pair of German eyes sent me a sad farewell from starboard.
Good-bye, oh, happy comrade! Greet for me the Fatherland you will see again in a few days.