The answer to this question is not recorded. “In helping Belgians I help my own country” must have been the thought that rose to her lips.
Other prisoners were asked what they had to say, and among them, M. Philippe Bancq, a Belgian architect, made a memorable plea, fit to put beside Nurse Cavell’s. “I helped young Belgians to escape to join the army,” he said. “As a good Belgian patriot I am ready to lay down my life for my country.” Bancq has since been shot.
The prosecution asked for the death sentence to be passed upon Miss Cavell and eight other prisoners. But “the Judges did not seem to agree.” Nurse Cavell’s heroism appeared to have made some impression on her enemy’s hearts.
Sentence was postponed. It seemed as though mercy might prevail.
CHAPTER X.
FIGHTING FOR LIFE.
Between the trial and the sentence some sinister influence intervened. It is a secret of the Germans what that influence was. But we cannot follow the incidents of the last day of Edith Cavell’s life without becoming aware that a design had been conceived in some brain to hurry on the last penalty before there was time for a reprieve.
Mr. de Leval had heard privately on the evening before (Sunday, October 10th) that the trial was over, and that the death sentence had been demanded. The trial had ended on Friday, but Mr. Kirschen, the lawyer, did not report to Mr. de Leval as he had promised. Neither on Saturday nor Sunday could Mr. Kirschen be found, and he disappears altogether from view after the trial. After fruitless inquiries on Sunday night, Mr. de Leval went to see Baron de Lancken, the German Political Minister. Late at night he succeeded in finding a subordinate, Mr. Conrad, but could obtain no information.
On the Monday morning Mr. de Leval again saw Conrad, who assured him that judgment would not be passed for a day or two, and that the American Legation would be informed as soon as this took place. No word came from Conrad all day, and none from Kirschen. The lawyer was “out till afternoon” Mr. de Leval was told when he called at the house.