That was a relief! I began to translate, taking the liberties to which every translator is entitled. And I succeeded in making a favourable impression by censoring my own manuscript.
"Well, that is right enough. But, mind, don't say in your paper that you found troops here, and especially avoid telling which troops."
"Very well, sir."
"Nor must you tell them that we detained you here. That was really not our intention at all, but just now we had no time to examine your papers."
"All right, sir."
"And what is the news in The Netherlands about the war?"
"Well, sir, not much beyond what you are sure to know already: that Japan declared war against Germany; that the Russians invaded Germany; that the French gained some important victories in Alsace; that the German fleet lost some ships...."
"Oh, bosh! Stop it! These are, of course, all lies from Reuter; they did not come from Wolff. Japan is not going to declare war against us; much rather against Russia!"
"Oh, but, sir, Wolff confirmed these reports."