Sixteen Months in Four German Prisons | Page 2

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 SPY 11
II. COMMITTED TO WESEL PRISON 29
III. HOW GERMANY DRIVES HER PRISONERS MAD 44
IV. MY SECRET MIDNIGHT TRIAL 60
V. WAITING TO BE SHOT 74
PRISON TWO--SENNELAGER
THE BLACK HOLE OF GERMANY
VI. OUR "LUXURIOUS HOTEL" 91
VII. BREAKING US IN AT SENNELAGER 105
VIII. BADGERING THE BRITISH HEROES AT MONS 119
IX. THE PERSECUTION OF THE PRIESTS 136
X. TYING PRISONERS TO THE STAKE--THE FAVOURITE PUNISHMENT 148
XI. THE REIGN OF TERROR 165
XII. THE REIGN OF TERROR--CONTINUED 180
XIII. "THE BLOODY NIGHT OF SEPT. 11" 196
XIV. THE GUARDIAN OF THE CAMP 209
XV. THE AFTERMATH OF THE 11TH 225
PRISON THREE--KLINGELPUTZ
XVI. FREE ON "PASS" IN COLOGNE 237
XVII. RE-IMPRISONED AT KLINGELPUTZ 253
PRISON FOUR--RUHLEBEN
XVIII. THE CAMP OF ABANDONED HOPE 266
XIX. ORGANISING THE COMMUNAL CITY OF RUHLEBEN 280
XX. HOW I MADE MONEY IN RUHLEBEN CAMP 301

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
The Author as he appeared on the Day of his Release from Ruhleben Frontispiece FACE PAGE
"The Bloody Night of September 11, 1914" 198
The Aftermath of the "Bloody Night" 226
Facsimile of the Pass issued by the German authorities to the Author on his leaving Sennelager for C?ln-on-Rhein 238

PRISON ONE--WESEL
CHAPTER I
ARRESTED AS A SPY
"Start August First. Book tickets immediately."
Such were the instructions I received at Brighton early in July, 1914, from Prince ----. A few days previously I had spent considerable time with this scion of the Russian nobility discussing the final arrangements concerning my departure to his palace in Russia, where I was to devote two months to a special matter in which he was deeply interested, and which involved the use of special and elaborate photographic apparatus, microscopes, optical lantern and other accessories. I may mention that the mission in question was purely of scientific import.
During the discussion of these final arrangements a telegram was handed to the Prince. He scanned it hurriedly, jumped up from his seat, and apologising for his abruptness, explained that he had been suddenly called home. He expressed the hope that he would shortly see me in Russia, where I was promised a fine time, but that he would instruct me the precise date when to start. Meanwhile I was urged to complete my purchases of the paraphernalia which we had decided to be imperative for our purpose, and he handed me sufficient funds to settle all the accounts in connection therewith.