Raschid believed at that time that he had been entirely forgotten by the military authorities. He was confined for over five months before hearing one single reason why he was so barbarously treated. Then upwards of five months after his arrest, he was taken to the office of Gen. Von Kessel, high commanding officer in the Steps of Brandenburg. Raschid, with whom I talked on the day following this interview, related the incidents of his conversation with the great general. Von Kessel informed him that he would soon be liberated; that he would travel by express train through the Balkans on his way to Constantinople. The general asked him the following questions amongst others:
“How long have you been in jail?”
“One hundred and sixty-two days,” answered Raschid.
“How long have you been in solitary confinement?”
“One hundred and sixty-two days.”
Here the general burst out laughing.
“One hundred and sixty-two days!” he exclaimed; “how is that?”
“I do not know,” replied Raschid.
“This is strange! This is strange! This is strange!” repeated the high Prussian commander.