But we soon saw, too, that the spies were not working overtime on their job; they just brought in a little gossip once in a while—­just enough to save their faces and secure a soft snap for themselves.

One of these, a Frenchman named George Clerque, a Sergeant Major in the French Army, was convinced that he could do better work if he had a suit of civilian clothes; and as he had the confidence of the prison authorities, the suit was given him.  He wore it around for a few days, wormed a little harmless confidence out of some of his countrymen, and then one day quietly walked out of the front gate—­and was gone!

Being in civilian dress, it seemed quite likely that he would reach his destination, and as days went on, and there was no word of him, we began to hope that he had arrived in France.

The following notice was put up regarding his escape: 

NOTICE!

Owing to the evasions recently done, we beg to inform the prisoners of war of the following facts.  Until present time, all the prisoners who were evased, have been catched.  The French Sergt.  Major George Clerque, speaking a good German and being in connection in Germany with some people being able to favorise his evasion, has been retaken.  The Company says again, in the personal interests of the prisoners, that any evasion give place to serious punition (minima) fortnight of rigourous imprisonment after that they go in the “Strafbaracke” for an indeterminate time.

Giessen, den 19th July, 1915.

Although the notice said he had been captured we held to the hope that he had not, for we knew the German way of using the truth only when it suits better than anything they can frame themselves.  They have no prejudice against the truth.  It stands entirely on its own merits.  If it suits them, they will use it, but the truth must not expect any favors.

The German guards told us quite often that no one ever got out of Germany alive, and we were anxious to convince them that they were wrong.  One day when the mail came in, a friend of George Clerque told us he had written from France, and there was great, but, of necessity, quiet rejoicing.

That night Bromley and I decided that we would volunteer for farm service, if we could get taken to Rossbach, where some of the other boys had been working, for Rossbach was eighteen miles south of Giessen—­on the way to Switzerland.  We began to save food from our parcels, and figure out distances on the map which I had made.

The day came when we were going to volunteer—­Sunday at roll-call.  Of course, we did not wish to appear eager, and were careful not to be seen together too much.  Suddenly we were called to attention, and a stalwart German soldier marched solemnly into the camp.  Behind him came two more, with somebody between them, and another soldier brought up the rear.  The soldiers carried their rifles and full equipment, and marched by in front of the huts.