The whole of the night before opening my engraving business I sat up writing flaring signs and tickets to advertise my intentions far and wide, and soliciting the favour of orders which under my hand would convert this or that object into a priceless souvenir of our novel experience.  I also canvassed the camp to explain my ideas, and, as I expected, orders commenced to flow in.  The souvenir idea caught on to such a degree as to compel me to take in two fellow-prisoners, who evinced an aptitude for the work, as apprentices, and they speedily blossomed into craftsmen.  My first week told me I had struck the correct money-making line at last.  I found I had scooped in 200 marks—­L10!  This was not bad for the first week’s trading and I entertained no apprehensions concerning the future.  Out of this sum I was able to repay many little debts I had incurred.

The business developed so rapidly that an extension of premises became urgent.  I rigged up an addition to the kiosk, but it had to be of a portable character, so that it could be taken down every evening.  As I found my time was so occupied I reluctantly decided to keep only to the kiosk.  I dressed its interior with shelves and further improved my premises by contriving show cases for attachment outside.

When I felt my feet I blossomed out in various directions.  I bought a small stock of odds and ends in the cheap jewellery line, which were suitably engraved.  Button decorations was one line I took up and these sold like wildfire.  There was plenty of money in the camp, some of the prisoners being extremely wealthy, and this explains why my trade flourished so amazingly.  Indeed, the results exceeded even my most sanguine anticipations.

One branch of my fertility nearly landed me into serious trouble.  I fashioned souvenirs out of German coins.  I erased the Imperial head and in its place engraved a suitable inscription.  When the defacement of the money was discovered there was a fearful uproar, but as usual I contrived to escape the terrible punishment which was threatened.

Naturally one will wonder how it was I secured my supplies, seeing that purchases outside the camp were forbidden except through the officially approved channels.  While it is inadvisable for me to relate how I did secure my varied stocks I may state that I never experienced any disappointment or even a hitch in this connection.  Time after time I was taxed by military individuals, eager to secure incriminating evidence, but although they cajoled, coaxed and threatened I could not be induced to betray my secret.  Indeed, at last, I point-blank refused to furnish any information upon this matter whatever, and with this adamantine decision they were forced to remain content.  Doubtless they had their suspicions but it was impossible to bring anything home to me and so I was left in peace.